Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector which improves reliability in bonding between a terminal and a wire with the use of a simple structure.SOLUTION: A connector 1 to be connected to an external connector comprises: a plurality of terminals 10; a wire lead-out part 33 for drawing, to the outside, a plurality of wires 100 each of which is partially bonded to each of the terminals 10 such that it may extend along a first direction to be connected to the external connector; a combination of a first wire contact part 38 and a second wire contact part 45 which sandwich a portion of each of the wires 100 extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction, between each of the terminals 10 and the wire lead-out part 33. The first wire contact part 38 is integral with a member having the wire lead-out part 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a connector in which a terminal portion of a wire joined to a terminal is housed inside a housing. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to a connector that houses at least a joining portion of a terminal for joining a terminal portion of a wire, specifically, a terminal portion of a core wire, inside a housing composed of a housing body and a cover. In this connector, a gap is provided between the housing body and the wire so that the wire drawn out from the inside of the housing can follow the swing of the terminal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, although the swing of the terminal is absorbed by the wire, there is no structure for suppressing the swing of the wire. Therefore, there is a concern that the swing of the wire generated for some reason is transmitted to the terminal portion of the wire joined to the terminal, resulting in an excessive load. In contrast, for example, it is also conceivable to provide a crimping portion or the like for suppressing the transmission of the wire swing to the terminal portion separately from the joining portion for joining the terminal portion of the wire to the terminal. However, such a measure is not desirable because it is feared that the yield will be lowered due to the increase in the size of the terminal or the complication of the structure of the terminal and thus the connector as a whole, leading to an increase in cost.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems of such conventional technologies. And an object of the present invention is to provide a connector with a simple structure that improves the reliability regarding the connection between a terminal and a wire.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An aspect of the present invention is a connector connected to an external connector, including a plurality of terminals, a wire drawing-out portion that draws out a plurality of wires, each of which is partially joined to each terminal, to the outside along a first direction for connecting to the external connector, and a combination of a first wire contact portion and a second wire contact portion that sandwich a part of each wire extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction between each terminal and the wire drawing-out portion, and the first wire contact portion is integral with a member having the wire drawing-out portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a connector with a simple structure that improves the reliability regarding the connection between a terminal and a wire can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, a connector according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. The cutting plane in FIG. 3 is a virtual plane that approximately passes through the central axes of the first terminal accommodating portion 21 of the inner housing 20 and the first electric wire 100a to be described later. In this embodiment, the virtual plane is the YZ plane.

[0011] The connector 1 is, for example, a high-voltage connector that can be adopted for drive system electrical components such as an inverter, a DC / DC converter, or a charger mounted on an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. In this embodiment, the connector 1 is assumed to be an in-vehicle two-pole high-voltage connector connected to the terminals of two electric wires 100, namely, a first electric wire 100a and a second electric wire 100b. Each electric wire 100 has a core wire 101 that is a conductor and a covering portion 102 that is an insulator covering the core wire 101. One terminal of the electric wire 100 is connected to a certain electrical component, and the other terminal of the electric wire 100 is connected to the connector 1. Also, in each electric wire 100, at the terminal on the side connected to the connector 1, the covering portion 102 is removed, and the terminal portion 101a of the core wire 101 is exposed. Note that the core wire 101 may actually be composed of a plurality of strands, but in the following figures, it is simply drawn as one conductor member.

[0012] The connector 1 first includes, as a group of components related to electrical connection, a plurality of terminals 10, an inner housing 20, an outer housing 30, and a rear cover 40.

[0013] In this embodiment, there are two terminals 10, namely, a first terminal 10a attached to the terminal of the first electric wire 100a and a second terminal 10b attached to the terminal of the second electric wire 100b. The first terminal 10a and the second terminal 10b are both female terminals made of metal and having the same shape as each other, and include a connection portion 11 and a joining portion 12.

[0014] The connection portion 11 is a cylindrical portion into which a rod-shaped male terminal as an external terminal of an external connector to be connected to the connector 1 can be inserted. The connection portion 11 has a leaf spring portion that presses a part of the male terminal against the inner wall portion of the connection portion 11 in order to stably maintain the conduction state with the inserted male terminal. The leaf spring portion may be a part integrated with the connection portion 11 or a separately prepared leaf spring member installed inside the connection portion 11 in advance.

[0015] The joining portion 12 is a flat plate portion for joining the terminal portion 101a of the core wire 101. Assuming that one end in the axial direction of the connection portion 11 is an open end for inserting the male terminal, the joining portion 12 is integrated with the other end in the axial direction of the connection portion 11. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the axial direction of the connection portion 11 when the terminal 10 is installed in the connector 1 is along the Z direction. In this case, the joining portion 12 may be a flat plate portion parallel to both the Z direction and the Y direction. For example, the planar shape of the joining portion 12 may be a substantially rectangular shape in which two side edges are along the Z direction and the remaining two side edges are along the Y direction orthogonal to the Z direction. One surface of the joining portion 12 is a joining surface to which the terminal portion 101a is joined.

