WO2020054389A1

WO2020054389A1 - Terminal holding structure and connector

Info

Publication number: WO2020054389A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/033400
Authority: WO
Inventors: 真吾小林; ソンヒョンビョン
Original assignee: 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所; 住友電装株式会社; 住友電気工業株式会社
Priority date: 2018-09-12
Filing date: 2019-08-27
Publication date: 2020-03-19
Also published as: JP2020043001A

Abstract

A connector 1 comprises: a retainer 11 for securing a female busbar 10 to which an electric wire 9 connects; an inner housing 2 for securing the retainer 11; and a body housing 3 for holding the inner housing 2. The retainer 11 secures the female busbar 10 by an engaging projection of the retainer 11 engaging with an engaging hole in the female busbar 10 between the retainer and the female busbar 10. The inner housing 2 secures the retainer 11 by a locking part of the retainer 11 being locked in a locking hole in the inner housing 2 between the inner housing 2 and the retainer 11. The inner housing 2 is held by the body housing 3 via a shield shell 4.

Description

Terminal holding structure and connector

The present invention relates to a terminal holding structure to which an electric wire is connected and a connector.

Conventionally, in a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, a large-sized electric wire is sometimes used due to an increase in current. A technique has been proposed for preventing such external force from the electric wire, for example, a force (torsion force) around the axis of the electric wire, from causing a connection failure of the contact portion on the connector side.

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique of using a stretchable conductor and fixing a terminal in a housing.
Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which a core fixing portion that is integral with a core of a covered electric wire is embedded in a housing by molding.

JP 2014-11134 A JP 2016-76427 A

However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, although the movement of the terminal with respect to the external force of the electric wire can be suppressed to some extent by fixing the terminal inside the housing, an opening for fixing the terminal inside the housing is provided. It is necessary to provide a new part, and the waterproof performance deteriorates, the number of parts such as rubber rings, fixing bolts, elastic conductors, etc. to cope with it increases, the cost increases by adding the process, and the process is restricted. There is a problem.

Further, in the technique of Patent Document 2, it is possible to cut off an external force by molding the electric wire part into a part of the housing. There are problems such as restrictions on sex.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal holding structure and a connector capable of suppressing movement of a terminal with respect to an external force of an electric wire without restriction of a process. It is in.

A terminal holding structure for solving the above problems is a terminal holding structure to which an electric wire is connected, wherein a retainer for fixing the terminal by engaging an engaging portion with an engaged portion between the terminal and the terminal. And a housing for fixing the retainer by locking the locking portion to the locked portion with the retainer.

According to this configuration, by fixing the terminal with the retainer, it is possible to suppress the movement of the terminal with respect to the external force of the electric wire without molding the electric wire portion to a part of the housing, and the retainer is fixed to the housing. The movement of the retainer and the terminal is suppressed by the reaction force. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the movement of the terminal with respect to the external force of the electric wire without restricting the process.

In the terminal holding structure, the housing may include a holding portion that holds a tip of the terminal.
According to this configuration, by holding the distal end portion of the terminal by the holding portion of the housing, the terminal can be prevented from fluttering and can be held against twisting.

A connector that solves the above-mentioned problem has a retainer that fixes the terminal by engaging an engaging portion with a portion to be engaged with a terminal to which an electric wire is connected, and a locking portion between the retainer and the retainer. An inner housing for fixing the retainer by being locked to the locked portion, and a main body housing for holding the inner housing are provided.

According to this configuration, the terminal is fixed by the retainer, the retainer is fixed to the inner housing, and the inner housing is held by the main body housing, so that the entire connector can receive an electric wire external force (for example, a twisting force). . Thereby, the movement of the terminal with respect to the external force of the electric wire can be suppressed without restriction of the process.

The connector includes a shield member interposed between the inner housing and the main body housing, the shield member having an inner claw engaging with an outer surface of the inner housing, and an outer claw engaging with an inner surface of the main body housing. It may be.

According to this configuration, the inner housing can be held by the main body housing via the shield member, and the connector can have a shielding effect.

