CONNECTOR

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector 10 provided with a housing 20 and a terminal assembly. The housing 20 comprises a housing body portion 21 having a through hole 21A penetrating in a first direction D1. The terminal assembly comprises a terminal 32, a retaining component 31 to be inserted into the through hole 21A jointly with the terminal 32, a sealing element to ensure sealing between an internal wall of the through hole 21A and the terminal 32 by being directly mounted on the terminal 32, and a nut 35 to be mounted and temporarily retained in the retaining component 31. The retaining component 31 comprises a terminal insertion hole 31B4, into which the terminal 32 is inserted, a terminal positioning portion for positioning the inserted terminal 32 in the terminal insertion hole 31B4, and a nut positioning portion provided to be continuous with the terminal positioning portion for positioning the nut 35.The housing 20 includes a nut retaining wall 23 to hold the nut 35 in a position determined by the nut positioning part. Selected figure: Fig. 4.

Description

Title of the invention: CONNECTOR technical field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a connector. Context of the invention

[0002] A connector described in unexamined Japanese patent publication No. 2012-243636 (patent literature 1 below) is known as a connector for preventing the intrusion of a liquid, such as water or oil, into a housing. This connector is provided with a housing, a terminal, an O-ring, a fastener, and an O-ring holder, and the O-ring is mounted directly on the terminal. The housing is formed with a terminal insertion hole, and the terminal is inserted into this terminal insertion hole. In addition, the housing is provided with an O-ring mounting recess communicating with the terminal insertion hole. The O-ring is mounted on the terminal to surround its entire periphery. If the terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion hole, the O-ring is installed in the O-ring mounting recess and the inside of the terminal insertion hole is sealed.

[0003] One end portion of the terminal is formed with a mounting hole. With the terminal inserted into the terminal's insertion hole, the mounting hole is arranged in a mounting portion of the housing. A mounting nut is secured in the housing's mounting portion by press fitting. A coupling terminal, which serves as a connecting partner for the terminal, is also formed with an insertion hole. The coupling terminal and the terminal are connected by inserting a mounting screw into the insertion hole and the mounting hole, and then tightening and securing the mounting screw into the mounting nut after the coupling terminal is positioned so that the insertion hole of the coupling terminal and the mounting hole of the terminal are aligned. List of quotations Patent literature

[0004] Patent literature 1: Japanese patent publication not examined No. 2012-243636 Summary of the invention Technical problem

[0005] However, if a positional shift occurs during press-fitting in the fixing nut, the fixing nut is fixed while its position is shifted, and the fixing screw and the terminal are fixed on the base of the fixing nut whose position is offset. Consequently, there is a risk that the O-ring mounted directly on the terminal may also have an offset position and that the sealing function may be reduced.

[0006] The present disclosure was made on the basis of the above situation and aims to improve the accuracy of the positioning of a nut and, consequently, to guarantee a water-sealing function. Solution to the problem

[0007] This disclosure relates to a connector having a housing and a terminal assembly, the housing comprising a housing body portion having a through hole penetrating in a first direction, the terminal assembly comprising a terminal, a retaining component to be inserted into the through hole jointly with the terminal, a sealing element to ensure sealing between an internal wall of the through hole and the terminal by being directly mounted on the terminal and a nut to be mounted and temporarily retained in the retaining component, the retaining component comprising a terminal insertion hole, the terminal being inserted into the terminal insertion hole, a terminal positioning portion for positioning the inserted terminal in the terminal insertion hole and a nut positioning portion provided to be continuous with the terminal positioning portion for positioning the nut,and the housing including a nut retaining wall to hold the nut in a position determined by the nut positioning part. Effect of the invention

[0008] According to this disclosure, the accuracy of nut positioning can be improved and, consequently, a water-sealing function can be guaranteed. Brief description of the drawings

[0009] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a connector viewed obliquely from an upper front side,

[0010] [Fig.2] is a front view of the connector,

[0011] [Fig.3] is a side view of the connector,

[0012] [Fig.4] is a section along AA of [Fig.2],

[0013] [Fig.5] is a section along BB of [Fig.2],

[0014] [Fig.6] is a perspective view showing a state before the assembly of a first terminal assembly in a housing, viewed obliquely from the upper front side,

[0015] [Fig.7] is a perspective view showing a state before the assembly of an insulating element and a third sealing element on a terminal, viewed obliquely from the upper front side,

[0016] [Fig.8] is a perspective view showing a state before mounting the terminal in a retaining component, viewed obliquely from the upper front side,

[0017] [Fig.9] is a bottom view showing a state before the mounting of a nut in the support component, viewed from below

[0018] [Fig. 10] is a bottom view showing a state after the nut has been mounted in the retaining component of [Fig. 9], seen from below,

[0019] [Fig. 11] is a perspective view of the first terminal assembly, viewed obliquely from a lower front side, and

[0020] [Fig. 12] is a perspective view of the first terminal assembly, viewed obliquely from the upper front side. Methods of implementation

[0021] [Description of the embodiments of this disclosure]

[0022] First, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described.

