Patent Application
20240380165
The present disclosure relates to a connector and an interlock connector.
Patent Document 1 discloses a connector provided with a housing including an opening for exposing an end part of a wire-side terminal and a service cover (hereinafter, referred to as a cover) for covering the opening as a connector to be connected to a device for vehicle or the like.
The wire-side terminal is electrically connected to a device-side terminal provided in the device by bolt fastening through the opening of the housing. This opening is closed by the cover after the bolt fastening.
This connector constitutes an interlock circuit for electrically detecting the attachment and detachment of the cover to and from the housing and the attachment and detachment of the connector to and from the device. The interlock circuit is provided with a device-side detector provided in the device, a connector-side detector provided inside the housing and a cover-side detector provided in the cover. By connecting the device-side detector and the cover-side detector via the connector-side detector, the interlock circuit is closed. In this way, the device and the connector enter an electrically conductive state.
The device-side detector is fixed to the device. The connector-side detector is held movably in a plane direction orthogonal to a connection direction of the connector with respect to the housing. The cover-side detector is held movably in the plane direction with respect to the cover.
In connecting such a connector to the device, the misalignment of each detector is absorbed by each of the connector-side detector and the cover-side detector moving in the plane direction.
The position of the device-side detector in the plane direction may deviate from a proper position within a range of manufacturing tolerances. In this case, the position of the connector-side detector to be connected to the device-side detector moves to a position corresponding to the position of the device-side detector. A worker needs to align the cover-side detector with such a connector-side detector in connecting the cover-side detector to the connector-side detector. Thus, the more the device-side detector deviates from the proper position, the more cumbersome an operation of mounting the cover on the housing may become.
The present disclosure aims to provide a connector and an interlock connector enabling a cover to be easily mounted.
The present disclosure is directed to a connector to be electrically connected to a connection target, the connector being provided with a plurality of connection terminals parallel to each other, a plurality of wires to be respectively connected to the plurality of connection terminals, a connector housing including a tubular portion provided with an opening for exposing end parts of the plurality of connection terminals, a cover for covering the opening by being inserted into the tubular portion, and an interlock connector provided inside the tubular portion, the interlock connector electrically detecting attachment and detachment of the cover to and from the connector housing, an end part of each of the plurality of connection terminals being provided with a through hole penetrating in an axial direction of the tubular portion, a bolt being inserted through the through hole, the cover including a cover terminal, the interlock connector including a plurality of first terminals to be electrically connected to the cover terminal, a plurality of second terminals to be electrically connected to a standby terminal provided in the connection target, a plurality of flexible wires having flexibility, the flexible wires respectively electrically connecting the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals, a first housing for holding the plurality of first terminals, a second housing for holding the plurality of second terminals, and a holder for holding each of the first housing and the second housing movably in a plane direction orthogonal to the axial direction, the holder covering the plurality of flexible wires, each of the plurality of flexible wires including an extra length portion pulled out to outside of the holder from the holder, the extra length portion allowing movements of the first housing and the second housing in the plane direction with respect to the holder, and the connector housing including a fixing portion for fixing the holder inside the tubular portion.
The present disclosure is also directed to an interlock connector to be provided inside a connector including a tubular portion provided with an opening for exposing end parts of a plurality of connection terminals, the interlock connector electrically detecting attachment and detachment of a cover for covering the opening by being inserted into the tubular portion, the interlock connector being provided with a plurality of first terminals to be electrically connected to a cover terminal provided in the cover, a plurality of second terminals to be electrically connected to a standby terminal provided in a connection target to be connected to the connector, a plurality of flexible wires having flexibility, the flexible wires respectively electrically connecting the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals, a first housing for holding the first terminals, a second housing for holding the second terminals, and a holder for holding each of the first housing and the second housing movably in a plane direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the tubular portion, the holder covering the plurality of flexible wires, each of the plurality of flexible wires including an extra length portion pulled out to outside of the holder from the holder, the extra length portion allowing movements of the first housing and the second housing in the plane direction with respect to the holder.
According to the present disclosure, a cover can be easily mounted.
First, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described.
[1] The connector of the present disclosure is to be electrically connected to a connection target and provided with a plurality of connection terminals parallel to each other, a plurality of wires to be respectively connected to the plurality of connection terminals, a connector housing including a tubular portion provided with an opening for exposing end parts of the plurality of connection terminals, a cover for covering the opening by being inserted into the tubular portion, and an interlock connector provided inside the tubular portion, the interlock connector electrically detecting attachment and detachment of the cover to and from the connector housing, an end part of each of the plurality of connection terminals being provided with a through hole penetrating in an axial direction of the tubular portion, a bolt being inserted through the through hole, the cover including a cover terminal, the interlock connector including a plurality of first terminals to be electrically connected to the cover terminal, a plurality of second terminals to be electrically connected to a standby terminal provided in the connection target, a plurality of flexible wires having flexibility, the flexible wires respectively electrically connecting the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals, a first housing for holding the plurality of first terminals, a second housing for holding the plurality of second terminals, and a holder for holding each of the first housing and the second housing movably in a plane direction orthogonal to the axial direction, the holder covering the plurality of flexible wires, each of the plurality of flexible wires including an extra length portion pulled out to outside of the holder from the holder, the extra length portion allowing movements of the first housing and the second housing in the plane direction with respect to the holder, and the connector housing including a fixing portion for fixing the holder inside the tubular portion.[0015]
According to this configuration, the first housing and the second housing respectively move in the plane direction independently of each other with respect to the holder fixed to the connector housing by the fixing portion. Thus, the alignment of the cover terminal and the first terminals and the alignment of the standby terminal and the second terminals are individually performed. In this way, even if the standby terminal and the second terminals are aligned by moving the second housing, the first housing does not move according to this alignment. As a result, a worker can connect the cover terminal and the first terminals without considering the positions of the second terminals. Therefore, the cover can be easily mounted on the connector housing.
