JP2020135941A - Connector device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a connector device that can reduce impact when connecting connectors.SOLUTION: A connector device 10 includes a first connector 11 having first terminals 61a and 61b, a second connector 12 having second terminals 101a and 101b electrically connected to the first terminals 61a and 61b, and a shock absorbing member 13 that absorbs shock when connecting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a connector device.

Generally, a connector device used for connecting a battery and an inverter in an automobile, an electric motorcycle, or the like includes a first connector having a plurality of first terminals and a plurality of connector devices, for example, as described in Patent Document 1. It is provided with a second connector having a plurality of second terminals electrically connected to the first terminal of the above. One of the first connector and the second connector is electrically connected to the inverter, and the other connector is electrically connected to the battery. Then, by connecting the first connector and the second connector, the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected, and the battery and the inverter are electrically connected via the connector device. become.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-128966

By the way, in recent years, some electric vehicles such as electric motorcycles and electric bicycles are equipped with a battery that can be attached to and detached from the vehicle body. The battery is electrically connected to the inverter, for example, by connecting the second connector provided on the battery to the first connector connected to the inverter mounted on the vehicle. Since the battery is often attached to and detached from the vehicle body for replacement or charging by the user, the first connector and the second connector are frequently connected and disconnected.

In such an electric vehicle, a housing recess for inserting a battery is provided in the vehicle body, and a first connector on the vehicle body side is often provided at the bottom of the housing recess. In this case, if the accommodating recess is open above the horizontal direction (horizontal direction), the user tends to insert the battery into the accommodating recess in such a manner that the battery is dropped toward the bottom of the accommodating recess. Then, since the battery is heavy, the connection between the first connector and the second connector is made so that the second connector arranged on the battery side collides with the first connector arranged at the bottom of the accommodating recess. May be done. That is, the first connector and the second connector may be impacted when the first connector and the second connector are connected. Therefore, there is a concern that the first terminal and the second terminal may be deformed or damaged.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector device capable of alleviating an impact when connecting connectors to each other.

The connector device for solving the above problems includes a first connector having a plurality of first terminals, a second connector having a plurality of second terminals electrically connected to the first terminal, the first connector, and the above. It is provided with a shock absorbing member that absorbs a shock when connecting to the second connector.

According to the above aspect, the impact when connecting the first connector and the second connector can be alleviated by the impact absorbing member.
The plurality of the first terminals are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis extending in the connection direction between the first connector and the second connector, and the plurality of the second terminals are axial lines extending in the connection direction. It is preferable that the shock absorbing member is arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the shock absorbing member is located inside the first terminal and the second terminal when viewed from the connecting direction.

According to the above aspect, the plurality of first terminals are arranged in the circumferential direction around the axis extending in the connection direction between the first connector and the second connector, and the plurality of second terminals are arranged around the axis extending in the same connection direction. When arranged in the circumferential direction, a space is created inside the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals in the connector device. By locating the shock absorbing member in this space, the connector device is provided with the shock absorbing member as compared with the case where the shock absorbing member is located outside the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals in the connector device. It is possible to suppress the increase in size.

The second connector has a columnar guide portion whose tip is located closer to the first connector than the second terminal in a state of extending in the connection direction and connecting the first connector and the second connector. The first connector has a guide hole for guiding the guide portion to be inserted when connecting the first connector and the second connector so as to suppress the tilt of the guide portion with respect to the connection direction. It is preferable that the shock absorbing member absorbs the shock when connecting the first connector and the second connector between the tip of the guide portion.

According to the above aspect, when connecting the first connector and the second connector, the guide portion is inserted into the guide hole before the second terminal comes into contact with the first terminal. Therefore, the second connector is prevented from being tilted with respect to the connection direction between the first connector and the second connector by the guide portion and the guide hole. As a result, it is possible to prevent the second terminal from coming into contact with the first terminal in an inclined state with respect to the connection direction. Therefore, damage or deformation of the first terminal and the second terminal can be suppressed. Then, the impact when connecting the first connector and the second connector is absorbed between the guide portion and the impact absorbing member. That is, the guide portion not only suppresses the second connector from tilting with respect to the connection direction between the first connector and the second connector, but also when connecting the first connector and the second connector together with the shock absorbing member. It also has the role of absorbing the impact of. Therefore, the configuration and shape of the connector device are complicated as compared with the case where the second connector is provided with the shock absorbing member and the shock absorbing member for connecting the first connector and the second connector separately from the guide portion. It can be suppressed from being done.

The guide hole has a first engaging portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole along the connection direction, and the guide portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the guide portion along the connection direction. It is preferable to have a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion and together with the first engaging portion, positions the guide portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the guide hole.

According to the above aspect, when connecting the first connector and the second connector, the guide portion is made into the guide hole so that the first engaging portion of the guide hole and the second engaging portion of the guide portion are engaged. By inserting the connector, it is possible to position the first connector and the second connector in the circumferential direction around the axis extending in the connection direction between the first connector and the second connector. Therefore, since the first terminal and the second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal can be positioned in the circumferential direction around the axis extending in the connection direction, these first terminal and the second terminal can be positioned. The first connector and the second connector can be connected in a state where the two connectors face each other in the same connection direction. Therefore, it becomes easy to connect the first connector and the second connector.

According to the connector device of the present invention, the impact when connecting the connectors can be alleviated.

(A) is a cross-sectional view of the connector device according to the embodiment, and (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the connector device. (A) is a cross-sectional view of the first connector in one embodiment (2a-2a cross-sectional view in FIG. 3A), and (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the first connector. (A) is a plan view of the first connector in one embodiment, and (b) is a partially enlarged view of the first connector. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a second connector according to an embodiment (4-4 sectional view in FIG. 5). Bottom view of the second connector in one embodiment. (A) is a plan view of a terminal member provided in the second connector in one embodiment, and (b) is a front view of the terminal member. The plan view of the 1st connector in the modified example. Bottom view of the second connector in the modified example.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the connector device will be described.
The connector device 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1A is provided in an electric vehicle such as an electric motorcycle or an electric bicycle, and is shown to be detachably attached to an inverter (not shown) mounted on the vehicle. It is an electrical connection to a battery that does not. The connector device 10 includes a first connector 11 fixed to a vehicle body (not shown) and a second connector 12 fixed to a case (not shown) of the battery.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, the first connector 11 has a first housing 20, a plurality of first terminals 61a and 61b, and a shock absorbing member 13.
The first housing 20 has a cylindrical housing body 21, a cylindrical outer housing 22 externally inserted into the housing body 21, and a back retainer 23 fixed to the housing body 21. The housing body 21, the outer housing 22, and the back retainer 23 are all made of an insulating resin material.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the housing main body 21 has a cylindrical shape about the central axis L1 extending in the connection direction Z1 between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12. Here, the connection direction Z1 is a direction in which the second connector 12 is relatively moved with respect to the first connector 11 when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected. In this embodiment, the connection direction Z1 is parallel to the central axis L1 direction. Further, in the present embodiment, the side where the second connector 12 is located is described as the upper side and the side where the first connector 11 is located is described as the lower side when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected. Further, hereinafter, when simply described as "circumferential direction", it means the circumferential direction of the housing main body 21, and when simply described as "diameter direction", it means the radial direction of the housing main body 21. To do.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, the housing body 21 has a guide hole 31 at the center in the radial direction thereof. The guide hole 31 penetrates the housing body 21 in the central axis L1 direction. Further, when viewed from the direction of the central axis L1, the guide hole 31 has a circular shape, and the center of the guide hole 31 is located on the central axis L1.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a locking groove 32 extending along the central axis L1 direction is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole 31. The locking groove 32 is provided at one position in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole 31. The locking groove 32 extends from the lower end of the housing main body 21 to the front of the upper end of the housing main body 21, and is open downward and inward in the radial direction. In the housing main body 21, the portion overlapping the locking groove 32 in the central axis L1 direction is a stopper 32a.

