Connector with sealing part

A connector includes: a housing having a first through-hole; a plate-shaped conductor inserted into the first through-hole; and a sealing part that has a flat annular shape in a plane view and seals between the conductor and the hosing. The sealing part has a pair of linear first sealing parts and a pair of arc-shaped second sealing parts. The housing has a recess that has a flat shape in a plan view and receives the sealing part. An inner dimension in a longitudinal direction of the recess is substantially equal to an outer dimension in the longitudinal direction of the sealing part, and an inner dimension in a short direction of the recess is smaller than an outer dimension in a short direction of the sealing part. The conductor presses and compresses the first sealing part and the second sealing part in a held state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-173649 filed in Japan on Sep. 25, 2019.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connector.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the related art, a connector having a sealing member is known. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2018-116896 discloses a technology of a connector including a main housing retaining a main terminal for relaying a main circuit, an electric wire with a connector including an electric wire for relaying a sub-circuit and a sub-connector connected to an end of the electric wire, and an electric wire retention part connecting with the main housing and retaining the electric wire.

In the connector of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2018-116896, a potting material or a rubber stopper seals between the electric wire and the electric wire retention part.

In a case where an annular sealing part is inserted into the housing in advance, when deformation such as bending occurs in the sealing part, an opening width may be narrowed. If the opening width of the sealing part is narrow, a conductor may interfere with the sealing part when the conductor is inserted into the sealing part. As a result of the interference, sealability may be deteriorated such as damage of the sealing part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of suppressing the narrowing of an opening width of an annular sealing part.

In order to achieve the above mentioned object, a connector according to one aspect of the present invention includes an insulating housing configured to be fixed to a casing of a first device at a communication part through which an opening of the casing of the first device and an opening of a casing of a second device communicate with each other, and includes a first through-hole that allows an internal space of the first device and an internal space of the second device to communicate with each other; a plate-shaped conductor configured to be inserted into the first through-hole to electrically connect the first device and the second device; and a sealing part that has a flat annular shape in a plan view and seals between the conductor and the hosing, wherein the sealing part includes a pair of linear first sealing parts extending in a longitudinal direction and a pair of arc-shaped second sealing parts connecting end portions of the pair of first sealing parts, the housing includes a recess that has a flat shape in a plan view, is connected an end portion of the first through-hole, and receives the sealing part, an inner dimension in a longitudinal direction of the recess is substantially equal to an outer dimension in the longitudinal direction of the sealing part in a state in which the sealing part is not received in the recess, and an inner dimension in a short direction of the recess is smaller than an outer dimension in a short direction of the sealing part in the state in which the sealing part is not received in the recess, and the conductor presses the first sealing part and the second sealing part toward inner wall surfaces of the recess and compresses the first sealing part and the second sealing part in a held state in which the conductor has been inserted into the first through-hole and held by the housing.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the connector, it is preferable that sizes of gaps between the conductor in the held state and the inner wall surfaces of the recess are sizes that allow a compression ratio of the first sealing part and a compression ratio of the second sealing part to be substantially equal to each other.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the connector, it is preferable that the inner wall surface of the recess has a first wall surface facing the first sealing part in the short direction of the recess and a second wall surface facing the second sealing part in the longitudinal direction of the recess, and when a thickness of the first sealing part in a plan view is D1and a thickness of the second sealing part is D2in a plan view in the state in which the sealing part is not received in the recess, a size of a gap between the conductor in the held state and the first wall surface is Gp1, and a size of a gap between the conductor and the second wall surface is Gp2, an Equation (1) below is satisfied,
Gp1/D1=Gp2/D2  (1).

According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the connector, it is preferable that when the sealing part is viewed in a plan view, a thickness of the second sealing part is smaller than a thickness of the first sealing part.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the connector, it is preferable that the conductor includes a body located at an intermediate part in a longitudinal direction of the conductor, a first terminal part located on one end side of the conductor with respect to the body and is connected to the first device, a second terminal part located on the other end side of the conductor with respect to the body and is connected to the second device, and a taper part provided between the body and the first terminal part, the body is a part that compresses the first sealing part and the second sealing part in the held state, and a width of the first terminal part is narrower than a width of the body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a connector according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the invention is not limited to the embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily arrived at by a person skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

First Embodiment

With reference toFIG. 1toFIG. 21, the first embodiment will be described. The present embodiment relates to a connector.FIG. 1is a sectional view of a connector, a first device, and a second device according to the first embodiment,FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment,FIG. 3is a front view of a conductor according to the first embodiment,FIG. 4is a plan view of a housing according to the first embodiment,FIG. 5is a front view of the housing according to the first embodiment,FIG. 6is a side view of the housing according to the first embodiment,FIG. 7is a sectional view of the housing according to the first embodiment,FIG. 8is a plan view of a sealing member according to the first embodiment,FIG. 9is a sectional view of the sealing member according to the first embodiment,FIG. 10is a sectional view of the sealing member according to the first embodiment,FIG. 11is an enlarged view of a third recess according to the first embodiment, andFIG. 12is a plan view of the sealing member of the first embodiment received in the third recess.

