JP7628885B2

JP7628885B2 - connector

Info

Publication number: JP7628885B2
Application number: JP2021088699A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 紘明大野; 純杉岡; 徹鈴木; 暢早坂; 和也竹田; 龍矢細野
Original assignee: Yazaki Corp
Current assignee: Yazaki Corp
Priority date: 2021-05-26
Filing date: 2021-05-26
Publication date: 2025-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2041-05-26
Also published as: JP2022181649A

Description

本発明は、電線と、電線の導体芯線が電気的に接続される端子金具と、端子金具を収容するハウジングと、を備えるコネクタに関する。 The present invention relates to a connector that includes an electric wire, a terminal fitting to which the conductor core of the electric wire is electrically connected, and a housing that accommodates the terminal fitting.

従来から、水などの液体がハウジング内の端子収容室に侵入することを抑制するべく、端子収容室とその外部とを液密的に隔離するシール部材（例えば、パッキン等）を備えるコネクタが提案されている。この種のコネクタでは、例えば、端子収容室に収容される端子から延びる電線を外部に引き出す引出口を封止するように、シール部材が設けられる（例えば、特許文献１を参照。）。 Conventionally, connectors have been proposed that include a sealing member (e.g., a packing) that liquid-tightly separates the terminal accommodating chamber from the outside in order to prevent liquids such as water from entering the terminal accommodating chamber in the housing. In this type of connector, for example, a sealing member is provided to seal the outlet through which the electric wire extending from the terminal accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber is pulled out to the outside (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

特開２０１７－００４８５０号公報JP 2017-004850 A

ところで、上述したようなシール部材を有するコネクタでは、引出口の内壁面と電線の外周面との間を封止するように、環状のシール部材が用いられる場合がある。このような形態のシール部材による止水性能を向上するべく、電線の径方向におけるシール部材の厚さを大きく（即ち、太く）することが考えられる。しかし、このようにシール部材を太くすると、シール部材が電線や引出口に強く押し付けられてそれらとの間に大きな摩擦力が生じることになるため、シール部材に電線を挿通する作業や、シール部材を引出口に押し込む作業が、困難になる可能性がある。特に、外径が大きい電線（いわゆる太物電線）を用いる場合、これら作業が困難になる傾向がある。一方、それら作業を容易にするべく、電線の径方向におけるシール部材の厚さを小さく（即ち、細く）すると、電線や引出口とシール部材との間に隙間が生じやすくなるため、シール部材に本来求められる止水性能が損なわれる可能性がある。このように、シール部材による止水性能の向上と、シール部材を電線やハウジングに取り付ける作業の作業性の向上と、の両立は、一般に困難である。 In the connector having the above-mentioned sealing member, an annular sealing member may be used to seal between the inner wall surface of the outlet and the outer circumferential surface of the wire. In order to improve the water-stopping performance of such a sealing member, it is possible to increase the thickness of the sealing member in the radial direction of the wire (i.e., to make it thicker). However, if the sealing member is made thicker in this way, the sealing member is strongly pressed against the wire and the outlet, and a large frictional force is generated between them, so that the work of inserting the wire into the sealing member and the work of pushing the sealing member into the outlet may become difficult. In particular, when a wire with a large outer diameter (a so-called thick wire) is used, these operations tend to become difficult. On the other hand, if the thickness of the sealing member in the radial direction of the wire is reduced (i.e., made thin) in order to make these operations easier, gaps are likely to occur between the wire or the outlet and the sealing member, so that the water-stopping performance originally required of the sealing member may be impaired. In this way, it is generally difficult to achieve both the improvement of the water-stopping performance of the sealing member and the improvement of the workability of attaching the sealing member to the wire or the housing.

本発明の目的の一つは、シール部材による止水性能の向上と、シール部材を電線やハウジングに取り付ける作業の作業性の向上と、を両立可能なコネクタの提供である。 One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a connector that can simultaneously improve the waterproofing performance of the sealing member and improve the workability of attaching the sealing member to the electric wire and the housing.

前述した目的を達成するために、本発明に係るコネクタは、下記［１］～［２］を特徴としている。
［１］
電線と、前記電線の導体芯線が電気的に接続される端子金具と、前記端子金具を収容し且つ前記電線が内部から外部に引き出されるハウジングと、を備えるコネクタであって、
前記ハウジングは、
前記電線が挿通されて引き出される引出口と、
前記引出口の内壁面と前記電線の外周面との間の隙間を封止するために前記電線を取り囲むように配置されるシール部材と、
前記引出口に挿し込まれて前記シール部材を前記ハウジングの所定箇所との間に挟んで前記電線の軸方向に沿って押圧し、前記シール部材を前記軸方向に交差する方向に押し広げることによって前記隙間を封止させる、ホルダと、を有し、
前記ハウジングは、
前記ホルダが前記シール部材を押圧するための外力をボルトを用いて前記ホルダに直接的又は間接的に及ぼすボルト締め構造を、更に有し、
前記ハウジングは、前記電線及び前記端子金具に接続された導電路が内部に配索される箱状の形状を有する本体部と、前記本体部から前記電線の軸方向に沿って延出する筒状の形状を有し且つ前記引出口を延出端側に有する電線収容部と、を備え、
前記コネクタは、前記電線収容部を覆うように配置され且つ前記ホルダに接触する第１シェル部材と、前記本体部を覆うように配置され且つ前記第１シェル部材とは別部材の第２シェル部材と、を更に備え、
前記第１シェル部材及び前記第２シェル部材は、
前記第１シェル部材が前記第２シェル部材に前記ボルトを用いて締結される際、前記ホルダに前記外力を及ぼす、ように構成される、
コネクタであること。
［２］
上記［１］に記載のコネクタにおいて、
前記シール部材は、
前記電線を挿通する孔部と、前記孔部の孔内面から前記電線に向けて突出し且つ前記孔部の周方向に延びる突条部と、を有し、当該シール部材が前記ホルダに押圧されていないときに前記突条部の突出端周辺のみが前記電線に接触する、
コネクタであること。 In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector according to the present invention is characterized by the following features [1] to [ 2 ].
[1]
A connector comprising: an electric wire; a terminal fitting to which a conductor core wire of the electric wire is electrically connected; and a housing that accommodates the terminal fitting and through which the electric wire is drawn from an inside to an outside,
The housing includes:
a withdrawal port through which the electric wire is inserted and withdrawn;
a seal member disposed to surround the electric wire and seal a gap between an inner wall surface of the outlet and an outer circumferential surface of the electric wire;
a holder that is inserted into the outlet and sandwiches the seal member between the outlet and a predetermined portion of the housing, presses the seal member along an axial direction of the electric wire, and spreads the seal member in a direction intersecting the axial direction to seal the gap,
The housing includes:
The holder further includes a bolt fastening structure for applying an external force for pressing the seal member to the holder directly or indirectly using a bolt,
the housing includes a main body having a box-like shape in which the electric wire and the conductive path connected to the terminal fitting are arranged, and an electric wire accommodating portion having a cylindrical shape extending from the main body along the axial direction of the electric wire and having the outlet on an extending end side,
The connector further includes a first shell member arranged to cover the wire accommodating portion and in contact with the holder, and a second shell member arranged to cover the main body and separate from the first shell member,
The first shell member and the second shell member are
The first shell member is configured to exert the external force on the holder when the first shell member is fastened to the second shell member by using the bolt.
It is a connector.
［ 2 ］
In the connector according to the above-mentioned [1],
The sealing member is
a hole through which the electric wire is inserted, and a protrusion protruding from an inner surface of the hole toward the electric wire and extending in a circumferential direction of the hole, wherein only a periphery of a protruding end of the protrusion is in contact with the electric wire when the seal member is not pressed against the holder;
It is a connector.

