JP2002298656A - Power cable with connector for photovoltaic power generation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a power cable with connector for a photovoltaic power generation device that is of low cost and superior in water resistance. SOLUTION: This is a power cable 41 having a male connector that is connected to the solar cell module, and comprises a power cable body 40, a male terminal fitting 43, an electrical insulating protection tube 60, a heat contraction sealing tube 44, and an electrical insulating housing 45. The terminal part of the conductor 40a of the cable body 40 is caulked at the cable crimping part 43a of the terminal fitting 48 that is hollow and has a thinning top end. The tube 44 is covered along the cable crimping part 43a and the insulating outer cover 40b of the cable body 40. The protection tube 60 is covered on this tube, and the male contact part 43b of the fitting 43 is housed in the cover part 43a of this tube. The characteristic of this device is that the tube 44, the protection tube 60 and the terminal part of the cable body 40 are embedded in the housing 45 that has a ring shape cover part 45a surrounding the cover part 43a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric cable used for transmitting electric power generated by a photovoltaic power generator, and more particularly to an electric cable having a connector attached at one end.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electric cable with a connector has a male connector and a female connector, and a male connector and a female connector constitute a connector device. By connecting the male and female connectors, the solar cell modules that perform solar power generation outdoors can be electrically connected to each other, or the electric cable connected to the solar cell module at the output end and the electric cable drawn indoors can be electrically connected. Connected to.

FIG. 8 shows a conventional example of this type of electric cable. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 1 denotes an electric cable with a male connector, and reference numeral 2 denotes an electric cable with a female connector.

[0004] One electric cable 1 is formed by attaching a male connector 12 to the end of a cable body 11. Female terminal fitting 13 provided in this connector 12
Has a fitting hole 14 at one end and a connecting hole 15 at the other end, into which a conductor 11a formed of a stranded wire of the cable body 11 is densely inserted. This terminal fitting 13
The solder is poured into the connection hole 15 into which the conductor 11a is inserted from the through hole 16 connected to the connection hole 15 so that the cable body 1
It is connected to 1. A metal contact tube 17 is provided in the fitting hole 14.
The cylinder 17 is secured by a retaining ring 18 screwed around the outer periphery of one end of the terminal fitting 13. The contact cylinder 17 has contact spring portions 17a extending in the axial direction at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. The entire terminal fitting 13 is embedded in a housing 19 made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin by molding. The housing 19 is the terminal fitting 1
3 has an insertion projection 19a coaxially provided therein, and the outer peripheral surface of the projection 19a is formed in a jagged shape. The opening of the fitting hole 14 is exposed at the tip end surface of the insertion projection 19a.

The other electric cable 2 is formed by attaching a male connector 22 to a terminal of a cable body 21. Male terminal fitting 23 provided in this connector 22
Is formed by screwing a metal top cover 24 at one end and providing a connection hole 25 at the other end where a conductor 21a made of a stranded wire of the cable body 21 is densely inserted. The terminal fitting 23 is formed by pouring solder from a through hole 26 connected to the connecting hole 25 into which the conductor 21a is inserted,
It is connected to the cable body 21. The end of the terminal fitting 23 on the side of the connection hole 25 is embedded in a housing 27 made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin by molding. The housing 27 has an annular cover portion 27a which forms an insertion gap S for the insertion convex portion 19a between the terminal fitting 23 and the end on the top cover 24 side, and surrounds this end. The inner peripheral surface of the cover 27a is formed in a jagged shape.

[0006] The male and female connectors 12, 22 having the above configuration are
With the insertion projection 19a inserted into the gap S while engaging the notched inner and outer peripheral surfaces, the end of the male terminal fitting 23 on the top cover 24 side is fitted with the female terminal fitting 13. It is inserted into the mating hole 14 and joined. By this coupling, the male terminal fitting 23 comes into close contact with the contact spring receiving portion 17a of the contact cylinder 17, and the terminal fittings 13 and 23 can be electrically connected to each other via the contact cylinder 17.

In the above-mentioned conventional structure, tin-plated terminal fittings 13 and 23 are both cut out from a nickel rod having a predetermined thickness. In addition, the female terminal fitting 13 is formed by attaching the contact cylinder 17 and the retaining ring 18, and similarly, the male terminal fitting 23 is also formed by attaching the top cover 24, so that the number of parts is large. Moreover, in order to properly fit the terminal fittings 13 and 23, a high precision is required for positioning the terminal fittings 13 or 23 with respect to the housings 19 and 27, and an advanced molding technique is required. . Furthermore, a small through hole 1
It is also necessary to perform soldering for connecting the terminal fittings 13 and 23 and the conductors 11a and 21a of the electric wires 11 and 21 by passing solder through the solders 6 and 26, respectively. Therefore, the cost of each of the wire cables 1 and 2 with connectors is high.