[0023] [1] The connector of this disclosure is provided with a housing and an assembly terminal, the housing comprising a housing body part having a through hole penetrating in a first direction, the terminal assembly comprising a terminal, a retaining component to be inserted into the through hole jointly with the terminal, a sealing element to ensure sealing between an internal wall of the through hole and the terminal by being directly mounted on the terminal and a nut to be mounted and temporarily held in the retaining component, the retaining component comprising a terminal insertion hole, the terminal being inserted into the terminal insertion hole, a terminal positioning part for positioning the inserted terminal in the terminal insertion hole and a nut positioning part supplied to be continuous with the terminal positioning part for positioning the nut, and the housing comprising a nut retaining wall for holding the nut in a state positioned by the nut positioning part.

[0024] Since the nut is mounted and temporarily held in the retaining component, it does not need to be press-fitted, and problems such as forgetting to press-fit the nut and a shift in the nut's position during press-fitting can be avoided. Furthermore, since the sealing element is mounted directly on the terminal, the terminal and the sealing element are positioned by the terminal positioning portion, and the nut is positioned by the nut positioning portion, by mounting the terminal and the nut respectively in the retaining component. Therefore, the terminal assembly, comprising the terminal, the nut, and the sealing element, positioned relative to each other by a single component—that is, the retaining component—can be configured, and a separate component for positioning the sealing element is not required in addition to the retaining component. The cost of the components can thus be reduced.

[0025] Since the nut can be held in position by the nut retaining wall, the accuracy of the nut's positioning can be improved. Here, when the coupling and terminal are secured using the bolt and nut, the coupling and terminal are fixed based on the position of the nut held in place. In other words, since the terminal's position is not shifted by the fastening and the terminal is held in position, a water-sealing function can be guaranteed by uniformly tightening the sealing element.

[0026] [2] Preferably in [1] described above, the nut retaining wall comprises a base plate part to eliminate nut separation by placing the nut between the terminal and the base plate part.

[0027] As the nut is disposed between the base plate part and the terminal, the separation between the temporarily held nut and the holding component can be eliminated.

[0028] [3] Preferably in [1] or [2] described above, the nut retaining wall includes a side plate part to stop the rotation of the nut by coming into contact with an external peripheral surface of the nut.

[0029] As the side plate part comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the nut, the nut cannot rotate and its position cannot shift when the coupling terminal and the terminal are fixed.

[0030] [4] Preferably in [3] described above, the side plate portion comprises a locked part, and the retaining component includes a locking part to hold the terminal assembly in a mounted state in the housing body part by locking the locked part.

[0031] If the terminal assembly is mounted in the housing body part, the terminal assembly can be retained in the housing body part by locking the locking part of the retaining component onto the locked part of the side plate part.

[0032] [5] Preferably in [4] described above, the retaining component comprises a deflection piece that can be deflected and the locking part is supplied on the deflection piece.

[0033] If the deflection piece is deflected and deformed while the terminal assembly is being mounted in the housing, the locking portion overlaps the locked portion. The deflection piece is restored at the same time as the locking portion overlaps the locked portion, thereby locking the locked portion. Thus, the terminal assembly can be easily mounted by hand in the housing body.

[0034] [6] Preferably, in any one of [1] to [5] described above, the part Nut positioning includes a temporary retaining rib to sandwich and temporarily hold the nut in the first direction.

[0035] The nut can be held temporarily in the retaining component by being sandwiched in the first direction by the temporary retaining rib.

[0036] [Details of the method of implementation of this disclosure]

[0037] A specific example of a connector of this disclosure is described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of description, some components may be shown in an exaggerated or simplified manner in each drawing. In addition, the dimensional ratio of each part may be different in each figure. “Parallel,” “perpendicular,” and “orthogonal” in this description mean not only strictly parallel, perpendicular, and orthogonal, but also substantially parallel, perpendicular, and orthogonal within a range in which the functions and effects of this embodiment are achieved.

[0038] In each figure, three directions perpendicular to each other are represented, and these three directions are respectively represented by a first direction D1, a second direction D2, and a third direction D3. That is, the first and second directions D1, D2 are perpendicular to each other, the first and third directions D1, D3 are perpendicular to each other, and the second and third directions D2, D3 are perpendicular to each other. Since arrows are drawn on both sides of a continuous line indicating each direction, not only an arrow on a side where a symbol is associated, but also an arrow on a side where no symbol is associated indicates that direction.

[0039] Furthermore, the term "tubular" used in this description indicates not only a shape formed by a continuous peripheral wall around a circumferential area, but also a shape formed by combining a plurality of components and a shape having a cutout or similar features in a circumferential part, such as a C-shape. In addition, "tubular" shapes include circular shapes, elliptical shapes, and polygonal shapes with angular or rounded corners.

[0040] Furthermore, the term "ring" in this description means an arbitrary closed shape having an outer edge connected by straight lines or curves, including a circular ring having a circular outer edge, a ring having an elliptical or oval outer edge, a polygonal ring having a polygonal outer edge, and a ring having a polygonal outer edge with rounded corners. The "ring" may have a shape such that an outer edge shape and an inner edge shape have the same shape, or it may have a shape such that an outer edge shape and an inner edge shape are different. The "ring" may have a predetermined length along a central axis direction, and the length is irrelevant. Furthermore, an "ring shape" in this description is to be considered only as being a ring as a whole and may include a cutout, slot or similar in a part, such as a C shape.

