Electric connector

Abstract

To provide an electric connector which includes a terminal to which an insulation member is mounted, and is connected to an electric wire, capable of reducing the number of components easily managing a combination allowance, and easily performing an assembling operation.SOLUTION: An electric connector 1 comprises: a housing 11; a terminal 12; and an insulation member 13. The terminal 12 includes: an electric wire connection part 20 connected to an electric wire 100; and a hollow cylinder part 21 that is integrally provided with the electric wire connection part 20, and is formed in a hollow cylinder shape. The insulation member 13 is provided in a shaft shape that is inserted into the hollow cylinder part 21. In the housing 11, the insulation member 13 is integrally provided, and holds the terminal 12. The hollow cylinder part 21 is extended in a cylinder shape along a direction orthogonal or obliquely closed to a direction where the electric wire 100 connected to the electric wire connection part 20 is extended. The insulation member 13 is extended so as to be longer than the hollow cylinder part 21, and is provided so as to be projected and extended from both end parts of the hollow cylinder part 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector having a terminal to which an insulating member is attached and connected to an electric wire.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electrical connector having a terminal to which an insulating member is attached and connected to an electric wire has been used. In such an electrical connector, by attaching an insulating member to the terminal of the electrical connector, it is possible to prevent the finger of an operator who operates the electrical connector from coming into contact with the energized terminal.

[0003] As an electrical connector having a terminal to which an insulating member is attached and connected to an electric wire, an electrical connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In Patent Document 1, a male housing 13, a male terminal 17 supported in the male housing 13, an insulating member 19 inserted and attached to the male terminal 17, and a split ring 21 attached to the male terminal 17 and the insulating member 19 inserted into the male terminal 17 are provided, and an electrical connector configured as a male connector 11 is disclosed.

[0004] The male terminal 17 has a wire connection portion 45 that is crimped to the end of the wire 29 and connected to the wire 29, and a hollow cylindrical body 43 that is provided in series along a straight line with the wire connection portion 45. The insulating member 19 is provided in a shaft shape and is configured to be inserted into the hollow cylindrical body 43 of the male terminal 17. A head portion 59 that protrudes from the tip of the male terminal 17 and abuts against the tip of the male terminal 17 is provided at the tip of the insulating member 19. A split ring 21 is attached to the rear end portion of the insulating member 19 that protrudes from the rear end of the hollow cylindrical body 43 of the male terminal 17. Further, a stepped portion 63 is formed on the outer surface of the rear end portion of the insulating member 19, against which the split ring 21 abuts to restrict the movement of the insulating member 19 in the direction of the head portion 59. The split ring 21 is configured to have a split ring piece 65a and a split ring piece 65b formed by dividing an annular ring into two in the circumferential direction, and is inserted and held in the male housing 13. A convex portion 73 is provided on the split ring piece 65a, and a concave portion 75 is provided on the split ring piece 65b. The split ring piece 65a and the split ring piece 65b are attached to the male terminal 17 and the insulating member 19 by engaging the convex portion 73 and the concave portion 75 with the male terminal 17 and the insulating member 19 sandwiched therebetween. Further, a locking piece 69 is provided on the split ring piece 65b. The locking piece 69 engages with the rear end surface 53 of the hollow cylindrical body 43 of the male terminal 17 and the stepped portion 63 of the groove portion 61 provided in the insulating member 19, and is configured to engage between the rear end surface 53 of the hollow cylindrical body 43 and the protrusion 55 of the male terminal 17.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the male connector 11 disclosed in Patent Document 1, in addition to the male housing 13 and the male terminal 17, an insulating member 19 formed as an axially independent member and inserted into and attached to the male terminal 17, and two split ring pieces 65a and 65b attached to the male terminal 17 and the insulating member 19 are required. For this reason, there is a problem that the number of parts increases.

[0007] Further, in the male connector 11 disclosed in Patent Document 1, with the insulating member 19 inserted into the hollow cylindrical body 43 of the male terminal 17, the head portion 59 at the tip of the insulating member 19 abuts against the tip of the hollow cylindrical body 43, and the locking piece 69 of the split ring piece 65b engages with the stepped portion 63 at the rear end portion of the insulating member 19 and also engages with the rear end face 53 of the hollow cylindrical body 43 of the male terminal 17. Furthermore, the locking piece 69 of the split ring piece 65b needs to be configured to engage with both the rear end face 53 and the protruding portion 55 of the hollow cylindrical body 43 of the male terminal 17. Still further, the male connector 11 needs to be configured such that the convex portion 73 of the split ring piece 65a engages with the concave portion 75 of the split ring piece 65b in a state where the locking piece 69 of the split ring piece 65b engages with the stepped portion 63 of the insulating member 19, the rear end face 53 of the male terminal 17, and the protruding portion 55 of the male terminal 17. For this reason, in the male connector 11 of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to manage the combined tolerances of the head portion 59 of the insulating member 19, the stepped portion 63 of the insulating member 19, the locking piece 69 of the split ring piece 65b, the rear end face 53 of the hollow cylindrical body 43 of the male terminal 17, the protruding portion 55 of the male terminal 17, the convex portion 73 of the split ring piece 65a, and the concave portion 75 of the split ring piece 65b. For this reason, there is a problem that it is necessary to manage complicated combined tolerances and the work becomes complicated.

[0008] In addition, the male terminal 17 of the male connector 11 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a wire connection portion 45 that is crimped to the end of the wire 29 and connected to the wire 29, and a hollow cylindrical body 43 into which an axially-shaped insulating member 19 is inserted and mounted, which are provided in series along a straight line. For this reason, if the length of the end of the wire 29 crimped to the wire connection portion 45 protruding toward the hollow cylindrical body 43 is large, the end of the wire 29 and the rear end portion of the insulating member 19 inserted into the hollow cylindrical body 43 and protruding from the rear end of the hollow cylindrical body 43 will extend on the same axis and interfere with each other. When the end of the wire 29 crimped to the wire connection portion 45 interferes with the rear end portion of the insulating member 19 inserted into the hollow cylindrical body 43 and protruding therefrom, the operation of mounting the insulating member 19 to the male terminal 17 and engaging it with the split ring 21 to assemble the male connector 11 becomes difficult.

