Joint connector

Abstract

To provide a joint connector that can be reduced in height.SOLUTION: A joint connector 1 comprises a plurality of bus bars 2, 3, 4, and a housing. The bus bars have a plurality of output terminal parts 21, 31, 41, 22, 32, 42, 23, 33, 43 that extend in a first direction X, bodies 24, 34, 44 that extend along a second direction Y orthogonal to the first direction and connect the plurality of output terminal parts with each other, and input terminal parts 25, 35, 45 that are connected with the bodies. The output terminal parts have leading end parts 21a, 31a, 41a, 22a, 32a, 42a, 23a, 33a, 43a that are located at the leading ends of the output terminal parts and connected to terminals of the other connector, and base end parts that connect the leading end parts and bodies with each other. The housing holds the plurality of bus bars with the bodies arranged in parallel in the first direction and the leading end parts arranged in parallel in the second direction on the same plane. The base end parts 31b, 41b, 32b, 42b of one bus bar have crossing parts 31c, 41c, 32c, 42c that cross over the bodies of the other bus bar.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a joint connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a joint connector. Patent Document 1 discloses a joint connector including a connector housing and a joint terminal press-fitted to the connector housing. In the joint connector of Patent Document 1, the joint terminal is mounted on the connector housing in four stages.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the joint connector of Patent Document 1, the thickness of the housing for accommodating the joint terminal tends to be large. A joint connector with a large thickness is likely to be restricted in terms of the placement location. In addition, a joint connector that accommodates terminals in layers has difficulty in coping with the thinning of the device that accommodates the joint connector. In a joint connector, it is desired to be able to achieve a low profile.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a joint connector capable of achieving a low profile.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The joint connector of the present invention includes a plurality of bus bars and a housing that holds the plurality of bus bars. The bus bar has a plurality of output terminal portions extending in a first direction, a main body extending along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and connecting the plurality of output terminal portions, and an input terminal portion connected to the main body. The output terminal portion has a tip portion located at the tip of the output terminal portion and connected to a mating terminal, and a base end portion connecting the tip portion and the main body. The housing holds the plurality of bus bars in a state where the main bodies are arranged in parallel in the first direction and the tip portions are arranged in parallel in the second direction on the same plane, and the base end portion of one bus bar has an overhanging portion that straddles the main body of another bus bar.

[0007] The joint connector of the present invention includes a plurality of conductors and a housing that holds the plurality of conductors. The conductor has an output terminal portion and a plurality of terminal members extending along a first direction, and a connecting member extending along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and connecting the plurality of terminal members to each other. One of the plurality of terminal members has an input terminal portion. The housing holds the plurality of conductors in a state where the plurality of output terminal portions are arranged in parallel in the second direction on the same plane, and the connecting member of one conductor has an overhanging portion that straddles the terminal member of another conductor.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] The joint connector according to the present invention has an overhanging portion and arranges the terminal portions in parallel on the same plane. According to the joint connector according to the present invention, there is an effect that the height can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the joint connector according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. Further, the constituent elements in the following embodiment include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

[0011] [First Embodiment] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the first embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to a joint connector. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the joint connector according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the bus bar according to the first embodiment, and FIGS. 3 to 5 are cross-sectional views of the joint connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows the cross-section III-III of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows the cross-section IV-IV of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 shows the cross-section V-V of FIG. 3.

[0012] The joint connector 1 shown in Fig. 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, for example. The joint connector 1 connects, for example, the power supply and control device of the vehicle to a plurality of devices mounted on the vehicle. Since the joint connector 1 of the present embodiment is formed in a thin shape, it can be arranged in a narrow space. The joint connector 1 may be arranged on the door of the vehicle. In this case, the joint connector 1 can contribute to thinning of the door.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the joint connector 1 of the present embodiment includes a first bus bar 2, a second bus bar 3, a third bus bar 4, and a housing 5. The first bus bar 2, the second bus bar 3, and the third bus bar 4 are plate-shaped conductors each formed of a conductive metal. The housing 5 holds the first bus bar 2, the second bus bar 3, and the third bus bar 4. The housing 5 is molded, for example, from an insulating synthetic resin. The illustrated shape of the housing 5 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0014] The housing 5 has a rectangular tube-shaped input-side fitting portion 50. The input-side connector 100 is inserted into the input-side fitting portion 50. The input terminal portions 25 of the first bus bar 2, the input terminal portions 35 of the second bus bar 3, and the input terminal portions 45 of the third bus bar 4 are exposed in the internal space of the input-side fitting portion 50. The input-side connector 100 has a plurality of terminals corresponding to the input terminal portions 25, 35, 45.

