connector

Abstract

One embodiment provides a connector capable of improving heat dissipation. [Solution] One embodiment of the connector comprises a housing, a mounting bracket, a terminal fitting, a conductive component, a metal shielding member, and a heat transfer section. The mounting bracket is held in the housing. The terminal fitting is fixed to the mounting bracket so as to protrude from the mounting bracket toward a first side in a first direction. The conductive component extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction and is electrically connected to the terminal fitting inside the housing. The shielding member covers at least a portion of the housing, with the terminal fitting exposed toward the first side in the first direction. The heat transfer section contains a material with better thermal conductivity than the housing. The heat transfer section is positioned to penetrate the wall of the housing, covering the outside of the region of the conductive component's extension in the second direction. The heat transfer section thermally connects the conductive component and the shielding member.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0005] , ,

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to connectors.

Background Art

[0002] Connectors are used to connect electrical wirings to each other (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

[0007] According to one embodiment, a connector capable of improving heat dissipation can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the connector of the embodiment, viewed from the +X direction. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of the connector of the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line III-III in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the specific configurations described below do not limit the scope of application of the embodiments.

[0010] In this disclosure, terms are defined as follows: “Connection” may include, but is not limited to, an electrical connection; that is, “Connection” may include, but is not limited to, a case where two elements to be connected are directly connected, or a case where two elements to be connected are connected with another element in between; “Accommodation” may include, but is not limited to, a case where only a part of a part is accommodated; “Parallel,” “Orthogonal,” or “Same” may include “Approximately parallel,” “Approximately orthogonal,” or “Approximately the same,” respectively.

[0011] In this disclosure, the +X direction, -X direction, +Y direction, -Y direction, +Z direction, and -Z direction are defined as follows: The +X direction is the direction in which the second shielding member 12 and the housing unit 10 are aligned in the connector 1 (see Figures 1 to 3). The -X direction is the opposite direction of the +X direction. When the +X direction and the -X direction are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "X direction". The Y direction is the direction that intersects (e.g., is orthogonal to) the X direction. The +Y direction is the direction in which one terminal fitting 15 is directed toward the other terminal fitting 15 in the connector 1 (see Figures 1 and 2). The -Y direction is the opposite direction of the +Y direction. When the +Y direction and the -Y direction are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "Y direction". The Z direction is the direction that intersects (e.g., is orthogonal to) the X direction and the Y direction. The +Z direction is the direction in which the wire holding portion 32 and the housing body 31 are aligned in order in the housing unit 10 (see Figure 3). The -Z direction is the opposite direction to the +Z direction. When the +Z and -Z directions are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "Z direction". Furthermore, in the following, in the X, Y, and Z directions, the direction approaching the center of connector 1 is referred to as "inward," and the direction moving away from the center of connector 1 is referred to as "outward."

[0012] The X direction is an example of the "first direction". The +X direction is an example of the "first side of the first direction". The -X direction is an example of the "second side of the first direction". The Z direction is an example of the "second direction".

[0013] In the following, the Z direction may be referred to as the "up and down direction." Also, in the following, the +Z direction may be described as "upward" and the -Z direction as "downward." However, the expressions "up and down direction," "upward," and "downward" are for the sake of explanation and do not limit the direction of gravity of connector 1 (the installation orientation of connector 1).

[0014] <Connector 1> Figure 1 is a perspective view of connector 1 of this embodiment, viewed from the +X direction. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of connector 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of connector 1 corresponding to line III-III in Figure 1. Connector 1 is installed in vehicles such as EVs (Electric Vehicles), HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles), and PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles). Connector 1 is a so-called high-voltage connector through which a current of 100V or more flows. Connector 1 is detachably connected to a mating connector (not shown). The electrical wiring (hereinafter simply referred to as "wire 2") electrically connected to connector 1 and the mating wire electrically connected to the mating connector are electrically connected to each other via connector 1 and the mating connector. In this embodiment, connector 1 corresponds to two electrodes. However, connector 1 may correspond to one electrode, or to three or more electrodes.

