CONNECTOR

Abstract

Connector (1) which has: a covering (10) which has insulating properties; a connection (20) which is received and held in an interior of the cladding (10) and is connected to a mating connection in a connector connection state; a flexible conductor (40), which is a conductor having flexibility, is located inside the casing (10) and on a side opposite the counter terminal with respect to the terminal (20) and is electrically connected to the terminal (20); a connecting element (50) which is a conductor which is attached in a housing (11) to the cladding (10), is arranged on a side opposite the connection (20) with respect to the flexible conductor (40) and is electrically connected to the flexible conductor (40); and a wire (30) which is arranged on a side opposite the terminal (20) with respect to the connecting element (50), is electrically connected to the connecting element (50), characterized by the fact that the wire (30) is led out of the interior of the cladding (10) in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the connection (20) towards the opposite connection, the connecting element (50) has an electrical connecting section (51) that electrically connects the flexible conductor (40) to a core of the wire (30), wherein the flexible conductor (40) and the core of the wire (30) are inserted into the electrical connection section (51).

Description

Background of the invention 1. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. 2. Description of related technology

[0002] Currently, a connector to which a wire for supplying power or transmitting a control signal, etc., is connected is known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-11134 A mentioned below discloses an L-shaped connector including a housing (cover), a terminal received or held in the housing, a flexible conductor extending toward a mating terminal in a direction opposite to an insertion direction of the terminal, a wire led out from the interior of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, and a welding portion at which an end portion of the flexible conductor on the extending side and the wire are welded together.

[0003] In this case, when the connector is installed in a moving object such as a vehicle, an external force is applied to the wire due to the movement, and a force acting in the wire is transmitted to the terminal. Therefore, contact between the terminal and the mating terminal may be broken. In this case, in the L-shaped connector of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-11134A, the force acting in the wire is absorbed by the flexible conductor, thereby preventing the force from being transmitted to the terminal. Furthermore, in the L-shaped connector, the welding portion between the flexible conductor and the wire is screwed to the housing, thus preventing the force from being transmitted from the wire to the terminal.However, the structure for preventing force transmission can be applied to the L-shaped connector, and it is difficult to apply the structure unchanged to a straight connector. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in the structure for preventing force transmission in the straight connector. The straight connector is a connector in which an insertion direction between a terminal in a panel and a mating terminal and a direction in which a wire is led out from the interior of the panel coincide with each other. Further prior art is known from US 2014 / 0 024 266 A1 A1. Summary of the invention

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can prevent the transmission of force from a wire to a terminal.

[0005] This problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 1.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments are specified in subclaims 2 - 5.

[0007] The above-described and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a connector of an embodiment; Fig. Fig. 2 is a front view illustrating the connector of the embodiment; Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line XX in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing components of the connector of the embodiment. Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

[0008] An embodiment of a connector according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The invention is not limited by the embodiment. Embodiment

[0009] One of the embodiments of the connector (hereinafter referred to simply as “connector”) according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to 4. To simplify the illustration, a special pattern (stitch) of braid 73 is omitted.

[0010] Reference numeral 1 denotes the connector of the present embodiment in each of the drawings. The connector 1 includes, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig.4, a cover 10, terminals 20, wires 30, flexible conductors 40, connecting elements 50, a wire holding mechanism 60, and a shield structure 70. The flexible conductors 40, the connecting elements 50, and the wire holding mechanism 60 form an external force transmission preventing mechanism that prevents the transmission of a force from the wire 30 to the terminal 20. In the connector 1, by electrically connecting the terminal 20, the wire 30, the flexible conductor 40, and the connecting element 50 described below, a wire with a terminal is formed.

[0011] The enclosure 10 accommodates the terminals 20, the ends of the wires 30, the flexible conductors 40, and the connecting elements 50, and is covered from the outside with the shielding structure 70. The enclosure 10 has insulating properties. The enclosure 10 includes a housing 11, a cover 12, and a sealing element 13. The housing 11 and the cover 12 form an interior space in the enclosure 10, and the interior space accommodates the terminals 20, the ends of the wires 30, the flexible conductors 40, and the connecting elements 50.

