connectors

Abstract

In a connector 1, guide holes 33b include an inclined surface 33c in which a distance L to an extending direction of a center axis of packing holes 62a becomes narrower from a first opening end 33e to a second opening end 33f. A first end 33g of an inclined surface 33c at a position closest to the first opening end 33e faces the interior of the housing body 31 in a direction opposite to the first direction, and a second end 33h of the inclined surface 33c at a position closest to the second opening end 33f forms a narrowest opening part in the guide holes 33b.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. background

[0002] There is a conventional connector in which one end of an electrical wire to be mated with a terminal is housed within a housing. JP 2022-168522 A discloses a technology related to a connector having a sealing member in close contact with an outer peripheral surface of an electrical wire and an inner peripheral surface of a housing to prevent moisture from entering the housing. The connector includes a cylindrical shield shell through which the electrical wire penetrates while surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the housing. The shield shell includes, in addition to a first protrusion that prevents the sealing member from coming off, a second protrusion that can contact the electrical wire and is provided farther from the sealing member in the longitudinal direction of the electrical wire than the first protrusion.The provision of the second protrusion prevents the sealing member from deforming even if the electric wire bends due to vibration or the like, thereby suppressing the deterioration of the waterproof performance. Summary of the invention

[0003] The connector disclosed in JP 2022-168522 A has a standard shape in which the direction of connection with an external connector and the direction of leading out an electric wire to the outside are opposite to each other in a straight line, so that the degree of bending of the electric wire due to vibration is relatively small even if it occurs. On the other hand, in a general U-shaped connector in which the direction of connection with an external connector and the direction of leading out an electric wire to the outside are the same, the electric wire may be bent into an L-shape inside the housing. It is difficult to apply the technology disclosed in JP 2022-168522 A to the U-shaped connector, and special improvement is required if deterioration of waterproof performance is to be prevented.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector which is advantageous in preventing deterioration of waterproof performance even when the degree of bending of an electric wire inside is large.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a connector connected to an external connector, comprising a plurality of connection terminals; a housing body that accommodates the ends of a plurality of electric wires fitted to each of the connection terminals; a cylindrical-shaped electric wire lead-out portion that connects to the housing body and leads the plurality of electric wires outward in a first connection direction to the external connector; and a wire packing that is attached in a closely contacting manner to an inner wall surface of the electric wire lead-out portion and has a plurality of packing holes through which the electric wires can be passed while being in close contact with each of the electric wires.wherein the electric wire lead-out portion includes a plurality of guide holes for guiding each of the electric wires between a first opening end facing the inside of the housing body and a second opening end facing a part of the wire package attached to the inner wall surface in a first direction; each of the guide holes includes an inclined surface in which a distance from an extending direction of a center axis of the package holes becomes narrower from a first opening end to a second opening end; a first end of the inclined surface, at a position closest to the first opening end, faces the inside of the housing body in a direction opposite to the first direction; and a second end of the inclined surface, at a position closest to the second opening end, forms a narrowest opening part in the guide holes.

[0006] According to the configuration described above, it is possible to provide a connector advantageous in preventing the deterioration of waterproof performance even when the degree of bending of an electric wire inside is large. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector, cut at a section III-III in the Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an outer casing according to the first embodiment. Fig. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a connector according to a second embodiment, cut at the same position as in Fig. Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a cross-section of an outer casing taken from the Fig. 5. Detailed description of the invention

[0007] Below, a connector according to each embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Please note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual situation. First embodiment

[0008] The Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector 1 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1. The Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector, cut at the section III-III in the Fig. 1. The cross-section in the Fig. 3 is an imaginary plane passing through a center axis of a first terminal box 21 and the first electric wire 100a of an inner housing 20 described later. The imaginary plane is the YZ plane in this embodiment.

[0009] The connector 1 is, for example, a high-voltage connector that can be used in an electric drive system component, such as an inverter, a DC / DC (direct current) converter, or a charger, mounted on an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. In this embodiment, the connector 1 is a two-pin high-voltage connector that is mounted on a vehicle and connected to the ends of two electrical cables 100, a first electrical cable 100a and a second electrical cable 100b. The electrical cables 100 have a core wire 101 as a conductor and a covering portion 102 as an insulator for covering the core wire 101. The electrical cables 100 are connected to an electrical component at one end, and the electrical cables 100 are connected to the connector 1 at the other end.The sheath portion 102 of the electrical wires 100 is removed at one end connected to the connector 1, exposing one end 101a of the core wire 101. The core wire 101 may actually be composed of multiple wires, but in the following drawings, it is simply depicted as a single wire element.

[0010] The connector 1 includes a plurality of terminals 10, an inner housing 20, an outer housing 30, and a rear cover 40 as a group of components related to electrical connection.

[0011] In this embodiment, there are two terminals 10: a first terminal 10a attached to one end of the first electrical cable 100a, and a second terminal 10b attached to one end of the second electrical cable 100b. The first terminal 10a and the second terminal 10b are metal female terminals and have the same shape, each having a connecting portion 11 and a joint 12.

