JP6079563B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector used for electrically connecting a motor and an inverter in, for example, a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a connector having a male terminal that is electrically connected to a female terminal by fitting with a female connector and a housing that accommodates the male terminal is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The 1st connector of patent documents 1 is provided with the 1st terminal housing in which a plurality of 1st junction terminals formed in plate shape and a plurality of 1st junction terminals are stored. The first joint terminal is configured integrally with a device-side joint terminal that is electrically connected to a device such as a motor. Between the first joint terminal and the equipment-side joint terminal, the plane changing unit that changes the orientation of the plane of the first joint terminal, and the arrangement interval in the arrangement direction of the first joint terminals in the arrangement direction of the equipment-side joint terminals A pitch conversion unit that converts to an arrangement interval is provided.

  By fitting the first terminal housing to the second terminal housing of the second connector, the first joint terminal and the second joint terminal of the second connector are contacted to form a contact, and the first connector and the second connector Are electrically connected.

JP 2012-164629 A

  Usually, the wiring between the motor and the inverter in which the first connector described in Patent Document 1 is used is provided with a current detection device including a magnetic sensor that detects the strength of the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the wiring. . Accordingly, the inventors of the present application have come up with the idea that by providing a magnetic sensor in the connector, it is not necessary to provide a separate current detection device.

  However, when there are a plurality of wires, it is necessary to provide a plurality of magnetic sensors in the connector corresponding to each wire. Further, in a small space such as a connector, the magnetic field intervals are set so that the magnetic fields generated by the currents flowing through the conductive paths corresponding to the respective wires interfere with each other and the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor does not deteriorate due to this interference. Need to be freed up to some extent. Therefore, there is a possibility that the problem that the connector becomes large will be caused.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can be reduced in size by suppressing the influence of interference of a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through a conductive path.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is connected to a mating terminal by fitting with a mating connector, and arranged in a direction orthogonal to the mating direction with the mating connector. And a plurality of magnetic sensors each having a detection element that detects the strength of a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through each of the plurality of terminals, and the plurality of terminals and the plurality of magnetic sensors each form a pair. The paired terminals and the magnetic sensor are arranged side by side along the arrangement direction of the plurality of terminals, and the detection element is in one direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction and orthogonal to the fitting direction. The magnetic field strength is detected, and the plurality of magnetic sensors provide a connector arranged so that the thickness in the arrangement direction is the thinnest.

  According to the connector of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size by suppressing the influence of the interference of the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the conductive path.

1 is a perspective view showing a male connector and a female connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows typically the conductive path of a male connector, and the GMR sensor provided in the male connector. It is a perspective view which shows typically the conductive path of the male connector which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and the GMR sensor provided in the male connector.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a male connector and a female connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The male connector 11 and the female connector 12 as the mating connector are electrically connected by fitting the male housing 3 of the male connector 11 and the female housing 2 of the female connector 12. In the present embodiment, the male housing 3 and the female housing 2 are fitted so that a part of the male housing 3 is accommodated in the female housing 2.

(Configuration of female connector 12)
The female connector 12 includes first to third female terminals 41 to 43 as counterpart terminals, a female housing 2 that houses the first to third female terminals 41 to 43, and a tube made of conductive metal. The shield case 6 is provided.

  For example, first to third electric wires 121 to 123 for supplying a current generated by an inverter to an electric motor as a drive source of the vehicle are connected to the female connector 12. The electric motor is, for example, a three-phase AC motor, and the first to third electric wires 121 to 123 supply U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase currents to the three-phase AC motor, respectively.

  The first to third female terminals 41 to 43 are formed by, for example, tin plating the surface of a base material made of a copper alloy, and are supported by the terminal support member 40. The first female terminal 41 is at one end of the first electric wire 121, the second female terminal 42 is at one end of the second electric wire 122, and the third female terminal 43 is at one end of the third electric wire 123. These are connected by caulking or the like.

  The female housing 2 is made of an insulating resin such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PA (polyamide), and the like, and includes a first tube portion 21, a second tube portion 22, and a third tube portion 23. Is integrated. On one side surface extending from the first tube portion 21 to the second tube portion 22, a fitting recess 221 that fits with a fitting protrusion 312 formed on the male housing 3 described later is provided.

(Configuration of male connector 11)
The male connector 11 is connected to the first to third female terminals 41 to 43 by fitting with the female connector 12 and arranged in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction with the female connector 12. It has the 3rd male terminals 51-53 and the male side housing 3 which accommodates a part of 1st-3rd male terminals 51-53.

