connector

Abstract

A connector includes: a rod-shaped terminal; and a housing having a terminal receiving chamber configured to receive the terminal. The terminal has: a rotation limiting portion configured to engage with an inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber to limit rotation of the terminal about its axis; a contact portion configured to electrically connect to a mating terminal; and a hole configured to allow a bolt to be screwed into the hole about its axis. The housing has: a retaining portion that holds the terminal inside the terminal receiving chamber; and an opening configured to expose the hole of the terminal to the outside of the terminal receiving chamber. The connector is configured to have a gap between the inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber and the terminal, the gap increasing from the rotation limiting portion of the terminal towards the opening of the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a connector including a rod-shaped terminal and a housing that accommodates the terminal. Background Technology

[0002] In the prior art, the use of rod-shaped terminals for electrical connections in circuits has been proposed. In one example of the prior art, a cylindrical male terminal and a hollow cylindrical female terminal are used as this type of rod-shaped terminal. The male terminal is inserted into the hollow portion of the female terminal, and a spring-shaped contact portion disposed in the hollow portion of the female terminal is pressed into contact with the male terminal, thereby electrically connecting the terminals to each other (see, for example, WO2020 / 208678A1).

[0003] In the above example of the prior art, the male terminal is attached to one end of a support fixed to the terminal block, and the external terminal is connected to a connector (hole) provided at the other end of the support. Here, for example, when the annular external terminal (so-called LA terminal) is bolted to the connector, rotation of the connector and the male terminal (i.e., rotational movement), tilting of the male terminal, etc., are prevented because the connector is securely fixed to the terminal block. However, when the male terminal is securely fixed to the terminal block via the connector as described above, if axial offset or tilting occurs between the male and female terminals during connection, the force required for connection (so-called insertion force) increases due to the increased friction between the terminals. The increase in insertion force may impair the operability of the connection.

[0004] As mentioned above, it is generally difficult to simultaneously prevent the terminals from rotating when the external terminal bolts are fixed to the rod terminals, and to improve operability when the mating terminals are connected to the rod terminals. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a connector that enables proper bolting of external terminals to rod-shaped terminals and improves operability when mating terminals are connected to rod-shaped terminals.

[0006] A connector includes: a rod-shaped terminal; and a housing having a terminal receiving chamber configured to receive the terminal. The terminal has: a rotation limiting portion configured to engage with an inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber to limit rotation of the terminal about its axis; a contact portion located on one side of the terminal in the axial direction and configured for electrical connection to a mating terminal; and a hole located at an end of the terminal on the other side in the axial direction and configured to allow a bolt to be screwed into the hole about the axis. The housing has: a retaining portion holding the terminal inside the terminal receiving chamber; and an opening configured to expose the hole of the terminal to the outside of the terminal receiving chamber. The connector is configured to have a gap between the inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber and the terminal, the gap increasing from the rotation limiting portion of the terminal towards the opening of the housing.

[0007] The present disclosure has been briefly described above. The details of the disclosure will become clearer by referring to the accompanying drawings and reading the following description of embodiments for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as "Embodiments"). Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the state in which the male connector and female connector, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, are each fixed with an external terminal bolt.

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The exploded perspective view of the male connector and female connector shown.

[0010] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken from line AA.

[0011] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the male connector shown.

[0012] Figure 5 It corresponds to Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB to illustrate when the external terminals are bolted to... Figure 1 The state of the male terminal of the male connector shown.

[0013] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 The cross-sectional view taken from line CC.

[0014] Figure 7 Is with Figure 5 A view showing the corresponding external terminals with the bolts secured.

[0015] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A magnified view of the area marked D in the middle region. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Example

[0017] In the following description, male connector 1A and female connector 1B according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 2 As shown, external terminal 30A is bolted to the male terminal 10A included in male connector 1A, and external terminal 30B is bolted to the female terminal 10B included in female connector 1B. When the male housing 20A of male connector 1A, which is bolted to external terminal 30A, and the female housing 20B of female connector 1B, which is bolted to external terminal 30B, mate with each other, male connector 1A and female connector 1B are used to electrically connect external terminals 30A and 30B to each other.