上記［１］の構成のコネクタによれば、ハウジングの引出口に取り付けられるシール部材（例えば、パッキン）は、ホルダによって押圧され、ホルダとハウジングの所定箇所との間に挟まれて電線の軸方向に交差する方向に押し広げられることで、電線と引出口との間の隙間を封止する。よって、例えば、ホルダに押圧されていない状態でのシール部材が、電線への装着や引出口への嵌め込みに適した大きさ（例えば、上述した細い形状）を有し、且つ、ホルダに押圧された状態でのシール部材が、電線と引出口との間の隙間を密に封止する大きさ（例えば、上述した太い形状）を有することを、実現できる。更に、ホルダが引出口に挿し込まれることで、シール部材に及ぼす押圧力を高めやすく、且つ、ホルダ自体の位置ズレによってシール部材への押圧力が低下することを抑制できる。このように、本構成のコネクタは、シール部材による止水性能の向上と、シール部材を電線やハウジングに取り付ける作業の作業性の向上と、を両立可能である。 According to the connector of the above-mentioned configuration [1], the seal member (e.g., packing) attached to the outlet of the housing is pressed by the holder, sandwiched between the holder and a predetermined part of the housing, and spread in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the electric wire, thereby sealing the gap between the electric wire and the outlet. Therefore, for example, it is possible to realize that the seal member when not pressed by the holder has a size (e.g., the thin shape described above) suitable for attachment to the electric wire and fitting into the outlet, and the seal member when pressed by the holder has a size (e.g., the thick shape described above) that tightly seals the gap between the electric wire and the outlet. Furthermore, by inserting the holder into the outlet, it is easy to increase the pressing force exerted on the seal member, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the pressing force on the seal member due to the positional deviation of the holder itself. In this way, the connector of this configuration can achieve both improved water-stopping performance by the seal member and improved workability in attaching the seal member to the electric wire and the housing.

更に、他の効果として、シール部材がホルダに押圧されて封止に適した形状に変形することから、外径が異なる多種類の電線に対して共通形状の単一種のシール部材を適用することも可能である。即ち、上記構成のコネクタによれば、シール部材の汎用性を向上することができる。 Furthermore, as another effect, since the seal member is pressed against the holder and deformed into a shape suitable for sealing, it is possible to apply a single type of seal member of a common shape to many types of electric wires with different outer diameters. In other words, the connector with the above configuration can improve the versatility of the seal member.

更に、上記［１］の構成のコネクタによれば、ハウジングが有するボルト締め構造に起因する外力（いわゆる締結力）を受けたホルダにより、シール部材が押圧される。そのため、ホルダをハウジングに引っ掛ける等の方法によってホルダをシール部材に押し付ける場合に比べ、より強力かつ安定した強さでホルダをシール部材に押し付けることができる。これにより、シール部材が電線と引出口との間の隙間をより密に封止することができるため、シール部材による止水性能を向上することができる。更に、ホルダ自体の位置ズレによってシール部材への押圧力が低下してシール部材による止水性能が損なわれることを、より強固に抑制することができる。 Furthermore, according to the connector having the configuration of [ 1 ] above, the seal member is pressed by the holder, which receives an external force (so-called fastening force) due to the bolt fastening structure of the housing. Therefore, the holder can be pressed against the seal member with a stronger and more stable force than when the holder is pressed against the seal member by a method such as hooking the holder to the housing. This allows the seal member to seal the gap between the electric wire and the outlet more tightly, thereby improving the water-stopping performance of the seal member. Furthermore, it is possible to more firmly prevent the pressure on the seal member from decreasing due to misalignment of the holder itself, which would impair the water-stopping performance of the seal member.

更に、上記［１］の構成のコネクタによれば、引出口を取り囲むシェル部材を締結対象物（例えば、ハウジングの他の部分を取り囲む別のシェル部材）にボルトで締結する作業の中で、ホルダをシール部材に押し付けて引出口を封止することができる。よって、ホルダをシール部材に押し付ける作業を別途独立して行う場合に比べ、コネクタの生産性を向上することができる。 Furthermore, according to the connector having the configuration of [ 1 ] above, the holder can be pressed against the seal member to seal the outlet during the process of fastening the shell member surrounding the outlet to the fastening object (for example, another shell member surrounding another part of the housing) with bolts. This improves the productivity of the connector compared to a case in which the process of pressing the holder against the seal member is performed separately and independently.

上記［２］の構成のコネクタによれば、シール部材がホルダに押圧されていないとき、シール部材の孔部に設けられた突条部（いわゆる、リップ部）の突出端周辺のみが電線に接触する（いわゆる、軽ラップ状態になる）。なお、「突出端周辺」とは、突出端およびその周辺からなる領域を表す。そのため、シール部材の取り付けにあたり、突条部の大部分が電線に接触する場合に比べ、シール部材の孔部に電線を挿通する作業が容易になる。更に、そのような軽ラップ状態にあることで、シール部材の意図しない位置ずれを抑制できる。よって、コネクタの生産性を向上することができる。 According to the connector having the configuration of [ 2 ] above, when the seal member is not pressed against the holder, only the periphery of the protruding end of the protruding portion (so-called lip portion) provided in the hole of the seal member contacts the electric wire (so-called lightly wrapped state). Note that the "periphery of the protruding end" refers to the area consisting of the protruding end and its periphery. Therefore, when attaching the seal member, the work of inserting the electric wire into the hole of the seal member is easier than when most of the protruding portion contacts the electric wire. Furthermore, such a lightly wrapped state can suppress unintended displacement of the seal member. Therefore, the productivity of the connector can be improved.

本発明によれば、シール部材による止水性能の向上と、シール部材を電線やハウジングに取り付ける作業の作業性の向上と、を両立可能なコネクタを提供できる。 The present invention provides a connector that can simultaneously improve the waterproofing performance of the sealing member and the ease of attaching the sealing member to the electric wire and the housing.

以上、本発明について簡潔に説明した。更に、以下に説明される発明を実施するための形態（以下、「実施形態」という。）を添付の図面を参照して通読することにより、本発明の詳細は更に明確化されるであろう。 The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the following description of the embodiment of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the attached drawings.

図１は、本発明の実施形態に係るコネクタを示す斜視図である。FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 図２は、図１に示すコネクタの分解斜視図である。FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. 図３（ａ）は、図１のＡ－Ａ断面図であり、図３（ｂ）は、図３（ａ）のＢ部の拡大図である。3A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of part B of FIG. 3A. 図４は、各部品のハウジングへの組み付け前の状態を示す、図３（ｂ）のＣ－Ｃ断面に相当する図である。FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 3(b), showing the state before each component is assembled into the housing. 図５（ａ）は、各部品のハウジングへの組み付け途中の状態を示す図４に相当する図であり、図５（ｂ）は、図５（ａ）のＤ部の拡大図である。5A is a view corresponding to FIG. 4, showing a state in which the components are being assembled into the housing, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a portion D in FIG. 5A. 図６（ａ）は、各部品のハウジングへの組み付け完了の状態を示す図４に相当する図であり、図６（ｂ）は、図６（ａ）のＥ部の拡大図である。6A is a view corresponding to FIG. 4, showing a state in which the components have been completely assembled into the housing, and FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a portion E in FIG. 6A.

＜実施形態＞
以下、図面を参照しながら、本発明の実施形態に係るコネクタ１について説明する。図１に示すコネクタ１は、ハウジング１０の電線収容部１２から延出する一対の電線７０と、ハウジング１０のコネクタ部１３に嵌合される相手側コネクタ（図示省略）と、を電気的に接続する中継コネクタとして機能する。 <Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The connector 1 shown in Fig. 1 functions as a relay connector that electrically connects a pair of electric wires 70 extending from an electric wire accommodating portion 12 of a housing 10 to a mating connector (not shown) that is fitted into a connector portion 13 of the housing 10.

以下、説明の便宜上、図１等に示すように、「前後方向」、「上下方向」、「幅方向」、「前」、「後」、「上」及び「下」を定義する。「前後方向」、「上下方向」及び「幅方向」は、互いに直交している。上下方向は、コネクタ部１３と相手側コネクタとの嵌合方向と一致している。前後方向は、一対の電線７０の電線収容部１２からの延出方向と一致している。 For ease of explanation, the following definitions are used as shown in FIG. 1 and elsewhere: "front-rear direction," "up-down direction," "width direction," "front," "rear," "top," and "bottom." The "front-rear direction," "up-down direction," and "width direction" are perpendicular to one another. The up-down direction coincides with the mating direction of the connector portion 13 and the mating connector. The front-rear direction coincides with the direction in which the pair of electric wires 70 extend from the electric wire housing portion 12.

各電線７０は、図３等に示すように、金属製の導体芯線７１と、導体芯線７１を覆う絶縁被覆７２とで構成されている。電線７０の一端部には、金属製の端子６０が、導体芯線７１と電気的に接続されるように、取り付けられる。端子６０は、前後方向に延びる形状を有している。 As shown in FIG. 3, each electric wire 70 is composed of a metal conductor core 71 and an insulating coating 72 that covers the conductor core 71. A metal terminal 60 is attached to one end of the electric wire 70 so as to be electrically connected to the conductor core 71. The terminal 60 has a shape that extends in the front-rear direction.