[0016] In this embodiment, the terminal portion 101a of the core wire 101 is joined to the joining portion 12 by ultrasonic bonding. Ultrasonic bonding sandwiches the joining portion 12 together with the terminal portion 101a between a horn and an anvil (both not shown), and applies ultrasonic vibration from the horn to join the terminal portion 101a to the joining portion 12. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the shape of the terminal portion 101a joined to the joining portion 12 is a flat plate shape with a substantially rectangular planar shape.

[0017] Also, during ultrasonic bonding, for each terminal 10, the direction from the bonding portion 12 toward the connection portion 11 along the axial direction of the connection portion 11 and the direction from the terminal portion 101a on the bonding portion 12 toward the main body of the electric wire 100 are assumed to be shifted by 90°. That is, when the terminal 10 is installed in the connector 1 and the axial direction of the connection portion 11 is along the Z direction, the terminal portion 101a is arranged in a posture along the Y direction with respect to one surface of the bonding portion 12. At this time, each electric wire 100 extends from the terminal portion 101a in the direction opposite to the Y direction starting from the terminal portion 101a on the bonding portion 12.

[0018] The inner housing 20 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and is an insulating member that protects the terminals 10 by holding the two terminals 10 inside. The inner housing 20 has a first terminal housing portion 21, a second terminal housing portion 22, a base portion 24, and a reinforcing structure portion 25.

[0019] The first terminal housing portion 21 is a cylindrical portion that houses the connection portion 11 of the first terminal 10a. The second terminal housing portion 22 is a cylindrical portion that houses the connection portion 11 of the second terminal 10b. The first terminal housing portion 21 and the second terminal housing portion 22 house the connection portion 11 so that the opening direction of the connection portion 11 to be housed inside, that is, the direction opposite to the direction in which the male terminal is inserted, is common along the first direction. In the present embodiment, the first direction is the Z direction. The tip portions of the first terminal housing portion 21 and the second terminal housing portion 22 are open in the first direction and do not impede the entry of the male terminal into the connection portion 11. The first terminal housing portion 21 and the second terminal housing portion 22 are arranged so as to be on the same level in the Y direction as the second direction defined below and to be separated from each other in the X direction as the third direction defined below.

[0020] The base portion 24 supports the first terminal housing portion 21 and the second terminal housing portion 22. The base portion 24 supports the root ends of the first terminal housing portion 21 and the second terminal housing portion 22 on the front side in the first direction. The internal spaces of the first terminal housing portion 21 and the second terminal housing portion 22 are open in the direction opposite to the first direction on the back side in the first direction.

[0021] Further, the base portion 24 has, for example, a total of four locking portions 24a arranged in pairs on opposite sides in the second direction. On the other hand, inside the housing main body portion 31 of the outer housing 30, a total of four first engaging claws 37 are provided, arranged in pairs facing each other in the second direction. When the inner housing 20 is attached to the outer housing 30, the locking portion 24a engages with the first engaging claw 37, thereby preventing the inner housing 20 from falling off the outer housing 30.

[0022] The reinforcing structure portion 25 is a structure formed by combining a plurality of reinforcing ribs in order to ensure the strength of the inner housing 20. The reinforcing structure portion 25 is provided on the back side of the base portion 24 so as not to obstruct the arrangement of each terminal 10 and each electric wire 100.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the outer housing 30 in a direction-of-view in which the internal space can be visually recognized from an opening formed by the opening end 35a.

[0024] The outer housing 30 is made of, for example, synthetic resin, and is an insulating member that protects the entire two terminals 10 by accommodating at least a part of the inner housing 20 and the joint portion 12 of each terminal 10. The outer housing  30 has a housing main body portion 31, a connector end face portion 32, and a wire lead-out portion 33.

[0025] When the first direction is the length direction, the housing main body portion 31 is a box portion defined with the second direction orthogonal to the first direction as the height direction and the third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction as the width direction. In the present embodiment, the first direction is the Z direction as described above, the second direction is the Y direction, and the third direction is the X direction. The housing main body portion 31 has a front wall 34, an annular side wall 35, and a plurality of support pieces 36.

[0026] The front wall 34 is a wall portion orthogonal to the first direction, and is supported by a first wall surface 34a (see FIG. 2) so that the connector frontage portion 32 and the wire lead-out portion 33 are separated from each other in the second direction. The planar shape of the front wall 34 is a substantially rectangle defined by a long side approximately along the second direction and a short side approximately along the third direction.

[0027] Further, the front wall 34 has a first wire contact portion 38 on a second wall surface 34b facing the inside of the housing main body portion 31. The first wire contact portion 38 faces the second wire contact portion 45 provided on the rear cover 40 while being separated from the second wire contact portion 45 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30. The first wire contact portion 38, in combination with the second wire contact portion 45, constitutes a wire clamping portion 96. The first wire contact portion 38 has a first curved surface groove 38a and a second curved surface groove 38b each including a curved surface that matches the side surface shape of each wire 100 routed inside the housing main body portion 31 with the second direction as the extending direction. The first curved surface groove 38a accommodates a part of the side surface of the first wire 100a. The second curved surface groove 38b accommodates a part of the side surface of the second wire 100b.