[0015] The joint connector 1 connects the input-side connector 100 to a plurality of counterpart connectors 200. For example, when the connector 100 has a power supply terminal, the joint connector 1 connects this power supply terminal to the power supply terminals of each connector 200. In other words, the joint connector 1 distributes the power supplied via the connector 100 to the plurality of connectors 200. When the connector 100 has a communication terminal, the joint connector 1 connects this communication terminal to the communication terminals of each connector 200. In other words, the joint connector 1 communicatively connects the communication device connected to the connector 100 and the communication devices connected to the respective connectors 200. When the connector 100 has a ground terminal, the joint connector 1 connects this ground terminal to the ground terminals of each connector 200.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the bus bars 2, 3, and 4 has a plurality of output terminal portions with respect to one input terminal portion 25, 35, 45. For example, the first bus bar 2 has an input terminal portion 25, a main body 24, and three output terminal portions 21, 22, 23. The output terminal portions 21, 22, 23 are connected to the counterpart terminals of the connector 200. Further, the output terminal portions 21, 22, 23 are connected to different connectors 200. The input terminal portion 25 is connected to the counterpart terminal of the connector 100.

[0017] In the illustrated first bus bar 2, the three output terminal portions 21, 22, 23 and the input terminal portion 25 extend in the same direction. The three output terminal portions 21, 22, 23 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the output terminal portions 21, 22, 23.

[0018] In the following description, the direction in which the output terminal portion extends is referred to as the "first direction X". Also, the arrangement direction of the output terminal portions 21, 22, 23 is referred to as the "second direction Y". The second direction Y is orthogonal to the first direction X. Also, the direction orthogonal to both the first direction X and the second direction Y is referred to as the "third direction Z". The third direction Z is the plate thickness direction of the bus bars 2, 3, 4.

[0019] The main body 24 extends along the second direction Y and connects the three output terminal portions 21, 22, and 23. The output terminal portion 21 is connected to the first end portion 24a of the main body 24, and the output terminal portion 23 is connected to the second end portion 24b of the main body 24. The output terminal portion 22 is connected to the central portion of the main body 24. The input terminal portion 25 protrudes from the first end portion 24a of the main body 24 toward the side opposite to the sides of the output terminal portions 21, 22, and 23.

[0020] The output terminal portion 21 has a tip portion 21a and a base end portion 21b. The tip portion 21a is a portion to be connected to the counterpart terminal and is located at the tip of the output terminal portion 21. The shape of the tip portion 21a is a prismatic shape. The base end portion 21b is a portion connecting the tip portion 21a and the main body 24.

[0021] Similarly, the output terminal portion 22 has a tip portion 22a and a base end portion 22b, and the output terminal portion 23 has a tip portion 23a and a base end portion 23b. In the first bus bar 2, the output terminal portions 21, 22, 23, the main body 24, and the input terminal portion 25 are on the same plane. That is, in the first bus bar 2, the output terminal portions 21, 22, 23, the main body 24, and the input terminal portion 25 are at the same position in the third direction Z.

[0022] The second bus bar 3 has an input terminal portion 35, a main body 34, and three output terminal portions 31, 32, and 33. The output terminal portions 31, 32, and 33 extend in the first direction X. The main body 34 extends along the second direction Y and connects the three output terminal portions 31, 32, and 33. The output terminal portion 31 is connected to the first end portion 34a of the main body 34. The output terminal portion 33 is connected to the second end portion 34b of the main body 34. The output terminal portion 32 is connected to the central portion of the main body 34. The input terminal portion 35 protrudes from the first end portion 34a of the main body 34 toward the side opposite to the sides of the output terminal portions 31, 32, and 33. In the second bus bar 3, the tip portions 31a, 32a, 33a, the main body 34, and the input terminal portion 35 are on the same plane.

