connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can improve moldability. [Solution] In a connector 1 comprising a terminal 3 and a housing 5 in which the terminal 3 is housed, the housing 5 has a plurality of divided housings 17, each having a terminal housing chamber 23 for housing a terminal 3 exposed from the divided surface 19, and the plurality of divided housings 17 are assembled with the divided surfaces 19 aligned and their outer surfaces exposed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a connector, one including a terminal and a housing for housing the terminal is known (see Patent Document 1). In this connector, the housing is divided into a front housing and a rear housing. The front housing is provided with a front terminal housing chamber for housing the terminals. The rear housing is provided with an assembly space for housing the front housing and a rear terminal housing chamber for housing the terminals exposed from the front terminal housing chamber. In such a connector, by housing the front housing in the housing space of the rear housing, the front terminal housing chamber and the rear terminal housing chamber are communicated, and the terminals are housed inside 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, in the connector of the above Patent Document 1, the rear housing is provided with a housing space for housing the front housing. In a state where the front housing is housed in the housing space, the front terminal housing chamber of the front housing and the rear terminal housing chamber of the rear housing are communicated. Therefore, the rear housing has the entire length of the housing, and the housing space and the rear terminal housing chamber must be provided over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the rear housing. When the entire length of the rear housing becomes long, the mold used for molding also becomes large, and there is a possibility that the moldability deteriorates. In addition, it is necessary to increase the positional accuracy of the rear terminal housing chamber with respect to the housing space, and the structure of the mold becomes complicated, and there is a possibility that the moldability deteriorates.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art. The object of this invention is to provide a connector that can improve moldability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector according to this embodiment comprises a terminal and a housing in which the terminal is housed, wherein the housing has a plurality of divided housings, each having a terminal housing chamber for housing the terminal which is exposed from the divided surface, and the plurality of divided housings are assembled with their divided surfaces facing each other and their outer surfaces exposed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can improve moldability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a side view of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a front view of the connector according to this embodiment, with the retaining member placed in the split housing. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the terminals of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the split housing of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the split housing of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of the connector retaining member according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The connector according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the connector 1 according to this embodiment is electrically connected to a charging device (not shown) located at a charging station or the like, for example, to charge a power supply mounted on a vehicle (not shown), such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The connector 1 is matable with a vehicle charging unit (not shown) provided on the vehicle. By mating the connector 1 with the vehicle charging unit, power is supplied from the charging device to the vehicle's power supply, and the power supply is charged.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 8, the connector 1 comprises a terminal 3, a housing 5, and a retaining member 7.

[0012] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, terminal 3 is made of a conductive material. Multiple terminals (five in this case) are used, for example, as power supply terminals for supplying power and communication terminals for detecting the charging status. Terminal 3 comprises a wire connection part 9, an electrical connection part 11, and an engagement part 13.

[0013] The wire connection portion 9 extends in the mating direction of the connector 1 and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The core wire of a wire (not shown) electrically connected to the charging device is inserted into the wire connection portion 9 and electrically connected to the core wire of the wire by crimping or the like.

[0014] The electrical connection portion 11 is a single component continuous with the wire connection portion 9, extending in the mating direction of the connector 1, and is formed in a cylindrical shape having a pair of elastic pieces. When the connector 1 is mated with the vehicle charging portion, the electrical connection portion of the mating terminal (not shown) is inserted into and makes contact with the electrical connection portion 11, thereby electrically connecting it to the mating terminal.

[0015] The engaged portion 13 is provided between the wire connection portion 9 and the electrical connection portion 11. The engaged portion 13 is formed in a groove shape continuous in the circumferential direction of the terminal 3. On the wire connection portion 9 side of the engaged portion 13, a flange portion 15 is provided which protrudes outward from the outer surface of the terminal 3 and is formed continuously in the circumferential direction of the terminal 3.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, the housing 5 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, for example. The housing 5 has a plurality (here, two) of divided housings 17. Hereinafter, the plurality of divided housings 17 will be described as the divided housing 17A and the divided housing 17B.

