Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of reducing the space required for arranging a plurality of terminals and suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost.SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes a plurality of terminals 10, an inner housing 20, an outer housing 30, and a front holder 70. Each terminal 10 has a connecting part 11 to which an external terminal of an external connector is connected and a bonded part 12 to which a core wire 101 of an electric wire 100 is ultrasonically bonded. The inner housing 20 accommodates the connecting part 11 of the terminals 10. The outer housing 30 has a housing body part 31 and a connector frontage part 32. The connector frontage part 32 accommodates the inner housing 20. The housing body part 31 accommodates the bonded part 12 of each terminal 10 exposed from the inner housing 20. The front holder 70 sandwiches and fixes the inner housing 20 between itself and the outer housing 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a connector having terminals crimped to electric wires is known.

[0003] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, a pair of caulking pieces extending in the width direction from the base of the terminal are caulked and crimped to the core wire so as to wrap the outer periphery of the core wire exposed from the insulation coating of the electric wire. Thereby, the terminal and the electric wire can be electrically connected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in a connector attached to a power supply system of a polyphase motor (for example, a three-phase motor), a plurality of terminals are provided corresponding to a plurality of electric wires connected to the motor. Each electric wire is used to supply a current corresponding to each phase to the polyphase motor.

[0006] In such a connector, when each of the plurality of terminals is configured to be crimped to the corresponding electric wire, it is necessary to arrange each terminal at a distance from other terminals so that the caulking pieces of each terminal do not interfere with the caulking pieces of other terminals.

[0007] In addition, in such a connector, since there is a lock mechanism for locking an inner housing that holds a plurality of terminals to an outer housing, it is necessary to arrange each terminal at a distance from the lock mechanism so that the electric wire to which each terminal is crimped does not interfere with the lock mechanism.

[0008] Therefore, in the connector attached to the power supply system of the polyphase motor, there is a possibility that the space for arranging a plurality of terminals increases. When the arrangement space of the plurality of terminals increases, there is a problem that the connector becomes larger and the manufacturing cost of the connector increases.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. And the object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of reducing the arrangement space of a plurality of terminals and suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The connector according to an aspect of the present invention is a connector connected to an external connector, and includes a plurality of terminals, an inner housing, an outer housing, and a front holder that sandwiches and fixes the inner housing between the outer housings. Each terminal extends in a first direction for connecting to the external connector, and has a connection portion to which an external terminal of the external connector is connected and a joining portion to which a core wire of an electric wire is ultrasonically joined. The inner housing houses the connection portions of the respective terminals and has a plurality of first housing portions that open to the outside in the first direction. The outer housing houses the plurality of first housing portions of the inner housing, and has a second housing portion that opens to the outside in the first direction and a third housing portion that is connected to the second housing portion and houses the joining portions of the respective terminals exposed from the inner housing.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector capable of reducing the arrangement space of a plurality of terminals and suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

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

[0013] Hereinafter, the connector according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0014] [Configuration of Connector] First, the configuration of the connector 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 and FIG. 9. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connector 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the terminal 10. FIG. 4 is a view showing a state where the core wire 101 of the electric wire 100 is ultrasonically joined to the terminal 10. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inner housing 20. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the connector. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the connector 1 cut along the thickness direction at the center in the width direction. FIG. 9 is a front view of the connector 1.

[0015] The X direction shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7, and 9 corresponds to the width direction of the connector 1. The Y direction shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7, and 9 corresponds to the height direction of the connector 1 and is orthogonal to the X direction. The Z direction shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7, and 9 corresponds to the thickness direction of the connector 1 and is orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction. Note that the thickness direction (Z direction) of the connector 1 is the direction for connecting to the external connector and is also referred to as the first direction.

[0016] The connector 1 is, for example, a high-voltage connector that can be adopted in the power supply system of a rear motor mounted on an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the connector 1 is attached to the power supply system of a three-phase motor (not shown) as a rear motor. Note that the rear motor is not limited to a three-phase motor and may be a motor having more than three phases. A motor having more than three phases is collectively referred to as a multi-phase motor.

[0017] As the power supply system of the three-phase motor, there are three electric wires 100, namely, a first electric wire 100a, a second electric wire 100b, and a third electric wire 100c, in advance. The first electric wire 100a is an electric wire for the U phase. The second electric wire 100b is an electric wire for the V phase. The third electric wire 100c is an electric wire for the W phase.

[0018] Each wire 100 has a core wire 101 which is a conductor, and a covering portion 102 which is an insulator covering the core wire 101. One terminal of each wire 100 is connected to a three-phase motor, and the other terminal of each wire 100 is connected to a connector 1. In each wire 100, at the terminal on the side connected to the connector 1, the covering portion 102 is removed, and the terminal portion 101a of the core wire 101 composed of a plurality of strands is exposed. In FIGS. 2 and 4, as will be described later, at the terminal portion 101a of the core wire 101, a plurality of strands are connected to each other by ultrasonic bonding, and the terminal portion 101a formed in a flat plate shape is drawn.

[0019] The connector 1 includes a plurality of terminals 10, an inner housing 20, an outer housing 30, and a rear cover 40 as a group of components related to electrical connection.

[0020] In the present embodiment, corresponding to the three-phase motor, there are three terminals 10, namely, a first terminal 10a, a second terminal 10b, and a third terminal 10c. The first terminal 10a is attached to the terminal of the first wire 100a. The second terminal 10b is attached to the terminal of the second wire 100b. The third terminal 10c is attached to the terminal of the third wire 100c.

[0021] The three terminals 10 are female terminals made of metal and having the same shape as each other. In the connector 1, the three terminals 10 each extend in the direction of connecting to an external connector. The three terminals 10 each have a connection portion 11 and a joining portion 12 (see FIG. 3).

[0022] The connection portion 11 is a cylindrical portion into which a rod-shaped male terminal as an external terminal of an external connector can be inserted. The connection portion 11 has a leaf spring portion that presses a part of the male terminal against the inner wall portion of the connection portion 11 in order to stably maintain the conduction state with the inserted male terminal. The leaf spring portion may be a part integrated with the connection portion 11, or may be a separately prepared leaf spring member installed inside the connection portion 11 in advance. With such a configuration, the connection portion 11 is connected to the external terminal of the external connector.

