Group of wires with terminals

Abstract

The objective is to reduce the number of component types in a group of wires with terminals. [Solution] The group of wires with terminals comprises a wire with a first terminal including a first wire and a first terminal, and a wire with a second terminal including a second wire and a second terminal. The first terminal and the second terminal have the same terminal shape. The terminal shape has a fastening plate portion with one fastening hole formed therein and a wire connection portion that is connected to the wire. The first terminal and the second terminal are aligned in a second direction that intersects the first direction, which is the axial direction of the fastening hole. The first wire and the second wire extend from the connection portion to the first terminal and the second terminal in a third direction that intersects the first and second directions. The fastening plate portion is formed asymmetrically with respect to a line passing through the center of the fastening hole and parallel to the third direction. The fastening plate portion of the first terminal is fastened to the first connection partner with its first surface facing the first connection partner. The fastening plate portion of the second terminal is fastened to the second connection partner with its second surface, which is opposite to the first surface, facing the second connection partner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a group of electric wires with terminals.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a wire harness including a connector for charging a vehicle battery using a power source outside the vehicle. In the connector, the power supply terminal includes a connector terminal connected to a terminal of an external connector and a relay terminal connecting the connector terminal and a power supply line. Also, in the connector, two sets of connector terminals, relay terminals, and power supply lines are provided, and two of these relay terminals are formed in different shapes from each other.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a group of electric wires with terminals, it is desired to reduce the number of component types.

[0005] Therefore, an object is to reduce the number of component types in a group of electric wires with terminals.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The group of wires with terminals of this disclosure comprises a first wire with a terminal including a first wire and a first terminal connected to the first wire, and a second wire with a terminal including a second wire and a second terminal connected to the second wire, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal have the same terminal shape, the terminal shape having a fastening plate portion with one fastening hole formed therein and a wire connection portion connected to the wire, the axial direction of the fastening hole is the first direction, and the first terminal and the second terminal are aligned in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the first wire and The second wire extends in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions from the connection portion between the first and second terminals, the fastening plate portion is formed asymmetrically with respect to a line passing through the center of the fastening hole and parallel to the third direction, the fastening plate portion of the first terminal is fastened to the first connection partner with its first surface facing the first connection partner, and the fastening plate portion of the second terminal is fastened to the second connection partner with its second surface, opposite to the first surface, facing the second connection partner, thus forming a group of wires with terminals. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the number of component types in a group of wires with terminals can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a charging connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a rear view showing the charging connector. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view showing the charging connector. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a bottom view showing the charging connector. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded side view showing the charging connector. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a disassembled view of the housing and the wire with terminals. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the relay terminal before it is connected to the power line. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The charging connector of this disclosure is as follows:

[0011] (1) A charging connector mounted on a vehicle and connected to an external charging connector, comprising a power terminal, a housing for holding the power terminal, and a power line connected to the power terminal, wherein the power terminal includes a connector terminal connected to the power supply terminal of the external charging connector, and a relay terminal connected to the connector terminal and the power line, and the set of the connector terminal, the relay terminal and the power line includes a first set comprising a first connector terminal, a first relay terminal and a first power line which are electrically conductive to each other, and a second set comprising a second connector terminal, a second relay terminal and a second power line which are electrically conductive to each other, and if the direction in which the power supply terminal and the connector terminal are connected is defined as the first direction, then the first connector terminal and the second connector terminal intersect the first direction The first and second power lines are arranged in a second direction, and they extend in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions from the connection portion with the relay terminal. The first and second relay terminals have the same terminal shape, and the terminal shape has a fastening plate portion with a fastening hole formed therein and a wire connection portion connected to the power line. The fastening plate portion is formed asymmetrically with respect to a line passing through the center of the fastening hole and parallel to the third direction. The fastening plate portion of the first relay terminal is fastened to the first connector terminal with its first surface facing the first connector terminal, and the fastening plate portion of the second relay terminal is fastened to the second connector terminal with its second surface, opposite to the first surface, facing the second connector terminal.

[0012] In the charging connector configured as in (1), the power lines extend in a third direction, and by arranging the first and second relay terminals such that the first and second surfaces of the asymmetrically shaped fastening plate are facing opposite directions, terminals of the same shape can be used as the first and second relay terminals. This reduces the number of component types used for the first and second relay terminals to one. As a result, the number of component types in the charging connector can be reduced.

[0013] (2) In the charging connector of (1), the wire connection portion has an extension plate portion that extends from the fastening plate portion, and the surface on which the first power line is connected at the first relay terminal and the surface on which the second power line is connected at the second relay terminal may be the same surface on the extension plate portion of the power terminal. This makes it possible to connect the first power line to the first relay terminal and the second power line to the second relay terminal in the same direction.

[0014] (3) In the charging connector of (2), the fastening plate portion has a main plate portion in which the fastening holes are formed and a connecting plate portion extending from the main plate portion toward the wire connection portion, and the connecting plate portion may have a bent portion that bends in the thickness direction connecting the first surface and the second surface. As a result, the first relay terminal and the second relay terminal, which have the same terminal shape as each other, are arranged such that the direction of bending at the bent portion is opposite to that of each other. As a result, even when power lines are connected to the same surface of the terminal shape, it is easy to align the position of the first power line and the position of the second power line with respect to the main plate portion.

