Connectors and connectors

Abstract

The connection device (30) is not enlarged and the crimping process can be omitted. The connection device (30) comprises: a movable side conductive member (35) and a fixed side conductive member (40) which are in electrical contact with a first conductor (47) and a second conductor (66) to be connected; and a pressing member (31) which is made of elastic non-metal and applies a pressing force in a contact direction to the first conductor (47), the second conductor (66), the movable side conductive member (35) and the fixed side conductive member (40).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connection device and a connector. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a female terminal formed by bending a conductive metal plate. The female terminal has a box-shaped electrical contact portion at the front into which the male terminal is inserted, and a pair of open cylindrical conductor crimping pieces at the rear. The conductor crimping pieces are crimped and fixed to the conductor exposed by peeling off the coating of the coated wire.

[0003] Patent document 2 discloses a female connector, which includes a female terminal part, a first and a second obliquely wound coil spring, and a female housing for holding the two obliquely wound coil springs. The two obliquely wound coil springs are formed into a coil shape in which a conductive metal wire is wound multiple times. The female terminal part is formed into a flat plate shape, and a core wire is connected to one end.

[0004] The female terminal part is housed in the female housing in a state of being sandwiched by two inclined winding coil springs. When the female connector is mated with the male connector on the other side, the first inclined winding coil spring is sandwiched by the wall surface (abutment wall) in the female housing and the female terminal part, and the second inclined winding coil spring is sandwiched by the male terminal part and the female terminal part provided on the male connector. At this time, the second inclined winding coil spring contacts the female terminal part and the terminal connection part through the elastic restoring force of the first and second inclined winding coil springs, so that the female terminal part and the male terminal part are electrically connected. In addition, the first inclined winding coil spring is configured in a manner to press the female terminal part toward the core wire side.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-241219

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-046760 Summary of the invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] In the case of Patent Document 1, there is no need for a process for crimping the conductor crimping piece to the conductor. In the case of Patent Document 2, the connection structure of the female terminal part and the male terminal part is relatively complicated, and an area for arranging the first and second obliquely wound coil springs must be ensured in the female housing. In addition, a separate structure for insulating the first obliquely wound coil spring and the second obliquely wound coil spring is required. Therefore, the connector is sometimes prone to being large-sized.

[0011] The connection device and connector disclosed in the present invention are completed based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and are intended to reduce the size and omit the crimping process.

[0012] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0013] The connection device disclosed in the present invention comprises:

[0014] a conductive portion that is in electrical contact with a conductive member to be connected; and

[0015] The pressing member is made of a non-metal having elasticity and applies a pressing force in a contact direction to the conductive member and the conducting portion.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present disclosure, the crimping step can be omitted without increasing the size of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of the female connector constituting the connector of Example 1.

[0019] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the male connector constituting the connector.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where the first conductor is connected to the movable-side conductive member and the fixed-side conductive member.

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 XX line cross-sectional view.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a front view of the housing in a state where the front member is removed.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a partially enlarged side cross-sectional view showing a state where the first conductor and the second conductor are connected.

[0024] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a pressing member.

[0025] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of the movable-side conducting member.

[0026] Fig. 9 It is a perspective view of the fixed-side conductive member.

[0027] Fig.10 This is a perspective view of the movable-side conductive member of Example 2.

[0028] Fig.11 It is a partially enlarged side cross-sectional view showing a state where a first conductor and a second conductor are connected in the connector of the third embodiment.

[0029] Fig.12 It is a perspective view of the fixed-side conductive member of Example 4.

[0030] Fig.13 It is a three-dimensional view of the pressing member and the movable-side conductive member of Example 5.

[0031] Fig.14 It is a stereoscopic view of the pressing member and the movable-side conductive member of Example 6.

[0032] Fig.15 It is a stereoscopic view of the pressing member and the movable-side conductive member of Example 7.

[0033] Fig.16 It is a stereoscopic view of the connecting device of Example 8.

[0034] Fig.17 It is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the conductive members of the first electric wire and the second electric wire are connected via a conductive portion of the connection device.

[0035] Fig.18 yes Fig.17 YY line cross-sectional view.

[0036] Fig.19 It is equivalent to the state before the conductive member enters the entry part. Fig.15 .

[0037] Fig. 20 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector.

[0038] Fig.21 It is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where a connector housing of the connector is fitted with a mating connector housing.

[0039] Fig. 22 It is a plan cross-sectional view showing a state where a connector housing of the connector is fitted with a mating connector housing.

[0040] Fig.23 It is a rear view showing a state where the connector housing of the connector is fitted with the mating connector housing.

[0041] Fig.24 It is a three-dimensional view of the molded body.

[0042] Fig.25 It is a perspective view of a first modified example of a connection device according to another embodiment.

[0043] Fig.26 It is a perspective view of a second modified example of the connection device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0045] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0046] The connection device disclosed herein,

[0047] (1) It comprises: a conducting portion which is in electrical contact with a conductive member to be connected; and a pressing member which is made of elastic non-metal and applies a pressing force in a contact direction to the conductive member and the conducting portion. According to this structure, the conducting portion and the conductive member are pressed in the contact direction by the pressing member, so that the contact pressure between the conducting portion and the conductive member can be ensured. Here, since the conductor crimping piece can be omitted from the connecting device, the process of crimping the conducting portion to the conductive member can be omitted. Since the elastic pressing member presses the conducting portion and the conductive member, the structure of the pressing member does not become particularly complicated. In addition, since the pressing member is made of non-metal, it is not necessary to provide a structure for insulation separately from the pressing member. As a result, it is possible to avoid enlarging the connecting device.

[0048] (2) In (1), it is preferred that the conductive portion is configured to include a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion, and the second conductive portion is arranged to face the first conductive portion with the conductive member interposed therebetween. According to this structure, a plurality of contact points of the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion can be ensured with respect to the conductive member, so that contact reliability is high. In addition, since the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion are arranged with the conductive member interposed therebetween, even if only one pressing member is provided, the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion can be brought into contact with the conductive member.

[0049] (3) In (2), it is preferred that a support portion is provided to support the pressing member, the first conductive portion can be displaced integrally with the pressing member, and the second conductive portion is fixed to the support portion. According to this structure, the first conductive portion can function as a movable contact, and the second conductive portion can function as a fixed contact. Since only one of the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion is displaced, the contact pressure of the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion relative to the conductive member is stable compared to the case where both contacts are displaced across the conductive member.

[0050] (4) In (2), it is preferred that a second pressing member is provided, the second pressing member is located on the opposite side of the pressing member across the conductive member, the first conductive portion is displaceable integrally with the pressing member, and the second conductive portion is displaceable integrally with the second pressing member. According to this structure, since the contact load of the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion with respect to the conductive member is obtained by the elastic force of the pressing member and the elastic force of the second pressing member, a high contact pressure can be ensured.

[0051] (5) In (2) to (4), preferably, at least one of the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion is formed with a protruding contact portion that contacts the conductive member. According to this structure, the contact area between the conductive member and the protruding contact portion is reduced compared to the contact area when the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion are in surface contact with the conductive member. As a result, the contact pressure between the conductive member and the contact portion is increased, so that the connection reliability is excellent.

[0052] (6) In (3), preferably, the protruding contact portion that contacts the conductive member is formed only on the second conductive portion of the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion. According to this structure, the shape of the conductive portion that is displaced integrally with the pressing member can be simplified, so that the pressing function of the pressing member can be prevented from being hindered due to the complicated shape of the conductive portion.

[0053] (7) In (1) to (6), preferably, the plurality of conductive portions are mounted on one pressing member. According to this configuration, the number of components of the pressing member can be reduced.