According to the present invention, the movement of the terminal with respect to the external force of the electric wire can be suppressed without restriction of the process.

FIG. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a shield shell. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing a female bus bar holding structure. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a holding structure of the female bus bar. The perspective view which shows the fixing structure of the female bus bar by the retainer. Sectional drawing which shows the connection structure of a female bus bar and a male bus bar. Sectional perspective view which shows a connector. Sectional drawing which shows a connector. The perspective view which shows the example of a change of the fixing structure of the female bus bar by a retainer. (A) is a perspective view, (b) is a schematic front view and a partial cross-sectional perspective view of another modified example of the fixing structure of the female bus bar by the retainer.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a terminal holding structure and a connector will be described.
The connector 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided at one end of both ends of a wire harness that electrically connects a battery mounted on a hybrid vehicle or the like and an inverter or a motor as an example of the device. Used as a connection medium.

As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 1 includes a housing having a divided structure including an inner housing 2 and a main body housing 3. In this example, two inner housings 2 (only one is shown in FIG. 2) are held in a single main body housing 3 via corresponding shield shells 4. That is, the shield shell 4 is interposed between each inner housing 2 and the main body housing 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the shield shell 4 is formed in a rectangular tube shape by a thin metal plate, and has a plurality of inner claws 5 engaging with the outer surface of the inner housing 2 and a plurality of inner claws 5 engaging with the inner surface of the main body housing 3. And outer claws 6. The shield shell 4 is equivalent to an example of a shield member, and in addition to a separate metal part 7 (see FIG. 2), another metal part 8 (see FIG. 4, omitted for convenience in FIG. 2) is electrically connected. This allows the connector 1 to have a shielding effect in cooperation with them.

メス As shown in FIG. 4, a female bus bar 10 to which the distal end of the electric wire 9 is crimped is held in the inner housing 2 with the retainer 11 attached. The electric wire 9 has

metal parts

7 and 8 mounted thereon.

As shown in FIG. 5, the inner housing 2 is formed of a synthetic resin having excellent heat resistance and rigidity into a rectangular tube shape. Of the four wall portions forming the rectangular tube, the terminal surface of the female bus bar 10 and the back side thereof A square locked hole 12 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) is formed in the vicinity of the center of each of the two wall portions opposing each other. A holding portion 13 (see FIG. 4) having a U-shaped cross section is provided at the distal end portion of the tube of the inner housing 2 so that the opening is directed to the base end side opposite to the distal end side of the tube of the inner housing 2. It is formed as described above.

The female bus bar 10 is made of a metal material having excellent conductivity, has a plate-shaped bus bar body 14 at the distal end side, and has a crimp portion 15 (also referred to as a conductive barrel portion) to which the electric wire 9 is connected. They are on the end side and they are integrally formed. The busbar main body 14 has a rectangular engaging hole 16 formed therein. The female bus bar 10 corresponds to an example of a terminal.

The retainer 11 is made of a synthetic resin having excellent heat resistance and rigidity, and has a rectangular pillar-shaped retainer body 17 serving as a base when fixing the bus bar body 14, and a flat plate shape which sandwiches the bus bar body 14 in cooperation with the retainer body 17. Is integrally formed with a connecting portion 19 having flexibility. The retainer main body 17 is formed with a quadrangular prism-shaped engaging projection 20 that engages with the engaging hole 16 of the bus bar main body 14.

As shown in FIG. 6, after engaging the engaging projection 20 of the retainer 11 with the engaging hole 16 of the female bus bar 10, the engaging claw 21 provided on the end face of the retainer main body 17 (see FIG. 5). The female bus bar 10 is fixed by the retainer 11 by engaging with an engaging hole 22 provided at the distal end of the cover 18. When the engaging projection 20 is engaged with the engaging hole 16, the female busbar 10 is arranged in such a manner that the contact surface 23 of the busbar main body 14 faces the platform 24 of the retainer main body 17. The engaging projection 20 of the retainer 11 corresponds to an example of an engaging portion, and the engaging hole 16 of the female bus bar 10 corresponds to an example of an engaged portion.

