connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can connect high-voltage electrical circuits while ensuring the smooth sliding of the connector position guarantee member. [Solution] The connector 1 comprises a housing 3 having a plurality of housing chambers 20 into which a plurality of high-voltage terminals are inserted, and a connector position guarantee member 5 provided on the housing 3 so as to slide along the front-rear direction (insertion / removal direction), which slides when the housing 3 is connected to the mating housing 91 to guarantee the position of the housing 3 relative to the mating housing 91. The housing 3 comprises partition walls 21 separating the plurality of housing chambers 20, a mounting base 50 provided from above (one of the support directions) facing the housing chambers 20 and partition walls 21, on which the connector position guarantee member 5 is slidably installed, and insulating ribs 53 extending rearward (pull-out direction) from all partition walls 21, which increase the space distance and creepage distance between high-voltage terminals housed in adjacent housing chambers 20 and support the mounting base 50.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector connected to a mating connector.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a connector provided with a guide groove in a connector housing for guiding a fitting detection member from a temporary locking position to a main locking position (Patent Document 1). The connector housing has a total of 10 terminal accommodation chambers, 5 in the left - right direction and 2 in the up - down direction. The connector housing is provided with a mounting wall portion extending further rearward from the rear surface, and a pair of support walls for supporting the mounting wall portion from below. The pair of support walls are integrally formed with two of the four partition walls on the left and right sides among the four partition walls partitioning the five terminal accommodation chambers in the upper stage. Each support wall is formed in a generally right - angled triangular plate shape.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above - described connector, support walls are not formed on all partition walls, and it cannot be said that sufficient consideration has been given to the space distance and surface - along distance between terminals accommodated in adjacent terminal accommodation chambers.

[0005] In consideration of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a connector that can connect a high - voltage electric circuit while ensuring smooth sliding of a connector position assurance member (CPA).

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The invention of claim 1 is a connector connected to a mating connector, comprising: a housing having a plurality of housing chambers for inserting a plurality of high-voltage terminals fixed to the ends of a plurality of high-voltage cables; a connector position guarantee member provided on the housing so as to slide along the insertion / removal direction of the high-voltage terminals, and which slides from an unconnected position to a connection-guaranteed position when the housing is connected to the mating housing of the mating connector to guarantee the position of the housing relative to the mating housing, wherein the housing comprises at least one partition wall separating the plurality of housing chambers; a mounting base provided from one of the support directions perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction and the adjacent direction of the housing chambers, facing the housing chambers and the partition wall, on which the connector position guarantee member is slidably mounted; and at least one insulating rib extending from all of the partition walls in the withdrawal direction of the high-voltage terminals, increasing the spatial distance and creepage distance between the high-voltage terminals housed in adjacent housing chambers, and supporting the mounting base or the connector position guarantee member protruding from the housing in the withdrawal direction.

[0007] In the invention of claim 1, a mounting base adjacent to the housing chamber or the like from the support direction slidesly support the connector position guarantee member, and insulating ribs extending from the partition wall in the withdrawal direction increase the space distance and creepage distance between high-voltage terminals, supporting the mounting base or the connector position guarantee member protruding from the mounting base in the withdrawal direction. With this configuration, the insulating ribs provided to secure the necessary space distance and creepage distance can be used as a part that reinforces the mounting base or as a part that supports the connector position guarantee member protruding from the mounting base. This makes it possible to connect high-voltage electrical circuits while ensuring the smooth sliding of the connector position guarantee member.

[0008] The invention of claim 2 is a connector according to the invention of claim 1 described above, wherein the insulating rib is formed to be thinner in the adjacent direction than the partition wall, and a step is formed at the boundary between the partition wall and the insulating rib.

[0009] In the invention of claim 2, the insulating rib is thinner than the partition wall and is connected to the partition wall via a step. With this configuration, when a high-voltage cable extending in the withdrawal direction from a high-voltage terminal in the housing is bent in a direction that contacts the partition wall, it contacts two points: the leading edge of the partition wall in the withdrawal direction and the leading edge of the insulating rib in the withdrawal direction, and is bent in two stages. This distributes the stress (load) related to bending the high-voltage cable to two points, and reduces the stress related to bending the high-voltage cable compared to when the high-voltage cable is bent at one point. As a result, it becomes possible to route the high-voltage cable extending to the outside of the housing while freely bending it (improved freedom of routing for high-voltage cables).

[0010] The invention of claim 3 is a connector according to the invention of claim 1 or 2 described above, wherein the tip surface of the insulating rib in the pulling direction has a straight surface portion formed parallel to the support direction on the side of the base described above, and an inclined surface portion that is bent relative to the straight surface portion and inclined toward the insertion direction of the high-voltage terminal toward the opposite side from the base described above.

