Connector

Abstract

In the present invention, a connector comprises: a housing in which a terminal (5) is disposed; a terminal holder (7) that is assembled to the housing and holds the terminal (5) in the housing; a thermistor (9) that is disposed in the terminal holder (7) and detects the temperature of the terminal (5); and a thermistor holder (11) that is assembled to the terminal holder (7) and holds the thermistor (9) in the terminal holder (7). The thermistor holder (11) is disposed on the side of the terminal (5) exposed from the terminal holder (7) toward the housing side, and is fixed to the terminal holder (7) by means of a fixing unit (41).

Description

connector

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

[0002] Conventionally, a connector includes a housing in which tab-shaped terminals are arranged, and a retainer that is assembled to the housing and serves as a terminal holder for holding the terminals in the housing. Also known is a connector that includes a thermistor that is arranged in the retainer and detects the temperature of an electric wire electrically connected to the terminal, and a thermistor holder that is assembled to the retainer and holds the thermistor in the retainer (see Patent Document 1). In this connector, the electric wire is drawn toward the opposite side of the housing to a terminal holding portion provided inside the retainer on the opposite side of the housing. The thermistor is arranged in the terminal holding portion so as to contact the outer periphery of the electric wire. The thermistor holder is assembled from the electric wire lead-out side toward the terminal holding portion located inside the retainer, and holds the thermistor.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-220355

[0004] In the connector of Patent Document 1, the thermistor holder is assembled from the opposite side of the housing toward the inside of the terminal holder. This means that the thermistor holder must be assembled from the rear end in the direction in which the electric wires and thermistor detection wire are pulled out, which reduces assembly efficiency. In addition, because the thermistor is located inside the terminal holder, it is difficult to pull out the thermistor detection wire from inside the terminal holder, which reduces assembly efficiency.

[0005] To address this issue, one approach to improving assembly is to position the thermistor in the housing so that it contacts the terminals exposed from the terminal holder toward the housing, and then assemble the thermistor holder to the housing. However, when assembling the thermistor holder to the housing, high positioning accuracy of the thermistor holder relative to the housing is required. If the thermistor holder is misaligned relative to the housing, the terminals exposed from the terminal holder may collide with the thermistor holder when the terminal holder is assembled to the housing. Collisions between the thermistor holder and the terminals may reduce the reliability of the electrical connection.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can be easily assembled and maintains the reliability of electrical connection.

[0007] The connector of this embodiment comprises a housing in which tab-shaped terminals are arranged, a terminal holder assembled to the housing and holding the terminals in the housing, a thermistor arranged in the terminal holder and detecting the temperature of the terminals, and a thermistor holder assembled to the terminal holder and holding the thermistor in the terminal holder, wherein the thermistor holder is arranged on the side of the terminal exposed from the terminal holder toward the housing and is fixed to the terminal holder via a fixing portion.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can improve assembly performance and maintain electrical connection reliability.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to the present embodiment, showing a state in which a terminal holder is being assembled to a housing, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the connector according to the present embodiment.

[0010] The connector according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, a connector 1 according to this embodiment is applied to a vehicle charging station for charging a power source (not shown) mounted on a vehicle (not shown), such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The connector 1 is mateable with a charging connector (not shown) electrically connected to a charging device (not shown) disposed on, for example, a desk lamp. By mating the charging connector with the connector 1, power is supplied from the charging device to the power source, thereby charging the power source.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 1 includes a housing 3, terminals 5, a terminal holder 7, a thermistor 9, and a thermistor holder 11.

[0013] The housing 3 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and includes a vehicle fixing portion 13 and a fitting portion 15.

[0014] The vehicle fixing portion 13 is formed in a flange shape extending in a plane direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the connector 1 and the charging connector. The vehicle fixing portion 13 fixes the connector 1 to the vehicle, for example, in the vehicle charging portion via fixing members (not shown) such as bolts or engaging means (not shown) that engage with each other.

