Connector

Abstract

This connector includes: a housing; a fixing metal fitting held by the housing; a terminal metal fitting fixed to the fixing metal fitting in a state of protruding from the fixing metal fitting to a first side in a first direction; a conductive component held between the fixing metal fitting and the terminal metal fitting in the first direction and electrically connected to the terminal metal fitting; a metal shield member surrounding the housing in a state of exposing the terminal metal fitting toward the first side in the first direction; and a heat transfer part containing a material having better thermal conductivity than the housing and coming into contact with both the fixing metal fitting and the shield member at a position overlapping the fixing metal fitting when viewed from a second direction intersecting the first direction.

Description

Connector

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a connector. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-015950, filed in Japan on February 3, 2025, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Connectors are used to connect electrical wirings (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-83460

[0004] By the way, in a connector, improvement in heat dissipation is expected.

[0005] One embodiment provides a connector capable of improving heat dissipation.

[0006] A connector according to one embodiment includes a housing, a fixing metal fitting held by the housing, a terminal metal fitting fixed to the fixing metal fitting in a state of protruding from the fixing metal fitting to the first side in the first direction, a conductive component held between the fixing metal fitting and the terminal metal fitting in the first direction and electrically connected to the terminal metal fitting, a metal shield member surrounding the housing in a state of exposing the terminal metal fitting toward the first side in the first direction, and a heat transfer portion including a material having better thermal conductivity than the housing and contacting both the fixing metal fitting and the shield member at a position overlapping the fixing metal fitting when viewed from a second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0007] According to one embodiment, a connector capable of improving heat dissipation can be provided.

[0008] It is a perspective view of the connector of the embodiment as viewed from the +X direction. It is an exploded perspective view of the connector of the embodiment. It is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line III-III in FIG. 1. It is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line IV-IV in FIG. 3. In the connector according to the modification, it is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3.

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted. Note that the specific components described below do not limit the scope of application of the embodiments.

[0010] In this disclosure, terms are defined as follows: “Connection” may include electrical connections, not just mechanical ones. That is, “Connection” may include cases where two elements to be connected are connected with another element in between, not just directly connected. “Accommodation” may include cases where only a part of a part is accommodated, not just the entire part. “Facing” means that the virtual projections of two objects overlap when viewed from a particular direction. That is, “Facing” may include cases where two objects face each other with another member present between them, not just directly facing each other. “Parallel,” “orthogonal,” or “same” may include cases where they are “approximately parallel,” “approximately orthogonal,” or “approximately the same,” respectively.

[0011] In this disclosure, the +X direction, -X direction, +Y direction, -Y direction, +Z direction, and -Z direction are defined as follows: The +X direction is the direction in which the second shielding member 12 and the housing unit 10 are aligned in the connector 1 (see Figures 1 to 3). The -X direction is the opposite direction to the +X direction. When the +X direction and the -X direction are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "X direction". The Y direction is the direction that intersects (e.g., is orthogonal to) the X direction. The +Y direction is the direction in which one terminal fitting 15 moves toward the other terminal fitting 15 in the connector 1 (see Figures 1 and 2). The -Y direction is the opposite direction to the +Y direction. When the +Y direction and the -Y direction are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "Y direction". The Z direction is the direction that intersects (e.g., is orthogonal to) the X direction and the Y direction. The +Z direction is the direction in which the wire holding portion 32 and the housing body 31 are aligned in order in the housing unit 10 (see Figure 3). The -Z direction is the opposite direction to the +Z direction. When the +Z direction and -Z direction are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the "Z direction". Furthermore, in the following, in the X, Y, and Z directions, the direction approaching the center of the connector 1 is referred to as the "inside", and the direction moving away from the center of the connector 1 is referred to as the "outside".

[0012] The X direction is an example of the "first direction". The +X direction is an example of the "first side of the first direction". The -X direction is an example of the "second side of the first direction". The Z direction is an example of the "second direction".

[0013] In the following, the Z direction may be referred to as the "up and down direction." Also, in the following, the +Z direction may be described as "upward" and the -Z direction as "downward." However, these expressions are for the sake of explanation and do not limit the direction of gravity of connector 1 (the installation orientation of connector 1).

