Terminal unit

Abstract

To provide a terminal unit that can improve the detection accuracy of the detection unit on its own. [Solution] The terminal unit 40 includes a terminal body 50 extending along a first axis X, a temperature sensor 70 having a detection unit 71 capable of detecting the temperature of the terminal body 50 and a signal line 72 capable of transmitting the signal detected by the detection unit 71, and a sensor holder 80 having a sensor holding unit 81 that holds the detection unit 71 so that the detection unit 71 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the terminal body 50, and a fixing unit 82 that is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the terminal body 50.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal unit.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a terminal unit held by a connector housing, there is one including a metal terminal body, a detection unit capable of detecting the temperature of the terminal body, and a temperature sensor such as a thermistor having a signal line capable of transmitting a signal detected by the detection unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This terminal body has a recess in a part of its outer peripheral surface. The detection unit of the thermistor is housed in the recess. Then, the terminal unit is inserted into the connector housing so that the detection unit is sandwiched and held between the bottom surface of the recess and the connector housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above configuration, unless a connector housing much larger than the terminal unit is manufactured with sufficiently high dimensional accuracy, the detection unit will rattle. This causes a decrease in the detection accuracy of the detection unit.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a terminal unit capable of improving the detection accuracy of a detection unit alone.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The terminal unit of this disclosure comprises a terminal body extending along a first axis; a temperature sensor having a detection unit capable of detecting the temperature of the terminal body and a signal line capable of transmitting the signal detected by the detection unit; and a sensor holder having a sensor holding unit that holds the detection unit so that the detection unit contacts the outer peripheral surface of the terminal body, and a fixing unit that is fitted onto the outer periphery of the terminal body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The terminal unit of this disclosure can improve the detection accuracy of the detection unit on its own. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector in one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a connector in one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a connector in one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a terminal unit in one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a terminal unit in one embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a plan view of a temperature sensor and sensor holder in one embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a terminal unit in one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. The terminal unit disclosed herein is [1] The device comprises a terminal body extending along a first axis, a temperature sensor having a detection unit capable of detecting the temperature of the terminal body and a signal line capable of transmitting the signal detected by the detection unit, and a sensor holder having a sensor holding unit that holds the detection unit so that the detection unit contacts the outer peripheral surface of the terminal body and a fixing unit that is fitted onto the outer circumference of the terminal body.

[0010] According to this configuration, the sensor holder has a sensor holding part that holds the detection part so that the detection part contacts the outer surface of the terminal body, and a fixing part that is fitted onto the outer circumference of the terminal body. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the detection part can be improved regardless of the dimensional accuracy of the connector housing. In other words, the sensor holder prevents the detection part from rattling relative to the terminal body, regardless of the dimensional accuracy of the connector housing, and the detection accuracy of the detection part can be improved by the terminal unit alone.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the outer surface of the terminal body may have a flat contact surface in a part of the circumferential direction, and the detection unit may be in surface contact with the flat contact surface. According to this configuration, the outer surface of the terminal body has a flat contact surface in a portion of the circumferential direction, and the detection unit is in surface contact with the flat contact surface, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the detection unit. In addition, for example, it is possible to prevent the detection unit from shifting in the circumferential direction of the terminal body.

[0012] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the detection unit may be formed in an elongated shape, and its longitudinal direction may be arranged along the tangent to the outer surface of the terminal body. According to this configuration, the detection unit is formed in an elongated shape, and its longitudinal direction is aligned with the tangent to the outer surface of the terminal body. Therefore, compared to, for example, the case where its longitudinal direction is aligned with the first axis, the terminal body can be made shorter.

[0013] [4] In any one of the above [1] to [3], the fixing portion may be an arc-shaped portion that is fitted to the outer circumference of the terminal body while covering the entire outer circumference of the terminal body together with the sensor holding portion.

[0014] According to the same configuration, the fixing part is an arc-shaped part that is fitted to the outer periphery of the terminal body while covering the entire outer periphery of the terminal body together with the sensor holding part. Therefore, it can be firmly fixed to the outer periphery of the terminal body with a thin-walled configuration. That is, for example, if the arc-shaped part is a C-shaped fixing part that does not cover the entire outer periphery of the terminal body together with the sensor holding part, it is necessary to have a thick-walled configuration to firmly fix it to the outer periphery of the terminal body. However, this can be avoided and it can be firmly fixed to the outer periphery of the terminal body.