[0015] The fitting portion 15 extends cylindrically from one side of the vehicle fixing portion 13 along the fitting direction between the connector 1 and the charging connector. The fitting portion 15 has, for example, a normal fitting portion 17 into which a normal charging connector (not shown) can be fitted, and a quick fitting portion 19 into which a quick charging connector (not shown) can be fitted.

[0016] The normal fitting portion 17 has tab-shaped connection portions for multiple terminals (not shown) held in a normal terminal holder 21 that are electrically connected to mating terminals (not shown) housed in the normal charging connector. The multiple terminals held in the normal terminal holder 21 include, for example, multiple power supply terminals and multiple communication terminals. The multiple power supply terminals are electrically connected to terminals of electric wires (not shown) that are electrically connected to a power supply. The multiple communication terminals are electrically connected to terminals of electric wires (not shown) that are electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) that controls the charging state. By fitting the normal charging connector into the normal fitting portion 17, the mating terminals and the terminals are electrically connected, and power is supplied from the charging device to the power supply, charging the power supply. The normal fitting portion 17 is used when there is ample time to charge the power supply, such as when the vehicle will not be used for a long period of time.

[0017] The quick fitting portion 19 has a plurality of terminals 5 (two in this example) disposed therein, which are electrically connected to mating terminals (not shown) housed in the quick charging connector. When the quick charging connector is fitted into the quick fitting portion 19, the mating terminals and the terminals 5 are electrically connected. The quick fitting portion 19 is used when charging the power source in a short period of time, such as when the vehicle is not in use for a short period of time. The fitting portion 15 has the normal fitting portion 17 and the quick fitting portion 19, so that the charging time for the power source can be selected.

[0018] The terminals 5 are made of a conductive material, and multiple terminals (two in this example) are used. Each terminal 5 has a tab-shaped connecting portion 23 extending in the mating direction between the connector 1 and the charging connector. When the terminal 5 is disposed in the housing 3, the connecting portion 23 is disposed in the mating portion 15 (quick mating portion 19) of the housing 3. A large-diameter portion 25 having a larger diameter than the connecting portion 23 is provided at the end of the connecting portion 23 opposite the housing 3 as a single member continuous with the connecting portion 23. The large-diameter portion 25 extends in the mating direction between the connector 1 and the charging connector, toward the opposite side from the connecting portion 23. An engaging portion (not shown) is provided on the connecting portion 23 side of the large-diameter portion 25, which engages with the terminal holder 7 in the direction in which the terminal 5 is removed from the housing 3.

[0019] The end of the large diameter portion 25 in the extension direction (the end located inside the terminal holder 7) is electrically connected to the end of the electric wire 27, which is electrically connected to a power source. The electrical connection between the terminal 5 and the electric wire 27 is achieved, for example, by electrically connecting a relay terminal (not shown) having a through hole at the end of the electric wire 27. The end of the large diameter portion 25 of the terminal 5 is provided with a columnar portion (not shown) that can be inserted into the through hole of the relay terminal, and the outer circumferential surface of the columnar portion is threaded. The terminal 5 and the electric wire 27 can be electrically connected by inserting the columnar portion into the through hole of the relay terminal and fastening a nut (not shown) to the columnar portion. Electrically connecting the terminal 5 and the electric wire 27 via the relay terminal allows the terminal 5 and the electric wire 27 to be electrically connected even when the terminal 5 is disposed in the housing 3, improving assembly ease. The end of the large diameter portion 25 of the terminal 5 may also be electrically connected directly to the end of the electric wire 27.

[0020] When a charging connector (quick charging connector) is mated with the mating portion 15 (quick mating portion 19) while the terminal 5 is disposed in the housing 3, the terminal 5 is electrically connected to the mating terminal. When the terminal 5 and the mating terminal are electrically connected, power is supplied from the charging device to the power source, and the power source is charged. The terminal 5 is held by a terminal holder 7, and by assembling the terminal holder 7 to the housing 3, the arrangement position of the terminal 5 relative to the housing 3 is maintained.

[0021] The terminal holder 7 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and includes an electric wire receiving portion 29 and a terminal receiving portion 31.

[0022] The wire accommodating portion 29 extends in a direction perpendicular to the assembly direction of the terminal holder 7 relative to the housing 3, and accommodates a plurality of (here, two) electric wires 27 therein. The electric wires 27 accommodated in the wire accommodating portion 29 are arranged with their terminal 5-side ends exposed to the terminal accommodating portion 31, and their opposite ends pulled out to the outside of the terminal holder 7. An electric wire holder 33 that holds the electric wire 27 in the wire accommodating portion 29 is assembled to the end of the wire accommodating portion 29 from which the electric wire 27 is pulled out. By accommodating the electric wire 27 in the wire accommodating portion 29, the pull-out direction of the electric wire 27 pulled out from the terminal holder 7 can be determined.

[0023] The terminal accommodating portion 31 is a member continuous with the wire accommodating portion 29, extends in the direction in which the terminal holder 7 is attached to the housing 3, and accommodates the large diameter portions 25 of multiple (here, two) terminals 5 therein. The wire accommodating portion 29 side of the terminal accommodating portion 31 is in communication with the interior of the wire accommodating portion 29. An opening is formed on the side of the terminal accommodating portion 31 opposite the housing 3, allowing electrical connection between the wire 27 and the terminal 5. Therefore, the wire 27 and the terminal 5 can be electrically connected after being accommodated in the terminal holder 7. The opening of the terminal accommodating portion 31 is closed by assembling a cover 35. The connection portion 23 of the terminal 5 accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 31 is exposed to the outside, facing the housing 3. An engaged portion (not shown) that engages with the engaging portion of the large diameter portion 25 is provided at the portion of the terminal accommodating portion 31 where the connection portion 23 is exposed. The terminal 5 can be held in the terminal holder 7 by the engagement between the engaging portion of the terminal 5 and the engaged portion of the terminal accommodating portion 31 .

[0024] The terminal holder 7 holding the electric wires 27 and the terminals 5 is assembled to the housing 3 in the same direction as the mating direction between the connector 1 and the charging connector. The assembled state of the terminal holder 7 to the housing 3 is maintained via fixing members (not shown) such as bolts or via engaging means by which they engage with each other. A thermistor 9 is disposed on the large diameter portion 25 of the terminal 5 exposed to the outside from the terminal holder 7.

[0025] The thermistor 9 is formed, for example, in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The thermistor 9 contacts the large diameter portion 25 of the terminal 5 exposed to the outside from the terminal holder 7, and detects the temperature of the terminal 5 when electricity is flowing between the terminal 5 and a mating terminal. A detection wire 37 is electrically connected to one end of the thermistor 9. The detection wire 37 is drawn out from between the housing 3 and the terminal holder 7 to the outside, and is electrically connected to a control unit that controls the charging state. The thermistor 9 is held in a thermistor holder 11, and by assembling the thermistor holder 11 to the terminal holder 7, the arrangement position of the thermistor 9 relative to the terminal 5 is maintained.

[0026] The thermistor holder 11 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The thermistor holder 11 is formed in an annular shape, and its inner diameter is set to be equal to the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 25 of the terminal 5. The thermistor holder 11 is placed in the terminal holder 7 so that the large-diameter portion 25 of the terminal 5 is inserted therethrough. This restricts the thermistor holder 11 from moving in a plane intersecting the axis of the terminal 5, thereby restricting fluctuations in the position of the thermistor holder 11 relative to the terminal holder 7. The inner diameter of the thermistor holder 11 may be set slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 25 of the terminal 5, so that the thermistor holder 11 is press-fitted into the large-diameter portion 25. Additionally, a portion of the thermistor holder 11 may be cut out in the circumferential direction to form a C-shape, and the thermistor 9 may be assembled to the large-diameter portion 25.

