Abstract:
A waterproof connector, provided with: a housing ( 11 ); at least one contact ( 12 ) fixed to the housing ( 11 ), each contact ( 12 ) having a contacting part ( 12   a ) which is formed at one end and which comes into contact with the contact of the counterpart connector, a substrate attachment part ( 12   d ) formed at the other end and attached to the substrate, a housing fixing part ( 12   b ) formed between the contacting part ( 12   a ) and the substrate attachment part ( 12   d ), and an elastic member attachment part ( 12   c ) formed between the housing fixing part ( 12   b ) and the substrate attachment part ( 12   d ); and a waterproofing elastic member ( 13 ) attached to the elastic member attachment part ( 12   c ) of the contact ( 12 ). The housing ( 11 ) has at least one through-hole ( 16 ) into which the contact ( 12 ) is inserted, and a concave elastic member containing part ( 15 ) communicating with the through-hole ( 16 ). The housing fixing part ( 12   b ) of the contact ( 12 ) is pressed into and fixed in the corresponding through-hole ( 16 ) of the housing ( 11 ), and the elastic member ( 13 ) is contained in the elastic member containing part ( 15 ) of the housing ( 11 ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a waterproof connector, in particular, to a waterproof connector which uses an elastic member for waterproofing and is to be mounted on a board. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Recently, there is a strong demand for the improved waterproof function in various electronic devices, and accordingly developments of waterproof connectors have been promoted 
         [0003]    In an exemplary waterproof connector, a contact is attached so as to penetrate through a housing, and a contact portion of the contact exposed to the outside of the housing is brought into contact with another contact of a counter connector. In the waterproof connector of this type, a penetration part in which the contact penetrates has to be sealed to secure a waterproof function. 
         [0004]    For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a waterproof connector in which a contact  1  penetrates through a housing  2 , and a peripheral region of the penetration part of the contact  1  is sealed with an elastic sealing member  3  as illustrated in  FIG. 25 . 
         [0005]    The contact  1  is pressed into a through-hole  4  formed in the housing  2  and fixed to the housing  2 , and a contact portion  5  of the contact  1  exposed to the outside of the housing  2  comes into contact with a contact  6  of a counter connector, thereby establishing electrical connection with the counter connector. An end portion of the contact  1  projecting inside the housing  2  is attached to a board or the like disposed in the housing  2 . 
         [0006]    The elastic sealing member  3  is pressed into an elastic-sealing-member accommodation portion  7  that is formed in the housing  2  and communicates with the through-hole  4  so as to prevent water from intruding into the housing  2  through a gap between the contact  1  and an inner wall of the through-hole  4 . 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0007]    Patent Literature 1: JP 2008-176936 A 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problems 
       [0008]    In the connector disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the contact  1  is fixed at a part of the housing  2  where the contact  1  is pressed into the through-hole  4  of the housing  2  as described above, and in order to achieve a waterproof function, the elastic sealing member  3  is disposed outside of the housing  2 , while the contact portion  5  of the contact  1  is disposed further outside the elastic sealing member  3 . Accordingly, the distance from the part of the housing  2  where the contact  1  is fixed to the contact. portion.  5  of the contact  1  becomes inevitably long, and the contact portion  5  is thus likely to become shaky. 
         [0009]    If the contact portion  5  of the contact  1  shakes and the position of the contact portion  5  does not stabilize, smooth fitting as well as reliable electrical connection with the counter connector may become difficult. 
         [0010]    The present invention has been made in order to solve the problem described above and an object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof connector capable of smooth fitting as well as reliable electrical connection with a counter connector while fulfilling a waterproof function. 
