WO2023153198A1

WO2023153198A1 - Connector

Info

Publication number: WO2023153198A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/002116
Authority: WO
Inventors: 雅隆永山; 伶於奈藤田
Original assignee: 矢崎総業株式会社
Priority date: 2022-02-08
Filing date: 2023-01-24
Publication date: 2023-08-17

Abstract

A connector (1) comprising: a housing (3) that is disposed in a housing member and houses a terminal (5) therein; a flange (9) that protrudes outwardly from the outer surface of the housing (3) and is disposed inside the housing member; and a first fitting portion (43) that extends downwardly from the flange (9) inside the housing member and has a cylindrical first wall (47) that has the terminal (5) disposed therein. The first fitting portion (43) is provided with a fitting surface (49) against which the end face of a mating connector abuts when the mating connector is fitted within the first wall portion (47), and the fitting surface (49) is disposed above the bottom surface (15) of the flange (9).

Description

connector

The present invention relates to connectors.

Patent Document 1 discloses a connector that is arranged in a case as a housing member and electrically connects electrical components inside the case and electrical components outside the case.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-26939

The connector of Patent Document 1 includes a housing in which terminals are accommodated, a flange projecting outward from the outer surface of the housing, and an inner side extending downward from the flange to the inside of the case. and a second connector as a first fitting portion having a connecting portion. Also, the second connector has an outer connection portion that extends upward from the flange portion to the outside of the case. In the second connector, terminals are arranged inside the inner connection portion and the outer connection portion and across the inner connection portion and the outer connection portion. The flange portion is arranged inside the case and fixed to the case, thereby fixing the connector to the case. A mating connector electrically connected to the electrical component inside the case is fitted to the inner connecting portion, and the mating terminal accommodated in the mating connector is electrically connected to the terminal. A mating connector electrically connected to an electrical component outside the case is fitted to the outer connecting portion, and the mating terminal accommodated in the mating connector is electrically connected to the terminal. Therefore, the electrical components inside the case and the electrical components outside the case are electrically connected via the second connector.

By the way, in the connector of Patent Document 1, a fitting surface against which the end face of the mating connector abuts when the mating connector is fitted is provided inside the inner connecting part of the first fitting part. The fitting surface is arranged at the same position as the lower surface of the flange portion. Therefore, the fitting surface and the lower surface of the flange portion are flush with each other.

Here, inside the housing member, depending on the temperature environment in which it is used, dew condensation may occur and water droplets may occur. Further, in some cases, the housing member accommodates, for example, a gear member, and lubricating oil for lubricating and cooling the gear member. Foreign matter such as water droplets and lubricating oil may reach the fitting surface of the first fitting portion and enter between the fitting surface and the end face of the mating connector. If foreign matter enters, the foreign matter may come into contact with the terminals and the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating connector may deteriorate.

An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can maintain electrical connection reliability.

A connector according to the present invention includes a housing arranged in a housing member and containing terminals therein, and a flange portion projecting outward from an outer surface of the housing and arranged inside the housing member. and a first fitting portion extending from the flange portion toward one direction in the vertical direction inside the housing member and having a cylindrical first wall portion in which the terminal is arranged. The first fitting portion is provided with a fitting surface against which an end face of the mating connector abuts when the mating connector is fitted inside the first wall portion, and the fitting surface is formed by the flange. It is arranged on the other direction side in the vertical direction from the lower surface of the part.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can maintain electrical connection reliability.

1 is a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the connector according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment. 4 is an enlarged view of a main portion of FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to the second embodiment. 6 is an enlarged view of a main portion of FIG. 5. FIG.

The connector according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

The connector 1 according to the present embodiment is used, for example, as a relay connector for electrically connecting an electrical component arranged inside a housing member (not shown) and an electrical component arranged outside the housing member. be done. The housing member accommodates, for example, a power transmission device having a gear mechanism and electrical components for controlling the operation of the power transmission device. Lubricating oil for lubricating and cooling the meshing parts and sliding parts of the gear mechanism is contained inside the housing member. For example, electrical components for supplying control information and power to internal electrical components are arranged outside the housing member. The housing member is provided with an attachment hole communicating between the inside and the outside, and the connector 1 is attached to the attachment hole.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the connector 1 has a housing 3 made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing 3 is insert-molded using a plurality of molds (not shown) so that a plurality of terminals 5 and power supply terminals 7 are integrally embedded therein. The housing 3 is provided with a flange portion 9 and an insertion portion 11 .

