Connector and connector device

Abstract

To provide a connector and a connector device which can correctly connect terminals together.SOLUTION: A connector 100 comprises: an insulative housing 10 having a first opening 10a into which a plate-shaped device-side bus bar 210 of a mating device 200 is inserted, and a second opening 10b which is located on one principal surface 210a of the device-side bus bar inserted in the first opening; a plate-shaped connector terminal 20, housed in the housing, which is located between a second opening and the device-side bus bar inserted in the first opening so that its one principal surface 20a faces the one principal surface of the device-side bus bar inserted in the first opening; and a fastening member 30, screwed into the second opening 10b, which presses the connector terminal 20 toward the device-side bus bar inserted in the first opening 10a, thereby fixating electrical connection between the connector terminal and the device-side bus bar.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and a connector device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a conductive first conductor having a first connecting surface, a conductive second conductor having a second connecting surface, a pair of fastening members for electrically connecting the first conductor and the second conductor by arranging the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface facing each other, and a first insulating portion for accommodating the first conductor and a second insulating portion for accommodating the second conductor. In this connector, the first insulating portion and the second insulating portion have first and second anti-touch portions that cover the first conductor and the second conductor, respectively, and first and second insulated fastening portions that fasten the first conductor and the second conductor with the pair of fastening members on both sides of the first conductor and the second conductor. Patent Document 1 states that the above configuration enables work in an insulated state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-72236 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] High-voltage connectors used in electric vehicles and other vehicles require a contact prevention structure that prevents the worker's fingers from coming into contact with conductive parts (metal parts) from the perspective of safety for workers assembling vehicles and performing maintenance services. Connectors that employ a contact prevention structure are desired to have a structure that allows terminals to be connected properly.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a connector device that can properly connect terminals to each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present invention comprises an insulating housing having a first opening into which a flat-shaped equipment-side bus bar of a mating device is inserted and a second opening located on one main surface of the equipment-side bus bar inserted into the first opening; a flat-shaped connector terminal accommodated in the housing and located between the equipment-side bus bar inserted into the first opening and the second opening, with one main surface facing the one main surface of the equipment-side bus bar inserted into the first opening; and a fastening member that screws into the second opening and presses the connector terminal toward the equipment-side bus bar inserted into the first opening, thereby fixing the electrical connection between the connector terminal and the equipment-side bus bar.

[0007] The connector device of the present invention comprises a housing having an insertion hole formed therein, a mating device including a flat-plate-shaped equipment-side bus bar provided in the housing, and a connector inserted into the insertion hole and connected to the equipment-side bus bar. The connector comprises an insulating housing having a first opening into which the equipment-side bus bar is inserted and a second opening located on one of the main surfaces of the equipment-side bus bar inserted into the first opening, a flat-plate-shaped connector terminal accommodated in the housing and located between the equipment-side bus bar inserted into the first opening and the second opening, one of the main surfaces of which is electrically connected to the one main surface of the equipment-side bus bar inserted into the first opening, and a fastening member that screws into the second opening and presses the connector terminal toward the equipment-side bus bar inserted into the first opening, thereby fixing the electrical connection between the connector terminal and the equipment-side bus bar. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The connector and connector device according to the present invention have the advantage of being able to properly connect terminals to each other. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state between the connector according to the embodiment and a mating device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state between the connector according to the embodiment and a mating device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art or that are substantially the same.

[0011] [Embodiment] An embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state between the connector according to an embodiment and a mating device, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state between the connector according to an embodiment and a mating device, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector device according to an embodiment.

[0012] The connector 100 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is incorporated into a wire harness arranged in a vehicle such as an automobile. Here, the wire harness is, for example, a component in which a plurality of electric wires used for power supply and signal communication are bundled together to connect various devices mounted on the vehicle, and the plurality of electric wires are connected to the devices using a connector 100 or the like. In the embodiment, the connector 100 is connected to a counterpart device 200, which will be described later, to form a connector device 300, which is part of the wire harness.

[0013] In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction will be referred to as the "connection direction X," the second direction will be referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction will be referred to as the "height direction Z." The connection direction X corresponds to the connection direction between the connector 100 and the mating device 200. The width direction Y and the height direction Z correspond to intersecting directions that intersect with the connection direction X. Furthermore, one side in the height direction Z will be referred to as the upper side, and the other side will be referred to as the lower side. In the embodiment, the connection direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are perpendicular to one another.

