JUNCTION CONNECTOR

Abstract

The invention relates to a junction connector (1) which comprises one or more connection units (10), in which one of the connection units (10) comprises: a plurality of conductors (2, 3, 4); and a housing (5) which carries the plurality of conductors (2, 3, 4), the conductor (2, 3, 4) comprises: trunk parts (20, 30, 40), each of which having first ends (20a, 30a, 40a) and second ends (20b, 30b, 40b); and branching parts (21, 31, 41), each of which diverges from the trunk part (20, 30, 40), the branching part (21, 31, 41) includes output terminal parts (22, 32, 42), the housing (5) includes: a first coupling part (51) arranged on one side of the first end (20a, 30a, 40a);and a second coupling part (52) disposed on one side of the second end (20b, 30b, 40b), and the first coupling part (51) of one of the housings (5) and the second coupling part (52) of another of the housings (5) are coupled to each other, causing the first end (20a, 30a, 40a) of conductor (2, 3, 4) and the second end (20b, 30b, 40b) of another of the conductors (2, 3, 4) to be connected to each other. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1;

Description

Title of the invention: JUNCTION CONNECTOR

[0001] CONTEXT OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a junction connector.

[0004] 2. Prior art

[0005] A junction connector is already conventionally known. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2006-19126 discloses a junction connector comprising a connector housing and a junction terminal fixed to the connector housing by an interference fit. In the junction connector of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2006-19126, the junction terminals are fixed, in four steps, to the connector housing.

[0006] In the junction connector of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2006-19126, the housing that houses the junction terminal is likely to be thick. A thick junction connector is likely to be restricted in terms of arrangement locations. In addition, the junction connector that houses terminals in a stack has difficulty in accomplishing thinning of a device that houses the junction connector. Thus, it is desired to achieve height reduction in the junction connector. Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a junction connector capable of height reduction.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a junction connector according to one aspect of the present invention comprises one or more connection units which can be coupled to each other, wherein one of the connection units comprises: a plurality of conductors each having a plate-like shape; and a housing which carries the plurality of conductors, the conductor comprises: trunk portions, each of which has a straight line shape, extending in a first direction, and having a first end and a second end;and branching portions, each of which diverges from the trunk portions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the branching portion has an output terminal portion connected to a terminal of another connector, the housing supports the plurality of conductors in a state where the output terminal portions of the plurality of conductors are arranged in parallel in the first direction on a same plane, the housing has: a first coupling portion disposed on one side of the first end; and a second coupling portion disposed on one side of the second end, and the first coupling portion of one of the housings and the; second coupling part of another of the housings are coupled to each other, causing the first end of the conductor and the second end of another of the conductors to be connected to each other.

[0009] The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings

[0010] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a junction connector according to one embodiment;

[0011] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a connection unit according to the embodiment;

[0012] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a conductor according to the embodiment;

[0013] [Fig.4] is a side view of the connection unit according to the embodiment;

[0014] [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view of the junction connector according to the embodiment; and

[0015] [Fig.6] is a cross-sectional view of a junction connector according to a first modification of the embodiment.

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, a junction connector according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. Furthermore, components in the following embodiment include those readily conceivable to those skilled in the art or substantially identical.

[0018] Embodiment

[0019] An embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The present embodiment relates to a junction connector. [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a junction connector according to one embodiment; [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a connection unit according to the embodiment; [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a conductor according to the embodiment; [Fig.4] is a side view of the connection unit according to the embodiment, and [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view of the junction connector according to the embodiment. [Fig.5] illustrates a cross-section taken along line VV in [Fig.l],

[0020] A junction connector 1 illustrated in [Fig.l] is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, for example. The junction connector 1 connects, for example, a power supply and a control device of a vehicle to a plurality of devices mounted on the vehicle. The junction connector 1 of the present embodiment has a thin shape and can thus be arranged in a narrow space. The junction connector 1 can be arranged on a door of the vehicle. In this case, the junction connector 1 can contribute to the thinning of the door.

[0021] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the junction connector 1 of the present embodiment comprises a connection unit 10 which can be coupled to others. The connection unit 10 comprises a first conductor 2, a second conductor 3, a third conductor 4 and a housing 5. The housing 5 carries the first conductor 2, the second conductor 3 and the third conductor 4. The housing 5 is molded using an insulating synthetic resin, for example.

