JP2017134994A - Connector and electric pump with connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To disclose a technique for suppressing remaining of liquid such as fuel in a space between a connector and the other connector.SOLUTION: A connector 50 is used in environment touching liquid, and comprises: a base part 52; a terminal 56; and a positioning part 58. The base part 52 includes a facing surface 54 opposite to the other connector 80 connected to the connector 50. The terminal 56 is projected from the facing surface 54. The positioning part 58 executes the positioning by abutting to the other connector 80 so that the other connector 80 is faced to the facing surface 54 while having a first space 66 therebetween. The facing surface 54 includes a facing region opposite to the other connector 80; and an outer edge region positioned on an external side of the facing region. The first space 66 is set to a space that allows the liquid to form a liquid film 92 by a surface tension of the liquid over the whole of the first space. The outer edge region includes an inclination part 64 inclined to a lower direction in accordance with a separation from the first space 66.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a connector. In particular, the present invention relates to a connector used in an environment in contact with a liquid.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a connector that is mounted on a fuel pump and used in an environment in contact with fuel. This connector includes a base and terminals. The base has an opposing surface that faces the other connector connected to the connector with a gap. The terminal protrudes from the facing surface. When the fuel level is higher than the connector, the fuel enters the gap between the facing surface and the other connector. The facing surface is inclined downward toward the outer peripheral edge. In this configuration, when the fuel level drops and the connector is exposed from the fuel, the fuel flows in the inclined direction on the facing surface and is discharged from the gap between the facing surface and the other connector.

JP 2012-55054 A

  The gap between the opposing surface and the other connector is relatively narrow at the uppermost portion of the opposing surface and increases along the inclination of the opposing surface. Since the connector of Patent Document 1 is configured to discharge the fuel to the outside of the connector using the inclination of the facing surface, the gap between the facing surface and the other connector on the lowermost part side of the facing surface is the surface tension of the fuel. It is necessary to form a relatively large film so that a liquid film is not formed. On the other hand, the gap on the uppermost part side of the facing surface is narrower than the gap on the lowermost part side. For this reason, a liquid film of fuel may be formed in the gap on the uppermost side of the opposing surface. In this case, the terminal may be corroded by the liquid film fuel remaining on the uppermost side.

  The present specification discloses a technique for suppressing liquid such as fuel from remaining in a gap between a connector and another connector.

  The connector disclosed in this specification is used in an environment in contact with a liquid. The connector includes a base portion, a terminal, and a positioning portion. The base has a facing surface that faces another connector connected to the connector. The terminal protrudes from the facing surface. The positioning portion contacts the other connector and positions the other connector so as to face the opposing surface with a first gap. The facing surface has a facing region facing the other connector and an outer edge region located outside the facing region. The first gap is set to an interval at which the liquid forms a liquid film by surface tension over the entire area in the first gap. The outer edge region has an inclined portion that is inclined downward as it is separated from the first gap.

  In the connector described above, the liquid level is lowered from a position above the first gap to a position slightly below the first gap (in other words, a position slightly below the facing area of the facing surface). A liquid film is formed in the first gap by surface tension. Moreover, in said connector, the outer edge area | region of an opposing surface has an inclined part which inclines below as it leaves | separates from a 1st clearance gap. When the liquid level is lowered and the liquid passes through the uppermost portion of the inclined portion (in other words, the portion closest to the first gap), the liquid flowing on the inclined portion is moved into the first gap by surface tension. The liquid film is pulled out of the first gap. As a result, the liquid that forms the liquid film in the first gap can be pulled out from the first gap to the inclined portion side. Thereby, it can suppress that a liquid remains in a 1st clearance gap. In the present specification, “downward” means vertically downward when the connector is used.

