Connector

Abstract

To provide a compact connector.SOLUTION: A connector 3 includes a resin body 10 blocking an opening 2a of a housing 2, a flexible conductor 20 which includes a connection end 20a inside the resin body 10, and is formed of a flexible material extending to one side from the resin body 10, and an insulation coating 21 coating the flexible conductor 20. A connection conductor 22 includes a connected end 22b connected to the connection end 20a of the flexible conductor 20. The connection end 20a is insert molded to the resin body 10 together with the flexible conductor 20 and the insulation coating 21. The connection conductor 22 extends to the other side from the resin body 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] The motor has a housing that covers a drive mechanism such as a rotor. Oil such as lubricating oil is stored in the housing. The stored oil is stirred up as the rotor rotates and disperses inside the housing in the form of mist or vapor. This allows the inside of the housing to be cooled. The opening of the housing is closed by a connector. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the connector includes a resin body that seals oil leakage due to internal pressure or penetration, and a conductor (insert metal fitting) that is insert molded into the resin body and electrically connects an internal conductor inside the housing to an external conductor outside the housing. This allows power to be supplied from outside the housing to the inside of the housing while increasing the airtightness between the inside and outside of the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-37759 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the conductor 120 insert-molded in the resin body 110 extends into the housing 104 without being insulated, the insulation distance (Z1) required for the extended conductor 120 must take into consideration the creepage distance (L), which is the shortest distance along the surface of the insulator between the opposing edges of the conductor 120, while ensuring the spatial distance, which is the shortest distance passing through the space between the opposing edges of the adjacent conductors 120. (See FIG. 7). When the creepage distance is greater than the spatial distance, the creepage distance is essentially the key to the insulation distance. That is, (Z1)=(L). A certain amount of creepage distance (L) is required to prevent short circuits. Therefore, there was a risk that the resin body 110 would become large in the direction in which the conductors 120 are arranged. Therefore, there was a risk that the connector 103 would become large. Therefore, a compact connector 103 has been required in the past. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one feature of the present disclosure, the connector includes a resin body that closes the opening of the housing, a flexible conductor formed of a flexible material that has a connecting end inside the resin body and extends in one direction from the resin body, and an insulating coating that covers the flexible conductor. The connecting conductor has a connected end that is connected to the connecting end of the flexible conductor. The connecting conductor is formed by insert molding the connecting end of the flexible conductor together with the flexible conductor and the insulating coating into the resin body, and extends in the other direction from the resin body.

[0006] Therefore, the insulation distance (Z2), i.e., creepage distance, required for the flexible conductor extending from the resin body to one side (for example, inside the housing) is (α) + (β) as shown below. (α) is twice the thickness (A) of the insulating coating covering the extended flexible conductor and twice the distance (B) that the insulating coating is inserted into the resin body. (β) is the distance (C) along the surface of the insulator between the opposing edges of the insulating coating of adjacent flexible conductors on the surface of the resin body. In other words, (Z2) = 2(A + B) + (C). Therefore, even if (C) is packed sufficiently, as long as (B) is sufficiently secured, (Z2) can be secured sufficiently. Therefore, there is no risk of the resin body becoming large in the arrangement direction of the flexible conductors, and the insulation distance required for the flexible conductors can be secured. As a result, the connector can be made compact.

[0007] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the flexible conductor is electrically connected to a load device within the housing, and the connection conductor is electrically connected to the inverter, so that the inverter can supply power to the load device.

[0008] In another feature of the present disclosure, the coupling end of the flexible conductor and the coupled end of the connection conductor overlap in the thickness direction. Therefore, a step occurs in the thickness direction at this overlapping portion. Therefore, even if the gas in the housing flows into the connector along the inside of the flexible conductor or the surface of the insulating coating as the pressure in the housing increases, a pressure loss occurs in this inflow path. That is, this inflow path has a labyrinth structure. Therefore, the outflow of gas to the outside of the housing can be suppressed, and the airtightness functions. Furthermore, even if oil penetrates the inside of the flexible conductor by permeation due to capillary phenomenon and enters the connector, the coupling end of the flexible conductor and the coupled end of the connection conductor are joined inside the connector, so that the oil does not penetrate further and the outflow of oil can be suppressed, and the watertightness functions.

