Relay connector and connector assembly

Abstract

The present invention reduces the number of connectors and the number of wires when connecting a plurality of external devices. A relay connector (10) is provided with: a housing (11) in which one inner fitting port (12) for an internal connector and n outer fitting ports (13) for an external connector are formed; a non-branch terminal (36) in which one contact part (38a) is positioned in one of the inner fitting openings and the other contact part (38b) is positioned in any one of the n outer fitting openings; and a branch terminal (31) in which one contact portion (34a) is positioned in one of the inner fitting openings, and the other contact portion (34b) branched into n is positioned in each of the n outer fitting openings. The non-branch terminals connect the terminals of the internal connector and the terminals of the external connectors in a one-to-one manner, and the branch terminals connect the other terminals of the internal connector and the other terminals of the n external connectors in a one-to-n manner.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Typically, a relay connector is provided on the housing panel of an electronic device in order to connect an internal device on the inside of the panel and an external device on the outside of the panel (for example, see Patent Document 1). The housing panel described in Patent Document 1 is formed with an opening, and a relay connector is installed in the opening of the housing panel. In the relay connector, fitting openings are formed on the inside and outside of the panel, respectively. The fitting opening on the inside of the panel is fitted with an internal connector for the internal device, and the fitting opening on the outside of the panel is fitted with an external connector for the external device. The terminals of the internal connector and the terminals of the external connector are electrically connected one-to-one via the terminals of the relay connector.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-127429

[0004] However, the electronic device described in Patent Document 1 has a disadvantage in that the number of relay connectors and the number of wirings increase according to the number of connected external devices. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a relay connector and a connector assembly that can reduce the number of connectors and the number of wirings when connecting a plurality of external devices.

[0006] A relay connector according to one embodiment of the present invention is a relay connector for connecting an internal connector inside a shell and n external connectors outside the shell, wherein the relay connector comprises: a shell having an inner fitting opening for the internal connector and n outer fitting openings for the external connector; a non-branch terminal having one contact portion positioned at the one inner fitting opening and the other contact portion positioned at any one of the n outer fitting openings; and a branch terminal having one contact portion positioned at the one inner fitting opening and the other contact portion branched into n contacts positioned at each of the n outer fitting openings, wherein the non-branch terminal connects the terminal of the internal connector one-to-one with the terminal of the external connector, and the branch terminal connects the other terminal of the internal connector one-to-n with the other terminals of the n external connectors, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem.

[0007] According to one aspect of the relay connector of the present invention, a single internal connector fits into one inner fitting opening of the relay connector, and n external connectors fit into n outer fitting openings of the relay connector. One internal connector and n external connectors are connected by one relay connector, thereby reducing the number of connectors. Furthermore, a terminal of one internal connector and a terminal of one external connector are electrically connected on a one-to-one basis via non-branching terminals, while the other terminals of the one internal connector and the other terminals of n external connectors are electrically connected on a one-to-n basis via branching terminals. The other terminals are connected on a one-to-n basis via branching terminals, thereby reducing the amount of wiring connected to the internal connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of each connector according to the present embodiment as viewed from the outside of the housing.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of each connector according to the present embodiment as viewed from the inside of the housing.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the internal connector according to this embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the external connector according to this embodiment.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the relay connector according to this embodiment.

[0013] Figure 6 It is a rear view of the relay connector according to this embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view of the relay connector according to this embodiment.

[0015] Figure 8 It is a perspective view showing a connection state of a terminal for a power cord according to the present embodiment.