  The present specification also discloses another novel connector for use in an environment in contact with a liquid. The connector includes a base portion, a side wall portion, a terminal, and a positioning portion. The base has a facing surface that faces another connector connected to the connector. A side wall part protrudes from an opposing surface. The terminal protrudes along the side wall portion from the facing surface. The positioning portion contacts the other connector and positions the other connector so as to face the opposing surface with a first gap. The first gap is set to an interval at which the liquid forms a liquid film by surface tension over the entire area in the first gap. A side wall part has a communicating hole which connects the inner peripheral surface and outer peripheral surface of a side wall part. The inner surface of the communication hole is inclined downward at the lowermost portion as it is separated from the first gap.

  In the above connector, the lowermost portion of the inner surface is inclined downward as it is separated from the first gap. For this reason, when the liquid level falls and the liquid passes through the uppermost part of the lowermost part of the inner surface (in other words, the part on the inner peripheral surface side of the inner surface and the part closest to the first gap) The liquid passing through the uppermost part at the bottom of the inner surface pulls the liquid film in the first gap and discharges it outside the first gap. As a result, it is possible to suppress the liquid from remaining in the first gap.

  Furthermore, the present specification discloses another novel connector for use in an environment in contact with a liquid. The connector includes a base portion, a terminal, and a positioning portion. The base has an opposing surface and a side surface. The facing surface faces another connector connected to the connector. The side surface extends downward from the outer edge of the facing surface and is substantially orthogonal to the facing surface. The terminal protrudes from the facing surface. The positioning portion contacts the other connector and positions the other connector so as to face the opposing surface with a first gap. The first gap is set to an interval at which the liquid forms a liquid film by surface tension over the entire area in the first gap. The outer edge of the opposing surface is disposed at a position where the liquid film reaches the outer edge of the opposing surface over the outer edge of the first gap due to surface tension.

  In the above connector, the base portion has a side surface extending downward from the outer edge of the facing surface, and the side surface is substantially orthogonal to the facing surface. Further, the outer edge of the opposing surface is disposed at a position where the liquid film in the first gap reaches the outer edge of the opposing surface beyond the outer edge of the first gap due to surface tension. For this reason, when the liquid level is lowered and the liquid passes through the uppermost part of the side surface of the base (in other words, the part closest to the first gap), the liquid passing through the uppermost part of the side surface becomes the first It contacts the liquid film formed beyond the outer edge of the gap. As a result, the liquid film is pulled by the liquid passing through the uppermost portion of the side surface and discharged out of the first gap. As a result, it is possible to suppress the liquid from remaining in the first gap.

  The present specification also discloses a novel electric pump that can solve the above-described problems. This electric pump includes any of the above connectors, a stator, a rotor, an impeller, and a pump chamber. Electric power is supplied to the stator by connecting the connector to another connector. The rotor rotates as power is supplied to the stator. The impeller rotates as the rotor rotates. The pump chamber accommodates the impeller and sucks liquid into the inside and discharges it outside.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fuel pump according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The top view of a fuel pump. The front view when a connector is seen from the opposite side to the discharge port side. The top view of a fuel pump when an external connector is connected to the connector. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 4 (however, members disposed behind the cross section are omitted). FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 4 and shows a state when the fuel level once rises to above the side wall and then falls slightly below the position P1 of the inclined surface. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 4 and shows a state where a droplet passing through a position P1 on an inclined surface grows by absorbing a liquid film in the gap. Sectional drawing of the connector of Example 3 (figure corresponding to FIG. 5). It is sectional drawing of the connector of Example 3, and is a figure which shows a mode when the liquid level of a fuel once raises to the upper part of a clearance gap, and falls slightly below the position P2. Sectional drawing of the connector of Example 4 (figure corresponding to FIG. 5). It is sectional drawing of the connector of Example 4, and is a figure which shows a mode when the liquid level of a fuel once raises to the upper part of a side wall part, and falls slightly below the position P3. The top view of the fuel pump of the modification 1. FIG. The front view when a connector is seen from the opposite side to the discharge port side. Sectional drawing of the connector of the modification 1 (figure corresponding to FIG. 5).

  The main features of the embodiments described below are listed. Note that the technical elements described below are independent technical elements, and exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations.

