Relay Connector

Abstract

To suppress deformation of a bending part of a terminal.SOLUTION: A relay connector comprises: a connector housing 30 that includes a first connector housing part 32, a second connector housing part 34, and a separation part 38; a plurality of terminals 50; and a holder 60 that holds the plurality of terminals. The separation part 38 includes a plurality of insertion holes 39 and a holder concave part 40. Each of the plurality of terminals includes: an insertion hole 39; a first terminal part 51; a holder holding part 53; and a second terminal part 54. At least one terminal includes a press-fit part 52P pressed to each insertion hole. At least one terminal includes a bending part 53VJ that is bent to each insertion part. The holder 60 includes: a holder member with a groove, having a plurality of holding grooves 63; and a lid holder member. The holder is housed in the holder concave part in a state of holding the holder holding part in the holding groove, and the plurality of insertion parts is inserted into the plurality of insertion holes, and the press-fit part is pressed to each insertion hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an intermediate connector including a connector housing, a plurality of terminals, a seal member, and an alignment holder. The connector housing has a partition wall, and an insertion hole is formed in the partition wall. The terminals are press-fitted into the insertion holes of the partition wall to be held in a fixed position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-93248 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, when the arrangement of terminals differs on both sides of a relay connector, a bent portion may be provided in the middle of the terminal in order to change the arrangement position of the terminals. In a relay connector in which the terminals are press-fitted, it is desirable to suppress deformation of the bent portion provided in the middle of the terminal.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to suppress deformation of a bent portion set in the middle of a terminal in a relay connector in which a terminal is press-fitted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The relay connector of the present disclosure includes a connector housing having a first connector housing portion, a second connector housing portion, and a partition portion between the first connector housing portion and the second connector housing portion, a plurality of terminals, and a holder that holds the plurality of terminals, the partition portion having a plurality of insertion holes into which the plurality of terminals are inserted, and a holder recess that receives the holder on the second connector housing portion side relative to the plurality of insertion holes, and each of the plurality of terminals includes an insertion portion inserted into the insertion hole, a first terminal portion extending along an extension line of the insertion portion toward the first connector housing portion relative to the insertion portion, a holder holding portion extending from the insertion portion into the holder recess, and a second terminal portion extending from the holder holding portion toward the second connector housing portion. the insertion portion of at least one of the plurality of terminals has a press-fit portion that is pressed into the insertion hole, and the holder holding portion of at least one of the plurality of terminals has a bent portion that bends relative to the insertion portion, the holder has a grooved holder member having a plurality of holding grooves capable of accommodating the plurality of holder holding portions, and a lid holder member that combines with the grooved holder member to keep the plurality of holder holding portions accommodated within the plurality of holding grooves, and with the holder holding the plurality of holder holding portions within the plurality of holding grooves, the holder is accommodated in the holder recess, and the plurality of insertion portions are inserted into the plurality of insertion holes so that the press-fit portion of the at least one insertion portion is pressed into the insertion hole. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, in a relay connector in which terminals are press-fitted, deformation of a bent portion set in the middle of a terminal can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a relay connector according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state before the terminal and the holder are assembled into the connector housing. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view of the partition portion as viewed from the opening side of the second connector housing portion. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal and the holder. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 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 relay connector of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0011] (1) A connector housing having a first connector housing portion, a second connector housing portion, and a partition portion between the first connector housing portion and the second connector housing portion, a plurality of terminals, and a holder that holds the plurality of terminals, wherein the partition portion has a plurality of insertion holes into which each of the plurality of terminals is inserted, and a holder recess that receives the holder on the second connector housing portion side of the plurality of insertion holes, and each of the plurality of terminals has an insertion portion inserted into the insertion hole, a first terminal portion extending along an extension line of the insertion portion toward the first connector housing portion relative to the insertion portion, a holder holding portion extending from the insertion portion into the holder recess, and a second terminal portion extending from the holder holding portion toward the second connector housing portion. the insertion portion of at least one of the plurality of terminals has a press-fit portion that is pressed into the insertion hole, the holder holding portion of at least one of the plurality of terminals has a bent portion that bends relative to the insertion portion, the holder has a grooved holder member having a plurality of holding grooves capable of accommodating the plurality of holder holding portions, and a lid holder member that combines with the grooved holder member to keep the plurality of holder holding portions accommodated in the plurality of holding grooves, and with the holder holding the plurality of holder holding portions in the plurality of holding grooves, the holder is accommodated in the holder recess, and the plurality of insertion portions are inserted into the plurality of insertion holes so that the press-fit portion of the at least one insertion portion is pressed into the insertion hole.

[0012] According to this relay connector, with the holder holding the holder holding portion in the holding groove, the insertion portion can be inserted into the insertion hole, and at least one press-fitting portion can be press-fitted into the insertion hole. Therefore, the bent portion is less likely to deform when the terminal is press-fitted. With the insertion portion inserted into the insertion hole, the bent portion is held in the holder's holding groove in the holder recess. Therefore, even after the relay connector is completed, the bent portion is less likely to deform. Therefore, in a relay connector in which a terminal is press-fitted, deformation of the bent portion set in the middle of the terminal can be suppressed.

[0013] (2) The relay connector according to (1), wherein the bent portion of the at least one holder holding portion is No. 1 The connector may further include a position changing bending portion that is bent so that a position of the first terminal portion in the connector housing portion differs from a position of the second terminal portion in the second connector housing portion.

[0014] This makes it possible to make the position of the first terminal portion in the first connector housing portion and the position of the second terminal portion in the second connector housing portion different from each other by the bent portion.

[0015] (3) In a relay connector according to (1) or (2), the multiple insertion portions may be arranged in one or more rows along the terminal arrangement direction, and the bending portion of the at least one holder holding portion may include a pitch conversion bending portion that bends so as to make the positions of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion different along the terminal arrangement direction.

[0016] Thereby, by making the positions of the first terminal portions and the second terminal portions different along the terminal arrangement direction, it is possible to change the arrangement pitch of the first terminal portions and the arrangement pitch of the second terminal portions.

[0017] (4) A relay connector according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the multiple insertion portions are arranged in one or more rows along the terminal arrangement direction, and the bending portion of at least one holder holding portion may include an array position changing bending portion that bends so as to differ the positions of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion in a direction intersecting the terminal arrangement direction.

[0018] Thereby, by making the positions of the first terminal portions and the second terminal portions different in a direction intersecting the terminal arrangement direction, the arrangement positions of the first terminal portions and the arrangement positions of the second terminal portions can be changed.

[0019] (5) A relay connector according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the partition portion has a sealing recess on the first connector housing portion side relative to the insertion hole, and further includes a sealing portion filled in the sealing recess.

[0020] In this case, the partition can be sealed by the seal portion on the opposite side to the holder, resulting in good sealing performance.

[0021] (6) In a relay connector according to any one of (1) to (5), the holder holding portion of at least one of the plurality of terminals may have a positioning protrusion, and the holder may have a positioning recess into which the positioning protrusion fits.

