Connector

Abstract

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a connector that can be miniaturized. This connector (10) comprises one or more terminals (20), a housing (30) for holding the terminals (20), and an adhesive (40) interposed between the terminals (20) and the housing (30). The terminal (20) has a first terminal section (21) that extends along a first axis (X), a second terminal section (22) that extends along the first axis (X), and a connection section (23) that connects the first terminal section (21) and the second terminal section (22) and extends along a second axis (Y) intersecting the first axis (X). The first terminal section (21) and the second terminal section (22) extend in mutually opposite directions with the connection section (23) as a base point. The connection section (23) is embedded in the housing (30). The adhesive (40) is formed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the connection section (23) and extend along the second axis (Y).

Description

connector

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors.

[0002] Conventionally, a terminal block that functions as a relay connector for electrically connecting the inside and outside of a case of an electrical device has been known as a connector attached to an electrical device. The terminal block includes a housing made of a resin material, a plate-shaped terminal having an embedded portion embedded in the housing, and an adhesive interposed between the embedded portion and the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2015-122161 A

[0004] However, miniaturization of the above connector is desired, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that can be miniaturized.

[0005] The connector of the present disclosure comprises one or more terminals, a housing that holds the terminals, and adhesive interposed between the terminals and the housing, wherein the terminals have a first terminal portion extending along a first axis, a second terminal portion extending along the first axis, and a connecting portion that connects the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion and extends along a second axis that intersects the first axis, wherein the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion extend in opposite directions from each other with the connecting portion as a base point, the connecting portion is embedded in the housing, and the adhesive is formed to cover the outer surface of the connecting portion and extend along the second axis.

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure has the effect of being miniaturized.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector of one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a connector of one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector of one embodiment (cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2). FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a portion of the connector of one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a connector of one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a connector of a modified example. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector of a modified example. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a connector of a modified example.

[0008] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] A connector of the present disclosure includes one or more terminals, a housing that holds the terminals, and an adhesive interposed between the terminals and the housing, wherein the terminals have a first terminal portion extending along a first axis, a second terminal portion extending along the first axis, and a connecting portion that connects the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion and extends along a second axis that intersects the first axis, the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion extend in opposite directions from each other with the connecting portion as a base point, the connecting portion is embedded in the housing, and the adhesive is formed to cover an outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion and extend along the second axis.

[0009] According to this configuration, the connecting portion, which is the portion of the terminal that is embedded in the housing, is formed to extend along a second axis that intersects with the first axis along which the first terminal extends. Furthermore, an adhesive is provided between the connecting portion and the housing and is formed to extend along the second axis. Therefore, the size of the connector in the mating direction with the mating connector can be made smaller than in a conventional configuration in which the connecting portion extends in the direction along the first axis along which the first terminal extends, i.e., the mating direction with the mating connector.

[0010] [2] In the above [1], the housing has a holding portion that incorporates the connecting portion and holds the terminal, and a fixing portion for fixing the housing to an attachment object, the holding portion being a portion that is inserted into an attachment hole of the attachment object, and the fixing portion may be formed so as to protrude toward the first direction from an end face of the holding portion in a first direction, which is one direction along the first axis, and to protrude outward beyond the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion.

[0011] According to this configuration, the fixing portion is formed so as to protrude in the first direction from the end face of the holding portion in the first direction and protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion. Therefore, when the fixing portion is formed so as to protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion, the size of the holding portion in the first direction can be suitably reduced compared to when, for example, the end face of the holding portion in the first direction and the end face of the fixing portion in the first direction are formed flush with each other.

[0012] [3] In the above [2], the first terminal portion is formed so as to protrude in the first direction from the end face of the holding portion in the first direction, the first terminal portion is a portion that is connected to a first mating terminal, the housing has a recess formed by the end face of the holding portion in the first direction and the end face of the fixing portion in the first direction, and a part of the connection portion between the first terminal portion and the first mating terminal may be arranged inside the recess.

