Connector and wire harness

Abstract

To provide a connector and a wire harness that can be easily assembled.SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes a first connector 100 provided on a connection object C, and a second connector 200 that is provided on an end of a wiring material W having electrical conductivity and engaged with the first connector 100 to electrically connect the wiring material W and the connection object C to each other. The first connector 100 and the second connector 200 each have a temporary fixing portion F1 that can temporarily hold the second connector 200 on the first connector 100 when the second connector 200 is not permanently fixed to the connection object C via a permanent fixing portion F2, and the temporary fixing portion F1 is configured to include a locking portion 135 provided on the first connector 100, and a locked portion 324 that is provided on the second connector 200 and can be locked via the locking portion 135.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and a wire harness. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector in which a fixing flange provided on a housing is fixed with a bolt, thereby enabling the housing to be fully fixed to a connection target. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-165355 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the connector described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is assembled from the bottom to the top. Therefore, the worker must support the connector from below until the connector is fully fixed to the connection target, and the assembly work is performed with one hand occupied, which increases the burden on the worker and may reduce work efficiency. Therefore, there is room for further improvement in the assembly structure of the connector.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a wire harness that can be easily installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector of the present invention comprises a first connector provided on a connection object, and a second connector provided on an end of a conductive wiring material and electrically connecting the wiring material and the connection object by engaging with the first connector, wherein the second connector has a main fixing portion that permanently fixes the second connector to the connection object, and the first connector and the second connector have temporary fixing portions that can temporarily hold the second connector on the first connector when the second connector is not permanently fixed to the connection object via the main fixing portion, and the temporary fixing portion is characterized in that it is configured to include a locking portion provided on the first connector and a locked portion provided on the second connector and capable of being locked via the locking portion.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the wire harness of the present invention comprises a conductive wiring material, and a second connector provided at an end of the wiring material and fitted with a first connector provided on a connection object to electrically connect the wiring material and the connection object, the second connector having a final fixing portion that final fixes the wiring material to the connection object, the first connector and the second connector having a temporary fixing portion that can temporarily hold the second connector on the first connector when the second connector is not final fixed to the connection object via the final fixing portion, and the temporary fixing portion is configured to include a locking portion provided on the first connector and a locked portion provided on the second connector and capable of being locked via the locking portion. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The connector and the wire harness according to the present invention have an advantage that the ease of assembly can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a connector and a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the connector and the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a first connector that constitutes the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a first connector that constitutes the connector according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a first connector that constitutes the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a second connector that constitutes the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a second connector that constitutes the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a second connector that constitutes the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating assembly of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the assembly of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating assembly of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating assembly of the connector according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiments include those that are replaceable and easy for a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0011] [Embodiment] The connector 1 according to this embodiment is a mating connector used in a connection mechanism for connecting an electric wire to an electric device, electrically connecting a wire harness WH used in a vehicle such as an automobile to a connection target C of the wire harness WH. The wire harness WH according to this embodiment is an assembly part in which a plurality of electric wires used for power supply and signal communication are bundled together to connect the various devices mounted on the vehicle, and the electric wires are connected to the various devices using connectors or the like.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 is composed of a first connector 100 provided on a connection object C and a second connector 200 provided on a wire harness WH. As shown in FIG. 1, the wire harness WH is composed of a conductive wiring material W and a second connector 200 that electrically connects the wiring material W and the connection object C by fitting with the first connector 100. The connector 1 and the wire harness WH of this embodiment are configured to improve the assembling by providing a temporary fixing portion F1 on the first connector 100 and the second connector 200, and temporarily holding the second connector 200 on the first connector 100 via the temporary fixing portion F1 before the second connector 200 is permanently fixed to the connection object C. Hereinafter, the configurations of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0013] The connection object C referred to here is, for example, a device such as an inverter, an electric connection box, or a battery, and the first connector 100 is attached to the housing of the device that is the connection object C. The wiring material W to which the second connector 200 is connected is, for example, an insulated electric wire in which a core wire made of a bundle of multiple conductive metal wires is covered with an insulating covering portion.

[0014] In addition, the wire harness WH may further include a protector, an exterior material, a fastener, and the like.

[0015] Moreover, the XY directions in each drawing typically correspond to the extension direction of the installation target portion CS (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) of the first connector 100. Moreover, the X direction typically corresponds to the direction along the extension direction of the axis X1 (see FIG. 1) of the wiring material W to which the second connector 200 is connected. Moreover, the Z direction corresponds to the mating direction of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 (the insertion direction of the second connector 200 into the first connector 100). Note that, unless otherwise specified, each direction used in the following description is described as a direction in a state in which the second connector 200 is mated with the first connector 100 on the connection target C side and the second connector 200 is fully fixed to the connection target C, and the Z direction is referred to as the mating direction Z, the Y direction is referred to as the first width direction Y, and the X direction is referred to as the second width direction X.