[0022] As a result, even if the terminal does not have a bent portion or the bent angle of the bent portion is small, the terminal is securely held in the holder by fitting the positioning protrusion into the positioning recess.

[0023] (7) In the relay connector of any one of (1) to (6), a circumferential groove may be formed on the outer periphery of the holder.

[0024] As a result, when filling the first connector housing portion side or the second connector housing portion side with a sealant relative to the partition portion, the sealant is less likely to flow along the outer periphery of the holder, so that the sealant is filled in securely and the sealing performance is good.

[0025] (8) In the relay connector of any one of (1) to (7), the press-fit portion may be a portion of the insertion portion that is partially thickened near the holder holding portion.

[0026] In this case, the press-fit portion is press-fitted into the insertion hole at the final stage of the process of inserting the insertion portion into the insertion hole. This makes it easy to insert the insertion portion into the insertion hole. Also, with the press-fit portion press-fitted into the insertion hole, the terminal is less likely to come out of the insertion hole.

[0027] (9) In the relay connector of (8), the press-fit portion may be formed at a position where it is press-fitted into the insertion hole in a state where a part of the holder is inserted into the holder recess.

[0028] As a result, the press-fit portion is press-fitted into the insertion hole with a part of the holder inserted into the holder recess. Therefore, when the press-fit portion is press-fitted into the insertion hole, the holder is inserted into the holder recess and is in a state where it is difficult to disassemble. As a result, the holder can be pushed in with the holder holding portion firmly held by the holder, and the insertion portion, particularly the press-fit portion, can be inserted into the insertion hole.

[0029] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the relay 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.

[0030] [Embodiment] <Overall structure of relay connector> Hereinafter, a relay connector according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a relay connector 20, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state before a terminal 50 and a holder 60 are assembled to a connector housing 30.

[0031] The relay connector 20 is attached to the case 12 of the device 10. For example, a through hole 12h is formed in the case 12, and the relay connector 20 is arranged to pass through the through hole 12h. The relay connector 20 has a first connector portion 22 and a second connector portion 24, and it is assumed that the first connector portion 22 faces the outside of the device 10 and the second connector portion 24 faces the inside of the device 10. A connector at an end of a wire harness outside the device 10 is connected to the first connector portion 22, and a connector on the electrical component or internal wire harness side inside the device 10 is connected to the second connector portion 24. In this way, the connectors inside and outside the device 10 are connected via the relay connector 20.

[0032] It is assumed that the device 10 is a device in which lubricating or cooling oil is sealed inside. An example of such a device 10 is a transmission device in a vehicle. It is assumed that lubricating oil is sealed inside the transmission device to smooth the movement of the gears.

[0033] The relay connector 20 includes a connector housing 30, a plurality of terminals 50, and a holder 60. The connector housing 30 is a resin portion that serves as a housing for the first connector portion 22 and the second connector portion 24, a portion that blocks the through hole 12h, and a portion that holds the plurality of terminals 50 in an insulated state. The plurality of terminals 50 are metal portions that serve as terminals of the first connector portion 22 and the second connector portion 24, and relay connection portions that connect the terminals at both ends. The holder 60 is a portion that serves to hold the plurality of terminals 50 in the connector housing 30. The relay connector 20 may include terminals that are press-fitted without being held by the holder 60.

[0034] In this embodiment, the relay connector 20 includes a first power connector portion 26 and a second power connector portion 27 in addition to the first connector portion 22 and the second connector portion 24. One end of a power terminal 28 is exposed on the first power connector portion 26 side, and the other end is exposed on the second power connector portion 27 side. A power connector of a wire harness outside the device 10 is connected to the first power connector portion 26, and a power connector of an electrical component or an internal wire harness inside the device 10 is connected to the second power connector portion 27, thereby connecting connectors inside and outside the device 10.

[0035] The first connector portion 22 and the second connector portion 24 are located next to the first power connector portion 26 and the second power connector portion 27. In this embodiment, the first connector portion 22 and the second connector portion 24 will be mainly described.

[0036] The connector housing 30 is, for example, a molded component made of resin. The connector housing 30 includes a first connector housing portion 32, a second connector housing portion 34, and an intermediate housing portion 36.

[0037] The intermediate housing part 36 is formed in a shape that closes the through hole 12h. In this embodiment, the intermediate housing part 36 is formed in a short cylindrical shape. A circumferential groove 36g is formed on the outer periphery of the intermediate housing part 36. An annular elastic ring 36a made of rubber or the like is fitted into the circumferential groove 36g. With the intermediate housing part 36 disposed in the through hole 12h, the annular elastic ring 36a can be in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 12h. As a result, the annular elastic ring 36a seals between the outer periphery of the intermediate housing part 36 and the inner periphery of the circumferential groove 36g.

[0038] A screw stop piece 37 protrudes from the outer periphery of the intermediate housing part 36. The screw stop piece 37 is formed in a plate shape extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the intermediate housing part 36. A screw insertion hole 37h is formed in the screw stop piece 37. For example, a metal collar 37g is attached to the screw stop piece 37, and a hole in the metal collar 37g serves as the screw insertion hole 37h. With the intermediate housing part 36 placed in the through hole 12h, the screw stop piece 37 is placed so as to come into contact with the main surface of the case 12. In this state, a screw S is inserted into the screw insertion hole 37h, and the screw S is inserted into the screw insertion hole 37h on the side of the case 12. nut The intermediate connector 20 is fixed to the case 12 by screwing the screws through the through holes and the screw insertion holes 37h of the case 12. nut The fastening may be screwed to the

[0039] The first connector housing portion 32 protrudes from a surface of the intermediate housing portion 36 facing the outside of the device 10 .

[0040] The first connector housing portion 32 has a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the first connector housing portion 32 has a long rectangular cylindrical shape along a predetermined terminal arrangement direction A. Corners of the rectangular cylinder are rounded to form curved surfaces.

[0041] A portion forming the housing 26a of the first power supply connector portion 26 protrudes from the surface of the intermediate housing portion 36 facing the outside of the device 10. One end of the power supply terminal 28 is disposed within the portion forming the housing 26a of the first power supply connector portion 26 (one end of the power supply terminal 28 is partially shown in FIG. 1).

[0042] The second connector housing portion 34 protrudes from the surface of the intermediate housing portion 36 facing the inside of the device 10 .

[0043] The second connector housing portion 34 has a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the second connector housing portion 34 has a rectangular cylindrical shape that is long along a predetermined terminal arrangement direction A, as shown in Fig. 4. The corners of the rectangular cylinder are rounded to form curved surfaces.

[0044] The base of the first connector housing portion 32 and the base of the second connector housing portion 34 are in a positional relationship in which they face each other via the intermediate housing portion 36. Here, when viewed along the thickness direction of the intermediate housing portion 36, one of the first connector housing portion 32 and the second connector housing portion 34 is located in a region included in the other. In this embodiment, the width and height of the second connector housing portion 34 are smaller than the width and height of the first connector housing portion 32. Therefore, when viewed along the thickness direction of the intermediate housing portion 36, the second connector housing portion 34 is included in the presence region of the first connector housing portion 32. The thickness direction of the intermediate housing portion 36 is the direction connecting the first connector housing portion 32 and the second connector housing portion 34.