[0015] [5] In [4] above, the arc-shaped part may have a pressing contact rib that protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface. According to the same configuration, since the arc-shaped part has a pressing contact rib that protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface, for example, by the pressing contact rib being crushed while pressing against the terminal body, it can be fixed to the outer periphery of the terminal body without rattling. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the detection part can be further improved.

[0016] [6] In any one of [1] to [5] above, the sensor holding part may have a cylindrical part into which the detection part can be inserted and a locking claw that prevents the detection part from coming out in a state where it is inserted into the cylindrical part.

[0017] According to the same configuration, since the sensor holding part has a cylindrical part into which the detection part can be inserted and a locking claw that prevents the detection part from coming out in a state where it is inserted into the cylindrical part, the detection part can be easily held by the sensor holding part.

[0018] [Details of the Embodiment of the Present Disclosure] A specific example of the connector of the present disclosure will be described below while referring to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, a part of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may be different in each drawing.

[0019] As used herein, the term "tubular" includes not only structures with a continuous circumferential wall along their entire circumference, but also structures formed by combining multiple parts, and structures with notches or other cutouts in the circumferential direction, such as a C-shape. The outer circumferential shape of a "tubular" includes, but is not limited to, circular, elliptical, and polygonal shapes with pointed or rounded corners. A "tubular" is a shape having a through hole in a plan view, and includes those where the outer circumferential shape and the inner circumferential shape of the through hole are the same, or where the outer circumferential shape and the inner circumferential shape of the through hole are different. A "tubular" includes structures having a predetermined length extending along the axial direction from which a central axis passing through the center of the through hole extends, regardless of the magnitude of that length. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "annular" may refer to any structure that forms a loop, or a continuous shape without ends, as well as a generally loop-shaped structure with a gap, such as a C-shape. The shape of an "annular" includes, but is not limited to, circular, elliptical, and polygonal shapes with pointed or rounded corners. In this specification, “opposing” means that two faces or members are facing each other, including not only when they are fully facing each other, but also when they are partially facing each other. Furthermore, in this specification, “opposing” 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,” and “third” 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 to be included.

[0020] (Configuration of connector 10) As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connector 10 comprises a connector housing 20, a retainer 30, and a terminal unit 40. The connector 10 of this embodiment comprises two terminal units 40. The connector 10 of this embodiment is a charging inlet provided in, for example, an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. In each figure, 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 are shown. The figures also show a first direction X1 along the first axis X and a first opposite direction X2 opposite to the first direction X1. Furthermore, the figures show an upward direction Z1 along the third axis Z and a downward direction Z2 opposite to the upward direction Z1.

[0021] (Configuration of connector housing 20) The connector housing 20 is made of resin. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector housing 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends along the first axis X. The connector housing 20 has two terminal holding portions 21 inside. The two terminal holding portions 21 are arranged side by side along the second axis Y. The terminal holding portions 21 are formed in a cylindrical shape into which the terminal unit 40 can be inserted in the first direction X1.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the end of the terminal holding portion 21 in the first direction X1 has an inward extension portion 22 that extends radially inward. The end face of the inward extension portion 22 in the first opposite direction X2 is abutting surface 23 against which the end face of the terminal unit 40 in the first direction X1 abuts. The end of the connector housing 20 in the first opposite direction X2 is a rear end opening 24 to which the retainer 30 is fixed.

[0023] (Composition of retainer 30) The retainer 30 is made of resin. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the retainer 30 is formed in a disc shape that covers the rear end opening 24 of the connector housing 20 (see Figures 2 and 3). The retainer 30 has two cylindrical portions 31 that penetrate along the first axis X and protrude in the first direction X1 and the first opposite direction X2. The two cylindrical portions 31 are arranged along the second axis Y at positions corresponding to the two terminal holding portions 21.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 31 has locking ribs 32 that protrude from the upward direction Z1 to the downward direction Z2, and locking ribs 32 that protrude from the downward direction Z2 to the upward direction Z1.

[0025] (Configuration of terminal unit 40) As shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, the terminal unit 40 comprises a terminal body 50, a rubber ring 60, a temperature sensor 70 such as a thermistor, and a sensor holder 80. The terminal unit 40 is formed by assembling the rubber ring 60, the temperature sensor 70, and the sensor holder 80.

