JP2012099507A - Connection structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection structure which prevents electric connection failure from occurring easily by allowing a connection member to be fastened easily only when connection terminals are disposed at predetermined positions.SOLUTION: A connection structure includes connection adjustment means allowing an operation for fixing multiple first connection terminals 4a to 4c and multiple second connection terminals 6a to 6c to a connection member 9 at the respective contact points at one time when a male side terminal housing 5 is fitted into a female side terminal housing 7 and the male side terminal housing 5 and the female side terminal housing 7 reach a predetermined fitting state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection structure that can be used in, for example, a connecting portion of a power harness that is used in an eco-car such as a hybrid vehicle and an electric vehicle, and used to transmit a large amount of power. .

  In recent years, significant progress has been made, for example, in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, etc., when transferring a large amount of power for connecting devices, such as between a motor and an inverter, or between an inverter and a battery. For example, a power harness used in the above-described configuration includes, on one end thereof, a male terminal and a male side connector portion including a first terminal housing that accommodates the male terminal, a female terminal connected to the male terminal, and the female terminal. A connector having a two-divided configuration with a female connector portion including a second terminal housing to be accommodated is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In recent years, such eco-cars have been reduced in weight for all parts for the purpose of improving energy-saving performance. However, one of the effective means for reducing the weight is to reduce the size. I hit it.

  Therefore, as a known technique, for example, there is a technique as disclosed in Patent Document 2.

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 is a vehicle that connects a connection terminal of a multi-phase conductive member drawn from a motor for driving a vehicle and a connection terminal of a multi-phase power line cable drawn from an inverter that drives the motor. In the electrical connection structure, the connection terminal of each phase of the conductive member and the connection terminal of each phase of the corresponding power line cable are superposed, and the insulating member is disposed on the surface opposite to the superposition surface of the connection terminal This is a technique in which the connection terminals and the insulating members of the respective polymerized phases are fastened and fixed in the polymerization direction by a single bolt provided at a position penetrating them.

  That is, the technique of Patent Document 2 is a method in which connection terminals are connected to each other by clamping a plurality of contact points between connection terminals, which are overlapping surfaces of connection terminals, by tightening a single bolt in the overlap direction. However, such a configuration is effective in that it is easy to reduce the size as compared with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1.

JP 2009-070754 A Japanese Patent No. 4037199

  However, the structure as in Patent Document 2 has the following problems.

  In the structure as in Patent Document 2, even when the connection terminal is not inserted at a predetermined position, the connection terminal can be tightened with a bolt, which may cause an electrical connection failure. In particular, in a power harness used when transmitting a large amount of power, such a connection failure should be eliminated from the viewpoint of safety, and a countermeasure has been desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a connection structure in which a plurality of first connection terminals, a plurality of second connection terminals, and a plurality of insulating plates are arranged in a stacked state, the connection terminals are connected to each other. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection structure in which poor connection is unlikely to occur electrically by making it possible to easily press each contact by a connection member only when the is placed at a predetermined position.

  The present invention has been developed to achieve the above object, and a male terminal housing in which a plurality of first connection terminals are accommodated and accommodated, and a plurality of second connection terminals are accommodated in order. A female-side terminal housing and a plurality of insulating plates are provided, and when the male-side terminal housing and the female-side terminal housing are fitted, each of the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals In a connection structure in which a plurality of first connection terminals, a plurality of second connection terminals, and a plurality of insulating plates are arranged so as to be in a stacked state, facing each other so as to form a pair, the head and the head The shaft portion is connected to the portion, and the shaft portion is passed through each of the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals and the plurality of insulating plates, and By pressing the insulating plates adjacent to each other through an elastic member by the head, the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals are collectively fixed and electrically connected at each contact. When the male terminal housing and the female terminal housing are fitted to each other, the male terminal housing and the female terminal are connected to each other at least through a contact member formed of an insulating material. When the housing reaches a predetermined fitting state, an operation allowance for allowing an operation for fixing the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals to the connection member together at each contact. It is a connection structure characterized by including a means.

  The present invention has been developed to achieve the above object, and a male terminal housing in which a plurality of first connection terminals are accommodated and accommodated, and a plurality of second connection terminals are accommodated in order. A female-side terminal housing and a plurality of insulating plates are provided, and when the male-side terminal housing and the female-side terminal housing are fitted, each of the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals In the connection structure in which the plurality of first connection terminals, the plurality of second connection terminals, and the plurality of insulating plates are arranged in a stacked state, facing each other so as to form a pair, they are adjacent to each other by the head. By pressing the insulating plate via an elastic member, the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals are collectively fixed at each contact and electrically When connecting the connecting member to be connected to the male terminal housing and the female terminal housing, when the male terminal housing and the female terminal housing reach a predetermined fitting state, the connection It is a connection structure characterized by comprising an operation permission means for allowing an operation for fixing the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals to a member at a contact at a time.

  The operation permission means includes an operation tool engagement hole with which a predetermined operation tool formed on the head of the connection member is engaged, and an operation tool engagement hole formed in the female terminal housing. A connection member operation hole having substantially the same size, and the connection member operation hole is formed when the male terminal housing and the female terminal housing are fitted to each other. When the female terminal housing reaches a predetermined fitting state, the female terminal housing is formed to match the operation tool engagement hole, and the operation tool engagement hole and the connection member are formed. When the operation hole matches, an operation for fixing the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals to the connection member at each contact is permitted. When may.