[2] Preferably, the first housing and the second housing respectively include a first held portion and a second held portion to be held in the holder, the holder includes a partitioning portion for partitioning between the first held portion and the second held portion in the axial direction, a first holding portion located on a side opposite to the partitioning portion across the first held portion in the axial direction, and a second holding portion located on a side opposite to the partitioning portion across the second held portion in the axial direction, the first held portion is provided slidably in the plane direction with respect to the partitioning portion and the first holding portion, and the second held portion is provided slidably in the plane direction with respect to the partitioning portion and the second holding portion.
According to this configuration, the first held portion slides in the plane direction with respect to the partitioning portion and the first holding portion, whereby the first housing moves in the plane direction with respect to the holder. Further, the second held portion slides in the plane direction with respect to the partitioning portion and the second holding portion, whereby the second housing moves in the plane direction with respect to the holder. In this way, it is possible to realize the interlock connector in which the first housing and the second housing are held movably in the plane direction with respect to the holder.
[3] Preferably, the first housing includes a first projection projecting toward an inner wall of the tubular portion, the second housing includes a second projection projecting toward the inner wall of the tubular portion, the holder includes a first restricting hole and a second restricting hole, the first projection and the second projection being respectively inserted into the first restricting hole and the second restricting hole, and when a direction orthogonal to both a projection direction of the first projection and the axial direction is a first orthogonal direction and a direction orthogonal to both a projection direction of the second projection and the axial direction is a second orthogonal direction, a width of the first restricting hole in the first orthogonal direction is larger than a width of the first projection in the first orthogonal direction and a width of the second restricting hole in the second orthogonal direction is larger than a width of the second projection in the second orthogonal direction.
According to this configuration, since the width of the first restricting hole is larger than that of the first projection, a gap is formed between the outer surface of the first projection and the inner surface of the first restricting hole in the first orthogonal direction. Thus, the first projection moves inside the first restricting hole when the first housing moves with respect to the holder. A movement of the first housing is restricted by the contact of the first projection with the inner surface of the first restricting hole. Similarly, a movement of the second housing is restricted by the contact of the second projection with the inner surface of the second restricting hole. Therefore, movement ranges of the first housing and the second housing with respect to the holder can be limited.
[4] Preferably, the holder includes a path restricting portion extending along the plurality of flexible wires, the path restricting portion restricting routing paths of the plurality of flexible wires.
According to this configuration, since the routing paths of the respective flexible wires are restricted by the path restricting portion, the entanglement of the respective flexible wires can be suppressed.
[5] Preferably, the first housing and the second housing have the same shape.
According to this configuration, the first and second housings can be common components. Therefore, an increase in the number of components of the interlock connector and, consequently, an increase in the number of components of the connector can be suppressed.
[6] Preferably, the holder is plane-symmetrical with respect to a virtual plane including a center of the holder in the axial direction and extending in the plane direction. According to this configuration, even if the holder is inverted with respect to the virtual plane, the first and second housings are held by this holder. Thus, the versatility of the holder can be enhanced. Therefore, workability during the manufacturing of the interlock connector and, consequently, workability during the manufacturing of the connector can be enhanced.
[7] Preferably, the first housing and the second housing are provided side by side in the axial direction.
According to this configuration, an increase in the size of the interlock connector in the plane direction can be suppressed. Therefore, an increase in the size of the interlock connector and, consequently, an increase in the size of the connector can be suppressed.
[8] The interlock connector of the present disclosure is provided inside a connector including a tubular portion provided with an opening for exposing end parts of a plurality of connection terminals, electrically detects attachment and detachment of a cover for covering the opening by being inserted into the tubular portion, and provided with a plurality of first terminals to be electrically connected to a cover terminal provided in the cover, a plurality of second terminals to be electrically connected to a standby terminal provided in a connection target to be connected to the connector, a plurality of flexible wires having flexibility, the flexible wires respectively electrically connecting the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals, a first housing for holding the first terminals, a second housing for holding the second terminals, and a holder for holding each of the first housing and the second housing movably in a plane direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the tubular portion, the holder covering the plurality of flexible wires, each of the plurality of flexible wires including an extra length portion pulled out to outside of the holder from the holder, the extra length portion allowing movements of the first housing and the second housing in the plane direction with respect to the holder.