[0011] Incidentally, when considering the free routing of high-voltage cables extending outward from the housing, it is preferable to incline the entire tip surface of the insulating rib in the direction of withdrawal and form the insulating rib in a triangular plate shape. However, if the entire tip surface of the insulating rib in the direction of withdrawal is inclined, it may not be possible to secure the necessary space distance and creepage distance. Therefore, according to the invention of claim 3, the tip surface of the insulating rib in the direction of withdrawal has a straight surface portion parallel to the support direction and an inclined surface portion tilted in the insertion direction, thereby ensuring the necessary space distance and creepage distance while guaranteeing the free routing of high-voltage cables. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to connect high-voltage electrical circuits while ensuring the smooth sliding of the connector position guarantee member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1]This is a perspective view showing a connector and a mating connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention connected to a mating connector. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view showing a connector and a mating connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the housing of a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the housing, retainer, and connector position guarantee member of a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view (side view) illustrating the procedure for attaching a retainer to a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 6 shows cross-sectional views labeled AA and BB. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view (side view) showing a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view (side view) illustrating the operation of a connector position guarantee member in a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing a modified example of one embodiment of the present invention connected to a mating connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. X1, X2, Y1, Y2, Z1, and Z2 in each figure indicate left, right, front, rear, top, and bottom. Furthermore, the "front-back direction," "up-down direction," and "left-right direction" are examples of the "insertion / removal direction," "support direction," and "adjacent direction" as defined in the claims, respectively, and are mutually orthogonal. While this specification uses terms to indicate direction and position, these terms are used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an overview of the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the connector 1 and the mating connector 90. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the connector 1 is connected (fitted) to the mating connector 90. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector 1 and the mating connector 90.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 1 is connected (fitted) to the mating connector 90 mounted on the electric substrate 100 to form a high-voltage electric circuit. The connector 1 and the mating connector 90 can be adopted for connection of drive system electrical components such as inverters, converters, chargers, etc. mounted on, for example, hybrid vehicles or electric vehicles. In this specification, "high voltage" refers to, for example, a voltage greater than 50V.

[0017] [Mating Connector] Hereinafter, prior to the description of the connector 1, the mating connector 90 will be described. The mating connector 90 is configured by accommodating a plurality (for example three) of mating terminals 92 (see FIG. 1) in a mating housing 91. Since the three mating terminals 92 have the same structure, in this specification, mainly, one mating terminal 92 will be described.

[0018] The mating housing 91 is made of a non-conductive synthetic resin and is formed in a square tube shape. A fitting opening 93 for fitting the connector 1 is open at the rear end face of the mating housing 91 (see FIG. 3). On the front end face of the mating housing 91, two mating partition plates 94A are integrally formed so as to partition three mating terminals 92 (see FIG. 1). Also, on the front end face of the mating housing 91, two mating protection plates 94B are integrally formed so as to be flush with the left and right side faces (see FIG. 1). The two mating protection plates 94B are provided to protect the left and right mating terminals 92 among the three mating terminals 92. As a specific example, when a plurality of mating housings 91 are packed in an embossing tape and the mating housing 91 rotates (moves) within the depression of the embossing tape, the mating protection plate 94B suppresses damage to the mating terminal 92. Also, when the mating connector 90 mounted on the electric substrate 100 comes into contact with another substrate, the mating protection plate 94B suppresses damage to the mating terminal 92. Note that the two mating protection plates 94B may be omitted (not shown).

[0019] The mating housing 91 is fixed to the electric substrate 100 via a pair of reinforcing metal fittings 95 provided on both side faces in the left-right direction (see FIG. 1). On the top face of the mating housing 91, a pair of guide protrusions 96 are protruding at intervals in the left-right direction (see FIG. 3). The guide protrusions 96 extend in the front-rear direction and guide the connector 1 inserted into the mating housing 91. At the rear part of the top wall of the mating housing 91, a first lock hole 97 and a pair of second lock holes 98 are drilled (see FIGS. 1 to 3). The first lock hole 97 opens at the center in the left-right direction of the top wall, and the pair of second lock holes 98 open at positions symmetric with respect to the first lock hole 97 with the first lock hole 97 interposed therebetween. Both lock holes 97 and 98 are square-shaped openings, and the first lock hole 97 opens larger than the second lock hole 98.

[0020] The three mating terminals 92 are arranged with a gap between them in the left-right direction within the internal space of the mating housing 91. The mating terminals 92 are made of conductive metal and are bent in a crank shape. One end of each mating terminal 92 (the front portion) penetrates the front end wall of the mating housing 91 and is exposed, and is fixed (soldered) to the electrical circuit board 100 (see Figure 1). Each mating partition plate 94A is formed to ensure the required spatial distance and creepage distance between adjacent mating terminals 92.

[0021] [connector] Connector 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the housing 3 of connector 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the housing 3, retainer 4, and connector position guarantee member 5. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view (side view) illustrating the installation procedure of retainer 4.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the connector 1 comprises a plurality (e.g., three) of high-voltage terminals 2, a housing 3, a retainer 4, and a connector position guarantee member 5. Since the three high-voltage terminals 2 each have the same structure, this specification will mainly describe one of the high-voltage terminals 2.

[0023] <High-voltage terminal> As shown in Figure 3, the high-voltage terminal 2 is fixed to the tip (front end) of the high-voltage cable 6. The high-voltage terminal 2 is formed by punching out and bending a single metal plate. The high-voltage cable 6 has a core wire (not shown) made of a conductor (metal) and a covering portion (not shown) made of an insulator that covers the core wire. The core wire is exposed by removing the covering portion at the tip of the high-voltage cable 6.

[0024] The high-voltage terminal 2 has a crimping portion 10 that is crimped to the tip of the high-voltage cable 6, and a terminal connection portion 11 that extends forward from the crimping portion 10. The crimping portion 10 has a barrel piece (not shown) that is crimped to enclose the core wire and the insulation portion of the high-voltage cable 6. The terminal connection portion 11 is formed into a rectangular tube shape with a rectangular cross-section whose longer side is in the left-right direction by bending a metal plate in a winding manner. A connection port 12 for inserting the mating terminal 92 of the mating connector 90 is open on the front end surface of the terminal connection portion 11 (see Figure 6). The bottom plate of the terminal connection portion 11 is made of two layers, and the tip (front end) of the outer (lower) bottom plate is folded inward by 180 degrees (see Figure 6). The tip side of the inner (upper) bottom plate is bent upward so as to make elastic contact with the mating terminal 92 inserted through the connection port 12 (see Figure 6). The bottom plate of the terminal connection section 11 is positioned in front of the crimping section 10, with a holding gap 13 in between. A locking hole 14 is opened at the front of the terminal connection section 11 by cutting and raising a part of the top plate.

