JP7221811B2 - branch unit - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a branching unit that includes a flat conductor and a case that accommodates a branch that electrically branches the conductor.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a branch includes a case containing electronic components and the like and having an opening for drawing out electric wires connected to the electronic components from the inside, and a conductor for supplying electric power to the electronic components contained in the case. unit is proposed. By the way, although different from the branch unit, the structure in which conductors are led out from the opening provided in the box-shaped housing may be used, for example, in an electric connection box mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile (for example, patent See reference 1).

JP 2008-104255 A

In the structure of the conventional electric connection box described above, water may enter from the outside of the housing into the inside through the gap between the opening provided in the box-shaped housing and the conductor, for example. Intrusion of such water is desirably suppressed not only in the electric connection box but also in the branching unit for electrically branching the flat conductor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a branching unit capable of suppressing entry of water into the branching unit.

In order to achieve the above objects, a branching unit according to the present invention is characterized by the following [1] to [3].
[1]
A branching unit comprising a flat conductor and a case that houses and seals a branch portion that electrically branches the conductor,
Said case is
having an opening for inserting the conductor from the outside to the inside, and a pair of fitting recesses provided in the inner peripheral wall surface of the opening,
The conductor is
Having a pair of holding members attached to the conductor so as to cover the outer circumference of the conductor,
Said case is
A through hole is provided at a position corresponding to the opening, and the pair of holding members are passed through the through hole in a state in which the pair of holding members are fitted into the pair of fitting recesses in the opening. A waterproofing agent is injected into the area sandwiched between the members to seal the opening,
the pair of holding members,
a connecting portion that is provided so as to pass through the region sandwiched between the pair of holding members and connects the pair of holding members to each other;
The connecting part is
A first side surface of the connecting portion facing the inner wall surface of the case is recessed in a direction away from the inner wall surface, and a space on one side sandwiching the connecting portion and a space on the other side of the region are communicated with each other. having a first groove that
Be a branch unit.
[2]
In the branching unit described in [1] above,
The connecting part is
a second groove portion recessed in a second side surface facing the conductor of the connecting portion in a direction away from the conductor and communicating the space on the one side and the space on the other side of the region; further comprising
Be a branch unit.
[3]
In the branching unit described in [2] above,
The connecting part is
Having the first groove and the second groove at positions offset from each other in the direction in which the connecting portion extends,
Be a branch unit.

According to the branching unit having the configuration [1] above, when the conductor is inserted through the opening provided in the unit body, the pair of holding members assembled to the conductor are inserted into the pair of fitting recesses of the opening. After fitting and assembling the unit cover to the unit main body, a waterproofing agent is injected through the through hole of the unit main body. The injected waterproofing agent spreads over the area sandwiched between the pair of holding members. Thereby, the gap between the opening and the conductor is sealed by the pair of holding members and the waterproofing agent. Here, the pair of holding members are connected to each other by a connecting portion that passes through the region sandwiched between the pair of holding members. A side surface (first side surface) of the connecting portion facing the inner wall surface of the case is recessed in a direction away from the inner wall surface of the case, and a groove portion that communicates with the space on one side and the space on the other side sandwiching the connecting portion. (first groove). Therefore, when the water-stopping agent is injected into the area sandwiched between the pair of holding members, the water-stopping agent can easily flow from one side of the connecting portion to the other side through the groove, and the air in the area can be properly vented. be. In other words, the waterproofing agent is easily filled throughout the area without interference from the joints. As a result, for example, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a space not filled with the water-stopping agent between the connecting portion and the inner wall surface of the case, and the water-stopping agent can properly seal the inside of the region.

Therefore, the branching unit of this configuration can prevent water from entering the branching unit through the space between the branching unit and the conductor.

According to the branching unit having the configuration [2] above, the side surface (second side surface) of the connecting portion facing the conductor is recessed in a direction away from the conductor, and the space on one side and the space on the other side of the connecting portion are provided. and a second groove communicating with each other. Therefore, the water-stopping agent can be more easily filled in the entire region, and the water-stopping agent can properly seal the inside of the region.

