Connector

Abstract

A connector connected with an external connector includes: a plurality of terminals; a wire leading-out part for leading out a plurality of wires partially joined to the terminals in a first direction connected to the external connector; and a combination of a first wire contact portion and a second wire contact portion for partially sandwiching a wire extending in a second direction crossing the first direction between the terminal and the wire lead-out portion, the first wire contact portion being integrated with the member having the wire lead-out portion.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] There is a conventionally known connector in which the ends of wires to be joined to terminals are accommodated inside a housing. JP2022 - 182738A discloses a technique related to a connector in which the ends of wires, particularly the terminal joining portions for joining the ends of core wires, are accommodated in a housing composed of a housing body and a lid. This connector has a gap between the housing body and the wire so that the wire led out to the outside of the housing can follow the oscillation of the terminal. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The connector disclosed in JP2022 - 182738A does not have a structure for preventing the oscillation of the wire, although the oscillation of the terminal is absorbed by the wire. Therefore, there is a concern that the oscillation of the wire caused by some reason may be transmitted to the ends of the wires joined to the terminals, resulting in an overload. On the other hand, for example, in addition to the joining portions for joining the ends of the wires, it is conceivable to provide a crimping portion or the like on the terminal to prevent the oscillation of the wire from being transmitted to the ends of the wires. However, such a measure is not desirable because it may lead to a decrease in the yield rate and an increase in cost due to an increase in the size of the terminal or an increase in the overall structural complexity of the terminal and the connector.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector having a simple structure for improving the reliability of the joining portion between a terminal and a wire.

[0005] An aspect of the present invention is a connector for connection to an external connector, including: a plurality of terminals; a wire lead - out portion for leading out a plurality of wires that are partially joined to the terminals in a first direction for connection to the external connector; and a combination of a first wire contact portion and a second wire contact portion for partially clamping the wire extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction between the terminal and the wire lead - out portion, wherein the first wire contact portion is integrated with a member having the wire lead - out portion.

[0006] According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a connector having a simple structure for improving the reliability of the joining portion between a terminal and a wire. Brief Description of the Drawings

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

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

[0009] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a connector cut at the III-III cross-section in Figure 1 .

[0010] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an outer housing according to an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a rear cover according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 is at Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of a connector cut at the VI-VI cross-section in Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0013] Hereinafter, a connector according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that, for ease of explanation, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1. Figure 3 is at Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 cut at the III-III cross-section in Figure 3 The cross-section in is a hypothetical plane passing through the center axes of the first terminal accommodating portion 21 of the inner housing 20 and the first wire 100a, which will be described later. In the present embodiment, the hypothetical plane is the YZ plane.

[0015] The connector 1 is, for example, a high-voltage connector that can be used for electrical components of a drive system mounted on an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, such as an inverter, a DC / DC converter, or a charger. In the present embodiment, the connector 1 is a two-pole high-voltage connector mounted on a vehicle, which is connected to the ends of two wires 100 (i.e., the first wire 100a and the second wire 100b). The wire 100 has a core wire 101 as a conductor and a covering portion 102 as an insulator for covering the core wire 101. One end of the wire 100 is connected to an electrical component, and the other end of the wire 100 is connected to the connector 1. The covering portion 102 at the end of the wire 100 connected to the connector 1 is removed to expose the end 101a of the core wire 101. The core wire 101 may actually be composed of multiple conductors, but in the following drawings, it is simply illustrated as a single conductor component.

[0016] The connector 1 includes a plurality of terminals 10, an inner housing 20, an outer housing 30, and a rear cover 40 as a set of components related to electrical connection.

[0017] In the present embodiment, there are two terminals 10: a first terminal 10a connected to the end of the first wire 100a and a second terminal 10b connected to the end of the second wire 100b. The first terminal 10a and the second terminal 10b are made of metal and have female terminals of the same shape, and each has a connecting portion 11 and a joining portion 12.

[0018] The connecting portion 11 is a cylindrical portion into which a rod-shaped male terminal, which is an external terminal of an external connector to be connected to the connector 1, can be freely inserted. The connecting portion 11 has a leaf spring that presses a part of the male terminal against the inner wall of the connecting portion 11 to stably maintain a conductive state with the inserted male terminal. The leaf spring may be a part integrated with the connecting portion 11 or a leaf spring member separately manufactured and pre-arranged inside the connecting portion 11.

