Equipment connectors

Abstract

To reduce the contact pressure of a partition wall to an inner periphery of a cylindrical portion of a resin housing as much as possible when inserting a connector cover to the cylindrical portion.SOLUTION: A connector 20 for an instrument comprises: a terminal base 30 which has a resin housing 40 having a cylindrical portion 42 and three or more terminals 32; and a connector cover 50 which covers one-end side opening of the cylindrical portion. Connection portions 33 of the three or more terminals protrude toward a second portion inner periphery 45 from a first portion inner periphery 44 of the cylindrical portion 42. The connector cover comprises a resin cover portion 60 having an insertion portion 64 which is inserted into the cylindrical portion and has a partition wall 66, and a seal ring 52. Each of the plurality of partition walls 66 partitions the three or more connection portions 33. A first rib 67 extends along the first portion inner periphery 44 from each of the plurality of partition walls. A second rib 68 extends along the second portion inner periphery 45 from each of the plurality of partition walls.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector for equipment.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a synthetic resin housing integrally formed with a plurality of terminals and a synthetic resin service cover for closing a working hole of the housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides an equipment connector, in which a connector cover includes a resin cover portion having an insertion portion inserted into a cylindrical portion and a plurality of partition walls extending from the insertion portion toward the other end side of the cylindrical portion, and each of the plurality of partition walls extends to the opening side of the other end of the cylindrical portion rather than a connection portion at a position partitioning three or more connection portions and overlaps from the base end to the tip of the three or more connection portions in the protruding direction of the connection portion.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The equipment connector of this disclosure comprises a resin housing having a cylindrical portion, a terminal block having three or more terminals having connecting portions, and a connector cover that detachably covers one end opening of the cylindrical portion, wherein the cylindrical portion has an inner surface including a first partial inner surface and a second partial inner surface facing the first partial inner surface, the three or more terminals are partially covered and supported by the resin housing such that their respective connecting portions are located within the cylindrical portion, and the three or more connecting portions are located within the cylindrical portion in the direction of penetration of the cylindrical portion The connector cover is a device connector having an insertion portion that is inserted into the cylindrical portion and a resin cover portion having a plurality of partition walls that extend from the insertion portion toward the other end of the cylindrical portion, with each of the plurality of partition walls extending toward the other end of the cylindrical portion than the connection portion at a position that separates the three or more connection portions, and overlapping the base end to the tip of the three or more connection portions in the protruding direction of the connection portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to this disclosure, a connector cover can be provided which comprises a resin cover portion having an insertion portion inserted into a cylindrical portion and a plurality of partition walls extending from the insertion portion toward the other end of the cylindrical portion, wherein each of the plurality of partition walls extends toward the other end opening of the cylindrical portion beyond the connection portion at a position separating three or more connection portions, and overlaps the base end to the tip of the three or more connection portions in the protruding direction of the connection portion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a connector for equipment according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector for the equipment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the equipment connector. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a perspective view of the connector cover as seen from the device side. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the connector cover is being inserted into the terminal block. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the connector cover is being inserted into the terminal block. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the partition wall is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical part. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the connector cover is being inserted into the terminal block. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described.

[0009] The equipment connectors described herein are as follows:

[0010] (1) A terminal block comprising a resin housing having a cylindrical portion, three or more terminals having connecting portions, and a connector cover that detachably covers the opening at one end of the cylindrical portion, wherein the cylindrical portion comprises an inner surface including a first portion inner surface and a second portion inner surface facing the first portion inner surface, the three or more terminals are partially covered and supported by the resin housing such that their respective connecting portions are located within the cylindrical portion, the three or more connecting portions are arranged at intervals within the cylindrical portion in a direction intersecting the through-direction of the cylindrical portion, and protrude from the first portion inner surface toward the second portion inner surface, and the connector cover comprises a cover body portion, an insertion portion inserted into the cylindrical portion, and an extension from the insertion portion toward the other end of the cylindrical portion The connector for equipment comprises a resin cover portion having a plurality of partition walls, and a seal ring mounted on the outer circumference of the insertion portion and in contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical portion, wherein each of the plurality of partition walls extends from the connection portion toward the other end opening of the cylindrical portion at a position separating the three or more connection portions, and overlaps the three or more connection portions from the base end to the tip in the protruding direction of the connection portion, and the resin cover portion further comprises a first rib extending along the inner surface of the first portion from a first end of each of the plurality of partition walls located toward the base end of the connection portion and toward the other end opening of the cylindrical portion, and a second rib extending along the inner surface of the second portion from a second end of each of the plurality of partition walls located toward the tip of the connection portion and toward the other end opening of the cylindrical portion.

[0011] According to this disclosure, a partition wall extends toward the tip side in the insertion direction relative to the seal ring. Therefore, when the connector cover is inserted into the cylindrical part, the outward-facing portion of the partition wall toward the tip side in the insertion direction may come into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical part. Even if the partition wall comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical part, the first rib extending along the inner circumferential surface of the first portion or the second rib extending along the inner circumferential surface of the second portion will come into contact with the inner circumferential surface. Therefore, the contact area between the resin cover portion and the inner circumferential surface can be increased compared to the case without the first and second ribs. As a result, when inserting the connector cover into the resin housing, the contact pressure of the partition wall against the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical part can be minimized.

