connector

Abstract

To provide an easy-to-manufacture connector that can suppress the temperature rise of terminal components when power is applied. [Solution] The charging inlet 1 comprises a terminal member 70 to which a wire connection part 41 is electrically connected to a core wire 4 exposed from the insulation 2 of the wire terminal, a connector housing 20 that holds the terminal member 70 in a terminal holding part 51, a refrigerant storage part 53 that communicates with the terminal holding part 51, a refrigerant 100 that is circulated from the outside into the refrigerant storage part 53, and a waterproof member 45 that covers the wire terminal to which the wire connection part 41 is connected in order to prevent the refrigerant 100 from entering the insulation 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a connector (charging inlet) installed in a vehicle has been used to supply (charge) power from outside the vehicle to a battery mounted in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. In such a connector, a large current is required due to an increase in the capacity of the mounted power storage device and a shortening of the charging time. However, when the current increases, the temperature rise of the connector becomes large due to heat generation at the terminal connection part of the connector during energization. Therefore, a connector capable of suppressing the temperature rise during energization has been proposed for a connector having a terminal connection part such as a charging inlet (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5).

[0003] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a vehicle-side terminal (terminal member), a connector housing that holds the vehicle-side terminal, and a heat storage body housed in the connector housing. The heat storage body includes a case housed in the connector housing and a heat storage material housed in the case. Therefore, the heat storage material of the heat storage body can absorb the heat generated at the terminal, and thus can suppress a rapid temperature rise of the terminal or the like.

[0004] [[ID=二十二]] Further, the connector disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a terminal (terminal member) having a holding part integrally formed with a terminal connection part and a wire connection part, and a heat storage body held by the holding part. The heat storage body has a heat storage material (latent heat storage material) housed inside (enclosed space) of a case held by the holding part. The heat storage material can absorb the heat generated at the terminal. Therefore, a rapid temperature rise of the terminal can be suppressed.

[0005] Furthermore, the liquid-cooled charging system for vehicles disclosed in Patent Document 3 has a fluid circuit that extends along the components of the charging assembly (such as contact terminals and housing). As a result, a coolant flows through the fluid circuit, allowing heat to be dissipated from the components of the charging assembly during vehicle charging.

[0006] Furthermore, the vehicle charging inlet cooling device disclosed in Patent Document 4 includes a power receiving terminal (terminal member), a housing that holds the power receiving terminal, and a charging inlet cooling circuit that is connected to a battery cooling circuit and supplied with a refrigerant. The housing has a flow path for the refrigerant supplied from the charging inlet cooling circuit. Therefore, during charging, the refrigerant flows through the flow path in the housing that holds the power receiving terminal, and the power receiving terminal held by the housing can be cooled.

[0007] Furthermore, the connector disclosed in Patent Document 5 has a refrigerant channel through which a refrigerant flows inside the terminal (terminal member). Therefore, during charging, the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant channel of the terminal, and the terminal can be cooled. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-113448 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-187920 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-19499 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-25813 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-7469 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] However, in the connectors disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2, the heat storage material stores heat, which slows down the rise in temperature of the heat-generating part and allows for temperature suppression. However, when a large current flows, heat storage alone cannot satisfy the temperature requirements.

[0010] Furthermore, in the cooling method disclosed in Patent Document 4, a refrigerant circulates within the flow path, which can suppress a rapid temperature rise when power is applied. However, because the heat from the terminals is cooled through the housing, the thermal resistance is high, making it difficult to satisfy even higher temperature requirements.

[0011] Furthermore, the connectors disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 3 and 5 require the formation of a refrigerant channel through which the refrigerant flows within the terminal, and the connection of the cable's wire conductor and cooling pipe to the terminal, respectively, resulting in a complex terminal structure. This leads to the problem of increased manufacturing costs for the connectors.

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an easy-to-manufacture connector that can suppress the temperature rise of the terminal members when energized. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the connector according to the present invention is characterized by the following: A terminal member in which the wire connection part is electrically connected to the core wire exposed from the insulation of the wire end, A connector housing that holds the terminal member in the terminal holding portion, A refrigerant housing portion communicating with the terminal holding portion, The refrigerant housing contains a refrigerant that is circulated from the outside, To prevent the refrigerant from entering the covering, a waterproof member covers the wire terminal to which the wire connection is connected, A connector equipped with this feature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can suppress the temperature rise of the terminal member during energization and is easy to manufacture.

