JP5737153B2 - Ground connection device and wire harness using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for collectively connecting a plurality of ground wires included in a wire harness for a vehicle to a predetermined ground site in the vehicle.

  BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a ground joint connector is generally known as a ground connection device for collectively connecting a plurality of ground wires included in a wire harness to a predetermined ground portion in a vehicle.

  As described in Patent Document 1, the ground joint connector includes a wire terminal connected to the terminals of a plurality of ground wires, a ground conductor connected to the ground portion, and a connector housing. Yes. The grounding conductor has an electric wire side terminal portion connected to the electric wire terminal and an earth side terminal portion connected to the ground portion. The connector housing has a terminal accommodating chamber for accommodating electric wire terminals. The electric wire terminal can be fitted into the electric wire side terminal portion of the grounding conductor inside the terminal accommodating chamber. Through such a ground joint connector, the plurality of ground wires are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the wire terminal and the wire side terminal portion are fitted (that is, the terminal fitting direction). In the state, it is connected to the earth site.

JP 2011-60522 A

  The ground joint connector has an upper limit in the number of ground wires that can be connected to one ground joint connector due to restrictions such as the allowable current of the ground conductor.

  Therefore, when connecting a large number of grounding wires to a single grounding site, connect these grounding wires to a plurality of joint connectors, and then stack the grounding conductors of each joint connector vertically. It is conceivable to connect to one earth site. Here, when a plurality of joint connectors having the same shape are used, if the conductors for grounding are stacked one above the other, the connector housings are also stacked in a vertical relationship, and the height of the stacked connector housings A gap that is as large as that required.

  However, due to restrictions on the vehicle body layout, for example, when the gap between the steel plate constituting the vehicle body and the interior material is narrow and the height of the place where the joint connector is installed is restricted, a plurality of connector housings may be stacked and arranged. It can be difficult.

  Therefore, when a conventional ground joint connector is used, it is difficult to connect a large number of ground wires to one ground site in a place where the height inside the vehicle body is limited.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides an earth connection device capable of connecting a large number of grounding wires to one earthing site and a wire harness using the same even in an installation place where the height is limited. The purpose is to do.

  As a means for solving the above problems, the ground connection device of the present invention has a structure in which the ground conductors of a plurality of joint connectors can be stacked and connected to one ground site, and the connector housings are stacked. The shape of the grounding conductor is improved so that it can be arranged in parallel at the same height without being installed, so that it can be installed in places where the height is limited.

Specifically, the ground connection device of the present invention is a ground connection device for collectively connecting a plurality of ground wires to a ground portion provided on a wall surface in a vehicle, the ground wire A first ground joint connector provided at a terminal of a plurality of first ground wires, and a plurality of second ground wire terminals different from the first ground wire among the ground wires. A second ground joint connector, wherein the first ground joint connector includes a plurality of first wire terminals respectively attached to ends of the first ground wires; A plurality of first electric wire side terminal portions having shapes that can be fitted in specific terminal fitting directions common to the respective first electric wire terminals, and connected to the ground portion on the wall surface. Possible shapes A first ground side terminal portion, and the first ground side terminal portions are arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the terminal fitting direction and substantially parallel to the wall surface. A first grounding conductor integrally connected to the side terminal portion and the first grounding conductor are held, and the first electric wire is opened from the opening in one direction parallel to the terminal fitting direction. A first connector housing having a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers into which terminals for insertion can be inserted and a terminal locking portion for locking the first electric wire terminal inserted into each terminal accommodating chamber; In the connector housing, the first electric wire terminal inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber is fitted to the corresponding first electric wire side terminal portion, and the first electric wire terminal is locked to the terminal. The first electric wire side terminal in each terminal accommodating chamber so that the portion is locked And holding the first grounding conductor so that the first ground side terminal portion protrudes outside the first connector housing on the side opposite to the opening of each terminal housing chamber, The second ground joint connector has a plurality of second wire terminals respectively attached to the ends of the second ground wires and a specific common to the second wire terminals. A plurality of second electric wire side terminal portions having a shape that can be fitted in the terminal fitting direction, and a second ground side terminal portion having a shape that can be connected to the first ground side terminal portion. And the second electric wire side terminal portions are integrally connected to the second ground side terminal portion in a state of being arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the terminal fitting direction and substantially parallel to the wall surface. Holding the second grounding conductor and the second grounding conductor Both are opened in one direction parallel to the terminal fitting direction, a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers into which the second electric wire terminals can be inserted, and the second electric wires inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers. A second connector housing having a terminal locking portion for locking the terminal, and the second connector housing has a second wire terminal inserted into each of the terminal accommodating chambers corresponding to the second connector housing. The second electric wire side terminal portion is accommodated in each terminal accommodating chamber so that the respective terminal engaging portions are engaged with the second electric wire terminal in a state of being fitted to the two electric wire side terminal portions, It said second ground-side terminal portion holds the second grounding conductor so as to project to the outside of the second connector housing on the side opposite to the opening of the respective terminal receiving chambers, for the first ground The conductor includes the first ground side terminal portion and the first electric wire. A first step is provided between the first ground side terminal portion and the first electric wire side terminal portion in the stacking direction by being interposed between the terminal portions and extending in a direction parallel to the stacking direction. The first ground-side terminal portion has a contact surface having a shape capable of contacting the wall surface, and the first connector housing has the contact surface on the wall surface. The first grounding surface is opposed to the wall surface when abutting, and the second ground conductor is interposed between the second ground side terminal portion and the second wire side terminal portion. And a second stepped portion that provides a step between the second ground side terminal portion and the second electric wire side terminal portion in the stacking direction by extending in a direction parallel to the stacking direction, When the abutment surface abuts against the wall surface, the second connector housing A second facing surface facing the wall surface, and the height of the first stepped portion is set such that the contact surface of the first ground side terminal portion is in contact with the wall surface. The height of the connector housing is set to such a height that the connector housing is spaced apart from the wall surface in the stacking direction and a predetermined gap can be maintained between the first facing surface of the first connector housing and the wall surface, The height of the second stepped portion is such that the contact surface of the first ground side terminal portion is in contact with the wall surface, and the second ground side terminal portion is in contact with the first ground side terminal portion. When the second connector housing is stacked in the stacking direction, the second connector housing is separated from the wall surface in the stacking direction, and the predetermined gap is formed between the second facing surface of the second connector housing and the wall surface. Can maintain the same gap as Una the height has been set, the first ground conductor and said second grounding conductor, for the second ground together with the first ground conductor having a first stepped portion Since the conductor has the second step portion, the arrangement direction of the first electric wire side terminal portions and the arrangement direction of the second electric wire side terminal portions are arranged in a substantially parallel posture and at substantially the same height. The second grounding conductor can be stacked in the stacking direction perpendicular to the two alignment directions with respect to the first grounding conductor, and the first grounding conductor and the second grounding conductor can be stacked. And the first connector housing and the second connector housing have a shape that can be arranged in a substantially parallel posture and in a substantially parallel posture in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction. It is characterized by.

