阅读说明：本技术 连接器及导电电路 (Connector and conductive circuit ) 是由 荒木祐介 于 2018-12-05 设计创作，主要内容包括：连接器具备机器侧连接器(70)和电线侧连接器(20),机器侧连接器(70)安装于具有箱体(90)的机器,在电线侧连接器(20)安装保护电线(10)的保护管(11)。在电线侧连接器(20)的内部形成有贯穿孔(27)。在机器侧连接器(70)的内部形成有贯穿孔(78)。在使电线侧连接器(20)和机器侧连接器(70)正规嵌合时,在电线侧连接器(20)及机器侧连接器(70)的内部形成通气路(60),通气路(60)通过贯穿孔(27)及贯穿孔(78)使机器的箱体(90)的内部空间(S2)和保护管(11)的内部空间(S1)连通。(The connector is provided with an equipment-side connector (70) and a wire-side connector (20), wherein the equipment-side connector (70) is mounted on equipment having a box (90), and a protective tube (11) for protecting a wire (10) is mounted on the wire-side connector (20). A through hole (27) is formed in the wire-side connector (20). A through-hole (78) is formed in the device-side connector (70). When the wire-side connector (20) and the device-side connector (70) are properly fitted to each other, an air passage (60) is formed inside the wire-side connector (20) and the device-side connector (70), and the air passage (60) communicates the internal space (S2) of the device case (90) with the internal space (S1) of the protective tube (11) through the through-hole (27) and the through-hole (78).)

1. A connector includes a device-side connector to which a device is attached and a wire-side connector to which a protective tube for protecting a wire is attached,

a 1 st through hole is formed inside the wire-side connector,

a 2 nd through hole is formed inside the machine side connector,

when the electric wire-side connector and the equipment-side connector are normally fitted to each other, an air passage is formed in the electric wire-side connector and the equipment-side connector, and the air passage communicates an internal space of the equipment and an internal space of the protective pipe through the 1 st through hole and the 2 nd through hole.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the machine-side connector is provided with a hood that houses the wire-side connector,

a first sealing member (1) is externally fitted to the wire-side connector and is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cover when the wire-side connector is normally fitted to the device-side connector,

an opening end of the 1 st through hole on the inner space side of the protection pipe is formed closer to the inner space side of the protection pipe than the 1 st sealing member.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device-side connector is fitted in a mounting hole provided in the device,

a 2 nd sealing member which is tightly fitted to an inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole when fitted to the mounting hole is fitted to the outside of the device-side connector,

an opening end of the 2 nd through hole on the internal space side of the machine is formed closer to the internal space side of the machine than the 2 nd sealing member.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wire-side connector includes a cylindrical housing portion having both ends open,

the cylindrical housing portion houses the electric wire,

the 1 st through-hole is formed separately from the cylindrical housing portion.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein a sectional area of an opening end of the 1 st penetration hole is smaller than a sectional area of an opening end of the cylindrical housing portion.

6. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wire-side connector has a 1 st barrel portion having both ends open and having the 1 st penetration hole therein,

the machine side connector has a 2 nd cylinder part which is opened at both ends and has the 2 nd through hole inside,

when the wire-side connector and the device-side connector are normally fitted to each other, the 1 st cylindrical part is inserted into or inserted into the 2 nd cylindrical part.

7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the machine side connector is provided with a terminal part,

the end portion of the 2 nd barrel portion on the wire-side connector side protrudes toward the wire-side connector side than the tip end of the terminal fitting.

8. The connector according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least one of the 1 st cylinder portion and the 2 nd cylinder portion is formed in a square cylinder shape.

9. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a gas permeable membrane is provided in the gas passage, the membrane allowing gas to pass and restricting liquid to pass.

10. An electrically conductive circuit comprising the electric wire, the protective tube, and the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a connector and a conductive circuit.

Background

Conventionally, an electric wire is covered with a protective tube to protect the electric wire from water intrusion, dust, or the like. Since the electric wires are wired in various ways, the protective pipe is configured as a connection body of a plurality of pipes having different structures. For example, the protective tube includes a tube for protecting an intermediate portion of the electric wire, and a rubber waterproof cover for protecting a portion between the tube and the connector. The protective tube seals a portion between the connector at one end and the connector at the other end in the electric wire. Therefore, the pressure inside the protection pipe may increase due to a change in the gas pressure or the like caused by a change in the temperature inside the protection pipe. In order to suppress such a pressure increase inside the protection pipe, a ventilation portion is provided in the waterproof cover (see, for example, patent document 1). The ventilation portion allows air to flow between the inside and the outside of the protective tube.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, when the ventilation portion is provided in the waterproof cover, the ventilation portion may be clogged with a flying object flying during traveling of the vehicle, and the pressure inside the protective pipe may increase.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a connector and a conductive circuit that suppress a pressure rise inside a protection tube.