[0045] A portion forming the connector base 27a of the second power supply connector portion 27 protrudes from the surface of the intermediate housing portion 36 facing the inside of the device 10. The other end of the power supply terminal 28 is supported within the portion forming the connector base 27a of the second power supply connector portion 27 (see FIG. 3).

[0046] The first power connector portion 26 and the second power connector portion 27 may be omitted.

[0047] A partition portion 38 is located between the first connector housing portion 32 and the second connector housing portion 34. In this embodiment, the portion of the intermediate housing portion 36 located between the first connector housing portion 32 and the second connector housing portion 34 is the partition portion 38 (see FIG. 2).

[0048] FIG. 4 shows the partition portion 38 as viewed from the opening side of the second connector housing portion 34. As shown in FIG.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the partition portion 38 has a plurality of insertion holes 39 and a holder recess 40. As shown in FIG.

[0050] More specifically, the partition portion 38 has a plate-like portion that separates the first connector housing portion 32 and the second connector housing portion 34, and a plurality of insertion holes 39 are formed in the plate-like portion. The plurality of insertion holes 39 are provided corresponding to the plurality of terminals 50. The insertion holes 39 penetrate between the first connector housing portion 32 and the second connector housing portion 34. In other words, the insertion holes 39 have an opening facing the inside of the first connector housing portion 32 and an opening facing the inside of the second connector housing portion 34. The insertion holes 39 extend linearly so that the linear portions of the terminals 50 can be inserted therein.

[0051] The insertion hole 39 may be a rectangular hole or a round hole. In this embodiment, the insertion hole 39 is a rectangular hole having a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction. The insertion hole 39 may be a hole whose size changes along the longitudinal direction or a hole whose size does not change along the longitudinal direction.

[0052] A holder recess 40 is formed on the partition portion 38 closer to the second connector housing portion 34 than the multiple insertion holes 39. The holder recess 40 is recessed in an area that is larger than the area where the openings of the multiple insertion holes 39 are located on the second connector housing portion 34 side. The multiple insertion holes 39 open at the bottom of the holder recess 40.

[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, a sealing recess 41 is formed on the first connector housing part 32 side of the multiple insertion holes 39 of the partition part 38. The sealing recess 41 is recessed in an area that is larger than the area where the openings of the multiple insertion holes 39 on the first connector housing part 32 side are present. The multiple insertion holes 39 open at the bottom of the sealing recess 41. In this embodiment, the sealing recess 41 is deeper than the holder recess 40, but this is not essential.

[0054] The sealing recess 41 is filled with a seal portion 76. The seal portion 76 is a member that fills the periphery of the terminal 50 protruding from the partition portion 38 toward the inside of the first connector housing portion 32. The seal portion 76 is formed by filling and arranging a potting material such as polyurethane in the sealing recess 41 and allowing it to harden. The seal portion 76 may be called a potting seal portion. The seal portion 76 may be made of a thermoplastic resin that becomes soft when heated.

[0055] The terminal 50 is a thin and long metal member formed by pressing a metal plate, etc. The terminal 50 may be formed by bending or pressing a metal bar or a metal wire, etc.

[0056] The terminal 50 is an elongated member formed by arranging a first terminal portion 51, an insertion portion 52, a holder holding portion 53, and a second terminal portion 54 in this order.

[0057] The insertion portion 52 is a portion that is inserted into the insertion hole 39. The insertion portion 52 is formed in a straight line. The length of the insertion portion 52 is set to be the same as the length of the insertion hole 39. The thickness of the insertion portion 52 is smaller than or equal to the size of the insertion hole 39 to the extent that the insertion portion 52 can be inserted into the insertion hole 39. The thickness of the insertion portion 52 may be slightly larger than the insertion hole 39 to the extent that the insertion portion 52 can be press-fitted into the insertion hole 39.

[0058] The first terminal portion 51 extends along a linear extension of the insertion portion 52 toward the first connector housing portion 32 than the insertion portion 52. In this embodiment, the first terminal portion 51 also extends linearly. The base end of the first terminal portion 51 is located in the sealing recess 41, and the tip end of the first terminal portion 51 is located in the first connector housing portion 32. By filling the sealing recess 41 with the seal portion 76, the seal portion 76 closes the periphery of the base end of the first terminal portion 51, and in particular closes the opening of the insertion hole 39 on the first connector housing portion 32 side.

[0059] A tip portion of the first terminal portion 51 extends from a surface of the seal portion 76 facing the inside of the first connector housing portion 32 toward the inside of the first connector housing portion 32. This allows the first terminal portion 51 to function as a connector terminal of the first connector portion 22. In other words, when a mating connector is inserted into the first connector housing portion 32, the tip portion of the first terminal portion 51 is inserted into a terminal (here, a female terminal portion) in the mating connector.

[0060] The holder holding portion 53 is a portion that extends from the insertion portion 52 into the holder recess 40. The holder holding portion 53 is held by the holder 60 in the holder recess 40.

[0061] The second terminal portion 54 is a portion extending from the holder holding portion 53 toward the second connector housing portion 34. In this embodiment, the second terminal portion 54 is a linear portion extending from a surface of the holder 60 facing the second connector housing portion 34 toward the inside of the second connector housing portion 34. The second terminal portion 54 functions as a connector terminal of the second connector portion 24. That is, when a mating connector is inserted into the second connector housing portion 34, the tip portion of the second terminal portion 54 is inserted into a terminal (here, a female terminal portion) in the mating connector.

[0062] The holder 60 is housed in the holder recess 40 in a state in which the holder holding portions 53 of the multiple terminals 50 are held.

[0063] <Terminal arrangement and shape> Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal 50 and the holder 60. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 3.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6, the multiple insertion portions 52 corresponding to the multiple terminals 50 are arranged in one row or multiple rows along the terminal arrangement direction A.

[0065] That is, in the partition portion 38, a plurality of insertion holes 39 are arranged in one or more rows along the terminal arrangement direction A. In this embodiment, a plurality of insertion holes 39 are formed in two rows (see FIG. 4). In each of the first row Qa1 and the second row Qa2, a plurality of insertion holes 39 are formed in a row with a space therebetween. In the first row Qa1, a plurality of (seven in this case) insertion holes 39 are arranged at equal intervals. In the second row Qa2, a plurality of (six in this case) insertion holes 39 are separated into left and right. On each of the left and right sides, a plurality of (three in this case) insertion holes 39 are arranged at equal intervals. The interval between the insertion holes 39 at the center in the terminal arrangement direction A is larger than the interval between the left and right insertion holes 39.

