Relay connector and connector assembly

Abstract

To reduce the number of connectors and the number of wirings when a plurality of external devices are connected.SOLUTION: A relay connector (10) is provided with: a housing (11) in which one inner fitting opening (12) for an internal connector and an outer fitting openings (13) for an external connector are formed; a non-branched terminal (36) in which one contact part (38a) is positioned in one inner fitting opening and another contact part (38b) is positioned in any of n outer fitting openings; and a branch terminal (31) in which one contact part (34a) is positioned in one inner fitting opening and another contact part (34b) branched into n pieces is positioned in each of the n outer fitting openings. The non-branched terminal connects the terminal of the internal connector and the terminal of the external connector on a one-to-one basis, and the branched terminal connects the other terminal of the internal connector and the other terminals of the n external connectors on the one-to-n basis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Generally, a relay connector is provided on a housing panel of an electronic device to connect an internal device inside the panel with an external device outside the panel (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The housing panel described in Patent Document 1 has an opening formed therein, and the relay connector is attached to the opening of the housing panel. The relay connector has fitting openings formed on both the inside and outside of the panel. An internal connector for the internal device is fitted into the fitting opening on the inside of the panel, and an external connector for the external device is fitted into the fitting opening on the outside of the panel. Each terminal of the internal connector and each terminal of the external connector are electrically connected one-to-one via each terminal of the relay connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-127429 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the electronic device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the number of relay connectors and the number of wires increase according to the number of external devices connected.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide a relay connector and connector assembly that can reduce the number of connectors and wires when multiple external devices are connected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the relay connector of the present invention is a relay connector that connects one internal connector inside a housing with n external connectors outside the housing, and comprises a housing in which one internal fitting port for the internal connector and n external fitting ports for the external connectors are formed, a non-branched terminal having one contact portion positioned in one of the internal fitting port and the other contact portion positioned in one of the n external fitting ports, and a branched terminal having one contact portion positioned in one of the internal fitting port and the other contact portion branched into n portions positioned in each of the n external fitting ports, wherein the non-branched terminal connects a terminal of the internal connector to a terminal of the external connector in a one-to-one manner, and the branched terminal connects another terminal of the internal connector to another terminal of the n external connectors in a one-to-n manner, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to a relay connector of one aspect of the present invention, one internal connector is fitted into one internal fitting port of the relay connector, and n external connectors are fitted into n external fitting ports of the relay connector. Connecting one internal connector to n external connectors with one relay connector reduces the number of connectors. Furthermore, a terminal of one internal connector is electrically connected to a terminal of one external connector in a one-to-one relationship via a non-branch terminal, and another terminal of one internal connector is electrically connected to other terminals of the n external connectors in a one-to-n relationship via a branch terminal. Connecting the other terminals to each other in a one-to-n relationship via the branch terminal reduces the number of wires connected to the internal connector. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of each connector of the present embodiment as viewed from outside the housing. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of each connector of the present embodiment as viewed from inside the housing. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the internal connector of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the external connector of the present embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the relay connector of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the relay connector of the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the relay connector of the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a connection state of a terminal for a power line according to the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A connector assembly including a relay connector, an internal connector, and an external connector according to this embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of each connector according to this embodiment, viewed from outside the housing. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of each connector according to this embodiment, viewed from inside the housing. Note that FIG. 1 shows a state in which one external connector is mated with the relay connector. In the following description, the internal connector side is the inside of the housing and the external connector side is the outside of the housing, with the housing panel sandwiched between them. In each figure, the front side of the relay connector is indicated by arrow FR, the rear side of the relay connector by arrow RE, the upper side of the relay connector by arrow U, the lower side of the relay connector by arrow LO, the left side of the relay connector by arrow L, and the right side of the relay connector by arrow R.