[0025] <Housing> The housing 3 is integrally molded from, for example, a non-conductive synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 1, 3 to 5, the housing 3 is formed in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a pair of left-right side walls 3A of the housing 3 extend above the top surface 3B. The housing 3 has a plurality (e.g., three) housing chambers 20, a retaining mounting portion 30, a locking arm 40, a fitting restricting portion 43, a mounting base 50, and a plurality (e.g., two) insulating ribs 53. Since the three housing chambers 20 are generally identical in structure, this specification will mainly describe one housing chamber 20. For the same reason, this specification will mainly describe one insulating rib 53.

[0026] (Detention room) The three housing chambers 20 are provided for inserting (housing) the three high-voltage terminals 2 in an electrically insulated state. The three housing chambers 20 are formed adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, separated by two partition walls 21 (see Figure 4). In other words, the three housing chambers 20 and the two partition walls 21 are arranged alternately in the left-right direction, and the two partition walls 21 partition (partition) the three housing chambers 20. The housing chambers 20 on both the left and right sides are formed between the partition wall 21 and the left-right outer wall of the housing 3. In addition, the housing 3 has two slits 22 formed to separate the front parts of the three housing chambers 20. The two slits 22 are cut out from the front end of the housing 3 toward the rear at positions corresponding to the two partition walls 21.

[0027] The housing chamber 20 is a rectangular through-hole that penetrates the housing 3 in the front-to-back direction. An insertion opening 23 is provided at the rear end of the housing chamber 20 (see Figures 3 and 4), and a communication opening 24 is provided at the front end of the housing chamber 20 (see Figures 1 and 5). The high-voltage terminal 2 is inserted into the housing chamber 20 through the insertion opening 23. The mating terminal 92 is connected to the high-voltage terminal 2 inside the housing chamber 20 through the communication opening 24. The housing chamber 20 is provided with a lance portion 25 that protrudes downward from the top surface and extends forward (see Figure 6). The lance portion 25 is formed to be displaceable vertically with elastic force, with its base portion (rear end) as a fulcrum. A lance claw portion 26 is provided protruding from the lower surface of the tip portion (front end) of the lance portion 25, which engages with the locking hole 14 of the high-voltage terminal 2 housed in the housing chamber 20.

[0028] (Retaining and mounting part) As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the retaining mounting portion 30 is recessed in the lower part of the housing 3 and near the middle in the front-rear direction for attaching the retainer 4, which will be described later. The retaining mounting portion 30 has a retaining bottom recess 31 recessed in the lower surface of the housing 3 and a pair of retaining side recesses 32 formed on both sides of the housing 3 in the left-right direction. Each retaining side recess 32 is formed as a groove that is narrower in the front-rear direction than the retaining bottom recess 31. Within the area where the retaining bottom recess 31 is formed, a retaining bottom hole 33 is opened in the bottom surface of each housing chamber 20 (see Figure 4). Also, within the area where the retaining bottom recess 31 is formed, each partition wall 21 is a hollow double wall, and a partition bottom hole 34 is opened in the bottom surface of each partition wall 21 (see Figure 4). A retaining claw portion 35 that engages with the retainer 4, which will be described later, is provided protruding from each retaining side recess 32 (side surface).

[0029] (Lock arm) The lock arm 40 is provided on the upper part of the housing 3 to restrict the detachment of the connector 1 when it is fitted into the mating housing 91. As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 5, the lock arm 40 protrudes upward from the front end of the top wall of the housing chamber 20, which is located in the center in the left-right direction, and bends backward, extending toward the rear. The lock arm 40 extends parallel to the upper surface 3B of the housing 3 to the rear end of the housing 3. The lock arm 40 is formed to be displaceable in the vertical direction by elastic force with its base portion (front end) as a fulcrum. A lock claw portion 41 and a release operation portion 42 are formed on the upper surface of the lock arm 40. The lock claw portion 41 protrudes slightly backward from the center in the front-rear direction of the lock arm 40. When the connector 1 is fitted into the mating housing 91, the lock claw portion 41 engages with the first lock hole 97 of the mating housing 91. The release operation portion 42 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction and is provided at the rear end of the lock arm 40. The release operation unit 42 is pushed down by the operator when the connector 1 is pulled out from the mating housing 91.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 5, the pair of side walls 3A of the housing 3 and the lock arm 40 are spaced apart in the left-right direction. Therefore, a pair of guide recesses 27 are formed on the upper part of the housing 3, separated by the pair of side walls 3A and the lock arm 40. The pair of guide recesses 27 are formed in the shape of grooves that extend in the front-rear direction between the pair of side walls 3A and the lock arm 40.

[0031] (Matching control section) The mating restricting portion 43 is provided on the upper part of the housing 3 to restrict the insertion of the connector 1 into the mating housing 91. As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 5, the mating restricting portion 43 is formed in an arch shape at the rear of the housing 3, specifically between the locking claw portion 41 and the release operation portion 42, straddling the locking arm 40. The mating restricting portion 43 has a pair of restricting legs 44 erected on the upper surface 3B of the housing 3 on both the left and right outer sides of the locking arm 40, and a restricting mounting portion 45 installed between the upper ends of the pair of restricting legs 44. The pair of guide recesses 27 described above are formed from directly below to the front of the mating restricting portion 43. Push-in restricting projections 46 are provided on the left and right inner surfaces of each restricting leg 44. Each push-in restricting projection 46 is provided above the mounting base 50, which will be described later. The left and right sides of the pair of restricting legs 44 form the same plane as the left and right sides of the housing 3.