According to this configuration, the first housing and the second housing respectively move in the plane direction independently of each other with respect to the holder. Thus, the alignment of the cover terminal and the first terminals and the alignment of the standby terminal and the second terminals are individually performed. In this way, even if the standby terminal and the second terminals are aligned by moving the second housing, the first housing does not move according to this alignment. As a result, a worker can connect the first terminals and the cover terminal without considering the positions of the second terminals. Therefore, the cover can be easily mounted on a connector housing.
Specific examples of a connector and an interlock connector of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. For the convenience of description, some components may be shown in an exaggerated or simplified manner in each drawing. Further, a dimension ratio of each part may be different in each drawing. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these illustrations, but is represented by claims and intended to include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents. “Orthogonal” in this specification means not only strictly orthogonal, but also substantially orthogonal within a range in which functions and effects in this embodiment are achieved.
As shown in
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The connector C includes, for example, two connection terminals 10 and two wires 20. Note that the connector C may include three or more connection terminals 10 and three or more wires 20.
Out of XYZ axes of each figure, the X axis extends in a parallel direction of the two connection terminals 10. The Y axis extends in a longitudinal direction of the wires 20. The Z axis extends in a mounting direction of the case 300 of the electrical device M and the connector C. The X axis, Y axis and Z axis are orthogonal to each other. A direction along the X axis is referred to as an X-axis direction, a direction along the Y axis is referred to as a Y-axis direction, and a direction along the Z axis is referred to as a Z-axis direction below. Further, a plane direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction is merely referred to as a plane direction.
The connector C is, for example, mounted on the case 300 in such a posture that the X-axis direction coincides with a vertical direction. Note that an up-down direction in the plane of each figure does not necessarily coincide with the vertical direction.
As shown in
The first extending portion 11 extends in the Y-axis direction. The first extending portion 11 includes a wire connecting portion 14 to be electrically connected to the wire 20. The wire connecting portion 14 is provided on an end part in the Y-axis direction of the first extending portion 11.
The second extending portion 12 extends toward the case 300 in the Z-axis direction from an end part of the first extending portion 11 opposite to the wire connecting portion 14.
The third extending portion 13 extends toward a side opposite to the first extending portion 11 in an extending direction of the first extending portion 11, i.e. in the Y-axis direction, from an end part of the second extending portion 12 opposite to the first extending portion 11. The third extending portion 13 is located outside the connector housing 30.
The third extending portion 13 is provided with a through hole 13a penetrating in the Z-axis direction. The third extending portion 13 is electrically connected to a mating terminal 310 provided inside the case 300 by an unillustrated bolt inserted through the through hole 13a.
The wire 20 includes a core wire 21 and an insulation coating 22 covering the outer periphery of the core wire 21. A copper-based or aluminum-based metal material or the like can be, for example, cited as a material of the core wire 21. A resin material mainly containing a polyolefin-based resin such as cross-linked polyethylene or cross-linked polypropylene can be, for example, cited as a material of the insulation coating 22.
The core wire 21 is, for example, a stranded wire formed by twisting a plurality of metal strands. A cross-sectional shape of the core wire 21 orthogonal to a length direction is, for example, circular.
The core wire 21 is exposed from the insulation coating 22 in an end part of the wire 20. The core wire 21 exposed from the insulation coating 22 is electrically connected to the wire connecting portion 14 of the connection terminal 10, for example, by crimping.
The connector housing 30 includes a tubular portion 31 and a holding portion 47. A resin material such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polyamide (PA) can be, for example, cited as a material of the connector housing 30.
As shown in
The interlock connector 200 is provided in parallel to the two connection terminals 10 in the X-axis direction inside the tubular portion 31.
As shown in
As shown in
The first partition wall 33 partitions the inside of the tubular portion 31 between the two connection terminals 10 and the interlock connector 200. The inside of the tubular portion 31 is partitioned into a space where the two connection terminals 10 are located and a space where the interlock connector 200 is located by the first partition wall 33. The first partition wall 33 extends in the Z-axis direction. The first partition wall 33 couples parts of the inner wall of the tubular portion 31 facing each other in the Y-axis direction.
As shown in
The second partition wall 34 includes an insertion hole 34a, into which the interlock connector 200 is inserted. The insertion hole 34a penetrates through the second partition wall 34 in the Z-axis direction.
As shown in
The fixing portion 35 includes two engaging pieces 36. Each engaging piece 36 is cantilevered from the second partition wall 34 toward a side where the second end part 31b is located in the Z-axis direction.
The two engaging pieces 36 are facing each other across the insertion hole 34a in the Y-axis direction. The two engaging pieces 36 are configured to be resiliently deformable in directions away from each other along the Y-axis direction.
An engaging claw 37 is provided on a tip part of each engaging piece 36. The engaging claws 37 of the two engaging pieces 36 are facing each other in the Y-axis direction.
The movement restricting portion 40 includes a restricting protrusion 41 extending from the second partition wall 34 toward the side where the second end part 31b is located in the Z-axis direction. The restricting protrusion 41 extends from a part of the second partition wall 34 between the insertion hole 34a and the first partition wall 33 in the X-axis direction. The restricting protrusion 41 is coupled to the first partition wall 33 entirely in the Z-axis direction. A cross-sectional shape of the restricting protrusion 41 orthogonal to the Z-axis direction is, for example, rectangular. This cross-sectional shape is the same over the entire restricting protrusion 41 in the Z-axis direction.