Further, the housing main body 21 has a contact portion 33 protruding outward in the radial direction from the upper end portion of the housing main body 21. The contact portion 33 extends in a brim shape from the outer peripheral surface of the housing main body 21 and forms an annular shape centered on the central axis L1.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, the housing main body 21 has a plurality of holding holes 34. In this embodiment, the housing body 21 has eight holding holes 34. The eight holding holes 34 are located radially outside the guide hole 31 and radially inside the abutting portion 33 in the housing body 21. Further, the eight holding holes 34 are located at eight positions in the housing main body 21 at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction (in this embodiment, 45 ° intervals in the circumferential direction). Each holding hole 34 extends in the central axis L1 direction and penetrates the housing body 21 in the central axis L1 direction. These eight holding holes 34 all have the same shape, and are rotationally symmetric (8-fold symmetric) with the central axis L1 as the axis of symmetry.

As shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 3 (b), the upper end opening of each holding hole 34 is provided with a protective portion 35 extending from the inner peripheral surface of each holding hole 34. The protective portion 35 projects from the inner inner surface of the holding hole 34 in the radial direction and the inner surfaces of both sides in the circumferential direction of the holding hole 34 to the inside of the holding hole 34 at the upper end opening of the holding hole 34. When viewed from the central axis L1 direction, each protection portion 35 has two portions in which the shape of the upper end opening of the holding hole 34 extends in a direction orthogonal to the radial direction and is parallel, and two portions extending in the radial direction. It is formed so as to have a substantially H shape consisting of a connecting portion.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the width of the holding holes 34 in the radial direction is narrowed from the inner side surface on the radial outer side of the holding holes 34 inside the holding holes 34. Is provided with a protruding portion 36 protruding inward in the radial direction. The protrusion 36 is provided so as to extend from the lower end of the holding hole 34 to a position slightly above the center of the holding hole 34 in the central axis L1 direction. The circumferential width of the protrusion 36 is equal to the circumferential width of the holding hole 34.

Further, inside each holding hole 34, a support portion 37 is provided on a side surface inside the protruding portion 36 in the radial direction. The support portion 37 protrudes inward in the radial direction from the central portion in the circumferential direction of the protruding portion 36, and has a square columnar shape extending in the central axis L1 direction. The support portion 37 extends above the upper end surface of the protrusion 36. The upper end of the support portion 37 is located below the protection portion 35. Further, the width of the support portion 37 in the circumferential direction is narrower than the width of the protrusion 36 in the circumferential direction. A retaining portion 38 is provided at the tip of the support portion 37. The retaining portion 38 projects radially inward from the tip portion of the support portion 37.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the inner diameter of the outer housing 22 is equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the housing body 21 excluding the contact portion 33. Further, the outer diameter of the outer housing 22 is equal to the outer diameter of the contact portion 33. Further, the axial length of the housing body 21 is equal to the length in the central axis L1 direction between the lower surface of the contact portion 33 in the housing body 21 and the lower end surface of the housing body 21. The outer housing 22 is externally inserted into the housing main body 21 from the lower end side of the housing main body 21, and the upper end surface of the outer housing 22 is in contact with the lower surface of the contact portion 33. The outer housing 22 is arranged concentrically (coaxially) with the housing main body 21. Further, the lower end surface of the outer housing 22 is flush with the lower end surface of the housing body 21, that is, the lower end surface of the housing body 21 and the lower end surface of the outer housing 22 are in the same plane orthogonal to the central axis L1. Located in.

The outer housing 22 has two fixed convex portions 41 protruding from the outer peripheral surface. The two fixed convex portions 41 are provided at positions near the lower end of the outer housing 22, and project radially outward from two locations at 180 ° intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer housing 22.

The back retainer 23 has a disk shape having an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter of the outer housing 22. Further, the back retainer 23 has two fixing claws 51 on the outer peripheral surface of the back retainer 23. The two fixing claws 51 are located on the outer peripheral surface of the back retainer 23 at 180 ° intervals in the circumferential direction of the back retainer 23, and are located along the axial direction of the back retainer 23 from the outer peripheral surface of the back retainer 23. It extends upward. Each fixing claw 51 has a fixing hole 52 penetrating in the radial direction of the back retainer 23. Each fixed claw 51 is elastically deformable so that its tip is displaced in the radial direction of the back retainer 23 with respect to the base end.

The back retainer 23 is arranged coaxially with the housing main body 21 and the outer housing 22, and is in contact with the lower end surface of the housing main body 21 and the lower end surface of the outer housing 22. Then, the back retainer 23 is fixed to the housing main body 21 and the outer housing 22 by engaging (fitting) the fixing convex portion 41 with the fixing holes 52 of the two fixing claws 51. The outer housing 22 is positioned from both sides in the central axis L1 direction with respect to the housing body 21 by being sandwiched between the contact portion 33 of the housing body 21 and the back retainer 23 from both sides in the central axis L1 direction.

Further, the back retainer 23 is provided with insertion holes 53 at eight positions overlapping the eight holding holes 34 of the housing main body 21 in the direction of the central axis L1. That is, the eight insertion holes 53 are provided at eight locations at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction (45 ° intervals in the present embodiment). Each insertion hole 53 has a circular shape when viewed from the central axis L1 direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, of the eight holding holes 34 of the housing main body 21, four holding holes 34 at 90 ° intervals in the circumferential direction, that is, every other holding hole 34 in the circumferential direction. The first terminal 61a is inserted into each of the four holding holes 34. In this embodiment, each first terminal 61a is a female terminal of the anode.