[0016] Moreover, one side in the mating direction Z typically corresponds to the upper side in the vertical direction, and corresponds to the first connector 100 side in a state in which the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are mated. Moreover, the other side in the mating direction Z typically corresponds to the lower side in the vertical direction, and corresponds to the second connector 200 side in a state in which the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are mated.

[0017] 4 is a view of the first connector 100 seen from the other side (the second connector 200 side) in the mating direction Z, and FIG. 7 is a view of the second connector 200 seen from one side (the first connector 100 side) in the mating direction Z.

[0018] [First connector] The first connector 100 includes a first conductive member 110, a first interlock portion 120 serving as the interlock portion R, a housing 130, and a packing 140 and a front holder 150 that are assembled to an end portion of the housing 130.

[0019] The first conductive member 110 is made of a metal material such as copper having electrical conductivity, and is physically and electrically connected to the connection target C. As shown in FIG. 3, the first conductive member 110 of this embodiment includes a bus bar 111 and a stud bolt 112. As shown in FIG. 3, the bus bar 111 and the stud bolt 112 are rod-shaped members. The bus bar 111 has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, and is provided with connection parts 111e (see FIGS. 3 and 12) at both ends. The stud bolt 112 has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape like the bus bar 111, and is provided with connection parts 112e (see FIGS. 3 and 12) at both ends. Therefore, the stud bolt 112 is physically and electrically connected to the bus bar 111 by connecting the connection part 111e to the bus bar 111. In this embodiment, two bus bars 111 and two stud bolts 112 are provided, and the stud bolts 112 are fixed to the bus bars 111 and housed in the housing 130 (see FIG. 12). Note that the members constituting the first conductive member 110 and the shapes of the members are not particularly limited to those shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 12, etc.

[0020] The first interlock section 120 is connected to an external determination circuit (not shown) and is connected to an interlock section on the second connector 200 side to detect the mating state between the first connector 100 and the second connector 200. The interlock section R of this embodiment is composed of the first interlock section 120 of the first connector 100 and the second interlock section 420 of the second connector 200, and the first interlock section 120 is composed of an electric wire 121 connected to an external determination circuit (not shown), a signal terminal 122 connected to an end of the electric wire 121, and an interlock housing 123. As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, two electric wires 121 are provided in this embodiment, and a signal terminal 122 is connected to each end. The signal terminals 122 are housed inside the interlock housing 123 and arranged at intervals in the second width direction X (see Figs. 5 and 9). Then, when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are mated, the signal terminals 122 are electrically connected by a second interlock unit 420 (see FIG. 11), which will be described later. Since the electric wire 121 is connected to an external determination circuit (not shown), when the signal terminals 122 are electrically connected to each other via the second interlock unit 420, the circuit becomes a closed circuit. Therefore, the connector 1 can detect, using the first interlock unit 120, that the position of the second connector 200 relative to the first connector 100 is normal, that is, that the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are completely mated.

[0021] The housing 130 is made of an insulating synthetic resin material, and accommodates and holds the first conductive member 110 and the first interlock portion 120 inside. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the housing 130 of this embodiment includes an accommodating portion 131 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape along the fitting direction Z, and a fixing portion 132.

[0022] The storage section 131 is a portion defined and formed by the wall of the housing 130. As shown in Fig. 4, the outer shape of the storage section 131 in this embodiment is an ellipse having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape with a major axis in the first width direction Y and a minor axis in the second width direction X.

[0023] The fixing portion 132 is a portion that is fixed to the installation target site CS when the first connector 100 is attached to an installation hole CH (see FIG. 2) provided in the installation target site CS of the connection target C. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fixing portion 132 of this embodiment is formed to protrude from the accommodating portion 131 and is formed in a plate shape along a plane (a plane extending along the first width direction Y and the second width direction X) perpendicular to the fitting direction Z. The fixing portion 132 has a collar member 132f (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that is integrally molded by a molding method such as insert molding, and an insertion portion 132g (see FIG. 5) that is formed to protrude in the fitting direction Z. Therefore, the position of the fixing portion 132 relative to the installation target site CS can be determined by inserting the insertion portion 132g into a hole (see FIG. 2) provided in the installation target site CS. The fixing portion 132 is fixed to the installation target site CS via the fastening member P1 (see FIG. 2), such as a bolt, by tightening the fastening member P1 to the installation target site CS with an end of the fastening member P1 (see FIG. 2) inserted into the collar member 132f. As shown in FIG. 4, two fixing portions 132 are provided, and the fixing portions 132 are disposed diagonally opposite each other when viewed from the fitting direction Z.

