connector

Abstract

We provide connectors that can be miniaturized. [Solution] The connector 20 comprises a housing 21 having a housing body 30 and a retainer 60 attached to the housing body 30, and a cylindrical first terminal housing portion 41 provided in the housing body 30. The connector 20 comprises a first terminal 71 for a signal line inserted into the first terminal housing portion 41 along a first direction X1, a connection terminal 90 screw-fastened to the first terminal 71, and an electric wire 22 electrically connected to the connection terminal 90. The first terminal 71 has a structure in which a first connection portion 81 connected to the connection terminal 90 and a second connection portion 82 connected to the mating terminal T1 are provided side by side along the first direction X1. The connection terminal 90 has a structure in which a terminal connection portion 92 connected to the first connection portion 81 and an electric wire connection portion 91 connected to the electric wire 22 are provided side by side along an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first direction X1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a connector mounted on a vehicle includes a housing, terminals held in the housing, and electric wires connected to the terminals (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The housing has a housing body and a retainer attached to the housing body. In this type of connector, by assembling the retainer to the housing body, a part of the terminal is sandwiched and held between the retainer and the housing body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the above connector, miniaturization is desired. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that can be miniaturized.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The connector of this disclosure comprises a housing having a housing body and a retainer attached to the housing body, a cylindrical first terminal housing portion provided in the housing body, a first terminal for a signal line inserted into the first terminal housing portion along a first direction, a connection terminal screw-fastened to the first terminal, and an electric wire electrically connected to the connection terminal, wherein the first terminal has a structure in which a first connection portion connected to the connection terminal and a second connection portion connected to a mating terminal are provided side by side along the first direction, and the connection terminal has a structure in which a terminal connection portion connected to the first connection portion and an electric wire connection portion connected to the electric wire are provided side by side along an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The connector described herein offers the advantage of enabling miniaturization. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a connector according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a connector according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector of one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector of one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view showing a connector according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view of line 6-6 in Figure 5) showing a connector of one embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a connector according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a plan view showing an enlarged portion of a connector according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view along line 9-9 in Figure 8) showing an enlarged portion of the connector in one embodiment. [Figure 10]Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the first terminal, connecting terminal, wire, and nut of one embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the first terminal, connecting terminal, wire, and nut of one embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a retainer according to one embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the first terminal, connection terminal, wire, and nut in the modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a housing body and a retainer attached to the housing body, a cylindrical first terminal housing provided in the housing body, a first terminal for a signal line inserted into the first terminal housing along a first direction, a connection terminal screw-fastened to the first terminal, and an electric wire electrically connected to the connection terminal, wherein the first terminal has a structure in which a first connection portion connected to the connection terminal and a second connection portion connected to a mating terminal are provided side by side along the first direction, and the connection terminal has a structure in which a terminal connection portion connected to the first connection portion and an electric wire connection portion connected to the electric wire are provided side by side along an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0009] In this configuration, the terminal connection portion of the connection terminal is screw-fastened to the first connection portion of the first terminal, and the terminal connection portion and the wire connection portion are arranged side by side in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first direction. The wire is then connected to the wire connection portion. This allows the wire to be electrically connected to the first connection portion of the first terminal through the connection terminal. Furthermore, since the wire is connected to the wire connection portion which is arranged side by side perpendicular to the terminal connection portion, the wire can be routed to extend in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the first terminal into the first terminal housing (i.e., the first direction). This prevents the first terminal and the wire from becoming larger in the first direction and the first opposite direction. For this reason, the connector can be made smaller in the first direction and the first opposite direction compared to, for example, when the wire directly connected to the first connection portion is routed to extend in the first opposite direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction.

[0010] [2] In the above [1], the first connecting portion has a base and a bolt portion projecting from the base toward a first opposite direction which is opposite to the first direction, and the terminal connecting portion has a main body and a bolt hole that penetrates the main body in the first direction, and the terminal connecting portion may be electrically connected to the first connecting portion by fastening a nut to the bolt portion inserted into the bolt hole.

[0011] With this configuration, the terminal connection and the first connection can be electrically connected to each other by bolt-nut fastening using the bolt and nut of the first connection. Furthermore, because a bolt is provided in the first connection, it is possible to prevent the cross-sectional area of ​​the first connection, that is, the conductor cross-sectional area of ​​the first connection, from becoming smaller. In other words, it is possible to prevent the conductor cross-sectional area of ​​the first connection from becoming smaller compared to the case where a bolt hole into which the bolt is inserted is formed in the first connection.

[0012] [3] In [2] above, the terminal connection portion has a protruding piece that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion. The retainer is assembled to the housing main body along the first direction. The retainer has a terminal holding portion for holding the first terminal. The terminal holding portion has a cylindrical portion that is fitted into the first terminal accommodating portion, and a pressing portion that protrudes in the first direction from the end surface of the cylindrical portion in the first direction and can contact the protruding piece. The protruding piece may be sandwiched between the housing main body and the pressing portion in the first direction.

[0013] According to this configuration, the protruding piece of the terminal connection portion is sandwiched and held between the housing main body and the pressing portion of the retainer in the first direction. By these housing main body and the pressing portion, the movement of the protruding piece in the first direction and the opposite direction of the first can be preferably restricted. As a result, it is possible to preferably suppress the displacement of the connection terminal having the protruding piece and the first terminal connected to the connection terminal in the first direction and the opposite direction of the first. Further, by providing the protruding piece, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the entire terminal connection portion. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the reduction of the separation distance between adjacent terminals.