[0015] The connector 1 comprises a housing unit 10, a first shielding member 11, a second shielding member 12, a holder 13, two busbars 14 (see Figure 3), two terminal fittings 15, and a heat transfer unit 16 (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0016] <Housing Unit 10> As shown in FIG. 3, the housing unit 10 holds the bus bar 14 and the terminal fitting 15. The housing unit 10 includes a housing 21 and two fixing fittings 22. The housing 21 and the fixing fittings 22 of the housing unit 10 are integrated by insert molding or the like. However, it is only necessary that the fixing fitting 22 is held by the housing 21, and the forming method of the housing unit 10 is not limited to insert molding.

[0017] The housing 21 is formed of a material having electrical insulation properties (for example, a synthetic resin material). The housing 21 is formed in an L shape when viewed from the Y direction. The housing 21 includes a housing body 31, a wire holding portion 32, two fixing portions 33 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and a connector portion 34.

[0018] The housing body 31 is located between the wire holding portion 32 and the connector portion 34. The housing body 31 includes a base portion 31a and two fitting holding portions 31b. The base portion 31a is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape in the Z direction. Each fitting holding portion 31b is provided side by side in the Y direction in the upper region of the base portion 31a. The fitting holding portion 31b is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens in the +X direction. A part of the fitting holding portion 31b projects upward from the base portion 31a and is continuous with the base portion 31a.

[0019] The wire holding portion 32 extends downward from the housing body 31. Two wire holding holes 32a are formed in the wire holding portion 32. Each wire holding hole 32a extends over the entire length in the Z direction of the wire holding portion 32 in a state of being arranged side by side in the Y direction. The first side end portions of the wires 2 can be inserted into the wire holding holes 32a separately from below. As shown in FIG. 3, the wire 2 includes, for example, a metal core wire 2a and an insulating coating 2b that covers the core wire 2a. The second side end portions of the wires 2 are connected to an electrical load (not shown) after being drawn out from the wire holding holes 32a to the outside of the connector 1.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixing portion 33 is a portion for fixing the first seal member 11 and the second shield member 12 to the housing unit 10. Each fixing portion 33 protrudes outward in the Y direction at the upper end portion of the wire holding portion 32.

[0021] The connector portion 34 is a portion that houses the terminal fitting 15 and is mechanically connected to the mating connector. The connector portion 34 extends from the housing body 31 in the +X direction. The connector portion 34 includes a fitting portion 34a and two terminal housing portions 34b. The fitting portion 34a is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens in the +X direction. The fitting portion 34a is formed in an oval shape having the Y direction as the major axis direction when viewed from the X direction. A packing 30 is fitted on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion of the fitting portion 34a.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the terminal housing portion 34b is provided at a position overlapping the fitting portion 31b when viewed from the X direction. The terminal housing portion 34b is formed in a cylindrical shape coaxial with the corresponding fitting portion 31b. Each terminal housing portion 34b is provided side by side in the Y direction inside the fitting portion 34a. As shown in FIG. 3, each terminal housing portion 34b penetrates the bottom wall of the fitting portion 34a. The -X direction end portion in the terminal housing portion 34b is connected to the +X direction end portion in the corresponding fitting portion 31b. The -X direction end portion in each terminal housing portion 34b overlaps the corresponding wire holding hole 32a when viewed from the Z direction. In each terminal housing portion 34b, a communication hole 40 is formed in a portion overlapping the corresponding wire holding hole 32a when viewed from the Z direction. The communication hole 40 connects the interiors of the corresponding terminal housing portion 34b and the wire holding hole 32a. Each communication hole 40 is provided apart from each other in the Y direction.

[0023] The fixing fitting 22 holds the terminal fitting 15. The fixing fitting 22 is, for example, a nut. The fixing fitting 22 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens in the +X direction by a metal material (for example, SUS, etc.). A female thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fixing fitting 22. Note that the fixing fitting 22 may be a cylindrical shape that penetrates in the X direction or the like.

[0024] In this embodiment, the fixing bracket 22 is embedded in each bracket holding portion 31b by insert molding into the housing 21. The fixing bracket 22 is open into the corresponding terminal housing portion 34b in the portion located in the -X direction with respect to the communication hole 40. The fixing bracket 22 may also be fixed to the housing 21 by post-processing such as press-fitting.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, a through-hole 66 is formed in the wall 32w of the wire holding portion 32 of the housing 21 in the -X direction, penetrating the wall 32w in the thickness direction (X direction). The portion of the wall 32w of the wire holding portion 32 that forms the through-hole 66 constitutes the through-port in this embodiment. Two through-holes 66 are provided side by side in the Y direction in the wall 32w of the wire holding portion 32. The two through-holes 66 are formed at positions facing each of the two wire holding holes 32a in the wall 32w of the wire holding portion 32. In other words, the two through-holes 66 are formed to communicate the inside of the two wire holding holes 32a with the outside of the housing 21 (wire holding portion 32).

