Charging connector

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of facilitating work of assembling a charging connector.SOLUTION: A charging connector 10 comprises: a power terminal 22; a signal terminal 24; a housing 50 that holds the power terminal 22 and the signal terminal 24; and a retainer 60 combined with the housing 50. The signal terminal 24 has a cylindrical part 25a provided at a tip side and into which a terminal of an external charging connector is inserted. A slit 25f is formed at a tip part of the cylindrical part 25a to divide a portion along a circumferential direction of the cylindrical part 25a from the other portion. A width dimension of a tip of the slit 25f is smaller than a width dimension of a wall such as a convex part 53g appearing at a rear end part of the housing 50 when the rear end part of the housing 50 is observed from an inserting / drawing-out direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle connector, such as a charging inlet mounted on a vehicle, in which terminals are attached to a housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-83130 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is desirable that the assembly process of the connector, such as the attachment of the terminals to the housing, be easy.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can facilitate the assembly work of a charging connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The charging connector of the present disclosure is a charging connector that is mounted on a vehicle, mates with an external charging connector connected to an external power source of the vehicle, and is used to charge a battery provided in the vehicle, the charging connector having first and second power terminals used to supply power to the battery, a plurality of signal terminals formed with a plate thickness thinner than the first and second power terminals and transmitting signals between the outside of the vehicle and a control unit of the vehicle, the charging connector holds the first and second power terminals and the plurality of signal terminals, and mates with the external charging connector at a front end portion along an insertion / removal direction of the external charging connector. a housing; and a retainer that combines with a rear end of the housing and holds the first and second power terminals and the plurality of signal terminals together with the housing, each of the plurality of signal terminals having a tubular portion provided at a tip end into which a terminal of the external charging connector is inserted, a slit is formed at the tip end of the tubular portion to separate a portion of the tubular portion along a circumferential direction from another portion, and a width of the tip of the slit is smaller than a width of a wall that appears at the rear end of the housing when the rear end of the housing is observed from the insertion / removal direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the assembly work of the charging connector is facilitated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a charging connector according to a first embodiment and an assembly mode thereof. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the charging connector according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the charging connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the charging connector according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the electric wire with terminal and its accommodation position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the electric wire path in the charging connector. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows the differences between signal terminals. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a rear view showing the rear end portion of the housing main body. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the housing body and the signal terminals. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a rear view showing the retainer. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the retainer. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating how the retainer holds the terminal from behind. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which three types of signal terminals are fitted in regular terminal receiving portions. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which one type of signal terminal is accommodated in three types of terminal accommodating portions. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which another type of signal terminal is accommodated in three types of terminal accommodating portions. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which still another type of signal terminal is accommodated in three types of terminal accommodating portions. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic rear view showing a state in which two types of signal terminals are properly accommodated in terminal accommodating portions. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a rear view showing the charging connector according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a signal terminal. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a rear view showing the retainer. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the signal terminal is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The charging connector of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0011] (1) A charging connector that is mounted on a vehicle, mates with an external charging connector connected to an external power source of the vehicle, and is used to charge a battery provided in the vehicle, the charging connector comprising: first and second power terminals used to supply power to the battery; a plurality of signal terminals formed with a thickness thinner than the first and second power terminals and transmitting signals between an outside of the vehicle and a control unit of the vehicle; a housing that holds the first and second power terminals and the plurality of signal terminals, and mates with the external charging connector at a front end along an insertion / removal direction of the external charging connector; and a retainer that combines with a rear end of the housing and holds the first and second power terminals and the plurality of signal terminals together with the housing, each of the plurality of signal terminals having a cylindrical portion provided on a tip side thereof and into which a terminal of the external charging connector is inserted, a slit is formed at the tip of the cylindrical portion to separate a portion of the cylindrical portion along a circumferential direction from another portion, and a width of the tip of the slit is smaller than a width of a wall that appears at the rear end of the housing when the rear end of the housing is observed from the insertion / removal direction. The width of the slit in the cylindrical portion is smaller than the width of the wall of the housing, which prevents the wall of the housing from getting caught in the slit when the signal terminal is not properly inserted into the housing, making it easier to attach the terminal to the housing.

[0012] (2) In the charging connector of (1), each of the signal terminals may further have a wire connection portion provided at a rear end side to which a signal line is electrically connected, and an intermediate portion provided between the tubular portion and the wire connection portion, the intermediate portion having a protruding portion protruding beyond the tubular portion in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, and the retainer may have a terminal pressing portion extending along the wire connection portion and pressing the protruding portion toward the housing. This prevents the signal terminal from coming off using the protruding portion. Since the protruding portion is sandwiched between the housing and the retainer to prevent it from coming off, there is no need to deform the protruding portion when inserting the terminal into the housing.

[0013] (3) In the charging connector of (2), the retainer may be formed with a through hole penetrating the retainer along the insertion / removal direction, the terminal pressing portion may be formed on a periphery of the through hole, and the through hole may be larger than a maximum width dimension of the signal terminal at the intermediate portion. This allows the signal terminal to pass through the retainer through the through hole after the signal terminal is connected to the signal wire, and allows the terminal pressing portion to engage with the protruding portion after the signal terminal that has passed through the through hole is accommodated in the housing. This eliminates the need to connect the terminal to the signal wire after it has been passed through the retainer, making it easier to assemble the connector.

[0014] (4) In the charging connector of (3), the terminal pressing portion has a protruding tubular portion formed in a tubular shape surrounding the signal terminal on the electric wire connection portion side of the protruding portion, the through hole has a hollow portion of the protruding tubular portion, a terminal insertion hole located outside the protruding tubular portion, and a terminal pressing portion side slit formed in the protruding tubular portion and communicating the hollow portion with the terminal insertion hole, the minimum width dimension of the signal terminal on the electric connection portion side of the protruding portion or the diameter of the signal wire connected to the signal terminal may be equal to or smaller than the width dimension of the terminal pressing portion side slit, and the maximum width dimension of the intermediate portion may be larger than the width dimension of the terminal pressing portion side slit. Thus, after the signal terminal with the signal wire is accommodated in the housing through the through hole, the rear end portion of the signal terminal or the signal wire can be inserted into the hollow portion of the protruding tubular portion through the terminal pressing portion side slit. In addition, after the rear end portion of the signal terminal or the signal wire is placed in the hollow portion, the retainer moves along the signal terminal with the signal wire and is attached to the housing, so that the signal terminal is placed within the protruding tubular portion while the tip portion of the protruding tubular portion engages with the protruding portion.

[0015] (5) In the charging connector of (4), a shared through hole may be provided as the through hole, in which one of the terminal insertion holes communicates with the hollow portion of the first protruding tube portion via the first terminal pressing portion side slit and also communicates with the hollow portion of the second protruding tube portion via the second terminal pressing portion side slit, and an insulating wall may be provided in the shared through hole at a portion where the first terminal pressing portion side slit and the second terminal pressing portion side slit are connected by a straight line. This ensures an insulating distance for multiple signal terminals inserted into the housing via the shared through hole.

[0016] (6) The charging connector according to any one of (3) to (5), further comprising a thermistor attached to the power terminal and an electric wire attached to the thermistor, the thermistor being accommodated in the housing together with the power terminal, and the electric wire of the thermistor penetrating the retainer through the through hole. This allows the electric wire of the thermistor to extend toward the inside of the vehicle even when the thermistor is accommodated in the housing together with the power terminal. Also, the thermistor can be disposed in a position of the power terminal close to a connection portion with a mating terminal, improving the accuracy of detection of the temperature of the power terminal by the thermistor.

[0017] (7) In the charging connector according to any one of (1) to (6), the tube portion may have a tube portion main body and a plurality of elastic pieces protruding from a tip end of the tube portion main body, the plurality of elastic pieces protruding from positions spaced apart from one another along a circumferential direction of the tube portion main body, the slits may be formed between the plurality of elastic pieces arranged in the circumferential direction, and a body-side slit may be formed in the tube portion main body, the body slit extending from one end to the other end in the axial direction of the tube portion main body, thereby allowing the tube portion to deform in the radial direction when inserted or removed.

[0018] In the charging connector of (8) and (7), a width dimension of rear ends of the elastic pieces may be smaller than a width dimension of front ends of the elastic pieces, and a width of a rear end of the slit may be larger than a width of the front ends of the slit, so that the elastic pieces are easily deformed in a radial direction when inserted or removed.

[0019] (9) In the charging connector of (7) or (8), a diameter of the tubular portion at the tip ends of the elastic pieces may be smaller than a diameter of the tubular portion at the rear ends of the elastic pieces.

[0020] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the charging connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0021] [Embodiment 1] The charging connector according to the first embodiment will be described below.

[0022] <About the vehicle> First, a vehicle in which the charging connector is installed will be described.

[0023] The vehicle in which the charging connector is incorporated is an electric vehicle equipped with a power storage device and a motor. The vehicle runs by driving the motor with power from the power storage device. The vehicle may be an electric vehicle equipped only with a motor as a drive source, or may be a hybrid vehicle equipped with a motor and an engine. The power storage device in the vehicle is charged with power supplied from an external power source. The charging connector is configured so that an external charging connector can be inserted and electrically connected. The external charging connector is a connector for a charging cable extending from the external power source.

[0024] Generally, there are two types of charging modes for a power storage device in a vehicle: normal charging and rapid charging. Rapid charging allows charging in a shorter time than normal charging by passing a larger current than normal charging. For normal charging, a household power source or an equivalent external power source is assumed to be used. For rapid charging, a dedicated power source such as a charging station is assumed to be used. The charging connector of the present disclosure is described as a charging connector compatible with rapid charging.

[0025] <Vehicle charging connector> An installation state of the charging connector in a vehicle will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a charging connector 10 according to a first embodiment and its installation state.

[0026] The charging connector 10 is attached to, for example, a mounting portion 100 provided on the outer surface of the body of the vehicle. An example of the mounting portion 100 is shown in Fig. 1. The mounting portion 100 is formed, for example, in such a manner that a part of a panel constituting the body is recessed toward the inside of the vehicle. A through hole 104 is formed in a bottom panel 102 of the mounting portion 100.

