Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector in which a terminal of which temperature rises is stably latched to a connector housing while the material cost is being suppressed.SOLUTION: A connector 30 includes: a terminal 31 connected to an end part of an electric wire 20; a connector housing 32 covering the terminal 31; and a retainer 34 having a terminal latch part for latching the terminal 31 and a housing latch target part 34b latched to the connector housing 32. The retainer 34 is formed of a resin material higher than the heat-resistance temperature than the heat resistance temperature of the connector housing 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a connector that includes a terminal to be connected to an end of an electric wire and a connector housing that covers the terminal, and the connector housing has a locking portion that locks the terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The locking portion is formed to be elastically deformable so as to allow the terminal to be inserted into the connector housing. The locking portion locks the terminal by engaging with an engagement hole of the terminal inserted into the connector housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-26718 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, the voltage of electric vehicles and the like has been increasing. As a result, it is expected that a large current of, for example, 400 amperes will flow through the terminals of the connector. Therefore, for example, it is conceivable to construct the connector housing from a resin material with a high heat resistance. In this way, for example, even if the terminals become hot due to the flow of a large current, the locking portion that locks the terminals is prevented from being deformed. However, in this case, a large amount of expensive resin material with a high heat resistance is used, which increases the material cost of the connector housing.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that is capable of stably engaging terminals that become hot while suppressing material costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a terminal to be connected to an end of an electric wire, a connector housing covering the terminal, and a retainer having a terminal locking portion for locking the terminal and a housing locked portion locked to the connector housing, the retainer being made of a resin material having a higher heat resistance temperature than the connector housing. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the connector of the present disclosure, it is possible to stably lock terminals that become hot while suppressing material costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the wire harness in one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the wire harness in one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the wire harness in one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the wire harness in one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of the wire harness in one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of a connector housing in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure comprises: [1] A connector comprising: a terminal to be connected to an end of an electric wire; a connector housing covering the terminal; and a retainer having a terminal locking portion for locking the terminal and a housing locked portion locked to the connector housing, the retainer being made of a resin material having a higher heat resistance than the connector housing.

[0010] According to this configuration, the retainer that locks the terminals and is locked to the connector housing is made of a resin material that has a higher heat resistance than the connector housing, so that the terminals that become hot can be stably locked while suppressing material costs. That is, material costs can be suppressed compared to, for example, a case in which the entire connector housing that can directly lock the terminals is made of a resin material that has a higher heat resistance. In addition, since the retainer that locks the terminals is made of a resin material that has a higher heat resistance than the connector housing, deformation of the terminals is suppressed even if the terminals become hot due to the flow of a large current. Therefore, the terminals can be stably locked to the connector housing.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the terminal locking portion may be provided at a first end of the retainer, and the housing locked portion may be provided at a second end of the retainer opposite the first end.

[0012] According to this configuration, the terminal locking portion is provided at a first end of the retainer, and the housing locked portion is provided at a second end of the retainer opposite the first end, so that even if the terminal locking portion becomes hot, the housing locked portion is unlikely to become hot. This prevents the housing locked portion from deforming the connector housing. Therefore, the retainer is stably locked to the connector housing.

[0013] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the connector housing may be formed to be elastically deformable to allow insertion of the retainer into the connector housing, and may have an elastic locking portion that locks the housing locked portion of the retainer inserted into the connector housing.

[0014] According to this configuration, the connector housing is formed to be elastically deformable to allow the retainer to be inserted into the connector housing, and has an elastic locking portion that locks the housing locked portion of the inserted retainer, making it easy to assemble the retainer. Since the connector housing has an elastic locking portion, it is not necessary to form the housing locked portion of the retainer to be elastically deformable. Here, a retainer made of a resin material that has a higher heat resistance than the connector housing is likely to be a harder and more brittle part than the connector housing. Since the elastically deformable portion is provided in the connector housing as the elastic locking portion rather than the retainer, for example, design is easier.

[0015] [4] In any one of the above [1] to [3], the heat-resistant temperature of the resin material constituting the retainer may be set to 180 degrees or higher. According to this configuration, the heat resistance temperature of the resin material that makes up the retainer is set to 180 degrees or higher, so that the terminal can be stably engaged even if the temperature of the terminal rises to around 170 degrees, for example.