[0027] The thermistor holder 11 is provided with a holding portion 39 that houses the thermistor 9 therein. The thermistor 9 is housed in the holding portion 39, for example, by being press-fitted, and the thermistor 9 is fixed integrally to the thermistor holder 11. The holding portion 39 is provided with an opening (not shown) that exposes the thermistor 9 to the outside of the thermistor holder 11 and allows the thermistor 9 to come into contact with the large diameter portion 25 of the terminal 5. The detection wire 37 of the thermistor 9 held in the holding portion 39 is fixed to a fixing portion 41 provided on the terminal holder 7, and the thermistor holder 11 is fixed to the terminal holder 7.

[0028] The fixing portion 41 is provided on the outer surface of the terminal holder 7 facing the housing 3 and is positioned so as to be located at at least one location in the circumferential direction of the annular thermistor holder 11. In this embodiment, the fixing portion 41 is positioned in a portion where the detection wire 37 drawn from the thermistor holder 11 is located. The fixing portion 41 has a U-shaped cross section and has a pair of clamping pieces 43 extending from the outer surface of the terminal holder 7 facing the housing 3 toward the housing 3. The distance between the pair of clamping pieces 43 is set to a length that allows the detection wire 37 of the thermistor 9 to be sandwiched and held therebetween. The pair of clamping pieces 43 extend along the drawing direction of the detection wire 37 (the length direction of the detection wire 37). The detection wire 37 is accommodated in the fixing portion 41 so as to be sandwiched between the pair of clamping pieces 43, 43, thereby fixing the detection wire 37. By fixing the detection wire 37 to the fixing portion 41, the thermistor holder 11 is fixed to the terminal holder 7, and the position of the thermistor 9 relative to the terminal 5 is maintained.

[0029] By providing a fixing portion 41 for fixing the thermistor holder 11 to the portion of the terminal holder 7 where the terminals 5 are exposed, it is possible to eliminate the need to pull out the detection wires 37 of the thermistor 9 from inside the terminal holder 7, thereby improving assembly ease. Furthermore, by providing the fixing portion 41 on the terminal holder 7, the terminals 5 exposed from the terminal holder 7 will not collide with the thermistor holder 11 when assembling the terminal holder 7 to the housing 3. This ensures stable electrical connection between the terminals 5 and mating terminals, thereby maintaining electrical connection reliability. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide a fixing portion 41 for fixing the thermistor holder 11 to the housing 3, high positioning accuracy of the thermistor holder 11 relative to the housing 3 is not required, thereby reducing the cost of the housing 3. Furthermore, since the fixing portion 41 fixes the detection wires 37 of the thermistor 9, the design of the thermistor holder 11 can be simplified, thereby reducing the cost of the thermistor holder 11. In addition, the fixing portion 41 fixes the detection wire 37, thereby defining the direction in which the detection wire 37 is drawn out. Furthermore, because the fixing portion 41 extends in the longitudinal direction (drawing direction) of the detection wire 37, the detection wire 37 can be fixed over a wide area, and the thermistor holder 11 can be stably held in the terminal holder 7. Furthermore, because the fixing portion 41 is disposed at at least one location in the circumferential direction of the thermistor holder 11, movement of the annular thermistor holder 11 around the axis of the terminal 5 can be restricted. Therefore, fluctuations in the position of the thermistor holder 11 relative to the terminal holder 7 can be restricted.

[0030] As an example of assembling such a connector 1, first, the electric wires 27 and the terminals 5 are accommodated and held in the terminal holder 7. Next, the thermistor holder 11 holding the thermistor 9 is assembled to the terminal holder 7 via the fixing portion 41. Note that the thermistor holder 11 may be assembled to the terminal holder 7 before accommodating the electric wires 27 and the terminals 5 in the terminal holder 7. Then, the terminal holder 7 is assembled to the housing 3 so that the terminals 5 are positioned in the fitting portions 15 of the housing 3, thereby completing the assembly of the connector 1.

