Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of appropriately absorbing heat from a heat generation source and suppressing a rapid rise in temperature.SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes: a connection terminal 20 that is electrically connected to a mating terminal; a wiring material terminal 30 that is provided at a terminal of a conductive wiring material W and is electrically connected to the connection terminal 20; a heat storage material 40 that is assembled to the wiring material terminal 30; a terminal fastening part 80 in which the connection terminal 20 and the wiring material terminal 30 are fastened to each other via a first fastening member B1; and a heat storage material fastening part 90 in which the wiring material terminal 30 and the heat storage material 40 are fastened to each other via a second fastening member B2. The terminal fastening part 80 and the heat storage material fastening part 90 are provided at different positions on the wiring material terminal 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a plurality of terminals and a housing having a terminal accommodating portion that accommodates and holds the terminals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-221612 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The connector described in Patent Document 1 is expected to be able to handle large currents in order to accommodate larger battery capacities and shorter charging times. In this case, when a large current flows between the connectors, the amount of heat generated from high-resistance points increases, and this heat accumulates in the heat source, which can cause a sudden rise in temperature inside the connector.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a connector that can properly absorb heat from a heat source and prevent a sudden rise in temperature. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector of the present invention comprises a connection terminal electrically connected to a mating terminal, a terminal for wiring material provided at the end of a conductive wiring material and electrically connected to the connection terminal, a heat storage material assembled to the terminal for wiring material, a terminal fastening portion where the connection terminal and the terminal for wiring material are fastened via a first fastening member, and a heat storage material fastening portion where the terminal for wiring material and the heat storage material are fastened via a second fastening member, and is characterized in that the terminal fastening portion and the heat storage material fastening portion are provided at different positions on the terminal for wiring material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The connector according to the present invention has the advantage of being able to properly absorb heat from a heat source and prevent a sudden rise in temperature. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the height direction of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a heat storage material applied to the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a heat storage material applied to the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a cover member applied to the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the width direction of the connector according to this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] The connector 1 of this embodiment is applied to, for example, a wire harness used in a vehicle such as an automobile, and is used in a connection mechanism for connecting an electric wire to an electric device, electrically connecting the wiring material W to the mating device.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wire harness includes a conductive wiring material W and a connector 1.

[0012] The wiring material W is wired in a vehicle and electrically connects each device. The wiring material W in this embodiment is an insulated electric wire that includes a conductive conductor portion (core wire) and an insulating coating portion that is insulating, and the conductor portion is coated with the insulating coating portion. The conductor portion here is a twisted wire formed by twisting together multiple wires made of a conductive metal. The insulating coating portion is formed, for example, by extrusion molding an insulating resin material (PP, PVC, cross-linked PE, etc., appropriately selected taking into consideration abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, heat resistance, etc.).

[0013] The connector 1 includes a connection terminal 20 electrically connected to a mating terminal, a wiring material terminal 30 provided at an end of the wiring material W and electrically connected to the connection terminal 20, and a heat storage material 40 assembled to the wiring material terminal 30 (see FIG. 2). The connector 1 of this embodiment has a terminal fastening portion 80 that fastens the connection terminal 20 and the wiring material terminal 30 via a first fastening member B1, and a heat storage material fastening portion 90 that fastens the wiring material terminal 30 and the heat storage material 40 via a second fastening member B2, which are separately provided, thereby realizing a configuration that can properly absorb heat from a heat source and prevent a sudden rise in temperature. Each component of the connector 1 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0014] In addition, the wire harness may further include a protector, a grommet, a fixing device, and the like.

[0015] In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction will be referred to as the "axial direction X," the second direction will be referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction will be referred to as the "height direction Z." Here, the axial direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z are perpendicular to one another. The axial direction X typically corresponds to the axial direction (extension direction) of the connection terminal 20, the fitting direction of the connection terminal 20 with the mating terminal, etc. The width direction Y typically corresponds to the width direction of the housing 10 that accommodates the connection terminal 20, the wiring terminal 30, and the heat storage material 40. The height direction Z typically corresponds to the height direction of the housing 10, etc. Unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description will be described as directions in a state in which the components constituting the connector 1 are assembled.

