Connector and installation unit

Abstract

A connector comprises: a housing having a cylindrical section, which has a section on a first end face in an axial direction that is a mating section to be connected to a counterpart connector; and a plurality of connection sections arranged in a first transverse direction that intersects the axial direction of the cylindrical section inside the cylindrical section. Each of the connection sections comprises a front end section, which is positioned on the first end face of the cylindrical section and is to be connected to the counterpart connector, and a base end section, which is positioned on a second end face in the axial direction of the cylindrical section and is to be connected to an electrical wire.The housing includes an insulating wall extending in the axial direction of the cylindrical section between the connecting sections that are adjacent to each other in the first transverse direction, the first transverse direction being a thickness direction. The insulating wall, positioned on the second end of the cylindrical section, has one end with a first end region positioned on one side in a second transverse direction that intersects the axial direction and the first transverse direction, and a second end region positioned adjacent to the first end region on another side in the second transverse direction and closer to the first end of the cylindrical section than the first end region.

Description

Background of the invention; Field of the invention

[0001] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a connector and a laying unit. Description of related techniques

[0002] A connector comprising a housing and a plurality of terminal-equipped electrical wires is known. Each terminal-equipped electrical wire includes a terminal section for connecting that wire to a mating connector and an electrical wire extending from the terminal section. The housing has a cylindrical fitting section (outer housing) in which the terminal sections of the plurality of terminal-equipped electrical wires are arranged. The cylindrical fitting section serves to fit the mating connector. The plurality of electrical wires extending from each terminal section are bent in an orthogonal direction relative to the insertion direction of the terminal section and then pulled out to the outside of the housing. References Patent literature

[0003] Patent literature 1: Japanese unexamined patent application, first publication no. 2011-222345. Summary of the invention Problems solved by the invention

[0004] Meanwhile, one of these types of connectors includes an electrically insulating wall (hereinafter referred to simply as the insulating wall) that is positioned between adjacent connection sections inside the cylindrical fitting section. The insulating wall serves to prevent an electrical short circuit between the adjacent connection sections.

[0005] With this type of connector, the majority of electrical wires extending orthogonally from the majority of terminal sections located inside the cylindrical fitting section can extend at an angle relative to the orthogonal direction. However, if the preceding insulating walls are arranged and the electrical wires extend at an angle from the terminal sections as described above, some of the inclined electrical wires may interfere with or adversely affect the insulating wall adjacent to those wires.

[0006] One embodiment provides a connector and a routing unit that are able to suppress a disruptive influence or impairment of an electrical wire extending from a connection section to an insulating wall of a housing. Means to solve the problem

[0007] A connector according to one embodiment comprises: a housing having a cylindrical section which has a section on a first end side in an axial direction, which is a mating section to be fitted to a mating connector; a plurality of connection sections which are arranged in a first transverse direction which crosses in the axial direction of the cylindrical section inside the cylindrical section, wherein each of the connection sections comprises a front end section which is positioned on the first end side of the cylindrical section and is to be connected to the mating connector, and a base end section which is positioned on a second end side in the axial direction of the cylindrical section and is to be connected to an electrical wire.The housing includes an insulating wall extending in the axial direction of the cylindrical section between the connecting sections that are adjacent to each other in the first transverse direction, the first transverse direction being a thickness direction. The insulating wall has one end positioned on the second end face of the cylindrical section, the end comprising a first end region positioned on one side in a second transverse direction that intersects the axial direction and the first transverse direction, and a second end region positioned adjacent to the first end region on another side in the second transverse direction and closer to the first end of the cylindrical section than the first end region.

