Connector for instrument

Abstract

To reduce the contact pressure of a partition wall to an inner periphery of a cylindrical portion of a resin housing as much as possible when inserting a connector cover to the cylindrical portion.SOLUTION: A connector 20 for an instrument comprises: a terminal base 30 which has a resin housing 40 having a cylindrical portion 42 and three or more terminals 32; and a connector cover 50 which covers one-end side opening of the cylindrical portion. Connection portions 33 of the three or more terminals protrude toward a second portion inner periphery 45 from a first portion inner periphery 44 of the cylindrical portion 42. The connector cover comprises a resin cover portion 60 having an insertion portion 64 which is inserted into the cylindrical portion and has a partition wall 66, and a seal ring 52. Each of the plurality of partition walls 66 partitions the three or more connection portions 33. A first rib 67 extends along the first portion inner periphery 44 from each of the plurality of partition walls. A second rib 68 extends along the second portion inner periphery 45 from each of the plurality of partition walls.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector for equipment.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a synthetic resin housing integrally formed with a plurality of terminals and a synthetic resin service cover that closes a working hole of the housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides an equipment connector, in which a connector cover includes a resin cover portion having an insertion portion inserted into a cylindrical portion and a plurality of partition walls extending from the insertion portion toward the other end side of the cylindrical portion, and each of the plurality of partition walls extends to the opening side of the other end of the cylindrical portion rather than a connection portion at a position partitioning three or more connection portions, and overlaps from the base end to the tip of the three or more connection portions in the protruding direction of the connection portion.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The connector for equipment of the present disclosure includes a resin housing having a cylindrical portion, a terminal block having three or more terminals with connection portions, and a connector cover that detachably covers an opening on one end side of the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion includes an inner peripheral surface including a first partial inner peripheral surface and a second partial inner peripheral surface facing the first partial inner peripheral surface. The three or more terminals are partially covered and supported by the resin housing with their respective connection portions positioned inside the cylindrical portion. The three or more connection portions are arranged at intervals in a row direction intersecting the penetration direction of the cylindrical portion inside the cylindrical portion, and project from the first partial inner peripheral surface toward the second partial inner peripheral surface. The connector cover includes a resin cover portion having an insertion portion inserted into the cylindrical portion and a plurality of partition walls extending from the insertion portion toward the other end side of the cylindrical portion. Each of the plurality of partition walls extends to the opening side of the other end side of the cylindrical portion rather than the connection portion at a position partitioning the three or more connection portions, and overlaps from the base end to the tip of the three or more connection portions in the protruding direction of the connection portion. It is a connector for equipment.

Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a connector for equipment, in which the connector cover includes a resin cover portion having an insertion portion inserted into the cylindrical portion and a plurality of partition walls extending from the insertion portion toward the other end side of the cylindrical portion. Each of the plurality of partition walls extends to the opening side of the other end side of the cylindrical portion rather than the connection portion at a position partitioning the three or more connection portions, and overlaps from the base end to the tip of the three or more connection portions in the protruding direction of the connection portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0009] The connector for a device of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0010] (1) A terminal block having a resin housing with a cylindrical portion and three or more terminals each having a connection portion, a connector cover that removably covers one end side opening of the cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion having an inner peripheral surface including a first partial inner peripheral surface and a second partial inner peripheral surface facing the first partial inner peripheral surface, the three or more terminals being partially covered and supported by the resin housing with their respective connection portions positioned inside the cylindrical portion, the three or more connection portions protruding from the first partial inner peripheral surface toward the second partial inner peripheral surface in a side-by-side direction intersecting the penetrating direction of the cylindrical portion inside the cylindrical portion, the connector cover having a resin cover portion including a cover main body portion, an insertion portion inserted into the cylindrical portion, and a plurality of partition walls extending from the insertion portion toward the other end side of the cylindrical portion, and a seal ring attached to the outer periphery of the insertion portion and contacting the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, each of the plurality of partition walls extending to the other end side opening side of the cylindrical portion at a position partitioning the three or more connection portions and overlapping from the base end to the tip of the three or more connection portions in the protruding direction of the connection portions, the resin cover portion further including a first rib extending along the first partial inner peripheral surface from a first end portion located on the base end side of the connection portion and closer to the other end side opening of the cylindrical portion among each of the plurality of partition walls, and a second rib extending along the second partial inner peripheral surface from a second end portion located on the tip side of the connection portion and closer to the other end side opening of the cylindrical portion among each of the plurality of partition walls, which is a connector for equipment.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, a partition wall extends to the tip side in the insertion direction with respect to the seal ring. Therefore, when the connector cover is inserted into the cylindrical portion, an outer-facing portion on the tip side in the insertion direction of the partition wall may contact the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. Even if the partition wall contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, the first rib extending along the first partial inner peripheral surface or the second rib extending along the second partial inner peripheral surface contacts the inner peripheral surface. Therefore, the contact area between the resin cover portion and the inner peripheral surface can be increased as compared with the case where the first rib and the second rib are not present. Thereby, when the connector cover is inserted into the resin housing, the contact pressure of the partition wall against the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion can be made as small as possible.

[0012] (2) The device connector according to (1), wherein the first rib and the second rib may extend to the insertion portion. In this case, the insertion portion can be reinforced by the first rib and the second rib so as to be difficult to deform. Thereby, the sealing performance by the sealing ring provided on the outer periphery of the insertion portion can be enhanced.