[0023] The output terminal portion 31 has a tip portion 31a and a base end portion 31b. The tip portion 31a is a portion to be connected to the counterpart terminal and is located at the tip of the output terminal portion 31. The shape of the tip portion 31a is a prism shape. The base end portion 31b is a portion connecting the tip portion 31a and the main body 34. The base end portion 31b has an overhanging portion 31c. The overhanging portion 31c is formed so as to be able to straddle the main body 24 of the first bus bar 2. More specifically, the base end portion 31b is bent so that the overhanging portion 31c protrudes in the third direction Z with respect to the tip portion 31a and the main body 34.

[0024] The output terminal portion 32 has a tip portion 32a and a base end portion 32b. The base end portion 32b has an overhanging portion 32c formed in the same manner as the overhanging portion 31c. The overhanging portion 32c is formed so as to be able to straddle the main body 24. The output terminal portion 33 has a tip portion 33a and a base end portion 33b. The base end portion 33b is flat and does not have an overhanging portion.

[0025] The third bus bar 4 has an input terminal portion 45, a main body 44, and three output terminal portions 41, 42, 43. The output terminal portions 41, 42, 43 extend in the first direction X. The main body 44 extends along the second direction Y and connects the three output terminal portions 41, 42, 43. The output terminal portion 41 is connected to the first end portion 44a of the main body 44. The output terminal portion 43 is connected to the second end portion 44b of the main body 44. The output terminal portion 42 is connected to the central portion of the main body 44. The input terminal portion 45 protrudes from the first end portion 44a of the main body 44 toward the side opposite to the sides of the output terminal portions 41, 42, 43. In the third bus bar 4, the tip portions 41a, 42a, 43a, the main body 44, and the input terminal portion 45 are on the same plane.

[0026] The output terminal portion 41 has a tip portion 41a and a base end portion 41b. The tip portion 41a is a portion to be connected to the counterpart terminal and is located at the tip of the output terminal portion 41. The shape of the tip portion 41a is a prism shape. The base end portion 41b is a portion connecting the tip portion 41a and the main body 44. The base end portion 41b has an overhanging portion 41c. The overhanging portion 41c is formed so as to be able to straddle the main body 24 of the first bus bar 2 and the main body 34 of the second bus bar 3. More specifically, the base end portion 41b is bent so that the overhanging portion 41c protrudes in the third direction Z with respect to the tip portion 41a and the main body 44.

[0027] The output terminal portion 42 has a tip portion 42a and a base end portion 42b. The base end portion 42b has an overhanging portion 42c formed substantially the same as the overhanging portion 41c. The overhanging portion 42c is formed so as to be able to straddle the main body 24 and the main body 34. The output terminal portion 43 has a tip portion 43a and a base end portion 43b. The base end portion 43b is flat and does not have an overhanging portion.

[0028] The main body 24 of the first bus bar 2 has a plurality of through holes 24h. The through holes 24h penetrate the main body 24 along the plate thickness direction of the main body 24. The through holes 24h are arranged at positions facing the overhanging portions 31c, 41c, 32c, 42c. The main body 34 of the second bus bar 3 has a plurality of through holes 34h. The through holes 34h are arranged at positions facing the overhanging portions 41c, 42c. The cross-sectional shape of the through holes 24h, 34h is, for example, circular.

[0029] The housing 5 holds the first bus bar 2, the second bus bar 3, and the third bus bar 4 as shown in FIG. 3. The housing 5 has a first fitting portion 51, a second fitting portion 52, and a third fitting portion 53. The fitting portions 51, 52, 53 open toward the side opposite to the input side fitting portion 50. The fitting portions 51, 52, 53 have a square tube shape. The first fitting portion 51, the second fitting portion 52, and the third fitting portion 53 are arranged in this order along the second direction Y.

[0030] The output terminal portions 21, 31, 41 are exposed in the internal space of the first fitting portion 51. The housing 5 holds the bus bars 2, 3, 4 such that the output terminal portions 21, 31, 41 are arranged in parallel along the second direction Y in this order. With the bus bars 2, 3, 4 held by the housing 5, the tip portions 21a, 31a, 41a of the output terminal portions 21, 31, 41 are located on the same plane. The illustrated housing 5 arranges the tip portions 21a, 31a, 41a in parallel.

[0031] The output terminal portions 22, 32, 42 are exposed in the internal space of the second fitting portion 52. The housing 5 holds the bus bars 2, 3, 4 such that the output terminal portions 22, 32, 42 are arranged in parallel along the second direction Y in this order. With the bus bars 2, 3, 4 held by the housing 5, the tip portions 22a, 32a, 42a of the output terminal portions 22, 32, 42 are located on the same plane. The illustrated housing 5 arranges the tip portions 22a, 32a, 42a in parallel.

