Connector device

Abstract

The present invention avoids the large size of the housing containing the electrical connection box. The connector device includes: a housing (11), an electrical connection box (20) housed in the housing (11), a first connector (30) mounted on the housing (11) in a state of being connected to the electrical connection box (20), and a second connector (60) connected to the first connector (30) from the outside of the housing (11). The first connector (30) has a first terminal accessory (40), and the second connector (60) has a second terminal accessory (66) connected to the first terminal accessory (40). The first terminal accessory (40) has a pair of elastic contact pieces (44) and a clip (50) for integrally displacing the pair of elastic contact pieces (44) relative to each other. The second terminal accessory (66) has a tongue (68) inserted between the pair of elastic contact pieces (44).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a connector device. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a device having a connector externally mounted to a housing and a counterpart connector disposed inside the housing. By mounting the connector to the housing, the terminals of the connector are connected to the terminals of the counterpart connector.

[0003] Prior technology documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-072795 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In this type of device, the connector is fixed to the outside of the housing by bolts or similar fastenings, while the counterpart connector is mounted in an electrical connection box fixed inside the housing. In this configuration, positional misalignment sometimes occurs between the terminals of the connector and the counterpart connector. As a means of absorbing this misalignment, a misalignment-absorbing component can be inserted inside the housing between the counterpart connector and the electrical connection box. However, this method requires space within the housing to house the misalignment-absorbing component, resulting in a larger housing size.

[0008] The connector device disclosed herein is made based on the above circumstances, and its purpose is to avoid the enlargement of the housing containing the electrical connection box.

[0009] Methods for solving problems

[0010] The connector device disclosed herein includes: case; An electrical connection box is housed within the casing; The first connector is installed in the housing in a connected state to the electrical connection box; and The second connector is connected to the first connector from the outside of the housing. The first connector has a first terminal fitting. The second connector has a second terminal accessory, which is connected to the first terminal accessory. One of the first terminal fitting and the second terminal fitting has a pair of elastic contact pieces and a clip, the clip causing the pair of elastic contact pieces to move relative to each other integrally. The first terminal accessory and the other of the second terminal accessories have a tongue that is inserted between the pair of resilient contact pieces.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] According to this disclosure, it is possible to avoid the large size of the housing containing the electrical connection box. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector device of Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the first terminal fitting. Detailed Implementation

[0015] [Description of embodiments of this disclosure]

[0016] First, embodiments of this disclosure will be described. Solutions that combine any of the following examples without causing contradictions are also included in the embodiments for carrying out the invention.

[0017] (1) The connector device of this disclosure comprises: a housing; an electrical connection box housed within the housing; a first connector mounted on the housing in a state of being connected to the electrical connection box; and a second connector connected to the first connector from outside the housing. The first connector has a first terminal fitting, and the second connector has a second terminal fitting connected to the first terminal fitting. One of the first terminal fitting and the second terminal fitting has a pair of resilient contacts and a clip, the clip causing the pair of resilient contacts to move relative to each other integrally. The other of the first terminal fitting and the second terminal fitting has a tongue inserted between the pair of resilient contacts. According to this structure, when the first terminal fitting and the second terminal fitting are connected in a state of positional offset in the elastic displacement direction of the resilient contacts, the positional offset is absorbed by the displacement of the pair of resilient contacts while clamping the tongue. The pair of resilient contacts are moved integrally by the clip, thus maintaining the contact pressure between the resilient contacts and the tongue at a desired value. The clip is located on either the first or second terminal accessory, thus eliminating the need for a position offset absorption member to be inserted between the first connector and the electrical connection box. This prevents the housing from becoming too large.

[0018] (2) Preferably, the pair of elastic contact pieces are cantilevered in the same direction as the insertion direction of the tongue, and the clip has a base and a pair of clamping portions. The pair of clamping portions extend cantilevered from the base to a side opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue. The base is located further forward in the extension direction than the extending ends of the pair of elastic contact pieces, and the pair of clamping portions are configured to clamp the pair of elastic contact pieces. This structure prevents interference between the tongue and the clip.