  In this configuration, first, the wire-side terminal portions of the grounding conductor are arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the wall surface of the vehicle to which the ground-side terminal portion is fixed. It is possible to reduce the overall size of the joint connector for a connector, and it is possible to make the respective connector housings of the first and second ground joint connectors flat, and to suppress the amount of protrusion from the wall surface to be small. It is possible.

  In the state where the first grounding conductor and the second grounding conductor are stacked, the connector housings of the flat first and second grounding joint connectors are in the stacking direction of the grounding conductor. A place where the height in the vehicle is limited while allowing a large number of wires to be connected to the grounding part by arranging them in a posture that is substantially parallel to the direction perpendicular to the direction and at the same height But it can be easily installed.

Furthermore, since each connector housing can be arranged close to the wall surface in the vehicle and substantially parallel to the wall surface, the gap between the connector housing and the wall surface can be reduced, and vehicle operation can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the possibility that the connector housing comes into contact with the wall surface due to internal vibration or the like to generate abnormal noise.
In the above structure, the first ground side terminal portion and the second ground side terminal portion are stacked between each other, even though the first ground side terminal portion and the second ground side terminal portion are stacked on each other. A good gap can be secured. Specifically, in a state where the contact surface of the first ground side terminal portion is in contact with the wall surface of the vehicle, a step is provided between the first ground side terminal portion and the first wire side terminal portion. The first step portion separates the first connector housing from the wall surface in the stacking direction and maintains a predetermined gap between the first facing surface and the wall surface of the first connector housing. It is possible to reliably reduce the possibility that the opposite surface of the first connector housing comes into contact with the wall surface due to vibrations or the like to generate abnormal noise. At the same time, in a state where the contact surface of the first ground side terminal portion is in contact with the wall surface of the vehicle and the second grounding conductor is stacked in the stacking direction with respect to the first grounding conductor, The second connector housing is separated from the wall surface in the stacking direction by the second step portion that provides a step between the second ground side terminal portion and the second electric wire side terminal portion. Since a gap having the same size as the predetermined gap is maintained between the two opposing surfaces and the wall surface, the opposing surface of the second connector housing comes into contact with the wall surface due to vibration during driving of the vehicle, and noise is generated. It is possible to reliably reduce the possibility of occurrence.

  Moreover, it is preferable that at least one of the first ground side terminal portion and the second ground side terminal portion has a shape protruding in a direction parallel to the both alignment directions.

  According to this configuration, the first ground side terminal portion and the second ground side terminal portion can be partially stacked at a position shifted in both alignment directions, and the first and second connector housings Can be easily arranged side by side along a direction orthogonal to the laminating direction of the first and second grounding conductors.

  Furthermore, the first ground side terminal portion has a first lateral protrusion that protrudes in a direction parallel to the both alignment directions, and the second ground side terminal portion is the both alignment directions. A second side protrusion that protrudes in a direction parallel to the first side protrusion and faces the first side protrusion, and the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion The protrusions are preferably stacked in the stacking direction.

  According to this configuration, the first ground side terminal portion and the second ground side terminal portion each have the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion that protrude in the both directions. Therefore, by laminating these side protrusions, the first and second connector housings are set in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the ground conductors are stacked even if the amount of protrusion of each side protrusion is small. It is possible to arrange them side by side while ensuring the interval. Further, before the first and second ground side terminals are stacked, the amount of protrusion of the individual side protrusions can be small. Therefore, when each joint connector is transported and stored, each side protrusion It is possible to reduce the risk of interference with packaging materials and the like.

  In addition, the first ground side terminal portion and the second ground side terminal portion may be connected to the ground portion in a portion where the first side projecting portion and the second side projecting portion are stacked. Preferably they are connected.

  According to this configuration, the first and second ground side terminal portions are connected to the ground portion at the portion where the first and second side protrusions are stacked, so the first and second Variation in the distance between the electric wire side terminal portion and the ground portion can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility of a problem of current flowing between adjacent grounding wires without going through the grounding part.

  In addition, the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion are electrically connected to each other by contacting the side protrusions in a state where the side protrusions are stacked in the stacking direction. It is preferable to have a first contact portion and a second contact portion that are electrically conductive.

  In this structure, the first lateral protrusion and the second lateral protrusion are mutually connected by the first contact portion and the second contact portion in a state where the lateral protrusions are stacked in the stacking direction. This makes it possible to electrically connect the protruding parts on both sides.

  Further, the first contact portion includes a first engagement portion, and the second contact portion is engaged with the first engagement portion in a state where the both side protruding portions are stacked. It is preferable to include a second engagement portion that maintains the stacked state.

  According to this configuration, the first contact portion and the second contact portion in the first and second ground side terminal portions include the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion that are engaged with each other. Therefore, when the first and second engaging portions are engaged with each other in a state where the side protrusions are stacked, the stacked state can be maintained. As a result, since the first and second ground joint connectors can be integrally connected to each other in a state where they are integrally coupled, the workability of attachment to the ground portion is improved. In addition, the connection state to the ground part can be stably maintained.

  The present invention also provides a wire harness using the ground connection device. The wire harness includes a first wire harness body including a plurality of the first grounding wires, a second wire harness body including the plurality of second grounding wires, and an earth connection according to claim 1. A plurality of first electric wire terminals included in the first ground joint connector attached to a terminal of the first ground electric wire of the first wire harness main body. In this state, the plurality of second electric wires are inserted into the respective terminal accommodating chambers of the first connector housing and fitted into the first electric wire side terminal portions, and are included in the second ground joint connector. The terminal for the second electric wire is inserted into each terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing in a state in which the terminal is attached to the terminal of the second grounding electric wire of the second wire harness body. And the first ground conductor and the second ground conductor are substantially parallel to a direction in which the first wire harness body and the second wire harness body are orthogonal to the stacking direction. In a state where the first connector housing and the second connector housing are arranged side by side at substantially the same height in a posture, the first connector housing and the second connector housing are arranged in a posture that is substantially parallel to the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction and at substantially the same height. It has the shape which can be arrange | positioned.