[0013] (3) The device connector according to (1) or (2), wherein the second rib may extend so as to connect between the plurality of partition walls. The strength of each partition wall can be improved and the insulation distance can be increased.

[0014] (4) The device connector according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein a gap may be provided between the second rib and the inner peripheral surface of the second portion. In this case, since a gap is provided between the second rib and the inner peripheral surface of the second portion, it is easy to insert the insertion portion into the cylindrical portion.

[0015] (5) The device connector according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin cover portion may be larger than the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin housing. Thereby, it is easy to hold the resin housing with the resin cover portion and maintain the sealed state.

[0016] (6) The device connector according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein in a section where at least a part of the partition wall overlaps with the sealing position by the sealing ring in the insertion direction of the insertion portion, the inner peripheral surface of the first portion and the inner peripheral surface of the second portion may face each other at a constant interval in the protruding direction of the connecting portion. Thereby, the region of the cylindrical portion where the sealing position by the sealing ring is arranged can be made as small as possible within the limit that the partition wall can pass through. Thereby, miniaturization of the resin cover portion becomes possible.

[0017] (7) A connector for a device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein a portion of the connector cover inserted into the cylindrical portion, and the portion closest to the inner peripheral surface of the first portion and the inner peripheral surface of the second portion on the tip side in the insertion direction may be the partition wall. When a portion of the connector cover inserted into the cylindrical portion, and the portion closest to the inner peripheral surface of the first portion and the inner peripheral surface of the second portion on the tip side in the insertion direction is the partition wall, the partition wall is likely to contact the inner peripheral surface of the first portion or the second portion. In such a case, the contact pressure of the partition wall against the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion can be made as small as possible.

[0018] (8) A connector for a device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the cover main body portion may have a screw fixing portion that is screwed to the device to be attached. Thereby, before or during screwing, even if the partition wall contacts the inner peripheral surface, the contact pressure of the partition wall against the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion can be made as small as possible.

[0019] (9) A connector for a device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein one of the terminal block and the connector cover has a guide groove, and the other has a guided portion guided by the guide groove, and the guide groove is a groove that regulates the passage path of the insertion portion in the cylindrical portion, and the guide groove may be formed so as to guide the guided portion before an end portion of the partition wall near the opening on the other end side of the cylindrical portion reaches the contact position of the inner peripheral surface of the seal ring. In this case, it becomes difficult for the partition wall to contact the position on the inner peripheral surface where the seal ring contacts. Thereby, it becomes easier to keep the contact portion of the seal ring on the inner peripheral surface as a smooth surface suitable for sealing.

[0020] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the connector for a device of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, and is intended to be defined by the claims and to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0021] [Embodiment] <Overall Structure> Hereinafter, the device connector according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the device connector 20. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the device 10 to which the device connector 20 is attached is shown by a two-dot chain line. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the device connector 20. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the device connector 20. For convenience of explanation, the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 42 described later may be defined as the Z direction, the side of the device 10 in the Z direction may be the -Z direction, and the outside from the device 10 may be the +Z direction. Also, the extending direction of the terminal 32 in the cylindrical portion 42 may be defined as the X direction, the tip side of the terminal 32 may be the +X direction, and the base end side may be the -X direction. Further, the direction orthogonal to the Z direction and the X direction may be defined as the Y direction, and one side thereof may be the +Y direction and the other side may be the -Y direction.

[0022] The device connector 20 is a connector for connecting the electric wire 22 to the device 10.

[0023] Here, the device 10 is a device mounted on a vehicle (see FIG. 2). The device 10 is, for example, an inverter or a motor. The device 10 includes a housing 12 and a device-side terminal block 14. Electric components inside the device are housed in the housing 12. A device-side terminal block 14 having a cylindrical portion 15 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the housing 12. The device-side terminal block 14 is formed of, for example, resin or the like. Device-side terminals 16 extend from the housing 12 into the cylindrical portion 15. The base end portion of the device-side terminal 16 is connected to the electric components inside the device in the housing 12. The tip portion of the device-side terminal 16 is bent so as to be in a vertical posture (X-X direction) with respect to the axis of the cylindrical portion 15. A hole through which a screw is inserted is formed in the tip portion of the device-side terminal 16.

[0024] By connecting the device connector 20 to the device-side terminal block 14, the external electric wire 22 is electrically connected to the electric components inside the device. Thereby, power is supplied to the device 10 from the outside. The device connector 20 includes a terminal block 30 and a connector cover 50.

[0025] The terminal block 30 has terminals 32. When the terminal block 30 is combined with the device-side terminal block 14, the terminals 32 are arranged at positions where they contact the device-side terminals 16. The terminals 32 are screwed and fixed to the device-side terminals 16.

[0026] The connector cover 50 covers the connection portion between the terminal 32 and the device-side terminal 16 by combining with the terminal block 30. The connector cover 50 is attached to the terminal block 30 during vehicle manufacturing. Also, during vehicle maintenance or the like, the connector cover 50 may be detached from the device-side terminal block 14.

[0027] Hereinafter, the terminal block 30 and the connector cover 50 will be described more specifically.

[0028] <Terminal block> The terminal block 30 has a resin housing 40 and three or more terminals 32.

