Patent Description:
<CIT> (Patent Literature <NUM>) discloses packing arranged between a housing and an adherend, as a sealing member. The outer peripheral surface of the packing comes into close adhesion with the housing and the adherend to realize sealing between the housing and the adherend. By realizing sealing between the housing and the adherend using the packing, it is possible to prevent water, oil, or the like from entering the inside of the housing and the inside of the adherend.

The sealing member as described in Patent Literature <NUM> is formed of a single sealing material, for example, an elastic material such as rubber. The sealing member formed of a single sealing material has a high level of close adhesion to a mating member to which it adheres closely and has excellent sealing properties, but has low rigidity and easily deforms. Thus, for example, when a member interfering with the sealing member was arranged at the part where the sealing member was arranged, there was a possibility of the sealing member deforming and a gap being formed between the sealing member and the mating member, resulting in reduced sealing properties. Further prior art is known from document <CIT> which discloses a sealing member according to the introductory portion of claim <NUM>. From document <CIT> it is known a sealing gasket for an electrical connector system including a resilient element. Furthermore, a sealing material is disclosed. That is, the sealing member comprises at least one sealing material made from an elastic material and a high rigidity material is provided as a single body with at least one sealing material. From document <CIT> it is known a sealing member comprising one sealing material made from an elastic material and a high rigidity material is used so as to strengthen the sealing member. From document, <CIT> it is known a connector comprising a sealing member which has at least one sealing material which is made from an elastic material and furthermore a high rigidity material is provided as a single body.

The present invention is made in view of the above issue in the related art. An object of the present invention is to provide a sealing member capable of stabilizing the sealing properties, a wire harness provided with the sealing member, and a connector provided with the sealing member.

A sealing member in accordance with the present invention includes the features of claim <NUM>.

A wire harness in accordance with the present invention includes: an electric wire; a housing arranged at an end part of the electric wire; and the sealing member arranged on a fitting surface of the housing.

A connector in accordance with the present invention includes: a housing; a mating housing that can be fitted to the housing; and the sealing member arranged between the housing and the mating housing and adhered closely to the housing and the mating housing.

According to the present invention, a sealing member capable of stabilizing sealing properties, a wire harness provided with the sealing member, and a connector provided with the sealing member are provided.

Referring to the drawings, a detailed description is given below of a sealing member, a wire harness, and a connector according to the present embodiment. Note that dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of the description and may differ from actual ratios.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a connector <NUM> according to the present embodiment is applied to provide an electrical connection between electrical components (not illustrated), such as a power supply and an apparatus, or an apparatus and an apparatus. One electrical component has mating electric wires <NUM>, <NUM> electrically connected thereto, and a mating housing <NUM> is electrically connected to the end parts of the mating electric wires <NUM>, <NUM>. The mating electric wires <NUM>, <NUM> and the mating housing <NUM> make up a mating wire harness <NUM>. The other electrical component has electric wires <NUM>, <NUM> electrically connected thereto, and a housing <NUM> is electrically connected to the end parts of the electric wires <NUM>, <NUM>. The electric wires <NUM>, <NUM> and the housing <NUM> make up a wire harness <NUM>. In the connector <NUM>, when the mating housing <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are fitted together, the mating wire harness <NUM> and the wire harness <NUM> are electrically connected, and the electrical components are electrically connected to each other.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the connector <NUM> includes the mating wire harness <NUM> and the wire harness <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the mating wire harness <NUM> includes the mating electric wires <NUM>, <NUM> and the mating housing <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, there are two mating electric wires <NUM>. The ends of the mating electric wires <NUM>, <NUM> on the left side in <FIG> are electrically connected to an electrical component. To the other ends of the mating electric wires <NUM>, <NUM>, mating terminals (not illustrated) are electrically connected. The mating terminals electrically connected to the mating electric wires <NUM>, <NUM> are accommodated in the mating housing <NUM>.

The mating housing <NUM> includes a mating inner housing <NUM> and a mating shield shell <NUM>.

The mating inner housing <NUM> is made from, for example, an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. The mating inner housing <NUM> is formed in a case shape capable of accommodating multiple (two in the present embodiment) mating terminals. The inside of the mating inner housing <NUM> is provided with elastically deformable mating locking lances (not illustrated) to be respectively engaged with the mating terminals. When the mating locking lances are respectively engaged with the mating terminals, the mating terminals are retained relative to the mating inner housing <NUM>, and the mating terminals are held in the mating inner housing <NUM>.