[0041] Furthermore, "face to face" in this description indicates that surfaces or elements are in positions opposite each other, and describes not only a case in which the surfaces or elements are in positions perfectly opposite each other, but also a case in which the surfaces or elements are partially opposite each other. Moreover, "face to face" in this description describes both a case in which another element, different from that of the two parts, is interposed between the two parts and a case in which nothing is interposed between the two parts.

[0042] <Mode de réalisation>

[0043] (Connector 10 configuration)

[0044] A connector 10 is to be connected to a vehicle coupling device 1. The coupling device 1 is, for example, a high-voltage battery, a motor, or similar components for a drive system. As shown in [Fig. 4], the coupling device 1 has a housing 2 made of an electrically conductive metallic material and a coupling box 3 and coupling terminals 4 provided in the housing 2. The coupling box 3 has a pair of upper and lower mounting recesses 5. The housing 2 has a coupling hole 6 penetrating in the first direction DI.

[0045] As shown in [Fig. 1], the connector 10 is provided with a housing 20 and a pair of upper and lower terminal assemblies 30, 40 arranged side by side in the second direction D2. Of the pair of upper and lower terminal assemblies 30, 40, the upper one is a first terminal assembly 30 and the lower one is a second terminal assembly 40. The respective terminal assemblies 30 and 40 are of different lengths in the first direction D1, but are configured in a substantially similar manner. Therefore, the first terminal assembly 30 is described as representing common components.

[0046] (Case configuration 20)

[0047] As shown in [Fig. 4], the housing 20 is provided with a housing body portion 21, a mounting plate 22 projecting towards an external peripheral side of the housing body portion 21, a pair of upper and lower nut retaining walls 23 arranged side by side in the second direction D2, a receptacle 24, and a pair of upper and lower terminal housing walls 25 arranged side by side in the second direction D2. A resin material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PBT), can be cited as the material of the housing 20.

[0048] (Configuration of the housing body part 21)

[0049] The housing body portion 21 includes a pair of upper and lower through holes 21A, in which the respective terminal assemblies 30 and 40 are mounted. The housing body portion 21 includes a pair of upper and lower mounting portions 21B that can be installed in the pair of upper and lower mounting recesses 5 of the enclosure 2. As shown in [Fig. 2], the housing body portion 21 is in the form of a substantially rectangular block, elongated in a vertical direction when viewed from the first direction DI.

[0050] As shown in [Fig. 5], a first annular sealing element 21C is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting part 21B. The first sealing element 21C is a shaft seal. If the mounting part 21B is installed in the mounting recess 5, the first sealing element 21C is compressed around its entire periphery by the outer peripheral surface of the mounting part 21B and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting recess 5, as shown in [Fig. 4], thereby sealing the inside of the coupling housing 3.

[0051] (Mounting plate configuration 22)

[0052] As shown in [Fig. 6], the mounting plate 22 is a portion projecting in the second and third directions D2, D3 from the outer peripheral surface of the housing body portion 21. The mounting plate 22 is substantially rectangular when viewed from the first direction DI. Metal collars 22A are attached to the four corners of the mounting plate 22 by press fitting or overmolding. The connector 10 is mounted and secured to the coupling device 1 by inserting bolts into the collars 22A and tightening the bolts into the bolt holes in the housing 2.

[0053] A second sealing element 22B is mounted on a surface of the mounting plate 22 facing the enclosure 2. The second sealing element 22B is a surface seal. If the connector 10 is mounted on the coupling device 1, the second sealing element 22B is compressed by the enclosure 2 and the mounting plate 22 and the inside of the enclosure 2 is sealed, as shown in [Fig. 4].

[0054] A protective metal element 50 is mounted between the housing body 21 and the mounting plate 22. The protective element 50 is substantially rectangular in shape when viewed from the first direction DI. Portions of the first and second terminal assemblies 30, 40, located outside the enclosure 2, are situated inside the protective element 50. As shown in [Fig. 6], the protective element 50 comprises a plurality of contact parts 51 for contacting the enclosure 2 when the connector 10 is mounted on the coupling device 1.

[0055] (Nut retaining wall configuration 23)

[0056] The nut retaining wall 23 comprises a base plate portion 23A shaped like a plate projecting in the first direction DI from the lower wall of the mounting portion 21B and a pair of side plate portions 23B extending in the first direction DI from the upper surface of the base plate portion 23A to the upper surface of the inner wall of the through hole 21A. The two side plate portions 23B are arranged side by side in parallel in the third direction D3. The end of the side plate portion 23B is disposed between the opening edge of the mounting portion 21B and the end of the base plate portion 23A. A pair of locking portions 23C are provided on the outer lateral surfaces of the pair of side plate portions 23B.

[0057] As shown in [Fig. 4], a nut 35 is supported by the base plate portion 23A, with the first terminal assembly 30 mounted in the housing portion 21. Since the nut 35 is installed and housed between the base plate portion 23A and a terminal connection portion 32C of terminal 32, the nut 35 is held in position in the second direction D2. The nut 35, temporarily held by the retaining component 31, is held within the retaining component 31 by the base plate portion 23A and prevented from being separated from the retaining component 31.