[0016] Description of Reference Numerals

[0017] 1...panel; 3...opening; 10...relay connector; 11...housing; 12...inner fitting opening; 13...outer fitting opening; 21...mounting piece; 23...slant; 31...positive power terminal (branch terminal); 32...negative power terminal (branch terminal); 33...base; 34a...contact portion (one contact portion); 34b...contact portion (the other contact portion); 35...retaining piece; 36...signal terminal (non-branch terminal); 38a...contact portion (one contact portion); 38b...contact portion (the other contact portion); 40...internal connector; 61...terminal; 70...external connector; 85...terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Hereinafter, a connector assembly including the relay connector, the internal connector, and the external connector according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 1 This is a perspective view of each connector according to the present embodiment as viewed from the outside of the housing. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of each connector of this embodiment viewed from the inside of the housing. Figure 1 , an external connector is shown mated to the relay connector. In the following description, the internal connector side is referred to as the inside of the housing, and the external connector side is referred to as the outside of the housing, with the housing panel interposed therebetween. In each figure, the front side of the relay connector is indicated by arrow FR, the rear side of the relay connector is indicated by arrow RE, the top side of the relay connector is indicated by arrow U, the bottom side of the relay connector is indicated by arrow LO, the left side of the relay connector is indicated by arrow L, and the right side of the relay connector is indicated by arrow R.

[0019] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a single relay connector 10 is mounted on the panel 1 of the housing of an electronic device. Relay connector 10 connects a single internal connector 40 on the inside of the housing to four (n) external connectors 70 on the outside of the housing. The rear portion of the housing 11 of relay connector 10 protrudes from the panel 1 toward the inside of the housing. An inner mating opening 12 for the internal connector 40 is formed on the rear portion of the housing 11 on the inside of the housing. The front portion of the housing 11 of relay connector 10 protrudes from the panel 1 toward the outside of the housing. Four outer mating openings 13 for the external connectors 70 are formed on the front portion of the housing 11 on the outside of the housing.

[0020] An internal connector 40 is provided at the distal end of a positive power line 56, a negative power line 57, and eight signal lines 58 extending from an internal device (not shown) inside the housing. Four external connectors 70 are provided at the distal end of a positive power line 81, a negative power line 82, and two signal lines 83 extending from four (n) external devices (not shown) outside the housing. The internal connector 40 fits into one inner fitting opening 12 of the relay connector 10, and the four external connectors 70 fit into the four outer fitting openings 13 of the relay connector 10, thereby electrically connecting one internal device to four external devices. For example, the internal device is a control device, and the external devices are various sensors.

[0021] In this way, a connector assembly is formed by four external connectors 70, one internal connector 40, and one relay connector 10. The four external connectors 70 are connected to the one internal connector 40 via one relay connector 10. This saves space and reduces the number of connectors compared to a configuration in which an external connector and an internal connector are provided for each external device. Furthermore, the four positive power lines 81 on the outside of the housing are integrated into the single positive power line 56 on the inside of the housing via the relay connector 10, while the four negative power lines 82 on the outside of the housing are integrated into the single negative power line 57 on the inside of the housing via the relay connector 10. This reduces wiring by an amount corresponding to the integration of the positive and negative power lines 56 and 57 on the inside of the housing.

[0022] The following describes the structures of the internal connector, external connector, and relay connector. Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the internal connector according to this embodiment. Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the external connector according to this embodiment. Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the relay connector according to this embodiment. Figure 6 It is a rear view of the relay connector according to this embodiment. Figure 7 : is a cross-sectional view of the relay connector of this embodiment. Figure 3 (A) shows the internal connector viewed from the inside of the housing. Figure 3 (B) shows the internal connector viewed from the outside of the housing. Figure 5 (A) shows the relay connector viewed from the inside of the housing. Figure 5 (B) shows the relay connector viewed from the outside of the housing. Figure 7 (A) shows a cross section along line AA in the rear view of the relay connector, Figure 7 (B) shows a cross section along line BB in the rear view of the relay connector, Figure 7 (C) shows a cross section along line CC in a rear view of the relay connector.

[0023] like Figure 3(A) and Figure 3 As shown in (B), the internal connector 40 is a ten-core socket connected to a positive power line 56, a negative power line 57, and eight signal lines 58. The internal connector 40 has a resin shell 41. A plurality of terminal receiving holes 43 are formed on the rear wall 42 of the shell 41. One terminal receiving hole 43 in the upper center of the rear wall 42 receives the terminal (one terminal) 61 of the positive power line 56, and one terminal receiving hole 43 in the lower center of the rear wall 42 receives the terminal (one terminal) 61 of the negative power line 57. The eight terminal receiving holes 43 are arranged in two rows in the middle of the rear wall 42 in the vertical direction, and the eight terminal receiving holes 43 arranged in two rows receive the terminals 61 of the eight signal lines 58 arranged in two rows.

