Connector

Abstract

The invention discloses a connector which can reduce the possibility of sliding wear of a contact due to transmission of an external force applied to an electric wire to a terminal fitting with a small number of parts. A connector (10) is provided with: an electric wire (12) in which a plurality of wire rods (14) are insulated and covered; a terminal fitting (20) connected to an end portion of a wire exposed portion (18a) where the wire (14) is exposed by peeling off the insulating coating (16) at a terminal of the electric wire (12); and a connector housing (22) that houses the terminal fitting (20) and the electric wire (12), the connector housing (22) having an electric wire press-fitting part (41), the wire exposed part (18b) having a wire welding part (24) in which the wire (14) is welded and integrated, and the wire welding part (24) being press-fitted and held in the electric wire press-fitting part (41).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a connector in which a terminal part connected to a terminal of an electric wire is accommodated in a connector housing. In such a connector, when the electric wire is mounted on a vehicle, external force is applied to the electric wire due to vehicle vibration, etc., which may cause sliding wear at the contact point between the terminal part and the other terminal connected to the terminal part. Therefore, Patent document 1 proposes the following structure: a new electric wire holding member is adopted, and the electric wire is held by a part of the electric wire holding member, and the other part of the electric wire holding member is fixed to the connector housing, so that the terminal of the electric wire is held so as not to move relative to the connector housing. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-131941 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] However, in the connector described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to newly adopt an electric wire holding member, and the number of parts is large, which may increase the size of the connector or increase the manufacturing cost.

[0005] Therefore, a connector is disclosed which can reduce the possibility of external force applied to electric wires being transmitted to terminal parts and causing sliding wear of contacts with a small number of parts. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0006] The connector of the present invention comprises: an electric wire formed by a plurality of wires being covered with insulation; a terminal part connected to an end of a wire exposed portion where the insulation covering is stripped off at a terminal end of the electric wire to expose the wire; and a connector housing for accommodating the terminal part and the electric wire, the connector housing having a wire press-in portion, the wire exposed portion having a wire fusion portion formed by fusing the wires to form an integrated whole, the wire fusion portion being pressed into and held in the wire press-in portion. Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can suppress the inconvenience of external force applied to an electric wire being transmitted to a terminal fitting with a small number of parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the connector according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A bottom view of the connector is shown. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Section view III-III in FIG. Figure 4 yes Figure 2 IV-IV section view in FIG. Figure 5 It is shown from the bottom side Figure 1 A perspective view of the connector in an exploded state is shown. Figure 6 It is composed Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the connector body of the connector shown. Figure 7 The structure is shown from the bottom side Figure 1 A perspective view of the first resin component of the connector shown. Figure 8 It shows the composition Figure 1 A perspective view of the second resin component of the connector shown. Fig. 9 It shows that Figure 7 The first resin component and Figure 8 A perspective view showing a state in which the second resin components are assembled to each other. Fig.10 It shows the composition Figure 1 A perspective view of the shielding shell of the connector is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] <Description of Embodiments of the Invention> First, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of examples. The connector of the present invention, The invention comprises: an electric wire in which a plurality of wires are covered with insulation; a terminal part connected to an end of a wire exposed portion in which the insulation covering is stripped off at a terminal end of the electric wire to expose the wire; and a connector housing for accommodating the terminal part and the electric wire, the connector housing having a wire pressing portion, the wire exposed portion having a wire welding portion in which the wires are welded to form an integrated whole, the wire welding portion being pressed into and held by the wire pressing portion.

[0010] According to the connector of the present invention, the wire exposed portion has a wire welding portion for welding the wires to make them integrated, and the wire welding portion is pressed into and held in a wire pressing portion provided in the connector housing. The wire welding portion has improved rigidity compared to the portion of the wire covered with insulation and the plurality of wires that are not welded. Thus, the displacement of the wire relative to the connector housing can be advantageously suppressed or prevented by merely pressing the wire welding portion into and held in the wire pressing portion of the connector housing. As a result, the possibility of external force applied to the wire being transmitted to the terminal parts and causing contact sliding wear can be reduced. In addition, by providing the wire pressing portion in the original connector housing and providing the wire welding portion in the wire exposed portion of the original wire, the structure of the present invention can be realized, so that an increase in the number of components can be avoided, and the miniaturization of the connector and the reduction in cost can also be advantageously achieved.

[0011] Preferably, the wire pressing portion includes a groove portion and a pressing convex portion, the groove portion is inserted to accommodate the wire welding portion, and the pressing convex portion presses the wire welding portion toward the bottom of the groove portion. When the wire welding portion is accommodated in the groove portion, the pressing convex portion can be used to press the wire welding portion toward the bottom of the groove portion, so the holding property of the wire pressing portion on the wire welding portion can be advantageously improved.

[0012] Preferably, the groove of the wire pressing part and the wire welding part extend in the axial direction of the wire with similar cross-sectional shapes. This is because: the groove of the wire pressing part and the wire welding part have similar cross-sectional shapes, which can improve the retention of the wire welding part by the groove.

[0013] Preferably, a crushing rib is protrudingly provided on the surface of the groove portion that is opposite to the wire welding portion. This is because the crushing rib is provided on the surface of the groove portion that is opposite to the wire welding portion, so that the groove portion can further improve the holding property of the wire welding portion when the wire welding portion is pressed into the groove portion.

[0014] Preferably, the connector housing has a first resin component and a second resin component, the first resin component has the groove, the second resin component has the pressing protrusion, the first resin component and the second resin component are assembled in an approaching direction in which the pressing protrusion approaches the groove, and the wire welding portion is clamped between the groove and the pressing protrusion in the approaching direction. By assembling the first resin component and the second resin component of the connector housing, the wire welding portion is clamped between the groove and the pressing protrusion of the wire pressing portion, so that the assembly work is not complicated and the wire welding portion can be fixed to the connector housing.