[0015] In the charging connector of (4)(3), the wire connection portion may have a crimping piece that protrudes from the extension plate portion and is crimped onto the power line. This makes it easier to align the positions of the first power line and the second power line with respect to the fastening plate portion, even when the intermediate terminal is connected to the power line by crimping.

[0016] (5) In any one of the charging connectors (1) to (4), an arm that protrudes from the housing and supports a portion of the power line that extends from the relay terminal is provided, and the positions of the first power line and the second power line from the support surface of the arm may be the same as each other. Thereby, the presence of the arm can reduce the influence of vehicle vibration on the terminal and screw fastening part. Also, if there is an existing arm with the power lines aligned in the same way, it is easy to divert the settings of the existing arm.

[0017] (6) In any one of the charging connectors (1) to (5), a signal terminal held by the housing and a signal line connected to the signal terminal are provided, and a recess for avoiding the arrangement region of the signal line is formed in the fastening plate portion, so that the fastening plate portion may have an asymmetric shape. Thereby, while separating the signal line and the power terminal, the number of component types of the terminals used for the first relay terminal and the second relay terminal can be made one.

[0018] (7) In the charging connector of (6), the housing includes a housing body that holds the connector terminal and the signal terminal, and a retainer attached to the rear portion of the housing body to press the rear of the connector terminal and the signal terminal, and the retainer may have an insulating wall formed in a shape along the recess of the first relay terminal and the recess of the second relay terminal while covering the periphery of the signal line. Thereby, while providing an insulating wall between the signal line and the first relay terminal and the second relay terminal, the number of component types of the terminals used for the first relay terminal and the second relay terminal can be made one.

[0019] (8) In any one of the charging connectors (1) to (7), the fastening hole is located at a position closer to one side portion from the center of the fastening plate portion, so that the fastening plate portion may have an asymmetric shape. Thereby, while enlarging the fastening plate portion, the number of component types of the terminals used for the first relay terminal and the second relay terminal can be made one.

[0020] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the charging connectors of this disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to these examples, and all modifications are intended to be included in the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims as indicated by the claims.

[0021] [Embodiment 1] The charging connector according to Embodiment 1 will be described below. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the charging connector 10 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 1 shows the X, Y, and Z directions which are orthogonal to each other. The X, Y, and Z directions shown in Figures 1 and subsequent figures correspond to the X, Y, and Z directions shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 is a rear view showing the charging connector 10. Figure 3 is a side view showing the charging connector 10. Figure 4 is a bottom view showing the charging connector 10. Figure 5 is an exploded side view showing the charging connector 10. Figure 6 is an exploded view of the housing 20 and the wire with terminals 44. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the relay terminal 46 before it is connected to the power line 56.

[0022] The charging connector 10 is mounted on the vehicle. As shown in Figure 4, the charging connector 10 is connected to the external charging connector 80 when charging the vehicle's battery, etc. The external charging connector 80 comprises an external housing 81 and a power supply terminal 82. In this disclosure, with respect to the front and rear of the charging connector 10, the side connected to the external charging connector 80 (the lower side of Figure 4) is referred to as the front, and the opposite side (the upper side of Figure 4) is referred to as the rear.

[0023] The charging connector 10 comprises terminals, wires, and a housing 20. The type and number of terminals and wires are usually determined by the specifications of the charging connector 10. Here, the charging connector 10 comprises two sets of power terminals 40 and power wires 56, and eight sets of signal terminals 61 and signal wires 62. Note that in Figures 1 to 6, some or all of the signal wires 62 are omitted. Also, in Figure 2, the shape of the signal terminals 61 is simplified to a circular shape.

[0024] Each power terminal 40 includes a connector terminal 42 connected to the power supply terminal 82 of the external charging connector 80, and an intermediate terminal 46 connected to the connector terminal 42 and the power line 56. In the drawings, the shape of the connector terminal 42 is simplified to a cylindrical shape. The connector terminal 42 and the power line 56 are electrically connected via the intermediate terminal 46. In the charging connector 10, the connector terminal 42, intermediate terminal 46 and power line 56 are provided as a first set including a first connector terminal 42R, a first intermediate terminal 46R and a first power line 56R that are electrically connected to each other, and a second set including a second connector terminal 42L, a second intermediate terminal 46L and a second power line 56L that are electrically connected to each other. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the first connector terminal 42R and the second connector terminal 42L, they may simply be referred to as connector terminal 42. The same applies to the intermediate terminal 46 and the power line 56. In this disclosure, the connection direction between the connector terminal 42 and the power supply terminal 82 is referred to as the first direction. The first direction is the front-to-back direction of the charging connector 10, which is the X direction in the drawing.