[0014] [4] In [3] above, the first terminal accommodating portion has a recess that recesses in the first direction from the end surface of the first terminal accommodating portion in the opposite direction of the first. The protruding piece can be inserted into the recess along the first direction. The pressing portion can be inserted into the recess along the first direction. The protruding piece may be sandwiched between the bottom surface of the recess and the pressing portion in the first direction.

[0015] According to this configuration, the protruding piece of the terminal connection portion is sandwiched and held between the bottom surface of the recess and the pressing portion of the retainer in the first direction. By the bottom surface of these recesses and the pressing portion, the movement of the protruding piece in the first direction and the opposite direction of the first can be preferably restricted. As a result, it is possible to preferably suppress the displacement of the connection terminal and the first terminal in the first direction and the opposite direction of the first.

[0016] [5] In [3] or [4] above, the terminal connection part has at least two of the protruding pieces, the bolt hole is provided at the center of the main body part in a plan view seen in the first direction, and the two protruding pieces are provided so as to sandwich the bolt hole therebetween and may be provided so as to protrude in opposite directions to each other.

[0017] According to this configuration, each of the two protruding pieces provided so as to sandwich the bolt hole provided at the center of the main body part is sandwiched and held by the housing main body and the pressing part of the retainer. Thereby, movement of the two protruding pieces in the first direction and the first opposite direction can be suitably restricted. Therefore, movement of the connection terminal having the two protruding pieces in the first direction and the first opposite direction can be stably restricted.

[0018] [6] In any one of [3] to [5] above, the main body part may be formed in a circular shape in a plan view seen in the first direction, and the protruding piece may be formed so as to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the main body part.

[0019] According to this configuration, the first connection part of the first terminal and the electric wire can be electrically connected to each other through the connection terminal which is a round terminal. Further, by providing the protruding piece, it is possible to suppress the overall size of the terminal connection part from increasing in the radial direction.

[0020] [7] In any one of [1] to [6] above, the housing main body has an electric wire housing part in which the electric wire is housed, the electric wire housing part is formed so as to communicate with the first terminal housing part, the electric wire housing part has an electric wire holding protrusion protruding inward from the inner surface of the electric wire housing part, and the width of the electric wire housing part at the portion where the electric wire holding protrusion is formed may be smaller than the outer diameter of the electric wire.

[0021] With this configuration, the electric wire is press-fitted into the electric wire housing portion where the electric wire holding projection is formed. This effectively restricts the movement of the electric wire within the electric wire housing portion. [8] In any of the above [1] to [7], the housing body comprises a cylindrical second terminal housing portion, a second terminal for a power line inserted into the second terminal housing portion along the first direction, and a busbar electrically connected to the second terminal, wherein the first terminal is provided in a position that overlaps with the busbar in a plan view as seen in the first direction.

[0022] In this configuration, the first terminal is positioned so as to overlap with the busbar connected to the second terminal in a plan view in the first direction. In this case, the enlargement of the first terminal and the wire in the first direction and the first opposite direction is suppressed, thus effectively preventing interference between the first terminal and the wire and the busbar.

[0023] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of the connectors of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, some parts of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified for the sake of explanation. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ in each drawing. In this specification, "orthogonal" includes not only strictly orthogonal connections but also connections that are approximately orthogonal within the range that achieves the effects of this embodiment. As used in this specification, "cylindrical" includes not only those with a continuous circumferential wall formed around the entire circumference, but also those formed by combining multiple parts to create a cylindrical shape, or those having a notch or the like in the circumferential direction, such as a C-shape. The shape of "cylindrical" includes, but is not limited to, circular, elliptical, and polygonal shapes with pointed or rounded corners. Also, as used in this specification, the term "ring" refers to any structure that forms a loop, or a continuous shape without ends. The shape of "ring" includes, but is not limited to, circular, elliptical, and polygonal shapes with pointed or rounded corners. In this specification, "facing" means that two faces or members are in a position facing each other, including not only when they are completely facing each other, but also when they are partially facing each other. Furthermore, in this specification, "facing" includes both cases where another member is interposed between the two parts, and cases where nothing is interposed between the two parts. In addition, terms such as "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" in this specification are used merely to distinguish objects and do not rank them. The present invention is not limited to these examples and is shown in the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 10 includes a charging inlet 11, a charger 12, a battery 13, and a power control unit 14. The vehicle 10 is, for example, an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

[0025] The charging inlet 11 is connectable to an external connector connected to an external power source (not shown). The charging inlet 11 has a connector 20 shown in Figure 2. The charger 12 is connected to the charging inlet 11 and the battery 13. The charger 12 converts the AC power supplied from the charging inlet 11 to DC power and supplies it to the battery 13. The battery 13 is a secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. The power control unit 14 includes an inverter and a converter. The power control unit 14 controls, for example, a motor generator (not shown) for wheel drive.

[0026] (Configuration of connector 20) As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the connector 20 has a housing 21 and a group of terminals held in the housing 21. As shown in Figure 4, the group of terminals has one or more (two in this embodiment) first terminals 71, one or more (two in this embodiment) second terminals 72, one or more (four in this embodiment) third terminals 73, and one or more (one in this embodiment) fourth terminals 74. The connector 20 has two wires 22 connected to the two first terminals 71, four wires 23 connected to the four third terminals 73, and a busbar 24 electrically connected to the third terminals 73. As shown in Figure 2, the connector 20 has a busbar 25 electrically connected to the second terminal 72.

