Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector advantageous for preventing water proof performance from reducing even when the level of wire bending in the inside is large.SOLUTION: In a connector 1, a wire lead-out part 33 includes: a first opening end 33e facing the inside of a housing main body part 31; and a plurality of wiring hole parts 33b wired for each wire 100 between a part of a wire packing 62 attached to an inner wall surface 33a and a second opening end 33f facing in a first direction. Each of the plurality of wiring hole parts 33b has a slope 33c where a distance L to the extension axis AX of the central axis of a packing hole 62a approaches toward the second opening end 33f side from the first opening end 33e side; a first end 33g of the slope 33c at the position closest to the first opening end 33e faces the inside of the housing main body part 31 in the direction opposite to the first direction; and a second end 33h of the slope 33c at the position closest to the second open end 33f forms the narrowest opening part in the wiring hole part 33b.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 an electric wire joined to a terminal is housed inside a housing. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to a connector having a seal member that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of an electric wire and the inner peripheral surface of a housing in order to prevent moisture from entering the inside of the housing. The connector has a cylindrical shield shell that surrounds the outer periphery of the housing and through which the electric wire passes. The shield shell has a second protrusion that is in contact with the electric wire and is provided farther from the seal member than the first protrusion in the length direction of the electric wire, in addition to the first protrusion that prevents the seal member from coming off. By providing the second protrusion, even if the electric wire bends due to swinging or the like, it is difficult for the seal member to deform, so a decrease in waterproof performance can be suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a so-called standard type in which the direction of connection to an external connector and the direction of pulling out an electric wire to the outside are in a straight line and opposite to each other, even if bending due to swinging occurs in the electric wire, the degree of bending is relatively small. On the other hand, in a so-called U-shaped connector in which the direction of connection to an external connector and the direction of pulling out an electric wire to the outside are the same, the electric wire may be bent in an L shape inside the housing. Regarding such a U-shaped connector, it is difficult to apply the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 in order to suppress a decrease in waterproof performance, and specific improvements are required.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems of such prior art. The object of the present invention is to provide a connector that is advantageous for suppressing a decrease in waterproof performance even when the degree of bending of the electric wire inside is large.

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 housing main body portion that houses terminal portions of a plurality of electric wires joined for each terminal, a cylindrical electric wire lead-out portion that is continuous with the housing main body portion and draws out the plurality of electric wires to the outside along a first direction in which the connector is connected to the external connector, and a wire packing having a plurality of packing holes that are closely attached to the inner wall surface of the electric wire lead-out portion and penetrate while being in close contact with each electric wire. The electric wire lead-out portion has a plurality of wiring hole portions for wiring each electric wire between a first opening end facing the inside of the housing main body portion and a second opening end facing a part of the wire packing attached to the inner wall surface in the first direction. The plurality of wiring hole portions each have an inclined surface in which the distance to the extension axis of the central axis of the packing hole approaches as it goes from the side of the first opening end to the side of the second opening end. A first end portion at a position closest to the first opening end of the inclined surface faces the inside of the housing main body portion in a direction opposite to the first direction, and a second end portion at a position closest to the second opening end of the inclined surface forms the narrowest opening portion in the wiring hole portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that is advantageous for suppressing a decrease in waterproof performance even when the degree of bending of the electric wire inside is large.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0010] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 cut at the III-III section in FIG. 1. The cut surface 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] Connector 1 is a high-voltage connector that can be adopted for drive system electrical components such as inverters, DC / DC converters, or chargers mounted on, for example, electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles. In this embodiment, connector 1 is assumed to be an in-vehicle two-pole high-voltage connector that is connected to the terminals of two electric wires 100, namely, the first electric wire 100a and the 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 connector 1. Also, in each electric wire 100, at the terminal on the side connected to 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] 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 each female terminals made of metal with the same shape, and have a connection portion 11 and a joint portion 12.

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

[0015] The joint 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 into which the male terminal is inserted, the joint portion 12 is integrated with the other end in the axial direction of the connection portion 11. Hereinafter, in the present 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 joint portion 12 may be a flat plate portion parallel to both the Z direction and the Y direction. For example, the planar shape of the joint portion 12 may be a substantially rectangular shape in which two end sides are along the Z direction and the remaining two end sides are along the Y direction orthogonal to the Z direction. One surface of the joint portion 12 is a joint surface to which the terminal portion 101a is joined.

