Connector

Abstract

To obtain suitable assembly workability.SOLUTION: A fuse assembly 40 comprises a first fuse 41, a second fuse 42, a bus bar 43, and a holding member 44. The fuse assembly 40 comprises: a first male screw member 45A that is inserted into a through hole 41c in a terminal part 41a provided at one end of the first fuse 41, a through hole 43a in the bus bar 43, and a through hole 42c in a terminal part 42a provided at one end of the second fuse 42; a first female screw member 45B that is screwed and connected with the first male screw member 45A; a second male screw member 46A that is inserted into a through hole 41d in a terminal part 41b provided at the other end of the first fuse 41, a through hole 44a in the holding member 44, and a through hole 42d in a terminal part 42b provided at the other end of the second fuse 42; and a second female screw member 46B that is screwed with the second male screw member 46A, and causes the holding member 44 to hold the terminal part 41b at the other end of the first fuse 41 and the terminal part 42b at the other end of the second fuse 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a connector in which a bus bar and a fuse are electrically connected within a housing is known. For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a first bus bar connected to a terminal of an input electric wire, a second bus bar connected to a terminal of an output electric wire, a fuse connected to the second bus bar, a first housing, and a second housing assembled to the first housing. In this connector, the first bus bar and the input electric wire are accommodated in the first housing. In addition, the second bus bar is integrally molded with the resin sealing portion of the second housing, and both ends of the fuse are fastened together with a screw member at the mounting portion of the second housing. In this connector, by assembling the second housing to the first housing, the mounting portion, the second bus bar, and the fuse are accommodated in the first housing, and the output electric wire is drawn out of the second housing outside the first housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-079723 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional connectors are equipped with only one fuse, but some connectors house multiple fuses in the housing, and the structural design must take into account the ease of assembling each fuse.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can be easily assembled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention comprises a circuit for a connector having first and second main terminal fittings for connector connection to a counterpart, a fuse assembly provided with a first fuse and a second fuse to be interposed in the circuit for a connector, a housing into which the circuit for a connector and the fuse assembly are inserted through an insertion opening and housed in an accommodating chamber, and a cover for closing the insertion opening, wherein the fuse assembly comprises the first fuse, the second fuse, a bus bar to which one ends of the first fuse and the second fuse are physically and electrically connected, and an insulating holding member for holding the bus bar, the first fuse, and the second fuse in an electrically connected state, and wherein the first fuse and the second fuse are disposed between an assembly in which the bus bar and the holding member are assembled. the first fuse and the second fuse are disposed opposite each other, and the fuse assembly comprises: a first male screw member adapted to be inserted into a through hole of a terminal portion provided at the one end of the first fuse, a through hole of the bus bar, and a through hole of a terminal portion provided at the one end of the second fuse; a first female screw member adapted to be screwed into the first male screw member, and to physically and electrically connect the terminal portion at the one end of the first fuse, the bus bar, and the terminal portion at the one end of the second fuse; a second male screw member adapted to be inserted into a through hole of a terminal portion provided at the other end of the first fuse, a through hole of the holding member, and a through hole of a terminal portion provided at the other end of the second fuse; and a second female screw member adapted to be screwed into the second male screw member, and to hold the terminal portion at the other end of the first fuse and the terminal portion at the other end of the second fuse in the holding member. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The connector according to the present invention can assemble the fuse assembly outside the housing, so that it is not necessary to assemble each component, such as the first fuse, in a narrow accommodating chamber, and the number of assembly steps in the accommodating chamber can be reduced. Thus, this connector has excellent assembly workability. Furthermore, the connector according to the present invention can assemble the fuse assembly outside the housing, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of erroneous assembly of each component, such as the first fuse, accommodated in the accommodating chamber. In addition, in consideration of the possibility of erroneous assembly occurring when assembling the fuse assembly, this connector can detect the presence or absence of erroneous assembly in a confirmation operation before the fuse assembly is accommodated in the accommodating chamber, and can prevent the occurrence of reassembly work after accommodation. Thus, this connector also has excellent assembly workability in this respect. Furthermore, the connector according to the present invention can assemble the fuse assembly before the final assembly process, so that it is possible to simplify the management of each component to be assembled in the final assembly process. In this way, the connector according to the present invention can obtain favorable assembly workability and is easy to manage parts, which contributes to reducing costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the connector (excluding the cover) of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector (excluding the cover) of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the fuse assembly. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a connector according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0010] [Embodiment] One embodiment of a connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] Reference numeral 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 denotes a connector of this embodiment.

