Connector unit

Abstract

Disclosed is a connector unit capable of suppressing deposition of abrasive powder of plating between contact surfaces of a first-side terminal part and a second-side terminal part.　A connector unit (10) is provided with a first connector (12) and a second connector (14) that are fitted to each other. The first connector (12) includes a first-side terminal part (16) having a first-side facing surface (20), the second connector (14) includes a second-side terminal part (18) having a second-side facing surface (38), and when the first connector (12) and the second connector (14) are fitted, the first-side terminal part (16) and the second-side terminal part (18) can be displaced so as to slide relative to each other in a state in which the first-side facing surface (20) and the second-side facing surface (38) are in contact with each other from a fitting start position (S) to a fitting completion position (C). A plurality of recessed grooves (28) are opened and arranged in parallel on one of the first-side facing surface (20) and the second-side facing surface (38), a plurality of flat contact parts (30) are formed by the regions between the recessed grooves (28), and a plurality of corner parts (32) are provided by the boundaries between the plurality of flat contact parts (30) and the adjacent recessed grooves (28).

Description

Connector Unit

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector unit.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector unit including a first connector (mating connector) and a second connector (connector) that are electrically connected by mating with each other. The second connector includes a terminal module having a second terminal portion (electrical contact member), a second connection portion (external connection member), and a flexible conductor (braided wire) electrically connecting the second terminal portion and the second connection portion, and a second connector housing (connector housing) that accommodates the terminal module. The first connector (mating connector) includes a first terminal portion (mating contact) electrically connectable to the second terminal portion.

[0003] The first terminal has a protruding contact (spherical portion) that abuts against the second terminal. When the first connector and the second connector are mated, the second terminal slides relative to the protruding contact of the first terminal. This allows foreign matter that may obstruct electrical connection to be removed from the contact surfaces of the first and second terminals.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-101556

[0005] As a result of further investigations into the connector unit described in Patent Document 1, the inventors discovered that repeated insertion and removal in a high-temperature environment can generate minute abrasion powder from the plating between the contact surfaces of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion. Furthermore, they discovered that when the plating is tin plating, the abrasion powder can accumulate between the contact surfaces and oxidize, significantly increasing the electrical resistance between the contact surfaces.

[0006] Therefore, a connector unit is disclosed that can suppress the accumulation of abrasion powder from plating between the contact surfaces of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion.

[0007] The connector unit of the present disclosure includes a first connector and a second connector that are relatively close to each other along a first direction from one side to the other and are fitted together, the first connector including a first side terminal portion having a first side opposing surface that extends perpendicular to the first direction, and the second connector including a second side terminal portion that extends perpendicular to the first direction and has a second side opposing surface that faces the first side opposing surface in the first direction, and when the first connector and the second connector are fitted together, the first side terminal portion and the second side terminal portion move in contact with each other from a fitting start position where the first side opposing surface and the second side opposing surface abut each other to a fitting completion position that is spaced apart from the fitting start position in the first direction. The first-side opposing surface and the second-side opposing surface are displaceable while in contact with each other, and when the first-side opposing surface and the second-side opposing surface are displaced from the mating start position to the mating completion position while in contact with each other, the first-side opposing surface and the second-side opposing surface slide relatively in a predetermined sliding direction, and one of the first-side opposing surface and the second-side opposing surface has a plurality of grooves that open and are arranged in parallel, extending in a direction intersecting the sliding direction, and a plurality of flat contact portions are formed by the areas between the grooves, and a plurality of corner portions extending in a direction intersecting the sliding direction are provided by the boundaries between the plurality of flat contact portions and the adjacent grooves.

[0008] According to the connector unit of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of abrasion powder from plating between the contact surfaces of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector unit according to a first embodiment, showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector are in a mating completion position. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector unit shown in FIG. 1, with the second connector housing of the second connector removed. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the connector unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the connector unit shown in FIG. 2, showing the first connector and the second connector in a state before mating. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the connector unit shown in FIG. 6, showing the first connector and the second connector in a state before mating. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector unit shown in FIG. 6, corresponding to FIG. 4. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the connector unit shown in FIG. 2, showing the first connector and the second connector in a mating start position. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a connector unit according to a second embodiment, showing the first connector and the second connector in a state before mating.

[0010] <Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. A connector unit of the present disclosure includes: (1) a first connector and a second connector that are relatively close to each other along a first direction from one side to the other and are fitted together, the first connector includes a first terminal portion having a first-side opposing surface that extends perpendicular to the first direction, and the second connector includes a second terminal portion having a second-side opposing surface that extends perpendicular to the first direction and faces the first-side opposing surface in the first direction, and when the first connector and the second connector are fitted together, the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion move in contact with each other from a fitting start position where the first-side opposing surface and the second-side opposing surface abut against each other to a fitting completion position that is spaced apart from the fitting start position in the first direction. The second side opposing surfaces are displaceable while abutting against each other, and when the first side opposing surface and the second side opposing surface are displaced from the mating start position to the mating completion position while abutting against each other, the first side opposing surface and the second side opposing surface slide relatively in a predetermined sliding direction, and one of the first side opposing surface and the second side opposing surface has a plurality of grooves that open and are arranged in parallel, extending in a direction intersecting the sliding direction, and a plurality of flat contact portions are formed by the areas between the grooves, and a plurality of corner portions extending in a direction intersecting the sliding direction are provided by the boundaries between the plurality of flat contact portions and the adjacent grooves.

