Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of suppressing a water-stopping material from flowing into and adhering to a tab part when the water-stopping material is applied to a support plate part of a connection member.SOLUTION: A male connector 2 includes: a ground terminal member 8 having a plurality of tab parts 31; and a male housing 7 in which a part of the ground terminal member 8 is insert-molded. The ground terminal member 8 includes: a body fixing part 21; a neck part 22 rising from the body fixing part 21; and a base part 32 provided continuously to the neck part 22 and having the plurality of tab parts 31 protruding therefrom. The base part 32 includes: a first base part 42 continuously provided to an end part of the neck part 22 in a Z direction; and a second base part 43 formed on a side part of the first base part 42 in a Y direction and folded back. The tab part 31 is formed by being bent with respect to the second base part 43 so as to be continuous with an end portion in the Z direction of the second base part 43, a bent part 29 is formed at a root part of the tab part 31, and a water-stopping material applying part 27 is formed at the neck part 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] As an earth joint connector for connecting multiple electric wires together to an earth part of a vehicle, there is one in which a connecting member made of a conductive metal material having multiple tab portions is integrally provided in a resin housing (see Patent Document 1). This connecting member is configured with a fixing plate portion fixed to the vehicle, a support plate portion standing up from the fixing plate portion, and a base portion connected to the support plate portion and having multiple tab portions protruding therefrom. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-110713 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In earth joint connectors, after insert molding, minute gaps can occur between the connecting member (metal) and the housing (resin) due to the difference in volumetric shrinkage rate between the connecting member and the housing. For this reason, it is common to apply a waterproof material to the entire periphery of the support plate of the connecting member, allow it to harden, and then insert mold the connecting member. However, when applying the waterproof material to the support plate of the connecting member, if the waterproof material drips and flows into and adheres to the tab, the resistance value of the tab will increase.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can prevent the water-stopping material from flowing into and adhering to the tab portion when the water-stopping material is applied to the support plate portion of the connecting member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connector according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a connecting member formed from a conductive metal material having a plurality of tab portions, and a resin housing into which a portion of the connecting member is insert-molded. The connecting member has a fixing plate portion that is fixed to the vehicle, a support plate portion that rises from the fixing plate portion, and a base portion that is connected to the support plate portion and has a plurality of tab portions protruding therefrom. The base portion has a first base portion that is connected to the end of the support plate portion in a first direction, and a second base portion that is formed on the side of the first base portion in a second direction that intersects the first direction and is folded back and superimposed on the first base portion. The tab portion is connected to the end of the second base portion in the first direction and is formed by being bent relative to the second base portion. A bent portion is formed at the base portion of the tab portion, and a water-stop material application portion is formed on the support plate portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can prevent the water-stopping material from flowing into and adhering to the tab portion when the water-stopping material is applied to the support plate portion of the connecting member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of an earth joint connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a male connector according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of a male connector according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8]FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a blank material before forming an earth terminal member. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a blank material before forming an earth terminal member. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a process for applying a waterproofing material to the earth terminal member. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a process for applying a waterproofing material to the earth terminal member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The connector according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of convenience and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0010] 1, the earth joint connector 1 is configured by combining a connector (male connector 2) and a mating connector (female connector 3). The mating connector (female connector 3) is fitted into the connector (male connector 2) according to this embodiment.

[0011] The X direction shown in Fig. 1 is the direction along the length of the electric wire 6 connected to the earth joint connector 1, and corresponds to the joining direction (front-rear direction) of the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 in the earth joint connector 1. The Y direction shown in Fig. 1 corresponds to the left-right direction (width direction) of the earth joint connector 1, and is perpendicular to the X direction. The Z direction shown in Fig. 1 corresponds to the height direction (up-down direction) of the earth joint connector 1, and is perpendicular to the X and Y directions.

[0012] First, the mating connector (female connector 3) will be described.

[0013] The female connector 3 is equipped with a mating housing (female housing 4) made of resin. The female housing 4 has a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 61, and the tip side of the female housing 4 forms a mating portion 62. These plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 61 are formed along the joining direction (X direction) with the male connector 2. Furthermore, these plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 61 are arranged in the Y direction of the female housing 4, and the arrangement is in two upper and lower rows.

[0014] The female terminal 5 is accommodated (inserted) into the terminal accommodating chamber 61 from the rear end side, which is the rear side in the joining direction with the male connector 2. The female terminal 5 is formed from a conductive metal material such as copper or a copper alloy. An electric wire 6, which has a conductor covered with an outer sheath, is crimped and electrically connected to the female terminal 5. When the female terminal 5 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 61 from the rear end side of the female housing 4, the electrical connection portion of the female terminal 5 is engaged with a lance portion (not shown) in the terminal accommodating chamber 61. As a result, the female terminal 5 is held accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 61.