(Feature 1) In the connector of the embodiment, the magnitude of the inclination of the inclined portion with respect to the horizontal plane may be larger than the magnitude of the inclination of the opposing region with respect to the horizontal plane. According to this configuration, the liquid film in the first gap can be appropriately moved along the inclined portion.

(Feature 2) In the connector of the embodiment, the facing surface may be arranged in parallel to the surface facing the facing surface of another connector in the facing region. According to this configuration, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a liquid film due to surface tension remains only in a part of the gap due to only a part of the gap between the facing surface and the surface of the other connector being narrow. be able to.

(Characteristic 3) In the connector of the embodiment, the end portion on the inner peripheral surface side of the lowermost part of the inner surface of the communication hole may be positioned at substantially the same height as the lower surface of the first gap. The end portion on the inner peripheral surface side may be disposed at a position where the liquid film in the first gap reaches the end portion on the inner peripheral surface side beyond the outer edge of the first gap due to surface tension. According to this configuration, the liquid passing through the end portion on the inner peripheral surface side at the lowermost part of the inner surface can reliably come into contact with the liquid film formed beyond the outer edge of the first gap. For this reason, the liquid film can be reliably discharged from the first gap.

(Feature 4) In the connector of the embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the side wall portion and the outer peripheral surface of another connector may be opposed to each other with a second gap at least partially. The second gap may be set to an interval at which the liquid forms a liquid film by surface tension over the entire area in the second gap. The second gap may extend from the first gap to the bottom of the inner surface. According to this configuration, the liquid that passes through the end portion on the inner peripheral surface side at the bottom of the inner surface contacts the liquid film in the second gap. Since the second gap communicates with the first gap, the liquid film in the first gap is discharged together with the liquid film in the second gap. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the liquid from remaining in the first gap.

  Hereinafter, the connector 50 (refer FIG. 2, FIG. 3) which concerns on Example 1 is demonstrated. The connector 50 according to the present embodiment is used in a fuel pump 10 for a vehicle such as an automobile. The fuel pump 10 is disposed in a fuel tank (not shown), and supplies the fuel in the fuel tank to the engine of the vehicle. First, the configuration of the fuel pump 10 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel pump 10 includes a motor unit 20 and a pump unit 40, and the motor unit 20 and the pump unit 40 are accommodated in a housing 14. The housing 14 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The motor unit 20 is disposed on the upper side of the housing 14, and the pump unit 40 is accommodated on the lower side of the housing 14. A motor cover 16 is fixed to the upper end of the housing 14. The motor cover 16 is provided with a discharge port 18 and a connector 50. The discharge port 18 is open upward. The connector 50 has three terminals 56 (56a, 56b, 56c) (see FIG. 2, which will be described later). The connector 50 is connected to an external connector 80 for supplying power (see FIGS. 4 and 5). As a result, power is supplied to the terminal 56. In the present specification, “upper side” and “lower side” mean a vertically upper side and a vertically lower side when the fuel pump 10 is disposed in the fuel tank, respectively.

  The motor unit 20 includes a rotor 22 and a stator 32 disposed on the outer peripheral side of the rotor 22. The rotor 22 includes a shaft 24, a back yoke (not shown), and a permanent magnet (not shown). The shaft 24 is rotatably supported by bearings 26 and 28 with respect to the housing 14. The stator 32 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the housing 14. The stator 32 has a yoke in which a plurality of slots are formed. A coil is wound around each slot. Each terminal 56a-56c of the connector 50 is connected to each coil.

  The pump unit 40 includes a substantially disc-shaped impeller 44 and a pump casing (38, 42) that houses the impeller 44. A through hole is formed at the center of the impeller 44, and the shaft 24 is fitted in the through hole so as not to be relatively rotatable. For this reason, when the shaft 24 rotates, the impeller 44 also rotates. The pump casing (38, 42) is fixed to the lower end of the housing 14 with the impeller 44 accommodated therein. The pump casing (38, 42) includes a discharge side casing 38 and a suction side casing 42. The discharge-side casing 38 is formed with a discharge port (not shown) that allows communication between the inside of the pump casing and the outside (the internal space of the motor unit 20). The suction casing 42 is formed with a suction port 46 that allows communication between the inside and outside of the pump casing (the outside of the fuel pump 10).