[0016] Furthermore, the tip side in the axial direction X typically corresponds to the mating connector when the connector 1 is mated with the mating connector on the power source side, and the base side in the axial direction X typically corresponds to the connector 1 side when the connector 1 is mated with the mating connector.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the connector 1 is composed of a housing 10, a connection terminal 20, a wiring material terminal 30, a heat storage material 40, a cover member 50, a water-stopping member 60, a rear holder 70, a terminal fastening portion 80, and a heat storage material fastening portion 90.

[0018] [housing] The housing 10 is formed from an insulating synthetic resin material, and accommodates and holds inside the connection terminal 20, a wiring material terminal 30 provided at the end of the wiring material W, and a heat storage material 40. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the housing 10 is composed of a first housing 11 and a second housing 12.

[0019] The first housing 11 accommodates and holds the electrical connection portions 21 of the connection terminals 20, which will be described later. As shown in Fig. 2, the first housing 11 includes an inner housing 111 and an outer housing 112 that accommodates the inner housing 111 inside.

[0020] 3, the inner housing 111 has a terminal accommodating portion 111a and a hood portion 111b. The terminal accommodating portion 111a is formed in a substantially circular tubular shape along the axial direction X and is a portion that accommodates and holds the connection terminal 20 inside. The hood portion 111b is formed in a substantially circular tubular shape along the axial direction X and is a portion that accommodates the terminal accommodating portion 111a inside. Note that the inner housing 111 of this embodiment is provided with a pair of terminal accommodating portions 111a spaced apart along the width direction Y, and each of the terminal accommodating portions 111a accommodates an electrical connection portion 21 of the connection terminal 20.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the outer housing 112 has an outer housing main body 112a and a flange 112b. The outer housing main body 112a is formed in a substantially circular cylindrical shape along the axial direction X and is a portion that houses and holds the inner housing 111 inside. The flange 112b protrudes from the outer surface of the outer housing main body 112a and is a portion that is fixed to an installation target portion, such as a vehicle body, when the connector 1 is installed in the installation target portion. In this embodiment, the flange 112b is formed in a plate shape along a plane (a plane extending along the width direction Y and the height direction Z) perpendicular to the axial direction X (see FIG. 2). The flange 112b is provided with a collar member 112h that is integrally molded by a molding method such as insert molding. Therefore, the first housing 11 of this embodiment is fixed to the installation location by inserting a screw F (see FIG. 2) into a collar member 112h provided on the flange portion 112b of the outer housing 112. Furthermore, when the connector 1 is mated with a mating connector, the first housing 11 can detachably hold the mating connector by accommodating the housing or the like of the mating connector inside the hood portion 111b of the inner housing 111.

[0022] The second housing 12 accommodates and holds the fastening portion 22 of the connection terminal 20 described below, the wiring material terminal 30 provided at the end of the wiring material W, and the heat storage material 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the second housing 12 is configured to include a first main body portion 121 and a second main body portion 122.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the first main body portion 121 has an accommodating portion 121a. The accommodating portion 121a has a first region A1 that communicates with the terminal accommodating portion 111a and a second region A2 that communicates with the first region A1. The first region A1 is formed in a substantially circular tubular shape along the axial direction X and is a portion that accommodates and holds the fastening portion 22 of the connection terminal 20 inside. The second region A2 is formed in a substantially semi-elliptical tubular shape along the axial direction X and is a portion that accommodates and holds the member connecting portion 32 of the wiring material terminal 30 that is arranged adjacent to the connection terminal 20 along the axial direction X, and the heat storage material 40 that is arranged adjacent to the wiring material terminal 30. The first main body portion 121 of this embodiment is provided with a pair of accommodation portions 121a spaced apart along the width direction Y, and each accommodation portion 121a accommodates the fastening portion 22 of the connection terminal 20, the member connection portion 32 of the wiring material terminal 30, and the heat storage material 40. The second regions A2 of the first main body portion 121, when joined together, have a substantially elliptical cross-sectional shape (an ellipse with its major axis in the width direction Y and its minor axis in the height direction Z). A plate-shaped partition wall 121b is provided between the second regions A2 of the first main body portion 121 along a plane perpendicular to the width direction Y (a plane extending along the axial direction X and the height direction Z) (see FIG. 8). Therefore, the first main body portion 121 of this embodiment can prevent the wiring material terminals 30 accommodated in the second regions A2 from contacting each other, and can also prevent the heat storage materials 40 from contacting each other.

