CONNECTOR
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-05
Abstract
Description
Description Title of the invention: CONNECTOR Technical field This disclosure relates to a connector. Background to the invention A high-voltage connector for installation in a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle, is conventionally known from Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2021-190364 (Patent Literature 1 below). This connector is provided with a terminal, a housing for housing the terminal, and a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the terminal, and can prevent overcurrent from a power supply to an electric device based on a detection result of the temperature sensor. List of quotes Patent literature Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2021-190364 Summary of the invention Technical problem The connector described in the patent literature 1 is formed in such a way that the terminal is assembled with a holding element after the assembly of the temperature sensor with the holding element. On the other hand, the assembly of the temperature sensor with the holding element after the assembly of the terminal with the holding element is not described in detail. Furthermore, in the connector of patent literature 1, the temperature sensor is pressed against the terminal by a protruding portion formed on an elastically deformable pressing arm. Therefore, in a vibration environment, such as a vehicle, a contact state of the temperature sensor with the terminal eventually becomes unstable due to the elastic deformation of the pressing arm. As a result, the accuracy of temperature measurement by the temperature sensor may be reduced. The present disclosure has been made based on the above situation and aims to improve the assemblability of a temperature sensor and to improve the accuracy of a temperature measurement by satisfactorily bringing a terminal and the temperature sensor into contact with each other in a high-voltage connector. Solution to the problem The present disclosure relates to a connector having a housing, a terminal, a holding component for holding the terminal, and a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the terminal, the housing comprising a housing body portion and a through-hole penetrating through the housing body portion in a first direction, the holding component being assemblable to the housing by being inserted into the through-hole while holding the terminal, the holding component comprising a terminal housing portion for housing the terminal and a temperature sensor housing portion arranged to be continuous with the terminal housing portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the temperature sensor housing portion comprising a facing wall portion facing the temperature sensor in the second direction,a pair of side wall portions facing the temperature sensor in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions and an insertion opening open in the first direction with the holding component assembled to the housing, each of the pair of side wall portions comprising an elastic piece capable of being deflected and deformed on an opening edge portion of the insertion opening, the elastic piece comprising a locking portion for retaining the temperature sensor inside the temperature sensor housing portion, the facing wall portion being formed with a pressing portion protruding into the temperature sensor housing portion, and a minimum value of a gap in the second direction between the pressing portion and an outer surface of the terminal being set to be less than one dimension in the second direction of the temperature sensor. Effect of the invention, According to the present disclosure, the assemblability of a temperature sensor can be improved and a terminal and the temperature sensor can be satisfactorily contacted with each other in a connector. Brief description of the drawings [Fig.1] is a perspective view of a connector according to one embodiment, [Fig.2] is a front view of the connector, [Fig.3] is a section along A-À of [Fig.2], [Fig.4] is a section along BB of [Fig.3], [Fig.5] is an enlarged view of [Fig.3] showing the periphery of a holding component, [Fig.6] is a view showing a mounting state of a temperature sensor in [Fig.5], [Fig.7] is an enlarged view of [Fig.6] showing a pressing part, [Fig.8] is a section along CC of [Fig.5], [Fig.9] is a section along DD of [Fig.5], [Fig.10] is an exploded perspective view of the connector, [Fig.11] is a perspective view of a first terminal assembly, seen obliquely from a lower front side, [Fig.12] is a perspective view of the retaining component, seen obliquely from an upper front side, [Fig.13] is a plan view of the holding component, and [Fig.14] is a section along EE of [Fig.13]. Methods of implementation [Description of embodiments of this disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described. [1] The connector of the present disclosure is provided with a housing, a terminal, a holding component for holding the terminal, and a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the terminal, the housing comprising a housing body portion and a through-hole penetrating through the housing body portion in a first direction, the holding component being assemblable to the housing by being inserted into the through-hole while holding the terminal, the holding component comprising a terminal housing portion for housing the terminal and a temperature sensor housing portion arranged to be continuous with the terminal housing portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the temperature sensor housing portion comprising a facing wall portion facing the temperature sensor in the second direction,a pair of side wall portions facing the temperature sensor in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions and an insertion opening open in the first direction with the holding component assembled to the housing, each of the pair of side wall portions including an elastic piece capable of being deflected and deformed on an opening edge portion of the insertion opening, the elastic piece including a locking portion for retaining