[0024] The accommodating portion 131 of this embodiment includes a conductive member accommodating portion 133, an interlock housing accommodating portion 134, and a locking portion 135 serving as a temporary fixing portion F1.

[0025] The conductive member accommodating portion 133 is a portion that is defined and formed by the wall portion of the accommodating portion 131, and accommodates the bus bar 111 of the first conductive member 110 inside. The conductive member accommodating portion 133 of this embodiment is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape along the fitting direction Z. As shown in FIG. 4, two conductive member accommodating portions 133 are provided. Each conductive member accommodating portion 133 is disposed with an interval in the first width direction Y, and is provided in pairs with respect to the first width direction Y of the accommodating portion 131. Each conductive member accommodating portion 133 accommodates one bus bar 111.

[0026] The interlock housing accommodating portion 134 is a portion that is partitioned and formed by the wall portion of the accommodating portion 131, and accommodates the signal terminal 122 attached to the interlock housing 123 inside. The interlock housing accommodating portion 134 of this embodiment is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape along the fitting direction Z. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, one interlock housing accommodating portion 134 is provided, and is disposed between the pair of conductive member accommodating portions 133 provided in the first width direction Y of the housing 130. Also, the interlock housing accommodating portion 134 is disposed on one side in the second width direction X of the housing 130, and is disposed above the conductive member accommodating portion 133 shown in FIG. 4.

[0027] The locking portion 135 is a cantilevered arm portion formed along the fitting direction Z, and is a portion that locks a locked portion 313 described later. As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, two locking portions 135 of this embodiment are provided and arranged at an interval in the second width direction X. As shown in Fig. 5, the locking portion 135 is formed from one side (the connection object C side) toward the other side (the second connector 200 side) in the fitting direction Z, with a fixed end located on one side in the fitting direction Z and a free end located on the other side in the fitting direction Z.

[0028] 5, the locking portion 135 is supported elastically deformably on the inner wall portion 131k of the accommodation portion 131 formed along the fitting direction Z, and has a claw portion 135f at its free end, i.e., at its tip. As shown in FIG. 5, the claw portion 135f is a protrusion formed on the outer surface side of the locking portion 135, and the locking portion 135 arranged on one side (upper side in FIG. 5) in the second width direction X has a claw portion 135f protruding toward the one side (upper side in FIG. 5). The locking portion 135 arranged on the other side (lower side in FIG. 5) in the second width direction X has a claw portion 135f protruding toward the other side (lower side in FIG. 5).

[0029] Moreover, the locking portion 135 is disposed on the other side in the second width direction X of the housing 130, and is disposed below the conductive member accommodating portion 133 shown in Figures 4 and 5. Therefore, the locking portion 135 is provided at a position facing the first interlock portion 120 in the second width direction X.

[0030] The packing 140 is made of elastic synthetic rubber and is attached to the outer surface side of the accommodating section 131. The packing 140 in this embodiment is formed in an annular shape. One packing 140 is provided and attached to an end portion located on one side (the connection target C side) in the fitting direction Z of the accommodating section 131 as shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the packing 140 is disposed in a compressed state between the housing 130 and the installation target portion CS (see FIG. 9) with the first connector 100 attached to the installation hole CH (see FIG. 2) provided in the installation target portion CS of the connection target C.

[0031] The front holder 150 is made of an insulating synthetic resin material, and is attached to an end of the accommodating portion 131 to partially cover an opening of the accommodating portion 131. In this embodiment, one front holder 150 is provided, and is attached to an end located on one side (the connection target C side) of the accommodating portion 131 in the fitting direction Z. The front holder 150 is attached to the outside of the packing 140 attached to the accommodating portion 131. Therefore, the edge of the packing 140 is disposed in a state of being sandwiched between the housing 130 and the front holder 150 (see FIG. 9).

[0032] [Second connector] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second connector 200 includes a connector body 300 and a cover member 400.

[0033] [Connector body] The connector body 300 includes a second conductive member 310, a housing 320, a packing 330 that is attached to an end of the housing 320, and a front holder 340.