[0024] 3, the second main body portion 122 has a storage portion 122a. The storage portion 122a has a third region A3 that communicates with the second region A2 of the first main body portion 121, and is formed in a substantially circular tubular shape along the height direction Z, thereby accommodating and holding therein the wiring material connection portion 31 of the wiring material terminal 30 and the end of the wiring material W to which the wiring material terminal 30 is connected (i.e., the end of the terminal-equipped electric wire). Note that the second main body portion 122 of this embodiment is provided with a pair of storage portions 122a spaced apart along the width direction Y, and each of the storage portions 122a accommodates an end of a terminal-equipped electric wire.

[0025] [Connection terminal] The connection terminal 20 is a power terminal formed of a conductive metal material and electrically connected to a mating terminal when the connector 1 is mated with the mating connector. As shown in Fig. 3, the connection terminal 20 includes an electrical connection portion 21 and a fastening portion 22.

[0026] 3, the electrical connection portion 21 is provided at the tip side in the axial direction X, and is the portion that connects with the mating terminal when the connector 1 is mated with the mating connector. The electrical connection portion 21 of this embodiment is composed of multiple elastic contact pieces arranged in a ring shape, and can be electrically connected to the mating terminal by inserting the mating terminal into the electrical connection portion 21.

[0027] 3 and 4, the fastening portion 22 is a female thread portion provided on the base end side in the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the fastening portion 22 is provided at the bottom of the base portion (the portion connecting the elastic contact pieces that make up the electrical connection portion 21) of the connection terminal 20, and forms a terminal fastening portion 80 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, by threading with a male thread portion of the first fastening member B1.

[0028] The shape of the connection terminal 20 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 2 (so-called slotted terminal), and can be changed as appropriate in accordance with the specifications of the mating connector and the specifications of the connector 1.

[0029] [Terminal for wiring material] The wiring material terminal 30 is a flat terminal formed from a conductive metal material and is provided at the end of the wiring material W by being crimped to the conductor portion of the wiring material W. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the wiring material terminal 30 is configured to include a wiring material connection portion 31 and a component connection portion 32.

[0030] 3 and 4, the wiring material connection portion 31 is provided on the base end side (lower side in the height direction Z), and is a portion that is crimped to the conductor portion (exposed core wire portion) that is exposed when the insulating coating portion of the wiring material W is peeled off, and is a portion that is the main heat source within the connector 1. The wiring material connection portion 31 of this embodiment is formed, for example, by a pair of barrel pieces, and is crimped to the wiring material W by crimping the exposed core wire portion of the wiring material W with the pair of barrel pieces.

[0031] 3 and 4, the member connection portion 32 is provided on the tip side (upper side in the height direction Z), and is a portion in which two hole portions 32ha and 32hb penetrating along the axial direction X are provided. In the member connection portion 32 of this embodiment, a male thread portion of a first fastening member B1 is inserted into the hole portion 32ha, and this male thread portion is threadedly engaged with a female thread portion of the fastening portion 22 of the connection terminal 20, thereby constituting a terminal fastening portion 80 (see FIG. 4) described later. Furthermore, the member connection portion 32 has a male thread portion of a second fastening member B2 inserted into the hole portion 32hb, and this male thread portion is threadedly engaged with a female thread portion of the second fastening member B2, thereby constituting a heat storage material fastening portion 90 (see FIG. 4) described later.

[0032] [Heat storage material] The heat storage material 40 is made of a conductive metal material and absorbs and stores heat generated from a heat source. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the heat storage material 40 includes a heat storage material main body 41, heat dissipation fins 42, and notches 43.