[0008] A routing unit according to one embodiment comprises a connector and a plurality of electrical wires, each of which is connected to the base end sections of the plurality of connection sections. Effects of the invention

[0009] The connector and the routing unit of an embodiment of the present invention enable the suppression of a disruptive influence or impairment of the electrical wire connected to the connection section with the insulating wall of the housing. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view, viewed from the front, of a laying unit according to an embodiment; Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view, viewed from a rear side, of the laying unit according to the embodiment; Fig. Figure 3 is a rear view, viewed from the back, of the laying unit according to the embodiment; Fig. Figure 4 is an exploded view in a situation where a connection section and an electrical wire are removed from an outer housing, in the installation unit of the embodiment; Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the in Fig. 4 connection section shown; Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view, viewed from the rear, of the outer casing provided in the installation unit according to the embodiment; Fig. Figure 7 is a rear view, viewed from the back, of the outer casing provided in the installation unit according to the embodiment; and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view, along a line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7 taken. Detailed description of the invention

[0010] One embodiment is described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components with the same or similar functions are designated by the same reference numerals. Redundant descriptions of these components may be omitted.

[0011] In the present disclosure, the terms are defined as follows. The term "connection" is not limited to a mechanical connection, but may include an electrical connection. Furthermore, the term "connection" is not limited to a direct connection between two elements that are to be joined together, but may include a connection between two elements that are to be joined together with another element placed between them.

[0012] In the present disclosure, a +X direction, a -X direction, a +Y direction, a -Y direction, a +Z direction, and a -Z direction are defined as follows. The +X direction is a direction from a connector 3 toward a mating connector 9 (see Fig. 2) The -X direction is a direction opposite to the +X direction. If the +X and -X directions are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "X direction". The Y direction is a direction that intersects the X direction (for example, is orthogonal to it). The +Y direction is a direction from a first terminal section 4A to a second terminal section 4B described later (see Fig. 1 to 3). The -Y direction is a direction opposite to the +Y direction. When the +Y and -Y directions are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "Y direction". The +Z direction is a direction that intersects the X and Y directions (for example, is orthogonal to them). The +Z direction is a direction from a guide section 54 towards a cylindrical section 51 of an outer housing 5 (housing) described later (see Fig. 3) The -Z direction is a direction opposite to the +Z direction. When the +Z and -Z directions are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "Z direction." The X direction corresponds to an axial direction of the cylindrical section 51 of the outer casing 5 described later. The Y direction is an example of a "first transverse direction." The Z direction is an example of a "second transverse direction." For convenience, the +X direction may below be referred to as a "front" or "forward," and the -X direction may be referred to as a "back" or "backward." <1. Configuration of the laying unit>

[0013] As in Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a routing unit 1 of one embodiment comprises a plurality of electrical wires 2 and a connector 3. The connector 3 is a component for electrically connecting the plurality of electrical wires 2 to the mating connector 9 (see Figure 1 to 3). Fig. 2) Connector 3 is, for example, a connector for use in a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Connector 3 is, for example, a high-voltage connector through which a current of 100 volts (V) or more flows. Connector 3 of the present embodiment is a connector that supports two electrodes. However, connector 3 can be a connector that supports three or more electrodes. <2. Connector Configuration>

[0014] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the connector 3 comprises a plurality of connection sections 4, the outer housing 5 (housing) and a rear cover 6. <3. Configuration of the connection section>

[0015] As in Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the majority of connection sections 4 are arranged in the Y-direction inside the cylindrical section 51 of the outer housing 5 described later. Fig. From 1 to 3, the number of connection sections is 4. The first connection section 4A and the second connection section 4B, which are the two connection sections 4, are arranged in sequence in the +Y direction. Fig. Figures 1 to 4 represent the laying unit 1 in such a way that the first connection section 4A is clearly shown, and that the second connection section 4B is shown using an imaginary line or the second connection section 4B is omitted.

[0016] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, each of the connection sections 4 comprises a front end section 41, which is positioned on the +X direction side, and a base end section 42, which is positioned on the -X direction side. The front end section 41 of each of the connection sections 4 is a section that is to be connected to the mating connector 9 (see Figure 4). Fig. 2) The electrical wire 2 is connected to the base end section 42 of each of the terminal sections 4 (hereinafter simply referred to, as appropriate, as "the terminal section 4"). In the present embodiment, the electrical wire 2 connected to the first terminal section 4A is referred to as a "first electrical wire 2A", and the electrical wire 2 connected to the second terminal section 4B is referred to as a "second electrical wire 2B".