  According to the present invention, in the connection structure in which the plurality of first connection terminals, the plurality of second connection terminals, and the plurality of insulating plates are arranged in a stacked state, the connection terminals are arranged at predetermined positions. Only occasionally, each contact point can be easily pressed by the connecting member, so that poor electrical connection can be prevented.

1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the connector of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows a 1st connector part. It is a figure which shows a 1st connection terminal, (a) is a side view, (b) is a bottom view. It is sectional drawing which shows a 2nd connector part. It is a figure which shows a 2nd connection terminal, (a) is a side view, (b) is a bottom view. It is a figure which shows a 2nd connection terminal, (a) is a side view, (b) is a bottom view. It is sectional drawing which shows the connector before fitting a 1st connector part and a 2nd connector part. It is sectional drawing which shows the connector after fitting the 1st connector part and the 2nd connector part. It is sectional drawing which shows the connector after making the 1st connector part and the 2nd connector part fit about the connector which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described first with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Here, a connector will be described as an example of the connection structure of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first connector portion 2 and a second connector portion 3. This is for connecting the power lines together.

  More specifically, the connector 1 includes a first connector portion 2 having a male terminal housing 5 in which a plurality (three) of first connection terminals (male terminals) 4a to 4c are arranged and stored, and a plurality ( A second connector portion 3 having a female terminal housing 7 in which three (3) second connection terminals (female terminals) 6 a to 6 c are arranged and housed, and a plurality of housings arranged and housed in the male terminal housing 5. When the male terminal housing 5 of the first connector part 2 and the female terminal housing 7 of the second connector part 3 are fitted, the plurality of first connection terminals 4a to 4c are provided. Each and a plurality of second connection terminals 6a to 6c are paired (first connection terminal 4a and second connection terminal 6a, first connection terminal 4b and second connection terminal 6b, first connection terminal 4c and second connection And a stacked state in which a plurality of insulating plates 8a to 8d are arranged so as to sandwich the pair of first connection terminals 4a to 4c and second connection terminals 6a to 6c. It will be. That is, the connector 1 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of first connection terminals 4a to 4f when the male terminal housing 5 of the first connector part 2 and the female terminal housing 7 of the second connector part 3 are fitted. 4c, a plurality of second connection terminals 6a to 6c, and a plurality of insulating plates 8a to 8d are connectors arranged in a stacked state.

  The connector 1 is used, for example, for connection between a vehicle driving motor and an inverter that drives the motor.

  More specifically, the male terminal housing 5 (the left portion in FIG. 1) of the first connector portion 2 is fitted to the shield case of the motor and is exposed from the male terminal housing 5. The portions of the connection terminals 4a to 4c are connected to the terminals of the terminal block installed in the shield case of the motor. By fitting the second connector portion 3 electrically connected to the inverter to the first connector portion 2, the motor and the inverter are electrically connected. The above is the connection on the motor side, but the same applies to the connection on the inverter side.

  Hereinafter, each structure of the connector parts 2 and 3 is explained in full detail.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first connector portion 2 holds the three first connection terminals 4 a to 4 c in an aligned state in a state of being separated at a predetermined interval. A male terminal housing 5 in which 4c are arranged and stored; a plurality of substantially rectangular parallelepiped insulating plates 8a to 8d that are provided in the male terminal housing 5 and insulate each of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c; 9b and a shaft portion 9a connected to the head portion 9b. The shaft portion 9a is connected to each of the plurality of first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the plurality of second connection terminals 6a to 6c and the plurality of insulating plates 8a to 8a. The plurality of first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the plurality of second connection terminals 6a to 6c are fixed together at each contact point by pressing the adjacent insulating plate 8a with the head 9b while penetrating 8d. Electrically To continue, the portion through at least the contact and a connecting member 9 formed of an insulating material.

  The first connection terminals 4a to 4c are plate-like terminals and are made of insulating resin (for example, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) resin, PPA (polyphthalamide) resin, PA (polyamide) resin, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), The resin molded body 10, which is a part of the male terminal housing 5, is arranged and held at a predetermined interval. As a method of holding the first connection terminals 4a to 4c in the resin molded body 10, for example, a method of inserting the first connection terminals 4a to 4c when molding the resin molded body 10 and then curing and holding the resin, There is a method in which the first connection terminals 4 a to 4 c are press-fitted and held in a pre-molded resin molded body 10.

  Electricity of different voltage and / or current is transmitted to each of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c. For example, in the present embodiment, a three-phase AC power supply line between the motor and the inverter is assumed, and ACs having 120-phases are transmitted to each of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c. Each of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c is preferably made of a metal such as silver, copper, or aluminum having high conductivity for the purpose of reducing power transmission loss in the connector 1 or the like. In addition, each of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c has some flexibility.

  The plurality of insulating plates 8a to 8d are arranged and accommodated in the male terminal housing 5 and are on one side of the plurality of first connection terminals 4a to 4c (opposite side to the surface joined to the second connection terminals 6a to 6c). A plurality of first insulating plates 8a to 8c that are integrally fixed to each of the plurality of first connection terminals 4a to 4c. When the plurality of second connection terminals 6a to 6c are in a stacked state, they face one surface of the second connection terminal 6c located on the outermost side (the surface opposite to the surface joined to the first connection terminal 4c). The second insulating plate 8d is provided as described above.

