CN115693269A - Charging connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a charging connector, aiming at realizing miniaturization of the charging connector. A charging connector (10) is provided with: power supply terminals (22A, 22B); signal terminals (24A, 24B); a housing (50) and a stopper for holding the power supply terminal and the signal terminal; relay terminals (28A, 28B) having plate-like mounting sections (29 Aa, 29 Ba) and fixed to the power supply terminals (22A, 22B) in a posture extending in a direction intersecting the insertion/removal direction; a power line (32) electrically connected to the power supply terminals (22A, 22B) via the relay terminals (28A, 28B); and an exterior member that covers the stopper body (60), the power supply terminal, and the signal terminal together, wherein the power line (32) extends along a straight line extending in a direction intersecting the insertion/removal direction in the exterior member (90).

Description

Charging connector

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a charging connector.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses a charging socket including a cylindrical portion, a housing fitted to a proximal end portion of the cylindrical portion, and an end cap fitted to the housing. A plurality of terminals electrically connected to the terminals of the external connector are provided inside the cylindrical portion. The terminal is electrically connected to the battery through a wiring passing through the case and the end cap.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2020-83130

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

As a wiring for connecting the terminal and the battery, a power line is used. The power lines are thicker than the signal lines, and therefore the bending radius tends to become larger. Therefore, if the power line is bent in the end cap in accordance with the lead-out direction of the wiring, it is necessary to secure a space in the end cap in which the bent power line can be housed.

Here, miniaturization of the charging socket is required.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to achieve miniaturization of a charging connector.

Means for solving the problems

A charging connector according to the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle, is fitted to an external charging connector connected to an external power supply of the vehicle, and is used to charge a battery provided in the vehicle, and includes: a 1 st power supply terminal and a 2 nd power supply terminal for supplying power to the battery; a 1 st signal terminal arranged on one side of the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal are arranged; a 2 nd signal terminal arranged on the other side of the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal are arranged; a housing having an opening through which the external charging connector is inserted and removed, and a terminal holding portion that is located inside the opening when viewed in an insertion and removal direction of the external charging connector and holds the 1 st power supply terminal, the 2 nd power supply terminal, the 1 st signal terminal, and the 2 nd signal terminal; a stopper which is integrated with an end portion of the case on the opposite side of the opening, and which holds the 1 st power supply terminal, the 2 nd power supply terminal, the 1 st signal terminal, and the 2 nd signal terminal together with the case; a 1 st relay terminal including a 1 st plate-like mounting portion and a 1 st power line connecting portion, the 1 st plate-like mounting portion including a 1 st through-hole, the 1 st plate-like mounting portion being fixed to an end portion of the 1 st power supply terminal on a side opposite to the opening portion in a posture extending in a direction intersecting the insertion/extraction direction; a 2 nd relay terminal including a 2 nd plate-like mounting portion and a 2 nd power line connecting portion, the 2 nd plate-like mounting portion including a 2 nd through-hole, the 2 nd plate-like mounting portion being fixed to an end portion of the 2 nd power supply terminal on a side opposite to the opening portion in a posture extending in a direction intersecting the insertion/extraction direction; a 1 st power line connected to the 1 st power line connection portion and electrically connected to the 1 st power supply terminal via the 1 st relay terminal; a 2 nd power line connected to the 2 nd power line connection portion and electrically connected to the 2 nd power supply terminal via the 2 nd relay terminal; and an exterior member collectively covering the stopper body, the 1 st power supply terminal, the 2 nd power supply terminal, the 1 st signal terminal, and the 2 nd signal terminal from a side opposite to the opening portion, wherein the 1 st power line and the 2 nd power line extend along a straight line extending in a direction intersecting the insertion and extraction direction in the exterior member.

Effects of the invention

According to the present disclosure, miniaturization of the charging connector can be achieved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a charging connector according to embodiment 1 and an assembly method thereof.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a charging connector according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a charging connector according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a front view showing a charging connector of embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the power supply terminal and the terminal-equipped wire, and their storage positions.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a wire path in the charging connector.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the power supply terminals.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the stopper body and the relay terminal.

Fig. 10 is a rear view showing a charging connector of a modification.

Detailed Description

[ description of embodiments of the present disclosure ]

First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

The charging connector of the present disclosure is as follows.

(1) A charging connector mounted on a vehicle, fitted to an external charging connector connected to an external power supply of the vehicle, and used for charging a battery provided in the vehicle, the charging connector including: a 1 st power supply terminal and a 2 nd power supply terminal for supplying power to the battery; a 1 st signal terminal arranged on one side of the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal are arranged; a 2 nd signal terminal arranged on the other side of the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal are arranged; a housing having an opening through which the external charging connector is inserted and removed, and a terminal holding portion that is located inside the opening when viewed in an insertion and removal direction of the external charging connector and holds the 1 st power supply terminal, the 2 nd power supply terminal, the 1 st signal terminal, and the 2 nd signal terminal; a stopper body that is integrated with an end portion of the case on a side opposite to the opening portion, and holds the 1 st power supply terminal, the 2 nd power supply terminal, the 1 st signal terminal, and the 2 nd signal terminal together with the case; a 1 st relay terminal including a 1 st plate-like mounting portion and a 1 st power line connection portion, the 1 st plate-like mounting portion including a 1 st through-hole, the 1 st plate-like mounting portion being fixed to an end portion of the 1 st power supply terminal on a side opposite to the opening portion in a posture extending in a direction intersecting the insertion/extraction direction; a 2 nd relay terminal including a 2 nd plate-like mounting portion and a 2 nd power line connecting portion, the 2 nd plate-like mounting portion including a 2 nd through-hole, the 2 nd plate-like mounting portion being fixed to an end portion of the 2 nd power supply terminal on a side opposite to the opening portion in a posture extending in a direction intersecting the inserting and extracting direction; a 1 st power line connected to the 1 st power line connection portion and electrically connected to the 1 st power supply terminal via the 1 st relay terminal; a 2 nd power line connected to the 2 nd power line connection portion and electrically connected to the 2 nd power supply terminal via the 2 nd relay terminal; and an exterior member that collectively covers the stopper body, the 1 st power supply terminal, the 2 nd power supply terminal, the 1 st signal terminal, and the 2 nd signal terminal from a side opposite to the opening, wherein the 1 st power line and the 2 nd power line extend along a straight line extending in a direction intersecting the insertion and extraction direction in the exterior member.

According to this charging connector, the 1 st power line and the 2 nd power line extend along a straight line extending in a direction intersecting the inserting and extracting direction within the exterior member. Therefore, a space for accommodating the bent power line may not be secured in the exterior member. This can reduce the size of the charging connector. In particular, since the direction change of the power line with respect to the longitudinal direction of the power supply terminal is performed by the relay terminal fastened and fixed to the power supply terminal, the size of the charging connector in the insertion and extraction direction can be reduced. In addition, since the 1 st power line and the 2 nd power line may not be bent in the exterior member, the manufacturing of the charging connector becomes easy.

(2) In the charging connector according to (1), the 1 st power line connection portion and the 2 nd power line connection portion may be disposed at positions where the 1 st power line and the 2 nd power line can be extended toward one side along a direction in which the 1 st power terminal and the 2 nd power terminal are aligned, and the 1 st relay terminal may include a detour portion that is provided between the 1 st plate-like mounting portion and the 1 st power line connection portion and extends so as to detour the 1 st signal terminal. This can avoid interference with the signal line extending from the 1 st signal terminal, and can dispose the 1 st relay terminal.

(3) In the charging connector of (1) or (2), the stopper may have a wall surrounding the 1 st relay terminal and the 2 nd relay terminal, and the wall may be formed at a position where the 1 st relay terminal or the 2 nd relay terminal and the 1 st signal terminal or the 2 nd signal terminal are spaced apart from each other as viewed in the insertion/extraction direction. This makes it possible to separate each relay terminal and each signal terminal by a wall.