  Since the wire harness main bodies are arranged along with the corresponding first and second connector housings in a posture substantially parallel to the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction and at substantially the same height, It is possible to reduce the height required for arranging the first and second wire harness bodies on the upper side, and it is possible to easily attach the vehicle in places where the height in the vehicle is limited.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a plurality of wire harnesses are collectively arranged at one earth site, the height required for arranging the ground connection device and the wire harness using the same is reduced. be able to.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the ground connection apparatus in the terminal of the wire harness which concerns on this invention. It is the figure which looked at the earth connection apparatus of FIG. 1 from the direction parallel to the wall surface of a vehicle. It is a rear view of the ground connection apparatus of FIG. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connection of the first and second ground joint connectors is released in the ground connection device of FIG. 1. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the 1st joint connector for earth | grounds of FIG. It is the figure which looked at the 1st joint connector for earthing of Drawing 1 from the front. It is the figure which looked at the 1st joint connector for earthing of Drawing 1 from back. The cross-sectional front view which shows the state which the retainer of the joint connector for earth | grounds in the earth | ground connection apparatus of FIG. It is a cross-sectional front view which shows the state which the retainer of the joint connector for earth | grounds in the earth | ground connection apparatus of FIG. 1 exists in a latching position.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a ground connection device and a wire harness using the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 4 show a ground connection device in a terminal of a wire harness according to the present embodiment. The wire harness WH includes a wire harness main body 2 including a plurality of electric wires bundled with each other and a ground connection device 1. The wire harness body 2 is composed of a first wire harness body 2a and a second wire harness body 2b. The first wire harness body 2a is configured by bundling a plurality of grounding wires 11, and the second wire harness body 2b is configured by bundling a plurality of grounding wires 111.

  The ground connection device 1 of the present embodiment includes a first ground joint connector JC1 and a second ground joint connector JC2, and the ground conductors 30 and 130 are stacked in the stacking direction S. The connector housings 40 and 140 are arranged at substantially the same height side by side in the width direction W of the connector housings 40 and 140, which is a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction S of the connector housings 40 and 140. The first and second ground joint connectors JC1 and JC2 collectively connect the plurality of first and second ground wires 11 and 111 constituting the first and second wire harness bodies to the ground portion. Is to do.

  The first and second grounding wires 11 and 111 are composed of a conductor and an insulating coating that covers the conductor, and are collectively connected to the ground portion of the wall surface A of the vehicle via the ground connection device. As shown in FIG. 2, the ground portion includes a wall surface A of the vehicle body and a bolt B projecting inward from the wall surface A.

  The grounding wires 11 and 111 are for grounding a specific circuit connected to the wire harness to the ground part, and one end of each is connected to the bolt B which is the ground part, and the other end is the circuit. Connected to.

  Specifically, the ground connection device 1 is configured as follows.

  The first and second ground joint connectors JC1 and JC2 include a plurality of first wire terminals 20 (see FIGS. 9 to 10) and a second wire terminal (not shown), respectively, The second connector housings 40 and 140 and the retainers 50 and 150 are provided, and these parts are common. However, the first and second ground joint connectors JC1 and JC2 have the first ground conductor 30 and the second ground conductor 130 having different shapes, and the connector housings 40 and 140 are arranged in the width direction. It can be arranged in line with W at substantially the same height.

  That is, the first grounding conductor 30 and the second grounding conductor 130 are arranged in the direction in which first electric wire side terminal portions 32 (see FIGS. 9 to 10) described later are arranged (that is, the connector housings in FIGS. 1 and 7). 40, 140 in the width direction W) and the arrangement direction of second electric wire side terminal portions (not shown) (also in the width direction W) in a substantially parallel posture and at substantially the same height, for the second grounding The conductor 130 can be stacked in the stacking direction S (see FIG. 1) perpendicular to both the alignment directions (that is, the width direction W in FIGS. 1 and 7) with respect to the first grounding conductor 30, and the first A direction in which the first connector housing 40 and the second connector housing 140 are orthogonal to the stacking direction S in a state where the first grounding conductor 30 and the second grounding conductor 130 are stacked (that is, the width of FIG. 1). In a posture substantially parallel to the direction W) and substantially Shaped like positionable alongside one height. In the present embodiment, the first grounding conductor 30 and the second grounding conductor 130 each have a shape projecting in a direction parallel to both the alignment directions (specifically, the side shown in FIGS. 1 and 5). Ground side terminal portions 34 and 134 having side protrusions 34a and 134a) and step portions 36 and 136 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) having different lengths.

  Next, each component of the first and second ground joint connectors JC1 and JC2 will be described more specifically. The first and second ground joint connectors JC1 and JC2 have a common configuration except for the ground conductors 30 and 130. Therefore, in the following items, the lower first ground joint is representative. The description of each component of the connector JC1 will be described in detail.

(Configuration of first ground joint connector JC1)
Each of the first electric wire terminals 20 is provided at the end of each of the first grounding electric wires 11, and as shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, a female electric contact portion 22 and an electric wire crimping portion. It has a conductor barrel 23 and an insulation barrel 24 constituting the part in the front-rear direction.

  The electrical contact portion 22 has a hollow rectangular tube-shaped main body and a contact spring piece 26 provided so as to be able to bend in the main body. A hole 28 to be locked is formed in the top wall of the electrical contact portion 22 so as to be locked on the first connector housing 40 side.

  The wire crimping portion is crimped to the end of the corresponding first grounding wire 11. The terminal of the first grounding wire 11 is previously subjected to a treatment for removing the insulating coating 16 and exposing the conductor 14, and the barrels 23 and 24 of the wire crimping portion are respectively connected to the conductor 14. Are bent so as to embrace each of the terminal and the insulating coating 16 in the vicinity thereof, so that the terminal is crimped to the terminal of the first ground wire 11 and electrically connected to the conductor.

  The first grounding conductor 30 is made of a conductive material, and is connected to the first electric wire terminals 20 in common, whereby the first electric wire terminals 20 are collectively connected to the bolts at the earth portion. Connect to B, ie ground. The first connector housing 40 is integrally formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and has a shape capable of holding a predetermined portion of the first ground conductor 30 in a stored state, specifically, The first ground conductor 30 has a flat shape in the thickness direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, the first grounding conductor 30 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of (12 in the illustrated example) first wire-side terminal portions 32 and a plurality of first wire-sides. A connecting portion 33 (see FIG. 7) for connecting the terminal portion 32, a first ground side terminal portion 34, and a first step portion 36 interposed between the connecting portion 33 and the ground side terminal portion 34 are integrated. The electric wire side terminal portions 32 are connected to a common ground side terminal portion 34 via a connecting portion 33 and a first step portion 36. The plurality of electric wire side terminal portions 32 are respectively arranged in two upper and lower stages. These electric wire side terminal portions 32 are connected to each other by a U-shaped connecting portion 33. The connecting portion 33 is connected to the first step portion 36.

