connector

Abstract

To enhance a noise reduction effect while suppressing an increase in size.SOLUTION: A connector comprises: a terminal metal fitting 10 that includes a base part 11, at least one first terminal part 12 projected in a first direction from the base part, and at least two second terminal parts 13 that are projected in a second direction from the base part, and arranged with an interval in a terminal arrangement direction orthogonal to the first direction; a ferrite core 20 in each first terminal part and each second terminal part, in which a penetration hole 21 where the first terminal part or the second terminal part can be inserted is formed; a first housing 30 on the first terminal part side of the base part, in which the first terminal part and the ferrite core using the first terminal part as an insertion object are housed; and a second housing 40 on the second terminal part side of the base part, in which the second terminal part and the ferrite core using the second terminal part as an insertion object are housed, and which is assembled to the first housing. The first housing includes a first housing chamber 33 in each ferrite core for the first terminal part, and a second housing chamber 43 in each ferrite core for the second terminal part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, in a connector, a technique is known in which a terminal in a housing is inserted into a ferrite core in order to attenuate noise currents. This connector is disclosed, for example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2 listed below. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-216094 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-025914 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, this type of connector requires a chamber for accommodating the ferrite core in the housing and a holding structure for holding the ferrite core in the housing, which may lead to an increase in size. For example, in the connector described in the above Patent Document 2, an inner housing for holding the ferrite core is accommodated in two housings assembled together. For this reason, in order to reduce noise with a ferrite core in a connector, it is necessary to suppress the increase in size by optimizing the chamber and holding structure.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can enhance noise reduction effects while preventing an increase in size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a terminal fitting having a base, at least one first terminal portion protruding from the base in a first direction, and at least two second terminal portions protruding from the base in a second direction opposite to the first direction and arranged at intervals in a terminal arrangement direction perpendicular to the first direction, a ferrite core provided for each of the first terminal portions and each of the second terminal portions, the ferrite core being formed with a through hole through which the first terminal portion or the second terminal portion can be inserted in the protruding direction, and a terminal fitting housing for the first terminal portion on the side of the base, the first terminal portion, and the ferrite core for the first terminal portion into which the first terminal portion and the first terminal portion are inserted. and a second housing that houses the second terminal portion side of the base, the second terminal portion, and the ferrite core for the second terminal portion into which the second terminal portion is inserted and is assembled to the first housing, the first housing having a chamber provided for each of the ferrite cores for the first terminal portion and a first housing chamber in which the ferrite core for the first terminal portion is housed and held, the second housing having a chamber provided for each of the ferrite cores for the second terminal portion and a second housing chamber in which the ferrite core for the second terminal portion is housed and held. the first terminal portion is provided on the opposite side of a central portion between two adjacent second terminal portions in the base, the first accommodating chamber has a locking portion for locking an end portion of the ferrite core for the first terminal portion accommodated in the chamber on the first direction side, the second accommodating chamber has a locking portion for locking an end portion of the ferrite core for the second terminal portion accommodated in the chamber on the second direction side, the first housing is provided for each of the ferrite cores for the second terminal portions, and at an assembly completion position of the first housing and the second housing, the second housing has a first protrusion that comes into contact with an end portion of the ferrite core for the second terminal portion on the first direction side and holds the ferrite core for the second terminal portion between the first protrusion and the locking portion of the second accommodating chamber, and the second housing has a second protrusion that is provided for each of the ferrite cores for the first terminal portion and comes into contact with an end portion of the ferrite core for the first terminal portion on the second direction side and holds the ferrite core for the first terminal portion between the first protrusion and the locking portion of the first accommodating chamber when the first housing and the second housing are in an assembly completion position. It is characterized by the following. Effect of the Invention

[0007] In the connector according to the present invention, a first housing is provided with a first chamber for accommodating and holding a ferrite core for a first terminal portion, and a second housing is provided with a second chamber for accommodating and holding a ferrite core for a second terminal portion. Therefore, the connector according to the present invention does not require a separate part for holding the ferrite core in the housing as in the conventional connector, and therefore not only can the number of parts be reduced, but the connector can also improve the noise reduction effect while preventing the connector from becoming too large. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connector according to the embodiment as viewed from the mating terminal insertion port side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1 of FIG. 2 rotated 90 degrees. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X2-X2 of FIG. 2, rotated 90 degrees. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y1-Y1 in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y2-Y2 in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the first housing. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an application example of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an application example of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an application example of the connector according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a connector according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0010] [Embodiment] One embodiment of a connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] Reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1 to 7 indicates a connector of this embodiment.