[0011] According to the connector unit of the present disclosure, when the first connector and the second connector are mated, the first terminals and the second terminals are displaceable from a mating start position, in which the first terminals and the second terminals are spaced apart in a first direction, to a mating completion position, with the first terminals and the second terminals abutting against each other, and the first terminals and the second terminals slide relative to each other in a predetermined sliding direction. One of the first and second terminals has a plurality of parallel grooves extending in a direction intersecting the sliding direction, and the areas between the grooves define a plurality of flat contact portions. Additionally, the boundaries between the plurality of flat contact portions and adjacent grooves have a plurality of corners extending in a direction intersecting the sliding direction. This allows minute abrasion particles from the plating to be removed from the contact surfaces of the flat contact portions and discharged into the adjacent grooves as the second terminal slides relative to the first terminal. As a result, it is possible to suppress or prevent wear particles from accumulating between the contact surfaces, and even if the plating is tin plating, it is possible to advantageously suppress or prevent wear particles from accumulating between the contact surfaces and oxidizing, which would significantly increase the electrical resistance between the contact surfaces.

[0012] The plurality of grooves provided on one of the first and second opposing surfaces can be advantageously formed by press working, resulting in corners at the boundaries between the grooves and the flat contact portions. The corners are preferably pin-shaped corners, where the flat contact portions and the side surfaces of the grooves intersect at a single point in a longitudinal cross section, but may also be corners with flat or curved tips.

[0013] (2) In the above (1), it is preferable that the first opposing surface is fixed to the first-side connector housing, the second opposing surface is slidable relative to the first opposing surface in the sliding direction, and the first opposing surface is provided with the plurality of grooves, the plurality of planar contact portions, and the plurality of corners. When the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface are displaced from the mating start position to the mating completion position while abutting against each other, the first opposing surface, which is fixed to the connector housing and cannot slide, is provided with a plurality of grooves and corners in a direction intersecting the sliding direction, and the second opposing surface abutting thereon slides in the sliding direction. This makes it possible to more stably remove and dispose of abrasion powder from the plating adhering between the contact surfaces into the grooves.

[0014] (3) In the above (1) or (2), it is preferable that the other of the first and second opposing surfaces has a protruding contact portion that protrudes toward the planar contact portion, has a semicircular cross section, and extends in the sliding direction, and that the protruding contact portion extends in the sliding direction across the plurality of planar contact portions. Since the other of the first and second opposing surfaces has a protruding contact portion that protrudes toward the planar contact portion and extends in the sliding direction across the plurality of planar contact portions, the contact points can be clearly defined. Furthermore, since the protruding contact portion extends in the sliding direction across the plurality of planar contact portions, it can come into contact with the plurality of planar contact portions between the recessed grooves arranged in parallel in the sliding direction, thereby ensuring a stable contact area between the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion.

[0015] (4) In any one of (1) to (3) above, it is preferable that the plurality of grooves are provided in a length that does not reach both ends of the first-side opposing surface or the second-side opposing surface in a direction intersecting the sliding direction. Since the plurality of grooves are provided in a length that does not reach both ends of the opposing surface, it is easy to ensure the rigidity and shape retention of the first-side or second-side opposing surface on which the grooves are provided, and manufacturability is excellent. Furthermore, there are cases in which the first-side or second-side terminal portion is embedded and held in the connector housing with the first-side or second-side opposing surface on which the grooves are provided exposed to the surface of the connector housing, and in such cases, manufacturability can be further improved.

[0016] (5) In any one of the above (1) to (4), it is preferable that the plurality of grooves are provided in a direction intersecting the sliding direction with a length reaching both ends of the first-side opposing surface or the second-side opposing surface. Since the plurality of grooves are provided in the opposing surfaces with a length reaching both ends, the abrasion powder of the plating discharged into the grooves can be discharged from the openings of the grooves at both ends of the opposing surfaces, and the abrasion powder of the plating can be more effectively separated from the contact points.

[0017] (6) In any one of (1) to (5) above, it is preferable that the second connector approaches the first connector from one side in the first direction toward the other side and engages with the first connector, and the second connector has a case having an opening into which the first-side opposing surface of the first-side terminal portion is inserted, a biasing member that is housed in the case together with the second-side terminal portion and biases the second-side opposing surface of the second-side terminal portion toward the opening, and a guide portion that guides the second-side opposing surface to slide in the sliding direction when the first-side opposing surface of the first-side terminal portion inserted into the opening abuts against the second-side opposing surface and presses the second-side opposing surface against the biasing force of the biasing member, thereby displacing from the mating start position to the mating completion position.

[0018] The second connector has a case with an opening for receiving the first opposing surface, and the case contains a biasing means for biasing the second terminals and the second opposing surface toward the opening. The case also has a guide portion for guiding the second opposing surface so that it slides in the sliding direction. This makes it possible to provide a second connector that displaces from a mating start position to a mating completion position while sliding in the sliding direction relative to the first opposing surface, with a compact configuration and excellent ease of handling.

[0019] <Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> Specific examples of the connector unit of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0020] First Embodiment A connector unit 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 . The connector unit 10 is provided, for example, in an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle and includes a first connector 12 and a second connector 14. While not limited thereto, for example, the first connector 12 may be provided on a motor-side component, and the second connector 14 may be provided on a power control unit (PCU)-side component. The first terminal portion 16 of the first connector 12 and the second terminal portion 18 of the second connector 14 are electrically connected by abutting each other, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the motor and the PCU. Note that the connector unit 10 can be positioned in any orientation within the vehicle. However, in the following description, the upper side will be referred to as the upper side in FIG. 4 , the lower side as the lower side in FIG. 4 , the left side as the upper side in FIG. 3 , the right side as the lower side in FIG. 3 , the front side as the left side in FIG. 3 , and the rear side as the right side in FIG. 3 . In addition, when multiple identical components are shown, only some of the components may be designated by reference numerals, and the reference numerals may be omitted for the other components.