[0028] Further, the first curved surface groove 38a and the second curved surface groove 38b each have a plurality of first ribs 38c. The first rib 38c is a convex portion protruding in the normal direction from the curved surface constituting the first curved surface groove 38a or the second curved surface groove 38b. In the present embodiment, in each of the first curved surface groove 38a and the second curved surface groove 38b, as an example, there are a total of four first ribs 38c arranged in two rows along the second direction. In this case, two first ribs 38c are arranged along the circumferential direction of the curved surface, and two first ribs 38c are also arranged along the second direction. Further, in the present embodiment, in each of the first curved surface groove 38a and the second curved surface groove 38b, when viewed in the Z direction, two first ribs 38c are arranged on the curved surface so as to be symmetric with respect to the virtual central axis defining the shape of the curved surface.

[0029] The annular side wall 35, together with the front wall 34, forms an internal space that houses at least the joint portion 12 of each terminal 10. One annular end of the annular side wall 35 in the first direction is continuous with the peripheral edge of the front wall 34. The other annular end of the annular side wall 35 in the first direction is an open end 35a that forms an opening facing the front wall 34. When assembling the connector 1, the two terminals 10, which are each attached to the end of the electric wire 100, are housed inside the housing main body 31 through the opening formed by the open end 35a. Further, the annular side wall 35 has a plurality of engaging portions 35c provided on the outer wall surface 35b at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0030] The plurality of support pieces 36 are each provided on the outer wall surface 35b of the annular side wall 35 and have a fitting hole 36a for fitting the annular collar 91. The fitting hole 36a penetrates the support piece 36 along the first direction.

[0031] The connector frontage portion 32 has a frontage 32a with an oval-shaped cross-section that opens in the first direction, and is a cylindrical portion that fits with a part of an external connector having a male terminal when the external connector is connected to the connector 1. The connector frontage portion 32 is provided so as to protrude in the first direction from the front wall 34 of the housing main body 31. The frontage 32a penetrates between the outside of the outer housing 30 and the inside of the housing main body 31, and can house the inner housing 20. In the oval-shaped cross-section of the frontage 32a, the second direction is the longitudinal direction in accordance with the arrangement relationship of the first terminal housing portion 21 and the second terminal housing portion 22 in the inner housing 20.

[0032] Further, the outer peripheral portion of the connector frontage portion 32 includes a lower surface located on the tip side in the first direction for attaching the unit packing 60 and an upper surface located on the base side in the first direction. Since the outer peripheral shape of the upper surface is set to be larger than the outer peripheral shape of the lower surface, when the unit packing 60 is attached to the lower surface, at least a part of the unit packing 60 faces the end portion of the upper surface in the first direction. Therefore, for the unit packing 60, movement more than a certain amount toward the base side of the connector frontage portion 32 is restricted.

[0033] Furthermore, the connector front end portion 32 has a plurality of first engaging claws 37 sandwiching the front end 32a. In the present embodiment, there are four first engaging claws 37 as described above. Similarly, the connector front end portion 32 has a plurality of second engaging claws 39 sandwiching the front end 32a. In the present embodiment, there are four second engaging claws 39. The four second engaging claws 39 are arranged in pairs so as to face each other in the second direction.

[0034] The wire lead-out portion 33 is a cylindrical portion for leading out each wire 100 from the inside of the housing main body portion 31 to the outside of the outer housing 30 through a through space formed by the inner wall surface 33a and having an oval long hole-shaped cross section that opens in the first direction. The wire lead-out portion 33 is provided so as to protrude in the first direction from the front wall 34 of the housing main body portion 31. In the oval long hole-shaped cross section of the through space, the second direction is the longitudinal direction so that the respective wires 100 are arranged in the second direction in accordance with the arrangement relationship of the first terminal accommodating portion 21 and the second terminal accommodating portion 22 in the inner housing 20. The wire lead-out portion 33 has a plurality of wiring holes 33b and a plurality of holder engaging portions 33d.

[0035] The plurality of wiring holes 33b each have the first direction as the extending direction, and route the wires 100 drawn from the inside of the housing main body portion 31 along the first direction. The cross-sectional shape of the through hole of each wiring hole 33b is circular or elliptical. In the present embodiment, since two wires 100 are drawn from the inside of the housing main body portion 31, there are two wiring holes 33b arranged in parallel along the third direction.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the plurality of holder engaging portions 33d are provided one at each end of the wire lead-out portion 33 in the third direction corresponding to the X direction. Each holder engaging portion 33d engages with a locking portion 72b provided on the rear holder 72.

[0037] That is, according to the structure of the outer housing 30, in the connector 1, the direction in which the frontage 32a of the connector frontage portion 32 faces, that is, the direction of connection to the external connector, and the direction in which each electric wire 100 is drawn out from the electric wire lead-out portion 33 are along the same direction as each other. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the frontage 32a of the connector frontage portion 32 faces and the direction in which each electric wire 100 is drawn out from the electric wire lead-out portion 33 are along each other in the first direction corresponding to the Z direction.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rear cover 40 in a direction of view from which the side attached to the outer housing 30 can be visually recognized.