[0026] In this embodiment, the two through holes 66 are formed in the upper region of the wire holding portion 32, facing the connection point between the wire 2 (core wire 2a) in each corresponding wire holding hole 32a and the bus bar 14. In this embodiment, the core wire 2a of the wire 2 in each wire holding hole 32a is superimposed on the side of the corresponding bus bar 14 from the -X direction and connected to the bus bar 14 in that state. In other words, the core wire 2a of the wire 2 is positioned closer to the corresponding through hole 66 than to the bus bar 14. The wall 32w in which each through hole 66 is formed is the wall of the housing 21 that covers the outside of the extension region of the bus bar 14 and the core wire 2a (conductive component) in the Z direction (second direction).

[0027] <Bus Bar 14> Two busbars 14 are provided, corresponding to the electric wires 2. The busbars 14 are for connecting the terminal fittings 15 to the electric wires 2. The busbars 14 extend in the Z direction, with the X direction being the thickness direction. The busbars 14 are positioned across the space between the inside of the corresponding terminal housing 34b and the electric wire holding hole 32a through the communication hole 40. The lower end of the busbar 14 is connected to the core wire 2a of the electric wire 2 within the electric wire holding hole 32a. This configuration electrically connects the electric wire 2 (core wire 2a) and the busbar 14. In this embodiment, the busbar 14 and the core wire 2a constitute a conductive component.

[0028] The upper end of the busbar 14 overlaps with the fixing bracket 22 when viewed from the X direction within the terminal housing portion 34b. A through hole 14a is formed in the upper part of the busbar 14, penetrating the busbar 14 in the thickness direction (X direction).

[0029] <Terminal fitting 15> The terminal fitting 15 is the part that electrically connects the mating connector and the busbar 14. Two terminal fittings 15 are provided, corresponding to the busbar 14. Both terminal fittings 15 have the same configuration. Therefore, the details of the terminal fitting 15 will be explained below using one of the terminal fittings 15 as an example.

[0030] The terminal fitting 15 is positioned across the corresponding fitting holder 31b and terminal housing 34b. The terminal fitting 15 comprises a rod-shaped portion 15a and a stopper portion 15b. The rod-shaped portion 15a is positioned coaxially with the fixing bracket 22. A male thread is formed on the -X end of the rod-shaped portion 15a. The -X end of the rod-shaped portion 15a is inserted into the fixing bracket 22 through the through hole 14a. The -X end of the rod-shaped portion 15a is detachably fastened to the fixing bracket 22 via the male and female threads. With this configuration, the terminal fitting 15 is fixed to the fixing bracket 22 with the rod-shaped portion 15 protruding from the fixing bracket 22 in the +X direction. The +X end of the rod-shaped portion 15a is housed in the terminal housing portion 34b. That is, the +X end of the terminal fitting 15 is exposed to the outside of the connector 1 through the +X opening in the terminal housing portion 34b.

[0031] The abutment portion 15b protrudes from the middle portion of the rod-shaped portion 15a in the X direction. The abutment portion 15b sandwiches and fixes the busbar 14 between the terminal fitting 15 and the fixing fitting 22 when the terminal fitting 15 is tightened into the fixing fitting 22. In this state, the busbar 14 is electrically connected to the terminal fitting 15.

[0032] <Heat transfer unit 16> The heat transfer unit 16 is a unit containing a material with better thermal conductivity than the housing 21. The heat transfer unit 16 is attached to the wall 32w of the housing 21 where the through-holes 66 of the wire holding portion 32 are formed. Part of the heat transfer unit 16 is positioned in the corresponding wire holding holes 32a through the two through-holes 66. Part of the heat transfer unit 16 is in contact with at least one of the conductive components, the core wire 2a and the busbar 14, within the wire holding holes 32a. Another part of the heat transfer unit 16 is in contact with the protrusion 55g of the second shielding member 12, which will be described later. The heat transfer unit 16 penetrates the wall 32w of the housing 21 (wire holding portion 32) and dissipates the heat from the conductive components (busbar 14 and core wire 2a) to the metal second shielding member 12. In this embodiment, the heat transfer unit 16 constitutes a heat transfer section that thermally connects the conductive components (busbar 14 and core wire 2a) and the shielding member (second shielding member 12).