[0012] The housing 11 is made of a plastic material. The housing 11 includes first receiving portions 11a that receive the terminals 20, and a second receiving portion 11b that receives the ends of the wires 30, the flexible conductors 40, and the connecting elements 50. The housing 11 is formed by integrally forming the first receiving portions 11a and the second receiving portion 11b. In the housing 11, the first receiving portions 11a protrude from the second receiving portion 11b. The direction in which they protrude coincides with an insertion direction of the terminal 20, which will be described later.

[0013] The first receiving portion 11a is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a space formed therein serves as a terminal receiving chamber 11a1. The terminal 20 is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber 11a1 in the axial direction of the cylindrical shape and is held in the terminal receiving chamber 11a1. The insertion direction of the terminal 20 toward the terminal receiving chamber 11a1 coincides with an insertion direction of the terminal 20 toward the housing 11 and an insertion direction of the terminal 20 toward a mating terminal (not shown) (that is, an insertion direction of the connector 1 toward a mating terminal (not shown)). The illustrated terminal 20, as described below, is a female terminal having a first connecting portion (terminal connecting portion) 21 formed in a cylindrical shape.Therefore, the first receiving portion 11a is formed in a cylindrical shape as shown, and the terminal receiving chamber 11a1 is formed in a columnar shape. Furthermore, an end portion of the first receiving portion 11a on the insertion direction side is provided with an opening 11a2 communicating with the terminal receiving chamber 11a1. The opening 11a2 serves as an insertion channel through which the mating terminal (male terminal) is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber 11a1 when the terminal 20 and the mating terminal are connected to each other.

[0014] The illustrated connector 1 includes the two terminals 20. Therefore, the two first receiving portions 11a, each receiving the terminals 20, are formed in the housing 11. The two first receiving portions 11a are arranged in parallel in a state where the insertion directions of the terminals 20 coincide.

[0015] In the second receiving portion 11b, L-shaped receiving chambers 11b1 and fastener receiving chambers 11b2 are formed.

[0016] The L-shaped receiving chamber 11b1 is a space that accommodates the end of the wire 30, the flexible conductor 40, and the connecting element 50, and forms a substantially L-shaped space when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. When the terminal 20 is inserted into the housing 11, the end of the wire 30, the flexible conductor 40, and the connecting element 50 are inserted into the L-shaped receiving chamber 11b1 in the insertion direction of the terminal 20. The L-shaped receiving chamber 11b1 is mainly divided into a first receiving chamber 11b 11 which receives the end of the wire 30, the flexible conductor 40 and an electrical connection portion 51 of the connecting element 50, which will be described below, and a second receiving chamber 11b 12which receives a fastening section 52 of the connecting element 50, which is described further below.

[0017] The first recording chamber 11b 11 is arranged on a side opposite the mating terminal side with respect to the first receiving portion 11a, and can communicate with an end surface of the terminal receiving chamber 11a1 on the side opposite the mating terminal side. The first receiving chamber 11b 11 is substantially cube-shaped, and one of the six faces thereof on the insertion direction side can communicate with the end face of the terminal receiving chamber 11a1 on the above-mentioned opposite side. The terminal 20 is connected to the first receiving chamber 11b 11 inserted into the terminal receiving chamber 11a1 when it is received in the housing 11. That is, the first receiving chamber 11b 11forms a path for inserting the terminal 20 when the terminal 20 is received in the terminal receiving chamber 11a1. When the terminal 20 is received in the terminal receiving chamber 11a1, the end of the wire 30, the flexible conductor 40, and the electrical connection portion 51 of the connecting element 50 are in the first receiving chamber 11b. 11 recorded.

