Connector, connector manufacturing method, and wire harness

Abstract

The invention provides a connector capable of smoothly assembling a terminal-equipped electric wire to a housing, a connector manufacturing method, and a wire harness. A connector (1) is provided with: a plurality of terminal-equipped electric wires (3) in which terminals (31) are attached to the electric wires in a direction intersecting the direction in which the electric wires (32) extend; and a housing (2) in which are formed a plurality of housing sections (221) that hold the terminals in the fitting direction, and a plurality of wire insertion sections (214) that are provided so as to pass through the side wall sections (212) and that lead out the plurality of terminal-equipped wires from the internal space (2A) in a direction intersecting the fitting direction. The housing has a guide portion (215) provided between respective accommodation regions (R) for a plurality of terminal-equipped electric wires arranged and accommodated in the internal space, the guide portion forms an inclined surface (215A) inclined with respect to an extending direction of the electric wires, and the inclined surface is inclined so as to be separated from an inner surface (211A) of the front surface portion toward the accommodation portion from the electric wire insertion portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a connector, a method for manufacturing the connector and a wiring harness. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a record related to a connector, a connector manufacturing method, and a wiring harness, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, there is known a connector that holds a plurality of electric wires with terminals in a housing. In this connector, the terminals are arranged toward the mating direction of the mating connector, and the electric wires are led out in a direction intersecting the mating direction. That is, the electric wires with terminals are arranged in a manner that the terminals are arranged toward a direction intersecting the extending direction of the electric wires.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-002194 Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In such a connector, there is room for improvement in that it is difficult to assemble the wire with the terminal into the housing. For example, the wire with the terminal is L-shaped with the wire and the terminal facing each other, so it is difficult to pass through the wire insertion hole into the housing.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector, a connector manufacturing method, and a wire harness that can smoothly assemble an electric wire with a terminal into a housing.

[0009] Technical solutions to the problem

[0010] That is, the connector involved in the present invention comprises: a plurality of wires with terminals, wherein the plurality of wires with terminals are installed on the wires so that the terminals are oriented in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the wires; and a shell, wherein the shell is formed with: a front surface portion, wherein the front surface portion is formed in a direction intersecting with the fitting direction to the mating side connector; a side wall portion, wherein the side wall portion is provided along the outer edge portion of the front surface portion and is frame-shaped; an internal space, wherein the internal space is divided by the front surface portion and the side wall portion and can be arranged along the front surface portion and accommodate the plurality of wires with terminals; and a plurality of accommodating portions, wherein the plurality of wires with terminals arranged The terminals of the wires are accommodated and held toward the mating direction; and a plurality of wire insertion portions, the plurality of wire insertion portions are cylindrical and are arranged to pass through the side wall portion and allow the wires of the plurality of wires with terminals to be led out from the internal space in a direction intersecting the mating direction, the shell having a guide portion, the guide portion being arranged between respective accommodating areas for the plurality of wires with terminals arranged and accommodated in the internal space, the guide portion forming an inclined surface inclined relative to the extending direction of the wires, the inclined surface being inclined in a manner of moving away from the inner surface of the front surface portion as it moves from the wire insertion portion toward the accommodating portion.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the connector, the connector manufacturing method, and the wire harness according to the present invention, the electric wires with terminals can be smoothly assembled to the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the connector according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the connector according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a III-III connector.

[0016] Figure 4 1 is a flowchart showing a connector manufacturing method according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 It is an explanatory diagram of a wire insertion step in the connector manufacturing method according to the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram of a wire insertion step in the connector manufacturing method according to the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 It is an explanatory diagram of the electric wire setting process in the connector manufacturing method involved in the embodiment.