[0010] 1 and 2, a single relay connector 10 is attached to a panel 1 of the housing of an electronic device. The relay connector 10 connects one internal connector 40 inside the housing to four (n) external connectors 70 outside the housing. The rear of the housing 11 of the relay connector 10 protrudes from the panel 1 to the inside of the housing, and one internal fitting opening 12 for the internal connector 40 is formed in the rear of the housing 11 inside the housing. The front of the housing 11 of the relay connector 10 protrudes from the panel 1 to the outside of the housing, and four external fitting openings 13 for the external connectors 70 are formed in the front of the housing 11 outside the housing.

[0011] One internal connector 40 is provided at the ends of a positive power supply line 56, a negative power supply line 57, and eight signal lines 58 extending from an internal device (not shown) inside the housing. Four external connectors 70 are provided at the ends of a positive power supply line 81, a negative power supply line 82, and two signal lines 83 extending from four (n) external devices (not shown) outside the housing. One internal connector 40 is fitted into one internal fitting port 12 of a relay connector 10, and the four external connectors 70 are fitted into four external fitting ports 13 of the relay connector 10, electrically connecting one internal device and four external devices. For example, the internal device is a control device, and the external devices are various sensors.

[0012] In this way, a connector assembly is formed by four external connectors 70, one internal connector 40, and one relay connector 10. By connecting the four external connectors 70 to one internal connector 40 via one relay connector 10, space is saved and the number of connectors is reduced compared to a configuration in which an external connector and an internal connector are provided for each external device. Furthermore, four positive power supply wires 81 on the outside of the housing are combined into one positive power supply wire 56 on the inside of the housing via the relay connector 10, and four negative power supply wires 82 on the outside of the housing are combined into one negative power supply wire 57 on the inside of the housing via the relay connector 10. Wiring is reduced by the amount that the positive power supply wires 56 and negative power supply wires 57 on the inside of the housing are combined.

[0013] The configurations of the internal connector, external connector, and relay connector will be described below. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the internal connector of this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the external connector of this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the relay connector of this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a rear view of the relay connector of this embodiment. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the relay connector of this embodiment. Fig. 3(A) shows the internal connector as seen from inside the housing, and Fig. 3(B) shows the internal connector as seen from outside the housing. Fig. 5(A) shows the relay connector as seen from inside the housing, and Fig. 5(B) shows the relay connector as seen from outside the housing. Fig. 7(A) shows a cross-section of the rear surface of the relay connector taken along line AA, Fig. 7(B) shows a cross-section of the rear surface of the relay connector taken along line BB, and Fig. 7(C) shows a cross-section of the rear surface of the relay connector taken along line CC.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the internal connector 40 is a 10-core socket to which a positive power line 56, a negative power line 57, and eight signal lines 58 are connected. The internal connector 40 has a resin housing 41. A plurality of terminal accommodating holes 43 are formed in a rear wall 42 of the housing 41. A terminal (one terminal) 61 of the positive power line 56 is accommodated in one terminal accommodating hole 43 at the upper center of the rear wall 42, and a terminal (one terminal) 61 of the negative power line 57 is accommodated in one terminal accommodating hole 43 at the lower center of the rear wall 42. Eight terminal accommodating holes 43 are arranged in two vertical rows in the vertical middle of the rear wall 42, and the eight terminal accommodating holes 43 arranged in the two vertical rows accommodate terminals 61 of eight signal lines 58 arranged in the two vertical rows.

[0015] A housing main body 44 is connected to the front of the rear wall 42 of the housing 41. The outer shape of the housing main body 44 corresponds to the area where the multiple terminal accommodating holes 43 are formed. The upper center of the housing main body 44 protrudes upward to form an upper convex portion 45, and the lower center of the housing main body 44 protrudes downward to form a lower convex portion 46. One contact insertion hole 47 is formed in the front surface of the upper convex portion 45, and another contact insertion hole 47 is formed in the front surface of the lower convex portion 46. Eight contact insertion holes 47 are formed in two upper and lower rows in the vertical middle portion of the housing main body 44. Each contact insertion hole 47 is connected to one of the terminal accommodating holes 43.