[0058] As shown in [Fig.5], the nut 35 is installed and housed between the pair of side plate parts 23B with the first terminal assembly 30 mounted in the housing body part 21. Even if the nut 35 rotates when the coupling terminal 4 and the terminal 32 are fixed, the rotation and the positional shift of the nut 35 are eliminated by the contact of the pair of side plate parts 23B with the external peripheral surface of the nut 35.

[0059] (Configurations of the receptacle 24 and the terminal housing walls 25)

[0060] The receptacle 24 is formed so as to project from the mounting plate 22 to a side opposite the mounting portion 21B. As shown in [Fig. 1], the receptacle 24 has a substantially rectangular tube shape when viewed from the first direction DI. As shown in [Fig. 4], a pair of terminal housing walls 25 are housed inside the receptacle 24. The terminal housing wall 25 has a substantially rectangular tube shape when viewed from the first direction DI. The respective terminal housing walls 25 are arranged in positions corresponding to the pair of upper and lower through holes 21A. The interior of the terminal housing wall 25 and the corresponding through hole 21A are connected.

[0061] An end opening of the through hole 21A on the side of the terminal housing wall 25 is formed in such a size that only the terminal 32 can pass through. Consequently, a third sealing element 33, which will be described later, is retained inside the housing body portion 21 and does not protrude towards the wall terminal housing 25 through through hole 21A in the case of insertion of the third sealing element 33 into through hole 21A with terminal 32. Therefore, only terminal 32 is arranged to protrude into the wall of terminal housing 25 from the body part of housing 21.

[0062] (Configuration of the first terminal set 30)

[0063] As shown in [Fig. 12], the first terminal assembly 30 is provided with the retaining component 31, the terminal 32, the third sealing element 33, an insulating element 34, and the nut 35. The third sealing element 33 is annular and directly mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the terminal 32. As shown in [Fig. 4], the terminal 32 and the coupling terminal 4 are connected by tightening a bolt B into the nut 35. As shown in [Fig. 7], the third sealing element 33 has a laterally elongated oval ring shape when viewed from the first direction DI and comprises a plurality of inner peripheral lips 33A and a plurality of outer peripheral lips 33B. The third sealing element 33 is referred to as a "sealing element".

[0064] (Configuration of terminal 32)

[0065] The terminal 32 is in the form of a substantially rectangular plate, elongated in the first direction DI. Metallic materials, such as iron-based, copper-based, and aluminum-based materials, can be cited, for example, as the material of the terminal 32. A pair of sealing element mounting parts 32A is formed on the two lateral edge portions in a central portion of the terminal 32. The sealing element mounting part 32A has a semi-circular external peripheral surface when viewed from the first direction DI. If the third sealing element 33 is mounted on the terminal 32 in the first direction DI, the internal peripheral lips 33A are maintained in close contact with the external peripheral surfaces of the sealing element mounting parts 32A and the upper and lower surfaces of the terminal 32.

[0066] A pair of steps 32B is formed in the two end portions in the first direction Dl of the sealing element mounting portion 32A. A displacement of the third sealing element 33 in the first direction Dl is suppressed by the steps 32B. The third sealing element 33 is positioned and held in the pair of sealing element mounting portions 32A.

[0067] The terminal connection portion 32C is formed on one end portion in the first direction Dl of the terminal 32. A bolt insertion hole 32D is formed to penetrate through the terminal connection portion 32C in the direction of the plate thickness. Furthermore, an insulating element mounting portion 32E is formed on the other end portion in the first direction Dl of the terminal 32. The substantially door-shaped insulating element 34 is mounted on the mounting portion. of insulating element 32E in the first direction Dl. The insulating element 34 is made of an insulating resin material.

[0068] A plurality of projections 32F are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the insulating element mounting portion 32E. Furthermore, a plurality of recesses 34 are formed on the inner peripheral edge of the insulating element 34. The insulating element 34 is held on the insulating element mounting portion 32E by convex-concave mounting of the respective projections 32F in the respective recesses 34A in three different directions.

[0069] (Nut configuration 35)

[0070] As shown in [Fig. 11], the nut 35 is, for example, in the form of a quadrangular prism. The nut 35 includes a through hole 35A penetrating through the nut 35 in the thickness direction. The through hole 35A is formed to penetrate from the upper surface to the lower surface of the nut 35. The through hole 35A is, for example, formed to have a circular shape when viewed from one penetration direction (here, the second direction D2) of the through hole 35A. The through hole 35A is, for example, formed at the center of the upper and lower surfaces. The through hole 35A is, for example, arranged coaxially with respect to the bolt insertion hole 32D of the terminal connection portion 32C with the terminal 32 and the nut 35 mounted in the retaining component 31.The nut 35 is, for example, formed to have a rectangular shape in a plan view from the penetration direction of the through hole 35A. The external peripheral surface of the nut 35 consists of four flat external peripheral lateral surfaces.