[0012] (2) The connector for the device of (1), wherein the first rib and the second rib may extend to the insertion portion. In this case, the insertion portion can be reinforced by the first rib and the second rib so as to be difficult to deform. Thereby, the sealing performance by the sealing ring provided on the outer periphery of the insertion portion can be enhanced.

[0013] (3) The connector for the device of (1) or (2), wherein the second rib may extend so as to connect between the plurality of partition walls. The strength of each partition wall can be improved, and the insulation distance can be increased.

[0014] (4) The connector for the device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein a gap may be provided between the second rib and the inner peripheral surface of the second portion. In this case, since a gap is provided between the second rib and the inner peripheral surface of the second portion, it is easy to insert the insertion portion into the cylindrical portion.

[0015] (5) The connector for the device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin cover portion may be larger than the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin housing. Thereby, it is easy to hold the resin housing with the resin cover portion and maintain the sealed state.

[0016] (6) The connector for the device according to any one of (1) to (5), in a section where at least a part of the partition wall overlaps with the sealing position by the sealing ring in the insertion direction of the insertion portion, the inner peripheral surface of the first portion and the inner peripheral surface of the second portion may face each other at a certain interval in the protruding direction of the connecting portion. Thereby, the region of the cylindrical portion where the sealing position by the sealing ring is arranged can be made as small as possible within the limit that the partition wall can pass through. Thereby, miniaturization of the resin cover portion becomes possible.

[0017] [[ID=(7) A device connector according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein a portion of the connector cover that is inserted into the cylindrical portion and is closest to the inner peripheral surface of the first portion and the inner peripheral surface of the second portion on the tip side in the insertion direction may be the partition wall. When a portion of the connector cover that is inserted into the cylindrical portion and is closest to the inner peripheral surface of the first portion and the inner peripheral surface of the second portion on the tip side in the insertion direction is the partition wall, the partition wall is likely to contact the inner peripheral surface of the first portion or the second portion. In such a case, the contact pressure of the partition wall against the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion can be made as small as possible.

[0018] (8) A device connector according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the cover main body portion may have a screw fixing portion that is screwed to the device to be attached. Thereby, before or during screwing, even if the partition wall contacts the inner peripheral surface, the contact pressure of the partition wall against the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion can be made as small as possible.

[0019] (9) A device connector according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein one of the terminal block and the connector cover has a guide groove, and the other has a guided portion that is guided by the guide groove. The guide groove is a groove that regulates the passage path of the insertion portion in the cylindrical portion, and the guide groove may be formed so as to guide the guided portion before an end portion of the partition wall near the opening on the other end side of the cylindrical portion reaches the contact position of the seal ring on the inner peripheral surface. In this case, it becomes difficult for the partition wall to contact the position on the inner peripheral surface where the seal ring contacts. Thereby, it becomes easier to keep the contact portion of the seal ring on the inner peripheral surface as a smooth surface suitable for sealing.

[0020] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the device 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, and is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0021] [Embodiment] <Overall Structure> The following describes the equipment connector according to the embodiment. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the equipment connector 20. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. In Figure 2, the equipment 10 to which the equipment connector 20 is attached is shown by a dashed line. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the equipment connector 20. Figure 4 is a bottom view of the equipment connector 20. For convenience of explanation, the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 42, which will be described later, may be referred to as the Z direction, with the side facing the equipment 10 being called the -Z direction and the direction away from the equipment 10 being called the +Z direction. Also, the direction in which the terminal 32 extends within the cylindrical portion 42 may be referred to as the X direction, with the tip side of the terminal 32 being called the +X direction and the base end side being called the -X direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction may be referred to as the Y direction, with one side being called the +Y direction and the other side being called the -Y direction.

[0022] The equipment connector 20 is a connector for connecting the electric wire 22 to the equipment 10.

[0023] Here, equipment 10 is equipment mounted on a vehicle (see Figure 2). Equipment 10 is, for example, an inverter or a motor. Equipment 10 includes a housing 12 and an equipment-side terminal block 14. The equipment 10 contains internal electrical components within the housing 12. An equipment-side terminal block 14 having a cylindrical portion 15 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the housing 12. The equipment-side terminal block 14 is made of, for example, resin. Equipment-side terminals 16 extend from the housing 12 into the cylindrical portion 15. The base end of the equipment-side terminals 16 is connected to the internal electrical components within the housing 12. The tip of the equipment-side terminals 16 is bent so that it is perpendicular (in the XX direction) to the axis of the cylindrical portion 15. A hole is formed in the tip of the equipment-side terminals 16 through which a screw is inserted.

[0024] The device connector 20 is connected to the device-side terminal block 14, thereby electrically connecting the external wires 22 to the internal electrical components of the device. This allows power to be supplied to the device 10 from the outside. The device connector 20 comprises a terminal block 30 and a connector cover 50.

[0025] The terminal block 30 has terminals 32. When the terminal block 30 is combined with the equipment-side terminal block 14, terminals 32 are positioned to contact the equipment-side terminals 16. Terminals 32 are secured to the equipment-side terminals 16 with screws.

[0026] The connector cover 50, when attached to the terminal block 30, covers the connection point between terminal 32 and equipment-side terminal 16. The connector cover 50 is attached to the terminal block 30 during vehicle manufacturing. The connector cover 50 may also be attached to and detached from the equipment-side terminal block 14 during vehicle maintenance, etc.

[0027] The terminal block 30 and connector cover 50 will be described in more detail below.