The flange portion 9 extends outward as a single member continuous with the housing 3 from the outer surface of the housing 3 . The flange portion 9 is arranged inside the housing member such that the upper surface 13 contacts the inner surface of the housing member. Therefore, the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 is exposed inside the housing member. The flange portion 9 is provided with a plurality of fixing portions 17 that are fixed to the housing member via fixing members (not shown) such as bolts. By fixing the flange portion 9 to the housing member via the fixing portion 17, the connector 1 is fixed to the housing member.

The insertion portion 11 extends upward as a member continuous with the flange portion 9 from the upper surface 13 of the flange portion 9 . The outer shape of the insertion portion 11 is formed to be the same as the inner shape of the attachment hole of the housing member. The outer diameter of the insertion portion 11 is set equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting hole. A groove portion 21 to which an annular seal member 19 is attached in close contact is provided on the outer periphery of the insertion portion 11 . The seal member 19 is in close contact with the inner surface of the mounting hole in a state in which the insertion portion 11 is inserted through the mounting hole, and seals the inside of the housing member. A power supply unit 23 for supplying electric power and a communication unit 25 for inputting/outputting control information are provided in a portion of the housing 3 where the insertion portion 11 is located.

The power source section 23 includes a power terminal 7 , an internal fitting portion 27 and an external fitting portion 29 .

The power supply terminal 7 is made of a conductive material, formed in a plate shape, and has a plurality of terminals. The power terminal 7 has an intermediate portion insert-molded into the insertion portion 11 and both sides in the length direction are exposed from the insertion portion 11 . One lengthwise side of the power terminal 7 is arranged in the inner fitting portion 27 , and the other lengthwise side is arranged in the outer fitting portion 29 .

The internal fitting portion 27 has a tubular inner wall portion 31 extending inward (downward) inside the housing member as a member continuous with the flange portion 9 from the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9. . One lengthwise side of the power supply terminal 7 exposed from the insertion portion 11 is arranged inside the inner wall portion 31 . A mating connector (not shown) that accommodates a mating terminal (not shown) electrically connected to an electrical component arranged inside the housing member can be fitted inside the inner wall portion 31 . . A plurality of inner wall portions 31 are provided so as to partition between the plurality of power supply terminals 7 and maintain insulation. An elastically deformable locking portion 33 is provided on the outer surface of the inner wall portion 31 to engage with a locked portion (not shown) provided on the mating connector to maintain the mated state with the mating connector. The power supply terminal 7 and the mating terminal are electrically connected by fitting the internal fitting portion 27 with the mating connector.

The external fitting portion 29 is a cylindrical member that extends outward (upward) from the housing member and is continuous with the insertion portion 11 located on the upper surface 13 of the flange portion 9 . It has an external wall portion 35 . The other lengthwise side of the power supply terminal 7 exposed from the insertion portion 11 is arranged inside the outer wall portion 35 . A mating connector (not shown) that accommodates a mating terminal (not shown) electrically connected to an electrical component arranged outside the housing member can be fitted inside the outer wall portion 35 . . An annular seal member 37 is arranged inside the outer wall portion 35 so as to be in close contact with the inner surface of the outer wall portion 35 . The sealing member 37 is in close contact with the outer surface of the mating connector in a state where the mating connector is fitted to the external fitting portion 29, and seals between the external fitting portion 29 and the mating connector. The outer wall portion 35 is provided with a locked portion 39 that engages with a lock portion (not shown) that is elastically deformable on the mating connector and holds the mated state with the mating connector. A sealing member 41 is arranged in a portion of the external fitting portion 29 where the insertion portion 11 is located. The sealing material 41 seals foreign matter such as water droplets and oil from entering between the power supply terminal 7 and the insertion portion 11 . The power terminal 7 and the mating terminal are electrically connected by fitting the external fitting portion 29 with the mating connector.

In the power supply unit 23, by fitting mating connectors to the internal fitting part 27 and the external fitting part 29, respectively, electrical components arranged inside and outside the housing member via the power supply terminal 7 are connected. electrically connected. In the power supply unit 23, for example, power is supplied from a power source as an electric component arranged outside the housing member to an electric component arranged inside the housing member.

The communication section 25 includes a terminal 5 , a first fitting section 43 and a second fitting section 45 .

