Connector

Abstract

A connector has a nut, a belleville spring, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The belleville spring is mounted on the flange portion by inserting the nut portion from the end portion into the first hole portion. The first terminal is mounted on the belleville spring by inserting the nut portion from the end portion into the second hole portion. The second terminal has a third hole portion having a hole shape smaller than the outer shape of the nut portion and larger than the threaded hole shape of the nut, and the third hole portion is mounted on the first terminal so as to face the second hole portion. When the second terminal is mounted on the first terminal before the nut portion and the threaded portion are fitted together, a gap is provided between the end portion and the second terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure for terminals of a connector. Background Art

[0002] As a connection structure for connector terminals, it is considered to achieve electrical conduction by fastening the terminals to be fastened to each other using bolts and nuts. As an existing technique for a bolt fastening structure, there is a technique capable of suppressing deviation of the axial force of the bolt with a simple structure (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-16621)). Figure 1 It is a diagram showing an existing bolt fastening structure. Figure 1 The bolt fastening structure includes: a bolt 1 inserted into the objects to be fastened 3a, 3b; two washers 4 provided between the head 1a of the bolt and the objects to be fastened; an annular gasket 5 provided between the two washers; and a disc spring 6 provided between the two washers and on the outer or inner side in the radial direction of the gasket, and having a height exceeding the thickness of the gasket in a normal state.

[0003] However, if the above-described existing bolt fastening structure is directly applied to the connection structure of connector terminals, in some cases, there is a problem that the fastening force is too weak to obtain a desired reaction force, resulting in a situation where proper electrical connection cannot be achieved. In other cases, there is a problem that over-tightening may occur, which may apply an excessive load to surrounding components such as insulators.

[0004] Here, in order to eliminate the difference in fastening force caused by the bolt fastener and achieve an appropriate fastening force, it is also considered to use tools such as a torque wrench. However, in this case, not only is it necessary to separately prepare tools such as a torque wrench, but also complicated management such as checking whether the tool has exerted an appropriate torque is required. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of achieving connection between terminals with an appropriate contact force without using tools such as a torque wrench.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the connector of the present embodiment includes: a nut having one end and the other end opposite to the one end, and having a nut portion capable of being engaged with a prescribed bolt and a flange portion provided on the other end side; a spring having a first hole portion through which the nut portion can be inserted, and the nut portion is inserted through the first hole portion from the one end side and mounted on the flange portion; a first terminal having a second hole portion through which the nut portion can be inserted, and the nut portion is inserted through the second hole portion from the one end side and mounted on the spring; a second terminal having a third hole portion with a hole shape smaller than the outer shape of the nut portion and larger than the thread hole shape of the nut, and the third hole portion is opposed to the second hole portion and mounted on the first terminal. A prescribed gap is provided between one end of the nut portion and the second terminal before the nut portion is engaged with the prescribed bolt and when the second terminal is mounted on the first terminal.

[0007] Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the connector of the present embodiment, through the prescribed gap V between the second terminal 112 and the nut 22, a contact force that enables sufficient electrical conduction and does not impose a large load on surrounding components is managed. Therefore, without using tools such as a torque wrench, the connection between terminals can be achieved with an appropriate contact force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 FIGS. (a) and (b) show a bolt fastening structure of the prior art.

[0010] Figure 2 FIGS. show an embodiment of the connector in the first embodiment. (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a top view, and (c) is a side view.

[0011] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a perspective exploded view of the connector 1A shown in FIGS. when disassembled into a wire harness connector 10 and a main body connector 20.

[0012] Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of the wire harness connector 10.

[0013] Figure 5 FIGS. show a perspective view of the wire harness cover 12. (a) is a perspective view observed from the outer surface side of the upper surface cover 121a, and (b) is a perspective view observed from the inner surface side of the upper surface cover 121a.

[0014] Figure 6 is a perspective exploded view of the main body connector 20.

[0015] Figure 7 FIGS. show a perspective view of the base 21. (a) is a perspective view observed from the flange receiving portion 213b side, and (b) is a perspective view observed from the bottom 211 side.

[0016] Figure 8 is Figure 2 An enlarged view of the periphery of the main body connector 20 side in the A - A sectional view of (b).

[0017] Figure 9 is used to illustrate Figure 8 The schematic diagram of the fastening situation of the bolt 30 and the nut 22 shown, (a) is the state before the bolt is fastened, and (b) is the state after the bolt is fastened.

[0018] Figure 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the contact force F and the contact resistance R between the first terminal 24 and the second terminal 112.

[0019] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the fastening of the bolt 30 and the nut 22 in the connector 1A of the first modification example, (a) is the state before the bolt is fastened, and (b) is the state after the bolt is fastened.

[0020] Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the main body connector 20 of the first modification example.

