Connector

Abstract

A connector includes: a connecting member formed of a conductive metal material having a plurality of tabs; and a resin housing in which a portion of the connection member is insert-molded. The connecting member includes: a fixed plate fixed to the vehicle; a support plate erected from the fixing plate; and a base continuously connected to the support plate. The base has a first base and a second base that overlaps the first base and the tab is formed in the second base. The second base portion is fixed to the first base portion by a clinch portion that partially crimps an overlapping portion of the first base portion and the second base portion. An exposed portion that exposes the clinching portion is formed in the housing.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] As a grounding joint connector for connecting a plurality of wires together to a grounding portion of a vehicle, there is a connection component formed of a conductive metal material having a plurality of tabs, and the connection component is integrally provided in a housing made of resin (see patent document JP2016-212982A). The connection component includes a fixing plate fixed to the vehicle, a support plate standing from the fixing plate, and a base continuously connected to the support plate and protrudingly formed with a plurality of tabs. Summary of the invention

[0003] In the ground joint connector, the base of the connecting part has a first base and a second base continuously connected to the first base, and the root of the second base is folded back to overlap with the first base. The second base is fixed to the first base by partially crimping the rivet portion of the overlapping portion of the first base and the second base. Since the rivet portion is usually filled with resin (a part of the housing) after insert molding, the appearance of the rivet portion cannot be checked after insert molding.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of inspecting the appearance of a caulking portion even after insert molding.

[0005] The connector according to the present invention includes: a connecting component formed of a conductive metal material having a plurality of tabs; and a resin housing in which a portion of the connecting component is insert-molded. The connecting component includes: a fixing plate fixed to a vehicle; a support plate standing up from the fixing plate; and a base continuously connected to the support plate. The base has a first base and a second base, the second base overlapping the first base and forming the tabs in the second base. The second base is fixed to the first base by a riveting portion that partially crimps the overlapping portion of the first base and the second base, and an exposed portion is formed in the housing, the exposed portion exposing the riveted portion.

[0006] The above configuration makes it possible to provide a connector capable of inspecting the appearance of the caulking portion even after insert molding. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the ground joint connector according to the present embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 is a side view showing an example of the ground joint connector according to the present embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the ground joint connector according to the present embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the male connector according to the present embodiment.

[0011] Figure 5 : is a front view showing an example of the male connector according to the present embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA.

[0013] Figure 7 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB.

[0014] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of the ground terminal component.

[0015] Fig. 9 is from Figure 8 A three-dimensional view of the ground terminal component viewed from the opposite side.

[0016] Fig.10 is a side view of the ground terminal part.

[0017] Fig.11 It is a perspective view of the blank before forming the ground terminal member.

[0018] Fig.12 is a plan view of a blank before forming a ground terminal member.

[0019] Fig.13A This is an explanatory diagram of a process for applying a waterproof material to a ground terminal member.

[0020] Fig. 13B This is an explanatory diagram of a process for applying a waterproof material to a ground terminal member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, the connector according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios of the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0022] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the ground joint connector 1 is formed by combining a connector (male connector 2) and a mating connector (female connector 3). The mating connector (female connector 3) is mated with the connector (male connector 2) according to the present embodiment.

[0023] First, the counterpart connector (female connector 3) will be described.

[0024] The female connector 3 includes a mating housing (female housing 4) made of resin. The female housing 4 has a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 61, and the end side of the female housing 4 is a mating portion 62. The plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 61 are formed along the engagement direction with the male connector 2. In addition, the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 61 are arranged in the width direction of the female housing 4, and the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 61 are arranged in two upper and lower steps.

[0025] In the terminal accommodation chamber 61, the female terminal 5 is accommodated (inserted) from the rear end side, which is the rear side in the engagement direction with the male connector 2. The female terminal 5 is formed of a conductive metal material such as copper or a copper alloy. The electric wire 6 having an outer skin covering the conductor is crimped and electrically connected to the female terminal 5. The female terminal 5 is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 61 from the rear end side of the female housing 4, and thus the electrical connection portion of the female terminal 5 is locked to the lance portion (not shown) in the terminal accommodation chamber 61. As a result, the female terminal 5 is maintained in a state in which it is accommodated in the terminal accommodation chamber 61.

