JP3927029B2 - Connector for equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector for equipment.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as an apparatus connector used for connecting an electric wire to a device such as an inverter in an electric vehicle, there is one described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-357563. This is composed of a wire-side terminal connected to the end of the shielded wire, a resin housing covering the periphery thereof, and a conductive bracket connected to the shield layer of the wire and projecting radially from the housing. The electric wire side terminal, the bracket and the housing are integrally formed by a resin mold.
The inverter device includes a plurality of device-side terminals in a conductive shield case, and a plurality of mounting holes are formed in the shield case corresponding to each device-side terminal. The connector is provided at each end of a plurality of shielded wires connected to each device side terminal, and the housing is fixed by fitting the housing into the mounting hole and bolting the bracket to the shield case. Both terminals are connected to each other by bolting the terminal to the equipment side terminal. In addition, between each connector, in order to prevent an incorrect connection with an electric wire side terminal and an apparatus side terminal, the position of the attaching part with respect to the shield case which a bracket has is set so that it may mutually differ about the circumferential direction of a housing.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case where the housing and the bracket are integrally molded by a resin mold like the above-mentioned connector, the molding die is required to have a different shape for each different position and shape of the bracket with respect to the housing. In automobiles, since the number of terminals is at least three, at least three types of molds are required. For this reason, there is a problem that the mold cost is high.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector capable of reducing the cost.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The device connector according to the invention of claim 1 for solving the above-described problem is attached to a device in which a mounting hole corresponding to the device-side terminal is formed in a case surrounding the device-side terminal. A plurality of electric wire side terminals, one end of which is fixed to an end of the electric wire, and the other end of which is a connection portion with the device terminal, and the electric wire connection portion with respect to the electric wire side terminal. A housing molded with a resin mold so as to surround the housing and capable of being attached to the mounting hole, and a mounting portion projecting in a radial direction with respect to the housing. The mounting portion is fixed to the case. Thus, the housing is provided with a plate-like bracket that can be fixed to the mounting hole, and a pair of locking arms are juxtaposed on the bracket, and the housing is interposed between the locking arms. Together are capable pledged along the managing radially above the bracket is projected side by side pair of locking arms, is capable pledged along the housing in the radial direction between the Ryokakaritome arms, The housing has, on its outer periphery, a pair of locking projections that are mutually locked with the locking arms in an assembled state, and a pair of rotation-stopping projections that are received in a receiving recess provided between the pair of locking arms of the bracket. Are provided symmetrically with respect to the radial direction of the housing, and are substantially symmetrical with respect to the connecting portion of the electric wire side terminal in the same direction .
[0005]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the outer periphery of the housing is provided with an annular seal ring that can be elastically adhered to the inner periphery of the mounting hole, and the bracket. A clearance is set between the housing and the housing so as to allow fine movement.
[0006]
Operation and effect of the invention
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the bracket and the housing can be easily assembled by inserting the housing between a pair of locking arms provided on the bracket and locking the locking arm to the outer periphery of the housing. . Since the bracket is assembled after the housing is molded, it is not necessary to use a different molding die depending on the shape of the bracket, and the cost can be reduced.
[0007]
Also, in the case where the bracket is integrally molded with the housing as in the past, if there is an error in the mounting position of the housing and the housing is displaced from the center of the mounting hole, the seal ring mounted on the outer periphery of the housing is attached. There is a risk that the sealing performance may be deteriorated without being adhered to the inner periphery of the hole. On the other hand, according to the invention of claim 2, since the bracket is separately attached to the housing and a clearance is provided between the bracket and the bracket, when the bracket is fixed to the shield case, the housing is It is corrected to a position near the center of the mounting hole by the elastic force of the seal ring. Therefore, since the seal ring is in close contact with the entire circumference of the mounting hole, the sealing performance can be ensured.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<First Embodiment>
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 7, the device connector 20 of the present embodiment is attached to the inverter device 10 (corresponding to “device” of the present invention) of an electric vehicle. The inverter device 10 has an inverter main body 12 accommodated in a conductive shield case 11, and three circular mounting holes 13 are formed in the side wall of the shield case 11 so as to penetrate side by side in the left and right (horizontal) direction. In addition, corresponding to each mounting hole 13, a female screw hole 15 into which a bolt 14 can be screwed is formed. Inside the shield case 11, three device-side terminals 16 fixed to the inverter main body 12 are waiting in a state where the end portions where the connection holes 16 </ b> A are formed face the respective attachment holes 13. The device-side terminal 16 is formed of a conductive metal plate material, and has a configuration in which the plate surface is horizontally oriented and vertically penetrates the connection hole 16A.