[0012] The connecting portion 11 is a cylindrical portion into which a rod-shaped plug terminal can be freely inserted as an external connection terminal of an external connector to be connected to the connector 1. The connecting portion 11 includes a leaf spring that presses a portion of the plug terminal against an inner wall of the connecting portion 11 to stably maintain a conductive state with the plug terminal inserted therein. The leaf spring may be a portion integrated into the connecting portion 11 or a leaf spring element separately manufactured and pre-arranged in the connecting portion 11.

[0013] The joint 12 is formed as a flat plate for joining the end 101a of the wire 101. When one axial end of the connecting portion 11 is an opening end into which the connector terminal is inserted, the joint 12 is integrated with the other axial end of the connecting portion 11. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, it is assumed that an axial direction of the connecting portion 11 is in a Z direction when the terminals 10 are arranged in the connector 1. In this case, the joint 12 may be a flat plate parallel to both the Z direction and the Y direction.

[0014] For example, a planar shape of the joint 12 may be substantially rectangular, with two edges oriented in the Z direction and two other edges oriented in the Y direction, which is perpendicular to the Z direction. One surface of the joint 12 is a joining surface to which the end 101a is joined.

[0015] In the present embodiment, the end 101a of the wire 101 is joined to the joint 12 by ultrasonic joining. In ultrasonic joining, the joint 12 is clamped to the end 101a by a horn and an anvil (not shown), and the end 101a is connected to the joint 12 by applying ultrasonic vibrations from the horn. Therefore, as the Fig. 2, the end 101a joined to the joining piece 12 is formed as a flat plate with a substantially rectangular planar shape.

[0016] During ultrasonic bonding, a direction from the joint 12 to the connecting portion 11 in the axial direction of the connecting portion 11 and a direction from the end 101a on the joint 12 to the main body of each of the electric wires 100 for the terminals 10 are shifted by 90°. That is, when the terminals 10 are arranged in the connector 1, the end 101a faces the Y direction with respect to a surface of the joint 12 when the axial direction of the connecting portion 11 is in the Z direction. Then, each of the electric wires 100 extends from the end 101a in a direction opposite to the Y direction, with the end 101a on the joint 12 serving as a starting point.

[0017] The inner housing 20 is an insulating member made of, for example, synthetic resin to hold both terminals 10 therein to protect the terminals 10. The inner housing 20 includes the first terminal socket 21, a second terminal socket 22, a base 24, and a reinforcing structure 25.

[0018] The first terminal receptacle 21 is a cylindrical portion that accommodates the connecting portion 11 of the first connection terminal 10a. The second terminal receptacle 22 is a cylindrical portion that accommodates the connecting portion 11 of the second connection terminal 10b. The first terminal receptacle 21 and the second terminal receptacle 22 accommodate the connecting portion 11 such that an opening direction of the connecting portion 11 accommodated therein, that is, a direction opposite to a direction in which the male terminal is inserted, is a direction aligned with the first direction. In this embodiment, the first direction is the Z direction. A tip of the first terminal receptacle 21 and a tip of the second terminal receptacle 22 are open in the first direction and do not prevent a male terminal from penetrating the connecting portion 11.The first terminal socket 21 and the second terminal socket 22 are arranged on the same stage in the Y direction (as the second direction defined below) and spaced from each other in the X direction (as the third direction defined below).

[0019] The base 24 supports the first terminal box 21 and the second terminal box 22. The base 24 supports root ends of the first terminal box 21 and the second terminal box 22 on a front side in the first direction. An interior of the first terminal box 21 and an interior of the second terminal box 22 are open in a direction opposite to the first direction on a rear side in the first direction.

[0020] The base 24 includes a total of four locks 24a. For example, two locks 24a are arranged opposite two other locks 24a in the second direction. On the other hand, a total of four first engagement claws 37 are arranged within the housing body 31 of the outer housing 30. Two first engagement claws 37 are arranged opposite two other first engagement claws 37 in the second direction. When the inner housing 20 is attached to the outer housing 30, the locks 24a are engaged with the first engagement claws 37, thereby preventing the inner housing 20 from detaching from the outer housing 30.

[0021] The reinforcement structure 25 is a structure in which a plurality of reinforcement ribs are combined to ensure the strength of the inner casing 20. The reinforcement structure 25 is provided on a back side of the base 24 so as not to interfere with the arrangement of the terminals 10 and the electrical wires 100.

[0022] The Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the outer casing 30 in a direction in which an internal space is visually recognized from an opening formed by an opening end 35a.

[0023] The outer housing 30 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin and is an insulating member that fully protects both terminals 10 by enclosing at least a portion of the inner housing 20 and the mating portion 12 of each of the terminals 10. The outer housing 30 includes the housing body 31, a connector shell 32, and an electrical cable lead-out portion 33.