[0014] <1. Connector 1> Figure 1 is a perspective view of the connector 1 according to the embodiment, viewed from the +X direction. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line III-III in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connector 1 of the embodiment is mounted on a vehicle such as an EV (Electric Vehicle), HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). The connector 1 is a so-called high-voltage connector through which a current of 100V or more flows. The connector 1 is detachably connected to a mating connector (not shown). The electrical wiring (hereinafter simply referred to as wire 2) electrically connected to the connector 1 and the mating wire electrically connected to the mating connector are electrically connected to each other via the connector 1 and the mating connector. The connector 1 of this embodiment corresponds to two electrodes. However, the connector 1 may correspond to one electrode, or to three or more electrodes.

[0015] The connector 1 comprises a housing unit 10, a first shielding member 11, a second shielding member 12, a holder 13, two busbars 14 (see Figure 3), and two terminal fittings 15.

[0016] <2. Housing Unit 10> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the housing unit 10 holds the busbar 14 and terminal fittings 15. The housing unit 10 comprises a housing 21, two fixing brackets 22, and two housing heat transfer members 23. The housing unit 10 is formed integrally by insert molding or the like, with the housing 21, fixing brackets 22, and housing heat transfer members 23 being formed together. However, the method of forming the housing unit 10 is not limited to insert molding, as long as the fixing brackets 22 and housing heat transfer members 23 are held in the housing 21. The housing heat transfer member 23 is an example of a "heat transfer part".

[0017] The housing 21 is made of an electrically insulating material (for example, a synthetic resin material). The housing 21 is L-shaped when viewed from the Y direction. The housing 21 comprises a housing body 31, a wire holding portion 32, two fixing portions 33, and a connector portion 34.

[0018] The housing body 31 is located between the wire holding portion 32 and the connector portion 34. The housing body 31 comprises a base portion 31a and two metal fitting holding portions 31b. The base portion 31a is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that is flattened in the Z direction. Each metal fitting holding portion 31b is provided on the base portion 31a in the Y direction. The metal fitting holding portion 31b is formed in the shape of a bottomed cylinder that opens in the +X direction. That is, the metal fitting holding portion 31b comprises a holding cylinder portion 31b1 and a holding bottom portion 31b2 that closes the -X direction opening of the holding cylinder portion 31b1. The metal fitting holding portion 31b is connected to the base portion 31a with a portion of it protruding upward from the base portion 31a.

[0019] The wire holding section 32 extends downward from the housing body 31. Two wire holding holes 32a are formed in the wire holding section 32. Each wire holding hole 32a is aligned in the Y direction and extends along the entire length of the wire holding section 32 in the Z direction. The first end of the wire 2 can be individually inserted into each wire holding hole 32a from below. As shown in Figure 3, the wire 2 comprises, for example, a metal core wire 2a and an insulating sheath 2b covering the core wire 2a. The second end of the wire 2 is pulled out from each wire holding hole 32a to the outside of the connector 1 and then connected to an electrical load (not shown).

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the fixing portion 33 is the part that fixes the shield members 11 and 12 to the housing unit 10. Each fixing portion 33 protrudes outward in the Y direction at the lower end of the wire holding portion 32.

[0021] The connector portion 34 houses the terminal fittings 15 and is mechanically connected to the mating connector. The connector portion 34 extends from the housing body 31 in the +X direction. The connector portion 34 comprises a mating portion 34a and two terminal housing portions 34b. The mating portion 34a is formed as a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens in the +X direction. The mating portion 34a is formed as an oval shape with the Y direction as its long axis when viewed from the X direction. A packing 30 is fitted into the cylindrical portion of the mating portion 34a.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the terminal housing portion 34b is positioned to overlap with the metal fitting holder portion 31b when viewed from the X direction. The terminal housing portion 34b is formed in a cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with the corresponding metal fitting holder portion 31b. Each terminal housing portion 34b is provided inside the fitting portion 34a, aligned in the Y direction. As shown in Figure 3, each terminal housing portion 34b penetrates the bottom wall of the fitting portion 34a. The -X direction end of the terminal housing portion 34b is connected to the +X direction end of the corresponding terminal housing portion 34b. The -X direction end of each terminal housing portion 34b overlaps with the corresponding wire holding hole 32a when viewed from the Z direction. A communication hole 40 is formed in the portion of each terminal housing portion 34b that overlaps with the corresponding wire holding hole 32a when viewed from the Z direction. The communication hole 40 connects the inside of the corresponding terminal housing portion 34b and the wire holding holes 32a to each other. Each communication hole 40 is spaced apart from each other in the Y direction. Each communication hole 40 penetrates the terminal housing portion 34b and the base portion 31a in the Z direction. However, each communication hole 40 may communicate with each other if the busbars 14 are arranged at a distance from each other.