A locking portion 25 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) having a trapezoidal cross section is formed on the outer surface of the cover portion 18 so as to protrude outward. On the outer surface of the retainer body 17 located on the opposite side, a locking portion 26 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) having a trapezoidal cross section is formed so as to protrude outward. The retainer 11 is fixed to the inner housing 2 by the locking portion 25 being locked in one locked hole 12 and the locking portion 26 being locked in the other locked hole 12. (See FIG. 4). In this state, the distal end of the female bus bar 10 is held by the holding portion 13 of the inner housing 2. The locking

portions

25 and 26 of the retainer 11 both correspond to an example of a locking portion, and each of the locked holes 12 of the inner housing 2 to which they are locked corresponds to an example of a locked portion.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, an elastic spring 27 is housed in the inner housing 2, and the contact surface 23 of the female bus bar 10 and the flat male bus bar 28 are elastically urged by the urging force of the spring 27. The electrical connection between the female bus bar 10 and the male bus bar 28 is achieved by the two being sandwiched by the spring 27 so as to be in contact with each other. The male busbar 28 is inserted into the inner housing 2 with a resin-made finger cap 29 attached to the base end. Then, a bolt (not shown) is inserted into an insertion hole 30 provided near the end of the male bus bar 28, and the bolt is fastened to a bolt mounting hole provided in a terminal block on the device side, whereby the connector 1 is connected to the device. (An example is an inverter or a motor.)

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an example of a procedure for assembling each component to the inner housing 2 will be described for a structure of holding the female bus bar 10 by the retainer 11 and the inner housing 2.
First, the spring 27 is inserted into the inner housing 2, and the spring 27 is temporarily fitted inside the inner housing 2.

When the harness assembly including the electric wire 9 is to be shipped, the electric wire 9 is crimped to the crimping portion 15 of the female bus bar 10 and the retainer 11 is attached to the bus bar body 14 of the female bus bar 10. Insert the female bus bar 10 and the retainer 11 located at the tip of the inner housing 2 into the inner housing 2. As a result, the spring 27 temporarily fitted inside the inner housing 2 is fixed by the retainer 11, the distal end of the female bus bar 10 is held by the holding portion 13 of the inner housing 2, and the retainer 11 is Fixed to

Then, after attaching the contact finger cap 29 to the base end of the male bus bar 28, insert the base end into the inner housing 2 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the female bus bar 10. Thus, the contact surface 23 of the female bus bar 10 and the corresponding portion near the base end of the male bus bar 28 are elastically contacted by the urging force of the spring 27, and the female bus bar 10 and the male bus bar 28 are suitably electrically connected.

If the connector 1 is to be shipped alone without crimping the electric wire 9 to the crimping portion 15 of the female bus bar 10, the female bus bar 10, the retainer 11, as well as the first assembly in which the spring 27 is inserted into the inner housing 2. Then, the four members of the second assembly having the touch finger cap 29 attached to the base end of the male bus bar 28 are shipped together.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) Referring to FIG. 4, by fixing female bus bar 10 to which electric wire 9 is connected with retainer 11, it is possible to suppress the movement of female bus bar 10 against external force of the electric wire without molding the electric wire portion to a part of the housing. . In addition, since the retainer 11 is fixed to the inner housing 2, the movement of the retainer 11 and the female bus bar 10 is suppressed by the fixed reaction force. Therefore, the movement of the female bus bar 10 with respect to the external force of the electric wire can be suppressed without restriction of the process.

(2) By holding the distal end portion of the female bus bar 10 with the holding portion 13 of the inner housing 2, the female bus bar 10 can be prevented from fluttering and can be held against twisting.

(3) Referring to FIG. 2, female bus bar 10 to which electric wire 9 is connected is fixed by retainer 11, and retainer 11 is fixed to inner housing 2, and inner housing 2 is held by main body housing 3. In addition, the entire connector can receive an external wire force (for example, a twisting force). Thereby, the movement of the female bus bar 10 with respect to the external force of the electric wire can be suppressed without restriction of the process.

