CN116114121A - Connector with a plurality of connectors - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector (30) of one embodiment of the present disclosure has a connector housing (50) and a front stopper (100) mounted to the connector housing (50). The front stopper (100) is formed in a flat plate shape. The front stopper (100) has an insertion body (110), a stopper (120), a slit (110X) provided between the insertion body (110) and the stopper (120), and a locking portion (130) provided at the stopper (120) and locked with the connector housing (50). The insertion body portion (110) and the stopper portion (120) are arranged in a direction intersecting the insertion direction (D1) of the front stopper (100) with respect to the connector housing (50).

Description

Connector with a plurality of connectors

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background

A connector to be mounted in a housing of an electrical device mounted on a vehicle is known (for example, refer to patent document 1). The connector has a terminal fitting connected to an end of an electric wire, a connector housing holding the terminal fitting, and a front stopper fitted to the connector housing. A lance which is engaged with a terminal fitting inserted into the connector housing is provided in the connector housing. The lance is pushed by the terminal component and retreats to the deflection space when the terminal component is inserted, and when the terminal component is inserted to a normal position, the lance is elastically restored and locked to the terminal component. After the terminal fitting is inserted to the normal position, the front stopper is inserted into the deflection space of the lance, and the lance locked to the terminal fitting is restricted from being retracted into the deflection space. This can prevent the lance from being accidentally disengaged from the terminal fitting, and thus prevent the terminal fitting from coming off the connector housing.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2018-190670

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the connector described above, improvement in workability of assembling the front stopper to the connector housing is desired, and there is room for improvement in this respect.

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that can improve the workability of assembling a front stopper.

Means for solving the problems

The connector of the present disclosure has: a connector housing; is arranged outside the connector

The front stopper of the shell is formed in a flat plate shape, and has an insertion main body portion, a stopper portion, a slit provided between the insertion main body portion and the stopper portion, and a locking portion provided at the stopper portion and locked with the connector housing, the insertion main body portion and the stopper portion being arranged in a direction intersecting an insertion direction of the front stopper with respect to the connector housing.

Effects of the invention

According to the connector of the present disclosure, the assembling workability of the front stopper can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a wire harness according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a connector and a housing of an embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a connector of an embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a connector of an embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a connector assembled in a housing of an embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a connector of an embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a schematic front view showing a connector housing of an embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a front stopper of an embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing the front stopper of the embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a connector of an embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a method of manufacturing a connector according to an embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a method of manufacturing a connector according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

[ description of embodiments of the present disclosure ]

First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[1] The connector of the present disclosure has: a connector housing; and a front stopper attached to the connector housing, the front stopper being formed in a flat plate shape, the front stopper having an insertion main body portion, a stopper portion, a slit provided between the insertion main body portion and the stopper portion, and a locking portion provided at the stopper portion and locked with the connector housing, the insertion main body portion and the stopper portion being arranged in a direction intersecting an insertion direction of the front stopper with respect to the connector housing.

According to this structure, since the slit is provided between the insertion body portion of the front stopper and the stopper portion, the locking portion can be moved toward the slit when the front stopper is inserted into the connector housing. That is, the stopper portion provided with the locking portion can be deflected toward the slit. Thus, the front stopper can be inserted into the connector housing while the stopper is being deflected toward the slit. Therefore, the operation force when inserting the front stopper into the connector housing can be reduced as compared with the case where the stopper is not deflected. Therefore, the workability of assembling the front stopper to the connector housing can be improved.

[2] Preferably, the slit is formed to extend in the insertion direction, a long hole is formed in the stopper portion, the long hole is longer in the insertion direction than in an arrangement direction in which the insertion body portion and the stopper portion are arranged, and the locking portion is provided on a side surface of a side wall constituting the long hole.

According to this configuration, since the long hole is provided in the vicinity of the locking portion, the locking portion can be moved toward the long hole when the front stopper is inserted into the connector housing. That is, the side wall of the long hole provided with the locking portion can be deflected toward the long hole. Thus, when the front stopper is inserted into the connector housing, the stopper portion can be deflected toward the slit, and the side wall constituting the long hole can be deflected toward the long hole. Therefore, the operation force at the time of inserting the front stopper into the connector housing can be further reduced.

[3] Preferably, the elongated hole is provided in the stopper portion so as to be offset to a side closer to the locking portion in the alignment direction. According to this configuration, since the long hole is provided on the side closer to the locking portion, the side wall on which the locking portion is formed can be made thin. Therefore, the side wall can be easily deflected toward the long hole. Therefore, the operation force at the time of inserting the front stopper into the connector housing can be further reduced.

[4] Preferably, the insertion body portion has a protrusion protruding further toward the inner side in the insertion direction than the stopper portion in the insertion direction. According to this configuration, since the insertion body portion is formed longer than the stopper portion, the protruding portion of the insertion body portion can be brought into contact with the connector housing first, and the protruding portion can be made to function as the guide portion. The insertion of the stop portion relative to the connector housing is guided by the projection. Therefore, the assemblability of the stopper portion can be improved.

[5] Preferably, the protruding portion has a guide portion inclined toward the slit. According to this structure, since the guide portion is provided at the protruding portion of the insertion main body portion that is in contact with the connector housing before, when the front stopper is inserted into the connector housing, the wall of the connector housing is guided by the guide portion toward the slit. This can improve the workability of assembling the front stopper to the connector housing.

[6] Preferably, the front stopper further includes a regulating portion connected to ends of the insertion body portion and the stopper portion located on a front side in the insertion direction, the regulating portion protruding in a direction intersecting both an arrangement direction in which the insertion body portion and the stopper portion are arranged and the insertion direction, and the regulating portion is in contact with the connector housing.

According to this structure, since the restricting portion is in contact with the connector housing when the front stopper is inserted into the connector housing, the amount of insertion of the front stopper with respect to the connector housing is restricted. Accordingly, an appropriate amount of insertion of the front stopper can be managed, and therefore, workability of assembling the front stopper to the connector housing can be improved.

[7] Preferably, the connector housing has a guide groove extending in the insertion direction, and the insertion body portion has a rib protruding in a direction intersecting the insertion direction and guided by the guide groove. According to this structure, the front stopper can be inserted into the connector housing while guiding the rib of the insertion body portion to the guide groove of the connector housing. This can improve the workability of assembling the front stopper to the connector housing. In addition, the provision of the rib can improve the rigidity of the insertion body portion.

[8] Preferably, the connector further includes a connection terminal held by the connector housing, the connector housing includes a housing space and a locking piece configured to be elastically deformable toward the housing space and to be locked to the connection terminal, and the stopper is housed in the housing space.

According to this structure, the stopper is accommodated in the accommodation space, so that the locking piece locked with the connection terminal is prevented from being deflected toward the accommodation space. This can prevent the connection terminal from being released from the locking piece, and thus can appropriately prevent the connection terminal from coming off the connector housing.

Detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure

Specific examples of the connector of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, a part of the structure is sometimes exaggerated or simplified for convenience of description. In addition, the dimensional ratios of the respective portions may be different in the respective drawings. The terms "parallel" and "orthogonal" in the present specification do not mean only exactly parallel and orthogonal, but also include approximately parallel and orthogonal within a range that can exert the effects of the present embodiment. The present invention is not limited to the above examples, but is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications equivalent to the meanings and the scope of the claims.