[0023] The fixing bracket 22 holds the terminal fitting 15. The fixing bracket 22 is, for example, a cap nut. The fixing bracket 22 is formed from a metal material (for example, SUS, etc.) in a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens in the +X direction. Specifically, the fixing bracket 22 comprises a fixing cylindrical portion 22a, a fixing bottom portion 22b, and a fixing flange portion 22c. The fixing bracket 22 may also be a cylindrical shape that penetrates in the X direction. The fixing cylindrical portion 22a is an example of a "cylindrical portion". The fixing bottom portion 22b is an example of a "bottom portion".

[0024] The fixed cylindrical portion 22a extends in the X direction. A female threaded portion is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the fixed cylindrical portion 22a. The fixed bottom portion 22b closes the -X direction opening of the fixed cylindrical portion 22a. The fixed flange portion 22c protrudes from the +X direction end of the fixed cylindrical portion 22a, away from the center of the fixed cylindrical portion 22a when viewed from the X direction. The fixed flange portion 22c extends around the entire circumference of the fixed cylindrical portion 22a. However, the fixed flange portion 22c may be provided intermittently in the circumferential direction on the fixed cylindrical portion 22a. Also, the fixed flange portion 22c is not an essential component.

[0025] The fixing bracket 22 is embedded in each bracket holding portion 31b by insert molding into the housing 21. The fixing bracket 22 is open into the corresponding terminal housing portion 34b in the portion located in the -X direction with respect to the communication hole 40. Of the fixing bracket 22, the periphery of the fixing cylinder portion 22a and the fixing flange portion 22c is covered by the holding cylinder portion 31b1. Of the fixing bracket 22, the fixing bottom portion 22b is covered from the -X direction by the holding bottom portion 31b2. The fixing bracket 22 may also be fixed to the housing 21 by post-processing such as press-fitting.

[0026] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the IV-IV line in Figure 3. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the housing heat transfer member 23 is the part that transfers heat generated by the busbar 14, terminal fittings 15, etc., to the outside of the connector 1. In this embodiment, the housing heat transfer member 23 is provided individually for each fitting holding part 31b. The housing heat transfer member 23 is made of a material that has better thermal conductivity than the forming material of the housing 21 and also has electrical insulation properties. As such a material, the housing heat transfer member 23 is made of, for example, a thermally conductive resin material or a mixed material in which a heat transfer element with thermal conductivity is mixed with a resin that serves as the base material.

[0027] The housing heat transfer member 23 is embedded in each of the metal fitting holding portions 31b by insert molding into the housing 21. Specifically, in the portion of the holding cylinder portion 31b1 that overlaps with the fixed cylinder portion 22a when viewed from the Z direction, through holes 41 are individually formed. The through holes 41 are located in the upper wall portion of the holding cylinder portion 31b1, and penetrate in the Z direction in a portion located in the -X direction from the communication hole 40.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the length of the through-hole 41 in the X direction is shorter than the length of the retaining cylinder portion 31b1 and the fixing cylinder portion 22a in the X direction. In this embodiment, the length of the through-hole 41 in the X direction is set to be between 1 / 3 and 1 / 2 of the length of the fixing cylinder portion 22a in the X direction. As shown in Figure 4, the through-hole 41 is formed in an arc shape that extends over a predetermined range in the circumferential direction of the retaining cylinder portion 31b1, including the uppermost end of the retaining cylinder portion 31b1 when viewed from the X direction. However, the position and shape of the through-hole 41 in the retaining cylinder portion 31b1 can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the through-hole 41 may be formed across the retaining bottom portion 31b2 and the terminal housing portion 34b, as long as it is formed in at least the retaining cylinder portion 31b1.

[0029] The housing heat transfer member 23 is embedded in the housing 21 so as to be housed within the through hole 41. The housing heat transfer member 23 is exposed to the inside and outside of the retaining cylinder portion 31b1 through the through hole 41. In this embodiment, the lower surface of the housing heat transfer member 23 is flush with the inner surface (lower surface) of the retaining cylinder portion 31b1. The lower surface of the housing heat transfer member 23 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the fixed cylinder portion 22a, together with the inner surface of the retaining cylinder portion 31b1. The upper surface of the housing heat transfer member 23 is flush with the outer surface (upper surface) of the retaining cylinder portion 31b1. However, the upper surface of the housing heat transfer member 23 may bulge outwards or recessed relative to the outer surface of the retaining cylinder portion 31b1.