コネクタ１は、図２及び図３に示すように、主として、ハウジング１０と、一対のパッキン２０と、ホルダ３０と、第１シェル部材４０と、第２シェル部材５０と、を備えている。以下、コネクタ１を構成する各部材について順に説明する。 As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the connector 1 mainly comprises a housing 10, a pair of gaskets 20, a holder 30, a first shell member 40, and a second shell member 50. Each of the components that make up the connector 1 will be described below in order.

まず、ハウジング１０について説明する。ハウジング１０は、樹脂成型品であり、図２及び図３に示すように、本体部１１と、本体部１１の後端部から後方に延びる電線収容部１２と、本体部１１の上端部から上方へ突出するコネクタ部１３と、を一体に備える。このように、ハウジング１０は、幅方向からみて、略Ｌ字状の形状を有している。 First, the housing 10 will be described. The housing 10 is a resin molded product, and as shown in Figures 2 and 3, it integrally comprises a main body 11, an electric wire housing 12 extending rearward from the rear end of the main body 11, and a connector 13 protruding upward from the upper end of the main body 11. Thus, the housing 10 has a roughly L-shape when viewed in the width direction.

本体部１１は、図２及び図３に示すように、略直方体状の箱状の形状を有する。本体部１１の下部には、上下方向に貫通する略矩形状の開口１０ａが形成されている（図３（ａ）参照）。開口１０ａは、ゴム製のパッキン９７（図３（ａ）参照）が装着された樹脂製の蓋部材９６によって液密的に塞がれる（図２及び図３（ａ）参照）。 As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the main body 11 has a generally rectangular box shape. A generally rectangular opening 10a that penetrates in the vertical direction is formed in the lower part of the main body 11 (see Figure 3(a)). The opening 10a is liquid-tightly closed by a resin cover member 96 fitted with a rubber packing 97 (see Figure 3(a)) (see Figures 2 and 3(a)).

電線収容部１２は、図２及び図３に示すように、後方からみて幅方向に長い長孔状の形状を有して前後方向に延びる筒状の部分である。電線収容部１２の内部には、一対の電線収容孔１４が、前後方向に延び且つ幅方向に並ぶように設けられている。各電線収容孔１４の断面形状は円形である。各電線収容孔１４は、前後方向に貫通しており、本体部１１の内部空間と連通している。電線収容孔１４には、端子６０が接続された電線７０が収容される。 As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the electric wire housing section 12 is a cylindrical section extending in the front-rear direction and having a long hole shape that is long in the width direction when viewed from the rear. Inside the electric wire housing section 12, a pair of electric wire housing holes 14 are provided extending in the front-rear direction and lined up in the width direction. The cross-sectional shape of each electric wire housing hole 14 is circular. Each electric wire housing hole 14 penetrates in the front-rear direction and communicates with the internal space of the main body section 11. An electric wire 70 to which a terminal 60 is connected is housed in the electric wire housing hole 14.

コネクタ部１３は、図２及び図３に示すように、上方からみて幅方向に長い長孔状の形状を有して上下方向に延びる筒状の部分である。コネクタ部１３の内部には、一対の端子収容孔１５が、上下方向に延び且つ幅方向に並ぶように設けられている。各端子収容孔１５は、上下方向に貫通しており、本体部１１の内部空間と連通している。端子収容孔１５には、金属製の端子８０が収容され固定される。端子８０は、上下方向に延びる形状を有している。 As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the connector portion 13 is a cylindrical portion that has a long hole shape that is long in the width direction when viewed from above and extends in the vertical direction. Inside the connector portion 13, a pair of terminal accommodating holes 15 are provided that extend in the vertical direction and are aligned in the width direction. Each terminal accommodating hole 15 penetrates in the vertical direction and communicates with the internal space of the main body portion 11. A metal terminal 80 is accommodated and fixed in the terminal accommodating hole 15. The terminal 80 has a shape that extends in the vertical direction.

各電線収容孔１４の内壁面には、図３（ａ）に示すように、後方を向いた円環状の段差面１６が形成されている。各電線収容孔１４における段差面１６より後方の部分は、電線７０を引き出す引出口１７として機能する。段差面１６は、詳細は後述するように、引出口１７に挿入されるパッキン２０の挿入深さを規定するストッパとして機能するともに、ホルダ３０との間にパッキン２０を挟んで保持するようになっている。 As shown in FIG. 3(a), an annular stepped surface 16 facing rearward is formed on the inner wall surface of each electric wire accommodating hole 14. The portion of each electric wire accommodating hole 14 rearward of the stepped surface 16 functions as an outlet 17 for pulling out the electric wire 70. As described in detail below, the stepped surface 16 functions as a stopper that determines the insertion depth of the packing 20 inserted into the outlet 17, and also holds the packing 20 by sandwiching it between the holder 30.

ハウジング１０における本体部１１と電線収容部１２との境界部の上部には、上方及び幅方向両側へ張り出すフランジ部１８が一体で設けられている。フランジ部１８の幅方向両端部には、一対のボルト挿通孔１９が、前後方向に貫通するように形成されている。コネクタ１の組み付け時、一対のボルト挿通孔１９には、一対のボルト９５（図２等参照）が挿通されることになる。 A flange portion 18 that protrudes upward and to both sides in the width direction is integrally provided at the upper portion of the boundary between the main body portion 11 and the electric wire accommodating portion 12 in the housing 10. A pair of bolt insertion holes 19 are formed at both ends of the flange portion 18 in the width direction so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction. When the connector 1 is assembled, a pair of bolts 95 (see FIG. 2, etc.) are inserted into the pair of bolt insertion holes 19.

次いで、一対のパッキン２０について説明する。各パッキン２０は、図２に示すように、孔部２１を有する略円筒状の形状を有するゴム製のシール部材である。図４及び図５に示すように、パッキン２０の孔部２１の内壁面には、一対の内側リップ部２２が前後方向に並ぶように設けられ、パッキン２０の外周面には、一対の外側リップ部２３が前後方向に並ぶように設けられている。 Next, the pair of gaskets 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, each gasket 20 is a rubber sealing member having a generally cylindrical shape with a hole 21. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a pair of inner lip portions 22 are provided on the inner wall surface of the hole 21 of the gasket 20 so as to be aligned in the front-rear direction, and a pair of outer lip portions 23 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the gasket 20 so as to be aligned in the front-rear direction.

パッキン２０の非弾性変形状態にて、パッキン２０の孔部２１の孔内面に設けられている内側リップ部２２の頂部周辺（即ち、突出端周辺）のみが、電線７０に接触するようになっている。換言すると、パッキン２０と電線７０とが、いわゆる軽ラップ状態にある。更に、パッキン２０の非弾性変形状態にて、パッキン２０の外径（外側リップ部２３の頂部の外径）は、ハウジング１０の引出口１７の内径以下の大きさを有する。一対のパッキン２０は、孔部２１に電線７０がそれぞれ挿通された状態にてハウジング１０の一対の引出口１７の内側に挿し込まれて、後述するようにホルダ３０とハウジング１０の段差面１６とに挟まれて周辺に押し広げられることで、引出口１７の内壁面と電線７０の外周面との間の隙間を封止する機能を果たす。なお、内側リップ部２２の「頂部周辺のみ」（突出端周辺のみ）が電線７０に接触することは、例えば、電線７０の挿通の前における内側リップ部２２の孔内面からの突出高さ（Ａ）と、電線７０の挿通の後における内側リップ部２２の孔内面からの突出高さ（Ｂ）と、を比較したときの変化率（Ｃ＝（Ａ－Ｂ）／Ａ）が５０％以下であること、と言い換え得る。 In the non-elastically deformed state of the packing 20, only the periphery of the top of the inner lip portion 22 (i.e., the periphery of the protruding end) provided on the inner surface of the hole portion 21 of the packing 20 contacts the electric wire 70. In other words, the packing 20 and the electric wire 70 are in a so-called lightly wrapped state. Furthermore, in the non-elastically deformed state of the packing 20, the outer diameter of the packing 20 (the outer diameter of the top of the outer lip portion 23) is equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the outlet 17 of the housing 10. The pair of packings 20 are inserted into the inside of the pair of outlets 17 of the housing 10 with the electric wires 70 inserted into the holes 21, respectively, and are sandwiched between the holder 30 and the step surface 16 of the housing 10 and pushed outward as described below, thereby fulfilling the function of sealing the gap between the inner wall surface of the outlet 17 and the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 70. In addition, the fact that "only the periphery of the top" (only the periphery of the protruding end) of the inner lip portion 22 comes into contact with the electric wire 70 can be rephrased as, for example, the rate of change (C = (A - B) / A) when comparing the protruding height (A) of the inner lip portion 22 from the inner surface of the hole before the electric wire 70 is inserted with the protruding height (B) of the inner lip portion 22 from the inner surface of the hole after the electric wire 70 is inserted is 50% or less.