[0019] The joining portion 12 is formed as a flat plate for joining the end 101a of the core wire 101. If one axial end of the connecting portion 11 is an opening end for inserting the male terminal, the joining portion 12 is integrated with the other axial end of the connecting portion 11. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that when the terminal 10 is arranged in the connector 1, the axial direction of the connecting portion 11 is in the Z direction. In this case, the joining portion 12 may be a flat plate parallel to both the Z direction and the Y direction. For example, the planar shape of the joining portion 12 may be substantially rectangular, with two sides in the Z direction and the other two sides in the Y direction perpendicular to the Z direction. One surface of the joining portion 12 is a joining surface that joins with the end 101a.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the end 101a of the core wire 101 is joined to the joining portion 12 by ultrasonic joining. In ultrasonic joining, the joining portion 12 and the end 101a are clamped together using an anvil horn and an anvil (not shown), and the end 101a is joined to the joining portion 12 by applying ultrasonic vibration from the anvil horn. Therefore, as Figure 2 shown, the end 101a joined to the joining portion 12 is formed as a flat plate having a substantially rectangular planar shape.

[0021] During the ultrasonic joining process, for the terminal 10, it is offset by 90° in the axial direction of the connecting portion 11 from the joining portion 12 to the connecting portion 11 and from the end 101a on the joining portion 12 to the main body of each wire 100. That is, when the terminal 10 is arranged in the connector 1 and the axial direction of the connecting portion 11 is in the Z direction, the end 101a is oriented in the Y direction with respect to one surface of the joining portion 12. Then, each wire 100 starts from the end 101a on the joining portion 12 and extends from the end 101a in a direction opposite to the Y direction.

[0022] The inner housing 20 is an insulating member made of, for example, synthetic resin, and is configured to hold the two terminals 10 therein to protect the terminals 10. The inner housing 20 includes a first terminal receiving portion 21, a second terminal receiving portion 22, a base 24, and a reinforcing structure 25.

[0023] The first terminal receiving portion 21 is a cylindrical portion that receives the connecting portion 11 of the first terminal 10a. The second terminal receiving portion 22 is a cylindrical portion that receives the connecting portion 11 of the second terminal 10b. The first terminal receiving portion 21 and the second terminal receiving portion 22 receive the connecting portion 11 such that the opening direction of the connecting portion 11 received therein, which is the direction opposite to the direction in which the male terminal is inserted, is a direction along the first direction. In the present embodiment, the first direction is the Z direction. The ends of the first terminal receiving portion 21 and the second terminal receiving portion 22 are open in the first direction and do not impede the entry of the male terminal into the connecting portion 11. The first terminal receiving portion 21 and the second terminal receiving portion 22 are arranged on the same level in the Y direction, which is the second direction defined below, and are spaced apart from each other in the X direction, which is the third direction defined below.

[0024] The base 24 supports the first terminal receiving portion 21 and the second terminal receiving portion 22. The base 24 supports the proximal ends of the first terminal receiving portion 21 and the second terminal receiving portion 22 on the front side in the first direction. The inner spaces of the first terminal receiving portion 21 and the second terminal receiving portion 22 open in the direction opposite to the first direction on the rear surface side in the first direction.

[0025] The base 24 includes a total of four locking portions 24a. For example, two of the locking portions 24a are arranged opposite to the other two locking portions 24a in the second direction. On the other hand, a total of four first engaging claws 37 are arranged inside the housing main body 31 of the outer housing 30. Two of the first engaging claws 37 are arranged opposite to the other two first engaging claws 37 in the second direction. When the inner housing 20 is attached to the outer housing 30, the locking portions 24a engage with the first engaging claws 37, thereby preventing the inner housing 20 from detaching from the outer housing 30.

[0026] The reinforcing structure 25 is a structure that combines a plurality of reinforcing ribs to ensure the strength of the inner housing 20. The reinforcing structure 25 is provided on the rear surface of the base 24 so as not to interfere with the arrangement of the terminals 10 and the wires 100.

[0027] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the outer housing 30 in the direction in which the interior space can be visually recognized from the opening formed at the opening end 35a.

[0028] The outer housing 30 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and is an insulating member that integrally protects the two terminals 10 by housing at least a part of the inner housing 20 and the joint portions 12 of the respective terminals 10. The outer housing 30 has a housing main body 31, a connector cover 32, and a wire lead-out portion 33.

[0029] The housing main body 31 is box-shaped. Here, when the first direction is the length direction, the second direction perpendicular to the first direction is the height direction, and the third direction perpendicular 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 main body 31 has a front wall 34, an annular side wall 35, and a plurality of support pieces 36.

[0030] The front wall 34 is a wall perpendicular to the first direction and is supported by a first wall surface 34a (see Figure 2 ) such that the connector cover 32 and the wire lead-out portion 33 are separated from each other in the second direction. The planar shape of the front wall 34 is a substantially rectangular shape defined by a long side substantially in the second direction and a short side substantially in the third direction.