[0016] A pair of side walls 48 are connected to both side surfaces of the housing main body 44. A pair of cantilever spring-shaped side locks 51 are provided on the pair of side walls 48. An arm 52 of the side lock 51 extends rearward from the front end of the housing 41, and a lock portion 53 located midway along the extension direction of the arm 52 enters a recess 18 (see FIG. 2) in the inner fitting opening 12 of the relay connector 10, thereby locking the side lock. An operating portion 54 is provided at the tip of the arm 52 of the side lock 51, and pressing the operating portion 54 releases the lock portion 53 from the recess in the inner fitting opening 12, thereby releasing the lock. In addition, latching portions 55 that regulate the amount of swing of the arm 52 are provided at both the top and bottom ends of each side wall 48.

[0017] The same terminal 61 is connected to each of the positive power supply wire 56, negative power supply wire 57, and signal wire 58. Each terminal 61 is made of a conductive material such as a copper alloy. A bottom plate 62 of each terminal 61 extends along the corresponding wire, and from the base end of the bottom plate 62 to the tip, an outer sheath crimping portion 63, a core wire crimping portion 64, and a pair of contact pieces 65 are formed. The outer sheath of each wire is crimped to the outer sheath crimping portion 63, and the core wire protruding from the outer sheath of each wire is crimped to the core wire crimping portion 64, thereby connecting each terminal 61 to the corresponding wire. The pair of contact pieces 65 face each other in the left-right direction, and form a clip-shaped contact portion.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), the external connector 70 is a four-core socket to which a positive power supply wire 81, a negative power supply wire 82, and two signal wires 83 are connected. The external connector 70 has a resin housing 71. Four vertical terminal accommodating holes 72 are formed in the front of the housing 71. The first terminal accommodating hole 72 from the top accommodates a terminal (the other terminal) 85 (see FIG. 8) of the positive power supply wire 81, and the fourth terminal accommodating hole 72 accommodates a terminal (the other terminal) 85 of the negative power supply wire 82. The second and third terminal accommodating holes 72 from the top accommodate terminals 85 of the two signal wires 83. Four vertical contact insertion holes 73 are formed in the rear of the housing 71. Each contact insertion hole 73 is connected to a terminal accommodating hole 72.

[0019] A pair of cantilever spring-shaped side locks 74 are provided on the top and bottom of the housing 71. An arm 75 of the side lock 74 extends forward from the rear end of the housing 71, and a locking portion 76 located midway along the extension of the arm 75 enters a recess 19 (see FIG. 1) in the outer fitting opening 13 of the relay connector 10, thereby locking the side lock. An operating portion 77 is provided at the tip of the arm 75 of the side lock 74, and pressing the operating portion 77 disengages the locking portion 76 from the recess in the outer fitting opening 13, thereby releasing the lock. Latching portions 78 that regulate the amount of swing of the arm 75 are provided at both the top and bottom ends of the housing 71. The same terminals 85 (see FIG. 8) as those for the wires of the internal connector 40 are connected to the respective wires of the external connector 70.

[0020] As shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B), the relay connector 10 has a resin housing 11. One inner fitting opening 12 is formed in the rear of the housing 11, and four outer fitting openings 13 are formed in the front of the housing 11. A pair of side walls 14 of the housing 11 are formed with recesses 15, which are one step lower than the rear sides of the front ends of the side walls 14. A pair of protrusions 5 (see Figure 2) on a panel 1 of the housing fit into the recesses 15 of the pair of side walls 14, and the side walls 14 of the housing 11 are hooked onto the pair of protrusions 5, thereby restricting the insertion depth of the relay connector 10 into the opening 3 of the panel 1 (see Figure 2).