(4) In any one of the charging connectors (1) to (3), one of the 1 st relay terminal and the 2 nd relay terminal may include a plate-shaped portion along the inserting/removing direction, and the other of the 1 st relay terminal and the 2 nd relay terminal may include a plate-shaped portion along a direction intersecting the inserting/removing direction. By thus arranging the plate-like portion of the 1 st relay terminal and the plate-like portion of the 2 nd relay terminal in different directions, the relay terminals can be arranged in a compact space, which contributes to downsizing of the charging connector.

(5) In any one of the charging connectors (1) to (4), the 1 st power line and the 2 nd power line may extend along a direction in which the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal are arranged. Thereby, the 1 st power line and the 2 nd power line can be drawn out along the direction in which the 1 st power terminal and the 2 nd power terminal are arranged.

(6) In any one of the charging connectors (1) to (5), the charging connector may further include: a 1 st signal line connected to the 1 st signal terminal; and a 2 nd signal line connected to the 2 nd signal terminal, wherein the 1 st signal line and the 2 nd signal line are bent and bundled together in the exterior member. Thus, the 1 st signal line and the 2 nd signal line can be also changed in direction in the exterior member and bundled into one and then drawn out.

(7) The charging connector according to any one of (1) to (6) may further include: a 1 st fastening member inserted into the 1 st through hole to fasten and fix the 1 st plate-like fitting portion to an end portion of the 1 st power supply terminal on a side opposite to the opening portion; and a 2 nd fastening member inserted into the 2 nd through-hole and fastening and fixing the 2 nd plate-like fitting portion to an end portion of the 2 nd power supply terminal opposite to the opening portion. Thus, the 1 st relay terminal and the 2 nd relay terminal can be easily and firmly connected to the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal by the 1 st fastener and the 2 nd fastener.

(8) In the charging connector according to (7), a fastening direction of the 1 st fastening member and the 2 nd fastening member may be the same as the insertion/extraction direction. Thus, the fastening operation of the fastener can be performed only along the insertion/extraction direction, and therefore the fastening operation can be easily performed.

(9) In the charging connector of any one of (1) to (8), the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal may be metal plate-shaped members bent so that the 1 st plate-shaped mounting portion and the 2 nd plate-shaped mounting portion can be arranged along a direction intersecting the insertion/removal direction. This makes it easy to arrange the 1 st plate-like mounting portion and the 2 nd plate-like mounting portion in a direction intersecting the insertion/removal direction.

(10) In any one of the charging connectors (1) to (9), the 1 st power supply terminal may have a 1 st tube portion into which a counterpart terminal is inserted, and the 2 nd power supply terminal may have a 2 nd tube portion into which the counterpart terminal is inserted, and when viewed in the insertion and extraction direction, the 1 st tube portion may overlap the 1 st insertion hole, and the 2 nd tube portion may overlap the 2 nd insertion hole. Thus, the charging connector can be made compact as viewed in the insertion and extraction direction.

(11) In any one of the charging connectors (1) to (10), the 1 st power line and the 2 nd power line may include a cross-sectional area of 40mm ² The above conductor. Thus, if the electric power line is thick, the bending radius becomes large, and the space for accommodating the bent portion is likely to become large. The 1 st power line and the 2 nd power line are configured to extend along a straight line extending in a direction intersecting with the insertion/extraction direction in the exterior member, and therefore even if the power line is used, the power line is cut offThe area is 40mm ² Even in the case of the thick 1 st power line and 2 nd power line of the above conductor, the charging connector can be downsized.

[ details of embodiments of the present disclosure ]

Specific examples of the charging connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but the claims are intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[ embodiment 1]

Hereinafter, a charging connector according to embodiment 1 will be described.

< vehicle >

First, a vehicle mounted with the charging connector will be described.

The vehicle in which the charging connector is incorporated is an electric vehicle including a battery and a motor. The vehicle runs by being driven by electric power of the battery by the electric motor. The vehicle may be an electric vehicle including only an electric motor as a drive source, or a hybrid vehicle including an electric motor and an engine. A battery in the vehicle is charged with electric power supplied from an external power supply. The charging connector is configured to be inserted into and electrically connected to an external charging connector 200 (see fig. 5). The external charging connector is a connector of a charging cable extending from an external power supply.

As a charging method of a battery in a vehicle, there are general charging and quick charging. The quick charge enables charging in a shorter time than the normal charge by causing a larger current to flow than the normal charge. It is assumed that the general charging uses a household power supply or an external power supply equivalent thereto. In the quick charging, it is assumed that a dedicated power supply such as a charging pile is used. The charging connector of the present disclosure is described as an example of a charging connector corresponding to quick charging.

< charging connector in vehicle >

An assembly method of the charging connector in the vehicle will be described with reference to fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a charging connector 10 according to embodiment 1 and an assembly method thereof.

The charging connector 10 is mounted to a mounting portion 100 provided on an outer surface of a vehicle body in a vehicle, for example. Fig. 1 shows an example of the mounting portion 100. The mounting portion 100 is formed in a concave shape in which a part of a panel constituting a vehicle body is recessed toward the inside of the vehicle, for example. A through-hole 104 is formed in the bottom panel 102 of the fitting portion 100.

A connection portion with an external charging connector is provided on the front side of the charging connector 10. The connection portion includes a portion into which the external charging connector is inserted and electrically connected. A part of the charging connector 10 including the connection portion is exposed outside the panel 102 through the through-hole 104. The other part of charging connector 10 is disposed on the vehicle interior side of panel 102. Generally, a vehicle body side cover 106 is provided at the fitting portion 100. The vehicle body side cover 106 is openably and closably attached by a hinge or the like. In a state where the vehicle-body-side cover 106 is closed, the vehicle-body-side cover 106 covers the opening of the panel 102. In a state where the vehicle body side cover 106 is open, the charging connector 10 is exposed and can be connected to the charging connector 10 from the outside. The external charging connector 200 is fitted and connected to the charging connector 10, and charges a battery 230 provided in the vehicle.

In the present disclosure, as shown in fig. 1, the X direction among the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction orthogonal to each other is a direction parallel to the direction in which the charging connector 10 passes through the through-hole 104 of the panel 102. The charging connector 10 and the external charging connector are connected in the X direction. The Y direction is a direction in which a pair of power terminals 22 described later are arranged. The Z direction is a direction orthogonal to both the X direction and the Y direction. For example, in the case where the charging connector 10 is provided on the side of the vehicle, it is considered that the X direction is the width direction of the vehicle, the Y direction is the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the Z direction is the plumb direction. For example, when the charging connector 10 is provided in the front or rear of the vehicle, the X direction is considered to be the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the Y direction is considered to be the width direction of the vehicle, and the Z direction is considered to be the plumb direction.

< overall construction >

The overall configuration of the charging connector 10 will be described with reference to fig. 2 to 7, in addition to fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing charging connector 10 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing charging connector 10 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 4 is a front view showing the charging connector 10 of embodiment 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V of fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the terminal-equipped electric wire 38 and its storage position. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a route of the electric wire 30 in the charging connector 10. In fig. 3, the electric wire 30 is omitted. In fig. 6, a part of the terminal-equipped wire 38 is omitted.

The charging connector 10 includes a terminal 20, an electric wire 30, a thermistor unit 40, a case 50, a stopper 60, an electric wire cover 70, a cover unit 80, and a grommet 90.

< terminal >

The terminal 20 includes a connector terminal 21 and a relay terminal 28 (see fig. 3 to 6). The connector terminal 21 is housed in the housing 50. The connector terminal 21 is connected to a terminal of a mating connector. The number and the type of the connector terminals 21 are appropriately set according to the specification of the charging connector 10 and the like. In the example of the present embodiment, two power supply terminals 22, six signal terminals 24, and one ground terminal 26 are provided as the connector terminal 21. The relay terminal 28 is sandwiched between the power supply terminal 22 and the electric wire 30. The relay terminals 28 are provided with the same number (two here) as the power supply terminals 22. Each terminal 20 is formed by pressing (bending) a metal plate.

