JP6064832B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

  For example, a connector described in Patent Document 1 below is known as a connector attached to the end of an electric wire.

  The connector includes a terminal fitting connected to the end of the electric wire, a housing that houses the terminal fitting, and a retainer that is attached to the housing. The terminal fitting is locked to the housing by being double-locked by an elastic locking piece provided in the housing so as to be elastically deformable and a separate retainer attached to the housing.

JP 2007-220354 A

  By the way, according to the connector described above, the holding force of the terminal fitting can be secured by being locked by both the elastic locking piece and the retainer, but it is necessary to mount a separate retainer, so the number of parts is large. As a result, the number of assembly steps increases.

  For this reason, by eliminating the retainer and increasing the width of the elastic locking piece, the locking area between the terminal and the elastic locking piece is increased, and the shear area of the elastic locking piece with respect to the terminal fitting is ensured. Thus, a method of securing the holding strength of the terminal fitting is also conceivable, but for example, when the width of the elastic locking piece cannot be increased due to die cutting, the holding strength of the terminal fitting is secured. I couldn't do it, and the countermeasures were eagerly desired.

  This invention is completed based on the above situations, Comprising: It aims at reducing a number of parts, ensuring the holding power of a terminal metal fitting.

As means for achieving the above object, the present invention is a connector, a terminal fitting connected to the end of an electric wire, a synthetic resin housing having a cavity in which the terminal fitting is accommodated from the rear, and Cantilevered on the inner wall of the cavity and can be elastically displaced toward the bending space provided outside the cavity, and the terminal fitting housed in the cavity can be locked from behind Provided to the elastic locking piece, and when the terminal fitting moves rearward in the removal direction, the terminal fitting is pressed from the front and displaced together with the elastic locking piece into the cavity. The first locking portion having a larger shear area with respect to the terminal fitting than before the displacement and the elastic locking piece are integrally provided, and the first locking portion is displaced toward the cavity. A second locking portion that enters the passage of the terminal fitting from the side of the bending space, and locks the terminal fitting after the terminal fitting and the first locking portion are locked. The terminal fitting is provided to extend in a direction intersecting with the insertion direction of the terminal from a side portion of the tubular portion and a rectangular tube-shaped tubular portion, and prevent erroneous insertion of the terminal fitting into the cavity has a mis-insertion preventing portion for the second locking portion, by being protruded from the side surface of the elastic latching pieces, that abolish the engagement and insertion preventing portion erroneous the said tubular portion However, it has characteristics.

According to the connector having such a configuration, the shear area of the first locking portion for locking the terminal fitting can be increased by moving the terminal fitting in the pulling direction. Further, for example, even when the width of the first locking portion cannot be increased due to die cutting, the second locking portion disposed outside the cavity enters the cavity and enters the second The locking portion and the terminal fitting can be locked. Thereby, the holding force of the terminal fitting can be ensured without attaching a separate retainer or the like. That is, the number of parts can be reduced and the number of assembly steps can be reduced.
Further, since the first locking portion locks the terminal fitting from behind by the reaction force that the elastic locking piece tries to return elastically, the terminal fitting is locked in a state where the elastic locking piece is not elastically displaced. Compared to the case, the holding power of the terminal fitting can be improved.
Also, since the second locking portion and the terminal fitting are locked after the elastic locking piece is elastically displaced and the first locking portion and the terminal fitting are locked, the elastic locking piece attempts to return elastically. The reaction force can be more effectively utilized for improving the holding strength of the terminal fitting, and the locking region of the elastic locking piece with respect to the terminal fitting can be increased.

In addition , since the second locking portion is locked to both the cylindrical portion and the erroneous insertion preventing portion, the terminal fitting and the second engagement are compared with the case where the second locking portion is locked only to either the cylindrical portion or the erroneous insertion preventing portion. The locking allowance with the stop portion can be increased. Thereby, the retention strength of the terminal metal fitting by a 2nd latching | locking part can further be improved.
The following configuration is preferable as an embodiment of the present invention.

The second locking portion is provided along the elastic locking piece, and a distal end portion of the second locking portion that locks with the terminal is from a proximal end portion of the second locking portion. Also, the configuration may be narrow.
According to such a structure, the rigidity of the front-end | tip part of a 2nd latching | locking part can be made smaller than the rigidity of a base end part, and it can make it easy to approach the front-end | tip part of a 2nd latching | locking part in a cavity. Thereby, a terminal metal fitting and a 2nd latching | locking part can be latched firmly in the front-back direction.

