JP5227864B2 - Communication relay device and communication relay connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication relay device and a communication relay connector that are electrically connected by pressing an electric wire to a press contact terminal.

  Vehicles such as passenger cars and freight cars are equipped with a wide variety of electric devices such as motors that constitute air conditioners, wipers, and power windows. A wire harness is routed in order to transmit electric power, a control signal, and the like to the electric device. The wire harness includes a plurality of electric wires and a connector that accommodates a terminal fitting connected to an end of the electric wire. The electric wire is a so-called covered electric wire including a conductive core wire and an insulating covering portion that covers the core wire.

  Built-in connector with built-in circuit elements to connect electronic devices such as various actuators and electronic control units (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) such as computers via a network by data communication as connectors for the wire harness described above (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). This type of built-in connector has a lead frame in which a circuit element or the like is mounted in a housing.

  The connector with a built-in function shown in Patent Document 1 is provided with at least one connection part for setting a communication address and a ground potential in a removable state and is electrically connected to each corresponding connection part. The electrode unit is provided, and the CPU receives a communication address setting based on the potential level of each connection unit. Then, the electrode part is removed according to the communication address to be set, and the connection part connected to the electrode part is determined to set the communication address.

JP 2005-285411 A

  A configuration shown in FIG. 7 is known as a communication relay device used as a circuit element or the like of the above-described conventional connector with a built-in function. The communication relay device 100 includes a resin sealing body 101 formed in a flat box shape, a plurality of terminals 102 projecting in parallel from one side surface of the resin sealing body 101, and the resin sealing body 102 And a plurality of press contact terminals 103 protruding in parallel with each other from the other side surface. And since the some terminal 102 is connected to an electric wire by the approach to the accommodation hole of a connector, etc., the space | interval of several terminals 102 can be narrowed.

  However, since it is necessary for the plurality of press contact terminals 103 to press the electric wire to the standing portion 104 with a press contact device, a jig, or the like, the interval between the multiple press contact terminals 103 needs to be set in consideration of the press contact work. was there. That is, the interval between the plurality of press contact terminals 103 cannot be reduced. Further, the standing portion 104 of the press contact terminal 103 has a pair of press contact blades 25 spaced apart from each other along the width direction of the press contact terminal 103, that is, the direction X in which the plurality of press contact terminals 20 are arranged. The width of the press contact terminal 103 was also wide.

  Therefore, in the conventional communication relay device 100, as shown in FIG. 7, the resin sealing body 101 becomes large in the direction in which the plurality of press contact terminals 103 are arranged, and cannot be reduced in size, thereby reducing costs. I could not. In addition, if the width of the press contact terminals 103 in the arrangement direction X is narrowed, the strength of the press contact terminals 103 is reduced, so that it is difficult to change the press contact terminals 103. Furthermore, since the resin sealing body 101 cannot be reduced in size, it is difficult to reduce the weight of the communication relay device 100. Further, when the number of electric wires to be in pressure contact increases due to diversification of the communication relay device 100, it is necessary to increase the pressure contact terminals 103, which causes a problem that the resin sealing body 101 is further increased in size. Furthermore, when the resin sealing body 101 is large, the amount of synthetic resin used also increases, and there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size.

  In addition, when communication is performed by connecting the above-described plurality of function built-in connectors to a common communication line, the communication address and ID (identification data) are set in the built-in circuit in advance so as to be settable as described above. In addition, by storing in advance in a nonvolatile memory or the like, it is possible to exchange signals between the connectors with built-in functions. However, it is necessary to set the ID etc. individually for the built-in function connector, and if it has the same appearance, it may be misconnected. Prevention of assembly has been attempted. That is, there has been a problem that it is difficult to share the connector with a built-in function. In addition, when the function built-in connector needs to be provided with an allocation function such as an ID, there is a problem that the cost is increased.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication relay device and a communication relay connector capable of providing an interval between adjacent press contact terminals and assigning an arbitrary ID.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the communication relay device according to claim 1, which is made according to the present invention, includes a first electric wire connected to the electronic control device and a second electric wire connected to a plurality of electronic devices. In the communication relay device having a communication relay means for relaying communication between the electronic control device and the plurality of electronic devices, a plurality of at least one of the first electric wire and the second electric wire are electrically connected A sealing body in which the pressure contact terminals, the communication relay means are sealed, and the plurality of pressure contact terminals connected to the communication relay means are arranged in a state protruding outward along the width direction; and the communication A plurality of setting terminals electrically connected to the relay means and projecting from the sealing body, and a conduction pattern corresponding to a communication address used for communication by the communication relay means are set for the plurality of setting terminals. Communication It has a less setting means, each of said plurality of pressure contact terminal and the plurality of setting pins, characterized in that provided alternately in the longitudinal direction of the sealing body.