[0032] The output terminal portions 23, 33, 43 are exposed in the internal space of the third fitting portion 53. The housing 5 holds the bus bars 2, 3, 4 such that the output terminal portions 23, 33, 43 are arranged in parallel along the second direction Y in this order. With the bus bars 2, 3, 4 held by the housing 5, the tip portions 23a, 33a, 43a of the output terminal portions 23, 33, 43 are located on the same plane. The illustrated housing 5 arranges the tip portions 23a, 33a, 43a in parallel. Further, the tip portions 21a, 31a, 41a of the first fitting portion 51, the tip portions 22a, 32a, 42a of the second fitting portion 52, and the tip portions 23a, 33a, 43a of the third fitting portion 53 are located on the same plane. That is, all the tip portions 21a, 31a, 41a, 22a, 32a, 42a, 23a, 33a, 43a are arranged side by side on the same plane.

[0033] The housing 5 arranges the main bodies 24, 34, 44 in parallel in the first direction. The main bodies 24, 34, 44 each extend in the first direction X and are arranged side by side along the second direction Y. The illustrated housing 5 holds the bus bars 2, 3, 4 by arranging the main bodies 24, 34, 44 in parallel.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing 5 has a bottom wall 54 that supports the bus bars 2, 3, and 4. The illustrated housing 5 has a main body having a bottom wall 54 and side walls 56, and a lid 57 that engages with the main body. Each fitting portion 50, 51, 52, 53 is provided on the main body. The bottom wall 54 may have an engaging portion that engages with the bus bars 2, 3, and 4. The bottom wall 54 supports the main body 24 of the first bus bar 2, the output terminal portions 21, 22, 23, and the input terminal portion 25. Further, the bottom wall 54 supports the main bodies 34, 44 of the second bus bar 3 and the third bus bar 4, the output terminal portions 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, and the input terminal portions 35, 45.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the bridging portion 31c straddles the main body 24 of the first bus bar 2 while securing a necessary insulation distance from the main body 24. In other words, the base end portion 31b is bent so as to form a gap with the main body 24 in the first direction X and the third direction Z.

[0036] The housing 5 has a plurality of boss portions 55. The boss portions 55 project from the bottom wall 54 in the third direction Z. The boss portions 55 have a shape that can be fitted with the through holes 24h, 34h. The shape of the boss portions 55 is, for example, a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the boss portion 55 is inserted into the through hole 24h of the first bus bar 2 to support the bridging portion 31c. As shown in FIG. 5, the boss portions 55 inserted into the other through holes 24h of the first bus bar 2 support the bridging portions 41c, 32c, 42c, respectively.

[0037] The boss portions 55 inserted into the through holes 34h of the second bus bar 3 support the bridging portions 41c, 42c. The boss portions 55 can position the bus bars 2, 3 in the first direction X and the second direction Y. Further, the boss portions 55 can secure a necessary distance between the first bus bar 2 and the bus bars 3, 4 in the third direction Z, and a necessary distance between the second bus bar 3 and the third bus bar 4.

[0038] As described above, the joint connector 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of busbars 2, 3, 4 and a housing 5. The housing 5 holds the plurality of busbars 2, 3, 4. The busbars 2, 3, 4 include a plurality of output terminal portions extending in the first direction X, a main body extending along the second direction Y and connecting the plurality of output terminal portions, and an input terminal portion. For example, the first busbar 2 includes a plurality of output terminal portions 21, 22, 23, a main body 24 connecting the output terminal portions 21, 22, 23, and an input terminal portion 25 connected to the main body 24.

[0039] The output terminal portions of the busbars 2, 3, 4 include a tip portion located at the tip of the output terminal portion and a base end portion connecting the tip portion and the main body. For example, the output terminal portions 21, 22, 23 of the first busbar 2 include tip portions 21a, 22a, 23a connected to the terminals of the other party and base end portions 21b, 22b, 23b. The housing 5 holds the plurality of busbars 2, 3, 4 in a state where the main bodies 24, 34, 44 are arranged in parallel in the first direction X and the tip portions 21a, 31a, 41a, 22a, 32a, 42a, 23a, 33a, 43a are arranged in parallel in the second direction Y on the same plane.