[0015] Next, the connector (male connector 2) will be described.

[0016] The male connector 2 includes a resin housing (male housing 7). The male housing 7 is formed with a mating recess 11 that is open at the tip end, which is the front side in the joining direction with the female connector 3. The mating portion 62 of the female housing 4 is fitted into the mating recess 11 of the male housing 7, thereby joining the connector (male connector 2) to the mating connector (female connector 3).

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the male connector 2 has a housing (male housing 7) and a connecting member (ground terminal member 8).

[0018] The male housing 7 has a hood portion 10, the inside of which is a mating recess 11. The hood portion 10 has a rear wall portion (bottom wall portion 12) and a peripheral wall portion 13 extending from the periphery of the bottom wall portion 12 toward the tip side. A ring-shaped packing (not shown) is fitted inside the hood portion 10 of the male housing 7. When the mating portion 62 of the female housing 4 is fitted into the mating recess 11 of the male housing 7, this packing seals off water between the mating recess 11 and the mating portion 62.

[0019] 6 and 7, the ground terminal member 8 is configured to include a bus bar 20 and a terminal fitting 30. The bus bar 20 and the terminal fitting 30 are made of a conductive metal material such as copper or a copper alloy, and are integrally formed by press working.

[0020] The bus bar 20 has a flat fixing plate portion (body fixing portion 21) and a support plate portion (neck portion 22) that rises from the body fixing portion 21. A bolt insertion hole 23 is formed in the body fixing portion 21. The body fixing portion 21 is fastened to the vehicle body by fastening a bolt (not shown) inserted into the bolt insertion hole 23 to the body (car body), thereby grounding the bus bar 20. An earth terminal (not shown) of an earth wire is also fastened to the body fixing portion 21 by the bolt. A rotation prevention piece 24 is formed in a part of the body fixing portion 21. The rotation prevention piece 24 is a bent portion that engages with a stepped portion or hole portion around the contact surface to which the body fixing portion 21 is bolted. The rotation prevention piece 24 engages with the stepped portion or hole portion around the contact surface, thereby restricting rotation of the body fixing portion 21 with respect to the contact surface.

[0021] A protrusion 21a for increasing the rigidity of busbar 20 is formed from body fixing portion 21 to neck portion 22. In addition, a protrusion 24a for increasing the rigidity of anti-rotation piece 24 is formed on anti-rotation piece 24.

[0022] At the end of the body fixing portion 21 on the neck portion 22 side (a portion near the neck portion 22), ribs (reinforcing ribs 25) are formed on both sides in the Y direction, rising vertically from the body fixing portion 21. At least the upper portions of this pair of reinforcing ribs 25, 25 are covered with a resin portion (coating portion 16) protruding from the male housing 7 (see FIGS. 3 to 5 ). When vibrations are applied to the earth joint connector 1 while it is fixed to the vehicle body, the vibrations transmitted through the female connector 3 may repeatedly apply a large load to the base portion 22a of the neck portion 22 located between the earth terminal member 8 and the body fixing portion 21. By configuring the earth terminal member 8 as described above, the load applied to the earth terminal member 8 through the female connector 3 can be dispersed, preventing the load from being concentrated on the base portion 22a of the neck portion 22 of the earth terminal member 8.

[0023] Furthermore, in the earth joint connector 1, the current flowing from the female connector 3 passes through the multiple tab portions 31 of the earth terminal member 8, joins at the neck portion 22, and flows from the body fixing portion 21 to the vehicle body. At this time, the current may concentrate at the neck portion 22, which may increase the amount of heat generated at the neck portion 22. By providing the earth terminal member 8 with a structure having the rib portion (reinforcing rib 25) as described above, the heat dissipation effect of the rib portion (reinforcing rib 25) can be obtained, reducing the amount of heat generated at the neck portion 22 and suppressing temperature rise.

[0024] If the reinforcing ribs 25 were to be arranged on both sides of the neck portion 22 in the Y direction (at the locations indicated by reference numeral 41 in FIG. 9), the tab portions 31 are located on the outer sides in the Y direction of the blank material 40 (the sheet material before being bent into the ground terminal member 8), making it impossible to ensure the height of the reinforcing ribs 25. In contrast, in this embodiment, the reinforcing ribs 25 are arranged on both sides of the body fixing portion 21 in the Y direction, so that the tab portions 31 are not located on the outer sides in the Y direction of the blank material 40, and the height of the reinforcing ribs 25 can be ensured (see FIG. 9). Furthermore, the arrangement of the reinforcing ribs 25 is in an area that would conventionally be unused and discarded, thereby improving the yield of materials.

