Connector

Abstract

A connector includes a plurality of terminals, an inner housing, an outer housing, and a front holder. Each of the terminals includes a connection unit to be connected to an external terminal of the external connector and an engagement unit engaged with a core wire of the electric wire by ultrasonic waves. The inner housing includes a plurality of first accommodating units, and each of the plurality of first accommodating units accommodates the connection unit of the corresponding terminal. The outer shell comprises a second containing unit and a third containing unit. The second accommodating unit accommodates the plurality of first accommodating units of the inner housing. The third accommodating unit accommodates the joint unit of each terminal exposed from the inner housing. The front holder fixes the inner housing by sandwiching the inner housing between the front holder and the outer housing.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a connector provided with a terminal to be crimped to an electric wire.

[0003] In the connector disclosed in patent document JP 2020-187920A, a pair of rivet pieces extending from the base of the terminal toward the width direction of the terminal are riveted so that the pair of rivet pieces surround the outer periphery of the core wire exposed from the insulation coating of the electric wire and are then crimped onto the core wire. This electrically connects the terminal to the electric wire. Summary of the invention

[0004] In a connector connected to a power supply system using a multi-phase motor (eg, a three-phase motor), a plurality of terminals corresponding to a plurality of wires connected to the motor are provided, each of which is used to supply a current corresponding to each of the wires to the multi-phase motor.

[0005] In such a connector, in a case where each of a plurality of terminals is crimped onto a corresponding electric wire, each terminal is required to be spaced apart from other terminals so that a rivet piece of a terminal does not interfere with a rivet piece of other terminals.

[0006] In addition, in such a connector, a locking mechanism is provided, which is configured to lock the inner housing to the outer housing, and the inner housing is configured to hold a plurality of terminals therein. Due to this configuration, it is required that each terminal is spaced apart from the locking mechanism so that the wires crimped with the terminals thereon do not interfere with the locking mechanism.

[0007] Thus, in the connector connected to the power supply system using a multi-phase motor, it is possible to increase the space for arranging multiple terminals. When the space for arranging multiple terminals increases, there is a problem that the connector becomes larger, thereby increasing the manufacturing cost of the connector.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of reducing the size of an arrangement space for a plurality of terminals to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector to be connected to an external connector, the connector comprising: a plurality of terminals; an inner housing; an outer housing; and a front retainer, the front retainer fixing the inner housing by sandwiching the inner housing between the front retainer and the outer housing. Each of the terminals extends in a first direction, the first direction being the direction in which the connector is to be connected to the external connector. Each of the terminals comprises a connecting unit and a joining unit, the connecting unit to be connected to an external terminal of the external connector, and the joining unit is for joining with a core wire of an electric wire by ultrasonic waves. The inner housing comprises a plurality of first accommodating units, each of the plurality of first accommodating units accommodating the connecting unit of the corresponding terminal and opening outward in the first direction. The outer housing comprises a second accommodating unit and a third accommodating unit, the second accommodating unit accommodating a plurality of the first accommodating units of the inner housing and opening outward in the first direction, and the third accommodating unit connected to the second accommodating unit and accommodating the joining unit of each of the terminals exposed from the inner housing.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector capable of reducing the size of an arrangement space for a plurality of terminals to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the connector according to the present embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the present embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a terminal according to this embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 1 and 2 are diagrams showing a state in which core wires of electric wires according to the present embodiment are respectively joined to terminals by ultrasonic waves.

[0015] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the inner shell according to this embodiment.

[0016] Figure 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of the connector according to the present embodiment.

[0017] Figure 7 : is a perspective view of the connector according to the present embodiment cut in the thickness direction at the center in the width direction of the connector.

[0018] Figure 8 2 is a diagram illustrating fixation of an inner case according to the present embodiment.

[0019] Fig. 9is a front view of the connector according to the present embodiment.

[0020] Fig.10 It is along Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view taken along line XX is shown.

[0021] Fig.11 is a diagram showing the arrangement of terminals in the connector according to the present embodiment.

[0022] Fig.12 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the comparative example cut in the thickness direction at the center in the width direction of the connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, the terminal according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the convenience of explanation, the dimensional ratios of the drawings are exaggerated and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0024] (Connector Structure)

[0025] First, refer to Figures 1 to 7 and Fig. 9 The configuration of the connector 1 will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the connector 1 . Figure 2 It is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1 . Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the terminal 10 . Figure 4 1 and 2 are diagrams showing a state in which core wires 101 of electric wires 100 are respectively joined to terminals 10 by ultrasonic waves. Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the inner housing 20 . Figure 6 It is a partially exploded perspective view of the connector 1. Figure 7 1 is a perspective view of the connector 1 cut along the thickness direction at the center of the connector 1 in the width direction. Fig. 9 is a front view of connector 1.

[0026] Figure 1 , 2 The X direction shown in FIGS. 6 , 7 and 9 corresponds to the width direction of the connector 1 . Figure 1 , 2 The Y direction shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9 corresponds to the height direction of the connector 1 and is orthogonal to the X direction. Figure 1 , 2 , 6, 7 and 9 corresponds to the thickness direction of the connector 1 and is orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction. Note that the thickness direction (Z direction) of the connector 1 is the direction in which the connector 1 is to be connected to the external connector and is referred to as the first direction.

[0027] The connector 1 is a high voltage connector that can be used in a power supply system of a rear motor in, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. In the present embodiment, the connector 1 is connected to a power supply system of a three-phase motor as a rear motor (not shown). Note that the rear motor is not limited to a three-phase motor. The rear motor may be a motor having more than three phases. Motors having more than three phases are collectively referred to as multi-phase motors.

[0028] As a power supply system for a three-phase motor, there are three wires 100 in advance: a first wire 100a, a second wire 100b, and a third wire 100c. The first wire 100a is a wire for U phase. The second wire 100b is a wire for V phase. The third wire 100c is a wire for W phase.

[0029] Each of the electric wires 100 has a core wire 101 as a conductor and a coating 102 as an insulator covering the core wire 101. One end of each of the electric wires 100 is connected to a three-phase motor, and the other end of each of the electric wires 200 is connected to the connector 1. In each of the electric wires 100, at the other end to be connected to the connector 1, the coating 102 is removed to expose an end 101a of the core wire 101 composed of a plurality of strands. Figure 2 and Figure 4 There is shown an end portion 101 a formed into a flat plate shape by connecting a plurality of strands to each other at the end portion 101 a of the core wire 101 using ultrasonic bonding, as will be described later.