[0016] [5] In any one of the above [1] to [4], the retainer may be configured as one component for one of the terminals. According to this configuration, since the retainer is configured as one part for one terminal, the number of parts can be reduced compared to, for example, a retainer configured by combining two or more parts for one terminal.

[0017] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratio of each part may differ in each drawing. In this specification, "parallel," "orthogonal," and "perfect circle" do not only mean strictly parallel, orthogonal, or perfect circle, but also include approximately parallel, orthogonal, or perfect circle within the range of the action and effect of this embodiment. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0018] (Configuration of wire harness 10) As shown in FIG. 1, a wire harness 10 includes one or more electric wires 20 and a connector 30 attached to an end of the electric wire 20. The wire harness 10 of this embodiment includes two electric wires 20. The wire harness 10 is provided in a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle. The wire harness 10 electrically connects, for example, electrical devices for the vehicle to each other. Examples of the electrical devices include a high-voltage battery, an inverter, a motor, and a relay box.

[0019] In the following description, when describing the positional relationship of each component of the connector 30, the direction opposite to the first direction X1 is referred to as the first opposite direction X2. In addition, the direction perpendicular to the first direction X1 toward the right in Fig. 1 is referred to as the second direction Y1, and the direction opposite to the second direction Y1 is referred to as the second opposite direction Y2. The direction perpendicular to both the first direction X1 and the second direction Y1 toward the upward direction in Fig. 1 is referred to as the third direction Z1, and the direction opposite to the third direction Z1 is referred to as the third opposite direction Z2.

[0020] (Configuration of Connector 30) 2, the connector 30 includes a plurality of terminals 31 respectively connected to ends of a plurality of electric wires 20, and a cylindrical connector housing 32 that covers the plurality of terminals 31. The connector 30 also includes a cylindrical shield shell 33 that covers the connector housing 32.

[0021] The connector 30 also includes a retainer 34 that locks the terminal 31 in the connector housing 32. The connector 30 also includes one or more seal members 35 (two in this embodiment) that fit inside the connector housing 32 while being in close contact with the outer periphery of the electric wire 20. The connector 30 also includes a restricting member 36 that restricts the movement of the electric wire 20, and a retaining member 37 that prevents the seal member 35 from coming off.

[0022] The connector 30 also includes a shield bracket 38 that covers the end of the shield shell 33 in the first opposite direction X2, and one or more bolts B1 (four in this embodiment) that fix the shield bracket 38 to the shield shell 33. As shown in Fig. 1, the connector 30 also includes a grommet 39 that covers the shield bracket 38 and the electric wires 20 leading out from the shield bracket 38.

[0023] (Configuration of electric wire 20) 2 and 3, each electric wire 20 has a conductive core wire 21 and an insulating coating 22 that surrounds the outer periphery of the core wire 21 and has insulating properties. Each electric wire 20 may be, for example, a shielded electric wire that has an electromagnetic shield structure itself, or a non-shielded electric wire that does not have an electromagnetic shield structure itself. Each electric wire 20 in this embodiment is a non-shielded electric wire.

[0024] The core wire 21 may be, for example, a stranded wire made of a plurality of metal wires stranded together or a single core wire made of a single conductor. The single core wire may be, for example, a columnar conductor made of a single metal rod having a solid interior structure or a tubular conductor having a hollow interior structure. The core wire 21 may also be a combination of a stranded wire, a columnar conductor, and a tubular conductor. The material of the core wire 21 may be, for example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material.

[0025] The insulating coating 22, for example, covers the entire outer circumferential surface of the core wire 21. The insulating coating 22 is made of, for example, a resin material having insulating properties. The cross-sectional shape of the electric wire 20 cut by a plane perpendicular to the length direction of the electric wire 20, that is, the transverse cross-sectional shape of the electric wire 20, can be formed into any shape. The transverse cross-sectional shape of the electric wire 20 can be formed into, for example, a circular shape, a semicircular shape, a polygonal shape, or a flat shape. The transverse cross-sectional shape of the electric wire 20 in this embodiment is formed into a circular shape.

[0026] Each electric wire 20 extends along the first direction X1. In other words, the axis of each electric wire 20 extends parallel to the first direction X1. The electric wires 20 are arranged, for example, along the second direction Y1.