[0031] The front wall 34 has a first wire contact portion 38 on a second wall surface 34b facing the inside of the housing main body 31. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the first wire contact portion 38 faces a second wire contact portion 45 provided on the rear cover 40 and is spaced apart from the second wire contact portion 45. The first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 are combined to form a wire clamping unit 96. The first wire contact portion 38 has a first curved surface groove 38a and a second curved surface groove 38b. Each curved surface groove extends in the second direction and includes a curved surface that matches the shape of the side surface of the wire 100 disposed inside the housing main body 31. The first curved surface groove 38a accommodates a part of the side surface of the first wire 100a. The second curved surface groove 38b accommodates a part of the side surface of the second wire 100b.

[0032] Each of the first curved surface groove 38a and the second curved surface groove 38b has a plurality of first ribs 38c. The first ribs 38c are convex portions protruding in the normal direction from the curved surface forming the first curved surface groove 38a or the second curved surface groove 38b. In the present embodiment, as an example, both the first curved surface groove 38a and the second curved surface groove 38b have a total of four first ribs 38c arranged in two rows in the second direction. In this case, two first ribs 38c are arranged in the circumferential direction of the curved surface, and two first ribs 38c are arranged in the second direction. In the present embodiment, on each curved surface of the first curved surface groove 38a and the second curved surface groove 38b, two first ribs 38c are arranged in a manner symmetric about a virtual central axis defining the shape of each curved surface when viewed in the Z direction.

[0033] The annular side wall 35 and the front wall 34 together form an internal space for accommodating at least the joint portion 12 of the terminal 10. One annular end of the annular side wall 35 in the first direction is continuous with the peripheral edge of the front wall 34. The other annular end of the annular side wall 35 in the first direction is an open end 35a, which forms an opening opposite to the front wall 34. When assembling the connector 1, the two terminals 10 respectively attached to the ends of the electric wire 100 are received in the housing body 31 from the opening formed by the open end 35a. In addition, the annular side wall 35 has a plurality of engaging portions 35c provided on the outer wall surface 35b and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0034] The support piece 36 is provided on the outer wall surface 35b of the annular side wall 35 and includes a fitting hole 36a into which the annular collar 91 is fitted. The fitting hole 36a penetrates the support piece 36 in the first direction.

[0035] The connector cover 32 has a cover opening 32a which has an elongated circular hole shape in cross section and opens in the first direction. The connector cover 32 is a cylindrical portion which mates with a part of the external connector when the external connector having male terminals is connected to the connector 1. The connector cover 32 is provided to project from the front wall 34 of the housing body 31 in the first direction. The cover opening 32a penetrates the inside of the housing body 31 from the outside of the outer housing 30 and can accommodate the inner housing 20. In the cross section of the elongated circular hole of the cover opening 32a, the second direction is the length direction according to the arrangement relationship between the first terminal accommodating portion 21 and the second terminal accommodating portion 22 in the inner housing 20.

[0036] The outer periphery of the connector cover 32 includes a lower surface on the end side in the first direction and an upper surface on the base side in the first direction, and the unit seal 60 is attached to the lower surface. The shape of the outer periphery of the upper surface is larger than the shape of the outer periphery of the lower surface. Therefore, when the unit seal 60 is attached to the lower surface, at least a part of the unit seal 60 faces the end portion of the upper surface in the first direction. Thus, the movement of the unit seal 60 more than a certain amount toward the base side of the connector cover 32 is restricted.

[0037] In addition, the connector cover 32 has a plurality of first engaging claws 37 with the cover opening 32a therebetween. In the present embodiment, as described above, there are four first engaging claws 37. Similarly, the connector cover 32 has a plurality of second engaging claws 39 with the cover opening 32a therebetween. In the present embodiment, there are four second engaging claws 39. The four second engaging claws 39 are arranged in pairs to face each other in the second direction.

[0038] The wire lead-out portion 33 is a cylindrical portion for leading the wire 100 from the inside of the housing main body 31 to the outside of the outer housing 30 through a through space formed by the inner wall surface 33a, and has an elongated circular hole shape that opens in the first direction. The wire lead-out portion 33 is provided to protrude from the front wall 34 of the housing main body 31 in the first direction. In the elongated circular cross-section of the through space, the second direction is the length direction, such that the wires 100 are arranged in the second direction according to the layout relationship between the first terminal accommodating portion 21 and the second terminal accommodating portion 22 in the inner housing 20. The wire lead-out portion 33 has a plurality of wiring holes 33b and a plurality of retainer engaging portions 33d.

[0039] The wiring holes 33b extend in the first direction and enable the wire 100 to be led out from the inside of the housing main body 31 for wiring in the first direction. The cross-section of the through hole of the wiring hole 33b is circular or elliptical. In the present embodiment, since two wires 100 are led out from the inside of the housing main body 31, two wiring holes 33b that are parallel in the third direction are provided.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the retainer engaging portions 33d are provided at both ends of the wire lead-out portion 33 in the third direction corresponding to the X direction. The retainer engaging portions 33d engage with the engaging portions 72b provided in the rear retainer 72.