Further, the housing 1 of the connectors 12 and 22
Reference numerals 9 and 27 are usually made of TPA, and vinyl chloride is generally used for the insulating sheath of the cable bodies 11 and 21 in which the terminal portions are embedded. However, due to the deformation of the housings 19 and 27 due to aging over long-term use, a gap may be generated between the housings 19 and 27 and the insulating sheath. When this gap is formed, rainwater enters through the gap, and the conductors 11a and 21a and the terminal fittings 13 and 23 may be corroded, and the life of the electric cables 1 and 2 may be reduced.

[0009]

A first object of the present invention is to provide a wire cable with a connector for a photovoltaic power generation device having excellent water resistance. A second object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive electric wire cable with a connector for a photovoltaic power generator, which is excellent in water resistance.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric cable body having a conductor and an insulated sheath covering the conductor, and an end of the conductor at one end. Male or female terminal fitting having an electric wire connection portion to which a portion is connected, a heat-shrinkable sealing tube attached over the electric wire connection portion and the insulating sheath, the sealing tube and the electric wire An electrically insulating housing in which a terminal portion of the cable main body is embedded by molding. In the present invention, the connection between the conductor terminal portion and the electric wire connection portion may be performed, for example, by caulking or by soldering.

In the invention according to the first aspect, since the heat-shrinkable sealing tube is attached to the electric wire connecting portion of the terminal fitting and the insulating sheath of the electric cable body, the tube and the like are embedded in the housing by molding. As a result, the sealing tube is thermally shrunk and brought into close contact with the electric wire connection portion and the insulating sheath of the electric cable body, so that the terminal portion of the electric cable body and the electric wire connection portion of the terminal fitting can be sealed.

In order to solve the second problem, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that a conductor and a wire cable main body having an insulating sheath covering the conductor and a terminal portion of the conductor are crimped to one end. A male terminal fitting comprising a bent product having a wire crimping portion, a male contact portion having a hollow and tapered tip at the other end portion, and was attached over the wire crimping portion and the insulating sheath. A heat-shrinkable sealing tube, and an electrical insulating housing having an annular cover portion surrounding the male contact portion and having the sealing tube and the terminal portion of the electric cable body buried by molding. Features.

[0013] Similarly, in order to solve the second problem, the invention according to claim 3 is directed to an electric wire cable body having a conductor and an insulated sheath covering the conductor, and an end portion of the conductor being crimped at one end. A female terminal fitting comprising a bent molded product having an attached wire crimp portion, a female contact portion having a hollow and open end at the other end, and the wire crimp portion and the insulating sheath. An attached heat-shrinkable sealing tube;
An electrically insulating housing having an annular cover portion surrounding the female contact portion, wherein the sealing tube and a terminal portion of the electric cable body are embedded by molding.

In the second and third aspects of the present invention, similarly to the first aspect, the heat-shrinkable sealing tube is attached over the wire crimping portion of the terminal fitting and the insulating sheath of the wire cable body. Therefore, as this tube and the like are embedded in the housing by molding, the sealing tube is thermally contracted and brought into close contact with the wire crimping portion and the insulating outer sheath of the wire cable main body, thereby forming the terminal portion of the wire cable main body and the terminal fitting. The wire crimping part can be sealed. Further, these claims 2 and 3
In the invention according to the present invention, since both the male and female terminal fittings are hollow and formed of a bent product, the material cost can be reduced, and it can be easily bent and formed by press working or the like. Processing costs can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric wire cable body having a conductor and an insulated sheath covering the conductor, and an end portion of the conductor being crimped at one end. A male terminal fitting made of a bent product having a male contact portion with a hollow and tapered tip at the other end, and a wire crimping portion attached to the wire crimping portion and the insulating sheath. A heat-shrinkable sealing tube, a fitting portion fitted to the sealing tube, and a cover portion surrounding the male contact portion are provided to accommodate the male terminal fitting. An electrically insulating protective cylinder, a heat-shrinkable sealing tube attached over the fitting portion and the insulating sheath, and an annular cover portion surrounding the cover portion; the sealing tube and the electric wire; Electrically insulating how to embed the end of the cable body by molding It is characterized by comprising a ring, a.

