connector

Abstract

To disclose a connector which enables reduction of a possibility that external force applied to an electric wire is transmitted to a terminal fitting to cause contact slide wear with a small number of components.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises: an electric wire 12 formed by applying insulation coating to a plurality of strands 14; a terminal fitting 20 connected to an end portion of a strand exposed portion 18a formed by removing the insulation coating 16 at a terminal of the electric wire 12 to expose the strands 14; and a connector housing 22 for accommodating the terminal fitting 20 and the electric wire 12. The connector housing 22 includes an electric wire press-fitting portion 41, and a strand exposed portion 18b includes a strand welded portion 24 formed by welding and integrating the strands 14. The strand welded portion 24 is press-fitted into and held by the electric wire press-fitting portion 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector in which a terminal fitting connected to an end of an electric wire is housed in a connector housing. With such a connector, an external force is applied to the electric wire due to vehicle vibrations or the like when the connector is mounted on a vehicle, which can cause sliding wear at the contact points between the terminal fitting and the mating terminal connected to the terminal fitting. For this reason, Patent Document 1 proposes a structure that employs a new electric wire holding member, in which a part of the electric wire holding member holds the electric wire while the other part of the electric wire holding member is fixed to the connector housing, thereby preventing the end of the electric wire from moving relative to the connector housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-131941 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the connector described in Patent Document 1 requires the use of a new wire holding member, which increases the number of parts, potentially increasing the size of the connector and increasing manufacturing costs.

[0005] Therefore, a connector is disclosed that uses a small number of parts and can reduce the possibility of contact sliding wear occurring due to the external force applied to the wire being transmitted to the terminal fittings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure includes an electric wire formed by insulating a plurality of wires, a terminal fitting connected to an end of an exposed wire portion at an end of the electric wire where the insulating coating is stripped to expose the wires, and a connector housing that accommodates the terminal fitting and the electric wire, wherein the connector housing has an electric wire press-fit portion, and the exposed wire portion is At a location spaced apart from the end connected to the terminal fitting The wires are welded together to form a single unit, and the wire welded portion is press-fitted and held in the wire press-fit portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a connector can be provided that uses a small number of parts and can suppress the problem of external force applied to an electric wire being transmitted to a terminal fitting. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the connector shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a perspective view showing the connector shown in FIG. 1 in an exploded state, viewed from the bottom. [Figure 6] 6 is an exploded perspective view of a connector main body constituting the connector shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective view showing the first resin part constituting the connector shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the bottom side. [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective view showing a second resin part constituting the connector shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first resin part shown in FIG. 7 and the second resin part shown in FIG. 8 are assembled together. [Figure 10]10 is a perspective view showing a shield shell that constitutes the connector shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure comprises: The connector includes an electric wire formed by insulating a plurality of wires, a terminal fitting connected to an end of an exposed wire portion at an end of the electric wire where the insulating coating is stripped to expose the wires, and a connector housing for accommodating the terminal fitting and the electric wire, wherein the connector housing has an electric wire press-fit portion, and the exposed wire portion is At a location spaced apart from the end connected to the terminal fitting The wires are welded together to form a single unit, and the wire welded portion is press-fitted and held in the wire press-fit portion.

[0010] According to the connector of the present disclosure, the exposed wire portion has a wire weld portion formed by welding the wires together, and the wire weld portion is press-fitted and held in a wire press-fit portion provided in the connector housing. The wire weld portion has improved rigidity compared to an insulating portion of the wire or multiple unwelded wires. This advantageously suppresses or prevents displacement of the wire relative to the connector housing simply by press-fitting and holding the wire weld portion in the wire press-fit portion of the connector housing. As a result, the possibility of external force applied to the wire being transmitted to the terminal fitting and causing contact sliding wear is reduced. Additionally, the structure of the present disclosure can be realized by providing a wire press-fit portion in an existing connector housing and providing a wire weld portion in the exposed wire portion of an existing wire, thereby avoiding an increase in the number of parts and advantageously achieving a smaller connector and cost reduction.

[0011] Preferably, the wire press-in portion includes a groove portion that receives the wire weld portion by inserting it therethrough, and a pressing protrusion portion that presses the wire weld portion toward the bottom of the groove. With the wire weld portion received in the groove, the pressing protrusion can press the wire weld portion toward the bottom of the groove, thereby advantageously improving the retention of the wire weld portion by the wire press-in portion.

[0012] It is preferable that the groove of the wire press-fit portion and the wire weld portion have similar cross-sectional shapes and extend in the axial direction of the wire, because the groove of the wire press-fit portion and the wire weld portion have similar cross-sectional shapes, which improves the retention of the wire weld portion by the groove.

[0013] It is preferable that a crushing rib protrudes from the surface of the groove facing the wire weld portion, because the crushing rib provided on the surface of the groove facing the wire weld portion can further improve the retention of the wire weld portion by the groove when the wire weld portion is press-fitted into the groove.

[0014] Preferably, the connector housing has a first resin part having the groove and a second resin part having the pressing protrusion, and the first resin part and the second resin part are assembled in a direction in which the pressing protrusion approaches the groove, and in the approaching direction, the wire weld portion is sandwiched between the groove and the pressing protrusion. By assembling the first resin part and the second resin part of the connector housing, the wire weld portion is sandwiched between the groove of the wire press-fitting portion and the pressing protrusion, so that the wire weld portion can be fixed to the connector housing without complicating the assembly work.