[0020] Description of Reference Numerals

[0021] 1: Connector

[0022] 2: Shell

[0023] 2A: Internal Space

[0024] 3: Wires with terminals

[0025] 31: Terminal

[0026] 32: Wires

[0027] 211: Front surface

[0028] 211A: Inner surface

[0029] 212: Side wall

[0030] 214: Wire insertion part

[0031] 215: Guidance Department

[0032] 215A: Inclined surface

[0033] 221: Accommodation

[0034] R: Accommodation area

[0035] WH: Harness DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In addition, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include elements that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or substantially the same elements.

[0037] [Implementation Method]

[0038] The present embodiment relates to a connector, a connector manufacturing method and a wiring harness. In the following description, the first direction among the mutually intersecting first direction, second direction and third direction is referred to as the "connection direction X", the second direction is referred to as the "width direction Y", and the third direction is referred to as the "height direction Z". Here, the connection direction X, the width direction Y and the height direction Z are mutually orthogonal. The connection direction X is equivalent to the connection direction and the mating direction of the connector and the mating side connector. The width direction Y and the height direction Z are equivalent to the intersection direction that intersects with the connection direction X. In addition, the directions used in the following description represent the directions in the state where the parts are assembled to each other unless otherwise specified. In addition, the orthogonal mentioned here includes the case of being approximately orthogonal.

[0039] like Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, the connector 1 is a connector for connecting to a mating connector, and includes a housing 2 and a wire 3 with a terminal. The connector 1 is mounted on a vehicle, for example, and is used as a component of a wire harness WH. That is, the wire harness WH is composed of the connector 1 and the wire 32 led out from the connector 1. In addition, for the sake of convenience, Figure 1 and Figure 2 Illustration of a cover attached to the back of the housing 2 is omitted. In addition, the mating-side connector can also function as a mating-side housing.

[0040] The housing 2 is a component for accommodating and holding the wires 3 with terminals, and includes, for example, an outer housing 21 and an inner housing 22. The outer housing 21 is a component for accommodating and holding a plurality of wires 3 with terminals, and is box-shaped and formed by leaving the back open. For example, the outer housing 21 includes a front surface portion 211 and a side wall portion 212. The front surface portion 211 is a plate component formed in a direction intersecting with the connection direction X (mating direction) with the mating side connector, and is formed, for example, in a rectangular or substantially rectangular shape. The side wall portion 212 is a wall component formed along the outer edge portion of the front surface portion 211, and extends from the inner surface 211A of the front surface portion 211 toward the connection direction X. The side wall portion 212 is, for example, a rectangular or substantially rectangular frame, and divides the internal space 2A of the housing 2 together with the front surface portion 211. In addition, the side wall portion 212 is sometimes also provided as a frame having a shape other than a rectangle.

[0041] The housing 2 is provided with a fitting portion 213. The fitting portion 213 is a portion that fits with the mating side connector, and is formed to protrude from the outer surface 211B of the front surface portion 211 toward the connection direction X. The fitting portion 213 is, for example, a cylindrical body with an elliptical cross-section or an oblong cross-section (Japanese: small-shaped). The inner housing 22 is assembled in the fitting portion 213. The inner housing 22 is a component that accommodates and holds the terminal 31 of the terminal-equipped electric wire 3, and is block-shaped, and has a plurality of accommodating portions 221 that respectively accommodate a plurality of terminals 31. For example, four accommodating portions 221 are provided corresponding to four terminals 31, and are arranged along the width direction Y. The accommodating portion 221 is formed with an accommodating hole for inserting the terminal 31, and can accommodate the terminal 31 in the fitting direction toward the mating side connector.

[0042] A seal 23 and a retainer 24 are provided on the outer periphery of the fitting portion 213. The seal 23 is a waterproof component for waterproofing the connector 1 and the mating connector, and is formed of, for example, an annular elastic component. The retainer 24 is a component for retaining the seal 23, and is formed of, for example, an annular component having a higher rigidity than the seal 23.