[0012] The connector 1 includes a circuit 10 for a connector (FIG. 2). The circuit 10 for a connector includes an electric wire with a first terminal 11, an electric wire with a second terminal 12, an electric wire with a third terminal 13, an electric wire with a fourth terminal 14, an electric wire with a fifth terminal 15, and an electric wire with a sixth terminal 16 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0013] The electric wire with a first terminal 11 includes a first electric wire 21, a first main terminal fitting 31 provided at one end of the first electric wire 21 and physically and electrically connected to the one end by crimping or the like, and a first terminal fitting 32 provided at the other end of the first electric wire 21 and physically and electrically connected to the other end by crimping or the like (FIGS. 2 and 3).The electric wire with a second terminal 12 includes a second electric wire 22, a second main terminal fitting 33 provided at one end of the second electric wire 22 and physically and electrically connected to the one end by crimping or the like, and a second terminal fitting 34 provided at the other end of the second electric wire 22 and physically and electrically connected to the other end by crimping or the like (FIGS. 2 and 3). The third terminal-equipped electric wire 13 includes a third electric wire 23 and a third terminal fitting 35 provided at one end of the third electric wire 23 and physically and electrically connected to the one end by crimping or the like (FIGS. 2 and 3). The fourth terminal-equipped electric wire 14 includes a fourth electric wire 24 and a fourth terminal fitting 36 provided at one end of the fourth electric wire 24 and physically and electrically connected to the one end by crimping or the like (FIGS. 2 and 3). The fifth terminal-equipped electric wire 15 includes a fifth electric wire 25 and a fifth terminal fitting 37 provided at one end of the fifth electric wire 25 and physically and electrically connected to the one end by crimping or the like (FIGS. 2 and 3). The sixth terminal-equipped electric wire 16 includes a sixth electric wire 26 and a sixth terminal fitting 38 provided at one end of the sixth electric wire 26 and physically and electrically connected to the one end by crimping or the like (FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0014] In the connector circuit 10, the first terminal metal fitting 32, the second terminal metal fitting 34, the third terminal metal fitting 35, the fourth terminal metal fitting 36, the fifth terminal metal fitting 37 and the sixth terminal metal fitting 38 are so-called LA terminals.

[0015] This connector circuit 10 electrically connects the first main terminal fitting 31 and the second main terminal fitting 33 to a mating connector by connecting them to the mating connector. This connector circuit 10 also electrically connects the other end of the third electric wire 23 and the other end of the fifth electric wire 25 to, for example, a first electric device outside the connector 1. This connector circuit 10 also electrically connects the other end of the fourth electric wire 24 and the other end of the sixth electric wire 26 to, for example, a second electric device outside the connector 1.

[0016] Furthermore, the connector 1 includes a fuse assembly 40 that is interposed in the connector circuit 10 (FIGS. 2 to 4). The fuse assembly 40 includes a first fuse 41, a second fuse 42, a bus bar 43 to which one end of each of the first fuse 41 and the second fuse 42 is physically and electrically connected, and an insulating holding member 44 that holds the bus bar 43, the first fuse 41, and the second fuse 42 in an electrically connected state (FIGS. 2 to 4).