[0026] Next, the connector (male connector 2) will be described.

[0027] The male connector 2 includes a housing (male housing 7) made of resin. The male housing 7 is formed with a mating recess 11 in which an end side as a front side in a direction of engagement with the female connector 3 has an opening. When the mating portion 62 of the female housing 4 is mated with the mating recess 11 of the male housing 7, the mating connector (female connector 3) is engaged to the connector (male connector 2).

[0028] like Figures 4 to 7 As shown, the male connector 2 has a housing (male housing 7) and a connection member (ground terminal member 8).

[0029] The male housing 7 has a cover 10, and the inner side of the cover 10 is a fitting recess 11. The cover 10 has a rear wall (bottom wall 12) and a peripheral wall 13 extending from the periphery of the bottom wall 12 to the tip side of the cover 10. A sealing member (not shown) formed in an annular shape is fitted into the cover 10 of the male housing 7. When the fitting portion 62 of the female housing 4 is fitted with the fitting recess 11 of the male housing 7, the sealing member stops water between the fitting recess 11 and the fitting portion 62.

[0030] like Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the ground terminal member 8 includes a bus bar 20 and a terminal fitting 30. The bus bar 20 and the terminal fitting 30 are formed of a conductive metal material such as copper or a copper alloy, and are integrally formed by a press working.

[0031] The busbar 20 has a flat fixing plate (main body fixing portion 21) and a support plate (neck 22) rising from the main body fixing portion 22. A bolt insertion hole 23 is formed in the main body fixing portion 21. By fastening a bolt (not shown) inserted into the bolt insertion hole 23 to the vehicle body (main body), the main body fixing portion 21 is fastened and fixed to the vehicle body (main body), thereby grounding the busbar 20. In addition, a grounding terminal of a grounding wire (not shown) is fastened to the main body fixing portion 21 together by a bolt. A rotation stopper 24 is formed at a portion of the main body fixing portion 21. The rotation stopper 24 is a bent portion that engages with a step portion or a hole portion around a grounding surface, where the main body fixing portion 21 is fastened by a bolt, and when the rotation stopper 24 engages with a step portion or a hole portion around the grounding surface, the rotation of the main body fixing portion 21 relative to the grounding surface is suppressed.

[0032] A convex portion 21 a for increasing the rigidity of the bus bar 20 is formed from the body fixing portion 21 to the neck portion 22. In addition, a convex portion 24 a for increasing the rigidity of the rotation stopper piece 24 is formed in the rotation stopper piece 24.

[0033] At the end portion (the portion close to the neck 22) on the neck 22 side in the body fixing portion 21, ribs (reinforcement ribs 25) vertically standing from the body fixing portion 21 are formed on both sides in the width direction. At least the upper portion of each reinforcement rib 25 and 25 is covered by the resin portion (covering portion 16) protruding from the male housing 7 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 1 and Figure 2 ). When vibration is applied in a state where the ground joint connector 1 is fixed to the vehicle body, a large load may be repeatedly applied to the root portion 22a located between the neck portion 22 of the ground terminal member 8 and the main body fixing portion 21 by the vibration transmitted via the female connector 3. The ground terminal member 8 having the above-mentioned structure can disperse the load applied to the ground terminal member 8 by the female connector 3, thereby preventing the load from being concentrated at the root portion 22a of the neck portion 22 of the ground terminal member 8.

[0034] In the ground joint connector 1, the current supplied from the female connector 3 flows through the plurality of tabs 31 of the ground terminal member 8, merges at the neck 22, and is supplied to the vehicle body from the main body fixing portion 21. At this time, since the current is concentrated in the neck 22, the heat generated in the neck 22 may increase. Since the ground terminal member 8 has a structure including the above-mentioned ribs (reinforcement ribs 25), a heat dissipation effect can be obtained by the ribs (reinforcement ribs 25), so that the heat generated in the neck 22 can be reduced and the temperature rise can be suppressed.