[0039] The rear cover 40 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and is an insulating member that covers an opening formed by an opening end 35a after each terminal 10 having a terminal portion 101a joined to a joining portion 12 is housed together with a terminal portion of each electric wire 100 inside a housing main body portion 31 of the outer housing 30. The rear cover 40 has a main body wall 41, a plurality of locking portions 42, a plurality of packing locking portions 43, a reinforcing rib 44, and a second electric wire contact portion 45.

[0040] The main body wall 41 is a flat plate portion having an outer peripheral edge 41a along an opening end 35a of the housing main body portion 31 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30. An inner wall surface 41b of the main body wall 41 faces a front wall 34 of the housing main body portion 31 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30.

[0041] The plurality of locking portions 42 are respectively provided on the outer peripheral edge 41a of the main body wall 41 at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral edge 41a. Each locking portion 42 suppresses the rear cover 40 from falling off the outer housing 30 by engaging with any one of the engaging portions 35c on the annular side wall 35 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30.

[0042] The plurality of packing locking portions 43 are each provided on the outer peripheral edge 41a of the main body wall 41 at intervals in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral edge 41a while avoiding the plurality of locking portions 42. The rear cover packing 61, which will be described later, is provided with a plurality of engaging protrusions 61a. Each of the packing locking portions 43 engages with any one of the engaging protrusions 61a on the rear cover packing 61 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30.

[0043] The reinforcing ribs 44 are provided on the inner wall surface 41b so as not to obstruct the arrangement of the respective terminals 10 and the respective electric wires 100 in order to ensure the strength of the rear cover 40.

[0044] The second electric wire contact portion 45 is provided on the inner wall surface 41b and, as described above, constitutes the electric wire clamping portion 96 in combination with the first electric wire contact portion 38. The second electric wire contact portion 45 contacts each electric wire 100 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30. The second electric wire contact portion 45 has a first curved surface groove 45a and a second curved surface groove 45b each including a curved surface that matches the side surface shape of each electric wire 100 routed inside the housing main body portion 31 with the second direction as the extending direction. The first curved surface groove 45a accommodates a part of the side surface of the first electric wire 100a. The second curved surface groove 45b accommodates a part of the side surface of the second electric wire 100b.

[0045] Further, the first curved surface groove 45a and the second curved surface groove 45b each have a plurality of second ribs 45c. The second rib 45c is a convex portion that protrudes in the normal direction from the curved surface that constitutes the first curved surface groove 45a or the second curved surface groove 45b. In the present embodiment, in each of the first curved surface groove 45a and the second curved surface groove 45b, as an example, there are a total of four second ribs 45c arranged in two rows along the second direction. In this case, two second ribs 45c are arranged along the circumferential direction of the curved surface, and two second ribs 45c are also arranged along the second direction. Further, in the present embodiment, in each of the first curved surface groove 45a and the second curved surface groove 45b, when viewed in the Z direction, the two second ribs 45c are arranged on the curved surface so as to be symmetric with respect to the virtual central axis that defines the shape of the curved surface. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30 and the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 face each other, the four first ribs 38c and the four second ribs 45c are also approximately opposed along the Z direction.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 cut along the VI-VI portion in FIG. 1. The cut surface in FIG. 6 is a virtual surface that passes through a part of two first ribs 38c located in the upper stage in the second direction among the four first ribs 38c and a part of two second ribs 45c located in the upper stage in the second direction among the four second ribs 45c. In the present embodiment, the virtual surface is the XZ plane.

[0047] When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 sandwich the respective wires 100. Specifically, a part of the first wire 100a is sandwiched between a first curved surface groove 38a provided as a part of the outer housing 30 and a first curved surface groove 45a provided as a part of the rear cover 40. Then, the four first ribs 38c of the first curved surface groove 38a and the four second ribs 45c of the first curved surface groove 45a are press-fitted into the covering portion 102 on the outer peripheral portion of the first wire 100a. Similarly, a part of the second wire 100b is sandwiched between a second curved surface groove 38b provided as a part of the outer housing 30 and a second curved surface groove 45b provided as a part of the rear cover 40. Then, the four first ribs 38c of the second curved surface groove 38b and the four second ribs 45c of the second curved surface groove 45b are press-fitted into the covering portion 102 on the outer peripheral portion of the second wire 100b.

[0048] Specifically, when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, both curved surfaces of the first curved surface groove 38a and the first curved surface groove 45a are not in contact with the first wire 100a, and both curved surfaces of the second curved surface groove 38b and the second curved surface groove 45b are also not in contact with the second wire 100b. For example, when the first curved surface groove 38a and the first curved surface groove 45a sandwich the first wire 100a, it is assumed that the cross-sections of both curved surfaces of the first curved surface groove 38a and the first curved surface groove 45a are on a single virtual circle represented by a diameter D2. Similarly, when the second curved surface groove 38b and the second curved surface groove 45b sandwich the second wire 100b, it is assumed that the cross-sections of both curved surfaces of the second curved surface groove 38b and the second curved surface groove 45b are on a single virtual circle represented by a diameter D2. In this case, the diameter D2 is larger than the outer diameter D1 of the wire 100.