[0015] Preferably, the first resin part and the second resin part are assembled by locking an elastic locking piece provided on one of them into a locking claw provided on the other, a crushing rib is provided on the abutting surface of the pressing protrusion that contacts the wire welded portion, and the crushing rib is pressed against the wire welded portion when the elastic locking piece is locked into the locking claw. This is because elastic deformation of the crushing rib allows the elastic locking piece to be locked into the locking claw and prevents rattling due to a locking gap between the elastic locking piece and the locking claw.

[0016] It is preferable that the connector housing has a voltage detection hole that exposes the wire welded portion to the outside. By providing the voltage detection hole, the wire welded portion can be used as a voltage detection area for electrical testing. The voltage detection hole can be provided with a higher degree of design freedom than the area where the terminal fittings are housed, which has a complex structure.

[0017] It is preferable that the voltage detection hole penetrates the inside of the pressing protrusion and opens to the protruding end face of the pressing protrusion and the surface of the connector housing, because the voltage detection hole can be provided near the wire welded portion by utilizing the internal area of ​​the pressing protrusion, thereby enabling the voltage detection hole to be provided in a space-efficient manner.

[0018]

[0010] Preferably, the connector further comprises a plug member that seals the voltage detection hole, and a plug member holder that holds the plug member and is assembled to the connector housing directly or via another member. Since the plug member that seals the voltage detection hole is held by the plug member holder and assembled to the connector housing, it is possible to improve the handleability and assembly workability of a relatively small plug member. In addition, if the connector housing is covered with another member such as a shield shell, a through hole can be formed in the shield shell, and the plug member holder can be assembled to the shield shell so that the plug member can be inserted through the through hole and attached to the voltage detection hole.

[0019] Preferably, the electric wire has a bendable tolerance absorbing portion between the end of the exposed wire portion and the wire weld portion, the wire press-fit portion and the wire weld portion extending in the axial direction of the electric wire, and the axial length of the wire weld portion being longer than the axial length of the wire press-fit portion. Since the electric wire has a tolerance absorbing portion between the end of the exposed wire portion and the wire weld portion, tolerances can be absorbed by the bending deformation of the tolerance absorbing portion. Furthermore, since the axial length of the wire weld portion is longer than the axial length of the wire press-fit portion, it is advantageous to position the wire weld portion in a press-fit state over the entire length of the wire press-fit portion while accommodating changes in the excess length of the tolerance absorbing portion. This achieves both tolerance absorption and stable fixation of the electric wire to the connector housing.

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

[0021] <Embodiment 1> A connector 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 10. The connector 10 electrically connects on-board devices, and the on-board devices are electrically connected to electric wires 12 extending in the lower left direction in Figure 1, while terminals of a mating on-board device (not shown) are electrically connected from above in Figure 1. Note that the connector 10 can be positioned in any orientation, but in the following description, the up-down, left-right, and front-to-rear directions will be described based on the up-down, left-right, and front-to-rear directions shown in Figure 1. In addition, when multiple identical components are used, reference numerals may be assigned to only some of the components, and the reference numerals may be omitted for other components.

[0022] <Connector 10> The connector 10 of the first embodiment includes an electric wire 12 in which a core wire 14 made up of a plurality of wires is covered with an insulating covering 16, a terminal fitting 20 connected to an end of an exposed wire portion 18 at the end of the electric wire 12 where the insulating covering 16 is stripped to expose the wires (core wires 14), and a connector housing 22 that accommodates the terminal fitting 20 and the electric wire. In the first embodiment, a pair of electric wires 12, 12 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and a terminal fitting 20 is provided at the end of each electric wire 12. In addition, for ease of understanding, the plurality of wires are shown as a single core wire 14 in the drawings, but the core wire 14 is actually formed by twisting a plurality of wires together.

[0023] <Wire 12> In each electric wire 12, the plurality of wires constituting the core wire 14 are each made of a metal with excellent conductivity, such as copper (including copper alloys) or aluminum (including aluminum alloys), and in the first embodiment, each wire is made of aluminum. As shown in Fig. 6, each electric wire 12 extends in the front-rear direction as a whole and is curved upward at the rear end. At the upper end of each electric wire 12, the insulating coating 16 is stripped to provide exposed wire portions 18a, and terminal fittings 20 are connected to each of these exposed wire portions 18a.

[0024] Each electric wire 12 also has an exposed wire portion 18b at a location away from the end (upper end) where the insulating coating 16 is stripped to expose the wire (core wire 14). In the first embodiment, each electric wire 12 has an exposed wire portion 18b at the rear end of the portion extending in the front-rear direction, i.e., in front of the upwardly curved portion. These exposed wire portions 18b have wire welded portions 24 formed by integrating multiple wires through welding. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , each wire welded portion 24 has a substantially rectangular cross section and extends in the front-rear direction, which is the axial direction of the electric wire 12 at the position where the wire welded portion 24 is formed. In the first embodiment, the wire welded portion 24 has a predetermined front-rear dimension A (see FIG. 3 ). The method for welding multiple wires together to form wire welded portion 24 is not limited, and any conventionally known welding method can be used. However, in embodiment 1, wire welded portion 24 is formed by ultrasonic welding.

[0025] As described above, between the exposed wire portion 18a at the end (upper end) of each electric wire 12 and the exposed wire portion 18b at a location separated from the end, there is provided a portion that curves upward from the rear end of the portion extending in the front-to-rear direction, and a tolerance absorbing portion 26 that can be curved and deformed is provided in each electric wire 12, including this curved portion.