[0024] A housing body 44 is connected to the front of the rear wall 42 of the housing 41. The outer shape of the housing body 44 corresponds to the area where the plurality of terminal receiving holes 43 are formed. The upper center of the housing body 44 protrudes upward to form an upper convex portion 45, and the lower center of the housing body 44 protrudes downward to form a lower convex portion 46. A contact insertion hole 47 is formed on the front surface of the upper convex portion 45, and a contact insertion hole 47 is formed on the front surface of the lower convex portion 46. Eight contact insertion holes 47 are formed in two rows in the middle portion of the housing body 44 in the vertical direction. Each contact insertion hole 47 is connected to a terminal receiving hole 43.

[0025] A pair of side walls 48 are connected to both side surfaces of the housing body 44. A pair of cantilever spring-shaped side locks 51 are provided on the side walls 48. The arms 52 of the side locks 51 extend rearward from the front end of the housing 41, and the locking portions 53 in the middle of the extending direction of the arms 52 enter the recesses 18 in the inner fitting opening 12 of the relay connector 10 (see FIG. Figure 2 ) and is locked. An operating portion 54 is provided at the front end of the arm 52 of the side lock 51. By pressing the operating portion 54, the lock portion 53 disengages from the recess in the inner fitting opening 12, thereby releasing the lock. In addition, locking portions 55 are provided at the upper and lower ends of each side wall 48 to limit the amount of swing of the arm 52.

[0026] Each of the positive power supply line 56, negative power supply line 57, and signal line 58 is connected to the same terminal 61. Each terminal 61 is formed of a conductive material such as a copper alloy. A base plate 62 of each terminal 61 extends along the wiring. From the base end toward the tip of the base plate 62, a sheath rivet 63, a core wire rivet 64, and a pair of contact pieces 65 are formed. The sheath of each wiring is riveted to the sheath rivet 63, and the core wire protruding from the sheath of each wiring is riveted to the core wire rivet 64, thereby connecting each terminal 61 to the wiring. The pair of contact pieces 65 are opposed in the left-right direction, forming a clamp-like contact portion.

[0027] like Figure 4 (A) and Figure 4 As shown in (B), the external connector 70 is a four-core socket to which a positive power line 81, a negative power line 82, and two signal lines 83 are connected. The external connector 70 has a resin housing 71. Four terminal receiving holes 72 are formed in the front portion of the housing 71. The first terminal receiving hole 72 from the top receives the terminal (the other terminal) 85 of the positive power line 81 (see Figure 8 ), the fourth terminal receiving hole 72 from the top accommodates the terminal (the other terminal) 85 of the negative power line 82. The second and third terminal receiving holes 72 from the top accommodate the terminals 85 of the two signal lines 83. Four contact insertion holes 73 are formed in the longitudinal direction at the rear of the housing 71. Each contact insertion hole 73 is connected to a terminal receiving hole 72.

[0028] A pair of cantilever spring-shaped side locks 74 are provided at the upper and lower portions of the housing 71. The arms 75 of the side locks 74 extend forward from the rear end of the housing 71, and the locking portions 76 midway along the extension direction of the arms 75 enter the recesses 19 (see FIG. 1 ) in the outer fitting opening 13 of the relay connector 10. Figure 1 ) is locked. An operating portion 77 is provided at the front end of the arm 75 of the side lock 74. By pressing the operating portion 77, the lock portion 76 is disengaged from the recess in the outer fitting opening 13, thereby releasing the lock. A locking portion 78 is provided at the upper and lower ends of the housing 71 to limit the swing amount of the arm 75. In addition, the same terminals 85 as the wiring of the internal connector 40 are connected to each wiring of the external connector 70 (see Figure 8 ).