[0024] The housing body 31 is a box in which a first direction is a length direction, a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is a height direction, and a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction is a width direction. In this embodiment, the first direction is the Z direction, the second direction is the Y direction, and the third direction is the X direction, as described above. The housing body 31 has a front wall 34, an annular side wall 35, and a plurality of support pieces 36.

[0025] The front wall 34 is a wall which is perpendicular to the first direction and is formed by a first wall surface 34a (see the Fig. 2) so that the connector shell 32 and the electrical cable lead-out portion 33 are separated from each other in the second direction. The planar shape of the front wall 34 is substantially a rectangle defined by a long side oriented substantially in the second direction and a short side oriented substantially in the third direction.

[0026] The front wall 34 has a first electrical cable contact 38 on a second wall surface 34b facing the interior of the housing body 31. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the first electrical cable contact 38 faces and is spaced apart from a second electrical cable contact 45 provided on the rear cover 40. The first electrical cable contact 38 has a first curved surface groove 38a and a second curved surface groove 38b, each extending in a second direction and having a curved surface corresponding to a shape of a side surface of the electrical cables 100 laid in the housing body 31. The first curved surface groove 38a receives a portion of the side surface of the first electrical cable 100a. The second curved surface groove 38b receives a portion of the side surface of the second electrical cable 100b.Each of the first curved surface grooves 38a and the second curved surface grooves 38b may include a plurality of first ribs 38c. In this embodiment, each of the first curved surface groove 38a and the second curved surface groove 38b includes a total of four first ribs 38c arranged in two rows in the second direction.

[0027] The annular side wall 35, together with the front wall 34, forms an interior space for receiving at least the joining piece 12 of the terminals 10. One annular end of the annular side wall 35 adjoins a peripheral edge of the front wall 34 in the first direction. The other annular end of the annular side wall 35 in the first direction is an opening end 35a, which forms an opening opposite the front wall 34. When the connector 1 is assembled, the two terminals 10, which are respectively attached to ends of the electrical cables 100, are received in the housing body 31 from the opening formed by the opening end 35a. In addition, the annular side wall 35 has a plurality of engaging portions 35c provided on an outer wall surface 35b and spaced from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0028] The support members 36 are provided on the outer wall surface 35b of the annular side wall 35 and include fitting holes 36a into which annular collars 91 are fitted. The fitting holes 36a penetrate the support members 36 in the first direction.

[0029] The connector shell 32 has a shell opening 32a, which has a cross-sectional shape of an elongated round hole and opens in the first direction. The connector shell 32 is a cylindrical portion that is fitted with a part of the external connector when the external connector is connected to the connector 1 as a male terminal. The connector shell 32 is provided to protrude in the first direction from the front wall 34 of the housing body 31. The shell opening 32a penetrates the interior of the housing body 31 from outside the outer housing 30 and can accommodate the inner housing 20. In the cross-section of the elongated round hole of the shell opening 32a, the second direction is a longitudinal direction in accordance with the arrangement relationship between the first terminal socket 21 and the second terminal socket 22 in the inner housing 20.

[0030] An outer periphery of the connector shell 32 includes a lower surface located on a tip side in the first direction and to which a unit package 60 is attached, and an upper surface located on a base side in the first direction. The shape of an outer periphery of the upper surface is larger than the shape of an outer periphery of the lower surface. Therefore, at least a part of the unit package 60 faces one end of the upper surface in the first direction when the unit package 60 is attached to the lower surface. Therefore, the movement of the unit package 60 toward the base side of the connector shell 32 is restricted by a certain amount or more.

[0031] Further, the connector shell 32 has a plurality of first engagement claws 37 across the shell opening 32a. In this embodiment, there are four first engagement claws 37, as described above. Similarly, the connector shell 32 has a plurality of second engagement claws 39 across the shell opening 32a. In this embodiment, there are four second engagement claws 39. The four second engagement claws 39 are arranged in pairs so as to face each other in the second direction.

[0032] The electric wire lead-out portion 33 is a cylindrical portion for leading the electric wires 100 from the inside of the case body 31 to the outside of the outer case 30 through a passageway formed by the inner wall surface 33a, and has an elongated circular hole shape in cross section opening in the first direction. The electric wire lead-out portion 33 is provided so as to protrude from the front wall 34 of the case body 31 in the first direction. In an elongated circular cross section of the passageway, the second direction is the longitudinal direction, so that the electric wires 100 are aligned in the second direction in accordance with the arrangement relationship of the first terminal box 21 and the second terminal box 22 in the inner case 20. The electric wire lead-out portion 33 has a plurality of guide holes 33b and a plurality of holder engagement portions 33d.

[0033] The guide holes 33b extend in the first direction and each allow the electric wires 100 to be led out from the interior of the case body 31 to be guided in the first direction. Specifically, the guide holes 33b guide the electric wires 100 between the first opening end 33e and the second opening end 33f, which are opposite to each other. The first opening end 33e is an opening end facing the interior of the case body 31. The second opening end 33f is an opening end facing a portion of the cable pack 62 attached to the inner wall surface 33a in the first direction. In the present embodiment, two guide holes 33b are provided in parallel in the third direction because two electric wires 100 are led out from the interior of the case body 31.

