Connector and connector-equipped electric wire

A connector includes: a terminal fitting connected to an electric wire; a housing including a housing chamber, an electric wire drawing port, a communication hole, and a counterpart fitting chamber where a gap formed between the counterpart fitting chamber and a counterpart terminal fitting is filled with a first sealing member; a lid member; a second sealing member that fills a gap between these and forms a first sealed space part in the housing with the first sealing member; a waterproof member including one end part in close contact with an end part of the housing, the other end part in close contact with the electric wire drawn from the electric wire drawing port, and a tubular part, the tubular part including a second sealed space part communicating with the first sealed space part through the electric wire drawing port; and a ventilation component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-098524 filed in Japan on Jun. 14, 2021.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connector and a connector-equipped electric wire.

2. Description of the Related Art

One of the conventionally known connectors is a waterproof connector that suppresses the entry of water into a housing where a terminal fitting is housed. This connector is provided with a waterproof function to maintain the liquid tightness and air tightness in the housing. Therefore, in this connector, the internal pressure of the housing changes under a certain condition. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H9-35807, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2014-164825, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-193823, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H9-45425, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2016-201319, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2019-110096, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2018-121442, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2013-241143 disclose various techniques for this type of waterproof connector in view of the change in the internal pressure of the housing.

For example, an end of an electric wire is physically and electrically connected to a terminal fitting of a connector, and then the electric wire is drawn to the outside through an electric wire drawing port of the housing, thereby forming a connector-equipped electric wire. This type of connector includes a waterproof member in order to suppress the entry of water through the electric wire drawing port. One end of the waterproof member is placed on an outer peripheral surface of an end part of the housing on the electric wire drawing port side in a close contact state and the other end of the waterproof member is placed on an outer peripheral side of the electric wire that is drawn through the electric wire drawing port in a close contact state, so that the electric wire drawing port is covered (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H9-35807). This conventional waterproof member is molded from an elastic material such as rubber, and is attached closely to the housing or the electric wire so that a space is not formed on the inside.

Incidentally, in order not to form the space inside the waterproof member in the connector, it is necessary to mold the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the waterproof member so as to exactly match the outer shape of the housing or the electric wire, or to make the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the waterproof member smaller than the outer shape of the housing or the electric wire. For these reasons, the connector requires higher precision in molding the waterproof member or sacrifices in the workability in assembling the waterproof member, which may lead to higher costs. Therefore, as a practical matter, it is desirable that this connector has a space inside the waterproof member. However, since the waterproof member is more flexible than the housing with high rigidity, the space inside makes it easier to cause the shape change under the influence of the change of the internal pressure of the housing. In the connector, as the shape of the waterproof member changes, a gap may be formed between the waterproof member and the housing, or an excessive load may be applied to the waterproof member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of this, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connector and a connector-equipped electric wire that can improve the waterproof property.

In order to achieve the above mentioned object, a connector according to one aspect of the present invention includes a terminal fitting physically and electrically connected to an end of an electric wire; a housing including a housing chamber for housing the terminal fitting and the end of the electric wire connected to the terminal fitting, an electric wire drawing port through which the electric wire is drawn to outside of the housing chamber, a communication hole through which the housing chamber communicates with the outside of the housing chamber, and a counterpart fitting chamber into which a counterpart terminal fitting to be physically and electrically connected to the terminal fitting in the housing chamber is inserted and fitted and a gap formed between the counterpart fitting chamber and an outer peripheral surface of the counterpart terminal fitting is filled with a first sealing member; a lid member that covers the communication hole; a second sealing member that fills a gap between the lid member and the communication hole and forms a first sealed space part in the housing with the first sealing member; a waterproof member being elastically deformable and including one end part with an inner peripheral surface in close contact with an outer peripheral surface of an end part of the housing on the electric wire drawing port side, an other end part with an inner peripheral surface in close contact with an outer peripheral side of the electric wire drawn from the electric wire drawing port, and a tubular part connecting between the one end part and the other end part, the tubular part including a second sealed space part communicating with the first sealed space part through the electric wire drawing port; and a ventilation component that is assembled to the lid member, enables passage of gas between the first sealed space part and the outside of the housing, and disables passage of liquid between the first sealed space part and the outside of the housing.