[0043] The housing 2 is provided with a wire insertion portion 214. The wire insertion portion 214 is a portion for leading the wire 32 of the wire 3 with a terminal accommodated in the housing 2 to the outside of the housing 2, and functions as an insertion path for the wire 3 with a terminal when the wire 3 with a terminal is assembled. The wire insertion portion 214 is provided according to the number of wires 3 with a terminal, for example, four wire insertion portions 214 are provided for four wires 3 with terminals. The wire insertion portion 214 is cylindrical and is formed by passing through the side wall portion 212. That is, the wire insertion portion 214 forms an insertion hole 214A, and the internal space 2A is connected to the outside through the insertion hole 214A. The wire insertion portion 214 is provided in a direction intersecting with the mating direction (connection direction X), and can lead the wire 32 in a direction intersecting with the mating direction.

[0044] The wires 3 with terminals are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the mating direction in the internal space 2A of the housing 2. In the wires 3 with terminals, the terminals 31 are accommodated in the accommodation portions 221 of the inner housing 22, and the wires 32 are led out through the wire insertion portions 214.

[0045] The housing 2 is provided with a guide portion 215. The guide portion 215 is a portion for guiding the terminal 31 when the wire 3 with the terminal is assembled into the housing 2. The guide portion 215 is provided between each accommodation area R for the plurality of wires with the terminal 3 arranged and accommodated in the internal space 2A. Figure 1 As shown, when four electric wires 3 with terminals are arranged, three guide portions 215 are provided. The guide portion 215 is, for example, plate-shaped, and is provided to protrude from the inner surface 211A of the front surface portion 211, and is formed along the extending direction of the electric wire 32. The guide portion 215 also functions as a partition plate that prevents adjacent terminals 31 from contacting each other.

[0046] The guide portion 215 forms an inclined surface 215A inclined with respect to the extending direction of the electric wire 32. The inclined surface 215A is inclined so as to be separated from the inner surface 211A of the front surface portion 211 as it moves from the electric wire insertion portion 214 toward the accommodating portion 221. That is, the inclined surface 215A guides the terminal 31 of the electric wire 3 with a terminal inserted through the electric wire insertion portion 214 so as to be separated from the front surface portion 211.

[0047] like Figure 3As shown, the electric wire 3 with a terminal is in a shape in which the terminal 31 and the electric wire 32 are bent in an intersecting direction, forming an L-shape. That is, when the electric wire 3 with a terminal is assembled in the housing 2, the electric wire 32 is oriented in a direction intersecting with the connection direction X, and the terminal 31 is oriented in the connection direction X. The terminal 31 is, for example, bent at a right angle and installed on the electric wire 32. The right angle mentioned here also includes a substantially right angle. Therefore, it is difficult to insert the electric wire 3 with a terminal into the electric wire insertion portion 214 and assemble it in the housing 2. As the terminal 31, for example, a crimping terminal crimped and installed on the electric wire 32 is used. In addition, the terminal 31 can also be installed on the electric wire 32 to function as a bus bar. For example, the electric wire 32 uses a covered electric wire in which a core wire as a conductor is wrapped around with an insulating component.

[0048] The water stop portion 33 is provided on the electric wire 32. The water stop portion 33 is a water stop structure provided on the outer periphery of the electric wire 32, and is provided at the position of the electric wire insertion portion 214. The water stop portion 33 is a structure for stopping water between the housing 2 and the electric wire 32, and is configured to include a seal, for example. In addition, the water stop portion 33 may also be configured to include a cylindrical shielding terminal. In this case, the water stop portion 33 may also include a seal for stopping water between the housing 2 and the shielding terminal, and a seal for stopping water between the electric wire 32 and the shielding terminal.

[0049] Next, a method for manufacturing the connector 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0050] Figure 4 A flowchart showing a method for manufacturing the connector 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 4 Each step of the flowchart may be performed, for example, by manual work of an operator or by automatic control of a manufacturing device such as a robot arm.

[0051] In manufacturing the connector 1 , first, in step S10 (hereinafter referred to as “ S10 ”, the same applies to the steps after S10 ), a wire insertion step is performed. The wire insertion step is a step of inserting the wires 3 with terminals into the plurality of wire insertion portions 214 one by one.

