Connector

Abstract

To connect terminals with an appropriate contact force without using a torque wrench or the like.SOLUTION: A connector 1A includes a nut 22Y, a disk spring 23, a first terminal 24, and a second terminal 112. The disk spring 23 is mounted on a flange part 222 after inserting a nut part 221Y from an end 221a thereof into a first hole 232. The first terminal 24 is mounted on the disk spring 23 after inserting the nut 221Y from the end 221a into the second hole 243. The second terminal 112 has a third hole 112d having a hole shape smaller than an outer shape of the nut part 221Y and larger than a screw hole shape of the nut 22Y, and is mounted on the first terminal 24 in a manner that the third hole 112d faces the second hole 243. When the second terminal 112 is mounted on the first terminal 24 before the nut part 221Y is engaged to the screw part 32Y, a gap V is provided between the end 221a and the second terminal 112.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connection structure of connector terminals.

Background Art

[0002] As a connection structure of connector terminals, it is conceivable to achieve electrical conduction by tightening terminals to be fastened together using bolts and nuts. As a prior art of the bolt fastening structure, there is one that can suppress the variation in bolt axial force with a simple configuration (see, for example, Patent Document 1). FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a bolt fastening structure of the prior art. The bolt fastening structure of FIG. 15 includes a bolt (1) inserted into objects to be fastened (3a, 3b), two washers (4) provided between the head (1a) of this bolt and the objects to be fastened, an annular spacer (5) provided between these two washers, and a disc spring (6) provided between these two washers and having a height exceeding the thickness of the spacer in the radial direction of the spacer, and is provided on the outside or inside.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, if the bolt fastening structure of the above-described prior art is directly applied to the connection structure of connector terminals, in some cases, there is a problem that the tightening force is too weak to obtain a desired reaction force and an appropriate electrical connection may not be achieved. In other cases, there is a problem that over-tightening may occur, which may cause an excessive load on surrounding parts such as an insulator.

[0005] Here, in order to eliminate the difference in tightening force by the bolt fastener and achieve an appropriate tightening force, it is also conceivable to use tools such as a torque wrench. However, in this case, not only is it necessary to separately prepare a tool such as a torque wrench, but also complicated management is required, such as checking whether the appropriate torque is being exerted by the tool.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that can achieve connection between terminals with an appropriate contact force without using a tool such as a torque wrench.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the connector according to the present embodiment has one end and the other end on the opposite side of the one end, a nut portion that can be fitted with a predetermined bolt, and a flange portion provided on the other end side. A nut having, a spring having a first hole portion through which the nut portion can be inserted, the nut portion being inserted into the first hole portion from one end side and mounted on the flange portion, and a second hole portion through which the nut portion can be inserted, A first terminal inserted into the second hole from one end side and mounted on the spring, and a third hole having a hole shape smaller than the outer shape of the nut portion and larger than the screw hole shape of the nut, the third hole facing the second hole and mounted on the first terminal And a second terminal. Before the nut portion is fitted to a predetermined bolt, when the second terminal is mounted on the first terminal, a predetermined gap is provided between one end of the nut portion and the second terminal.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the connector of the present embodiment, due to the predetermined gap V between the second terminal 112 and the nut 22, a contact force that is sufficient for electrical conduction and does not apply a large load to surrounding components is managed. Connection between terminals can be realized with an appropriate contact force without using a tool such as a torque wrench.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] <<First Embodiment>> Hereinafter, the connector according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the connector in the first embodiment. FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view, FIG. 1(b) is a top view, and FIG. 1(c) is a side view. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view when the connector 1A shown in FIG. 1 is disassembled into the harness connector 10 and the main body connector 20.

[0011] The connector 1A in the present embodiment is, for example, a connector for a large current of several hundred amperes. However, the structure of fastening the terminals in the connector of the present disclosure is not limited by the magnitude of the current, and does not prevent application with a larger current or a smaller current than this. The connector 1A in the present embodiment is composed of a harness connector 10, a main body connector 20, and a set of bolts 30 as main elements, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The connector 1A is assembled by inserting the bolts 30 into the two hole portions 121c provided in the harness cover 12 and the two third hole portions 112d provided in the second terminal 112, and fitting the bolts 30 and the nuts 22 through the protruding member 26, the lid 25, the first terminal 24, and the disc spring 23 in the main body connector 20. As will be described later, in the present embodiment, a toothed washer 26a is used as an example of the protruding member 26 (see FIG. 5). Hereinafter, each element constituting the connector 1A will be described.

[0012] <Harness Connector 10> FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the harness connector 10. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the harness cover 12. FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view seen from the outer surface side of the upper cover 121a, and FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view seen from the inner surface side of the upper cover 121a. As shown in FIG. 3, the harness connector 10 is composed of a harness 11 and a harness cover 12. The harness connector 10 in FIG. 3 has two harnesses 11, but the connector of the present disclosure is not limited to two, and may be composed of a single harness 11 or three or more harnesses 11.