[0025] In the charging connector 10, the terminals that connect to the terminals of the external charging connector 80 (in this case, the connector terminals 42 and the signal terminals 61) are held in the housing 20 and arranged in a predetermined sequence. The arrangement of the terminals in the housing 20 is also usually determined by the specifications of the charging connector 10. Here, two connector terminals 42 and eight signal terminals 61 are arranged as follows.

[0026] The two connector terminals 42 are aligned in a direction intersecting the first direction (X direction). In this disclosure, the parallel direction of the two connector terminals 42 is referred to as the second direction, and the direction intersecting the first and second directions is referred to as the third direction. Here, the second direction is the Y direction in the drawing, and the third direction is the Z direction in the drawing. Two sets of signal terminal groups, each containing four signal terminals 61, are arranged above and below the two connector terminals 42 in the vertical direction of Figure 2. The two sets of signal terminal groups are each positioned between the two connector terminals 42 in the left-right direction of Figure 2. In each set of signal terminal groups, the four signal terminals 61 are provided at positions corresponding to the four corners of a square. In the following description, the upper and lower sides and the lower side of Figure 2 may be referred to as the upper and lower sides of the charging connector 10, and the left and right sides in the left-right direction of Figure 2 may be referred to as the left and right sides of the charging connector 10.

[0027] The housing 20 includes a housing body 21 and a retainer 30. The connector terminals 42 and signal terminals 61 are held in the housing body 21. Cavities are formed in the housing body 21. The number and arrangement of cavities (not shown) are appropriately set according to the destination country of the charging inlet. Here, the housing body 21 has 10 cavities corresponding to the number of terminals, formed at positions corresponding to the arrangement of the terminals. The connector terminals 42 and signal terminals 61 are inserted into the cavities from the rear of the housing body 21 along a first direction. The housing body 21 holds the connector terminals 42 and signal terminals 61 by housing them in each cavity. The housing body 21 is formed in a shape that mates with the external housing 81. When connecting the charging connector 10 and the external charging connector 80, the housing body 21 and the external housing 81 mate to guide the connection between the terminals of the charging connector 10 and the terminals of the external charging connector 80.

[0028] Here, a flange 23 is provided on the housing body 21. The flange 23 protrudes outward from the outer circumference of the housing body 21 at the front side of the housing body 21. A fixing portion 24 to the vehicle is provided on the flange 23. Here, a fastening hole is formed as the fixing portion 24, and it is bolted to a panel of the vehicle body or the like. However, the fixing portion 24 is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate.

[0029] The retainer 30 is attached to the rear of the housing body 21. The retainer 30 holds the rear of the connector terminals 42 and signal terminals 61. This prevents the connector terminals 42 and signal terminals 61 from coming out of the housing body 21. The retainer 30 also has through holes 31A and 31B that pass through the retainer 30 along a first direction. Two through holes 31A are formed at positions corresponding to the two connector terminals 42. The connector terminals 42 and the relay terminals 46 are fastened through the through holes 31A. The through holes 31A are smaller than the relay terminals 46. The peripheral portion of the retainer 30 of the through holes 31A supports the relay terminals 46. Eight through holes 31B are formed at positions corresponding to the eight signal terminals 61. The signal wires 62 extend to the rear of the housing 20 through the through holes 31B. The retainer 30 is fixed to the housing body 21 by, for example, a locking structure or a fastening structure.

[0030] In this embodiment, the retainer 30 has an insulating wall 32. The insulating wall 32 is provided to partition the first relay terminal 46R, the second relay terminal 46L, the upper group of four signal lines, and the lower group of four signal lines, respectively. A part of the insulating wall 32 forms an enclosure 33A surrounding the first relay terminal 46R. Similarly, another part of the insulating wall 32 provides an enclosure 33B surrounding the second relay terminal 46L, an enclosure 33C surrounding the upper group of four signal lines, and an enclosure 33D surrounding the lower group of four signal lines.

[0031] The enclosures 33A and 33B are formed to conform to the outer shapes of the first relay terminal 46R and the second relay terminal 46L. Furthermore, projections are provided on the inner surfaces of the enclosures 33A and 33B that protrude toward the first relay terminal 46R and the second relay terminal 46L. These projections position the first relay terminal 46R and the second relay terminal 46L relative to the retainer 30. Because the insulating wall 32 is partially absent on the lower side of the enclosures 33A and 33B, an opening 34 is provided in the enclosures 33A and 33B. The other ends of the first relay terminal 46R and the second relay terminal 46L extend downward from this opening 34.

[0032] The enclosure 33C partially encloses the lower part of the upper group of four signal lines. Since there is no relay terminal 46 located above the upper group of four signal lines, the enclosure 33C is not provided there either. The enclosure 33D encloses the entire perimeter of the lower group of four signal lines.