[0033] The heat storage material main body 41 is a portion that absorbs and stores heat from the connection terminal 20 and the wiring material terminal 30. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the heat storage material main body 41 of this embodiment is formed in a substantially semi-elliptical columnar shape along the axial direction X, and when two parts are joined together, the cross-sectional shape becomes substantially elliptical (an ellipse with its major axis in the width direction Y and its minor axis in the height direction Z). As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the heat storage material main body 41 has a first recess 41a, a second recess 41b, and a hole 41h that communicates with the second recess 41b. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first recess 41a is a recess for avoiding a screw head of a first fastening member B1 of a terminal fastening portion 80 (described later). The first recess 41a of this embodiment is provided on the front surface of the heat storage material 40 (the surface facing the wiring material terminal 30). The first recess 41a is formed from the front surface of the heat storage material 40 toward the cover member 50 side, which will be described later, and has a recessed shape along the axial direction X. The second recess 41b is a recess (a so-called countersunk hole) for avoiding a screw head of a second fastening member B2 of a heat storage material fastening portion 90, which will be described later, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The second recess 41b in this embodiment is provided on the back surface of the heat storage material 40 (the surface opposite the front surface of the heat storage material 40, which is the surface facing the cover member 50, which will be described later). The second recess 41b is formed from the back surface of the heat storage material 40 toward the wiring material terminal 30 side, and has a recessed shape along the axial direction X. The hole 41h is a through hole for inserting a male thread portion of the first fastening member B1 into a terminal fastening portion 80, which will be described later, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The hole 41h of this embodiment is formed along the axial direction X from the bottom of the second recess 41b provided on the back surface of the heat storage material 40 toward the wiring material terminal 30 side.

[0034] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the heat dissipation fins 42 are protruding pieces formed to protrude from the outer surface side of the heat storage material main body 41 and formed linearly along the axial direction X. In this embodiment, a plurality of heat dissipation fins 42 are provided along the circumferential direction of the heat storage material main body 41. The width of the protruding pieces constituting the heat dissipation fins 42 is configured to become narrower from the front side of the heat storage material 40 toward the back side of the heat storage material 40, and conversely, the width between the protruding pieces is configured to become wider from the front side of the heat storage material 40 toward the back side of the heat storage material 40. Therefore, the heat storage material 40 can dissipate the heat accumulated in the heat storage material main body 41 via the heat dissipation fins 42, thereby preventing the temperature inside the connector 1 from rising suddenly.

[0035] The cutout 43 is a recess for avoiding a rib 53 of the cover member 50, which will be described later. The cutout 43 of this embodiment is provided on the back surface of the heat storage material 40, as shown in FIG. 6. The cutout 43 is formed from the back surface of the heat storage material 40 toward the wiring material terminal 30 (see FIG. 8), and is formed in a recessed shape along the axial direction X. As shown in FIG. 6, the cutout 43 is provided on a linear portion of the heat storage material main body 41, which is formed in a substantially semi-elliptical columnar shape, and is therefore formed linearly along the height direction Z. Therefore, the axial direction X is the depth direction of the cutout 43, and the height direction Z is the extension direction. The cutouts 43 formed in each of a pair of heat storage materials 40 are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0036] It is preferable that the heat storage material 40 be made of a material with a large heat capacity or a material with higher thermal conductivity than other components, and by storing more heat in the heat storage material main body 41 and dissipating the heat more efficiently through the heat dissipation fins 42, it is possible to more reliably prevent the temperature inside the connector 1 from rising suddenly.

[0037] [Cover material] The cover member 50 is made of an insulating synthetic resin material and closes the opening of the second housing 12 (the opening that connects the second area A2 of the first main body portion 121 to the outside). As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the cover member 50 includes a cover main body portion 51, a packing attachment portion 52, a rib 53, and a locked portion 54.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 8, the cover main body 51 is a portion that covers the opening of the second housing 12 by being assembled to an end (an end located on the base end side in the axial direction X) of the first main body 121 of the second housing 12. As shown in Fig. 7, the cover main body 51 of this embodiment is formed in a plate shape along a plane (a plane extending along the width direction Y and the height direction Z) that is perpendicular to the axial direction X, and is formed in a shape (an ellipse with an axis in the width direction Y and a minor axis in the height direction Z) that matches the first main body 121 of the second housing 12. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 8, the cover main body 51 is disposed facing the heat storage material 40 accommodated inside the second housing 12, thereby being able to cover the back surface of the heat storage material 40.

