Connector

Abstract

Provided is a connector capable of simplifying the work of assembling a rear holder to a housing. A connector (1) is provided with a rod-shaped terminal (10A), a terminal holder (20) for holding the terminal (10A), and a housing (30) to which the terminal holder (20) is mounted. The terminal holder (20) has a plurality of locking portions (241, 242, 243) arranged in the circumferential direction of the terminal (10A), the plurality of locking portions being elastically displaceable in the radial direction of the terminal (10A), and being capable of restricting the movement of the terminal (10A) in the radial direction and the axial direction by engaging with the terminal (10A). The locking section (241) has a through-hole (28) and support walls (29, 29) protruding radially outward from the peripheral edge of the through-hole (28). The temperature sensor (50) is disposed adjacent to the terminal (10A) and along the support walls (29, 29) through the through-hole (28).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to connectors. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, connectors for supplying power (charging) from outside the vehicle to batteries in vehicles such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have been proposed. These connectors connect to an external power source such as a power source and are plugged into a charging port located in the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, such connectors are also referred to as charging connectors.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6475669 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In the aforementioned existing charging connectors, after temporarily securing multiple rod-shaped terminals by sequentially inserting them into the terminal receiving chamber of the housing (so-called temporary locking), the terminals are then finally secured (so-called permanent locking) to the housing by assembling the rear retainer. Furthermore, in existing charging connectors, temperature sensors are mostly installed via a metal plate that contacts the peripheral surface of the terminal to measure terminal temperature. In this case, during the temporary securing, the metal plate is assembled to the peripheral surface of the terminal, and then the temperature sensor is assembled to the metal plate. Thus, the temperature sensor is positioned between the housing and the rear retainer. However, in existing charging connectors, the metal plate and temperature sensor need to be assembled in a temporarily secured state when assembling the rear retainer to the housing, leaving room for improvement.

[0008] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a connector that simplifies the process of assembling the rear retainer into the housing.

[0009] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the connector of the present invention has the following features.

[0011] A connector comprising rod-shaped terminals, a terminal retainer for retaining the terminals, and a temperature sensor capable of measuring the temperature of the terminals.

[0012] The terminal retainer has a plurality of locking portions arranged circumferentially around the terminal. These locking portions are resiliently displaceable radially from the terminal and engage with the terminal to restrict radial and axial movement of the terminal.

[0013] One of the plurality of locking portions has a through hole penetrating the locking portion and a support wall protruding radially outward from the periphery of the through hole.

[0014] The temperature sensor is adjacent to the terminal and is disposed along the support wall through the through hole.

[0015] Invention Effects

[0016] The connector according to this embodiment simplifies the process of assembling the rear retainer into the housing.

[0017] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the invention will become even clearer by reading through the accompanying drawings the embodiments used to carry out the following description (hereinafter referred to as "implementations"). Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 It is an exploded perspective view showing multiple terminals and retainers.

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of the main parts.

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the connector shown.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional diagram representing a comparative example.

[0023] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Enlarged 3D view of the main parts. Detailed Implementation

[0024] <Implementation Method>

[0025] Hereinafter, the connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The connector 1 is provided in vehicles such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and is a connector that connects to a wire 2 extending from a battery, device, or the like mounted in the vehicle. The connector 1 is also referred to as a charging socket. This is achieved by fitting the opposite connector (so-called charging gun) into the fitting opening 37 of the connector 1 (see reference 1). Figure 1 Power is supplied to the battery from external sources such as the vehicle, and the battery is charged.

[0026] For ease of explanation, the following is as follows: Figures 1-4The "front-back direction", "left-right direction", and "up-down direction" are defined as shown. The "front-back direction", "left-right direction", and "up-down direction" are orthogonal to each other. The front-back direction is consistent with the mating direction of connector 1 and the other side connector (not shown). The advancing side and retracting side of connector 1 relative to the other side connector correspond to "front" and "back" respectively.

[0027] like Figures 1-3 As shown, connector 1 includes: a plurality of terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C), a terminal retainer 20 for holding the plurality of terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C), a housing 30 on which the terminal retainer 20 is mounted, and a temperature sensor 50 held at the terminal 10 (10A). The components constituting connector 1 will be described in turn below.

[0028] <Structure of Terminal 10>

[0029] First, the multiple terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C) will be described. In this example, as... Figure 2 As shown, multiple (specifically five) terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C) include a pair of terminals 10A of the same shape with the largest diameter, a pair of terminals 10B of the same shape with the smallest diameter, and a single terminal 10C of intermediate diameter. The temperature sensor 50 is only installed on the pair of terminals 10A with the largest diameter, and not on the other three terminals 10B and 10C (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0030] The pair of terminals 10A with the largest diameter are for power supply, such as for charging. The pair of terminals 10C with the smallest diameter are for signal transmission. The single terminal 10B with an intermediate diameter is for grounding (CND). Furthermore, the number of terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C) used in connector 1, the diameter of terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C), and the relative diameters of terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C) are not limited to those described in this embodiment.

[0031] Terminal 10A is made of metal. For example... Figure 4As shown, terminal 10A is a male terminal, having a stepped cylindrical rod-like shape composed of a small-diameter portion (terminal connection portion) 11, a large-diameter portion 12 located behind the small-diameter portion 11, and a middle-diameter portion (core wire connection portion) 13 located behind the large-diameter portion 12. A connecting portion 16 is formed between the small-diameter portion 11 and the large-diameter portion 12, and the connecting portion 16 is a conical surface that gradually expands in diameter from the small-diameter portion 11 toward the large-diameter portion 12 and connects the small-diameter portion 11 and the large-diameter portion 12. When connector 1 is engaged with the other connector, the small-diameter portion 11 of terminal 10A is connected to the female terminal (not shown) of the other connector.

[0032] An annular groove 14 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 12. When the terminal 10A is assembled to the terminal retainer 20, the locking protrusion 24A of the elastic locking piece 24 provided in the terminal retainer 20 (described later) is engaged with the annular groove 14 (see reference). Figure 3 The small diameter portion 11, large diameter portion 12, medium diameter portion 13, annular groove portion 14, and connecting portion 16 of such a terminal 10A are arranged along the same line.

[0033] Terminal 10A is located at the rear end of the middle diameter section 13 and is connected to wire 2 (see reference). Figures 1-3 One end of wire 2 is connected to the power supply source (not shown in the diagram). For example... Figure 4 As shown, the wire 2 is composed of a conductor core 2A and a coating 2B made of insulating resin covering the conductor core 2A. A recess 15 is formed on the rear end face of the middle diameter portion 13, which is recessed forward. The conductor core 2A exposed at one end of the wire 2 is inserted into and secured to the recess 15. Thus, the terminal 10A is electrically connected to one end of the wire 2. In this example, the cylindrical outer member 3 is further provided in such a way that it covers a predetermined area in the front-rear direction, including the connection part between the terminal 10A and the wire 2. The structure of the terminal 10A has been described, and the terminals 10B and 10C have essentially the same structure, so their description is omitted. The above describes a plurality of terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C).

[0034] <Structure of Terminal Retainer 20>

[0035] Next, the terminal retainer 20 will be described. The terminal retainer 20 is a resin molded product, such as... Figure 3As shown, the terminal retainer 20 integrally comprises a generally circular flat rear wall portion 21 constituting the rear end portion, and a plurality of extension portions 22 (four in this example) extending forward (towards the housing 30) from different circumferential locations on the periphery of the rear wall portion 21. In this example, the four extension portions 22 protrude forward from the periphery of four locations of the rear wall portion 21, excluding the upper and lower ends and the left and right ends. Each extension portion 22 is a wall having a convex arcuate surface and a concave arcuate surface along the periphery of the rear wall portion 21, extending towards the housing 30 along the generatrix of the convex arcuate surface and the generatrix of the concave arcuate surface.

[0036] In the region of the rear wall portion 21 that is radially inward from the periphery, a plurality of (five in this example) circular through holes are formed spaced apart from each other, corresponding to the plurality of terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C). Figure 4 As shown, multiple elastic locking tabs 241, 242, and 243 (locking portions) extend forward from different circumferential locations around the periphery of the through hole 23 corresponding to the terminal 10A, dividing a generally cylindrical terminal insertion hole 25 that extends continuously forward from the through hole 23 (see reference). Figure 3 Each elastic locking tab 241, 242, and 243 extends in an arc shape along the periphery of the through hole 23 (viewed from the front). Terminal 10A is inserted into each terminal insertion hole 25 from the rear side via the through hole 23.