According to the branching unit having the configuration [3] above, the connecting portion has the first groove and the second groove at positions offset from each other in the extending direction of the connecting portion. Therefore, compared to the case where the first groove portion and the second groove portion are provided at the same position in the direction in which the connecting portion extends (for example, at the same position on the front side and the back side of the connecting portion), it is possible to prevent the thickness of the connecting portion from becoming too thin. can be avoided. Therefore, the inside of the area can be properly sealed with the waterproofing agent while maintaining the strength of the connecting portion.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a branching unit capable of suppressing entry of water into the branching unit.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the detailed description below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical connector connection structure including a branching unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connection structure of the optical connector shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3(a) is a front perspective view of the second housing with conductors accommodated in the openings of the second housing, and FIG. 3(b) is a perspective view of the second housing. is a perspective view seen from the rear side with the cover removed. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the periphery of a pair of fitting recesses provided in the opening of the second housing. FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view for explaining the state before the holding member is assembled to the conductor, and FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view showing the state where the holding member is assembled to the conductor. 6 shows a holding piece that constitutes the holding member, FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 6(b) is a front view thereof. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the B portion of FIG. 6(b). FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5B (however, the conductor on the lower side of the two laminated conductors is omitted in the figure). 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining a state in which the waterproof agent is filled, and FIG. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view along the width direction and the front-rear direction showing the opening of the second housing in which the conductor is accommodated, and FIG. 9(c) is a vertical direction and the front-rear direction showing the opening. It is a cross-sectional view along the . FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the C portion of FIG. 9(b). Fig. 11 shows a pair of holding members, Fig. 11(a) is a plan view thereof, Fig. 11(b) is a side view thereof, and Fig. 11(c) is a front view thereof. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the XX section of FIG. 3(a) (however, illustration of the waterproofing agent is omitted). FIG. 13(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 3(a) (however, illustration of the waterproofing agent is omitted), and FIG. It is Y sectional drawing.

<Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an optical connector connection structure 3 including a branching unit 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical connector connection structure 3 connects a first optical connector 1 mounted on a circuit board (not shown) and a branch unit 2 connected to an optical fiber (not shown). Structure. As shown in FIG. 1, by fitting the first optical connector 1 and the branching unit 2 together, optical communication between the first optical connector 1 and the optical fiber connected to the branching unit 2 is enabled.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, "front-rear direction", "width direction", "vertical direction", "upper", and "lower" are defined as shown in FIG. The "front-rear direction", the "width direction" and the "vertical direction" are orthogonal to each other. The front-rear direction coincides with the fitting direction of the first optical connector 1 and the branching unit 2 . For each of the first optical connector 1 and the branching unit 2, the front side in the fitting direction where the mating side is fitted is the front side, and the back side in the fitting direction is the rear side. First, the first optical connector 1 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first optical connector 1 has a first housing 11 made of resin and having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. The first housing 11 supports a lens housing 12 made of resin. The lens housing 12 accommodates a lens body and a photoelectric conversion module (not shown). The photoelectric conversion module is mounted on a circuit board fixedly arranged on the first housing 11 . A front end portion of the lens housing 12 is integrally provided with a cylindrical portion 12a projecting forward. The tubular portion 12a coaxially accommodates the tubular portion (not shown) of the lens body. In addition, in FIG. 2, illustration of the conductor 10 is omitted for convenience of explanation.

A fitting recess wall 16 is provided on the front surface of the first housing 11 to define a rectangular recess 15 into which the later-described outer housing 5 of the branch unit 2 is inserted. The recess 15 is open forward and recessed rearward. Inside the concave portion 15, the cylindrical portion 12a of the lens housing 12 is exposed from the bottom surface of the concave portion 15 and protrudes forward.

As shown in FIG. 2 , an electrical connector section 17 is provided on the front surface of the first housing 11 adjacent to the upper side of the recess 15 . The electrical connector portion 17 is electrically connected to the circuit board, and electrically connected to the conductor 10 (see FIG. 1) accommodated in the opening portion 23 of the second housing 4 of the branch unit 2, which will be described later. (not shown) are electrically connected. As a result, electric power can be supplied from the conductor 10 to the photoelectric conversion module via the electrical connector and the circuit board.

A connector portion 18 that protrudes downward is provided on the lower surface of the first housing 11 . The connector portion 18 is also electrically connected to the circuit board. This enables transmission and reception of electrical signals between an external electronic device (not shown) electrically connected to the connector portion 18 and the circuit board.

