JP7626669B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector.

Conventionally, in connectors, a technique is known in which terminals in a housing are inserted into a ferrite core in order to attenuate noise currents. This type of connector is disclosed, for example, in the following Patent Documents 1 and 2.

JP 2014-216094 A JP 2013-025914 A

However, this type of connector requires a chamber for accommodating the ferrite core within the housing and a retaining structure for holding the ferrite core within the housing, which may result in an increase in size. For example, in the connector described in Patent Document 2 above, an inner housing for holding the ferrite core is housed within two housings that are assembled together. For this reason, if a connector is to reduce noise using a ferrite core, it is necessary to suppress the increase in size by optimizing the chamber and retaining structure.

Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a connector that can enhance noise reduction effects while minimizing the size of the connector.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a terminal fitting having a base, at least one first terminal portion protruding from the base in a first direction, and at least two second terminal portions protruding from the base in a second direction opposite to the first direction and arranged at intervals in a terminal arrangement direction perpendicular to the first direction, a ferrite core provided for each of the first terminal portions and each of the second terminal portions, and having a through hole through which the first terminal portion or the second terminal portion can be inserted in the protruding direction, and a ferrite core for a first terminal portion into which the first terminal portion and the first terminal portion are inserted, the ferrite core being provided for each of the first terminal portions and the second terminal portions, the ferrite core being provided for each of the first terminal portions and the second terminal portions, the ferrite core being provided for each of the first terminal portions and the first terminal portion ... a first housing in which a light core is accommodated, and a second housing in which the second terminal portion side of the base, the second terminal portion, and the ferrite core for the second terminal portion into which the second terminal portion is inserted are accommodated and which is assembled to the first housing, the first housing being a chamber provided for each of the ferrite cores for the first terminal portion, and having a first accommodation chamber in which the ferrite core for the first terminal portion is accommodated and held, the second housing being a chamber provided for each of the ferrite cores for the second terminal portion, and the ferrite core for the second terminal portion is the first housing has a second accommodating chamber in which the first terminal portion is accommodated and held, the first terminal portion is provided on the opposite side of a central portion between two adjacent second terminal portions in the base, the first accommodating chamber has a locking portion with which an end portion on the first direction side of the ferrite core for the first terminal portion accommodated in the chamber is locked, the second accommodating chamber has a locking portion with which an end portion on the second direction side of the ferrite core for the second terminal portion accommodated in the chamber is locked, the first housing is provided for each of the ferrite cores for the second terminal portions, and when the first housing and the second housing are in an assembly completion position, The second housing has a first protrusion that abuts against the end of the ferrite core for the second terminal portion on the first direction side and clamps the ferrite core for the second terminal portion between the first protrusion and the locking portion of the second accommodating chamber, and the second housing is provided for each ferrite core for the first terminal portion, and has a second protrusion that abuts against the end of the ferrite core for the first terminal portion on the second direction side and clamps the ferrite core for the first terminal portion between the second protrusion and the locking portion of the first accommodating chamber when the first housing and the second housing are in a completed assembly position .

In the connector according to the present invention, a first housing is provided with a first chamber for accommodating and holding a ferrite core for a first terminal portion, and a second housing is provided with a second chamber for accommodating and holding a ferrite core for a second terminal portion. Therefore, the connector according to the present invention does not require a separate part for holding the ferrite core inside the housing as in the past, and therefore not only can the number of parts be reduced, but the connector can also be made larger while improving the noise reduction effect.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connector according to the embodiment as viewed from the mating terminal insertion port side. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1 of FIG. 2 rotated by 90 degrees. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X2-X2 of FIG. 2 rotated by 90 degrees. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y1-Y1 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y2-Y2 in FIG. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the first housing. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an application example of the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an application example of the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an application example of the connector according to the embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of a connector according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[Embodiment]
One embodiment of a connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The reference number 1 in Figures 1 to 7 indicates the connector of this embodiment.

This connector 1 comprises a terminal fitting 10, a ferrite core 20, a first housing 30, and a second housing 40 (Figs. 1 to 7).

The first housing 30 and the second housing 40 shown here may be different in shape or may be the same in shape, so long as they each have the respective parts described below. In this embodiment, the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are illustrated as being the same part. Therefore, in FIG. 8, the first housing 30 is illustrated as a representative. For ease of explanation, the names of the same parts, etc. are appropriately used for the first housing 30 and the second housing 40.

