Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of improving assemblability.SOLUTION: A connector 1 comprises: a first housing 3; a second housing 5 which can be fitted to the first housing 3; a first conduction member 7 housed in the first housing 3; a second conduction member 9, housed in the second housing 5, which is electrically connected to the first conduction member 7; and a fastening member 11 which electrically connects the first conduction member 7 to the second conduction member 9 when it is fastened to a fastening part 51. The first conduction member 7 and the second conduction member 9 are provided with overlapping parts 59 which are located in a manner overlapping each other with the first housing 3 fitted to the second housing 5. The fastening part 51 is disposed on one side in an overlapping direction of the overlapping parts 59. When fastened to the fastening part 51, the fastening member 11 presses the overlapping parts 59 in the overlapping direction so that the first conduction member 7 may be electrically connected to the second conduction member 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A conventional connector includes a first housing, a second housing that can be fitted with the first housing, a first conductive member housed in the first housing, and a second conductive member housed in the second housing and electrically connected to the first conductive member. Also, a known connector includes a bolt as a fastening member that electrically connects the first conductive member and the second conductive member by fastening to a fastening portion (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In this connector, the first and second conductive members are provided with through holes that are aligned when the first and second housings are fitted together, and bolts are inserted through the respective through holes and fastened to the fastening portions to electrically connect the first and second conductive members. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-213048 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a connector such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, a bolt is inserted through the first conductive member and the second conductive member. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to mate the first and second housings with a fastening member temporarily held in the fastening portion, the fastening member cannot be inserted through the through-hole, making it impossible to mate the first and second housings. Therefore, when mating the first and second housings, it is necessary to remove the fastening member, which requires storage and other management of the fastening member separately from the connector, reducing ease of assembly.

[0006] 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 be easily assembled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The connector of this embodiment comprises a first housing, a second housing that can be fitted with the first housing, a first conductive member accommodated in the first housing, a second conductive member accommodated in the second housing and electrically connected to the first conductive member, and a fastening member that electrically connects the first conductive member and the second conductive member by fastening to a fastening portion, wherein the first conductive member and the second conductive member have overlapping portions that are arranged overlapping each other when the first housing and the second housing are fitted together, the fastening portion is arranged on one side of the overlapping portion, and the fastening member presses the overlapping portion in the overlapping direction by fastening to the fastening portion, thereby electrically connecting the first conductive member and the second conductive member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can be easily assembled. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first housing that accommodates a first conductive member of the connector according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second housing that accommodates a second conductive member of the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the connector according to the embodiment when the fastening member is temporarily held in the fastening portion. FIG. [Figure 6]1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the connector according to the embodiment when the fastening member is fastened to the fastening portion. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is an enlarged view of a main part of the connector according to the embodiment when a fastening member is placed in an opening portion of the connector. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first conductive member of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 3 is a side view of a first conductive member of the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view of a state in which a fastening portion is disposed in a first conductive member of a connector according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 4 is a perspective view of a second conductive member of the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fastening member of the connector according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 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 explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, a connector 1 according to this embodiment electrically connects two electrical components (not shown), such as a power source and a device, or two devices. The connector 1 has a first housing 3 that houses a first conductive member 7 (see FIG. 2) electrically connected to one of the electrical components, and a second housing 5 that houses a second conductive member 9 (see FIG. 2) electrically connected to the other electrical component and is engageable with the first housing 3. When the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are engaged with each other, the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9 are arranged so that they overlap each other. The overlapping first conductive member 7 and second conductive member 9 are electrically connected by fastening a fastening member 11 (see FIG. 2), and the two electrical components are electrically connected.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, the connector 1 includes a first housing 3, a second housing 5, a first conductive member 7, a second conductive member 9, and a fastening member 11. As shown in FIGS.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 to 7, the first housing 3 is made of a conductive material such as a metal material. The first housing 3 may also be made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. The first housing 3 is formed in an L-shape so that it can accommodate the first conductive member 7 and the second housing 5 can be fitted therein. The first housing 3 has a plurality of (here, two) first accommodating sections 13 in which the first conductive members 7 are accommodated, and a fitting section 15 in which the second housing 5 is fitted. The first accommodating sections 13 and the fitting section 15 extend in a cylindrical shape in directions perpendicular to each other and are internally connected. The first housing 3 has a plurality of fixing sections 17 on the exterior thereof that are fixed to one of the electrical components via a plurality of bolts. A first seal member 19 is arranged on the outer periphery of one end of the first accommodating section 13. The first seal member 19 is in close contact with the one of the electrical components and seals the gap between the first housing 3 and the one of the electrical components. The first seal member 19 is held in its position relative to the first housing 3 by a seal holder 21 that is assembled to close the opening of the first accommodating portion 13. The seal holder 21 is provided with an opening that exposes the first conductive member 7. The other end of the first accommodating portion 13 is provided with a plurality of (here, two) openings 23 into which fastening members 11 that electrically connect the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9 are inserted. The inner surface of the openings 23 is provided with a plurality of engaged portions 25 that are formed in an uneven shape and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (the rotational direction of the fastening members 11).