[0027] Figures 2 onward illustrate a first axis X, a second axis Y perpendicular to the first axis X, and a third axis Z perpendicular to both the first axis X and the second axis Y. Furthermore, Figures 2 onward illustrate a first direction X1, which is one direction along the first axis X, and a first opposite direction X2, which is another direction along the first axis X and opposite to the first direction X1. Figures 2 onward also illustrate a second direction Y1, which is one direction along the second axis Y, and a second opposite direction Y2, which is another direction along the second axis Y and opposite to the second direction Y1. Finally, Figures 2 onward illustrate a third direction Z1, which is one direction along the third axis Z, and a third opposite direction Z2, which is another direction along the third axis Z and opposite to the third direction Z1. Note that the directions in Figures 2 onward do not necessarily represent the orientation of the connector 20 during use.

[0028] The housing 21 comprises a housing body 30 and a retainer 60 attached to the housing body 30. Both the housing body 30 and the retainer 60 are made of, for example, synthetic resin. The retainer 60 is a separate component from the housing body 30.

[0029] (Configuration of the housing body 30) The housing body 30 has a connector mating portion 31 and a mounting portion 32 to which the retainer 60 is attached. The external connector described above is mated to the connector mating portion 31.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the housing body 30 has two first terminal housings 41, each housing two first terminals 71 individually, and two second terminal housings 42, each housing two second terminals 72 individually. The housing body 30 also has four third terminal housings 43, each housing four third terminals 73 individually, and one fourth terminal housing 44, each housing one fourth terminal 74. Each of the first terminal housings 41, second terminal housings 42, third terminal housings 43, and fourth terminal housings 44 is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the connector mating portion 31 comprises a back wall 33 and a cylindrical hood portion 34 that protrudes from the periphery of the back wall 33 toward the first direction X1. The back wall 33 is formed, for example, in the shape of a disc. The hood portion 34 is open toward the first direction X1.

[0032] The mounting portion 32 protrudes from the back wall 33 toward the first opposite direction X2. The mounting portion 32 is formed in a rectangular tubular shape overall. The mounting portion 32 is open toward the first opposite direction X2.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, each first terminal housing portion 41 has a circular shape when viewed in the first direction X1. Each first terminal housing portion 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape overall.

[0034] As shown in Figure 7, each first terminal housing portion 41 has a first housing cylinder portion 45 and a second housing cylinder portion 46. The first housing cylinder portion 45 protrudes from the back wall 33 toward the first opposite direction X2. The first housing cylinder portion 45 is located inside the mounting portion 32. The second housing cylinder portion 46 protrudes from the back wall 33 toward the first direction X1. The second housing cylinder portion 46 is located inside the connector mating portion 31. The internal space of the second housing cylinder portion 46 communicates with the internal space of the first housing cylinder portion 45. The outer diameter of the second housing cylinder portion 46 is smaller than the outer diameter of the first housing cylinder portion 45. The inner diameter of the second housing cylinder portion 46 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first housing cylinder portion 45.

[0035] As shown in Figure 8, the first housing cylinder portion 45 of the first terminal housing portion 41 is provided with two recesses 47. The two recesses 47 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the first housing cylinder portion 45. Each recess 47 is formed to communicate the inside and outside of the first housing cylinder portion 45. Each recess 47 is formed to open radially inward from the first housing cylinder portion 45 and also to open radially outward from the first housing cylinder portion 45. As shown in Figure 3, each recess 47 is formed to recess toward the first direction X1 from the end face of the first opposite direction X2 of the first housing cylinder portion 45. Each recess 47 is formed to cut out the end of the first housing cylinder portion 45 toward the first opposite direction X2. As shown in Figure 7, the end face of each recess 47 facing the first opposite direction X2, that is, the bottom face of each recess 47, is located further toward the first opposite direction X2 than the end face of the back wall 33 toward the first opposite direction X2.

[0036] Although a detailed explanation will be omitted, the second terminal housing section 42, the third terminal housing section 43, and the fourth terminal housing section 44 shown in Figure 4, like the first terminal housing section 41, have a housing cylinder section located inside the connector mating section 31 and a housing cylinder section located inside the mounting section 32.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, the housing body 30 has two wire housing sections 50, each housing two electric wires 22 individually. Each wire housing section 50 communicates with the first terminal housing section 41. As shown in Figure 8, each wire housing section 50 has a first straight section 51, a bent section 52, and a second straight section 53. In a plan view in the first direction X1, the first straight section 51 extends linearly from the first terminal housing section 41 along an oblique direction intersecting both the second axis Y and the third axis Z. The bent section 52 is provided between the first straight section 51 and the second straight section 53. The second straight section 53 extends linearly from the bent section 52 toward the second direction Y1.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, each wire housing section 50 has one or more (three in this embodiment) wire holding protrusions 54. The three wire holding protrusions 54 are provided on the second straight section 53. The three wire holding protrusions 54 are provided spaced apart from each other along the second axis Y.