[0029] The terminal 32 has a connection portion 33 and is connected to the end of the electric wire 22. The connection portion 33 is a portion connected to the device-side terminal 16, for example, a plate-like portion with holes. In this embodiment, it is a crimp round terminal, and the disc-shaped portion with holes at its tip is the connection portion. Here, the terminal block 30 is provided with four terminals 32, and each of the four terminals 32 is connected to the end of the electric wire 22. Note that the number of the terminals 32 and the electric wires 22 can be arbitrarily set as long as they are three or more.

[0030] The resin housing 40 is formed of resin and is a portion that holds the terminals 32. The resin housing 40 has a cylindrical portion 42. The terminals 32 are held in the cylindrical portion 42.

[0031] More specifically, the cylindrical portion 42 has a cylindrical shape that is long in one direction (Y direction) and short in the other direction (X direction) when viewed along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 42. For example, the cylindrical portion 42 has a cylindrical shape in which semi-cylindrical portions are connected to both sides of two rectangular plate-like portions that face each other with a gap therebetween. The inner peripheral surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42 includes a first partial inner peripheral surface 44 and a second partial inner peripheral surface 45. The first partial inner peripheral surface 44 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45 are rectangular in shape, long in one direction (Y direction) and short in the axial direction (Z direction) of the cylindrical portion 42. The first partial inner peripheral surface 44 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45 face each other with a gap therebetween in the X direction.

[0032] A stepped portion 42s facing the -Z side (device side) is formed at the intermediate portion in the Z direction of the inner peripheral surface 43 (see FIG. 2). The device-side portion 42a of the inner peripheral surface 43 extends via the stepped portion 42s more than the outer-side portion 42b of the device. One end-side opening 42h1 of the cylindrical portion 42 faces the outside of the device 10. The other end-side opening 42h2 of the cylindrical portion 42 faces the device 10 side.

[0033] In a state where the connector cover 50 is integrated with the terminal block 30, a seal ring 52 (to be described later) of the connector cover 50 contacts the inner peripheral surface 43 along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 43. Thereby, the gap between the terminal block 30 and the connector cover 50 is sealed.

[0034] Three or more terminals 32 are partially covered and supported by the resin housing 40 with their respective connection portions 33 positioned inside the cylindrical portion 42. The three or more connection portions 33 are arranged at intervals in a row direction (Y direction) intersecting the penetrating direction of the cylindrical portion 42 inside the cylindrical portion 42. Each connection portion 33 protrudes from the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 toward the second partial inner peripheral surface 45. As described above, the protruding direction of the connection portion 33 is the +X side, and the opposite side is the -X side. There is a gap between each connection portion 33. There is a gap between the tip of each connection portion 33 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45. The tip portion of each connection portion 33 is formed in a round plate shape, and a connecting portion 34 narrower than the connection portion 33 is connected to the base end on the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 side of each connection portion 33. The position where each connection portion 33 is supported corresponds to the position of each device-side terminal 16.

[0035] In the Z direction, which is the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 42, the connecting portion 33 is located in the middle of the inner peripheral surface 43. More specifically, the connecting portion 33 is located in the portion 42b outside the device. In the present embodiment, the surface of the connecting portion 33 facing the device 10 side is arranged at a position flush with the surface of the stepped portion 42s. Among the inner peripheral surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42, a surface parallel to the Z direction continues outside the terminal 32 and closer to the outside of the device 10.

[0036] The portion of the terminal 32 connected to the electric wire 22 is embedded in the resin housing 40. The electric wire 22 is drawn out to the outside of the outer peripheral surface of the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 of the resin housing 40. An electric wire holding portion 49 is formed to protrude on the outer peripheral side of the outer peripheral surface of the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 of the resin housing 40. The end portion of the electric wire 22 on the terminal 32 side passes through the electric wire holding portion 49 and is drawn out to the outside of the electric wire holding portion 49.

[0037] The resin housing 40 has a guide groove 47. In the present embodiment, the guide groove 47 is formed by the inner surfaces of a pair of guide wall portions 46 and the surface 47a therebetween. That is, a pair of guide wall portions 46 that are separated in the X direction are formed at both ends in the Y direction of the outer peripheral portion of the resin housing 40. The guide groove bottom surface 47a between the pair of guide wall portions 46 of the outer peripheral portion of the resin housing 40 is formed in a plane perpendicular to the Y direction. The guide groove 47 is formed in a shape having guide side surfaces 47b on the inner sides of the pair of guide wall portions 46 and the guide groove bottom surface 47a. The guide grooves 47 are formed at both ends in the Y direction of the resin housing 40.

[0038] An outer seal mounting groove 41g is formed in a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the resin housing 40 closer to the device 10. An outer seal ring 41 is mounted in the outer seal mounting groove 41g. The outer seal ring 41 is an annular member formed of an elastic material such as rubber. In a state where the resin housing 40 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 15 of the device-side terminal block 14, the outer peripheral portion of the outer seal ring 41 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 15. Thereby, sealing between the resin housing 40 and the device-side terminal block 14 is achieved.

[0039] <Connector cover> FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connector cover 50 as seen from the device 10 side. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the connector cover 50 detachably covers the one-end opening 42h1 on the outer side of the device 10 of the cylindrical portion 42. The connector cover 50 includes a resin cover portion 60 and a seal ring 52.