[0028] <Terminal block> The terminal block 30 has a resin housing 40 and three or more terminals 32.

[0029] Terminal 32 has a connecting portion 33 and is connected to the end of the electric wire 22. The connecting portion 33 is the part that connects to the equipment-side terminal 16, for example, a perforated plate-shaped portion. In this embodiment, it is a crimp-type ring terminal, and the circular plate-shaped portion with a hole at its tip is the connecting portion. Here, the terminal block 30 is equipped with four terminals 32, and each of the four terminals 32 is connected to the end of the electric wire 22. Note that the number of terminals 32 and electric wires 22 can be any number, as long as there are three or more.

[0030] The resin housing 40 is made of resin and is the part that holds the terminal 32. The resin housing 40 has a cylindrical portion 42. The terminal 32 is held in the cylindrical portion 42.

[0031] More specifically, the cylindrical portion 42 is tubular in shape, longer in one direction (Y direction) and shorter in the other direction (X direction) when viewed along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 42. For example, the cylindrical portion 42 has a cylindrical shape in which semi-cylindrical portions are connected on both sides of two rectangular plate-shaped portions that are spaced apart and facing each other. The inner circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42 includes a first inner circumferential surface 44 and a second inner circumferential surface 45. The first inner circumferential surface 44 and the second inner circumferential surface 45 are rectangular in shape, longer in one direction (Y direction) and shorter in the axial direction (Z direction) of the cylindrical portion 42. The first inner circumferential surface 44 and the second inner circumferential surface 45 are spaced apart and facing each other in the X direction.

[0032] A stepped portion 42s facing the -Z side (equipment side) is formed in the middle of the inner circumferential surface 43 in the Z direction (see Figure 2). The portion 42a of the inner circumferential surface 43 facing the equipment side is wider than the portion 42b on the outside of the equipment via the stepped portion 42s. One end opening 42h1 of the cylindrical portion 42 faces outwards from the equipment 10. The other end opening 42h2 of the cylindrical portion 42 faces towards the equipment 10.

[0033] With the connector cover 50 attached to the terminal block 30, the sealing ring 52 of the connector cover 50, described later, contacts the inner circumferential surface 43 along the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface 43. This seals the gap between the terminal block 30 and the connector cover 50.

[0034] Three or more terminals 32 are partially covered and supported by a resin housing 40, with each connection portion 33 positioned within the cylindrical portion 42. The three or more connection portions 33 are spaced apart within the cylindrical portion 42 in a direction (Y direction) that intersects the through-direction of the cylindrical portion 42. Each connection portion 33 protrudes from the inner surface 44 of the first portion toward the inner surface 45 of the second portion. As described above, the protruding direction of the connection portion 33 is the +X side, and the opposite side is the -X side. There is a gap between each connection portion 33. There is a gap between the tip of each connection portion 33 and the inner surface 45 of the second portion. The tip of each connection portion 33 is formed in a round plate shape, and a connecting portion 34, which is narrower than the connection portion 33, is attached to the base end of each connection portion 33 on the side of the inner surface 44 of the first portion. The position where each connection portion 33 is supported corresponds to the position of each device-side terminal 16.

[0035] In the Z-direction, which is the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 42, the connecting portion 33 is located in the middle of the inner circumferential surface 43. More specifically, the connecting portion 33 is located on the outer portion 42b of the device. In this embodiment, the surface of the connecting portion 33 facing the device 10 is positioned flush with the surface of the stepped portion 42s. On the inner circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42, there is a continuous surface parallel to the Z-direction on the side of the terminal 32 that is outside the device 10.

[0036] The portion of terminal 32 connected to the electric wire 22 is embedded within the resin housing 40. The electric wire 22 is brought out to the outside of the first portion inner surface 44 of the resin housing 40. A wire holding portion 49 is formed protruding from the outer circumference of the first portion inner surface 44 of the resin housing 40. The end of the electric wire 22 on the terminal 32 side passes through the wire holding portion 49 and is brought out to the outside of the wire holding portion 49.

[0037] The resin housing 40 has a guide groove 47. In this embodiment, the guide groove 47 is formed by the inner surfaces of a pair of guide wall portions 46 and the surface 47a between them. That is, a pair of guide wall portions 46 are formed at each of the Y-direction ends of the outer periphery of the resin housing 40, and are separated in the X-direction. The bottom surface 47a of the guide groove between the pair of guide wall portions 46 on the outer periphery of the resin housing 40 is formed as a plane perpendicular to the Y-direction. The guide groove 47 is formed in a shape having the inner guide side surfaces 47b of the pair of guide wall portions 46 and the guide groove bottom surface 47a. The guide groove 47 is formed at both ends of the resin housing 40 in the Y-direction.

[0038] An outer seal mounting groove 41g is formed on the outer circumference of the resin housing 40, on the portion closer to the equipment 10. An outer seal ring 41 is fitted into this outer seal mounting groove 41g. The outer seal ring 41 is an annular member formed of an elastic material such as rubber. With the resin housing 40 inserted into the cylindrical portion 15 of the equipment-side terminal block 14, the outer circumference of the outer seal ring 41 contacts the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 15. This seals the resin housing 40 and the equipment-side terminal block 14.

[0039] <Connector cover> Figure 5 is a perspective view of the connector cover 50 as seen from the equipment 10 side. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the connector cover 50 detachably covers the opening 42h1 on one end of the cylindrical portion 42 on the outside of the equipment 10. The connector cover 50 comprises a resin cover portion 60 and a sealing ring 52.

