connector

Abstract

This provides a connector that simplifies the shape of the outer housing. [Solution] One embodiment of the connector comprises an outer housing having a housing portion that opens to the outside from an opening, at least one inner housing housed in the housing portion from the outside, and a terminal held by the at least one inner housing and crimped to an electric wire. The outer housing has a guide wall that protrudes outward from the inner circumference of the opening in the insertion direction of the at least one inner housing.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] As a connector, one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In this connector, a plurality of ribs are provided as guides in an outer housing for assembling terminals to the outer housing. According to this connector, when assembling the terminals to the outer housing, the terminals can be attached to a predetermined position by guiding the terminals with the plurality of ribs.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the connector of Patent Document 1, a plurality of ribs are provided in the outer housing to guide the terminals to a predetermined position. With this configuration, it is difficult to simplify the shape of the outer housing.

[0005] One embodiment is to provide a connector that can simplify the shape of the outer housing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One embodiment of the connector comprises an outer housing having a housing portion that opens to the outside from an opening, at least one inner housing housed in the housing portion from the outside, and a terminal held by the at least one inner housing and crimped to an electric wire, wherein the outer housing has a guide wall that protrudes from the inner circumference of the opening toward the outside in the insertion direction of the at least one inner housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment, the shape of the outer housing can be simplified. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] An exploded perspective view showing the connector of the embodiment. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the outer housing of the embodiment. [Figure 3] A rear view showing the outer housing of the embodiment. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of line IV-IV in Figure 3. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing the wire unit of an embodiment. [Figure 6] A perspective view showing the outer housing of a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted. Note that the components described below do not limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0010] (Embodiment) <1. Connectors> As shown in Figure 1, connector 1 is installed in a vehicle (not shown) such as an EV (Electric Vehicle), HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). Connector 1 is connected to an inverter (not shown), for example.

[0011] In this embodiment, an example of connector 1 being mounted on a vehicle such as an EV, HEV, or PHEV is described. However, connector 1 may also be applied to other devices. In this embodiment, an example of connector 1 being attached to an inverter is described. However, connector 1 may also be attached to other devices. For example, connector 1 may be attached to a battery mounted on a vehicle.

[0012] Connector 1 comprises, for example, an outer housing 2, a wire unit 3, and a rear cover 4. When connector 1 is mounted on an inverter case (not shown), the plug 26 of the outer housing 2 is inserted into the inside of the inverter case. The main part of the wire unit 3 is housed inside the outer housing 2 through an opening 35.

[0013] The wire unit 3 comprises a pair of inner housings 11, a pair of terminals 12, a pair of wires 13, an inner holder 14, an outer holder 15, and a rear cover packing 16. In this embodiment, a pair (two) of inner housings 11, a pair (two) of terminals 12, and a pair (two) of wires 13 are described as an example, but the number of inner housings 11, terminals 12, and wires 13 can be arbitrarily selected. That is, the wire unit 3 may comprise at least one inner housing 11, at least one terminal 12, and at least one wire 13. For example, the wire unit 3 may comprise one inner housing 11, one terminal 12, and one wire 13. For example, the wire unit 3 may comprise three or more inner housings 11, three or more terminals 12, and three or more wires 13.

[0014] The pair of inner housings 11 are arranged adjacent to each other. The pair of inner housings 11 are inserted, for example, into the housing portion 36 of the outer housing 2 from openings 35 (both, described later).

[0015] The pair of terminals 12 are held in a state of being respectively inserted into the pair of inner housings 11. The pair of terminals 12 are connected to the conductors (core wires) 13a of the pair of electric wires 13.

[0016] The pair of electric wires 13 are held in a state of being sandwiched between the outer housing 2 and the rear cover 4 when connected to the pair of terminals 12.

[0017] The inner holder 14 is disposed in the housing portion 36 of the outer housing 2. The inner holder 14 integrally holds the attachment portions 13b of the pair of electric wires 13.

[0018] The outer holder 15 is disposed outside the outer housing 2. The outer holder 15 integrally holds the portions 13c of the pair of electric wires 13 that are close to the attachment portions 13b.

[0019] The rear cover packing 16 closes the gap between the outer housing 2 and the rear cover 4 when disposed on the outer housing 2.

[0020] The rear cover 4 is attached to the outer housing 2 and closes the opening 35 of the outer housing 2. The rear cover 4 presses the rear cover packing 16 against the outer housing 2 in a state of closing the opening 35.

[0021] In the present disclosure, the X direction, +X direction, -X direction, +Y direction, -Y direction, Z direction, +Z direction, and -Z direction are defined as follows.