[0015] Preferably, the first resin component and the second resin component are assembled by locking and fitting an elastic locking piece provided on one side and a locking claw provided on the other side, and a crushing rib is provided on the abutting surface of the pressing protrusion abutting against the wire welding portion, and the crushing rib is pressed against the wire welding portion when the elastic locking piece and the locking claw are locked and fitted. This is because: the elastic deformation of the crushing rib allows the elastic locking piece to be locked and fitted to the locking claw, and the shaking of the elastic locking piece and the locking claw due to the locking gap can be prevented.

[0016] Preferably, the connector housing has an electric test hole for exposing the wire welding part to the outside. By having the electric test hole, the wire welding part can be used as an electric test site for current inspection. Compared with the storage area of ​​the terminal parts with a complex structure, the electric test hole can be provided with a high degree of design freedom.

[0017] Preferably, the test hole penetrates the interior of the pressing protrusion and is opened at the protruding end surface of the pressing protrusion and the surface of the connector housing. This is because the test hole can be set near the wire welding part by utilizing the internal area of ​​the pressing protrusion, and the test hole can be set with good space efficiency.

[0018] Preferably, there is also a plug member and a plug member holder, wherein the plug member seals the test hole, and the plug member holder holds the plug member and is assembled to the connector housing directly or via other members. Since the plug member sealing the test hole is held by the plug member holder and assembled to the connector housing, it is possible to improve the handling and assembly workability of a smaller plug member. In addition, when the connector housing is covered by other members such as a shielding shell, a through hole can be provided in the shielding shell, the plug member holder can be assembled to the shielding shell, and the plug member can be inserted through the through hole and installed in the test hole.

[0019] Preferably, the electric wire has a tolerance absorbing portion that can be bent and deformed between the end of the wire exposed portion and the wire fusion portion, the wire pressing portion and the wire fusion portion extend in the axial direction of the electric wire, and the axial length of the wire fusion portion is longer than the axial length of the wire pressing portion. Because the electric wire has a tolerance absorbing portion between the end of the wire exposed portion and the wire fusion portion, the tolerance can be absorbed by the bending deformation of the tolerance absorbing portion. Furthermore, by having the axial length of the wire fusion portion be longer than the axial length of the wire pressing portion, it is advantageously possible to correspond to the change in the excess length of the tolerance absorbing portion, and to configure the wire fusion portion in a pressed-in state over the entire length of the wire pressing portion. Thus, tolerance absorption and stability of the fixation of the electric wire to the connector housing can be achieved simultaneously.

[0020] <Details of Embodiments of the Invention> Specific examples of the connector of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0021] <Implementation Method 1> Below, use Figures 1 to 10 A connector 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The connector 10 electrically connects in-vehicle devices, and the in-vehicle devices and the in-vehicle Figure 1 The wire 12 extending from the lower left in the figure is electrically connected, and from Figure 1 The upper side of the connector is electrically connected to a terminal of a vehicle-mounted device not shown in the figure. In addition, the connector 10 can be arranged in any direction. Figure 1 The up-down direction, left-right direction and front-back direction shown in are used as references to explain the up-down direction, left-right direction and front-back direction. In addition, regarding a plurality of identical components, sometimes only a part of the components are marked with reference numerals, and reference numerals are omitted for other components.

[0022] <Connector 10> The connector 10 of the first embodiment includes: an electric wire 12 in which a core wire 14 composed of a plurality of wires is covered with an insulating coating 16; a terminal part 20 connected to the end of a wire exposed portion 18 in which the wire (core wire 14) is exposed by stripping the insulating coating 16 at the terminal of the electric wire 12; and a connector housing 22 for accommodating the terminal part 20 and the electric wire. In addition, in the first embodiment, a pair of electric wires 12, 12 are arranged in a left-right direction, and a terminal part 20 is provided at the end of each electric wire 12. In addition, in the figure, for easy understanding, a plurality of wires are illustrated as a core wire 14, but the core wire 14 is composed of a plurality of wires twisted together.

[0023] <Wire 12> In each electric wire 12, the plurality of wires constituting the core wire 14 are each made of a metal having excellent conductivity, such as copper (including copper alloys) or aluminum (including aluminum alloys). In the first embodiment, each wire is made of aluminum. Figure 6 As shown, each wire 12 extends in the front-rear direction as a whole and is bent upward at the rear end. In addition, the insulating coating 16 is stripped off at the upper end of each wire 12 to provide a wire exposed portion 18a, and a terminal fitting 20 is connected to each wire exposed portion 18a.

[0024] In addition, in each electric wire 12, a wire exposure portion 18b is also provided at a portion separated from the end portion (upper end portion) where the insulating coating 16 is stripped off to expose the wire (core wire 14). In Embodiment 1, the wire exposure portion 18b is provided at the rear end portion of the portion extending in the front-to-back direction of each electric wire 12, that is, in front of the portion bent upward. And, these wire exposure portions 18b have a wire welding portion 24 formed by welding (welding) a plurality of wires to form an integrated whole. Also, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 , 4 As shown, each wire welding portion 24 has a substantially rectangular cross section and extends in the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 12 at the position where the wire welding portion 24 is formed. In the first embodiment, the wire welding portion 24 has a predetermined longitudinal dimension A (see Figure 3 ). In addition, the method of integrating a plurality of wires by fusing (welding) them to form the wire fusion portion 24 is not limited, and a conventionally known fusing (welding) method can be used. However, in the first embodiment, the wire fusion portion 24 is formed by ultrasonic fusing.