[0014] The connector 100 according to the embodiment includes a housing 10, connector terminals 20, fastening members 30, and a finger-touch prevention portion 40.

[0015] The housing 10 is an insulating rectangular cylindrical member. A first opening 10a is formed at one end of the housing 10 in the connection direction X. The first opening 10a is an opening through which a flat-plate-shaped device-side bus bar 210 (see FIG. 2) provided on a mating device 200 (described later) is inserted. The first opening 10a is formed to correspond to the shape of the device-side bus bar 210. In the embodiment, the first opening 10a is formed as a rectangular opening with the longitudinal direction being the width direction Y of the housing 10. Furthermore, an electric wire insertion hole through which an end portion of an electric wire is inserted is formed at the other end (not shown) of the housing 10 in the connection direction X. Furthermore, a second opening 10b is formed in an upper wall portion (top wall) of the housing 10 in the height direction. The second opening 10b is formed so as to be positioned on one main surface 210a of the device-side bus bar 210 when the device-side bus bar 210 is inserted into the first opening 10a. In this embodiment, the second opening 10b is a circular opening. The edge of the second opening 10b protrudes upward from the surrounding surface of the upper wall of the housing 10, forming a ring-shaped wall.

[0016] The connector terminals 20 are conductive members having a flat plate shape. The connector terminals 20 are accommodated in the housing 10 and extend along the connection direction X. One end of the connector terminals 20 in the connection direction X is electrically connected to an end of an electric wire inserted into an electric wire insertion hole of the housing 10 (not shown). In the embodiment, the connector terminals 20 are arranged so as to be located between the device-side bus bar 210 and the second opening 10b when the device-side bus bar 210 is inserted into the first opening 10a. That is, the connector terminals 20 are arranged so as to separate the accommodation space of the device-side bus bar 210 in the housing 10 from the second opening 10b. The connector terminals 20 have a pair of main surfaces, a first main surface 20a and a second main surface 20b. Within the housing 10, the connector terminals 20 are arranged so that the first main surface 20a faces downward in the height direction Z and the second main surface 20b faces upward in the height direction Z. Here, the main surfaces of the connector terminals 20 refer to the two largest surfaces among the flat surfaces constituting the connector terminals 20. Within the housing 10, the first main surface 20a of the connector terminals 20 faces one main surface 210a of the device-side bus bar 210 inserted into the first opening 10a. Furthermore, a portion of the second main surface 20b of the connector terminals 20 faces the second opening 10b in the height direction Z.

[0017] The fastening member 30 is a member that is screwed into the second opening 10b and presses the connector terminal 20 toward the device-side bus bar 210 inserted into the first opening 10a, thereby fixing the electrical connection between the connector terminal 20 and the device-side bus bar 210. In the embodiment, the fastening member 30 has a bolt portion 31 and an insulating cover 32.

[0018] The bolt portion 31 is formed of a conductive material such as metal. In the embodiment, the bolt portion 31 has a shaft portion 31a, a bolt head portion 31b, and a pressing portion 31c. The shaft portion 31a is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a threaded groove formed on its outer circumferential surface. In the embodiment, a ring-shaped nut portion 11 is embedded in a part of the wall of the second opening 10b, and the shaft portion 31a closes the second opening 10b by threading onto the nut portion 11 of the second opening 10b. The bolt head 31b is a base portion provided at one end of the shaft portion 31a and serves as a seat portion on which the shaft portion 31a stands. The bolt head 31b is formed as a portion with a larger diameter than the shaft portion 31a. Here, the bolt head 31b is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. The pressing portion 31c is provided at the other end of the shaft portion 31a and protrudes from the other end of the shaft portion 31a in the direction in which the shaft portion 31a protrudes from the bolt head 31b. The pressing portion 31c is formed as a portion having a smaller diameter than the shaft portion 31a. The pressing portion 31c in the embodiment is a portion that comes into contact with the connector terminal 20 and presses the connector terminal 20 toward the device-side bus bar 210 inserted into the first opening 10a when the fastening member 30 is screwed into the second opening 10b.