[0013] According to this configuration, a portion of the connection portion between the first terminal portion and the first mating terminal is disposed inside the recess of the housing. Therefore, compared to a case where the recess is not provided, for example, where the first-direction end face of the holding portion and the first-direction end face of the fixing portion are flush with each other, the amount of protrusion of the first terminal portion and the first mating terminal in the first direction from the first-direction end face of the fixing portion can be reduced. This allows for an optimal reduction in the size in the first direction of the entire device, including the attachment object to which the connector is attached and the mating device connected to the attachment object.

[0014] [4] In any of [1] to [3] above, the first terminal portion may extend from the connecting portion toward a first direction that is one direction along the first axis, the connecting portion may extend from an end of the first terminal portion in a first opposite direction that is the opposite direction to the first direction toward a second direction that is one direction along the second axis, and the second terminal portion may extend from an end of the connecting portion in the second direction toward the first opposite direction.

[0015] According to this configuration, the terminal is formed in a crank shape by the first terminal portion, the connecting portion, and the second terminal portion. By forming the terminal in a crank shape and forming an adhesive on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion extending in the second direction in this manner, it is possible to reduce the size of the connector in the first direction while preventing the adhesive formation area from becoming smaller.

[0016] [5] In any of the above [1] to [4], the first terminal portion may be formed in a flat plate shape, and the first terminal portion may be a portion that is connected to a first mating terminal, which is a cylindrical female terminal into which the first terminal portion is inserted.

[0017] According to this configuration, a first mating terminal, which is a cylindrical female terminal, is connected to the first terminal portion of the terminal. [6] In any of the above [1] to [4], the first terminal portion may have a cylindrical female terminal portion, and the female terminal portion may be formed to protrude in a direction away from the connecting portion on the second axis.

[0018] According to this configuration, the female terminal portion of the first terminal portion is formed to protrude in a direction away from the connecting portion. Therefore, the area where the female terminal portion and the connecting portion overlap can be reduced in a plan view from the first axis. This effectively prevents the female terminal portion from interfering with the application of adhesive, for example, when applying adhesive to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion. As a result, the connector assembly workability can be improved.

[0019] [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of connectors of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, some components may be exaggerated or simplified in the drawings. The dimensional ratios of the components may differ between the drawings. In this specification, "parallel" and "orthogonal" do not only refer to strict parallelism or orthogonality, but also include roughly parallelism or orthogonality within the scope of the present embodiment's operational effects. In this specification, "same" refers not only to exact identicality but also to slight differences between comparison objects due to dimensional tolerances, etc. Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used simply to distinguish between objects and do not rank them. Each drawing illustrates a first axis X, a second axis Y perpendicular to the first axis X, and a third axis Z perpendicular to both the first axis X and the second axis Y. Each drawing also illustrates a first direction X1, which is one direction along the first axis X, and a first opposite direction X2, which is another direction along the first axis X and is the opposite direction to the first direction X1. Each drawing also illustrates a second direction Y1, which is one direction along the second axis Y, and a second opposite direction Y2, which is the other direction along the second axis Y and is the opposite direction to the second direction Y1. Each drawing also illustrates a third direction Z1, which is one direction along the third axis Z, and a third opposite direction Z2, which is the other direction along the third axis Z and is the opposite direction to the third direction Z1. Note that the present invention 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] (Overall Configuration of Connector 10) As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connector 10 includes one or more terminals 20 and a housing 30 that holds the terminals 20. The connector 10 of this embodiment includes three terminals 20. The three terminals 20 are arranged side by side along a third axis Z. As shown in Figure 3, the connector 10 includes an adhesive 40 and a seal member 50 that are interposed between the terminals 20 and the housing 30.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the connector 10 is attached to a case 100 of an electrical device mounted on a vehicle. The case 100 is an example of an attachment target. Examples of electrical devices include a motor and an inverter. The connector 10 can be attached to the case 100 in any orientation depending on the posture of the case 100. The connector 10 is a terminal block that functions as a relay connector to electrically connect the inside and outside of the case 100.