Lock portions 19 are provided at a plurality of locations (four locations in this example) on the side surface of the first housing 11 . When the first housing 11 and the second housing 4 are mated (the first optical connector 1 and the branching unit 2 are mated), the lock portion 19 is configured to be locked with a locked portion 28 of the second housing 4 described later. By engaging, the fitted state can be maintained. The first optical connector 1 has been described above.

Next, the branch unit 2 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 2 , the branching unit 2 includes a second housing 4 , an outer housing 5 supported by the second housing 4 , an inner housing 6 housed in the outer housing 5 , and a housing 6 housed in the inner housing 6 . a ferrule 7 attached to the outer housing 5; a holder 8 attached to the rear end surface of the outer housing 5; and a cover 9 attached to the rear end surface 25 of the second housing 4. Each member constituting the branching unit 2 will be described in order below.

First, the second housing 4 will be described. The second housing 4 made of resin has a box-like shape that is substantially rectangular when viewed in the front-rear direction and that opens rearward. The front surface of the second housing 4 has a shape that can be fitted to the front surface of the first housing 11 . The lower region of the front wall of the second housing 4 is formed with a rectangular engaging edge 22 defining a substantially rectangular opening 21 into which the outer housing 5 is inserted.

In the rear surface of the second housing 4, adjacent to the upper side of the opening 21, an opening 23 that is recessed forward, opens rearward, and extends in the width direction is recessed so as to penetrate in the width direction. . The conductor 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) is accommodated in the opening 23 . A front wall of the second housing 4 between the opening 23 and the opening 21 is provided with an insertion hole 24 penetrating in the front-rear direction. The above-described electrical connector for connecting the conductor 10 and the electrical connector portion 17 is inserted through the insertion hole 24 .

A substantially rectangular frame-shaped rear end surface (flat surface) 25 of the second housing 4 is formed with a groove 26 for filling with a waterproofing agent S (see FIG. 6) over the entire circumferential direction. The groove 26 communicates with the opening 23 . Four corners of the rear end face 25 are provided with bolt holes 27 penetrating in the front-rear direction. Locked portions 28 that engage with the lock portions 19 are provided at a plurality of locations (four locations in this example) corresponding to the plurality of lock portions 19 on the side surface of the second housing 4 . Insertion holes 4a (four in this example) are formed through the lower surface of the second housing 4 in the vertical direction. An optical fiber is inserted through each insertion hole 4a as will be described later.

Next, the outer housing 5 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 2, the substantially rectangular parallelepiped resin outer housing 5 is formed with an insertion hole 31 having a substantially rectangular cross section penetrating in the front-rear direction. The inner housing 6 is inserted into the insertion hole 31 . In this example, a pair of insertion holes 31 are provided so as to line up in the width direction. Both side walls of the outer housing 5 are integrally provided with protrusions 37 projecting outward in the width direction.

Next, the inner housing 6 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 2, the substantially rectangular parallelepiped resin inner housing 6 is formed with an insertion hole 41 extending therethrough in the front-rear direction. A ferrule 7 is inserted into the insertion hole 41 . In this example, a pair of insertion holes 41 are provided so as to line up in the width direction. In this example, the pair of inner housings 6 are inserted into the pair of insertion holes 31 of the outer housing 5 .

The inner housing 6 is integrally formed with a cantilever-shaped lance (not shown) extending forward so as to face the insertion hole 41 . The lance has a function of preventing the ferrule 7 from coming off rearward by engaging with an annular projection 52 of the ferrule 7, which will be described later.

Next, the ferrule 7 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 2, the end of an optical fiber is inserted into and held in a resin ferrule 7 having a cylindrical shape from the rear side. An annular projection 52 and an annular projection 53 are integrally provided at the front-rear direction central portion and the rear end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule 7, respectively. The annular protrusion 53 functions to suppress inclination of the ferrule 7 inside the insertion hole 41 of the inner housing 6 .

Next, the holder 8 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 2, an insertion hole 61 is formed in the substantially flat plate-shaped resin holder 8 so as to extend therethrough in the front-rear direction. An optical fiber is inserted through the insertion hole 61 . In this example, a pair of insertion holes 61 are provided so as to line up in the width direction.

A draw-out direction restricting portion 62 is integrally formed at a portion forming the lower edge of each insertion hole 61 . The curved rear side surface of the lead-out direction restricting portion 62 functions as a curved surface 62a for contacting the optical fiber and guiding the optical fiber toward the outside of the second housing 4 while curving the optical fiber.