[0026] <Terminal fitting 20> The terminal fittings 20 are made of metal and have a generally cylindrical contact portion 28 that opens in the vertical direction. A tab-shaped terminal of a mating in-vehicle device is inserted into this contact portion 28, and the contact portion 28 and the mating terminal come into contact with each other, thereby electrically connecting each terminal fitting 20 of the connector 10 to the terminal of the mating in-vehicle device. The lower end of each contact portion 28 is provided with a flat plate-shaped portion that extends in the vertical direction. These flat plate-shaped portions are wire connection portions 30, to which the exposed wire portions 18a at the upper ends of the electric wires 12 are fixed.

[0027] <Connector housing 22> The connector housing 22 is made of insulating synthetic resin. As shown in Fig. 6 and other figures, the connector housing 22 of the first embodiment is made up of multiple parts, including a cylindrical housing 34 having a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 32, an upper housing 36 as a first resin part assembled to the cylindrical housing 34, and a lower housing 40 as a second resin part whose upper opening 38 is covered by the upper housing 36. The connector housing 22 has wire press-fitting portions 41 into which the wires 12 are press-fitted.

[0028] 3, the cylindrical housing 34 is provided with a substantially rectangular cylindrical retaining tubular portion 42 extending vertically on the inner circumferential side of the peripheral wall 32, and the contact portions 28 of the terminal fittings 20 are inserted into and held in the retaining tubular portion 42 when assembling the connector 10. In the first embodiment, since a pair of terminal fittings 20 are provided, a pair of retaining tubular portions 42 are provided side by side in the left-right direction on the cylindrical housing 34. Terminals of a mating in-vehicle device are assembled from above to the contact portions 28 held in the retaining tubular portion 42, and therefore an upper opening of the retaining tubular portion 42 is a terminal assembly opening 44 into which the mating terminal is assembled.

[0029] In addition, approximately frame-shaped engaging frames (not shown) are provided on both front and rear sides of the inner surface of the peripheral wall 32, and these engaging frames engage with engaging protrusions (not shown) provided on both front and rear sides of the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 50 of the upper housing 36 (described later), thereby assembling the cylindrical housing 34 to the upper housing 36.

[0030] <First resin part (upper housing 36)> The upper housing 36 includes a cover plate 46 extending in the vertical direction (a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction). The cover plate 46 is sized to cover the upper opening 38 of the lower housing 40. A through-hole 48 is formed in the cover plate 46, penetrating the thickness direction (vertical direction). A generally cylindrical tubular portion 50 protruding upward is formed on the outer periphery of the through-hole 48. In other words, the inner hole of the tubular portion 50 extending vertically communicates with the through-hole 48 provided in the cover plate 46, forming a communication hole 52 penetrating the tubular portion 50 and the cover plate 46 in the vertical direction. The through-hole 48 and the tubular portion 50 are provided in the rear portion of the cover plate 46. Elastic locking pieces 54 protruding downward are provided on both left and right sides of the cover plate 46.

[0031] 4 and 7, the upper housing 36 has a generally cylindrical inner tube portion 56 provided on the underside of the cover plate portion 46 that fits into the lower housing 40 when the upper housing 36 is assembled to the lower housing 40. That is, the inner tube portion 56 that protrudes downward is provided on the outer periphery of the cover plate portion 46, and the inner hole of the inner tube portion 56 also communicates with the communication hole 52 in the upper housing 36. The communication hole 52 extends generally in the vertical direction, and the inner hole of the inner tube portion 56 and the communication hole 52 communicate with each other at the rear portion of the inner hole of the inner tube portion 56. A groove portion 58 that constitutes the wire press-fit portion 41 is provided in the front portion of the inner hole of the inner tube portion 56.

[0032] Specifically, the upper housing 36 is provided with a pair of partition plates 60, 60 spaced apart in the left-right direction in its center, and these partition plates 60 divide the upper housing 36 into left and right sides. On each of the left and right sides of the upper housing 36 divided by the partition plates 60, downwardly protruding wire holding portions 62 with a generally rectangular cross section are provided in the front portion of the inner hole of the inner tube portion 56. A groove 58 that opens downward and extends in the front-to-rear direction is formed in the lower end surface of each of the wire holding portions 62. That is, the bottom of the groove 58 is defined by the upper wall that forms the inner surface of the groove 58.

[0033] The grooves 58 have a cross-sectional shape that is approximately similar to the cross-sectional shape of the wire weld portions 24 of each electric wire 12, and extend in the front-rear direction, which is the axial direction of the press-fit portion of each electric wire 12 (the wire weld portions 24, as will be described later). In the first embodiment, the grooves 58 (electric wire press-fit portions 41) have a predetermined front-rear dimension B (see FIG. 3). In particular, in the first embodiment, the front-rear dimension B of the grooves 58 is smaller than the front-rear dimension A of the wire weld portions 24. Furthermore, on the lower surface of the upper housing 36, and forward of each electric wire holding portion 62, there are provided upper half split cylindrical portions 63 that have a curved inner circumferential surface and cover the upper half of each electric wire 12 when the electric wires 12 are assembled to the connector housing 22.