[0009] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector having a terminal to which an insulating member is attached and connected to a wire, which can reduce the number of parts, facilitate the management of assembly tolerances, and enable easy assembly work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] (1) An electrical connector according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object relates to an electrical connector having a terminal to which an insulating member is attached and connected to a wire. And the electrical connector according to an aspect of the present invention includes a terminal having a wire connection portion connected to the wire and a hollow cylindrical portion provided integrally with the wire connection portion and formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, an axially-shaped insulating member inserted through the hollow cylindrical portion, and a housing provided integrally with the insulating member for holding the terminal. The hollow cylindrical portion is provided so as to extend in a cylindrical shape along a direction orthogonal or obliquely intersecting with the direction in which the wire connected to the wire connection portion extends, and the insulating member is provided so as to extend longer than the hollow cylindrical portion and protrude from both ends of the hollow cylindrical portion.

[0011] According to this configuration, the insulating member is provided in a shaft shape and is attached to the terminal by being inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion of the terminal. Then, the insulating member inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion of the terminal is attached to the terminal in a state of protruding and extending from both ends of the hollow cylindrical portion. By attaching the insulating member to the terminal in this way, it is possible to prevent the fingers of the operator who operates the electrical connector from coming into contact with the energized terminal.

[0012] Also, according to the above configuration, the insulating member is provided integrally with the housing. Therefore, the electrical connector is composed of the housing with the insulating member provided integrally and the terminal, and the number of parts is small, and the reduction of the number of parts can be achieved. That is, according to the electrical connector of the above configuration, the insulating member 19 provided as an independent member like the male connector 11 disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the two split ring pieces 65a and 65b attached to the male terminal 17 are also unnecessary, and the number of parts can be reduced. Further, according to the above configuration, the attachment of the insulating member to the terminal can be completed simply by inserting the insulating member into the hollow cylindrical portion of the terminal, and the management of the combination tolerance becomes easy. That is, according to the electrical connector of the above configuration, the management of the complicated combination tolerance over many parts and many parts like the male connector 11 of Patent Document 1 is unnecessary, and the management of the combination tolerance becomes easy.

[0013] Also, according to the above configuration, the terminal has a wire connection portion connected to the wire and a hollow cylindrical portion integrally provided with the wire connection portion and into which the insulating member is inserted. And the hollow cylindrical portion is provided so as to extend in a cylindrical shape along a direction orthogonal or obliquely intersecting with the direction in which the wire connected to the wire connection portion extends. For this reason, the direction in which the wire connected to the wire connection portion extends and the direction in which the shaft-shaped insulating member inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion extends do not extend on the same axis, and it is possible to prevent the end of the wire and the insulating member from extending on the same axis and interfering with each other. Therefore, it is possible to easily prevent the end of the wire connected to the wire connection portion and the end of the insulating member from interfering with each other, and the work of attaching the insulating member to the terminal and assembling the electrical connector becomes easy.

[0014] As described above, according to the above configuration, in an electrical connector having a terminal to which an insulating member is attached and being connected to an electric wire, it is possible to provide an electrical connector that can reduce the number of parts, is easy to manage the assembly tolerance, and can easily perform the assembly work.

[0015] (2) One end portion of the insulating member extending axially may be provided integrally with one outer wall in the height direction of the housing.

[0016] According to this configuration, since one end portion of the insulating member extending axially is provided integrally with one outer wall in the height direction of the housing, heat generated at the energized terminal and transmitted from the hollow cylindrical portion of the terminal to the insulating member is efficiently transmitted from the insulating member to the outer wall of the housing. Therefore, according to the above configuration, heat generated at the terminal due to energization can be efficiently exhausted to the outside through the outer wall of the housing.

[0017] (3) A concave portion may be provided at the other end portion of the insulating member extending axially, and the concave portion may be configured such that a convex portion provided on a mating connector to which the electrical connector is connected fits therein.

[0018] According to this configuration, when the electrical connector and the mating connector are connected, the concave portion at the end of the insulating member of the electrical connector fits with the convex portion of the mating connector. For this reason, since the connection between the electrical connector and the mating connector can be made conditional on the fitting of the concave portion and the convex portion, misconnection can be prevented. Also, since misconnection can be prevented on the condition of the fitting of the concave portion and the convex portion, it is possible to provide a function for distinguishing the polarities of the electrodes of the electrical connector and the mating connector. That is, for example, when the polarities of the electrodes of the electrical connector and the mating connector connected thereto are positive electrodes, by providing a concave portion on the insulating member of the electrical connector and a convex portion that fits into the concave portion on the mating connector, it is possible to ensure the connection between the positive electrodes of the electrical connector and the mating connector.

[0019] (4) A convex portion may be provided at an end portion on the other end side that extends axially in the insulating member, and the convex portion may be configured to fit into a concave portion provided in a mating connector to which the electrical connector is connected.

[0020] According to this configuration, when the electrical connector and the mating connector are connected, the convex portion at the end of the insulating member of the electrical connector fits into the concave portion of the mating connector. Therefore, since the connection between the electrical connector and the mating connector can be made conditional on the fitting of the convex portion and the concave portion, misconnection can be prevented. Also, since misconnection can be prevented on the condition of the fitting of the convex portion and the concave portion, a function of distinguishing the polarities of the electrodes of the electrical connector and the mating connector can be provided. That is, for example, when the polarities of the electrodes of the electrical connector and the mating connector connected thereto are negative electrodes, by providing a convex portion on the insulating member of the electrical connector and a concave portion that fits into the convex portion on the mating connector, it is possible to ensure the connection between the negative electrodes of the electrical connector and the mating connector.

[0021] (5) The housing is provided with an outer peripheral wall that is arranged to surround the insulating member and the hollow cylindrical portion through which the insulating member is inserted in the circumferential direction, and forms a fitting width where the mating connector to which the electrical connector is connected fits, and a cylindrical outer wall that is provided concentrically around the axis of the axially extending insulating member and surrounds the periphery of the hollow cylindrical portion through which the insulating member is inserted. The outer wall may be provided between the outer peripheral wall and the hollow cylindrical portion.

[0022] According to this configuration, an outer wall that surrounds the hollow cylindrical portion concentrically around the axis of the insulating member inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion is provided between the outer peripheral wall of the housing and the hollow cylindrical portion of the terminal. Therefore, it is possible to easily prevent the finger of an operator who operates the electrical connector from entering between the hollow cylindrical portion of the terminal and the outer peripheral wall of the housing. As a result, the contact of the finger of the operator who operates the electrical connector with the energized hollow cylindrical portion of the terminal is further suppressed.

[0023] (6) The hollow cylindrical portion and the outer wall may each be provided in a cylindrical shape, and a cylindrical space may be defined between the outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical portion and the inner periphery of the outer wall.