[0033] The heat transfer unit 16 comprises an insulating member 67, a first heat transfer member 68, and a second heat transfer member 69. The insulating member 67, the first heat transfer member 68, and the second heat transfer member 69 are all made of a material with better thermal conductivity than the housing 21. Such materials can include, for example, a thermally conductive resin material or a mixed material in which a heat transfer element with high thermal conductivity is mixed with a base resin. The insulating member 67 is made of a material that has excellent thermal conductivity, as well as electrical insulation and sealing properties against liquids and gases.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the insulating member 67 is formed as a thin plate (film) throughout. The insulating member 67 has a frame portion 67a, a cylindrical wall 67b, and a bottom wall 67c. The frame portion 67a of the insulating member 67 is superimposed on the periphery of the two through holes 66 on the outer surface (-X direction side) of the wall 32w of the wire holding portion 32. The frame portion 67a is bonded to the outer surface of the wall 32w of the wire holding portion 32 with a liquid-tight adhesive 70 at the periphery of the two through holes 66. In this embodiment, the frame portion 67a of the insulating member 67 is integrally formed so as to span the peripheral edges of the two through holes 66. However, the frame portion 67a may individually surround the peripheral edges of each through hole 66. In other words, a heat transfer unit may be provided separately to thermally connect the conductive components (busbar 14 and core wire 2a) in one wire holding hole 32a to the second shield member 12, and a heat transfer unit may be provided separately to thermally connect the conductive components in the other wire holding hole 32a to the second shield member 12.

[0035] The cylindrical wall 67b is inserted into the wire holding hole 32a through the through hole 66 from the frame portion 67a. Two cylindrical walls 67b are provided, corresponding to the two through holes 66. The bottom wall 67c closes the inner end (the end in the +X direction) of each cylindrical wall 67b in the wire holding hole 32a. Two bottom walls 67c are provided, corresponding to the cylindrical walls 67b. In this embodiment, the insulating member 67 constitutes an insulating layer that electrically insulates the through-hole (through-hole 66). The frame portion 67a of the insulating member 67 constitutes a first portion located outside the housing 21. The bottom wall 67c of the insulating member 67 constitutes a second portion that is inserted into the through-hole (through-hole 66) of the housing 21 and located inside the housing 21.

[0036] The first heat transfer member 68 is joined to the inner surfaces 67i of each of the two bottom walls 67c of the insulating member 67 (the surfaces facing the core wire 2a and the busbar 14 within the corresponding wire holding hole 32a). The second heat transfer member 69 is joined to the outer surfaces 67o of each of the two bottom walls 67c of the insulating member 67 (the surfaces facing the outside of the housing 21). The first heat transfer member 68 and the second heat transfer member 69 are made of a material that is thicker than the insulating member 67 and has better thermal conductivity compared to the insulating member 67. However, the thickness and thermal conductivity of the first heat transfer member 68 and the second heat transfer member 69 are not limited to these. The thickness of the first heat transfer member 68 and the second heat transfer member 69 may be the same as or thinner than the thickness of the insulating member 67. Also, the thermal conductivity of the first heat transfer member 68 and the second heat transfer member 69 may be the same as or worse than the thermal conductivity of the insulating member 67, as long as it is better than the thermal conductivity of the housing 21. In this embodiment, the first heat transfer member 68 constitutes a first heat transfer section that contacts the conductive member (bus bar 14 and core wire 2a), and the second heat transfer member 69 constitutes a second transmission section that contacts the shield member (second shield member 12).

[0037] <First shield member 11> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first shielding member 11 is a metal member that performs the function of shielding electromagnetic noise. The first shielding member 11 is made of a material that can shield electromagnetic noise and has better thermal conductivity than the housing 21. The first shielding member 11 comprises a cylindrical portion 51, an overhanging portion 52, and two fixed arm portions 53.