[0022] Electrical components such as a sensor are housed inside the case 100. The case 100 has a mounting hole 101 through which the connector 10 passes. The mounting hole 101 is formed so as to allow communication between the inside and outside of the case 100.

[0023] The connector 10 is fitted into a mounting hole 101 in the case 100. The connector 10 is fixed to the case 100, for example, by bolts or the like (not shown). The connector 10 is electrically connected to a first mating connector C1 having first mating terminals 70 outside the case 100. The first mating connector C1 has a first mating housing (not shown) that holds the first mating terminals 70. Although not shown, the connector 10 is electrically connected inside the case 100 to a second mating connector provided inside the case 100. The second mating connector has, for example, second mating terminals and a second mating housing that holds the second mating terminals.

[0024] 4, each terminal 20 is made of an elongated metal plate. Each terminal 20 is formed in a crank shape. When viewed from the third axis Z, each terminal 20 has a crank shape.

[0025] Each terminal 20 has a first terminal portion 21 extending along the first axis X, a second terminal portion 22 extending along the first axis X, and a connecting portion 23 connecting the first terminal portion 21 and the second terminal portion 22 and extending along the second axis Y. Each terminal 20 is a single component in which the first terminal portion 21, the connecting portion 23, and the second terminal portion 22 are continuously and integrally formed. The three terminals 20 have, for example, the same structure as each other. Each terminal 20 is formed from a metal material such as copper or a copper alloy.

[0026] The first terminal 21 bends from the end of the connecting portion 23 in the second opposite direction Y2 and extends toward the first direction X1. The first terminal 21 extends linearly, for example, along the first axis X. The first terminal 21 is formed in a flat plate shape having a predetermined thickness along the second axis Y. The end of the first terminal 21 in the first opposite direction X2 is embedded in the housing 30. Most of the first terminal 21 is formed to protrude in the first direction X1 beyond the end face of the housing 30 in the first direction X1. As shown in FIG. 2 , when the connector 10 is attached to the case 100, the first terminal 21 is disposed outside the case 100. As shown in FIG. 1 , the three first terminals 21 extend, for example, parallel to one another.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3 , the first terminal 21 is electrically connected to a first mating terminal 70 of the first mating connector C1. Here, the first mating terminal 70 is a female terminal. The first mating terminal 70 includes a metal bus bar 80 having a cylindrical portion 81, a metal holding member 90 housed inside the cylindrical portion 81, and a clip 95 housed inside the cylindrical portion 81. As shown in FIG. 1 , the bus bar 80 includes a flat plate-like portion 82 protruding from the cylindrical portion 81 in the first direction X1. As shown in FIG. 3 , the holding member 90 includes a pair of clamping portions 91. The holding member 90 clamps the first terminal 21 between the pair of clamping portions 91. This electrically connects the holding member 90 to the first terminal 21. Furthermore, the holding member 90 is electrically connected to the bus bar 80 by contacting the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 81. The clip 95 is attached to the tip of the holding member 90 (here, the end in the first direction X1). The clip 95 biases the pair of clamping portions 91 in a direction in which they approach each other.

[0028] The first terminal 21 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 81 of the first mating terminal 70. The first terminal 21 is inserted between the pair of clamping portions 91. At this time, the clip 95 biases the pair of clamping portions 91 in directions that bring them closer to each other, so that when the first terminal 21 is positioned between the pair of clamping portions 91, the first terminal 21 is stably clamped by the pair of clamping portions 91. This allows a stable electrical connection between the holding member 90 and the first terminal 21.