[0015] As described above, the present invention has been briefly explained. Further, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through the embodiments (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") for carrying out the invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Explanation of Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the arrow II-II of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the connection portion between the terminal and the electric wire shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connector immediately before the cover is attached to the connector housing, viewed from the rear side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the arrow VI-VI of FIG. 2.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0017] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the respective drawings.

[0018] A charging inlet 1, which is a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, is installed in a vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, and is a connector connected to an electric wire extending from a battery mounted on the vehicle. By fitting a mating connector (so-called charging gun) into the fitting recess 63 (see FIG. 1 etc.) of the charging inlet 1, power is supplied from the outside of the vehicle to the battery, and the battery is charged.

[0019] For the sake of explanation, the "front-back direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are defined below as shown in Figure 1. These "front-back direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are orthogonal to each other. The front-back direction coincides with the mating direction of the charging inlet 1 and the mating connector (not shown). The side facing the charging inlet 1 in the mating direction (the side approaching the mating connector) is called the "front side," and the side facing the charging inlet 1 in the unmating direction (the side moving away from the mating connector) is called the "rear side."

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the charging inlet 1 comprises a pair of terminal members 70 to which one end of a pair of electric wires 3 is electrically connected, and a connector housing 20 that houses the pair of terminal members 70. The other end of the electric wires 3 is connected to a battery (not shown). The electric wires 3 consist of a core wire 4 and an insulating resin sheath 2 that covers the core wire 4 (see Figure 4). The components constituting the charging inlet 1 will be described in order below.

[0021] First, let's explain the connector housing 20. In this example, the connector housing 20 comprises a holder 50, a housing body 60, and a cover 30, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The holder 50 and the housing body 60 are skeletal components of the connector housing 20 and constitute a part of the outer surface of the connector housing 20. Of course, the connector housing of the present invention is not limited to this, and can take various forms based on the spirit of the present invention.

[0022] The "skeletal components" of the connector housing 20 refer to components that have sufficient hardness and strength to maintain the shape of the connector housing 20 itself in order to withstand the external force that the terminal member 70 receives when it is mated with the mating terminal (not shown). In other words, they refer to components made of a material that does not soften or become brittle to the extent that it becomes difficult to maintain the shape due to the rise in the operating temperature of the terminal member 70.

[0023] The following describes each component that makes up the connector housing 20 in order. The holder 50 functions to hold a pair of terminal members 70 in a state of isolation from each other with a gap between them in the left-right direction. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the holder 50 is integrally molded with a pair of terminal holding portions 51 arranged in the left-right direction, a refrigerant housing portion 53 formed on the rear side opposite the terminal holding portions 51, and a pair of wire introduction portions 55 arranged in the left-right direction.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, each terminal holding portion 51 in the holder 50 has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-to-back direction. The connecting portion 52 connects a pair of terminal holding portions 51. The power terminals 10 of the pair of terminal members 70 are inserted into the internal space of the pair of terminal holding portions 51 from the front.

[0025] The refrigerant containment section 53 is formed in a concave shape with the rear end opposite the terminal holding section 51 open by an opening 56. The opening 56 of the refrigerant containment section 53 is sealed by a cover 30, which will be described later, thereby forming a containment space into which insulating refrigerant 100 is liquid-sealed. The refrigerant containment section 53 is in communication with the internal space of each terminal holding section 51.

[0026] The wire entry section 55 extends downward, intersecting the mating direction with the mating connector of the holder 50. A wire insertion hole 57 is formed in this wire entry section 55, which communicates with the refrigerant housing section 53. The LA terminals 40 of the pair of terminal members 70 are inserted into the wire insertion hole 57 from below.

[0027] The front end of the holder 50 is integrally provided with a pair of extensions 54 extending outward in the left-right direction from both sides of the front end, and a pair of side wall portions 59 extending forward from the extension ends of the pair of extensions 54. The pair of side wall portions 59, when viewed from the front-rear direction, have a shape that corresponds to a part of the circumferential shape (cylindrical shape) of the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 61 of the housing body 60, which will be described later, and can be attached to the cylindrical portion 61 so as to cover the outer circumference of the rear end of the cylindrical portion 61.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the outer circumferential surfaces (outer surfaces in the left-right direction) of the pair of side wall portions 59 are provided with screw insertion portions 58 at multiple locations (four locations in this example). Each screw insertion portion 58 has a screw insertion hole 58a that penetrates in the front-rear direction. Screws (not shown) for assembling the housing body 60 are inserted through the screw insertion holes 58a.

[0029] Next, we will explain the housing body 60. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the housing body 60 is assembled to the holder 50 from the front and also functions to form the fitting recess 63 of the charging inlet 1. The housing body 60 is a resin molded product and integrally has a cylindrical tubular portion 61 extending in the front-rear direction and a rear wall portion 62 that closes the rear opening of the tubular portion 61. The tubular portion 61 and the rear wall portion 62 define a fitting recess 63 that opens forward and is recessed to the rear.

[0030] On the rear wall portion 62, a pair of cylindrical female terminal housing portions 64 are provided so as to protrude forward, corresponding to the terminal connection portions 21 of the pair of power terminals 10. Each female terminal housing portion 64 is located within a fitting recess 63 and has an internal space that penetrates in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the rear wall portion 62 is provided with a pair of cylindrical holder fitting portions 69 that protrude to the rear, corresponding to a pair of female terminal housing portions 64. When the holder fitting portions 69 are assembled to the holder 50 from the front, they are fitted onto the front end of the terminal holding portion 51 of the holder 50.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, an annular flange portion 65 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 61 at a position rearward from the center in the front-rear direction, projecting radially outward from the cylindrical portion 61. The flange portion 65 has multiple screw insertion holes 67 formed at multiple locations (four in this example) in the circumferential direction, corresponding to the multiple screw insertion holes 58a of the holder 50, and these holes penetrate in the front-rear direction. Screws for assembling the housing body 60 are inserted through the screw insertion holes 67.

[0032] Next, I will explain cover 30. The cover 30 is formed in an oval plate shape and is assembled to the refrigerant storage portion 53 of the holder 50 from the rear side via an annular sealing member 33 (see Figure 5). As a result, the opening 56 of the refrigerant storage portion 53 of the holder 50 is sealed by the cover 30.

[0033] The cover 30 has a plurality of locking pieces 35 formed on its periphery, each having a locking hole 34. When the cover 30 is assembled to the holder 50, the locking claws 32 formed on the holder 50 fit into the locking holes 34 of these locking pieces 35. As a result, each locking piece 35 is locked by the locking claws 32, and the cover 30 is held in the assembled state relative to the holder 50.

[0034] Furthermore, one end each of the refrigerant supply path 37a and the refrigerant return path 37b, which serve as refrigerant pathways communicating with the refrigerant storage section 53, are connected to a pair of openings 31 formed in the cover 30. The other ends of the refrigerant supply path 37a and the refrigerant return path 37b are connected to a cooling device (not shown) that cools the refrigerant 100, and the refrigerant 100 filled in the refrigerant storage section 53 of the holder 50 circulates through this device. That is, the refrigerant 100 cooled by the cooling device is supplied to the refrigerant storage section 53 through the refrigerant supply path 37a and discharged from the refrigerant storage section 53 to the cooling device through the refrigerant return path 37b. As the refrigerant 100, insulating oil, insulating coolant, etc., can be used. As for the cooling device, the cooling device for the on-board battery installed in the vehicle, or the cooling device installed in the charger outside the vehicle, can be used.

[0035] A collar 38 is fitted inside and a rubber stopper 39 is fitted outside one end of the refrigerant supply path 37a and the refrigerant return path 37b, which are connected to the opening 31 of the cover 30. Thus, although the refrigerant supply path 37a and the refrigerant return path 37b are formed of a flexible tubular material, one end of the refrigerant supply path 37a and the refrigerant return path 37b can be liquid-tightly connected to the opening 31.

[0036] Next, the terminal member 70 according to this embodiment will be described. In this example, the pair of terminal members 70 are identical in shape. Each terminal member 70 is integrally composed of a power terminal 10 that is fitted into the mating terminal, an LA terminal 40 that is crimped onto the core wire 4 of the electric wire 3, and a bolt 90 that fastens the LA terminal 40 together with the rear end of the power terminal 10.

[0037] The power terminal 10 is made of metal and, as shown in Figure 3, has a terminal connection portion 21 on its front end that is electrically connected to a mating terminal (male terminal), and a holding portion 22 on its rear end that is held by a holder 50 of the connector housing 20.