The movement restricting portion 40 includes a rib 42 facing the restricting protrusion 41 across the insertion hole 34a in the X-axis direction. The rib 42 extends from the second partition wall 34 toward the side where the second end part 31b is located in the Z-axis direction. The rib 42 is coupled to the peripheral wall of the tubular portion 31 entirely in the Z-axis direction.
The rib 42 includes a restricting recess 43 facing the restricting protrusion 41. The restricting recess 43 is in the form of a groove extending over the entire rib 42 in the Z-axis direction. A cross-sectional shape of the restricting recess 43 orthogonal to the Z-axis direction is, for example, rectangular. This cross-sectional shape is the same over the entire rib 42 in the Z-axis direction.
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A second accommodation groove 48 is provided over an entire periphery in the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion 47. An annular second sealing member 60 is accommodated in the second accommodation groove 48. Water is stopped in a part between the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion 47 and the inner peripheral surface of a third shell 150 to be described later by the second sealing member 60.
As shown in
The interlock connector 200 is for electrically detecting the attachment and detachment of the connector housing 30 to and from the case 300 and the attachment and detachment of the cover 70 to and from the connector housing 30. An interlock circuit is constituted by the cover terminal 92, the interlock connector 200 and the standby terminals 330. If the cover terminal 92 and the standby terminals 330 are electrically connected via the interlock connector 200, i.e. if the interlock circuit is closed, the connector C and the electrical device M enter an electrically conductive state.
As shown in
The interlock connector 200 is, for example, provided with two first terminals 210, two second terminals 220 and two flexible wires 230. Note that the interlock connector 200 may be provided with three or more first terminals 210, three or more second terminals 220 and three or more flexible wires 230.
The two flexible wires 230 respectively electrically connect the two first terminals 210 and the two second terminals 220. The first housing 240 holds the two first terminals 210 in parallel in the Y-axis direction. The second housing 250 holds the two second terminals 220 in parallel in the Y-axis direction. The holder 260 holds each of the first housing 240 and the second housing 250 movably in the plane direction.
As shown in
An iron-based, copper-based or aluminum-based metal material or the like can be, for example, cited as a material of the first terminal 210.
The second terminal 220 has the same shape and size as the first terminal 220.
A base end part of the second terminal 220 is electrically connected to the flexible wire 230. A tip part of the second terminal 220 is electrically connected to the standby terminal 330 (see
An iron-based, copper-based or aluminum-based metal material or the like can be, for example, cited as a material of the second terminal 220.
The first housing 240 is provided to be attachable to and detachable from the holder 260. A resin material such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) can be, for example, cited as a material of the first housing 240.
The first housing 240 includes a terminal accommodating portion 241 and a first held portion 242. The first terminals 210 and parts of the flexible wires 230 are accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 241. The first held portion 242 is held slidably with respect to the holder 260.
The terminal accommodating portion 241 has a tubular shape extending in the Z-axis direction. Locking lances to be engaged with the first terminals 210 are provided inside the terminal accommodating portion 241. By the engagement of these locking lances with the first terminals 210, the first terminals 210 are held inside the terminal accommodating portion 241.
An accommodation groove 241a is provided over an entire periphery in the outer peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating portion 241. An annular resilient member 290 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 241a. The resilient member 290 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of an accommodating portion 91 of the cover 70 to be described later (see
As shown in
Projections 243 extending in the Y-axis direction are respectively provided on both end parts in the Y-axis direction of the first held portion 242. Each projection 243 is formed by two dents 244 adjacent to this projection 243 on both sides in the X-axis direction.
The first housing 240 includes a restricting rib 245 projecting toward the one side in the X-axis direction from the terminal accommodating portion 241. The restricting rib 245 projects toward the first partition wall 33 (see
A first recess 246 is provided in the projecting end of the first held portion 242 in the X-axis direction. The first recess 246 is open toward the first partition wall 33, which is a part of the inner wall of the tubular portion 31 (see
Two restricting walls 247 are provided on the projecting end of the first held portion 242 in the X-axis direction. Each restricting wall 247 projects from the projecting end toward a side opposite to the terminal accommodating portion 241 in the Z-axis direction and extends in the Y-axis direction. The two restricting walls 247 are provided on mutually opposite sides across the first recess 246 in the Y-axis direction.
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In the following description, repeated description may be omitted by denoting components of the second housing 250 by reference signs “25*” obtained by adding “10” to reference signs “24*” denoting the components of the first housing 240. Note that “*” is a positive integer including 0.
A resin material such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) can be, for example, cited as a material of the second housing 250.
The second housing 250 is provided side by side with the first housing 240 in the Z-axis direction. The first and second housings 240, 250 are provided in mutually opposite orientations in the Z-axis direction. The posture of the second housing 250 is the same as the posture of the first housing 240 inverted in the Z-axis direction.