  The first to third male terminals 51 to 53 are formed, for example, by performing tin plating on the surface of a base material made of a copper alloy. By fitting the male connector 11 and the female connector 12, the first male terminal 51 becomes the first female terminal 41, the second male terminal 52 becomes the second female terminal 42, and the third male terminal 53 becomes. Each of the third female terminals 43 is electrically connected.

  The male housing 3 protrudes outward from the first cylindrical portion 31 and the cylindrical first cylindrical portion 31 and the second cylindrical portion 32 that accommodate a part of the first to third male terminals 51 to 53. The flange portion 33 is formed, and the terminal block portion 34 is formed continuously from the end of the second tube portion 32 to the side opposite to the first tube portion 31. The terminal block 34 holds one end of the first to third male terminals 51 to 53.

  The 1st cylinder part 31 and the flange part 33 are formed with the metal which has electroconductivity, such as aluminum, for example. A holding groove 311 for holding a seal member 311 a that seals between the first cylinder portion 31 and the female housing 2 is formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof.

  On one side surface of the first cylindrical portion 31, a fitting protrusion 312 that is fitted into the fitting recess 221 of the female housing 2 is formed so as to protrude outward. Further, on the other side surface of the first cylindrical portion 31, the first to third male terminals 51 to 53 and the first to third terminals in a state where the male housing 3 and the female housing 2 are fitted. An attachment portion 313 for attaching a pressing member (not shown) that presses the female terminals 41 to 43 is formed.

  The second cylinder part 32 is accommodated in the first cylinder part 31 at the end opposite to the terminal block part 34. The flange part 33 is located on the second cylinder part 32 side in the first cylinder part 31. An annular seal member 331 is provided on the end surface of the flange portion 33 on the second cylinder portion 32 side. The flange portion 33 is formed with a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) insertion holes 33a for inserting bolts (not shown) for attaching the male housing 3 to a case of a device such as an electric motor. . FIG. 1 shows only one insertion hole 33a out of the two insertion holes 33a.

  Next, the configuration of the male connector 11 will be described more specifically with reference to FIG.

  2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

  The male connector 11 detects the strength of the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through each of the first to third male terminals 51 to 53, and outputs a plurality of GMR sensors (first sensors) that output the detection signals. A GMR sensor 7a, a second GMR sensor 7b, and a third GMR sensor 7c). Here, the “GMR sensor” is a sensor having a giant magnetoresistive effect (GMR) element.

  The first male terminal 51 and the first GMR sensor 7a make a pair and are arranged side by side along the direction in which the first to third male terminals 51 to 53 are arranged. Similarly, the second male terminal 52 and the second GMR sensor 7b form a pair and are arranged side by side along the arrangement direction of the first to third male terminals 51 to 53. Similarly, the third male terminal 53 and the third GMR sensor 7c are paired and are arranged side by side along the direction in which the first to third male terminals 51 to 53 are arranged. The 1st-3rd GMR sensors 7a, 7b, 7c are arrange | positioned so that the thickness of the arrangement direction of the 1st-3rd male terminals 51-53 may become the thinnest.

  The first male terminal 51 is formed as a flat contact portion 511 having one end contacting the first female terminal 41 and the other end formed as a flat device connection portion 512 connected to a device such as an electric motor. Has been. The device connecting portion 512 is formed with a through hole 512a through which a bolt (not shown) for fixing a terminal of a device to be connected passes.

  The orientation of the flat surface of the contact portion 511 is parallel to the fitting direction of the male connector 11 and the female connector 12, and the orientation of the flat surface of the device connecting portion 512 is orthogonal to the fitting direction. That is, the orientation of the plane of the contact portion 511 is different from the orientation of the plane of the device connection portion 512 by 90 °.

  Between the contact portion 511 and the device connection portion 512, an extension portion 513 extending from the end portion of the device connection portion 512 toward the contact portion 511 side, and an end portion of the extension portion 513 from the end portion of the extension portion 513 A conductive path 514 formed continuously toward the surface, and a connecting portion 515 that connects the conductive path 514 and the contact portion 511.

  In the present embodiment, the contact portion 511, the device connecting portion 512, the extending portion 513, the conductive path 514, and the connecting portion 515 are integrally formed. The extending portion 513 and the conductive path 514 are formed in a round bar shape, and the connecting portion 515 is formed in a flat plate shape by crushing or the like, for example.