  The plurality of insulating plates 8a to 8d are fixed at positions that protrude toward the distal ends of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c. As for each of these insulating plates 8a-8d, each corner | angular part by which the 2nd connecting terminal 6a-6c is inserted / extracted is chamfered. Moreover, as shown to Fig.4 (a), (b), on each of the surface fixed to 1st connection terminal 4a-4c of several 1st insulating plates 8a-8c, it is 1st connection terminal 4a-4c. And a lower surface (lower surface in the drawing) of the first insulating plates 8a to 8c is formed on the lower surface (lower surface in the drawing) of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c. Surface). With these configurations, when the first connector portion 2 and the second connector portion 3 are fitted, the distal end portions of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c are not in contact with the distal end portions of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c. Therefore, there is an effect that insertability in the second connection terminals 6a to 6c is improved. In FIG. 4A, the structure of the first insulating plate 8a is simplified, and the first insulating plates 8a to 8c are drawn in the same manner.

  Referring to FIG. 3 again, the connecting member 9 includes a shaft portion 9a having a surface formed of an insulating material at a portion passing through each contact relating to the first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the second connection terminals 6a to 6c. And a head portion 9b that is formed integrally with the shaft portion 9a and serves as a pressing portion that presses the adjacent first insulating plate 8a.

  More specifically, the connecting member 9 is insulative to a metal (for example, SUS, iron, copper alloy, etc.) bolt (cap bolt) 12 and its shaft portion 9a outer periphery (including a portion penetrating each contact). Insulation formed by coating an insulating resin (for example, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) resin, PPA (polyphthalamide) resin, PA (polyamide) resin, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), epoxy resin) as a material of Layer 13.

  In addition, as the connection member 9, what formed all with the insulating resin may be used, but the thing which covered the axial part 9a outer periphery of the metal volt | bolt 12 with the insulating layer 13 is used from a viewpoint of intensity | strength. Is preferred. In other words, the connecting member 9 is made of a fold structure of the metal bolt 12 and the insulating resin insulating layer 13, so that the strength can be increased as compared with the case where the entire connecting member 9 is formed of the insulating resin. As the insulating resin to be coated on the metal bolt 12, a resin having a linear expansion coefficient close to that of the metal constituting the bolt 12 may be used to prevent creep.

  An operation tool engagement hole 9c for engaging a predetermined operation tool is formed on the upper surface (more specifically, the center of the upper surface) of the head portion 9b on the central axis of the connection member 9. The operation tool engagement hole 9c is for engaging a predetermined operation tool when the connection member 9 is tightened, for example, a hexagonal hole or a driver groove. In the present embodiment, a cap bolt, specifically a hexagon socket head cap screw, is used as the connecting member 9, so that the operation tool engagement hole 9c is a hexagon socket.

  A packing 14 that prevents water from entering the male terminal housing 5 is provided on the outer periphery of the head 9 b of the connection member 9. Further, an elastic member 15 that applies a predetermined pressing force to the first insulating plate 8a is provided between the lower surface of the head portion 9b of the connecting member 9 and the upper surface of the first insulating plate 8a immediately below the head portion 9b. The elastic member 15 is composed of a metal (for example, SUS) spring. In the present embodiment, the elastic member 15 is positioned as a part of the connection member 9.

  The upper surface of the first insulating plate 8a with which the lower part of the elastic member 15 abuts is formed with a concave part 16 that covers (accommodates) the lower part of the elastic member 15, and the bottom part of the concave part 16 (that is, the lower part of the elastic member 15 abuts). A seat member 17 is provided with a receiving member 17 made of metal (for example, SUS) that receives the elastic member 15 and prevents damage to the first insulating plate 8a made of an insulating resin.

  The receiving member 17 disperses the stress applied from the elastic member 15 to the upper surface of the first insulating plate 8a, thereby preventing the first insulating plate 8a from being damaged. Therefore, it is preferable to make the contact area between the receiving member 17 and the first insulating plate 8a as large as possible. In the present embodiment, in order to increase the contact area between the receiving member 17 and the first insulating plate 8a, the receiving member 17 having a shape that contacts the entire bottom surface of the recess 16 is provided.

  The connection member 9 is inserted into the male terminal housing 5 from the surface side (upper surface side in FIG. 3) of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c to which the first insulating plates 8a to 8c are fixed, By screwing the screw portion 18 at the tip end of 9a into the screw hole 19 formed in the inner peripheral surface of the male terminal housing 5, the head portion 9b of the connection member 9 is directed toward the tip end of the shaft portion 9b (in FIG. 3). In other words, the plurality of first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the plurality of second connection terminals 6a to 6c are collectively fixed and electrically connected at each contact.

  The male terminal housing 5 includes a hollow cylindrical body 20 having a substantially rectangular cross section. An outer peripheral portion on one end side (right side in the drawing) of the cylindrical body 20 to be fitted to the female terminal housing 7 is formed in a tapered shape in consideration of fitting properties with the second connector portion 3. A terminal housing waterproof structure 21 that seals between the first connector portion 2 and the second connector portion 3 is provided on the outer peripheral portion on one end side of the cylindrical body 20. The terminal housing waterproof structure 21 includes a recess 22 formed in the outer peripheral portion on the opening side of the cylindrical body 20 and a packing 23 such as an O-ring provided in the recess 22.

