connector

Abstract

In a connector, including a housing having a fitting opening, an inner housing mounted to the housing and disposed in the fitting opening, and a terminal block mounted to the housing and holding terminals disposed in the fitting opening through the inner housing, an inner fixing portion is provided between the housing and the inner housing, the inner fixing portion fixing the inner housing to the housing by a screw member; a terminal block fixing portion is provided between the housing and the terminal block, the terminal block fixing portion being provided at a position different from the inner fixing portion and fixing the terminal block to the housing by a screw member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector. Background Technology

[0002] In related technical fields, a connector includes a mounting plate as a housing having a mating opening and a front tubular portion as an inner housing disposed within the mating opening. Furthermore, a connector is known to include a rear tubular portion as a terminal block held by the front tubular portion of a terminal disposed within the mating opening (see JP2020-119821A). In this connector, the mounting plate, the front tubular portion, and the rear tubular portion are formed as a continuous integral, constituting a housing. This connector is used in vehicle charging devices for charging a power source installed in a vehicle. In the connector used in a vehicle charging device, the charging connector of the charging device is inserted into the mating opening to charge the power source. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Incidentally, in connectors disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. JP2020-119821A, the outer shell, inner shell, and terminal block are formed as independent components. In this type of connector, the inner shell and terminal block are mounted onto the outer shell. The inner shell and terminal block are fixed to the outer shell by a common screw component; in other words, they are fixed by a so-called common fastening method. However, under this fastening method, the fixing force between the terminal block and the outer shell is relatively weak. When the weight of the terminal increases due to factors such as increased power capacity, the terminal block may become unstable.

[0004] This invention addresses such problems in the prior art. Furthermore, the object of this invention is to provide a connector capable of stably fixing terminal blocks.

[0005] A connector according to the present invention includes: a housing having a mating opening; an inner housing mounted to the housing and disposed in the mating opening; and a terminal block mounted to the housing and holding a terminal disposed in the mating opening through the inner housing, wherein an inner fixing portion is provided between the housing and the inner housing, the inner fixing portion fixing the inner housing to the housing by means of screw components; and a terminal block fixing portion is provided between the housing and the terminal block, the terminal block fixing portion being disposed at a different position from the inner fixing portion and fixing the terminal block to the housing by means of screw components.

[0006] According to the present invention, a connector capable of stably fixing terminal blocks can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector in this embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the connector in this embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a front view of the connector cover after it has been removed in this embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a front view of the connector inner shell mounted on the outer shell according to this embodiment.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a front view of the connector terminal block mounted on the housing according to this embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the connector housing in this embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the connector inner shell of this embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the connector terminal block mounted on a conductive component according to this embodiment.

[0015] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the connector terminal block of this embodiment. Detailed description

[0016] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the connector of this embodiment will be described in detail below. It should be noted that the dimensions in the drawings are enlarged for ease of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0017] For example, such as Figure 1 As shown, connector 1 in this embodiment is applied to a vehicle charging device for charging a power source (omitted in the figure) installed in a vehicle (e.g., an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, omitted in the figure). For example, connector 1 can be mated with a charging connector (omitted in the figure) that is electrically connected to a charging device (omitted in the figure) located in a charging station or other similar location. By mating the charging connector with connector 1, electrical energy can be delivered from the charging device to the power source, thereby charging the power source.

[0018] like Figures 1 to 9 As shown, connector 1 includes a housing 3, an inner housing 5, terminals 7, and terminal blocks 9.

[0019] like Figures 1 to 6As shown, the outer casing 3 is made of electrically insulating materials such as synthetic resin. In the vehicle's charging device, the outer casing 3 is installed on the outermost side of the vehicle and is rectangular in shape. The outer casing 3 has multiple (four in this example) vehicle mounting parts 11, which are fixed to the vehicle body (omitted in the figure) by bolts or other fixing components. At the center of the outer casing 3, there is a fitting opening 13 in which the charging connector is fitted, through which the outer casing 3 passes.

