Connector fitting body

Abstract

A connector fitting (1) is provided with a first connector (10), a second connector (20), and a lever-type connector (30). Furthermore, the base (40) can be formed by the first housing (11) of the first connector (10) and the second housing (21) of the second connector (20). Furthermore, by detachably fitting the lever-type connector (30) to the base (40), first wirings (12, 13) provided to the first connector (10) and second wirings (22, 23) provided to the second connector (20) are detachably connected via connection wirings (34, 35) provided to the lever-type connector (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to connector mating bodies. Background Technology

[0002] As a conventional connector assembly, a connector assembly disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-243559 has been proposed. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-243559 discloses a connector assembly comprising: a first connector; a second connector that engages and disengages with the first connector; and a lever rotatably mounted on the second connector. Furthermore, the connector assembly disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-243559 includes a switch composed of terminals provided on the first connector and terminals provided on the second connector. The engagement / disengagement of the first connector and the second connector is switched by rotating the lever, thereby switching the switch on / off. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Thus, the connector fitting for switching on / off using a lever is preferably suitable for various locations.

[0004] This invention was made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art. Moreover, the object of this invention is to provide a connector fitting that enables versatility in installation locations.

[0005] The connector assembly of the present invention comprises: a first connector having a first housing and a first wiring held in the first housing; a second connector having a second housing and a second wiring held in the second housing, and being separately formed from the first connector; and a rod connector having a third housing, a connecting wiring held in the third housing, and a rod rotatably mounted on the third housing, wherein the first connector and the second connector are configured to form a base from which the first wiring is not connected to the second wiring, and the rod connector is configured to connect the first wiring and the second wiring in a contactable and separable manner via the connecting wiring by fitting into the base in a detachable manner.

[0006] According to the present invention, a connector fitting that enables universality of installation locations can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an example of a connector mating assembly.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a wiring diagram that schematically illustrates an example of a connector mating assembly.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the first and second engaging parts.

[0010] Figure 4 It is a perspective view schematically showing the state in which the base is formed by the first shell and the second shell.

[0011] Figure 5 It is a perspective view schematically showing the state in which the base is fixed with a fixing plate.

[0012] Figure 6 It is a perspective view schematically showing the state in which the rod connector is engaged with the base.

[0013] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates an example of a vehicle assembly method using a connector assembly, and schematically shows the state of the front module, central module, and rear module before assembly.

[0014] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates an example of a vehicle assembly method using a connector assembly, and schematically shows the state of the front module, central module, and rear module assembled.

[0015] Figure 9 This diagram illustrates an example of a vehicle assembly method using a connector fitting, and schematically shows the state in which the base is formed.

[0016] Figure 10 This diagram illustrates an example of a vehicle assembly method using a connector fitting, and schematically shows the state in which the rod connector is fitted into the base. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The connector mating body of this embodiment will now be described in detail using the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the dimensions in the drawings are exaggerated for ease of explanation and may sometimes differ from the actual dimensions.

[0018] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, the direction in which the first and second housings are arranged when forming the base is defined as the front-to-back direction, and the direction in which the rod connector is fitted with the base is defined as the up-down direction. Additionally, the direction intersecting the front-to-back and up-down directions is defined as the width direction.

[0019] Furthermore, regarding the connector fitting, the vertical direction of each component will be defined in the description when the rod connector is fitted to the base by moving it relative to the base from top to bottom. Also, regarding the first connector, the side opposite to the second connector will be defined as the front side in the front-rear direction, and regarding the second connector, the side opposite to the first connector will be defined as the front side in the front-rear direction.

[0020] like Figures 1-6 As shown, the connector assembly 1 of this embodiment includes: a first connector 10 having a first housing 11 and a first wiring; and a second connector 20 having a second housing 21 and a second wiring. In this embodiment, the second connector 20 is formed separately from the first connector 10, and a base 40 can be formed from the first housing 11 of the first connector 10 and the second housing 21 of the second connector 20. In this case, the base 40 can be formed without connecting the first wiring to the second wiring.

[0021] Additionally, the connector assembly 1 includes a rod connector 30, which has a third housing 31, a connection wiring held in the third housing 31, and a rod 32 rotatably mounted in the third housing 31.

[0022] Furthermore, by detachably fitting the rod connector 30 into the base 40, the first and second wirings can be connected in a contactable and separable manner via the connection wiring.

[0023] Specifically, the rod 32 is mounted on the third housing 31 in a state where it can rotate around the rotation axis 33. Furthermore, with the third housing 31 temporarily held on the base 40, rotating the rod 32 in a predetermined direction allows the third housing 31 to engage with the base 40. Moreover, by engaging the third housing 31 with the base 40, the connecting wiring is electrically connected to both the first and second wiring. Thus, the first and second wirings are electrically connected through the connecting wiring.