[0040] The resin cover portion 60 is a part formed of resin. Here, it is preferable that the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin forming the resin cover portion 60 is greater than the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin forming the resin housing 40. The hardness of the resin is determined, for example, by the properties of the base material itself, or by the amount of reinforcing material mixed into the base material. For example, since PA6T (polyamide 6T) is harder than PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), the resin cover portion 60 may be formed from PA6T and the resin housing 40 from PBT. Also, for example, the more reinforcing fibers such as glass fibers are mixed into the base material, the harder it becomes. For this reason, the proportion of reinforcing fibers mixed into the resin of the resin cover portion 60 may be greater than the proportion of reinforcing fibers mixed into the resin of the resin housing 40. The final hardness of the resin is set by the hardness of the base material itself and the proportion of reinforcing material mixed in. Therefore, it is preferable that the mixing ratios of the base material and reinforcing material of each resin be set such that the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin forming the resin cover portion 60 is greater than the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin forming the resin housing 40. The Rockwell hardness value HR is tested, for example, by the test method specified in JIS Z 2245.

[0041] By making the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin cover portion 60 greater than that of the resin housing 40, the resin cover portion 60 can effectively press the resin housing 40 toward the device 10. For example, the resin housing 40, together with the seal ring 52, seals the opening of the cylindrical portion 42. Therefore, the resin housing 40 may be pushed outward from the device 10 due to the expansion of air inside the device 10. In such a case, the connector cover 50, which is fixed to the device 10 by screws or the like, presses the resin housing 40 toward the device 10. If the resin cover portion 60 is formed to be harder than the resin housing 40, the connector cover 50 itself is less likely to deform, and this makes it easier to maintain a constant pressure between the connector cover 50 and the resin housing 40.

[0042] The resin cover portion 60 has a cover body portion 61, an insertion portion 64, and a plurality of partition walls 66. The resin cover portion 60 is, for example, a part integrally molded from the same resin using a mold.

[0043] The cover body 61 has a pressing portion 62 and a pair of screw fixing portions 63. The pressing portion 62 is formed in the shape of an elongated rectangular plate. The longitudinal dimension (Y direction) of the pressing portion 62 is greater than or equal to the longitudinal dimension (Y direction) of the inner circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42, and the short-side dimension (X direction) of the pressing portion 62 is greater than or equal to the short-side dimension (X direction) of the inner circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42. Therefore, the pressing portion 62 can cover the outside of the opening 42h1 at one end of the cylindrical portion 42.

[0044] The ends of the pressing portion 62 protrude outward from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion 42. A pair of screw fixing portions 63 are connected to both ends of the pressing portion 62. The screw fixing portions 63 extend from both ends of the pressing portion 62 toward the equipment 10 and are formed in an L-shaped leg shape that extends along the fixing surface on the equipment 10 side when they reach the equipment 10. Screw insertion holes 63h are formed at the ends of the screw fixing portions 63. Screws S such as bolts are inserted through the screw insertion holes 63h and screwed into the nuts on the equipment 10 side. As a result, the cover body portion 61 presses the cylindrical portion 42 toward the equipment 10.

[0045] The insertion portion 64 is the part of the pressing portion 62 that protrudes from the surface facing the device 10. In this embodiment, the insertion portion 64 is formed in a shape that opens towards the device 10. It is assumed that the head of a screw for fastening the terminal 16 and the terminal 32 is housed in the space within the insertion portion 64. The outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 64 is, for example, the same shape as or smaller than the outer part 42b of the inner circumferential surface 43 of the device, to the extent that it can be inserted into the cylindrical portion 42. The protruding dimension of the insertion portion 64 is smaller than the distance between the opening 42h1 at one end of the cylindrical portion 42 and the connection portion 33 of the terminal 32. When the insertion portion 64 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42, the pressing portion 62 abuts against the end face at one end of the cylindrical portion 42, restricting the position of the insertion portion 64 in the insertion direction. In this state, the tip of the insertion portion 64 is positioned above the connection portion 33.

[0046] A seal mounting groove 64g is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 64, in the axial (Z-direction) middle portion of the insertion portion 64. The seal mounting groove 64g is an annular groove along the circumferential direction of the insertion portion 64.

[0047] The seal ring 52 is an annular member formed of an elastic material such as rubber. The seal ring 52 is fitted into the seal mounting groove 64g, thereby mounting the seal ring 52 to the insertion portion 64. With the insertion portion 64 inserted into the cylindrical portion 42, the seal ring 52 contacts the outer portion 42b of the inner circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42. This seals the space between the inner circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42 and the insertion portion 64.

[0048] The outer circumferential surface of the seal ring 52 is formed such that the axial middle portion is the most protruding. The annular portion of the outer circumferential surface of the seal ring 52 that protrudes the furthest outward is called the annular apex 52t. With the seal ring 52 sealing the space between the inner circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42 and the insertion portion 64, the position where the annular apex 52t is pressed against the inner circumferential surface 43 is defined as the sealing position P by the seal ring 52 in the insertion direction (Z direction) of the insertion portion 64. The sealing position P will be referenced in a later explanation.