Means for solving the problems

The connector includes a machine-side connector and a wire-side connector, wherein the machine-side connector is attached to a machine, a protective tube for protecting an electric wire is attached to the wire-side connector, a 1 st through hole is formed in the wire-side connector, a 2 nd through hole is formed in the machine-side connector, and a ventilation passage is formed in the wire-side connector and the machine-side connector when the wire-side connector and the machine-side connector are normally fitted to each other, the ventilation passage communicating an internal space of the machine and an internal space of the protective tube through the 1 st through hole and the 2 nd through hole.

According to this configuration, when the wire-side connector and the equipment-side connector are normally fitted to each other, the air passage is formed in the wire-side connector and the equipment-side connector, and the air passage communicates the internal space of the equipment with the internal space of the protective pipe through the 1 st through hole provided in the wire-side connector and the 2 nd through hole provided in the equipment-side connector. Therefore, when the temperature inside the protection pipe rises, the air inside the protection pipe is released into the internal space of the equipment, so that the pressure rise inside the protection pipe can be suppressed. Further, since the air passage is formed inside the electric wire-side connector and the equipment-side connector, the air passage can be prevented from being clogged with flying objects, dust in the atmosphere, and the like during movement. Therefore, the pressure rise inside the protection pipe can be suppressed.

Effects of the invention

According to the connector and the conductive circuit of the present invention, a pressure rise in the protection tube can be suppressed.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conductive circuit of embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electric wire side connector of embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the electric wire side connector of embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the device-side connector of embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the electric wire side connector and the equipment side connector according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the electric wire side connector and the equipment side connector according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the electric wire side connector and the equipment side connector according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the electric wire side connector and the equipment side connector according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 9(a) and 9(b) are plan views of modified wire-side connectors.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, a part of the configuration is sometimes enlarged or simplified for convenience of description. In the drawings, the dimensional ratios of the respective portions may be different from actual ones.

(embodiment 1)

Hereinafter, embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 7.

The conductive circuit 1 shown in fig. 1 electrically connects two or more electric machines (machines). The conductive circuit 1 has a wire harness 2 and a pair of machine side connectors 70 connected to both end portions of the wire harness 2. The conductive circuit 1 electrically connects an inverter 4 provided at a front portion of a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle and a high-voltage battery 5 provided at a vehicle rear side of the inverter 4. The conductive circuit 1 is wired to pass under the floor of the vehicle, for example. The inverter 4 is connected to a vehicle-driving electric motor (not shown) serving as a power source for running the vehicle. The inverter 4 generates ac power from the dc power of the high-voltage battery 5 and supplies the ac power to the motor. The high-voltage battery 5 is a battery capable of supplying a voltage of several hundred volts, for example.

The wire harness 2 includes a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) electric wires 10, a pair of wire-side connectors 20 attached to both end portions of the electric wires 10, and a protective tube 11 collectively surrounding the plurality of electric wires 10. One wire-side connector 20 is connected to the equipment-side connector 70 attached to the inverter 4, and the other wire-side connector 20 is connected to the equipment-side connector 70 attached to the high-voltage battery 5. As the protective pipe 11, for example, a pipe made of metal or resin, a corrugated pipe made of resin or the like and having flexibility, a waterproof cover made of rubber, or a combination thereof can be used. The protective tube 11 protects the electric wire 10 stored therein from flying objects and liquids, for example.

Each of the device-side connectors 70 is fixed to a case 90 provided in a device such as the inverter 4 and the high-voltage battery 5. A protective tube 11 is attached to each wire-side connector 20. Each wire-side connector 20 is fitted to each equipment-side connector 70, and is electrically connected to each equipment-side connector 70. Each wire-side connector 20 is fixed to the case 90 in a state of being electrically connected to the device-side connector 70. The air passage 60 is formed inside the wire-side connector 20 and the equipment-side connector 70, and when the wire-side connector 20 and the equipment-side connector 70 are normally fitted to each other, the air passage 60 communicates the internal space S1 of the protective pipe 11 with the internal space S2 of the box 90. The case 90 is made of, for example, metal. In the following description, the direction in which the wire-side connector 20 is fitted to the device-side connector 70 fixed to the case 90 is defined as the front direction.

Next, the structure of the electric wire 10 will be described with reference to fig. 2.

Each of the wires 10 has: a core wire having electrical conductivity; and an insulating coating layer made of synthetic resin, which coats the outer periphery of the core wire. Each wire 10 is, for example, a high-voltage wire that can respond to high voltage and large current. Each of the electric wires 10 is, for example, a non-shielded electric wire having no shielding structure. Rubber plugs 12 are externally inserted into end portions of the wires 10. The rubber plugs 12 are, for example, externally fitted to insulating coating layers located at the ends of the respective electric wires 10. Further, the distal end of each wire 10 is connected to the wire-side connector 20 via the female terminal fitting 21.

Next, the structure of the wire-side connector 20 will be described.

The wire-side connector 20 has a female terminal fitting 21, a wire-side connector housing 22, a rubber ring 23 fitted around the outer peripheral surface of the wire-side connector housing 22, and a shield shell 24.

The female terminal fittings 21 are connected to the terminal portions of the respective electric wires 10. The female terminal fitting 21 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, for example. The female terminal fitting 21 includes a cylindrical connection portion 21A and a cylinder 21B provided behind the cylindrical connection portion 21A. The barrel 21B is crimped to the core wire of the electric wire 10, thereby electrically connecting the female terminal fitting 21 and the electric wire 10.