Each first terminal 61a is made of a conductive material. For example, each first terminal 61a is formed by pressing a plate material made of copper or a copper alloy. Each first terminal 61a has a terminal body 62 having a substantially square tubular shape, and an electric wire connecting portion 63 extending from the terminal body 62.

As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), each of the first terminals 61a is such that the extending direction of the terminal body 62 extending in a substantially square tubular shape coincides with the extending direction of the holding hole 34. It is inserted into the holding hole 34 from the lower end side of the housing body 21. Then, the upper end of the terminal body 62 abuts on the protective portion 35 from below, so that the first terminal 61a is prevented from coming out of the holding hole 34 upward. Further, the terminal body 62 of each first terminal 61a is formed with a retaining hole 64 in the side wall portion on the outer side in the radial direction. The retaining portion 38 is arranged in the retaining hole 64, and the inner peripheral surface of the retaining hole 64 comes into contact with the upper end surface of the retaining portion 38 from above, so that the first terminal 61a is displaced from the holding hole 34. It is prevented from coming out downward. The terminal body 62 has a pair of positioning portions (not shown) extending radially outward from both side surfaces in the circumferential direction of the terminal body 62. The pair of positioning portions abut on both sides of the support portion 37 in the circumferential direction from both sides in the circumferential direction, so that the first terminal 61a is positioned in the circumferential direction with respect to the housing body 21.

As shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 3 (b), the terminal body 62 has two contact portions 65 on the side wall portion on the inner side in the radial direction. The two contact portions 65 form a ridge that projects radially outward (that is, inside the terminal body 62) from the radial inner side wall portion of the terminal body 62 and extends along the central axis L1 direction. In the terminal body 62, the two contact portions 65 are separated from each other in the circumferential direction and are parallel to each other. Further, the cross-sectional shape of each contact portion 65 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is a semicircular shape.

Further, the terminal body 62 has a pressing portion 66 extending from the upper end of the side wall portion on the outer side in the radial direction and having a shape folded inside the terminal body 62. The pressing portion 66 extends downward from the upper end of the side wall portion on the outer side in the radial direction of the terminal body 62, and the tip thereof is located inward in the radial direction with respect to the base end. Further, the pressing portion 66 can be elastically deformed so that the tip thereof is displaced in the radial direction with respect to the base end.

A pressing contact portion 67 is provided on the radial inner side surface of the pressing portion 66. The pressing contact portion 67 projects radially inward (that is, on the two contact portions 65 side) from the radial inner side surface of the pressing portion 66. The surface of the pressing portion 66 has a spherical shape.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the electric wire connecting portion 63 extends downward from the radial outer side surface of the terminal body 62. The electric wire connecting portion 63 is in contact with the radial inner side surface of the supporting portion 37. The end of the anode electric wire 71a connected to the inverter mounted on the vehicle is electrically connected to the electric wire connecting portion 63 of each first terminal 61a. The electric wire 71a is crimped to the electric wire connecting portion 63 by being crimped to the electric wire connecting portion 63. The electric wire 71a is obtained by coating the stranded wire with an insulating coating, and the insulating coating is removed from the portion of the electric wire 71a connected to the electric wire connecting portion 63 to expose the stranded wire. Then, the electric wire 71a electrically connected to the electric wire connecting portion 63 is drawn out from the lower end of the holding hole 34 through the insertion hole 53 located below the holding hole 34 to the outside of the first housing 20. The four electric wires 71a connected to the four first terminals 61a are grouped together outside the housing body 21. The four electric wires 71a are bonded to one by using, for example, an ultrasonic bonding machine.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, of the eight holding holes 34 of the housing main body 21, the remaining four holding holes 34 (that is, the holding in which the first terminal 61a is not inserted) are held. The first terminal 61b is inserted into each of the four holding holes 34, which are holes 34) and are spaced 90 ° apart in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, each first terminal 61b is a female terminal of the cathode.

Each of the first terminals 61b has the same shape as the first terminal 61a, and is arranged in the holding hole 34 in the same manner as the first terminal 61a. In the first connector 11, the first terminal 61a and the first terminal 61b are arranged in an annular shape along the circumferential direction and are alternately arranged at intervals of 45 ° in the circumferential direction.

The end of the cathode electric wire 71b connected to the inverter mounted on the vehicle is electrically connected to the electric wire connecting portion 63 of each first terminal 61b. The electric wire 71b is crimped to the electric wire connecting portion 63 by being crimped to the electric wire connecting portion 63. The electric wire 71b is formed by coating the stranded wire with an insulating coating in the same manner as the anode electric wire 71a, and the insulating coating is removed from the portion of the electric wire 71b connected to the electric wire connecting portion 63 to expose the stranded wire. are doing. Then, the electric wire 71b electrically connected to the electric wire connecting portion 63 is pulled out from the lower end of the holding hole 34 through the insertion hole 53 located below the holding hole 34 to the outside of the first housing 20. The four electric wires 71b connected to the four first terminals 61b are grouped together outside the housing body 21. The four electric wires 71b are bonded to one by using, for example, an ultrasonic bonding machine.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the shock absorbing member 13 is arranged inside the housing main body 21, that is, inside the guide hole 31. The shock absorbing member 13 of this embodiment is a compression coil spring. The shock absorbing member 13 is arranged in the guide hole 31 so as to expand and contract in the central axis L1 direction. A disk-shaped contact member 81 is provided at the upper end of the shock absorbing member 13. The contact member 81 is arranged inside the guide hole 31 so that the central axis of the contact member 81 (not shown) coincides with the central axis L1. Then, on the outer peripheral surface of the contact member 81, a locking portion 82 protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the contact member 81 is provided. The locking portion 82 is provided at one location in the circumferential direction and is located below the upper end surface of the contact member 81. The outer diameter of the contact member 81 excluding the locking portion 82 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the guide hole 31, and the central axis of the contact member 81 is inclined with respect to the central axis L1. The size can be suppressed by the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole 31 and the outer peripheral surface of the contact member 81. Then, the contact member 81 is positioned in the circumferential direction with respect to the housing body 21 by inserting the locking portion 82 into the locking groove 32 of the housing body 21, and is positioned in the central axis L1 direction with respect to the housing body 21. The movement is guided by the locking groove 32 and the locking portion 82. Further, the contact member 81 is prevented from coming out of the guide hole 31 by the locking portion 82 contacting the stopper 32a from below.

