Connector unit

Abstract

Disclosed is a connector unit capable of suppressing variations in heat dissipation performance and improving heat dissipation performance through a shorter heat dissipation path. The connector unit (10) includes a first connector (12) and a second connector (14), the first connector (12) is provided with a first terminal fitting (18), the first terminal fitting (18) is provided with a first connecting part (16), the second connector (14) is provided with a second terminal fitting (22), a housing (42) and a shield shell (44), the housing (42) is provided with an insertion hole (70), the first connecting part (16) is inserted into the insertion hole (70), the second connecting part (20) is configured in the insertion hole (70) in a manner capable of being in contact with the first connecting part (16), and the shield shell (44) is arranged in the housing (42) in a manner capable of being in contact with the second connecting part (20). The first terminal fitting (18) is integrally provided with an elastic deformation part (28) that elastically deforms the first connection part (16) in a direction in which the first connection part (16) is separated from the second connection part (20) in accordance with contact with the second connection part (20), and the first connection part (16) is pressed against the second connection part (20) and the second connection part (20) is pressed against the shield shell (44) via the insulating member (92) by the elastic restoring force of the elastic deformation part (28).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In the past, it was known that a connector unit in which a first connector and a second connector are electrically connected to each other has a problem of heat generation between the respective connection parts of the first terminal part and the second terminal part, which are in contact with each other and energized when the first connector and the second connector are engaged. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses an example in which a structure for releasing heat between the connection parts is provided in the second connector. That is, the second connector comprises: a second terminal part having a second connection part connected to the first connection part provided on the first terminal part; an electric wire connected to the electric wire connection part of the second terminal part; and a metal shielding shell covering the electric wire connection part of the second terminal part and the electric wire, and the second connector comprises a structure in which the electric wire connection part and the shielding shell are integrated by an insulating resin part formed by insert molding. In this connector unit, the electric wire connection part of the second terminal part is seamlessly covered by an insulating resin part filled in the shielding shell by insert molding in a manner of filling an air layer, and is integrated with the shielding shell. Therefore, the heat generated at the contact portion between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is rapidly transferred from the insulating resin portion to the metal shield case without passing through the air layer, thereby improving the heat dissipation of the connector unit. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-113119 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] However, in the connector unit described in Patent Document 1, when insufficient filling or voids (gaps) are generated due to resin fluidity during molding of the insulating resin portion, the desired heat dissipation performance cannot be exhibited, and there is a possibility that the heat dissipation performance may vary. Furthermore, since the contact portion of the insulating resin portion to the terminal part is the wire connection portion, there is also an inherent problem that the distance from the second connection portion (the contact portion with the first connection portion) that generates the maximum heat on the conductive path to the shield shell that is the heat dissipation portion is long, and the thermal resistance is large.

[0005] Therefore, a connector unit is disclosed that can suppress the variation in heat dissipation performance and improve the heat dissipation performance through a shorter heat dissipation path. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0006] The connector unit of the present invention includes a first connector and a second connector, the first connector having an insulating terminal seat and a first terminal part, the first terminal part having a base end portion held by the terminal seat and a first connecting part arranged on the top end side protruding from the terminal seat, the second connector having: a second terminal part having a second connecting part connected to the first connecting part; an insulating shell for accommodating the second terminal part; and a shielding shell covering the outer surface of the shell, the shell having an insertion hole, the first connecting part being inserted and arranged in the insertion hole, the second connecting part being able to be arranged in the insertion hole in contact with the first connecting part, the first terminal part integrally having an elastic deformation part, the elastic deformation part causing the first connecting part to be elastically deformed in a direction of separation from the second connecting part accompanying contact with the second connecting part, and the first connecting part being pressed against the second connecting part by the elastic restoring force of the elastic deformation part, and the second connecting part being pressed against the shielding shell via an insulating member. Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the connector unit of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the variation in heat dissipation performance and improve the heat dissipation performance through a shorter heat dissipation path. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the connector unit according to the first embodiment in a fitted state between the first connector and the second connector. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Right side view of the connector unit shown. Figure 3 Yes Figure 2 A longitudinal sectional view showing an enlarged main portion of the III-III section. Figure 4 Yes Figure 2 The cross-sectional view is an enlarged view of section IV-IV. Figure 5 The first connector and the second connector are shown in a separated state. Figure 1 A perspective view of the connector unit is shown. Figure 6 It shows the composition Figure 1 A front view of the first connector of the connector unit shown. Figure 7 It shows the composition Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a top view of the second connector of the connector unit shown. Figure 8 yes Figure 7 An exploded perspective view of the second connector shown. Fig. 9 It is shown from the left side. Figure 7A perspective view of a second connector in which a second terminal part and an insulating member are assembled to a housing is shown. Fig.10 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector unit according to Embodiment 2, Figure 4 The corresponding figure. Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector unit according to Embodiment 3, Figure 4 The corresponding figure. Fig.12 It shows the composition Fig.11 A perspective view of the first connector of the connector unit shown. Fig.13 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector unit constituting Embodiment 4, Figure 4 The corresponding figure. Fig.14 It shows the composition Fig.13 A perspective view of the first connector of the connector unit 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 unit of the present invention, (1) includes a first connector and a second connector, the first connector having an insulating terminal block and a first terminal part, the first terminal part having a base end portion held by the terminal block and a first connecting portion provided on a top end side protruding from the terminal block, the second connector having: a second terminal part having a second connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion; an insulating shell for accommodating the second terminal part; and a shielding shell covering an outer surface of the shell, the shell having an insertion hole, the first connecting portion being inserted and arranged in the insertion hole, the second connecting portion being able to be arranged in the insertion hole in contact with the first connecting portion, the first terminal part integrally having an elastic deformation portion, the elastic deformation portion causing the first connecting portion to elastically deform in a direction of separation from the second connecting portion accompanying contact with the second connecting portion, and the first connecting portion being pressed against the second connecting portion by an elastic restoring force of the elastic deformation portion, and the second connecting portion being pressed against the shielding shell via an insulating member.

[0010] According to the connector unit of the present invention, instead of the insulating resin part molded in a manner to fill the gap between the shielding shell of the second connector and the second terminal part in the previous structure, an elastic deformation part is integrally provided on the first terminal part, and the first connection part of the first terminal part is pressed to the second connection part of the second terminal part by the elastic restoring force of the elastic deformation part, and the second connection part is pressed to the shielding shell through the insulating member. As a result, the contact part between the first connection part and the second connection part, which generates the most heat in the connector unit, can be stably pressed to the shielding shell. Therefore, compared with the previous structure, a shorter heat dissipation path can be constructed, and the heat dissipation performance of the connector unit can be improved. Moreover, on the heat dissipation path, the insulating resin part filled in a manner of filling the air layer in the shielding shell by insert molding as in the previous structure is not used, so the possibility of deviation in the heat dissipation performance of the connector unit due to insufficient filling and the generation of pores is also reduced.

[0011] Furthermore, the second connection portion only needs to be pressed against the shield case via an insulating member, and the insulating member may be the case or a member having a higher thermal conductivity than the case.

[0012] (2) Preferably, the first terminal part is integrally provided with a curved portion, the curved portion displaces the first connection portion relative to the base end portion toward the second connection portion, the elastic deformation portion is constituted by the curved portion, the curved portion is elastically deformed by contact between the first connection portion and the second connection portion, and the first connection portion is pressed against the second connection portion by the elastic restoring force of the curved portion, and the second connection portion is pressed against the shielding shell via the insulating member. The pressing force of the first connection portion toward the second connection portion and the shielding shell is exerted by the curved portion integrally provided on the first terminal part, so that a separate spring member is not required, and the number of components in the connector unit can be reduced and miniaturized.