(integral Structure of wire harness 10)

The wire harness 10 shown in fig. 1 electrically connects two or more electrical devices (apparatuses). The wire harness 10 electrically connects an inverter 11 provided in the front of a vehicle V such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, for example, to a high-voltage battery 12 provided at the rear of the vehicle V from the inverter 11. The inverter 11 is connected to a motor (not shown) for driving wheels, which is a power source for driving the vehicle. The inverter 11 generates alternating current from direct current of the high-voltage battery 12, and supplies the alternating current to the motor. The high-voltage battery 12 is, for example, a battery capable of supplying a voltage of several hundred volts.

The wire harness 10 includes a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) electric wires 20, an exterior member 25 that collectively surrounds the plurality of electric wires 20, and a pair of connectors 30 attached to both end portions of the electric wires 20. One end of the electric wire 20 is connected to the inverter 11 via the connector 30, and the other end of the electric wire 20 is connected to the high-voltage battery 12 via the connector 30. The electric wire 20 is, for example, a high-voltage electric wire that can cope with high voltage and high current. The exterior member 25 protects the electric wire 20 housed inside from flying objects and water droplets.

As shown in fig. 2, each connector 30 is fixed to a conductive housing 15 of an electrical device such as the inverter 11 and the high-voltage battery 12 (see fig. 1). Each connector 30 is electrically connected to, for example, a counterpart terminal 200 (see fig. 5) provided in the housing 15. As a material of the case 15, for example, a metal material such as iron-based material or aluminum-based material can be used.

(Structure of housing 15)

The case 15 includes a case body 16 having a box shape, and an annular fitting portion 17 integrally provided to the case body 16 and protruding to the outside of the case body 16. The fitting portion 17 is formed in a ring shape by having a fitting hole 17X penetrating the fitting portion 17.

Here, the term "ring" in the present specification refers to a ring structure in which the whole ring is connected to form a ring without a gap, that is, a ring structure in which the starting point and the ending point coincide. In the present specification, the term "ring" includes a circular ring having a circular outer edge shape, a ring having an elliptical outer edge shape and an oblong outer edge shape, a polygonal ring having a polygonal outer edge shape, and a ring having a rounded polygonal outer edge shape, and refers to a shape formed by arbitrarily closing shapes in which the outer edge shapes are connected by a straight line or a curved line. The "ring" has a shape having a through hole in plan view, and includes a case where the outer edge shape is the same shape as the inner peripheral shape of the through hole and a case where the outer edge shape is a different shape from the inner peripheral shape of the through hole. The "ring" includes a shape having a predetermined length extending in the axial direction extending along a central axis passing through the center of the through hole, and the size of the length is not limited. In the present specification, the whole "annular" may be regarded as a ring, and includes a shape having a cutout, slit, or the like in a part thereof like a C-shape.

The fitting hole 17X is formed to communicate the inner space of the housing main body 16 with the outer space of the housing main body 16. The mounting hole 17X is formed in a flat shape having a long side direction and a short side direction, for example, when viewed from the penetrating direction. In the present specification, "flat shape" includes, for example, a rectangle, an oblong, an oval, and the like. An "oblong shape" in this specification is a shape composed of two parallel lines of approximately equal length and two semicircular shapes. The mounting hole 17X of the present embodiment is formed in an oblong shape when viewed from the penetrating direction.

In each drawing, the X-axis of the XYZ axes represents the front-back direction of the connector 30, the Y-axis represents the left-right direction (width direction) of the connector 30 orthogonal to the X-axis, and the Z-axis represents the up-down direction (height direction) of the connector 30 orthogonal to the XY plane. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, a direction extending along the X axis is referred to as a front-rear direction X, a direction extending along the Y axis is referred to as a left-right direction Y, and a direction extending along the Z axis is referred to as an up-down direction Z. In the following description, the X arrow direction in fig. 2 is set to the front, and the Z arrow direction is set to the upper.

The housing 15 has one or more (two in the present embodiment) fixing portions 18 for fixing the connector 30 to the housing 15. The two fixing portions 18 are provided on both sides of the fitting portion 17 in the left-right direction Y, for example. Each of the fixing portions 18 is formed to protrude outside the housing main body 16, for example. Each fixing portion 18 has a bolt fixing hole 18X penetrating the fixing portion 18 in the up-down direction Z.

(Structure of connector 30)

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the connector 30 includes a plurality of connection terminals 40 connected to the ends of the plurality of electric wires 20, respectively, and a connector housing 50 holding the plurality of connection terminals 40. As shown in fig. 4, the connector 30 has rubber rings 91, 92, 93 fitted to the outer periphery of the connector housing 50, a front stopper 100, a rubber stopper 150 fitted to the end of the electric wire 20, a rear stopper 160, and a shield shell 170 covering the connector housing 50 from the outside.

(Structure of connection terminal 40)

As shown in fig. 5, each connection terminal 40 has, for example, an electric wire connection portion 41 connected to an end portion of the electric wire 20 and a terminal connection portion 42 connected to the counterpart terminal 200. Each connection terminal 40 is, for example, a single component in which the wire connection portion 41 and the terminal connection portion 42 are connected in the front-rear direction X and are integrally formed. As a material of each connection terminal 40, for example, a metal material such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum alloy, or stainless steel is used. The connection terminal 40 can be formed by, for example, press working a metal plate having excellent conductivity.

(Structure of wire connecting portion 41)

The wire connection portion 41 is electrically connected to an end of the wire 20. The electric wire 20 is a covered electric wire having a core wire 21 made of a conductor and an insulating covering 22 covering the outer periphery of the core wire 21. The wire connection portion 41 is connected to, for example, an end portion of the core wire 21 exposed from the insulating coating portion 22. The wire connection portion 41 is connected to the core wire 21 by, for example, crimping, ultrasonic welding, or the like. Thereby, the wire connection portion 41 is electrically and mechanically connected to the core wire 21.

(Structure of terminal connecting portion 42)

The terminal connection portion 42 is formed in a flat plate shape, for example. For example, a through hole 42X into which the bolt B1 is inserted is formed in the terminal connection portion 42. The through hole 42X penetrates the terminal connection portion 42 in the plate thickness direction (here, the up-down direction Z). The terminal connection portion 42 is electrically and mechanically connected to the counterpart terminal 200 by, for example, a bolt B1. In the terminal connection portion 42, for example, between the through hole 42X and the wire connection portion 41, a locking hole 42Y penetrating the terminal connection portion 42 in the plate thickness direction is formed.

(Structure of connector housing 50)

As shown in fig. 2, the connector housing 50 has, for example, a ring shape extending in the front-rear direction X. The connector housing 50 is formed in a flat shape longer in the left-right direction Y than in the up-down direction Z, for example. The connector housing 50 has an insertion portion 51 to be inserted into the fitting hole 17X of the housing 15 and an outer arrangement portion 70 arranged outside the housing 15. The insertion portion 51 is inserted (fitted) into the fitting hole 17X from the rear side toward the front side in the front-rear direction X. The connector housing 50 is, for example, a single component in which the insertion portion 51 and the outer arrangement portion 70 are integrally connected to each other in the axial direction (in this case, the front-rear direction X) of the connector housing 50. As a material of the connector housing 50, for example, an insulating material such as a synthetic resin is used.

As shown in fig. 4, the insertion portion 51 is formed so as to protrude forward from the front end of the outer placement portion 70, for example. The insertion portion 51 is formed in a ring shape having an outer peripheral surface with a shape corresponding to an inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 17X (see fig. 2). The insertion portion 51 is formed in a flat shape longer in the left-right direction Y than in the up-down direction Z, for example. The insertion portion 51 of the present embodiment is formed in an oblong shape.

