Patent ID: 12220997

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

Referring toFIG.1, a charging connector10according to a first embodiment of the present invention is provided with a body20and a mating portion30. The mating portion30is located forward of the body20in a front-rear direction. In detail, the mating portion30is attached to a front-end portion of the body20. In the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is a Y-direction. A negative Y-direction is directed forward while a positive Y-direction is directed to rearward.

As shown inFIGS.2and4, the charging connector10is further provided with a main portion40. The main portion40is connected to a plurality of electric wires72included in a cable70. Moreover, the main portion40is accommodated in the body20in part.

As shown inFIGS.2and5, the body20has a first body portion22and a second body portion24which are separatable from each other in a lateral direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the lateral direction is an X-direction. As understood fromFIG.6, the first body portion22and the second body portion24are fixed to each other by using a plurality of screws26.

As understood fromFIGS.2and5, to the front-end portion of the body20, a plurality of elongated protrusion portions201is provided. The elongated protrusion portions201protrude from a front surface203of the body20in the front-rear direction. Moreover, the elongated protrusion portions201are located inward of an outer edge of the front surface203of the body20in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

As understood fromFIGS.2and4, the body20accommodates the main portion40at least in part and holds the main portion40. In the present embodiment, the body20accommodates the main portion40in part.

As shown inFIG.2, the charging connector10is further provided with a plurality of fastening members50which fasten the mating portion30to the body20. As understood fromFIGS.2to4, each of the fastening members50consists of a screw52and a nut54. In the present embodiment, the fastening members50are four in number. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The number of the fastening member50should be one at least.

As shown inFIG.2, the screw52of the fastening member50has a head portion521and a shaft portion523. In the present embodiment, the screw52is a pan head screw. Moreover, as shown inFIGS.2to4, the nut54is a square nut having a square shape when viewed along the front-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The screw52may be a screw having a head portion of a different shape different from that of the pan head, for example, may be a truss head screw or the like. Moreover, the nut54may be a nut having a shape other than a square, for example, may be a rectangular nut. However, it is preferable that the nut54is not a ring nut or a hexagon nut from the point of view of turn prevention.

As shown inFIGS.2,3and5, the body20has a plurality of nut holding portions204. The nut holding portions204are equal to the fastening members50in number. In the present embodiment the nut holding portions204are four in number. Each of the nut holding portions204has a nut accommodation portion which opens inward in the lateral direction. The nut54is inserted or press-fit into the nut accommodation portion and accommodated in the nut accommodation portion. Thus, the nuts54are held by the nut holding portions204or by the body20. With regard to the nut54held by the nut holding portion204, a front-rear movement, an outward movement in the lateral direction and a rotational movement about an axis along the front-rear direction are regulated.

As understood fromFIGS.7and9, the main portion40is provided with a plurality of contacts42and a housing44which holds the contacts42. The contacts42include a plurality of contacts which have different purposes. In detail, the contacts42include signal contacts and power contacts. The contacts42having different purposes have shapes different from each other and sizes different from each other. However, the differences are not directly related to the present invention, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

As understood fromFIGS.4and7, each of the contacts42is connected to at least one of end portions of the electric wires72included in the cable70. The contacts42correspond to mating contacts (not shown) provided by a mating connector (not shown), respectively. When the charging connector10and the mating connector are mated with each other, the contacts42are electrically connected to the mating contacts, respectively.

As shown inFIGS.10and11, the housing44has a partition wall441with a main surface (a front surface)4431, a plurality of covering portions461and a plurality of accommodation portions463. The partition wall441has a front portion443and a rear portion445which are integrally formed. The front portion443is located forward of the rear portion445in the front-rear direction. Moreover, in the front-rear direction, the main surface4431is directed forward, and a rear surface4451of the rear portion445is directed rearward. In a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction, the rear portion445protrudes outward of the front portion443except for parts thereof.