[0034] The cross section of a through hole in the first opening end 33e is generally elliptical, with the major axis in the second direction corresponding to the Y direction and the minor axis in the third direction corresponding to the X direction, and is generally uniform in the first direction. A part of an inner peripheral surface 33i is continuous with the inner wall surface 33a to which the cable package 62 is attached.

[0035] Here, with respect to the cross-sectional shape of the through hole in the first opening end 33e, the direction in which the major axis of the ellipse is defined is aligned with an extending direction of the electric wires 100 extending from the joint 12 of each of the terminals 10 inside the housing body portion 31. Therefore, for example, when assembling the connector 1, it is advantageous that an operator can easily insert the electric wires 100 extending from the joint 12 inside the housing body 31 into the guide holes 33b while bending it.

[0036] Further, each of the guide holes 33b has a plurality of ribs 33j arranged to be spaced apart from each other along an inner circumference of the inner peripheral surface 33i. Here, when the cable package 62 is attached to the inner wall surface 33a, an extension direction AX of a central axis of the package holes 62a is referred to as defining the shape or the like of the ribs 33j. The ribs 33j are elongated in the first direction as a longitudinal direction and protrude toward the extension axis AX. In this embodiment, for example, each of the guide holes 33b has eight ribs 33j. Further, the ribs 33j included in each of the guide holes 33b may be arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0037] The ribs 33j have an inclined surface 33c, one end of which is a first end 33g and the other end of which is a second end 33h. The first end 33g is an end closest to the first opening end 33e. The second end 33h is an end closest to the second opening end 33f. The inclined surface 33c is inclined such that a distance L from the extension axis AX gradually narrows from the first opening end 33e to the second opening end 33f.

[0038] Here, the first end 33g faces the interior of the housing body 31 in a direction opposite to the first direction. Therefore, no portion of the guide holes 33b is narrower than an opening portion at the first end 33g in a direction from the first end 33g toward the interior of the housing body 31. For example, in the second direction corresponding to the Y direction, an opening distance at the first end 33g is indicated by a first distance L1, as shown in Fig. 3 shown.

[0039] On the other hand, the second end 33h forms a narrowest opening part at the guide holes 33b. For example, in the second direction corresponding to the Y direction, the opening distance at the second end 33h is indicated by a second distance L2, as the Fig. 3. The second distance L2 is smaller than the first distance L1 with respect to the first end 33g. Assuming that the second ends 33h of the ribs 33j are connected in a circumferential direction of the guide holes 33b, a virtual circle is defined in which an inner diameter can be a dimensional value of the second distance L2. In this case, an inner diameter of a virtual circle, that is, the dimensional value of the second distance L2, can be set equal to the outer diameter D of the electric cables 100.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the holder engagement portions 33d are provided at both ends of the electric wire lead-out portion 33 in the third direction, which corresponds to the X direction. The holder engagement portions 33d engage with engagement portions 72b provided in a rear holder 72.

[0041] In other words, in the structure of the outer housing 30 in the connector 1, a direction in which the shell opening 32a of the connector shell 32 is aligned, that is, the direction in which the connector is connected to the external connector, and the direction in which the electric wires 100 are led out from the electric wire lead-out portion 33 are both aligned in the same direction. In this embodiment, the direction in which the shell opening 32a of the connector shell 32 is aligned and the direction in which the electric wires 100 are led out from the electric wire lead-out portion 33 are both aligned in the first direction, which corresponds to the Z direction.

[0042] The rear cover 40 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin and is an insulating member for covering an opening formed by the opening end 35a after the terminals 10, with the end 101a joined to the joint 12, are housed together with the ends of the electric wires 100 in the case body 31 of the outer case 30. The rear cover 40 includes a body wall (not shown), a plurality of locking portions 42, a plurality of package locking portions 43, and a second electric wire contact 45.

[0043] The body wall is a flat plate having an outer peripheral edge 41a along the opening end 35a of the case body 31 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer case 30. An inner wall surface of the body wall faces the front wall 34 of the case body 31 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer case 30.

[0044] The locking portions 42 are provided on the outer peripheral edge 41a of the body wall, spaced from each other circumferentially along the outer peripheral edge 41a. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the locking portions 42 prevent the rear cover 40 from detaching from the outer housing 30 by engaging the engaging portions 35c on the annular side wall 35.

[0045] The pack locking portions 43 are provided on the outer peripheral edge 41a of the body wall at intervals circumferentially spaced from each other along the outer peripheral edge 41a, thereby eliminating the plurality of locking portions 42. A rear cover pack 61, described later, is provided with a plurality of engaging projections 61a. Each of the pack locking portions 43 engages with one of the engaging projections 61a on the rear cover pack 61 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer casing 30.