[0027] A connection portion with an external charging connector is provided on the front side of the charging connector 10. The connection portion includes a portion into which the external charging connector is inserted and electrically connected. A portion of the charging connector 10, including the connection portion, passes through a through hole 104 and is exposed to the outside of the panel 102. Another portion of the charging connector 10 is disposed further inside the vehicle than the panel 102. Typically, a vehicle body side cover 106 is provided on the mounting portion 100. The vehicle body side cover 106 is attached by a hinge or the like so as to be able to open and close. When the vehicle body side cover 106 is closed, the vehicle body side cover 106 covers the opening of the panel 102. When the vehicle body side cover 106 is open, the charging connector 10 is exposed, and the charging connector 10 can be accessed from the outside.

[0028] In the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 1, of the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions, the X direction is parallel to the direction in which the charging connector 10 penetrates the through-hole 104 of the panel 102. The charging connector 10 and the external charging connector are connected in the X direction. The Z direction is, for example, the vertical direction. For example, when the charging connector 10 is provided on the side of the vehicle, the Y direction is the front-rear direction of the vehicle. For example, when the charging connector 10 is provided on the front or rear surface of the vehicle, the Y direction is the width direction of the vehicle. Hereinafter, for members that are not in an installed state, a description will be given in accordance with the directions corresponding to the X, Y, and Z directions in the installed state.

[0029] <Overall composition> The overall configuration of the charging connector 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 7 in addition to Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the charging connector 10 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the charging connector 10 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a front view showing the charging connector 10 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a terminal-fitted electric wire 38 and its housing position. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the path of the electric wire 30 in the charging connector 10. Note that the electric wire 30 is omitted in Fig. 3. Also, some of the terminal-fitted electric wires 38 are omitted in Fig. 6.

[0030] The charging connector 10 includes a terminal 20, an electric wire 30, a thermistor unit 40, a housing 50, a retainer 60, an electric wire cover 70, a lid unit 80, and a grommet 90.

[0031] <Terminal> The terminal 20 includes a connector terminal 21 and a relay terminal 28. The connector terminal 21 is accommodated in a housing 50. The connector terminal 21 is connected to a terminal of a mating connector. The number and type of the connector terminals 21 are appropriately set according to the standard of the charging connector 10, etc. In the example of the present embodiment, two power terminals 22, six signal terminals 24, and one ground terminal 26 are provided as the connector terminals 21. The relay terminal 28 is interposed between the power terminal 22 and the electric wire 30. The relay terminals 28 are provided in the same number as the power terminals 22 (two in this case). The two power terminals 22 are an example of a first and second power terminal. Either of the two power terminals 22 may be set as the first power terminal.

[0032] The power terminal 22 has a mating connection portion 23a, a terminal fixing portion 23b, and a protrusion 23c. The power terminal 22 further has a thermistor mounting portion 23d. The signal terminal 24 has a mating connection portion 25a, an electric wire connection portion 25b, and a protrusion 25c. The ground terminal 26 has a mating connection portion 27a, an electric wire connection portion 27b, and a protrusion 27c. The relay terminal 28 has a terminal fixing portion 29a and an electric wire connection portion 29b.

[0033] The mating connection parts 23a, 25a, 27a are parts that are electrically connected to the connector terminals of the external charging connector. The terminal fixing parts 23b, 29a are formed with holes through which the screws S can be inserted. The power terminal 22 and the relay terminal 28 are fixed to each other while being electrically connected to each other by being fixed to each other by the screws S at the terminal fixing parts 23b, 29a. The electric wire connection parts 25b, 27b, 29b are crimp parts having barrels. The signal terminal 24, the ground terminal 26, and the relay terminal 28 are crimped to the ends of the corresponding electric wires 30 by the barrels at the electric wire connection parts 25b, 27b, 29b. As a result, the signal terminal 24, the ground terminal 26, and the relay terminal 28 are fixed to each of the corresponding electric wires 30 while being electrically connected to each other. The protrusions 23c, 25c, 27c are provided at the middle parts of the connector terminals 21. The protruding portions 23c, 25c, and 27c are portions that are pressed by the retainer 60. The thermistor attachment portion 23d is a portion where the thermistor unit 40 is attached.

[0034] Each terminal 20 is formed by pressing (bending) a metal plate. The thickness of each terminal 20 may be set according to the allowable current value, etc. The greater the plate thickness, the greater the conductor cross-sectional area and the greater the allowable current value. In this example, the plate thickness of the signal terminal 24 is thinner than the plate thickness of the power terminal 22 and the plate thickness of the ground terminal 26. Furthermore, the plate thickness of the ground terminal 26 is thinner than the plate thickness of the power terminal 22. The plate thickness of the relay terminal 28 is the same as the plate thickness of the power terminal 22.

[0035] The signal terminal 24 is thinner than the power terminal 22 and the ground terminal 26, and the ground terminal 26 is thinner than the power terminal 22. The mating connection portions 23a, 25a, 27a of the power terminal 22, the signal terminal 24, and the ground terminal 26 are formed in a cylindrical shape. The mating connection portion 25a of the signal terminal 24 has a smaller diameter than the mating connection portions 23a, 27a of the power terminal 22 and the ground terminal 26, and the mating connection portion 27a of the ground terminal 26 has a smaller diameter than the mating connection portion 23a of the power terminal 22.

[0036] <Electric wire> One end of each electric wire 30 is connected to the terminal 20. The other end of each electric wire 30 extends from the grommet 90 to the outside. When the charging connector 10 is mounted on the vehicle, the other end of each electric wire 30 is connected to another device mounted on the vehicle. Such device is appropriately set according to the type of the electric wire 30, and is assumed to be, for example, a battery, an electronic control unit (ECU), etc. The number and type of the electric wires 30 correspond to the number and type of the connector terminals 21. In the example of the present embodiment, the electric wire 30 includes two power lines 32, six signal lines 34, and one ground line 36. One end of the power lines 32 is connected to the relay terminal 28. The power lines 32 are connected to the power terminal 22 via the relay terminal 28. One end of the signal line 34 is connected to the signal terminal 24. One end of the ground line 36 is connected to the ground terminal 26. One end of the thermistor electric wire 44 is connected to the thermistor 42.

[0037] Each electric wire 30 is a coated electric wire. The coated electric wire has a core wire 31a and a coating 31b that covers the core wire 31a. The core wire 31a is formed, for example, by twisting a plurality of metal wires. The coating 31b is formed, for example, by extruding an insulating resin around the core wire 31a. As the plurality of electric wires 30, a plurality of types of electric wires 30 having different thicknesses are used. The thickness of the electric wire 30 is set according to the allowable current value, etc. Normally, in order to increase the allowable current value, it is necessary to increase the conductor cross-sectional area, and the thickness of the electric wire 30 increases accordingly. In addition, the thickness of the electric wire 30 is usually correlated with the difficulty of bending the electric wire 30, and the thicker the electric wire 30, the harder it is to bend the electric wire 30. For example, when an easy-to-bend electric wire and a hard-to-bend electric wire are bent by the same angle, the radius of curvature of the hard-to-bend electric wire is larger than the radius of curvature of the easy-to-bend electric wire, and a larger arrangement space is required accordingly.

[0038] In this example, the power line 32 is thicker than the ground line 36 and the signal line 34. Therefore, the power line 32 is less likely to bend than the ground line 36 and the signal line 34. Furthermore, the ground line 36 is thicker than the signal line 34. Therefore, the ground line 36 is less likely to bend than the signal line 34. The power terminal 22, the relay terminal 28, and the power line 32 are used to supply power to the battery. The signal terminal 24 and the signal line 34 transmit signals between the outside of the vehicle and a control unit of the vehicle. The ground terminal 26 and the ground line 36 are used for grounding.

[0039] <Wire with terminal> The terminal 20 and the electric wire 30 are fixed and integrated while being electrically connected to each other by crimping during the manufacturing process of the charging connector 10. Such an integrated electric wire 30 and terminal 20 may be called a terminal-attached electric wire 38. In this example, an electric wire 38 with a terminal in which a power line 32 and a relay terminal 28 are integrated, an electric wire 38 with a terminal in which a signal line 34 and a signal terminal 24 are integrated, and an electric wire 38 with a terminal in which a ground line 36 and a ground terminal 26 are integrated are provided.

[0040] 5, the terminal-attached electric wire 38 may be covered with a shrink tube 39 to form a waterproof portion. The shrink tube 39 covers the connection portion between the electric wire 30 and the terminal 20. This prevents water from getting on the connection portion between the electric wire 30 and the terminal 20 and prevents water from penetrating into the coating. The connection portion between the electric wire 30 and the terminal 20 is a crimped portion between the barrels of the electric wire connection portions 25b, 27b, and 29b and the core wires of the signal wire 34, the ground wire 36, and the power wire 32.

[0041] The shrink tube 39 covers, for example, a portion of the terminal 20 in front of the portion to which the electric wire 30 is connected to the portion of the electric wire 30 that is covered. The shrink tube 39 is a heat shrink tube 39 that shrinks when heated. The heat shrink tube 39 is placed over the terminal-attached electric wire 38 in a large diameter state before being heated. Thereafter, when the heat shrink tube 39 is heated and shrinks, it takes a shape corresponding to the shape of the connection portion, so that it can be closely attached to the connection portion. For example, a hot melt adhesive may be provided on the inner surface of the heat shrink tube 39. This allows the hot melt adhesive to fill the gap between the heat shrink tube 39 and the terminal 20 and the gap between the heat shrink tube 39 and the electric wire 30, thereby improving the waterproofing of the shrink tube 39. The hot melt adhesive may not be provided on the inner surface of the heat shrink tube 39.

[0042] In the electric wire with terminal 38, the waterproofing portion does not have to be the shrink tube 39. For example, instead of the shrink tube 39, a resin such as an adhesive may be provided. Also, in the electric wire with terminal 38, the crimped portion may not be provided with a waterproofing portion and may be exposed. The electric wire with terminal 38 may be waterproofed by a rubber plug or the like.