The power supply terminal 22 is a terminal used for power supply to the battery 230. The power supply terminal 22 includes a tube portion 23a, a fastening plate portion 23b, and a protruding portion 23c. The power supply terminal 22 also has a thermistor attachment portion 23d.

The cylindrical portion 23a is a portion electrically connected to a power supply terminal of the external charging connector. The fastening plate-shaped portion 23b is a portion to which the relay terminal 28 is fastened and fixed. The power line 32 is electrically connected to the power supply terminal 22 via the relay terminal 28.

The signal terminal 24 has a mating-side connecting portion 25a, a wire connecting portion 25b, and a projecting portion 25c. The ground terminal 26 has a mating side connection portion 27a, a wire connection portion 27b, and a protruding portion 27c. The wire connection portions 25b and 27b are portions to which wires are connected, and are crimp portions here. The signal terminal 24 and the ground terminal 26 are crimped to the end of the corresponding wire 30 by the wire connecting portions 25b and 27b, respectively. Thereby, the signal terminals 24 and the ground terminals 26 are electrically connected to and fixed to the corresponding wires 30, respectively.

The protrusions 23c, 25c, and 27c are provided at the intermediate portion of each connector terminal 21. The protrusions 23c, 25c, and 27c are pressed by the stopper 60. The thermistor mounting portion 23d is a portion where the thermistor unit 40 is mounted.

One end of each wire 30 is connected to the terminal 20. The other end of each wire 30 extends outward from the grommet 90. In a state where the charging connector 10 is mounted on the vehicle, the other end of each wire 30 is connected to another device mounted on the vehicle. Such a device is appropriately set according to the type of the electric wire 30, and for example, a battery, an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), or the like is assumed. The number and kind of the electric wires 30 correspond to those of the connector terminals 21. In the example of the present embodiment, the electric wires 30 include two power lines 32, six signal lines 34, and one ground line 36 (see fig. 2 and 7). One end of power line 32 is connected to relay terminal 28. The power line 32 is connected to the power supply terminal 22 via the relay terminal 28. One end of the signal line 34 is connected to the signal terminal 24. One end of the ground wire 36 is connected to the ground terminal 26. One end of the thermistor wire 44 is connected to the thermistor 42.

Each of the wires 30 is a covered wire. The covered electric wire has a core wire 31a and a covering 31b covering the core wire 31 a. The core wire 31a is formed by twisting a plurality of metal wires, for example. The core wire 31a may be a single core wire. The covering portion 31b is formed by, for example, extrusion molding of an insulating resin around the core wire 31 a. As the plurality of electric wires 30, a plurality of kinds of electric wires 30 having different thicknesses are used. The thickness of the wire 30 is set according to an allowable current value or the like. In general, in order to increase the allowable current value, the conductor cross-sectional area needs to be increased, and accordingly, the thickness of the electric wire 30 becomes thicker. In addition, the thickness of the electric wire 30 generally has a correlation with the difficulty of bending the electric wire 30, and as the electric wire 30 becomes thicker, the electric wire 30 is difficult to bend. For example, when the easily bendable electric wire and the hardly bendable electric wire are bent by the same angle amount, the radius of curvature of the hardly bendable electric wire is larger than that of the easily bendable electric wire, and accordingly, a large arrangement space is required.

In this caseIn middle, the power line 32 is thicker than the ground line 36 and the signal line 34. Therefore, the power line 32 is less likely to bend than the ground line 36 and the signal line 34. The cross-sectional area of the conductor of the power line 32 is, for example, 40mm ² The above. The cross-sectional area of the conductor of the power line 32 is, for example, 120mm ² The following. The ground line 36 is thicker than the signal line 34. Therefore, the ground line 36 is less likely to be bent than the signal line 34.

< electric wire with terminal >

The terminal 20 and the electric wire 30 are electrically connected to each other by crimping at a stage midway in the manufacturing of the charging connector 10, and are fixed and integrated. Such an integrated structure of the electric wire 30 and the terminal 20 is sometimes referred to as a terminal-equipped electric wire 38. In this example, a terminal-equipped wire 38 in which the power line 32 and the relay terminal 28 are integrated, a terminal-equipped wire 38 in which the signal line 34 and the signal terminal 24 are integrated, and a terminal-equipped wire 38 in which the ground line 36 and the ground terminal 26 are integrated are provided.

As shown in fig. 6, the shrink tube 39 may also be covered with the terminated electric wire 38. The shrink tube 39 covers the connection portion of the electric wire 30 and the terminal 20. This can prevent water from splashing at the connection portion between the wire 30 and the terminal 20, and prevent water from entering the coating portion 31b. The shrink tube 39 covers a portion of the terminal 20, which is located forward of a portion to which the electric wire 30 is connected, to a portion of the electric wire 30 having the coating portion 31b. The shrink tube 39 is, for example, a heat shrink tube 39 that is shrunk by heating. The shrink tube 39 is covered to the terminal-equipped electric wire 38 in a state of a large diameter before being heated. Then, the shrink tube 39 becomes a shape corresponding to the shape of the connection portion when it is shrunk by heating, and can be brought into close contact with the connection portion. For example, a hot melt adhesive may be provided on the inner surface of the shrink tube 39. This enables the hot-melt adhesive to fill the gap between the shrinkable tube 39 and the terminal 20 and the gap between the shrinkable tube 39 and the electric wire 30, thereby improving the water resistance of the shrinkable tube 39. A hot melt adhesive may also be provided on the inner surface of the shrink tube 39. In the electric wire with terminal 38, the shrink tube 39 may not be provided at the connection portion of the electric wire 30 and the terminal 20, but may be exposed. In the electric wire with terminal 38, a resin such as an adhesive may be provided at the connection portion between the electric wire 30 and the terminal 20 instead of the shrink tube 39.

< thermistor Unit >

The thermistor unit 40 measures the temperature of the power supply terminal 22. In the charging connector 10 for quick charging, a large current flows through the power supply terminal 22 for supplying power for charging the battery, and therefore the temperature rise of the power supply terminal 22 also increases accordingly. By monitoring the temperature of the power supply terminal 22 using the thermistor unit 40, it is possible to suppress an excessive increase in the temperature of the power supply terminal 22. The thermistor unit 40 has a thermistor 42 and a wire 44 for thermistor (see fig. 6). In this example, the thermistor 42 is attached to each of the pair of power terminals 22, and the temperature of each of the pair of power terminals 22 is measured. One end of the thermistor wire 44 is connected 12427to the thermistor 42. The other end of the thermistor wire 44 extends outward from the grommet 90, similarly to the other end of the wire 30. The other end of the thermistor wire 44 is connected to, for example, an ECU or the like in a state where the charging connector 10 is mounted on the vehicle. The thermistor wire 44 is thinner than the power line 32 and the ground line 36. Therefore, the thermistor wire 44 is more easily bent than the power line 32 and the ground line 36.

< housing >

The housing 50 holds the connector terminal 21 at a predetermined position (a position of the external charging connector to which the connector terminal 21 can be connected). The housing 50 includes a housing main body 51, a vehicle mounting portion 54, and an electric wire pressing portion 57 (see fig. 3 to 6).

The housing main body 51 houses the connector terminal 21. The housing main body 51 has an outer frame portion 52 and a plurality of terminal holding portions 53. Each of the plurality of terminal holding portions 53 is formed in a cylindrical shape capable of accommodating a corresponding connector terminal 21. The outer frame portion 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding the plurality of terminal holding portions 53. The plurality of terminal holding portions 53 and the outer frame portion 52 are connected to each other by a flat plate-shaped connecting portion at an intermediate portion of the terminal holding portion 53. An opening 51A through which the external charging connector is inserted and removed is formed in a portion of the outer frame portion 52 that faces the vehicle outer side of the connection portion. The terminal holding portion 53 is located inside the opening 51A when viewed in the insertion and extraction direction of the external charging connector. A cover unit 80 is mounted on the front of the housing main body 51. A stopper 60 is fitted to the rear of the housing main body 51.