[0013] (Harness 11) As shown in FIG. 3, the harness 11 is composed of a cable 111 and a second terminal 112. The cable 111 is composed of a copper wire 111a made of a copper alloy and an insulating material 111b covering the copper wire 111a. One end of the cable 111 has the copper wire 111a exposed, and the exposed portion of the copper wire 111a has a semi-cylindrical shape at the tip in this example. However, the copper wire 111a in this example had a cylindrical shape before being welded to the second terminal 112 and became semi-cylindrical by welding. Therefore, the copper wire 111a is not limited to a semi-cylindrical shape and may have other shapes. The second terminal 112 is a substantially rectangular thin metal plate and has end portions 112a and 112b at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The thin metal plate of the second terminal 112 has a thickness h1 (see FIG. 8). The copper wire 111a is welded to a surface 112f that contacts the lower surface on the side of the end portion 112a in FIG. 3. A protrusion 112c that is inserted into a groove portion 121e (FIG. 4) of the harness cover 12 is provided at the center of the end portion 112b. The second terminal 112 is provided with a third hole portion 112d through which the threaded portion 32 (FIG. 2) of the bolt 30 can be inserted from the center portion thereof to the side of the end portion 112b. The third hole portion 112d has a hole shape that is smaller than the outer shape (cylindrical circular shape) of a nut portion 221 (see FIG. 5) described later and larger than the threaded hole shape of the nut portion 221. As will be described later, the second terminal 112 is mounted on a toothed washer 26a with the third hole portion 112d facing the second hole portion 243 (see FIG. 5) of the first terminal 24.

[0014] (Harness Cover 12) The harness cover 12 houses a part of the cable 111 and the second terminal 112. The harness cover 12 serves as an alignment function to arrange both the second terminal 112 and the first terminal 24 (see FIG. 5) in appropriate positions for fastening them. For this alignment, the fastening portion 121 of the harness cover 12 houses a part (upper part) of the main body connector 20 on its inner surface. The harness cover 12 is made of a thermoplastic resin such as PBT, for example, and also serves as an insulating member. As shown in FIG. 4, the harness cover 12 is composed of a guide portion 122 and a fastening portion 121.

[0015] The guide portion 122 is a cover that covers the second terminal 112 side of the harness 11, and is composed of a pair of cylindrical portions 122a and a plate-shaped connecting portion 122b that connects the respective cylindrical portions 122a. The pair of cylindrical portions 122a each have a cylindrical shape with a substantially rounded rectangular cross-sectional outer shape. Each cylindrical portion 122a houses a part of the second terminal 112, a part of the copper wire 111a, and a part of the insulating material 111b.

[0016] The guide portion 122 has a hole portion 122a1 which is a through-hole having a shape slightly larger than the shape where the cross-sectional shape in the width direction of the second terminal 112 and the cross-sectional shape of the cable 111 are combined. However, at the end of the guide portion 122 on the fastening portion 121 side, the hole shape does not have the shape through which the cable 111 is inserted, but penetrates with only the cross-sectional shape in the width direction of the second terminal 112. That is, the end of the guide portion 122 on the fastening portion 121 side is a standing wall having an opening through which the second terminal 112 is inserted. This configuration prevents the harness 11 from being inserted into the harness cover 12 more than necessary. By inserting the second terminal 112 into the hole portion 122a1, the hole portion 122a1 serves as an insertion guide, and together with a groove portion 121e described later, the relative positional relationship between the harness connector 10 and the main body connector 20 is determined.

[0017] In addition to serving as an insulating member, the fastening portion 121, together with the guide portion 122, plays a role in aligning the second terminal 112 and the first terminal 24 for fastening. The fastening portion 121 is composed of an upper surface cover 121a having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape, a peripheral cover 121b protruding in the direction in which the bolt 30 is inserted (downward in FIG. 1(c)) from both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface cover 121a and one end portion in the short direction. The other end portion in the short direction is connected to the end portion of the guide portion 122. The upper surface cover 121a is provided with a pair of hole portions 121c having a shape through which the head 31 of the bolt 30 can be inserted. The hole portions 121c are provided at positions facing the third hole portion 112d of the second terminal 112 when the second terminal 112 is inserted into the hole portion 122a1 and the protrusion 112c is fitted into the groove portion 121e. A pair of groove portions 121d are provided at the end portion of the upper surface cover 121a opposite to the guide portion 122. The groove portions 121d are concave grooves in the direction in which the bolt 30 is inserted from the upper surface cover 121a (downward in FIG. 1(c)). Further, on the inner surface of the peripheral cover 121b, at the portion facing the guide portion 122, a pair of groove portions 121e, which are concave grooves, are provided in the direction in which the second terminal 112 is inserted (leftward in FIG. 1(c)). The groove portions 121d and the groove portions 121e are partially connected, and the fastening portion 121 is formed as a hole that communicates from the outside to the inside from the upper surface cover 121a to the peripheral cover 121b. The groove portion 121e has a cross-sectional shape slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 112c. Therefore, when the second terminal 112 passes through the hole portion 122a1 and the protrusion 112c is fitted into the groove portion 121e, the relative position between the harness 11 and the harness cover 12 is determined. By this positioning, the central axis of the hole portion 121c and the central axis of the third hole portion 112d are in a positional relationship on the same axis.