次いで、ホルダ３０について説明する。ホルダ３０は、樹脂成形品であり、図２～図４に示すように、ハウジング１０の一対の引出口１７に対応して幅方向に並ぶ一対の円筒状部３１と、一対の円筒状部３１を幅方向に連結する連結部３３と、で構成されている。円筒状部３１の孔部３２の内径は、電線７０の外径以上の大きさを有し、且つ、円筒状部３１の外径は、ハウジング１０の引出口１７の内径以下の大きさを有する。 Next, the holder 30 will be described. The holder 30 is a resin molded product, and as shown in Figures 2 to 4, is composed of a pair of cylindrical portions 31 aligned in the width direction corresponding to the pair of outlets 17 of the housing 10, and a connecting portion 33 that connects the pair of cylindrical portions 31 in the width direction. The inner diameter of the hole 32 of the cylindrical portion 31 is equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the electric wire 70, and the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 31 is equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the outlet 17 of the housing 10.

ホルダ３０は、孔部３２に電線７０がそれぞれ挿通された状態にて一対の円筒状部３１がハウジング１０の一対の引出口１７の内側に挿し込まれることで、一対の引出口１７に挿入されている一対のパッキン２０の後方への脱落を防止する機能を果たす。更に、ホルダ３０は、パッキン２０をハウジング１０の段差面１６との間に挟んで前後方向に沿って押圧する機能をも果たす。この機能については、後に詳述する。 When the pair of cylindrical portions 31 of the holder 30 are inserted into the pair of outlets 17 of the housing 10 with the electric wires 70 inserted through the holes 32, the holder 30 serves to prevent the pair of gaskets 20 inserted into the pair of outlets 17 from falling out rearward. Furthermore, the holder 30 also serves to sandwich the gaskets 20 between itself and the stepped surface 16 of the housing 10 and press them in the front-to-rear direction. This function will be described in detail later.

次いで、第１シェル部材４０について説明する。第１シェル部材４０は、金属板に対してプレス加工及び曲げ加工等を施して形成されている。第１シェル部材４０は、図２～図４に示すように、第１筒状部４１と、第１筒状部４１の前側に繋がる第２筒状部４２とを備える。 Next, the first shell member 40 will be described. The first shell member 40 is formed by performing processes such as pressing and bending on a metal plate. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the first shell member 40 includes a first cylindrical portion 41 and a second cylindrical portion 42 that is connected to the front side of the first cylindrical portion 41.

第１筒状部４１は、ハウジング１０の電線収容部１２の外周形状に対応して、後方からみて幅方向に長い長孔状の形状を有して前後方向に延びる筒状の形状を有している。第２筒状部４２は、第１筒状部４１に対して周方向の全周に亘って拡径されている。第２筒状部４２は、電線収容部１２の外周におけるフランジ部１８の後側に隣接する位置に装着されるパッキン９４（図２、図５及び図６参照）の外周形状に対応して、後方からみて幅方向に長い長孔状の形状を有して前後方向に延びる筒状の形状を有している。 The first cylindrical portion 41 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the front-rear direction and has a long hole shape that is long in the width direction when viewed from the rear, corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the electric wire accommodating portion 12 of the housing 10. The second cylindrical portion 42 has a larger diameter over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction than the first cylindrical portion 41. The second cylindrical portion 42 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the front-rear direction and has a long hole shape that is long in the width direction when viewed from the rear, corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the packing 94 (see Figures 2, 5, and 6) that is attached to the outer periphery of the electric wire accommodating portion 12 at a position adjacent to the rear side of the flange portion 18.

第１筒状部４１の後端縁には、周方向の全周に亘って径方向内側に延びる内側フランジ部４３が設けられている。コネクタ１の組み付け時、内側フランジ部４３は、ホルダ３０の後端部の外周縁部と接触して、ホルダ３０の後端部の外周縁部を前向きに押し付けることになる（図５，６も参照）。 An inner flange portion 43 is provided on the rear end edge of the first cylindrical portion 41, extending radially inward around the entire circumference. When the connector 1 is assembled, the inner flange portion 43 comes into contact with the outer peripheral edge of the rear end portion of the holder 30 and presses the outer peripheral edge of the rear end portion of the holder 30 forward (see also Figures 5 and 6).

第２筒状部４２の前端縁には、周方向の全周に亘って径方向外側に延びる外側フランジ部４４が設けられている。外側フランジ部４４の幅方向両端部には、ハウジング１０の一対のボルト挿通孔１９に対応して、一対のボルト挿通孔４５が、前後方向に貫通するように形成されている。コネクタ１の組み付け時、一対のボルト挿通孔４５には、一対のボルト９５（図２等参照）が挿通されることになる。第１シェル部材４０は、第１、第２筒状部４１，４２がハウジング１０の電線収容部１２（即ち、一対の引出口１７）を覆うように電線収容部１２に取り付けられることで、内部からの電磁ノイズの漏出を防止する遮蔽機能を果たす。 The front edge of the second tubular portion 42 is provided with an outer flange portion 44 that extends radially outward around the entire circumference. A pair of bolt insertion holes 45 are formed at both widthwise ends of the outer flange portion 44 so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction, corresponding to the pair of bolt insertion holes 19 of the housing 10. When the connector 1 is assembled, a pair of bolts 95 (see FIG. 2, etc.) are inserted into the pair of bolt insertion holes 45. The first shell member 40 performs a shielding function to prevent the leakage of electromagnetic noise from the inside by attaching the first and second tubular portions 41, 42 to the electric wire housing portion 12 of the housing 10 so as to cover the electric wire housing portion 12 (i.e., the pair of outlets 17).

次いで、第２シェル部材５０について説明する。第２シェル部材５０は、アルミニウム等の金属を鋳造することで形成される、いわゆるダイカスト品である。第２シェル部材５０は、図２及び図３に示すように、略矩形平板状の底壁５１と、底壁５１の幅方向両側縁から上方に立ち上がる略矩形平板状の一対の側壁５２と、底壁５１の前側縁から上方に立ち上がり且つ一対の側壁５２と繋がる略矩形平板状の前壁５３と、を備え、後方且つ上方に開口する箱状の形状を有する。 Next, the second shell member 50 will be described. The second shell member 50 is a so-called die-cast product formed by casting a metal such as aluminum. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the second shell member 50 has a substantially rectangular flat bottom wall 51, a pair of substantially rectangular flat side walls 52 rising upward from both widthwise edges of the bottom wall 51, and a substantially rectangular flat front wall 53 rising upward from the front edge of the bottom wall 51 and connecting to the pair of side walls 52, and has a box-like shape that opens rearward and upward.

一対の側壁５２の後端縁には、ハウジング１０の一対のボルト挿通孔１９に対応して、一対のボルト挿通孔５４が、前後方向に貫通するように形成されている。一対のボルト挿通孔５４には、一対のボルト９５（図２等参照）が挿通されることになる。第２シェル部材５０は、ハウジング１０の本体部１１及びコネクタ部１３を覆うようにハウジング１０に取り付けられることで、内部からの電磁ノイズの漏出を防止する遮蔽機能を果たす。以上、コネクタ１を構成する各部材について説明する。 A pair of bolt insertion holes 54 are formed at the rear end edges of the pair of side walls 52 so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction, corresponding to the pair of bolt insertion holes 19 of the housing 10. A pair of bolts 95 (see FIG. 2, etc.) are inserted into the pair of bolt insertion holes 54. The second shell member 50 is attached to the housing 10 so as to cover the main body portion 11 and connector portion 13 of the housing 10, thereby fulfilling a shielding function that prevents electromagnetic noise from leaking from the inside. The above is a description of each member that constitutes the connector 1.

次いで、コネクタ１の組み付け手順について、図２～図６を参照しながら説明する。まず、ハウジング１０のコネクタ部１３の一対の端子収容孔１５に、一対の端子８０を、下方から上方に向けて挿入して収容して固定する。一対の端子８０の各々には、あらかじめ、柔軟電線９２とジョイント端子９８とが組み付けられている。具体的には、柔軟電線９２の一端に端子８０が圧着され、柔軟電線９２の他端にジョイント端子９８が圧着されている。次いで、以下に説明する一対の電線７０の電線収容部１２への一連の収容作業を行う。 Next, the procedure for assembling the connector 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 6. First, the pair of terminals 80 are inserted from below toward above into the pair of terminal accommodating holes 15 of the connector portion 13 of the housing 10, accommodated, and fixed. A flexible electric wire 92 and a joint terminal 98 are previously assembled to each of the pair of terminals 80. Specifically, the terminal 80 is crimped to one end of the flexible electric wire 92, and the joint terminal 98 is crimped to the other end of the flexible electric wire 92. Next, a series of operations for accommodating the pair of electric wires 70 into the electric wire accommodating portion 12 is performed, as described below.

一対の電線７０を電線収容部１２へ収容するため、まず、一対の電線７０に、一対の一端部から、第１シェル部材４０の第１、第２筒状部４１，４２、ホルダ３０の一対の孔部３２、及び、一対のパッキン２０の孔部２１を、この順に挿通させる。このとき、パッキン２０の孔部２１の内側リップ部２２と電線７０とが上述した軽ラップ状態にあることに起因して、パッキン２０及びホルダ３０と、電線７０と、の間に、大きな摩擦力が生じない。このため、一対の電線７０にホルダ３０の一対の孔部３２及び一対のパッキン２０の孔部２１を挿通させる作業が、容易になる。更に、パッキン２０の意図しない位置ずれも抑制される。 To accommodate the pair of electric wires 70 in the electric wire accommodating section 12, first, the pair of electric wires 70 are inserted from one end of the pair through the first and second cylindrical sections 41, 42 of the first shell member 40, the pair of holes 32 of the holder 30, and the holes 21 of the pair of packings 20 in this order. At this time, since the inner lip section 22 of the hole 21 of the packing 20 and the electric wire 70 are in the lightly wrapped state described above, no large frictional force is generated between the packing 20 and the holder 30 and the electric wire 70. This makes it easier to insert the pair of electric wires 70 through the pair of holes 32 of the holder 30 and the holes 21 of the pair of packings 20. Furthermore, unintended positional displacement of the packing 20 is also suppressed.

次いで、一対の電線７０の一端部の各々に、導体芯線７１と電気的に接続されるように端子６０を接続する。次いで、電線収容部１２の外周におけるフランジ部１８の後側に隣接する位置に、パッキン９４を装着する（図２、図５及び図６参照）。なお、パッキン９４の装着は、上述した一対の電線７０への各部材の挿通の前に行われてもよい。 Next, a terminal 60 is connected to each of one ends of the pair of electric wires 70 so as to be electrically connected to the conductor core wire 71. Next, a packing 94 is attached to a position adjacent to the rear side of the flange portion 18 on the outer periphery of the electric wire accommodating portion 12 (see Figures 2, 5, and 6). Note that the packing 94 may be attached before each component is inserted into the pair of electric wires 70 described above.

次いで、ハウジング１０の一対の引出口１７から、一対の電線７０の一端部に接続された一対の端子６０を挿入する。そして、一対の端子６０の先端部（前端部）がハウジング１０の本体部１１の内部空間に位置した状態で、本体部１１の内壁の所定位置に固定された一対のナット９１に、一対のジョイント端子９８及び一対の端子６０を、一対のボルト９３（図３（ａ）参照）を用いて締結固定する。具体的には、ジョイント端子９８がナット９１側（図３（ａ）における上方側）に配置され、端子６０がボルト９３側（図３（ａ）における下方側）に配置された状態で、ジョイント端子９８と端子６０とが、ナット９１及びボルト９３によって共締めされる。これにより、一対のジョイント端子９８及び一対の端子６０を、本体部１１の内壁に締結固定する。この結果、一対の端子６０に接続された一対の電線７０のハウジング１０に対する前後方向位置が規定される。この締結作業は、本体部１１の開口１０ａを開放した状態で、本体部１１の内部空間に開口１０ａを介して締結用の工具等を進入させて行うことができる。 Next, a pair of terminals 60 connected to one end of the pair of electric wires 70 are inserted from a pair of outlets 17 of the housing 10. Then, with the tip (front end) of the pair of terminals 60 positioned in the internal space of the main body 11 of the housing 10, the pair of joint terminals 98 and the pair of terminals 60 are fastened to a pair of nuts 91 fixed at a predetermined position on the inner wall of the main body 11 using a pair of bolts 93 (see FIG. 3(a)). Specifically, with the joint terminal 98 positioned on the nut 91 side (upper side in FIG. 3(a)) and the terminal 60 positioned on the bolt 93 side (lower side in FIG. 3(a)), the joint terminal 98 and the terminal 60 are fastened together by the nuts 91 and the bolts 93. As a result, the pair of joint terminals 98 and the pair of terminals 60 are fastened to the inner wall of the main body 11. As a result, the front-rear direction position of the pair of electric wires 70 connected to the pair of terminals 60 with respect to the housing 10 is defined. This fastening operation can be performed by opening the opening 10a of the main body 11 and inserting a fastening tool or the like into the internal space of the main body 11 through the opening 10a.

更に、上述した締結固定により、一対の端子６０と一対の端子８０とが、一対のジョイント端子９８及び一対の柔軟電線９２を介してそれぞれ電気的に接続される。その後、本体部１１の開口１０ａが、パッキン９７が装着された蓋部材９６によって塞がれる。 Furthermore, by the above-mentioned fastening, the pair of terminals 60 and the pair of terminals 80 are electrically connected via the pair of joint terminals 98 and the pair of flexible wires 92, respectively. After that, the opening 10a of the main body 11 is closed by the lid member 96 to which the packing 97 is attached.

次いで、図５に示すように、一対のパッキン２０及びホルダ３０を、一対の電線７０に対して前方に相対移動させて、一対のパッキン２０及びホルダ３０の一対の円筒状部３１をこの順に、一対の引出口１７の内側に挿し込む。このとき、一対のパッキン２０は、ハウジング１０の一対の段差面１６との間に前後方向の隙間が存在する程度の前後方向位置まで挿し込まれ（図５（ｂ）参照）、ホルダ３０は、一対の円筒状部３１の前端面が一対のパッキン２０の後端面に当接するまで挿し込まれる。この状態にて、ホルダ３０の後端部は、ハウジング１０の電線収容部１２（一対の引出口１７）の後端より後方に突出している（図５（ａ）参照）。 Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the pair of gaskets 20 and the holder 30 are moved forward relative to the pair of electric wires 70, and the pair of gaskets 20 and the pair of cylindrical portions 31 of the holder 30 are inserted in this order into the inside of the pair of outlets 17. At this time, the pair of gaskets 20 are inserted to a position in the front-rear direction where there is a gap between the pair of stepped surfaces 16 of the housing 10 (see FIG. 5(b)), and the holder 30 is inserted until the front end faces of the pair of cylindrical portions 31 abut against the rear end faces of the pair of gaskets 20. In this state, the rear end of the holder 30 protrudes rearward from the rear end of the electric wire accommodating portion 12 (pair of outlets 17) of the housing 10 (see FIG. 5(a)).

このとき、上述のように、パッキン２０の孔部２１の内側リップ部２２と電線７０とが上述した軽ラップ状態にあり、且つ、パッキン２０の外径及びホルダ３０の円筒状部３１の外径が引出口１７の内径以下の大きさを有することに起因して、パッキン２０及びホルダ３０と、電線７０及び引出口１７と、の間に、大きな摩擦力が生じない。このため、一対のパッキン２０、及び、ホルダ３０の一対の円筒状部３１を、一対の引出口１７の内側に挿し込む作業が容易になる。 At this time, as described above, the inner lip portion 22 of the hole portion 21 of the packing 20 and the electric wire 70 are in the lightly wrapped state described above, and the outer diameter of the packing 20 and the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 31 of the holder 30 are equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the outlet 17, so that no large frictional force is generated between the packing 20 and the holder 30 and the electric wire 70 and the outlet 17. This makes it easy to insert the pair of packings 20 and the pair of cylindrical portions 31 of the holder 30 into the pair of outlets 17.