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Out of the components of the holder 260, identical components may be denoted by the same reference signs and repeated description may be omitted below.
The base portion 261 is in the form of a rectangular plate extending in a YZ plane and long in the Z-axis direction.
The base portion 261 covers the first and second housings 240, 250 from a side where the first and second projections 248, 258 are provided.
As shown in
The first projection 248 of the first housing 240 is inserted in the first restricting hole 261a. The second projection 258 of the second housing 250 is inserted in the second restricting hole 261b.
A width in the Y-axis direction of the first restricting hole 261a is larger than that of the first projection 248. A width in the Y-axis direction of the second restricting hole 261b is larger than that of the second projection 258. Note that since the projection direction of each of the first and second projections 248, 258 coincides with the X-axis direction, a “first orthogonal direction” and a “second orthogonal direction” correspond to the Y-axis direction.
As shown in
The partitioning portion 262 is in contact with the first held portion 242 of the first housing 240 in the Z-axis direction.
The partitioning portion 262 includes two escaping recesses 263 for allowing the flexible wires 230 pulled out from the respective housings 240, 250 to escape. Each escaping recess 263 is provided in a center of the partitioning portion 262 in the Y-axis direction. The respective escaping recesses 263 are facing the respective housings 240, 250 in the Z-axis direction.
The partitioning portion 262 includes a path restricting portion 264 extending along the two flexible wires 230 and configured to restrict routing paths of the two flexible wires 230. The path restricting portion 264 is provided in a center of the partitioning portion 262 in the Z-axis direction. The path restricting portion 264 is in the form of a plate extending in the plane direction. The path restricting portion 264 partitions between the respective flexible wires 230 in the Z-axis direction.
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Spaces in which the flexible wires 230 are routed in the Y-axis direction are defined by the path restricting portion 264, the respective protruding portions 266 and the respective restricting walls 247, 257.
As shown in
In the following description, repeated description may be omitted by denoting components of the second holding portion 280 by reference signs “28*” obtained by adding “10” to reference signs “27*” denoting components of the first holding portion 270. Note that “*” is a positive integer including 0.
Each first holding portion 270 projects toward the one side in the X-axis direction in an end part of the partitioning portion 262 in the Z-axis direction. Each first holding portion 270 is facing the protruding portion 266 in the Z-axis direction. Each first holding portion 270 is in contact with the first held portion 242 of the first housing 240 from a side opposite to the partitioning portion 262 in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the first held portion 242 is sandwiched by the partitioning portion 262 and the first holding portions 270.
The first held portion 242 is provided slidably in the plane direction with respect to the partitioning portion 262 and the first holding portions 270. Therefore, the first housing 240 is allowed to move in the plane direction while being restricted from moving in the Z-axis direction by the holder 260.
A restricting claw 271 for restricting the separation of the first housing 240 from the holder 260 is provided on the projecting end of the first holding portion 270. The restricting claw 271 is located in the dent 244 of the first held portion 242.
As shown in
As shown in
From the above, the separation of the first housing 240 from the holder 260 is restricted and a movement range of the first housing 240 with respect to the holder 260 is restricted by the respective restricting claws 271. Similarly, the separation of the second housing 250 from the holder 260 is restricted and a movement range of the second housing 250 with respect to the holder 260 is restricted by respective restricting claws 281.
As shown in
When the interlock connector 200 is inserted into the tubular portion 31 through the second space S2, the holder 260 contacts the two engaging pieces 36, whereby the two engaging pieces 36 are resiliently deformed in directions away from each other. Thereafter, if the holder 260 moves to a position to contact the second partition wall 34, the two engaging pieces 36 resiliently return, whereby the holder 260 is fixed inside the tubular portion 31. At this time, the engaging claws 37 of the respective engaging pieces 36 are engaged with the outer surfaces of the second holding portions 280 of the holder 260 in the Z-axis direction.
As shown in
The core wire 231 is, for example, a stranded wire formed by twisting a plurality of metal strands. A cross-sectional shape of the core wire 231 orthogonal to a length direction is, for example, circular.
The core wire 231 is exposed from the insulation coating 232 in both end parts of the flexible wire 230. Both end parts of the core wire 231 exposed from the insulation coating 232 are respectively electrically connected to the first terminal 210 and the second terminal 220, for example, by crimping.
Each flexible wire 230 includes an extra length portion 230a pulled out from the first and second housings 240, 250. The extra length portion 230a is a part of the flexible wire 230 exposed from the first and second housings 240, 250.
A length of the extra length portion 230a is longer than a shortest distance in the Z-axis direction between the first and second housings 240, 250. Movements of the first and second housings 240, 250 in the plane direction with respect to the holder 260 are allowed by the extra length portions 230a having flexibility.
As shown in
As just described, the routing path of each flexible wire 230 is restricted by routing each extra length portion 230a along the path restricting portion 264.
Next, a movement mode of the first housing 240 in the interlock connector 200 mounted in the connector housing 30 is described. Since a movement mode of the second housing 250 is the same as that of the first housing 240, it is not described.