[0054] (8) In (2) to (7), preferably, at least one of the plurality of first conductive portions and the plurality of second conductive portions is connected to each other so as to be conductively connected. According to this configuration, the joint connector can be formed by the plurality of first conductive portions or the plurality of second conductive portions.

[0055] (9) In (1), preferably, the pressing member has an entry portion into which the conductive member can enter, and the conductive portion is provided in the entry portion. According to this structure, the conductive member and the conductive portion can be easily connected simply by allowing the conductive member to enter the inside of the pressing member.

[0056] (10) In (9), the pressing member has a plurality of entry ends constituting the ends of the entry portion, and the conductive portion is arranged so as to extend between the plurality of entry ends. According to this structure, the plurality of conductive members enter the entry portion from each entry end and can be connected to each other through the conductive portion.

[0057] (11) In (9) or (10), preferably, the entry portion is a space in the pressing member that penetrates in the direction in which the conductive member enters. According to this structure, since the ends of both sides of the pressing member are open, the conductive members can be electrically connected to each other by inserting the conductive members into the pressing member from both sides.

[0058] (12) Preferably, a connector comprises the connection device of (1) to (11); a connector housing for accommodating the connection device; the conductive member; and a retaining member for retaining the conductive member, wherein the retaining member has a locked portion, and the connector housing has a locking portion, wherein the locking portion locks the locked portion to restrict the retaining member from being detached from the connector housing. According to this structure, the locked portion is locked by the locking portion, thereby restricting the retaining member from being detached from the connector housing, and further restricting the detachment of the connection device. The retaining member having the locked portion is provided separately from the connection device. Therefore, the locked portion can be omitted from the connection device, and the connection device can be made into a simple structure and compact.

[0059] (13) In (12), it is preferred that the holding member is made of a molded resin that molds the plurality of conductive members together. According to this structure, the plurality of conductive members can be handled as a whole by the holding member. In addition, the plurality of conductive members can be arranged in an array by the holding member.

[0060] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure]

[0061] [Example 1]

[0062] Reference Figures 1 to 9 The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is intended to include all changes within the meaning and scope of the claims. Figure 3 , 4 , 6 is defined as the front. Regarding the up and down directions, Figures 1 to 3 , 5, and 6 are defined as upward and downward. Figure 5 The directions shown are defined as left and right as they are. The left-right direction and the width direction are used synonymously.

[0063] The connector of the first embodiment includes a female connector F and a male connector M that fit together. The female connector F includes one female housing 10 , a connection device 30 accommodated in the female housing 10 , and one first electric wire module 45 .

[0064] The female housing 10 is made of a synthetic resin material such as Figure 3 , 4As shown, there is a housing body 11 and a front member 12 mounted on the housing body 11 from the front. The housing body 11 has a plurality of cavities 13 arranged in parallel in the left-right direction and a holding space 20 opened at the rear end face of the housing body 11. The cavity 13 constitutes a space elongated in the front-back direction as a whole. A connecting portion 14 opened at the front end face of the housing body 11 is formed at the front end portion of the cavity 13. The interior of the connecting portion 14 functions as a connecting space for connecting the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66.

[0065] like Figure 5 As shown, when the front view of the female housing 10 is viewed from the front, the connection portion 14 is a symmetrical shape. A pair of symmetrical positioning portions 15 are formed on the connection portion 14. The pair of positioning portions 15 are in a form that protrudes from the left and right inner wall surfaces of the connection portion 14 in the width direction. In the up-down direction, the positioning portion 15 is arranged at a position higher than the center of the connection portion 14. A pair of symmetrical grooves 16 extending in the front-back direction are formed at the upper end of the inner side surface of the connection portion 14, that is, in the area higher than the positioning portion 15. The groove 16 opens at the front end surface of the housing body 11. The interval between the protruding ends of the left and right positioning portions 15 is set to be the same as the outer diameter dimension of the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66 described later, or a dimension slightly larger than the outer diameter dimension of the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66.

[0066] like Figure 3 , 4 As shown, a guide portion 17 is formed in the area connected to the rear end of the connection portion 14 in the cavity 13, and the guide portion 17 has a guide hole with a smaller diameter than the connection portion 14. An insertion portion 18 with a larger diameter than the guide portion 17 is formed in the area from the rear end of the guide portion 17 to the rear end of the cavity 13. The holding space 20 is opened in the rear end surface of the shell body 11 in the shape of a slit that is long in the left-right direction. The holding space 20 is connected to the rear ends of all the cavities 13 (insertion portions 18). As shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, a pair of left and right anti-slip protrusions 19 are formed at the left and right ends of the holding space 20 .

[0067] The front member 12 is in the shape of a cover. Figure 3 , 4 As shown, there is a front wall portion 21 covering the front surface of the housing body 11, a peripheral wall portion 22 surrounding the front end side area of ​​the housing body 11, and a lock arm 23 extending rearward from the front wall portion 21 to constitute a part of the peripheral wall portion 22. The openings at the front ends of the plurality of connecting portions 14 are covered by the front wall portion 21. A plurality of insertion holes 24 penetrating the front wall portion 21 in the front-to-back direction are formed at a plurality of positions of the front wall portion 21 corresponding to the respective cavities 13 (connecting portions 14). The cross section of each insertion hole 24 is formed into a circle with a smaller diameter than the connecting portion 14.

[0068] The connection device 30 includes a plurality of pressing members 31, a plurality of movable side conducting members 35, and a plurality of fixed side conducting members 40. The pressing members 31 are made of an electrically insulating rubber material and are elastically deformable. The plurality of pressing members 31 are individually accommodated in the plurality of connecting parts 14. The pressing members 31 are arranged in a state of being placed on the bottom surface of the connecting part 14. Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the pressing member 31 is a single component formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the front-rear direction as a whole. The maximum width dimension of the pressing member 31 is set to be larger than the distance between the protruding ends of the pair of positioning parts 15. A storage recess 32 is formed on the upper surface of the pressing member 31, and the storage recess 32 is used to store a movable side conductive member 35 described later.

[0069] The movable side conducting member 35 is formed of a metal plate such as copper or aluminum. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the movable-side conductive member 35 is formed in a shape long in the front-to-back direction as a whole. The movable-side conductive member 35 is a single component having a first contact portion 36, a second contact portion 37 arranged in front of the first contact portion 36, a connecting portion 38 connecting the first contact portion 36 and the second contact portion 37, and a pair of front and rear bent ends 39. The front end of the first contact portion 36 is connected to the rear end of the connecting portion 38, and the rear end of the second contact portion 37 is connected to the front end of the connecting portion 38. The bent end 39 extends from the rear end of the first contact portion 36 in a state bent downward. The bent end 39 extends from the front end of the second contact portion 37 in a state bent downward.

[0070] The movable-side conductive member 35 is fixed to the pressing member 31 in a state of being fitted with the receiving recess 32 on the upper surface of the pressing member 31. The width dimensions of the first contact portion 36 and the second contact portion 37 are larger than the width dimensions of the connecting portion 38 and the bent end portion 39 and are the same as the width dimension of the pressing member 31. The width dimensions of the pressing member 31, the first contact portion 36, and the second contact portion 37 are set to be larger than the interval between the protruding ends of the pair of positioning portions 15. The movable-side conductive member 35 and the pressing member 31 are accommodated in a region below the positioning portion 15 in the connecting portion 14.

[0071] The fixed-side conductive member 40 is formed of a plate made of a metal such as copper or aluminum, similarly to the movable-side conductive member 35. Fig. 9 As shown, the fixed-side conductive member 40 is a single component having three mounting portions 41 arranged at intervals in the front and rear, a first contact portion 42, and a second contact portion 43 arranged in front of the first contact portion 42. The front end of the first contact portion 42 is connected to the rear end of the mounting portion 41 located in the center. The rear end of the first contact portion 42 is connected to the front end of the mounting portion 41 located in the rear side. The front end of the second contact portion 43 is connected to the rear end of the mounting portion 41 located in the front side. The rear end of the second contact portion 43 is connected to the front end of the mounting portion 41 located in the center. Figure 6 As shown, when the fixed-side conductive member 40 is viewed from the side, the first contact portion 42 and the second contact portion 43 are curved so as to bulge downward, and are shaped to protrude downward from the mounting portion 41 .