FIG. 7illustrates a section taken along line VII-VII ofFIG. 5.FIG. 9illustrates a section taken along line IX-IX ofFIG. 8.FIG. 10illustrates a section taken along line X-X ofFIG. 8.

As illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, a connector1according to the embodiment has a housing2, a plurality of conductors3, a plurality of sealing members4, and a support member5. The connector1electrically connects a first device100and a second device200. In the present embodiment, the first device100is a motor and the second device200is an inverter. The first device100and the second device200are mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, for example. A motor body103of the first device100and an inverter body203of the second device200are electrically connected via the conductors3.

The second device200is interposed between a battery mounted on the vehicle and the first device100. The second device200has a conversion function between a direct current and an alternating current and a transformation function of stepping up and down a voltage. The supply of electric power from the battery to the first device100is controlled by the second device200. Furthermore, electric power generated by regeneration in the first device100is stored in the battery via the second device200.

The first device100has a casing101and the motor body103. The motor body103is a main component of the first device100and includes a rotor and a stator. The motor body103is disposed in an internal space102of the casing101. In the internal space102of the casing101, a first liquid104is stored. The first liquid104is a liquid having a lubricating function and a cooling function for the motor body103, and is, for example, oil. An upper wall part101aof the casing101has an opening101b. The opening101bpenetrates the wall part101aand allows the internal space102of the casing101and an external space of the casing101to communicate with each other.

The second device200has a casing201and the inverter body203. The inverter body203is a main component of the second device200and includes a switching circuit. The inverter body203is disposed in an internal space202of the casing201. A pipe204is provided in the internal space202of the casing201. A second liquid205for cooling is supplied to the inverter body203via the pipe204. The second liquid205is, for example, coolant. A lower wall part201aof the casing201has an opening201b.

The casing101and the casing201are fixed to each other while the opening101band the opening201bface each other. A gasket300is interposed between the wall part101aof the casing101and the wall part201aof the casing201.

The connector1is fixed to the casing101of the first device100at a communication part10through which the opening101bof the first device100and the opening201bof the second device200communicate with each other. The communication part10is a part where the opening101bof the first device100and the opening201bof the second device200face each other. In the present embodiment, the opening201bof the second device200is larger than the opening101bof the first device100. Accordingly, the wall part101aof the first device100is exposed toward the internal space202of the second device200.

As illustrated inFIG. 1toFIG. 3, each of the conductors3of the present embodiment is a bus bar. The number of the conductors3included in the connector1of the present embodiment is four. However, the number of the conductors3is not limited to four. The conductor3is made of a conductive metal, for example, copper, aluminum, and the like. The conductor3is formed, for example, by being punched out from a metal plate as a base material. The conductor3has a body30, a first terminal part31, a second terminal part32, a taper part33, and a plate-shaped part34. The body30has a rectangular plate shape. The body30is located at an intermediate part between the first terminal part31and the second terminal part32.

The first terminal part31is located on one end side in a longitudinal direction with respect to the body30. The first terminal part31is connected to the body30via the taper part33and the plate-shaped part34. The first terminal part31is electrically connected to a terminal included in the first device100. The first terminal part31has a circular shape, for example. A width W1of the first terminal part31is narrower than a width W0of the body30. The first terminal part31has a through-hole31ainto which a fastening member is inserted.

The second terminal part32is located on the other end side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the body30, and is continuous with the body30. The second terminal part32is electrically connected to a terminal included in the second device200. The second terminal part32has a circular shape, for example. The second terminal part32has a through-hole32ainto which a fastening member is inserted. An outer diameter W2of the second terminal part32is larger than the width W1of the first terminal part31. The outer diameter W2of the second terminal part32is larger than the width W0of the body30.

Each of the conductors3is inserted into the housing2with the first terminal part31as a head. In the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the conductor3is referred to as a “height direction Z”. Furthermore, a direction in which the conductors3are arranged is referred to as a “first direction X”. The first direction X is orthogonal to the height direction Z. A direction orthogonal to both the first direction X and the height direction Z is referred to as a “second direction Y”. The second direction Y is a thickness direction of the conductor3.

The plate-shaped part34is a rectangular plate-shaped part that connects the taper part33and the first terminal part31. A width W4of the plate-shaped part34is equal to the width W1of the first terminal part31and is constant along the height direction Z. The taper part33is a part in which a width W3changes along the height direction Z. The width W3of the taper part33becomes narrower from the body30toward the plate-shaped part34. The value of the width W3of the taper part33is equal to the width W0of the body30at an end portion connected to the body30. Furthermore, the value of the width W3of the taper part33is equal to the width W4of the plate-shaped part34at an end portion connected to the plate-shaped part34.