[0019] The insulating cover 32 is made of an insulating material such as resin, and is a member that covers the portion of the bolt portion 31 that is exposed outside the housing 10 from the second opening 10b when the fastening member 30 is attached to the second opening 10b. In this embodiment, the insulating cover 32 covers the top surface (the surface opposite to the surface from which the shank 31a protrudes) and side surfaces of the bolt head 31b.

[0020] The finger-touch prevention portion 40 is a member that prevents the fingers of a worker or the like performing the work of installing the connector 100 from entering the second opening 10b. The finger-touch prevention portion 40 is formed of an insulating material such as resin. In the embodiment, the finger-touch prevention portion 40 is a columnar member provided on the connector terminal 20, and is formed so as to protrude from the connector terminal 20 toward the second opening 10b. For example, the connector terminal 20 is provided with an attachment hole that penetrates the connector terminal 20 in the height direction Z, and the finger-touch prevention portion 40 is formed so as to penetrate the attachment hole from the first main surface 20a side to the second main surface 20b side. A base portion having a larger diameter than the portion of the finger-touch prevention portion 40 protruding from the connector terminal 20 is formed at the base end (lower end) of the finger-touch prevention portion 40. The mounting hole of the connector terminal 20 is formed so that the upper portion in the height direction Z and the lower portion in the height direction Z are slightly narrower than the middle portion in the height direction Z, and the base portion of the finger-touch prevention portion 40 is held in the middle portion while being embedded in the mounting hole of the connector terminal 20.

[0021] The fastening member 30 is formed with a recess 30a that accommodates the finger-touch prevention portion 40 when the fastening member 30 is screwed into the second opening 10b. In the embodiment, the recess 30a is provided in the fastening member 30 by forming a part of the shaft portion 31a and the pressing portion 31c into a hollow shape.

[0022] Furthermore, the connector terminal 20 of the embodiment is provided with a guide portion 20c. The guide portion 20c is erected on the second main surface b of the connector terminal 20 toward the second opening 10b and is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the finger-touch prevention portion 40. A gap is formed between the guide portion 20c and the finger-touch prevention portion 40 in a direction perpendicular to the height direction Z, and the pressing portion 31c of the fastening member 30 attached to the second opening 10b is accommodated in this gap. When the fastening member 30 is attached to the second opening 10b, the guide portion 20c guides the pressing portion 31c so that the pressing portion 31c is positioned at a predetermined position inside the guide portion 20c (the gap between the guide portion 20c and the finger-touch prevention portion 40).

[0023] Next, the counterpart device 200 to which the connector 100 is connected and the connection mode between the connector 100 and the counterpart device 200 will be described.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, the counterpart device 200 includes a device-side bus bar 210 and a housing 220. The counterpart device 200 of the embodiment is a so-called electrical junction box. Here, the electrical junction box distributes power supplied from a power source to various electronic devices in a vehicle such as an automobile, and accommodates at least one electrical component therein. Examples of electrical components accommodated in such an electrical junction box include electronic components such as relays and fuses, as well as wiring connectors (relay connectors and branch connectors). In addition, the electrical junction box may also accommodate an electronic control unit for the vehicle.

[0025] The device-side bus bar 210 is a metal member having a flat plate shape. In this embodiment, the device-side bus bar 210 is an electrical connection part electrically connected to electronic components housed in the housing 220. The device-side bus bar 210 has a pair of main surfaces, namely, a third main surface 210a and a fourth main surface 210b.

[0026] The housing 220 is, for example, an insulating box-shaped member. The housing 220 has an insertion hole 220a formed therein, which penetrates a wall of the housing 220 along the connection direction X. The insertion hole 220a is an opening through which the connector 100 according to the embodiment is inserted. Within the housing 220, the device-side bus bar 210 is disposed with the third main surface 210a facing upward in the height direction Z, such that the tip of the connector 100 faces the insertion hole 220a.