[0012] The connector 1 includes a terminal fitting 10, a ferrite core 20, a first housing 30, and a second housing 40 (FIGS. 1 to 7).

[0013] The first housing 30 and the second housing 40 shown here may have different shapes or may have the same shape as each other as long as they each have the respective parts described below. In this embodiment, the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are illustrated as being the same part. Therefore, in FIG. 8, the first housing 30 is illustrated as a representative. For convenience of explanation, the names of the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are appropriately used even if the parts are the same.

[0014] The connector 1 shown here is exemplified as a joint connector that electrically connects between a first device M1 side and a second device M2 side (FIG. 9). For example, this connector 1 is interposed between an electric wire We1 electrically connected to a first device M1 in an engine compartment of a vehicle and an electric wire We2 electrically connected to a second device M2 on an instrument panel of the vehicle, and electrically connects the electric wires We1 and We2, thereby electrically connecting between the first device M1 side and the second device M2 side (FIG. 10). Also, for example, this connector 1 is interposed between an electric wire We1 electrically connected to a first device M1 on or under the floor of a vehicle and an electric wire We2 electrically connected to a second device M2 on an instrument panel of the vehicle, and electrically connects the electric wires We1 and We2, thereby electrically connecting between the first device M1 side and the second device M2 side (FIG. 10).

[0015] The terminal fitting 10 is made of a conductive material such as metal. The terminal fitting 10 has a base 11, at least one first terminal portion 12 protruding from the base 11 in a first direction, and at least two second terminal portions 13 protruding from the base 11 in a second direction opposite to the first direction and arranged at intervals in a terminal arrangement direction perpendicular to the first direction (FIGS. 4 and 7).

[0016] The base 11 is a connecting portion that connects all of the first terminal portions 12 and second terminal portions 13 of the terminal fitting 10. The base 11 shown here is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape.

[0017] The first terminal portion 12 is a terminal portion that electrically connects the terminal fitting 10 to the first device M1 side. The first terminal portion 12 is physically and electrically connected to a first mating terminal fitting (not shown) attached to an end of the electric wire We1, and is electrically connected to the first device M1 side via the first mating terminal fitting and the electric wire We1. The first terminal portion 12 shown here is an axial male terminal portion whose axial direction is the protruding direction (first direction) from the base portion 11 (FIGS. 4 and 7). The protruding direction of the first terminal portion 12 is the insertion direction into the first mating terminal fitting, and the first terminal portion 12 is fitted and connected to the first mating terminal fitting having a female terminal shape. The first terminal portion 12 shown here protrudes in the first direction from one side of the base portion 11 on the first direction side on the same plane as the base portion 11.

[0018] The second terminal portion 13 is a terminal portion that electrically connects the terminal fitting 10 to the second device M2 side. The second terminal portion 13 is physically and electrically connected to a second mating terminal fitting (not shown) attached to an end of the electric wire We2, and is electrically connected to the second device M2 side via the second mating terminal fitting and the electric wire We2. The second terminal portion 13 shown here is an axial male terminal portion whose axial direction is the protruding direction (second direction) from the base portion 11 (FIGS. 4 and 7). The protruding direction of the second terminal portion 13 is the insertion direction into the second mating terminal fitting, and the second terminal portion 13 is fitted and connected to the second mating terminal fitting having a female terminal shape. The second terminal portion 13 shown here protrudes in the second direction from one side of the base portion 11 on the second direction side on the same plane as the base portion 11.

[0019] In the terminal fitting 10 shown here, the first terminal portion 12 and the second terminal portion 13 are formed as male terminal portions of the same shape. The terminal fitting 10 shown here has three (three) first terminal portions 12 and three (three) second terminal portions 13.

[0020] In this terminal fitting 10, three (three) first terminal portions 12 are arranged at intervals between each other in the terminal arrangement direction, and three (three) second terminal portions 13 are arranged at intervals between each other in the terminal arrangement direction (FIGS. 4 and 7). Adjacent first terminal portions 12 are arranged at equal intervals (equal pitch). Adjacent second terminal portions 13 are arranged at the same intervals (pitch) as the first terminal portions 12. In this terminal fitting 10, the first terminal portions 12 and the second terminal portions 13 are arranged at half pitches in the terminal arrangement direction. In other words, the first terminal portions 12 are provided on the opposite side of the center portion between two adjacent second terminal portions 13 in the base portion 11.