[0013] (3) Preferably, the insulating member includes a heat dissipation member having a higher thermal conductivity than the shell, the heat dissipation member having a connection portion side contact surface in contact with the second connection portion and a shell side contact surface exposed from the opening of the shell and in contact with the shield shell, and the second connection portion pressed by the first connection portion is pressed to the shield shell via the heat dissipation member by the elastic restoring force of the elastic deformation portion. Since the second connection portion pressed by the first connection portion is pressed to the shield shell via the heat dissipation member having a higher thermal conductivity than the shell by the elastic restoring force of the elastic deformation portion, a decrease in the heat dissipation efficiency of the shell can be suppressed, and further improvement in the heat dissipation performance of the connector unit can be achieved.

[0014] (4) In the above (2), preferably, the first terminal part is formed by a bus bar, and the curved portion is provided by bending or curving a portion of the bus bar in the longitudinal direction in the plate thickness direction. The curved portion of the first terminal part can be easily formed using a single bus bar, which can advantageously simplify and miniaturize the structure of the first terminal part and the connector unit as a whole.

[0015] (5) In the above (4), it is preferred that the curved portion is provided by bending the portion between the base end portion and the first connecting portion in the long side direction of the bus bar in the plate thickness direction. The curved portion can be easily formed by simply bending the portion between the base end portion and the first connecting portion in the long side direction of the bus bar in the plate thickness direction, thereby further simplifying and miniaturizing the structure of the first terminal part and the entire connector unit.

[0016] (6) In the above (4) or (5), it is preferred that a top bent portion is provided at the top end of the busbar, and the top bent portion is inclined in the direction opposite to the bent portion in the plate thickness direction of the busbar. Because the top bent portion is provided at the top end of the busbar, when the first connector and the second connector are mated, the top end of the busbar can be advantageously suppressed from shaking toward the housing of the second connector, etc. In addition, because the top bent portion is inclined in the direction opposite to the bent portion, when the top bent portion of the busbar slides in contact with the second connecting portion of the second terminal part, the bent portion can be advantageously elastically deformed in the direction opposite to the bending direction of the bent portion (the direction of separation from the second connecting portion).

[0017] (7) In the above (4), preferably, the first connection portion is formed by cutting and raising the middle portion of the busbar in the width direction into a cantilever beam shape at a point in the long side direction of the busbar with a specified size, and the curved portion is formed by the connecting portion where the first connection portion is connected to the busbar. The first connection portion can be formed by cutting and raising the middle portion of the busbar in the width direction into a cantilever beam shape, and when cutting and raising, the connecting portion where the first connection portion is connected to the busbar becomes a curved portion, so the first connection portion and the curved portion can be manufactured efficiently. In addition, the range and direction of the cutting and raising can be changed according to the structure of the second connector side, and the design freedom of the connector unit can be improved.

[0018] (8) In the above (4), it is preferred that the curved portion is provided by folding the portion on the top side in a curved shape toward the second connection portion in the long side direction of the bus bar so as to be bent in the plate thickness direction, and in the bus bar, the portion folded back toward the second connection portion constitutes the first connection portion. Since the curved portion is provided by folding the portion on the top side in a curved shape in the long side direction of the bus bar, a wider area of ​​the curved portion can be ensured, and the degree of freedom in designing the pressing force can be improved.

[0019] (9) Preferably, the first connector has a pair of the first terminal parts, and the second connector has a pair of the second terminal parts, and the second connecting portion of one of the pair of the second terminal parts and the second connecting portion of the other are arranged opposite to each other with the wall of the shielding shell in between, and the insertion hole of one side and the insertion hole of the other side are arranged on both sides of the opposing directions of the second connecting portions of one side and the other side with the wall of the shielding shell in between, and the first connecting portion of one side and the first connecting portion of the other side of the pair of the first terminal parts respectively inserted into the insertion holes of one side and the other side are pressed in directions approaching each other by the elastic restoring force of the respective elastic deformation portions.

[0020] When the first connector and the second connector each have a pair of first / second terminal parts, the second connection part and the first connection part can be pressed in sequence by the elastic restoring force of the elastic deformation part of each first terminal part through the wall of the shielding shell. With this structure, a heat dissipation path using the wall of the common shielding shell can be constructed, and a connector unit with excellent heat dissipation performance can be provided in a compact and space-efficient manner. <Details of Embodiments of the Invention> Specific examples of the connector unit 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> use Figures 1 to 9 A connector unit 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described. The connector unit 10 includes a first connector 12 and a second connector 14 that can be detachably engaged with the first connector 12. The first connector 12 includes a first terminal part 18, the first terminal part 18 has a first connecting portion 16, and the second connector 14 includes a second terminal part 22, the second terminal part 22 has a second connecting portion 20. Furthermore, by engaging the first connector 12 and the second connector 14, the first connecting portion 16 of the first connector 12 and the second connecting portion 20 of the second connector 14 are directly or indirectly in contact and become electrically conductive. In addition, the connector unit 10 can be configured in any orientation, but it is assumed below that the top is Figure 2 The top of the middle and the bottom of the middle Figure 2 Below, in front Figure 2 The left side of the middle, the back side is Figure 2 The right side of the Figure 3 Below, to the right Figure 3 In addition, regarding a plurality of identical components, sometimes only some of the components are denoted by reference numerals, and reference numerals are omitted for the other components.

[0022] <First connector 12> Also like Figure 6 As shown in the figures, the first connector 12 includes a terminal seat 24 and a first terminal part 18 made of an insulating synthetic resin. In the first embodiment, a pair of first terminal parts 18, 18 (first connecting parts 16, 16) are provided in the first connector 12, and each first terminal part 18 (first connecting part 16) is arranged to be separated from each other in the left-right direction. In addition, in the first embodiment, when the terminal seat 24 is formed, it is formed in a state where each first terminal part 18 is provided in the forming cavity, and the terminal seat 24 is formed as an integrally formed product having each first terminal part 18.

[0023] <First terminal part 18> Each first terminal part 18 has a base end portion 26 held by the terminal base 24 and a first connecting portion 16 protruding from the terminal base 24 toward the top side (lower side). In addition, each first terminal part 18 is integrally provided with an elastic deformation portion, which causes each first connecting portion 16 to elastically deform in a direction of separation from the second connecting portion 20 as it comes into contact with the second connecting portion 20. In the first embodiment, each first terminal part 18 is integrally provided with a curved portion 28, and the curved portion 28 causes each first connecting portion 16 to shift toward the second connecting portion 20 side relative to each base end portion 26, that is, as described later, causes each first connecting portion 16 to shift inward in the left-right direction, and each elastic deformation portion is constituted by the curved portion 28. In addition, in Figure 4 In FIG. 1 , the state of each curved portion 28 before elastic deformation is shown by a double-dashed line. When each curved portion 28 has been elastically deformed, each first connecting portion 16 is located in a direction away from the second connecting portion 20 (outward in the left-right direction) compared to before the elastic deformation of each curved portion 28. Figure 6 , each first terminal part 18 is shown in a state before each curved portion 28 is elastically deformed.

[0024] In addition, each first connection portion 16 only needs to be located (displaced) inward in the left-right direction relative to the curved portion 28 relative to the portion adjacent to the base end side (upper side), for example, Figure 6As shown, in the case where the base end portion of each first terminal part 18 has a portion extending in the left-right direction, each first connecting portion 16 may be located further outward in the left-right direction than the portion of the base end portion of each first terminal part 18 located most inner in the left-right direction. In addition, a bolt insertion hole 29 is provided in the portion extending in the left-right direction of the base end portion of each first terminal part 18, and each first terminal part 18 is fixed to a terminal portion of a device not shown in the figure by means of a bolt inserted through each bolt insertion hole 29. In addition, the bolt insertion hole 29 of each first terminal part 18 may not be provided, and each first terminal part may be fixed to a device or the like by crimping or fixing the base end portion of each first terminal part to an electric wire of a device or the like not shown in the figure.