[0043] <Thermistor unit> The thermistor unit 40 measures the temperature of the power supply circuit. In the charging connector 10 for quick charging, a large current flows through the power supply circuit for charging the battery, and therefore the temperature rise of the power supply circuit is large. By using the thermistor unit 40 to monitor the temperature of the power supply circuit, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the power supply circuit from becoming too high. The thermistor unit 40 has a thermistor 42 and a thermistor wire 44. In this example, the thermistor 42 is attached to each of the pair of power terminals 22, and the temperature of each of the pair of power terminals 22 is measured. One end of the thermistor wire 44 is connected to the thermistor 42. The other end of the thermistor wire 44 extends to the outside from the grommet 90 in the same manner as the other end of the wire 30. When the charging connector 10 is mounted on the vehicle, the other end of the thermistor wire 44 is connected to, for example, an ECU. The thermistor wire 44 is thinner than the power line 32 and the ground line 36. For this reason, the thermistor wire 44 is easier to bend than the power wire 32 and the ground wire 36 .

[0044] <Housing> The housing 50 holds the connector terminal 21 in a predetermined position (a position where it can be connected to the connector terminal 21 of the external charging connector). The housing 50 mates with the external charging connector at a front end portion along the insertion / removal direction of the external charging connector. The housing 50 includes a housing main body 51, a vehicle attachment portion 54, and a wire pressing portion 57.

[0045] The connector terminals 21 are accommodated in the housing body 51. The housing body 51 has a plurality of terminal accommodating portions 53 and an outer frame portion 52. Each of the plurality of terminal accommodating portions 53 is formed in a cylindrical shape capable of accommodating a corresponding connector terminal 21. The outer frame portion 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding the plurality of terminal accommodating portions 53. At the middle portion of the terminal accommodating portion 53, the plurality of terminal accommodating portions 53 and the outer frame portion 52 are connected by a flat connecting portion. A lid unit 80 is attached to the front of the housing body 51. A retainer 60 is attached to the rear of the housing body 51.

[0046] The vehicle mounting portion 54 is a portion for mounting the charging connector 10 to the mounting portion 100. The vehicle mounting portion 54 is formed in a plate shape protruding around the outer frame portion 52 in the middle portion of the housing body 51. The vehicle mounting portion 54 is attached to the mounting portion 100 by, for example, screws S.

[0047] The electric wire pressing portion 57 presses an intermediate portion of the electric wire 30 extending from the terminal 20. This makes it difficult for vibrations occurring on the other end side of the portion of the electric wire 30 pressed by the electric wire pressing portion 57 to be transmitted to the terminal 20, thereby suppressing friction between the terminal 20 and the housing main body 51. At the rear of the housing main body 51, a block-shaped arm 56 protrudes in the Y direction from the outer frame portion 52. The electric wire pressing portion 57 is provided at the tip portion of the arm 56 along the protruding direction from the housing main body 51. Three electric wire pressing portions 57 are provided. Two of the three electric wire pressing portions 57 press two power lines 32, and the remaining one electric wire pressing portion 57 presses one ground line 36.

[0048] <Retainer> The retainer 60 prevents the terminals 20 from coming out of the housing 50. The retainer 60 is combined with a rear end portion of the housing 50 to hold the terminals 20 together with the housing 50. The retainer 60 includes a terminal pressing portion 61 and ribs 69a and 69b.

[0049] The terminal pressing portion 61 presses the rear of the connector terminal 21 accommodated in the housing 50, thereby preventing the connector terminal 21 from falling out rearward from the housing 50. The terminal pressing portion 61 includes a rear cover portion 62 and a plurality of protruding tubular portions 63. The protruding tubular portions 63 press the signal terminals 24. The terminal pressing portion 61 further includes two power terminal pressing portions 63P and a ground terminal pressing portion 63G. The power terminals 22 are pressed by the power terminal pressing portion 63P, and the ground terminals 26 are pressed by the ground terminal pressing portion 63G.

[0050] The rear cover portion 62 closes the rear opening of the outer frame portion 52. The multiple protruding tube portions 63 protrude forward (toward the housing 50) from the rear cover portion 62. Each of the protruding tube portions 63 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The protruding tube portions 63 are formed at positions corresponding to the terminal accommodating portions 53 of the six signal terminals 24. The protruding tube portions 63 are inserted into the terminal accommodating portions 53. Each of the protruding tube portions 63 surrounds the signal terminal 24 on the electric wire connection portion 25b side of the protruding portion 25c. Each of the protruding tube portions 63 opens to the front and rear of the retainer 60. When the protruding tube portion 63 is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 53, the rear end portion of the connector terminal 21 accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 53 is accommodated in the protruding tube portion 63 from the front opening of the protruding tube portion 63. When each protruding tubular portion 63 is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 53, the protruding tubular portion 63 extends along the electric wire connection portion 25b of the accommodated signal terminal 24. The tip of each protruding tubular portion 63 presses the protruding portion 25c of the corresponding signal terminal 24 from behind toward the housing 50. The signal wire 34 is drawn out from the opening at the rear of the corresponding protruding tubular portion 63.

[0051] The two power terminal pressing parts 63P and one ground terminal pressing part 63G protrude forward (towards the housing 50) from the rear cover part 62. The power terminal pressing part 63P is formed in a cylindrical shape like the protruding tube part 63. The ground terminal pressing part 63G is formed in a plate shape extending in the Y direction. Each power terminal pressing part 63P presses the protruding part 23c of the corresponding power terminal 22 from the rear toward the housing 50. The ground terminal pressing part 63G presses the protruding part 27c of the ground terminal 26 from the rear toward the housing 50. The power terminal 22 and the relay terminal 28 are screwed in contact with each other through the rear opening of the power terminal pressing part 63P. The relay terminal 28 is disposed on the rear surface of the rear cover part 62. The rear opening of the power terminal pressing part 63P is closed by the relay terminal 28. The ground line 36 is drawn out from a hole below the ground terminal pressing part 63G.

[0052] The ribs 69a, 69b protrude rearward from the rear cover portion 62. The ribs 69a, 69b separate the relay terminals 28 from each other. The ribs 69a, 69b also separate the relay terminals 28 from the signal terminals 24. The ribs 69a, 69b also determine the position of the relay terminals 28. The portion of the relay terminals 28 that is connected to the power terminals 22 is disposed along the ribs 69a, 69b. The ribs 69a, 69b separate the terminal 20 accommodating space and the drainage space inside the grommet 90. Dust and the like that has entered the drainage space from the drainage port 93 is prevented from reaching the terminal 20 accommodating space. This prevents dust and the like from adhering to the terminals 20.

[0053] The housing 50 and the retainer 60 are provided with locking portions. In this example, the locking portions include a locking projection formed on the housing 50 and a locking piece formed on the retainer 60. The locking piece is locked onto the locking projection, thereby maintaining the housing 50 and the retainer 60 in a state where they are attached to each other.

[0054] <Wire cover> The wire cover 70 is attached to the wire pressing portion 57. The wire cover 70 prevents the wire 30 from coming out of the wire pressing portion 57. The wire cover 70 and the wire pressing portion 57 cover the entire periphery of the wire 30. In this embodiment, two wire covers 70 are provided. One of the two wire covers 70 presses two power lines 32. The other of the two wire covers 70 presses one ground line 36.

[0055] <Lid unit> The lid unit 80 is provided in front of the housing main body 51 so as to be openable and closable. When the lid unit 80 is opened, a connection port of the housing main body 51 is exposed. This allows an external charging connector to be connected to the charging connector 10. When the lid unit 80 is closed, the connection port of the housing main body 51 is closed by the lid unit 80. The lid unit 80 has a lid 82, a hinge unit 84, and a lock unit 86. The lid 82 is attached to the housing main body 51 via the hinge unit 84 so as to be openable and closable. The lock unit 86 maintains the lid 82 in a closed state. During charging work, an operator can open the lid 82 by operating the lock unit 86.

[0056] <Grommet> The grommet 90 is an example of an exterior member that collectively covers the rear end of the housing 50 to the middle of the power line 32 and the signal line 34. It is not essential that the grommet 90 is provided as an exterior member. For example, a protector may be provided as the exterior member. The grommet 90 covers the housing 50 and the retainer 60. The grommet 90 includes a first protective portion 91 and a second protective portion 94. The first protective portion 91 covers the rear end of the housing main body 51 and the retainer 60. The second protective portion 94 covers the electric wire pressing portion 57. The grommet 90 is made of an elastomer such as EPDM.

[0057] A housing pull-out opening 92 and a drainage opening 93 are formed in the first protective portion 91. A front end portion of the housing main body 51 extends to the outside of the grommet 90 through the housing pull-out opening 92. The drainage opening 93 is an opening portion for draining water that has entered the inside of the charging connector 10 to the outside. It is assumed that such water enters from the opening portion of the housing main body 51 when the lid unit 80 is opened, for example. A cable tie 98 is attached to the outer surface of the housing pull-out opening 92. The grommet 90 is attached to the housing 50 by the cable tie 98.

[0058] An electric wire outlet 95 is formed in the second protective portion 94. The other end of the electric wire 30 extends to the outside of the grommet 90 through the electric wire outlet 95. Three electric wire outlets 95 are provided in one grommet 90. Two of the three electric wire outlets 95 are provided for two power lines 32. One power line 32 passes through each of the two electric wire outlets 95. The signal line 34, the ground line 36, and the thermistor electric wire 44 are passed through the remaining one of the three electric wire outlets 95.

[0059] <Wire path in charging connector> The power line 32 extends in a straight line within the grommet 90 from one end connected to the relay terminal 28 to the other end, and extends to the outside of the grommet 90 through the electric wire outlet 95. Therefore, one end of the power line 32 is not inserted into the through hole 64 of the retainer 60.

