Connector

Abstract

A connector connected to an external connector has: a plurality of terminals; and a wire leading-out part for leading out the plurality of wires connected to the respective terminals to the outside in a first direction in which the external connector is connected, and having a wire holder that holds the respective wires by clamping.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is a connector in which the direction of connection to an external connector is different from the direction in which the wires are led out to the outside. Patent document JP2014-38793A discloses a technology related to a so-called L-shaped connector having a structure for absorbing vibrations and in which the direction of connection to an external connector is orthogonal to the direction in which the wires are led out to the outside. Summary of the invention

[0003] In the L-shaped connector disclosed in JP2014-38793A, even if a wire holder for holding a part of the wire extending in the direction of being led out to the outside is provided inside by clamping, the miniaturization of the connector is little affected. However, in the case of a so-called U-shaped connector in which the direction of connection to the external connector is the same as the direction in which the wire is led out to the outside, if a wire holder for holding a part of the wire extending in the orthogonal direction from each terminal is provided, there is a concern that the size of the connector may increase.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector which facilitates miniaturization while ensuring vibration resistance.

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, a connector connected to an external connector includes: a plurality of terminals; and a wire lead-out portion, which is used to lead out a plurality of wires connected to each of the terminals to the outside along a first direction connected to the external connector, and the wire lead-out portion has a wire retaining member, which is used to retain each wire by clamping.

[0006] According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a connector that facilitates miniaturization while ensuring vibration resistance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line III-III.

[0010] Figure 4A It is a perspective view of the outer shell after the rear retainer is attached.

[0011] Figure 4BIt is a perspective view of the outer shell before the rear retainer is attached.

[0012] Figure 5 It is from Figure 4B Perspective views of the outer shell viewed from different directions.

[0013] Figure 6 The outer shell is Figure 4A Stereoscopic images in different directions.

[0014] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a back cover in one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 8 is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the connector taken at section VIII-VIII in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Hereinafter, a connector according to various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the convenience of explanation, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the connector 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 It is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1 . Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the connector 1 taken along section III-III. Figure 3 The cross-sectional plane in is an imaginary plane passing through the central axis of the first terminal accommodating portion 21 and the first electric wire 100a which will be described later.

[0018] The connector 1 is a high voltage connector that can be used in a power supply system of a rear motor installed in an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, for example. In this embodiment, the connector 1 is attached to a power supply system of a three-phase motor (not shown) as the rear motor.

[0019] The power supply system of the three-phase motor pre-includes three wires 100, namely a first wire 100a, a second wire 100b and a third wire 100c. The first wire 100a is a U-phase wire. The second wire 100b is a V-phase wire. The third wire 100c is a W-phase wire. Each wire 100 has a core wire 101 as a conductor and a coating 102 as an insulator covering the core wire 101. The first terminal of the wire 100 is connected to the three-phase motor, and the second terminal of the wire 100 is connected to the connector 1. At the second terminal connected to the connector 1, the coating 102 is removed and the end portion 101a of the core wire 101 is exposed. Although the core wire 101 can be composed of multiple element wires, it is simply depicted as a single conductor component in the following drawings.

[0020] The connector 1 includes a plurality of terminals 10, an inner housing 20, an outer housing 30, a rear cover 40, and a rear holder 50 as a set of components related to electrical connection.

[0021] As the plurality of terminals 10, in this embodiment, corresponding to the three-phase motor, three terminals 10, namely, a first terminal 10a, a second terminal 10b and a third terminal 10c are provided. The first terminal 10a is attached to the end of the first electric wire 100a. The second terminal 10b is attached to the end of the second electric wire 100b. The third terminal 10c is attached to the end of the third electric wire 100c.

[0022] Each of the three terminals 10 is a female terminal made of metal, and has a connecting portion 11 and a crimping portion 12 .

[0023] The connection part 11 is a cylindrical part into which a rod-shaped male terminal can be freely inserted. The connection part 11 has a leaf spring component 13 for pressing a part of the male terminal against the inner wall of the connection part 11 to stably maintain a conductive state with the male terminal inserted therein. The leaf spring component 13 is pre-installed inside the connection part 11. The connection part 11 may have a leaf spring part as a part of the connection part 11 instead of the leaf spring component 13.

[0024] The crimping portion 12 crimps the terminal portion 101a of the core wire 101. Assuming that one axial end of the connecting portion 11 is an open end into which the male terminal is inserted, the crimping portion 12 is integrated with the other axial end of the connecting portion 11. In this embodiment, when the terminal 10 is installed in the connector 1, the axial direction of the connecting portion 11 extends in the Z direction.