[0026] (Configuration of terminal body 50) The terminal body 50 is made of metal. The terminal body 50 extends along the first axis X. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the terminal body 50 has a terminal connection portion 51, an intermediate portion 52, a holder fixing portion 53, and a base end connection portion 54. The terminal body 50 is formed in this order from a first direction X1 to a first opposite direction X2.

[0027] The terminal connection portion 51 extends along the first axis X and has multiple contact pieces 51a in the circumferential direction that are elastic in the radial direction. When a rod-shaped mating terminal (not shown) is inserted into the terminal connection portion 51, the terminal connection portion 51 makes contact with the mating terminal by pressing against it due to its own elasticity, thereby electrically connecting with the mating terminal.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the intermediate portion 52 has an annular recess 52a that is recessed radially inward from the outer circumference. The annular recess 52a is formed around the entire circumference of the intermediate portion 52. A rubber ring 60 is fitted onto the annular recess 52a.

[0029] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the outer circumferential surface of the holder fixing portion 53 has a flat contact surface 53a in a part of the circumferential direction. More specifically, the outer circumferential surface of the holder fixing portion 53 has a flat contact surface 53a and an arcuate surface 53b. The holder fixing portion 53 has a so-called D-cut shape.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the outer circumferential surface of the base end connector 54 has a flat surface 54a and an arcuate surface 54b, as well as two recesses 54c that are recessed radially inward from a part of the outer circumference of the arcuate surface 54b. The base end connector 54 has a so-called D-cut shape, the same shape as the holder fixing portion 53, with the two recesses 54c recessed into it. Furthermore, a female screw hole 54d is provided on the end face of the base end connector 54 in the first opposite direction X2. The base end connector 54 is electrically connected to the terminal by a bolt (not shown) that passes through the plate-shaped terminal (not shown) that is in contact with the end face of the first opposite direction X2 and is screwed into the female screw hole 54d.

[0031] (Configuration of temperature sensor 70) As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 7, the temperature sensor 70 has a detection unit 71 capable of detecting the temperature of the terminal body 50, and a pair of signal lines 72 capable of transmitting the signal detected by the detection unit 71. The detection unit 71 is formed in the shape of a long rectangular parallelepiped. The pair of signal lines 72 extend outward from one end in the longitudinal direction of the detection unit 71.

[0032] (Configuration of sensor holder 80) As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the sensor holder 80 has a sensor holding portion 81 that holds the detection portion 71 of the temperature sensor 70 so that the detection portion 71 contacts the outer circumferential surface of the terminal body 50, and an arc-shaped portion 82 that serves as a fixing portion fitted onto the outer circumference of the terminal body 50. In this embodiment, the sensor holder 80 is fitted onto the outer circumference of the holder fixing portion 53 of the terminal body 50.

[0033] The sensor holding portion 81 has a cylindrical portion 83 into which the detection portion 71 can be inserted, and a locking claw 84 that prevents the detection portion 71 from coming out when it is inserted into the cylindrical portion 83. More specifically, the cylindrical portion 83 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape that can accommodate the elongated rectangular parallelepiped detection portion 71.

[0034] As shown in Figure 7, the inner end of the cylindrical portion 83 in the direction in which the detection unit 71 is inserted has a stopper portion 85 against which the detection unit 71 abuts. The locking claw 84 is provided at the outer end of the cylindrical portion 83 in the direction in which the detection unit 71 is inserted. The locking claw 84 is provided at the end of a flexible piece 86 that forms part of the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 83 and is capable of bending inward and outward. Furthermore, on the opposite side of the flexible piece 86 in the cylindrical portion 83, on the inside of the sensor holder 80, there is an opening 87 that exposes a part of the detection unit 71.

