Connectors and wiring units

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector that can prevent the wires extending from the terminal portion from interfering with the insulating wall of the housing. [Solution] The connector of one embodiment comprises a housing having a cylindrical portion whose first axial end is a mating portion that fits into a mating connector, and a plurality of terminal portions arranged inside the cylindrical portion in a first intersecting direction that intersects the axial direction of the cylindrical portion, each including a tip portion located on the first end of the cylindrical portion and connected to a mating connector, and a base portion located on the second axial end of the cylindrical portion and connected to an electric wire, wherein the housing has an insulating wall that extends in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion between adjacent terminal portions in the first intersecting direction, with the first intersecting direction being the thickness direction, and the end of the insulating wall located on the second end of the cylindrical portion has a first end region located on one side of the second intersecting direction that intersects the axial direction and the first intersecting direction, and a second end region located adjacent to the first end region in the other side of the second intersecting direction and located on the first end side of the cylindrical portion than the first end region.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A connector having a housing and a plurality of wires with terminals is known. The wire with a terminal has a terminal portion for connecting to a mating connector and a wire extending from the terminal portion. The housing has a fitting cylinder portion (outer housing) for arranging the terminal portions of a plurality of wires with terminals inside. The fitting cylinder portion has a role of fitting to a mating connector. The plurality of wires extending from the respective terminal portions are bent in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the terminal portion with respect to the fitting cylinder portion and then pulled out to the outside of the housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, some of these types of connectors have an insulating wall disposed between adjacent terminal portions inside the fitting cylinder portion. The insulating wall has a role of preventing adjacent terminal portions from being electrically short-circuited. Also, in this type of connector, a plurality of wires extending in the orthogonal direction from a plurality of terminal portions arranged in the fitting cylinder portion may extend inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the plurality of terminal portions with respect to the orthogonal direction. However, when the above-described insulating wall is disposed and the wires extend in the inclined direction from the terminal portions as described above, some of the inclined wires may interfere with the insulating wall adjacent to the wire.

[0005] One embodiment provides a connector and wiring unit that can suppress interference between the electric wire extending from the terminal portion and the insulating wall of the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connector according to one embodiment includes a housing having a cylindrical portion whose first axial end is a mating portion that fits into a mating connector, and a plurality of terminal portions arranged inside the cylindrical portion in a first intersecting direction that intersects the axial direction of the cylindrical portion, each including a tip portion located on the first end of the cylindrical portion and connected to the mating connector, and a base portion located on the second axial end of the cylindrical portion and connected to an electric wire, wherein the housing has an insulating wall that extends in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion between adjacent terminal portions in the first intersecting direction, with the first intersecting direction being the thickness direction, and the end of the insulating wall located on the second end of the cylindrical portion has a first end region located on one side of the second intersecting direction that intersects the axial direction and the first intersecting direction, and a second end region located adjacent to the first end region on the other side of the second intersecting direction and located on the first end side of the cylindrical portion than the first end region.

[0007] One embodiment of the wiring unit comprises a connector and a plurality of electric wires connected to the base ends of the plurality of terminal portions, respectively. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the connector and wiring unit of one embodiment of the present invention, interference between the electric wire connected to the terminal portion and the insulating wall of the housing can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A perspective view of a cable routing unit of one embodiment, seen from the front. [Figure 2] A perspective view of a cable routing unit of one embodiment, seen from the rear. [Figure 3] A rear view of a cable routing unit in one embodiment, seen from the rear. [Figure 4]An exploded perspective view of a wiring unit according to one embodiment, with the terminal section and wires removed from the outer housing. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the terminal section. [Figure 6] A perspective view from the rear of the outer housing of a cable routing unit according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] A rear view of the outer housing of a cable routing unit according to one embodiment, seen from the rear. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII in Figure 7. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar function will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted.