(4) Since the shield shell 4 having the inner claws 5 and the outer claws 6 is interposed between the inner housing 2 and the main body housing 3, the inner housing 2 can be held by the main body housing 3 via the shield shell 4. In addition, the connector 1 can have a shielding effect.

(5) Since the retainer 11 is an integrally molded product, it can be manufactured with one mold.
The above-described embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The above embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination within a technically consistent range.

As shown in FIG. 10, a female bus bar 32 instead of the female bus bar 10 may be fixed by a split retainer 31 instead of the retainer 11 (see FIG. 6) of the integrally molded product according to the above embodiment. In this case, the female bus bar 32 is formed integrally with a bus bar main body 33 in place of the bus bar main body 14 and a crimping portion 34 similar to the crimping portion 15, and each of the bus bar main bodies 33 is an example of an engaging portion on both sides in the width direction. A corresponding pair of engaging projections 35 are formed outward from the respective side end surfaces.

On the other hand, the retainer 31 has a first divided body 36 and a second divided body 37, and the corresponding engagement projection 35 is engaged with the first divided body 36, and each of the engaged projections 35 A pair of engagement holes 38 corresponding to one example are formed. In addition, a pair of engagement projections 39 that are engaged with the engagement holes 38 together with the corresponding engagement projections 35 are formed on both side surfaces of the second divided body 37. Further, a locking portion 40 similar to the locking portion 25 is formed on an outer surface of the first divided body 36, and a locking portion similar to the locking portion 26 is formed on an outer surface of the second divided body 37. 41 are formed.

When the female bus bar 32 is fixed by the retainer 31, the bus bar main body 33 is fixed to the first divided body 36 in a direction in which the contact surface 42 similar to the contact surface 23 faces the second divided body 37 in the bus bar main body 33. And the second divided body 37. At this time, the engagement projection 35 of the female bus bar 32 and the engagement projection 39 of the second divided body 37 are engaged with the corresponding engagement holes 38 of the first divided body 36. As a result, both the engagement protrusion 35 and the engagement protrusion 39 are locked in the engagement holes 38, so that the female bus bar 32 is fixed by the split retainer 31.

According to this configuration, since the retainer 31 is a split type, the degree of freedom of the structure is increased, and it is possible to easily realize the securing of the strength of the locking portion by the engaging projection 39 and the engaging hole 38.
-As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the female bus bar 52 may be fixed by a split retainer 51 composed of two parts having the same shape. In this case, in the female bus bar 52, a bus bar main body 53 and a crimping portion 54 are integrally formed. It is formed inward from the side end face.

On the other hand, the retainer 51 has a first divided body 56 and a second divided body 57 having the same shape, and the inner surface of the first wall 56a of the first divided body 56 has a corresponding engaging recess 55 Are formed on the inner surface of the first wall portion 57a of the second divided body 57, and an engagement protrusion 59 with which the corresponding engagement concave portion 55 is engaged is formed. Is formed. The

engagement projections

58 and 59 both correspond to an example of an engaged portion. In the first divided body 56, an engagement projection 60 is formed on the outer surface of the first wall 56a, and in the second divided body 57, the engagement protrusion 60 is engaged with the outer surface of the first wall 57a. A protrusion 61 is formed.

In the first divided body 56, an engaging hole 62 with which the engaging projection 61 of the second divided body 57 is engaged is formed in a second wall 56b located on the opposite side of the width direction from the first wall 56a. Is formed, and in the second divided body 57, the engaging projection 60 of the first divided body 56 is engaged with the second wall 57 b located on the opposite side in the width direction from the first wall 57 a. An engaging hole 63 to be combined is formed. The first divided body 56 is formed with a fitting groove 56c into which the tip of the first wall portion 57a of the second divided body 57 is fitted, and the second divided body 57 has the first divided body 57. A fitting groove 57c into which the tip of the first wall portion 56a of the body 56 is fitted is formed. Further, a locking portion 64 is formed on an outer surface of the first divided body 56, and a locking portion 65 is formed on an outer surface of the second divided body 57.

