Abstract:
A connector drip-proof member includes a cylinder part configured to be attached to a cable whose end is connected to a connector so as to cover a part of the cable, and a barb portion linked to the cylinder part and configured to prevent droplets on the cable from reaching the connector. The barb portion includes an upper surface configured to face to a back end side of the cable, and an under surface configured to face to an end side of the cable. The cylinder part penetrates the barb portion from the upper surface to the under surface. The upper surface is concave. A connector drip-proof member and cable structure is provided which can be applied to a narrow space, reduce workload for attaching, and be manufactured at low costs.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This present invention relates to a connector drip-proof member and a cable structure. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In order to electrically connect electric equipments, a cable structure is used. The cable structure contains a cable and a connector connected to an end of the cable. In the cable structure, there is a case where a water drop is generated on the cable by condensation. When the water drop runs down the cable to enter into the connector, electric connection may be disturbed. So, a water-proof means is provided in the cable structure. 
     As an example of the water-proof means, a drip loop can be listed.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  show examples of the cable structure in which the drip loop is provided, respectively. A cable structure  100  shown in  FIG. 1A  has a cable  101  and a connector  102  attached to one end of the cable  101 . The cable  101  is bent at the vicinity of the connector  102 , and a drip loop  103  is formed thereby. Similarly, the cable structure  100  shown in  FIG. 1B  has the cable  101  and the connector  102 . The connector  102  is arranged to be downward. The cable  101  is bent at the vicinity of the connector to be convex upward, and the drip loop  103  is formed thereby. Since the drip loop  103  is formed, the water drop on the cable  101  is prevented from reaching the connector  102 . 
     As another example of the water-proof means, potting can be listed.  FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing the other example of the cable structure. In the cable structure shown in  FIG. 2 , a potting portion  104  is provided to cover a connection portion between the cable  101  and the connector  102 . The potting portion  104  prevents liquid droplets on the cable  101  from entering into the connector  102 . 
     Also, a different related technique is described in a patent literature 1 (Japanese Unexamined Utility Model (Registration) Application Publication No. H06-44045 U). The patent literature 1 discloses a water-proof code connector that is provided with: a connector body having a plurality of blade and an outer cap fitting with the connector body. This water-proof code connector has an insertion cylinder having an opening through which an electric wire code is inserted, in the outer shell cap. On the inner wall of the insertion cylinder, a plurality of water-proof valve are circumferentially arranged at many stages for protecting the water entering into the outer shell cap. One water-proof valve is arranged on the opening side via a winding groove placed on the inner wall of the insertion cylinder. Also, the plurality of water-proof valves are arranged on the inward side of the outer shell cap via the winding groove on the inner wall of the insertion cylinder. 
     CITATION LIST 
     [Patent literature 1] Japanese Unexamined Utility Model (Registration) Application Publication No. H06-44045 U 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     However, when the drip loop  103  is arranged as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the cable  101  becomes longer than necessary. Moreover, depending on the location in which the cable structure is arranged, a space for the drip loop  103  may not be obtained. 
     Further, when the potting portion  104  is used as shown in  FIG. 2 , the potting portion should be cured after being applied. In order to form potting portion  104 , much time is spent. Additionally, when detaching the connector  102  from the cable  101 , the potting portion  102  should be removed and extra work is needed. 
     Also, according to the water-proof code connector disclosed in patent literature 1, the outer shell cap having water-proof valves, the winding groove or the like should be manufactured. 
     The outer shell having a complicated structure is needed, and that brings disadvantages in a cost of manufacturing connectors. 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector drip-proof member and cable structure, which can be applied to a narrow space, reduce workload for attaching, and be manufactured at low cost. 