A pair of locking frames 64 are integrally provided at both ends in the width direction of the front face of the holder 8 so as to protrude forward. The pair of locking frames 64 engage with the pair of projections 37 of the outer housing 5 in the assembled state of the holder 8 to the outer housing 5 so that the assembled state can be maintained.

Next, the cover 9 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 2, bolt holes 71 penetrating in the front-rear direction are provided at the four corners of the substantially rectangular plate-like resin cover 9 . When the cover 9 is assembled to the second housing 4, the corresponding bolt holes 71 and the corresponding bolt holes 27 of the second housing 4 are fastened by a fastening mechanism composed of bolts and nuts (not shown). By doing so, the assembled state of the cover 9 to the second housing 4 is maintained. Each member constituting the branching unit 2 has been described above.

Next, assembly of the branch unit 2 will be described. To assemble the branch unit 2, first, the inner housing 6 is inserted into the insertion hole 31 of the outer housing 5 from the rear, and then the holder 8 is assembled to the rear end surface of the outer housing 5, and the pair of locking frames of the holder 8 are assembled. 64 are engaged with the pair of protrusions 37 of the outer housing 5 . This completes the attachment of the holder 8 to the outer housing 5 . Next, the outer housing 5 is inserted into the opening 21 of the second housing 4 from behind to assemble the outer housing 5 to the second housing 4 .

Next, as shown in the optical fiber path L in FIG. 2, the ferrule 7 connected to the end of the optical fiber is inserted through the insertion hole 4a of the second housing 4 and guided from the outside to the inside of the second housing 4. . Next, the ferrule 7 is inserted into the insertion hole 41 of the inner housing 6 through the insertion hole 61 of the holder 8 while the optical fiber is brought into contact with the curved surface 62a of the pull-out direction regulating portion 62 of the holder 8 and bent, The ring-shaped projection 52 of the ferrule 7 is engaged with the lance of the inner housing 6 . This completes the assembly of the ferrule 7 (that is, optical fiber) to the inner housing 6 .

Next, the conductor 10 is accommodated in the opening 23 of the second housing 4 , and the cover 9 is attached to the rear end surface 25 of the second housing 4 so as to close the rear opening of the second housing 4 . As described above, the cover 9 is attached to the second housing 4 by fastening the corresponding bolt holes 71 of the cover 9 and the corresponding bolt holes 27 of the second housing 4 with a fastening mechanism composed of bolts and nuts. This is achieved by

Then, as will be described in detail later, the groove 26 of the second housing 4 and the gap between the conductor 10 and the opening 23 are filled with the waterproof agent S. As a result, the gap between the cover 9 and the second housing 4 and the gap between the conductor 10 and the opening 23 are sealed with the waterproof agent S. As described above, the assembly of the branch unit 2 is completed. Here, the second housing 4 and the cover 9 correspond to the "case" of the present invention.

In order to fit the assembled branching unit 2 and the first optical connector 1 together, the front surface of the first housing 11 of the first optical connector 1 and the front surface of the second housing 4 of the branching unit 2 are brought together. , facing each other. Then, while inserting the outer housing 5 into the concave portion 15 (see FIG. 2) of the first housing 11, the first housing 11 and the second housing 4 are fitted to each other, and the lock portion of the first housing 11 is engaged. 19 and the locked portion 28 of the second housing 4 are engaged. As a result, the fitting between the first optical connector 1 and the branching unit 2 is completed, and the optical connector connection structure 3 shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.

When the first optical connector 1 and the branching unit 2 have been fitted together (optical connector connection structure 3), the cylindrical portion 12a (see FIG. 2) of the lens housing 12 is inserted into the insertion hole 41 of the inner housing 6. Thus, the front end face of the ferrule 7 is coaxially in face-to-face contact with the front end face of the cylindrical portion of the lens body. As a result, the optical axis of the optical fiber and the optical axis of the lens body are aligned, so that the optical signal can be properly transmitted between the optical fiber and the lens body.