[0021] A pair of cantilever spring-shaped mounting pieces 21 are provided on the top wall 16 and bottom wall 17 of the housing 11. The mounting pieces 21 extend forward from the rear end of the housing 11, and abutment portions 22 are provided at the tips of the mounting pieces 21 for abutting against the opening edge of the panel 1. A stepped slope 23 is formed on the abutment portion 22 so that it becomes higher in the mounting direction of the housing 11, i.e., from front to rear. The stepped slope 23 is pressed against the opening edge of the panel 1, preventing the housing 11 from slipping out of the opening 3 of the panel 1. Because the stepped slope 23 is pressed at an appropriate position in accordance with the thickness of the panel 1, the same relay connector 10 can be used even if the panel 1 has a different thickness.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, the housing 11 has a central wall 24 that separates the inner fitting opening 12 from the four outer fitting openings 13. A positive power terminal 31, a negative power terminal 32, and a signal terminal 36 are attached to the central wall 24 of the housing 11. The plate-shaped positive power terminal 31 is held in a horizontally elongated retaining hole in the upper part of the central wall 24, and the plate-shaped negative power terminal 32 is held in a horizontally elongated retaining hole in the lower part of the central wall 24. Eight retaining holes are arranged in two rows, one above the other, in the vertical middle of the central wall 24, and eight pin-shaped signal terminals 36 are held in the two rows, one above the other. In this way, the eight signal terminals 36 are installed in the space between the positive power terminal 31 and the negative power terminal 32 in the vertical direction of the housing 11.

[0023] The inner fitting opening 12 of the housing 11 is larger than each outer fitting opening 13, and the housing 11 is formed so that the positive power terminal 31, the negative power terminal 32, and the signal terminal 36 can be inserted through the inner fitting opening 12. Because the positive power terminal 31, the negative power terminal 32, and the signal terminal 36 can be inserted into the housing 11 through the inner fitting opening 12, the positive power terminal 31, the negative power terminal 32, and the signal terminal 36 can be attached to the housing 11 from the same direction regardless of the size of the terminals. In particular, because the inner fitting opening 12 is larger than the outer fitting opening 13, the signal terminal 36 can be inserted more easily through the inner fitting opening 12 than in a configuration in which the signal terminal 36 is inserted through the outer fitting opening 13.

[0024] As shown in Figures 6 and 7(B), the positive power terminal 31 is a branched terminal in which a contact portion (one contact portion) 34a is positioned in one of the inner fitting openings 12 and four branched contact portions (other contact portions) 34b are positioned in each of the four outer fitting openings 13. The positive power terminal 31 has a plate-like base portion 33 that is inserted into a retaining hole in the housing 11 (center wall 24). One pin-shaped contact portion 34a protrudes from the base portion 33 toward the inner fitting opening 12, and four pin-shaped contact portions 34b protrude from the base portion 33 toward the outer fitting openings 13. In this way, the positive power terminal 31, in which the contact portion 34b is branched into four, is formed in a simple shape.

[0025] A pair of retaining pieces 35 protrudes from the base portion 33 into the inner fitting opening 12 on both the left and right sides of one contact portion 34a. When the positive power terminal 31 is inserted into the retaining hole of the housing 11, the pair of retaining pieces 35 are held by a jig. Because the pair of retaining pieces 35 are held by the jig, the positive power terminal 31 can be inserted into the retaining hole of the housing 11 without the jig damaging the contact portion 34a. Furthermore, when the positive power terminal 31 is manufactured, the pair of retaining pieces 35 are connected to a carrier (not shown), but the contact portion 34a is not connected to the carrier. Therefore, no burrs are formed on the contact portion 34a when the positive power terminal 31 is separated from the carrier. Although not described further, the negative power terminal 32 is also formed in the same manner as the positive power terminal 31.