  The conductive path 514 extends from the first conductive path 514a extending along the fitting direction and the end of the first conductive path 514a opposite to the extended portion 513 toward the first GMR sensor 7a. The second conductive path 514b extending in the arrangement direction of the first to third male terminals 51 to 53, and the connecting portion from the end of the second conductive path 514b opposite to the first conductive path 514a It integrally has a third conductive path 514c extending in the fitting direction toward the 515 side.

  The configurations of the second male terminal 52 and the third male terminal 53 are the same as the configuration of the first male terminal 51, respectively.

  The second male terminal 52 has a contact portion 521 at one end and a device connection portion 522 in which a through hole 522a is formed at the other end. Between the contact part 521 and the device connection part 522, an extension part 523, a conductive path 524 including a first conductive path 524a, a second conductive path 524b, and a third conductive path 524c are connected. Part 525.

  The third male terminal 53 has a contact portion 531 at one end and a device connection portion 532 in which a through hole 532a is formed at the other end. Between the contact part 531 and the device connection part 532, an extension part 533, a conductive path 534 including a first conductive path 534a, a second conductive path 534b, and a third conductive path 534c are connected. Part 535.

  The conductive path 514 of the first male terminal 51, the conductive path 524 of the second male terminal 52, and the conductive path 534 of the third male terminal 53 are fitted while facing at least a part of the adjacent conductive paths. They are arranged in parallel in the direction intersecting the direction.

  The conductive paths 514, 524, 534, the connecting portions 515, 525, 535 and the first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, 7c of the first to third male terminals 51 to 53 are held by the holding member 35. In this state, it is housed inside the second cylindrical portion 32 together with the extending portions 513, 523, and 533. Seal members 111, 112, and 113 are provided on the outer circumferences of the extending portions 513, 523, and 533 to seal between the inner surfaces of the second cylindrical portions 32. A seal member 321 is provided between the second cylinder portion 32 and the flange portion 33.

  The device connection portions 512, 522, and 532 are held by the terminal base portion 34, and the contact portions 511, 521, and 531 are accommodated inside the first tube portion 31. In addition, a spring member 313 a for pressing the first to third male terminals 51 to 53 against the first to third female terminals 41 to 43 is provided inside the attachment portion 313 of the first tube portion 31. ing.

(Regarding the first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, 7c)
Next, the configuration and operation of the first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, 7c will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the conductive paths 514, 524, 534 of the male connector 11 and the first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, 7c provided in the male connector 11. As shown in FIG.

  The first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, and 7c have the same configuration, and therefore the first GMR sensor 7a will be described as an example.

  The first GMR sensor 7a includes a GMR element 71 as a detection element that detects the strength of a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the conductive path 514 of the first male terminal 51, and a cover member 72 that houses the GMR element 71. And a plurality (three in the present embodiment) of lead wires 73 exposed to the outside from one end of the cover member 72. In the present embodiment, the three lead wires 73 have functions as a power supply line, a signal line, and a GND line, respectively.

  The three lead wires 73 are connected from one end of the first GMR sensor 7a to the conductive path 514 of the first male terminal 51, the conductive path 524 of the second male terminal 52, and the conductive path of the third male terminal 53. It is drawn out in a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction of 534.

  The GMR element 71 is perpendicular to the direction in which the first to third male terminals 51 to 53 are arranged and perpendicular to the fitting direction of the male connector 11 and the female connector 12 (in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 3). Detect magnetic field directly.

  In this embodiment, the cover member 72 is formed in a rectangular shape using a mold resin or the like, and the relationship t / between the thickness t in the arrangement direction of the first to third male terminals 51 to 53 and the width w in the fitting direction. w is set to be 1 to 30%.

  The first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, and 7c are arranged such that the direction of the thinnest thickness t in the cover member 72 is aligned with the first to third male terminals 51 to 53, respectively.

  The first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, 7c are plate-like, and their main surfaces are parallel to the first conductive paths 514a, 524a, 534a and parallel to the second conductive paths 514b, 524b, 534b. It arrange | positions so that it may orthogonally cross with respect to a direction.

  The GMR element 71 of the first GMR sensor 7a includes a magnetic field M11 generated by a current i11 flowing through the first conductive path 514a of the first male terminal 51 and a magnetic field generated by a current i12 flowing through the second conductive path 514b. M12 is detected.

