connector

Abstract

To provide a connector advantageous for miniaturization while ensuring vibration resistance.SOLUTION: A connector 1 connected to an external connector has a plurality of terminals 10 and a wire lead-out part 33 for pulling out a plurality of wires 100 connected to each of the terminals 10 to the outside along a first direction for connecting to the external connector. The wire pulling part 33 has a wire holding part 95 that holds each wire 100 by sandwiching it.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there are connectors in which the direction in which they are connected to an external connector differs from the direction in which the electric wires are drawn out to the outside. Patent Document 1 discloses technology relating to a so-called L-shaped connector that has a vibration-absorbing structure and in which the direction in which they are connected to an external connector is perpendicular to the direction in which the electric wires are drawn out to the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-38793 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the L-shaped connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, even if a wire holding portion that clamps and holds a portion of the wire extending in the direction of drawing out to the outside is provided inside, there is little impact on the miniaturization of the connector. However, in the case of a so-called U-shaped connector in which the direction of connection to the external connector and the direction of drawing out to the outside are the same, there is a concern that the connector will become larger if a wire holding portion that clamps and holds a portion of the wire extending from each terminal in the perpendicular direction is provided.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that is advantageous in terms of miniaturization while ensuring vibration resistance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An aspect of the present invention is a connector to be connected to an external connector, which has a plurality of terminals and an electric wire pull-out portion that pulls out a plurality of electric wires connected to each terminal to the outside along a first direction in which the electric wires are connected to the external connector, and the electric wire pull-out portion has an electric wire holding portion that clamps and holds each electric wire. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that is advantageous for miniaturization while ensuring vibration resistance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the outer housing after the rear holder is attached. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the outer housing before the rear holder is attached. [Figure 5] FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the outer housing as viewed in a direction different from that of FIG. 4B. [Figure 6] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the outer housing as viewed in a direction different from that of FIG. 4A. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rear cover according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The connectors according to the embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of convenience and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 taken along line III-III in Fig. 1. The cut surface in Fig. 3 is an imaginary plane that passes through the central axes of a first terminal accommodating portion 21 and a first electric wire 100a, which will be described later.

[0011] The connector 1 is a high-voltage connector that can be used in the power supply system of a rear motor mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. In this embodiment, the connector 1 is attached to the power supply system of a three-phase motor (not shown) serving as the rear motor.

[0012] The power supply system of a three-phase motor includes three electric wires 100: a first electric wire 100a, a second electric wire 100b, and a third electric wire 100c. The first electric wire 100a is a U-phase electric wire. The second electric wire 100b is a V-phase electric wire. The third electric wire 100c is a W-phase electric wire. Each electric wire 100 has a core wire 101, which is a conductor, and a sheath 102, which is an insulator that covers the core wire 101. One end of the electric wire 100 is connected to the three-phase motor, and the other end of the electric wire 100 is connected to the connector 1. At the end connected to the connector 1, the sheath 102 is removed, exposing the terminal 101a of the core wire 101. Note that the core wire 101 may actually be composed of multiple strands, but in the following drawings, it is simply depicted as a single conductor member.

[0013] The connector 1 first includes a plurality of terminals 10, an inner housing 20, an outer housing 30, a rear cover 40, and a rear holder 50 as components related to electrical connection.

[0014] In this embodiment, there are three terminals 10 corresponding to a three-phase motor: a first terminal 10a, a second terminal 10b, and a third terminal 10c. The first terminal 10a is attached to an end of the first electric wire 100a. The second terminal 10b is attached to an end of the second electric wire 100b. The third terminal 10c is attached to an end of the third electric wire 100c.

[0015] Each of the three terminals 10 is a female terminal made of metal, and has a connection portion 11 and a crimping portion 12 .

[0016] Connection portion 11 is a cylindrical portion into which a rod-shaped male terminal can be freely inserted. Connection portion 11 has a leaf spring member 13 that presses a portion of the male terminal against the inner wall of connection portion 11 in order to stably maintain electrical continuity with the male terminal inserted therein. Leaf spring member 13 is installed inside connection portion 11 in advance. Note that connection portion 11 may have a leaf spring portion inside as part of connection portion 11 instead of leaf spring member 13.

[0017] The crimping portion 12 crimps the terminal portion 101a of the core wire 101. If one axial end of the connection portion 11 is an open end into which a male terminal is inserted, the crimping portion 12 is integrated with the other axial end of the connection portion 11. In this embodiment, the axial direction of the connection portion 11 when the terminal 10 is installed in the connector 1 is along the Z direction.

[0018] Furthermore, for each terminal 10, the direction from the crimping portion 12 toward the connection portion 11 along the axial direction of the connection portion 11 is offset by 90° from the direction from the terminal portion 101a crimped to the crimping portion 12 toward the main body of the electric wire 100. That is, when the terminal 10 is installed in the connector 1, the terminal portion 101a is crimped in a position along the Y direction relative to the crimping portion 12 when the axial direction of the connection portion 11 is along the Z direction. At this time, when the terminal portion 101a crimped to the crimping portion 12 is taken as the starting point, each electric wire 100 extends from the terminal portion 101a in the direction opposite to the Y direction. Note that the specific shape of the crimping portion 12 may be different for each of the three terminals 10. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal 10 has the crimping portion 12 to which the terminal portion 101a is crimped. However, instead of the crimping portion 12, the terminal 10 may have a flat joining portion to which the terminal portion 101a is joined by ultrasonic welding.