[0017] The first fuse 41 and the second fuse 42 are formed in an axial shape with one end and the other end serving as electrical connection parts. The first fuse 41 is provided with a terminal part 41a at one end and a terminal part 41b at the other end (FIG. 4). The second fuse 42 is provided with a terminal part 42a at one end and a terminal part 42b at the other end (FIG. 4).

[0018] The first fuse 41 and the second fuse 42 illustrated here are so-called tube fuses. The first fuse 41 has terminal portions 41a and 41b in the shape of an L-shaped busbar at bases at one end and the other end. The terminal portions 41a and 41b have through holes 41c and 41d with their axis perpendicular to the axial direction of the first fuse 41 (FIG. 4). In the first fuse 41, the terminal portions 41a and 41b are arranged with the axis of the through holes 41c and 41d facing in the same direction. Here, the same fuse is used for the first fuse 41 and the second fuse 42. Therefore, the second fuse 42 has terminal portions 42a and 42b having through holes 42c and 42d with the same axis direction (FIG. 4).

[0019] Bus bar 43 is made of a conductive material such as metal. This bus bar 43 has a through hole 43a that is arranged coaxially with through hole 41c at one end of first fuse 41 and also with through hole 42c at one end of second fuse 42 (FIG. 4). Bus bar 43 shown here is molded in a rectangular shape, and through hole 43a is formed to connect two parallel planes among six planes.

[0020] The holding member 44 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The bus bar 43 is disposed at one axial end of the holding member 44 (FIGS. 2 to 4). At the other axial end of the holding member 44, a through hole 44a is formed, which is arranged coaxially with the through hole 41d at the other end of the first fuse 41 and with the through hole 42d at the other end of the second fuse 42, and further has an axis oriented in the same direction as the axis of the through hole 43a of the bus bar 43 (FIG. 4).

[0021] In this fuse assembly 40, the bus bar 43 and the holding member 44 may be molded as separate parts, and these may be assembled to form a single assembly in which the bus bar 43 and the holding member 44 are assembled. In addition, in this fuse assembly 40, the holding member 44 may be molded integrally with the bus bar 43 by insert molding or the like, thereby forming a single assembly in which the bus bar 43 and the holding member 44 are assembled. The holding member 44 shown here is molded in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a direction perpendicular to the through hole 43a of the bus bar 43 as the longitudinal direction. The holding member 44 is insert molded with respect to the bus bar 43 in a state in which the bus bar 43 is disposed at one end in the axial direction. Then, at the other end in the axial direction of the holding member 44, a notch 44b is formed perpendicular to the axis of the through hole 43a of the bus bar 43 and cut toward the one end, and a through hole 44a is formed at both ends sandwiching the notch 44b (FIG. 4).

[0022] The first fuse 41 and the second fuse 42 are disposed facing each other with an assembly of the bus bar 43 and the holding member 44 therebetween (FIGS. 2 to 4). The first fuse 41 is disposed facing the assembly of the bus bar 43 and the holding member 44 with the through hole 41c of the terminal portion 41a at one end being coaxial with the through hole 43a of the bus bar 43 and the through hole 41d of the terminal portion 41b at the other end being coaxial with one of the through holes 44a at the other end of the holding member 44 (FIG. 4). The second fuse 42 is disposed facing the assembly of the bus bar 43 and the holding member 44 with the through hole 42c of the terminal portion 42a at one end being coaxial with the through hole 43a of the bus bar 43 and the through hole 42d of the terminal portion 42b at the other end being coaxial with the other of the through hole 44a at the other end of the holding member 44 (FIG. 4).

[0023] The fuse assembly 40 comprises a first male screw member 45A that is inserted through the through hole 41c of the terminal portion 41a at one end of the first fuse 41, the through hole 43a of the bus bar 43, and the through hole 42c of the terminal portion 42a at one end of the second fuse 42, and a first female screw member 45B that is screwed into the first male screw member 45A to physically and electrically connect the terminal portion 41a at one end of the first fuse 41, the bus bar 43, and the terminal portion 42a at one end of the second fuse 42 (Figures 2 to 4). The fuse assembly 40 also includes a second male screw member 46A that is inserted through the through hole 41d of the terminal portion 41b at the other end of the first fuse 41, the through hole 44a of the holding member 44, and the through hole 42d of the terminal portion 42b at the other end of the second fuse 42, and a second female screw member 46B that is screwed into the second male screw member 46A and holds the terminal portion 41b at the other end of the first fuse 41 and the terminal portion 42b at the other end of the second fuse 42 in the holding member 44 (Figures 2 to 4).