[0024] According to this configuration, since a cylindrical space is defined between the outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical portion of the terminal and the inner periphery of the outer wall of the housing, the mating terminal in the mating connector connected to the electrical connector and the terminal of the electrical connector can be brought into contact in a rotatable state.

Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, there is provided an electrical connector having a terminal to which an insulating member is attached and connected to an electric wire, which can reduce the number of parts, facilitate the management of assembly tolerances, and easily perform an assembly operation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention can be widely applied to various uses as an electrical connector having a terminal to which an insulating member is attached and being connected to an electric wire.

[0028] [Schematic Configuration of Electrical Connector] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electrical connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing a state where the electrical connector 1 is connected to a mating connector 101. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrical connector 1. FIG. 3(A) is a perspective view showing the mating connector 101, FIG. 3(B) is a perspective view showing a mating housing 102 of the mating connector 101, and FIG. 3(C) is a perspective view showing a mating terminal 103 of the mating connector 101. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector 1. FIG. 5 is a view of the electrical connector 1 seen from one side in the height direction.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the electrical connector 1 has a terminal 12 to which an insulating member 13 is attached, is connected to an electric wire 100, and is configured as an electrical connector to be connected to a mating connector 101. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the electrical connector 1 includes a terminal 12 connected to the electric wire 100, a shaft-shaped insulating member 13 attached to the terminal 12, and a housing 11 integrally provided with the insulating member 13 and holding the terminal 12.

[0030] The housing 11 and the insulating member 13 are formed of an insulating resin material. In the present embodiment, the housing 11 is configured by combining a main body housing portion 11a and a cover housing portion 11b. The main body housing portion 11a of the housing 11 and the insulating member 13 are integrally formed and are formed by integrally molding them by injection molding of resin. Since the main body housing portion 11a and the insulating member 13 are integrally molded, the insulating member 13 is integrally provided on the housing 11.

[0031] The terminal 12 is formed of a conductive metal material. The terminal 12 is configured to be crimped and connected to the end of the electric wire 100. By crimping and connecting the terminal 12 to the electric wire 100, the electrical connector 1 is connected to the electric wire 100. Further, a hollow cylindrical portion 21 is provided on the terminal 12 as will be described later, and the insulating member 13 is inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion 21, whereby the insulating member 13 is attached to the terminal 12.

[0032] The electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 101 in a state of being connected to the electric wire 100. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the mating connector 101 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected is attached to a member such as a housing or a panel that constitutes the outer shape of an electrical device (not shown) such as a battery module, and is provided as a connector that is electrically connected to a conductor inside the electrical device. The mating connector 101 has a mating housing 102 and a mating terminal 103 held by the mating housing 102.

[0033] The mating housing 102 of the mating connector 101 is formed of an insulating resin material and is configured to be connected to the housing 11 of the electrical connector 1 by fitting with the housing 11. The mating housing 102 has a plate-shaped main body portion 102a installed on a housing or the like of an electrical device (not shown), and a first fitting portion 102b and a second fitting portion 102c that are provided to extend cylindrically from the main body portion 102a and fit with the housing 11 of the electrical connector 1. The first fitting portion 102b and the second fitting portion 102c are provided to extend cylindrically along a direction perpendicular to the surface where the main body portion 102a extends in a plate shape. The cylindrical first fitting portion 102b and the second fitting portion 102c are arranged concentrically. The first fitting portion 102b is arranged on the inner side, and on the outer side of the first fitting portion 102b, a second fitting portion 102c having a larger diameter than the first fitting portion 102b is arranged concentrically with the first fitting portion 102b.

[0034] Also, a contact portion 103a of the mating terminal 103 is arranged inside the first fitting portion 102b of the mating housing 102, and an insertion hole 102d into which a hollow cylindrical portion 21 (described later) of the terminal 12 of the electrical connector 1 is inserted is provided in the first fitting portion 102b. When the terminal 12 is inserted into the insertion hole 102d of the first fitting portion 102b, the contact portion 103a of the mating terminal 103 arranged inside the first fitting portion 102b comes into contact with the terminal 12 and they are electrically connected to each other. Also, a convex portion 102e extending in an elongated cylindrical shape from the main body portion 102a is provided inside the first fitting portion 102b. The convex portion 102e is provided to fit with a concave portion 13a (described later) provided on an insulating member 13 that is inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion 21 (described later) of the terminal 12 of the electrical connector 1.

[0035] The mating terminals 103 of the mating connector 101 on the other side are held by the mating housing 102 and are configured to come into contact with the terminals 12 of the electrical connector 1 and be electrically connected. Further, the mating terminals 103 are configured to be electrically connected to a conductor inside an electrical device (not shown) where the mating connector 101 is installed. The mating terminals 103 have a plurality of contact portions 103a, a cylindrical base portion 103b from which the plurality of contact portions 103a protrude, and a conductor connection portion 103c provided so as to protrude on the side opposite to the side where the plurality of contact portions 103a protrude with respect to the base portion 103b.

[0036] Each of the plurality of contact portions 103a is provided as a spring contact portion formed so as to extend in a cantilevered manner in a plate shape along a direction parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical base portion 103b from the base portion 103b, and is arranged along the circumferential direction of the base portion 103b. Each of the plurality of contact portions 103a is arranged in a state of passing through a through hole (not shown) provided in the main body portion 102a of the mating housing 102. The base portion of the contact portion 103a passing through the through hole of the main body portion 102a is press-fitted into the through hole of the main body portion 102a, whereby the mating terminal 103 is held by the main body portion 102a of the mating housing 102. The plurality of contact portions 103a held by the main body portion 102a are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction along the inner peripheral wall of the insertion hole 102d inside the first fitting portion 102b. When the hollow cylindrical portion 21 (described later) of the terminal 12 of the electrical connector 1 is inserted into the insertion hole 102d of the first fitting portion 102b, the hollow cylindrical portion 21 comes into contact with the plurality of contact portions 103a of the mating terminal 103 and is electrically connected. The conductor connection portion 103c of the mating terminal 103 is provided as a portion that is electrically connected to a conductor inside an electrical device (not shown) where the mating connector 101 is installed, and is provided, for example, as a portion that is connected to an electric wire (not shown) as a conductor inside the electrical device.