[0052] like Figure 5 As shown, in the wire insertion process, the terminal 31 is placed at the front and the wire 3 with the terminal is inserted into the wire insertion portion 214. In the wire 3 with the terminal, since the terminal 31 is bent and attached to the wire 32, for example, the wire 32 is inserted obliquely with respect to the wire insertion portion 214. That is, the wire 3 with the terminal is inserted into the wire insertion portion 214 in such a manner that the terminal 31 faces the guide portion 215.

[0053] like Figure 6As shown, when the terminal 31 is inserted through the wire insertion portion 214, it abuts against the guide portion 215 and is guided by the guide portion 215 to leave from the inner surface 211A of the housing 2. That is, the terminal 31 contacts the inclined surface 215A of the guide portion 215 and leaves from the inner surface 211A. Therefore, the terminal 31 is prevented from abutting against the inner surface 211A or the adjacent wire 32. In addition, since the terminal 31 leaves from the inner surface 211A of the front surface portion 211, the terminal 31 is easily grasped.

[0054] Then, the process shifts to Figure 4 In S12, the wire setting process is performed. The wire setting process is a process of accommodating the terminal 31 of the wire 3 with a terminal inserted into the wire insertion portion 214 into the accommodating portion 221. Figure 7 As shown, in the wire setting process, the terminal 31 of the wire 3 with a terminal is oriented toward the direction of the accommodating portion 221 and is accommodated in the accommodating portion 221. Thus, the terminal 31 is oriented toward the connection direction X (fitting direction), and the wire 3 with a terminal is set in the accommodating region R. At this time, in the wire insertion process of S10, the terminal 31 is located at a position away from the inner surface 211A, so the terminal 31 is easy to grasp. Therefore, the terminal 31 can be easily accommodated, and the wire setting process can be smoothly performed.

[0055] Then, the process shifts to Figure 4 In S14, it is determined whether all the wires 3 with terminals have been inserted into the wire insertion portion 214. For example, in the case where all four wires 3 with terminals have not been inserted, the process returns to the wire insertion process of S10. That is, the wire insertion process of S10 and the wire setting process of S12 are repeated in sequence. For the wire insertion process of the second and subsequent wires 3 with terminals, the wires 3 with terminals are inserted into the empty wire insertion portion 214, and the terminal 31 is brought into contact with the inclined surface 215A of the guide portion 215 as described above. Then, the wires 3 with terminals are inserted into the empty wire insertion portion 214 in sequence, and the wires 3 with terminals are set relative to the accommodating area R. Thus, as Figure 1 As shown, all the wires 3 with terminals are arranged in the receiving area R respectively.

[0056] In S14, when all the electric wires 3 with terminals are inserted into the electric wire insertion portion 214, Figure 4 A series of control steps are completed. In this way, each wire 3 with a terminal is accommodated and held in the accommodation area R. In addition, a cover (not shown) is installed on the back of the housing 2, and necessary mounting parts such as a protector are installed on the connector 1 and the wire 32, completing the manufacture of the connector 1.

[0057] As described above, the connector 1 and the wiring harness WH involved in this embodiment are provided with a guide portion 215, so that when the electric wire 3 with the terminal is inserted into the shell 2 through the wire insertion portion 214, it is possible to prevent the terminal 31 from contacting the inner surface 211A or the adjacent electric wire 32, etc., and the electric wire 3 with the terminal can be smoothly assembled into the shell 2.

[0058] The connector manufacturing method involved in this embodiment can smoothly assemble the wire 3 with the terminal into the housing 2 by inserting the wire 3 with the terminal into the wire insertion portion 214 in a manner such that the terminal 31 abuts against the inclined surface 215A of the guide portion 215 and does not abut against the inner surface 211A or the adjacent wire 32.