[0018] The second receiving chamber 11b 12 is in an end portion of the first receiving chamber 11b 11 arranged on the side opposite the side of the mating connection, so that the first receiving chamber 11b 11 and the second receiving chamber 11b 12 form a substantially L-shaped space. The second receiving chamber 11b 12 is essentially cube-shaped and designed such that its length in the insertion direction is shorter than that of the first receiving chamber 11b 11. When the terminal 20 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 11a1, the fixing portion 52 of the connecting member 50 is in the second accommodating chamber 11b 12 recorded.

[0019] The fastener receiving chamber 11b2 is a space that receives a first fastener 81. The first fastener 81 is a member that forms a pair with a second fastener 82 during use. The first fastener 81 and the second fastener 82 serve to fasten the fastening portion 52 of the connecting member 50 to the housing 11. One of the first fastener 81 and the second fastener 82 is a female thread member formed as an internal thread, and the other is a male thread member formed as an external thread. In the illustration, the first fastener 81 is the female thread member, and the second fastener 82 is the male thread member. A nut as the first fastener 81 is fitted and fastened in the fastener receiving chamber 11b2.When the terminal 20 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 11a1, a columnar space (a space in which the female thread portion is formed) inside the first fastening member 81 and a through hole 52a of the fastening portion 52 are arranged concentrically with each other, and an exposed surface of the first fastening member 81 exposed from the fastener accommodating chamber 11b2 abuts against the fastening portion 52. Therefore, when the second fastening member 82 is screwed into the first fastening member 81, the connecting member 50 is fixed to the housing 11.

[0020] The illustrated connector 1 includes the two terminals 20 as described above, thus enclosing the two wires with the two terminals. Therefore, the second accommodating portion 11b is formed with the L-shaped accommodating chamber 11b1 and the fastener accommodating chamber 11b2, respectively, for the wires with the terminals. To prevent the wires with the terminals from coming into electrical contact with each other, the second accommodating portion 11b may be provided with a partition wall between the L-shaped accommodating chamber 11b1 and the fastener accommodating chamber 11b2 for one wire with the terminal and the L-shaped accommodating chamber 11b1 and the fastener accommodating chamber 11b2 for the other wire with the terminal.

[0021] In this case, an end portion of the second receiving portion 11b on the side opposite the mating terminal side (the side of the first receiving portion 11a) includes an opening 11b3 (in the illustration, an opening formed in a substantially rectangular shape). The opening 11b3 is in contact with an end surface of the L-shaped receiving chamber 11b1 (the first receiving chamber 11b 11 and the second receiving chamber 11b 12 on the side opposite the mating terminal).

[0022] The opening 11b3 is closed by the cover 12. The cover 12 includes a primary portion 12a formed as a substantially rectangular flat plate larger than the opening 11b3, a first frame portion 12b protruding from the primary portion 12a in the insertion direction, and a second frame portion 12c protruding from the primary portion 12a in the direction opposite to the insertion direction. The cover 12 is made of a plastic material. The cover 12 is formed by integrally forming the primary portion 12a, the first frame portion 12b, and the second frame portion 12c.

[0023] A wall surface of the peripheral edge of the primary portion 12a on the side in the insertion direction may abut against an annular end surface (an end surface forming the opening 11b3) of the second receiving portion 11b.

[0024] The first frame portion 12b is inserted into the second receiving portion 11b. The first frame portion 12b has an outer peripheral surface that is spaced a predetermined distance from an inner peripheral surface of the second receiving portion 11b, which has the opening 11b3, over the entire surface. The sealing member 13, which has a ring shape, is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the first frame portion 12b and the inner peripheral surface of the second receiving portion 11b. The sealing member 13 is a member for preventing liquid, dust, or the like from entering the interior of the housing 11 between the second receiving portion 11b and the cover 12. Therefore, the sealing member 13 is formed thicker than the gap between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface.

[0025] The second frame portion 12c accommodates a rectangular or plate-like wire holding member 61 in the wire holding mechanism 60, which will be described below. The wire holding member 61 is made of an elastic material, which will be described below. The second frame portion 12c has a substantially cubic receiving space smaller than the rectangular shape of the wire holding member 61 to prevent the intrusion of liquid, dust, or the like on the primary portion 12a side between the second frame portion 12c and the wire holding member 61. Therefore, the wire holding member 61 is fitted into the second frame portion 12c.