It is good also as a structure which the guide surface which inclines toward the inside of the said cavity is provided in the position latched with the said terminal metal fitting in the said 1st latching | locking part.
According to such a configuration, when the terminal fitting presses the first locking portion, the terminal fitting is guided by the guide surface, and the first locking portion can be displaced toward the cavity.

A receiving surface that is inclined toward the inside of the cavity toward the front may be provided at a position where the second locking portion is locked with the terminal fitting.
According to such a configuration, when the elastic locking piece is elastically displaced toward the cavity together with the first locking portion, the receiving surface rises, and the terminal fitting and the receiving surface are firmly engaged in the front-rear direction. Can be stopped. Further, when the elastic locking piece is elastically displaced toward the cavity, the position of the receiving surface is displaced rearward, so that the terminal metal and the second locking part are locked after the terminal metal and the first locking part are locked. Can be locked.

  According to the present invention, the number of parts can be reduced while securing the holding force of the terminal fitting.

Front view of housing AA line sectional view of FIG. CC sectional view of FIG. Enlarged perspective view of elastic locking piece Enlarged front view of elastic locking piece Expanded bottom view of elastic locking piece Front view of female terminal connected to the end of the wire Side view FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before accommodating a female terminal in a housing, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to a cross section taken along line DD of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the state before accommodating a female terminal in a housing, Comprising: Sectional drawing corresponded in the cross section of the BB line of FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the female terminal is housed in a regular position in the housing, corresponding to the cross section of FIG. 10. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the female terminal is slightly pulled rearward and the elastic locking piece is elastically displaced, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross section of FIG. 10. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the female terminal is slightly pulled backward and the elastic locking piece is elastically displaced, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross section of FIG. 3. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the female terminal is pulled rearward and the long reinforcing portion locks the ceiling plate from the rear, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross section of FIG. 10. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the female terminal is pulled rearward and the long reinforcing portion locks the rear stabilizer from the rear, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross section of FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the female terminal is pulled rearward and the long reinforcing portion is slightly crushed by the ceiling plate, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross section of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the female terminal is pulled rearward and the long reinforcing portion is slightly crushed by the rear side stabilizer, corresponding to the cross section of FIG. 3.

<Embodiment>
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, a female terminal (corresponding to a “terminal fitting”) 20 connected to the end of the electric wire W is accommodated from behind in a cavity 41 provided in the housing 40. The connector 10 is illustrated. In the following description, the vertical direction is based on the vertical direction in FIGS. Further, the front-rear direction will be described with the left side in the drawing as the front side and the right side in the drawing as the rear side with reference to the left-right direction in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the electric wire W is obtained by covering a core wire W1 made of an aluminum alloy or the like with an insulating coating W2. In addition, as a material of a core wire, arbitrary metal materials, such as copper, a copper alloy, and aluminum, can be used.
As shown in FIG. 8, the female terminal 20 is formed by pressing a metal plate having conductivity, and is a rectangular tube-shaped terminal connecting portion (“cylinder portion”) to which a mating terminal (not shown) is connected. 21) and a wire connecting portion 22 provided behind the terminal connecting portion 21 are connected in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the terminal connection portion 21 folds the upper ends of a pair of side plates 21 </ b> B rising from both side edges in the width direction of the bottom plate 21 </ b> A so as to face the bottom plate 21 </ b> A to form a ceiling plate 21 </ b> C. Thus, it is formed in a rectangular tube shape having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front. 8 to 17, the female terminal 20 is shown upside down in order to make the following description easy to understand.

  A pair of stabilizers 24 are provided on both sides of the terminal connecting portion 21 in the width direction to prevent erroneous insertion by contacting the inner wall of the cavity 41 when the female terminal 20 is inserted into the cavity 41. As shown in FIG. 7, the pair of stabilizers 24 is configured to extend upward from the side plate 21 </ b> B (direction intersecting the insertion direction of the female terminal 20). One of the pair of stabilizers 24 is a rear stabilizer (corresponding to an “incorrect insertion preventing portion”) 24R provided at the rear end portion of the terminal connection portion 21, as shown in FIG. Is a front stabilizer 24F provided at a position slightly rearward of the substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the terminal connection portion 21.