[0049] In the insertion direction (Z direction) of the insertion portion 64, in the section from the seal position P to the connection portion 33, the first portion inner surface 44 and the second portion inner surface 45 face each other at a constant interval in the protruding direction (X direction) of the connection portion 33. In other words, in a cross-section parallel to the XZ plane, the first portion inner surface 44 and the second portion inner surface 45 are parallel in the section from the seal position P to the connection portion 33.

[0050] Multiple partition walls 66 are provided at positions that separate three or more connection portions 33. In this embodiment, four connection portions 33 are arranged at intervals in the Y direction, and partition walls 66 are located at each of the three positions between adjacent connection portions 33. The partition walls 66 extend beyond the connection portions 33 to the other end opening side (-Z side) of the cylindrical portion 42, and with the insertion portion 64 inserted into the cylindrical portion 42, the tip of the partition wall 66 extends beyond the connection portion 33 towards the equipment 10 side. This allows foreign matter present between the connection portions 33 to be pushed out from between the connection portions 33. Furthermore, the partition walls 66 overlap the base end to the tip of three or more connection portions 33 in the protruding direction (X direction) of the connection portions 33. Preferably, the partition walls 66 overlap at least a part of the connecting portion 34 in the X direction. The partition walls 66 fit between the multiple connection portions 33 and play a role in increasing the insulation distance between the connection portions 33.

[0051] The relationship between the partition wall 66 and the seal position P will now be explained. As described above, the tip of the insertion portion 64 is located away from the connection portion 33 towards the opening 42h1 on one end of the cylindrical portion 42. The partition wall 66 extends from the tip of the insertion portion 64 toward the opening 42h2 on the other end of the cylindrical portion 42 and crosses the connection portion 33. Therefore, the portion where the inner circumferential surface of the first portion 44 and the inner circumferential surface of the second portion 45 face each other at a constant interval in the protruding direction of the connection portion 33 (part 42b side) is located in the section T in the insertion direction of the insertion portion 64, where at least a part of the partition wall 66 overlaps with the seal position P (see Figure 2).

[0052] The resin cover portion 60 includes a first rib 67 and a second rib 68 connected to a plurality of partition walls 66. The first rib 67 and the second rib 68 will be described in more detail below.

[0053] <First rib and second rib> The first rib 67 is the first end of each of the multiple partition walls 66, located on the base end side (-X side) of the connecting portion 33, and extends along the inner circumferential surface 44 from the end closer to the other end opening (-Z side) of the cylindrical portion 42. In this embodiment, the first rib 67 is located between the connecting portions 34 on the base end side of the connecting portion 33.

[0054] The first rib 67 may extend from the partition wall 66 to one side in the thickness direction of the partition wall 66, or it may extend to both sides. In this embodiment, the first rib 67 extends from the partition wall 66 to both sides in the thickness direction of the partition wall 66. Therefore, when observed from the tip side of the partition wall 66 and the first rib 67, the two ribs extend in a T-shape relative to the partition wall 66. The surface of the first rib 67 facing the base end side (-X side) of the connecting portion 33 is continuously aligned with the extension of the surface of the partition wall 66 facing the base end side (-X side) of the connecting portion 33. Therefore, the outward-facing surfaces of the partition wall 66 and the first rib 67 can simultaneously contact the inner circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42.

[0055] The first rib 67 only needs to be provided at least on the tip side (-Z side) of the partition wall 66. In this embodiment, the first rib 67 extends in the Z direction from the tip side of the partition wall 66 to the insertion portion 64 which is the base end, and is connected to the insertion portion 64.

[0056] A gap is provided between the first ribs 67 connected to each of the multiple bulkheads 66. A connecting portion 34 connected to the base end of the connecting portion 33 is positioned in this gap.

[0057] The second rib 68 is the second end of each of the multiple partition walls 66, located on the tip side (+X side) of the connecting portion 33, and extends along the inner circumferential surface 45 of the second portion from the end closer to the other end opening (-Z side) of the cylindrical portion 42.

[0058] The second rib 68 may extend from the partition wall 66 to one side in the thickness direction of the partition wall 66, or it may extend to both sides. In this embodiment, the second rib 68 extends to connect multiple partition walls 66. Therefore, in the direction in which multiple partition walls 66 are lined up, the second rib 68 extends from the partition walls at both ends toward the center in the direction of alignment of the partition walls 66, and the second rib 68 extends from the intermediate partition wall toward both outward directions in the direction of alignment.

[0059] The surface of the second rib 68 facing the tip side (+X side) of the connection portion 33 is continuously aligned with the extension of the surface of the partition wall 66 facing the tip side (+X side) of the connection portion 33. Therefore, the outward-facing surfaces of the partition wall 66 and the second rib 68 can simultaneously contact the inner circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42.

[0060] However, it is not essential that the second rib extends to connect the partition walls 66; like the first rib 67 described above, it may extend to create a gap between the partition walls 66.

[0061] The second rib 68 only needs to be provided at least on the tip side (-Z side) of the partition wall 66. In this embodiment, the second rib 68 extends in the Z direction from the tip side of the partition wall 66 to the base end side, which is the insertion portion 64, and is connected to the insertion portion 64. As a result, the partition wall 66 and the second rib 68 can surround both ends and the tip side of the intermediate connection portion 33 among the multiple connection portions 33, thereby increasing the insulation distance between the connection portions 33.