[0039] The packing attachment portion 52 is an annular wall portion formed to protrude from the cover main body portion 51, and is a portion to which a cover packing 63, which will be described later, is attached. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the packing attachment portion 52 of this embodiment is formed to protrude in the axial direction X. Furthermore, the packing attachment portion 52 is disposed at a position overlapping with the heat storage material 40 when viewed from the axial direction X, and is disposed between the heat storage material 40 and the cover main body portion 51. Therefore, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, an air layer L is formed between the heat storage material 40 and the cover member 50. Then, the connector 1 can prevent a sudden rise in temperature within the connector 1 by releasing the heat accumulated in the heat storage material 40 into the air layer L via the heat dissipation fins 42.

[0040] The ribs 53 are plate-like wall portions formed to protrude from the cover main body 51 and are portions disposed between a pair of heat storage materials 40. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the ribs 53 of this embodiment are provided in pairs and formed in a plate shape along a plane perpendicular to the width direction Y (a plane extending along the axial direction X and the height direction Z). As shown in FIG. 8 , the pair of ribs 53 protrude in the axial direction X from the cover main body 51 side toward the heat storage material 40 side and are disposed in a state of fitting into notches 43 provided in the peripheral edge of the heat storage material. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8 , the pair of ribs 53 are disposed in gaps formed by the notches 43 formed in the heat storage material 40 and the partition wall 121b formed in the second housing 12. Therefore, the pair of ribs 53 are disposed so as to overlap the heat storage material 40 on one side and so as to overlap the partition wall 121b formed in the second housing 12 on the other side. Therefore, the connector 1 of this embodiment can ensure sufficient volume for the heat storage material 40 while also ensuring an insulating distance between the heat storage materials 40 (anode and cathode), thereby more appropriately preventing the heat storage materials 40 from being electrically connected to each other.

[0041] Furthermore, a reinforcing portion R is provided between the annular wall portion that constitutes packing mounting portion 52 and an annular wall portion provided inside said wall portion. As shown in FIG. 7 , the reinforcing portion R of this embodiment is formed by a plurality of ribs that extend toward the wall portion that constitutes packing mounting portion 52, and can reinforce the wall portion that constitutes packing mounting portion 52 to prevent it from collapsing. Therefore, the connector 1 of this embodiment can prevent the shape of packing mounting portion 52 from being distorted, and can properly attach the cover member 50 to the housing 10.

[0042] 7, the locked portion 54 is a locked frame portion formed to protrude from the cover main body portion 51, and is a portion that is locked to a claw-shaped locking protrusion formed on the first main body portion 121 of the second housing 12, thereby fixing the cover member 50 to the second housing 12. Note that the locked portions 54 in this embodiment are provided in a pair at an interval along the width direction Y.

[0043] [Waterstop material] The waterproofing member 60 is made of elastic synthetic rubber and prevents liquids such as water from entering the inside of the connector 1. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the waterproofing member 60 includes a terminal packing 61, a rubber plug 62, and a cover packing 63.

[0044] 2, the terminal packing 61 is formed in an annular shape and is fitted between the electrical connection portion 21 and the fastening portion 22 of the connection terminal 20. As shown in FIG. 3, when the connection terminal 20 is assembled to the second housing 12, the terminal packing 61 of this embodiment is arranged in a compressed state between the outer peripheral surface of the connection terminal 20 inserted through the through hole of the terminal packing 61 and the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion 121a of the second housing 12. Therefore, the terminal packing 61 can prevent liquids such as water from entering the terminal accommodating portion 111a of the first housing 11, which communicates with the accommodating portion 121a of the second housing 12.