[0019] The inner housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and is an insulating member that protects the three terminals 10 by holding them therein. The inner housing 20 has a first terminal accommodating portion 21, a second terminal accommodating portion 22, a third terminal accommodating portion 23, a base portion 24, and a reinforcing structure portion 25.

[0020] The first terminal accommodating portion 21 is a cylindrical portion that accommodates the connecting portion 11 of the first terminal 10a. The second terminal accommodating portion 22 is a cylindrical portion that accommodates the connecting portion 11 of the second terminal 10b. The third terminal accommodating portion 23 is a cylindrical portion that accommodates the connecting portion 11 of the third terminal 10c. The first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 each accommodate the connecting portion 11 so that the opening direction of the connecting portion 11 accommodated therein, i.e., the direction opposite to the direction in which the male terminal is inserted, is a common direction along the first direction. In this embodiment, the first direction is the Z direction. The tip ends of the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 are open in the first direction and do not hinder the insertion of the male terminal into the connecting portion 11.

[0021] Furthermore, as an example, the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 are arranged in two stages along the Y direction, which is the second direction defined below. For example, the first terminal accommodating portion 21 may be arranged in the upper stage in the second direction, and the second terminal accommodating portion 22 and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 may be arranged in the lower stage in the second direction. In this case, the first terminal accommodating portion 21 may be arranged in an intermediate position between the second terminal accommodating portion 22 and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 in the X direction, which is the third direction defined below.

[0022] The base portion 24 is a flat portion that supports the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23. The base portion 24 supports the base ends of the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 on the front side in the first direction. The internal spaces of the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 are open on the back side in the first direction in the direction opposite to the first direction.

[0023] The base portion 24 also has a first locking portion 24c and a second locking portion 24d that are arranged on opposite sides of each other. An upper claw 37a and a lower claw 37b that are arranged opposite each other are provided inside a housing main body portion 31 of the outer housing 30, which will be described later. When the inner housing 20 is attached to the outer housing 30, the first locking portion 24c engages the upper claw 37a, and the second locking portion 24d engages the lower claw 37b, thereby preventing the inner housing 20 from falling off the outer housing 30.

[0024] The reinforcing structure 25 is a structure that combines multiple reinforcing ribs to ensure the strength of the inner housing 20. The reinforcing structure 25 is provided on the back surface side of the base portion 24 so as not to interfere with the arrangement of each terminal 10 and each electric wire 100.

[0025] 4A and 4B are perspective views of the outer housing 30 and the rear holder 50 as viewed from the same direction. FIG. 4A shows a state after the rear holder 50 has been attached to the outer housing 30. FIG. 4B shows a state after the rear holder 50 has been removed from the outer housing 30. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the outer housing 30 and the rear holder 50 as viewed from a different direction from the state in FIG. 4B. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the outer housing 30 and the rear holder 50 as viewed from a different direction from the state in FIG. 4A, in which the internal space can be seen from the opening formed by the opening end 35a.

[0026] The outer housing 30 is made of synthetic resin and is an insulating member that protects all three terminals 10 by accommodating at least a portion of the inner housing 20 and the crimping portion 12 of each terminal 10. The outer housing 30 has a housing main body 31, a connector opening 32, and a wire pull-out portion 33.

[0027] The housing main body 31 is a box-like portion defined by a first direction as the length direction, a second direction perpendicular to the first direction as the height direction, and a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions as the width direction. In this embodiment, the first direction is the Z direction as described above, the second direction is the Y direction, and the third direction is the X direction. The housing main body 31 has a front wall 34, an annular side wall 35, and a plurality of support pieces 36.

[0028] The front wall 34 is a wall portion perpendicular to the first direction, and a first wall surface 34a supports the connector opening portion 32 and the electric wire pull-out portion 33 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the second direction. The planar shape of the front wall 34 is a substantially rectangular shape defined by a long side roughly aligned with the second direction and a short side roughly aligned with the third direction.

[0029] The front wall 34 also has a first wire facing portion 38 on a second wall surface 34b facing the interior of the housing main body 31. The first wire facing portion 38 faces the second wire facing portion 45 while being spaced apart from the second wire facing portion 45 when a rear cover 40 (described later) is attached to the outer housing 30. The first wire facing portion 38 is a structural component that, when combined with the second wire facing portion 45, forms the wire guide portion 96. The first wire facing portion 38 extends in the second direction and has a first facing groove 38a, a second facing groove 38b, and a third facing groove 38c, each of which includes a curved surface that matches the side shape of each electric wire 100 routed inside the housing main body 31. The first facing groove 38a accommodates a portion of the side surface of the first electric wire 100a without contacting the first electric wire 100a. The second facing groove 38b accommodates a portion of the side surface of the second electric wire 100b without contacting the second electric wire 100b. The third opposing groove 38c accommodates a part of the side surface of the third electric wire 100c without contacting it.