(Structure of insertion portion 51)

As shown in fig. 2, a receiving groove 51X for receiving the rubber ring 91 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 51. The receiving groove 51X is formed to be recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 51 toward the radial inner side of the insertion portion 51. The storage groove 51X is formed, for example, over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 51. A rubber ring 91 is fitted in the receiving groove 51X. The rubber ring 91 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the connector housing 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the shell 15.

A receiving groove 51Y for receiving the rubber ring 92 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 51. The storage groove 51Y is provided, for example, at a position rearward of the storage groove 51X. The receiving groove 51Y is formed to be recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 51 toward the radial inner side of the insertion portion 51. The storage groove 51Y is formed, for example, over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 51. A rubber ring 92 is fitted in the receiving groove 51Y. The rubber ring 92 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the connector housing 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the shell 15.

(Structure of rubber rings 91, 92)

The rubber rings 91 and 92 are elastically deformable. The rubber rings 91, 92 are, for example, O-rings. The rubber rings 91 and 92 are formed, for example, in a ring shape that is continuous throughout the entire circumference of the insertion portion 51. The rubber rings 91 and 92 of the present embodiment are formed in a doughnut shape having an inner peripheral shape and an outer peripheral shape.

(Structure of insertion portion 51)

As shown in fig. 3, the insertion portion 51 has a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) holding holes 52 arranged in the left-right direction Y, for example. Each holding hole 52 is formed to penetrate the insertion portion 51 in the front-rear direction X. The connection terminals 40 are held in the holding holes 52. The plurality of connection terminals 40 held in the holding hole 52 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 51 when viewed in the front-rear direction X.

As shown in fig. 5, a locking piece 53 is provided inside each holding hole 52. A storage space 62 is formed above each locking piece 53. Each of the storage spaces 62 is formed by a gap formed between the upper surface of the locking piece 53 and the inner peripheral surface of the holding hole 52. Each of the storage spaces 62 is formed to be opened forward.

The locking pieces 53 are formed so as to extend forward in the front-rear direction X in the holding hole 52 after protruding downward from the inner peripheral surface at the rear end portion of the holding hole 52 in the holding hole 52. Each of the locking pieces 53 is formed in a cantilever shape having a base end portion (here, a rear end portion) connected to the inner peripheral surface of the delimiting and holding hole 52 as a fixed end and a tip end portion (here, a front end portion) located on the opposite side of the base end portion in the front-rear direction X as a free end. Each of the locking pieces 53 has elasticity. Each of the locking pieces 53 is elastically deformable so that the tip end portions of the locking pieces 53 are displaced in the up-down direction Z from the base end portions of the locking pieces 53 in the holding hole 52. Each of the locking pieces 53 is configured to be deflectable in the up-down direction Z by elastic deformation, for example. Each of the locking pieces 53 is configured to be elastically deformable toward the storage space 62, for example. A locking protrusion 54 protruding downward from the lower surface of each locking piece 53 is formed at the distal end of each locking piece 53. The locking convex portion 54 is formed so as to protrude in a direction intersecting the insertion direction (front-rear direction X in the present embodiment) of the connection terminal 40.

Each connection terminal 40 is inserted into each corresponding holding hole 52 from the rear side. For example, the terminal connection portion 42 of each connection terminal 40 is inserted into the corresponding holding hole 52. The terminal connecting portion 42 is disposed below the locking piece 53, for example, in the holding hole 52. The connection terminal 40 is held in the holding hole 52 by, for example, fitting the locking convex portion 54 of the locking piece 53 into the locking hole 42Y of the terminal connection portion 42. Here, when the connection terminal 40 is inserted into the holding hole 52, each locking piece 53 is pushed upward by the terminal connection portion 42 of the connection terminal 40 and retreats toward the storage space 62. That is, each locking piece 53 is pressed by the terminal connecting portion 42 at the time of insertion of the connecting terminal 40, elastically deformed, and deflected upward, and retracted into the housing space 62. After that, when the connection terminal 40 is inserted into the normal position, the locking pieces 53 are elastically restored to be locked to the connection terminal 40. Specifically, when the locking hole 42Y of the terminal connecting portion 42 is inserted to a position overlapping the locking protrusion 54 in the up-down direction Z, the locking piece 53 is elastically restored, the locking protrusion 54 is fitted into the locking hole 42Y, and the locking protrusion 54 is locked to the locking hole 42Y.

The front end portion of the terminal connecting portion 42 in which the through hole 42X is formed to protrude forward from the opening edge of the holding hole 52. That is, the tip end portion of the terminal connecting portion 42 is exposed to the outside of the holding hole 52 (the insertion portion 51).

The insertion portion 51 has a stopper housing portion 60 that houses the front stopper 100. The stopper housing portion 60 is provided in the holding hole 52, for example. The stopper housing portion 60 is also formed between the plurality of holding holes 52, for example.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the stopper housing portion 60 of the present embodiment is formed to extend from one of the two holding holes 52 to the other. A part of the stopper housing portion 60 is constituted by a housing space 62. The stopper housing portion 60 is formed to be opened forward. As shown in fig. 4, the front stopper 100 is inserted from the front side toward the stopper housing portion 60 in the insertion direction D1. Here, the insertion direction D1 is the insertion direction of the front stopper 100 with respect to the connector housing 50. The insertion direction D1 of the present embodiment is a direction parallel to the front-rear direction X, and is a direction from the front to the rear of the front-rear direction X.

(Structure of stopper housing portion 60)

As shown in fig. 6, the stopper housing portion 60 has a housing portion 61 and a housing space 62. The housing portion 61 and the housing space 62 are formed to be opened forward.

As shown in fig. 7, the housing portion 61 is provided between the two locking pieces 53 in the left-right direction Y, for example. The housing portion 61 is sandwiched by the two locking pieces 53 in the right-left direction Y, for example. The storage portion 61 is formed separately from each storage space 62, for example.

The housing portion 61 includes, for example, an upper wall portion 63, a bottom wall portion 64, a partition wall 65, and a rear wall portion 66. The housing portion 61 is constituted by a space surrounded by, for example, an upper wall portion 63, a bottom wall portion 64, a partition wall 65, and a rear side wall portion 66. The partition wall 65 is provided between the upper wall portion 63 and the bottom wall portion 64, for example, and is formed to partition the housing portion 61 from each housing space 62.

The upper wall 63 is formed to expand in the left-right direction Y and the front-rear direction X, for example. For example, a guide groove 63X is formed in the upper wall portion 63. The guide groove 63X is formed, for example, to be recessed upward from the lower surface of the upper wall 63. The guide groove 63X is provided, for example, in the center portion of the upper wall 63 in the left-right direction Y. The guide groove 63X extends in the front-rear direction X, for example.

The bottom wall 64 is formed to face the upper wall 63, for example. For example, a guide groove 64X is formed in the bottom wall portion 64. The guide groove 64X is formed, for example, to be recessed downward from the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 64. The guide groove 64X is provided, for example, in the center portion of the bottom wall 64 in the left-right direction Y. The guide groove 64X extends in the front-rear direction X, for example. The width of the guide groove 64X in the lateral direction Y is wider than the width of the guide groove 63X in the lateral direction Y, for example.

In this specification, "opposed" refers to a case where the surfaces or members are positioned to face each other, and includes not only a case where the surfaces or members are positioned to face each other entirely but also a case where the surfaces or members are positioned to face each other locally. In addition, "facing" in this specification includes both a case where a member different from two portions is interposed between the two portions and a case where no member is interposed between the two portions.