The vehicle mounting portion 54 is a portion for mounting the charging connector 10 to the mounting portion 100. The vehicle attachment portion 54 is formed in a plate shape protruding toward the periphery of the outer frame portion 52 at the intermediate portion of the case main body 51. The vehicle mounting portion 54 is mounted to the mounting portion 100 with, for example, screws S.

The wire pressing portion 57 includes an intermediate portion of the wire 30 extending from the terminal 20. Thus, the vibration generated in the portion of the wire 30 on the other end side of the portion pressed by the wire pressing portion 57 is less likely to be transmitted to the terminal 20, and the friction between the terminal 20 and the housing main body 51 can be suppressed. A block-shaped arm 56 projects from the outer frame 52 in the Y direction behind the housing main body 51. A wire pressing portion 57 is provided at a distal end portion of the arm 56 along a protruding direction from the housing main body 51. The electric wire pressing portions 57 are provided in three. Two of the three wire pressing portions 57 press two of the power lines 32, and the remaining one of the wire pressing portions 57 presses one of the ground lines 36. The signal line 34 extends along the ground line 36 as viewed in the plugging direction.

< stopper >

The stopper 60 inhibits the terminal 20 from being detached from the housing 50. The stopper body 60 includes a terminal pressing portion 61 and walls 64, 65, 66.

The terminal pressing portion 61 presses the rear of the connector terminal 21 housed in the housing 50. This suppresses rearward detachment of the connector terminal 21 from the housing 50. The terminal pressing part 61 includes a rear cover 62 and a plurality of projecting tube parts 63.

The rear lid 62 closes the rear opening of the outer frame 52. A plurality of through holes are formed in the rear lid portion 62. A plurality of through holes are formed at positions corresponding to the respective terminal holding portions 53. The power terminal 22 and the relay terminal 28 are engaged with each other through a through hole corresponding to the power terminal 22 and are locked by a screw. Relay terminal 28 is disposed on the back surface of rear cover 62. The signal lines 34 and the ground lines 36 are drawn out from through-holes corresponding to the signal terminals 24 and the ground terminals 26.

The plurality of projecting tube portions 63 project forward (toward the housing 50) from the rear cover portion 62. The plurality of projecting cylindrical portions 63 are formed at positions corresponding to the respective terminal holding portions 53. Each protruding cylinder 63 communicates with each through hole. The tip of each protruding tube 63 is inserted into the corresponding terminal holding portion 53, and presses the corresponding protruding portions 23c, 25c, and 27c from behind.

The walls 64, 65, 66 project rearward from the rear cover 62 in the insertion/removal direction. The walls 64 and 65 are walls that separate the relay terminal 28 from the surroundings. Walls 64 and 65 are also restricting walls that restrict the position of relay terminal 28. The wall 66 is a partition wall that partitions the housing space of the terminal 20 and the drain space inside the grommet 90.

The housing 50 and the stopper 60 are provided with locking portions. In this example, as the locking portion, a locking projection formed on the housing 50 and a locking piece formed on the stopper body 60 are provided. The locking piece is locked to the locking projection, whereby the stopper 60 is integrated with the rear end portion of the housing 50 on the opposite side of the opening 51A. Thereby, the stopper body 60 holds the connector terminal 21 together with the housing 50.

< wire cover >

The wire cover 70 is fitted to the wire pressing portion 57. The wire cover 70 suppresses the wire 30 from being detached from the wire pressing portion 57. The entire periphery of the longitudinal intermediate portion of the wire 30 is covered with the wire cover 70 and the wire pressing portion 57. In the present embodiment, two wire covers 70 are provided. One of the two wire covers 70 presses the two power lines 32. The other of the two wire covers 70 presses one ground wire 36.

< cover Unit >

The cover unit 80 is openably and closably provided in front of the housing main body 51. When the cover unit 80 is opened, the connection port of the housing main body 51 is exposed. Thereby, an external charging connector can be connected to the charging connector 10. When the cover unit 80 is closed, the connection port of the housing main body 51 is closed by the cover unit 80. The cover unit 80 has a cover 82, a hinge unit 84, and a locking unit 86. The cover 82 is openably and closably attached to the housing main body 51 via a hinge unit 84. The locking unit 86 maintains the cover 82 in a closed state. During the charging operation, the operator can operate the lock unit 86 to open the cover 82.

< wire sheath >

The grommet 90 covers the stopper 60 and the terminal 20 together with the case 50 from the side opposite to the opening 51A. The grommet 90 includes a 1 st protector 91 and a 2 nd protector 94. The 1 st protector 91 covers the stopper 60 and the rear end of the housing main body 51. The 2 nd protective part 94 covers the wire pressing part 57. The grommet 90 is a member having elasticity. The grommet 90 is made of an elastomer such as EPDM. The grommet 90 is, for example, a mold integrally molded product. The grommet is an example of an exterior member that covers the stopper 60 and the terminal 20 together. The exterior member does not need to be an elastic member, and may be formed of a hard resin, a metal, or the like. That is, the exterior member may be a protector or a grommet.

The 1 st protector 91 has a case drawing port 92 and a drain port 93. The case lead-out port 92 is an example of an opening portion covering the rear end portion of the case 50. The front end of the housing main body 51 extends outside the grommet 90 through the housing outlet 92. The case drawing port 92 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the X direction. Drain port 93 is an opening for discharging water that has entered the interior of charging connector 10 to the outside. Such water may be, for example, entered from the front end of the housing main body 51 when the cover unit 80 is opened. The drain port 93 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the Z direction.

A binding band 98 is attached to an outer surface of the housing outlet 92. The wire sheath 90 is mounted to the housing 50 with a binding band 98. An annular rib 92a is provided on the inner surface of the housing outlet 92. The annular rib 92a is provided on the inner surface of the housing outlet 92 over the entire circumference. The annular rib 92a is closely attached to the outer surface of the housing main body 51 over the entire circumference. The case lead-out port 92 is fastened by the binding band 98, so that the annular rib 92a becomes a compressed state in the inner surface of the case lead-out port 92 and the outer surface of the case main body 51. This improves water stopping performance between the outer surface of the case main body 51 and the inner surface of the case lead-out port 92.

The 2 nd protection portion 94 is formed with a wire drawing port 95. The other end of the electric wire 30 extends outside the grommet 90 through the electric wire outlet 95. Three wire drawing ports 95 are provided in one wire sheath 90. Two of the three electric wire outlet ports 95 are provided for the two electric power lines 32. One power line 32 is inserted into each of the two wire outlet ports 95. The remaining one wire outlet 95 of the three wire outlets 95 collectively passes through the signal wire 34, the ground wire 36, and the thermistor wire 44.

< positional relationship of terminals >

The positional relationship of the connector terminals 21 held by the housing 50 and the stopper 60 will be described with reference to fig. 3 to 7.

The charging connector 10 includes a pair of power terminals 22. The pair of power terminals 22 are arranged in a Z-direction when viewed along the insertion and extraction direction of the external charging connector. For example, the pair of power terminals 22 are arranged in a horizontal direction with respect to the plumb direction.

The pair of power supply terminals 22 exemplifies a 1 st power supply terminal and a 2 nd power supply terminal. In the following description, one of the pair of power terminals 22 may be divided into the 1 st power terminal 22A and the other may be divided into the 2 nd power terminal 22B, as necessary. The 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal can be also distinguished by adding "1 st" or "2 nd" to the header. The power line 32 and the screw S, which is an example of a fastener, can be distinguished by attaching "1 st" or "2 nd" to the head according to the 1 st power terminal 22A and the 2 nd power terminal 22B, which are connection partners.

The plurality of signal terminals 24 are arranged on both sides of the direction in which the pair of power terminals 22 are arranged, as viewed in the insertion and extraction direction. In the following description, the plurality of signal terminals 24 may be divided into the 1 st signal terminal 24A and the 2 nd signal terminal 24B. The 1 st signal terminal 24A is a signal terminal of the plurality of signal terminals 24 that is arranged on one side (for example, on the upper side) with respect to the pair of power terminals 22 in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the pair of power terminals 22 are arranged, as viewed in the insertion and extraction direction. The 2 nd signal terminal 24B is a signal terminal of the plurality of signal terminals 24 that is arranged on the other side (for example, on the lower side) with respect to the pair of power terminals 22 in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the pair of power terminals 22 are arranged, as viewed in the insertion and extraction direction. As for the signal line 34 connected to the signal terminal 24, if necessary, the signal line 34 connected to the 1 st signal terminal 24A may be divided into the 1 st signal line and the signal line 34 connected to the 2 nd signal terminal 24B may be divided into the 2 nd signal line.