[0029] The connecting portion 23 bends from the end of the first terminal 21 in the first opposite direction X2 and extends toward the second direction Y1. That is, the connecting portion 23 extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first terminal 21 (here, the first direction X1). The connecting portion 23 is formed in a flat plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the direction along the first axis X. The dimension of the connecting portion 23 along the third axis Z is, for example, larger than the dimension of the first terminal 21 along the third axis Z. The connecting portion 23 is entirely embedded in the housing 30.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5 , the connecting portion 23 extends linearly along the second axis Y, for example. The three connecting portions 23 extend parallel to one another, for example. As shown in FIG. 4 , the second terminal portion 22 bends from the end of the connecting portion 23 in the second direction Y1 and extends toward the first opposite direction X2. That is, the second terminal portion 22 extends in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the connecting portion 23 (here, the second direction Y1). The first terminal portion 21 and the second terminal portion 22 extend in opposite directions from the connecting portion 23 as a base point. The second terminal portion 22 extends linearly along the first axis X, for example. The second terminal portion 22 extends parallel to the first terminal portion 21, for example. The second terminal portion 22 is formed in a flat plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the direction along the second axis Y. The dimension of the second terminal portion 22 along the third axis Z is, for example, the same as the dimension of the connecting portion 23 along the third axis Z.

[0031] The ends of the second terminals 22 in the first direction X1 are embedded in the housing 30. Most of the second terminals 22 are formed to protrude in the first opposite direction X2 beyond the end face of the housing 30 in the first opposite direction X2. As shown in Fig. 2, when the connector 10 is attached to the case 100, the second terminals 22 are disposed inside the case 100. The three second terminals 22 extend, for example, parallel to one another.

[0032] The second terminal 22 has a bolt hole 24 into which a bolt (not shown) is inserted. The bolt hole 24 is provided in an end region of the second terminal 22 in the first opposite direction X2. The bolt hole 24 penetrates the second terminal 22 in a direction along the second axis Y. The second terminal 22 is electrically connected to a second mating terminal (not shown), for example, by fastening with a bolt.

[0033] (Configuration of the Housing 30) The housing 30 is made of an insulating synthetic resin. The housing 30 holds the longitudinal middle portions of the terminals 20. The housing 30 is integrated with, for example, three terminals 20. The housing 30 is formed integrally with the three terminals 20 by, for example, insert molding. For example, the housing 30 is formed by insert molding with the three terminals 20 as insert components. The housing 30 can be made of, for example, a molded resin. The housing 30 can be made of, for example, a resin material containing at least one of a polyester resin and a polyamide resin. Examples of this type of resin material include polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), nylon 6T (PA6T), nylon 9T (PA9T), nylon 66 (PA66), nylon 610 (PA610), and nylon 612 (PA612).

[0034] 2, the housing 30 has a holding portion 31 that holds each terminal 20 and a fixing portion 33 that fixes the housing 30 to the case 100. The housing 30 is a single component in which the holding portion 31 and the fixing portion 33 are integrally formed.