[0021] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing a cantilever spring member 27 as an example of other components, (a) is a perspective view, and (b) is a side view.

[0022] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining the fastening of the bolt 30Y and the nut 22Y in the connector 1A of the second modification example, (a) is the state before the bolt is fastened, and (b) is the state after the bolt is fastened.

[0023] Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of the main body connector 20 of the second modification example. Detailed implementation mode

[0024] <The first implementation mode>

[0025] Hereinafter, the connector of the first implementation mode of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 2 is a view showing an embodiment of the connector in the first implementation mode, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a top view, and (c) is a side view. Figure 3 is to Figure 2 The exploded perspective view when the shown connector 1A is disassembled into a wire harness connector 10 and a main body connector 20.

[0026] The connector 1A in the present implementation mode is, for example, a connector for large currents of several hundred amperes. However, the fastening structure of the terminals in the connector of the present invention is not limited by the magnitude of the current, and it does not prevent applications under larger or smaller currents. As Figure 2 ,3 As shown in 3 , the connector 1A in this embodiment mainly consists of a wire harness connector 10, a body connector 20, and a set of bolts 30. The connector 1A is assembled by inserting bolts 30 into two hole portions 121c provided in the wire harness cover 12 and two third hole portions 112d provided in the second terminal 112 respectively, and engaging the bolts 30 and nuts 22 via a protruding member 26, a cover 25, a first terminal 24, and a disc spring 23 inside the body connector 20. In addition, as described later, in this embodiment, as an example of the protruding member 26, a toothed spring washer 26a is used (refer to Figure 6 ). Next, each element constituting the connector 1A will be described.

[0027] <Wire harness connector 10>

[0028] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the wire harness connector 10. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the wire harness cover 12. (a) is a perspective view observed from the outer surface side of the upper surface cover 121a, and (b) is a perspective view observed from the inner surface side of the upper surface cover 121a. As Figure 4 shown, the wire harness connector 10 is composed of a wire harness 11 and a wire harness cover 12. Figure 4 The wire harness connector 10 in Figure 4 has two wire harnesses 11, but the connector of the present invention is not limited to two, and can be composed of a single wire harness 11 or three or more.

[0029] (Wire harness 11)

[0030] As Figure 4 shown, the wire harness 11 is composed of a cable 111 and a second terminal 112. The cable 111 is composed of a copper wire 111a made of a copper alloy and an insulating material 111b covering the copper wire 111a. One end of the cable 111 exposes the copper wire 111a, and the exposed part of the copper wire 111a has a semi-cylindrical shape at the front end in this example. However, the copper wire 111a in this example has a cylindrical shape before being welded to the second terminal 112 and becomes a semi-cylindrical shape through welding. Therefore, the copper wire 111a is not limited to a semi-cylindrical shape and can also be other shapes. The second terminal 112 is a substantially rectangular thin metal plate, and has ends 112a and 112b at both ends on the long side. The thin metal plate of the second terminal 112 has a thickness h1 (refer to Figure 9 ). The copper wire 111a is welded to a surface 112f that contacts the lower surface of the end 112a side in Figure 4 . A protrusion 112c that is inserted into a groove portion 121e of the wire harness cover 12 ( Figure 5 ) is provided at the center of the end 112b. A threaded portion 32 of the bolt 30 is provided on the second terminal 112 at a side slightly closer to the end 112b from the center thereof ( Figure 3)The third hole portion 112d that can be inserted through. The third hole portion 112d has a hole shape that is smaller than the outer shape (the shape of a circular cylinder) of a nut portion 221 (refer to Figure 6 ) described later and larger than the threaded hole shape of the nut portion 221. As described later, the second terminal 112 places the third hole portion 112d opposite to the second hole portion 243 of the first terminal 24 (refer to Figure 6 ) and is mounted on the toothed spring washer 26a (refer to Figure 9 ).

[0031] (Harness cover 12)

[0032] The harness cover 12 houses a part of the cable 111 and the second terminal 112. The harness cover 12 serves the function of alignment for placing the second terminal 112 and the first terminal 24 (refer to Figure 6 ) in appropriate positions for fastening. For this alignment, the fastening portion 121 of the harness cover 12 houses a part (upper part) of the main body connector 20 on its inner surface. The harness cover 12 is made of a thermoplastic resin such as PBT, for example, and also serves as an insulating component. As Figure 5 shown, the harness cover 12 is composed of a guiding portion 122 and a fastening portion 121.

[0033] The guiding portion 122 is a cover that covers the second terminal 112 side of the harness 11, and is composed of a set of cylindrical portions 122a and a plate-shaped connecting portion 122b that connects the respective cylindrical portions 122a. The set of cylindrical portions 122a each have a cylindrical shape with a substantially rounded rectangular cross-sectional outer shape. Each cylindrical portion 122a houses a part of the second terminal 112, a copper wire 111a, and a part of the insulating material 111b.