[0034] The second conductive member 310 is formed of a metal material such as copper having electrical conductivity, and is physically and electrically connected to the first conductive member 110 held in the housing 130 by fitting with the first connector 100. The second conductive member 310 of this embodiment is a flat terminal connected to an end of the wiring material W, as shown in FIG. 6. The flat terminal has an electrical connection portion 311 and a wiring material connection portion 312. The electrical connection portion 311 is located on one side (upper side in FIG. 6) in the second width direction X, and is a portion connected to the first conductive member 110 when the connector body 300 of the second connector 200 is fitted to the first connector 100. The wiring material connection portion 312 is located on the other side (lower side in FIG. 6) in the second width direction X, and is a portion to which the end of the wiring material W is connected. The second conductive member 310 has a fastening member P2 such as a nut tightened to an insertion hole portion 311e of the electrical connection portion 311. Then, with the end of the connection portion 112e of the stud bolt 112 inserted into the insertion hole portion 311e, the connection portion 112e of the stud bolt 112 is fastened to the fastening member P2, whereby the second conductive member 310 is physically and electrically connected to the stud bolt 112 (see FIG. 12). The second conductive member 310 is fixed to the connection portion 112e of the stud bolt 112 via the fastening member P2, whereby the second conductive member 310 is also physically and electrically connected to the bus bar 111 connected to the stud bolt 112 (see FIG. 12). The shape of the second conductive member 310 is not particularly limited to the shape shown in FIG. 6 and the like. The wiring material connection portion 312 may be connected to the conductor portion of the wiring material W by being crimped and crimped to the core wire, which is the conductor portion of the wiring material W, or may be connected to the conductor portion by a method such as welding.

[0035] The housing 320 is formed of an insulating synthetic resin material, and accommodates and holds the second conductive member 310 inside. As shown in Fig. 6, the housing 320 of this embodiment includes a first accommodating portion 321 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape along the fitting direction Z, a second accommodating portion 322 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape along a second width direction X intersecting the fitting direction Z, and a fixing portion 323 as a main fixing portion F2. The housing 320 is formed in a substantially T-shaped cylindrical shape by combining the first accommodating portion 321 and the second accommodating portion 322.

[0036] The first accommodating portion 321 is a portion that is partitioned and formed by the wall portion of the housing 320, and accommodates the electrical connection portion 311 of the second conductive member 310 inside. The outer shape of the first accommodating portion 321 in this embodiment has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape similar to the accommodating portion 131 described above. When the second connector 200 is inserted into the first connector 100, the first accommodating portion 321 can accommodate the conductive member accommodating portion 133 and the interlock housing accommodating portion 134 formed in the housing 130 of the first connector 100 inside. Therefore, the second conductive member 310 on the second connector 200 side is electrically connected to the stud bolt 112 on the first connector 100 side when disposed inside the first accommodating portion 321 (see FIG. 12).

[0037] The second accommodating section 322 is a section that is partitioned and formed by the wall of the housing 320, and accommodates the wiring material connection section 312 of the second conductive member 310 inside. The internal space of the second accommodating section 322 in this embodiment is connected to the internal space of the first accommodating section 321. Therefore, by accommodating the electrical connection section 311 of the second conductive member 310 in the first accommodating section 321, the second accommodating section 322 can accommodate inside the wiring material connection section 312 that is formed continuously with the electrical connection section 311, and the terminal of the wiring material W that is connected to the wiring material connection section 312.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the fixing portion 323 is a portion where the second connector 200 is fixed to the installation target site CS (see FIG. 2) of the connection target C. The fixing portion 323 of this embodiment is formed to protrude from the outer surface side of the first accommodating portion 321, and has a portion formed in a plate shape along a plane (a plane extending along the first width direction Y and the second width direction X) perpendicular to the fitting direction Z. In addition, the portion has a collar member 323f integrally molded by a molding method such as insert molding. Therefore, the fixing portion 323 is fixed to the installation target site CS via the fastening member P3 (see FIG. 2) such as a bolt by tightening the fastening member P3 to the installation target site CS in a state where an end of the fastening member P3 (see FIG. 2) is inserted into the collar member 323f. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, two fixing portions 323 are provided, and the fixing portions 323 are arranged diagonally opposite each other when viewed from the fitting direction Z. Furthermore, the fixing portion 323 is provided at a position adjacent to the collar member 132f of the first connector 100 in the first width direction Y when the second connector 200 is fully fixed to the installation target site CS (see FIG. 2).

[0039] The first accommodating portion 321 of this embodiment is configured to include a locked portion 324 serving as the temporary fixed portion F1.

[0040] The locked portion 324 is a portion formed in a cylindrical shape along the fitting direction Z, and is a portion that is locked by the locking portion 135 of the first connector 100. As shown in Fig. 7, one locked portion 324 in this embodiment is provided, and has an opening 324p that opens in the fitting direction Z. Therefore, when the second connector 200 is inserted into the first connector 100 and the two locking portions 135 are inserted through the opening 324p, the locked portion 324 can accommodate the tip portions of the locking portions 135 inside (see Figs. 10 and 11).