[0027] 3, an end of the core wire 21, more specifically, an end in the first direction X1, is exposed from the insulating coating 22. A terminal 31 is connected to the end of the core wire 21 exposed from the insulating coating 22.

[0028] (Terminal 31 Configuration) 4 and 5, the terminal 31 is electrically connected to the electric wire 20. The terminal 31 has, for example, an electric wire connection portion 31a connected to the core wire 21 at the end of the electric wire 20, an intermediate portion 31b extending from the electric wire connection portion 31a while decreasing in width, and a terminal connection portion 31c further extending from the intermediate portion 31b while further decreasing in width.

[0029] The terminal connection portion 31c is configured so as to be connectable to a mating terminal of a mating connector (not shown). The material of each terminal 31 may be, for example, a metal material such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy.

[0030] (Configuration of Connector Housing 32 and Retainer 34) 2 and 3, the connector housing 32 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape as a whole. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the connector housing 32 has two receiving tubes 32a aligned along the second direction Y1. The connector housing 32 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The connector housing 32 is received inside the shield shell 33 along the first direction X1. The shield shell 33 is made of metal.

[0031] 3, the housing tube 32a houses the exposed core wire 21 at the end of the electric wire 20, the terminal 31, and a retainer 34. The number of retainers 34 is the same as the number of terminals 31, that is, two. The retainer 34 is configured as one component for one terminal 31. The retainer 34 is a single molded product for one terminal 31, and is not formed by assembling two components, and does not have a variable structure such as a thin hinge portion.

[0032] 4 and 5, the retainer 34 has a terminal locking portion 34a that locks the terminal 31, and a housing locked portion 34b that is locked to the connector housing 32. In detail, the retainer 34 has a rectangular upper wall 34c and a pair of side walls 34d that extend downward from both sides of the upper wall 34c in the third opposite direction Z2. A recess 34e is provided at the lower end of the side wall 34d into which a side portion of the wire connection portion 31a of the terminal 31 fits.

[0033] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, a base-end protrusion 34f is provided at the lower end of the side wall 34d in the first opposite direction X2, which supports the lower surface of the base end of the electric wire connection portion 31a, that is, the end portion in the first opposite direction X2, with the side portion of the electric wire connection portion 31a fitted into the recess 34e.

[0034] 5 and 6, a pair of slits 34g extending upward from a lower end of the side wall 34d is formed in the first direction X1, thereby providing a flexible piece 34h that can bend in the first direction X1 between the pair of slits 34g. A tip-side protrusion 34j is provided at the lower end of the flexible piece 34h, which supports the lower surface of the end in the first direction X1, which is the tip of the intermediate portion 31b of the terminal 31, with the side portion of the electric wire connection portion 31a fitted in the recess 34e.

[0035] With the side of the wire connecting portion 31a fitted in the recess 34e, the retainer 34 supports the lower surface of the terminal 31 with the base end projection 34f and the tip end projection 34j, thereby locking the terminal 31. That is, the terminal locking portion 34a is composed of the recess 34e, the base end projection 34f, the tip end projection 34j, etc. The terminal locking portion 34a is provided at the end of the retainer 34 in the third opposite direction Z2, which is the lower end serving as the first end.

[0036] 4, an upper wall hole 34k is provided in the upper wall 34c. The housing locked portion 34b, which is locked to the connector housing 32, is formed by an inner wall surface of the upper wall hole 34k in the first direction X1. The housing locked portion 34b is provided at an upper end portion, which is an end portion of the retainer 34 in the third direction Z1 and serves as a second end portion opposite the first end portion.

[0037] 3 and 7, the connector housing 32 has an elastic locking portion 32b. The elastic locking portion 32b is provided on each of the two receiving tubes 32a. The elastic locking portion 32b is formed to be elastically deformable to allow the retainer 34 to be inserted into the connector housing 32, and is configured to be able to lock the housing locked portion 34b inserted into the connector housing 32.

[0038] In detail, the elastic locking portion 32b has a lower extension portion 32c that first protrudes in the third opposite direction Z2 from the upper wall portion, which is the wall portion in the third direction Z1 of the accommodating tube 32a, and a flexible extension portion 32d that bends from the tip of the lower extension portion 32c and extends in the first direction X1.

[0039] 3, when the retainer 34 integrated with the terminals 31 is inserted into the connector housing 32 along the first direction X1, the flexible extension portion 32d elastically deforms in the third direction Z1, thereby allowing the retainer 34 to be inserted into the connector housing 32. When the retainer 34 is inserted into the connector housing 32, the elastic locking portion 32b returns to its original shape such that the tip of the elastic locking portion 32b can engage with the housing locked portion 34b. As a result, the elastic locking portion 32b locks the retainer 34 integrated with the terminals 31 by preventing the retainer 34 from coming out of the connector housing 32.

[0040] The retainer 34 is made of a resin material having a higher heat resistance than the connector housing 32. Specifically, it is assumed that a large current of 400 amperes flows through the terminal 31 of this embodiment. As a result, the temperature of the terminal 31 may rise to about 150 to 170 degrees. In contrast, in this embodiment, the heat resistance of the resin material constituting the retainer 34 is set to 180 degrees or higher.

[0041] In this embodiment, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) is used as the resin material constituting the retainer 34. In addition, examples of the resin material constituting the retainer 34 that can be used include PEEK (polyether ether ketone), LCP (liquid crystal polymer), and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).

[0042] The resin material constituting the connector housing 32 has a lower heat resistance temperature than the retainer 34, and for example, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) is used.

[0043] Next, the operation of the wire harness 10 configured as above will be described. The terminal 31 connected to the end of the electric wire 20 is locked by a retainer 34 which is locked to the connector housing 32. This causes the terminal 31 to be housed and held within the connector housing 32. The connector housing 32 is also covered by a shield shell 33 and a shield bracket 38, both of which are made of metal. This suppresses radiation of electromagnetic waves from the connector 30.

[0044] Next, the effects of the above embodiment will be described below. (1) The retainer 34 that locks the terminals 31 and is locked to the connector housing 32 is made of a resin material that has a higher heat resistance than the connector housing 32, and therefore can stably lock the terminals 31 that become hot while suppressing material costs. That is, material costs can be suppressed compared to, for example, a case in which the entire connector housing 32 that can directly lock the terminals 31 is made of a resin material that has a higher heat resistance than the connector housing 32. In addition, since the retainer 34 that locks the terminals 31 is made of a resin material that has a higher heat resistance than the connector housing 32, deformation of the terminals 31 is suppressed even if the terminals 31 become hot due to the flow of a large current. Therefore, the terminals 31 can be stably locked to the connector housing 32.

[0045] (2) The terminal locking portion 34a is an end portion of the retainer 34 in the third opposite direction Z2, and is provided at the lower end portion as the first end portion. The housing locked portion 34b is an end portion of the retainer 34 in the third direction Z1, and is provided at the upper end portion as the second end portion opposite to the first end portion. That is, the terminal locking portion 34a and the housing locked portion 34b are provided at the ends opposite to each other in the retainer 34. Therefore, even if the terminal locking portion 34a that locks the terminal 31 becomes hot, the housing locked portion 34b is unlikely to become hot. Therefore, the housing locked portion 34b is prevented from deforming the connector housing 32. That is, the housing locked portion 34b that is locked to the elastic locking portion 32b of the connector housing 32 is disposed at a position far from the terminal 31 that becomes hot, so that heat is unlikely to be transmitted from the terminal 31 to the elastic locking portion 32b. Therefore, the elastic locking portion 32b is prevented from being deformed. Therefore, the retainer 34 is stably engaged with the connector housing 32 .

[0046] (3) The connector housing 32 is formed to be elastically deformable to allow the retainer 34 to be inserted into the connector housing 32, and has the elastic locking portion 32b that locks the housing locked portion 34b of the inserted retainer 34. This makes it easy to assemble the retainer 34. Since the connector housing 32 has the elastic locking portion 32b, it is not necessary to form the housing locked portion 34b of the retainer 34 to be elastically deformable. The retainer 34, which is made of a resin material that has a higher heat resistance than the connector housing 32, is likely to be a harder and more brittle part than the connector housing 32. Since the elastically deformable portion is provided in the connector housing 32 as the elastic locking portion 32b rather than the retainer 34, for example, design is easier.