[0019] (3) In (1) or (2), preferably, the pair of elastic contact pieces have a pair of contact portions that contact the tongue, and the clip has a base and a pair of clamping portions that extend cantilevered from the base to a side opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue, and the pair of clamping portions abut against the pair of contact portions. According to this structure, the clamping force generated by the clip acts directly on the tongue via the contact portions, thus ensuring stable contact pressure between the tongue and the elastic contact pieces.

[0020] (4) In (3), preferably, the contact portion has a recess, and the clamping portion abuts against the contact portion within the recess. This structure prevents the clamping portion from shifting position relative to the contact portion.

[0021] [Details of the embodiments disclosed herein]

[0022] [Example 1]

[0023] Reference Figures 1-2 The present invention describes a connector device according to Embodiment 1, which embodies the present disclosure. The invention is not limited to these examples, but is shown in the claims and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In Embodiment 1, regarding the vertical direction, Figure 1 , 2 The H direction is defined as upward. Regarding the left and right directions, Figure 1 , 2 The R direction in the equation is defined as the right direction.

[0024] The connector device in this embodiment 1 is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the device includes an electrical device 10 and a second connector 60. The electrical device 10 includes a housing 11, an electrical connection box 20 housed within the housing 11, functional components (not shown) housed within the housing 11, and a first connector 30. The housing 11 is a metal component with a shielding function. The upper panel 12 of the housing 11 has an opening 13 for connecting the first connector 30 and the second connector 60 (described later). A positioning groove 14 surrounding the opening 13 is formed on the upper surface of the upper panel 12 of the housing 11.

[0025] The electrical connection box 20 is, for example, a component used as a junction box (JB) or power distribution unit (PDU) with centralized connection function for electrical circuits. The electrical connection box 20 includes a box body 21, multiple electrical components 25, multiple busbars 26, and a third connector 27. The box body 21 is a shielding component. The upper plate 22 of the box body 21 has mounting holes 23 for mounting the first connector 30. The box body 21 is fixed to the upper panel 12 of the housing 11 using bolts 24.

[0026] Electrical components 25 are housed within the enclosure 21, forming a high-voltage circuit. Specific examples of electrical components 25 include relays, fuses, etc. Busbars 26 are components that connect the electrical components 25 to each other. A third connector 27 is connected to the electrical components 25 via the busbars 26. The third connector 27 is mounted on the enclosure 21. Functional components are connected to the electrical connection box 20 at the third connector 27. Specific examples of functional components include battery packs composed of stacked battery cells, etc.

[0027] The first connector 30 includes a first cover 31, a pair of left and right retaining members 35, and a pair of left and right first terminal accessories 40. The first cover 31 is a single component having a terminal receiving portion 32 and a first flange portion 33 extending horizontally from the front, rear, left, and right sides of the terminal receiving portion 32. The first connector 30 is fixed to the electrical connection box 20 by a fixing member (not shown). With the first connector 30 installed in the electrical connection box 20, the first flange portion 33 abuts against the upper surface of the upper plate portion 22 of the electrical connection box 20, and the terminal receiving portion 32 closes the mounting hole 23. The upper end of the terminal receiving portion 32 is positioned with respect to the opening 13 facing the housing 11. In a top view of the connector assembly viewed from above, the terminal receiving portion 32 is located within the opening area of ​​the opening 13. A pair of left and right first terminal receiving chambers 34 are formed within the terminal receiving portion 32. The upper end of the first terminal receiving chamber 34 opens into the upper surface of the terminal receiving portion 32.

[0028] The retaining member 35 is a single component formed by bending a sheet metal. The retaining member 35 has high rigidity, and therefore will not deform even when subjected to connection resistance generated during the connection process between the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 66 (described later). The retaining member 35 has a cylindrical retaining portion 36 and an extension 37. (As...) Figure 2 As shown, the cylindrical retaining portion 36 is a square tube open at both ends at its upper limit. The extension portion 37 extends downward from the lower edge of the left side plate of the cylindrical retaining portion 36. Figure 1 As shown, in a front view of the connector assembly, the extension 37 is curved into an L-shape. The extended end of the extension 37 is connected to the electrical component 25 that constitutes the electrical connection box 20.