[0034] The guiding portion 122 has a hole portion 122a1, which is a through-hole with a shape slightly larger than the shape that combines the cross-sectional shape in the width direction of the second terminal 112 and the cross-sectional shape of the cable 111. However, the hole portion 122a1 penetrates through the end portion on the fastening portion 121 side of the guiding portion 122 in such a way that its hole shape does not have a shape for inserting the cable 111, but has a shape of only the cross-sectional shape in the width direction of the second terminal 112. That is, the end portion on the fastening portion 121 side of the guiding portion 122 becomes a vertical wall with an opening for inserting the second terminal 112. This structure prevents the harness 11 from being overly inserted into the harness cover 12. By inserting the second terminal 112 into the hole portion 122a1, the hole portion 122a1 serves as an insertion guide and, together with a groove portion 121e described later, determines the relative positional relationship between the harness connector 10 and the main body connector 20.

[0035] In addition to its function as an insulating component, the fastening portion 121, together with the guiding portion 122, also serves to fasten and align the second terminal 112 and the first terminal 24. The fastening portion 121 is composed of an upper surface cover 121a having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape, both end portions in the long side direction of the upper surface cover 121a, and a peripheral cover 121b protruding from one end in the short side direction respectively in the direction in which the bolt 30 is inserted ( Figure 2 the downward direction in (c) of Figure 2 ). The other end in the short side direction of the upper surface cover 121a is connected to the end portion of the guiding portion 122. A set of hole portions 121c having a shape through which the head 31 of the bolt 30 can be inserted are provided on the upper surface cover 121a. The hole portions 121c are provided at positions opposed to the third hole portion 112d of the second terminal 112 when the second terminal 112 is inserted into the hole portion 122a1 and the protrusion 112c is engaged with the groove portion 121e. A set of groove portions 121d are provided at the end portion of the upper surface cover 121a on the side opposite to the guiding portion 122. The groove portions 121d are concave grooves in the direction in which the bolt 30 is inserted from the upper surface cover 121a ( Figure 2 the downward direction in (c) of

[0036] <Main Body Connector 20>

[0037] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the main body connector 20. As Figure 6 shown, the main body connector 20 is composed of a base 21, a nut 22, a disc spring 23, a first terminal 24, a cover 25, and a toothed spring washer 26a as an example of the protruding member 26. Figure 6 Since the wire harness connector 10 of the main body connector 20 shown in Figure 4 has two wire harnesses 11 (

[0038] (Base 21)

[0039] Figure 7is a perspective view of the abutment 21, (a) is a perspective view observed from the side of the flange housing portion 213b, and (b) is a perspective view observed from the side of the bottom portion 211.

[0040] Figure 7 The shown abutment 21 is configured to be able to house two each of the nut 22, the disc spring 23, the first terminal 24, the lid 25, and the toothed spring washer 26a. The abutment 21 is an insulating member that houses the first terminal 24 and is composed of a set of housing portions 213 and a connecting portion 214 that connects the respective housing portions 213. The abutment 21 is formed of a thermoplastic resin such as PBT, for example.

[0041] Each storage part 213 is provided with a hole part 213a, a flange storage part 213b, terminal storage parts 213c, 213d, a cover storage part 213e, and six fitting holes 213f respectively with respect to the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. When a part of the main body connector 20 is stored in the fastening part 121 of the wire harness connector 10, the central axis of the hole part 213a is set at a position on the same axis as the central axis of the hole part 121c. The hole part 213a is formed as a through hole through which the threaded part 32 can be inserted, so that even when a bolt 30 having a threaded part with a major axis longer than assumed is inserted through the nut 22, the front end of the threaded part 32 does not protrude from the nut 22 to damage the base 21. The flange storage part 213b has a groove shape that includes a region containing the hole part 213a at the center and can store the flange part 222 of the nut 22 by mounting it from above. The groove shape of the flange storage part 213b has a shape slightly larger than the flange part 222 so as to be able to store the flange part 222. The terminal storage part 213c has a groove shape that includes a region containing the hole part 213a and the flange storage part 213b at the center and can store a part of the connection part 241 of the first terminal 24 by mounting it from above. The terminal storage part 213c has a shape slightly larger than the outer shape of the connection part 241 so as to be able to store most of the connection part 241. The terminal storage part 213d is provided at a position in the storage part 213, deviating from the regions of both the hole part 213a and the flange storage part 213b, and has a through hole that can store most of the connection part 242 when the connection part 242 of the first terminal 24 is inserted from above. The terminal storage part 213d has a hole shape slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape of the connection part 242 so as to be able to store the connection part 242. The terminal storage part 213c and the terminal storage part 213d are connected, and the connecting part has an inclined surface corresponding to the L-shaped bent part of the first terminal 24. The cover storage part 213e has a groove shape that is dug out from above the terminal storage part 213c and the terminal storage part 213d to a depth equivalent to the plate thickness of the upper surface cover 251 and has a shape slightly wider than the terminal storage part 213c and the terminal storage part 213d, so as to be able to mount the peripheral edge of the upper surface cover 251 of the cover 25. The six fitting holes 213f are through holes provided at positions where the fitting protrusions 253 can be inserted when the cover 25 is mounted on the connection part 241.