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the second housing 5 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The second housing 5 can accommodate the second conductive member 9 therein and is formed in a housing shape that can fit into the fitting portion 15 of the first housing 3. The exterior of the second housing 5 is provided with a locking portion (not shown) that can engage with a locked portion (not shown) provided on the fitting portion 15 of the first housing 3. The engagement between the locking portion and the locked portion maintains the fitted state between the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. The second housing 5 has multiple (here, two) second accommodating portions 27 that accommodate the second conductive member 9 therein. Both ends of the second accommodating portion 27 in the longitudinal direction are opened to expose a portion of the second conductive member 9 and allow the electric wire 29 electrically connected to the second conductive member 9 to be drawn out. The end of the electric wire 29 drawn out from the second housing 5 is electrically connected to the other electrical component. An electric wire seal member 31 is disposed on the outer periphery of the electric wire 29 located inside the second accommodating portion 27, and the electric wire seal member 31 is in close contact with the second housing 5 to seal between the second housing 5 and the electric wire 29. The electric wire seal member 31 is held in position relative to the second housing 5 by an electric wire seal holder 33 that is assembled to close the opening of the second accommodating portion 27 on the side where the electric wire 29 is drawn out. A second seal member 35 is disposed on the outer periphery of the opening side of the second accommodating portion 27, from which a portion of the second conductive member 9 is exposed, and the second seal member 35 is in close contact with the first housing 3 to seal between the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. A housing shield member 37 is attached to the outer periphery of the second housing 5 on the first housing 3 side, and is electrically connected to the first housing 3 when the second housing 5 is mated with the mating portion 15 of the first housing 3 to form a shielded circuit. An electric wire shielding member 39 is attached to the outer periphery of the second housing 5 on the electric wire 29 side, and is electrically connected to a shielding member (not shown) that covers the outer periphery of the electric wire 29 drawn out from the second housing 5, forming a shielding circuit. By forming a shielding circuit with the housing shielding member 37 and the electric wire shielding member 39, it is possible to prevent noise and the like from entering the connector 1 and noise and the like from leaking out from the connector 1.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 to 10, the first conductive member 7 is made of a conductive material such as a metal material and is formed in a plate shape like a bus bar. Multiple first conductive members 7 (two in this example) are used. The first conductive member 7 is formed into a U-shape with both ends bent in the same direction. One end of the first conductive member 7 serves as a component connection portion 41 that is electrically connected to one of the electric components. When the first conductive member 7 is accommodated in the first accommodation portion 13 of the first housing 3, the component connection portion 41 is exposed to the outside of the first housing 3 through the opening of the seal holder 21. A through hole is formed in the component connection portion 41, and a nut is fixed at a position corresponding to the through hole on the inside of the first housing 3. When a conductive member (not shown) on one of the electric components is arranged in the component connection portion 41, a bolt (not shown) is inserted into the through hole and fastened to the nut to electrically connect the first conductive member 7 and the one of the electric components. The other end of the first conductive member 7 forms a first connection portion 43 electrically connected to the second conductive member 9. The first connection portion 43 is U-shaped and includes a pair of opposing portions 45, 45 arranged facing each other at a distance from each other, and a connecting portion 47 connecting the pair of opposing portions 45, 45. The pair of opposing portions 45, 45 are spaced apart from each other to allow the second conductive member 9 to be inserted therebetween when the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are fitted together. The connecting portion 47 is located at a position where the second conductive member 9 can be inserted between the pair of opposing portions 45, 45 when the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are fitted together. One of the pair of opposing portions 45, 45 (the opposing portion 45 located on the upper side in FIG. 8 ) is provided with a through-hole 49 through which a fastening member 11 can be inserted. A fastening portion 51, which is a nut to which the fastening member 11 is fastened, is fixedly located on the outer surface of one of the opposing portions 45 at a position corresponding to the through-hole 49. By arranging the fastening portion 51 on one of the opposing portions 45, there is no need to provide a fastening portion, such as a terminal block, to which the fastening member 11 is fastened on the first housing 3 or the second housing 5. This simplifies the structure of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5. The other of the pair of opposing portions 45, 45 (the opposing portion 45 located on the lower side in FIG. 8) is provided with a contact portion 53 that protrudes toward the opposing portion 45.When the first conductive member 7 is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 13 of the first housing 3, the first connecting portion 43 is positioned inside the first housing 3 at a position corresponding to the opening 23 of the first accommodating portion 13.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 11, the second conductive member 9 is made of a conductive material such as a metal material and is formed in a plate shape like a bus bar. A plurality of second conductive members 9 (two in this example) are used corresponding to the first conductive members 7. The second conductive members 9 are formed linearly and extend in a direction perpendicular to the linear portion of the first conductive member 7. One end of the second conductive member 9 forms an electric wire connection portion 55 electrically connected to the end portion of the electric wire 29. The electric wire connection portion 55 is joined to the end portion of the electric wire 29 by crimping or the like, electrically connecting the second conductive member 9 and the electric wire 29. The other end of the second conductive member 9 forms a second connection portion 57 electrically connected to the first connection portion 43 of the first conductive member 7. When the second conductive member 9 is housed in the second housing portion 27 of the second housing 5, the second connection portion 57 is exposed to the outside of the second housing 5 through an opening of the second housing portion 27. When the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are fitted together, the second connection portion 57 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the pair of opposing portions 45, 45 so as to overlap the first connection portion 43 of the first conductive member 7 inside the first housing 3. The overlapping portion of the first connection portion 43 and the second connection portion 57 constitutes an overlapping portion 59.