[0021] <Connector unit 10> The connector unit 10 includes the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 that mate with each other by approaching each other relatively along a first direction from one side to the other. In the first embodiment, the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 mate with each other in the up-down direction, where the first direction is the up-down direction. In particular, in the first embodiment, the first connector 12 is a male connector and the second connector 14 is a female connector, and the second connector 14 mates with the first connector 12 by approaching the first connector 12 from above, which is one side of the first direction, toward below, which is the other side.

[0022] <First Connector 12> The first connector 12 includes the first side terminal portion 16 having a first side opposing surface 20 that extends perpendicular to the first direction (vertical direction). That is, the first side opposing surface 20 is formed by the upper end surface of the first side terminal portion 16, and this first side opposing surface 20 extends horizontally. Specifically, the first connector 12 includes a first side connector housing 22 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 ) that fixedly holds the first side terminal portion 16, and the upper end portion of the first side terminal portion 16 protrudes from the first side connector housing 22. As a result, the first side opposing surface 20 formed by the upper end surface of the first side terminal portion 16 is fixed to the first side connector housing 22, and the first side opposing surface 20 is exposed upward.

[0023] <First side terminal portion 16> More specifically, the first side terminal portion 16 is provided at the upper end of the first side terminal fitting 24, extending in the front-rear direction, and the first side terminal fitting 24 includes an embedded portion 26 that extends downward from the rear end of the first side terminal portion 16 and is substantially embedded in the first side connector housing 22. That is, in the vertical cross section shown in Fig. 4, the first side terminal fitting 24 has a portion at its upper end that is substantially L-shaped as a whole, and the first side terminal portion 16 formed at the upper part of the L-shaped portion protrudes upward from the first side connector housing 22. The first side terminal portion 16 has predetermined left-right and front-rear dimensions and is a plate-like portion that is substantially rectangular in plan view.

[0024] The first side terminal fittings 24 are formed by pressing a metal plate made of, for example, copper (including copper alloys) or aluminum (including aluminum alloys), which has excellent electrical conductivity, into a predetermined shape. In the first embodiment, the first side terminal fittings 24 are formed using a metal strip material having at least one thickness-wise surface tin-plated, and of both thickness-wise surfaces of the first side terminal fittings 24, at least the surface including the first side opposing surface 20 is tin-plated. In other words, the first side opposing surface 20 is tin-plated over substantially the entire surface. Furthermore, the first side connector housing 22 is formed as an integrally molded product including the first side terminal fittings 24, for example, by molding the first side terminal fittings 24 in a molding cavity while the first side terminal fittings 24 are set in the molding cavity. A bolt insertion hole 27 is formed in the thickness direction (front-rear direction) of the first side terminal fittings 24 at the end (lower end) opposite the first side terminal portions 16, and the first connector 12 is attached to a motor-side member by a bolt (not shown) inserted through the bolt insertion hole 27.

[0025] <Grooves 28, Planar Contact Portions 30, and Corners 32> Here, a plurality of grooves 28 extending in a direction intersecting the sliding direction (front-rear direction) described below are arranged in parallel with their upward openings on the first opposing surface 20, and a plurality of planar contact portions 30 are formed by the areas between these plurality of grooves 28. In addition, a plurality of corners 32 extending in a direction intersecting the sliding direction are provided by the boundaries between each planar contact portion 30 and the adjacent groove 28.

[0026] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 , the first-side opposing surface 20 is provided with a plurality of grooves 28 extending in the left-right direction perpendicular to the sliding direction (front-rear direction), and the grooves 28 are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction. Each groove 28 opens upward and has a predetermined depth. That is, the bottom surface 34 of each groove 28 is located below the first-side opposing surface 20, which serves as the reference surface. In the first embodiment, each groove 28 extends in the left-right direction with a substantially isosceles trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. As a result, the inner surfaces of each groove 28, the two side surfaces 36, 36 connected to the bottom surface 34, are inclined upward as they extend outward in the front-rear direction relative to the bottom surface 34. In the first embodiment, each bottom surface 34 is flat.

[0027] The regions between the grooves 28 on the first side opposing surface 20, i.e., the portions where no grooves 28 are provided, are the planar contact portions 30. Therefore, each planar contact portion 30 is configured by a part of the first side opposing surface 20 that serves as the reference surface, and extends in the left-right direction between the grooves 28. More specifically, each planar contact portion 30 is provided between adjacent grooves 28 in the front-to-rear direction, between the rear side surface 36 of the front groove 28 and the front side surface 36 of the rear groove 28, and is formed to connect these two side surfaces 36, 36.

[0028] In the first embodiment, each of these grooves 28 (and each of the planar contact portions 30) is formed by press working. Forming each of the grooves 28 by press working forms corners 32 extending in the left-right direction at the end of each groove 28, i.e., at the boundary between each groove 28 and each planar contact portion 30. In other words, in the vertical cross section shown in FIG. 4 , a side surface 36 on the inner surface of each groove 28 intersects with the planar contact portion 30 at a predetermined angle α, and the intersection of the side surface 36 and the planar contact portion 30 is the corner 32. In particular, in the first embodiment, α is set to an angle greater than 90 degrees, and each of the corners 32 is an unchamfered pin angle.

[0029] In the first embodiment, each groove 28 is provided with a length that reaches both ends in the width direction (left-right direction) on the first side opposing surface 20 of the first side terminal portion 16. In other words, each groove 28 is formed over the entire width direction length of the first side terminal portion 16, and both left-right ends of each groove 28 are open outward in the left-right direction.

