Terminal unit and connector

Abstract

To provide a terminal unit capable of properly measuring the temperature of a terminal by a temperature sensor.SOLUTION: The terminal unit 2 includes a terminal 10, a temperature sensor 20 capable of measuring a temperature of the terminal 10 and a holder 30 configured to accommodate the temperature sensor 20 and to be mounted on the terminal 10. The holder 30 includes a mounting portion 32 for assembling the holder 30 with the terminal 10 and a housing portion 31 for housing the temperature sensor 20. The accommodating portion 31 has a pressing wall 36 facing the terminal 10, and defines a space S for press-fitting and accommodating the temperature sensor 20 between the pressing wall 36 and the terminal 10 without sandwiching the accommodating portion 31 between the pressing wall 36 and the terminal 10. The pressing wall 36 is configured such that an interval between the pressing wall 36 and the terminal 10 is narrower on the back side of the space S in the press-fitting direction of the temperature sensor 20 than on the front side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal unit including a terminal, a temperature sensor, and a holder that houses the temperature sensor and is attached to the terminal, and to a connector including the terminal unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Charging connectors that are installed in vehicles such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles have been proposed for supplying (charging) electric power from outside the vehicle to the battery mounted on the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). This type of connector is also generally called a charging inlet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6601566 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-131545 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-026288 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-described connectors (charging inlets) are generally required to have structures and characteristics defined by various standards. For example, when the above-described connectors are actually used, the temperature of the terminals (so-called operating temperature) rises due to Joule heat generated in the terminals when current is applied. Therefore, in some connectors of the above-described type, a thermistor is fixed around the terminals to measure the terminal's operating temperature. However, if the thermistor is displaced from its original design position due to tolerances (so-called manufacturing variations) that inevitably occur during the manufacturing process of the holder used to fix the thermistor or the thermistor itself, or due to external forces such as vibrations applied from the outside during use of the connector, heat may not be transferred from the terminal to the thermistor as designed, and the terminal temperature may not be measured properly. As can be seen from the above explanation, even when using other types of temperature sensors, not just thermistors, the terminal temperature may not be measured properly for the same reasons as above.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal unit and a connector that are capable of properly measuring the temperature of the terminals using a temperature sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the terminal unit and connector according to the present invention are characterized as follows.

[0007] A terminal unit including a terminal, a temperature sensor capable of measuring the temperature of the terminal, and a holder that houses the temperature sensor and is attached to the terminal, The holder is a mounting portion for assembling the holder to the terminal, and a housing portion for housing the temperature sensor, The storage section is a pressure wall facing the terminal, the housing portion not being sandwiched between the pressure wall and the terminal, and a space defined between the pressure wall and the terminal into which the temperature sensor is press-fitted and housed; The pressing wall is The space between the pressing wall and the terminal is narrower at the back side of the space in the press-fitting direction of the temperature sensor than at the front side. It is a terminal unit.

[0008] The terminal unit described above; a housing that accommodates the terminal unit; It is a connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the terminal unit and connector of the present invention, a holder is attached to a terminal, and a temperature sensor is accommodated in the holder's accommodation portion. Specifically, a space for press-fitting the temperature sensor is provided between the pressing wall of the accommodation portion and the terminal. The pressing wall is configured so that the distance between the pressing wall and the terminal is narrower at the rear of the space than at the front. When the temperature sensor is press-fitted into the space, the pressing wall presses the temperature sensor toward the terminal. As a result, even if manufacturing variations occur in the holder or the temperature sensor, by pressing the temperature sensor sufficiently far back in the space, the temperature sensor is pressed toward the terminal, allowing the temperature sensor to be positioned optimally for temperature measurement. Even if external forces such as vibrations act on the terminal unit or connector, the press-fitting of the temperature sensor as described above suppresses displacement of the temperature sensor. Furthermore, no other parts of the accommodation portion are sandwiched between the pressing wall and the terminal. This prevents such other parts from interfering with temperature measurement of the terminal. Therefore, the terminal unit and connector of the present invention enable the temperature sensor to properly measure the temperature of the terminal.