[0042] (Nut 22)

[0043] As Figure 6As shown, the nut 22 of the present embodiment is composed of a nut portion 221 and a flange portion 222. The nut portion 221 is the part that fits with the bolt 30 and is an iron component provided with a threaded hole inside. The nut portion 221 has a cylindrical outer shape in this example, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may also have other outer shapes such as a polygon in the cross-sectional outer shape. The nut portion 221 has end portions 221a and 221b. In this example, the length h4 of the nut portion 221 in the direction of fitting with the bolt 30 is set to be longer than the thickness h3 of the first terminal 24 (refer to Figure 9 ). The flange portion 222 is an iron thin plate provided so as to protrude outward from the periphery of the cylindrical shape on the end portion 221b side in this example. Regarding the shape of the flange portion 222, a part of the circle is cut off in parallel to have a parallel portion, and as a whole, it becomes a substantially horizontally long circular shape. The nut 22 is housed in the flange housing portion 213b of the base 21 with the flange portion 222 facing the flange housing portion 213b.

[0044] Since the nut 22 of the present embodiment has the flange portion 222, there is no need to separately provide a washer, which not only has the effect of reducing the assembly man-hours, but also increases the fastening strength because the seating surface becomes larger from the nut portion 221 to the flange portion 222. Therefore, it prevents the fastening looseness between the bolt 30 and the nut 22 that may occur due to the nut 22 sinking into the base 21. In addition, the flange portion 222 is housed in the flange housing portion 213b in a substantially horizontally long circular shape so that the nut 22 does not rotate together when the bolt 30 and the nut 22 are fastened. Therefore, it prevents the idling of the bolt 30, and the fastening strength is also increased in this regard.

[0045] (Disc spring 23)

[0046] The disc spring 23 is a component that generates the contact force F between the first terminal 24 and the second terminal 112. As Figure 6 shown, the disc spring 23 is composed of an annular portion 231 and a first hole portion 232 provided at the center of the annular portion 231. The disc spring 23 is formed of, for example, carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, copper alloy, etc. In this example, the annular portion 231 has a disk shape with a circular outer shape and a shallow depth. The first hole portion 232 has a hole shape through which the nut portion 221 can be inserted. By inserting the nut portion 221 from the end portion 221a side with the surface 231b side of the first hole portion 232 facing the end portion 221a, the disc spring 23 is mounted on the flange portion 222 (on the surface 222a). The disc spring 23 has a height h2 as its thickness (height) (refer to Figure 9 ).

[0047] (First terminal 24)

[0048] The first terminal 24 is a terminal on the side where, for example, an electronic device or the like is connected to a main body driven electrically. In this example, the first terminal 24 is a thin metal plate formed by bending a rectangular flat plate into an L shape. The metal plate of the first terminal 24 has a thickness h3 (refer to Figure 9 ). The first terminal 24 is composed of a connecting portion 241 and a connecting portion 242. The connecting portion 241 is received in the terminal receiving portion 213c of the base 21 and is electrically connected to the second terminal 112. The connecting portion 242 is connected to the connecting portion 241 and is formed, for example, by bending 90 degrees from the end of the connecting portion 241 and is received in the terminal receiving portion 213d of the base 21. A second hole portion 243 is provided in the connecting portion 241. The second hole portion 243 is configured such that when the connecting portion 241 is received in the terminal receiving portion 213c, the central axes of the threaded portion 223 of the nut 22, the first hole portion 232 of the disc spring 23, and the second hole portion 243 are on the same axis. Although the second hole portion 243 is smaller than the outer shape of the head 31 ( Figure 3 ) of the bolt 30, it has a hole shape through which the nut portion 221 of the nut 22 can be inserted. The first terminal 24 opposes the surface 241b side of the second hole portion 243 to the first hole portion 232, and the nut portion 221 is inserted into the second hole portion 243 from the end portion 221a side and is mounted on the disc spring 23.