[0072] The fixed-side conductive member 40 is fixedly mounted on the upper end of the connecting portion 14 by fitting the left and right side edges of the three mounting portions 41 into the grooves 16 of the connecting portion 14. The fixed-side conductive member 40 is located above the pressing member 31 and the movable-side conductive member 35, and is opposed to the movable-side conductive member 35 in the vertical direction with a predetermined interval therebetween. The first contact portion 42 and the second contact portion 43 protrude toward the movable-side conductive member 35. The vertical interval between the lower ends of the first contact portion 42 and the second contact portion 43 and the upper surface of the movable-side conductive member 35 in a state where the pressing member 31 is not elastically deformed is set to a dimension smaller than the outer diameter of the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66 described later. The width of the first contact portion 42 and the second contact portion 43 is set to a dimension smaller than the interval between the protruding ends of the pair of positioning portions 15. When the female connector F is viewed from the front, the first contact portion 42 and the second contact portion 43 are arranged between the pair of positioning portions 15 .

[0073] like Figure 1 As shown, the first electric wire module 45 is a module that integrates a plurality of first covered electric wires 46 and a first holding member 49. The first covered electric wire 46 is an electric wire in which a first conductor 47 is surrounded by a first insulating coating 48. The first conductor 47 is a single-core wire made of a metal material such as copper or aluminum, and has rigidity to maintain a circular cross-section. The outer diameter of the first conductor 47 is set to be smaller than the width of the first contact portion 36 and the second contact portion 37, and smaller than the distance between the protruding ends of the pair of positioning portions 15. At the end of the first covered electric wire 46, the insulating coating is removed to expose the first conductor 47. The exposed portion of the first conductor 47 is defined as a first connection end 47E.

[0074] like Figure 1 As shown, the first holding member 49 is flat in the width direction and holds the middle stripped portions of the plurality of first covered electric wires 46 arranged side by side together. The first holding member 49 is a molded product in which the periphery of the plurality of first covered electric wires 46 is covered with resin. The plurality of first covered electric wires 46 are held in a state where they penetrate the first holding member 49 in the front-to-back direction and are positioned at a certain interval in the left-to-right direction. A pair of left and right locking protrusions 50 are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the first holding member 49.

[0075] The first wire module 45 is assembled into the holding space 20 of the housing body 11 from the rear of the female housing 10. When the first wire module 45 is assembled into the female housing 10, Figure 4 As shown, the first electric wire module 45 is held in a prevented state with respect to the female-side housing 10 by the locking protrusion 50 of the first holding member 49 being locked with the retaining protrusion 19 of the female-side housing 10 .

[0076] During the assembly process, the first connection end portions 47E of the plurality of first conductors 47 sequentially penetrate the insertion portion 18 and the guide portion 17, enter the connection portion 14, and are squeezed and clamped between the first contact portion 36 and the first contact portion 42. When the pressing member 31 is not elastically deformed, the interval between the first contact portion 36 and the first contact portion 42 is smaller than the outer diameter of the first connection end portion 47E, so the first connection end portion 47E displaces the first contact portion 36 downward and elastically deforms the pressing member 31 in a manner of squeezing it up and down. Due to the elastic restoring force of the pressing member 31, the first conductor 47 and the first contact portion 36 are conductively connected at a predetermined contact pressure, and the first conductor 47 and the first contact portion 42 are conductively connected at a predetermined contact pressure. Since the first conductor 47 is accommodated between the pair of positioning portions 15, the first conductor 47 is prevented from being displaced relative to the movable-side conductive member 35 and the fixed-side conductive member 40 in the width direction. As a result, the first conductor 47 and the movable-side conductive member 35 are stably connected, and the first conductor 47 and the fixed-side conductive member 40 are also stably connected.

[0077] like Figure 2 As shown, the male connector M has a male housing 60 and a second electric wire module 64. The male housing 60 is made of synthetic resin and is a single component having a housing portion 61 and a cylindrical cover portion 62 protruding from the housing portion 61. A locking portion 63 that engages with the locking arm 23 of the female connector F is formed on the inner surface of the upper wall portion of the cover portion 62. Although the housing portion 61 is omitted from the figure, it has a plurality of guide portions 17, a plurality of insertion portions 18, and a retaining space 20 that are the same as the plurality of guide portions 17, a plurality of insertion portions 18, and a retaining space 20 of the female connector F. The housing portion 61 does not have a portion corresponding to the connecting portion 14 of the female connector F.

[0078] The second electric wire module 64 is a module that integrates a plurality of second covered electric wires 65 and a second holding member 68, similarly to the first electric wire module 45. The second covered electric wire 65 is an electric wire in which a second conductor 66 is surrounded by a second insulating coating 67. The second conductor 66 is a single core wire made of a metal material such as copper or aluminum, and has rigidity to maintain a circular cross-section. The outer diameter of the second conductor 66 is the same as the outer diameter of the first conductor 47. At the end of the second covered electric wire 65, the second insulating coating 67 is removed to expose the second conductor 66. The exposed portion of the second conductor 66 is defined as a second connection end 66E. The second electric wire module 64 is assembled to the housing portion 61 from the rear of the male connector M. When the second electric wire module 64 is assembled to the male housing 60, the second connection end 66E of the second conductor 66 protrudes from the front surface of the housing portion 61 into the cover portion 62.

[0079] When the male connector M and the female connector F are connected, the female connector F is fitted into the cover portion 62. During the fitting process, the second connection end portion 66E of the second conductor 66 passes through the insertion hole 24 and enters into the connection portion 14, and enters between the second contact portion 37 and the second contact portion 43, causing the pressing member 31 to elastically deform in a manner of being flattened up and down. Due to the elastic restoring force of the pressing member 31, the second conductor 66 and the second contact portion 37 are conductively connected at a predetermined contact pressure, and the second conductor 66 and the second contact portion 43 are conductively connected at a predetermined contact pressure. The second connection end portion 66E of the second conductor 66 that has entered the connection portion 14 is positioned in the width direction by a pair of positioning portions 15, so there is no possibility of tilting in the width direction or being misaligned in the width direction.

[0080] The male connector F constituting the connector of the present embodiment 1 includes a female housing 10 into which a first conductor 47 and a second conductor 66 can be inserted, and a connection device 30 accommodated in the female housing 10. The connection device 30 includes a pressing member 31, a movable-side conductive member 35, and a fixed-side conductive member 40. The movable-side conductive member 35 is accommodated in the female housing 10 and can be in electrical contact with the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66. The fixed-side conductive member 40 is also accommodated in the female housing 10 and can be in electrical contact with the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66. The pressing member 31 is made of an insulating material having elasticity and is accommodated in the female housing 10. The pressing member 31 applies a pressing force in a contact direction to the movable-side conductive member 35 and the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66 inserted into the female housing 10. The pressing member 31 applies a pressing force in a contact direction to the fixed-side conductive member 40 and the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66 inserted into the female-side housing 10 .

[0081] The movable-side conductive member 35 and the first conductor 47 are in contact with each other by the elastic pressing force in the contact direction given by the pressing member 31, so there is no need for a process for crimping the first conductor 47 and the movable-side conductive member 35. The fixed-side conductive member 40 and the first conductor 47 are also in contact with each other by the elastic pressing force in the contact direction given by the pressing member 31, so there is no need for a process for crimping the first conductor 47 and the fixed-side conductive member 40. The pressing member 31 is made of an insulating material, and there is no need to provide a structure for insulation separately from the pressing member 31, so it is possible to avoid enlarging the size of the female-side connector F. Therefore, the connector of the first embodiment does not enlarge, and the crimping process can be omitted.