[0037] Hereinafter, a more detailed configuration of the electrical connector 1 will be described. In the following description, in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5 and the drawings described later, the height direction X1, the front-rear direction X2, and the width direction X3 in the electrical connector 1 are defined as indicated by the double-headed arrows X1, the double-headed arrows X2, and the double-headed arrows X3, respectively. The height direction X1 is configured as a direction parallel to the direction in which the electrical connector 1 is fitted and connected to the mating connector 101 on the other side. Also, the height direction X1 is configured as a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the electric wire 100 connected to the electrical connector 1 is drawn out from the electrical connector 1. The front-rear direction X2 is configured as a direction perpendicular to the height direction X1, and is configured as a direction parallel to the direction in which the electric wire 100 connected to the electrical connector 1 is drawn out from the electrical connector 1. The width direction X3 is configured as a direction perpendicular to both the height direction X1 and the front-rear direction X2.

[0038] [Terminal] FIG. 6(A) is a perspective view showing the terminal 12 of the electrical connector 1, FIG. 6(B) is a perspective view showing a state where the terminal 12 is connected to the electric wire 100, and FIG. 6(C) is a perspective cross-sectional view of the terminal 12 in a state of being connected to the electric wire 100. Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 to 6, the terminal 12 is formed of a conductive metal material, is connected to the electric wire 100, and is configured to be held by the housing 11 in a state of being connected to the electric wire 100. Further, the terminal 12 is configured such that an insulating member 13 integrally provided on the housing 11 is attached in a state of being held by the housing 11. And the terminal 12 is configured to contact the mating terminal 103 of the mating connector 101 on the other side and electrically connect the mating terminal 103 and the electric wire 100 when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 101 on the other side are connected.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 to 6, the terminal 12 is configured to have a wire connection portion 20 and a hollow cylindrical portion 21. The wire connection portion 20 and the hollow cylindrical portion 21 are provided integrally, and the terminal 12 is formed, for example, by bending a metal material cut out from a metal plate by punching with a press.

[0040] The wire connection part 20 of the terminal 12 is provided as a part connected to the wire 100. The wire connection part 20 is connected to the wire 100 by being caulked and crimped to the end of the wire 100.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the wire 100 has a core wire 100a as a conductor formed of a metal material and an insulating coating 100b formed of an insulating material and covering the periphery of the core wire 100a. And at the end of the wire 100 connected to the wire connection part 20 of the terminal 12, a part of the insulating coating 100b is removed and the core wire 100a is exposed to the outside. The wire connection part 20 of the terminal 12 is caulked to the exposed part of the core wire 100a at the end of the wire 100, thereby being crimped and connected to the wire 100.

[0042] The wire 100 connected to the wire connection part 20 is in a state of being drawn out and extended from the wire connection part 20 along the front-rear direction X2. In a state where the terminal 12 connected to the wire 100 is held by the housing 11, the wire 100 connected to the wire connection part 20 of the terminal 12 is in a state of being drawn out from the housing 11 along the front-rear direction X2.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the hollow cylindrical part 21 is provided integrally with the wire connection part 20 and is provided as a part formed in a hollow cylindrical shape. In the present embodiment, the hollow cylindrical part 21 is provided in a cylindrical shape. Since the terminal 12 is formed by bending a metal material cut out from a metal plate, the hollow cylindrical part 21 is formed by combining a pair of semi-cylindrical parts (21a, 21b) in a cylindrical shape.

[0044] The hollow cylindrical portion 21 is configured to be in electrical contact with and connected to the mating terminal 103 of the mating connector 101 when the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 101. The cylindrical hollow cylindrical portion 21 is electrically connected to the mating terminal 103 by contacting the contact portion 103a of the mating terminal 103 on its outer periphery. Further, the hollow cylindrical portion 21 is configured such that the shaft-shaped insulating member 13 integrally provided on the housing 11 is inserted therein while being held by the housing 11. That is, the hollow cylindrical portion 21 is configured such that the insulating member 13 is inserted inside its inner periphery.

[0045] Further, the hollow cylindrical portion 21 is provided so as to extend in a cylindrical shape along the height direction X1 which is a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction X2 which is the direction in which the electric wire 100 connected to the electric wire connection portion 20 provided integrally with the hollow cylindrical portion 21 extends. More specifically, the hollow cylindrical portion 21 is provided so as to extend in a cylindrical shape along the height direction X1, and its cylindrical axis direction is set as the height direction X1. And from one end side in the height direction X1 of the hollow cylindrical portion 21, a bridging portion 22 that bridges the hollow cylindrical portion 21 and the electric wire connection portion 20 integrally protrudes along the front-rear direction X2. The bridging portion 22 protruding from the hollow cylindrical portion 21 extending in the height direction X1 to the front-rear direction X2 is integrally provided in series in the front-rear direction X2 with the electric wire connection portion 20 at the end opposite to the end protruding from the hollow cylindrical portion 21. And the electric wire 100 connected to the electric wire connection portion 20 arranged in series along the front-rear direction X2 with the bridging portion 22 is drawn out so as to extend from the electric wire connection portion 20 along the front-rear direction X2 toward the side opposite to the bridging portion 22. With the above configuration, the hollow cylindrical portion 21 provided integrally with the electric wire connection portion 20 is provided so as to extend in a cylindrical shape along the height direction X1 which is orthogonal to the front-rear direction X2 in which the electric wire 100 connected to the electric wire connection portion 20 extends. The shaft-shaped insulating member 13 is inserted along the height direction X1 into the hollow cylindrical portion 21 extending in a cylindrical shape along the height direction X1 which is orthogonal to the front-rear direction X2 in which the electric wire 100 extends.

[0046] [Housing] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the main body housing portion 11a in the housing 11 of the electrical connector 1. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the cover housing portion 11b in the housing 11 of the electrical connector 1. FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 1 in a state of being connected to the electric wire 100, showing the state in which the cover housing portion 11b is omitted. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 1 in a state of being connected to the electric wire 100, showing the state in which the cover housing portion 11b is omitted. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 101. In the perspective views of FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 7 to 9, with respect to the housing 11, the main body housing portion 11a, and the cover housing portion 11b, the directions in the height direction X1 are shown in a state opposite to the state shown in FIG. 1 and the states shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 7 to 9.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 to 11, the housing 11 is configured to hold the terminal 12 connected to the electric wire 100 and to be fitted and connected to the mating housing 102 of the mating connector 101. The housing 11 has a main body housing portion 11a and a cover housing portion 11b, and the housing 11 is constituted by combining the main body housing portion 11a and the cover housing portion 11b.