[0034] Furthermore, in each groove 58, crushing ribs 64 extending in the up-down direction are provided on both left-right inner surfaces that face each wire weld 24 when a wire weld 24 (described later) is accommodated therein. These crushing ribs 64 are provided over substantially the entire length in the up-down direction on the inner surfaces of both left-right sides of each groove 58. In the first embodiment, two crushing ribs 64, 64 are provided on each inner surface of both left-right sides of each groove 58, spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction. By providing these crushing ribs 64, when each wire weld 24 is inserted into each groove 58, the crushing ribs 64 and / or each wire weld 24 are inserted while being slightly compressed, and each wire weld 24 is inserted into each groove 58 in a substantially press-fit state.

[0035] The cylindrical portion 50 of the upper housing 36 is inserted into the peripheral wall 32 of the cylindrical housing 34 to assemble the upper housing 36 and the cylindrical housing 34, and an annular waterproof rubber 66 is attached in an externally inserted state to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 50, between the upper housing 36 and the cylindrical housing 34 in the vertical direction. This prevents water from entering through the assembly area between the upper housing 36 and the cylindrical housing 34. In addition, an O-ring 68 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 56, which is inserted into the lower housing 40. This O-ring 68 is compressed between the inner cylindrical portion 56 and the lower housing 40, preventing water from entering through the assembly area between the upper housing 36 and the lower housing 40.

[0036] <Second resin part (lower housing 40)> The lower housing 40 has a generally rectangular box shape that opens upward as a whole and includes a bottom wall 70 and a peripheral wall 72 that protrudes upward from the outer periphery of the bottom wall 70. Specifically, the peripheral wall 72 includes a front wall 74, a rear wall 76, and left and right side walls 78, 78, all of which extend in the up-down direction. The front wall 74 is formed with a generally circular wire outlet 80 that penetrates in the thickness direction (front-rear direction). In the first embodiment, since a pair of electric wires 12, 12 is provided, the pair of wire outlets 80, 80 are formed side by side in the left-right direction in the front wall 74.

[0037] 9, the lower housing 40 is provided with a lower half-split cylindrical portion 82 behind the front wall 74. The lower half-split cylindrical portion 82 has a curved inner peripheral surface and covers the lower half of each electric wire 12 when the electric wires 12 are assembled to the connector housing 22. In the first embodiment, the pair of lower half-split cylindrical portions 82 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. When the upper housing 36 and the lower housing 40 are assembled together, the upper half-split cylindrical portions 63 of the upper housing 36 and the lower half-split cylindrical portions 82 of the lower housing 40 face each other in the up-down direction to form a substantially circular through-hole. Furthermore, the front wall 74 is provided with a storage cylindrical portion 84 that protrudes forward, and the storage cylindrical portion 84 covers the pair of electric wire outlet ports 80 from the outside. The storage cylindrical portion 84 has an outer shape that is long in the left-right direction and is a substantially rectangular or oval shape with rounded corners.

[0038] A waterproof rubber 86 made of an elastic material such as rubber is housed in this accommodating cylindrical portion 84. The waterproof rubber 86 has a shape that generally corresponds to the accommodating cylindrical portion 84, and has insertion holes 88, 88 that penetrate in the thickness direction at positions that correspond to the electric wire outlets 80, 80 in the front wall 74. The waterproof rubber 86 is formed to be slightly larger than the accommodating cylindrical portion 84, and when the connector 10 is assembling, the waterproof rubber 86 is assembled to the accommodating cylindrical portion 84 in a generally compressed state. This prevents water from entering the inside of the connector housing 22 through each electric wire outlet 80.

[0039] 5 and 6, nuts 90 are provided substantially embedded in the rear wall 76 and the left side wall 78. The nuts 90 are fastened with bolts 150 when a shield shell 122, which will be described later, is fixed to the connector housing 22. In addition, locking claws 92 are provided at the upper end of the outer surface of each side wall 78. The locking claws 92 engage with the elastic locking pieces 54 of the upper housing 36 when the upper housing 36 is assembled.

[0040] Here, a pressing protrusion 94 that constitutes the electric wire press-fitting portion 41 is provided in the front portion of the bottom wall portion 70. Specifically, a partition plate portion 96 is provided in the center portion in the left-right direction of the lower housing 40, and the partition plate portion 96 divides the lower housing 40 into left and right sides. Then, on both left and right sides of the lower housing 40 divided by the partition plate portion 96, through holes 98 that penetrate the bottom wall portion 70 in the thickness direction (vertical direction) are formed in the front portion of the bottom wall portion 70, and cylindrical portions 100 that protrude in both vertical directions are provided on the periphery of each through hole 98.

[0041] That is, each cylindrical portion 100 opens outward in the up-down direction relative to the bottom wall portion 70, and each pressing protrusion 94 is formed integrally with the upper opening of each cylindrical portion 100. In the first embodiment, each pressing protrusion 94 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and particularly in the first embodiment, the upper end of each pressing protrusion 94 has a radial width dimension that gradually decreases upward. This increases the pressing force of each pressing protrusion 94 when it presses against the wire weld portion 24 of each electric wire 12, as will be described later.

[0042] In particular, in the first embodiment, each pressing protrusion 94 has a crushing rib 101 that can elastically deform when it comes into contact with each wire welded portion 24, on the upper end surface (protruding end surface) that serves as the contact surface against each wire welded portion 24 of each electric wire 12. As a result, when each pressing protrusion 94 is pressed against each wire welded portion 24 as described below, each wire welded portion 24 and / or each crushing rib 101 undergoes compressive deformation, and each wire welded portion 24 can be stably supported in the vertical direction between the upper wall portion that constitutes each groove portion 58 and each pressing protrusion 94 (each crushing rib 101).