  Each of the electric wire side terminal portions 32 protrudes toward the rear side (electric wire side) of the first ground joint connector JC1, and has a predetermined terminal fit to the female electrical contact portion 22 of each of the electric wire terminals 20. A male fitting portion (tab) that can be fitted in the mating direction Y (the axial direction of the grounding electric wire 11) is configured, and in this fitted state, press contact is made with the contact spring piece 26 and the top wall of the electrical contact portion 22. As a result, the electrical contact portion 22 is electrically connected. These electric wire side terminal portions 32 are arranged in a direction parallel to the width direction W (a direction perpendicular to the terminal fitting direction and parallel to the wall surface A).

  The ground side terminal portion 34 is fixed on the wall surface A while being connected to the bolt B which is a ground portion, and holds the ground side terminal portion 134 of the upper second ground joint connector JC2. It has a function. Specifically, the earth side terminal portion 34 has a plate shape along the wall surface A, and has a lower surface 34b (see FIGS. 2 and 4) having a shape capable of coming into contact with the wall surface A. The lower surface 34b corresponds to the contact surface of the present invention.

  The first step portion 36 is interposed between the first ground side terminal portion 34 and the first electric wire side terminal portion 32. The first step portion 36 extends in a direction parallel to the stacking direction S, thereby providing a step between the first ground side terminal portion 34 and the first electric wire side terminal portion 32 in the stacking direction S. The height of the first step portion 36 is such that the first connector housing 40 is separated from the wall surface A in the stacking direction S when the lower surface 34b of the first ground side terminal portion 34 is in contact with the wall surface A. The height is set such that a predetermined gap t can be maintained between the lower surface 41 of one connector housing 40 and the wall surface A.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the first ground-side terminal portion 34 has a shape protruding in a direction parallel to both the alignment directions (width direction W). Side protrusion 34a. A through hole 35 into which the bolt B (see FIGS. 1 and 2) can be inserted is formed in the first side protrusion 34a, and the left and right sides (both sides in the width direction W) of the through hole 35 are illustrated in FIG. 4-5, the first contact portion 37 is engaged with second engagement portions 137a and 137b of the second ground side terminal portion 134 of the second ground joint connector JC2 to be described later. First engaging portions 37a and 37b are formed. The engaging portion 37a is bulged above (front side) above the other portion of the ground side terminal portion 34, and a space for fitting the ground side terminal portion 134 is formed on the lower side (back side) thereof. . Further, the engaging portion 37b has an inverted U shape. Further, a tongue piece 39 for restricting the rotation of the first ground joint connector JC1 is provided at the side end portion of the first ground side terminal portion 34 opposite to the first side protruding portion 34a. . The tongue piece 39 can be fitted into a hole (not shown) formed in the wall surface A to restrict the rotation around the bolt B of the first ground joint connector JC1.

  The connector housing 40 holds each electric wire side terminal portion 32 with the ground side terminal portion 34 of the grounding conductor 30 exposed, and is orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the electric wire side terminal portions 32. It has a flat shape in the direction.

  The connector housing 40 is fixed to the wall surface A with the lower surface 34b of the ground side terminal portion 34 in contact with the wall surface A, as shown in FIGS. When this is done, it has a lower surface 41 facing the wall surface A and an upper surface 42 on the opposite side. In this embodiment, the upper and lower surfaces 41 and 42 are both flat surfaces substantially parallel to the wall surface A. The lower surface 41 corresponds to the first facing surface of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, the front side portion (ground side portion) of the connector housing 40 constitutes a conductor holding portion 43, and the rear side portion (electric wire side portion) has a plurality (12 in the illustrated example) of terminals. A storage chamber 44 is provided.

  These terminal accommodating chambers 44 are arranged in two upper and lower stages at the same pitch as that of the electric wire side terminal portions 32 in a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the electric wire side terminal portions 32, and the rear side, that is, the ground side terminal portion 34. Open on the opposite side. Then, the electrical contact portion 22 of each electric wire terminal 20 is allowed to be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 44 from this opening.

  The conductor holding portion 43 has a shape that allows the electric wire side terminal portions 32 of the grounding conductor 30 to be press-fitted into the conductor holding portion 43 from the side (front side) opposite to the terminal accommodating chamber 44. And the press-fitted wire side terminal portion 32 is held. Each electric wire side terminal portion 32 protrudes into the terminal accommodating chamber 44 corresponding to the electric wire side terminal portion 32, and the electric contact portion 22 of the electric wire terminal 20 inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 44 and the insertion. It is held at a position where it is fitted in the direction (terminal fitting direction Y).

  As shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, the connector housing 40 is formed with a lance 48 as a terminal locking portion at a position corresponding to each terminal accommodating chamber 44. Each lance 48 bulges obliquely inward from its top surface (upper side surface) in each terminal accommodating chamber 44, and its tip portion can be deflected and displaced in the thickness direction (vertical direction in the figure) of the connector housing 40. Configure the free end. This tip portion is bent and deformed upward by coming into contact with the inserted electric wire terminal 20 to allow the electric wire terminal 20 to pass therethrough, and after that passage, the tip portion is elastically returned to a normal position. As shown in FIG. 2, the wire terminal 20 is fitted into the locked hole 28 of the wire terminal 20 to restrain the wire terminal 20 from the rear side. That is, the electric wire terminal 20 is prevented from being displaced in the disengagement direction, and the electric wire terminal 20 is locked (primary locked) at a position where the electric wire terminal 20 is fitted to the electric wire side terminal portion 32.

  The retainer 50 is used to further lock (secondary lock) each wire terminal 20 that is fitted to the wire side terminal portion 32 and locked by the lance 48 as described above. 40 is attached to the middle part in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the retainer 50 is formed between the insertion / removal allowable position shown in FIG. 9 and the locking direction in which the connector housing 40 sinks into the connector housing 40 as shown in FIG. It is attached to the connector housing 40 so as to be movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to both the arrangement direction of the side terminal portions 32 and the terminal fitting direction. The electric wire terminals 20 are allowed to be inserted / removed, and the electric wire terminals 20 are inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers 44 and fitted to the electric wire side terminal portions 32 at the locking position. Stop.