       Solution to Problems 
       [0011]    A waterproof connector according to the present invention comprises: a housing; at least one contact held by the housing, the contact including a contact portion formed at one end of the contact to come into contact with another contact of a counter-connector, a board attachment portion formed at another end of the contact to be attached to a board, a housing fixing portion formed between the contact portion and the board attachment portion and fixed to the housing; and an elastic-member attachment portion formed between the housing fixing portion and the board attachment portion, wherein the housing has at least one through-hole through which the contact is inserted, and an elastic-member accommodation portion which has a concave shape and communicates with the through-hole, and wherein the housing fixing portion of the contact is pressed into and fixed in the corresponding through-hole of the housing, and the elastic member is accommodated in the elastic-member accommodation portion of the housing. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the elastic member is integrally molded with the elastic-member attachment portion of the contact. Otherwise, the elastic member may have at least one slit for attaching the elastic member to the elastic-member attachment portion of the contact and is attached to the elastic-member attachment portion of the contact laterally through the slit that is opened. 
         [0013]    It is preferable that the elastic-member attachment portion of the contact has a roughened surface or the elastic member is adhered to the elastic-member attachment portion of the contact with an adhesive. 
         [0014]    The elastic-member attachment portion of the contact may have a smaller cross section than cross sections of other portions of the contact adjacent to the elastic-member attachment portion. 
         [0015]    The elastic-member attachment portion of the contact may have a bent portion, and the elastic member may be attached to the elastic-member attachment portion so as to surround the bent portion. 
         [0016]    The elastic member may be singly attached to a plurality of the contacts. 
         [0017]    It may be constructed that the contact is formed of a flat plate member, and the housing fixing portion of the contact has a press-fitting dimension in a width direction larger than a width of the through-hole of the housing. In this case, the housing fixing portion of the contact is preferably provided with convexity and concavity on its side surfaces in a width direction. 
         [0018]    It may also be constructed that The contact is formed of a flat plate member, and the housing fixing portion of the contact has a press-fitting dimension in a thickness direction larger than a height of the through-hole of the housing. In this case, the housing fixing portion of the contact is preferably formed to be thicker than other portions of the contact, and the press-fitting dimension is established by a thickness of the housing fixing portion. Otherwise, the flat plate member having a uniform thickness may be bent, thereby establishing the press-fitting dimension of the housing fixing portion of the contact. 
         [0019]    Further, the housing preferably has at least one groove to accommodate the contact portion of the contact. The groove may have a sectional shape that covers both edge portions of the contact portion of the corresponding contact while allowing a center portion of a surface of the contact portion to be exposed. 
         [0020]    It may be constructed that either one of the elastic-member accommodation portion of the housing and the elastic member is provided with a concave portion, whereas another one is provided with a convex portion corresponding to the concave portion, and the concave portion and the convex portion are fitted with each other. It may also be constructed that the elastic-member accommodation portion of the housing has an opening portion and an end portion formed to be wider than the opening portion, and the elastic member has a sectional shape corresponding to the elastic-member accommodation portion of the housing. 
       ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION 
       [0021]    According to the present invention, a housing fixing portion is formed. between the contact portion and the board attachment portion, an elastic-member attachment portion is formed between the housing fixing portion and the board attachment portion, the housing fixing portion of the contact is pressed into and fixed in the through-hole of the housing, and an elastic member for waterproofing attached to the elastic-member attachment portion of the contact is accommodated in the elastic-member accommodation portion of the housing. Therefore, it is capable of smooth fitting as well as reliable electrical connection with a counter connector while fulfilling a waterproof function. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    [ FIG. 1 ]  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a waterproof connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
           [0023]    [ FIG. 2 ]  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the waterproof connector according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0024]    [ FIG. 3 ]  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a contact used in the waterproof connector according to Embodiment 1. 
           [0025]    [ FIG. 4 ]  FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the state in which a single elastic member is attached to a plurality of contacts. 
           [0026]    [ FIG. 5 ]  FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating how to incorporate the contacts into a housing, 
           [0027]    [ FIG. 6 ]  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view illustrating how to incorporate the contacts into the housing. 
           [0028]    [ FIG. 7 ]  FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating the relation between a housing fixing portion of the contact and a through-hole in the housing. 
           [0029]    [ FIG. 8 ]  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which contact portions of the contacts are accommodated in grooves of the housing. 