[0043] In the first embodiment, the outer diameter φC (see FIG. 4) at the upper end of each pressing protrusion 94 is approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the width dimension (left-right dimension) D (see FIG. 4) of each wire welded portion 24. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer diameter φC at the upper end of each pressing protrusion 94 is smaller than the length dimension (front-rear dimension) B of each groove portion 58.

[0044] An electric detection hole 102 is formed by the inner hole of each pressing protrusion 94, penetrating the interior of each pressing protrusion 94 and opening at the protruding end face of each pressing protrusion 94 and the surface of the connector housing 22, exposing the wire weld portion 24 to the outside. In other words, each electric detection hole 102 opens at the lower surface of the connector housing 22 (the bottom wall portion 70 of the lower housing 40) through the inner hole of each cylindrical portion 100. Therefore, in the first embodiment, each electric detection hole 102 is formed to include the inner hole of each pressing protrusion 94 and the inner hole of each cylindrical portion 100. Note that a circular recess 104 that opens downward is formed on the lower surface of the bottom wall portion 70 between the left and right sides of each cylindrical portion 100 that protrudes downward.

[0045] Each of these voltage endoscope holes 102 can be sealed by a plug member 106. Each plug member 106 has a generally cylindrical shape overall, and is formed of an elastic material such as rubber. The maximum outer diameter of the portion of each plug member 106 that is inserted into each voltage endoscope hole 102 is larger than the inner diameter of each cylindrical portion 100 that constitutes each voltage endoscope hole 102, and each plug member 106 is fixed to each voltage endoscope hole 102 by inserting each plug member 106 into each voltage endoscope hole 102 from below in a generally press-fit state.

[0046] Each plug member 106 is attached to a plug member holder 108 that holds the plug member 106. The plug member holder 108 extends in the front-to-rear direction as a whole while bending along a bottom wall 124, a rear wall 126, and an external connection portion 144 of a shield shell 122 (described later), and is made of, for example, metal. That is, one end (front end) of the plug member holder 108 is provided with a holding portion 110 that holds each plug member 106, and a bolt insertion hole 112 through which a bolt 120 (described later) is inserted is formed in the center of the holding portion 110 in the left-to-right direction. The other end (rear end) of the plug member holder 108 is formed with a bolt insertion hole 114, and when the plug member holder 108 is fixed to a shield shell 122 (described later), the bolt insertion hole 114 and a bolt insertion hole 146 in the external connection portion 144 are connected to each other. Furthermore, a claw portion 116 is formed on the other end (rear end) of the plug member holder 108, and when the plug member holder 108 is fixed to the shield shell 122 described later, the claw portion 116 is adapted to engage with a positioning portion 148 provided on the rear end of the external connection portion 144.

[0047] In the first embodiment, these plug members 106 and the plug member holder 108 are integrally formed to constitute an electric detection hole sealing member 118. This electric detection hole sealing member 118 is superimposed on and fixed to the connector housing 22 from below via a shield shell 122, which will be described later, so that each electric detection hole 102 is sealed by each plug member 106. That is, each plug member 106 is press-fitted into each electric detection hole 102 (each cylindrical portion 100) that opens downward via an insertion hole 136 of the shield shell 122, which will be described later, and the claw portion 116 is engaged with the positioning portion 148 of the external connection portion 144, and a bolt 120 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 112 and fastened to the bolt hole 140 in the shield shell 122, so that the electric detection hole sealing member 118 can be fixed to the shield shell 122. In short, by releasing the bolts 120 from the shield shell 122, grasping the voltage detection hole sealing member 118 (plug member holder 108) and pulling out each plug member 106 from each voltage detection hole 102 (each cylindrical portion 100), each voltage detection hole 102 opens downward through the insertion hole 136 in the shield shell 122.

[0048] <Shield Shell 122> 1 and other figures, the lower portion of the connector housing 22 constructed as described above is accommodated in a metal shield shell 122. As also shown in Fig. 10, the shield shell 122 is generally box-shaped and opens upward as a whole, and includes a bottom wall 124 that is generally rectangular in plan view, a rear wall 126 and a pair of side walls 128, 128 that protrude upward from the rear and both left and right sides of the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 124. The area surrounded by the bottom wall 124, the rear wall 126, and the pair of side walls 128, 128 defines an accommodating recess 130 in which the connector housing 22 is accommodated.

[0049] In the first embodiment, the front portion of the bottom wall 124 extends further forward than the side wall portions 128, and this extending portion constitutes a forward extending portion 132. A retainer (not shown) that prevents the waterproof rubber 86 from falling off from the accommodating cylindrical portion 84 of the connector housing 22 can be fixed to this forward extending portion 132. The structure of this retainer is not limited, and a conventionally known structure can be adopted. For example, a structure that can be separated into upper and lower parts and that sandwiches and supports the electric wires 12 protruding forward from the accommodating cylindrical portion 84 from the outside in the vertical direction may be adopted. The forward extending portion 132 has bolt holes 134 formed therein into which bolts (not shown) can be fastened. The retainer may be placed on the forward extending portion 132 and bolted to the bolt holes 134 to fasten the retainer to the shield shell 122.

