Connectors with a fuse

Abstract

Connector (1) with a fuse (35) that can be attached to an external device (50), comprising a first connector (10) and a second connector (30), wherein the first connector (10) has a first terminal (13) that can be electrically connected to the external device (50) and a connecting section (12a) that can be mechanically connected to the external device (50), the second connector (30) has a second terminal (33) which is electrically connected to the first terminal (13), the fuse (35) which is electrically connected to the second terminal (33), and a fastening section (36) for fastening the second connector (30) to the first connector (10), the first connector (10) and the second connector (30) are detachably mounted together, and the first terminal (13) and the second terminal (33) are electrically connected to each other in this mounted state, the fuse (35) is exposed and not covered by the fastening section (36) when the second connector (30) is disconnected from the first connector (10), the first connector (10) contains an input line (14) which is electrically connected to the first terminal (13), the second connector (30) contains an output line (34) which is electrically connected to the second terminal (33), the second terminal (33) has a conductive element (33a), the conductive element (33a) is in direct contact with an additional connection (15a) located in the first connector (10) when the first connector (10) is mounted on the second connector (30), the input line (14) is electrically connected to the conductive element (33a) via the additional connection (15a), and the conductive element (33a) is electrically connected to the output line (34) via the fuse (35).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector with a fuse. State of the art

[0002] JP 2012- 155 943 A shows a connector in which a fuse is provided.

[0003] For a fuse-in connector for conducting power to an external device connected in a vehicle, a technique for easily replacing a mounted fuse has been proposed (Patent Literature 1 and 2).

[0004] A connector 100 with fuse from patent literature 1, illustrated in Fig. Figure 8 comprises a first and second busbar (terminals) 113 and 133, which are connected to electrical input and output lines 114 and 134, a fuse 135, which conductively connects the first and second busbars 113 and 133 to each other so that they are fusible, and a housing (first housing) 112 in which the first and second busbars 113 and 133 and the fuse 135 are arranged. The first and second busbars 113 and 133 are inserted into an external device 500 and connected to a circuit in the external device 500. The housing 112 includes a hood section (connection section) 112a, which covers the circumference of a device contact tab that is inserted into a connector mounting opening of the external device 500, with the fuse 135 being secured in a receiving space in the hood section 112a.

[0005] The receiving space in the fuse connector 100, which accommodates the fuse 135, is formed in the cover section 112a of the housing 112, which is mounted on the external device 500. When the housing 112 is detached from the external device 500, the cover section 112a is exposed, allowing the fuse 135 to be attached and removed. This reveals a fuse connector 100 that can reduce the number of components or improve reliability and shielding properties.

[0006] The connector 100 with fuse from patent literature 2, illustrated in Fig. 9, includes the housing (first housing) 112. Components identical to those in the fuse connector from the patent literature 1 described above are given the same reference numerals in the description. The housing 112 has an opening section (connection section) 112a, which is connected to the external device 500, the fuse 135, which is arranged in the opening section 112a, and inverter connection terminals (a first busbar and a second busbar) 113 and 133. The housing 112 also has the electrical input line 114 and the electrical output line 134. The fuse connector 100 is screwed onto the external device 500 to prevent it from falling off.A connector 100 with fuse is disclosed in which the fuse 135 can be replaced simply by disconnecting the connector 100 with fuse from the external device 500, and the number of components, such as maintenance covers or locking circuits for the maintenance covers, can be easily reduced to remove the maintenance cover. List of quotations Patent literature Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2011-222398 Patent Literature 2: JP-A-2012-155943 Summary of the invention; Technical task

[0007] In the configuration of the connector 100 with fuse from patent literature 1 and patent literature 2, the electrical input line 114 and the electrical output line 134 are formed in a housing 112.

[0008] In other words, the number of electrical input and output lines 114 and 134 connected to the fuse connector 100 and arranged in a housing 112 increases because the first busbar 113, the second busbar 133, the fuse 135, and the housing 112 are integrally formed in the fuse connector 100. This complicates manufacturing and makes handling or maintenance more difficult.