[0037] Each elastic locking piece 241, 242, and 243 has a cantilever beam shape supported on the rear wall portion 21, and can elastically deform in a radially expanding manner toward the terminal insertion hole 25, that is, radially centered on the axis of terminal 10A. A locking protrusion 24A extending radially inward toward the terminal insertion hole 25 is formed at the tip (front end) of each elastic locking piece 241, 242, and 243. The locking protrusions 24A are arranged circumferentially along the small diameter portion 11 of terminal 10A, and engage with the annular groove portion 14 of terminal 10A to restrict radial and axial movement of terminal 10A.

[0038] Then, the elastic locking piece 241 has a through hole 28 and support walls 29, 29 protruding radially outward from the periphery of the through hole 28. The support walls 29, 29 extend in the front-rear direction. The temperature sensor 50, described later, passes through the through hole 28. The through hole 28 and the support walls 29, 29 are only provided in each elastic locking piece 241 of the through hole 23 corresponding to terminal 10A, and are not provided in the through holes 23 corresponding to terminals 10B, 10C.

[0039] The diameter of each through hole 23 corresponds to the diameter of the corresponding terminal 10 (10A, 10B, 10C). Therefore, the diameter of the terminal insertion hole 25 defined by the plurality of elastic locking tabs 24 extending from the periphery of each through hole 23 also corresponds to the diameter of the corresponding terminal 10 (10A, 10B, 10C). For example... Figure 4 As shown, the pair of through holes 23 (and the pair of terminal insertion holes 25) corresponding to the pair of terminals 10A with the largest diameter are arranged in a manner that is spaced apart in the left-right direction at a position above the center in the vertical direction on the rear wall portion 21.

[0040] <Structure of shell 30>

[0041] Next, the housing 30 will be described. The housing 30 is a resin molded article, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the device includes a cylindrical portion 31 extending in the front-rear direction and a flange portion 32 protruding radially outward from the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 31. The flange portion 32 has a generally rectangular outer periphery when viewed from the front-rear direction. Bolt insertion holes 33 extending in the front-rear direction are formed at each corner of the periphery of the flange portion 32. Bolts (not shown) for fixing the connector 1 to a designated mounting location on the vehicle are inserted into the bolt insertion holes 33.

[0042] Multiple (five) terminal receiving chambers 34 are formed inside the cylindrical portion 31 in a through-flowing manner. When the terminal retainer 20 is assembled to the housing 30, the corresponding terminal 10 (10A, 10B, 10C) is inserted from the rear into each terminal receiving chamber 34. The diameter of each terminal receiving chamber 34 corresponds to the diameter of the corresponding terminal 10 (10A, 10B, 10C). Furthermore, as described above, the number, thickness, etc., of the terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C) used in the connector 1 are not limited to those described in this embodiment. Similarly, the number, size, etc., of the terminal receiving chambers 34 can be appropriately determined based on the number, thickness, etc., of the terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C), and are not limited to those described in this embodiment.

[0043] <Structure of Temperature Sensor 50>

[0044] Next, the temperature sensor 50 will be described. For example... Figure 3As shown, the temperature sensor 50 has a main body 51 with a built-in thermistor. In this example, the main body 51 has a generally cuboid shape extending in the front-rear direction, and its outer surface has a plane 51A that serves as a temperature sensing surface. A pair of wires 52 connected to the thermistor extend from the rear end of the main body 51. The plane 51A of the temperature sensor 50 is disposed on the outer surface of the middle diameter portion 13 of the terminal 10A via the outer mounting member 3, and is fixed by a shrink tube 53 with adhesive. Moreover, if the terminal 10A is inserted into the terminal insertion hole 25 from the rear side of the terminal retainer 20, the temperature sensor 50 passes through the through hole 28 and is disposed adjacent to the terminal 10A in such a way that it is sandwiched between the support walls 29, 29 on both sides in the circumferential direction. The components constituting the connector 1 have been described above.