[0032] (Platform) As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the mounting base 50 is provided on the upper part of the housing 3, in other words, from above (one of the support directions), facing the housing chamber 20 and the partition wall 21. A connector position guarantee member 5, which will be described later, is slidably mounted on the mounting base 50. The mounting base 50 is recessed in the upper part of the housing 3 behind the two slits 22. The mounting base 50 is formed in a groove shape that extends in the front-rear direction below the lock arm 40. The mounting base 50 is wider in the left-right direction than the lock arm 40.

[0033] The mounting base 50 has a sliding surface portion 51 parallel to the upper surface 3B of the housing 3, and a pair of sliding side groove portions 52 that are continuous on both sides of the sliding surface portion 51 in the left-right direction. The pair of sliding side groove portions 52 are formed so as to fold back both the left and right ends of the sliding surface portion 51 upward and inward (see Figure 4). In other words, the mounting base 50 is formed in a C-shape with an opening at the top when viewed from the rear (see Figure 4). The mounting base 50 protrudes rearward from the rear end surface of the housing 3, and the amount of protrusion (dimension) is set to be about 1 mm to 5 mm. The protruding portion of the mounting base 50 is formed by giving thickness to the sliding surface portion 51 and the sliding side groove portions 52.

[0034] (Insulating rib) As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the insulating ribs 53 extend rearward (in the direction of withdrawal of the high-voltage terminal 2) from all partition walls 21. The insulating ribs 53 are formed in a plate shape that is an extension of the partition walls 21 to the rear, and the upper end of the insulating rib 53 is connected to the lower surface of the sliding plane portion 51 of the protruding portion of the mounting base 50. In other words, the insulating ribs 53 support the mounting base 50 (protruding portion) that protrudes rearward (in the withdrawal direction) from the housing 3. To put it another way, the insulating ribs 53 support the connector position guarantee member 5 installed on the mounting base 50 via the mounting base 50. The insulating ribs 53 have the function of reinforcing the protruding portion of the mounting base 50 and suppressing the deflection of the protruding portion of the mounting base 50. This ensures the smooth sliding of the connector position guarantee member 5 supported on the mounting base 50.

[0035] Furthermore, the insulating rib 53 has the function of increasing the spatial distance and creepage distance between high-voltage terminals 2 housed in adjacent housing chambers 20. This ensures electrical insulation between high-voltage terminals 2 housed in adjacent housing chambers 20. The "spatial distance" is the shortest distance in space between two high-voltage terminals 2 separated by the partition wall 21 and the insulating rib 53. The "creepage distance" is the shortest distance along the surface of the partition wall 21 and the insulating rib 53 between two high-voltage terminals 2 separated by the partition wall 21 and the insulating rib 53.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the insulating rib 53 is formed thinner in the left-right direction (adjacent direction) compared to the partition wall 21. A step 54 is formed at the boundary between the partition wall 21 and the insulating rib 53. For example, the insulating rib 53 is formed to be about 1 mm thinner than the partition wall 21 and is positioned so that its left-right center is aligned with the partition wall 21. A step 54 of about 0.5 mm is formed on both sides in the left-right direction between the partition wall 21 and the insulating rib 53.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the insulating rib 53 is formed in a trapezoidal shape that shortens vertically from the base (front end) to the tip (rear end) when viewed from the side. The rear end surface of the insulating rib 53 (the tip surface in the pull-out direction) has a straight surface portion 55 located on the upper side (the side of the mounting base 50) and an inclined surface portion 56 located on the lower side (the side opposite to the mounting base 50). The straight surface portion 55 is a vertical surface formed parallel to the vertical direction (support direction). The inclined surface portion 56 is a slope bent relative to the straight surface portion 55 and is inclined downwards toward the front (insertion direction).

[0038] <Retainer> The retainer 4 is attached to a retaining mounting portion 30 formed at the bottom of the housing 3, and suppresses improper insertion of the high-voltage terminal 2 into the housing 3 (housing chamber 20). The retainer 4 is made of, for example, a non-conductive synthetic resin and is integrally molded. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the retainer 4 has a retaining bottom plate 60, three retaining protrusions 61, a pair of retaining insertion plates 62, and a pair of retaining hooks 63. Since the three retaining protrusions 61 each have a substantially identical structure, this specification will mainly describe one retaining protrusion 61. For the same reason, this specification will mainly describe one retaining insertion plate 62. Also, since the pair of retaining hooks 63 have a symmetrical structure, this specification will mainly describe one retaining hook 63.

[0039] (Retaining base plate, retaining protrusion, retaining insertion plate) The retaining base plate 60 is formed in a flat, hexagonal shape that is elongated in the left-right direction, with the rear corners chamfered when viewed from above. The three retaining protrusions 61 are arranged side by side at equal intervals in the left-right direction in the center of the retaining base plate 60 in the front-rear direction. The retaining protrusions 61 are formed in a block shape that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the retaining base plate 60. The pair of retaining insertion plates 62 are arranged side by side with a gap in the left-right direction on the retaining base plate 60 so as to partition the three retaining protrusions 61. The retaining insertion plates 62 extend upward from the upper surface of the retaining base plate 60 and are formed in a flat, rectangular shape that is elongated in the front-rear direction when viewed from the side. The retaining insertion plates 62 are formed to be longer in the front-rear and up-down directions and shorter (thinner) in the left-right direction compared to the retaining protrusions 61. As will be described in more detail later, the retaining bottom plate 60 fits into the retaining bottom recess 31 of the retaining mounting portion 30, and the retaining protrusion 61 and the retaining insertion plate 62 fit into the retaining bottom hole 33 and partition bottom hole 34 which are opened in the area where the retaining bottom recess 31 is formed.