[0025] The terminal fitting 30 has a base portion 32 and a plurality of tab portions 31. The base portion 32 is formed in a flat plate shape, and the tab portions 31 protrude in the same direction from the edge of the base portion 32. In the ground terminal member 8, the plurality of tab portions 31 protruding in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the base portion 32 are arranged in two rows, one above the other.

[0026] 2 to 5, the ground terminal member 8 is insert-molded into the male housing 7. As a result, the neck portion 22 of the bus bar 20 and the base portion 32 of the terminal fitting 30 of the ground terminal member 8 are integrated in a state where they are embedded in the bottom wall portion 12 that forms the fitting recess 11 of the male housing 7. The tab portion 31 of the ground terminal member 8 protrudes from the bottom wall portion 12 into the fitting recess 11.

[0027] The ground terminal member 8 is formed by punching a metal plate to produce a blank 40 (see FIGS. 8 and 9 ), and then bending the blank 40. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the blank 40 has a portion that forms the busbar 20 and is formed on one end of the blank 40, and a portion that forms the terminal fitting 30 and is formed on the other end of the blank 40. The blank 40 also has a portion that forms the neck 22 and is formed between the busbar 20 and the terminal fitting 30.

[0028] The base portion 32 of the terminal fitting 30 has a first base portion 42 and a pair of second base portions 43, 43 connected to both sides of the first base portion 42 in the Y direction. A tab portion 31 is formed on each of the pair of second base portions 43, and the base portion of the second base portion 43 is folded back 180 degrees to overlap the first base portion 42, with the base portions of the multiple tab portions 31 folded back approximately 90 degrees. As a result, a folded portion 28 folded back 180 degrees is formed between the first base portion 42 and the second base portion 43, and bent portions 29 folded back approximately 90 degrees are formed at the base portions of the multiple tab portions 31 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). A rivet fastening portion 33 is formed by fastening a portion of the overlapping portion of the first base portion 42 and the second base portion 43 by riveting (see FIG. 6).

[0029] In this embodiment, the rivet fixing portion 33 and the center portion of the base portion 32 in the Y direction are not covered by resin (part of the male housing 7) but are exposed by exposed portions (lightening portions 14, 15) (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Because the rivet fixing portion 33 is exposed by the lightening portion 14 after insert molding, it is possible to discover any riveting that has been omitted by visual inspection after insert molding. Furthermore, compared to when the rivet fixing portion 33 is covered with resin, the amount of resin used is reduced, and the weight of the male connector 2 can also be reduced.

[0030] Incidentally, the overall volume of the male housing 7 decreases after insert molding due to the shrinkage of the resin. Furthermore, the ground terminal member 8, which is heated and thermally expanded during insert molding, also decreases in volume after insert molding. However, since the volume reduction rate of the male housing 7 is greater than that of the ground terminal member 8, the difference in these volume reduction rates can cause a small gap to form between the ground terminal member 8 and the male housing 7 in the male connector 2. Therefore, a waterproof material application portion 27 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) is formed around the entire circumference of the neck portion 22 of the ground terminal member 8, and then the ground terminal member 8 is insert molded.

[0031] A water-stopping material 51 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) is applied to the ground terminal member 8 before the insert molding. The water-stopping material 51 is, for example, a material that is in liquid form when applied to the ground terminal member 8 and has the property of solidifying when dried.

[0032] First, as shown in Fig. 10 , the earth terminal member 8 is placed with the tab portion 31 facing upward, and a nozzle 50 such as a dispenser is used to apply the water-stopping material 51 to the neck portion 22 of the busbar 20. At this time, the base of the tab portion 31 is formed with a bent portion 29 as a front-side drip prevention portion, and this front bent portion 29 can prevent the water-stopping material 51 from flowing into the tab portion 31. In other words, even if the water-stopping material 51 drips when being applied to the neck portion 22 of the earth terminal member 8, the water-stopping material 51 stops in the portion between the front bent portion 29 and the outer surface of the neck portion 22, and therefore, can be prevented from flowing into the tab portion 31.

[0033] 11 , the earth terminal member 8 is placed with the tab portion 31 facing downward, and the nozzle 50 is used to apply the water-stopping material 51 to the opposite surface of the neck portion 22 of the busbar 20. At this time, the bent portion 29 is formed at the base of the tab portion 31 as a rear-side drip prevention portion, and this rear-side bent portion 29 can prevent the water-stopping material 51 from flowing into the tab portion 31. In other words, even if the water-stopping material 51 drips when it is applied to the neck portion 22 of the earth terminal member 8, the water-stopping material 51 stops in the portion between the rear-side bent portion 29 and the end face of the neck portion 22, and therefore, can be prevented from flowing into the tab portion 31.