  The other end side (the left side in the figure) in the cylindrical body 20 accommodates the resin molded body 10 in which the first connection terminals 4a to 4c are aligned and held. A flange 24 (an attachment hole is omitted) for fixing the first connector portion 2 to a housing (for example, a shield case of a motor) such as a device is formed on the outer periphery on the other end side of the cylindrical body 20. The edge 24 of the flange 24 for inserting a bolt into the mounting hole and fixing it to the housing of the device or the like is provided with a packing or the like that seals between the housing of the device and the first connector portion 2. May be. The configuration of the flange 24 is not based on the premise that the first connector portion 2 is fixed to a housing such as a device, and the flange 24 may be provided in the second connector portion 3. It may be provided in both the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 3. Moreover, it is good also as a free state in which neither the 1st connector part 2 nor the 2nd connector part 3 is fixed to housings, such as an apparatus.

  The flange 24 is also effective in improving heat dissipation. That is, the surface area of the male terminal housing 5 can be increased by forming the flange 24, and the heat generated inside the first connector portion 2 (for example, heat generated at each contact) can be transferred to the male terminal housing. When heat is radiated to the outside, heat dissipation can be improved.

  A connection member insertion hole 26 for inserting the connection member 9 is formed in an upper portion (upper side in the drawing) of the cylindrical body 20. The connection member insertion hole 26 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and its cylindrical lower end (lower side in the figure) is bent inward. The stroke of the connecting member 9 is regulated by the edge peripheral portion of the lower surface of the head portion 9b of the connecting member 9 coming into contact with the bent portion.

  The cylindrical body 20 is preferably formed of a metal such as aluminum having high electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity in order to reduce shielding performance, heat dissipation, and weight of the connector 1, but is formed of resin or the like. You may do it. When the male terminal housing 5 is formed of an insulating resin, the second insulating plate 8d and the male terminal housing 5 may be integrally formed of an insulating resin. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical body 20 is made of aluminum. In this way, by forming the cylindrical body 20 with aluminum, when the connection member 9 is screwed into the screw hole 19, it can be tightened more firmly than when the cylindrical body 20 is formed with an insulating resin. There is an effect.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second connector section 3 includes a female terminal housing 7 in which a plurality (three) of second connection terminals (female terminals) 6 a to 6 c are arranged and stored.

Cables 27a to 27c extending from the inverter side are connected to the respective one ends of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c. Since each of these cables 27a to 27c is electrically connected to each of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c via the second connection terminals 6a to 6c, the voltage corresponding to each of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c. And / or current electricity is transmitted respectively. The cables 27 a to 27 c are formed by forming an insulating layer 29 on the outer periphery of the conductor 28. In the present embodiment, the conductor 28 having a cross-sectional area of 20 mm ² is used.

  Each of the cables 27 a to 27 c is aligned and held at a predetermined interval by a cable holding member 30 having a multi-tubular shape (a state in which a plurality of tubes are connected). Each of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c is paired with each of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c when the first connector portion 2 and the second connector portion 3 are fitted by the cable holding member 30. The first connection terminals 4a to 4c facing each other (that is, the connection target) are positioned and held so as to be positioned below each of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c.

  The cable holding member 30 is made of an insulating resin or the like in order to insulate the second connection terminals 6a to 6c from each other and prevent a short circuit. Even if each of the cables 27a to 27c connected to each of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c by the cable holding member 30 is a cable having excellent flexibility, each of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c is predetermined. Can be held in the position. That is, in this embodiment, since cables having excellent flexibility can be used as the cables 27a to 27c, the degree of freedom in wiring when the cables 27a to 27c are laid can be improved.

  The cable holding member 30 holds the cables 27a to 27c. More specifically, the cable holding member 30 holds the end portions of the cables 27a to 27c at positions close to the second connection terminals 6a to 6c. The second connection terminals 6a to 6c are positioned so as to hold the two connection terminals 6a to 6c in a predetermined position, but the cables 27a to 27c are held and the second connection terminals 6a to 6c are also directly held. The positioning of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c may be performed. Further, instead of the cable holding member 30, a connection terminal holding member that directly holds the second connection terminals 6a to 6c without holding the cables 27a to 27c may be used.

  With respect to the cable holding member 30, the second connection terminals 6a to 6c are positioned by holding the cables 27a to 27c without directly holding the second connection terminals 6a to 6c, that is, the present embodiment. In such a case, by making the cables 27 a to 27 c flexible, the distal end sides of the second connection terminals 6 a to 6 c can be made flexible with respect to the female terminal housing 7. . By comprising in this way, even if the 1st connection terminals 4a-4c deform | transform by the press of the connection member 9 in the 1st connector part 2, and the part which a 2nd connection terminal inserts changes, it is flexible. Can respond.