An edge part of the conductor3is chamfered. Due to the chamfering process, the sectional shapes of the edge parts of the body30, the first terminal part31, the second terminal part32, the taper part33, and the plate-shaped part34are substantially arc shapes.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the housing2has a body20and a wall part21. The body20and the wall part21are integrally molded of an insulating synthetic resin, for example. The material of the housing2is resistant to the first liquid104. The material of the housing2is, for example, an oil-resistant synthetic resin. The body20is a part fixed to the wall part101aof the first device100. As illustrated inFIG. 5and the like, the body20has a base22formed in a plate shape and a protruding part23protruding toward the height direction Z from the base22. The wall part21protrudes toward the height direction Z from a tip end of the protruding part23.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the base22has a substantially rectangular planar shape. The longitudinal direction of the base22is the first direction X. The base22is provided at the four corners thereof with fixed parts22ceach having through-holes. The fixed parts22care fixed to the wall part101aof the first device100by, for example, bolts. The base22has a first surface22aand a second surface22b. The second surface22bis a surface on which the protruding part23is provided. The first surface22ais a surface opposite to the second surface22b. The base22is fixed with the first surface22afacing the second device200and with the second surface22bfacing the wall part101a. The first surface22afaces upward when the first device100and the second device200are installed in a vehicle, for example.

As illustrated inFIG. 5andFIG. 6, the protruding part23protrudes toward the height direction Z from the second surface22bof the base22. The protruding part23has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protruding part23in a section orthogonal to the height direction Z has a substantially sectional rectangular shape. In the sectional shape of the protruding part23, the longitudinal direction is the first direction X.

As illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 4, the body20has a recess24formed in multiple stages. The recess24is open to the first surface22aof the base22and is recessed toward the wall part21along the height direction Z. The recess24has a first recess24A, a second recess24B, and third recesses24C. The first recess24A is fitted to the support member5and supports the support member5from below. A protrusion52of the support member5is fitted in the second recess24B. The sealing members4are inserted into the third recesses24C.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the first recess24A has a substantially rectangular planar shape. The longitudinal direction of the first recess24A is the first direction X. The first recess24A has a first wall surface24fand a second wall surface24gfacing each other in the second direction Y. The first wall surface24fand the second wall surface24gare surfaces along the first direction X and the height direction Z.

The second recess24B is recessed along the height direction Z from a bottom surface24hof the first recess24A toward the wall part21side. The second recess24B has a substantially rectangular planar shape. The longitudinal direction of the second recess24B is the first direction X. The third recesses24C are recessed along the height direction Z from a bottom surface24jof the second recess24B toward the wall part21side. The recess24of the present embodiment has a plurality of third recesses24C. The number of the third recesses24C is set to four in accordance with the number of the conductors3and the number of the sealing members4. The four third recesses24C are arranged in a row along the first direction X. The four third recesses24C are disposed at equal intervals, for example.

The shape of the third recess24C in a plan view is a flat shape. The longitudinal direction of the third recess24C is the first direction X. The planar shape of the third recess24C is a shape corresponding to the planar shape of the sealing member4. The inner wall surface of the third recess24C has a pair of first wall surfaces24dand24dand a pair of second wall surfaces24eand24e. The first wall surfaces24dand24dface each other in the second direction Y. The first wall surface24dis a surface substantially orthogonal to the second direction Y. The second wall surface24econnects the end portions of the pair of first wall surfaces24dand24d. The shape of the second wall surface24ein a plan view is a convex shape toward the outside along the first direction X. The planar shape of the second wall surface24eof the present embodiment is a substantially arc shape.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the body20has a plurality of first through-holes25. The conductors3are press-fitted into the first through-holes25, respectively, and held by the first through-holes25. Each of the first through-holes25has a sectional shape corresponding to that of the conductor3, and has a substantially rectangular shape, for example. The longitudinal direction in the sectional shape of the first through-hole25is the first direction X. The number of the first through-holes25included in the body20is four in accordance with the number of the conductors3to be inserted. The first through-holes25are disposed at equal intervals along the first direction X.

The first through-holes25penetrate the body20along the height direction Z. One end of the first through-hole25is open to a bottom surface24kof the third recess24C. The other end of the first through-hole25is open to a tip end surface23aof the protruding part23. One first through-hole25is disposed for one third recess24C.

The wall part21is a rectangular flat plate-shaped component part and protrudes toward the height direction Z from the tip end surface23aof the protruding part23. As illustrated inFIG. 5,FIG. 7and the like, the wall part21holds nuts21a. Four nuts21aare fixed to the wall part21of the present embodiment in correspondence with the four conductors3. The nuts21aare integrally formed with the wall part21by molding, for example. A screw hole21bof each of the nuts21aextends along the second direction Y. The first terminal part31of the conductor3and the terminal of the first device100are co-fastened to the nut21aby a bolt.