[0062] Observing the connector cover 50 as a whole, the portion of the connector cover 50 that is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42, and which is closest to the inner circumferential surface 44 of the first portion and the inner circumferential surface 45 of the second portion on the tip side (-Z direction) in the insertion direction, is the two corners on the tip side of the partition wall 66. Therefore, when inserting the connector cover 50 into the cylindrical portion 42, there is a possibility that the corners of the partition wall 66 will come into contact with the inner circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42. The outward-facing surfaces of the first rib 67 and the second rib 68 extend outward in the thickness direction of the partition wall 66, continuously from the corners of the partition wall 66. Therefore, when either of the two corners on the tip side of the partition wall comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface 43, the outward-facing surface of the first rib 67 or the outward-facing surface of the second rib 68 may come into contact with the inner circumferential surface 43 at the same time.

[0063] With the connector cover 50 attached to the terminal block 30, the first rib 67 and the first portion inner surface 44 may or may not be in contact. To further improve the insulation between the connection portions 33, it is preferable to keep the distance between the first rib 67 and the first portion inner surface 44 as small as possible.

[0064] When the connector cover 50 is attached to the terminal block 30, a gap is provided between the second rib 68 and the inner surface 45 of the second portion. Since the second rib 68 is present at the tip of the connection portion 33, blocking the space between the partition walls 66, a sufficient insulation distance is ensured at the tip of the connection portion 33 by the second rib 68. For this reason, the distance D (see Figure 2) between the second rib 68 and the inner surface 45 of the second portion may be greater than the distance between the first rib 67 and the inner surface 44 of the first portion.

[0065] Therefore, for example, to further improve insulation, the distance between the first rib 67 and the first inner surface 44 can be made as small as possible, while a gap can be provided between the second rib 68 and the second inner surface 45. This makes it easier to reduce the size of the insertion portion 64 and the partition wall 66 relative to the distance between the first inner surface 44 and the second inner surface 45, and makes the insertion of the insertion portion 64 and the partition wall 66 easier.

[0066] <Guide structure> The resin cover portion 60 has a guided portion 58 that is guided by a pair of guide grooves 47 shown in Figure 3. The guide grooves 47 restrict the passage path of the insertion portion 64 within the cylindrical portion 42 by guiding the guided portion 58.

[0067] More specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the guided portion 58 is formed at both ends of the pressing portion 62 and inside the screw fixing portion 63. The guided portion 58 is formed as an elongated plate that protrudes toward the equipment 10 from the end of the face of the pressing portion 62 toward the equipment 10. A reinforcing piece 58g is provided between the guided portion 58 and the screw fixing portion 63, but this is not essential.

[0068] The guided portion 58 is formed to a width that allows it to be positioned between a pair of guide sides 47b of the guide groove 47. By positioning the guided portion 58 between the pair of guide sides 47b, its position in the X direction and its inclination around the Y direction are restricted.

[0069] Furthermore, each of the pair of guided portions 58 is positioned to be able to contact the bottom surface 47a of the pair of guide grooves 47. By each of the pair of guided portions 58 contacting the bottom surface 47a of the guide grooves from both outer sides of the cylindrical portion 42, the position in the Y direction and the inclination around the X direction are restricted.

[0070] The guide groove 47 is preferably formed to guide the guided portion 58 before the end of the cylindrical portion 42 of the partition wall 66 near the other end opening 42h2 (-Z side) reaches the position on the inner circumferential surface 43 where the seal ring 52 makes contact (seal position P) (see Figures 6 and 7). This positional relationship will be explained in more detail in the description of the insertion operation of the connector cover 50.

[0071] It is not essential that the guide groove 47 is formed on the resin housing 40 side and the guided portion 58 is formed on the resin cover portion 60. The guide groove may be formed on the resin cover portion, and the guided portion that is guided by the guide groove may be formed on the resin housing.

[0072] <Operation during assembly> An example of the operation of assembling the connector cover 50 to the terminal block 30 will be explained with reference to Figures 6 to 9. Figures 6, 7, and 9 show the relationship between the position of the partition wall 66 relative to the inner circumferential surface 43 and the position of the guided portion 58 relative to the guide groove 47 during the insertion of the connector cover 50.

[0073] Assume that terminal block 30 is attached to terminal block 14 on the equipment side, and terminal 32 is screwed or otherwise fastened to terminal 16. In this state, as shown in Figure 6, the connector cover 50 is attached to terminal block 30.

[0074] First, the partition wall 66 at the tip of the insertion portion 64 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42. The insertion portion 64 may be inserted, for example, by screwing a screw S through the screw fixing portion 63 to a nut on the equipment 10 side. If the insertion portion 64 is inserted by screwing, the insertion work is easier, but there is a possibility that the partition wall 66 may not be noticed or known if it strongly interferes with the inner circumferential surface 43. When the guided portion 58 has reached the entrance of the guide groove 47, the tip of the partition wall 66 is inside the cylindrical portion 42, but it has not reached the seal position P.

[0075] As shown in Figure 7, when the tip of the partition wall 66 reaches the sealing position P, the guided portion 58 is guided by the guide groove 47. Therefore, the guide groove 47 guides the guided portion 58 before the tip of the partition wall 66 reaches the sealing position P. Thus, when the tip of the partition wall 66 reaches the sealing position P, it is prevented that the insertion portion 64 will tilt significantly and the tip of the partition wall 66 will be strongly pressed against the inner circumferential surface 43.