As shown in
The first projection 248 of the first housing 240 is located inside the restricting recess 43 of the connector housing 30. A gap is provided in the plane direction between the first projection 248 and the restricting recess 43. The size of this gap is set such that the outer surface of the first projection 248 contacts the inner surface of the restricting recess 43 before the first housing 240 contacts the holder 260 when the first housing 240 moves in the plane direction.
From the above, movement ranges of the first and second housings 240, 250 are limited by the contact of the first and second housings 240, 250 with the connector housing 30 in the plane direction. Note that, in the single interlock connector 200, the movement ranges of the first and second housings 240, 250 are limited by the contact of the first and second housings 240, 250 with the holder 260 in the plane direction as described above.
As shown in
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The cover body 80 includes a lid portion 81 for covering the opening 32 of the tubular portion 31. The lid portion 81 has an oval shape long in the X-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction.
A third accommodation groove 82 is provided over an entire periphery in the outer peripheral surface of the lid portion 81. An annular third sealing member 110 is accommodated in the third accommodation groove 82. Water is stopped in a part between the cover body 80 and the connector housing 30 by the third sealing member 110 (see
The lid portion 81 includes a ventilation hole 81a penetrating through the lid portion 81 in the Z-axis direction. The ventilation hole 81a is provided at a position deviated toward one side in the X-axis direction from a central part of the lid portion 81.
The ventilation membrane 100 covers the ventilation hole 81a from a side opposite to the two connection terminals 10 in the Z-axis direction (see
The ventilation membrane 100 is configured to allow the passage of a gas such as air and inhibit the passage of a liquid such as water. A pressure difference between the inside and outside of the tubular portion 31 is moderated by the ventilation membrane 100.
An X-shaped partitioning portion 81 for partitioning the ventilation hole 81a is provided in the ventilation hole 81a. The touch of worker's fingers with the ventilation membrane 100 through the ventilation hole 81a is suppressed by the partitioning portion 81b of the ventilation hole 81a.
As shown in
The lid portion 81 includes a first support protrusion 84 and a second support protrusion 85. Each support protrusion 84, 85 projects toward the second shell 140 to be described later. The first and second support protrusions 84, 85 are located on mutually opposite sides across the boss 83 in a plane direction intersecting both the X axis and Y axis. The first support protrusion 84 is located on a side where the holding portion 47 is located when viewed from the boss 83 in the Y-axis direction.
Each support protrusion 84, 85 has a cylindrical shape. A diameter of the first support protrusion 84 is smaller than that of the second support protrusion 85.
As shown in
End surfaces in the Z-axis direction of the inner wall 86 and the outer wall 89 are flush with each other. Note that the boss 83 and the first and second support protrusions 84, 85 described above project beyond the end surfaces in the Z-axis direction of the inner wall 86 and the outer wall 89.
The outer peripheral edge of the outer wall 89 is located further on the outer peripheral side than the opening 32 of the tubular portion 31. The outer wall 89 covers an end surface of the first end part 31a in the Z-axis direction (see
The inner wall 86 includes an inner discharge opening 88 allowing communication between the inside and outside of the inner wall 86 in a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction. The outer wall 89 includes an outer discharge opening 90 allowing communication between the inside and outside of the outer wall 89 in a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction. The inner and outer discharge openings 88, 90 are oriented in mutually different directions. The entire inner discharge opening 88 is facing the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall 89. The entire outer discharge opening 90 is facing the outer peripheral surface of the inner wall 86.
A virtual axis extending in a communication direction of the inner discharge opening 88 is referred to as a first virtual axis L1 and a virtual axis extending in a communication direction of the outer discharge opening 90 is referred to as a second virtual axis L2 below. Further, an intersection of the first and second virtual axes L1, L2 is referred to as an intersection P.
As shown in
The entire inner discharge opening 88 is provided closer to a side where the outer discharge opening 90 is located than the intersection P in an axial direction of the second virtual axis L2, i.e. in the X-axis direction. In other words, the entire discharge opening 88 is located closer to the side where the outer discharge opening 90 is located than a third virtual axis L3 extending in the Y-axis direction and passing through the intersection P.
If the outer discharge opening 90 is oriented in a 6 o'clock direction, the inner discharge opening 88 is, for example, preferably oriented toward a region between 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock in a clockwise direction. However, a case where the entire inner discharge opening 88 is not facing the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall 89 is excluded.
The inner wall 86 has a first end edge 86a and a second end edge 86b forming the inner discharge opening 88. The first end edge 86a is located closer to the outer discharge opening 90 than the second end edge 86b.
The inner wall 86 is provided with a first extending portion 87a extending to include the first end edge 86a and a second extending portion 87b extending to include the second end edge 86b. The first and second extending portions 87a, 87b are facing each other.
Apart of the inner wall 86 excluding the first and second extending portions 87a, 87b has, for example, an arcuate shape along the outer peripheral edge of the ventilation membrane 100. The first and second extending portions 87a, 87b extend, for example, linearly. The first and second extending portions 87a, 87b extend closer to each other toward the inner discharge opening 88.
The first extending portion 87a extends obliquely to the second virtual axis L2 to approach the outer discharge opening 90 in the axial direction of the second virtual axis L2, i.e. in the X-axis direction, toward the first end edge 86a.