  As shown in FIG. 11, an elastic contact piece 23 that is cantilevered from the rear to the front is provided on the inner surface of the terminal connection portion 21 on the bottom plate 21 </ b> A side. The elastic contact piece 23 is elastically displaceable in the vertical direction. When the mating terminal is inserted into the terminal connection portion 21 from the front, the elastic contact piece 23 is in elastic contact with the mating terminal, so that the female terminal 20 and the mating terminal are in contact with each other. Electrically connect to the side terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the wire connecting portion 22 includes a wire barrel 22 </ b> A that is crimped to the core wire W <b> 1 exposed at the end of the wire W and an insulation barrel 22 </ b> B that is crimped to the insulating coating W <b> 2 of the wire W. It is supposed to be arranged in the form. The female terminal 20 is connected to the end of the electric wire W by placing the electric wire W on the bottom plate provided in common to the wire barrel 22A and the insulation barrel 22B and crimping the wire barrel 22A and the insulation barrel 22B. The

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 40 is formed in a block shape that is long in the front-rear direction, and a flange portion 42 that protrudes outward is provided at the front end portion of the housing 40.
In the housing 40, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of (four in this embodiment) cavities 41 arranged side by side in the width direction, and a plurality of (books) arranged so as to correspond to the bottom of each cavity 41 are provided. In the embodiment, four jig insertion holes 43 are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each cavity 41 is formed so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction, and the rear cavity 41 </ b> R located at the rear part of the cavity 41 is a front cavity 41 </ b> F located at the front part of the cavity 41. The diameter is larger than that. Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the female terminal 20 can be inserted into the cavity 41 from the rear. When the female terminal 20 is inserted into the cavity 41 to the proper position, as shown in FIG. 11, the terminal connection portion 21 of the female terminal 20 is accommodated in the front cavity 41F. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front end opening of each cavity 41 has a substantially rectangular shape, and serves as a terminal insertion hole 44 into which a mating terminal is inserted. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the opening edge of the terminal insertion hole 44 is provided with a guide surface 44A that inclines toward the axial center of the cavity 41 from the front to the rear. The surface 44A is led into the terminal insertion hole 44.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 10, an elastic locking piece 45 is provided on the bottom wall at the rear portion of the cavity 41. This elastic locking piece 45 has a form that cantilevered forward along the bottom wall, and the thickness of the elastic locking piece 45 is most at the base end of the elastic locking piece 45. It is set thinly.
Below the elastic locking piece 45, a bending space 46 of the elastic locking piece 45 is provided, and this bending space 46 is a jig insertion hole extending rearward from the front end of the housing 40 as shown in FIG. 43 communicates with the front-rear direction. That is, the elastic locking piece 45 is arranged at the boundary portion between the cavity 41 and the jig insertion hole 43, and the elastic locking piece 45 is on the cavity 41 side with the base end portion of the elastic locking piece 45 as a fulcrum. And elastically displaceable in the vertical direction toward the bending space 46 side.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 10, the elastic locking piece 45 is a locking that can be elastically displaced in the vertical direction by extending in a cantilevered manner along the bottom wall of the cavity 41. The piece main body 47 and a locking projection (corresponding to a “first locking portion”) that locks the terminal connecting portion 21 accommodated in the cavity 41 from the rear by protruding upward from the upper surface of the locking piece main body 47. ) 48 and a pair of reinforcing portions 49 that reinforce the locking piece main body 47.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the locking piece main body 47 is arranged at a substantially central portion in the width direction of the cavity 41 with a size smaller than the width dimension of the guide surface 44 </ b> A of the terminal insertion hole 44, as shown in FIG. 1. In addition, it faces forward through the jig insertion hole 43.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 10, a release portion 47 </ b> A that can be pressed and tapered in the vertical direction is provided at the front end portion of the locking piece main body 47. The release portion 47A can be pressed from above by a release jig (not shown) inserted through the jig insertion hole 43. By pressing the release portion 47A, the locking piece main body 47 is It is elastically displaced toward the inside of the bending space 46 so that the locking projection 48 is detached from the passage route of the female terminal 20.