The connector 1 shown here is exemplified as a joint connector that electrically connects between the first device M1 side and the second device M2 side (FIG. 9). For example, this connector 1 is interposed between an electric wire We1 electrically connected to the first device M1 in the engine compartment of the vehicle and an electric wire We2 electrically connected to the second device M2 of the vehicle's instrument panel, and the electric wires We1 and We2 are electrically connected to each other, thereby electrically connecting between the first device M1 side and the second device M2 side (FIG. 10). Also, for example, this connector 1 is interposed between an electric wire We1 electrically connected to the first device M1 on or under the floor of the vehicle and an electric wire We2 electrically connected to the second device M2 of the vehicle's instrument panel, and the electric wires We1 and We2 are electrically connected to each other, thereby electrically connecting between the first device M1 side and the second device M2 side (FIG. 10).

The terminal fitting 10 is made of a conductive material such as metal. The terminal fitting 10 has a base 11, at least one first terminal portion 12 protruding from the base 11 in a first direction, and at least two second terminal portions 13 protruding from the base 11 in a second direction opposite to the first direction and arranged at intervals in a terminal arrangement direction perpendicular to the first direction (FIGS. 4 and 7).

The base 11 is a connecting portion that connects all of the first terminal portions 12 and second terminal portions 13 of the terminal fitting 10. The base 11 shown here is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape.

The first terminal portion 12 is a terminal portion that electrically connects the terminal fitting 10 to the first device M1 side. The first terminal portion 12 is physically and electrically connected to a first mating terminal fitting (not shown) attached to the end of the electric wire We1, and is electrically connected to the first device M1 side via the first mating terminal fitting and the electric wire We1. The first terminal portion 12 shown here is an axial male terminal portion whose axial direction is the protruding direction (first direction) from the base portion 11 (FIGS. 4 and 7). The protruding direction of the first terminal portion 12 is the insertion direction into the first mating terminal fitting, and the first terminal portion 12 is fitted and connected to the first mating terminal fitting having a female terminal shape. The first terminal portion 12 shown here protrudes in the first direction from one side of the base portion 11 on the same plane as the base portion 11 on the first direction side.

The second terminal portion 13 is a terminal portion that electrically connects the terminal fitting 10 to the second device M2. The second terminal portion 13 is physically and electrically connected to a second mating terminal fitting (not shown) attached to the end of the electric wire We2, and is electrically connected to the second device M2 via the second mating terminal fitting and the electric wire We2. The second terminal portion 13 shown here is an axial male terminal portion whose axial direction is the protruding direction (second direction) from the base 11 (FIGS. 4 and 7). The protruding direction of the second terminal portion 13 is the insertion direction into the second mating terminal fitting, and the second terminal portion 13 is fitted into and connected to the second mating terminal fitting having a female terminal shape. The second terminal portion 13 shown here protrudes in the second direction from one side of the base 11 on the same plane as the base 11.

In the terminal fitting 10 shown here, the first terminal portion 12 and the second terminal portion 13 are each formed as male terminal portions of the same shape. In addition, the terminal fitting 10 shown here has three (three) first terminal portions 12 and three (three) second terminal portions 13.

In this terminal fitting 10, three (three) first terminals 12 are arranged at intervals between each other in the terminal arrangement direction, and three (three) second terminals 13 are arranged at intervals between each other in the terminal arrangement direction (FIGS. 4 and 7). Adjacent first terminals 12 are arranged at equal intervals (equal pitch). Adjacent second terminals 13 are arranged at the same intervals (pitch) as the first terminals 12. In this terminal fitting 10, the first terminals 12 and the second terminals 13 are arranged at half pitch in the terminal arrangement direction. In other words, the first terminals 12 are provided on the opposite side of the center between two adjacent second terminals 13 in the base 11.

In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the terminal fittings 10 are arranged at intervals in the fitting arrangement direction perpendicular to the first direction and the terminal arrangement direction (FIGS. 2 and 5 to 7). In other words, the connector 1 has a plurality of terminal fittings 10 arranged at intervals in the fitting arrangement direction. In the plurality of terminal fittings 10, the first terminal portions 12 arranged at the same position on each base 11 are arranged in the fitting arrangement direction, and the second terminal portions 13 arranged at the same position on each base 11 are arranged in the fitting arrangement direction. Thus, in the plurality of terminal fittings 10, three combinations of the plurality of first terminal portions 12 arranged in the fitting arrangement direction are provided, and three combinations of the plurality of second terminal portions 13 arranged in the fitting arrangement direction are provided.