The terminal 5 is made of a conductive material, formed into a rod shape, and has a plurality of terminals. The intermediate portion of the terminal 5 is insert-molded into the insertion portion 11 , and both sides in the longitudinal direction are exposed from the insertion portion 11 . One lengthwise side of the terminal 5 is arranged in the first fitting portion 43 , and the other lengthwise side is arranged in the second fitting portion 45 .

The first fitting portion 43 is a member continuous with the flange portion 9 from the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 and extends inward (downward, which is one direction side in the vertical direction) inside the housing member. It has a tubular first wall portion 47 . One lengthwise side of the terminal 5 exposed from the insertion portion 11 is arranged inside the first wall portion 47 . A mating connector (not shown) that accommodates a mating terminal (not shown) electrically connected to an electrical component arranged inside the housing member can be fitted inside the first wall portion 47 . there is A portion of the first fitting portion 43 where the insertion portion 11 is positioned serves as a fitting surface 49 against which the end face of the mating connector abuts when the mating connector is fitted into the first fitting portion 43 .

The first wall portion 47 of the first fitting portion 43 is provided with a hole portion 51 that penetrates the first wall portion 47 and communicates the outside and the inside of the first wall portion 47 . A lock projection (not shown) of an elastically deformable lock arm (not shown) provided on the mating connector is engaged with the hole 51 . The engagement between the hole 51 and the lock projection maintains the fitted state between the first fitting portion 43 and the mating connector. An edge portion 53 of the hole portion 51 on the flange portion 9 side is arranged at the same position as the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 . In other words, the edge portion 53 of the hole portion 51 is flush with the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 . By arranging the edge portion 53 of the hole portion 51 and the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 at the same position, the shape of the mold for molding the housing 3 can be simplified, and the moldability of the housing 3 is improved. be able to. The terminal 5 and the mating terminal are electrically connected by fitting the first fitting portion 43 to the mating connector.

The second fitting portion 45 is a tubular member that extends outward (upward) from the outside of the housing member and extends from the insertion portion 11 located on the upper surface 13 of the flange portion 9 to the insertion portion 11 . has a second wall portion 55 of The other lengthwise side of the terminal 5 exposed from the insertion portion 11 is arranged inside the second wall portion 55 . A mating connector (not shown) that accommodates a mating terminal (not shown) electrically connected to an electrical component arranged outside the housing member can be fitted inside the second wall portion 55 . there is A sealing member 57 is arranged in a portion of the second fitting portion 45 where the insertion portion 11 is positioned. The sealing material 57 seals foreign matter, such as water droplets and oil, from entering between the terminal 5 and the insertion portion 11 .

An elastically deformable lock arm 59 is provided on the outer surface of the second wall portion 55 of the second fitting portion 45 . A lock projection 61 is provided on the free end side of the lock arm 59 . The lock protrusion 61 is engaged with a locked portion (not shown) provided on the mating connector while the mating connector is fitted to the second fitting portion 45 . The engagement between the lock protrusion 61 and the locked portion maintains the mated state between the second fitting portion 45 and the mating connector. Protective walls 63 are provided on both sides of the lock arm 59 to protect the lock arm 59 . The terminal 5 and the mating terminal are electrically connected by fitting the second fitting portion 45 with the mating connector.

In the communication unit 25, by fitting mating connectors to the first fitting portion 43 and the second fitting portion 45, respectively, the electrical components arranged inside and outside the housing member via the terminals 5 are connected. are electrically connected. The communication unit 25 inputs and outputs control information between, for example, a control unit as an electric component arranged outside the housing member and a control circuit as an electric component arranged inside the housing member.

Inside the housing member to which such a connector 1 is attached, condensation may occur and water droplets may occur depending on the temperature environment in which it is used. Lubricating oil for lubricating and cooling the gear mechanism is contained inside the housing member. The first fitting portion 43 is arranged inside the housing member where foreign substances such as water droplets and lubricating oil are present. When the first fitting portion 43 and the mating connector are fitted together, foreign matter may enter from between the first wall portion 47 and the mating connector and reach the mating surface 49 . Foreign matter that has reached the mating surface 49 may enter between the mating surface 49 and the end surface of the mating connector, contact the terminal 5 with the foreign matter, and possibly reduce the reliability of electrical connection with the mating connector. be.