[0017] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the connection section 4 of the present embodiment comprises a terminal 43 and an inner housing 44. The terminal 43 is made of an electrically conductive material and is fixed to an end section of the electrical wire 2. The inner housing 44 is made of a material with electrical insulating properties (e.g., a synthetic resin) and covers the terminal 43. The inner housing 44 has an exposure hole 45 that allows the terminal 43 to be exposed in the forward direction (i.e., in the +X direction). The terminal 43 is inserted into the inner housing 44 from the rear side of the inner housing 44. The inner housing 44 also has a function of engaging with the cylindrical section 51 to cause the connection section 43 to be located inside the cylindrical section 51 of the outer housing 5.An engagement of the inner housing 44 with the cylindrical section 51 enables the separation or detachment of the connecting section 4 from the cylindrical section 51 to be suppressed or prevented. <4. Configuration of the outer casing>

[0018] As in Fig. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the outer housing 5 is made of a material with electrical insulating properties (e.g., a synthetic resin material). The outer housing 5 comprises the cylindrical section 51, a partition 52, an insulating wall 53, and the guide section 54. <5. Configuration of the cylindrical section>

[0019] The cylindrical section 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the X-direction. The cylindrical section 51 has a first end 511 positioned on the front (+X-direction) and a second end 512 positioned on the rear (-X-direction). A section on the side of the first end 511 of the cylindrical section 51 is a mating section designed to fit the mating connector 9 (see Fig. 2) As described above, the majority of connection sections 4 are arranged in the Y-direction inside the cylindrical section 51. Due to this configuration, the cylindrical section 51 is designed such that its dimension in the Y-direction is longer than its dimension in the Z-direction when viewed in the axial (X-direction) direction. <6. Partition wall configuration>

[0020] The partition 52 is positioned inside the cylindrical section 51 and is integrally formed with the cylindrical section 51. The partition 52 divides the space inside the cylindrical section 51 into a first partitioned space S1 on the side of the first end 511 of the cylindrical section 51 and a second partitioned space S2 on the side of the second end 512 of the cylindrical section 51.

[0021] The partition 52 has a plurality of communication ports 521, which allow the first subdivided space S1 and the second subdivided space S2 to communicate with each other. The plurality of communication ports 521 are spaced apart from each other in the Y-direction. The plurality of communication ports 521 allow the respective end sections 4 to pass through them in the X-direction (see Fig. 1 to 3). Since in the present embodiment the number of end sections 4 is two, the number of communication openings 521 is also two. In the present embodiment, the communication openings 521 each have a circular shape in a top view when viewed from the X direction, but the communication openings 521 can have any shape in the top view. <7. Configuration of the insulating wall>

[0022] As in Fig. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the insulating wall 53 is positioned between the connection sections 4 (communication openings 521), which are adjacent to each other in the Y-direction. The insulating wall 53 is designed to have a shape that extends in the X-direction and the Y-direction, the Y-direction being a thickness direction of the insulating wall 53. It is sufficient if the insulating wall 53 extends at least rearward beyond the partition 52. In the present embodiment, the insulating wall 53 also extends forward beyond the partition 52.

[0023] The insulating wall 53 has a rear end 531 (end) on its rear side (-X direction), and the rear end 531 has a first rear end region 531-1 (first end region) and a second rear end region 531-2 (second end region). The first rear end region 531-1 is positioned in a section of the insulating wall 53 on the +Z direction side (on one side in the second transverse direction). The second rear end region 531-2 is positioned in a section of the insulating wall 53 on the -Z direction side (on another side in the second transverse direction) and is adjacent to the first rear end region 531-1 on the -Z direction side (on the other side in the second transverse direction). The second rear end region 531-2 is positioned on the +X direction side (closer to the first end 511 of the cylindrical section 51) in relation to the first rear end region 531-1.