[0018] <Main body connector 20> FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the main body connector 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the main body connector 20 is composed of a base 21, a nut 22, a disc spring 23, a first terminal 24, a lid 25, and a toothed washer 26a which is an example of the protruding member 26. Since the harness connector 10 has two harnesses 11 (FIG. 3), the main body connector 20 in FIG. 5 has two each of the nut 22, the disc spring 23, the first terminal 24, the lid 25, and the toothed washer 26a accordingly.

[0019] (Base 21) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base 21. FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view seen from the flange accommodating portion 213b side, and FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view seen from the bottom portion 211 side.

[0020] The base 21 shown in FIG. 6 is configured to be able to accommodate two each of the nut 22, the disc spring 23, the first terminal 24, the lid 25, and the toothed washer 26a. The base 21 is an insulating member that accommodates the first terminal 24, and is composed of a set of accommodating portions 213 and a connecting portion 214 that connects the respective accommodating portions 213. The base 21 is formed of a thermoplastic resin such as PBT, for example.

[0021] Each accommodating portion 213 is provided with a hole portion 213a, a flange accommodating portion 213b, terminal accommodating portions 213c and 213d, a lid accommodating portion 213e, and six fitting holes 213f, respectively, with respect to a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The central axis of the hole portion 213a is provided at a position on the same axis as the central axis of the hole portion 121c when a part of the main body connector 20 is accommodated in the fastening portion 121 of the harness connector 10. The hole portion 213a is formed as a through hole through which the screw portion 32 can be inserted so that even when a bolt 30 having a screw portion with a major axis longer than expected is inserted into the nut 22, the tip of the screw portion 32 does not protrude from the nut 22 and damage the base 21. The flange accommodating portion 213b has a groove shape at the center that includes the region of the hole portion 213a and can accommodate the flange portion 222 of the nut 22 mounted from above. The groove shape of the flange accommodating portion 213b has a shape slightly larger than the flange portion 222 so that the flange portion 222 can be accommodated. The terminal accommodating portion 213c has a groove shape at the center that includes the regions of the hole portion 213a and the flange accommodating portion 213b and can accommodate a part of the connecting portion 241 of the first terminal 24 mounted from above. The terminal accommodating portion 213c has a shape slightly larger than the outer shape of the connecting portion 241 so that most of the connecting portion 241 can be accommodated. The terminal accommodating portion 213d is provided at a position outside the regions of both the hole portion 213a and the flange accommodating portion 213b within the accommodating portion 213, and has a through hole that can accommodate most of the connecting portion 242 of the first terminal 24 when the connecting portion 242 of the first terminal 24 is inserted from above. The terminal accommodating portion 213d has a hole shape slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape of the connecting portion 242 so that the connecting portion 242 can be accommodated. The terminal accommodating portion 213c and the terminal accommodating portion 213d are connected, and the connecting portion has an inclined surface so as to correspond to the portion of the first terminal 24 bent in an L shape. The lid accommodating portion 213e has a groove shape that is dug down from above the terminal accommodating portion 213c and the terminal accommodating portion 213d to a depth corresponding to the plate thickness of the upper surface cover 251, with a shape slightly wider than the terminal accommodating portion 213c and the terminal accommodating portion 213d so that the periphery of the edge of the upper surface cover 251 of the lid 25 can be mounted. The six fitting holes 213f are through holes provided at positions where the fitting protrusions 253 can be inserted when the lid 25 is mounted on the connecting portion 241.

[0022] (Nut 22) As shown in Fig. 5, the nut 22 of this embodiment is composed of a nut portion 221 and a flange portion 222. The nut portion 221 is a portion that fits with the bolt 30 and is an iron member provided with a threaded hole inside. The nut portion 221 has a cylindrical outer shape in this example, but is not limited thereto. For example, other outer shapes such as a cross-sectional outer shape having a polygon may be used. The nut portion 221 has end portions 221a and 221b. In this example, the length h4 of the nut portion 221 in the direction of fitting with the bolt 30 is provided to be longer than the thickness h3 of the first terminal 24 (see Fig. 8). The flange portion 222 is an iron thin plate provided so as to protrude outward from the periphery of the cylindrical shape on the end portion 221b side in this example. The shape of the flange portion 222 has a parallel portion cut out from a part of a circle and has a generally horizontally long oval shape as a whole. The nut 22 is housed in the flange housing portion 213b of the base 21 with the flange portion 222 facing the flange housing portion 213b.