[0029] like Figure 5 (A) and Figure 5 As shown in (B), the relay connector 10 has a resin housing 11. An inner fitting opening 12 is formed at the rear of the housing 11, and four outer fitting openings 13 are formed at the front of the housing 11. The rear side of the front end of the side wall 14 is lowered by one level, and a recess 15 is formed in a pair of side walls 14 of the housing 11. A pair of protrusions 5 (see Figure 2 ) into the recess 15 of the pair of side walls 14, the side walls 14 of the housing 11 are hooked on the pair of protrusions 5, and the relay connector 10 is restricted relative to the opening 3 of the panel 1 (refer to Figure 2 ) insertion amount.

[0030] A pair of cantilever spring-shaped mounting tabs 21 are provided on the upper wall 16 and bottom wall 17 of the housing 11. The mounting tabs 21 extend forward from the rear end of the housing 11, and a contact portion 22 is provided at the front end of the mounting tabs 21 to contact the opening edge of the panel 1. The contact portion 22 has a stepped, inclined surface 23 that gradually increases in height from the front toward the rear, in the mounting direction of the housing 11. By pressing the stepped, inclined surface 23 against the opening edge of the panel 1, the housing 11 is prevented from falling out of the opening 3 of the panel 1. Since the stepped, inclined surface 23 is pressed at the appropriate position according to the thickness of the panel 1, the same relay connector 10 can be used even with panels of varying thicknesses.

[0031] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown in (A), the housing 11 is formed with a center wall 24 that separates the inner fitting opening 12 from the four outer fitting openings 13. A positive power terminal 31, a negative power terminal 32, and a signal terminal 36 are mounted on the center wall 24 of the housing 11. A laterally elongated holding hole in the upper portion of the center wall 24 holds the plate-shaped positive power terminal 31, while a laterally elongated holding hole in the lower portion of the center wall 24 holds the plate-shaped negative power terminal 32. Eight holding holes are arranged in two vertical rows in the middle portion of the center wall 24 in the vertical direction, and eight pin-shaped signal terminals 36 are arranged in two vertical rows in the eight holding holes arranged in two vertical rows. In this way, in the housing 11, eight signal terminals 36 are provided in the space between the positive power terminal 31 and the negative power terminal 32 in the vertical direction.

[0032] The inner fitting opening 12 of the housing 11 is larger than the outer fitting openings 13, and the housing 11 is configured so that the positive power terminal 31, the negative power terminal 32, and the signal terminal 36 can be inserted through the inner fitting opening 12. Since the positive power terminal 31, the negative power terminal 32, and the signal terminal 36 can be inserted into the housing 11 through the inner fitting opening 12, the positive power terminal 31, the negative power terminal 32, and the signal terminal 36 can be mounted on the housing 11 from the same direction regardless of the size of the terminals. In particular, since the inner fitting opening 12 is larger than the outer fitting opening 13, the signal terminal 36 can be inserted more easily from the inner fitting opening 12 than when the signal terminal 36 is inserted from the outer fitting opening 13.

[0033] like Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown in (B), the positive power terminal 31 is a branched terminal with a contact portion (one contact portion) 34a positioned in one inner fitting opening 12 and four branched contact portions (the other contact portion) 34b positioned in each of the four outer fitting openings 13. The positive power terminal 31 has a plate-shaped base portion 33 that is inserted into a retaining hole in the housing 11 (center wall 24). One contact portion 34a protrudes from the base portion 33 toward the inner fitting opening 12, forming a pin shape. Four contact portions 34b protrude from the base portion 33 toward the outer fitting openings 13, forming a pin shape. This allows the positive power terminal 31, with its four branched contact portions 34b, to have a simple shape.

