connector

Abstract

One embodiment provides a connector that can be miniaturized. [Solution] A connector according to one embodiment is a connector for an in-vehicle component and comprises a housing having a mating portion opening in a first direction which is the mating direction with a mating connector, and a housing portion opening in a second direction which intersects the first direction; a first terminal including an electrode portion disposed in the mating portion and connectable to the mating connector; a first cable extending in the second direction, passing through the housing portion and electrically connected to the first terminal; and a first sealing sealing the periphery of the first cable at a position away from the first terminal, wherein the housing has a first restricting portion that restricts the position of the first cable in the first direction at a position between the first terminal and the first sealing with respect to the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicles equipped with a connector for charging an in-vehicle battery are known. Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a mounting plate, an inner cylinder portion, an outer cylinder portion, an electric wire, and a rubber plug. In the connector described in Patent Document 1, a rubber plug seals between the electric wire drawn out from the inner cylinder portion and the opening of the outer cylinder portion protruding to the vehicle interior side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a connector as described above, the bias of wiring materials such as electric wires may become large. In order to absorb the bias of the wiring materials and ensure the sealing performance, a large sealing member is required. When a large sealing material is used, it is difficult to miniaturize the connector.

[0005] One embodiment provides a connector capable of achieving miniaturization.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A connector according to one embodiment is a connector for an in-vehicle component and comprises a housing having a mating portion opening in a first direction which is the mating direction with a mating connector, and a housing portion opening in a second direction which intersects the first direction; a first terminal including an electrode portion disposed in the mating portion and connectable to the mating connector; a first cable member extending in the second direction, passing through the housing portion and electrically connected to the first terminal; and a first sealing sealing the periphery of the first cable member at a position away from the first terminal, wherein the housing has a first restricting portion that restricts the position of the first cable member in the first direction at a position between the first terminal and the first sealing with respect to the second direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the connector, miniaturization becomes possible. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a view of the connector of the embodiment from the -X direction. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the area around the housing shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a view of the housing section from the -Y direction. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the auxiliary member in the embodiment attached to the cable guide. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the recess in the regulating portion in the embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of the area around the housing section that accommodates the cable routing material with the auxiliary member attached in the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted.

[0010] In this application, terms are defined as follows: "Connection" is not limited to mechanical connections but may include electrical connections. That is, "Connection" is not limited to cases where two elements to be connected are directly connected, but may include cases where two elements to be connected are connected with another element interposed between them. "Restrict" is not limited to cases where two members are always in contact, thereby restricting the movement of one of the two members relative to the other. "Restrict" may include cases where, for example, two members are not in contact when there is no displacement, but when one of the two members attempts to shift position relative to the other, the two members come into contact, thereby restricting the movement of one of the two members relative to the other. Furthermore, "restrict" means that movement in at least one direction is restricted.

[0011] The +X, -X, +Y, -Y, +Z, and -Z directions are defined as follows: The +X direction is the direction from connector 1 to the mating connector 2 (see Figure 1). The -X direction is the opposite direction to the +X direction. When the +X and -X directions are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "X direction". The +Y and -Y directions are directions that intersect (e.g., are orthogonal) with the X direction. The +Y direction is the direction in which the cable guides 13 and 13C, described later, are inserted into the housing 10 (see Figure 1). The -Y direction is the opposite direction to the +Y direction. When the +Y and -Y directions are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "Y direction". The +Z and -Z directions are directions that intersect (e.g., are orthogonal) with the X and Y directions. The +Z direction is the direction towards the viewer in Figure 1. The -Z direction is the direction that intersects with the +Z direction. When the +Z and -Z directions are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "Z direction." The X direction is an example of the "first direction." The Y direction is an example of the "second direction."

[0012] (Embodiment) <1. Connector Configuration> Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of the embodiment. Figure 2 is a view of the connector of the embodiment from the -X direction. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the area around the housing shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a view of the housing from the -Y direction. Connector 1 is installed in vehicles equipped with an on-board battery, such as EVs (Electric Vehicles), HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles), or PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles). Connector 1 is detachably connected to a mating connector 2 installed on an external charging facility. Connector 1 supplies power from the mating connector 2 to a charging circuit, for example, for charging the on-board battery.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connector 1 includes, for example, a housing 10, terminals 11, busbars 12, wiring material 13, connection terminals 14, fasteners 15, sealing 16, and a rear holder 18.