[0030] <3. First Shielding Member 11> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first shielding member 11 is a member that performs the function of shielding electromagnetic noise. The first shielding member 11 is made of a material that can shield electromagnetic noise and has better thermal conductivity than the housing 21 and the fixing bracket 22. The first shielding member 11 comprises a cylindrical portion 51, an overhanging portion 52, and two fixing arm portions 53.

[0031] The cylindrical portion 51 is formed to be slightly larger than the wire holding portion 32 when viewed from the Z direction. The wire holding portion 32 penetrates the cylindrical portion 51 in the Z direction. The protruding portion 52 extends outward from the upper edge of the cylindrical portion 51 when viewed from the Z direction. The fixing arm portion 53 protrudes upward from the portions of the protruding portion 52 that face each other in the Y direction. Each fixing arm portion 53 is superimposed on the corresponding fixing portion 33 from the -X direction.

[0032] <4. Second Shielding Member 12> The second shielding member 12 is a member that performs the function of shielding electromagnetic noise. The second shielding member 12 is formed of the same material as the first shielding member 11, for example. The second shielding member 12 comprises a shield body 55, a mounting flange 56, and a protruding portion 57. The second shielding member 12 is an example of a "shielding member". The protruding portion 57 is an example of a "projection".

[0033] The shield body 55 is formed in a box shape that opens in both the +X direction and downwards. The shield body 55 surrounds the housing unit 10. In the illustrated example, the shield body 55 surrounds the portion of the housing unit 10 from above, the -X direction end of the connector portion 34, the entire housing body 31, and the upper end of the wire holding portion 32, from both the -X and Y directions. Specifically, the shield body 55 comprises an end wall 55a, a top wall 55b, and side walls 55c.

[0034] The end wall 55a overlaps with the entire housing body 31 and the upper end of the wire holding portion 32 when viewed from the X direction. The top wall 55b extends in the +X direction from the upper edge of the end wall 55a. The top wall 55b overlaps with the -X end of the connector portion 34 and the entire housing body 31 when viewed from the Z direction. The side wall 55c extends in the +X direction from both ends of the end wall 55a in the Y direction and connects to the top wall 55b at its upper edge. The side wall 55c overlaps with the -X end of the connector portion 34, the entire housing body 31, and the portion leading to the upper end of the wire holding portion 32 when viewed from the Y direction. The lower edge of the side wall 55c faces the protruding portion 52 in the Z direction.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, the housing unit 10 is housed within the shield body 55 with the second shield member 12 facing it in the X or Z direction. At the lower end of each side wall 55c, a housing portion 55e is formed in the portion facing the corresponding fixing portion 33 in the X direction. The housing portion 55e can accommodate at least a part of the fixing portion 33. Of the inner surface of the housing portion 55e, the portion facing the fixing portion 33 in the X direction functions as a mounting base 55f. The mounting base 55f supports the fixing portion 33 from the -X direction with the fixing arm portion 53 sandwiched between the mounting base 55f and the fixing portion 33. The fixing portion 33 and the fixing arm portion 53 are fastened to the mounting base 55f by fastening members such as screws. With this configuration, the housing unit 10 and the first shield member 11 are fixed to the second shield member 12.

[0036] Each mounting flange 56 protrudes outward in the Y direction from the +X direction end of each side wall 55c. Each mounting flange 56 is the part that fastens the connector 1 and the mating connector by a fastening member when the connector 1 is attached to the mating connector.

[0037] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the protruding portions 57 project from the shield body 55 toward the inside of the shield body 55. Specifically, multiple protruding portions 57 are provided at intervals in the Y direction. Each protruding portion 57 projects downward from the top wall 55b and extends in the X direction. The -X end of each protruding portion 57 is connected to the end wall 55a.