[0009] In another feature of the present disclosure, the connector includes a resin body that closes the opening of the housing, and a pair of flexible conductors formed of a flexible material that each have a coupling end inside the resin body and extend in one direction and the other direction from the resin body. A pair of insulating coatings cover the pair of flexible conductors, respectively. An intermediate conductor has coupled ends that are respectively coupled to the coupling ends of the pair of flexible conductors. The coupling ends of the intermediate conductor are insert-molded into the resin body together with the pair of flexible conductors and the pair of insulating coatings.

[0010] Therefore, the insulation distance (Z2), i.e., creepage distance, required for flexible conductors extending from the resin body to one side and the other side (for example, inside the housing and outside the housing) is (α) + (β) as shown below. (α) is twice the thickness (A) of the insulating coating covering the extended flexible conductor and twice the distance (B) that the insulating coating is inserted into the resin body. (β) is the distance (C) along the surface of the insulator between the opposing edges of the insulating coating of adjacent flexible conductors on the surface of the resin body. In other words, (Z2) = 2(A + B) + (C). Therefore, even if (C) is packed sufficiently, as long as (B) is sufficiently secured, (Z2) can be secured sufficiently. Therefore, there is no risk of the resin body becoming large in the arrangement direction of the flexible conductors, and the insulation distance required for the flexible conductors can be secured. As a result, the connector can be made compact.

[0011] In another feature of the present disclosure, one of the pair of flexible conductors (e.g., the first flexible conductor 20) is electrically connected to the inverter, and the other flexible conductor (e.g., the second flexible conductor 20) is electrically connected to a load device within the housing, so that power can be supplied from the inverter to the load device.

[0012] In another feature of the present disclosure, the connecting ends of the pair of flexible conductors and the connected ends of the intermediate conductor overlap each other in the thickness direction. Therefore, a step occurs in the thickness direction at this overlapping portion. Therefore, even if the gas in the housing flows into the connector along the inside of the flexible conductor or the surface of the insulating coating as the pressure in the housing increases, a pressure loss occurs in this inflow path. That is, this inflow path has a labyrinth structure. Therefore, the outflow of gas to the outside of the housing can be suppressed, and the airtightness functions. Furthermore, even if oil penetrates the inside of the flexible conductor by permeation due to capillary phenomenon and enters the connector, the connecting ends of the flexible conductor and the connected ends of the intermediate conductor are joined inside the connector, so that the oil does not penetrate further and the outflow of oil can be suppressed, and the watertightness functions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a state in which the connector according to the first embodiment is attached to a housing. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a state in which the connector according to the second embodiment is attached to a housing. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a problem with the conventional technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In the following description, up / down, front / rear, left / right directions refer to the up / down, front / rear, left / right directions indicated by arrows in each figure. This also applies to the second embodiment.

[0015] 1, a connector 3 of a motor 1 (for example, a three-phase motor not shown), which is a load device, is attached to a housing 2 of the motor 1. Below, the housing 2 and the connector 3 will be described separately.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 2 is formed with an elongated opening 2a corresponding to the shape of a resin body 11 of a resin body 10 of a connector 3 described later, and a pair of left and right screw holes (not shown) corresponding to each of the collar members 17 of a pair of left and right mounting portions 15 of the connector 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the edge of the opening 2a of the housing 2 on the air layer 5 side is an inclined surface 2b. This allows the resin body 11 of the connector 3 to be inserted smoothly into the opening 2a of the housing 2. The housing 2 is made of a metal member. Note that only a part of the housing 2 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 is a box-shaped member that covers a drive mechanism (not shown) such as the rotor of the motor 1, and oil such as lubricating oil is stored inside. This stored oil is stirred up as the rotor etc. rotates, and is dispersed inside the housing 2 in the form of mist or vapor. This allows the inside of the housing 2 to be cooled. The inside of the housing 2 forms an oil layer 4 (a layer in which oil is stored and dispersed in the form of mist or vapor, as described above), and the outside of the housing 2 forms an air layer 5 (a layer of the atmosphere). The oil layer 4 can become pressurized relative to the outside as the temperature rises.