[0025] For each terminal 10, the direction from the crimping portion 12 toward the connecting portion 11 in the axial direction of the connecting portion 11 is offset by 90° relative to the direction from the terminal portion 101a crimped into the crimping portion 12 toward the main body of the electric wire 100. That is, when the terminal 10 is installed in the connector 1, the terminal portion 101a is crimped to the crimping portion 12 when it extends in the Z direction in the axial direction of the connecting portion 11 in a posture along the Y direction. At this time, each electric wire 100 extends from the terminal portion 101a crimped to the crimping portion 12 in the direction opposite to the Y direction. For each of the three terminals 10, the specific shape of the crimping portion 12 may be different. In addition, in the present embodiment, the terminal 10 has the crimping portion 12 crimped to the terminal portion 101a, but instead of the crimping portion 12, the terminal may have a plate-shaped engaging portion with which the terminal portion 101a is engaged by ultrasonic engagement.

[0026] The inner housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and is an insulating member for protecting the terminals 10 by holding the three terminals 10 therein. The inner housing 20 has a first terminal accommodating portion 21 , a second terminal accommodating portion 22 , a third terminal accommodating portion 23 , a base 24 and a reinforcement structure 25 .

[0027] The first terminal accommodating portion 21 is a barrel portion for accommodating the connecting portion 11 of the first terminal 10a. The second terminal accommodating portion 22 is a barrel portion for accommodating the connecting portion 11 of the second terminal 10b. The third terminal accommodating portion 23 is a barrel portion for accommodating the connecting portion 11 of the third terminal 10c. The first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 accommodate the connecting portion 11 so that the opening direction of the connecting portion 11 accommodated therein, that is, the direction opposite to the direction in which the male terminal is inserted, is the same direction as the direction along the first direction. In the present embodiment, the first direction is the Z direction. The ends of the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 are open in the first direction and do not hinder the male terminal from entering the connecting portion 11.

[0028] As an example, the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22 and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 are arranged in two stages in the Y direction as the second direction defined below. For example, the first terminal accommodating portion 21 can be arranged in the upper stage in the second direction, and the second terminal accommodating portion 22 and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 can be arranged in the lower stage in the second direction. Then, in the X direction as the third direction defined below, the first terminal accommodating portion 21 can be arranged in the middle position between the second terminal accommodating portion 22 and the third terminal accommodating portion 23.

[0029] The base 24 is a flat plate for supporting the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23. The base 24 supports the root ends of the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 at the front side in the first direction. The internal spaces of the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 are open at the rear side in the first direction in a direction opposite to the first direction.

[0030] The base 24 has a first locking portion 24c and a second locking portion 24d arranged on opposite sides. An upper claw 37a and a lower claw 37b arranged opposite to each other are provided in a housing body 31 of an outer housing 30 described later. When the inner housing 20 is attached to the outer housing 30, the first locking portion 24c is engaged with the upper claw 37a, and the second locking portion 24d is engaged with the lower claw 37b, thereby preventing the inner housing 20 from falling off from the outer housing 30.

[0031] The reinforcement structure 25 is a structure in which a plurality of reinforcement ribs are combined to ensure the strength of the inner housing 20. The reinforcement structure 25 is provided on the rear surface side of the base 24 so as not to interfere with the arrangement of each terminal 10 and each electric wire 100.

[0032] Figure 4A and 4BIt is a perspective view of the outer housing 30 and the rear holder 50 in the same direction. Figure 4A A state after the rear holder 50 is attached to the outer housing 30 is shown. Figure 4B A state in which the rear holder 50 is removed from the outer housing 30 is shown. Figure 5 yes Figure 4B The state shown is a perspective view of the outer housing 30 and the rear holder 50 in another direction. Figure 6 is Figure 4A A perspective view of the outer housing 30 and the rear holder 50 in a direction in which the internal space can be visually recognized from the opening formed by the open end 35a in another direction of the state.

[0033] The outer housing 30 is made of synthetic resin and is an insulating member that integrally protects the three terminals 10 by accommodating at least a portion of the inner housing 20 and the crimping portion 12 of each terminal 10. The outer housing 30 has a housing body 31, a connector cover 32, and a wire lead-out portion 33.

[0034] The housing body 31 is a box part defined as follows: when the first direction is the length direction, the second direction orthogonal to the first direction is the height direction; and the third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction is the width direction. In the present embodiment, as described above, the first direction is the Z direction, the second direction is the Y direction, and the third direction is the X direction. The housing body 31 has a front wall 34, an annular side wall 35, and a plurality of support pieces 36.

[0035] The front wall 34 is a wall perpendicular to the first direction, and supports the connector cover 32 and the wire lead-out portion 33 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the second direction by the first wall surface 34a. The plane of the front wall 34 has a substantially rectangular shape defined by a long side substantially in the second direction and a short side substantially in the third direction.