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

[0017] Also, during ultrasonic welding, for each terminal 10, the direction from the joint 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 joint portion 12 toward the main body of the electric wire 100 are shifted by 90°. That is, when the terminal 10 is installed in the connector 1, the terminal portion 101a is arranged in a posture along the Y direction with respect to one surface of the joint portion 12 when the axial direction of the connection portion 11 is along the Z direction. At this time, each electric wire 100 extends from the terminal portion 101a in a direction opposite to the Y direction starting from the terminal portion 101a on the joint 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 each house the connection portion 11 such that the opening direction of the connection portion 11 to be housed therein, that is, the direction opposite to the direction in which the male terminal is inserted, is common along the first direction. In the present embodiment, the first direction is the Z direction. The tip portions of each of the first terminal housing portion 21 and the second terminal housing portion 22 are open in the first direction and do not hinder 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 such that they are at the same level in the Y direction as the second direction defined below, and are spaced apart 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 each 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 each 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] Also, the base portion 24 has, for example, a total of four locking portions 24a arranged in two on each opposite side 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 two 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 hinder 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 at the open end 35a.

[0024] The outer housing 30 is made of, for example, a 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 portions 12 of the respective terminals 10. The outer housing 30 has a housing main body portion 31, a connector front end 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 supports the connector front end portion 32 and the wire lead-out portion 33 with the first wall surface 34a (see FIG. 2) so as to be 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. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the first wire contact portion 38 faces the second wire contact portion 45 provided on the rear cover 40 while being separated therefrom. Each of the first wire contact portions 38 has a first curved surface groove 38a and a second curved surface groove 38b that extend in the second direction and include curved surfaces that match the side surface shapes of the respective wires 100 routed inside the housing main body portion 31. 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. The first curved surface groove 38a and the second curved surface groove 38b may each have a plurality of first ribs 38c. In the present embodiment, there are a total of four first ribs 38c arranged in two rows along the second direction in both the first curved surface groove 38a and the second curved surface groove 38b.

[0028] The annular side wall 35, together with the front wall 34, forms an internal space that accommodates at least the joint portions 12 of the respective terminals 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 the connector 1 is assembled, the two terminals 10, each attached to the end of the wire 100, are accommodated inside the housing main body portion 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.

[0029] The plurality of support pieces 36 are each provided on the outer wall surface 35b of the annular side wall 35 and have fitting holes 36a for fitting an annular collar 91. The fitting holes 36a penetrate the support pieces 36 along the first direction.

[0030] The connector front end portion 32 has a front end 32a with an oval long hole-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 front end portion 32 is provided so as to protrude in the first direction from the front wall 34 of the housing main body portion 31. The front end 32a penetrates between the outside of the outer housing 30 and the inside of the housing main body portion 31 and can accommodate the inner housing 20. In the oval long hole-shaped cross section of the front end 32a, the second direction is the longitudinal direction in accordance with the arrangement relationship of the first terminal accommodation portion 21 and the second terminal accommodation portion 22 in the inner housing 20.

[0031] Also, the outer peripheral portion of the connector front end 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 of the unit packing 60 beyond a certain amount toward the base side of the connector front end portion 32 is restricted.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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 housing portion 21 and the second terminal housing portion 22 in the inner housing 20. The wire lead-out portion 33 has a plurality of wire routing hole portions 33b and a plurality of holder engaging portions 33d.

[0034] The plurality of wire routing hole portions 33b each have the first direction as the extending direction and route the wires 100 along the first direction for each wire 100 drawn out from the inside of the housing main body portion 31. Specifically, the wire routing hole portion 33b routes the wire 100 between a first opening end 33e and a second opening end 33f that are located opposite to each other. The first opening end 33e is the opening end on the side facing the inside of the housing main body portion 31. The second opening end 33f is the opening end on the side facing a part of the wire packing 62 attached to the inner wall surface 33a in the first direction. In the present embodiment, since two wires 100 are drawn out from the inside of the housing main body portion 31, there are two wire routing hole portions 33b arranged in parallel along the third direction.