[0023] The joint portion 12 is a flat plate portion to which the terminal portion 101a of the core wire 101 in the electric wire 100 is joined. Assuming that one end in the axial direction of the connection portion 11 is an open end into which the male terminal is inserted, the joint portion 12 is integrated with the other end in the axial direction of the connection portion 11.

[0024] As will be described later, in the connector 1, the terminal 10 is housed inside the inner housing 20 and the outer housing 30. In this state, the connection portion 11 is arranged such that the axial direction of the connection portion 11 is along the Z direction. In this case, the joint portion 12 may be a flat plate portion parallel to both the Z direction and the Y direction. For example, the planar shape of the joint portion 12 may be substantially rectangular such that two side edges are along the Z direction and the remaining two side edges are along the Y direction.

[0025] The joint portion 12 has a first surface 12a and a second surface 12b. The first surface 12a is one surface of the joint portion 12 in the thickness direction of the terminal 10 and is a joint surface to which the terminal portion 101a of the core wire 101 is joined. The second surface 12b is the other surface of the joint portion 12 in the thickness direction of the terminal 10 and is an open surface to which nothing is joined.

[0026] The terminal portion 101a of the core wire 101 is joined to the first surface 12a of the joint portion 12 by ultrasonic bonding. Ultrasonic bonding is to sandwich the terminal portion 101a and the joint portion 12 between a horn and an anvil (not shown respectively) with the terminal portion 101a in contact with the first surface 12a, and to apply ultrasonic vibration from the horn to join the terminal portion 101a to the first surface 12a.

[0027] At the time of ultrasonic bonding, for each terminal 10, the direction from the bonding portion 12 toward the connecting portion 11 along the axial direction of the connecting portion 11 and the direction from the terminal portion 101a on the bonding portion 12 toward the main body of the electric wire 100 are offset by 90° (see FIG. 4). That is, in the connector 1, when the axial direction of the connecting portion 11 is along the Z direction, the terminal portion 101a is arranged in a posture along the Y direction with respect to the first surface 12a of the bonding portion 12. At this time, each electric wire 100 extends from the terminal portion 101a in a direction opposite to the Y direction starting from the terminal portion 101a on the bonding portion 12.

[0028] Here, at least on the surface portion of the horn or anvil on the side in contact with the terminal portion 101a, uneven portions are formed in order to efficiently transmit ultrasonic vibration to the terminal portion 101a to be bonded. Specifically, the uneven portions have a knurl shape in which linear ridges and valleys parallel to each other are alternately and continuously arranged. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the shape of the terminal portion 101a bonded to the first surface 12a by ultrasonic bonding is in a flat plate shape with a substantially rectangular planar shape.

[0029] Also, by ultrasonic bonding, in the terminal portion 101a, when the portion in contact with the first surface 12a is taken as the inner surface portion, the shape of the uneven portions formed on the surface portion of the horn or anvil is transferred to the outer surface portion on the side opposite to the inner surface portion. That is, the outer surface portion of the terminal portion 101a becomes uneven portions having a knurl shape (not shown).

[0030] Note that before starting ultrasonic bonding, the terminal portion 101a of the core wire 101 may be formed into a flat plate shape by a separate process.

[0031] The inner housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and is an insulating member that protects each terminal 10 by holding three terminals 10 inside. The inner housing 20 has a first terminal accommodating portion 21, a second terminal accommodating portion 22, a third terminal accommodating portion 23, a base portion 24, and a reinforcing structure portion 25 (see FIG. 5).

[0032] The first terminal housing portion 21 is a cylindrical portion that houses the connection portion 11 of the first terminal 10a. The second terminal housing portion 22 is a cylindrical portion that houses the connection portion 11 of the second terminal 10b. The third terminal housing portion 23 is a cylindrical portion that houses the connection portion 11 of the third terminal 10c. In the connector 1, the first terminal housing portion 21, the second terminal housing portion 22, and the third terminal housing portion 23 each house the connection portion 11 such that the opening direction of the connection portion 11 to be housed therein, that is, the direction opposite to the direction in which the male terminal is inserted, is common along the Z direction. The tip portions of each of the first terminal housing portion 21, the second terminal housing portion 22, and the third terminal housing portion 23 are open in the Z direction and do not impede the entry of the male terminal into the connection portion 11.

[0033] Note that the first terminal housing portion 21, the second terminal housing portion 22, and the third terminal housing portion 23 are each also referred to as the first housing portion.

[0034] In the present embodiment, in the connector 1, as an example, the first terminal housing portion 21, the second terminal housing portion 22, and the third terminal housing portion 23 are arranged in two stages along the Y direction (see FIG. 9). For example, the first terminal housing portion 21 is arranged in the lower stage in the Y direction, and the second terminal housing portion 22 and the third terminal housing portion 23 are arranged in the upper stage in the Y direction. At this time, in the X direction, the first terminal housing portion 21 is arranged at an intermediate position between the second terminal housing portion 22 and the third terminal housing portion 23.

[0035] Thus, when one of the terminal housing portions among the first terminal housing portion 21, the second terminal housing portion 22, and the third terminal housing portion 23 is arranged in one of the two stages, the terminal housing portion adjacent to the one terminal housing portion in the X direction is arranged in the other of the two stages.

[0036] The base portion 24 is a flat plate portion that supports the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 (see FIG. 5). The base portion 24 has a front surface 24a and a back surface 24b. In the connector 1, the front surface 24a is the surface of the base portion 24 facing in the Z direction, and the back surface 24b is the surface of the base portion 24 facing in the direction opposite to the Z direction. In the connector 1, the internal spaces of each of the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 are open on the back surface 24b side in the direction opposite to the Z direction.

[0037] The base portion 24 further has a first protruding portion 24c, a second protruding portion 24d, a first groove portion 24e, a second groove portion 24f, and a support portion 24g. The support portion 24g is the main body of the base portion 24 and supports the root ends of the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 on the front surface 24a side. The first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 penetrate through the support portion 24g. The first protruding portion 24c protrudes outward from the upper end of the support portion 24g. The second protruding portion 24d protrudes outward from the lower end of the support portion 24g located on the side opposite to the upper end of the support portion 24g.