[0036] In addition, the front wall 34 has a first wire opposing portion 38 facing the second wall surface 34b, which is spaced apart from the second wire opposing portion 45 and faces the inside of the housing body 31 when the rear cover 40 described later is attached to the outer housing 30. The first wire opposing portion 38 is a structure that forms the wire guide portion 96 when combined with the second wire opposing portion 45. The first wire opposing portion 38 has a first opposing groove 38a, a second opposing groove 38b, and a third opposing groove 38c, each of which has the second direction as an extension direction and includes a curved surface that matches the shape of the side surface of the wire 100 arranged in the housing body 31. The first opposing groove 38a accommodates a portion of the side surface of the first wire 100a in a non-contact manner. The second opposing groove 38b accommodates a portion of the side surface of the second wire 100b in a non-contact manner. The third opposing groove 38c accommodates a portion of the side surface of the third wire 100c in a non-contact manner.

[0037] In addition, the front wall 34 has a plurality of first engaging claws 37, which are provided on the second wall surface 34b, straddling the cover portion 32a of the connector cover 32. In the present embodiment, as described above, the plurality of first engaging claws 37 are upper claws 37a and lower claws 37b facing each other in the second direction. Similarly, the front wall 34 has a plurality of second engaging claws 39, which are provided on the second wall surface 34b, straddling the cover portion 32a of the connector cover 32. In the present embodiment, the plurality of second engaging claws 39 are two first upper claws 39a and two second lower claws 39b facing each other in the second direction.

[0038] The annular side wall 35 forms an internal space together with the front wall 34, which accommodates at least the crimping portion 12 of the terminal 10. One annular end of the annular side wall 35 in the first direction is continuous with the periphery of the front wall 34. The other annular end of the annular side wall 35 in the first direction is an open end 35a that forms an opening facing the front wall 34. When the connector 1 is assembled, the three terminals 10 attached to the ends of the electric wires 100 are accommodated in the housing body 31 through the opening formed by the open end 35a. The annular side wall 35 has a plurality of engaging portions 35c provided on the outer wall surface 35b so as to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0039] The support piece 36 is provided on the outer wall surface 35b of the annular side wall 35, and has a fitting hole 36a for fitting a collar 91 described later. The fitting hole 36a penetrates the support piece 36 in the first direction.

[0040] The connector cover 32 has a cover portion 32a opened in the first direction, the cross section of the cover portion 32a is an elongated circular shape, and the connector cover 32 is a barrel portion, and when an external connector having a male terminal is connected to the connector 1, the barrel portion is matched with a part of the external connector (not shown). The connector cover 32 is arranged to protrude from the front wall 34 of the housing body 31 in the first direction. The cover portion 32a penetrates the interior of the housing body 31 from the outside of the outer housing 30 and can accommodate the inner housing 20. In the elongated circular cross section of the cover portion 32a, according to the arrangement relationship of the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 in the inner housing 20, the second direction is the length direction.

[0041] The connector cover 32 has a first barrel portion 32b and a second barrel portion 32c, which are continuous with each other in the first direction with the cover portion 32a as the inner wall. The first barrel portion 32b is a barrel portion located at the end side of the first direction, and a unit seal 60 described later is attached to its outer peripheral surface. The second barrel portion 32c is a barrel portion located at the root side in the first direction. The outer peripheral shape of the second barrel portion 32c is larger than the outer peripheral shape of the first barrel portion 32b, and when the unit seal 60 is attached to the first barrel portion 32b, the second barrel portion 32c faces at least a portion of the unit seal 60 in the first direction. Therefore, the movement of the unit seal 60 to the root side of the connector cover 32 is restricted.

[0042] The wire lead-out portion 33 is a structure for leading the three wires 100 from the inside of the housing body 31 to the outside of the outer housing 30. The wire lead-out portion 33 has a cylindrical lead-out portion 33a and a first wire contact portion 33b.

[0043] The cylindrical lead-out portion 33a is arranged to protrude in the first direction from the front wall 34 of the housing body 31, thereby forming a through space opened in the first direction, the cross section of which is an elongated circular shape. In the cross section of the through space as an elongated circular hole, the second direction is the length direction, so that the three electric wires 100 are arranged in the second direction according to the arrangement relationship of the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22 and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 in the inner housing 20.

[0044] The first wire contact portion 33b is an end portion of the wire lead-out portion 33, and is combined with the rear retainer 50 as the second wire contact portion described later to form the wire retainer 95. The overall schematic shape of the wire retainer 95 is approximately the shape of the cylindrical lead-out portion 33a extending in the first direction. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the rear retainer 50 is attached to the first wire contact portion 33b in the second direction corresponding to the Y direction. Therefore, the approximate shape of the first wire contact portion 33b is a shape in which the rear retainer 50 is separated from the overall shape of the wire retainer 95 with the virtual plane of the XZ plane as a reference. The first wire contact portion 33b has a plurality of retainer engaging claws 33c, a plurality of first wiring grooves 33d, a plurality of first retaining ribs 33e, and a retainer engaging portion 33f.

[0045] In the present embodiment, a plurality of retainer engagement claws 33 c are provided at both ends of the first wire contact portion 33 b in the third direction corresponding to the direction X. The retainer engagement claws 33 c engage with retainer engagement portions 51 provided in the rear retainer 50 .