[0026] Through-holes 12d, through which the wires 30 are inserted in the insertion direction, are formed in the primary section 12a, the first frame section 12b, and the second frame section 12c. Therefore, the wire 30 is led out of the housing 11 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction. The through-hole 12d is formed for each of the wires 30.

[0027] In the housing 10 having the above-described structure, the annular sealing member 91 is installed at the boundary portion between the first receiving portion 11a of the housing 11 and the second receiving portion 11b. The sealing member 91 serves to prevent the intrusion of liquid, dust, or the like between the connector 1 and the mating connector.

[0028] The terminal 20 is a terminal formed by forming a conductive metal material into a predetermined plug shape or socket shape. The terminal 20 includes the first connection portion 21 as a terminal connection portion electrically connected to the mating terminal in a connection state between the connector 1 and the mating connector (in a connector connection state), and a second connection portion 22 as a wire connection portion electrically connected to the wire 30 side. The terminal 20 may also be a plug terminal or a socket terminal. In the illustration, the first connection portion 21 is formed in a cylindrical socket shape. Further, the illustrated second connection portion 22 is formed to be crimped and fixed to the inserted wire 30 (i.e., the flexible conductor 40) side by caulking.In the terminal 20, an insertion direction of the first connecting portion 21 toward the mating terminal and an insertion direction of the wire 30 side toward the second connecting portion 22 coincide.

[0029] The wire 30 includes a core 31 as a conductor and a covering member 32 covering the core 31. The wire 30 allows the core 31 to be exposed at the front end on the insertion direction side. The wire 30 is manufactured for each of the terminals 20. In the above-described first accommodating chamber 11b 11 The end of the wire 30 is accommodated, which encloses the exposed portion of the core 31. The flexible conductor 40 and the connecting element 50 are arranged between the wire 30 and the terminal 20. In the first receiving chamber 11b 11As described below, the terminal 20, the flexible conductor 40, the connecting element 50, and the wire 30 are arranged in this order. That is, the wire 30 is arranged on the side opposite the terminal 20 and the flexible conductor 40 with respect to the connecting element 50. The wire 30 has its core 31 electrically connected to the connecting element 50 at its front end. Furthermore, the wire 30 is pulled out of the first receiving chamber 11b in the direction opposite to the insertion direction. 11 brought out.

[0030] The flexible conductor 40 is composed of a conductor having flexibility, that is, a member having flexibility and conductivity. Flexibility refers to a property of lower rigidity than, for example, those of the terminal 20, the core 31 of the wire 30, and the connecting member 50. The illustrated flexible conductor 40 is manufactured by forming a braid having conductivity in a predetermined shape. Braiding is formed by braiding a plurality of strands in a mesh shape. The flexible conductor 40 is arranged on the opposite side of the mating terminal with respect to the terminal 20. One end of the flexible conductor 40 is electrically connected to the second connecting portion 22 of the terminal 20, and the other end is electrically connected to the connecting member 50.The flexible conductor 40 includes a first connecting portion 41 as a terminal-side connecting portion, which is electrically connected to the second connecting portion 22, and a second connecting portion 42 as a connecting member-side connecting portion, which is electrically connected to the connecting member 50. In the flexible conductor 40, the first connecting portion 41 is crimped and fixed to the second connecting portion 22, and the second connecting portion 42 is crimped and fixed to the electrical connecting portion 51 of the connecting member 50. Furthermore, the flexible conductor 40 has a bent portion 43, which is bent in a direction crossing the insertion direction, between the first connecting portion 41 and the second connecting portion 42.The flexible conductor 40, which has the bent portion 43 and the first and second connecting portions 41 and 42 located at both ends, is formed, for example, by bending the center portion of a flat plate-like braid into an arc shape. The flexible conductor 40 is manufactured for each of the terminals 20.