  In the fuel pump 10 described above, when the external connector 80 is connected to the connector 50 and electric power is supplied to the coil of the stator 32 via the terminal 56, the rotor 22 rotates. When the impeller 44 rotates with the rotation of the rotor 22, fuel is sucked into the pump casing from the suction port 46 of the suction side casing 42. The fuel sucked into the pump casing (38, 42) flows while being pressurized from the upstream side to the downstream side in the pump flow path. The fuel boosted in the pump flow path is sent out into the housing 14 of the motor unit 20 through the discharge port. The fuel fed into the housing 14 flows upward in the housing 14 and is discharged from the discharge port 18 of the motor cover 16.

  Next, the connector 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. As described above, the connector 50 is provided on the motor cover 16, and the external connector 80 is connected to the connector 50 from the outside (see FIGS. 4 and 5). As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the connector 50 includes a base portion 52, three terminals 56 (56a, 56b, 56c), a side wall portion 70, and two positioning portions 58 (58a, 58b). ).

  The base 52 has a facing surface 54 on a part of its surface. The facing surface 54 is formed in a range surrounded by a one-dot chain line in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the facing surface 54 includes a horizontal plane 62 positioned on a horizontal plane (that is, a plane substantially orthogonal to the axis of the terminal 56), and an inclined plane 64 connected to the horizontal plane 62 at the position P. Have. The three terminals 56 are arranged on the facing surface 54 with a space therebetween and project upward from the facing surface 54.

  The side wall portion 70 protrudes upward along the terminal 56 from the facing surface 54. The side wall portion 70 has a portion 72 that goes around the outer periphery of the three terminal groups 56 and a portion 74 that divides between adjacent terminals (that is, the terminals 56a and 56b and the terminals 56b and 56c). . The space surrounded by the facing surface 54 and the portion 72 is divided into three spaces S1, S2, and S3 by the portion 74, and the terminals 56a to 56c are arranged in the spaces S1 to S3. The interior of the space S1 and the interior of the space S3 have substantially the same configuration. The side wall portion 70 serves as a guide when the external connector 80 is connected to the connector 50.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the portion 72 is formed with three communication holes 76 (76 a, 76 b, 76 c) and an engaging portion 78. The communication hole 76 and the engaging portion 78 communicate the inner peripheral surface 70a and the outer peripheral surface 70b (see FIG. 5) of the portion 72. The communication hole 76 is formed in a portion of the portion 72 that is located on the outer peripheral edge of the fuel pump 10 (in other words, a portion 72 that is visible when the connector 50 is viewed from the opposite side from the discharge port 18). ing. The spaces S1 to S3 communicate with the outside of the connector 50 through the communication holes 76a to 76c. The communication holes 76a and 76c are quadrangular and have substantially the same configuration. The communication holes 76a and 76c are formed by a surface 72c, a surface 72d, an inclined surface 64, and a surface 72e. The communication hole 76b has a quadrangular shape and is formed by a surface 73c, a surface 73d, an inclined surface 64, and a surface 73e. The engaging portion 78 is disposed above the communication hole 76b and is connected to the communication hole 76b. The engaging portion 78 has a quadrangular shape, and the horizontal width thereof is narrower than the horizontal width of the communication hole 76b. For this reason, the surface 73 c of the communication hole 76 b is not formed in a portion connected to the engaging portion 78. The engaging portion 78 plays a role of preventing the external connector 80 from coming off the connector 50 by engaging with the external connector 80.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the surface 72c is inclined from the inner peripheral surface 70a toward the outer peripheral surface 70b. Specifically, in the cross section shown in FIG. 5, among the angles formed by the surface 72c and the inner peripheral surface 70a, the angle located in the portion 72 is an acute angle, and among the angles formed by the surface 72c and the outer peripheral surface 72b. The angle located in the portion 72 is inclined so as to be an obtuse angle. The surface 72d, the surface 72e, and the surfaces 73c to 73e are similarly inclined.