[0021] In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the terminal fittings 10 are arranged at intervals in the fitting arrangement direction perpendicular to the first direction and the terminal arrangement direction (FIGS. 2 and 5 to 7). That is, the connector 1 includes a plurality of terminal fittings 10 arranged at intervals in the fitting arrangement direction. In the plurality of terminal fittings 10, the first terminal portions 12 arranged at the same position on each base portion 11 are arranged in the fitting arrangement direction, and the second terminal portions 13 arranged at the same position on each base portion 11 are arranged in the fitting arrangement direction. Thus, in the plurality of terminal fittings 10, three combinations of the first terminal portions 12 arranged in the fitting arrangement direction are provided, and three combinations of the second terminal portions 13 arranged in the fitting arrangement direction are provided.

[0022] As described above, the first terminal portion 12 is physically and electrically connected to the first mating terminal fitting attached to the end of the electric wire We1. In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the pair of electric wires We1 and the first mating terminal fitting may be connected to the first terminal portion 12 one by one, and a first mating connector in which a combination of the pair of electric wires We1 and the first mating terminal fitting is provided for each of the first terminal portions 12 may be fitted and connected. Similarly, the second terminal portion 13 is physically and electrically connected to the second mating terminal fitting attached to the end of the electric wire We2. In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the pair of electric wires We2 and the second mating terminal fitting may be connected to the second terminal portion 13 one by one, and a second mating connector in which a combination of the pair of electric wires We2 and the second mating terminal fitting is provided for each of the second terminal portions 13 may be fitted and connected. Here, a first mating connector Con1 (FIG. 10) is fitted and connected to the first terminal portion 12 side, and a second mating connector Con2 (FIG. 10) is fitted and connected to the second terminal portion 13 side.

[0023] For example, to enhance the noise reduction effect, the connector 1 of this embodiment is electrically connected to a twisted pair electric wire WeT in which two electric wires are twisted together (FIG. 11). One of the two first terminal units 12 adjacent to each other in the metal fitting arrangement direction is electrically connected to one electric wire We1 of the twisted pair electric wire WeT on the first device M1 side, and the other of the two first terminal units 12 is electrically connected to the other of the two first terminal units 12. Then, one of the two second terminal units 13 adjacent to each other in the metal fitting arrangement direction is electrically connected to one electric wire We2 of the twisted pair electric wire WeT on the second device M2 side, and the other of the two second terminal units 13 is electrically connected to the other of the two second terminal units 13.

[0024] The connector 1 shown here includes two terminal fittings 10. In the connector 1 shown here, the twisted pair electric wires WeT on the first device M1 side are electrically connected via the first mating terminal fittings for each combination of two first terminal portions 12 aligned in the fitting arrangement direction, and the twisted pair electric wires WeT on the second device M2 side are electrically connected via the second mating terminal fittings for each combination of two second terminal portions 13 aligned in the fitting arrangement direction.

[0025] The ferrite core 20 is a member formed from a magnetic body (ferrite) and is provided as a noise filter member for reducing noise. The ferrite core 20 is provided with a through hole 21 through which the first terminal 12 or the second terminal 13 can be inserted in the protruding direction in order to attenuate the noise current flowing through the first terminal 12 or the second terminal 13 (FIGS. 4, 5, and 7). The ferrite core 20 is provided for each of the first terminal 12 and the second terminal 13 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 7).

[0026] The ferrite core 20 of this embodiment is provided for each combination of a plurality of first terminal parts 12 arranged in the metal fitting arrangement direction and for each combination of a plurality of second terminal parts 13 arranged in the metal fitting arrangement direction (FIG. 7). In the ferrite core 20, through holes 21 are formed in the metal fitting arrangement direction for each of the plurality of terminal fittings 10 (FIGS. 5 and 7). The ferrite core 20 shown here is provided for each combination of two first terminal parts 12 arranged in the metal fitting arrangement direction, and is provided for each combination of two second terminal parts 13 arranged in the metal fitting arrangement direction. In other words, the connector 1 shown here includes three ferrite cores 20 for the first terminal parts 12 and three ferrite cores 20 for the second terminal parts 13.

[0027] For example, the ferrite core 20 shown here is a square-shaped molded body with a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the axial direction (first direction, second direction) of the through hole 21, and is arranged with the longitudinal direction of the rectangle aligned with the metal fitting arrangement direction. The ferrite core 20 shown here has two through holes 21 arranged with a gap between them in the metal fitting arrangement direction.

[0028] The first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are each molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are assembled together to form an accommodating chamber therein for accommodating the terminal fitting 10 and the ferrite core 20. A locking mechanism (not shown) is provided between the first housing 30 and the second housing 40, using a claw or the like to hold the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 in the assembled position.