[0045] <Assembly sequence>

[0046] Next, the assembly of connector 1 will be described. To assemble connector 1, first, the temperature sensor 50 is assembled to terminal 10A. Next, the multiple terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C) are assembled to terminal holder 20. Then, the terminal holder 20 is assembled to housing 30.

[0047] First, the temperature sensor 50 is positioned so that its plane 51A contacts the middle diameter portion 13 of the terminal 10A via the outer mounting member 3. In this state, the small diameter portion 11 of the terminal 10A is inserted into the shrink tube 53. Next, the shrink tube 53 is moved to a position covering the temperature sensor 50. Then, the temperature sensor 50 is fixed to the middle diameter portion 13 of the terminal 10A by shrinking the shrink tube 53 through a heating process.

[0048] Next, each terminal 10 (10A, 10B, 10C), which is connected to one end of the wire 2 and is equipped with an outer member 3, is inserted from the rear into the terminal insertion hole 25 corresponding to the terminal holder 20. The insertion of terminal 10A is completed by multiple locking protrusions 24A engaging with the annular groove 14 of the large diameter portion 12. At this time, after passing through the through hole 28, the temperature sensor 50 is arranged adjacent to terminal 10A, sandwiched between the support walls 29, 29 on both sides in a circumferential manner. Therefore, the plane 51A of the temperature sensor 50 is kept in contact with the outer surface of the middle diameter portion 13 of terminal 10A via the outer member 3. As a result, by accurately transferring the heat of terminal 10A to the temperature sensor 50, the temperature of terminal 10A can be properly measured. After all other terminals 10B and 10C are inserted, the assembly of multiple terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C) into the terminal holder 20 is completed.

[0049] Next, the terminal holder 20 is assembled to the housing 30. Specifically, multiple terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C) that protrude forward from the terminal holder 20 are inserted from the rear into multiple terminal receiving chambers 34 of the housing 30. Furthermore, the terminal holder 20 is assembled to the housing 30 such that the cylindrical portion 31 of the housing 30 enters the space defined by the multiple extensions 22 of the terminal holder 20.

[0050] <Effects of the Implementation Method>

[0051] As described above, in the connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a through hole 28 and support walls 29, 29 protruding radially outward from the periphery of the through hole 28 are provided on the elastic locking piece (locking portion) 241. The temperature sensor 50 is arranged adjacent to the terminal 10A and passes through the through hole 28 along the support walls 29, 29. Therefore, when assembling the connector 1, the temperature sensor 50 can be pre-fixed on the terminal 10A. That is, in the connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, when assembling the terminal retainer 20 to the housing 30, it is not necessary to assemble the temperature sensor 50 in a temporary fixing stage as in the past, and the operation of assembling the terminal retainer 20 to the housing 30 can be simplified compared to the past.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the connector 1 is provided with a pair of support walls 29, 29 such that the temperature sensor 50 is sandwiched between the two circumferential sides of the terminal 10A, the temperature sensor 50 can be stably fixed.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since a temperature sensor 50 is disposed on the outer surface of the middle diameter portion (core wire connection portion) 13 of the terminal 10A via an outer mounting member 3, the temperature of the terminal 10A can be reliably detected.

[0054] <Other methods>

[0055] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications and improvements can be made. Additionally, the material, shape, size, quantity, and arrangement of each constituent element in the above embodiments are arbitrary and not limited, as long as the present invention can be achieved.

[0056] According to the above embodiment, the temperature sensor 50 is disposed on the outer surface of the terminal 10A via the outer mounting member 3, but is not limited thereto. The outer mounting member 3 may also be omitted. That is, the temperature sensor 50 may be directly disposed on the outer surface of the terminal 10A and fixed by the shrink tube 53. Thus, heat emitted from the terminal 10A is directly transferred to the temperature sensor 50.

[0057] <Comparison with comparative examples>

[0058] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A connector 100 is shown as a comparative example of a connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, in the comparative examples described below, descriptions of components already described in the embodiments are simplified or omitted by using corresponding reference numerals in the figures.