[0071] (Configuration of the holding component 31)

[0072] As shown in Figures 8 and 12, the retaining component 31 comprises a nut housing portion 31A for housing the nut 35, a terminal housing portion 31B for housing the terminal 32, and a flange portion 31C in the form of a plate arranged to be orthogonal to the terminal 32. The nut housing portion 31A is provided to be continuous with the terminal housing portion 31B. The retaining component 31 is made of a resin material that is more flexible than the housing 20. The nut housing portion 31A corresponds to a "nut positioning portion" and the terminal housing portion 31B corresponds to a "terminal positioning portion".

[0073] (Configuration of the nut housing portion 31 A)

[0074] The nut housing portion 31A is in the form of a substantially rectangular frame open in the second direction D2. As shown in [Fig. 9], a plurality of temporary retaining ribs 31A1 in the form of ribs extending in the second direction D2 are formed on wall portions. face in the first direction Dl, outside the peripheral wall of the nut housing part 31 A. In this embodiment, a temporary retaining rib 31 Al is disposed on the front wall part (wall part on a side opposite the flange part 31C) of the nut housing part 31 A, and three temporary retaining ribs 31 Al are disposed on the rear wall part (wall part on the side of the flange part 31C).

[0075] A pair of positioning ribs 31A2 is formed on the front wall portion of the nut housing portion 31A. The pair of positioning ribs 31A2 is in the form of ribs extending in the second direction D2 and is arranged symmetrically with respect to the temporary retaining rib 31A1 on the front wall portion as its center. As shown in [Fig. 10], the pair of positioning ribs 31A2 can position the nut 35 in the third direction D3 by coming into contact with the nut 35. The nut 35 is positioned and temporarily held in the third direction D3 by the pair of positioning ribs 31A2 and positioned and temporarily held in the first direction D1 by the plurality of temporary retaining ribs 31A1.

[0076] By temporarily holding the nut 35 with the retaining component 31, the nut 35 is mounted in the nut housing portion 31A of the retaining component 31 in the second direction D2. Since the retaining component 31 is made of a more flexible resin material than the housing 20, a press-fitting machine is not required, and the nut 35 can be mounted manually. Furthermore, since the nut 35 is positioned in the first and third directions D1, D3 by the temporary retaining ribs 31A1 and the positioning ribs 31A2, problems such as positional misalignment during press-fitting can be avoided.

[0077] As shown in Figures 3 and 11, slots S are formed in facing wall portions in the third direction D3, outside the peripheral wall of the nut housing portion 31A, and deflection pieces 31A3, separated from the front housing portion 31B1, are provided by these slots S. The deflection piece 31A3 is in the form of a cantilever projecting towards the flange portion 31C, with the side of the positioning ribs 31A2 of the nut housing portion 31A as its basic end portion. A pair of deflection pieces 31A3 are provided opposite each other in the third direction D3. A pair of locking portions 31A4 is formed on the facing portions of the free end portions of the pair of deflection pieces 31A3.

[0078] As shown in [Fig. 5], with the first terminal assembly 30 mounted in the housing 20, the locking pair 31 A4 is locked onto the locking pair 23C, thereby holding the first terminal assembly 30 in the housing 20. While the first terminal assembly 30 is being mounted in In the housing 20, the deflection parts 31 A3 are so deflected and deformed that the locking parts 31 A4 overlap the locked parts 23C. Simultaneously, as the locking parts 31 A4 overlap the locked parts 23C, the deflection parts 31 A3 are restored to their original position. Consequently, the first terminal assembly 30 can be manually mounted in the housing 20.

[0079] (Configuration of the terminal 3 IB housing part)

[0080] As shown in [Fig.8], the terminal housing portion 31B is provided to penetrate through the flange portion 31C in the first direction D1. The terminal housing portion 31B comprises the front housing portion 31B1 formed in one piece with the nut housing portion 31A and a rear housing portion 31B2 formed on a side opposite the front housing portion 31B1 through the flange portion 31C.

[0081] The front housing portion 31B1 is in the form of a substantially rectangular frame open in the vertical direction. The terminal connection portion 32C of terminal 32 is housed within the front housing portion 31B1. The terminal connection portion 32C contacts a front wall portion facing the flange portion 31C, outside the peripheral wall of the front housing portion 31B1, in the first direction D1 to stop in front of it, thereby positioning the terminal connection portion 32C in the first direction DL. Furthermore, the terminal connection portion 32C contacts a facing wall portion oriented in the third direction D3, outside the peripheral wall of the front housing portion 31B1, in the third direction D3, thereby positioning the terminal connection portion 32C in the third direction D3.

[0082] A support surface 31B3 for supporting the two lateral edge portions of the terminal connection portion 32C is formed to be continuous with a lower end portion of the facing wall portion of the front housing portion 31B1. The terminal connection portion 32C comes into contact with the support surface 31B3 in the second direction D2, thereby positioning the terminal connection portion 32C in the second direction D2.

[0083] The rear housing portion 31B2 has a laterally elongated tubular shape and includes a terminal insertion hole 31B4 penetrating in the first direction DL. A portion of the terminal 32 between the terminal connection portion 32C and the sealing element mounting portions 32A (the portion surrounded by the third sealing element 33) is housed in the terminal insertion hole 31B4. The terminal 32 makes contact with the peripheral wall of the terminal insertion hole 31B4 over its entire periphery, thus being positioned in the second and third directions D2, D3.