[0010] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the invention set forth below, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to an electric wire. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of components constituting the connector shown in FIG. 1 are partially disassembled. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the terminal unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, which constitutes a part of the connector shown in FIG. 1, is connected to an electric wire. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal unit shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, a connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, including a terminal unit 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. The connector 1 is installed in a vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, and is connected to an electric wire extending from a battery mounted on the vehicle. The connector 1 is also called a charging inlet. By fitting a mating connector (a so-called charging gun) into a fitting recess 71 of the connector 1 (see FIG. 1, etc.), power is supplied to the battery from outside the vehicle, and the battery is charged.

[0013] For the sake of convenience, the following definitions are used for "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" as shown in Figure 1 and elsewhere. The "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "upper-lower direction" are perpendicular to one another. The front-rear direction coincides with the mating direction of the connector 1 and the mating connector (not shown), and the front side of the mating direction (the side approaching the mating connector) as viewed from the connector 1 is referred to as the "front side," while the release side of the mating direction (the side moving away from the mating connector) as viewed from the connector 1 is referred to as the "rear side." Note that the "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "upper-lower direction" are defined merely for the sake of convenience, and do not necessarily correspond to the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and upper-lower direction of the vehicle when the connector 1 is mounted on the vehicle.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the connector 1 includes a plurality of terminals 10, a temperature sensor 20 capable of measuring the temperature of each terminal 10, a holder 30 attached to each terminal 10, and a housing 40. Of the components that make up the connector 1, the terminals 10, the temperature sensor 20, and the holder 30 form a terminal unit 2 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The terminal unit 2 is housed in the housing 40. One end of an electric wire 3 is connected to each terminal 10. The other end of the electric wire 3 is connected to, for example, a battery (not shown). The electric wire 3 is composed of a conductor core wire 3a and an insulating resin coating 3b that covers the conductor core wire 3a (see FIG. 6). Each of the components that make up the connector 1 will be described below in order.

[0015] First, the terminal 10 will be described. In this embodiment, the multiple terminals 10 have the same shape. Each terminal 10 is made of metal and has a stepped cylindrical portion extending in the front-to-rear direction, which is made up of a large diameter portion 11, a small diameter portion 12 located behind the large diameter portion 11, and a flange portion 13 located at the boundary between the large diameter portion 11 and the small diameter portion 12, as shown in Figures 4 and 6.

[0016] A cylindrical female terminal portion 14 protruding forward from the front end face of large diameter portion 11 is integrally formed on large diameter portion 11. When connector 1 is mated with a mating connector, female terminal portion 14 of terminal 10 is connected to male terminal portion 4 of the mating connector (see Figure 3).

[0017] A recess 15 recessed forward is formed on the rear end surface of the small diameter portion 12 (see FIG. 6). The conductor core wire 3a exposed at one end of the electric wire 3 is inserted into the recess 15 and fixed by crimping. This electrically connects the terminal 10 and the electric wire 3. The contact point between the inner peripheral side surface of the recess 15 of the small diameter portion 12 and the outer peripheral surface of one end of the conductor core wire 3a forms a "contact point" between the terminal 10 and the conductor core wire 3a. The outer diameter of the small diameter portion 12 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the electric wire 3. A resin heat-shrinkable tube 91 is attached to the connection point between the terminal 10 and the electric wire 3 so as to tightly cover the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 12 and the outer peripheral surface of one end of the electric wire 3. This prevents water from entering the "contact point" between the terminal 10 and the conductor core wire 3a from the outside.

[0018] Next, the temperature sensor 20 will be described. The temperature sensor 20 functions to measure the temperature of the terminal 10. The temperature sensor 20 is a thermistor that functions as a contact-type temperature sensor, and specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, has a thermistor element 21 and a main body 22 that incorporates the thermistor element 21. In this example, the main body 22 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the front-rear direction, and the top and bottom surfaces, which are part of its outer surface, are composed of a pair of flat surfaces 22a that are arranged parallel to each other and extend in the front-rear direction. A pair of electric wires 23 connected to the thermistor element 21 extend from the rear end of the main body 22.