[0018] 2 and 3, the connector 3 has a resin body 10 and three joining conductors 30. The joining conductor 30 has a flexible conductor 20, a bus bar 22, and a terminal board 23. The flexible conductor 20 is made of a flexible material, such as a twisted wire or a braided wire, and has electrical conductivity. The outer surface of the flexible conductor 20 is covered with an insulating coating 21. That is, the flexible conductor 20 is a coated conductor. The insulating coating 21 has heat resistance and oil resistance.

[0019] 2 and 3, one end 20a and the other end 20b of flexible conductor 20 are exposed without being covered by insulating coating 21. This "one end 20a of flexible conductor 20" corresponds to the "connecting end" recited in the claims. Busbar 22 is, for example, approximately L-shaped and has rigidity and conductivity. One end 22a of busbar 22 has a screw hole 22c penetrating in the thickness direction. This "busbar 22" and "the other end 22b of busbar 22" correspond to the "connecting conductor" and "connected end" recited in the claims.

[0020] 2 and 3, the terminal plate 23 is, for example, flat and has rigidity and conductivity. One end 23a of the terminal plate 23 has a screw hole 23c penetrating in the thickness direction. One end 20a of the flexible conductor 20 and the other end 22b of the bus bar 22 are electrically connected by ultrasonic bonding (for example, the one end 20a is bonded by compacting welding the loose strands of the flexible conductor 20 into an ingot shape) so as to overlap in the thickness direction. At this time, there is one end 20a of the flexible conductor 20 between the other end 22b of the bus bar 22 and one end 21a of the insulating coating 21, which is slightly not compacted.

[0021] Similarly, the other end 20b of the flexible conductor 20 and the other end 23b of the terminal plate 23 are electrically connected by ultrasonic bonding (for example, the other end 20b is bonded by compacting the loose strands of the flexible conductor 20 into an ingot) so that they overlap in the thickness direction. At this time, there is a small part of the other end 20b of the flexible conductor 20 that has not been compacted between the other end 23b of the terminal plate 23 and the other end 21b of the insulating coating 21. When molding the resin body 10, the three joint conductors 30 are set in predetermined positions in a molding die (not shown) so as to be aligned horizontally, and are insert molded into the resin body portion 11.

[0022] As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the resin body 10 is made of an insulating material and has a resin body portion 11 and a pair of mounting portions 15 extending from both the left and right sides of the resin body portion 11. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, one end 20a of the flexible conductor 20 and one end 21a of the insulating coating 21 are inserted into the other end 11b of the resin body portion 11. The bus bar 22 extends from the one end 11a of the resin body portion 11 to the outside of the housing 2. That is, the other end 22b of the bus bar 22 is inserted into the one end 11a of the resin body portion 11. The other end 20b of the flexible conductor 20, the terminal board 23, and the other end 21b of the insulating coating 21 extend from the other end 11b of the resin body portion 11 to the inside of the housing 2.

[0023] When the flexible conductor 20 is inserted in this manner, oil leakage is suppressed at the jointed portion of the flexible conductor 20. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in watertightness of the one end 11a side and the other end 11b side of the resin body portion 11 caused by inserting the flexible conductor 20 into the resin body portion 11.

[0024] 2, the outer peripheral surface 12 of the resin body 11 has a recess 13 that continues in the circumferential direction. An elastically deformable seal material 14, such as an O-ring, is attached to the recess 13. The outer diameter of the seal material 14 is formed to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the opening 2a of the housing 2.