[0018] For ease of description, the terms "front-back direction," "up-down direction," and "left-right direction" are defined below, such as... Figures 1 to 8 As shown. The "front-back direction", "up-down direction", and "left-right direction" are orthogonal to each other. The up-down direction is consistent with the mating direction of male connector 1A and female connector 1B.

[0019] Aside from the different types of built-in terminals (male terminal 10A and female terminal 10B) and opposite orientations in the vertical direction, male connector 1A and female connector 1B have the same structure. Therefore, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in the female connector 1B, the portions of the female terminal 10B and female housing 20B that correspond to the portions of the male terminal 10A and male housing 20A included in the male connector 1A are identified by the same reference numerals as those of the male terminal 10A and male housing 20A.

[0020] First, the male connector 1A will be described below. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the male connector 1A includes a male terminal 10A and a male housing 20A that accommodates the male terminal 10A. The various components constituting the male connector 1A will be described in sequence below.

[0021] First, the male terminal 10A will be described. For example, as... Figure 2 As shown, the male terminal 10A has a rod-like shape extending in the vertical direction and is formed by cutting a metal rod. Figure 2 As shown, the male terminal 10A integrally has a base 11 and a contact portion 12 located above the base 11. The contact portion 12 has a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. For example, as... Figure 3 As shown, the contact portion 12 is connected to the hollow cylindrical tube-shaped contact portion 12 of the female terminal 10B, which will be described later.

[0022] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 As shown, the base 11 is a quadrangular prism extending in the vertical direction and includes: a pair of outer walls 13 and a pair of outer walls 14 as outer peripheral sidewalls. The pair of outer walls 13 are arranged parallel to each other in the left-right direction and the pair of outer walls 14 are arranged parallel to each other in the front-back direction.

[0023] Each outer wall 13 has a flange 15 formed at its upper edge, the flange 15 having a ridge that projects outward in the left-right direction and extends in the front-back direction (see...). Figure 2 and 3 The upper edge of each outer wall 14 serves as a rotation limiting portion 16. The rotation limiting portion 16 corresponds to the "rotation limiting portion" according to this disclosure. The operation of the rotation limiting portion 16 will be described later. Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, a bolt hole 17 is formed on the lower end surface of the base 11, which allows a bolt to be screwed into it. For example, as Figure 2 As shown, the bolt 40A used to bolt the external terminal 30A is screwed into the bolt hole 17.

[0024] Next, the male shell 20A will be described. For example... Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the male housing 20A is a resin molded article having a tubular shape extending in the vertical direction. The male housing 20A integrally includes a terminal receiving portion 21 and a mating portion 22 located above the terminal receiving portion 21.

[0025] The mating part 22 has a tubular shape that extends in the vertical direction while surrounding the outer periphery of the contact part 12 of the male terminal 10A housed in the male housing 20A (see [link]). Figure 4 ), and protects the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A. Furthermore, the mating portion 22 of the male housing 20A has a tubular shape that allows it to be inserted into the female housing 20B (see...). Figure 3 It also has the function of engaging with the mating part 22 of the female shell 20B.

[0026] The terminal receiving portion 21 has a tubular shape defining a terminal receiving chamber, which has a generally quadrangular prism shape extending in the vertical direction corresponding to the shape of the base 11 of the male terminal 10A (see...). Figure 3 and Figure 5 It also has a base 11 for accommodating the male terminal 10A. The lower end of the terminal receiving portion 21 has a generally rectangular opening 21a.

[0027] like Figure 3As shown, a pair of locking tabs 23 are formed on the inner walls of the terminal receiving portion 21, which face each other in the left-right direction. The pair of locking tabs 23 extend upward from the pair of end edges of the opening 21a, which face each other in the left-right direction, and are also facing each other in the left-right direction. Each locking tab 23 can be elastically deformed in the left-right direction. A protrusion 24 protruding inward in the left-right direction is formed at the end of each locking tab 23.

[0028] from Figure 3 It is understood that, due to the engagement of the pair of flanges 15 with the male terminal 10A, the pair of locking tabs 23 prevent the male terminal 10A, housed in the terminal receiving portion 21, from falling downwards. The left-right spacing between the pair of locking tabs 23 (in the case of non-elastic deformation) is slightly wider than the left-right spacing between the ends of the pair of flanges 15. The left-right spacing between the ends of the protrusions 24 of the pair of locking tabs 23 (in the case of non-elastic deformation) is slightly narrower than the left-right spacing between the ends of the pair of flanges 15, and slightly wider than the left-right spacing between the outer walls 13.