[0050] In addition, in the bottom wall 124 of the shield shell 122, on which the bottom wall portion 70 of the connector housing 22 is overlapped, insertion holes 136, through which each cylindrical portion 100 protruding downward from the bottom wall portion 70 is inserted, are formed so as to penetrate the bottom wall 124 in the thickness direction (up and down direction). These insertion holes 136 are formed at positions corresponding to each cylindrical portion 100, and a pair of insertion holes 136, 136 are provided spaced apart from each other in the left and right direction. Between each insertion hole 136 in the left and right direction, a cylindrical circular protrusion 138 protruding upward from the bottom wall 124 is provided, and the inner hole of this circular protrusion 138 forms a bolt hole 140 into which the aforementioned bolt 120 can be fastened.

[0051] Furthermore, the rear wall 126 and the left side wall 128 of the shield shell 122 are provided with bolt insertion holes 142 (the bolt insertion holes in the rear wall 126 are not shown) through which bolts 150, which will be described later, are inserted, at positions corresponding to the nuts 90 provided in the rear wall 76 and the left side wall 78 of the connector housing 22. An external connection portion 144 protruding rearward is provided at the upper end of the rear wall 126, and a bolt insertion hole 146 is formed in the external connection portion 144, penetrating the thickness direction (vertical direction). Terminal portions provided at the ends of external electric wires (not shown) are overlapped with each other in the external connection portion 144, and bolts (not shown) are inserted and fastened through the bolt insertion holes 146, thereby electrically connecting the shield shell 122 and the external electric wires, etc. Furthermore, a positioning portion 148 is formed at the left end of the rear end surface of the external connection portion 144, with which the claw portion 116 of the voltage detection hole sealing member 118 can be engaged. The positioning portion 148 is configured to have a relatively concave shape with both left and right sides of the engagement position of the claw portion 116 protruding rearward.

[0052] <Assembly method of connector 10> The following describes a specific example of a method for assembling the connector 10. However, the method for assembling the connector 10 is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0053] First, the insulating coating 16 is stripped from the end of each electric wire 12 and at a position spaced from the end to form exposed wire portions 18a, 18b. Next, each terminal fitting 20 is fixed to each exposed wire portion 18a at the end of each electric wire 12 by welding, adhesive, or the like. Then, each exposed wire portion 18b at a position spaced from the end of each electric wire 12 is ultrasonically welded to form each wire welded portion 24.

[0054] Thereafter, the wire weld portions 24 of each electric wire 12 are inserted into the grooves 58 of the upper housing 36 in a substantially press-fit state, and each electric wire 12 is bent at the tolerance absorbing portions 26 of the electric wire 12, so that the end of each electric wire 12 to which each terminal fitting 20 is fixed is inserted into the communicating hole 52 of the upper housing 36. Then, the end of each electric wire 12 opposite to the end to which each terminal fitting 20 is fixed is inserted into the wire outlets 80 of the lower housing 40, while the upper housing 36 and the lower housing 40 are brought vertically opposite each other. Thereafter, the upper housing 36 and the lower housing 40 are brought closer to each other in the vertical direction, and the elastic locking pieces 54 of the upper housing 36 are engaged with the locking claws 92 of the lower housing 40, thereby fixing the upper housing 36 and the lower housing 40 to each other. Furthermore, the end of each electric wire 12 opposite to the side to which each terminal fitting 20 is fixed is inserted into each insertion hole 88 in the waterproof rubber 86, and the waterproof rubber 86 is housed in the housing tubular portion 84 of the lower housing 40. Also, the waterproof rubber 66 and the tubular housing 34 are assembled to the upper housing 36 from above. This completes the connector housing 22 with each electric wire 12 assembled thereto.

[0055] With the electric wires 12 assembled in the connector housing 22 in this manner, the pressing protrusions 94 that protrude upward on the lower housing 40 press from below against the wire weld portions 24 inserted into the grooves 58. In other words, the pressing protrusions 94 press the wire weld portions 24 toward the bottom (upper wall) of the grooves 58, and the wire weld portions 24 are slightly compressed vertically between the bottom (upper wall) of the grooves 58 and the pressing protrusions 94. In other words, the upper housing 36 and the lower housing 40 are assembled in the vertical direction, which is the direction in which the pressing protrusions 94 approach the grooves 58, and the wire weld portions 24 are sandwiched between the grooves 58 and the pressing protrusions 94. As a result, the crushing ribs 101 provided at the protruding tips of the pressing protrusions 94 are pressed against the wire weld portions 24. In particular, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the wire welded portions 24 are compressed in the vertical direction, so that the upper end of each pressing protrusion 94 abuts against the lower opening of each groove 58.

[0056] Next, a retainer is fixed to the portion of each electric wire 12 protruding forward from the connector housing 22, and a lower portion of the connector housing 22 is accommodated in the accommodating recess 130 of the shield shell 122. Then, for example, the retainer and the shield shell 122 are fixed together with bolts. Furthermore, bolts 150 are inserted through the shield shell 122 from the rear and left and fastened to the nuts 90 provided on the connector housing 22, thereby fixing the shield shell 122 and the connector housing 22 together with the bolts 150. Note that when the bottom wall 124 of the shield shell 122 and the bottom wall portion 70 of the connector housing 22 are overlapped to accommodate the connector housing 22 in the accommodating recess 130, the cylindrical portions 100 are inserted into the insertion holes 136, and the circular protrusions 138 are inserted into the circular recesses 104. Therefore, the insertion holes 136 and the cylindrical portions 100, as well as the circular protrusions 138 and the circular recesses 104, can exert a positioning effect between the shield shell 122 and the connector housing 22.