[0038] In the connector 1, the first protruding portion 24c protrudes outward from the upper end of the support portion 24g along the Y direction, and the second protruding portion 24d protrudes outward from the lower end of the support portion 24g along the direction opposite to the Y direction. Note that the direction in which the first protruding portion 24c protrudes is not limited to the Y direction and may be any direction intersecting the Z direction. Similarly, the direction in which the second protruding portion 24d protrudes is not limited to the direction opposite to the Y direction and may be any direction intersecting the Z direction.

[0039] Each of the upper surface 24c1 of the first protruding portion 24c and the lower surface 24d1 of the second protruding portion 24d is formed so as to conform to the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the communication hole portion 34a in the housing main body portion 31 of the outer housing 30 described later. Note that the first protruding portion 24c and the second protruding portion 24d are also simply referred to as protruding portions. Also, the direction in which the first protruding portion 24c protrudes and the direction in which the second protruding portion 24d protrudes are also referred to as the second direction.

[0040] The first groove portion 24e is formed on one side portion of the support portion 24g. One side wall and the other side wall of the first groove portion 24e are continuous with the first protrusion portion 24c and the second protrusion portion 24d, respectively. The second groove portion 24f is formed on the other side portion of the support portion 24g. One side wall and the other side wall of the second groove portion 24f are continuous with the first protrusion portion 24c and the second protrusion portion 24d, respectively. In the connector 1, a locking portion 73 in the cylindrical portion 72 of the front holder 70 described later is inserted into each of the first groove portion 24e and the second groove portion 24f.

[0041] The reinforcing structure portion 25 is a structure in which a plurality of reinforcing ribs are combined in order to ensure the strength of the inner housing 20. The reinforcing structure portion 25 is provided on the back surface 24b of the base portion 24 so as not to obstruct the arrangement of each terminal 10 and each electric wire 100.

[0042] The outer housing 30 is made of synthetic resin and is an insulating member that protects the entire three terminals 10 by accommodating at least a part of the inner housing 20 and the joint portion 12 of each terminal 10. The outer housing 30 has a housing main body portion 31, a connector interface portion 32, and an electric wire lead-out portion 33. Note that the housing main body portion 31 and the connector interface portion 32 are also referred to as a third accommodating portion and a second accommodating portion, respectively.

[0043] The housing main body portion 31 is formed in a box shape and has a front wall 34, an annular side wall 35, and a plurality of support pieces 36.

[0044] In the connector 1, the front wall 34 is a wall portion orthogonal to the Z direction, and supports the connector interface portion 32 and the electric wire lead-out portion 33 so as to be separated from each other in the Y direction. A communication hole portion 34a that communicates the inside of the connector interface portion 32 and the inside of the housing main body portion 31 is formed in the front wall 34 (see FIG. 7).

[0045] In this embodiment, in the connector 1, in the cross section along the X direction and the Y direction, the cross-sectional shape of the communication hole portion 34a is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the frontage 32a of the connector frontage portion 32 described later. Further, in this embodiment, when the inner housing 20 is assembled to the outer housing 30, the base portion 24 of the inner housing 20, and the base ends of the first terminal housing portion 21, the second terminal housing portion 22, and the third terminal housing portion 23 supported by the base portion 24 are accommodated in the communication hole portion 34a. Note that only the base portion 24 of the inner housing 20 may be accommodated in the communication hole portion 34a. In this case, the base ends of the first terminal housing portion 21, the second terminal housing portion 22, and the third terminal housing portion 23 are accommodated in the frontage 32a of the connector frontage portion 32. Thus, the thickness of the communication hole portion 34a is set to be equal to or greater than the thickness of the base portion 24 of the inner housing 20.

[0046] The communication hole portion 34a has a contact portion 34a1 (see FIG. 7). The contact portion 34a1 is continuously formed along the inner peripheral surface of one end portion where the communication hole portion 34a communicates with the inside of the housing main body portion 31. In the connector 1, the contact portion 34a1 protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface of one end portion of the communication hole portion 34a. With such a configuration, in the connector 1, the first portion of the contact portion 34a1 facing the first protruding portion 24c of the base portion 24 of the inner housing 20 protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface of one end portion of the communication hole portion 34a along the direction opposite to the Y direction. Further, in the connector 1, the second portion of the contact portion 34a1 facing the second protruding portion 24d of the base portion 24 of the inner housing 20 protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface of one end portion of the communication hole portion 34a along the Y direction.

[0047] The other end portion where the communication hole portion 34a communicates with the inside of the connector frontage portion 32 is also referred to as the end portion of the housing main body portion 31 (third housing portion). In this case, the one end portion where the communication hole portion 34a communicates with the inside of the housing main body portion 31 described above is also referred to as the vicinity of the end portion of the housing main body portion 31 (third housing portion).

[0048] In the connector 1, the planar shape of the front wall 34 is a substantially rectangular shape defined by a long side approximately along the Y direction and a short side approximately along the X direction. Further, on the wall surface of the front wall 34 facing the inside of the housing main body 31, a first electric wire contact portion 39 is provided which faces the second electric wire contact portion 45 while being separated from it when the rear cover 40 described later is attached to the outer housing 30 (see FIG. 7). The shape of the first electric wire contact portion 39 is approximately symmetric with the shape of the second electric wire contact portion 45 in the Z direction.

[0049] The annular side wall 35, together with the front wall 34, forms an internal space that houses at least the reinforcing structure portion 25 of the inner housing 20 and the joint portion 12 of each terminal 10 (see FIG. 7). One annular end of the annular side wall 35 is continuous with the peripheral edge of the front wall 34. The other annular end of the annular side wall 35 is an open end 35a that forms an opening facing the front wall 34. When assembling the connector 1, the three terminals 10 each attached to the end of the electric wire 100 are housed inside the housing main body 31 through the opening formed by the open end 35a. In the connector 1, one annular end of the annular side wall 35 is located on the Z - direction side, and the other annular end of the annular side wall 35 is located on the side opposite to the Z direction.

[0050] On the inner wall surface of the annular side wall 35 facing the inside of the housing main body 31, two claw portions 35c are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction (see FIGS. 2 and 6). Specifically, in the connector 1, the two claw portions 35c are respectively formed along the Z direction on two inner wall surfaces of the annular side wall 35 along the Y direction. Only one of the two claw portions 35c is shown in FIGS. 2 and 6.