Here, four 1 st signal terminals 24A are arranged on one side (for example, on the upper side) in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the pair of power supply terminals 22 are arranged. More specifically, one 1 st signal terminal 24A is arranged on one side (for example, the upper side) of the middle of the pair of power terminals 22 in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the pair of power terminals 22 are arranged, and the remaining three 1 st signal terminals 24A are arranged in the direction in which the pair of power terminals 22 are arranged at a position farther from the pair of power terminals 22 than the one 1 st signal terminal 24A.

Further, two 2 nd signal terminals 24B are disposed on the other side (for example, lower side) in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the pair of power supply terminals 22 are arranged. More specifically, the two 2 nd signal terminals 24B are arranged on the other side (for example, lower side) of the pair of power supply terminals 22 in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the pair of power supply terminals 22 are arranged, so as to be arranged along the direction in which the pair of power supply terminals 22 are arranged. A ground terminal 26 is disposed between the two 2 nd signal terminals 24B. The terminal holding portion 53 for accommodating each connector terminal 21 is also provided at a position corresponding to each connector terminal 21.

< Power supply terminal >

A more specific example of the power supply terminal 22 is explained. In the present embodiment, the 1 st power supply terminal 22A and the 2 nd power supply terminal 22B have the same configuration. As shown in fig. 8, the power supply terminal 22 includes a cylindrical portion 23a and a fastening plate portion 23b. A cylindrical portion 23a is provided at one end of the power terminal 22, and a fastening plate-like portion 23b is provided at the other end.

The cylindrical portion 23a is formed in a cylindrical shape into which the rod-like terminal 210 on the other side is inserted. The tube portion 23a is formed with a slit 23s extending from the longitudinal intermediate portion toward the distal end portion. A plurality of slits are formed in the cylindrical portion 23a so as to be arranged in the circumferential direction. By forming the slits 23s in the tube portion 23a, the long pieces 23p between the slits 23s in the tube portion 23a can be elastically deformed into the tube portion 23a. This enables the long piece 23p to be elastically pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the terminal 210 on the other side.

The fastening plate-like portion 23b is a plate-like portion having a fastening through-hole 23bh. The fastening through-hole 23bh need only be formed on both surfaces of the fastening plate-like portion 23b, and need not be a hole surrounded by the periphery. A part of the periphery of the fastening through hole 23bh may reach the outer peripheral edge of the fastening plate-shaped portion 23b through a slit. The fastening plate-shaped portion 23b intersects with the axial direction of the tube portion 23a, and is orthogonal to the axial direction of the tube portion 23a. The fastening through-hole 23bh and a through-hole 29Aah (or 29 Bah) described later are arranged to overlap the tube portion 23a as viewed in the insertion and extraction direction. The center axis of the fastening through-hole 23bh may coincide with the center axis of the tube portion 23a. In the present embodiment, the fastening plate-shaped portion 23b is formed in a circular plate shape except for a portion connected to the connecting portion 23e described below. The outer shape of the fastening plate-like portion 23b is not particularly limited, and may be a polygonal plate-like shape such as a quadrangular plate-like shape, for example. Since the fastening plate-like portion 23b is disposed in a direction intersecting the central axis of the tube portion 23a, plate-like attachment portions 29Aa and 29Ba, which will be described later, overlapping the fastening plate-like portion 23b are also disposed in a direction intersecting the insertion/removal direction.

A coupling portion 23e is provided between the tube portion 23a and the fastening plate portion 23b. The connecting portion 23e has an elongated plate-like portion having one end portion connected to a part of the base end portion of the tube portion 23a in the circumferential direction and the other end portion connected to one side of the fastening plate-like portion 23b.

The pair of protruding portions 23c are provided in the coupling portion 23e so as to protrude from both side portions of the tube portion 23a. As described above, the stopper body 60 can press the pair of protrusions 23c.

Such a power supply terminal 22 may be formed by bending a metal plate-shaped member 220. For example, a metal plate-shaped member 220 formed of a copper plate, a copper alloy plate, or the like is punched out to form the shape of the power terminal 22 (see a virtual line L in fig. 8 for a part of the punched out shape). At the time of or after punching, the punched portions are bent so as to form the tube portion 23a, the fastening plate portion 23b, and the protruding portion 23c. Thereby, the power terminal 22 is manufactured. Such a power terminal 22 can be manufactured efficiently and at low cost as compared with the case of cutting a metal block member.

< Relay terminal >

The relay terminal 28 is explained more specifically. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the stopper body 60 and the relay terminal 28. As shown in fig. 3, 5 to 7, and 9, one of the pair of relay terminals 28 is connected to the 1 st power supply terminal 22A, and the other is connected to the 2 nd power supply terminal 22B. The pair of relay terminals 28 are examples of the 1 st relay terminal and the 2 nd relay terminal, and have different shapes. In the following description, the relay terminal connected to the 1 st power supply terminal 22A of the pair of relay terminals 28 may be classified as a 1 st relay terminal 28A, and the relay terminal connected to the 2 nd power supply terminal 22B may be classified as a 2 nd relay terminal 28B, as necessary. Each of the 1 st relay terminal 28A and the 2 nd relay terminal 28B may be distinguished by adding "1 st" or "2 nd" to the header.

The 2 nd relay terminal 28B has a plate-like mounting portion 29Ba, a power line connecting portion 29Bb, and an intermediate plate-like portion 29Bc. In a state where the 2 nd relay terminal 28B is fixed to the fastening plate-like portion 23B of the 2 nd power supply terminal 22B, the 2 nd relay terminal 28B extends in a direction intersecting the insertion and extraction direction.

More specifically, the plate-like fitting portion 29Ba is formed in a plate shape. The outer shape of the plate-like fitting portion 29Ba is not particularly limited. The plate-like mounting portion 29Ba may be formed in a non-circular plate shape, or may be formed in a shape that comes into contact with the wall 65 to prevent rotation. A through hole 29Bah is formed in the plate-like mounting portion 29Ba. The through-hole 29Bah need only be formed on both sides of the plate-shaped mounting portion 29Ba, and need not be a hole surrounded by the periphery. A part of the periphery of the through hole 29Bah may reach the outer peripheral edge of the plate-like fitting portion 29Ba via the slit. The plate-like mounting portion 29Ba may have the same configuration as a holed plate-like terminal called a so-called LA terminal. The plate-like fitting portion 29Ba is overlapped with the fastening plate-like portion 23B at the rear end portion of the 2 nd power supply terminal 22B on the opposite side to the opening 51A. In this state, the through-hole 29Bah and the fastening through-hole 23bh are arranged at the same position as viewed in the insertion and extraction direction. A screw S, which is an example of a fastening member, is inserted through the through-hole 29Bah and the fastening through-hole 23bh from the opposite side to the opening 51A, and the screw S is screwed to the nut. Thereby, the plate-like fitting portion 29Ba is fastened to the fastening plate-like portion 23b. In this state, the plate-like fitting portion 29Ba intersects with the insertion and extraction direction. Further, the fasteners may be rivets instead of screws. The fastening device fastens the plate-shaped mounting portion 29Ba and the fastening plate-shaped portion 23b in a direction approaching each other, and sets the direction in which the plate-shaped mounting portion 29Ba and the fastening plate-shaped portion 23b are combined as a fastening direction. The fastening direction is the same as the direction in which the fastener is inserted through the through-hole 29Bah and the fastening through-hole 23bh. In the present embodiment, the fastening direction is the same as the insertion and extraction direction. Therefore, the fastener can be inserted through the through-hole 29Bah and the fastening through-hole 23bh in the insertion and extraction direction. In addition, if the fastener is a screw, it is sufficient to perform an operation of rotating the screw about an axis along the insertion and extraction direction.