When the female bus bar 52 is fixed by the retainer 51, the bus bar main body 53 is fixed to the first divided body 56 and the second divided body 57 with the contact surface 66 of the bus bar main body 53 facing the second divided body 57, for example. And sandwiched between. At this time, one engagement recess 55 of the female bus bar 52 is engaged with the engagement protrusion 58 of the first divided body 56, and then the first wall 56a is fitted into the fitting groove 57c of the second divided body 57. At the same time, the other engagement recess 55 of the female bus bar 52 is engaged with the engagement projection 59 of the second divided body 57, and then the first wall 57a is fitted into the fitting groove 56c of the first divided body 56. Fit. At the same time, the engaging projection 60 of the first divided body 56 is engaged with the engaging hole 63 of the second divided body 57, and the engaging projection 61 of the second divided body 57 is engaged with the first divided body 56. The hole 62 is engaged. As a result, both the engaging

projections

60 and 61 are locked by the corresponding engaging

holes

63 and 62, so that the female bus bar 52 is fixed by the split type retainer 51 made of two parts having the same shape.

According to this configuration, since the retainer 51 is a split type using two parts having the same shape, the retainer 51 can be manufactured with one mold and the parts can be shared. In addition, the force of twisting and coming off is received by the reaction force of the walls of the first wall portion 56a and the second wall portion 57b, and the force of twisting and coming off in the opposite direction is received by the first wall portion 57a and the second wall portion 57b. Since it can be received by the reaction force of the wall with the wall portion 56b, it is possible to obtain a fitting structure which is hard to be detached once fitted.

A configuration in which the terminal (the female bus bar 10 or the like) is fixed by the retainer (the retainer 11 or the like) by the engagement of the engaging portion (the engaging projection 20 or the like) with the engaged portion (the engaging hole 16 or the like) is described. One of the retainer and the retainer may be provided with the engaging portion, and the other may be provided with the engaged portion. Alternatively, both the terminal and the retainer are provided with an engaging portion, and the engaged portion corresponding to the engaging portion provided on the terminal is provided on the retainer, and the engaged portion corresponding to the engaging portion provided on the retainer is provided. May be provided on the terminal.

The retainer (the retainer 11 and the like) is fixed to the housing (the inner housing 2) by the retaining portion (the retaining

portions

25 and 26 and the like) being retained by the retained portion (the pair of the retaining holes 12). Regarding the configuration, one of the retainer and the housing may be provided with a locking portion, and the other may be provided with a locked portion. Alternatively, the locking portion is provided on both the retainer and the housing, and the locked portion corresponding to the locking portion provided on the retainer is provided on the housing, and the locked portion corresponding to the locking portion provided on the housing is provided. May be provided on the retainer.

The terminal holding structure and the connector according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment and the above-described modified example, and may be, for example, a contact that does not move due to the technology of Patent Document 1 listed in the background art or a high contact pressure. May be implemented in combination with a technique for providing the same. When the above embodiment is used in combination with the technique of Patent Document 1, the movement of the electric wire 9 itself is suppressed by the technique of Patent Document 1, and the terminal against the external force of the electric wire (the female bus bar 10 to which the electric wire 9 is connected) is suppressed by the above embodiment. Etc.) can be suppressed.

-The terminal is not limited to the bus bar (the female bus bar 10 which is a plate-like terminal).
-It is not limited to the terminal holding structure and the connector applied to the vehicle.
The present disclosure includes the following implementation examples. For the sake of understanding, not by way of limitation, reference numerals have been used for representative components of representative embodiments.

[Implementation Example 1] A connector (1) according to one or more non-limiting implementation examples of the present disclosure is configured to be fixedly and electrically connected to a conductive core wire of an electric wire (9), and has a base end portion. A conductive barrel portion (15; 34; 54) provided at a possible first position; an electrical contact surface (23; 42; 66) provided at a second position different from the first position; A busbar (10; 32; 52) having a retainer mounting portion (16; 35; 55) provided at a first position and a third position different from the second position;
An electrically insulating tubular inner housing (2) defining a housing space for housing the bus bar (10; 32; 52);
The busbar (10; 32; 52) is attached to the retainer attachment portion (16; 35; 55) of the busbar (10; 32; 52) and the inner surface of the cylindrical inner housing (2). An electrically insulating retainer (11) that directly contacts the
May be provided.