[0030] The connector 1 includes a plurality of terminals 10, an inner housing 20, an outer housing 30, and a rear cover 40 as a component group related to electrical connection.

[0031] In this embodiment, corresponding to the three-phase motor, three terminals 10 are provided: a first terminal 10a, a second terminal 10b and a third terminal 10c. The first terminal 10a is connected to the end of the first electric wire 100a. The second terminal 10b is connected to the end of the second electric wire 100b. The third terminal 10c is connected to the end of the third electric wire 100c.

[0032] Each of the three terminals 10 is a metal female terminal having the same shape as the other terminals 10. In the connector 1, each of the three terminals 10 extends toward a direction in which the connector 1 is to be connected to an external connector. Each of the three terminals 10 includes a connecting unit 11 and a joining unit 12 (see Figure 3 ).

[0033] The connection unit 11 is a tubular member into which a rod-shaped male terminal as an external terminal of an external connector can be inserted. The connection unit 11 has a leaf spring portion for pressing a part of the male terminal against the inner wall of the connection unit 11 to ensure the conduction stability with the male terminal inserted therein. The leaf spring portion may be integrated with the connection unit 11, or a leaf spring member may be manufactured separately and pre-installed in the connection unit 11. This configuration enables the connection unit 11 to be connected to the external terminal of the external connector.

[0034] The engaging unit 12 is a flat plate member that engages with the end 101a of the core wire 101 in the electric wire 100. If one end of the connecting unit 11 in the axial direction of the connecting unit 11 is an open end into which a male terminal can be inserted, the engaging unit 12 is integrated with the other end of the connecting unit 11 in the axial direction of the connecting unit 11.

[0035] As will be described later, in the connector 1, the terminal 10 is accommodated in the inner housing 20 and the outer housing 30. In this state, the connecting units 11 are each placed so that the axial direction of the connecting unit 11 is parallel to the Z direction. In this case, the engaging unit 12 can be a flat plate member parallel to the Y direction and the Z direction. For example, the flat surface shape of the engaging unit 12 can be an approximate rectangle in which two of the four sides are parallel to the Z direction, and the remaining two sides of the four sides are parallel to the Y direction.

[0036] The joining unit 12 has a first surface 12a and a second surface 12b. The first surface 12a is a surface of the joining unit 12 in the thickness direction of the terminal 10, and is a joining surface for joining the end 101a of the core wire 101. The second surface 12b is another surface of the joining unit 12 in the thickness direction of the terminal 10, and is a free surface that does not join anything.

[0037] The end 101a of the core wire 101 is ultrasonically bonded to the first surface 12a of the bonding unit 12. In a state where the end 101a is in contact with the first surface 12a, the end 101a is bonded to the first surface 12a by ultrasonic bonding by clamping the end 101a and the bonding unit 12 between a horn and an anvil (neither shown), and then applying ultrasonic vibration from the horn.

[0038] During ultrasonic bonding, for each terminal 10, the direction from the bonding unit 12 toward the connecting unit 11 along the axial direction of the connecting unit 11 intersects the direction from the end 101a on the bonding unit 12 toward the main body of the electric wire 100 at an angle of 90 degrees (see FIG. Figure 4). In other words, in the connector 1, when the axial direction of the connection unit 11 is parallel to the Z direction, the end portion 101a is placed in a posture along the Y direction relative to the first surface 12a of the coupling unit 12. In this case, when the end portion 101a on the coupling unit 12 is taken as a starting point, each of the electric wires 100 extends from the end portion 101a in a direction opposite to the Y direction.

[0039] Here, a concavoconvex portion is formed at least on the surface of the horn or the surface of the anvil that contacts the end 101a to effectively transmit the ultrasonic vibration to the end 101a to be joined. Specifically, the concavoconvex portion has a knurled shape in which straight peaks and straight valleys parallel to each other are alternately and continuously arranged. Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the end portion 101a bonded to the first surface 12a by ultrasonic bonding has an approximately rectangular flat plate shape.

[0040] If the portion of the end portion 101a that contacts the first surface 12a by ultrasonic bonding is the inner surface of the end portion 101a, the shape of the concavoconvex portion formed on the surface of the horn or the surface of the anvil is transferred to the outer surface of the end portion 101a opposite to the inner surface. In other words, the concavoconvex portion having a knurled shape (not shown) is formed on the outer surface of the end portion 101a.

[0041] Note that, before starting ultrasonic bonding, the end portion 101 a of the core wire 101 may be formed into a flat plate shape.

[0042] The inner housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and is an insulating member that protects the individual terminals 10 by holding the three terminals 10 therein. The inner housing 20 includes a first terminal accommodating unit 21, a second terminal accommodating unit 22, a third terminal accommodating unit 23, a base unit 24, and a reinforcement structure unit 25 (see Figure 5 ).

[0043] The first terminal accommodating unit 21 is a tubular component that accommodates the connecting unit 11 of the first terminal 10a. The second terminal accommodating unit 22 is a tubular component that accommodates the connecting unit 11 of the second terminal 10b. The third terminal accommodating unit 23 is a tubular component that accommodates the connecting unit 11 of the third terminal 10c. In the connector 1, the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 each accommodate a corresponding connecting unit 11, so that the opening direction of the corresponding connecting unit 11 to be accommodated inside (i.e., the direction opposite to the direction in which the male terminal is to be inserted) matches the Z direction. The respective ends of the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 are open in the Z direction and do not hinder the male terminal from entering the corresponding connecting unit 11.

[0044] Note that the first terminal accommodating unit 21 , the second terminal accommodating unit 22 , and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 are also referred to as first accommodating units, respectively.

[0045] In the present embodiment, as an example, in the connector 1, the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22 and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 are double-stage along the Y direction (see Fig. 9 ). For example, the first terminal accommodating unit 21 is arranged in the lower level in the Y direction, and the second terminal accommodating unit 22 and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 are arranged in the upper level in the Y direction. In the X direction, the first terminal accommodating unit 21 is arranged in the middle position between the second terminal accommodating unit 22 and the third terminal accommodating unit 23.

[0046] Thus, when one of the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22 and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 is arranged in one of the two stages, another terminal accommodating unit adjacent to the one terminal accommodating unit in the X direction is arranged in the other of the two stages.

[0047] The base unit 24 is a flat plate member that supports the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 (see FIG. Figure 5 ). The base unit 24 has a front surface 24a and a back surface 24b. In the connector 1, the front surface 24a is a surface of the base unit 24 facing the Z direction, and the back surface 24b is a surface of the base unit 24 facing the opposite direction of the Z direction. In the connector 1, the internal space of each of the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 is open in the direction opposite to the Z direction on the back surface 24b side.

