Connectors and wire harnesses

Abstract

To provide a connector and wire harness that allows for easy insertion of multiple shield terminals. [Solution] A connector according to one embodiment comprises a connector housing and a shield shell. The connector housing is matable with a mating connector in a first direction. The shield shell is locked within the connector housing in the first direction. The connector housing has a plurality of first housings capable of accommodating a plurality of terminals and a second housing capable of accommodating the shield shell. The shield shell surrounds the plurality of first housings. The shield shell includes a first member and a second member. The first member is aligned with respect to the second member in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first member is movable with respect to the second member in the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses "a connector including a housing joined to a mating connector and a plurality of terminals housed in the housing." The terminals disclosed in Patent Document 1 include shielded terminals to which a shielded wire having an inner coating, a shield layer, and an outer coating sequentially provided around a conductor is connected. A cylindrical shield terminal made of a conductive metal material is attached to an end of the outer coating, and the shield layer exposed from the outer coating is folded back and covered on the shield terminal. Inside the housing, a shield shell that covers at least the shield terminal is provided. With this configuration, the shield layer is electrically connected to the shield shell via the shield terminal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when the shield shell provided in the housing is movable, the following may occur. When at least one of the plurality of shield terminals is housed in the housing, the shield shell may move due to the shield terminal attached to a part of the shield wire. The moved shield shell is likely to interfere with the shield terminals attached to other wires, making it difficult to insert other shield terminals.

[0005] One embodiment provides a connector and wire harness that allow for easy insertion of multiple shield terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connector according to one embodiment comprises a connector housing and a shield shell. The connector housing is matable with a mating connector in a first direction. The shield shell is locked within the connector housing in the first direction. The connector housing has a plurality of first housings capable of accommodating a plurality of terminals and a second housing capable of accommodating the shield shell. The shield shell surrounds the plurality of first housings. The shield shell includes a first member and a second member. The first member is aligned with respect to the second member in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first member is movable with respect to the second member in the second direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment, multiple shield terminals are easily inserted. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing a wire harness of an embodiment. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing a partially disassembled wire harness of the embodiment. [Figure 3] A plan view showing the wire harness of the embodiment. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing a wire with terminals according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of a wire with terminals, as shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 4 shows a magnified view of a portion of the wire with terminals. [Figure 7] A front view showing the connector of the embodiment. [Figure 8] A front view showing a portion of the connector of the embodiment. [Figure 9] A cross-sectional view of the connector shown in Figure 7, along the F9-F9 line. [Figure 10]A cross-sectional view of the connector shown in Figure 7, along the F10-F10 line. [Figure 11] A perspective view showing the shield shell 22 of the embodiment. [Figure 12] A cross-sectional view along the F12-F12 wire of the terminal-equipped electric wire shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings and specific configurations used in each embodiment should not be used to interpret the disclosure. In all drawings, identical or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and common descriptions are omitted.

[0010] In this disclosure, the +X direction, -X direction, +Y direction, -Y direction, +Z direction, and -Z direction are defined as follows: The +Y direction is the direction in which mating with the mating connector occurs. The -Y direction is the direction opposite to the +Y direction. Hereinafter, when the -Y direction and the +Y direction are not distinguished, they will simply be referred to as the "Y direction". The X direction is the direction that intersects (e.g., is orthogonal to) the Y direction. The +X direction is one of the X directions. The -X direction is the direction opposite to the +X direction. Hereinafter, when the -X direction and the +X direction are not distinguished, they will simply be referred to as the "X direction". The -Z direction and the +Z direction are directions that intersect (e.g., are orthogonal to) the Y direction and the X direction. Hereinafter, when the -Z direction and the +Z direction are not distinguished, they will simply be referred to as the "Z direction". The Y direction is an example of a "first direction". The X direction is an example of a "second direction". The Z direction is an example of a "third direction".

[0011] The above expression is for explanatory purposes only and does not limit the mating direction of connector 2 to the other connector.

[0012] The following describes a wire harness 3 according to one embodiment, using diagrams. Figure 3 shows the wire harness 3 as it passes through the outer housing 21B (described later) of the connector 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wire harness 3. The connector 2 is a connecting component for electrically connecting the electric wire 11 and a mating portion described later. The connector 2 is, for example, a connector used in a vehicle such as an EV (Electric Vehicle), an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle).

[0013] In the present embodiment, the mating connector is located on the +Y direction side of the connector 2.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the wire harness 3 includes a connector 2 and a plurality of terminal wires 1. The wire harness 3 is a wire with a connector that includes a connector 2 assembled to the end of the terminal wire 1. At least one or more terminal wires 1 are inserted into the connector 2 according to the number of poles of the connector 2. For example, in the present embodiment, the wire harness 3 includes two terminal wires 1 and a two-pole connector 2. For example, each of the plurality of terminal wires 1 is housed in each first housing portion 211 (described later).