[0060] The two power lines 32 extend in the grommet 90 side by side in the Z direction. The two power terminals 22 are accommodated in the housing main body 51 side by side in the Y direction. The difference between the direction in which the two power lines 32 are arranged and the direction in which the two power terminals 22 are arranged is absorbed by the relay terminals 28. More specifically, the two relay terminals 28 are disposed on the rear cover portion 62. The two relay terminals 28 extend in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction. Of the two relay terminals 28, the relay terminal 28A is connected to the power terminal 22 closer to the electric wire outlet 95, and the relay terminal 28B is connected to the power terminal 22 farther from the electric wire outlet 95. The relay terminals 28A and 28B are arranged in the Y direction at the portion connected to the power terminal 22, and are arranged in the Z direction at the portion connected to the electric wire 30. Relay terminal 28A extends in a straight line along rear cover portion 62 between a portion connected to power terminal 22 and a portion connected to power line 32. Relay terminal 28B is bent so as to move away from rear cover portion 62 midway from the portion connected to power terminal 22 to the portion connected to power line 32. The orientation of the main surface of relay terminal 28B changes between the portion connected to power terminal 22 and the portion connected to power line 32.

[0061] One end of the signal wire 34 is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 53. The other end of the signal wire 34 extends from the through hole 64 of the retainer 60, and while bending in the grommet 90, heads toward the electric wire outlet 95 of the grommet 90. Of the multiple signal wires 34, the signal wire 34A is connected to the signal terminal 24 positioned above the power terminal 22, and the signal wire 34B is connected to the signal terminal 24 positioned below the power terminal 22. After extending from the through hole 64, the signal wire 34A passes between the pair of power wires 32, merges with the signal wire 34B, and extends in the Y direction.

[0062] One end of the ground wire 36 is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 53. The ground wire 36 extends from one end to the other end through the through hole 64 of the retainer 60, and while bending in the grommet 90, moves toward the wire outlet 95 of the grommet 90 together with the signal wire 34. As described above, the ground wire 36 is less likely to bend than the signal wire 34, and therefore the radius of curvature of the ground wire 36 is likely to be larger than the radius of curvature of the signal wire 34 at the portion where the signal wire 34 and the ground wire 36 bend from the X direction to the Y direction. The other end of the ground wire 36 is held by the wire holding portion 57 of the housing 50 and the wire cover 70, thereby preventing the ground wire 36 from bulging too much in the grommet 90.

[0063] The thermistor 42 is accommodated in the housing body 51 together with the power terminal 22. Therefore, one end of the thermistor electric wire 44 is also accommodated in the housing body 51. The other end of the thermistor electric wire 44 passes through the through hole 64 of the retainer 60, extends to the outside of the rear cover part 62, and bends inside the grommet 90 toward the outlet of the grommet 90. The thermistor electric wire 44 passes through a portion of the through hole 64 that is used for inserting the terminal-attached electric wire 38. The thermistor electric wire 44 passes between the pair of power lines 32 and extends in the Y direction together with the signal line 34.

[0064] <Relationship between the housing body and signal terminals> With further reference to Figs. 8 to 10, the relationship between the housing body 51 and the signal terminals 24 will be described. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the difference between the signal terminals 24. Fig. 9 is a rear view showing the rear end of the housing body 51. In Fig. 9, the connector terminals 21 are arranged in the same order as the terminal accommodating portions 53. It is a rear view showing the rear end of the housing body 51. Fig. 10 is a diagram explaining the relationship between the housing body 51 and the signal terminals 24. In Fig. 10, the signal terminals 24 are a partially enlarged view of Fig. 8, and the housing body 51 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 9.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 8, in this example, the multiple signal terminals 24 have three types of signal terminals 24A, 24B, and 24C. Here, one signal terminal 24A, three signal terminals 24B, and two signal terminals 24C are provided. The signal terminal 24A is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 53A, and the signal terminal 24B is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 53B. The terminal accommodating portions 53A and 53B are located above the line connecting the centers of the terminal accommodating portions 53 of the two power terminals 22 in the Z direction. The terminal accommodating portion 53A is surrounded by three terminal accommodating portions 53B. The terminal accommodating portions 53B are located on both sides of the terminal accommodating portion 53A in the Y direction. In the Z direction, one terminal accommodating portion 53B is located next to the lower side of the terminal accommodating portion 53A. The terminal accommodating portion 53A and the terminal accommodating portion 53B below it are located in the center of the terminal accommodating portions 53 of the two power terminals 22 in the Y direction.

[0066] The three types of signal terminals 24A, 24B, and 24C have different shapes. The shapes of the protrusions 25c of the three types of signal terminals 24A, 24B, and 24C are different from each other. In each of the signal terminals 24A, 24B, and 24C, the first and second protrusions 25c extend in opposite directions. In the intermediate portion of each signal terminal 24, the connecting portion connecting the mating connection portion 25a and the electric wire connection portion 25b is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape. The first protrusion 25c extends from one end of the semi-cylindrical connecting portion in a direction away from the connecting portion. The second protrusion 25c extends from the other end of the semi-cylindrical connecting portion in a direction away from the connecting portion. The distance between the tip of the first protrusion 25c from the semi-cylindrical connecting portion and the tip of the second protrusion 25c is the maximum width dimension of the signal terminal 24.

[0067] In the example shown in FIG. 8, the up-down direction of the paper is parallel to the insertion / removal direction of the external charging connector. In the protrusion 25c of the signal terminal 24, the dimension along the insertion / removal direction is the width dimension of the protrusion 25c. In the example shown in FIG. 8, width dimensions W1A, W1B, and W1C are the width dimensions of the protrusion 25c of each of the signal terminals 24A, 24B, and 24C. As shown in FIG. 8, the width dimensions W1A and W1C of the protrusion 25c of the signal terminals 24A and 24C are smaller than the width dimension W1B of the protrusion 25c of the signal terminal 24B. Moreover, the width dimension W1A of the protrusion 25c of the signal terminal 24A is the same as the width dimension W1C of the protrusion 25c of the signal terminal 24C.

[0068] In the example shown in FIG. 8, the left-right direction of the paper is parallel to the direction in which the protruding portion 25c extends from the semi-cylindrical connecting portion. In the protruding portion 25c of the signal terminal 24, the dimension along the direction in which the first and second protruding portions 25c extend is the width dimension of the signal terminal 24. In the example shown in FIG. 8, width dimensions W2A, W2B, and W2C are the width dimensions of the signal terminals 24A, 24B, and 24C, respectively. As shown in FIG. 8, the width dimension W2A of the signal terminal 24A is smaller than the width dimensions W2B and W2C of the signal terminals 24B and 24C. Furthermore, the width dimension W2B of the signal terminal 24B is smaller than the width dimension W2C of the signal terminal 24C.

[0069] Each signal terminal 24 has a tubular portion 25a as a mating connecting portion 25a. The tubular portion 25a is provided on the tip side of the signal terminal 24. A terminal of an external charging connector is inserted into the tubular portion 25a. The tubular portion 25a has a tubular main body 25d and multiple elastic pieces 25e. The multiple elastic pieces 25e protrude toward the tip side from the tip portion of the tubular main body 25d. The multiple elastic pieces 25e form the tip portion of the signal terminal 24. A semi-cylindrical connecting portion protrudes toward the rear end side from the rear end portion of the tubular main body 25d.

[0070] 8, length dimensions LA, LB, and LC are dimensions of the tubular body 25d of each signal terminal 24A, 24B, and 24C in the insertion / removal direction. The length dimension LA of the tubular body 25d of the signal terminal 24A is longer than the length dimensions LB and LC of the tubular body 25d of the signal terminals 24B and 24C. The length dimension LB of the tubular body 25d of the signal terminal 24B is the same as the length dimension LC of the tubular body 25d of the signal terminal 24C.

[0071] The terminal accommodating portion 53 for the signal terminal 24 has a first accommodating portion 53d and a second accommodating portion 53e. The first accommodating portion 53d accommodates the tip end portion of the signal terminal 24 beyond the protruding portion 25c. The first accommodating portion 53d is formed to be the same as or slightly smaller than the tubular portion main body 25d. The second accommodating portion 53e accommodates the protruding portion 25c and the rear end portion of the signal terminal 24 beyond the protruding portion 25c. The second accommodating portion 53e is sized to accommodate the protruding tubular portion 63. In a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, the second accommodating portion 53e is larger than the first accommodating portion 53d, and a step is formed between the first accommodating portion 53d and the second accommodating portion 53e. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the rear end surface of the first accommodating portion 53d appears on the rear end side through the second accommodating portion 53e. When the signal terminal 24 attempts to move toward the tip of the terminal accommodating portion 53 beyond a predetermined position in the insertion / removal direction, the protrusion 25c gets caught on the rear end surface of the first accommodating portion 53d, restricting further movement.

[0072] Two recesses 53f are formed in each first housing portion 53d. The two recesses 53f are separated from each other in the circumferential direction on the inner surface of the first housing portion 53d. The two recesses 53f are formed in a portion of the first housing portion 53d that houses the tubular main body 25d and its rear end. A protrusion 53g is formed between the two recesses 53f. The two recesses 53f and the protrusion 53g extend from the rear end to the middle part of the first housing portion 53d. The two recesses 53f are provided on both sides of the lowest part in the Z direction on the inner surface of the first housing portion 53d. The protrusion 53g is provided in the lowest part in the Z direction on the inner surface of the first housing portion 53d. The two recesses 53f are recessed downward along the Z direction. The rear end of the recess 53f is recessed in the Z direction by a larger amount than the tip of the recess 53f. On the rear end surface of the first housing portion 53d, the recessed portion 53f and the protruding portion 53g form an uneven shape in the X direction.

[0073] The second housing portion 53e of some of the terminal housing portions 53B and 53C has a groove 53h into which the protrusion 25c fits. The second housing portion 53e of the terminal housing portions 53B and 53C has a first and second groove 53h into which the first and second protrusions 25c fit, respectively. The first and second grooves 53h are formed at positions 180 degrees apart from each other on the inner surface of the second housing portion 53e. Each groove 53h has a size according to the protrusion 25c to be housed. Each groove 53h is recessed from the inner surface of the second housing portion 53e in a direction according to the direction of the signal terminal 24. The signal terminal 24B is housed in the terminal housing portion 53B so that the first and second protrusions 25c extend in the Y direction. The first and second grooves 53h in the terminal housing portion 53B are recessed from the inner surface of the second housing portion 53e in the Y direction. The signal terminal 24C is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 53C such that the first and second protrusions 25c extend in a direction intersecting the Y and Z directions. The first and second grooves 53h in the terminal accommodating portion 53C are recessed from the inner surface of the second accommodating portion 53e in a direction intersecting the Y and Z directions. The first and second protrusions 25c of the signal terminals 24B, 24C fit into the first and second grooves 53h of the terminal accommodating portions 53B, 53C. This prevents the signal terminals 24B, 24C from rotating about an axis along the insertion / removal direction.