Next, the filling of the groove 26 of the second housing 4 and the gap between the conductor 10 and the opening 23 with the waterproofing agent S will be described. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3(b), in the opening 23 of the second housing 4, two elongated plate-shaped conductors 10 are held by a pair of holding members 80 at their respective ends. , are accommodated in a state of being stacked in the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the conductor 10 is composed of an elongated plate-shaped conductor 10a and a resin coating 10b that covers the conductor 10a. In the two laminated conductors 10, the covering 10b is removed at different positions in the central portion in the longitudinal direction to expose the conductors 10a. The above-described electrical connector for electrically connecting the conductor 10 and the electrical connector portion 17 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the portion where the conductor 10a of each conductor 10 is exposed. Here, the portion of the conductor 10 where the conductor 10a is exposed corresponds to the "branched portion of the conductor" of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the pair of holding members 80 has a pair of identically shaped "pair of holding pieces 81" arranged opposite to each other in the plate thickness direction of the conductor 10. It is obtained by assembling the conductors 10 from both sides in the width direction. In this example, a pair of holding pieces 81 are connected by a connecting portion 82 so as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the conductor 10 . Therefore, by assembling a set of "a pair of holding pieces 81" to each other, the pair of connecting portions 82 located on both sides of the conductor 10 in the plate thickness direction are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the conductor 10 with a predetermined distance therebetween. A "pair of holding members 80" connected in such a manner is obtained (see also FIG. 11(b)).

Each resin holding piece 81 has a base portion 83 extending in the plate thickness direction of the conductor 10, as shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b). A first extending portion 84 extending in the width direction by a length corresponding to the width dimension of the conductor 10 is integrally provided at one end portion of the base portion 83 in the plate thickness direction of the conductor 10 . there is A projecting portion 85 projecting in the width direction of the conductor 10 is integrally provided on the extending end face of the first extending portion 84 . The convex portion 85 is fitted into a concave portion 88 (described later) of the mating holding piece 81 to be assembled.

A second extension extending in the width direction in the same direction as the first extension portion 84 for a length corresponding to half the width dimension of the conductor 10 is formed in the central portion of the base portion 83 in the plate thickness direction of the conductor 10 . An exit portion 86 is integrally provided. The extending end surface of the second extending portion 86 is a tapered surface 87 that is inclined with respect to the plate thickness direction of the conductor 10 . The pair of tapered surfaces 87 are formed when, for example, the dimension of the insertion hole 80A in the width direction does not sufficiently correspond to the dimension of the conductor 10 in the width direction due to manufacturing tolerances of the pair of holding pieces 81, etc. By moving the pair of holding pieces 81 closer to each other in the width direction while offsetting the tapered surfaces 87 of the holding pieces 87 from each other in the oblique direction, there is an effect of absorbing such manufacturing tolerances.

A concave portion 88 recessed to the width dimension of the conductor 10 is formed on the surface of the base portion 83 on the side where the first and second extension portions 84 and 86 extend at the other end of the conductor 10 in the plate thickness direction. formed (see also FIG. 7). The concave portion 88 has a shape in which the convex portion 85 of the mating holding piece 81 to be assembled can be fitted. A pair of inner wall surfaces of the recess 88 facing each other in the plate thickness direction of the conductor 10 are integrally formed with a pair of ridges 89 protruding toward each other and extending in the width direction of the conductor 10, as shown particularly in FIG. is provided.

In each holding piece 81, the connecting portion 82 in each insertion hole 80A (see FIGS. 8 and 11(c)) for inserting the conductor 10 to be formed in the assembled state of the set of holding pieces 81 is A lip-shaped projection 91 projecting toward the conductor 10 to be inserted and extending along the opening edge of the insertion hole 80A is integrally formed at a portion constituting a half circumference of the annular opening edge on the extending side. (see FIGS. 6 and 8). In FIG. 8, for convenience of explanation, the illustration of the lower conductor 10 among the two laminated conductors 10 is omitted.

The connecting portion 82 connects the width direction central portions of the conductor 10 in the pair of first extending portions 84 of the pair of holding pieces 81 . As shown in FIGS. 6 and 11B, at one longitudinal end of the conductor 10 on the side opposite to the side facing the conductor 10 in the connecting portion 82, the width direction of the conductor 10 is A first groove portion 82a is formed extending over the entire length. Similarly, a second groove portion 82b extending across the width direction of the conductor 10 is formed at the other longitudinal end portion of the conductor 10 on the surface of the connecting portion 82 facing the conductor 10. . In this manner, the first groove portion 82a and the second groove portion 82b are offset from each other in the width direction of the conductor 10 (extending direction of the connecting portion 82).