[0025] Furthermore, as described above, between the wire exposed portion 18a at the end (upper end) of each wire 12 and the wire exposed portion 18b at a location separated from the end, there is a portion bent upward from the rear end of the portion extending in the front-to-rear direction, and a tolerance absorbing portion 26 capable of bending and deforming is provided on each wire 12 including the bent portion.

[0026] <Terminal Parts 20> The terminal parts 20 are made of metal and have a substantially cylindrical contact portion 28 that is open in the vertical direction. The tab-shaped terminal of the other vehicle-mounted device is inserted into the contact portion 28, and the contact portion 28 and the other terminal are in contact with each other, so that each terminal part 20 of the connector 10 and the terminal of the other vehicle-mounted device are electrically connected. A flat plate-shaped portion extending in the vertical direction is provided at the lower end of each contact portion 28. These flat plate-shaped portions are wire connection portions 30, and the wire exposed portion 18a of the upper end of each wire 12 is fixedly mounted.

[0027] <Connector Housing 22> The connector housing 22 is formed of a synthetic resin having insulating properties. Figure 6 As shown in the figures, the connector housing 22 of the first embodiment is composed of a plurality of components, including: a cylindrical housing 34 having a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 32; an upper housing 36 as a first resin component assembled to the cylindrical housing 34; and a lower housing 40 as a second resin component, the upper opening 38 of which is covered by the upper housing 36. In addition, the connector housing 22 has a wire pressing portion 41 into which each wire 12 is pressed.

[0028] Also like Figure 3As shown, the cylindrical housing 34 is provided with a substantially rectangular cylindrical retaining cylinder 42 extending in the up-down direction on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall 32, and when the connector 10 is assembled, the contact portion 28 of the terminal part 20 is inserted and retained in the retaining cylinder 42. In the first embodiment, since a pair of terminal parts 20, 20 are provided, a pair of retaining cylinders 42, 42 are arranged in the left-right direction in the cylindrical housing 34. Since the terminal of the other vehicle-mounted device is assembled from above to the contact portion 28 held by the retaining cylinder 42, the upper opening of the retaining cylinder 42 is a terminal assembly port 44 for assembling the other terminal.

[0029] In addition, unillustrated roughly frame-shaped snap-fitting frames are provided on both sides of the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 32 in the front-to-back direction, and these snap-fitting frames are snap-fitted with unillustrated snap-fitting protrusions provided on both sides of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 50 of the upper shell 36 described later in the front-to-back direction, thereby assembling the cylindrical shell 34 to the upper shell 36.

[0030] <First Resin Component (Upper Case 36)> The upper housing 36 includes a cover portion 46 extending in the vertical direction (direction orthogonal to the up-down direction), and the cover portion 46 is formed to a size that can cover the upper opening portion 38 of the lower housing 40. A through hole 48 penetrating in the thickness direction (up-down direction) is formed in the cover portion 46, and a substantially cylindrical cylindrical portion 50 protruding upward is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the through hole 48. In short, the inner hole of the cylindrical portion 50 extending in the up-down direction and the through hole 48 provided in the cover portion 46 are connected to each other, forming a connecting hole 52 penetrating the cylindrical portion 50 and the cover portion 46 in the up-down direction. In addition, the through hole 48 and the cylindrical portion 50 are provided in the rear portion of the cover portion 46. In addition, in the cover portion 46, elastic locking pieces 54 protruding downward are provided on both sides in the left-right direction.

[0031] Also like Figure 4 , Figure 7 As shown in the figure, in the upper housing 36, a substantially cylindrical inner insert tube portion 56 is provided on the lower surface of the cover plate portion 46, and when the upper housing 36 is assembled to the lower housing 40, the inner insert tube portion 56 enters the lower housing 40. That is, the inner insert tube portion 56 protruding downward is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the cover plate portion 46, and the inner hole of the inner insert tube portion 56 is also connected to the communication hole 52 of the upper housing 36. In addition, the communication hole 52 extends in a substantially vertical direction, and the inner hole of the inner insert tube portion 56 and the communication hole 52 are connected to each other at the rear portion of the inner hole of the inner insert tube portion 56. In addition, a groove portion 58 constituting the wire press-in portion 41 is provided at the front portion of the inner hole of the inner insert tube portion 56.

[0032] Specifically, a pair of partition plates 60, 60 separated from each other in the left-right direction are provided at the left-right center of the upper housing 36, and the upper housing 36 is divided into left and right sides by these partition plates 60. In addition, on the left and right sides of the upper housing 36 divided by the partition plates 60, a wire holding portion 62 with a substantially rectangular cross section protruding downward is provided in the front part of the inner hole of the inner insertion tube portion 56. A groove portion 58 opening downward and extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the lower end surface of each of these wire holding portions 62. That is, the bottom of the groove portion 58 is formed by the wall portion on the upper side of the inner surface of the groove portion 58.

[0033] The groove 58 has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially similar to the cross-sectional shape of the wire welding portion 24 of each wire 12, and extends in the axial front-to-back direction of the insertion location (wire welding portion 24 as described later) of each wire 12. In the first embodiment, the groove 58 (wire pressing portion 41) has a predetermined front-to-back dimension B (see Figure 3 ). In particular, in the first embodiment, the dimension B of the groove portion 58 in the front-to-back direction is smaller than the dimension A of the wire welding portion 24 in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, on the lower surface of the upper housing 36, an upper half-split cylindrical portion 63 is provided in front of each wire holding portion 62, and when each wire 12 is assembled to the connector housing 22, the upper half-split cylindrical portion 63 has a curved inner peripheral surface and covers the upper half of each wire 12.