[0035] Here, when the reinforcing ribs 25 are arranged on both sides of the neck 22 in the width direction ( Fig.12In the case of the blank 40 (the portion indicated by reference numerals 41 and 41 in the figure), since the tabs 31 are located on the outside in the width direction in the blank 40 (the plate member before the ground terminal member 8 is formed by bending), the height of the reinforcing ribs 25 cannot be ensured. In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the reinforcing ribs 25 are arranged on both sides in the width direction of the main body fixing portion 21, there are no tabs 31 on the outside in the width direction of the blank 40, so that the height of the reinforcing ribs 25 can be ensured (see Fig.12 ). In addition, since the reinforcing ribs 25 are arranged in the region which would conventionally be discarded without being used, the material yield can be improved.

[0036] Furthermore, a crank portion 26 formed by bending into a crank shape is formed at an end portion of the neck portion 22 on the terminal fitting 30 side (a portion close to the terminal fitting 30 ).

[0037] The terminal fitting 30 has a base 32 and a plurality of tabs 31. The base 32 is formed in a flat plate shape, and the tabs 31 protrude in the same direction from the edge portion of the base 32. In the ground terminal part 8, a plurality of tabs 31 protruding in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the base 32 are arranged in two upper and lower steps.

[0038] like Figures 4 to 7 As shown, the ground terminal part 8 is insert-molded into the male housing 7. As a result, the ground terminal part 8 is integrally formed in a state where the neck 22 of the bus bar 20 and the base 32 of the terminal fitting 30 are embedded in the bottom wall 12 of the fitting recess 11 forming the male housing 7. The tab 31 of the ground terminal part 8 protrudes from the bottom wall 12 into the fitting recess 11.

[0039] The ground terminal member 8 is formed by stamping a metal plate material into a blank 40 (see Fig.11 and Fig.12 ), and the blank 40 is subjected to bending processing and the like. Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown, the blank 40 has the bus bar 20 formed at one end side of the blank 40 , the terminal fitting 30 formed at the other end side of the blank 40 , and the neck 22 formed between the bus bar 20 and the terminal fitting 30 .

[0040] The base 32 of the terminal fitting 30 also has a first base 42 and a pair of second bases 43 and 43 that are continuously connected to each side in the width direction of the first base. The tab 31 is formed at each second base 43, and the root of the second base 43 is folded back to overlap with the first base 42. Thereafter, by partially crimping (riveting) the overlapping portion of the first base 42 and the second base 43, a riveting portion 33 (see FIG. 1 ) that fixes each second base 43 to the first base 42 is formed. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 ).

[0041] In this embodiment, the central portion of the rivet portion 33 and the base portion 32 in the width direction is not covered by the resin (a part of the male housing 7), but is exposed through the exposed portion (thickness-reduced portions 14 and 15) (see FIG. Figure 5 and Figure 6 Since the riveted portion 33 is exposed through the reduced thickness portion 14 after insert molding, the unriveted portion can be found by visual inspection after insert molding. In addition, compared with the case where the riveted portion 33 is covered with resin, the amount of resin used is reduced, thereby reducing the weight of the male connector 2.

[0042] At the same time, in the male housing 7, the resin shrinks after insert molding, thereby reducing the overall volume of the male housing 7. In addition, the grounding terminal part 8, which is heated and thermally expanded during insert molding, also reduces in volume after insert molding. However, since the volume reduction rate of the male housing 7 is greater than the volume reduction rate of the grounding terminal part 8, a slight gap may appear between the grounding terminal part 8 and the male housing 7 in the male connector 2 due to the difference in these volume reduction rates. Thus, a waterproof material coating portion 27 is formed around the entire circumference of the neck 22 of the grounding terminal part 8 (see Fig.10 ) state, the ground terminal component 8 is insert molded.