[0049] Also, when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the portion that is press-fitted into the covering portion 102 of each electric wire 100 is the tip of the first rib 38c or the second rib 45c. For example, when the first curved surface groove 38a and the first curved surface groove 45a sandwich the first electric wire 100a, the tip surface of the first rib 38c in the first curved surface groove 38a and the tip surface of the second rib 45c in the first curved surface groove 45a are assumed to be on a single virtual circle represented by the diameter D3. Similarly, when the second curved surface groove 38b and the second curved surface groove 45b sandwich the second electric wire 100b, the tip surface of the first rib 38c in the second curved surface groove 38b and the tip surface of the second rib 45c in the second curved surface groove 45b are assumed to be on a single virtual circle represented by the diameter D3. In this case, the diameter D3 is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the electric wire 100.

[0050] Note that the outer diameter D1 of the electric wire 100, and the diameters D2 and D3 of the two virtual circles are each represented as the diameter dimension around a specific central axis along the second direction corresponding to the Y direction.

[0051] The connector 1 includes a unit packing 60, a rear cover packing 61, and a wire packing 62 as waterproof members that prevent moisture from entering the inside of the outer housing 30 from the outside.

[0052] The unit packing 60 is an annular elastic member that is tightly attached to the outer peripheral surface of the connector mating opening portion 32 in the outer housing 30. The unit packing 60 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the connector mating opening portion 32 and the mating surface of the external connector when the external connector is connected to the connector 1.

[0053] The rear cover packing 61 is an annular elastic member that is tightly attached to the opening end 35a of the housing main body portion 31 in the outer housing 30. The rear cover packing 61 seals between the opening end 35a of the housing main body portion 31 and the outer peripheral edge 41a of the rear cover 40 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30.

[0054] The wire packing 62 is an elastic member in the shape of an oblong flat plate that is closely attached to the inner wall surface 33a of the wire lead-out portion 33 in the outer housing 30. Further, the wire packing 62 has two through holes 62a that penetrate individually while being in close contact with each wire 100. The wire packing 62 seals the space between the inner wall surface 33a of the wire lead-out portion 33 and each wire 100 that passes through the through space of the wire lead-out portion 33.

[0055] In addition, the connector 1 includes a front holder 70 and a rear holder 72 as members for holding various packings.

[0056] The front holder 70 is made of synthetic resin and is a cylindrical member attached to the connector front end opening portion 32 to prevent the unit packing 60 from falling off from the connector front end opening portion 32 of the outer housing 30. The front holder 70 has a shape that is partially housed in the frontage 32a of the connector front end opening portion 32 and engages with the tip of the connector front end opening portion 32. When the front holder 70 is attached to the connector front end opening portion 32, it faces at least a part of the unit packing 60 in the first direction. Therefore, even if the unit packing 60 moves to the tip side of the connector front end opening portion 32, it abuts against a part of the front holder 70 and further movement is restricted, so that dropping off from the connector front end opening portion 32 is prevented.

[0057] Further, the inner wall portion 71 of the front holder 70 penetrates through the first terminal housing portion 21 and the second terminal housing portion 22 of the inner housing 20. And the opening 71a communicating with the inner wall portion 71 exposes the tips of the first terminal housing portion 21 and the second terminal housing portion 22 to the outside.

[0058] Furthermore, the front holder 70 has a plurality of locking portions 71b on a part of the inner wall portion 71. The plurality of locking portions 71b respectively engage with a plurality of first engaging claws 37 provided at the connector intermediate mouth portion 32. That is, in the present embodiment, there are four locking portions 71b corresponding to the number of the first engaging claws 37 installed. When the front holder 70 is attached to the connector intermediate mouth portion 32, each of the locking portions 71b engages with the first engaging claw 37, thereby suppressing the front holder 70 from falling off from the connector intermediate mouth portion 32.

[0059] The rear holder 72 is made of synthetic resin and is attached to the wire lead-out portion 33 of the outer housing 30 in order to suppress the wire packing 62 from falling off from the wire lead-out portion 33. The rear holder 72 has two through holes 72a through which each wire 100 passes individually, and is an oval flat plate-shaped member similar to the shape of the wire packing 62. The rear holder 72 is inserted into the through space from the front end side of the wire lead-out portion 33 and supported by the wire lead-out portion 33 in a state where the wire packing 62 seals between the inner wall surface 33a of the wire lead-out portion 33 and each wire 100. Thereby, the rear holder 72 suppresses the wire packing 62 from falling off from the wire lead-out portion 33.

[0060] Also, the rear holder 72 has a plurality of locking portions 72b that protrude from the outer peripheral edge in the direction opposite to the first direction. The plurality of locking portions 72b respectively engage with a plurality of holder engaging portions 33d provided at the wire lead-out portion 33. That is, in the present embodiment, there are two locking portions 72b corresponding to the number of the holder engaging portions 33d installed. When the rear holder 72 is attached to the wire lead-out portion 33, each of the locking portions 72b engages with the holder engaging portion 33d, thereby suppressing the rear holder 72 from falling off from the wire lead-out portion 33.

