Dripproof connector

• US 5,564,944 A
• Filed: 12/12/1994
• Issued: 10/15/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Fukuda, Masaru
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Hien D.
• Application Number:
  US08/355,345
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 439/521, 439/367, 439/142, 439/133, 439/134, 439/149, 439/372, 439/596, 439/374, 439/354, 439/456, 439/457
• US Class Current: 439/521
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/506 assembled by snap action of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/70 Insulation of connections end caps H01R4/22

Abstract

A female connector housing has male terminals attached thereto and is closed by a cover member, the cover member being allowed to be opened and closed. A male connector housing is inserted into an insertion portion of the female connector housing, so that female terminals are attached to the male terminals. The insertion portion of the female connector housing is opened in such a direction as to face downward when installed. Both the female connector housing and the male connector housing have outlets for holding the electrical cables connected to the male and female terminals on a side that faces downward when installed. Since a connector is opened only at a lower portion thereof, waterdrops falling down from above can in no way enter into the connector.

Claims

1. A dripproof connector comprising:

a female electrical connector housing having an insertion portion in which first terminals are disposed;

a cover member integrally formed with said female electrical connector housing for closing said female electrical connector housing, said cover member being allowed to be opened and closed; and

a male electrical connector housing being inserted into said insertion portion of said female electrical connector housing and accommodating second terminals therein, said first and second terminals being connected to respective electrical cables;

wherein said insertion portion of said female electrical connector housing has an opening on a side facing a downward direction when said male electrical connector housing is inserted upwardly and substantially entirely into said female electrical connector housing;

both of said female electrical connector housing and said male electrical connector housing having an outlet for receiving at least one of said respective electrical cables, wherein said outlets are positioned on sides of said male and female electrical connector housings which face in said downward direction when said male electrical connector housing is inserted upwardly into said female electrical connector housing, and said outlet of said female electrical connector housing has an aperture located on the same side as said opening of said insertion portion; and

said male electrical connector housing further comprises a flexible lock arm formed integrally with said male electrical connector housing, and said female electrical connector housing further comprises an engagement groove formed in said insertion portion, wherein said flexible lock arm is engaged within said engagement groove to retain said male electrical connector housing within said female electrical connector housing.

2. A dripproof connector according to claim 1, wherein said at least one of said respective electrical cables inside said female electrical connector housing is arranged so as to be U-shaped.

3. A dripproof connector according to claim 1, wherein said female electrical connector housing includes an overhang for covering a peripheral portion of said cover member.

4. A dripproof connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover member includes at least one retaining projection for engaging with a retainment receiving portion of said female electrical connector housing, thereby sealing said cover member to said female electrical connector housing.