The mating shield shell <NUM> is made from, for example, a conductive material such as metal. The mating shield shell <NUM> is formed in a case shape capable of accommodating the mating inner housing <NUM>. The inside of the mating shield shell <NUM> is provided with a mating engagement part (not illustrated) to be engaged with the mating inner housing <NUM> to hold the mating inner housing <NUM> in the mating shield shell <NUM>. A mating flange part <NUM> is provided on the front side of the mating shield shell <NUM> in the direction of fitting with the housing <NUM>. The surface of the mating flange part <NUM> on the front side in the fitting direction is a mating fitting surface <NUM>. On both sides of the mating flange part <NUM> extending from the outer surface of the mating shield shell <NUM>, mating fixing parts <NUM>, <NUM> are provided having insertion holes which are formed through the mating flange part <NUM> and through which bolts <NUM>, <NUM> can be inserted. On the mating fixing parts <NUM>, <NUM> at the surface opposite to the mating fitting surface <NUM>, nuts <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged to which the bolts <NUM>, <NUM> can be fastened. A grounded mating shield member (not illustrated) covering the outer periphery of the mating electric wires <NUM>, <NUM> drawn from the mating housing <NUM>, is electrically connected to the mating shield shell <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the wire harness <NUM> includes the electric wires <NUM>, <NUM>, the housing <NUM>, and a sealing member <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, there are two electric wires <NUM>. The ends of the electric wires <NUM>, <NUM> on the right in <FIG> are electrically connected to an electrical component. To the other ends of the electric wires <NUM>, <NUM>, terminals (not illustrated) are electrically connected. The terminals electrically connected to the electric wires <NUM>, <NUM> are accommodated in the housing <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> includes an inner housing <NUM> and a shield shell <NUM>.

The inner housing <NUM> is made from, for example, an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. The inner housing <NUM> is formed in a case shape capable of accommodating multiple (two in the present embodiment) terminals and capable of being fitted inside the mating inner housing <NUM>. The inside of the inner housing <NUM> is provided with elastically deformable locking lances (not illustrated) to be respectively engaged with the terminals. When the locking lances are respectively engaged with the terminals, the terminals are retained relative to the inner housing <NUM>, and the terminals are held in the inner housing <NUM>.

When the mating housing <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are fitted together, the inner housing <NUM> is fitted to the mating inner housing <NUM>. When the mating inner housing <NUM> and the inner housing <NUM> are fitted together, the mating terminals and the terminals are electrically connected, and the electrical components are electrically connected.

The shield shell <NUM> is made from, for example, a conductive material such as metal. The shield shell <NUM> is formed in a case shape capable of accommodating the inner housing <NUM>. The inside of the shield shell <NUM> is provided with an engagement part (not illustrated) to be engaged with the inner housing <NUM> to hold the inner housing <NUM> in the shield shell <NUM>. Note that a part of the inner housing <NUM> accommodated in the shield shell <NUM> is exposed from the shield shell <NUM>, and the exposed part can be fitted inside the mating inner housing <NUM>. A flange part <NUM> is provided on the front side of the shield shell <NUM> in the direction of fitting with the mating housing <NUM>. The surface of the flange part <NUM> on the front side in the fitting direction is a fitting surface <NUM>. The flange part <NUM> is provided with a rib <NUM> protruding over the fitting surface <NUM>. When the mating housing <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are fitted together, the rib <NUM> comes into contact with a part of a side surface 15a of the mating flange part <NUM> with the sealing member <NUM> described below therebetween, and positions the fitting position between the mating housing <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. On both sides of the flange part <NUM> extending from the outer surface of the shield shell <NUM>, fixing parts <NUM>, <NUM> are provided having insertion holes which are formed through the flange part <NUM> and through which the bolts <NUM>, <NUM> can be inserted. In a state where the bolts <NUM>, <NUM> are fastened to the nuts <NUM>, <NUM>, the heads of the bolts <NUM>, <NUM> are brought into contact, through washers, with the fixing parts <NUM>, <NUM> at the surface opposite to the fitting surface <NUM>. A grounded shield member (not illustrated) covering the outer periphery of the electric wires <NUM>, <NUM> drawn from the housing <NUM> is electrically connected to the shield shell <NUM>.