[0046] The second electrical wire contact 45 is provided on the inner wall surface of the body wall. The second electrical wire contact 45 contacts the electrical wires 100 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer casing 30. The second electrical wire contact 45 has a first curved surface groove 45a and a second curved surface groove 45b, each extending in the second direction and having a curved surface corresponding to a shape of the side surface of the electrical wires 100 laid in the casing body 31. The first curved surface groove 45a accommodates a part of the side surface of the first electrical wire 100a. The second curved surface groove 45b accommodates a part of the side surface of the second electrical wire 100b.Each of the first curved surface grooves 45a and the second curved surface grooves 45b may have four second ribs similar to the first ribs 38c provided on the outer housing 30.

[0047] When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer casing 30, the first electrical wire contact 38 and the second electrical wire contact 45 clamp the electrical wires 100. Specifically, a portion of the first electrical wire 100a is held between the first curved surface groove 38a provided as part of the outer casing 30 and the first curved surface groove 45a provided as part of the rear cover 40. Then, the four first ribs 38c of the first curved surface groove 38a and the four second ribs of the first curved surface groove 45a are press-fitted into the covering portion 102 on the outer periphery of the first electrical wire 100a. Similarly, a part of the second electrical cable 100b is clamped between the second curved surface groove 38b as part of the outer housing 30 and the second curved surface groove 45b as part of the rear cover 40.Then, the four first ribs 38c of the second curved surface groove 38b and the four second ribs of the second curved surface groove 45b are press-fitted into the covering portion 102 on the outer periphery of the second electric wire 100b. Therefore, for example, a reaction force generated by vibration of the electric wires 100 due to vibration of a vehicle is prevented from being transmitted to the connecting terminals 10 via the electric wires 100 led out of the electric wire lead-out portion 33. Therefore, a portion where the joint 12 as part of the connecting terminals 10 is connected to the end 101a of the core wire 101 of the electric wires 100 is protected, so that the reliability of a joint can be improved.

[0048] In addition, the connector 1 includes the unit package 60, the rear cover package 61, and a cable package 62 as waterproof members for preventing moisture from outside from entering the outer casing 30.

[0049] The unit packing 60 is an annular elastic member tightly fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the connector shell 32 in the outer housing 30. The unit packing 60 seals a space between the outer peripheral surface of the connector shell 32 and the mating surface of an external connector when the external connector is connected to the connector 1.

[0050] The rear cover packing 61 is an annular elastic member tightly fitted to the opening end 35a of the case body 31 of the outer case 30. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer case 30, the rear cover packing 61 seals a space between the opening end 35a of the case body 31 and the outer peripheral edge 41a of the rear cover 40.

[0051] The cable packing 62 is an elastic member in the shape of an elongated round flat plate that is tightly attached to the inner wall surface 33a of the electric wire lead-out portion 33 of the outer casing 30. Furthermore, the cable packing 62 has a plurality of packing holes 62a that allow the electric wires 100 to pass therethrough while being in close contact with each of the electric wires 100. In this embodiment, there are two packing holes 62a because the cable packing 62 allows both electric wires 100 to pass therethrough individually. When the cable packing 62 is attached to the inner wall surface 33a of the wire lead-out portion 33, the packing holes 62a are located near the second opening end 33f of one of the lead holes 33b. When the cable packing 62 is attached to the inner wall surface 33a, the center axis of each of the packing holes 62a is aligned in the first direction.Here, an extending direction of a central axis of the packing holes 62a is referred to as "extending direction AX." The cable packing 62 seals a space between the inner wall surface 33a of the electric wire lead-out portion 33 and the electric wires 100 passing through a passage space of the electric wire lead-out portion 33.

[0052] In addition, the connector 1 comprises a front holder 70 and the rear holder 72 as holding elements for different types of packages.

[0053] The front retainer 70 is made of a synthetic resin and is a cylindrical member fixed to the connector shell 32 to prevent the unit package 60 from detaching from the connector shell 32 of the outer housing 30. The front retainer 70 is shaped to engage with a tip of the connector shell 32 while being partially received in the shell opening 32a of the connector shell 32. When attached to the connector shell 32, the front retainer 70 faces at least a portion of the unit package 60 in the first direction. Therefore, even if the unit package 60 moves toward the tip of the connector shell 32, further movement is restricted by abutment against a portion of the front retainer 70, thereby preventing it from detaching from the connector shell 32.

[0054] The first terminal socket 21 and the second terminal socket 22 of the inner housing 20 penetrate inside the inner wall 71 of the front holder 70. An opening 71a connected to the inner wall 71 exposes tips of the first terminal socket 21 and the second terminal socket 22 to the outside.

[0055] Furthermore, the front retainer 70 has a plurality of engaging portions 71b on a part of the inner wall 71. The engaging portions 71b engage with the first engaging claws 37 provided on the connector shell 32. That is, in the present embodiment, four engaging portions 71b are provided, corresponding to the number of provided first engaging claws 37. When the front retainer 70 is attached to the connector shell 32, the engaging portions 71b are engaged with the first engaging claws 37 to prevent the front retainer 70 from detaching from the connector shell 32.