[0059] Figure 5 The comparative example connector 100 shown has a through hole 280 on the elastic locking piece (locking portion) 2410, and a box-shaped cover member 101 is provided to cover the through hole 280. The cover member 101 can accommodate the temperature sensor described in the embodiment. In such a connector 100, since the through hole 280 is covered by the box-shaped cover member 101, the wall of the cover member 101 functions as a rib when the elastic locking piece 2410 is bent and deformed, thus hindering the bending and deformation of the elastic locking piece 2410. Therefore, the comparative example connector 100 may be difficult to assemble with the insertion terminals, or breakage may occur at the base or tip of the elastic locking piece 2410. Based on the above, the superiority of the connector 1 of the embodiment of the present invention can be seen.

[0060] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the connector of the present invention are briefly summarized and listed as follows [1] to [3]. [1]

[0062] A connector (1) is a connector (1) having rod-shaped terminals (10A, 10B, 10C), a terminal retainer (20) for retaining the terminals (10A, 10B, 10C), and a temperature sensor (50) capable of measuring the temperature of the terminals (10A, 10B, 10C).

[0063] The terminal retainer (20) has a plurality of locking portions (241, 242, 243) arranged circumferentially around the terminal (10A). These locking portions (241, 242, 243) are resiliently displaceable radially from the terminal (10A) and engage with the terminal (10A) to restrict radial and axial movement of the terminal (10A).

[0064] One of the plurality of locking portions (241, 242, 243) has a through hole (28) through the locking portion (241) and a support wall (29, 29) protruding radially outward from the periphery of the through hole (28).

[0065] The temperature sensor (50) is arranged adjacent to the terminal (10A) and through the through hole (28) along the support wall (29, 29).

[0066] According to the connector (1) configured as described above [1], when assembling the terminal retainer (20) to the housing (30), it is not necessary to assemble the temperature sensor (50) in the temporary fixing stage as in the past, which simplifies the operation of assembling the terminal retainer (20) to the housing (30) compared to the past. [2]

[0068] In the connector (1) described above [1],

[0069] The support walls (29, 29) are provided in a pair such that the temperature sensor (50) is sandwiched between the two sides of the circumference.

[0070] According to the connector (1) configured as described above [2], since a pair of support walls (29, 29) are provided so that the temperature sensor (50) is sandwiched between the two circumferential sides of the terminal (10A), the temperature sensor (50) can be stably fixed. [3]

[0072] In the connector (1) described above [1],

[0073] The terminal (10A) has a terminal connection portion (11) that connects to the other terminal and a core wire connection portion (13) for connecting the conductor core wire (2A) of the wire (2).

[0074] The temperature sensor (50) is disposed on the outer surface of the core wire connection (13).

[0075] According to the connector (1) configured as described above [3], since a temperature sensor (50) is disposed on the outer surface of the core wire connection portion (13) of the terminal (10A) via an external component (3), the temperature of the terminal (10A) can be reliably detected.

[0076] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0077] 1 Connector

[0078] 10A terminal

[0079] 11. Small Diameter Section (Terminal Connection Section)

[0080] 13. Middle Diameter Section (Core Wire Connection Section)

[0081] 20 Terminal retainers

[0082] 28 Through holes

[0083] 29 Supporting wall

[0084] 30 Casing

[0085] 50 Temperature Sensor

[0086] 241, 242, 243 Locking parts

Claims

1. A connector comprising rod-shaped terminals, a terminal retainer for retaining the terminals, and a temperature sensor capable of measuring the temperature of the terminals. The terminal retainer has a plurality of locking portions arranged circumferentially around the terminal. These locking portions are resiliently displaceable radially from the terminal and engage with the terminal to restrict radial and axial movement of the terminal. One of the plurality of locking portions has a through hole penetrating the locking portion and a support wall protruding radially outward from the periphery of the through hole. The temperature sensor is adjacent to the terminal and is disposed along the support wall through the through hole.

2. The connector as described in claim 1, The support walls are provided in a pair such that the temperature sensor is sandwiched between the two sides of the circumference.

3. The connector as described in claim 1, The terminal has a terminal connection portion that connects to the other terminal and a core wire connection portion that connects to the conductor core of the wire. The temperature sensor is disposed on the outer surface of the core wire connection.

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