[0041] In other words, in the structure of the outer housing 30, in the connector 1, the orientation direction of the cover opening 32a of the connector cover 32, that is, the direction in which the connector is connected to the external connector, and the direction in which the wire 100 is led out from the wire lead-out portion 33 are in the same direction. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the cover opening 32a of the connector cover 32 is oriented and the direction in which the wire 100 is led out from the wire lead-out portion 33 are both in the first direction corresponding to the Z direction.

[0042] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the rear cover 40 in the direction where the side to be attached to the outer housing 30 can be visually recognized.

[0043] The rear cover 40 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and is an insulating member for covering the opening formed by the open end 35a after the end 101a of the terminal 10 to be joined to the joining portion 12 and the end of the wire 100 are accommodated together in the housing main body 31 of the outer housing 30. The rear cover 40 has a main body wall 41, a plurality of locking portions 42, a plurality of seal locking portions 43, reinforcing ribs 44, and a second wire contact portion 45.

[0044] The main body wall 41 is in a flat plate shape. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the outer peripheral edge 41a of the main body wall 41 follows the open end 35a of the housing main 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 main body 31.

[0045] The locking portions 42 are provided on the outer peripheral edge 41a of the main body wall 41 and are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral edge 41a. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the locking portions 42 are engaged with the engaging portions 35c on the annular side wall 35 to prevent the rear cover 40 from detaching from the outer housing 30.

[0046] The seal locking portions 43 are provided on the outer peripheral edge 41a of the main body wall 41 and are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral edge 41a, avoiding the plurality of locking 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 locking portion 43 is engaged with one of the engaging protrusions 61a on the rear cover seal 61.

[0047] In order to ensure the strength of the rear cover 40, the reinforcing ribs 44 are provided on the inner wall surface 41b in a manner that does not interfere with the arrangement of the terminals 10 and the wires 100.

[0048] As described above, the second wire contact portion 45 is provided on the inner wall surface 41b and is combined with the first wire contact portion 38 to form the wire clamping unit 96. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the second wire contact portion 45 contacts the wire 100. The second wire contact portion 45 has a first curved surface groove 45a and a second curved surface groove 45b, each curved surface groove extending in the second direction and including a curved surface that matches the shape of the side surface of the wire 100 arranged in the housing main body 31. The first curved surface groove 45a accommodates a part of the side surface of the first wire 100a. The second curved surface groove 45b accommodates a part of the side surface of the second wire 100b.

[0049] Each of the first curved surface groove 45a and the second curved surface groove 45b has a plurality of first ribs 45c. The first ribs 45c are convex portions that protrude in the normal direction from the curved surface forming the first curved surface groove 45a or the second curved surface groove 45b. In the present embodiment, as an example, both the first curved surface groove 45a and the second curved surface groove 45b have a total of four first ribs 45c arranged in two rows in the second direction. In this case, two first ribs 45c are arranged in the circumferential direction of the curved surface, and two first ribs 45c are arranged in the second direction. In the present embodiment, on each of the curved surfaces of the first curved surface groove 38a and the second curved surface groove 38b, two first ribs 38c are arranged in a manner symmetric about the virtual central axis defining the shape of each curved surface when viewed in the Z direction. Further, in the present embodiment, when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30 and the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 face each other, the four first ribs 38c and the four second ribs 45c are substantially opposite to each other in the Z direction.

[0050] Figure 6 is at Figure 1Cross-sectional view of the connector cut at the VI-VI cross-section. Figure 6 The cutting surface therein is a virtual surface passing through a part of two of the four first ribs 38c located in the upper stage in the second direction among the four first ribs 38c and a part of two of the four second ribs 45c located in the upper stage in the second direction among the four second ribs 45c. In this embodiment, the virtual surface is the XZ plane.

[0051] When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing body 30, the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 clamp the wire 100. Specifically, a part of the first wire 100a is held between the first curved surface groove 38a provided as a part of the outer housing body 30 and the first curved surface groove 45a provided as a part of the rear cover 40. Then, the four first ribs 38c of the first curved surface groove 38a and the four second ribs 45c of the first curved surface groove 45a are press-fitted into the covering portion 102 on the outer periphery of the first wire 100a. Similarly, a part of the second wire 100b is clamped between the second curved surface groove 38b provided as a part of the outer housing body 30 and the second curved surface groove 45b provided as a part of the rear cover 40. Then, the four first ribs 38c of the second curved surface groove 38b and the four second ribs 45c of the second curved surface groove 45b are press-fitted into the covering portion 102 on the outer periphery of the second wire 100b.