[0024] In this fuse assembly 40, the first terminal fitting 32 is physically and electrically connected to a terminal portion 41a at one end of the first fuse 41 (FIGS. 3 and 4). The first terminal fitting 32 shown here has a through hole 32a (FIG. 4) through which a first male screw member 45A is inserted, and is physically and electrically connected to the terminal portion 41a at one end of the first fuse 41, the bus bar 43, and the terminal portion 42a at one end of the second fuse 42 by screwing the first male screw member 45A and the first female screw member 45B together. Also, in this fuse assembly 40, the third terminal fitting 35 is physically and electrically connected to the terminal portion 41b at the other end of the first fuse 41 (FIGS. 3 and 4). The third terminal fitting 35 shown here has a through hole 35a (FIG. 4) through which the second male screw member 46A is inserted, and is physically and electrically connected to the terminal portion 41b at the other end of the first fuse 41 by screwing the second male screw member 46A and the second female screw member 46B together. Also, in this fuse assembly 40, the fourth terminal fitting 36 is physically and electrically connected to the terminal portion 42b at the other end of the second fuse 42 (FIGS. 3 and 4). The fourth terminal fitting 36 shown here has a through hole 36a (FIG. 4) through which the second male screw member 46A is inserted, and is physically and electrically connected to the terminal portion 42b at the other end of the second fuse 42 by screwing the second male screw member 46A and the second female screw member 46B together.

[0025] The connector 1 includes a housing 50 into which the connector circuit 10 and the fuse assembly 40 are inserted through an insertion opening 50a and housed in a storage chamber 50b, and a cover 60 that closes the insertion opening 50a (FIGS. 1 to 5). The housing 50 and the cover 60 are molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. An annular packing 71 is provided between the housing 50 and the cover 60 to prevent liquids such as water from entering the storage chamber 50b from between them (FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0026] The housing 50 has an annular side wall portion 51 and a blocking portion 52 that blocks an opening at one axial end of the side wall portion 51 (FIGS. 1 to 3). In this housing 50, the opening at the other axial end of the side wall portion 51 is used as an insertion opening 50a, and the space surrounded by the side wall portion 51 and the blocking portion 52 is used as an accommodating chamber 50b. In this housing 50, the connector circuit 10 and the fuse assembly 40 are inserted into the accommodating chamber 50b through the insertion opening 50a.

[0027] This connector 1 holds the fuse assembly 40 in the accommodating chamber 50b by sandwiching the fuse assembly 40 between the closing portion 52 of the housing 50 and the cover 60. For example, the cover 60 has a holding portion 61 having a protruding shape such as a rib (FIG. 5), and the holding member 44 is held between the holding portion 61 and the closing portion 52.

[0028] The housing 50 has a cylindrical connector fitting portion 53 that protrudes from the blocking portion 52 to the outside of the accommodation chamber 50b and communicates its internal space with the accommodation chamber 50b (FIGS. 1 and 3). The connector fitting portion 53 is fitted and connected to a mating connector. Thus, the first main terminal fitting 31 and the second main terminal fitting 33 are inserted into the accommodation chamber 50b from the insertion opening 50a and accommodated in the internal space of the connector fitting portion 53.