[0048] The base unit 24 also has a first protrusion 24c, a second protrusion 24d, a first groove 24e, a second groove 24f and a support 24g. The support 24g is the main body of the base unit 24, and supports the root ends of the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22 and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 on the front surface 24a side. The first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22 and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 pass through the support 24g. The first protrusion 24c protrudes outward from the upper end of the support 24g. The second protrusion 24d protrudes outward from the lower end of the support 24g, and the lower end is opposite to the upper end of the support 24g.

[0049] In the connector 1, the first protrusion 24c protrudes outward from the upper end of the support portion 24g in the Y direction, and the second protrusion 24d protrudes outward from the lower end of the support portion 24g in the direction opposite to the Y direction. The direction in which the first protrusion 24c protrudes is not limited to the Y direction, but can be any direction intersecting the Z direction. Similarly, the direction in which the second protrusion 24d protrudes is not limited to the direction opposite to the Y direction, but can be any direction intersecting the Z direction.

[0050] The upper surface 24c1 of the first protrusion 24c and the lower surface 24d1 of the second protrusion 24d are each formed to follow the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the communication hole portion 34a in the housing body 31 of the outer housing 30 described later. Note that the first protrusion 24c and the second protrusion 24d are also simply referred to as protrusions. The direction in which the first protrusion 24c protrudes and the direction in which the second protrusion 24d protrudes are also referred to as second directions.

[0051] The first groove portion 24e is formed on one side of the support portion 24g. One side wall and the other side wall of the first groove portion 24e are respectively continuous with the first protrusion 24c and the second protrusion 24d. The second groove portion 24f is formed on the other side of the support portion 24g. One side wall and the other side wall of the second groove portion 24f are respectively continuous with the first protrusion 24c and the second protrusion 24d. In the connector 1, the locking portion 73 in the tubular portion 72 of the front retainer 70 to be described later is inserted into the first groove portion 24e and the second groove portion 24f, respectively.

[0052] The reinforcement structure unit 25 is a structure composed of a plurality of reinforcement ribs to ensure the strength of the inner housing 20. The reinforcement structure unit 25 is provided on the back surface 24b of the base unit 24 so as not to interfere with the arrangement of the respective terminals 10 and the respective wires 100.

[0053] The outer housing 30 is made of synthetic resin and is an insulating member that protects all three terminals 10 by accommodating therein at least a portion of the inner housing 20 and the engaging units 12 of the respective terminals 10. The outer housing 30 includes a housing body 31, a connector opening unit 32, and a wire lead-out unit 33. Note that the housing body 31 and the connector opening unit 32 are also referred to as a third accommodating unit and a second accommodating unit, respectively.

[0054] The housing body 31 is formed in a box shape and has a front wall 34 , an annular side wall 35 , and a plurality of support pieces 36 .

[0055] In the connector 1, the front wall 34 is a wall erected in a direction perpendicular to the Z direction, and supports the connector opening unit 32 and the wire lead-out unit 33 so that they are separated from each other in the Y direction. The front wall 34 has a communication hole portion 34a that communicates the interior of the connector opening unit 32 with the interior of the housing body 31 (see Figure 7 ).

[0056] In the present embodiment, in the connector 1, the cross-sectional shape of the communication hole portion 34a along the X direction and the Y direction is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the opening portion 32a of the connector opening unit 32 described later. In the present embodiment, when the inner housing 20 is assembled to the outer housing 30, the communication hole portion 34a accommodates the base unit 24 of the inner housing 20 and the root ends of the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 supported by the base unit 24. Note that the communication hole portion 34a may accommodate only the base unit 24 of the inner housing 20 therein. In this case, the opening portion 32a of the connector opening unit 32 accommodates the root ends of the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 therein. Thus, the thickness of the communication hole portion 34a is set to be equal to or greater than the thickness of the base unit 24 of the inner housing 20.

[0057] The communication hole portion 34a has a contact portion 34a1 (see Figure 7 ). The contact portion 34a1 is continuously formed along the inner peripheral surface of one end of the connecting hole portion 34a that communicates with the interior of the housing body 31. In the connector 1, the contact portion 34a1 protrudes inwardly from the inner peripheral surface of one end of the connecting hole portion 34a. With such a configuration, in the connector 1, a first portion of the contact portion 34a1 that faces the first protrusion 24c of the base unit 24 of the inner housing 20 protrudes inwardly from the inner peripheral surface of one end of the connecting hole portion 34a in a direction opposite to the Y direction. In the connector 1, a second portion of the contact portion 34a1 that faces the second protrusion 24d of the base unit 24 of the inner housing 20 protrudes inwardly from the inner peripheral surface of one end of the connecting hole portion 34a in the Y direction.

[0058] The other end of the connecting hole portion 34a connected to the inside of the connector opening unit 32 is also referred to as the end of the shell body 31 (third accommodating unit). In this case, one end of the connecting hole portion 34a connected to the inside of the shell body 31 is also referred to as the vicinity of the end of the shell body 31 (third accommodating unit).

[0059] In the connector 1, the flat surface shape of the front wall 34 is an approximately rectangular shape defined by long sides substantially in the Y direction and short sides substantially in the X direction. In the front wall 34, when the rear cover 40 described later is attached to the outer shell 30, the first wire contact unit 39 facing the second wire contact unit 45 while being separated from the second wire contact unit 45 is installed on the wall surface facing the inside of the shell body 31 (see Figure 7 The shape of the first wire contact unit 39 is substantially symmetrical to the shape of the second wire contact unit 45 in the Z direction.

[0060] The annular side wall 35 and the front wall 34 form an internal space in which at least the reinforcement structure unit 25 of the inner housing 20 and the engagement units 12 of each terminal 10 are accommodated (see FIG. Figure 7 ). The annular end of the annular side wall 35 is continuous with the periphery of the front wall 34. The other annular end of the annular side wall 35 is an open end 35a forming an opening facing the front wall 34. When the connector 1 is assembled, three terminals 10 respectively connected to the ends of the three electric wires 100 are accommodated in the interior of the housing body 31 through the openings formed in the open end 35a. In the connector 1, the one annular end of the annular side wall 35 is located on the Z direction side, and the other annular end of the annular side wall 35 is located on the direction side opposite to the Z direction.