[0030] <Second Connector 14> The second connector 14 includes second-side terminal portions 18 each having a second-side opposing surface 38 that extends perpendicular to the first direction (vertical direction) and faces the first-side opposing surface 20 in the first direction. That is, the second-side opposing surface 38 is formed by the lower end surface of the second-side terminal portion 18, and this second-side opposing surface 38 extends in the horizontal direction. The second connector 14 includes second-side front terminal fittings 40 and second-side rear terminal fittings 42, and the second-side terminal portions 18 are provided on the second-side front terminal fittings 40.

[0031] The second connector 14 also has a case 46 with an opening (lower opening 44) into which the first side opposing surface 20 of the first side terminal portion 16 is inserted, and a coil spring 48 as a biasing member that is housed in the case 46 together with the second side terminal portion 18 and biases the second side opposing surface 38 of the second side terminal portion 18 toward the lower opening 44. The second connector 14 also has a guide portion 50 that guides the second side opposing surface 38 to slide in a sliding direction (front-to-back direction) when the first side terminal portion 16 and the second side terminal portion 18 are displaced from a mating start position S to a mating completion position C, which will be described later. When the first side terminal portion 16 and the second side terminal portion 18 are displaced from the mating start position S to the mating completion position C, as described below, the first side opposing surface 20 of the first side terminal portion 16 inserted into the lower opening 44 abuts against the second side opposing surface 38, pressing the second side opposing surface 38 to one side (upward) in the first direction against the biasing force of the coil spring 48.

[0032] <Second Side Terminal Portion 18> More specifically, the second side terminal portion 18 is provided at the lower end of the second side front terminal fitting 40, extending in the front-rear direction, and the second side front terminal fitting 40 includes an upward extending portion 52 extending upward from the rear end of the second side terminal portion 18. That is, the second side front terminal fitting 40 is generally L-shaped in the vertical cross section shown in FIG. 4, and the second side terminal portion 18 is provided at the lower part of the second side front terminal fitting 40. The second side terminal portion 18 has predetermined left-right and front-rear dimensions and is a plate-like portion that is generally rectangular in plan view. In the first embodiment, the left-right dimension of the second side terminal portion 18 is larger than the left-right dimension of the first side terminal portion 16. In other words, the second side opposing surface 38 has a larger width dimension than the first side opposing surface 20. As a result, when the first-side opposing surface 20 and the second-side opposing surface 38 come into contact with each other, substantially the entire first-side opposing surface 20 can be brought into contact with the second-side opposing surface 38. The second-side front terminal fittings 40 are formed, for example, from the same material as the first-side terminal fittings 24, and at least the surface including the second-side opposing surface 38 of both surfaces in the thickness direction of the second-side front terminal fittings 40 is tin-plated.

[0033] Further, front engaging portions 54, 54 are provided at both left-right ends of the front end portion of the second side terminal portion 18, protruding to both left-right sides and engaging with respective front leg portions 78, described later, of the case 46. Furthermore, guided portions 56, 56 are provided at both left-right ends of a middle portion of the second side terminal portion 18 in the front-rear direction, protruding to both left-right sides and guided by respective guide portions 50 of the case 46. And rear engaging portions 58, 58 are provided at both left-right ends of the lower end portion of the upward extending portion 52, protruding to both left-right sides and engaging with respective rear leg portions 80, described later, of the case 46.

[0034] <Protruding Contact Portion 60> As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 , the second side opposing surface 38 is provided with a protruding contact portion 60 that protrudes downward toward the planar contact portion 30 and extends in the sliding direction (front-rear direction). The protruding end surface of the protruding contact portion 60 constitutes the second side opposing surface 38. As shown in FIG. 5 , the protruding contact portion 60 has a semicircular or arc-shaped longitudinal cross section and a predetermined front-rear dimension. The protruding contact portion 60 is configured to abut against the planar contact portions 30 when the first side opposing surface 20 and the second side opposing surface 38 abut, and the protruding contact portion 60 extends across the planar contact portions 30. In the first embodiment, the protruding contact portion 60 extends over substantially the entire front-rear direction of the area of ​​the first side opposing surface 20 where the planar contact portions 30 and the grooves 28 are formed. In the first embodiment, the two protruding contact portions 60, 60 are provided on the second side opposing surface 38, and these protruding contact portions 60 are provided spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction.

[0035] In particular, in the first embodiment, these protruding contact portions 60 are formed by hammering, and recesses 61 are formed on the upper end surface of the second side terminal portion 18, which is the surface of the second side terminal portion 18 opposite to the second side opposing surface 38, when forming each protruding contact portion 60. Each recess 61 extends in the front-rear direction with a predetermined front-rear dimension.

[0036] The second rear terminal fittings 42 are connected to the second front terminal fittings 40 having the above-described shape via flexible conductors 62. The flexible conductors 62 are braided bodies formed by braiding thin conductive metal wires, for example, and are flexible. In the first embodiment, the flexible conductors 62 are formed in a band shape as a whole, with one end of the flexible conductor 62 fixed to the upward extending portions 52 of the second front terminal fittings 40 by welding or the like, and the other end of the flexible conductor 62 fixed to the lower ends of the second rear terminal fittings 42 by welding or the like. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 , before the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated (or when the second terminal portions 18 are in the mating start position S as shown in FIG. 9 ), the flexible conductors 62 are loose and generally U-shaped, allowing for easy deformation of the flexible conductor 62. As a result, as described below, the flexible conductor 62 deforms when the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated or disengaged, allowing the second side front terminal fitting 40 to slide toward or away from the second side rear terminal fitting 42.