[0052] Specifically, when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing body 30, neither of the two curved surfaces of the first curved surface groove 38a and the first curved surface groove 45a contacts the first wire 100a, and neither of the two curved surfaces of the second curved surface groove 38b and the second curved surface groove 45b contacts the second wire 100b. For example, when the first curved surface groove 38a and the first curved surface groove 45a clamp the first wire 100a, it is assumed that the cross-sections of the two curved surfaces of the first curved surface groove 38a and the first curved surface groove 45a are on a virtual circle with a diameter of D2. Similarly, when the second curved surface groove 38b and the second curved surface groove 45b clamp the second wire 100b, it is assumed that the cross-sections of the two curved surfaces of the second curved surface groove 38b and the second curved surface groove 45b are on a virtual circle with a diameter of D2. In this case, the diameter D2 is larger than the outer diameter D1 of the wire 100.

[0053] In addition, when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the portion press-fitted into the covering portion 102 of the electric wire 100 is the end portion of the first rib 38c or the second rib 45c. For example, when the first curved groove 38a and the first curved groove 45a hold the first electric wire 100a, it is assumed that the end surface of the first rib 38c on the first curved groove 38b and the end surface of the second rib 45c on the first curved groove 45a are on a virtual circle with a diameter of D3. Similarly, when the second curved groove 38b and the second curved groove 45b hold the second electric wire 100b, it is assumed that the end surface of the first rib 38c on the second curved groove 38b and the end surface of the second rib 45c on the second curved groove 45b are on a virtual circle with a diameter of D3. In this case, the diameter D3 is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the electric wire 100.

[0054] It should be noted that the outer diameter D1 of the electric wire 100 and the diameters D2 and D3 of the two virtual circles are expressed as diameter dimensions around a specific central axis in the second direction corresponding to the Y direction.

[0055] In addition, the connector 1 includes a unit seal 60, a rear cover seal 61, and a wire seal 62 as waterproof components for preventing moisture from entering the outer housing 30 from the outside.

[0056] 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.

[0057] The rear cover seal 61 is an annular elastic member tightly attached to the open end 35a of the housing main body 31 of 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 main body 31 and the outer peripheral edge 41a of the rear cover 40.

[0058] The wire seal 62 is an elastic member in the shape of an elongated circular flat plate, which is tightly attached to the inner wall surface 33a of the wire lead-out portion 33 of the outer housing 30. In addition, the wire seal 62 has two through holes 62a, and the electric wires 100 pass through the two through holes 62a in close contact therewith. The wire seal 62 seals the space between the inner wall surface 33a of the wire lead-out portion 33 and the electric wires 100 passing through the through space of the wire lead-out portion 33.

[0059] In addition, the connector 1 includes a front retainer 70 and a rear retainer 72 as holding members for different types of seals.

[0060] The front retainer 70 is made of synthetic resin and is a cylindrical member attached to the connector cover 32 to prevent the unit seal 60 from detaching from the connector cover 32 of the outer housing 30. The front retainer 70 is formed to engage with the end of the connector cover 32 while being partially received in the cover opening 32a of the connector cover 32. When the front retainer 70 is attached to the connector cover 32, it faces at least a part of the unit seal 60 in the first direction. Thus, even if the unit seal 60 moves to the end of the connector cover 32, further movement can be restricted by abutting against a part of the front retainer 70, thereby preventing it from detaching from the connector cover 32.

[0061] The first terminal accommodating portion 21 and the second terminal accommodating portion 22 of the inner housing 20 penetrate through the interior of the inner wall 71 of the front retainer 70. The openings 71a communicating with the inner wall 71 expose the ends of the first terminal accommodating portion 21 and the second terminal accommodating portion 22 to the outside.

[0062] In addition, the front retainer 70 has a plurality of engaging portions 71b on a part of the inner wall 71. The engaging portions 71b engage with the first engaging claws 37 provided on the connector cover 32. That is, in this embodiment, four engaging portions 71b are provided corresponding to the number of the first engaging claws 37 provided. When the front retainer 70 is attached to the connector cover 32, the engaging portions 71b engage with the first engaging claws 37 to prevent the front retainer 70 from detaching from the connector cover 32.

[0063] The rear retainer 72 is made of synthetic resin and is attached to the wire lead-out portion 33 to prevent the wire seal 62 from detaching from the wire lead-out portion 33 of the outer housing 30. The rear retainer 72 has two through-holes 72a through which each wire 100 can pass, and is an elongated flat plate member similar in shape to the wire seal 62. In the case where the wire seal 62 seals the space between the inner wall surface 33a of the wire lead-out portion 33 and the wire 100, the rear retainer 72 is inserted into the through-space from the end of the wire lead-out portion 33 and is supported by the wire lead-out portion 33. Thereby, the rear retainer 72 prevents the wire seal 62 from detaching from the wire lead-out portion 33.