[0024] On the other hand, with the third housing 31 engaged with the base 40, rotating the rod 32 in the opposite direction of a predetermined direction releases the engagement between the third housing 31 and the base 40. Furthermore, by releasing the engagement between the third housing 31 and the base 40, the connecting wiring is separated from both the first and second wiring. Thus, the continuity between the first and second wiring is broken.

[0025] Such a connector assembly 1, for example as an automotive connector, can be used to electrically connect electrical components such as power sources and devices, or devices to devices.

[0026] In this embodiment, a connector fitting 1 is illustrated as a power circuit disconnection device called a service plug, used in vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles to disconnect the power supply from the load in order to ensure the safety of work such as electrical system maintenance.

[0027] Specifically, the first housing 11 includes a first front housing 111 located at the front (opposite to the second housing 21) and a first rear housing 112 continuously disposed at the rear end of the first front housing 111. In this embodiment, both the first front housing 111 and the first rear housing 112 are generally cuboid in shape, and the first rear housing 112 is wider than the first front housing 111. Furthermore, two rearwardly opening spaces are formed side by side along the width direction inside the first front housing 111 and the first rear housing 112. A first power supply wire 12, serving as a first wiring, and a first grounding wire 13, serving as a first wiring, are respectively housed in these two spaces.

[0028] In this embodiment, the first power wiring 12 includes a first power line 121 and a first power terminal 122. Furthermore, a first power side cover 113 with an upward opening is formed at the upper end of the first front housing 111, communicating with the space inside the first front housing 111. And, with the first power line 121 housed in the space formed between the first front housing 111 and the first rear housing 112, the first power terminal 122 is housed within the first power side cover 113.

[0029] Similarly, the first grounding wiring 13 includes a first grounding wire 131 and a first grounding terminal 132. Furthermore, a first grounding side cover 114 with an upward opening is formed at the upper end of the first front housing 111, communicating with the space inside the first front housing 111. And, with the first grounding wire 131 housed in the space formed between the first front housing 111 and the first rear housing 112, the first grounding terminal 132 is housed within the first grounding side cover 114.

[0030] Such a first housing 11 can be formed, for example, from a material that has electrical insulation, such as a synthetic resin.

[0031] On the other hand, the second housing 21 includes a second front housing 211 located at the front (opposite to the first housing 11) and a second rear housing 212 continuously disposed at the rear end of the second front housing 211. In this embodiment, the second front housing 211 and the second rear housing 212 are also generally cuboid in shape, and the second rear housing 212 is formed to be wider than the second front housing 211. Furthermore, two rearwardly opening spaces are formed side by side along the width direction inside the second front housing 211 and the second rear housing 212. A second power supply wire 22, which serves as a second wiring, and a second grounding wire 23, which serves as a second wiring, are respectively housed in these two spaces.

[0032] In this embodiment, the second power wiring 22 includes a second power line 221 and a second power terminal 222. Furthermore, a second power side cover 213 with an upward opening is formed at the upper end of the second front housing 211, communicating with the space inside the second front housing 211. And, with the second power line 221 housed in the space formed between the second front housing 211 and the second rear housing 212, the second power terminal 222 is housed within the second power side cover 213.

[0033] Similarly, the second grounding wiring 23 includes a second grounding wire 231 and a second grounding terminal 232. Furthermore, a second grounding side cover 214 with an upward opening is formed at the upper end of the second front housing 211, communicating with the space inside the second front housing 211. And, with the second grounding wire 231 housed in the space formed between the second front housing 211 and the second rear housing 212, the second grounding terminal 232 is housed within the second grounding side cover 214.

[0034] Such a second shell 21 can also be formed of an electrically insulating material such as a synthetic resin.

[0035] Additionally, a downward-opening space is formed inside the third housing 31, which houses a power-side connection wiring 34 and a ground-side connection wiring 35.

[0036] In this embodiment, the power supply side connection wiring 34 includes a first power supply side connection terminal 341, a second power supply side connection terminal 342, and a power supply side connection line 343 that connects the first power supply side connection terminal 341 and the second power supply side connection terminal 342.

[0037] Furthermore, depending on the engagement and disengagement of the third housing 31 relative to the base 40, the first power supply side connection terminal 341 is connected to and separated from the first power supply terminal 122, and the second power supply side connection terminal 342 is connected to and separated from the second power supply terminal 222.