[0022] The housing 5 comprises a main body 50 having the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and a first coupling part 51. The main body 50 carries the first conductor 2, the second conductor 3 and the third conductor 4. The first coupling part 51 is fitted onto a second coupling part 52 illustrated in [Fig.2] to couple the two connection units 10 to each other.

[0023] [Fig. 3] illustrates the first conductor 2, the second conductor 3 and the third conductor 4 carried by the housing 5. As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the first conductor 2, the second conductor 3 and the third conductor 4 are plate-shaped conductors called bus bars. The first conductor 2, the second conductor 3 and the third conductor 4 are formed of a conductive metal plate such as copper or aluminum.

[0024] The first conductor 2 has a trunk portion 20 and a branch portion 21. The trunk portion 20 extends in a straight line and has a main body 20m, a first end 20a, and a second end 20b. The main body 20m has a rectangular flat plate shape. The first end 20a is connected to one end of the main body 20m in the longitudinal direction, while the second end 20b is connected to the other end of the main body 20m in the longitudinal direction. Each of the first end 20a and the second end 20b is in the form of a terminal. The first end 20a can be connected to a terminal 101 of a connector 100 on the input side and can also be connected to the second end 20b of another first conductor 2.

[0025] In the following description, an extension direction of the trunk portion 20 is referred to as a “first direction X”. The first direction X is a longitudinal direction of the trunk portion 20. The width direction of the trunk portion 20 is referred to as a “second direction Y”. The second direction Y is orthogonal to the first direction X. A direction orthogonal to both the first direction X and the second direction Y is referred to as a “third direction Z”. The third Z direction is a thickness direction of the trunk part 20.

[0026] The branch portion 21 diverges from the main body 20m in the second direction Y. The shape of the branch portion 21 in the illustrated example is a rectangular flat plate shape. The branch portion 21 has an output terminal portion 22 having a flat plate shape. The output terminal portion 22 can be connected to a terminal 201 of a complementary connector 200.

[0027] The second conductor 3 has a trunk portion 30 and a branch portion 31. The trunk portion 30 extends in a straight line in the first direction X and has a main body 30m, a first end 30a and a second end 30b. The configurations of the main body 30m, the first end 30a and the second end 30b are similar to the configurations of the main body 20m, the first end 20a and the second end 20b. The first end 30a can be connected to a terminal 102 of the connector 100 and can also be connected to the second end 30b of another second conductor 3.

[0028] The branch portion 31 diverges from the main body 30m in the second direction Y. The distal end of the branch portion 31 has an output terminal portion 32 having a flat plate shape. The output terminal portion 32 can be connected to a terminal 202 of the complementary connector 200. The branch portion 31 is bent so as to intersect three-dimensionally with the trunk portion 20. More specifically, the branch portion 31 has a crossing portion 33 projecting in the third direction Z. The branch portion 31 is formed so as to be capable of maintaining a necessary distance between the crossing portion 33 and the trunk portion 20.

[0029] The third conductor 4 has a trunk portion 40 and a branch portion 4L. The trunk portion 40 extends in a straight line in the first direction X and has a main body 40m, a first end 40a and a second end 40b. The configurations of the main body 40m, the first end 40a and the second end 40b are similar to the configurations of the main body 20m, the first end 20a and the second end 20b. The first end 40a can be connected to a terminal 103 of the connector 100 and can also be connected to the second end 40b of another third conductor 4.

[0030] The branch portion 41 diverges from the main body 40m in the second direction Y. The distal end of the branch portion 41 has an output terminal portion 42 having a flat plate shape. The output terminal portion 42 can be connected to a terminal 203 of the complementary connector 200. The branch portion 41 is bent so as to intersect three-dimensionally with the trunk portions 20 and 30. More specifically, the branch portion 41 has a crossing portion 43 projecting in the third direction Z. The branching portion 41 is formed so as to be capable of maintaining a necessary distance between the crossing portion 43 and the trunk portions 20 or 30.

[0031] The housing 5 of the present embodiment carries the first conductor 2, the second conductor 3, and the third conductor 4 such that the main bodies 20m, 30m, and 40m and the output terminal portions 22, 32, and 42 are located on a same plane. In the housing 5, the main bodies 20m, 30m, and 40m are arranged in parallel in the second Y direction. In the housing 5, the output terminal portions 22, 32, and 42 are arranged in parallel in the first X direction. The output terminal portions 22, 32, and 42 protrude from the housing 5 in the second Y direction. The housing 5 may have an engagement portion to be engaged with the conductors 2, 3, and 4, or may be formed by in-mold processing with respect to the conductors 2, 3, and 4.