[0051] The support piece 36 is provided on the outer wall surface of the annular side wall 35 and has a fitting hole 36a for fitting an annular collar (not shown). The fitting hole 36a penetrates the support piece 36. In the connector 1, the fitting hole 36a penetrates the support piece 36 along the Z direction.

[0052] In the connector 1, the connector front end portion 32 has a front end 32a with an oval long hole-shaped cross section that opens in the Z direction, and is a cylindrical portion that fits with a part of an external connector (not shown) having a male terminal when the external connector is connected to the connector 1. The connector front end portion 32 is connected to the housing main body portion 31 and is provided so as to protrude in the Z direction from the front wall 34 of the housing main body portion 31. When assembling the inner housing 20 to the outer housing 30, the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 of the inner housing 20 are accommodated in the connector front end portion 32.

[0053] The front end 32a penetrates the connector front end portion 32 between the outside of the outer housing 30 and the inside of the housing main body portion 31 and can accommodate the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 of the inner housing 20. Note that the front end 32a communicates with the inside of the housing main body portion 31 through the inside of the communication hole portion 34a. In the oval long hole-shaped cross section of the front end 32a, the X direction is the longitudinal direction in accordance with the arrangement relationship of the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 in the inner housing 20.

[0054] The outer peripheral surface of the connector front end portion 32 is formed in a stepped shape by a first outer peripheral surface 32b and a second outer peripheral surface 32c. The first outer peripheral surface 32b is the outer peripheral surface located on the housing main body portion 31 side in the connector front end portion 32 and is continuous with the front wall 34 of the housing main body portion 31. The second outer peripheral surface 32c is the outer peripheral surface located on the opening side of the connector front end portion 32, is formed to be one step lower than the first outer peripheral surface 32b, and is continuous with the first outer peripheral surface 32b.

[0055] In the connector 1, the wire lead-out portion 33 is a cylindrical portion for leading out three wires 100 from the inside of the housing main body portion 31 to the outside of the outer housing 30 through a through-hole space having an oval long hole-shaped cross section that opens in the Z direction. The wire lead-out portion 33 is provided so as to protrude in the Z direction from the front wall 34 of the housing main body portion 31. In the oval long hole-shaped cross section of the through-hole space, the three wires 100 are arranged side by side in the X direction in accordance with the arrangement relationship of the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 in the inner housing 20, and the X direction is the longitudinal direction.

[0056] That is, according to the structure of the outer housing 30, in the connector 1, the direction in which the frontage 32a of the connector frontage portion 32 faces, that is, the direction of connection to the external connector, and the direction in which the three wires 100 are led out from the wire lead-out portion 33 are along the same direction as each other. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the frontage 32a of the connector frontage portion 32 faces and the direction in which the three wires 100 are led out from the wire lead-out portion 33 are along each other in the Z direction.

[0057] The rear cover 40 is made of synthetic resin and is an insulating member that covers an opening formed by the opening end 35a in a state where each terminal 10 having the terminal portion 101a of the core wire 101 joined to the joining portion 12 is accommodated together with the terminal portion of the wire 100 inside the housing main body portion 31 of the outer housing 30. The rear cover 40 has a main body wall 41, a plurality of locking portions 42, a plurality of packing locking portions 43, a cover reinforcing rib 44, and a second wire contact portion 45.

[0058] The main body wall 41 is a flat plate portion having an outer peripheral edge 41a along the opening end 35a of the housing main body portion 31 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30. The inner wall surface 41b of the main body wall 41 faces the front wall 34 of the housing main body portion 31 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30.

[0059] The plurality of locking portions 42 are respectively provided on the outer peripheral edge 41a of the main body wall 41 at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral edge 41a. A plurality of engaging portions (not shown) are provided on the outer surface portion of the annular side wall 35 of the housing main body portion 31. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, each locking portion 42 engages with the engaging portion on the annular side wall 35, thereby preventing the rear cover 40 from falling off the outer housing 30.

[0060] The plurality of packing locking portions 43 are respectively provided on the outer peripheral edge 41a of the main body wall 41 at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral edge 41a while avoiding the plurality of locking portions 42. A plurality of engaging protrusions (not shown) are provided on the rear cover packing 61 described later. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, each packing locking portion 43 engages with the engaging protrusion on the rear cover packing 61, thereby holding the rear cover packing 61 on the rear cover 40.

[0061] The cover reinforcing ribs 44 are provided on the inner wall surface 41b so as not to obstruct the arrangement of each terminal 10 and each electric wire 100 in order to ensure the strength of the rear cover 40.

[0062] The second electric wire contact portion 45 is a structural portion provided on the inner wall surface 41b and contacts each electric wire 100 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30. The second electric wire contact portion 45 has a first contact groove 45a, a second contact groove 45b, and a third contact groove 45c, each of which has a curved surface that fits the side surface shape of each electric wire 100 routed inside the housing main body portion 31 with the Y direction as the extending direction. The first contact groove 45a contacts while accommodating a part of the side surface of the first electric wire 100a. The second contact groove 45b contacts while accommodating a part of the side surface of the second electric wire 100b. The third contact groove 45c contacts while accommodating a part of the side surface of the third electric wire 100c.

[0063] Here, when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the first contact groove 45a sandwiches the first electric wire 100a together with an equivalent contact groove provided in the housing main body portion 31. Similarly, the second contact groove 45b sandwiches the second electric wire 100b together with an equivalent contact groove provided in the housing main body portion 31. The third contact groove 45c sandwiches the third electric wire 100c together with an equivalent contact groove provided in the housing main body portion 31. That is, the second electric wire contact portion 45 constitutes an electric wire holding portion that holds each electric wire 100 as a combination with the first electric wire contact portion 39 in the housing main body portion 31, thereby suppressing vibration transmitted from the outside through the electric wire 100 from reaching the terminal 10.

[0064] Further, the connector 1 includes a unit packing 60, a rear cover packing 61, and a wire packing 62 as waterproof members that suppress the intrusion of moisture from the outside.

[0065] The unit packing 60 is an annular elastic member that is closely attached in accordance with the second outer peripheral surface 32c of the connector front end opening portion 32 in the outer housing 30. When an external connector is connected to the connector 1, the unit packing 60 seals the space between the outer peripheral surface of the connector front end opening portion 32 and the fitting surface of the external connector.