[0029] The housing 50 has a first cylindrical portion 54a for drawing the third electric wire 23 out of the accommodating chamber 50b, a second cylindrical portion 54b for drawing the fifth electric wire 25 out of the accommodating chamber 50b, a third cylindrical portion 54c for drawing the fourth electric wire 24 out of the accommodating chamber 50b, and a fourth cylindrical portion 54d for drawing the sixth electric wire 26 out of the accommodating chamber 50b (FIGS. 1 to 3). In the housing 50, the first cylindrical portion 54a and the second cylindrical portion 54b, which are arranged side by side with the same cylindrical axis direction, protrude out of the accommodating chamber 50b from the side wall portion 51, and the third cylindrical portion 54c and the fourth cylindrical portion 54d, which are arranged side by side with the same cylindrical axis direction, protrude out of the accommodating chamber 50b from the side wall portion 51.

[0030] Here, in the connector circuit 10, the second terminal fitting 34, the fifth terminal fitting 37, and the sixth terminal fitting 38 are electrically connected to each other to form a circuit branch point. Therefore, the housing 50 is provided with a circuit branch member 81 in the accommodation chamber 50b, which physically and electrically connects the second terminal fitting 34, the fifth terminal fitting 37, and the sixth terminal fitting 38 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Here, a male screw member 81A as the circuit branch member 81 is provided in the accommodation chamber 50b, and the second terminal fitting 34, the fifth terminal fitting 37, and the sixth terminal fitting 38 are fastened together by screwing the female screw member 81B into the male screw member 81A (FIGS. 2 and 3). Therefore, the second terminal fitting 34, the fifth terminal fitting 37, and the sixth terminal fitting 38 are formed with through holes 34a, 37a, and 38a, respectively, through which the male screw member 81A is inserted (FIG. 3). In this example, the housing 50 is insert-molded onto the male screw member 81A placed in a mold.

[0031] The connector 1 of the present embodiment described above can assemble the fuse assembly 40 outside the housing 50, so that it is not necessary to assemble each component such as the first fuse 41 in the narrow accommodation chamber 50b, and the number of assembly steps for the components in the accommodation chamber 50b can be reduced. Therefore, the connector 1 has excellent assembly workability. In addition, the connector 1 of the present embodiment can assemble the fuse assembly 40 outside the housing 50, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of erroneous assembly of each component such as the first fuse 41 accommodated in the accommodation chamber 50b. In addition, in consideration of the possibility of erroneous assembly occurring when assembling the fuse assembly 40, the connector 1 can detect the presence or absence of erroneous assembly in a confirmation operation before the fuse assembly 40 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 50b, and can prevent the occurrence of reassembly work after accommodation. Therefore, the connector 1 has excellent assembly workability in this respect as well.

[0032] In particular, in the connector 1 exemplified here, each component of the connector circuit 10, such as the first terminal-equipped wire 11, can be preassembled to the fuse assembly 40 outside the housing 50, so that the connector circuit 10 and the fuse assembly 40, which are modularized as one component, can be accommodated in the accommodation chamber 50b. Therefore, this connector 1 can achieve better assembly workability.

[0033] Furthermore, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, since the fuse assembly 40 can be assembled before the final assembly process, management of each part to be assembled in the final assembly process can be simplified.

[0034] In this way, the connector 1 of this embodiment can achieve favorable assembly workability and facilitates parts management, thereby contributing to cost reduction.

[0035] Furthermore, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, the components such as the first fuse 41 are integrated into the fuse assembly 40, so that the connector 1 can be made compact and low-profile.