The intermediate plate-like portion 29Bc projects from the plate-like fitting portion 29Ba in a direction intersecting the insertion and extraction direction. In the present embodiment, the intermediate plate-like portion 29Bc extends toward one side along the direction in which the pair of power terminals 22 are arranged. The plate-like mounting portion 29Ba and the intermediate plate-like portion 29Bc extend in the same plane shape intersecting the insertion/removal direction.

The power line connecting portion 29Bb is provided at an end of the intermediate plate-like portion 29Bc. Therefore, the 2 nd relay terminal 28B extends in a direction intersecting the insertion and extraction direction as a whole.

The power line connection portion 29Bb is a portion to which the power line 32 is connected. In the present embodiment, the power line connection portion 29Bb is pressure-contacted to the core wire 31a exposed at the end of the power line 32. The power line connection portion 29Bb and the core wire 31a may be connected by soldering, ultrasonic welding, or the like. The power line 32 connected to the power line connection portion 29Bb is electrically connected to the 2 nd power supply terminal 22B via the 2 nd relay terminal 28B. The power line 32 extends along a straight line extending from the power line connection portion 29Bb in a direction intersecting the insertion and extraction direction.

The 1 st relay terminal 28A has a plate-like mounting portion 29Aa, a power line connecting portion 29Ab, and an intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac. In a state where the 1 st relay terminal 28A is fixed to the fastening plate-like portion 23b of the 1 st power supply terminal 22A, the 1 st relay terminal 28A extends in a direction intersecting the insertion and extraction direction.

More specifically, the plate-shaped fitting portion 29Aa is formed in a plate shape. The plate-like mounting portion 29Aa has a through hole 29Aah formed therein in the same manner as the plate-like mounting portion 29Ba. The outer shape of the plate-like mounting portion 29Aa and the shape of the through-hole 29Aah are not particularly limited, as in the plate-like mounting portion 29Ba. The plate-like fitting portion 29Aa is overlapped with the fastening plate-like portion 23b of the rear end portion of the 1 st power supply terminal 22A on the opposite side of the opening 51A. In this state, the plate-shaped attachment portion 29Aa is fastened to the fastening plate-shaped portion 23b by the screw S as an example of the fastening member in the same manner as described above. In this state, the plate-like fitting portion 29Aa intersects with the insertion and extraction direction.

Since the 1 st power supply terminal 22A and the 2 nd power supply terminal 22B are adjacent to each other, the plate-like fitting portion 29Aa and the plate-like fitting portion 29Ba are provided at adjacent positions with a space therebetween. In the present embodiment, the plate-like fitting portion 29Aa and the plate-like fitting portion 29Ba are located at the same position in the insertion and extraction direction.

The intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac protrudes from the plate-like fitting portion 29Aa in a direction intersecting the insertion and extraction direction.

The electric line connecting portion 29Ab is provided at an end of the intermediate plate portion 29Ac. Therefore, the 1 st relay terminal 28A extends in a direction intersecting the insertion and extraction direction as a whole.

Power line connection portion 29Ab is a portion to which power line 32 is connected, similarly to power line connection portion 29Bb. By connecting the power line 32 to the power line connection portion 29Ab, the power line 32 is electrically connected to the 1 st power supply terminal 22A via the 1 st relay terminal 28A. The power line 32 extends along a straight line extending from the power line connection portion 29Bb in a direction intersecting the insertion/removal direction.

The pair of power lines 32 may extend in the same direction or in different directions along a direction intersecting the insertion and extraction direction. In the present embodiment, the pair of power lines 32 extend in the same direction in a direction intersecting the insertion and extraction direction.

That is, as described above, the power line connecting portion 29Bb of the 2 nd relay terminal 28B is arranged at a position outside the plate-like mounting portion 29Ba in the direction in which the pair of power terminals 22 are arranged. Power line connection portion 29Ab of 1 st relay terminal 28A is arranged at a position parallel to power line connection portion 29Bb. More specifically, the power line connection portion 29Ab is disposed inside the side of the power line connection portion 29Bb. Thereby, the pair of power lines 32 connected to the pair of power line connection portions 29Ab, 29Bb can be extended in a parallel state along the direction in which the pair of power lines 32 are arranged.

The electric power line connection portion 29Ab of the 1 st relay terminal 28A extends around the plate-like mounting portion 29Ba and the intermediate plate-like portion 29Bc of the 2 nd relay terminal 28B and toward the vicinity of the electric power line connection portion 29Bb. Therefore, the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac in the 1 st relay terminal 28A has a structure as a detour portion.

More specifically, the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac is formed in an elongated plate shape. One side portion of one end portion of the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac is connected to an edge of the plate-like fitting portion 29Aa on the opposite side to the 2 nd relay terminal 28B. Thereby, the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac can be inserted and removed along the insertion and removal direction. By bending the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac in the thickness direction, the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac can easily follow a thin and flexible path when viewed in the insertion and extraction direction.

In the present embodiment, the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac includes an inclined portion 29Ac1 and an alignment direction portion 29Ac2 (see fig. 7 and 9). The inclined portion 29Ac1 is a portion inclined from a portion connected to the plate-like fitting portion 29Aa with respect to a direction in which the pair of power terminals 22 are aligned and inclined so as to face between the pair of power terminals 22. The inclined portion 29Ac1 extends toward a position away from the 1 st signal terminal 24A with respect to the plate-like fitting portion 29Aa. The arrangement direction portion 29Ac2 is a portion that is bent from an end of the inclined portion 29Ac1 and extends in the direction in which the pair of power terminals 22 are arranged. The alignment direction portion 29Ac2 extends along a path outside the 1 st signal terminal 24A. The electric power line connection portion 29Ab is connected to an end of the arrangement direction portion 29Ac 2. In this way, the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac passes through a route that is detoured to pass through a route outside the pair of power terminals 22 and the 1 st signal terminal 24A.

In the present embodiment, the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac is a plate-like portion extending in the insertion/removal direction, and the intermediate plate-like portion 29Bc is a plate-like portion extending in a direction intersecting the insertion/removal direction. To form the power path, the relay terminal 28 needs to be a member having a cross-sectional area commensurate with the flowing current. Therefore, the intermediate plate-like portions 29Ac and 29Bc also need to be set to have a width and a thickness corresponding to the current. For example, when both the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac and the intermediate plate-like portion 29Bc are arranged along the direction intersecting the inserting and extracting direction, a large dedicated area is required for arranging the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac and the intermediate plate-like portion 29Bc as viewed along the inserting and extracting direction. By combining the intermediate plate-like portions 29Ac, 29Bc with the extending directions thereof changed as in the present embodiment, the intermediate plate-like portions 29Ac, 29Bc can be easily arranged in a compact space. In particular, the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac, which is a bypass portion and whose path length is easily increased, is arranged along the insertion/removal direction, so that the intermediate plate-like portions 29Ac and 29Bc are easily arranged in a compact space as viewed along the insertion/removal direction.

Since the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac is bent from the fastening plate-like portion 23b of the 1 st power supply terminal 22A toward the cylindrical portion 23a, the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac itself is accommodated and arranged in the longitudinal dimension of the 1 st power supply terminal 22A along the insertion and extraction direction. Therefore, the presence of the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac along the inserting/removing direction hardly affects the increase in size of the charging connector 10 in the inserting/removing direction.

The relay terminal 28 is formed by bending a metal plate member by press working or the like because the plate-like portions are connected to each other on the same plane or the plate-like portions are bent.

The relay terminal 28 may be fixed to the pair of power terminals 22 by fastening and fixing the plate-like fitting portions 29Aa and 29Ba to the fastening plate-like portion 23b exposed behind the stopper body 60 in a state where the pair of power terminals 22 are held by the case 50 and the stopper body 60, for example.