[0038] Thus, in this embodiment, the first power supply side connection terminal 341 and the first power supply terminal 122, and the second power supply side connection terminal 342 and the second power supply terminal 222 function as a power switch 2 constituting part of the power supply circuit (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0039] In addition, the grounding side connection wiring 35 includes a first grounding side connection terminal 351, a second grounding side connection terminal 352, and a grounding side connection line 353 that connects the first grounding side connection terminal 351 and the second grounding side connection terminal 352.

[0040] Furthermore, depending on the engagement and disengagement of the third housing 31 relative to the base 40, the first grounding side connection terminal 351 is connected to and separated from the first grounding terminal 132, and the second grounding side connection terminal 352 is connected to and separated from the second grounding terminal 232.

[0041] Thus, in this embodiment, the first grounding side connection terminal 351 and the first grounding terminal 132, and the second grounding side connection terminal 352 and the second grounding terminal 232 function as a grounding switch 3 forming part of the grounding circuit (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as Figure 3 As shown, a locking protrusion (first locking portion) 1111 is formed on the front surface of the first front housing 111, and a locking recess (second locking portion) 2111 is formed on the front surface of the second front housing 211. Furthermore, when the base 40 is formed from the first housing 11 and the second housing 21, the locking protrusion (first locking portion) 1111 formed on the first front housing 111 engages with the locking recess (second locking portion) 2111 formed on the second front housing 211. This suppresses relative displacement of the first housing 11 with respect to the second housing 21 during the formation of the base 40, making it easier and more reliable to engage the rod connector 30 with the base 40.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, with the base 40 formed by the first housing 11 and the second housing 21, the component on which the connector fitting 1 is mounted is fixed using a fixing plate 50. This allows the rod connector 30 to be fitted into the base 40 more easily and reliably.

[0044] Furthermore, although the illustration is omitted, a fitting portion is formed inside the third housing 31, which is detachably fitted into the first power side cover 113, the first ground side cover 114, the second power side cover 213, and the second ground side cover 214, respectively. Moreover, the outline shape of the cover on the first housing 11 side is different from the outline shape of the cover on the second housing 21 side. This prevents the rod connector 30 from fitting in the wrong direction (reverse).

[0045] As explained above, in this embodiment, a base 40 is formed using a first connector 10 and a second connector 20, which are formed from separate, independent components, and the rod connector 30 is engaged with and disengaged from the base 40. Thus, the connector assembly 1 functions as a maintenance plug for switching power on and off between the power supply and the load.

[0046] Furthermore, by setting the structure in this way, even if the first connector 10 is provided on one side of the components that are separated in a mutually engaging manner and the second connector 20 is provided on the other side, the connector mat 1 can still be formed.

[0047] For example, when a method is used to manufacture vehicle 90 by joining together multiple pre-manufactured modules, it is also possible to use connector 1 to connect battery 71 and loads located in modules different from those of the module where battery 71 is located in a way that can be disconnected.

[0048] The following describes a method for connecting the battery 71 to the load using the connector fitting 1 when manufacturing the vehicle 90 by joining the various modules after pre-manufacturing the front module 60, central module 70, and rear module 80. It should be noted that the method described below is merely an example, and the vehicle 90 can also be manufactured using methods other than those described. Furthermore, the number of modules prepared in advance is not limited to three; it can be two or more.

[0049] First, such as Figure 7 As shown, during the manufacture of the central module 70, the first wire of the first connector 10 is connected to the battery 71 disposed in the central module 70. Furthermore, during the manufacture of the front module 60, the second wire of the second connector 20 is connected to the load disposed in the front module 60. Similarly, when the rear module 80 is manufactured, the second wire of the second connector 20 is connected to the load disposed in the rear module 80. An inverter, etc., can be cited as such a load.

[0050] Then, as Figure 8 As shown, the rear end of the front module 60 is joined to the front end of the central module 70 by welding or the like. Additionally, the front end of the rear module 80 is joined to the rear end of the central module 70 by welding or the like.

[0051] Then, asFigure 9 As shown, a base 40 is formed by joining the first housing 11 of the first connector 10 with the second housing 21 of the second connector 20. Specifically, the base 40 is formed by engaging a protrusion (first engaging portion) 1111 formed on the first front housing 111 with an engaging recess (second engaging portion) 2111 formed on the second front housing 211. Then, the formed base 40 is fixed to a floor or similar structure formed in the joined modules using a fixing plate 50 or the like.

[0052] And, as Figure 10 As shown, by engaging the rod connector 30 with the base 40, the loads located in the front module 60 and the rear module 80 are connected to the battery 71 located in the central module 70. Thus, the vehicle 90 is formed.