In order to achieve the above mentioned object, a connector-equipped electric wire according to another aspect of the present invention includes an electric wire; and a connector attached to an end of the electric wire, the connector including a terminal fitting physically and electrically connected to the end of the electric wire, a housing including a housing chamber for housing the terminal fitting and the end of the electric wire connected to the terminal fitting, an electric wire drawing port through which the electric wire is drawn to outside of the housing chamber, a communication hole through which the housing chamber communicates with the outside of the housing chamber, and a counterpart fitting chamber into which a counterpart terminal fitting to be physically and electrically connected to the terminal fitting in the housing chamber is inserted and fitted and a gap formed between the counterpart fitting chamber and an outer peripheral surface of the counterpart terminal fitting is filled with a first sealing member, a lid member that covers the communication hole, a second sealing member that fills a gap between the lid member and the communication hole and forms a first sealed space part in the housing with the first sealing member, a waterproof member being elastically deformable and including one end part with an inner peripheral surface in close contact with an outer peripheral surface of an end part of the housing on the electric wire drawing port side, an other end part with an inner peripheral surface in close contact with an outer peripheral side of the electric wire drawn from the electric wire drawing port, and a tubular part connecting between the one end part and the other end part, the tubular part including a second sealed space part communicating with the first sealed space part through the electric wire drawing port, and a ventilation component that is assembled to the lid member, enables passage of gas between the first sealed space part and the outside of the housing, and disables passage of liquid between the first sealed space part and the outside of the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of a connector and a connector-equipped electric wire according to the present invention is hereinafter described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

Embodiment

One embodiment of the connector and the connector-equipped electric wire according to the present invention is described with reference toFIG.1toFIG.9.

InFIG.1toFIG.4, the connector-equipped electric wire according to the present embodiment is denoted by reference sign1. This connector-equipped electric wire1includes an electric wire10, and a connector20attached to an end of this electric wire10(FIG.2toFIG.4).

The connector-equipped electric wire1described here includes one connector20at one end of the electric wire10and one connector20at the other end thereof (FIG.1andFIG.4). Furthermore, the connector-equipped electric wire1described here includes an exterior member15that covers the electric wire10between the two connectors20(FIG.1toFIG.4).

The electric wire10includes a core wire11, which is a conductor, and a cover12that covers the core wire11(FIG.2andFIG.3). A section of the electric wire10described here that is orthogonal to the axial direction of the electric wire10is circular. Therefore, in this electric wire10, the core wire11with a cylindrical columnar shape is covered concentrically with the cover12with a cylindrical tubular shape.

Each connector20includes a terminal fitting30and a housing40(FIG.2toFIG.4). In this connector20, the terminal fitting30physically and electrically connected to the end of the electric wire10is housed in the housing40, and the electric wire10is drawn from the housing40to the outside.

The terminal fitting30is molded from a conductive material such as metal. For example, the terminal fitting30described here includes a terminal connection part31with a rectangular flat-plate shape, and an electric wire connection part32that is physically and electrically connected to the core wire11at the end of the electric wire10(FIG.2toFIG.4). This terminal fitting30is physically and electrically connected to a counterpart terminal fitting EP1included in a counterpart device EP (FIG.3). The terminal fitting30described here is screwed and fixed to the counterpart terminal fitting EP1. For example, here, a circular through-hole31ais formed as a bolt insertion hole in the terminal connection part31, and a male screw member B1inserted into the through-hole31ais screwed into a female screw part B2of the counterpart terminal fitting EP1, so that the terminal connection part31is screwed and fixed to the counterpart terminal fitting EP1(FIG.2andFIG.3). For example, the electric wire connection part32is caulked and crimped to the core wire11at the end of the electric wire10.

The housing40is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin, or a conductive material such as metal.

The housing40includes a housing chamber40ain which the terminal fitting30and the end of the electric wire10connected to the terminal fitting30are housed (FIG.2toFIG.4). Furthermore, this housing40includes an electric wire drawing port40bthrough which the electric wire10is drawn out of the housing chamber40a(FIG.2andFIG.3). Furthermore, the housing40includes a communication hole40cthat makes the housing chamber40acommunicate with the outside of the housing chamber40a(FIG.2toFIG.4). In addition, this housing40includes a counterpart fitting chamber40ethat communicates with the housing chamber40aand into which the counterpart terminal fitting EP1is inserted and fitted through a terminal insertion port40d(FIG.2andFIG.3). In the housing40described here, the direction in which the electric wire10is drawn (hereinafter referred to as “electric wire drawing direction”) intersects with (specifically, is orthogonal to) the direction in which the counterpart terminal fitting EP1is inserted and fitted.