the temperature sensor inside the temperature sensor housing portion, the facing wall portion being formed with a pressing portion protruding into the temperature sensor housing portion, and a minimum value of a gap in the second direction between the pressing portion and an outer surface of the terminal being set to be less than a dimension in the second direction of the temperature sensor. According to this configuration, the temperature sensor can be inserted into the temperature sensor housing part through the insertion opening, the holding component holding the terminal assembled to the housing. The elastic parts are deflected upon insertion of the temperature sensor into the insertion opening, and restored in a natural state after the temperature sensor is housed in the temperature sensor housing portion, whereby the temperature sensor can be retained inside the temperature sensor housing portion by the locking portions. [2] Preferably in [1] described above, the pressing portion is in the form of a rib extending in the first direction, and a protrusion amount of the pressing portion in the temperature sensor housing portion increases from the insertion opening toward the rear of the temperature sensor housing portion in the first direction. According to this configuration, since the pressing portion is in the form of a rib, an insertion force of the temperature sensor into the temperature sensor housing portion can be reduced by making a contact portion of the pressing portion with the temperature sensor smaller. Furthermore, since the protrusion amount of the pressing portion increases from the insertion opening toward the rear of the temperature sensor housing portion in the first direction, the temperature sensor can be sufficiently pressed against the terminal inside the temperature sensor housing portion while the insertion of the temperature sensor is guided. [3] Preferably in [1] or [2] described above, the terminal housing portion comprises a bottom wall portion configured to contact the terminal from a side opposite the temperature sensor in the second direction. According to this configuration, the temperature sensor and the terminal can be sandwiched and arranged between the pressing part and the bottom wall part in the second direction. Therefore, the contact of the temperature sensor and the terminal is easily ensured. [Details of the embodiment of this disclosure] A specific example of a connector of the present disclosure is described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these illustrations, but is represented by the claims and is intended to include all changes in the scope of the claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents. For ease of description, certain components may be shown exaggeratedly or simplified in each drawing. Furthermore, the dimensional ratio of each part may be different in each figure. "Parallel", "perpendicular" and "orthogonal" in the present 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 in this embodiment are achieved. 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 direction on a side where a symbol is associated, but also an arrow direction on a side where no symbol is associated indicates that direction. Furthermore, the term "tubular" as used in the present specification indicates not only a shape formed by a continuous peripheral wall over an entire periphery in a circumferential direction, but also a shape formed by combining a plurality of components and a shape having a cutout or the like in a circumferential portion, such as a C-shape. Furthermore, "tubular" shapes include circular shapes, elliptical shapes, and polygonal shapes with angular or rounded corners. Furthermore, the term "ring" in the present specification refers to 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 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, a "ring shape" in the present specification is only to be considered a ring as a whole and may include a cutout, slit, or the like in a portion, such as a C-shape. Furthermore, "face to face" in the present description indicates that surfaces or elements are in positions facing each other, and describes not only a case in which the surfaces or elements are in positions perfectly facing each other, but also a case in which the surfaces or elements are partially facing each other. Furthermore, "face to face" in the present description describes both a case in which another element different from two parts is interposed between the two parts and a case in which nothing is interposed between the two parts. <Mode de réalisation> (Connector 10 Configuration) A 10 connector is to be connected to a vehicle coupling device (not shown). The coupling device is, for example, a high-voltage battery, a motor or the like for a drive. The coupling device has an enclosure made of an electrically conductive metallic material and a device-side housing and device-side terminals provided in the enclosure. As shown in [Fig. 1], the connector 10 is provided with a housing 20, two terminal assemblies 30, 40 arranged side by side in the second direction D2 (vertical direction), and a temperature sensor 36. Of the two terminal assemblies 30, 40, the lower one is a first terminal assembly 30 and the upper one is a second terminal assembly 40. The first terminal assembly 30 is longer than the second terminal assembly 40 in the first direction D1 (front-rear direction) and includes a temperature sensor housing portion 31B, which is not provided in the second terminal assembly 40. Since the configurations of the respective terminal assemblies 30, 40 are substantially similar in other respects, the first terminal assembly 30 is representatively described below. (Case configuration 20) As shown in [Fig. 3], the housing 20 is provided with a housing body portion 21, a mounting plate 22 protruding toward an outer peripheral side of the housing body portion 21, two nut holding walls 23 arranged side by side in the second direction D2, a receptacle 24, and two terminal housing walls 25 arranged side by side in the second direction D2. A resin material, such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), may