  Similarly to the GMR element 71 of the first GMR sensor 7a, the GMR element 71 of the second GMR sensor 7b includes a magnetic field M21 generated by a current i21 flowing through the first conductive path 524a, and a second conductive path 524b. The GMR element 71 of the third GMR sensor 7c detects the magnetic field M22 generated by the current i22 flowing through the first conductive path 534a, and the magnetic field M31 generated by the current i31 flowing through the first conductive path 534a and the second conductive path 534b. The magnetic field M32 generated by the current i32 is detected.

  Note that in the conductive path 514 of the first male terminal 51, the magnetic field M21 generated at the second male terminal 52 interferes with the magnetic field M11 and the magnetic field M12, but the magnetic field M21 in the GMR element 71 of the first GMR sensor 7a. The direction is opposite to the magnetic field M11 and the magnetic field M12, and the GMR element 71 of the first GMR sensor 7a detects only the magnetic field in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 3, so the magnetic field M21 is the GMR element of the first GMR sensor 7a. 71 is not detected.

  Similarly to the conductive path 514 of the first male terminal 51, the magnetic field M31 generated at the third male terminal 53 interferes with the magnetic field M21 and the magnetic field M22 in the conductive path 524 of the second male terminal 52. The direction of the magnetic field M31 in the GMR element 71 of the second GMR sensor 7b is opposite to the magnetic field M21 and the magnetic field M22, and the GMR element 71 of the second GMR sensor 7b detects only the magnetic field in the direction of arrow D in FIG. The magnetic field M31 is not detected by the GMR element 71 of the second GMR sensor 7b.

  The magnetic fields detected by the GMR elements 71 of the first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, and 7c are output as detection signals and transmitted to external devices via lead wires 73 (signal lines).

(Operation and effect of the first embodiment)
According to the first embodiment described above, the following operations and effects can be obtained.

(1) The GMR elements 71 of the first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, and 7c are orthogonal to the direction in which the first to third male terminals 51 to 53 are arranged, and the male connector 11 and the female connector 12 In order to detect the strength of the magnetic field in one direction orthogonal to the fitting direction, the magnetic fields generated by the currents flowing through the conductive paths 514, 524 and 534 of the first to third male terminals 51 to 53 interfere with each other. The influence by doing can be suppressed, and it leads to the improvement of the detection accuracy of the 1st-3rd GMR sensor 7a, 7b, 7c.

(2) The first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, and 7c are arranged so that the thickness t in the arrangement direction of the first to third male terminals 51 to 53 is the thinnest. Even when the third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, and 7c are provided in the male connector 11, the male housing 3 can be downsized, that is, the male connector 11 can be downsized.

(3) The first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, and 7c have a larger magnetoresistive effect than sensors such as Hall ICs. More specifically, the magnetoresistive effect is about several percent in a sensor such as a Hall IC, whereas the magnetoresistive effect is several tens percent or more in a GMR sensor. The first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, 7c have a faster response speed than, for example, sensors such as Hall ICs. The first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, 7c directly detect the magnetic field itself, unlike, for example, a coil that captures a change in the magnetic field, and therefore can respond sensitively to a minute change in the magnetic field. Is possible. Therefore, by using the first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b and 7c, the detection accuracy of the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through each of the first to third male terminals 51 to 53 is improved.

(4) The lead wires 73 of the first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, and 7c are electrically connected to the first male terminal 51 from one end of each of the first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, and 7c. Since the path 514, the conductive path 524 of the second male terminal 52, and the conductive path 534 of the third male terminal 53 are drawn out in a direction intersecting with each other, the size of the male housing 3 is reduced. However, it is easy to pull out each lead wire 73 from the inside of the male housing 3 to the outside.

(5) The first to third male terminals 51 to 53 are respectively connected to the first conductive paths 514a, 524a, 534a extending along the fitting direction and the first conductive paths 514a, 524a, 534a, respectively. Second conductive paths 514b, 524b extending in the direction in which the first to third male terminals 51-53 are arranged toward the first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, 7c paired from one end of , 534b, the magnetic field detected by the GMR elements 71 of the first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, 7c is stronger than when only the first conductive paths 514a, 524a, 534a are provided. . Thereby, the detection accuracy of the 1st-3rd GMR sensors 7a, 7b, 7c improves more.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, components having substantially the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 4 shows conductive paths 516, 526, 536 of the male connector 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, 7c provided in the male connector 11. It is a perspective view showing typically.