[0034] In addition, in each groove portion 58, crushing ribs 64 extending in the up-down direction are provided on the inner surfaces on both sides in the left-right direction, which become the opposing surfaces of each wire welding portion 24 when each wire welding portion 24 described later is accommodated. These crushing ribs 64 are provided on the inner surfaces on both sides in the left-right direction of each groove portion 58 over substantially the entire length in the up-down direction. In Embodiment 1, two crushing ribs 64, 64 are provided on each inner surface on both sides in the left-right direction of each groove portion 58, separated from each other in the front-back direction. By providing these crushing ribs 64, when each wire welding portion 24 is inserted into each groove portion 58, each crushing rib 64 and / or each wire welding portion 24 is inserted while being slightly compressed, and each wire welding portion 24 is inserted into each groove portion 58 in a substantially pressed-in state.

[0035] In addition, the cylindrical portion 50 of the upper housing 36 is inserted into the peripheral wall 32 of the cylindrical housing 34 to assemble the upper housing 36 and the cylindrical housing 34, but an annular waterproof rubber 66 is installed in an externally inserted state between the upper housing 36 and the cylindrical housing 34 in the vertical direction on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 50. This prevents water from entering from the assembly portion of the upper housing 36 and the cylindrical housing 34. In addition, an O-ring 68 is installed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner insertion cylindrical portion 56 inserted into the lower housing 40. The O-ring 68 is compressed between the inner insertion cylindrical portion 56 and the lower housing 40, thereby preventing water from entering from the assembly portion of the upper housing 36 and the lower housing 40.

[0036] <Second Resin Member (Lower Case 40)> The lower housing 40 is generally in the shape of a box having a rectangular shape and opening upward, and includes a bottom wall portion 70 and a peripheral wall portion 72 protruding upward from the outer peripheral edge portion of the bottom wall portion 70. That is, the peripheral wall portion 72 includes a front wall 74, a rear wall 76, and side walls 78, 78 on both sides, all of which extend in the vertical direction. In addition, a substantially circular wire lead-out port 80 penetrating in the thickness direction (front-rear direction) is formed on the front wall 74. In the first embodiment, since a pair of wires 12, 12 are provided, a pair of wire lead-out ports 80, 80 are formed in the front wall 74 in the left-right direction.

[0037] In addition, if Fig. 9 As shown, in the lower housing 40, a lower half-split cylindrical portion 82 is provided at the rear of the front wall 74. When each wire 12 is assembled to the connector housing 22, the lower half-split cylindrical portion 82 has a curved inner peripheral surface and covers the lower half of each wire 12. In the first embodiment, a pair of lower half-split cylindrical portions 82, 82 are provided to be separated from each other in the left-right direction. When the upper housing 36 and the lower housing 40 are assembled to each other, each upper half-split cylindrical portion 63 of the upper housing 36 and each lower half-split cylindrical portion 82 of the lower housing 40 are opposed to each other in the vertical direction to form a substantially circular through hole. Furthermore, a storage cylindrical portion 84 protruding forward is provided on the front wall 74, and the pair of wire lead-out ports 80, 80 are covered from the outside by the storage cylindrical portion 84. The storage cylindrical portion 84 has an outer shape that is long in the left-right direction, and is a substantially rectangular or substantially oblong shape with rounded corners.

[0038] The storage cylinder 84 stores a waterproof rubber 86 made of an elastic body such as rubber. The waterproof rubber 86 has a shape roughly corresponding to the storage cylinder 84, and has insertion holes 88, 88 penetrating in the thickness direction formed at positions corresponding to the wire lead-out ports 80, 80 of the front wall 74. The waterproof rubber 86 is formed to be slightly larger than the storage cylinder 84, and when the connector 10 is assembled, the waterproof rubber 86 is assembled to the storage cylinder 84 in a roughly compressed state. Thus, water can be prevented from entering the connector housing 22 through the wire lead-out ports 80.

[0039] like Figure 5 , 6 As shown in the figure, nuts 90 are provided in a substantially buried state on the rear wall 76 and the left side wall 78, and when the shield shell 122 described later is fixed to the connector housing 22, the bolts 150 are fastened to the nuts 90. In addition, locking claws 92 are provided at the upper end portions on the outer surfaces of the side walls 78, and when the upper housing 36 is assembled, the elastic locking pieces 54 of the upper housing 36 are engaged with the locking claws 92.

[0040] Here, a pressing protrusion 94 constituting the wire pressing portion 41 is provided at the front portion of the bottom wall portion 70. Specifically, a partition plate portion 96 is provided at the left-right central portion of the lower housing 40, and the lower housing 40 is divided into left and right sides by the partition plate portion 96. Furthermore, at the left and right sides of the lower housing 40 divided by the partition plate portion 96, through holes 98 penetrating the bottom wall portion 70 in the thickness direction (up-down direction) are formed at the front portion of the bottom wall portion 70, and cylindrical portions 100 protruding to both sides in the up-down direction are provided at the peripheral portions of each through hole 98.

[0041] That is, each cylindrical portion 100 opens outward in the vertical direction relative to the bottom wall portion 70, and each pressing protrusion 94 is formed integrally with the upper opening of each cylindrical portion 100. In Embodiment 1, each pressing protrusion 94 is substantially cylindrical in shape, and in Embodiment 1 in particular, the upper end of each pressing protrusion 94 gradually decreases in radial width toward the upper side. Thus, as described later, when each pressing protrusion 94 presses the wire welding portion 24 of each electric wire 12, the pressing force of each pressing protrusion 94 is increased.