[0025] As a result, when the connector 3 is attached to the housing 2 as described below, the sealant 14 is pressed against the inner wall surface 2c of the opening 2a of the housing 2. As a result, the sealant 14 is elastically deformed (crushed), improving the sealing performance between the oil layer 4 and the air layer 5 of the housing 2 to which the connector 3 is attached. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the tip of the attachment portion 15 has a through hole 16 that penetrates in the thickness direction. A ring-shaped collar member 17 is attached to the through hole 16.

[0026] Next, an example of a procedure for attaching the connector 3 to the housing 2 will be described. First, a first operation is performed in which the resin body 11 of the connector 3 is inserted so as to close the opening 2a of the housing 2. Next, a second operation is performed in which screws (not shown) are inserted into a pair of left and right collar members 17 of the mounting portion 15 of the connector 3, and the inserted screws are screwed into a pair of left and right threaded holes (not shown) of the housing 2. In this manner, the connector 3 can be attached to the housing 2.

[0027] Thereafter, a third operation is performed in which screws (not shown) are inserted into the through holes (not shown) of the three conductors extending from the drive mechanism and into the screw holes 23c of the terminal plates 23 of the three joining conductors 30 in that order, and the inserted screws are screwed into nuts (not shown). This electrically connects the conductors extending from the drive mechanism to the terminal plates 23 of the connector 3. Therefore, the drive mechanism and the connector 3 are electrically connected.

[0028] Similarly, a fourth operation is performed in which screws (not shown) are inserted into each crimp terminal (not shown) of the three external cables extending from the inverter on the power source side and into each through hole 22c of the three bus bars 22 of the connector 3, in that order, and the inserted screws are screwed into nuts (not shown).

[0029] This electrically connects the external cable extending from the inverter to the busbar 22 of the connector 3. This electrically connects the inverter and the connector 3. This allows the resin body 10 of the connector 3 to separate the inside and outside of the housing 2 airtightly or watertightly (while isolating the two different layers (oil layer 4 and gas layer 5)), while allowing electricity to flow between the inside and outside (the two different layers). This allows power to be supplied from the inverter to the motor 1.

[0030] As described above, the drive mechanism and the connector 3 are electrically connected. At that time, the conductors extending from the drive mechanism are electrically connected to the flexible conductor 20 via the terminal plates 23. Therefore, vibrations transmitted from the rotor of the drive mechanism are absorbed by the flexible conductor 20. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the transmission of the vibrations to the housing 2 or to the outside of the housing 2.

[0031] Furthermore, when performing the above-mentioned third operation, even if there is a misalignment between the through hole of the conductor extending from the drive mechanism and the screw hole 23c of the terminal plate 23 of the joining conductor 30, this misalignment can be suppressed by moving the flexible conductor 20. Therefore, this third operation can be performed smoothly. Furthermore, since the one end 20a side of the flexible conductor 20 and the one end 21a of the insulating coating 21 are inserted, the degree of freedom of movement of the flexible conductor 20 is restricted more than when the entire flexible conductor 20 is not inserted.

[0032] Therefore, the first operation of inserting the resin body 11 of the connector 3 into the opening 2a of the housing 2 can be smoothly performed. Also, when screwing the screw in the third operation, the screw can be stably screwed into the nut without the terminal board 23 shaking significantly. Furthermore, when inserting the joining conductor 30, the flexible conductor 20 can be held while maintaining a direction other than the up-down direction (direction directly below).

[0033] The connector 3 according to the first embodiment is configured as described above. According to this configuration, the connector 3 includes the resin body 10 that closes the opening 2a of the housing 2, the flexible conductor 20 that has one end 20a inside the resin body 10 and is formed of a flexible material extending from the resin body 10 in one direction, and the insulating coating 21 that covers the flexible conductor 20. The bus bar 22 includes a connected end 22b that is connected to the connecting end 20a of the flexible conductor 20. The bus bar 22 is formed by insert-molding one end 20a of the flexible conductor 20 together with the flexible conductor 20 and the insulating coating 21 into the resin body 10, and extends from the resin body 10 in the other direction. The connecting end 20a together with the flexible conductor 20 and the insulating coating 21 is insert-molded into the resin body 10. The bus bar 22 extends outward from the resin body 10.