[0029] The first housing 30 accommodates the first terminal portion 12 side (here, the half on the first direction side) of the base 11, the first terminal portion 12, and the ferrite core 20 for the first terminal portion 12 (hereinafter, referred to as the "first ferrite core 20A") through which the first terminal portion 12 is inserted (FIG. 4). The first housing 30 has a cylindrical (here, rectangular cylindrical) main body 31 whose cylindrical axis direction is aligned with the axial direction (first direction) of the first terminal portion 12, and accommodates the first terminal portion 12 side of the base 11, the first terminal portion 12, and the first ferrite core 20A inside the main body 31 (FIGS. 3 to 5 and 7).

[0030] The first housing 30 has an accommodating chamber (hereinafter referred to as the "first terminal accommodating chamber") 32 in which the first terminal portion 12 is accommodated and into which the first mating terminal fitting is inserted, and a first accommodating chamber (hereinafter referred to as the "first ferrite core accommodating chamber") 33 in which the first ferrite core 20A is accommodated and held (FIGS. 3 to 5). The first housing 30 also has a partition wall 34 for separating the first terminal accommodating chamber 32 from the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 (FIGS. 3 to 5). In the first housing 30, the first terminal accommodating chamber 32 is disposed on one opening side of a main body 31, and the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 is disposed on the other opening side of the main body 31.

[0031] The first terminal accommodating chamber 32 is a chamber in which the first terminal portion 12 in the chamber is inserted into the first mating terminal fitting by inserting the first mating terminal fitting from the mating terminal insertion port 32a on one opening side of the main body 31 in the second direction. The first terminal accommodating chamber 32 may be a chamber formed for each first terminal portion 12 together with the mating terminal insertion port 32a for each first terminal portion 12, or may be a chamber in which a plurality of first terminal portions 12 are accommodated together. The first terminal accommodating chamber 32 shown here is the latter chamber, and by inserting and fitting the first mating connector Con1 from the mating terminal insertion port 32a, the first terminal portion 12 in the chamber is inserted into and fitted into the plurality of first mating terminal fittings of the first mating connector Con1. Thus, in this case, one opening of the main body 31 is used as the mating terminal insertion port 32a when inserting the first mating connector Con1 into the first terminal accommodating chamber 32.

[0032] Here, in the first terminal portion 12, the first ferrite core 20A is brought close to the fixed end of the root side (base 11 side), so that the root side (base 11 side) is disposed in the ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 together with the first ferrite core 20A. Then, the first terminal portion 12 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 32 from the ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 through the through hole 34a for each first terminal portion 12 in the partition wall 34 (FIGS. 4 and 5). Thus, the first terminal accommodating chamber 32 accommodates a portion of the first terminal portion 12 excluding the root side (base 11 side) (i.e., the terminal connection portion of the first terminal portion 12 to be inserted and fitted into the first mating terminal fitting) (FIG. 4).

[0033] Next, the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 is a chamber provided for each first ferrite core 20A (FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 8). In this first housing 30, the multiple first ferrite core accommodating chambers 33 are aligned in the terminal arrangement direction, and the first terminal portion 12 side of the base 11 is also accommodated across these multiple first ferrite core accommodating chambers 33. In the first housing 30 shown here, all of the first ferrite core accommodating chambers 33 are aligned in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0034] Into this first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33, the first ferrite core 20A and the first terminal portion 12 side of the terminal fitting 10 are inserted from the other opening (hereinafter referred to as the "component assembly opening 33a") of the main body 31 (FIGS. 4 and 7). Here, as described above, the first terminal portion 12 side of the base 11 is accommodated across the multiple first ferrite core accommodating chambers 33. For this reason, an insertion groove 36a is formed in a wall (hereinafter referred to as the "first wall") 36A in the terminal arrangement direction that constitutes the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33, into which the first terminal portion 12 side of the base 11 is inserted and fitted from the component assembly opening 33a (FIGS. 6 to 8).

[0035] The fitting groove 36a is a groove extending in the first direction from the end face of the first wall 36A on the second direction side, and is formed with a groove width that can sandwich the base 11 from each plane (FIG. 6). For example, when the fitting groove 36a is provided in the first wall 36A between two adjacent first ferrite core accommodating chambers 33 inside the main body 31, it is formed as a notched groove with the groove bottom 36b on the first direction side (FIGS. 4 and 6). When the fitting groove 36a is provided in the first wall 36A at both ends in the terminal arrangement direction of the main body 31, it is formed in a groove shape with the terminal arrangement direction side inside the chamber being the groove bottom 36c so that the end of the base 11 on the first terminal portion 12 side in the terminal arrangement direction can be fitted in (FIG. 4). The fitting grooves 36a at both ends of the main body 31 have groove walls 36d at the same position in the axial direction as groove bottoms 36b on the first direction side of other fitting grooves 36a (fitting grooves 36a on the inner sides of the main body 31) (FIG. 4).