[0045] 2, the rubber stopper 62 is formed in an annular shape and is attached to the wiring material W. As shown in FIG. 3, the rubber stopper 62 of this embodiment is arranged in a compressed state between the outer peripheral surface of the wiring material W inserted through the through hole of the rubber stopper 62 and the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion 122a of the second housing 12 by assembling the end of the wiring material W to the second housing 12. Therefore, the rubber stopper 62 can prevent liquids such as water from entering the inside of the second housing 12.

[0046] 2, the cover gasket 63 is formed in an annular shape and is attached to the cover member 50, which will be described later. As shown in FIG. 3, when the cover member 50 is assembled to the second housing 12, the cover gasket 63 of this embodiment is arranged in a compressed state between the outer peripheral surface of the gasket mounting portion 52 of the cover member 50 inserted through the through hole of the cover gasket 63 and the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion 121a of the second housing 12. Therefore, the cover gasket 63 can prevent liquids such as water from entering the interior of the second housing 12.

[0047] [Rear holder] The rear holder 70 is formed from an insulating synthetic resin material and holds the rubber plug 62 attached to the wiring material W. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the rear holder 70 includes a rear holder main body 71 and a latched portion 72.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 3, the rear holder main body 71 has a hole 71h penetrating along the height direction Z, and is a part that holds the wiring material W by being assembled to an end (the end located on the lower side in the height direction Z) of the second main body 122 of the second housing 12 with the wiring material W inserted into the hole 71h. Note that the rear holder main body 71 of this embodiment is provided with a pair of hole portions 71h spaced apart along the width direction Y, and the wiring material W is inserted into each of the hole portions 71h. Therefore, the rear holder 70 can hold two wiring materials W.

[0049] The locked portions 72 are locked frame portions formed to protrude from the rear holder main body portion 71, and are portions that fix the rear holder 70 to the second housing 12 by being locked with claw-shaped locking protrusions formed on the second main body portion 122 of the second housing 12 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In this embodiment, two locked portions 72 are provided for one rear holder main body portion 71, for a total of four locked portions 72.

[0050] [Terminal fastening part] The terminal fastening portion 80 is a portion where the connection terminal 20 and the terminal for wiring material 30 are fastened together via a first fastening member B1. As shown in Fig. 4, the terminal fastening portion 80 is composed of the fastening portion 22 of the connection terminal 20, the tip side (upper side in the height direction Z) of the member connecting portion 32 of the terminal for wiring material 30, and the first fastening member B1.

[0051] The first fastening member B1 here is a bolt. Therefore, the terminal fastening portion 80 is fastened in a state where the terminal for wiring material 30 is sandwiched between the head of the bolt and the connection terminal 20 by inserting the male thread portion of the bolt into the hole 32ha formed on the tip side of the member connecting portion 32 of the terminal for wiring material 30 along the axial direction X and threading the male thread portion of the bolt into the female thread portion of the fastening portion 22 of the connection terminal 20.

[0052] Furthermore, the heat storage material 40 described above is not fastened to the connection terminal 20 and the wiring terminal 30 in the terminal fastening portion 80. Therefore, the terminal fastening portion 80 of this embodiment can fasten only two members, the connection terminal 20 and the wiring terminal 30, which are arranged side by side along the axial direction X, using the first fastening member B1.

[0053] [Heat storage material fastening part] The heat storage material fastening portion 90 is a portion where the wiring material terminal 30 and the heat storage material 40 are fastened via the second fastening member B2. As shown in Fig. 4, the heat storage material fastening portion 90 is composed of the base end side (lower side in the height direction Z) of the member connection portion 32 of the wiring material terminal 30, the heat storage material 40, and the second fastening member B2.

[0054] The second fastening member B2 here refers to a bolt and a nut. Therefore, the heat storage material fastening portion 90 is fastened in a state where the wiring material terminal 30 and the heat storage material 40 are sandwiched between the screw head of the bolt and the nut by inserting the male thread portion of the bolt into the hole 32hb formed on the base end side of the member connection portion 32 of the wiring material terminal 30 along the axial direction X and screwing the male thread portion of the bolt into the female thread portion of the nut.