[0034] On the left and right sides of a contact portion 34a, a pair of retaining pieces 35 protrude from the base 33 toward the inner fitting opening 12. When the positive power terminal 31 is inserted into the retaining hole of the housing 11, the pair of retaining pieces 35 are retained by a clamp. By retaining the pair of retaining pieces 35 with a clamp, the positive power terminal 31 is inserted into the retaining hole of the housing 11 without the contact portion 34a being damaged by the clamp. In addition, when the positive power terminal 31 is manufactured, the pair of retaining pieces 35 are connected to a bracket (not shown), and the contact portion 34a is not connected to the bracket. Therefore, when the positive power terminal 31 is separated from the bracket, burrs will not be generated on the contact portion 34a. In addition, although the description is omitted, the negative power terminal 32 is also formed in the same way as the positive power terminal 31.

[0035] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown in (C), the signal terminal 36 is a non-branching terminal in which a contact portion (one contact portion) 38a is positioned in one inner mating opening 12, and a contact portion (the other contact portion) 38b is positioned in one of the four outer mating openings 13. The signal terminal 36 has a plate-shaped widened portion 37 that abuts against the center wall 24 within the inner mating opening 12. One contact portion 38a extending from the widened portion 37 toward the inside of the housing is formed in a pin shape, while another contact portion 38b extending from the widened portion 37 toward the outside of the housing is also formed in a pin shape. The contact portion 38a and the widened portion 37 are positioned within the inner mating opening 12 together, while the contact portion 38b extends through the retaining hole in the center wall 24 and projects toward the outer mating opening 13.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 8 , explaining the connection status of the terminals. Figure 8 : is a perspective view showing the connection state of the terminal for the power line of this embodiment. Figure 8 (A) shows the connection state of the terminals for the power line. Figure 8 (B) shows the connection state of the terminals for the signal lines. Figure 8In the figure, for the convenience of explanation, the connectors are omitted.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, when the internal connector 40 is fitted into the inner fitting opening 12 of the relay connector 10, the pin-shaped contact portion 34a of the positive power terminal 31 is inserted into the contact insertion hole 47 of the internal connector 40. The contact portion 34a of the positive power terminal 31 passes through the contact insertion hole 47 and protrudes into the terminal receiving hole 43 of the internal connector 40. The contact portion 34a enters between the pair of contact pieces 65 of the terminal 61 provided in the terminal receiving hole 43. Figure 8 As shown in (A), the contact portion 34a of the positive power terminal 31 is clamped by a pair of contact pieces 65 of the terminal 61, and the terminal 61 connected to the positive power line 56 of the internal connector 40 is electrically connected to the positive power terminal 31 of the relay connector 10.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, when the four external connectors 70 are fitted into the four outer fitting openings 13 of the relay connector 10, the four pin-shaped contact portions 34b of the positive power supply terminal 31 are inserted into the contact insertion holes 73 of the four external connectors 70. Each contact portion 34b of the positive power supply terminal 31 passes through each contact insertion hole 73 and protrudes into the terminal receiving hole 72 of each external connector 70. Each contact portion 34b enters between a pair of contact pieces 86 of each terminal 85 provided in each terminal receiving hole 72. Thus, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown in (A), each contact portion 34b of the positive power supply terminal 31 is clamped by a pair of contact pieces 86 of each terminal 85, and the terminal 85 connected to the positive power supply line 81 of each external connector 70 is electrically connected to the positive power supply terminal 31 of the relay connector 10.

[0039] Because the positive power terminal 31 branches into four contact portions 34b on the external connector 70 side (outside the housing), the terminal 61 of one internal connector 40 and the four terminals 85 of the external connector 70 are connected in a one-to-four fashion via the positive power terminal 31. Furthermore, the pair of retaining tabs 35 of the positive power terminal 31 protrude toward the inward fitting opening 12. However, the upper portion of the housing body 44 of the internal connector 40 is recessed except for the upper protrusion 45, so that the upper portion of the housing body 44 does not interfere with the pair of retaining tabs 35. Similarly, the negative power terminal 32 is electrically connected to the terminals 61 and 85 connected to the negative power lines 57 and 82 of the internal connector 40 and external connector 70.