[0014] <1.1 Housing> As shown in Figure 1, the housing 10 covers the exposed conductive parts from the outside. The exposed conductive parts are, for example, the terminals 11 or the ends of the wiring members 13. The housing 10 comprises a fitting portion 21, a terminal block portion 22, and a housing portion 23. The housing 10 is made of an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing 10 is fixed to, for example, a vehicle body (not shown).

[0015] <1.1.1 Mating section> The mating portion 21 has a first opening 24 that opens toward the +X direction (first direction), which is the direction in which it mates with the mating connector 2. The mating connector 2 protrudes in the X direction. The mating portion 21 is recessed in the X direction to correspond to the mating connector 2. The mating portion 21 forms a connector space 26. The mating connector 2 can be inserted into and removed from the connector space 26 in the X direction through the first opening 24. Of the housing 10, only the mating portion 21 is accessible from outside the vehicle body.

[0016] The fitting portion 21 has a partition wall 25 in the -X direction opposite to the first opening 24. The partition wall 25 partitions the space between the terminal block portion 22. A through hole 25h penetrating the partition wall 25 in the X direction is formed in the partition wall 25. Through the through hole 25h of the partition wall 25, a terminal 11 described later is arranged across the connector space 26 and the accommodation space 27 of the terminal block portion 22. The electrode portion 29 of the terminal 11 is arranged in the connector space 26.

[0017] <1.1.2 Terminal Block Portion> The terminal block portion 22 forms an accommodation space 27. The accommodation space 27 accommodates the fastening portion 30 of the terminal 11, the fastening portion 31 of the connection terminal 14, the bus bar 12, and the fastener 15. The terminal block portion 22 has an access hole 32 that opens in the -X direction so that tools (not shown), the bus bar 12, the fastener 15, etc. can be inserted into the accommodation space 27.

[0018] <1.1.3 Accommodation Portion> The accommodation portion 23 forms an accommodation space 28 for accommodating the cable harness 13. The accommodation portion 23 is cylindrical and extends in the Y direction. The accommodation portion 23 has a second opening 33 that opens in the -Y direction. The accommodation space 28 accommodates a part of the cable harness 13 in the +Y direction described later. The end portion 34 of the cable harness 13 with the connection terminal 14 attached is inserted into the accommodation portion 23 from the second opening 33 in the +Y direction. A part of the cable harness 13 accommodated in the accommodation space 28 includes the end portion 34 with the connection terminal 14 attached.

[0019] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the housing section 23 of this embodiment has a cylindrical outer wall 35. The outer wall 35 is cylindrical and formed to have a diameter equal to or larger than the maximum diameter of the cable routing material 13 that is expected to be used. The outer wall 35 extends in the Y direction. The inner diameter of the outer wall 35 is constant in the Y direction. The housing space 28 communicates with the housing space 27 of the terminal block section 22 in the Y direction. The connection terminal 14 attached to the end 34 of the cable routing material 13 extends from the housing space 28 in the +Y direction to the housing space 27 of the terminal block section 22.

[0020] The housing section 23 includes a sealing housing section 36, a stopper surface 37, and a regulating section 38. The sealing housing section 36 houses the sealing 16, which will be described later. The sealing housing section 36 has a ring-shaped outer peripheral sealing surface 39. The outer peripheral sealing surface 39 is ring-shaped and in contact with the outer peripheral surface 16o of the ring-shaped sealing 16 all around. The inner diameter of the outer peripheral sealing surface 39 is constant in the Y direction. The outer peripheral sealing surface 39 extends from the second opening 33 in the +Y direction. In this embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall 35 is the outer peripheral sealing surface 39.

[0021] Here, the housing 10 of this embodiment has a first housing section 23A and a second housing section 23B. The first housing section 23A and the second housing section 23B are two adjacent housing sections 23 in the X direction. The first housing section 23A houses a first wiring member 13A as a wiring member 13. The second housing section 23B houses a second wiring member 13B as a wiring member 13. Furthermore, the housing 10 of this embodiment has two adjacent sealing housing sections 36 in the X direction, namely a first sealing housing section 36A and a second sealing housing section 36B. The first sealing housing section 36A is provided in the first housing section 23A. The second sealing housing section 36B is provided in the second housing section 23B. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the first housing section 23A and the second housing section 23B, they will simply be referred to as housing section 23. Furthermore, if there is no need to distinguish between the first sealing housing 36A and the second sealing housing 36B, they are simply referred to as the sealing housing 36.