次いで、第１シェル部材４０を、一対の電線７０に対して前方に相対移動させて、第１、第２筒状部４１，４２がハウジング１０の電線収容部１２（即ち、一対の引出口１７）を覆うように、且つ、第１シェル部材４０の内側フランジ部４３が、ホルダ３０の後端部の外周縁部と接触するように、電線収容部１２に取り付ける（外挿する）（図５（ａ）参照）。このとき、第１シェル部材４０の外側フランジ部４４の前端面と、ハウジング１０のフランジ部１８の後端面との間には、前後方向の隙間Ｈが存在している（図５（ａ）参照）。 Next, the first shell member 40 is moved forward relative to the pair of electric wires 70, and attached (extra-inserted) to the electric wire housing portion 12 so that the first and second cylindrical portions 41, 42 cover the electric wire housing portion 12 (i.e., the pair of outlets 17) of the housing 10 and the inner flange portion 43 of the first shell member 40 contacts the outer peripheral edge portion of the rear end portion of the holder 30 (see FIG. 5(a)). At this time, a gap H in the front-rear direction exists between the front end surface of the outer flange portion 44 of the first shell member 40 and the rear end surface of the flange portion 18 of the housing 10 (see FIG. 5(a)).

次いで、第２シェル部材５０を、ハウジング１０の本体部１１の下方から、本体部１１に対して上方に相対移動させて、本体部１１及びコネクタ部１３を覆うように、ハウジング１０に相対移動不能に取り付ける。このとき、一対の側壁５２がハウジング１０のフランジ部１８の前方に位置して、一対の側壁５２の後端面（一対のボルト挿通孔５４の後端縁部）が、フランジ部１８の前端面と前後方向に密着している（図５（ａ）参照）。なお、第２シェル部材５０のハウジング１０への取付けは、第１シェル部材４０の電線収容部１２への取り付けの前に行われてもよい。 Next, the second shell member 50 is moved upward from below the main body 11 of the housing 10 relative to the main body 11, and attached to the housing 10 so as to cover the main body 11 and the connector portion 13 in a manner that does not allow it to move relative to the housing 10. At this time, the pair of side walls 52 are positioned in front of the flange portion 18 of the housing 10, and the rear end faces of the pair of side walls 52 (rear end edges of the pair of bolt insertion holes 54) are in close contact with the front end face of the flange portion 18 in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 5(a)). The second shell member 50 may be attached to the housing 10 before the first shell member 40 is attached to the electric wire housing portion 12.

次いで、一対のボルト９５（図２及び図５（ａ）参照）を利用して、第１シェル部材４０及び第２シェル部材５０同士の締結固定を行う。このため、図２に示すように、一対のボルト９５が、後方から、第１シェル部材４０の一対のボルト挿通孔４５、ハウジング１０の一対のボルト挿通孔１９、及び、第２シェル部材５０の一対のボルト挿通孔５４に、この順に挿通され、一対のボルト挿通孔５４の前側に位置する一対のナット（図示省略）に対して捻じ込まれる。 Next, the first shell member 40 and the second shell member 50 are fastened together using a pair of bolts 95 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 5(a)). To this end, as shown in FIG. 2, the pair of bolts 95 are inserted from the rear into the pair of bolt insertion holes 45 of the first shell member 40, the pair of bolt insertion holes 19 of the housing 10, and the pair of bolt insertion holes 54 of the second shell member 50, in that order, and screwed into a pair of nuts (not shown) located in front of the pair of bolt insertion holes 54.

この結果、一対のボルト９５の捻じ込みにより発生する軸力によって、第１シェル部材４０が、隙間Ｈ（図５（ａ）参照）が小さくなるように、第２シェル部材５０（即ち、ハウジング１０）に対して前方に相対移動する。これに伴い、第１シェル部材４０の内側フランジ部４３がホルダ３０の後端部の外周縁部を前方に押圧し、且つ、ホルダ３０の一対の円筒状部３１の前端が一対のパッキン２０を前方に押圧することで、ホルダ３０及び一対のパッキン２０が一体で、ハウジング１０（一対の引出口１７）に対して前方に相対移動する。 As a result, the axial force generated by screwing in the pair of bolts 95 causes the first shell member 40 to move forward relative to the second shell member 50 (i.e., the housing 10) so that the gap H (see FIG. 5(a)) becomes smaller. As a result, the inner flange portion 43 of the first shell member 40 presses the outer peripheral edge portion of the rear end portion of the holder 30 forward, and the front ends of the pair of cylindrical portions 31 of the holder 30 press the pair of gaskets 20 forward, so that the holder 30 and the pair of gaskets 20 move forward as a unit relative to the housing 10 (the pair of drawer openings 17).

このようなホルダ３０及び一対のパッキン２０移動は、一対のパッキン２０が一対の段差面１６に当接するまで継続する。一対のパッキン２０が一対の段差面１６に当接した時点では、隙間Ｈは未だ残存している。このため、一対のパッキン２０が一対の段差面１６に当接した時点以降もなお、一対のボルト９５の更なる捻じ込みの進行により発生する軸力によって、ホルダ３０の一対の円筒状部３１が一対のパッキン２０を前方に押圧する。 This movement of the holder 30 and the pair of gaskets 20 continues until the pair of gaskets 20 abut against the pair of step surfaces 16. At the point when the pair of gaskets 20 abut against the pair of step surfaces 16, the gap H still remains. Therefore, even after the pair of gaskets 20 abut against the pair of step surfaces 16, the pair of cylindrical portions 31 of the holder 30 press the pair of gaskets 20 forward due to the axial force generated by the further screwing of the pair of bolts 95.

この結果、各パッキン２０は、ホルダ３０の円筒状部３１とハウジング１０の段差面１６との間で前後方向に挟まれた状態で前後方向に押圧されることで、前後方向に押し潰され且つ径方向内側及び径方向外側に押し広げられるように、弾性変形する。この弾性変形によって、パッキン２０の内側リップ部２２が電線７０の外周面に押圧接触し、且つ、パッキン２０の外側リップ部２３がハウジング１０の引出口１７の内壁面に押圧接触するようになる（図６（ｂ）参照）。 As a result, each packing 20 is pressed in the front-rear direction while being sandwiched between the cylindrical portion 31 of the holder 30 and the stepped surface 16 of the housing 10, and is elastically deformed so as to be crushed in the front-rear direction and spread radially inward and outward. This elastic deformation causes the inner lip portion 22 of the packing 20 to come into pressing contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 70, and the outer lip portion 23 of the packing 20 to come into pressing contact with the inner wall surface of the outlet 17 of the housing 10 (see FIG. 6(b)).

一対のボルト９５の捻じ込みの進行により、第１シェル部材４０の外側フランジ部４４とハウジング１０のフランジ部１８とが密着し（隙間Ｈが消滅し）、且つ、一対のボルト９５が規定トルクで締め付けられると、第１シェル部材４０及び第２シェル部材５０同士の締結固定が完了し（図６参照）、コネクタ１の組み付けが完了する。この結果、図１に示すコネクタ１が得られる。 As the pair of bolts 95 are screwed in, the outer flange portion 44 of the first shell member 40 and the flange portion 18 of the housing 10 come into close contact with each other (the gap H disappears), and when the pair of bolts 95 are tightened with a specified torque, the first shell member 40 and the second shell member 50 are fastened together (see FIG. 6), and the assembly of the connector 1 is completed. As a result, the connector 1 shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.