[0038] The cylindrical portion 51 is formed to be slightly larger than the wire holding portion 32 when viewed from the Z direction. The wire holding portion 32 penetrates the cylindrical portion 51 in the Z direction. The protruding portion 52 extends outward from the upper edge of the cylindrical portion 51 when viewed from the Z direction. The fixed arm portion 53 protrudes upward from the portions of the protruding portion 52 that face each other in the Y direction. Each fixed arm portion 53 is superimposed on each of the corresponding fixed portions 33 from the -X direction.

[0039] <Second shield member 12> The second shielding member 12 is a metal member that performs the function of shielding electromagnetic noise. The second shielding member 12 is made of a metal material that can shield electromagnetic noise and has better thermal conductivity than the housing 21. The second shielding member 12 comprises a shield body 55 and a mounting flange 56. In this embodiment, the second shield member 12 constitutes the shield member.

[0040] The shield body 55 is formed in a box shape that opens in both the +X direction and the -Z direction (downward). The shield body 55 surrounds a portion of the periphery of the housing unit 10. In the illustrated example, the shield body 55 surrounds the portion of the housing unit 10 from both the +Z direction (upward), the -X direction and the Y direction, including the -X end of the connector portion 34, the entire housing body 31, and the upper end of the wire holding portion 32. The shield body 55 comprises an end wall 55a, a top wall 55b, and side walls 55c.

[0041] The end wall 55a overlaps with the entire housing body 31 and the upper end of the wire holding portion 32 when viewed from the X direction. The top wall 55b extends in the +X direction from the upper edge of the end wall 55a. The top wall 55b overlaps with the -X end of the connector section 34 and the entire housing body 31 when viewed from the Z direction. The side wall 55c extends in the +X direction from both ends of the end wall 55a in the Y direction and connects to the top wall 55b at its upper end. The side wall 55c overlaps with the -X end of the connector portion 34, the entire housing body 31, and the portion leading to the upper end of the wire holding portion 32 when viewed from the Y direction. The lower end of the side wall 55c faces the protruding portion 52 in the Z direction.

[0042] As shown in Figure 1, the opening of the shield body 55 facing the +X direction functions as an entry opening 55d for allowing the housing unit 10 to enter the shield body 55. That is, the housing unit 10 is housed inside the shield body 55 through the entry opening 55d with the second shield member 12 facing in the X direction. The lower end opening of the shield body 55 may also be used as an entry opening.

[0043] At the lower end of each side wall 55c, a housing portion 55e is formed in the portion facing the corresponding fixing portion 33 in the X direction. The housing portion 55e can accommodate at least a part of the fixing portion 33. Of the inner surface of the housing portion 55e, the portion facing the fixing portion 33 in the X direction functions as a mounting base 55f. The mounting base 55f supports the fixing portion 33 from the -X direction with the fixing arm portion 53 sandwiched between the mounting base 55f and the fixing portion 33. The fixing portion 33 and the fixing arm portion 53 are fastened to the mounting base 55f by fastening members such as screws. With this configuration, the housing unit 10, the first shield member 11, and the second shield member 12 are fixed to each other.

[0044] The mounting flange 56 protrudes outward in the Y direction from the +X direction end of each side wall 55c. The mounting flange 56 is the part that fastens the connector 1 and the mating connector together with a fastening member when the connector 1 is attached to the mating connector.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the end wall 55a of the shield body 55 has two protrusions 55g on the surface facing the +X direction that protrude in the +X direction more than other parts of the end wall 55a. The two protrusions 55g are positioned side by side in the Y direction at approximately the same height as the two through holes 66 in the wall 32w of the housing 21. Each protrusion 55g is inserted inside the corresponding cylindrical wall 67b of the heat transfer unit 16 when the housing unit 10 and the second shield member 12 are assembled. When the housing unit 10 and the second shield member 12 are fully assembled, the tip surface of each protrusion 55g comes into contact with the corresponding second heat transfer member 69. As a result, the core wires 2a and busbars 14 in each wire holding hole 32a are thermally connected to the second shield member 12 via the heat transfer unit 16.

[0046] <Holder 13> As shown in Figure 3, the holder 13 positions the electric wire 2 relative to the housing unit 10. The holder 13 is detachably attached to the electric wire holding portion 32. The holder 13 comprises two electric wire guides 61, a connecting flange 62, and an engaging portion 63. The wire guides 61 are formed in a cylindrical shape. Each wire guide 61 is fitted from below into the corresponding wire holding hole 32a. The corresponding wire 2 passes through each wire guide 61 in the Z direction.