[0036] The first ferrite core 20A is held in the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33. Therefore, the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 is provided with a holding portion 35 for holding the first ferrite core 20A (FIGS. 3, 5, 7, and 8). The holding portion 35 is a protrusion that holds the peripheral wall of the first ferrite core 20A from all sides, and is provided for each first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33. The holding portion 35 shown here is roughly divided into a pair of first holding portions 35A that hold both flat surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction (metal fitting arrangement direction) of the first ferrite core 20A, and a pair of second holding portions 35B that hold both flat surfaces extending in the lateral direction (terminal arrangement direction) of the first ferrite core 20A. Here, two pairs of the pair of first holding portions 35A and the pair of second holding portions 35B are provided. The first holding portion 35A and the second holding portion 35B are formed in the shape of a rib extending in the axial direction of the main body 31 (first direction, second direction).

[0037] The pair of first retaining portions 35A protrude from the first wall 36A in the terminal arrangement direction that defines the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 toward the room side so as to face each other in the terminal arrangement direction (FIGS. 3, 7, and 8). The pair of second retaining portions 35B protrude from the wall 36B in the metal fitting arrangement direction that defines the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 (hereinafter referred to as the "second wall") toward the room side so as to face each other in the metal fitting arrangement direction (FIGS. 5, 7, and 8).

[0038] The first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 further has a locking portion 33b that locks an end portion of the first ferrite core 20A accommodated in the chamber on the first direction side (FIGS. 3 and 5). In this example, the wall surface of the partition wall 34 on the second direction side is used as the locking portion 33b.

[0039] The second housing 40 accommodates the second terminal portion 13 side (here, the half on the second direction side) of the base 11, the second terminal portion 13, and the ferrite core 20 for the second terminal portion 13 (hereinafter, referred to as the "second ferrite core 20B") through which the second terminal portion 13 is inserted (FIG. 4). The second housing 40 has a cylindrical (here, rectangular cylindrical) main body 41 whose cylindrical axis direction is aligned with the axial direction (second direction) of the second terminal portion 13, and accommodates the second terminal portion 13 side of the base 11, the second terminal portion 13, and the second ferrite core 20B inside the main body 41 (FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7).

[0040] The second housing 40 has an accommodating chamber (hereinafter referred to as the "second terminal accommodating chamber") 42 in which the second terminal portion 13 is accommodated and into which the second mating terminal fitting is inserted, and a second accommodating chamber (hereinafter referred to as the "second ferrite core accommodating chamber") 43 in which the second ferrite core 20B is accommodated and held (FIGS. 3, 4, and 6). The second housing 40 also has a partition wall 44 for separating the second terminal accommodating chamber 42 from the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 6). In the second housing 40, the second terminal accommodating chamber 42 is disposed on one opening side of the main body 41, and the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 is disposed on the other opening side of the main body 41.

[0041] The second terminal accommodating chamber 42 is a chamber in which the second terminal portion 13 in the chamber is inserted into the second mating terminal fitting by inserting the second mating terminal fitting from the mating terminal insertion port 42a on one opening side of the main body 41 in a first direction. The second terminal accommodating chamber 42 may be a chamber formed for each second terminal portion 13 together with the mating terminal insertion port 42a for each second terminal portion 13, or may be a chamber in which a plurality of second terminal portions 13 are accommodated together. The second terminal accommodating chamber 42 shown here is the latter chamber, and the second terminal portion 13 in the chamber is inserted into the plurality of second mating terminal fittings of the second mating connector Con2 by inserting and fitting the second mating connector Con2 from the mating terminal insertion port 42a. Thus, in this case, one opening of the main body 41 is used as the mating terminal insertion port 42a when inserting the second mating connector Con2 into the second terminal accommodating chamber 42.

[0042] Here, in the second terminal portion 13, the second ferrite core 20B is brought close to the fixed end of the root side (base 11 side), so that the root side (base 11 side) is disposed in the ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 together with the second ferrite core 20B. Then, the second terminal portion 13 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 42 from the ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 through the through hole 44a for each second terminal portion 13 in the partition wall 44 (FIG. 4). Therefore, the second terminal accommodating chamber 42 accommodates a portion of the second terminal portion 13 excluding the root side (base 11 side) (i.e., the terminal connection portion of the second terminal portion 13 to be inserted and fitted into the second mating terminal fitting) (FIG. 4).