[0023] Since the nut 22 of this embodiment has the flange portion 222, there is no need to separately provide a washer, which not only has the effect of reducing the assembly man-hours, but also increases the seating surface from the nut portion 221 to the flange portion 222, thereby increasing the tightening strength. Therefore, it prevents the loosening of the fastening between the bolt 30 and the nut 22 that may occur due to the nut 22 sinking into the base 21. Note that the flange portion 222 has a generally horizontally long oval shape and is housed in the flange housing portion 213b so that the nut 22 does not rotate together when the bolt 30 is fastened to the nut 22. Therefore, the free rotation of the bolt 30 is prevented, and the tightening strength is increased also in this respect.

[0024] (Disc spring 23) The dish spring 23 is a component that generates the contact force F between the first terminal 24 and the second terminal 112. As shown in FIG. 5, the dish spring 23 is composed of an annular portion 231 and a first hole portion 232 provided at the center of the annular portion 231. The dish spring 23 is formed of, for example, carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, copper alloy, or the like. In this example, the annular portion 231 has a dish shape with a circular outer shape and a shallow depth. The first hole portion 232 has a hole shape through which the nut portion 221 can be inserted. By opposing the surface 231b side of the first hole portion 232 to the end portion 221a and inserting the nut portion 221 into the first hole portion 232 from the end portion 221a side, the dish spring 23 is mounted on the flange portion 222 (on the surface 222a). The dish spring 23 has a height h2 as its thickness (height) (see FIG. 8).

[0025] (The first terminal 24) The first terminal 24 is a terminal on the side connected to a main body driven by electricity, such as an electronic device. In this example, the first terminal 24 is a thin plate metal flat plate formed by bending a rectangular flat plate into an L shape by bending. The metal flat plate of the first terminal 24 has a thickness h3 (see FIG. 8). The first terminal 24 is composed of a connection portion 241 and a connection portion 242. The connection portion 241 is housed in the terminal housing portion 213c of the base 21 and is electrically connected to the second terminal 112. The connection portion 242 is connected to the connection portion 241 and is formed by being bent 90 degrees from the end of the connection portion 241 by, for example, bending, and is housed in the terminal housing portion 213d of the base 21. A second hole portion 243 is provided in the connection portion 241. The second hole portion 243 is configured such that when the connection portion 241 is housed in the terminal housing portion 213c, the central axis of the screw portion 223 of the nut 22 and the central axis of the first hole portion 232 of the dish spring 23 are on the same axis as the central axis of the second hole portion 243. The second hole portion 243 has a hole shape through which the nut portion 221 of the nut 22 can be inserted, although it is smaller than the outer shape of the head portion 31 (FIG. 2) of the bolt 30. The first terminal 24 is mounted on the dish spring 23 by opposing the surface 241b side of the second hole portion 243 to the first hole portion 232 and inserting the nut portion 221 into the second hole portion 243 from the end portion 221a side.

[0026] (The lid 25) The cover 25 is an insulating member that covers the connection portion 241 from the surface 241a side of the connection portion 241 in order to reduce the risk of electric shock. The cover 25 is formed of a thermoplastic resin such as PBT, for example. The cover 25 has an upper surface cover 251, a hole portion 252, and six fitting protrusions 253, respectively. The upper surface cover 251 has a substantially rectangular thin plate shape. The hole portion 252 is provided in the upper surface cover 251. When the upper surface cover 251 is mounted on the connection portion 241 from the surface 241a side, the hole portion 252 is provided at a position where the central axis of the hole portion 252 is on the same axis as the central axes of the screw portion 223, the first hole portion 232, and the second hole portion 243, respectively. The hole portion 252 has a hole shape that is larger than the hole shape of the second hole portion 243 and slightly larger than the outer shape of the toothed washer 26a, which is an example of the protruding member 26. The fitting protrusions 253 are provided at the peripheral edge of the upper surface cover 251 so as to protrude in the direction in which the bolt 30 is inserted (the downward direction in FIG. 1(c)). In this example, two fitting protrusions 253 are provided at both ends in the short side direction of the upper surface cover 251, and one fitting protrusion 253 is provided near the center of both ends in the long side direction, respectively. The fitting protrusions 253 are provided at positions where they can be inserted into the fitting holes 213f provided in the base 21 when the cover 25 is mounted on the connection portion 241. Each fitting protrusion 253 is provided with a convex portion 253a that protrudes toward the inside of the edge of the upper surface cover 251 at the tip on the protruding side. The convex portion 253a engages with the base 21 when the fitting protrusion 253 is inserted into the fitting hole 213f. Thereby, the base 21 is covered by the cover 25. The engagement between the convex portion 253a and the base 21 prevents the nut 22, the disc spring 23, and the first terminal 24 from coming out of the accommodation in the base 21.