[0027] As described above, the connector device 300 according to the embodiment is configured by the connector 100 and the counterpart device 200. For example, the connector device 300 is configured by an operator assembling the connector 100 and the counterpart device 200 as follows.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, a worker assembling the connector device 300 inserts the connector 100 into the insertion hole 220a with the first opening 10a of the housing 10 facing the device-side bus bar 210. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the worker inserts the device-side bus bar 210 into the first opening 10a of the connector 100. At this time, the device-side bus bar 210 is positioned so that the third main surface 210a faces the first main surface 20a of the connector terminal 20. That is, the device-side bus bar 210 is positioned so that the third main surface 210a of the device-side bus bar 210 is in surface contact with the first main surface 20a of the connector terminal 20. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the worker attaches the fastening member 30 to the second opening 10b and screws the shaft portion 31a into the nut portion 11. When the shaft portion 31a is threadedly engaged with the nut portion 11, the pressing portion 31c comes into contact with the second main surface 20b of the connector terminal 20 and presses the connector terminal 20 toward the device-side bus bar 210. When the connector terminal 20 is pressed toward the device-side bus bar 210 by the pressing portion 31c, the device-side bus bar 210 inserted into the first opening 10a of the housing 10 is fixed in a state where it is sandwiched between the connector terminal 20 and the bottom wall of the housing 10.

[0029] The connector 100 and the counterpart device 200 are assembled in the above manner.

[0030] As described above, the connector 100 according to the embodiment includes an insulating housing 10 having a first opening 10a into which the flat-shaped device-side bus bar 210 of the mating device 200 is inserted and a second opening 10b located on one of the main surfaces 210a of the device-side bus bar 210 inserted into the first opening 10a; a connector terminal 20 having a flat plate shape, accommodated within the housing 10, located between the device-side bus bar 210 inserted into the first opening 10a and the second opening 10b, with one of the main surfaces 20a facing the one of the main surfaces 210a of the device-side bus bar 210 inserted into the first opening 10a; and a fastening member 30 that screws into the second opening 10b and presses the connector terminal 20 toward the device-side bus bar 210 inserted into the first opening 10a, thereby fixing the electrical connection between the connector terminal 20 and the device-side bus bar 210.

[0031] In the connector 100 according to the embodiment, the connector terminals 20 housed in the insulating housing 10 are positioned opposite the device-side bus bar 210 inserted into the first opening 10a, and the connector terminals 20 and the device-side bus bar 210 are electrically connected to each other by pressing the connector terminals 20 toward the device-side bus bar 210 with the fastening members 30. With this configuration, the connector 100 according to the embodiment can connect the device-side bus bar 210 and the connector terminals 20 by inserting the device-side bus bar 210 into the first opening 10a. Therefore, the connector terminals 20 can be connected to the device-side bus bar 210 without bending, for example, the electric wires connected to the base ends of the connector terminals 20. Therefore, the connector 100 according to the embodiment can be easily connected to the device-side bus bar 210 of the mating device 200 while preventing fingers from coming into contact with the connector terminals 20. Furthermore, by screwing the fastening member 30 into the second opening 10b and pressing the connector terminal 20 toward the device-side bus bar 210, the connector terminal 20 can be easily fixed to the device-side bus bar 210. Therefore, the connector 100 according to the embodiment can properly connect the terminals to each other.

[0032] In addition, the connector 100 of the embodiment further includes an insulating finger-touch prevention portion 40 that protrudes from the connector terminal 20 toward the second opening 10b, and the fastening member 30 is formed with a recess 30a that accommodates the finger-touch prevention portion 40 when the fastening member 30 is screwed into the second opening 10b.

[0033] In the connector 100 according to the embodiment, the insulating finger-touch prevention portion 40 can prevent the worker's fingers from entering the second opening 10b.

[0034] In addition, in the connector 100 of the embodiment, the fastening member 30 has a bolt portion 31 that screws into the second opening 10b, and an insulating cover 32 that covers the portion of the bolt portion 31 that is exposed outside the housing 10 from the second opening 10b.

[0035] The connector 100 according to the embodiment covers the bolt portion 31 exposed from the housing 10 with an insulating cover 32, thereby preventing the fingers of an operator or the like from touching the conductive portion (bolt portion 31).

[0036] Moreover, a connector device 300 according to the embodiment includes a mating device 200 including a housing 220 in which an insertion hole 220a is formed and a flat-plate-shaped device-side bus bar 210 provided in the housing 220, and a connector 100 inserted into the insertion hole 220a and connected to the device-side bus bar 210, the connector 100 including an insulating housing 10 formed with a first opening 10a into which the device-side bus bar 210 is inserted and a second opening 10b located on one main surface 210a of the device-side bus bar 210 inserted into the first opening 10a. The connector terminal 20 has a flat plate shape and is accommodated in the housing 10. The connector terminal 20 is located between the device-side bus bar 210 inserted into the first opening 10a and the second opening 10b, and has one main surface 20a electrically connected to one main surface 210a of the device-side bus bar 210 inserted into the first opening 10a. The connector terminal 20 also includes a fastening member 30 that is screwed into the second opening 10b and presses the connector terminal 20 toward the device-side bus bar 210 inserted into the first opening 10a, thereby fixing the electrical connection between the connector terminal 20 and the device-side bus bar 210.