[0036] Furthermore, in the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the components such as the first fuse 41 are all assembled into the fuse assembly 40, which can reduce the number of steps required for repair work. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 Connector 10 Connector Circuit 11 Wire with first terminal 12 Wire with second terminal 13 Wire with third terminal 14 Wire with 4th terminal 15 5th terminal attached wire 16 6th terminal attached wire 21 First Wire 22 Second Wire 23 Third Wire 24 Fourth Wire 25 The 5th Electric Wire 26 6th Electric Wire 31 First main terminal metal fitting 32 First terminal metal fitting 32a through hole 33 Second main terminal fitting 34 Second terminal metal fitting 34a through hole 35 Third terminal metal fitting 35a through hole 36 4th terminal metal fitting 36a Through hole 37 5th terminal metal fitting 38 6th terminal metal fitting 40 Fuse Assembly 41 First Fuse 41a,41b Terminal section 41c,41d Through hole 42 Second Fuse 42a,42b Terminal section 42c,42d through hole 43 Bus bar 43a Through hole 44 Retaining member 44a through hole 45A First Male Screw Component 45B First female screw member 46A Second male screw member 46B Second female screw member 50 Housing 50a Insertion port 50b Containment Room 60 Cover 81 Circuit branching components 81A Male screw member 81B Female screw member

Claims

1. a connector circuit having a first main terminal metal fitting and a second main terminal metal fitting for connector connection to a mating part; a fuse assembly including a first fuse and a second fuse to be interposed in the connector circuit; a housing into which the connector circuit and the fuse assembly are inserted through an insertion port and housed in an accommodating chamber; A cover that closes the insertion opening; Equipped with the fuse assembly includes the first fuse, the second fuse, a bus bar to which one ends of the first fuse and the second fuse are physically and electrically connected, and an insulating holding member that holds the bus bar, the first fuse, and the second fuse in an electrically connected state; the first fuse and the second fuse are disposed opposite to each other with an assembly in which the bus bar and the holding member are assembled interposed therebetween; the fuse assembly comprises: a first male screw member that is inserted into a through hole of a terminal portion provided at the one end of the first fuse, a through hole of the bus bar, and a through hole of a terminal portion provided at the one end of the second fuse; a first female screw member that is screwed into the first male screw member and physically and electrically connects the terminal portion at the one end of the first fuse, the bus bar, and the terminal portion at the one end of the second fuse; a second male screw member that is inserted into a through hole of a terminal portion provided at the other end of the first fuse, a through hole of the holding member, and a through hole of a terminal portion provided at the other end of the second fuse; and a second female screw member that is screwed into the second male screw member and holds the terminal portion at the other end of the first fuse and the terminal portion at the other end of the second fuse in the holding member.

2. the connector circuit comprises: a first terminal-attached electric wire having the first main terminal fitting provided at one end of a first electric wire and a first terminal fitting provided at the other end of the first electric wire; a second terminal-attached electric wire having the second main terminal fitting provided at one end of a second electric wire and a second terminal fitting provided at the other end of the second electric wire; a third terminal-attached electric wire having a third terminal fitting provided at one end of the third electric wire; a fourth terminal-attached electric wire having a fourth terminal fitting provided at one end of the fourth electric wire; a fifth terminal-attached electric wire having a fifth terminal fitting provided at one end of the fifth electric wire; and a sixth terminal-attached electric wire having a sixth terminal fitting provided at one end of the sixth electric wire, the fuse assembly includes a first terminal fitting that is physically and electrically connected to the terminal portion at the one end of the first fuse, a third terminal fitting that is physically and electrically connected to the terminal portion at the other end of the first fuse, and a fourth terminal fitting that is physically and electrically connected to the terminal portion at the other end of the second fuse; 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a circuit branch member in the accommodating chamber, the circuit branch member physically and electrically connecting the second terminal fittings, the fifth terminal fittings, and the sixth terminal fittings.

3. the first terminal fitting has a through hole through which the first male screw member is inserted, and by screwing the first male screw member and the first female screw member together, the terminal portion at the one end of the first fuse, the bus bar, and the terminal portion at the one end of the second fuse are physically and electrically connected to each other; the third terminal fitting has a through hole through which the second male screw member is inserted, and is physically and electrically connected to the terminal portion at the other end of the first fuse by screwing the second male screw member and the second female screw member together; 3. The connector as described in claim 2, wherein the fourth terminal fitting has a through hole for inserting the second male screw member, and is physically and electrically connected to the terminal portion at the other end of the second fuse by screwing the second male screw member and the second female screw member together.

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