[0027] (Protruding member 26) The protruding member 26 is provided between the second terminal 112 and the first terminal 24, and by incorporating the protruding member 26 into these and breaking through the non-conductive substances such as the oxide film on the contact surface, it plays a role in removing the non-conductive substances on the contact surface. In the present embodiment, as an example of the protruding member 26, as shown in FIG. 5, a toothed washer 26a having an annular portion 261, a plurality of protruding portions 262, and a fourth hole portion 263 is used. The toothed washer 26a is made of iron or stainless steel, for example.

[0028] The annular part 261 is an annular thin plate part. In this example, the outer shape including the protruding parts 262 has a shape slightly smaller than the hole part 252 of the lid 25. The plurality of protruding parts 262 are protruding parts that protrude from the annular part 261 toward at least one of the first terminal 24 side or the second terminal 112 side. The protruding part 262 serves as teeth for biting into the surface of either the second terminal 112 or the first terminal 24, or both the second terminal 112 and the first terminal 24. The fourth hole part 263 is larger than the second hole part 243 of the connection part 241 and has a hole shape through which the nut part 221 can be inserted. The toothed washer 26a as the protruding member 26 is mounted on the connection part 241 by being inserted into the hole part 252 of the lid 25 mounted on the connection part 241.

[0029] <bolt 30> As shown in FIG. 2, the bolt 30 is composed of a threaded part 32 and a head part 31. The bolt 30 is made of, for example, iron. The threaded part 32 can be inserted into the third hole part 112d of the second terminal 112 and fits with the nut part 221 from the end part 221a side of the nut 22. The head part 31 is provided at one end of the threaded part 32 and has an outer shape smaller than the hole part 121c of the harness cover 12 and larger than the third hole part 112d.

[0030] <Assembly method of the connector 1A> As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the assembly of the harness connector 10 is assembled by inserting the second terminal 112 of the harness 11 into the hole part 122a1 of the harness cover 12 and fitting the protruding part 112c into the groove part 121e. The fastening part 121 side of the hole part 122a1 is configured such that the second terminal 112 can be inserted, but the copper wire 111a cannot be inserted (see FIG. 7).

[0031] The assembly of the main body connector 20 is performed as follows (Figs. 5 and 6). Mount the flange portion 222 of the nut 22 toward the flange accommodating portion 213b of the base 21. Next, oppose the surface 231b side of the first hole portion 232 of the disc spring 23 to the surface 222a, and insert the first hole portion 232 into the nut portion from the end portion 221a side, thereby mounting it on the flange portion 222 (on the surface 222a). Next, oppose the surface 241b side of the second hole portion 243 of the first terminal 24 to the end portion 221a, insert the nut portion 221 into the second hole portion 243 from the end portion 221a side, and mount it on the surface 231a of the disc spring 23. Next, oppose the surface 251b side of the hole portion 252 of the lid 25 to the end portion 221a, and mount the hole portion 252 on the connection portion 241 so as to be in a position facing the screw portion 223, the first hole portion 232, and the second hole portion 243. At this time, fit the fitting projection 253 provided with the convex portion 253a into the fitting hole 213f. The protruding member 26 is inserted into the hole portion 252 of the lid 25 and mounted on the connection portion 241 of the first terminal 24.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 2, the connector 1A inserts and fits the main body connector 20 into the fastening portion 121 of the harness connector 10. In this state, from above the harness cover 12, through the hole portion 121c, the third hole portion 112d, the hole portion 252, the fourth hole portion 263, the second hole portion 243, and the first hole portion 232, the bolt 30 is screwed toward the screw portion 223 of the nut 22 and inserted. As a result, the bolt 30 and the nut 22 are fitted, and the assembly of the connector 1A is completed.

[0033] Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the main body connector 20 side in the A-A cross-sectional view of Fig. 1(b). When the bolt 30 is fitted to the nut 22 in a state where the harness connector 10 and the main body connector 20 are fitted, as shown in Fig. 7, the disc spring 23 is in a crushed state. Due to this state, a reaction force is generated in the disc spring, and a contact force is generated between the second terminal 112 and the first terminal 24. Before the bolt 30 is tightened so that the disc spring 23 generates a desired reaction force, the connector 1A of the present embodiment is configured such that the gap between the second terminal 112 and the nut 22 becomes a pre-adjusted gap (gap V).