[0040] (Holding hook) A pair of retaining hooks 63 extend upward from both ends of the retaining base plate 60 in the left-right direction, at the center of the retaining base plate 60 in the front-rear direction. The retaining hooks 63 are formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape to be the same height as the retaining insertion plate 62. The retaining hooks 63 are formed to be fitted into the retaining side recess 32 of the retaining mounting portion 30. A pair of retaining protrusions 64 are provided on the inner surface of the retaining hooks 63, spaced apart in the vertical direction (see Figure 5). When the retaining hooks 63 are fitted into the retaining side recess 32, one of the pair of retaining protrusions 64 engages with the retaining claw portion 35 of the retaining side recess 32.

[0041] <Connector positioning guarantee component> The connector position guarantee member 5 is provided on a mounting base 50 formed on the upper part of the housing 3 so as to slide along the front-rear direction, and suppresses poor mating of the connector 1 to the mating connector 90 (mating housing 91). The connector position guarantee member 5 is integrally molded from, for example, a non-conductive synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the connector position guarantee member 5 has a mating base portion 70, a pair of mating arms 71, and a sliding operation portion 72. Since the pair of mating arms 71 have a symmetrical structure, this specification will mainly describe one of the mating arms 71.

[0042] (Matching base section) The fitting base portion 70 is formed in a ladder shape by connecting a pair of foundation members 73 and a pair of erection members 74. The pair of foundation members 73 are spaced apart in the left-right direction and extend parallel to each other in the front-rear direction. One erection member 74 is erected between the front ends of the pair of foundation members 73, and the other erection member 74 is erected between the pair of foundation members 73 at a position rearward from the first erection member 74. A fitting sliding projection 75 is provided on the left-right outer end surface of each foundation member 73. Each fitting sliding projection 75 is formed from the center in the front-rear direction of the foundation member 73 to the rear end. In each foundation member 73, the portion in front of the fitting sliding projection 75 is positioned one level higher than the portion in the rear. The fitting base portion 70 is slidably positioned on the sliding surface portion 51 of the mounting table 50, and the pair of fitting sliding projections 75 slidably engage with the pair of sliding side grooves 52 of the mounting table 50 (see Figure 2).

[0043] (Matching arm) The pair of fitting arms 71 project upward from the front ends of the pair of base members 73, bend backward, and extend horizontally toward the rear. Each fitting arm 71 is formed to be displaceable vertically by elastic force, with its base (front end) as a fulcrum. A triangular prism-shaped fitting claw portion 76 is projected from the center of the front-rear direction of the upper surface of each fitting arm 71. An arm mounting portion 77 is mounted on the rear ends of the pair of fitting arms 71. The arm mounting portion 77 is positioned below the upper surface of each fitting arm 71. A cubic-shaped push-in restricting portion 78 is projected from the left-right outer end surface of the rear of each fitting arm 71. Each push-in restricting portion 78 is positioned behind the fitting claw portion 76 and slightly in front of the arm mounting portion 77.

[0044] (Slide operation section) The slide operating section 72 is connected to the rear ends of a pair of base members 73. The slide operating section 72 is formed in an L-shape when viewed from the left side. The slide operating section 72 is formed to be fitted into an opening above the mounting base 50 (see Figure 2). The upright block of the slide operating section 72 is formed to be higher than the height of the pair of fitting arms 71.

[0045] [Installation procedure for retainers and connector positioning guide members on the housing] Next, an example of the procedure for attaching the retainer 4 and the connector position guarantee member 5 to the housing 3 will be described with reference to Figures 1, 6 to 8. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view shown in Figure 6 as AA and BB. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view (side view) showing the connector 1.

[0046] The worker attaches the retainer 4 to the retaining mounting portion 30 of the housing 3. Specifically, the worker pushes the pair of retaining hooks 63 of the retainer 4 into the pair of retaining recesses 32 of the retaining mounting portion 30 from below. As the retaining hooks 63 are pushed in, the upper retaining projection 64 of the pair of upper and lower retaining projections 64 overcomes the retaining claw portion 35 of the retaining recess 32, and the retaining claw portion 35 fits between the upper and lower retaining projections 64 (see the upper part of Figure 7). As a result, the retainer 4 is positioned at the temporary fixing position P1, which is temporarily attached to the retaining mounting portion 30 (see the upper parts of Figures 6 and 7). With the retainer 4 positioned at the temporary fixing position P1, the upper end of the retaining projection 61 enters the retaining bottom hole 33, approximately the upper half of the retaining insertion plate 62 enters the partition bottom hole 34, and the retaining bottom plate 60 is detached downward from the retaining bottom recess 31 (see the upper parts of Figures 6 and 7).