[0040] The base end portion of one busbar has an overhanging portion that straddles the main body of the other busbar. For example, the base end portions 31b, 32b of the second busbar 3 have overhanging portions 31c, 32c that straddle the main body 24 of the first busbar 2. The base end portions 41b, 42b of the third busbar 4 have overhanging portions 41c, 42c that straddle the main body 24 of the first busbar and the main body 34 of the second busbar 3.

[0041] In this way, the joint connector 1 of the present embodiment can achieve a low profile of the joint connector 1 by arranging the tip portions 21a, 31a, 41a, 22a, 32a, 42a, 23a, 33a, 43a of the plurality of busbars 2, 3, 4 on the same plane. Therefore, the joint connector 1 according to the present embodiment can achieve a low profile of the joint connector 1.

[0042] In this embodiment, in one bus bar, the tip portion and the main body are located on the same plane. For example, in the second bus bar 3, the tip portions 31a, 32a, 33a and the main body 34 are located on the same plane. Further, the bridging portion protrudes with respect to the tip portions 31a, 32a, 33a and the main body 34 in the third direction. Also, the tip portions 21a, 31a, 41a, 22a, 32a, 42a, 23a, 33a, 43a and the main bodies 24, 34, 44 of the plurality of bus bars 2, 3, 4 are located on the same plane. With such a configuration, the low-profile of the joint connector 1 can be achieved. Also, with such a configuration, it becomes possible to connect a plurality of connectors 200 having the same shape to the joint connector 1.

[0043] The main bodies 24, 34 of this embodiment have through holes 24h, 34h formed at positions facing the bridging portions 31c, 32c, 41c, 42c. The housing 5 has boss portions 55 that are inserted through the through holes 24h, 34h and support the bridging portions 31c, 32c, 41c, 42c. The boss portions 55 can appropriately maintain the size of the gap between the main bodies 24, 34 and the bridging portions 31c, 32c, 41c, 42c. Also, the boss portions 55 can reinforce the bus bars 2, 3.

[0044] Note that the number of output terminal portions of the bus bars 2, 3, 4 is not limited to the three exemplified. The number of output terminal portions of one bus bar may be two, or may be four or more. The number of fitting portions of the housing 5 is determined according to the number of output terminal portions. The number of bus bars held by the housing 5 is not limited to the three exemplified. The number of bus bars held by the housing 5 may be two, or may be four or more.

[0045] The protruding direction of the input terminal portions 25, 35, 45 with respect to the main bodies 24, 34, 44 is not limited to the exemplified direction. For example, the input terminal portions 25, 35, 45 may protrude in the second direction Y. The housing 5 may be formed by in-mold molding with respect to the bus bars 2, 3, 4.

[0046] [Second Embodiment] A description will be given of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a relay connector according to the second embodiment, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conductor according to the second embodiment, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the conductor according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a joint connector according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment is, for example, that the conductor is composed of a plurality of members.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 6, the joint connector 1 according to the second embodiment has a first conductor 6, a second conductor 7, a third conductor 8, and a housing 5. Similar to the joint connector 1 of the first embodiment, the joint connector 1 connects the input-side connector 100 and a plurality of counterpart connectors 200.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first conductor 6, the second conductor 7, and the third conductor 8 are each composed of a combination of plate-shaped conductors. The first conductor 6 has a plurality of terminal members 61, 62, 63 and a connection member 64. The second conductor 7 has a plurality of terminal members 71, 72, 73 and a connection member 74. The third conductor 8 has a plurality of terminal members 81, 82, 83 and a connection member 84.

[0049] The terminal members 61, 62, 63 are each formed of a conductive metal plate and have a flat plate shape. The terminal member 61 has an output terminal portion 61a, a base portion 61b, and an input terminal portion 61c. The output terminal portion 61a, the base portion 61b, and the input terminal portion 61c extend linearly. The output terminal portion 61a is connected to one end of the base portion 61b, and the input terminal portion 61c is connected to the other end of the base portion 61b. The output terminal portion 61a is connected to the terminal of the counterpart connector 200. The input terminal portion 61c is connected to the terminal of the input-side connector 100.