[0009]
On the side wall of the shield case 11, a device connector 20 is attached to each attachment hole 13, and a shield shell 50 is attached so as to surround the three attachment holes 13. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each device connector 20 includes an electric wire side terminal 22 connected to the end of the electric wire 21, and a synthetic resin housing 30 molded around the electric wire side terminal 22. And a seal ring 32 fitted to the outer periphery of the housing 30 and brackets 40A and 40B which are also assembled to the outer periphery of the housing 30. Of these members, two types of brackets 40A and 40B having different shapes (a total of three) are used, and the other members are also common to each device connector 20.
[0010]
The electric wire side terminal 22 is formed by cutting a conductive metal plate material into a predetermined shape and then bending it. The electric wire side terminal 22 is elongated in the front-rear direction, and a flat plate-like connection portion 23 having an oval connection hole 23A is provided at the front end thereof. At the rear end of the electric wire side terminal 22, a barrel-shaped electric wire connecting portion 24 is provided, to which a terminal of the electric wire 21 extending from a wheel motor (not shown) is connected. The electric wire 21 is obtained by covering a core wire portion 21A formed by twisting a plurality of metal wires with a resin covering portion 21B. At the terminal, the core wire portion 21A exposed from the covering portion 21B is the electric wire connecting portion 24. It is squeezed.
[0011]
The housing 30 is elongated in the front-rear direction so as to surround the electric wire connection portion 24. The substantially front half portion of the housing 30 has a flat shape in the horizontal direction as a whole and has a slightly tapered shape, and the connecting portion 23 of the electric wire side terminal 22 protrudes from the front end surface thereof with the plate surface oriented horizontally. . The substantially rear half portion of the housing 30 has a columnar shape as a whole, the maximum outer diameter thereof is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting hole 13, and the electric wire 21 is led out from the rear end face thereof. The housing 30 has a generally symmetrical shape in the vertical direction with the connection portion 23 of the electric wire side terminal 22 as the center.
[0012]
An annular seal groove 31 is recessed in the outer periphery of the rear half of the housing 30, and an annular seal ring 32 made of a rubber material having elasticity is fitted therein. The outer peripheral portion of the seal ring 32 protrudes from the housing 30 outward in the radial direction. In addition, an annular mounting groove 33 is recessed in the outer periphery of the rear half of the housing 30 at a position closer to the rear end than the seal groove 31. Inside the mounting groove 33, as shown in FIG. 4, a pair of wide and short locking projections 34 (corresponding to “locking means” of the present invention) are provided on both left and right sides of the housing 30. Further, a pair of anti-rotation projections 35 that are narrower and taller than the locking projections 34 are provided on the upper and lower portions of the housing 30 to form a symmetrical structure as a whole.
[0013]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6, the brackets 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B are formed in a flat plate shape with a metal plate material, and the thickness dimension is slightly smaller than the groove width dimension of the mounting groove 33 of the housing 30. ing. Each bracket 40 </ b> A, 40 </ b> B is provided with a pair of locking arms 41 protruding downward, and a U-shaped groove 42 having an opening 42 </ b> A is formed between the locking arms 41. A mounting groove 33 portion of the housing 30 can be inserted into the U-shaped groove 42 through the opening 42A. At both ends of the locking arms 41, a locking protrusion 41A (corresponding to the “locking means” of the present invention) is formed to protrude inside the opening 42A, and the mounting groove of the housing 30 is formed in the U-shaped groove 42. When the 33 portion is inserted, the brackets 40A and 40B and the housing 30 are assembled with each other by the locking protrusions 41A being locked to the locking protrusions 34. In addition, jig insertion holes 41B are formed through the distal ends of the both locking arms 41, and a jig (not shown) is inserted into both jig insertion holes 41B so that the both locking arms 41 are opened and deformed. Alternatively, it can be closed and deformed. In addition, a receiving recess 43 that receives the anti-rotation protrusion 35 is formed on the inner side of the U-shaped groove 42 on the back side opposite to the opening 42 </ b> A.