[0009] In view of the situation described above, one objective of the present invention is to provide a fuse-operated connector in which the fuse can be easily replaced. Technical solution

[0010] The objective of the present invention, as described above, is achieved by a connector with a locking mechanism according to the features of claim 1. The present disclosure particularly discloses the following configurations. (1) Connector with a locking mechanism, comprising a first connector and a second connector, wherein the first connector has a first terminal that can be electrically connected to an external device and a connecting section that can be mechanically connected to the external device, the second connector has a second terminal that is electrically connected to the first terminal and a locking mechanism that is electrically connected to the second terminal, and the first connector and the second connector can be assembled together in a pluggable and detachable state, and the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected together in an assembled state. (2) Connectors with a locking mechanism according to the configuration described above (1), wherein the locking mechanism is not covered by a fastening section of the second connector for fastening the second connector to the first connector when the second connector is detached from the first connector. (3) Connectors with locking mechanism according to the configuration described above (2), wherein at least one conductive element forming the second terminal protrudes from the mounting section and the conductive element is in direct contact with at least one terminal present in the first connector when the first connector is mounted on the second connector.

[0011] Since the connector with a locking mechanism of the configuration described above (1) allows the first and second connectors to be mounted together in both pluggable and unpluggable states, maintenance procedures such as replacing the locking mechanism are easily performed, and machinability is excellent. Furthermore, since the first and second connectors are electrically connected via the electrical connection between the first and second terminals, conductivity is ensured and the power supply to the external device can be accurately implemented.

[0012] In the connector with a fuse of the configuration described above (2), the fuse can be easily exposed simply by detaching the second connector from the first connector and will not be covered by the fastening section of the second connector, so that the fuse can be replaced without difficulty.

[0013] In the connector with a locking mechanism of the configuration described above (3), simply assembling the first and second connectors brings the conductive element exposed on the mounting section of the second connector into direct contact with the terminal of the first connector, thus electrically connecting the first and second terminals. Therefore, assembly and electrical connection between the first and second connectors is easily achieved after replacing the locking mechanism. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0014] With the connector with fuse according to the present invention, the circuit configuration of the plurality of connections and electrical lines is simplified, and it is possible to easily replace the fuse by loosening the second connector and to carry out appropriate maintenance.

[0015] The present invention has been briefly described. Furthermore, by reading through one aspect (hereinafter referred to as the "exemplar embodiment") of the present invention, which is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, the details of the present invention will become even clearer. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector with a locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction along the line A1-A1 from Fig. 1, showing the connector with fuse according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 3 is a partially separated perspective view of an arrangement consisting of a first connector and a second connector in the connector with locking mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 4 is an expanded perspective view of the first connector in the connector with locking mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 5 is an expanded perspective view of the second connector in the connector with locking mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective partial view of the second connector in the connector with locking mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective circuit diagram showing the current flow in the connector with fuse according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 (a) and (b) are representations of an example of a connector with a fuse according to the prior art, wherein Fig. 8(a) is a sectional view in the longitudinal direction and Fig. 8(b) is a perspective view from the front. Fig. 9 (a) and (b) are representations of another example of a connector with a fuse according to the prior art, wherein Fig. 9(a) a front view and a longitudinal section view and Fig. 9(b) is an external view of a mounting condition on an external device. Description of exemplary implementations

[0016] An embodiment according to the present invention is described below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] The individual configurations of a connector 1 with a fuse according to the embodiment of the present invention are determined using the Fig. 1 to 3 described.

[0018] The connector 1 with fuse according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to an external device 50, such as a power control unit connected in a vehicle or the like, and is configured in combination with a first connector 10 and a second connector 30, which can be mounted together in a pluggable and detachable state.

[0019] The first connector 10 comprises a first outer surface 11, a first housing 12 located in a region defined by the first outer surface 11, a first busbar 13 serving as a first terminal and fixed at a predetermined position in the first housing 12 and electrically connected to the external device 50, an electrical input line 14 supplying power to the first busbar 13, and a terminal 15 branching off from the first busbar 13. Furthermore, the first housing 12 includes a connecting section 12a that can be mechanically connected to the external device 50.

[0020] The second connector 30 includes a second outer surface 31, a second housing 32 arranged in a region defined by the second outer surface 31, a second busbar 33 serving as a second connection and fixed at a predetermined position in the second housing 32, an electrical output line 34, which is a shielded line electrically connected to the second busbar 33, and a fuse 35 electrically connected to the second busbar 33.

[0021] Furthermore, a mounting section 36, which is annular (oval with respect to the first connector 10) in shape, is located in a base section of the second housing 32, and the fuse 35 is attached to the second housing 32 such that it is exposed by the mounting section 36. Additionally, when the first connector 10 and the second connector 30 are assembled together, the second busbar 33 comes into direct contact with the terminal 15 provided in the first connector 10, and the first busbar 13 and the second busbar 33 are electrically connected to each other in the assembled state. < Details of the first connector>

[0022] The details of the first connector 10 are given with reference to Fig. 4 described. Fig. Figure 4 is an expanded perspective view of the first connector 10.