[0056] The rear holder 72 is made of a synthetic resin and is attached to the electric wire lead-out portion 33 to prevent the wire package 62 from detaching from the electric wire lead-out portion 33 of the outer casing 30. The rear holder 72 has two through holes 72a through which the electric wires 100 can pass, respectively, and is an elongated flat plate member similar in shape to the wire package 62. The rear holder 72 is inserted into the through space from a tip of the electric wire lead-out portion 33 and supported by the electric wire lead-out portion 33 with the wire package 62 sealing the space between the inner wall surface 33a of the electric wire lead-out portion 33 and the electric wires 100. Thus, the rear holder 72 prevents the wire package 62 from detaching from the electric wire lead-out portion 33.

[0057] In addition, the rear holder 72 has a plurality of locking portions 72b projecting from an outer peripheral edge in a direction opposite to the first direction. The locking portions 72b engage with the holder engagement portions 33d provided in the electric wire lead-out portion 33. That is, in this embodiment, two locking portions 72b are provided, corresponding to the number of provided holder engagement portions 33d. When the rear holder 72 is attached to the electric wire lead-out portion 33, the locking portions 72b engage with the holder engagement portions 33d, thereby preventing the rear holder 72 from detaching from the electric wire lead-out portion 33.

[0058] In addition, the connector 1 comprises an upper shell 80, a lower shell 81, a shielding braid 82 and a shielding ring 83 as shielding elements for shielding against noise.

[0059] The upper shell 80 is made of metal and covers the housing body 31 of the outer housing 30 with the rear cover 40 attached thereto. The upper shell 80 can cover at least part of the connector shell 32 or the electric wire lead-out portion 33 of the outer housing 30 while accommodating the housing body 31. The upper shell 80 is a box portion defined to have a first direction corresponding to the Z direction as the length direction, a second direction corresponding to the Y direction as the height direction, and a third direction corresponding to the X direction as the width direction. The upper shell 80 has a bottom wall 80a, an annular side wall 80b, a plurality of support portions 80e, and a plurality of support pieces 80g.

[0060] The bottom wall 80a is a wall section that is orthogonal to the first direction. The planar shape of the bottom wall 80a is substantially rectangular, defined by a long side oriented substantially in the second direction and a short side oriented substantially in the third direction.

[0061] The annular side wall 80b, together with the bottom wall 80a, forms an interior space for receiving the housing body 31. One annular end of the annular side wall 80b in the first direction is contiguous with a peripheral portion of the bottom wall 80a. The other annular end of the annular side wall 80b in the first direction is an opening end 80c, which forms an opening facing the bottom wall 80a. When the connector 1 is assembled, the housing body 31, to which the rear cover 40 is attached, is received in the opening formed by the opening end 80c.

[0062] The support portions 80e have first through holes 80d through which bolts 90 pass after being inserted through the fitting holes 36a provided in the outer housing 30 when the connector 1 is assembled.

[0063] The support pieces 80g are, for example, portions provided by bending a part protruding from the opening end 80c of the annular side wall 80b, and each have a second through hole 80f through which a fastening bolt (not shown) passes when the connector 1 is attached to a housing of an external connector.

[0064] The lower shell 81 is made of metal and covers part of the front wall 34 of the housing body 31 of the outer housing 30 and the electrical cable exit portion 33. The lower shell 81 has a cylindrical portion 81a and a flange 81b.

[0065] The cylindrical portion 81a covers the electric wire lead-out portion 33 by accommodating the electric wire lead-out portion 33 through a passage space having an elongated round hole in cross section and opening in the first direction. One opening end of the cylindrical portion 81a is a fixing end that connects to the flange 81b. The other opening end of the cylindrical portion 81a is an opening end that forms an opening for leading the electric wires 100 out of the electric wire lead-out portion 33.

[0066] The flange 81b, which is a flat plate perpendicular to the first direction, faces a part of the front wall 34 to cover a part of the front wall 34. Furthermore, the flange 81b has through holes 81c through which the bolts 90 pass before passing through the fitting holes 36a provided in the outer housing 30 when the connector 1 is assembled.

[0067] The shielding braid 82 is a metallic braid, a part of which covers a tip of the cylindrical portion 81a and another part of which integrally covers both electric cables 100 led out of the cylindrical portion 81a.

[0068] The shielding ring 83 is a metallic fastening member for press-fitting the shielding braid 82 to an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 81a of the lower shell 81.

[0069] Further, the connector 1 includes a plurality of bolts 90 and a plurality of annular collars 91 previously fitted into the fitting holes 36a of the outer housing 30 as members for assembling components. As described above, the flange 81b of the lower shell 81 is provided with through holes 81c. The annular collars 91 are fitted into the fitting holes 36a of the outer housing 30. The support portions 80e of the upper shell 80 are provided with the first through holes 80d. The bolts 90 are fastened through the through holes 81c, the annular collars 91 of the fitting holes 36a, and the first through holes 80d, thereby integrally assembling the lower shell 81, the outer housing 30, and the upper shell 80.