be cited as the material of the housing 20. (Configuration of the housing body part 21) The housing body portion 21 includes through holes 21A, in which the respective terminal assemblies 30, 40 are mounted. The housing body portion 21 includes mounting portions 21B, which are portions for installation in a device-side housing. As shown in [Fig. 2], the housing body portion 21 is in the shape of a substantially rectangular block long in the vertical direction when viewed from the first direction D1. As shown in [Fig. 4], a first sealing ring member 21C is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting part 21B. The first sealing member 21C is a shaft seal. If the mounting part 21B is installed in the device-side housing, the first sealing member 21C is compressed over an entire periphery by the outer peripheral surface of the mounting part 21B and the inner peripheral surface of the device-side housing, whereby the interior of the device-side housing is sealed. (22 Mounting Plate Configuration) As shown in [Fig.2], the mounting plate 22 is a projecting portion in the second and third directions D2, D3 from the outer peripheral surface of the housing body portion 21. The mounting plate 22 is in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate when viewed from the first direction D1. 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 attached to the mating device by inserting bolts into the collars 22A and tightening the bolts into the bolt holes of the enclosure. As shown in [Fig. 1], a second sealing member 22B is mounted on a surface of the mounting plate 22 facing the enclosure. The second sealing member 22B is a surface seal. If the connector 10 is mounted on the mating device, the second sealing member 22B is compressed by the enclosure and the mounting plate 22 and the interior of the enclosure are sealed. As shown in [Fig. 3], a metal shielding member 50 is mounted between the housing body portion 21 and the mounting plate 22. The shielding member 50 is substantially in the form of a rectangular tube when viewed from the first direction D1. A portion of the terminal 32 disposed outside the enclosure is located inside the shielding member 50. As shown in [Fig. 1], the shielding member 50 includes a plurality of contact pieces 51 to be brought into contact with the enclosure when the connector 10 is mounted on the mating device. (Nut Holding Wall Configuration 23) As shown in |Fig.10], the nut holding wall 23 comprises a plate-shaped base plate portion 23A formed to protrude in the first direction D1 from the bottom wall of the mounting portion 21B and a pair of side plate portions 23B protruding inward (upward) of the through hole 21A in the second direction D2 from the upper surface of the base plate portion 23A and extending in the first direction D1. 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 arranged between the opening edge of the mounting portion 21B and the end of the base plate portion 23A. A pair of locked portions 23C are provided on the outer side surfaces of the pair of side plate portions 23B. A support portion 23D is formed between the pair of side plate portions 23B in the third direction D3.The support part 23D protrudes upward from the base plate part 23A. The support part 23D is disposed at a position of the base plate part 23A near the mounting part 21B, and extends in the first direction D1. As shown in [Fig.3], a nut 35 is supported by the base plate portion 23A with the first terminal assembly 30 mounted in the housing body portion 21. Since the nut 35 is installed and seated between the base plate portion 23A and a terminal connection portion 32B of the terminal 32, the nut 35 is held in position in the second direction D2. The nut 35 temporarily held by the holding component 31 is held in the holding component 31 by the base plate portion 23A and prevented from being separated from the holding component 31. As shown in [Fig.9], 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 fixing the device-side terminal and the terminal 32, rotation and positional shift of the nut 35 are suppressed by bringing the pair of side plate parts 23B into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the nut 35. (Configurations of receptacle 24 and terminal housing walls 25) As shown in [Fig. 3], the receptacle 24 is formed to protrude from the mounting plate 22 to a side opposite to the mounting portion 21B. The receptacle 24 has a substantially rectangular tube shape when viewed from the first direction D1. A pair of terminal housing walls 25 are accommodated inside the receptacle 24. The terminal housing wall 25 has a substantially rectangular tube shape when viewed from the first direction D1. The respective terminal housing walls 25 are disposed at positions corresponding to the upper and lower pair of through holes 21A. The inside of the terminal housing wall 25 and the corresponding through hole 21A communicate. 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 be passed. Therefore, a third sealing member 33 to be described later is held inside the case body portion 21 and does not protrude toward the terminal housing wall 25 through the through hole 21A in the case of inserting the third sealing member 33 into the through hole 21A together with the terminal 32. Therefore, only the terminal 32 is arranged to protrude into the terminal housing wall 25 from the case body portion 21. (Configuration of the first set terminal 30) As shown in [Fig. 11], the first terminal assembly 30 is provided with the holding component 31, the terminal 32, the third sealing member 33, an insulating member 34 and the nut 35. The terminal 32 and the device-side terminal are connected by tightening the bolt in the nut 35. The third sealing member 33 is in the shape of a laterally long oval ring when viewed from the first direction D1. (Configuration of terminal 32) Terminal 32 is in the form of a roughly rectangular plate long along the first direction D1. Metallic materials, such as iron-based, copper-based, and aluminum-based, can be, for example, cited as the material of the terminal 32. A pair of sealing member mounting portions 32A