[0025] Specifically, each first terminal part 18 is constituted by, for example, a bus bar formed by stamping a metal flat plate into a predetermined shape, and each curved portion 28 is provided by bending or curving a portion in the long side direction (up and down direction) of each bus bar in the plate thickness direction (left and right direction). In the first embodiment, each curved portion 28 is provided by bending a portion between each base end portion 26 and each first connecting portion 16 in the long side direction (up and down direction) of each bus bar in the plate thickness direction (left and right direction).

[0026] That is, in the first embodiment, the middle portion of each first terminal part 18 in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the terminal block 24 in a buried state in a specified area, and the top end portion (lower end portion) and the base end portion (upper end portion) of each first terminal part 18 protrude from the terminal holding portion 32 described later of the terminal block 24 to both sides in the upward and downward directions. The base end portions 26 of each first terminal part 18 held in the terminal block 24 are constituted by the portion of each first terminal part 18 that cannot be displaced by being fixed to the terminal block 24. In addition, each curved portion 28 is provided in the middle portion of each first terminal part 18 in the longitudinal direction (upward and downward direction), and each first terminal part 18 can be elastically deformed in each curved portion 28. Furthermore, each first connecting portion 16 is located closer to the top end side (lower side) than each curved portion 28 in each first terminal part 18, and by bending each curved portion 28 in each first terminal part 18, each first connecting portion 16 is located closer to the second connecting portion 20 side (inward in the left-right direction) than the portion adjacent to the base end side relative to each curved portion 28.

[0027] In addition, a top bent portion 30 is provided at the top end (lower end) of each bus bar (each first terminal part 18), and the top bent portion 30 is bent and inclined in the direction opposite to each curved portion 28 (outward in the left-right direction) in the plate thickness direction (left-right direction) of the bus bar.

[0028] <Terminal Block 24> The terminal base 24 has a terminal holding portion 32 that is generally rectangular in shape, and a terminal insertion hole 34 is provided in the terminal holding portion 32 in the up-down direction, and the first terminal part 18 is inserted into the terminal insertion hole 34. In the first embodiment, since a pair of first terminal parts 18, 18 are provided to be separated from each other in the left-right direction, a pair of terminal insertion holes 34, 34 are provided to be separated from each other in the left-right direction in the terminal holding portion 32.

[0029] In addition, a cover portion 36 protruding downward is provided on the outer peripheral edge portion of the top end side (lower side) of the terminal base 24. Figure 5 As shown in the figures, the cover 36, when viewed from above (projected in the up-down direction), is formed into a generally oblong shape whose left-right dimension is larger than its front-back dimension. That is, the portion of each first terminal part 18 protruding from the terminal retaining portion 32 to the top end side is located on the inner circumference of the cover 36. Furthermore, fixing pieces 38, 38 protruding rearward are provided on both sides in the left-right direction of the upper end of the cover 36. Each fixing piece 38 protrudes in a direction inclined outward in the left-right direction as it moves toward the rear, and a collar 40 for inserting a bolt not shown in the figure is fixed in an embedded state at the protruding end (rear end) of each fixing piece 38. By inserting the bolts through these collars 40, the first connector 12 can be bolted to, for example, a box of a device not shown in the figure.

[0030] <Second connector 14> The second connector 14 includes: a second terminal part 22 having a second connection part 20 connected to the first connection part 16; an insulating housing 42 for accommodating the second terminal part 22; and a shield shell 44 for covering the outer surface of the housing 42. In the first embodiment, since a pair of first connection parts 16, 16 are provided, a pair of second terminal parts 22, 22 (second connection parts 20, 20) and a pair of housings 42, 42 are provided in the second connector 14. And, each of these second terminal parts 22 (second connection parts 20) and each of the housings 42 are arranged to be separated from each other in the left-right direction.

[0031] <Second terminal part 22> The second terminal parts 22 have the same shape as each other. Figure 3 , Figure 8As shown, each second terminal part 22 is a roughly rectangular flat plate-shaped component that extends in the front-to-back direction as a whole, and the left-to-right dimension gradually decreases toward the top side (front side). In addition, a positioning recess 46 is formed in the middle part in the front-to-back direction of each second terminal part 22, which is open at the bottom and penetrates in the plate thickness direction (left-to-right direction). Moreover, the base end part (rear end part) of each second terminal part 22 has a larger dimension in the up-down direction than other parts, and the base end parts of each second terminal part 22 are respectively formed as wire fixing parts 50 to which the covered wires 48 are fixed. In each second terminal part 22 formed in such a shape, as shown Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the middle portion in the front-rear direction where the positioning recess 46 is formed is the second connecting portion 20 connected to the first connecting portion 16 when the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated.

[0032] Each covered electric wire 48 is composed of a core wire 52 and an insulating coating layer 54 made of synthetic resin that covers the core wire 52 over substantially the entire length. Furthermore, the insulating coating layer 54 is stripped off at the terminal end of each covered electric wire 48 to expose the core wire 52, and the exposed core wire 52 is fixed to the wire fixing portion 50 of each second terminal part 22, so that each second terminal part 22 and each covered electric wire 48 are connected. In addition, the fixing method of each wire fixing portion 50 and each core wire 52 is not limited, and it can be either bonding, welding, etc., or crimping using a crimping piece, etc.

[0033] <Housing 42> The pair of housings 42, 42 separated from each other in the left-right direction are symmetrical to each other, so the following shows Fig. 9 The right housing 42 will be described. Fig. 9 In the figure, as the housing side assembly 55, the second terminal part 22 with the covered wire 48 fixed at the wire fixing portion 50 is shown to be accommodated in the housing 42. Fig. 9 As shown, the housing 42 has a substantially rectangular cylindrical terminal housing portion 56 for housing the front end portion of the coated electric wire 48 and the second terminal part 22. That is, the housing 42 includes an upper wall portion 58 constituting the upper wall portion of the terminal housing portion 56, a lower wall portion 60 constituting the lower wall portion, a left wall portion 62 constituting the left wall portion, and a right wall portion 64 constituting the right wall portion. In addition, the front of the terminal housing portion 56 is closed by a front wall portion 66, and the coated electric wire 48 housed in the terminal housing portion 56 is led out to the external space through a rear opening portion 68 of the terminal housing portion 56.

[0034] An insertion hole 70 penetrating in the up-down direction is formed in the front portion of the upper wall portion 58 of the housing 42. The insertion hole 70 is provided in a predetermined area in the front portion of the upper wall portion 58, and when the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are fitted, the first connection portion 16 is inserted and arranged in the insertion hole 70. That is, the terminal housing portion 56 is communicated with the external space through the insertion hole 70, and the second connection portion 20 is arranged in a front portion of the terminal housing portion 56 that is communicated with the outside through the insertion hole 70 so as to be in contact with the first connection portion 16.

[0035] In addition, a side window portion 72 as an opening portion is formed in the front portion of the left wall portion 62 of the housing 42 and penetrates in the thickness direction (left-right direction). The side window portion 72 is formed over the substantially entire length of the left wall portion 62 in the up-down direction, and is formed from the front end portion (front wall portion 66) of the left wall portion 62 with a predetermined front-to-back dimension. In Embodiment 1, the side window portion 72 is formed from the front end portion of the left wall portion 62 to the middle portion in the front-to-back direction. Thus, the terminal storage portion 56 is connected to the external space through the side window portion 72. Furthermore, in the left wall portion 62, a portion that is closer to the rear than the side window portion 72 (the middle portion in the front-to-back direction of the left wall portion 62) is provided with an elastic piece 74 that protrudes forward and can be elastically deformed in the left-to-right direction in the upper portion. A locking claw 76 that protrudes to the left is provided at the protruding top end portion (front end portion) of the elastic piece 74. Furthermore, a locking protrusion 78 that engages with a locking frame 88 of a terminal fixing portion 82 described later is provided below the elastic piece 74 in the left wall portion 62 .