[0040] like Figure 2As shown, when the internal connector 40 is fitted into the inner fitting opening 12 of the relay connector 10, the pin-shaped contact portion 38a of the signal terminal 36 is inserted into the contact insertion hole 47 of the internal connector 40. The contact portion 38a of the signal terminal 36 passes through the contact insertion hole 47 and protrudes into the terminal receiving hole 43 of the internal connector 40. The contact portion 38a enters between the pair of contact pieces 65 of the terminal 61 provided in the terminal receiving hole 43. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1B , the contact portion 38 a of the signal terminal 36 is held by a pair of contact pieces 65 of the terminal 61 , and the terminal 61 connected to the signal line 58 of the internal connector 40 is electrically connected to the signal terminal 36 of the relay connector 10 .

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, when the four external connectors 70 are fitted into the four outer fitting openings 13 of the relay connector 10, the pin-shaped contact portion 38b of each signal terminal 36 is inserted into the contact insertion hole 73 of each external connector 70. The contact portion 38b of each signal terminal 36 passes through each contact insertion hole 73 and protrudes into the terminal receiving hole 72 of each external connector 70. Each contact portion 38b enters between a pair of contact pieces 86 of each terminal 85 provided in each terminal receiving hole 72. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1B , the contact portion 38 b of each signal terminal 36 is held by a pair of contact pieces 86 of each terminal 85 , and the terminal 85 connected to the signal line 83 of each external connector 70 is electrically connected to the signal terminal 36 of the relay connector 10 .

[0042] Because signal terminals 36 are not branched on either the internal connector 40 side or the external connector 70 side, terminals 61 of internal connector 40 and terminals 85 of external connector 70 are connected one-to-one via signal terminals 36. In this way, the ten-core internal connector 40 and the four four-core external connectors 70 are connected via a single relay connector 10. While the number of signal lines 58 and 83 remains the same in both internal connector 40 and external connector 70, the number of positive power lines 56 and negative power lines 57 in internal connector 40 is three fewer than the number of positive power lines 81 and negative power lines 82 in external connector 70. Furthermore, since only one relay connector 10 is required, only one opening in the housing panel 1 is required.

[0043] As described above, according to this embodiment, one internal connector 40 is fitted into one inner fitting opening 12 of the relay connector 10, and four external connectors 70 are fitted into four outer fitting openings 13 of the relay connector 10. Since one internal connector 40 and four external connectors 70 are connected by one relay connector 10, the number of connectors can be reduced. Furthermore, the terminals 61 of one internal connector 40 and one terminal 85 of one external connector 70 are electrically connected on a one-to-one basis via the signal terminals 36, and the terminals 61 of one internal connector 40 and four terminals 85 of one external connector 70 are electrically connected on a one-to-four basis via the positive power supply terminals 31 and the negative power supply terminals 32. This one-to-four connection of the terminals via the positive power supply terminals 31 and the negative power supply terminals 32 reduces the amount of wiring connected to the internal connector 40.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the contact portions of the positive and negative power terminals on the external connector side are branched into four, but the contact portions of the positive and negative power terminals on the external connector side may be branched into n (n is 2 or greater). In this case, n external connectors are connected to the n outer fitting openings of the relay connector.

[0045] In this embodiment, the positive and negative power supply terminals are formed such that one pin-shaped terminal protrudes from the plate-shaped base toward the internal connector and four pin-shaped terminals protrude toward the external connector. However, the shapes of the positive and negative power supply terminals are not limited thereto. The positive and negative power supply terminals can be formed so as to connect the terminals of the internal connector to the terminals of n external connectors in pairs, n in number.

[0046] In this embodiment, the signal terminals are formed in a linear shape, but the shape of the signal terminals is not limited. The signal terminals only need to be formed so as to connect the terminals of the internal connector to the terminals of the n external connectors in a one-to-one manner.