[0041] 8, the locked portion 324 of this embodiment is provided with a hook portion 324f at the edge of the opening 324p. The hook portion 324f is a protrusion formed on the inner surface of the locked portion 324, and is a claw-shaped portion formed by folding back the edge of the opening 324p inward. Therefore, when the two locking portions 135 are inserted through the opening 324p, the locked portion 324 is positioned opposite the claw portion 135f formed on the outer surface of the locking portion 135, and is arranged so as to be able to abut against the claw portion 135f. The locked portion 324 is arranged on the other side in the second width direction X of the first accommodating portion 321 (the lower side in FIGS. 4 and 5). Therefore, the locked portion 324 is provided in a position facing the interlock portion (the second interlock portion 420 described later) on the second connector 200 side in the second width direction X when the first connector 100 and the connector body 300 of the second connector 200 are engaged with each other.

[0042] In addition to the above-described components, the housing 320 of this embodiment is assembled with a rear holder RH and a rubber plug RS (see FIG. 6, etc.). The rear holder RH is a member that is fitted into the opening of the second accommodating portion 322 in a state where it is attached to the wiring material W, and is assembled to the inner surface of the second accommodating portion 322 to hold the wiring material W accommodated inside the housing 320 (see FIG. 12). The rubber plug RS is a member that is assembled to the inner surface of the second accommodating portion 322 in a state where it is attached to the wiring material W (see FIG. 12). The rubber plug RS is disposed in a compressed state between the outer peripheral surface of the wiring material W inserted through the through hole and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 320. Therefore, the rubber plug RS can prevent liquids such as water from entering the inside of the housing 320 of the second connector 200. Furthermore, the rubber plug RS is disposed inside the rear holder RH (on the first housing portion 321 side) and is disposed in a state where it is sandwiched between the inner wall portion of the housing 320 and the rear holder RH. Therefore, the rear holder RH can hold the rubber plug RS.

[0043] The packing 330 is made of elastic synthetic rubber and is assembled to the outer surface side of the first accommodating portion 321. The packing 330 of this embodiment is formed in an annular shape. Two packings 330 are provided, and are assembled to an end portion on one side (the first connector 100 side) in the fitting direction Z of the first accommodating portion 321 and an end portion on the other side (the opposite side to the first connector 100) in the fitting direction Z, as shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, the packing 330 provided on one side in the fitting direction Z is disposed in a compressed state between the housing 320 of the second connector 200 and the housing 130 of the first connector 100 when the connector body 300 of the second connector 200 is attached to the first connector 100 on the connection target C side (see FIGS. 10 and 12). Furthermore, the packing 330 provided on the other side in the fitting direction Z is disposed in a compressed state between the housing 320 of the connector body 300 and the cover member 400 in a state in which the cover member 400 is attached to the connector body 300 of the second connector 200 (see FIG. 12). Therefore, each packing 330 can prevent liquid such as water from entering the inside of the accommodating portion 131 of the first connector 100 (for example, the conductive member accommodating portion 133).

[0044] The front holder 340 is made of an insulating synthetic resin material, and is assembled to an end of the first accommodating portion 321 to partially cover an opening of the first accommodating portion 321. In this embodiment, two front holders 340 are provided, and are assembled to an end of the first accommodating portion 321 on one side (the first connector 100 side) in the fitting direction Z and an end of the first accommodating portion 321 on the other side (the side opposite to the first connector 100) in the fitting direction Z. The front holder 340 is assembled to the outside of the packing 330 assembled to the first accommodating portion 321. Therefore, the edge of the packing 330 is disposed in a state of being sandwiched between the housing 320 and the front holder 340 (see FIG. 10).

[0045] [Cover material] The cover member 400 includes a main body portion 410 and a second interlock portion 420 serving as the interlock portion R.

[0046] The main body 410 is formed of an insulating synthetic resin material, and is assembled to an end of the first accommodating portion 321 of the housing 320 to partially cover an opening of the first accommodating portion 321. The main body 410 of this embodiment is assembled to an end located on the other side (the right side in FIG. 2, the lower side in FIG. 11) in the fitting direction Z of the first accommodating portion 321. The main body 410 is also configured to include a fixing portion 411 as a main fixing portion F2. The fixing portion 411 is a portion where the second connector 200 is fixed to the installation target portion CS (see FIG. 2) of the connection target C. The fixing portion 411 of this embodiment is formed by integrally molding a collar member, similar to the fixing portion 323 described above. The collar member of the fixing portion 411 is provided at a position overlapping the collar member 323f of the fixing portion 323 when the cover member 400 is assembled to the end of the first accommodating portion 321 of the housing 320 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 11). Therefore, the fixing portion 411 is fixed to the installation target portion CS via the fastening member P3 by tightening the fastening member P3 to the installation target portion CS with the end of the fastening member P3 inserted into the collar member 323f of the fixing portion 323 and the collar member 323f of the fixing portion 323.