[0064] In addition, the rear retainer 72 has a plurality of locking portions 72b protruding from the outer peripheral edge in the direction opposite to the first direction. The locking portions 72b engage with the retainer engaging portions 33d provided in the wire lead-out portion 33. That is, in this embodiment, two locking portions 72b are provided corresponding to the number of the retainer engaging portions 33d provided. When the rear retainer 72 is attached to the wire lead-out portion 33, the locking portions 72b engage with the retainer engaging portions 33d, thereby preventing the rear retainer 72 from detaching from the wire lead-out portion 33.

[0065] In addition, the connector 1 includes an upper cover 80, a lower cover 81, a shielding braid 82, and a shielding ring 83 as shielding components for noise shielding.

[0066] The upper cover 80 is made of metal and covers the housing body 31 of the outer housing 30 when the rear cover 40 is attached thereto. The upper cover 80 can cover at least a part 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 a box-shaped portion defined with the first direction corresponding to the Z direction as the length direction, the second direction corresponding to the Y direction as the height direction, and the third direction corresponding to the X direction as the width direction. The upper cover 80 has a bottom wall 80a, an annular side wall 80b, a plurality of support portions 80e, and a plurality of support pieces 80g.

[0067] The bottom wall 80a is a wall portion orthogonal to the first direction. The planar shape of the bottom wall 80a is a substantially rectangle defined by a long side substantially in the second direction and a short side substantially in the third direction.

[0068] 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 peripheral portion of the bottom wall 80a. The other annular end of the annular side wall 80b in the first direction is an open end 80c forming an opening facing the bottom wall 80a. When assembling the connector 1, the housing body 31 with the rear cover 40 attached is accommodated through the opening formed by the open end 80c.

[0069] The support portion 80e has a first through hole 80d, and when assembling the connector 1, the bolt 90 passes through the first through hole 80d after passing through the mating hole 36a provided in the outer housing 30.

[0070] The 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 each support piece 80g has a second through hole 80f through which a mounting bolt (not shown) passes when the connector 1 is attached to the housing of an external connector.

[0071] 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 and a flange 81b.

[0072] The cylindrical portion 81a covers the wire lead-out portion 33 by accommodating the wire lead-out portion 33 through a through space having an elongated circular hole in cross-section and opening in the first direction. One open end of the cylindrical portion 81a is a fixed end continuous with the flange 81b. The other open end of the cylindrical portion 81a is an open end forming an opening for leading out the wire 100 from the wire lead-out portion 33.

[0073] The flange 81b is a flat plate orthogonal to the first direction, facing a part of the front wall 34 to cover a part of the front wall 34. Further, the flange 81b has a through hole 81c through which a bolt 90 passes before passing through a mating hole 36a provided in the outer housing 30 when assembling the connector 1.

[0074] The shielding braid 82 is a metal braid, a part of which covers the end of the cylindrical portion 81a, and another part of which is wound to integrally cover two electric wires 100 led out from the cylindrical portion 81a.

[0075] The shielding ring 83 is a metal fastening member for press-fitting the shielding braid 82 to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 81a of the lower cover 81.

[0076] Further, the connector 1 includes a plurality of bolts 90 and a plurality of annular collars 91 pre-fitted into the mating holes 36a of the outer housing 30 as components for assembling members. As described above, the flange 81b of the lower cover 81 is provided with a through hole 81c. The annular collar 91 is fitted into the mating hole 36a of the outer housing 30. The support portion 80e of the upper cover 80 is provided with a first through hole 80d. The bolt 90 passes through the through hole 81c, the annular collar 91 of the mating hole 36a, and the first through hole 80d to be fastened, and thereby the lower cover 81, the outer housing 30, and the upper cover 80 are integrally assembled.

[0077] Next, the operation and effects of the connector 1 will be described.

[0078] The connector 1 connected to an external connector includes a plurality of terminals 10 and a wire lead-out portion 33 for leading out a plurality of electric wires 100 partially joined to the terminals 10 in a first direction in which the connector 1 is connected to the external connector. Further, the connector 1 includes a combination of a first wire contact portion 38 and a second wire contact portion 45 for partially clamping an electric wire 100 extending in a second direction crossing the first direction between the terminal 10 and the wire lead-out portion 33. The first wire contact portion 38 is integrated with a member having the wire lead-out portion 33.