[0017] The divided housing 17A extends in the fitting direction of the connector 1 and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The divided housing 17A is set to have a length such that a dividing surface 19A is located at about half the total length of the housing 5. A plurality (here, two) of lock protrusions 21 that protrude outward from the outer surface are provided on the outer surface of the divided housing 17A on the dividing surface 19A side. Inside the divided housing 17A, a plurality (here, five) of terminal accommodation chambers 23A are formed. The terminal accommodation chamber 23A extends in a cylindrical shape in the fitting direction of the connector 1, and both sides in the length direction are open. The electrical connection portion 11 of the terminal 3 is accommodated in the terminal accommodation chamber 23A. The opening on one side in the length direction of the terminal accommodation chamber 23A serves as a connection opening into which the electrical connection portion of the mating terminal is inserted when the connector 1 is fitted to the vehicle charging portion. The opening on the other side in the length direction of the terminal accommodation chamber 23A serves as an insertion opening into which the electrical connection portion 11 of the terminal 3 is inserted. The wire connection portion 9 side of the terminal 3 exposed from the insertion opening on the dividing surface 19A side of the terminal accommodation chamber 23A is accommodated in the divided housing 17B.

[0018] The split housing 17B extends in the mating direction of the connector 1 and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The length of the split housing 17B is set such that the split surface 19B is located at approximately half the total length of the housing 5. Multiple locking projections 25 are provided on the split surface 19B at four locations (in this case, four locations) that protrude toward the split housing 17A. Multiple locking pieces 27 are elastically deformable on the outer surface of the split housing 17B on the split surface 19B side, and are capable of engaging with the locking projections 21 of the split housing 17A that extend from the outer surface toward the split housing 17A. The locking pieces 27 engage with the locking projections 21 when the split housing 17A and the split housing 17B are assembled by aligning the split surface 19A and the split surface 19B. The engagement between the locking projections 21 and the locking pieces 27 maintains the assembled state of the split housing 17A and the split housing 17B. Multiple (in this case, five) terminal housing chambers 23B are formed inside the split housing 17B. When the split housing 17A and the split housing 17B are assembled, the multiple terminal housing chambers 23B are positioned in a position corresponding to each of the multiple terminal housing chambers 23A. The terminal housing chambers 23B extend cylindrically in the mating direction of the connector 1, and both sides in the longitudinal direction are open. The wire connection portion 9 of the terminal 3 is housed in the terminal housing chamber 23B. The opening on one side in the longitudinal direction of the terminal housing chamber 23B is an exposed opening in which the electrical connection portion 11 of the terminal 3 is exposed from the split surface 19B when the terminal 3 is housed in the terminal housing chamber 23B. The flange portion 15 of the terminal 3 engages with the opening edge of the exposed opening of the terminal housing chamber 23B, preventing the terminal 3 from protruding through the exposed opening. A sealing member 29, such as an O-ring, is attached to the flange portion 15 side of the terminal 3. The sealing member 29 adheres tightly to the inner surface of the terminal housing chamber 23B, sealing the space between the terminal 3 and the terminal housing chamber 23B. The other end of the terminal housing chamber 23B in the longitudinal direction is an exit opening into which the terminal 3, provided at the end of the electric wire, is inserted and the electric wire is pulled out.