in the form of grooves is formed on both side edge portions of the terminal 32. If the third sealing member 33 is mounted on the terminal 32 in the first direction D1, the inner peripheral lips of the third sealing member 33 are kept in close contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the sealing member mounting portions 32A and the upper and lower surfaces of the terminal 32. As shown in [Fig. 10], the terminal connection portion 32B is formed on one end portion in the first direction D1 of the terminal 32. A bolt insertion hole 32C is formed to penetrate through the terminal connection portion 32B in a plate thickness direction. Furthermore, the insulating member 34 is mounted on the other end portion in the first direction D1 of the terminal 32. The insulating member 34 is made of an insulating resin material. For example, the insulating member 34 may be shaped to fit convexly-concavely to the terminal 32. Furthermore, the insulating member 34 may be integrally provided to the terminal 32 by overmolding. (Nut configuration 35) As shown in [Fig. 11], the nut 35 is, for example, in the shape of a quadrangular prism. The nut 35 includes a through hole 35A penetrating through the nut 35 in a 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 a penetration direction (here, the second direction D2) of the through hole 3SA. 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 the bolt insertion hole 32C of the terminal connection part 32B with the terminal 32 and the nut 35 mounted in the holding 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 outer peripheral surface of the nut 35 consists of four flat outer peripheral side surfaces. (Configuration of the holding component 31) As shown in [Fig. 5], the holding component 31 comprises a terminal housing portion 31A for housing the terminal 32 therein, a temperature sensor housing portion 31B for housing the temperature sensor 36 therein, a nut housing portion 31C for housing the nut 35 therein, and a plate-shaped flange portion 31D arranged to be orthogonal to the terminal 32. As the shown in [Fig. 12], the temperature sensor housing portion 31B is provided to be continuous with the terminal housing portion 31A. The nut housing portion 31C is provided to be continuous with the terminal housing portion 31A. The holding component 31 is made of a softer resin material than the housing 20. (Configuration of the 31A terminal housing part) As shown in [Fig. 12], the terminal housing portion 31A is provided to penetrate through the flange portion 31D in the first direction D1. The terminal housing portion 31A includes a front housing portion 31A1 integrally formed with the nut housing portion 31C and a rear housing portion 31A2 formed on a side opposite to the front housing portion 31A1 through the flange portion 31D. The front housing portion 31A1 is in the form of a substantially rectangular frame. The front housing portion 31A1 includes a bottom wall portion 31A3, a peripheral wall portion 31A4 extending upward from the bottom wall portion 31A3, and a communication hole 31A5 penetrating through a front portion of the bottom wall portion 31A3 in the vertical direction. The interior of the terminal housing portion 31A and that of the nut housing portion 31C can communicate through the communication hole 31AS. The peripheral wall portion 31A4 includes a pair of first wall portions 31A6 extending in the first direction D1 and facing each other in the third direction D3, and a second wall portion 31A7 connecting the end portions (front end portions) of the pair of first wall portions 31A6 on a side opposite to the flange portion 31D in the third direction D3. As shown in [Fig.5], a front half of the terminal 32 including the terminal connection portion 32B is housed in the front housing portion 31A 1. The terminal 32 is positioned in the second direction D2 by being supported by the lower wall portion 31A3. As shown in [Fig. 4], the terminal 32 is positioned in the third direction D3 by being held in contact with the pair of first wall portions 31A6. Furthermore, the terminal 32 is held in contact with the second wall portion 31A7 and stopped in front, thereby being positioned in the first direction D1. . As shown in [Fig. 12], the rear housing portion 31A2 has a laterally long tubular shape and includes a terminal insertion hole 31A8 penetrating in the first direction D1. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the terminal 32 is inserted through the terminal insertion hole 31A8. The terminal 32 contacts a peripheral wall of the terminal insertion hole 31A8, thereby being positioned in the second and third directions D2, D3. (Configuration of the temperature sensor housing part 31B) As shown in [Fig.14], the temperature sensor housing portion 31B is formed to penetrate through the flange portion 31D in the first direction D1. The The temperature sensor housing portion 31B is arranged to be continuous with the terminal housing portion 31A in the second direction D2. As shown in [Fig. 12], the temperature sensor housing portion 31B includes a facing wall portion 31B1 and a pair of side wall portions 31B2 extending from the facing wall portion 31B1 toward the terminal housing portion 31A (downward) in the second direction D2. The pair of side wall portions 31B2 face each other in the third direction D3. Furthermore, the temperature sensor housing portion 31B includes an insertion opening 31B3 opened on the side of the nut housing portion 31C (front side) in the first direction D1. The insertion opening 31B is defined by the facing wall portion 31B1 and the pair of side wall portions 31B2. As shown in [Fig.7], the temperature sensor housing portion 31B includes a contact wall portion 31B4 disposed on one side (rear side) opposite the insertion opening 31B3 and extending downward from the facing wall portion 31B1. As shown in [Fig. 12], a pair of slits S1 are formed to extend in the first direction D1 in regions of the pair of side wall portions 31B2 from the flange portion 31D to an opening edge portion of the insertion opening 31B3. The slits S1 are open toward the front. The slits S1 are formed in end portions (upper end