The lower end of the shock absorbing member 13 is in contact with the upper end surface of the back retainer 23. Then, the shock absorbing member 13 urges the abutting member 81 upward between the back retainer 23 and the abutting member 81. In the first connector 11, when the locking portion 82 of the contact member 81 is in contact with the stopper 32a of the housing body 21, the upper end surface of the contact member 81 and the upper end surface of the housing body 21 are flush with each other. It has become. That is, in the same state, the upper end surface of the housing body 21 and the upper end surface of the contact member 81 are located in the same plane orthogonal to the central axis L1.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second connector 12 has a second housing 90 and terminal members 100a and 100b insert-molded in the second housing 90.
The second housing 90 is made of an insulating resin material and has a bottomed cylindrical shape. The second housing 90 includes a cylindrical holding portion 91, a cylindrical surrounding portion 92 extending from the outer peripheral edge portion of the holding portion 91 along the axial direction of the holding portion 91, and the inside of the surrounding portion 92 from the holding portion 91. It has a guide portion 93 protruding from the housing. The holding portion 91, the surrounding portion 92, and the guide portion 93 are integrally formed.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the outer diameter of the holding portion 91 is larger than the outer diameter of the first housing 20 (same as the outer diameter of the outer housing 22). The surrounding portion 92 extends downward from the outer peripheral edge portion of the holding portion 91 and is located coaxially with the holding portion 91. The outer diameter of the surrounding portion 92 is equal to the outer diameter of the holding portion 91, and the inner diameter of the surrounding portion 92 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer housing 22.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 4 and 5, the guide portion 93 projects from the radial center portion of the holding portion 91 to the inside of the surrounding portion 92, and the central axis L2 of the second housing 90 (that is, the holding portion). It has a columnar shape extending in the connection direction Z1 along the central axis of 91 and the surrounding portion 92). The guide portion 93 is located coaxially with the holding portion 91 and is provided coaxially with the surrounding portion 92. The outer diameter of the guide portion 93 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the guide hole 31 of the first housing 20, and is equal to the outer diameter of the contact member 81 excluding the locking portion 82. The outer diameter of the guide portion 93 is large enough to prevent the guide portion 93 from being inclined with respect to the central axis L1 by the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole 31 when the guide portion 93 is inserted into the guide hole 31. That's right. Further, the length of the guide portion 93 in the central axis L2 direction is shorter than the length of the surrounding portion 92 in the axial direction. The tip surface of the guide portion 93 has a planar shape orthogonal to the central axis L2, and is located above the tip surface of the surrounding portion 92, that is, on the holding portion 91 side of the tip surface of the surrounding portion 92. In the present embodiment, the guide portion 93 and the shock absorbing member 13 form a damper (that is, a shock absorbing device) that absorbs a shock when connecting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 (a) and 6 (b), the terminal members 100a and 100b are made of a conductive material, and in this embodiment, are made of copper or a copper alloy. The terminal member 100a includes four second terminals 101a extending in the central axis L2 direction, a connecting portion 102a connecting the base end portions (upper end portions) of the second terminal 101a, and an electric wire connecting portion 103a extending from the connecting portion 102a. Has.

The four second terminals 101a are male terminals of the anode. The four second terminals 101a all have the same shape and are provided so as to have equal intervals (90 ° intervals in the present embodiment) in the circumferential direction of the second housing 90. Each of the second terminals 101a has a flat plate shape orthogonal to the radial direction of the second housing 90 and a band shape extending in the central axis L2 direction. The distance (distance in the radial direction) between each second terminal 101a and the central axis L2 is the distance (distance in the radial direction) between the contact portion 65 of each first terminal 61a in the first connector 11 and the central axis L1. ) (See FIG. 1 (a)).

The connecting portion 102a has a hollow cross shape when viewed from the central axis L2 direction. The connecting portion 102a is embedded inside the holding portion 91. A base end portion of the second terminal 101a is integrally provided at each of the four tips of the cross-shaped connecting portion 102a. That is, the second terminal 101a extends downward from the four tips of the cross-shaped connecting portion 102a in parallel with the central axis L2. Further, each second terminal 101a projects from the holding portion 91 to the inside of the surrounding portion 92. The connecting portion 102a short-circuits the four second terminals 101a.

The electric wire connecting portion 103a is formed integrally with the connecting portion 102a and extends outward from the connecting portion 102a along the radial direction. The electric wire connecting portion 103a has a flat strip shape orthogonal to the central axis L2 direction. The portion on the base end side of the electric wire connecting portion 103a is embedded inside the holding portion 91 together with the connecting portion 102a. Further, the tip end portion of the electric wire connecting portion 103a projects radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion 91. Then, the end of the anode electric wire (not shown) connected to the battery is electrically connected to the tip of the electric wire connecting portion 103a protruding from the holding portion 91 by ultrasonic bonding or the like.

The terminal member 100b has the same shape as the terminal member 100a, and is a connecting portion 102b that connects the four second terminals 101b extending in the central axis L2 direction and the base end portion (upper end portion) of the second terminal 101b. And an electric wire connecting portion 103b extending from the connecting portion 102b.

The four second terminals 101b are male terminals of the cathode. The four second terminals 101b all have the same shape and are provided so as to have equal intervals (90 ° intervals in the present embodiment) in the circumferential direction of the second housing 90. Further, the second terminal 101b is alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the second terminal 101a and the second housing 90. Further, the second terminal 101a and the second terminal 101b are arranged in an annular shape with an interval of 45 ° in the circumferential direction. Each of the second terminals 101b has a flat plate shape orthogonal to the radial direction of the second housing 90 and a strip shape extending in the central axis L2 direction. The distance (distance in the radial direction) between each second terminal 101b and the central axis L2 is the distance (distance in the radial direction) between the contact portion 65 of each first terminal 61b in the first connector 11 and the central axis L1. ) (See FIG. 1 (a)).

The connecting portion 102b has a hollow cross shape when viewed from the central axis L2 direction. The connecting portion 102b is embedded inside the holding portion 91. The connecting portion 102b is located inside the holding portion 91 above the connecting portion 102a of the terminal member 100a, and the connecting portion 102b and the connecting portion 102a are separated from each other in the central axis L2 direction. As described above, the second housing 90 holds the terminal members 100a and 100b in a state where the electrical insulation between the terminal member 100a and the terminal member 100b is secured. A base end portion of the second terminal 101b is integrally provided at each of the four tips of the cross-shaped connecting portion 102b. That is, the second terminal 101b extends downward from the four tips of the cross-shaped connecting portion 102b in parallel with the central axis L2. Further, each second terminal 101b projects from the holding portion 91 to the inside of the surrounding portion 92. The connecting portion 102b short-circuits the four second terminals 101b.

The electric wire connecting portion 103b is formed integrally with the connecting portion 102b and extends outward from the connecting portion 102b along the radial direction. Further, the electric wire connecting portion 103b is arranged at a position rotated by 90 ° around the central axis L2 with respect to the electric wire connecting portion 103a of the terminal member 100a. The electric wire connecting portion 103b has a flat strip shape orthogonal to the central axis L2 direction. The portion on the base end side of the electric wire connecting portion 103b is embedded inside the holding portion 91 together with the connecting portion 102b. The tip of the electric wire connecting portion 103b projects radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion 91. The end of the cathode wire (not shown) connected to the battery is electrically connected to the tip of the wire connecting portion 103b protruding from the holding portion 91 by ultrasonic bonding or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 (b), in the second connector 12, the positions of the tip (lower end) of each second terminal 101a and the tip (lower end) of each second terminal 101b in the central axis L2 direction are all equal. .. The tip of each second terminal 101a and the tip of each second terminal 101b are located above the tip surface of the guide portion 93, that is, on the holding portion 91 side of the tip surface of the guide portion 93.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, in the guide portion 93, the tip of the guide portion 93 is first than the second terminals 101a and 101b in a state where the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected. It is located on the connector 11 side. Further, when viewed from the connection direction Z1, the shock absorbing member 13 is located inside the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b.

In the present embodiment, the first connector 11 is fixed to the bottom of a housing recess (not shown) provided on the vehicle body. The accommodating recess is provided, for example, under the seat. The accommodating recess is, for example, recessed downward and opens upward. In the present embodiment, the accommodating recess has a square tubular inner peripheral surface, and has a square shape when viewed from above. The first connector 11 is fixed to the bottom of the accommodating recess so that the central axis L1 and the recessing direction of the accommodating recess coincide with each other and the upper end surface of the contact member 81 faces upward. On the other hand, the second connector 12 is fixed to the bottom of a battery (not shown). The battery has a case having a regular square columnar surface having an outer peripheral surface corresponding to the inner peripheral surface of the square cylinder of the accommodating recess. The second connector 12 is fixed to the bottom of the case so that the center line extending in the vertical direction of the case and the center axis L2 are parallel to each other and the tip of the surrounding portion 92 faces downward.

The operation of this embodiment will be described.
When installing the battery in the electric vehicle, the user inserts the battery into the accommodating recess provided in the vehicle body from the bottom side of the battery. At this time, the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating recess and the outer peripheral surface of the battery case are used to position the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 around the axis extending in the connection direction Z1 in the circumferential direction, and the first connector. The 11 and the second connector 12 are positioned in the radial direction. As a result, the second connector 12 is brought closer to the first connector 11 in a state where the central axis L1 and the central axis L2 coincide with each other. Further, the four first terminals 61a of the anode and the four second terminals 101a of the anode face each other in the connection direction Z1, that is, the central axis L1 and L2, and the four first terminals 61b of the cathode and the four cathodes. The second connector 12 is brought closer to the first connector 11 in a state where the second terminal 101b faces the central axis L1 and L2 directions.

Then, first, the upper end portion of the first housing 20 is inserted inside the tip portion of the surrounding portion 92. The inner peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 92 and the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 20 ensure that the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are positioned in the radial direction with higher accuracy. In this state, when the second connector 12 is further moved toward the first connector 11 (that is, when the second connector 12 is moved in the connection direction Z1), the tip of the guide portion 93 is on the contact member 81. It abuts on the end face and is inserted into the guide hole 31 while compressing the shock absorbing member 13 via the abutting member 81. At this time, in order to prevent the guide portion 93 from tilting with respect to the connection direction Z1 (central axis L1), the guide hole 31 is provided with the guide hole 31 and the guide portion 93 with respect to the central axis L1 of the first connector 11. It is suppressed that the second connector 12 is tilted with respect to the first connector 11 so that the central axis L2 of the second connector 12 is tilted. At this time, the guide portion 93 compresses the shock absorbing member 13 via the contact member 81, so that the guide portion 93 is connected from the shock absorbing member 13 in the direction opposite to the connection direction Z1, that is, from the first connector 11 to the second. Receives urging force in the direction of releasing the connector 12. As a result, since the second connector 12 is decelerated by this urging force, the impact when connecting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is alleviated. In this way, the shock absorbing member 13 absorbs the shock when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected to the tip of the guide portion 93 of the second connector 12.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the second connector 12 has the central axis L1, in a state where the impact when connecting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is relaxed. It is further moved toward the first connector 11 along the L2 direction. As a result, the four second terminals 101a of the anode are inserted into the terminal body 62 of the four first terminals 61a of the anode and are electrically connected to each other. At the same time, the four second terminals 101b of the cathode are inserted into the terminal body 62 of the four first terminals 61b of the cathode and are electrically connected to each other. The second terminal 101a inserted into the terminal body 62 of the first terminal 61a is pressed against the contact portion 65 by the pressing portion 66. Then, the first terminal 61a comes into contact with the second terminal 101a at the contact portion 65 and the pressing contact portion 67 and is electrically connected. The first terminal 61b and the second terminal 101b are also electrically connected in the same manner.

Then, the first terminal 61a and the second terminal 101a are electrically connected, and the first terminal 61b and the second terminal 101b are electrically connected, that is, the first connector 11 and the second connector 12. The battery is fixed in the accommodating recess by a locking mechanism provided on the vehicle body side so as to maintain the connected state. The lock mechanism may also serve as a seat, or may be provided in the vicinity of the opening of the accommodating recess separately from the seat.

In the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating recess into which the battery is inserted has a square tubular shape when viewed from above, and the battery case is inside the square tubular shape of the accommodating recess. It has a regular square columnar shape with an outer peripheral surface corresponding to the peripheral surface. Therefore, the battery can be inserted into the housing recess every time the battery is rotated by 90 ° around the axis extending in the insertion direction of the battery into the housing recess, that is, around the axis extending in the connection direction Z1. That is, there are four relative rotation positions between the storage recess and the battery around the axis extending in the direction of inserting the battery into the storage recess so that the battery can be inserted into the storage recess.

In the present embodiment, in the first connector 11, the first terminals 61a of the anode are arranged at 90 ° intervals in the circumferential direction, and the first terminals 61b of the cathode are arranged at 90 ° intervals in the circumferential direction. Further, in the first connector 11, the first terminal 61a and the first terminal 61b are alternately arranged at equal angular intervals (45 ° intervals) in the circumferential direction. On the other hand, in the second connector 12, the second terminals 101a of the anode are arranged at 90 ° intervals in the circumferential direction, and the second terminals 101b of the cathode are arranged at 90 ° intervals in the circumferential direction. Further, in the second connector 12, the second terminal 101a and the second terminal 101b are alternately arranged at equal angular intervals (45 ° intervals) in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 rotate 90 ° relative to the first connector 11 around the axis extending in the connection direction Z1 and around the central axes L1 and L2 in this embodiment. It becomes possible to connect every time it is done. Therefore, the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected even if the battery is inserted into the accommodating recess at any of the four relative rotation positions in which the battery can be inserted into the accommodating recess.