[0049] (Cover 25)

[0050] The cover 25 is an insulating member that covers the connecting portion 241 from the surface 241a side of the connecting portion 241 in order to reduce the risk of electric shock. The cover 25 is formed of a thermoplastic resin such as PBT, for example. The cover 25 has a top surface cover 251, a hole portion 252, and six fitting protrusions 253, respectively. The top surface cover 251 has a substantially rectangular thin plate shape. The hole portion 252 is provided on the top surface cover 251. The hole portion 252 is provided at a position where, when the top surface cover 251 is mounted on the connecting portion 241 from the surface 241a side, the central axes of the hole portion 252, the threaded portion 223, the first hole portion 232, and the second hole portion 243 are on the same axis. The hole portion 252 has a hole shape that is larger than the hole shape of the second hole portion 243 and slightly larger than the outer shape of a toothed spring washer 26a, which is an example of the protrusion member 26. The fitting protrusions 253 are provided on the peripheral portion of the top surface cover 251 in the direction in which the bolt 30 is inserted ( Figure 2projects downward in (c) below. In this example, two engaging protrusions 253 are provided at both ends of the short side direction of the upper surface cover 251, and one engaging protrusion 253 is provided near the center of both ends of the long side direction, respectively. The engaging protrusion 253 is provided at a position where it can be inserted into the engaging hole 213f provided in the base 21 when the cover 25 is mounted on the connecting portion 241. On each engaging protrusion 253, a convex portion 253a protruding inward toward the edge portion of the upper surface cover 251 is provided at the front end on the protruding side. The convex portion 253a engages with the base 21 by inserting the engaging protrusion 253 into the engaging hole 213f. Thus, the base 21 is covered with the cover 25. By the engagement of the convex portion 253a with the base 21, the nut 22, the disc spring 23, and the first terminal 24 are prevented from coming off from the storage inside the base 21.

[0051] (Protrusion member 26)

[0052] The protrusion member 26 is provided between the second terminal 112 and the first terminal 24. By assembling the protrusion member 26 between them, non-conductive substances such as oxide films on the contact surfaces are pierced, thereby removing the non-conductive substances on the contact surfaces. In the present embodiment, as an example of the protrusion member 26, as Figure 6 shown, a toothed spring washer 26a having an annular portion 261, a plurality of protrusion portions 262, and a fourth hole portion 263 is used. The toothed spring washer 26a is, for example, made of iron or stainless steel.

[0053] The annular portion 261 is an annular thin plate portion. In this example, the outer shape including the protrusion portions 262 has a shape slightly smaller than the hole portion 252 of the cover 25. The plurality of protrusion portions 262 are protrusion portions protruding toward at least one of the first terminal 24 side or the second terminal 112 side from the annular portion 261. The protrusion portions 262 function as teeth that sink into the surface of either the second terminal 112 or the first terminal 24 or both the second terminal 112 and the first terminal 24. The fourth hole portion 263 has a hole shape larger than the second hole portion 243 of the connecting portion 241 and through which the nut portion 221 can be inserted. The toothed spring washer 26a as the protrusion member 26 is mounted on the connecting portion 241 by being inserted into the hole portion 252 of the cover 25 placed on the connecting portion 241.

[0054] <Bolt 30>

[0055] As Figure 3 shown, the bolt 30 is composed of a threaded portion 32 and a head 31. The bolt 30 is, for example, made of iron. The threaded portion 32 can be inserted through the third hole portion 112d of the second terminal 112 and is engaged with the nut portion 221 from the end portion 221a side of the nut 22. The head 31 is provided at one end of the threaded portion 32 and has an outer shape smaller than the hole portion 121c of the wire harness cover 12 and larger than the third hole portion 112d.

[0056] <Method for Assembling Connector 1A>

[0057] The assembly of the wire harness connector 10 is as follows Figure 4 , 5 shown. The second terminal 112 of the wire harness 11 is inserted into the hole portion 122a1 of the wire harness cover 12, and the protrusion 112c is engaged with the groove portion 121e for assembly. The fastening portion 121 side of the hole portion 122a1 is configured such that the second terminal 112 can be inserted, but the copper wire 111a cannot be inserted (see Figure 8 ).

[0058] The assembly of the main body connector 20 is carried out as follows ( Figure 6 , 7 ). The flange portion 222 of the nut 22 is placed on the flange receiving portion 213b of the base 21. Next, the surface 231b side of the first hole portion 232 of the disc spring 23 is opposed to the surface 222a, and the nut portion first hole portion 232 side is inserted through the end portion 221a, thereby being placed on the flange portion 222 (on the surface 222a). Next, the surface 241b side of the second hole portion 243 of the first terminal 24 is opposed to the end portion 221a, and the nut portion 221 is inserted through the second hole portion 243 from the end portion 221a side and placed on the surface 231a of the disc spring 23. Next, the surface 251b side of the hole portion 252 of the cover 25 is opposed to the end portion 221a, and the hole portion 252 is placed on the connecting portion 241 so as to be in a position opposed to the threaded portion 223, the first hole portion 232, and the second hole portion 243. At this time, the fitting protrusion 253 having the protrusion 253a is fitted into the fitting hole 213f. The protrusion member 26 is inserted into the hole portion 252 of the cover 25 and placed on the connecting portion 241 of the first terminal 24.