As described above, the first terminal portion 12 is physically and electrically connected to the first mating terminal metal attached to the end of the electric wire We1. In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the pair of electric wires We1 and the first mating terminal metal may be connected to the first terminal portion 12 one by one, and a first mating connector in which a combination of the pair of electric wires We1 and the first mating terminal metal is provided for each of the first terminal portions 12 may be fitted and connected. Similarly, the second terminal portion 13 is physically and electrically connected to the second mating terminal metal attached to the end of the electric wire We2. In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the pair of electric wires We2 and the second mating terminal metal may be connected to the second terminal portion 13 one by one, and a second mating connector in which a combination of the pair of electric wires We2 and the second mating terminal metal is provided for each of the second terminal portions 13 may be fitted and connected. Here, the first mating connector Con1 (Figure 10) is mated and connected to the first terminal portion 12 side, and the second mating connector Con2 (Figure 10) is mated and connected to the second terminal portion 13 side.

For example, to enhance the noise reduction effect, the connector 1 of this embodiment is electrically connected to a twisted pair electric wire WeT in which two electric wires are twisted together (FIG. 11). One of the two first terminals 12 adjacent to each other in the metal fitting arrangement direction is electrically connected to one electric wire We1 of the twisted pair electric wire WeT on the first device M1 side, and the other of the two first terminals is electrically connected to the other electric wire We1 of the twisted pair electric wire WeT on the first device M1 side. Then, one of the two second terminals 13 adjacent to each other in the metal fitting arrangement direction is electrically connected to one electric wire We2 of the twisted pair electric wire WeT on the second device M2 side, and the other of the two second terminals is electrically connected to the other electric wire We2 of the twisted pair electric wire WeT on the second device M2 side.

The connector 1 shown here has two terminal fittings 10. In the connector 1 shown here, the twisted pair electric wires WeT on the first device M1 side are electrically connected via the first mating terminal fittings for each combination of two first terminal parts 12 arranged in the fitting arrangement direction, and the twisted pair electric wires WeT on the second device M2 side are electrically connected via the second mating terminal fittings for each combination of two second terminal parts 13 arranged in the fitting arrangement direction.

The ferrite core 20 is a molded member of a magnetic material (ferrite) and is provided as a noise filter member for reducing noise. The ferrite core 20 has a through hole 21 through which the first terminal 12 or the second terminal 13 can be inserted in the protruding direction in order to attenuate the noise current flowing through the first terminal 12 or the second terminal 13 (Figs. 4, 5, and 7). The ferrite core 20 is provided for each first terminal 12 and each second terminal 13 (Figs. 3, 4, and 7).

In this embodiment, the ferrite core 20 is provided for each combination of a plurality of first terminals 12 arranged in the metal fitting arrangement direction and for each combination of a plurality of second terminals 13 arranged in the metal fitting arrangement direction (FIG. 7). In this ferrite core 20, through holes 21 are formed in the metal fitting arrangement direction for each of the plurality of terminal fittings 10 (FIGS. 5 and 7). The ferrite core 20 shown here is provided for each combination of two first terminals 12 arranged in the metal fitting arrangement direction, and is provided for each combination of two second terminals 13 arranged in the metal fitting arrangement direction. In other words, the connector 1 shown here has three ferrite cores 20 for the first terminals 12 and three ferrite cores 20 for the second terminals 13.

For example, the ferrite core 20 shown here is a square-shaped molded body with a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the axial direction (first direction, second direction) of the through hole 21, and is arranged with the longitudinal direction of the rectangle aligned with the metal fitting arrangement direction. The ferrite core 20 shown here also has two through holes 21 arranged with a gap between them in the metal fitting arrangement direction.

The first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are each molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. When the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are assembled together, they form an accommodation chamber therein in which the terminal fittings 10 and the ferrite core 20 are accommodated. A locking mechanism (not shown) is provided between the first housing 30 and the second housing 40, using a claw or the like to hold the housing in the assembled position.

The first housing 30 accommodates the first terminal 12 side of the base 11 (here, the half on the first direction side), the first terminal 12, and the ferrite core 20 for the first terminal 12 (hereinafter referred to as the "first ferrite core 20A") through which the first terminal 12 is inserted (FIG. 4). The first housing 30 has a cylindrical (here, rectangular cylindrical) main body 31 whose cylindrical axis direction is aligned with the axial direction (first direction) of the first terminal 12, and accommodates the first terminal 12 side of the base 11, the first terminal 12, and the first ferrite core 20A inside the main body 31 (FIGS. 3 to 5 and 7).