[0061] The two claw portions 35c are provided on the inner wall surface of the annular side wall 35 facing the inside of the housing body 31 so that the two claw portions 35c are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction (see Figure 2 and Figure 6 Specifically, in the connector 1, two claw portions 35c are formed in the Z direction on two regions in the Y direction in the inner wall surface of the annular side wall 35. Figure 2 and Figure 6 Only one of the two claws 35c is shown.

[0062] The support piece 36 is provided on the outer wall surface of the annular side wall 35, and has a matching hole 36a for matching an annular collar (not shown). The matching holes 36a penetrate the support piece 36. Note that in the connector 1, the matching holes 36a penetrate the support piece 36 along the Z direction.

[0063] In the connector 1, the connector opening unit 32 has an opening portion 32a opened in the Z direction, the opening portion 32a is formed in a round long hole shape in its cross section, and the connector opening unit 32 is a tubular component, and when an external connector having a male terminal is connected to the connector 1, the tubular component will be fitted to a part of the external connector (not shown). The connector opening unit 32 is connected to the housing body 31 and protrudes from the front wall 34 of the housing body 31 toward the Z direction. When the inner housing 20 is assembled to the outer housing 30, the connector opening unit 32 accommodates the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 of the inner housing 20 therein.

[0064] The opening portion 32a passes through the connector opening unit 32 between the outer side of the outer shell 30 and the inner side of the shell body 31, and can accommodate the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 of the inner shell 20 therein. Note that the opening portion 32a is connected to the interior of the shell body 31 via the interior of the communicating hole portion 34a. In the opening portion 32a whose cross section is formed in the shape of an oblong hole, the length direction of the cross section is parallel to the X direction according to the arrangement relationship of the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 of the inner shell 20.

[0065] The outer peripheral surface of the connector opening unit 32 is formed into a stepped shape by a first outer peripheral surface 32b and a second outer peripheral surface 32c. The first outer peripheral surface 32b is an outer peripheral surface located on the housing body 31 side in the connector opening unit 32, and is continuous with the front wall 34 of the housing body 31. The second outer peripheral surface 32c is an outer peripheral surface located on the opening side of the connector opening unit 32, is formed one step lower than the first outer peripheral surface 32b, and is continuous with the first outer peripheral surface 32b.

[0066] In the connector 1, the wire lead-out unit 33 is a tubular member for leading the three wires 100 from the inside of the housing body 31 to the outside of the outer housing 30 through a through space opened in the Z direction, the through space being formed in a round long hole shape in its cross section. The wire lead-out unit 33 is arranged to protrude in the Z direction from the front wall 34 of the housing body 31. In the cross section of the through space formed in the round long hole shape, the length direction of the cross section is parallel to the X direction, so that the three wires 100 are arranged in the X direction according to the arrangement relationship of the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 in the inner housing 20.

[0067] In other words, according to the structure of the outer shell 30, in the connector 1, the direction in which the opening portion 32a of the connector opening unit 32 faces, that is, the direction in which the connector 1 is to be connected to the external connector, and the direction in which the three electric wires 100 are led out from the electric wire lead-out unit 33 are along the same direction. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the opening portion 32a of the connector opening unit 32 faces and the direction in which the three electric wires 100 are led out from the electric wire lead-out unit 33 are along the Z direction.

[0068] The rear cover 40 is made of synthetic resin and is an insulating member that covers the opening of the open end 35a in a state where the three terminals 10 having the engaging units 12 to which the end portions 101a of the core wires 101 of the three electric wires 100 are respectively engaged are accommodated in the housing body 31 of the outer housing 30. The rear cover 40 includes a main body wall 41, a plurality of locking units 42, a plurality of seal locking units 43, a cover reinforcing rib 44, and a second electric wire contact unit 45.

[0069] The main body wall 41 is a flat plate member having an outer peripheral edge 41a along the opening end 35a of the housing body 31 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30. The inner wall surface 41b of the main body wall 41 faces the front wall 34 of the housing body 31 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30.

[0070] The locking units 42 are provided on the outer peripheral edge 41a of the main body wall 41, and are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral edge 41a. The outer surface of the annular side wall 35 of the housing body 31 is provided with a plurality of locked units (not shown). In a state where the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the locking units 42 are respectively locked to the locked units of the annular side wall 35, which prevents the rear cover 40 from falling off from the outer housing 30.

[0071] The seal locking unit 43 is provided on the outer peripheral edge 41a of the main body wall 41, without interfering with the locking unit 42, while being spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral edge 41b. The rear cover seal 61 described later is provided with a plurality of locked protrusions (not shown). In a state where the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer shell 30, the seal locking unit 43 is respectively locked to the locked protrusions of the rear cover seal 61, which enables the rear cover 40 to hold the rear cover seal 61.

[0072] The cover reinforcing rib 44 is provided on the inner wall surface 41 b to ensure the strength of the rear cover 40 without interfering with the arrangement of the three terminals 10 and the three electric wires 100 .

[0073] The second wire contact unit 45 is provided on the inner wall surface 41b, and is a structural component that contacts the respective wires 100 in a state where the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer shell 30. The second wire contact unit 45 has a first contact groove 45a, a second contact groove 45b, and a third contact groove 45c, each of which extends in the Y direction, and each of which includes a curved surface that matches the side surface shape of the respective wires 100 arranged in the shell body 31. The first contact groove 45a receives and contacts a portion of the side surface of the first wire 100a. The second contact groove 45b receives and contacts a portion of the side surface of the second wire 100b. The third contact groove 45c receives and contacts a portion of the side surface of the third wire 100c.

[0074] Here, in a state where the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the first contact groove 45a clamps the first electric wire 100a together with the same contact groove in the housing body 31. Similarly, the second contact groove 45b clamps the second electric wire 100b together with the same contact groove in the housing body 31. The third contact groove 45c clamps the third electric wire 100c together with the same contact groove in the housing body 31. In other words, the second electric wire contact unit 45 holds the respective electric wires 100 as a combination with the first electric wire contact unit 39 of the housing body 31, thereby constituting an electric wire holding member that prevents vibration transmitted from the outside through the electric wire 100 from reaching the terminal 10.

[0075] The connector 1 includes a unit seal 60 , a rear cover seal 61 , and a wire seal 62 as waterproof members that prevent water from entering from the outside.

[0076] The unit seal 60 is an annular elastic member that is tightly attached to the second outer peripheral surface 32c of the connector opening unit 32 in the outer housing 30 in alignment with the second outer peripheral surface 32c. In a state where the external connector is connected to the connector 1, the unit seal 60 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the connector opening unit 32 and the mating surface of the external connector.