  According to the present invention described in claim 1, since each of the plurality of pressure contact terminals and the plurality of setting terminals is alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sealing body and protrudes from the sealing body, Since the setting terminal is located next to the terminal, the setting terminal portion can be secured as a space for a pressure welding device, a jig or the like. Then, when the communication address setting means sets the continuity pattern in the setting terminal, the communication relay unit detects a communication address from the set continuity pattern, and performs communication between the electronic control unit and the plurality of electronic devices. Relay.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication relay device according to the first aspect, each of the plurality of setting terminals is formed in a plate shape.

  According to the present invention described in claim 2, since each of the plurality of setting terminals is formed in a plate shape, the width of the setting terminal is sufficiently secured as a space for a pressure welding device, a jig, or the like. can do.

  The communication relay connector according to claim 3, which has been made according to the present invention in order to solve the above-described problem, is an electrical connection between the communication relay device according to claim 1 or 2, the first electric wire, and the second electric wire. And a housing for accommodating the communication relay device as possible.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the communication relay device accommodated in the housing can secure a space for the press contact device, jig, etc. around each standing portion of the plurality of press contact terminals. Since the miniaturization is possible, the communication relay connector can be miniaturized.

  As described above, according to the present invention described in claim 1, since a portion of the setting terminal positioned next to the press contact terminal can be secured as a space for the press contact device, jig, etc., a plurality of press contact terminals It is possible to reduce the size of the sealing body in the direction in which the rows are arranged. Since the communication address can be set to the setting terminal, it is not necessary to provide the communication relay device with an ID function or the like, and the common use can be achieved. Therefore, it is possible to provide a communication relay device that can provide an interval between adjacent press contact terminals and assign an arbitrary ID. Moreover, since the sealing body can be reduced in size, weight reduction and cost reduction can be achieved. Furthermore, since at least one of the first electric wire and the second electric wire can be connected to the press contact terminal, or the communication address setting means can be provided at any timing such as before and after the connection, work efficiency can be improved. . In addition, even if the number of press contact terminals is increased, the arrangement range of a plurality of press contact terminals in the sealing body can be kept to a minimum. Can be achieved.

  According to the communication relay device of the present invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, each of the plurality of setting terminals is formed in a plate shape. Can be sufficiently secured as a space for a pressure welding device, a jig, and the like, so that the required space for the pressure welding device, the jig, etc. can be easily accommodated.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the communication relay device that has been reduced in size and weight is accommodated in the housing, the housing can be reduced in size and weight. Can be reduced.

It is a perspective view which shows the communication relay apparatus concerning this invention. It is a side view of the press-contact terminal part of the communication relay apparatus shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication address setting means shown by FIG. 1, (a) shows the pattern 1, (b) shows the pattern 2, (c) shows the pattern 3, respectively. It is a disassembled perspective view of the communication relay connector which has a communication relay apparatus shown by FIG. It is a system block diagram which shows the state which integrated the communication relay connector in the vehicle communication system. It is a perspective view which shows the communication relay apparatus which has the conventional press-contact terminal.

  An embodiment of a communication relay device and a communication relay connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings of FIGS.

  1 to 3, the communication relay device 20 is electrically connected to the first electric wire 5 connected to the electronic control device 3 shown in FIG. 5 and the second electric wire 6 connected to the plurality of electronic devices 4. And a communication relay means 21 for relaying communication between the electronic control unit 3 and the plurality of electronic devices 4.

  The communication relay device 20 further includes a plurality (three in FIG. 1) of press contact terminals 22, a plurality (ten in FIG. 1) of terminals 23, a flat box-shaped sealing body 24, and a plurality of (FIG. 1). Among them, there are three) setting terminals 25 and communication address setting means 26.

  The communication relay unit 21 can be realized by an arbitrary configuration such as an integrated circuit, a plurality of discrete components, a micro processor, a DSP (digital signal processor), an ASIC (application specific IC), and the like.

  Each of the plurality of press contact terminals 22 integrally includes a parallel portion 22a and a standing portion 22b. The parallel portion 22 a is formed in a strip shape by a conductive member, and both surfaces thereof are provided on the same plane as both surfaces of the communication relay unit 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the parallel portions 22a of the plurality of press contact terminals 22 are arranged in parallel to each other with a predetermined gap S interposed therebetween. The predetermined gap S is formed to be slightly wider than the adjacent setting terminal 25 and is an interval for preventing contact with the setting terminal 25. Further, the parallel portions 22a of the plurality of press contact terminals 22 are arranged in a state of protruding from the sealing body 24 to the outside with a space from the communication relay means 21.

  The standing portion 22 b is erected from the end of the parallel portion 22 a of the press contact terminal 22 on the side away from the communication relay means 21. Both surfaces of the standing portion 22b are orthogonal to both surfaces of the parallel portion 22a. The standing portion 22b has a pair of press contact blades 22c spaced from each other along the width direction of the press contact terminals 22, that is, the direction in which the plurality of press contact terminals 22 are arranged. The press contact blade 22 c sandwiches the first electric wire 5 between them, cuts the covering portion of the first electric wire 5, and comes into contact with the core wire of the first electric wire 5.

  Each of the plurality of terminals 23 is formed as a lead frame made of a conductive metal. The plurality of terminals 23 protrude in parallel with each other from an edge portion 24d facing the edge portion 24c of the sealing body 24 provided with the plurality of press contact terminals 22. The plurality of terminals 23 are arranged at a predetermined interval. Each of the plurality of terminals 23 is electrically connected to the second electric wire 6 by a female connector or the like.

  The sealing body 24 seals the communication relay unit 21 and the like with a synthetic resin in a state where the plurality of press contact terminals 22 and the plurality of terminals 23 are electrically connected to the communication relay unit 21. The sealing body 24 is formed by arranging a plurality of press contact terminals 24 connected to the communication relay means 21 in a state of protruding outward along the longitudinal (width) direction W of the sealing body 24 at a predetermined interval. Yes. That is, the sealing body 24 covers and accommodates the communication relay means 21, the parallel portions 22 a of the press contact terminals 22, the terminals 23, and the end portions of the setting terminals 25.

  Each of the plurality of setting terminals 25 is electrically connected to the communication relay means 21 in the sealing body 24. Each of the plurality of setting terminals 25 protrudes from the sealing body 24 in the same direction as the protruding direction of the plurality of press contact terminals 22. Each setting terminal is formed in a strip shape by a conductive member, and both surfaces thereof are provided on the same plane as both surfaces of the communication relay means 21. In the present embodiment, each setting terminal has a shape similar to that of the parallel portion 22a of the press contact terminal 22. However, various embodiments such as a lead frame such as the terminal 23 can be used.

  The shape of the setting terminal 25 may be a plate shape that fits in the interval S, or may be various embodiments such as being formed in a lead frame shape and being arranged in the interval S. That is, by setting the setting terminal 25 as a plurality of pin-like terminals, more communication addresses can be set, and the length of the sealing body 24 in the longitudinal direction W can be minimized. Further, the plurality of press contact terminals 22 and the plurality of setting terminals 25 are alternately provided along the longitudinal direction W of the sealing body 24. In the present embodiment, the case where the number of the press contact terminals 22 and the setting terminals 25 are the same will be described. However, the system configuration corresponds to the number of first electric wires 5 connected to the press contact terminals 22, the set number of communication addresses, and the like. Depending on the number, it can be any number.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the communication address setting unit 26 sets a conduction pattern corresponding to a communication address used in communication for a plurality of setting terminals 25. The communication address setting means 26 has a base portion 26a and a plurality (three in FIG. 1) of accommodating portions 26b, and is integrally formed of a nonconductive synthetic resin or the like. The base portion 26 positions each of the plurality of accommodating portions 26 b so as to face the plurality of setting terminals 25. The accommodating portion 26b has an accommodating hole 26c for accommodating the setting terminal 25 therein.