The first housing 30 has an accommodation chamber (hereinafter referred to as the "first terminal accommodation chamber") 32 in which the first terminal portion 12 is accommodated and into which the first mating terminal metal fitting is inserted, and a first accommodation chamber (hereinafter referred to as the "first ferrite core accommodation chamber") 33 in which the first ferrite core 20A is accommodated and held (FIGS. 3 to 5). The first housing 30 also has a partition wall 34 for separating the first terminal accommodation chamber 32 from the first ferrite core accommodation chamber 33 (FIGS. 3 to 5). In the first housing 30, the first terminal accommodation chamber 32 is disposed on one opening side of the main body 31, and the first ferrite core accommodation chamber 33 is disposed on the other opening side of the main body 31.

The first terminal accommodating chamber 32 is a chamber in which the first terminal part 12 in the chamber is inserted into the first mating terminal fitting by inserting the first mating terminal fitting from the mating terminal insertion port 32a on one opening side of the main body 31 in the second direction. The first terminal accommodating chamber 32 may be a chamber formed for each first terminal part 12 together with the mating terminal insertion port 32a for each first terminal part 12, or may be a chamber in which multiple first terminal parts 12 are accommodated together. The first terminal accommodating chamber 32 shown here is the latter chamber, and by inserting and fitting the first mating connector Con1 from the mating terminal insertion port 32a, the first terminal part 12 in the chamber is inserted and fitted into each of the multiple first mating terminal fittings of the first mating connector Con1. Therefore, here, one opening of the main body 31 is used as the mating terminal insertion port 32a when inserting the first mating connector Con1 into the first terminal accommodating chamber 32.

Here, the first terminal portion 12 has the first ferrite core 20A brought close to the fixed end of its root side (base 11 side), so that this root side (base 11 side) is placed in the ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 together with the first ferrite core 20A. Then, this first terminal portion 12 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 32 from the ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 through the through hole 34a for each first terminal portion 12 in the partition wall 34 (Figs. 4 and 5). Therefore, the first terminal accommodating chamber 32 accommodates the portion of the first terminal portion 12 excluding the root side (base 11 side) (i.e., the terminal connection portion of the first terminal portion 12 that is inserted and fitted into the first mating terminal fitting) (Fig. 4).

Next, the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 is a chamber provided for each first ferrite core 20A (FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 8). In this first housing 30, multiple first ferrite core accommodating chambers 33 are lined up in the terminal arrangement direction, and the first terminal portion 12 side of the base 11 is also accommodated across these multiple first ferrite core accommodating chambers 33. In the first housing 30 shown here, all of the first ferrite core accommodating chambers 33 are lined up in the terminal arrangement direction.

The first ferrite core 20A and the first terminal portion 12 side of the terminal fitting 10 are inserted into this first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 from the other opening of the main body 31 (hereinafter referred to as the "component assembly opening 33a") (Figures 4 and 7). Here, as described above, the first terminal portion 12 side of the base 11 is accommodated across the multiple first ferrite core accommodating chambers 33. For this reason, the wall (hereinafter referred to as the "first wall") 36A in the terminal arrangement direction that forms the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 is formed with an insertion groove 36a into which the first terminal portion 12 side of the base 11 is inserted and fitted from the component assembly opening 33a (Figures 6 to 8).

The fitting groove 36a is a groove extending in the first direction from the end face on the second direction side of the first wall 36A, and is formed with a groove width that can sandwich the base 11 from each plane (FIG. 6). For example, when the fitting groove 36a is provided in the first wall 36A between two adjacent first ferrite core accommodating chambers 33 inside the main body 31, it is formed as a notched groove with the groove bottom 36b on the first direction side (FIGS. 4 and 6). Also, when the fitting groove 36a is provided in the first wall 36A at both ends in the terminal arrangement direction of the main body 31, it is formed in a groove shape with the terminal arrangement direction side in the chamber being the groove bottom 36c so that the end of the terminal arrangement direction on the first terminal portion 12 side of the base 11 can be fitted (FIG. 4). The fitting grooves 36a at both ends of the main body 31 have groove walls 36d at the same position in the axial direction as the groove bottoms 36b on the first direction side of the other fitting grooves 36a (fitting grooves 36a on the inside of the main body 31) (Figure 4).