[0022] The X direction is the insertion direction of the pair of inner housings 11. The +X direction is the direction of the insertion portion 26 within the X direction. The -X direction is the direction of the opening 35 opposite to the +X direction. Hereafter, when the +X direction and the -X direction are not distinguished, they will simply be referred to as the "X direction". The Y direction is the direction in which the pair of inner housings 11 are arranged in the direction intersecting the X direction. The Z direction is the direction intersecting the X direction and the Y direction. The +Z direction is the direction toward the insertion portion 26. The -Z direction is the direction opposite to the insertion portion 26. Hereafter, when the +Z direction and the -Z direction are not distinguished, they will simply be referred to as the "Z direction".

[0023] In the following, the +X direction may be referred to as "front," the -X direction as "rear," the +Z direction as "up," and the -Z direction as "down." Furthermore, within the Y direction, the "left" from the perspective of the -X direction may be referred to as the +Y direction, and the "right" as the -Y direction. However, these expressions are for explanatory convenience and do not limit the mounting orientation of connector 1.

[0024] <2. Outer Housing Configuration> This section describes the detailed configuration of outer housing 2. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the outer housing 2 is attached to the inverter case (neither shown) by bolts inserted into a pair of mounting holes 21, for example. The outer housing 2 is the main structure for housing, for example, a pair of inner housings 11, a pair of terminals 12, mounting portions 13b for a pair of wires 13, and an inner holder 14 of the wire unit 3. The outer housing 2 has an outer housing body 25 and an insertion portion 26.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the outer housing body 25 is, for example, rectangular when viewed from the rear, and formed with a predetermined thickness in the X direction. The insertion portion 26 protrudes forward from the upper half on the front surface of the outer housing body 25. The insertion portion 26 has a pair of first insertion holes 28 (only one is shown in Figure 4). The pair of first insertion holes 28 are separated by a partition wall 31, which will be described later, and are arranged in the left-right direction. A pair of inner holders 14 can be inserted into the pair of first insertion holes 28.

[0026] The outer housing body 25 has an opening 35, a housing portion 36, a groove portion 37, and a guide wall 38. The opening 35 is located on the back surface of the outer housing body 25. That is, the opening 35 is located on the opposite side of the insertion portion 26 in the front-rear direction. The opening 35 is formed in a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the rear of the outer housing 2, for example.

[0027] The housing section 36 is formed inside the outer housing body 25, continuous with the opening 35. The housing section 36 opens to the outside from the rear side of the outer housing 2 through the opening 35. The upper half of the housing section 36 has a pair of second insertion holes 29 (only one is shown in Figure 4). The pair of second insertion holes 29 are separated by a partition wall 31 and arranged in the left-right direction. The left second insertion hole 29 is coaxially connected to the left first insertion hole 28 in the front-rear direction. The inner walls of the left second insertion hole 29 and the left first insertion hole 28 are formed flush with each other. Hereinafter, the left second insertion hole 29 and the left first insertion hole 28 will be collectively referred to as the left insertion hole 27.

[0028] Furthermore, the second insertion hole 29 on the right side is coaxially connected to the first insertion hole 28 on the right side in the front-to-back direction. The inner walls of the second insertion hole 29 on the right side and the first insertion hole 28 on the right side are formed flush with each other. Hereinafter, the second insertion hole 29 on the right side and the first insertion hole 28 on the right side will be collectively referred to as the right insertion hole 27. That is, the pair of insertion holes 27 are separated by a partition wall 31 and arranged in the left-to-right direction. The pair of insertion holes 27 open into an opening 35 in the front-to-back direction. A pair of inner housings 11 (see Figure 1), which will be described later, are inserted into the pair of insertion holes 27 through the opening 35.

[0029] The housing section 36 has a recess 42 on the lower side of its upper half. The recess 42 opens into the opening 35 and communicates with a pair of insertion holes 27. A pair of electric wires 13 (specifically, a pair of mounting parts 13b (see Figure 1)), which will be described later, are placed in the recess 42 from the opening 35.

[0030] The groove 37 is provided on the back surface of the outer housing body 25, for example, in a rectangular shape along the opening 35. The groove 37 is open toward the rear. The groove 37 has a first groove 45 and a second groove 46. The first groove 45 extends in an inverted U shape along the opening 35. The first groove 45 has a first bottom 51, a first outer wall 52, and a first inner wall (inner wall) 53. The first bottom 51 extends in an inverted U shape along the left wall, right wall, and top wall of the outer housing body 25. The first bottom 51 is formed flat along the back surface of the outer housing body 25. The first outer wall 52 extends in an inverted U shape along the outer circumference of the first bottom 51. The rear edge of the first outer wall 52 is formed flat.