[0017] The overlapping portion 59 is disposed inside the first housing 3 at a position corresponding to the opening 23. In the overlapping portion 59, the fastening portion 51 is disposed on one side in the overlapping direction of the first connecting portion 43 and the second connecting portion 57, at a position closest to the opening 23. In the overlapping portion 59, the second connecting portion 57 is provided with a contact hole 61 formed as a through hole that accommodates the contact portion 53. Note that the contact hole 61 may be formed by recessing the surface of the second conductive member 9 instead of a through hole. By accommodating the contact portion 53 in the contact hole 61 in the overlapping portion 59, the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9 can be maintained in a contacting position, and the reliability of the electrical connection between the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9 can be maintained. By fastening the fastening member 11 to the fastening portion 51 at the opening 23, the overlapping portion 59 brings the first connection portion 43 (the other opposing portion 45) and the second connection portion 57 into contact, and the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9 are electrically connected.

[0018] 2, 3, 5 to 7, and 12, a plurality (two in this case) of fastening members 11 are used corresponding to a plurality (two in this case) of first conductive members 7 and second conductive members 9. Fastening member 11 includes a shaft portion 63 and a resin portion 65.

[0019] The shaft portion 63 is made of, for example, a metal material. The shaft portion 63 extends in the extension direction of the first accommodating portion 13 of the first housing 3. The outer periphery of the shaft portion 63 is formed in a threaded shape so that it can be fastened to the fastening portion 51. The length of the shaft portion 63 is set to a length that allows the end portion exposed from the fastening portion 51 to press the second conductive member 9 (second connection portion 57) when fastened to the fastening portion 51.