[0038] The lower end surface of each protrusion 57 is in contact with the housing unit 10 in the Z direction. Specifically, the lower end surface of any one of the protrusions 57 is in contact with the outer surface of the retaining cylinder portion 31b1 and the upper surface of the housing heat transfer member 23 in the X direction. That is, the housing heat transfer member 23 is thermally connected to the second shield member 12 via the protrusions 57. However, it is sufficient that the protrusions 57 are in contact with the housing heat transfer member 23 at least. The housing heat transfer member 23 may have flexibility that allows it to deform due to the contact pressure acting between the protrusions 57 and the housing heat transfer member 23 when the housing unit 10 and the second shield member 12 are mounted together.

[0039] <5. Holder 13> As shown in Figure 3, the holder 13 positions the electric wire 2 relative to the housing unit 10. The holder 13 is detachably attached to the electric wire holding portion 32. The holder 13 comprises two electric wire guides 61, a connecting flange 62, and an engaging portion 63. Each electric wire guide 61 is cylindrical and arranged coaxially with the corresponding electric wire holding hole 32a. Each electric wire guide 61 is fitted into the corresponding electric wire holding hole 32a from below. The corresponding electric wire 2 passes through each electric wire guide 61 in the Z direction.

[0040] The connecting flange 62 connects the lower edges of each wire guide 61 below the housing unit 10. The engaging portion 63 extends upward in a cantilevered manner from the outer peripheral edge of the connecting flange 62. The engaging portion 63 is hooked onto the outer peripheral surface of the wire holding portion 32. Multiple engaging portions 63 are provided at intervals along the outer peripheral edge of the connecting flange 62.

[0041] <6. Bus bar 14> As shown in Fig. 3, two bus bars 14 are provided corresponding to the electric wires 2. Each bus bar 14 has the same configuration. Therefore, hereinafter, one bus bar 14 will be taken as an example to describe the details of the bus bar 14. The bus bar 14 is an example of a "conductive component".

[0042] The bus bar 14 is for connecting the terminal fitting 15 and the electric wire 2. The bus bar 14 extends in the Z direction with the X direction as the thickness direction. The bus bar 14 is arranged across the inside of the corresponding terminal accommodating portion 34b and between the electric wire holding holes 32a through the communication hole 40. The lower end portion of the bus bar 14 is connected to the core wire 2a within the electric wire holding hole 32a. With this configuration, the electric wire 2 and the bus bar 14 are electrically connected.

[0043] The upper end portion of the bus bar 14 overlaps the fixing fitting 22 when viewed from the X direction within the terminal accommodating portion 34b. A through hole 14a penetrating the bus bar 14 in the X direction is formed in the upper end portion of the bus bar 14. The upper end edge of the bus bar 14 approaches or contacts the inner peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating portion 34b from below.

[0044] <7. Terminal fitting 15> The terminal fitting 15 is a part that electrically connects the mating connector and the bus bar 14. Two terminal fittings 15 are provided corresponding to the bus bar 14. Each terminal fitting 15 has the same configuration. Therefore, hereinafter, one terminal fitting 15 will be taken as an example to describe the details of the terminal fitting 15.

[0045] The terminal fitting 15 is positioned across the corresponding fitting holding portion 31b and terminal housing portion 34b. The terminal fitting 15 comprises a rod-shaped portion 15a and a stop portion 15b. The rod-shaped portion 15a is positioned coaxially with the fixing fitting 22. A male threaded portion is formed at the -X end of the rod-shaped portion 15a. The -X end of the rod-shaped portion 15a is inserted into the fixing fitting 22 through the through hole 14a. The -X end of the rod-shaped portion 15a is detachably fastened to the fixing fitting 22 via the male threaded portion and the female threaded portion. With this configuration, the terminal fitting 15 is fixed to the fixing fitting 22 in a state where it protrudes from the fixing fitting 22 in the +X direction. The +X end of the rod-shaped portion 15a is housed in the terminal housing portion 34b. That is, the +X end of the terminal fitting 15 is exposed to the outside of the connector 1 through the +X opening in the terminal housing portion 34b.

[0046] The abutment portion 15b protrudes from the middle portion of the rod-shaped portion 15a in the X direction. When the terminal fitting 15 is fixed to the fixing fitting 22, the abutment portion 15b sandwiches the busbar body 71 in the X direction between itself and the fixing fitting 22.