[0076] However, it is conceivable that a small gap may be provided between the distance between the pair of guide sides 47b of the guide groove 47 and the width of the guided portion 58, taking into consideration the ease of inserting the guided portion 58 into the guide groove 47. In this case, when the amount of insertion of the guided portion 58 into the guide groove 47 is small, it is assumed that a slight inclination of the insertion portion 64 and the partition wall 66 relative to the cylindrical portion 42 is permissible.

[0077] Then, as shown in Figure 8, it is assumed that the corner of the tip of the partition wall 66 will come into contact with the inner surface 44 of the first portion or the inner surface 45 of the second portion. In this case, as described above, the corner of the partition wall 66 and the outward-facing surface of the second rib 68 will come into contact with the inner surface 45 of the second portion simultaneously. As a result, the contact pressure will be distributed between the corner of the partition wall 66 and the outward-facing surface of the second rib 68, making it difficult for the inner surface 45 of the second portion to deform. Alternatively, the corner of the partition wall 66 and the outward-facing surface of the first rib 67 will come into contact with the inner surface 44 of the first portion simultaneously. As a result, the contact pressure will be distributed between the corner of the partition wall 66 and the outward-facing surface of the first rib 67, making it difficult for the inner surface 44 of the first portion to deform.

[0078] Therefore, the first and second inner circumferential surfaces 44 and 45 are more easily maintained as smooth surfaces suitable for sealing by contact with the seal ring 52.

[0079] When the insertion portion 64 is pushed further in, the annular top portion 52t of the seal ring 52 reaches the sealing position P, making contact with the smooth inner surface 44 and the inner surface 45 of the first portion, resulting in good sealing performance.

[0080] <Effects, etc.> As described above, with the equipment connector 20 configured as shown, the partition wall 66 extends toward the tip side in the insertion direction relative to the seal ring 52. Therefore, when the connector cover 50 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42, the outward-facing portion of the partition wall 66 toward the tip side in the insertion direction may come into contact with the inner circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42. Even if the partition wall 66 comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface 43, the first rib 67 extending along the first portion inner circumferential surface 44 or the second rib 68 extending along the second portion inner circumferential surface 45 will come into contact with the inner circumferential surface 43. Therefore, the contact area between the resin cover portion 60 and the inner circumferential surface 43 can be increased compared to the case where the first rib 67 and the second rib 68 are absent. As a result, when inserting the connector cover 50 into the resin housing 40, the contact pressure of the partition wall 66 against the inner circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42 can be minimized.

[0081] Furthermore, it is assumed that a cavity is formed within the insertion portion 64 to accommodate the heads of screws for connecting the terminals 16 and 32. Therefore, the insertion portion 64 is cylindrical, and it is assumed that a force is applied that causes it to deform inward when the seal ring 52 is pressed against the inner circumferential surface 43. If the first rib 67 and the second rib 68 extend to the insertion portion 64, the insertion portion 64 can be made less susceptible to deformation by the first rib 67 and the second rib 68. This improves the sealing performance of the seal ring 52 between the insertion portion 64 and the inner circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42.

[0082] Furthermore, if the second rib 68 extends to connect multiple partition walls 66, the strength of the partition walls 66 and the insertion portion 64 can be improved while increasing the insulation distance between the connection portions 33. By improving the strength of the insertion portion 64, the sealing performance of the seal ring 52 between the insertion portion 64 and the inner circumferential surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42 can be improved, similar to the above.

[0083] Furthermore, the gap between the second rib 68 and the inner circumferential surface 45 of the second portion makes it easier to insert the insertion portion 64 into the cylindrical portion 42. In particular, when combined with a configuration in which the second rib 68 extends to connect multiple partition walls 66, it is possible to increase the insulation distance between the connection portions 33 at the tip of the connection portion 33 while making it easier to insert the insertion portion 64 into the cylindrical portion 42.

[0084] Furthermore, if the resin cover portion 60 is harder than the resin housing 40, the less deformable resin cover portion 60 can easily press against the resin housing 40 to maintain a sealed state.

[0085] Furthermore, in the insertion direction (Z direction) of the insertion portion 64, if the first inner surface 44 and the second inner surface 45 face each other at a constant interval in the protruding direction (X direction) of the connection portion 33 in the section T from the seal position P to where at least a part of the partition wall 66 overlaps, the portion of the inner surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 42 including the seal position P can be made smaller to the extent that the partition wall 66 can pass through. This makes it possible to miniaturize the resin cover portion 60. It also makes it possible to miniaturize the terminal block 30 as a whole.

[0086] If the gap between the first inner surface 44 and the second inner surface 45 at the sealing position P is reduced, the partition wall 66 may come into contact with the inner surfaces 44 and 45. Therefore, the configuration in which the contact pressure is distributed by the first rib 67 and the second rib 68, as described above, becomes more effective.

[0087] If the part of the connector cover 50 that is inserted into the cylindrical portion 42, and the part closest to the first inner circumferential surface 44 and the second inner circumferential surface 45 at its tip, is the partition wall 66, then the partition wall 66 is likely to come into contact with the first inner circumferential surface 44 or the second inner circumferential surface 45. In such cases, the first rib 67 and the second rib 68 can effectively reduce the contact pressure of the partition wall 66 against the inner circumferential surface 43.

[0088] Furthermore, the cover body 61 has a screw fixing portion 63 that is screwed and fixed to the equipment 10 to be attached. Even if the partition wall 66 comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface 43 before or during screw tightening, the first rib 67 and the second rib 68 can effectively reduce the contact pressure of the partition wall 66 against the inner circumferential surface 43.