[0030] Furthermore, the front wall 34 has a plurality of first engagement claws 37 provided on the second wall surface 34b, with the opening 32a of the connector opening portion 32 sandwiched between them. In this embodiment, the plurality of first engagement claws 37 are upper claws 37a and lower claws 37b that face each other in the second direction, as described above. Similarly, the front wall 34 has a plurality of second engagement claws 39 provided on the second wall surface 34b, with the opening 32a of the connector opening portion 32 sandwiched between them. In this embodiment, the plurality of second engagement claws 39 are two first upper claws 39a and two second lower claws 39b that face each other in the second direction.

[0031] The annular side wall 35, together with the front wall 34, forms an internal space that accommodates at least the crimping portion 12 of each terminal 10. One annular end of the annular side wall 35 in the first direction is continuous with the peripheral edge of the front wall 34. The other annular end of the annular side wall 35 in the first direction is an opening end 35a that forms an opening facing the front wall 34. When the connector 1 is assembled, the three terminals 10, each attached to an end of an electric wire 100, are accommodated inside the housing main body 31 through the openings formed by the opening end 35a. The annular side wall 35 also has a plurality of engagement portions 35c on its outer wall surface 35b that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction.

[0032] The support piece 36 is provided on the outer wall surface 35b of the annular side wall 35 and has a fitting hole 36a into which a collar 91 (described later) is fitted. The fitting hole 36a penetrates the support piece 36 in the first direction.

[0033] The connector opening 32 is a cylindrical portion having an opening 32a with a round, elongated hole-like cross section that opens in the first direction and that fits with a part of an external connector (not shown) having male terminals when the external connector is connected to the connector 1. The connector opening 32 is provided to protrude in the first direction from the front wall 34 of the housing main body 31. The opening 32a penetrates between the outside of the outer housing 30 and the inside of the housing main body 31 and can accommodate the inner housing 20. In the round, elongated hole-like cross section of the opening 32a, the second direction is the longitudinal direction in accordance with the relative positions of the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 in the inner housing 20.

[0034] The connector frontage 32 also includes a first cylindrical portion 32b and a second cylindrical portion 32c, which are continuous with each other in the first direction and share the frontage 32a as an inner wall. The first cylindrical portion 32b is located at the tip end in the first direction and is a cylindrical portion for attaching a unit packing 60 (described later) to its outer peripheral surface. The second cylindrical portion 32c is a cylindrical portion located at the base end in the first direction. The second cylindrical portion 32c has an outer peripheral shape larger than that of the first cylindrical portion 32b, and faces at least a portion of the unit packing 60 in the first direction when the unit packing 60 is attached to the first cylindrical portion 32b. Therefore, movement of the unit packing 60 toward the base end of the connector frontage 32 beyond a certain extent is restricted.

[0035] The electric wire pull-out portion 33 is a structural portion for pulling out three electric wires 100 from inside the housing main body 31 to outside the outer housing 30. The electric wire pull-out portion 33 has a cylindrical pull-out portion 33a and a first electric wire contact portion 33b.

[0036] The cylindrical lead-out portion 33a is provided to protrude in the first direction from the front wall 34 of the housing main body 31 so that a cross section opening in the first direction forms a through-space having a round elongated hole shape. In the round elongated hole-shaped cross section of the through-space, the second direction is the longitudinal direction so that the three electric wires 100 are aligned in the second direction in accordance with the arrangement relationship of the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 in the inner housing 20.

[0037] The first wire contact portion 33b is a tip end portion of the wire pull-out portion 33 that constitutes the wire holding portion 95 when combined with a rear holder 50 (described later) as a second wire contact portion. The overall schematic shape of the wire holding portion 95 is roughly the same as that of the tubular pull-out portion 33a extended in the first direction. Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the rear holder 50 is attached to the first wire contact portion 33b along a second direction corresponding to the Y direction. Therefore, the schematic shape of the first wire contact portion 33b is a shape obtained by separating the rear holder 50 from the overall shape of the wire holding portion 95 with respect to a virtual plane that is the XZ plane. The first wire contact portion 33b has a plurality of holder engagement claws 33c, a plurality of first routing grooves 33d, a plurality of first holding ribs 33e, and a holder engagement portion 33f.

[0038] In this embodiment, the holder engagement claws 33c are provided on both ends of the first electric wire contact portion 33b in the third direction corresponding to the X direction. Each holder engagement claw 33c engages with a holder locking portion 51 provided on the rear holder 50.

[0039] Each of the plurality of first routing grooves 33d extends in the first direction, and routes the electric wires 100 drawn out from the tubular drawing portion 33a along the first direction. Each of the first routing grooves 33d includes a curved surface that matches the side shape of the corresponding electric wire 100. In this embodiment, three electric wires 100 are drawn out from the tubular drawing portion 33a, and therefore, three first routing grooves 33d are arranged in parallel along the third direction.