[0011] In this disclosure, terms are defined as follows: “Connection” may include, but is not limited to, a mechanical connection; and “Connection” may include, but is not limited to, a case where two elements to be connected are directly connected; and may include a case where two elements to be connected are connected with another element in between.

[0012] In this disclosure, the +X direction, -X direction, +Y direction, -Y direction, +Z direction, and -Z direction are defined as follows: The +X direction is the direction from connector 3 toward the mating connector 9 (see Figure 2). The -X direction is the opposite direction of the +X direction. When the +X direction and -X direction are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "X direction". The Y direction is the direction that intersects (e.g., is perpendicular to) the X direction. The +Y direction is the direction from the first terminal portion 4A, described later, toward the second terminal portion 4B (see Figures 1 to 3). The -Y direction is the opposite direction of the +Y direction. When the +Y direction and -Y direction are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "Y direction". The +Z direction is the direction that intersects (e.g., is perpendicular to) the X direction and the Y direction. The +Z direction is the direction from the guide portion 54 of the outer housing 5 (housing), described later, toward the cylindrical portion 51 (see Figure 3). The -Z direction is the opposite direction of the +Z direction. When the +Z direction and the -Z direction are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "Z direction." The X direction corresponds to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 51 of the outer housing 5, which will be described later. The Y direction is an example of the "first intersecting direction." The Z direction is an example of the "second intersecting direction." Also, for the sake of explanation, the +X direction side may be referred to as the "front side," and the -X direction side as the "rear side."

[0013] <1. Configuration of the cable routing unit> As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the wiring unit 1 of one embodiment comprises a plurality of electric wires 2 and a connector 3. The connector 3 is a component for electrically connecting the plurality of electric wires 2 to a mating connector 9 (see Figure 2). The connector 3 is a connector used in vehicles such as EVs (Electric Vehicles), HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles), or PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles). The connector 3 is a high-voltage connector through which a current of 100V or more flows. The connector 3 in this embodiment is a connector that corresponds to two electrodes. However, the connector 3 may be a connector that corresponds to three or more electrodes.

[0014] <2. Connector Configuration> As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 3 includes a plurality of terminal portions 4, an outer housing 5 (housing), and a rear cover 6.

[0015] <3. Configuration of Terminal Portion> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the plurality of terminal portions 4 are arranged in the Y direction inside the cylindrical portion 51 of the outer housing 5 described later. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the number of terminal portions 4 is two. The first terminal portion 4A and the second terminal portion 4B, which are the two terminal portions 4, are arranged in order in the +Y direction. In the wiring unit 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, only the first terminal portion 4A is clearly illustrated, and the second terminal portion 4B is shown by a phantom line or the illustration of the second terminal portion 4B is omitted.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4, each terminal portion 4 includes a tip portion 41 located on the +X direction side and a base end portion 42 located on the -X direction side. The tip portion 41 of each terminal portion 4 is a portion connected to the mating connector 9 (see FIG. 2). An electric wire 2 is connected to the base end portion 42 of each terminal portion 4. In the present embodiment, the electric wire 2 connected to the first terminal portion 4A is referred to as "first electric wire 2A", and the electric wire 2 connected to the second terminal portion 4B is referred to as "second electric wire 2B".

[0017] As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal portion 4 of the present embodiment has a terminal 43 and an inner housing 44. The terminal 43 is made of a conductive material and is fixed to the end portion of the electric wire 2. The inner housing 44 is made of a material having electrical insulation properties (for example, a synthetic resin material) and covers the terminal 43. The inner housing 44 has an exposure hole 45 for exposing the terminal 43 to the front side (+X direction side). The terminal 43 is inserted into the inner housing 44 from the rear side of the inner housing 44. The inner housing 44 also has a function of engaging with the cylindrical portion 51 of the outer housing 5 in a state where the terminal portion 4 is arranged inside the cylindrical portion 51 of the outer housing 5. By engaging the inner housing 44 with the cylindrical portion 51, it is possible to suppress or prevent the terminal portion 4 from coming out of the cylindrical portion 51.