[0039] As shown in Figure 9, each wire-holding projection 54 is formed to protrude inward from the inner surface of the wire housing 50. Each wire-holding projection 54 has a first projection 55 that protrudes toward the third direction Z1 from the inner surface of the wire housing 50 facing the third direction Z1, and a second projection 56 that protrudes toward the third opposite direction Z2 from the inner surface of the wire housing 50 facing the third opposite direction Z2. The first projection 55 and the second projection 56 are arranged to face each other along the third axis Z. The separation distance between the first projection 55 and the second projection 56 along the third axis Z is smaller than the outer diameter of the wire 22. That is, the width of the wire housing 50 in the portion where the wire-holding projection 54 is formed is smaller than the outer diameter of the wire 22. The wire 22 is press-fitted (specifically, lightly press-fitted) between the first projection 55 and the second projection 56. Each wire-holding projection 54 is provided at the end of the wire housing 50 in the first direction X1 along the first axis X. In other words, each wire-holding projection 54 is formed to extend from the bottom surface of the wire housing 50, that is, from the inner surface of the wire housing 50 facing the first opposite direction X2, toward the first opposite direction X2.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the housing body 30 has one or more (four in this embodiment) mounting portions 57 that are attached to the vehicle body of the vehicle 10 (see Figure 1). Each mounting portion 57 is formed to protrude outward from the outer circumference of the mounting portion 32.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, an annular sealing member 59 is attached to the outer circumference of the hood portion 34 of the housing body 30. The sealing member 59 is formed to surround the entire circumference of the hood portion 34. The sealing member 59 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0042] (Configuration of the first terminal 71) As shown in Figure 4, the two first terminals 71 are positioned on the third axis Z, with the fourth terminal 74 in between. The two first terminals 71 are positioned further in the second opposite direction Y2 than the second terminal 72. The two first terminals 71 have the same structure as each other. Each first terminal 71 is inserted into the first terminal housing 41 along the first direction X1. As shown in Figure 5, each first terminal 71 is positioned to overlap with the busbar 25 in a plan view in the first direction X1. Each first terminal 71 is a terminal for a signal line.

[0043] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, each first terminal 71 is electrically connected to a metal connector 90 that connects to an electric wire 22. Each first terminal 71 is connected to the connector 90 by screw fastening. In this embodiment, each first terminal 71 is connected to the connector 90 by bolt and nut fastening using a nut N1. Here, as shown in Figure 11, the nut N1 is formed in an annular shape. The nut N1 is, for example, made of metal. A female thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the nut N1.

[0044] Each first terminal 71 has a first connecting portion 81, a second connecting portion 82, and a connecting portion 83 that connects the first connecting portion 81 and the second connecting portion 82. Each first terminal 71 has a structure in which the first connecting portion 81, the connecting portion 83, and the second connecting portion 82 are arranged in a line along a first direction X1. Each first terminal 71 is a single component in which the first connecting portion 81, the connecting portion 83, and the second connecting portion 82 are continuously and integrally formed. Each first terminal 71 is made of, for example, metal.

[0045] The first connecting portion 81 has a base portion 84 and a bolt portion 85. The base portion 84 is formed in a cylindrical shape overall. The outer diameter of the base portion 84 is larger than the outer diameter of the connecting portion 83. As shown in Figure 7, the outer diameter of the base portion 84 is sized to be insertable into the first housing cylinder portion 45, but not insertable into the second housing cylinder portion 46.

[0046] As shown in Figure 11, the base portion 84 has two notches 86. The two notches 86 are arranged so as to sandwich the bolt portion 85 in a plan view in the first direction X1. Each notch 86 is formed to cut out the outer circumferential surface of the base portion 84. Each notch 86 is formed to be recessed from the end face of the base portion 84 in the first opposite direction X2 toward the first direction X1. The inner surface of each notch 86 is formed as a curved surface that is curved in an arc shape.

[0047] The bolt portion 85 is formed to protrude from the end face of the base portion 84 in the first opposite direction X2 toward the first opposite direction X2. The bolt portion 85 is formed in a cylindrical shape overall. A male thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the bolt portion 85, which can be fastened with a nut N1. The male thread is formed to correspond to the female thread formed on the inner circumferential surface of the nut N1.

[0048] The connecting portion 83 is formed in a cylindrical shape overall. As shown in Figure 7, a accommodating groove 87 for accommodating the sealing member 89 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting portion 83. The accommodating groove 87 is formed to be recessed radially inward from the outer circumferential surface of the connecting portion 83. The accommodating groove 87 is formed continuously around the entire circumference of the connecting portion 83.

[0049] The sealing member 89 is housed inside the housing groove 87. The sealing member 89 is formed to surround the connecting portion 83 around its entire circumference. The sealing member 89 is annular in shape. The sealing member 89 seals the space between the outer circumferential surface of the first terminal 71 and the inner circumferential surface of the first terminal housing portion 41. The sealing member 89 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0050] The second connecting portion 82 protrudes from the connecting portion 83 toward the first direction X1. The second connecting portion 82 is formed in a cylindrical shape overall. The second connecting portion 82 is electrically connected to the mating terminal T1. The mating terminal T1 is, for example, a terminal of the external connector described above. When the external connector is connected to the charging inlet 11, the mating terminal T1 is connected to the second connecting portion 82 (see Figure 6).

[0051] (Configuration of the electric wire 22 and connection terminal 90) As shown in Figure 11, the electric wire 22 has a conductive core wire 26 and an insulating coating 27 that covers the outer circumference of the core wire 26. The insulating coating 27 covers the outer surface of the core wire 26 around its entire circumference. The end of the core wire 26 is exposed from the insulating coating 27.

[0052] The connection terminal 90 has a wire connection portion 91 that connects to the end of the electric wire 22 and a terminal connection portion 92 that connects to the first terminal 71. The connection terminal 90 has a structure in which the wire connection portion 91 and the terminal connection portion 92 are arranged side by side along an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first direction X1. The connection terminal 90 is a single component in which the wire connection portion 91 and the terminal connection portion 92 are formed continuously and integrally. Note that the two connection terminals 90 shown in Figure 4 have the same structure as each other.