[0047] <8. Assembly Procedure for Connector 1> First, connect the electric wire 2 (core wire 2a) to the lower end of the busbar 14. Next, as shown in Figure 3, attach the busbar 14 and electric wire 2 to the housing 21. Specifically, insert the busbar 14 and electric wire 2 into the electric wire holding hole 32a through the lower end opening of the electric wire holding hole 32a. Then, insert the busbar 14 into the terminal housing portion 34b through the communication hole 40. At this time, insert the busbar 14 until its upper end edge contacts or approaches the inner circumferential surface of the terminal housing portion 34b from below.

[0048] Next, the terminal fitting 15 is fixed to the fixing fitting 22. Specifically, the rod-shaped portion 15a is inserted into the fixing fitting 22 through the through hole 14a of the bus bar 14. At this time, the rod-shaped portion 15a is fastened to the fixing fitting 22 via the male screw portion of the rod-shaped portion 15a and the female screw portion of the fixing fitting 22. With this configuration, the bus bar main body 71 and the terminal fitting 15 are electrically connected while the bus bar 14 is sandwiched between the abutting portion 15b and the fixing fitting 22. Thereafter, by attaching the holder 13 to the housing unit 10, the electric wire 2 is positioned with respect to the housing unit 10.

[0049] Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the first shield member 11 is attached to the housing unit 10. Specifically, the electric wire holding portion 32 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 51 until the fixing arm portion 53 overlaps with the fixing portion 33.

[0050] Subsequently, the second shield member 12 is attached to the housing unit 10. Specifically, with the second shield member 12 and the housing unit 10 facing each other, the housing unit 10 is made to enter into the shield main body 55 through the opening of the shield main body 55. With this configuration, the housing unit 10 is accommodated in the shield main body 55 in a state where the lower end surface of the protruding strip portion 57 is in contact with at least the housing heat transfer member 23. Thereafter, by fastening the corresponding fixing portion 33 and the fixing arm portion 53 to the mounting pedestal 55f, the first shield member 11 and the second shield member 12 are fixed to the housing unit 10.

[0051] By the way, the connection portion between the terminal fitting 15 and the bus bar 14 is a portion where a large amount of Joule heat is generated during energization due to the magnitude of the contact resistance. However, the connection portion between the terminal fitting 15 and the bus bar 14 is isolated from the outside of the connector 1 by being covered with the housing unit 10. Therefore, it is important to secure a heat dissipation path from the above-described connection portion to the outside of the connector 1.

[0052] <10. Effects> The connector 1 of this embodiment comprises a housing 21, a fixing bracket 22 held by the housing 21, a terminal fitting 15 fixed to the fixing bracket 22 and protruding from the fixing bracket 22 in the +X direction (first side in the first direction), a busbar (conductive component) 14 held between the fixing bracket 22 and the terminal fitting 15 in the X direction and electrically connected to the terminal fitting 15, a second metal shielding member (shielding member) 12 surrounding the housing 21 with the terminal fitting 15 exposed in the +X direction, and a housing heat transfer member (heat transfer part) 23 made of a material with better thermal conductivity than the housing 21 and in contact with both the fixing bracket 22 and the second shielding member 12 at a position that overlaps with the fixing bracket 22 when viewed from the Z direction (second direction). In this configuration, the housing heat transfer member 23 is provided so as to contact both the fixing bracket 22 and the second shield member 12, thereby transferring heat generated by the terminal fitting 15, busbar 14, etc., to the second shield member 12 through the fixing bracket 22 and the housing heat transfer member 23. This action makes it easier to release heat from the fixing bracket 22 to the outside of the connector 1, thereby suppressing deterioration of the connector 1. In particular, because the housing heat transfer member 23 contacts the fixing bracket 22 from a direction (Z direction) that intersects the mounting direction of the terminal fitting 15, even when a bottomed cylindrical fixing bracket 22 such as a cap nut is used, the formation of an air layer between the fixing bracket 22 and the housing heat transfer member 23 can be suppressed. This configuration also facilitates heat transfer to the second shield member 12. As a result, a connector 1 with excellent heat dissipation can be provided. Moreover, since a bottomed cylindrical fixing bracket 22 such as a cap nut can be used, the housing 21 and the fixing bracket 22 can be easily formed integrally by insert molding or the like. Therefore, manufacturing efficiency can also be improved.

[0053] In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the housing 21 has a through hole 41 that exposes the outer circumferential surface of the fixing bracket 22 in the Z direction, and the housing heat transfer member 23 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the fixing bracket 22 through the through hole 41. With this configuration, at least a part of the housing heat transfer member 23 is housed in the through hole 41, making it easy to position the housing heat transfer member 23 relative to the housing 21 and the fixing bracket 22. This action can suppress displacement of the housing heat transfer member 23 due to vibration, etc.