[0036] The elastic piece 74 having the above-mentioned locking claw 76 and the locking protrusion 78 are also provided in the middle part of the right wall part 64 in the front-back direction of the housing 42. The elastic piece 74 and the locking protrusion 78 of the right wall part 64 are provided at positions substantially equal to the left wall part 62 in the front-back direction, and the elastic piece 74 having the locking claw 76 is provided in the upper part of the middle part of the front-back direction of the right wall part 64, and the locking protrusion 78 is provided in the lower part. In addition, another locking protrusion 78 is provided in the lower part of the front part of the right wall part 64.

[0037] As described above, since the pair of housings 42 and 42 are symmetrical to each other, the right wall portion 64 of the left housing 42 is provided with a side window portion 72, an elastic piece 74, and a locking protrusion 78. In addition, the left wall portion 62 is provided with an elastic piece 74 and a pair of locking protrusions 78 and 78.

[0038] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, Figure 8 , Fig. 9As shown in the figures, each housing 42 is composed of a housing body 80 and a terminal fixing portion 82 assembled from below to the housing body 80. That is, the housing body 80 is composed of the upper wall portion 58, the lower wall portion 60, the left wall portion 62, the right wall portion 64 and the front wall portion 66, and a lower side window portion 84 (see FIG. 1 ) penetrating in the vertical direction is provided in the front portion of the lower wall portion 60. Figure 4 ), and the terminal fixing portion 82 is assembled in a manner covering the lower window portion 84. In short, the terminal receiving portion 56 of the housing body 80 is connected to the external space through the lower window portion 84, and is assembled to the housing body 80 through the terminal fixing portion 82, so that the lower window portion 84 is closed. As a result, a part of the wall portion on the lower side of the housing 42 is constituted by the terminal fixing portion 82. In addition, a pair of terminal fixing portions 82 are also provided in the left-right direction, but because each terminal fixing portion 82 is a mutually left-right symmetrical shape, the following is shown. Figure 8 , Fig. 9 The right terminal fixing portion 82 will be described.

[0039] The terminal fixing portion 82 includes a bottom plate portion 86 of a size that can cover the lower window portion 84, and a locking frame 88 protruding upward is provided at the left-right outer end of the bottom plate portion 86. The locking frame 88 is provided at a position corresponding to each locking protrusion 78 of the housing body 80, and a pair of locking frames 88, 88 are provided separately in the front-back direction at the right end of the terminal fixing portion 82, and a locking frame 88 is provided at the rear portion of the left end of the terminal fixing portion 82.

[0040] In addition, a positioning protrusion 90 protruding upward is provided at a position separated from the left end to the right by a predetermined distance in the middle portion in the front-to-back direction of the bottom plate 86. The positioning protrusion 90 is provided at a position slightly offset to the left relative to the left-to-right center of the bottom plate 86 and has a predetermined front-to-back dimension. Fig. 9 As shown, when the second terminal part 22 is assembled to the housing 42, the positioning protrusion 90 enters from below into the positioning recess 46 provided below the second terminal part 22. Thus, the second terminal part 22 is positioned relative to the housing 42 in the front-to-back direction, preventing the second terminal part 22 from falling off from the rear opening 68 of the housing 42.

[0041] Furthermore, as described above, since the pair of terminal fixing portions 82, 82 are mutually symmetrical in shape, a locking frame 88 is provided at the right end of the left terminal fixing portion 82, and a pair of locking frames 88, 88 are provided at the left end. In addition, a positioning protrusion 90 protruding upward is provided at a position slightly biased to the right relative to the left-right center in the middle portion in the front-back direction of the bottom plate portion 86.

[0042] <Insulating Member (Heat Dissipation Member 92)> Also like Figure 8 , Fig. 9 As shown in the figures, each housing 42 composed of each housing body 80 and each terminal fixing portion 82 contains not only each second terminal part 22 but also an insulating member having insulating properties. In the first embodiment, the insulating member is composed of a heat dissipation member 92 having a higher thermal conductivity than the housing 42. The material of the heat dissipation member 92 is not limited as long as the thermal conductivity is higher than that of the housing 42, and ceramic is used in the first embodiment. In addition, the heat dissipation members 92 respectively contained in each housing 42 are of the same shape as each other and are formed into a roughly rectangular plate shape. Each of these heat dissipation members 92 is formed to a size that can cover the side window portion 72 of each housing 42.

[0043] Each heat dissipation member 92 is housed inside each housing 42 in the left-right direction of each second terminal part 22. Fig. 9 In the right housing 42 shown, a heat dissipation member 92 is housed between the second terminal part 22 and the left wall portion 62 in the left-right direction. Specifically, the heat dissipation member 92 is arranged between the positioning protrusion 90 of the terminal fixing portion 82 and the left wall portion 62 of the housing body 80 in the left-right direction, thereby the side window portion 72 provided on the left wall portion 62 is covered by the heat dissipation member 92. In other words, when each heat dissipation member 92 is assembled in each housing 42, the inner surface of each heat dissipation member 92 in the left-right direction is exposed to the external space through each side window portion 72.

[0044] When the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 described later are mated, when the first connectors 16 are pressed against the second connectors 20 by the elastic restoring force of the curved portion 28 as the elastic deformation portion, the heat dissipation members 92 are interposed between the second connectors 20 and the shielding shell 44. In short, when the first connectors 16 are pressed against the second connectors 20, the second connectors 20 are pressed against the shielding shell 44 via the heat dissipation members 92. Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, in each heat dissipation member 92 , the left-right outer surface is a connection portion side contact surface 94 that contacts the second connection portion 20 , and the left-right inner surface is a shell side contact surface 96 that is exposed from the side window portion 72 of the shell 42 and contacts the shield shell 44 .

[0045] <Shielding case 44> The shielding shell 44 is formed into a shape that covers the substantially entirety of a pair of shells 42, 42, and is formed of a metal with a high heat conduction efficiency. That is, the shielding shell 44 includes: an upper wall portion 98 that covers the upper portion of each shell 42; a lower wall portion 100 that covers the lower portion of each shell 42; a left wall portion 102 that covers the left shell 42 from the left; a right wall portion 104 that covers the right shell 42 from the right; and a front wall portion 106 that covers the front of each shell 42. In addition, inside the shielding shell 44, a partition portion 108 is provided between the left and right directions of each shell 42, and the partition portion 108 divides the internal space of the shielding shell 44 in the left and right directions. A contact portion 109 is provided in the front portion of the partition portion 108, and the contact portion 109 protrudes outward in the left and right directions, and as described later, contacts with the shell-side contact surface 96 of each heat dissipation member 92. Furthermore, as Figure 3 , Figure 8 As shown, locking recesses 110 that can be engaged with the locking claws 76 of the housings 42 are formed on the inner surfaces of the left wall 102 , the right wall 104 , and the partition 108 .

[0046] In addition, a through hole 112 is formed in the front portion of the upper wall portion 98 of the shield shell 44, which penetrates the upper wall portion 98 in the up-down direction. The through hole 112 is a substantially oblong shape whose dimension in the left-right direction is larger than that in the front-back direction, and is provided across each housing 42 separated from each other in the left-right direction. An inner cylinder portion 114 protruding upward is provided at the peripheral portion of the through hole 112, and a front retaining body 130 described later is assembled to the inner cylinder portion 114. In addition, locking recesses 116 are provided at multiple locations on the peripheral edge of the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder portion 114, and each locking recess 116 is engaged with a locking protrusion 134 provided on the front retaining body 130, so that the front retaining body 130 is fixed to the inner cylinder portion 114.

[0047] Furthermore, an outer tube portion 118 is provided on the upper wall portion 98 on the outer peripheral side of the inner tube portion 114 and protrudes upward from the inner tube portion 114. The outer tube portion 118 is substantially oval in shape in which the left-right dimension is larger than the front-back dimension in a plan view, and is formed in a shape substantially corresponding to the cover portion 36 in the first connector 12. Figure 4 As shown, when the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated, the cover portion 36 in the first connector 12 enters between the inner tube portion 114 and the outer tube portion 118 in the shield shell 44 in the radial direction. In addition, cutout portions 120, 120 are formed on both sides of the rear portion of the outer tube portion 118, and each fixing piece 38 protruding rearward from the cover portion 36 enters the cutout portions 120, 120. Thus, when the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated, the insertion of the cover portion 36 into the outer tube portion 118 and the insertion of each fixing piece 38 into each cutout portion 120 guide the mating of the first connector 12 and the second connector 14.