The electric wire side connector housing 22 is formed in a substantially oblong or substantially elliptical cylindrical shape. The wire-side connector housing 22 is made of, for example, synthetic resin. The wire-side contact housing 22 includes a plurality of cylindrical receiving portions 25, a cylindrical portion 26, and a through-hole 27, and the through-hole 27 is a cavity inside the cylindrical portion 26. The plurality of cylindrical housing portions 25 are arranged, for example, so as to sandwich the cylindrical portion 26 from both sides. The plurality of cylindrical housing portions 25 and the cylindrical portion 26 are formed as an integral piece, for example.

A flange portion 30 that protrudes outward in the radial direction over the entire circumferential direction is formed at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the wire-side connector housing 22. A receiving groove 23A is formed over the entire circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the wire-side connector housing 22 forward of the flange portion 30. The storage groove 23A is formed over a plurality of cylindrical storage portions 25 and cylindrical portions 26, for example. A rubber ring 23 is fitted in the housing groove 23A.

As shown in fig. 5, each cylindrical housing portion 25 is formed so that its inner portion has a hollow structure and both end portions are open. Each cylindrical housing portion 25 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, for example. A cavity 25A extending in the front-rear direction is formed inside each cylindrical housing portion 25. Each cavity 25A is formed to penetrate the wire-side connector housing 22 in the front-rear direction, for example.

The female terminal fittings 21 connected to the wires 10 are inserted into the cavities 25A of the cylindrical housing portions 25 from, for example, a rear opening portion. When the female terminal fitting 21 is accommodated in the cavity 25A, the rubber plug 12 externally fitted to the electric wire 10 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cavity 25A. The rubber plug 12 prevents water from being present between the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 10 and the inner peripheral surface of the cavity 25A. Further, a stopper 13 is fitted around the electric wire 10 behind the rubber plug 12. A through hole 13X is formed in the stopper body 13 at a position facing the cylindrical portion 26. The through hole 13X is formed to penetrate the stopper body 13 in the front-rear direction. The through hole 13X is formed to communicate with the through hole 27 of the cylinder 26. The through-hole 13X is formed in a substantially quadrangular prism shape, for example.

The cylindrical portion 26 is formed to have a hollow structure inside and to have both ends open. The tube 26 is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape, for example.

A through-hole 27 extending in the front-rear direction (the fitting direction of the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70) is formed in the tube portion 26. The through hole 27 is formed to extend from the side of the internal space S1 of the protective tube 11 toward the side of the internal space S2 of the case 90. The through-hole 27 is formed such that one end opens into the internal space S1 of the protective pipe 11 and the other end opens into the equipment-side connector 70. The through hole 27 is formed to penetrate the wire-side connector housing 22 in the front-rear direction, for example. The through-hole 27 is formed in a substantially quadrangular prism shape, for example. The through hole 27 is formed to communicate with a through hole 13X provided in the stopper body 13, for example. The through hole 27 is formed to communicate with the internal space S1 of the protective tube 11 through the through hole 13X. The through hole 27 of this example is formed so that the open end 27A of the protective tube 11 on the side of the internal space S1 (rear side) is positioned on the side of the internal space S1 (rear side) with respect to the rubber ring 23.

The opening end of the through-hole 27 is formed to have a smaller cross-sectional area than the opening end of each cylindrical housing portion 25. Thus, even when the through-holes 27 are provided independently from the plurality of cylindrical housing portions 25, the increase in size of the wire-side connector 20 can be suppressed.

As shown in fig. 2, the shield case 24 is formed in a substantially oblong or substantially elliptical cylindrical shape. The shield case 24 is open at both front and rear ends. The shield case 24 is formed to be able to house the wire-side connector housing 22 from an opening on the front side, for example. The shield case 24 is made of metal. The shield case 24 is made of, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The shield shell 24 is formed by casting, for example.

As shown in fig. 3 and 5, when the wire-side connector housing 22 is housed in the shield shell 24, the rubber ring 23 and a portion of the wire-side connector housing 22 forward of the rubber ring 23 protrude forward from the open end of the shield shell 24 on the forward side.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, a fixing portion 41 that protrudes outward in the radial direction of the shield case 24 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the shield case 24. The fixing portion 41 is formed in a substantially plate shape. As shown in fig. 2, a bolt insertion hole 41X penetrating in the plate thickness direction (here, the front-rear direction) is formed in the fixing portion 41. A fastening bolt 42 can be inserted into the bolt insertion hole 41X. The wire-side connector 20 is electrically connected to the device-side connector 70 by screwing the fastening bolt 42 into a bolt fastening hole (not shown) provided in the case 90 shown in fig. 5, and is fixed to the case 90. Further, by screwing the fastening bolt 42 into a bolt fastening hole (not shown) of the case 90, the case 90 and the shield case 24 are electrically connected.

Next, the structure of the protection pipe 11 will be explained.