[0053] The wire connector 91 is connected to the end of the core wire 26 exposed from the insulating coating 27. The wire connector 91 is connected to the core wire 26 by crimping, resistance welding, or other means. In this embodiment, the wire connector 91 is connected to the core wire 26 by crimping. This connects the wire connector 91 and the core wire 26 electrically and mechanically.

[0054] The terminal connection portion 92 has a main body portion 93. The main body portion 93 is formed in a plate shape. The planar shape of the main body portion 93, when viewed in a first direction X1, is formed in a circular shape overall. The terminal connection portion 92 has a bolt hole 94 that penetrates the main body portion 93 in the first direction X1. The bolt hole 94 is located at the center of the main body portion 93 in a planar view when viewed in the first direction X1.

[0055] The terminal connection portion 92 has one or more (two in this embodiment) protruding pieces 95 that protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 93. The two protruding pieces 95 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the main body portion 93. The two protruding pieces 95 are positioned so as to sandwich the bolt hole 94 between them. The two protruding pieces 95 protrude in opposite directions from each other. Each protruding piece 95 protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the base portion 84. Each protruding piece 95 is formed in a plate shape. The planar shape of each protruding piece 95, when viewed in the first direction X1, is formed in a rectangular shape as a whole. Each protruding piece 95 can be inserted into the recess 47 (see Figure 7) of the first terminal housing portion 41 along the first direction X1.

[0056] The terminal connector 92 is connected to the first connector 81 of the first terminal 71. The terminal connector 92 is electrically and mechanically connected to the first connector 81 by fastening a nut N1 to a bolt 85 inserted into a bolt hole 94. That is, the terminal connector 92 is electrically connected to the first connector 81 by bolt-nut fastening using the bolt 85 and nut N1. When fastening the bolt and nut, the rotation of the first terminal 71 can be restricted by sandwiching the two notches 86 with a jig (not shown), thereby suppressing the joint rotation of the bolt 85 and nut N1. As shown in Figure 7, when the terminal connector 92 and the first connector 81 are bolt-nut fastened, the end face of the main body 93 in the first direction X1 is in contact with the end face of the base 84 in the first opposite direction X2.

[0057] The first terminal 71, connected to the connection terminal 90, is inserted into the first terminal housing 41 along the first direction X1. At this time, the base portion 84 of the first connection portion 81 is formed to be too large to be inserted into the second housing cylinder portion 46 of the first terminal housing 41. As a result, the end face of the base portion 84 in the first direction X1 contacts the end face of the back wall 33 in the first opposite direction X2. Also, the protruding piece 95 of the connection terminal 90 contacts the bottom surface of the recess 47 of the first terminal housing 41. These factors restrict the amount of insertion of the first terminal 71 into the first terminal housing 41.

[0058] (Configuration of the second terminal 72) As shown in Figure 4, the two second terminals 72 are located between the first terminal 71 and the third terminal 73 on the second axis Y. Each second terminal 72 is a terminal for a power line. Each second terminal 72 is a terminal capable of handling high-voltage power. Each second terminal 72 is formed with a larger diameter than each first terminal 71. Each second terminal 72 is housed in the second terminal housing portion 42 of the housing body 30 along the first direction X1. One of the two second terminals 72 is the positive terminal, and the other is the negative terminal. When the external connector described above is connected to the charging inlet 11, each second terminal 72 is electrically connected to the external power supply. Current is then supplied to the second terminals 72 from the external power supply.

[0059] As shown in Figure 2, a busbar 25 is electrically connected to each second terminal 72. The busbar 25 is connected to each second terminal 72 by screw fastening using bolt B1. The busbar 25 is housed in a retainer 60. The busbar 25 extends from the second terminal 72 toward the second opposite direction Y2.

[0060] (Configuration of the third terminal 73) As shown in Figure 4, the four third terminals 73 are positioned further in the second direction Y1 than the two second terminals 72. Each third terminal 73 is a terminal for a signal line. Each third terminal 73 is housed in the third terminal housing section 43 of the housing body 30 along the first direction X1. A wire 23 is connected to each third terminal 73. The wire 23 is directly connected to each third terminal 73 by, for example, crimping or resistance welding. The wire 23 extends from the third terminal 73 toward the first opposite direction X2. Although not shown in the figure, each third terminal 73 is connected to the mating terminal of the external connector described above.

[0061] (Configuration of terminal 4, 74) As shown in Figure 6, one fourth terminal 74 is located between two first terminals 71. The fourth terminal 74 is a terminal for the ground wire. The fourth terminal 74 is formed with a larger diameter than the first terminals 71. The fourth terminal 74 is housed in the fourth terminal housing portion 44 of the housing body 30 along the first direction X1. A busbar 24 is connected to the fourth terminal 74. The busbar 24 is connected to the fourth terminal 74 by bolt and nut fastening using a nut N2. The mating terminal T2 is electrically connected to the fourth terminal 74. The mating terminal T2 is, for example, a terminal of the external connector described above. When the external connector is connected to the charging inlet 11, the mating terminal T2 is connected to the fourth terminal 74.

[0062] (Composition of Retainer 60) As shown in Figure 2, the retainer 60 is fixed to the housing body 30 so as to close the opening of the mounting portion 32. The retainer 60 is assembled to the housing body 30 along the first direction X1. The retainer 60 is fixed to the housing body 30 by bolts B2.