[0022] <1.1.4 Dead end> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the abutment surface 37 abuts against the sealing 16 in the Y direction. In this embodiment, abutment surfaces 37 are provided in both the first housing section 23A and the second housing section 23B. The abutment surface 37 positions the sealing 16 in the Y direction. By abutting against the sealing 16 inserted from the second opening 33 in the +Y direction, the abutment surface 37 restricts further displacement of the sealing 16 in the +Y direction. The abutment surface 37 is a surface that extends in the X and Z directions perpendicular to the Y direction. The abutment surface 37 is provided adjacent to the outer peripheral sealing surface 39 in the +Y direction. In this embodiment, the abutment surface 37 is formed by the -Y direction end face of the rib 40 that extends vertically in the X direction from the inner circumferential surface of the outer wall 35, and the -Y direction end face of the first restricting section 38A.

[0023] <1.1.5 Regulatory Section> The restricting section 38 positions the cable routing member 13 located inside the housing 10 in the X direction. Specifically, the restricting section 38 positions the cable routing member 13 located between the sealing housing section 36 and the connection terminal 14 in the X direction. The housing 10 in this embodiment has two restricting sections 38: a first restricting section 38A and a second restricting section 38B. The first restricting section 38A positions the first cable routing member 13A. The second restricting section 38B positions the second cable routing member 13B. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the first restricting section 38A and the second restricting section 38B, they will simply be referred to as the restricting section 38. In addition to positioning the cable routing member 13 located inside the housing 10 in the X direction, the restricting section 38 may also position it in the Z direction.

[0024] The restricting portion 38 comprises a first protrusion 41 and a second protrusion 42. In other words, the first restricting portion 38A of this embodiment comprises a first protrusion 41 and a second protrusion 42. Similarly, the second restricting portion 38B of this embodiment also comprises a first protrusion 41 and a second protrusion 42. The first protrusion 41 protrudes in the +X direction from the inner circumferential surface of the outer wall 35 that is located furthest in the -X direction. The second protrusion 42 protrudes in the -X direction from the furthest position in the +X direction on the inner circumferential surface of the outer wall 35. These first protrusion 41 and second protrusion 42 extend in the +Y direction from the position of the abutment surface 37 in the Y direction.

[0025] The restricting portion 38 is positioned closer to the sealing 16 than to the terminal 11. The width of the restricting portion 38 in the Y direction is greater than the width of the sealing 16 in the Y direction. The restricting portion 38 extends along the entire length of the wiring member 13 that extends towards the terminal 11 side from the sealing 16. The amount of protrusion of the restricting portion 38 in the X direction is greater than the plate thickness of the connecting terminal 14.

[0026] The first projection 41 has a first curved surface 43 that is arc-shaped when viewed from the Y direction. The first curved surface 43 is formed around an extension line O2, which is an extension of the center line O1 of the outer peripheral sealing surface 39 in the +Y direction. Similarly, the second projection 42 has a second curved surface 44 that is arc-shaped when viewed from the Y direction. The second curved surface 44 is formed around the extension line O2. In other words, the first curved surface 43 and the second curved surface 44 are located on the same virtual circle R2 centered on the extension line O2 when viewed from the Y direction.

[0027] The diameter of the virtual circle R2 is set to be the same as the largest diameter among the diameters of the cable guides 13 that are expected to be used. For example, when a cable guide 13 with such a large diameter is inserted into the housing section 23 in the +Y direction, the first curved surface 43 and the second curved surface 44 come into contact with the outer circumferential surface 13o of the cable guide 13. This restricts the displacement of the cable guide 13 in the X direction. Furthermore, since the first curved surface 43 and the second curved surface 44 are concave curved surfaces, the displacement of the cable guide 13 in the Z direction relative to the restricting section 38 is also simultaneously restricted. In Figures 1 and 3, the first cable guide 13A with the largest diameter is shown as an example when it is housed in the first housing section 23A. Similarly, in Figures 1 and 3, the second cable guide 13B with the largest diameter is shown as an example when it is housed in the second housing section 23B.