Similarly, in order to solve the second problem, the invention according to claim 5 is directed to an electric wire cable main body having a conductor and an insulated sheath covering the conductor, and a terminal portion of the conductor being caulked at one end. A female terminal fitting formed of a bent product having a female contact portion having a hollow and open end at the other end portion, the female terminal fitting having an attached wire crimp portion, and a cover extending over the wire crimp portion and the insulating sheath. A heat-shrinkable sealing tube attached, a fitting portion fitted to the sealing tube, and a cover portion surrounding the female contact portion, provided to accommodate the female terminal fitting. The sealing tube and the electric wire having an electrically insulating protective cylinder, a heat-shrinkable sealing tube attached over the fitting portion and the insulating sheath, and an annular cover portion surrounding the cover portion. Electrical insulation with the end of the cable body buried by molding Is characterized by comprising a Ujingu, the.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, similarly to the first aspect of the present invention, the heat shrinkage is provided over the protective cylinder covering the wire crimping portion of the terminal fitting and the insulating sheath of the wire cable main body. Since the sealing tube is attached, as the tube and the protective cylinder are buried in the housing by molding, the sealing tube is thermally contracted and adheres to the wire crimping part of the terminal fitting and the insulating sheath of the wire cable body. Let me
The terminal part of the wire cable main body and the wire crimping part of the terminal fitting can be sealed. In addition, since the protective cylinder covers the contact portion of the terminal fitting, the flood path reaching the terminal fitting can be lengthened in a state where the connectors are connected to each other. Furthermore, in the inventions according to claims 4 and 5, both the male and female terminal fittings are hollow and formed by bending, so that the material cost can be reduced and the press working can be easily performed. It can be obtained by bending and processing cost can be reduced.

In the present invention, an adhesive layer can be provided on the inner surface of the heat-shrinkable tube. In the case where the electric cable body has an inner layer made of polyethylene or the like whose insulating sheath is in contact with the conductor, an adhesive having high affinity with the inner layer, for example, a polyolefin-based adhesive is preferably used as the adhesive layer. Can be used for Further, regardless of the presence or absence of the inner layer, a vinyl chloride-based adhesive may be used. Since this vinyl chloride adhesive has a high affinity with the insulating skin,
When this is used, it is preferable in that the tube can be securely brought into close contact with the insulating sheath so that a water immersion path is not formed between the two. In addition, the present invention can be applied to an electric wire cable with a connector of a device that is installed outdoors on a roof or on the ground to generate solar power.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a solar cell module which is installed outdoors and generates solar power. The solar cell module 1 has a terminal box for taking out the power generated by the solar cell module. This terminal box is, for example, the module 1
A pair of terminal plates 33, 34 are mounted in a box body 32 having a hole 32a fixed to the back surface of the box, and a sealing resin (not shown) for embedding these terminal plates 33, 34 is accommodated therein. 32 is formed by attaching a lid (not shown). The positive and negative output lead wires 31a and 31b of the solar cell module 1 drawn through the holes 32a are individually soldered to the terminal plates 33 and 34, respectively.

Further, reference numeral 41 in FIG. 1 denotes a male-type connector-equipped electric cable (hereinafter abbreviated as a male-type cable) according to the present embodiment, and reference numeral 51 denotes a female-type connector with a female connector according to the present embodiment. 1 shows an electric cable (hereinafter, simply referred to as a female cable). In addition, reference numeral 151 in FIG. 1 denotes a mating electric cable with a female connector to be coupled to the male connector of the male cable 41, which has the same configuration as the female cable 51. Similarly, reference numeral 141 in FIG. 1 denotes a mating electric cable with a male connector to be coupled to the female connector of the female cable 51,
This is the same configuration as the male cable 41.

The male cable 41 is a wire cable main body 4.
0 is formed by attaching a male connector 42 to one end thereof.
The other end of the cable main body 40 is connected to and supported by the box main body 32 through one side thereof, and the conductor exposed at the terminal is caulked to one terminal plate 33 and connected thereto. The female cable 51 is also formed by attaching a female connector 52 to one end of another electric cable main body 40.
The other end of 0 is connected and supported by inserting the one side into the box main body 32, and the conductor exposed at the terminal is caulked to the other terminal plate 34.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the electric wire cable main body 40 is formed of a conductor 40a made of a stranded wire and an electrically insulating insulating sheath 40b covering the conductor 40a.
Both ends of the conductor 40a are protruded from both ends of the insulating sheath 40b by appropriate dimensions for electrical connection. As a preferred example, the insulating outer cover 40b includes a polyethylene inner layer 40c directly covering the conductor 40a, and a vinyl chloride outer layer 40d covering the inner layer 40c.