[0019] Next, we will explain the holder 30. The holder 30 functions to house the temperature sensor 20 and to be attached to the terminal 10. The holder 30 is a resin molded product, and as shown in Figures 3 and 4, is integrally provided with a housing portion 31 that functions to house the main body portion 22 of the temperature sensor 20, and a pair of attachment portions 32 that function to assemble the holder 30 to the terminal 10.

[0020] 4 and 5, the housing 31 has a pair of side walls 33, an upper wall 34 connecting the upper edges of the pair of side walls 33 in the left-right direction, and a front wall 35 hanging down from the front edge of the upper wall 34, and has a generally rectangular box shape that opens downward and rearward and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The main body 22 of the temperature sensor 20 is housed in the internal space defined by the pair of side walls 33 and the upper wall 34. Therefore, the internal space has a size that can house the main body 22 of the temperature sensor 20. In this example, since the wall thickness of the rear region of the pair of side wall portions 33 and upper wall portion 34 is greater than the wall thickness of the front region, the outer peripheral surfaces of the rear region of the pair of side wall portions 33 and upper wall portion 34 are located outside the outer surfaces of the front region, and a step portion 37 is formed at the boundary between the rear region and the front region on the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 33 and upper wall portion 34 (see Figures 4 and 7).

[0021] A pressing wall 36 is provided on the entire area of ​​the inner surface (lower surface) of the upper wall portion 34, excluding both left and right ends, in the front-rear direction, protruding downward toward the internal space and extending in the front-rear direction (see FIGS. 5 to 7). As shown in FIG. 7, the downward protrusion height of the pressing wall 36 gradually increases from the rear side to the front side, and as a result, the protruding end surface (downward-facing plane) 36a of the pressing wall 36 is inclined downward from the rear side to the front side. The effect of this configuration of the pressing wall 36 (protruding end surface 36a) will be described later.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the pair of mounting portions 32 are connected to the lower edges of the pair of side wall portions 33 of the accommodating portion 31, respectively, and have elongated plate-like shapes that face each other in the left-right direction and extend in the front-rear direction. The front end of each mounting portion 32 is located forward of the front end of the accommodating portion 31, and the rear end of each mounting portion 32 is located rearward of the rear end of the accommodating portion 31. The mounting portions 32 are elastically deformable in the opposing direction (left-right direction). The mounting portions 32 are curved to protrude in an arc shape outward in the opposing direction (left-right direction) when viewed from the front-rear direction, corresponding to the outer circumferential shape of the small diameter portion 12 of the terminal 10 (see FIG. 5 ). When the holder 30 is attached to the terminal 10, the pair of mounting portions 32 are assembled to the small diameter portion 12 of the terminal 10 and one end of the wire 3 so as to cover the outer circumferential surfaces of the small diameter portion 12 and one end of the wire 3 (more precisely, the outer circumferential surface of the heat-shrinkable tube 91 that covers them) (see FIG. 3 , etc.).

[0023] The terminal unit 2, which is configured by the terminal 10, the temperature sensor 20, and the holder 30 described above, is assembled in the following procedure. First, the holder 30 is assembled to the terminal 10 to which the electric wire 3 is connected. Specifically, from a state in which the holder 30 is positioned above the small diameter portion 12 of the terminal 10 and one end of the electric wire 3, the holder 30 is pressed downward toward the small diameter portion 12 and one end of the electric wire 3 so that the small diameter portion 12 and one end of the electric wire 3 enter the space between the pair of mounting portions 32 of the holder 30. As a result, the pair of mounting portions 32 undergo temporary elastic deformation in directions away from each other (outward in the left-right direction), and the pair of mounting portions 32 are assembled to the small diameter portion 12 and one end of the electric wire 3 so as to cover the outer peripheral surfaces of the small diameter portion 12 of the terminal 10 and one end of the electric wire 3 (more precisely, the outer peripheral surface of the heat-shrinkable tube 91 covering them) (see FIGS. 3 and 5 ), thereby completing the assembly of the holder 30 to the terminal 10.

[0024] When the holder 30 is completely assembled to the terminal 10, as shown in Figure 7, a space S is formed between the pressing wall 36 (the protruding end surface 36a) of the accommodating section 31 of the holder 30 and the small diameter section 12 of the terminal 10 (more precisely, the heat shrink tube 91 covering the small diameter section 12), so that other parts of the accommodating section 31 are not sandwiched.

[0025] After the holder 30 is attached to the terminal 10, the temperature sensor 20 is attached to the holder 30. Specifically, the body 22 of the temperature sensor 20 is press-fitted from the rear side into the space S. As described above, the protruding end surface 36a of the pressing wall 36 is inclined downward (toward the small diameter portion 12) from the rear side to the front side. This causes the vertical distance between the protruding end surface 36a and the small diameter portion 12 to be narrower at the back side (front side) of the space S in the press-fitting direction (forward facing) of the temperature sensor 20 than at the front side (rear side) (see FIG. 7). Therefore, when the body 22 of the temperature sensor 20 is press-fitted into the space S, the pair of upper and lower flat surfaces 22a (mainly the front end portions thereof) of the body 22 are pressed and sandwiched in the vertical direction by the pressing wall 36 and the small diameter portion 12 (more precisely, the heat-shrinkable tube 91). In other words, the state in which the main body 22 is pressed by the pressing wall 36 toward the small diameter portion 12 of the terminal 10 is maintained. In this example, as shown in Fig. 7, the front end of the flat surface 22a on the lower side of the main body 22 is embedded in the heat-shrinkable tube 91 made of resin.

[0026] Therefore, even if manufacturing variations occur in the holder 30 and the temperature sensor 20, by sufficiently press-fitting the main body 22 of the temperature sensor 20 deep (front) into the space S, the main body 22 (i.e., thermistor element 21) can be disposed in a position suitable for measuring the temperature of the small diameter portion 12 of the terminal 10. Furthermore, in this example, as shown in Fig. 7, the main body 22 of the temperature sensor 20 (i.e., thermistor element 21) is disposed around the "contact point" between the terminal 10 and the conductor core wire 3a. This allows the temperature sensor 20 to measure the temperature of the "contact point" where Joule heat is particularly generated when electricity is applied due to contact resistance between the terminal 10 and the conductor core wire 3a.

[0027] As described above, the assembly of the terminal unit 2 is completed by completing the assembly of the temperature sensor 20 to the holder 30. The assembled terminal unit 2 is housed in the housing 40. The housing 40 will be described below.

[0028] 1 and 2, the housing 40 includes a base holder 50, a corrugated tube 60, an inner housing body 70, and an outer housing body 80. Each of the base holder 50, the inner housing body 70, and the outer housing body 80 is a skeletal component of the housing 40 and constitutes a part of the outer surface of the housing 40.

[0029] First, the base holder 50 will be described. The base holder 50 is a resin molded product, and serves to hold a plurality of terminal units 2 insulated from one another at intervals in the left-right direction. A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction and aligned in the left-right direction are formed in the base holder 50, and the plurality of terminal units 2 to which electric wires 3 are connected are accommodated in the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers from the rear, thereby holding the plurality of terminal units 2 in the base holder 50.

[0030] Next, the inner housing main body 70 will be described. The inner housing main body 70 is a resin molded product, and is attached to the base holder 50 from the front side. The inner housing main body 70 is provided with a plurality of cylindrical female terminal accommodating portions 72 that protrude forward and correspond to the female terminal portions 14 of the plurality of terminals 10. Each female terminal accommodating portion 72 is located within the fitting recess 71 and has an internal space that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction. By attaching the inner housing main body 70 to the base holder 50, the female terminal portions 14 of the plurality of terminals 10 are accommodated in the plurality of female terminal accommodating portions 72 of the inner housing main body 70, respectively.

[0031] Next, the outer housing main body 80 will be described. The outer housing main body 80 is a resin molded product, and is assembled to the inner housing main body 70 from the front side. The outer housing main body 80 is provided with a fitting recess 71 that opens in the front-to-rear direction. The outer housing main body 80 functions to fix the entire housing 40 to an attachment target portion (not shown) of the connector 1 provided on the vehicle. The outer housing main body 80 is provided with a flange portion 81. The housing 40 has been described above.