As shown in fig. 5, the protection pipe 11 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Both ends of the protective pipe 11 are connected to the outer peripheries of the shield shells 24 of the pair of wire-side connectors 20. The protective tube 11 is fixed by a fastening tape 11A so as to be airtightly adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the shield case 24. Thus, a sealed space is formed between the pair of wire-side connectors 20 by the internal space S1 of the protective tube 11. A plurality of electric wires 10 are collectively housed in the internal space S1. The internal space S1 communicates with the through hole 27 of the wire-side connector 20 through the through hole 13X of the stopper body 13.

Next, the structure of the device-side connector 70 will be described.

As shown in fig. 4, the device-side connector 70 includes a device-side connector housing 71, rubber rings 72 and 73 fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the device-side connector housing 71, and a plurality of male terminal fittings 74.

As shown in fig. 5, the device-side connector 70 is attached to a case 90 provided in a device such as the inverter 4 or the high-voltage battery 5. Here, the housing 90 is formed with a mounting hole 92 into which a part of the device-side connector 70 is fitted. Further, a bolt fixing hole 94 is formed in the case 90.

The machine-side connector housing 71 includes: a cover 75 capable of internally housing the plurality of cylindrical housing portions 25 and the cylindrical portion 26 in the wire-side connector housing 22; a terminal holding portion 76 that holds a plurality of male terminal fittings 74; a cylindrical portion 77 disposed to face the cylindrical portion 26; and a through-hole 78 which is a cavity inside the cylindrical portion 77.

As shown in fig. 4, the cover portion 75 has a substantially oval outer peripheral shape and extends in the front-rear direction. A fixing portion 79 protruding outward in the radial direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of cover portion 75. The fixing portion 79 is formed in a substantially plate shape. The fixing portion 79 is formed with a bolt insertion hole 79X penetrating in the plate thickness direction (front-rear direction).

As shown in fig. 5, a metal collar 80 through which a fixing bolt 81 can be inserted is assembled in the bolt insertion hole 79X. The machine-side connector housing 71 is fixed to the case 90 by screwing the fixing bolt 81 into a bolt fixing hole 94 provided in the case 90.

A portion of the device-side connector housing 71 on the front side of the fixing portion 79 is formed as a fitting portion 82 that can be fitted into a mounting hole 92 provided in the case 90. The outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 82 is formed with a receiving groove 72A over the entire circumferential direction. The receiving groove 72A is fitted with a rubber ring 72. The rubber ring 72 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole 92 over the entire circumference when the fitting portion 82 of the device-side connector 70 is fitted into the mounting hole 92, thereby preventing water from being present between the outer circumferential surface of the device-side connector housing 71 and the inner circumferential surface of the case 90.

A portion of the cover 75 on the rear side of the fixing portion 79 is formed to be capable of fitting into the shield case 24 of the wire-side connector 20. As shown in fig. 7, when the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70 are normally fitted to each other, the portions of the wire-side connector case 22 (the plurality of cylindrical receiving portions 25 and the cylindrical portion 26) located forward of the flange portion 30 can be received in the cover portion 75. At this time, the rubber ring 23 fitted around the outer peripheral surface of the wire-side connector housing 22 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cover 75 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, thereby waterproofing the inner peripheral surface of the cover 75 and the outer peripheral surface of the wire-side connector housing 22.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, a housing groove 73A is formed over the entire circumferential surface of the cover portion 75 rearward of the fixing portion 79. A rubber ring 73 is fitted in the housing groove 73A. As shown in fig. 7, the rubber ring 73 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the shield shell 24 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction when the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70 are normally fitted, and prevents water from being present between the outer circumferential surface of the cover portion 75 and the inner circumferential surface of the shield shell 24.

As shown in fig. 5, the terminal holding portion 76 is provided on the bottom wall of the hood portion 75. A plurality of male terminal fittings 74 are fixed to the terminal holding portion 76. The plurality of male terminal fittings 74 are formed, for example, so as to sandwich the cylindrical portion 77. The male terminal fittings 74 each have a terminal body 74A having a substantially conical shape and a pin-shaped connecting portion 74B extending from the terminal body 74A toward the opening of the hood 75.

Pin-shaped connection portion 74B is formed to protrude from the bottom wall of cover 75 toward the opening of cover 75 and to extend to a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of cover 75. The pin-shaped connection portion 74B is formed to be insertable into the inside of the cylindrical connection portion 21A in the female terminal fitting 21 of the wire-side connector 20. Thus, when the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70 are normally fitted to each other, the pin-shaped connection portion 74B is accommodated in the cylindrical connection portion 21A, and the male terminal fitting 74 and the female terminal fitting 21 are electrically connected to each other.

The cylindrical portion 77 is hollow and has two open ends. The tube 77 is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape, for example. The cylindrical portion 77 is provided at a position facing the cylindrical portion 26 provided in the wire-side connector housing 22. The tube portion 77 is formed to extend in the front-rear direction, for example. The tube portion 77 is formed to extend rearward from the front side end portion of the machine-side connector housing 71, for example, and is formed to protrude rearward from the bottom wall of the cover portion 75. The tube portion 77 of this example is formed such that the end portion 77A on the side of the internal space S1 (rear side) of the protective tube 11 is positioned on the side of the internal space S1 (rear) with respect to the tip of each male terminal fitting 74.