[0035] The cross-sectional shape of the through hole at the first opening end 33e is approximately an ellipse having the second direction corresponding to the Y direction as the major axis and the third direction corresponding to the X direction as the minor axis, and is approximately constant along the first direction. Also, a part of the inner peripheral surface 33i is continuous with the inner wall surface 33a to which the wire packing 62 is attached.

[0036] Here, regarding the cross-sectional shape of the through hole at the first opening end 33e, the direction in which the major axis of the ellipse is defined is along the extending direction of the electric wire 100 extending from the joint portion 12 of the terminal 10 inside the housing main body portion 31. Therefore, for example, when assembling the connector 1, there is an advantage that it is easy for an operator to insert the electric wire 100 extending from the joint portion 12 inside the housing main body portion 31 into the wiring hole portion 33b while bending it.

[0037] Further, each wiring hole portion 33b has a plurality of ribs 33j arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other along the inner circumference of the inner circumferential surface 33i. Here, in order to define the shape and the like of each rib 33j, the extension axis AX of the central axis of the packing hole 62a when the wire packing 62 is attached to the inner wall surface 33a is referred to. Each rib 33j is elongated with the first direction as the longitudinal direction and protrudes toward the extension axis AX. In the present embodiment, as an example, one wiring hole portion 33b has eight ribs 33j. Also, each rib 33j included in one wiring hole portion 33b may be arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0038] Each rib 33j has an inclined surface 33c having one end as the first end 33g and the other end as the second end 33h. The first end 33g is the end on the side closest to the first opening end 33e. The second end 33h is the end on the side closest to the second opening end 33f. And the inclined surface 33c is inclined such that the distance L to the extension axis AX gradually approaches from the side of the first opening end 33e toward the side of the second opening end 33f.

[0039] Here, the first end 33g faces the inside of the housing main body portion 31 in the direction opposite to the first direction. Therefore, in the wiring hole portion 33b, in the direction from the first end 33g toward the inside of the housing main body portion 31, there is no portion that becomes narrower than the opening portion at the first end 33g. For example, in the second direction corresponding to the Y direction, the opening distance at the first end 33g is represented by the first distance L 1 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0040] On one hand, the second end portion 33h forms the narrowest opening portion in the cable routing hole portion 33b. For example, in the second direction corresponding to the Y direction, the opening distance at the second end portion 33h is represented by a second distance L2 as shown in FIG. 3. And the second distance L2 is smaller than the first distance L1 regarding the first end portion 33g. Here, assuming that the second end portions 33h of the respective ribs 33j are connected in the circumferential direction of the cable routing hole portion 33b, a virtual circle whose inner diameter can be the dimensional value of the second distance L2 is defined. In this case, the inner diameter of the virtual circle, that is, the dimensional value of the second distance L2, may be set to be equivalent to the outer diameter D of the electric wire 100.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the plurality of holder engaging portions 33d are provided one by one at both ends of the electric 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.

[0042] 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 connecting 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.

[0043] The rear cover 40 is made of, for example, synthetic resin, and is an insulating member that covers the opening formed by the opening end 35a after each terminal 10 having the terminal portion 101a joined to the joining portion 12 is housed together with the terminal portion of the electric wire 100 inside the housing main body portion 31 of the outer housing 30. The rear cover 40 has a main body wall (not shown), a plurality of locking portions 42, a plurality of packing locking portions 43, and a second electric wire contact portion 45.

[0044] The body wall is a flat plate portion having an outer peripheral edge 41a along the opening end 35a of the housing main body portion 31 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30. The inner wall surface of the body wall faces the front wall 34 of the housing main body portion 31 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30.

[0045] The plurality of locking portions 42 are respectively provided on the outer peripheral edge 41a of the body wall at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral edge 41a. Each locking portion 42 engages 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, thereby preventing the rear cover 40 from falling off the outer housing 30.

[0046] The plurality of packing locking portions 43 are respectively provided on the outer peripheral edge 41a of the body wall at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral edge 41a while avoiding the plurality of locking portions 42. The rear cover packing 61 described later is provided with a plurality of engaging protrusions 61a. Each packing locking portion 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.