     A connector drip-proof member according to the present invention includes a cylinder part configured to be attached to a cable whose end is connected to a connector so as to cover a part of the cable, and a barb portion linked to the cylinder part and configured to prevent droplets on the cable from reaching the connector. The barb portion includes an upper surface configured to face to a back end side of the cable, and an under surface configured to face to an end side of the cable. The cylinder part penetrates the barb portion from the upper surface to the under surface. The upper surface is concave. 
     According to the present invention, since the barb portion is provided, droplets are prevented from running down cable to reach the connector. Drip loops are not needed, and the connector drip-proof member can be attached to the cable even in a narrow space. Furthermore, since a potting material or the like is not needed, time is not spent in curing the potting material. Additionally, since a special structure is not necessary for the cable and the connector, waterproof processes can be conducted at low cost. 
     A cable structure according to the present invention includes above mentioned drip-proof member, a cable to which the connector drip-proof member is attached, and a connector connected to an end of the cable. 
     According to the present invention, a connector drip-proof member and cable structure is provided which can be applied to a narrow space, reduce workload for attaching, and be manufactured at low cost. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a view showing one example of the cable structure in which the drip loop is provided. 
         FIG. 1B  is a view showing a different example of the cable structure in which the drip loop is provided. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing another example of the cable structure. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view showing a cable structure pertaining to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a connector drip-proof member. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing the drip-proof member for the connector. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a connector drip-proof member pertaining to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 7A  is a sectional view showing the connector drip-proof member. 
         FIG. 7B  a sectional view showing a connector drip-proof member pertaining to a variation example of the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 7C  is a sectional view showing a connector drip-proof member pertaining to a different variation example of the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a connector drip-proof member pertaining to a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 9A  is a view showing the connector drip-proof member when seen along an axial direction of a cylinder part. 
         FIG. 9B  is an explanation view for explaining a method of attaching the drip-proof member to the connector. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a connector drip-proof member pertaining to a fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view showing a connector drip-proof member. 
         FIG. 12  is a view showing a drainer part when seen from a back-side of the cable. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view showing a cable structure  1  pertaining to the present embodiment. This cable structure  1  is assumed to be used to connect electronic equipments arranged in an airplane. There is a case that the attitude of the airplane changes during flight. For this reason, liquid droplets on a cable easily run down the cable. For this reason, a waterproof process against the liquid droplets running down the cable is requested. Also, a space in which the cable structure  1  can be arranged is limited. Thus, a waterproof process with small-footprint is required. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the cable structure  1  pertaining to the present embodiment contains a cable  5 , a connector  2 , a back shell  3  and a connector drip-proof member  6 . An edge of the cable  5  is inserted into the back shell  3 . The back shell  3  is linked to the connector  2 . The edge of the cable  5  is connected to the connector  2  via the back shell  3 . As the cable  5 , for example, an electric cable, an optical cable and the like are used. 
     The drip-proof member  6  is provided to prevent liquid droplets on the cable  5  from reaching the connector  2 . The drip-proof member  6  is attached to the cable  5  at the vicinity of the back shell  3 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the drip-proof member  6 . Also,  FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing the drip-proof member  6 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the drip-proof member  6  has a cylinder part  7  and a barb portion  8 . 
     The cylinder part  7  has a cylindrical shape. The cable  5  is inserted through the cylinder part  7 . In other words, the cylinder part  7  is attached to the cable so that a part of the cable  5  is covered in the circumferential direction. 
     The barb portion  8  is provided for receiving the liquid droplets running down the cable  5 . The barb portion  8  is ball-shaped and coupled to the cylinder part  7 . In detail, the barb portion  8  has an upper surface  8 - 1  and an under surface  8 - 2 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The upper surface  8 - 1  is oriented to the back-side of the cable  5 . The under surface  8 - 2  is oriented to the end portion of the cable. The upper surface  8 - 1  forms a concave surface. The cylinder part  7  penetrates through the barb portion  8 , from the upper surface  8 - 1  to the under surface  8 - 2 . 
     The material of the drip-proof member  6  is not limited. As the material of the drip-proof member  6 , for example, plastic, rubber, shrinkage sleeve and the like can be used. 