[0018] <4. Configuration of Outer Housing> As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the outer housing 5 is made of an electrically insulating material (for example, a synthetic resin material). The outer housing 5 has a cylindrical portion 51, a partition wall 52, an insulating wall 53, and a guide portion 54.

[0019] <5. Structure of the cylindrical section> The cylindrical portion 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the X direction. The cylindrical portion 51 has a first end 511 located on the front side (+X direction side) and a second end 512 located on the rear side (-X direction side). The first end 511 side of the cylindrical portion 51 is a mating portion that fits into the mating connector 9 (see Figure 2). As described above, multiple terminal portions 4 are arranged in the Y direction inside the cylindrical portion 51. Due to this configuration, the cylindrical portion 51 is formed in a shape in which the dimension in the Y direction is longer than the dimension in the Z direction when viewed from its axial direction (X direction).

[0020] <6. Configuration of partition walls> The partition wall 52 is located inside the cylindrical portion 51 and is formed integrally with the cylindrical portion 51. The partition wall 52 divides the space inside the cylindrical portion 51 into a first partition space S1 on the first end 511 side of the cylindrical portion 51 and a second partition space S2 on the second end 512 side of the cylindrical portion 51.

[0021] The partition wall 52 has a plurality of communication openings 521 that connect the first partition space S1 and the second partition space S2. The plurality of communication openings 521 are spaced apart in the Y direction. A terminal portion 4 is inserted into each of the plurality of communication openings 521 in the X direction (see Figures 1 to 3). In this embodiment, since there are two terminal portions 4, there are also two communication openings 521. In this embodiment, the plan view shape of the communication opening 521 as seen from the X direction is circular, but the plan view shape of the communication opening 521 may be any shape.

[0022] <7. Insulation Wall Configuration> As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the insulating wall 53 is located between adjacent terminal portions 4 (communication openings 521) in the Y direction. The insulating wall 53 is formed with the Y direction as the thickness direction and extending in the X and Y directions. The insulating wall 53 only needs to extend to the rear side of the partition wall 52. In this embodiment, the insulating wall 53 also extends to the front side of the partition wall 52.

[0023] The rear end 531 (end) of the insulating wall 53, located on the rear side (-X direction side), has a first rear end region 531-1 (first end region) and a second rear end region 531-2 (second end region). The first rear end region 531-1 is located on the +Z direction side (one side of the second crossing direction) of the insulating wall 53. The second rear end region 531-2 is located on the -Z direction side (the other side of the second crossing direction) of the insulating wall 53 and is adjacent to the first rear end region 531-1 on the -Z direction side (the other side of the second crossing direction). The second rear end region 531-2 is located further to the +X direction (towards the first end 511 of the cylindrical portion 51) than the first rear end region 531-1.

[0024] Let's further explain the positions of the first and second rear end regions 531-1 and 531-2 in the X direction. If the -X direction (the direction from the first end 511 to the second end 512 of the cylindrical portion 51) is considered the height direction of the insulating wall 53, then the second rear end region 531-2 of the insulating wall 53 is located lower than the first rear end region 531-1. In other words, the height dimension h2 of the second rear end region 531-2 relative to the position of the partition wall 52 is smaller than the height dimension h1 of the first rear end region 531-1 (see Figure 8 in particular). With the positions of the first and second rear end regions 531-1 and 531-2 in the X direction set in this way, a recessed portion 533 is formed in the -Z direction side (the other side of the second intersecting direction) of the rear end of the insulating wall 53 located on the -X direction side (the second end 512 side of the cylindrical portion 51), recessing in the +X direction from the rear end 531 of the insulating wall 53. At least a portion of the recessed portion 533 is located inside the cylindrical portion 51. In Figure 8, a portion of the recessed portion 533 is located inside the cylindrical portion 51, and the remaining portion of the recessed portion 533 is located outside the cylindrical portion 51 (outside the second end 512 of the cylindrical portion 51). Alternatively, the entire recessed portion 533 may be located inside the cylindrical portion 51.