[0048] In addition, a bolt insertion hole 122 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the partition portion 108 of the shield shell 44 at a portion rearward of the outer tube portion 118. A fastening bolt (not shown) is inserted through the bolt insertion hole 122, and when the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated, for example, the fastening bolt is fastened to a housing of a device (not shown) to which the first connector 12 is fixed. Thus, the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 can be mated by the fastening force of the fastening bolt.

[0049] In addition, in the shielding shell 44, locking claws 124 protruding outward in the vertical direction are provided at the rear ends of the upper wall portion 98 and the lower wall portion 100. In the first embodiment, a pair of locking claws 124, 124 are provided on each of the upper wall portion 98 and the lower wall portion 100 to be separated from each other in the left-right direction. Furthermore, fixing portions 126, 126 are provided on both sides of the lower portion of the shielding shell 44 in the left-right direction, and a shielding bracket 148 described later is fixed to the fixing portions 126, 126. In the first embodiment, a front protrusion 152 protruding forward from the shielding bracket 148 overlaps with each fixing portion 126, and the shielding shell 44 and the shielding bracket 148 are fixed to each other by bolts not shown.

[0050] In addition, notch-shaped engaging recesses 128, 128 are formed on both sides in the left-right direction of the rear end of the shield shell 44. The engaging recesses 128, 128 are open at the rear and penetrate the left wall 102 and the right wall 104 in the thickness direction (left-right direction). In the first embodiment, engaging protrusions 146, 146 protruding outward in the left-right direction are provided in the rear retaining body 138 described later. When the second connector 14 is assembled, the engaging protrusions 146 are inserted into the engaging recesses 128, so that the rear retaining body 138 is fixed to the shield shell 44. In addition, the engaging protrusions 146 are preferably pressed into the engaging recesses 128.

[0051] Also like Figure 7 , Figure 8As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the front retaining body 130 mounted on the inner tube portion 114 of such a shielding shell 44 is formed into a substantially oblong shape in a plan view, the dimension in the left-right direction being larger than the dimension in the front-back direction. In the central portion of the front retaining body 130, a substantially rectangular terminal insertion window 132 is formed through the vertical direction, and the first connecting portion 16 in the first connector 12 is inserted into the terminal insertion window 132. The terminal insertion window 132 is formed at a position corresponding to the insertion hole 70 provided in each housing 42 when the second connector 14 is assembled, and a pair of terminal insertion windows 132, 132 are provided to be separated from each other in the left-right direction. Thus, the front portion of the terminal storage portion 56 in each housing 42 is connected to the external space through the insertion hole 70 in each housing 42, the through hole 112 in the shielding shell 44, and each terminal insertion window 132 in the front retaining body 130. Furthermore, locking projections 134 projecting downward are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the front holding body 130 at positions corresponding to the locking recesses 116 in the shield shell 44 .

[0052] Furthermore, an annular waterproof rubber 136 is externally mounted on each of the covered electric wires 48 that are led out to the rear from the rear opening 68 of each housing 42 inserted in the shield shell 44 as described above, and each waterproof rubber 136 is inserted into the rear opening of the shield shell 44. In addition, a rear retainer 138 is provided behind each waterproof rubber 136 in each of the covered electric wires 48, and the rear retainer 138 prevents each waterproof rubber 136 from falling off.

[0053] In the first embodiment, the rear retaining body 138 is composed of an upper retaining body 140 and a lower retaining body 142 that can be assembled with each other, and the upper retaining body 140 and the lower retaining body 142 are assembled in a state where the covered electric wires 48 are sandwiched from both sides in the upper and lower directions at the rear of the shielding shell 44. These upper retaining body 140 and the lower retaining body 142 are respectively provided with a pair of locking frames 144 and 144 protruding forward. Thus, the rear retaining body 138 constituted by assembling the upper retaining body 140 and the lower retaining body 142 is fixed to the rear of each waterproof rubber 136 by the locking engagement of each locking claw 124 provided at the rear end portion of the shielding shell 44 and each locking frame 144.

[0054] In particular, in the first embodiment, the upper holding body 140 and the lower holding body 142 are provided with the engaging protrusion 146 protruding outward in the left-right direction, respectively. By assembling these upper holding body 140 and the lower holding body 142, a pair of engaging protrusions 146, 146 protrude in both sides in the left-right direction in the rear holding body 138. In addition, the upper holding body 140 and the lower holding body 142 may have the same shape as each other, or the rear holding body 138 may be constituted by assembling a pair of upper holding bodies 140, 140 (or a pair of lower holding bodies 142, 142) in a state of being reversed upside down.

[0055] The rear retaining body 138 is covered by a metal shield bracket 148. The shield bracket 148 includes a cylindrical wall portion 150, and when the second connector 14 is assembled, the cylindrical wall portion 150 covers the rear retaining body 138 from the outer peripheral side. The cylindrical wall portion 150 includes a front protruding portion 152 protruding forward at the lower portion. As described above, the front protruding portion 152 overlaps with each fixing portion 126 of the shield shell 44 and is fixed by bolts (not shown), so that the shield bracket 148 and the shield shell 44 are fixed to each other. A bolt insertion hole 154 is formed in the approximate center portion of the front protruding portion 152. When the second connector 14 is assembled, the bolt insertion hole 154 communicates with the bolt insertion hole 122 in the shield shell 44, and fastening bolts (not shown) are inserted into these bolt insertion holes 122 and 154.

[0056] <Combination of Connector Unit 10> Hereinafter, a specific example of a method of assembling the connector unit 10 by fitting the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 together will be described. In addition, the method of assembling the connector unit 10 is not limited to the form described below.

[0057] First, as described above, each first terminal part 18 and each collar 40 formed by bending a metal flat plate into a predetermined shape are set in the molding cavity of the terminal block 24 to mold the terminal block 24. Thus, the terminal block 24 having each first terminal part 18 and each collar 40 is formed into an integral molded product, and the first connector 12 is completed.

[0058] Next, the core wire 52 exposed by stripping the insulating coating 54 at the terminal of each covered wire 48 is fixed to the wire fixing portion 50 of each second terminal part 22. Then, each heat dissipation member 92 and each second terminal part 22 fixed to each covered wire 48 are inserted from the rear opening 68 of each housing body 80. Figure 3 As shown in the figures, the front wall portion 66 of each housing body 80 and the inner wall portion in the left-right direction are formed with recesses corresponding to each heat dissipation component 92 and each second terminal part 22. In each housing body 80, each heat dissipation component 92 and each second terminal part 22 are positioned at appropriate positions. Then, each housing body 80 and each terminal fixing portion 82 are assembled by bringing each terminal fixing portion 82 close to each housing body 80 from below and engaging each locking protrusion 78 and each locking frame 88. Thus, each housing 42 is completed, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 As shown, the second terminal parts 22 and the heat dissipation members 92 to which the covered electric wires 48 are fixed are housed in the housings 42 (housing-side assembly 55). In addition, the waterproof rubbers 136 are externally installed on the covered electric wires 48 at an appropriate time.

[0059] Next, each housing side assembly 55 is inserted from the rear opening of the shield shell 44, and each locking claw 76 of each housing 42 is locked with each locking recess 110 provided on the inner surface of the shield shell 44. Thus, each housing side assembly 55 is fixed to the shield shell 44. At this time, each contact portion 109 protruding outward in the left-right direction in the partition portion 108 of the shield shell 44 is inserted into each side window portion 72 opened from the front end portion on the left-right inner side of each housing 42. As a result, the shell side contact surface 96 of each heat dissipation member 92 contacts each contact portion 109 or faces each other with a small separation distance. In addition, each waterproof rubber 136 is inserted into the rear opening of the shield shell 44. In addition, the front retaining body 130 is mounted on the inner side cylinder 114 of the shield shell 44 at an appropriate time.