[0077] The rear cover seal 61 is an annular elastic member tightly attached to the open end 35a of the housing body 31 in the outer housing 30 in alignment with the open end 35a of the housing body 31. The rear cover seal 61 seals between the open end 35a of the housing body 31 and the outer peripheral edge 41a of the rear cover 40 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30.

[0078] The wire seal 62 is an elastic member formed in an oblong flat plate shape, and is closely attached to the inner wall surface of the wire lead-out unit 33 in the outer housing 30 in alignment with the inner wall surface. The wire seal 62 has three through holes 62a through which the three wires 100 pass respectively and in close contact with the three wires 100. The wire seal 62 seals between the inner wall surface of the wire lead-out unit 33 and the respective wires 100 passing through the through space of the wire lead-out unit 33.

[0079] The connector 1 includes a front retainer 70 and a rear retainer 75 as retaining members for various seals.

[0080] The front retainer 70 is made of synthetic resin and is attached to the outer housing 30 to prevent the unit seal 60 from falling off from the connector opening unit 32. As will be described later, the inner housing 20 is sandwiched and fixed between the front retainer 70 and the outer housing 30. The front retainer 70 includes a front plate 71, a tubular portion 72, and two locked portions 73.

[0081] The front plate 71 is a flange-shaped annular plate member, which is located at the front end of the connector opening unit 32 when the front retainer 70 is attached to the outer housing 30. The front plate 71 has an opening portion 71a, through which the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 of the inner housing 20 are exposed to the outside of the connector opening unit 32. When the front retainer 70 is attached to the outer housing 30, at least a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the front plate 71 faces at least a portion of the cell seal 60 attached to the connector opening unit 32 in the Z direction. Therefore, even if the cell seal 60 moves toward the front end of the connector opening unit 32, it can be prevented from falling off from the connector opening unit 32 by contacting the front plate 71, which restricts further movement.

[0082] When the front retainer 70 is attached to the outer shell 30, the tubular portion 72 is accommodated in the opening portion 32a of the connector opening unit 32. The opening end as one of the opening ends of the tubular portion 72 is a fixed end that is continuous with the opening portion 71a of the front plate 71. The opening end 72a as the other of the opening ends of the tubular portion 72 is an opening end facing the inside of the housing body 31 when the front retainer 70 is attached to the outer shell 30. The opening end 72a is also referred to as the end edge of the front retainer 70. A reinforcing structural unit may be provided inside the tubular portion 72 to ensure the strength of the front retainer 70.

[0083] The two locked portions 73 are provided in a part of the tubular portion 72 and are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 72. Specifically, in the connector 1, the two locked portions 73 are formed from the open end of the tubular portion 72 in the Z direction. Each of the two locked portions 73 is provided with a locked hole 73a. When the front retainer 70 is attached to the outer housing 30, the two claw portions 35c provided on the inner wall surface of the annular side wall 35 of the outer housing 30 are locked to the two locked portions 73. This prevents the front retainer 70 from falling off from the outer housing 30, and enables the inner housing 20 to be sandwiched and fixed between the outer housing 30 and the front retainer 70.

[0084] The rear retainer 75 is made of synthetic resin and is attached to the outer housing 30 to prevent the electric wire seal 62 from falling off from the electric wire lead-out unit 33. The rear retainer 75 has three through holes 75a, and is a component formed in an oblong flat shape similar to the shape of the electric wire seal 62, and the three through holes 75a enable the three electric wires 100 to pass through the rear retainer 75 respectively. In a state where the electric wire seal 62 seals between the inner wall surface of the electric wire lead-out unit 32 and the respective electric wires 100, the rear retainer 75 is inserted into the through space from the terminal side of the electric wire lead-out unit 33 and is supported by the electric wire lead-out unit 33. Thus, the rear retainer 75 prevents the electric wire seal 62 from falling off from the electric wire lead-out unit 33.

[0085] The connector 1 includes an upper cover 80 , a lower cover 81 , and a shield ring 83 as a shield member for shielding noise.

[0086] The upper cover 80 is made of metal, and covers the housing body 31 in a state where the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30. The upper cover 80 can cover at least a portion of the connector opening unit 32 or the wire lead-out unit 33 of the outer housing 30 while accommodating the housing body 31. The upper cover 80 is formed in a box shape, and has a bottom wall 80a, an annular side wall 80b, a plurality of first support pieces 80e, and a plurality of second support pieces 80g.

[0087] In the connector 1, the bottom wall 80a is a wall member extending in a direction orthogonal to the Z direction. The planar shape of the bottom wall 80a is a nearly rectangular shape defined by long sides generally in the Y direction and short sides generally in the X direction.

[0088] The internal space of the upper cover 80 that accommodates the housing body 31 is formed by the bottom wall 80a and the annular side wall 80b. One annular end of the annular side wall 80b in the Z direction is continuous with the periphery of the bottom wall 80a. The other annular end of the annular side wall 80b in the Z direction is an open end 80c, which forms an opening facing the bottom wall 80a. When the connector 1 is assembled, the housing body 31 with the rear cover 40 attached is accommodated in the upper cover 80 through the opening formed in the open end 80c.

[0089] The first support piece 80e is provided as a member formed by bending a portion of the annular side wall 80b, for example, and has a first through hole 80d into which the bolt 90 inserted into the fitting hole 36a of the outer housing 30 is inserted when the connector 1 is assembled.

[0090] The second support piece 80g is provided as a member formed by, for example, bending a piece portion protruding from the open end 80c, and has a second through hole 80f into which a mounting bolt (not shown) is inserted when the connector 1 is mounted to a housing of an external connector.

[0091] The lower cover 81 is made of metal, and covers a part of the front wall 34 of the housing body 31 in the outer housing 30 and the wire lead-out unit 33. The lower cover 81 has a tubular portion 81a, a flange portion 81b, and a support piece 81c.

[0092] The tubular portion 81a accommodates the wire lead-out unit 33 through its through space opened in the first direction, and the through space is formed in a round long hole shape in its cross section, thereby covering the wire lead-out unit 33. One open end of the tubular portion 81a is a fixed end continuous with the flange portion 81b. The other open end of the tubular portion 81a is an open end forming an opening, and each of the wires 100 is led out from the wire lead-out unit 33 through the opening.