[0014]
The two types of brackets 40A and 40B include a mounting portion 44 that projects in the radial direction of the housing 30 in a state where the bracket 40A is assembled to the housing 30, and a circular bolt hole 44A is formed at the tapered end portion. Yes. As shown in FIG. 6, in one bracket 40 </ b> A, the attachment portion 44 extends in a direction directly above the assembled housing 30, and the position of the bolt hole 44 </ b> A coincides with the center of the housing 30 in the left-right direction. . Further, in the other two brackets 40 </ b> B, the attachment portion 44 extends obliquely upward with respect to the housing 30, and the position of the bolt hole 44 </ b> A is disposed at a position inclined in the left-right direction from the center of the housing 30. Note that these two brackets 40 </ b> B are assembled to the housing 30 in a direction in which the front and the back are reversed. Accordingly, the positions of the mounting portions 44 (bolt holes 44 </ b> A) of the brackets 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B are different from each other in the circumferential direction of the housing 30. These three device connectors 20 are attached to the shield case 11 side by side in the positional relationship as shown in FIG. 6. As described above, the attachment holes 13 to which the respective housings 30 are attached to the shield case 11, A female screw hole 15 is formed at a position corresponding to the mounting hole 13 and aligned with the bolt hole 44A of the brackets 40A and 40B.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 7, the shield shell 50 is connected to a terminal portion of a cylindrical shield member 51 that collectively surrounds the three electric wires 21, and has a cylindrical shape as a whole. A terminal portion of the shield member 51 is fitted on the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the shield shell 50, and a caulking ring 52 is fitted on the shield member 51, and the caulking ring 52 is caulked to the outer periphery of the shield shell 50. Thus, the shield shell 50 and the shield member 51 are fixed. The shield shell 50 is formed with a fixing portion 53 that protrudes up and down from the opening edge on the front end side. The fixing portion 53 has a bolt 54 that penetrates the fixing portion 53 formed on the outer surface of the shield case 11. By screwing into the female screw hole (not shown), the shield case 11 is fixed to be conductive.
[0016]
To manufacture the device connector 20, first, the core wire portion 21 </ b> A exposed from the covering portion of the electric wire 21 is caulked and connected to the electric wire connecting portion 24 of the electric wire side terminal 22. And the electric wire side terminal 22 is set to a metal mold | die (not shown), molten resin is inject | poured in a metal mold | die, and the housing 30 is shape | molded so that the electric wire connection part 24 may be enclosed. After the resin is solidified, the housing 30 is taken out from the mold, and a seal ring 32 is fitted to the outer periphery from the front end of the housing 30 and attached to the seal groove 31.
[0017]
Next, the corresponding brackets 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B are assembled to the plurality of housings 30 formed as described above according to their attachment positions to the inverter device 10. In order to assemble the brackets 40A and 40B to the housing 30, as shown in FIG. 4, both the locking arms 41 are deformed in a direction away from each other using a jig (not shown), and the mounting groove 33 portion of the housing 30 is formed. The U-shaped groove 42 is inserted through the opening 42A. At this time, the upper anti-rotation protrusion 35 is fitted into the receiving recess 43. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, both the locking arms 41 are caulked in the closing direction by a jig, and the retaining protrusion 41 </ b> A is locked to the locking protrusion 34. At this time, a clearance C is appropriately provided between the housing 30 and the brackets 40A and 40B. In this manner, the brackets 40A, 40B and the housing 30 are assembled in a state in which the brackets 40A, 40B and the housing 30 are prevented from rotating and can be slightly moved in the radial direction, thereby completing the device connector 20.
[0018]
Subsequently, the respective housings 30 are fitted into the corresponding mounting holes 13, the mounting portions 44 of the brackets 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B are directed to the outer surface of the shield case 11, and the bolt holes 44 </ b> A are aligned with the female screw holes 15 of the shield case 11. In this state, the seal ring 32 is in close contact with the outer periphery of the housing 30 and the inner periphery of the mounting hole 13, and the electric wire side terminal 22 overlaps the upper surface of the device side terminal 16. From this state, when the bolts 14 passed through the bolt holes 44A of the brackets 40A and 40B are screwed into the female screw holes 15 of the shield case 11 and tightened, the housing 30 is fixed to the shield case 11 via the brackets 40A and 40B. The At this time, if the position of the housing 30 is displaced in the radial direction from the center of the mounting hole 13, the position is corrected to a position near the center of the mounting hole 13 by the elastic force of the seal ring 32. Furthermore, the terminals 22 and 16 that overlap vertically connect the terminals 22 and 16 so as to be conductive by screwing and tightening nuts 47 to bolts 46 passed through the connection holes 23A and 16A.