[0034] Therefore, the insulation distance (Z2), i.e., creepage distance, required for the flexible conductor 20 extending from the resin body 10 to one side (for example, inside the housing) is (α)+(β) as follows. (α) is twice the thickness (A) of the insulating coating 21 covering the extended flexible conductor 20 and twice the distance (B) at which the insulating coating 21 is inserted into the resin body 10. (β) is the distance (C) along the surface of the insulator between the opposing edges of the insulating coating 21 of adjacent flexible conductors 20 on the surface of the resin body 10. That is, (Z2)=2(A+B)+(C). Therefore, even if (C) is sufficiently packed, as long as (B) is sufficiently secured, (Z2) can be secured sufficiently. Therefore, there is no risk of the resin body 10 becoming large in the arrangement direction of the flexible conductors 20, and the insulation distance required for the flexible conductors 20 can be secured. As a result, the connector 3 can be made compact. The terminal plates 23 of the joining conductors 30 are connected to a drive mechanism (not shown) at a certain distance from each other by utilizing their flexibility and insulated from each other. The ends 20a of the flexible conductors 20 inserted into the resin body 10 are insulated from each other because they are blocked by insulating resin. The bus bars 22 extending from the other side of the resin body are insulated from each other because they are blocked by an insulating wall (not shown) that protrudes from the resin body 10 in the same extending direction, for example.

[0035] Furthermore, with this configuration, the flexible conductor 20 is electrically connected to a drive mechanism of the motor 1 in the housing 2. The bus bar 22 is electrically connected to an inverter. Therefore, power can be supplied to the motor 1 from the inverter.

[0036] Also, according to this configuration, one end 20a of the flexible conductor 20 and the other end 22b of the busbar 22 overlap in the thickness direction. Therefore, a step occurs in the thickness direction at this overlapping portion. Therefore, even if gas in the housing 2 flows into the connector 3 along the inside of the flexible conductor 20 or the surface of the insulating coating 21 as the pressure inside the housing 2 increases, pressure loss occurs in this inflow path. That is, this inflow path has a labyrinth structure. Therefore, the outflow of gas to the outside of the housing 2 can be suppressed, and airtightness functions. Furthermore, even if oil penetrates the inside of the flexible conductor 20 by permeation due to capillary phenomenon and enters the connector 3, the one end 20a of the flexible conductor 20 and the other end 22b of the busbar 22 are joined inside the connector 3, so that the oil does not penetrate further and the outflow of oil can be suppressed, and watertightness functions.

[0037] Second embodiment The second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. In the following description, members having the same or equivalent configurations as those described in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals in the drawings, and redundant description will be omitted. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the flexible conductor 20 and the insulating coating 21 are inserted into the resin body 11 on only one side (the oil layer 4 side) or on both sides (the oil layer 4 and the air layer 5).

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, a connector 53 of a motor 1 (for example, a three-phase motor not shown) which is a load device is attached to a housing 2 of the motor 1 in the same manner as the connector 3 of the first embodiment.

[0039] 5 and 6, connector 53 has resin body 10 and three joint conductors 70. Joint conductor 70 has two (a pair of) flexible conductors 20, two terminal plates 23, and an intermediate conductor 60. The two flexible conductors 20 are a flexible conductor 20 on the air layer 5 side (referred to as "first flexible conductor 20") and a flexible conductor 20 on the oil layer 4 side (referred to as "second flexible conductor 20"). The two terminal plates 23 are a terminal plate 23 on the air layer 5 side (referred to as "first terminal plate 23") and a terminal plate 23 on the oil layer 4 side (referred to as "second terminal plate 23").