[0026] 6 and 7(C), the signal terminal 36 is a non-branched terminal in which a contact portion (one contact portion) 38a is positioned in one of the inner fitting openings 12 and a contact portion (the other contact portion) 38b is positioned in one of the four outer fitting openings 13. The signal terminal 36 is formed with a plate-like widened portion 37 that abuts against the center wall 24 inside the inner fitting opening 12. One contact portion 38a extending from the widened portion 37 toward the inside of the housing is formed in a pin shape, and one contact portion 38b extending from the widened portion 37 toward the outside of the housing is also formed in a pin shape. The contact portion 38a is positioned within the inner fitting opening 12 together with the widened portion 37, and the contact portion 38b passes through a retaining hole in the center wall 24 and protrudes into the outer fitting opening 13.

[0027] The connection state of the terminals will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 8. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the connection state of the terminals for the power lines of this embodiment. Note that Figure 8(A) shows the connection state of the terminals for the power lines, and Figure 8(B) shows the connection state of the terminals for the signal lines. For the sake of convenience, the connectors are omitted from Figure 8.

[0028] 2, when the internal connector 40 is fitted into the inner fitting opening 12 of the relay connector 10, the pin-shaped contact portion 34a of the positive power terminal 31 is inserted into the contact insertion hole 47 of the internal connector 40. The contact portion 34a of the positive power terminal 31 protrudes through the contact insertion hole 47 into the terminal accommodating hole 43 of the internal connector 40, and the contact portion 34a fits between a pair of contact pieces 65 of a terminal 61 installed in the terminal accommodating hole 43. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(A), the contact portion 34a of the positive power terminal 31 is sandwiched between the pair of contact pieces 65 of the terminal 61, and the terminal 61 connected to the positive power wire 56 of the internal connector 40 is electrically connected to the positive power terminal 31 of the relay connector 10.

[0029] 1 , when the four external connectors 70 are fitted into the four outer fitting openings 13 of the relay connector 10, the four pin-shaped contact portions 34b of the positive power terminals 31 are inserted into the contact insertion holes 73 of the four external connectors 70. The contact portions 34b of the positive power terminals 31 protrude through the contact insertion holes 73 into the terminal accommodating holes 72 of the external connectors 70, and the contact portions 34b fit between the pair of contact pieces 86 of the terminals 85 installed in the terminal accommodating holes 72. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(A) , the contact portions 34b of the positive power terminals 31 are sandwiched between the pair of contact pieces 86 of the terminals 85, and the terminals 85 connected to the positive power wires 81 of the external connectors 70 are electrically connected to the positive power terminals 31 of the relay connector 10.

[0030] Because the positive power supply terminal 31 on the external connector 70 side (outside the housing) branches into four contact portions 34b, one terminal 61 of the internal connector 40 and four terminals 85 of the external connector 70 are connected in a one-to-four ratio via the positive power supply terminal 31. Furthermore, a pair of retaining pieces 35 of the positive power supply terminal 31 protrudes into the inner fitting opening 12, but the upper part of the housing main body 44 of the internal connector 40 is recessed except for the upper protrusion 45, so that the upper part of the housing main body 44 does not interfere with the pair of retaining pieces 35. Similarly, the negative power supply terminal 32 is electrically connected to terminals 61, 85 continuing to negative power supply wires 57, 82 of the internal connector 40 and the external connector 70.

[0031] 2, when the internal connector 40 is fitted into the inner fitting opening 12 of the relay connector 10, the pin-shaped contact portion 38a of the signal terminal 36 is inserted into the contact insertion hole 47 of the internal connector 40. The contact portion 38a of the signal terminal 36 protrudes through the contact insertion hole 47 into the terminal accommodating hole 43 of the internal connector 40, and the contact portion 38a fits between the pair of contact pieces 65 of the terminal 61 installed in the terminal accommodating hole 43. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(B), the contact portion 38a of the signal terminal 36 is sandwiched between the pair of contact pieces 65 of the terminal 61, and the terminal 61 connected to the signal line 58 of the internal connector 40 is electrically connected to the signal terminal 36 of the relay connector 10.