[0025] As shown in Figure 8, the second rear end region 531-2 of the insulating wall 53 does not protrude in the -X direction from the second end 512 of the cylindrical portion 51, but is located inside the cylindrical portion 51. On the other hand, the first rear end region 531-1 of the insulating wall 53 protrudes from the second end 512 of the cylindrical portion 51 toward the -X direction (outside the cylindrical portion 51). The portion of the insulating wall 53 that protrudes from the second end 512 of the cylindrical portion 51, including the first rear end region 531-1, functions as a guide when attaching the rear cover 6 (see Figure 1) to the outer housing 5. Note that the first rear end region 531-1 may be located at the same position as the second end 512 of the cylindrical portion 51 in the X direction, or it may be located inside the cylindrical portion 51, similar to the second rear end region 531-2.

[0026] In Figure 8, for the portion of the insulating wall 53 located behind the partition wall 52, both ends of the insulating wall 53 in the Z direction reach the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 51. However, for the portion of the insulating wall 53 located behind the partition wall 52, for example, both ends or one of the ends of the insulating wall 53 in the Z direction do not need to reach the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 51.

[0027] In Figure 8, the front end 532 of the insulating wall 53, located on the front side (+X direction side), protrudes from the first end 511 of the cylindrical portion 51 toward the +X direction (outside the cylindrical portion 51). The front end 532 of the insulating wall 53 may be located at the same position as the first end 511 of the cylindrical portion 51 in the X direction, or it may be located inside the cylindrical portion 51 without protruding from the first end 511 of the cylindrical portion 51.

[0028] In Figure 8, for the portion of the insulating wall 53 located in front of the partition wall 52, both ends of the insulating wall 53 in the Z direction do not reach the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 51. Specifically, both ends of the insulating wall 53 in the Z direction move away from the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 51 as you move from the partition wall 52 in the +X direction. However, for the portion of the insulating wall 53 located in front of the partition wall 52, for example, both ends or one of the ends of the insulating wall 53 in the Z direction may reach the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 51.

[0029] <8. Structure of the guide section> As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the guide portion 54 is connected to the cylindrical portion 51. In this embodiment, the guide portion 54 is integrally formed with the cylindrical portion 51. However, the guide portion 54 may be formed separately from the cylindrical portion 51 and then fixed to the cylindrical portion 51. The guide portion 54 extends in a sloping direction TD, which, when viewed from the X direction, slopes toward the +Y direction (first intersecting direction) as it moves away from the cylindrical portion 51 in the -Z direction (one side of the second intersecting direction). As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the guide portion 54 guides the multiple electric wires 2 extending from the base ends 42 of the multiple terminal portions 4 in the direction in which the guide portion 54 extends (i.e., the sloping direction TD).

[0030] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the guide section 54 has a wire housing section 541 that accommodates multiple electric wires 2 (see Figures 2 and 3). The wire housing section 541 opens at both ends of the guide section 54 in the inclined direction TD. The wire housing section 541 also opens on the -X direction side (the second end 512 side of the cylindrical section 51). The wire housing section 541 communicates with the area on the second end 512 side of the cylindrical section 51 (second compartment space S2 in the illustrated example) within the space inside the cylindrical section 51.

[0031] As described above, with the guide section 54 configured, the multiple electric wires 2 (see Figures 2 and 3) extending from the base ends 42 of the multiple terminal sections 4 are arranged as follows. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, with the terminal section 4 attached to the inside of the cylindrical section 51, the electric wires 2 extending from the base ends 42 of the terminal sections 4 are housed in the electric wire housing section 541 of the guide section 54 and pulled out to the outside of the outer housing 5 from the tip of the guide section 54 in the extension direction. The electric wires 2 housed in the electric wire housing section 541 extend in the extension direction (inclined direction TD) of the guide section 54.