           [0030]    [ FIG. 9 ]  FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the waterproof connector according to Embodiment 1 is mounted on a board. 
           [0031]    [ FIG. 10 ]  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an elastic member and contacts used in a waterproof connector according to Embodiment 2. 
           [0032]    [ FIG. 11 ]  FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a contact used in a waterproof connector according to Embodiment 3. 
           [0033]    [ FIG. 12 ]  FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which a single elastic member is attached to a plurality of contacts according to Embodiment 3. 
           [0034]    [ FIG. 13 ]  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a contact and an elastic member used in a waterproof connector according to a variation of Embodiment 3. 
           [0035]    [ FIG. 14 ]  FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of a waterproof connector according to Embodiment 4. 
           [0036]    [ FIG. 15 ]  FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of a waterproof connector according to a variation of Embodiment 4. 
           [0037]    [ FIG. 16 ]  FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of a waterproof connector according to another variation of Embodiment 4. 
           [0038]    [ FIG. 17 ]  FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of a waterproof connector according to Embodiment 5. 
           [0039]    [ FIG. 18 ]  FIG. 18  is a perspective view illustrating how to incorporate contacts into a housing according to Embodiment 5. 
           [0040]    [ FIG. 19 ]  FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of a waterproof connector according to a variation of Embodiment 5. 
           [0041]    [ FIG. 20 ]  FIG. 20  is a perspective view illustrating how to incorporate contacts into a housing according to the variation of Embodiment 5. 
           [0042]    [ FIG. 21 ]  FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of a waterproof connector according to another variation of Embodiment 5. 
           [0043]    [ FIG. 22 ] FIG,  22  is a perspective view illustrating how to incorporate contacts into a housing according to the other variation of Embodiment 5. 
           [0044]    [ FIG. 23 ]  FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which contact portions of contacts are accommodated in grooves of a housing according to another embodiment. 
           [0045]    [ FIG. 24 ]  FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of a waterproof connector according to yet another embodiment. 
           [0046]    [ FIG. 25 ]  FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of a structure of a conventional waterproof connector. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0047]    Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the appended drawings. 
       Embodiment 1 
       [0048]      FIG. 1  illustrates a structure of a waterproof connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The waterproof connector includes a housing  11  having a cuboid outer shape and a plurality of contacts  12  fixed to the housing  11 . A single common elastic member  13  for waterproofing is attached to the plurality of contacts  12 , and the plurality of contacts  12  are attached to the housing  11  together with the elastic member  13 . 
         [0049]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the housing  11  is provided with a counter-connector receiving portion  14  in a concave shape opening in a front face  11   a  of the housing  11  and an elastic-member accommodation portion  15  in a concave shape opening in a rear face  11   b  of the housing  11 . The counter-connector receiving portion  14  is a space for receiving a counter connector which is to be fitted with the waterproof connector according to Embodiment 1, whereas the elastic-member accommodation portion  15  is a space for accommodating the elastic member  13  which is attached to the plurality of contacts  12  and is pressed into the elastic-member accommodation portion  15 . The housing  11  is further provided with a plurality of through-holes  16  that correspond to the plurality of contacts  12  and connect the counter-connector receiving portion  14  with the elastic-member accommodation portion  15 . The contacts  12  are inserted into the corresponding through-holes  16 , respectively. 
         [0050]    Each of the contacts  12  is formed of a flat plate member and is provided with a contact portion  12   a  to come into contact with a contact of the counter connector, a housing fixing portion  12   b  for fixing the contact  12  to the housing  11 , an elastic-member attachment portion  12   c  to which the elastic member  13  is attached, and a board attachment portion  12   d  for attaching the contact.  12  to a board on which the waterproof connector is to be mounted, these portions being continuously formed at the contact  12  from its tip end to its rear end, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . That is, the housing fixing portion  12   b  is located between the contact portion  12   a  formed at the tip end and the board attachment portion  12   d  formed at the rear end, and in addition the elastic-member attachment portion  12   c  is located between the housing fixing portion  12   b  and the board attachment portion  12   d.    
         [0051]    In addition, each of the contacts  12  has a uniform thickness over the whole length, and also has a uniform width in the contact portion  12   a,  the elastic-member attachment portion  12   c  and the board attachment portion  12   d,  except the housing fixing portion  12   b.  Each of the side surfaces of the housing fixing portion  12   b  is formed to have a concave-convex shape, and the housing fixing portion  12   b  has the maximum width that is larger than the width of other portions, i.e., the contact portion  12   a,  the elastic-member attachment portion  12   c  and the board attachment portion  12   d.    
         [0052]    Moreover, the contact portion  12   a,  the housing fixing portion  12   b  and the elastic-member attachment portion  12   c  are formed in a same plane so as to form a continuous flat plate. The board attachment portion  12   d,  on the other hand, has a bent shape for easy attachment to a board. 
         [0053]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the single elastic member  13  is attached to the plurality of contacts  12  each having the above-described shape. The elastic member  13  is integrally molded with the elastic-member attachment portions  12   c  of the plurality of contacts  12  through, for example, insert-molding. If the contact portion  12   a  to the elastic-member attachment portion  12   c  of each of the contacts  12  is inserted into an attachment hole formed in the elastic member in an attempt to fit the contacts  12  in the elastic member, the contact portion  12   a  may be damaged or contaminated by coming into contact with the elastic member. In this embodiment, however, since the elastic member  13  is integrally molded with the plurality of contacts  12 , the contact portion  12   a  of each of the contacts  12  is free of contamination or damage, and reliable electrical connection with the contact of the counter connector can be ensured. 
         [0054]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the plurality of contacts  12  with which the elastic member  13  is integrally molded are inserted from the contact portion  12   a  side into the housing  11  through the elastic-member accommodation portion  15  opening in the rear face  11   b  of the housing  11 , whereby the waterproof connector is assembled. 
         [0055]    In this process, the plurality of contacts  12  are respectively inserted into the corresponding through-holes  16  after passing through the elastic-member accommodation portion  15 . The maximum width D1 of the housing fixing portion  12   b  of each of the contacts  12 , i.e., the press fitting dimension in the width direction of the contact  12  is preliminarily set to be slightly larger than a width D2 of the through-hole  16  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Accordingly, during insertion of the contacts  12 , at the time when the housing fixing portions  12   b,  following the contact portions  12   a,  reach the entrances of the through-holes  16  of the housing  11 , a certain pressure is applied to press the contacts  12  into the housing  11 , whereby the both side surfaces having the concave-convex shape of each of the housing fixing portions  12   b  bite into the inner wall of the corresponding through-hole  16 . As a result, the housing fixing portions  12   h  are pressed into the through-holes  16 . 
         [0056]    When the housing fixing portions  12   b  are pressed in, the elastic member  13  integrally molded with the elastic-member attachment portions  12   c  of the plurality of contacts  12  is simultaneously accommodated in the elastic-member accommodation portion  15  of the housing  11 . The elastic member  13  is preliminarily formed to have a larger width and a larger height than those of the elastic-member accommodation portion  15  of the housing  11 . Therefore, by being pressed into the elastic-member accommodation portion  15 , the elastic member  13  is accommodated in the elastic-member accommodation portion  15  in an elastically compressed state. Accordingly, a waterproof effect is imparted between the housing  11  and the contacts  12  in the elastic-member accommodation portion  15 . 
         [0057]    As described above, the waterproof connector in which the plurality of contacts  12  and the elastic member  13  are incorporated in the housing  11  is formed as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0058]    The bottom part of the housing  11  inside the counter-connector receiving portion  14  is provided with a plurality of grooves  17  corresponding to the plurality of contacts  12  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , and the contact portions  12   a  of the plurality of contacts  12  are respectively accommodated in the corresponding grooves  17 . Hence, even if a stress is applied on the contact portion  12   a  of any of the contacts  12  in the direction toward an adjacent contact  12  due to some cause at the time of fitting with the counter connector or the like, the corresponding groove  17  restricts shifting of the contact portion  12   a,  thereby preventing defects such as a short-circuit between adjacent contacts  12 . 
         [0059]    The housing  11  can be formed of, for example, a resin material excellent in insulation property and formability, and the contacts  12  can be made of a metal material excellent in conductivity. The elastic member  13  can adopt, for example, a silicone rubber excellent in elasticity and waterproof property. 
         [0060]    As exemplified in  FIG. 9  the waterproof connector according to the embodiment is mounted on a board  19  attached within a casing  18  of an electronic device such as a mobile phone. The casing  18  is provided with an opening portion  20  corresponding to the counter-connector receiving portion  14  of the housing  11 , and a gasket  21  is disposed on the periphery of the opening portion  20  to seal between an inner face of the casing  18  and the front face  11   a  of the housing  11 . 
         [0061]    The constitution described above can prevent moisture existing outside the casing  18  from intruding thereinto through the elastic-member accommodation portion  15  of the housing  11  owing to the elastic member  13  and also through a gap between the casing  18  and the housing  11  owing to the gasket  21 , thereby achieving a waterproof function. 
         [0062]    In Embodiment 1, the contacts  12  are fixed to the housing  11  by means of the housing fixing portions  12   b  being pressed into The corresponding through-holes  16 . Since the housing fixing portion  12   b  is disposed adjacent to the contact portion  12   a  in each of the contacts  12  with a small distance, the contact portion  12   a  hardly shakes, stabilizing the position of the contact portion  12   a  with respect to the housing  11 . Accordingly, the waterproof connector can be smoothly fitted with the counter connector and can establish reliable electrical connection therewith. 
         [0063]    Here,  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  5  illustrate that five contacts  12  are attached to the housing  11 . However, the number of the contacts  12  is not particularly limited to five but can be one to four or six or more. 
         [0064]    In addition, instead of integrally molding the single elastic member  13  with all of the plurality of contacts  12 , the elastic member may be separated into a plurality of pieces, and each of the pieces may be integrally molded with the corresponding contact  12 . In this case, a plurality of elastic members may be accommodated in the single elastic-member accommodation portion  15  of the housing  11 , or, alternatively, a plurality of elastic-member accommodation portions may be formed in the housing  11  to respectively accommodate the corresponding elastic members. One contact  12  and one elastic member  13  may be also integrally molded. 
       Embodiment 2 
       [0065]    In Embodiment 1 described above, the elastic member  13  is integrally molded with the elastic-member attachment portions  12   c  of the plurality of contacts  12 . Meanwhile, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , a plurality of attachment holes  24  corresponding to the plurality of contacts  12  can be formed in an elastic member  23 , and a plurality of slits  25  respectively connected to the plurality of attachment holes  24  can be formed, whereby the slits  25  are elastically opened to allow the elastic-member attachment portions  12   c  of the corresponding contacts  12  to be inserted into the attachment holes  24 . In other words, the elastic member  23  is attached to the elastic-member attachment portions  12   c  of the contacts  12  laterally through the slits  25  that are opened, not by means of insertion of the contacts  12  from the contact portions  12   a  through the elastic-member attachment portions  12   c  into the attachment holes  24  of the elastic member  23  to fit the contacts  12  into the elastic member  23 . 
         [0066]    As the elastic member  23  is pressed into the elastic-member accommodation portion  15  of the housing  11 , the slits  25  are closed, causing the elastic member to firmly attach to the elastic-member attachment portions  12   c  of the contacts  12 . A waterproof effect can be exercised in this manner. 
         [0067]    The elastic member  23  having such constitution can be also used and can ensure reliable electrical connection with the contact of the counter connector without contamination or damage on the contact portions  12   a  of the contacts  12 , like in the case of using the elastic member  13  according to Embodiment 1. 