[0020] The inner shell 5 is made of an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin. The inner shell 5 can accommodate multiple (seven in this example) terminals 7 and is shaped to fit into the charging connector. The inner shell 5 has a flange 15, which is plate-shaped and larger than the fitting opening of the outer shell 3. Multiple (six in this example) internal fixing portions 19 are provided between the flange 15 and the outer shell 3, each fixing portion 19 securing the inner shell 5 to the outer shell 3 via screw components 17. The internal fixing portions 19 of the inner shell 5 are through holes, while the internal fixing portions 19 of the outer shell 3 are holes with threaded grooves into which the screw components 17 are screwed. The inner shell 5 has a fitting portion 21, which extends tubularly along the direction of fitting with the charging connector. The fitting portion 21 is arranged within the fitting opening 13 of the outer shell 3. A locking portion 23 is provided on the outer surface of the fitting portion 21 to maintain the fitting state with the charging connector. The fitting part 21 includes a normal fitting part 25 and a quick fitting part 27.

[0021] A standard fitting portion 25 is disposed on the upper part of the fitting portion 21. The standard fitting portion 25 can fit a standard charging connector (not shown in the figure) in the charging connector, which can charge the power supply within a normal time. The standard fitting portion 25 has a plurality of (five in this example) standard terminal receiving cavities 29 inside. The standard terminal receiving cavities 29 extend in a tubular shape along the direction of fitting with the charging connector. The standard terminal receiving cavities 29 have openings on both sides in the length direction. The opening on one side of the standard terminal receiving cavity 29 serves as an insertion port through which a standard charging terminal (not shown in the figure) can be inserted. For example, the standard charging terminal includes a power terminal for supplying power, a communication terminal for detecting charging status, etc. The standard charging terminal is electrically connected to the end of a wire (not shown in the figure) that is electrically connected to the power supply. The standard charging terminal, which passes through the insertion opening and is received in the standard terminal receiving cavity 29, is held in a position relative to the standard terminal receiving cavity 29 by a bracket (not shown in the figure) mounted on the side of the insertion opening. The opening on the other side of the ordinary terminal receiving cavity 29 serves as a connection opening through which the mating terminal (not shown) housed in the ordinary charging connector is inserted. When the ordinary charging connector is engaged with the ordinary mating part 25, the mating terminal is inserted into the connection opening, and the ordinary charging terminal and the mating terminal are electrically connected to each other. Through the electrical connection between the ordinary charging terminal and the mating terminal, charging is performed from the charging device to the power source at the normal time.

[0022] A quick-fit part 27 is disposed at the lower part of the fitting part 21. The quick-fit part 27 can fit with a fast-charging connector (omitted in the figure) in the charging connector, which can charge the power supply in a short time. The quick-fit part 27 has a plurality of (two in this example) quick-connect terminal receiving cavities 31 inside. The quick-connect terminal receiving cavities 31 extend in a tubular shape along the direction of fitting with the charging connector. Both sides of the quick-connect terminal receiving cavity 31 have openings in the length direction. The opening on one side of the quick-connect terminal receiving cavity 31 serves as an insertion port through which the fast-charging terminal 7 can be inserted. The opening on the other side of the quick-connect terminal receiving cavity 31 serves as a connection opening through which a mating terminal (omitted in the figure) housed in the fast-charging connector can be inserted. When the fast-charging connector is fitted with the quick-fit part 27, the mating terminal is inserted into the connection opening, and the fast-charging terminal 7 and the mating terminal are electrically connected to each other. Through the electrical connection between the fast-charging terminal 7 and the mating terminal, the power supply can be charged from the charging device in a short time.

[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 8 As shown, terminal 7 is made of a conductive material (e.g., a metallic material). For example, terminal 7 serves as a power terminal for supplying electricity, and multiple terminals 7 (two in this example) are used. Terminal 7 is cylindrical and extends along the mating direction between connector 1 and charging connector. One end of terminal 7 serves as an electrical connection portion 33. When terminal 7 is disposed within quick-connect terminal receiving cavity 31, electrical connection portion 33 is disposed on the connection opening side of quick-connect terminal receiving cavity 31. When connector 1 and charging connector are mated together, electrical connection portion 33 is electrically connected to the mating terminal of charging connector. The other end of terminal 7 serves as a conductive connection portion 35. Conductive connection portion 35 is hollow and has a threaded groove on its inner circumferential surface. Conductive connection portion 35 is electrically connected to conductive component 37 by fastening bolts.