[0084] With terminal 32 mounted inside terminal housing portion 31B, terminal 32 is positioned in the first, second, and third directions D1, D2, and D3. If nut 35 is mounted in nut housing portion 31A in the second In this state, the nut 35 is positioned in the second direction D2 by the contact of the upper surface of the nut 35 with the lower surface of the terminal connection part 32C. Therefore, the nut 35, the terminal 32 and the third sealing element 33 are positioned relative to each other by a component, i.e. the retaining component 31.

[0085] (Flange section 3 IC configuration)

[0086] The flange portion 31C is substantially rectangular when viewed from the first direction DI and is shaped to project outwards from the outer peripheral surface of the terminal housing portion 31B. An assembly opening 3ICI is provided to enter the first direction DI below the nut housing portion 31A in the flange portion 31C. The nut retaining wall 23 is inserted through the assembly opening 3ICI when the first terminal assembly 30 is mounted in the housing body portion 21.

[0087] As shown in [Fig. 4], the flange portion 31C comprises a peripheral wall 31C2, and this peripheral wall 31C2 is installed on the external peripheral surface of the mounting portion 2IB and on the external peripheral surface of the nut retaining wall 23. By installing the peripheral wall 31C2 on the mounting portion 21B and the nut retaining wall 23 from the outside in this manner, the retaining component 31 is positioned in the second and third directions D2, D3 relative to the housing 20. Furthermore, the first terminal assembly 30 is positioned in the first direction DI relative to the housing body portion 21 by the contact of the end of the mounting portion 21B with the flange portion 31C.

[0088] As shown in [Fig. 5], the peripheral wall 31C2 has the function of positioning the first sealing element 21C installed on the external peripheral surface of the mounting part 21B. If the first sealing element 21C is mounted on the external peripheral surface of the mounting part 21B and the first terminal assembly 30 is mounted in the housing body part 21, the peripheral wall 31C2 is installed externally on the external peripheral surface of the mounting part 21B, thereby preventing the first sealing element 21C from being separated from the external peripheral surface of the mounting part 21B and ensuring that it is positioned and held on the external peripheral surface of the mounting part 21B.

[0089] (Method for assembling the first terminal assembly 30)

[0090] In what follows, a method for assembling the first terminal assembly 30 is described. First, as shown in [Fig. 7], the third sealing element 33 and the insulating element 34 are mounted on the terminal 32. Then, as shown in [Fig. 8], the third sealing element 33 is positioned and mounted in the pair of sealing element mounting parts 32A and insulating element 34 is fixed to the insulating element mounting part 32E.

[0091] Next, the terminal 32 is mounted in the retaining component 31 in the first direction DE. The terminal 32 is mounted while positioned inside the terminal housing portion 31B. In this state, since the third sealing element 33 is in contact with an end portion of the terminal housing portion 31B, as shown in [Fig. 9], movement of the third sealing element 33 towards the flange portion 31C is prevented. Furthermore, since the nut housing portion 31A is covered from above by the terminal connection portion 32C, the nut 35 is mounted in the nut housing portion 31A in the second direction D2 (from the side opposite the terminal connection portion 32C).

[0092] As shown in [Fig. 10], if the nut 35 is mounted in the nut housing portion 31A, the nut 35 is temporarily held in place by being sandwiched and positioned in the first direction DI by the plurality of temporary holding ribs 31A1 and is positioned in the third direction D3 by coming into contact with the pair of positioning ribs 31A2. Furthermore, the nut 35 is positioned in the second direction D2 by the contact of the upper surface of the nut 35 with the lower surface of the terminal connection portion 32C. In the manner described above, the assembly of the first terminal assembly 30 is completed.

[0093] As shown in [Fig. 11], in the assembled state of the first terminal assembly 30, a relative position relationship of the terminal 32, the third sealing element 33, and the nut 35 is determined by a component, namely the retaining component 31. From this state, the first terminal assembly 30 is inserted into the mounting portion 21B of the housing 20 in the first direction D1, as shown in [Fig. 6]. During insertion, the end of the terminal 32 enters the through hole 21A, and the nut retaining wall 23 enters the assembly opening 31C1 of the flange portion 31C. Furthermore, the locking portions 31A4 of the retaining component 31 overlap the locking portions 23C of the housing 20, and the deflection portions 31A3 are deflected and deformed.

[0094] If the first terminal assembly 30 is correctly mounted in the housing body portion 21, the peripheral wall 31C2 of the retaining component 31 is installed externally on the mounting portion 21B, and the end of the mounting portion 21B comes into contact with the flange portion 31C, as shown in [Fig. 4], thereby positioning the first terminal assembly 30 in the first direction Dl relative to the housing body portion 21. Here, since the terminal 32 is positioned by the retaining component 31, the third sealing element 33 is uniformly pressed between the terminal 32 and the inner wall of the through hole 21A, and the original water-tight performance is achieved. Consequently, the through hole 21A is sealed for stop the water between the inside of the terminal housing wall 25 and the inside of the mounting part 21B.