[0042] In particular, in the first embodiment, the upper end surface (protruding end surface) of each pressing protrusion 94, which becomes the contact surface with the wire fusion portion 24 of each electric wire 12, is formed into a crushing rib 101, and the crushing rib 101 can be elastically deformed by abutting against each wire fusion portion 24. Therefore, as described later, when each pressing protrusion 94 is pressed against each wire fusion portion 24, each wire fusion portion 24 and / or each crushing rib 101 is compressed and deformed, and each wire fusion portion 24 can be stably supported between the wall portion constituting the upper side of each groove portion 58 and each pressing protrusion 94 (each crushing rib 101) in the vertical direction.

[0043] In the first embodiment, the outer diameter of the upper end of each pressing protrusion 94 is (Refer to Figure 4 ) and the width dimension (left-right dimension) D of each wire welding portion 24 (refer to Figure 4 ) is roughly equal to or slightly smaller than it. In addition, if Figure 3 As shown, the outer diameter of the upper end of each pressing protrusion 94 is Smaller than the longitudinal dimension (front-rear dimension) B of each groove portion 58 .

[0044] Furthermore, the inner hole of each pressing protrusion 94 constitutes an electric test hole 102, which penetrates inside each pressing protrusion 94 and opens at the protruding end surface of each pressing protrusion 94 and the surface of the connector housing 22, so that the wire welding portion 24 is exposed to the outside. In short, each electric test hole 102 opens at the lower surface of the connector housing 22 (the bottom wall portion 70 of the lower housing 40) through the inner hole of each cylindrical portion 100. Therefore, in Embodiment 1, each electric test hole 102 is constituted by the inner hole of each pressing protrusion 94 and the inner hole of each cylindrical portion 100. In addition, on the lower surface of the bottom wall portion 70, a circular recess 104 opening downward is formed between the left and right directions of each cylindrical portion 100 protruding downward.

[0045] Each of these test holes 102 can be sealed by a plug member 106. Each plug member 106 is generally cylindrical, and is formed of an elastic body such as rubber. The maximum outer diameter of the portion of each plug member 106 inserted into each test hole 102 is larger than the inner diameter of each cylindrical portion 100 constituting each test hole 102. Each plug member 106 is inserted into each test hole 102 from below in a substantially pressed state, so that each plug member 106 is fixed to each test hole 102.

[0046] In addition, each of these plug members 106 is assembled to a plug member holder 108 that holds each of the plug members 106. The plug member holder 108 is bent along the bottom wall 124, the rear wall portion 126, and the external connection portion 144 of the shielding shell 122 described later, and extends in the front-back direction as a whole, and is formed of, for example, metal. That is, a holding portion 110 that holds each of the plug members 106 is provided at one end (front end) of the plug member holder 108, and a bolt insertion hole 112 for inserting a bolt 120 described later is formed in the central portion in the left-right direction of the holding portion 110. In addition, a bolt insertion hole 114 is formed at the other end (rear end) of the plug member holder 108, and when the plug member holder 108 is fixed to the shielding shell 122 described later, the bolt insertion hole 114 and the bolt insertion hole 146 of the external connection portion 144 are connected to each other. Furthermore, a claw portion 116 is formed at the other end (rear end) of the plug member holder 108 , and when the plug member holder 108 is fixed to the shielding case 122 described later, the claw portion 116 engages with a positioning portion 148 provided at the rear end of the external connection portion 144 .

[0047] In the first embodiment, each of the plug members 106 and the plug member holder 108 are formed integrally to constitute the test hole sealing member 118. The test hole sealing member 118 overlaps with the connector housing 22 from below via the shield shell 122 to be described later and is fixed to the connector housing 22, so that each test hole 102 is sealed by each of the plug members 106. That is, each of the plug members 106 is pressed into each of the test holes 102 (each of the cylindrical parts 100) opened at the bottom through the insertion hole 136 of the shield shell 122 to be described later, and the claw part 116 is engaged with the positioning part 148 of the external connection part 144, and the bolt 120 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 112 and fastened to the bolt hole 140 of the shield shell 122, so that the test hole sealing member 118 can be fixed to the shield shell 122. In short, by releasing the fastening of the bolt 120 relative to the shielding shell 122, the plug members 106 are pulled out from the test holes 102 (cylindrical parts 100) by holding the test hole sealing member 118 (plug member holding body 108), so that the test holes 102 are opened downward through the insertion hole 136 of the shielding shell 122.

[0048] <Shielding case 122> Also like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the lower portion of the connector housing 22 having the above-described structure is accommodated in the metal shielding shell 122. Fig.10 As shown, the shield shell 122 is generally in a box shape that is open upward, and includes a bottom wall 124 that is generally rectangular in a plan view, and a rear wall portion 126 and a pair of side wall portions 128, 128 that protrude upward from the rear and left and right sides of the outer peripheral edge portion of the bottom wall 124. And, the area surrounded by these bottom wall 124, rear wall portion 126, and a pair of side wall portions 128, 128 constitutes a storage recess 130 for storing the connector housing 22.

[0049] In the first embodiment, the front portion of the bottom wall 124 extends forward of each side wall portion 128, and the extended portion constitutes a front extension portion 132. A stopper (not shown) can be fixed to the front extension portion 132, and the stopper prevents the waterproof rubber 86 from falling off from the storage cylinder portion 84 of the connector housing 22. The structure of the retaining body is not limited, and a conventionally known structure can be adopted. For example, a structure that can be divided up and down and sandwiched from the outside in the up and down direction to support each electric wire 12 protruding forward from the storage cylinder portion 84 can be adopted. In addition, a bolt hole 134 that can be fastened with a bolt (not shown) can be formed in the front extension portion 132, and the retaining body can be placed on the front extension portion 132, and the retaining body can be bolted to the shielding shell 122 by fastening the bolt to the bolt hole 134.