The housing40includes a housing main body41the inner space of which is used as the housing chamber40aand the counterpart fitting chamber40e, and an end part42on the electric wire drawing port40bside that protrudes from the housing main body41in the direction in which the electric wire10is drawn (hereinafter this end part is referred to as “electric wire drawing part”) (FIG.2toFIG.4).

The housing main body41is formed in the shape of two tubular bodies intersecting with (specifically, orthogonal to) each other. The housing main body41described here includes a first tubular body41awith a rectangular tubular shape, and a second tubular body41bwith a cylindrical tubular shape having a tube axis orthogonal to the tube axis of the first tubular body41a. The housing main body41has an L-like shape including an intersection part41cwhere an end part of the first tubular body41aand an end part of the second tubular body41bintersect with each other (FIG.1toFIG.4). In this housing main body41, the inner space continues from an opening at one end part of the first tubular body41ato an opening at one end part of the second tubular body41b. For example, in this housing main body41, from the opening at one end part of the first tubular body41ato the inside of the intersection part41c, the inner space is formed keeping the rectangular opening shape, and from the opening at one end part of the second tubular body41bto the inside of the intersection part41c, the inner space is formed keeping the circular opening shape.

In addition, in the housing main body41described here, each of the first tubular body41aand the second tubular body41bincludes a protruding part protruding from the intersection part41c. End parts of the respective protruding parts in the protruding direction (that is, one end part of the first tubular body41aand one end part of the second tubular body41b) and the other end part of the second tubular body41bin the intersection part41c, that is, only three parts are opened.

The electric wire drawing part42protrudes from the periphery of the opening at one end part of the first tubular body41a. The housing main body41described here includes a wall part41d(FIG.1) that connects a square ring shaped end at one end part of the rectangular tubular shape of the first tubular body41ato the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire drawing part42, and this wall part41dincludes an opening that matches the outer peripheral shape of the electric wire drawing part42. Here, the opening has a circular shape. In this housing main body41, the respective inner spaces at the protruding part of the first tubular body41aand the intersection part41care used as the housing chamber40a. In this housing main body41, the terminal connection part31is placed in the inner space of the intersection part41cso that the second tubular body41band the through-hole31aare substantially concentric.

In the second tubular body41b, the inward circular opening of the ring-shaped end at one end part of the cylindrical tubular shape is used as the terminal insertion port40d. In this second tubular body41b, the cylindrical columnar space inside the protruding part is used as the counterpart fitting chamber40e. The counterpart fitting chamber40eis a chamber into which the counterpart terminal fitting EP1to be physically and electrically connected to the terminal connection part31of the terminal fitting30in the housing chamber40ais inserted and fitted, and the counterpart terminal fitting EP1with a cylindrical columnar shape inserted and fitted through the terminal insertion port40dis placed concentrically with the female screw part B2. In the housing main body41, a flat plane of the terminal connection part31in the housing chamber40aand an end surface of the counterpart terminal fitting EP1in the counterpart fitting chamber40eare in surface contact with each other, and the through-hole31aof the terminal connection part31and the female screw part B2of the counterpart terminal fitting EP1are arranged substantially concentrically.

Furthermore, since there is a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the counterpart fitting chamber40eand the outer peripheral surface of the counterpart terminal fitting EP1, the gap is filled with a first sealing member EP2to suppress the entry of liquid (such as water) from the terminal insertion port40d(FIG.3). Here, since an annular (specifically ring-shaped) gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the counterpart fitting chamber40eand the outer peripheral surface of the counterpart terminal fitting EP1, this annular gap is filled with the annular (specifically ring-shaped) first sealing member EP2. In this example, an O-ring as the first sealing member EP2is pre-assembled to an outer peripheral wall of the counterpart terminal fitting EP1, and by inserting and fitting the counterpart terminal fitting EP1together with the first sealing member EP2into the counterpart fitting chamber40e, the first sealing member EP2is placed in the annular gap between the inner peripheral surface of the counterpart fitting chamber40eand the outer peripheral surface of the counterpart terminal fitting EP1.