When the mating housing <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are fitted together, the shield shell <NUM> is fitted to the mating shield shell <NUM> in such a manner that the mating fitting surface <NUM> of the mating flange part <NUM> is in contact with the fitting surface <NUM> of the flange part <NUM>. The fitting of the mating shield shell <NUM> and the shield shell <NUM> is held by inserting the bolts <NUM>, <NUM> into the mating fixing parts <NUM>, <NUM> (see <FIG>) and the fixing parts <NUM>, <NUM> and fastening the bolts <NUM>, <NUM> to the nuts <NUM>, <NUM>. When the mating shield shell <NUM> and the shield shell <NUM> are fitted together, a shield circuit is formed to prevent the intrusion of noise from the outside and the leakage of noise to the outside. The sealing member <NUM> is arranged on the fitting surface <NUM> of the flange part <NUM> of the shield shell <NUM>.

Here, the sealing member <NUM> is arranged so as to adhere closely to the mating fitting surface <NUM> of the mating flange part <NUM> and the fitting surface <NUM> of the flange part <NUM> in a state where the mating housing <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are fitted together. When the sealing member <NUM> adheres closely to the mating fitting surface <NUM> and the fitting surface <NUM>, sealing is realized between the mating housing <NUM> and the housing <NUM>, and it is possible to prevent water, oil, or the like from entering the inside of the mating housing <NUM> and the inside of the housing <NUM>.

A conventional sealing member is formed of a single sealing material, for example, an elastic material such as rubber. A sealing member formed of a single sealing material has high close adhesion to the mating fitting surface <NUM> and the fitting surface <NUM> and has excellent sealing properties, but has low rigidity and easily deforms. Consequently, when a conventional sealing member interferes with, for example, the rib <NUM>, it deforms and lifts up from the mating fitting surface <NUM> and the fitting surface <NUM> at the part where it has interfered, and there has been a possibility of a gap forming between the mating fitting surface <NUM> and the fitting surface <NUM>, resulting in reduced sealing properties.

Thus, the sealing member <NUM> includes sealing materials <NUM>, <NUM> and a high rigidity material <NUM>.

Each of the sealing materials <NUM> is made from, for example, an elastic material such as ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). Each sealing material <NUM> is formed into a sponge shape and a sheet shape, for example. The sealing materials <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged on top of each other. In the present embodiment, there are two sealing materials <NUM>.

The high rigidity material <NUM> is made from, for example, a synthetic resin material having rigidity higher than that of each of the sealing materials <NUM> or a metal material having rigidity higher than that of each of the sealing materials <NUM>. The high rigidity material <NUM> is formed in a plate shape equal to or thinner than each of the sealing materials <NUM>, <NUM>, for example. The high rigidity material <NUM> is arranged between the adjacent sealing materials <NUM>, <NUM> and is fixed through adhesion or the like as a single body with the sealing materials <NUM>, <NUM>. The outer edge of the high rigidity material <NUM> is arranged so as to be surrounded by the adjacent sealing materials <NUM>, <NUM>. The adjacent sealing materials <NUM>, <NUM> protruding from the outer edge of the high rigidity material <NUM> are adhered closely and fixed to each other through adhesion or the like. Consequently, the entire outer surface of the sealing member <NUM> is made from the sealing materials <NUM> without the high rigidity material <NUM> exposed.

The sealing member <NUM> made from the sealing materials <NUM>, <NUM> and the high rigidity material <NUM> is arranged on the fitting surface <NUM> of the flange part <NUM> of the shield shell <NUM>, and includes a planar part <NUM> and a bent part <NUM>.

The planar part <NUM> is arranged between the mating fitting surface <NUM> and the fitting surface <NUM> in a state where the mating housing <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are fitted together. The planar part <NUM> is provided by fixing the sealing materials <NUM>, <NUM> respectively to both surfaces in the thickness direction of the high rigidity material <NUM> shaped in a planar shape. In the planar part <NUM>, the sealing materials <NUM>, <NUM> arranged on both sides in the thickness direction closely adhere to the mating fitting surface <NUM> and the fitting surface <NUM>, respectively.