[0047] The connecting flange 62 connects the lower edges of each wire guide 61 below the housing unit 10. The engaging portion 63 extends upward in a cantilevered manner from the outer peripheral edge of the connecting flange 62. The engaging portion 63 is hooked onto the outer peripheral surface of the wire holding portion 32. Multiple engaging portions 63 are provided at intervals along the outer peripheral edge of the connecting flange 62. <Assembly procedure for connector 1> First, connect the electric wire 2 (core wire 2a) to the lower end of the busbar 14. Next, as shown in Figure 3, the busbar 14 and the wire 2 are attached to the housing 21. Specifically, the busbar 14 and the wire 2 are inserted into the wire holding hole 32a through the lower end opening of the wire holding hole 32a. After that, the upper portion of the busbar 14 is inserted into the terminal housing portion 34b through the communication hole 40.

[0048] Next, the terminal fitting 15 is fixed to the fixing bracket 22. Specifically, the rod-shaped portion 15a is inserted into the fixing bracket 22 through the through hole 14a of the busbar 14. At this time, the rod-shaped portion 15a is fastened to the fixing bracket 22 via the male thread of the rod-shaped portion 15a and the female thread of the fixing bracket 22. With this configuration, the busbar 14 and the terminal fitting 15 are electrically connected while the busbar 14 is sandwiched between the abutment portion 15b and the fixing bracket 22. After that, the holder 13 is attached to the housing unit 10, thereby positioning the electric wire 2 relative to the housing unit 10.

[0049] At this time, the two through holes 66 formed in the wall 32w of the wire holding portion 32 of the housing 21 will face the side surface of the core wire 2a within each wire holding hole 32a. Specifically, in a view in the Z direction, each through hole 66 will overlap the core wire 2a within the corresponding wire holding hole 32a with the busbar 14.

[0050] Next, the heat transfer unit 16 is attached to the wall 32w of the wire holder 32 from the outside (-X direction) so as to cover the two through holes 66. At this time, the first heat transfer member 68 and the second heat transfer member 69 of the heat transfer unit 16 are inserted into the corresponding through holes 66 together with the bottom wall 67c of the insulating member 67. In this state, the end faces of the first heat transfer members 68, which are joined to the inner surfaces 67i of each bottom wall 67c, abut against the sides of the core wire 2a. The frame portion 67a of the insulating member 67 is overlapped with the periphery of each through hole 66 and is then bonded and fixed to the wall 32w of the wire holder 32 with a liquid-tight adhesive 70. In this embodiment, the core wire 2a of the electric wire 2 is positioned closer to the through hole 66 than the busbar 14, so the first heat transfer member 68 is in contact with the core wire 2a. However, the arrangement of the core wire 2a and the busbar 14 in the X direction can be reversed. In this case, the first heat transfer member 68 will be in contact with the side surface of the lower region of the busbar 14.

[0051] Next, as shown in Figure 2, the first shield member 11 is attached to the housing unit 10. Specifically, the wire holding portion 32 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 51 until the fixing arm portion 53 overlaps with the fixing portion 33.

[0052] Next, the second shield member 12 is attached to the housing unit 10. Specifically, with the entry opening 55d of the second shield member 12 and the housing unit 10 facing each other in the X direction, the housing unit 10 is inserted into the second shield member 12 through the entry opening 55d. At this time, the two protrusions 55g provided on the end wall 55a of the second shield member 12 are inserted into the two corresponding cylindrical walls 67b of the heat transfer unit 16. As the protrusions 55g enter the cylindrical walls 67b further, the end faces of the protrusions 55g come into contact with the corresponding second heat transfer members 69 inside the cylindrical walls 67b. As a result, the core wires 2a and busbars 14 in each wire holding hole 32a are thermally connected to the second shield member 12 through the first heat transfer member 68, insulating member 67, and second heat transfer member 69 of the heat transfer unit 16. Subsequently, the first shield member 11 and the second shield member 12 are fixed to the housing unit 10 by fastening the corresponding fixing part 33 and fixing arm part 53 to the mounting base 55f.