The housing2has a plurality of insulating walls26. Each of the insulating walls26is a wall that divides between the adjacent conductors3. The housing2of the present embodiment has three insulating walls26in correspondence with the four conductors3. The insulating walls26protrude toward the second direction Y from the side surface of the protruding part23and the wall part21. The insulating walls26extend along the height direction Z from the second surface22bof the base22to a tip end surface21cof the wall part21.

As illustrated fromFIG. 8toFIG. 10, the sealing member4has a sealing part40. The sealing member4is integrally molded of a resin such as rubber. The material of the sealing member4is a material having resistant to the first liquid104, and is, for example, oil-resistance acrylic rubber and the like. The sealing part40is a part that seals between the conductor3and the housing2. In the present embodiment, the entire sealing member4serves as the sealing part40. However, the sealing member4may have a part other than the sealing part40. As illustrated inFIG. 8, the shape of the sealing part40in a plan view is a flat annular shape. The sealing part40has a pair of first sealing parts41and41and a pair of second sealing parts42and42.

The first sealing part41is a linear part extending in the longitudinal direction of the sealing part40. The sealing member4is inserted into the third recess24C of the housing2such that the longitudinal direction of the sealing part40coincides with the first direction X and the short direction of the sealing part40coincides with the second direction Y. In the following description of the sealing member4, the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the height direction Z are directions when the sealing member4has been attached to the housing2.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the sectional shape of the first sealing part41is circular. That is, the shape of the first sealing part41is a columnar shape. The pair of first sealing parts41and41is parallel and one of the first sealing parts41and the other first sealing part41are separated from each other in the second direction Y.

The second sealing part42is an arc-shaped part that connects the end portions of the pair of first sealing parts41and41. The shape of the second sealing part42in a plan view is a curved shape that is convex in a direction away from the first sealing part41. The planar shape of the second sealing part42of the present embodiment is a substantially semicircle. More specifically, the second sealing part42has two arc portions42aand one linear portion42b. The planar shape of the arc portion42ais an arc shape having a central angle of 90°. One end42cof the arc portion42ais connected to the end portion of the first sealing part41. The other end42dof the arc portion42ais connected to the linear portion42b.

The linear portion42bis a linear portion extending in the second direction Y. The linear portion42bconnects the two arc portions42a. The linear portion42bis located at the center of the second sealing part42in the second direction Y. The linear portion42bis provided at a position facing the conductor3in the first direction X. As illustrated inFIG. 10, the sectional shape of the linear portion42bis circular. Furthermore, the sectional shape of the arc portion42ais the same circular shape as that of the linear portion42b. In the sealing part40of the present embodiment, the sectional shape and sectional area of the first sealing part41and the sectional shape and sectional area of the second sealing part42are substantially the same.

A hole43is formed by the pair of first sealing parts41and41and the pair of second sealing parts42and42. The conductor3is inserted into the hole43. The shape of the hole43in a plan view is a flat shape, for example, a substantially rectangular shape.

FIG. 8illustrates the thickness D1of the first sealing part41and the thickness D2of the second sealing part42in a plan view. The thicknesses D1and D2are thicknesses when the sealing part40is not received in the third recess24C. In other words, the thicknesses D1and D2are thicknesses when no external force acts on the sealing part40.

In the present embodiment, the thickness D1of the first sealing part41is equal to a diameter of the first sealing part41in the sectional shape thereof. Furthermore, the thickness D2of the second sealing part42is equal to a diameter of the second sealing part42in the sectional shape thereof. In the sealing part40of the present embodiment, the thickness D1of the first sealing part41and the thickness D2of the second sealing part42are equal to each other. Note that the thickness D2of the second sealing part42is, for example, the thickness of the sealing part40at a position on the long axis thereof, in other words, a thickness at a position facing the side surface of the conductor3. In the present embodiment, the linear portion42bis located on the long axis of the sealing part40and faces the side surface of the conductor3. In such a case, the thickness of the linear portion42brepresents the thickness D2of the second sealing part42.

An inner dimension Ws1of the sealing part40in the first direction X is determined according to the dimension of the conductor3. The inner dimension Ws1is a length of the hole43. In other words, the inner dimension Ws1is a distance along the first direction X from an inner edge of one of the linear portions42bto an inner edge of the other linear portion42b. Note that the inner dimension Ws1is a dimension when the sealing part40is not received in the third recess24C. An inner dimension Ws2and external dimensions Ws3and Ws4to be described later are also dimensions when the sealing part40is not received in the third recess24C.