[0066] In this embodiment, the positions at which the insertion holes 39 are formed in the second row Qa2 are such that some of the positions at which the insertion holes 39 are formed in the first row Qa1 (here, the central positions) are omitted. Therefore, in the terminal arrangement direction A, the intervals between the insertion holes 39 in the second row Qa2 are the same as the intervals between the insertion holes 39 in the first row Qa1, except for the central intervals corresponding to the omitted positions ( Figure 4 reference).

[0067] The insertion portions 52 of the multiple terminals 50 are inserted into the corresponding insertion holes 39. Therefore, the arrangement positions of the multiple insertion holes 39 define the arrangement positions of the insertion portions 52 of the multiple terminals 50. In this embodiment, the first terminal portions 51 extend linearly from the insertion portions 52. Therefore, the arrangement positions of the multiple insertion holes 39 define the arrangement positions of the multiple first terminal portions 51 in the first connector portion 22. In other words, the arrangement positions of the multiple insertion holes 39 are the same as the arrangement positions of the multiple first terminal portions 51.

[0068] The second terminal portions 54 in the second connector portion 24 are arranged in one or more rows along the terminal arrangement direction A. The arrangement positions of the second terminal portions 54 are different from the arrangement positions of the first terminal portions 51. Specifically, the second terminal portions 54 are arranged in two rows along the terminal arrangement direction A (see FIG. 3). In each of the first row Qb1 and the second row Qb2, the second terminal portions 54 are arranged at intervals. In a direction B perpendicular to both the terminal arrangement direction A and the insertion portion 52, that is, in a direction B connecting the first row Qb1 and the second row Qb2, the positions at which the first terminal portions 51 are arranged in the first row Qa1 are the same as the positions at which the second terminal portions 54 are arranged in the first row Qb1. Therefore, when viewed along the terminal arrangement direction A, the second terminal portions 54 arranged along the first row Qb1 are located on a straight line extension of the first terminal portions 51 arranged along the first row Qa1.

[0069] In the direction B perpendicular to both the terminal arrangement direction A and the insertion portion 52, the position where the first terminal portions 51 are lined up in the second row Qa2 is different from the position where the second terminal portions 54 are lined up in the second row Qb2. Here, the position where the second terminal portions 54 are lined up in the second row Qb2 is set closer to the first row Qb1 than the position where the first terminal portions 51 are lined up in the second row Qa2. For this reason, when viewed along the terminal arrangement direction A, on the way from the first terminal portions 51 lined up along the second row Qa2 to the second terminal portions 54 lined up along the second row Qb2, Terminal 50 is bent so as to shift toward the first column Qb1.

[0070] The overall width of the multiple second terminal portions 54 aligned along the first row Qb1 is smaller than the overall width of the multiple first terminal portions 51 aligned along the first row Qa1 (see FIG. 5). The multiple second terminal portions 54 aligned along the first row Qb1 are aligned so that the largest gap is formed in the middle and the remaining multiple locations are aligned with equal gaps. For this reason, the positions of the first terminal portions 51 and the second terminal portions 54 of each terminal 50 aligned along the first rows Qa1, Qb1 may differ in the terminal arrangement direction A.

[0071] Moreover, the overall width of the second terminals 54 arranged along the second row Qb2 is the same as the overall width of the first terminals 51 arranged along the second row Qa2 (see FIG. 5). However, the interval between the second terminals 54 in the second row Qb2 is different from the interval between the first terminals 51 in the second row Qa2. Here, the interval between the second terminals 54 in the center of the second row Qb2 is larger than the interval between the first terminals 51 in the center of the second row Qa2. Moreover, the interval between the left and right second terminals 54 in the second row Qb2 is smaller than the interval between the left and right first terminals 51 in the second row Qa2. For this reason, the positions of the first terminals 51 and the second terminals 54 of each terminal 50 arranged along the second rows Qa2 and Qb2 may differ along the terminal arrangement direction A.

[0072] The arrangement positions of the first terminal portions 51 in the first connector portion 22 and the arrangement positions of the second terminal portions 54 in the second connector portion 24 are the same as those of the first connector portion 22 and the second connector portion 24. 22、24Due to space limitations, Connector parts 22, 24 In this case, the space available for arranging the terminals 51 and 54 is limited, the shape of the mating connector is limited, and each connector portion is 22、24 The distance is set according to the functional requirements (for example, watertightness, connection reliability) required for the connector. For this reason, there may be a need to make the arrangement positions of the first terminal portions 51 in the first connector portion 22 and the arrangement positions of the second terminal portions 54 in the second connector portion 24 different as described above.

[0073] The holder holding portion 53 of at least one terminal 50 among the multiple terminals 50 has a bent portion (e.g., bent portions 53VA, 53VB, 53VH, 53VI, 53VJ) that bends with respect to the insertion portion 52. These bent portions (e.g., bent portions 53VA, 53VB, 53VH, 53VI, 53VJ) can serve as position changing bent portions that bend to make the position of the first terminal portion 51 in the first connector housing portion 32 and the position of the second terminal portion 54 in the second connector housing portion 34 different.

[0074] The following description focuses on some of the multiple terminals 50 lined up along the first rows Qa1, Qb1. Here, attention is focused on the first three terminals 50 from the right side as viewed from the opening of the second connector housing portion 34 among the multiple terminals 50 lined up along the first rows Qa1, Qb1. For convenience, the first three terminals 50 from the right side may be distinguished as terminals 50A, 50B, 50C, in that order.

[0075] The second terminal portion 54 of the terminal 50A is located closer to the center of the first rows Qa1, Qb1 than the first terminal portion 51. Therefore, the holder holding portion 53 between the insertion portion 52 and the second terminal portion 54 of the terminal 50A includes a bent portion 53VA that is bent toward the center of the first rows Qa1, Qb1 along the first rows Qa1, Qb1 on the way from the insertion portion 52 to the second terminal portion 54. The bent portion 53VA includes a cross direction portion that extends in a direction crossing both the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54 between two corner portions. The two corner portions are, for example, portions that are bent at an angle of 90 degrees or more. If the two corner portions are at the same angle, the first terminal portion 51 and the insertion portion 52 and the second terminal portion 54 can extend along the same direction. The cross direction portion may be perpendicular to the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54, or may extend in an oblique direction. In this embodiment, the intersecting direction portion forms an obtuse angle with the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion .

[0076] The holder holding portion 53 of the terminal 50B has a bent portion 53VB similar to the bent portion 53VA. The angle of the bent portion 53VB relative to the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54 is smaller than the angle of the bent portion 53VA relative to the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54. This is because the amount of displacement of the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54 in the terminal 50B is smaller than the amount of displacement of the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54 in the terminal 50A.

[0077] The holder holding portion 53 of the terminal 50C does not have any bent portions and extends linearly because the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54 of the terminal 50C are located at the same position in the terminal arrangement direction A and in the direction B perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction A.

[0078] The bent portions 53VA and 53VB are an example of pitch changing bent portions that bend so as to make the positions of the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54 different along the terminal arrangement direction A.

[0079] The holder holding portions 53 of the other terminals 50 arranged along the first rows Qa1, Qb1 are also provided with bent portions that correspond to the positions of the first terminal portions 51 and the second terminal portions 54, or they extend linearly without being bent.