When removing the battery from the vehicle body, the battery is removed from the accommodating recess after the lock by the lock mechanism is released. At this time, since the shock absorbing member 13 which is a compression coil spring urges the guide portion 93 in the direction of separating the second connector 12 from the first connector 11, it is used with the assistance of the urging force of the shock absorbing member 13. The person can easily remove the battery from the housing recess.

The effect of this embodiment will be described.
(1) The connector device 10 includes a first connector 11 having first terminals 61a and 61b, a second connector 12 having second terminals 101a and 101b electrically connected to the first terminals 61a and 61b, and a second connector device 10. It includes a shock absorbing member 13 that absorbs a shock when connecting the 1 connector 11 and the 2nd connector 12. Therefore, the shock absorbing member 13 can alleviate the shock when connecting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12. As a result, deformation and damage of the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b can be suppressed.

(2) The first terminals 61a and 61b are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis extending in the connection direction Z1 between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12, and the second terminals 101a and 101b are arranged in the connection direction. They are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis extending to Z1. The shock absorbing member 13 is located inside the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b when viewed from the connection direction Z1.

In this way, if the first terminals 61a and 61b are arranged in the circumferential direction around the axis extending in the connection direction Z1 and the second terminals 101a and 101b are arranged in the circumferential direction around the axis extending in the same connection direction Z1, the connector In the device 10, a space is created inside the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b. Further, in the first connector 11, since the first terminal 61a of the anode and the first terminal 61b of the cathode are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction, the first terminal 61a and the first terminal 61b adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are arranged. It is necessary to consider the insulation distance between them. Similarly, in the second connector 12, since the second terminal 101a of the anode and the second terminal 101b of the cathode are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction, the second terminal 101a and the second terminal 101b adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction It is necessary to consider the insulation distance between them. Further, in a high-voltage connector device such as that used for connecting a vehicle battery and an inverter, such as the connector device 10 of the present embodiment, the insulation distance tends to be long. Therefore, the space generated inside the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b tends to increase. Therefore, by arranging the shock absorbing member 13 in this space, the space can be effectively used. Further, since the shock absorbing member 13 is located in this space, the shock absorbing member 13 is located outside the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b in the connector device 10. It is possible to suppress the increase in size of the connector device 10 due to the provision of the above.

(3) The second connector 12 is a columnar column whose tip is located closer to the first connector 11 than the second terminals 101a and 101b in a state where the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected to each other extending in the connection direction Z1. It has a guide unit 93. The first connector 11 has a guide hole 31 in which the guide portion 93 is inserted when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected to guide the guide portion 93 so as to suppress its inclination with respect to the connection direction Z1. The shock absorbing member 13 absorbs the shock when connecting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 with the tip of the guide portion 93.

According to the above configuration, when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected, the guide portion 93 has the guide hole 31 before the second terminals 101a and 101b come into contact with the first terminals 61a and 61b. Will be inserted into. Therefore, the guide portion 93 and the guide hole 31 prevent the second connector 12 from being tilted with respect to the connection direction Z1 between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12. As a result, it is suppressed that the second terminals 101a and 101b come into contact with the first terminals 61a and 61b in an inclined state with respect to the connection direction Z1. Therefore, deformation and damage of the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b can be further suppressed. Then, the impact when connecting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is absorbed between the guide portion 93 and the impact absorbing member 13. That is, the guide unit 93 not only suppresses the second connector 12 from tilting with respect to the connection direction Z1, but also receives an impact when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected together with the shock absorbing member 13. It also has a role of absorbing. Therefore, as compared with the case where the second connector 12 is provided with a member for absorbing the impact when connecting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 together with the shock absorbing member 13, the connector device 10 It is possible to prevent the configuration and shape from becoming complicated.

(4) The shock absorbing member 13 is a compression coil spring that can expand and contract in the connection direction Z1 between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12, and is compressed when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected. Therefore, the impact when connecting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is absorbed. According to this configuration, the urging force of the shock absorbing member 13 acts in the direction of disconnecting the connection between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12. Therefore, when the connection between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is released, the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 can be easily disconnected by the urging force of the shock absorbing member 13. Further, the cost required for the shock absorbing member 13 can be reduced.

(5) In the second connector 12, the terminal members 100a and 100b are insert-molded into the second housing 90. Therefore, it is possible to prevent liquids such as water from entering the battery case from between the terminal members 100a and 100b and the second housing 90.

This embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The present embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.
The shapes of the guide portion 93 and the guide hole 31 are not limited to the shapes of the above-described embodiments. The guide portion 93 extends in the connection direction Z1 and has a columnar shape whose tip is located closer to the first connector 11 than the second terminals 101a and 101b in a state where the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected. Just do it. Further, the guide hole 31 may be such that when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected, the guide portion 93 is inserted to guide the guide portion 93 so as to suppress its inclination with respect to the connection direction Z1.

For example, in the examples shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the guide hole 31A has a first engaging portion 111 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole 31A along the connection direction Z1. Further, the guide portion 93A is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the guide portion 93A along the connection direction Z1 and engages with the first engaging portion 111 together with the first engaging portion 111 in the circumferential direction of the guide portion 93A with respect to the guide hole 31A. It has a second engaging portion 112 for positioning.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the first connector 11A, the guide hole 31A has an octagonal tubular inner peripheral surface having a regular octagonal shape when viewed from the central axis L1 direction. Each of the eight planes forming the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole 31A is a flat first engaging portion 111 extending in parallel with the connection direction Z1. At the upper end of the shock absorbing member 13 arranged inside the guide hole 31A, a regular octagonal plate-shaped contact member 81A is provided instead of the disk-shaped contact member 81 of the above embodiment. Has been done.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the second connector 12A, the guide portion 93A has an octagonal columnar shape when viewed from the central axis L2 direction and has a regular octagonal shape. Each of the eight planes forming the outer peripheral surface of the guide portion 93A is a planar second engaging portion 112 extending in parallel with the connection direction Z1. The outer shape of the guide portion 93A is slightly smaller than that of the guide hole 31A.