The intersection part41cincludes a circular opening that is smaller in diameter than the ring-shaped end at the other end part of the cylindrical tubular shape of the second tubular body41band concentric with that end. In this housing main body41, the opening is used as the communication hole40c. In the connector20described here, the communication hole40cis used as an opening for work when the terminal fitting30is screwed and fixed to the counterpart terminal fitting EP1. In other words, in this connector20, the male screw member B1is inserted from the communication hole40cinto the housing chamber40ain the intersection part41ctogether with a tool socket (not illustrated), and the male screw member B1is inserted into the through-hole31aof the terminal connection part31, and further screwed into the female screw part B2of the counterpart terminal fitting EP1.

The connector20includes a lid member50that covers the communication hole40c(FIG.1toFIG.4). This lid member50includes a lid main body51with a disc shape, and a fitting part52to be fitted into the communication hole40c. The fitting part52is a disc-shaped part with a smaller diameter than that of the lid main body51, bulging out from the lid main body51on the same axis (FIG.2andFIG.3). The connector20includes a second sealing member59that fills the gap between this lid member50and the communication hole40cto suppress the entry of liquid (such as water) through that communication hole40c. Here, since an annular (specifically ring-shaped) gap is formed between an inner wall surface of the periphery of the communication hole40cand an outer peripheral surface of the fitting part52, this annular gap is filled with the annular (specifically ring-shaped) second sealing member59. In this example, an O-ring as the second sealing member59is pre-assembled to an outer peripheral wall of the fitting part52, and by fitting this fitting part52together with the second sealing member59into the communication hole40c, the second sealing member59is placed in the annular gap between the inner wall surface of the periphery of the communication hole40cand the outer peripheral surface of the fitting part52.

The electric wire drawing part42described here includes a first electric wire drawing part42awith a cylindrical tubular shape protruding coaxially from a peripheral part of the opening of the wall part41dof the housing main body41, and a second electric wire drawing part42bwith a tubular shape protruding from an inner peripheral side of an end surface of the first electric wire drawing part42ain the protruding direction and making the inner space of the first electric wire drawing part42acommunicate with the outside of the housing40(FIG.2toFIG.4). In this electric wire drawing part42, the opening in the second electric wire drawing part42bon the protruding direction side is used as the electric wire drawing port40b. In this connector20, the terminal fitting30and the end of the electric wire10are inserted through the electric wire drawing port40b, and the terminal fitting30and the end of the electric wire10are inserted into the housing chamber40athrough the electric wire drawing part42; thus, the electric wire10is drawn out of the housing chamber40athrough the electric wire drawing port40b.

The connector20described here is configured as a so-called shielded connector. For this reason, in this connector20, the housing40is molded from a conductive material such as metal to suppress the entry of external noise into the housing chamber40a, and the housing40is electrically connected to a metal casing of the counterpart device EP. Furthermore, in the connector-equipped electric wire1described here, the tip of the electric wire10that is drawn from the electric wire drawing port40bis covered with a braided wire16with a tubular shape (FIG.2toFIG.4). The braided wire16is a member made of metal wires braided into a mesh and cylindrical tubular shape, and suppresses the entry of external noise into the electric wire10. The braided wire16described here is placed on an outer peripheral surface of the second electric wire drawing part42band is electrically connected to the second electric wire drawing part42b.

In this connector-equipped electric wire1, the braided wire16is covered with the exterior member15from the outside in a radial direction. This exterior member15is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin into a tubular shape, and the electric wire10drawn from the electric wire drawing port40bis inserted into the exterior member15together with the braided wire16. As a result, this exterior member15is placed on the electric wire10drawn from the electric wire drawing port40band the braided wire16that covers the electric wire10. The exterior member15described here is molded in a cylindrical tubular shape and covers the electric wire10and the braided wire16substantially concentrically. For example, a corrugated tube with a cylindrical tubular and bellows-like shape is used as this exterior member15.

The connector20has a waterproof function to protect the terminal fitting30from water. As described above, in the housing40, the waterproof property of the counterpart fitting chamber40eis secured by the first sealing member EP2, and the waterproof property of the communication hole40cside in the housing chamber40ais secured by the second sealing member59. Therefore, in this housing40, the first sealing member EP2and the second sealing member59together form a first sealed space part40f(FIG.2andFIG.3) in the housing40. This first sealed space part40fis a sealed space in the housing40in this connector20. This first sealed space part40fis formed by the housing chamber40aand the inner space of the electric wire drawing part42. In this connector20, the first sealed space part40fcan be formed in the housing40by further adding the waterproof function to the electric wire drawing port40bside.