[0080] The following description focuses on some of the multiple terminals 50 lined up along the second rows Qa2, Qb2. Here, attention is focused on the first three terminals 50 from the right side as viewed from the opening of the second connector housing portion 34 among the multiple terminals 50 lined up along the second rows Qa2, Qb2. For convenience, the first three terminals 50 from the right side may be referred to as terminals 50H, 50I, 50J, in that order.

[0081] First, in a direction B perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction A, the second terminal portions 54 of the terminals 50H, 50I, 50J are located closer to the first row Qb1 than the first terminal portions 51 are.

[0082] In addition, in the terminal arrangement direction A, the second terminal portion 54 of the terminal 50H is located at the same position as the first terminal portion 51. Therefore, the holder holding portion 53 between the insertion portion 52 and the second terminal portion 54 of the terminal 50H includes a bent portion 53VH that is bent toward the first row Qa1 along the direction B on the way from the insertion portion 52 to the second terminal portion 54. The bent portion 53VH includes a cross direction portion that extends in a direction crossing both the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54 between two corner portions. The two corner portions are, for example, portions that are bent at an angle of 90 degrees or more. If the two corner portions are at the same angle, the first terminal portion 51 and the insertion portion 52 and the second terminal portion 54 can extend along the same direction. The cross direction portion may be perpendicular to the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54, or may extend in an oblique direction. In this embodiment, the intersecting direction portion forms an obtuse angle with the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion .

[0083] The bent portion 53VH is an example of an arrangement position changing bent portion that is bent so as to change the positions of the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54 in a direction B intersecting with the terminal arrangement direction A.

[0084] In addition, in the terminal arrangement direction A, the second terminal portions 54 of the terminals 50I, 50J are positioned closer to the outside of the second row Qb2 than the first terminal portions 51. Therefore, the holder holding portions 53 of the terminals 50I, 50J include bending portions 53VI, 53VJ that bend toward the first row Qa1 and toward the outside of the second row Qb2 along the direction B on the way from the insertion portion 52 to the second terminal portion 54 in accordance with the difference in position between the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54.

[0085] In the present embodiment, in the second row Qb2, the positional difference between the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54 of the terminal 50J is larger than the positional difference between the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54 of the terminal 50I. Therefore, the bent portion 53VJ is bent more than the bent portion 53VI.

[0086] The bent portions 53VI and 53VJ are bent in both directions A and B, and are therefore an example of a pitch changing bent portion and also an example of an array position changing bent portion.

[0087] The holder holding portions 53 of the other terminals 50 arranged along the first rows Qa1 and Qb1 also have bent portions that match the positions of the first terminal portions 51 and the second terminal portions .

[0088] As described above, for each terminal 50, bending portions 53VA, VB, VH, VI, VJ are set or not set according to the positional difference between the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54 in directions A and B, thereby accommodating differences between the arrangement positions of the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54.

[0089] Furthermore, the insertion portion 52 of at least one of the multiple terminals 50 has a press-fit portion 52P that is press-fitted into the insertion hole 39. In this embodiment, the press-fit portion 52P is provided in the insertion portions 52 of some of the multiple terminals 50, for example, terminals 50B and 50I.

[0090] The press-fit portion 52P is a portion that is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 39 when the insertion portion 52 is inserted into the insertion hole 39. For example, it is assumed that the dimension of the insertion portion 52 in at least one direction perpendicular to the axis of the insertion portion 52 is set to be larger than the size of the insertion hole 39.

[0091] The press-fit portion 52P may be set over the entire insertion portion 52, or may be set over a portion of the insertion portion 52 in the longitudinal direction. The press-fit portion 52P is preferably a portion of the insertion portion 52 closer to the holder holding portion 53 and formed to be partially thicker. This prevents the press-fit portion 52P from entering the insertion hole 39 in the initial stage of insertion of the insertion portion 52, allowing the insertion portion 52 to be smoothly inserted. The press-fit portion 52P is formed by bending portions 53VA, 53VB, 53VH, 53VI, 53VJ It is preferred, but not essential, that the press-fit portion 52P be provided on a terminal having a bent portion.

[0092] It is preferable that the press-fit portion 52P is formed at a position where it is press-fitted into the insertion hole 39 with a part of the holder 60 inserted in the holder recess 40. This allows the reaction force acting during press-fitting to be more reliably received by the holder 60, which is kept in a combined state by the holder recess 40. This makes it easy to perform the press-fitting and insertion operations of the multiple terminals 50.

[0093] In this embodiment, the press-fit portion 52P includes a pair of protrusions 52Pa protruding outward on both sides from a portion of the insertion portion 52 closer to the holder holding portion 53. The outward surfaces of the protrusions 52Pa extend along the axial direction of the insertion portion 52. The edges of the protrusions 52Pa on the first terminal portion 51 side are formed as inclined edges that incline inward toward the first terminal portion 51.

[0094] When the insertion section 52 having the press-fitting portion 52P is inserted into the insertion hole 39, the inclined edge of the protruding piece 52Pa comes into contact with the opening edge of the insertion hole 39 on the second connector housing part 34 side. This allows the pair of protruding pieces 52Pa to be smoothly inserted into the insertion hole 39. The width between the outwardly facing surfaces of the pair of protruding pieces 52Pa is large enough to allow the press-fitting portion 52P to be press-fitted and is larger than the width of the insertion hole 39. Insertion hole 39 When the pair of protruding pieces 52Pa is pressed into the insertion hole 39, the pair of protruding pieces 52Pa is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 39, and the pair of protruding pieces 52Pa is engaged by the frictional force or the engagement force due to the engagement. Insertion part 52 is held in the insertion hole 39.

[0095] In a state where the terminals 50 are integrated by the holder 60, the insertion portions 52 are inserted into the insertion holes 39. Therefore, at least one press-fitting portion 52P of the insertion portions 52 is Insertion hole 39 When the terminals 50 are pressed into the holder 60 and held in place, the holding force extends to all of the terminals 50 held by the holder 60. The press-fit portion 52P may be set on the terminals having a bent portion or on the terminals 50 not having a bent portion. In this embodiment, the press-fit portion 52P is provided on a plurality of terminals 50 (four in this embodiment) including the terminals 50B and 50I having the bent portions 53VB and 53VI, for example. How many of the terminals 50 should have the press-fit portion 52P set thereon is appropriately set according to the force required to hold the terminals 50 in place. The greater the required retention force, the more the number of terminals 50 to have the press-fit portion 52P set thereon should be increased.

[0096] Moreover, the holder holding portion 53 of at least one terminal 50 among the multiple terminals 50 has a positioning protrusion 53P. The positioning protrusion 53P is a portion that protrudes outward from other portions of the holder holding portion 53. In this embodiment, the positioning protrusion 53P has a pair of rectangular protrusions that protrude from both sides of the holder holding portion 53. The positioning protrusion 53P allows the holder holding portion 53 to be more reliably positioned and held by the holder 60.