[0063] As shown in Figure 12, the retainer 60 has a base 60A, a terminal holding portion 61 for holding the first terminal 71 (see Figure 4), and a terminal holding portion 62 for holding the second terminal 72 (see Figure 4). The retainer 60 also has a terminal holding portion 63 for holding the third terminal 73 (see Figure 4) and a terminal holding portion 64 for holding the fourth terminal 74 (see Figure 4). The retainer 60 of this embodiment has two terminal holding portions 61, two terminal holding portions 62, four terminal holding portions 63, and one terminal holding portion 64. Each of the terminal holding portions 61, 62, 63, and 64 protrudes from the base 60A toward the first direction X1. Each of the terminal holding portions 61, 62, 63, and 64 is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole.

[0064] Each terminal holding portion 61 has a cylindrical portion 66 and a pressing portion 67 that protrudes in the first direction X1 from the end face of the cylindrical portion 66 in the first direction X1. The cylindrical portion 66 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The pressing portion 67 is formed in a columnar shape.

[0065] As shown in Figure 7, the cylindrical portion 66 is inserted into the first housing cylindrical portion 45 of the first terminal housing portion 41. Each retaining portion 67 is provided facing the recess 47. Each retaining portion 67 is insertable into the recess 47 along a first direction X1. The tip surface of each retaining portion 67, that is, the end surface of each retaining portion 67 in the first direction X1, can contact the end surface of the protruding piece 95 of the connecting terminal 90 in the first opposite direction X2. When the retainer 60 is assembled to the housing body 30, the protruding piece 95 of the connecting terminal 90 is sandwiched between the tip surface of the retaining portion 67 and the bottom surface of the recess 47 in the insertion direction of the first terminal 71 into the housing body 30 (here, the first direction X1). This restricts the movement of the connecting terminal 90 having the protruding piece 95 in the first direction X1 and the first opposite direction X2.

[0066] (Effects of this embodiment) Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be explained. (1) The connector 20 comprises a housing 21 having a housing body 30 and a retainer 60 attached to the housing body 30, and a cylindrical first terminal housing portion 41 provided in the housing body 30. The connector 20 comprises a first terminal 71 for a signal line inserted into the first terminal housing portion 41 along a first direction X1, a connection terminal 90 screw-fastened to the first terminal 71, and an electric wire 22 electrically connected to the connection terminal 90. The first terminal 71 has a structure in which a first connection portion 81 connected to the connection terminal 90 and a second connection portion 82 connected to the mating terminal T1 are provided side by side along the first direction X1. The connection terminal 90 has a structure in which a terminal connection portion 92 connected to the first connection portion 81 and an electric wire connection portion 91 connected to the electric wire 22 are provided side by side along an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first direction X1.

[0067] In this configuration, the terminal connection portion 92 of the connection terminal 90 is screw-fastened to the first connection portion 81 of the first terminal 71, and the terminal connection portion 92 and the wire connection portion 91 are arranged side by side in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the first direction X1. The wire 22 is then connected to the wire connection portion 91. This allows the wire 22 to be electrically connected to the first connection portion 81 of the first terminal 71 through the connection terminal 90. Furthermore, since the wire 22 is connected to the wire connection portion 91 which is arranged side by side perpendicular to the terminal connection portion 92, the wire 22 can be routed to extend in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the first terminal 71 into the first terminal housing portion 41 (i.e., the first direction X1). This prevents the first terminal 71 and the wire 22 from becoming larger in the first direction X1 and the first opposite direction X2. Therefore, compared to a case where, for example, the wire directly connected to the first connection part 81 without going through the connection terminal 90 is routed to extend in the first opposite direction X2, the connector 20 can be made smaller in the first direction X1 and the first opposite direction X2.

[0068] (2) The first connecting portion 81 has a base portion 84 and a bolt portion 85 that protrudes from the base portion 84 toward the first opposite direction X2. The terminal connecting portion 92 has a main body portion 93 and a bolt hole 94 that penetrates the main body portion 93 toward the first direction X1. The terminal connecting portion 92 is electrically connected to the first connecting portion 81 by fastening a nut N1 to the bolt portion 85 inserted into the bolt hole 94.

[0069] With this configuration, the terminal connection part 92 and the first connection part 81 can be electrically connected to each other by bolt-nut fastening using the bolt portion 85 and nut N1 of the first connection part 81. Furthermore, because the bolt portion 85 is provided on the first connection part 81, it is possible to prevent the cross-sectional area of ​​the first connection part 81, that is, the conductor cross-sectional area of ​​the first connection part 81, from becoming smaller. In other words, it is possible to prevent the conductor cross-sectional area of ​​the first connection part 81 from becoming smaller compared to the case where a bolt hole into which the bolt is inserted is formed in the first connection part 81.

[0070] (3) The terminal connection portion 92 has a protruding piece 95 that protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 93. The retainer 60 is assembled to the housing body 30 along the first direction. The retainer 60 has a terminal holding portion 61 that holds the first terminal 71. The terminal holding portion 61 has a cylindrical portion 66 that fits into the first terminal housing portion 41 and a pressing portion 67 that protrudes in the first direction X1 from the end face of the cylindrical portion 66 in the first direction X1 and is capable of contacting the protruding piece 95. In the first direction X1, the protruding piece 95 is sandwiched between the housing body 30 and the pressing portion 67.