[0023] In addition to the configuration described above, the first connector 10 includes an O-ring-shaped seal 16 which is watertight connected to the first housing 12, with a connecting section 17, which is connected to the terminal 15, fixing the terminal 15 in the specified position and with two busbar pieces 33a and 33b (see Fig. 6) of the second connector 30, which will be described later, a sheet-like plate 18, which is connected watertight to the electrical input line 14, as indicated by the arrow, a sheath 20, which is attached to a lower section of the first housing 12 and covers the electrical input line 14 and an electrical cable holder 19, a fastening fitting 21, with which the first sheath surface 11 and the sheath 20 are combined and fastened together, and a rear cover 22, which is fixed to a rear surface of the first housing 12.

[0024] The first cladding surface 11 of the first connector 10 comprises a pair of a front cladding surface 11a and a rear cladding surface 11b, which are made of a conductive metal and are held and fixed to a front end section and a rear end section of the first housing 12. The front cladding surface 11a has a cross-section substantially in a U-shape and is provided with an opening section 11s in the center. The rear cladding surface 11b has a flat plate shape, and the front cladding surface 11a and the rear cladding surface 11b are joined and fixed to each other by assembly. Furthermore, the front section and the rear section are terms in which a left side is Fig. 3 as the front section and the right side in Fig. 3 is considered the rear section, without any specific restriction.

[0025] The first housing 12, fixed in the region defined by the front lateral surface 11a and the rear lateral surface 11b, is a molded part made of an insulating synthetic resin or the like and has the substantially cylindrical connecting section 12a and a pair of busbar insertion openings 12b, in which a pointed end section projects towards the inside of the connecting section 12a, and into which the first busbar 13 is inserted. A relative spatial relationship between the connecting section 12a and the front lateral surface 11a is established when the connecting section 12a passes through the opening section 11s of the front lateral surface 11a, and the first seal 16 is arranged in the annular seal receiving groove provided in an outer circumferential wall of the connecting section 12a.In other words, the front cladding surface 11a and a front wall of the first housing 12 abut each other, and the connecting section 12a is fixed in a state in which it protrudes from the front cladding surface 11a.

[0026] The first busbar 13 consists of busbar sections 13b, which serve as a pair of conductive elements and are made of a conductive metal, one end of which is inserted into the busbar insert opening 12b, the tip end of which passes through the busbar insert opening 12b and protrudes from the connecting section 12a on the front, and the other end of which is electrically connected to the electrical input line 14. Furthermore, a pair of electrical input lines 14 includes electrical branch lines 23 that branch off from near the point where they are connected to the first busbar 13, the tip end of the electrical branch line 23 being electrically connected to a pair of terminals 15. <Example of the assembly sequence of the first connector>

[0027] Each end of the pair of first busbars 13 is inserted into a pair of busbar insertion openings 12b of the first housing 12 and fixed in the specified position. A pair of electrical input lines 14 is then electrically connected to each of the first busbars 13. In addition, the terminal 15 and the connecting section 17 are connected to each other, a projection section 17a formed in the connecting section 17 is inserted into and fixed to the connecting section 12a of the first housing 12, and the terminal 15 is connected to the first housing 12 via the connecting section 17.

[0028] The plate 18 and the electrical cable holder 19, which are initially temporarily located near the tip end of the electrical input leads 14, are slid into their designated positions. The rear cover 22 is placed on the first housing 12, and the front sheathing surface 11a and the rear sheathing surface 11b are secured. In doing so, the lower end section of the first sheathing surface 11 and the outer casing 20 are joined together, and the joined part is secured by the mounting bracket 21, thus completing the assembly of the first connector 10. Since assembly with the second connector 30 is possible, the upper section of the first connector 10 remains open. < Details of the second connector >

[0029] The details of the second connector 30 are given with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 described. Fig. Figure 5 is an expanded perspective view of the second connector 30, and Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective detail view of the second connector 30.

[0030] In addition to the configuration described above, the second connector 30 includes an O-ring-shaped seal 37, which is watertightly connected to the second housing 32, and a pair of shielding terminals 38, each fitting to shielding layers 40b and 40c of a pair of electrical output lines 34. Furthermore, the shielding terminal 38 consists of small-diameter sections 38a, each mounted on the shielding layers 40b and 40c, and large-diameter sections 38b, which are attached to an outer skin.