コネクタ１の組付完了状態では、図６（ｂ）に示すように、各パッキン２０について、パッキン２０の上述した弾性変形によって、内側リップ部２２が電線７０の外周面に十分な押圧力で密着して潰れ、且つ、外側リップ部２３が引出口１７の内壁面に十分な押圧力で密着して潰れている。この結果、一対のパッキン２０は、一対の引出口１７の内壁面と一対の電線７０の外周面との間の隙間を確実に封止している。なお、このとき、上述した内側リップ部２２の孔内面からの突出高さの変化率（Ｃ）は、５０％よりも大きくなっている。更に、パッキン９４が、第１シェル部材４０の第２筒状部４２の内壁面とハウジング１０の電線収容部１２の外周面との間を確実に封止している。 When the connector 1 is in a completed assembled state, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the inner lip portion 22 of each packing 20 is crushed by being pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire 70 with sufficient pressure due to the elastic deformation of the packing 20, and the outer lip portion 23 is crushed by being pressed against the inner wall surface of the outlet 17 with sufficient pressure. As a result, the pair of packings 20 reliably seal the gap between the inner wall surfaces of the pair of outlets 17 and the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of electric wires 70. At this time, the change rate (C) of the protruding height of the inner lip portion 22 from the inner surface of the hole is greater than 50%. Furthermore, the packing 94 reliably seals the gap between the inner wall surface of the second tubular portion 42 of the first shell member 40 and the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire accommodating portion 12 of the housing 10.

このように、本実施形態では、第１シェル部材４０及び第２シェル部材５０同士の締結作業の中で、ホルダ３０を一対のパッキン２０に押し付けて一対のパッキン２０を弾性変形させることで、一対の引出口１７の封止作業を同時に行うことができる。更に、本実施形態では、ホルダ３０の前後方向長さを調節することで、外径が異なる多種類の電線７０に対して共通形状の単一種のパッキン２０を適用できる。 In this manner, in this embodiment, during the fastening operation between the first shell member 40 and the second shell member 50, the holder 30 is pressed against the pair of packings 20 to elastically deform the pair of packings 20, thereby simultaneously sealing the pair of outlets 17. Furthermore, in this embodiment, by adjusting the front-rear length of the holder 30, a single type of packing 20 with a common shape can be applied to many types of electric wires 70 with different outer diameters.

具体的には、電線７０の外径が小さくなるについて（即ち、電線７０と引出口１７との径方向隙間が大きくなるにつれて）、前後方向長さがより大きいホルダ３０が使用される。これにより、電線７０の外径が小さくなるについて、パッキン２０の前後方向の押し潰し量が大きくなることで、パッキン２０の径方向内側及び径方向外側へ押し広がり量も大きくなる。この結果、単一種のパッキン２０を使用した場合において、電線７０の外径の大きさにかかわらず、内側リップ部２２を電線７０の外周面に適正な押圧力で密着して潰し、且つ、外側リップ部２３を引出口１７の内壁面に適正な押圧力で密着して潰すことで、引出口１７を適正に封止することができる。 Specifically, as the outer diameter of the electric wire 70 becomes smaller (i.e., as the radial gap between the electric wire 70 and the outlet 17 becomes larger), a holder 30 with a larger front-to-rear length is used. As a result, as the outer diameter of the electric wire 70 becomes smaller, the packing 20 is crushed in the front-to-rear direction by a larger amount, and the packing 20 is pushed outwardly inwardly and outwardly by a larger amount. As a result, when a single type of packing 20 is used, the inner lip portion 22 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 70 with an appropriate pressing force and crushed, and the outer lip portion 23 is pressed against the inner wall surface of the outlet 17 with an appropriate pressing force and crushed, regardless of the size of the outer diameter of the electric wire 70, so that the outlet 17 can be properly sealed.

＜作用・効果＞
以上、本実施形態に係るコネクタ１によれば、ハウジング１０の引出口１７に取り付けられるパッキン２０は、ホルダ３０によって電線７０の軸方向（前後方向）に沿って押圧され、ハウジング１０の段差面１６との間に挟まれて電線７０の径方向に押し広げられる。よって、ホルダ３０に押圧されていない状態でのパッキン２０が、電線７０への装着や引出口１７への嵌め込みに適した大きさ（例えば、上述した細い形状）を有し、且つ、ホルダ３０に押圧された状態でのパッキン２０が、電線７０と引出口１７との間を密に封止する大きさ（例えば、上述した太い形状）を有することを、実現できる。更に、ホルダ３０が引出口１７の内部に挿し込まれることで、ホルダ３０自体が軸方向（前後方向）に意図せず変位してパッキン２０への押圧力が低下することを抑制できる。更に、パッキン２０がホルダ３０に押圧されて封止に適した形状になることから、外径が異なる多種類の電線７０に対して共通形状の単一種のパッキン２０を適用できるため、パッキン２０の汎用性を向上することができる。このように、本実施形態に係るコネクタ１は、パッキン２０による止水性能の向上と、パッキン２０を電線７０やハウジング１０に取り付ける作業の作業性の向上と、を両立可能である。 <Action and Effects>
As described above, according to the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the packing 20 attached to the outlet 17 of the housing 10 is pressed by the holder 30 along the axial direction (front-rear direction) of the electric wire 70, and is sandwiched between the step surface 16 of the housing 10 and spread out in the radial direction of the electric wire 70. Thus, it is possible to realize that the packing 20 in a state where it is not pressed by the holder 30 has a size (e.g., the above-mentioned thin shape) suitable for mounting on the electric wire 70 and fitting into the outlet 17, and the packing 20 in a state where it is pressed by the holder 30 has a size (e.g., the above-mentioned thick shape) that tightly seals the gap between the electric wire 70 and the outlet 17. Furthermore, by inserting the holder 30 into the inside of the outlet 17, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the pressing force on the packing 20 due to an unintentional displacement of the holder 30 itself in the axial direction (front-rear direction). Furthermore, since the packing 20 is pressed against the holder 30 to assume a shape suitable for sealing, a single type of packing 20 having a common shape can be applied to many types of electric wires 70 having different outer diameters, thereby improving the versatility of the packing 20. In this way, the connector 1 according to this embodiment can achieve both improved watertight performance by the packing 20 and improved workability in attaching the packing 20 to the electric wires 70 and the housing 10.

更に、パッキン２０は、ハウジング１０が有するボルト締め構造に起因する外力（いわゆる締結力、軸力）を受けたホルダ３０により、押圧される。よって、ホルダ３０をハウジング１０に引っ掛ける等の方法によってホルダ３０をパッキン２０に押し付ける場合に比べ、より強力な締結力によってホルダ３０をパッキン２０に押し付けることができる。これにより、パッキン２０が電線７０と引出口１７との間をより密に封止することができるため、パッキン２０による止水性能を向上することができる。更に、ホルダ３０自体が意図せず変位してパッキン２０への押圧力が低下することを、より強固に抑制することができる。 Furthermore, the packing 20 is pressed by the holder 30, which receives an external force (so-called fastening force, axial force) due to the bolt fastening structure of the housing 10. Therefore, the holder 30 can be pressed against the packing 20 with a stronger fastening force than when the holder 30 is pressed against the packing 20 by a method such as hooking the holder 30 onto the housing 10. This allows the packing 20 to more tightly seal the gap between the electric wire 70 and the outlet 17, improving the water-stopping performance of the packing 20. Furthermore, it is possible to more firmly prevent the holder 30 itself from being unintentionally displaced, which would result in a decrease in the pressing force on the packing 20.

更に、引出口１７を取り囲む第１シェル部材４０を第２シェル部材５０にボルト９５で締結する作業の中で、ホルダ３０をパッキン２０に押し付けて引出口１７を封止することができる。よって、ホルダ３０をパッキン２０に押し付ける作業を別途独立して行う場合に比べ、コネクタ１の生産性を向上することができる。 Furthermore, during the process of fastening the first shell member 40 surrounding the outlet 17 to the second shell member 50 with the bolts 95, the holder 30 can be pressed against the packing 20 to seal the outlet 17. This improves the productivity of the connector 1 compared to when the process of pressing the holder 30 against the packing 20 is performed separately and independently.

更に、パッキン２０がホルダ３０に押圧されていないとき、パッキン２０の孔部２１に設けられた内側リップ部２２の頂部周辺（突出端周辺）のみが電線７０に接触する（即ち、上述した軽ラップ状態になる）。そのため、ハウジング１０へパッキン２０を取り付ける際、内側リップ部２２の大部分が電線７０に接触する場合に比べ、パッキン２０の孔部２１に電線７０を挿通する作業が容易になる。更に、そのような軽ラップ状態にあることで、パッキン２０の意図しない位置ずれを抑制できる。よって、コネクタ１の生産性を向上することができる。 Furthermore, when the packing 20 is not pressed against the holder 30, only the periphery of the top (periphery of the protruding end) of the inner lip portion 22 provided in the hole portion 21 of the packing 20 contacts the electric wire 70 (i.e., the above-mentioned lightly wrapped state is reached). Therefore, when attaching the packing 20 to the housing 10, the work of inserting the electric wire 70 into the hole portion 21 of the packing 20 is easier than when most of the inner lip portion 22 contacts the electric wire 70. Furthermore, such a lightly wrapped state can suppress unintended displacement of the packing 20. Therefore, the productivity of the connector 1 can be improved.