[0082] The female housing 10 is provided with a positioning portion 15, which positions the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66 in a width direction orthogonal to both the axial direction (front-rear direction) of the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66 and the pressing direction (up-down direction) of the pressing member 31. Since the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66 are positioned in the width direction by the positioning portion 15, the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66 are unlikely to fall off from the movable-side conductive member 35 and the fixed-side conductive member 40 in the width direction. Therefore, the movable-side conductive member 35 and the fixed-side conductive member 40 have excellent contact reliability with respect to the first conductor 47, and the movable-side conductive member 35 and the fixed-side conductive member 40 have excellent contact reliability with respect to the second conductor 66.

[0083] The connection device 30 includes a movable-side conductive member 35 and a fixed-side conductive member 40. The movable-side conductive member 35 and the fixed-side conductive member 40 are arranged to face each other with the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66 interposed therebetween. According to this structure, a plurality of contact points of the movable-side conductive member 35 and the fixed-side conductive member 40 can be ensured with respect to the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66, so that the contact reliability is high. In addition, since the movable-side conductive member 35 and the fixed-side conductive member 40 are arranged with respect to the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66 interposed therebetween, the movable-side conductive member 35 can be brought into contact with the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66, and the fixed-side conductive member 40 can be brought into contact with the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66 even if only one pressing member 31 is provided.

[0084] The connection device 30 includes a connection portion 14 that supports a pressing member 31. A movable-side conductive member 35 can be displaced integrally with the pressing member 31, and a fixed-side conductive member 40 is fixed to the connection portion 14. According to this structure, the first contact portion 36 and the second contact portion 37 of the movable-side conductive member 35 can function as movable contacts, and the first contact portion 42 and the second contact portion 43 of the fixed-side conductive member 40 can function as fixed contacts.

[0085] Since the member for providing the displaced contacts (the first contact portion 36 and the second contact portion 37) is only one of the two conductive members (the movable side conductive member 35 and the fixed side conductive member 40) (the movable side conductive member 35), the contact pressure of the movable side conductive member 35 and the fixed side conductive member 40 with respect to the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66 is stabilized compared to a case where the fixed side conductive member 40 (the first contact portion 42 and the second contact portion 43) that does not displace is not provided and the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66 are sandwiched by the two displaced movable side conductive members 35 (the first contact portion 36 and the second contact portion 37).

[0086] The fixed-side conductive member 40 is provided with a protruding first contact portion 42 and a second contact portion 43 that are in contact with the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66. According to this structure, the contact area between the first conductor 47 and the protruding first contact portion 42 is reduced compared with the contact area when the fixed-side conductive member 40 is in surface contact with the first conductor 47. The contact area between the second conductor 66 and the protruding second contact portion 43 is reduced compared with the contact area when the fixed-side conductive member 40 is in surface contact with the second conductor 66. As a result, the contact pressure between the first conductor 47 and the first contact portion 42 is increased, and the contact pressure between the second conductor 66 and the second contact portion 43 is increased, so that the connection reliability is excellent.

[0087] The protruding first contact portion 42 and the second contact portion 43 that are in contact with the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66 are formed only on the fixed-side conductive member 40 of the movable-side conductive member 35 and the fixed-side conductive member 40. According to this structure, the shape of the movable-side conductive member 35 that is displaced integrally with the pressing member 31 can be simplified, so that the pressing function of the pressing member 31 is prevented from being hindered due to the complicated shape of the movable-side conductive member 35.

[0088] [Example 2]

[0089] Reference Fig.10 The second embodiment of the present disclosure is described. The movable-side conductive member 70 of the second embodiment has a contact portion 71 protruding in a rib shape. The contact portion 71 extends linearly over the upper surface of the first contact portion 36, the upper surface of the connecting portion 38, and the upper surface of the second contact portion 37. The contact portion 71 is parallel to the sliding direction of the first conductor 47 (not shown) and the second conductor 66 (not shown) relative to the movable-side conductive member 70. The other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are given to the same structures, and the description of the structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

[0090] The contact area between the first conductor 47 and the protrusion-shaped contact portion 71, and the contact area between the second conductor 66 and the rib-shaped contact portion 71 are smaller than the contact area when the movable-side conductive member 35 of the first embodiment is in surface contact with the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66. As a result, the contact pressure between the first conductor 47 and the contact portion 71, and the contact pressure between the second conductor 66 and the contact portion 71 are increased, so that the connection reliability is excellent.

[0091] [Example 3]

[0092] Reference Fig.11 The third embodiment of the connection device 72 of the present disclosure will be described. The connection device 72 of the third embodiment includes a second pressing member 73 located on the opposite side of the pressing member 31 across the first conductor 47 and the second conductor 66. The second pressing member 73 is made of an elastic material like the pressing member 31 and has a shape that is vertically symmetrical with the pressing member 31. The second pressing member 73 is fixed to the upper surface of the connecting portion 14. A second movable side conducting member 74 is fixedly mounted on the lower surface of the second pressing member 73 in an integrally displaced manner. The second movable side conducting member 74 is made of a metal material like the movable side conducting member 35 and has a shape that is vertically symmetrical with the movable side conducting member 35.

[0093] According to this structure, the contact load of the movable side conductive member 35 and the second movable side conductive member 74 with respect to the first conductor 47 is obtained by the elastic force of the pressing member 31 and the elastic force of the second pressing member 73. The contact load of the movable side conductive member 35 and the second movable side conductive member 74 with respect to the second conductor 66 is also obtained by the elastic force of the pressing member 31 and the elastic force of the second pressing member 73. Therefore, a high contact pressure can be ensured. The other structures are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, so the same reference numerals are attached to the same structures, and the description of the structures, functions and effects is omitted.

[0094] [Example 4]

[0095] Reference Fig.12 A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the fourth embodiment, a plurality of fixed-side conductive members 40 are connected via a connecting portion 76 to form a single-component connector terminal 75. The connecting portion 76 connects the mounting portions 41 arranged on the left and right. The connector terminal 75 allows a plurality of first conductors 47 and a plurality of second conductors 66 to be conductively connected. In other words, a connector connector can be formed by the connector terminal 75. The other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are given to the same structures, and the description of the structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

[0096] [Example 5]

[0097] Reference Fig.13Embodiment 5 which embodies the present disclosure will be described. In the present embodiment 5, a plurality of movable-side conducting members 78 are fixedly mounted on the upper surface of a pressing member 77, thereby forming a pressing module 79. The pressing member 77 has a width dimension extending over a plurality of connecting portions 14 (not shown). A connecting groove (not shown) which connects the plurality of connecting portions 14 is formed in the female housing 10 (not shown). The pressing module 79 is mounted on the female housing 10 by accommodating the pressing member 77 in the connecting groove and the plurality of connecting portions 14. The plurality of movable-side conducting members 78 are individually accommodated in the plurality of connecting portions 14.

[0098] The plurality of first conductors 47 (not shown) are connected individually to the plurality of movable-side conducting members 78, and the plurality of second conductors 66 (not shown) are connected individually to the plurality of movable-side conducting members 78. By using the pressing module 79 of the fifth embodiment, the number of components of the pressing member 77 can be reduced. The other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore the same reference numerals are given to the same structures, and the description of the structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

[0099] [Example 6]

[0100] Reference Fig.14 The sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the sixth embodiment, a plurality of movable-side conducting members 80 are connected via a connecting portion 81 to form a connector terminal 82. The connector terminal 82 is fixed to the upper surface of a pressing member 77. The pressing member 77 is a member having the same structure as that of the fifth embodiment. A pressing module 83 is formed by one connector terminal 82 and one pressing member 77.