[0074] The groove 53h is not formed in the second housing portion 53e of some of the terminal housing portions 53A. The second housing portion 53e of the terminal housing portion 53A is formed to a size that can accommodate the protrusion 25c. The second housing portion 53e of the terminal housing portion 53A is formed with a rotation suppressing protrusion 53i. The rotation suppressing protrusion 53i protrudes from a part of the inner surface of the second housing portion 53e toward the inside of the second housing portion 53e. The rotation suppressing protrusion 53i is located on the trajectory of the protrusion 25c when the signal terminal 24A rotates around an axis along the insertion / removal direction. As shown in FIG. 9, the rotation suppressing protrusion 53i is provided at a position different from the recess 53f and the protrusion 53g when viewed from the X direction.

[0075] A slit 25f is formed at the tip of the tube portion 25a. The slit 25f separates one part of the tube portion 25a along the circumferential direction from the other part. Here, the slit 25f is defined as a space between the multiple elastic pieces 25e. The multiple elastic pieces 25e protrude from positions spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the tube portion main body 25d. The slits 25f are defined as spaces between the multiple elastic pieces 25e aligned in the circumferential direction. In this example, three elastic pieces 25e are aligned in the circumferential direction in one signal terminal 24. Therefore, three slits 25f are formed in one signal terminal 24.

[0076] In the example shown in Fig. 10, width dimension W3 is the width of the tip of slit 25f in signal terminal 24C. Also, in the example shown in Fig. 10, width dimension W4 is the width of protrusion 53g in terminal accommodating portion 53 of signal terminal 24C. Width dimension W4 is the width of a wall appearing at the rear end of housing 50 when the rear end of housing 50 is observed from the insertion / removal direction. Width dimension W3 of slit 25f is smaller than width dimension W4 of protrusion 53g as a wall. Therefore, when signal terminal 24C is inserted into terminal accommodating portion 53, protrusion 53g is prevented from entering slit 25f, making it easier to insert the terminal.

[0077] The width dimension of the tip of slit 25f in signal terminals 24A and 24B is the same as the width dimension of the tip of slit 25f in signal terminal 24C. Moreover, the width dimension of protrusion 53g in terminal accommodating portion 53 of signal terminals 24A and 24B is the same as the width dimension of protrusion 53g in terminal accommodating portion 53 of signal terminal 24C. Therefore, when signal terminals 24A and 24B are inserted into terminal accommodating portion 53, protrusion 53g is prevented from entering slit 25f, facilitating terminal insertion.

[0078] 10, width W5 is the width of protrusion 53g in terminal accommodating portion 53 of ground terminal 26. Protrusion 53g in terminal accommodating portion 53 of ground terminal 26 is the narrowest wall among the walls appearing at the rear end of housing 50 when the rear end of housing 50 is observed from the insertion / removal direction. Here, width W3 of slit 25f is smaller than width W5 of the wall. This prevents any wall at the rear end of housing 50 from entering slit 25f when each signal terminal 24 is inserted into terminal accommodating portion 53, facilitating terminal insertion.

[0079] The slit 25f extends rearward from the tip of the cylindrical portion 25a. The protrusion 53g of the terminal accommodating portion 53 extends forward from the rear end of the first accommodating portion 53d. When the rear end of the housing 50 is observed from the insertion / removal direction, the rear end of the protrusion 53g is exposed.

[0080] 10, width dimension W6 is the width dimension of the rear end portion of slit 25f. Width dimension W6 of the rear end portion of slit 25f is larger than width dimension W3 of the tip portion of slit 25f.

[0081] The elastic pieces 25e are bent at their middle portions so that the leading ends of the elastic pieces 25e are located radially closer to the center than the rear ends of the elastic pieces 25e. As a result, the diameter of the tubular portion 25a at the leading ends of the elastic pieces 25e is smaller than the diameter of the tubular portion 25a at the rear ends of the elastic pieces 25e. As a result, the distance between adjacent elastic pieces 25e at the leading ends of the elastic pieces 25e is smaller than the distance between adjacent elastic pieces 25e at the rear ends of the elastic pieces 25e.

[0082] In addition, the plate width of each elastic piece 25e at its rear end is smaller than the plate width of its front end, so that the distance between adjacent elastic pieces 25e at their front ends is smaller than the distance between adjacent elastic pieces 25e at their rear ends.

[0083] Further, a body-side slit 25g is formed in the tubular body 25d. The body-side slit 25g extends from one end to the other end in the axial direction of the tubular body 25d. As described above, the signal terminal 24 is formed by bending a metal plate. The circumferential length of the metal plate in the tubular body 25d is slightly shorter than the circumferential length of a circle corresponding to the diameter of the tubular body 25d. One end and the other end of the metal plate in the circumferential direction do not overlap in the radial direction, but are separated in the circumferential direction. As a result, the portion between the one end and the other end of the metal plate in the circumferential direction is defined as the body-side slit 25g.

[0084] <Relationship between the retainer and the terminal> The relationship between the retainer 60 and the connector terminal 21 will be described with further reference to Figures 11 to 13. Figure 11 is a rear view showing the retainer 60. Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the retainer 60. Figure 13 is a view explaining how the retainer 60 holds the connector terminal 21 from behind.

[0085] The retainer 60 has a plurality of through holes 64. Each through hole 64 penetrates the retainer 60 along the insertion / removal direction. The through holes 64 are formed at positions corresponding to the terminal accommodating portions 53. A protruding tube portion 63 is formed on the periphery of the through hole 64. Each protruding tube portion 63 has a protruding tube portion main body 63a. The protruding tube portion 63 that holds the signal terminal 24B further has a protruding portion pressing protrusion 63b. The protruding portion pressing protrusion 63b protrudes from the outer surface of the protruding tube portion main body 63a to the outer periphery side. The protruding portion pressing protrusion 63b enters the groove 53h and presses the protruding portion 25c. The protruding tube portion 63 that holds the signal terminals 24A and 24C does not have the protruding portion pressing protrusion 63b. In this example, four through holes 64 are formed in one retainer 60 corresponding to the terminal accommodating portions 53 of the six signal terminals 24.

[0086] Each of the four through holes 64 has a hollow portion 65 of the protruding tubular portion 63, a terminal insertion hole 66, and a terminal pressing portion side slit 67. The hollow portion 65 of the protruding tubular portion 63 is a portion that connects the front opening and the rear opening of the protruding tubular portion 63. The terminal insertion hole 66 is located outside the protruding tubular portion 63 in a direction intersecting with the insertion / removal direction. The terminal pressing portion side slit 67 is formed over the entire length of the protruding tubular portion 63 in the insertion / removal direction. The terminal pressing portion side slit 67 communicates between the hollow portion 65 and the terminal insertion hole 66.

[0087] In two of the four through holes 64, namely, through holes 64A and 64B, one terminal insertion hole 66 communicates with the hollow portion 65 of one protruding tube portion 63. The hollow portions 65 of the protruding tube portions 63 in the through holes 64A and 64B are separated from the hollow portions 65 of the other protruding tube portions 63.

[0088] In two of the four through holes 64, 64C and 64D, one terminal insertion hole 66 communicates with the hollow portions 65 of the two protruding tube portions 63. These two through holes 64C and 64D are shared through holes 64C and 64D. In the shared through hole 64C, one terminal insertion hole 66C communicates with one hollow portion 65C1 through one terminal pressing portion side slit 67C1 and also communicates with another hollow portion 65C2 through another terminal pressing portion side slit 67C2. In the shared through hole 64D, one terminal insertion hole 66D communicates with one hollow portion 65D1 through one terminal pressing portion side slit 67D1 and also communicates with another hollow portion 65D2 through another terminal pressing portion side slit 67D2.

[0089] After the six signal terminals 24 are connected to the signal wires 34 to form the terminal-attached electric wires 38, they penetrate the retainer 60 through the through holes 64 corresponding to the terminal accommodating portions 53 into which they are fitted, among the four through holes 64. Specifically, the signal terminal 24A and the signal terminal 24B on the left side of the signal terminal 24A among the three signal terminals 24B penetrate the retainer 60 through the through hole 64C. The signal terminal 24B on the right side of the signal terminal 24A among the three signal terminals 24B penetrates the retainer 60 through the through hole 64A. The signal terminal 24B on the lower side of the signal terminal 24A among the three signal terminals 24B penetrates the retainer 60 through the through hole 64B. The two signal terminals 24C penetrate the retainer 60 through the through hole 64D.

[0090] Each of the four through holes 64 is formed to a size that allows the corresponding signal terminal 24 to pass through. Each of the four through holes 64 is larger than the maximum width dimension at the intermediate portion of the signal terminal 24 through which it passes. The maximum width dimension at the intermediate portion of the signal terminal 24 is the width dimension at the protruding portion 25c. Specifically, the through holes 64A and 64B are larger than the width dimension W1B at the protruding portion 25c of the signal terminal 24B. The through hole 64C is larger than the width dimension W1A at the protruding portion 25c of the signal terminal 24A and the width dimension W1B at the protruding portion 25c of the signal terminal 24B. The through hole 64D is larger than the width dimension W1C at the protruding portion 25c of the signal terminal 24C.

[0091] The maximum width dimension of the intermediate portion of the signal terminal 24 is larger than the width dimension of the terminal pressing portion side slit 67. The intermediate portion of the signal terminal 24 cannot pass through the terminal pressing portion side slit 67.

[0092] The minimum width dimension of the signal terminal 24 from the protruding portion 25c to the electric wire connection portion 25b side or the diameter of the signal wire 34 connected to the signal terminal 24 is equal to or smaller than the width dimension of the terminal pressing portion side slit 67. As a result, after the protruding portion 25c passes through the through hole 64, the signal terminal 24 or the signal wire 34 can move through the terminal pressing portion side slit 67 into the hollow portion 65 of the protruding tube portion 63. Here, the diameter of the signal wire 34 is smaller than the width dimension of the terminal pressing portion side slit 67. The signal wire 34 is allowed to pass through the terminal pressing portion side slit 67.