As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 42 of the male cable 41 includes a male terminal fitting 43, a sealing tube 44, and a housing 45.

The male terminal fitting 43 is formed by subjecting a metal plate material, for example, a brass plate to a hollow bent product obtained by bending using a press machine or the like, and applying an electrotin plating thereto. One end of the male terminal fitting 43 forms an electric wire crimping portion 43a which is crimped, for example, as an electric wire connection portion, and the other end (tip) of the male terminal fitting 43 forms a male contact portion 43b. are doing. The end of the conductor 40a protruding from one end of the wire cable main body 40 connected to the wire crimping portion 43a is inserted into the inside of the wire crimping portion 43a.
Is squashed so that the conductor 4
0a and the wire crimping part 43a are mechanically and electrically connected. The distal end of the hollow male contact portion 43b is tapered, for example, rounded into a hemisphere so as to facilitate insertion. As described above, since the male terminal fitting 43 is a bent product, the male contact portion 43b has a slit-shaped seam 43c extending in the axial direction. It is formed so that the diameter can be reduced when a force is applied from the outside.

The sealing tube 44 is made of a heat-shrinkable synthetic resin. One end of the tube 44 is attached to the end of the insulating sheath 40b of the cable main body 40, and the other end of the tube 44 is attached to the wire crimping portion 43a. The crimping part 43a is sealed. The sealing tube 44 is electrically insulating and has an adhesive layer 44a on its inner peripheral surface. This adhesive layer 44
a has a good affinity for the insulating outer cover 40b, especially the inner layer 4b.
A polyolefin adhesive excellent in affinity with 0c can be suitably used. The adhesive layer 44a has a sealing tube 44 in advance.
Is applied to the inner surface of the wire cable body 40, and adheres the end portion of the insulating sheath 40b and the wire crimping portion 43a of the wire cable body 40 to the heat-shrinkable sealing tube 44.

The housing 45 is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin, for example, hard TPA. The housing 45 is attached to the terminal portion of the cable main body 40 and the wire crimping portion 43a of the male terminal fitting 43 by molding. A sealing tube 44 is embedded. In molding the housing 45, the sealing tube 44 is heated and contracts. Further, the housing 45 has an annular cover portion 45a surrounding the male contact portion 43b. The cover portion 45a is provided concentrically around the male contact portion 43b and forms an annular gap S1 with the contact portion 43b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 52 of the female cable 51 includes a female terminal fitting 53, a sealing tube 54, and a housing 55.

The female terminal fitting 53 is formed by subjecting a metal sheet material, for example, an oxygen-free steel sheet to bending using a press machine or the like, to form a hollow bent product, which is subjected to electrolytic tin plating. One end of the female terminal fitting 53 forms, for example, an electric wire crimping portion 53a which is crimped as an electric wire connection portion,
The other end portion of the female terminal fitting 53 forms a female contact portion 53b having an open front end. The end of the conductor 40a protruding from one end of the wire cable main body 40 connected to the wire crimping portion 53a is inserted into the inside of the wire crimping portion 53a, and in this state, the wire crimping portion 53a is crimped so as to be crushed,
Thereby, the end of the conductor 40a and the wire crimping portion 53a are mechanically and electrically connected. The male contact portion 43b is densely inserted into the hollow female contact portion 53b. As described above, since the male terminal fitting 53 is a bent product, the male contact portion 53b has a slit 53c extending in the axial direction, so that the male contact portion 43b receives a force from the inside thereof. It is formed so that it can be expanded when it is added.

As the sealing tube 54, the same tube as the tube 44 is used. One end of the tube 54 is attached to the end of the insulating sheath 40b of the electric cable body 40, and the other end of the tube 54 is attached to the wire crimping portion 53a. The crimping portion 53a is sealed. The sealing tube 54 also has an adhesive layer 54a provided on the inner peripheral surface thereof.
The same as the adhesive layer 44a of the electric cable 4 is used.
0b and the wire crimping portion 53a and the heat-shrinkable sealing tube 54 are bonded to each other.