[0033] The connector terminal 42 has a power supply terminal connection portion and an intermediate terminal connection portion. The power supply terminal connection portion is provided at one end of the connector terminal 42 along the first direction, and the intermediate terminal connection portion is provided at the other end. The power supply terminal connection portion is connected to the power supply terminal 82 when the charging connector 10 is connected to the external charging connector 80. The configuration of the power supply terminal connection portion does not need to be such that it can be connected to the power supply terminal 82. The power supply terminal connection portion may, for example, have a female terminal structure formed in the shape of a cylinder. An opening may be formed at the tip of the power supply terminal connection portion into which the male terminal structure of the power supply terminal 82 is inserted. The intermediate terminal connection portion is fastened to the intermediate terminal 46. The intermediate terminal connection portion does not need to be such that it can be fastened to the intermediate terminal 46, and may, for example, be formed in the shape of a plate or a cylinder.

[0034] In the connector terminal 42, a stabilizer (not shown) is provided for positioning between the power supply terminal connection portion and the relay terminal connection portion, and the retainer 30 may press the stabilizer toward the housing body 21. For example, the stabilizer may protrude outward from the power supply terminal connection portion, and the retainer 30 may press the stabilizer toward the peripheral edge of the cavity opening.

[0035] The connector terminal 42 may be a pressed terminal formed by bending a conductor plate, or it may be a cut terminal formed by cutting a rod-shaped conductor.

[0036] A power line 56 is connected to each of the two relay terminals 46. The relay terminals 46 and the power lines 56 are connected to form a terminal-equipped wire 44. The first relay terminal 46R and the first power line 56R are connected to form a terminal-equipped wire 44R, and the second relay terminal 46L and the second power line 56L are connected to form a terminal-equipped wire 44L. The relay terminals 46, in the state of being terminal-equipped wires 44, can be fastened to a connector terminal 42.

[0037] The first power line 56R and the second power line 56L extend in a third direction from the connection point with the relay terminal 46. Each power line 56 is an insulated wire having a conductor core wire 57 and an insulating coating layer 58. At the end of the power line 56, the conductor core wire 57 is exposed on the tip side beyond the end of the insulating coating layer 58. This exposed core wire portion is connected to the wire connection part 53.

[0038] The two relay terminals 46 have the same terminal shape. The terminal shape of the relay terminal 46 shown in Figure 7 is common to the first relay terminal 46R and the second relay terminal 46L. The terminal shape of the relay terminal 46 will be described in detail later. Similarly, the two power lines 56 are formed to be the same shape. In the two terminal-equipped wires 44, the portion of the relay terminal 46 that is connected to the power line 56 and the direction of connection of the power line 56 are the same. For this reason, the two terminal-equipped wires 44 have the same shape. In the two terminal-equipped wires 44, the fastening orientation with the connector terminal 42 is opposite to that of the two wires 44.

[0039] Each signal terminal 61 includes a terminal connection portion and a signal line connection portion. The terminal connection portion is the part that connects to the signal terminal 61 of the external charging connector 80. For example, the terminal connection portion may have a female terminal structure that can connect to the male terminal structure of the signal terminal 61 of the external charging connector 80. The signal line connection portion is the part that connects to the signal line 62. The signal line connection portion may be, for example, a crimped portion that is crimped and connected to the signal line 62. The signal terminal 61 may also include a stabilizer (not shown) that is held in place by the retainer 30. For example, the stabilizer of the signal terminal 61 is provided between the terminal connection portion and the signal line connection portion, and the tip of the stabilizer may protrude outward from the terminal connection portion and the signal line connection portion. The retainer 30 may hold the stabilizer toward the peripheral edge of the cavity opening.

[0040] A signal line 62 is connected to each of the eight signal terminals 61. The signal terminals 61 and signal lines 62 are connected to form a terminal-equipped wire 60 (see Figure 5). The signal terminals 61 can be inserted into the cavity in the form of a terminal-equipped wire 60. Each signal line 62 is an insulated wire having a conductor core wire 57 and an insulating coating layer 58. The exposed core wire portion at the end of the signal line 62 is crimped to the crimp portion of the signal terminal 61.

[0041] The signal terminal 61 is housed within the housing 20 to its rear end. The signal wire 62 extends rearward from the through hole 31B of the retainer 30. The signal wire 62 extending from the through hole 31B of the retainer 30 is surrounded by the insulating walls 32 of the enclosures 33C and 33D. As shown in Figure 1, the insulating wall 32A extending from the lower side of enclosure 33C to the upper side of enclosure 33D, and the insulating wall 32B on the lower side of enclosure 33D are partially lower than the other insulating walls 32 of enclosures 33C and 33D. This creates an opening in enclosures 33C and 33D, and a passage for the signal wire 62 to pass through outside the opening in enclosures 33C and 33D. The signal wire 62 extending rearward from the through hole 31B extends downward through this opening and passage (see Figure 2).

[0042] The signal wire 62 is thinner than the power wire 56. The signal wire 62 can be bent with a smaller bending radius than the power wire 56. For example, the signal wire 62 can be bent 90 degrees between the rear opening of the through hole 31B of the retainer 30 and the tip of the insulating wall 32 (see Figure 1).

[0043] <Regarding the terminal shape of relay terminal 46> The terminal shape of the relay terminal 46 will be described in more detail. The relay terminal 46 has a fastening plate portion 47 in which fastening holes 49 are formed and a wire connection portion 53 that is connected to the power line 56. The fastening plate portion 47 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the relay terminal 46, and the wire connection portion 53 is provided at the other end. Here, the relay terminal 46 is a press terminal formed by bending a conductor plate.