[0047] The second interlock portion 420 is formed of a metal material such as copper having electrical conductivity, and electrically connects the signal terminals 122 of the first interlock portion 120 to each other. The second interlock portion 420 of this embodiment is a shorting terminal (see FIG. 11). The shorting terminal is press-fitted into the inner surface side of the main body portion 410. In addition, the shorting terminal is electrically connected to each of the two signal terminals 122 held in the interlock housing 123 when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are engaged with each other. Therefore, the connector 1 can detect that the position of the second connector 200 relative to the first connector 100 is normal by electrically connecting the first interlock portion 120 of the first connector 100 to the second interlock portion 420 of the cover member 400, that is, detect that the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are completely engaged with each other.

[0048] Next, an assembly operation of the connector 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0049] First, the worker prepares the first connector 100 and assembles it to the installation target site CS of the connection target C while supporting the first connector 100 with his / her hand. At this time, the housing 130 of the first connector 100 is inserted vertically from the lower side to the upper side into the installation hole CH of the installation target site CS. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the first connector 100 is fitted into the installation hole CH of the installation target site CS by disposing the packing 140 assembled on the outside of the housing 130 in a compressed state sandwiched between the installation target site CS. Then, the first connector 100 is fixed to the connection target C by assembling the fastening member P1 to the fixing portion 132 of the housing 130 and tightening the fastening member P1 to the installation target site CS. The first connector 100 is electrically connected to the connection object C by physically connecting one end (the end located on one side in the fitting direction Z and located on the upper side in the vertical direction) of the first conductive member 110 accommodated in the housing 130 to the connection object C. The first connector 100 may be pre-assembled to the installation target site CS of the connection object C.

[0050] Then, the worker prepares the wire harness WH, and assembles the connector body 300 of the second connector 200 to the first connector 100 while supporting the connector body 300 with his / her hand. At this time, the housing 320 of the connector body 300 is inserted into the housing 130 of the first connector 100 from the vertically lower side toward the vertically upper side. Then, when the first accommodating portion 321 of the connector body 300 of the second connector 200 is inserted into the housing 130 of the first connector 100, the conductive member accommodating portion 133 of the first connector 100 and the interlock housing accommodating portion 134 are accommodated inside the first accommodating portion 321.

[0051] In addition, when the first accommodating portion 321 of the connector main body 300 of the second connector 200 is inserted into the housing 130 of the first connector 100, the hook portion 324f of the locked portion 324 provided in the first accommodating portion 321 comes into contact with the claw portion 135f of the locking portion 135 of the first connector 100. Then, when the connector main body 300 of the second connector 200 is further inserted along the fitting direction Z, the hook portion 324f of the locked portion 324 elastically deforms the claw portion 135f of the locking portion 135 toward the inside (inward in the second width direction X). Then, when the connector main body 300 of the second connector 200 is further inserted along the fitting direction Z, the claw portion 135f of the locking portion 135 rides over the hook portion 324f of the locked portion 324 and returns to its original position before elastic deformation. Then, when the operator releases the connector body 300 of the second connector 200 in a state in which the claw portion 135f of the locking portion 135 has climbed over the hook portion 324f of the locked portion 324, the connector body 300 is pulled downward (vertically downward) by its own weight, as shown in Fig. 10, and the hook portion 324f of the locked portion 324 is hooked on the claw portion 135f of the locking portion 135. Therefore, the connector body 300 of the second connector 200 is temporarily held to the first connector 100 by the temporary fixing portion F1 consisting of the locking portion 135 on the first connector 100 side and the locked portion 324 on the second connector 200 side. Note that the temporary fixing portion F1 of this embodiment is provided at a position facing the interlock portion R in the second width direction X, and is provided on the inner side in the second width direction X of the connector 1. Therefore, the temporary fixing portion F1 is provided at a position close to the center of gravity of the L-shaped connector 1, and the connector body 300 of the second connector 200 is temporarily held in a state in which its position relative to the first connector 100 is stable.

[0052] Then, the worker tightens the stud bolt 112 into the fastening member P2 that is crimped to the second conductive member 310 on the second connector 200 side, thereby physically and electrically connecting the first conductive member 110 on the first connector 100 side and the second conductive member 310 on the second connector 200 side. At this time, the connector body 300 of the second connector 200 is temporarily held to the first connector 100 via the temporary fixing portion F1. Therefore, the worker can perform the fastening work without supporting the connector body 300 from below with his or her hand.