  In addition, a detection pin (not shown) can be inserted into the jig insertion hole 43 from the front, and is locked when a predetermined amount of detection pin enters the bending space 46 through the jig insertion hole 43. It can be confirmed that the piece main body 47 is in a natural state in which it is not elastically displaced.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 and 10, the locking projection 48 is formed in a block shape from the rear end of the release portion 47 </ b> A to the substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the locking piece body 47. The upper end portion of the protrusion 48 is set so as to be disposed in the passage path through which the terminal connection portion 21 passes in the cavity 41. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a die-cutting hole 44B for forming the locking projection 48 is formed in the width of the front cavity 41F at the substantially central portion in the width direction of the guide surface 44A located below the terminal insertion hole 44. It is provided narrower than the dimension, and the locking projection 48 faces forward through the die-cutting hole 44 </ b> B and the terminal insertion hole 44. That is, the width dimension of the locking projection 48 is set to be narrower than the width dimension of the terminal connection portion 21 accommodated in the front cavity 41F.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the locking projection 48 is configured such that the upper portion is shorter in the front-rear direction than the lower portion, and the rear surface of the locking projection 48 is obliquely upward from the locking piece body 47. The front surface of the locking projection 48 is a locking surface (corresponding to a “guide surface”) 48F inclined in an overhang shape from the lower end portion toward the upper end portion.

  When the female terminal 20 is inserted into the cavity 41, the locking projection 48 is pressed from behind by the substantially central portion in the width direction of the front end edge of the ceiling plate 21C of the terminal connection portion 21 coming into contact with the inclined surface 48R. As the locking piece main body 47 elastically displaces obliquely downward and forward, it is displaced obliquely downward and forward. When the female terminal 20 is inserted to the proper position, the pressing state of the ceiling plate 21C against the locking projection 48 is released, the locking piece main body 47 is elastically restored, and the terminal connection is made by the upper end position of the locking surface 48F. The ceiling plate 21C of the portion 21 is locked from the rear. As a result, the female terminal 20 is prevented from falling into the cavity 41.

  When the female terminal 20 is pulled rearward, as shown in FIG. 11, the ceiling plate 21 </ b> C of the terminal connection portion 21 presses the locking surface 48 </ b> F from the front, so that the locking piece body 47 has the base end portion. The fulcrum is elastically displaced obliquely upward and rearward, and accordingly, the locking projection 48 is displaced obliquely upward and backward (see FIGS. 12 and 13). More specifically, the ceiling surface 21C is guided from the upper end portion to the lower end portion of the locking surface 48F by the locking surface 48F, and the locking piece main body 47 is elastically displaced obliquely upward and rearward. The locking projection 48 is displaced obliquely upward and rearward. Then, the substantially central portion in the width direction of the rear end edge of the ceiling plate 21C of the terminal connection portion 21 (the central region S1 in FIG. 9) is locked from the rear by the lower end portion of the locking protrusion 48 (see FIG. 12).

  That is, when the locking protrusion 48 is displaced obliquely upward and rearward together with the locking piece main body 47, as shown in FIG. 12, the length dimension L2 in the front-rear direction of the locking protrusion 48 at the height position where the ceiling plate 21C is disposed. As shown in FIG. 11, it is longer than the length dimension L1 in the front-rear direction of the locking projection 48 at the height position where the ceiling plate 21C is disposed in the natural state where the locking piece main body 47 is not displaced. In other words, the locking protrusion 48 is displaced obliquely upward and rearward together with the locking piece main body 47, so that the area where the ceiling plate 21C of the terminal connection portion 21 shears the locking protrusion 48 can be increased.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the pair of reinforcing portions 49 extend forward from the base end portion of the locking piece body 47 along the locking piece body 47, and the width direction of the locking piece body 47 It is provided integrally with the locking piece main body 47 in a form protruding in the width direction from both side surfaces. Moreover, the reinforcement part 49 provided in the side by which the rear side stabilizer 24R of the terminal connection part 21 is arrange | positioned among a pair of reinforcement parts 49 is a front-back direction to the rear-end position of the cancellation | release part 47A, as shown in FIG. The reinforcing portion 49 provided on the side where the front stabilizer 24F is disposed is slightly longer than the rear end position of the releasing portion 47A. The short reinforcing portion 51 extends in the front-rear direction to the rear.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, each reinforcing portion 49 is provided at a height position facing forward through the terminal insertion hole 44, and includes a lower surface of the bottom wall of the front cavity 41 </ b> F and an upper surface of the reinforcing portion 49. Are set to the same height position. That is, each reinforcing portion 49 is formed integrally with the locking piece main body 47 by punching a molding die through the jig insertion hole 43, and is elastically locked at a height position where the reinforcing portion 49 is provided. The width dimension of the piece 45 is set larger than the width dimension of the locking projection 48.