[0040] The plurality of first retaining ribs 33e are provided for each first routing groove 33d, and are hooked onto the covering portion 102 of the electric wire 100 routed in the first routing groove 33d. The first retaining ribs 33e provided for each first routing groove 33d may be arranged regularly while being spaced apart from each other, or may be arranged randomly.

[0041] The holder engaging portion 33f is a protrusion that engages with a holder locking hole 55 provided in the rear holder 50 when the rear holder 50 is attached to the first wire contact portion 33b. In this embodiment, the holder engaging portion 33f is provided in a region of the first wire contact portion 33b that is close to the tubular lead-out portion 33a, and there are three holder engaging portions 33f so as to face the end of each first routing groove 33d in the third direction. Each holder engaging portion 33f has a flat shape that protrudes in the direction opposite to the second direction and has a main plane that is parallel to the XY plane.

[0042] Moreover, the holder engaging portion 33f has an engaging rib 33g protruding along the first direction on at least one surface portion thereof. In the present embodiment, as an example, the engaging rib 33g provided on each of the three holder engaging portions 33f is provided so as to face in the opposite direction to the first direction, that is, from the first wire contact portion 33b toward the tubular drawing portion 33a.

[0043] That is, according to the structure of the outer housing 30, in the connector 1, the direction in which the opening 32a of the connector opening portion 32 faces, i.e., the direction in which the connector is connected to an external connector, and the direction in which the three electric wires 100 are drawn out from the electric wire drawing portion 33 are aligned with each other. In this embodiment, the direction in which the opening 32a of the connector opening portion 32 faces and the direction in which the three electric wires 100 are drawn out from the electric wire drawing portion 33 are aligned with each other in a first direction corresponding to the Z direction.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the rear cover 40 as viewed in a direction that allows the side attached to the outer housing 30 to be seen.

[0045] The rear cover 40 is made of synthetic resin and is an insulating member that covers the opening formed by the open end 35a when the terminals 10, each having the end portion 101a joined to the crimping portion 12, are housed inside the housing main body 31 of the outer housing 30 together with the end portions of the electric wires 100. The rear cover 40 has a main body wall 41, a plurality of locking portions 42, a plurality of packing locking portions 43, a cover reinforcing rib 44, and a second electric wire-facing portion 45.

[0046] The main body wall 41 is a flat plate having an outer peripheral edge 41a that fits along the opening end 35a of the housing main body 31 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30. An inner wall surface 41b of the main body wall 41 faces the front wall 34 of the housing main body 31 when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30.

[0047] The multiple locking portions 42 are provided at intervals from one another in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral edge 41a of the main body wall 41. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, each locking portion 42 engages with one of the engaging portions 35c on the annular side wall 35, thereby preventing the rear cover 40 from falling off the outer housing 30.

[0048] The multiple packing locking portions 43 are provided at intervals from one another in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral edge 41a of the main body wall 41 while avoiding the multiple locking portions 42. A rear cover packing 61, which will be described later, is provided with multiple engaging protrusions 61a. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, each packing locking portion 43 engages with one of the engaging protrusions 61a on the rear cover packing 61.

[0049] In order to ensure the strength of the rear cover 40, the cover reinforcing rib 44 is provided on the inner wall surface 41b so as not to interfere with the arrangement of the terminals 10 and the electric wires 100.

[0050] The second wire facing portion 45 is provided on the inner wall surface 41b and faces the first wire facing portion 38 provided on the outer housing 30 while being spaced apart when the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30. As described above, the second wire facing portion 45 is a structural portion that constitutes the wire guide portion 96 by being combined with the first wire facing portion 38. The second wire facing portion 45 extends in the second direction and has a first facing groove 45a, a second facing groove 45b, and a third facing groove 45c, each of which includes a curved surface that matches the side shape of each electric wire 100 routed inside the housing main body 31. The first facing groove 45a accommodates a portion of the side surface of the first electric wire 100a without contacting the first electric wire 100a. The second facing groove 45b accommodates a portion of the side surface of the second electric wire 100b without contacting the second electric wire 100b. The third facing groove 45c accommodates a portion of the side surface of the third electric wire 100c without contacting the third electric wire 100c.

[0051] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 taken along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 1. The cut surface in Fig. 8 is an imaginary plane passing through a part of the wire guide portion 96.

[0052] When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, a portion of the first electric wire 100a is sandwiched, without contact, between the first opposing groove 38a of the first electric wire facing portion 38 and the first opposing groove 45a of the second electric wire facing portion 45. Similarly, the second electric wire 100b is sandwiched, without contact, between the second opposing groove 38b of the first electric wire facing portion 38 and the second opposing groove 45b of the second electric wire facing portion 45. The third electric wire 100c is sandwiched, without contact, between the third opposing groove 38c of the first electric wire facing portion 38 and the third opposing groove 45c of the second electric wire facing portion 45.