[0032] 1, when the four external connectors 70 are fitted into the four outer fitting openings 13 of the relay connector 10, the pin-shaped contact portions 38b of each signal terminal 36 are inserted into the contact insertion holes 73 of each external connector 70. The contact portions 38b of each signal terminal 36 protrude through the contact insertion holes 73 into the terminal accommodating holes 72 of each external connector 70, and each contact portion 38b fits between the pair of contact pieces 86 of each terminal 85 installed in each terminal accommodating hole 72. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(B), the contact portions 38b of each signal terminal 36 are sandwiched between the pair of contact pieces 86 of each terminal 85, and the terminals 85 connected to the signal lines 83 of each external connector 70 are electrically connected to the signal terminals 36 of the relay connector 10.

[0033] Because the signal terminal 36 is not branched on either the internal connector 40 side or the external connector 70 side, the terminal 61 of the internal connector 40 and the terminal 85 of the external connector 70 are connected one-to-one via the signal terminal 36. In this manner, the 10-core internal connector 40 and four 4-core external connectors 70 are connected via one relay connector 10. While the numbers of signal lines 58, 83 are the same between the internal connector 40 and the external connector 70, the number of positive power supply lines 56 and negative power supply lines 57 of the internal connector 40 is three less than the number of positive power supply lines 81 and negative power supply lines 82 of the external connector 70. Furthermore, because only one relay connector 10 is required, only one opening needs to be made in the panel 1 of the housing.

[0034] As described above, according to this embodiment, one internal connector 40 is fitted into one inner fitting port 12 of the relay connector 10, and four external connectors 70 are fitted into four outer fitting ports 13 of the relay connector 10. By connecting one internal connector 40 and four external connectors 70 with one relay connector 10, the number of connectors can be reduced. Furthermore, the terminal 61 of one internal connector 40 and the terminal 85 of one external connector 70 are electrically connected in a one-to-one relationship via the signal terminal 36, and the terminal 61 of one internal connector 40 and the terminal 85 of the four external connectors 70 are electrically connected in a one-to-four relationship via the positive power supply terminal 31 and the negative power supply terminal 32. By connecting the terminals in a one-to-four relationship via the positive power supply terminal 31 and the negative power supply terminal 32, the number of wires connected to the internal connector 40 can be reduced.

[0035] In this embodiment, the contact portions of the positive and negative power supply terminals on the external connector side are branched into four, but the contact portions of the positive and negative power supply terminals on the external connector side may also be branched into n (n is 2 or more) parts. In this case, n external connectors are connected to n outer fitting ports of the relay connector.

[0036] In this embodiment, the positive and negative power supply terminals are formed so that one pin-shaped terminal protrudes from the plate-shaped base toward the internal connector and four pin-shaped terminals protrude toward the external connector, but the shapes of the positive and negative power supply terminals are not limited. The positive and negative power supply terminals may be formed so as to be able to connect the terminal of the internal connector to the terminals of n external connectors in a 1:n relationship.

[0037] In addition, although the signal terminals are formed in a straight shape in this embodiment, the shape of the signal terminals is not limited as long as the signal terminals are formed so as to be able to connect the terminals of the internal connector to the terminals of the n external connectors in a one-to-one relationship.

[0038] As described above, the first aspect is a relay connector (10) that connects one internal connector (40) inside a housing with n external connectors (70) outside the housing, and includes a housing (11) in which one internal fitting opening (12) for the internal connector and n external fitting openings (13) for the external connectors are formed, and a non-branched connector in which one contact portion (38a) is positioned in the one internal fitting opening and the other contact portion (38b) is positioned in one of the n external fitting openings. The relay connector includes a terminal (signal terminal 36) and branch terminals (positive power terminal 31, negative power terminal 32) each having one contact portion (34a) positioned in one inner fitting port and n branched contact portions (34b) positioned in each of n outer fitting ports, where the non-branched terminal connects a terminal (61) of the internal connector to a terminal (85) of the external connector in a one-to-one relationship, and the branch terminal connects another terminal of the internal connector to another terminal of the n external connectors in a one-to-n relationship. With this configuration, one internal connector is fitted into one inner fitting port of the relay connector, and n external connectors are fitted into the n outer fitting ports of the relay connector. Connecting one internal connector to n external connectors with one relay connector reduces the number of connectors. In addition, a terminal of one internal connector and a terminal of one external connector are electrically connected in a one-to-one relationship via a non-branch terminal, and another terminal of one internal connector and other terminals of n external connectors are electrically connected in a one-to-n relationship via branch terminals. By connecting other terminals in a one-to-n relationship via the branch terminal, the number of wires connected to the internal connector can be reduced.