The bent part <NUM> is formed to be continuous with the planar part <NUM>. In a state where the mating housing <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are fitted together, the bent part <NUM> is arranged between a part of the side surface 15a of the mating flange part <NUM> and the outer surface of the rib <NUM>. The bent part <NUM> is provided by fixing the sealing materials <NUM>, <NUM> respectively to both surfaces in the thickness direction of the high rigidity material <NUM> shaped in accordance with the outer shape of the rib <NUM>. In the bent part <NUM>, the sealing materials <NUM>, <NUM> arranged on both sides in the thickness direction closely adhere to a part of the side surface 15a of the mating flange part <NUM> and the outer surface of the rib <NUM>, respectively. Note that in the case where the high rigidity material <NUM> is made from a material that plastically deforms, after forming the sealing member <NUM> in a planar shape, the high rigidity material <NUM> may plastically deform in accordance with the outer shape of the rib <NUM> to provide the bent part <NUM>. Note that at the bent corner of the bent part <NUM>, a slit is provided along the longitudinal direction of the rib <NUM> in the high rigidity material <NUM>. By providing the slit in the high rigidity material <NUM>, the corner of the bent part <NUM> is easily bent, and it becomes easier for the shape of the bent part <NUM> to follow the outer shape of the rib <NUM>.

In the sealing member <NUM>, for example, even when the sealing member <NUM> interferes with the rib <NUM>, due to the high rigidity material <NUM>, no deformation occurs. Consequently, no gap occurs between the sealing member <NUM> and each of the mating fitting surface <NUM> and the fitting surface <NUM>, thereby stabilizing the sealing properties. In addition, as the sealing member <NUM> includes the planar part <NUM> and the bent part <NUM>, the sealing member <NUM> is shaped to match the shape of the mating member to be adhered closely. The state in which the sealing member <NUM> is shaped is maintained by the high rigidity material <NUM> without deformation. Consequently, no gap occurs between the sealing member <NUM> and the mating member to be adhered closely, thereby stabilizing the sealing properties.

Note that although the sealing member <NUM> incudes the planar part <NUM> and the bent part <NUM>, the planar part <NUM> may be provided alone without providing the bent part <NUM>, for example. Even such a sealing member <NUM> can suppress the occurrence of the deformation of the planar part <NUM> and the occurrence of a gap between the planar part <NUM> and each of the mating fitting surface <NUM> and the fitting surface <NUM>. In the sealing member <NUM>, the high rigidity material <NUM> is arranged between the adjacent sealing materials <NUM>, <NUM>, but the arrangement is not limited thereto. For example, the high rigidity material <NUM> may be arranged only on one side of one sealing material <NUM>. In this case, the sealing material <NUM> may be arranged to protrude from the outer edge of the high rigidity material <NUM> in order to cause the sealing material <NUM> to closely adhere to the mating member. In addition, the high rigidity material <NUM> is not limited to a plate shape and may be any shape. For, example, the high rigidity material <NUM> may be formed in a linear shape, and multiple linear high rigidity materials <NUM> may be arranged in rows or in a lattice shape.

The sealing member <NUM> includes at least one sealing material <NUM> made from an elastic material, and a high rigidity material <NUM> provided as a single body with the at least one sealing material <NUM> and having a rigidity higher than that of the at least one sealing material <NUM>. By providing the high rigidity material <NUM>, the deformation of the sealing material <NUM> can be suppressed. Consequently, the occurrence of a gap between the sealing material <NUM> and a mating member to which the sealing material <NUM> is adhered closely can be suppressed.

Therefore, such a sealing member <NUM> can stabilize the sealing properties.

In addition, the at least one sealing material <NUM> includes multiple sealing materials <NUM>. The multiple sealing materials <NUM> are arranged on top of each other. The high rigidity material <NUM> is arranged between adjacent sealing materials <NUM>, <NUM>. Consequently, the exposed area of the sealing material <NUM> can be increased, and the sealing properties can be improved.

Furthermore, the wire harness <NUM> includes the electric wires <NUM>, the housing <NUM> arranged at the end parts of the electric wires <NUM>, and the sealing member <NUM> arranged at the fitting surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. When the housing <NUM> is fitted to a mating member (mating housing <NUM> in the present embodiment), the sealing member <NUM> arranged at the fitting surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is adhered closely to the mating member. At this time, deformation of the sealing member <NUM> is suppressed by the high rigidity material <NUM>. Consequently, the occurrence of a gap between the sealing member <NUM> and each of the fitting surface <NUM> and the mating member can be suppressed.