[0047] The second wire contact portion 45 is provided on the inner wall surface of the body wall. The second wire contact portion 45 contacts each wire 100 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30. The second wire contact portion 45 has a first curved surface groove 45a and a second curved surface groove 45b each having a curved surface that conforms to 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 45a accommodates a part of the side surface of the first wire 100a. The second curved surface groove 45b accommodates a part of the side surface of the second wire 100b. The first curved surface groove 45a and the second curved surface groove 45b may each have four second ribs similar to the plurality of first ribs 38c provided on the outer housing 30.

[0048] 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, four first ribs 38c of the first curved surface groove 38a and four second ribs 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, four first ribs 38c of the second curved surface groove 38b and four second ribs 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. Therefore, for example, a reaction force that may be generated by the wire 100 swinging due to vibrations of the vehicle is suppressed from being transmitted to the terminal 10 through the wire 100 drawn 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 is improved.

[0049] Further, the connector 1 includes a unit packing 60, a rear cover packing 61, and a wire packing 62 as waterproof members that suppress the intrusion of moisture from the outside into the inside of the outer housing 30.

[0050] The unit packing 60 is an annular elastic member that is closely attached to the outer peripheral surface of the connector front end opening portion 32 in the outer housing 30. The unit packing 60 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the connector front end opening portion 32 and the fitting surface of the external connector when the external connector is connected to the connector 1.

[0051] The rear cover packing 61 is an annular elastic member that is tightly attached in accordance with the opening end 35a of the housing main body 31 in the outer housing 30. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the rear cover packing 61 seals the space between the opening end 35a of the housing main body 31 and the outer peripheral edge 41a of the rear cover 40.

[0052] The wire packing 62 is an oblong flat plate-shaped elastic member that is tightly attached in contact with the inner wall surface 33a of the wire lead-out portion 33 in the outer housing 30. Further, the wire packing 62 has a plurality of packing holes 62a that individually penetrate while being in close contact with each wire 100. In the present embodiment, since the wire packing 62 individually penetrates two wires 100, there are two packing holes 62a. When the wire packing 62 is attached to the inner wall surface 33a of the wire lead-out portion 33, each packing hole 62a is close to the second opening end 33f of any one of the wiring hole portions 33b, respectively. Also, when the wire packing 62 is attached to the inner wall surface 33a, the central axis of each packing hole 62a extends along the first direction. At this time, the extension axis of the central axis of each packing hole 62a is denoted as "extension axis AX". The wire packing 62 seals the space between the inner wall surface 33a of the wire lead-out portion 33 and each wire 100 passing through the through space of the wire lead-out portion 33.

[0053] Also, the connector 1 includes a front holder 70 and a rear holder 72 as holding members for various packings.

[0054] The front holder 70 is made of synthetic resin and is a cylindrical member attached to the connector front end opening portion 32 of the outer housing 30 to prevent the unit packing 60 from falling off from the connector front end opening portion 32. The front holder 70 has a shape that engages with the tip of the connector front end opening portion 32 while partially accommodating in the frontage 32a of the connector front end opening portion 32. When attached to the connector front end opening portion 32, the front holder 70 faces at least a part of the unit packing 60 in the first direction. Therefore, even if the unit packing 60 moves to the front end 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 the fall from the connector front end opening portion 32 is suppressed.

[0055] Also, the inner wall portion 71 of the front holder 70 penetrates through the first terminal accommodating portion 21 and the second terminal accommodating 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 accommodating portion 21 and the second terminal accommodating portion 22 to the outside.

[0056] Furthermore, the front holder 70 has a plurality of locking portions 71b on a part of the inner wall portion 71. Each of the plurality of locking portions 71b engages with a plurality of first engaging claws 37 provided on the connector front end opening 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 front end opening portion 32, each of the locking portions 71b engages with the first engaging claw 37 to prevent the front holder 70 from falling off from the connector front end opening portion 32.

[0057] 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 prevent the wire packing 62 from falling off from the wire lead-out portion 33. The rear holder 72 has two through holes 72a for individually penetrating each wire 100, and is an oblong 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 tip side of the wire lead-out portion 33 and supported by the wire lead-out portion 33 in a state where the wire packing 62 seals between the inner wall surface 33a of the wire lead-out portion 33 and each wire 100. Thereby, the rear holder 72 prevents the wire packing 62 from falling off from the wire lead-out portion 33.