[0032] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], the first end 20a protrudes from the main body 50 of the housing 5 in the first direction X. Similarly, the first ends 30a and 40a protrude from the main body 50 in the first direction X. The first coupling portion 51 of the housing 5 has a flat plate shape and protrudes from the main body 50 in the first direction X. The first coupling portion 51 faces the first ends 20a, 30a and 40a in the third direction Z. That is, the first coupling portion 51 is disposed on the side of the first ends 20a, 30a and 40a of the housing 5. The first coupling portion 51 covers the first ends 20a, 30a and 40a from one side in the third direction Z, thereby protecting the first ends 20a, 30a and 40a.

[0033] The first end 20a has a projection 20c. The projection 20c is curved toward a side opposite the side of the first coupling portion 51. The first ends 30a and 40a have projections 30c and 40c similar to the projection 20c.

[0034] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the main body 50 of the housing 5 has the second coupling portion 52. The second coupling portion 52 is disposed at an end opposite to the first coupling portion 51 in the first direction X. The second coupling portion 52 of the present embodiment is a recess which is recessed in the first direction X. The cross-sectional shape of the second coupling portion 52 in a cross-section orthogonal to the first direction X is rectangular. The second ends 20b, 30b, and 40b are exposed to the internal space of the second coupling portion 52.

[0035] As illustrated in [Fig. 5], the two connection units 10 are coupled to each other by the first coupling part 51 and the second coupling part 52. Here, one connection unit 10 is referred to as the first unit 10A, and the other connection unit 10 is referred to as the second unit 10B. The first coupling part 51 of the second unit 10B is inserted into the second coupling part 52 of the first unit 10A and is fitted with the second coupling part 52. At this stage, the first ends 20a, 30a, and 40a of the second unit 10B are inserted into the second coupling part 52 of the first unit 10A together with the first coupling part 51.

[0036] As illustrated in [Fig.5], the first coupling portion 51 is configured to press the first end 40a of the second unit 10B against the second end 40b of the first unit 10A. The first end 40a inserted into the second coupling portion 52 comes into contact with the second end 40b and receives a reaction force F1 in the third direction Z. The first coupling portion 51 supports the trunk portion 40 against the reaction force F1, and presses the first end 40a toward the second end 40b. This allows the first end 40a to be electrically connected to the second end 40b. Similarly, the first coupling portion 51 connects the first ends 20a and 30a of the second unit 10B to the second ends 20b and 30b of the first unit 10A.That is, the first coupling portion 51 and the first ends 20a, 30a and 40a of the present embodiment are press-fitted into the second coupling portion 52. The first ends 20a, 30a and 40a are accommodated in the second coupling portion 52 while pressing the second ends 20b, 30b and 40b.

[0037] As illustrated in [Fig. 5], the first end 40a of the first unit 10A is connected to the terminal 103 of the connector 100 on the input side. The connector 100 has, for example, a coupling portion 104 similar to the second coupling portion 52. In this case, the first coupling portion 51 is inserted into the coupling portion 104 of the connector 100 to connect the first end 40a to the terminal 103. Similarly, the first coupling portion 51 connects the first ends 20a and 30a respectively to the terminal 101 and 102 of the connector 100.

[0038] The junction connector 1 of the present embodiment is capable of coupling three or more connection units 10. The individual connection units 10 are connected in series to the connector 100 on the input side. That is, the plurality of connected connection units 10 extend in the first direction X.

[0039] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the complementary connector 200 is connected to the connection unit 10 in the second direction Y. A connector 200 is connected to a connection unit 10. The connector 200 has terminals 201, 202 and 203. The terminals 201, 202, 203 may be female terminals. The output terminal portions 22, 32 and 42 of the connection unit 10 are connected to the terminals 201, 202 and 203, respectively.