The housing 55 is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin, for example, hard TPA. The housing 55 is attached by molding over the terminal portion of the wire cable main body 40 and the wire crimping portion 53a of the female terminal fitting 53. A sealing tube 54 is embedded. During the molding of the housing 55, the sealing tube 54 is heated and contracts. Further, the housing 55 has an annular cover portion 55a surrounding the female contact portion 53b. The cover portion 55a has an outer diameter just fitted to the outside of the annular cover portion 45a of the male connector 42, and is provided concentrically around the female contact portion 53b. An annular gap S2, into which the annular cover portion 45a enters, is formed therebetween.

Another electric cable 151 having the same configuration as the electric cable 51 is connected to the electric cable 41 having the above-described configuration, and another electric cable 141 having the same configuration as the electric cable 41 is similarly connected to the electric cable 51 having the above-described configuration. Be combined. These connections are made by fitting the male connector 42 and the female connector 52 together.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the female contact portion 53 of the female terminal fitting 53 is inserted into the gap S1 of the male terminal fitting 43.
b, and the male contact portion 43b of the male terminal fitting 43 is densely inserted inside the female contact portion 53b of the female terminal fitting 53, and these contact portions 43b, 53b are electrically connected. Is done.

At the same time, the annular cover portion 45a of the male connector 42 is inserted into the gap S2 of the female connector 52, covering the female contact portion 53b, and is fitted into the inner surface of the annular cover portion 55a of the female connector 52. Are mechanically joined together. The solar cell modules 31 are electrically connected in series or in parallel by the connection between the electric wires and cables.

In the above electrical connection, the male contact portion 43b is slightly reduced in diameter and elastically moves outward due to the dimensional relationship between the outer diameter of the male contact portion 43b and the inner diameter of the female contact portion 53b. While the female contact portion 53b
However, the diameter is slightly increased so as to widen the slit 53c, and the slit 53c is elastically contracted inward. Therefore, the male contact portion 43b
And the inner peripheral surface of the male contact portion 43b are elastically closely contacted with each other to ensure reliable electrical connection. Simultaneously with the completion of the connection, the convex portion 53d integrally protruding from the inner surface of the female contact portion 53b is caught by the annular concave portion 43d formed at the distal end portion of the male contact portion 43b to prevent the female contact portion 43b from coming off.
If a separating force equal to or larger than a predetermined value is applied to both connectors 42 and 52 as needed, these connectors can be disconnected.

The electric wires 41, 51, 141 and 151 used outdoors in the above-mentioned connected state are formed by crimping portions 43a or 53 of female or male terminal fittings 43 or 53, respectively.
a and the heat-shrinkable sealing tube 44 or 5 adhered over the insulating sheath 40b of the electric cable body 40.
Since the sealing tube 44 or 54 is provided, the sealing tube 44 or 54 is thermally contracted with the molding of the housing 45 or 55, so that the tube 44 or 54 can be in close contact with the electric wire crimping portion 43a or 53a and the insulating sheath 40b. Thereby, the terminal portion of the electric wire cable main body 40 and the female or male terminal fitting 43
Alternatively, the wire crimping portion 43a or 53a of the 53 can be sealed in a watertight manner. In particular, in this embodiment, since the polyolefin-based adhesive is used for the adhesive layers 44a and 54a of the sealing tube 44 or 54, not only the outer layer 40d of the insulating outer cover 40b but also the end surface of the inner layer 40c exposed at the terminal portion. The water-tightness can be further improved because it can be adhered well.

Accordingly, even if the housing 45 or 55 undergoes aging over a long period of use, a slight gap may be formed between the housing 45 or 55 and the outer layer 40 d of the insulating outer sheath of the cable main body 40. Terminal part and electric wire crimping part 43 of female or male terminal fitting 43 or 53
a or 53a can be prevented from being flooded. As the water resistance can be improved in this manner, corrosion of the conductor 40a of the electric cable main body 40 and the terminal fitting 43 or 53 is prevented, so that the durability of the electric cable 41, 51, 141, 151 can be improved.

Each of the electric cables 41, 51, 141,
The male or female terminal fittings 43, 53 of 151 are hollow bent products, so that a metal plate with a low material cost can be used as a material, and can be easily bent by press working or the like. Can be obtained. That is, the material cost and the processing cost can be respectively reduced as compared with the case of being made by cutting. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the cost of each of the electric cables 41, 51, 141, and 151 having the male or female connector 42 or 52, and accordingly, the cost of the connector device or the solar power generation device shown in FIG. it can.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention. Since this embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted. Only different configurations will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that each of the two connectors has a protective cylinder.