[0048] The main body housing portion 11a is formed in a box-like basic shape that entirely surrounds one side region in the height direction X1 in the housing 11 and opens to the other side in the height direction X1. The cover housing portion 11b is formed in a lid-like overall shape that covers the other side region in the height direction X1 in the housing 11. Further, in the cover housing portion 11b, an opening 23 serving as a fitting width for the mating housing 102 of the mating connector 101 is provided on the other side in the height direction X1.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a terminal 12 to which an electric wire 100 is connected is disposed in the main body housing portion 11a. Inside the main body housing portion 11a, a terminal 12 connected to the electric wire 100 and an end portion of the electric wire 100 connected to the terminal 12 are disposed. In a state where the terminal 12 is disposed in the main body housing portion 11a, an insulating member 13 provided integrally with the main body housing portion 11a is inserted into a hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12. Referring to FIGS. 2, 5, and 11, in a state where the terminal 12 connected to the electric wire 100 is disposed in the main body housing portion 11a, the cover housing portion 11b is attached to the main body housing portion 11a. Thereby, the terminal 12 connected to the electric wire 100 is entirely covered by the main body housing portion 11a and the cover housing portion 11b, and is held in a housing 11 configured by combining the main body housing portion 11a and the cover housing portion 11b. Note that in a state where the terminal 12 is held in the housing 11, the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12 is disposed so as to face the outside from an opening 23 provided in the cover housing portion 11b of the housing 11.

[0050] Note that referring to FIGS. 4, 7 to 10, the main body housing portion 11a is provided with fitting protrusions 24 protruding in a columnar shape, and the cover housing portion 11b is provided with fitting grooves 25 having a semi-circular arc-shaped recessed region. The fitting protrusions 24 are provided in a pair in the main body housing portion 11a. The pair of fitting protrusions 24 are provided so as to protrude inward in the width direction X3 on both sides in the width direction X3 at one end side in the front-rear direction X2 of the main body housing portion 11a. The fitting grooves 25 are provided in a pair in the cover housing portion 11b. The pair of fitting grooves 25 are provided on both sides in the width direction X3 at one end side in the front-rear direction X2 of the cover housing portion 11b. When the cover housing portion 11b is attached to and combined with the main body housing portion 11a, the fitting protrusions 24 of the main body housing portion 11a are fitted into the fitting grooves 25 of the cover housing portion 11b. In a state where the fitting protrusions 24 are fitted into the fitting grooves 25, the cover housing portion 11b is rotatable about the fitting protrusions 24 of the main body housing portion 11a.

[0051] Also, referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 7, and 8, engaging protrusions 26 are provided on the main body housing portion 11a, and engaging grooves 27 are provided on the cover housing portion 11b. The engaging protrusions 26 are provided in a pair on the main body housing portion 11a. The pair of engaging protrusions 26 are provided on both sides in the width direction X3 at the other end side in the front-rear direction X2 of the main body housing portion 11a. The engaging grooves 27 are provided in a pair on the cover housing portion 11b. The pair of engaging grooves 27 are provided on both sides in the width direction X3 at the other end side in the front-rear direction X2 of the cover housing portion 11b. When the cover housing portion 11b is attached to and combined with the main body housing portion 11a, the engaging protrusions 26 of the main body housing portion 11a engage with the engaging grooves 27 of the cover housing portion 11b, and the main body housing portion 11a and the cover housing portion 11b are in a coupled state. Note that when the cover housing portion 11b is attached to and combined with the main body housing portion 11a, first, the fitting protrusion 24 is fitted into the fitting groove 25. Then, the cover housing portion 11b is rotated with respect to the main body housing portion 11a, and the cover housing portion 11b and the main body housing portion 11a are combined, and the engaging protrusions 26 and the engaging grooves 27 are in an engaged state. Thereby, the main body housing portion 11a and the cover housing portion 11b are coupled to form the housing 11.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 to 11, an outer peripheral wall 28 and an outer contour wall 29 are provided on the housing 11 formed by combining the main body housing portion 11a and the cover housing portion 11b.

[0053] The outer peripheral wall 28 of the housing 11 is arranged to surround the insulating member 13 and the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12 through which the insulating member 13 is inserted in the circumferential direction, and is provided as a wall portion that forms a fitting width for fitting the mating connector 101 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected. The outer peripheral wall 28 is provided as the outermost wall portion around the insulating member 13 and the hollow cylindrical portion 21 in the housing 11.

[0054] The outer peripheral wall 28 is provided as a cylindrical wall portion that opens on the side opposite to the main body housing portion 11a in the height direction X1. The outer peripheral wall 28 is composed of a wall portion provided on the main body housing portion 11a and a wall portion provided on the cover housing portion 11b, and forms a cylindrical wall portion in a state where the main body housing portion 11a and the cover housing portion 11b are combined. In this embodiment, about three-quarters of the outer peripheral wall 28 in the circumferential direction is provided on the cover housing portion 11b, and about one-quarter of the outer peripheral wall 28 in the circumferential direction is provided on the main body housing portion 11a.

[0055] The outer peripheral wall 28 forms a fitting width for fitting the mating housing 102 of the mating connector 101, and is configured such that the first fitting portion 102b and the second fitting portion 102c of the mating housing 102 are fitted inside the outer peripheral wall 28. In this embodiment, the fitting width formed by the outer peripheral wall 28 is substantially constituted by the opening 23 that opens in the cover housing portion 11b.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 to 11, the outer peripheral wall 29 of the housing 11 is provided concentrically around the axis of the axial insulating member 13, and is provided as a cylindrical wall portion that surrounds the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12 through which the insulating member 13 is inserted. The outer peripheral wall 29 is provided between the outer peripheral wall 28 and the hollow cylindrical portion 21 through which the insulating member 13 is inserted. That is, the outer peripheral wall 29 is provided concentrically with the insulating member 13 and the hollow cylindrical portion 21 outside the insulating member 13 and the hollow cylindrical portion 21 through which the insulating member 13 is inserted, and an outer peripheral wall 28 that surrounds the outer peripheral wall 29 in the circumferential direction is provided outside the outer peripheral wall 29.

[0057] The outer wall 29 is provided as a cylindrical wall portion that opens on the side opposite to the main body housing portion 11a in the height direction X1. The outer wall 29 is composed of a wall portion provided on the main body housing portion 11a and a wall portion provided on the cover housing portion 11b, and forms a cylindrical wall portion in a state where the main body housing portion 11a and the cover housing portion 11b are combined. In this embodiment, about three-quarters of the outer wall 29 in the circumferential direction is provided on the main body housing portion 11a, and about one-quarter of the outer wall 29 in the circumferential direction is provided on the cover housing portion 11b.