[0029] like Figure 5 As shown, the pair of inner walls 25 of the terminal receiving portion 21, arranged facing each other in the front-rear direction, are a pair of flat surfaces that are parallel to each other except at their upper ends when viewed in the vertical direction, and are inclined relative to the vertical direction in a direction that increases downwards (opening 21a) when viewed in the left-right direction. A pair of stops 26 protruding inwards in the front-rear direction are formed at the upper ends of each pair of inner walls 25. The distance between the ends of the pair of stops 26 in the front-rear direction is narrower than the distance between one pair of outer walls 14 of the male terminal 10 in the front-rear direction. The pair of stops 26 interfere with the upper edges (i.e., rotation restriction portions 16) of one pair of outer walls 14 of the male terminal 10A, thereby preventing the male terminal 10A housed in the terminal receiving portion 21 from falling upwards. The components constituting the male connector 1A have been described above.

[0030] Next, the assembly of connector 1A will be described. Connector 1A is formed by receiving male terminal 10A in male housing 20A. More specifically, male terminal 10A is inserted into male housing 20A from below through opening 21a. This insertion continues until contact portion 12 moves from inside terminal receiving portion 21 to inside mating portion 22, a pair of locking tabs 23 are pressed by a pair of flanges 15 and undergo temporary outward elastic deformation in the left-right direction, and then elastically recover, and the pair of flanges 15 engage with the protrusions 24 of the pair of locking tabs 23 (see...). Figure 3 When a pair of flanges 15 engage with the protrusions 24 of a pair of locking tabs 23, the assembly of the male terminal 10A and the male housing 20A is completed, thereby obtaining... Figure 4 Connector 1A is shown.

[0031] In the assembled state of connector 1A, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the upper edge of one pair of outer walls 14 of the male terminal 10A (i.e., the rotation restriction portion 16) and a pair of inner walls 25 of the male housing 20A engage with each other, thereby restricting the rotation of the male terminal 10A relative to the male housing 20A about the axis.

[0032] In the assembled state of connector 1A, such as Figure 5 As shown, since the pair of inner walls 25 of the male housing 20A are inclined relative to the vertical direction, the gap S between the inner wall 25 and the outer wall 14 of the male terminal 10A gradually widens from the upper edge of the outer wall 14 (i.e., the rotation restriction part 16) toward the opening 21a. Therefore, the male terminal 10A can rotate (oscillate) relative to the male housing 20A in the gap S with its upper and lower ends moving in the front-back direction (i.e., about an axis extending in the left-right direction).

[0033] A pair of locking tabs 23 (protrusions 24) of the male housing 20A engage with a pair of flanges 15 in such a manner that the male terminal 10A is allowed to rotate within the gap S. That is, the engagement between the pair of locking tabs 23 and the pair of flanges 15 does not impede the rotation of the male terminal 10A. Similarly, since the outer periphery of the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A housed in the male housing 20A is surrounded by the tubular mating portion 22 with a gap between it and the mating portion 22, the tubular mating portion 22 does not impede the rotation of the male terminal 10A.

[0034] like Figure 5 As shown, after assembly, the external terminal 30A is bolted to the lower end of the male terminal 10A of connector 1A. In this example, as... Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the external terminal 30A is an elongated rectangular plate and has a through hole 31 formed in one end along its length (see also...). Figure 5 The external terminal 30A is oriented and secured to the male terminal 10A by screwing the bolt 40A inserted into the through hole 31 into the bolt hole 17 of the male terminal 10A. The external terminal 30A is oriented and secured to the male terminal 10A by extending rearward at its other end in the length direction.

[0035] When bolt 40A is tightened Figure 6 The tightening torque, indicated by the middle arrow, acts on the male terminal 10A, causing the ends P (two outer peripheral angles) of the pair of rotation limiting parts 16 to be tightened. Figure 6 ) respectively contact the pair of inner walls 25 points of the male shell 20A (see Figure 7 and Figure 8Even if end P is forcefully pressed and contacts (engages) with the inner wall 25 due to the tightening torque, the male terminal 10A can still displace, thereby rotating (oscillating) in the gap S with its engagement portion as a fulcrum. Furthermore, since end P makes point contact with the inner wall 25, the male terminal 10A can rotate more easily and properly in the gap S with its engagement portion as a fulcrum. That is, even if the male terminal 10A experiences axial displacement or tilting when tightening bolt 40A, it can easily return to the correct position due to the aforementioned rotation of the male terminal 10A. The male connector 1A has been described above.