The first ferrite core 20A is held in the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33. Therefore, the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 is provided with a holding portion 35 that holds the first ferrite core 20A (Figs. 3, 5, 7 and 8). The holding portion 35 is a protrusion that holds the peripheral wall of the first ferrite core 20A from all sides, and is provided for each first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33. The holding portion 35 shown here is broadly divided into a pair of first holding portions 35A that sandwich both flat surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction (metal fitting arrangement direction) of the first ferrite core 20A, and a pair of second holding portions 35B that sandwich both flat surfaces extending in the lateral direction (terminal arrangement direction) of the first ferrite core 20A. Here, two pairs of the pair of first holding portions 35A and the pair of second holding portions 35B are provided. The first retaining portion 35A and the second retaining portion 35B are formed as ribs extending in the axial direction (first direction, second direction) of the main body 31.

The pair of first retaining portions 35A are arranged to face each other in the terminal arrangement direction and protrude from the first wall 36A of the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 toward the interior side of the room (FIGS. 3, 7, and 8). The pair of second retaining portions 35B are arranged to face each other in the metal fitting arrangement direction and protrude from the wall 36B of the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 (hereinafter referred to as the "second wall") toward the interior side of the room (FIGS. 5, 7, and 8).

The first ferrite core chamber 33 further has a locking portion 33b that locks the end of the first ferrite core 20A housed in the chamber on the first direction side (FIGS. 3 and 5). In this example, the wall surface on the second direction side of the partition wall 34 is used as the locking portion 33b.

The second housing 40 accommodates the second terminal 13 side of the base 11 (here, the half on the second direction side), the second terminal 13, and the ferrite core 20 for the second terminal 13 (hereinafter referred to as the "second ferrite core 20B") through which the second terminal 13 is inserted (FIG. 4). The second housing 40 has a cylindrical (here, rectangular cylindrical) main body 41 whose cylindrical axis direction is aligned with the axial direction (second direction) of the second terminal 13, and accommodates the second terminal 13 side of the base 11, the second terminal 13, and the second ferrite core 20B inside the main body 41 (FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7).

The second housing 40 has a chamber (hereinafter referred to as the "second terminal chamber") 42 in which the second terminal portion 13 is accommodated and into which the second mating terminal metal fitting is inserted, and a second chamber (hereinafter referred to as the "second ferrite core chamber") 43 in which the second ferrite core 20B is accommodated and held (Figs. 3, 4, and 6). The second housing 40 also has a partition wall 44 for separating the second terminal chamber 42 from the second ferrite core chamber 43 (Figs. 3, 4, and 6). In the second housing 40, the second terminal chamber 42 is disposed on one opening side of the main body 41, and the second ferrite core chamber 43 is disposed on the other opening side of the main body 41.

The second terminal accommodating chamber 42 is a chamber in which the second mating terminal fitting is inserted in the first direction from the mating terminal insertion port 42a on one opening side of the main body 41, and the second terminal portion 13 in the chamber is inserted and fitted into the second mating terminal fitting. The second terminal accommodating chamber 42 may be a chamber formed for each second terminal portion 13 together with the mating terminal insertion port 42a for each second terminal portion 13, or may be a chamber in which multiple second terminal portions 13 are accommodated together. The second terminal accommodating chamber 42 shown here is the latter chamber, and the second mating connector Con2 is inserted and fitted from the mating terminal insertion port 42a, and the second terminal portion 13 in the chamber is inserted and fitted into the multiple second mating terminal fittings of the second mating connector Con2. Therefore, here, one opening of the main body 41 is used as the mating terminal insertion port 42a when inserting the second mating connector Con2 into the second terminal accommodating chamber 42.

Here, the second terminal portion 13 has the second ferrite core 20B brought close to the fixed end of its root side (base 11 side), so that this root side (base 11 side) is placed in the ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 together with the second ferrite core 20B. Then, this second terminal portion 13 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 42 from the ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 through the through hole 44a for each second terminal portion 13 in the partition wall 44 (Fig. 4). Therefore, the second terminal accommodating chamber 42 accommodates the part of the second terminal portion 13 excluding the root side (base 11 side) (i.e., the terminal connection portion of the second terminal portion 13 that is inserted and fitted into the second mating terminal fitting) (Fig. 4).

Next, the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 is a chamber provided for each second ferrite core 20B (FIGS. 3 and 4). In this second housing 40, multiple second ferrite core accommodating chambers 43 are lined up in the terminal arrangement direction, and the second terminal portion 13 side of the base 11 is also accommodated across these multiple second ferrite core accommodating chambers 43. In the second housing 40 shown here, all of the second ferrite core accommodating chambers 43 are lined up in the terminal arrangement direction.