[0020] The resin portion 65 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin and is disposed on one end of the shaft portion 63 exposed from the opening 23. The inner surface of the resin portion 65 is formed in a threaded shape that can be fastened to the shaft portion 63. The resin portion 65 may be insert-molded integrally with the shaft portion 63 so that the shaft portion 63 is located inside. The outer surface of the resin portion 65 that is exposed from the opening 23 is formed in a polygonal shape, such as a hexagonal shape, that can be fastened using a jig or the like. An O-ring is disposed on the outer periphery of the resin portion 65 located inside the opening 23 as a sealing member that closely contacts the first housing 3 and seals between the first housing 3 and the resin portion 65. The outer periphery of the resin portion 65 is provided with a plurality of elastically deformable engagement pieces 67 (three in this example), the free ends of which can engage with the plurality of engagement portions 25 of the opening 23. When the shaft portion 63 rotates in the direction of fastening relative to the fastening portion 51, the engagement pieces 67 elastically deform radially inward and release the engagement with the engagement portions 25. Therefore, when fastened to fastening portion 51, shaft portion 63 can rotate in the fastening direction, thereby enabling a stable electrical connection between first conductive member 7 and second conductive member 9. On the other hand, when shaft portion 63 rotates in the direction in which it is released from fastening portion 51, engaging piece 67 does not elastically deform and maintains engagement with engaged portion 25. Therefore, while shaft portion 63 is fastened to fastening portion 51, it cannot rotate in the direction in which it is released from fastening. Therefore, the fastening state of fastening member 11 to fastening portion 51 does not loosen, and the electrical connection between first conductive member 7 and second conductive member 9 can be stably maintained.

[0021] With the first conductive member 7 housed in the first housing 3, the fastening member 11 is temporarily held by fastening the shank 63 to a certain extent to the fastening portion 51. With the fastening member 11 temporarily held, the tip of the shank 63 is not exposed from the fastening portion 51. The first housing 3 with the fastening member 11 temporarily held therein is fitted with the second housing 5, and the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9 overlap without interference from the fastening member 11, forming an overlapping portion 59. With the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 fitted together, the fastening member 11 is fastened to the fastening portion 51 by rotating the resin portion 65 exposed from the opening 23 with a jig or the like. When fastening member 11 is fastened to fastening portion 51, the tip of shaft portion 63 exposed from fastening portion 51 presses second connection portion 57 in the overlapping direction at overlapping portion 59, bringing second connection portion 57 into contact with first connection portion 43 (the other opposing portion 45). The contact between first connection portion 43 and second connection portion 57 caused by fastening member 11 electrically connects first conductive member 7 and second conductive member 9, and the two electrical components are electrically connected.

[0022] When fastened to the fastening portion 51, the fastening member 11 presses the overlapping portion 59, electrically connecting the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9. This eliminates the need to insert the fastening member 11 through the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9. The fastening portion 51 to which the fastening member 11 is fastened is disposed on one side of the overlapping portion 59. Therefore, even if the fastening member 11 is temporarily held in the fastening portion 51, the fastening member 11 does not interfere with the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9 at the overlapping portion 59. Therefore, even if the fastening member 11 is temporarily held in the fastening portion 51, the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 can be fitted together. If the fastening member 11 can be temporarily held, it is not necessary to manage the fastening member 11 separately from the connector 1, improving ease of assembly.

[0023] Such a connector 1 includes a first housing 3, a second housing 5 that can be fitted with the first housing 3, a first conductive member 7 accommodated in the first housing 3, and a second conductive member 9 accommodated in the second housing 5 and electrically connected to the first conductive member 7. The connector also includes a fastening member 11 that electrically connects the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9 when fastened to a fastening portion 51. The first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9 are provided with an overlapping portion 59 that is arranged to overlap with each other when the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are fitted together. The fastening portion 51 is arranged on one side of the overlapping portion 59 in the overlapping direction. When fastened to the fastening portion 51, the fastening member 11 presses the overlapping portion 59 in the overlapping direction, electrically connecting the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9.

[0024] When fastened to the fastening portion 51, the fastening member 11 presses the overlapping portion 59, electrically connecting the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9. This eliminates the need to insert the fastening member 11 through the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9. The fastening portion 51 to which the fastening member 11 is fastened is disposed on one side of the overlapping portion 59. Therefore, even if the fastening member 11 is temporarily held in the fastening portion 51, the fastening member 11 does not interfere with the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9 at the overlapping portion 59. Therefore, even if the fastening member 11 is temporarily held in the fastening portion 51, the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 can be fitted together. If the fastening member 11 can be temporarily held, it is not necessary to manage the fastening member 11 separately from the connector 1, improving ease of assembly.

[0025] Therefore, in such a connector 1, the fastening member 11 can be temporarily held, eliminating the need to manage the fastening member 11 separately from the connector 1, and improving the ease of assembly.