[0036] Next, the female connector 1B will be described. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the female connector 1B includes a female terminal 10B and a female housing 20B that accommodates the female terminal 10B. As described above, the male connector 1A and the female connector 1B have the same structure except for the different types of built-in terminals (male terminal 10A and female terminal 10B) and their opposite orientation in the vertical direction. Therefore, except for the contact portion 12 of the female terminal 10B, a detailed description of the female terminal 10B and the female housing 20B will be omitted below.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, the contact portion 12 of the female terminal 10B is a hollow cylindrical tube with a downward opening. The hollow portion of the contact portion 12 has a cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A. A spring-shaped contact 27 (see...) Figure 3 It is provided on the inner wall surface of the hollow part of the limiting contact part 12.

[0038] In the assembled female connector 1B, similar to the male connector 1A, one pair of outer walls 14 of the female terminal 10B (i.e., rotation restriction portion 16; see...) Figure 2 The lower edge of the terminal 10B engages with a pair of inner walls 25 (not shown) of the female housing 20B, thereby restricting the rotation of the female terminal 10B relative to the female housing 20B about an axis.

[0039] Furthermore, since the pair of inner walls 25 of the female housing 20B are inclined relative to the vertical direction, the female terminal 10B can rotate (oscillate) relative to the female housing 20B in the gap S (not shown) with its upper and lower ends moving in the front-rear direction (i.e., about an axis extending in the left-right direction). A pair of locking tabs 23 (protrusions 24; see...) of the female housing 20B. Figure 3 ) in such a way as to allow the female terminal 10B to rotate in the gap S as described above with respect to the pair of flanges 15 of the female terminal 10B (see Figure 2 ) join.

[0040] like Figure 1 and 2As shown, after assembly, the external terminal 30B is bolted to the upper end of the female terminal 10B of connector 1B. In this example, as... Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the external terminal 30B is an elongated rectangular plate and has a through hole 31 formed in one end along its length (see figure). Figure 3 By screwing the bolt 40B, which is inserted into the through hole 31, into the bolt hole 17 of the female terminal 10B (see...). Figure 2 and Figure 3 The external terminal 30B is oriented and secured to the female terminal 10B by extending forward along its other end in the length direction.

[0041] When bolt 40B is tightened, the tightening torque acts on female terminal 10B, causing a pair of rotation limiting portions 16 of female terminal 10B (see...) Figure 2 The ends of the female terminal 10B make point contact with a pair of inner walls 25 of the female housing 20B. Even if the ends are forcefully pressed down due to the tightening torque and come into contact with (engage with) the inner walls 25, the female terminal 10B can still be displaced, thereby rotating (oscillating) in the gap S with its engagement point as a fulcrum. Furthermore, since the ends P make point contact with the inner walls 25, the female terminal 10B can rotate more easily and properly in the gap S with its engagement point as a fulcrum. That is, even if the female terminal 10B is axially offset or tilted when the bolt 40B is tightened, the female terminal 10B can easily return to the correct position due to the aforementioned rotation of the female terminal 10B. The female connector 1B has been described above.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, the male connector 1A to which the external terminal 30A is fastened mates with the female connector 1B to which the external terminal 30B is fastened, such that the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A is inserted into the hollow portion of the contact portion 12 of the female terminal 10B, and the mating portion 22 of the male housing 20A is inserted into the mating portion 22 of the female housing 20B. At this time, even if the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B approach each other while slightly tilted, at least one of the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B rotates (oscillates) corresponding to this tilt, allowing the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A to be easily inserted into the hollow portion of the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A, and reducing the force required for mating (so-called insertion force). This also applies to the case of separating the mating male connector 1A and the female connector 1B.