The partition wall 65 extends, for example, between the upper wall portion 63 and the bottom wall portion 64. The partition wall 65 extends in the up-down direction Z, for example. The partition walls 65 are provided at both end portions of the bottom wall portion 64 in the left-right direction Y, for example. As shown in fig. 6, the partition wall 65 extends, for example, in the insertion direction D1. The partition wall 65 is provided, for example, at a position rearward of the front end surface of the connector housing 50. The front end surface of the partition wall 65 is provided, for example, at a position further toward the rear side (right side in the drawing) in the insertion direction D1 than the front end surface of the connector housing 50.

The inner side wall portion 66 is provided between the pair of partition walls 65, for example. The inner wall 66 is formed to expand in the left-right direction Y and the up-down direction Z, for example. The inner side wall 66 is formed to extend in the left-right direction Y from the partition wall 65, for example.

As shown in fig. 7, each storage space 62 is constituted by a space surrounded by the upper wall 63, the partition wall 65, the side wall 67, and the locking piece 53, for example.

The side wall 67 extends in the up-down direction Z, for example. The side wall 67 extends downward from the lower surface of the upper wall 63, for example. The side wall 67 is provided outside the locking piece 53 in the left-right direction Y, for example. The side wall 67 is provided on the opposite side of the partition wall 65 with the locking piece 53 interposed therebetween, for example, in the left-right direction Y. Therefore, the locking piece 53 is sandwiched between the side wall 67 and the partition wall 65, for example.

As shown in fig. 6, the side wall 67 extends in the front-rear direction X, for example. The length of the side wall 67 in the front-rear direction X is shorter than that of the partition wall 65, for example. The front end surface of the side wall 67 is provided, for example, at a position closer to the front side (left side in the drawing) in the insertion direction D1 than the front end surface of the partition wall 65.

(Structure of front stopper 100)

Next, the structure of the front stopper 100 will be described.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the front stopper 100 is formed in a flat plate shape. The front stopper 100 has an insertion main body portion 110, one or more (two in this embodiment) stopper portions 120, and slits 110X provided between the insertion main body portion 110 and the stopper portions 120. The front stopper 100 includes, for example, a locking portion 130 provided at each stopper portion 120 and locked with the connector housing 50 (see fig. 5), and a restricting portion 140 connected to the insertion body portion 110 and the plurality of stopper portions 120. The front stopper 100 is, for example, a single component formed by inserting the main body 110, the stopper 120, the locking portion 130, and the restricting portion 140 into each other continuously and integrally. As a material of the front stopper 100, for example, an insulating material such as a synthetic resin can be used.

The insertion body 110 and the two stoppers 120 are arranged, for example, in a direction (here, the left-right direction Y) intersecting the insertion direction D1. The insertion body 110 is provided, for example, in the center of the front stopper 100 in the left-right direction Y. The two stopper portions 120 are provided on both sides of the insertion body 110 in the left-right direction Y, for example. The two stoppers 120 are provided to sandwich the insertion body 110 from both sides in the left-right direction Y, for example. Each stopper 120 is provided separately from the insertion body 110 in the left-right direction Y, for example. Each stopper 120 is provided separately from the insertion body 110 by a slit 110X provided between the stopper 120 and the insertion body 110.

As shown in fig. 6, in the front stopper 100, for example, the insertion body 110 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 61 of the stopper accommodation portion 60, and the stopper 120 is accommodated in the accommodation space 62 of the stopper accommodation portion 60.

As shown in fig. 8, the insertion body 110 is formed in a flat plate shape. The insertion body 110 has an upper surface and a lower surface as end surfaces in the up-down direction Z, a pair of side surfaces as end surfaces in the left-right direction Y, and a tip surface 111 as end surface in the front-back direction X. Each stopper 120 is formed in a flat plate shape. Each stopper 120 has an upper surface and a lower surface as end surfaces in the up-down direction Z, a pair of side surfaces 121, 122 as end surfaces in the left-right direction Y, and a tip end surface 123 as end surface in the front-back direction X. Each side surface of the insertion body 110 faces the side surface 121 of each stopper 120 through the slit 110X in the left-right direction Y. The side surface 122 of each stopper 120 is, for example, the end surface located at the outermost side in the left-right direction Y of the front stopper 100.

(Structure of the insertion body portion 110)

The insertion body 110 has a predetermined thickness in the up-down direction Z, for example. The insertion body 110 is formed to expand in the left-right direction Y, for example. The insertion body 110 is formed to extend rearward from the restriction portion 140 in the front-rear direction X, for example. The insertion body 110 is formed in a cantilever shape having a base end portion (front end portion) connected to the restriction portion 140 as a fixed end and a tip end portion (rear end portion) located on the opposite side of the base end portion in the front-rear direction X as a free end.

The insertion body 110 has, for example, a protruding portion 112 protruding rearward from the distal end face 123 of the stopper 120. The protruding portion 112 protrudes inward in the insertion direction D1 from the distal end surface 123 of the stopper 120, for example. The protruding portion 112 has, for example, a guide portion 113 inclined toward the slit 110X. The guide portion 113 is formed on an end surface of the protruding portion 112 in the left-right direction Y, for example. That is, the guide portion 113 is formed at a part of the side surface of the insertion body portion 110. The guide portion 113 is formed so as to be inclined to approach the adjacent slit 110X from the distal end surface 111 side of the insertion body 110 toward the restricting portion 140 side, for example. For example, the guide 113 is formed so as to be inclined to approach the slit 110X from the rear side (in this case, the rear side) in the insertion direction D1 toward the front side (in this case, the front side) in the insertion direction D1. In other words, the guide 113 is formed so as to be inclined to approach the center of the protruding portion 112 in the left-right direction Y as going from the front side toward the rear side in the insertion direction D1. The protruding portion 112 having the guide portion 113 is formed such that the width dimension in the left-right direction Y becomes smaller from the distal end surface 111 side of the protruding portion 112 toward the restricting portion 140 side, for example.

For example, one or more (two in the present embodiment) ribs 115 are provided on the upper surface of the insertion body 110. Each rib 115 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the insertion body 110. The two ribs 115 are provided, for example, at the center portion in the left-right direction Y of the insertion body 110. The two ribs 115 are provided apart from each other in the left-right direction Y, for example. Each rib 115 extends, for example, in the insertion direction D1. Each rib 115 extends over the entire length of the insertion body 110 in the front-rear direction X, for example. The two ribs 115 are guided by the guide grooves 63X of the stopper housing portion 60 shown in fig. 7, for example. The two ribs 115 are configured to be movable while being in contact with the inner surface of the guide groove 63X, for example.

As shown in fig. 9, for example, one or more (two in this embodiment) ribs 116 are provided on the lower surface of the insertion body portion 110. Each rib 116 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the insertion body 110. The two ribs 116 are provided, for example, on the outer side of the rib 115 in the left-right direction Y. The two ribs 116 are provided, for example, so as to sandwich the two ribs 115 from both sides in the left-right direction Y. The two ribs 116 are provided, for example, at positions inward of the guide portion 113 in the left-right direction Y. The two ribs 116 are provided apart from each other in the left-right direction Y, for example. Each rib 116 extends, for example, in the insertion direction D1. Each rib 116 extends, for example, over the entire length of the insertion body 110 in the front-rear direction X. The two ribs 116 are configured to be guided by the guide grooves 64X of the stopper housing portion 60 shown in fig. 7, for example. The two ribs 116 are configured to be movable while being in contact with the inner surface of the guide groove 64X, for example.