[0047] Next, the worker inserts the connector position guarantee member 5 into the mounting base 50 of the housing 3 from the rear. The mating base portion 70 slides forward while contacting the sliding plane portion 51, and the pair of mating sliding projections 75 slide forward while being guided by the pair of sliding side grooves 52. As the insertion of the connector position guarantee member 5 progresses, the push-in restricting portion 78 of each mating arm 71 abuts against the push-in restricting projections 46 of the mating restricting portion 43 (see Figure 8). As a result, the forward movement (insertion) of the connector position guarantee member 5 is restricted and it is positioned in the unconnected position P3 that is temporarily attached to the mounting base 50. With the connector position guarantee member 5 positioned in the unconnected position P3, the pair of mating arms 71 are positioned on both sides in the left-right direction, flanking the lock arm 40 (see Figure 1). Furthermore, the slide operating section 72 is positioned behind the rear end of the mounting base 50 (protruding portion), and the upright portion of the slide operating section 72 is set back from the release operating section 42 of the lock arm 40 (see upper section of Figure 6 and Figure 8).

[0048] As described above, the retainer 4 and the connector position guarantee member 5 are attached to the housing 3. In the above-described installation procedure, the retainer 4 is attached to the housing 3 first, and then the connector position guarantee member 5 is attached to the housing 3. However, the procedure is not limited to this, and for example, the connector position guarantee member 5 may be attached to the housing 3 first, and then the retainer 4 may be attached to the housing 3.

[0049] [Connector assembly procedure] Next, with reference to Figures 6 and 7, an example of the assembly procedure for the connector 1, including the procedure for attaching the high-voltage terminals 2 to the housing 3, will be described.

[0050] The worker inserts the high-voltage terminal 2, which is crimped to the end of the high-voltage cable 6, into the housing chamber 20 of the housing 3. Specifically, the worker inserts the high-voltage terminal 2 into the housing chamber 20 from the rear insertion opening 23. The high-voltage terminal 2 is inserted by bringing the tip of the terminal connection part 11 into contact with the lance claw part 26 of the lance part 25, and elastically deforming the lance part 25 upward. As the insertion of the high-voltage terminal 2 progresses, the lance claw part 26 moves relatively backward while contacting the upper surface of the terminal connection part 11, and fits into the locking hole 14 of the terminal connection part 11 (see Figure 6). In this state, the tip (front end) of the terminal connection part 11 abuts against the edge of the communication opening 24 of the housing chamber 20, and the connection opening 12 of the terminal connection part 11 faces (communicates with) the communication opening 24. Furthermore, the holding gap 13 of the terminal connection portion 11 faces (communicates with) the holding bottom hole 33 of the housing 3 (holding mounting portion 30).

[0051] The worker pushes up the retainer 4, which is positioned at the temporary fixing position P1, and moves it to the permanent fixing position P2. When the retainer 4 moves to the permanent fixing position P2, the lower retaining projection 64 overcomes the retaining claw portion 35 of the retaining side recess 32, and the retaining claw portion 35 engages with the lower side of the lower retaining projection 64 (see the lower part of Figure 7). As shown in the lower part of Figure 6, each retaining projection 61 of the retainer 4 passes through the retaining bottom hole 33 that opens in the retaining bottom recess 31 and fits into the retaining gap 13 of the high-voltage terminal 2 located in the housing chamber 20. Because the front surface of the retaining projection 61 interferes with the front edge of the retaining gap 13, the pulling out of the high-voltage terminal 2 housed in the housing chamber 20 can be restricted. Furthermore, when the retainer 4 moves to the permanent fixing position P2, each retaining insertion plate 62 fits into the partition bottom hole 34 that opens in the retaining bottom recess 31, and the retaining bottom plate 60 fits into the retaining bottom recess 31 and forms a plane with the lower surface of the housing 3.

[0052] This completes the assembly of connector 1.

[0053] [Connection between connector and mating connector] Next, with reference to Figure 9, an example of the procedure for connecting the completed connector 1 to the mating connector 90 will be described. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view (side view) illustrating the operation of the connector position guarantee member 5.

[0054] The worker inserts connector 1 into the mating opening 93 of the mating connector 90 (mating housing 91) (see also Figure 8). A pair of guide protrusions 96 of the mating housing 91 fit into a pair of guide recesses 27 of housing 3, and housing 3 (connector 1) is inserted while being guided by the pair of guide protrusions 96. The locking claw portion 41 protruding from the upper surface of the locking arm 40 interferes with the upper edge of the mating opening 93 of the mating housing 91, and housing 3 is inserted while elastically deforming the locking arm 40 downwards. As connector 1 is inserted further, the locking claw portion 41 moves backward while contacting the top surface of the mating housing 91, is lifted by the restoring force of the locking arm 40, and fits into the first locking hole 97 of the mating housing 91. In this state, the front end surface of housing 3 of connector 1 abuts against (or faces with a small gap between) the front inner surface of the mating housing 91, and connector 1 is generally mated to the mating housing 91 normally.

[0055] In the above state, the mating claw portion 76 protruding from the upper surface of the mating arm 71 of the connector position guarantee member 5 interferes with the upper edge of the mating opening 93, pushing down the mating arm 71 as it enters the mating housing 91, and contacts the top surface of the mating housing 91, holding the mating arm 71 in a pushed-down position (see the upper part of Figure 9). The pair of mating arms 71 press the mating base portion 70 (connector position guarantee member 5) against the sliding plane portion 51 (mounting base 50), but the mounting base 50 is supported by two insulating ribs 53 in addition to two partition walls 21 to suppress bending, so it can firmly receive the connector position guarantee member 5. Also, as the mating arm 71 elastically deforms downward, the push-in restricting portion 78 of the mating arm 71 separates downward from the push-in restricting projection 46 of the mating restricting portion 43 (not shown). In this state, the mating terminal 92 of the mating connector 90 passes through the communication opening 24 of the housing 3 and is inserted into the connection opening 12 of the high-voltage terminal 2 (not shown). The tip side (bent portion) of the bottom plate of the terminal connection part 11 makes elastic contact with the mating terminal 92 (not shown).