[0019] The split housings 17A and 17B are assembled such that the split surfaces 19A and 19B are joined together with the terminal 3 housed in the terminal housing chamber 23B of the split housing 17B. At this time, the electrical connection portion 11 of the terminal 3 exposed from the split surface 19B of the split housing 17B is housed in the terminal housing chamber 23A of the split housing 17A. The assembled split housings 17A and 17B are held in the assembled state by the engagement of the lock projection 21 and the lock piece 27. In the state where the split housings 17A and 17B are assembled, the outer surfaces of the split housings 17A and 17B are exposed. By exposing the outer surfaces of the split housings 17A and 17B, it is not necessary to provide a cylindrical accommodation space such as a hood portion for accommodating the other in the split housings 17A and 17B. For this reason, the mold for molding the split housings 17A and 17B can be downsized, and the moldability can be improved. In addition, since it is not necessary to mold an accommodation space for accommodating the other, the structure of the mold can be simplified, the positional accuracy of the terminal housing chambers 23A and 23B in the split housings 17A and 17B can be increased, and the moldability can be improved. The electrical connection portion 11 and the wire connection portion 9 of the terminal 3 are respectively housed in the terminal housing chambers 23A and 23B with improved positional accuracy. For this reason, the electrical connection portion 11 and the wire connection portion 9 of the terminal 3 can be stably housed inside the housing 5, and the electrical connection reliability of the terminal 3 can be maintained.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 8, the retaining member 7 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The retaining member 7 is formed in a flat plate shape and is divided into multiple (in this case, two) parts. The retaining member 7 is provided with arc-shaped engaging parts 31 that can engage with the engaged parts 13 of each of the multiple (in this case, five) terminals 3 at positions corresponding to each of the terminals 3. The retaining member 7 is provided with elastically deformable locking pieces 33 that can engage with the locking projections 25 at positions corresponding to each of the multiple (in this case, four) locking projections 25 on the dividing surface 19B of the divided housing 17B. The multiple retaining members 7 are assembled to the dividing surface 19B of the divided housing 17B so as to be close to each other along the planar direction of the dividing surface 19B. At this time, the engaging parts 31 engage with the engaged parts 13 of the terminals 3 exposed on the dividing surface 19B. The engagement between the engaging portion 31 and the engaged portion 13 restricts the movement of the terminal 3 relative to the terminal housing chamber 23B, thereby holding the terminal 3 in the terminal housing chamber 23B. The retaining member 7 assembled to the divided surface 19B maintains its assembled state by engaging the locking piece 33 with the locking projection 25. When the divided housings 17A and 17B are assembled, the retaining member 7 positioned on the divided surface 19B is sandwiched between the divided housings 17A and 17B to maintain its position.

[0021] By arranging the retaining member 7, which holds the terminal 3 in the terminal housing chamber 23, on the divided surface 19, there is no need to provide a locking structure such as a locking lance that engages with the terminal 3 inside the terminal housing chamber 23. In addition, there is no need to provide an opening in the divided housing 17 for inserting a locking member such as a spacer that engages with the terminal 3. Therefore, the structure of the mold for forming the divided housing 17 can be simplified, and moldability can be improved. Furthermore, by holding the retaining member 7 between adjacent divided housings 17, 17, there is no need to provide a complex retaining structure in the divided housing 17 for holding the retaining member 7. Therefore, the structure of the mold for forming the divided housing 17 can be simplified, and moldability can be improved. The multiple divided flat retaining members 7 are arranged along the planar direction of the divided surface 19 for multiple terminals 3. Therefore, the multiple terminals 3 are held on the same plane by the flat retaining members 7, there is no variation in the arrangement position of the multiple terminals 3, and the electrical connection reliability when the connector 1 is mated can be maintained.

[0022] One example of assembling such a connector 1 is as follows: First, the terminal 3 provided at the end of the electric wire is housed in the terminal housing chamber 23B of the split housing 17B. Next, a plurality of retaining members 7 are assembled on the split surface 19B along the planar direction of the split surface 19B, and the engaging portion 31 of the retaining member 7 is engaged with the engaged portion 13 of the terminal 3 exposed on the split surface 19B. Then, the split housing 17A is assembled onto the split housing 17B so that the split surfaces 19A and 19B are aligned, and the locking projection 21 and the locking piece 27 are engaged to complete the assembly.

[0023] When connector 1 is used as a charging connector, housing 5 is housed in a grip housing (not shown) that is held by an operator or the like. The split housing 17A is housed in the grip housing with the split housing 17A exposed, and the opening of the split housing 17A serves as the power supply port. A rear holder may be assembled in the opening of the split housing 17B to prevent the detachment of a waterproof plug (not shown) that seals the space between the electric wire and the terminal housing chamber 23B, or the grip housing may be used to prevent the waterproof plug from detaching. When charging the vehicle's power supply with connector 1, the grip housing is grasped, the split housing 17A is fitted into the vehicle charging section, and terminal 3 and the mating terminal are electrically connected.

[0024] Such a connector 1 comprises a terminal 3 and a housing 5 that houses the terminal 3. The housing 5 also has a plurality of segmented housings 17, each having a terminal housing chamber 23 that houses the terminal 3 exposed from the segmented surface 19, which is assembled by joining the segmented surfaces 19. The plurality of segmented housings 17 are assembled with their segmented surfaces 19 joined together and their outer surfaces exposed.