(Structure of slit 110X)

Each slit 110X is provided between the insertion body portion 110 and the corresponding stopper portion 120. Each slit 110X is provided to separate the insertion body 110 from the corresponding stopper 120. Each slit 110X is formed to penetrate the front stopper 100 in the up-down direction Z. Each slit 110X extends, for example, in the insertion direction D1. Each slit 110X has a predetermined width in an arrangement direction (here, the left-right direction Y) in which the insertion body 110 and the stopper 120 are arranged, for example. Each slit 110X is longer in the insertion direction D1 than in the left-right direction Y. Each slit 110X is opened to the rear side in the insertion direction D1. Each slit 110X extends from, for example, the rear side (rear side) in the insertion direction D1 toward the near front side (front side) in the insertion direction D1. Each slit 110X is not formed to extend to the restricting portion 140 in the insertion direction D1, for example. Each slit 110X of the present embodiment is formed by cutting the insertion body 110 and the stopper 120 from the rear side in the insertion direction D1 to the middle in the insertion direction D1. Therefore, the insertion body 110 and the two stoppers 120 of the present embodiment are coupled to each other at the base end portion, which is the end portion on the proximal side in the insertion direction D1. That is, the front stopper 100 of the present embodiment has the coupling portion 118 that couples the base end portion of the insertion body portion 110 and the base end portions of the two stopper portions 120.

As shown in fig. 6, the partition wall 65 of the stopper housing portion 60 is inserted into the slit 110X. The front end surface of the partition wall 65 contacts the coupling portion 118 of the front stopper 100, for example.

(Structure of stopper 120)

As shown in fig. 9, each stopper 120 is formed to expand in the left-right direction Y, for example. Each stopper 120 extends rearward in the front-rear direction X from the restriction portion 140, for example. Each stopper 120 is formed to have a narrower width in the lateral direction Y than the insertion body 110, for example. Each stopper 120 has a predetermined thickness in the up-down direction Z, for example. The thickness of each stopper 120 in the up-down direction Z is, for example, substantially the same as the thickness of the insertion body 110 in the up-down direction Z. The upper surface of each stopper 120 is formed on the same plane as the upper surface of the insertion body 110, for example. The lower surface of each stopper 120 is formed on the same plane as the lower surface of the insertion body 110, for example. Each stopper 120 is formed in a cantilever shape having a base end portion (front end portion) connected to the restriction portion 140 as a fixed end and a tip end portion (rear end portion) located on the opposite side of the base end portion in the front-rear direction X as a free end.

For example, one or more (two in the present embodiment) ribs 124 are provided on the lower surface of each stopper 120. Each rib 124 is formed to protrude downward from the lower surface of each stopper 120. The height of each rib 124 in the up-down direction Z is lower than the height of each rib 116 in the up-down direction Z, for example. The two ribs 124 are provided at both ends of each stopper 120 in the left-right direction Y, for example. That is, two ribs 124 are formed to extend downward from the side surfaces 121 and 122 of each stopper 120. Each rib 124 extends, for example, in the insertion direction D1. Each rib 124 is formed to extend over the entire length of each stopper 120 in the front-rear direction X, for example. For example, a recess 120X is formed in the lower surface of each stopper 120 by two ribs 124.

As shown in fig. 10, the lower surface of each stopper 120 faces the locking piece 53 of the connector housing 50, for example. For example, the locking piece 53 is inserted into a recess 120X provided on the lower surface of each stopper 120. For example, the locking piece 53 is inserted between the pair of ribs 124. The width of the recess 120X in the lateral direction Y is wider than the width of the locking piece 53 in the lateral direction Y, for example.

As shown in fig. 8, the side surface 122 of each stopper 120 is formed with a locking portion 130. Each locking portion 130 protrudes from the side surface 122 to the outside in the lateral direction Y. Each locking portion 130 is provided, for example, in a middle portion of the side surface 122 in the front-rear direction X. Each of the locking portions 130 has a predetermined width in the up-down direction Z, for example. Each locking portion 130 has, for example, a distal end surface 131 provided on the outermost side in the left-right direction Y, a rear end surface 132 as an end surface in the front-rear direction X, and a front end surface 133. The top end surface 131 is formed to extend parallel to the side surface 122, for example. The rear end surface 132 is formed as an inclined surface, for example. The rear end surface 132 is formed to be inclined so that the protruding amount protruding from the side surface 122 becomes larger, for example, from the rear end portion of the locking portion 130 toward the distal end surface 131. The front end surface 133 is formed as an inclined surface, for example. The front end surface 133 is formed to incline so that the protruding amount protruding from the side surface 122 becomes larger, for example, from the front end portion of the locking portion 130 toward the distal end surface 131. The front end surface 133 of the locking portion 130 is locked to the rear end surface of the side wall 67 shown in fig. 6, for example.

For example, each stopper 120 has a long hole 125. Each long hole 125 is formed to penetrate each stopper 120 in the up-down direction Z. The elongated holes 125 extend, for example, in the insertion direction D1. Each long hole 125 has a predetermined width in the left-right direction Y, for example. Each long hole 125 is longer in the insertion direction D1 than in the left-right direction Y. Each long hole 125 is formed to extend in the same direction as the slit 110X (in this case, the insertion direction D1), for example. For example, each long hole 125 is formed to extend parallel to the slit 110X.

As shown in fig. 9, each long hole 125 is formed, for example, to extend from the base end portion of the corresponding stopper 120 to a position midway in the front-rear direction X of the stopper 120 in the insertion direction D1. Each long hole 125 is constituted by a space surrounded by, for example, the side wall 126, the stopper 120 constituting the bottom surface of the recess 120X, and the restriction portion 140. The side wall 126 is provided on the outermost side in the left-right direction Y of each stopper 120, and has a side surface 122. The side surface 122 is provided, for example, on the opposite side of the side surface of the side wall 126 constituting the inner surface of the long hole 125 in the left-right direction Y. The side surface 122 is provided with a locking portion 130. That is, the locking portions 130 are provided on the side surfaces 122 of the side walls 126 constituting the long holes 125. Here, the side face 122 forms an outer surface of the long hole 125. In other words, each long hole 125 is provided in the vicinity of the locking portion 130.

Each long hole 125 is provided at a position close to one side in the left-right direction Y of the stopper 120, for example. Each long hole 125 is provided, for example, on a side closer to the locking portion 130 in the left-right direction Y of the stopper portion 120. Each long hole 125 is provided, for example, at a position close to the outer side (side surface 122 side) in the left-right direction Y of the corresponding stopper 120. For example, in each stopper 120, the distance between the long hole 125 and the side surface 122 is set to be shorter than the distance between the long hole 125 and the side surface 121. The width of each long hole 125 in the lateral direction Y is set smaller than half the width of the stopper 120 in the lateral direction Y, for example. For example, the entire long holes 125 are provided outside (on the side surface 122 side) the center of the stopper 120 in the left-right direction Y.

Each stopper 120 is configured to be deflectable in the left-right direction Y by elastic deformation, for example. Each stopper 120 is configured to be deflectable toward the slit 110X, for example. Each stopper 120 is configured to be deflectable so as to reduce the width of the slit 110X in the lateral direction Y, for example.

Each side wall 126 is configured to be deflectable in the left-right direction Y by elastic deformation, for example. Each side wall 126 is configured to be deflectable toward the long hole 125, for example. Each side wall 126 is configured to be deflectable so as to reduce the width of the long hole 125 in the lateral direction Y, for example.