[0101] By using a pressing module 83 in which a plurality of movable-side conducting members 80 are connected to each other in a conductive manner, a joint connector can be formed, and a plurality of first conductors 47 and a plurality of second conductors 66 can be conductively connected. The other structures are the same as those in the fifth embodiment, and thus the same reference numerals are given to the same structures, and the description of the structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

[0102] [Example 7]

[0103] Reference Fig.15 Embodiment 7 which embodies the present disclosure will be described. In this embodiment 7, a plurality of movable-side conducting members 84 are connected via a connecting portion 85 to form a connector terminal 86. A plurality of connector terminals 86 and one movable-side conducting member 84 are fixedly mounted on the upper surface of a pressing member 77. The pressing member 77 is a member having the same structure as that of embodiments 5 and 6. A plurality of connector terminals 86, one movable-side conducting member 84, and one pressing member 77 form a pressing module 87.

[0104] By using the joint terminal 86 that connects the plurality of movable-side conducting members 84 in a conductive manner, a joint connector can be formed, and a plurality of first conductors 47 (not shown) and a plurality of second conductors 66 (not shown) can be conductively connected. The other structures are the same as those of the fifth and sixth embodiments, so the same reference numerals are given to the same structures, and the description of the structures, functions, and effects is omitted.

[0105] [Example 8]

[0106] Reference Figure 16 to Figure 26 Embodiment 8 which embodies the connection device 110 and the connector 160 of the present disclosure will be described. The present invention is not limited to the examples but is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0107] like Fig.16 As shown, the connection device 110 of the eighth embodiment includes a plurality of conducting parts 111 and a pressing member 120. Fig.17 As shown in FIG. 1 , the connection device 110 is connected to the conductive member 181 and is used as a part to replace the existing female terminal parts and male terminal parts. Fig. 20 As shown, the connector 160 of the eighth embodiment is configured to include a connector housing 161 and a holding member 190 in addition to the above-mentioned connection device 110 .

[0108] <Conduction Section 111>

[0109] The conducting part 111 is, for example, a linear member or a rod-shaped member made of a metal such as copper or aluminum. A plurality of conducting parts 111 are provided on the pressing member 120 of the connecting device 110. The cross section of the conducting part 111 is circular, as shown in FIG. Fig.17 As shown in FIG. 1 , the conductive portion 111 is formed to extend linearly in the front-rear direction. Fig.18 As shown, the conductive portion 111 has a contact portion 112 along the front-back direction in a half-circumference portion of the outer circumference on one side. The conductive portion 111 has a held portion 113 in a half-circumference portion on the one side opposite to the contact portion 112. The held portion 113 is held by an opposing portion 121 of the pressing member 120, which will be described later. The contact portion 112 contacts the conductive member 181 on the other side.

[0110] <Conductive member 181>

[0111] like Fig.17As shown, the conductive member 181 is formed as the core wire portion of the electric wires 180A and 180B. The conductive member 181 is a single core wire made of a metal such as copper or aluminum, and has rigidity to maintain a circular cross-section. The electric wires 180A and 180B have an insulating coating 182 made of synthetic resin covering the outer periphery of the conductive member 181. The insulating coating 182 is stripped off at the ends of the electric wires 180A and 180B to expose the conductive member 181. In the case of the present embodiment 8, the electric wires 180A and 180B are connected by the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 and the rear side ( Fig.17 The first electric wire 180A in contact with the right side of the conductive member 181 and the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 are in contact with the front side ( Fig.17 The first electric wire 180A and the second electric wire 180B are connected to each other via the conducting portions 111 in a state where a plurality of the first electric wires 180A and the second electric wires 180B are arranged in the width direction.

[0112] <Pressure Member 120>

[0113] The pressing member 120 is an elastic member made of a rubber elastic body such as silicone rubber, and is in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. The pressing member 120 has an inner peripheral surface with a circular cross section.

[0114] like Fig.19 As shown, the pressing member 120 has a plurality of radially opposed opposing portions 121 on the inner circumferential surface, and an entry portion 124 into which the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 enters is formed between each opposing portion 121. The cross section of each opposing portion 121 is arc-shaped, and in detail, the cross section is arc-shaped. Each opposing portion 121 extends in the front-to-back direction and opens at the front and rear ends of the pressing member 120, and is arranged at intervals of 90 degrees in the upper and lower and left and right directions along the circumferential direction. The distance (L) between the contact portions 112 of the conductive portions 111 opposed to each other on each opposing portion 121 is smaller than the diameter of the conductive member 181 before the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 enters the entry portion 124 (see FIG. 1 ). Fig.18 and Fig.19 ).

[0115] The held portion 113 of each conductive portion 111 is held in a state of being fitted with each facing portion 121. For example, the held portion 113 is embedded in the facing portion 121 by post-mounting or insert molding.

[0116] like Fig.16 As shown, the pressing member 120 has a plurality of lips 122 that are spaced apart in the front-rear direction on the outer circumference. The lips 122 are provided in pairs at the front and rear portions of the outer circumference of the pressing member 120. The lips 122 are in close contact with the inner circumference of a cavity 162 of the connector housing 161, which will be described later.

[0117] The entry portion 124 is provided in the pressing member 120 so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction. Fig.17 As shown, the pressing member 120 has a first entry end 123A and a second entry end 123B as the front and rear opening ends of the entry portion 124. The first entry end 123A is formed at the rear end of the pressing member 120, and has an opening into which the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 of the first electric wire 180A enters. The second entry end 123B is formed at the front end of the pressing member 120, and has an opening into which the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 of the second electric wire 180B enters. Each conductive portion 111 is in a form extending from the first entry end 123A side to the second entry end 123B side.

[0118] <Connector Housing 161>

[0119] The connector housing 161 is made of synthetic resin, such as Fig. 20 As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing body 163 and the front member 164 attached to the housing body 163 from the front are provided. The housing body 163 is formed in a flat shape in the width direction and has a plurality of cavities 162. Fig. 22 As shown, a plurality of cavities 162 are arranged in a width direction at the front of the housing body 163. Each cavity 162 extends in the front-to-back direction, with a front end opening at the front surface of the housing body 163 and a rear end communicating with each through hole 165. The housing body 163 has a plurality of recesses 166 recessed toward the rear on the front surface, and each cavity 162 opens at the bottom surface of each recess 166. The connection device 110 is inserted and stored in the cavity 162 from the front.

[0120] The through hole 165 is disposed near the front of the housing body 163. The through hole 165 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the cavity 162 and is connected to the rear end of the cavity 162 via a radial step 167. The connection device 110 is restricted from displacement to the rear by contact with the step 167.

[0121] The housing body 163 has a plurality of relay holes 168 behind each cavity 162 and the through hole 165. Each relay hole 168 extends in the front-rear direction, and the front end thereof tapers and communicates with the rear end of the through hole 165. The rear portion of the relay hole 168 is formed to have a larger hole diameter than the cavity 162.

[0122] The first electric wire 180A is inserted into the relay hole 168 from the rear. The front portion of the insulating coating 182 of the first electric wire 180A is received in the relay hole 168. The rear portion of the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 in the first electric wire 180A is received in the through hole 165, and the front portion is received in the cavity 162. The front portion of the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 in the first electric wire 180A is inserted into the interior (entry portion 124) of the connection device 110 through the first entry end portion 123A in the cavity 162.

[0123] like Fig. 22 As shown, the housing body 163 has a storage hole 169 at the rear. The storage hole 169 opens at the rear surface of the housing body 163. The rear end of each relay hole 168 opens at the storage hole 169. The rear end of the partition wall 171 that separates the relay holes 168 in the width direction faces the storage hole 169. The housing body 163 has a pair of widening parts 172 widened to both sides in the width direction at the rear. The storage hole 169 is provided inside each widening part 172 to store the retaining member 190.