A through hole 78 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the tube portion 77. The through hole 78 is formed to extend from the side of the internal space S2 of the case 90 toward the side of the internal space S1 of the protective tube 11. The through-hole 78 is formed such that one end opens into the internal space S2 of the case 90 and the other end opens into the through-hole 27 of the wire-side connector 20. The through hole 78 is formed to communicate with the internal space S2 of the case 90. The through hole 78 is formed, for example, so as to penetrate the machine side connector housing 71 in the front-rear direction. The through-hole 78 is formed in a substantially quadrangular prism shape, for example. The through-hole 78 of this example is formed such that the opening end 78A on the machine side, specifically, on the side of the internal space S2 (front side) of the case 90 is positioned on the side of the internal space S2 (front) of the rubber ring 72.

The through hole 78 in this example is formed larger than the outer shape of the cylinder 26. Therefore, as shown in fig. 7, when the wire-side connector housing 22 is fitted to the equipment-side connector housing 71, the cylindrical portion 77 is externally inserted into the cylindrical portion 26. The cylindrical portion 77 is formed such that, for example, the inner peripheral surface thereof slides against the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 26 when inserted into the cylindrical portion 26. When the cylindrical portion 77 is externally fitted to the cylindrical portion 26, the through-hole 78 communicates with the through-hole 27 of the wire-side connector housing 22. Thus, the air passage 60 is formed in the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70 to communicate the internal space S1 of the protective tube 11 and the internal space S2 of the case 90 through the through holes 27 and 78. One open end of the air passage 60 opens to and communicates with the internal space S1 of the protective tube 11, and the other open end opens to and communicates with the internal space S2 of the case 90. The ventilation path 60 is not open except for the internal spaces S1 and S2. That is, the air passage 60 is not communicated with the external spaces of the wire-side connector 20 and the equipment-side connector 70 other than the internal spaces S1 and S2. Therefore, the air passage 60 is not directly exposed to the outside of the protection tube 11, for example. The vent passage 60 of this embodiment is formed by the through holes 27 and 78 and the through hole 13X formed in the stopper body 13.

Next, a method of mounting a connector (connector for equipment) including the wire-side connector 20 and the equipment-side connector 70 will be described with reference to fig. 5 to 7.

As shown in fig. 5, first, the wire-side connector 20 to which the ends of the plurality of wires 10 are connected and to which the protective pipe 11 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the shield shell 24 is prepared. Further, the fitting portion 82 of the device-side connector housing 71 is fitted into the mounting hole 92 of the case 90. Next, the fixing bolt 81 is screwed into the bolt insertion hole 79X provided in the fixing portion 79 of the device-side connector case 71 and the bolt fixing hole 94 provided in the case 90, and the device-side connector 70 is fixed to the case 90.

Next, as shown in fig. 6, the wire-side connector 20 is fitted to the device-side connector 70 fixed to the case 90 in a shallow manner. In this case, in the present embodiment, before the male terminal fittings 74 of the machine-side connector 70 are inserted into the cylindrical receiving portions 25 of the wire-side connector 20, the cylindrical portion 77 of the machine-side connector 70 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 26 of the wire-side connector 20. Accordingly, since the tube portions 26 and 77 function as guide means, the angle at which each male terminal fitting 74 is inserted into each cylindrical housing 25 can be limited, and damage to the male terminal fitting 74 and the female terminal fitting 21 can be suppressed. Further, since the cylindrical portion 77 is externally fitted to the cylindrical portion 26, the wire-side connector housing 22 can be restricted from moving in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction. This can suppress the displacement of the fitting positions of the wire-side connector housing 22 and the equipment-side connector housing 71. Further, in the present embodiment, both the tube portion 77 and the tube portion 26 are formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape so that the outer peripheral surface of the tube portion 26 is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tube portion 77. This can restrict the wire-side connector housing 22 from rotating about the fitting direction.

Next, as shown in fig. 7, the wire-side connector 20 is deeply fitted into the device-side connector 70. Then, the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70 are normally fitted to each other by screwing the fastening bolt 42 (see fig. 2) into a bolt fastening hole (not shown) of the box 90. When the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70 are normally fitted to each other, the cylindrical portion 77 is externally fitted to the cylindrical portion 26, and the through-hole 27 and the through-hole 78 communicate with each other. Further, the air passage 60 is formed inside the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70, and the air passage 60 communicates the internal space S1 of the protective tube 11 with the internal space S2 of the box 90 through the through-hole 27 and the through-hole 78. Thus, when the temperature inside the protective pipe 11 increases, the pressure inside the protective pipe 11 can be suppressed from increasing by releasing the air inside the protective pipe 11 into the internal space S2 of the tank 90. Further, since the air passage 60 is formed inside the wire-side connector 20 and the equipment-side connector 70, the air passage 60 is not directly exposed to the outside of the protective tube 11. This can prevent the air passage 60 from being clogged with the flying objects and the like.