[0066] The rear cover packing 61 is an annular elastic member that is closely attached in accordance with the opening end 35a of the housing main body portion 31 in the outer housing 30. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the rear cover packing 61 seals the space between the opening end 35a of the housing main body portion 31 and the outer peripheral edge 41a of the rear cover 40.

[0067] The wire packing 62 is an elastic member in the shape of an oblong flat plate that is tightly attached to the inner wall surface of the wire lead-out portion 33 in the outer housing 30. Further, the wire packing 62 has three through holes 62a that individually penetrate while being in close contact with each wire 100. The wire packing 62 seals between the inner wall surface of the wire lead-out portion 33 and each wire 100 that penetrates the through space of the wire lead-out portion 33.

[0068] Further, the connector 1 includes a front holder 70 and a rear holder 75 as members for holding various packings.

[0069] The front holder 70 is made of synthetic resin and is attached to the outer housing 30 in order to prevent the unit packing 60 from falling off from the connector front end opening 32. Further, as will be described later, the front holder 70 sandwiches and fixes the inner housing 20 between itself and the outer housing 30. The front holder 70 has a front plate 71, a cylindrical portion 72, and two locking portions 73.

[0070] The front plate 71 is a flange-shaped annular plate portion that is located at the tip of the connector front end opening 32 when the front holder 70 is attached to the outer housing 30. The front plate 71 has an opening 71a that exposes the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 of the inner housing 20 to the outside from the connector front end opening 32. At least a part of the outer peripheral portion of the front plate 71 faces at least a part of the unit packing 60 attached to the connector front end opening 32 in the Z direction when the front holder 70 is attached to the outer housing 30. For this reason, even if the unit packing 60 moves to the front end side of the connector front end opening 32, it abuts against the front plate 71 and further movement is restricted, so that the unit packing 60 is prevented from falling off from the connector front end opening 32.

[0071] The cylindrical portion 72 is housed in the width 32a of the connector intermediate portion 32 when the front holder 70 is attached to the outer housing 30. One open end of the cylindrical portion 72 is a fixed end continuous with the opening 71a of the front plate 71. The other open end 72a of the cylindrical portion 72 is an open end facing the inside of the housing main body portion 31 when the front holder 70 is attached to the outer housing 30. The open end 72a is also referred to as the edge of the front holder 70. Note that a reinforcing structure portion for ensuring the strength of the front holder 70 may be provided inside the cylindrical portion 72.

[0072] The two locking portions 73 are respectively provided at a part of the cylindrical portion 72 with a space therebetween in the circumferential direction. Specifically, in the connector 1, the two locking portions 73 are respectively formed along the Z direction from the open end of the cylindrical portion 72. A locking hole 73a is provided in each locking portion 73. When the front holder 70 is attached to the outer housing 30, the two locking portions 73 are respectively locked to two claw portions 35c provided on the inner wall surface of the annular side wall 35 of the outer housing 30. Thereby, the front holder 70 can be prevented from falling off from the outer housing 30, and the inner housing 20 can be sandwiched and fixed between the outer housing 30 and the front holder 70.

[0073] The rear holder 75 is made of synthetic resin and is attached to the outer housing 30 in order to prevent the wire packing 62 from falling off from the wire lead-out portion 33. The rear holder 75 has three through holes 75a for individually passing through each wire 100, and is an oblong flat plate-shaped member similar to the shape of the wire packing 62. The rear holder 75 is inserted into the through space from the tip side of the wire lead-out portion 33 and supported by the wire lead-out portion 33 in a state where the wire packing 62 seals the space between the inner wall surface of the wire lead-out portion 33 and each wire 100. Thereby, the rear holder 75 prevents the wire packing 62 from falling off from the wire lead-out portion 33.

[0074] In addition, the connector 1 includes an upper shell 80, a lower shell 81, and a shield ring 83 as shield members for shielding noise.

[0075] The upper shell 80 is made of metal and covers the housing main body 31 in a state where the rear cover 40 in the outer housing 30 is attached. Note that the upper shell 80 may cover at least a part of the connector end face portion 32 or the wire lead-out portion 33 of the outer housing 30 while accommodating the housing main body 31. The upper shell 80 is formed in a box shape and has a bottom wall 80a, an annular side wall 80b, a plurality of first support pieces 80e, and a plurality of second support pieces 80g.

[0076] In the connector 1, the bottom wall 80a is a wall portion orthogonal to the Z direction. The planar shape of the bottom wall 80a is a substantially rectangular shape defined by a long side approximately along the Y direction and a short side approximately along the X direction.

[0077] The annular side wall 80b and the bottom wall 80a together form an internal space for accommodating the housing main body 31. One annular end of the annular side wall 80b in the Z direction is continuous with the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 80a. The other annular end of the annular side wall 80b in the Z direction is an opening end 80c that forms an opening facing the bottom wall 80a. When assembling the connector 1, the housing main body 31 with the rear cover 40 attached is accommodated through the opening formed by the opening end 80c.

[0078] The first support piece 80e is provided, for example, as a portion where a part of the annular side wall 80b is bent, and has a first through hole 80d through which a bolt 90 passing through the fitting hole 36a provided in the outer housing 30 during the assembly of the connector 1 passes.

[0079] The second support piece 80g is provided, for example, as a portion bent from a piece protruding from the opening end 80c of the annular side wall 80b, and has a second through hole 80f through which a mounting bolt (not shown) passes when attaching the connector 1 to the housing of an external connector.

[0080] The lower shell 81 is made of metal and covers a part of the front wall 34 of the housing main body 31 in the outer housing 30 and the wire lead-out portion 33. The lower shell 81 has a cylindrical portion 81a, a flange portion 81b, and a support piece 81c.

[0081] The cylindrical portion 81a covers the wire lead-out portion 33 by accommodating the wire lead-out portion 33 through a through space having an oval long hole shape that opens in the first direction. One open end of the cylindrical portion 81a is a fixed end continuous with the flange portion 81b. The other open end of the cylindrical portion 81a is an open end that forms an opening for drawing out each wire 100 from the wire lead-out portion 33 to the outside.

[0082] In the connector 1, the flange portion 81b is a flat plate portion orthogonal to the Z direction, and covers a part of the front wall 34 by facing a part of the front wall 34.