The inner dimension Ws1is smaller than the width W0of the body30of the conductor3and is equal to or more than the width W4of the plate-shaped part34of the conductor3. That is, the size of the inner dimension Ws1is set such that the plate-shaped part34can be easily inserted into the hole43. Furthermore, the size of the inner dimension Ws1is determined such that the sealing part40is expanded by the body30toward the first direction X.

The inner dimension Ws2of the sealing part40in the second direction Y is determined according to the dimension of the conductor3. The inner dimension Ws2is a width of the hole43. In other words, the inner dimension Ws2is a distance from an inner edge of one of the first sealing parts41to an inner edge of the other first sealing part41. The inner dimension Ws2is smaller than a plate thickness t of the conductor3. Note that in the conductor3of the present embodiment, a plate thickness t is uniform from the first terminal part31to the second terminal part32.

The outer dimension Ws3of the sealing part40in the first direction X is associated with the dimension of the third recess24C. The outer dimension Ws3is a distance along the first direction X from an outer edge of the one linear portion42bto an outer edge of the other linear portion42b. The outer dimension Ws3has the same value as that of an inner dimension Wc1(seeFIG. 11) of the third recess24C in the first direction X.

The outer dimension Ws4of the sealing part40in the second direction Y is associated with the dimension of the third recess24C. The outer dimension Ws4is a distance along the second direction Y from an outer edge of the one first sealing part41to an outer edge of the other first sealing part41. The outer dimension Ws4has a value larger than that of an inner dimension Wc2(seeFIG. 11) of the third recess24C in the second direction Y.

That is, the sealing part40of the present embodiment is compressed along the second direction Y when the sealing part40is received in the third recess24C. On the other hand, the sealing part40is not substantially compressed along the first direction X when the sealing part40is received in the third recess24C.

FIG. 12illustrates the sealing member4received in the third recess24C.FIG. 13illustrates the sealing member4received in a recess24X of a comparative example. The recess24X of the comparative example is different from the third recess24C of the present embodiment in that the size of an inner dimension WcX in the first direction X is smaller than the outer dimension Ws3of the sealing part40. In such a case, compressive force F1in the first direction X acts on the sealing part40received in the recess24X. Due to the compressive force F1, the first sealing part41is likely to be deformed so as to be bent inward. This deformation causes the central parts of the pair of first sealing parts41and41to be brought closer to each other. In other words, the first sealing part41is deformed so as to narrow the opening width of the hole43.

On the other hand, as illustrated inFIG. 12, in the connector1of the present embodiment, the deformation of the sealing part40received in the third recess24C is suppressed. Compressive force in the first direction X does not substantially act on the sealing part40of the present embodiment or even though the compressive force in the first direction X acts thereon, the magnitude of the compressive force is not large enough to bend the first sealing part41. Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG. 12, the sealing part40is received in the third recess24C while the first sealing part41maintains the linear shape. That is, the sealing part40is less likely to be deformed to narrow the opening width of the hole43.

Thus, in the connector1of the present embodiment, when the conductor3is inserted into the hole43, the conductor3is less likely to interfere with the first sealing part41. As a consequence, in the connector1of the present embodiment, the conductor3is prevented from damaging the sealing part40or from rolling the sealing part40.

As illustrated inFIG. 14toFIG. 17, the support member5has a tubular part50, a bottom wall part51, the protrusion52, and insulating walls53. The tubular part50, the bottom wall part51, the protrusion52, and the insulating walls53are integrally molded of an insulating synthetic resin, for example. The material of the support member5is resistant to the second liquid205. Note that the material of the support member5may be a material not resistant to the first liquid104or a material having low resistant to the first liquid104relative to the material of the housing2.

The tubular part50has a rectangular tubular shape. The outer shape of the tubular part50in a plan view is a rectangle. The longitudinal direction of the tubular part50is the first direction X. The tubular part50has a first wall part55and a second wall part56facing each other in the second direction Y. The bottom wall part51is a wall part that closes one opening of the tubular part50. An inner surface51aof the bottom wall part51is a surface facing the second device200. The inner surface51ais a surface facing upward when the first device100and the second device200are installed in a vehicle, for example.

As illustrated inFIG. 15toFIG. 17, the protrusion52protrudes along the height direction Z from an outer surface51bof the bottom wall part51. The protrusion52serves as an O-ring stopper that supports the sealing member4. The support member5supports the sealing members4by one protrusion52.

The support member5has a plurality of second through-holes54into which the conductors3are inserted, respectively. Each of the second through-holes54has a substantially sectional rectangular shape. The longitudinal direction in the sectional shape of the second through-hole54is the first direction X. The support member5has four second through-holes54in correspondence with the four conductors3. The four second through-holes54are arranged along the first direction X. The four second through-holes54are disposed at equal intervals, for example. The second through-holes54penetrate the bottom wall part51and the protrusion52along the height direction Z. One end of the second through-hole54is open to the inner surface51aof the bottom wall part51. The other end of the second through-hole54is open to a tip end surface52aof the protrusion52. The four second through-holes54are formed for one protrusion52. The tip end surface52acloses the third recess24C, and supports the sealing part40such that the sealing part40does not come out of the third recess24C.