[0044] The fastening plate portion 47 has a first surface 47A and a second surface 47B. The direction connecting the first surface 47A and the second surface 47B is the thickness direction of the fastening plate portion 47. The first surface 47A and the second surface 47B are surfaces that face opposite each other in the thickness direction. The fastening hole 49 penetrates from the first surface 47A to the second surface 47B. The fastening plate portion 47 is fastened to the connector terminal 42 by passing a fastening member such as a bolt B through the fastening hole 49. The fastening plate portion 47 has a main plate portion 48 and a connecting plate portion 50. The main plate portion 48 is the part in which the fastening hole 49 is formed. The main plate portion 48 is arranged so that its thickness direction is aligned with the first direction. The main plate portion 48 is supported by the peripheral edge of the through hole 31A of the retainer 30. The connecting plate portion 50 extends from the main plate portion 48 toward the wire connection portion 53. In this embodiment, the connecting plate portion 50 connects the main plate portion 48 and the wire connection portion 53.

[0045] In this embodiment, the connecting plate portion 50 has a bent portion 51 that bends in the thickness direction. The connecting plate portion 50 has a first plate portion 50A that includes two bent portions 51, and a second plate portion 50B that is closer to the wire connection portion 53 than the first plate portion 50A. The second plate portion 50B is parallel to the main plate portion 48. Here, the bent portions 51 are bent at an angle less than 90 degrees from the horizontal. However, the bent portions 51 may be bent at 90 degrees. The fastening plate portion 47 having the main plate portion 48 and the connecting plate portion 50 is formed in a shape in which a flat plate is bent in opposite directions in the thickness direction at two locations along the longitudinal direction.

[0046] As shown in Figure 2, the fastening plate portion 47 is formed asymmetrically with respect to a line L1 that passes through the center of the fastening hole 49 and is parallel to the third direction. The fastening plate portion 47 of the first relay terminal 46R is fastened to the first connector terminal 42R with its first surface 47A facing the first connector terminal 42R. The fastening plate portion 47 of the second relay terminal 46L is fastened to the first connector terminal 42R with its second surface 47B, which is opposite to the first surface 47A, facing the second connector terminal 42R. When viewed from the rear in the first direction, the fastening plate portion 47 of the first relay terminal 46R and the fastening plate portion 47 of the second relay terminal 46L are arranged symmetrically with respect to a line L that passes between the first relay terminal 46R and the second relay terminal 46L and is parallel to the third direction.

[0047] Here, the fastening plate portion 47 has an asymmetrical shape because a recess 52 is formed in the fastening plate portion 47 to avoid the area where the signal line 62 is located. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, when viewed from the rear in the first direction, a signal line 62 extending from one signal terminal 61 is located below the left end of the main plate portion 48 of the first relay terminal 46R. For this reason, it is difficult to extend the connecting plate portion 50 of the first relay terminal 46R directly below the left end of the main plate portion 48, so it is extended to avoid the area where the signal line 62 is located. Accordingly, a recess 52 is formed below the left end of the main plate portion 48 of the first relay terminal 46R. Similarly, there is also an area where the signal line 62 is located below the right end of the main plate portion 48 of the second relay terminal 46L, and the recess 52 of the second relay terminal 46L is located in this area where the signal line 62 is located.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2, the recess 52 is located to the side of the first plate portion 50A. The portion of the second plate portion 50B on the wire connection portion 53 side is offset to the side with the recess 52 compared to the portion of the second plate portion 50B that connects to the first plate portion 50A. This allows the power lines 56 to be brought closer together along the second direction compared to the case where the second plate portion 50B extends straight from the connection portion with the first plate portion 50A to the wire connection portion 53, thereby suppressing the increase in size of the charging connector 10. In addition, the center of the fastening hole 49 and the center of the power line 56 can be brought closer together in the second direction.

[0049] As shown in Figure 2, the insulating wall 32 in the enclosure 33D is formed in a shape that follows the recess 52 of the first relay terminal 46R and the recess 52 of the second relay terminal 46L. Parts of the insulating walls 32A and 32B, along with insulating walls 32C and 32D, form the enclosure 33D that surrounds the signal line 62. The insulating wall 32C is formed in a shape that follows the recess 52 of the first relay terminal 46R. The insulating wall 32D is formed in a shape that follows the recess 52 of the second relay terminal 46L.

[0050] Furthermore, the fastening holes 49 are located off-center to one side of the fastening plate portion 47 (the center of the main body plate portion 48), resulting in an asymmetrical shape for the fastening plate portion 47. Here, the fastening holes 49 of the two relay terminals 46 are located at the positions of the connector terminals 42, and the positions of the connector terminals 42 are determined by the specifications of the charging connector 10, etc. For this reason, it is difficult to widen one main body plate portion 48 toward the other main body plate portion 48, while it is easy to widen it away from the other main body plate portion 48. When one main body plate portion 48 is widened away from the other main body plate portion 48, the fastening holes 49 are located off-center to one side of the main body plate portion 48 (towards the other main body plate portion 48).