  In the first to third male terminals 51 to 53 of the male connector 11 according to the present embodiment, the configuration of the conductive paths 516, 526, and 536 is the configuration of the conductive paths 514, 524, and 534 according to the first embodiment. And different.

  The conductive path 516 of the first male terminal 51 is part of the first GMR sensor 7a, the conductive path 526 of the second male terminal 52 is part of the second GMR sensor 7b, and the third male terminal 53. The conductive path 536 is bent so as to surround a part of the third GMR sensor 7c.

  In the present embodiment, the conductive path 516 of the first male terminal 51 includes a first conductive path 516a extending from the end of the extending portion 513 toward the connecting portion 515 along the fitting direction, A second conductive path 516b extending from the end of one conductive path 516a along the direction in which the first to third male terminals 51 to 53 are aligned, and a fitting direction from the end of the second conductive path 516b And a fourth conductive path 516d extending along the direction in which the first to third male terminals 51 to 53 are arranged from the end of the third conductive path 516c. And a fifth conductive path 516e extending along the fitting direction from the end of the fourth conductive path 516d toward the connecting portion 515 side.

  The second conductive path 516b and the fourth conductive path 516d are respectively connected to the first to third male terminals 51 to 53 from both ends of the third conductive path 516c toward the first GMR sensor 7a. It extends in the alignment direction.

  In the present embodiment, the second conductive path 516b and the fourth conductive path 516d are formed by being bent by 90 ° with respect to the third conductive path 516c. That is, the second conductive path 516b and the fourth conductive path 516d are parallel. For example, the conductive path 516 may be bent in an arc shape so as to surround the first GMR sensor 7a.

  The configurations of the conductive path 526 of the second male terminal 52 and the conductive path 536 of the third male terminal 53 are the same as the configuration of the conductive path 516 of the first male terminal 51.

  The conductive path 526 of the second male terminal 52 is formed by integrating the first conductive path 526a, the second conductive path 526b, the third conductive path 526c, the fourth conductive path 526d, and the fifth conductive path 526e. The conductive path 536 of the third male terminal 53 includes a first conductive path 536a, a second conductive path 536b, a third conductive path 536c, a fourth conductive path 536d, and a fifth conductive path 536e. Is integrated.

  The GMR element 71 of the first GMR sensor 7a includes a magnetic field M12 generated by a current i12 flowing through the second conductive path 516b of the first male terminal 51, and a magnetic field M13 generated by a current i13 flowing through the third conductive path 516c. , And the magnetic field M14 generated by the current i14 flowing through the fourth conductive path 516d.

  Similarly to the first GMR sensor 7a, the GMR element 71 of the second GMR sensor 7b detects the magnetic field M22 generated by the current i22, the magnetic field M23 generated by the current i23, and the magnetic field M24 generated by the current i24. The GMR element 71 of the third GMR sensor 7c detects the magnetic field M32 generated by the current i32, the magnetic field M33 generated by the current i33, and the magnetic field M34 generated by the current i34.

  In the conductive path 516 of the first male terminal 51, the magnetic field M23 generated at the second male terminal 52 interferes with the magnetic field M12, the magnetic field M13, and the magnetic field M14 as in the first embodiment. The direction of the magnetic field M23 in the GMR element 71 of the GMR sensor 7a is opposite to the direction of the magnetic field M12, the magnetic field M13, and the magnetic field M14, and the GMR element 71 of the first GMR sensor 7a has a magnetic field in the direction of arrow D in FIG. Therefore, the magnetic field M23 is not detected by the GMR element 71 of the first GMR sensor 7a.

  Similarly, in the conductive path 526 of the second male terminal 52, the magnetic field M33 generated at the third male terminal 53 interferes with the magnetic field M22, the magnetic field M23, and the magnetic field M24, but the GMR element of the second GMR sensor 7b. The direction of the magnetic field M33 in 71 is opposite to the direction of the magnetic field M22, magnetic field M23, and magnetic field M24, and the GMR element 71 of the second GMR sensor 7b detects only the magnetic field in the direction of arrow D in FIG. M33 is not detected by the GMR element 71 of the second GMR sensor 7b.