[0035] The holding portion 31 holds, for example, three terminals 20 in parallel and at equal intervals. In other words, the three terminals 20 are held by the holding portion 31 in a state where they are lined up at equal intervals in the direction along the third axis Z. As shown in FIG. 1 , the holding portion 31 is formed in a columnar shape with its thickness direction aligned in the first direction X1. In a plan view seen from the first axis X, the holding portion 31 is formed in a rounded rectangular shape that is longer in the third direction Z1 than in the second direction Y1.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3 , the retaining portion 31 is a portion that is inserted into the mounting hole 101 of the case 100. The retaining portion 31 is inserted into the mounting hole 101 of the case 100, for example, along the first opposite direction X2. The retaining portion 31 is fitted into the inside of the mounting hole 101. The outer peripheral surface of the retaining portion 31 is formed to have a shape that follows the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 101. The outer peripheral surface of the retaining portion 31 is provided with an accommodating groove 32 that accommodates the seal member 50. The accommodating groove 32 is formed so as to be recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the retaining portion 31 toward the radially inward direction of the retaining portion 31. The accommodating groove 32 is formed around the entire circumferential circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the retaining portion 31. An annular seal member 50 is fitted into the accommodating groove 32. The seal member 50 is formed continuously around the entire circumferential circumference of the retaining portion 31. When the holding portion 31 is fitted into the mounting hole 101, the sealing member 50 comes into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 101 over the entire circumferential direction, thereby sealing between the outer peripheral surface of the housing 30 and the inner peripheral surface of the case 100. The sealing member 50 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0037] The holding portion 31 is formed to incorporate the connecting portion 23 of each terminal 20. The holding portion 31 is formed to cover the entire outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 23 of each terminal 20. The holding portion 31 is formed to cover the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the first terminal portion 21 in the first opposite direction X2. The holding portion 31 is formed to cover the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the second terminal portion 22 in the first direction X1. In this way, of each terminal 20, the end portion of the first terminal portion 21 in the first opposite direction X2, the connecting portion 23, and the end portion of the second terminal portion 22 in the first direction X1 are embedded in the holding portion 31.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 30 of this embodiment has two fixing portions 33. The two fixing portions 33 are provided at each end of the holding portion 31 in the direction along the third axis Z, i.e., at the end in the third direction Z1 and the end in the third opposite direction Z2. Each fixing portion 33 is formed to protrude in the first direction X1 from the end face of the holding portion 31 in the first direction X1. Each fixing portion 33 is formed to protrude outward beyond the end face of the holding portion 31 in the direction along the third axis Z. More specifically, the fixing portion 33 provided at the end in the third direction Z1 is formed to protrude in the third direction Z1 beyond the end face of the holding portion 31 in the third direction Z1. The fixing portion 33 provided at the end in the third opposite direction Z2 is formed to protrude in the third opposite direction Z2 beyond the end face of the holding portion 31 in the third opposite direction Z2. Each fixing portion 33 is formed in a plate shape with the first direction X1 as its thickness direction.

[0039] Each fixing portion 33 has a fixing hole 34 penetrating the fixing portion 33 in the plate thickness direction. The fixing hole 34 is provided at a position that does not overlap with the holding portion 31 in a plan view seen from the first axis X. The connector 10 is fixed to the case 100, for example, by a bolt (not shown) that passes through the fixing hole 34 and is screwed into the case 100 (see FIG. 2 ).

[0040] The housing 30 has a recess 35 defined by the end surface of the holding portion 31 in the first direction X1 and the end surface of the fixing portion 33 in the first direction X1. The recess 35 is formed by a space surrounded by the end surface of the holding portion 31 in the first direction X1, the inner surface of the fixing portion 33, and the end surface of the fixing portion 33 in the first direction X1. As shown in Fig. 2 , the end of the first mating terminal 70 in the first opposite direction X2 is inserted into the recess 35. That is, the recess 35 accommodates a part of the connection portion between the first terminal portion 21 and the first mating terminal 70.

[0041] 3 , the adhesive 40 is interposed between the connecting portion 23 of each terminal 20 and the housing 30. The adhesive 40 is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 23 and the inner peripheral surface of the holding portion 31. The adhesive 40 is formed to extend along the second axis Y. In other words, the adhesive 40 extends in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the first terminal portion 21 and the first mating terminal 70.

[0042] 4 , the adhesive 40 is formed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 23. For example, the adhesive 40 is formed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 23 over the entire circumferential direction. That is, the adhesive 40 is formed so as to cover each end face of the connecting portion 23 in the direction along the first axis X and each end face of the connecting portion 23 in the direction along the third axis Z. For example, the adhesive 40 is formed so as to cover only the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 23 of the terminal 20.

[0043] For example, a rubber-based adhesive can be used as the adhesive 40. For example, an epichlorohydrin rubber-based adhesive, a butyl rubber-based adhesive, or a chloroprene rubber-based adhesive can be used as the adhesive 40.

[0044] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The connector 10 includes one or more terminals 20, a housing 30 that holds the terminals 20, and an adhesive 40 interposed between the terminals 20 and the housing 30. The terminals 20 include a first terminal 21 extending along a first axis X, a second terminal 22 extending along the first axis X, and a connecting portion 23 that connects the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 22 and extends along a second axis Y that intersects with the first axis X. The first terminal 21 and the second terminal 22 extend in opposite directions from the connecting portion 23. The connecting portion 23 is embedded in the housing 30. The adhesive 40 is formed to cover the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 23 and extend along the second axis Y.