[0028] <1.2 Terminals> As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the terminal 11 includes an electrode portion 29 positioned on the mating portion 21 as described above, and a fastening portion 30 supported by the housing 10. In this embodiment, the two terminals 11, the first terminal 11A and the second terminal 11B, are adjacent to each other in the Y direction. The first terminal 11A and the second terminal 11B have the same shape. When there is no need to distinguish between the first terminal 11A and the second terminal 11B, they are simply referred to as terminal 11.

[0029] The electrode portion 29 of terminal 11 is columnar in shape, extending from the partition wall 25 in the +X direction. In this embodiment, terminal 11 is cylindrical in shape. The electrode portion 29 of terminal 11 contacts the electrode (not shown) of the mating connector 2 inserted into the mating portion 21.

[0030] The fastening portion 30 of the terminal 11 is located in the housing space 27 of the terminal block portion 22. The fastening portion 30 of the terminal 11 is formed to have a larger diameter than the electrode portion 29 when viewed from the Y direction. The fastening portion 30 of the terminal 11 has a female screw portion 45 that opens in the -X direction. The female screw portion 45 is formed along an axis O3 extending in the X direction. In this embodiment, the fastening portion 30 of the terminal 11 has a plane 46 facing the -X direction around the female screw portion 45. The plane 46 formed on the fastening portion 30 of the terminal 11 becomes a contact surface that contacts the connecting terminal 14 and the busbar 12.

[0031] The planes 46 formed on the fastening portion 30 of the first terminal 11A and the fastening portion 30 of the second terminal 11B are located at the same position in the X direction. For example, the plane 46 of terminal 11 is located at the same position in the X direction as the lower surface 47 of the second terminal 14B (the connection terminal 14B) that is closer to terminal 11 in the X direction among two adjacent connection terminals 14 in the X direction.

[0032] <1.3 Busbar> The busbar 12 has at least a first end 48 and a second end 49. The busbar 12 connects the first connection terminal 14A, which is a connection terminal 14 attached to the first cable member 13A, to the fastening portion 31 of the first terminal 11A. The position of the first connection terminal 14A in the X direction is different from the position of the fastening portion 31 of the first terminal 11A in the X direction. In this embodiment, the busbar 12 connects the fastening portion 30 of the first terminal 11A to the first connection terminal 14A. The fastening portion 30 of the first terminal 11A is the fastening portion 30 of the terminal 11 that is further from the first cable member 13A in the +Y direction. The first connection terminal 14A is the connection terminal 14 that is further from the terminal 11 in the -X direction.

[0033] The busbar 12 of this embodiment has a first end 48, a second end 49, and an intermediate portion 50. The first end 48 is fastened to the first connection terminal 14A. The first end 48 is formed in a flat plate shape with the X direction as the thickness direction. The first end 48 has a through hole 51 through which the male threaded portion 57 of the fastener 15 can be inserted in the X direction. The second end 49 is formed in a flat plate shape with the X direction as the thickness direction, similar to the first end 48. The second end 49 has a through hole 52 through which the male threaded portion 57 of the fastener 15 can be inserted in the X direction.

[0034] The intermediate section 50 connects the first end 48 and the second end 49. The intermediate section 50 extends in the X direction. The first end 48 extends from the +X end of the intermediate section 50 toward the +Y direction. The second end 49 extends from the -X end of the intermediate section 50 toward the -Y direction. In other words, when viewed from the Z direction, the busbar 12 has a crank shape. In this embodiment, the intermediate section 50 is formed integrally with the first end 48 and the second end 49. This busbar 12 having the first end 48, the second end 49, and the intermediate section 50 can be formed, for example, by bending both ends of a single strip-shaped metal plate.