[0059] As Figure 3 shown, the connector 1A inserts and fits the main body connector 20 into the fastening portion 121 of the wire harness connector 10. In this state, from above the wire harness cover 12, through the hole portion 121c, the third hole portion 112d, the hole portion 252, the fourth hole portion 263, the second hole portion 243, and the first hole portion 232, the bolt 30 is inserted through the threaded portion 223 of the nut 22 by screw fastening. Thus, the bolt 30 and the nut 22 are engaged, and the assembly of the connector 1A is completed.

[0060] Figure 8 is Figure 2 an enlarged view of the periphery of the main body connector 20 side in the A - A sectional view of (b). In the state where the wire harness connector 10 and the main body connector 20 are engaged, when the bolt 30 is engaged with the nut 22, as Figure 8As shown, the disc spring 23 is in a compressed state. In this state, the disc spring generates a reaction force, and a contact force is generated between the second terminal 112 and the first terminal 24. In the state before the bolt 30 is tightened, the connector 1A of the present embodiment is configured such that the gap between the second terminal 112 and the nut 22 is a pre-adjusted gap (gap V) so that the disc spring 23 generates a desired reaction force.

[0061] <Gap V>

[0062] Figure 9 is for explaining Figure 8 the tightened states of the bolt 30 and the nut 22 shown in the figure. (a) is the state before the bolt is tightened, and (b) is the state after the bolt is tightened. In Figure 9 , to facilitate the understanding of the function of the gap V, only the bolt 30, the second terminal 112, the projection member 26, the first terminal 24, the disc spring 23, and the nut 22 are shown, and others are not shown. In Figure 9 , the shapes and heights of the projection member 26 and the disc spring 23 are exaggeratedly shown, and the thread shape inside the nut portion 221 of the nut 22 is omitted. In addition, to identify that it is a schematic diagram, a shading pattern different from that of Figure 8 is used.

[0063] The connector 1A of the present embodiment is configured as shown in (a) of Figure 9 such that in the state where the head 31 of the bolt 30 does not press the second terminal 112 (the state before the bolt is tightened), a gap V is provided between the end portion 221a of the nut 22 and the surface 112f of the second terminal 112. In other words, it is configured such that a predetermined gap V is provided between the end portion 221a of the nut portion 221 and the second terminal 112 (surface 112f) when the nut portion 221 is not engaged with the thread portion 32 and the second terminal 112 is mounted on the projection member 26.

[0064] The size of the gap V is adjusted such that when the nut portion 221 is engaged with the thread portion 32 until there is no gap V in the bolt 30 (until the gap V becomes zero), a predetermined contact force of a specified magnitude is generated between the first terminal 24 and the second terminal 112.

[0065] If the bolt 30 is tightened relative to the nut portion 221, the engagement of the thread portion 32 with the nut portion 221 progresses. As shown in (b) of Figure 9 , when the engagement progresses to a position where there is no gap V, the surface 112f contacts the end portion 221a. Therefore, further engagement requires a much larger torque than the previous tightening force (torque), and it is substantially impossible to insert further. From another perspective, as shown in Figure 9As shown in (b), although the height of the disc spring 23 is compressed from h2 to h2', there is still room for further compression. However, due to the contact between the surface 112f and the end 221a, further insertion is substantially impossible. Thus, the height of the disc spring 23 is maintained at h2'. Therefore, the operator performing the bolt tightening operation can recognize that the tightening with the pre-adjusted appropriate tightening force has been completed and can end (complete) the tightening operation.

[0066] Figure 10 FIG. is a diagram showing the relationship between the contact force F and the contact resistance R between the first terminal 24 and the second terminal 112. As Figure 10 shown, as the contact force F increases, the contact resistance R decreases. However, when the contact force F is within a certain range or more, compared with the previous contact force F, the decrease amount of the contact resistance R with respect to the increase amount of the contact force F does not change significantly. In actual operation, if the contact force F is further increased beyond the appropriate contact force, the load on other components (such as the base 21, etc.) constituting the connector 1A will become large.

[0067] The connector 1A of the present invention adjusts the gap V in such a way that the contact force between the second terminal 112 and the first terminal 24 falls within a predetermined specified range. The specified range means a range where electrical conduction is sufficient and a contact force that does not impose a large load on surrounding components is generated. For example, consider Figure 10 targeting the gap V of the connector 1A to be within or near the region x as shown.

[0068] By configuring the connector 1A as described above, when inserting and fitting the threaded portion 32 from above until the specified gap V disappears in order to tighten with the nut 22, due to the contact between the surface 112f of the second terminal 112 and the end 221a of the nut portion 221, further insertion is substantially impossible. Therefore, without using tools such as a torque wrench for torque management, the terminals of the connector can be tightened with a contact force that ensures sufficient electrical conduction and does not impose a large load on surrounding components.