[0043] Next, the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 is a chamber provided for each second ferrite core 20B (FIGS. 3 and 4). In this second housing 40, the second ferrite core accommodating chambers 43 are aligned in the terminal arrangement direction, and the second terminal portion 13 side of the base 11 is also accommodated across the second ferrite core accommodating chambers 43. In the second housing 40 shown here, all the second ferrite core accommodating chambers 43 are aligned in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0044] Into this second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43, the second ferrite core 20B and the second terminal portion 13 side of the terminal fitting 10 are inserted from the other opening (hereinafter referred to as the "component assembly opening 43a") of the main body 41 (FIGS. 4 and 6). Here, as described above, the second terminal portion 13 side of the base 11 is accommodated across the multiple second ferrite core accommodating chambers 43. For this reason, an insertion groove 46a is formed in a wall (hereinafter referred to as the "first wall") 46A in the terminal arrangement direction that constitutes the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43, into which the second terminal portion 13 side of the base 11 is inserted and fitted from the component assembly opening 43a (FIG. 5).

[0045] The fitting groove 46a is a groove extending in the second direction from the end face of the first wall 46A on the first direction side, and is formed with a groove width that can sandwich the base 11 from each plane (FIG. 5). For example, when the fitting groove 46a is provided in the first wall 46A between two adjacent second ferrite core accommodating chambers 43 inside the main body 41, it is formed as a notched groove with the groove bottom 46b on the second direction side (FIGS. 4 and 5). When the fitting groove 46a is provided in the first wall 46A at both ends in the terminal arrangement direction of the main body 41, it is formed in a groove shape with the terminal arrangement direction side inside the chamber being the groove bottom 46c so that the end of the base 11 on the second terminal portion 13 side in the terminal arrangement direction can be fitted in (FIG. 4). The fitting grooves 46a at both ends of the main body 41 have groove walls 46d at the same position in the axial direction as groove bottoms 46b on the second direction side of other fitting grooves 46a (fitting grooves 46a on the inner side of the main body 41) (FIG. 4).

[0046] The second ferrite core 20B is held in the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43. Therefore, the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 is provided with a holding portion 45 for holding the second ferrite core 20B (FIGS. 3 and 6). The holding portion 45 is a protrusion that holds the peripheral wall of the second ferrite core 20B from all sides, and is provided for each second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43. The holding portion 45 shown here is roughly divided into a pair of first holding portions 45A that hold both flat surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction (metal fitting arrangement direction) of the second ferrite core 20B, and a pair of second holding portions 45B that hold both flat surfaces extending in the lateral direction (terminal arrangement direction) of the second ferrite core 20B. Here, two pairs of the pair of first holding portions 45A and the pair of second holding portions 45B are provided. The first holding portion 45A and the second holding portion 45B are formed in the shape of a rib extending in the axial direction of the main body 41 (first direction, second direction).

[0047] The pair of first retaining portions 45A protrude from a first wall 46A in the terminal arrangement direction that forms the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 toward the room side so as to face each other in the terminal arrangement direction (FIG. 3). The pair of second retaining portions 45B protrude from a wall 46B in the metal fitting arrangement direction that forms the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 (hereinafter referred to as the "second wall") toward the room side so as to face each other in the metal fitting arrangement direction (FIG. 6).

[0048] The second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 further has a locking portion 43b that locks an end portion of the second ferrite core 20B accommodated in the chamber on the second direction side (FIGS. 3 and 6). In this example, the wall surface of the partition wall 44 on the first direction side is used as the locking portion 43b.

[0049] Here, the ferrite core 20 (first ferrite core 20A, second ferrite core 20B) is sandwiched and held between the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 when the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are in the assembled position. Therefore, in this connector 1, the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are each provided with a portion for sandwiching the ferrite core 20.

[0050] The first housing 30 has a first protrusion 37 provided for each second ferrite core 20B, which comes into contact with an end of the second ferrite core 20B on the first direction side when the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are in an assembled position, and which holds the second ferrite core 20B between itself and the locking portion 43b of the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 (FIGS. 3 and 6 to 8). The first protrusion 37 protrudes in the second direction outward from the component assembly opening 33a in the first housing 30.

[0051] For example, in the first housing 30 shown here, among the first walls 36A in the terminal arrangement direction that form the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33, the end on the second direction side of the wall 36A in which the second ferrite core 20B is present in the second direction at the assembly completion position is protruded in the second direction outward from the component assembly opening 33a. The end on the second direction side of the first wall 36A is used as the first protrusion 37 shown here. This first protrusion 37 enters the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 of the second housing 40 at the assembly completion position, and the end face on the second direction side abuts against the end on the first direction side of the second ferrite core 20B in the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43. Furthermore, when the first protrusions 37 are provided on the first walls 36A at both ends in the terminal arrangement direction of the main body 31, the first walls 36A protrude in the second direction only on the chamber inside of the end on the second direction side as the first protrusions 37 so that the first protrusions 37 can enter the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43.