       Embodiment 3 
       [0068]      FIG. 11  illustrates a structure of a contact  22  used in a waterproof connector according to Embodiment 3. Similarly to the contact  12  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the contact  22  is formed of a flat plate member having a uniform thickness and is provided with a contact portion  22   a,  a housing fixing portion.  22   b,  an elastic-member attachment portion  22   c  and a board attachment portion  22   d  that are formed continuously at the contact  22  from its tip end to its rear end, while the elastic-member attachment portion  22   c  is formed to have a smaller width than widths of the contact portion  22   a,  the housing fixing portion  22   b  and the board attachment portion  22   d.  As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , an elastic member  13  is integrally molded with a plurality of elastic-member attachment portions  22   c  having a small width. 
         [0069]    Since each of the elastic-member attachment portions  22   c  is formed to have a narrower width than that of any other portion, even if a stress is applied between the elastic member  13  and the contacts  12  in a direction to pull them out from each other, the elastic member  13  can be effectively prevented from coming off the contacts  22 , thereby improving reliability of the waterproof connector. 
         [0070]    As long as the elastic-member attachment portion  22   c  has a smaller cross section than those of other adjacent portions of each of the contacts  22 , the elastic member  13  can be kept from coming off the contacts  22 . Hence, also when the elastic-member attachment portion  22   c  is formed to have the same width as those of other portions but to be thinner than other portions, the same effect can be obtained. In addition, the elastic-member attachment portion.  22   c  can be formed to have both a smaller width and a thinner thickness than those of other portions. 
         [0071]    Also in the case where, in place of an integrally molded elastic member  13 , the elastic member  23  provided with the attachment holes  24  and the slits  25  as illustrated in  FIG. 10  is attached to the elastic-member attachment portions  22   c  of the contacts  22 , the elastic member  23  can be similarly prevented from coming off the contacts  22  in an effective manner, thereby improving reliability of the waterproof connector. 
         [0072]    Further, if a bent portion is formed at an elastic-member attachment portion  32   c  like in a contact  32  illustrated in  FIG. 13  and the elastic member  13  is integrally molded so as to surround the bent portion of the elastic-member attachment portion  32   c,  the elastic member  13  can be also prevented from coming off the contacts  32 . 
         [0073]    Moreover, by having a surface of the elastic-member attachment portion  12   c  of the contact  12  illustrated in  FIG. 3  roughened as well as by using the elastic member  13  integrally molded with the elastic-member attachment portions  12   c  or attaching the elastic member  23  to the elastic-member attachment portions  12   c,  an effect of preventing the elastic member  13  or  23  from coming off the contacts  12  can be also obtained. The surface of the elastic-member attachment portion  22   c  of the contact  22  illustrated in  FIG. 11  and the surface of the elastic-member attachment portion  32   c  of the contact  32  illustrated in  FIG. 13  can be also roughened. 
         [0074]    In the case where the elastic member  23  is attached to the contacts  12  or  22  by means of the slits  25 , the elastic member  23  can be adhered to the elastic-member attachment portions  12   c  of the contacts  12  or to the elastic-member attachment portions  22   c  of the contacts  22  with an adhesive. Accordingly, the waterproofing property can be enhanced while the effect of preventing the elastic member  23  from coming off the contacts  12  or  22  can be efficiently achieved. 
       Embodiment 4 
       [0075]    In Embodiment 1 described above, since the housing fixing portion  12   b  of each of the contacts  12  has a press-fitting dimension in the width direction larger than the width of the through-hole  16 , and both side surfaces having a concave-convex shape of the housing fixing tort ion  12   h  bite into the inner wall of the through-hole  16 , the housing fixing portion  12   b  is pressed into and fixed in the through-hole  16 . However, this is not the sole case, and even if the housing fixing portion of each of the contacts has a press-fitting dimension in the thickness direction larger than the height of the through-hole  16 , the contact can be pressed into and fixed in the through-hole  16 . 