[0040] 5 and 6, the intermediate conductor 60 is, for example, flat, and has rigidity and conductivity. One end 20a of the first flexible conductor 20 and one end 60a of the intermediate conductor 60 are electrically connected by ultrasonic welding (for example, by compacting the loose strands of the flexible conductor into an ingot shape and joining them) so that they overlap in the thickness direction. At this time, there is a small portion of one end 20a of the first flexible conductor 20 between one end 60a of the intermediate conductor 60 and one end 21a of the insulating coating 21 that is not compacted.

[0041] Similarly, the other end 20b of the first flexible conductor 20 and the other end 23b of the first terminal plate 23 are electrically connected by ultrasonic bonding (for example, by compacting the loose strands of the flexible conductor into an ingot shape and bonding them) so that they overlap in the thickness direction. At this time, there is a small amount of the other end 20b of the first flexible conductor 20 between the other end 23b of the first terminal plate 23 and the other end 21b of the insulating coating 21 that has not been compacted.

[0042] Similarly, one end 20a of the second flexible conductor 20 and the other end 60b of the intermediate conductor 60 are electrically connected by ultrasonic welding (for example, by compacting the loose strands of the flexible conductor into an ingot shape and joining them) so that they overlap in the thickness direction. At this time, there is a small area of ​​one end 20a of the second flexible conductor 20 between the other end 60b of the intermediate conductor 60 and one end 21a of the insulating coating 21 that has not been compacted.

[0043] Similarly, the other end 20b of the second flexible conductor 20 and the other end 23b of the second terminal plate 23 are electrically connected by ultrasonic bonding (for example, by compacting the loose strands of the flexible conductor into an ingot shape and bonding them) so as to overlap in the thickness direction. At this time, there is a small part of the other end 20b of the second flexible conductor 20 that is not compacted between the other end 23b of the second terminal plate 23 and the other end 21b of the insulating coating 21. When molding the resin body 10, the three joint conductors 70 are set at predetermined positions in a molding die (not shown) so as to be aligned horizontally, and are insert molded into the resin body portion 11.

[0044] The "one end 20a of the first flexible conductor 20" and the "one end 20a of the second flexible conductor 20" correspond to the "connecting ends" in the claims. The "one end 60a of the intermediate conductor 60" and the "other end 60b of the intermediate conductor 60" correspond to the "connected ends" in the claims.

[0045] 4 and 6, the resin body 10 has a resin body portion 11 and a pair of mounting portions 15 extending from both the left and right sides of the resin body portion 11. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, one end 11a of the resin body portion 11 receives one end 20a of the first flexible conductor 20 and one end 21a of the insulating coating 21. The other end 20b of the first flexible conductor 20, the first terminal board 23, and the other end 21b of the insulating coating 21 extend outward from the one end 11a of the resin body portion 11 to the outside of the housing 2.

[0046] 4 and 6, the entire intermediate conductor 60 is inserted into the resin body 11. One end 20a of the second flexible conductor 20 and one end 21a of the insulating coating 21 are inserted into the other end 11b of the resin body 11. The other end 20b of the second flexible conductor 20, the second terminal board 23, and the other end 21b of the insulating coating 21 extend from the other end 11b of the resin body 11 toward the inside of the housing 2.

[0047] When inserted in this manner, oil leakage is suppressed at the joined portion of the first flexible conductor 20. Similarly, oil leakage is suppressed at the joined portion of the second flexible conductor 20. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in watertightness of the one end 11a side and the other end 11b side of the resin body portion 11 caused by inserting both flexible conductors 20 into the resin body portion 11.

[0048] Next, an example of a procedure for attaching the connector 53 to the housing 2 will be described. First, a first operation is performed in which the resin body 11 of the connector 53 is inserted so as to close the opening 2a of the housing 2. Next, a second operation is performed in which screws (not shown) are inserted into a pair of left and right collar members 17 of the mounting portion 15 of the connector 53, and the inserted screws are screwed into a pair of left and right threaded holes (not shown) of the housing 2. In this manner, the connector 53 can be attached to the housing 2.