[0043] When the male connector 1A and female connector 1B are fully mated (see...) Figure 1 Below, such as Figure 3As shown, the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A is pressed and contacts the spring-shaped contact 27 provided in the hollow portion of the contact portion 12 of the female terminal 10B, thereby electrically connecting the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B to each other. As a result, the external terminal 30A and the external terminal 30B are electrically connected to each other via the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B.

[0044] Functions and effects

[0045] As described above, according to the male connector 1A of this disclosure (and similarly applicable to the female connector 1B), when the external terminal 30A is bolted to the bolt hole 17 provided in the end of the male terminal 10A, the rotation limiting portion 16 of the male terminal 10A engages with the inner wall 25 of the terminal receiving portion 21, thereby preventing the male terminal 10A from rotating about its axis (i.e., rotating with it). Furthermore, a gap S is provided between the male terminal 10A and the inner wall 25 of the terminal receiving portion 21, and the gap S increases from the rotation limiting portion 16 toward the opening 21a of the male housing 20A. Therefore, even if the rotation limiting portion 16 and the inner wall 25 of the terminal receiving portion 21 are forcefully engaged with each other due to the bolting of the external terminal 30A by the bolt 40A, the male terminal 10A can still be displaced, thereby rotating (i.e., oscillating) within the gap S with the engagement portion as a fulcrum. That is, even if the male terminal 10A experiences axial displacement or tilting when bolted, it can easily return to the correct position due to the aforementioned rotation of the male terminal 10A. In other words, when the male connector 1A and female connector 1B mate, even if the female terminal 10B approaches the male terminal 10A at an angle, the male terminal 10A rotates accordingly, allowing the male terminal 10A and female terminal 10B to connect easily and reducing the force required for mating (so-called insertion force). This also applies to separating the mating male connector 1A and female connector 1B. As described above, even when the external terminal 30A is directly bolted to the male terminal 10A, rotation of the male terminal 10A is prevented, and the male terminal 10A can be easily inserted into or removed from the female terminal 10B. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the male connector 1A can properly bolt the external terminal 30A to the male terminal 10A housed in the male housing 20A.

[0046] Furthermore, the rotation limiting portion 16 of the male terminal 10A and the inner wall 25 of the terminal receiving portion 21 make point contact with each other when the bolts are fastened. This makes it easier and more appropriate for the male terminal 10A to rotate around the joint as a fulcrum, as described above.

[0047] Furthermore, with the male terminal 10A in a state where the protrusion 24 of the locking piece 23 of the male housing 20A allows the male terminal 10A to rotate, the flange 15 of the male terminal 10A is locked to the locking piece 23 (protrusion 24). Therefore, the rotation of the male terminal 10A is unlikely to be hindered by the locking piece 23 (protrusion 24), and the rotation of the male terminal 10A can be easily and appropriately generated.

[0048] Other embodiments

[0049] This disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of this disclosure. For example, this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and modifications and improvements can be made accordingly. In addition, as long as the purpose of this disclosure can be achieved, the material, shape, size, quantity, arrangement position, etc. of each constituent element in the above embodiments are arbitrary and unrestricted.

[0050] In the above embodiments, a portion (specifically, the outer peripheral corner) of the outer peripheral surface of the base 11 of the male terminal 10A, which has a quadrangular prism shape, engages with the inner wall 25 of the terminal receiving portion 21 to serve as a rotation limiting portion 16. Alternatively, a portion (e.g., the outer peripheral corner) of the outer peripheral surface of the base 11 of the male terminal 10A, which has a polygonal prism shape other than a quadrangular prism shape, may engage with the inner wall 25 of the terminal receiving portion 21 to serve as a rotation limiting portion 16. Alternatively, a protrusion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base 11 of the male terminal 10A may engage with the inner wall 25 of the terminal receiving portion 21 to serve as a rotation limiting portion 16.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, since the pair of inner walls 25 of the male housing 20A are inclined relative to the vertical direction with the spacing between them widening downwards (towards the opening 21a), the gap S between the inner wall 25 and the outer wall 14 of the male terminal 10A gradually widens from the upper edge of the outer wall 14 (i.e., the rotation restriction portion 16) toward the opening 21a. On the other hand, since the pair of outer walls 14 of the male terminal 10A are inclined relative to the vertical direction with the spacing between them narrowing downwards (towards the opening 21a), the gap S between the inner wall 25 and the outer wall 14 of the male terminal 10A gradually widens from the upper edge of the outer wall 14 (i.e., the rotation restriction portion 16) toward the opening 21a. Alternatively, since both the pair of inner walls 25 and the pair of outer walls 14 are inclined, the gap S gradually widens from the upper edge of the outer wall 14 (i.e., the rotation restriction portion 16) toward the opening 21a.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, due to the engagement of a pair of locking tabs 23 of the male housing 20A with a pair of flanges 15 of the male terminal 10A, the pair of locking tabs 23 of the male housing 20A prevent the male terminal 10A housed in the terminal receiving portion 21 from falling downwards. Alternatively, the male terminal 10A housed in the terminal receiving portion 21 can also be prevented from falling downwards by sealing the opening 21a of the male housing 20A with a cover member.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the rotation limiting portion 16 of the male terminal 10A and the inner wall 25 of the terminal receiving portion 21 make point contact with each other when the bolt is fixed. Alternatively, the rotation limiting portion 16 of the male terminal 10A and the inner wall 25 of the terminal receiving portion 21 may also make surface contact with each other when the bolt is fixed.