  The retainer 50 is for further locking (secondary locking) each wire terminal 20 that is fitted to the wire side terminal portion 32 and locked by the lance 48 as described above. The retainer is inserted into a retainer insertion port 40c formed at an intermediate portion of the upper surface 42 in the front-rear direction. More specifically, the retainer 50 has a thickness direction of the connector housing 40 (see FIG. 9) between the insertion / removal allowable position shown in FIG. 9 and the locking position sinked in the connector housing 40 as shown in FIG. The connector housing 40 is mounted so as to be movable in the stacking direction S) of 1-2, and the insertion / removal of the electric wire terminals 20 with respect to the terminal accommodating chambers 44 is allowed at the insertion / removal allowable position, In the locking position, the electric wire terminal 20 in the position inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 44 and fitted in the electric wire side terminal portion 32 is locked in that position.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, the retainer 50 has a ceiling wall 52 extending in the width direction W (see FIG. 1) of the connector housing 40 and a position corresponding to each terminal accommodating chamber 44 from the lower surface of the ceiling wall 52. A plurality of locking projections 53 projecting are formed. These locking projections 53 are retracted from the terminal accommodating chamber 44 to the upper side (front side) when the retainer 50 is in the insertion / removal allowing position, and allow the insertion / removal of the electric wire terminal 20 with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 44. When the retainer 50 is pushed to the locking position in a state where the electric wire terminal 20 is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber 44 and locked to the lance 48, the inside of each terminal receiving chamber 44 is And the electric contact portion 22 of each electric wire terminal 20 is restrained from the rear side, whereby the electric wire terminal 20 is double-locked. Although not shown, the retainer 50 has a locking projection or the like so as to be locked at the insertion / removal allowable position and the locking position, respectively.

(Configuration of second ground joint connector JC2)
Next, the configuration of the upper second ground joint connector JC2 will be described. The upper second ground joint connector JC2 has a configuration in which the first ground conductor 30 is different from the first ground conductor 30 in the configuration of the lower first ground joint connector JC1. The second ground conductor 130 is replaced, and other configurations are the same as those of the first ground joint connector JC1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the second ground conductor 130 is configured as follows.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the second grounding conductor 130 includes a second grounding side terminal portion 134 and a second stepped portion 136, and a portion accommodated in the connector housing 140. And a plurality of second electric wire side terminal portions and connecting portions (not shown) similar to those of the first ground conductor 30. Since the second electric wire side terminal portion and the connecting portion have the same configuration as the first grounding conductor 30 described above, description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the second ground-side terminal portion 134 has a shape protruding in a direction parallel to both the arranging directions (the width direction W). And a second side protrusion 134a that protrudes in a direction parallel to the direction and facing the first side protrusion 34a.

  The 2nd side protrusion part 134a has a shape which can be laminated | stacked on the lamination direction S with respect to the 1st side protrusion part 34a. By stacking the second side protrusions 134a in the stacking direction S with respect to the first side protrusions 34a, the first ground side terminal part 34 and the second ground side terminal part 134a are aligned in both directions. The first and second connector housings 40 and 140 can be partially laminated at positions shifted in the (width direction W), and the first and second connector housings 40 and 140 are orthogonal to the lamination direction S of the first and second ground conductors 30 and 130. It is possible to arrange them side by side easily along the direction. In such an arrangement, the lower surface 141 of the second connector housing 140 has a wall surface when the lower surface 34b (contact surface) of the first ground side terminal portion 34 of the first connector housing 40 contacts the wall surface A. It is possible to face A. The lower surface 141 corresponds to the second facing surface of the present invention.

  The second stepped portion 136 is interposed between the second ground side terminal portion 134 and the second wire side terminal portion (not shown). The second step portion 136 extends in a direction parallel to the stacking direction S, thereby providing a step between the second ground side terminal portion 134 and the second wire side terminal portion in the stacking direction S.

  The height of the second stepped portion 136 is such that the lower surface 34 b of the first ground side terminal portion 34 abuts against the wall surface A, and the second ground side terminal portion 134 is in relation to the first ground side terminal portion 34. In the state where the second connector housing 140 is stacked in the stacking direction S, the second connector housing 140 is separated from the wall surface A in the stacking direction S and is equal to the predetermined gap t between the lower surface 141 of the second connector housing 140 and the wall surface A. The height is set so as to maintain a gap of a size. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the second ground side terminal portion 134 is shorter than the first stepped portion 36 of the first ground side terminal portion 34 positioned on the lower side. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second connector housing 140 is in a posture substantially parallel to the first connector housing 40 in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction S (that is, the width direction W) and It is possible to arrange them at substantially the same height and at a predetermined interval t from the wall surface A. The interval t is set to such a size (for example, around 2 mm) that the two connector housings 40 and 140 do not generate abnormal noise when they hit the wall surface A.

  The second side protrusion 134a is formed with a through hole 135 into which the bolt B (see FIGS. 1 and 2) can be inserted. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the second lateral protrusion 134 a is stacked on the first lateral protrusion 34 a and the through hole 135 is overlaid on the through hole 35. The first ground side terminal portion 34 and the second ground side terminal portion 134 are formed by laminating the first side projecting portion 34a and the second side projecting portion 134a by passing the bolt B therethrough. It is possible to connect to the ground part (bolt B) at the location of the side protrusions 34a, 134a.

  Moreover, the 2nd side protrusion part 134a has the 2nd contact part 137, as FIG. The second contact portion 137 is disposed on both the left and right sides (both sides in the width direction W) of the through hole 135 of the second side protrusion 134a. The second contact portion 137 includes second engagement portions 137a and 137b that engage with the first engagement portions 37a and 37b of the first lateral protrusion 34a.

  The second contact portion 137 electrically connects the side protrusions 34a and 134a by contacting each other in a state where the first and second side protrusions 34a and 134a are stacked in the stacking direction S. The first contact portion 37 of the first ground side terminal portion 34 is brought into contact with the first ground side terminal portion 34.

  The second engaging portions 137a and 137b constituting the second contact portion 137 can be engaged with the first engaging portions 37a and 37b in a state where the grounding conductors 30 and 130 are laminated. is there.

(How to connect to ground)
Next, a method of connecting the wire harness to the ground site using the ground connection device of the present embodiment will be described.

1) Mounting of the wire terminals 20 First, a plurality of ground wires 11 and 111 to be grounded are drawn out from the two wire harness main body parts 2, and the first and the terminals of the ground wires 11 and 111 are connected to the first and The electric wire terminals 20 of the second ground joint connectors JC1 and JC2 are respectively attached. The terminal may be attached in advance before the assembly of the wire harness.

2) Locking of the wire terminal 20 Next, as shown in FIG. 9, each of the wire terminals 20 of the first and second ground joint connectors JC1 and JC2 is connected to the first and second connectors. It is inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers 44 of the housings 40 and 140, and fits into the electric wire side terminal portions 32 of the grounding conductors 30 and 130 while passing under the retaining projections 53 of the retainers 50 and 150 at the insertion / removal allowable position. As a result, the electric wire terminals 20 can be electrically connected to the common grounding conductors 30 and 130 collectively. At the time of the fitting, a lance 48 which is a terminal locking portion on the first and second connector housings 40, 140 side is placed in a locked hole 28 provided in the electrical contact portion 22 of each electric wire terminal 20. The fitting state between the electrical contact portion 22 and the electric wire side terminal portion 32 is maintained by engaging the respective electrical contact portions 22 and locking (primary locking).