[0050] In addition, on the bottom wall 124 of the shield shell 122 that overlaps with the bottom wall 70 of the connector housing 22, an insertion hole 136 is formed to penetrate the bottom wall 124 in the thickness direction (up and down direction), and each cylindrical portion 100 protruding downward from the bottom wall 70 is inserted into the insertion hole 136. The insertion hole 136 is formed at a position corresponding to each cylindrical portion 100, and a pair of insertion holes 136, 136 are provided to be separated from each other in the left and right direction. In addition, a cylindrical circular protrusion 138 protruding upward from the bottom wall 124 is provided between each insertion hole 136 in the left and right direction, and the inner hole of the circular protrusion 138 constitutes a bolt hole 140 that can tighten the above-mentioned bolt 120.

[0051] Furthermore, bolt insertion holes 142 are provided on the rear wall portion 126 and the left side wall portion 128 of the shield shell 122 at positions corresponding to the nuts 90 provided on the rear wall 76 and the left side wall 78 of the connector housing 22 (the bolt insertion holes of the rear wall portion 126 are not shown in the figure), and bolts 150 described later are inserted into the bolt insertion holes 142. In addition, an external connection portion 144 protruding rearward is provided at the upper end portion of the rear wall portion 126, and bolt insertion holes 146 penetrating in the thickness direction (upward and downward direction) are formed in the external connection portion 144. By overlapping the terminal portion provided at the end of the external electric wire, etc., not shown in the figure, on the external connection portion 144, and inserting and tightening the bolts, not shown in the figure, into the bolt insertion holes 146, the shield shell 122 and the external electric wire, etc. are electrically connected. A positioning portion 148 is formed at the left end of the rear end surface of the external connection portion 144, and the claw 116 of the test hole sealing member 118 can be engaged with the positioning portion 148. The positioning portion 148 is formed in a shape that protrudes backwards on both sides of the engagement position of the claw 116 and is relatively concave.

[0052] <Assembly Method of Connector 10> Hereinafter, a specific example of the assembly method of the connector 10 will be described. In addition, the assembly method of the connector 10 is not limited to the form described below.

[0053] First, the insulating coating 16 is peeled off at the end of each electric wire 12 and at a position separated from the end to form each wire exposed portion 18a, 18b. Next, each terminal fitting 20 is fixed to each wire exposed portion 18a at the end of each electric wire 12 by welding, bonding, etc. In addition, each wire exposed portion 18b at a position separated from the end of each electric wire 12 is ultrasonically welded to form each wire welded portion 24.

[0054] Then, the wire welding portions 24 of the wires 12 are inserted into the grooves 58 of the upper housing 36 in a substantially press-fit state, and the wires 12 are bent at the tolerance absorbing portions 26 of the wires 12, and the ends of the wires 12 on the side where the terminal parts 20 are fixed are inserted into the communication holes 52 of the upper housing 36. Furthermore, the ends of the wires 12 on the side opposite to the side where the terminal parts 20 are fixed are inserted into the wire lead-out ports 80 of the lower housing 40, and the upper housing 36 and the lower housing 40 are opposed to each other in the vertical direction. Then, the upper housing 36 and the lower housing 40 are fixed to each other by bringing the upper housing 36 and the lower housing 40 close to each other in the vertical direction and engaging the elastic locking pieces 54 of the upper housing 36 and the locking claws 92 of the lower housing 40. Furthermore, the ends of the electric wires 12 on the side opposite to the side to which the terminal parts 20 are fixed are inserted into the insertion holes 88 of the waterproof rubber 86, and the waterproof rubber 86 is stored in the storage cylinder 84 of the lower housing 40. In addition, the waterproof rubber 66 and the cylindrical housing 34 are assembled from above to the upper housing 36. Thus, the connector housing 22 is completed with the electric wires 12 assembled thereto.

[0055] In this way, when each electric wire 12 is assembled in the connector housing 22, each pressing protrusion 94 protruding upward in the lower housing 40 presses from below on each wire fusion portion 24 inserted into each groove portion 58. In short, each wire fusion portion 24 is pressed toward the bottom (the wall portion on the upper side) of each groove portion 58 by each pressing protrusion 94, and each wire fusion portion 24 is slightly compressed in the up-down direction between the bottom (the wall portion on the upper side) of each groove portion 58 and each pressing protrusion 94. That is, the upper housing 36 and the lower housing 40 are assembled in the up-down direction which becomes the approach direction of each pressing protrusion 94 to each groove portion 58, and each wire fusion portion 24 is clamped between these groove portions 58 and each pressing protrusion 94. As a result, the crushing rib 101 provided at the protruding end of each pressing protrusion 94 is crimped to each wire fusion portion 24. In particular, in embodiment 1, as Figure 4 As shown, each wire welding portion 24 is compressed in the up-down direction, so that the upper end of each pressing protrusion 94 abuts against the lower opening of each groove portion 58 .

[0056] Next, a stopper is fixed to the portion of each electric wire 12 protruding forward from the connector housing 22, and the lower portion of the connector housing 22 is accommodated in the accommodation recess 130 of the shield shell 122. Then, the stopper and the shield shell 122 are fixed, for example, by bolts. In addition, the shield shell 122 and the connector housing 22 are fixed by the bolts 150 by inserting the bolts 150 from the rear and left side of the shield shell 122 and tightening them with the nuts 90 provided on the connector housing 22. In addition, when the bottom wall 124 of the shield shell 122 and the bottom wall portion 70 of the connector housing 22 are overlapped and the connector housing 22 is accommodated in the accommodation recess 130, the cylindrical portions 100 are inserted into the insertion holes 136, and the circular protrusions 138 are inserted into the circular recesses 104. Therefore, the shield shell 122 and the connector housing 22 can be positioned effectively by means of the insertion holes 136 , the cylindrical portions 100 , the circular protrusions 138 , and the circular recesses 104 .

