[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector for use in a wire harness
for automotive vehicles, and more particularly to an electrical connector with a simplified
waterproofing function.
[0002] In conventional electrical connectors, a male connector body and a female connector
body are mated and locked together to effect mechanical connection of electrical
terminals housed in the respective connector bodies. It is conventional practice to
use a fully sealed waterproof connector in a location where entry of water from the
outside is possible when a connector of this type is used in a wire harness for automotive
vehicles. In contrast, in a location where such complete waterproofing is considered
to be excessively cautious, as shown in Fig. 4, grease is injected into the interior
of a non-waterproof type connector 1, and then a watertight cover 2 made from PVC
or the like (shown in Fig. 5) is mounted on the connector 1 from the rearward portion
thereof. Subsequently, insulating tapes 3 are wound around the connected portion of
the watertight cover 2. In this situation, the watertight cover 2 and the insulating
tapes 3 serve to guard not only against entry of water from the outside but also against
leakage of grease from the cover 2.
[0003] Simplified waterproofing of the type described above, however, involves a need for
additional working processes, and hence reduces the assembly efficiency in wire harness
production. In addition, the efficiency with which wire harnesses can be mounted on
automotive vehicles is also remarkably reduced.
[0004] The above-mentioned problems which are inherent in the conventional simplified waterproofing
is to be solved by the present invention the object of which is to provide a simplified
waterproof electrical connector that can eliminate a need for additional working
processes, improve the working efficiency in the processes to follow, and attains
complete waterproofing.
[0005] More particularly, to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides
a simplified waterproof electrical connector comprising a male connector body and
a female connector body which are mated and locked together to effect mechanical connection
of electrical terminals housed in the respective connector bodies wherein a watertight
cover is formed integrally to the double-locking portions of the connector bodies
in such a manner as to be opened and closed at will.
[0006] With the simplified waterproof electrical connector according to the present invention
configured as described above, simplified waterproofing is completed by closing and
locking the watertight cover, and the following assembly work is made easy due to
there being no additional component to be attached. The cover can also be utilized
for the orientation of electric wires.
[0007] Many other advantages, features and additional objects of the present invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon making reference to the detailed
description and the accompanying drawings on which preferred structural embodiments
incorporating the principles of the present invention are shown only by way of illustration.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a simplified waterproof electrical connector according
to the present invention,
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector shown in Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the male connector body shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a simplified electrical connector on which conventional
simplified waterproofing is effected, and
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a watertight cover used in the conventional connector
shown in Fig. 4.
[0008] One preferred embodiment of a simplified waterproof electrical connector according
to the present invention will be explained with respect to Figs. 1 to 3. A connector
1a used in the present inventions is a connector that is transformed to a waterproof
type from a non-waterproof type which is its original type. In this connector 1a,
a double-locking retainer 10 and a connector body 20 are mated and locked together
to effect mechanical connection of electrical terminals housed (not shown) in the
retainer 10 and the connector body 20.
[0009] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a double-locking portion 11 and a watertight cover 12
that can be opened and closed at will are integrally formed with the double-locking
retainer 10. The watertight cover 12 is connected to the double locking retainer 10
in such a manner as to be opened and closed at will via a hinge portion 13. A hanger
14 provided on the cover 12 is adapted to be associated with a projection 15 provided
on the retainer 10 so that the cover 12 is locked and retained in place.
[0010] The double locking portions serve to push electrical terminals in the male and female
connector bodies so as to place them at their normal positions if the terminals are
not completely inserted. These double-locking portions also serve to strengthen the
retained state of not only the connector bodies but also the electrical terminals.
[0011] With the present invention, simplified waterproofing for a connector is attained
by introducing slight improvements on a conventional non-waterproof type connector,
and the so produced connectors are able to be easily mounted on automotive vehicles
in the working process to follow.
[0012] The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain
the ends and advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While the presently
preferred embodiment of the present invention is given for the purpose of disclosure,
numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made
which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed
within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.