[0043] Waterproof material 51 (see Fig.13A ) is applied to the ground terminal part 8 at a stage before insert molding. For example, the waterproof material 51 used here has such a property that it is in liquid form when it is applied to the ground terminal part 8 and solidifies when it dries. First, as Fig.13A As shown in , the ground terminal component 8 is arranged so that the tab 31 faces upward, and the water stop material 51 is applied to the neck 22 of the bus bar 20 by using a nozzle 50 such as a dispenser. At this time, since the crank portion 26 formed by bending into a crank shape is formed at the end of the neck 22 on the terminal fitting 30 side (the portion close to the terminal fitting 30), the water stop material 51 can be suppressed from flowing into the tab 31 by the crank portion 26. Then, as Fig. 13B As shown, the ground terminal member 8 is arranged so that the tab 31 faces downward, and the water stop material 51 is also applied to the opposite surface of the neck portion 22 of the bus bar 20 by using the nozzle 50 .

[0044] As described above, the connector (male connector 2) according to one aspect of the present embodiment includes a connection component (ground terminal component 8) having a plurality of tabs 31, which is formed of a conductive metal material. The connector (male connector 2) includes a resin housing (male housing 7), and a portion of the connection component (ground terminal component 8) is insert-molded in the resin housing. The connection component (ground terminal component 8) includes a fixing plate (main body fixing portion 21) fixed to the vehicle, a support plate (neck 22) rising from the fixing plate (vehicle body fixing portion 21), and a base 32 continuously connected to the support plate (neck 22). The base 32 has a first base 42 and a second base 43, the second base 43 overlaps the first base 42 and the tabs 31 are formed in the second base 43. The second base 43 is fixed to the first base 42 by a riveting portion 33, and the riveting portion 33 partially crimps the overlapping portion of the first base 42 and the second base 43. An exposed portion (thickness-reduced portion 14) that exposes the riveting portion 33 is formed in the housing (male housing 7).

[0045] In this embodiment, the rivet portion 33 is not covered by the resin (a part of the male housing 7), but is exposed through the reduced thickness portion 14 (see Figure 5 and Figure 6 Since the riveted portion 33 is exposed through the reduced thickness portion 14 after insert molding, the unriveted portion can be found by visual inspection after insert molding. In addition, compared with the case where the riveted portion 33 is also covered with resin, the amount of resin used is reduced, thereby reducing the weight of the male connector 2.

[0046] As described above, the present embodiment makes it possible to provide a connector (male connector 2 ) capable of inspecting the appearance of the caulking portion 33 even after insert molding.

[0047] In the connector (male connector 2 ), a pair of caulking portions 33 and 33 may be formed in the base portion 32 in the width direction, and each of the caulking portions 33 and 33 may not be covered with resin but may be exposed through the exposed portion (reduced thickness portion 14 ).

[0048] Since each of the rivet portions 33 and 33 is exposed through the reduced thickness portion 14 after insert molding, a portion that is not riveted can be found through an appearance inspection after insert molding.

[0049] Although specific embodiments have been described, these embodiments are disclosed only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be implemented in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the forms of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The appended claims and their counterparts are intended to cover such forms or modifications that fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising: a connecting member formed of a conductive metal material having a plurality of tabs; as well as a resin housing in which a portion of the connecting component is insert-molded, in, The connecting component comprises: a fixing plate fixed to the vehicle; a support plate, the support plate standing from the fixing plate; and a base continuously connected to the support plate, The base has a first base and a second base, the second base overlaps the first base and the tab is formed in the second base, The second base is fixed to the first base by partially crimping a rivet portion of an overlapping portion of the first base and the second base, and The housing is provided with an exposed portion that exposes the caulking portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, in, A pair of the caulking portions are formed in the width direction of the base portion, and each of the caulking portions is not covered with resin but is exposed through the exposed portion.

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