[0034] <Clearance V> FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the fastening state of the bolt 30 and the nut 22 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8(a) shows the state before the bolt is fastened, and FIG. 8(b) shows the state after the bolt is fastened. In FIG. 8, only the bolt 30, the second terminal 112, the protrusion member 26, the first terminal 24, the disc spring 23, and the nut 22 are shown in order to facilitate the understanding of the action of the clearance V, and the others are not shown. In FIG. 8, the shapes and heights of the protrusion member 26 and the disc spring 23 are exaggerated, and the thread shape in the nut portion 221 of the nut 22 is omitted. Also, in order to identify that it is a schematic diagram, a hatching pattern different from that of FIG. 7 is used.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 8(a), in the connector 1A of the present embodiment, when the head 31 of the bolt 30 is not pressing the second terminal 112 (before the bolt is fastened), a clearance V is provided between the end 221a of the nut 22 and the surface 112f of the second terminal 112. That is, before the nut portion 221 is fitted to the threaded portion 32 and when the second terminal 112 is mounted on the protrusion member 26, a predetermined clearance V is provided between the end 221a of the nut portion 221 and the second terminal 112 (surface 112f).

[0036] The size of the clearance V is adjusted so that when the bolt 30 is fitted to the nut portion 221 until the clearance V disappears (until the clearance V becomes zero), a predetermined contact force is generated between the first terminal 24 and the second terminal 112.

[0037] When the bolt 30 is tightened against the nut portion 221, the fitting of the threaded portion 32 and the nut portion 221 progresses. As shown in FIG. 8(b), when the fitting progresses to the position where the clearance V disappears, Since the surface 112f comes into contact with the end portion 221a, further fitting requires a torque much larger than the tightening force (torque) up to immediately before, and substantially no further insertion becomes possible. From another perspective, as shown in FIG. 8(b), although the height of the disc spring 23 has been compressed from h2 to h2', there is still room for further compression. However, when the surface 112f and the end portion 221a come into contact, substantially no further insertion becomes possible. As a result, the height of the disc spring 23 is maintained at h2'. Therefore, the person performing the bolt tightening operation can recognize that the tightening with an appropriately adjusted tightening force has been completed, and can finish (complete) the tightening operation.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the contact force F and the contact resistance R between the first terminal 24 and the second terminal 112. As shown in FIG. 9, the contact resistance R decreases as the contact force F increases. However, when the contact force F is within a certain range or more, compared with the previous contact force F, there is no significant change in the decrease amount of the contact resistance R with respect to the increase amount of the contact force F. In actual work, if the contact force F is further increased beyond the appropriate contact force, the load on other components (for example, the base 21, etc.) constituting the connector 1A will increase.

[0039] In the connector 1A of the present disclosure, the gap V is adjusted so that the contact force between the second terminal 112 and the first terminal 24 falls within a predetermined range. The predetermined range is a range in which a contact force sufficient for electrical conduction and not imposing a large load on surrounding components is generated. For example, it is conceivable to configure the gap V of the connector 1A targeting within the region x shown in FIG. 9 or in the vicinity of the region x.

[0040] By configuring the connector 1A as described above, when the screw portion 32 is inserted and fitted from above until a predetermined gap V disappears in order to fasten with the nut 22, the surface 112f of the second terminal 112 contacts the end portion 221a of the nut portion 221, and substantially no further insertion is possible. Therefore, without performing torque management using an instrument such as a torque wrench, it is possible to fasten the terminals of the connector with a contact force sufficient for electrical conduction and without applying a large load to the surrounding components.

[0041] In other words, the connector 1A has a predetermined gap V between the second terminal 112 and the nut 22, and since the contact force sufficient for electrical conduction and not applying a large load to the surrounding components is managed, the connection between the terminals can be realized with an appropriate contact force without using an instrument such as a torque wrench.

[0042] <<First Modification Example>> Hereinafter, the connector according to the first modification example of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the fastening of the bolt 30 and the nut 22 in the connector 1A according to the first modification example. FIG. 10(a) shows the state before the bolt is fastened, and FIG. 10(b) shows the state after the bolt is fastened.

[0043] In this modified example, the protruding member 26 is not used, and the second terminal 112 has been replaced by the second terminal 112X which serves the role of removing the non-conductive substance on the contact surface. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the second terminal 112 has been changed to the second terminal 112X which has a plurality of protrusions, i.e., dowels 112g, at the location where the protruding member 26 on the surface 112f side was located. The second terminal 112X has a plurality of dowels 112g that protrude toward the first terminal 24 in the region facing the first terminal 24. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the dowels 112g are formed by dowel machining. The dowels 112g are formed on the surface 112f side, and grooves 112h are formed on the surface 112e side in accordance with this position. The above-described dowels 112g can also serve the role of removing the non-conductive substance on the contact surface. Further, since the protruding member 26 becomes unnecessary, the number of parts can be reduced, which is beneficial in terms of parts management such as improving the assembly efficiency.