[0054] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of connectors 1A and 1B according to this disclosure will be briefly summarized and set forth in the following first to sixth aspects.

[0055] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a connector (1A, 1B) includes: rod-shaped terminals (10A, 10B); and a housing (20A, 20B) having a terminal receiving chamber (21) configured to receive the terminals (10A, 10B). The terminals (10A, 10B) have: a rotation limiting portion (16) configured to engage with the inner wall (25) of the terminal receiving chamber (21) to limit rotation of the terminals (10A, 10B) about an axis; a contact portion (12) located on one axial side of the terminals (10A, 10B) and configured for electrical connection to a mating terminal; and a hole (17) provided at an end located on the other axial side of the terminals (10A, 10B) and configured to allow a bolt (40A, 40B) to be screwed into the hole (17) about an axis. The housings (20A, 20B) have: a retaining portion (23) that holds the terminals (10A, 10B) inside a terminal receiving chamber (21); and an opening (21a) configured to expose the holes (17) of the terminals (10A, 10B) to the outside of the terminal receiving chamber (21). The connectors (1A, 1B) are configured to have a gap (S) between the inner wall (25) of the terminal receiving chamber (21) and the terminals (10A, 10B), the gap (S) increasing from the rotation limiting portion (16) of the terminals (10A, 10B) toward the opening (21a) of the housings (20A, 20B).

[0056] According to the connector with the first aspect of the structure, when the external terminal bolt is fixed into the hole provided in the end of the rod-shaped terminal, the rotation limiting part of the terminal engages with the inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber, thereby preventing the terminal from rotating about its axis (i.e., accompanied by rotation). Furthermore, a gap is provided between the terminal and the inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber, and this gap increases from the rotation limiting part toward the opening of the housing. Therefore, even when the rotation limiting part and the inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber are firmly engaged with each other due to the bolt fixing, the terminal can still be displaced, causing the terminal to rotate (i.e., swing) within the aforementioned gap with the engagement part as a fulcrum. Therefore, even if the terminal tilts during bolt fixing, the terminal can be easily returned to the correct position by the terminal swinging as described above. In other words, when the connector and mating connector are mated together, even if the mating terminal (e.g., a hollow cylindrical female terminal) approaches the rod-shaped terminal in an inclined state, the rod-shaped terminal swings in response to the tilt, maintaining the posture of the rod-shaped terminal in a posture suitable for connection, and reducing the force required for mating (i.e., insertion force). This also applies to the case where mated connectors are separated from each other. As described above, according to the connector of this disclosure, even when the external terminal is directly bolted to the rod terminal, rotation of the terminal or the like can be prevented, and the rod terminal can be easily inserted into or removed from the mating terminal. Therefore, the connector according to this structure can achieve both proper bolting of the external terminal and the rod terminal and improved operability when the mating terminal is connected to the rod terminal.

[0057] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, the rotation limiting portion (16) of the terminals (10A, 10B) is configured to make point contact with the inner wall (25) of the terminal receiving chamber (21) when the terminals (10A, 10B) rotate about an axis.

[0058] According to the connector with the second aspect of its construction, the rotation limiting part of the terminal and the inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber make point contact with each other when bolted. This makes it easier and more appropriate to rotate the terminal around the engagement point as described above.