[0040] The junction connector 1 connects the connector 100 on the input side to a plurality of connectors 200 as complementary connectors. For example, when the connector 100 has a power supply terminal, the junction connector 1 connects the power supply terminal to a power supply terminal of each of the connectors 200. In other words, the junction connector 1 distributes the electric power supplied via the connector 100 to the plurality of connectors 200. When the connector 100 has a communication terminal, the junction connector 1 connects the communication terminal to a communication terminal of each of the connectors 200. In other words, the junction connector 1 communicatively connects the communication device connected to the connector 100 to a communication device connected to each of the connectors 200.When connector 100 has a ground terminal, junction connector 1 connects the ground terminal to a ground terminal of each of connectors 200.

[0041] As described above, the junction connector 1 of the present embodiment comprises the connection unit 10 which can be coupled to others. A connection unit 10 comprises: a plurality of plate-shaped conductors 2, 3 and 4; and the housing 5 which carries the plurality of conductors 2, 3 and 4. The conductors 2, 3 and 4 comprise: trunk parts 20, 30 and 40 each having a straight line shape and extending in the first direction X; and branch parts 21, 31 and 41, respectively. The trunk parts 20, 30 and 40 comprise the first ends 20a, 30a and 40a and the second ends 20b, 30b and 40b, respectively. The branching portions 21, 31 and 41 diverge from the trunk portions 20, 30 and 40 respectively in the second direction Y.

[0042] The branching portions 21, 31, and 41 have output terminal portions 22, 32, and 42 respectively connected to the terminals 201, 202, and 203 of the other connectors 200. The housing 5 carries the plurality of conductors 2, 3, and 4 in a state where the output terminal portions 22, 32, and 42 of the plurality of conductors 2, 3, and 4 are respectively arranged in parallel in the first direction X on the same plane. The housing 5 has: the first coupling portion 51 disposed on the side of the first ends 20a, 30a, and 40a; and the second coupling portion 52 disposed on the side of the second ends 20b, 30b, and 40b. By coupling the first coupling part 51 of one housing 5 and the second coupling part 52 of another housing 5, the first ends 20a, 30a and 40a of the conductors 2, 3 and 4 are connected to the second ends 20b, 30b, and 40b of the other conductors 2, 3 and 4, respectively.

[0043] In the junction connector 1 of the present embodiment, the trunk portions 20, 30 and 40 extend in the first direction X, while the output terminal portions 22, 32 and 42 are arranged in parallel in the first direction X on the same plane. The plurality of connected connection units 10 extend in the first direction X. Therefore, the present embodiment can achieve a reduction in the height of the junction connector 1.

[0044] In the housing 5 of the present embodiment, the trunk portions 20, 30, and 40 of the plurality of conductors 2, 3, and 4 are arranged in parallel in the second Y direction on the same plane. The branch portions 31 and 41 of one conductor have crossing portions 33 and 43 respectively crossing the trunk portion of the other conductor. For example, the branch portion 41 of the third conductor 4 has the crossing portion 43 that crosses the trunk portion 20 of the first conductor 2 and the trunk portion 30 of the second conductor 3. With such a configuration, it is possible to arrange the trunk portions 20, 30, and 40 and the output terminal portions 22, 32, and 42 on a same plane while achieving a reduction in the height of the housing 5.

[0045] The housing 5 of the present embodiment has the main body 50 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The first ends 20a, 30a, and 40a of the conductors 2, 3, and 4 protrude from the main body 50. The first coupling portion 51 is a plate-shaped protruding portion protruding from the main body 50. The first coupling portion 51 faces the first ends 20a, 30a, and 40a of the plurality of conductors 2, 3, and 4. The second coupling portion 52 is a recess formed in the main body 50. The second ends 20b, 30b, and 40b of the conductors 2, 3, and 4 are exposed to the internal space of the second coupling portion 52. With the first coupling portion 51 interlocked with the second coupling portion 52, the first ends 20a, 30a, and 40a of the conductors 2, 3, and 4 are connected to the second ends 20b, 30b, and 40b of the other conductors 2, 3, and 4, respectively.Such a configuration allows to reduce the height of the junction connector 1. .

[0046] The number of conductors carried by the housing 5 may be two, or four or more. The conductors 2, 3 and 4 may be formed by combining a plurality of metal plates. For example, in the second conductor 3, the trunk portion 30 and the branch portion 31 may be different metal plates. In this case, the trunk portion 30 and the branch portion 31 are preferably joined by welding or the like.

[0047] One of the first ends 20a, 30a and 40a and the second ends 20b, 30b and 40b may have a male terminal shape, and the other may have a female terminal shape. For example, the first ends 20a, 30a and 40a may be in the form of male terminals, and the second ends 20b, 30b and 40b may be in the form of female terminals.

