CONNECTOR

Abstract

A connector includes a base and a plurality of terminals, each of the terminals includes a plated portion in which a base material is covered with a film and a non-plated portion in which the base material is not covered with a film, the non-plated portion is disposed within the base, a portion of the non-plated portion is exposed from the surface of the base, and the base includes a partition wall that protrudes from the surface of the base between two adjacent terminals among the terminals.

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a base; and a plurality of terminals held by the base and protruding from a surface of the base, the terminals being disposed to be spaced apart from each other, wherein: each of the terminals includes a plated portion in which a base material is covered with a film, and a non-plated portion in which the base material is not covered with a film; the non-plated portion is disposed within the base; a portion of the non-plated portion is exposed from the surface of the base; and the base includes a partition wall that protrudes from the surface of the base between two adjacent terminals among the terminals.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a height of the partition wall from the surface of the base is equal to or greater than a distance between the two adjacent terminals.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the partition wall is formed with a curved surface.

4. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a resin covering portion that is disposed on the surface of the base and covers a portion of the non-plated portion exposed from the surface of the base.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein in each of the terminals, the plated portion gets inclined downward at a portion that is further away from the base than the non-plated portion.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the plated portions of the terminals extend obliquely with respect to the base.

7. A connector comprising: a base; and a plurality of terminals held by the base and protruding from a surface of the base, the terminals being disposed to be spaced apart from each other, wherein: each of the terminals includes a plated portion in which a base material is covered with a film, and a non-plated portion in which the base material is not covered with a film; and the non-plated portion is disposed to be spaced apart from the base.

8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein a distance from the surface of the base to the non-plated portion is equal to or greater than a distance between the non-plated portions of the two adjacent terminals.

9. The connector according to claim 7, wherein in each of the terminals, the plated portion gets inclined downward at a portion that is further away from the base than the non-plated portion.

10. The connector according to claim 7, wherein the plated portions of the terminals extend obliquely with respect to the base.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like signs denote like elements, and wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a connector of a first embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a region II of FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a region II of a connector of a second embodiment;

[0027] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a region II of a connector of a third embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a connector of a fourth embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a region VI of FIG. 5; and

[0030] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a region II of a connector of a fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The technical elements of a connector that are aspects of the present disclosure are listed below. Each of the following technical elements is independently useful.

First Embodiment

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, a connector 10 of the present embodiment is used for electrical connection of devices mounted on a battery electric vehicle. For example, the connector 10 is a connector that is disposed in a charger (that is, an electric vehicle (EV) charger) for charging a battery mounted on the battery electric vehicle and is connected to an in-vehicle wire for supplying power from an external power supply. The connector 10 may be used for devices other than the battery electric vehicle.

[0033] The connector 10 is disposed in a device (not shown). The connector 10 includes a cover 12, a plurality of terminals 14, and a base 20. In the following, the term “terminals 14” is used to collectively represent the “plurality of terminals 14”, and the term “terminal 14” is used to represent “any one of the plurality of terminals 14”. The terminals 14 have the same configuration as each other. The terminals 14 are arranged side by side at regular intervals. The terminal 14 is made of a conductive metal, such as a copper alloy, for example. The terminal 14 extends linearly. The terminals 14 are connected to a board (not shown) in a state of being held by the base 20. The base 20 is made of insulating resin. The terminals 14 are fixed by being press-fitted into the base 20.

[0034] The terminals 14 and the base 20 are covered with the cover 12. Some of the tips of the terminals 14 are exposed from the cover 12. The cover 12 is attached to the device with the connector 10.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of three terminals 14a, 14b, 14c around a surface 20a of the base 20, among the terminals 14. In addition, hereinafter, when each terminal 14 of the terminals 14 is described, the terminal is represented as “terminal 14”, and when specifying one of the terminals 14a, 14b, 14c, is described, the terminal is represented as “terminal 14a”, “terminal 14b”, or “terminal 14c”. The terminal 14 includes a plated portion 30 and a non-plated portion 32. The non-plated portion 32 is disposed at an intermediate position in a longitudinal direction of the terminal 14. The intermediate position is a position that does not include both ends in the longitudinal direction of the terminal 14 (that is, a right and left direction in FIG. 2).