[0097] It is assumed that the greater the inclination angle of bent portions 53VA, 53VB, 53VH, 53VI, and 53VJ set in holder holding portion 53, the greater the effect of suppressing misalignment of holder holding portion 53 with respect to holder 60. For this reason, it is preferable that positioning protrusion 53P is set in holder holding portion 53 of terminal 50 having no bent portion (e.g., terminal 50C) and in holder holding portion 53 of terminal 50H having a bent portion with a small inclination angle (e.g., 53VH).

[0098] <About the holder> The holder 60 is divided into a plurality of holder divided members 62, 66, and 70. In this embodiment, the holder 60 includes a first holder divided member 62, a second holder divided member 66, and a third holder divided member 70. The first holder divided member 62, the second holder divided member 66, and the third holder divided member 70 are each formed by molding resin using a metal mold. The first holder divided member 62, the second holder divided member 66, and the third holder divided member 70 are stacked in this order along a direction B perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction A.

[0099] Between the first holder divided member 62 and the second holder divided member 66, a plurality of holder holding portions 53 are held along the first row Qb1.

[0100] More specifically, a plurality of holding grooves 63 capable of accommodating a plurality of holder holding parts 53 along the first row Qb1 are formed in a portion of the first holder divided member 62 facing the second holder divided member 66. The plurality of holding grooves 63 are open to both the partition part 38 side and the side facing the second connector housing part 34, and are formed in a groove shape that curves according to the plurality of holder holding parts 53 along the first row Qb1. For example, the holding grooves 63A and 63B that hold the holder holding parts 53 having the bent parts 53VA and 53VB are formed in a shape that curves according to the bent parts 53VA and 53VB. The holding groove 63C that holds the holder holding part 53 that does not have a bent part is formed in a groove that extends linearly.

[0101] The portion of second holder divided member 66 facing first holder divided member 62 does not have a groove, and is formed in a shape that presses holder holding portion 53 into holding groove 63. The portion of second holder divided member 66 facing first holder divided member 62 may also have a groove that partially accommodates holder holding portion 53.

[0102] Regarding the relationship between the first holder split member 62 and the second holder split member 66, the first holder split member 62 is an example of a grooved holder member having a retaining groove 63, and the second holder split member 66 is an example of a lid holder member that combines with the first holder split member 62 as a grooved holder member to keep the multiple holder holding portions 53 contained within the multiple retaining grooves 63.

[0103] A plurality of holder holding portions 53 are held between the second holder divided member 66 and the third holder divided member 70 along the second row Qb2.

[0104] More specifically, a plurality of holding grooves 67 capable of accommodating a plurality of holder holding parts 53 along the second row Qb2 are formed in a portion of the second holder divided member 66 facing the third holder divided member 70. The plurality of holding grooves 67 open toward the partition part 38 and the side facing the second connector housing part 34, and are formed in a groove shape that curves according to the plurality of holder holding parts 53 along the second row Qb2. For example, the holding groove 67H that holds the holder holding part 53 having the bent part 53VH is formed in a shape that curves in the direction B according to the bent part 53VH. The holding grooves 67I and 67J that hold the holder holding part 53 having the bent parts 53VI and 53VJ are formed in a shape that curves in the direction A and the direction B according to the bent parts 53VI and 53VJ.

[0105] The portion of the third holder split member 70 facing the second holder split member 66 does not have a groove, and is formed in a shape that presses the holder holding portion 53 into the holding groove 67. The portion of the third holder split member 70 facing the second holder split member 66 may also have a groove that partially accommodates the holder holding portion 53.

[0106] Regarding the relationship between the second holder split member 66 and the third holder split member 70, the second holder split member 66 is an example of a grooved holder member having a retaining groove 67, and the third holder split member 70 is an example of a lid holder member that combines with the second holder split member 66 as a grooved holder member to keep the multiple holder holding portions 53 contained within the multiple retaining grooves 63.

[0107] The holder 60 has positioning recesses 63G, 67G into which the positioning protrusion 53P fits. In this embodiment, the positioning recesses 63G, 67G are formed by recessing outward on both sides from the portions of the holding grooves 63C, 67J closer to the partition 38. When the holder holding portion 53 fits into the holding grooves 63C, 67J, the positioning protrusion 53P fits into the positioning recesses 63G, 67G, making it difficult for the holder holding portion 53 to become misaligned along the longitudinal direction of the holding grooves 63C, 67J.

[0108] A combining protrusion 64 is formed on the first holder divided member 62, and a combining protrusion 68 is formed on the second holder divided member 66. The second holder divided member 66 and the third holder divided member 70 are formed with combining holes 66h, 70h1 into which the combining protrusion 64 is inserted. Preferably, the combining protrusion 64 is set to a size that allows it to be press-fitted into the combining holes 66h, 70h1. The third holder divided member 70 is formed with a combining hole 70h2 into which the combining protrusion 68 is inserted. Preferably, the combining protrusion 68 is press-fitted into the combining hole 70h2.

[0109] With the first holder divided member 62, the second holder divided member 66, and the third holder divided member 70 stacked, the combining protrusion 64 is inserted into the combining holes 66h, 70h1, and the combining protrusion 68 is inserted into the combining hole 70h2. This allows the first holder divided member 62, the second holder divided member 66, and the third holder divided member 70 to be combined while preventing misalignment.

[0110] The first holder divided member 62 has positioning protrusions 62a protruding from the surface thereof facing the second holder divided member 66 near both sides. The positioning protrusions 62a are fitted to the positioning recesses ( Figure 6 The first holder divided member 62 and the second holder divided member 66 are also positioned by fitting them into a corresponding recess (see reference).

[0111] In the combined state of the first holder divided member 62, the second holder divided member 66, and the third holder divided member 70, the holder 60 has a rectangular column shape with rounded corners on the outer periphery. The dimensions of the holder 60 in the terminal arrangement direction A and the direction B perpendicular thereto are consistent with the dimensions in the holder recess 40 to the extent that the holder 60 can be accommodated without rattling. Preferably, the holder 60 may be of a size that allows it to be pressed into the holder recess 40. The length of the holder 60 in the direction perpendicular to the directions A and B is set to a size that allows the entire holder 60 to be accommodated in the holder recess 40. When the holder 60 is accommodated in the holder recess 40, rattling in the directions A and B is suppressed, and the combined state is maintained. The holder 60 is accommodated in the holder recess 40 with the multiple holder holding portions 53 held in the multiple holding grooves 63, 67. In this state, So, At least one press-fit portion 52P inserted into one of the insertion holes 39 is press-fit into the insertion hole 39.

[0112] A circumferential groove 61 is formed on the outer periphery of the holder 60. The circumferential groove 61 is, for example, a groove that goes around the outer periphery of the holder 60. For example, even if the potting material for forming the seal portion 76 flows between the holder recess 40 and the holder 60, the potting material can flow into the circumferential groove 61. This prevents the potting material from reaching the inside of the second connector housing portion 34.