[0053] The distance between the opposing groove on the first wire opposing portion 38 side and the side surface of the electric wire 100 facing the opposing groove is defined as the first distance C1. For example, the shortest distance between the first opposing groove 38a of the first wire opposing portion 38 and the side surface of the first electric wire 100a facing the first opposing groove 38a is the first distance C1. Similarly, the distance between the opposing groove on the second wire opposing portion 45 side and the side surface of the electric wire 100a facing the opposing groove is defined as the second distance C2. For example, the shortest distance between the first opposing groove 45a of the second wire opposing portion 45 and the side surface of the first electric wire 100a facing the first opposing groove 45a is the second distance C2.

[0054] Here, when the position of the connector frontage 32 relative to the external connector is determined as the male terminal side of the external connector is connected to the connector 1, each terminal 10 is aligned. Therefore, the first interval C1 and the second interval C2 are set in advance to the maximum amount of alignment expected when each terminal 10 is aligned as the external connector is connected to the connector 1.

[0055] As described above, the rear holder 50 is a structural member that is attached to the first wire contact portion 33b in the wire pull-out portion 33 of the outer housing 30, and that, in combination with the first wire contact portion 33b, constitutes the wire holding portion 95. The rear holder 50 has a plurality of holder locking portions 51, a plurality of second routing grooves 52, a plurality of second holding ribs 53, and a holder locking hole portion 54 in which a holder locking hole 55 is formed.

[0056] In this embodiment, the multiple holder locking portions 51 are provided one on each end of the rear holder 50 in the third direction corresponding to the X direction. When the rear holder 50 is attached to the first electric wire contact portion 33b, each holder locking portion 51 engages with one of the holder engagement claws 33c on the first electric wire contact portion 33b, thereby preventing the rear holder 50 from falling off from the first electric wire contact portion 33b.

[0057] Each of the plurality of second routing grooves 52 extends in the first direction, and routes the electric wires 100 routed from the tubular lead-out portion 33a along the first direction. Each of the second routing grooves 52 includes a curved surface that matches the side shape of the corresponding electric wire 100. In this embodiment, three electric wires 100 are routed from the tubular lead-out portion 33a, and therefore three second routing grooves 52 are arranged in parallel along the third direction. In other words, when the rear holder 50 is attached to the first electric wire contact portion 33b, each of the second routing grooves 52 faces a corresponding one of the first routing grooves 33d in the first electric wire contact portion 33b.

[0058] A plurality of second retaining ribs 53 (see FIG. 2) are provided for each second routing groove 52, and are hooked onto the covering portion 102 of the electric wire 100 routed in the second routing groove 52. Note that, like the first retaining ribs 33e, the second retaining ribs 53 provided for each second routing groove 52 may be arranged regularly and spaced apart from each other, or may be arranged randomly.

[0059] The holder locking hole portion 54 is a structural portion in which a holder locking hole 55 is formed, into which the holder engaging portion 33f provided on the first electric wire contact portion 33b is fitted when the rear holder 50 is attached to the first electric wire contact portion 33b. The opening shape and opening position of the holder locking hole 55 depend on the shape and arrangement of the holder engaging portion 33f on the first electric wire contact portion 33b. In this embodiment, there are three holder engaging portions 33f, and each holder engaging portion 33f has a flat plate-like shape. Therefore, three holder locking holes 55 are formed in the holder locking hole portion 54. In addition, the opening shape of the holder locking hole 55 is an elongated rectangle to match the cross-sectional shape of the holder engaging portion 33f. In particular, in this embodiment, the holder engaging portion 33f has an engaging rib 33g. Therefore, when the holder engaging portion 33f is inserted into the holder locking hole 55, the engaging rib 33g and the side surface of the holder engaging portion 33f opposite to the engaging rib 33g come into close contact with the holder locking hole portion 54, respectively.

[0060] Here, when the rear holder 50 is attached to the outer housing 30 with the three electric wires 100 pulled out from the tubular pull-out portion 33a, a portion of each electric wire 100 is sandwiched between one of the first routing grooves 33d and one of the second routing grooves 52. The first routing groove 33d is provided with a plurality of first retaining ribs 33e, and similarly, the second routing groove 52 is provided with a plurality of second retaining ribs 53. In other words, the electric wire holding portion 95 holds each electric wire 100 while more closely sandwiching it, thereby suppressing vibrations transmitted from the outside through the electric wires 100 from reaching the terminal 10.

[0061] The connector 1 also includes a unit packing 60, a rear cover packing 61, and a wire packing 62 as waterproof members that prevent moisture from entering the inside of the outer housing 30 from the outside.

[0062] The unit packing 60 is an annular elastic member that is tightly fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the connector opening 32 in the outer housing 30. When the external connector is connected to the connector 1, the unit packing 60 seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the connector opening 32 and the mating surface of the external connector.

[0063] The rear cover packing 61 is an annular elastic member that is tightly attached to align with the open end 35a of the housing main body 31 in the outer housing 30. When the rear cover 40 is attached to the outer housing 30, the rear cover packing 61 seals the gap between the open end 35a of the housing main body 31 and the outer peripheral edge 41a of the rear cover 40.