[0083] The support piece 81c is provided as a portion protruding outward from the edge of the flange portion 81b, and has a through hole 81d through which a bolt 90 that penetrates a fitting hole 36a provided in the outer housing 30 during the assembly of the connector 1 is pre-penetrated.

[0084] The shield ring 83 is a metal fastening member for crimping a shield braid (not shown) to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 81a of the lower shell 81. The shield braid is a metal braid that partially covers the tip of the cylindrical portion 81a and is wound so as to integrally cover the three wires 100 drawn out from the cylindrical portion 81a to the outside.

[0085] Furthermore, the connector 1 includes a plurality of bolts 90 (see FIG. 1) and a plurality of colors (not shown) that are pre-fitted into the fitting holes 36a of the outer housing 30 as members for assembling each component. As described above, a through-hole 81d is provided in the support piece 81c of the lower shell 81. A color is fitted into the fitting hole 36a of the outer housing 30. And a first through-hole 80d is provided in the first support piece 80e of the upper shell 80. The bolt 90 passes through the through-hole 81d, the color in the fitting hole 36a, and the first through-hole 80d and is fastened, so that the lower shell 81, the outer housing 30, and the upper shell 80 are integrally assembled.

[0086] [Fixing of Inner Housing] Next, the fixing of the inner housing 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the fixing of the inner housing 20. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X shown in FIG. 9. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 are the same as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in FIG. 2.

[0087] When assembling the connector, three terminals 10 in which the terminal portions 101a of the core wires 101 of the electric wire 100 are joined to the joint portion 12 are installed in the outer housing 30, and the unit packing 60 is attached to the second outer peripheral surface 32c of the connector front end opening portion 32 of the outer housing 30. In this state, the inner housing 20 is inserted into the front end opening 32a of the connector front end opening portion 32 of the outer housing 30 (see FIG. 6). When inserting the inner housing 20 into the front end opening 32a, the connection portions 11 of the three terminals 10 exposed to the outside from the front end opening 32a are respectively received in the first terminal receiving portion 21, the second terminal receiving portion 22, and the third terminal receiving portion 23 of the inner housing 20.

[0088] When the inner housing 20 is further inserted into the width 32a, the reinforcing structure portion 25 is inserted into the inside of the housing main body portion 31, and the base portion 24 is inserted into the inside of the communication hole portion 34a of the front wall 34 of the housing main body portion 31 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The inner housing 20 is inserted into the width 32a of the connector width portion 32 until the first protruding portion 24c and the second protruding portion 24d of the base portion 24 abut against the abutting portion 34a1 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the communication hole portion 34a of the front wall 34.

[0089] When the insertion of the inner housing 20 into the width 32a is completed, subsequently, the front holder 70 is inserted into the width 32a of the connector width portion 32 of the outer housing 30. At this time, the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 of the inner housing 20 are disposed inside the cylindrical portion 72 of the front holder 70 from the opening end 72a of the cylindrical portion 72. Further, the two locking portions 73 of the front holder 70 are respectively inserted into the first groove portion 24e and the second groove portion 24f of the base portion 24 of the inner housing 20 and move inside the first groove portion 24e and the second groove portion 24f.

[0090] When the opening end 72a of the cylindrical portion 72 of the front holder 70 abuts against the first protruding portion 24c and the second protruding portion 24d of the base portion 24 of the inner housing 20, the first protruding portion 24c and the second protruding portion 24d of the base portion 24 are pressed against the abutting portion 34a1 of the communication hole portion 34a (see FIGS. 7 and 8). At this time, the two claw portions 35c provided on the inner wall surface of the annular side wall 35 of the outer housing 30 are inserted into the locking holes 73a of the two locking portions 73 of the front holder 70, and the two locking portions 73 are respectively locked to the two claw portions 35c (see FIG. 10).

[0091] Thereby, the front holder 70 is prevented from falling off from the outer housing 30, and the inner housing 20 can be sandwiched and fixed between the front holder 70 and the outer housing 30.

[0092] Note that the fixation of the inner housing 20 is not limited to the method described above. For example, the inner housing 20 may be inserted into the front edge 32a of the connector front edge portion 32 of the outer housing 30 together with the front holder 70 in a state where it is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 72 of the front holder 70 before being inserted into the front edge 32a of the connector front edge portion 32.

[0093] [Arrangement of Terminals in Connector] Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 9 to 11, the arrangement of the terminals 10 in the connector 1 will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the terminals 10 in the connector 1. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in FIG. 11 are the same as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in FIG. 2.

[0094] In a state where the inner housing 20 is sandwiched and fixed between the outer housing 30 and the front holder 70, in a cross section along the X direction and the Z direction, the joint portions 12 of the three terminals 10 are arranged in a straight line along the X direction (see FIGS. 10 and 11). Further, in this state, in a cross section along the X direction and the Y direction, the three terminals are arranged in two stages along the Y direction (see FIGS. 4 and 9). In the present embodiment, accordingly, the first terminal accommodating portion 21 is disposed in the lower stage in the Y direction, and the second terminal accommodating portion 22 and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 are disposed in the upper stage in the Y direction. At this time, the first terminal accommodating portion 21 is disposed at an intermediate position between the second terminal accommodating portion 22 and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 in the X direction.

[0095] [Comparative Example] Next, a comparative example will be described with reference to FIG. 12. In the connector 1A of this comparative example, the inner housing is locked to the outer housing by a locking mechanism. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the connector 1A cut along the thickness direction at the center in the width direction.

[0096] The X direction shown in FIG. 12 corresponds to the width direction of the connector 1A. The Y direction shown in FIG. 12 corresponds to the height direction of the connector 1A and is orthogonal to the X direction. The Z direction shown in FIG. 12 corresponds to the thickness direction of the connector 1A and is orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction.

[0097] Instead of the first terminal 10a, the inner housing 20, the outer housing 30, and the upper shell 80 in the connector 1, the connector 1A has a first terminal 10a1, an inner housing 120, an outer housing 130, and an upper shell 180 (see FIG. 12). Since the other members of the connector 1A are the same as the other members of the connector 1, the description thereof is omitted.

[0098] Due to the provision of a locking mechanism in the inner housing 120 and the outer housing 130, the distance between the connection portion 11 and the joint portion 12 in the first terminal 10a1 is longer than the distance between the connection portion 11 and the joint portion 12 in the first terminal 10a.