[0038] The terminal connection portion 21 is a female terminal portion having a plurality of elastic contact pieces 14. The plurality of elastic contact pieces 14 have a substantially cylindrical shape, and a mating terminal (male terminal) is inserted inside. Note that the terminal connection portion 21 in this embodiment is not limited to a female terminal portion, but can also be configured as a male terminal portion.

[0039] The retaining portion 22 is formed in a short, solid cylindrical shape, and an O-ring 92 is fitted into an annular groove formed on its outer surface. A screw hole 23 is drilled in the rear end surface of the retaining portion 22 into which a bolt 90 is screwed.

[0040] Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating the connection between the wire connection portion 41 of the LA terminal 40 shown in Figure 3 and the wire 3. In Figure 4, the LA terminal 40 on the right is shown with a waterproof member 45 installed to prevent the refrigerant 100 from leaking out through the wire 3, while the LA terminal 40 on the left is shown before the waterproof member 45 was installed.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the LA terminal 40 has a wire connection portion 41 that is crimped onto the core wire 4 of the electric wire 3. The wire end to which the wire connection portion 41 of the LA terminal 40 is connected is covered with a waterproof member 45.

[0042] As the waterproofing member 45, heat shrink tubing, potting, resin molding, etc., can be used. The waterproofing member 45 prevents the refrigerant 100 from entering the insulation 2 of the electric wire 3 by covering at least the tip of the core wire 4 that is crimped to the electric wire connection part 41 that is crimped to the core wire 4, up to the end of the insulation 2 where the core wire 4 is exposed.

[0043] Next, the assembly procedure for the charging inlet 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the charging inlet 1, viewed from the rear, just before the cover 30 is attached to the connector housing 20. First, as shown in Figure 2, the power terminal 10 is inserted from the front into the internal space of the terminal holding portion 51 of the connector housing 20. The O-ring 92 attached to the power terminal 10 presses against the inner wall surface of the terminal holding portion 51, thereby sealing the space between the terminal holding portion 51 and the power terminal 10.

[0044] Then, the wire 3 to which the LA terminal 40 is connected is passed through the wire entry section 55 of the holder 50, and the LA terminal 40 is fastened together with the rear end of the power terminal 10 using a bolt 90. As a result, the terminal member 70, with the power terminal 10 held in the terminal holding section 51, is housed inside the connector housing 20.

[0045] Furthermore, a rubber stopper 93 is attached to the electric wire 3, and the rubber stopper 93 seals off the space between the end of the electric wire 3 and the electric wire insertion hole 57 of the electric wire introduction section 55. The rubber stopper 93 is prevented from coming off by a rear holder 80 attached to the lower end of the electric wire introduction section 55.

[0046] Next, as shown in Figure 5, the cover 30 is assembled to the connector housing 20, and the locking claws 32 of the connector housing 20 are locked to the locking pieces 35 of the cover 30. As a result, with the cover 30 assembled to the connector housing 20, the opening 56 of the refrigerant housing 53, which is also the assembly work hole for the terminal member 70, is covered by the cover 30.

[0047] In this case, the opening 56 of the refrigerant containment section 53 is sealed by the sealing member 33 of the cover 30, as shown in Figures 2 and 6. Furthermore, the space between the terminal holding section 51, which is connected to the refrigerant containment section 53, and the power terminal 10 is sealed by an O-ring 92, and the space between the wire introduction section 55, which is connected to the refrigerant containment section 53, and the wire 3 is sealed by a rubber stopper 93. In addition, the wire terminal to which the wire connection section 41 of the LA terminal 40 of the terminal member 70 is connected is covered by a waterproof member 45, thereby preventing the refrigerant 100 from entering the insulation 2 of the wire 3.

[0048] Therefore, the refrigerant 100 can be reliably sealed in the refrigerant storage space of the refrigerant storage section 53. The refrigerant 100 filled in the refrigerant storage section 53 can then circulate between the cooling device and the refrigerant supply path 37a and the refrigerant return path 37b connected to the cover 30.