As shown inFIGS.10to12, the partition wall441is formed with a plurality of holes447which pierce the partition wall441in the front-rear direction. The holes447correspond to the fastening members50, respectively. The holes447are located near an edge portion of the partition wall441. An internal diameter of each of the holes447is larger than an external diameter of the shaft523(seeFIG.2) of the screw52of the fastening member50. Moreover, the internal diameter of the hole447is equal to or larger than that of a hole325of the mating portion30which is mentioned later.

As understood fromFIG.9, the covering portions461correspond to the contacts42, respectively. Moreover, as understood fromFIGS.10and11, the covering portions461correspond to the accommodation portions463, respectively. The covering portions461protrude forward from the main surface4431of the partition wall441. In the present embodiment, the covering portions461have base portions465. Each of the base portions465is shared among certain of the covering portions461. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The covering portions461may not have the base portions465and may be independent of one another. The accommodation portions463protrude rearward from the rear surface4451of the partition wall441. In the front-rear direction, an internal space of the covering portion461and an internal space of the accommodation portion463corresponding to the covering portion461communicate with each other. Each of the accommodation portions463is joined with at least one of other accommodation portions463. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The accommodation portions463may be independent of one another.

As understood fromFIGS.11and12, the rear surface4451of the partition wall441is further provided with falling prevention portions449protruding rearward. Each of the falling prevention portions449has a plate-like shape extending in the lateral direction. The falling prevention portion449has side surfaces4491directed outward in the lateral direction. The side surfaces4491correspond to the holes447, respectively. When viewed along the front-rear direction, each of the side surfaces4491faces the hole447corresponding thereto.

As understood fromFIG.7, each of the contacts42has a shape long in the front-rear direction. Each of the contacts42has a contact portion421which is brough into contact with the meting contact (not shown) corresponding thereto. The contact portion421protrudes forward of the main surface4431of the partition wall441at least in part. As understood fromFIGS.7and9, in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction, the contact portion421of each of the contacts42is covered by the covering portion461. Moreover, in the front-rear direction, a tip of the contact portion421of each of the contacts42is covered by the covering portion461.

As shown inFIGS.2,13and14, the mating portion30is provided with a main plate portion32, a plurality of surrounding portions34, an edge portion36, a plurality of first abutment portions3231and a plurality of receiving portions3211. The main plate portion32has a front surface321, which is directed forward in the front-rear direction, and a rear surface (a facing surface)323, which is directed rearward in the front-rear direction. The main plate portion32is formed with a plurality of holes325which pierce the main plate portions32in the front-rear direction. The holes325correspond to the screws52of the fastening members50, respectively. Moreover, the holes325correspond to the holes447formed in the housing44, respectively. An internal diameter of each of the holes325is larger than the external diameter of the shaft523of the screw52but is smaller than an external diameter of the head portion521of the screw52. Moreover, the internal diameter of the hole325is equal to or smaller than the internal diameter of the hole447of the housing44. The receiving portions3211correspond to the holes325, respectively. Each of the receiving portions3211is recessed rearward from the front surface321of the main plate portion32. An internal diameter of the receiving portion3211is larger than the internal diameter of the hole325. Moreover, the internal diameter of the receiving portion3211is slightly larger than the external diameter of the head portion521of the screw52of the fastening member50.

As shown inFIGS.2and13, the surrounding portions34protrude forward from the front surface321of the main plate portion32. As understood fromFIGS.1,2and9, the surrounding portions34correspond to the base portions465provided to the housing44, respectively. Then, each of the surrounding portions34surrounds and protects the covering portions461in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

As shown inFIGS.13and14, the edge portion36extends along an edge of the rear surface323of the main plate portion32and protrudes rearward. Each of the first abutment portions3231is provided to the rear surface323of the main plate portion32and located near the edge portion36. In the present embodiment, the first abutment portions3231are four in number. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The number of the first abutment portions3231should be three at least. In the present embodiment, the first abutment portions3231are protrusions which slightly protrude from the rear surface323. As described later, the first abutment portions3231are respectively brought into contact with the second abutment portions2011provided to the body20.