[0057] Then, the test hole sealing member 118 is overlapped with the shield shell 122 from below, and the bolts 120 are tightened, so that each test hole 102 is sealed by each plug member 106. Thus, the connector 10 is completed.

[0058] According to the connector 10 of the first embodiment, the wire exposed portion 18b is provided at a position separated from the end of each electric wire 12, and the wires in the wire exposed portion 18b are integrated by welding to form the wire fusion portion 24. As a result, the deformation rigidity of the wire fusion portion 24 of each electric wire 12 is improved, and the bending deformation of each wire fusion portion 24 can be suppressed. In addition, when each electric wire 12 is assembled to the connector housing 22, the wire fusion portion 24 of each electric wire 12 is pressed into each wire press-in portion 41 held in the connector housing 22. As a result, when an external force is input from the end of each electric wire 12 on the side opposite to the side where each terminal fitting 20 is provided, not only the external force is blocked by each wire fusion portion 24, but also displacement of each electric wire 12 in the connector housing 22 can be suppressed, and the possibility of wear caused by sliding between the contact points of each terminal fitting 20 and the other terminal connected to each terminal fitting 20 can be reduced.

[0059] Each wire pressing portion 41 is composed of each groove portion 58 and each pressing protrusion 94, and when each wire 12 is assembled to the connector housing 22, each wire fusion portion 24 accommodated in each groove portion 58 is pressed by each pressing protrusion 94. Thus, each wire 12 (each wire fusion portion 24) can be stably supported between each groove portion 58 and each pressing protrusion 94 in the vertical direction.

[0060] In particular, each groove 58 and each wire welding portion 24 are rectangular in cross-section and have substantially similar cross-sections. This can increase the contact area between the left and right walls of each groove 58 and each wire welding portion 24, and each wire welding portion 24 can be supported more stably in each groove 58.

[0061] In each groove 58, each crushing rib 64 protruding toward each wire fusion portion 24 is provided on the inner surface on both sides of the left and right sides that become the opposing surface to each wire fusion portion 24. When each wire fusion portion 24 is accommodated in each groove 58, each crushing rib 64 and / or each wire fusion portion 24 is compressed. Thus, when each wire fusion portion 24 is accommodated in each groove 58, each wire fusion portion 24 can be prevented from being displaced in each groove 58.

[0062] The grooves 58 constituting the wire pressing portions 41 are provided in the upper housing 36, and the pressing protrusions 94 are provided in the lower housing 40. Thus, by bringing the upper housing 36 and the lower housing 40 close to each other and assembling them in a state where the wire fusion portions 24 are accommodated in the grooves 58, the pressing protrusions 94 can press the wire fusion portions 24.

[0063] In particular, in the fitted state of the elastic locking piece 54 of the upper housing 36 and the locking claw 92 of the lower housing 40, the crushing ribs 101 at the protruding ends of the pressing protrusions 94 are pressed against the wire welding parts 24. Thus, for example, even when the protruding dimensions of the pressing protrusions 94 are slightly reduced due to manufacturing errors or the like, or when the lower housing 40 (the pressing protrusions 94) are displaced downwardly, which is the separation direction, relative to the upper housing 36 (the grooves 58) due to the locking gaps between the elastic locking pieces 54 and the locking claws 92, the pressing protrusions 94 can be stably pressed against the wire welding parts 24, and the pressing state of the wire welding parts 24 can be stably achieved.

[0064] The connector housing 22 has each test hole 102 for exposing each wire fusion portion 24 to the outside. Thus, by inserting a test probe or the like through each test hole 102 and bringing each test probe or the like into contact with each wire fusion portion 24, it is possible to confirm, for example, whether each wire 12 is in a current-carrying state. In particular, by forming each test hole 102 using the inner hole of each pressing protrusion 94, it is not necessary to separately provide each test hole 102 and each pressing protrusion 94, and the lower housing 40 and thus the connector 10 can be miniaturized.

[0065] In addition, plug members 106 for sealing each test hole 102 and plug member holders 108 for holding each plug member 106 are provided. In the first embodiment, these plug members 106 and plug member holders 108 are integrally provided to constitute a test hole sealing member 118. Thus, by attaching or detaching the test hole sealing member 118 to or from the shielding case 122, the opening and closing of each test hole 102 are switched. In addition, since each small plug member 106 does not need to be individually assembled or detached, the handling and workability can be improved.

[0066] In each electric wire 12, a tolerance absorbing portion 26 capable of bending and deforming is provided between the wire exposed portion 18a at the end and the wire exposed portion 18b (wire fusion portion 24) at a position separated from the end. Thus, even if the wire fusion portion 24 with improved deformation rigidity is provided in the middle portion of each electric wire 12, the positional deviation of each terminal part 20 can be suppressed by appropriately bending and deforming the tolerance absorbing portion 26, and the connection between each terminal part 20 and the other terminal can be stably performed. In particular, since the length dimension A of each wire fusion portion 24 is larger than the length dimension B of each wire press-fitting portion 41 (each groove portion 58), the insertion operation of each wire fusion portion 24 into each groove portion 58 can be stably performed.