[0037] The second-side rear terminal fittings 42 are electrically conductive members extending in the vertical direction, thereby electrically connecting the second-side front terminal fittings 40 and the second-side rear terminal fittings 42 via flexible conductors 62. Upper ends of the second-side rear terminal fittings 42 are formed with bolt insertion holes 64 that penetrate the second connector 14 in the thickness direction (front-rear direction), and the second connector 14 is attached to a PCU-side member by bolts (not shown) inserted through the bolt insertion holes 64. As a result, when the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated, the first opposing surface 20 and the second opposing surface 38 come into contact with each other, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the motor and the PCU.

[0038] <Case 46> As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the case 46 has a generally box-like shape that opens downward and is formed from, for example, metal. That is, the case 46 includes an upper wall portion 66 that is generally rectangular in plan view, and a front wall portion 68, a rear wall portion 70, a left wall portion 72, and a right wall portion 74 that protrude downward from each of the four sides of the upper wall portion 66. The front wall portion 68 and the rear wall portion 70 face each other in the front-to-rear direction in a middle portion of the upper wall portion 66 in the left-to-right direction, while the left wall portion 72 and the right wall portion 74 extend over the entire length of the upper wall portion 66 in the front-to-rear direction and face each other in the left-to-right direction. The front wall portion 68 and the rear wall portion 70 are each generally rectangular flat plate-shaped, and the left wall portion 72 and the right wall portion 74 are each generally flat plate-shaped and protrude downward beyond the front wall portion 68 and the rear wall portion 70, respectively. That is, in the case 46, the lower ends of the left wall portion 72 and the right wall portion 74 in particular define a lower opening 44 in the case 46. The left-right dimension of the lower opening 44 is larger than the left-right dimension of the first side terminal portion 16, and as will be described later, the first side terminal portion 16 can be inserted through the lower opening 44 to bring the first side opposing surface 20 and the second side opposing surface 38 into contact with each other.

[0039] Specifically, the left wall portion 72 and the right wall portion 74 have substantially the same shape, and the upper portions of the left wall portion 72 and the right wall portion 74 are generally rectangular plates overall, forming base portions 76 connected to the upper wall portion 66. Front legs 78 project downward from the front portion of the lower end of each base portion 76, and rear legs 80 project downward from the rear end of the lower end of each base portion 76. These front and rear legs 78, 80 each have a predetermined width dimension (front-to-rear dimension) and are spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, each front leg 78 projects downward from a position at the lower end of each base portion 76 that is spaced a predetermined distance rearward from the front end. As a result, the portions of the lower end of each base portion 76 forward of the front legs 78 are defined as front lower end portions 82, and the portions between the front legs 78 and the rear legs 80 in the front-to-rear direction are defined as intermediate lower end portions 84.

[0040] Each front leg 78 also has a front mounting portion 86 that protrudes forward at its lower end. As shown in Figures 6, 9, etc., when the second side terminal 18 is in the mating start position S, the front engagement portions 54 provided at the front end of the second side terminal 18 are configured to be placed on each front mounting portion 86. Furthermore, each rear leg 80 has a rear mounting portion 88 that protrudes rearward at a vertically intermediate portion. As shown in Figures 6, 9, etc., when the second side terminal 18 is in the mating start position S, the rear engagement portions 58 provided at the lower end of the upward extension 52 are configured to be placed on each rear mounting portion 88.

[0041] The rear end surface 90 of each front leg 78 is an inclined surface that gradually slopes upward as it extends rearward. The front end surface 92 of each rear leg 80 has a lower portion that slopes in the same direction as the rear end surface 90, and an upper portion that slopes vertically. Therefore, the space between each front leg 78 and each rear leg 80 in the front-to-rear direction is defined by the region surrounded by the lower intermediate ends 84, the rear end surfaces 90, and the front end surfaces 92, and this space opens downward as a notched recess at the lower end of each left wall portion 72 and each right wall portion 74. This space is generally inclined upward as it extends rearward due to the rear end surfaces 90 and front end surfaces 92. The aforementioned guide portion 50 is formed by the area surrounded by each of these intermediate lower end portions 84, each rear end face 90, and each front end face 92, and when the second side terminal portion 18 is in the mating start position S, each guided portion 56 of the second side terminal portion 18 is located at the lower end of each guide portion 50.

[0042] <Biasing Member (Coil Spring 48)> As described above, the coil spring 48 serving as the biasing member is housed inside the case 46. Specifically, in the mating start position S, the second side terminal portion 18 is located at the lower end of the case 46, and the upper wall portion 66 of the case 46 and the second side terminal portion 18 are opposed to each other in the vertical direction. The coil spring 48 is disposed between the upper wall portion 66 and the second side terminal portion 18. That is, one end of the coil spring 48, i.e., the upper end, is fixed to the upper wall portion 66, and the other end, i.e., the lower end, is fixed to the second side terminal portion 18. As shown in FIG. 9 and other figures, when the second side terminal portion 18 is in the mating start position S, the length dimension (vertical dimension) of the coil spring 48 is either natural or slightly compressed to be shorter than the natural length. The elastic restoring force of the coil spring 48 biases the second side terminal portion 18 toward the lower opening 44. Downward displacement of the second side terminal portion 18 is restricted by the front engagement portions 54 abutting against the front mounting portions 86 and the rear engagement portions 58 abutting against the rear mounting portions 88 .