[0036] A plated portion 30 is disposed at each of both ends of the non-plated portion 32 in the longitudinal direction of the terminal 14. The plated portion 30 extends linearly. The non-plated portion 32 has a wider shape than the plated portion 30. The entire outer surface of the plated portion 30 is covered with a corrosion-resistant thin film. The thin film covering the plated portion 30 is made of a highly corrosion-resistant material, such as gold (Au) or nickel (Ni). The material of the plated portion 30 may be different across the non-plated portion 32. For example, the portion of the plated portion 30 exposed from the surface 20a of the base 20 may be covered with a gold (Au) thin film, whereas the portion buried in the base 20 may be covered with a nickel (Ni) thin film.

[0037] On the other hand, the non-plated portion 32 is covered with a corrosion-5 resistant thin film like the plated portion 30, except both end surfaces 32a located in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the terminal 14 (that is, a vertical direction in FIG. 2). The end surfaces 32a are not covered with a thin film, and the base material of the terminal 14 is exposed.

[0038] Next, a method for manufacturing the terminal 14 will be described. First, a flat plate is cut out by pressing. The terminals 14 after pressing are arranged in a row in the lateral direction of the terminals 14 and are connected to the adjacent terminals 14 at the non-plated portions 32. Next, plating is performed while in a state in which the terminals 14 are connected to each other. Then, the non-plated portion 32 between the terminals 14 adjacent to each other is cut in parallel with the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the terminal 14 is produced. In the manufacturing method, the non-plated portion 32 is cut after plating, and accordingly, the end surfaces 32a of the non-plated portion 32 are not plated and the material of the terminal 14 is exposed.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the end surface 32a is exposed from the surface 20a of the base 20.

[0040] A partition wall 22a extending along the terminals 14a, 14b protrudes from the surface 20a of the base 20 between the terminals 14a, 14b adjacent to each other. The partition wall 22a is disposed in the center of a gap between the terminals 14a, 14b. The partition wall 22a is produced by integral molding with the base 20. The partition wall 22a extends linearly in a specific direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the terminal 14a (that is, direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2) with the shape being maintained in the specific direction. The partition wall 22a extends over a section in which the terminals 14a, 14b are disposed in a specific direction.

[0041] The width of the partition wall 22a in the lateral direction of the terminal 14 gradually narrows as the distance in the longitudinal direction thereof becomes further away from the base 20. A tip of the partition wall 22a is formed with a curved surface and does not have a flat portion. A height H of the partition wall 22a in the longitudinal direction is equal to or greater than an interval L between the terminals 14a, 14b. In addition, the height H may be, for example, 1.0 mm or more.

[0042] A partition wall 22b similar to the partition wall 22a is disposed between the terminal 14b and the terminal 14c. As shown in FIG. 1, a partition wall 22 similar to the partition wall 22a is disposed between two terminals 14 adjacent to each other among the terminals 14. That is, the base 20 is provided with a plurality of partition walls 22 protruding from the surface 20a.

[0043] Condensation adheres to the connector 10 depending on the usage situation the surrounding environment. For example, moisture absorbed in a board to which the terminals 14 are connected is discharged from the board as the temperature of the board rises and turns into condensation. When condensation occurs, the condensation may adhere to the surface 20a of the base 20. When the condensation adheres to the surface 20a, the end surface 32a of the non-plated portion 32 is exposed to the condensation. The partition wall 22 is disposed in the connector 10. With the above configuration, it is possible to restrain the end surfaces 32a of the terminals 14 adjacent to each other (for example, the terminals 14a, 14b) from being electrically connected through moisture of the condensation. Accordingly, it is possible to restrain the terminal 14 from being corroded by electrolytic corrosion.