[0051] As shown in Figure 7, the wire connection portion 53 has an extension plate portion 54 and a crimping piece 55. The extension plate portion 54 is connected to the connecting plate portion 50. The extension plate portion 54 is the portion of the fastening plate portion 47 that extends from the connecting plate portion 50. In the extension plate portion 54, the surface continuous with the first surface 47A of the fastening plate portion 47 faces the same direction as the first surface 47A, and the surface continuous with the second surface 47B faces the same direction as the second surface 47B. Hereinafter, the surface continuous with the first surface 47A of the fastening plate portion 47 in the extension plate portion 54 will be referred to as the first surface 54A of the extension plate portion 54, and the surface continuous with the second surface 47B of the fastening plate portion 47 will be referred to as the second surface 54B of the extension plate portion 54. In the first relay terminal 46R, the surface to which the first power line 56R is connected, and in the second relay terminal 46L, the surface to which the second power line 56L is connected, are the same surface on the terminal-shaped extension plate portion 54 (in this case, the first surface 47A of the extension plate portion 54). In this embodiment, crimping pieces 55 protrude from both side edges of the extension plate portion 54 toward the first surface 47A of the extension plate portion 54. With the power line 56 positioned on the first surface 47A of the extension plate portion 54, the crimping pieces 55 are crimped onto the power line 56. In the terminal-equipped wires 44R and 44L, which are arranged in opposite directions, the positional relationship between the extension plate portion 54 and the crimping pieces 55 is also reversed. In the terminal-equipped wire 44R, the crimping piece 55 is located closer to the connector terminal 42 than the extension plate portion 54. In the terminal-equipped wire 44L, the extension plate portion 54 is located closer to the connector terminal 42 than the crimping piece 55.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5, the first plate portion 50A, which includes the bent portion 51, separates the main plate portion 48 and the second plate portion 50B in the thickness direction of the main plate portion 48. Here, the first surface 47A of the second plate portion 50B is located on the side of the second surface 47B of the main plate portion 48. Therefore, in the thickness direction of the main plate portion 48, the radial center C1 of the power line 56 connected to the first surface 47A of the second plate portion 50B is closer to the thickness direction center C2 of the main plate portion 48. As a result, even if the first relay terminal 46R and the second relay terminal 46L are arranged in opposite directions and the main plate portion 48 of the first relay terminal 46R and the main plate portion 48 of the second relay terminal 46L are in the same position in the thickness direction, it is possible to suppress a large separation between the radial center C1 of the first power line 56R and the radial center C1 of the second power line 56L in the thickness direction of the main plate portion 48.

[0053] As shown in Figure 5, the radial center C1 of the power line 56 may coincide with the thickness center C2 of the main plate portion 48 in the thickness direction of the main plate portion 48. This ensures that the radial center C1 of the first power line 56R and the radial center C1 of the second power line 56L coincide in the thickness direction of the main plate portion 48. The radial center C1 of the power line 56 may be located between the first surface 47A and the second surface 47B of the main plate portion 48 in the thickness direction of the main plate portion 48. This ensures that the distance between the radial center C1 of the first power line 56R and the radial center C1 of the second power line 56L in the thickness direction of the main plate portion 48 is less than or equal to the thickness dimension of the main plate portion 48. In this disclosure, if the distance between the radial center C1 of the first power line 56R and the radial center C1 of the second power line 56L in the thickness direction (first direction) of the main plate portion 48 is less than or equal to the thickness dimension of the main plate portion 48, then the radial center C1 of the first power line 56R and the radial center C1 of the second power line 56L are deemed to be in the same position.

[0054] <Regarding the support structure for the terminal-equipped electric wire 44> Here, the charging connector 10 includes an arm 25. The arm 25 protrudes from the housing 20. Here, the arm 25 protrudes from the housing body 21. The arm 25 supports the portion of the power line 56 that extends from the relay terminal 46. A support portion 26 for supporting the power line 56 is provided at the tip of the arm 25. Here, the portion of the power line 56 slightly intermediate from the end of the insulating coating layer 58 is supported by the support portion 26. The bottom surface (the front surface in the first direction) of the support portion 26 is the support surface of the arm 25.

[0055] The positions of the first power line 56R and the second power line 56L from the support surface of the arm 25 are the same. The support surface supporting the first power line 56R and the support surface supporting the second power line 56L are in the same position in the first direction. Furthermore, as described above, the first plate portion 50A including the bent portion 51 separates the main plate portion 48 and the second plate portion 50B in the thickness direction of the main plate portion 48, so that the radial center C1 of the first power line 56R and the radial center C1 of the second power line 56L are in the same position in the first direction. Therefore, the positions of the first power line 56R and the second power line 56L from the support surface of the arm 25 are the same.