[0053] Incidentally, the connection point between the terminal fitting 15 and the busbar 14 is a location where a lot of Joule heat is generated when current is applied due to the high contact resistance. However, the connection point between the terminal fitting 15 and the busbar 14 is isolated from the outside of the connector 1 by being covered by the housing 21. Therefore, it is important to secure a heat dissipation path from the aforementioned connection point to the outside of the connector 1. The connector 1 of this embodiment is designed to ensure a heat dissipation path from the aforementioned connection point to the outside of the connector 1.

[0054] <Effects and Effects> The connector 1 of this embodiment comprises a housing 21, a fixing bracket 22, a terminal fitting 15, a core wire 2a and a busbar 14 (conductive components), a second shielding member 12 (shielding member), and a heat transfer unit 16 (heat transfer part). The fixing bracket 22 is held in the housing 21, and the terminal fitting 15 is fixed to the fixing bracket 22 with the terminal fitting 15 protruding from the fixing bracket 22 in the +X direction (first side of the first direction). The core wire 2a and the busbar 14 extend in the Z direction (second direction) intersecting the X direction and are electrically connected to the terminal fitting 15 inside the housing 21. The second shielding member 12 is made of metal and covers at least a part of the housing 21 with the terminal fitting 15 exposed in the +X direction. The heat transfer unit 16 contains a material with better thermal conductivity than the housing 21 and is positioned to penetrate the wall 32w of the housing 21, which covers the outside of the Z-direction extension region of the core wire 2a and the busbar 14. In this state, the heat transfer unit 16 thermally connects the core wire 2a and busbar 14 to the second shield member 12.

[0055] In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the core wire 2a and busbar 14 (conductive component) inside the housing 21 are thermally connected to the second shield member 12 through a heat transfer unit 16 that penetrates the wall 32w of the housing 21. With this configuration, heat generated in the terminal fitting 15, fixing fitting 22, core wire 2a and busbar 14 (conductive component), etc., is efficiently transferred to the second shield member through the heat transfer unit 16. As a result, heat is less likely to accumulate in the fixing part between the terminal fitting 15 and the fixing fitting 22, and the heat dissipation of the entire connector 1 is improved.

[0056] Furthermore, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, the heat transfer unit 16 is positioned to penetrate the wall 32w of the housing 21 (wire holding part 32) that covers the outside of the core wire 2a and busbar 14 (conductive component) in the direction of extension. With this configuration, the connector 1 of this embodiment can secure a large heat transfer area (contact area) between the heat transfer unit 16 and the core wire 2a and busbar 14 (conductive component). This function allows the connector 1 of this embodiment to further improve heat dissipation.

[0057] Furthermore, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, the wall 32w of the housing 21 has a through hole 66 (through portion) that penetrates the wall 32w, and the heat transfer unit 16 has an insulating member 67 that electrically insulates the through hole 66. With this configuration, the through hole 66 of the wall 32w of the housing 21 is electrically insulated by the insulating member (insulating layer) of the heat transfer unit 16. With this function, the connector 1 of this embodiment can suitably suppress discharge between the core wire 2a and busbar 14 (conductive component) passing through the through hole 66 and the second shield member 12 (shielding member).

[0058] Furthermore, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, the heat transfer unit 16 has a first heat transfer member 68 (first heat transfer section) and a second heat transfer member 69 (second heat transfer section). The first heat transfer member 68 is positioned in the +X direction (first side of the first direction) of the insulating member 67 and contacts the core wire 2a (conductive component). The second heat transfer member 69 is positioned in the -X direction (second side of the first direction) of the insulating member 67 and contacts the second shield member 12 (shield member). With this configuration, the heat transfer unit 16 suppresses discharge through the through hole 66 by the insulating member 67, and efficiently dissipates heat from the core wire 2a and busbar 14 (conductive component) to the second shield member 12 through the first heat transfer member 68 and the second heat transfer member 69. Therefore, when the connector 1 of this configuration is adopted, it is possible to further improve heat dissipation while suppressing discharge with the heat transfer unit 16.