[0070] Next, the operation and effect of connector 1 are described.

[0071] A connector 1 connected to an external connector includes a plurality of terminals and a housing body 31 that accommodates the ends of a plurality of electrical wires 100 connected to each terminal 10. The connector 1 includes a cylindrical electrical wire lead-out portion 33 that connects to the housing body 31 and leads the plurality of electrical wires 100 outward in a first connection direction to the external connector. The connector 1 further includes a wire packing 62 that is closely attached to an inner wall surface 33a of the electrical wire lead-out portion 33 and has a plurality of packing holes 62a through which the electrical wires can be passed while being in close contact with each of the electrical wires 100.The electric wire lead-out portion 33 includes a plurality of guide holes 33b through which each of the electric wires 100 can pass between a first opening end 33e facing the inside of the case body 31 and a second opening end 33f facing a part of the wire packing 62 attached to the inner wall surface 33a in a first direction. The guide holes include an inclined surface 33c in which a distance L from the first opening end 33e to the second opening end 33f becomes narrower in an extending direction of a center axis of the packing holes 62a.The first end 33g of the inclined surface 33c at a position closest to the first opening end 33e faces the inside of the case body 31 in a direction opposite to the first direction, and the second end 33h of the inclined surface 33c at a position closest to the second opening end 33f forms a narrowest opening part in the guide holes 33b.

[0072] In the illustrated example, the electrical cables 100 correspond to the first electrical cable 100a and the second electrical cable 100b. In the illustrated example, the connection terminals 10 correspond to the first connection terminal 10a, which is attached to one end of the first electrical cable 100a, and the second connection terminal 10b, which is attached to one end of the second electrical cable 100b. In the illustrated example, the first direction corresponds to the Z direction.

[0073] The connector 1 generally has a so-called U-shape, in which a connection direction to the external connector and a direction in which the electric wires 100 are led out are aligned in the first direction. In this case, the electric wires 100 extending in the second direction, which crosses the first direction, are bent approximately 90 degrees inside the connector 1 because they are finally led out of the electric wire leading-out portion 33 in the first direction. The first direction and the second direction are orthogonal in the above description, but are not limited to an orthogonal case.

[0074] First, the electric wire lead-out portion 33 is a portion for leading out the electric wires 100 to the outside, and each of the guide holes 33b guides one of the electric wires 100 inside the electric wire lead-out portion 33. That is, the narrowest opening portion in each of the guide holes 33b formed at the second end portion 33h of the inclined surface 33c has a shape that allows at least the electric wires 100 to pass therethrough. In each of the guide holes 33b, the inclined surface 33c is inclined to gradually approach the packing holes 62a in the first direction. Therefore, the electric wires 100 drawn from inside the case body 31 into the electric wire lead-out portion 33 contact a part of the inclined surface 33c in each of the guide holes 33b and are guided by the inclined surface 33c toward the packing holes 62a.Thus, the electric wires 100 are held at least within the wire package 62 in the electric wire lead-out portion 33 in an orientation in which a center axis of the electric wires 100 is approximately coaxial with the center axis of the package holes 62a.

[0075] The sharp bending of the electric wires 100 in the housing body 31 causes an elastic force to return the electric wires 100 to their original shape in the electric wire lead-out portion 33. On the other hand, with the connector 1, prestress of the electric wires 100 in the wire package 62 caused by an elastic force is suppressed, so that deformation of the wire package 62, that is, prestress of a general clamping edge, is suppressed, and as a result, deterioration of the waterproof performance can be prevented.

[0076] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the connector 1 which is advantageous in preventing the deterioration of the waterproof performance even if the degree of bending of the electric wires 100 inside is large.

[0077] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, with respect to the inclined surface 33c, an opening portion at the first end 33g facing the inside of the housing body 31 is wider than an opening portion at the second end 33h. For example, when an operator assembles the connector 1, the electric wires 100, which are greatly bent in the housing body 31, are drawn into the electric wire lead-out portion 33. Therefore, interference with the electric wire lead-out portion 33 rarely occurs, and the connector 1 is advantageous in terms of improved assembly operability.

[0078] In the connector 1, each of the guide holes 33b may have an inner peripheral surface 33i partially connected to the inner wall surface 33a to which the cable package 62 is attached, and a plurality of ribs 33j arranged along an inner periphery of the inner peripheral surface 33i so as to be spaced apart from each other. The inclined surface 33c may be provided for each of the ribs 33j.