[0049] Thereafter, a third operation is performed in which screws (not shown) are inserted into the through holes (not shown) of the three conductors extending from the drive mechanism and into the screw holes 23c of the second terminal plates 23 of the three joining conductors 70 in that order, and the inserted screws are screwed into nuts (not shown). This electrically connects the conductors extending from the drive mechanism to the second terminal plates 23 of the connector 53. Therefore, the drive mechanism and the connector 53 are electrically connected.

[0050] Similarly, a fourth operation is performed in which screws (not shown) are inserted in order into the crimp terminals (not shown) of the three external cables extending from the inverter on the power source side and into the screw holes 23c of the first terminal plates 23 of the three joining conductors 70, and the inserted screws are screwed into nuts (not shown). This electrically connects the external cables extending from the inverter to the first terminal plates 23 of the connector 53.

[0051] Therefore, the inverter and the connector 53 are electrically connected. Therefore, the resin body 10 of the connector 53 separates the inside and outside of the housing 2 airtightly or watertightly (while isolating the two different layers (oil layer 4 and air layer 5)), and electricity can flow between the inside and the outside (the two different layers). Therefore, power can be supplied from the inverter to the motor 1.

[0052] As described above, the drive mechanism and the connector 53 are electrically connected. At that time, the conductors extending from the drive mechanism are electrically connected to the second flexible conductor 20 via the second terminal plate 23. Therefore, the vibrations transmitted from the rotor of the drive mechanism are absorbed by the second flexible conductor 20. This makes it possible to suppress the transmission of the vibrations to the housing 2 or to the outside of the housing 2. The connector 53 also includes the first flexible conductor 20. Therefore, the above-mentioned vibrations are also absorbed by the first flexible conductor 20. This makes it possible to further obtain the above-mentioned vibration suppression effect.

[0053] Furthermore, when performing the above-mentioned third operation, even if there is a misalignment between the through hole of the conductor extending from the drive mechanism and the screw hole 23c of the second terminal plate 23 of the joining conductor 30, this misalignment can be suppressed by moving the second flexible conductor 20. Therefore, this third operation can be performed smoothly. The same is true for the fourth operation. Furthermore, these screws can be screwed in without moving the first flexible conductor 20 and the second flexible conductor 20 too much.

[0054] In addition, because one end 20a of the first flexible conductor 20 and one end 21a of the insulating coating 21 are inserted, the degree of freedom of movement of the first flexible conductor 20 is restricted more than in a state where the entire first flexible conductor 20 is not inserted. Similarly, because one end 20a of the second flexible conductor 20 and one end 21a of the insulating coating 21 are inserted, the degree of freedom of movement of the second flexible conductor 20 is restricted more than in a state where the entire second flexible conductor 20 is not inserted.

[0055] Therefore, the first operation of inserting the resin body 11 of the connector 3 into the opening 2a of the housing 2 can be performed smoothly. Furthermore, when the screw is screwed in the third operation, the second terminal board 23 does not shake significantly, and the screw can be stably screwed into the nut. This is similar to the fourth operation. Furthermore, when the joining conductor 70 is inserted, the first flexible conductor 20 and the second flexible conductor 20 can be held while maintaining their orientation other than the up-down direction (direction directly above or directly below).

[0056] The connector 53 according to the second embodiment is configured as described above. With this configuration, the connector 53 according to the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the connector 3 according to the first embodiment. That is, there is no risk of the resin body 10 becoming large in the arrangement direction of the second flexible conductor 20, and the insulation distance (Z2), i.e., the creepage distance, required for the second flexible conductor 20 can be secured (see FIG. 6). As a result, the connector 53 can be made compact. Furthermore, in the connector 53 according to the second embodiment, the insulation distance (Z2), i.e., the creepage distance, between the bus bars 22 in the first embodiment can be secured even on the one end 11a side of a part of the resin body portion 11, and therefore the connector 53 according to the second embodiment can be made compact.

[0057] Furthermore, according to this configuration, the first flexible conductor 20 is electrically connected to the inverter. The second flexible conductor 20 is electrically connected to the drive mechanism in the housing 2. Therefore, power can be supplied to the motor 1 from the inverter.