[0032] The first wire 2A, which is connected to the base end 42 of the first terminal 4A among the multiple wires 2, is inclined in the direction TD from the base end 42 of the first terminal 4A. Therefore, as it moves from the base end 42 of the first terminal 4A in the -Z direction, it approaches the insulating wall 53 located in the +Y direction, that is, it approaches the part of the insulating wall 53 on the -Z direction side. Here, as mentioned above, a recess 533 is formed in the part of the insulating wall 53 on the -Z direction side. Due to this configuration, the first wire 2A moves towards the guide part 54 by passing through the recess 533 of the insulating wall 53. In other words, the first wire 2A extends towards the guide part 54 without interfering with the insulating wall 53.

[0033] <9. Structure of reinforcing ribs> As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the outer housing 5 has reinforcing ribs 55 that reinforce the guide portion 54 described above. The reinforcing ribs 55 protrude from the inner surface of the guide portion 54 that constitutes the wire housing portion 541 and extend in the direction of extension of the guide portion 54 (inclination direction TD). Multiple reinforcing ribs 55 are arranged at intervals in a direction that intersects the inclination direction TD when viewed from the X direction (in the illustrated example, a direction perpendicular to it).

[0034] One of the multiple reinforcing ribs 55, reinforcing rib 55A (hereinafter referred to as "the predetermined reinforcing rib 55A"), is connected to the insulating wall 53. Specifically, the predetermined reinforcing rib 55A is connected to the end of the insulating wall 53 located on the -Z direction side. The predetermined reinforcing rib 55A is integrally formed with the insulating wall 53.

[0035] <10. Rear Cover Configuration> The rear cover 6 shown in Figure 1 closes the openings on the -X side (see Figure 2) of the cylindrical portion 51 and guide portion 54 that constitute the outer housing 5. The rear cover 6 also covers the terminal portion 4 and electric wire 2 attached to the outer housing 5 from the -X side. The rear cover 6 is made of an electrically insulating material (for example, a synthetic resin material).

[0036] <11. Advantages> According to this embodiment, the rear end 531 of the insulating wall 53 located on the -X side has a first rear end region 531-1 and a second rear end region 531-2 adjacent to the -Z side of the first rear end region 531-1 and located on the +X side (the first end 511 side of the cylindrical portion 51) than the first rear end region 531-1. That is, a recessed portion 533 is formed in the -Z side (the other side of the second intersecting direction) of the rear end of the insulating wall 53 located on the -X side (the second end 512 side of the cylindrical portion 51), recessing in the +X direction from the rear end 531 of the insulating wall 53. This configuration makes it possible to suppress or prevent interference between the insulating wall 53 and the electric wire 2 (first electric wire 2A) connected to the base end 42 of the terminal portion 4 (first terminal portion 4A) adjacent to the insulating wall 53 on the -Y direction side. This point will be explained. The first electric wire 2A extending from the base end 42 of the first terminal portion 4A is bent toward the -Z direction on the base end 42 side of the terminal portion 4, and extends toward the +Y direction (insulating wall 53 side) as it moves toward the -Z direction. That is, the first electric wire 2A is extended in the inclined direction TD from the base end 42 of the terminal portion 4. In this state, the first electric wire 2A can be passed through the recessed portion 533 of the insulating wall 53 as described above. Therefore, interference between the first electric wire 2A and the insulating wall 53 can be suppressed or prevented.

[0037] Furthermore, as a method to suppress interference between the first wire 2A and the insulating wall 53, one could consider forming the insulating wall 53 by bending it in the inclined direction TD. However, in this case, the bent portion of the insulating wall 53 affects the shape of the portion of the cylindrical portion 51 adjacent to the bent side where the second terminal portion 4B is located. In other words, the shapes of the portions of the cylindrical portion 51 where the first and second terminal portions 4A and 4B are located will be different from each other. As a result, it becomes necessary to make the shapes of the first and second terminal portions 4A and 4B different from each other, which increases the manufacturing cost of the connector. In contrast, in this embodiment, since the insulating wall 53 is not bent, the shapes of the arrangement portions of the first and second terminal portions 4A and 4B in the cylindrical portion 51 can be made the same. As a result, the shapes of the first and second terminal portions 4A and 4B can be made the same, and the manufacturing cost of the connector can be kept low.