[0124] The housing body 163 has a pair of locking portions 173 on the inner surface (the surface facing the storage hole 169) of each widened portion 172. Each locking portion 173 protrudes into the storage hole 169 in a claw shape.

[0125] The front member 164 is in the shape of a cover. Fig. 20 As shown, the housing body 163 has a front wall portion 174 covering the front surface of the housing body 163, a peripheral wall portion 175 covering the outer peripheral surface of the front portion of the housing body 163, and a lock arm 176 protruding rearward from the upper wall portion of the peripheral wall portion 175. The front wall portion 174 has a plurality of insertion holes 177 penetrating in the front-to-back direction at positions corresponding to the respective cavities 162. The cross section of each insertion hole 177 is circular, and each insertion hole 177 is formed to have a smaller hole diameter than each cavity 162. The hole diameter of the insertion hole 177 is the same as the hole diameter of the through hole 165. The front wall portion 174 has a portion with a tapered diameter from the front surface to each insertion hole 177.

[0126] like Fig. 20 As shown, the front wall portion 174 has a plurality of protrusions 178 protruding rearward on the rear surface, and each insertion hole 177 penetrates each protrusion 178. The protrusion 178 and the recess 166 of the housing body 163 are inserted into the recess 166 appropriately. When the connection device 110 is stored in the cavity 162, the top end surface (rear end surface) of the protrusion 178 is contacted by the pressing member 120, thereby limiting the displacement to the front. The locking arm 176 holds the mating connector housing 151 as the mating partner of the connector housing 161.

[0127] <Mating Connector Housing 151>

[0128] The other connector housing 151 is made of synthetic resin, such as Fig.21 and Fig. 22As shown, the housing portion 152 is flat in the width direction, and the cylindrical cover portion 153 protrudes from the housing portion 152. The cover portion 153 has a locking protrusion 154 on the inner surface of the upper wall to be locked with the locking arm 176. The housing portion 152 has the same parts as the cavities 162, the through holes 165, the relay holes 168 and the storage holes 169 in the housing body 163, and stores and holds the second electric wires 180B and the holding member 190. The exposed part of the conductive member 181 of each second electric wire 180B protrudes from the bottom surface into the cover portion 153.

[0129] <Holding Member 190>

[0130] like Fig.24 As shown, the holding member 190 is flat in the width direction and holds the wires 180A and 180B arranged side by side together. The holding member 190 is a molded product in which the periphery of the wires 180A and 180B is covered with resin. The wires 180A and 180B are held at a certain interval in the width direction by limiting the mutual displacement of the holding member 190. The holding member 190 has a pair of locked parts 191 on both sides. Each locked part 191 protrudes in a claw shape toward the outside in the width direction.

[0131] The entirety of the retaining member 190 is inserted into the receiving hole 169 of the connector housing 161. Each locked portion 191 is elastically locked to each locking portion 173. Thus, the retaining member 190 is retained in a non-detachable state in the receiving hole 169 of the connector housing 161. The retaining member 190 has a pair of ribs 192 on each of the upper and lower surfaces. Each rib 192 is formed to extend in the front-rear direction on the upper and lower surfaces of the retaining member 190. Fig.23 As shown, each rib 192 is inserted into the receiving groove 179 formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the receiving hole 169 when the holding member 190 is inserted into the receiving hole 169 of the connector housing 161 .

[0132] like Fig. 22 As shown, the holding member 190 molds the intermediate stripping portion 193 of each of the electric wires 180A and 180B. The intermediate stripping portion 193 is formed as a conductive member 181 in the middle portion (midway portion) in the front-to-back direction of the electric wires 180A and 180B, in which the insulating coating 182 is removed. In addition to the intermediate stripping portion 193, the holding member 190 molds the adjacent portion 194 of the insulating coating 182 arranged in front and behind the intermediate stripping portion 193. A step is formed between the end face of the adjacent portion 194 of the insulating coating 182 and the intermediate stripping portion 193. Inside the holding member 190, the end face (step) of the adjacent portion 194 of the insulating coating 182 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction, so that each of the electric wires 180A and 180B is prevented from falling off in the holding member 190.

[0133] <Functions of the connecting device 110 and the connector 160>

[0134] Before being assembled to the connector housing 161, the middle portion of each first electric wire 180A is molded with resin. Fig.24 As shown, the molded body 130 is formed by integrating the first electric wires 180A and the holding member 190. The first electric wires 180A in the molded body 130 are held by the holding member 190 so as to be arranged at a certain interval in the width direction and the top positions of the exposed portions of the conductive members 181 are aligned.

[0135] The plurality of connection devices 110 are respectively inserted into the cavities 162 of the housing body 163. The connection device 110 is restricted from disengaging to the rear by the step portion 167. Furthermore, since the front member 164 is mounted on the housing body 163, the connection device 110 is also restricted from disengaging to the front by the front wall portion 174 of the front member 164.

[0136] In the above state, the molded body 130 is inserted from the rear into the receiving hole 169 of the connector housing 161. The molded body 130 is held in the connector housing 161 by the holding member 190 abutting against the rear surface of each partition wall 171 or the locked portions 191 of the holding member 190 being locked to the locking portions 173 of the connector housing 161.

[0137] The front portion of the insulating coating 182 of each first electric wire 180A is received in each relay hole 168, and the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 of each first electric wire 180A is received in each cavity 162 from each through hole 165. The front portion of the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 in the first electric wire 180A is inserted into the connection device 110 from the first entry end 123A in the cavity 162 and enters the entry portion 124. The top end of the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 in the first electric wire 180A is arranged on the rear side of the center in the front-rear direction of the connection device 110 (see Fig.17 and Fig. 20 ).like Fig.18 As shown, each conductive portion 111 contacts the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 that has entered the entry portion 124 while receiving a force (reaction force, elastic force) from the pressing member 120 toward the radial inside. Specifically, each conductive portion 111 clamps the conductive member 181 in the opposing directions (up and down directions and left and right directions) from each opposing portion 121, and contacts the conductive member 181 along the front-to-back direction. The pressing member 120 is elastically flattened by the lips 122 being in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cavity 162, thereby applying a large pressing force to the conductive member 181. The conductive member 181 receives a large pressing force at the position corresponding to each lip 122 at the rear, and contacts the contact portion 112 of each conductive portion 111. Therefore, the conductive member 181 and each conductive portion 111 can ensure and maintain a predetermined contact pressure through the pressing member 120.

[0138] Next, the connector housing 161 is fitted into the cover portion 153 of the mating connector housing 151. Fig.21 As shown, the locking projection 154 is elastically locked by the locking arm 176, so that the two connector housings 151 and 161 are maintained in a state of being restricted from separation.

[0139] Before the two connector housings 151 and 161 are mated, the second electric wires 180B are held by the holding member 190 and housed in the mating connector housing 151, similarly to the first electric wires 180A. The second electric wires 180B are arranged in the same arrangement as the first electric wires 180A.

[0140] When the two connector housings 151 and 161 are fitted, the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 of the second electric wire 180B is received in the cavity 162 through the insertion hole 177 of the front wall portion 174. The exposed portion of the conductive member 181 of the second electric wire 180B enters the entry portion 124 through the second entry end portion 123B in the cavity 162. The tip of the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 in the second electric wire 180B is arranged on the front side of the center in the front-rear direction of the connection device 110. The conductive member 181 of the second electric wire 180B contacts the contact portion 112 of each conductive portion 111 in the same manner as the conductive member 181 of the first electric wire 180A described above. Thus, the conductive members 181 of the second electric wires 180B come into contact with the contact portions 112 of the conductive portions 111, so that the conductive members 181 of the first electric wires 180A and the conductive members 181 of the second electric wires 180B are connected via the connecting device 110 (see Fig.21 and Fig. 22 ).