[0060] Then, the upper holding body 140 and the lower holding body 142 are assembled from both sides in the upper and lower directions behind the waterproof rubbers 136, sandwiching the covered electric wires 48, to form a rear holding body 138. Then, the rear holding body 138 is displaced in a direction approaching the shielding shell 44, the locking frames 144 are engaged with the locking claws 124, and the engaging protrusions 146 are inserted into the engaging recesses 128. Thus, the rear holding body 138 is fixed to the rear end of the shielding shell 44.

[0061] Next, the insulated wires 48 are inserted into the cylindrical wall 150 of the shield bracket 148, and the fixing portions 126 of the shield shell 44 and the front protrusion 152 of the shield bracket 148 are overlapped and fixed with bolts (not shown). Thus, the shield bracket 148 is fixed to the shield shell 44, and the second connector 14 is completed.

[0062] And, if Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are placed opposite to each other in the vertical direction, and the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are brought close to each other. Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, each first connection portion 16 of each first terminal part 18 is inserted into the terminal receiving portion 56 of each housing 42 through each terminal insertion window 132, through hole 112 and each insertion hole 70. Each first connection portion 16 inserted into each terminal receiving portion 56 contacts each second connection portion 20, so that each first connector 12 and each second connector 14 become conductive, and the connector unit 10 is completed. In addition, for example, each first connection portion 16 may be restricted from being inserted into each terminal receiving portion 56 by abutting against each terminal fixing portion 82 constituting the wall portion on the lower side of each housing 42. Alternatively, the restriction may be achieved by abutting against the lower surface of the terminal holding portion 32 in the terminal base 24 against the upper surface of the front holding body 130, or by abutting against the lower surface of the cover portion 36 in the terminal base 24 against the wall portion constituting the radial direction between the outer tube portion 118 and the inner tube portion 114.

[0063] Here, the minimum dimension A in the left-right direction of each first connecting portion 16, 16 before each curved portion 28 is deformed (see Figure 6 ) is smaller than the distance B between the outer surfaces of the second connecting parts 20, 20 in the left and right directions (refer to Figure 4 As a result, when each first connection portion 16 is inserted into the terminal receiving portion 56 in each housing 42, each inner surface of each first connection portion 16 contacts the outer surface of each second connection portion 20 in the left-right direction, and slides with each curved portion 28 elastically deforming outward in the left-right direction. Furthermore, each first connection portion 16 is pressed against each second connection portion 20 by the elastic restoring force of each curved portion 28 inward in the left-right direction, and each second connection portion 20 is pressed against each contact portion 109 of the shielding shell 44 through each heat dissipation member 92.

[0064] In short, if Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, in the second connector 14, a pair of second connection parts 20, 20 are arranged opposite to each other in the left-right direction via a partition 108 which is a wall part of the shield shell 44. In addition, each insertion hole 70, 70 in each housing 42 is also arranged on both sides of the left-right direction which are both sides of the opposing direction of the pair of second connection parts 20, 20 via the partition 108. And the minimum opposing distance A of each first connection part 16 inserted into these insertion holes 70 is smaller than the distance B between the outer surfaces of each second connection part 20 in the left-right direction. Therefore, when each first connection part 16 is inserted into the terminal receiving part 56 of each housing 42, the inner surface of each first connection part 16 slides relative to the outer surface of each second connection part 20 in the left-right direction, and each first connection part 16 is displaced in a direction away from each other by the elastic deformation of each curved part 28. Furthermore, due to the elastic restoration deformation of the curved portions 28 , the first connection portions 16 are displaced toward each other, and are pressed against the second connection portions 20 , and the second connection portions 20 are pressed against the contact portions 109 of the shielding case 44 via the heat dissipation members 92 .

[0065] That is, in the connector unit 10 of the first embodiment formed into the above-mentioned structure, the following structure is adopted: each first terminal part 18 is provided with each curved portion 28 as an elastic deformation portion, and the curved portion 28 elastically deforms each first connection portion 16 in a direction away from each second connection portion 20 (outward in the left-right direction) as it contacts each second connection portion 20, and each first connection portion 16 is pressed to each second connection portion 20 by the elastic restoring force of the curved portion 28, and each second connection portion 20 is pressed to the shield shell 44 via each heat dissipation member 92. As a result, the heat generated as the first connection portion 16 and each second connection portion 20 are radiated from the metal shield shell 44 via each heat dissipation member 92. Therefore, the heat dissipation path from the contact point between each first connection portion 16 and each second connection portion 20 to the shield shell 44 can be set shorter, and the heat dissipation efficiency can be improved.

[0066] In particular, in the first embodiment, the elastic deformation portion is formed by the curved portion 28 provided on each first terminal part 18. As a result, compared with the case where the elastic deformation portion is formed by a separate spring member, etc., the number of components and the cost can be reduced. In addition, as described above, a stable heat dissipation path can be constructed with a simple structure, so the first connector 12, the second connector 14, and then the connector unit 10 can be miniaturized.

[0067] When the first connection parts 16 and the second connection parts 20 are connected, the second connection parts 20 are pressed against the shielding shell 44 via the heat dissipation members 92 having a higher thermal conductivity than the housings 42. Thus, heat can be efficiently transferred from the second connection parts 20 to the shielding shell 44, and the heat dissipation efficiency from the shielding shell 44 can be improved.

[0068] Each first terminal part 18 is formed of a bus bar, and each bent portion 28 is formed by bending a point in the long side direction of the bus bar in the plate thickness direction. In particular, in the first embodiment, each bent portion 28 is provided by bending a portion between each base end portion 26 and each first connecting portion 16 in the long side direction of the bus bar in the plate thickness direction (left-right direction). In this way, each first terminal part 18 can be given a spring property with a simple structure, and each first connecting portion 16 can be pressed against each second connecting portion 20 when each first connecting portion 16 and each second connecting portion 20 are connected.

[0069] Each top bent portion 30 is provided at the top end (lower end) of the bus bar, and each top bent portion 30 is inclined in the opposite direction to each curved portion 28 in the plate thickness direction of the bus bar. Thus, when each first connecting portion 16 is inserted into the terminal receiving portion 56 of each housing 42 through each terminal insertion window 132, through hole 112 and each insertion hole 70, each first connecting portion 16 can be prevented from being hooked on the front retaining body 130, each housing 42, etc. and hindering the insertion. In addition, by firstly contacting the lower surface of each top bent portion 30 with the upper end of each second connecting portion 20, each first connecting portion 16 can be guided to the outside in the left-right direction, and each first connecting portion 16 can be smoothly inserted into each terminal receiving portion 56.

[0070] In the first embodiment, a pair of first connection parts 16, 16 are provided, and a pair of second connection parts 20, 20 are provided, and when each first connection part 16 is inserted into the terminal receiving part 56 of each housing 42, the inner surface of each first connection part 16 slides relative to the outer surface of each second connection part 20 in the left-right direction. That is, each first connection part 16 is displaced in a manner of being pushed apart from each other by the outer surface of each second connection part 20 in the left-right direction, and each second connection part 20 can be pressed in a manner of sandwiching each second connection part 20 in the left-right direction by the elastic restoring force of each curved part 28. Thus, each second connection part 20 can be pressed against the partition part 108 of the shielding shell 44 located therebetween, and the connector unit 10 having a short heat dissipation path and good heat dissipation efficiency can be provided by skillfully utilizing the pair of first connection parts 16, 16 and the pair of second connection parts 20, 20.