The second ferrite core 20B and the second terminal portion 13 side of the terminal fitting 10 are inserted into this second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 from the other opening of the main body 41 (hereinafter referred to as the "component assembly opening 43a") (Figures 4 and 6). As described above, the second terminal portion 13 side of the base 11 is accommodated across multiple second ferrite core accommodating chambers 43. For this reason, the wall body (hereinafter referred to as the "first wall body") 46A in the terminal arrangement direction that forms the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 has an insertion groove 46a that fits the second terminal portion 13 side of the base 11 while inserting it from the component assembly opening 43a (Figure 5).

The fitting groove 46a is a groove extending in the second direction from the end face on the first direction side of the first wall 46A, and is formed with a groove width that can sandwich the base 11 from each plane (FIG. 5). For example, when the fitting groove 46a is provided in the first wall 46A between two adjacent second ferrite core accommodating chambers 43 inside the main body 41, it is formed as a notched groove with the groove bottom 46b on the second direction side (FIGS. 4 and 5). Also, when the fitting groove 46a is provided in the first wall 46A at both ends in the terminal arrangement direction of the main body 41, it is formed in a groove shape with the terminal arrangement direction side in the chamber being the groove bottom 46c in order to fit the end of the terminal arrangement direction on the second terminal portion 13 side of the base 11 (FIG. 4). The fitting grooves 46a at both ends of the main body 41 have groove walls 46d at the same position in the axial direction as the groove bottoms 46b on the second direction side of the other fitting grooves 46a (fitting grooves 46a on the inside of the main body 41) (Figure 4).

The second ferrite core 20B is held in the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43. Therefore, the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 is provided with a holding portion 45 for holding the second ferrite core 20B (FIGS. 3 and 6). The holding portion 45 is a protrusion that holds the peripheral wall of the second ferrite core 20B from all sides, and is provided for each second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43. The holding portion 45 shown here is broadly divided into a pair of first holding portions 45A that sandwich both flat surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction (metal fitting arrangement direction) of the second ferrite core 20B, and a pair of second holding portions 45B that sandwich both flat surfaces extending in the lateral direction (terminal arrangement direction) of the second ferrite core 20B. Here, two pairs of the pair of first holding portions 45A and the pair of second holding portions 45B are provided. The first retaining portion 45A and the second retaining portion 45B are formed as ribs extending in the axial direction (first direction, second direction) of the main body 41.

The pair of first retaining portions 45A protrude from the first wall 46A in the terminal arrangement direction that forms the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 toward the interior side so that they face each other in the terminal arrangement direction (Fig. 3). The pair of second retaining portions 45B protrude from the wall 46B in the metal fitting arrangement direction that forms the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 (hereinafter referred to as the "second wall") toward the interior side so that they face each other in the metal fitting arrangement direction (Fig. 6).

The second ferrite core chamber 43 further has a locking portion 43b to which the end of the second ferrite core 20B housed in the chamber on the second direction side is locked (FIGS. 3 and 6). In this example, the wall surface on the first direction side of the partition wall 44 is used as the locking portion 43b.

Here, the ferrite core 20 (first ferrite core 20A, second ferrite core 20B) is sandwiched and held between the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 when the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are in the assembled position. Therefore, in this connector 1, the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are each provided with a portion for sandwiching the ferrite core 20.

The first housing 30 has a first protrusion 37 that is provided for each second ferrite core 20B and abuts against the end of the second ferrite core 20B in the first direction when the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are in the assembled position, and clamps the second ferrite core 20B between itself and the locking portion 43b of the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 (FIGS. 3 and 6 to 8). The first protrusion 37 protrudes in the second direction outward from the component assembly opening 33a in the first housing 30.

For example, in the first housing 30 shown here, among the multiple first walls 36A in the terminal arrangement direction that form the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33, the end on the second direction side of the wall 36A in which the second ferrite core 20B exists in the second direction at the assembly completion position is protruded in the second direction outward from the component assembly opening 33a. The end on the second direction side of the first wall 36A is used as the first protrusion 37 shown here. This first protrusion 37 enters the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 of the second housing 40 at the assembly completion position, and the end face on the second direction side abuts against the end on the first direction side of the second ferrite core 20B in the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43. Furthermore, when the first protrusions 37 are provided on the first walls 36A at both ends in the terminal arrangement direction of the main body 31, the first walls 36A are made to protrude in the second direction only on the inside of the end on the second direction side as the first protrusions 37 so that the first protrusions 37 can enter the second ferrite core storage chamber 43.