[0069] In other words, through the specified gap V between the second terminal 112 and the nut 22, the contact force that ensures sufficient electrical conduction and does not impose a large load on surrounding components is managed for the connector 1A. Therefore, without using tools such as a torque wrench, the connection between the terminals can be achieved with an appropriate contact force.

[0070] <First Modified Example>>

[0071] Hereinafter, the connector according to the first modified example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted. Figure 11It is a schematic diagram for explaining the fastening of the bolt 30 and the nut 22 in the connector 1A of the first modification example. (a) is the state before the bolt is fastened, and (b) is the state after the bolt is fastened.

[0072] In this modification example, the protrusion member 26 is not used, and the second terminal 112 replaces the second terminal 112X that functions to remove non-conductive substances on the contact surface. Specifically, as Figure 11 shown, the second terminal 112 becomes the second terminal 112X having a plurality of protrusions, i.e., tenons 112g, at the position where the protrusion member 26 is located on the surface 112f side. The second terminal 112X has a plurality of tenons 112g protruding toward the first terminal 24 in the region facing the first terminal 24. In Figure 11 an example of forming the tenon 112g by tenon forming process is shown. The tenon 112g is formed on the surface 112f side, and the groove 112h is formed on the surface 112e side by aligning this position. Through the above-mentioned tenon 112g, the function of removing non-conductive substances on the contact surface can also be achieved. In addition, since the protrusion member 26 is not required, the number of components can be reduced, which is also beneficial in terms of component management such as improving assembly efficiency.

[0073] By using the second terminal 112X in the connector 1A of the first modification example, the main body connector 20 also becomes the same shape as it. Figure 12 It is an exploded perspective view of the main body connector 20 of the first modification example. As Figure 12 shown, the cover 25 of the main body connector 20 in this modification example becomes the cover 25X, and the base 21 becomes the base 21X.

[0074] The cover 25X is also an insulating member that covers the connection portion 241 from above to reduce the risk of electric shock, similar to the cover 25. The cover 25X has an upper surface cover 251X, a hole portion 252X, a set of hole portions 254X, and six fitting protrusions 253X. The size of the upper surface cover 251X is the same as that of the upper surface cover 251, but the thickness is formed slightly thicker than the upper surface cover 251. The central axis of the hole portion 252X is located at the same position as the hole portion 252. The hole portion 252X has a hole shape that is larger than the shape of the threaded portion 32 and smaller than the head portion 31 so that the threaded portion 32 can be inserted therethrough. The fitting protrusions 253X are provided on the peripheral edge portion of the upper surface cover 251X so as to protrude slightly in the direction of expanding the peripheral edge portion. In this example, the position where the fitting protrusions 253X are provided is set at the same position as the fitting protrusions 253. When the cover 25X is mounted on the first terminal 24, the fitting protrusions 253X are inserted into the fitting holes 213f' of the base 21X. A set of hole portions 254X are arranged along the long side direction of the upper surface cover 251X with the hole portion 252X interposed therebetween. The hole shape of the hole portion 254X has a shape slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape of the tenon 112g so that the tenon 112g can be inserted. The hole portion 254X has an oblong hole shape in this example.

[0075] The basic shape of the abutment 21X is the same as that of the abutment 21, but the lid receiving portion 213e becomes the lid receiving portion 213e' which is the same thickness as the upper surface cover 251X and has a deeper groove depth. The abutment 21X has the same shape as the fitting projection 253X, and the fitting hole 213f becomes the fitting hole 213f'.

[0076] In addition, a tenon that serves the same function as the tenon 112g can be provided on the surface 241a side of the first terminal 24. That is, the tenon that serves the same function as the tenon 112g can be provided on the surface 112f side, or can be provided on the surface 241a side. Alternatively, the positions of the tenons can be staggered and provided on both the surface 112f side and the surface 241a side.

[0077] Since the tenon 112g can serve the function of removing non-conductive substances on the contact surface instead of the protruding member 26, as long as the same function as the protruding member 26 is achieved, it can be replaced with other components instead of the protruding member 26 or the tenon 112g. Other components can be, for example, components such as a cantilever spring component or a wave spring.