[0044] The height H of the partition wall 22 is greater than the interval L between the terminals 14 adjacent to each other. With the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the water droplets of condensation adhering to the surface 20a from crossing the partition wall 22. For example, when the water droplets adhering to the surface 20a are formed in a hemispherical shape, at the maximum, the water droplet has a hemispherical shape with a diameter equal to the distance between the partition walls 22 adjacent to each other, that is, the interval L, and the height of the water droplet is L/2. Therefore, by setting the partition wall 22 to at least twice the maximum height of the water droplet, it is possible to reliably restrain the water droplet from running over the partition wall 22.

[0045] The tip of the partition wall 22 is formed with a curved surface. With the above configuration, it is possible to restrain moisture due to condensation from accumulating at the tip of the partition wall 22.

[0046] The partition walls 22 are separated from each other and are not connected except for the base 20. Accordingly, it is possible to restrain the moisture accumulated between the adjacent partition walls 22 from remaining between the adjacent partition walls 22.

Second Embodiment

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, in a connector of the present embodiment, a covering portion 50 is disposed on the surface 20a of the base 20 to cover the non-plated portion 32 of each of the terminals 14. Other configurations of the connector 10 are the same as those of the connector 10 of the first embodiment. The covering portion 50 is made of a resin material, such as polybutylene terephthalate (that is, PBT). For example, the covering portion 50 may be produced by potting the non-plated portions 32 of the terminals 14 from the state shown in FIG. 2.

[0048] With the above configuration, effects similar to the effects of the connector 10 of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, with the configuration, the covering portion 50 can restrain the non-plated portion 32 from being exposed to the outside of the connector 10. Accordingly, corrosion of the non-plated portion 32 is suppressed.

[0049] In a modification example, for example, of two adjacent terminals 14, a first terminal 14 may be provided with the covering portion 50 and a second terminal 14 may not be provided with the covering portion 50 such that the terminal 14a is provided with the covering portion 50, the terminal 14b is not provided with the covering portion 50, and the terminal 14c is provided with the covering portion 50. In the configuration, the terminals 14 on which the covering portions 50 are disposed and the terminals 14 on which the covering portions 50 are not disposed may be alternately disposed in the direction in which the terminals 14 are disposed. With the configuration, it is possible to restrain the non-plated portions 32 of two adjacent terminals 14 from being electrically connected to each other due to moisture of condensation.

Third Embodiment

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, in a connector of the present embodiment, a plurality of terminals 114 are disposed in place of the terminals 14 as compared with the connector of the second embodiment. The terminal 114 includes a non-plated portion 32, which is similar to the non-plated portion of the terminal 14, and a plated portion 130 extending from each of both ends of the non-plated portion 32 in a longitudinal direction of the terminal 114. The plated portion 130 extends obliquely with respect to the base 20. In FIG. 4, the portion of the plated portion 130 that is further away from the base 20 than the non-plated portion 32 gets inclined downward as the distance from the non-plated portion 32 increases. All terminals 114 disposed on the connector, including terminals 114a, 114b, 114c, have similar configurations to each other. Other configurations are the same as the configurations of the connector 10 of the second embodiment.

[0051] With the above configuration, effects similar to the effects of the connector of the second embodiment can be obtained. Further, with the configuration, it is possible to promote the movement of a water droplet C of condensation adhering to the plated portion 130 in a direction away from the non-plated portion 32. Accordingly, it is possible to restrain moisture from adhering to the periphery of the non-plated portion 32.

Fourth Embodiment

[0052] Differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. As shown in FIG. 5, a connector 410 of the present embodiment includes a cover 412, a plurality of terminals 414, and a base 420. The cover 412 has the same configuration as cover 12.