[0058] Further, the rear holder 72 has a plurality of locking portions 72b so as to project 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 on the wire lead-out portion 33. That is, in the present embodiment, there are two locking portions 72b corresponding to the number of installations of the holder engaging portions 33d. When the rear holder 72 is attached to the wire lead-out portion 33, each locking portion 72b engages with the holder engaging portion 33d to prevent the rear holder 72 from falling off from the wire lead-out portion 33.

[0059] Further, the connector 1 includes an upper shell 80, a lower shell 81, a shield braid 82, and a shield ring 83 as a shield member for shielding noise.

[0060] The upper shell 80 is made of metal and covers the housing main body portion 31 in a state where the rear cover 40 in the outer housing 30 is attached. Note that the upper shell 80 may cover at least a part of the connector front end opening portion 32 or the wire lead-out portion 33 of the outer housing 30 while accommodating the housing main body portion 31. The upper shell 80 is a box portion 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 portions 80e, and a plurality of support pieces 80g.

[0061] The bottom wall 80a is a wall portion 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.

[0062] The annular side wall 80b, together with the bottom wall 80a, forms an internal space for accommodating the housing main body portion 31. One annular end of the annular side wall 80b in the first direction is continuous with the peripheral portion of the bottom wall 80a. The other annular end of the annular side wall 80b in the first direction is an open end 80c that forms an opening facing the bottom wall 80a. When assembling the connector 1, the housing main body portion 31 with the rear cover 40 attached is accommodated through the opening formed by the open end 80c.

[0063] Each of the plurality of support portions 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.

[0064] Each of the plurality of support pieces 80g is provided, for example, as a portion bent from a piece protruding from the open 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.

[0065] The lower shell 81 is made of metal and covers a part of the front wall 34 of the housing main body portion 31 and the wire lead-out portion 33 in the outer housing 30. The lower shell 81 has a cylindrical portion 81a and a flange portion 81b.

[0066] 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 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.

[0067] The flange portion 81b is a flat plate portion orthogonal to the first direction, and by facing a part of the front wall 34, it covers a part of the front wall 34. Further, the flange portion 81b has a through hole 81c through which a bolt 90 that penetrates a fitting hole 36a provided in the outer housing 30 during the assembly of the connector 1 is pre-penetrated.

[0068] 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 electric wires 100 drawn out from the cylindrical portion 81a to the outside.

[0069] 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.

[0070] Furthermore, the connector 1 includes a plurality of bolts 90 and a plurality of annular collars 91 that are pre-fitted into the fitting holes 36a of the outer housing 30 as members for assembling each component. As described above, the through hole 81c is provided 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. And a first through hole 80d is provided in the support portion 80e of the upper shell 80. The bolt 90 penetrates through the through hole 81c, the collar 91 in the fitting hole 36a, and the first through hole 80d and is fastened, whereby the lower shell 81, the outer housing 30, and the upper shell 80 are integrally assembled.

[0071] Next, the operation and effects of the connector 1 will be described.

[0072] Connector 1 connected to an external connector includes a plurality of terminals 10 and a housing main body portion 31 that houses the terminal portions of a plurality of electric wires 100 joined to each terminal 10. Connector 1 includes a cylindrical wire lead-out portion 33 that is continuous with the housing main body portion 31 and draws out the plurality of electric wires 100 to the outside along a first direction of connection to the external connector. Further, Connector 1 includes a wire packing 62 having a plurality of packing holes 62a that are attached in close contact with the inner wall surface 33a of the wire lead-out portion 33 and penetrate while being in close contact with each electric wire 100. The wire lead-out portion 33 has a plurality of wiring hole portions 33b for routing each electric wire 100 between a first opening end 33e facing the inside of the housing main body portion 31 and a second opening end 33f facing a part of the wire packing 62 attached to the inner wall surface 33a in the first direction. Each of the plurality of wiring hole portions 33b has an inclined surface 33c in which the distance L to the extension axis AX of the central axis of the packing hole 62a approaches as it goes from the side of the first opening end 33e toward the side of the second opening end 33f. A first end portion 33g located at the position closest to the first opening end 33e of the inclined surface 33c faces the inside of the housing main body portion 31 in a direction opposite to the first direction. A second end portion 33h located at the position closest to the second opening end 33f of the inclined surface 33c forms the narrowest opening portion in the wiring hole portion 33b.