[0039] In the second aspect, in the first aspect, the non-branch terminal is a signal terminal and the branch terminal is a power terminal. With this configuration, the number of power lines connected to the internal connector can be reduced.

[0040] In the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the housing has an opening (3) into which the housing fits, a cantilever spring-like mounting piece (21) is formed on the outer wall of the housing, and a stepped slope (23) is formed at the tip of the mounting piece so that it rises in the direction of mounting the housing, and the stepped slope is pressed against the edge of the opening of the housing. With this configuration, the stepped slope is pressed at an appropriate position in accordance with the thickness of the housing panel, so that the same relay connector can be used even if the thickness of the housing panel is different.

[0041] In a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the branch terminal has a plate-like base portion (33) that is inserted into the housing, one contact portion of the branch terminal is formed in a pin shape that protrudes from the base portion into the inner fitting opening, and the other contact portion of the branch terminal is formed in a pin shape that protrudes from the base portion into the outer fitting opening. With this configuration, a branch terminal in which the other contact portion is branched into n pieces can be formed in a simple shape.

[0042] In the fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, a pair of retaining pieces (35) protrude from the base portion into the inner fitting opening, and the pair of retaining pieces are held by a jig when the branch terminal is inserted into the housing. With this configuration, by holding the pair of retaining pieces with a jig, the branch terminal can be inserted into the housing without damaging one of the contact portions of the branch terminal.

[0043] In a sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the branch terminal is a pair of branch terminals, the non-branch terminal is a plurality of non-branch terminals, and the plurality of non-branch terminals are positioned between the pair of branch terminals in the vertical direction in the housing. With this configuration, the space between the pair of branch terminals can be used to install the plurality of non-branch terminals.

[0044] In a seventh aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the housing is formed so that the branch terminal and the non-branch terminal can be inserted through the inner fitting opening. With this configuration, the branch terminal and the non-branch terminal can be inserted into the housing through the inner fitting opening, so that the branch terminal and the non-branch terminal can be attached to the housing from the same direction regardless of the size of the terminal. Furthermore, because the inner fitting opening is larger than the outer fitting opening, the branch terminal and the non-branch terminal can be inserted more easily through the inner fitting opening than in a configuration in which the branch terminal and the non-branch terminal are inserted through the outer fitting opening.

[0045] An eighth aspect is a connector assembly including one internal connector inside a housing, n external connectors outside the housing, and a relay connector connecting the internal connector and the external connector, wherein the relay connector has a housing formed with one internal fitting port for the internal connector and n external fitting ports for the external connectors, a non-branched terminal having one contact portion located in one of the internal fitting port and the other contact portion located in one of the n external fitting ports, and a branched terminal having one contact portion located in one of the internal fitting port and the other contact portion branched into n locations located in each of the n external fitting ports, wherein the non-branched terminal connects a terminal of the internal connector to a terminal of the external connector in a one-to-one relationship, and the branched terminal connects another terminal of the internal connector to another terminal of the n external connectors in a one-to-n relationship. According to this configuration, one internal connector is fitted into one internal fitting port of the relay connector, and n external connectors are fitted into the n external fitting ports of the relay connector. The number of connectors can be reduced by connecting one internal connector to n external connectors with one relay connector. Also, the terminals of one internal connector and one external connector are electrically connected one-to-one via non-branch terminals, and other terminals of one internal connector and other terminals of n external connectors are electrically connected one-to-n via branch terminals. The branch terminals connect other terminals one-to-n, thereby reducing the number of wires connected to the internal connector.

[0046] Although the present embodiment has been described, other embodiments may be obtained by combining the above-described embodiments and modifications in whole or in part.

[0047] Furthermore, the technology of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be variously changed, substituted, or modified within the scope of the spirit of the technical idea. Furthermore, if the technical idea can be realized in a different way due to technological advances or other derived technologies, it may be implemented using that method. Therefore, the claims cover all embodiments that may fall within the scope of the technical idea. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1: Panel 3:Aperture 10: Relay connector 11: Housing 12: Inner fitting opening 13:Outer fitting port 21: Mounting piece 23: Slope 31: Positive power terminal (branch terminal) 32: Negative power terminal (branch terminal) 33: Base part 34a: Contact point (one of the contact points) 34b: Contact point (other contact point) 35: Holding piece 36: Signal terminal (non-branch terminal) 38a: Contact point (one of the contact points) 38b: Contact part (other contact part) 40: Internal connector 61: Terminal 70: External connector 85: Terminal

Claims

1. A relay connector that connects one internal connector inside a housing to n external connectors outside the housing, a housing having one inner fitting opening for the internal connector and n outer fitting openings for the external connectors; a non-branched terminal having one contact portion positioned in one of the inner fitting openings and the other contact portion positioned in any of the n outer fitting openings; a branch terminal having one contact point located in one of the inner fitting openings and another contact point branched into n parts located in each of the n outer fitting openings, A relay connector characterized in that the non-branched terminal connects a terminal of the internal connector to a terminal of the external connector in a one-to-one relationship, and the branched terminal connects another terminal of the internal connector to other terminals of n of the external connectors in a one-to-n relationship.

2. 2. The relay connector according to claim 1, wherein the non-branched terminal is a signal terminal, and the branched terminal is a power terminal.

3. The enclosure has an opening through which the housing fits, A cantilever spring-shaped mounting piece is formed on the outer wall of the housing, 3. The relay connector according to claim 1, wherein a stepped slope is formed at the tip of the mounting piece so as to increase in height in the mounting direction of the housing, and the stepped slope is pressed against the edge of the opening of the case.

4. The branch terminal has a plate-shaped base portion that is inserted into the housing, A relay connector as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that one contact portion of the branch terminal is formed in a pin shape protruding from the base portion into the inner fitting port, and the other contact portion of the branch terminal is formed in a pin shape protruding from the base portion into the outer fitting port.

5. A pair of retaining pieces protrude from the base portion into the inner fitting opening, 5. The relay connector according to claim 4, wherein the pair of holding pieces are held by a jig when the branch terminal is inserted into the housing.

6. the branch terminal is a pair of branch terminals, and the non-branch terminal is a plurality of non-branch terminals, 3. The relay connector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of non-branch terminals are positioned between the pair of branch terminals in the vertical direction in the housing.

7. 3. The relay connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing is formed so that the branch terminal and the non-branch terminal can be inserted through the inner fitting opening.

8. A connector assembly comprising one internal connector inside a housing, n external connectors outside the housing, and a relay connector connecting the internal connector and the external connectors, The relay connector is a housing having one inner fitting opening for the internal connector and n outer fitting openings for the external connectors; a non-branched terminal having one contact portion positioned in one of the inner fitting openings and the other contact portion positioned in any of the n outer fitting openings; a branch terminal having one contact point located in one of the inner fitting openings and another contact point branched into n parts located in each of the n outer fitting openings, A connector assembly characterized in that the non-branched terminal connects a terminal of the internal connector to a terminal of the external connector in a one-to-one relationship, and the branched terminal connects another terminal of the internal connector to other terminals of n number of the external connectors in a one-to-n relationship.

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