[0031] The second sheath surface 31 of the second connector 30 is made of a conductive metal and comprises a sheath main body 31a, which is arranged on the second housing 32, and a sheath section 31b, which is fixed to one side of the sheath main body 31a. The sheath main body 31a consists of a substantially box-shaped part and a substantially U-shaped part extending downwards in cross-section. The sheath section 31b has the form of a substantially flat plate, and the sheath main body 31a and the sheath section 31b are connected and fastened together by assembly.

[0032] The second housing 32 is attached in a region defined by the main sheath body 31a, and the sheath section 31b is a molded article made of insulating synthetic resin, essentially in the form of a box, with a pair of screw sections 39 formed for attaching the fuse 35 to the bottom section of the second housing 32 so that it can be easily attached and removed.

[0033] The second busbar 33 consists of three busbar sections 33a, 33b, and 33c, which serve as conductive elements and are made of a conductive metal. A portion of this section is integrally formed with a resin sealing section 32a of the second housing 32 in a sealed state. The fuse 35 includes fuse terminals 35a and 35b, which protrude from both ends of the fuse 35, and is conductively connected between a pair of connecting terminals 33s and 33t, which are provided at one end of the second busbar 33, which is arranged in the mounting section 36 to be fusible.

[0034] In the embodiment described in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the individual busbar sections 33a, 33b, and 33c combine the busbar section 33a and the connecting terminal 33s, which are located on the right side of the drawing and project downwards, and are joined by the screw section 39. A portion of the busbar section 33b, located near the center of the resin sealing section 32a and projecting downwards, is sealed to the resin sealing section 32a and electrically connected to a conductor from an electrical output line 34b, which is exposed downwards from the resin sealing section 32a.Furthermore, the busbar section 33c, which is located on the left side in the drawing, is connected to a connecting terminal 33t by the screw section 39, and a part of the busbar section 33c is sealed to the sealing section 32a and electrically connected to a conductor of an electrical output line 34c, which protrudes downwards from the resin sealing section 32a. <Example of the assembly sequence of the second connector>

[0035] The second seal 37 is received in the annular sealing groove located in the side section of the second housing 32. Subsequently, the individual shielding terminals 38 are electrically connected to the shielding layers 40b and 40c, which are exposed at the end section of a pair of electrical output leads 34 protruding from the bottom section of the resin sealing section 32a. Furthermore, after the locking device 35 has been engaged with the screw section 39 and secured in the designated position by means of a nut 41, the main jacket body 31a is placed on the upper section of the second housing 32, and the jacket section 31b is attached to the main jacket body 31a from the side section, thus completing the assembly of the second connector 30.When the main jacket body 31a and the jacket section 31b are attached, the large diameter section 38b of the shielding connection 38 is pressed in, so that the shielding properties of the second connector 30 are achieved. <Assembly of the first connector and the second connector>

[0036] The second connector 30 is placed onto the upper section of the first connector 10. Two busbar sections 33a and 33b of the second connector 30 are electrically connected via the connecting section 17, each with a pair of terminals 15. The first busbar 13 and the second busbar 33 are also electrically connected, and the second seal 37 provides a watertight seal between the first connector 10 and the second connector 30. The assembly of the first connector 10 and the second connector 30 is completed when the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 31 are mechanically fastened.Furthermore, the fastening of the external device 50 and the connector 1 can be carried out with a safety device if the connecting section 12a, which is formed in the first housing 12, is mechanically connected to and fixed to the external device 50. <Replacing the fuse>

[0037] When replacing fuse 35, the fuse 35 is exposed at the mounting section 36 of the second housing 32 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 30 are disconnected. Once nut 38 is removed, fuse 35 can be replaced, busbar sections 33a and 33b can be inserted into terminal 15, and the second connector 30 can be mechanically reattached to the first connector 10. It is not necessary to disconnect the connector 1 with the fuse from the external device 50, making fuse replacement extremely easy.

[0038] Fig. Figure 7 is a schematic circuit diagram showing current flow in connector 1 with fuse according to the exemplary embodiment. Fig. 7 A pair of electrical input lines 14 of the first connector 10 is considered as an electrical input line 14a and an electrical input line 14b, respectively, which are located on the right side in Fig. 4 are shown, and terminal 15 is considered as terminal 15a or terminal 15b.

[0039] When the first connector 10 and the second connector 30 are electrically connected, an electrical input line 14a of the first connector 10 is electrically connected via terminal 15a to the busbar section 33a of the second connector 30, and is electrically connected via fuse 35 and busbar section 33c to the electrical output line 34c. Additionally, the electrical input line 14b is electrically connected via terminal 15b to busbar section 33b, and is electrically connected to the electrical output line 34b.