[0095] Furthermore, as shown in [Fig. 5], the nut 35 is perfectly installed between the pair of side plate parts 23B, and the outer peripheral surface of the nut 35 comes into contact with the pair of side plate parts 23B. Here, since the housing 20 constituting the side plate parts 23B is made of a harder and more durable resin material than the retaining component 31, rotation of the nut 35 positioned by the retaining component 31 can be prevented when the bolt is tightened.

[0096] (Functions and effects of the embodiment)

[0097] (1) The connector 10 must be connected to the coupling device 1 and provided with the Housing 20 is to be fixed to enclosure 2 of the coupling device 1 and the first terminal assembly 30, which can be mounted on the coupling housing 3 supplied in enclosure 2. Housing 20 comprises the housing body portion 21 having the through hole 21A penetrating in the first direction DI. The first terminal assembly 30 is mounted in the housing body portion 21 by being inserted into the through hole 21A in the first direction DI.The first terminal assembly 30 comprises the terminal 32 arranged to penetrate through the housing body portion 21 in the first direction D1, the retaining component 31 comprising the terminal insertion hole 31B4, into which the terminal 32 is inserted, and to be inserted into the through hole 21A jointly with the terminal 32, the third sealing element 33 to ensure sealing between the inner wall of the through hole 21A and the terminal 32 by being mounted directly on the terminal 32 protruding from the terminal insertion hole 31B4, and the nut 35 to be mounted and temporarily held in the retaining component 31 in the second direction D2 orthogonal to the first direction DL. The retaining component 31 comprises the terminal housing portion 31B for positioning the terminal 32 inserted into the terminal insertion hole 31B4, and the nut housing portion 31A provided to be continuous with the housing portion terminal 31B to position nut 35.The housing 20 includes the nut retaining wall 23 to hold the nut 35 in the position held by the nut housing part 31 A.

[0098] Since the nut 35 is mounted and temporarily held in the retaining component 31 in the second direction D2, the nut 35 does not need to be press-fitted, and problems such as forgetting to press-fit the nut 35 and a misalignment of the nut 35's position during press-fitting can be avoided. Furthermore, since the third sealing element 33 is mounted directly on the terminal 32, the terminal 32 and the third sealing element 33 are positioned by the terminal housing portion 31B, and the nut 35 is positioned by the nut housing portion 31A, by mounting the terminal 32 and the nut 35 respectively in the retaining component 31. Therefore, the first terminal assembly 30, comprising the terminal 32, the nut 35, and the third sealing element 33 positioned relatively by a component, i.e. the retaining component 31, can be configured, and a component to position the third sealing element 33 is not required in addition to the retaining component 31. The cost of the components can thus be reduced.

[0099] Since the nut can be held in position by the nut retaining wall 23, the positioning accuracy of the nut 35 can be improved. Here, when the coupling terminal 4 and the terminal 32 are secured by the bolt B and the nut 35, the coupling terminal 4 and the terminal 32 are fixed based on the position of the nut 35, which is held in position. In other words, since the position of the terminal 32 does not shift due to the fastening and the terminal 32 is held in position, a water-sealing function can be guaranteed by uniformly pressing the third sealing element 33.

[0100] (2) The nut retaining wall 23 comprises the base plate portion 23A for remove the separation of nut 35 by placing nut 35 between terminal 32 and base plate part 23A.

[0101] As the nut 35 is disposed between the base plate part 23A and the terminal 32, separation between the temporarily held nut 35 and the retaining component 31 can be avoided.

[0102] (3) The nut retaining wall 23 comprises the side plate parts 23B for stop the rotation of nut 35 by coming into contact with the external peripheral surface of nut 35.

[0103] As the side plate parts 23B come into contact with the external peripheral surface of the nut 35, the nut 35 cannot rotate and its position cannot shift when the coupling terminal 4 and the terminal 32 are fixed.

[0104] (4) The side plate parts 23B include the locked parts 23C and the retaining component 31 includes locking parts 31 A4 to retain the first terminal assembly 30 in the mounted state in the housing body part 21 by locking the locked parts 23C.

[0105] If the first terminal assembly 30 is mounted in the housing body part 21, the locking parts 31 A4 of the retaining component 31 lock the locked parts 23C of the side plate parts 23B, thereby the first terminal assembly 30 can be retained in the housing body part 21.

[0106] (5) The retaining component 31 includes the deflection parts 31 A3 which be diverted, and the locking parts 31 A4 are provided on the diverter part 31A3.

[0107] If the deflection parts 31 A3 are deflected and deformed while the first terminal assembly 30 is being mounted in the housing 20, the locking parts 31 A4 overlap the locked parts 23C, and the deflection parts 31 A3 are restored at the same time as the locking parts 31 A4 overlap the locked parts 23C. In this way, the locking parts 31 A4 lock the locked parts 23C, so that the first terminal set 30 can be easily mounted by hand in the housing body part 21.

[0108] (6) The nut housing portion 31A includes the temporary retaining ribs 31 Al extending in the second direction D2 and configured to sandwich and temporarily hold nut 35 in the first direction Dl.

[0109] The nut 35 can be temporarily held in the retaining component 31 by being sandwiched in the first direction Dl by the temporary retaining ribs 31 AL

[0110] (Other embodiments)

[0111] The above embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be implemented in combination without technically contradicting each other.