[0064] The wire packing 62 is an elastic member in the shape of an elongated round plate that is tightly attached to the inner wall surface of the cylindrical draw-out portion 33a of the electric wire draw-out portion 33 in the outer housing 30. The wire packing 62 has three through holes 62a that allow each electric wire 100 to pass through individually while being in close contact with each other. The wire packing 62 seals the gap between the inner wall surface of the cylindrical draw-out portion 33a and each electric wire 100 that passes through the through space of the cylindrical draw-out portion 33a.

[0065] The connector 1 also includes a front holder 70 as a holding member for the unit packing 60.

[0066] The front holder 70 is made of synthetic resin and is attached to the outer housing 30 to prevent the unit packing 60 from falling out of the connector opening 32. The front holder 70 has a front plate 71, a cylindrical portion 72, and a plurality of locking portions 73.

[0067] The front plate 71 is a flange-shaped annular plate portion located at the tip of the connector front opening 32 when the front holder 70 is attached to the outer housing 30. The front plate 71 has an opening 71a that exposes the first terminal accommodating portion 21, the second terminal accommodating portion 22, and the third terminal accommodating portion 23 of the inner housing 20 to the outside through the connector front opening 32. When the front holder 70 is attached to the outer housing 30, at least a portion of the outer periphery of the front plate 71 faces at least a portion of the unit packing 60 attached to the connector front opening 32 in the first direction. Therefore, even if the unit packing 60 moves toward the tip of the connector front opening 32, it abuts against the front plate 71 and further movement is restricted, preventing it from falling off from the connector front opening 32.

[0068] The cylindrical portion 72 is accommodated in the opening 32a of the connector opening portion 32 when the front holder 70 is attached to the outer housing 30. One open end of the cylindrical portion 72 is a fixed end that is continuous with the opening 71a of the front plate 71. The other open end of the cylindrical portion 72 is an open end that faces the inside of the housing main body 31 when the front holder 70 is attached to the outer housing 30. Note that a reinforcing structure may be provided inside the cylindrical portion 72 to ensure the strength of the front holder 70.

[0069] The multiple locking portions 73 are each provided at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction on a part of the cylindrical portion 72. As described above, two first upper claws 39a and two second lower claws 39b are provided inside the housing main body 31 of the outer housing 30. When the front holder 70 is attached to the outer housing 30, one locking portion 73 engages with the first upper claw 39a and the other locking portion 73 engages with the second lower claw 39b, thereby preventing the front holder 70 from falling off the outer housing 30.

[0070] The connector 1 also includes an upper shell 80, a lower shell 81, a shielding braid 82, and a shielding ring 83 as shielding members for blocking noise.

[0071] The upper shell 80 is made of metal and covers the housing main body 31 of the outer housing 30 with the rear cover 40 attached. The upper shell 80 may accommodate the housing main body 31 while covering at least a portion of the connector opening 32 or the wire outlet 33 of the outer housing 30. The upper shell 80 is a box-like portion defined by a first direction corresponding to the Z direction as its length direction, a second direction corresponding to the Y direction as its height direction, and a third direction corresponding to the X direction as its width direction. The upper shell 80 has a bottom wall 80a, an annular side wall 80b, a plurality of first support pieces 80e, and a plurality of second support pieces 80g.

[0072] The bottom wall 80a is a wall portion perpendicular to the first direction. The planar shape of the bottom wall 80a is a substantially rectangular shape defined by a long side approximately aligned with the second direction and a short side approximately aligned with the third direction.

[0073] The annular side wall 80b, together with the bottom wall 80a, form an internal space that accommodates the housing main body 31. One annular end of the annular side wall 80b in the first direction is continuous with the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 80a. The other annular end of the annular side wall 80b in the first direction is an opening end 80c that forms an opening facing the bottom wall 80a. When assembling the connector 1, the housing main body 31 with the attached rear cover 40 is accommodated through the opening formed by the opening end 80c.

[0074] The first support piece 80e is provided, for example, as a portion of the annular side wall 80b that is bent, and has a first through hole 80d through which the bolt 90 that passes through the mating hole 36a provided in the outer housing 30 when assembling the connector 1 is passed.

[0075] The second support piece 80g is provided, for example, as a bent portion of a piece protruding from the opening end 80c of the annular side wall 80b, and has a second through hole 80f through which an unillustrated mounting bolt passes when attaching the connector 1 to the housing of an external connector.

[0076] The lower shell 81 is made of metal and covers part of the front wall 34 of the housing body 31 in the outer housing 30 and the electric wire drawing portion 33. The lower shell 81 has a cylindrical portion 81a, a flange portion 81b, and a support piece 81c.

[0077] The cylindrical portion 81a accommodates the electric wire pull-out portion 33 through a through-space having a round elongated hole-like cross section that opens in the first direction, thereby covering the electric wire pull-out portion 33. One open end of the cylindrical portion 81a is a fixed end that is continuous with the flange portion 81b. The other open end of the cylindrical portion 81a is an open end that forms an opening through which each electric wire 100 from the electric wire pull-out portion 33 is pulled outward.

[0078] The flange portion 81b is a flat plate portion that is perpendicular to the first direction, and faces a part of the front wall , thereby covering the part of the front wall .