[0024] The positions of the first and second rear end regions 531-1 and 531-2 in the X-direction are described in more detail. If the -X-direction (direction from the first end 511 to the second end 512 of the cylindrical section 51) is assumed to be the height direction of the insulating wall 53, the second rear end region 531-2 of the insulating wall 53 is positioned lower than the first rear end region 531-1. In other words, the second rear end region 531-2 has a height dimension h2 with respect to the position of the partition 52 that is smaller than a height dimension h1 of the first rear end region 531-1 (see in particular Fig. 8) By determining the positions of the first and second rear end regions 531-1 and 531-2 in the X-direction in this way, a recessed section 533, recessed in the +X-direction from the rear end 531 of the insulating wall 53, is formed in a section on the -Z-direction side (the other side in the second transverse direction) of the rear end section of the insulating wall 53, which is positioned on the -X-direction side (the side of the second end 512 of the cylindrical section 51). At least part of the recessed section 533 is positioned inside the cylindrical section 51. Fig. 8. Part of the recessed section 533 is positioned inside the cylindrical section 51, and the remaining part of the recessed section 533 is positioned outside the cylindrical section 51 (outside the second end 512 of the cylindrical section 51). The recessed section 533 can be positioned completely inside the cylindrical section 51.

[0025] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the second rear end region 531-2 of the insulating wall 53 does not project in the -X direction from the second end 512 of the cylindrical section 51 and is positioned inside the cylindrical section 51. In contrast, the first rear end region 531-1 of the insulating wall 53 is positioned such that it projects in the -X direction (outward from the cylindrical section 51) from the second end 512 of the cylindrical section 51. A section of the insulating wall 53 that projects from the second end 512 of the cylindrical section 51 and includes the first rear end region 531-1 acts as a guide when the rear cover 6 (see Figure 8) is installed. Fig. 1) is attached to the outer housing 5. The first rear end region 531-1 can, for example, be located in the same position in the X-direction as the second end 512 of the cylindrical section 51, or, similar to the second rear end region 531-2, can be positioned inside the cylindrical section 51.

[0026] Fig. Figure 8 represents the section of the insulating wall 53 positioned behind the rear side of the partition 52, such that both ends in the Z-direction of the insulating wall 53 reach the inner surface of the cylindrical section 51. It should be noted that the section of the insulating wall 53 positioned behind the rear side of the partition 52 may, for example, be such that one or both ends in the Z-direction of the insulating wall 53 do not reach the inner surface of the cylindrical section 51.

[0027] In Fig. 8 is a front end 532 of the insulating wall 53, which is positioned on its front (+X-direction side) such that it projects from the first end 511 of the cylindrical section 51 in the +X direction (outward from the cylindrical section 51). The front end 532 of the insulating wall 53 can, for example, be located in the same position in the X direction as the first end 511 of the cylindrical section 51, or it can be positioned inside the cylindrical section 51 without projecting from the first end 511 of the cylindrical section 51.

[0028] Fig. Figure 8 represents the section of the insulating wall 53 positioned on the front face of the partition 52 such that neither of its ends reaches the inner surface of the cylindrical section 51 in the Z-direction of the insulating wall 53. Specifically, both ends are positioned further away from the inner surface of the cylindrical section 51 in the Z-direction of the insulating wall 53 at a position that is further away from the partition 52 in the +X-direction. It should be noted that the section of the insulating wall 53 positioned on the front face of the partition 52 can be such that, for example, one or both ends reach the inner surface of the cylindrical section 51 in the Z-direction of the insulating wall 53. <8. Configuration of the guide section>

[0029] As in Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the guide section 54 is connected to the cylindrical section 51. In the present embodiment, the guide section 54 is integrally formed with the cylindrical section 51. For example, the guide section 54 can be formed separately from the cylindrical section 51 and then fixed to the cylindrical section 51. When viewed from the X-direction, the guide section 54 extends in an oblique direction TD, which is inclined in the +Y-direction (the first transverse direction), while the guide section 54 extends away from the cylindrical section 51 in the -Z-direction (in the direction of one side of the second transverse direction). As shown in Figure 7, the guide section 54 is integrally formed with the cylindrical section 51. Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the guide section 54 guides the majority of electrical wires 2, which extend from the base end sections 42 of the majority of connection sections 4, in the direction in which the guide section 54 extends (that is, the oblique direction TD).