  From the above state, the retainers 50 and 150 of the first and second ground joint connectors JC1 and JC2 are connected in the thickness direction S of the connector housings 40 and 140 (that is, the arrangement direction of the wire side terminal portions 32 and the terminal fitting). The retainers 50 and 150 are locked at the locking positions as shown in FIG. 10 by being pushed in a direction substantially perpendicular to both the alignment directions. The retainers 50 and 150 in the locking position are such that the locking projection 53 of the top wall 52 enters the terminal accommodating chamber 44 and restrains the electrical contact portion 22 of the wire terminal 20 from the rear side. The electric wire terminal 20 is secondarily locked. Thereby, it is possible to reliably maintain the fitted state between each wire terminal 20 and each wire-side terminal portion 32 inside the connector housings 40 and 140.

3) Combining of the grounding conductors 30 and 130 After that, the second side protruding part 134a protruding in the width direction W of the grounding side terminal part 134 of the second grounding conductor 130 is replaced with the first grounding conductor 30. The first and second connector housings 40, 140 are arranged in the width direction W so as to have substantially the same height by being stacked on the first side protrusion 34 a that protrudes in the width direction W of the ground side terminal portion 34. In this state, the first and second grounding conductors 30 and 130 are combined to bring them into conduction.

  In the present embodiment, in order to integrally couple the ground side terminal portions 34 and 134 in the first and second ground joint connectors JC1 and JC2, the first ground side terminal portion 34 has a first engagement portion 37a. 37b are provided, and the engaging portions 137a and 137b are provided on the second ground side terminal portion 134 as the engaging counterparts.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the engaging portion 137 a provided in the ground side terminal portion 134 of the second ground conductor 130 is replaced with the engaging portion 37 a in the ground side terminal portion 34 of the first ground conductor 30. The engaging protrusion 37c of the engaging portion 37a is inserted into the engaging hole 137c of the engaging portion 137a. At the same time, the engaging portion 137b of the ground side terminal portion 134 is fitted below the engaging portion 37b of the ground side terminal portion 34, and the locking projection 137d of the engaging portion 137b is locked to the engaging portion 37b. It fits in the hole 37d. Thereby, the two ground side terminal portions 34 and 134 are connected in a stacked state in the stacking direction S, and the ground connection device 1 is constructed at the terminal of the wire harness main body portion 2. These locking projections and locking holes may be arranged in reverse.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the second stepped portion 136 of the second grounding conductor 130 stacked on the first grounding conductor 30 corresponds to the first grounding conductor 30. 1 and 2, the first connector housing 40 and the second connector housing 140 may be arranged away from the wall surface A by substantially the same predetermined distance t, as shown in FIGS. Is possible.

4) Connection to ground part As described above, the ground side terminal part 134 of the second ground joint connector JC2 directly contacts the surface of the ground side terminal part 34 of the first ground joint connector JC1 to In this state, the connecting portions of the ground side terminal portions 34 and 134 are directly connected to the bolt B of the ground portion in a lump.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tongue piece 39 of the ground side terminal portion 34 is formed on the wall surface A in a state where the first and second ground joint connectors JC1 and JC2 are combined. Position it by inserting it into a hole (not shown). In this state, by passing the bolt B through the through holes 35 and 135 provided in the ground side terminal portions 34 and 134 and fastening them to the wall surface A, the ground side terminal portions 34 and 134 are fixed to the ground portion. As a result, the ground conductors 30 and 130 including the ground side terminal portions 34 and 134 in the first and second ground joint connectors JC1 and JC2, and the respective wire terminals fitted to the respective wire side terminal portions 32. The grounding wires 11 and 111 are collectively connected to the grounding portion via the wire 20.

(Features of this embodiment)
(1)
In the ground connection device 1 of the present embodiment, the first grounding conductor 30 and the second grounding conductor 130 are arranged in the direction in which the first electric wire side terminal portions 32 are arranged (width direction W in FIG. 1) and the second. The second grounding conductor 130 is aligned with the first grounding conductor 30 in such a manner that the arrangement direction of the electric wire side terminal portions (the same width direction W) is substantially parallel and at the same height. The first connector housing 40 and the second connector housing 140 can be stacked in the stacking direction S orthogonal to the first grounding conductor 30 and the first grounding conductor 30 and the second grounding conductor 130 are stacked. Are arranged in a posture substantially parallel to the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction S (width direction W of the connector housings 40 and 140 in the present embodiment) and arranged at substantially the same height. As a result, first, the electric wire side terminal portions 32 of the grounding conductors 30 and 130 are arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the wall surface A of the vehicle to which the ground side terminal portions 34 and 134 are fixed. That is, the overall dimensions of the ground joint connectors JC1 and JC2 in the stacking direction S can be suppressed, and the first and second ground joint connectors JC1 and JC2 have flat connector housings 40 and 140, respectively. The amount of protrusion from the wall surface A can be kept small.

  In the state where the first ground conductor 30 and the second ground conductor 130 are laminated, the connector housings 40, 140 of the flat first and second ground joint connectors JC1, JC2 are used. By arranging the conductors 30 and 130 in a posture substantially parallel to the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction S of the grounding conductors 30 and 130 (same width direction W) and arranged at substantially the same height, a large number of grounding wires 11 and While 111 can be connected to the ground part (bolt B), it can be easily mounted even in places where the height in the vehicle is limited.

  Furthermore, each connector housing 40, 140 can be disposed so as to be close to the wall surface A in the vehicle and substantially parallel to the wall surface A, so that the gap between the connector housings 40, 140 and the wall surface A is reduced. It is possible to reduce the possibility that the connector housings 40 and 140 may come into contact with the wall surface A due to vibration or the like during driving of the vehicle to generate abnormal noise.

  In addition, each of the ground joint connectors JC1 and JC2 can be wired within the allowable current range even at a limited height, and the connector housings 40 and 140 have a common shape and structure. It is also possible to share parts (as well as common management of part numbers).

(2)
In the ground connection device 1 of the present embodiment, both the first ground side terminal portion 34 and the second ground side terminal portion 134 have a shape that protrudes in a direction parallel to the alignment direction (the same width direction W). Therefore, the first ground side terminal portion 34 and the second ground side terminal portion are shifted in both alignment directions (that is, in this embodiment, two side protrusions 34a and 134a are laminated). The first and second connector housings 140 in a direction (same width direction W) perpendicular to the stacking direction S of the first and second grounding conductors 30 and 130. It is possible to arrange them side by side easily.