portions) of the pair of side wall portions 31B2 on the side of the facing wall portion 31B1. In this manner, each side wall portion 31B2 includes an elastic piece 31B5 separate from the facing wall portion 31B1. The elastic piece 31B5 is formed so as to be capable of being deflected and deformed in the third direction D3 with the side of the flange portion 31D as a base end portion. Two elastic pieces 31BS are arranged opposite each other in the third direction D3. As shown in [Fig.8], a pair of locking parts 31B6 is formed on the parts facing the free end parts of the pair of elastic pieces 31B5. Each elastic piece 31BS has a guide surface 31B7 disposed toward the inside of the temperature sensor housing part 31B in the third direction D3 and extending from the insertion opening 31B3 toward the inside of the temperature sensor housing part 31B in the first direction D1. As shown in [Fig. 14], the temperature sensor housing portion 31B is formed with a pressing portion 31B8 protruding from the facing wall portion 31B1 into the temperature sensor housing portion 31B in the second direction D2. The pressing portion 31B8 of this embodiment is in the form of a rib extending along the first direction D1. Furthermore, as shown in [Fig. 7], the pressing portion 31B8 includes an inclined portion 31B9 having an amount of protrusion into the temperature sensor housing portion 31B in the second direction D2 increasing from the insertion opening 31B3 toward the rear of the temperature sensor housing part 31B in the first direction D1. A minimum value LI of a gap between the pressing part 31B8 and the outer surface (upper surface) of the terminal 32 in the terminal housing part 31A in the second direction D2 is set to be less than a dimension L2 in the second direction D2 of the temperature sensor 36. Here, the dimension L2 in the second direction D2 of the temperature sensor 36 specifically refers to a dimension in the second direction D2 of a portion to be brought into contact with the pressing part 31B8, out of a portion (sensor body 36A) of the temperature sensor 36 to be housed in the temperature sensor housing part 31B. (Temperature Sensor Configuration 36) As shown in [Fig. 8], the temperature sensor 36 comprises the sensor body 36A and lead wires 36B extending from the sensor body 36A. The sensor body 36A has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The sensor body 36A is configured such that a sensor element (not shown) connected to the lead wires 36B is, for example, embedded in a resin shield portion. The sensor element outputs a signal corresponding to a temperature change via the lead wires 36B. The lead wires 36B are electrically connected to a controller (not shown) for controlling the charging of a battery based on a signal from the sensor element. It should be noted that an NTC thermistor, a PTC thermistor, a PT sensor, or the like can be, for example, used as the temperature sensor 36. The sensor body 36A of the temperature sensor 36 is housed inside the temperature sensor housing portion 31B, and the lead wires 36B are pulled out through the insertion opening 31B. The sensor body 36A is contacted from the rear by the contact wall portion 31B4, and locked from the front by the pair of locking portions 31B6. In this way, the sensor body 36A is positioned along the first direction D1. Furthermore, the sensor body 36A is positioned in the third direction D3 by the pair of side wall portions 31B2. As shown in [Fig. 5], the temperature sensor housing portion 31B is connected to the terminal housing portion 31A in the second direction D2. With the terminal 32 housed in the terminal housing portion 31A, the upper surface of the terminal 32 is in contact with the lower surface of the sensor body 36A. Furthermore, the upper surface of the sensor body 36A is in contact with the pressing portion 31B8. Here, as the minimum value LI of the gap in the second direction D2 between the pressing portion 31B and the terminal 32 in the terminal housing portion terminal 31A is set to be less than the dimension L2 in the second direction D2 of the sensor body 36A, as shown in [Fig.7], the sensor body 36A is pressed against the terminal 32 by the pressing portion 31B8. Therefore, the sensor body 36A and the terminal 32 can be sufficiently contacted with each other, so that a temperature of the terminal 32 can be accurately measured by the temperature sensor 36. As shown in [Fig.5], the terminal 32 is supported by the bottom wall portion 31A3 of the terminal housing portion 31A below the temperature sensor housing portion 31B. The temperature sensor 36 and the terminal 32 can thus be sandwiched and disposed between the pressing portion 31B8 and the bottom wall portion 31A3 in the second direction D2, and the contact of the temperature sensor 36 and the terminal 32 can be more easily ensured. Furthermore, below the temperature sensor housing portion 31B, the bottom wall portion 31A is supported from below by the support portion 23D of the housing 20 and the facing wall portion 31B1 contacts from above with the mounting portion 21B of the housing 20. Therefore, the temperature sensor 36 and the terminal 32 can be more firmly sandwiched between the pressing portion 31B8 and the bottom wall portion 31A3 in the second direction D2. (31C Nut Housing Part Configuration) As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the nut housing portion 31C is in the form of a substantially rectangular frame open along the second direction D2. A plurality of temporary holding ribs 31C1 in the form of ribs extending in the second direction D2 are formed on wall portions facing each other in the first direction D1, out of the peripheral wall of the nut housing portion 31C. In this embodiment, one temporary holding rib 31C1 is provided on the front wall portion (wall portion on a side opposite to the flange portion 31D) of the nut housing portion 31C, and three temporary holding ribs 31C1 are provided on the rear wall portion (wall portion on the side of the flange portion 31D). A pair of positioning ribs 31C2 is formed on the front wall portion of the nut housing portion 31C. The pair of positioning ribs 31C2 is in the form of ribs extending in the second direction D2 and is arranged symmetrically with respect to the temporary holding rib 31C1 on the front wall portion as the center. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the pair of positioning ribs 31C2 can position the nut 35 in the third direction D3 by contacting the nut 35. The nut 35 is positioned and temporarily held in the third direction D3 by the pair of positioning ribs 31C2 and positioned and temporarily held in the first direction D1 by the plurality of temporary holding ribs 31C1. By temporarily holding the nut 35 by the holding component 31, the nut 35 is mounted in the nut housing portion 31C of the holding component 31 in the second direction D2. Since the holding component 31 is made of the softer resin material than the housing 20, a press-fitting machine is not required and the nut 35 can be mounted by hand. Furthermore, since the nut 35 is positioned in the first and third directions D1, D3 by the temporarily holding ribs 31C1 and the positioning ribs 31C2, problems, such as positional shift during press-fitting, can be avoided. As shown in [Fig. 11], slots S2 are formed in wall portions facing each other in the third direction D3, out of the peripheral wall of the nut housing portion 31C, and deflection pieces 31C3 separated from the front housing portion 31A1 are provided by these slots S2. The deflection piece 31C3 is in the form of a cantilever projecting toward the flange portion 31D, with the side of the positioning ribs 31C2 of the nut housing portion 31C serving as a base end portion. Two of the deflection pieces 31C3 are provided facing each other in the third direction D3. A pair of locking projections 31C4 is formed on facing portions of the free end portions of the pair of deflection pieces 31C3. As shown in [Fig. 9], with the first terminal assembly 30 mounted in the housing 20, the pair of locking projections 31C4 are locked onto the pair of locked portions 23C, whereby the first terminal assembly 30 is held in the housing 20. While the first terminal assembly 30 is being mounted in the housing 20, the deflection pieces 31C3 are deflected and deformed so much that the locking projections 31C4 overlap the locked portions 23C. At the same time as the locking projections 31C4 overlap the locked portions 23C, the deflection pieces 31C3 are restored. Therefore, the first terminal assembly 30 can be mounted by hand in the housing 20. (31D flange part configuration) As shown in [Fig. 12], the flange portion 31D is in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate when viewed from the first direction D1 and is formed to protrude toward an outer peripheral side from the outer peripheral surface of the terminal housing portion 31A. The flange portion 31D includes a base wall 31D1, a peripheral wall 31D2 (see [Fig. 11]) extending rearward from an outer peripheral edge portion of the base wall 31D1, and an assembly opening 31D3 penetrating through the base wall 31D1 in the first direction D1. The assembly opening 31D3 is disposed below the bottom wall portion 31A3 of the terminal housing portion 31A. As shown in [Fig. 3], the nut holding wall 23 is inserted through the assembly opening 31D3. The peripheral wall 31D2 is installed on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting part 21B and the outer peripheral surface of the nut holding wall 23. By externally installing the peripheral wall 31D2 on the mounting part 21B and the nut holding wall 23 in this manner, the holding 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 D1 relative to the housing body part 21 by the contact of the end of the mounting part 21B with the base wall 31D1. As shown in [Fig. 9], the peripheral wall 31D2 has the function of positioning the first sealing member 21C installed on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting part 21B. If the first sealing member 21C is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting part 21B and the first terminal assembly 30 is mounted in the housing body part 21, the peripheral wall 31D2 is installed from the outside on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting part 21B, whereby the first sealing member 21C cannot be separated from the outer peripheral surface of the mounting part 21B and is positioned and held on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting part 21B. (Assembly process of the first terminal assembly 30) In the following, a method of assembling the first terminal assembly 30 is described. First, the third sealing element 33 and the insulating element 34 are mounted on the terminal 32. Then, the terminal 32 is mounted in the holding component 31 in the first direction D1. The terminal 32 is mounted while being positioned inside the terminal housing part 31A. Since the nut housing part 31C is covered from above by the terminal connection part 32B, the nut 35 is mounted in the nut housing part 31D in the second direction D2 (from the side opposite the terminal connection part 32B). As shown in [Fig. 11], if the nut 35 is mounted in the nut housing portion 31C, the nut 35 is temporarily held while being sandwiched and positioned in the first direction D1 by the plurality of temporary holding ribs 31C and is positioned in the third direction D3 by contacting the pair of positioning ribs 31C2. 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 32B. In the above manner, the assembly of the first terminal assembly 30 is completed. In an assembled state of the first terminal assembly 30, a relative positional relationship of the terminal 32, the third sealing member 33, and the nut 35 is de- terminated by a component, i.e., the holding 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. 