[0093] In the connector 1 , the flange portion 81 b is a flat plate member extending in a direction orthogonal to the Z direction, and covers a portion of the front wall 34 by facing a portion of the front wall 34 .

[0094] The support piece 81c is provided as a member protruding outward from the edge of the flange portion 81b, and has a through hole 81d into which the bolt 90 inserted into the fitting hole 36a of the outer housing 30 when the connector 1 is assembled is inserted in advance.

[0095] The shield ring 83 is a fastening member made of metal for crimping a shield braid (not shown) to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 81a of the lower cover 81. The shield braid is a metal braid, a portion of which covers the end of the tubular portion 81a and the other portion wraps the three electric wires 100 led outward from the tubular portion 81a in an integral manner.

[0096] The connector 1 includes a bolt 90 (see Figure 1 ) and a collar (not shown) pre-fitted into the fitting hole 36a of the outer shell 30 as a part for assembling the respective components. As described above, the through holes 81d are respectively formed in the support pieces 81c of the lower cover 81. The collar is fitted into the fitting hole 36a of the outer shell 30. The first through holes 80d are respectively formed in the first support pieces 80e of the upper cover 80. The bolts 90 are inserted into the through holes 81d, the sleeves of the fitting holes 36a, and the first through holes 80d and then fastened, thereby assembling the lower cover 81, the outer shell 30, and the upper cover 80 as a whole.

[0097] (Fixation of inner shell)

[0098] Next, refer to Figures 6 to 10 The fixing of the inner housing 20 will be described. Figure 8 2 is a diagram illustrating the fixing of the inner housing 20 . Fig.10 It is along Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view taken along line XX is shown. Figure 8 and Fig.10 The X, Y and Z directions shown are Figure 2 The X, Y and Z directions shown are the same.

[0099] When assembling the connector 1, the three terminals 10 in which the end portions 101a of the core wires 101 of the electric wires 100 are engaged with the engagement units 12 are placed in the outer housing 30, and the unit seal 60 is attached to the second outer peripheral surface 32c of the connector opening unit 32 of the outer housing 30. In this state, the inner housing 20 is inserted into the opening portion 32a of the connector opening unit 32 of the outer housing 30 (see FIG. Figure 6When the inner housing 20 is inserted into the opening 32 a , the connection units 11 of the three terminals 10 exposed outward from the opening 32 a are respectively accommodated in the first terminal accommodation unit 21 , the second terminal accommodation unit 22 , and the third terminal accommodation unit 23 of the inner housing 20 .

[0100] When the inner housing 20 is further inserted into the opening portion 32a, the reinforcing structure unit 25 is inserted into the interior of the housing body 31, and the base unit 24 is inserted into the interior of the communication hole portion 34a of the front wall 34 of the housing body 31 (see FIG. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The inner housing 20 is inserted into the opening portion 32 a of the connector opening unit 32 until the first protrusion 24 c and the second protrusion 24 d of the base unit 24 contact the contact portion 34 a 1 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the communication hole portion 34 a of the front wall 34 .

[0101] When the inner housing 20 has been inserted into the opening portion 32a, the front retainer 70 is inserted into the opening portion 32a of the connector opening unit 32 of the outer housing 30. At this time, the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 of the inner housing 20 are placed inside the tubular portion 72 of the front retainer 70 from the opening end 72a of the tubular portion 72. The two locked portions 73 of the front retainer 70 are respectively inserted into the first groove portion 24e and the second groove portion 24f of the base unit 24 of the inner housing 20, and move in the first groove portion 24 and the second groove portion 24f.

[0102] When the open end 72a of the tubular portion 72 of the front holder 70 abuts against the first protrusion 24c and the second protrusion 24d of the base unit 24 of the inner housing 20, the first protrusion 24c and the second protrusion 24d of the base unit 24 are pressed against the contact portion 34a1 of the communication hole portion 34a (see Figure 7 and Figure 8 At this time, the two claws 35c provided on the inner wall surface of the annular side wall 35 of the outer shell 30 are inserted into the locked holes 73a of the two locked parts 73 of the front retainer 70, and then the two claws 35c are respectively locked to the two locked parts 73 (see Fig.10 ).

[0103] As a result, the front holder 70 is prevented from falling off the outer housing 30 , and the inner housing 20 is fixed by sandwiching the inner housing 20 between the front holder 70 and the outer housing 30 .

[0104] Note that the fixing of the inner housing 20 is not limited to the above method. For example, before the inner housing 20 is inserted into the opening portion 32a of the connector opening unit 32 of the outer housing 30, the inner housing 20 may be inserted into the opening portion 32a of the connector opening unit 32 of the outer housing 30 together with the front retainer 70 in a state where the inner housing 20 is placed in the tubular portion 72 of the front retainer 70.

[0105] (Arrangement of terminals in connector)

[0106] Next, refer to Figure 4 and Figures 9 to 11 The arrangement of the terminals 10 in the connector 1 will be described. Fig.11 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the terminals 10 in the connector 1 . Fig.11 The X, Y and Z directions shown are Figure 2 The X, Y and Z directions shown are the same.

[0107] In a state where the inner housing 20 is sandwiched and fixed between the outer housing 30 and the front retainer 70, in a cross section along the X direction and the Z direction, the engagement units 12 of the three terminals 10 are arranged in a straight line along the X direction (see FIG. Fig.10 and Fig.11 ). In this state, in the cross section along the X direction and the Y direction, the three terminals 10 form two stages along the Y direction (see Figure 4 and Fig. 9 ). In the present embodiment, the first terminal accommodating unit 21 is arranged in the lower level in the Y direction, and the second terminal accommodating unit 22 and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 are arranged in the upper level in the Y direction. In this case, the first terminal accommodating unit 21 is arranged at an intermediate position between the second terminal accommodating unit 22 and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 in the X direction.

[0108] (Comparative Example)

[0109] Next, refer to Fig.12 Comparative Example is described. In the connector 1A according to the present comparative example, the inner housing is locked to the outer housing using a locking mechanism. Fig.12 1 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1A cut along the thickness direction at the center in the width direction of the connector 1A.

[0110] Fig.12 The X direction shown in corresponds to the width direction of the connector 1A. Fig.12 The Y direction shown corresponds to the height direction of the connector 1A, and is orthogonal to the X direction. Fig.12 The Z direction shown corresponds to the thickness direction of the connector 1A, and is orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction.

[0111] The connector 1A includes a first terminal 10a1, an inner housing 120, an outer housing 130, and an upper cover 180, which replaces the first terminal 10a, the inner housing 20, the outer housing 30, and the upper cover 80 in the connector 1 (see FIG. Fig.12 ). Other components of the connector 1A are the same as those of the connector 1, and thus description of the other components of the connector 1A is omitted.