[0040] Since the input and output circuits can be configured independently via the first connector 10, which controls the input side, and the second connector 30, which controls the output side, maintenance can be performed effortlessly without the need for a complicated circuit configuration. Furthermore, by disconnecting the second connector 30 from the first connector 10, the fuse 35 can be easily replaced while maintaining the watertight seal for the external device 50. This allows the fuse 35 to be replaced while the first connector 10 and the external device 50 are connected. Additionally, components such as a maintenance cover or a locking circuit for the maintenance cover are not required, simplifying the overall configuration.

[0041] The connector with honor is summarized below according to an exemplary embodiment. (1) A connector (1) with a fuse according to the embodiment is configured in combination with a first connector (10) and a second connector (30), wherein the first connector (10) has a first terminal (first busbar 13) which is electrically connected to an external device (50) and a connecting section (12a) which can be mechanically connected to the external device (50), the second connector (30) has a second terminal (second busbar 33) which is electrically connected to the first terminal (first busbar 13) and a fuse (35) which is electrically connected to the second terminal (second busbar 33), and the first connector (10) and the second connector (30) can be mounted together in a pluggable and detachable state.and the first connection (first busbar 13) and the second connection (second busbar 33) are electrically connected to each other in an assembled state. (2) In the connector (1) with locking mechanism according to the embodiment, the locking mechanism (35) is exposed by a fastening section (36) on the first connector (10) in the second connector (30) when the second connector (30) is detached from the first connector (10). (3) In the connector (1) with fuse according to the embodiment, at least one conductive element (busbar sections 33a and 33b) forming the second connection (second busbar 33) projects from the mounting section (36), and the conductive element (busbar sections 33a and 33b) is in direct contact with at least one connection (15) present in the first connector (10) when the first connector (10) is mounted on the second connector (30).

[0042] Furthermore, in the description of the connector 1 with fuse according to the embodiment described above, terms such as “first” and “second” are used (for example, the first connector 10 and the second connector 30), but the present invention is not specifically limited to these terms.

[0043] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can be modified or improved accordingly. Moreover, the material, shape, dimensions, number, and arrangement of the individual configuration elements in the embodiment described above are arbitrary, provided the present invention can be achieved, and are not subject to any specific restrictions.

[0044] The present application is based on Japanese patent application No. 2013-217838, filed on October 18, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Commercial applicability

[0045] A connector with a fuse according to the present invention is advantageous as a connector with a fuse in that a circuit configuration with a plurality of connections and electrical lines is simplified, a fuse can be easily replaced by loosening the second connector and appropriate maintenance measures can be carried out. Reference symbol list 1 connector with fuse 10 First connector 11 First lateral surface 12 First case 12a Connecting section 13 First busbar (first connection) 13a, 13b Busbar section (conductive element) 14 Electrical input line 15 connection 16 First seal 30 Second connector 31 Second lateral surface 32 Second case 33 Second busbar (second connection) 33a, 33b, 33c Busbar section (conductive element) 34 Electrical output line 35 fuse 36 Fastening section 37 Second seal 50 External Device

Claims

[1] Connector (1) with a locking device (35) that can be attached to an external device (50), comprising a first connector (10) and a second connector (30), wherein the first connector (10) has a first terminal (13) that can be electrically connected to the external device (50) and a connecting section (12a) that can be mechanically connected to the external device (50), the second connector (30) has a second terminal (33) which is electrically connected to the first terminal (13), the fuse (35) which is electrically connected to the second terminal (33), and a fastening section (36) for fastening the second connector (30) to the first connector (10), the first connector (10) and the second connector (30) are detachably mounted together, and the first terminal (13) and the second terminal (33) are electrically connected to each other in this mounted state, the fuse (35) is exposed and not covered by the fastening section (36) when the second connector (30) is disconnected from the first connector (10), the first connector (10) contains an input line (14) which is electrically connected to the first terminal (13), the second connector (30) contains an output line (34) which is electrically connected to the second terminal (33), the second terminal (33) has a conductive element (33a), the conductive element (33a) is in direct contact with an additional connection (15a) located in the first connector (10) when the first connector (10) is mounted on the second connector (30), the input line (14) is electrically connected to the conductive element (33a) via the additional connection (15a), and the conductive element (33a) is electrically connected to the output line (34) via the fuse (35).

Images