A part of the protective cylinder 60 for accommodating the female or male terminal fittings 43 or 53 of the connector 42 or 52 includes:
It is embedded in the housing 45 or 55 of the connector 42 or 52 along with the molding thereof, and is formed of a hard or soft electrically insulating synthetic resin, for example, hard nylon, and includes a fitting portion 60a and a cover portion 60b. have.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
a is a male or female terminal fitting 43 fitted on the sealing tube 44 or 54 together with the sealing tube 44 or 54.
Or 53 protects the wire crimping part 43a or 53a.
The cover part 60b is a male or female terminal fitting 43 or 5.
3 are provided so as to surround the male contact portion 43b or the female contact portion 53b to protect the contact portion 43b or the contact portion 53b.

The cover 60b of the protective cylinder 60 in the male connector 42 forms a gap S3 between the male connector 43 and the female contact 53b, into which the female contact 53b is inserted. Protective cylinder 6 of female contact fitting 53
A gap S4 into which the 0 cover portion 60b is inserted is formed,
The male contact portion 43b is provided concentrically with the center. The cover 60b of the protective cylinder 60 in the female connector 52 forms a gap S5 between the female connector 53b and the cover 60b of the protective cylinder 60 of the male contact fitting 43. , The annular cover 45 of the protective cylinder 60 of the male contact fitting 43 between the annular cover 55a and the annular cover 55a.
a to form a gap S6 into which the female contact portion 53b is inserted.
It is provided concentrically with this.

Also in the second embodiment in which the above-described configuration is added to the first embodiment, the inexpensive and water-resistant connector-equipped electric cables 41 and 5 having excellent water resistance.
1, 141, 151 can be provided.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the electric cables of the second embodiment are connected. As shown in this figure, the male and female terminal fittings 43, 53 in which the cover parts 60b of the protective cylindrical body 60 are fitted to each other and joined together are fitted inside the annular cover parts 45a, 55a fitted to the concave and convex. I'm wearing it. Therefore, in the coupled state, the fitting cover 45a,
The length of the flood path reaching between the male and female terminal fittings 43 and 53 through the space 55a can be increased. In other words, the water that is going to enter inside passes not only between the fitting cover portions 45a and 55a, but also between the inner annular cover portion 45a and the cover portion 60b of the female connector 52, and further inside thereof. It is necessary to pass between the cover portions 60b of the fitted connectors 42 and 52. Therefore, the water resistance can be further improved.

[0045]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the sealing tube which is thermally contracted when the housing is molded is provided.
Since the terminal portion of the wire cable body and the wire connection portion of the terminal fitting are sealed, even if a gap occurs between the terminal portion and the insulation sheath of the wire cable body due to aging of the housing, the terminal portion and the wire connection portion are not removed. Water can be prevented, and an electric cable with a connector for a photovoltaic power generation device having excellent water resistance can be provided.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, the end portion of the wire cable main body and the wire crimping portion of the terminal fitting are sealed by the sealing tube which is thermally contracted when the housing is molded. Even if there is a gap between this and the insulating sheath of the wire cable main body, it is possible to prevent the terminal portion and the wire crimping portion from being flooded, and to use a bent molded product for the male or female terminal fitting, The material cost and processing cost of these fittings can be reduced. Therefore, according to the inventions according to Claims 2 and 3, it is possible to provide an inexpensive electric cable with a connector for a photovoltaic power generator, which is excellent in water resistance.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the terminal portion of the wire cable main body and the wire crimping portion of the terminal fitting are sealed by the sealing tube which is thermally contracted when the housing is molded. Even if a gap is formed between the terminal portion and the insulating sheath of the wire cable main body, the terminal portion and the wire crimping portion can be prevented from being immersed in water, and the terminal is connected to each other by the protective cylinder housing the terminal fitting. A long flood path to reach the metal fittings can be secured. In addition, since a bent product is used for the male or female terminal fittings, the material cost and processing cost of these fittings can be reduced. Therefore, according to the inventions according to the fourth and fifth aspects, it is possible to provide a wire cable with a connector for a photovoltaic power generator which is inexpensive and excellent in water resistance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a male and female electric cable according to a first embodiment of the present invention connected to a terminal box of a solar cell module and other electric cables connected thereto.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a cross-sectional view and a front view showing the configuration of the male electric cable of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a cross-sectional view and a front view showing the configuration of the female electric cable of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a state where the male and female electric cables of FIGS. 2 and 3 are connected;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a cross-sectional view and a front view showing a configuration of a male electric cable according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a cross-sectional view and a front view showing a configuration of a female electric cable according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the male and female electric wires and cables of FIGS. 5 and 6 are connected.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a part of a conventional double-ended cable in a state of being separated from each other.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 ... Solar cell module 40 ... Electric wire cable main body 40a ... Conductor of electric wire cable main body 40b ... Insulation outer skin of electric wire cable main body 41, 151 ... Male cable (electric cable) 51, 141 ... Female cable (electric cable) 42 ... Female Mold connector 43: Male terminal fitting 43a: Wire crimping part (wire connection part) of male terminal fitting 43b: Male contact part of male terminal fitting 44, 54: Sealing tube 44a, 54a: Bonding of sealing tube Layers 45, 55: Housing 45a, 55a: Annular cover part of housing 52: Female connector 53: Female terminal fitting 53a: Wire crimping part of female terminal fitting (electric wire connection part) 53b: Male of female terminal fitting Contact part 60: protection cylinder 60a: fitting part of protection cylinder 60b: cover of protection cylinder