[0043] In the first embodiment, the second connector 14 includes a second-side connector housing 94. While the structure of the second-side connector housing 94 is not limited, in the first embodiment, the second connector 14 includes a housing main body 96 and a cover 98. An opening (not shown) is provided below the second-side connector housing 94, and the lower opening 44 of the case 46 communicates with the external space through this opening. The second-side opposing surface 38, which is the lower end surface of the second-side terminal portion 18, is exposed to the outside (downward) through this lower opening 44. The lower end of the second-side rear terminal fitting 42 is fixed to the rear end of the second-side connector housing 94, and the upper end of the second-side rear terminal fitting 42, including the bolt insertion hole 64, protrudes upward from the second-side connector housing 94.

[0044] <Engaging First Connector 12 and Second Connector 14> A specific example of a method for engaging the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 in the connector unit 10 will be described below. Note that the method for engaging the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0045] First, the first connector housing 22 having the first terminal fittings 24 is formed to obtain the first connector 12. Then, the coil springs 48 and the second front terminal fittings 40 are assembled to the case 46, and the second rear terminal fittings 42 are connected to the second front terminal fittings 40 via the flexible conductors 62. The above assembly is then assembled to the second connector housing 94 to obtain the second connector 14.

[0046] Before the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated, as described above, the first-side opposing surface 20 of the first connector 12 is exposed upward, and the second-side opposing surface 38 of the second connector 14 is exposed downward. Specifically, the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 48 acts as a biasing force to bias the second-side terminal portion 18 toward the downward opening 44, with the front engaging portions 54 of the second-side terminal portion 18 overlapping the front mounting portions 86 of the case 46 and the rear engaging portions 58 overlapping the rear mounting portions 88 of the case 46. Furthermore, in this state, the guided portions 56 of the second-side terminal portion 18 are located at the lower ends of the guide portions 50 of the case 46 (i.e., the downward openings of the guide portions 50).

[0047] Then, for example, the second connector 14 is brought into opposition to the fixed first connector 12 in a first direction (vertical direction), and then the second connector 14 is displaced from one side (upward) to the other side (downward) in the first direction to bring the second connector 14 closer to the first connector 12. As a result, as shown in Fig. 9, the upper end of the first connector 12 is inserted through the lower opening 44 of the second connector 14, and the first side opposing surface 20 and the second side opposing surface 38 come into contact with each other. This state is the state in which the first side terminal portion 16 and the second side terminal portion 18 are in the mating start position S.

[0048] Thereafter, by further displacing the second connector 14 downward, the upper end of the first connector 12 is inserted into the inside of the case 46 of the second connector 14 through the lower opening 44 of the second connector 14. That is, by displacing the second connector 14 downward, the first connector 12 is displaced relatively upward, the first side terminal portion 16 and the second side terminal portion 18 are displaced upward while remaining in contact, and the coil spring 48 is deformed in the compression direction. In other words, the first side opposing surface 20 of the first side terminal portion 16 inserted into the lower opening 44 abuts against the second side opposing surface 38 and presses the second side opposing surface 38 to one side in the first direction (upward) against the biasing force of the coil spring 48.

[0049] The second side terminal portion 18, which is pressed upward by the first side terminal portion 16, is displaced not only upward but also rearward, which is the direction in which the guide portions 50 widen, as the guided portions 56 of the second side terminal portion 18 move along the rear end surfaces 90 and front end surfaces 92 of the guide portions 50. That is, the first side opposing surface 20 and the second side opposing surface 38 are displaced upward while maintaining their abutting state from the mating start position S shown in FIG. 9 to the mating completion position C shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and the first side opposing surface 20 and the second side opposing surface 38 slide relative to each other in a predetermined sliding direction. Specifically, the second side opposing surface 38 slides rearward relative to the first side opposing surface 20.

[0050] Thereafter, the mating of the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 is completed when the first terminal 16 displaces the second terminal 18 upward by a predetermined distance, or when the front engaging portions 54 abut against the front lower end portions 82 and / or the guided portions 56 abut against the intermediate lower end portions 84. FIGS. 1 to 5 show the first terminal 16 and the second terminal 18 in the mating completion position C. That is, the first terminal 16 (first opposing surface 20) and the second terminal 18 (second opposing surface 38) in the mating completion position C are spaced apart in the first direction, i.e., positioned higher, than at the mating start position S. Furthermore, the first terminal 16 (first opposing surface 20) in the mating completion position C is positioned further rearward relative to the second terminal 18 (second opposing surface 38) than at the mating start position S.

[0051] When the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are fully mated in this manner, the flat contact portions 30 formed between the recessed grooves 28 on the first opposing side surface 20 come into contact with the protruding contact portions 60 protruding downward on the second opposing side surface 38. This establishes electrical continuity between the first terminal portion 16 and the second terminal portion 18, and ultimately between the motor and the PCU.

[0052] The mating between the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 is released by moving the first side terminal portion 16 (first side opposing surface 20) downward away from the second side terminal portion 18 (second side opposing surface 38). When the first side opposing surface 20 is released from pressing the second side opposing surface 38, the second side terminal portion 18 is displaced downward due to elastic restoring deformation of the coil spring 48. The downward displacement of the second side terminal portion 18 is limited by the abutment of the front engagement portions 54 with the front mounting portions 86 and / or the abutment of the rear engagement portions 58 with the rear mounting portions 88. Furthermore, as the guided portions 56 move along the rear end surfaces 90 and front end surfaces 92 of the guide portions 50, the second side terminal portion 18 is displaced not only downward but also forward. This returns the second side terminal portion 18 to the state before mating shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 . As a result, the first connector 12 can be inserted into and removed from the second connector 14 multiple times.