[0058] Also, according to this configuration, one end 20a of the first flexible conductor 20 and one end 60a of the intermediate conductor 60 overlap in the thickness direction. One end 20a of the second flexible conductor 20 and the other end 60b of the intermediate conductor 60 overlap in the thickness direction. Therefore, at the overlapping portions, steps are generated in the thickness direction. That is, two steps are generated. Therefore, even if the gas in the housing 2 flows into the connector 53 along the inside of the first and second flexible conductors 20 or the insulating coating 21 as the pressure in the housing 2 increases, the pressure loss is more generated in this inflow path. That is, this inflow path has a more labyrinth structure. Therefore, the outflow of the gas to the outside of the housing 2 can be more suppressed, and the airtightness functions. Furthermore, even if oil is transmitted inside the second flexible conductor 20 by the penetration of capillary phenomenon, the one end 20a of the second flexible conductor 20 and the other end 60b of the intermediate conductor 60 are joined in the connector 53, so that the oil does not penetrate further and the outflow of the oil can be suppressed, and the watertightness functions.

[0059] Although the first and second embodiments have been described with reference to the above structures, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many alternatives, improvements, and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the first and second embodiments may include all alternatives, improvements, and modifications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, the first and second embodiments are not limited to a particular structure and may be modified as follows:

[0060] As described above, the connector 3, 53 is described as a terminal block of the motor 1. However, the connector 3, 53 may be a terminal block of a part (automobile part) used in an automobile. As described above, the resin body 10 has been described as having two different layers (oil layer 4, gas layer 5) as a space that is airtight or watertight. However, the two different layers may be any two of the oil layer 4, the water layer, the gas layer 5, etc. As described above, the connector 3, 53 has been described as having three connecting conductors 30, 70. However, the connecting conductors 30, 70 may be any number of conductors as long as they are plural. Compacting welding has been described as an example of joining. However, as long as the electrically joined portion is watertight, methods such as welding, crimping, heat crimping, and adhesion may be used.

[0061] Furthermore, the first to fourth operations in the example of the procedure for attaching the connectors 3, 53 to the housing 2 do not have to be in this numerical order and may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, although an axial seal has been described as the sealing material 14, a surface seal may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Motor (load device) 2. Housing 2a aperture 3 Connector (first embodiment) 10 Resin body 20 Flexible Conductor 20a One end (connecting end) 21 Insulation coating 22 Busbar (connecting conductor) 22b Other end (connected end) 53 Connector (second embodiment)

Claims

1. A connector, a resin body that closes the opening of the housing; a flexible conductor having a connecting end inside the resin body and extending in one direction from the resin body and made of a flexible material; an insulating coating covering the flexible conductor; A connector having a connected end connected to the connecting end of the flexible conductor, the connecting end being insert-molded into the resin body together with the flexible conductor and the insulating coating, and having a connecting conductor extending from the resin body to the other side.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, the flexible conductor is electrically connected to a load device within the housing; The connecting conductor is a connector that is electrically connected to an inverter.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, A connector in which the connecting end of the flexible conductor and the connected end of the connection conductor overlap in the thickness direction.

4. A connector, a resin body that closes the opening of the housing; a pair of flexible conductors each having a connecting end inside the resin body and extending from the resin body in one direction and the other direction, the flexible conductors being made of a flexible material; A pair of insulating coatings respectively covering the pair of flexible conductors; A connector having an intermediate conductor with connected ends respectively connected to the connecting ends of the pair of flexible conductors, the connecting ends being insert molded into the resin body together with the pair of flexible conductors and the pair of insulating coatings.

5. 5. The connector of claim 4, A connector in which one of the pair of flexible conductors is electrically connected to an inverter and the other flexible conductor is electrically connected to a load device within the housing.

6. 6. The connector according to claim 4 or 5, A connector in which the connecting ends of the pair of flexible conductors and the connected ends of the intermediate conductor overlap each other in the thickness direction.

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