[0031] The first inner wall 53 extends in an inverted U-shape along the inner circumference of the first bottom 51. The first inner wall 53 includes a guide wall 38. That is, the guide wall 38 also serves as a part of the first inner wall 53. The guide wall 38 is provided in the opening 35 to cover the entire area of ​​the pair of inner housings 11 (see Figure 1). The "entire area of ​​the pair of inner housings 11" will be explained later. The guide wall 38 protrudes outward from the opening 35 in the insertion direction (specifically, rearward) of the pair of inner housings 11. The guide wall 38 is formed flush with the inner walls of the pair of insertion holes 27.

[0032] The second groove 46 has a second bottom 55, a second outer wall 56, and a second inner wall 57. The second bottom 55 is provided continuously with the lower left end and the lower right end of the first bottom 51. The second bottom 55 is formed wider than the first bottom 51. The second bottom 55 is formed in a concave shape toward the front of the first bottom 51.

[0033] The second outer wall 56 extends along the outer circumference of the second bottom 55. The second outer wall 56 has a pair of first receiving portions 58. The pair of first receiving portions 58 are arranged in the left-right direction. The pair of first receiving portions 58 are formed as semi-circular recesses facing forward. A pair of mounting portions 13b (see Figure 1) are arranged on the pair of first receiving portions 58.

[0034] The second inner wall 57 extends along the outer circumference of the second bottom portion 55. The second inner wall 57 has a pair of second receiving portions 59. The pair of second receiving portions 59 are arranged in the left-right direction. The pair of second receiving portions 59 are formed as semi-circular recesses facing forward. A pair of mounting portions 13b (see Figure 1) are arranged on the pair of second receiving portions 59.

[0035] <3. Inner Housing Configuration> The detailed configuration of the inner housing 11 will be described below. Each inner housing 11 is a component for protecting the terminal 12, holding the terminal 12, and aligning the terminal 12 with respect to the terminal to which it is connected. As shown in Figures 1 and 5, a pair of inner housings 11 are arranged in the left-right direction corresponding to a pair of insertion holes 27. The inner housings 11 are positioned in the front-rear direction. The inner housings 11 have through holes 62 that penetrate in the front-rear direction. The terminals 12, which will be described later, are inserted into the through holes 62 from the rear.

[0036] The pair of inner housings 11 are inserted from the rear into the pair of insertion holes 27, thereby being housed in the housing section 36 and assembled to the outer housing 2. The inner housings 11 have a plurality of ribs 63 extending in the front-rear direction on the outer circumference of the rear. The plurality of ribs 63 can contact the inner wall of the insertion hole 27. By bringing the plurality of ribs 63 into contact with the inner wall of the insertion hole 27, for example, the inner housings 11 can be easily positioned coaxially with respect to the insertion hole 27 by the plurality of ribs 63.

[0037] Here, we will explain the "entire area of ​​the pair of inner housings 11". That is, the pair of inner housings 11 are inserted into the pair of insertion holes 27 along the guide wall 38 while arranged in the left-right direction. The area along the guide wall 38 where the pair of inner housings 11 are inserted is defined as the entire area of ​​the pair of inner housings 11. Specifically, the entire area of ​​the pair of inner housings 11 is, for example, the left wall of the left inner housing 11, the upper walls of the left and right inner housings 11, and the right wall of the right inner housing 11.

[0038] <4. Terminal Configuration> The detailed configuration of terminal 12 will be described below. The pair of terminals 12 are held in place by being inserted into the pair of inner housings 11. The terminals 12 are formed, for example, from a conductive metal plate by press working. The terminals 12 are connected, for example, to a conductor 13a exposed from the end of the insulating coating of an electric wire 13 by crimping. The pair of terminals 12 are connected to an inverter (both not shown) when the outer housing 2 is mounted to the inverter case.

[0039] <5. Wire configuration> The detailed configuration of the electric wire 13 will be described below. A pair of electric wires 13 have conductors 13a exposed from the wires 13 crimped to terminals 12. The electric wires 13 have mounting portions 13b. The mounting portions 13b are housed in a housing portion 36 of the outer housing body 25. The mounting portions 13b are held in place by the outer housing 2 and the rear cover 4. The mounting portions 13b are bent into an elbow shape, for example, along the housing portion 36.