[Mounting Example 2] The bus bar (10; 32; 52) may have a first plate surface and a second plate surface on the back side of the first plate surface.
The inner surface of the cylindrical inner housing (2) includes a first inner surface portion facing the first plate surface of the bus bar (10; 32; 52), and a second inner surface portion of the bus bar (10; 32; 52). A second inner surface portion facing the plate surface,
The retainer (11) is configured to: the first plate surface of the bus bar (10; 32; 52) at the third position; the second plate surface of the bus bar (10; 32; 52) at the third position; The first inner surface portion of the cylindrical inner housing (2) and the second inner surface portion of the cylindrical inner housing (2) may be configured to directly contact.

[Mounting Example 3] The retainer (11) twists the first plate surface of the bus bar (10; 32; 52) at the third position with respect to the first inner surface portion of the tubular inner housing (2). It may be configured to suppress the displacement.

[Mounting Example 4] The retainer (11) twists the second plate surface of the bus bar (10; 32; 52) at the third position with respect to the second inner surface portion of the tubular inner housing (2). It may be configured to suppress the displacement.

[Mounting Example 5] The retainer (11) may be configured so as to sandwich the bus bar (10; 32; 52) in the thickness direction of the bus bar (10; 32; 52).
[Mounting Example 6] The retainer (11) may be configured to be in direct contact with the first plate surface and the second plate surface of the bus bar (10; 32; 52) at the third position.

Mounting Example 7 The retainer (11) may be a one-piece synthetic resin product.
[Mounting Example 8] The retainer (11) may be a two-piece synthetic resin product.
[Implementation Example 9] The bus bar (10; 32; 52) may have a fourth position, which may be a tip, different from the first position, the second position, and the third position,
The inner housing (2) includes a holding portion (13) configured to directly contact the fourth position of the bus bar (10; 32; 52) to hold the bus bar (10; 32; 52). May have.

[Implementation Example 10] The bus bar (10; 32; 52) may be a long plate having a base end, a front end, and an intermediate portion between the base end and the front end,
The second position and the third position of the bus bar (10; 32; 52) may be at the intermediate portion of the bus bar (10; 32; 52).
The third position may be adjacent to the second position in a longitudinal direction of the bus bar (10; 32; 52).

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the technical spirit thereof. For example, some of the components described in the embodiments (or one or more aspects thereof) may be omitted or some components may be combined. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connector, 2 ... Inner housing (housing), 3 ... Body housing, 4 ... Shield shell (Shield member), 5 ... Inner claw, 6 ... Outer claw, 9 ... Electric wire, 10, 32, 52 ... Female bus bar (terminal) , 11, 31, 51: retainer, 12: locked hole (locked portion), 13: holding portion, 16: engaging hole (engaged portion), 20: engaging projection (engaging portion) , 25, 26, 40, 41, 64, 65: locking portion, 35: engaging projection (engaging portion), 38: engaging hole (engaged portion), 55: engaging concave portion (engaging portion) , 58, 59 ... engaging projections (engaged parts).

Claims

A terminal holding structure to which an electric wire is connected,
A retainer that fixes the terminal by engaging the engaging portion with the engaged portion between the terminal and the terminal;
A housing for fixing the retainer by locking the locking portion to the locked portion with the retainer.
The terminal holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a holding portion that holds a tip portion of the terminal.
A retainer that fixes the terminal by engaging the engaging portion with the engaged portion between the terminal to which the electric wire is connected,
An inner housing for fixing the retainer by locking the locking portion to the locked portion between the retainer and the retainer;
A main body housing for holding the inner housing.
The shield member which is interposed between the inner housing and the main body housing and has an inner nail engaged with an outer surface of the inner housing and an outer nail engaged with an inner surface of the main body housing is provided. Connectors.