[0035] <1.4 Routing material> The wiring material 13 supplies power supplied via the mating connector 2 to the charging circuit (not shown) of the vehicle battery. The wiring material 13 comprises a core wire portion 53 and an insulating coating portion 54. The core wire portion 53 is made of a conductive metal such as conductive copper or aluminum alloy. The insulating coating portion 54 forms an electrical insulating layer that covers the outer circumference of the core wire portion 53. Examples of insulating coating portions 54 include synthetic resins such as polyvinyl chloride. At the ends of the wiring material 13, the core wire portion 53 is exposed and not covered by the insulating coating portion 54. Here, the diameter of the wiring material 13 in this embodiment is the diameter including the insulating coating portion 54. Examples of wiring material 13 include electric wires with insulating coatings and busbars with insulating coatings. The wiring material 13 may also be a shielded wire. As described above, the connector 1 of this embodiment has two wiring materials 13: a first wiring material 13A and a second wiring material 13B.

[0036] <1.5 Connection terminals> As shown in Figure 5, the connector 14 is attached to the end 34 of the cable guide 13. The connector 14 extends from the end 34 in the +Y direction. The connector 14 in this embodiment is a so-called round terminal. The connector 14 has a crimping portion 55 and a fastening portion 31. The crimping portion 55 is fixed to the end 34 of the cable guide 13 in the +Y direction. The fastening portion 31 is formed in a flat plate shape that extends from the crimping portion 55 in the +Y direction. The fastening portion 31 has a through hole 56 that penetrates in the X direction. In this embodiment, the connector 14 is fixed to the end 34 of the cable guide 13 in a position where the thickness direction of the fastening portion 31 of the connector 14 is in the X direction.

[0037] The connector 1 of this embodiment has two connection terminals 14, namely a first connection terminal 14A and a second connection terminal 14B. The fastening portion 31 of the first connection terminal 14A is fastened to the first end portion 48 of the busbar 12 by a fastener 15, overlapping in the X direction. The fastening portion 31 of the second connection terminal 14B is fastened to the fastening portion 30 of the second terminal 11B by a fastener 15, overlapping in the X direction.

[0038] <1.6 Fasteners> The fastener 15 has a fastening portion 30 of the terminal 11 and a male threaded portion 57 that is screwed into a female threaded portion 45 formed on the fastening base 70. Examples of fasteners 15 include bolts and screws. In this embodiment, the fasteners 15 are used to fasten the busbar 12 to the terminal 11, the busbar 12 to the connecting terminal 14, and the connecting terminal 14 to the terminal 11. All of these multiple fasteners 15 are screwed into the female threaded portion 45 in the +X direction. The first end portion 48 of the busbar 12 and the first connecting terminal 14A are fastened together in the X direction by the fasteners 15 using a fastening base 70 which has a female threaded portion 45 that opens in the -X direction.

[0039] <1.7 Ceiling> The sealant 16 seals the space between the cable guide 13 and the housing 10. The sealant 16 is formed in a ring shape and surrounds the entire circumference of the cable guide 13. The sealant 16 is installed between the cable guide 13 and the housing 10 in a compressed and deformed state. The radial dimensions of the sealant 16 are constant throughout its entire circumference. Furthermore, the amount of radial compression deformation of the sealant 16 is preferably constant throughout its entire circumference to ensure sealing performance around the entire circumference. In this embodiment, the sealant 16 is provided for waterproofing purposes. Synthetic rubber can be used as an example of the material for the sealant 16. The sealant 16 has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the cable guide 13 to which the sealant 16 is attached. That is, if the cable guide 13 is changed to a cable guide 13C with a smaller outer diameter (see Figures 6 and 7), a different sealant 16C with an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the cable guide 13C is used. The shape of the sealings 16 and 16C can be any shape as long as it is capable of sealing the space between the outer surface 13o of the cable guide 13 and the outer sealing surface 39 of the sealing housing 36 when compressed and deformed radially around the center line O1.

[0040] The connector 1 of this embodiment has two seals 16, a first seal 16A and a second seal 16B. The first seal 16A surrounds the first cable member 13A. The second seal 16B surrounds the second cable member 13B.