[0067] <Modification> As a specific example of the present invention, the first embodiment is described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to this specific description. Variations and improvements within the scope of the present invention are included in the present invention. For example, the following variations of the embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0068] (1) In the above-described embodiment, the wire exposed portions 18a and 18b are provided at the ends of each electric wire 12 and at positions separated from the ends, and the portions of each electric wire 12 other than the wire exposed portions 18a and 18b are covered with the insulating coating 16. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the wire exposed portion may be provided by stripping the insulating coating from the end of each electric wire by a predetermined length, that is, from the end to the formation position of the wire fusion portion.

[0069] (2) The method of integrating the plurality of wires by fusing (welding) them to form the wire fusion portion 24 is not limited, and in addition to the ultrasonic fusing illustrated in the above embodiment, a conventionally known fusing (welding) method such as resistance welding can be used.

[0070] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the groove 58 is provided in the first resin component (upper shell 36), and the pressing protrusion 94 is provided in the second resin component (lower shell 40), but the pressing protrusion may be provided in the first resin component and the groove may be provided in the second resin component.

[0071] (4) In the above embodiment, the inner holes of the pressing protrusions 94 are used to form the test holes 102, but the pressing protrusions and the test holes can also be provided separately, for example, the pressing protrusions can also be solid. In addition, the test holes are not essential in the connector of the present invention.

[0072] (5) In the above embodiment, each test hole 102 (the inner hole of each cylindrical portion 100) of the connector housing 22 is opened to the outside through each insertion hole 136 of the shielding shell 122, and each plug member 106 is inserted into the inner hole of each cylindrical portion 100, so that each test hole 102 is sealed. However, for example, the test hole may be sealed by closing the insertion hole of the shielding shell. In addition, in the connector of the present invention, the shielding shell is not essential, and the plug member retaining body that retains the plug member may be directly fixed to the connector housing. Description of Reference Numerals

[0073] 10 Connectors 12 Wire 14 core wire (multiple wires) 16 Insulation coating 18, 18a, 18b wire exposed part 20 Terminal parts 22 Connector housing 24 Wire welding department 26 Tolerance absorbing part 28 Contact part 30 Wire connection 32 Wall 34 Cylindrical shell 36 Upper housing (first resin component) 38 Upper opening 40 lower housing (second resin component) 41 Wire pressing part 42 Holding cylinder 44 Terminal assembly port 46 Cover plate 48 Through hole 50 cylindrical part 52 connecting hole 54 Elastic locking piece 56 Insertion tube 58 Groove 60 Partition plate 62 Wire holding part 63 Upper half divided cylindrical part 64 Crushed ribs 66 Waterproof rubber 68 O-ring 70 bottom wall 72 surrounding wall 74 front wall 76 Back Wall 78 Sidewall 80 Wire outlet 82 Lower half divided cylindrical part 84 Storage tube 86 Waterproof rubber 88 Through hole 90 Nut 92 Locking claw 94 Press the convex part 96 Partition plate 98 Through hole 100 Cylinder 101 Crushed Rib 102 Electrical test hole 104 circular concave part 106 bolt member 108 plug member retaining body 110 holding part 112, 114 bolt insertion holes 116 claws 118 Electricity testing hole sealing component 120 Bolt 122 Shielding Shell 124 bottom wall 126 rear wall 128 side wall 130 Storage recess 132 Front extension 134 Bolt holes 136 Insert hole 138 round convex part 140 Bolt Hole 142 Bolt insertion hole 144 External connection 146 Bolt insertion hole 148 Positioning unit 150 Bolt

Claims

1. A connector having: An electrical wire made of multiple wires covered with insulation; a terminal part connected to an end of a wire exposed portion where the insulating coating is stripped off at a terminal end of the electric wire to expose the wire; and A connector housing accommodates the terminal parts and the electric wires, The connector housing has a wire pressing portion, The wire exposed portion includes a wire welding portion formed by welding the wires to form an integrated structure. The wire welding portion is pressed into and held by the electric wire pressing portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The electric wire pressing portion includes a groove portion, the groove portion inserting and accommodating the wire welding portion, and a pressing protrusion portion pressing the wire welding portion toward the bottom of the groove portion.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein: The groove portion of the electric wire pressing portion and the wire welding portion extend in the axial direction of the electric wire with similar cross-sectional shapes.

4. The connector according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein: A crushing rib is protrudingly provided on a surface of the groove portion that faces the wire welding portion.

5. The connector according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein: The connector housing includes a first resin member and a second resin member, the first resin member includes the groove portion, and the second resin member includes the pressing protrusion. The first resin member and the second resin member are assembled in an approaching direction in which the pressing protrusion approaches the groove portion, and in the approaching direction, the wire fusion portion is sandwiched between the groove portion and the pressing protrusion.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein: The first resin component and the second resin component are assembled by locking and fitting the elastic locking piece provided on one side and the locking claw provided on the other side. A crushing rib is provided on the abutting surface of the pressing protrusion abutting against the wire welding portion. In a locked engagement state between the elastic locking piece and the locking claw, the crushing rib is pressed against the wire welding portion.

7. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The connector housing has an electrical inspection hole for exposing the wire welding portion to the outside.

8. A connector according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 2, wherein: The electric test hole penetrates through the interior of the pressing protrusion and is opened between the protruding end surface of the pressing protrusion and the surface of the connector housing.

9. The connector according to claim 7, wherein: It also has a plug member and a plug member retainer, The plug member seals the electrical inspection hole, The plug member holding body holds the plug member and is assembled to the connector housing directly or via another member.

10. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The electric wire has a tolerance absorbing portion capable of bending and deforming between the end of the wire exposed portion and the wire fusion portion. The wire pressing portion and the wire welding portion extend in the axial direction of the wire, The axial length of the wire welding portion is longer than the axial length of the electric wire pressing portion.

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