[0079] The support piece 81c is provided as a portion that protrudes outward from the edge of the flange portion 81b, and has a through hole 81d through which a bolt 90 is pre-passed to pass through the mating hole 36a provided in the outer housing 30 when assembling the connector 1.

[0080] The shield braid 82 is a metallic braid that is wound around the cylindrical portion 81a so that a portion of the shield braid covers the tip of the cylindrical portion 81a and another portion of the shield braid covers the three electric wires 100 that are pulled out to the outside from the cylindrical portion 81a.

[0081] The shield ring 83 is a metal fastening member for crimping the shield braid 82 onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 81 a of the lower shell 81 .

[0082] Furthermore, the connector 1 includes, as members for assembling the various components, a plurality of bolts 90 and a plurality of annular collars 91 that are fitted in advance into the fitting holes 36a of the outer housing 30. As described above, a through hole 81d is formed in the support piece 81c of the lower shell 81. The collar 91 is fitted into the fitting hole 36a of the outer housing 30. A first through hole 80d is formed in the first support piece 80e of the upper shell 80. The bolt 90 is fastened through the through hole 81d, the collar 91 of the fitting hole 36a, and the first through hole 80d, thereby assembling the lower shell 81, the outer housing 30, and the upper shell 80 together.

[0083] Next, the operation and effects of the connector 1 will be described.

[0084] The connector 1 is connected to an external connector and has a plurality of terminals 10 and an electric wire pull-out portion 33 that pulls out a plurality of electric wires 100 connected to each terminal 10 to the outside along a first direction in which the electric wires 100 are connected to the external connector. The electric wire pull-out portion 33 has an electric wire holding portion 95 that clamps and holds each electric wire 100.

[0085] Here, the first direction corresponds to the Z direction in the above example.

[0086] First, the connector 1 is provided with a wire holding portion 95, so that when the connector 1 is mounted on a vehicle, it is possible to prevent an event in which vibrations generated while the vehicle is running are transmitted to each terminal 10 through the wire 100, causing contact wear and resulting in an increase in resistance.

[0087] On the other hand, when an external connector is connected to the connector 1 and the position of the connector opening 32 relative to the external connector is determined, each terminal 10 is aligned. At this time, a repulsive force is generated in the electric wire 100 connected to each terminal 10.

[0088] As a comparative example, a so-called L-shaped connector is assumed, which differs from the configuration of the present embodiment in that multiple electric wires are drawn in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Note that the second direction corresponds to the Y direction in the above example. In such an L-shaped connector, it is possible to provide a wire holding portion that clamps and holds the portion of the electric wire 100 extending along the second direction, resulting in little impact on the miniaturization of the connector. In contrast, the situation is different for a so-called U-shaped connector, such as the connector 1 according to the present embodiment, in which the direction of connection to an external connector and the direction of drawing the electric wire to the outside are both aligned with the first direction. That is, if a wire holding portion that clamps and holds the portion of the electric wire 100 extending along the second direction is provided, it is expected that the height H shown in FIG. 3 will be longer, which may result in a larger connector.

[0089] In contrast, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the wire holding portions 95 that clamp and hold each electric wire 100 are provided in the wire drawing-out portions 33 that draw the electric wires 100 to the outside along the first direction. Therefore, in the connector 1, it is not necessary to provide a wire holding portion that clamps the portion of the electric wire 100 that extends along the second direction. Therefore, according to the connector 1, it is not necessary to set the height H to be long, which is advantageous for making the connector 1 smaller.

[0090] Furthermore, the distance from each terminal 10 to the wire holding portion 95 is longer than the distance to the wire holding portion when clamping a portion of the wire 100 extending in the second direction. Therefore, the wire holding portion 95 can further reduce the repulsive force generated in the wire 100.

[0091] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a connector 1 that is advantageous for miniaturization while ensuring vibration resistance.

[0092] Furthermore, in the connector 1, the wire holding portion 95 may be a combination of a first wire contact portion 33b and a second wire contact portion. The first wire contact portion 33b may have a plurality of first routing grooves 33d each corresponding to a respective wire 100, each having a first retaining rib 33e that contacts the wire 100. The second wire contact portion may have a plurality of second routing grooves 52 each facing the respective first routing grooves 33d and having a second retaining rib 53 that contacts the wire 100.

[0093] Here, the second wire contact portion corresponds to the rear holder 50 in the above example.

[0094] According to this connector 1, each electric wire 100 is press-fitted into the electric wire holding portion 95, thereby reliably holding each electric wire 100. Furthermore, since the first electric wire contact portion 33b and the second electric wire contact portion can be attached and detached freely, this is advantageous in that it improves workability when assembling the connector 1.

[0095] In the connector 1, the first wire contact portion 33b may have an engaging portion, and the second wire contact portion may have a locking hole portion into which the engaging portion fits.

[0096] Here, the engaging portion corresponds to the holder engaging portion 33f in the above example, and the locking hole corresponds to the holder locking hole 54 in the above example.