[0029] The first terminal accessory 40 is constructed by assembling a connecting member 41 and a clip 50. The connecting member 41 is a single component made of a metal sheet with a thickness smaller than that of the retaining member 35 and a lower bending stiffness than that of the retaining member 35. The connecting member 41 has a square cylindrical portion 42 and a pair of symmetrical elastic contact pieces 44. The square cylindrical portion 42 is an opening at both the top and bottom, and is fixed to the retaining member 35 in a state of being housed within the cylindrical retaining portion 36. The square cylindrical portion 42 and the cylindrical retaining portion 36 are connected in a conductive manner.

[0030] A pair of elastic contact pieces 44 are formed by cutting off a portion of the left and right side plates 43 that constitute the square tube portion 42. The elastic contact pieces 44 are connected to the side plates 43 at their upper ends and extend downwards in a cantilever shape. The pair of elastic contact pieces 44 are generally shaped such that their relative spacing narrows as they face downwards. The pair of elastic contact pieces 44 are capable of elastic displacement in the left-right direction (the opposite direction of the elastic contact pieces 44) with their upper ends (base ends) as fulcrums.

[0031] A contact portion 45 is formed on the extending end side (lower end side) of the elastic contact piece 44 in the extending direction (vertical direction). The contact portion 45 is a curved portion that protrudes inward (towards the opposite elastic contact piece 44) in the left-right direction (the direction in which a pair of elastic contact pieces 44 face each other). A curved recess 46 is formed on the outer surface of the elastic contact piece 44 (contact portion 45) in the left-right direction.

[0032] The clip 50 is a single component made of a metal sheet with a higher rigidity than the connecting member 41. The clip 50 has a base 51 and a pair of symmetrical clamping portions 52. The base 51 is a flat plate extending vertically in the thickness direction. The pair of clamping portions 52 extend upwards in a cantilevered manner from the left and right edges of the base 51. The pair of clamping portions 52 are generally narrower at their relative intervals as they extend upwards. A pressing portion 54 is formed at a position closer to the extension end (upper end side) than the center in the extending direction (vertical direction) of the clamping portions 52. In the front view, the pressing portion 54 is an arc protruding towards the opposite side.

[0033] A pair of clamping portions 52 are elastically displaceable in the left-right direction (the opposite direction of the pair of clamping portions 52) with the side edge of the base 51 as a fulcrum. The clip 50 is housed entirely within the square tube portion 42. The clip 50 is mounted on the connecting member 41 with the base 51 positioned lower than the extended end (lower end) of the elastic contact piece 44 and the pair of elastic contact pieces 44 clamped by the pair of clamping portions 52. A pair of pressing portions 54 abut against a pair of recesses 46 (contact portions 45). By inserting the pair of pressing portions 54 into the pair of recesses 46, the clip 50 remains in the mounted state relative to the pair of elastic contact pieces 44.

[0034] When the first terminal accessory 40 and the second terminal accessory 66 are not connected and the clip 50 is installed on the elastic contact piece 44, it becomes any of the following three forms: The first form is that both the elastic contact piece 44 and the clamping part 52 are elastically deformed; the second form is that the clamping part 52 is not elastically deformed but the elastic contact piece 44 is elastically deformed; and the third form is that neither the elastic contact piece 44 nor the clamping part 52 is elastically deformed.

[0035] The second connector 60 includes a second cover 61 and a pair of left and right second terminal fittings 66. The second cover 61 has a terminal holding portion 62 and a second flange portion 64 extending horizontally from the outer periphery of the terminal holding portion 62 in the front, back, left, and right directions. A second terminal receiving chamber 63 with openings on both the upper and lower surfaces of the terminal holding portion 62 is formed in the terminal holding portion 62. A positioning protrusion 65 that fits into the positioning groove 14 of the housing 11 is formed on the lower surface of the second flange portion 64.

[0036] The second terminal accessory 66 has a terminal body 67 and extends forward from the terminal body 67 ( Figure 1 The terminal body 67 is a single component with a protruding tongue 68 (located below the terminal). The terminal body 67 is connected to the wire 71 that constitutes the wire harness 70. The thickness dimension (left-right dimension) of the tongue 68 is larger than the minimum gap between a pair of elastic contact pieces 44 when the clip 50 is installed. The second terminal accessory 66 is installed on the second cover 61 with the terminal body 67 housed in the second terminal housing chamber 63 and the tongue 68 protruding below the terminal holding part 62.