10]. During insertion, the terminal end 32 enters the through hole 21A and the nut holding wall 23 enters the assembly opening 31D3 of the flange portion 31D. Furthermore, the locking projections 31C4 of the holding component 31 overlap the locked portions 23C of the housing 20 and the deflection pieces 31C3 are deflected and deformed (see [Fig. 9]). If the first terminal assembly 30 is properly mounted in the housing body portion 21, the peripheral wall 31D2 of the holding component 31 is installed from the outside onto the mounting portion 21B and the end of the mounting portion 21B contacts the flange portion 31D, as shown in [Fig. 3], whereby the first terminal assembly 30 is positioned in the first direction D1 relative to the housing body portion 21. Here, as the terminal 32 is positioned by the holding component 31, the third sealing member 33 is uniformly pressed between the terminal 32 and the inner wall of the through hole 21A and original waterproof performance is achieved. Therefore, the through hole 21A is sealed to stop water between the inside of the terminal housing wall 25 and the inside of the mounting portion 21B. Furthermore, as shown in [Fig.9], the nut 35 is firmly installed between the pair of side plate parts 23B and the outer peripheral surface of the nut 35 is in 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 holding component 31, the nut 35 positioned by the holding component 31 can be prevented from rotating when the bolt is tightened. (Temperature sensor mounting method 36) In the following, a method of mounting the temperature sensor 36 is described. As shown in [Fig. 6], the temperature sensor 36 is inserted through the insertion opening 31B3 in the first direction D1 with the terminal 32 housed in the terminal housing part 31A. The temperature sensor 36 slides in contact with the guide surfaces 31B7 of the pair of elastic pieces 31BS, whereby the sensor body 36A is guided in the insertion opening 31B3. The sensor body 36A is inserted into the temperature sensor housing part 31B while the pair of elastic pieces 31B5 is deflected. If the front end of the sensor body 36A overlaps the pair of locking parts 31B6, the pair of elastic parts 31BS is restored and the pair of locking parts 31B6 is locked to the sensor body 36A from the front (see [Fig. 8]). Furthermore, the contact wall part 31B4 contacts the sensor body 36A from the rear.From this . In this way, the temperature sensor 36 is housed inside the temperature sensor housing portion 31B. Since the temperature sensor housing portion 31B is formed with the pressing portion 31B8, an insertion force is applied when the sensor body 36A is inserted into the temperature sensor housing portion 31B. However, since the pressing portion 31B is in the shape of a rib, the insertion force can be suppressed compared to the case in which the pressing portion 31B8 is formed to have a width (dimension in the third direction D3) almost equal to that of the facing wall portion 31B1. Furthermore, since the pressing portion 31B8 includes the inclined portion 31B9 and the amount of protrusion thereof is large at the rear of the temperature sensor housing portion 31B, the insertion force can be reduced near the insertion opening 31B3. Furthermore, the sensor body 36A can be guided to the rear of the temperature sensor housing portion 31B. Since the insertion opening 31B3 of the temperature sensor housing portion 31B is open in the first direction D1 with the holding component 31 assembled to the housing 20, the temperature sensor 36 can be mounted after the first terminal assembly 30 is assembled to the housing 20. Furthermore, the temperature sensor 36 can also be mounted before the first terminal assembly 30 is assembled to the housing 20. (Functions and effects of the embodiment) (1) The connector 10 is provided with the housing 20, the terminal 32, the holding component 31 for holding the terminal 32 and the temperature sensor 36 for measuring a temperature of the terminal 32. The housing 20 includes the housing body portion 21 and the through hole 21A penetrating through the housing body portion 21 in the first direction D1. The holding component 31 can be assembled to the housing 20 by being inserted into the through hole 21A while holding the terminal 32. The holding component 31 includes the terminal housing portion 31A for housing the terminal 32 and the temperature sensor housing portion 31B arranged to be continuous with the terminal housing portion 31A in the second direction D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1.The temperature sensor housing portion 31B includes the facing wall portion 31B1 facing the temperature sensor 36 in the second direction D2, the pair of side wall portions 31B2 facing the temperature sensor 36 in the third direction D3 orthogonal to the first and second directions D1, D2, and the insertion opening 31B3 opens in the first direction D1 with the holding component 31 assembled to the housing 20. Each of the two side wall portions 31B2 includes the deflectable and deformable elastic piece 31B5 on the opening edge portion of the insertion opening 31B3. The elastic piece 31B5 includes the locking portion 31B6 for retaining the temperature sensor. temperature 36 inside the temperature sensor housing portion 31B. The facing wall portion 31B1 is formed with the pressing portion 31B8 protruding into the temperature sensor housing portion 31B. The minimum value L1 of the gap in the second direction D2 between the pressing portion 31B8 and the outer surface (upper surface) of the terminal 32 is set to be less than the dimension L2 in the second direction D2 of the temperature sensor 36. According to this configuration, the temperature sensor 36 can be inserted into the temperature sensor housing part 31B through the insertion opening 31B3 with the holding component 31 holding the terminal 32 assembled to the housing 20. The elastic parts 31B5 are deflected upon insertion of the temperature sensor 36 into the insertion opening 31B3, and restored to a natural state after the temperature sensor 36 is housed in the temperature sensor housing part 31B, whereby the temperature sensor 36 can be retained inside the temperature sensor housing part 31B by the locking parts 31B6. Furthermore, since the facing wall portion 31B1 of the temperature sensor housing portion 31B includes the pressing portion 31B8 protruding into the temperature sensor housing portion 31B, the temperature sensor 36 can be pressed against the terminal 32 in the second direction D2. In this way, a temperature of the terminal 32 can be accurately measured. (2) The