[0032] <Actions and Effects> As described above, with the terminal unit 2 and connector 1 according to this embodiment, the holder 30 is attached to the terminal 10, and the temperature sensor 20 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 31 of the holder 30. Specifically, a space S into which the temperature sensor 20 is press-fitted is formed between the pressing wall 36 of the accommodation portion 31 and the terminal 10. The pressing wall 36 is configured so that the distance between the pressing wall 36 and the terminal 10 is narrower at the rear end of the space S in the direction in which the temperature sensor 20 is press-fit than at the front end. As a result, when the temperature sensor 20 is press-fitted into the space S, the temperature sensor 20 is pressed toward the terminal 10 by the pressing wall 36. Even if manufacturing variations occur in the holder 30 and the temperature sensor 20, the temperature sensor 20 can be positioned in a position suitable for temperature measurement by sufficiently press-fitting the temperature sensor 20 deep into the space S. Even if external forces such as vibrations act on the terminal unit 2 or connector 1, displacement of the temperature sensor 20 is suppressed because the temperature sensor 20 is press-fitted as described above. Furthermore, no other parts of the accommodating portion 31 are sandwiched between the pressing wall 36 and the terminals 10. This prevents such other parts from interfering with temperature measurement of the terminals 10. Therefore, the terminal unit 2 and connector 1 according to this embodiment allow the temperature sensor 20 to properly measure the temperature of the terminals 10.

[0033] Furthermore, the temperature sensor 20 is disposed around the "contact point" between the terminal 10 and the conductor core wire 3a. This allows the temperature sensor 20 to measure the temperature of the "contact point" where Joule heat is generated during current flow due to contact resistance between the terminal 10 and the conductor core wire 3a.

[0034] Furthermore, a thermistor is used as the temperature sensor 20. Thermistors are excellent in temperature measurement accuracy and have high resistance to external forces such as vibrations, and therefore can be suitably used to measure the temperature of the terminals 10 in the terminal unit 2.

[0035] <Other aspects> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. are possible as appropriate. Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited thereto.

[0036] For example, in the above embodiment, in the accommodating section 31 of the holder 30, the upper wall portion 34 extends in the front-rear direction, and the protruding height of the pressing wall 36 protruding downward from the upper wall portion 34 gradually increases from the rear side to the front side, so that the protruding end surface 36a of the pressing wall 36 is inclined downward from the rear side to the front side. In contrast, the accommodating section 31 of the holder 30 may have any shape as long as the protruding end surface 36a of the pressing wall 36 is inclined downward from the front-rear direction from the rear side to the front side. For example, in the accommodating section 31 of the holder 30, the upper wall portion 34 extends inclined downward from the front-rear direction from the rear side to the front side, and the protruding height of the pressing wall 36 protruding downward from the upper wall portion 34 is constant in the front-rear direction, so that the protruding end surface 36a of the pressing wall 36 is inclined downward from the rear side to the front side.

[0037] Here, the features of the embodiments of the terminal unit 2 and connector 1 according to the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [4].

[0038] [1] A terminal unit (2) comprising a terminal (10), a temperature sensor (20) capable of measuring the temperature of the terminal (10), and a holder (30) that houses the temperature sensor (20) and is attached to the terminal (10), The holder (30) is The temperature sensor (20) has an attachment portion (32) for attaching the holder (30) to the terminal (10) and an accommodating portion (31) for accommodating the temperature sensor (20), The storage section (31) is a pressing wall (36) facing the terminal (10), the accommodating portion (31) not being sandwiched between the pressing wall (36) and the terminal (10), and a space (S) into which the temperature sensor (20) is press-fitted and accommodated is defined between the pressing wall (36) and the terminal (10); The pressing wall (36) is The space (S) is configured so that the distance between the pressing wall (36) and the terminal (10) is narrower at the back side than at the front side in the press-fitting direction of the temperature sensor (20). Terminal unit (2).