[0079] In the illustrated example, the electric wire 100 corresponds to a first electric wire 100a and a second electric wire 100b. In the illustrated example, the terminal 10 corresponds to a first terminal 10a attached to the end of the first electric wire 100a and a second terminal 10b attached to the end of the second electric wire 100b. In the illustrated example, the first direction corresponds to the Z direction, and the second direction corresponds to the Y direction. In the above description, the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal, but are not limited to the orthogonal case. In the above example, the combination of the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 is exemplified as a wire clamping unit 96.

[0080] In the connector 1, the electric wire 100 is partially clamped between the terminal 10 and the wire lead-out portion 33 by the combination of the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45. Therefore, for example, the reaction force generated by the oscillation of the electric wire 100 caused by vehicle oscillation is prevented from being transmitted to the terminal 10 through the electric wire 100 led out from the wire lead-out portion 33. As a result, the portion where the joint portion 12, which is part of the terminal 10, is joined to the end 101a of the core wire 101 of the electric wire 100 is protected, thereby improving the reliability of the joint portion.

[0081] Here, as shown in the above example, when the end 101a is joined to the joint portion 12 of each terminal 10 by ultrasonic bonding, the end 101a is likely to be separated from the joint surface of the joint portion 12 due to the oscillation of the electric wire 100 directly applied to the joint portion 12. On the other hand, with the connector 1 according to the present embodiment, the oscillation of each electric wire 100 is not easily transmitted to the end 101a joined to the joint portion 12 by ultrasonic bonding, so that the separation of the end 101a can be prevented in a simple manner.

[0082] In addition, the connector 1 is substantially U-shaped, and the connection direction to the external connector and the direction of leading out the electric wire 100 to the outside are in the first direction. In this case, since the electric wire 100 is finally led out from the wire lead-out portion 33 in the first direction, the electric wire 100 extending from the terminal 10 in the second direction is bent once inside the connector 1. As a result, a reaction force can also be generated by bending the electric wire 100. However, the electric wire 100 extending from the terminal 10 toward the bent portion in the second direction is partially clamped by the combination of the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45. Therefore, the reaction force caused by the bending of the electric wire 100 is prevented from being transmitted to the terminal 10, and the reliability of the joint portion can be improved in the same manner as described above.

[0083] In addition, as a comparative example, in order to prevent the reaction force from being transmitted to the terminal 10 through the electric wire 100, a crimping portion, which is a portion separated from the joint portion 12, can be provided to connect a portion closer to the bent portion than the end 101a of each electric wire 100 to each terminal 10. However, when the terminal 10 has such a crimping portion, the terminal 10 may increase in size, or the yield rate may decrease, resulting in an increase in cost. On the other hand, in the connector 1 according to the present embodiment, the first wire contact portion 38 is integrated with the component having the wire lead-out portion 33, so that the structure for clamping the electric wire 100 can be easily realized. In other words, with the connector 1, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the yield rate while suppressing an increase in the size of the component.

[0084] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a connector 1 having a simple structure to improve the connection reliability between the terminal 10 and the electric wire 100.

[0085] In addition, the connector 1 may include a housing 30 having at least a housing body 31 for accommodating the end 101a of the electric wire 100 and a wire lead-out portion 33. The connector 1 may further include a rear cover 40 for covering the opening formed by the open end 35a of the housing body 31 after the end 101a of the electric wire 100 is accommodated in the housing body 31. The first wire contact portion 38 may be provided on the housing body 31. The second wire contact portion 45 may be provided on the rear cover 40.

[0086] Regarding the structure in which the rear cover 40 covers the opening of the housing body 31 after the end 101a is accommodated in the housing body 31, the housing body 31 and the rear cover 40 have portions facing each other across a part of the electric wire 100. Therefore, in the connector 1, compared with the hypothetical case where the housing body 31 does not have the first wire contact portion 38, the first wire contact portion 38 can be provided by simply changing the shape of the housing body 31. Similarly, compared with the hypothetical case where the rear cover 40 does not have the second wire contact portion 45, the second wire contact portion 45 can be provided by simply changing the shape of the rear cover 40.

[0087] In addition, in the connector 1, for each electric wire 100, at least one of the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 may have a curved surface groove formed with a curved surface matching the side surface shape of the electric wire 100.

[0088] In the illustrated example, the first wire contact portion 38 has a first curved surface groove 38a facing the first electric wire 100a and a second curved surface groove 38b facing the second electric wire 100b. In the illustrated example, the second wire contact portion 45 has a first curved surface groove 45a facing the first electric wire 100a and a second curved surface groove 45b facing the second electric wire 100b.

[0089] In the connector 1, when the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 partially clamp the electric wire 100, the curved surface grooves are arranged to surround at least a part of the side surface of the electric wire 100 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the first wire contact portion 38 or the second wire contact portion 45 having the curved surface groove can contact the electric wire 100 more stably.