[0073] Here, in the above illustration, the plurality of electric wires 100 correspond to a first electric wire 100a and a second electric wire 100b. In the above illustration, the plurality of terminals 10 correspond to 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. In the above illustration, the first direction corresponds to the Z direction.

[0074] The general shape of the connector 1 is a so-called U-shape such that the direction of connection to the external connector and the direction of drawing out the electric wire 100 to the outside are along the first direction. In this case, each electric wire 100 extends from the terminal 10 along the second direction intersecting the first direction, but finally is drawn out to the outside along the first direction from the wire drawing portion 33, so it will be bent approximately 90° inside the connector 1. In the above description, the case where the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal is exemplified, but it is not necessarily limited to the orthogonal case.

[0075] First, the wire drawing portion 33 is a part for drawing out each electric wire 100 to the outside, and each wiring hole portion 33b routes one of the electric wires 100 inside the wire drawing portion 33. That is, the narrowest opening portion in each wiring hole portion 33b formed at the second end portion 33h of the inclined surface 33c has a shape capable of at least passing through the electric wire 100. And in each wiring hole portion 33b, the inclined surface 33c is inclined so as to gradually approach the packing hole 62a as it goes in the first direction. Therefore, the electric wire 100 drawn into the wire drawing portion 33 from the inside of the housing main body portion 31 contacts one of the portions of the inclined surface 33c in one of the wiring hole portions 33b and is guided by the inclined surface 33c toward the packing hole 62a. Thus, at least in the wire packing 62 in the wire drawing portion 33, the electric wire 100 is maintained in a posture where the central axis of the electric wire 100 is approximately coaxial with the central axis of the packing hole 62a.

[0076] Since the electric wire 100 is greatly bent inside the housing main body portion 31, an elastic force that tries to return the electric wire to its original shape is generated in the wire drawing portion 33. On the other hand, according to the connector 1, in the wire packing 62, the deviation of the electric wire 100 due to the elastic force is suppressed, so the deformation of the wire packing 62, that is, the deviation of the so-called tightening allowance is suppressed, and as a result, the deterioration of the waterproof performance can be suppressed.

[0077] As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the degree of bending of the electric wire 100 inside is large, it is possible to provide the connector 1 that is advantageous for suppressing the deterioration of the waterproof performance.

[0078] Further, according to the present embodiment, with respect to the inclined surface 33c, the opening portion at the first end portion 33g facing the inside of the housing main body portion 31 is wider than the opening portion at the second end portion 33h. Therefore, for example, when an operator assembles the connector 1, when the electric wire 100 that is greatly bent inside the housing main body portion 31 is drawn into the electric wire drawing portion 33, it is difficult to interfere with the electric wire drawing portion 33. Thus, the connector 1 is also advantageous in terms of improving the assemblability.

[0079] Also, in the connector 1, each of the wire routing holes 33b may have an inner peripheral surface 33i that is partially continuous with the inner wall surface 33a to which the wire packing 62 is attached, and a plurality of ribs 33j that are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the inner periphery of the inner peripheral surface 33i. The inclined surface 33c may be provided for each rib 33j.

[0080] According to this connector 1, it is effective as an example of the case where the inclined surface 33c is provided in each of the wire routing holes 33b. By providing only the necessary ribs 33j for guiding the electric wire 100 toward the packing hole 62a, it is also advantageous for reducing the weight of the outer housing 30.

[0081] (Second Embodiment) In the connector 1 according to the first embodiment, in each of the wire routing holes 33b in the electric wire drawing portion 33, the inclined surface 33c is provided as a part of a plurality of ribs 33j. In contrast, in the connector 2 according to the second embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the electric wire drawing portion 33 has a plurality of wire routing holes 33k in which a part of the inner peripheral surface 33n is an inclined surface 33m instead of the plurality of wire routing holes 33b.

[0082] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connector 2 according to a second embodiment, which is cut at the same position as FIG. 3 used in the description of the connector 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an outer housing 30a in the second embodiment extracted from FIG. 5. Regarding the connector 2, parts having the same configuration or the same shape as those of the connector 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0083] The connector 2 includes an outer housing 30a instead of the outer housing 30 included in the connector 1. Further, the wire lead-out portion 33 of the outer housing 30a has a plurality of wiring holes 33k instead of the plurality of wiring holes 33b of the wire lead-out portion 33 of the outer housing 30.