[0053] According to the connector unit 10 of the first embodiment having the above-described structure, when the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated, the first side opposing surface 20 and the second side opposing surface 38 maintain abutting contact with each other, and the second side opposing surface 38 slides rearward relative to the first side opposing surface 20. As a result, when the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are repeatedly inserted and removed, it is expected that the first side opposing surface 20 and the second side opposing surface 38 will rub against each other, causing the plating to wear away. However, since the first side opposing surface 20 has a plurality of grooves 28, the wear powder of the plating can be contained in the plurality of grooves 28 and discharged. This prevents wear powder from the plating from remaining on the contact surface between the first opposing side surface 20 and the second opposing side surface 38, and even if the plating provided on the first opposing side surface 20 and the second opposing side surface 38 is tin, for example, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the electrical conductivity between the first opposing side surface 20 and the second opposing side surface 38 due to oxidation of wear powder from the plating. This allows inexpensive tin to be used as the plating instead of expensive silver, for example, and therefore reduces the cost of the connector unit 10.

[0054] In particular, since each corner 32, which is, for example, a pin angle, is provided at the boundary between each flat contact portion 30 and each recessed groove 28, abrasion powder of the plating generated by rubbing between the first side opposing surface 20 and the second side opposing surface 38 can be easily contained in each recessed groove 28. Furthermore, abrasion powder of the plating accumulated in each recessed groove 28 can be prevented from crossing over each side surface 36 and being positioned on the abutment surface between the first side opposing surface 20 (each flat contact portion 30) and the second side opposing surface 38.

[0055] The first opposing surface 20 is fixed to the first connector housing 22, the second opposing surface 38 is slidable relative to the first opposing surface 20 in a sliding direction (from front to rear), and the first opposing surface 20 is provided with the grooves 28, the planar contact portions 30, and the corners 32. By providing the grooves 28 on the first opposing surface 20, which is the lower and fixed side, even if plating wear occurs, the wear powder of the plating can be stably contained in the grooves 28. Furthermore, by fixing the first connector 12 and exposing the first opposing surface 20, on which the grooves 28 and the planar contact portions 30 are provided, at its upper end, foreign matter that has entered the grooves 28 can be easily removed, for example, before using the first connector 12.

[0056] The second side opposing surface 38 is provided with protruding contact portions 60 that protrude toward the planar contact portions 30 and extend in the sliding direction (front-rear direction), and each protruding contact portion 60 extends in the sliding direction (front-rear direction) across the plurality of planar contact portions 30. This allows the top of each protruding contact portion 60 to come into contact with each planar contact portion 30, ensuring a relatively large contact pressure between the first side opposing surface 20 and the second side opposing surface 38 and preventing uneven contact between the first side opposing surface 20 and the second side opposing surface 38.

[0057] Each groove 28 is provided with a length in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction (left-right direction) that reaches both ends of the first-side opposing surface 20. That is, each groove 28 is open on both left-right sides of the first-side opposing surface 20, and it is also possible to discharge abrasion powder of plating accumulated in each groove 28 on both left-right sides.

[0058] The second connector 14 has a case 46, a coil spring 48 housed in the case 46, and a guide portion 50 that guides the sliding displacement of the second opposing side surface 38. When the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated, the guide portion 50 presses the first opposing side surface 20 against the second opposing side surface 38, thereby displacing the second opposing side surface 38 to a predetermined position. Furthermore, when the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are disengaged from each other, the second opposing side surface 38 can be returned to its initial position by the elastic restoring deformation of the coil spring 48, thereby realizing a connector unit 10 that can be inserted and removed multiple times.

[0059] Second Embodiment Next, a connector unit 100 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The basic structure of the connector unit 100 according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the connector unit 10 according to the first embodiment, but the shape of the multiple recessed grooves 104 provided in the first connector 102 differs from that according to the first embodiment. Note that in the second embodiment, components and parts that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0060] In the second embodiment, each groove 104 is provided with a length that does not reach both ends of the first-side opposing surface 106 in a direction intersecting the sliding direction. In particular, in the second embodiment, each groove 104 extends in the left-right direction perpendicular to the sliding direction. Since each groove 104 does not reach both ends of the first-side opposing surface 106 in the left-right direction, closing walls 108 that close each groove 104 are provided at both ends of the left-right direction of each groove 104. Note that the cross-sectional shape of each groove 104 in the second embodiment is an isosceles trapezoid, similar to that in the first embodiment.

[0061] The connector unit 100 of the second embodiment having the above-described structure differs from that of the first embodiment only in the shape of each groove 104, and therefore can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In particular, in the second embodiment, the first-side opposing surface 106 is formed not only by the planar contact portions 30 provided between the grooves 104 but also by the upper surfaces of the closing wall portions 108. Also in the second embodiment, the left-right dimension of the second-side opposing surface 38 is larger than the left-right dimension of the first-side opposing surface 106, allowing substantially the entire first-side opposing surface 106 to abut against the second-side opposing surface 38. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the area of ​​the first-side opposing surface 106 that contacts the second-side opposing surface 38 can be increased by the amount of each closing wall portion 108 compared to the first embodiment, thereby improving electrical conductivity. Furthermore, since each groove 104 is not open on both the left and right sides, the plating wear powder accumulated in each groove 104 is prevented from being unintentionally discharged from both the left and right sides of each groove 104, thereby preventing the plating wear powder from scattering.

[0062] <Modifications> Although the first and second embodiments have been described above as specific examples of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific descriptions. Modifications, improvements, etc., within the scope of achieving the object of the present disclosure, are included in the present disclosure. For example, the following modifications of the embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0063] (1) In the above embodiment, the corners 32 defined by the boundaries between the planar contact portions 30 and the grooves 28, 104 are each an unchamfered pin angle, but this is not limited to this. The corners may be chamfered into a rounded or chamfered shape, or may be worn and crushed, for example, by repeated contact with the second opposing surface. The cross-sectional shape of each groove is not limited to an isosceles trapezoidal shape as in the above embodiment, but may be rectangular, for example. That is, the intersection angle α between each planar contact portion and each groove shown in FIG. 4 may be 90 degrees.