As shown in FIG. 5( a ), a pair of “pair of holding pieces 81 ” of the same shape are arranged in the plate thickness direction of the conductor 10 at predetermined locations near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the conductor 10 . In the opposite direction, they are assembled from both sides in the width direction of the conductor 10 so that both protrusions 85 fit into the corresponding recesses 88 and both tapered surfaces 87 are in surface contact with each other.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 5(b), a pair of holding members 80 extend around the entire circumference of each of the two conductors 10 at predetermined positions near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the conductors 10. A state is obtained in which the two conductors 10 are assembled so that they are tightly covered by the two conductors 10 . In this state, both projections 85 of the pair of holding pieces 81 assembled together are pressed in the plate thickness direction of the conductor 10 by a pair of projections 89 provided in the recesses 88 on the other side. It has become.

Further, by cooperation of the lip-shaped projections 91 of the pair of holding pieces 81 assembled to each other, the annular opening edge of each insertion hole 80A on the side where the connecting portion 82 extends continues over the entire circumference. An annular lip-shaped projection 91 is formed to The annular lip-shaped projection 91 presses the entire circumference of the conductor 10 (see FIG. 8).

As shown in FIG. 4, on the side wall surfaces extending in the depth direction (front-to-rear direction) of the opening 23 on the inner peripheral wall surface of the opening 23, at both ends in the width direction of the opening 23 of the second housing 4, A pair of fitting recesses 92 extending in the depth direction (front-rear direction) of the opening 23 are formed so as to correspond to the pair of holding members 80 .

As shown in FIG. 5(b), the two conductors 10 to which the two pairs of holding members 80 are assembled have a pair of fitting recesses to which the respective pair of holding members 80 correspond, as shown in FIG. 3(b). After that, the cover 9 is attached to the rear end surface 25 of the second housing 4 so as to close the rear opening of the second housing 4 . can be assembled. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 3B, the regions (two locations) sandwiched between the pair of holding members 80 are referred to as "filling regions 93". The filling area 93 communicates with the groove 26 of the second housing 4 . Here, the pair of holding members 80 has an annular shape surrounding the outer periphery of the conductor 10, and has lip-shaped projections 91 at the corners facing the filling region 93 in a cross section perpendicular to the winding direction. , it can be said.

In this manner, the two conductors 10 to which the two pairs of holding members 80 are attached are attached to the opening 23 of the second housing 4, and the cover 9 is attached to the rear end surface 25 of the second housing 4. 12 and 13, the pair of connecting portions 82 that connect the pair of holding members 80 sandwich the two stacked conductors 10 in the plate thickness direction of the conductors 10. , passes through the filling region 93 . 12 and 13, illustration of the waterproof agent S is omitted for convenience of explanation.

The first groove portion 82a of each connecting portion 82 is arranged to face the inner wall surface of the second housing 4 or the inner wall surface of the cover 9, and the second groove portion 82b of each connecting portion 82 is arranged to face the conductor 10. . The first groove portion 82a and the second groove portion 82b of each connecting portion 82 separate a space 93a on one side in the width direction and a space 93b on the other side in the width direction of the conductor 10 sandwiching the connecting portion 82 in the filling region 93. They communicate with each other (see FIGS. 12 and 13).

As shown in FIG. 3( a ), through-holes penetrating in the front-rear direction are provided in the second housing 4 at locations (two locations) corresponding to the filling region 93 in the front wall portion constituting the bottom wall of the opening 23 . 29 is formed. The through hole 29 functions as an injection hole for injecting the waterproof agent S.

That is, in this example, as shown in FIG. Agent S is injected into through hole 29 . As a result, the waterproof agent S is injected into the filling area 93 . The waterproofing agent S injected into the filled region 93 is first filled into the filled region 93 as shown in FIGS. 9(b) and 9(c). At this time, since the waterproofing agent S can pass through the first groove portion 82a and the second groove portion 82b of the connecting portion 82 in the width direction of the conductor 10, the air in the filling region 93 is properly vented. In other words, the waterproof agent S is easily filled into the entire filling area 93 without being obstructed by the connecting portion 82 .

After the filling area 93 is filled with the waterproofing agent S, the waterproofing agent S also moves into the grooves 26 of the second housing 4 communicating with the filling area 93, and as shown in FIG. , and the grooves 26 are also filled over the entire circumferential area.