According to the present embodiment described above, the following operations and effects can be achieved.

(1) The air passage 60 is formed inside the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70, and when the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70 are normally fitted to each other, the air passage 60 communicates the internal space S1 of the protective pipe 11 with the internal space S2 of the box 90 through the through-hole 27 and the through-hole 78. With this configuration, even when the temperature in the protective pipe 11 increases, the air in the protective pipe 11 can be released to the internal space S2 of the box 90. That is, the space in which the air in the protective tube 11 can diffuse can be enlarged. This can suppress a pressure rise in the protection pipe 11. Further, since the air passage 60 is formed inside the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70, the air passage 60 can be prevented from being clogged with flying objects, dust in the atmosphere, and the like while moving. Therefore, the pressure rise inside the protection pipe 11 can be appropriately suppressed.

(2) A rubber ring 23 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the wire-side connector housing 22. The rubber ring 23 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cover portion 75 of the device-side connector housing 71 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. According to this configuration, water is stopped between the outer peripheral surface of the wire-side contact case 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the cover portion 75 of the equipment-side contact case 71 by the rubber ring 23. Further, in the present embodiment, the rear opening end 27A of the through hole 27 is provided rearward of the rubber ring 23. According to this configuration, the rubber ring 23 can stop water between the outer peripheral surface of the wire-side contact case 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the cover portion 75 of the equipment-side contact case 71, and the through hole 27 and the through hole 78 can communicate the internal space S1 of the protection pipe 11 with the internal space S2 of the case 90. Therefore, the water-stopping property of the fitting portion of the wire-side connector 20 and the equipment-side connector 70 can be maintained, and the pressure rise in the interior of the protective pipe 11 can be suppressed.

(3) A rubber ring 72 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the machine-side connector housing 71, and the rubber ring 72 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 92 of the case 90 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. With this configuration, water is stopped between the outer peripheral surface of the device-side connector case 71 and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 92 by the rubber ring 72. Further, an opening end 78A on the front side of the through hole 78 is provided further forward than the rubber ring 72. According to this configuration, the rubber ring 72 can stop the water between the outer peripheral surface of the equipment-side connector case 71 and the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 92 of the box 90, and the through-hole 27 and the through-hole 78 can communicate the internal space S1 of the protection pipe 11 with the internal space S2 of the box 90. Therefore, the water-stopping property of the fitting portion of the device-side connector 70 and the box 90 can be maintained, and the pressure rise in the protection pipe 11 can be suppressed.

(4) The wire-side connector housing 22 is provided with a cylindrical portion 26 and a through-hole 27 separately from the plurality of cylindrical housing portions 25 housing the electric wire 10. According to this configuration, even when the rubber plug 12 is inserted into the electric wire 10 to stop water in the portion into which the female terminal fitting 21 is fitted, the through hole 27 and the through hole 78 allow the internal space S1 of the protection pipe 11 to communicate with the internal space S2 of the case 90. Therefore, the pressure rise inside the protection pipe 11 can be suppressed while maintaining the water-stopping property of the portion into which the female terminal fitting 21 is fitted.

(5) The opening end of the through-hole 27 is formed to have a cross-sectional area smaller than the opening end of the cavity 25A of each cylindrical housing portion 25. According to this configuration, even when the through-holes 27 are provided separately from the plurality of cylindrical receiving portions 25, the increase in size of the wire-side connector housing 22 can be suppressed.

(6) When the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70 are fitted to each other, the cylindrical portion 77 is externally fitted to the cylindrical portion 26. According to this configuration, the following can be restricted: when the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70 are fitted to each other, the wire-side connector housing 22 moves in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction. Therefore, the following can be suppressed: when the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70 are normally fitted to each other, the fitting positions are displaced.

(7) Both the tube 26 and the tube 77 are formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape. According to this configuration, when the cylindrical portion 77 is externally fitted to the cylindrical portion 26, the substantially quadrangular outer surface shape of the cylindrical portion 26 and the substantially quadrangular inner surface shape of the cylindrical portion 77 are fitted to each other. Thereby, the following can be suppressed: when the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70 are fitted, the wire-side connector housing 22 rotates about the fitting direction. Therefore, the following can be suppressed: when the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70 are normally fitted to each other, the fitting positions are displaced.

(8) The tube portion 77 extends rearward from the bottom wall of the cover portion 75 and projects rearward from the tip end of each male terminal 74. According to this configuration, when the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70 are fitted to each other, the cylindrical portion 77 is externally inserted into the cylindrical portion 26 before each male terminal 74 is inserted into each cylindrical housing 25. Thus, when the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70 are fitted to each other, the tube portions 26 and 77 function as guides, and therefore the angle at which each male terminal fitting 74 is inserted into each cylindrical housing portion 25 can be regulated. Therefore, the following can be suppressed: when the wire-side connector 20 and the device-side connector 70 are fitted to each other, the male terminal fitting 74 and the female terminal fitting 21 are damaged.