[0031] Such a connector 1 includes a housing 3 in which terminals 5 are arranged, and a terminal holder 7 that is assembled to the housing 3 and holds the terminals 5 in the housing 3. The connector also includes a thermistor 9 that is arranged in the terminal holder 7 and detects the temperature of the terminals 5, and a thermistor holder 11 that is assembled to the terminal holder 7 and holds the thermistor 9 in the terminal holder 7. The thermistor holder 11 is arranged on the side of the terminals 5 that is exposed from the terminal holder 7 towards the housing 3, and is fixed to the terminal holder 7 via a fixing portion 41.

[0032] By providing a fixing portion 41 for fixing the thermistor holder 11 in the portion of the terminal holder 7 where the terminals 5 are exposed, it is possible to eliminate the need to pull out the detection wires 37 of the thermistor 9 from inside the terminal holder 7, thereby improving assembly ease. Furthermore, by providing the fixing portion 41 on the terminal holder 7, the terminals 5 exposed from the terminal holder 7 will not collide with the thermistor holder 11 when assembling the terminal holder 7 to the housing 3. This ensures stable electrical connection between the terminals 5 and mating terminals, thereby maintaining electrical connection reliability. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a fixing portion 41 for fixing the thermistor holder 11 on the housing 3, high positioning accuracy of the thermistor holder 11 relative to the housing 3 is not required, allowing for cost reduction of the housing 3.

[0033] Therefore, with such a connector 1, it is possible to improve the ease of assembly and maintain the reliability of the electrical connection.

[0034] The thermistor 9 is fixed to the thermistor holder 11. The fixing portion 41 is electrically connected to the thermistor 9 and fixes the detection wire 37 exposed from the thermistor holder 11.

[0035] Therefore, by fixing the detection wire 37 with the fixing portion 41, the lead-out direction of the detection wire 37 can be determined.

[0036] The fixing portion 41 is formed so as to be able to accommodate the detection wire 37 and extends in the length direction of the detection wire 37 .

[0037] Therefore, the detection wire 37 can be fixed over a wide range, and the thermistor holder 11 can be stably held on the terminal holder 7.

[0038] The thermistor holder 11 is formed in an annular shape, and the terminal 5 is inserted therethrough. The fixing portion 41 is disposed at least at one location in the circumferential direction of the thermistor holder 11.

[0039] Because the terminals 5 are inserted into the thermistor holder 11, the terminals 5 restrict movement in a plane intersecting the axes of the terminals 5. This restricts movement of the thermistor holder 11 relative to the terminal holder 7. Furthermore, because the fixing portion 41 is located at at least one location in the circumferential direction of the thermistor holder 11, movement of the annular thermistor holder 11 around the axes of the terminals 5 can be restricted. This restricts movement of the thermistor holder 11 relative to the terminal holder 7.

[0040] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0041] For example, the fixing portion may fix the detection wire of the thermistor fixed to the thermistor holder, but is not limited to this. For example, the fixing portion may be an elastically deformable engaging piece that engages with the outer surface of the thermistor holder, or a protrusion on the thermistor holder that engages with an engaging portion that directly fixes the thermistor holder. It is sufficient to provide such a fixing portion in at least one location around the circumference of the thermistor holder.

[0042] The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-048979 (filing date: March 26, 2024) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0043] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Connector 3 Housing 5 Terminal 7 Terminal holder 9 Thermistor 11 Thermistor holder 37 Detection wire 41 Fixing portion

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a housing in which terminals are arranged; a terminal holder assembled to the housing and holding the terminals in the housing; a thermistor arranged in the terminal holder and detecting the temperature of the terminals; and a thermistor holder assembled to the terminal holder and holding the thermistor in the terminal holder, wherein the thermistor holder is arranged on the side of the terminals exposed from the terminal holder towards the housing and is fixed to the terminal holder via a fixing part.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the thermistor is fixed to the thermistor holder, and the fixing portion is electrically connected to the thermistor and fixes a detection wire exposed from the thermistor holder.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the fixing portion is formed to be able to accommodate the detection line and extends in the longitudinal direction of the detection line.

4. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thermistor holder is formed in an annular shape, the terminal is inserted and positioned therethrough, and the fixing portion is positioned at at least one location in the circumferential direction of the thermistor holder.

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