[0078] Figure 13 It is a schematic diagram showing a cantilever spring component 27 as an example of other components. (a) is a perspective view, and (b) is a side view. The cantilever spring component 27 is composed of a ring-shaped portion 27a of the ring-shaped portion 261 corresponding to the toothed spring washer 26a shown, a plurality of cantilever springs 27b arranged around the ring-shaped portion 27a and corresponding to the protruding portion 262, and a hole portion 27c corresponding to the fourth hole portion 263. In this example, the cantilever spring component 27 has three cantilever springs 27b. Each cantilever spring 27b has an elongated plate shape with ends 27b1 and 27b2. The end 27b1 of the cantilever spring 27b is connected to the ring-shaped portion 27a, and the end 27b2 becomes a free end and is bent as a whole along the ring shape of the ring-shaped portion 27a. Starting from the end 27b1, as the cantilever spring 27b moves towards the end 27b2, it extends slightly upward in Figure 6 the (b) as shown. From near the end 27b2 to the end 27b2, as the cantilever spring 27b moves towards the end 27b2, it extends slightly downward in Figure 13 the (b) as shown. With the cantilever spring 27b having the above-described structure, each cantilever spring 27b as a whole has the spring function of a cantilever spring. As an example of the above-mentioned other components, it can also be a component with a structure like Figure 13 that. Figure 13 that.

[0079] In the connector 1A of the first modified example described above, through the specified gap V between the second terminal 112 (or the second terminal 112X) and the nut 22, the contact force with sufficient electrical conduction and without applying a large load to surrounding components is managed. Therefore, without using tools such as a torque wrench, the connection between terminals can be achieved with an appropriate contact force.

[0080] <Second Modified Example>>

[0081] Hereinafter, the connector of the second modified example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Figure 14 It is a schematic diagram for explaining the fastening of the bolt 30Y and the nut 22Y in the connector 1A of the second modified example. (a) is the state before the bolt is fastened, and (b) is the state after the bolt is fastened.

[0082] When the problem of removing the non-conductive substance on the contact surface can be solved by other methods instead of the first embodiment or the first modified example, the connector 1A of this modified example can also be structured such that Figure 14 as shown, the second terminal 112 and the first terminal 24 are in direct contact. In Figure 14 , since the second terminal 112, the first terminal 24, and the disc spring 23 are directly used, the nut 22 becomes the nut 22Y in which the length of the nut portion 221 is shortened to the length of the nut portion 221Y, so as to set the same gap as the gap V in the first embodiment. The bolt 30 becomes the bolt 30Y in which the length of the threaded portion 32 is shortened to the length of the threaded portion 32Y.

[0083] Figure 15 It is an exploded perspective view of the main connector 20 of the second modified example. As Figure 15 shown, since the main connector 20 of this modified example does not use the cover 25 and the protrusion member 26 provided in the first embodiment, the base 21 becomes the base 21Y that does not have the cover storage portion 213e and the fitting hole 213f.

[0084] In the connector 1A of the second modified example described above, also through the specified gap V between the second terminal 112 and the nut 22Y, the contact force with sufficient electrical conduction and without applying a large load to surrounding components is managed. Therefore, without using tools such as a torque wrench, the connection between terminals can be achieved with an appropriate contact force.

[0085] As described above, the first embodiment, the first modified example, and the second modified example have been described. As long as the disc spring 23 shown in these embodiments has an equivalent function, other types of springs can also be used. In addition, the above-mentioned connector 1A can of course be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector, characterized in that: have: A nut having one end and another end opposite to the one end, and having a nut portion capable of being fitted with a predetermined bolt and a flange portion provided on the other end side; a spring having a first hole portion through which the nut portion can be inserted, wherein the nut portion is inserted through the first hole portion from the one end side and mounted on the flange portion; a first terminal having a second hole portion through which the nut portion can be inserted, wherein the nut portion is inserted into the second hole portion from the one end side and mounted on the spring; a second terminal having a third hole portion having a hole shape smaller than the outer shape of the nut portion and larger than the threaded hole shape of the nut, the third hole portion being mounted on the first terminal so as to face the second hole portion; Before the nut portion is fitted with the predetermined bolt and when the second terminal is mounted on the first terminal, a predetermined gap is provided between the one end of the nut portion and the second terminal.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The size of the predetermined gap is a size at which a predetermined contact force is generated between the first terminal and the second terminal by the spring when the nut portion and the bolt are fitted together until the predetermined gap disappears.

3. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that The predetermined bolt includes a threaded portion that can be inserted through the third hole and fit into the nut portion from the one end side, and a head portion that is provided at one end of the threaded portion and has a shape larger than that of the third hole portion.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The length of the nut portion in the direction of engagement with the predetermined bolt is longer than the thickness of the first terminal.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The spring is composed of a disc spring.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: There is also a protrusion component, which has: a fourth hole portion through which the nut portion can be inserted, an annular portion that allows the nut portion to be inserted into the fourth hole portion from the one end side and mounted between the first terminal and the second terminal, and a plurality of protrusions that protrude from the annular portion toward at least one of the first terminal side or the second terminal side.

7. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that The protruding part is formed by a toothed spring washer.

8. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first terminal has a plurality of tongues protruding toward the second terminal in a region facing the second terminal.

9. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The second terminal has a plurality of tongues protruding toward the first terminal in a region facing the first terminal.

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