[0046] Each of the plurality of first wiring grooves 33d has a first direction as an extending direction, and the electric wires 100 drawn out from the cylindrical lead-out portion 33a are wired in the first direction. Each first wiring groove 33d includes a curved surface that matches the side surface shape of each electric wire 100. In the present embodiment, three electric wires 100 are drawn out from the cylindrical lead-out portion 33a, and thus three first wiring grooves 33d exist in parallel in the third direction.

[0047] A plurality of first holding ribs 33e are provided on each first wiring groove 33d and caught on the cover 102 of the electric wire 100 wired in the first wiring groove 33d. The first holding ribs 33e provided for each first wiring groove 33d may be regularly arranged while being spaced apart from each other, or may be randomly arranged.

[0048] The retainer engaging portion 33f is a protruding portion that engages with the retainer locking hole 55 provided in the rear retainer 50 when the rear retainer 50 is attached to the first wire contact portion 33b. Three retainer engaging portions 33f are provided in the region adjacent to the cylindrical lead-out portion 33a of the first wire contact portion 33b to face respective ends of the first wiring groove 33d in the third direction. Each retainer engaging portion 33f has a flat plate shape, a protruding direction thereof being opposite to the second direction, and a main plane being parallel to the XY plane.

[0049] The retainer engaging portion 33f has an engaging rib 33g protruding in the first direction on at least one surface thereof. In the present embodiment, as an example, the engaging rib 33g provided on each of the three retainer engaging portions 33f points in a direction opposite to the first direction, that is, from the first wire contact portion 33b toward the cylindrical lead-out portion 33a.

[0050] In other words, according to the structure of the outer shell 30, in the connector 1, the direction in which the cover portion 32a of the connector cover 32 points, that is, the direction in which the connector is connected to the external connector, and the direction in which the three wires 100 are led out from the wire lead-out portion 33 are the same. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the cover portion 32a of the connector cover 32 points and the direction in which the three wires 100 are led out from the wire lead-out portion 33 are the first direction corresponding to the Z direction.

[0051] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the rear cover 40 in a direction in which the side to be attached to the outer case 30 can be visually recognized.

[0052] The rear cover 40 is made of synthetic resin and is an insulating member for covering the opening formed by the open end 35a in a state where each terminal 10 formed by connecting the terminal portion 101a to the crimping portion 12 is accommodated in the housing body 31 of the outer housing 30 together with the terminal portion of the electric wire 100. The rear cover 40 has a main body wall 41, a plurality of locking portions 42, a plurality of seal locking portions 43, a cover reinforcing rib 44, and a second electric wire opposing portion 45.

[0053] The main body wall 41 is a flat plate portion 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.

[0054] The locking portions 42 are circumferentially spaced from each other along the outer peripheral edge 41a of the main body wall 41. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer shell 30, each locking portion 42 prevents the rear cover 40 from falling off from the outer shell 30 by engaging one of the engaging portions 35c on the annular side wall 35.

[0055] The seal lock portions 43 are provided on the outer peripheral edge 41a of the main body wall 41 at intervals from each other along the outer peripheral edge 41a in the circumferential direction, avoiding the plurality of lock portions 42. The rear cover seal 61 described later is provided with a plurality of engaging protrusions 61a. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, each seal lock portion 43 engages with one of the engaging protrusions 61a on the rear cover seal 61.

[0056] In order to ensure the strength of the rear cover 40 , a cover reinforcing rib 44 is provided on the inner wall surface 41 b so as not to interfere with the arrangement of the terminal 10 and the electric wire 100 .

[0057] The second wire opposing portion 45 is provided on the inner wall surface 41b, and when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer shell 30, it is opposed to the first wire opposing portion 38 provided on the outer shell 30 at a certain distance. As described above, the second wire opposing portion 45 is a structure that forms the wire guide portion 96 when combined with the first wire opposing portion 38. The second wire opposing portion 45 has a first opposing groove 45a, a second opposing groove 45b, and a third opposing groove 45c, each of which has the second direction as an extension direction and includes a curved surface that matches the side surface shape of each wire 100 wired in the shell body 31. The first opposing groove 45a accommodates a portion of the side surface of the first wire 100a in a non-contact manner. The second opposing groove 45b accommodates a portion of the side surface of the second wire 100b in a non-contact manner. The third opposing groove 45c accommodates a portion of the side surface of the third wire 100c in a non-contact manner.

[0058] Figure 8 is Figure 1A cross-sectional view of the connector 1 taken at the VIII-VIII portion in FIG. Figure 8 The cross-sectional plane in FIG. 2 is an imaginary plane passing through a part of the electric wire guide portion 96 .

[0059] When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, a portion of the first electric wire 100a is held in a non-contact manner by the first opposing groove 38a of the first electric wire opposing portion 38 and the first opposing groove 45a of the second electric wire opposing portion 45. Similarly, the second electric wire 100b is held in a non-contact manner by the second opposing groove 38b of the first electric wire opposing portion 38 and the second opposing groove 45b of the second electric wire opposing portion 45. The third electric wire 100c is held in a non-contact manner by the third opposing groove 38c of the first electric wire opposing portion 38 and the third opposing groove 45c of the second electric wire opposing portion 45.