[0058] The outer wall 29 and the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12 through which the insulating member 13 is inserted are each provided in a cylindrical shape. The axis of the insulating member 13 and the cylindrical outer wall 29 are provided concentrically, and the hollow cylindrical portion 21 through which the insulating member 13 is inserted and the outer wall 29 are also arranged concentrically. Therefore, a cylindrical space is defined between the outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical portion 21 and the inner periphery of the outer wall 29.

[0059] The cylindrical space between the outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical portion 21 and the inner periphery of the outer wall 29 forms a space into which the first fitting portion 102b of the mating connector housing 102 of the mating connector 101 fits (see FIG. 11). When the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are connected, the cylindrical first fitting portion 102b fits inside the cylindrical outer wall 29, and the first fitting portion 102b is inserted into the cylindrical space between the outer wall 29 and the hollow cylindrical portion 21.

[0060] Also, in a state where the first fitting portion 102b fits inside the outer wall 29 and the first fitting portion 102b is inserted into the cylindrical space between the outer wall 29 and the hollow cylindrical portion 21, the contact portion 103a of the mating terminal 103 held inside the first fitting portion 102b comes into contact with and is pressed against the outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical portion 21. By the contact between the contact portion 103a of the mating terminal 103 and the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12, the mating terminal 103 and the terminal 12 are electrically connected.

[0061] Since the cylindrical first fitting portion 102b is disposed in the cylindrical space between the outer wall 29 and the hollow cylindrical portion 21, the first fitting portion 102b is rotatably disposed with respect to the outer wall 29 and the hollow cylindrical portion 21 about the axis of the cylindrical outer wall 29 and the hollow cylindrical portion 21 (i.e., the axis of the insulating member 13). And the contact portion 103a held inside the first fitting portion 102b is slidable in the circumferential direction with respect to the outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical portion 21 and is rotatably disposed with respect to the hollow cylindrical portion 21 about the axis of the hollow cylindrical portion 21. Thus, the terminal 12 of the electrical connector 1 and the mating terminal 103 of the mating connector 101 are in contact with each other in a relatively rotatable state.

[0062] The space between the outer peripheral wall 28 and the outer wall 29 in the housing 11 forms a space into which the second fitting portion 102c of the mating housing 102 of the mating connector 101 fits. When the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are connected, the second fitting portion 102c fits inside the outer peripheral wall 28 and is inserted into the space between the outer peripheral wall 28 and the outer wall 29. Note that the housing 11 is provided with a lock projection 30 at one end side in the front-rear direction X2 inside the outer peripheral wall 28 (see FIGS. 9 to 11). And a lock groove 102f is provided on the outer periphery of the second fitting portion 102c of the mating housing 102 (see FIGS. 3 and 11). When the second fitting portion 102c of the mating housing 102 fits inside the outer peripheral wall 28 of the housing 11, the lock projection 30 inside the outer peripheral wall 28 of the housing 11 and the lock groove 102f on the outer periphery of the second fitting portion 102c engage with each other, and the housing 11 and the mating housing 102 are locked. Thereby, the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are connected in a locked state.

[0063] [Insulating member] Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 to 11, the insulating member 13 is provided as an insulating member to be attached to the terminal 12, is provided in a shaft shape, and is configured to be inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12. In the present embodiment, the insulating member 13 is provided so as to extend along the height direction X1 with a circular cross section and has a portion formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 2, 9 to 11, the insulating member 13 is inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion 21 and penetrates the hollow cylindrical portion 21, and is provided so as to extend longer than the hollow cylindrical portion 21 along the height direction X1. Then, the insulating member 13 that penetrates the hollow cylindrical portion 21 and extends longer than the hollow cylindrical portion 21 in the height direction X1 is provided so as to protrude and extend from both end portions of the hollow cylindrical portion 21 in the height direction X1.

[0065] The insulating member 13 is provided integrally with the main housing portion 11a of the housing 11. And, the insulating member 13 that extends axially along the height direction X1 has one end portion on the axially extending side integrally provided with one outer wall 32 of the housing 11 in the height direction X1. For this reason, the insulating member 13 extends in a cantilevered manner from the outer wall 32 of the housing 11 along the height direction X1 into the inside of the housing 11. Note that one outer wall 32 of the housing 11 in the height direction X1 is provided as a wall portion that forms the outer shape of the main housing portion 11a.

[0066] Also, referring to FIGS. 2, 5, 7, 9 to 11, a concave portion 13a is provided at the other end portion of the insulating member 13 that extends axially. Note that the other end portion of the insulating member 13 that extends axially is the tip end portion of the insulating member 13 that extends axially from the outer wall 32 of the housing 11 in the height direction X1. In the present embodiment, the concave portion 13a provided at the other end portion of the insulating member 13 is provided as a hole that is recessed in the height direction X1 with a circular cross section.

[0067] The recess 13a of the insulating member 13 is provided so as to fit with a convex portion 102e provided on the mating housing 102 of the mating connector 101 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected. The convex portion 102e provided on the mating housing 102 is provided so as to extend cylindrically from the main body portion 102a inside the first fitting portion 102b. The recess 13a is provided at the end of the insulating member 13 protruding from the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12, and is formed as a recessed hole with a circular cross section, and is configured such that the cylindrical convex portion 102e provided on the mating housing 102 fits therein. When the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are connected and the mating housing 102 is fitted into the housing 11, the first fitting portion 102b of the mating housing 102 fits inside the outer peripheral wall 29 of the housing 11, and the convex portion 102e fits into the recess 13a.

[0068] [Connection operation between electrical connector and mating connector] The electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 101 in a state where the terminal 12 is connected to the electric wire 100 and the terminal 12 is attached to the insulating member 13 integral with the housing 11. The terminal 12 is connected to the electric wire 100 in a state of being crimped to the end portion of the electric wire 100 at the electric wire connection portion 20 and is held inside the housing 11. Then, a shaft-shaped insulating member 13 provided integrally with the housing 11 is inserted through and penetrates the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12 held inside the housing 11.

[0069] When the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 101, the mating housing 102 of the mating connector 101 fits into the housing 11 of the electrical connector 1. When the housing 11 and the mating housing 102 are fitted together, the second fitting portion 102c of the mating housing 102 is inserted into the space between the outer peripheral wall 28 and the outer wall 29 of the housing 11 and fits onto the outer peripheral wall 28. Then, the first fitting portion 102b of the mating housing 102 is inserted into the space between the outer wall 29 of the housing 11 and the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12 and fits onto the outer wall 29. When the first fitting portion 102b fits onto the outer wall 29, the contact portion 103a of the mating terminal 103 held inside the first fitting portion 102b contacts the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12. As a result, the terminal 12 and the mating terminal 103 are electrically connected, and the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are electrically connected, completing the connection between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 101.

[0070] When the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are connected, the first fitting portion 102b of the mating housing 102 is arranged in a rotatable state with respect to the outer wall 29 of the housing 11, and the contact portion 103a of the mating terminal 103 is arranged in a slidable and rotatable state on the outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12. And the second fitting portion 102c of the mating housing 102 is also arranged in a rotatable state with respect to the outer peripheral wall 28 of the housing 11. For this reason, the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are connected in a state where they can rotate relative to each other.

[0071] [Operations and Effects of the Present Embodiment] According to the present embodiment, the insulating member 13 is provided in a shaft shape and is attached to the terminal 12 by being inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12. And the insulating member 13 inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12 is attached to the terminal 12 in a state of protruding and extending from both ends of the hollow cylindrical portion 21. By attaching the insulating member 13 to the terminal 12 in this way, it is possible to prevent the finger of an operator who operates the electrical connector 1 from coming into contact with the energized terminal 12.

[0072] Further, according to the present embodiment, the insulating member 13 is provided integrally with the housing 11. Therefore, the electrical connector 1 is composed of the housing 11 with the insulating member 13 provided integrally therewith and the terminal 12, and the number of parts is small, and reduction of the number of parts can be achieved. That is, according to the electrical connector 1 of the present embodiment, the insulating member 19 provided as an independent member like the male connector 11 disclosed in Patent Document 1 is not required, and the split ring pieces 65a and 65b attached to the male terminal 17 are also not required, and the number of parts can be reduced. Further, according to the present embodiment, the attachment of the insulating member 13 to the terminal 12 can be completed only by inserting the insulating member 13 into the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12, and the management of the combination tolerance becomes easy. That is, according to the electrical connector 1 of the present embodiment, the management of the complicated combination tolerance over many parts of many components is not required, and the management of the combination tolerance becomes easy.

[0073] Further, according to the present embodiment, the terminal 12 has a wire connection portion 20 connected to the electric wire 100 and a hollow cylindrical portion 21 provided integrally with the wire connection portion 20 and through which the insulating member 13 is inserted. The hollow cylindrical portion 21 is provided so as to extend in a cylindrical shape along the height direction X1 orthogonal to the front-rear direction X2 in which the electric wire 100 connected to the wire connection portion 20 extends. For this reason, the direction in which the electric wire 100 connected to the wire connection portion 20 extends and the direction in which the axial insulating member 13 inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion 21 extends do not extend on the same axis, and it is possible to prevent the end of the electric wire 100 and the insulating member 13 from extending on the same axis and interfering with each other. Therefore, it is possible to easily prevent the end of the electric wire 100 connected to the wire connection portion 20 and the end of the insulating member 13 from interfering with each other, and the work of attaching the insulating member 13 to the terminal 12 to assemble the electrical connector 1 becomes easy.

[0074] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the electrical connector 1 having the terminal 12 to which the insulating member 13 is attached and connected to the electric wire 100, it is possible to provide an electrical connector 1 that can reduce the number of parts, is easy to manage the combination tolerance, and can easily perform the assembly work.

[0075] Further, according to the present embodiment, since the axially extending end portion on one end side of the insulating member 13 is provided integrally with one outer wall 32 in the height direction X1 of the housing 11, heat generated in the energized terminal 12 and transmitted from the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12 to the insulating member 13 is efficiently transmitted from the insulating member 13 to the outer wall 32 of the housing 11. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, heat generated in the terminal 12 due to energization can be efficiently exhausted to the outside through the outer wall 32 of the housing 11.

[0076] Further, according to the present embodiment, when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 101 are connected, the concave portion 13a at the end of the insulating member 13 of the electrical connector 1 and the convex portion 102e of the mating connector 101 are fitted together. Therefore, since the fitting of the concave portion 13a and the convex portion 102e can be made a condition for connecting the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 101, misconnection can be prevented. Also, since misconnection can be prevented on the condition of the fitting of the concave portion 13a and the convex portion 102e, a function of distinguishing the polarities of the electrodes of the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 101 can be provided. That is, for example, when the polarities of the electrodes of the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 101 connected thereto are positive electrodes, by providing the concave portion 13a in the insulating member 13 of the electrical connector 1 and providing the convex portion 102e that fits into the concave portion 13a in the mating connector 101, the connection between the positive electrodes of the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 101 can be ensured.

[0077] Further, according to the present embodiment, between the outer peripheral wall 28 of the housing 11 and the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12, an outer wall 29 that concentrically surrounds the hollow cylindrical portion 21 around the axis of the insulating member 13 inserted through the hollow cylindrical portion 21 is provided. Therefore, it is possible to easily prevent the finger of the operator who operates the electrical connector 1 from entering between the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12 and the outer peripheral wall 28 of the housing 11. As a result, the contact of the finger of the operator who operates the electrical connector 1 with the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the energized terminal 12 is further suppressed.

[0078] Further, according to the present embodiment, since a cylindrical space is defined between the outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12 and the inner periphery of the outer peripheral wall 29 of the housing 11, the mating terminal 103 of the mating connector 101 connected to the electrical connector 1 and the terminal 12 of the electrical connector 1 can be brought into contact in a rotatable state.

[0079] [Modification Example] As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible as long as they are within the scope described in the claims. For example, the following modifications may be made and implemented.

[0080] (1) In the above-described embodiment, the form in which the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12 extends in a cylindrical shape along a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the electric wire 100 connected to the electric wire connection portion 20 of the terminal 12 extends has been exemplified. However, this is not necessary. A form in which the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12 is provided so as to extend in a cylindrical shape along a direction obliquely intersecting the direction in which the electric wire 100 connected to the electric wire connection portion 20 of the terminal 12 extends may be implemented.

[0081] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the form in which the hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12 is provided in a cylindrical shape has been exemplified. However, this is not necessary. The hollow cylindrical portion 21 of the terminal 12 only needs to be provided in a cylindrical shape, and may be formed in a cylindrical shape other than a cylindrical shape. For example, the hollow cylindrical portion 21 may be provided in a rectangular cylindrical shape.