  Further, a braided shield 31 for the purpose of improving the shielding performance is wound around the portions of the cables 27 a to 27 c drawn from the female terminal housing 7. The braided shield 31 is in contact with a cylindrical shield body 41 described later, and is electrically connected to the male terminal housing 5 via the cylindrical shield body 41 (has the same potential (GND)). In FIG. 1, the braided shield 31 is not shown for the sake of simplicity.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the second connection terminals 6 a to 6 c is formed integrally with the caulking portion 32 and the caulking portion 32 for caulking the conductor 28 exposed from the tip ends of the cables 27 a to 27 c. And a U-shaped contact 33. A tapered portion 34 is formed at the tip of the U-shaped contact 33 in order to improve the insertability. When the first connector portion 2 and the second connector portion 3 are fitted, the U-shaped contact 33 is inserted so as to sandwich the shaft portion 9a of the connecting member 9.

  In the present embodiment, in order to reduce the size of the connector 1, the cables 27a to 27c are arranged and held with as little gap as possible. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the second connection terminals 6a to 6c are spaced apart at the same interval by bending the body portion 35 of the second connection terminal 6b connected to the cable 27b disposed in the center during alignment. It was arranged.

  Each of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c is preferably made of a metal such as silver, copper, or aluminum having high conductivity for the purpose of reducing power transmission loss in the connector 1 or the like. In addition, each of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c has some flexibility.

  Referring to FIG. 5 again, the female terminal housing 7 includes a hollow cylindrical body 36 having a substantially rectangular cross section. Since the male terminal housing 5 is fitted into the female terminal housing 7, the inner peripheral portion of one end side (the left side in the drawing) of the cylindrical body 36 to be fitted with the male terminal housing 5 is the male terminal housing. 5 is formed in a taper shape.

  A cable holding member 30 that holds and aligns the cables 27a to 27c is housed on the other end side (the right side in the figure) of the cylindrical body 36. A packingless hermetic portion 37 is formed on the cable insertion side of the cable holding member 30 to prevent water from entering the female terminal housing 7 through the cables 27a to 27c. A packing 38 that abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the male terminal housing 5 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the cable holding member 30. That is, the connector 1 has a double waterproof structure by the packing 23 provided on the outer periphery of the packing 23 of the terminal housing waterproof structure 21 and the cable holding member 30.

  Further, a rubber boot 39 for preventing water from entering the cylindrical body 36 is covered on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 36 from which the cables 27a to 27c are drawn. In FIG. 1, the rubber boot 39 is not shown for simplification.

  Further, when the second connector part 3 and the first connector part 2 are fitted to the upper part (the upper side in the figure) of the cylindrical body 36, the connection member 9 provided in the first connector part 2 is operated. The connection member operation hole 40 is formed.

  The cylindrical body 36 is preferably formed of a metal such as aluminum having high electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity in order to reduce shielding performance, heat dissipation, and weight of the connector 1, but is formed of resin or the like. You may do it. In the present embodiment, since the cylindrical body 36 is formed of an insulating resin, an aluminum cylindrical shield body is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the other end side of the cylindrical body 36 in order to improve its shielding performance and heat dissipation. 41 is provided.

  The cylindrical shield body 41 has a contact portion 42 that comes into contact with the outer periphery of the aluminum male terminal housing 5 when the first connector portion 2 and the second connector portion 3 are fitted together. And is connected to the male terminal housing 5 thermally and electrically. Thereby, the shielding performance and heat dissipation are improved. In particular, with regard to heat dissipation, significant improvement is expected by positively releasing heat to the male terminal housing 5 side, which is excellent in heat dissipation.

  Next, the connection between the first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the second connection terminals 6a to 6c using the connector 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  When the first connector portion 2 and the second connector portion 3 are fitted from the non-fitted state shown in FIG. 8, the first connection terminals 4a to 4a are paired with the second connection terminals 6a to 6c. 4c is inserted between each of the insulating plates 8a to 8d. And by this insertion, while facing each one surface of several 1st connection terminals 4a-4c and each one surface of several 2nd connection terminals 6a-6c, it is 1st connection terminal 4a-. 4c, the second connection terminals 6a to 6c, and the insulating plates 8a to 8d are alternately arranged, that is, the first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the second connection terminals 6a to 6c are paired with the insulating plates 8a to 8d. It will be in the lamination state arrange | positioned so that may be pinched | interposed.

  At this time, in the inside of the first connector portion 2, the insulating plates 8a to 8c are fixed to the distal ends of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c that are held in alignment with being separated at a predetermined interval. Therefore, the interval between the insulating plates 8a to 8c can be maintained without separately providing a holding jig (see Patent Document 2) for holding the interval between the insulating plates 8a to 8c. . Accordingly, each of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c can be easily inserted between each of the pair of first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the insulating plates 8a to 8d. That is, the insertability of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c is not lowered. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a holding jig for holding the interval between the insulating plates 8a to 8c, it is very effective in that further downsizing can be realized as compared with the conventional case.