[0112] Since the locking mechanism is installed in the inner housing 120 and the outer housing 130 , the distance between the connection unit 11 and the engagement unit 12 in the first terminal 10 a 1 is longer than the distance between the connection unit 11 and the engagement unit 12 in the first terminal 10 a .

[0113] The inner case 120 has a base unit 124 and a reinforcement structure unit 125 to replace the base unit 24 and the reinforcement structure unit 25 in the inner case 20. Other components of the inner case 120 are the same as those of the inner case 20, and thus descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0114] The base unit 124 has a support portion 124g instead of the support portion 24g of the base unit 24. Unlike the support portion 24g, the support portion 124g is not provided with the first protrusion 24c and the second protrusion 24d. The other components of the base unit 124 are the same as those of the base unit 24, and thus the description of the other components of the base unit 124 is omitted.

[0115] Since the locking mechanism is installed in the inner shell 120 and the outer shell 130, the length of the reinforcing structure unit 125 in the Z direction is greater than the length of the reinforcing structure unit 25 in the Z direction. The reinforcing structure unit 125 has two locked parts 126. One locked part 126 has a root erected on the upper surface of the reinforcing structure unit 125 and an extension extending from the root in the Z direction. Similarly, the other locked part 126 has a root erected on the lower surface of the reinforcing structure unit 125 and an extension extending from the root in the Z direction. Thus, one end of each of the locked parts 126 is a fixed end, and the other end is a free end. The extension of each locked part 126 has a locked hole, and the claw 134a1 described later will be inserted into the locked hole.

[0116] The outer housing 130 includes a housing body 131 instead of the housing body 31 of the outer housing 30. Other components of the outer housing 130 are the same as those of the outer housing 30, and thus description of the other components of the outer housing 130 is omitted.

[0117] The housing body 131 includes a front wall 134 and an annular side wall 135 instead of the front wall 34 and the annular side wall 35 of the housing body 31. Other components of the housing body 131 are the same as those of the housing body 31, and thus description of the other components of the housing body 131 is omitted.

[0118] Since the locking mechanism is installed in the inner housing 120 and the outer housing 130, the length of the front wall 134 and the annular side wall 135 in the Z direction is greater than the length of the front wall 34 and the annular side wall 35 in the Z direction. Unlike the communicating hole portion 34a of the front wall 34, the communicating hole portion 134a of the front wall 134 is not provided with the contact portion 34a1.

[0119] The communication hole portion 134a is provided with a claw portion 134a1 that protrudes from the upper portion of the inner surface of the communication hole 134a in the direction opposite to the Y direction. Similarly, the communication hole portion 134a is provided with another claw portion 134a1 that protrudes from the lower portion of the inner surface of the communication hole 134a in the Y direction. The locking mechanism in the connector 1A includes the two locked portions 126 of the inner housing 120 and the two claw portions 134a1 of the outer housing 130.

[0120] The length of the upper cover 180 in the Z direction is greater than the length of the upper cover 80 in the Z direction, and the length of the upper cover 180 in the Z direction corresponds to the length of the front wall 134 and the annular side wall 135 of the outer shell 130 in the Z direction.

[0121] In a state where the inner housing 120 is inserted into the opening portion 32a of the connector opening unit 32 of the outer housing 130, as the reinforcing structure unit 125 of the inner housing 120 is inserted into the housing body 31, the two claw portions 134a1 of the outer housing 130 are inserted into the two locked holes of the two locked portions 126 of the inner housing 120. As a result, the inner housing 120 is locked to the outer housing 130.

[0122] With such a configuration, in the connector 1A, another locked portion 126 exists on the lower surface of the reinforcement structure unit 125 of the inner housing 120. Due to this arrangement, the distance between the connection unit 11 and the engagement unit 12 in the first terminal 10a1 is set longer, so that the first terminal 10a1 and the first electric wire 100a engaged to the first terminal 10a1 do not interfere with the other locked portion 126.

[0123] Therefore, in the cross section along the X direction and the Z direction, the engaging unit 12 of the first terminal 10a1 is offset in the direction opposite to the Z direction relative to the engaging unit 12 of the second terminal 10b and the engaging unit 12 of the third terminal 10c. In contrast, in the connector 1, in the cross section along the X direction and the Z direction, the engaging units 12 of the three terminals 10 are arranged in a straight line along the X direction (see FIG. Fig.11 ). Thus, the space for arranging the three terminals 10 in the connector 1A becomes larger than the space for arranging the three terminals 10 in the connector 1.

[0124] (Another comparative example)

[0125] Next, another comparative example will be described. In the connector of the other comparative example, each terminal 10 is crimped to the electric wire 100 using a rivet sheet. In this case, as shown in FIG. Fig.11 As shown, if the engaging units 12 of the three terminals 10 are arranged in a straight line in the cross section along the X direction and the Z direction, the rivet piece of the first terminal 10a interferes with the second wire 100b crimped with the second terminal 10b due to the short distance between the terminals (see Figure 4 ).

[0126] Therefore, in the cross section along the X direction and the Z direction, the engaging unit 12 of the first terminal 10a is offset relative to the engaging unit 12 of the second terminal 10b and the engaging unit 12 of the third terminal 10c in the direction opposite to the Z direction. Thus, the space for arranging three terminals 10 in the connector in another comparative example becomes larger than the space for arranging three terminals 10 in the connector 1.

[0127] (Function and Effect)

[0128] According to this embodiment, the connector 1 is to be connected to an external connector, and includes a plurality of terminals 10, an inner housing 20, an outer housing 30, and a front retainer 70. Each of the terminals 10 extends in a first direction (Z direction) in which the connector 1 is to be connected to the external connector. Each of the terminals 10 includes a connecting unit 11 and a joining unit 12, the connecting unit 11 is to be connected to an external terminal of the external connector, and the core wire 101 of the electric wire 100 is connected to the joining unit 12 by ultrasonic wave.

[0129] The inner housing 20 includes a first terminal accommodating unit 21, a second terminal accommodating unit 22, and a third terminal accommodating unit 23, each of which accommodates the connection unit 11 of the corresponding terminal 10 and opens outward in a first direction (Z direction). The outer housing 30 includes a housing body 31 and a connector opening unit 32. The connector opening unit 32 accommodates the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 of the inner housing 20, and opens outward in a first direction (Z direction). The housing body 31 is connected to the connector opening unit 32 and accommodates the engagement unit 12 of each of the terminals 10 exposed from the inner housing 20. The front retainer 70 fixes the inner housing 20 by sandwiching the inner housing 20 between the front retainer 70 and the outer housing 30.