[0047] (4) The heat resistance temperature of the resin material constituting the retainer 34 is set to 180 degrees or higher. Therefore, even if the temperature of the terminal 31 may rise to approximately 170 degrees, the terminal 31 can be stably retained.

[0048] (5) Since the retainer 34 is configured as a single component for one terminal 31, the number of components can be reduced compared to, for example, a retainer configured for one terminal 31 by combining two or more components.

[0049] The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs. In the above embodiment, the terminal locking portion 34a and the housing locked portion 34b are provided at opposite ends of the retainer 34, but this is not limiting and they may be provided at the end of the same side of the retainer 34. For example, the housing locked portion 34b may be provided at the end of the retainer 34 in the third opposite direction Z2, which is the lower end as the first end. Of course, in this case, the position and shape of the elastic locking portion 32b of the connector housing 32 must also be changed.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the connector housing 32 has the elastic locking portion 32b, but this is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a locking portion that is not elastically deformable and locks the housing locked portion 34b. In this case, for example, the housing locked portion 34b of the retainer 34 may be configured to be elastically deformable.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the heat resistance temperature of the resin material constituting the retainer 34 is set to 180 degrees or higher. However, as long as the resin material has a higher heat resistance temperature than the connector housing 32, the heat resistance temperature may be set to a different value.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the retainer 34 is configured as one component for one terminal 31, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, the retainer 34 may be configured by combining two or more components for one terminal 31. The retainer 34 may also have a variable structure, such as a thin-walled hinge portion. The retainer 34 may also be configured as one component for multiple terminals 31.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the terminal locking portion 34a of the retainer 34 is configured by the recess 34e, the base end projection 34f, the tip end projection 34j, etc., but may be modified to another configuration as long as it can lock the terminal 31. Of course, the configuration of the terminal 31 may also be modified to another configuration.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the housing locked portion 34b of the retainer 34 is configured by the inner wall surface of the upper wall hole 34k in the first direction X1, but may be modified to another configuration as long as it is configured to be locked to the connector housing 32. Of course, the elastic locking portion 32b of the connector housing 32 may also be modified to another configuration.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the connector 30 is provided with a shield structure such as the shield shell 33 and the shield bracket 38, but is not limited thereto and may not be provided with a shield structure. The connector 30 is required to include at least the terminals 31, the connector housing 32, and the retainer 34.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the connector 30 has a configuration compatible with two electric wires 20, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured to be compatible with one or three or more electric wires 20. In other words, the number of terminals 31 and retainers 34 included in the connector 30 may be changed according to the number of electric wires 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10 Wire Harness 20 Electric wire 21 Core Wire 22 Insulation coating 30 Connectors 31 Terminal 31a Wire connection part 31b Middle part 31c Terminal connection 32 Connector housing 32a Storage tube 32b Elastic locking part 32c Lower extension part 32d flexible extension 33 Shield Shell 34 Retainer 34a Terminal locking part 34b Housing latched portion 34c upper wall 34d side wall 34e Recess 34f Proximal protrusion 34g slit 34h flexible piece 34j Tip side protrusion 34k top wall hole 35 Sealing material 36 Regulatory components 37 Anti-slip member 38 Shield bracket 39 Grommet B1 Bolt X1 1st direction X2 1st opposite direction Y1 2nd direction Y2 2nd opposite direction Z1 3rd direction Z2 3rd opposite direction

Claims

1. A terminal connected to an end of the electric wire; a connector housing covering the terminals; a retainer having a terminal locking portion that locks the terminal and a housing locked portion that is locked to the connector housing, The retainer is made of a resin material having a higher heat resistance than the connector housing. connector.

2. The terminal locking portion is provided at a first end of the retainer, The housing engaged portion is provided at a second end portion of the retainer opposite to the first end portion. The connector of claim 1 .

3. the connector housing is formed to be elastically deformable to allow the retainer to be inserted into the connector housing, and has an elastic locking portion that locks the housing locked portion of the retainer inserted into the connector housing. The connector of claim 1 .

4. The heat resistance temperature of the resin material constituting the retainer is set to 180 degrees or more. The connector of claim 1 .

5. The retainer is configured as one part for one of the terminals. The connector of claim 1 .

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