(Structure of restriction portion 140)

The restricting portion 140 is connected to, for example, the base end portion of the insertion body portion 110, and to the base end portions of the two stopper portions 120. The restricting portion 140 extends from, for example, one stopper 120 to the other stopper 120 in the left-right direction Y. The restricting portion 140 extends from, for example, the side surface 122 of one stopper 120 to the side surface 122 of the other stopper 120 in the left-right direction Y. The restricting portion 140 extends over the entire length of the front stopper 100 in the left-right direction Y, for example.

The restriction portion 140 protrudes, for example, in a direction intersecting the insertion direction D1. The restricting portion 140 protrudes, for example, in a direction (in this case, the up-down direction Z) intersecting both the direction in which the insertion body portion 110 and the stopper portion 120 are aligned (in this case, the left-right direction Y) and the insertion direction D1 (in this case, the front-rear direction X). The restriction portion 140 protrudes downward from, for example, the lower surface of the insertion body 110 and the lower surface of the stopper 120. The amount of protrusion of the restriction portion 140 from the lower surface of the insertion body portion 110 is set to be the same as the amount of protrusion of the rib 116 from the lower surface of the insertion body portion 110, for example. Accordingly, the lower surface of the restriction portion 140 is formed on the same plane as the lower surface of the rib 116. As shown in fig. 8, the restriction portion 140 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the insertion body 110 and the upper surface of the stopper 120. The amount of protrusion of the restriction portion 140 from the upper surface of the insertion body portion 110 is set to be the same as the amount of protrusion of the rib 115 from the upper surface of the insertion body portion 110, for example. Accordingly, the upper surface of the restriction portion 140 is formed on the same plane as the upper surface of the rib 115.

The regulating portion 140 includes, for example, one or a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) protruding portions 141 protruding upward from the upper surface of the regulating portion 140. The two protruding portions 141 are provided apart from each other in the left-right direction Y, for example. Each of the protruding portions 141 extends in the left-right direction Y, for example. The protruding portions 141 are provided at positions overlapping the slits 110X in the insertion direction D1, for example.

As shown in fig. 5, the restriction portion 140 is in contact with the connector housing 50, for example. For example, the restricting portion 140 contacts the upper wall portion 63 and the bottom wall portion 64 (see fig. 7) of the stopper housing portion 60. The restriction portion 140 restricts the amount of insertion of the front stopper 100 relative to the connector housing 50 by contacting the connector housing 50.

(Structure of outer arrangement portion 70)

As shown in fig. 4, the outer arrangement portion 70 is formed to protrude rearward from the rear end of the insertion portion 51, for example. The outer arrangement portion 70 has a ring shape longer in the left-right direction Y than in the up-down direction Z, for example, when viewed in the front-rear direction X. The outer arrangement portion 70 is formed smaller in outer shape than the insertion portion 51, for example.

The outer placement portion 70 has, for example, a plurality of (two in this case) storage holes 71 aligned in the left-right direction Y. Each of the storage holes 71 is formed to penetrate the outer arrangement portion 70 in the front-rear direction X. Each of the receiving holes 71 is, for example, in the shape of a ring extending in the front-rear direction X.

As shown in fig. 5, each of the receiving holes 71 communicates with the corresponding holding hole 52. For example, a connection portion between the wire connection portion 41 and the core wire 21 of the wire 20 is accommodated in each accommodation hole 71. For example, an end portion of the insulating coating 22 of the electric wire 20 is accommodated in the accommodation hole 71.

For example, an annular rubber plug 150 fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating portion 22 is accommodated in the rear end portion of each accommodation hole 71. The rubber stopper 150 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the receiving hole 71. For example, the rear stopper 160 is accommodated in the rear end portion of each accommodation hole 71. The rear stopper 160 is provided in contact with the rear end surface of the rubber stopper 150, for example. The rear stopper 160 has a through hole 160X penetrating in the front-rear direction X and penetrating the power feeding line 20.

A receiving groove 70X for receiving the rubber ring 93 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the outer placement portion 70. A pair of receiving projections 72, 73 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer placement portion 70. The housing projections 72, 73 protrude radially outward of the outer placement portion 70 from the outer peripheral surface of the outer placement portion 70. The receiving groove 70X is formed by a pair of receiving projections 72, 73. The storage groove 70X is formed, for example, over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the outer placement portion 70. A rubber ring 93 is fitted into the receiving groove 70X. The rubber ring 93 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the connector housing 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the shield shell 170.

(Structure of rubber ring 93)

The rubber ring 93 is configured to be elastically deformable. The rubber ring 93 is, for example, an O-ring. The rubber ring 93 is formed, for example, in a ring shape that is continuous throughout the entire circumference of the outer arrangement portion 70. The rubber ring 93 of the present embodiment is formed in an oblong ring shape having an inner peripheral shape and an outer peripheral shape.

(Structure of outer arrangement portion 70)

As shown in fig. 4, a pair of lock arms 80 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer arrangement portion 70. For example, one lock arm 80 is provided on each of both side surfaces of the outer arrangement portion 70 in the up-down direction Z. Each lock arm 80 is formed to protrude outward in the up-down direction Z from the outer peripheral surface of the outer placement portion 70 located rearward of the accommodation protrusion 73 constituting the accommodation groove 70X, and then to extend rearward in the front-rear direction X, for example. A locking protrusion 81 protruding toward the opposite side of the outer peripheral surface of the outer placement portion 70 is formed at the distal end portion (rear end portion in this case) of each lock arm 80. Each lock arm 80 is configured to be deflectable in the up-down direction Z by elastic deformation, for example.

(Structure of shield case 170)

The shield case 170 includes, for example, a coating portion 171 covering the outer periphery of the outer arrangement portion 70, and a fixing portion 172 integrally formed with the coating portion 171. As a material of the shield case 170, for example, a metal material such as copper-based material or aluminum-based material is used.

(Structure of coating portion 171)

The coating portion 171 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the outer arrangement portion 70 over the entire circumference, for example. The coating portion 171 is formed in, for example, a ring shape having an inner peripheral surface having a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the outer placement portion 70. The coating portion 171 of the present embodiment is formed in an annular shape.

(Structure of fixing portion 172)

The fixing portion 172 is formed to protrude upward from the front end portion of the cover 171, for example. The width of the fixing portion 172 in the lateral direction Y is wider than the width of the wrapping portion 171 in the lateral direction Y. At both ends of the fixing portion 172 in the left-right direction Y, connection portions 173 protruding forward in the front-rear direction X are provided, respectively. Each of the connection portions 173 has a fixing hole 173X penetrating the connection portion 173 in the up-down direction Z.

As shown in fig. 5, the shield shell 170 is fitted to the outside of the outside arrangement portion 70 from the rear end side of the connector housing 50. At this time, in the shield case 170, the front end surface of the cover 171 comes into contact with the rear end surface of the insertion portion 51 from the rear side, and the rear end surface of the cover 171 comes into contact with the locking protrusion 81. Thereby, the shield shell 170 is positioned in the front-rear direction X with respect to the connector housing 50. At this time, the coating portion 171 coats the outer peripheral surface of the outer arrangement portion 70, which is a portion between the rear end surface of the insertion portion 51 and the locking convex portion 81 in the connector housing 50.

The connecting portion 173 of the fixing portion 172 overlaps the fixing portion 18 such that the fixing hole 173X overlaps the bolt fixing hole 18X of the fixing portion 18 in the vertical direction Z, for example. The connecting portion 173 and the fixing portion 18 are fixed by bolts B2 inserted into the fixing holes 173X and the bolt fixing holes 18X. Thereby, the shield case 170 is fixed to the housing 15, and the shield case 170 is electrically connected with the housing 15.