[0093] In the shared through hole 64C, an insulating wall 68C is provided at a portion where a straight line connects the terminal pressing portion side slit 67C1 and the terminal pressing portion side slit 67C2. The insulating wall 68C is a part of the protruding tube portion 63. The insulating wall 68C ensures an insulation distance between the two signal terminals 24A and 24B passing through the shared through hole 64C.

[0094] Insulating walls 68D1 and 68D2 are provided in the shared through hole 64D at a portion where the terminal pressing portion side slit 67D1 and the terminal pressing portion side slit 67D2 are connected by a straight line. The insulating wall 68D1 is a part of the protruding tube portion 63. The insulating wall 68D2 is a wall provided separately from the protruding tube portion 63. The insulating wall 68D2 extends downward in the Z direction from the end of the insulating wall 68D1. The four through holes 64 are separated by the rear cover portion 62 of the retainer 60. The insulating walls 68D1 and 68D2 ensure an insulation distance between the two signal terminals 24C and the ground terminal 26 that pass through the shared through hole 64C.

[0095] The rear opening of the cylindrical power terminal pressing portion 63P is blocked by the relay terminal 28. Therefore, the thermistor wire 44 cannot be drawn out through the rear opening of the power terminal pressing portion 63P. The thermistor wire 44 passes through one of the four through holes 64 and penetrates the retainer 60. For example, the thermistor wire 44 of the thermistor 42 connected to one power terminal 22 passes through the retainer 60 through the through hole 64A. The thermistor wire 44 of the thermistor 42 connected to the other power terminal 22 passes through the retainer 60 through the through hole 64C.

[0096] <Preventing incorrect assembly of signal terminals> With further reference to Figs. 14 to 17, prevention of misassembly of three types of signal terminals 24A, 24B, and 24C will be described. Fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which three types of signal terminals 24A, 24B, and 24C are accommodated in the proper terminal accommodating portions 53A, 53B, and 53C. Fig. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which one type of signal terminal 24A is accommodated in three types of terminal accommodating portions 53A, 53B, and 53C. Fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which another type of signal terminal 24B is accommodated in three types of terminal accommodating portions 53A, 53B, and 53C. Fig. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which yet another type of signal terminal 24C is accommodated in three types of terminal accommodating portions 53A, 53B, and 53C.

[0097] As described above, the dimensions of the protruding portion 25c are different among the three types of signal terminals 24A, 24B, and 24C. Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 25a of the signal terminal 24A is longer than the cylindrical portion 25a of the signal terminals 24B and 24C. For these reasons, each of the signal terminals 24A, 24B, and 24C cannot be properly accommodated in a terminal accommodating portion 53 other than the corresponding terminal accommodating portion 53A, 53B, and 53C. Here, the fact that the signal terminal 24 cannot be properly accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 53 includes not only a case in which the signal terminal 24 cannot be inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 53, but also a case in which the retainer 60 cannot be attached to the housing 50 when the signal terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 53.

[0098] 14, when the retainer 60 is attached to the housing 50 with the signal terminals 24A, 24B, 24C accommodated in the corresponding terminal accommodating portions 53A, 53B, 53C, each protruding tubular portion 63 is inserted to a predetermined position into the second accommodating portion 53e of each terminal accommodating portion 53. This allows the housing 50 and the retainer 60 to be locked at the locking portions, and the housing 50 and the retainer 60 are attached.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 15, the signal terminal 24A can be inserted into the terminal accommodating portions 53B and 53C. This is because the maximum width of the signal terminal 24A is smaller than the maximum width of the signal terminals 24B and 24C and the width of the corresponding terminal accommodating portions 53B and 53C. However, the length of the tubular portion 25a of the signal terminal 24A is longer than the length of the tubular portion 25a of the signal terminal 24B and 24C. Therefore, when the signal terminal 24A is inserted into the terminal accommodating portions 53B and 53C, the protruding portion 25c of the signal terminal 24A is located rearward of the normal position of the protruding portion 25c. Therefore, when the retainer 60 is attached to the housing 50 with the signal terminal 24A inserted into the terminal accommodating portions 53B and 53C, the protruding tubular portion 63 cannot be inserted to the normal position into the terminal accommodating portions 53B and 53C in which the signal terminal 24A is accommodated. As a result, the housing 50 and the retainer 60 cannot be locked at the locking portions, and the housing 50 and the retainer 60 cannot be attached. This prevents the signal terminals 24A from being erroneously assembled into the terminal accommodating portions 53B and 53C.

[0100] 16, the signal terminal 24B cannot be inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 53A. This is because the maximum width dimension of the signal terminal 24B is larger than the maximum width dimension of the signal terminal 24A and the width dimension of the corresponding terminal accommodating portion 53A. This prevents the signal terminal 24B from being erroneously assembled into the terminal accommodating portion 53A.

[0101] Also, the signal terminal 24B can be inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 53C. This is because the maximum width dimension of the signal terminal 24B is smaller than the maximum width dimension of the signal terminal 24C and the width dimension of the terminal accommodating portion 53C corresponding thereto. However, the width dimension of the protruding portion 25c of the signal terminal 24B is larger than the width dimension of the protruding portion 25c of the signal terminal 24C. Therefore, when the signal terminal 24B is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 53C, the rear end of the protruding portion 25c of the signal terminal 24B is located rearward from the normal position. Therefore, when the retainer 60 is attached to the housing 50 with the signal terminal 24B inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 53C, the protruding tube portion 63 cannot be inserted to the normal position into the terminal accommodating portion 53C in which the signal terminal 24B is accommodated. As a result, the housing 50 and the retainer 60 cannot be locked at the locking portion, and the housing 50 and the retainer 60 cannot be attached. This prevents the signal terminal 24B from being erroneously assembled into the terminal accommodating portion 53C.

[0102] 17, the signal terminal 24C cannot be inserted into the terminal accommodating portions 53A and 53B. This is because the maximum width dimension of the signal terminal 24C is larger than the maximum width dimensions of the signal terminals 24A and 24B and the width dimensions of the corresponding terminal accommodating portions 53A and 53B. This prevents the signal terminal 24C from being erroneously assembled into the terminal accommodating portions 53A and 53B.

[0103] In the above example, in the insertion / removal direction, the dimension of protrusion 25c of signal terminal 24B is larger than the dimensions of protrusions 25c of signal terminals 24A and 24C. Therefore, the combinations of signal terminals 24 that satisfy the first condition that the dimension of protrusion 25c of first signal terminal 24 is larger than the dimension of protrusion 25c of second signal terminal 24 in the insertion / removal direction are the combination of signal terminals 24B and 24C and the combination of signal terminals 24A and 24C.

[0104] In the above example, in the extending direction of protrusion 25c, the dimension of protrusion 25c of signal terminal 24C is larger than the dimensions of protrusion 25c of signal terminals 24A and 24B, and the dimension of protrusion 25c of signal terminal 24B is larger than the dimension of protrusion 25c of signal terminal 24A. Therefore, the combinations of signal terminals 24 that satisfy the second condition that the dimension of protrusion 25c of second signal terminal 24 is larger than the dimension of protrusion 25c of first signal terminal 24 in the extending direction of protrusion 25c are the combination of signal terminals 24A and 24B, the combination of signal terminals 24B and 24C, and the combination of signal terminals 24A and 24C.

[0105] In the above example, the signal terminals 24A and 24B are disposed on the opposite side to the signal terminal 24C across the two power terminals 22. Therefore, the combinations of signal terminals 24 that satisfy the third condition that the first signal terminal 24 is disposed on the opposite side to the second signal terminal 24 across the two power terminals 22 are the combination of signal terminals 24A and 24C and the combination of signal terminals 24B and 24C.

[0106] In the above example, the combination of signal terminals 24 that satisfies all of the first, second, and third conditions is the combination of signal terminals 24B and 24C. That is, in the insertion / removal direction, the dimension of the protruding portion 25c of signal terminal 24B is larger than the dimension of the protruding portion 25c of signal terminal 24C. Also, in the extension direction of the protruding portion 25c, the dimension of the protruding portion 25c of signal terminal 24C is larger than the dimension of the protruding portion 25c of signal terminal 24B. Also, the signal terminal 24B is disposed on the opposite side to the signal terminal 24C with the two power terminals 22 in between.

[0107] <Signal terminal retention status> The holding state of the signal terminals 24 will be described with further reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a schematic rear view showing a state in which two types of signal terminals 24A and 24B are accommodated in regular terminal accommodating portions 53A and 53B.

[0108] When the signal terminal 24A is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 53A, a rotation suppressing protrusion 53i is provided at the position of the protrusion 25c in the insertion / removal direction. Therefore, when the signal terminal 24A tries to rotate around an axis along the insertion / removal direction, as shown in FIG. 18, the protrusion 25c comes into contact with the rotation suppressing protrusion 53i in either direction of rotation, and further rotation is suppressed. This suppresses the rotation of the signal terminal 24A around the axis along the insertion / removal direction to less than one rotation. This suppresses the amount of twist of the signal line 34 connected to the signal terminal 24A from becoming large.

[0109] The rotation suppressing protrusion 53i continues to the rear end of the terminal accommodating portion 53A. The rotation suppressing protrusion 53i is fitted into the terminal pressing portion side slit 67 of the protruding tube portion 63 that presses the signal terminal 24A at a rear end side of the protrusion 25c. The terminal pressing portion side slit 67 is closed by the rotation suppressing protrusion 53i. The signal terminal 24A is allowed to rotate less than one turn around an axis along the insertion / removal direction. Even in this case, since the terminal pressing portion side slit 67 is closed by the rotation suppressing protrusion 53i, the signal terminal 24A or the signal line 34 connected thereto is prevented from fitting into the terminal pressing portion side slit 67 when the signal terminal 24A rotates around an axis along the insertion / removal direction.

[0110] When the signal terminal 24B is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 53B, the first and second protrusions 25c are accommodated in the first and second grooves 53h, respectively, as shown in Fig. 18. As a result, when the signal terminal 24B tries to rotate around an axis along the insertion / removal direction, the protrusions 25c come into contact with the inner surface of the groove 53h, thereby preventing further rotation. The amount of rotation of the signal terminal 24b around the axis along the insertion / removal direction is small, which is smaller than the amount of rotation of the signal terminal 24A around the axis along the insertion / removal direction.