The second housing 40 is provided for each first ferrite core 20A, and has a second protrusion 47 that abuts against the end of the first ferrite core 20A in the second direction when the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are in the assembled position, and clamps the first ferrite core 20A between the locking portion 33b of the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 (FIGS. 3 and 5). The second protrusion 47 protrudes in the first direction outward from the component assembly opening 43a in the second housing 40.

For example, in the second housing 40 shown here, among the multiple first walls 46A in the terminal arrangement direction that form the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33, the end on the first direction side of the wall 46A in which the first ferrite core 20A exists in the first direction at the assembly completion position is protruded in the first direction outward from the component assembly opening 43a. The end on the first direction side of the first wall 46A is used as the second protrusion 47 shown here. This second protrusion 47 enters the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 of the first housing 30 at the assembly completion position, and the end face on the first direction side abuts against the end on the second direction side of the first ferrite core 20A in the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33. Furthermore, when the second protrusions 47 are provided on the first walls 46A at both ends of the main body 41 in the terminal arrangement direction, the first walls 46A are made to protrude in the first direction only on the inside of the end on the first direction side as the second protrusions 47 so that the second protrusions 47 can enter the first ferrite core storage chamber 33.

Furthermore, in this connector 1, when the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are in the assembled position, the terminal fitting 10 is also sandwiched and held between the first housing 30 and the second housing 40. The base 11 of the terminal fitting 10 is sandwiched between the first housing 30 and the second housing 40. The base 11 is sandwiched between the groove wall (groove bottom 36b, groove wall 36d) on the first direction side of the fitting groove 36a on the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 side and the groove wall (groove bottom 46b, groove wall 46d) on the second direction side of the fitting groove 46a on the second ferrite core accommodating chamber 43 side (Fig. 4).

As described above, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, the first housing 30 is provided with a first ferrite core chamber 33 that houses and holds the first ferrite core 20A, and the second housing 40 is provided with a second ferrite core chamber 43 that houses and holds the second ferrite core 20B. Therefore, the connector 1 of this embodiment does not require a separate part to hold the ferrite core 20 (first ferrite core 20A, second ferrite core 20B) inside the housing as in the conventional connector, so that not only can the number of parts be reduced, but the noise reduction effect can be improved while preventing the connector from becoming too large.

In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the first terminal portion 12 of the terminal fitting 10 is provided on the opposite side of the center portion between two adjacent second terminal portions 13 in the base 11, and the first terminal portion 12 and the second terminal portion 13 are arranged with a half-pitch shift in the terminal arrangement direction. In this connector 1, the first ferrite core accommodating chamber 33 and the second ferrite core 20B when the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are in the assembly completion position are also arranged with a half-pitch shift in the terminal arrangement direction in accordance with the half-pitch shift between the first terminal portion 12 and the second terminal portion 13. Furthermore, in this connector 1, when the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 are in the assembled position, the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 sandwich the ferrite core 20 (first ferrite core 20A, second ferrite core 20B) in the assembly direction (first direction, second direction), thereby holding the ferrite core 20 in the accommodation space (first ferrite core accommodation chamber 33, second ferrite core 20B). As a result, in this connector 1, the space efficiency of the accommodation space (first ferrite core accommodation chamber 33, second ferrite core 20B) of the ferrite core 20 (first ferrite core 20A, second ferrite core 20B) is excellent, and each ferrite core 20 can be accommodated and held in the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 by bringing them close to each other. Therefore, the connector 1 of this embodiment can further suppress the increase in size.

In addition, the connector 1 of this embodiment adopts a configuration in which the first mating connector Con1 attached to the end of the twisted pair electric wire WeT and the second mating connector Con2 attached to the end of the twisted pair electric wire WeT are electrically connected, so that, for example, a circuit requiring noise reduction can be separated from a circuit not requiring noise reduction measures (the first relay connector ConR1 electrically connected to the electric wire We, and the second relay connector ConR2 electrically connected to the electric wire We) (FIG. 11). Therefore, the connector 1 of this embodiment can omit the terminal fittings and electric wires that were conventionally required. That is, for example, in the conventional case, the first mating connector Con1 and the first relay connector ConR1 are electrically connected by terminal fittings and electric wires, and the second mating connector Con2 and the second relay connector ConR2 are configured as one second relay connector. The connector 1 of this embodiment does not require terminal fittings and wires to connect the first mating connector Con1 and the first relay connector ConR1, and the second mating connector Con2 can be separated from the second relay connector.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 connector 10 terminal fitting 11 base 12 first terminal portion 13 second terminal portion 20 ferrite core 20A first ferrite core 20B second ferrite core 21 through hole 30 first housing 33 first ferrite core receiving chamber (first receiving chamber)
33b Locking part 35 Holding part 35A First holding part 35B Second holding part 36A First wall (wall)
36a Fitting groove 36b Groove bottom (groove wall)
36d Groove wall 37 First protrusion 40 Second housing 43 Second ferrite core housing (second housing)
43b Locking part 45 Holding part 45A First holding part 45B Second holding part 46A First wall (wall)
46a Fitting groove 46b Groove bottom (groove wall)
46d Groove wall 47 Second projection M1 First device M2 Second device We1, We2 Electric wire WeT Twisted pair electric wire