[0037] The second connector 60 is mounted on the housing 11 with the second flange 64 abutting against the upper surface of the upper panel 12 of the housing 11 and the positioning protrusion 65 engaged in the positioning groove 14. The second flange 64 is secured by a fixing member (not shown). With the second connector 60 mounted on the housing 11, the first terminal accessory 40 and the second terminal accessory 66 are connected in a conductive manner by inserting the tongue 68 between a pair of resilient contact pieces 44.

[0038] During the connection of the first terminal accessory 40 and the second terminal accessory 66, a pair of elastic contact pieces 44 elastically expand and deform in a way that separates them from each other. As the elastic contact pieces 44 elastically deform, the pair of clamping portions 52 of the clip 50 also elastically deform. The contact pressure between the elastic contact pieces 44 and the tongue 68 is ensured by the elastic restoring force of the elastic contact pieces 44 and the elastic restoring force of the clip 50 (the pair of clamping portions 52).

[0039] With the second connector 60 installed in the housing 11, if the first terminal accessory 40 and the second terminal accessory 66 are misaligned in the left-right direction, the misalignment is absorbed by the displacement of a pair of resilient contact pieces 44 in the left or right direction. At this time, the pair of resilient contact pieces 44 are displaced integrally by the clip 50, thus maintaining the minimum relative spacing between the pair of resilient contact pieces 44 at the same size as when the misalignment is not absorbed. Therefore, in either the case of absorbing the misalignment or the case of not absorbing the misalignment, the contact pressure between the resilient contact pieces 44 and the tongue 68 is constant. The pair of resilient contact pieces 44 are displaced integrally by the clip 50, thus maintaining the contact pressure between the resilient contact pieces 44 and the tongue 68 at the expected value.

[0040] The connector device of this embodiment 1 includes a housing 11, an electrical connection box 20 housed within the housing 11, a first connector 30, and a second connector 60. The first connector 30 is mounted on the housing 11 in a state of connection to the electrical connection box 20. The second connector 60 is connected to the first connector 30 from the outside of the housing 11. The first connector 30 has a first terminal accessory 40. The second connector 60 has a second terminal accessory 66 connected to the first terminal accessory 40. The first terminal accessory 40 has a pair of resilient contacts 44 and a clip 50 for integrally displacing the pair of resilient contacts 44 relative to each other. The second terminal accessory 66 has a tongue 68 inserted between the pair of resilient contacts 44.

[0041] According to this structure, when the first terminal accessory 40 and the second terminal accessory 66 are connected with their positions offset in the elastic displacement direction (left-right direction) of the elastic contact piece 44, the position offset is absorbed by the left-right displacement of the pair of elastic contact pieces 44 while clamping the tongue piece 68. At this time, the pair of elastic contact pieces 44 (contact portions 45) are displaced integrally by the clip 50, so the contact pressure between the elastic contact pieces 44 and the tongue piece 68 is maintained at the expected value. The clip 50 is provided on the first terminal accessory 40 or the second terminal accessory 66, so there is no need to intervene in the position offset absorbing member (not shown) between the first connector 30 and the electrical connection box 20. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the enlargement of the housing 11.

[0042] The pair of resilient contact pieces 44 are cantilevered in the same direction (downward) as the insertion direction of the tongue 68. The clip 50 has a base 51 and a pair of clamping portions 52, which extend cantilevered from the base 51 in the opposite direction (upward) to the insertion direction of the tongue 68. The base 51 is located further forward (downward) in the extending direction than the lower ends (extended ends) of the pair of resilient contact pieces 44. The pair of clamping portions 52 are configured to clamp the pair of resilient contact pieces 44. According to this structure, interference between the tongue 68 and the clip 50 can be prevented during the connection of the tongue 68 and the pair of resilient contact pieces 44.

[0043] A pair of resilient contact pieces 44 have a pair of contact portions 45 that contact the tongue 68. The clip 50 has a base 51 and a pair of clamping portions 52, which extend cantileveredly from the base 51 toward a side (above) opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue 68. The pair of clamping portions 52 abut against the pair of contact portions 45. According to this structure, the clamping force generated by the clip 50 acts directly on the tongue 68 via the contact portions 45, thus stabilizing the contact pressure between the tongue 68 and the resilient contact pieces 44. The contact portions 45 have recesses 46. The clamping portions 52 abut against the contact portions 45 within the recesses 46. According to this structure, displacement of the clamping portions 52 relative to the contact portions 45 can be prevented.