[0049] Next, the operation of the charging inlet 1 according to the present embodiment described above will be explained. When the charging gun is fitted into the charging inlet 1 shown in Figure 1, a charging current is supplied to the vehicle's battery from an external charger through the charging gun and the charging inlet 1. In particular, if a large charging current is supplied to the battery from an external charger to shorten the charging time, heat is likely to be generated at the contact point between the mating terminal of the charging gun and the power terminal 10 of the terminal member 70 in the charging inlet 1.

[0050] In this embodiment, the charging inlet 1 circulates refrigerant 100 in the refrigerant storage space 53, which communicates with the terminal holding portion 51 of the connector housing 20. That is, the terminal member 70 is immersed in the refrigerant 100 in the refrigerant storage portion 53, creating a structure that allows the heated terminal member 70 and the refrigerant 100 to come into direct contact.

[0051] Therefore, with the charging inlet 1 of this embodiment, the heated terminal member 70 can come into direct contact with the refrigerant 100 circulating from the outside, thus reducing thermal resistance and achieving high cooling performance. In addition, the refrigerant 100 in the refrigerant housing 53 is constantly circulating, creating a temperature difference with the heat-generating part, which allows for efficient heat transfer and dissipation, and suppresses temperature rise.

[0052] Furthermore, a refrigerant storage portion 53 communicating with the terminal holding portion 51 can be easily formed in the holder 50 of the connector housing 20, and there is no need to form a refrigerant flow path in the terminal member 70, thus suppressing an increase in the manufacturing cost of the charging inlet 1.

[0053] Furthermore, in the charging inlet 1 of this embodiment, the terminal member 70 has a power terminal 10 that is fitted into the mating terminal and an LA terminal 40 that is fastened together with the power terminal 10 by a bolt 90. Therefore, when assembling the charging inlet 1, the power terminal 10 is inserted into the terminal holding portion 51, the wire 3 to which the LA terminal 40 is connected is passed through the wire introduction portion 55 of the holder 50, and then the LA terminal 40 is fastened together with the rear end of the power terminal 10 with a bolt 90, thereby allowing the terminal member 70 to be easily housed inside the connector housing 20.

[0054] Furthermore, in the charging inlet 1 of this embodiment, an O-ring 92 attached to the power terminal 10 held by the terminal holding portion 51 seals off water between the terminal holding portion 51 and the power terminal 10, and a rubber stopper 93 attached to the wire end that passes through the wire introduction portion 55 of the holder 50 in the connector housing 20 seals off water between the wire introduction portion 55 and the wire end of the wire 3. Therefore, the refrigerant 100 can be reliably liquid-sealed into the refrigerant storage space 53 formed in the holder 50 of the connector housing 20.

[0055] Furthermore, the refrigerant storage section 53 in the charging inlet 1 of this embodiment is connected to a refrigerant forward path 37a and a refrigerant return path 37b, which are connected to a cooling device that cools the refrigerant 100. Therefore, the refrigerant 100 in the refrigerant housing 53 is constantly circulating through the refrigerant supply path 37a and the refrigerant return path 37b, creating a temperature difference with the heat-generating section, which allows for efficient heat transfer and heat dissipation, and thus suppresses temperature rise.

[0056] Therefore, it is possible to provide a charging inlet 1 that is easy to manufacture and can suppress the temperature rise of the terminal member 70 when power is applied.

[0057] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc., as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, placement, etc. of each component in the embodiments described above are arbitrary and not limited, as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0058] For example, in the charging inlet 1 described above, a pair of terminal members 70 corresponding to the positive and negative electrodes are housed in a common refrigerant housing 53, so an insulating refrigerant 100 such as insulating oil or insulating coolant is used. In contrast, if the pair of terminal members 70 are each housed in a pair of separate refrigerant housings separated by a partition wall, or if a single terminal member 70 is housed in a single refrigerant housing, then insulating properties are not required for the refrigerant, and a conductive refrigerant such as water or coolant can be used.

[0059] Furthermore, in the charging inlet 1 described above, the terminal member 70 is integrally constructed by fastening the power terminal 10 and the LA terminal 40 together with a bolt 90. However, the terminal member of the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that it can take various forms based on the spirit of the present invention.

[0060] Here, the features of the embodiments of the connector according to the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [4]. [1] A terminal member (70) in which a wire connection part (41) is electrically connected to a core wire (4) exposed from the insulation (2) of the wire terminal, A connector housing (20) that holds the terminal member (70) in the terminal holding portion (51), A refrigerant housing portion (53) that communicates with the terminal holding portion (51), The refrigerant housing (53) contains a refrigerant (100) that is circulated from the outside, In order to prevent the refrigerant (100) from entering the covering (2), a waterproof member (45) is provided to cover the wire terminal to which the wire connection part (41) is connected, A connector equipped with (charging inlet 1).