[0015] (Configuration of Terminal Wire) First, the terminal wire 1 will be described using FIGS. 4 to 6. The terminal wire 1 includes an electric wire 11, a terminal portion 12, a shield terminal 13, and a shield sleeve 14. The electric wire 11 includes a core wire 11a which is a conductor, an inner coating 11b, a shield coating 11c, and an outer coating 11d (see FIG. 6). The terminal wire 1 is an example of a "shielded wire".

[0016] (Configuration of Electric Wire) The electric wire 11 will be described. The electric wire 11 is, for example, a four-layer shielded electric wire. The inner sheath 11b covers the periphery of the core wire 11a. The core wire 11a is the part of the electric wire 11 through which current flows. The core wire 11a is an example of a "conductor". The inner sheath 11b is an insulating sheath that covers the outer circumference of the core wire 11a. The shielding sheath 11c is a conductive material that covers the outer circumference of the inner sheath 11b. The shielding sheath 11c is an example of a "shielding material". The shielding sheath 11c is, for example, a braid. The shielding sheath 11c is electrically connected to ground via, for example, a shield terminal 13 and a shield shell 22, which will be described later. The shielding sheath 11c functions as a component for EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) countermeasures. The outer sheath 11d is an insulating sheath that covers the outer circumference of the shielding sheath 11c.

[0017] At the end of the electric wire 11, the inner sheath 11b and outer sheath 11d are partially stripped, exposing the core wire 11a and shielding sheath 11c. The exposed core wire 11a is fixed to the terminal portion 12. The exposed shielding sheath 11c is folded back, for example, from the end of the electric wire 11 toward the -Y direction. The exposed shielding sheath 11c is folded back at a predetermined folding position. In this embodiment, the exposed shielding sheath 11c is located on the -Y direction side of the exposed core wire 11a.

[0018] Furthermore, a cylindrical shield terminal 13 is attached to the end of the outer covering 11d. The shield terminal 13 is made of a conductive material such as metal. The shield terminal 13 is partially covered by the shield covering 11c, which is folded back from the +Y direction to the -Y direction. The folded shield covering 11c physically connects the shield terminal 13 to the shield covering 11c. The shield terminal 13 electrically connects the shield covering 11c to the shield shell 22 (described later). For example, the shield covering 11c is electrically connected to the shield shell 22 by contact between the shield terminal 13 and the shield shell 22. The shield terminal 13 is an example of a "connection part".

[0019] Furthermore, at the end of the electric wire 11, a shield sleeve 14 is attached from the tip side of the terminal-equipped electric wire 1 so as to cover the folded portion of the shield covering 11c. The shield sleeve 14 is made of a conductive material such as metal.

[0020] (Terminal section configuration) Next, the terminal section 12 will be described. The terminal section 12 is the "shield terminal" mentioned above. The terminal portion 12 is formed from a conductive material such as metal. For example, the terminal portion 12 is formed into a predetermined shape by press forming such as bending or cutting of a metal plate used as the base material. The terminal portion 12 is an example of a "terminal". The terminal portion 12 is an example of a "terminal fitting". The terminal portion 12 can be electrically connected to the terminal fitting of the mating connector.

[0021] In the following explanation, the male terminal 12a will be described as the terminal section 12, assuming that the male terminal 12a is housed within the first housing section 211. Even if a female terminal is used as the terminal section 12, it will function in the same way as the male terminal 12a, and the effects obtained will be the same.

[0022] The terminal section 12 (whether male or female) comprises a main body 120, a mating section 121, a connecting section 122, a lance hole LH, a first edge 120e1, a second edge 120e2, and an inclined surface 120s. The inclined surface 120s is connected to the second edge 120e2 (described later) and extends inclined toward the second edge 120e2, moving away from the locking lance 212.

[0023] The main body 120 extends in a first direction toward the mating connector. The main body 120 is formed into a box shape by the following parts: The main body 120 has a top wall 1201, a pair of side wall 1202, and a bottom wall 1203. Each of the pair of side wall 1202 is erected from both end edges of the top wall 1201. For example, the pair of side wall 1202 are separated from each other in the X direction. The bottom wall 1203 extends continuously from both or either of the pair of side wall 1202. The bottom wall 1203 bends from one end of the side wall 1202 and extends along the X direction. In this embodiment, the two bottom wall 1203 may be arranged overlapping when viewed from the X direction.