[0060] The distance between the opposing groove on the side of the first wire opposing portion 38 and the side surface of the wire 100 facing the opposing groove is defined as the first distance C1. For example, the shortest distance between the first opposing groove 38a of the first wire opposing portion 38 and the side surface of the first wire 100a facing the first opposing groove 38a is the first distance C1. Similarly, the distance between the opposing groove on the side of the second wire opposing portion 45 and the side surface of the wire 100 facing the opposing groove is defined as the second distance C2. For example, the shortest distance between the first opposing groove 45a of the second wire opposing portion 45 and the side surface of the first wire 100a facing the first opposing groove 45a is the second distance C2.

[0061] When the position of the connector cover 32 relative to the external connector is determined after the external connector on the male terminal side is connected to the connector 1, the terminals 10 are aligned. Therefore, the first distance C1 and the second distance C2 are preset to be the maximum alignment amounts assumed when aligning the terminals 10 as the external connector is connected to the connector 1.

[0062] As described above, the rear retainer 50 is a structural member that is attached to the first wire contact portion 33b of the wire lead-out portion 33 of the outer housing 30 and forms the wire retainer 95 in combination with the first wire contact portion 33b. The rear retainer 50 has a plurality of retainer locking portions 51, a plurality of second wiring grooves 52, a plurality of second retaining ribs 53, and a retainer locking hole portion 54 in which a retainer locking hole 55 is formed.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the retainer locking portions 51 are provided at respective ends of the rear retainer 50 in the third direction corresponding to the X direction. When the rear retainer 50 is attached to the wire contact portion 33b, each retainer locking portion 51 prevents the rear retainer 50 from falling off from the first wire contact portion 33b by engaging one of the retainer engaging claws 33c in the first wire contact portion 33b.

[0064] Each second wiring groove 52 has the first direction as an extension direction, and wires the electric wires 100 drawn out from the cylindrical lead-out portion 33a in the first direction. Each second wiring groove 52 includes a curved surface that matches the side surface shape of each electric wire 100. In the present embodiment, three electric wires 100 are drawn out from the cylindrical lead-out portion 33a, whereby three second wiring grooves 52 exist in parallel in the third direction. That is, when the rear retainer 50 is attached to the first electric wire contact portion 33b, each second wiring groove 52 faces each first wiring groove 33d in the first electric wire contact portion 33b.

[0065] The second retaining rib 53 (see Figure 2 ) is provided in each second wiring groove 52 and is caught on the coating 102 of the electric wire 100 wired in the second wiring groove 52. As in the case of the first holding rib 33e, each second holding rib 53 provided for each second wiring groove 52 may be spaced apart from each other and arranged regularly, or may be arranged randomly.

[0066] The retainer locking hole portion 54 is a structure in which a retainer locking hole 55 is formed to cooperate with the retainer engaging portion 33f provided on the first wire contact portion 33b when the rear retainer 50 is attached to the first wire contact portion 33b. The opening shape and opening position of the retainer locking hole 55 depend on the shape and arrangement of the retainer engaging portion 33f in the first wire contact portion 33b. In the present embodiment, there are three retainer engaging portions 33f, and each retainer engaging portion 33f has a flat plate shape. Therefore, three retainer locking holes 55 are formed in the retainer locking hole portion 54. The opening shape of the retainer locking hole 55 is a rectangle consistent with the cross-sectional shape of the retainer engaging portion 33f. In particular, in the present embodiment, the retainer engaging portion 33f has an engaging rib 33g. Therefore, when the retainer engaging portion 33 f is inserted into the retainer locking hole 55 , each engaging rib 33 g and the side surface of the retainer engaging portion 33 f on the opposite side of the engaging rib 33 g come into close contact with the retainer locking hole portion 54 .

[0067] Here, when the rear retainer 50 is attached to the outer housing 30 in a state where the three electric wires 100 are led out from the cylindrical lead-out portion 33a, a portion of the electric wires 100 is clamped between one of the first wiring grooves 33d and one of the second wiring grooves 52. The first wiring groove 33d is provided with a plurality of first retaining ribs 33e, and similarly, the second wiring groove 52 is provided with a plurality of second retaining ribs 53. That is, the electric wire retainer 95 holds each electric wire 100 by clamping more tightly, thereby suppressing vibration transmitted from the outside through the electric wires 100 from reaching the terminal 10.

[0068] Furthermore, the connector 1 includes a unit seal 60 , a rear cover seal 61 , and a wire seal 62 as waterproof members for preventing moisture from entering the outer housing 30 from the outside.