(Operation and effect of the second embodiment)
According to the second embodiment described above, the same operations and effects as the operations (1) to (4) described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  The first to third male terminals 51 to 53 have conductive paths 516, 526, and 536 that are bent so as to surround a part of the first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, and 7c forming a pair. Therefore, compared with the first embodiment, the magnetic field detected by the GMR elements 71 of the first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, 7c becomes stronger. Thereby, the detection accuracy of the 1st-3rd GMR sensors 7a, 7b, 7c improves more.

(Summary of embodiment)
Next, the technical idea grasped from the embodiment described above will be described with reference to the reference numerals in the embodiment. However, the reference numerals and the like in the following description are not intended to limit the constituent elements in the claims to the members and the like specifically shown in the embodiments.

[1] Direction connected to the mating terminal (first to third female terminals 41 to 43) by fitting with the mating connector (female connector 12) and orthogonal to the mating direction with the female connector (12). The strength of the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through each of the plurality of terminals (first to third male terminals 51 to 53) and the first to third male terminals (51 to 53) arranged side by side. A plurality of magnetic sensors (first to third GMR sensors 7a, 7b, 7c) each having a detection element (GMR element 71) for detection; the first to third male terminals (51 to 53) and the first The third GMR sensor (7a, 7b, 7c) is paired with each other, and the male terminal and the GMR sensor forming the pair are along the arrangement direction of the first to third male terminals (51 to 53). Arranged side by side, the GMR elements (71) are orthogonal to the alignment direction and orthogonal to the fitting direction Detecting the intensity of the unidirectional magnetic field, the first to third GMR sensors (7a, 7b, 7c) is a connector arrangement direction of thickness are arranged so that the most thinner (male connector 11).

[2] The first to third male terminals (51 to 53) include a first conductive path (514a, 524a, 534a) extending along the fitting direction and a first conductive path (514a, 524a). , 534a) and a second conductive path (514b, 524b, 534b) extending in the direction of alignment toward the paired GMR sensor side, the male connector (11) according to [1].

[3] The first to third male terminals (51 to 53) have conductive paths (516, 526, 536) bent so as to surround a part of the pair of GMR sensors, [1] ] The male connector (11) described in the above.

[4] The male connector according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the first to third GMR sensors (7a, 7b, 7c) are GMR sensors having giant magnetoresistive elements. 11).

  While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments described above do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, it should be noted that not all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention.

  The present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the said embodiment, the contact parts 511,521,531 in the 1st-3rd male terminals 51-53, the apparatus connection parts 512,522,532, the extension parts 513,523,533, the conductive path 514 The 524, 534 and the connecting portions 515, 525, 535 are integrally formed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first to third males may be formed individually and joined by soldering or welding. You may comprise the terminals 51-53.

  In the above embodiment, the conductive paths 514, 524, and 534 are formed in a round bar shape. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be formed in a prismatic shape, for example.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the 1st-3rd GMR sensor 7a, 7b, 7c was formed in the rectangular plate shape, it is not restricted to this, For example, you may form in disk shape.

7a, 7b, 7c ... 1st-3rd GMR sensor (magnetic sensor)
11 ... Male connector (connector)
12 ... Female connector (mating connector)
41-43 ... 1st-3rd female terminal (mating side terminal)
51-53 ... 1st-3rd male terminal (terminal)
71 ... GMR element (detection element)
514, 524, 534 ... conductive paths 514a, 524a, 534a ... first conductive paths 514b, 524b, 534b ... second conductive paths 514c, 524c, 534c ... third conductive paths 516, 526, 536 ... conductive paths 516a , 526a, 536a, first conductive paths 516b, 526b, 536b, second conductive paths 516c, 526c, 536c, third conductive paths 516d, 526d, 536d, fourth conductive paths 516e, 526e, 536e, ... 5 conductive paths

Claims (2)

A plurality of terminals connected to the counterpart terminal by fitting with the counterpart connector, and arranged in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction with the counterpart connector,
A plurality of magnetic sensors having a detection element for detecting the strength of a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through each of the plurality of terminals;
The plurality of terminals and the plurality of magnetic sensors each form a pair, and the paired terminals and the magnetic sensor are arranged side by side along the arrangement direction of the plurality of terminals,
The terminal has a conductive path bent so as to surround a part of the pair of magnetic sensors, and the detection element has a magnetic field in one direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction and perpendicular to the fitting direction. Detect the strength,
The plurality of magnetic sensors are arranged so that the thickness in the arrangement direction is the thinnest. The magnetic sensor is a GMR sensor having a giant magnetoresistive element,
The connector according to claim 1 .

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