Waterproof connector and method for assembling same

• US 6,152,752 A
• Filed: 10/20/1999
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Fukuda, Masaru
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, Paula
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leon, Edwin A.
• Application Number:
  US09/421,276
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 439/588, 439/587, 439/589, 439/274, 439/275, 439/586, 439/752, 439/752.5, 439/598, 439/599, 439/271
• US Class Current: 439/275
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/506 assembled by snap action of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5202 Sealing means between parts of housing or between housing part and a wall, e.g. sealing rings
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5208 having at least two cable receiving openings
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/20 for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve

Abstract

A waterproof connector has an inner housing, in which a plurality of terminal housing chambers are formed for the housing of individual terminals at the ends of wires, and an outer housing, into which the inner housing is fitted, in which wire insertion holes are formed on a wall that opposes the terminal housing chambers, and further in which is formed rubber cover housing depressions that house a rubber waterproofing cover that seals the inside of the terminal housing chambers, in positions that are opposite each wire insertion hole on the inside of the wall. The rubber waterproofing cover is formed by a plurality of individual rubber cover pieces that are held in intimate contact inside the rubber cover housing depressions, and a holding plate part with which the individual rubber waterproofing cover pieces are integrally formed, which is held between the inner housing and the outer housing, and which makes a seal between the rubber cover housing depressions and the terminal housing chambers.

Claims

1. A waterproof connector comprising:

an inner housing having a plurality of terminal housing chambers for housing individual terminals at the ends of wires;

an outer housing engageable with the inner housing, the outer housing having a wall opposing the terminal housing chamber, the wall having wire insertion holes, the outer housing having rubber cover housing depressions between the wall and the inner housing; and

a rubber waterproofing cover having a plurality of individual rubber cover pieces and a holding plate part, the individual rubber waterproofing cover pieces integrally formed with the holding plate part, the rubber waterproofing cover pieces held in intimate contact inside the rubber cover housing depressions, the holding plate part held between the inner and the outer housings to make a seal between the rubber cover housing depression and the terminal housing chamber.

2. A waterproof connector according to claim 1, further comprising a spacer disposed between the inner housing and the outer housing, wherein the inner housing is fitted into the spacer, the holding plate held between the spacer and a rim of an aperture on a terminal housing chamber side of the rubber cover housing depressions.

3. A waterproof connector according to claim 1, wherein the individual rubber cover pieces have an inner ribbed part and an outer ribbed part.

4. A method for assembling a waterproof connector including an inner housing, an outer housing and a robber waterproofing cover, the inner housing having a plurality of terminal housing chambers for housing individual terminals at the ends of wires, the outer housing engageable with the inner housing, the outer housing having a wall opposing the terminal housing chamber, the wall having wire insertion holes, the outer housing having rubber cover housing depressions between the wall and the inner housing, the rubber waterproofing cover having a plurality of individual rubber cover pieces and a holding plate part, the individual rubber waterproofing cover pieces integrally formed with the holding plate, the method of assembly comprising:

inserting the rubber waterproofing cover into the outer housing, and housing the plurality of individual rubber cover pieces in each of the rubber cover housing depressions so as to form intimate contact; and

fitting the inner housing into the outer housing, so that the holding plate part of the rubber waterproofing cover is held between the inner housing and the outer housing, the holding plate part thereby forming a seal between the rubber cover housing depressions and the terminal housing chambers.