The connector20includes a waterproof member60, which is elastically deformable, to suppress the entry of external liquid (such as water) into the electric wire drawing port40bin order to add the waterproof function to the electric wire drawing port40bside (FIG.1toFIG.4). This waterproof member60includes one end part60awith its inner peripheral surface in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the end part of the housing40on the electric wire drawing port40bside (electric wire drawing part42), the other end part60bwith its inner peripheral surface in close contact with the outer peripheral side of the electric wire10drawn out of the electric wire drawing port40b, and a tubular part60cconnecting between the one end part60aand the other end part60b(FIG.1toFIG.4). This waterproof member60is molded from, for example, a synthetic rubber material.

The waterproof member60described here has a first waterproof part61with a cylindrical tubular shape, a second waterproof part62with a cylindrical tubular shape, having a smaller diameter than that of the first waterproof part61, and a tapered part63with a tubular shape, connecting the first waterproof part61and the second waterproof part62on the same axis (FIG.1toFIG.4).

In this waterproof member60, an end part of the first waterproof part61on the opening side is used as one end part60awhere the inner peripheral surface is attached in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire drawing part42. This one end part60ais placed on the first electric wire drawing part42aof the electric wire drawing part42from the outer peripheral surface side, so that the inner peripheral surface is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first electric wire drawing part42a. In this example, this one end part60ais fastened with a binding band69from the outer peripheral surface side to improve the adhesion between this one end part60aand the first electric wire drawing part42a(FIG.1).

In this waterproof member60, the second waterproof part62is used as the other end part60bwhere the inner peripheral surface is attached in close contact with the outer peripheral side of the electric wire10drawn from the electric wire drawing port40b. When the connector-equipped electric wire1includes neither the exterior member15nor the braided wire16, this other end part60b(second waterproof part62) is placed on the electric wire10drawn from the electric wire drawing port40bfrom the outer peripheral surface side and the inner peripheral surface is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire10. On the other hand, since the connector-equipped electric wire1includes the exterior member15and the braided wire16, the other end part60b(second waterproof part62) described here is placed on the exterior member15, which covers the electric wire10drawn from the electric wire drawing port40bfrom the outside, from the outer peripheral surface side, so that the inner peripheral surface is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the exterior member15. Here, since the exterior member15is the corrugated tube with the bellows-like shape, the inner peripheral surface of the other end part60b(second waterproof part62) is in close contact with a plurality of ridges of this exterior member15. In this example, this other end part60b(second waterproof part62) is fastened with the binding band69from the outer peripheral surface side to enhance the adhesion between this other end part60b(second waterproof part62) and the outer peripheral side of the electric wire10(here, the outer peripheral surfaces of the ridges of the exterior member15) (FIG.1).

In this waterproof member60, the tapered part63and the remainder of the first waterproof part61excluding the one end part60aare used as the tubular part60c. The tubular part60cincludes a second sealed space part64that communicates with the first sealed space part40fthrough the electric wire drawing port40b(FIG.2andFIG.3). For example, this tubular part60cis formed so that a gap is provided between an inner peripheral surface thereof and the outer peripheral surface of the second electric wire drawing part42bof the electric wire drawing part42(braided wire16), and between this inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire10(braided wire16). In other words, this waterproof member60is formed so that an annular space part is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the tubular part60cand the outer peripheral surface of the second electric wire drawing part42bof the electric wire drawing part42, and between the inner peripheral surface of the tubular part60cand the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire10. Therefore, in this waterproof member60, the annular space part serves as the second sealed space part64.

Thus, in this connector20and the connector-equipped electric wire1, the second sealed space part64is provided inside the waterproof member60. Therefore, in this connector20and the connector-equipped electric wire1, if the internal pressure of the first sealed space part40fof the housing40changes due to a change in the surrounding temperature or the like, the waterproof member60may expand or contract under the influence of this internal pressure change. If the waterproof member60expands and contracts excessively, for example, a gap may be formed between the one end part60aand the first electric wire drawing part42a, or between the other end part60band the outer peripheral side of the electric wire10(in this case, the outer peripheral surface of the exterior member15). The excessive expansion and contraction may also cause an overload on the waterproof member60.