[0045] According to this configuration, the connecting portion 23, which is the portion of the terminal 20 that is embedded in the housing 30, is formed to extend along the second axis Y that intersects with the first axis X along which the first terminal portion 21 extends. Furthermore, the adhesive 40 is provided between the connecting portion 23 and the housing 30 and is formed to extend along the second axis Y. Therefore, compared to a conventional configuration in which the connecting portion 23 extends in the direction along the first axis X along which the first terminal portion 21 extends, i.e., along the mating direction with the first mating connector C1, the size of the connector 10 in the mating direction with the first mating connector C1 can be made smaller.

[0046] (2) Furthermore, by forming the connecting portion 23 long along the second axis Y, it is possible to easily increase the area in which the adhesive 40 is formed. As a result, even if the gap between the connecting portion 23 and the housing 30 widens somewhat due to, for example, a high-temperature environment, the adhesive 40 can effectively prevent liquid from passing between the connecting portion 23 and the housing 30.

[0047] (3) Furthermore, by adjusting the length of the connecting portion 23, the connection position between the first terminal portion 21 and the first mating terminal 70, and the connection position between the second terminal portion 22 and the second mating terminal can be easily adjusted.

[0048] (4) The housing 30 has a holding portion 31 that incorporates the connecting portion 23 and holds the terminal 20, and a fixing portion 33 for fixing the housing 30 to the case 100. The holding portion 31 is inserted into an attachment hole 101 of the case 100. The fixing portion 33 is formed to protrude in the first direction X1 from an end face of the holding portion 31 that faces the first axis X, that is, in the first direction X1, and to protrude outward beyond the outer circumferential surface of the holding portion 31.

[0049] According to this configuration, the fixing portion 33 is formed so as to protrude in the first direction X1 from the end face of the holding portion 31 in the first direction X1 and protrude outward beyond the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion 31. Therefore, when the fixing portion 33 is formed so as to protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion 31, the size of the holding portion 31 in the first direction X1 can be made smaller than when, for example, the end face of the holding portion 31 in the first direction X1 and the end face of the fixing portion 33 in the first direction X1 are formed flush with each other.

[0050] (5) If the size of the holding portion 31 in the first direction X1 can be reduced, the size of the case 100 in the first direction X1 can be reduced. As a result, the overall size of the electrical device including the case 100 can be reduced.

[0051] (6) The first terminal 21 is formed to protrude in the first direction X1 from the end face of the holding portion 31 facing the first direction X1. The first terminal 21 is connected to the first mating terminal 70. The housing 30 has a recess 35 formed by the end face of the holding portion 31 facing the first direction X1 and the end face of the fixing portion 33 facing the first direction X1. A part of the connection portion between the first terminal 21 and the first mating terminal 70 is disposed inside the recess 35.

[0052] With this configuration, a portion of the connection portion between the first terminal portion 21 and the first mating terminal 70 is disposed inside the recess 35 of the housing 30. Therefore, the amount of protrusion of the first terminal portion 21 and the first mating terminal 70 in the first direction X1 from the end face of the fixing portion 33 in the first direction X1 can be reduced compared to a case where the end face of the holding portion 31 in the first direction X1 and the end face of the fixing portion 33 in the first direction X1 are formed flush with each other and no recess 35 is present. This allows for an optimal reduction in the size in the first direction X1 of the entire apparatus, including the attachment object to which the connector 10 is attached and the counterpart device connected to the attachment object.

[0053] (7) Furthermore, the amount of resin required to manufacture the housing 30 can be reduced compared to when the end face of the holding portion 31 in the first direction X1 and the end face of the fixing portion 33 in the first direction X1 are formed flush with each other.

[0054] (Other Embodiments) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0055] The structure of the terminal 20 in the above embodiment may be modified as appropriate. In the above embodiment, the connecting portion 23 is formed to extend along the second axis Y, but is not limited to this.