[0024] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 8As shown, the conductive component 37 is composed of a busbar 39, which is made of a conductive material (e.g., metal) in a sheet shape. Multiple (two in this example) busbars 39 are used for multiple terminals 7. Each busbar 39 includes a first busbar 41 and a second busbar 43. For example, the first busbar 41 can be L-shaped. For example, the second busbar 43 can be straight. The outer surface of the second busbar 43 is covered with an electrically insulating coating. A through-hole is provided at one end of the first busbar 41, through which a bolt passes, and the first busbar 41 is electrically connected to the conductive connection portion 35 of the terminal 7 via the bolt. A through-hole is provided on the other side of the first busbar 41, through which a bolt passes. A through-hole is provided at one end of the second busbar 43, through which a bolt passes, and the second busbar 43 is electrically connected to the first busbar 41 via a bolt and nut (not shown). At the other end of the second busbar 43, the second busbar 43 is electrically connected to a power source. The conductive component 37 electrically connects the terminal 7 and the power source to each other. The conductive component 37 is a busbar 39; therefore, since the cross-sectional area of ​​the busbar 39 is larger than that of a smaller diameter wire, a larger current can be allowed to pass through. This allows for increased power capacity. Furthermore, since the conductive component 37 is a busbar 39, a large arrangement space for the applicable wires can be eliminated. The terminal block 9 is mounted on the terminal of the conductive component 37 and held together with the conductive component 37.

[0025] like Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 9 As shown, the terminal block 9 is made of an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin. The terminal block 9 is formed in a housing shape to accommodate the conductive connection portion 35 and conductive component 37 of the terminal 7. On the side opposite to the fitting opening 13 of the outer casing 3, the terminal block 9 is disposed on the side of the quick-fit portion 27 of the inner casing 5. The terminal block 9 includes a terminal receiving portion 45, a conductive receiving portion 47, and a terminal block fixing portion 49.

[0026] The terminal receiving portion 45 is formed in a tubular shape and extends along the mating direction between the connector 1 and the charging connector to accommodate the conductive connection portion 35 of the terminal 7. Multiple (two in this example) terminal receiving portions 45 are provided, each corresponding to a plurality of terminals 7. The conductive connection portion 35 of the terminal 7 is provided in the terminal receiving portion 45, and the electrical connection portion 33 of the terminal 7 is exposed towards the inner housing 5.

[0027] The conductive receiving portion 47 has an opening on the side opposite to the inner shell 5. This conductive receiving portion 47 has a bottom wall and side walls for supporting the first busbar 41 of the conductive component 37. The portion containing the terminal receiving portion 45 communicates with the bottom wall of the conductive receiving portion 47. The portion containing the second busbar 43 of the conductive component 37 is open on the side wall of the conductive receiving portion 47, and this second busbar 43 can be pulled out to the outside of the connector 1. The conductive receiving portion 47 accommodates the conductive component 37 with the terminal 7 mounted on it, such that the terminal 7 is accommodated within the terminal receiving portion 45 through the opening. The terminal 7 and conductive component 37 accommodated within the conductive receiving portion 47 are held on the terminal block 9 by bolts and nuts (not shown). The cover 51 is used to open and close the opening of the conductive receiving portion 47.

[0028] A terminal block fixing part 49 is disposed between the housing 3 and the terminal block 9. Multiple terminal block fixing parts 49 (four in this example) are provided, their positions differing from those of the internal fixing part 19; in this example, they are located at the corners of the terminal block 9. The terminal block fixing part 49 of the terminal block 9 is formed as a through hole, while the terminal block fixing part 49 of the housing 3 is formed as a hole with a threaded groove, in which a screw component 53 is fastened. The terminal block fixing part 49 secures the terminal block 9 to the housing 3 via the screw component 53.