     The above cable structure  1  can be obtained by a method described below. Before the cable  5  is connected to the back shell  3  and the connector  2 , the cable  5  is inserted through the drip-proof member  6 . Next, the back shell  3  and the connector  2  are attached to the end the cable  5 . Consequently, the cable structure  1  is obtained. 
     According to the cable structure  1  pertaining to the present embodiment, the liquid droplets on the cable  5  are received by the barb portion  8 . Thus, the liquid droplets are prevented from running down to enter into the connector  2 . 
     Also, according to the present embodiment, the water-proof process can be conducted without installation of the drip loop and the like. The length of the cable  5  can be reduced, thereby enabling reduction in the weight of the cable structure  1 . Moreover, since the cable  5  is not required to be bent, the cable structure  1  can be arranged even in a narrow space. 
     In addition, according to the present embodiment, the water-proof process can be conducted only by inserting the cable  5  through the drip-proof member  6 . Potting agent and the like are not required, and the water-proof process can be conducted in a short time. Also, since the potting agent and the like are not used at a connection part between the connector  2  and the cable  5 , a special work is not required for detaching the connector  2  from the cable  5 . 
     Also, according to the present embodiment, a special configuration is not required in the connector  2  and the back shell  3 . Accordingly, the manufacturing cost of the connector  2  and the back shell  3  can be suppressed. 
     In this embodiment, a case is explained in which the cable structure  1  is arranged inside the airplane. However, the cable structure  1  pertaining to the present embodiment is not limited to the one arranged inside the airplane, and can be applied to different fields. However, in the airplane, an installation space is limited. Also, in the airplane, many (for example, 1000 to 2000) cables are used, and reduction of weight is strongly required. Furthermore, in the airplane, the liquid droplets easily run down the cable  5  due to a change of attitude. From these viewpoints, the cable structure  1  pertaining to the present embodiment is preferably applied to airplanes. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, the second embodiment will be described.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a drip-proof member  6  pertaining to the present embodiment, and  FIG. 7A  is its sectional view. In this embodiment, as compared with the first embodiment, the configuration of the barb portion  8  is revised. Since the other configurations can be similar to the first embodiment, detailed explanations will be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7A , in this embodiment, a return portion  8 - 3  is added to the barb portion  8 . The return portion  8 - 3  links to an outer edge of the upper surface  8 - 1  and extends to the cylinder part  5  side from the outer edge. Also, the return portion  8 - 3  is bent such that a tip portion is oriented to an end portion of the cable  5 . That is, the return portion  8 - 3  has a hooked shape. 
     According to the present embodiment, as is the case in the first embodiment, the barb portion  8  receives the liquid droplets. Thus, the liquid droplets can be prevented from reaching the connector  2 . 
     In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the return portion  8 - 3  is provided, liquid  9  (refer to  FIG. 7A ) received by the barb portion  8  can be prevented from spilling out. Thus, the liquid droplets are surely prevented from entering into the connector  2 . 
     The return portion  8 - 3  is preferably provided over the entire circumference of the outer edge of the upper surface  8 - 1 . If the return portion  8 - 3  is provided over the entire circumference, the liquid  9  can be further surely prevented from spilling out. However, the return portion  8 - 3  may be provided only on a part of the entire circumference of the outer edge. 
     Next, the variation example of the present embodiment will be described. 
       FIG. 7B  is a sectional view showing a drip-proof member  6  pertaining to this variation example. In this variation example, a water absorption member  13  is added. The water absorption member  13  is arranged in a concave portion formed by the return portion  8 - 3 . Since the water absorption member  13  is arranged, on the outer edge (tip portion) of the upper surface  8 - 1 , the liquid  9  is absorbed by the water absorption member  13 . As a result, the liquid  9  can be further surely prevented from spilling out from the barb portion  8 . 