[0054] In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the fixing bracket 22 includes a fixing cylindrical portion (cylindrical portion) 22a extending in the X direction and a fixing bottom portion (bottom portion) 22b that closes the -X direction opening (second side opening) of the fixing cylindrical portion 22a. The housing 21 is integrally formed with the fixing bracket 22, covering the fixing cylindrical portion 22a and the fixing bottom portion 22b. With this configuration, when integrally forming the housing 21 and the fixing bracket 22 by insert molding or the like, it is possible to suppress the inflow of housing material 21 into the inside of the fixing bottom portion 22b. This action can improve manufacturing efficiency. Moreover, in this embodiment, the housing heat transfer member 23 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the fixing cylindrical portion 22a. In this case, compared to the case where the housing heat transfer member 23 comes into contact with the fixing bottom portion 22b, it is possible to improve the contact area between the housing heat transfer member 23 and the fixing bracket 22 while suppressing an increase in the diameter of the fixing bracket 22. This configuration can improve heat dissipation.

[0055] In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the housing heat transfer member 23 is formed integrally with the housing 21. This configuration makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and assembly man-hours.

[0056] Several embodiments and modifications have been described above. However, the embodiments and modifications are not limited to the examples described above. For example, multiple embodiments may be realized by combining them with one another. The present invention is not limited by the above description, but is limited only by the appended claims. In the embodiments described above, a configuration in which the heat transfer section comprises only the housing heat transfer member 23 was described, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. The heat transfer section may be configured to contact both the fixing bracket 22 and the second shield member 12. In this case, the heat transfer section may be a laminated structure of multiple heat transfer members, or a laminated structure of heat transfer members and insulating members, etc. Also, the heat transfer member may be in the form of a paste, etc. In the embodiments described above, a configuration in which the housing heat transfer member 23 is integrally formed with the housing 21 was described, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. As shown in Figure 5, the housing heat transfer member 23 may be attached to the housing 21 by post-processing. In this case, a gap may be created between the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 41 and the housing heat transfer member 23.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, a configuration was described in which the housing heat transfer member 23 is embedded inside a portion that is enclosed around its entire circumference, such as a through-hole 41, but the configuration is not limited to this. The housing heat transfer member 23 may be provided inside a portion that is partially enclosed, such as a notch. In the above-described embodiment, a configuration was described in which the heat transfer section is provided individually for each fixing bracket 22, but the configuration is not limited to this. The heat transfer section may be provided integrally for a plurality of fixing brackets 22. In the above-described embodiment, a configuration was described in which the busbar 14 is sandwiched between the fixing bracket 22 and the terminal fitting 15, but the configuration is not limited to this. The method of fixing the busbar 14 can be changed as appropriate, as long as it is electrically connected to the terminal fitting 15.

[0058] Furthermore, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0059] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a connector capable of improving heat dissipation can be provided.

[0060] 1: Connector 12: Second shielding member (shielding member) 14: Busbar (conductive component) 15: Terminal fitting 21: Housing 22: Fixing fitting 22a: Fixing cylinder part (cylinder part) 22b: Fixing bottom part (bottom part) 23: Housing heat transfer member (heat transfer part) 41: Through hole

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a housing; a fixing bracket held by the housing; a terminal fitting fixed to the fixing bracket so as to protrude from the fixing bracket to a first side in a first direction; a conductive component held between the fixing bracket and the terminal fitting in the first direction and electrically connected to the terminal fitting; a metal shielding member surrounding the housing such that the terminal fitting is exposed toward the first side in the first direction; and a heat transfer portion made of a material with better thermal conductivity than the housing, which contacts both the fixing bracket and the shielding member at a position that overlaps with the fixing bracket when viewed from a second direction intersecting the first direction.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a through hole that exposes the outer circumferential surface of the fixing bracket in the second direction, and the heat transfer portion is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the fixing bracket through the through hole.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixing bracket comprises a cylindrical portion extending in the first direction and a bottom portion that closes the second side opening in the first direction of the cylindrical portion, and the housing is integrally formed with the fixing bracket while covering the cylindrical portion and the bottom portion.

4. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the heat transfer section is formed integrally with the housing.

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