[0069] The unit seal 60 is an annular elastic member tightly attached to the outer peripheral surface of the connector cover 32 in the outer housing 30. When an external connector is connected to the connector 1, the unit seal 60 seals the space between the outer peripheral surface of the connector cover 32 and the mating surface of the external connector.

[0070] 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. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the rear cover seal 61 seals the space between the open end 35a of the housing body 31 and the outer peripheral edge 41a of the rear cover 40.

[0071] The electric wire seal 62 is an elastic member in the shape of an oblong flat plate, which is closely attached to the inner wall surface of the cylindrical lead-out portion 33a of the electric wire lead-out portion 33 in the outer housing 30. The electric wire seal 62 has three through holes 62a through which the electric wires pass in close contact with these through holes 62a. The electric wire seal 62 seals the space between the inner wall surface of the cylindrical lead-out portion 33a and the electric wire 100 passing through the through space of the cylindrical lead-out portion 32a.

[0072] The connector 1 further includes a front retainer 70 as a retaining member of the unit seal 60 .

[0073] 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 the connector cover 32. The front retainer 70 has a front plate 71, a cylindrical portion 72, and a plurality of locking portions 73.

[0074] The front plate 71 is a flange-shaped annular plate located at the end of the connector cover 32 when the front retainer 70 is attached to the outer housing 30. The front plate 71 has an opening 71a for exposing the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 of the inner housing 20 from the connector cover 32 to the outside. When the front retainer 70 is attached to the outer housing 30, at least a portion of the outer periphery of the front plate 71 faces at least a portion of the unit seal 60 attached to the connector cover 32 in the first direction. Therefore, even if the unit seal 60 moves toward the end of the connector cover 32, further movement can be restricted by abutting against the front plate 71, thereby preventing the unit seal from falling off the connector cover 32.

[0075] When the front retainer 70 is attached to the outer shell 30, the barrel portion 72 is accommodated in the hood portion 32a of the connector hood 32. One open end of the barrel portion 72 is a fixed end that is continuous with the opening 71a of the front plate 71. The other open end of the barrel portion 72 is an open end that faces the inside of the housing body 31 when the front retainer 70 is attached to the outer shell 30. A reinforcing structure for ensuring the strength of the front retainer 70 may be provided in the barrel portion 72.

[0076] The locking portions 73 are provided in a portion of the cylindrical portion 72 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. As described above, the two first upper claws 39a and the two second lower claws 39b are provided inside the housing body 31 of the outer housing 30. When the front retainer 70 is attached to the outer housing 30, one locking portion 73 is engaged with the first upper claw 39a, and the other locking portion 73 is engaged with the second lower claw 39b, thereby preventing the front retainer 70 from falling off from the outer housing 30.

[0077] Furthermore, the connector 1 includes an upper cover 80 , a lower cover 81 , a shield braid 82 , and a shield ring 83 as shielding members for shielding noise.

[0078] The upper cover 80 is made of metal and covers the housing body 31 of the outer housing 30 of the attached rear cover 40. The upper cover 80 can cover at least a portion of the connector cover 32 or the wire lead-out portion 33 of the outer housing 30 while accommodating the housing body 31. The upper cover 80 is box-shaped, and the box shape is defined as a first direction corresponding to the Z direction as a length direction, a second direction corresponding to the Y direction as a height direction, and a third direction corresponding to the X direction as a width direction. The upper cover 80 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.

[0079] The bottom wall 80a is a wall orthogonal to the first direction. The planar shape of the bottom wall 80a is a substantially rectangular shape defined by long sides substantially in the second direction and short sides substantially in the third direction.

[0080] The annular side wall 80b forms an internal space for accommodating the housing body 31 together with the bottom wall 80a. One annular end of the annular side wall 80b in the first direction is continuous with the periphery of the bottom wall 80a. The other annular end of the annular side wall 80b in the first direction is an open end 80c that 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 from the opening formed by the open end 80c.

[0081] The first support piece 80e is a portion provided by, for example, bending a portion of the annular side wall 80b, and has a first through hole 80d through which a bolt 90 passing through a fitting hole 36a provided in the outer housing 30 passes when the connector 1 is assembled.

[0082] The second support piece 80g is a portion provided, for example, by bending a portion protruding from the open end 80c of the annular side wall 80b, and has a second through hole 80f through which a mounting bolt (not shown) passes when the connector 1 is attached to a housing of an external connector.

[0083] The lower cover 81 is made of metal, and covers a part of the front wall 34 of the housing body 31 of the outer housing 30 and the wire lead-out portion 33. The lower cover 81 has a cylindrical portion 81a, a flange 81b, and a support piece 81c.

[0084] The barrel 81a covers the wire lead-out portion 33 by accommodating the wire lead-out portion 33 in a through space having a circular elongated hole in a cross section and opening in a first direction. One open end of the barrel 81a is a fixed end continuous with the flange 81b. The other open end of the barrel 81a is an open end forming an opening for leading each wire 100 from the wire lead-out portion 33.