[0047] As described above, the first form is a relay connector (10) that connects an internal connector (40) inside a shell and n external connectors (70) outside the shell, wherein the relay connector comprises: a shell (11) having an internal fitting opening (12) for the internal connector and n external fitting openings (13) for the external connector; a non-branch terminal (signal terminal 36) that positions one contact portion (38a) at one internal fitting opening and positions the other contact portion (38b) at any one of the n external fitting openings; and a branch terminal (positive power supply terminal 31, negative power supply terminal 32) that positions one contact portion (34a) at one internal fitting opening and positions the other contact portion (34b) branched into n portions at each of the n external fitting openings, the non-branch terminal connecting the terminal (61) of the internal connector and the terminal (85) of the external connector one-to-one, and the branch terminal connecting the other terminals of the internal connector and the other terminals of the n external connectors one-to-n. With this structure, one internal connector fits into one inner fitting opening of the relay connector, and n external connectors fit into n outer fitting openings of the relay connector. One internal connector and n external connectors are connected via one relay connector, thereby reducing the number of connectors. Furthermore, the terminals of one internal connector and one external connector are electrically connected on a one-to-one basis via non-branching terminals, while the other terminals of one internal connector and the other terminals of n external connectors are electrically connected on a one-to-n basis via branching terminals. The other terminals are connected on a one-to-n basis via branching terminals, thereby reducing the number of wiring lines connected to the internal connector.

[0048] The second embodiment is configured in accordance with the first embodiment, wherein the non-branch terminals are signal terminals and the branch terminals are power terminals. This configuration can reduce the number of power lines connected to the internal connector.

[0049] The third embodiment is constructed based on the first embodiment or the second embodiment, wherein an opening (3) for the housing to enter is formed in the housing, a cantilever spring-shaped mounting piece (21) is formed on the outer wall of the housing, and a stepped inclined surface (23) is formed at the front end of the mounting piece in a manner that becomes higher toward the mounting direction of the housing, and the stepped inclined surface is pressed against the opening edge of the housing. According to this structure, since the stepped inclined surface is pressed at an appropriate position according to the thickness of the housing panel, the same relay connector can be used even if the thickness of the housing panel is different.

[0050] The fourth embodiment is constructed based on any one of the first to third embodiments, wherein a branch terminal is formed with a plate-shaped base portion (33) inserted into a housing, one contact portion of the branch terminal is formed in a pin shape protruding from the base portion toward an inner fitting opening, and the other contact portion of the branch terminal is formed in a pin shape protruding from the base portion toward an outer fitting opening. According to this structure, the branch terminal having the other contact portion branched into n pieces is formed with a simple shape.

[0051] The fifth embodiment is constructed in accordance with the fourth embodiment, wherein a pair of retaining pieces (35) protrude from the base toward the inner fitting opening, and when the branch terminal is inserted into the housing, the pair of retaining pieces are retained by a clamp. According to this structure, by retaining the pair of retaining pieces by the clamp, the branch terminal can be inserted into the housing without damaging one contact portion of the branch terminal.

[0052] A sixth embodiment is configured in accordance with any of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the branch terminal comprises a pair of branch terminals, and the non-branch terminals comprise a plurality of non-branch terminals, wherein the plurality of non-branch terminals are located vertically between the pair of branch terminals in the housing. This configuration allows the plurality of non-branch terminals to be disposed in the space between the pair of branch terminals.

[0053] A seventh embodiment is configured in accordance with any of the first to fifth embodiments, wherein the housing is configured so that the branched and non-branched terminals can be inserted through an inner fitting opening. This configuration allows the branched and non-branched terminals to be inserted into the housing through the inner fitting opening, allowing them to be mounted on the housing from the same direction regardless of terminal size. Furthermore, since the inner fitting opening is larger than the outer fitting opening, the branched and non-branched terminals can be inserted more easily from the inner fitting opening than from a configuration where the branched and non-branched terminals are inserted through the outer fitting opening.