  Further, the first insulating plate 8a (or the contact point related to the first connection terminal 4a (or 4b) and the second connection terminal 6a (or 6b) is fixed to the first connection terminal 4a (or 4b) constituting the contact point. 8b) and the first insulating plate 8b (or 8c) fixed to the first connection terminal 4b (or 4c) constituting another contact. Similarly, the first connection terminal 4c and the second connection terminal 6c are connected to the first insulating plate 8c fixed to the first connection terminal 4c constituting the contact and the first terminal fixed to the inner surface of the male terminal housing 5. 2 between the insulating plates 8d.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9, the operating tool engaging hole 9c of the connecting member 9 is operated from the connecting member operating hole 40 using the operating tool 43 such as a wrench, and the screw portion 18 of the connecting member 9 is moved to the male side. When screwed into the screw hole 19 of the terminal housing 5 and tightened, the connection member 9 is pushed into the bottom of the screw hole 19 while being rotated, and the elastic member 15 causes the first insulating plate 8a, the first insulating plate 8b, and the first The insulating plate 8c and the second insulating plate 8d are pressed in this order, the contacts are pressed so as to be sandwiched by any two of the insulating plates 8a to 8d, and the contacts are in contact with each other while being insulated from each other. . At this time, each of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c and each of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c are slightly bent by the pressing from the insulating plates 8a to 8d and are in contact with each other over a wide range. As a result, each contact point is firmly contacted and fixed even in an environment such as a vehicle that generates vibrations.

  As described above, in the connector 1, the operating tool 43 is used to operate the operating tool engaging hole 9 c of the connecting member 9 from the connecting member operating hole 40 to tighten the connecting member 9. If the connection member 9 is operated before the housing 7 is completely fitted, the first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the second connection terminals 6a to 6c may not be completely in contact with each other, possibly causing a connection failure. is there.

  Therefore, when the male terminal housing 5 and the female terminal housing 7 reach a predetermined fitting state when the male terminal housing 5 and the female terminal housing 7 are fitted, the connector 1 is In the case of this form, when reaching a completely fitted state, an operation for permitting an operation for fixing the first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the second connection terminals 6a to 6c with respect to the connection member 9 at the respective contacts. It has an accepting means.

  More specifically, when the male side terminal housing 5 and the female side terminal housing 7 reach the predetermined fitting state when the male side terminal housing 5 and the female side terminal housing 7 are fitted, the operation permission means The first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the second connection terminals 6a to 6c are not arranged at the positions, and the paired first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the second connection terminals 6a to 6c are in contact with each other. In the case of (incomplete fitting state), the female terminal housing 7 covers the operation tool engaging hole 9c, while the male terminal housing 5 and the female terminal housing 7 reach a predetermined fitting state. In the case of the present embodiment, the first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the second connection terminals 6a to 6c with respect to the connection member 9 are obtained when the fully fitted state is reached. It is intended to allow operation for fixing at each contact.

  The operation permission means is formed in the operation tool engagement hole 9c formed in the head portion 9b of the connection member 9 and engaged with the predetermined operation tool, and in the female terminal housing 7, and is substantially the same as the operation tool engagement hole 9c. The connecting member operating hole 40 has a large inner diameter (shape).

  Then, when the male side terminal housing 5 and the female side terminal housing 7 are fitted to each other, the male side terminal housing 5 and the female side terminal housing 7 reach a predetermined fitting state. In this embodiment, the operation tool engagement hole 9c and the connection member operation hole 40 are formed so that the centers thereof coincide with each other in the female terminal housing 7, and the operation tool engagement is performed. When the hole 9c and the connection member operation hole 40 are matched, an operation for fixing the first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the second connection terminals 6a to 6c with respect to the connection member 9 at each contact point is permitted. .

  Thereby, it becomes difficult to fasten the connection member 9 in a state where the fitting is incomplete. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the connection member 9 can be easily tightened when the fitting is complete, and the connection failure between the first connection terminals 4 a to 4 c and the second connection terminals 6 a to 6 c can be prevented. Can do.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the male terminal housing 5 and the female terminal housing 7 are fitted, when the male terminal housing 5 and the female terminal housing 7 reach a predetermined fitting state, In order to provide operation allowing means for allowing operation for fixing the first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the second connection terminals 6a to 6c with respect to the connection member 9 at the respective contact points, the connection terminals (first connection terminals 4a to 4c, Only when the second connection terminals 6 a to 6 c) are arranged at predetermined positions, the respective contact points can be easily pressed by the connection member 9. Therefore, it becomes difficult for electrical connection failure to occur.

Further, a recess 16 is formed on the upper surface of the first insulating plate 8a so as to cover (accommodate) the lower portion of the elastic member 15, and the bottom of the recess 16 receives the elastic member 15 and is made of an insulating resin. A receiving member 17 made of metal (for example, SUS) for preventing damage to the plate 8a is provided.

  Therefore, the height of the elastic member 15 exposed from the upper surface of the first insulating plate 8a can be lowered by the amount housed in the recess 16, and the connector 1 can be made slimmer than in the prior art. That is, even if the elastic member 15 for applying the pressing force is provided, slimming can be achieved.

  Further, by receiving the pressing force of the elastic member 15 by the metal receiving member 17 provided at the bottom of the concave portion 16, the elastic member 15 comes into contact with the upper surface of the first insulating plate 8a with a small contact area and is made of resin. Excessive stress can be prevented from being applied to the first insulating plate 8a, and the possibility of damaging the first insulating plate 8a can be reduced. That is, the reliability and durability as a connector can be further improved.

  In the present embodiment, the screw hole 19 is formed at a position where the screw hole 18 is screwed with the screw portion 18 on the distal end side of the connection member 9, but the screw portion 18 on the head 9 b side of the connection member 9. The screw hole 19 may be formed so as to be screwed with the screw portion 18 formed on the head 9b side.

  Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the screw hole 19 is formed on the male terminal housing 5 side, but the male terminal housing 5 side is not a screw hole 19 but only a through hole. The female terminal housing 7 may be formed on the side. Moreover, the screw hole 19 may be formed over both the male side terminal housing 5 side and the female side terminal housing 7 side.

  Further, in the present embodiment, each of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c and each of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c are in contact with each other on the surface, but the second surface that is a contact side surface. A configuration in which a convex portion is formed on each of the surfaces on the first connection terminals 4a to 4c side which are in contact with the connection terminals 6a to 6c, and the U-shaped contact 33 of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c is fitted into the convex portion. It is also good. By configuring in this way, it is possible to further stabilize the coupling force between each of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c and each of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c. That is, it is particularly effective against vibration in the direction perpendicular to the connection member 9.

  In the present embodiment, the lengths of the branched tip portions of the U-shaped contacts 33 of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c are the same length, but either one of the lengths is formed to be long. It may be a letter contact. By adopting a shape like a J-shaped contact, the second connector portion 3 can be inserted into the shaft portion 9a of the connecting member 9 even from an oblique direction with respect to the cable longitudinal direction.

  Although the connector 1 according to the first embodiment has been described above, as one of the features of the connector 1 according to the first embodiment, unlike the connector 100 according to the second embodiment described later, the shaft portion of the connecting member 9 9a is made to penetrate each contact and the plurality of insulating plates 8a to 8d according to the plurality of first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the plurality of second connection terminals 6a to 6c. By comprising in this way, in the fitting state of the 1st connector part 2 and the 2nd connector part 3, centering on the connection member 9, 1st connection terminals 4a-4c and 2nd connection terminals 6a-6c There is an effect that it becomes easy to make the arrangement relationship constant.

  Next, a connector 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the connector 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of first connection terminals 4 a to 4 c and a plurality of second connection terminals 9 as compared with the connector 1 according to the first example described above. The point which does not penetrate each contact which concerns on the connection terminals 6a-6c, and several insulation plate 8a-8d differs. In other words, in the present embodiment, the connection member 9 is composed only of the head portion 9b as the pressing portion.

  In the connector 1 according to the first embodiment, the connection member 9 is fastened to the male terminal housing 5 by screwing the screw portion 18 formed in the shaft portion 9 a into the screw hole 19 of the male terminal housing 5. However, in the connector 100 according to the present embodiment, since the connecting member 9 is composed only of the head portion 9b, a screw portion 44 as a male screw is formed on the outer periphery of the head portion 9b so as to avoid the packing 14, and the male side A female screw 45 to which the screw portion 44 is screwed is cut at the inner periphery of the connection member insertion hole 26 of the terminal housing 5, and the screw member 44 is screwed to the female screw 45, thereby connecting the connecting member 9 to the male terminal housing 5. It was configured to be tightened.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the head portion 9b has a shape having two outer meridian dimensions: a large-diameter portion where the packing 14 is provided and a small-diameter portion where a screw portion 44 as a male screw is formed. The connecting member insertion hole 26 has a shape that matches the shape having the two outer dimensions. By configuring in this way, that is, when the head portion 9b is fastened to the connection member insertion hole 26, the screw portion 44 is not disposed in the portion facing the packing 14, so that an effective waterproof structure can be realized. .

  Further, an elastic member holding portion 46 for engaging and holding the elastic member 15 is formed on the lower surface side (the side facing the first insulating plate 8a) of the head portion 9b of the connecting member 9, and this elastic member The elastic member 15 is held by the holding portion 46 and becomes a part of the connection member 9.

  When the first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the second connection terminals 6a to 6c are connected using the connector 100, the same procedure as that of the connector according to the first embodiment is performed. That is, after fitting the first connector portion 2 and the second connector portion 3, the screw portion 44 of the connection member 9 is fastened to the female screw 45 of the male terminal housing 5, and accordingly, the pressing by the elastic member 15 is performed. The first connecting terminals 4a to 4c and the second connecting terminals 6a to 6c are connected by sequentially applying pressure to the insulating plates 8a to 8d and pressing the insulating plates 8a to 8d so as to sandwich the contacts. Thereby, the 1st connecting terminals 4a-4c and the 2nd connecting terminals 6a-6c can be firmly fixed.

  In the present embodiment, the second connection terminals 6a are not penetrated through the contact points and the plurality of insulating plates 8a to 8d according to the plurality of first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the plurality of second connection terminals 6a to 6c. It is not necessary to form the contact shapes of ˜6c into shapes that dodge the connection member 9 (for example, the U-shape described above).

  Although the connector 100 according to the second embodiment has been described above, as one of the features of the connector according to the second embodiment, unlike the connector 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the connection member 9 includes a plurality of connecting members 9. It exists in the point which does not penetrate each contact which concerns on 1 connection terminal 4a-4c and several 2nd connection terminal 6a-6c, and several insulation plate 8a-8d. This configuration can be achieved because the plurality of insulating plates 8a to 8c are fixed to the other surfaces of the plurality of first connection terminals 4a to 4c, respectively. As a result, the cost of the connecting member 9 can be reduced. Moreover, it leads to the weight reduction of the connection member 9, and it can also contribute to the weight reduction of the whole connector as a result.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, a three-phase AC power line is assumed. However, according to the technical idea of the present invention, for example, a connector for an automobile, which is a three-phase AC between a motor and an inverter. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which lines for different uses such as a power line for a power supply and a DC two-phase power line for an air conditioner are connected together. By configuring in this way, it is possible to connect power lines for a plurality of uses at once with a single connector, so there is no need to prepare different connectors for each use, saving space and reducing costs. Can contribute.