  The two positioning portions 58a and 58b have substantially the same configuration and are arranged in the spaces S1 and S3, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5, the positioning portion 58 protrudes slightly upward from the facing surface 54. The upper surface of the positioning portion 58 is flat and is positioned on a horizontal plane. As shown in FIG. 5, the external connector 80 has a flat distal end surface 80a. For this reason, when the external connector 80 is inserted into the connector 50, the distal end surface 80 a comes into contact with the upper surface of the positioning portion 58 and the external connector 80 engages with the engaging portion 78. As a result, the external connector 80 is connected to the connector 50. At this time, a minute gap 66 is formed between the facing surface 54 and the tip surface 80a. A minute gap 68 is also formed between the entire outer peripheral surface 80 b of the external connector 80 and the entire inner peripheral surface 70 a of the side wall 70. The gap 66 communicates with the gap 68. The gap 66 (that is, the height of the positioning portion 58) is set to such an extent that the fuel forms a liquid film due to surface tension over the entire area in the gap 66. Similarly, the gap 68 is set to such an extent that the fuel forms a liquid film over the entire area of the gap 68 due to surface tension. Here, the formation of the liquid film in the gaps 66 and 68 is performed by appropriately controlling the gaps in the gaps 66 and 68 according to the composition of the fuel, the material of the members forming the gaps 66 and 68, the surface roughness, and the like. realizable. The gap 66 corresponds to an example of a “first gap”, and the gap 68 corresponds to an example of a “second gap”.

  As described above, the facing surface 54 has the horizontal surface 62 and the inclined surface 64. The inclined surface 64 is inclined downward as it is separated from the gap 66 and extends to the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the fuel pump 10. When the connector 50 is viewed from above, the position P of the inclined surface 64 (that is, the position of the inclined surface 64 closest to the gap 66 and the uppermost position) is the inner periphery of the side wall 70. It coincides with the position of the surface 70a. On the other hand, the lowest position of the inclined surface 64 is located on the outer peripheral side with respect to the outer peripheral surface 70 b of the side wall 70. That is, the length of the inclined surface 64 in the inclination direction when the connector 50 is viewed from above is larger than the thickness of the side wall portion 70. Hereinafter, a region of the horizontal surface 62 that faces the front end surface 80a of the external connector 80 with a gap 66 is particularly referred to as an “opposing region”. The facing surface 54 faces the distal end surface 80a of the external connector 80 in parallel in the facing region. Further, as is apparent from FIG. 5, the inclination of the inclined surface 64 when the horizontal direction is the reference is larger than the inclination of the opposing region when the horizontal direction is the reference. The facing surface 54 located outside the facing region corresponds to an example of an “outer edge region”, and the inclined surface 64 corresponds to an example of an “inclined portion”.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 5-7, the effect of the connector 50 which concerns on Example 1 is demonstrated. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the fuel level once rises above the side wall 70 and then drops to a position slightly below the horizontal plane 62 (however, the liquid level is not shown). . At this time, the fuel enters the gap 68 and the gap 66 from above the side wall 70, and as a result, a liquid film 94 is formed in the entire area of the gap 68 and a liquid film 92 is formed in the entire area of the gap 66. Since the gap 68 and the gap 66 are in communication, the liquid film 94 and the liquid film 92 are continuous. When the liquid level drops and the fuel passes through the position P of the inclined surface 64, the droplet 90 passing through the position P comes into contact with the liquid film 92 in the gap 66 (see FIG. 6). The inclined surface 64 is inclined downward as it is separated from the gap 66. For this reason, the gravity acting on the droplet 90 passing through the position P has a component parallel to the inclination direction of the inclined surface 64. Accordingly, a force that is pulled toward the droplet 90 acts on the liquid film 92 in the gap 66, and the liquid film 92 moves toward the droplet 90. When the liquid film 92 moves to the droplet 90 side, the liquid film 94 continuous with the liquid film 92 also moves to the droplet 90 side. As a result, the droplet 90 grows by the amount of fuel corresponding to the liquid film 92 and the liquid film 94 (see FIG. 7), and finally slides down the inclined surface 64 by its own weight. As a result, the state shown in FIG. 5 is obtained, and it is possible to suppress the fuel from remaining in the gap 66 and the gap 68. For this reason, it can suppress that the terminal 56 corrodes resulting from contacting with the remaining fuel.