[0059] Furthermore, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, the insulating member 67 of the heat transfer unit 16 has a frame portion 67a (first portion) located outside the housing 21 and a bottom wall 67c (second portion) located inside the housing 21. The first heat transfer member 68 is positioned between the bottom wall 67c (second portion) and the core wire 2a and bus bar 14 (conductive component). With this configuration, the first heat transfer member 68 can receive heat from the core wire 2a and bus bar 14 (conductive component) at a position closer to them. In addition, the heat transferred from the first heat transfer member 68 to the bottom wall 67c of the insulating member 67 is efficiently dissipated into the space outside the bottom wall 67c (the space outside the housing 21) at a position close to the core wire 2a and bus bar 14 (conductive component). Therefore, by adopting the connector 1 with this configuration, it is possible to further improve heat dissipation.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connector 1 is sealed between the frame portion 67a (first portion) of the insulating member 67 located outside the housing 21 and the surface of the housing 21 by a liquid-tight adhesive 70 that functions as a sealing member. This configuration suppresses the inflow of liquids such as water droplets into the housing 21 (inside the wire holding portion 32) through the gap between the frame portion 67a (first portion) of the insulating member 67 and the housing 21 and through the through hole 66. Therefore, when this configuration of connector 1 is adopted, efficient heat dissipation can be obtained through the through hole 66 (through portion) and the heat transfer unit 16 while maintaining the waterproof function of the housing 21.

[0061] Several embodiments and variations have been described above. However, the embodiments and variations are not limited to the examples described above. For example, multiple embodiments may be implemented in combination with each other. The present invention is not limited by the above description and is limited only by the appended claims. For example, in the embodiment described above, the heat transfer section is composed of a heat transfer unit 16 consisting of three members: an insulating member 67 (insulating layer) and first and second heat transfer members 68 and 69. However, the configuration of the heat transfer section is not limited to this. The heat transfer section may consist of a single member, two members, or four or more members.

[0062] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the conductive component is composed of the core wire 2a of the electric wire 2 and the busbar 14, and the heat transfer unit 16 is in contact with the core wire 2a portion. However, the heat transfer unit 16 may be in contact with the busbar 14 portion. Moreover, the conductive component that the heat transfer unit 16 contacts may be a forming busbar or the like connected to the busbar 14 instead of the core wire 2a.

[0063] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the protrusion 55g that contacts the heat transfer unit 16 is integrally formed with the second shield member 12. However, the protrusion 55g may be made of a separate component from the second shield member 12 and joined to the second shield member 12 by appropriate means.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the frame portion 67a (first portion) of the insulating member 67 of the heat transfer unit 16 is sealed between itself and the surface of the housing 21 by a liquid-tight adhesive 70. However, the sealing member that seals the space between the frame portion 67a (first portion) and the surface of the housing 21 is not limited to the liquid-tight adhesive 70. For example, the frame portion 67a (first portion) may be fixed to the housing 21 by appropriate fixing means, and the space between the frame portion 67a (first portion) and the surface of the housing 21 may be sealed by another sealing member such as a seal ring. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1… Connector 2a...Core wire (conductive component) 12...Second shield member (shield member) 14…Bus bar (conductive component) 15…Terminal fittings 16…Heat transfer unit (heat transfer section) 21… Housing 22… Fixing brackets 32w...wall 66... ​​Through hole (penetration part) 67…Insulating material (insulating layer) 67a...Frame part (first part) 67c…Bottom wall 67c (second part) 68…First heat transfer component (first heat transfer section) 69…Second heat transfer component (second heat transfer section) 70…Adhesive (sealing material)

Claims

1. Housing and The fixing bracket held in the housing, A terminal fitting fixed to the fixing fitting, which protrudes from the fixing fitting toward the first side in the first direction, A conductive component extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and electrically connected to the terminal fitting inside the housing, With the terminal fittings exposed toward the first side in the first direction, a metal shielding member covers at least a part of the housing, A connector comprising a heat transfer portion which includes a material having better thermal conductivity than the housing, and which is disposed through the wall of the housing that covers the outside of the extension region of the conductive component in the second direction, and which thermally connects the conductive component and the shielding member.

2. The wall of the housing has a penetration portion that goes through the wall, The connector according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer portion has an insulating layer that electrically insulates the through portion.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the heat transfer portion comprises a first heat transfer portion disposed on the first side of the insulating layer in the first direction and in contact with the conductive component, and a second heat transfer portion disposed on the second side of the insulating layer in the first direction and in contact with the shielding member.

4. The insulating layer includes a first portion located outside the housing and a second portion inserted into the through portion of the housing and located inside the housing. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the first heat transfer portion is disposed between the second portion and the conductive component.

5. The connector according to claim 4, further comprising a sealing member disposed between the first portion and the surface of the housing.

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