[0037] In the connector device 300 according to the embodiment, the connector terminals 20 housed in the insulating housing 10 are positioned opposite the device-side bus bar 210 inserted into the first opening 10a. The fastening member 30 presses the connector terminals 20 toward the device-side bus bar 210, thereby electrically connecting the connector terminals 20 and the device-side bus bar 210. With this configuration, the connector device 300 according to the embodiment can connect the device-side bus bar 210 and the connector terminals 20 by inserting the device-side bus bar 210 into the first opening 10a. Therefore, for example, the connector terminals 20 can be connected to the device-side bus bar 210 without bending the electric wires or the like connected to the base ends of the connector terminals 20. This facilitates the connection of the connector terminals 20 and the device-side bus bar 210 within the housing. Therefore, the connector device 300 according to the embodiment can easily connect to the device-side bus bar 210 of the mating device 200 while preventing fingers from coming into contact with the connector terminals 20. Furthermore, by screwing the fastening member 30 into the second opening 10b to press the connector terminal 20 toward the device-side bus bar 210, the connector terminal 20 can be easily fixed to the device-side bus bar 210. Therefore, the connector device 300 according to the embodiment can properly connect the terminals to each other.

[0038] In the above-described embodiment, the finger-touch prevention portion 40 is provided on the connector terminal 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the second opening 10b is not large enough for the operator's fingers to enter, or if the connector terminal 20 has a shape that makes it difficult for the operator's fingers to reach the connector terminal 20, the connector 100 may not be provided with the finger-touch prevention portion 40.

[0039] In the above-described embodiment, the fastening member 30 includes the bolt portion 31 and the insulating cover 32, but this is not limiting. For example, the bolt portion 31 in the fastening member 30 may be made of an insulating material. In this case, the fastening member 30 does not need to include the insulating cover 32.

[0040] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be implemented in appropriate combinations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 10: Housing 10a: 1st opening 10b:Second opening 20: Connector terminal 30: Fastening member 31: Bolt section 32: Insulating cover 40:Tactile prevention part 100: Connector 200: Counterparty device 210: Equipment side bus bar 220: Cabinet

Claims

1. an insulating housing having a first opening into which a flat-plate-shaped device-side bus bar of a mating device is inserted, and a second opening located on one main surface of the device-side bus bar inserted into the first opening; a connector terminal having a flat plate shape, accommodated in the housing, and positioned between the device-side bus bar inserted into the first opening and the second opening, with one main surface facing the one main surface of the device-side bus bar inserted into the first opening; a fastening member that is screwed into the second opening and presses the connector terminal toward the device-side bus bar inserted into the first opening, thereby fixing the electrical connection between the connector terminal and the device-side bus bar; A connector comprising:

2. The connector terminal further includes an insulating finger-touch prevention portion that protrudes from the connector terminal toward the second opening, The fastening member has a recess formed therein for accommodating the finger-touch prevention portion when the fastening member is screwed into the second opening. The connector according to claim 1 .

3. The fastening member includes a bolt portion that is screwed into the second opening, and an insulating cover that covers a portion of the bolt portion that is exposed to the outside of the housing through the second opening.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a mating device including a housing having an insertion hole formed therein and a flat-plate-shaped device-side bus bar provided in the housing; a connector that is inserted into the insertion hole and connected to the device-side bus bar; Equipped with The connector comprises: an insulating housing having a first opening into which the device-side bus bar is inserted and a second opening located on one main surface of the device-side bus bar inserted into the first opening; a connector terminal having a flat plate shape, accommodated in the housing, and positioned between the device-side bus bar inserted into the first opening and the second opening, one main surface of which is electrically connected to the one main surface of the device-side bus bar inserted into the first opening; a fastening member that is screwed into the second opening and presses the connector terminal toward the device-side bus bar inserted into the first opening, thereby fixing the electrical connection between the connector terminal and the device-side bus bar; A connector device comprising:

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