In view of this, the connector20in this embodiment includes a ventilation component70that is assembled to the lid member50to enable the passage of gas between the first sealed space part40fand the outside of the housing40, while disabling the passage of liquid between the two (FIG.1toFIG.4). This ventilation component70is assembled to a through-hole50aof the lid member50(FIG.2toFIG.4). This through-hole50ais formed penetrating the lid main body51and the fitting part52, and makes the first sealed space part40fcommunicate with the outside of the housing40. The through-hole50adescribed here is formed in a cylindrical columnar shape concentric with the lid main body51and the fitting part52.

The ventilation component70includes a ventilation member71that allows the passage of gas but does not allow the passage of liquid, and a protective member72that houses and protects the ventilation member71(FIG.5toFIG.7). Furthermore, this ventilation component70includes a third sealing member73to suppress the entry of liquid (such as water) through the through-hole50aof the lid member50.

For example, a porous member is used as the ventilation member71. This porous member is, for example, a porous film made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The ventilation member71described here is molded in a disc shape.

The protective member72is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The protective member72includes a ventilation chamber72athat communicates with the first sealed space part40fand the outside of the housing40, and houses the ventilation member71so as to enable the passage of the gas between the first sealed space part40fand the outside of the housing40only through the ventilation member71(FIG.5andFIG.6). The protective member72includes a first communication part72bthat makes the ventilation chamber72acommunicate with the first sealed space part40f, and a second communication part72cthat makes the ventilation chamber72acommunicate with the outside of the housing40(FIG.5andFIG.6).

For example, this protective member72includes a main part72A including the ventilation chamber72a, a shaft part72B that protrudes from the main part72A and is inserted into the through-hole50aof the lid member50, and a fixing part72C that is fixed to the lid member50(FIG.5toFIG.7). The first communication part72bis formed, for example, as a passage from the main part72A to the shaft part72B. The second communication part72cis formed, for example, as a passage or an opening in the main part72A. The third sealing member73is molded into an annular shape that allows the shaft part72B to be inserted thereinto. The third sealing member73is disposed between the main part72A and an outer wall surface of the lid main body51of the lid member50in close contact with the main part72A and this outer wall surface, thereby suppressing the entry of liquid through the through-hole50aof the lid member50.

Specifically, the protective member72described here is an assembly of a first protective member74and a second protective member75, and the main part72A is divided into the first protective member74side and the second protective member75side (FIG.5toFIG.7). The first protective member74and the second protective member75may be held in a manner that, for example, these members are assembled together with a lock mechanism such as a claw (not illustrated) or they may be attached together with an adhesive.

The first protective member74includes a pedestal part74awith a plate shape, which is one division of the main part72A, the shaft part72B with a cantilever shape, which is suspended from the pedestal part74a, and a plurality of fixing parts72C with a claw shape, which protrude from an outer peripheral surface of a free end of the shaft part72B (FIG.5toFIG.7). This first protective member74includes the first communication part72b.

In this first protective member74, the pedestal part74ais formed in a ring plate shape and the shaft part72B is formed in a cylindrical tubular shape coaxial with the pedestal part74a. In this first protective member74, the inner space of each of the pedestal part74aand the shaft part72B is used as the first communication part72bwith a cylindrical columnar shape.

The fixing parts72C are locking parts to be locked to an inner wall surface of the fitting part52of the lid member50in the first sealed space part40f. This fixing parts72C are inserted into the first sealed space part40fand locked to the periphery of the through-hole50aon the inner wall surface of the fitting part52.

The ventilation member71is attached to the pedestal part74ain a state where the opening of the first communication part72bon the pedestal part74aside is closed. For example, this ventilation member71may be welded to the pedestal part74a, or may be attached to this pedestal part74awith an adhesive.

The second protective member75is the other division of the main part72A. This second protective member75includes a space part as the ventilation chamber72athat houses the ventilation member71attached to the pedestal part74a. The second protective member75includes the second communication part72c.

This second protective member75is formed in a cylindrical tubular shape with the opening at one end closed, and at least one groove part forming the second communication part72cis formed in its peripheral wall.