[0029] When the terminal block fixing part 49 is located at a different position than the internal fixing part 19, the terminal block 9 can be fixed to the housing 3 by a separate screw part 53, thereby ensuring stable fixation of the terminal block 9. Furthermore, since no shared fastening is required, there is no overlap between the inner housing 5 and the terminal block 9 at the fastening portion of the screw part 53, enabling size reduction. Moreover, the terminal block 9 holding the conductive component 37 can operate independently of the inner housing 5, and design changes to the conductive component 37, changes to the pull-out direction of the conductive component 37, or other modifications can be easily made, increasing design freedom. Furthermore, even if the conductive component 37 increases in weight similar to the busbar 39, the terminal block 9 can still be stably fixed using only the screw part 53.

[0030] As an example of the installation method of the connector 1 described above, firstly, the inner shell 5 is placed on the outer shell 3, the screw component 17 is fastened to the inner fixing part 19, and the inner shell 5 is installed on the outer shell 3. Then, the terminal block 9 is placed on the outer shell 3, the screw component 53 is fastened to the terminal block fixing part 49, and the terminal block 9 is installed on the outer shell 3. Furthermore, the terminal block 9 holds the conductive component 37 on which the terminal 7 is mounted, thereby completing the assembly of the connector 1.

[0031] The connector 1 described above includes a housing 3 having a mating opening 13 and an inner housing 5 mounted on the housing 3 and disposed within the mating opening 13. The connector 1 also includes a terminal block 9, which is mounted on the housing 3 and holds the terminals 7 disposed within the mating opening 13 via the inner housing 5. Furthermore, an inner fixing portion 19 is provided between the housing 3 and the inner housing 5, and the inner fixing portion 19 secures the inner housing 5 to the housing 3 via screw components 17. Additionally, a terminal block fixing portion 49 is provided between the housing 3 and the terminal block 9, which is located at a different position than the inner fixing portion 19 and secures the terminal block 9 to the housing 3 via screw components 53.

[0032] When the terminal block fixing part 49 is located at a different position than the internal fixing part 19, the terminal block 9 can be fixed to the housing 3 by a separate screw part 53, thereby ensuring that the terminal block 9 can be stably fixed. Furthermore, since there is no need for a shared fastening, there is no overlap between the inner housing 5 and the terminal block 9 at the fastening portion of the screw part 53, thus enabling a reduction in size.

[0033] Therefore, in the connector 1 described above, the terminal block 9 can be stably fixed.

[0034] In addition, terminal block 9 retains conductive component 37 that is electrically connected to terminal 7.

[0035] Therefore, the terminal block 9 of the conductive component 37 can operate independently of the inner shell 5, and the design of the conductive component 37, the pull-out direction of the conductive component 37, or other changes can be easily made, thereby increasing the degree of design freedom.

[0036] In addition, the conductive component 37 is the busbar 39.

[0037] Therefore, even if the conductive component 37 is similarly increased in weight to the busbar 39, the terminal block 9 can be stably fixed by means of the screw component 53.

[0038] The above describes this embodiment, but this embodiment is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made within the scope of this embodiment.

[0039] For example, the terminal block holds two terminals. However, this embodiment is not limited to this; the terminal block may hold one terminal or three or more terminals.

[0040] Furthermore, the conductive component is a busbar. However, this embodiment is not limited to this; the conductive component may, for example, be a wire with a larger diameter to increase the power supply capacity.

[0041] Furthermore, the terminal block is disposed on the quick-fitting side of the inner shell. However, this embodiment is not limited to this, and the terminal block may also be disposed on the normal-fitting side of the inner shell.

[0042] While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments are given by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In fact, the novel embodiments described herein can take many other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made to the forms of the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to cover various forms or modifications falling within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A connector comprising: The outer casing has a fitting opening; An inner shell, which is installed into the outer shell and disposed in the fitting opening; as well as A terminal block, which is mounted to the housing and held by the inner housing in the mating opening, wherein... An internal fixing part is provided between the outer shell and the inner shell, and the internal fixing part fixes the inner shell to the outer shell by a screw component; A terminal block fixing part is provided between the outer shell and the terminal block. The terminal block fixing part is located at a different position from the inner fixing part, and the terminal block is fixed to the outer shell by a screw component.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The terminal block retains conductive components that are electrically connected to the terminals.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein, The conductive component is a busbar.

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