pressing part 31B8 is in the form of a rib extending in the first direction D1 and the amount of protrusion thereof in the temperature sensor housing part 31B increases from the insertion opening 31B3 toward the rear of the temperature sensor housing part 31b in the first direction D2. According to this configuration, since the pressing portion 31B8 is in the shape of a rib, an insertion force of the temperature sensor 36 into the temperature sensor housing portion 31B can be reduced by making a contact portion of the pressing portion 31B8 with the temperature sensor 36 smaller. Furthermore, since the protrusion amount of the pressing portion 31B8 increases from the insertion opening 31B3 toward the rear of the temperature sensor housing portion 31B in the first direction D1, the temperature sensor 36 can be sufficiently pressed against the terminal 32 inside the temperature sensor housing portion 31B while the insertion of the temperature sensor 36 is guided. (3) The terminal housing portion 31A includes the bottom wall portion 31A3 configured to contact the terminal 32 from the side opposite the temperature sensor 36 in the second direction D2. According to this configuration, the temperature sensor 36 and the terminal 32 can be sandwiched and arranged between the pressing part 31B8 and the wall part in- lower 31A3 in the second direction D2. Therefore, the contact of the temperature sensor 36 and terminal 32 is easily ensured. (Other embodiments) The above embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be realized in combination without technically contradicting each other. Although the connector 10 having the first and second terminal sets 30, 40 is illustrated in the above embodiment, a connector may include only the first terminal set 30. Although the holding component 31 includes the nut housing portion 31C and the flange portion 31D in the above embodiment, a nut housing portion and a flange portion may be omitted in a holding component. Although the pressing portion 31B8 is in the shape of a rib in the above embodiment, a pressing portion may not be in the shape of a rib and may be, for example, in the shape of a surface having a width almost equal to that of a facing wall portion. Although the pressing portion 31B8 includes the inclined portion 31B9 in the above embodiment, a protrusion amount of a pressing portion from a facing wall portion may be constant. List of reference signs 10: connector 20: housing 21: housing body part 21A: through hole 21B: assembly part 21C: first sealing element 22: mounting plate 22A: necklace 22B: second sealing element 23: nut holding wall 23A: base plate part 23B: side plate part 23C: locked part 23D: support part 24: receptacle 25: terminal housing wall 30: first terminal set 31: holding component 31A: terminal housing part 31A1: front housing section 31A2: rear housing section 31A3: lower wall part 31A4: peripheral wall part 31AS5: communication hole 31A6: first part of the wall 31A7: second part of the wall 31A8: Terminal insertion hole 31B: temperature sensor housing part 31B1: facing wall part 31B2: side wall part 31B3: insertion opening 31B4: contact wall part 31B5: elastic part 31B6: locking part 31B7: guide surface 31B8: pressing part 31B9: inclined part 31C: nut housing part 31C1: temporary holding rib 31C2: positioning rib 31C3: deflection piece 31C4: Lock projection 31D: flange part 31DI1: base wall 31D2: peripheral wall 31D3: assembly opening 32: terminal 32A: Sealing element mounting part 32B: Terminal connection part 32C: bolt insertion hole 33: third sealing element 34: insulating element 35: nut 35A: through hole 36: temperature sensor 36A: sensor body 36B: common thread 40: second terminal set 50: protective element 51: contact part DI1: first direction D?2: second direction D3: third direction LI: minimum value of the interval in the second direction D2 between the pressing part 31B8 and the terminal 32 L2: dimension in the second direction D2 of the temperature sensor 36 S1: slit S2: slit
Claims
Claims
1. Connector, comprising: a case; a terminal; a holding component for holding the terminal; and a temperature sensor to measure the terminal temperature, the housing comprising a housing body portion and a through hole penetrating through the housing body portion in a first direction, the holding component which can be assembled to the housing by being inserted into the through hole while holding the terminal, the holding component comprising a terminal housing portion to house the terminal and a temperature sensor housing part arranged to be continuous with the terminal housing part in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the temperature sensor housing part comprising a part facing wall facing the temperature sensor in the second direction, a pair of side wall parts facing the sensor of temperature in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions and an open insertion opening in the first direction with the holding component assembled to the housing, each of the pair of side wall parts comprising a part deformable elastic on a part of the opening edge of the opening of insertion, the elastic part comprising a locking part for retaining the temperature sensor inside the sensor housing part temperature, the facing wall part being formed with a pressing part making projection in the temperature sensor housing part, and a minimum value of an interval in the second direction between the pressing part and an external surface of the terminal being defined to be less than one dimension in the second direction of the sensor temperature.
2. The connector of claim 1, wherein: the pressing portion is present in the form of a rib extending into the first direction, and an amount of protrusion of the pressing part into the part temperature sensor housing increases from from the insertion opening towards the rear of the sensor housing part of temperature in the first direction.
3. A connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing portion terminal includes a lower wall portion configured to enter contact with the terminal from a side opposite the temperature sensor- temperature in the second direction.