[0052] The second housing 40 is provided for each first ferrite core 20A, and has a second protrusion 47 that abuts against an end of the first ferrite core 20A on the second direction side when the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are in the assembled position, and holds the first ferrite core 20A between itself and the locking portion 33b of the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 (FIGS. 3 and 5). The second protrusion 47 protrudes in the first direction outward from the component assembly opening 43a in the second housing 40.

[0053] For example, in the second housing 40 shown here, among the first walls 46A in the terminal arrangement direction that form the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33, the end on the first direction side of the wall 46A in which the first ferrite core 20A is present in the first direction at the assembly completion position is protruded in the first direction outward from the component assembly opening 43a. The end on the first direction side of the first wall 46A is used as the second protrusion 47 shown here. This second protrusion 47 enters the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 of the first housing 30 at the assembly completion position, and the end face on the first direction side abuts against the end on the second direction side of the first ferrite core 20A in the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33. Furthermore, when the second protrusions 47 are provided on the first wall bodies 46A at both ends in the terminal arrangement direction of the main body 41, the first wall body 46A protrudes in the first direction only on the chamber inside of the end on the first direction side as the second protrusions 47 so that the second protrusions 47 can enter the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33.

[0054] Furthermore, in this connector 1, when the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are in the assembled position, the terminal fitting 10 is also sandwiched and held between the first housing 30 and the second housing 40. The terminal fitting 10 has its base 11 sandwiched between the first housing 30 and the second housing 40. The base 11 is held between the groove wall (groove bottom 36b, groove wall 36d) on the first direction side of the fitting groove 36a on the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 side and the groove wall (groove bottom 46b, groove wall 46d) on the second direction side of the fitting groove 46a on the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 side (FIG. 4).

[0055] As described above, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 that accommodates and holds the first ferrite core 20A is provided in the first housing 30, and the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 that accommodates and holds the second ferrite core 20B is provided in the second housing 40. Therefore, the connector 1 of this embodiment does not require a separate part for holding the ferrite core 20 (the first ferrite core 20A, the second ferrite core 20B) in the housing as in the conventional connector, and therefore not only can the number of parts be reduced, but the noise reduction effect can be improved while preventing the connector from becoming large in size.

[0056] In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the first terminal portion 12 of the terminal fitting 10 is provided on the opposite side of the center portion between two adjacent second terminal portions 13 in the base portion 11, and the first terminal portion 12 and the second terminal portion 13 are arranged with a half pitch offset in the terminal arrangement direction. In this connector 1, the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 and the second ferrite core 20B when the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are in the assembly completion position are also arranged with a half pitch offset in the terminal arrangement direction in accordance with the half pitch offset between the first terminal portion 12 and the second terminal portion 13. Furthermore, in this connector 1, when the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are in the assembled position, the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 sandwich the ferrite core 20 (first ferrite core 20A, second ferrite core 20B) in the assembly direction (first direction, second direction), thereby holding the ferrite core 20 in the accommodation space (first ferrite core accommodation chamber 33, second ferrite core 20B). As a result, in this connector 1, the space efficiency of the accommodation space (first ferrite core accommodation chamber 33, second ferrite core 20B) of the ferrite core 20 (first ferrite core 20A, second ferrite core 20B) is excellent, and each ferrite core 20 can be accommodated and held in the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 by bringing them close to each other. Therefore, the connector 1 of this embodiment can further suppress the increase in size.

[0057] In addition, the connector 1 of the present embodiment is configured to electrically connect the first mating connector Con1 attached to the end of the twisted pair electric wire WeT with the second mating connector Con2 attached to the end of the twisted pair electric wire WeT, so that, for example, a circuit requiring noise reduction can be separated from a circuit not requiring noise reduction measures (the first relay connector ConR1 electrically connected to the electric wire We, and the second relay connector ConR2 electrically connected to the electric wire We) (FIG. 11). Therefore, the connector 1 of the present embodiment can omit terminal fittings and electric wires that were conventionally required. That is, for example, in the past, the first mating connector Con1 and the first relay connector ConR1 were electrically connected with terminal fittings and electric wires, and what corresponds to the second mating connector Con2 and the second relay connector ConR2 is configured as one second relay connector. The connector 1 of this embodiment does not require terminal fittings and electric wires connecting the first mating connector Con1 and the first relay connector ConR1, and the second mating connector Con2 can be separated from the second relay connector. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 Connector 10 Terminal fitting 11 Base 12 1st terminal section 13 2nd terminal section 20 Ferrite core 20A 1st ferrite core 20B 2nd ferrite core 21 Through hole 30 1st Housing 33 First ferrite core housing (first housing) 33b Locking part 35 Holding part 35A 1st holding part 35B 2nd holding part 36A 1st wall (wall) 36a Inset groove 36b Groove bottom (groove wall) 36d groove wall 37 1st protrusion 40 Second Housing 43 Second ferrite core housing (second housing) 43b Locking part 45 Holding part 45A 1st holding part 45B 2nd holding part 46A First Wall (Wall) 46a Inset groove 46b Groove bottom (groove wall) 46d Groove wall 47 Second protrusion M1 1st device M2 2nd device We1,We2 Electric wire WeT twisted pair wire