[0050] The terminal member 62 has an output terminal portion 62a and a base portion 62b. The output terminal portion 62a and the base portion 62b extend linearly. The output terminal portion 62a is a portion that is connected to the terminal of the mating connector 200 and is connected to one end of the base portion 62b. The terminal member 63 has the same shape as the terminal member 62 and has an output terminal portion 63a and a base portion 63b.

[0051] The connection member 64 is formed of a conductive metal plate. The connection member 64 has flat bridging portions 64m, 64n, a first contact portion 64a, a second contact portion 64b, and a third contact portion 64c. The first contact portion 64a, the second contact portion 64b, and the third contact portion 64c are each formed by bending a part of the metal plate. The first contact portion 64a is disposed at one end of the connection member 64, and the third contact portion 64c is disposed at the other end of the connection member 64. The second contact portion 64b is disposed at the central portion of the connection member 64. The bridging portion 64m connects the first contact portion 64a and the second contact portion 64b. The bridging portion 64n connects the second contact portion 64b and the third contact portion 64c. Each contact portion 64a, 64b, 64c protrudes in the thickness direction with respect to the bridging portions 64m, 64n.

[0052] The first contact portion 64a is electrically connected to the base portion 61b of the terminal member 61. The second contact portion 64b is electrically connected to the base portion 62b of the terminal member 62. The third contact portion 64c is electrically connected to the base portion 63b of the terminal member 63.

[0053] The terminal members 71, 72, 73 of the second conductor 7 are each formed of a conductive metal plate and have a flat plate shape. The terminal member 71 has an output terminal portion 71a, a base portion 71b, and an input terminal portion 71c. The output terminal portion 71a is connected to the terminal of the mating connector 200. The input terminal portion 71c is connected to the terminal of the input connector 100.

[0054] The output terminal portion 71a, the base portion 71b, and the input terminal portion 71c extend in a substantially straight line. The base portion 71b has a zigzag shape so as to ensure the distance between adjacent input terminal portions 61c, 71c. The terminal members 72, 73 have the same shape as the terminal members 62, 63, and have output terminal portions 72a, 73a and base portions 72b, 73b.

[0055] The connection member 74 has the same shape as the connection member 64, and has flat bridging portions 74m, 74n, a first contact portion 74a, a second contact portion 74b, and a third contact portion 74c. The first contact portion 74a is electrically connected to the base portion 71b of the terminal member 71. The second contact portion 74b is electrically connected to the base portion 72b of the terminal member 72. The third contact portion 74c is electrically connected to the base portion 73b of the terminal member 73.

[0056] The terminal members 81, 82, 83 of the third conductor 8 are each formed of a conductive metal plate and have a flat plate shape. The terminal member 81 has an output terminal portion 81a, a base portion 81b, and an input terminal portion 81c. The output terminal portion 81a is connected to a terminal of the mating connector 200. The input terminal portion 81c is connected to a terminal of the input-side connector 100.

[0057] The output terminal portion 81a, the base portion 81b, and the input terminal portion 81c extend in a substantially straight line. The base portion 81b has a zigzag shape so as to ensure the distance between adjacent input terminal portions 71c, 81c. The terminal members 82, 83 have the same shape as the terminal members 62, 63, and have output terminal portions 82a, 83a and base portions 82b, 83b.

[0058] The connection member 84 has the same shape as the connection member 64, and has flat bridging portions 84m, 84n, a first contact portion 84a, a second contact portion 84b, and a third contact portion 84c. The first contact portion 84a is electrically connected to the base portion 81b of the terminal member 81. The second contact portion 84b is electrically connected to the base portion 82b of the terminal member 82. The third contact portion 84c is electrically connected to the base portion 83b of the terminal member 83.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the housing 5 holds the first conductor 6, the second conductor 7, and the third conductor 8. More specifically, the bottom wall 54 of the housing 5 holds the terminal members 61, 62, 63, 71, 72, 73, 81, 82, 83 and extends along the first direction X. Further, the housing 5 holds the first conductor 6, the second conductor 7, and the third conductor 8 in a state where a plurality of output terminal portions 61a, 71a, 81a, 62a, 72a, 82a, 63a, 73a, 83a are arranged in parallel in the second direction Y on the same plane.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 9, the output terminal portions 61a, 71a, 81a are exposed in the internal space of the first fitting portion 51. The output terminal portions 62a, 72a, 82a are exposed in the internal space of the second fitting portion 52. The output terminal portions 63a, 73a, 83a are exposed in the internal space of the third fitting portion 53. The input terminal portions 61c, 71c, 81c are exposed in the internal space of the input-side fitting portion 50.