[0061] According to the connector (charging inlet 1) with the configuration described in [1] above, the terminal member (70) is immersed in the refrigerant (100) in the refrigerant housing (53), and the structure is such that the heated terminal member (70) and the refrigerant (100) can come into direct contact. Therefore, the heated terminal member (70) can come into direct contact with the refrigerant (100) circulating from the outside, resulting in reduced thermal resistance and high cooling performance. Furthermore, the refrigerant (100) in the refrigerant housing (53) is constantly circulating, creating a temperature difference with the heat-generating part, enabling efficient heat transfer and dissipation, and suppressing temperature rise. Furthermore, a refrigerant housing portion (53) communicating with the terminal holding portion (51) can be easily formed in the connector housing (20), and there is no need to form a refrigerant flow path in the terminal member (70), thus suppressing an increase in the manufacturing cost of the connector (charging inlet 1).

[0062] [2] The terminal member (70) has a power terminal (10) that is fitted into the mating terminal and an LA terminal (40) whose wire connection portion (41) is crimped to the wire end and fastened together with the power terminal (10) by a bolt (90). The connector described in [1] above (charging inlet 1).

[0063] With the connector (charging inlet 1) configured as described in [2] above, when assembling the connector (charging inlet 1), the power terminal (10) is inserted into the terminal holding portion (51), the wire (3) to which the LA terminal (40) is connected is passed through the wire introduction portion (55) of the connector housing (20), and then the LA terminal (40) is fastened together with the rear end of the power terminal (10) with a bolt (90), thereby allowing the terminal member (70) to be easily housed inside the connector housing (20).

[0064] [3] The O-ring (92) attached to the power terminal (10) held by the terminal holding portion (51) seals off water between the terminal holding portion (51) and the power terminal (10), An annular rubber stopper (93) attached to the wire end that passes through the wire entry section (55) of the connector housing (20) seals off water between the wire entry section (55) and the wire end. The connector described in [2] above (charging inlet 1).

[0065] With the connector (charging inlet 1) configured as described in [3] above, the refrigerant (100) can be reliably liquid-sealed into the refrigerant storage space (53) formed in the connector housing (20).

[0066] [4] The refrigerant housing section (53) is connected to a refrigerant supply path (37a) and a refrigerant return path (37b) which are connected to a cooling device for cooling the refrigerant (100). The connector (charging inlet 1) described in any one of the above [1] to [3].

[0067] According to the connector (charging inlet 1) with the configuration described in [4] above, the refrigerant (100) in the refrigerant housing (53) is constantly circulating through the refrigerant supply path (37a) and the refrigerant return path (37b), creating a temperature difference with the heat-generating part, which allows for efficient heat transfer and heat dissipation, and suppression of temperature rise. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1…Charging inlet (connector) 2...covering 3...Electric wire 4…Core wire 20… Connector housing 41... Wire connection part 45... Waterproofing materials 51...Terminal holding part 53... Refrigerant storage section 70…Terminal components 100... Refrigerant

Claims

1. A terminal member in which the wire connection part is electrically connected to the core wire exposed from the insulation of the wire end, A connector housing that holds the terminal member in the terminal holding portion, A refrigerant housing portion communicating with the terminal holding portion, The refrigerant housing contains a refrigerant that is circulated from the outside, To prevent the refrigerant from entering the covering, a waterproof member covers the wire terminal to which the wire connection is connected, A connector equipped with this feature.

2. The terminal member has a power terminal that is fitted to a mating terminal and an LA terminal whose wire connection portion is crimped to the wire end and fastened together with the power terminal by a bolt. The connector according to claim 1.

3. The O-ring attached to the power terminal held by the terminal holding portion seals the gap between the terminal holding portion and the power terminal. An annular rubber stopper attached to the wire end, which is passed through the wire entry section of the connector housing, seals off water between the wire entry section and the wire end. The connector according to claim 2.

4. The refrigerant storage section is connected to a refrigerant supply path and a refrigerant return path that are connected to a cooling device for cooling the refrigerant. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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