As understood fromFIGS.2,4and7, when the housing44is held by the body20, the rear portion445of the partition wall441of the housing44is located rearward of the elongated protrusion portions201of the body20and located forward of the nut holding portions204of the body20. In the front-rear direction, the main surface4431of the partition wall441is in a position identical to or rearward of that of front surfaces of the elongated protrusion portions201of the body20.

As shown inFIG.12, the housing44has first contact portions4453directed rearward. Moreover, as shown inFIG.5, the body20has second contact portions2041directed forward. When the housing44is held by the body20, the first contact portions4453and the second contact portions2041are brought into contact with each other. With this structure, rearward movement of the housing44with respect to the body20is regulated. In other words, the first contact portions4453and the second contact portions2041position the housing44with respect to the body20in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the second contact portions2041are protrusions which protrude forward from front surfaces of the nut holding portions204. Moreover, the first contact portions4453are sections which are parts of the rear surface4451of the partition wall441and face the second contact portions2041in the front-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first contact portions4453may be protrusions which protrude rearward in the front-rear direction. In that case, the second contact portions2041may be protrusions or may be parts of the front surfaces of the nut holding portions204. At any rate, it is preferable that the first contact portions4453or the second contact portions2041or both are protrusions. This is to facilitate adjustment of an inclination of the housing44with respect to the body20.

As understood fromFIG.8, before the housing44is held by the body20, the nuts54are press-fit into the nut accommodation portions of the nut holding portions204of the body20, respectively. When the housing44is held by the body20, a side surface of each of the nuts54held by the nut holding portions204faces the housing44but is apart from the housing44. In detail, the side surface of the nut54faces the side surface4491of the falling prevention portion449of the housing44but is apart from the side surface4491. With this structure, the nuts54are prevented from falling away from the nut holding portions204.

As understood fromFIGS.1and2, the mating portion30is attached to the body20and to the main portion40from the front of them. At this time, as understood fromFIGS.2and7, the elongated protrusion portions201of the body20are located inward of the edge portion36of the mating portion30in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

As shown inFIGS.2and5, the body20is provided with the second abutment portions2011directed forward in the front-rear direction. When the mating portion30is attached to the body20, the first abutment portions3231(seeFIGS.13and14) of the mating portion30are brought into contact with the second abutment portions2011. With this structure, positioning of the mating portion30with respect to the body20is carried out. In the present embodiment, the second abutment portions2011are sections which are parts of the front surfaces of the elongated protrusion portions201of the body20and face the first abutment portions3231in the front-rear direction. However, the preset invention is not limited thereto. The second abutment portions2011may protrusions protruding forward from the front surfaces of the elongated protrusion portions201. In that case, the first abutment portions3231may be protrusions or may be parts of the rear surface323of the main plate portion32of the mating portion30. At any rate, the first abutment portions3231or the second abutment portions2011should protrude in the front-rear direction. When the first abutment portions3231or the second abutment portions2011or both protrude in the front-rear direction, the rear surface323of the mating portion30and the main surface4431of the housing44face each other but are apart from each other in the front-rear direction. In other words, in a state that the mating portion30is fastened to the body20, the housing44are not in direct contact with the mating portion30.