Claims

1. a terminal fitting including a base, at least one first terminal portion protruding from the base in a first direction, and at least two second terminal portions protruding from the base in a second direction opposite to the first direction and arranged at intervals in a terminal arrangement direction perpendicular to the first direction; a ferrite core provided for each of the first terminal portions and each of the second terminal portions, the ferrite core having a through hole through which the first terminal portion or the second terminal portion can be inserted in a protruding direction; a first housing that accommodates the first terminal portion side of the base, the first terminal portion, and the ferrite core for the first terminal portion into which the first terminal portion is to be inserted; a second housing that accommodates the second terminal portion side of the base, the second terminal portion, and the ferrite core for the second terminal portion into which the second terminal portion is to be inserted, and is assembled to the first housing; Equipped with the first housing has a first accommodating chamber that is provided for each of the ferrite cores for the first terminal portions and that accommodates and holds the ferrite cores for the first terminal portions; the second housing has a second accommodating chamber that is a chamber provided for each of the ferrite cores for the second terminal portions and that accommodates and holds the ferrite cores for the second terminal portions; the first terminal portion is provided on the base portion on an opposite side to a central portion between two adjacent second terminal portions, the first accommodating chamber has a locking portion to which an end portion of the ferrite core for the first terminal portion accommodated in the chamber is locked in the first direction; the second accommodating chamber has a locking portion to which an end portion of the ferrite core for the second terminal portion accommodated in the chamber is locked in the second direction; the first housing has a first protrusion provided for each of the ferrite cores for the second terminal portion, the first protrusion abutting an end of the ferrite core for the second terminal portion on the first direction side at a position where the first housing and the second housing are completely assembled, and sandwiching the ferrite core for the second terminal portion between the first housing and the locking portion of the second accommodating chamber, The second housing is provided for each ferrite core for the first terminal portion, and has a second protrusion that abuts against the end of the ferrite core for the first terminal portion on the second direction side when the first housing and the second housing are fully assembled, and clamps the ferrite core for the first terminal portion between the second housing and the engaging portion of the first accommodating chamber.

2. The first protrusion is an end portion protruding in the second direction on a wall body in the terminal arrangement direction that forms the first accommodation chamber, the second protrusion is an end portion of a wall portion of the second accommodating chamber in the terminal arrangement direction that protrudes in the first direction, the wall of the first housing chamber has a fitting groove into which the first terminal portion of the base is fitted, the wall of the second accommodating chamber has a fitting groove into which the second terminal portion of the base is fitted, The connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that the base is sandwiched between a groove wall on a first direction side of the insertion groove on the first storage chamber side and a groove wall on a second direction side of the insertion groove on the second storage chamber side.

3. The first accommodation chamber is provided with a holding portion for holding the ferrite core for the first terminal portion, 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second accommodating chamber is provided with a holding portion for holding the ferrite core for the second terminal portion.

4. A plurality of the terminal fittings are arranged at intervals in a fitting arrangement direction perpendicular to the first direction and the terminal arrangement direction, The connector according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the ferrite core is provided for each combination of a plurality of the first terminal portions arranged in the metal fitting arrangement direction and for each combination of a plurality of the second terminal portions arranged in the metal fitting arrangement direction, and the through holes are formed in a row in the metal fitting arrangement direction for each of the terminal fittings.

5. Of the two first terminal parts adjacent to each other in the metal fitting arrangement direction, one of the first terminal parts is electrically connected to one of the wires of the twisted pair wire on the first device side, and the other of the first terminal parts is electrically connected to the other of the wires of the twisted pair wire on the first device side, 5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein one of the two second terminal portions adjacent to each other in the metal fitting arrangement direction is electrically connected to one of the wires of the twisted pair wire on the second device side, and the other of the two second terminal portions is electrically connected to the other wire of the twisted pair wire on the second device side.

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