The insulating walls53are walls that divide between the adjacent conductors3. The insulating walls53are connected to an inner surface55aof the first wall part55, an inner surface56aof the second wall part56, and the inner surface51aof the bottom wall part51, and divide the internal space of the tubular part50. Furthermore, each of the insulating walls53has a protruding part53aprotruding from the tubular part50along the height direction Z.

The connector1of the present embodiment is assembled as follows, for example. First, as illustrated inFIG. 18, the sealing members4are inserted into the third recesses24C of the housing2, respectively. One sealing member4is inserted into one third recess24C. Next, as illustrated inFIG. 19, the support member5and the conductors3are attached to the housing2. The tubular part50of the support member5is fitted into the first recess24A, and the protrusion52of the support member5is fitted into the second recess24B. The conductors3are inserted into the second through-holes54of the support member5, the holes43of the sealing member4, and the first through-holes25of the housing2. At this time, the conductor3is inserted into the hole43while expanding the sealing part40toward the inner wall surface of the third recess24C.

The support member5and the conductors3may be attached to the housing2at the same time or separately. In the former assembly method, the conductors3are inserted into the second through-holes54of the support member5, and then the support member5and the conductors3are attached to the housing2. In the latter assembly method, the support member5is first attached to the housing2, and then the conductors3are attached to the support member5and the housing2.

FIG. 20andFIG. 21illustrate the conductor3in a held state. The held state of the conductor3is a state in which the conductor3has been inserted into the first through-hole25and held by the housing2. As illustrated inFIG. 21, the first through-hole25has a locking portion25afor positioning the conductor3. The locking portion25ais a part of the first through-hole25and locks the taper part33of the conductor3. The locking portion25ais inclined such that its width in the first direction X becomes narrower as it goes downward. The inclination angle of the locking portion25ais equal to that of the taper part33, for example. The locking portion25apositions the conductor3in the height direction Z and the first direction X.

As illustrated inFIG. 20, the conductor3compresses the first sealing part41of the sealing member4. More specifically, the body30of the conductor3presses the first sealing part41toward the first wall surfaces24dand compresses the first sealing part41in the second direction Y. In the following description, a state in which the first sealing part41is compressed by the conductor3in the held state and the first wall surfaces24dis simply referred to as a compressed state. The width of the first sealing part41in the compressed state is determined by a size Gp1of a gap between the conductor3and the first wall surfaces24d. A compression ratio Cp1at which the conductor3and the first wall surfaces24dcompress the first sealing part41is represented by the following Equation (1).
Cp1=(D1−Gp1)/D1×100  (1)

As illustrated inFIG. 21, the conductor3compresses the second sealing part42of the sealing member4. More specifically, the body30of the conductor3presses the second sealing part42toward the second wall surfaces24eand compresses the second sealing part42in the first direction X. In the following description, a state in which the second sealing part42is compressed by the conductor3in the held state and the second wall surfaces24eis simply referred to as a compressed state. The width of the second sealing part42in the compressed state is determined by a size Gp2of a gap between the conductor3and the second wall surfaces24e. A compression ratio Cp2at which the conductor3and the second wall surfaces24ecompress the second sealing part42is represented by the following Equation (2).
Cp2=(D2−Gp2)/D2×100  (2)

The connector1of the present embodiment satisfies the following Equation (3). That is, in the connector1of the present embodiment, the housing2, the sealing part40, and the conductor3are designed such that the compression ratio Cp1of the first sealing part41and the compression ratio Cp2of the second sealing part42are equal to each other. Thus, the connector1of the present embodiment can both suppress the narrowing of the opening width of the sealing part40and make the compression ratios in the sealing part40uniform.
Cp1=Cp2  (3)

As described above, the connector1of the present embodiment has the insulating housing2, the plate-shaped conductors3, and the sealing parts40. The housing2is fixed to the casing101of the first device100at the communication part10through which the opening101bof the first device100and the opening201bof the second device200communicate with each other. The housing2has the first through-holes25that allow the internal space102of the first device100and the internal space202of the second device200to communicate with each other. The conductors3are inserted into the first through-holes25, respectively, to electrically connect the first device100and the second device200.

The sealing part40has a flat annular shape in a plan view and seals between the conductor3and the housing2. The sealing part40has the pair of first sealing parts41and41and the pair of second sealing parts42and42. The first sealing part41is a linear part extending in the longitudinal direction of the sealing part40. The second sealing part42is an arc-shaped part that connects the end portions of the pair of first sealing parts41and41.