         [0076]      FIG. 14  illustrates a structure of a waterproof connector according to Embodiment 4. Similarly to the contact  12  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a contact  42  used in the waterproof connector is formed of a flat plate member and is provided with a contact portion  42   a,  a housing fixing portion  42   b,  an elastic-member attachment portion  42   c  and a board attachment portion  42   d  that are formed at the contact  42  continuously from its tip end to its rear end. On the other hand, the housing fixing portion  42   h  has a larger thickness than thicknesses of the contact portion  42   a,  the elastic-member attachment portion  42   c  and the board attachment portion  42   d,  while the thickness of the housing fixing portion  42   h  constitutes the press-fitting dimension in the thickness direction. 
         [0077]    The thickness of the housing fixing portion  42   b  is designed to be slightly larger than the height of the through-hole  46  formed in a housing  41 , and as the upper surface and the lower surface of the housing fixing portion  42   b  are respectively brought into pressure contact with the ceiling surface and the bottom surface of the through-hole  46 , the housing fixing portion  42   b  is pressed into and fixed in the through-hole  46 . 
         [0078]    The width of the contact  42  only requires to be smaller than that of the through-hole  46  so that the contact  42  can be inserted into the through-hole  46 , and the contact  42  can have a uniform width over its full length, for example. 
         [0079]    While a contact  52  illustrated in  FIG. 15  is provided with a contact portion  52   a,  a housing fixing portion  52   b , an elastic-member attachment portion  52   c  and a board attachment portion  52   d  that are all formed of a flat plate member having a uniform thickness, as the flat plate member is bent in the housing fixing portion  52   b,  the housing fixing portion  52   b  has a press-fitting dimension in the thickness direction slightly larger than the height of a through-hole  56  formed in a housing  51 . Even with such structure, the housing fixing portion  52   b  can be pressed into and fixed in the through-hole  56 . 
         [0080]    In addition, the contact can be formed of a pin member or a stick-like member in place of a flat plate member. A contact  52  illustrated in  FIG. 16  is formed of a pin member having a circular sectional shape, and is provided with a contact portion  52   a,  a housing fixing portion  62   b,  an elastic-member attachment portion  62   c  and a board attachment portion  62   d,  that are formed. continuously at the contact  62  from its tip and to its rear end. On the other hand, the housing fixing portion  62   b  has a larger diameter than diameters of the contact portion  62   a,  the elastic-member attachment portion  62   c  and the board attachment portion  62   d.  The housing fixing portion  62   b  has a diameter designed to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of a through-hole  66  formed in a housing  61  so as to be pressed into and fixed in the through-hole  66 . 
         [0081]    When the contact  62  formed of a pin member of this type is used, in consideration of contacting with the contact of the counter connector, the contact portion  62   a  is not disposed at the bottom part of a counter-connector receiving portion  64  of the housing  61  but can be projected into the center of the counter-connector receiving portion  64 . 
       Embodiment 5 
       [0082]      FIG. 17  illustrates a structure of a waterproof connector according to Embodiment 5. An elastic member  73  used in the waterproof connector has a convex portion  73   a  on each of the upper surface and the lower surface, whereas an elastic-member accommodation portion  75  of a housing  71  has a concave portion  75   a,  which corresponds to the convex portion  73   a  of the elastic member  73 , on each of the ceiling surface and the bottom surface. 
         [0083]    As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the plurality of contacts  12  with which the elastic member  73  is integrally molded are inserted into the housing  71  through the elastic-member accommodation portion  75  and are pressed into and fixed in corresponding through-holes in the housing  71 . At the same time, the elastic member  73  is accommodated in the elastic member accommodation portion  75  of the housing  71  in an elastically compressed state. In this process, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , since the convex portions  73   a  of the elastic member  73  are respectively engaged with the concave portions  75   a  of the elastic-member accommodation portion  75  of the housing  71 , the elastic member  73  hardly comes off the elastic-member accommodation portion  75 , and the contact area between the elastic member  73  and the elastic-member accommodation portion  75  increases, thereby improving the waterproof effect. 