Here, as described above, the holding member 80 tightly covers the entire outer periphery of each of the two conductors 10 . Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9B, the end surface of the holding member 80 on the side of the second housing 4 (the upper end surface in FIG. 9B) is the bottom wall surface of the opening 23 of the second housing 4. In addition, the end surface of the holding member 80 on the cover 9 side (lower end surface in FIG. 9B) is in close contact with the inner wall surface of the cover 9 .

As a result, between the holding member 80 and the conductor 10, between the holding member 80 and the inner peripheral wall surface of the opening 23, and between the holding member 80 and the inner wall surface of the cover 9, No gap is formed. That is, the waterproofing agent S filled in the filling area 93 does not flow out of the filling area 93 .

In this manner, the grooves 26 of the second housing 4 and the filling region 93 are filled with the waterproofing agent S, and the filled waterproofing agent S is solidified, so that the cover 9 and the second housing 4 are separated from each other. The gap between them and the gap between the conductor 10 and the opening 23 are sealed with the waterproof agent S.

As described above, according to the branching unit 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the conductor 10 is inserted into the opening 23 provided in the second housing 4, the pair of holding members assembled to the conductor 10 After fitting 80 into the pair of fitting recesses 92 of opening 23 , waterproofing agent S is injected through through hole 29 of second housing 4 . The injected waterproofing agent S spreads over the filling region 93 sandwiched between the pair of holding members 80 . Thereby, the gap between the opening 23 and the conductor 10 is sealed by the pair of holding members 80 and the waterproof agent S. As shown in FIG. Here, the pair of holding members 80 are connected to each other by a connecting portion 82 passing through the filling region 93 sandwiched between the pair of holding members 80 . A side surface (first side surface) of the connecting portion 82 facing the inner wall surface of the second housing 4 or the cover 9 is recessed in a direction away from the inner wall surface of the second housing 4 or the cover 9, and the connecting portion 82 It has a first groove portion 82a that communicates with the space 93a on one side and the space 93b on the other side. Therefore, when the water-stopping agent S is injected into the filling region 93 sandwiched between the pair of holding members 80, the water-stopping agent S can easily flow from one side of the connecting portion 82 to the other side through the first groove portion 82a. , the air in the filling area 93 is also properly vented. In other words, the waterproof agent S is easily filled into the entire filling area 93 without being obstructed by the connecting portion 82 . As a result, for example, it is possible to prevent a space not filled with the waterproofing agent S from being generated between the connecting portion 82 and the inner wall surface of the second housing 4 or the cover 9 , and the filled region 93 is filled with the waterproofing agent S. can be properly sealed.

Therefore, the branching unit 2 according to the present embodiment can prevent water from entering the branching unit 2 through the gap between the branching unit 2 and the conductor 10 .

Furthermore, according to the branching unit 2 according to the present embodiment, the side surface (second side surface) of the connecting portion 82 facing the conductor 10 is recessed in the direction away from the conductor 10 and the space on one side of the connecting portion 82 is formed. It further has a second groove portion 82b that communicates the space 93a and the space 93b on the other side with each other. Therefore, the entire filling area 93 is more easily filled with the water-stopping agent S, and the inside of the filling area 93 can be properly sealed with the water-stopping agent S.

Furthermore, according to the branching unit 2 according to the present embodiment, the connecting portion 82 has the first groove portion 82a and the second groove portion 82b at positions offset from each other in the direction in which the connecting portion 82 extends. Therefore, compared to the case where the first groove portion 82a and the second groove portion 82b are provided at the same position in the extending direction of the connecting portion 82 (for example, at the same position on the front side and the back side of the connecting portion 82), the thickness of the connecting portion 82 is increased. Avoid getting too thin. Therefore, the inside of the filling region 93 can be properly sealed with the waterproof agent S while maintaining the strength of the connecting portion 82 .

<Other aspects>
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 can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary and not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

For example, in the above embodiment, the connecting portion 82 connecting the pair of holding members 80 has the first groove portion 82a and the second groove portion 82b. On the other hand, the connecting portion 82 may have the first groove portion 82a and not the second groove portion 82b.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first groove portion 82a and the second groove portion 82b are offset from each other in the width direction of the conductor 10 (extending direction of the connecting portion 82). On the other hand, the first groove portion 82a and the second groove portion 82b may be provided at the same position in the width direction of the conductor 10 (extending direction of the connecting portion 82).