[0031] The connecting element 50 is made of a conductive metal material. The connecting element 50 is a conductor that is electrically connected to the core 31 of the wire 30 and the flexible conductor 40, and allows the core 31 and the flexible conductor 40 to be electrically connected to each other. The connecting element 50 is arranged between the wire 30 and the flexible conductor 40 (i.e., on the side opposite the terminal 20 with respect to the flexible conductor 40, in other words, on the terminal side of the wire 30). The connecting element 50 is manufactured for each of the terminals 20.

[0032] The connecting member 50 includes a wire connecting portion electrically connected to the core 31 of the wire 30, and a flexible conductor connecting portion electrically connected to the flexible conductor 40. In the connecting member 50, the wire connecting portion and the flexible conductor connecting portion are provided separately. However, in the illustrated connecting member 50, the electrical connecting portion 51 serves as both the wire connecting portion and the flexible conductor connecting portion. The electrical connecting portion 51 is a portion that electrically connects the core 31 of the wire 30 to the flexible conductor 40. The core 31 at the front end of the wire 30 is inserted into the electrical connecting portion 51 in the insertion direction, and the second connecting portion 42 of the flexible conductor 40 is inserted in the direction opposite to the insertion direction.The electrical connection portion 51 is formed to be crimped and fixed by caulking the inserted second connection portion 42 and the core 31 together.

[0033] The connecting element 50 is attached to the inside of the housing 11. The connecting element 50 includes the fastening portion 52 protruding in the direction crossing the insertion direction. The fastening portion 52 protrudes from an end portion of the electrical connection portion 51 on the mating terminal side. The fastening portion 52 is provided with the through-hole 52a arranged concentrically with the first fastening element 81 in the housing 11. The connecting element 50 is screwed to the inside of the housing 11 via the through-hole 52a of the fastening portion 52, as described above.

[0034] The wire holding mechanism 60 holds the wire 30 on the side in the direction of leading out the wire 30 with respect to the portion connected to the connecting member 50. The wire holding mechanism 60 is arranged to prevent it from moving relative to the terminal 20. The wire holding mechanism 60 is located on the inside and / or outside of the casing 10 and is fixed to the casing 10. In the illustration, the wire holding mechanism 60 is located on the outside of the casing 10. The wire holding mechanism 60 includes the wire holding member 61 and a rear holder 62.

[0035] The wire holding member 61, as described above, is arranged inside the second frame portion 12c in the cover 12 of the casing 10 and holds the wire 30 on its inner side. The wire holding member 61 is made of an elastic material in a rectangular and plate-like shape. The wire holding member 61 is provided with a through-hole 61a that allows the wire 30 to be inserted and held therethrough. The through-hole 61a is arranged concentrically with the through-hole 12d of the cover 12. The through-hole 61a covers the outer peripheral surface of the covering member 32 of the wire 30, and its inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the covering member 32. Therefore, the through-hole 61a can press the outer peripheral surface of the inserted covering member 32 with repulsive force and holds the wire 30 with the pressing force.The through-hole 61a can prevent the penetration of liquid, dust, or the like between the through-hole 61a and the wire 30 by the pressing force. The through-hole 61a is formed for each of the wires 30.

[0036] The rear holder 62 includes a locking portion 62a that blocks the opening of the second frame portion 12c that accommodates the wire holding member 61, and a wall portion 62b that protrudes from the peripheral edge of the locking portion 62a in the insertion direction and covers the outer peripheral surface of the second frame portion 12c. In the rear holder 62, the locking portion 62a and the wall portion 62b are integrally formed with each other from a plastic material. The locking portion 62a is provided with a through-hole 62a1 through which the wire 30 is inserted. The through-hole 62a1 is formed concentrically with the through-hole 61a of the wire holding member 61. The through-hole 62a1 is formed for each of the wires 30. The rear holder 62 includes locking portions 62c at two points and is locked with the locking portions 62c, for example, to the housing 11.