[0044] By using the second terminal 112X in the connector 1A of the first modified example, the main body connector 20 also has a shape adapted thereto. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the main body connector 20 according to the first modified example. As shown in FIG. 11, in the main body connector 20 of this modified example, the lid 25 has been changed to the lid 25X, and the base 21 has been changed to the base 21X.

[0045] The cover 25X is also an insulating member that covers the connection portion 241 from above in order to reduce the risk of electric shock, similar to the cover 25. The cover 25X has an upper surface cover 251X, a hole portion 252X, a set of hole portions 254X, and six fitting protrusions 253X. The upper surface cover 251X is the same size as the upper surface cover 251, but is formed to be slightly thicker than the upper surface cover 251. The central axis of the hole portion 252X is in the same position as the hole portion 252. The hole portion 252X has a hole shape that is larger than the shape of the screw portion 32 so that the screw portion 32 can be inserted therethrough and smaller than the head portion 31. The fitting protrusions 253X are provided on the peripheral edge portion of the upper surface cover 251X so as to slightly protrude in a direction in which the peripheral edge portion expands. In this example, the positions where the fitting protrusions 253X are provided are the same positions as the fitting protrusions 253. The fitting protrusions 253X are inserted into the fitting holes 213f' of the base 21X when the cover 25X is mounted on the first terminal 24. The set of hole portions 254X are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface cover 251X with the hole portion 252X interposed therebetween. The hole shape of the hole portion 254X has a shape that is slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape of the dowel 112g so that the dowel 112g can be inserted therethrough. The hole portion 254X has a horizontally long elliptical hole shape in this example.

[0046] The base 21X has the same basic shape as the base 21, but the cover housing portion 213e has changed to a cover housing portion 213e' with a deeper groove depth according to the thickness of the upper surface cover 251X. The base 21X has changed the fitting hole 213f to the fitting hole 213f' according to the shape of the fitting protrusion 253X.

[0047] Note that a dowel that serves the same role as the dowel 112g may be provided on the surface 241a side of the first terminal 24. That is, the dowel that serves the same role as the dowel 112g may be provided on the surface 112f side or the surface 241a side. Alternatively, the positions of the dowels may be shifted and provided on both the surface 112f side and the surface 241a side.

[0048] Since the dowel 112g can play the role of removing the non-conductive substance on the contact surface instead of the protruding member 26, any component other than the protruding member 26 or the dowel 112g may be used as long as it performs the same function as the protruding member 26. Such other components may be, for example, a cantilever spring component or a component such as a wave spring.

[0049] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a cantilever spring component 27 as an example of other components. FIG. 12(a) is a perspective view, and FIG. 12(b) is a side view. The cantilever spring component 27 includes an annular portion 27a corresponding to the annular portion 261 of the toothed washer 26a shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of cantilever springs 27b arranged around the annular portion 27a and corresponding to the protruding portions 262, and a hole portion 27c corresponding to the fourth hole portion 263. In this example, the cantilever spring component 27 includes three cantilever springs 27b. Each cantilever spring 27b has an elongated plate shape with end portions 27b1 and 27b2. For the cantilever spring 27b, the end portion 27b1 is connected to the annular portion 27a, and the end portion 27b2 is a free end, and the whole is curved along the annular shape of the annular portion 27a. The cantilever spring 27b extends slightly upward in FIG. 12(b) from the end portion 27b1 toward the end portion 27b2. The cantilever spring 27b extends slightly downward in FIG. 12(b) from near the end portion 27b2 toward the end portion 27b2. Since the cantilever spring 27b has the above-described configuration, each cantilever spring 27b has the function of a spring as a cantilever spring as a whole. As an example of the above-described other components, a component having the configuration shown in FIG. 12 may also be used.

[0050] Also in the connector 1A of the first modification described above, due to the predetermined gap V between the second terminal 112 (or the second terminal 112X) and the nut 22, a contact force that is sufficient for electrical conduction and does not apply a large load to surrounding components is managed. Therefore, the connection between the terminals can be realized with an appropriate contact force without using an instrument such as a torque wrench.

[0051] <<Second Modification>> Hereinafter, the connector according to the second modification example of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the fastening of the bolt 30Y and the nut 22Y in the connector 1A according to the second modification example. FIG. 13(a) shows the state before the bolt is fastened, and FIG. 13(b) shows the state after the bolt is fastened.

[0052] In the connector 1A of this modification example, when the problem of removing the non-conductive substance on the contact surface can be solved by other methods instead of the first embodiment or the first modification example, as shown in FIG. 13, the second terminal 112 and the first terminal 24 may be configured to be in direct contact with each other. In FIG. 13, since the second terminal 112, the first terminal 24, and the disc spring 23 are used as they are, the length of the nut portion 221 in the nut 22 has changed to the nut 22Y that is shorter to the nut portion 221Y so that the same gap as the gap V in the first embodiment is provided. The length of the screw portion 32 in the bolt 30 has changed to the bolt 30Y that is shorter to the screw portion 32Y.