[0054] An eighth aspect is a connector assembly comprising a single internal connector inside a housing, n external connectors outside the housing, and a relay connector connecting the internal and external connectors. The relay connector comprises: a housing having a single internal mating opening for the internal connector and n external mating openings for the external connectors; a non-branching terminal having one contact positioned in the single internal mating opening and another contact positioned in any one of the n external mating openings; and a branching terminal having one contact positioned in the single internal mating opening and another contact, branched into n parts, positioned in each of the n external mating openings. The non-branching terminal connects terminals of the internal connector to terminals of the external connector on a one-to-one basis, while the branching terminal connects other terminals of the internal connector to other terminals of the n external connectors on a one-to-n basis. With this configuration, the single internal connector is mated to the single internal mating opening of the relay connector, and the n external connectors are mated to the n external mating openings of the relay connector. Since the single internal connector and the n external connectors are connected by the single relay connector, the number of connectors can be reduced. Furthermore, a terminal of one internal connector and a terminal of one external connector are electrically connected in a one-to-one manner via non-branch terminals, while the other terminals of the one internal connector and the other terminals of n external connectors are electrically connected in a one-to-n manner via branch terminals. By connecting the other terminals in a one-to-n manner via branch terminals, the number of wiring lines connected to the internal connector can be reduced.

[0055] Furthermore, although this embodiment has been described, the above-described embodiment and modifications may be combined in whole or in part as other embodiments.

[0056] Furthermore, the technology of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various changes, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the technical concept. Furthermore, if the technical concept can be realized using other means through technological advancement or other derived technologies, such means may also be used for implementation. Therefore, the scope of the claims covers all embodiments that can be included within the scope of the technical concept.

Claims

1. A relay connector that connects an internal connector on the inside of a housing to n external connectors on the outside of the housing, characterized in that: have: a housing having one inner fitting opening for the internal connector and n outer fitting openings for the external connector; a non-branch terminal, wherein one contact portion is positioned at one of the inner fitting openings and the other contact portion is positioned at any one of the n outer fitting openings; and The branch terminal positions one contact portion at one of the inner fitting openings and positions the other contact portion branched into n portions at each of the n outer fitting openings. The non-branch terminals connect the terminals of the internal connector and the terminals of the external connector in a one-to-one manner, and the branch terminals connect the other terminals of the internal connector and n other terminals of the external connector in a one-to-n manner.

2. The relay connector according to claim 1, wherein: The non-branch terminals are signal terminals, and the branch terminals are power terminals.

3. The relay connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An opening for the shell to enter is formed in the housing, A cantilever spring-shaped mounting piece is formed on the outer wall of the housing. A stepped slope is formed at a front end of the mounting piece so as to become higher toward the mounting direction of the housing, and the stepped slope is pressed against the opening edge of the shell.

4. The relay connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The branch terminal is formed with a plate-shaped base portion that is inserted into the housing. One contact portion of the branch terminal is formed in a pin shape protruding from the base toward the inner fitting opening, and the other contact portion of the branch terminal is formed in a pin shape protruding from the base toward the outer fitting opening.

5. The relay connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: A pair of retaining pieces protrude from the base toward the inner fitting opening. When the branch terminal is inserted into the housing, the pair of holding pieces are held by a clamp.

6. The relay connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The branch terminals are a pair of branch terminals, and the non-branch terminals are a plurality of non-branch terminals. In the housing, the plurality of non-branch terminals are located between the pair of branch terminals in a vertical direction.

7. The relay connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The housing is formed so that the branch terminals and the non-branch terminals can be inserted through the inner fitting opening.

8. A connector assembly comprising an internal connector inside a housing, n external connectors outside the housing, and a relay connector connecting the internal connector and the external connectors, characterized in that: The relay connector has: a housing having one inner fitting opening for the internal connector and n outer fitting openings for the external connector; a non-branch terminal, wherein one contact portion is positioned at one of the inner fitting openings and the other contact portion is positioned at any one of the n outer fitting openings; and The branch terminal positions one contact portion at one of the inner fitting openings and positions the other contact portion branched into n portions at each of the n outer fitting openings. The non-branch terminals connect the terminals of the internal connector and the terminals of the external connector in a one-to-one manner, and the branch terminals connect the other terminals of the internal connector and n other terminals of the external connector in a one-to-n manner.

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