[0064] (2) In the above embodiment, the grooves 28, 104, the planar contact portions 30, and the corner portions 32 are provided on the first opposing surfaces 20, 106, respectively. However, they may be provided on the second opposing surface. In this case, the protruding contact portions as in the above embodiment may be provided on the first opposing surface. Note that the protruding contact portions as in the above embodiment are not essential to the connector unit according to the present disclosure.

[0065] (3) In the first embodiment, each groove 28 is provided with a length that reaches both ends of the width direction (left and right direction) of the first side opposing surface 20, and in the second embodiment, each groove 104 is formed with a length that does not reach both ends of the width direction (left and right direction) of the first side opposing surface 106. However, grooves according to the present disclosure may be used in combination with grooves that reach both ends of the width direction of the first side opposing surface or the second side opposing surface and grooves that do not reach both ends.

[0066] (4) In the above embodiment, the first connector 12 is a fixed male connector, the second connector 14 is a female connector that is vertically displaceable, and the first connector 12 and the second connector 14 are mated by moving the second connector 14 toward the first connector 12 from above. However, this is not limited to this configuration. The first connector and the second connector may be fixed and mated from below, or both the first connector and the second connector may be displaceable in a direction that allows them to approach each other. Furthermore, the first connector, which is a male connector, may be provided above, and the second connector, which is a female connector, may be provided below.

[0067] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Connector unit (first embodiment) 12 First connector 14 Second connector 16 First-side terminal portion 18 Second-side terminal portion 20 First-side opposing surface 22 First-side connector housing 24 First-side terminal fitting 26 Embedded portion 27 Bolt insertion hole 28 Groove 30 Flat contact portion 32 Corner portion 34 Bottom surface 36 Side surface 38 Second-side opposing surface 40 Second-side front terminal fitting 42 Second-side rear terminal fitting 44 Lower opening (opening) 46 Case 48 Coil spring (biasing member) 50 Guide portion 52 Upward extension portion 54 Front engagement portion 56 Guided portion 58 Rear engagement portion 60 Protruding contact portion 61 Recess 62 Flexible conductor 64 Bolt insertion hole 66 Upper wall portion 68 Front wall portion 70 Rear wall portion 72 Left wall 74 Right wall 76 Base 78 Front leg 80 Rear leg 82 Front lower end 84 Middle lower end 86 Front mounting portion 88 Rear mounting portion 90 Rear end face 92 Front end face 94 Second side connector housing 96 Housing main body 98 Cover 100 Connector unit (second embodiment) 102 First connector 104 Groove 106 First side opposing surface 108 Closing wall C Mating completion position S Mating start position

Claims

1. A connector comprising a first connector and a second connector that mate with each other while approaching each other relatively along a first direction from one side to the other, wherein the first connector includes a first side terminal portion having a first side opposing surface that extends perpendicular to the first direction, and the second connector includes a second side terminal portion that extends perpendicular to the first direction and has a second side opposing surface that faces the first side opposing surface in the first direction, and when the first connector and the second connector are mated, the first side terminal portion and the second side terminal portion are displaceable from a mating start position where the first side opposing surface and the second side opposing surface abut each other to a mating completion position in the first direction that is spaced apart from the mating start position with the first side opposing surface and the second side opposing surface abutting each other, and when the first connector and the second connector are displaced from the mating start position to the mating completion position with the first side opposing surface and the second side opposing surface abutting each other, the first side opposing surface and the second side opposing surface slide relatively in a predetermined sliding direction, A connector unit in which a plurality of grooves extending in a direction intersecting the sliding direction are opened and arranged in parallel on one of the first side opposing surface and the second side opposing surface, a plurality of flat contact portions are formed by the areas between the grooves, and a plurality of corner portions extending in a direction intersecting the sliding direction are provided by the boundaries between the plurality of flat contact portions and the adjacent grooves.

2. A connector unit as described in claim 1, wherein the first side opposing surface is fixed to a first side connector housing, the second side opposing surface is adapted to slide relative to the first side opposing surface in the sliding direction, and the first side opposing surface is provided with the plurality of recessed grooves, the plurality of flat contact portions, and the plurality of corner portions.

3. A connector unit as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the other of the first side opposing surface and the second side opposing surface is provided with a protruding contact portion that protrudes toward the flat contact portion, has a semicircular cross section, and extends in the sliding direction, and the protruding contact portion extends in the sliding direction across the multiple flat contact portions.

4. A connector unit as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plurality of grooves are provided with a length in a direction intersecting the sliding direction that does not reach both ends of the first side opposing surface or the second side opposing surface.

5. A connector unit as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plurality of grooves are provided with a length that reaches both ends of the first side opposing surface or the second side opposing surface in a direction intersecting the sliding direction.

6. A connector unit as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second connector approaches the first connector from one side in the first direction toward the other side and engages with the first connector, and the second connector comprises: a case having an opening into which the first-side opposing surface of the first-side terminal portion is inserted; a biasing member housed in the case together with the second-side terminal portion and biasing the second-side opposing surface of the second-side terminal portion toward the opening; and a guide portion which guides the second-side opposing surface to slide in the sliding direction when the first-side opposing surface of the first-side terminal portion inserted into the opening abuts against the second-side opposing surface and presses the second-side opposing surface to one side in the first direction against the biasing force of the biasing member, thereby displacing the second-side opposing surface from the mating start position to the mating completion position.

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