[0113] It is preferable that the edge of the end of the holder 60 on the partition portion 38 side is formed into a guide surface that slopes inward toward the partition portion 38. It is also preferable that the opening of the holder recess 40 on the second connector housing portion 34 side is formed into a guide surface that slopes outward toward the second connector housing portion 34. This allows the holder 60 to be easily press-fitted into the holder recess 40.

[0114] <Assembly procedure> An example of an assembly procedure for the relay connector 20 will now be described.

[0115] A plurality of terminals 50, a first holder divided member 62, a second holder divided member 66 and a third holder divided member 70 are prepared.

[0116] The multiple holder holding parts 53 arranged along the first row Qb1 are accommodated in the multiple holding grooves 63 of the first holder divided member 62. Then, while inserting the combining protrusions 64 into the combining holes 66h, the second holder divided member 66 is superimposed on the first holder divided member 62. As a result, the multiple holder holding parts 53 are held in the multiple holding grooves 63.

[0117] Before or after the above, the multiple holder holding parts 53 arranged along the second row Qb2 are accommodated in the multiple holding grooves 67 of the second holder divided member 66. Then, the third holder divided member 70 is superimposed on the second holder divided member 66 while the combining protrusions 64, 68 are inserted into the combining holes 70h1, h2. As a result, the multiple holder holding parts 53 are held in the multiple holding grooves 67.

[0118] With the multiple terminals 50 held by the holder 60, the multiple first terminal portions 51 are inserted into the multiple insertion holes 39 from the opening side of the second connector housing portion 34. With the first terminal portions 51 entering the sealing recess 41 and the first connector housing portion 32, the tip portion of the holder 60 enters the holder recess 40. When the holder 60 enters the holder recess 40, the periphery of the holder 60 is surrounded by the inner peripheral surface of the holder recess 40, so that the layered state of the first holder divided member 62, the second holder divided member 66 and the third holder divided member 70 is maintained and disassembly of them is suppressed.

[0119] A relatively large gap is provided in the center of the second terminal portions 54 aligned along the second row Qb2. Therefore, the holder 60 can be easily pushed in by utilizing the surface of the holder 60 opposite to the pushing direction, which is the surface of the holder 60 with the gap between the second terminal portions 54 aligned along the second row Qb2.

[0120] With the disassembly of the holder 60 suppressed, the holder 60 is further pushed into the holder recess 40. Then, the press-fit portion 52P is pressed into the insertion hole 39. At this time, a reaction force against the press-fit acts between the holder 60 and the holder holding portion 53. The holder holding portion 53 having the bent portions 53VA, 53VB, 53VH, 53VI, and 53VJ is held in the holding grooves 63 and 67 at the portions intersecting with the pushing direction. Therefore, the reaction force against the press-fit is effectively received by the holding grooves 63 and 67 that hold the bent portions 53VA, 53VB, 53VH, 53VI, and 53VJ. As a result, the press-fit portion 52P can be effectively inserted into the insertion hole 39 while suppressing the positional deviation of the holder holding portion 53 relative to the holder 60, and the bent portions 53VA, 53VB, 53VH, 53VI, and 53VJ are held in the holding grooves 63 and 67. 、67 It is difficult to deform inside.

[0121] Moreover, the holder holding portion 53 having the positioning protrusion 53P is held by the positioning protrusion 53P fitting into the positioning recesses 63G, 67G. Therefore, the reaction force against the press-fitting is effectively received by the structure in which the positioning protrusion 53P fits into the positioning recesses 63G, 67G. This allows the press-fitting portion 52P to be effectively inserted into the insertion hole 39, and the holder holding portion 53 is unlikely to be displaced from the holder 60.

[0122] When the holder 60 is inserted all the way into the holder recess 40, the first terminal portion 51 is disposed at a predetermined position in the first connector housing portion 32, enabling the first connector portion 22 to function. Also, the second terminal portion 54 is disposed at a predetermined position in the second connector housing portion 34, enabling the second connector portion 24 to function.

[0123] Furthermore, a potting material or the like is filled into the sealing recess 41 to form the seal portion 76. Note that the potting material may flow down the terminal 50 or the holder 60 and into the second connector housing portion 34.

[0124] The flow of the potting material along the terminal 50 can be suppressed by a configuration in which the press-fit portion 52P, the positioning protrusion 53P, and the holding grooves 63 and 67 protruding from the terminal 50 are as closely attached as possible to the holder holding portion 53. The flow of the potting material along the outer periphery of the holder 60 is suppressed by the potting flowing into the circumferential groove 61 and being blocked.

[0125] The seal portion 76 is formed in the sealing recess 41, whereby the relay connector 20 is assembled.

[0126] <Effects, etc.> According to the relay connector 20 configured as above, while the holder 60 holds the holder holding portion 53 in the holding grooves 63, 67, the insertion portion 52 can be inserted into the insertion hole 39, and at least one press-fitting portion 52P can be press-fitted into the insertion hole 39. Therefore, when the terminal 50 is press-fitted, the bent portions 53VA, 53VB, 53VH, 53VI, and 53VJ are unlikely to deform. Also, the insertion portion 52 is Insertion hole 39 In the state where the terminal 50 is pressed into the intermediate connector 20, the bent portions 53VA, 53VB, 53VH, 53VI, and 53VJ are held in the holding grooves 63 and 67 of the holder 60 in the holder recess 40. Therefore, even if another connector is connected to the first connector portion 22 or the second connector portion 24 and a force acts on the first terminal portion 51 or the second terminal portion 54 along its longitudinal direction, the bent portions 53VA, 53VB, 53VH, 53VI, and 53VJ are unlikely to deform. Therefore, even in a use state after completion of the intermediate connector 20, the bent portions 53VA, 53VB, 53VH, 53VI, and 53VJ are unlikely to deform. Therefore, in the intermediate connector 20 of the type in which the terminal 50 is pressed into the intermediate connector 20, deformation of the bent portions 53VA, 53VB, 53VH, 53VI, and 53VJ set in the middle portion of the terminal 50 can be suppressed.

[0127] Furthermore, if the multiple terminals are used as insert parts when the connector housing is molded, precise alignment of the multiple terminals may be difficult. In this embodiment, the multiple terminals 50 can be positioned and held by the molded insertion holes 39 and the holding grooves 63, 67 of the holder 60. This makes it easy to manufacture the relay connector 20, and provides the effects of improving productivity and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0128] In addition, the position of the first terminal portion 51 in the first connector housing portion 32 and the position of the second terminal portion 54 in the second connector housing portion 34 can be made different by the bent portions 53VA, 53VB, 53VH, 53VI, and 53VJ serving as position changing bent portions.

[0129] In addition, by using bent portions 53VA, 53VB, 53VI, and 53VJ as pitch changing bent portions, the positions of the first terminal portions 51 and the second terminal portions 54 can be made to differ along the terminal arrangement direction A. This makes it possible to change the arrangement pitch of the first terminal portions 51 and the arrangement pitch of the second terminal portions 54.