[0071] <Implementation Method 2> Next, use Fig.10 The connector unit 160 of the second embodiment of the present invention is described. The connector unit 160 of the second embodiment is basically the same structure as the connector unit 10 of the first embodiment, but the shape of each first terminal part 164 is different in the first connector 162. In addition, the second connector 166 is also the same structure as the second connector 14 of the first embodiment, but is different in that the front retaining body 130 is not provided. In addition, in the following description, the differences in the first embodiment are described, and the components and parts that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are marked with the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the detailed description is omitted.

[0072] Each first terminal part 164 of the second embodiment has a portion extending straightly from the base end (upper end) to the top end (lower end) in the long side direction (upper and lower end) of the bus bar, and the top end side portion of each first terminal part 164 is folded back toward the side of each second connecting portion 20 (inward in the left-right direction). Therefore, in the second embodiment, the curved portion 168 as the elastic deformation portion of each first terminal part 164 is composed of the folded back portion on the top end side, and the first connecting portion 170 is composed of the portion of each first terminal part 164 extending toward the base end side (upper side) by folding back the curved portion 168.

[0073] In the connector unit 160 of the second embodiment configured as above, the top end portion (lower end portion) of each first terminal part 164 is inserted into the terminal housing portion 56 through the through hole 112 of the shield shell 44 and the insertion hole 70 of each housing 42, so that the left-right inner surface of each first connection part 170 and the left-right outer surface of each second connection part 20 are in contact. That is, with the contact between each first connection part 170 and each second connection part 20, each first connection part 170 is elastically deformed in a direction away from each second connection part 20 by elastic deformation of each curved portion 168, and each first connection part 170 is inserted to slide relative to the left-right outer surface of each second connection part 20. And, by the elastic restoring force of these curved portions 168, each first connection part 170 is pressed against each second connection part 20, and each second connection part 20 is pressed against each contact portion 109 of the shield shell 44 via each heat dissipation member 92.

[0074] Therefore, in the connector unit 160 in the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the connector unit 10 in the first embodiment can be achieved. In particular, since each curved portion 168 is formed by folding back the bus bar, a wide area of ​​each curved portion 168 can be ensured. In addition, by adjusting the bending angle of each curved portion 168, the displacement amount of each first connecting portion 170 to the outside in the left-right direction when each first connecting portion 170 and each second connecting portion 20 are in contact can be adjusted. Therefore, the size of the insertion resistance (sliding resistance) when inserting each first connecting portion 170, the size of the contact pressure between each first connecting portion 170 and each second connecting portion 20, etc. can be adjusted, and the degree of freedom in design can be improved.

[0075] <Implementation Method 3> Next, use Fig.11 , Fig.12The connector unit 180 of the third embodiment of the present invention is described. The connector unit 180 of the third embodiment is basically the same structure as the connector unit 10 of the first embodiment, but is different in that a multi-contact spring 186 as an elastic deformation portion is fixedly provided at the top end (lower end) of each first terminal part 184 in the first connector 182. In addition, the second connector 166 is the same structure as that of the second embodiment, so the detailed description is omitted.

[0076] Each first terminal part 184 of the third embodiment has a portion extending straightly from the base end (upper end) to the top end (lower end) in the long side direction (upper and lower directions) of the bus bar. And, when the top end portion of each first terminal part 184 is inserted into the terminal receiving portion 56 of each housing 42, the top end portion of each first terminal part 184 provided with the multi-contact spring 186 indirectly contacts each second connecting portion 20 via the multi-contact spring 186. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the first connecting portion 188 is constituted by the top end portion of each first terminal part 184 provided with the multi-contact spring 186.

[0077] Here, the multi-contact spring 186 is made of metal and is provided with a plurality of mountain portions 190 cut from a metal flat plate and protruding inward in the left-right direction (on the side of each second connecting portion 20). These plurality of mountain portions 190 are arranged in a row in the front-to-back direction and extend alternately upward and downward in the front-to-back direction. The protruding top of each mountain portion 190 is substantially a portion in contact with each second connecting portion 20, and each mountain portion 190 can be elastically deformed in a direction in which the protruding size of each mountain portion 190 becomes smaller by contacting each second connecting portion 20.

[0078] In the connector unit 180 of the third embodiment, the top end portion (lower end portion) of each first terminal part 184 is inserted into the terminal receiving portion 56 through the through hole 112 of the shield shell 44 and the insertion hole 70 of each housing 42, so that each ridge 190 contacts each second connection portion 20. That is, as each first connection portion 188 is inserted into each terminal receiving portion 56, each ridge 190 of each multi-contact spring 186 is elastically deformed in a direction in which the protruding dimension becomes smaller, and slides relative to the left-right outer surface of each second connection portion 20. And, by the elastic restoration deformation of each ridge 190, the protruding top of each ridge 190 is pressed against each second connection portion 20, so that each first connection portion 188 is indirectly pressed against each second connection portion 20 via each multi-contact spring 186. As a result, each second connection portion 20 is pressed against each contact portion 109 of the shield shell 44 via each heat dissipation member 92.

[0079] Therefore, the connector unit 180 in the third embodiment can also exert the same effect as the connector unit 10 in the first embodiment. In particular, since the separate multi-contact spring 186 is provided as the elastic deformation portion in the first terminal part 184, each first terminal part 184 does not need to be a special shape, and each multi-contact spring 186 is fixedly mounted to each first terminal part 184, the first connector 182 can be simply constructed.

[0080] <Implementation Method 4> Next, use Fig.13 , Fig.14 The connector unit 200 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is described. The connector unit 200 of the fourth embodiment is basically the same structure as the connector unit 10 of the first embodiment, except that: in the first connector 202, a curved portion 206 as an elastic deformation portion is formed at the top end (lower end) of each first terminal part 204 by cutting and raising the bus bar constituting each first terminal part 204. In addition, the second connector 166 is the same structure as that of the second embodiment, so the detailed description is omitted.

[0081] The top portion of each first terminal part 204 of the fourth embodiment is generally in the shape of a rectangular flat plate, and the first connection portion 208 is formed by cutting the middle portion of the width direction of the bus bar into a cantilever beam shape at a predetermined size at a point in the long side direction (up and down direction). Specifically, at the top portion of each bus bar, a gap 210 is provided on three sides (front and rear sides and bottom) around the first connection portion 208, and the outer peripheral side of the first connection portion 208 is covered by a frame-shaped portion 212 across the gap 210. Thus, each first connection portion 208 is connected to the bus bar at the upper end, and each first connection portion 208 can be elastically deformed in the left and right direction with the connection portion as a base point. In addition, each first connection portion 208 is bent inward in the left and right direction at the connection portion, and protrudes inward in the left and right direction compared to the base end portion of the bus bar. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the curved portion 206 is formed by each first connection portion 208 and the connection portion of each bus bar.

[0082] In the connector unit 200 of the fourth embodiment, the top end portion (lower end portion) of each first terminal part 204 including the frame-shaped portion 212 is inserted into the terminal housing portion 56 through the through hole 112 of the shield shell 44 and the insertion hole 70 of each housing 42, so that the inner surface of each first connection portion 208 contacts the left-right outer surface of each second connection portion 20. As a result, each first connection portion 208 is displaced outward in the left-right direction by the elastic deformation of each curved portion 206, and slides relative to the left-right outer surface of each second connection portion 20. And, by the elastic restoring force of these curved portions 206, each first connection portion 208 is pressed against each second connection portion 20, and each second connection portion 20 is pressed against each contact portion 109 of the shield shell 44 through each heat dissipation member 92.

[0083] Therefore, in the connector unit 200 in the fourth embodiment, the same effects as those of the connector unit 10 in the first embodiment can be achieved. In particular, in the fourth embodiment, each first connection portion 208 and each curved portion 206 are formed by cutting and raising the bus bar, so no additional member is used when forming each first connection portion 208 and each curved portion 206, and an increase in the number of parts and cost can be avoided. In addition, by adjusting the bending angle of each curved portion 206, the protrusion amount of each first connection portion 208 inward in the left-right direction can be adjusted, and the size of the contact pressure between each first connection portion 208 and each second connection portion 20 can be adjusted, so that the degree of freedom in design can be improved.