  Also, the surface of each of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the second connection terminals 6a to 6c is roughened by knurling, etc., the frictional force is increased, the terminals are difficult to move, and fixed at each of the contacts. You may make it harden.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first connection terminals 4a to 4c and the second connection terminals 6a to 6c are brought into linear contact with each other when viewed from the head 9a side of the connection member 9. However, each of the first connection terminals 4a to 4c of the first connector part 2 is viewed from the head 9a side of the connection member 9 with respect to each of the second connection terminals 6a to 6c of the second connector part 3. The male terminal housing 5 and the female terminal housing 7 may be configured so as to intersect at right angles. That is, the first connector portion 2 and the second connector portion 3 may be fitted in an L shape. Similarly, the female terminal housing 7 and the second connection terminals 6a to 6c may be arranged obliquely with respect to the male terminal housing 5 and the first connection terminals 4a to 4c. As described above, by applying the gist of the present invention, the insertion / extraction direction of the second connector part 3 with respect to the first connector part 2 can be diversified. That is, the direction in which the cable is pulled out from the connector can be matched to the shape of the installation location, which can contribute to space saving.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, unlike the 2nd connection terminals 6a-6c, although the case where a cable was not connected to the one end side of the 1st connection terminals 4a-4c was demonstrated, it is limited to such a structure. Not. In other words, the connector in the present embodiment can also be used when connecting cables.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the cable excellent in flexibility was used as cable 27a-27c, a rigid cable may be used.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the volt | bolt 12 was demonstrated as an example as the connection member 9, this is not the meaning which limits the structure of the connection member 9 to a volt | bolt shape.

  In the present embodiment, the predetermined operation tool is assumed to be a commercially available one, but an operation tool dedicated to this connector may be used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the orientation of the connector in use may be such that the connecting member 9 is in a substantially horizontal state or a substantially vertical state. In other words, the usage condition of the connector in this embodiment does not require the orientation in the usage state.

  In the present embodiment, the adjacent first insulating plate 8a is pressed by the head portion 9a of the connecting member 9 via the elastic member 15 which is a part of the connecting member 9, but the elastic member 15 is interposed therebetween. Instead, the adjacent first insulating plate 8a may be pressed directly by the head 9a.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connector 4a-4c 1st connection terminal 5 Male side terminal housing 6a-6c 2nd connection terminal 7 Female side terminal housing 8a-8c 1st insulation plate 8d 2nd insulation plate 9 Connection member 9a Shaft part 9b Head part 9c Operation tool Engagement hole 40 Connection member operation hole

Claims (3)

A male terminal housing in which a plurality of first connection terminals are arranged and stored;
A female terminal housing in which a plurality of second connection terminals are arranged and stored;
A plurality of insulating plates,
When the male terminal housing and the female terminal housing are fitted together, the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals face each other in pairs, and a plurality of In the connection structure in which the first connection terminal, the plurality of second connection terminals, and the plurality of insulating plates are arranged in a stacked state,
It comprises a head portion and a shaft portion connected to the head portion, and the shaft portion is passed through the contact points and the plurality of insulating plates according to the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals, The plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals are collectively fixed at each contact and electrically connected by pressing the insulating plates adjacent to each other with an elastic member through the head. A connection member formed of an insulating material at least in a portion penetrating each contact;
When the male terminal housing and the female terminal housing are engaged with each other when the male terminal housing and the female terminal housing reach a predetermined fitting state, A connection structure characterized by comprising an operation permission means for allowing an operation for fixing one connection terminal and the plurality of second connection terminals together at each contact. A male terminal housing in which a plurality of first connection terminals are arranged and stored;
A female terminal housing in which a plurality of second connection terminals are arranged and stored;
A plurality of insulating plates,
When the male terminal housing and the female terminal housing are fitted together, the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals face each other in pairs, and a plurality of In the connection structure in which the first connection terminal, the plurality of second connection terminals, and the plurality of insulating plates are arranged in a stacked state,
A connection in which the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals are collectively fixed at each contact and electrically connected by pressing the insulating plates adjacent to each other through an elastic member by a head. Members,
When the male terminal housing and the female terminal housing are engaged with each other when the male terminal housing and the female terminal housing reach a predetermined fitting state, A connection structure characterized by comprising an operation permission means for allowing an operation for fixing one connection terminal and the plurality of second connection terminals together at each contact. The operation permission means includes
An operation tool engagement hole with which a predetermined operation tool formed on the head of the connection member is engaged;
Formed in the female terminal housing, comprising a connection member operation hole having a shape substantially the same size as the operation tool engagement hole,
The connection member operation hole is
When the male terminal housing and the female terminal housing are fitted together, when the male terminal housing and the female terminal housing reach a predetermined fitting state, they match the operation tool engagement holes. Is formed in the female terminal housing,
When the operation tool engagement hole and the connection member operation hole are matched, an operation for fixing the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals to the connection member at each contact point is permitted. The connection structure according to claim 1 or 2.

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