[0112] Although the connector 10 provided with the first and second terminal sets 30, 40 is illustrated in the embodiment above, a connector may include only the first terminal set 30.

[0113] Although the base plate portion 23A of the nut retaining wall 23 directly retains the nut 35 in the above embodiment, a nut retaining wall can indirectly retain the nut 35 via a retaining component. For example, a nut housing portion of the retaining component can be formed with a bottom plate, and a base plate portion of a nut retaining wall can be disposed along the lower surface of the lower wall of the nut housing portion after a nut is mounted in the nut housing portion from above and supported by the lower wall.

[0114] Although the rotation of the nut 35 is stopped by the contact of the pair of side plate parts 23B with the external peripheral surface of the nut 35 in the above embodiment, the rotation of a nut can be stopped by forming a protrusion on the external peripheral surface of the nut and by forming a hole, in which this protrusion is installed, in the housing.

[0115] Although the retaining component 31 is formed with the deflection parts 31 A3 in the embodiment above, side plate parts of a housing can be formed with deflection parts.

[0116] The embodiment disclosed herein is to be considered illustrative in all its aspects, rather than restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not represented by the meaning above, but by the claims and is intended to include all changes in the scope of the claims and in the meaning and scope of the equivalents. List of reference signs

[0117] 1: coupling device

[0118] 2: pregnant

[0119] 3: coupling housing

[0120] 4: coupling terminal

[0121] 5: mounting clearance

[0122] 6: mounting hole

[0123] 10: connector

[0124] 20: casing

[0125] 21: part of the housing body

[0126] 21A: through hole

[0127] 21B: assembly part

[0128] 21C: first sealing element

[0129] 22: Mounting plate

[0130] 22A: necklace

[0131] 22B: second sealing element

[0132] 23: nut retaining wall

[0133] 23A: base plate part

[0134] 23B: side plate part

[0135] 23C: locked part

[0136] 24: receptacle

[0137] 25: terminal housing wall

[0138] 30: first terminal assembly

[0139] 31: retaining component

[0140] 31A: nut housing part (nut positioning part)

[0141] 31A1: temporary retaining rib

[0142] 31A2: Positioning rib

[0143] 31 A3: deflection part

[0144] 31 A4: locking part

[0145] 31B: terminal housing part (terminal positioning part)

[0146] 3 IB 1: front housing part

[0147] 31B2: rear housing part

[0148] 31B3: support surface

[0149] 31B4: terminal insertion hole

[0150] 31C: flange part

[0151] 3ICI: assembly opening

[0152] 31C2: peripheral wall

[0153]

[0154]

[0155]

[0156]

[0157]

[0158]

[0159]

[0160]

[0161]

[0162]

[0163]

[0164]

[0165]

[0166]

[0167]

[0168]

[0169]

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[0172]

[0173]

[0174] 32: Terminal 32A: Sealing element mounting part 32B: Step 32C: Terminal connection part 32D: Bolt insertion hole 32E: Insulating element mounting part 32F: Projection 33: Third sealing element (sealing element) 33A: Inner peripheral lip 33B: Outer peripheral lip 34: Insulating element 34A: Recess 35 : nut 35A : through hole 40 : second terminal assembly 50 : protective element 51 : contact piece B : bolt DI : first direction D2 : second direction D3 : third direction S : slot

Claims

Demands

1. Connector (10), comprising: a housing (20); and a terminal assembly (30), the housing (20) comprising a housing body portion (21) having a through hole (21A) penetrating in a first direction (Dl), the terminal assembly (30) comprising a terminal (32), a retaining component (31) to be inserted into the through hole (21A) jointly with the terminal (32), a sealing element (33) to ensure sealing between an internal wall of the through hole (21A) and the terminal (32) by being directly mounted on the terminal (32), and a nut (35) to be mounted and temporarily retained in the retaining component (31), the retaining component (31) comprising a terminal insertion hole (31B4), the terminal (32) being inserted into the terminal insertion hole (31B4), a terminal positioning portion (31B) for positioning the terminal (32) inserted into the terminal insertion hole (31B4),and a nut positioning portion (31A) provided to be continuous with the terminal positioning portion (31B) for positioning the nut (35), and the housing (20) comprising a nut retaining wall (23) for holding the nut (35) in a position determined by the nut positioning portion (31A), and wherein: said nut retaining wall (23) comprises a side plate portion (23B) for preventing the rotation of the nut (35) by contacting an external peripheral surface of the nut (35), the side plate portion (23B) comprises a locking portion (23C), and the retaining component (31) comprises a locking portion (31A4) for holding the terminal assembly (30) in a mounted position within the housing body portion (21) by locking the locking portion (23C), and the retaining component (31) comprises a deflector portion (31A3) that can be deflected and the locking portion (31 A4) is supplied on the deflection piece (31 A3).

2. Connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein the nut retaining wall (23) comprises a base plate portion (23A)

3. to eliminate the separation of the nut (35) by placing the nut (35) between the terminal (32) and the base plate part (23A). Connector (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nut positioning part (31 A) includes a temporary retaining rib (31 Al) to sandwich and temporarily hold the nut (35) in the first direction (Dl).

Images