[0025] By exposing the outer surfaces of multiple segmented housings 17, it is unnecessary to provide a cylindrical housing space, such as a hood, in each segmented housing 17 to accommodate other segmented housings 17. This allows for a smaller mold for forming the segmented housings 17, improving moldability. In addition, since there is no need to mold a housing space to accommodate other segmented housings 17, the mold structure can be simplified, improving the positional accuracy of the terminal housing chambers 23 in the segmented housings 17 and further improving moldability.

[0026] Therefore, such a connector 1 can improve moldability.

[0027] Furthermore, a retaining member 7 is positioned on the dividing surface 19 of the divided housing 17, which engages with the terminal 3 exposed from the dividing surface 19 and holds the terminal 3 in the terminal housing chamber 23.

[0028] By positioning the retaining member 7, which holds the terminal 3 in the terminal housing chamber 23, on the dividing surface 19, there is no need to provide a locking structure such as a locking lance that engages with the terminal 3 inside the terminal housing chamber 23. In addition, there is no need to provide an opening in the divided housing 17 for inserting a locking member such as a spacer that engages with the terminal 3. As a result, the structure of the mold used to form the divided housing 17 can be simplified, and moldability can be improved.

[0029] Furthermore, multiple terminals 3 are used. The holding member 7 is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the planar direction of the dividing surface 19, and is divided into multiple parts so that it can be arranged along the planar direction of the dividing surface 19 for the multiple terminals 3.

[0030] Therefore, the flat holding member 7 holds the multiple terminals 3 on the same plane, preventing variations in the arrangement of the multiple terminals 3, and ensuring electrical connection reliability when the connector 1 is mated.

[0031] Furthermore, the retaining member 7 is held in place by being sandwiched between adjacent split housings 17, 17.

[0032] Therefore, there is no need to provide a complex retaining structure for holding the retaining member 7 in the divided housing 17, the structure of the mold for forming the divided housing 17 can be simplified, and moldability can be improved.

[0033] Furthermore, terminal 3 has a wire connection portion 9 that is electrically connected to a wire, and an electrical connection portion 11 that is electrically connected to a mating terminal. The wire connection portion 9 and the electrical connection portion 11 are housed in terminal housing chambers 23 of different divided housings 17.

[0034] The wire connection portion 9 and the electrical connection portion 11 of terminal 3 are housed in separate terminal housing chambers 23, 23, respectively, which have improved positional accuracy relative to the divided housing 17. Therefore, the wire connection portion 9 and the electrical connection portion 11 of terminal 3 can be stably housed inside the housing 5, and the electrical connection reliability of terminal 3 can be maintained.

[0035] Although this embodiment has been described above, this embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of this embodiment.

[0036] For example, the housing is divided into two separate housings, but it is not limited to this; for example, if the terminals are long, the housing may be divided into three or more separate housings. If there are three or more separate housings, a retaining member should be placed between at least one adjacent separate housing.

[0037] Furthermore, although the retaining member is divided into two parts, it is not limited to this; for example, if there are many terminals, the retaining member may be divided into three or more parts. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Connector 3 terminals 5 Housing 7 Retaining member 9. Wire connection section 11. Electrical connection 13 Engaged portion 17-part housing 19 Split plane 23 Terminal housing room

Claims

1. Terminals and A housing in which the aforementioned terminals are housed, Equipped with, The housing comprises a plurality of divided housings, each having a terminal housing chamber that accommodates the terminals exposed from the divided surface, and the divided surfaces are assembled together. A connector in which multiple of the aforementioned divided housings are assembled with their dividing surfaces aligned and their outer surfaces exposed.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a retaining member is provided on the dividing surface of the divided housing that engages with the terminal exposed from the dividing surface and holds the terminal in the terminal housing chamber.

3. The aforementioned terminals represent multiple terminals. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the retaining member is formed in the shape of a flat plate extending in the planar direction of the dividing surface, and is divided into a plurality of parts so as to be arrangeable along the planar direction of the dividing surface for a plurality of terminals.

4. The connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the retaining member is held in place by being sandwiched between adjacent split housings.

5. The terminal has a wire connection portion that is electrically connected to a wire and an electrical connection portion that is electrically connected to a mating terminal. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wire connection portion and the electrical connection portion are housed in the terminal housing chambers of different divided housings.

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