[0057] Thereafter, the voltage detection hole sealing members 118 are placed on the shield shell 122 from below and the bolts 120 are fastened, thereby sealing the voltage detection holes 102 with the plug members 106. In this way, the connector 10 is completed.

[0058] According to the connector 10 of the first embodiment, each electric wire 12 is provided with an exposed wire portion 18b at a position spaced from the end thereof, and the wires in the exposed wire portion 18b are integrated by welding to form a wire weld portion 24. This improves the deformation rigidity of the wire weld portion 24 of each electric wire 12, thereby suppressing bending deformation at each wire weld portion 24. When the electric wires 12 are assembled to the connector housing 22, the wire weld portion 24 of each electric wire 12 is press-fitted into and held in each wire press-fit portion 41 of the connector housing 22. This not only blocks the external force when an external force is applied to each electric wire 12 from the end opposite to the side where the terminal fittings 20 are provided, but also suppresses displacement of each electric wire 12 within the connector housing 22, thereby reducing the risk of wear due to sliding between the contact points of each terminal fitting 20 and the mating terminal connected to each terminal fitting 20.

[0059] Each wire press-fit portion 41 includes a groove 58 and a pressing protrusion 94, and when each wire 12 is assembled to the connector housing 22, each wire weld portion 24 housed in each groove 58 is pressed by each pressing protrusion 94. This allows each wire 12 (each wire weld portion 24) to be stably supported between each groove 58 and each pressing protrusion 94 in the up-down direction.

[0060] In particular, each groove 58 and each wire weld 24 have a rectangular cross-sectional shape that is approximately similar to each other, which increases the contact area between the left and right wall portions of each groove 58 and each wire weld 24, allowing each groove 58 to more stably support each wire weld 24.

[0061] Each groove 58 has crushing ribs 64 protruding toward each wire weld 24 on the inner surfaces on both the left and right sides that face each wire weld 24, so that when each wire weld 24 is housed in each groove 58, the crushing ribs 64 and / or each wire weld 24 are compressed. This prevents displacement of each wire weld 24 within each groove 58 when each wire weld 24 is housed in each groove 58.

[0062] Grooves 58 constituting each wire press-fit portion 41 are provided in upper housing 36, and pressing protrusions 94 are provided in lower housing 40. As a result, by bringing upper housing 36 and lower housing 40 close together and assembling them with each wire weld portion 24 accommodated in each groove 58, each wire weld portion 24 can be pressed by each pressing protrusion 94.

[0063] In particular, when the elastic locking pieces 54 of the upper housing 36 are fitted into the locking claws 92 of the lower housing 40, the crushing ribs 101 at the protruding tip of each pressing protrusion 94 are pressed against each wire weld portion 24. As a result, even if the protruding dimension of each pressing protrusion 94 becomes slightly smaller due to a manufacturing error, for example, or if the lower housing 40 (each pressing protrusion 94) is displaced downward, in a direction away from the upper housing 36 (each groove 58), due to locking gaps between each elastic locking piece 54 and each locking claw 92, each pressing protrusion 94 can be stably pressed against each wire weld portion 24, and a stable pressing state against each wire weld portion 24 can be achieved.

[0064] The connector housing 22 has voltage detection holes 102 that expose the wire welds 24 to the outside. This makes it possible to check, for example, whether each electric wire 12 is conducting electricity by inserting a voltage detection probe or the like through each voltage detection hole 102 and bringing the voltage detection probe or the like into contact with each wire weld 24. In particular, by forming each voltage detection hole 102 using the inner hole of each pressing protrusion 94, it is not necessary to provide each voltage detection hole 102 and each pressing protrusion 94 separately, and this enables the lower housing 40, and therefore the connector 10, to be made smaller.

[0065] Also provided are plug members 106 that seal the respective voltage detection holes 102, and plug member holders 108 that hold the respective plug members 106, and in the first embodiment, these plug members 106 and plug member holders 108 are integrally provided to form a voltage detection hole sealing member 118. As a result, by attaching or detaching the voltage detection hole sealing member 118 to or from the shield shell 122, each voltage detection hole 102 can be switched between open and closed. Furthermore, since there is no need to individually assemble or detach each small plug member 106, handling and workability are improved.

[0066] In each electric wire 12, a bendable tolerance absorbing portion 26 is provided between the exposed wire portion 18a at the end and the exposed wire portion 18b (wire weld portion 24) at a position spaced from the end. As a result, even if a wire weld portion 24 with improved deformation rigidity is provided in the middle portion of each electric wire 12, misalignment of the terminal fittings 20 is suppressed by appropriately bending and deforming the tolerance absorbing portion 26, thereby ensuring stable connection between each terminal fitting 20 and a mating terminal. In particular, because the length dimension A of each wire weld portion 24 is larger than the length dimension B of each electric wire press-fit portion 41 (each groove 58), the wire weld portion 24 can be inserted into each groove 58 in a stable manner.

[0067] <Modification> Although the first embodiment has been described above as a specific example of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to this specific description. Modifications, improvements, etc., within the scope of achieving the object of the present disclosure, are included in the present disclosure. For example, the following modifications of the embodiment are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0068] (1) In the above embodiment, the exposed wire portions 18a, 18b are provided at the ends of each electric wire 12 at positions spaced apart from the ends, and the portions of each electric wire 12 other than the exposed wire portions 18a, 18b are covered with the insulating coating 16. However, this is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the exposed wire portions may be provided by removing the insulating coating from the end of each electric wire over a predetermined length, that is, from the end to the position where the wire welding portion is formed.