         [0084]    The similar effect can be achieved even when a concave portion  83   a  is formed on each of the upper surface and the lower surface of an elastic member  83  while a convex portion  85   a  is formed on each of the ceiling surface and the bottom surface of an elastic-member accommodation portion  85  of a housing  81 , and the elastic portion  83  is accommodated in the elastic-member accommodation portion  85  of the housing  81  in an elastically compressed state in such a manner that the concave portion  83   a  and the convex portion  85   a  are engaged with each other, as illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . 
         [0085]    In addition, as illustrated in  FIGS. 21 and 22 , an elastic-member accommodation portion  95  of a housing  91  can be formed so as to be wider at the end portion than at the opening portion, an elastic member  93  can be formed to have a sectional shape corresponding to the elastic-member accommodation portion  95  of the housing  91 , i.e., a sectional shape widening frontward, and the elastic member  93  can be accommodated in the elastic-member accommodation portion  95  of the housing  91  in an elastically compressed state. The elastic member  93  can be prevented from coming off the elastic-member accommodation portion  95  also in this manner. 
       Other Embodiments 
       [0086]    In Embodiment 1 described above, the contact portions  12   a  of the plurality of contacts  12  are respectively accommodated in the plurality of grooves  17  formed in the bottom part of the counter-connector receiving portion  14  in the housing  11 . On the other hand, if each of grooves  27  used has a sectional shape that covers both edge portions of the contact portion  12   a  of each of the contacts  12  while allowing the center portion of a surface of the contact portion  12   a  to be exposed as illustrated in  FIG. 23 , the position of the contact portion  12   a  can be further stabilized, smooth engagement and reliable electrical connection with the counter connector can be achieved. 
         [0087]    Although any of the contacts  12 ,  22 ,  32 ,  42  and  52  formed of a flat plate member in Embodiments 1 to 5 described above has a contact portion in a flat plate shape projecting forward, a contact portion can have a curved hook shape like a contact portion  102   a  of a contact  102  illustrated in  FIG. 24 . When the contact  102  of this type is used, the contact portion  102   a  has spring characteristics attributable to the hook shape, thereby improving reliability in electrical connection with the contact of the counter connector. 
         [0088]    In this case, a through-hole  106  in a housing  101  is required to have a sectional shape with which the contact portion  102   a  having a hook shape can be smoothly inserted and, at the same time, a housing fixing portion  102   b  of the contact  102  can be pressed into the through-hole  106 . 
       DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 
       [0000]    
       
           1 ,  6  contact, 
           2  housing, 
           3  elastic sealing member, 
           4  through-hole, 
           5  contact portion, 
           7  elastic-sealing-member accommodation portion, 
           11 ,  41 ,  51 ,  61 ,  71 ,  81 ,  91 ,  101  housing, 
           11   a  front face, 
           11   b  rear face, 
           12 ,  22 ,  32 ,  42 ,  52 ,  62 ,  102  contact, 
           12   a,    22   a,    42   a,    52   a,    62   a,    102   a  contact portion, 
           12   b,    22   b,    42   b,    52   b,    62   b,    102   b  housing fixing portion, 
           12   c,    22   c,    32   c,    42   c,    52   c,    62   c  elastic-member attachment portion, 
           12   d,    22   d,    42   d,    52   d,    62   d  board attachment portion, 
           13 ,  23 ,  73 ,  83 ,  93  elastic member, 
           14  counter-connector receiving portion, 
           15 ,  75 ,  83 ,  95  elastic-member accommodation portion, 
           16 ,  46 ,  56 ,  66 ,  106  through-hole, 
           17 ,  27  groove, 
           18  casing, 
           19  board, 
           20  opening portion, 
           21  gasket, 
           24  attachment hole, 
           25  slit, 
           73   a,    85   a  convex portion, 
           75   a,    83   a  concave portion, 
         D1 maximum width of housing fixing portion, 
         D2 width of through-hole.