After all the three housings 30 are attached to the shield case 11 as described above, the shield shell 50 is attached to the shield case 11. Thus, the attachment of each device connector 20 to the inverter device 10 is completed.
[0019]
As described above, according to the device connector 20 of the present embodiment, the housing 30 is inserted between the pair of locking arms 41 provided on the brackets 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B, and the locking arm 41 is locked to the outer periphery of the housing 30. The brackets 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B and the housing 30 can be easily assembled by engaging with the protrusions 34. Since the brackets 40A and 40B are assembled after the housing 30 is molded, it is not necessary to use different molding dies depending on the shapes of the brackets 40A and 40B, and the cost can be reduced.
[0020]
Also, in the case where the bracket is integrally molded with the housing as in the past, if there is an error in the mounting position of the housing and the housing is displaced from the center of the mounting hole, the seal ring mounted on the outer periphery of the housing is attached. There is a risk that the sealing performance may be deteriorated without being adhered to the inner periphery of the hole. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the brackets 40A and 40B are separately attached to the housing 30 and the clearance C is provided between the brackets 40A and 40B. The housing 30 is corrected to a position near the center of the mounting hole 13 by the elastic force of the seal ring 32. Therefore, since the seal ring 32 is in close contact with the entire circumference of the mounting hole 13, sealing performance can be ensured.
[0021]
Further, since the brackets 40A and 40B can be assembled to the mounting groove 33 of the housing 30 in any direction in the vertical direction, workability is good. Furthermore, since the bracket 40B can be assembled to the housing 30 in two postures with the front and back reversed, and the position of the bolt hole 44A of the mounting portion 44 is different in both postures, the number of types of brackets can be reduced, Cost can be reduced.
[0022]
<Other embodiments>
The technical scope of the present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiments, and, for example, those described below are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, two types of mounting angles in the circumferential direction of the bracket with respect to the housing are set (upward and downward). According to the present invention, the number of locking protrusions provided on the outer periphery of the housing is set. You may set more types of attachment angles, such as increasing.
(2) In the above embodiment, one housing is attached to one bracket. However, according to the present invention, a plurality of housings may be attached to one bracket.
(3) In the above embodiment, the case where the connection partner device is an inverter device of an electric vehicle has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a device other than the inverter device is a connection partner.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of three device connectors in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the device connector. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a housing and electric wire side terminals. Fig. 5 is a front sectional view showing a state in which the bracket is assembled to the housing. Fig. 6 is a rear view showing a state in which each device connector is attached to the device. Fig. 7 is a device connector. Cross-sectional side view showing the state attached to
10. Inverter device (equipment)
11 ... Shield case (case)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Mounting hole 16 ... Device side terminal 20 ... Device connector 21 ... Electric wire 22 ... Electric wire side terminal 24 ... Electric wire connection part 30 ... Housing 32 ... Seal ring 34 ... Locking protrusion (locking means)
40A, 40B ... Bracket 41 ... Locking arm 41A ... Stop projection (locking means)
44 ... Mounting part

Claims (2)

It is attached to a device formed by forming a mounting hole corresponding to the device-side terminal in a case surrounding the device-side terminal,
A plurality of electric wire side terminals whose one end is an electric wire connecting portion fixed to the end of the electric wire, and whose other end is a connecting portion with the terminal for equipment,
A housing molded with a resin mold so as to surround the electric wire connection portion with respect to the electric wire side terminal, and capable of being attached to the attachment hole,
It has a mounting portion that projects in a radial direction with respect to the housing, and includes a plate-like bracket that can fix the housing to the mounting hole by fixing the mounting portion to the case.
A pair of locking arms protrudes side by side on the bracket, and the housing can be inserted along the radial direction between the locking arms .
The housing has, on its outer periphery, a pair of locking projections that are mutually locked with the locking arms in an assembled state, and a pair of rotation-stopping projections that are received in a receiving recess provided between the pair of locking arms of the bracket. Are provided symmetrically with respect to the radial direction of the housing, and have a generally symmetrical shape with the connection portion of the electric wire side terminal as the center in the same direction .   An annular seal ring that can be elastically adhered to the inner periphery of the mounting hole is provided on the outer periphery of the housing, and a clearance that allows slight movement is set between the bracket and the housing. The device connector according to claim 1, wherein:

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