[0055] Furthermore, the connection terminal 20 described above is not fastened to the wiring material terminal 30 and the heat storage material 40 in the heat storage material fastening portion 90. Therefore, the heat storage material fastening portion 90 of this embodiment can fasten only the wiring material terminal 30 and the heat storage material 40 that are arranged side by side along the axial direction X by the second fastening member B2.

[0056] 4, the terminal fastening portion 80 and the heat storage material fastening portion 90 described above are provided at different positions on the wiring material terminal 30. The heat storage material fastening portion 90 is provided between the wiring material connection portion 31 of the wiring material terminal 30 and the terminal fastening portion 80, and is provided at a position closer to the wiring material connection portion 31 of the wiring material terminal 30 than the terminal fastening portion 80. Therefore, the heat storage material fastening portion 90 of this embodiment can efficiently absorb heat generated at the wiring material connection portion 31 of the wiring material terminal 30, which is a heat source, into the heat storage material 40, and can prevent heat from concentrating on the heat storage material fastening portion 90.

[0057] Furthermore, the heat storage material fastening portion 90 fastens together members made of a metal material with the second fastening member B2, and thereby the axial force of the bolt can ensure the surface pressure that occurs when the wiring material terminal 30 and the heat storage material 40 come into contact. Therefore, the heat storage material fastening portion 90 of this embodiment can connect the wiring material terminal 30 and the heat storage material 40 with low interfacial thermal resistance (i.e., connect both members with the heat storage material 40 in close contact with the wiring material terminal 30), and the thermal conductivity between the wiring material terminal 30 and the heat storage material 40 is increased, so that the heat generated in the wiring material terminal 30 can be efficiently absorbed by the heat storage material 40.

[0058] The connector 1 described above comprises a connection terminal 20 electrically connected to the mating terminal, a terminal 30 for wiring material provided at the end of the conductive wiring material W and electrically connected to the connection terminal 20, a heat storage material 40 assembled to the terminal 30 for wiring material, a terminal fastening portion 80 at which the connection terminal 20 and the terminal 30 for wiring material are fastened together via a first fastening member B1, and a heat storage material fastening portion 90 at which the terminal 30 for wiring material and the heat storage material 40 are fastened together via a second fastening member B2, and the terminal fastening portion 80 and the heat storage material fastening portion 90 are provided at different positions on the terminal 30 for wiring material.

[0059] According to this configuration, the heat storage material fastening portion 90 assembles the heat storage material 40 to the wiring terminal 30 using the second fastening member B2, allowing the heat generated at the wiring terminal 30 to be absorbed by the heat storage material 40. Furthermore, by separately providing the terminal fastening portion 80 and the heat storage material fastening portion 90, it is possible to prevent the heat generated at the wiring terminal 30 from concentrating in one location. Therefore, the connector 1 of this embodiment can properly absorb heat from the heat source and prevent a sudden rise in temperature. Furthermore, because the connector 1 can prevent a sudden rise in temperature, a cooling structure is not required, and the temperature requirements can be met without increasing the diameter of the wiring material. Therefore, the connector 1 can prevent an increase in size while meeting the temperature requirements.

[0060] Furthermore, the heat storage material fastening portion 90 described above is provided between the wiring material connection portion 31, where the conductor portion of the wiring material W and the wiring material terminal 30 are electrically connected, and the terminal fastening portion 80. With this configuration, the heat storage material fastening portion 90 can improve the heat absorption efficiency of the heat storage material 40 by shortening the distance from the wiring material connection portion 31, which is a heat source. By preventing heat generated at the wiring material connection portion 31 from being transmitted to the terminal fastening portion 80, heat concentration between the connection terminal 20 and the wiring material terminal 30 can be suppressed. Therefore, the connector 1 of this embodiment can properly absorb heat from the heat source and suppress a sudden rise in temperature. Furthermore, since the heat storage material fastening portion 90 is provided inside the terminal fastening portion 80, the connector 1 does not need to enlarge the housing 10, thereby suppressing an increase in size.