[0039] According to the terminal unit having the configuration [1] above, the holder is attached to the terminal, and the temperature sensor is accommodated in the holder's accommodation section. Specifically, a space for press-fitting the temperature sensor is formed between the pressing wall of the accommodation section and the terminal. The pressing wall is configured so that the distance between the pressing wall and the terminal is narrower at the rear of the space than at the front. When the temperature sensor is press-fitted into the space, the pressing wall presses the temperature sensor toward the terminal. As a result, even if manufacturing variations occur in the holder or the temperature sensor, by pressing the temperature sensor sufficiently far back in the space, the temperature sensor is pressed toward the terminal, allowing the temperature sensor to be positioned optimally for temperature measurement. Even if external forces such as vibrations act on the terminal unit or connector, the press-fitting of the temperature sensor as described above suppresses displacement of the temperature sensor. Furthermore, no other parts of the accommodation section are sandwiched between the pressing wall and the terminal. This prevents such other parts from interfering with temperature measurement of the terminal. Therefore, the terminal unit having this configuration allows the temperature sensor to accurately measure the temperature of the terminal.

[0040] [2] In the terminal unit (2) described in [1] above, The conductor core (3a) of the electric wire (3) is connected to the terminal (10), The temperature sensor (20) is disposed around the contact point between the terminal (10) and the conductor core wire (3a). Terminal unit (2).

[0041] According to the terminal unit having the configuration [2] above, the temperature sensor is disposed around the contact point between the terminal and the conductor core, which allows the temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the contact point, where Joule heat is generated during current flow due to contact resistance between the terminal and the conductor core.

[0042] [3] In the terminal unit (2) described in [1] above, The temperature sensor (20) is a thermistor. Terminal unit (2).

[0043] According to the terminal unit having the configuration [3] above, a thermistor is used as a temperature sensor. Thermistors have excellent temperature measurement accuracy and are highly resistant to external forces such as vibration, making them suitable for use in measuring the temperature of the terminals in the terminal unit.

[0044] [4] The terminal unit (2) according to any one of [1] to [3] above, and a housing (40) that accommodates the terminal unit (2). Connector(1).

[0045] According to the connector having the configuration [4] above, the terminal unit holder is attached to the terminal, and the temperature sensor is accommodated in the holder's accommodation section. Specifically, a space for press-fitting the temperature sensor is provided between the pressing wall of the accommodation section and the terminal. The pressing wall is configured so that the distance between the pressing wall and the terminal is narrower at the rear of the space than at the front. When the temperature sensor is press-fitted into the space, the pressing wall presses the temperature sensor toward the terminal. As a result, even if manufacturing variations occur in the holder or the temperature sensor, by pressing the temperature sensor sufficiently far back in the space, the temperature sensor is pressed toward the terminal, allowing the temperature sensor to be positioned optimally for temperature measurement. Even if external forces such as vibrations act on the terminal unit or connector, the temperature sensor is suppressed from displacing because the temperature sensor is press-fitted as described above. Furthermore, no other parts of the accommodation section are sandwiched between the pressing wall and the terminal. This prevents such other parts from interfering with the temperature measurement of the terminal. Therefore, the connector having this configuration allows the temperature sensor to properly measure the temperature of the terminal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 connector 2-Terminal Unit 3 electric wire 3a conductor core wire 10 terminals 20 Temperature Sensor 30 Holder 31 Storage unit 32 Mounting part 36 Pressurized Wall 40 Housing S space

Claims

1. A terminal unit including a terminal, a temperature sensor capable of measuring the temperature of the terminal, and a holder that houses the temperature sensor and is attached to the terminal, The holder is a mounting portion for assembling the holder to the terminal, and a housing portion for housing the temperature sensor, The storage section is a pressure wall facing the terminal, the housing portion not being sandwiched between the pressure wall and the terminal, and a space defined between the pressure wall and the terminal into which the temperature sensor is press-fitted and housed; The pressing wall is The space between the pressing wall and the terminal is narrower at the back side of the space in the press-fitting direction of the temperature sensor than at the front side. Terminal unit.

2. 2. The terminal unit according to claim 1, A conductor core of an electric wire is connected to the terminal, The temperature sensor is disposed around a contact point between the terminal and the conductor core. Terminal unit.

3. 2. The terminal unit according to claim 1, The temperature sensor is a thermistor. Terminal unit.

4. The terminal unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a housing that accommodates the terminal unit; connector.

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