[0041] <1.8 Auxiliary Members> Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the auxiliary member attached to the cable guide in the embodiment. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the recess in the restricting portion in the embodiment. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the area around the housing portion that houses the cable guide with the auxiliary member attached in the embodiment. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the auxiliary member 17 allows the position in the X direction of a cable guide 13C (hereinafter simply referred to as cable guide 13C) having an outer diameter smaller than the maximum diameter of the cable guide 13 expected to be used (hereinafter simply referred to as the maximum diameter) to be restricted by the restricting portion 38. In this embodiment, the auxiliary member 17 surrounds the cable guide 13C. The auxiliary member 17 corrects the outer diameter of the cable guide 13C. In this embodiment, the auxiliary member 17 is fixed to the cable guide 13C. Specifically, the auxiliary member 17 does not displace in the X, Y, and Z directions relative to the cable guide 13C. Note that the cable guide 13C can be used as at least one of the first cable guide 13A and the second cable guide 13B.

[0042] The auxiliary member 17 comprises a sleeve portion 58 and a projection 59. The sleeve portion 58 is cylindrical in shape. The sleeve portion 58 is fixed to the cable guide 13C, for example, by passing a restricting member (not shown) inside it. The outer diameter of the sleeve portion 58, i.e., the diameter of its outer circumference 58o, is the same as the maximum diameter when it is fixed to the cable guide 13C, for example. For example, when the sleeve portion 58 is fixed to the cable guide 13C by crimping, the inner diameter of the sleeve portion 58, i.e., the diameter of its inner circumference, is slightly smaller than the diameter of the outer circumference of the cable guide 13C to which the auxiliary member 17 is attached. The auxiliary member 17 has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the cable guide 13C to which the auxiliary member 17 is attached.

[0043] The projection 59 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 58o of the sleeve portion 58. The projection 59 extends in the longitudinal direction of the cable guide 13C. In this embodiment, the length of the projection 59 in the longitudinal direction of the cable guide 13C is the same as the length of the sleeve portion 58 in the longitudinal direction of the cable guide 13C. When the cable guide 13C is housed in the housing portion 23, the projection 59 is positioned in the circumferential direction of the cable guide 13C at the position furthest in the -X direction or furthest in the +X direction.

[0044] As shown in Figure 6, the regulating portion 38 described above is provided with a recess 60. A projection 59 of the auxiliary member 17 is positioned in the recess 60. The recess 60 can guide the projection 59 in the Y direction. The recess 60 in this embodiment can position the projection 59 in the circumferential direction of the cable guide 13C. The recess 60 in this embodiment opens on the side closer to the extension line O2 in the X direction. The recess 60 also opens in the -Y direction. This opening of the recess 60 in the -Y direction allows the projection 59 to slide into the recess 60 in the +Y direction.

[0045] The recess 60 further has a stopper surface 61 that positions the projection 59 in the +Y direction. The stopper surface 61 is located in the +Y direction most within the recess 60. As shown in Figure 4, the recess 60 in this embodiment is provided in the second projection 42 of the first housing section 23A and the first projection 41 of the second housing section 23B. In other words, the recess 60 is formed in the first projection 41 and the second projection 42, respectively, which are located close to each other in the X direction when viewed from the -Y direction.

[0046] <1.9 Rear Holder> As shown in Figure 3, the rear holder 18 is attached to the -Y end of the housing 23. The rear holder 18 closes the second opening 33. The rear holder 18 positions the cable routing material 13 in the X direction. The rear holder 18 of this embodiment includes a slip prevention portion 62 extending in the X direction and a mounting portion 63 extending in the +Y direction from the peripheral edge of the slip prevention portion 62. The mounting portion 63 is detachably attached to the housing 10. The slip prevention portion 62 has a wire insertion hole 64 concentric with the outer peripheral sealing surface 39. The wire insertion hole 64 allows the cable routing material 13 to be inserted in the Y direction. The inner circumferential surface of the wire insertion hole 64 contacts the outer peripheral surface 13o of the cable routing material 13 all around. The wire insertion hole 64 is formed to have the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of the cable routing material 13. In this way, the inner surface of the wire insertion hole 64 contacts the outer surface 13o of the cable guide 13, thereby restricting the displacement of the cable guide 13 in the X and Z directions. When the cable guide 13C described above is used, a rear holder 18 having a wire insertion hole 64 corresponding to the diameter of the cable guide 13C is used.

[0047] <2. Advantages> As a comparative example, consider the case where the distribution of the wiring material in the connector becomes significantly uneven. In this case, a large seal is required to absorb the unevenness of the wiring material and ensure the sealing performance of the seal. Using a large seal makes it difficult to miniaturize the connector.