The housing2has the third recess24C for receiving the sealing part40. The third recess24C has a flat shape in a plan view and is connected the end portion of the first through-hole25. The inner dimension Wc1in the longitudinal direction of the third recess24C is substantially equal to the outer dimension Ws3in the longitudinal direction of the sealing part40when the sealing part40is not received in the third recess24C. The inner dimension Wc2in the short direction of the third recess24C is smaller than the outer dimension Ws4in the short direction of the sealing part40when the sealing part40is not received in the third recess24C.

In the held state, the conductor3presses and compresses the first sealing part41and the second sealing part42toward the inner wall surfaces24dand24eof the third recess24C. The held state is a state in which the conductor3has been inserted into the first through-hole25and held by the housing2. According to the connector1of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the narrowing of the opening width of the sealing part40. This suppresses the conductor3from interfering with the sealing part40and damaging the sealing part40.

In the connector1of the present embodiment, the sizes Gp1and Gp2of the gaps between the conductor3in the held state and the inner wall surfaces24dand24eof the third recess24C are sizes that allow the compression ratio Cp1of the first sealing part41and the compression ratio Cp2of the second sealing part42to be substantially equal to each other. The fact that the two compression ratios Cp1and Cp2are substantially equal to each other includes not only the fact that the compression ratios Cp1and Cp2coincide with each other, but also that the compression ratios Cp1and Cp2are different from each other within a certain range. The compression ratio Cp1of the first sealing part41may be larger than the compression ratio Cp2of the second sealing part42or may be smaller than the compression ratio Cp2. The two compression ratios Cp1and Cp2may be different from each other within a range in which the sealing part40can secure a desired sealability.

In the connector1of the present embodiment, the inner wall surface of the third recess24C has the first wall surface24dand the second wall surface24e. The first wall surface24dis a wall surface facing the first sealing part41in the short direction of the third recess24C. The second wall surface24eis a wall surface facing the second sealing part42in the longitudinal direction of the third recess24C. The connector1of the present embodiment satisfies the following Equation (4). Note that the thickness D1is a thickness of the first sealing part41in a plan view when the sealing part40is not received in the third recess24C and the thickness D2is a thickness of the second sealing part42in a plan view when the sealing part40is not received in the third recess24C. Furthermore, the size Gp1of the gap is the size of the gap between the conductor3in the held state and the first wall surface24d, and the size Gp2of the gap is the size of the gap between the conductor3in the held state and the second wall surface24e.
Gp1/D1=Gp2/D2  (4)

The Equation (4) above indicates that the compression ratio Cp1of the first sealing part41and the compression ratio Cp2of the second sealing part42are equal to each other. That is, in the connector1of the present embodiment, it is possible to uniformize the sealability of the first sealing part41and the sealability of the second sealing part42.

Furthermore, the conductor3of the present embodiment has the body30, the first terminal part31, the second terminal part32, and the taper part33. The body30is located at an intermediate part in the longitudinal direction of the conductor3. The first terminal part31is located on one end side of the conductor3with respect to the body30, and is connected to the first device100. The second terminal part32is located on the other end side of the conductor3with respect to the body30, and is connected to the second device200. The taper part33is provided between the body30and the first terminal part31. The body30is a part that compresses the first sealing part41and the second sealing part42in the held state. The width W1of the first terminal part31is narrower than the width W0of the body30. Thus, according to the connector1of the present embodiment, interference between the first terminal part31and the sealing part40when the conductor3is inserted into the hole43is suppressed. Furthermore, the taper part33allows the sealing part40to be gradually deformed.

Second Embodiment

With reference toFIG. 22andFIG. 23, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, components having the same functions as those described in the afore-mentioned first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description thereof will be omitted.FIG. 22is a plan view of a sealing member according to the second embodiment andFIG. 23is a sectional view of a second sealing part according to the second embodiment.FIG. 23illustrates a section taken along line XXIII-XXIII ofFIG. 22. The sealing member4of the second embodiment is different from the sealing member4of the aforementioned first embodiment in the shape of the second sealing part42, for example.

The second sealing part42of the second embodiment has two arc portions42aand one linear portion42b, similarly to the second sealing part42of the afore-mentioned first embodiment. In the sealing part40of the present embodiment, the thickness D2of the second sealing part42is smaller than the thickness D1of the first sealing part41. As illustrated inFIG. 23, the second sealing part42of the present embodiment has a elliptical sectional shape. The long axis direction of the second sealing part42is the height direction Z and the short axis direction thereof is a direction orthogonal to the height direction Z. The short axis direction of the linear portion42bis the first direction X.

The width D3of the long axis direction of the second sealing part42is equal to the thickness D1of the first sealing part41. The thickness D2of the linear portion42bin a plan view is smaller than the thickness D1of the first sealing part41. The sectional shape of the second sealing part42is gradually changed such that the linear portion42bhas the smallest thickness. Specifically, the sectional shape of the arc portion42aat the boundary with the first sealing part41is a circle that is the same as the sectional shape of the first sealing part41. The sectional shape of the arc portion42aat the boundary with the linear portion42bis an elliptical shape that is the same as the sectional shape of the linear portion42b.