[0097] According to this connector 1, when the first wire contact portion 33b and the second wire contact portion are combined while sandwiching the respective electric wires 100, the engaging portion fits into the locking hole, thereby eliminating backlash between the first wire contact portion 33b and the second wire contact portion. Therefore, even if vibration is applied to the electric wire 100, it is possible to avoid a situation in which one of the first wire contact portion 33b and the second wire contact portion is misaligned relative to the other, causing the vibration of the electric wire 100 to be transmitted downstream.

[0098] Furthermore, in connector 1, the engaging portion may have an engaging rib 33g that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the engaging portion is fitted into the locking hole portion. The engaging rib 33g may come into contact with the engaging hole portion when the engaging portion is fitted into the locking hole portion.

[0099] Here, in the above example, the engaging portion corresponds to the holder engaging portion 33f. In the above example, the locking hole corresponds to the holder locking hole 54. In this case, the direction in which the engaging portion is fitted into the locking hole corresponds to the direction opposite to the Y direction. Also, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the engaging portion is fitted into the locking hole corresponds to the direction opposite to the Z direction.

[0100] According to this connector 1, when the engaging portion is fitted into the locking hole portion, the engaging rib 33g provided on the engaging portion comes into contact with the locking hole portion, thereby further improving the adhesion between the engaging portion and the locking hole portion, thereby further suppressing the transmission of vibrations of the electric wire 100.

[0101] Furthermore, the connector 1 may include a first wire facing portion 38 and a second wire facing portion 45 that sandwich, in a non-contact manner, each electric wire 100 extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction between each terminal 10 and the wire pull-out portion 33. At least one of the first wire facing portion 38 and the second wire facing portion 45 may have a curved surface that matches the side surface of the electric wire 100. The shortest distance between the first wire facing portion 38 and the side surface of the electric wire 100 facing the first wire facing portion 38 is defined as a first distance C1, and the shortest distance between the second wire facing portion 45 and the side surface of the electric wire 100 facing the second wire facing portion 45 is defined as a second distance C2. In this case, the first distance C1 and the second distance C2 may be set to the maximum amount of alignment expected when each terminal 10 is aligned upon connection of an external connector.

[0102] Here, the first direction corresponds to the Z direction in the above example, and the second direction corresponds to the Y direction in the above example.

[0103] According to this connector 1, a first wire facing portion 38 and a second wire facing portion 45 are provided between each terminal 10 and the wire pull-out portion 33. At least one of the first and second wire facing portions 38 and 45 has a curved surface that matches the side surface of the wire 100, and the first and second wire facing portions 38 and 45 sandwich the wire 100 without contacting each other. Therefore, when the terminals 10 are aligned, the wires 100 extending from the terminals 10 in the second direction are guided so as not to interfere with each other. This makes it possible to prevent repulsive forces from being generated in the wires 100 due to interference between adjacent wires 100. Furthermore, according to the connector 1, the first gap C1 and the second gap C2 are set to the maximum amount of alignment expected when the terminals 10 are aligned, and are therefore the minimum necessary values, which is advantageous for miniaturizing the connector 1.

[0104] Although one embodiment has been described above, the embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1 connector 10 terminals 33 Wire drawer 33b 1st wire contact part 33d First wiring groove 33e First retaining rib 33f Holder engagement part 33g Engagement rib 38 First wire facing part 45 Second wire facing part 50 rear holder 52 Second wiring groove 53 Second retaining rib 54 Holder locking hole 95 Wire holding part 100 wire C1 1st interval C2 2nd interval

Claims

1. A connector to be connected to an external connector, A plurality of terminals; a wire drawing portion that draws out a plurality of wires connected to each of the terminals to the outside along a first direction in which the wires are connected to the external connector, The electric wire drawing portion has an electric wire holding portion that sandwiches and holds each of the electric wires, the wire holding portion is a combination of a first wire contact portion and a second wire contact portion, the first wire contact portion has a plurality of first routing grooves each having a first retaining rib that contacts the wire, the first wiring grooves corresponding to the respective wires; The second wire contact portion has a plurality of second wiring grooves, each of which faces the first wiring groove and has a second retaining rib that contacts the wire.

2. the first wire contact portion has an engaging portion, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the second wire contact portion has a locking hole portion into which the engaging portion is fitted.

3. the engaging portion has an engaging rib that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the engaging portion is fitted into the locking hole, The connector according to claim 2 , wherein the engaging rib comes into contact with the locking hole when the engaging portion is fitted into the locking hole.

4. a first wire facing portion and a second wire facing portion that sandwich, in a non-contact manner, each of the electric wires extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, between each of the terminals and the electric wire pull-out portion; At least one of the first wire facing portion and the second wire facing portion has a curved surface that matches a side surface of the wire, When the shortest distance between the first wire facing portion and a side surface of the wire facing the first wire facing portion is defined as a first distance, and the shortest distance between the second wire facing portion and a side surface of the wire facing the second wire facing portion is defined as a second distance, 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first gap and the second gap are set to a maximum amount of alignment expected when the terminals are aligned as a result of connection of the external connector.

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