(9) The conductive circuit 1 includes an electric wire 10, a protective pipe 11, an electric wire-side connector 20, and a device-side connector 70. According to this configuration, air inside the protective tube 11 heated by heat generated when the electric wire 10 is energized can be released into the case 90 through the ventilation path 60. This enlarges the space in which the air inside the protective tube 11 can diffuse, and therefore heat is less likely to be trapped inside the protective tube 11. Therefore, the heat dissipation performance of the conductive circuit 1 can be improved, and the temperature rise of the entire conductive circuit 1 can be suppressed.

(embodiment 2)

Next, embodiment 2 embodying the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 8. The present embodiment is different from embodiment 1 in that a ventilation membrane 50 is provided in a ventilation path 60. The other configurations are the same as those of embodiment 1, and therefore the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions of the structure, operation, and effects are omitted.

The ventilation film 50 is provided to close the ventilation path 60. The ventilation film 50 is provided to close the through-hole 27, for example. For example, the air-permeable membrane 50 is provided on the rear end face 26A of the tube portion 26 so as to close the opening end 27A of the through-hole 27 on the side of the internal space S1 (rear side) of the protective tube 11.

The air-permeable membrane 50 is integrated with the wire-side connector housing 22 by, for example, molding or the like. The ventilation film 50 may be fixed in a watertight manner, and the fixing method of the ventilation film to the wire-side connector housing 22 is not particularly limited, and may be fixed by an adhesive, for example.

The gas permeable membrane 50 has properties that allow the passage of gas and restrict the passage of liquid. As the air-permeable membrane 50, a resin porous membrane, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, net, foam, or the like can be used. For example, a gas permeable membrane made of a Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) porous body as a fluororesin can be suitably used in terms of high gas permeability and suppression of entry of foreign matter such as water and dust. Thus, even when the interior of the protective tube 11 is immersed in water, for example, the gas permeable membrane 50 restricts the passage of liquid, so that the liquid can be prevented from entering the interior of the through-hole 27.

The stopper 13 of this embodiment is formed so as to contact a part of the gas permeable membrane 50. The stopper 13 is formed, for example, so as to contact the outer peripheral edge of the gas permeable membrane 50. The stopper 13 can prevent the gas permeable membrane 50 from being peeled off from the tube 26.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained in addition to the operational effects (1) to (9) of embodiment 1.

(11) The ventilation film 50 is provided so as to seal the through-hole 27. According to this configuration, even when the interior of the protection tube 11 is immersed in water, for example, the gas permeable membrane 50 restricts the passage of liquid, so that the liquid can be prevented from entering the interior of the through-hole 27. Further, the liquid in the protective tube 11 can be prevented from entering the tank 90 through the ventilation path 60. Therefore, the pressure rise inside the protection pipe 11 can be suppressed, and the water stopping performance of the device connector can be improved.

(other embodiments)

The above embodiment can be implemented in the following manner with appropriate modifications.

In embodiment 2, the air-permeable membrane 50 is provided on the rear end surface 26A of the cylindrical portion 26, but the position of the air-permeable membrane 50 is not particularly limited as long as the water immersion into the interior of the casing 90 of the device can be suppressed. For example, the air-permeable membrane 50 may be provided in the equipment-side connector case 71 so as to close the front opening end 78A of the through-hole 78.

The ventilation film 50 of embodiment 2 is a single layer, but is not limited thereto. The air-permeable membrane 50 may be a structure in which other porous bodies, foams, woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, nets, mesh members, and the like are laminated as a reinforcing layer.

In each of the above embodiments, the wire-side connector 20 includes the shield shell 24, but is not limited thereto. The shield case 24 may be provided as needed, and the shield case 24 may be omitted.

In each of the above embodiments, the apparatus such as the inverter 4 and the high-voltage battery 5 includes the case 90, but is not limited thereto. The case 90 may be omitted as long as the case 90 is provided as necessary.

In each of the above embodiments, the shape of the through-hole 27 is formed in a substantially quadrangular prism shape, but the shape is not limited thereto. The shape of the through-hole 27 may be, for example, a substantially triangular prism shape, a substantially pentagonal prism shape, or a substantially cylindrical shape.

In the above embodiments, the through-holes 27 are formed linearly, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the through-holes 27 may be formed non-linearly (substantially L, substantially S, or the like).

In each of the above embodiments, the shape of the through-hole 78 is formed in a substantially quadrangular prism shape, but the shape is not limited thereto. The shape of the through-hole 78 may be, for example, a substantially triangular prism shape, a substantially pentagonal prism shape, or a substantially cylindrical shape

In the above embodiments, the through-holes 78 are formed linearly, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the through-holes 78 may be formed non-linearly (substantially L-shaped, substantially S-shaped, or the like).

The single through-hole 27 is provided in the wire-side connector housing 22 of each of the above embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the wire-side connector housing 22 may be provided with a plurality of through holes 27.

The single through-hole 78 is provided in the equipment-side connector housing 71 of each of the above embodiments, but the invention is not limited thereto. A plurality of through holes 78 may be provided in the device-side connector housing 71.

In each of the above embodiments, the tube 26 and the tube 77 are formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, at least one of the tube 26 and the tube 77 may be formed in a substantially pentagonal tube shape, a substantially triangular tube shape, or a substantially cylindrical shape.