[0061] The housing 5 connects the connection members 64, 74, 84 to the terminal members 61, 62, 63, 71, 72, 73, 81, 82, 83. More specifically, the lid 57 of the housing 5 holds the connection members 64, 74, 84 while pressing them toward the terminal members 61, 62, 63, 71, 72, 73, 81, 82, 83. For example, the connection member 64 is electrically connected to the terminal members 61, 62, 63 by being pressed toward the terminal members 61, 62, 63 by the lid 57. Thereby, the terminal members 61, 62, 63 are electrically connected to each other via the connection member 64.

[0062] Similarly, the connection member 74 is electrically connected to the terminal members 71, 72, 73 by being pressed toward the terminal members 71, 72, 73 by the lid 57. The connection member 84 is electrically connected to the terminal members 81, 82, 83 by being pressed toward the terminal members 81, 82, 83 by the lid 57. The lid 57 may have a holding portion for holding the connection members 64, 74, 84.

[0063] As described above, the joint connector 1 of the second embodiment includes a plurality of conductors 6, 7, 8 and a housing 5 that holds the plurality of conductors 6, 7, 8. The conductors 6, 7, 8 include a plurality of terminal members extending along the first direction X and a connecting member that connects the plurality of terminal members to each other. One of the plurality of terminal members has an input terminal portion. For example, the first conductor 6 includes a plurality of terminal members 61, 62, 63 having output terminal portions 61a, 62a, 63a and a connecting member 64 that connects these terminal members 61, 62, 63 to each other. One terminal member 61 has an input terminal portion 61c.

[0064] The housing 5 holds the plurality of conductors 6, 7, 8 in a state where a plurality of output terminal portions 61a, 71a, 81a, 62a, 72a, 82a, 63a, 73a, 83a are arranged in parallel in the second direction Y on the same plane. The connecting member of one conductor has an overhanging portion that straddles the terminal members of another conductor. For example, the overhanging portion 64m of the first conductor 6 straddles the terminal member 71 of the second conductor 7 and the terminal member 81 of the third conductor 8, and the overhanging portion 64n straddles the terminal member 72 of the second conductor 7 and the terminal member 82 of the third conductor 8. In other words, the connecting member 64 connects the terminal members 61, 62, 63 to each other while straddling the terminal members 71, 81, 72, 82. The joint connector 1 according to the present embodiment can achieve a reduction in the height of the joint connector 1.

[0065] In the joint connector 1 of the present embodiment, the number of terminal members can be adjusted according to the number of connectors 200 to be connected. For example, when there are two connectors 200 connected to the joint connector 1, the terminal members 62, 72, 82 or the terminal members 63, 73, 83 can be omitted. Further, in the joint connector 1 of the present embodiment, the pitch of the terminal members can be freely changed. For example, it is possible to change the pitch of the terminal members 61, 62, 63 in the second direction Y without changing the shape of the terminal members 61, 62, 63. In this case, a connecting member 64 corresponding to the pitch of the terminal members 61, 62, 63 is used.

[0066] Note that the connection members 64, 74, and 84 may be fixed to the terminal members 61, 62, 63, 71, 72, 73, 81, 82, and 83 by methods such as laser welding or ultrasonic welding.

[0067] The housing 5 of the second embodiment may have a boss portion 55 that supports the bridging portions of the connection members 64, 74, and 84. In this case, the terminal member may be provided with a through hole through which the boss portion 55 can be inserted.

[0068] The housing 5 may be formed by in-mold molding with respect to the terminal members 61, 62, 63, 71, 72, 73, 81, 82, and 83. In this case, the housing 5 holds the terminal members in a state where the contact portions of the terminal members with the connection members 64, 74, and 84 are exposed.

[0069] [Modifications of the above embodiments] The boss portion 55 may have a press-fitting portion that is press-fitted into the main body or the terminal member. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a boss portion according to a modification of the above embodiment. The boss portion 55 shown in FIG. 10 has a press-fitting portion 55a and a small-diameter portion 55b. The press-fitting portion 55a is disposed at the base end portion of the boss portion 55. The small-diameter portion 55b is the tip-side portion of the boss portion 55.