[0059] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, the inner wall (25) of the terminal receiving chamber (21) has an inclined shape that is inclined relative to the axial direction, such that the gap (S) increases from the rotation restriction portion (16) toward the opening (21a).

[0060] According to the connector with the third aspect of its construction, the inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber has an inclined shape that is axially inclined relative to the terminal, such that the gap increases from the rotation restriction part toward the opening of the housing. As a result, the gap can be widened as described above.

[0061] According to the fourth aspect of this disclosure, the inner wall (25) of the terminal receiving chamber (21) of the housing (20A, 20B) between the opening (21a) and the portion where the rotation limiting part (16) engages when the terminals (10A, 10B) rotate about the axis has an inclined shape.

[0062] According to the connector with the fourth aspect of its construction, the inner wall between the junction of the terminal receiving chamber and the opening of the housing has the aforementioned inclined shape. As a result, the inclined shape is provided only on the inner wall portion that affects the rotation of the terminal, and the degree of freedom in designing other inner wall portions is increased.

[0063] According to a fifth aspect of this disclosure, at least a portion of the terminals (10A, 10B) in the axial direction has a polygonal shape, and the at least one portion includes an outer peripheral corner portion serving as a rotation limiting portion (16).

[0064] According to the connector with the fifth aspect of its construction, at least a portion of the terminal has a polygonal prism shape. For example, a portion of the outer peripheral corner of the polygonal prism-shaped portion engages with the inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber when bolted, thereby serving as a rotation limiting part. Therefore, the rotation limiting part can be easily provided in the terminal without requiring a structure with a complex shape for limiting terminal rotation.

[0065] According to the sixth aspect of this disclosure, the retaining portion (23) of the housing (20A, 20B) is configured as a locking terminal (10A, 10B) such that the terminal (10A, 10B) can be tilted with the joint between the rotation limiting portion (16) and the inner wall (25) as the fulcrum.

[0066] According to the connector with the sixth aspect of its construction, the terminal is locked to the retaining part when the retaining part of the housing allows the terminal to rotate. Therefore, the rotation of the terminal is not easily hindered by the retaining part, and the rotation of the terminal can be easily and correctly generated.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising: Rod-shaped terminals; as well as The housing has a terminal receiving chamber configured to receive the terminals, wherein, The terminal has: A rotation limiting part is configured to engage with the inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber to limit the rotation of the terminal about the axis of the terminal; A contact portion, located on one side of the terminal along its axial direction and configured to be electrically connected to a mating terminal; and A hole is provided at the end of the terminal located on the opposite side in the axial direction and is configured to allow a bolt to be screwed into the hole about the axis. The housing has: A retaining part that holds the terminal inside the terminal receiving chamber; and An opening configured to expose the hole of the terminal to the outside of the terminal receiving chamber, and The connector is configured to have a gap between the inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber and the terminal, the gap increasing from the rotation-limiting portion of the terminal toward the opening of the housing. The inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber has an inclined shape relative to the axial direction, such that the gap increases from the rotation restriction portion toward the opening, thereby enabling the terminal to rotate in the gap with the joint between the rotation restriction portion and the inner wall as a fulcrum.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The rotation limiting portion of the terminal is configured such that, when the terminal rotates about the axis, the rotation limiting portion makes point contact with the inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The terminal receiving chamber of the housing has the inclined shape on the inner wall between the opening and the portion that engages with the rotation restriction portion when the terminal rotates about the axis.

4. The connector according to claim 2, wherein, The terminal receiving chamber of the housing has the inclined shape on the inner wall between the opening and the portion that engages with the rotation restriction portion when the terminal rotates about the axis.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, At least a portion of the terminal in the axial direction has a polygonal prism shape, and The at least one portion includes an outer peripheral corner portion that serves as the rotation restriction portion.

6. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The retaining portion of the housing is configured to lock the terminal, allowing the terminal to tilt with the joint between the rotation limiting portion and the inner wall as a fulcrum.

7. The connector according to claim 5, wherein, The retaining portion of the housing is configured to lock the terminal, allowing the terminal to tilt with the joint between the rotation limiting portion and the inner wall as a fulcrum.

Images