[0085] The flange 81 b , which is a flat plate orthogonal to the first direction, faces a portion of the front wall 34 to cover the portion of the front wall 34 .

[0086] The support piece 81 c is provided as a portion protruding outward from the edge of the flange 81 b , and has a through hole 81 d through which the bolt 90 passes before passing through the fitting hole 36 a provided in the outer housing 30 when the connector 1 is assembled.

[0087] The shield braid 82 is a metal braid, a portion of which covers the end of the barrel portion 81 a and another portion of which is wound to entirely cover the three electric wires 100 led out from the barrel portion 81 a .

[0088] The shield ring 83 is a metal fastening member for crimping the shield braid 82 to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 81 a of the lower cover 81 .

[0089] In addition, the connector 1 includes a plurality of bolts 90 and a plurality of annular collars 91, which are pre-fitted into the fitting hole 36a of the outer shell 30 as components for assembling the components. As described above, the support piece 81c of the lower cover 81 is provided with a through hole 81d. The collar 91 is fitted into the fitting hole 36a of the outer shell 30. The first support piece 80e of the upper cover 80 is provided with a first through hole 80d. The bolts 90 are fastened through the through hole 81d, the collar 91 of the fitting hole 36a, and the first through hole 80d, thereby assembling the lower cover 81, the outer shell 30, and the upper cover 80 as a whole.

[0090] Next, the operation and effects of the connector 1 will be described.

[0091] The connector 1 is connected to an external connector and has a plurality of terminals 10 and a wire lead-out portion 33 for leading a plurality of wires 100 connected to the respective terminals 10 to the outside in a first direction connected to the external connector. The wire lead-out portion 33 has a wire holder 95 that holds each wire 100 by clamping.

[0092] Here, the first direction corresponds to the Z direction in the above-mentioned example.

[0093] First, the connector 1 is provided with the wire holder 95 so that when the connector 1 is mounted on the vehicle, it is possible to prevent vibration generated during the running of the vehicle from being transmitted to the terminal 10 through the wire 100 and causing the resistance to increase due to wear of the contact portion.

[0094] On the other hand, when the external connector is connected to the connector 1 and the position of the connector cover 32 relative to the external connector is determined, each terminal 10 is aligned. At this time, a repulsive force is generated in the electric wire 100 connected to each terminal 10.

[0095] As a comparative example, a so-called L-shaped connector having a different construction from that in the present embodiment is assumed, in which a plurality of wires are led out in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. According to the above example, the second direction corresponds to the Y direction. In such an L-shaped connector, a wire holder can be provided to hold a portion of the wire 100 extending in the second direction by clamping, and as a result, the miniaturization of the connector is little affected. On the other hand, the situation is different in the case of a so-called U-shaped connector, in which, such as the connector 1 according to the present embodiment, both the direction of connecting to the external connector and the direction of leading the wire to the outside extend in the first direction. That is, when the wire holder is provided to hold a portion of the wire 100 extending in the second direction, it is assumed that Figure 3 The height H shown increases, and as a result, the size of the connector increases.

[0096] On the other hand, in the connector 1 according to the present embodiment, the wire holder 95 for holding each wire 100 by clamping is provided in the wire lead-out portion 33 to lead the wire 100 to the outside in the first direction. Therefore, in the connector 1, it is not necessary to provide a wire holder for clamping a part of the wire 100 extending in the second direction. Therefore, in the connector 1, it is not necessary to set the height H long, which is conducive to miniaturization of the connector 1.

[0097] Furthermore, the distance from each terminal 10 to the wire holder 95 is longer than when a portion of the wire 100 extending in the second direction is held by clamping. Therefore, in the wire holder 95, the repulsive force generated in the wire 100 can be reduced.

[0098] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the connector 1 which is advantageous for miniaturization while ensuring vibration resistance.

[0099] In the connector 1, the wire holding member 95 may be a combination of a first wire contact portion 33b and a second wire contact portion. The first wire contact portion 33b may have a plurality of first wiring grooves 33d, each of which corresponds to each wire 100 and has a first holding rib 33e in contact with the wire 100. The second wire contact portion may have a plurality of second wiring grooves 52, each of which has a second holding rib 53 facing each first wiring groove 33d and in contact with the wire 100.

[0100] Here, the second wire contact portion corresponds to the rear retainer 50 in the above-described example.

[0101] With the connector 1, each wire 100 is press-fitted into the wire holder 95, thereby securely holding the wire 100. Furthermore, the first wire contact portion 33b and the second wire contact portion can be freely attached and detached, thereby facilitating improved operability when assembling the connector 1.

[0102] In the connector 1, the first wire contact portion 33b may have an engaging portion, and the second wire contact portion may have a locking hole portion for engaging with the engaging portion.

[0103] Here, the engaging portion corresponds to the retainer engaging portion 33f in the above-mentioned example. The engaging hole corresponds to the retainer locking hole portion 54 in the above-mentioned example.