     The water absorption member  13  may be arranged on the upper surface  8 - 1 , as shown in  FIG. 7C . Even in the case where the water absorption member  13  is arranged at such a position, the liquid received in the barb portion  8  is absorbed, and the liquid can be prevented from spilling out from the barb portion  8 . 
     Third Embodiment 
     Next, the third embodiment will be described.  FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a drip-proof member  6  pertaining to the present embodiment. Also,  FIG. 9A  is a view showing the drip-proof member  6  when seen along an axial direction of the cylinder part  7 . In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9A , a slit portion  10  is provided in the cylinder part  7  and the barb portion  8 . Also, the cylinder part  7  and the barb portion  8  are made of elastic materials. The other configurations can be similar to the already-described embodiments. Thus, detailed explanations will be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the slit portion  10  extends from one end of the cylinder part  7  to the other end of the cylinder part  7 . As shown in  FIG. 9A , the slit portion  10  is arranged so that the cylinder part  7  and the barb portion  8  can be opened in the circumferential direction. That is, the drip-proof member  6  pertaining to the present embodiment can be opened in the circumferential direction at the slit portion  10 . 
       FIG. 9B  is an explanation view for explaining a method of attaching the drip-proof member  6 . As shown in  FIG. 9B , after the drip-proof member  6  is opened in the circumferential direction, the drip-proof member  6  is attached to the cable  5  so that the cable  5  is covered by the cylinder part  7 . 
     According to the present embodiment, since the slit portion  10  is provided, the drip-proof member  6  can be opened in the circumferential direction. For this reason, even after the cable  5  is connected to the connector  2  or the like, the drip-proof member  6  can be attached to the cable  5 . 
     In this embodiment, the elastic material is used as the drip-proof member  6 . As the elastic material, the plastic, the rubber, the shrinkage sleeve and the like can be used. Here, preferably, the material of the drip-proof member  6  has a property which enables the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder part  7  to be adhered to the cable  5  without any gap. From this viewpoint, a shrink sleeve is preferable, rubber is secondarily preferable, and plastic is thirdly preferable. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     Next, the fourth embodiment will be described.  FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the drip-proof member  6  pertaining to the present embodiment.  FIG. 11  is a sectional view showing the drip-proof member  6 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , in this embodiment, a drainer part  11  is added. Since the other configurations can be similar to the first embodiment, detailed explanations will be omitted. 
     The drainer part  11  is provided so that the liquid overflowed from the barb portion  8  is separated from the cable  5 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the drainer part  11  is coupled to the cylinder part  7  at a position nearer to the end of the cable  5  than the barb portion  8 . The drainer part  11  has a drainer upper surface  11 - 1  and a drainer under surface  11 - 2 . The cylinder part  7  penetrates through the drainer part  11  from the drainer upper surface  11 - 1  to the drainer under surface  11 - 2 . The drainer upper surface  11 - 1  is concave-shaped. 
       FIG. 12  is a view showing the drainer part  11  when seen from the back-side of the cable  5 . Illustration of the barb portion  8  is omitted. As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , an edge of the drainer upper surface  11 - 1  has a corner  12  of a sharp angle. The drip-proof member  6  is attached to the cable  5  so that the corner  12  is downward side in vertical direction (refer to  FIG. 11 ). 
     According to the present embodiment, even if the liquid overflows from the barb portion  8 , the overflowed liquid is received by the drainer part  11 . Here, since the corner  12  is provided to be oriented to the perpendicularly downward side, the received liquids drop from the corner  12  and do not run down the cable  5 . Accordingly, the liquid droplets are further surely prevented from entering into the cable. 
     As mentioned above, the present invention has been described by the first to fourth embodiments. These embodiments and variation examples are not independent of each other. They can be used by combining in a range without any conflict. 
     This application claims a priority on convention based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-239614 filed on Oct. 26, 2010. The disclosure thereof is incorporated herein by reference.