[0038] According to this embodiment, the outer housing 5 is provided with a guide portion 54 that guides the multiple electric wires 2 extending from the base ends 42 of the multiple terminal portions 4 attached to the cylindrical portion 51 so that they move toward the +Y direction as they move toward the -Z direction (i.e., toward the inclined direction TD). With this configuration, the multiple electric wires 2 connected to the base ends 42 of the multiple terminal portions 4 can be reliably extended toward the inclined direction TD.

[0039] In this embodiment, the insulating wall 53 provided on the cylindrical portion 51 is connected to the reinforcing rib 55 that reinforces the guide portion 54. This configuration makes it possible to improve the strength of the insulating wall 53 and the outer housing 5 including the insulating wall 53.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the first rear end region 531-1 of the insulating wall 53 is positioned to protrude from the second end 512 of the cylindrical portion 51 to the outside of the outer housing 5. With this configuration, the portion of the insulating wall 53 that protrudes from the second end 512 of the cylindrical portion 51, including the first rear end region 531-1, can be used as a guide to easily attach the rear cover 6 to the outer housing 5.

[0041] <12. Variation> In the embodiment described above, the outer housing 5 comprises a cylindrical portion 51, a partition wall 52, an insulating wall 53, a guide portion 54, and a reinforcing rib 55. However, the outer housing 5 only needs to have at least the cylindrical portion 51 and the insulating wall 53, and does not need to have, for example, the partition wall 52, the guide portion 54, or the reinforcing rib 55.

[0042] One embodiment and its variations have been described above. However, the embodiments and variations are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the embodiments and variations may be implemented in combination with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Cable Unit 2 electric wire 3 Connectors 4 Terminal section 5. Outer housing (housing) 9. Other connector 41 Tip of terminal section 4 42 Base end of terminal portion 4 51 Cylinder part 53 Insulating wall 54 Guide section 55 Reinforcement Ribs 55A Designated reinforcing ribs 511 First end of cylindrical portion 51 512 Second end of cylindrical portion 51 531 Rear end (end) 531-1 First rear end area (first end area) 531-2 Second rear end area (second end area) 533 Recessed area TD Tilt direction

Claims

1. A housing having a cylindrical portion whose first axial end is a mating portion that fits into a mating connector, The cylindrical portion comprises a plurality of terminal portions arranged in a first intersecting direction that intersects the axial direction of the cylindrical portion, each including a tip portion located on the first end side of the cylindrical portion and connected to the mating connector, and a base portion located on the second end side in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion and connected to an electric wire, Equipped with, The housing has the first intersecting direction as the thickness direction, and is provided with insulating walls that extend in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion between adjacent terminal portions in the first intersecting direction. The connector has an insulating wall at the end of the cylindrical portion located on the second end side, which comprises a first end region located on one side of a second intersecting direction that intersects the axial direction and the first intersecting direction, and a second end region located adjacent to the first end region on the other side of the second intersecting direction, and located closer to the first end of the cylindrical portion than the first end region.

2. The housing includes a guide portion that, when viewed from the axial direction, extends in an inclined direction such that it is inclined toward the first intersecting direction as it moves away from the cylindrical portion toward one side of the second intersecting direction, The guide portion guides the multiple electric wires extending from the base ends of the multiple terminal portions in the direction in which the guide portion extends. The connector according to claim 1.

3. The housing has reinforcing ribs that reinforce the guide portion, The insulating wall is connected to the reinforcing rib, The connector according to claim 2.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first end region of the insulating wall is positioned to protrude outward from the second end of the cylindrical portion.

5. A wiring unit comprising a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a plurality of electric wires connected to the base ends of the plurality of terminal portions.

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