[0104] With the connector 1, when the first wire contact portion 33b and the second wire contact portion are combined to clamp the wire 100, the engaging portion is engaged with the locking hole portion, thereby eliminating the looseness between the first wire contact portion 33b and the second wire contact portion. Therefore, even if vibration is applied to the wire 100, it is possible to avoid the phenomenon that the vibration of the wire 100 is transmitted to the downstream side due to the displacement of one of the first wire contact portion 33b and the second wire contact portion relative to the other.

[0105] In the connector 1, the engaging portion may have an engaging rib 33g protruding in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the engaging portion is fitted into the locking hole portion. When the engaging portion is fitted into the locking hole portion, the engaging rib 33g may contact the locking hole portion.

[0106] Here, the engaging portion corresponds to the retaining member engaging portion 33f in the above example. The locking hole portion corresponds to the retaining member locking hole portion 54 in the above example. In this case, the direction in which the engaging portion is fitted into the locking hole portion corresponds to the direction opposite to the Y direction. The direction orthogonal to the direction in which the engaging portion is fitted into the locking hole portion corresponds to the direction opposite to the Z direction.

[0107] According to the connector 1 , when the engagement portion is fitted into the locking hole, the engagement rib 33 g provided in the engagement portion contacts the locking hole, thereby further improving the close contact between the engagement portion and the locking hole, thereby further suppressing the vibration transmission of the wire 100 .

[0108] In addition, the connector 1 may include a first wire opposing portion 38 and a second wire opposing portion 45 that clamp each wire 100 extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction between each terminal 10 and the wire lead-out portion 33 in a non-contact manner. At least one of the first wire opposing portion 38 and the second wire opposing portion 45 may have a curved surface that conforms to the side surface of the wire 100. The shortest distance between the first wire opposing portion 38 and the side surface of the wire 100 facing the first wire opposing portion 38 is a first distance C1, and the shortest distance between the second wire opposing portion 45 and the side surface of the wire 100 facing the second wire opposing portion 45 is a second distance C2. In this case, the first distance C1 and the second distance C2 may be set to the maximum alignment amount assumed when each terminal 10 is aligned with the connection of the external connector.

[0109] Here, the first direction corresponds to the Z direction in the above example. The second direction corresponds to the Y direction in the above example.

[0110] In the connector 1, the first wire opposing portion 38 and the second wire opposing portion 45 are provided between each terminal 10 and the wire lead-out portion 33, and at least one of the first wire opposing portion 38 and the second wire opposing portion 45 has a curved surface consistent with the side surface of the wire 100, and holds each wire 100 in a non-contact manner. Therefore, when the terminals 10 are aligned, the wires 100 extending from each terminal 10 in the second direction are guided so as not to interfere with each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent repulsion from being generated in the wires 100 due to interference between the wires 100 adjacent to each other. In addition, in the connector 1, the first distance C1 and the second distance C2 are set to the maximum alignment amount assumed when the terminals 10 are aligned, thereby obtaining the necessary minimum value, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the connector 1.

[0111] 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. In fact, the novel embodiments described herein may be implemented in various other forms; in addition, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the embodiment forms described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The attached claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications that fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A connector connected to an external connector, comprising: Multiple terminals; as well as an electric wire lead-out portion, the electric wire lead-out portion being used to lead a plurality of electric wires (100) connected to each of the terminals to the outside along a first direction connected to the external connector; The wire lead-out portion includes a wire holder (95) which holds each of the wires by clamping.

2. The connector according to claim 1, in, The wire retainer is a combination of a first wire contact portion and a second wire contact portion; wherein the first wire contact portion has a plurality of first wiring grooves, each of the first wiring grooves corresponding to each of the wires and having a first retaining rib in contact with the wire; and The second wire contact portion has a plurality of second wiring grooves, and the plurality of second wiring grooves have second retaining ribs that are opposite to the first wiring grooves and in contact with the wires.

3. The connector according to claim 2, in, The first wire contact portion has a snap-fit ​​portion; and Wherein, the second wire contact portion has a locking hole portion for matching with the engaging portion.

4. The connector according to claim 3, in, The engaging portion has an engaging rib protruding in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the engaging portion is fitted into the locking hole portion; and Wherein, when the engaging portion is engaged with the locking hole portion, the engaging rib contacts the locking hole portion.

5. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising: a first wire opposing portion and a second wire opposing portion, wherein the first wire opposing portion and the second wire opposing portion clamp each of the wires extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction between each of the terminals and the wire lead-out portion in a non-contact manner; wherein at least one of the first wire opposing portion and the second wire opposing portion has a curved surface that is consistent with a side surface of the wire; and Wherein, when the shortest distance between the first wire opposing portion and the side surface of the wire facing the first wire opposing portion is a first distance, and the shortest distance between the second wire opposing portion and the side surface of the wire facing the second wire opposing portion is a second distance, the first distance and the second distance are set to the maximum alignment amount assumed when each of the terminals is aligned as the external connector is connected.

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