Therefore, the wire harness <NUM> provided with the sealing member <NUM> can stabilize the sealing properties.

The connector <NUM> includes the housing <NUM>, the mating housing <NUM> which can be fitted to the housing <NUM>, and the sealing member <NUM> arranged between the housing <NUM> and the mating housing <NUM> and adhered closely to the housing <NUM> and the mating housing <NUM>. Deformation of the sealing member <NUM> adhered closely to the housing <NUM> and the mating housing <NUM> is suppressed by the high rigidity material <NUM>. Consequently, the occurrence of a gap between the sealing member <NUM> and each of the housing <NUM> and the mating housing <NUM> can be suppressed.

Therefore, the connector <NUM> provided with the sealing member <NUM> can stabilize the sealing properties.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to these descriptions, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

For example, there are two sealing members according to the present embodiment, but the number thereof is not limited to this, and there may be three or more sealing members. In this case, a high rigidity material may be disposed between each of multiple sets of adjacent sealing materials. In addition, the outer edge of the high rigidity material may be covered with adjacent sealing materials to eliminate exposure of the high rigidity material, and the entire outer surface of the sealing member may be used as a sealing material. Furthermore, a high rigidity material may be embedded in one sealing material.

In addition, the sealing member according to the present embodiment includes a planar part and a bent part, but the configuration is not limited thereto, and the sealing member may be shaped according to the shape of a mating member to be arranged in close adhesion, for example, so as to only include the planar part or only include the bent part. The shaped sealing member can maintain its shape due to the high rigidity material.

Furthermore, the sealing member according to the present embodiment is arranged between a housing and a mating housing but is not limited to this arrangement, and the sealing member may be arranged between any members, for example, between a case member and a panel member.

In the wire harness according to the present embodiment, a housing is fitted to a mating housing, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the fitting surface of the housing may be mounted on a wall surface of a case member or panel member. Even in such a case, a sealing member arranged on the fitting surface of the housing closely adheres to the wall surface of the case member or panel member and can seal a gap between the housing and the case member or panel member. In addition, in the present embodiment, there are two electric wires, but the number thereof is not limited to this, and there may be one, or three or more electric wires. Similarly, in the present embodiment, there are two mating electric wires, but the number is not limited to this, and there may be one, or three or more mating electric wires.

Furthermore, in the connector according to the present embodiment, the housing includes a shield shell and an inner housing, and the mating housing includes a mating shield shell and a mating inner housing, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the housing and mating housing may be made as one member and may be made so that they can be fitted to each other, and a sealing member may be arranged between the housing and the mating housing. In addition, although the sealing member is arranged in the housing in the state before the housing and mating housing are fitted together, the arrangement is not limited thereto, and the sealing member may be arranged in the mating housing. Consequently, the occurrence of a gap between the sealing member <NUM> and each of the fitting surface <NUM> and the mating member can be suppressed.

Furthermore, in the connector according to the present embodiment, the housing includes a shield shell and an inner housing, and the mating housing includes a mating shield shell and a mating inner housing, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the housing and mating housing may be made as one member and may be made so that they can be fitted to each other, and a sealing member may be arranged between the housing and the mating housing. In addition, although the sealing member is arranged in the housing in the state before the housing and mating housing are fitted together, the arrangement is not limited thereto, and the sealing member may be arranged in the mating housing.

Claim 1:
A sealing member (<NUM>), comprising:
sealing materials (<NUM>) made from an elastic material; and
a high rigidity material (<NUM>) provided as a single body with the sealing materials (<NUM>) and having a rigidity higher than a rigidity of the sealing materials (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the high rigidity material (<NUM>) is arranged between adjacent sealing materials (<NUM>) and is fixed through adhesion or the like as a single body with the sealing materials (<NUM>),
the outer edge of the high rigidity material (<NUM>) is arranged so as to be surrounded by the adjacent sealing materials (<NUM>), and the adjacent sealing materials (<NUM>) protruding from the outer edge of the high rigidity material (<NUM>) are adhered closely and fixed to each other through adhesion or the like, therefore
the entire outer surface of the sealing member (<NUM>) is made from the sealing materials (<NUM>) without the high rigidity material (<NUM>) exposed.