[0061] Also, the connector 1 includes an upper shell 80, a lower shell 81, a shield braid 82, and a shield ring 83 as shield members for shielding noise.

[0062] The upper shell 80 is made of metal and covers the housing main body 31 with the rear cover 40 attached to the outer housing 30. Note that the upper shell 80 may cover at least a part of the connector frontage 32 or the wire lead-out part 33 of the outer housing 30 while accommodating the housing main body 31. The upper shell 80 is a box part defined with the first direction corresponding to the Z direction as the length direction, the second direction corresponding to the Y direction as the height direction, and the third direction corresponding to the X direction as the width direction. The upper shell 80 has a bottom wall 80a, an annular side wall 80b, a plurality of support parts 80e, and a plurality of support pieces 80g.

[0063] The bottom wall 80a is a wall part orthogonal to the first direction. The planar shape of the bottom wall 80a is a substantially rectangular shape defined by a long side approximately along the second direction and a short side approximately along the third direction.

[0064] The annular side wall 80b, together with the bottom wall 80a, forms an internal space for accommodating the housing main body 31. One annular end of the annular side wall 80b in the first direction is continuous with the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 80a. The other annular end of the annular side wall 80b in the first direction is an opening end 80c that forms an opening facing the bottom wall 80a. When assembling the connector 1, the housing main body 31 with the rear cover 40 attached is accommodated through the opening formed at the opening end 80c.

[0065] Each of the plurality of support parts 80e has a first through hole 80d through which a bolt 90 passing through the fitting hole 36a provided in the outer housing 30 during the assembly of the connector 1 passes.

[0066] Each of the plurality of support pieces 80g is provided, for example, as a part bent from a piece protruding from the opening end 80c of the annular side wall 80b and has a second through hole 80f through which a mounting bolt (not shown) passes when attaching the connector 1 to the housing of an external connector.

[0067] The lower shell 81 is made of metal and covers a part of the front wall 34 of the housing main body 31 in the outer housing 30 and the wire lead-out portion 33. The lower shell 81 has a cylindrical portion 81a and a flange portion 81b.

[0068] The cylindrical portion 81a covers the wire lead-out portion 33 by accommodating the wire lead-out portion 33 through a through-space having an oval-long hole cross-section that opens in the first direction. One open end of the cylindrical portion 81a is a fixed end continuous with the flange portion 81b. The other open end of the cylindrical portion 81a is an open end that forms an opening for drawing out each wire 100 from the wire lead-out portion 33 to the outside.

[0069] The flange portion 81b is a flat plate portion orthogonal to the first direction and covers a part of the front wall 34 by facing a part of the front wall 34. Further, the flange portion 81b has a through-hole 81c through which a bolt 90 provided in the outer housing 30 at the time of assembling the connector 1 is passed in advance.

[0070] The shield braid 82 is a metal braid in which a part covers the tip of the cylindrical portion 81a and the other part is wound so as to integrally cover two wires 100 drawn out from the cylindrical portion 81a to the outside.

[0071] The shield ring 83 is a metal fastening member for crimping the shield braid 82 to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 81a of the lower shell 81.

[0072] Furthermore, the connector 1 includes, as members for assembling the various components, a plurality of bolts 90 and a plurality of annular collars 91 that are fitted in advance into the fitting holes 36a of the outer housing 30. As described above, a through hole 81c is formed in the flange portion 81b of the lower shell 81. The collar 91 is fitted into the fitting hole 36a of the outer housing 30. A first through hole 80d is formed in the support portion 80e of the upper shell 80. The bolt 90 is fastened through the through hole 81c, the collar 91 of the fitting hole 36a, and the first through hole 80d, thereby assembling the lower shell 81, the outer housing 30, and the upper shell 80 together.

[0073] Next, the operation and effects of the connector 1 will be described.

[0074] The connector 1, which is to be connected to an external connector, includes a plurality of terminals 10 and an electric wire pull-out portion 33 that pulls out a plurality of electric wires 100, a portion of which is joined to each terminal 10, to the outside along a first direction along which the connector is connected to the external connector. The connector 1 also includes a combination of a first electric wire contact portion 38 and a second electric wire contact portion 45 that sandwich a portion of each electric wire 100 extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction between each terminal 10 and the electric wire pull-out portion 33. The first electric wire contact portion 38 is integral with a member that includes the electric wire pull-out portion 33.

[0075] In the above example, the multiple electric wires 100 correspond to the first electric wires 100a and the second electric wires 100b. In the above example, the multiple terminals 10 correspond to the first terminal 10a attached to the end of the first electric wire 100a and the second terminal 10b attached to the end of the second electric wire 100b. In the above example, the first direction corresponds to the Z direction, and the second direction corresponds to the Y direction. Note that, although the above description illustrates a case where the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other, this is not necessarily the case. Also, in the above example, the combination of the first electric wire contact portion 38 and the second electric wire contact portion 45 is represented as an electric wire clamping portion 96.