[0079] According to this connector 1, for example, it is effective to provide the inclined surfaces 33c in each wiring hole portion 33b, and it is advantageous to reduce the weight of the outer casing 30 by providing the ribs 33j only as much as necessary to guide the electric wires 100 toward the packaging hole 62a. Second embodiment

[0080] In the connector 1 according to the first embodiment, the inclined surface 33c is provided as part of the ribs 33j in each of the guide holes 33b in the electric wire lead-out portion 33. On the other hand, in the connector 2 according to a second embodiment, instead of the plurality of guide holes 33b, the electric wire lead-out portion 33 has a plurality of guide holes 33k in which a part of an inner peripheral surface 33n is an inclined surface 33m.

[0081] The Fig. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a connector 2 according to a second embodiment, cut at the same position as in Fig. Fig. 3, which was used in the description of the connector 1 according to the first embodiment. The Fig. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a cross section of an outer casing 30a according to the second embodiment, taken from the Fig. 5. For the connector 2, parts having the same configuration or the same shape as those of the connector 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] The connector 2 includes an outer housing 30a instead of the outer housing 30 included in the connector 1. The electric wire lead-out portion 33 of the outer housing 30a includes a plurality of guide holes 33k instead of the plurality of guide holes 33b included in the electric wire lead-out portion 33 of the outer housing 30.

[0083] The first opening end 33e and the second opening end 33f are defined similarly to the plurality of guide holes 33b in the plurality of guide holes 33k. However, in the guide holes 33k of this embodiment, a part of the inner peripheral surface 33n forms the inclined surface 33m continuously formed along the inner periphery. Similar to the inclined surface 33c in the first embodiment, the inclined surface 33m of this embodiment has the first end 33g at one end and the second end 33h at the other end. The inclined surface 33m is inclined such that the distance L from the extending direction AX gradually narrows from the first opening end 33e to the second opening end 33f.

[0084] In the direction from the first end 33g toward the inside of the housing body 31, no portion of the plurality of guide portions 33k is narrower than an opening portion at the first end 33g. For example, in the second direction corresponding to the Y direction, an opening distance at the first end 33g is indicated by the first distance L1, as shown in FIG. Fig. 5. The second end 33h forms a narrowest opening part at the guide holes 33k. For example, in the second direction corresponding to the Y direction, an opening distance at the second end portion 33h is indicated by the second distance L2, as shown in Fig.5. 5. The second distance L2 is smaller than the first distance L1 for the first end 33g. Here, the second end 33h has a circular shape, the inner diameter of which is represented by the dimension value of the second distance L2. In this case, an inner diameter of the second end 33h, that is, the dimension value of the second distance L2, can be set equal to the outer diameter D of the electrical wires 100.

[0085] Thus, in the connector 2, the inclined surface 33m may be at least a part of the inner peripheral surface 33n of the guide holes 33k.

[0086] With the connector 2, an effect similar to that of the connector 1 according to the first embodiment can be achieved. Specifically, with the connector 2, for example, the shape of the guide holes 33k is simpler than that of the guide holes 33b according to the first embodiment. As a result, it is advantageous that the shape of the outer housing 30a itself can be simplified.

[0087] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the configuration of the parts may be replaced by any configuration having a similar function as long as it is within the scope of the claims. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2022-168522 A [0002, 0003]

Claims

[1] A connector (1, 2) connected to an external connector, comprising: a plurality of connecting terminals (10); a housing body (31) which receives the ends of a plurality of electrical cables (100) which are joined to each of the connection terminals (10); a cylindrical electrical cable lead-out portion (33) connected to the housing body (31) and leading the plurality of electrical cables (100) outward in a first connection direction to the external connector; and a cable packing (62) attached in a close contact manner to an inner wall surface (33a) of the electric cable leading-out section (33) and having a plurality of packing holes (62a) through which the electric cables (100) can be passed while being in close contact with each of the electric cables (100); where: the electric cable leading-out section (33) has a plurality of guide holes (33b, 33k) through which each of the electric cables (100) can be passed between a first opening end (33e) facing the inside of the case body (31) and a second opening end (33f) facing a part of the cable package (62) attached to the inner wall surface (33a) in a first direction; each of the guide holes (33b, 33k) comprises an inclined surface (33c, 33m) in which a distance (L) to an extension axis (AX) of a center axis of the packing holes (62a) becomes narrower from a first opening end (33e) to a second opening end (33f); a first end (33g) of the inclined surface (33c, 33m) at a position closest to the first opening end (33e) faces the interior of the housing body (31) in a direction opposite to the first direction; and a second end (33h) of the inclined surface (33c, 33m) at a position closest to the second opening end (33f) forms a narrowest opening part in the guide holes (33b, 33k). [2] The connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein: each of the guide holes (33b) has an inner peripheral surface (33i) partially adjoining the inner wall surface (33a) to which the cable package (62) is attached; a plurality of ribs (33j) arranged along an inner circumference of the inner peripheral surface (33i) so as to be spaced apart from each other; and the inclined surface (33c) is provided for each of the ribs (33j). [3] The connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface (33m) is at least a part of the inner peripheral surface (33n) of the guide holes (33k).

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