[0040] The resin cover portion 60 is a portion formed of resin. Here, it is preferable that the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin forming the resin cover portion 60 is larger than the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin forming the resin housing 40. The hardness of the resin is determined by, for example, the nature of the base material itself or the amount of reinforcing substances mixed into the base material. For example, since PA6T (polyamide 6T) is harder than PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), the resin cover portion 60 may be formed of PA6T and the resin housing 40 may be formed of PBT. Also, for example, the more reinforcing fibers such as glass fibers are mixed into the base material, the harder it becomes. Therefore, the mixing ratio of the reinforcing fibers in the resin of the resin cover portion 60 may be made larger than the mixing ratio of the reinforcing fibers in the resin of the resin housing 40. The final hardness of the resin is set by the hardness of the base material itself, the mixing ratio of the reinforcing substances, etc. For this reason, it is preferable that the base material and the mixing ratio of the reinforcing substances of each resin are set so that the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin forming the resin cover portion 60 becomes larger than the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin forming the resin housing 40. The Rockwell hardness value HR is tested by, for example, the test method specified in JIS Z 2245.

[0041] By making the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin cover portion 60 higher and harder than the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin housing 40, the resin cover portion 60 can effectively press the resin housing 40 toward the device 10 side. For example, the resin housing 40 is integrally formed with the seal ring 52 to seal the opening of the cylindrical portion 42. Therefore, the resin housing 40 may be pushed outside the device 10 due to the expansion of the air inside the device 10. In such a case, the connector cover 50 fixed to the device 10 by screwing or the like presses the resin housing 40 toward the device 10. If the resin cover portion 60 is formed harder than the resin housing 40, the connector cover 50 itself is less likely to deform, and thus the state where the connector cover 50 presses the resin housing 40 in a fixed state is easily maintained.

[0042] The resin cover portion 60 has a cover main body portion 61, an insertion portion 64, and a plurality of partition walls 66. The resin cover portion 60 is, for example, a component integrally formed by die casting with the same resin.

[0043] The cover main body portion 61 has a pressing portion 62 and a pair of screw fixing portions 63. The pressing portion 62 is formed in an elongated rectangular plate shape. The dimension of the pressing portion 62 in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) is equal to or greater than the dimension of the inner peripheral surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42 in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), and the dimension of the pressing portion 62 in the short side direction (X direction) is equal to or greater than the dimension of the inner peripheral surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42 in the short side direction (X direction). Therefore, the pressing portion 62 can cover the outside of the one - end - side opening 42h1 of the cylindrical portion 42.

[0044] Both ends of the pressing portion 62 protrude outward from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion 42. The pair of screw fixing portions 63 are continuous with both ends of the pressing portion 62. The screw fixing portion 63 is formed in an L - shaped leg shape that extends from both ends of the pressing portion 62 toward the device 10 side and extends along the fixing target surface on the device 10 side at the position where it reaches the device 10. A screw insertion hole 63h is formed at the end of the screw fixing portion 63. A screw S such as a bolt is inserted through the screw insertion hole 63h and screwed and fastened to the nut portion on the device 10 side. Thereby, the cover main body portion 61 is in a state of pressing the cylindrical portion 42 toward the device 10.

[0045] The insertion part 64 is a part that protrudes from the surface of the pressing part 62 facing the device 10 side. In the present embodiment, the insertion part 64 is formed in a shape that opens toward the device 10 side. It is assumed that the head of a screw for fastening the terminal 16 and the terminal 32 is accommodated in the space inside the insertion part 64. The outer peripheral surface of the insertion part 64 has, for example, the same shape as or a smaller shape than the outer part 42b of the inner peripheral surface 43 of the device outside the device, within the limit that it can be inserted into the cylindrical part 42. The protruding dimension of the insertion part 64 is smaller than the distance between the one - end - side opening 42h1 of the cylindrical part 42 and the connection part 33 of the terminal 32. When the insertion part 64 is inserted into the cylindrical part 42, the pressing part 62 abuts against the end surface on the one - end side of the cylindrical part 42, and the position of the insertion part 64 in the insertion direction is regulated. In this state, the tip of the insertion part 64 is located above the connection part 33.

[0046] A seal mounting groove 64g is formed in the middle part in the axial direction (Z - direction) of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion part 64 in the circumferential direction of the insertion part 64. The seal mounting groove 64g is an annular groove along the circumferential direction of the insertion part 64.

[0047] The seal ring 52 is an annular member formed of an elastic material such as rubber. By fitting the seal ring 52 into the seal mounting groove 64g, the seal ring 52 is mounted on the insertion part 64. When the insertion part 64 is inserted into the cylindrical part 42, the seal ring 52 contacts the outer part 42b of the inner peripheral surface 43 of the cylindrical part 42. Thereby, the space between the inner peripheral surface 43 of the cylindrical part 42 and the insertion part 64 is sealed.

[0048] The middle part in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface of the seal ring 52 is formed to protrude the most. The annular part that protrudes most outward among the outer peripheral surfaces of the seal ring 52 is defined as the annular top part 52t. The position where the annular top part 52t is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 43 when the seal ring 52 seals between the inner peripheral surface 43 of the cylindrical part 42 and the insertion part 64 is defined as the seal position P of the seal ring 52 in the insertion direction (Z - direction) of the insertion part 64. The seal position P will be referred to in the following description.