< terminal and wall >

The positional relationship between the walls 64, 65 provided to the stopper body 60 and the terminal 20 will be explained more specifically.

As shown in fig. 3, 5, 7, and 9, wall 64 is a wall that surrounds the periphery of 1 st relay terminal 28A. More specifically, the wall 64 is a wall that surrounds the plate-like fitting portion 29Aa and the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac in the 1 st relay terminal 28A. The wall 64 is formed so as to follow the outer peripheral edges of the plate-like fitting portion 29Aa and the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac when viewed in the insertion and extraction direction. By disposing the 1 st relay terminal 28A in the wall 64, the rotation of the 1 st relay terminal 28A around the screw S can be suppressed. The wall 64 includes a portion 64A sandwiched between the 1 st relay terminal 28A and the 1 st signal terminal 24A and a portion 64B sandwiched between the 1 st relay terminal 28A and the 2 nd signal terminal 24B, as viewed in the inserting and extracting direction.

Wall 65 surrounds second relay terminal 28B. More specifically, wall 65 is a wall that surrounds plate-like fitting portion 29Ba and intermediate plate-like portion 29Bc in 2 nd relay terminal 28B. The wall 65 is formed along the outer peripheral edges of the plate-like fitting portion 29Ba and the intermediate plate-like portion 29Bc when viewed in the inserting and extracting direction. By disposing the 2 nd relay terminal 28B in the wall 65, the rotation of the 2 nd relay terminal 28B around the screw S can be restricted. Further, the wall 64 and the wall 65 share a part of each other at a portion where the pair of power terminals 22 are adjacent, as viewed in the inserting and extracting direction. The wall 65 includes a portion 65a sandwiched between the 2 nd relay terminal 28B and the 1 st signal terminal 24A and a portion 65B sandwiched between the 2 nd relay terminal 28B and the 2 nd signal terminal 24B as viewed in the inserting and extracting direction.

< route of electric wire in charging connector >

As shown in fig. 7, the power line 32 extends straight inside the grommet 90 from one end portion connected to the pair of relay terminals 28 to the other end portion, and extends outside the grommet 90 through the lead-out opening. Two power lines 32 extend in the sheath 90 in a Z-direction. The two power terminals 22 are accommodated in the housing main body 51 in a row in the Y direction. The direction in which the two power lines 32 are aligned and the direction in which the two power terminals 22 are aligned are converted by the relay terminal 28 as described above.

One end of the signal line 34 is inserted into the terminal holding portion 53. The other end of the signal wire 34 extends from the through hole, and is bent and bundled in the grommet 90 to face the outlet of the grommet 90. More specifically, the 1 st signal line 34A of the plurality of signal lines 34 is connected to the 1 st signal terminal 24A located above the power supply terminal 22, extends out of the through-hole, passes between the pair of power lines 32, merges with the 2 nd signal line 34B, and extends in the Y direction. The 2 nd signal line 34B is connected to the 2 nd signal terminal 24B located below the power supply terminal 22, extends from the through-hole, merges with the 1 st signal line 34A, and extends in the Y direction. The bundling of the signal wires 34 may be performed by the guide portions 58 provided in the wire pressing portions 57. The guide portion 58 has a pair of side walls 58a, and is bundled into one by disposing the plurality of signal lines 34 between the side walls 58 a. In addition, the bundling of the plurality of signal lines may be performed by an adhesive tape or a bundling tape.

One end portion of the ground wire 36 is inserted into the terminal holding portion 53. The ground wire 36 extends from the through hole from one end portion toward the other end portion, is bent inside the grommet 90, and is directed toward the outlet of the grommet 90 together with the signal wire 34. As described above, since the ground line 36 is less likely to bend than the signal line 34, the curvature radius of the ground line 36 is likely to be larger than that of the signal line 34 in the portion where the signal line 34 and the ground line 36 bend from the X direction toward the Y direction. The other end of the ground wire 36 is pressed by the wire pressing portion 57 and the wire cover 70, whereby the ground wire 36 is prevented from being excessively raised in the grommet 90.

The thermistor 42 is housed in the case body 51 together with the power supply terminal 22. Therefore, one end of the thermistor wire 44 is also housed in the case main body 51. The other end portion of the thermistor wire 44 extends outside the rear cover portion 62 through the through-hole, is bent inside the grommet 90, and faces the outlet of the grommet 90. The thermistor wire 44 is inserted through the through hole at a portion for inserting the terminal-equipped wire 38. The thermistor wires 44 pass between the pair of power lines 32, and extend in the Y direction together with the signal lines 34.

The insertion and removal direction, the opening direction of the drain opening 93, and the direction in which the power line 32 extends inside the grommet 90 intersect each other. Here, the inserting and extracting direction is the X direction. The opening direction of the drain opening 93 is the Z direction. The direction in which the power line 32 extends inside the grommet 90 is the Y direction. The insertion and extraction direction, the direction in which the drain opening 93 opens, and the direction in which the power line 32 extends inside the grommet 90 are orthogonal to each other, but may intersect at an angle other than the orthogonal angle.

< effects and the like >

According to the charging connector 10 configured as described above, the power line 32 extends along a straight line extending in a direction intersecting the insertion and extraction direction in the grommet 90, which is an example of an exterior member. Therefore, a space for accommodating the bent power line 32 may not be secured in the grommet 90. This can reduce the size of the charging connector 10. In particular, since the direction of the power line 32 is changed with respect to the longitudinal direction of the power terminal 22 by the relay terminal 28 fastened to the power terminal 22, the size of the charging connector 10 in the insertion and extraction direction can be reduced. Further, the power line 32, which is thick and difficult to bend, may not be bent inside the grommet 90, so that the manufacturing of the charging connector 10 becomes easy.

In particular, if the cross-sectional area of the conductor of the power line 32 is 40mm ² As described above, it is difficult to bend the power line 32, and the space for accommodating the bent portion becomes larger. In this case, the configuration in which the power line 32 does not have to be bent inside the grommet 90 is more effective.

Further, since the 1 st relay terminal 28A has the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac as a winding portion extending so as to wind the 1 st signal terminal 24A, the 1 st relay terminal 28A can be arranged while avoiding interference with the signal line extending from the 1 st signal terminal 24A.

Further, since the walls 64 and 65 of the stopper 60 have the portions 64a, 64b, 65a, and 65b formed at the positions where the relay terminal 28 and the signal terminal 24 are separated from each other, the relay terminal 28 and the signal terminal 24 can be separated from each other by a flexible member.

Further, since the intermediate plate-like portion 29Ac is a plate-like portion extending in the inserting/removing direction and the intermediate plate-like portion 29Bc is a plate-like portion extending in the direction intersecting the inserting/removing direction, the plate-like portions can be arranged in a compact space in different directions, contributing to downsizing of the charging connector 10.

In addition, since the power lines 32 are along the direction in which the power terminals 22 are arranged, the direction in which the power lines 32 are drawn out can be made to coincide with the direction in which the power terminals 22 are arranged.

Further, since the signal line 34 is more flexible than the power line 32, the signal line can be easily bent in the grommet 90 to change the direction, and can be bundled and drawn out.

Further, since the relay terminal 28 is fastened and fixed to the power supply terminal 22 by the screw S, which is an example of a fastener, the relay terminal 28 can be easily and firmly connected to the power supply terminal 22 by the screw S.

Further, since the fastening direction of the screw S, which is an example of the fastening means, is the same as the inserting and extracting direction, the screw S can be inserted along the inserting and extracting direction from the rear side of the charging connector, and the fastening operation of the screw S can be performed around the axis along the inserting and extracting direction, and the fastening operation can be easily performed.

Since the power supply terminal 22 is a bent metal plate-shaped member, the fastening plate-shaped portion 23b can be easily configured to extend in the direction intersecting the inserting/extracting direction in order to dispose the plate-shaped mounting portions 29Aa and 29Ba of the relay terminal 28 in the direction intersecting the inserting/extracting direction.