[0111] As with the signal terminal 24B, the first and second protrusions 25c of the signal terminal 24C are housed in the first and second grooves 53h, respectively, thereby preventing rotation about an axis along the insertion / removal direction.

[0112] The tubular body 25d of the signal terminal 24A is longer in the insertion / removal direction than the tubular body 25d of the signal terminals 24B and 24C. Therefore, the signal terminal 24A is supported in the terminal accommodating portion 53 at a longer distance in the insertion / removal direction in the tubular body 25d than the signal terminals 24B and 24C. This makes it difficult for the signal terminal 24A to rotate around an axis (for example, around the Y-axis or the Z-axis) that intersects with the insertion / removal direction.

[0113] The cylindrical body 25d of the signal terminals 24B, 24C is shorter in the insertion / removal direction than the cylindrical body 25d of the signal terminal 24A. Even in this case, the protrusions 25c of the signal terminals 24B, 24C are supported by the inner surface of the groove 53h. This makes it difficult for the signal terminals 24B, 24C to rotate around an axis (for example, around the Y-axis or the Z-axis) that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction.

[0114] <Relationship between ground terminal, housing and retainer> The mating connection portion 27a and the wire connection portion 27b of the ground terminal 26 are an example of a ground terminal side tube portion and a ground terminal side wire connection portion. The ground terminal 26 has a ground terminal side intermediate portion provided between the mating connection portion 27a and the wire connection portion 27b. The protruding portion 27c is an example of a ground terminal side that protrudes beyond the ground terminal side tube portion in a direction intersecting with the insertion / removal direction. The ground terminal pressing portion 63G of the retainer 60 extends along the wire connection portion 27b and presses the protruding portion 27c toward the housing 50.

[0115] Unlike the first and second protrusions 25c, the first and second protrusions 27c extend in the same direction (here, the positive side in the Z direction). The ground terminal pressing portion 63G is formed on the upper peripheral edge of the terminal insertion hole 66D on the front surface of the rear cover portion 62. The ground terminal pressing portion 63G is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the Y direction and presses the tips of the first and second protrusions 27c.

[0116] In this example, the ground terminal 26 can also pass through the retainer 60 in the state where it is connected to the terminal-attached electric wire 38. As shown in Fig. 11, the through hole 64D is formed to have a size that allows the terminal-attached electric wire 38 of the ground terminal 26 to pass therethrough.

[0117] <Effects, etc.> According to the charging connector 10 configured as above, the width of the slit 25f of the cylindrical portion 25a is smaller than the width of the walls of the protruding portion 53g of the housing 50 and the like. Therefore, when the signal terminal 24 is not properly inserted into the housing 50, the walls of the housing 50, such as the protruding portion 53g, are prevented from entering the slit 25f. This makes it easier to attach the signal terminal 24 to the housing 50. In addition, the plate thickness of the signal terminal 24 is thinner than the plate thickness of the power terminal 22. Therefore, the signal terminal 24 is more likely to deform with a smaller external force than the power terminal 22. Even in this case, the walls of the housing 50, such as the protruding portion 53g, are prevented from entering the slit 25f, and the walls of the housing 50, such as the protruding portion 53g, are prevented from entering the slit 25f and deforming the cylindrical portion 25a.

[0118] In addition, the signal terminal 24 is prevented from coming out by using the protrusion 25c and the terminal pressing portion 61. Since the protrusion 25c is sandwiched between the housing 50 and the retainer 60 and prevented from coming out, there is no need to deform the protrusion 25c when the signal terminal 24 is inserted into the housing 50.

[0119] Furthermore, after the signal terminal 24 is connected to the signal wire 34, the terminal-attached electric wire 38 with the signal terminal 24 can pass through the retainer 60 via the through hole 64, and after the signal terminal 24 that has passed through the through hole 64 is accommodated in the housing 50, the terminal pressing portion 61 can be locked with the protruding portion 25c. This eliminates the need to connect the signal terminal 24 to the signal wire 34 after it has been passed through the retainer 60, making it easier to assemble the charging connector 10.

[0120] In addition, after the signal terminal 24 with the signal wire 34 is fitted into the housing 50 through the through hole 64, the rear end portion of the signal terminal 24 or the signal wire 34 can be inserted into the hollow portion 65 of the protruding tubular portion 63 through the terminal pressing portion side slit 67. In addition, after the rear end portion of the signal terminal 24 or the signal wire 34 is fitted into the hollow portion 65, the retainer 60 moves along the signal terminal 24 with the signal wire 34 and is attached to the housing 50, whereby the signal terminal 24 is fitted into the protruding tubular portion 63 while the tip portion of the protruding tubular portion 63 is engaged with the protruding portion 25c.

[0121] In addition, an insulating wall 68C is provided in the shared through hole 64C at a portion where the first terminal pressing portion side slit 67C1 and the second terminal pressing portion side slit 67C2 are connected by a straight line. This ensures an insulation distance between the multiple signal terminals 24A and 24B inserted into the housing 50 through the shared through hole 64C. In the shared through hole 64D, insulating walls 68D1 and 68D2 are provided at a portion where the first terminal pressing portion side slit 67D1 and the second terminal pressing portion side slit 67D2 are connected by a straight line. This ensures an insulation distance between the multiple signal terminals 24C and the ground terminal 26 inserted into the housing 50 through the shared through hole 64D.

[0122] Furthermore, the wire 44 of the thermistor 42 passes through the retainer 60 via the through hole 64. This allows the wire 44 of the thermistor 42 to extend toward the vehicle interior even when the thermistor 42 is accommodated in the housing 50 together with the power terminal 22. Furthermore, the thermistor 42 can be disposed at a position of the power terminal 22 close to the mating connection portion 23a, improving the accuracy with which the thermistor 42 detects the temperature of the power terminal 22.

[0123] In addition, the tubular body 25d is formed with a body-side slit 25g extending from one end to the other end in the axial direction of the tubular body 25d. This allows room for the tubular part 25a to deform in the radial direction when inserting or removing the tubular part 25a. The width of the slit 25f of the tubular part 25a is the width dimension between the adjacent elastic pieces 25e.

[0124] In addition, the width dimension of the rear end of the multiple elastic pieces 25e is smaller than the width dimension of the tip end of the multiple elastic pieces 25e, and the width of the rear end of the slit 25f is larger than the width of the tip end of the slit 25f. This makes the connecting portion between the elastic pieces 25e and the tube main body 25d smaller, and the multiple elastic pieces 25e are more likely to deform in the radial direction when inserted or removed.

[0125] The diameter of the cylindrical portion 25a at the tip ends of the elastic pieces 25e is smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 25a at the rear ends of the elastic pieces 25e, which makes it easier for the elastic pieces 25e to come into contact with the mating terminals during insertion and removal.

[0126] [Embodiment 2] A charging connector according to a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 19 is a rear view showing a charging connector 110 according to the second embodiment. Signal wire 34 is omitted in Fig. 19. Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing a signal terminal 124 in charging connector 110. Fig. 21 is a rear view showing retainer 160 in charging connector 110. Fig. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which signal terminal 124 is accommodated in terminal accommodating portion 153. In the description of this embodiment, components similar to those described so far are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0127] In the charging connector 110, the ground terminal 26 and the ground wire 36 are omitted. As a result, the configuration related to the ground terminal 26 and the ground wire 36 is omitted in the housing 150 and the retainer 160. Furthermore, eight signal terminals 124 are provided in the charging connector 110. The eight signal terminals 124 are housed in groups of four, with the power terminal 22 in between. In the rear view of FIG. 19, the four signal terminals 124 are arranged to correspond to the four vertices of a square. The square is inclined at 45 degrees so that one diagonal line is aligned in the Z direction. In this example, all of the eight signal terminals 124 have the same shape.

[0128] In the signal terminal 124, a slit 25f is formed between the elastic pieces 125e. In the housing 150, walls such as the protrusion 53g appear at the rear end. In this example, the width of the slit 25f is smaller than the width of the walls, so that when the signal terminal 124 is inserted into the housing 150, the walls such as the protrusion 53g are prevented from fitting into the slit 25f.

[0129] As shown in Fig. 20, in the signal terminal 124, the width dimension of the tip of the slit 25f is smaller than the width dimension of the rear end of the slit 25f. Also, in the signal terminal 124, the diameter of the tubular portion 125a at the tip of the elastic piece 125e is smaller than the diameter of the tubular portion 125a at the rear end of the elastic piece 125e. In the elastic piece 125e, the width dimension of the tip is smaller than the width dimension of the rear end. In the elastic piece 125e of the signal terminal 124, as shown in Fig. 20, the width dimension of the tip is smaller than the width dimension of the rear end. The diameter of the tubular portion 125a at the tip of the elastic piece 125e is smaller than the diameter of the tubular portion 25a at the tip of the elastic piece 25e.

[0130] The shape of the protruding portion 125c of the signal terminal 124 is different from the shape of the protruding portion 25c of the signal terminal 24. In the signal terminal 124, the first and second protruding portions 125c extend in the same direction as the protruding portion 23c of the power terminal 22 and the protruding portion 27c of the ground terminal 26. The protruding tube portion 163 is formed in a cylindrical shape like the protruding tube portion 63. The tip portion of the protruding tube portion 163 presses the first and second protruding portions 125c toward the housing 150. As shown in FIG. 22, the tip portions of the first and second protruding portions 125c are pressed by the protruding tube portion 163.

[0131] Like the signal terminals 24, the signal terminals 124 are also formed into the terminal-attached electric wires 38 and then pass through the through holes 164 of the retainer 160. Since the first and second protrusions 125c extend in the same direction, the maximum width dimension of the signal terminals 124 is smaller than the maximum width dimension of the signal terminals 24. Therefore, the through holes 164 in the retainer 160 are also smaller than the through holes 64 of the retainer 60. Furthermore, the retainer 160 does not have the shared through holes 64C, 64D, and eight through holes 164 are formed to correspond to the eight signal terminals 124.