[0141] When the two connector housings 151 and 161 are separated, the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 of each second electric wire 180B is pulled out from the entry portion 124 of the connection device 110. In addition, when the molded body 130 is removed from the storage hole 169, the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 of each first electric wire 180A is pulled out from the entry portion 124 of the connection device 110. In other words, the conductive member 181 can be inserted and removed from the entry portion 124 of the connection device 110.

[0142] As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, the connection device 110 includes a pressing member 120 and a conducting portion 111, and the pressing member 120 applies a force to the conducting portion 111 to press the conducting portion 111 against the conductive member 181. The conductive portion 111 is pressed against the conductive member 181 of the electric wires 180A and 180B by the force of the pressing member 120 and contacts therewith. In the past, the core wire portion that can become the conductive member was crimped by the crimping piece of the terminal part to ensure contact pressure with the terminal part. In contrast, in the case of the eighth embodiment, the conductive member 181 ensures contact pressure with the conducting portion 111 by the force of the pressing member 120 itself. Therefore, the crimping process can be omitted. In addition, the connection device 110 does not have a portion equivalent to the conductor crimping piece in the conventional terminal part, and has a simple and compact structure.

[0143] Furthermore, since the pressing member 120 is made of non-metal, the connection portion between the conductive portion 111 and the conductive member 181 can be insulated. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an insulating structure separately in the connecting device 110. Furthermore, the pressing member 120 presses the conductive portion 111 to the conductive member 181 with a relatively simple structure. As a result, it is possible to avoid enlarging the size of the connecting device 110. In particular, since the pressing member 120 is made of an elastic body, the degree of freedom in molding is high and the elasticity is easy to adjust.

[0144] The pressing member 120 has an entry portion 124 inside, and the conductive portion 111 is provided in the entry portion 124. Thus, the conductive member 181 and the conductive portion 111 can be easily connected simply by allowing the conductive member 181 to enter the entry portion 124.

[0145] The conductive portion 111 is arranged along the front-rear direction, which is the entry direction of the conductive member 181. Thus, when the conductive member 181 enters the entry portion 124, foreign matter such as dust attached to the surface of the conductive member 181 can be removed by the conductive portion 111 by friction contact.

[0146] The conductive portion 111 has a held portion 113 held at the opposing portion 121 of the pressing member 120, and is integrated with the pressing member 120. Therefore, the connecting device 110 can be handled in one piece. In addition, the conductive portion 111 is arranged at each opposing portion 121 of the pressing member 120, and contacts the conductive member 181 from each opposing portion 121. Therefore, the connection state of the conductive portion 111 and the conductive member 181 can be stably maintained.

[0147] In addition, the entry portion 124 is provided as a space penetrating in the front-rear direction in the pressing member 120. The pressing member 120 has entry ends 123A and 123B constituting the front and rear ends of the entry portion 124, and the conductive portion 111 is arranged so as to extend between the entry ends 123A and 123B of the pressing member 120. Furthermore, the exposed portion of the conductive member 181 of each of the electric wires 180A and 180B enters the entry portion 124 through the entry ends 123A and 123B, and contacts the conductive portion 111. Therefore, the conductive member 181 of each of the electric wires 180A and 180B is easily connected through the conductive portion 111.

[0148] The connection device 110 is inserted and accommodated in the cavity 162 of the connector housing 161. The conductive members 181 of each of the electric wires 180A and 180B extend to the outside of the connection device 110, and are held in a mutually aligned state by the retaining member 190 on the outside. The conductive members 181 of each of the electric wires 180A and 180B and the retaining member 190 are integrated into the molded body 130, so the handling is excellent. The retaining member 190 has a locked portion 191 that is locked to the locking portion of the connector housing 161. The connection device 110 and the retaining member 190 are provided separately, and do not have a portion corresponding to the locked portion 191. Therefore, the structure of the connection device 110 can be further simplified.

[0149] The pressing member 120 is elastically compressed by the connector housing 161. Therefore, the pressing member 120 can apply a predetermined force to the conductive member 181, and the connection state between the conductive portion 111 and the conductive member 181 is further stabilized. In addition, the pressing member 120 can ensure waterproofness of the connection portion between the conductive portion 111 and the conductive member 181.

[0150] The pressing member 120 is made of an elastic body and is elastically compressed by the connector housing 161. According to this structure, when the connection device 110 is accommodated in the connector housing 161, the conductive portion 111 receives force from the pressing member 120 and can stably contact the conductive member 181. In addition, the pressing member 120 can ensure waterproofness of the connection portion between the conductive portion 111 and the conductive member 181.

[0151] [Other embodiments]

[0152] The present invention is not limited to the first to eighth embodiments described in the above description and drawings, but is shown by the claims. The present invention includes the meaning equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the claims, and is intended to include the following embodiments.

[0153] In Examples 1 to 7, the movable side conductive member is a plate-like member made of metal such as copper and aluminum, but the movable side conductive member may also be a metal linear member or rod-like member, composed of metal foil such as copper and aluminum, carbon powder, carbon nanotubes, etc., or may be a conductive member coated on the pressing member.

[0154] In Examples 1 to 7, the pressing member is made of rubber, but the pressing member is not limited to rubber and may be made of synthetic resin.

[0155] In Examples 1 to 7, the first conductor and the second conductor are single-core wires, but the first conductor and the second conductor are not limited to single-core wires, and may be conductors formed by fixing strands by ultrasonic welding, laser welding, etc., or may be bus bars formed of metal plates.

[0156] In embodiments 1 to 7, the connection device may include a waterproof member such as a heat shrink tube in addition to the movable side conductive member, the fixed side conductive member and the pressing member. The waterproof member is preferably installed to cover the first conductor and the second conductor exposed between the pressing member and the insulating cover.

[0157] In the first embodiment, the movable-side conductive member displaced integrally with the pressing member and the fixed-side conductive member fixed to the female-side housing are brought into contact with the first conductor and the second conductor. However, only the movable-side conductive member may be brought into contact with the first conductor and the second conductor, or only the fixed-side conductive member may be brought into contact with the first conductor and the second conductor.

[0158] In the first embodiment, the contact portion may be provided on both the movable-side conductive member and the fixed-side conductive member.

[0159] The structure in which the rib-shaped contact portion is formed in the movable-side conductive member of the second embodiment can be applied to the third to seventh embodiments.

[0160] The structure in which the plurality of fixed-side conductive members of the fourth embodiment are integrally connected via a connecting portion can also be applied to the first, second, fifth to seventh embodiments.

[0161] The structure in which a plurality of movable-side conducting members and one pressing member are integrated in Embodiments 5 to 7 can also be applied to Embodiments 1 to 4.

[0162] In Example 8, the conductive portion 111 is a metal linear member or rod-shaped member, but as other embodiments, the conductive portion may also be a plate-shaped member (flat plate, curved plate, etc.) made of metal such as copper, aluminum, etc., or may be composed of metal foil of copper, aluminum, etc., carbon powder, carbon nanotubes, etc., or may be a conductive member coated on the pressing member 120.

[0163] For example, in Fig.25In the case of the first modified example of the connection device 110A shown in FIG. 1 , the conductive portion 111A is a curved metal plate having an arc-shaped cross section, and the conductive portion 111A is provided in pairs at opposing portions 121 arranged at intervals of 180 degrees in the circumferential direction in the pressing member 120. Fig.26 In the second variant of the connection device 110B shown, the conductive portion 111B is a metal flat plate having a rectangular cross-section (more specifically, a square cross-section), and is provided in pairs at opposing locations 121 arranged at intervals of 180 degrees in the circumferential direction in the pressing member 120.