(method for manufacturing connector 30)

Next, a method of manufacturing the connector 30 will be described. Here, a method of assembling the front stopper 100 in the connector housing 50 will be described in detail.

First, as shown in fig. 11, a connector housing 50 and a connection terminal 40 connected to an end of an electric wire 20 are prepared. At this time, for example, rubber rings 91, 92, 93 are fitted into the storage grooves 51X, 51Y, 70X of the connector housing 50, respectively. Further, a rubber plug 150 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the insulating coating portion 22 of the electric wire 20. Next, the connection terminal 40 connected to the electric wire 20 is inserted from the rear toward the receiving hole 71 and the holding hole 52 of the connector housing 50. When the terminal connecting portion 42 is inserted into the normal position, the locking convex portion 54 of the locking piece 53 is locked to the inner surface of the locking hole 42Y. This can prevent the connection terminal 40 from falling off the connector housing 50. In this step, the front stopper 100 is not stored in the stopper storing portion 60, and the stopper 120 is not stored in the storing space 62.

Next, the front stopper 100 is inserted from the front toward the stopper housing portion 60 of the connector housing 50 in the insertion direction D1. At this time, as shown in fig. 12, since the insertion body portion 110 of the front stopper 100 is formed longer in the front-rear direction X than the stopper portion 120, the protruding portion 112 of the insertion body portion 110 is inserted into the stopper housing portion 60 while contacting the connector housing 50 before the stopper portion 120. The stopper 120 can be properly guided to the storage space 62 by the insertion body 110. Further, a guide 113 inclined toward the slit 110X is formed in the protruding portion 112. Since the partition wall 65 of the stopper housing 60 is guided along the slit 110X of the stopper 100 properly along the guide 113, the stopper 120 can be guided more properly toward the housing space 62. This can improve the workability of assembling the front stopper 100 to the connector housing 50. In addition, two ribs 115 (see fig. 8) formed on the upper surface of the insertion body portion 110 are inserted along the inner surface of the guide groove 63X of the upper wall portion 63 shown in fig. 7, and two ribs 116 (see fig. 9) formed on the lower surface of the insertion body portion 110 are inserted along the inner surface of the guide groove 64X of the bottom wall portion 64 shown in fig. 7. At this time, the front stopper 100 can move in the insertion direction D1 while bringing the two ribs 115 into contact with the inner surface of the guide groove 63X and bringing the two ribs 116 into contact with the inner surface of the guide groove 64X.

Next, the stopper 120 is inserted into the storage space 62, and when the locking portion 130 provided in the stopper 120 contacts the side wall 67 of the storage space 62, the locking portion 130 is pressed inward in the left-right direction Y by the side wall 67. That is, the pair of locking portions 130 are pressed by the side wall 67 in a direction in which the pair of locking portions 130 approach each other. At this time, the front stopper 100 is provided with slits 110X that separate the stopper portions 120 from the insertion body portion 110. The slits 110X allow the stopper portions 120 to flex in the left-right direction Y. That is, each stopper 120 can flex toward the slit 110X. In the front stopper 100, each stopper portion 120 has a long hole 125, and a side surface 122 of a side wall 126 constituting the long hole 125 has a locking portion 130. This allows the sidewall 126 formed with the locking portion 130 to flex in the left-right direction Y. That is, the side wall 126 is able to flex toward the long hole 125. The stopper portion 130 can be appropriately moved toward the slit 110X by the flexing of the stopper portion 120 and the side wall 126. Therefore, the operation force when inserting the front stopper 100 into the connector housing 50 can be reduced as compared with the case where the locking portion 130 does not move toward the slit 110X. This can improve the workability of assembling the front stopper 100 to the connector housing 50.

Next, as shown in fig. 6, when the front stopper 100 is inserted to a position behind the rear end surface of the side wall 67 of the stopper housing portion 60, the stopper portions 120 and the side wall 126 are elastically restored, and the stopper portions 130 are locked to the rear end surface of the side wall 67. This suppresses the front stopper 100 from falling off the stopper housing portion 60.

Next, the operational effects of the present embodiment will be described.

(1) Since the slit 110X is provided between the insertion body portion 110 and the stopper portion 120 of the front stopper 100, the locking portion 130 can be moved toward the slit 110X when the front stopper 100 is inserted into the connector housing 50. That is, the stopper 120 provided with the locking portion 130 can be deflected toward the slit 110X. Accordingly, the front stopper 100 can be inserted into the connector housing 50 while the stopper 120 is deflected toward the slit 110X. Accordingly, the front stopper 100 can be inserted into the connector housing 50 while reducing the width of the front stopper 100 in the lateral direction Y. As a result, the operation force when inserting the front stopper 100 into the connector housing 50 can be reduced as compared with the case where the stopper 120 does not flex. Therefore, the workability of assembling the front stopper 100 to the connector housing 50 can be improved.

(2) The front stopper 100 is formed in a flat plate shape. Therefore, compared with a case where the front stopper 100 is formed in a box shape, for example, the front stopper 100 can be formed in a smaller size, and the front stopper 100 can be made lighter.

(3) However, if the plate thickness of the stopper 120 is reduced in order to flex the stopper 120, there is a problem in that the stopper 120 warps during molding of the stopper 120. In contrast, in the front stopper 100 of the present embodiment, the slits 110X are provided, so that the stopper 120 can be deflected without reducing the plate thickness of the stopper 120. Therefore, the formability of the front stopper 100 can be improved.

(4) The stopper 120 has a long hole 125 extending in the insertion direction D1, and the side surface 122 of the side wall 126 constituting the long hole 125 has a locking portion 130. According to this structure, since the long hole 125 is provided in the vicinity of the locking portion 130, the locking portion 130 can be moved toward the long hole 125 when the front stopper 100 is inserted into the connector housing 50. That is, the side wall 126 of the long hole 125 provided with the locking portion 130 can be deflected toward the long hole 125. Thus, when the front stopper 100 is inserted into the connector housing 50, the stopper 120 can be deflected toward the slit 110X, and the side wall 126 constituting the long hole 125 can be deflected toward the long hole 125. Therefore, the operation force when the front stopper 100 is inserted into the connector housing 50 can be further reduced.

(5) The stopper 120 has a long hole 125 provided on a side closer to the locking portion 130 in the left-right direction Y. Accordingly, the side wall 126 formed with the locking portion 130 can be formed to be thin, and therefore the side wall 126 can be easily deflected toward the long hole 125. Further, the workability of assembling the front stopper 100 to the connector housing 50 can be improved.

(6) The front stopper 100 is provided with a regulating portion 140 protruding in the up-down direction Z intersecting the insertion direction D1 and contacting the connector housing 50. According to this structure, when the front stopper 100 is inserted into the connector housing 50, the restriction portion 140 contacts the connector housing 50, thereby restricting the amount of insertion of the front stopper 100 relative to the connector housing 50. Accordingly, an appropriate amount of insertion of the front stopper 100 can be managed, and therefore, the workability of assembling the front stopper 100 to the connector housing 50 can be improved.

(7) In addition, by providing the restriction portion 140, the area to which the operating force is received when the front stopper 100 is inserted into the connector housing 50 can be increased. Therefore, the workability of assembling the front stopper 100 to the connector housing 50 can be improved.

(other embodiments)

The above embodiment can be modified as follows. The above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other within a range where technical contradiction does not occur.