[0053] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the main body connector 20 according to the second modification example. As shown in FIG. 14, the main body connector 20 of this modification example does not use the lid 25 and the protrusion member 26 that were provided in the first embodiment, so the base 21 has changed to the base 21Y that does not include the lid housing portion 213e and the fitting hole 213f.

[0054] Also in the connector 1A of the second modification example described above, due to the predetermined gap V between the second terminal 112 and the nut 22Y, a contact force that is sufficient for electrical conduction and does not apply a large load to the surrounding components is managed. Therefore, the connection between the terminals can be realized with an appropriate contact force without using an instrument such as a torque wrench.

[0055] The above has described the first embodiment, the first modification example, and the second modification example. For the disc spring 23 shown in these embodiments, other types of springs may be used as long as they have equivalent functions. In addition, it goes without saying that the above-described connector 1A can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

Explanation of Signs

[0056] 1A Connector 10 Harness Connector 11 Harness 111 Cable 111a Copper Wire 111b Insulating Material 112, 112X Second Terminal 112a, 112b End 112c Projection 112d Third Hole 112e, 112f Surface 112g Dowel 112h Groove 12 Harness Cover 121 Fastening Part 121a Upper Cover 121b Peripheral Cover 121c Hole 121d, 121e Groove Part 122 Guide Part 122a Cylindrical Part 122a1 Hole 122b Connecting Part 20 Body Connector 21, 21X, 21Y Base 211 Bottom 213 Accommodating Part 214 Connecting Part 213a Hole 213b Flange Accommodating Part 213c, 213d Terminal Accommodating Part 213e Cover Accommodating Part 213f, 213f’ Fitting Hole 22, 22Y Nut 221, 221Y Nut Part 221a, 221b End 222 Flange Part 222a, 222b Surface 223 Threaded Part 23 Disc Spring 231 Annular Part 231a, 231b Surface 232 First Hole 24 First Terminal 241, 241b Surface 241 Connection Part 242 Connecting Part 243 Second Hole 25,25X cover 251,251X upper cover 251a,251b surfaces 252,252X hole parts 253,253X fitting protrusions 253a convex parts 254X hole part 26 protruding member 26a Protruding member 26, an example of which is a toothed washer 261 annular part 262 protruding part 263 fourth hole part 27 cantilever spring part 27a annular part 27b cantilever spring 27b1,27b2 ends 27c hole part 30,30Y bolts 31 heads 32,32Y screw parts F contact force h1,h3, thickness h2,h2’ height h4 length in the fitting direction R contact resistance V gap x region

Claims

1. A nut having one end and the other end opposite to the one end, a nut portion that can be fitted with a predetermined bolt, and a flange portion provided on the other end side; A spring having a first hole through which the nut portion can be inserted, the nut portion being inserted into the first hole from the one end side and mounted on the flange portion; A first terminal having a second hole through which the nut portion can be inserted, the nut portion being inserted into the second hole from the one end side and mounted on the spring; A second terminal having a third hole that is smaller than the outer shape of the nut portion and larger than the screw hole shape of the nut, the third hole being opposed to the second hole and mounted on the first terminal; Comprising: Before the nut portion is fitted to the predetermined bolt, when the second terminal is mounted on the first terminal, a predetermined gap is provided between the one end of the nut portion and the second terminal. Connector.

2. The size of the predetermined gap is such that when the nut portion is fitted to the bolt until the predetermined gap disappears, a predetermined contact force is generated between the first terminal and the second terminal by the spring. The connector according to claim 1.

3. The predetermined bolt is capable of passing through the third hole, and has a screw portion that fits with the nut portion from the one end side, and a head portion provided at one end of the screw portion and having a shape larger than the shape of the third hole. The connector according to claim 2.

4. The length of the nut portion in the direction of fitting with the predetermined bolt is longer than the thickness of the first terminal. The connector according to claim 1.

5. The spring is composed of a disc spring. The connector according to claim 1.

6. Having a fourth hole through which the nut portion can be inserted, an annular portion mounted between the first terminal and the second terminal by inserting the nut portion into the fourth hole from the one end side, and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the annular portion to at least one of the first terminal side or the second terminal side. Further having a protruding member. The connector according to claim 1.

7. The protruding member is composed of a toothed washer. The connector according to claim 6.

8. The first terminal has a plurality of dowels protruding toward the second terminal in a region facing the second terminal. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second terminal has a plurality of pins protruding toward the first terminal in a region facing the first terminal.

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