[0049] In the insertion direction (Z direction) of the insertion portion 64, in the section reaching the connection portion 33 from the seal position P, the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45 face each other at a constant interval in the protruding direction (X direction) of the connection portion 33. That is, in a cross section parallel to the XZ plane, in the section reaching the connection portion 33 from the seal position P, the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45 are parallel.

[0050] The plurality of partition walls 66 are provided at positions partitioning three or more connection portions 33. In the present embodiment, four connection portions 33 are arranged at intervals in the Y direction, and the partition walls 66 are located at each of the three positions between adjacent connection portions 33. The partition wall 66 extends toward the opening side (-Z side) of the other end of the cylindrical portion 42 rather than the connection portion 33, and in a state where the insertion portion 64 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42, the tip of the partition wall 66 is located beyond the connection portion 33 toward the device 10 side. Therefore, foreign matter existing between the connection portions 33 can be extruded from between the connection portions 33. Further, the partition wall 66 overlaps from the base end to the tip of three or more connection portions 33 in the protruding direction (X direction) of the connection portion 33. The partition wall 66 preferably overlaps at least a part of the connecting portion 34 in the X direction. The partition wall 66 enters between the plurality of connection portions 33 and serves to increase the insulation distance between the connection portions 33.

[0051] The relationship between the partition wall 66 and the seal position P will be described. As described above, the tip of the insertion portion 64 is located away from the connection portion 33 toward the opening 42h1 side of one end of the cylindrical portion 42. The partition wall 66 extends from the tip of the insertion portion 64 toward the opening 42h2 of the other end of the cylindrical portion 42 and extends beyond the connection portion 33. Therefore, the portion where the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45 face each other at a constant interval in the protruding direction of the connection portion 33 (portion 42b side) exists in the section T where at least a part of the partition wall 66 overlaps from the seal position P in the insertion direction of the insertion portion 64 (see FIG. 2).

[0052] The resin cover portion 60 includes a first rib 67 and a second rib 68 that are continuous with the plurality of partition walls 66. The first rib 67 and the second rib 68 will be described in more detail below.

[0053] <First rib and second rib> The first rib 67 is a first end portion located on the proximal end side (-X side) of the connection portion 33 among each of the plurality of partition walls 66, and extends along the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 from the end portion near the other end opening of the cylindrical portion 42 (-Z side). In the present embodiment, the first rib 67 is located between the connecting portions 34 on the proximal end side of the connecting portion 33.

[0054] The first rib 67 may extend from the partition wall 66 in one direction in the thickness direction of the partition wall 66, or may extend in both directions. In the present embodiment, the first rib 67 extends from the partition wall 66 in both directions in the thickness direction of the partition wall 66. Therefore, when observed from the tip side of the partition wall 66 and the first rib 67, two ribs extend in a T shape with respect to the partition wall 66. The surface of the first rib 67 facing the proximal end side (-X side) of the connection portion 33 is continuously connected on the extension of the surface of the partition wall 66 facing the proximal end side (-X side) of the connection portion 33. For this reason, the outer surfaces of the partition wall 66 and the first rib 67 can contact the inner peripheral surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42 at the same time.

[0055] The first rib 67 may be provided at least on the tip side (-Z side) of the partition wall 66. In the present embodiment, the first rib 67 extends in the Z direction from the tip side to the proximal end side, which is the insertion portion 64, of the partition wall 66 and is continuous with the insertion portion 64.

[0056] A gap is provided between the first ribs 67 connected to each of the plurality of partition walls 66. A connecting portion 34 connected to the proximal end side of the connecting portion 33 is disposed in the gap.

[0057] The second rib 68 is a second end portion located on the distal end side (+X side) of the connection portion 33 among each of the plurality of partition walls 66, and extends along the second partial inner peripheral surface 45 from the end portion near the other end opening of the cylindrical portion 42 (-Z side).

[0058] The second rib 68 may extend from the partition wall 66 to one side in the thickness direction of the partition wall 66, or may extend to both sides. In the present embodiment, the second rib 68 extends so as to connect between a plurality of partition walls 66. Therefore, in the direction in which the plurality of partition walls 66 are arranged, the second rib 68 extends from the partition walls at both ends toward the center in the arrangement direction of the partition walls 66, and the second rib 68 extends toward both outer sides in the arrangement direction from the intermediate partition walls.

[0059] On the extension of the surface of the second rib 68 facing the tip side (+X side) of the connection portion 33 among the partition walls 66, the surface facing the tip side (+X side) of the connection portion 33 is continuously connected. For this reason, the outward directions of the partition wall 66 and the second rib 68 can simultaneously contact the inner peripheral surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42.

[0060] However, it is not essential that the second rib extends so as to connect between the partition walls 66. Similar to the first rib 67, it may extend so as to provide a gap between the partition walls 66.

[0061] The second rib 68 may be provided at least on the tip side (-Z side) of the partition wall 66. In the present embodiment, the second rib 68 extends in the Z direction from the tip side of the partition wall 66 to the insertion portion 64 which is the base end side, and is continuous with the insertion portion 64. For this reason, the partition wall 66 and the second rib 68 can surround three sides, i.e., both ends and the tip side of the connection portion 33 in the middle in the arrangement direction among the plurality of connection portions 33, and the insulation distance between the connection portions 33 can be increased.

[0062] When observing the connector cover 50 as a whole, among the portions of the connector cover 50 inserted into the cylindrical portion 42, the portions closest to the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45 on the tip side (-Z direction) of the insertion direction are the two corner portions on the tip side of the partition wall 66. Therefore, when inserting the connector cover 50 into the cylindrical portion 42, the corner portions of the partition wall 66 may come into contact with the inner peripheral surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42. The outward-facing surfaces of the first rib 67 and the outward-facing surfaces of the second rib 68 continuously extend outward in the thickness direction of the partition wall 66 from the corner portions of the partition wall 66. For this reason, when either of the two corner portions on the tip side of the partition wall comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface 43, the outward-facing surface of the first rib 67 or the outward-facing surface of the second rib 68 can come into contact with the inner peripheral surface 43 simultaneously.

[0063] In a state where the connector cover 50 is combined with the terminal block 30, the first rib 67 and the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 may be in contact with each other or may be separated from each other. In order to further improve the insulation between the connection portions 33, it is preferable that the distance between the first rib 67 and the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 is as small as possible.

[0064] In a state where the connector cover 50 is combined with the terminal block 30, a gap is provided between the second rib 68 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45. Since there is a second rib 68 that closes the space between the partition walls 66 on the tip side of the connection portion 33, a sufficient insulation distance is ensured by the second rib 68 on the tip side of the connection portion 33. For this reason, the distance D (see FIG. 2) between the second rib 68 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45 may be larger than the distance between the first rib 67 and the first partial inner peripheral surface 44.

[0065] Therefore, for example, for the purpose of further improving the insulation, while making the distance between the first rib 67 and the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 as small as possible, a gap can be provided between the second rib 68 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45. As a result, it becomes easier to reduce the sizes of the insertion portion 64 and the partition wall 66 with respect to the distance between the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45, and the insertion operation of the insertion portion 64 and the partition wall 66 can be facilitated.

[0066] <Guide structure> The resin cover portion 60 has a guided portion 58 guided by a pair of guide grooves 47 shown in FIG. 3. The guide grooves 47 regulate the passage path of the insertion portion 64 in the cylindrical portion 42 by guiding the guided portion 58.

[0067] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the guided portion 58 is formed at both ends of the pressing portion 62 and inside the screw fixing portion 63. The guided portion 58 is formed in an elongated plate shape that protrudes from the end of the surface of the pressing portion 62 on the device 10 side toward the device 10 side. A reinforcing piece 58g is provided between the guided portion 58 and the screw fixing portion 63, but this is not essential.

[0068] The guided portion 58 is formed to have a width that can be arranged between a pair of guide side surfaces 47b of the guide groove 47. When the guided portion 58 is arranged between the pair of guide side surfaces 47b, the position in the X direction and the inclination around the Y direction are regulated.

[0069] Also, each of the pair of guided portions 58 is arranged so as to be able to contact the guide groove bottom surface 47a of the pair of guide grooves 47. When each of the pair of guided portions 58 contacts the guide groove bottom surface 47a from both outer sides of the cylindrical portion 42, the position in the Y direction and the inclination around the X direction are regulated.

[0070] The guide groove 47 is preferably formed so as to guide the guided portion 58 before the end portion of the partition wall 66 near the other end opening 42h2 (-Z side) of the cylindrical portion 42 reaches the position (sealing position P) where the seal ring 52 contacts the inner peripheral surface 43 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). This positional relationship will be described in more detail in the description of the insertion operation of the connector cover 50.

[0071] Note that it is not essential that the guide groove 47 is formed on the resin housing 40 side and the guided portion 58 is formed on the resin cover portion 60. A guide groove may be formed on the resin cover portion, and a guided portion guided by the guide groove may be formed on the resin housing.

[0072] <Operation at the time of assembly> An operation example of assembling the connector cover 50 to the terminal block 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. In FIGS. 6, 7, and 9, during the insertion of the connector cover 50, the relationship between the position of the partition wall 66 with respect to the inner peripheral surface 43 and the position of the guided portion 58 with respect to the guide groove 47 is shown.

[0073] Assume that the terminal block 30 is mounted on the device-side terminal block 14 and the terminal 32 is screwed to the terminal 16 or the like. In this state, as shown in FIG. 6, the connector cover 50 is mounted on the terminal block 30.

[0074] First, the partition wall 66 on the tip side of the insertion portion 64 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42. The insertion of the insertion portion 64 may be performed, for example, by screwing a screw S inserted through the screw fixing portion 63 to a nut on the device 10 side. When the insertion of the insertion portion 64 is performed by a screwing operation, the insertion operation becomes easy, but there is a possibility that it may not be noticed or understood even if the partition wall 66 strongly interferes with the inner peripheral surface 43. In a state where the guided portion 58 has reached the entrance of the guide groove 47, the tip portion of the partition wall 66 is inside the cylindrical portion 42 but has not reached the seal position P.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 7, when the tip portion of the partition wall 66 has reached the seal position P, the guided portion 58 is in a state of being guided by the guide groove 47. Therefore, the guide groove 47 guides the guided portion 58 before the tip of the partition wall 66 reaches the seal position P. Thus, in a state where the tip of the partition wall 66 has reached the seal position P, it is suppressed that the insertion portion 64 is greatly inclined and the tip of the partition wall 66 is strongly pressed against the inner peripheral surface 43.

[0076] However, it is conceivable that a slight gap is provided between the distance between the pair of guide side surfaces 47b of the guide groove 47 and the width of the guided portion 58 in consideration of the insertability of the guided portion 58 with respect to the guide groove 47 and the like. In this case, it is assumed that the insertion portion 64 and the partition wall 66 are allowed to incline slightly with respect to the cylindrical portion 42 when the amount of entry of the guided portion 58 into the guide groove 47 is small.

[0077] Then, as shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the corner portion at the tip of the partition wall 66 comes into contact with the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 or the second partial inner peripheral surface 45. In this case, as described above, the corner portion of the partition wall 66 and the outward-facing surface of the second rib 68 come into contact with the second partial inner peripheral surface 45 simultaneously. For this reason, the contact pressure is dispersed between the corner portion of the partition wall 66 and the outward-facing surface of the second rib 68, making it difficult for the second partial inner peripheral surface 45 to deform. Or, the corner portion of the partition wall 66 and the outward-facing surface of the first rib 67 come into contact with the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 simultaneously. For this reason, the contact pressure is dispersed between the corner portion of the partition wall 66 and the outward-facing surface of the first rib 67, making it difficult for the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 to deform.

[0078] For this reason, the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45 are more likely to be maintained as smooth surfaces suitable for sealing by contact with the seal ring 52.

[0079] When the insertion portion 64 is further pushed in deeper, the annular top portion 52t of the seal ring 52 reaches the seal position P, comes into contact with the smooth first partial inner peripheral surface 44 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45, and good sealing performance is obtained.

[0080] <Effect, etc.> According to the connector 20 for equipment configured as described above, the partition wall 66 extends toward the tip side in the insertion direction with respect to the seal ring 52. For this reason, when the connector cover 50 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42, the outward-facing portion on the tip side in the insertion direction of the partition wall 66 may hit the inner peripheral surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42. Even if the partition wall 66 hits the inner peripheral surface 43, the first rib 67 extending along the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 or the second rib 68 extending along the second partial inner peripheral surface 45 hits the inner peripheral surface 43. For this reason, compared with the case where the first rib 67 and the second rib 68 are not present, the contact area between the resin cover portion 60 and the inner peripheral surface 43 can be increased. Thereby, when the connector cover 50 is inserted into the resin housing 40, the contact pressure of the partition wall 66 against the inner peripheral surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42 can be made as small as possible.

[0081] Also, it is assumed that a cavity for accommodating the heads of screws for connecting the terminals 16 and 32 or the like is formed inside the insertion portion 64. For this reason, the insertion portion 64 has a cylindrical shape, and it is assumed that an inwardly deforming force is applied when the seal ring 52 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 43. If the first rib 67 and the second rib 68 extend to the insertion portion 64, the insertion portion 64 can be made difficult to deform by the first rib 67 and the second rib 68. Thereby, the sealing performance by the seal ring 52 between the insertion portion 64 and the inner peripheral surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42 can be enhanced.

[0082] Also, if the second rib 68 extends so as to connect between the plurality of partition walls 66, while improving the strength of the partition walls 66 and the insertion portion 64, the insulation distance between the connection portions 33 can be increased. By improving the strength of the insertion portion 64, the sealing performance by the seal ring 52 between the insertion portion 64 and the inner peripheral surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42 can be enhanced as described above.

[0083] Also, by providing a gap between the second rib 68 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45, the insertion portion 64 can be easily inserted into the cylindrical portion 42. In particular, when combined with a configuration in which the second rib 68 extends so as to connect between the plurality of partition walls 66, a configuration can be realized in which the insulation distance between the connection portions 33 is increased on the tip side of the connection portion 33 and the insertion portion 64 can be easily inserted into the cylindrical portion 42.

[0084] Also, if the resin cover portion 60 is harder than the resin housing 40, it is easy to keep the sealed state by pressing the resin housing 40 with the resin cover portion 60 that is difficult to deform.

[0085] Also, in a section T where at least a part of the partition wall 66 overlaps with the seal position P in the insertion direction (Z direction) of the insertion portion 64, if the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45 face each other at a constant interval in the protruding direction (X direction) of the connection portion 33, a portion of the inner peripheral surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42 including the seal position P can be made as small as possible within the limit that the partition wall 66 can pass through. Thereby, miniaturization of the resin cover portion 60 becomes possible. Also, the entire terminal block 30 can be miniaturized.

[0086] If the distance between the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45 is reduced at the seal position P, the partition wall 66 may come into contact with the inner peripheral surfaces 44 and 45. Therefore, as described above, the configuration for dispersing the contact pressure by the first rib 67 and the second rib 68 becomes more effective.

[0087] In the portion of the connector cover 50 that is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42, if the portion closest to the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 and the second partial inner peripheral surface 45 at the tip side is the partition wall 66, the partition wall 66 is likely to contact the first partial inner peripheral surface 44 or the second partial inner peripheral surface 45. In such a case, the contact pressure of the partition wall 66 against the inner peripheral surface 43 can be effectively reduced by the first rib 67 and the second rib 68.

[0088] Further, the cover main body portion 61 has a screw fixing portion 63 that is screw-fixed to the device 10, which is the device to be attached. Before or during screw tightening, even if the partition wall 66 hits the inner peripheral surface 43, the contact pressure of the partition wall 66 against the inner peripheral surface 43 can be effectively reduced by the first rib 67 and the second rib 68.