(3)
In the ground connection device 1 according to the present embodiment, the first ground side terminal portion 34 and the second ground side terminal portion are respectively provided with a first side protrusion 34 a that protrudes in both alignment directions (the same width direction W) and Since the second side protrusions 134a are provided, the side protrusions 34a and 134a can be stacked to form the first side protrusions 34a and 134a even if the protrusion amounts of the side protrusions 34a and 134a are small. The second connector housings 40 and 140 can be arranged side by side while ensuring a predetermined interval in a direction (same width direction W) perpendicular to the stacking direction S of the grounding conductors 30 and 130. Further, before the first and second ground side terminals 30 and 130 are stacked, the projecting amounts of the individual side projecting portions 34a and 134a can be small, so that the individual joint connectors JC1 and JC2 are transported and stored. In this case, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the side protrusions 34a and 134a interfere with the packaging material or the like.

(4)
In the ground connection device 1 of the present embodiment, the first and second ground-side terminal portions 34 and 134 are portions where the first and second side protrusions 34a and 134a are stacked, ), It is possible to suppress variations in the distance between the first and second electric wire side terminal portions 32 and the ground portion B. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility of a problem in which a current flows between the adjacent grounding wires 11 and 111 without passing through the ground part B.

(5)
In the ground connection device 1 of the present embodiment, the first side protrusion 34a and the second side protrusion 134a are mutually connected in a state where the side protrusions 34a and 134a are stacked in the stacking direction S. It has the 1st contact part 37 and the 2nd contact part 137 which make both the side protrusion parts 34a and 134a electrically conduct by contacting, respectively, These 1st contact part 37 and 2nd contact The side protrusions 34a and 134a are in contact with each other in a state where the side protrusions 34a and 134a are stacked in the stacking direction S, thereby making it possible to electrically connect the side protrusions 34a and 134a.

(6)
In the ground connection device 1 of the present embodiment, the first contact portion 37a and the second contact portion 137 in the first and second ground side terminal portions 134 are engaged with each other. 37b and the second engaging portions 137a and 137b, so that the side protruding portions 34a and 134a are stacked, and between the first engaging portion 37a and the second engaging portion 137a, and The stacked state can be maintained by engaging each other between the first engaging portion 37b and the second engaging portion 137b. As a result, the first and second ground joint connectors JC1 and JC2 can be connected together to the bolt B, which is the ground part, in a state where the first and second joint connectors JC1 and JC2 are integrally joined. To do. In addition, the connection state to the ground part can be stably maintained.

(7)
In the ground connection device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the first ground is in a state where the lower surface 34 b (contact surface) of the first ground side terminal portion 34 is in contact with the wall surface A of the vehicle. The first connector housing 40 is separated from the wall surface A in the stacking direction S by the first step portion 36 that provides a step between the side terminal portion 34 and the first electric wire side terminal portion 32, and the first connector housing. Since a predetermined gap t is maintained between the lower surface 41 (first opposing surface) of the first and the wall surface A, the lower surface 41 of the first connector housing 40 comes into contact with the wall surface A due to vibrations during vehicle operation. It is possible to reliably reduce the possibility of abnormal noise. At the same time, the lower surface 34 b of the first ground side terminal portion 34 is in contact with the wall surface A, and the second ground side terminal portion 134 is stacked in the stacking direction S with respect to the first ground side terminal portion 34. In the state, the second connector housing 140 is laminated from the wall surface A by the second stepped portion 136 that provides a step between the second ground side terminal portion 134 and the second wire side terminal portion (not shown). While being separated in the direction S, a gap having the same size as the predetermined gap t is maintained between the lower surface 141 (second opposing surface) of the second connector housing 140 and the wall surface A, so that the vehicle is in operation. Therefore, it is possible to reliably reduce the possibility that the lower surface 141 of the second connector housing 140 contacts the wall surface A due to the vibration or the like to generate abnormal noise.

(8)
Further, in the wire harness WH of the present embodiment, the first grounding conductor 30 and the second grounding conductor 130 are the first wires constituting the wire harness main body 2 as described above in the ground connection device 1. The first connector housing in a state in which the harness body 2a and the second wire harness body 2b are arranged side by side at substantially the same height in a posture substantially parallel to the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction S (the same width direction W). 40 and the second connector housing 140 have a shape that can be arranged side by side at substantially the same height in a posture substantially parallel to a direction (same width direction W) orthogonal to the stacking direction S. Accordingly, in the wire harness WH, the wire harness bodies 2a and 2b are aligned with the corresponding first and second connector housings 140 in a posture substantially parallel to the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction S and at substantially the same height. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the height necessary for arranging the first and second wire harness bodies on the wall surface A, and it is easy even in places where the height in the vehicle is limited. Can be attached to.

(Modification)
(A)
In the above-described embodiment, both the first ground side terminal portion 34 and the second ground side terminal portion 134 are side protrusions 34a that protrude in a direction (width direction W) parallel to the both alignment directions. , 134a, but the present invention is not limited to this, and at least one of the first ground side terminal portion 34 and the second ground side terminal portion 134 is parallel to the both alignment directions. Any shape that protrudes in any direction (width direction W) is acceptable. Even in such a case, the first ground side terminal portion 34 and the second ground side terminal portion 134 can be partially stacked at positions shifted in both the alignment directions, and the first and second connector housings 140 are provided. Can be easily arranged side by side along a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction S of the first and second grounding conductors 30 and 130.

(B)
In the above embodiment, the first and second electric wire side terminal portions 32 and the grounding electric wires 11 and 111 connected thereto are connected to the first and second connector housings 40 and 140 with respect to the connector housings 40 and 140. The rows arranged side by side in the width direction W are arranged in two upper and lower stages, but the present invention is not limited to this, and these electric wire side terminal portions 32 may be one stage, Or three or more stages may be arranged. Even in those cases, the connector housings 40 and 140 can be arranged side by side and pressed down from the wall surface A provided with the ground connection portion.

JC1 first ground joint connector JC2 second ground joint connector 11 first ground wire 20 first wire terminal 30 first ground conductor 32 first wire side terminal portion 34 first ground Side terminal portion 37a, 37b First engagement portion 40 First connector housing 111 Second ground wire 130 Second ground conductor 134 Second ground side terminal portion 137a, 137b Second engagement portion 140 Second connector housing A Wall surface B Bolt (ground part)

Claims (7)

A ground connection device for collectively connecting a plurality of grounding wires to a grounding portion provided on a wall surface in a vehicle,
A first ground joint connector provided at a terminal of a plurality of first ground wires among the ground wires;
A second ground joint connector provided at a terminal of a plurality of second ground wires different from the first ground wire among the ground wires;
The first ground joint connector includes:
A plurality of first electric wire terminals respectively attached to the terminals of the first ground electric wires;
A plurality of first electric wire side terminal portions having shapes that can be fitted in specific terminal fitting directions common to the respective first electric wire terminals, and are connected to the ground portion on the wall surface. A first ground side terminal portion having a shape capable of being arranged, wherein each of the first electric wire side terminal portions is arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the terminal fitting direction and substantially parallel to the wall surface And a first grounding conductor connected integrally with the first ground side terminal portion,
A plurality of terminal housing chambers and terminal housings that hold the first grounding conductor and that open in one direction parallel to the terminal fitting direction and into which the first electric wire terminals can be inserted from the opening. A first connector housing having a terminal locking portion for locking the first electric wire terminal inserted into the room;
In the first connector housing, the first electric wire terminals inserted into the respective terminal accommodating chambers are fitted with the corresponding first electric wire side terminal portions. The first electric wire side terminal portion is accommodated in each terminal accommodating chamber so that each terminal engaging portion is engaged, and the first ground side terminal portion is on the side opposite to the opening of each terminal accommodating chamber. Holding the first grounding conductor so as to protrude to the outside of the first connector housing;
The second ground joint connector includes:
A plurality of second electric wire terminals respectively attached to the terminals of the second electric wires for grounding;
A plurality of second electric wire side terminal portions having shapes that can be fitted in specific terminal fitting directions common to the respective second electric wire terminals, and the first ground side terminal portion. A second ground side terminal portion having a shape that can be connected, and each of the second electric wire side terminal portions is arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the terminal fitting direction and substantially parallel to the wall surface. A second grounding conductor connected integrally with the second ground side terminal portion in a state;
A plurality of terminal housing chambers and terminal housings that hold the second grounding conductor, open in one direction parallel to the terminal fitting direction, and allow insertion of the second electric wire terminals from the opening. A second connector housing having a terminal locking portion for locking the second electric wire terminal inserted into the room;
In the second connector housing, the second electric wire terminal is inserted in a state in which the second electric wire terminal inserted into each terminal accommodating chamber is fitted to the corresponding second electric wire side terminal portion. The second electric wire side terminal portion is accommodated in each terminal accommodating chamber so that each terminal engaging portion is engaged, and the second ground side terminal portion is on the side opposite to the opening of each terminal accommodating chamber. Holding the second grounding conductor so as to protrude to the outside of the second connector housing;
The first grounding conductor is interposed between the first ground side terminal portion and the first electric wire side terminal portion and extends in a direction parallel to the laminating direction, whereby the first earthing conductor is extended in the laminating direction. A first step portion for providing a step between the first ground side terminal portion and the first electric wire side terminal portion;
The first ground-side terminal portion has a contact surface having a shape capable of contacting the wall surface,
The first connector housing has a first facing surface that faces the wall surface when the contact surface contacts the wall surface;
The second grounding conductor is interposed between the second ground side terminal portion and the second electric wire side terminal portion and extends in a direction parallel to the laminating direction, whereby the second earthing conductor is extended in the laminating direction. A second step portion for providing a step between the second ground side terminal portion and the second electric wire side terminal portion,
The second connector housing has a second facing surface that faces the wall surface when the contact surface contacts the wall surface;
The height of the first step portion is such that the first connector housing is separated from the wall surface in the stacking direction in a state where the contact surface of the first ground side terminal portion is in contact with the wall surface. It is set to such a height that a predetermined gap can be maintained between the first facing surface of the first connector housing and the wall surface,
The height of the second step portion is such that the contact surface of the first ground side terminal portion is in contact with the wall surface, and the second ground side terminal portion is in contact with the first ground side terminal portion. On the other hand, the second connector housing is separated from the wall surface in the stacking direction in a state where the second connector housing is stacked in the stacking direction, and between the second facing surface and the wall surface of the second connector housing. It is set to a height that can maintain a gap of the same size as the gap,
In the first ground conductor and the second ground conductor, the first ground conductor has the first step portion and the second ground conductor has the second step portion. Thereby, the arrangement direction of the first electric wire side terminal portion and the arrangement direction of the second electric wire side terminal portion are arranged in a substantially parallel posture and at substantially the same height, and the second ground conductor is The first grounding conductor can be stacked in a stacking direction orthogonal to the two alignment directions, and the first grounding conductor and the second grounding conductor are stacked in the first direction. An earth connection device characterized in that the connector housing and the second connector housing have a shape that can be arranged side by side at substantially the same height in a posture substantially parallel to a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction. At least one of the first ground side terminal portion and the second ground side terminal portion is:
It has a shape protruding in a direction parallel to the both alignment directions,
The ground connection device according to claim 1. The first ground side terminal portion has a first lateral protrusion that protrudes in a direction parallel to the both alignment directions,
The second ground side terminal portion has a second side protrusion that protrudes in a direction parallel to the both alignment directions and facing the first side protrusion,
The second lateral protrusion is stacked in the stacking direction with respect to the first lateral protrusion.
The ground connection device according to claim 2. The first ground side terminal portion and the second ground side terminal portion are connected to the ground portion at a portion where the first side projecting portion and the second side projecting portion are stacked. ing,
The ground connection device according to claim 3.   The first side protrusion and the second side protrusion are electrically connected to each other when the side protrusions are in contact with each other with the side protrusions stacked in the stacking direction. 5. The ground connection device according to claim 3, further comprising a first contact portion and a second contact portion to be conducted.   The first contact portion includes a first engagement portion, and the second contact portion is in a stacked state by being engaged with the first engagement portion in a state where the both side protruding portions are stacked. The ground connection device according to claim 5, further comprising a second engaging portion that maintains A wire including a first wire harness body including a plurality of the first grounding wires, a second wire harness body including a plurality of the second grounding wires, and the ground connection device according to claim 1. A harness,
The first connector in a state where a plurality of the first electric wire terminals included in the first earth joint connector are attached to the end of the first earth electric wire of the first wire harness body. Inserted into each terminal receiving chamber of the housing and fitted into the first electric wire side terminal portion,
The plurality of second electric wire terminals included in the second ground joint connector are attached to the terminals of the second ground electric wires of the second wire harness body, and Inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber and fitted into the second electric wire side terminal portion,
The first grounding conductor and the second grounding conductor have substantially the same height in a posture in which the first wire harness body and the second wire harness body are substantially parallel to a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction. In a state where the first connector housing and the second connector housing are arranged side by side, the shape is such that the first connector housing and the second connector housing can be arranged side by side in a posture substantially parallel to a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction and at substantially the same height. A wire harness comprising:

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