[0056] Furthermore, if connector 1 is not properly mated to the mating housing 91, the downward pressure of each mating arm 71 will be insufficient, and each push-in restricting portion 78 will continue to interfere with the push-in restricting projection 46 (see Figure 8). In addition, the tip of the bottom plate of terminal connection portion 11 will not make proper contact with the mating terminal 92 with appropriate pressure.

[0057] Next, the operator pushes the connector position guarantee member 5 (slide operation part 72), which is located in the unconnected position P3, forward to move it to the connection guarantee position P4. When the connector 1 is properly mated with the mating housing 91, the push-in restricting part 78 is separated downward from the push-in restricting projection 46, allowing the connector position guarantee member 5 to slide forward. As the push-in of the connector position guarantee member 5 progresses, the mating claw part 76 moves forward while contacting the top surface of the mating housing 91, is lifted by the restoring force of the mating arm 71, and fits into the second lock hole 98 of the mating housing 91 (see the lower part of Figure 9). The connector position guarantee member 5 slides while being pressed against the sliding plane part 51 (mounting base 50) by the pair of mating arms 71, but since the mounting base 50 is reinforced by two insulating ribs 53 to suppress bending, the connector position guarantee member 5 can slide smoothly. Furthermore, the front end surface of the mating base portion 70 of the connector position guarantee member 5 abuts against (or faces with a small gap between them) the front inner surface of the mounting base 50. Also, the upright portion of the slide operation portion 72 contacts (or faces with a small gap between them, large enough to allow a finger to be placed) the rear surface of the release operation portion 42 of the lock arm 40 (see also Figure 2). In this state, the connector position guarantee member 5 is positioned at the connection guarantee position P4, where forward movement (insertion) is restricted (see also Figure 2). As described above, when the housing 3 is (normally) connected to the mating housing 91 of the mating connector 90, the connector position guarantee member 5 slides from the unconnected position P3 to the connection guarantee position P4, thereby guaranteeing the position of the housing 3 relative to the mating housing 91.

[0058] As a result, connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 90 (see the lower part of Figures 2 and 9). To disconnect connector 1 from the mating connector 90, the operator can push down the mating arm 71 through the second lock hole 98, place their fingers on the slide operation part 72 to move the connector position guarantee member 5 to the unconnected position P3, and then push down the release operation part 42 to release the locking of the lock claw part 41 and pull out connector 1 (not shown).

[0059] In the connector 1 according to the embodiment described above, a mounting base 50 provided on the upper part of the housing 3 supports the connector position guarantee member 5 so that it can slide in the front-rear direction, and insulating ribs 53 extending rearward (in the withdrawal direction) from the partition wall 21 increase the space distance and creepage distance between adjacent high-voltage terminals 2, and support the mounting base 50 (its protruding portion). With this configuration, the insulating ribs 53 provided to secure the necessary space distance and creepage distance can also be used as a part that reinforces the mounting base 50 and suppresses deflection. This improves the rigidity of the mounting base 50 and ensures the smooth sliding of the connector position guarantee member 5 while enabling the connection of high-voltage electrical circuits.

[0060] Incidentally, in order to orient the connector 1 towards the mating opening 93 of the mating housing 91, the high-voltage cable 6 extending outward from the housing 3 may be bent during wiring. Since the insulating rib 53 extends outward from the partition wall 21, it may hinder the free wiring of the high-voltage cable 6. If the insulating rib 53 is formed with the same thickness as the partition wall 21, and the high-voltage cable 6 is bent in a direction that contacts the insulating rib 53, the high-voltage cable 6 may be pressed against the trailing edge (corner) of the insulating rib 53, potentially increasing the load (stress) on the bending of the high-voltage cable 6.

[0061] In contrast to the above, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the insulating rib 53 is thinner than the partition wall 21 and is connected to the partition wall 21 via a step 54. With this configuration, when the high-voltage cable 6 extending backward (in the pulling direction) from the high-voltage terminal 2 in the housing chamber 20 is bent in a direction that contacts the insulating rib 53, it contacts two points: the rear edge of the partition wall 21 (the leading edge in the pulling direction (the corner portion of the step 54)) and the rear edge of the insulating rib 53 (the leading edge in the pulling direction), and is bent in two stages. As a result, the stress (load) related to bending the high-voltage cable 6 can be distributed to two points, and the stress related to bending the high-voltage cable 6 can be reduced compared to when the high-voltage cable 6 is bent in one point. As a result, it becomes possible to route (arrange) the high-voltage cable 6 extending to the outside of the housing 3 while freely bending it (improvement in the freedom of handling the high-voltage cable 6).

[0062] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, for example, the step 54 between the partition wall 21 and the insulating rib 53 was formed to be about 0.5 mm, but this is not limited to this, and the dimensions of the step 54 can be freely changed. For example, by making the step 54 1 mm or more, the degree of freedom in routing the high-voltage cable 6 described above can be improved, and the creepage distance can also be increased.

[0063] Incidentally, when considering the free routing of the high-voltage cable 6 extending outward from the housing 3, it is preferable to incline the entire rear end surface of the insulating rib 53 and form the insulating rib 53 in a triangular plate shape (not shown). However, if the entire rear end surface of the insulating rib 53 is inclined, it may not be possible to secure the necessary space distance and creepage distance. In contrast to the above, by having a straight surface portion 55 parallel to the vertical direction (support direction) and an inclined surface portion 56 that is inclined forward (insertion direction) on the rear end surface of the insulating rib 53, it is possible to minimize the constraints on routing the high-voltage cable 6 while securing the necessary space distance and creepage distance.