[0084] Also in the plurality of wiring holes 33k, a first opening end 33e and a second opening end 33f are defined in the same manner as in the plurality of wiring holes 33b. However, in the wiring hole 33k in the present embodiment, a part of the inner peripheral surface 33n constitutes an inclined surface 33m that is continuous over the inner periphery. Also in the inclined surface 33m in the present embodiment, one end is defined as a first end 33g and the other end is defined as a second end 33h in the same manner as the inclined surface 33c in the first embodiment. The inclined surface 33m is inclined such that the distance L to the extension axis AX gradually approaches as it goes from the side of the first opening end 33e to the side of the second opening end 33f.

[0085] Also, in the plurality of wire routing hole portions 33k, in the direction from the first end portion 33g toward the inside of the housing main body portion 31, there is no portion that becomes narrower than the opening portion at the first end portion 33g. For example, in the second direction corresponding to the Y direction, the opening distance at the first end portion 33g is represented by a first distance L1 as shown in FIG. 5. Further, the second end portion 33h forms the narrowest opening portion in the wire routing hole portion 33k. For example, in the second direction corresponding to the Y direction, the opening distance at the second end portion 33h is represented by a second distance L2 as shown in FIG. 5. And the second distance L2 is smaller than the first distance L1 regarding the first end portion 33g. Here, the second end portion 33h is circular with an inner diameter represented by the dimensional value of the second distance L2. In this case, the inner diameter of the second end portion 33h, that is, the dimensional value of the second distance L2 may be set to be equivalent to the outer diameter D of the electric wire 100.

[0086] Thus, in the connector 2, the inclined surface 33m may be at least a part of the inner peripheral surface 33n of the wire routing hole portion 33k.

[0087] According to this connector 2, an effect equivalent to that of the connector 1 according to the first embodiment is exhibited. In particular, according to the connector 2, for example, since the shape of the wire routing hole portion 33k is simpler than the shape of the wire routing hole portion 33b in the first embodiment, it is advantageous in that the shape of the outer housing 30a itself can be simplified.

[0088] 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

[0089] 1, 2 Connectors 10 Terminals 31 Housing Main Body Portion 33 Electric Wire Lead-Out Portion 33a Inner Wall Surface 33b, 33k Wire Routing Hole Portions 33c, 33m Inclined Surfaces 33e First Opening End 33f Second Opening End 33g First End Portion 33h Second end 33i, 33n Inner peripheral surface 33j Rib 62 Wire packing 62a Packing hole 100 Electric wire

Claims

1. A connector connected to an external connector, comprising: a plurality of terminals; a housing main body that houses terminal portions of a plurality of electric wires joined to each of the terminals; a cylindrical wire lead-out portion that is continuous with the housing main body and leads out the plurality of electric wires to the outside along a first direction in which the connector is connected to the external connector; a wire packing having a plurality of packing holes that are closely attached to the inner wall surface of the wire lead-out portion and penetrate while being in close contact with each of the electric wires; The wire lead-out portion has a plurality of wire routing hole portions for routing each of the electric wires between a first open end facing the inside of the housing main body and a second open end facing a part of the wire packing attached to the inner wall surface in the first direction; Each of the plurality of wire routing hole portions has an inclined surface such that the distance to the extension axis of the central axis of the packing hole decreases as it goes from the side of the first open end to the side of the second open end; A first end portion located at a position closest to the first open end of the inclined surface faces the inside of the housing main body in a direction opposite to the first direction; A second end portion located at a position closest to the second open end of the inclined surface forms the narrowest opening portion in the wire routing hole portion. The connector.

2. Each of the plurality of wire routing hole portions respectively has: an inner peripheral surface that is partially continuous with the inner wall surface to which the wire packing is attached; a plurality of ribs arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the inner periphery of the inner peripheral surface; The inclined surface is provided for each of the ribs. The connector according to claim 1.

3. The inclined surface is at least a part of the inner peripheral surface of the wire routing hole portion. The connector according to claim 1.

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