[0084] <Modification> As a specific example of the present invention, embodiments 1 to 4 are described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the specific description. Modifications and improvements within the scope of the purpose of the present invention are included in the present invention. For example, the following modified examples of the embodiment are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0085] (1) In the above embodiment, as the insulating member provided between each second connection portion 20 and the shielding shell 44, the heat dissipation member 92 having a higher thermal conductivity than the shell 42 is used, but the insulating member is not limited as long as it has insulating properties. That is, the wall of the shell may be used as the insulating member, and the side window portion as the opening portion may not be provided on the left wall portion or the right wall portion of the shell body, but the second connection portion may be pressed against the shielding shell via the inner wall portion of the shell in the left-right direction.

[0086] (2) In the first embodiment, a curved portion 28 that is bent inwardly in the left-right direction is provided between the base end portion 26 of each first terminal part 18 and the first connecting portion 16, but the embodiment is not limited to this. That is, the portion of each first terminal part that is closer to the top end side than the base end portion fixed to the terminal seat may not be bent or curved, but may extend roughly straight in a direction that is inclined inwardly in the left-right direction as it moves downward. In this case, it is possible to grasp the boundary portion between the portion that is located at the elastic deformation portion that is fixed to the terminal seat and cannot be displaced and the portion that extends obliquely inwardly in the left-right direction (the portion that is displaced outwardly in the left-right direction when in contact with the second connecting portion).

[0087] (3) In the above-described embodiment, an elastic deformation portion (bend 28, 168, 206, multi-contact spring 186) is provided at one position in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of each first terminal part 18, 164, 184, 204, but the present invention is not limited to this mode, and the elastic deformation portion may be provided at multiple positions in the longitudinal direction of the first terminal part. That is, the elastic deformation portion may be formed by bending or folding at multiple positions in the longitudinal direction of each first terminal part, or the multi-contact spring 186 in the third embodiment may be used at the top end (lower end) of the first terminal part 18 in the first embodiment to provide multiple elastic deformation portions (bend 28 and multi-contact spring 186).

[0088] (4) In the above embodiment, a pair of first connection parts 16, 170, 188, 208 and a pair of second connection parts 20 are provided, but the number of these is not limited, and the number of the first connection part and the number of the second connection parts may be one or more. Description of Reference Numerals

[0089] 10 Connector unit (embodiment 1) 121st connector 14 2nd connector 161st connection part 181st terminal part 20Second connection 22 2nd terminal parts 24 Terminal Block 26 Base end 28 curved part (elastic deformation part) 29 Bolt insertion hole 30 Top bend 32 Terminal holding portion 34 Terminal insertion hole 36 Hood 38 Fixing plate 40 Ring 42 Shell 44 Shielding Shell 46 Positioning recess 48 Coated wire 50 Wire Fixing Department 52 core wire 54 Insulation coating 55 Shell side assembly 56 Terminal storage area 58 Upper wall 60 Lower wall 62 left wall 64 right wall 66 Anterior wall 68 Rear opening 70 Insert hole 72 side window (opening) 74 elastic sheet 76 locking claw 78 Locking tab 80 Shell body 82 Terminal fixing part 84 Lower side window 86 Bottom plate 88 Lock frame 90 Positioning convex part 92 heat dissipation member (insulation member) 94 Connection side contact surface 96 Shell side contact surface 98 Upper wall 100 Lower wall 102 Left wall 104 Right wall 106 Front wall 108 partition (wall) 109 Contact Department 110 Locking recess 112 Through hole 114 Inner tube 116 Locking recess 118 Outer tube 120 Notch 122 Bolt insertion hole 124 Locking claw 126 Fixed part 128 engagement recess 130 Front Retention Body 132 Terminal plug-in window 134 Locking protrusion 136 Waterproof rubber 138 Rear holding body 140 Upper retaining body 142 lower retaining body 144 Lock frame 146 engagement protrusion 148 Shielding bracket 150 Cylinder wall 152 Front protrusion 154 Bolt insertion hole 160 Connector unit (Implementation 2) 162 No.1 Connector 164 1st terminal part 166 2nd connector 168 curved part (elastic deformation part) 170 1st connection 180 connector unit (Implementation 3) 182 No.1 Connector 184 1st terminal part 186 multi-contact spring (elastic deformation part) 188 1st connection 190 Yamabe 200 connector units (Implementation 4) 202 No.1 Connector 204 1st terminal part 206 curved portion (elastic deformation portion, connecting portion) 208 1st connection 210 Gap 212 frame portion

Claims

1. A connector unit, comprising a first connector and a second connector, The first connector comprises an insulating terminal block and a first terminal part. The first terminal part has a base end portion held by the terminal base and a first connection portion provided on a tip end side protruding from the terminal base. The second connector comprises: a second terminal part having a second connection part connected to the first connection part; an insulating housing accommodating the second terminal part; and a shield shell covering an outer surface of the housing. The housing has an insertion hole, the first connection portion is inserted into the insertion hole, and the second connection portion is arranged in the insertion hole so as to be in contact with the first connection portion. The first terminal part is integrally provided with an elastic deformation portion, and the elastic deformation portion elastically deforms the first connection portion in a direction away from the second connection portion as the first connection portion comes into contact with the second connection portion. The first connection portion is pressed against the second connection portion by the elastic restoring force of the elastic deformation portion, and the second connection portion is pressed against the shielding case via an insulating member.

2. The connector unit according to claim 1, wherein: The first terminal part is integrally provided with a curved portion, the curved portion displaces the first connecting portion relative to the base end portion toward the second connecting portion, and the elastic deformation portion is constituted by the curved portion. The curved portion is elastically deformed by contact between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. The first connection portion is pressed against the second connection portion by the elastic restoring force of the curved portion, and the second connection portion is pressed against the shielding case via the insulating member.

3. The connector unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The insulating member includes a heat dissipation member having a higher thermal conductivity than the housing, The heat dissipation member has a connection portion side contact surface that contacts the second connection portion and a shell side contact surface that is exposed from the opening of the shell and contacts the shield shell. The second connection portion pressed by the first connection portion is pressed against the shield case via the heat dissipation member by the elastic restoring force of the elastic deformation portion.

4. The connector unit according to claim 2, wherein: The first terminal part is formed of a bus bar, and the curved portion is provided by bending or curving one point in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar in the plate thickness direction.

5. The connector unit according to claim 4, wherein: The curved portion is provided by bending a portion between the base end portion and the first connecting portion in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar in the plate thickness direction.

6. The connector unit according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein: A tip bent portion is provided at a tip portion of the bus bar, and the tip bent portion is inclined in a direction opposite to the curved portion in the plate thickness direction of the bus bar.

7. The connector unit according to claim 4, wherein: The first connection portion is formed by cutting and raising a middle portion of the bus bar in the width direction at a predetermined size at one point in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar into a cantilever beam shape, and a connection portion where the first connection portion is connected to the bus bar constitutes the curved portion.

8. The connector unit according to claim 4, wherein: The curved portion is provided by bending the tip portion toward the second connection portion in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar so as to be bent in the plate thickness direction. In the bus bar, the first connection portion is constituted by the portion folded toward the second connection portion.

9. The connector unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The first connector has a pair of first terminal parts. The second connector has a pair of second terminal parts. The second connecting portion of one of the pair of second terminal parts and the second connecting portion of the other are arranged to face each other via a wall of the shielding case. The one insertion hole and the other insertion hole are arranged on both sides of the second connection portion in the opposing direction across the one and other walls of the shielding case. The first connecting portion on one side and the first connecting portion on the other side of the pair of first terminal parts respectively inserted into the one and other insertion holes are pressed toward each other by elastic restoring forces of the respective elastic deformation portions.

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