[0064] In the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the mounting base 50 protrudes rearward from the rear end of the housing 3, and the insulating rib 53 supports the protruding portion of the mounting base 50 (sliding surface portion 51). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 10, in the connector 7 according to a modified example of this embodiment, the mounting base 50 does not protrude from the rear end of the housing 3, and the insulating rib 53 supports the connector position guarantee member 5 which protrudes rearward (in the pulling direction) from the mounting base 50 (modified example). In other words, the insulating rib 53 may directly support the connector position guarantee member 5 without going through the mounting base 50. In this case, the connector position guarantee member 5 is placed on the sliding surface portion 51 of the mounting base 50 and the upper end surface of the insulating rib 53. According to the connector 7 according to a modified example of this embodiment, the same effects as the connector 1 described above can be obtained, such as being able to connect a high-voltage electrical circuit while ensuring the smooth sliding of the connector position guarantee member 5.

[0065] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the insulating rib 53 was formed to be thinner than the partition wall 21, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, if the high-voltage cable 6 is not used in an extremely bent manner, the insulating rib 53 may be formed to be the same thickness as the partition wall 21 (not shown).

[0066] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the inclined surface portion 56 of the insulating rib 53 was bent relative to the straight surface portion 55, but the present invention is not limited to this. The inclined surface portion 56 may be bent to curve relative to the straight surface portion 55 (not shown). Also, although the inclined surface portion 56 was an inclined plane, it is not limited to this and may be an inclined curved surface (not shown).

[0067] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the insulating rib 53 was formed in a trapezoidal shape with a hypotenuse on the lower side when viewed from the side, but it is not limited to this, and may be formed in a trapezoidal shape with hypotenuses on both the upper and lower sides (not shown). Also, as long as the necessary clearance distance and creepage distance can be secured, the insulating rib 53 may be formed in a polygonal shape other than a rectangle (including a triangle) when viewed from the side, or in a shape including curves such as a semicircle (none of which are shown). Moreover, if the high-voltage cable 6 is not used in an extremely bent shape, the insulating rib 53 may be formed in a rectangular shape (not shown).

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mating connector 90 is provided with three mating terminals 92, and the connector 1 is provided with three high-voltage terminals 2 (mating connector 90, housing chamber 20). However, this is not limited to this configuration, and it is sufficient to have two or more mating terminals 92 and high-voltage terminals 2, respectively (not shown). Accordingly, it is sufficient to have one or more partition walls 21 and insulating ribs 53 of the connector 1, respectively (not shown). In addition, the number of retaining protrusions 61 and retaining insertion plates 62 of the retainer 4 may be changed according to the number of housing chambers 20 and partition walls 21, etc.

[0069] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, a pair of mating arms 71 are provided on the connector position guarantee member 5, but the connector is not limited to this, and one or more mating arms 71 may be provided (not shown). Also, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, a retainer 4 is provided, but the connector is not limited to this, and the retainer 4 may be omitted (not shown).

[0070] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the terminal connection portion 11 of the high-voltage terminal 2 was formed in a rectangular tube shape, but it is not limited to this, and any shape that can be electrically connected to the mating terminal 92 is acceptable. For example, if the mating terminal 92 is formed to sandwich the terminal connection portion 11, the terminal connection portion 11 may be in the shape of a single plate or a single rod (neither shown). Also, the mating connector 90 (mating terminal 92) is not limited to one mounted on the electrical circuit board 100, but may be attached to the end of the high-voltage cable 6, for example, similar to the connector 1 (not shown).

[0071] The above description of the embodiments illustrates one aspect of the connector according to the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The components in the above embodiments can be replaced or combined with existing components as appropriate, and the description of the above embodiments does not limit the content of the invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1.7 Connector 2 High-voltage terminals 3 Housing 5 Connector position guarantee component 6 High-voltage cables 20 Confinement Rooms 21 Partition wall 50 mounting platform 53 Insulating Ribs 54 steps 55 Straight line section 56 Slope section 90. Mating connector 91 Opposite Housing P3 Unconnected location P4 connection guaranteed location

Claims

1. A connector that is connected to the other connector, A housing having multiple accommodating chambers into which multiple high-voltage terminals fixed to the ends of multiple high-voltage cables are inserted, The housing is provided so as to slide along the insertion / removal direction of the high-voltage terminals, and a connector position guarantee member is provided so as to slide from an unconnected position to a connection guarantee position when the housing is connected to the mating housing of the mating connector, thereby guaranteeing the position of the housing relative to the mating housing, The aforementioned housing is A partition wall separating multiple of the aforementioned accommodation chambers, A mounting base is provided facing the housing chamber and the partition wall from one of the support directions perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction and the adjacent direction of the housing chamber, and the connector position guarantee member is slidably mounted on it, A connector characterized by having at least one insulating rib that extends from all of the partition walls in the withdrawal direction of the high-voltage terminals, increases the spatial distance and creepage distance between the high-voltage terminals housed in adjacent housing chambers, and supports the aforementioned mounting base or the connector position guarantee member that protrudes from the housing in the withdrawal direction.

2. The insulating rib is formed to be thinner in the adjacent direction compared to the partition wall. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that a step is formed at the boundary between the partition wall and the insulating rib.

3. The tip surface of the insulating rib in the pull-out direction is A straight surface portion formed parallel to the support direction on the side of the mounting base, The connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has an inclined surface portion that is bent relative to the straight surface portion and tilts toward the insertion direction of the high-voltage terminal toward the opposite side of the mounting base described above.

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