[0037] The shielding structure 70 covers the housing 10 from the outside and prevents radio waves from outside from penetrating the interior of the casing 10. In addition to the casing 10, the illustrated shielding structure 70 also covers the wire holding mechanism 60 from the outside. The shielding structure 70 includes a first shell 71, a second shell 72, and the braid 73.

[0038] The first and second shells 71 and 72 are fitted together to form a cylindrical body that covers the housing 11 from the outside. The first and second shells 71 and 72 each correspond to half a part of the cylindrical body, except for an end portion thereof on the mating terminal side. The first shell 71 includes a partial portion (first partial portion) 71a that is part of the cylindrical body, and a first annular portion 71b that is the end portion on the mating terminal side. The second shell 72 includes the other partial portion (second partial portion) 72a that is part of the cylindrical body. The first and second shells 71 and 72 form the cylindrical body when the first partial portion 71a and the second partial portion 72a are assembled. The first and second shells 71 and 72 are made of a conductive metal material.An annular space into which the mating connector is inserted is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the first annular portion 71b and the outer peripheral surface of the first receiving portion 11a of the housing 11.

[0039] The first shell 71 is provided with through holes 71c (two through holes 71c in the illustration). Furthermore, the housing 11 is provided with internally threaded portions 11c that are concentric with the through holes 71c. Externally threaded elements 83 are inserted through the through holes 71c and screwed into the internally threaded portions 11c. This means that the first shell 71 is screwed to the housing 11 via the through holes 71c.

[0040] The cylindrical body is a body into which the first and second shells 71 and 72 are assembled, and covers the casing 10 on the mating terminal side of the housing 11. Therefore, in the illustration, the braid 73, which has conductivity, covers the remaining part of the casing 10 not covered by the cylindrical body (the side opposite the mating terminal side), the cover 12, and the wire holding mechanism 60 from the outside. The braid 73 is formed in a cylindrical shape and covers them from the outside. The mating terminal side of the braid 73 covers a second annular portion 74 of the cylindrical body formed by the first and second shells 71 and 72, and is fixed to the second annular portion 74 by means of a metal ring 84.

[0041] In the connector 1 having the above-described structure, since the flexible conductor 40 is disposed between the terminal 20 and the wire 30, when a force is applied to the wire 30, the force is absorbed by the flexible conductor 40, and the transmission of the force from the wire 30 to the terminal 20 is prevented. That is, in the flexible conductor 40, the bent portion 43 is formed between the first connecting portion 41 (the portion connected to the terminal 20) and the second connecting portion 42 (the portion connected to the connecting member 50 and the wire 30). Therefore, the connector 1 has higher force absorption capacity of the flexible conductor 40 than that of a flexible conductor not including the bent portion 43. Therefore, when a force is applied to the wire 30, a pronounced effect of preventing the transmission of the force from the wire 30 to the terminal 20 is achieved.

[0042] Furthermore, in the connector 1, since the connecting member 50 that connects the wire 30 to the flexible conductor 40 is fixed to the housing 11, the amount of force applied to the wire 30 and transmitted to the flexible conductor 40 can be reduced. Therefore, even from this perspective, when a force is applied to the wire 30, the connector 1 can prevent the force from being transmitted from the wire 30 to the terminal 20.

[0043] Furthermore, in the connector 1, since the portion of the wire 30 on the side in the direction of leading out the wire 30 with respect to the portion connected to the connecting member 50 and the flexible conductor 40 is held by the wire holding mechanism 60, the amount of force applied to the wire 30 and transmitted to the connecting portion can be reduced. Therefore, even from this perspective, when a force is applied to the wire 30, the connector 1 can prevent the force from being transmitted from the wire 30 to the terminal 20.

[0044] As described above, in the connector 1, since the flexible conductor 40 is arranged between the terminal 20 and the wire 30, and the connecting element 50 is arranged between the wire 30 and the flexible conductor 40, the transmission of a force acting on the wire 30 to the terminal 20 can be prevented even in a straight connector. Therefore, the connector 1 can also prevent the transmission of the force to the contact portion between the terminal 20 and the mating terminal. Accordingly, the connector 1 can prevent the occurrence of contact interruption between the terminal 20 and the mating terminal. The illustrated flexible conductor 40 includes the bent portion 43 between the first connecting portion 41 and the second connecting portion 42.Therefore, in the connector 1, a force transmitted from the wire 30 to the flexible conductor 40 is absorbed by the bent portion 43, and the transmission of the force to the terminal 20 is prevented more noticeably.