[0053] The terminals 414 have the same configuration as each other. The terminals 414 are disposed side by side at regular intervals. Similar to the terminal 14, the terminal 414 includes a plated portion 430 similar to plated portion 30 and a non-plated portion 432 similar to non-plated portion 32. However, the position of the non-plated portion 432 with respect to the plated portion 430 in a longitudinal direction of the terminal 414 is different from the position of the non-plated portion 32 with respect to the plated portion 30 in the longitudinal direction of the terminal 14. The base 420 differs from the base 20 in that the partition walls 22 are not disposed, and other configurations of the base 420 are the same as configuration of the base 20.

[0054] The terminals 414 are connected to a board (not shown) in a state of being held by the base 420. The terminals 414 are fixed by being press-fitted into the base 420.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of three terminals 414a, 414b, 414c around a surface 420a of the base 420, among the terminals 414. In addition, hereinafter, when each terminal 414 of the terminals 414 is described, the terminal is represented as “terminal 414”, and when specifying one of the terminals 414a, 414b, 414c, is described, the terminal is represented as “terminal 414a”, “terminal 414b”, or “terminal 414c”.

[0056] The non-plated portion 432 is disposed at a position separated by a distance D from the surface 420a of the base 420. The non-plated portion 432 is entirely exposed from the base 420. Therefore, both end surfaces 432a of the non-plated portion 432 are completely exposed from the base 420. The distance D is greater than an interval L.

[0057] With the above configuration, even when water droplets due to condensation adhere to the surface 420a of the base 420, it is possible to restrain the water droplets from reaching the non-plated portion 432.

[0058] Further, even when a water droplet C of condensation adhering to the surface 420a has a hemispherical shape with a diameter of the interval L, the distance D from the surface 420a to the non-plated portion 432 is two times or more the maximum height of the water droplet C. Accordingly, it is possible to restrain water droplets from contacting the non-plated portion 432.

Fifth Embodiment

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7, in a connector of the present embodiment, a plurality of terminals 514 is disposed in place of the terminals 414 as compared with the connector of the fourth embodiment. The terminal 514 includes a non-plated portion 432, which is similar to the non-plated portion of the terminal 414, and a plated portion 530 extending from each of both ends of the non-plated portion 432 in a longitudinal direction of the terminal 514. The plated portion 530 extends obliquely with respect to the base 420. In FIG. 7, the portion of the plated portion 530 that is further away from the base 420 than the non-plated portion 432 gets inclined downward as the distance from the non-plated portion 432 increases. The same goes for all terminals 514 disposed in the connector, including terminals 514a, 514b, 514c. Other configurations are the same as the configurations of the connector of the fourth embodiment.

[0060] With the above configuration, effects similar to the effects of the connector of the fourth embodiment can be obtained. Further, with the configuration, as with the connector of the third embodiment, it is possible to promote the movement of the moisture of condensation adhering to the plated portion 530 in a direction away from the non-plated portion 432. Accordingly, it is possible to restrain moisture from adhering to the periphery of the non-plated portion 432.

[0061] Although specific examples of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, things described above are merely examples and do not limit the scope of claims. The techniques described in the claims include various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.

[0062] For example, in the fourth and fifth embodiments, two adjacent terminals (e.g., the terminal 414a and the terminal 414b) may have different distances from surface 420a of the base 420. With the above configuration, it is possible to increase the distance between the non-plated portions of two adjacent terminals. For example, the terminal 414a may have a portion of the non-plated portion 432 buried in the base 420, similar to the terminal 14a.

[0063] In the first to third embodiments, the partition wall 22 of the base 20 may not be disposed.

[0064] In the third embodiment, the covering portion 50 may not be disposed.

[0065] The technical elements described in the present disclosure or in the drawings exhibit their technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the techniques exemplified in the present disclosure or the drawings can achieve a plurality of purposes at the same time, and achieving one of the purposes itself has technical usefulness.