Here, in the connector of Patent Literature 1, the fitting surface 49 and the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 are arranged at the same position and are flush with each other, and the fitting surface 49 is positioned relative to the inside of the housing member. are placed in close proximity. Therefore, foreign matter can easily reach the fitting surface 49 . In particular, the edge portion 53 of the hole portion 51 provided in the first wall portion 47 is arranged at the same position (height) as the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 in the vertical direction. Therefore, when a foreign object moves toward the hole 51 along the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 , the foreign object easily reaches the fitting surface 49 from the hole 51 .

Therefore, the fitting surface 49 is arranged above the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 (on the other side in the vertical direction). By arranging the fitting surface 49 above the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9, the fitting surface 49 is arranged at a position far from the inside of the housing member. Therefore, even if foreign matter enters between the first wall portion 47 and the mating connector in a state where the first fitting portion 43 and the mating connector are mated, the foreign matter does not easily reach the mating surface 49 . . In particular, even if foreign matter moves toward the hole portion 51 along the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9, it is difficult for the foreign matter to move upward from the hole portion 51, and it is difficult for the foreign matter to reach the fitting surface 49. . Therefore, it is possible to greatly prevent foreign matter from entering between the mating surface 49 and the end face of the mating connector, thereby suppressing the contact of the foreign matter with the terminal 5 and establishing an electrical connection with the mating connector. Reliability can be maintained.

The inner surface of the first wall portion 47 located between the fitting surface 49 and the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 faces the outer surface of the mating connector in a state in which the first fitting portion 43 and the mating connector are fitted. are arranged as follows. Therefore, even if foreign matter enters the first fitting portion 43 through the hole 51, it is difficult for the foreign matter to enter between the inner surface of the first wall portion 47 and the outer surface of the mating connector. It becomes difficult to reach the surface 49 . The length (interval) between the fitting surface 49 and the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 is preferably half or more of the thickness of the flange portion 9 . By increasing the length (interval) between the fitting surface 49 and the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 , it is possible to make it difficult for foreign matter to reach the fitting surface 49 .

In addition, when the terminal 5 is arranged at a position close to the first wall portion 47 (the first wall portion 47 located on the right side in FIG. 4) located on the opposite side of the first wall portion 47 in which the hole portion 51 is provided, good. If the terminal 5 is arranged at a position close to the first wall portion 47 located on the opposite side of the first wall portion 47 in which the hole portion 51 is provided, the length between the terminal 5 and the hole portion 51 is increased. Therefore, even if a foreign object reaches the fitting surface 49 in a state where the first fitting portion 43 and the mating connector are fitted together, it is possible for the foreign object to enter between the fitting surface 49 and the end face of the mating connector. The path becomes longer, making it difficult for foreign matter to reach the terminals 5 .

Here, in the connector of Patent Document 1, between the plurality of terminals 5 in the first fitting portion 43 (inter-terminal pitch) and between the plurality of terminals 5 in the second fitting portion 45 (inter-terminal pitch ) were set differently. In conventional terminals, the intermediate portion is bent to accommodate different inter-terminal pitches on either side of the length. An intermediate portion of the terminal 5 is a portion that is insert-molded into the insertion portion 11 of the housing 3 . For this reason, if the intermediate portion of the terminal 5 is bent, the insertion portion 11 located between the first fitting portion 43 and the second fitting portion 45 is enlarged in order to embed the bent intermediate portion. There is a need.

On the other hand, in the connector 1, between the terminals 5 in the first fitting portion 43 (inter-terminal pitch) and between the terminals 5 in the second fitting portion 45 (inter-terminal pitch) are set the same. For this reason, the terminals 5 are formed linearly without the need to accommodate different inter-terminal pitches on both sides in the length direction. Since the terminal 5 is formed linearly, the insertion portion 11 positioned between the first fitting portion 43 and the second fitting portion 45 in which the intermediate portion is embedded can be made smaller. Therefore, the fitting surface 49 can be arranged above the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 without increasing the size of the housing 3 .

In such a connector 1, there are provided a housing 3 which is arranged in a housing member and accommodates terminals 5 therein, and a flange portion which protrudes outward from the outer surface of the housing 3 and is arranged inside the housing member. 9. Further, the first fitting portion 43 is provided with a first fitting portion 43 extending downward from the flange portion 9 inside the housing member and having a cylindrical first wall portion 47 in which the terminals 5 are arranged. Further, the first fitting portion 43 is provided with a fitting surface 49 against which the end surface of the mating connector abuts when the mating connector is fitted inside the first wall portion 47 . The fitting surface 49 is arranged above the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 .