[0076] In the connector 1, between each terminal 10 and the wire lead-out portion 33, a part of each wire 100 is sandwiched by the combination of the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45. Therefore, for example, the reaction force that may be generated due to the swinging of the wire 100 caused by the vibration of the vehicle is suppressed from being transmitted to the terminal 10 through the wire 100 led out from the wire lead-out portion 33. Accordingly, the portion where the joint portion 12, which is a part of the terminal 10, and the terminal portion 101a of the core wire 101 in the wire 100 are joined is protected, so that the reliability related to the joining can be improved.

[0077] Here, as in the above example, when the terminal portion 101a is joined to the joint portion 12 of the terminal 10 by ultrasonic welding, if the swinging of the wire 100 is directly applied to the joint portion 12, it can be said that the terminal portion 101a is likely to peel off from the joint surface of the joint portion 12. On the other hand, according to the connector 1 according to the present embodiment, since it is difficult for the swinging of the wire 100 to be transmitted to the terminal portion 101a joined to the joint portion 12 by ultrasonic welding, peeling of the terminal portion 101a can be easily suppressed.

[0078] Further, the general shape of the connector 1 is a so-called U-shape such that the direction of connecting to the external connector and the direction of leading out the wire 100 to the outside are along the first direction. In this case, each wire 100 extends along the second direction from the terminal 10, but finally is led out to the outside along the first direction from the wire lead-out portion 33, so it bends once inside the connector 1. On the other hand, a reaction force may also be generated due to the bending of the wire 100, but a part of each wire 100 extending along the second direction from the terminal 10 toward the bent portion is sandwiched by the combination of the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45. Therefore, the reaction force caused by the bending of the wire 100 is also suppressed from being transmitted to the terminal 10, and the reliability related to the joining can be improved as described above.

[0079] Furthermore, as a comparative example, in order to prevent the reaction force transmitted through the electric wire 100 from being transmitted to the terminal 10, a crimping portion may be provided at each terminal 10 to connect a part of the electric wire 100 closer to the bent portion than the terminal portion 101a as a part different from the joint portion 12. However, when the terminal 10 has such a crimping portion, it is conceivable that the terminal 10 may increase in size or the yield may decrease, resulting in an increase in cost. On the other hand, in the connector 1 according to the present embodiment, since the first electric wire contact portion 38 is integral with the member having the electric wire extraction portion 33, a structure for simply sandwiching the electric wire 100 can be realized. That is, according to the connector 1, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the components and suppress a decrease in the yield.

[0080] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a connector 1 having a simple structure and improving the reliability regarding the connection between the terminal 10 and the electric wire 100.

[0081] The connector 1 may further include an outer housing 30 having a housing main body portion 31 that houses at least the terminal portion 101a of the electric wire 100 and an electric wire extraction portion 33. The connector 1 may further include a rear cover 40 that covers an opening formed at the open end 35a of the housing main body portion 31 after the terminal portion 101a of the electric wire 100 is housed in the housing main body portion 31. The first electric wire contact portion 38 may be provided on the housing main body portion 31. The second electric wire contact portion 45 may be provided on the rear cover 40.

[0082] The housing main body 31 and the rear cover 40 have portions facing each other via a part of the electric wire 100 due to the structure in which the rear cover 40 covers the opening of the housing main body 31 after the terminal portion 101a is housed in the housing main body 31. Therefore, according to this connector 1, compared with a virtual case where the housing main body 31 does not have the first electric wire contact portion 38, the first electric wire contact portion 38 can be provided only by simply changing the shape of the housing main body 31. Similarly, compared with a virtual case where the rear cover 40 does not have the second electric wire contact portion 45, the second electric wire contact portion 45 can be provided only by simply changing the shape of the rear cover 40.

[0083] Further, in the connector 1, at least one of the first electric wire contact portion 38 or the second electric wire contact portion 45 may have a curved surface groove formed by a curved surface conforming to the side surface shape of the electric wire 100 for each electric wire 100.

[0084] Here, in the above example, the first electric wire contact portion 38 has a first curved surface groove 38a facing the first electric wire 100a and a second curved surface groove 38b facing the second electric wire 100b. Also, in the above example, the second electric wire contact portion 45 has a first curved surface groove 45a facing the first electric wire 100a and a second curved surface groove 45b facing the second electric wire 100b.

[0085] According to this connector 1, when the first electric wire contact portion 38 and the second electric wire contact portion 45 sandwich a part of the electric wire 100 with each other, the curved surface groove is arranged so as to surround at least a part of the side surface of the electric wire 100 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the first electric wire contact portion 38 or the second electric wire contact portion 45 having the curved surface groove can contact the electric wire 100 more stably.

[0086] In the above description, a configuration in which both the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 have curved surface grooves has been exemplified. However, a configuration in which only one of the first wire contact portion 38 or the second wire contact portion 45 has a curved surface groove may be employed. For example, when the first wire contact portion 38 has a curved surface groove, the second wire contact portion 45 may be a simple flat surface that contacts each wire 100, thereby simplifying the shape of the rear cover 40 that does not have a curved surface groove.