[0048] The trunk portions 20, 30 and 40 do not necessarily have to be arranged on the same plane. For example, the positions of the trunk portions 20, 30 and 40 in the third direction Z may be different from each other.

[0049] First modification of embodiment

[0050] A first modification of an embodiment will be described. [Fig. 6] is a cross-sectional view of a junction connector according to the first modification of the embodiment. As illustrated in [Fig. 6], the connection unit 10 can be coupled while moving relatively in the third Z direction. The second coupling portion 52 illustrated in [Fig. 6] is open in the third Z direction. The first coupling portion 51 is engaged with the second coupling portion 52 in the third Z direction. On a wall surface of the second coupling portion 52, a locking portion 52a is provided which locks the first coupling portion 51. The first coupling portion 51 is preferably provided with a lock receiving portion corresponding to the locking portion 52a.The lock receiving portion is, for example, a claw or a recess provided on a side surface of the first coupling portion 51. .

[0051] By coupling the first coupling part 51 and the second coupling part 52 with each other, the first ends 20a, 30a and 40a of the second unit 10B and the second ends 20b, 30b, and 40b of the first unit 10A are respectively connected to each other.

[0052] The techniques disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments and modification may be implemented in appropriate combination with each other.

[0053] In the junction connector according to the present embodiment, the trunk parts extend in the first direction and the output terminal parts are arranged in parallel in the first direction on the same plane. The connection unit coupled to others extends in the first direction. Therefore, the junction connector according to the present invention can achieve height reduction.

[0054] Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be limited accordingly but are to be construed as incorporating all modifications and alternative constructions which may occur to those skilled in the art which fall faithfully within the basic teaching set forth herein.

Claims

Claims

1. Junction connector (1) comprising: one or more connection units (10) which can be coupled to each other, wherein one of the connection units (10) comprises: a plurality of conductors (2, 3, 4) each having a plate-like shape; and a housing (5) which carries the plurality of conductors (2, 3, 4), the conductor (2, 3, 4) comprises: trunk parts (20, 30, 40), each of which has a straight line shape, extending in a first direction (X), and having a first end (20a, 30a, 40a) and a second end (20b, 30b, 40b); and branch parts (21, 31, 41), each of which diverges from the trunk parts (20, 30, 40) in a second direction (Y) orthogonal to the first direction (X), the branching portion (21, 31, 41) comprises an output terminal portion (22, 32, 42) connected to a terminal (201, 202, 203) of another connector (200), the housing (5) carries the plurality of conductors (2, 3, 4) in a state where the output terminal portions (22, 32, 42) of the plurality of conductors (2, 3, 4) are arranged in parallel in the first direction (X) on a same plane, the housing (5) comprises: a first coupling part (51) arranged on one side of the first end (20a, 30a, 40a); and a second coupling part (52) arranged on one side of the second end (20b, 30b, 40b), and the first coupling part (51) of one of the housings (5) and the second coupling part (52) of another of the housings (5) are coupled to each other, causing the first end (20a, 30a, 40a) of the conductor (2, 3, 4) and the second end (20b, 30b, 40b) of another of the conductors (2, 3, 4) to be connected to each other.

2. A junction connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (5) has a configuration in which the trunk portions (20, 30, 40) of the plurality of conductors (2, 3, 4) are arranged in parallel in the second direction (Y) on a same plane, and the branch portion (31, 41) of one of the conductors (3, 4) has a crossing portion (33, 43) crossing the trunk portion (20, 30, 40) of another of the conductors (2, 3).

3. A junction connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (5) comprises a main body (50) having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the first end (20a, 30a, 40a) protrudes from the main body (50), the first coupling portion (51) is a plate-shaped protruding portion protruding from the main body (50) and facing the first ends (20a, 30a, 40a) of the plurality of conductors (2, 3, 4), the second coupling portion (52) is a recess formed in the main body (50), the second end (20b, 30b, 40b) is exposed to an internal space of the second coupling portion (52), and the first coupling portion (51) and the second coupling portion (52) are fitted into each other, bringing the first end (20a, 30a, 40a) of the conductor (2, 3, 4) and the second end (20b, 30b, 40b) of another of the conductors (2, 3, 4) to be connected to each other.

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