[0024] The main body 120 has a first surface 120a and a second surface 120b. The first surface 120a is the surface that faces the locking lance 212 when the terminal wire 1 is assembled to the connector 2. The first surface 120a extends along the X and Y directions. In this embodiment, the first surface 120a is partially provided on the ceiling wall portion 1201. The second surface 120b is the surface that faces the opposite side from the first surface 120a. The second surface 120b is the surface that faces the bottom wall portion 1203.

[0025] The main body portion 120 has a lance hole LH into which the locking projection 212p of the locking lance 212 can be locked. The lance hole LH penetrates the ceiling wall portion 1201 in the Z direction. The lance hole LH is formed, for example, by partially cutting and bending the ceiling wall portion 1201. During cutting and bending, the ceiling wall portion 1201 is partially bent inward toward the terminal portion 12 on the -Y direction side of the lance hole LH. This bending provides the main body portion 120 with an inclined surface 120s. The length L1 of the inclined surface 120s in the Z direction (width dimension of the inclined surface 120s, see Figure 6) is greater than the maximum length L3 of the locking lance 212 in the Z direction (maximum width dimension of the locking lance 212, see Figure 8).

[0026] Furthermore, the folded portion that forms the lance hole LH (hereinafter also referred to as the "folded portion 1201f") extends upward from the ceiling wall portion 1201 and is adjacent to the lance hole LH. In other words, the folded portion 1201f extends so as to protrude from the first surface 120a when viewed from the Z or Y direction. The folded portion 1201f is an example of a "wall portion". In this embodiment, the ceiling wall portion 1201 of the main body portion 120 has a plurality of folded portions 1201f. In this embodiment, the ceiling wall portion 1201 has two folded portions 1201f. The plurality of folded portions 1201f include a first folded portion 1201f1 and a second folded portion 1201f2. The first folded portion 1201f1 is located on the -Z direction side of the ceiling wall portion 1201. The second folded portion 1201f2 is aligned in the +Z direction with respect to the first folded portion 1201f1. The terminal portion 12 has a gap between the second folded portion 1201f2 and the first folded portion 1201f1 that allows the locking lance 212 (described later) to be guided. In other words, the length L2 (see Figure 6) between the second folded portion 1201f2 and the first folded portion 1201f1 in the Z direction is greater than the maximum length L3 (maximum width dimension of the locking lance 212, see Figure 8) of the locking lance 212 in the Z direction. The first folded portion 1201f1 is an example of the "first wall portion". The second folded portion 1201f2 is an example of the "second wall portion".

[0027] The first edge portion 120e1 and the second edge portion 120e2 are provided on the ceiling wall portion 1201 during the above cutting and raising process.

[0028] The first edge portion 120e1 defines the connector side of the lance hole LH. The second edge portion 120e2 defines the wire 11 side of the lance hole LH. For example, the first edge portion 120e1 is located on the leading edge side of the terminal portion 12 (e.g., the +Y direction side). The second edge portion 120e2 is located on the rear end side of the terminal portion 12. In other words, the second edge portion 120e2 is located on the -Y direction side relative to the first edge portion 120e1. From another perspective, the second edge portion 120e2 is on the opposite side of the connector from the first edge portion 120e1 of the main body portion 120. Due to the bending described above, when viewed from the Y direction, the second edge portion 120e2 is located further inward of the terminal portion 12 than the first edge portion 120e1.

[0029] The ceiling wall portion 1201 extends in the -Y direction up to the connection portion 122. A bend line may be formed in the ceiling wall portion 1201 when the terminal portion 12 is assembled to the end of the electric wire 11. This bend line is formed in the ceiling wall portion 1201, for example, by bending up or bending down the terminal portion 12.

[0030] The mating portion 121 can be mated to the terminal fitting of the mating connector. The mating portion 121 is arranged continuously in the +Y direction with respect to the main body portion 120. Various shapes are used in the mating portion depending on whether it is a male terminal 12a or a female terminal. The male terminal 12a is electrically connected by being inserted into the female terminal fitting of the mating connector. Examples of male terminals 12a include tab type, round pin type, and square pin type. In this embodiment, for example, the mating portion 121 of the male terminal 12a is a flat plate-shaped tab. The female terminal is electrically connected by receiving the male terminal fitting of the mating connector. The female terminal has a spring inside. This spring generates a contact load on the male terminal fitting that the female terminal has received.

[0031] The connector 122 is assembled to the end of the electric wire 11. The connector 122 is arranged continuously in the -Y direction with respect to the main body 120. The connector 122 has a wire barrel 122F and an insulation barrel 122R. The wire barrel 122F is electrically connected to the exposed core wire 11a at the end of the electric wire 11. For example, the wire barrel 122F is crimped onto the exposed core wire 11a. The insulation barrel 122R is physically connected to the exposed inner sheath 11b at the end of the electric wire 11. For example, the insulation barrel 122R is crimped onto the exposed inner sheath 11b. Through these crimps, the terminal 12 is assembled to the end of the electric wire 11.

[0032] Next, connector 2 will be described using Figure 7. Connector 2 comprises a connector housing 21, a shield shell 22, and a plurality of retainers 23. The connector housing 21 is matable with the mating connector in the first direction. The shield shell 22 is locked inside the connector housing 21 in the Y direction. Note that Figure 7 shows the state with the retainers 23 visible. The insertion of the retainers 23 will be described in detail in Figure 9.

[0033] First, the connector housing 21 will be described using Figure 8. The connector housing 21 has an inner housing 21A, an outer housing 21B, and a plurality of connection parts 21C.

[0034] (Inner housing configuration) Next, I will explain the inner housing 21A. The inner housing 21A includes a main body 210, a plurality of first housing portions 211, a locking lance 212, a guide portion 213, and an insulating rib 214. The main body 210 extends in the Y direction. The inner housing 21A is made of synthetic resin. The main body 210 has an outer circumferential surface 21S1. A gap is formed between the outer circumferential surface 21S1 of the inner housing 21A and the inner circumferential surface 21S2 of the outer housing 21B.

[0035] (First Detention Unit) Next, I will explain the first containment section 211. The first housing portion 211 is an opening formed in the shape of a notch through which the terminal portion 12 can be inserted. The first housing portion 211 penetrates the main body portion 210 in the Y direction. Multiple first housing portions 211 can accommodate multiple terminal portions 12 (see Figure 12). Multiple slits SL are provided in the first housing portion 211. In this embodiment, two slits SL are provided in the first housing portion 211. Each of the multiple slits SL corresponds to a folded portion 1201f (first folded portion 1201f, second folded portion 1201f). Each of the multiple slits SL extends, for example, in the Y direction. The multiple slits SL are adjacent to the locking lance 212 in the short direction of the locking lance 212 (for example, in the Z direction).

[0036] (Locking lance) Next, the locking lance 212 will be explained using Figures 8 to 10. The locking lance 212 is a locking device that is elastically deformable toward the terminal portion 12. The locking lance 212 is provided within the first housing portion 211 and is aligned in the X direction relative to the first housing portion 211. When viewed from the Y direction, the locking lance 212 protrudes from the first housing portion 211 toward the X direction (see Figure 8). The locking lance 212 has an arm portion 212a extending in the +Y direction and a locking projection portion 212p which is a part of the arm portion 212a that protrudes. The locking projection portion 212p is a projection that protrudes from the arm portion 212a in a direction intersecting the direction in which the arm portion 212a extends (for example, the X direction). In this embodiment, the locking projection portion 212p protrudes toward the terminal portion 12 and is locked into the lance hole LH described above (see Figure 12). For example, the locking projection 212p has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the terminal portion 12 (for example, the Y direction). During the installation of the terminal-equipped wire 1 to the connector housing 21, as the terminal portion 12 approaches the locking projection 212p, the locking projection 212p is pressed by the tip of the terminal portion 12, causing the arm portion 212a to elastically deform in a predetermined direction (for example, the Z direction). Then, when the locking projection 212p reaches the lance hole LH, the arm portion 212a returns to its deformed state, and the locking projection 212p is locked into the lance hole LH.

[0037] A gap S2 is formed between the inner circumferential surface of the first housing portion 211 and the locking lance 212 (see Figure 9). The retainer 23 is inserted into the gap S2 from the opposite side of the insertion direction of the terminal-equipped wire 1 (for example, the Y direction). When the retainer 23 is inserted after the locking lance 212 is locked, the swinging of the arm portion 212a is restricted, making it difficult for the terminal-equipped wire 1 to fall out of the first housing portion 211. The retainer 23 has a shape corresponding to the gap S2. In this embodiment, the retainer 23 is plate-shaped. A part of the retainer 23 may be notched. Depending on the arrangement of the multiple first housing portions 211, a front holder may be used instead of the above example. The retainer 23 and the front holder are molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0038] (Information Department) Next, I will explain the guide unit 213. The guide portion 213 smoothly connects one end of the locking lance 212, which protrudes from the first housing portion 211 toward the X direction, to the first housing portion 211. The guide portion 213 is located on the opposite side of the locking lance 212 from the mating connector. For example, the guide portion 213 has an inclined surface 213s that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the terminal portion 12 (e.g., the Y direction) (see Figure 9). The inclined surface 213s of the guide portion 213, together with the inner circumferential surface of the first housing portion 211, corrects the deformation of the terminal portion 12, for example, when it is bent up or bent down. After being inserted from the -Y direction, the terminal portion 12 moves in a direction inclined toward the +Y direction by the inclined surface 213s and is housed in the first housing portion 211. During the process of housing in the first housing portion 211, the deformation of the terminal portion 12 due to bending up or bending down is corrected.

[0039] (Insulating rib) Next, we will explain the insulating rib 214. The insulating rib 214 is located between multiple terminal-equipped wires 1 arranged in the X direction, and insulates the shield terminal 13 of one terminal-equipped wire 1 from the shield terminal 13 of the other terminal-equipped wire 1 (see Figure 12). The insulating rib 214 protrudes from the main body 210 in the -Y direction, for example. The insulating rib 214 can contact the shield terminal 13 and also functions as a guide when inserting the terminal-equipped wires 1. For example, the insulating rib 214 is formed integrally with the main body 210.

[0040] (Outer housing configuration) Next, we will describe the outer housing 21B. The outer housing 21B is cylindrical in shape and is formed to cover the inner housing 21A. In this embodiment, for example, the outer housing 21B is rectangular in shape. The outer housing 21B is made of synthetic resin, similar to the inner housing 21A. The outer housing 21B has an inner circumferential surface 21S2. The inner circumferential surface 21S2 includes a first inner circumferential surface 21S3, a second inner circumferential surface 21S4, and a stepped surface 21S5. The first inner circumferential surface 21S3 corresponds to the outer circumferential surface 21S1 of the inner housing 21A and covers most of the terminal-equipped wire 1. For example, in this embodiment, the first inner circumferential surface 21S3 covers the terminal-equipped wire 1 from the shield terminal 13 to the lance hole LH of the terminal portion 12 from the outside (see Figure 12). The second inner circumferential surface 21S4 is aligned in the Y direction with respect to the first inner circumferential surface 21S3. The length between one end and the other end of the second inner surface 21S4 in the X or Z direction is greater than the length between one end and the other end of the first inner surface 21S3 in the same direction. In other words, the outer housing 21B opens outwards toward the mating connector (towards the +Y direction). The stepped surface 21S5 connects the first inner surface 21S3 and the second inner surface 21S4. When the shield shell 22 is locked into the connector housing 21, the locking portion 223 (described later) contacts the stepped surface 21S5 of the outer housing 21B (see Figure 10).

[0041] The outer housing 21B has a second housing portion S1. The second housing portion S1 is capable of housing the shield shell 22. In this embodiment, the second housing portion S1 is a gap provided between the inner circumferential surface 21S2 of the outer housing 21B and the outer circumferential surface 21S1 of the inner housing 21A.

[0042] (Connection part) Next, we will explain the connection part 21C. The connecting portion 21C is provided protruding from the second inner circumferential surface 21S4 (see Figure 9) and connects the outer housing 21B and the inner housing 21A. The connecting portion 21C is made of synthetic resin, similar to the inner housing 21A. For example, the connecting portion 21C is formed integrally with the inner housing 21A and the outer housing 21B.

[0043] The connection portion 21C is a restricting portion for restricting the movement of the shield shell 22 in the Y direction.

[0044] (Shield shell configuration) Next, we will explain the shield shell 22 using Figure 11. The shield shell 22 is electrically connected to the shield covering 11c via the shield terminal 13. The shield shell 22 is cylindrical and extends in the Y direction. When housed in the second housing section S1, the shield shell 22 covers most of the terminal-equipped wire 1 (see Figures 3 and 12). For example, in this embodiment, the shield shell 22 covers the terminal-equipped wire 1 from the outside, from the shield terminal 13 to the tip of the terminal section 12 (see Figure 12). The shield shell 22 is made of a conductive material such as metal.

[0045] In this embodiment, the shield shell 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape when the first member 221 and the second member 222 are combined (see Figure 2). The shield shell 22 can surround multiple first housing sections 211. The majority of the outer circumference shape of the shield shell 22 corresponds to the first inner surface 21S3 of the outer housing. The majority of the inner circumference shape of the shield shell 22 corresponds to the outer surface 21S1 of the inner housing.

[0046] The shield shell 22 includes a first member 221 and a second member 222. The first member 221 is, for example, one half of a cylindrical body divided in half along the Z direction. The second member 222 is the other half of a cylindrical body divided in half along the Z direction. The first member 221 is joined to the second member 222 in an aligned X direction to form a cylinder and is housed in the second housing section S1. Within the second housing section S1, the second member 222 is located on the -X side relative to the first member 221. However, this arrangement is not limited to this. For example, the positions of the second member 222 and the first member 221 may be swapped. Within the second housing section S1, the first member 221 and the second member 222 are movable so as to move away from each other in the X direction. For example, the first member 221 is movable in the -X direction relative to the second member 222. Similarly, for example, the second member 222 is movable in the +X direction relative to the first member 221.

[0047] The second member 222 has a pair of restricting portions 222r that restrict the movement of the first member 221 in the Z direction. Each of the pair of restricting portions 222r is aligned in the Z direction with respect to the end of the second member 222 facing the first member 221. The restricting portions 222r are connected to the outer circumferential surface of the second member 222 and extend in the X direction from one end of the second member 222 to the other in the Y direction. In other words, when viewed from the Y direction, the second member 222 opens up relative to the first member 221. When the first member 221 and the second member 222 are joined together, the restricting portions 222r function as guides for aligning the first member 221 with the second member 222.

[0048] Furthermore, the length of the restricting portion 222r in the X direction is such that the shield shell 22 assembled in the second housing portion S1 can surround multiple first housing portions 211, regardless of the movement of the first member 221 and the second member 222. In other words, when the shield shell 22 is viewed from the Z direction after multiple terminal wires 1 have been attached to the connector housing 21, the restricting portion 222r of the second member 222 overlaps with the first member 221 (see Figure 3).

[0049] Furthermore, the first member 221 and the second member 222 each have a locking portion 223, an opening 224, and a contact portion 225. The locking portion 223 is a leaf spring that can contact the stepped surface 21S5. The locking portion 223 is formed, for example, by partially cutting and bending the shield shell 22. During cutting and bending, the locking portion 223 is pushed and bent outward from the shield shell 22. When viewed from the X direction, the locking portion 223 is inclined from the -Y direction side of the shield shell 22 to the + direction side of the shield shell 22. During the installation of the shield shell 22 to the connector housing 21, due to the inclination, as the locking portion 223 approaches the outer housing, the locking portion 223 is pressed by the outer housing, causing the locking portion 223 to elastically deform in a predetermined direction (for example, the Z direction). Then, when the locking portion 223 passes through the first inner circumferential surface 21S3 and reaches the second inner circumferential surface 21S4, the locking portion 223 returns to its deformed state, and the locking portion 223 is locked at the stepped surface 21S5 (see Figure 10). Each of the first member 221 and the second member 222 has one or more locking portions 223. In this embodiment, for example, each of the first member 221 and the second member 222 has two locking portions 223 that face each other in the Z direction.

[0050] The opening 224 is a notched opening that penetrates the shield shell 22 from its outer circumferential surface to its inner circumferential surface. The opening 224 has a shape that corresponds to the outer shape of the connecting portion 21C when viewed from the Y direction. The opening 224's movement in the Y direction is restricted by contact with the connecting portion 21C. The locking portion 223 and the opening 224 work together to restrict the movement of the shield shell 22 in the Y direction. Each of the first member 221 and the second member 222 has one or more openings 224. In this embodiment, for example, each of the first member 221 and the second member 222 has one opening 224 in the X direction.

[0051] The contact portion 225 is a recess in the shield shell 22 that extends from the outer circumferential surface of the shield shell 22 toward the inner circumferential surface of the shield shell 22. The contact portion 225 electrically connects the shield shell 22 and the shield terminal 13 by contact with the shield terminal 13 of the terminal-equipped wire 1. Each of the first member 221 and the second member 222 has one or more contact portions 225 at one end of the shield shell 22 in the -Y direction. In this embodiment, for example, each of the first member 221 and the second member 222 has three contact portions 225 at one end of the shield shell 22 on the -Y direction side. Each of the first member 221 and the second member 222 has one contact portion 225 in the X direction and two contact portions 225 facing each other in the Z direction.

[0052] Using Figure 12, we will describe how the shielding sheath 11c is electrically connected to the shielding shell 22 via the shielding terminal 13 when the terminal-equipped wire 1 is inserted into the connector 2. It is assumed that the shielding shell 22 is already assembled into the connector housing 21.

[0053] First, when the worker places the terminal portion 12 of the terminal-equipped wire 1 into the first housing portion 211 of the connector 2, the worker brings the shield terminal 13 into contact with the insulating rib 214. Next, the worker inserts the terminal portion 12 into the shield shell 22 from the -Y direction side, using the insulating rib 214 as an insertion guide. The terminal portion 12 moves along the inclined surface 213s within the first housing portion 211, and any bending (e.g., bend up or bend down) of the terminal portion 12 is corrected during the assembly of the terminal-equipped wire 1.

[0054] When the terminal portion 12 is inserted into the first housing portion 211, if the terminal portion 12 is pushed in further, the terminal portion 12 is locked by the locking lance 212, preventing it from coming out of the first housing portion 211. If the terminal portion 12 is a male terminal 12a, the tip of the terminal portion 12 is held in the first housing portion 211 with the tip protruding from the main body portion 210 of the inner housing toward the external connector. If the terminal portion 12 is a female terminal, the tip of the terminal portion 12 is held within the first housing portion 211.

[0055] When the terminal portion 12 is locked by the locking lance 212, the shield terminal 13 of the terminal-equipped wire 1 comes into contact with the contact portion 225 of the shield shell 22. This contact electrically connects the shield covering 11c and the shield shell 22 via the shield terminal 13.

[0056] As described above, the lance hole LH is formed, for example, by partially cutting and bending the ceiling wall portion 1201. During the cutting and bending process, a portion of the ceiling wall portion 1201 is bent inward toward the terminal portion 12. This bending provides the main body portion 120 with an inclined surface 120s. From another perspective, the bent edge portion of the ceiling wall portion 1201 (second edge portion 120e2) is located further inward toward the terminal portion 12 than the first edge portion 120e1 when viewed from the Y direction. In other words, when the wire harness 3 is assembled to the connector 2, when viewed from the Y direction, the distance between the second edge portion 120e2 and the locking lance 212 is greater than the distance between the first edge portion 120e1 and the locking lance 212.

[0057] (Mechanism of Action and Effects) In this embodiment, the connector 2 comprises a connector housing 21 and a shield shell 22. The connector housing 21 is matable with a mating connector in a first direction (e.g., the Y direction). The shield shell 22 is locked within the connector housing 21 in the first direction. The connector housing 21 has a plurality of first housing portions 211 capable of accommodating a plurality of terminals (e.g., terminal portions 12) and a second housing portion S1 capable of accommodating the shield shell 22. The shield shell 22 surrounds the plurality of first housing portions 211. The shield shell 22 includes a first member 221 and a second member 222. The first member 221 is aligned with respect to the second member 222 in a second direction (e.g., the X direction) that intersects with the first direction. The first member 221 is movable with respect to the second member 222 in the second direction.

[0058] With this configuration, when inserting multiple terminal-equipped wires 1 into the connector 2 into which the shield shell 22 is incorporated, the first member 221 of the shield shell 22 can move in the second direction relative to the second member 222. As the terminal-equipped wires 1 are inserted, the first member 221 can move relative to the second member 222, making it easier to smoothly insert the terminal-equipped wires 1. Therefore, in the connector according to this embodiment, multiple shield terminals (terminal portions 12) can be easily inserted.

[0059] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the first member 221 is movable relative to the second member 222 as the terminal-equipped wire 1 is inserted, the insertion resistance of the terminal-equipped wire 1 is easily reduced. In the connector according to this embodiment, deformation and / or wear of the shield terminal (terminal portion 12) during insertion is easily suppressed.

[0060] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the connector housing 21 has a first inner circumferential surface 21S3, a second inner circumferential surface 21S4, and a stepped surface 21S5. The second inner circumferential surface 21S4 is aligned with the first inner circumferential surface 21S3 in the first direction. The stepped surface 21S5 connects the first inner circumferential surface 21S3 and the second inner circumferential surface 21S4. The shield shell 22 has a leaf spring (for example, a locking portion 223) that can contact the stepped surface 21S5. With this configuration, the leaf springs of the first member 221 and the second member 222 of the shield shell 22 are locked at the stepped surface 21S5 inside the connector housing 21. Even if the first member 221 moves relative to the second member 222 when the terminal wire 1 is inserted, the shield shell 22 is less likely to fall out of the connector housing 21.

[0061] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the second member 222 has a restricting portion 222r that restricts the movement of the first member 221 in a third direction (for example, the Z direction) that intersects the first and second directions. With this configuration, the first member 221 is less likely to move in the third direction relative to the second member 222 when the terminal wire 1 is inserted. Because the direction of movement of the first member 221 is suppressed, rattling of the first member 221 within the connector housing 21 is reduced, and the shield shell 22 is less likely to fall out of the connector housing 21.

[0062] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the restricting portion 222r extends from one end to the other of the second member 222 in the second direction (for example, the X direction). When viewed from the third direction, the restricting portion 222r overlaps the first member 221. With this configuration, since the terminal-equipped wire 1 is covered in the third direction, noise is less likely to be applied to the terminal-equipped wire 1.

[0063] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the wire harness 3 comprises one of the above-mentioned connectors 2 and a plurality of terminal-equipped wires 1. Each terminal-equipped wire 1 includes a terminal fitting (e.g., terminal portion 12), a conductor (e.g., core wire 11a) fixed to the terminal fitting, a shielding material (e.g., shielding sheath 11c) covering the outer circumference of the conductor, and a connection portion (e.g., shielding terminal 13) that allows the shielding material to be electrically connected to the shielding shell 22. With this configuration, when a plurality of terminal-equipped wires 1 are inserted into the connector 2 into which the shielding shell 22 is incorporated, the first member 221 of the shielding shell 22 can move in the second direction relative to the second member 222. As the terminal-equipped wires 1 are inserted, the first member 221 can move relative to the second member 222, making it easier to insert the terminal-equipped wires 1 smoothly. Thus, in the wire harness according to this embodiment, it is easy to insert a plurality of shielding terminals (terminal portions 12).

[0064] (First torture) In the above embodiment, the shield shell 22 is formed by combining one half (first member 221) and the other half (second member 222) of a tubular body that has been divided in half. In contrast, the shield shell 22 may be formed by combining each of several tubular bodies that have been divided along the Z direction. In this modified example, each of the divided tubular bodies is provided with a locking portion 223. Some of the divided tubular bodies may be provided with the above-described pair of restricting portions 222r.

[0065] (Second variation) In the embodiment described above, multiple terminals have the same shape. In this modified example, each of the multiple terminal portions 12 may have a different size and / or shape. In other words, the connector 2 in this modified example may be a hybrid connector in which several terminal portions 12 having different sizes and / or shapes are housed within the connector housing 21.

[0066] (Third variation) The shape of the inner housing 21A changes depending on the arrangement of each of the multiple first housing sections 211. In the embodiment described above, each first housing section 211 is arranged in a single row from the -X direction to the +X direction. Therefore, the inner housing 21A having multiple first housing sections 211 is rectangular in shape. In contrast, in this modified example, the arrangement of each first housing section 211 is not limited to this. For example, the multiple first housing sections 211 may be arranged in multiple rows from the -X direction to the +X direction, or in multiple stages from the -Z direction to the +Z direction.

[0067] One embodiment and its variations have been described above. However, the embodiments and variations are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the embodiments and variations may be implemented in combination with each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 1. Wire with terminals 2 connectors 3 Wire Harness 11 Electric wire 11a Core wire 11b Internal covering 11c shielding 11d Outer covering 12 Terminal section (terminals, terminal fittings) 12a Male terminal LH Lance Hall 120 Main body 120a Front page 120b Second side 120e1 First edge 120e2 Second edge 120s slope 121 Fitting part 122 Connection part 122F Wire Barrel 122R Insulation Barrel 13 Shield Terminal 14 Shield Sleeves 21 Connector Housing 21A Inner Housing 210 Main body 211 First Detention Unit SL Slit 212 Locking lance (lance) 212a Arm 212p Locking protrusion 213 Information Department 214 Insulating Rib 21S1 Outer surface 21B Outer Housing 21S2 Inner surface 21S3 First inner surface 21S4 Second inner surface 21S5 Step surface 21C connection 22 Shield Shell 221 First component 222 Second component 222r Regulatory Department 223 Locking part 224 Opening 225 Contact area 23 Retainer 1201 Ceiling and wall section 1201f Return section 1201f1 Return section (first wall section) 1201f2 Return section (second wall section) 1202 Side wall section 1203 Bottom wall section S1 Second containment section (void) S2 void

Claims

1. A connector housing that can be mated with the other connector in the first direction, In the first direction, a shield shell is locked inside the connector housing, Equipped with, The connector housing has a plurality of first housing sections capable of accommodating a plurality of terminals, and a second housing section capable of accommodating the shield shell, The shield shell surrounds the plurality of first housing sections, The shield shell includes a first member and a second member, The first member is aligned with respect to the second member in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The first member is movable relative to the second member in the second direction. connector.

2. The connector housing has a first inner surface, a second inner surface aligned with the first inner surface in the first direction, and a stepped surface connecting the first inner surface and the second inner surface. The shield shell has a leaf spring that can contact the stepped surface. The connector according to claim 1.

3. The second member has a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the first member in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions. The connector according to claim 2.

4. The regulating portion extends from one end to the other end of the second member, in the second direction. When viewed from the third direction, the restricting portion overlaps the first member. The connector according to claim 3.

5. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Multiple terminal wires, Equipped with, Each terminal-equipped wire includes a terminal fitting, a conductor fixed to the terminal fitting, a shielding material covering the outer circumference of the conductor, and a connection portion that allows the shielding material to be electrically connected to the shield shell. Wire harness.

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