[0099] Instead of the base portion 24 and the reinforcing structure portion 25 in the inner housing 20, the inner housing 120 has a base portion 124 and a reinforcing structure portion 125. Since the other members of the inner housing 120 are the same as the other members of the inner housing 20, the description thereof is omitted.

[0100] Instead of the support portion 24g of the base portion 24, the base portion 124 has a support portion 124g. Unlike the support portion 24g, the first protrusion 24c and the second protrusion 24d are not provided on the support portion 124g. Since the other parts of the base portion 124 are the same as the other parts of the base portion 24, the description thereof is omitted.

[0101] The length of the reinforcing structure portion 125 in the Z direction is larger than the length of the reinforcing structure portion 25 in the Z direction due to the provision of the locking mechanism in the inner housing 120 and the outer housing 130. The reinforcing structure portion 125 has two locking portions 126. One of the locking portions 126 has a base portion erected on the upper surface of the reinforcing structure portion 125 and an extending portion extending in the Z direction from the base portion. Similarly, the other locking portion 126 has a base portion erected on the lower surface of the reinforcing structure portion 125 and an extending portion extending in the Z direction from the base portion. Thus, each locking portion 126 has one end which is a fixed end and the other end which is a free end. A locking hole into which a claw portion 134a1 described later is inserted is formed in the extending portion of each locking portion 126.

[0102] The outer housing 130 has a housing main body portion 131 instead of the housing main body portion 31 of the outer housing 30. Since the other members of the outer housing 130 are the same as the other members of the outer housing 30, the description thereof is omitted.

[0103] The housing main body portion 131 has a front wall 134 and an annular side wall 135 instead of the front wall 34 and the annular side wall 35 of the housing main body portion 31. Since the other parts of the housing main body portion 131 are the same as the other parts of the housing main body portion 31, the description thereof is omitted.

[0104] The length of the front wall 134 and the annular side wall 135 in the Z direction is larger than the length of the front wall 34 and the annular side wall 35 in the Z direction due to the provision of the locking mechanism in the inner housing 120 and the outer housing 130. Unlike the communication hole portion 34a of the front wall 34, the contact portion 34a1 is not provided in the communication hole portion 134a of the front wall 134.

[0105] On the upper part of the inner surface of the communication hole portion 134a, a claw portion 134a1 protruding in the direction opposite to the Y direction is provided. Similarly, on the lower part of the inner surface of the communication hole portion 134a, a claw portion 134a1 protruding in the Y direction is provided. The locking mechanism in the connector 1A is composed of two locking portions 126 of the inner housing 120 and two claw portions 134a1 of the outer housing 130.

[0106] The length of the upper shell 180 in the Z direction is larger than the length of the upper shell 80 in the Z direction along with the length of the front wall 134 and the annular side wall 135 of the outer housing 130 in the Z direction.

[0107] As the inner housing 120 is inserted into the frontage 32a of the connector frontage portion 32 of the outer housing 130 and the reinforcing structure portion 125 of the inner housing 120 is inserted into the inside of the housing main body portion 31, two claw portions 134a1 of the outer housing 130 are inserted into the locking holes of the two locking portions 126 of the inner housing 120. Thereby, the inner housing 120 is locked to the outer housing 130.

[0108] With such a configuration, in the connector 1A, locking portions 126 exist on the lower surface of the reinforcing structure portion 125 of the inner housing 120. For this reason, the distance between the connection portion 11 and the joining portion 12 of the first terminal 10a1 is set to be long so that the first terminal 10a1 and the first electric wire 100a joined to the first terminal 10a1 do not interfere with the locking portions 126.

[0109] Thereby, in the cross section along the X direction and the Z direction, the joining portion 12 of the first terminal 10a1 is displaced in the direction opposite to the Z direction compared with the joining portion 12 of the second terminal 10b and the joining portion 12 of the third terminal 10c. On the other hand, in the connector 1, in the cross section along the X direction and the Z direction, the joining portions 12 of the three terminals 10 are arranged in a straight line along the X direction (see FIG. 11). For this reason, the arrangement space of the three terminals 10 in the connector 1A is larger than the arrangement space of the three terminals 10 in the connector 1.

[0110] [Other Comparative Examples] Next, other comparative examples will be described. In the connectors of other comparative examples, each terminal 10 is crimped to the electric wire 100 using a crimping piece. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, in a cross section along the X direction and the Z direction, when the joint portions 12 of the three terminals 10 are arranged in a straight line along the X direction, since the distance between the terminals is short, the crimping piece of the first terminal 10a interferes with the second electric wire 100b to which the second terminal 10b is crimped (see FIG. 4).

[0111] As a result, in a cross section along the X direction and the Z direction, the joint portion 12 of the first terminal 10a is displaced in a direction opposite to the Z direction from the joint portion 12 of the second terminal 10b and the joint portion 12 of the third terminal 10c. For this reason, the arrangement space of the three terminals 10 in the connector of other comparative examples is larger than the arrangement space of the three terminals 10 in the connector 1.

[0112] [Operation and Effect] According to the present embodiment, the connector 1 is connected to an external connector and includes a plurality of terminals 10, an inner housing 20, an outer housing 30, and a front holder 70. Each terminal 10 extends in a first direction (Z direction) for connecting to an external connector and has a connection portion 11 to which an external terminal of the external connector is connected and a joint portion 12 to which the core wire 101 of the electric wire 100 is ultrasonically joined.

[0113] The inner housing 20 houses the connection portions 11 of the respective terminals 10, and has a first terminal housing portion 21, a second terminal housing portion 22, and a third terminal housing portion 23 that open to the outside in the first direction (Z direction). The outer housing 30 has a housing main body portion 31 and a connector mating port portion 32. The connector mating port portion 32 houses the first terminal housing portion 21, the second terminal housing portion 22, and the third terminal housing portion 23 of the inner housing 20, and opens to the outside in the first direction (Z direction). The housing main body portion 31 is connected to the connector mating port portion 32 and houses the joint portions 12 of the respective terminals 10 that are exposed from the inner housing 20. The front holder 70 sandwiches and fixes the inner housing 20 between itself and the outer housing 30.