In each of the above embodiments, the cylindrical portion 77 is externally inserted into the cylindrical portion 26, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The inner space S1 of the protection pipe 11 and the inner space S2 of the box 90 can communicate with each other through the tube 26 and the tube 77. For example, the cylindrical portion 77 may be inserted into the cylindrical portion 26. Further, the rear end surface of the tube portion 77 may abut the front end surface of the tube portion 26. Further, the rear end surface of the tube portion 77 and the front end surface of the tube portion 26 may be separated from each other. In this case, for example, a space different from the through-holes 27, 78 is interposed between the cylindrical portion 26 and the cylindrical portion 77, and the internal space S1 of the protective tube 11 and the internal space S2 of the box 90 communicate with each other through the space and the through-holes 27, 78.

In each of the above embodiments, the through-hole 27 is provided at a position sandwiched between the plurality of cylindrical housing portions 25, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The through-hole 27 can be provided at any position inside the wire-side connector housing 22.

For example, as shown in fig. 9(a), the through-hole 27 and the plurality of cylindrical housing portions 25 may be arranged in a staggered manner. That is, the plurality of cylindrical housing portions 25 may be arranged in a row, and the through-holes 27 may be provided between the plurality of cylindrical housing portions 25 at positions offset in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction.

For example, as shown in fig. 9(b), the through-hole 27 may be provided outside the plurality of cylindrical housing portions 25. That is, the plurality of cylindrical housing portions 25 may be arranged adjacent to each other, and the through-hole 27 may be provided outside the plurality of cylindrical housing portions 25 in the arrangement direction.

Alternatively, the through-hole 27 may be provided inside the cylindrical housing portion 25.

In each of the above embodiments, the penetration hole 78 is provided at a position sandwiched between the plurality of male terminal fittings 74, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The through-hole 78 can be provided at any position inside the equipment-side connector case 71 as long as the internal space S1 of the protection pipe 11 and the internal space S2 of the case 90 can be communicated with each other through the through-hole 27 and the through-hole 78.

The cylindrical portion 77 of each of the above embodiments is formed so that the rear end portion 77A protrudes rearward from the tip end of each of the male terminal fittings 74, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the tip of each male terminal fitting 74 may be formed so as to protrude rearward from the rear end 77A of the tube portion 77.

In each of the above embodiments, the outer peripheral shape of the device-side connector 70 is a substantially oblong shape and a shape extending in the front-rear direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the outer peripheral shape of the device-side connector 70 may be substantially circular or substantially rectangular.

In each of the above embodiments, the electric wire 10 has a structure including a conductive core wire and an insulating coating layer made of a synthetic resin for coating the outer periphery of the core wire, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the electric wire 10 may be a shielded electric wire having a shielding function, or may be an electric wire in which a rigid electric wire capable of maintaining a shape and a flexible electric wire capable of freely bending are connected.

The number of the electric wires 10 in each of the above embodiments is not limited to two. The number of the wires 10 can be changed according to the specification of the vehicle, and for example, the number of the wires 10 may be one, or may be three or more.

In each of the above embodiments, the wire-side connector 20 includes the female terminal fitting 21, and the device-side connector 70 includes the male terminal fitting 74, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As long as the wire-side connector 20 and the equipment-side connector 70 can be electrically connected when normally fitted to each other, for example, the wire-side connector 20 may be provided with a male terminal fitting and the equipment-side connector 70 may be provided with a female terminal fitting.

The through hole 13X of the stopper body 13 in each of the above embodiments may be omitted. For example, a gap that can communicate the through-hole 27 and the internal space S1 of the protective tube 11 may be formed in the stopper 13.

The stopper 13 in each of the above embodiments may be omitted.

The rubber plugs 12 in the above embodiments may be omitted.

Although not particularly mentioned in the above embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which an electromagnetic shielding member is provided inside the protective tube 11. The electromagnetic shield member is provided to collectively surround the plurality of electric wires 10, for example. The electromagnetic shield member is provided between, for example, the inner surface of the protective tube 11 and the outer surface of the electric wire 10. As the electromagnetic shielding member, for example, a flexible braided wire or a metal foil can be used.

The above embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

It will be obvious 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 embodiment (or one or more embodiments thereof) may be omitted, or several components may be combined. Reference should be made to the claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Description of the reference numerals

1 conductive circuit

2 wire harness

4 inverter (machine)

5 high-voltage battery (machine)

10 electric wire

11 protective tube

20 electric wire side connector

22 electric wire side connector housing

23 rubber ring (1 st sealing component)

25 cylindrical storage part

26 canister (No. 1 canister)

27 through hole (1 st through hole)

50-ventilating film

60 ventilation path

70 machine side connector

71 machine side connector housing

72 rubber ring (2 nd sealing component)

73 rubber ring (3 rd sealing component)

74 Male terminal fitting (terminal fitting)

75 cover part

77 tube (No. 2 tube)

78 through hole (No. 2 through hole)

90 box

92 mounting hole

Inner space of S1, S2