  Further, depending on the composition of the fuel and the surface properties of the inclined surface, when the liquid level drops and the fuel passes through the position P of the inclined surface 64, the fuel flowing on the inclined surface 64 causes the liquid film in the gap 66 to flow due to the surface tension. May be pulled out of the gap 66. Also in this case, the liquid film 92 in the gap 66 and the liquid film 94 in the gap 68 can be pulled out from the gap 66 to the inclined surface 64 side.

  In the connector 50 according to the first embodiment, the inclination of the inclined surface 64 when the horizontal direction is the reference is larger than the inclination of the facing region when the horizontal direction is the reference. According to this configuration, the liquid film 92 in the gap 66 can be appropriately moved along the inclined surface 64.

  In the connector 50 according to the first embodiment, the facing surface 54 faces the tip surface 80a of the external connector 80 in parallel in the facing region. According to this configuration, the interval of the gap 66 is constant regardless of the position. For this reason, it is possible to avoid a situation in which only a part of the gap 66 is narrow and a liquid film due to surface tension remains only in the part.

  In the second embodiment, the connector 50 of the first embodiment is used upside down. In other words, the connector 50 is arranged such that the surface 72c is located at the lowest position among the surfaces forming the communication holes 76. In this configuration, the liquid level of the fuel once raised above the gap 66 is lowered to a position slightly below the gap 66 (in other words, a position slightly below the front end surface 80a of the external connector 80). A liquid film 92 is formed in the gap 66. Thereafter, when the liquid level further decreases, a liquid film 94 is also formed in the gap 68. Then, the liquid level is lowered and the position on the innermost surface side of the surface 72c that forms the communication hole 76 of the side wall 70 (in other words, the position closest to the gap 68 in the surface 72c, When the liquid passes through the uppermost position), the liquid droplet passing through the position comes into contact with the liquid film 94 in the gap 68. In the arrangement direction of the connector 50 in the second embodiment, the surface 72 c is inclined downward as it is separated from the gap 68. For this reason, the gravity acting on the droplet passing through the position on the innermost peripheral surface side of the surface 72c has a component parallel to the inclination direction of the surface 72c. Accordingly, the liquid film 94 in the gap 68 moves to the droplet side, and accordingly, the liquid film 92 in the gap 66 also moves to the droplet side. As a result, the droplet grows on the surface 72c and eventually slides down the surface 72c. Alternatively, when the liquid level drops and the fuel passes the position on the innermost peripheral surface side of the surface 72c, the fuel flowing on the surface 72c may pull the liquid film 94 in the gap 68 out of the gap 68 due to surface tension. possible. Also in this case, the liquid film 92 in the gap 66 and the liquid film 94 in the gap 68 can be pulled out from the gap 68 toward the surface 72c.

  Also with this configuration, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In the second embodiment, the gap 68 is formed between the entire outer peripheral surface 80b of the external connector 80 and the entire inner peripheral surface 70a of the side wall 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the gap between the outer peripheral surface 80b of the external connector 80 and the inner peripheral surface 70a of the side wall portion 70 varies depending on the position, and the gap 68 may be a part of the gap. In this case, it is preferable that the gap 68 extends from the gap 66 to a position on the innermost peripheral surface side of the surface 72c. According to this configuration, since the liquid film in the gap 66 is continuous with the liquid film in the part of the gap 68, the liquid film in the gap 66 can be appropriately discharged.