[0053] 11, the worker assembles the cover member 400 of the second connector 200 to the connector main body 300 while supporting it with his / her hand. At this time, the cover member 400 is assembled to an end portion located on one side (opposite the connection target C) in the fitting direction Z of the connector main body 300. Then, when the cover member 400 covers the opening portion of the first accommodating portion 321 with the main body portion 410, the second interlock portion 420 press-fitted into the main body portion 410 is disposed inside the first accommodating portion 321. Then, the connector main body 300 and the cover member 400 are fixed to the connection target C by assembling the fastening member P3 to the fixing portions 323, 411 and tightening the fastening member P3 to the installation target portion CS. Therefore, the connector main body 300 of the second connector 200 is fixed in a state sandwiched between the installation target site CS and the cover member 400 by a main fixing part F2 consisting of a fixing part 323 on the connector main body 300 side and a fixing part 411 on the cover member 400 side. Then, the first interlock part 120 of the first connector 100, which is connected to an external determination circuit (not shown), and the second interlock part 420 of the second connector 200 are electrically connected to form a closed circuit, whereby the interlock part R can detect that the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are completely mated.

[0054] Before the connector body 300 of the second connector 200 is finally fixed to the connection object C via the final fixing portion F2, it is lifted from the position where it is temporarily held by the first connector 100 and placed in a position close to the installation target site CS. Therefore, the hook portion 324f of the locked portion 324 moves from the position where it contacts the claw portion 135f of the locking portion 135 (see FIG. 10) toward the connection object C along the fitting direction Z and is placed in a position separated from the claw portion 135f (see FIG. 11). Therefore, in the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 of this embodiment, when the connector body 300 of the second connector 200 is finally fixed to the connection object C, the locking relationship between the claw portion 135f of the locking portion 135 on the first connector 100 side and the hook portion 324f of the locked portion 324 on the second connector 200 side is released.

[0055] The connector 1 described above includes the first connector 100 provided on the connection object C, and the second connector 200 provided on the terminal of the conductive wiring material W and electrically connects the wiring material W and the connection object C by fitting with the first connector 100. The wire harness WH includes the wiring material W described above and the second connector 200. The second connector 200 has a permanent fixing portion F2 that permanently fixes the second connector 200 to the connection object C, and the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 have a temporary fixing portion F1 that can temporarily hold the second connector 200 on the first connector 100 in a state in which the second connector 200 is not permanently fixed to the connection object C via the permanent fixing portion F2. The temporary fixing portion F1 includes a locking portion 135 provided on the first connector 100 and a locked portion 324 provided on the second connector 200 and can be locked via the locking portion 135.

[0056] According to this configuration, the connector 1 is provided with a temporary fixing portion F1 for temporarily holding the second connector 200 in the first connector 100 provided on the connection object C, in addition to the permanent fixing portion F2 for fixing the second connector 200 to the connection object C. Therefore, when the second connector 200 is temporarily held in the first connector 100 via the temporary fixing portion F1, the worker does not need to hold the second connector 200 by hand, and can perform the subsequent assembly operation (for example, fastening work, etc.) with both hands. In addition, the second connector 200 is temporarily held in the first connector 100 via the temporary fixing portion F1, so that it can be prevented from coming off the first connector 100 during assembly. Therefore, the connector 1 and the wire harness WH of the present invention can reduce the burden on the worker and improve the work efficiency by the temporary fixing portion F1 provided in the first connector 100 and the second connector 200, and can improve the assembling performance to the connection object C.

[0057] Furthermore, the connector 1 described above has an interlock section R that detects the mating state between the first connector 100 and the second connector 200, and the interlock section R is configured to include a first interlock section 120 provided in the first connector 100 and a second interlock section 420 provided in the second connector 200. In addition, the first connector 100 is provided with a pair of first conductive members 110 electrically connected to a connection target C along a first width direction Y intersecting with a mating direction Z with the second connector 200, and the first interlock section 120 is provided between the pair of first conductive members 110. In addition, the second connector 200 is provided with a pair of second conductive members 310 electrically connected to the first conductive members 110 along the first width direction Y, and the second interlock section 420 is provided between the second conductive members 310. Moreover, the locking portion 135 provided in the first connector 100 and the locked portion 324 provided in the second connector 200 are provided at a position facing the interlock portion R in the second width direction X intersecting with the first width direction Y. According to this configuration, the connector 1 can effectively utilize the internal space of the connector by providing the temporary fixing portion F1 at a position facing the interlock portion R. In particular, when the connector 1 is a connector that supports a large current, it is necessary to widen the interval between the conductive members accommodated in the connector. Therefore, there is a possibility that a lot of dead space is generated inside the connector 1. However, the connector 1 can be equipped with many functions while suppressing the increase in size by providing a space portion that accommodates the interlock portion R (the first interlock portion 120, the second interlock portion 420) and the temporary fixing portion F1 so as to sandwich the pair of conductive members (the first conductive member 110, the second conductive member 310) accommodated inside. Therefore, the connector 1 of the present invention can improve the assembling property to the connection object C while suppressing the increase in size.