[0082] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the form in which the concave portion 13a is provided at the tip-side end portion extending axially in the insulating member 13 and the convex portion 102e provided on the mating housing 102 of the mating connector 101 fits into the concave portion 13a has been exemplified. However, this is not necessary. A convex portion may be provided on the insulating member 13, and a concave portion into which this convex portion fits may be provided on the mating housing 102.

[0083] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the electrical connector 1a according to a modified example, and is a view showing the state of being connected to the mating connector 101a. The electrical connector 1a according to the modified example shown in FIG. 12 is configured in the same manner as the electrical connector 1 of the above-described embodiment, but a convex portion 113b is provided on the insulating member 13, and the convex portion 13b is configured to fit into a concave portion 102h provided in the mating housing 102. In this regard, it is different from the electrical connector 1 of the above-described embodiment. Hereinafter, only the configuration different from the above-described embodiment will be described for the modified example. And, for the elements configured in the same manner as those in the above-described embodiment and the elements configured corresponding to those in the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals will be given in the drawings or the same reference numerals will be cited, and the overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 12, the insulating member 13 in the electrical connector 1a is provided integrally with the main housing portion 11a of the housing 11. And the insulating member 13 extending axially along the height direction X1 has one end portion extending axially provided integrally with one outer wall 32 in the height direction X1 of the housing 11, and extends in a cantilevered manner from the outer wall 32 of the housing 11 into the inside of the housing 11 along the height direction X1. Further, a convex portion 13b is provided at the other end portion of the insulating member 13 extending axially. Note that the other end portion of the insulating member 13 extending axially is the end portion on the tip side of the insulating member 13 extending axially from the outer wall 32 of the housing 11 in the height direction X1. The convex portion 13b provided at the other end portion of the insulating member 13 is provided as a convex portion protruding in a columnar shape along the height direction X1.

[0085] The convex portion 13b of the insulating member 13 is provided so as to fit into a concave portion 102h provided in the mating housing 102 of the mating connector 101a to which the electrical connector 1a is connected. The concave portion 102h of the mating housing 102 is formed in a cylindrical protruding portion 102g provided in the mating housing 102. The cylindrical protruding portion 102g is provided so as to extend and protrude cylindrically from the main body portion 102a inside the first fitting portion 102b of the mating housing 102. And the concave portion 102h is provided in the cylindrical protruding portion 102g and is formed as a hole that is recessed in the height direction X1 with a circular cross section in the cylindrical protruding portion 102g. The convex portion 13b provided on the insulating member 13 is formed in a columnar shape and is configured to fit into the concave portion 102h formed as a hole that is recessed with a circular cross section in the mating housing 102. When the electrical connector 1a and the mating connector 101a are connected and the mating housing 102 is fitted into the housing 11, the first fitting portion 102b of the mating housing 102 fits inside the outer peripheral wall 29 of the housing 11, and the convex portion 13b of the insulating member 13 fits into the concave portion 102h of the mating housing 102.

[0086] According to this modification, when the electrical connector 1a and the mating connector 101a are connected, the convex portion 13b at the end of the insulating member 13 of the electrical connector 1a fits into the concave portion 102h of the mating connector 101a. For this reason, since it is possible to make the fitting of the convex portion 13b and the concave portion 102h a condition when connecting the electrical connector 1a and the mating connector 101a, incorrect connection can be prevented. Further, since incorrect connection can be prevented on the condition of the fitting of the convex portion 13b and the concave portion 102h, it is possible to provide a function of distinguishing the polarities of the electrodes of the electrical connector 1a and the mating connector 101a. That is, for example, when the polarities of the electrodes of the electrical connector 1a and the mating connector 101a connected thereto are negative electrodes, by providing the convex portion 13b on the insulating member of the electrical connector 1a and providing the concave portion 102h that fits into the convex portion 13b on the mating connector 101a, it is possible to ensure the connection between the negative electrodes of the electrical connector 1a and the mating connector 101a.

Industrial Applicability

[0087] The present invention relates to an electrical connector having a terminal to which an insulating member is attached and connected to an electric wire, and can be widely applied.

Explanation of Signs

[0088] 1: Electrical connector, 11: Housing, 12: Terminal, 13: Insulating member, 13a: Recess, 20: Electric wire connection portion, 21: Hollow cylindrical portion, 28: Outer peripheral wall, 29: Outer contour wall, 100: Electric wire, 101: Counterpart connector, 102e: Protrusion

Claims

1. An electrical connector having a terminal to which an insulating member is attached and connected to an electric wire, a terminal including an electric wire connecting portion connected to the electric wire, and a hollow cylinder portion formed integrally with the electric wire connecting portion and having a hollow cylinder shape; the insulating member provided in a shaft shape and inserted into the hollow cylinder portion; a housing integral with the insulating member and holding the terminals; the hollow cylinder portion is provided so as to extend in a cylindrical shape along a direction perpendicular or obliquely intersecting a direction in which the electric wire connected to the electric wire connection portion extends, 2. An electrical connector comprising: a first insulating member that is disposed so as to extend longer than the hollow cylindrical portion and to protrude from both ends of the hollow cylindrical portion;

2. 2. The electrical connector of claim 1, The electrical connector, wherein the insulating member has an end portion on one side thereof extending axially and is integral with one of the outer walls of the housing in a height direction.

3. 3. The electrical connector of claim 2, An electrical connector, characterized in that a recess is provided at the other end side of the insulating member that extends axially, and the recess is configured to fit with a protrusion provided on a mating connector to which the electrical connector is connected.

4. 3. The electrical connector of claim 2, An electrical connector, characterized in that a convex portion is provided on the other end side of the insulating member that extends axially, and the convex portion is configured to fit into a concave portion provided on a mating connector to which the electrical connector is connected.

5. 4. The electrical connector according to claim 1, The housing includes: an outer circumferential wall that is disposed so as to circumferentially surround the insulating member and the hollow tubular portion through which the insulating member is inserted, and that defines a fitting opening into which a mating connector to be connected to the electrical connector is fitted; a cylindrical outer wall that is concentrically disposed about an axis of the shaft-shaped insulating member and surrounds the hollow cylindrical portion through which the insulating member is inserted; was established, The electrical connector, wherein the outer wall is provided between the outer peripheral wall and the hollow tubular portion.

6. 6. The electrical connector of claim 5, The hollow cylinder portion and the outer wall are each formed in a cylindrical shape, 1. An electrical connector comprising: a cylindrical space defined between an outer periphery of said hollow tubular portion and an inner periphery of said outer wall.

Images