[0056] In the terminal-equipped wire 44, the main plate portion 48 is supported by the retainer 30 and the power line 56 is supported by the arm 25. The portion of the terminal-equipped wire 44 between the portion supported by the retainer 30 and the portion supported by the arm 25 is not supported by anything. In the charging connector 10, a portion supporting the portion of the terminal-equipped wire 44 between the portion supported by the retainer 30 and the portion supported by the arm 25 may be provided.

[0057] <Effects, etc.> With the charging connector 10 configured as described above, the power line 56 extends in a third direction, and by arranging the first relay terminal 46R and the second relay terminal 46L on the fastening plate portion 47 having an asymmetrical shape such that the first surface 47A and the second surface 47B face opposite directions, terminals of the same shape can be used for the first relay terminal 46R and the second relay terminal 46L. As a result, the number of component types for the terminals used for the first relay terminal 46R and the second relay terminal 46L can be reduced to one. This reduces the number of component types in the charging connector 10.

[0058] Furthermore, the surface to which the first power line 56R is connected at the first relay terminal 46R and the surface to which the second power line 56L is connected at the second relay terminal 46L are both the same first surface 47A of the extension plate portion 54. This makes it possible to make the direction in which the first power line 56R is connected to the first relay terminal 46R and the direction in which the second power line 56L is connected to the second relay terminal 46L the same. This makes it possible to make the shape of the connection portion between the relay terminal 46 and the power line 56 the same for the two terminal-equipped wires 44R and 44L.

[0059] Furthermore, the connecting plate portion 50 has a bent portion 51 that bends in the thickness direction. As a result, the first relay terminal 46R and the second relay terminal 46L are arranged so that the bending direction of the bent portion 51 is opposite to that of the first relay terminal 46R. This makes it easier to align the position of the first power line 56R (a position along the thickness direction of the main plate portion 48) and the position of the second power line 56L with respect to the main plate portion 48, even when the power lines 56 are connected to the same surface of the terminal shape.

[0060] Furthermore, the wire connection portion 53 has a crimping piece 55 that protrudes from the extension plate portion 54 and is crimped onto the power wire 56. This makes it easier to align the position of the first power wire 56R (a position along the thickness direction of the fastening plate portion 47) and the position of the second power wire 56L with respect to the fastening plate portion 47, even when the relay terminal 46 is connected to the power wire 56 by crimping.

[0061] Furthermore, the positions of the first power line 56R and the second power line 56L from the support surface of the arm 25 are the same. This reduces the impact of vehicle vibrations on the terminal and screw fastening parts due to the presence of the arm 25. Also, if there is an existing arm with the same alignment of power lines 56 as the arm 25, the settings of that existing arm can be easily reused. This helps to suppress the increase in development costs of the charging connector 10.

[0062] Furthermore, the fastening plate portion 47 has an asymmetrical shape because a recess 52 is formed in the fastening plate portion 47 to avoid the area where the signal line 62 is to be placed. This allows the signal line 62 and the power terminal 40 to be separated, while the number of terminal component types used for the first relay terminal 46R and the second relay terminal 46L can be reduced to one.

[0063] Furthermore, the retainer 30 has an insulating wall 32 that covers the periphery of the signal line 62 and is shaped to conform to the recess 52 of the first relay terminal 46R and the recess 52 of the second relay terminal 46L. This allows for the provision of an insulating wall 32 between the signal line 62 and the first and second relay terminals 46R and 46L, while reducing the number of terminal component types used for the first and second relay terminals 46R and 46L to one. It also allows the signal line 62 to be extended further back than the relay terminal 46. This makes the connector terminal 42 shorter in the first direction.

[0064] Furthermore, the fastening hole 49 is positioned off-center from the center of the fastening plate portion 47 (in this case, the center of the main body plate portion 48 in the second direction), resulting in an asymmetrical shape for the fastening plate portion 47. This allows for a larger fastening plate portion 47 while reducing the number of terminal component types used for the first relay terminal 46R and the second relay terminal 46L to just one.

[0065] [Note] Up until now, it has been explained that the surface to which the first power line 56R is connected at the first relay terminal 46R and the surface to which the second power line 56L is connected at the second relay terminal 46L are the same first surface 47A of the extension plate portion 54 of the terminal shape, but this is not an essential configuration. For example, the first power line 56R may be connected to the first surface 47A of the extension plate portion 54 at the first relay terminal 46R, and the second power line 56L may be connected to the second surface 47B of the extension plate portion 54 at the second relay terminal 46L.

[0066] Furthermore, although the wire connection portion 53 has been described as having a crimping piece 55 that is crimped onto the power line 56, this is not an essential configuration. For example, the wire connection portion may be connected to the power line 56 by welding the power line 56 to the extension plate portion 54.

[0067] Furthermore, although the connecting plate portion 50 has been described as having a bent portion 51 that bends in the thickness direction, this is not an essential configuration. The connecting plate portion 50 does not need to have a bent portion 51. In this case, the positions of the first power line 56R and the second power line 56L can be aligned by welding the power line 56 to the second surface 47B at the first relay terminal 46R and the power line 56 to the first surface 47A at the second relay terminal 46L, even if the connecting plate portion 50 is not provided with a bent portion 51.