[0087] Further, in the connector 1, the curved surface groove may have ribs that are partially press-fitted into the covering portion 102 on the outer peripheral portion of the wire 100 when the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 sandwich the wire 100.

[0088] Here, in the above example, the first curved surface groove 38a and the second curved surface groove 38b in the first wire contact portion 38 each have four first ribs 38c. Similarly, in the above example, the first curved surface groove 45a and the second curved surface groove 45b in the second wire contact portion 45 each have four second ribs 45c.

[0089] According to this connector 1, when the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 sandwich the wire 100, the respective ribs are press-fitted so as to crush a part of the covering portion 102 of the wire 100. Therefore, the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 can support each wire 100 more firmly, and it is possible to more reliably suppress the reaction force that may be generated by the swinging of the wire 100 from being transmitted to the terminal 10 through the wire 100.

[0090] Further, in the connector 1, there may be a plurality of ribs along the circumferential direction of the curved surface of the curved surface groove for each curved surface groove.

[0091] Here, in the above example, as shown in FIG. 6, the ribs such as the first rib 38c are arranged in pairs along the circumferential direction of the curved surface for each curved surface groove such as the first curved surface groove 38a.

[0092] According to this connector 1, for each curved surface groove, a plurality of ribs are arranged along the circumferential direction of the curved surface of the curved surface groove, making it easier to suppress rotational displacement around the axis of the electric wire 100. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably suppress the reaction force that may be generated by the swinging of the electric wire 100 from being transmitted to the terminal 10 through the electric wire 100.

[0093] Also, in the connector 1, there may be a plurality of ribs along the second direction for each curved surface groove.

[0094] Here, in the above example, as shown in FIG. 3, ribs such as the first rib 38c are arranged in two rows along the second direction corresponding to the Y direction for each one curved surface groove such as the first curved surface groove 38a.

[0095] According to this connector 1, for each curved surface groove, a plurality of ribs are arranged along the second direction, making it easier to suppress displacement along the extending direction of the electric wire 100. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably suppress the reaction force that may be generated by the swinging of the electric wire 100 from being transmitted to the terminal 10 through the electric wire 100.

[0096] Also, in the connector 1, the curved surface groove may contact the electric wire 100 over the entire curved surface.

[0097] In this case, each curved surface groove such as the first curved surface groove 38a does not have ribs such as the first rib 38c, and the curved surface itself where the ribs were provided above sandwiches the electric wire 100. That is, if the diameter of the cross section of the curved surface constituting the curved surface groove is represented as the diameter D2 as exemplified in FIG. 6, the diameter D2 in this case is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the electric wire 100.

[0098] According to this connector 1, when the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 sandwich the wire 100, the entire curved surface of the curved surface groove contacts so as to crush the covering portion 102 of the wire 100 over substantially the entire circumference thereof. Therefore, since the first wire contact portion 38 and the second wire contact portion 45 can support the entire length range of a part of each wire 100, it is possible to more reliably suppress the reaction force that may be generated by the swinging of the wire 100 from being transmitted to the terminal 10 through the wire 100.

[0099] As described above, each embodiment has been explained, but the embodiments are not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the embodiments.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0100] 1 Connector 10 Terminal 30 Outer Housing 31 Housing Main Body Portion 33 Wire Lead-Out Portion 35a Open End 38 First Wire Contact Portion 38a, 45a First Curved Surface Groove 38b, 45b Second Curved Surface Groove 38c First Rib 40 Rear Cover 45 Second Wire Contact Portion 45c Second Rib 100 Wire 101a Terminal Portion 102 Covering Portion

Claims

1. A connector connected to an external connector, comprising: a plurality of terminals; a wire lead-out portion that draws out a plurality of wires, each of which is partially joined to each of the terminals, outward along a first direction for connecting to the external connector; a combination of a first wire contact portion and a second wire contact portion that sandwich a part of each of the wires extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction between each of the terminals and the wire lead-out portion; The first wire contact portion is integral with a member having the wire lead-out portion. The connector.

2. An outer housing having at least a housing main body portion for accommodating a terminal portion of the wire and the wire lead-out portion; A rear cover that covers an opening formed at an open end of the housing main body portion after the terminal portion of the wire is accommodated in the housing main body portion. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The first wire contact portion is provided on the housing main body portion; The second wire contact portion is provided on the rear cover.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the first wire contact portion and the second wire contact portion has a curved groove formed of a curved surface conforming to the side surface shape of the wire for each wire.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the curved groove has a rib that is partially press-fitted into a covering portion on an outer peripheral portion of the wire when the first wire contact portion and the second wire contact portion sandwich the wire.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein there are a plurality of the ribs along a circumferential direction of the curved surface of the curved groove.

6. The connector according to claim 4, wherein there are a plurality of the ribs along the second direction.

7. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the curved groove contacts the wire over the entire curved surface.

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