[0071] In this configuration, the protruding piece 95 of the terminal connection portion 92 is held in place by the housing body 30 and the retaining portion 67 of the retainer 60 in the first direction X1. The housing body 30 and the retaining portion 67 effectively restrict the movement of the protruding piece 95 in the first direction X1 and the first opposite direction X2. As a result, displacement of the connection terminal 90 having the protruding piece 95 and the first terminal 71 connected to the connection terminal 90 in the first direction X1 and the first opposite direction X2 can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, by providing the protruding piece 95, it is possible to suppress an overall increase in the size of the terminal connection portion 92. This prevents the separation distance between adjacent terminals (for example, the fourth terminal 74) from becoming smaller. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the problem of not being able to secure the desired separation distance between the first terminal 71 and the fourth terminal 74.

[0072] (4) The first terminal housing portion 41 has a recess 47 that is recessed from the end face of the first opposite direction X2 toward the first direction X1. The protruding piece 95 is insertable into the recess 47 along the first direction X1. The retaining portion 67 is insertable into the recess 47 along the first direction X1. In the first direction X1, the protruding piece 95 is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the recess 47 and the retaining portion 67.

[0073] In this configuration, the protruding piece 95 of the terminal connection portion 92 is held in place by being sandwiched between the bottom surface of the recess 47 and the retaining portion 67 of the retainer 60 in the first direction X1. The bottom surface of the recess 47 and the retaining portion 67 effectively restrict the movement of the protruding piece 95 in the first direction X1 and the first opposite direction X2. As a result, displacement of the connection terminal 90 and the first terminal 71 in the first direction X1 and the first opposite direction X2 can be effectively suppressed.

[0074] (5) The terminal connection portion 92 has two protruding pieces 95. The bolt hole 94 is located in the center of the main body portion 93 in a plan view taken in the first direction X1. The two protruding pieces 95 are provided so as to sandwich the bolt hole 94 between them and so as to protrude in opposite directions from each other.

[0075] In this configuration, each of the two protruding pieces 95, which are positioned to sandwich a bolt hole 94 located in the center of the main body 93, is held in place by the housing body 30 and the retaining portion 67 of the retainer 60. This effectively restricts the movement of the two protruding pieces 95 in the first direction X1 and the first opposite direction X2. Therefore, the movement of the connecting terminal 90 having the two protruding pieces 95 in the first direction X1 and the first opposite direction X2 can be stably restricted.

[0076] (6) The main body portion 93 has a circular shape when viewed in the first direction X1. The protruding piece 95 is formed to protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion 93. With this configuration, the first connection portion 81 of the first terminal 71 and the electric wire 22 can be electrically connected to each other through the connection terminal 90, which is a round terminal. In addition, by providing the protruding piece 95, it is possible to suppress the overall radial enlargement of the terminal connection portion 92.

[0077] (7) The housing body 30 has a wire housing section 50 in which the electric wire 22 is housed. The wire housing section 50 is formed to communicate with the first terminal housing section 41. The wire housing section 50 has a wire holding projection 54 that protrudes inward from the inner surface of the wire housing section 50. The width of the wire housing section 50 in the portion where the wire holding projection 54 is formed is smaller than the outer diameter of the electric wire 22.

[0078] With this configuration, the electric wire 22 is press-fitted (specifically, lightly press-fitted) into the electric wire housing portion 50 where the electric wire holding projection 54 is formed. This effectively restricts the movement of the electric wire 22 inside the electric wire housing portion 50.

[0079] (8) The wire-holding projection 54 is formed to extend from the bottom surface of the wire housing 50 toward the first opposite direction X2. Therefore, the wire 22 can be suitably held at the bottom of the wire housing 50 by lightly press-fitting it into the portion of the wire housing 50 where the wire-holding projection 54 is formed. This effectively prevents the wire 22 from lifting up when assembling the connector 20, etc.

[0080] (9) The connector 20 includes a cylindrical second terminal housing portion 42 provided in the housing body 30, a second terminal 72 for power lines inserted into the second terminal housing portion 42 along the first direction X1, and a busbar 25 electrically connected to the second terminal 72. The first terminal 71 is provided in a position that overlaps with the busbar 25 in a plan view taken in the first direction X1.

[0081] In this configuration, the first terminal 71 is positioned so as to overlap with the busbar 25 connected to the second terminal 72 in a plan view in the first direction X1. In this case, the enlargement of the first terminal 71 and the wire 22 in the first direction X1 is suppressed, and thus interference between the first terminal 71 and the wire 22 and the busbar 25 can be effectively prevented.

[0082] (Example of change) The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0083] The structure of the connection terminal 90 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. The structure of the protruding piece 95 can be modified as appropriate. For example, as shown in Figure 13, each protruding piece 95 may be provided with a projection 96 that protrudes toward the first opposite direction X2. The projection 96 is formed in a plate shape. In this case, the protruding piece 95 as a whole is formed in an L shape.

[0084] The number of protruding pieces 95 may be changed. For example, the number of protruding pieces 95 may be changed to 1, or to 3 or more. In the above embodiment, the planar shape of the main body 93 is formed to be circular, but it is not limited to this. The planar shape of the main body 93 may be formed to be any shape other than a circle, such as a polygon or an ellipse.