[0059] In addition, the connector, connector manufacturing method and wire harness involved in the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various changes can be made within the scope of the claims. The connector 1, connector manufacturing method and wire harness WH involved in this embodiment can also be constructed by appropriately combining the constituent elements of the above-mentioned embodiments and modified examples.

[0060] For example, although the connector 1 , the connector manufacturing method, and the wire harness WH according to the above-mentioned embodiment are described with respect to the case where the connector 1 and the wire harness WH are mounted on a vehicle, they may be used without being mounted on a vehicle.

Claims

1. A connector, characterized in that: have: a plurality of electric wires with terminals, wherein the terminals are attached to the electric wires in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the electric wires extend; and The shell body is formed with: a front surface portion, which is formed along a direction intersecting with the mating direction of the mating connector; a side wall portion, which is arranged along the outer edge of the front surface portion and is frame-shaped; an internal space, which is divided by the front surface portion and the side wall portion and can be arranged along the front surface portion and accommodate a plurality of wires with terminals; a plurality of accommodating portions, which accommodate and hold the terminals of the arranged plurality of wires with terminals toward the mating direction; and a plurality of wire insertion portions, which are cylindrical and penetrate the side wall portion and allow the wires of the plurality of wires with terminals to be led out from the internal space in a direction intersecting with the mating direction. The housing has a guide portion provided between respective accommodation areas for the plurality of electric wires with terminals arranged and accommodated in the internal space. The guide portion forms an inclined surface inclined with respect to the extending direction of the electric wire. The inclined surface is inclined so as to be separated from the inner surface of the front surface portion as it moves from the wire insertion portion toward the accommodation portion.

2. A connector manufacturing method, characterized in that: include: A wire insertion step, wherein a plurality of wires with terminals are inserted into the housing in sequence through a plurality of wire insertion portions in a cylindrical shape; as well as The wire setting step is to arrange the wire with the terminal inserted through the wire insertion portion in a storage area in the internal space of the housing, and to store the terminal of the wire with the terminal in a storage portion provided in the housing in a direction intersecting with the insertion direction of the wire insertion portion. The electric wire with a terminal is configured such that the terminal is attached to the electric wire in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the electric wire. The housing arranges the plurality of wires with terminals in a horizontal arrangement relative to the internal space, and forms a guide portion between the storage areas of the plurality of wires with terminals. The guide portion forms an inclined surface inclined with respect to the extending direction of the electric wire. The inclined surface is inclined so as to be separated from the accommodation portion as it moves from the wire insertion portion toward the accommodation portion. The wire insertion step inserts the terminal into the wire insertion portion so that the terminal abuts against the inclined surface of the guide portion and the terminal is separated from the accommodation portion.

3. A wiring harness, characterized in that: have: Multiple electrical wires; and A connector having a housing for inserting and holding the plurality of wires, the connector being connectable to a mating connector, The plurality of electric wires constitute a plurality of electric wires with terminals to which terminals are attached in a direction intersecting the extending direction. The housing is formed by: a front surface portion formed along a direction intersecting with a mating direction toward the mating connector; a side wall portion, the side wall portion being arranged along the outer edge portion of the front surface portion and being in a frame shape; an internal space, the internal space being divided by the front surface portion and the side wall portion and being capable of arranging and accommodating a plurality of the electric wires with terminals along the front surface portion; A plurality of accommodating portions, wherein the plurality of accommodating portions accommodate and hold the terminals of the plurality of arranged electric wires with terminals toward the mating direction; as well as A plurality of wire insertion portions, each of which is cylindrical and is disposed through the side wall portion so as to allow the wires of the plurality of wires with terminals to be led out from the internal space in a direction intersecting the fitting direction. The housing has a guide portion disposed between respective accommodation areas for the plurality of electric wires with terminals arranged and accommodated in the internal space, the guide portion forming an inclined surface inclined relative to an extending direction of the electric wires, The inclined surface is inclined so as to be separated from the inner surface of the front surface portion as it moves from the wire insertion portion toward the accommodation portion.

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