[0030] As in Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the guide section 54 includes an electrical wire receiving section 541, which receives the majority of electrical wires 2 (see Figure 7). Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) The electric wire receiving section 541 opens at both ends in the oblique direction TD of the guide section 54. The electric wire receiving section 541 also opens in the -X direction (on the side of the second end 512 of the cylindrical section 51). The electric wire receiving section 541 communicates with a region on the side of the second end 512 of the cylindrical section 51 (in the illustrated example, the second subdivided space S2), the space inside the cylindrical section 51.

[0031] The preceding configuration of the guide section 54 causes the majority of electrical wires 2 extending from the respective base end sections 42 to the majority of connection sections 4 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3), are arranged as follows. As in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the electrical wires 2, extending from the respective base end sections 42 of the connection sections 4, the connection sections 4 being located inside the cylindrical section 51, are received in the electrical wire receiving section 541 of the guide section 54 and are drawn out of the outer housing 5 through the front end in the extension direction of the guide section 54. The electrical wires 2 received in the electrical wire receiving section 541 extend in the extension direction of the guide section 54 (oblique direction TD).

[0032] The first electrical wire 2A of the plurality of electrical wires 2, which is connected to the base end section 42 of the first terminal section 4A, is inclined in and after the base end section 42 of the first terminal section 4A in the oblique direction TD, thus approaching the insulating wall 53 positioned in the +Y direction, while extending from the base end section 42 of the first terminal section 4A in the -Z direction, that is, approaching the section of the insulating wall 53 on the -Z-direction side. In this respect, as described above, the recessed section 533 is formed in the section of the insulating wall 53 on the -Z-direction side. Due to this configuration, the first electrical wire 2A extends through the recessed section 533 of the insulating wall 53 in the direction of the guide section 54.This means that the first electrical wire 2A extends towards the guide section 54 without disturbing or impairing the insulating wall 53. <9. Configuration of the reinforcing rib>

[0033] As in Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the outer housing comprises 5 reinforcing ribs 55 that reinforce the guide section 54. The reinforcing ribs 55 project from the inner surface of the guide section 54, which forms the electrical wire receiving section 541, and extend in the direction of extension (inclined direction TD) of the guide section 54. When viewed from the X-direction, the majority of the reinforcing ribs 55 are spaced apart from one another in a direction that intersects the inclined direction TD (in the illustrated example, a direction orthogonal to it).

[0034] Of the plurality of reinforcing ribs 55, one reinforcing rib 55A (hereinafter referred to as a "predetermined reinforcing rib 55A") is connected to the insulating wall 53. In particular, the predetermined reinforcing rib 55A is connected to an end of the insulating wall 53 that is positioned on the -Z-direction side. The predetermined reinforcing rib 55A is integrally formed with the insulating wall 53. <10. Rear cover configuration>

[0035] The in Fig. 1. Rear cover 6 shown closes the openings (see Fig.2) on the -X-direction side of the cylindrical section 51 and the guide section 54, which form the outer housing 5. The rear cover 6 covers the connection sections 4 attached to the outer housing 5 and the electrical wires 2 from the -X-direction side. The rear cover 6 is made of a material with electrical insulating properties (e.g., a synthetic resin material). <11. Advantages>

[0036] According to the present embodiment, the rear end 531 of the insulating wall 53, which is positioned on the -X direction side, comprises the first rear end region 531-1 and the second rear end region 531-2, which is adjacent to the first rear end region 531-1 on the -Z direction side and is arranged in relation to the first rear end region 531-1 at a position on the +X direction side (closer to the first end 511 of the cylindrical section 51). That is, the recessed section 533, which is recessed in the +X direction from the rear end 531 of the insulating wall 53, is formed in a section on the -Z direction side (other side in the second transverse direction) of the rear end section of the insulating wall 53, which is positioned on the -X direction side (the side of the second end 512 of the cylindrical section 51).