[0026] One of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 has an opening 23 that exposes the fastening member 11 to the outside. The opening 23 also has a plurality of engaged portions 25 arranged in the rotational direction of the fastening member 11. The fastening member 11 also has elastically deformable engaging pieces 67 that can engage with the engaged portions 25. When the fastening member 11 rotates in the fastening direction, the engaging pieces 67 elastically deform to release engagement with the engaged portions 25, and when the fastening member 11 rotates in the fastening direction, the engaging pieces 67 become non-elastically deformable and maintain engagement with the engaged portions 25.

[0027] Therefore, when fastening member 11 is fastened to fastening portion 51, it can rotate in the fastening direction, thereby enabling a stable electrical connection between first conductive member 7 and second conductive member 9. On the other hand, fastening member 11 cannot rotate in the fastening release direction while fastened to fastening portion 51. Therefore, the fastened state of fastening member 11 to fastening portion 51 does not loosen, and the electrical connection between first conductive member 7 and second conductive member 9 can be stably maintained.

[0028] One of the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9 is provided with a pair of opposing portions 45, 45 that are arranged so as to sandwich the other in the overlapping direction at the overlapping portion 59 when the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are fitted together. The fastening portion 51 is arranged on one of the pair of opposing portions 45, 45.

[0029] Therefore, there is no need to provide a fastening portion, such as a terminal block, on the first housing 3 or the second housing 5 to which the fastening member 11 is fastened, and the structure of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 can be simplified.

[0030] The overlapping portion 59 is provided with a contact portion 53 that protrudes from one of the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9 toward the other, and a contact hole 61 that accommodates the contact portion 53.

[0031] Therefore, by accommodating the contact portion 53 in the contact hole portion 61, the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9 can be maintained in a contacting position, and the reliability of the electrical connection between the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 9 can be maintained.

[0032] 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.

[0033] For example, there are two first conductive members and two second conductive members (two pairs), but this is not limited to this, and there may be one first conductive member and one second conductive member (one pair), or three or more first conductive members (three pairs).

[0034] In addition, in the first housing, the first accommodating portion and the fitting portion extend in directions perpendicular to each other, but the first accommodating portion and the fitting portion may extend in parallel directions. In this case, the first conductive member may be formed in a linear plate shape, similar to the second conductive member.

[0035] Furthermore, the opening is provided in the first housing, but this is not limiting, and if the overlapping portion is located inside the second housing, the opening may be provided in the second housing.

[0036] Furthermore, the contact portion is provided on the first conductive member and the contact hole portion is provided on the second conductive member, but this is not limited to this, and the contact portion may be provided on the second conductive member and the contact hole portion may be provided on the first conductive member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 connector 3. First Housing 5 Second Housing 7 First conductive member 9 Second conductive member 11 Fastening members 23 Opening 25 Engaged part 45 Opposing part 51 Fastening part 53 Contact point 59 Polymerization section 61 Contact hole 67 Engagement piece

Claims

1. A first housing; a second housing that can be fitted to the first housing; a first conductive member accommodated in the first housing; a second conductive member accommodated in the second housing and electrically connected to the first conductive member; a fastening member that electrically connects the first conductive member and the second conductive member when fastened to the fastening portion; Equipped with the first conductive member and the second conductive member are provided with overlapping portions that are arranged to overlap each other when the first housing and the second housing are fitted together, The fastening portion is disposed on one side of the overlapping portion in an overlapping direction, The fastening member presses the overlapping portion in an overlapping direction when fastened to the fastening portion, thereby electrically connecting the first conductive member and the second conductive member.

2. an opening for exposing the fastening member to the outside is provided in one of the first housing and the second housing; The opening is provided with a plurality of engaged portions arranged in a rotational direction of the fastening member, The fastening member is provided with an elastically deformable engaging piece that can engage with the engaged portion, A connector as described in claim 1, wherein the engaging piece elastically deforms to release the engagement with the engaged portion when the fastening member is rotated in the fastening direction, and becomes unable to elastically deform to maintain the engagement with the engaged portion when the fastening member is rotated in the release direction.

3. one of the first conductive member and the second conductive member is provided with a pair of opposing portions that are arranged so that the other conductive member is sandwiched in an overlapping direction in the overlapping portion when the first housing and the second housing are fitted together, The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastening portion is disposed on one of the pair of opposing portions.

4. A connector as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the overlapping portion is provided with a contact portion protruding from one of the first conductive member and the second conductive member toward the other, and a contact hole portion in which the contact portion is accommodated.

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