[0130] With the above configuration, each of the terminals 10 is electrically connected to the corresponding electric wire 100 by ultrasonic bonding. Thus, compared with the conventional configuration, it is not necessary to provide a rivet sheet for each of the terminals 10, and the rivet sheet can be omitted. This makes it possible to shorten the distance between the terminals 10 by omitting the rivet sheet.

[0131] With the above configuration, the inner housing 20 is sandwiched and fixed between the outer housing 30 and the front retainer 70. Thus, compared with the conventional configuration, there is no need to provide a locking mechanism to lock the inner housing 20 to the outer housing 30, and the locking mechanism can be omitted. This makes it possible to shorten the distance between the terminals 10 by omitting the locking mechanism.

[0132] Therefore, the connector 1 of the embodiment can reduce the size of the arrangement space of the plurality of terminals 10 , thereby reducing the size of the connector 1 and suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0133] According to the embodiment, the inner housing 20 further includes a first protrusion 24c, a second protrusion 24d and a support portion 24g. The support portion 24g supports the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22 and the third terminal accommodating unit 23. Each of the first protrusion 24c and the second protrusion 24d protrudes outward from the support portion 24g along a second direction intersecting with the first direction (Z direction). The first protrusion 24c, the second protrusion 24d and the support portion 24g are accommodated in the housing body 31 of the outer housing 30.

[0134] The outer shell 30 further includes a contact portion 34a1 that projects inwardly from the shell body 31 in a direction opposite to the second direction in the interior near the end portion of the shell body 31 located in the first direction (Z direction). In a state where the front retainer 70 is locked to the outer shell 30, the front retainer 70 presses the first protrusion 24c and the second protrusion 24d of the inner shell 20 against the contact portion 34a1 of the outer shell 30 through the open end 72a located in the direction opposite to the first direction (Z direction).

[0135] With the above configuration, the inner housing 20 can be fixed to the outer housing 30 with a simple configuration without requiring a locking mechanism. Therefore, an increase in manufacturing cost can be further suppressed.

[0136] According to an embodiment, in a cross section along a first direction (Z direction) and a width direction (X direction) of the connector 1, the joining units 12 of each terminal 10 are arranged in a straight line with the joining units 12 of another terminal 10 along the width direction (X direction) of the connector 1.

[0137] With the above-described configuration, it is possible to minimize the distance between the terminals 10 in the width direction (X direction) of the connector 1. Therefore, the size of the arrangement space for the plurality of terminals 10 can be surely reduced.

[0138] According to the embodiment, in the cross section along the width direction (X direction) and the height direction (Y direction) of the connector 1, the terminals 10 are arranged in two stages along the height direction (Y direction) of the connector 1. In the case where one of the terminals 10 is arranged in one of the two stages, the terminal 10 adjacent to the one of the terminals 10 in the width direction (X direction) of the connector 1 is arranged in the other of the two stages.

[0139] With the above-mentioned configuration, in the connector 1, the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 of the inner housing 20 can be alternately arranged in the height direction (Y direction) of the connector 1, and each of the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 accommodates the connecting unit 11 of the corresponding terminal 10. This configuration enables the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 to be arranged so that a portion of adjacent terminal accommodating units overlap in the width direction (X direction) of the connector 1. Therefore, the size of the arrangement space of the first terminal accommodating unit 21, the second terminal accommodating unit 22, and the third terminal accommodating unit 23 can be reduced, thereby reducing the size of the connector 1.

[0140] (Revision)

[0141] In the above embodiment, the contact portion 34a1 is continuously formed along the inner peripheral surface of one end of the communication hole portion 34a communicating with the inside of the housing body 31, but the configuration of the contact portion 34a1 is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of contact portions may be formed spaced apart from each other along the inner peripheral surface of one end of the communication hole portion 34a communicating with the inside of the housing body 31. In this case, in the connector 1, at least two contact portions are provided to face the first protrusion 24c and the second protrusion 24d of the base unit 24 of the inner housing 20, respectively.

[0142] In the above embodiment, the connector 1 is connected to the power supply system of the three-phase motor, but the power supply system is not limited thereto. The connector 1 can be connected to the power supply system using a motor with more than three phases. In this case, since a plurality of wires corresponding to the number of phases are used, the connector 1 has a plurality of terminals 10.

[0143] 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 to be connected to an external connector, comprising: Multiple terminals; Inner shell; outer shell; as well as A front retainer that fixes the inner shell by sandwiching the inner shell between the front retainer and the outer shell, wherein: Each of the terminals extends in a first direction, the first direction being a direction in which the connector is to be connected to the external connector, Each of the terminals includes a connection unit to be connected to an external terminal of the external connector and a bonding unit for bonding with a core wire of the electric wire by ultrasonic waves, The inner housing includes a plurality of first accommodation units, each of which accommodates the connection unit of the corresponding terminal and opens outward in the first direction, and The outer shell includes a second accommodating unit and a third accommodating unit, the second accommodating unit accommodating a plurality of the first accommodating units of the inner shell and opening outward in the first direction, and the third accommodating unit connected to the second accommodating unit and accommodating the joining units of the respective terminals exposed from the inner shell.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The inner housing further includes a support portion and a protrusion portion, the support portion supports the plurality of first accommodation units, and the protrusion protrudes outward from the support portion along a second direction intersecting the first direction, The support portion and the protrusion are accommodated in the third accommodation unit of the outer shell, The housing further includes a contact portion that protrudes inwardly from the third accommodation unit in a direction opposite to the second direction at an interior of the third accommodation unit near an end portion thereof in the first direction, and In a state where the front retainer is locked to the outer housing, the front retainer presses the protrusion of the inner housing against the contact portion of the outer housing through an end edge of the front retainer located in a direction opposite to the first direction.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: In a cross section along the first direction and the width direction of the connector, the engaging unit of each terminal is aligned in a straight line with the engaging unit of another terminal along the width direction of the connector.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein: In a cross section along the width direction and the height direction of the connector, the plurality of terminals are arranged in two stages along the height direction of the connector, and In a case where one terminal of the plurality of terminals is arranged in one of the two stages, a terminal adjacent to the one terminal in the width direction of the connector is arranged in the other of the two stages.

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