Note that the sectional shape of the second sealing part42is not limited to the elliptical shape. For example, the sectional shape of the second sealing part42may be a circle having a diameter smaller than the thickness D1of the first sealing part41.

In the connector1of the present embodiment, by reducing the thickness D2of the second sealing part42, the outer dimension Ws3of the sealing part40is made substantially equal to the inner dimension Wc1of the third recess24C. Since the outer dimension Ws3is substantially equal to the inner dimension Wc1, when the sealing part40is received in the third recess24C, bending deformation is less likely to occur in the first sealing part41. Furthermore, the thickness D2of the second sealing part42is small, so that the rigidity of the second sealing part42is smaller than that of the first sealing part41. Thus, even though the compressive force F1acts on the second sealing part42, the second sealing part42is mainly deformed and the first sealing part41is less likely to be deformed.

In the connector1of the second embodiment, the conductor3compresses the sealing part40, similarly to the connector1of the afore-mentioned first embodiment. The conductor3in the held state compresses the sealing part40such that the compression ratio Cp1of the first sealing part41and the compression ratio Cp2of the second sealing part42are substantially equal to each other, for example. In order to set the compression ratio Cp2of the second sealing part42to a desired value, the width W0of the body30of the conductor3may be adjusted, the inner dimension Wc1of the third recess24C may be adjusted, or the thickness D2of the second sealing part42may be adjusted.

First Modification of Each Embodiment

The first modification of the afore-mentioned first embodiment and second embodiment will be described.FIG. 24is a front view of a conductor according to the first modification. The conductor3according to the first modification is different from the conductor3of the afore-mentioned each embodiment in that it does not have the taper part33, for example. In the conductor3of the first modification, a width from the body30to the first terminal part31is constant. The body30is provided on the edge part thereof with a locking surface35. When the conductor3is inserted into the second through-hole54of the support member5, the locking surface35is locked by the second through-hole54and the conductor3is positioned.

Second Modification of Each Embodiment

The second modification of the afore-mentioned first embodiment and second embodiment will be described.FIG. 25is a front view of a sealing member according to the second modification, andFIG. 26is a bottom view of the sealing member according to the second modification. The second modification is different from the afore-mentioned each embodiment in that a plurality of sealing parts40are connected by a body44. The sealing member4of the second modification has four sealing parts40and one body44. The body44and the sealing parts40are integrally formed with each other. One end in an axial direction of the sealing part40is connected to a bottom surface44aof the body44.

As illustrated inFIG. 26, the planar shape of the sealing part40is a flat annular shape. The sealing part40has a pair of first sealing parts41and a pair of second sealing parts42. The planar shape of the first sealing part41is a linear shape and the planar shape of the second sealing part42is an arc shape. The sealing part40of the second modification has a lip45. The lip45is an annular protrusion provided on an outer peripheral surface of the sealing part40. When the sealing part40is provided with the lip45, the outer dimensions Ws3and Ws4of the sealing part40are, for example, dimensions including a tip end of the lip45. The hole43penetrates the body44.

The body44of the sealing member4is fitted into the second recess24B of the housing2. The support member5supports the body44. According to the sealing member4of the second modification, the sealing parts40can be inserted into the third recesses24C at one time.

Third Modification of Each Embodiment

The third modification of the embodiments will be described. The number of the sealing parts40included in the connector1is not limited to four illustrated in the embodiments. It is sufficient if the connector1has at least one sealing part40. The shape of the sealing part40is not limited to the illustrated shape. For example, the second sealing part42may not have the linear portion42b. In such a case, the planar shape of the second sealing part42may be semicircular.

A recess for receiving the sealing part40is not limited to the third recesses24C illustrated in the embodiments. For example, the third recesses24C of the afore-mentioned embodiments is a part of the recess24formed in multi-stages. However, the recess for receiving the sealing part40may be provided independently.

The contents disclosed in the afore-mentioned each embodiment and modifications can be combined and executed as appropriate.

In the connector according to the embodiment, the inner dimension in the longitudinal direction of the recess is substantially equal to the outer dimension in the longitudinal direction of the sealing part when the sealing part is not received in the recess. Furthermore, the conductor presses and compresses the first sealing part and the second sealing part toward the inner wall surfaces of the recess in the held state in which the conductor has been inserted into the first through-hole and held by the housing. In accordance with the connector according to the embodiment, it is possible to suppress bending deformation of the first sealing part when the sealing part is received in the recess. Thus, the connector of the present embodiment has an effect capable of suppressing the narrowing of the opening width of the annular sealing part.