[0164] In the case of Example 8, the pressing member 120 is formed into a cylindrical shape, but as other embodiments, the pressing member is not limited to a cylindrical shape, for example, it can also be a plate-shaped (flat plate, curved plate, etc.) elastic member arranged opposite to each other on the inner circumferential surface of the cavity 162 of the connector housing 161.

[0165] In the case of Example 8, the pressing member 120 is made of rubber, but as another embodiment, the pressing member is not limited to being made of rubber, and may be made of synthetic resin.

[0166] In the case of Example 8, the conductive component 181 is a single-core wire of the electric wires 180A and 180B, but as other embodiments, the conductive component is not limited to a single-core wire, and can be, for example, a component formed by fixing twisted wires by ultrasonic welding, laser welding, etc., or can also be a bus bar.

[0167] In the case of the eighth embodiment, the pressing member 120 has two entry ends 123A and 123B for the conductive member 181 to enter, but as other embodiments, the pressing member 120 may have, for example, only one entry end for the conductive member 181 to enter, or may have three or more entry ends. In the case of one entry end, the conductive portion may be, for example, a bus bar having a grounding portion connected to the grounding member, which is separate from the contact portion 112 that contacts the conductive member 181.

[0168] In the case of Example 8, the connection device 110 is a device composed of the conductive part 111 and the pressing member 120, but as another embodiment, the connection device 110 may also include a water-stopping member such as a heat shrink tube in addition to the conductive part 111 and the pressing member 120. The water-stopping member is preferably installed in a manner that covers the conductive member 181 exposed between the pressing member 120 and the insulating covering portion 182.

[0169] In the case of Example 8, the entry portion 124 is provided as a space penetrating in the front-rear direction inside the pressing member 120 , but as another embodiment, the entry portion may be formed only by a cutout formed in the main body.

[0170] Description of Reference Numerals

[0171] F: Female connector

[0172] M: Male connector

[0173] 10: Female side shell

[0174] 11: Shell body

[0175] 12: Front member

[0176] 13: Cavity

[0177] 14: Connecting part (supporting part)

[0178] 15: Positioning unit

[0179] 16: Groove

[0180] 17: Guide

[0181] 18: Insertion

[0182] 19: Anti-slip protrusion

[0183] 20: Keep Space

[0184] 21: Anterior wall

[0185] 22: Peripheral wall

[0186] 23: Arm Lock

[0187] 24: Insert hole

[0188] 30: Connecting device

[0189] 31: Pressing component

[0190] 32: Storage recess

[0191] 35: Movable side conductive member (first conductive portion)

[0192] 36: 1st contact part

[0193] 37: Second contact area

[0194] 38: Connection

[0195] 39: Bend end

[0196] 40: Fixed-side conductive member (second conductive portion)

[0197] 41: Installation

[0198] 42: 1st contact part

[0199] 43: Second contact part

[0200] 45: 1st wire module

[0201] 46: No. 1 covered wire

[0202] 47: First conductor (conductive member)

[0203] 47E: 1st connection end

[0204] 48: First insulation coating

[0205] 49: First holding member (holding member)

[0206] 50: Locking protrusion

[0207] 60: Male side shell

[0208] 61: Shell

[0209] 62: Hood

[0210] 63: Locking part

[0211] 64: 2nd wire module

[0212] 65: Second covered wire

[0213] 66: Second conductor (conductive member)

[0214] 66E: Second connection end

[0215] 67: Second insulation coating

[0216] 68: Second holding member (holding member)

[0217] 70: Movable side conductive member (first conductive portion)

[0218] 71: Contact part

[0219] 72: Connecting device

[0220] 73: Second pressing member

[0221] 74: Second movable side conductive member (second conductive portion)

[0222] 75: Connector terminal

[0223] 76: Connection

[0224] 77: Pressing member

[0225] 78: Movable side conductive member (first conductive portion)

[0226] 79: Press module

[0227] 80: Movable side conductive member (first conductive portion)

[0228] 81: Connection

[0229] 82: Connector terminal

[0230] 83: Press module

[0231] 84: Movable side conductive member (first conductive portion)

[0232] 85: Connection

[0233] 86: Connector terminal

[0234] 87: Press module

[0235] 110: Connecting device

[0236] 110A: Connecting device

[0237] 110B: Connecting device

[0238] 111: Conductive part

[0239] 111A: Conductive part

[0240] 111B: Conductive part

[0241] 112: Contact Department

[0242] 113: Maintained part

[0243] 120: Pressing member

[0244] 121: Opposing part

[0245] 122: Lip

[0246] 123A: 1st entry end

[0247] 123B: 2nd entry end

[0248] 124: Enter the Ministry

[0249] 130: Molded body

[0250] 151: Other connector housing

[0251] 152: Shell

[0252] 153: Hood

[0253] 154: Locking protrusion

[0254] 160: Connector

[0255] 161: Connector housing

[0256] 162: Cavity

[0257] 163: Shell body

[0258] 164: Front member

[0259] 165: Through hole

[0260] 166: Concave

[0261] 167: Steps

[0262] 168: Relay hole

[0263] 169: Storage hole

[0264] 171: Next door

[0265] 172: Widening

[0266] 173: Locking part

[0267] 174: Anterior wall

[0268] 175: Wall

[0269] 176: Arm Lock

[0270] 177: Through hole

[0271] 178: The Prominence

[0272] 179: Receiving slot

[0273] 180A: 1st wire

[0274] 180B: 2nd wire

[0275] 181: Conductive components

[0276] 182: Insulation coating

[0277] 190: Holding component

[0278] 191: Locked

[0279] 192: Rib

[0280] 193: Middle peeling section

[0281] 194: Adjacent part

Claims

1. A connection device, comprising: a conductive portion that is in electrical contact with a conductive member to be connected; and The pressing member is made of a non-metal with elasticity and applies a pressing force in a contact direction to the conductive member and the conductive portion. The conductive member is a core wire portion exposed at the end of the electric wire by stripping off the insulating coating covering the outer periphery of the conductive member. A plurality of the conducting parts are mounted on one pressing member, The conductive portion is in contact with the core wire portion along the length direction of the core wire portion, The direction in which the conductive portion contacts the core wire portion is defined as a contact direction, When the conductive member contacts the conductive portion, the pressing member is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the contact direction and elastically deformed in a compressed manner. Due to the elastic restoring force of the pressing member, the conductive member and the conductive portion are conductively connected to each other at a predetermined contact pressure.

2. A connection device comprising: a conductive portion that is in electrical contact with a conductive member to be connected; and The pressing member is made of a non-metal with elasticity and applies a pressing force in a contact direction to the conductive member and the conductive portion. The conductive member is a core wire portion exposed at the end of the electric wire by stripping off the insulating coating covering the outer periphery of the conductive member. The pressing member includes an entry portion that penetrates the pressing member and into which the conductive member can enter. An opposing portion having an arc-shaped cross section is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the entry portion. The conductive portion is held at the opposing portion, The conductive portion is in contact with the core wire portion along the length direction of the core wire portion, The direction in which the conductive portion contacts the core wire portion is defined as a contact direction, When the conductive member contacts the conductive portion, the pressing member is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the contact direction and elastically deformed in a compressed manner. Due to the elastic restoring force of the pressing member, the conductive member and the conductive portion are conductively connected to each other at a predetermined contact pressure.

3. The connection device according to claim 2, wherein: The pressing member has a plurality of entry end portions constituting ends of the entry portion, The conductive portion is arranged to extend between the plurality of entry end portions.

4. The connection device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein: The entry portion is a space that penetrates the pressing member in a direction in which the conductive member enters.

5. A connector, comprising: the connecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; A connector housing for receiving the connecting device; and a holding member that holds the conductive member, The holding member has a locked portion, The connector housing has a locking portion that locks the locked portion and restricts the retaining member from being detached from the connector housing.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein: The holding member is composed of a molded resin obtained by molding the plurality of conductive members together.

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