  Next, Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the third embodiment, the connector arrangement direction is the same as that of the second embodiment, but the configuration of the side wall portion 170 is different from that of the side wall portion 70 of the second embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the surface 172 c of the side wall portion 170 is formed at a position closer to the inclined surface 64. Specifically, the position P2 on the innermost peripheral surface side of the surface 172c is located at substantially the same height as the lower surface of the gap 66 (that is, the front end surface 80a of the external connector 80). The position P2 of the surface 172c is disposed at a position where the liquid film 92 in the gap 66 reaches the position P2 beyond the outer edge of the gap 66 on the surface 172c side due to surface tension. In this configuration, once the liquid level of the fuel that has risen above the gap 66 falls to a position slightly below the gap 66 and passes through the position P2 of the surface 172c, the droplet 90 that passes through the position P2 It contacts the liquid film 92 in 66. Alternatively, when the liquid level drops and the fuel passes the position P2 of the surface 172c, the fuel flowing on the surface 172c may pull the liquid film 92 in the gap 66 out of the gap 66 due to surface tension. Also with this configuration, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In particular, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the liquid film 92 reaches the position P <b> 2 beyond the outer edge of the gap 66 on the surface 172 c side. For this reason, the liquid film 92 reliably contacts the droplet 90, and it is possible to more reliably suppress the fuel from remaining in the gap 66.

  Next, Example 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fourth embodiment, the connector arrangement direction is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the configuration of the base 252 is different from the base 52 of the first embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the base 252 extends downward from a facing surface 254 that faces the distal end surface 80 a of the external connector 80, and an outer edge position P <b> 3 of the facing surface 254. It has side surfaces 255 that are substantially orthogonal. The position P3 of the outer edge of the facing surface 254 (in other words, the position of the side surface 255 closest to the gap 66 and the uppermost position) is the surface tension of the liquid film 92 in the gap 66. Thus, the gap 66 is disposed at a position that reaches the position P3 beyond the outer edge on the side surface 255 side. In this configuration, once the liquid level of the fuel that has risen above the side wall portion 70 falls to a position slightly below the gap 66 and passes through the position P3, the droplet 90 that passes through the position P3 is contained in the gap 66. The liquid film 92 and the liquid film 94 are moved to the droplet 90 side. Alternatively, when the liquid level drops and the fuel passes through the position P3, the fuel flowing on the side surface 255 may pull the liquid film 92 in the gap 66 out of the gap 66 due to surface tension. Also with this configuration, the same effects as those of the third embodiment can be achieved.

(Modification 1)
Next, a connector 150 according to Modification 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The arrangement direction of the connector 150 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the configuration of the side wall portion 370 is different from the side wall portion 70 of the first embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the side wall portion 370 is disposed only at a part of the outer periphery of the terminal 56 b. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 14, in the cross section including the terminal 56a, only the gap 66 is formed, and the gap 68 is not formed. Also with this configuration, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In the first modification, a gap may be formed between the portion 74 of the side wall portion 370 and the outer peripheral surface 80b of the external connector 80. In this case, the gap may be set to an interval at which the fuel forms a liquid film by surface tension in the gap. At this time, the gap is preferably continuous with the gap 66.

  Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.

  For example, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the connector is a component of the fuel pump 10, but is not limited to this configuration. The connector may be a component of another electric pump (for example, a cooling water pump). Moreover, the component of the apparatus used for uses other than an electric pump may be sufficient. That is, the connector disclosed in the present specification may be applied to any connector that is used in an environment where the terminal of the connector is in contact with the liquid and the liquid level varies.

  Further, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the facing surface 54 faces the front end surface 80a of the external connector 80 in the facing region, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the opposed surface 54 may be configured to be inclined downward toward the inclined surface 64 side in the opposed region. In this case, it is preferable that the inclination of the inclined surface 64 with respect to the horizontal direction is larger than the inclination of the opposing region.