[0058] Furthermore, the locking portion 135 applied to the connector 1 described above extends in a cantilever shape along the mating direction Z of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200, and is configured to include a claw portion 135f provided at the tip portion. The locked portion 324 extends along the mating direction Z, and is configured to include an opening 324p that opens in the mating direction Z, and a hook portion 324f that is positioned opposite the claw portion 135f of the locking portion 135 in a state in which the locking portion 135 is inserted through the opening 324p. In addition, in a state in which the second connector 200 is permanently fixed to the connection target C via the permanent fixing portion F2, the claw portion 135f of the locking portion 135 and the hook portion 324f of the locked portion 324 are separated from each other, and the locking relationship between the locking portion 135 and the locked portion 324 is released. According to such a configuration, the temporary fixing portion F1 can increase the force with which the locking portion 135 locks the locked portion 324 by locking the claw portion 135f on the first connector 100 side with the hook portion 324f on the second connector 200 side. Therefore, the connector 1 of the present invention can temporarily hold the second connector 200 more reliably in the first connector 100. In addition, the temporary fixing portion F1 can suppress the generation of abnormal noise caused by the claw portion 135f hitting the hook portion 324f when vibration occurs by releasing the locking relationship between the locking portion 135 and the locked portion 324 when the second connector 200 is permanently fixed to the connection target C. Therefore, the connector 1 of the present invention can suppress the claw portion 135f hitting the hook portion 324f from being scraped off each other.

[0059] The connector 1 and the wire harness WH according to the embodiment of the present invention described above are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0060] For example, there is no particular limitation on the shape or position of the temporary fixing parts, and there is no particular limitation on the number of temporary fixing parts.

[0061] The temporary fixing portion may be configured to maintain the locking relationship even when the second connector is fully fixed to the connection target.

[0062] In addition, in the connector assembly operation, the first connector side is described as being vertically upper and the second connector side is vertically lower, but the positional relationship between the first connector and the second connector is not particularly limited. The mating direction between the first connector and the second connector is described as being vertical, but the mating direction is not particularly limited.

[0063] The connector and the wire harness according to this embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the embodiment and modified examples described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 Connector 100 1st Connector 110 First conductive member 120 First Interlock Section 135 Locking part 135f Claw part 200 2nd Connector 300 Connector body of second connector 310 Second conductive member 324 Locked part 324f Hook section 324p aperture 400 Cover member of second connector 420 Second Interlock Section C Connection target F1 Temporary fixing part F2 Fixed part R Interlock section W Routing material WH Wire harness X 2nd width direction Y 1st width direction Z mating direction

Claims

1. A first connector provided on the connection target; a second connector provided at an end of a conductive wiring material and electrically connecting the wiring material and the connection object by fitting with the first connector; the second connector has a final fixing portion that is final-fixed to the connection object, the first connector and the second connector have a temporary fixing portion capable of temporarily holding the second connector in the first connector in a state in which the second connector is not permanently fixed to the connection target via the permanent fixing portion, The temporary fixing portion is characterized in that it is configured to include a locking portion provided on the first connector and a locked portion provided on the second connector and capable of being locked via the locking portion. connector.

2. an interlock unit that detects a mating state between the first connector and the second connector; the interlock portion includes a first interlock portion provided in the first connector and a second interlock portion provided in the second connector, the first connector is provided with a pair of first conductive members electrically connected to the connection object along a first width direction intersecting a fitting direction with the second connector, and the first interlock portion is provided between the pair of first conductive members; The second connector includes a pair of second conductive members electrically connected to the first conductive members along the first width direction, and the second interlock portion is provided between the pair of second conductive members, The locking portion and the locked portion are provided at a position facing the interlock portion in a second width direction intersecting with the first width direction. The connector of claim 1 .

3. the locking portion extends in a cantilever shape along a fitting direction of the first connector and the second connector and includes a claw portion provided at a tip end thereof, the engaged portion extends along the fitting direction and includes an opening that opens in the fitting direction, and a hook portion that is positioned opposite the claw portion of the engaging portion when the engaging portion is inserted through the opening, When the second connector is finally fixed to the connection target via the final fixing portion, the claw portion of the locking portion and the hook portion of the locked portion are separated from each other, and the locking relationship between the locking portion and the locked portion is released.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A conductive wiring material; A second connector is provided at an end of the wiring material and electrically connects the wiring material and the connection object by fitting with a first connector provided on the connection object, the second connector has a final fixing portion that is final-fixed to the connection object, the first connector and the second connector have a temporary fixing portion capable of temporarily holding the second connector in the first connector in a state in which the second connector is not permanently fixed to the connection target via the permanent fixing portion, The temporary fixing portion is characterized in that it is configured to include a locking portion provided on the first connector and a locked portion provided on the second connector and capable of being locked via the locking portion. Wire harness.

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