[0056] 6, the connecting portion 23 may be formed to extend in a direction intersecting with the second axis Y. Specifically, the connecting portion 23 may be formed to extend in a direction intersecting with the second axis Y in the YZ plane.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the first terminal 21 is formed in a flat plate shape, but this is not limiting. For example, the first terminal 21 may be provided with a bolt hole. In this case, the first terminal 21 is connected to the first mating terminal 70 by fastening a bolt.

[0058] For example, as shown in Fig. 7, the first terminal portion 21 may be modified to have a cylindrical female terminal portion 25. Similar to the first mating terminal 70 of the above embodiment, a retaining member 90 and a clip 95 are provided inside the female terminal portion 25. In this case, for example, a first mating terminal formed in a flat plate shape is inserted into the female terminal portion 25 along the first opposite direction X2. The female terminal portion 25 is formed to protrude, for example, along the second axis Y in a direction away from the connecting portion 23. The female terminal portion 25 of this modified example is formed to protrude in the second opposite direction Y2.

[0059] According to this configuration, the female terminal portion 25 is formed to protrude in a direction away from the connecting portion 23. Therefore, in a plan view seen from the first axis X, the area where the female terminal portion 25 and the connecting portion 23 overlap can be reduced. This makes it possible to preferably prevent the female terminal portion 25 from interfering with the application of adhesive 40, for example, when applying adhesive 40 to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 23. As a result, the assembly workability of the connector 10 can be improved.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the second terminal portion 22 is formed to have a structure including the bolt hole 24, but this is not limiting. For example, the bolt hole 24 may be omitted from the second terminal portion 22. For example, the second terminal portion 22 may be modified to have a structure including the female terminal portion 25.

[0061] The structure of the housing 30 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the housing 30 may have a wall portion 36 provided between adjacent terminals 20. In this modified example, each wall portion 36 is provided between adjacent second terminal portions 22 in the direction along the third axis Z. Each wall portion 36 protrudes from the holding portion 31 in the first opposite direction X2.

[0062] Although the fixing portion 33 is formed to protrude in the first direction X1 from the end face of the holding portion 31 in the first direction X1, this is not limiting. For example, the fixing portion 33 may be formed to protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface of the holding portion 31. In this case, the end face of the fixing portion 33 in the first direction X1 may be formed flush with the end face of the holding portion 31 in the first direction X1.

[0063] Although the housing 30 has a structure including two fixing portions 33, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the housing 30 may be modified to have a structure including one fixing portion 33. For example, the fixing portion 33 may be formed continuously around the entire circumferential direction of the holding portion 31.

[0064] The fixing portion 33 may be omitted. In the above embodiment, the adhesive 40 is formed to cover only the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 23 of the terminal 20, but this is not limited to this. For example, the adhesive 40 may be formed to cover the outer peripheral surface of the entire portion of the terminal 20 that is embedded in the housing 30. For example, the adhesive 40 may be formed to cover the outer peripheral surface of the end of the first terminal 21 in the first opposite direction X2. For example, the adhesive 40 may be formed to cover the outer peripheral surface of the end of the second terminal 22 in the first direction X1.

[0065] Although the connector 10 in the above embodiment includes three terminals 20, the number of terminals 20 is not limited to this. For example, the connector 10 may include one terminal 20, two terminals 20, or four or more terminals 20.

[0066] The present disclosure includes the following aspects. Note that, for the purpose of facilitating understanding and not limitation, reference symbols indicating components of the embodiments are given in parentheses in the following description. (Supplementary Note 1) A connector (10) comprising: a terminal (20); a housing (30) that holds the terminal (20); and an adhesive (40) interposed between the terminal (20) and the housing (30), wherein the terminal (20) includes: a first terminal portion (21) extending along a first axis (X); a second terminal portion (22) extending along the first axis (X); and a connecting portion (23) that connects the first terminal portion (21) and the second terminal portion (22) and extends along a second axis (Y) that intersects with the first axis (X), wherein the first terminal portion (21) and the second terminal portion (22) extend in opposite directions from each other with the connecting portion (23) as a base point, the housing (30) includes a holding portion (31) that holds the terminal (20), and a portion of the first terminal portion (21) and a portion of the second terminal portion (22), each connected to the connecting portion (23), are embedded in the holding portion (31), together with the connecting portion (23); the adhesive (40) is formed to cover the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion (23) and extend along the second axis (Y); the holding portion (31) has a first dimension in a direction along the first axis (X) and a second dimension in a direction along the second axis (Y) at the portion where the portion of the first terminal portion (21), the connecting portion (23), and the portion of the second terminal portion (22) are embedded, and the first dimension is smaller than the second dimension.