[0070] The outer diameter D1 of the press-fitting portion 55a is determined such that the press-fitting portion 55a is press-fitted into the through hole 24h. The press-fitting portion 55a may have ribs for press-fitting into the through hole 24h. The outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 55b is smaller than the outer diameter of the press-fitting portion 55a. The press-fitting portion 55a can fix the main body 24 of the first bus bar 2 and appropriately maintain the distance between the bridging portion 32c and the main body 24. Note that the press-fitting portion 55a may be provided on the boss portion 55 inserted into the through hole 34h or the boss portion 55 inserted into the terminal member of the second embodiment.

[0071] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications can be executed in appropriate combinations.

Description of reference numerals

[0072] 1: Joint Connector 2: First Busbar, 3: Second Busbar, 4: Third Busbar 5: Housing, 6: First Conductor, 7: Second Conductor, 8: Third Conductor 21, 22, 23: Output Terminal Portions, 21a, 22a, 23a: Tip Portions 21b, 22b, 23b: Base Portions 24: Body, 25: Input Terminal Portion 31, 32, 33: Output Terminal Portions, 31a, 32a, 33a: Tip Portions 31b, 32b, 33b: Base Portions, 31c, 32c: Crossing Portions 41, 42, 43: Output Terminal Portions, 41a, 42a, 43a: Tip Portions 41b, 42b, 43b: Base Portions, 41c, 42c: Crossing Portions 50: Input Side Fitting Portion, 51: First Fitting Portion, 52: Second Fitting Portion, 53: Third Fitting Portion 54: Bottom Wall, 55: Boss Portion, 56: Side Wall, 57: Cover 61, 62, 63: Terminal Members, 61a, 62a, 63a: Output Terminal Portions 61b, 62b, 63b: Bases, 61c: Input Terminal Portion 64: Connection Member, 64a: First Contact Portion, 64b: Second Contact Portion 64c: Third Contact Portion, 64m, 64n: Crossing Portions 71, 72, 73: Terminal Members, 71a, 72a, 73a: Output Terminal Portions 71b, 72b, 73b: Bases, 71c: Input Terminal Portion 74: Connection Member, 74a: First Contact Portion, 74b: Second Contact Portion 74c: Third Contact Portion, 74m, 74n: Crossing Portions 81, 82, 83: Terminal Members, 81a, 82a, 83a: Output Terminal Portions 81b, 82b, 83b: Bases, 81c: Input Terminal Portion 84: Connection Member, 84a: First Contact Portion, 84b: Second Contact Portion 84c: Third Contact Portion, 84m, 84n: Crossing Portions 100: Connector, 200: Connector X: First Direction, Y: Second Direction, Z: Third Direction

Claims

1. A plurality of bus bars, a housing that holds the plurality of bus bars, and are provided with The bus bar has a plurality of output terminal portions extending in a first direction, a main body extending along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and connecting the plurality of output terminal portions, and an input terminal portion connected to the main body. The output terminal portion has a tip portion located at the tip of the output terminal portion and connected to a mating terminal, and a base end portion connecting the tip portion and the main body. The housing holds the plurality of bus bars in a state where the main bodies are arranged in parallel in the first direction and the tip portions are arranged in parallel in the second direction on the same plane. The base end portion of one bus bar has an overhanging portion that straddles the main body of another bus bar. The main body has a through hole formed at a position facing the overhanging portion. The housing has a boss portion inserted into the through hole to support the overhanging portion. A joint connector characterized by the above.

2. In one bus bar, the tip portion and the main body are located on the same plane. The overhanging portion protrudes with respect to the tip portion and the main body in a direction orthogonal to each of the first direction and the second direction. The tip portions and the main bodies of the plurality of bus bars are located on the same plane. The joint connector according to claim 1.

3. A plurality of conductors, a housing that holds the plurality of conductors, and are provided with The conductor has an output terminal portion, a plurality of terminal members extending along a first direction, and a connecting member extending along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and connecting the plurality of terminal members to each other. One of the plurality of terminal members has an input terminal portion. The housing holds the plurality of conductors in a state where the plurality of output terminal portions are arranged in parallel in the second direction on the same plane. The connection member of one of the conductors has an overhanging portion that straddles the terminal member of the other conductor. The terminal member has a through hole formed at a position facing the overhanging portion. The housing has a boss portion that is inserted into the through hole and supports the overhanging portion. A joint connector characterized by the above.

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