[0085] The structure of the first terminal 71 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. In the above embodiment, a bolt portion 85 is provided in the first connection portion 81 of the first terminal 71, but a bolt hole may be provided in the first connection portion 81. In this case, for example, a bolt hole is provided in the base portion 84. Then, with the terminal connection portion 92 of the connection terminal 90 placed on the base portion 84, the bolt is inserted into the bolt hole 94 of the terminal connection portion 92 and fastened to the bolt hole provided in the base portion 84, thereby screw-fastening the first connection portion 81 and the terminal connection portion 92.

[0086] The notch 86 of the base 84 may be omitted. The receiving groove 87 of the connecting portion 83 may be omitted. The sealing member 89 may be omitted.

[0087] The connecting portion 83 may be omitted. In this case, the first terminal 71 has a structure in which the first connecting portion 81 and the second connecting portion 82 are provided side by side along the first direction X1. The structure of the third terminal 73 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. For example, the third terminal 73 may be changed to a structure similar to that of the first terminal 71.

[0088] The structure of the housing body 30 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. The wire-holding projection 54 in the wire housing section 50 may be composed of only one of the first projection 55 and the second projection 56.

[0089] The number of wire-holding protrusions 54 in the above embodiment may be changed. The wire-holding projection 54 may be omitted. The structure of the retainer 60 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate.

[0090] The number of first terminals 71 in the above embodiment may be changed. The number of second terminals 72 in the above embodiment may be changed. The number of third terminals 73 in the above embodiment may be changed.

[0091] The number of fourth terminals 74 in the above embodiment may be changed. The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not in the sense described above, and all modifications are intended to be in the sense and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0092] 10 vehicles 11 Charging Inlet 12 charger 13 Batteries 14 Power Control Unit 20 connectors 21 Housing 22,23 Electric wire 24,25 Busba 26 core wires 27 Insulating coating 30 Housing body 31 Connector mating section 32 Mounting part 33 Back wall 34 Food section 41 First terminal housing 42 Second terminal housing section 43 Third terminal housing 44. Fourth terminal housing section 45. First housing section 46. ​​Second housing section 47 Recess 50 Wire housing section 51 1st straight section 52 Bending section 53 2nd straight section 54 Wire holding protrusion 55 1st protrusion 56 2nd protrusion 57 Mounting part 59. Sealing member 60 retainers 60A base 61,62,63,64 Terminal holding part 66 Cylindrical part 67 Pressing part 71 1st terminal 72 2nd terminal 73 3rd terminal 74 4th terminal 81 First connection section 82 Second connection section 83 Connecting part 84 Base 85 Bolt section 86 Notch 87 Retaining groove 89. Sealing member 90 Connection terminals 91 Wire connection section 92 Terminal connection section 93 Main body 94 bolt holes 95 Projecting piece 96 Protrusion B1, B2 bolts N1, N2 nuts T1, T2 mating terminals X 1st axis X1 1st direction X2 First opposite direction Y 2nd axis Y1 2nd direction Y2 Second opposite direction Z 3rd axis Z1 3rd direction Z2 Third opposite direction

Claims

1. A housing having a housing body and a retainer attached to the housing body, A cylindrical first terminal housing portion is provided in the housing body, A first terminal for a signal line is inserted into the first terminal housing along a first direction, The connection terminal fastened with a screw to the first terminal, The device comprises an electric wire electrically connected to the aforementioned connection terminal, The first terminal has a structure in which a first connecting portion connected to the connection terminal and a second connecting portion connected to the mating terminal are arranged side by side along the first direction. The connector has a structure in which a terminal connection portion connected to the first connection portion and a wire connection portion connected to the electric wire are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

2. The first connecting portion has a base and a bolt portion that protrudes from the base in a first opposite direction which is the opposite direction to the first direction. The terminal connection portion has a main body and a bolt hole that penetrates the main body in the first direction. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the terminal connection portion is electrically connected to the first connection portion by fastening a nut to the bolt portion inserted into the bolt hole.

3. The terminal connection portion has a protruding piece that protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the main body portion. The retainer is assembled to the housing body along the first direction, The retainer has a terminal holding portion for holding the first terminal, The terminal holding portion has a cylindrical portion that fits into the first terminal housing portion, and a pressing portion that protrudes in the first direction from the end face of the cylindrical portion in the first direction and is capable of contacting the protruding piece. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the protruding piece is sandwiched between the housing body and the retaining portion in the first direction.

4. The first terminal housing portion has a recess that extends in the first direction from the first opposite end face of the first terminal housing portion, The protruding piece is insertable into the recess along the first direction, The pressing portion is insertable into the recess along the first direction, The connector according to claim 3, wherein the protruding piece is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the recess and the pressing portion in the first direction.

5. The terminal connection portion has at least two of the protruding pieces, The bolt hole is located at the center of the main body in a plan view taken in the first direction. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the two protruding pieces are provided so as to sandwich the bolt hole between them and so as to protrude in opposite directions from each other.

6. The main body portion is formed in a circular shape when viewed in the first direction. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the protruding piece is formed to protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the main body.

7. The housing body has a wire housing section in which the electric wire is housed, The wire housing portion is formed to communicate with the first terminal housing portion, The wire housing portion has wire-holding projections that protrude inward from the inner surface of the wire housing portion. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the width of the wire housing portion in the portion where the wire holding projection is formed is smaller than the outer diameter of the wire.

8. A cylindrical second terminal housing portion is provided in the housing body, The second terminal housing is inserted in the first direction and includes a second terminal for a power line, The busbar is electrically connected to the second terminal, The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal is provided in a position that overlaps with the busbar in a plan view taken in the first direction.

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