[0034] As described above, the connector (male connector 2) according to this embodiment includes a connection member (ground terminal member 8) made of a conductive metal material and having a plurality of tab portions 31. The connector (male connector 2) includes a resin housing (male housing 7) into which a portion of the connection member (ground terminal member 8) is insert-molded. The connection member (ground terminal member 8) includes a fixing plate portion (body fixing portion 21) that is fixed to the vehicle, and a support plate portion (neck portion 22) that extends up from the fixing plate portion (body fixing portion 21). The connection member (ground terminal member 8) includes a base portion 32 that is connected to the support plate portion (neck portion 22) and has a plurality of protruding tab portions 31 formed thereon. The base portion 32 includes a first base portion 42 that is connected to an end of the support plate portion (neck portion 22) in the first direction (Z direction). The base portion 32 has a second base portion 43 that is formed on a side portion of the first base portion 42 in a second direction (Y direction) that intersects with the first direction (Z direction), and is folded back to overlap the first base portion 42. The tab portion 31 is connected to the end portion of the second base portion 43 in the first direction (Z direction) and is formed by bending it relative to the second base portion 43, with a bent portion 29 formed at the base of the tab portion 31 and a waterproof material application portion 27 formed on the support plate portion (neck portion 22).

[0035] When the waterproof material 51 is applied to the neck portion 22, the bent portion 29 can prevent the waterproof material 51 from flowing into the tab portion 31, and can prevent the waterproof material 51 from adhering to the tab portion 31.

[0036] As described above, according to this embodiment, a connector (male connector 2) can be provided that can prevent the water-stopping material 51 from flowing into and adhering to the tab portion 31 when the water-stopping material 51 is applied to the support plate portion (neck portion 22) of the connecting member (earth terminal member 8).

[0037] In the connector (male connector 2), the waterproof material application portion 27 may be formed by applying and hardening a waterproof material to the entire periphery of the support plate portion (neck portion 22).

[0038] When the waterproof material 51 is applied to the neck portion 22, the bent portion 29 can prevent the waterproof material 51 from flowing into the tab portion 31, and can prevent the waterproof material 51 from adhering to the tab portion 31.

[0039] In the connector (male connector 2), a tab portion 31 is connected to each of both end portions of the second base portion 43 in the first direction (Z direction), and a bent portion 29 may be formed at each of the base portions of the tab portions 31 connected to each of both end portions of the second base portion 43 in the first direction (Z direction).

[0040] By providing the tab portions 31 at both ends of the second base portion 43 in the Z direction and bending the tab portions 31 at their base portions, it is possible to improve the yield of materials (see Figure 9).

[0041] In the connector (male connector 2), second base portions 43 may be provided adjacent to both side portions in the second direction (Y direction) of the first base portion 42. Folded portions 28 may be formed between the first base portion 42 and the second base portions 43 provided adjacent to both side portions in the second direction (Y direction) of the first base portion 42.

[0042] By connecting the second base portions 43 to both sides of the first base portion 42 in the Y direction and folding the second base portions 43 back at their base portions, it is possible to improve the yield of materials (see Figure 9).

[0043] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 2 male connectors 7 Male housing 8 Earth terminal member 21 Body fixing part 22 Neck 27 Water-stopping material application area 28 Turning section 29 Bend section 31 Tab section 32 Base 42 First base part 43 Second base part 51 Water-stopping material

Claims

1. a connecting member made of a conductive metal material and having a plurality of tab portions; a resin housing into which a part of the connection member is insert-molded, The connecting member is a fixed plate portion fixed to the vehicle; a support plate portion standing upright from the fixed plate portion; a base portion connected to the support plate portion and having a plurality of the tab portions formed thereon to project therefrom; The base portion is a first base portion connected to an end portion of the support plate portion in a first direction; a second base portion formed on a side portion of the first base portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and folded back to be superimposed on the first base portion; the tab portion is connected to an end portion of the second base portion in the first direction and is bent relative to the second base portion, A bent portion is formed at the base of the tab portion, A water-stopping material application portion is formed on the support plate portion. connector.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof material application portion is formed by applying and solidifying a waterproof material to the entire periphery of the support plate portion.

3. the tab portion is provided continuously to both end portions of the second base portion in the first direction, The bent portion is formed at each of the base portions of the tab portion connected to both end portions of the second base portion in the first direction.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the second base portion is provided adjacent to both side portions of the first base portion in the second direction, a folded portion is formed between the first base portion and the second base portion provided continuously to both sides of the first base portion in the second direction, 3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

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