[0089] Further, the guide groove 47 guides the guided portion 58 before the tip of the partition wall 66 reaches the seal position P, making it difficult for the partition wall 66 to contact the inner peripheral surface 43 at the seal position P. As a result, the portion of the inner peripheral surface 43 that contacts the seal ring 52 is easily maintained as a smooth surface suitable for sealing.

[0090] In addition, each configuration described in the above embodiment and each modification can be appropriately combined as long as they do not conflict with each other.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0091] 10 Device 12 Housing 14 Device-side Terminal Block 15 Cylindrical Portion 16 Device-side Terminal 20 Device Connector 22 Electric Wire 30 Terminal Block 32 Terminal 33 Connection part 34 Linking part 40 Resin housing 41 Outer seal ring 41g Outer seal mounting groove 42 Cylindrical part 42a Part of the inner peripheral surface on the device side 42b Part of the inner peripheral surface outside the device 42h1 One - end opening 42h2 The other - end opening 42s Step part 43 Inner peripheral surface 44 First - part inner peripheral surface 45 Second - part inner peripheral surface 46 Guide wall part 47 Guide groove 47a Guide groove bottom surface 47b Guide side surface 49 Wire holding part 50 Connector cover 52 Seal ring 52t Annular top part 58 Guided part 58g Reinforcing piece 60 Resin cover part 61 Cover body part 62 Pressing part 63 Screw - fixing part 63h Screw insertion hole 64 Insertion part 64g Seal mounting groove 66 Partition wall 67 First rib 68 Second rib P Seal position S Screw

Claims

1. A terminal block having a resin housing with a cylindrical portion and three or more terminals having connection portions, A connector cover that removably covers one end side opening of the cylindrical portion, Comprising, The cylindrical portion includes an inner peripheral surface including a first partial inner peripheral surface and a second partial inner peripheral surface facing the first partial inner peripheral surface, The three or more terminals are partially covered and supported by the resin housing with their respective connection portions positioned inside the cylindrical portion, The three or more connection portions are arranged at intervals in an arrangement direction intersecting the penetrating direction of the cylindrical portion inside the cylindrical portion, and protrude from the first partial inner peripheral surface toward the second partial inner peripheral surface, The connector cover includes a resin cover portion having an insertion portion inserted into the cylindrical portion and a plurality of partition walls extending from the insertion portion toward the other end side of the cylindrical portion, Each of the plurality of partition walls extends to the other end side opening side of the cylindrical portion rather than the connection portion at a position partitioning the three or more connection portions, and overlaps from the base end to the tip of the three or more connection portions in the protruding direction of the connection portion, a connector for equipment.

2. The connector for equipment according to Claim 1, The resin cover portion further includes a first rib that protrudes in the thickness direction of the partition wall from an end portion closer to the other end side opening of the cylindrical portion, which is a first end portion located on the base end side of the connection portion among each of the plurality of partition walls, and extends along the first partial inner peripheral surface, a connector for equipment.

3. The connector for equipment according to Claim 2, The first rib extends to the insertion portion, a connector for equipment.

4. The connector for equipment according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, The resin cover portion further includes a second rib that protrudes in the thickness direction of the partition wall from an end portion closer to the other end side opening of the cylindrical portion, which is a second end portion located on the tip side of the connection portion among each of the plurality of partition walls, and extends along the second partial inner peripheral surface, a connector for equipment.

5. The connector for equipment according to Claim 4, The second rib extends to the insertion portion, a connector for equipment.

6. The connector for equipment according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, The second rib extends so as to connect between the plurality of partition walls, a connector for equipment.

7. The connector for equipment according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, A connector for equipment, in which a gap is provided between the second rib and the inner peripheral surface of the second part.

8. The connector for equipment according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin cover part is greater than the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin housing.

9. The connector for equipment according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the connector cover further includes a seal ring mounted on the outer periphery of the insertion part and contacting the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical part, and in a section where at least a part of the partition wall overlaps with the seal position by the seal ring in the insertion direction of the insertion part, the first inner peripheral surface and the second inner peripheral surface face each other at a constant interval in the protruding direction of the connection part.

10. The connector for equipment according to Claim 2, wherein, in a part of the connector cover inserted into the cylindrical part, the parts closest to the first inner peripheral surface and the second inner peripheral surface on the tip side in the insertion direction are two corner parts on the tip side of the partition wall, and the first rib protrudes along the thickness direction of the partition wall from one of the two corner parts.

11. The connector for equipment according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein, in a part of the connector cover inserted into the cylindrical part, the parts closest to the first inner peripheral surface and the second inner peripheral surface on the tip side in the insertion direction are two corner parts on the tip side of the partition wall, the two corner parts include one corner part and the other corner part, and the second rib protrudes along the thickness direction of the partition wall from the other corner part.

12. The connector for equipment according to Claim 9, wherein one of the terminal block and the connector cover has a guide groove, and the other has a guided part guided by the guide groove, the guide groove is a groove that regulates the passage path of the insertion part in the cylindrical part, and the guide groove is formed to guide the guided part before an end part of the partition wall near the opening on the other end side of the cylindrical part reaches the contact position of the seal ring on the inner peripheral surface.

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