Further, in the above embodiment, the through hole 29 for injecting the waterproof agent S is formed on the second housing 4 side (see FIG. 3(a)). On the other hand, a through hole for injecting the waterproof agent S may be formed in the cover 9 side. Further, the cover 9 may be provided with a viewing hole for checking the state of filling of the waterproof agent S.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the branching unit 2, a unit including the connection structure 3 of the optical connector is described. However, the branching unit 2 of the present invention only needs to have a structure that seals inside the branching portion that electrically branches the conductor 10 (for example, a portion where the conductor 10a is exposed). A separate structure may be housed inside. Alternatively, only the branching portion may be accommodated inside, and structures such as electronic components may be provided outside the branching unit 2 .

Here, the features of the embodiment of the branching unit 2 according to the present invention described above are summarized and listed briefly in [1] to [3] below.
[1]
A branching unit (2) comprising a flat conductor (10) and a case (4, 9) for housing and sealing a branch portion electrically branching the conductor (10),
The case (4, 9) is
having an opening (23) for inserting the conductor (10) from the outside to the inside, and a pair of fitting recesses (92) provided in the inner peripheral wall surface of the opening (23),
The conductor (10) is
Having a pair of holding members (80) assembled to the conductor (10) so as to cover the outer periphery of the conductor (10),
The case (4, 9) is
A through hole (29) is provided at a position corresponding to the opening (23). A waterproofing agent (S) is injected into a region (93) sandwiched between the pair of holding members (80) through the through holes (29) in the fitted state to seal the opening (23). configured to
The pair of holding members (80) are
a connecting portion (82) provided to pass through the region (93) sandwiched between the pair of holding members (80) and connecting the pair of holding members (80) to each other;
The connection part (82) is
A first side surface of the connecting portion (82) facing the inner wall surface of the case (4, 9) is recessed in a direction away from the inner wall surface, and the connecting portion (82) in the region (93) is Having a first groove (82a) that communicates the space (93a) on one side and the space (93b) on the other side,
Branch unit (2).
[2]
In the branching unit (2) described in [1] above,
The connection part (82) is
A space (93a) on the second side of the connecting portion (82) facing the conductor (10), which is recessed in a direction away from the conductor (10) and on the one side of the region (93). and a second groove (82b) that communicates with the space (93b) on the other side,
Branch unit (2).
[3]
In the branching unit (2) described in [2] above,
The connection part (82) is
Having the first groove (82a) and the second groove (82b) at positions offset from each other in the extending direction of the connecting part (82),
Branch unit (2).

2 branch unit 4 second housing (case)
9 cover (case)
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 conductor 23 opening 29 through hole 80 holding member 82 connecting portion 82a first groove portion 82b second groove portion 92 fitting recess portion 93 filling region (region)
93a Space on one side 93b Space on the other side S Waterproof agent

Claims (3)

A branching unit comprising a flat conductor and a case that houses and seals a branch portion that electrically branches the conductor,
Said case is
having an opening for inserting the conductor from the outside to the inside, and a pair of fitting recesses provided in the inner peripheral wall surface of the opening,
The conductor is
Having a pair of holding members attached to the conductor so as to cover the outer circumference of the conductor,
Said case is
A through hole is provided at a position corresponding to the opening, and the pair of holding members are passed through the through hole in a state in which the pair of holding members are fitted into the pair of fitting recesses in the opening. A waterproofing agent is injected into the area sandwiched between the members to seal the opening,
the pair of holding members,
a connecting portion that is provided so as to pass through the region sandwiched between the pair of holding members and connects the pair of holding members to each other;
The connecting part is
A first side surface of the connecting portion facing the inner wall surface of the case is recessed in a direction away from the inner wall surface, and a space on one side sandwiching the connecting portion and a space on the other side of the region are communicated with each other. having a first groove that
branch unit. A branching unit according to claim 1, wherein
The connecting part is
a second groove portion recessed in a second side surface facing the conductor of the connecting portion in a direction away from the conductor and communicating the space on the one side and the space on the other side of the region; further comprising
branch unit. A branching unit according to claim 2, wherein
The connecting part is
Having the first groove and the second groove at positions offset from each other in the direction in which the connecting portion extends,
branch unit.

Images