[0040] <6. Inner Holder Configuration> The detailed configuration of the inner holder 14 will be described below. The inner holder 14 comprises a first inner holder (not shown) and a second inner holder 14a. The first inner holder and the second inner holder 14a are separable in the front-rear direction. The first inner holder is positioned in the housing section 36. The second inner holder 14a is positioned outside the housing section 36. The first inner holder and the second inner holder 14a are held in a stacked state in the front-rear direction. The inner holder 14 is held in a state where a pair of mounting portions 13b are sandwiched between the stacked first inner holder (not shown) and the second inner holder 14a.

[0041] <7. Outer holder configuration> The detailed configuration of the outer holder 15 will be described below. The outer holder 15 is positioned on the lower exterior of the outer housing body 25. The outer holder 15 holds the lower portion 13c of the pair of electric wires 13 that is close to the mounting portion 13b.

[0042] <8. Rear cover gasket configuration> The detailed configuration of the rear cover gasket 16 will be described below. The rear cover packing 16 is, for example, a rubber component and is positioned in the groove 37. When positioned in the groove 37, the rear cover packing 16 closes the gap between the groove 37 and the rear cover 4 (described later). The rear cover packing 16 has a first packing 65 and a second packing 66. The first packing 65 extends in an inverted U-shape along the first groove 45. The first packing 65 is positioned in the first groove 45 from the rear. The first packing 65 is, for example, formed in a rectangular cross-section.

[0043] The second packing 66 is provided continuously with the lower left and lower right ends of the first packing 65. The second packing 66 is positioned in the second groove 46 from the rear. The second packing 66 has a pair of through holes 68. The pair of through holes 68 penetrate vertically so as to be fitted into the pair of mounting parts 13b. The rear cover packing 16 is supported by the pair of mounting parts 13b by the pair of through holes 68 being fitted into the pair of mounting parts 13b. When the rear cover packing 16 is supported by the pair of mounting parts 13b, the upper part 65a of the first packing 65 is positioned above the pair of mounting parts 13b.

[0044] <9. Rear Cover Configuration> The detailed configuration of rear cover 4 will be described below. As shown in Figure 1, the rear cover 4 has, for example, a contact surface (not shown) facing the groove 37 of the outer housing body 25. The rear cover 4 closes the opening 35 when attached to the outer housing body 25 and presses its contact surface against the rear cover packing 16. The rear cover packing 16 closes the gap between the groove 37 and the contact surface when pressed against the contact surface. The rear cover 4 may close the opening 35 with the rear cover packing 16 in a manner that is, for example, dustproof, dripproof, or waterproof.

[0045] <10. Connector assembly method> A typical example of assembling connector 1 is described below. Note that the assembly procedure can be selected arbitrarily. As shown in Figure 1, first, the wire unit 3 is assembled as a single unit. Next, the assembled wire unit 3 is installed into the outer housing 2 through the opening 35. By installing the wire unit 3, the pair of inner housings 11 are guided by the guide wall 38 and inserted into the pair of insertion holes 27. Also, by installing the wire unit 3, the rear cover packing 16 is guided by the guide wall 38 and positioned in the groove 37. After installing the wire unit 3 into the outer housing 2, the rear cover 4 is attached to the outer housing 2. By attaching the rear cover 4, the gap between the groove 37 and the contact surface of the rear cover 4 is closed by the rear cover packing 16.

[0046] <11. Mechanism and Effects> In the connector 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, a guide wall 38 protrudes from the inner circumference of the opening 35 in the outer housing body 25 in the direction of insertion of the inner housing 11. This guide wall 38 guides the pair of inner housings 11 from the opening 35 into the pair of insertion holes 27. With this configuration, when assembling the pair of inner housings 11 into the housing portion 36 of the outer housing 2, the pair of inner housings 11 can be smoothly assembled into the housing portion 36 by guiding them with the guide wall 38. Terminals 12 are held in the pair of inner housings 11. Therefore, the pair of terminals 12 can be smoothly assembled into the housing portion 36 of the outer housing 2.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the guide wall 38 protrudes in the insertion direction of the inner housing 11. This configuration simplifies the shape of the outer housing 2. Therefore, deformation of the outer housing 2 can be suppressed.

[0048] Furthermore, by simplifying the shape of the outer housing 2, the mold used to form the outer housing 2 can be simplified, thereby reducing costs.

[0049] In this embodiment of the connector 1, a pair of inner housings 11, a pair of terminals 12, and a rubber rear cover packing 16 are assembled together to form a wire unit 3, and the wire unit 3 is assembled to the outer housing 2. In this assembly, the shape of the rear cover packing 16 is particularly difficult to stabilize, and it is necessary to assemble it into the groove 37 with precise aiming, making the assembly work difficult.