[0130] In addition, by using 53VH, 53VI, and 53VJ as arrangement position changing bending portions, the positions of the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54 can be made to differ in a direction intersecting the terminal arrangement direction A, so that the arrangement positions of the first terminal portion 51 and the second terminal portion 54 in direction B can be changed.

[0131] Furthermore, the partition portion 38 has a sealing recess 41 closer to the first connector housing portion 32 than the insertion portion 52, and the sealing recess 41 is filled with a seal portion 76. Therefore, the partition portion 38 can be sealed by the seal portion 76 on the side opposite the holder 60. As a result, there are fewer joints between members on the side opposite the side where the holder 60 exists, and therefore, by sealing on the side opposite the holder 60, good sealing properties are achieved.

[0132] Here, when comparing the seal portion 76 formed from a potting material or the like with the holder 60 which is a resin molded part, it is assumed that the holder 60 has superior oil resistance. If the holder 60 is on the inside of the device 10 and the seal portion 76 is on the outside of the device 10, the seal portion 76 is unlikely to be exposed to oil, and the sealing property of the seal portion 76 is well maintained.

[0133] Furthermore, if at least one holder holding portion 53 has a positioning protrusion 53P, and the holder 60 has positioning recesses 63G, 67G into which the positioning protrusion 53P fits, the terminal 50 (e.g., terminals 50C, 50H) will be firmly held relative to the holder 60 even if the terminal 50 does not have a bending portion or the bending angle of the bending portion is small.

[0134] In addition, since the circumferential groove 61 is formed on the outer periphery of the holder 60, the sealing agent such as the potting material for forming the seal portion 76 is unlikely to flow along the outer periphery of the holder 60. This allows the sealing agent to be filled in securely, resulting in good sealing properties.

[0135] In addition, since the press-fit portion 52P is a portion of the insertion portion 52 close to the holder holding portion 53 that is formed partially thicker, the press-fit portion 52P is press-fitted into the insertion hole 39 in the final stage of inserting the insertion portion 52 into the insertion hole 39. Therefore, it is not necessary to apply a press-fit force to the entire insertion period of the insertion portion 52 into the insertion hole 39, and the insertion portion 52 can be easily inserted into the insertion hole 39. In addition, with the press-fit portion 52P press-fitted into the insertion hole 39, the terminal 50 is less likely to come out of the insertion hole 39.

[0136] Furthermore, since the press-fit portion 52P is press-fitted into the insertion hole 39 with a portion of the holder 60 inserted into the holder recess 40, when the press-fit portion 52P is press-fitted into the insertion hole 39, the holder 60 enters the holder recess 40 and is difficult to disassemble. This allows the holder 60 to be pushed in with the holder holding portion 53 firmly held by the holder 60, to press-fit the press-fit portion 52P into the insertion hole 39.

[0137] The configurations described in the above embodiment and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 10 equipment 12 cases 12h through hole 20 Relay connector 22 First connector part 24 Second connector part 26 First power connector 26a Housing 27 Second power connector 27a Connector base 28 Power terminal 30 Connector housing 32 First connector housing part 34 Second connector housing part 36 Intermediate housing part 36a Annular elastic ring 36g circumferential groove 37 Screw stopper 37g Metal Color 37h Screw insertion hole 38 Partition 39 Insertion hole 40 Holder recess 41 Sealing recess 50 (50A, 50B, 50C, 50H, 50I, 50J) Terminal 51 1st terminal section 52 Insertion section 52P Press-fit part 52Pa protruding piece 53 Holder holding part 53P Positioning protrusion 53VA, 53VB, 53VH, 53VI, 53VJ Bending section 54 2nd terminal section 60 Holder 61 Circumferential groove 62 First holder division member 62a Positioning protrusion 63(63A, 63B, 63C), 67(67H, 67I, 67J) Retaining groove 63G, 67G Positioning recess 64, 68 Combining protrusion 66 Second holder division member 66h, 70h1, 70h2 combination hole 70 Third holder division member 76 Seal Part A Terminal arrangement direction B Orthogonal to terminal arrangement direction Qa1, Qb1 1st column Qa2, Qb2 2nd column S Screw

Claims

1. a connector housing having a first connector housing portion, a second connector housing portion, and a partition portion between the first connector housing portion and the second connector housing portion; A plurality of terminals; a holder for holding the plurality of terminals; Equipped with the partition portion has a plurality of insertion holes into which the plurality of terminals are respectively inserted, and a holder recess portion that accommodates the holder on a side of the second connector housing portion closer to the second connector housing portion than the plurality of insertion holes, Each of the plurality of terminals has an insertion portion inserted into the insertion hole, a first terminal portion extending along an extension line of the insertion portion toward the first connector housing portion relative to the insertion portion, a holder holding portion extending from the insertion portion into the holder recess, and a second terminal portion extending from the holder holding portion toward the second connector housing portion, the insertion portion of at least one of the plurality of terminals has a press-fit portion that is press-fitted into the insertion hole, the holder holding portion of at least one of the plurality of terminals has a bent portion that is bent relative to the insertion portion, the holder includes a grooved holder member having a plurality of holding grooves capable of accommodating the plurality of holder holding portions, and a lid holder member that combines with the grooved holder member to hold the plurality of holder holding portions in a state accommodated within the plurality of holding grooves; A relay connector in which the holder is accommodated in the holder recess with the holder holding the multiple holder holding portions within the multiple holding grooves, and the multiple insertion portions are inserted into the multiple insertion holes so that the press-fit portion of at least one of the insertion portions is pressed into the insertion hole.

2. The relay connector according to claim 1, An relay connector, wherein the bending portion of at least one of the holder holding portions includes a position changing bending portion that is bent so as to make the position of the first terminal portion in the first connector housing portion different from the position of the second terminal portion in the second connector housing portion.

3. The relay connector according to claim 1 or 2, The plurality of insertion portions are arranged in one or more rows along the terminal arrangement direction, The bent portion of at least one of the holder holding portions includes a pitch changing bent portion that bends so as to make the positions of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion different along the terminal arrangement direction.

4. The relay connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The plurality of insertion portions are arranged in one or more rows along the terminal arrangement direction, An relay connector, wherein the bending portion of at least one of the holder holding portions includes an array position changing bending portion that bends so as to differ the positions of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion in a direction intersecting the terminal array direction.

5. The relay connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the partition portion has a sealing recess on the first connector housing portion side relative to the insertion hole, The relay connector further includes a seal portion filled in the sealing recess.

6. The relay connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the holder holding portion of at least one of the plurality of terminals has a positioning protrusion, The holder has a positioning recess into which the positioning protrusion fits.

7. The relay connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The relay connector further comprises a circumferential groove formed on an outer periphery of the holder.

8. The relay connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The press-fit portion is a portion of the insertion portion that is partially thickened near the holder holding portion.

9. The relay connector according to claim 8, The press-fit portion is formed at a position where it is press-fitted into the insertion hole with a portion of the holder inserted into the holder recess.

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