[0037] Such a configuration enables the suppression or prevention of a situation in which the electrical wire 2 (first electrical wire 2A), which is connected to the base end section 42 of the terminal section 4 (first terminal section 4A), adjacent to the insulating wall 53 in the -Y direction, interferes with or adversely affects the insulating wall 53. This point is described next. The first electrical wire 2A, extending from the base end section 42 of the first terminal section 4A, is bent at a position at or near the base end section 42 of the corresponding terminal section 4 in the direction of the -Z direction and is extended along the -Z direction towards the +Y direction (the side of the insulating wall 53). That is, the first electrical wire 2A is extended along the oblique direction TD from the base end section 42 of the corresponding terminal section 4.extends from this. Extending the first electrical wire 2A as described above allows it to pass through the recessed section 533 of the insulating wall 53 described above. Therefore, interference or disruptive influence of the first electrical wire 2A with the insulating wall 53 can be suppressed or prevented.

[0038] Another method for suppressing the interference or disruptive influence of the first electrical wire 2A with the insulating wall 53 could, for example, be to design the insulating wall 53 so that it bends in the oblique direction TD. In this case, however, the bent section of the insulating wall 53 affects the shape of the arrangement section of the second terminal section 4B, which is adjacent to the bent side of the cylindrical section 51. That is, this causes a difference between the shapes of the arrangement sections of the first and second terminal sections 4A and 4B in the cylindrical section 51. This will require the first and second terminal sections 4A and 4B to have different shapes, which will increase the manufacturing costs of the connector.

[0039] In contrast, the present embodiment does not require bending of the insulating wall 53, thus enabling the arrangement sections of the first and second connection sections 4A and 4B in the cylindrical section 51 to have the same shape. As a result, the first and second connection sections 4A and 4B can have the same shape, and the manufacturing costs of the connector can therefore be reduced.

[0040] According to the present embodiment, the outer housing 5 comprises the guide section 54, which guides the plurality of electrical wires 2 extending from the respective base end sections 42 of the plurality of connection sections 4 attached to the cylindrical section 51, such that they are guided in the +Y direction (i.e., in the oblique direction TD) along the -Z direction. Such a configuration allows the plurality of electrical wires 2 connected to the respective base end sections 42 of the plurality of connection sections 4 to be reliably extended in the oblique direction TD.

[0041] According to the present embodiment, the insulating wall 53 provided in the cylindrical section 51 is connected to the reinforcing ribs 55, which reinforce the guide section 54. Such a configuration can improve the strength of the insulating wall 53 and the outer housing 5 with the insulating wall 53.

[0042] According to the present embodiment, the first rear end region 531-1 of the insulating wall 53 is positioned such that it projects outwards from the second end 512 of the cylindrical section 51 of the outer housing 5. Such a configuration allows for easy attachment of the rear cover 6 to the outer housing 5 using, as a guide, the section of the insulating wall 53 with the first rear end region 531-1 projecting from the second end 512 of the cylindrical section 51. <12th modification>

[0043] In the embodiment described above, the outer housing 5 comprises the cylindrical section 51, the partition 52, the insulating wall 53, the guide section 54, and the reinforcing ribs 55. However, it is sufficient if the outer housing 5 comprises at least the cylindrical section 51 and the insulating wall 53, and the outer housing 5 need not, for example, include the partition 52, the guide section 54, or the reinforcing ribs 55.

[0044] One embodiment and one variant thereof have been described. However, the embodiment and the variant are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the embodiment and the variant can be implemented in combination. Brief description of the reference symbols 1 laying unit 2 Electrical wire 3 connectors 4 Connection section 5 Outer casing (housing) 9 mating connectors 41 Front end section of connection section 4 42 Basic end section of connection section 4 51 Cylindrical section 53 Insulating wall 54 Guided Section 55 Reinforcing rib 55A Predetermined reinforcing rib 511 First end of cylindrical section 51 512 Second end of cylindrical section 51 531 Rear end (end) 531-1 First rear end area (first end area) 531-2 Second rear end area (second end area) 533 Recessed section TD Slanted Direction QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] JP 2011- 222 345

[0003]

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