As shown in
The accommodating portion 91 restricts a movement of the first housing 240 in the plane direction by contacting the outer peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating portion 241 over an entire periphery.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The first part 131 includes an opening 132, into which the tubular portion 31 is inserted. The opening 132 has an oval shape long in the X-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction.
The first part 131 includes two fixing projections 133 projecting toward the outer peripheral side of the opening 132. One fixing projection 133 is located on a side opposite to the second part 135 across the opening 132 in the Y-axis direction. The other fixing projection 133 is located on a side opposite to the one fixing projection 133 across the opening 132 in a plane direction intersecting both the X and Y axes. Each fixing projection 133 is provided with a screw hole 133a penetrating in the Z-axis direction.
The first part 131 includes two flanges 134 projecting toward the outer peripheral side of the opening 132. The two flanges 134 are provided at positions respectively corresponding to the two flanges 45 of the connector housing 30. Each flange 134 is provided with a through hole 134a penetrating in the Z-axis direction. The through hole 134a communicates with the collar 46 provided in the flange 45. As shown in
As shown in
The first shell 130 includes two positioning protrusions 137A, 137B projecting toward the second shell 140 from an end surface in the Z-axis direction. The positioning protrusion 137A projects from the second part 135. The positioning protrusion 137B projects from a part adjacent to the aforementioned other fixing projection 133, out of the first part 131. Each positioning protrusion 137A, 137B has a cylindrical shape.
Each positioning protrusion 137A, 137B includes a cylindrical portion extending in the Z-axis direction and a truncated conical portion connected to an end part of the cylindrical portion. A cross-section area of the cylindrical portion orthogonal to the Z-axis direction is constant entirely in the Z-axis direction. A cross-sectional area of the truncated conical portion is gradually reduced with distance from the cylindrical portion in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, a tip part of each positioning protrusion 137A, 137B in a projection direction is tapered. Further, each positioning protrusion 137A, 137B has a circular tip surface extending in the plane direction.
The second shell 140 is in the form of a flat plate extending in the plane direction. The second shell 140 covers the opening 32 of the tubular portion 31 and the opening 132 of the first shell 130. That is, the cover 70 is covered by the second shell 140 from a side opposite to the case 300 in the Z-axis direction.
As shown in
As shown in
The second shell 140 includes a boss insertion hole 142, into which the boss 83 of the cover 70 is inserted. A diameter of the boss insertion hole 142 is larger than that of the boss 83. The diameter of the boss insertion hole 142 is smaller than that of the washer of the aforementioned screw 170. Note that, as shown in
As shown in
The second shell 140 includes two positioning holes 145A, 145B, into which the two positioning protrusions 137A, 137B are respectively inserted. A diameter of the positioning hole 145A is larger than that of the cylindrical portion of the positioning protrusion 137A. A diameter of the positioning hole 145B is larger than that of the cylindrical portion of the positioning protrusion 137B.
The second shell 140 is positioned at a position where the bolt holes 141 overlap the entire screw holes 133a in the Z-axis direction by inserting the positioning protrusions 137A, 137B into the positioning holes 145A, 145B.
From the above, as shown in
In the connector C, the cover 70 having the second shell 140 mounted thereon may be attached to or detached from the connector housing 30 together with the second shell 140.
Next, the behavior of the second shell 140 in a state mounted on the cover 70 and not fixed to the first shell 130 is described with reference to
In
In
In the following description, a direction of the second support protrusion 85 when viewed from the positioning protrusion 137A in the Y-axis direction is referred to as a 12 o'clock direction.
If the second shell 140 rotates clockwise about a center of rotation R1 as shown in
If the second shell 140 rotates clockwise about a center of rotation R2 as shown in
Although not shown, even if the second shell 140 rotates counterclockwise about the center of rotation R1, R2, the second shell 140 does not contact the cover 70 in the plane direction. This applies also when the second shell 140 parallelly moves in the plane direction with respect to the cover 70.
As shown in
Even if the second shell 140 rotates counterclockwise about the axis of the boss 83 and the rotation thereof is stopped as shown in
As shown in
The third shell 150 includes a projecting portion 151 projecting toward the side opposite to the holding portion 47 in the Z-axis direction. The projecting portion 151 is provided with a through hole 151a penetrating in the Y-axis direction. The third shell 150 is fixed to the first shell 130 by tightening a bolt 160 inserted through the through hole 151a into the screw hole 136a of the first shell 130.
Although not shown, a braided member made of metal for collectively covering the two wires 20 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the third shell 150 by a crimp ring.
Functions of this embodiment are described.
In the connector C, the first and second housings 240, 250 respectively move independently of each other in the plane direction with respect to the holder 260 fixed to the connector housing 30 by the fixing portion 35. Thus, the alignment of the cover terminal 92 and the first terminals 210 and the alignment of the standby terminals 330 and the second terminals 220 are individually performed. In this way, even if the standby terminals 330 and the second terminals 220 are aligned by moving the second housing 250, the first housing 240 does not move according to this alignment. As a result, a worker can connect the cover terminal 92 and the first terminals 210 without considering the positions of the second terminals 220.