[0067] This configuration allows the size of the connector in the direction along the first axis (particularly the thickness of the retaining portion) to be reduced. To properly seal the interface between the retaining portion of the housing and the connecting portion embedded therein with adhesive, it is desirable to maximize the adhesive application area in the connecting portion. To achieve this, the connecting portion is configured to extend along the second axis within the retaining portion. In this configuration, even if the length of the connecting portion within the retaining portion is increased in the direction along the second axis, the dimension of the retaining portion in the direction along the first axis (i.e., the thickness of the retaining portion) does not increase. Therefore, by configuring the retaining portion so that the first dimension is smaller than the second dimension as described above, the size of the connector in the direction along the first axis can be reduced while increasing the adhesive application area.

[0068] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the meaning described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0069] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Connector 20 Terminal 21 First terminal portion 22 Second terminal portion 23 Connecting portion 24 Bolt hole 25 Female terminal portion 30 Housing 31 Holding portion 32 Accommodation groove 33 Fixing portion 34 Fixing hole 35 Recessed portion 36 Wall portion 40 Adhesive 50 Sealing member 70 First mating terminal 80 Bus bar 81 Cylindrical portion 82 Plate-shaped portion 90 Holding member 91 Clamping portion 95 Clip 100 Case 101 Mounting hole C1 First mating connector X First axis X1 First direction X2 First opposite direction Y Second axis Y1 Second direction Y2 Second opposite direction Z Third axis Z1 Third direction Z2 Third opposite direction

Claims

1. A connector comprising: one or more terminals; a housing that holds the terminals; and an adhesive interposed between the terminals and the housing, wherein the terminals have: a first terminal portion extending along a first axis; a second terminal portion extending along the first axis; and a connecting portion that connects the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion and extends along a second axis that intersects the first axis, wherein the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion extend in opposite directions from each other with the connecting portion as a base point, the connecting portion being embedded in the housing, and the adhesive is formed to cover the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion and extend along the second axis.

2. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein the housing has a holding portion that incorporates the connecting portion and holds the terminal, and a fixing portion for fixing the housing to an object to be attached, the holding portion being a portion that is inserted into an attachment hole of the object to be attached, and the fixing portion is formed so as to protrude in the first direction from an end face of the holding portion in a first direction that is one direction along the first axis, and to protrude outward beyond the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion.

3. A connector as described in claim 2, wherein the first terminal portion is formed so as to protrude in the first direction from the end face of the holding portion facing the first direction, the first terminal portion is a portion that connects with a first mating terminal, the housing has a recess formed by the end face of the holding portion facing the first direction and the end face of the fixing portion facing the first direction, and a part of the connection portion between the first terminal portion and the first mating terminal is positioned inside the recess.

4. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein the first terminal portion extends from the connecting portion in a first direction that is one direction along the first axis, the connecting portion extends from an end of the first terminal portion in a first opposite direction that is the opposite direction to the first direction toward a second direction that is one direction along the second axis, and the second terminal portion extends from the end of the connecting portion in the second direction toward the first opposite direction.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal portion is formed in a flat plate shape, and the first terminal portion is a portion that connects with a first mating terminal, which is a cylindrical female terminal into which the first terminal portion is inserted.

6. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein the first terminal portion has a cylindrical female terminal portion, and the female terminal portion is formed so as to protrude in a direction away from the connecting portion on the second axis.

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