When connecting the first connector 11A and the second connector 12A, the guide portion 93A is guided so that the first engaging portion 111 of the guide hole 31A and the second engaging portion 112 of the guide portion 93A are engaged. By inserting it into the hole 31A, it is possible to position the first connector 11A and the second connector 12A around the axis extending in the connection direction Z1 in the circumferential direction. Specifically, the guide portion 93A is inserted into the guide hole 31A so that the eight first engaging portions 111 of the guide hole 31A and the eight second engaging portions 112 of the guide portion 93 face each other in the radial direction. Even if the guide portion 93A tries to rotate about the central axis L2 with respect to the guide hole 31A, the second engaging portion 112 comes into contact with the first engaging portion 111 that is radially opposed to the second engaging portion 112. (By engaging) prevents the guide portion 93A from rotating about the central axis L2 with respect to the guide hole 31A. Therefore, the first connector 11A and the second connector 12A around the axis extending in the connection direction Z1 are positioned in the circumferential direction. As a result, the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b electrically connected to the first terminals 61a and 61b can be positioned in the circumferential direction around the axis extending in the connection direction Z1. it can. Therefore, the first connector 11A and the second connector 12A can be connected with the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b facing each other in the same connection direction Z1. Therefore, it becomes easy to connect the first connector 11A and the second connector 12A.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the guide hole 31A has an octagonal tubular inner peripheral surface having a regular octagonal shape when viewed from the central axis L1 direction, and the guide portion 93A has the central axis L2. The shape seen from the direction is an octagonal columnar shape that forms a regular octagonal shape. However, the shapes of the guide hole 31A and the guide portion 93A may be any shape that can be engaged with each other so as not to rotate relative to each other in the circumferential direction. For example, the guide hole 31A may have a polygonal tubular inner peripheral surface having a polygonal shape other than an octagon such as a quadrangle when viewed from the central axis L1 direction. Then, the guide portion 93A may have a polygonal columnar shape corresponding to the guide hole 31A. In this case, each plane forming the polygonal tubular inner peripheral surface of the guide hole 31A corresponds to the first engaging portion, and each plane forming the outer peripheral surface of the guide portion 93A corresponds to the second engaging portion. Further, for example, the guide hole 31A is formed into a shape having either an engaging convex portion or an engaging concave portion (corresponding to the first engaging portion) extending along the connection direction Z1 on the cylindrical inner peripheral surface. The guide portion 93A may have a columnar shape and one of an engaging convex portion and an engaging concave portion (corresponding to the second engaging portion) extending along the connection direction Z1 on the outer peripheral surface. Further, for example, the guide hole 31A has a non-cylindrical inner peripheral surface (first engaging portion) such as an elliptical cylinder or a cylinder having an axial D shape (a shape in which a part of a circle is cut out in a plane). The guide portion 93A may have a columnar shape having an outer peripheral surface (corresponding to the second engaging portion) corresponding to the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole 31A.

The circumferential positioning of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 around the central axes L1 and L2 is performed on the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 92 of the second housing 90. This may be done by engaging portions that engage in the direction. For example, one of an engaging convex portion and an engaging concave portion extending in the connecting direction Z1 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 20, and an engaging portion extending in the connecting direction Z1 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 92 of the second housing 90. Either the joint convex portion or the engaging concave portion is provided. Then, when connecting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12, the first connector 11 around the central axis L1 and L2 is inserted by inserting the engaging convex portion into the engaging concave portion along the connection direction Z1. And the second connector 12 can be positioned in the circumferential direction.

Further, for example, the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 20 is changed to a non-cylindrical shape such as an elliptical cylinder shape, a polygonal cylinder shape, or a cylindrical shape having an axial D shape (a shape in which a part of a circle is cut out in a plane). You may. In this case, the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 92 of the second housing 90 is also changed according to the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 20. Even in this way, the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 92 can be used to position the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 around the central axes L1 and L2 in the circumferential direction. it can.

-In the above embodiment, the shock absorbing member 13 is located inside the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b in a state where the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected. However, the shock absorbing member 13 may be located outside the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b in the same state. For example, when the shock absorbing member 13 is a compression coil spring, the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b may be located inside the compression coil spring. In this case, the guide portion 93 has a shape such as a cylinder that can compress the shock absorbing member 13 in the connection direction Z1.

-In the above embodiment, the first terminals 61a and 61b are arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. However, the arrangement of the first terminals 61a and 61b is not limited to this, and may be changed to any arrangement. In this case, the arrangement of the second terminals 101a and 101b is changed according to the arrangement of the first terminals 61a and 61b so that they can be connected to the first terminals 61a and 61b.

In the above embodiment, the first connector 11 is provided with the shock absorbing member 13, and the second connector 12 is provided with the guide portion 93. However, the guide portion 93 may be provided on the first connector 11, and the shock absorbing member 13 may be provided on the second connector 12.

-In the above embodiment, the shock absorbing member 13 is a compression coil spring. However, the shock absorbing member 13 may be changed to one capable of absorbing the shock when connecting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12, in addition to the compression coil spring. For example, the shock absorbing member 13 may be a damper such as an oil damper or an air damper that cooperates with the guide portion 93. Further, the shock absorbing member 13 may be an annular rubber member arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole 31. In this case, the impact when connecting the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is absorbed by the friction between the shock absorbing member 13 which is the rubber member and the outer peripheral surface of the guide portion 93.

-In the above embodiment, in the first connector 11, the first terminals 61a and 61b are formed of different parts from the housing main body 21 and are assembled to the housing main body 21. However, the first terminals 61a and 61b may be integrally provided with the housing main body 21 by being insert-molded into the housing main body 21.

-In the above embodiment, the terminal members 100a and 100b are insert-molded into the second housing 90. However, the terminal members 100a and 100b may be formed separately from the second housing 90 and assembled to the second housing 90. Further, the second housing 90 may be configured by assembling a plurality of parts.

In the above embodiment, the first housing 20 is configured by assembling the housing main body 21, the outer housing 22, and the back retainer 23. However, the configuration of the first housing 20 is not limited to this. For example, the first housing 20 may be one in which the housing main body 21, the outer housing 22, and the back retainer 23 are integrally formed. In this case, the first terminals 61a and 61b may be insert-molded into the first housing 20, or may be formed of separate parts and assembled. Further, at least one of the housing main body 21, the outer housing 22, and the back retainer 23 may be configured by assembling two or more parts.

In the above embodiment, the first terminal 61a may be a cathode, the first terminal 61b may be an anode, the second terminal 101a may be a cathode, and the second terminal 101b may be an anode.
In the above embodiment, the first terminals 61a and 61b provided in the first connector 11 are female terminals, and the second terminals 101a and 101b provided in the second connector 12 are male terminals. However, the first terminals 61a and 61b provided in the first connector 11 may be male terminals, and the second terminals 101a and 101b provided in the second connector 12 may be female terminals.

-In the above embodiment, the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b are all made of copper or a copper alloy, but may be made of a conductive metal material other than copper. For example, the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

-In the above embodiment, the shape and configuration of the first terminals 61a and 61b may be changed as appropriate. Then, the shape and configuration of the second terminals 101a and 101b may be appropriately changed according to the shape and configuration of the first terminals 61a and 61b.