As described above, in the connector20and the connector-equipped electric wire1in the present embodiment, when the internal pressure of the first sealed space part40fof the housing40changes, such as a change in the surrounding temperature, the change in the internal pressure can be suppressed by the ventilation component70. Therefore, in the connector20and the connector-equipped electric wire1, the expansion and contraction of the waterproof member60can be suppressed, so that the one end part60aand the first electric wire drawing part42acan be kept in a close contact state and the other end part60band the outer peripheral side of the electric wire10(here, the outer peripheral surface of the exterior member15) can be kept in a close contact state. In the connector20and the connector-equipped electric wire1, by suppressing the expansion and contraction of the waterproof member60, the overload is not applied on the waterproof member60. Therefore, in the connector20and the connector-equipped electric wire1in the present embodiment, the waterproof member60can keep the waterproof function and the waterproof property can be improved. In addition to this, the connector20and the connector-equipped electric wire1in this embodiment can secure the waterproof property without having the waterproof function such as a sealing member between the electric wire10and the housing40; thus, the size can be reduced.

In addition, the connector20and the connector-equipped electric wire1in this embodiment have the braided wire16in the space surrounded by the housing40, the waterproof member60, and the exterior member15, and thus the braided wire16can also have the waterproof function.

In addition, in the connector20and the connector-equipped electric wire1in this embodiment, the housing40may be made in the shape that matches the shape of the connector of the counterpart device EP (for example, the shape of the counterpart terminal fitting EP1), and in this case, since the ventilation component70is assembled to the lid member50, the lid member50and the ventilation component70can have versatility without being affected by the shape of the housing40.

In addition, the connector20and the connector-equipped electric wire1in this embodiment have the ventilation component70assembled to the lid member50, which is highly rigid and easy to secure a flat surface, instead of the flexible waterproof member60, and accordingly, the ventilation component70can be assembled easily.

In addition, the connector20and the connector-equipped electric wire1in this embodiment can have the ventilation component70pre-assembled to the connector20, so that the ventilation component70does not particularly interfere with the work of assembling the connector20to the counterpart.

Incidentally, in the connector-equipped electric wire1in this embodiment, the housing chambers40aof both connectors20are connected through the exterior member15; therefore, simply providing the ventilation component70only to one connector20can suppress the change in the internal pressure of the first sealed space part40fin each housing chamber40a. Therefore, the connector-equipped electric wire1in this embodiment can have the effect similar to the aforementioned effect even if the ventilation component70is provided only to one connector20. In this case, the lid member50to which the ventilation component70can be assembled may be prepared for one connector20, and a lid member without the through-hole50a(not illustrated) may be prepared for the other connector20. As a result, in the connector-equipped electric wire1in this embodiment, since there is no need to change the shape of the housing40depending on the presence or absence of the ventilation component70, the cost can be reduced.

In the connector20and the connector-equipped electric wire1, the protecting function of the ventilation member71may be enhanced by providing a tubular protective wall53, which surrounds the periphery of the main part72A of the protective member72, to the lid main body51of the lid member50(FIG.8).

In the connector20and the connector-equipped electric wire1, a male screw part provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft part72B may be used as the fixing part72C, and the ventilation component70may be assembled to the lid member50by screwing the fixing part72C to at least a female screw part54provided on the peripheral wall surface of the through-hole50aof the lid member50(FIG.9). Here, in order to secure the axial force between the fixing part72C, which is the male screw part, and the female screw part54, a fixing part55with a cylindrical tubular shape is provided on the inner wall surface of the fitting part52of the lid member50, and the female screw part54is extended to the inner peripheral surface of this fixing part55(FIG.9).

In the connector and the connector-equipped electric wire according to the present embodiment, when the internal pressure of the housing chamber of the housing changes, such as a change in the surrounding temperature, the change in the internal pressure can be suppressed by a ventilation component. Therefore, in the connector and the connector-equipped electric wire, the expansion and contraction of the waterproof member can be suppressed, so that one end part and the end part of the housing on the electric wire drawing port side can be kept in a close contact state, and moreover, the other end part and the outer peripheral side of the electric wire can be kept in a close contact state. In the connector and the connector-equipped electric wire, by suppressing the expansion and contraction of the waterproof member, the overload is not applied on the waterproof member. Therefore, in the connector and the connector-equipped electric wire according to the present invention, the waterproof member can keep the waterproof function and the waterproof property can be improved.