[0050] Therefore, the guide wall 38 is formed as part of the first inner wall 53 of the groove 37 and serves as the first inner wall 53. With this configuration, the inner circumference of the rear cover packing 16 can be aligned with the guide wall 38. By aligning the rear cover packing 16 with the guide wall 38, the wire unit 3 can be guided to the groove 37 by the guide wall. Thus, the rear cover packing 16 can be smoothly assembled into the groove 37 by aligning it with the guide wall 38, eliminating the need for assembly by aiming.

[0051] Furthermore, when assembling the wire unit 3 into the outer housing 2, it is necessary to assemble the pair of inner housings 11 and the rear cover packing 16 at the same time. The pair of inner housings 11 can be smoothly assembled into the housing section 36 by being guided by the guide wall 38. Similarly, the rear cover packing 16 can be smoothly assembled into the groove section 37 by being assembled along the guide wall 38. With this configuration, the rear cover packing 16 can be smoothly assembled simultaneously with the inner housings 11.

[0052] Furthermore, by using the guide wall 38 as part of the inner wall of the groove 37, the guide wall 38 can be provided on the outer housing 2 without increasing the size of the connector 1. With this configuration, the ease of assembly of the pair of inner housings 11 and the rear cover packing 16 can be improved without increasing the size of the connector 1.

[0053] According to the connector 1 of this embodiment, the guide wall 38 is provided over the entire area corresponding to the pair of inner housings 11. With this configuration, the pair of inner housings 11 can be reliably guided into the housing portion 36 by the guide wall 38, and the ease of assembly of the pair of inner housings 11 can be improved.

[0054] According to the connector 1 of this embodiment, accommodating a pair of inner housings 11 simultaneously in the housing section 36 makes it difficult to guide the pair of inner housings 11 into the housing section 36. Therefore, guide walls 38 are provided over the entire area corresponding to the pair of inner housings 11. With this configuration, the pair of inner housings 11 can be reliably guided into the housing section 36 simultaneously by the guide walls 38.

[0055] <11. Variant> Next, a modified example will be described. Note that, apart from the configuration described below, the configuration of the modified example is the same as that of the embodiment described above.

[0056] In one example of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the connector 100 includes an outer housing 101. The outer housing 101 has a guide wall 102. The guide wall 102 is provided corresponding to the upper surfaces of a pair of inner housings 11 (see also Figure 1). "Upper surfaces of the pair of inner housings 11" refers to the areas of the upper walls of the left and right inner housings 11. "Upper surface of the inner housing 11" refers to an example of one side surface of the inner housing 11.

[0057] According to the connector 100 of this embodiment, a guide wall 102 is provided corresponding to the upper surface of the pair of inner housings 11. With this configuration, the upper part 65a of the rear cover packing 16 can be supported by the guide wall 102 and guided into the groove 37, thereby improving the ease of assembly of the rear cover packing 16.

[0058] Furthermore, by providing guide walls 102 corresponding to the upper surfaces of the pair of inner housings 11, it is not necessary for the parts of the rear cover packing 16 other than the upper part 65a to come into contact with the guide walls 102. This configuration further improves the ease of assembly of the rear cover packing 16.

[0059] Furthermore, by providing guide walls 102 corresponding to the upper surfaces of the pair of inner housings 11, the pair of inner housings 11 can be smoothly assembled into the housing section 36 by guiding them with the guide walls 102.

[0060] Several embodiments and modifications have been described above. However, the embodiments and modifications are not limited to the examples described above. For example, multiple embodiments may be implemented in combination with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1,100 connectors 2,101 Outer Housing 4 Rear cover 11 Inner Housing 12 terminals 13 Electric wire 16 Rear cover gasket 35 Opening 36 Storage Unit 37 Groove 38,102 Guide wall 53. First Inner Wall (Inner Wall)

Claims

1. An outer housing having a housing section that opens to the outside through an opening, The housing portion includes at least one inner housing that is housed from the outside, A terminal held in at least one inner housing and crimped to an electric wire, Equipped with, The outer housing has a guide wall that protrudes from the inner circumference of the opening toward the outside in the insertion direction of the at least one inner housing. connector.

2. The aforementioned connector is A rear cover that closes the aforementioned opening, A rear cover packing is provided in a groove along the opening and closes the gap between the groove and the rear cover. Furthermore, The guide wall also serves as a part of the inner wall of the groove. The connector according to claim 1.

3. The guide wall is provided to cover the entire area of ​​at least one inner housing. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The at least one inner housing comprises a pair of inner housings housed in the housing portion, Each of the pair of inner housings holds the terminals. The connector according to claim 3.

5. The guide wall is provided corresponding to one side of the at least one inner housing. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

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