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5E087 EE02 EE09 GG02 HH01 HH02 JJ01 LL03 LL12 LL14 QQ03 RR12 5F051 JA06 JA08 5G309 FA05

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A wire cable main body having a conductor and an insulated sheath covering the conductor, a male or female terminal fitting having a wire connection portion having one end connected to a terminal portion of the conductor, and the wire connection A heat-shrinkable sealing tube attached over the portion and the insulating sheath; and an electrically insulating housing in which the sealing tube and a terminal portion of the electric cable body are embedded by molding. Cable with connector for solar power generator. 2. An electric wire cable body having a conductor and an insulating sheath covering the conductor, an electric wire crimping portion having an end portion crimped at one end portion, and a hollow end having a tapered end portion at the other end portion. A male terminal fitting made of a bent product having a male contact part; a heat-shrinkable sealing tube attached over the electric wire crimping part and the insulating sheath; and an annular cover surrounding the male contact part And an electrical insulating housing in which a terminal portion of the sealing tube and the cable main body is embedded by molding, the electrical cable having a connector. 3. An electric wire cable main body having a conductor and an insulating sheath covering the conductor, an electric wire crimping portion having one end crimped with a terminal portion of the conductor, and a hollow end having an open end at the other end. Female terminal fitting made of a bent product having a female contact portion to be formed; a heat-shrinkable sealing tube attached over the electric wire crimping portion and the insulating sheath; and a ring surrounding the female contact portion. An electric insulating housing having a cover portion, wherein the sealing tube and the terminal portion of the electric wire cable main body are buried by molding, the electric cable having a connector for a photovoltaic power generation device. 4. An electric wire cable body having a conductor and an insulating sheath covering the conductor, an electric wire crimping portion having one end crimped with a terminal portion of the conductor, and a hollow end having a tapered tip at the other end. A male terminal fitting made of a bent product having a male contact portion, a heat-shrinkable sealing tube attached over the wire crimping portion and the insulating sheath, and fitted on the sealing tube An electrically insulating protective cylinder provided with the fitting portion and the cover portion surrounding the male contact portion and containing the male terminal fitting; and an annular cover portion surrounding the cover portion. And an electrical insulating housing in which the sealing tube and a terminal portion of the wire cable main body are buried by molding, the wire having a connector for a photovoltaic power generator. 5. An electric wire cable body having a conductor and an insulating sheath covering the conductor, an electric wire crimping portion having one end crimped with a terminal portion of the conductor, and a hollow end opening at the other end. A female terminal fitting made of a bent product having a female contact portion, a heat-shrinkable sealing tube attached over the electric wire crimping portion and the insulating sheath, and fitted on the sealing tube. A fitting portion, a cover portion surrounding the female contact portion, an electrically insulating protective cylinder provided to accommodate the female terminal fitting, and an annular cover portion surrounding the cover portion. An electric insulating housing in which the sealing tube and a terminal portion of the electric wire cable main body are buried by molding, and an electric cable with a connector for a photovoltaic power generator.