Abstract:
A vehicle door connector structure, in which the connector structure is easily and firmly coupled to a vehicle body to secure a tight sealing and prevent water leakage between the vehicle body and the connector structure. The connector structure also prevents vibration and noise, improves assembly efficiency and maintenance of associated components. Furthermore, the connector structure reduces the possibility of door wires being exposed to any sharp structural objects causing a short circuit.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally, the present invention relates to a vehicle door connector structure for providing a variety of electric signals into a vehicle door. More particularly, the present invention relates to a connecting structure capable of conveniently connecting and disconnecting a plurality of wires between a vehicle body and door. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Connectors for easily connecting and disconnecting electrical devices have been long known and used. These connectors increase the efficiency of assemblage and handling of electrical units by dividing functions into performing modules. Furthermore, upon the failure of a particular unit, one only need replace the defective module, which is quick and cost-effective. A variety of these types of connectors are utilized in vehicles. For instance, a connector is used to transfer electric signals between the door and body of a vehicle. 
     Typically, the vehicle door connector structure includes a male connector extracted out of a connector mounting hole in the vehicle&#39;s body and a female connector connected through a grommet in the door. The male connector is typically coupled to the female connector to transmit various electric signals from the vehicle body to the vehicle door. After the female connector and the male connector are coupled together there are typically four protruders formed at the external surface of the female connector for insertion into a connector mounting hole in the vehicle body. 
     The grommet connected to the female connector is tightly attached to the connector mounting hole thereby tightly sealing the hole to prevent water leakage into either the door or the vehicle. However, often the female connector fails to provide a force sufficient to fasten the connectors and perform the sealing function. Thereby, vibration and noise is created. Furthermore, after the four protruders are inserted into the vehicle body, it is difficult to detach them from the vehicle body without damaging them. Therefore, repair time efficiency is negatively effected and costs are increased because the connector must be replaced. Another drawback in the conventional vehicle door connector structure in that wires are often damaged by the connector mounting hole, bringing about an electric shortage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a vehicle door connector structure that can be conveniently and firmly fastened to a vehicle body, thereby securing a tight seal between the vehicle body and the door connector preventing noise and vibration and reducing repair time and costs. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle door connector structure comprises a female connector unit and a male connector unit. The male connector unit protrudes from and is fixed to the body of the vehicle and a slide holder is rotatably mounted to the female connector unit. The slide holder couples with the male connector unit and closely attaches to a vehicle body panel. Thus producing an electrical connection between the terminals of the female connector unit and those of the male connector unit. 
     In an alternative embodiment an electrical connector for a vehicle door comprises a male connector configured for insertion and mounting in a hole through a vehicle panel wherein the male connector defines a peripheral screw thread groove adjacent one end. Furthermore, a female connector is configured for receiving the male connector wherein the female connector contains terminals for engaging wires of the vehicle door and defines a peripherial connection groove adjacent an end. Also included is a slide holder rotatably receiving the female connector through engagement of a latching jaw into the connection groove and having internally protruding pins configured to rotatably engage the screw thread grooves in the male connector. 
     Preferably, the male connector comprises a connector portion with a body part configured to extend through an opening in a body panel and a panel bracket defining an opening configured to receive and lock onto the body part. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a vehicle door connector structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a coupled state of the vehicle door connector structure of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the male connector unit of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the slide holder of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a male connector unit  3  passes through a vehicle body panel  1  and protrudes with a plurality of terminals therein. A female connector unit  5  is coupled to the terminals of the male connector unit  3  with a plurality of terminals to transmit electric signals. A slide holder  7  is rotatably mounted on the female connector unit  5 . The slide holder  7  is connected to the male connector unit  3 , and closely attached to the vehicle body panel  1 , by rotation. 
     FIG. 3 shows the male connector unit  3 . The male connector unit  3  is classified into two parts: a male connector  11  having a protruding part  9  that protrudes away from vehicle body panel  1  when the male connector unit  3  is inserted through the vehicle body panel  1 ; and a panel bracket  15  having a repulsive force support part  13  where the male connector  11  is inserted and supported. The repulsive force support part  13  forms a repulsive force from the opposite side of the vehicle body panel  1  when a slide holder  7  is closely attached to one side of the vehicle body panel  1 . 
     In a preferable embodiment a side spacer  17  (FIG. 3) is inserted into the side of the male connector  11  to keep the plurality of inserted terminals stable. Three screw-type coupling grooves  19  are arranged around the circumference of the protruding part  9  so that the slide holder  7  mounted on the female connector  5  is coupled to the coupling grooves  19  when rotated. A curvature changing part  21  is formed on an end of the coupling grooves  19  in order for the slide holder  7  to completely couple to the protruding part  9 . The rear side of the protruding part  9  is inserted into and fixed at the panel bracket  15  via a fastening protruder  23 . A fastening protruder fixing groove  25  is formed for fixation of the fastening protruder  23  at the panel bracket  15 . Furthermore, there is an erroneous insertion preventing guide  27  integrally formed at the male connector  11  to guide the female connector  5  and prevent erroneous insertion. 
     FIG. 4 shows the slide holder  7 . The slide holder  7  includes a resilience piece  31  having a latching jaw  29  formed along the circumferential direction of the female connector  5 . The latching jaw  29  restricts relative motion along an axial direction of the slide holder  7  while allowing rotational movement. Three coupling protruders  33 , formed on the inner circumference of the slide holder  7 , are configured for coupling with the outer circumference of the protruding part  9  of the male connector  11 . The three coupling protruders  33  couple the slide holder  7  with the male connector  11  by engaging the three screw-type coupling grooves  19 . Rotation of the slide holder  7  activates the engagement, which seals the coupling through the seal  35 . In use, when the slide holder  7  is inserted onto the female connector  5 , the resilience piece  31  (FIG. 4) is elastically bent and then returned to its original position when the latching jaw  29  is inserted into a connecting groove  37 . 
     The female connector  5  has a coupling groove  41  (FIG. 1) for coupling with the grommet  39  to secure a tight sealing and prevent water from leaking between the female connector  5  and the wires (not shown). Furthermore, it is preferable that the coupling groove  41  is wrapped and supported by the slide holder  7  following coupling of the connector, thereby further reducing the chance of water penetration. 
     Following coupling of the slide holder  7  with the male connector  11  the seal  35  (FIG. 4) forms a close attachment to the vehicle body panel  1  thereby preventing water from leaking into either the door or the vehicle. The seal  35  is maintained in close contact with both sides of the vehicle body panel  1 . The repulsive force support part  13  (FIG. 3) of the panel bracket  5  also generates a force that helps to seal the male unit against the vehicle body. In use, as a result, the connector does not generate vibrations and noises. 
     Furthermore, the male connector unit  3 , fixed on the panel  1 , is coupled with the female connector  5  without extraction to prevent damage to the wires. 
     It is preferable that a rotation motion of the slide holder  7  unfastens the female connector  5  and the male connector  11 . In use, the coupling protruders  33  slide in the screw thread like coupling grooves  19 , thereby removing the slide holder  7  from the male connector  11 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.