[0089] Furthermore, the guide groove 47 guides the guided portion 58 before the tip of the partition wall 66 reaches the sealing position P, making it less likely for the partition wall 66 to come into contact with the inner circumferential surface 43 at the sealing position P. As a result, the portion of the inner circumferential surface 43 that the seal ring 52 comes into contact with is more easily maintained as a smooth surface suitable for sealing.

[0090] Furthermore, the configurations described in the above embodiments and each of the modified examples can be combined as appropriate, as long as they do not contradict each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10 equipment 12 cabinets 14 Equipment side terminal block 15. Cylindrical part 16 Device side terminal 20 Equipment Connectors 22 Electric wire 30 Terminal block 32 terminals 33 Connection part 34 Connecting part 40 Resin Housing 41 Outer sealing ring 41g Outer seal mounting groove 42 Cylindrical part 42a The portion of the inner circumferential surface that is on the equipment side 42b The outer part of the inner surface of the device 42h1 One end opening 42h2 Other end opening 42s stepped section 43 Inner peripheral surface 44 First part inner circumferential surface 45 Second part inner circumferential surface 46 Guide wall section 47 Guide groove 47a Guide groove bottom surface 47b Guide side 49 Wire holding part 50 Connector Covers 52 Seal rings 52t annular top 58 Guided part 58g reinforcement piece 60 Resin cover part 61 Cover body 62 Pressing part 63 Screw fixing part 63h Screw insertion hole 64 Insertion part 64g seal mounting groove 66 Bulkhead 67. First Rib 68. Second Rib P seal position S screw

Claims

1. A resin housing having a cylindrical portion, and a terminal block having three or more terminals having connecting portions, A connector cover that detachably covers the opening at one end of the cylindrical portion, Equipped with, The cylindrical portion comprises an inner surface including a first partial inner surface and a second partial inner surface facing the first partial inner surface. The three or more terminals are supported by the resin housing, with each of their connection portions located within the cylindrical portion. The three or more connecting portions are arranged within the cylindrical portion at intervals in a direction intersecting the through-direction of the cylindrical portion, and protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the first portion toward the inner circumferential surface of the second portion. The connector cover comprises an insertion portion that is inserted into the cylindrical portion, and a resin cover portion having a plurality of partition walls extending from the insertion portion toward the other end of the cylindrical portion. A device connector in which each of the plurality of partitions extends beyond the connection portion toward the other end opening of the cylindrical portion at a position that separates the three or more connection portions, and overlaps the three or more connection portions from their base ends to their tips in the direction of protrusion of the connection portions.

2. A connector for equipment according to claim 1, The resin cover portion further comprises a first rib that protrudes in the thickness direction of the partition wall from the end of each of the plurality of partition walls located on the base end side of the connection portion and closer to the other end opening of the cylindrical portion, and extends along the inner circumferential surface of the first portion.

3. A connector for equipment according to claim 2, The first rib extends to the insertion portion, forming a connector for equipment.

4. A connector for equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The resin cover portion further comprises a second rib that protrudes in the thickness direction of the partition wall from the end of each of the plurality of partition walls located on the tip side of the connection portion and closer to the other end opening of the cylindrical portion, and extends along the inner circumferential surface of the second portion, the second end of the resin cover portion.

5. A connector for equipment according to claim 4, The second rib extends to the insertion portion, forming a connector for equipment.

6. A connector for equipment according to claim 4 or claim 5, The second rib is a connector for equipment that extends to connect the multiple partition walls.

7. A connector for equipment according to any one of claims 4 to 6, A connector for equipment, wherein a gap is provided between the second rib and the inner surface of the second portion.

8. A connector for equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A connector for equipment, wherein the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin cover portion is greater than the Rockwell hardness value HR of the resin housing.

9. A connector for equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The connector cover further comprises a sealing ring that is attached to the outer circumference of the insertion portion and contacts the inner surface of the cylindrical portion. A connector for equipment, wherein, in the insertion direction of the insertion portion, in the section where at least a portion of the partition wall overlaps with the sealing position by the sealing ring, the first partial inner surface and the second partial inner surface face each other at a constant distance in the protruding direction of the connection portion.

10. A connector for equipment according to claim 2, A connector for equipment, wherein the portion of the connector cover that is inserted into the cylindrical part, the part closest to the inner circumferential surface of the first portion and the inner circumferential surface of the second portion at the tip end in the insertion direction, is the two corners at the tip end of the partition wall, and the first rib protrudes from one of the two corners along the thickness direction of the partition wall.

11. A connector for equipment according to any one of claims 4 to 6, A connector for equipment, wherein the portion of the connector cover that is inserted into the cylindrical part, and the part closest to the inner circumferential surface of the first portion and the inner circumferential surface of the second portion at the tip side in the insertion direction, is the two corners at the tip side of the partition wall, the two corners include one corner and the other corner, and the second rib protrudes from the other corner along the thickness direction of the partition wall.

12. A connector for equipment according to claim 9, One of the terminal block and the connector cover has a guide groove, and the other has a guided portion that is guided by the guide groove. The guide groove is a groove that restricts the passage path of the insertion portion within the cylindrical portion, A connector for equipment, wherein the guide groove is formed to guide the guided portion before the end of the cylindrical portion of the partition wall, closer to the other end opening, reaches the contact position of the seal ring on the inner circumferential surface.

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