  The plurality of accommodating portions 26b set communication addresses by selectively shorting the plurality of setting terminals 25. In the present embodiment, the number of the accommodating portions 26b is changed according to the conduction pattern as shown in FIG. 3 so that an operator or the like can visually recognize the conduction pattern. A connection member (not shown) disposed in the base portion 26a is provided in each of the plurality of receiving holes 26c. That is, the setting terminal 25 is accommodated in the plurality of receiving holes 26c and electrically connected to the connection member, whereby the plurality of setting terminals 25 are selectively short-circuited to set the communication address. .

  One of the connection members in the plurality of accommodating portions 26b is grounded in the communication address setting means 26, and a predetermined voltage (for example, 5V) is applied to the other two connection members. With such a configuration, the setting terminal 25 short-circuited by the communication address setting means 26 becomes low level, and the setting terminal 25 not short-circuited becomes high level. Therefore, the communication relay means 21 detects the conduction pattern of the setting terminal 25 and detects the communication address corresponding to the conduction pattern.

  In the present embodiment, in order to simplify the description, a case will be described in which a maximum of three accommodating portions 26b are provided and binary numbers 1 to 3 are set as communication addresses. Instead of this, when a value of 4 or more is set as the communication address, it can be dealt with by providing four or more accommodating portions 26b. Further, when binary number 0 is used, the communication address setting means 26 is formed with only the base portion 26a without forming the accommodating portion 26b. Then, the communication address setting means 26 corresponding to the conduction pattern to be set is selected from the three types of communication address setting means 26 shown in FIGS. By accommodating the setting terminal 25, the sealing body 24 is fixed.

  According to the communication relay device 20 described above, since the portion of the setting terminal 25 positioned next to the press contact terminal 22 can be secured as a space for the press contact device, jig, etc., a plurality of press contact terminals 22 are arranged in the longitudinal direction. The size of the sealing body 24 in the direction W can be reduced. And since a communication address can be set to the setting terminal 25, it is not necessary to provide the communication relay device 20 with an allocation function such as an ID, and the common use can be achieved. Therefore, it is possible to provide the communication relay device 20 that can provide an interval S between the adjacent press contact terminals 22 and assign an arbitrary ID. Moreover, since the sealing body 24 can be reduced in size, weight reduction and cost reduction can be achieved. Furthermore, since the communication address setting means 26 can be provided at any timing such as when the first electric wire 5 is connected to the press contact terminal 25 or before and after the connection, work efficiency can be improved. Further, even if the number of the pressure contact terminals 22 is increased, the arrangement range of the plurality of pressure contact terminals 22 in the sealing body 24 can be suppressed to the minimum. Diversification of the relay device 20 can be achieved.

  In addition, according to the communication relay device 20, since each of the plurality of setting terminals 25 is formed in a plate shape, the width of the setting terminal 25 is sufficiently secured as a space for a pressure welding device, a jig, and the like. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with a necessary space such as a pressure welding device and a jig.

  Next, in FIG. 3, the communication relay connector 1 includes a housing 10 and the communication relay device 20 accommodated in the housing 10. The housing 10 includes a unit housing 11, a cover part 12, and an electric wire holding part 13. The housing 10 is formed in a flat box shape by assembling the unit housing 11 and the cover portion 12.

  The unit housing 11 is made of an insulating synthetic resin, and integrally includes a cylindrical hood portion 14 and a storage chamber 15 connected to the hood portion 14. The hood portion 14 is fitted with the mating connector when the connector housing of the mating connector enters inside. The storage chamber 15 is formed in a U-shaped cross section, and an opening 16 is provided above in FIG.

  The cover portion 12 is made of an insulating synthetic resin and is formed in a flat plate shape. The cover part 12 is attached to the unit housing 11. When the cover portion 12 is attached to the unit housing 11, the cover portion 12 closes the opening 16 described above.

  The electric wire holding part 13 has a first holding part 13 a that holds the first electric wire 5 and is provided on the inner surface side of the cover part 12. The first holding part 13 a includes a plurality of electric wire receiving grooves (not shown) provided in the cover part 12. A plurality of the wire receiving grooves are provided facing the pressure contact terminals 22 corresponding to the pressure contact direction A and spaced apart, and hold the first wires 5 through the first wires 5 inside. As means for holding the first electric wire 5, the wire receiving groove is formed to have a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the first electric wire 5, and a locking projection for preventing the first electric wire 5 from coming off is provided in the wire receiving groove. Etc. are used.

  The housing 10 having the above-described configuration positions the communication relay device 20 between the unit housing 11 and the cover 12 and accommodates the communication relay device 20. In the communication relay device 20 in the housing 10, three first electric wires 5 are press-contacted on one side 24 a (upper side in the drawing) of the sealing body 24. The plurality of press contact terminals 25 are selectively rendered conductive by accommodating the press contact terminals 25 corresponding to the communication addresses in the housing portion 26 b of the communication address setting means 26.

  An example of the assembly of the communication relay connector 1 configured as described above will be described below with reference to the drawing of FIG.

  First, the communication relay device 20 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 15 of the housing 10 and held in the housing 10. When a communication address is assigned to the communication relay connector 1, the communication address setting means 26 corresponding to the communication address is selected from a plurality of types shown in FIG. The setting terminal 25 is selectively accommodated in the accommodating portion 26b of the communication address setting means 26.

  The plurality of first electric wires 5 are held by the first holding portion 13 a provided in the cover portion 12, and the engagement portion 12 a of the cover portion 12 is engaged with the engagement receiving portion 17 of the housing 10, while the cover portion 12 is gradually brought closer to the opening 16. Then, the 1st electric wire 5 hold | maintained in the electric wire accommodation groove | channel of the 1st holding | maintenance part 13a is gradually inserted between the press contact blades of the standing part 22b of the corresponding press contact terminal 22. FIG. When the cover portion 12 completely closes the opening 16 and is attached to the unit housing 11, the first electric wire 5 is press-fitted between the press contact blades 22 c, and the press contact blade 22 c covers the covering portion of the first electric wire 5. Cut and make contact with the core wire.

  Thus, when the communication relay connector 1 having the above-described configuration is assembled and connected to the plurality of electric wires 5, it is incorporated into the in-vehicle network of the vehicle communication system 2 shown in FIG. The vehicle communication system 2 includes the plurality of communication relay connectors 1, the electronic control device 3, and the plurality of electronic devices 4 to be communicated with the electronic control device 3.

  The communication relay connector 1 includes a plurality of electronic devices 4 and a plurality of terminals 23 connected to the other connector via the second electric wires 6 by fitting the other connector to the plurality of terminals 23 of the communication relay device 20. Each is electrically connected. As a result, each communication relay connector 1 is communicably connected to the electronic control device 3 via the first electric wire 5, and a plurality of electronic devices 4 and second electric wires whose operations are controlled by the electronic control device 3. 6 is communicably connected. When each of the plurality of communication relay connectors 1 is supplied with power to the communication relay device 20, a communication address is set from the conduction pattern of the plurality of setting terminals 25, and the electronic control device 3 is used using the communication address. And relays communication between the plurality of electronic devices 4.

  According to the communication relay connector 1 described above, the communication relay device 20 that has been reduced in size and weight is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 15 of the housing 10, so that the housing 10 can be reduced in size and weight. Therefore, the component cost of the communication relay connector 1 can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the setting terminal 25 of the communication relay device 20 is formed with the same length as the parallel portion 22a of the press contact terminal 22 has been described. Instead of this, various different embodiments such as making the setting terminal 25 longer or shorter than the parallel portion 22a can be used.

  As described above, the above-described embodiments are merely representative forms of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication relay connector 10 Housing 20 Communication relay apparatus 21 Communication relay means 22 Pressure contact terminal 24 Sealing body 25 Setting terminal 26 Communication address setting means

Claims (3)

A communication relay that relays communication between the electronic control device and the plurality of electronic devices by electrically connecting a first wire connected to the electronic control device and a second wire connected to the plurality of electronic devices. In a communication relay device having means,
A plurality of press contact terminals to which at least one of the first electric wire and the second electric wire is electrically connected;
A sealing body which seals the communication relay means and is arranged in a row in a state where the plurality of press contact terminals connected to the communication relay means protrude outward along the width direction;
A plurality of setting terminals electrically connected to the communication relay means and projecting from the sealing body;
A communication address setting means for setting a conduction pattern corresponding to a communication address used for communication by the communication relay means for the plurality of setting terminals;
Have
Each of the plurality of press contact terminals and the plurality of setting terminals are alternately provided in the longitudinal direction of the sealing body.   The communication relay device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of setting terminals is formed in a plate shape. The communication relay device according to claim 1 or 2,
A housing that houses the communication relay device so that electrical connection between the first electric wire and the second electric wire is possible;
Having a communication relay connector.

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