Further, since the cylindrical portion 23a overlaps the through-holes 29Aah and 29Bah when viewed in the insertion and extraction direction, the charging connector 10 can be configured to be compact when viewed in the insertion and extraction direction.

[ modified examples ]

Fig. 10 is a rear view showing a charging connector 110 of a modification. In fig. 10, a part of the members such as the electric wire 30 is omitted. In the description of the present modification, the same components as those of the configuration described so far are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

In the charging connector 110 shown in fig. 10, eight signal terminals 24 are provided. More specifically, the four signal terminals 24 are arranged on one side and the four signal terminals 24 are arranged on the other side with respect to the direction in which the pair of power supply terminals 22 are arranged, as viewed in the insertion and extraction direction. Although the pair of power terminals 22 are covered by the relay terminal 28 in fig. 10, they are arranged at positions corresponding to the pair of screws S, as in embodiment 1. The four signal terminals 24 are arranged at positions corresponding to the vertices of the diamond. In this example, the ground terminal 26 is omitted. Accordingly, the structure of the ground terminal 26 is omitted in the case 150 corresponding to the case 50 and the stopper 160 corresponding to the stopper 60.

The configurations described in the embodiments and the modifications can be appropriately combined as long as they do not contradict each other.

Description of the reference numerals

10 charging connector

20 terminal

21 connector terminal

22 power supply terminal (22A 1 st power supply terminal, 22B 2 nd power supply terminal)

23a tube part

23b fastening plate-like portion

23bh fastening through hole

23c, 25c, 27c protrusions

23d thermistor mounting part

23e connecting part

23p strip

Slit of 23s

24 signal terminal (24A 1 st signal terminal, 24B 2 nd signal terminal)

25a, 27a are connected to each other

25b, 27b wire connection part

26 ground terminal

28 Relay terminal (28A 1 st relay terminal, 28B 2 nd relay terminal)

29Aa, 29Ba plate-like fitting parts

29Aah, 29Bah through hole

29Ab and 29Bb power line connection part

29Ac, 29Bc intermediate plate-like portion

29Ac1 inclined part

29Ac2 alignment Direction portion

30 electric wire

31a core wire

31b coating part

32 power line

34 signal line (34A 1 st signal line, 34B 2 nd signal line)

36 ground wire

38 terminal-equipped electric wire

39 shrink tube

40 thermistor unit

42 thermistor

44 thermistor wire

50 casing

51 casing body

51A opening part

52 outer frame part

53 terminal holding part

54 vehicle mounting portion

56 arm

57 electric wire pressing part

58 guide part

58a side wall

60 stop body

61 terminal pressing part

62 rear cover part

63 projecting cylinder part

64. 65, 66 walls

64a, 65a between the relay terminal and the 1 st signal terminal

64b, 65b are sandwiched between the relay terminal and the 2 nd signal terminal

70 wire cover

80 cover unit

82 cover

84 hinge unit

86 locking unit

90 wire sheath

91 st protective part

92 casing outlet

92a annular rib

93 drainage outlet

94 nd protection part 2

95 electric wire outlet

98 strapping tape

100 assembly part

102 panel

104 through hole

106 side cover of vehicle body

110 charging connector

150 casing

160 stop body

200 external charging connector

210 terminal

220 member

230 cell

S screw

Claims (11)

1. A charging connector mounted on a vehicle, fitted to an external charging connector connected to an external power supply of the vehicle, and used for charging a battery provided in the vehicle, the charging connector comprising:

a 1 st power supply terminal and a 2 nd power supply terminal for supplying power to the battery;

a 1 st signal terminal arranged on one side of the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal are arranged;

a 2 nd signal terminal arranged on the other side of the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal are arranged;

a housing having an opening through which the external charging connector is inserted and removed, and a terminal holding portion that is located inside the opening when viewed in an insertion and removal direction of the external charging connector and holds the 1 st power supply terminal, the 2 nd power supply terminal, the 1 st signal terminal, and the 2 nd signal terminal;

a stopper body that is integrated with an end portion of the case on a side opposite to the opening portion, and holds the 1 st power supply terminal, the 2 nd power supply terminal, the 1 st signal terminal, and the 2 nd signal terminal together with the case;

a 1 st relay terminal including a 1 st plate-like mounting portion and a 1 st power line connecting portion, the 1 st plate-like mounting portion including a 1 st through-hole, the 1 st plate-like mounting portion being fixed to an end portion of the 1 st power supply terminal on a side opposite to the opening portion in a posture extending in a direction intersecting the insertion/extraction direction;

a 2 nd relay terminal including a 2 nd plate-like mounting portion and a 2 nd power line connecting portion, the 2 nd plate-like mounting portion including a 2 nd through-hole, the 2 nd plate-like mounting portion being fixed to an end portion of the 2 nd power supply terminal on a side opposite to the opening portion in a posture extending in a direction intersecting the inserting and extracting direction;

a 1 st power line connected to the 1 st power line connection portion and electrically connected to the 1 st power supply terminal via the 1 st relay terminal;

a 2 nd power line connected to the 2 nd power line connection portion and electrically connected to the 2 nd power supply terminal via the 2 nd relay terminal; and

an exterior member collectively covering the stopper body, the 1 st power supply terminal, the 2 nd power supply terminal, the 1 st signal terminal, and the 2 nd signal terminal from a side opposite to the opening,

the 1 st power line and the 2 nd power line extend along a straight line extending in a direction intersecting the insertion and extraction direction in the exterior member.

2. The charging connector according to claim 1,

the 1 st power line connection portion and the 2 nd power line connection portion are disposed at positions where the 1 st power line and the 2 nd power line can be extended toward one side along a direction in which the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal are aligned,

the 1 st relay terminal has a bypass portion provided between the 1 st plate-like mounting portion and the 1 st power line connecting portion and extending so as to bypass the 1 st signal terminal.

3. The charging connector according to claim 1 or claim 2,

the stopper body has a wall surrounding the 1 st relay terminal and the 2 nd relay terminal,

the wall is formed at a position separating the 1 st relay terminal or the 2 nd relay terminal and the 1 st signal terminal or the 2 nd signal terminal as viewed in the inserting and extracting direction.

4. The charging connector according to any one of claim 1 to claim 3,

one of the 1 st relay terminal and the 2 nd relay terminal includes a plate-like portion along the inserting and extracting direction,

the other of the 1 st relay terminal and the 2 nd relay terminal includes a plate-like portion along a direction intersecting the insertion/removal direction.

5. The charging connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the 1 st power line and the 2 nd power line extend along a direction in which the 1 st power terminal and the 2 nd power terminal are arranged.

6. The charging connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

a 1 st signal line connected to the 1 st signal terminal; and

a 2 nd signal line connected to the 2 nd signal terminal,

the 1 st signal line and the 2 nd signal line are bent and bundled into one in the exterior member.

7. The charging connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:

a 1 st fastening member inserted through the 1 st through-hole to fasten and fix the 1 st plate-like fitting portion to an end portion of the 1 st power supply terminal opposite to the opening portion; and

and a 2 nd fastening member inserted into the 2 nd through-hole to fasten and fix the 2 nd plate-like fitting portion to an end portion of the 2 nd power supply terminal opposite to the opening portion.

8. The charging connector according to claim 7,

the fastening direction of the 1 st fastening piece and the 2 nd fastening piece is the same as the plugging direction.

9. The charging connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

the 1 st power supply terminal and the 2 nd power supply terminal are metal plate-shaped members bent so that the 1 st plate-shaped mounting portion and the 2 nd plate-shaped mounting portion can be arranged in a direction intersecting the insertion/removal direction.

10. The charging connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

the 1 st power supply terminal has a 1 st cylinder into which the counterpart terminal is inserted,

the 2 nd power supply terminal has a 2 nd cylindrical part into which the counterpart terminal is inserted,

when viewed along the inserting and extracting direction, the 1 st tube part overlaps the 1 st through hole, and the 2 nd tube part overlaps the 2 nd through hole.

11. The charging connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

the 1 st power line and the 2 nd power line include a sectional area of 40mm ² The above conductors.

Images