[0048] On the other hand, the connector 1 of this embodiment comprises a housing 10, a first terminal 11A, a first cable guide 13A, and a first sealing 16A. The housing 10 comprises a mating portion 21, a housing portion 23, and a first restricting portion 38A. The mating portion 21 opens in the X direction, which is the mating direction with the mating connector 2. The housing portion 23 opens in the Y direction, which intersects with the X direction. The first terminal 11A includes an electrode portion 29. The electrode portion 29 is located in the mating portion 21. The first terminal 11A is connectable to the mating connector 2. The first cable guide 13A extends in the Y direction. The first cable guide 13A passes through the housing portion 23. The first cable guide 13A is electrically connected to the first terminal 11A. The first sealing 16A seals around the first cable guide 13A at a position away from the first terminal 11A. The first restricting section 38A restricts the position of the first cable member 13A in the X direction at a position between the first terminal 11A and the first sealing 16A in the Y direction. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the bias of the first cable member 13A in the X direction, thus eliminating the need for a large sealing to absorb the bias of the first cable member 13A. Therefore, it becomes possible to miniaturize the connector 1.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first restricting portion 38A is provided by a part of the housing 10. This configuration allows for a reduction in the number of parts.

[0050] In this embodiment, the first restricting portion 38A is a first protrusion 41 and a second protrusion 42 that protrude from a part of the inner surface of the housing portion 23 toward the first cable member 13A. With this configuration, the shape of the first restricting section 38A is not complicated, and the bias of the first cable member 13A in the X direction can be effectively suppressed. In this embodiment, the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42 extend in the Y direction. With this configuration, the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42 can be in contact with the first cable member 13A for a longer period in the Y direction. Therefore, the bias of the first cable member 13A in the X direction can be further suppressed.

[0051] In this embodiment, the housing 10 further comprises a second terminal 11B, a second cable guide 13B, and a second sealing 16B. The housing 10 further comprises a second restricting section 38B. The second terminal 11B includes an electrode portion 29, which is located in the mating portion 21. The second terminal 11B is connectable to the mating connector 2. The second cable guide 13B extends in the Y direction. The second cable guide 13B passes through the housing portion 23. The second cable guide 13B is electrically connected to the second terminal 11B. The second sealing 16B seals the periphery of the second cable guide 13B at a position away from the second terminal 11B. The second restricting section 38B restricts the position of the second cable guide 13B in the X direction at a position between the second terminal 11B and the second sealing 16B with respect to the Y direction. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the bias of the second cable member 13B in the X direction, thus eliminating the need for a large sealing to absorb the bias of the second cable member 13B. Therefore, it becomes possible to miniaturize the connector 1.

[0052] The connector 1 of this embodiment further includes an auxiliary member 17 positioned between the cable routing material 13C and the restricting portion 38. With this configuration, the position in the X direction of the cable member 13C, which has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the first cable member 13A and the second cable member 13B, can be restricted by the restricting portion 38 without changing the dimensions of the restricting portion 38.

[0053] The auxiliary member 17 of this embodiment further comprises a projection 59 protruding from its outer circumferential surface. The regulating portion 38 further comprises a recess 60 in which the projection 59 is positioned. The recess 60 extends in the Y direction. The recess 60 can guide the projection 59 in the Y direction. With this configuration, the recess 60 guides the projection 59 in the Y direction, allowing the cable guide 13C to be smoothly housed in the housing section 23 together with the auxiliary member 17.

[0054] <3. Other Embodiments> Several embodiments have been described above. However, the embodiments are not limited to the examples described above. In the above embodiment, the example shown illustrates that connector 1 is used as a charging inlet for charging an on-board battery. However, connector 1 can be applied to connectors for connecting various electrical devices within a vehicle.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the X direction is shown as the vertical direction, and the Y and Z directions are shown as horizontal directions, but the X, Y, and Z directions are not limited to the above directions.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the terminal 11 on the left in Figure 1 is designated as the first terminal 11A, and the terminal 11 on the right is designated as the second terminal 11B. However, the positions of the first terminal 11A and the second terminal 11B are not limited to the positions shown in Figure 1. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the housing section 23 located in the -X direction is designated as the first housing section 23A, and the housing section 23 located in the +X direction is designated as the second housing section 23B. However, the positions of the first housing section 23A and the second housing section 23B are not limited to the +X direction. Similarly, the positions of the first cable guide 13A, the first sealing 16A, and the first restricting section 38A are not limited to the -X direction. The positions of the second cable guide 13B, the second sealing 16B, and the second restricting section 38B are not limited to the +X direction.