Since the fitting surface 49 is arranged above the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9, the fitting surface 49 is arranged at a position far from the inside of the housing member. Therefore, even if foreign matter enters between the first wall portion 47 and the mating connector in a state where the first fitting portion 43 and the mating connector are mated, the foreign matter does not easily reach the mating surface 49 . .

Therefore, with such a connector 1, it is possible to suppress contact between foreign matter and the terminals 5, and maintain electrical connection reliability.

In addition, the first wall portion 47 is provided with a hole portion 51 that communicates with the inside. For this reason, it is easy for foreign matter to enter the first fitting portion 43 through the hole portion 51 . can be difficult to reach.

In addition, the edge 53 of the hole 51 on the side of the flange 9 is arranged at the same position (height) as the lower surface 15 of the flange 9 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the shape of the mold for molding the housing 3 can be simplified, and the moldability of the housing 3 can be improved.

Further, the housing 3 has a cylindrical second wall portion 55 extending upward in the vertical direction outside the housing member from the flange portion 9 and having the terminal 5 disposed therein. A portion 45 is provided. A portion of the terminal 5 arranged between the first fitting portion 43 and the second fitting portion 45 is formed in a straight line. Therefore, the portion of the housing 3 positioned between the first fitting portion 43 and the second fitting portion 45 can be made smaller, and the fitting surface 49 can be replaced by the lower surface of the flange portion 9 without enlarging the housing 3 . 15 can be placed above.

(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG.

In the connector 101 according to the present embodiment, the edge portion 103 of the hole portion 51 on the flange portion 9 side is arranged below the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 (on one side in the vertical direction).

It should be noted that the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as in the first embodiment, and the description of the configurations and functions will be omitted because they refer to the first embodiment. the effect is the same.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the edge 103 of the hole 51 on the side of the flange 9 is arranged below the lower surface 15 of the flange 9 . By arranging the edge portion 103 of the hole portion 51 below the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 , even if foreign matter moves toward the hole portion 51 along the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 , the first wall portion 47 is Foreign matter comes into contact with the outer surface. A foreign object in contact with the outer surface of the first wall portion 47 may move downward along the outer surface of the first wall portion 47 and enter the hole portion 51, but the foreign object moves upward. This makes it difficult to prevent foreign matter from reaching the fitting surface 49 . Note that the edge 103 of the hole 51 may be arranged at a position that hides the terminal 5 when the hole 51 is viewed from the front. By hiding the terminals 5 with the edges 103 of the holes 51, interference between the peripheral members and the terminals 5 can be suppressed when the connector 1 is handled alone.

In such a connector 101 , the edge 103 of the hole 51 on the side of the flange 9 is arranged below the lower surface 15 of the flange 9 . Therefore, even if foreign matter moves toward the hole portion 51 along the lower surface 15 of the flange portion 9 , the foreign matter can be brought into contact with the outer surface of the first wall portion 47 and reaches the fitting surface 49 . can be further suppressed.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present embodiment.

For example, in the present embodiment, the communication unit and the power supply unit are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may include only the communication unit or only the power supply unit. In the case of only the power source section, the structure of the first fitting section may be applied to the internal fitting section. In addition, it is not limited to the communication section and the power supply section, and any electrical connection section may be used.

The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-017631 (filing date: February 8, 2022) are incorporated herein.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

a housing arranged in a housing member and containing a terminal therein;
a flange portion projecting outward from the outer surface of the housing and arranged inside the housing member;
a first fitting portion extending from the flange portion toward one direction in the vertical direction inside the housing member and having a cylindrical first wall portion in which the terminal is arranged;
with
The first fitting portion is provided with a fitting surface against which an end surface of the mating connector abuts when the mating connector is fitted inside the first wall portion,
The fitting surface is arranged on the other direction side in the vertical direction from the lower surface of the flange portion.
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first wall is provided with a hole communicating with the inside of the first wall.
The connector according to claim 2, wherein the edge of the hole on the side of the flange is arranged at the same position as the lower surface of the flange in the vertical direction.
The connector according to claim 2, wherein the flange portion side edge portion of the hole portion is arranged on the one side in the vertical direction from the lower surface of the flange portion.
The housing has a second fitting portion having a cylindrical second wall portion extending from the flange portion toward the other side in the vertical direction outside the housing member and having the terminals arranged therein. A joint is provided,
5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the terminal has a linear portion disposed between the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion.