Connector attachment structure

Abstract

A connector attachment structure in which a connector is detachably attached to a housing, the housing having, on an edge portion of an upper surface thereof, a connector fitting portion that is connected to an electrical device and to which the connector is fitted, the connector having a contact attached to the connector fitting portion and a connector housing that houses at least a portion of the contact and a housing, the connector housing is formed in a hook shape and is provided with an extending part extending outwards from the upper part of the edge part of the upper surface of the housing and a bending part bending downwards from the extending part on the outer side of the housing, the wiring extends downwards from the lower end of the bending part, and the contact protrudes from the lower surface of the extending part and is embedded with the connector embedding part from the upper part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connector mounting configurations. Background Art

[0002] Previously, a connector mounting structure of this type has been proposed in which the connector is housed in a connector housing located outside a housing (main body) of an electrical device (rotating electric machine) (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-38920). In this structure, a flat connector cover is secured to the connector housing. The connector cover includes a lid portion and an inclined portion. The lid portion covers the opening of the connector housing and is secured to the upper end surface of the connector housing by bolts. The inclined portion slopes downward from the front end of the lid portion. The inclined portion can change the direction of movement of components when a large impact from the front causes other components to move inward. This prevents deformation and damage to the lid portion and the connector housing, thereby protecting the connector. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the aforementioned connector mounting structure, when the connector is used to connect electrical equipment to wiring, impacts from the front can cause deformation and damage to the wiring. One method of protecting such wiring is to place the connector behind the housing, so that the housing bears the load from impacts from the front. However, in this method, since the housing is located in front of the connector, it becomes an obstacle during connector assembly and disassembly, reducing workability.

[0004] The main purpose of the connector mounting structure disclosed in the present disclosure is to simultaneously achieve protection of wiring and suppression of degradation in connector attachment and detachment workability.

[0005] The connector mounting structure of the present disclosure adopts the following solutions to achieve the above-mentioned main objectives.

[0006] The connector mounting structure disclosed herein is a structure in which a connector is detachably mounted on a housing for housing an electrical device. The connector is mounted on the front end of a wiring and connects the electrical device to the wiring.

[0007] The housing has a connector fitting portion at an edge of an upper surface thereof, the connector fitting portion being connected to the electrical device and being fitted with the connector.

[0008] The connector has:

[0009] a contact, the contact being mounted on the connector fitting portion;

[0010] a housing that encloses the contacts; and

[0011] a connector housing that accommodates at least a portion of the contacts and the housing,

[0012] The connector housing is formed into a hook shape having a protruding portion and a bent portion, wherein the protruding portion protrudes outward from above the edge of the upper surface of the housing when the connector is mounted on the housing, and the bent portion bends downward from the protruding portion outside the housing.

[0013] The wiring extends downward from the lower end of the bent portion.

[0014] The contacts protrude from the lower surface of the extending portion and are fitted into the connector fitting portion from above.

[0015] In the connector mounting structure disclosed herein, the housing has a connector mating portion at the edge of its upper surface, which is connected to an electrical device and into which the connector is mated. The connector includes contacts mounted on the connector mating portion, a housing in which the contacts are housed, and a connector housing that accommodates at least a portion of the contacts and the housing. The connector housing is formed into a hook shape having a protruding portion and a curved portion. The protruding portion extends outward from above the edge of the upper surface of the housing when the connector is mounted on the housing, and the curved portion bends downward from the protruding portion outside the housing. The wiring extends downward from the lower end of the curved portion. As a result, the protruding portion of the connector housing can bear the load of the curved portion from the direction opposite to the housing. This ensures protection of the wiring. In addition, the contacts protrude from the lower surface of the protruding portion and engage with the connector mating portion from above. This prevents degradation of the connector assembly and disassembly operability. As a result, both protection of the wiring and suppression of degradation of the connector assembly and disassembly operability can be achieved.

[0016] In such a connector mounting structure of the present disclosure, it is also possible that:

[0017] The connector mounting structure is mounted on a vehicle having an on-board charger capable of charging an on-board battery with external power.

[0018] The vehicle charger is mounted on the upper surface of the housing.

[0019] The connector is arranged in a front-rear direction of the vehicle so that a rear end position thereof substantially coincides with a rear end position of the on-vehicle charger.

[0020] In this way, the load from the rear of the vehicle is distributed between the connector and the on-vehicle charger, thereby reducing the load on the connector and protecting the connector.

[0021] In addition, in the connector installation structure disclosed in the present invention, it is also possible that:

[0022] The connector is arranged in a storage room that is partitioned from a rear passenger compartment by a bulkhead.

[0023] Thus, even when the bulkhead plate moves toward the connector due to a load from behind, the bulkhead plate can be received by the connector housing, thereby protecting the wiring and the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like components, and in which:

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing the outline of the appearance of the vehicle-mounted device 10 as viewed from the side (vehicle width direction (left-right direction)), the vehicle-mounted device 10 being mounted on a vehicle using the connector mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 2 It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the situation of the vehicle-mounted device 10 viewed from above;

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an outline of a connector mounting structure according to an embodiment;

[0028] Figure 4 It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the connector mounting structure of the embodiment;

[0029] Figure 5 These are explanatory diagrams for explaining the direction of the load applied to the connectors 30 , 40 , the on-vehicle charger 56 , and the hydraulic device 58 when a load such as an impact is applied from the front of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a schematic side view showing the outline of the appearance of the vehicle-mounted device 10 as viewed from the side (vehicle width direction (left-right direction)), the vehicle-mounted device 10 being mounted on a vehicle using the connector mounting structure according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the vehicle-mounted device 10 as viewed from above. Figure 3 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the outline of the connector mounting structure of the embodiment. Figure 3 In the figure, for the convenience of explanation, the on-board charger 56 and the hydraulic device 58 are omitted. Figure 4These are explanatory diagrams for illustrating the connector mounting structure according to the embodiment. The height (vertical), front-to-back, and vehicle width (lateral) directions of the connector mounting structure according to the embodiment when mounted on a vehicle are as described in the respective figures. Examples of vehicles that utilize the connector mounting structure according to the embodiment include battery electric vehicles. A battery electric vehicle includes a motor for driving, an inverter that drives the motor, a battery (onboard battery) that exchanges power with the motor via the inverter, an onboard charger 56 that can charge the battery using power from outside the vehicle, and a hydraulic system 58 that supplies hydraulic pressure to the brake system that applies braking force to the vehicle.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the vehicle-mounted device 10 is secured within a motor room (storage room) with a motor and inverter (not shown) housed within a housing 20 as electrical equipment. The motor room is separated from the passenger compartment at the front of the vehicle by a dash panel (partition panel) 12. A connector mating portion 20a and a connector mating portion 20b (not shown) are provided at the edge of the upper surface of the housing 20. The connector 30 is removably mounted to the connector mating portion 20a and is connected to the U-phase to W-phase lines of the inverter. The connector 40 is removably mounted to the connector mating portion 20b and is connected to the power lines of the inverter. An upper cover 50 is mounted on the upper surface of the housing 20. An onboard charger 56 is mounted to the upper cover 50 via a plurality of brackets 52. A hydraulic device 58 is disposed behind the connectors 30, 40, and the onboard charger 56.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, connector 30 connects wiring Wu, Wv, and Ww to the inverter within housing 20. These wiring Wu, Wv, and Ww form a wiring harness connected to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase coils of the motor within housing 20. Connector 30 includes contacts 32 mounted on connector mating portion 20a, a housing 34 that houses contacts 32, and a connector housing 36 that houses a portion of contacts 32 and housing 34. Connector housing 36 is generally hook-shaped and includes an extension 36a that extends outward from the rear edge of the upper surface of housing 20 and a curved portion 36b that curves downward from the extension 36a on the rear outer side of housing 20. Wiring Wu, Wv, and Ww extend downward from the lower end of curved portion 36b. Contacts 32 protrude from the lower surface of extension 36a and engage with connector mating portion 20a from above. Therefore, by moving the connector 30 downward from above the connector fitting portion 20a, the contacts 32 can be engaged with the connector fitting portion 20a, allowing the connector 30 to be mounted on the housing 20. Furthermore, by moving the connector 30 upward, the contacts 32 can be released from the connector fitting portion 20a, releasing the connector 30 from the housing 20. Thus, even in a motor compartment where the front-to-back direction is longer than the left-to-right direction, it is possible to minimize degradation in the ease of assembly and disassembly of the connector 30 compared to a configuration in which the connector is assembled and disassembled by moving the connector in the front-to-back direction. The connector 30 is positioned so that its rear end substantially coincides with the rear end of the on-board charger 56.

[0033] Connector 40 is connected to wirings Wp and Wn, which form a wiring harness connected to the power lines (positive and negative) from the battery. Like connector 30, connector 40 is mounted to the corresponding connector mating portion 20b (not shown). Connector 40 includes contacts 42 (not shown), a housing 44 (not shown) that houses contacts 42, and a connector housing 46 that houses a portion of contacts 42 and housing 44. Connector housing 46 is hook-shaped overall, with an extension 46a and a curved portion 46b having the same structure as extension 36a and curved portion 36b of connector housing 36. Wirings Wp and Wn extend downward from the lower end of curved portion 46b. Although not shown, contacts 42 protrude from the lower surface of extension 46a and engage with connector mating portion 20b of housing 20 from above. Therefore, by moving the connector 40 downward from above the connector fitting portion 20b, the contacts 42 can be engaged with the connector fitting portion 20b, allowing the connector 40 to be mounted on the housing 20. Furthermore, by moving the connector 40 upward, the contacts 42 can be released from the connector fitting portion 20b, releasing the connector 40 from the housing 20. This prevents degradation in the ease of assembly and disassembly of the connector 40, even within a motor compartment that is relatively long in the front-to-back direction. The connector 40 is positioned so that its rear end substantially coincides with the rear end of the on-board charger 56.

[0034] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the direction of the load applied to the connectors 30, 40, the on-vehicle charger 56, and the hydraulic device 58 when a load such as an impact is applied from the front of the vehicle. Figure 5 In the figure, the white arrows indicate the direction of the load. When a load is applied from the front of the vehicle, the housing 20, connectors 30, 40, onboard charger 56, and hydraulic system 58 move rearward as a whole, causing the hydraulic system 58 to collide with the dash panel 12. When the hydraulic system 58 collides with the dash panel 12, the reaction force from the dash panel 12 applies a forward load to the hydraulic system 58. In the embodiment, the rear ends of the connectors 30, 40 are approximately aligned with the rear end of the onboard charger 56. Therefore, the forward load from the hydraulic system 58 is distributed between the connectors 30, 40 and the onboard charger 56, reducing the load on the connectors 30, 40. This protects the connectors 30, 40. In this case, the connectors 30, 40 receive the load from the rear via the curved portion 46b of the connector housing 36, 46, thereby protecting the wiring Wu, Wv, Ww, Wp, Wn and the housings 34, 44.

[0035] According to the connector mounting structure of the present embodiment described above, connector 30 includes: contacts 32, 42 mounted on connector mating portions 20a, 20b; housings 34, 44 housing contacts 32, 42; and connector housings 36, 46 housing portions of contacts 32, 42 and housings 34, 44. Connector housings 36, 46 include extensions 36a, 36a extending outward from the rear edge of the upper surface of housing 20, and curved portions 36b, 46b curving downward from the extensions 36a, 46a on the rear outer side of housing 20. Connector housings 36, 46 are generally hook-shaped. Wiring Wu, Wv, Ww, Wp, and Wn extend downward from the lower ends of curved portions 36b, 46b. Contacts 32, 42 protrude from the lower surfaces of extensions 36a, 46a and engage with connector mating portions 20a, 20b from above. With the above-described structure, it is possible to simultaneously achieve protection of the wirings Wu, Wv, Ww, Wp, and Wn and suppress degradation in the attaching and detaching workability of the connectors 30 and 40 .

[0036] The connector mounting structure of this embodiment is installed in a vehicle equipped with an onboard charger 56 capable of charging an onboard battery using external power. The onboard charger 56 is mounted on the upper surface of the housing 20, and the rear ends of the connectors 30 and 40 are arranged in the vehicle's front-to-rear direction so that they substantially coincide with the rear end of the onboard charger 56. This structure protects the connectors 30 and 40.

[0037] Furthermore, since the connectors 30 and 40 are arranged in the motor room partitioned from the rear passenger compartment by the dash panel 12 , the wirings Wu, Wv, Ww, Wp, and Wn and the housings 34 and 44 can be protected.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the hydraulic device 58 is disposed behind the connectors 30, 40 and the onboard charger 56. However, the hydraulic device 58 may not be disposed behind the connectors 30, 40 and the onboard charger 56. In this case, the rear surfaces of the curved portions 36b, 46b of the connectors 30, 40 may be attached to the dash panel 12.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the on-vehicle charger 56 is mounted on the upper cover 50 . However, the on-vehicle charger 56 may not be mounted on the upper cover 50 .

[0040] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the connector mounting structure of the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a vehicle. However, the connector mounting structure of the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to application in vehicles. As long as the connector is mounted at the front end of a wiring harness and the connector connecting the electrical device to the wiring harness is detachably mounted to a housing that houses the electrical device, the connector mounting structure can be applied to any structure.

[0041] The following describes the correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the "Solution to Problem" column. In the embodiment, the housing 20 corresponds to the "housing," the connector 30 corresponds to the "connector," the contacts 32 correspond to the "contacts," the shell 34 corresponds to the "housing," the extension 36a corresponds to the "extension," the curved portion 36b corresponds to the "curved portion," the connector housing 36 corresponds to the "connector housing," the wiring Wu corresponds to the "wiring," and the connector fitting portion 20a corresponds to the "connector fitting portion."

[0042] Furthermore, regarding the correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the "Solutions to Problems" column, the embodiment is an example of a method for specifically describing how to implement the invention described in the "Solutions to Problems" column. Therefore, the elements of the invention described in the "Solutions to Problems" column are not limited. In other words, the invention described in the "Solutions to Problems" column should be interpreted based on the description in that column, and the embodiment is merely a specific example of the invention described in the "Solutions to Problems" column.

[0043] While the modes for implementing the present disclosure have been described above using the embodiments, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments and can be implemented in various forms within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0044] The present disclosure can be utilized in the manufacturing industry of devices equipped with a connector mounting structure, and the like.

Claims

1. A connector mounting structure, wherein a connector is detachably mounted on a housing for housing an electrical device, the connector being mounted on a front end of a wiring and connecting the electrical device to the wiring, wherein: The housing has a connector fitting portion at an edge of an upper surface thereof, the connector fitting portion being connected to the electrical device and being fitted with the connector. The connector has: a contact, the contact being mounted on the connector fitting portion; a housing for housing the contacts; as well as a connector housing that accommodates at least a portion of the contacts and the housing, and is formed into a hook shape having a protruding portion and a bent portion, the protruding portion protruding outward from the edge of the upper surface of the housing, and the bent portion bending downward from the protruding portion on the outside of the housing, The wiring extends downward from the lower end of the bent portion. The contacts protrude from the lower surface of the extending portion and are fitted into the connector fitting portion from above.

2. The connector mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein: The connector mounting structure is mounted on a vehicle having an on-board charger, which can charge an on-board battery using external power. The vehicle charger is mounted on the upper surface of the housing. The connector is arranged in a front-rear direction of the vehicle so that a rear end position thereof substantially coincides with a rear end position of the on-vehicle charger.

3. The connector mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein: The connector is arranged in a storage room that is partitioned from a rear passenger compartment by a bulkhead.

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