[0044] [Other Embodiments]

[0045] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the accompanying drawings, but is illustrated by the claims. The invention includes all modifications equivalent to and within the scope of the claims, and also includes the following embodiments.

[0046] Alternatively, a pair of resilient contacts and clips can be provided in the second terminal accessory, and a tongue inserted between the pair of resilient contacts can be provided in the first terminal accessory.

[0047] The base can also be located further to the contact point than the extended ends of a pair of elastic contact pieces.

[0048] The base of the clip can also be configured in a direction that intersects the insertion direction of the tongue relative to the elastic contact piece.

[0049] The clamping part can also abut against the elastic contact piece at a location other than the contact part.

[0050] The contact area of ​​the clamping part in the contact part can also be a shape other than the recess.

[0051] The elastic contact piece can also be formed by folding back from the left and right side plates of the square tube section.

[0052] The elastic contact piece can also be in the form of extending upward (in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the tongue piece relative to the first terminal accessory) in a cantilever shape, or it can be in the form of being supported by a square tube at both ends.

[0053] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0054] 10... Electrical equipment

[0055] 11...shell

[0056] 12... Top panel

[0057] 13...Opening

[0058] 14... Positioning groove

[0059] 20... Electrical connection box

[0060] 21...Box body

[0061] 22...Upper plate part

[0062] 23... Mounting holes

[0063] 24... Bolts

[0064] 25... Electrical components

[0065] 26...Bus strip

[0066] 27...3rd Connector

[0067] 30... Connector No. 1

[0068] 31...First Cover

[0069] 32...Terminal storage section

[0070] 33...First flange portion

[0071] 34... Terminal 1 storage compartment

[0072] 35...Retaining components

[0073] 36... Cylindrical retaining part

[0074] 37... Extension

[0075] 40... Terminal 1 Accessories

[0076] 41...Connecting components

[0077] 42... Square tube section

[0078] 43...Side panel section

[0079] 44...elastic contact sheet

[0080] 45...Contact section

[0081] 46...concave

[0082] 50... clips

[0083] 51...base

[0084] 52... Clamping section

[0085] 54... Pressing part

[0086] 60...Second Connector

[0087] 61...Second Cover

[0088] 62...Terminal holding section

[0089] 63...Second Terminal Storage Chamber

[0090] 64...Second flange portion

[0091] 65... Positioning protrusion

[0092] 66...Terminal 2 Accessories

[0093] 67...Terminal body part

[0094] 68... Tongue slices

[0095] 70... wire harness

[0096] 71... wire

Claims

1. A connector device comprising: case; An electrical connection box is housed within the casing; The first connector is installed in the housing in a connected state to the electrical connection box; and The second connector is connected to the first connector from the outside of the housing. The first connector has a first terminal fitting. The second connector has a second terminal accessory, which is connected to the first terminal accessory. One of the first terminal fitting and the second terminal fitting has a pair of elastic contact pieces and a clip, the clip causing the pair of elastic contact pieces to move relative to each other integrally. The first terminal accessory and the other of the second terminal accessories have a tongue that is inserted between the pair of resilient contact pieces.

2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein, The pair of elastic contact pieces are cantilevered and extend in the same direction as the insertion direction of the tongue piece. The clip has a base and a pair of clamping portions, the pair of clamping portions extending cantileveredly from the base toward a side opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue. The base is located further forward in the extending direction than the extended ends of the pair of elastic contact pieces. The pair of clamping portions are configured to clamp the pair of elastic contact pieces.

3. The connector device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The pair of elastic contact pieces have a pair of contact portions that contact the tongue piece. The clip has a base and a pair of clamping portions, the pair of clamping portions extending cantileveredly from the base toward a side opposite to the insertion direction of the tongue. The pair of clamping portions abut against the pair of contact portions.

4. The connector device according to claim 3, wherein, The contact portion has a recess. The clamping part abuts against the contact part within the recess.

Images