[0035] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the arc-shaped portion 82, together with the sensor holding portion 81, covers the entire circumference of the terminal body 50 and is fitted onto the outer circumference of the terminal body 50. More specifically, the arc-shaped portion 82 is connected to both sides in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion 83, and together with the cylindrical portion 83, it is possible to fit it onto the outer circumference of the terminal body 50 while covering the entire circumference of the terminal body 50. The sensor holder 80, having the sensor holding portion 81 and the arc-shaped portion 82, is fitted onto the terminal body 50 by moving from the state shown in Figure 5 to the state shown in Figure 4, from a first opposite direction X2 on the terminal body 50 to a first direction X1 relative to the terminal body 50. In other words, the sensor holder 80 is fitted onto the terminal body 50 by inserting the terminal body 50 into the inner circumference formed by the sensor holding portion 81 and the arc-shaped portion 82.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6, the arc-shaped portion 82 has a pressing contact rib 88 that protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface. In this embodiment, the arc-shaped portion 82 has five pressing contact ribs 88 spaced apart in the circumferential direction. As shown in Figure 7, when the arc-shaped portion 82 is fitted onto the outer circumference of the terminal body 50, the radially inward tip of the pressing contact rib 88 is crushed and makes pressing contact with the terminal body 50.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7, the detection unit 71 in this embodiment makes surface contact with the flat contact surface 53a of the holder fixing portion 53 of the terminal body 50 through the opening 87. Furthermore, the longitudinal direction of the detection unit 71 is positioned along the tangent to the outer circumferential surface of the terminal body 50.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the terminal unit 40 configured as described above is inserted into the terminal holding portion 21 until it abuts against the abutment surface 23 of the connector housing 20. With the terminal unit 40 inserted into the terminal holding portion 21, the rubber ring 60 presses against the inner circumferential surface of the terminal holding portion 21 to prevent liquid from passing through that area.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, with the retainer 30 fixed to the rear end opening 24 of the connector housing 20, the locking rib 32 of the retainer 30 fits into the recess 54c of the terminal body 50. As a result, the holder fixing portion 53 of the terminal body 50 and the locking rib 32 face each other along the first axis X, preventing the terminal unit 40 from coming loose from the terminal holding portion 21.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, with the retainer 30 fixed to the rear end opening 24 of the connector housing 20, the sensor holder 80 is prevented from coming loose from the terminal body 50 by the sensor holding portion 81 and the cylindrical portion 31 of the retainer 30 facing each other along the first axis X. In other words, the retainer 30 of this embodiment prevents the terminal body 50 from moving in the first opposite direction X2 relative to the connector housing 20, and prevents the sensor holder 80 from moving in the first opposite direction X2 relative to the terminal body 50.

[0041] (Function of connector 10) Next, the operation of the connector 10 configured as described above will be explained. For example, when the other charging connector is connected to the connector 10 and a large current for charging flows through the terminal body 50, the temperature of the terminal body 50 is detected by the detection unit 71 of the temperature sensor 70. The temperature of the terminal body 50 is then monitored by a control unit (not shown) connected to the signal line 72 of the temperature sensor 70. For example, if the temperature of the terminal body 50 exceeds a preset temperature, the control unit performs a control action such as stopping the charging.

[0042] (Effects of this embodiment) Next, the effects of the above embodiment are described below. (1) The terminal unit 40 includes a sensor holder 80 having a sensor holding portion 81 that holds the detection portion 71 so that the detection portion 71 contacts the outer circumferential surface of the terminal body 50, and an arc-shaped portion 82 that serves as a fixing portion fitted onto the outer circumference of the terminal body 50. Therefore, regardless of the dimensional accuracy of the connector housing 20, the detection portion 71 is prevented from rattling relative to the terminal body 50, and the detection accuracy of the detection portion 71 can be improved by the terminal unit 40 alone.

[0043] (2) The outer circumferential surface of the holder fixing portion 53 of the terminal body 50 has a flat contact surface 53a in a part of the circumferential direction, and the detection portion 71 of the temperature sensor 70 is in surface contact with the flat contact surface 53a, so the detection accuracy of the detection portion 71 can be improved compared to, for example, line contact. Also, for example, it is possible to prevent the detection portion 71 from shifting in the circumferential direction of the terminal body 50.

[0044] (3) The detection unit 71 is formed in an elongated shape, and its longitudinal direction is arranged along the tangent to the outer surface of the terminal body 50. Therefore, compared to, for example, the case where its longitudinal direction is arranged along the first axis X extending from the terminal body 50, the terminal body 50 can be made shorter in axis.

[0045] (4) The fixing portion is an arc-shaped portion 82 that is fitted onto the outer circumference of the terminal body 50 while covering the entire circumference of the outer circumference of the terminal body 50 together with the sensor holding portion 81, so it can be firmly fixed to the outer circumference of the terminal body 50 with a thin-walled structure. That is, for example, if the arc-shaped portion 82 were a C-shaped fixing portion that does not cover the entire circumference of the outer circumference of the terminal body 50 together with the sensor holding portion 81, it would be necessary to make it thicker in order to firmly fix it to the outer circumference of the terminal body 50, but this can be avoided.