[0068] Furthermore, while it has been described so far that the charging connector 10 includes an arm 25 and that the positions of the first power line 56R and the second power line 56L from the support surface of the arm 25 are the same, this is not an essential configuration. The charging connector 10 does not need to include an arm 25. Also, even if the charging connector 10 includes an arm 25, the positions of the first power line 56R and the second power line 56L from the support surface of the arm 25 may be different. The support surface supporting the first power line 56R and the support surface supporting the second power line 56L may be offset in the first direction.

[0069] Furthermore, it has been explained that the fastening plate portion 47 has an asymmetrical shape because it has a recess 52 that avoids the area where the signal line 62 is placed. However, this is not an essential configuration. For example, if the fastening plate portion 47 does not need to avoid the area where the signal line 62 is placed, the recess 52 does not need to be provided in the fastening plate portion 47. In this case, the fastening plate portion 47 may be made asymmetrical by a configuration other than the recess 52.

[0070] Furthermore, while the retainer 30 has been described as having an insulating wall 32 that covers the periphery of the signal line 62 and is shaped to conform to the recesses 52 of the first relay terminal 46R and the second relay terminal 46L, this is not an essential configuration. The retainer 30 does not need to have an insulating wall 32 that conforms to the recesses 52.

[0071] Furthermore, it has been explained that the fastening plate portion 47 is asymmetrical in shape because the fastening hole 49 is located off-center to one side of the fastening plate portion 47, but this is not an essential configuration. For example, the fastening hole 49 may be located at the center of the fastening plate portion 47. In this case, the fastening plate portion 47 may be asymmetrical in shape by a configuration other than the bias in the position of the fastening hole 49.

[0072] Furthermore, the configurations described in each of the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate, as long as they do not contradict each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 Charging Connectors 20 Housing 21 Housing body 23 Flange 24 Fixed part 25 Arms 26 Support part 30 retainers 31A, 31B through hole 32, 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D Insulating wall 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D Enclosure 34 Aperture 40 Power terminal 42 Connector terminals 42R First connector terminal (connector terminal) 42L Second connector terminal (connector terminal) 44, 44L, 44R, 60 terminal wires 46 Relay terminals 46R First relay terminal (relay terminal) 46L Second relay terminal (relay terminal) 47 Fastening plate section 47A 1st page 47B Page 2 48 Main body panel 49 Fastening hole 50 Connecting plate part 50A First plate section 50B 2nd plate part 51 Bending section 52 recess 53 Wire connection section 54 Extension plate part 55 Crimping pieces 56 Power lines 56R 1st power line (power line) 56L Second Power Line (Power Line) 57 Conductor core wire 58 Insulating coating layer 61 Signal terminals 62 signal line 80 External charging connector 81 External Housing 82 Power supply terminal B bolt C1 Radial center of the power line C2 Center of the thickness direction of the main body plate

Claims

1. A first wire with a first terminal, including a first wire and a first terminal connected to the first wire, A second wire with a second terminal, including a second wire and a second terminal connected to the second wire, Equipped with, The first terminal and the second terminal have the same terminal shape. The terminal shape has a fastening plate portion with one fastening hole formed therein and a wire connection portion that is connected to an electric wire. The axial direction of the fastening hole is defined as the first direction. The first terminal and the second terminal are aligned in a second direction that intersects the first direction, The first and second electric wires extend in a third direction that intersects the first and second directions, respectively, from the connection point with the first and second terminals. The fastening plate portion is formed asymmetrically with respect to a line passing through the center of the fastening hole and parallel to the third direction, The fastening plate portion of the first terminal is fastened to the first connection partner with its first surface facing the first connection partner. A group of wires with terminals, wherein the fastening plate portion of the second terminal is fastened to the second connection partner with the second surface opposite to the first surface facing the second connection partner.

2. A group of wires with terminals according to claim 1, The wire connection portion has an extension plate portion that extends from the fastening plate portion, The surface on which the first wire is connected at the first terminal and the surface on which the second wire is connected at the second terminal are the same surface on the extension plate portion. The fastening plate portion comprises a main plate portion in which the fastening holes are formed, and a connecting plate portion extending from the main plate portion toward the wire connection portion. The connecting plate portion has a bent portion that curves in the thickness direction connecting the first surface and the second surface, The aforementioned bent portion is a group of wires with terminals, in which the main plate portion is offset relative to the extension plate portion toward the center of the wire.

3. A group of wires with terminals according to claim 2, The system includes a support member that supports the first and second electric wires, A group of wires with terminals, wherein the positions of the first wire and the second wire are the same relative to the support surface of the support member.

4. A group of wires with terminals according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The wire connection portion has an extension plate portion that extends from the fastening plate portion, The fastening plate portion has a main plate portion in which the fastening holes are formed, A group of wires with terminals, wherein the fastening plate portion has an asymmetrical shape due to the formation of a recess in the portion between the main plate portion and the extension plate portion of the fastening plate portion.

5. A group of wires with terminals according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A group of wires with terminals, comprising a housing that holds the first terminal and the second terminal.

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