For example, in the above embodiment, the four second terminals 101a are integrally formed with the connecting portion 102a and the electric wire connecting portion 103a. However, the four second terminals 101a may be provided separately and the anode electric wire may be electrically connected to each of them. The same applies to the four second terminals 101b.

Further, for example, even if the first terminals 61a and 61b have a cylindrical shape extending in the connection direction Z1 and the second terminals 101a and 101b have a cylindrical shape inserted into the first terminals 61a and 61b. Good.

Further, for example, the female terminals 61a and 61b are housed in a tubular contact accommodating portion made of a conductive material and inside the contact accommodating portion and electrically connected to the contact accommodating portion. It may be a terminal composed of a member. In this case, in the first housing 20, the contact accommodating portion is internally fitted into each holding hole 34, and the electric wire connected to the inverter is electrically connected to the contact accommodating portion. As the contact member accommodated inside each contact accommodating portion, for example, a member having a shape in which a plurality of leaf springs are arranged in the circumferential direction, that is, a member having a plurality of leaf springs arranged in a louver shape is used. .. This contact member is electrically connected to the contact accommodating portion by abutting on the inner peripheral surface of the contact accommodating portion. In this case, when the columnar second terminals 101a and 101b are inserted into the first terminals 61a and 61b along the central axis L1 direction, the second terminals 101a and 101b are inserted inside the contact member. Then, the plurality of leaf springs of the contact member come into contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the second terminals 101a and 101b while pressing them inward in the radial direction of the second terminals 101a and 101b, whereby the first terminals 61a, The 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b are electrically connected.

Further, as the contact member accommodated inside the contact accommodating portion, for example, an oblique coil spring can be used. This contact member is electrically connected to the contact accommodating portion by abutting on the inner peripheral surface of the contact accommodating portion. In this case, when the columnar second terminals 101a and 101b are inserted into the first terminals 61a and 61b along the central axis L1 direction, the second terminals 101a and 101b are inserted inside the contact member. Then, the contact member contacts the outer peripheral surfaces of the second terminals 101a and 101b while pressing the outer peripheral surfaces of the second terminals 101a and 101b inward in the radial direction, whereby the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminal are contacted. It is electrically connected to 101a and 101b.

Further, for example, the first terminals 61a and 61b and the second terminals 101a and 101b are electrically connected to the first terminals 61a and 61b by abutting the second terminals 101a and 101b from the connection direction Z1. It may be.

-In the above embodiment, the first connector 11 includes four first terminals 61a of the anode and four first terminals 61b of the cathode. The second connector 12 includes four second terminals 101a of the anode and four second terminals 101b of the cathode. However, the number of the first terminals 61a and 61b provided in the first connector 11 and the number of the second terminals 101a and 101b provided in the second connector 12 are not limited to this. The first connector 11 may include a plurality of first terminals. Then, the second connector 12 may include a number of second terminals corresponding to the number of first terminals provided in the first connector 11.

-In the above embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating recess into which the battery is inserted has a square tubular shape when viewed from above, and the battery case has a square tubular inner circumference of the accommodating recess. It has a regular square columnar shape with an outer peripheral surface corresponding to the surface. However, the shape of the accommodating recess in which the first connector 11 is arranged and the shape of the battery case in which the second connector 12 is arranged are not limited to this. For example, the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating recess into which the battery is inserted has a rectangular tubular shape when viewed from above, and the battery case corresponds to the square tubular inner peripheral surface of the accommodating recess. It may be a square columnar having an outer peripheral surface.

-In the above embodiment, the first connector 11 is fixed to the vehicle body. However, the first connector 11 may be fixed to a device such as an inverter fixed or mounted on the vehicle body in addition to being directly fixed to the vehicle body.

-In the above embodiment, the first connector 11 is fixed to the vehicle body side, and the second connector 12 is fixed to the battery. However, the first connector 11 may be fixed to the battery and the second connector 12 may be fixed to the vehicle body side. In this case, it is preferable that the first connector 11 is provided with a water blocking structure that prevents liquids such as water from entering the battery from the first connector 11.

-In the above embodiment, the connector device 10 is used to electrically connect the inverter and the battery on the vehicle body side of an electric vehicle such as an electric bike or an electric bicycle. However, the application of the connector device 10 is not limited to this, and even if it is used between the one electric wire and the other electric wire when the connection and disconnection of one electric wire and the other electric wire are repeated. Good. For example, the connector device 10 may be used to electrically connect the vehicle body side of an electric tricycle or four-wheeled vehicle to the battery.

The technical idea that can be grasped from the above-described embodiment and modified example will be described.
(A) The shock absorbing member is a compression coil spring that can expand and contract in the connection direction between the first connector and the second connector, and is compressed when the first connector and the second connector are connected. The connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which absorbs an impact when connecting the first connector and the second connector.

According to the above aspect, the urging force of the shock absorbing member acts in the direction of disconnecting the connection between the first connector and the second connector. Therefore, when the connection between the first connector and the second connector is released, the first connector and the second connector can be easily disconnected by the urging force of the shock absorbing member. In addition, the cost required for the shock absorbing member can be reduced.

10 ... Connector device 11, 11A ... First connector 12, 12A ... Second connector 13 ... Shock absorbing member 31, 31A ... Guide holes 61a, 61b ... First terminal 93, 93A ... Guide section 101a, 101b ... Second terminal 111 ... 1st engaging portion 112 ... 2nd engaging portion Z1 ... Connecting direction

Claims (4)

A first connector with a plurality of first terminals,
A second connector having a plurality of second terminals electrically connected to the first terminal,
A connector device including a shock absorbing member that absorbs a shock when connecting the first connector and the second connector. The plurality of the first terminals are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis extending in the connection direction between the first connector and the second connector.
The plurality of the second terminals are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis extending in the connection direction.
The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the shock absorbing member is located inside the first terminal and the second terminal when viewed from the connection direction. The second connector has a columnar guide portion whose tip is located closer to the first connector than the second terminal in a state of extending in the connection direction and connecting the first connector and the second connector. ,
The first connector has a guide hole for guiding the guide portion to be inserted when connecting the first connector and the second connector so as to suppress the tilt of the guide portion with respect to the connection direction.
The connector device according to claim 2, wherein the shock absorbing member absorbs a shock when connecting the first connector and the second connector between the tip of the guide portion. The guide hole has a first engaging portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole along the connection direction.
The guide portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the guide portion along the connection direction, engages with the first engaging portion, and together with the first engaging portion, positions the guide portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the guide hole. The connector device according to claim 3, further comprising a second engaging portion.