[0069] (2) The method of welding multiple wires together to form the wire welded portion 24 is not limited, and in addition to the ultrasonic welding exemplified in the above embodiment, any conventionally known welding method, such as resistance welding, may be used.

[0070] (3) In the above embodiment, the groove portion 58 was provided in the first resin part (upper housing 36) and the pressing protrusion 94 was provided in the second resin part (lower housing 40). However, the pressing protrusion may be provided in the first resin part and the groove portion may be provided in the second resin part.

[0071] (4) In the above embodiment, each voltage detection hole 102 is formed using the inner hole of each pressing protrusion 94. However, the pressing protrusion and the voltage detection hole may be provided separately, and for example, the pressing protrusion may be solid. Note that the voltage detection hole is not essential for the connector according to the present disclosure.

[0072] (5) In the above embodiment, each voltage detection hole 102 (inner hole of each cylindrical portion 100) of the connector housing 22 opens to the outside through each insertion hole 136 in the shield shell 122, and each voltage detection hole 102 is sealed by inserting each plug member 106 into the inner hole of each cylindrical portion 100. However, for example, the voltage detection hole may be sealed by closing the insertion hole of the shield shell. Note that the shield shell is not essential in the connector according to the present disclosure, and a plug member holder for holding a plug member may be fixed directly to the connector housing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 Connectors 12 Electric wire 14 Core wire (multiple strands) 16 Insulation coating 18,18a,18b Exposed wire part 20 Terminal fittings 22 Connector housing 24 Wire welded part 26 Tolerance absorption part 28 Contact point 30 Wire connection part 32 Peripheral wall 34 Cylindrical housing 36 Upper housing (first resin part) 38 Upper opening 40 Lower housing (second resin part) 41 Wire press-fit section 42 Holding cylinder part 44 Terminal assembly port 46 Lid plate part 48 through holes 50 Cylindrical part 52 Communication hole 54 Elastic lock piece 56 Inner cylinder part 58 Groove 60 Partition plate 62 Wire holding part 63 Upper half tubular part 64 Smashed Ribs 66 Waterproof rubber 68 O-ring 70 Bottom wall 72 Peripheral wall section 74 Front wall 76 Back wall 78 Side wall 80 Wire outlet 82 Lower half tubular part 84 Storage tube 86 Waterproof rubber 88 Insertion hole 90 Nut 92 Locking Claw 94 Pressing convex part 96 Partition plate 98 Through Hole 100 cylindrical part 101 Smashed Ribs 102 Voltage detection hole 104 circular recess 106 Plug member 108 Plug member holder 110 Holding part 112,114 Bolt insertion holes 116 Claw 118 Voltage detection hole sealing material 120 volts 122 Shield Shell 124 bottom wall 126 Rear wall 128 Side wall 130 Recessed storage area 132 Front extension 134 bolt holes 136 Insertion hole 138 Circular convex part 140 bolt holes 142 Bolt insertion hole 144 External connection part 146 Bolt insertion hole 148 Positioning part 150 volts

Claims

1. an electric wire formed by insulating a plurality of wires; a terminal fitting connected to an end of an exposed wire portion at an end of the electric wire where the insulating coating is stripped to expose the wire; a connector housing that accommodates the terminal fitting and the electric wire, the connector housing has a wire press-fitting portion, the exposed wire portion has a wire welded portion formed by welding the wire to a portion separated from the end portion connected to the terminal fitting, The wire welded portion is press-fitted and held in the wire press-fit portion. connector.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the wire press-fitting portion includes a groove portion into which the wire weld portion is inserted and accommodated, and a pressing protrusion portion that presses the wire weld portion toward a bottom of the groove portion.

3. The connector according to claim 2 , wherein the groove of the wire press-fitting portion and the wire welded portion have similar cross-sectional shapes and extend in the axial direction of the wire.

4. 4. The connector according to claim 2, wherein a crushing rib is provided on a surface of said groove facing said wire welded portion.

5. the connector housing includes a first resin part having the groove portion and a second resin part having the pressing protrusion portion, 4. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the first resin part and the second resin part are assembled in a direction in which the pressing protrusion approaches the groove portion, and in the approach direction, the wire welding portion is clamped between the groove portion and the pressing protrusion.

6. The first resin part and the second resin part are assembled by locking and fitting an elastic locking piece provided on one of the parts into a locking claw provided on the other part, a crushing rib is provided on a contact surface of the pressing protrusion with the wire welding portion, 6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the crushing rib is pressed against the wire weld portion when the elastic locking piece is locked and fitted to the locking claw.

7. 4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector housing has an electric detection hole that exposes the wire welded portion to the outside.

8. 8. A connector according to claim 7, which is a connector according to claim 2, wherein the voltage detection hole penetrates the inside of the pressing convex portion and opens to the protruding end face of the pressing convex portion and the surface of the connector housing.

9. a plug member that seals the electroscopic hole; 8. The connector according to claim 7, further comprising a plug member holder that holds the plug member and is attached to the connector housing directly or via another member.

10. the electric wire has a tolerance absorbing portion that can be bent and deformed between the end of the exposed wire portion and the wire welded portion, the wire press-fit portion and the wire welding portion extend in the axial direction of the wire, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein an axial length of the wire welded portion is longer than an axial length of the wire press-fit portion.

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