[0057] In the above embodiment, a case was described in which a pair of terminals 11, a pair of wiring members 13, a pair of sealing members 16, and a pair of restricting members 38 are provided. However, the number of terminals 11, wiring members 13, sealing members 16, and restricting members 38 may each be one or three or more.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the case in which the sealing 16 is provided between the cable routing member 13 and the housing 10 was described. However, the sealing may also be provided between the cable routing member 13 and the rear holder 18.

[0059] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the auxiliary member 17 surrounds the cable guide 13C. However, the auxiliary member 17 does not have to surround the cable guide 13C as long as it is positioned between the cable guide 13C and the restricting portion 38. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1… Connector 2…Mutual connector 10… Housing 11… Terminals 11A…1st terminal 11B…Second terminal 12... Bus bar 13,13C…Wiring material 13A…1st wiring material 13B…Second wiring material 13o...outer surface 14…Connection terminals 14A…First connection terminal 14B…Second connection terminal 15… Fasteners 16,16C…Sealing 16A...First sealing 16B...Second sealing 16o...outer surface 17… Auxiliary member 18... Rear holder 21…Matching part 22…Terminal Block Section 23...Detention Unit 24...First opening 25... Partition wall 25h…Through hole 26… Connector space 27…Containment space 28…Containment space 29...Electrode section 30…Fastening part 31…Fastening part 32… Access Hole 33...Second opening 34…End 35…Exterior walls 36...Sealed housing 36A...First sealing housing section 36B...Second sealing housing section 37...Dead end 38…Regulatory Department 38A...First Regulatory Section 38B…Second Regulation Department 39…Outer edge sealing surface 40... Rib 41...first protrusion 42...Second protrusion 43…1st curved surface 44…Second curved surface 45...Female threaded section 46…Plane 47…Bottom surface 48...First end 49…Second end 50...Middle section 51, 52… Through holes 53... Core wire section 54...Insulating coating 55... Crimping section 56…Through hole 57...Male screw part 58...Sleeve section 58o...outer surface 59...protrusion 60... indentation 61... Stopper surface 62... Anti-slip section 63... Mounting part 64…Wire insertion hole 70… Fastening base

Claims

1. A connector for automotive components, A housing having a mating portion that opens in a first direction which is the mating direction with the mating connector, and a housing portion that opens in a second direction which intersects the first direction, The first terminal includes an electrode portion arranged in the mating portion and is connectable to the mating connector, A first cable member extending in the second direction, passing through the housing portion, and electrically connected to the first terminal, A first seal that seals the periphery of the first cable material at a position away from the first terminal, Equipped with, The housing has a first restricting portion that restricts the position of the first cable member in the first direction at a position between the first terminal and the first sealing with respect to the second direction. connector.

2. The first regulating portion is provided by a part of the housing, The connector according to claim 1.

3. The first restricting portion is a protrusion that extends from a part of the inner surface of the housing portion toward the first cable member. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The aforementioned protrusion extends in the second direction. The connector according to claim 3.

5. The coupling portion includes an electrode portion, and a second terminal that can be connected to the mating connector, A second cable member extending in the second direction, passing through the housing portion, and electrically connected to the second terminal, A second seal that seals the periphery of the second cable material at a position away from the second terminal, Furthermore, The first cable member and the second cable member are adjacent in the first direction, The housing further includes a second restricting portion that restricts the position of the second cable member in the first direction at a position between the second terminal and the second sealing with respect to the second direction. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. The system further comprises an auxiliary member positioned between the first cable guide and the first restricting portion. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. The auxiliary member further comprises a projection that protrudes from the outer surface of the auxiliary member, The first regulating portion further comprises a recess in which the projection is positioned, The recess extends in the second direction and is capable of guiding the projection in the second direction. The connector according to claim 6.

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