[0046] (5) The arc-shaped portion 82 has a pressing contact rib 88 that protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface. For example, the pressing contact rib 88 can be compressed and make pressing contact with the terminal body 50, thereby fixing it to the outer circumference of the terminal body 50 without any rattle. Thus, the detection accuracy of the detection unit 71 can be further improved.

[0047] (6) The sensor holding portion 81 has a cylindrical portion 83 into which the detection portion 71 can be inserted, and a locking claw 84 that prevents the detection portion 71 from coming out when it is inserted into the cylindrical portion 83, so that the detection portion 71 can be easily held in the sensor holding portion 81.

[0048] (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.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the outer circumferential surface of the holder fixing portion 53 of the terminal body 50 has a flat contact surface 53a in a part of the circumferential direction, and the detection portion 71 of the temperature sensor 70 is in surface contact with the flat contact surface 53a, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the outer circumferential surface of the holder fixing portion 53 of the terminal body 50 does not have to have a flat contact surface 53a in a part of the circumferential direction. Also, for example, the detection portion 71 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and may have a shape that makes surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the terminal body 50 that is not the flat contact surface 53a.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the detection unit 71 is positioned with its longitudinal direction along the tangent to the outer surface of the terminal body 50. However, it is not limited to this, and for example, its longitudinal direction may be positioned along the first axis X extending from the terminal body 50.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the fixing portion is an arc-shaped portion 82 that, together with the sensor holding portion 81, covers the entire circumference of the outer circumference of the terminal body 50 and is fitted onto the outer circumference of the terminal body 50. However, it may be changed to a fixing portion of another shape that can be fitted onto the outer circumference of the terminal body 50. For example, the fixing portion may be a C-shaped fixing portion in which the arc-shaped portion 82, together with the sensor holding portion 81, does not cover the entire circumference of the outer circumference of the terminal body 50.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the sensor holding portion 81 has a cylindrical portion 83 into which the detection portion 71 can be inserted, and a locking claw 84 to prevent the detection portion 71 from coming out when it is inserted into the cylindrical portion 83. However, the sensor holding portion may be changed to another shape as long as it can hold the detection portion 71.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the connector 10 is provided with two terminal units 40, but it is not limited to this, and may be configured to have any other number of terminal units 40. Also, although the connector 10 is provided as a charging inlet, it is not limited to this, and may be a connector 10 for other purposes.

[0054] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 10 connectors 20 Connector Housing 21 Terminal holding part 22 Inner part 23 Dead end 24 Rear end opening 30 retainers 31 Cylindrical section 32 Locking ribs 40 Terminal Unit 50 terminal body 51 Terminal connection section 51a Contact piece 52 Middle section 52a Annular recess 53 Holder fixing part 53a Flat contact surface 53b Circular arc surface 54 Base connection 54a flat surface 54b Circular arc surface 54c recess 54d Female threaded hole 60 rubber rings 70 Temperature Sensor 71 Detection unit 72 signal line 80 Sensor holder 81 Sensor holding part 82 Arc-shaped part 83 Cylindrical part 84 Locking claws 85 Dead end 86 Flexible piece 87 Opening 88 Press Contact Ribs X 1st axis X1 1st direction X2 First opposite direction Y 2nd axis Z 3rd axis Z1 upward direction Z2 Downward

Claims

1. A terminal body extending along the first axis, A temperature sensor having a detection unit capable of detecting the temperature of the terminal body and a signal line capable of transmitting the signal detected by the detection unit, The sensor holder comprises a sensor holding portion that holds the detection portion so that the detection portion contacts the outer circumferential surface of the terminal body, and a fixing portion that is fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the terminal body. Terminal unit.

2. The outer surface of the terminal body has a flat contact surface in a part of the circumferential direction. The detection unit is in surface contact with the flat contact surface, The terminal unit according to claim 1.

3. The detection unit is formed in an elongated shape, and its longitudinal direction is arranged along the tangent to the outer surface of the terminal body. The terminal unit according to claim 1.

4. The fixing portion is an arc-shaped portion that, together with the sensor holding portion, covers the entire circumference of the outer circumference of the terminal body and is fitted onto the outer circumference of the terminal body. The terminal unit according to claim 1.

5. The arc-shaped portion has a pressing contact rib that protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface. The terminal unit according to claim 4.

6. The sensor holding portion has a cylindrical portion into which the detection portion can be inserted, and a locking claw that prevents the detection portion from coming out when it is inserted into the cylindrical portion. The terminal unit according to claim 1.

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