As understood fromFIGS.2to4, the fastening members50fasten the mating portion30to the body20. At this time, the head portion521of the screw52of the fastening member50is received by the receiving portion3211of the mating portion30. Accordingly, the head portion521of the screw52is not in direct contact with the housing44. Moreover, the internal diameter of the hole447of the housing44is larger than the external diameter of the shaft523of the screw52. Accordingly, the shaft523of the screw52is not in direct contact with the housing44normally. In other words, the housing44is located apart from the shaft523normally. Even in a case where the shaft523is brought into contact with the housing44, when viewed along the front-rear direction, the shaft523is only inscribed in an inner wall of the hole447, and a space is left between the shaft523and the hole447. Furthermore, the nuts54are held by the body20but apart from the falling prevention portions449. Accordingly, the nuts54are not in direct contact with the housing44. Thus, the fastening members50fasten the mating portion30to the body20without contact with the housing44at least in the front-rear direction. With this structure, in a case where the charging connector10is dropped accidentally, direct transmission of impact received by the body20or the mating portion30to the housing44can be prevented or suppressed. As a result, damage of the main portion40, or damage of the housing44and the contacts42, due to a drop of the charging connector10can be prevented.

Second Embodiment

A charging connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention has a mating portion30A shown inFIGS.15and16in place of the mating portion30and a housing44A shown inFIG.17in place of the housing44. Except for the mating portion30A and the housing44A, the charging connector of the present embodiment is identical to the charging connector10of the first embodiment. Accordingly, hereinafter, the description will be made about the mating portion30A and the housing44A.

As shown inFIGS.15and16, the mating portion30A has a plurality of first abutment portions3231A which protrude rearward from a rear surface323of a main plate portion32. The first abutment portions3231A correspond to holes325, respectively. When viewed along the front-rear direction, a shape of each of the first abutment portions3231A is an annular shape surrounding the hole325corresponding thereto.

As shown inFIG.17, a partition wall441of the housing44A has a main surface4431directed forward in the front-rear direction. On the main surface4431, a plurality of second abutment portions4433is provided. The second abutment portions4433are sections which are parts of the main surface4431and correspond to the first abutment portions3231A of the mating portion30A, respectively. Moreover, the housing44A has a plurality of recess portions451provided to be adjacent to the second abutment portions4433, respectively. The recess portions451are vacant areas of the partition wall441in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The recess portions451are substitutes for the holes447of the housing44. A size of each of the recess portions451is set so that the housing44A is apart from shafts523of screws52when the mating portion30A is attached to a body20(seeFIG.2) by using fastening members50. With this structure, the fastening members50can fasten the mating portion30A to the body20through the recess portions451without contact with the housing44A.

As understood fromFIGS.15to17, the first abutment portions3231A of the mating portion30A correspond to the second abutment portions4433of the housing44A, respectively. When the housing44A is held by the body20(seeFIG.2) and the mating portion30A is fastened to the body20with the fastening members50(seeFIG.2), each of the first abutment portions3231A and the second abutment portion4433corresponding thereto are brought into contact with each other. With this structure, in the front-rear direction, positioning of the mating portion30with respect to the body20is carried out. Moreover, the main surface4431of the housing44A faces a rear surface323of the mating portion30A but is apart from the rear surface323.

According to the present embodiment, the mating portion30A and the housing44A are directly brought into contact with each other. Accordingly, accuracy of positioning of the mating portion30A with respect to the housing44A can be higher than that of the charging connector10. On the other hand, a possibility that an impact to the mating portion30A is transmitted to the housing44A is increased. According to this structure, however, the impact transmitted from the mating portion30A to the housing44A has a direction along the front-rear direction mainly. Accordingly, a possibility that the housing44A is damaged when the charging connector10is dropped is about the same degree as that when the charging connector10according to the first embodiment is dropped. In other words, damage of the main portion40, or damage of the housing44A and the contacts42, due to a drop of the charging connector10can be prevented satisfactorily.

Although the specific explanation about the present invention is made above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto but susceptible of various modifications and alternative forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the charging connector10according to the first embodiment, the mating portion30A of the second embodiment may be used in place of the mating portion30. In this case, the housing44is provided with the second abutment portions4433in place of the second abutment portions2011of the body20.

Moreover, in the charging connector10according to the first embodiment, the housing44A may be used in place of the housing44. In this case, the second abutment portions4433of the housing44A is unnecessary.

While there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.