[0132] In the terminal accommodating portion 153, a groove 53h for accommodating the protruding portion 125c is not formed. Instead, all of the eight terminal accommodating portions 153 are provided with a rotation suppressing protrusion 53i similar to the terminal accommodating portion 53A. On the rear end side of the protruding portion 125c, the rotation suppressing protrusion 53i is accommodated in the terminal pressing portion side slit 167 of the protruding tube portion 163 in the same manner as described above. Since the signal terminals 124 are close to each other and the space is limited, the terminal pressing portion side slits 167A of the three through holes 164A located in the middle in the Y direction among the eight through holes 164 are larger in width than the terminal pressing portion side slits 167B of the other five through holes 164B. Therefore, the rotation suppressing protrusion 53i that is accommodated in the terminal pressing portion side slit 167A is larger in width than the rotation suppressing protrusion 53i that is accommodated in the terminal pressing portion side slit 167B. In the rotation restricting protrusion 53i that fits in the terminal pressing portion side slit 167A, two small protrusions are provided spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, so that the width dimension of the rotation restricting protrusion 53i is increased.

[0133] [Note] Thus far, it has been described that the protrusion 25c and the terminal pressing portion 61 prevent the signal terminal 24 from coming off the housing 50, but this is not an essential configuration. A configuration that prevents the signal terminal 24 from coming off the housing 50 may be provided in addition to the protrusion 25c and the terminal pressing portion 61. For example, the signal terminal 24 and the housing 50 may be configured to be engaged with each other by a lance and a recess, etc.

[0134] In addition, although it has been described above that the signal terminal 24 is connected to the signal wire 34 to form the terminal-attached electric wire 38, and then passes through the retainer 60 via the through-hole 64 of the retainer 60, this is not a required configuration. The signal wire 34 may be connected to the signal terminal 24 after passing through the retainer 60. In this case, as long as the protruding tubular portion 63 has front and rear openings, the terminal insertion hole 66 and the terminal pressing portion side slit 67 may be omitted.

[0135] In addition, although it has been described above that the insulating walls 68C, 68D1, and 68D2 are provided in the shared through holes 64C and 64D, this is not a required configuration. The insulating walls 68C, 68D1, and 68D2 may be omitted in the shared through holes 64C and 64D. In this case, the insulating distance between the signal terminals 24 may be secured even without the insulating walls 68C, 68D1, and 68D2, for example, by making the signal terminals 24 farther apart.

[0136] Further, although it has been described so far that the electric wire 44 of the thermistor 42 passes through the retainer 60 via the through-hole 64, this is not a required configuration. The electric wire 44 of the thermistor 42 may pass through the retainer 60 via a path other than the through-hole 64. Furthermore, the thermistor 42 may be attached to the rear end side of the rear cover portion 62, for example, so that the electric wire 44 of the thermistor 42 does not need to pass through the retainer 60.

[0137] In addition, although it has been described so far that the body side slit 25g is formed in the tubular body 25d, this is not a required configuration. The body side slit 25g may not be formed in the tubular body 25d. For example, the body side slit 25g may not be formed by overlapping one circumferential end and the other circumferential end in the radial direction.

[0138] In addition, although the width of the rear end of the slit 25f has been described above as being larger than the width of the front end of the slit 25f, this is not a required configuration. For example, the width of the slit 25f may be constant from the front end to the rear end. Also, for example, the width of the front end of the slit 25f may be larger than the width of the rear end of the slit 25f.

[0139] In addition, although the diameter of the cylindrical portion 25a at the tip end of the elastic pieces 25e is described as being smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 25a at the rear end of the elastic pieces 25e, this is not essential. For example, the diameter of the cylindrical portion 25a of the elastic pieces 25e may be constant from the tip end to the rear end.

[0140] The configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 10, 110 Charging connector 20 Terminals 21 Connector terminal 22 Power terminal 23a Counterpart connection part 23b Terminal fixing part 23c Protrusion 23d Thermistor mounting part 24, 24A, 24B, 24C, 124 Signal Terminals 25a, 125a Mating connection part (tube part) 25b Wire connection part 25c, 125c protrusion 25d Cylinder body 25e, 125e Elastic piece 25f Slit 25g Body side slit 26 Ground terminal 27a Mating connection part (ground terminal side tube part) 27b Wire connection part (Ground terminal side wire connection part) 27c Protrusion (Ground terminal side protrusion) 28, 28A, 28B Relay terminal 29a Terminal fixing part 29b Wire connection part 30 Electric wire 31a core wire 31b Covering 32 Power Lines 34 Signal Line 36 Ground Line 38 Wire with terminal 39 Shrink Tube 40 Thermistor unit 42 Thermistor 44 Thermistor wire 50, 150 Housing 51 Housing body 52 Outer frame 53, 53A, 53B, 53C, 153 Terminal housing 53d First storage section 53e Second storage section 53f Recess 53g Convex part (wall) 53h groove 53i Rotation suppression protrusion 54 Vehicle mounting part 56 Arm 57 Wire clamp 60, 160 retainer 61 Terminal holder 62 Rear cover part 63, 163 Projecting cylinder part 63a Projecting tube body 63b Convex 63P Power terminal holder 63G Ground terminal holder 64, 64A, 64B, 164, 164A, 164B through hole 64C, 64D Shared through hole (through hole) 65, 65C1, 65C2, 65D1, 65D2 Hollow part 66, 66C1, 66C2, 66D1, 66D2 Terminal insertion hole 67, 67C, 67C1, 67C2, 67D1, 67D2, 167, 167A, 167B Terminal clamp side slit 68, 68C, 68D1, 68D2 Insulating wall 69a, 69b Wall 70 Wire Cover 80 Lid unit 82 Lid 84 Hinge unit 86 Lock Unit 89 Sealing material 90 Grommet (protector) 91 1st Protection Department 92 Housing outlet 93 Drain port 94 2nd Protection Department 95 Wire outlet 98 Cable Ties 100 Mounting part Panel 102 104 Through hole 106 Body side cover S screw

Claims

1. A charging connector that is mounted on a vehicle, is mated with an external charging connector that is connected to an external power source of the vehicle, and is used to charge a battery provided in the vehicle, first and second power terminals used to supply power to the battery; a plurality of signal terminals each having a thickness thinner than the first and second power terminals and configured to transmit signals between an outside of the vehicle and a control unit of the vehicle; a housing that holds the first and second power terminals and the plurality of signal terminals and that is adapted to mate with the external charging connector at a front end portion along an insertion / removal direction of the external charging connector; a retainer mated with a rear end of the housing to hold the first and second power terminals and the plurality of signal terminals together with the housing; Equipped with Each of the plurality of signal terminals has a cylindrical portion provided at a tip side and into which a terminal of the external charging connector is inserted, A slit is formed in the tip of the cylindrical portion to separate a portion of the cylindrical portion along a circumferential direction from another portion of the cylindrical portion, a width of a tip end of the slit is smaller than a width of a wall that appears at the rear end of the housing when the rear end of the housing is observed from the insertion / removal direction; the housing has a terminal accommodating portion for accommodating one end of the signal terminal, the wall extends from a periphery of the terminal accommodating portion in a radial direction of the terminal accommodating portion when the rear end portion of the housing is observed from the insertion / removal direction, The width of the wall is a width in a direction perpendicular to each of the insertion / removal direction and the radial direction, Each of the plurality of signal terminals further includes a wire connection portion provided on a rear end side and electrically connected to a signal line, and an intermediate portion provided between the cylindrical portion and the wire connection portion, the intermediate portion has a protruding portion that protrudes beyond the cylindrical portion in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, the retainer has a terminal pressing portion extending along the electric wire connection portion and pressing the protruding portion toward the housing, a through hole is formed in the retainer so as to pass through the retainer along the insertion / removal direction; The terminal pressing portion is formed on the periphery of the through hole, the terminal pressing portion has a protruding tubular portion formed in a tubular shape surrounding the signal terminal on the wire connection portion side of the protruding portion, the through hole has a hollow portion of the protruding tubular portion, a terminal insertion hole located outside the protruding tubular portion, and a terminal pressing portion-side slit formed in the protruding tubular portion and communicating between the hollow portion and the terminal insertion hole, The terminal insertion hole of the through hole is larger than a maximum width dimension of the signal terminal at the intermediate portion.

2. 2. The charging connector according to claim 1, a minimum width dimension of the signal terminal from the protrusion to the electric wire connection portion or a diameter of a signal wire connected to the signal terminal is equal to or smaller than a width dimension of the terminal pressing portion side slit; a maximum width dimension of the intermediate portion is greater than a width dimension of the terminal pressing portion side slit.

3. The charging connector according to claim 2, As the through hole, one of the terminal insertion holes is provided in communication with the hollow portion of the first protruding tubular portion via a first terminal pressing portion side slit, and a shared through hole is provided in communication with the hollow portion of the second protruding tubular portion via a second terminal pressing portion side slit, the charging connector, wherein an insulating wall is provided in the shared through hole at a portion where a straight line connects the first terminal pressing portion side slit and the second terminal pressing portion side slit.

4. The charging connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a thermistor attached to the power terminal; an electric wire attached to the thermistor; Further equipped with the thermistor is accommodated in the housing together with the power terminal; the electric wire of the thermistor passes through the through hole and penetrates the retainer.

5. The charging connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The tube portion has a tube body and a plurality of elastic pieces protruding from a tip end of the tube body, The plurality of elastic pieces protrude from positions spaced apart from one another along a circumferential direction of the tubular body, The slits are defined between the elastic pieces arranged in the circumferential direction, The charging connector, wherein a body-side slit is formed in the cylindrical body, the body-side slit extending from one end to the other end in an axial direction of the cylindrical body.

6. The charging connector according to claim 5, a width dimension of rear ends of the elastic pieces is smaller than a width dimension of tip ends of the elastic pieces; A charging connector, wherein a width of a rear end portion of the slit is greater than a width of the front end portion of the slit.

7. The charging connector according to claim 5 or 6, a diameter of the tubular portion at the tip ends of the plurality of elastic pieces is smaller than a diameter of the tubular portion at the rear ends of the plurality of elastic pieces.

Images