[0053] If such a connector assembly 1 is used, the rod connector 30 can be removed for maintenance, accident response, etc., and work can be performed with the power supply disconnected from the load, thus ensuring work safety. In addition, by visually confirming the status of the rod connector 30, it is possible to determine whether it is in a powered-on or disconnected state, thus more reliably preventing work from being performed in the powered-on state.

[0054] [Functions and Effects]

[0055] The following describes the characteristic structure of the connector mating body shown in the above embodiments and the effects therefrom.

[0056] The connector assembly 1 shown in the above embodiment includes a first connector 10, which has a first housing 11 and first wiring (first power wiring 12 and first ground wiring 13) held in the first housing 11.

[0057] Furthermore, the connector assembly 1 includes a second connector 20, which has a second housing 21 and second wiring (second power wiring 22 and second ground wiring 23) held in the second housing 21, and is formed separately from the first connector 10.

[0058] Additionally, the connector assembly 1 includes a rod connector 30, which has a third housing 31, connection wiring (power side connection wiring 34 and ground side connection wiring 35) held in the third housing 31, and a rod 32 rotatably mounted in the third housing 31.

[0059] Here, the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are configured to form a base 40 that does not connect the first wiring and the second wiring by the first housing 11 and the second housing 21.

[0060] Furthermore, the rod connector 30 is configured to fit into the base 40 in a detachable manner, thereby connecting the first and second wirings in a manner that allows them to be contacted and separated via the connection wiring.

[0061] Thus, in the connector fitting 1 shown in the above embodiment, the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 are constituted by different components, and the base 40 is formed by the first housing 11 of the first connector 10 and the second housing 21 of the second connector 20. At this time, the first wiring (first power wiring 12 and first ground wiring 13) is not connected to the second wiring (second power wiring 22 and second ground wiring 23). Furthermore, when the first wiring (first power wiring 12 and first ground wiring 13) is connected to the second wiring (second power wiring 22 and second ground wiring 23), the rod connector 30 is fitted into the base 40.

[0062] Thus, even when the first connector 10 is provided on one of the components that are divided in a mutually engaging manner, and the second connector 20 is provided on the other, a connector mat 1 can still be formed. That is, not only can the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 be provided on the same component, but the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 can also be provided on separate components.

[0063] Therefore, if the connector assembly 1 shown in the above embodiment is provided, the installation locations of the first connector 10 and the second connector 20 can be universal.

[0064] In addition, when forming the base 40, the engaging protrusion (first engaging portion) 1111 formed on the first housing 11 can also engage with the engaging recess (second engaging portion) 2111 formed on the second housing 21.

[0065] In this way, the relative positional shift of the first housing 11 with respect to the second housing 21 during the formation of the base 40 can be suppressed, thus making it easier and more reliable to fit the rod connector 30 into the base 40.

[0066] [other]

[0067] The above describes this embodiment, but this embodiment is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the spirit of this embodiment.

[0068] For example, in the above embodiment, an example is shown where the engaging protrusion 1111 of the first housing 11 engages with the engaging recess 2111 of the second housing 21 when the base 40 is formed. However, the structure for engaging the first housing 11 and the second housing 21 is not limited to this structure, and various structures can be provided.

[0069] Alternatively, the engaging portion may not be provided in the first housing 11 and the second housing 21. In this case, it is preferable to use a fixing plate or the like for fixing while the end face of the first housing 11 is in contact with the end face of the second housing 21.

[0070] In addition, the first wiring, the second wiring, and the connecting wiring can be formed using either electrical wires or busbars.

[0071] In addition, the connector assembly 1 can be used for purposes other than the assembly of the split module, and also for purposes other than the service plug.

[0072] In addition, the specifications (shape, size, layout, etc.) of the first shell, the second shell, and other details can be changed appropriately.

[0073] The foregoing has described several embodiments of the present invention, but these embodiments are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

Claims

1. A connector fitting, characterized in that, have: A first connector, the first connector having a first housing and a first wiring held in the first housing; The second connector has a second housing and a second wiring held in the second housing, and is separately formed from the first connector; as well as A rod-type connector having a third housing, connecting wiring held in the third housing, and a rod rotatably mounted to the third housing. The first connector and the second connector are configured such that a base can be formed by the first housing and the second housing to prevent the first wiring from being connected to the second wiring. The rod connector is configured to fit into the base in a detachable manner, thereby connecting the first wiring and the second wiring in a contactable and separable manner via the connecting wiring.

2. The connector mating body according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the base is formed, the first engaging portion formed in the first housing engages with the second engaging portion formed in the second housing.

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