  Moreover, in Example 1 and Modification 1, the side wall part does not need to be formed. Further, in the connectors of Example 1, Example 4, and Modification 1, the liquid film in the gap 66 is discharged to the outside of the connector through the inclined surface 64. For this reason, among the surfaces forming the communication holes 76, the surfaces 72c, 72d, and 72e other than the inclined surface 64 may not be inclined.

  Further, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the connector is disposed in the direction in which the inclined surface 64 or the surface 72c is positioned at the lowest position, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the connector may be arranged such that the surface 72d is located at the lowest position among the surfaces forming the communication holes 76, or may be arranged so that the surface 72e is located at the lowest position. Also with this configuration, the liquid film 92 in the gap 66 slides down along the surface 72d or the surface 72e, so that it is possible to prevent fuel from remaining in the gap 66. The shape of the communication hole 76 is not limited to a quadrangle, and may be a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon.

  The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Moreover, the technique illustrated in this specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical usefulness by achieving one of the objects.

50: Connector 54: Opposing surfaces 56a, 56b, 56c: Terminals 58a, 58b: Positioning portion 62: Horizontal surface 64: Inclined surface 66, 68: Clearance 80: External connectors 92, 94: Liquid film

Claims (8)

A connector for use in an environment in contact with a liquid,
A base having a facing surface facing the other connector connected to the connector;
A terminal protruding from the facing surface;
A positioning part that contacts the other connector and positions the other connector so as to face the opposing surface with a first gap; and
The facing surface has a facing region facing the other connector, and an outer edge region located outside the facing region,
The first gap is set to an interval at which the liquid forms a liquid film by surface tension over the entire area in the first gap,
The said outer edge area | region has a sloping part which inclines below as it leaves | separates from the said 1st clearance gap, The connector.   The connector according to claim 1, wherein the inclination of the inclined portion with respect to a horizontal plane is larger than the inclination of the opposing region with respect to the horizontal plane.   The connector according to claim 1, wherein the facing surface is arranged in parallel to a surface facing the facing surface of the other connector in the facing region. A connector for use in an environment in contact with a liquid,
A base having a facing surface facing the other connector connected to the connector;
A side wall protruding from the facing surface;
A terminal protruding along the side wall from the facing surface;
A positioning part that contacts the other connector and positions the other connector so as to face the opposing surface with a first gap; and
The first gap is set to an interval at which the liquid forms a liquid film by surface tension over the entire area in the first gap,
The side wall portion has a communication hole that communicates the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion,
The connector is configured such that an inner surface of the communication hole is inclined downward at a lowermost portion as the communication hole is separated from the first gap. An end portion on the inner peripheral surface side of the lowermost portion of the inner surface is located at substantially the same height as a lower surface of the first gap,
The end portion on the inner peripheral surface side is disposed at a position where the liquid film in the first gap reaches the end portion on the inner peripheral surface side by passing through the outer edge of the first gap due to surface tension. The connector according to claim 4. The inner peripheral surface of the side wall portion and the outer peripheral surface of the other connector are opposed to each other with a second gap at least in part.
The second gap is set to an interval at which the liquid forms a liquid film by surface tension over the entire area in the second gap,
The connector according to claim 4, wherein the second gap extends from the first gap to a lowermost portion of the inner surface. A connector for use in an environment in contact with a liquid,
A base portion having a facing surface facing the other connector connected to the connector, a lower surface extending from an outer edge of the facing surface, and a side surface substantially orthogonal to the facing surface;
A terminal protruding from the facing surface;
A positioning part that contacts the other connector and positions the other connector so as to face the opposing surface with a first gap; and
The first gap is set to an interval at which the liquid forms a liquid film by surface tension over the entire area in the first gap,
The outer edge of the facing surface is a connector in which the liquid film is disposed at a position where the liquid film reaches the outer edge of the facing surface beyond the outer edge of the first gap due to surface tension. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A stator to which electric power is supplied by connecting the connector to the other connector;
A rotor that rotates in accordance with power supply to the stator;
An impeller that rotates as the rotor rotates;
An electric pump comprising: a pump chamber that houses the impeller and sucks liquid into the inside and discharges it outside.