Effects of this embodiment are described.
(1) The connector C is provided with the two connection terminals 10, the two wires 20, the connector housing 30, the cover 70 and the interlock connector 200. The interlock connector 200 includes the two first terminals 210, the two second terminals 220, the two flexible wires 230, the first housing 240, the second housing 250 and the holder 260. The holder 260 holds each of the first and second housings 240, 250 movably in the plane direction. Each of the two flexible wires 230 includes the extra length portion 230a pulled out to the outside of the holder 260 from the holder 260 and allowing movements of the first and second housings 240, 250 in the plane direction with respect to the holder 260. The connector housing 30 includes the fixing portion 35 for fixing the holder 260 inside the tubular portion 31.
According to this configuration, the cover 70 can be easily mounted on the connector housing 30 since the aforementioned functions are achieved.
(2) The first held portion 242 is provided slidably in the plane direction with respect to the partitioning portion 262 and the first holding portions 270, and the second held portion 252 is provided slidably in the plane direction with respect to the partitioning portion 262 and the second holding portions 280.
According to this configuration, the first held portion 242 slides in the plane direction with respect to the partitioning portion 262 and the first holding portions 270, whereby the first housing 240 moves in the plane direction with respect to the holder 260. Further, the second held portion 252 slides in the plane direction with respect to the partitioning portion 262 and the second holding portions 280, whereby the second housing 250 moves in the plane direction with respect to the holder 260. In this way, the interlock connector 200 can be realized in which the first and second housings 240, 250 are held movably in the plane direction with respect to the holder 260.
(3) The width in the Y-axis direction of the first restricting hole 261a is larger than that of the first projection 248. The width in the Y-axis direction of the second restricting hole 261b is larger than that of the second projection 258.
According to this configuration, since the width of the first restricting hole 261a is larger than that of the first projection 248, a gap is formed between the outer surface of the first projection 248 and the inner surface of the first restricting hole 261a. Thus, when the first housing 240 moves with respect to the holder 260, the first projection 248 moves inside the first restricting hole 261a. Then, the first projection 248 contacts the inner surface of the first restricting hole 261a, thereby restricting a movement of the first housing 240. Similarly, the second projection 258 contacts the inner surface of the second restricting hole 261b, thereby restricting a movement of the second housing 250. Therefore, movement ranges of the first and second housings 240, 250 with respect to the holder 260 can be limited.
(4) The holder 260 includes the path restricting portion 264 extending along the two flexible wires 230 and configured to restrict the routing paths of the two flexible wires 230.
According to this configuration, since the routing paths of the respective flexible wires 230 are restricted by the path restricting portion 264, the entanglement of the respective flexible wires 230 can be suppressed.
Further, in attaching the first and second housings 240, 250 to the holder 260, workability during the routing of the respective flexible wires 230 can be improved by arranging the respective flexible wires 230 along the path restricting portion 264.
(5) The first and second housings 240, 250 have the same shape.
According to this configuration, the first and second housings 240, 250 can be common components. Therefore, an increase in the number of components of the interlock connector 200 and, consequently, an increase in the number of components of the connector C can be suppressed.
Further, a mold for manufacturing the respective housings 240, 250 can be shared. Thus, the manufacturing efficiency of the respective housings 240, 250 and, consequently, that of the connector C can be improved.
(6) The holder 260 is plane-symmetrical with respect to the virtual plane including the center of the holder 260 in the Z-axis direction and extending in the plane direction.
According to this configuration, even if the holder 260 is inverted with respect to the virtual plane, the first and second housings 240, 250 are held by this holder 260. Thus, the versatility of the holder 260 can be enhanced. Therefore, workability during the manufacturing of the interlock connector 200 and, consequently, workability during the manufacturing of the connector C can be enhanced.
(7) The first and second housings 240, 250 are provided side by side in the Z-axis direction.
According to this configuration, an increase in the size of the interlock connector 200 in the plane direction can be suppressed. Therefore, an increase in the size of the interlock connector 200 and, consequently, an increase in the size of the connector C can be suppressed.
(8) The interlock connector 200 includes the two first terminals 210, the two second terminals 220, the two flexible wires 230, the first housing 240, the second housing 250 and the holder 260. Each of the two flexible wires 230 has the extra length portion 230a pulled out to the outside of the holder 260 from the holder 260 and allowing movements of the first and second housings 240, 250 in the plane direction with respect to the holder 260.
According to this configuration, effects according to the above effects (1) can be achieved.
This embodiment can be modified and carried out as follows. This embodiment and the following modifications can be carried out in combination without technically contradicting each other.
A thickness in the Z-axis direction of the first held portion 242 may be slightly smaller than a separation distance in the Z-axis direction between the first end surface of the partitioning portion 262 and the first holding portions 270, and a thickness in the Z-axis direction of the second held portion 252 may be slightly smaller than a separation distance in the Z-axis direction between the second end surface of the partitioning portion 262 and the second holding portions 280.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-137379 | Aug 2021 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2022/025609 | 6/27/2022 | WO |
