Watertight connector and method of manufacturing the same
AssigneesOlympus Medical Systems Corp., Molex Incorporated
InventorsTakashi Sawai, Akinori Mizumura
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A waterproof connector with sealing capability includes a connector housing with a plurality of conductive terminals mounted therein. The terminals are arranged around the perimeter of a circle with contact portions exposed at the radial outermost extents along the circle. The housing has a central opening around which the terminals are arranged and the terminals are each bent into a circular arc in their mounting on the housing. The housing is over molded around the terminal at intermediate portions thereof to provide a liquid proof barrier.
Claims9
A watertight connector comprising:
- (a) a plurality of terminals including contact portions for contacting counterpart terminals of a counterpart connector and connection portions to be connected to other conductive members;
- and
- (b) a housing portion made of an insulating material and molded so as to integrate the terminals between the contact portions and the connection portions;
- wherein
- (c) the housing portion includes a body portion having a cylindrical-surface-like outer circumferential wall surface and a cylindrical skirt portion integrally connected to the body portion at one end of the outer circumferential wall surface, the plurality of terminals formed on the cylindrical-surface-like outer circumferential wall surface of the body portion;
- (d) the contact portions are exposed to the outer circumferential wall surface, at least free ends of the connection portions extending from the body portion in a space formed in the skirt portion;
- and
- (e) the body portion has a through hole.
A method of manufacturing a watertight connector, comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming a plurality of terminals having one ends coupled to a carrier portion and arranged in a line;
- (b) forming at least one intermediate holding part (16) holding a plurality of terminals in the arranged state, but overmolding at least portions of the terminals with a first resin;
- (c) bending the intermediate holding part into a circular arc shape after removing the carrier portion;
- and
- (d) forming a housing portion including a body portion having a cylindrical-surface-like outer circumferential wall surface, by overmolding at least a portion of the at least one intermediate holding part having the circular arc shape with a second resin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.