[0114] With the above-described configuration, each of the plurality of terminals 10 is electrically connected to the corresponding electric wire 100 by ultrasonic bonding. For this reason, compared with the conventional configuration, it is not necessary to provide a crimping piece on each terminal 10, and the crimping piece can be omitted. As a result, the distance between the terminals 10 can be shortened by the amount by which the crimping piece is omitted.

[0115] Also, with the above-described configuration, the inner housing 20 is sandwiched and fixed between the outer housing 30 and the front holder 70. For this reason, compared with the conventional configuration, it is not necessary to provide a locking mechanism for locking the inner housing 20 to the outer housing 30, and the locking mechanism can be omitted. As a result, the distance between the terminals 10 can be shortened by the amount by which the locking mechanism is omitted.

[0116] Therefore, according to the connector 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size of the arrangement space of the plurality of terminals 10, suppress the increase in size of the connector 1, and suppress the increase in manufacturing cost.

[0117] According to the present embodiment, the inner housing 20 further has a first protruding portion 24c, a second protruding portion 24d, and a support portion 24g. The support portion 24g supports the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23. Each of the first protruding portion 24c and the second protruding portion 24d protrudes outward from the support portion 24g along a second direction intersecting the first direction (Z direction). The first protruding portion 24c, the second protruding portion 24d, and the support portion 24g are accommodated in the housing main body portion 31 of the outer housing 30.

[0118] The outer housing 30 further has a contact portion 34a1 that protrudes inward from the housing main body portion 31 along a direction opposite to the second direction inside the vicinity of the end of the housing main body portion 31 located in the first direction (Z direction). The front holder 70, in a state of being locked to the outer housing 30, presses the first protruding portion 24c and the second protruding portion 24d of the inner housing 20 against the contact portion 34a1 of the outer housing 30 with the opening end 72a located in a direction opposite to the first direction (Z direction).

[0119] With the above-described configuration, the inner housing 20 can be fixed to the outer housing 30 with a simple configuration without providing a locking mechanism. Therefore, an increase in manufacturing cost can be further suppressed.

[0120] According to the present embodiment, in a cross-section along the first direction (Z direction) and the width direction (X direction) of the connector 1, the joint portion 12 of each terminal 10 and the joint portion 12 of the other terminals 10 are arranged in a straight line along the width direction (X direction) of the connector 1.

[0121] With the above-described configuration, the distance between the terminals 10 in the width direction (X direction) of the connector 1 can be minimized. Therefore, the miniaturization of the arrangement space of the plurality of terminals 10 can be surely achieved.

[0122] According to the present embodiment, in a cross-sectional view along the width direction (X direction) of the connector 1 and the height direction (Y direction) of the connector 1, the plurality of terminals 10 are distributed and arranged in two stages along the height direction (Y direction) of the connector 1. When one of the plurality of terminals 10 is arranged in one of the two stages, the terminal 10 adjacent to the one terminal 10 in the width direction (X direction) of the connector 1 is arranged in the other of the two stages.

[0123] With the above-described configuration, in the connector 1, the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 of the inner housing 20 that accommodate the connection portions 11 of the respective terminals 10 can be arranged alternately in the height direction (Y direction) of the connector 1. For this reason, in the width direction (X direction) of the connector 1, the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 can be arranged such that a part of the adjacent terminal accommodating portions overlaps. Thereby, miniaturization of the arrangement space of the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 can be achieved, and enlargement of the connector 1 can be suppressed.

[0124] [Modification Example] In the above-described embodiment, the contact portion 34a1 is continuously formed along the inner peripheral surface of one end portion where the communication hole portion 34a communicates with the inside of the housing main body portion 31, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of contact portions 34a1 may be formed at intervals along the inner peripheral surface of one end portion where the communication hole portion 34a communicates with the inside of the housing main body portion 31. In this case, in the connector 1, at least two contact portions are respectively set to face the first protruding portion 24c and the second protruding portion 24d of the base portion 24 of the inner housing 20.

[0125] In the above-described embodiment, the connector 1 is attached to the power supply system of the three-phase motor, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The connector 1 may be a motor having more phases than three phases. In this case, since a plurality of electric wires corresponding to the number of phases are used, correspondingly, the connector 1 also has a plurality of terminals 10.

[0126] Although the above-described embodiment has been described, the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0127] 1 Connector 10 Terminal 11 Connection Port 12 Joint 20 Inner Housing 21 First Terminal Accommodating Port 22 Second Terminal Accommodating Port 23 Third Terminal Accommodating Port 24c First Protrusion 24d Second Protrusion 24g Support 30 Outer Housing 31 Housing Main Body 32 Connector Front Width 34a1 Contact 70 Front Holder 72a Opening End 100 Electric Wire 101 Core Wire

Claims

1. A connector connected to an external connector, comprising: a plurality of terminals; an inner housing; an outer housing; a front holder for sandwiching and fixing the inner housing between the inner housing and the outer housing; Each terminal extends in a first direction for connecting to the external connector, and has a connection portion to which an external terminal of the external connector is connected and a joining portion to which a core wire of an electric wire is ultrasonically joined. The inner housing houses the connection portions of the respective terminals and has a plurality of first housing portions that open to the outside in the first direction. The outer housing houses the plurality of first housing portions of the inner housing, and has a second housing portion that opens to the outside in the first direction, and a third housing portion that is connected to the second housing portion and houses the joining portions of the respective terminals exposed from the inner housing.

2. The inner housing further has a support portion for supporting the plurality of first housing portions and a protruding portion that protrudes outward from the support portion along a second direction intersecting the first direction. The support portion and the protruding portion are housed in the third housing portion of the outer housing. The outer housing further has a contact portion that protrudes inward from the third housing portion along a direction opposite to the second direction inside the outer housing near an end of the third housing portion located in the first direction. The front holder presses the protruding portion of the inner housing against the contact portion of the outer housing at an edge located in a direction opposite to the first direction in a state of being locked to the outer housing. The connector according to claim 1.

3. In a cross section along the first direction and the width direction of the connector, the joining portions of the respective terminals and the joining portions of the other terminals are arranged in a straight line along the width direction of the connector. The connector according to claim 1.

4. In a cross-sectional view along the width direction and the height direction of the connector, the plurality of terminals are arranged in two stages along the height direction of the connector. When one of the plurality of terminals is arranged in one of the two stages, the terminal adjacent to the one terminal in the width direction of the connector is arranged in the other of the two stages. The connector according to claim 3. ​

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