[0045] Furthermore, in the connector 1, since the connecting member 50 is fixed to the housing 11, the force acting on the wire 30 can be dissipated to the housing 11 via the connecting member 50. Even from this aspect, the transmission of the force to the terminal 20 can be prevented. Therefore, in the connector 1, the occurrence of disconnection of the contact between the terminal 20 and the mating terminal can be further prevented. Furthermore, in the connector 1, since the portion of the wire 30 on the side of the wire 30 in the lead-out direction with respect to the portion connected to the connecting member 50 is held by the wire holding mechanism 60, the force acting on the wire 30 is less likely to be transmitted to the flexible conductor 40 or the connecting member 50 in front of the wire holding mechanism 60.Therefore, in the connector 1, the transmission of the force acting on the wire 30 to the terminal 20 is further prevented. Therefore, the occurrence of contact interruption between the terminal 20 and the mating terminal can be further prevented.

[0046] Furthermore, in the flexible conductor 40, before the connector 50 is attached to the housing 11, the positional relationship between the first connecting portion 41 and the second connecting portion 42 can be shifted with respect to the bent portion 43 as the boundary. Therefore, the bent portion 43 can compensate for the design tolerances of various components, such as the terminal 20, and the positional shifts of the components due to assembly tolerances, thus allowing the through-hole 52a of the fixing portion 52 of the connector 50 and the screw portion of the first connecting member 81 to concentrically approach each other. Therefore, the connector 1 can be assembled even if the tolerances of the components are not managed more strictly than in the related art, and thereby the range of cost increase can be limited.

[0047] In the connector according to the present invention, since the flexible conductor is arranged between the terminal and the wire, and the connecting member is arranged between the wire and the flexible conductor, even in the straight connector, the transmission of a force acting on the wire to the terminal can be prevented. Furthermore, in the connector, since the connecting member is fixed to the housing, the force acting on the wire can be dissipated to the housing via the connecting member. Even in this aspect, the transmission of the force to the terminal can be prevented.

Claims

[1] Connector (1) comprising: a cladding (10) having insulating properties; a terminal (20) received and held in an interior space of the casing (10) and connected to a mating terminal in a connector connection state; a flexible conductor (40), which is a conductor having flexibility, is arranged inside the casing (10) and on a side opposite the mating terminal with respect to the terminal (20) and is electrically connected to the terminal (20); a connecting element (50) which is a conductor mounted in a housing (11) on the casing (10), arranged on a side opposite the terminal (20) with respect to the flexible conductor (40) and electrically connected to the flexible conductor (40); and a wire (30) arranged on a side opposite the terminal (20) with respect to the connecting element (50) is electrically connected to the connecting element (50), characterized by , the the wire (30) is led out of the interior of the casing (10) in a direction opposite to an insertion direction of the terminal (20) towards the mating terminal, the connecting element (50) has an electrical connecting portion (51) which electrically connects the flexible conductor (40) to a core of the wire (30), wherein the flexible conductor (40) and the core of the wire (30) are inserted into the electrical connection section (51). [2] The connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member (50) includes a fixing portion (52) projecting in a direction crossing the insertion direction of the terminal (20), and is fixed to the casing (10) via the fixing portion (52). [3] The connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible conductor (40) includes a bent portion (43) bent in the direction crossing the insertion direction of the terminal (20). [4] Connector (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising: a wire holding mechanism (60) that holds a portion of the wire (30) on a side opposite to the insertion direction of the terminal (20) behind the connecting element (50). [5] Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a shielding structure (70) covering the casing (10) from an outside and arranged to prevent radio waves from penetrating from the outside into the interior of the casing (10).

Images