Claims (5)

a terminal fitting including a base, at least one first terminal portion protruding from the base in a first direction, and at least two second terminal portions protruding from the base in a second direction opposite to the first direction and arranged at intervals in a terminal arrangement direction perpendicular to the first direction;
a ferrite core provided for each of the first terminal portions and each of the second terminal portions, the ferrite core having a through hole through which the first terminal portion or the second terminal portion can be inserted in a protruding direction;
a first housing that accommodates the first terminal portion side of the base, the first terminal portion, and the ferrite core for the first terminal portion into which the first terminal portion is to be inserted;
a second housing that accommodates the second terminal portion side of the base, the second terminal portion, and the ferrite core for the second terminal portion into which the second terminal portion is to be inserted, and is assembled to the first housing;
Equipped with
the first housing has a first accommodating chamber that is provided for each of the ferrite cores for the first terminal portions and that accommodates and holds the ferrite cores for the first terminal portions;
the second housing has a second accommodating chamber that is a chamber provided for each of the ferrite cores for the second terminal portions and that accommodates and holds the ferrite cores for the second terminal portions;
the first terminal portion is provided on the base portion on an opposite side to a central portion between two adjacent second terminal portions,
the first accommodating chamber has a locking portion to which an end portion of the ferrite core for the first terminal portion accommodated in the chamber is locked in the first direction;
the second accommodating chamber has a locking portion to which an end portion of the ferrite core for the second terminal portion accommodated in the chamber is locked in the second direction;
the first housing has a first protrusion provided for each of the ferrite cores for the second terminal portion, the first protrusion abutting an end of the ferrite core for the second terminal portion on the first direction side at a position where the first housing and the second housing are completely assembled, and sandwiching the ferrite core for the second terminal portion between the first housing and the locking portion of the second accommodating chamber,
The second housing is provided for each ferrite core for the first terminal portion, and has a second protrusion that abuts against the end of the ferrite core for the first terminal portion on the second direction side when the first housing and the second housing are fully assembled, and clamps the ferrite core for the first terminal portion between the second housing and the engaging portion of the first accommodating chamber . the first projection is an end portion of a wall portion of the first accommodating chamber in the terminal arrangement direction that protrudes in the second direction,
the second protrusion is an end portion of a wall portion of the second accommodating chamber in the terminal arrangement direction that protrudes in the first direction,
the wall of the first housing chamber has a fitting groove into which the first terminal portion of the base is fitted,
the wall of the second accommodating chamber has a fitting groove into which the second terminal portion of the base is fitted,
The connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that the base is sandwiched between a groove wall on a first direction side of the insertion groove on the first storage chamber side and a groove wall on a second direction side of the insertion groove on the second storage chamber side . a holding portion for holding the ferrite core for the first terminal portion is provided in the first accommodation chamber;
3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second accommodating chamber is provided with a holding portion for holding the ferrite core for the second terminal portion . a plurality of the terminal fittings arranged at intervals in a fitting arrangement direction perpendicular to the first direction and the terminal arrangement direction;
The connector according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the ferrite core is provided for each combination of a plurality of the first terminal portions arranged in the metal fitting arrangement direction and for each combination of a plurality of the second terminal portions arranged in the metal fitting arrangement direction, and the through holes are formed in a row in the metal fitting arrangement direction for each of the terminal fittings . one of the first terminal portions adjacent to each other in the metal fitting arrangement direction is electrically connected to one of the first terminal portions, and the other of the first terminal portions is electrically connected to the other of the first terminal portions;
5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein one of the two second terminal portions adjacent to each other in the metal fitting arrangement direction is electrically connected to one of the wires of the twisted pair wire on the second device side, and the other of the two second terminal portions is electrically connected to the other wire of the twisted pair wire on the second device side.

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