[0061] Furthermore, the heat storage material 40 described above is not fastened to the connection terminal 20 and the wiring terminal 30 at the terminal fastening portion 80, and the connection terminal 20 is not fastened to the wiring terminal 30 and the heat storage material 40 at the heat storage material fastening portion 90. With this configuration, the terminal fastening portion 80 does not fasten the heat storage material 40 to the connection terminal 20, so it is possible to prevent a decrease in the axial force of the first fastening member B1 due to creep deformation of the heat storage material 40, etc., and thereby prevent the connection terminal 20 from loosening. Furthermore, because the terminal fastening portion 80 and the heat storage material fastening portion 90 do not fasten the connection terminal 20, the wiring terminal 30, and the heat storage material 40 together, it is possible to suppress an increase in the ambient temperature (the temperature around the fastening portion). Therefore, the connector 1 of this embodiment can suppress creep deformation of the heat storage material 40 at the heat storage material fastening portion 90.

[0062] Furthermore, the heat storage material 40 described above has a plurality of heat dissipation fins 42 formed to protrude from the outer surface side. With this configuration, the heat storage material 40 dissipates the heat absorbed and accumulated from the wiring terminal 30 via the heat dissipation fins 42, thereby efficiently dissipating the heat inside the connector 1 to the outside. Therefore, the connector 1 of this embodiment can appropriately absorb heat from the heat source and further suppress a sudden rise in temperature.

[0063] The connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0064] For example, there is no particular limitation on the positional relationship between the wiring material connection portion 31, the terminal fastening portion 80, and the heat storage material fastening portion 90. In the above explanation, it has been explained that the heat storage material fastening portion 90 is provided between the wiring material connection portion 31 and the terminal fastening portion 80 (i.e., the wiring material connection portion 31, the heat storage material fastening portion 90, and the terminal fastening portion 80 are arranged in this order), but the positions of the terminal fastening portion 80 and the heat storage material fastening portion 90 may be reversed.

[0065] Furthermore, there is no particular limitation on the distance between the wiring material connection portion 31 and the heat storage material fastening portion 90. Furthermore, there is no particular limitation on the distance between the heat storage material fastening portion 90 and the terminal fastening portion 80.

[0066] Furthermore, although the heat storage material 40 has been described as being formed from a metal material, the constituent material of the heat storage material 40 is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that can absorb and store heat generated from the heat source, and may be a material other than a metal material (for example, a resin material).

[0067] Furthermore, the heat storage material 40 does not necessarily have to be provided with the heat dissipation fins 42 .

[0068] Furthermore, the shape of the heat storage material main body 41 of the heat storage material 40 and the shape of the heat dissipation fins 42 are not particularly limited.

[0069] Furthermore, the connector 1 according to this embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the embodiments described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 connector 20 Connection terminal 30 Terminal for wiring material 31 Cable connection part 40 Heat storage material 42 Heat dissipation fin 80 Terminal fastening part 90 Heat storage material fastening part B1 First fastening member B2 Second fastening member W Routing material X-axis direction Y width direction Z height direction

Claims

1. a connection terminal electrically connected to the mating terminal; a wiring terminal provided at an end of a conductive wiring material and electrically connected to the connection terminal; a heat storage material attached to the wiring terminal; a terminal fastening portion where the connection terminal and the wiring terminal are fastened together via a first fastening member; a heat storage material fastening portion at which the wiring terminal and the heat storage material are fastened via a second fastening member; The terminal fastening portion and the heat storage material fastening portion are provided at different positions on the wiring material terminal. connector.

2. The heat storage material fastening portion is provided between a wiring material connection portion where the conductor portion of the wiring material and the wiring material terminal are electrically connected, and the terminal fastening portion. The connector according to claim 1 .

3. The heat storage material is not fastened to the connection terminal and the wiring terminal at the terminal fastening portion, The connection terminal is not fastened to the wiring terminal and the heat storage material at the heat storage material fastening portion.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The heat storage material has a plurality of heat dissipation fins formed protruding from the outer surface side.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

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