The shape of the front stopper 100 in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. For example, the connecting portion 118 may be omitted. For example, the ribs 115, 116 may also be omitted. For example, the ribs 124 may also be omitted.

The restricting portion 140 of the above embodiment may be omitted.

The protruding portion 112 inserted into the main body 110 in the above embodiment may be omitted.

The long hole 125 of the above embodiment may be provided at the center of the stopper 120 in the lateral direction Y.

The long hole 125 of the above embodiment may be omitted.

The shape of the stopper housing portion 60 in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. For example, the partition wall 65 may be omitted. In this case, the storage portion 61 and the storage space 62 communicate with each other to constitute the stopper storage portion 60.

In the above embodiment, the number of the connection terminals 40 held by the connector housing 50 is not particularly limited, but the number of the connection terminals 40 may be changed according to the specification of the vehicle V. For example, the connection terminals 40 held by the connector housing 50 may be one or three or more. The number of the stopper portions 120 of the front stopper 100 can also be changed according to the number of the connection terminals 40.

The arrangement relationship between the inverter 11 and the high-voltage battery 12 in the vehicle V is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be appropriately changed according to the vehicle configuration. For example, the high-voltage battery 12 may be disposed substantially entirely on the floor of the vehicle V.

In the above embodiment, the inverter 11 and the high-voltage battery 12 are used as the electric devices connected by the wire harness 10, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a wire harness may be used to connect the inverter 11 to a motor for driving the wheels. That is, the present invention is applicable to a member for electrically connecting electrical devices mounted on a vehicle.

In the above embodiment, the electric wire 20 is embodied as a high-voltage electric wire, but the electric wire 20 may be embodied as a low-voltage electric wire.

The presently disclosed embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, not by the above-described meanings, but by the meaning equivalent to the claims and all changes within the scope.

The present disclosure includes the following aspects. Reference numerals indicating several constituent elements of the embodiments shown by way of example are not intended to be limiting, and are used to aid understanding. Some of the matters described in the following schemes may be omitted, or several matters among the matters described in the schemes may be selected or extracted to be combined.

[ additional note 1] several aspects of the present disclosure provide a connector (30) comprising:

A connector housing (50); and

a flat plate-shaped front stopper (100) which is inserted into the connector housing (50),

the front stopper (100) has:

two stops (120) protruding in the same direction; and

and a main body (110) which is arranged between the two stoppers (120) with a gap therebetween (which is inserted into the main body (110)) and protrudes in the same direction as the two stoppers (120).

Note that the connector (30) according to several aspects of the present disclosure may further include:

a connector housing (50); and

a flat plate-shaped front stopper (100) which is inserted into the connector housing (50),

the front stop (100) has two slits (110X) extending in an insertion direction relative to the connector housing (50).

Supplementary note 3 in several embodiments, the front stop (100) may also have:

a main body portion (insertion main body portion 110) located between the two slits (110X); and

two stopper portions (120) which are provided to be spaced apart from the two slits (110X).

In some embodiments, the protruding direction of the stopper portion (120) may be a longitudinal direction (insertion direction D1), and the direction intersecting both the longitudinal direction (D1) and the thickness direction of the front stopper may be a width direction (alignment direction Y).

In several embodiments, each of the stopper portions (120) may have a long hole (125) extending in the longitudinal direction, and the long hole (125) may be a through hole penetrating the stopper portion (120).

In some embodiments, the front stopper (100) may have a protrusion (130), and the protrusion (130) may be two protrusions (locking portions 130) protruding outward from both side ends in the width direction, and may be configured to engage with the connector housing (50).

Note 7 in several embodiments, the front stopper (100) may have a flat plate portion (restricting portion 140) formed integrally with a base end of the main body portion (insertion main body portion 110) and a base end of the stopper portion (120).

Note that in several embodiments, the flat plate portion (140) may extend in the thickness direction and the width direction.

In several embodiments, the flat plate portion (140) may have two protruding portions (141) protruding from the end edges in the thickness direction.

Note that in several embodiments, the main body (110) may have one or more ribs (115, 116) extending in the longitudinal direction (D1).

Description of the reference numerals

10. Wire harness

11. Inverter with a power supply

12. High-voltage battery

15. Shell body

16. Casing body

17. Fitting part

17X assembly hole

18. Fixing part

18X bolt fixing hole

20. Electric wire

21. Core wire

22. Insulation coating part

25. Exterior part

30. Connector with a plurality of connectors

40. Connection terminal

41. Wire connection part

42. Terminal connecting part

42X through hole

42Y clamping hole

50. Connector housing

51. Insertion part

51X and 51Y storage groove

52. Retaining hole

53. Locking piece

54. Locking convex part

60. Stopper accommodating portion

61. Storage part

62. Storage space

63. Upper wall portion

63X, 64X guide slot

64. Bottom wall portion

65. Partition wall

66. Inner side wall portion

67. Side wall

70. Outside arrangement part

70X storage groove

71. Storage hole

72. 73 receiving projection

80. Locking arm

81. Locking convex part

91. 92, 93 rubber ring

100. Front stop

110. Insertion body part

110X slit

111. Top end face

112. Protruding part

113. Guide part

115. 116 rib

118. Connecting part

120. Stop part

120X recess

121. 122 side surface

123. Top end face

124. Ribs

125. Long hole

126. Side wall

130. Locking part

131. Top end face

132. Rear end face

133. Front end face

140. Limiting part

141. Protruding part

150. Rubber plug

160. Rear stop

160X through hole

170. Shielding shell

171. Coating part

172. Fixing part

173. Connecting part

173X fixing hole

200. Counterpart terminal

V vehicle

B1 and B2 bolt

D1 insertion direction

Claims (8)

1. A connector, comprising:

a connector housing; and

a front stop mounted to the connector housing,

the front stopper is formed in a flat plate shape,

the front stopper has an insertion main body portion, a stopper portion, a slit provided between the insertion main body portion and the stopper portion, and a locking portion provided at the stopper portion and locked with the connector housing,

the insertion body portion and the stopper portion are arranged in a direction intersecting with an insertion direction of the front stopper with respect to the connector housing.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein,

the slit is formed to extend in the insertion direction,

a long hole is formed in the stopper portion, the long hole being longer in the insertion direction than in an arrangement direction in which the insertion main body portion and the stopper portion are arranged,

the locking portion is provided on a side surface of a side wall constituting the long hole.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein,

the long hole is provided in the stopper portion so as to be offset to a side closer to the locking portion in the arrangement direction.

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

The insertion body portion has a protruding portion protruding further toward the inner side in the insertion direction than the stopper portion in the insertion direction.

5. The connector of claim 4, wherein,

the protruding portion has a guide portion inclined toward the slit.

6. The connector according to any one of claim 1 to claim 5, wherein,

the front stopper further has a restriction portion connected to the insertion body portion located on a proximal front side in the insertion direction and an end portion of the stopper portion,

the restricting portion protrudes in a direction intersecting both an arrangement direction in which the insertion main body portion and the stopper portion are arranged and the insertion direction,

the restricting portion is in contact with the connector housing.

7. The connector according to any one of claim 1 to claim 6, wherein,

the connector housing has a guide groove extending in the insertion direction,

the insertion body portion has a rib protruding in a direction intersecting the insertion direction and guided by the guide groove.

8. The connector according to any one of claim 1 to claim 7, wherein,

there are also connection terminals held by the connector housing,

The connector housing has a receiving space and a locking piece configured to be elastically deformable toward the receiving space and to be locked with the connection terminal,

the stopper is accommodated in the accommodation space.

Images