＜他の形態＞
なお、本発明は上記各実施形態に限定されることはなく、本発明の範囲内において種々の変形例を採用することができる。例えば、本発明は、上述した実施形態に限定されるものではなく、適宜、変形、改良、等が可能である。その他、上述した実施形態における各構成要素の材質、形状、寸法、数、配置箇所、等は本発明を達成できるものであれば任意であり、限定されない。 <Other forms>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications, improvements, etc. are possible. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

上記実施形態では、パッキン２０は、ハウジング１０が有するボルト締め構造に起因する外力（いわゆる締結力、軸力）を受けたホルダ３０により、押圧される。これに対し、ホルダ３０をハウジング１０に引っ掛ける等の方法によってホルダ３０をパッキン２０に押し付けるように構成してもよい。具体的には、例えば、ホルダ３０及びハウジング１０に、ホルダ３０がパッキン２０に押し付けられた状態でホルダ３０をハウジング１０に係止させる係止機構を設けてもよい。 In the above embodiment, the packing 20 is pressed by the holder 30 which receives an external force (so-called fastening force, axial force) due to the bolt fastening structure of the housing 10. In contrast, the holder 30 may be configured to be pressed against the packing 20 by a method such as hooking the holder 30 onto the housing 10. Specifically, for example, the holder 30 and the housing 10 may be provided with a locking mechanism for locking the holder 30 to the housing 10 when the holder 30 is pressed against the packing 20.

ここで、上述した本発明に係るコネクタ１の実施形態の特徴をそれぞれ以下［１］～［４］に簡潔に纏めて列記する。
［１］
電線（７０）と、前記電線（７０）の導体芯線（７１）が電気的に接続される端子金具（６０）と、前記端子金具（６０）を収容し且つ前記電線（７０）が内部から外部に引き出されるハウジング（１０）と、を備えるコネクタ（１）であって、
前記ハウジング（１０）は、
前記電線（７０）が挿通されて引き出される引出口（１７）と、
前記引出口（１７）の内壁面と前記電線（７０）の外周面との間の隙間を封止するために前記電線（７０）を取り囲むように配置されるシール部材（２０）と、
前記引出口（１７）に挿し込まれて前記シール部材（２０）を前記ハウジング（１０）の所定箇所（１６）との間に挟んで前記電線（７０）の軸方向に沿って押圧し、前記シール部材（２０）を前記軸方向に交差する方向に押し広げることによって前記隙間を封止させる、ホルダ（３０）と、を有する、
コネクタ（１）。
［２］
上記［１］に記載のコネクタ（１）であって、
前記ハウジング（１０）は、
前記ホルダ（３０）が前記シール部材（２０）を押圧するための外力をボルト（９５）を用いて前記ホルダ（３０）に直接的又は間接的に及ぼすボルト締め構造を、更に有する、
コネクタ（１）。
［３］
上記［２］に記載のコネクタ（１）であって、
前記引出口（１７）を取り囲み且つ前記ホルダ（３０）に接触するシェル部材（４０）を、更に備え、
前記シェル部材（４０）は、
当該シェル部材（４０）が締結対象物（５０）に前記ボルト（９５）を用いて締結される際、前記ホルダ（３０）に前記外力を及ぼす、ように構成される、
コネクタ（１）。
［４］
上記［１］～上記［３］の何れか一つに記載のコネクタ（１）において、
前記シール部材（２０）は、
前記電線（７０）を挿通する孔部（２１）と、前記孔部（２１）の孔内面から前記電線（７０）に向けて突出し且つ前記孔部（２１）の周方向に延びる突条部（２２）と、を有し、当該シール部材（２０）が前記ホルダ（３０）に押圧されていないときに前記突条部（２２）の突出端周辺のみが前記電線（７０）に接触する、
コネクタ（１）。 Here, the features of the embodiment of the connector 1 according to the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [4].
[1]
A connector (1) comprising: an electric wire (70); a terminal fitting (60) to which a conductor core wire (71) of the electric wire (70) is electrically connected; and a housing (10) that accommodates the terminal fitting (60) and through which the electric wire (70) is drawn from the inside to the outside,
The housing (10) comprises:
a withdrawal port (17) through which the electric wire (70) is inserted and withdrawn;
a seal member (20) arranged to surround the electric wire (70) in order to seal a gap between an inner wall surface of the outlet (17) and an outer circumferential surface of the electric wire (70);
and a holder (30) that is inserted into the outlet (17) to sandwich the seal member (20) between the outlet and a predetermined portion (16) of the housing (10) and press the seal member (20) along the axial direction of the electric wire (70) and to expand the seal member (20) in a direction intersecting the axial direction, thereby sealing the gap.
Connector (1).
[2]
The connector (1) according to the above [1],
The housing (10) comprises:
The holder (30) further has a bolt fastening structure for applying an external force for pressing the seal member (20) to the holder (30) directly or indirectly using a bolt (95).
Connector (1).
[3]
The connector (1) according to the above [2],
a shell member (40) surrounding the outlet (17) and contacting the holder (30);
The shell member (40) is
When the shell member (40) is fastened to a fastening object (50) using the bolt (95), the external force is exerted on the holder (30).
Connector (1).
[4]
In the connector (1) according to any one of the above [1] to [3],
The sealing member (20) is
the seal member (20) has a hole (21) through which the electric wire (70) is inserted, and a protrusion (22) that protrudes from an inner surface of the hole (21) toward the electric wire (70) and extends in a circumferential direction of the hole (21), and when the seal member (20) is not pressed against the holder (30), only the periphery of the protruding end of the protrusion (22) comes into contact with the electric wire (70);
Connector (1).

１コネクタ
１０ハウジング
１６段差面（所定箇所）
１７引出口
２０パッキン（シール部材）
２１孔部
２２リップ部（突条部）
３０ホルダ
４０第１シェル部材（シェル部材）
５０第２シェル部材（締結対象物）
６０端子（端子金具）
７０電線
７１導体芯線
９５ボルト 1 Connector 10 Housing 16 Step surface (predetermined location)
17: draw-out opening 20: packing (sealing member)
21 Hole portion 22 Lip portion (protrusion portion)
30 Holder 40 First shell member (shell member)
50 Second shell member (object to be fastened)
60 Terminal (terminal fitting)
70 Electric wire 71 Conductor core 95 Volts

Claims

A connector comprising: an electric wire; a terminal fitting to which a conductor core wire of the electric wire is electrically connected; and a housing that accommodates the terminal fitting and through which the electric wire is drawn from an inside to an outside,
The housing includes:
a withdrawal port through which the electric wire is inserted and withdrawn;
a seal member disposed to surround the electric wire and seal a gap between an inner wall surface of the outlet and an outer circumferential surface of the electric wire;
a holder that is inserted into the outlet and sandwiches the seal member between the outlet and a predetermined portion of the housing, presses the seal member along an axial direction of the electric wire, and spreads the seal member in a direction intersecting the axial direction to seal the gap,
The housing includes:
The holder further includes a bolt fastening structure for applying an external force for pressing the seal member to the holder directly or indirectly using a bolt,
the housing includes a main body having a box-like shape in which the electric wire and the conductive path connected to the terminal fitting are arranged, and an electric wire accommodating portion having a cylindrical shape extending from the main body along an axial direction of the electric wire and having the withdrawal opening on an extending end side,
The connector further includes a first shell member arranged to cover the wire accommodating portion and in contact with the holder, and a second shell member arranged to cover the main body and separate from the first shell member,
The first shell member and the second shell member are
The first shell member is configured to exert the external force on the holder when the first shell member is fastened to the second shell member by using the bolt.
connector.

2. The connector according to claim 1,
The sealing member is
a hole through which the electric wire is inserted, and a protrusion protruding from an inner surface of the hole toward the electric wire and extending in a circumferential direction of the hole, wherein only a periphery of a protruding end of the protrusion is in contact with the electric wire when the seal member is not pressed against the holder;
connector.