[0090] It should be noted that in the above description, an example is illustrated in which both the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 have curved surface grooves, but it is also possible to have a structure in which only one of the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 has a curved surface groove. For example, when the first wire contact portion 38 has a curved surface groove, the second wire contact portion 45 can be formed to contact the electric wire 100 in a simple planar manner to further simplify the shape of the rear cover 40 without a curved surface groove.

[0091] In addition, in the connector 1, when the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 hold the wire 100, the curved surface groove may have ribs that are partially press-fitted into the covering portion 102 on the outer circumference of the wire 100.

[0092] In the illustrated example, each of the first curved surface grooves 38a and 38b of the first wire contact portion 38 has four first ribs 38c. Similarly, in the illustrated example, each of the first curved surface grooves 45a and 45b of the second wire contact portion 45 has four second ribs 45c.

[0093] In the connector 1, when the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 hold the wire 100, the ribs are press-fitted to partially squeeze the covering portion 102 of the wire 100. Therefore, the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 can more firmly support the wire 100, and thus can more reliably prevent the reaction force generated by the oscillation of the wire 100 from being transmitted to the terminal 10 through the wire 100.

[0094] In the connector 1, a plurality of ribs may be provided for each curved surface groove in the circumferential direction of the curved surface of the curved surface groove.

[0095] In the above example, as Figure 6 shown, for each curved surface groove, such as the first curved surface groove 38a, two ribs, such as the first rib 38c, are arranged in the circumferential direction of the curved surface.

[0096] With the connector 1, a plurality of ribs are arranged for each curved surface groove in the circumferential direction of the curved surface of the curved surface groove, and rotational displacement around the axis of the wire 100 can be easily prevented. Therefore, the reaction force generated by the oscillation of the wire 100 can be more reliably prevented from being transmitted to the terminal 10 through the wire 100.

[0097] In the connector 1, a plurality of ribs may be provided for each curved surface groove in the second direction.

[0098] In the illustrated example, as Figure 3 shown, for each curved surface groove, such as the first curved surface groove 38a, the ribs such as the first rib 38c are arranged in two stages in the second direction corresponding to the Y direction.

[0099] With the connector 1, a plurality of ribs are arranged for each curved surface groove in the second direction, and displacement of the wire 100 in the extending direction can be easily prevented. Therefore, the reaction force generated by the oscillation of the wire 100 can be more reliably prevented from being transmitted to the terminal 10 through the wire 100.

[0100] In the connector 1, the curved surface groove may bring each wire 100 into contact with the entire curved surface.

[0101] In this case, each curved surface groove, such as the first curved surface groove 38a, does not have a rib such as the first rib 38c. In the above description, the curved surface on which the rib is provided itself clamps each wire 100. That is, as Figure 6 shown, if the diameter of the cross section of the curved surface forming the curved surface groove is represented as diameter D2, then in this case, the diameter D2 is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the wire 100.

[0102] For the connector 1, when the wire 100 is clamped between the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45, the entire curved surface of the curved surface groove contacts the covering portion 102 of the wire 100 to squeeze its entire circumference. Therefore, the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 can fully support a part of the length of the wire 100, so that the reaction force generated by the oscillation of the wire 100 can be more reliably prevented from being transmitted to the terminal 10 through the wire 100.

[0103] 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 present invention. In fact, the novel embodiments described herein can be implemented in various other forms; in addition, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the forms of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications that fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector connected to an external connector, comprising: a plurality of terminals; a wire lead-out portion for leading out a plurality of wires that are partially joined to the terminals in a first direction of connection to the external connector; and a combination of a first wire contact portion and a second wire contact portion for partially clamping the wire extending in a second direction crossing the first direction between the terminal and the wire lead-out portion, wherein the first wire contact portion is integrated with a component having the wire lead-out portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising: a housing having a housing main body and the wire lead-out portion, the housing main body for accommodating at least an end portion of the wire; and a rear cover for covering an opening formed by an open end of the housing main body after the end portion of the wire is accommodated in the housing main body, wherein the first wire contact portion is provided on the housing main body, and the second wire contact portion is provided on the rear cover.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, For each of the wires, at least one of the first wire contact portion and the second wire contact portion has a curved surface groove formed with a curved surface matching the side surface shape of the wire.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein, The curved surface groove has ribs, and when the first wire contact portion and the second wire contact portion clamp the wire, the ribs are partially press-fitted onto a covering portion on the outer periphery of the wire.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein, For each of the curved surface grooves, the ribs are provided in a circumferential direction of the curved surface of the curved surface groove.

6. The connector according to claim 4, wherein, For each of the curved surface grooves, the ribs are formed in the second direction.

7. The connector according to claim 3, wherein, The curved surface groove enables each of the wires to be in overall contact with the curved surface.

Images