As shown in FIG. 4, the width dimension of the pair of reinforcing portions 49 is substantially the same dimension, and the width dimension of the elastic locking piece 45 at the height position where the reinforcing portion 49 is provided conforms to the front cavity 41F. Is set to be approximately the same as the width dimension of the terminal connection portion 21 accommodated.
That is, as shown in FIG. 9, when the portion of the ceiling plate 21 </ b> C of the terminal connection portion 21 that is locked by the locking protrusion 48 is a central region S <b> 1, The width dimension of the side region S2 is substantially the same as the width dimension of the reinforcing portion 49.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 10, the distal end portion (front end portion) of each reinforcing portion 49 is provided thinner in the vertical direction than the proximal end portion of the reinforcing portion 49 by cutting out the lower end portion. The front surface of the long reinforcing portion 50 is a receiving surface 50A that extends obliquely downward.

  Further, when the female terminal 20 is pulled rearward and the locking piece main body 47 elastically displaces diagonally upward and rearward with the base end as a fulcrum, the reinforcing portions 49 are inclined diagonally upward and rearward. Displacement (see FIGS. 12 and 13). When the female terminal 20 is further pulled rearward from this state, as shown in FIG. 14, the lower end portion of the locking projection 48 is slightly sheared by the ceiling plate 21 </ b> C of the terminal connection portion 21, and the locking piece main body 47. Is further elastically displaced obliquely upward and rearward, and the distal end portion of the long reinforcing portion 50 enters the passage path of the terminal connection portion 21. Here, since the distal end portion of the long reinforcing portion 50 is provided thinner in the vertical direction than the proximal end portion of the reinforcing portion 49, the distal end portion of the reinforcing portion has the same thickness as the proximal end portion of the reinforcing portion. Compared with the case where it is formed, the distal end portion of the long reinforcing portion 50 can be more easily elastically displaced toward the upper rear side than the proximal end portion of the reinforcing portion 49.

  Further, at the same time that the distal end portion of the long reinforcing portion 50 enters the passing path of the terminal connecting portion 21, the receiving surface 50A provided at the distal end portion of the long reinforcing portion 50 rises and the ceiling plate 21C The rear end edge and the rear end of the rear stabilizer 24R are in contact from the rear, and the receiving surface 50A of the long reinforcing portion 50 firmly locks both the ceiling plate 21C and the rear stabilizer 24R from the rear. (See FIG. 14 and FIG. 15).

In addition, a pair of supports disposed across the locking piece main body 47 and the reinforcing portion 49 are provided on the lower side (flexible space side) of the elastic locking piece 45 as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6. A part 52 is provided. Each support portion 52 has a form extending in the front-rear direction along the reinforcing portion 49 on both sides in the width direction of the elastic locking piece 45.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, each support portion 52 has a substantially trapezoidal shape (substantially inverted trapezoidal shape) as viewed from the front and upside down. The portion is an inclined portion 53 that is inclined outward in the width direction as it goes downward. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, each inclined portion 53 is disposed across the locking piece main body 47 and the reinforcing portion 49, and is substantially arched when the two support portions 52 are viewed from the front. I am doing.
In other words, the reinforcing portion 49 in which the locking projection 48 is not disposed on the upper side (cavity side) in the elastic locking piece 45, and the locking piece in which the locking projection 48 is disposed on the upper side (cavity side) in the elastic locking piece 45. An inclined portion 53 is arranged so as to bridge over the main body 47. And the support part 52 which has this inclination part 53 is provided in the width direction both sides of the elastic locking piece 45, and when it sees a pair of support part 52 from the front, it is comprised by the substantially arch shape. That is, the elastic locking piece 45 has a plate thickness at the center in the width direction that is thinner than the plate thickness on both sides in the width direction.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the recessed part 54 which notched the root part of the latching piece main body 47 back is provided in the back part of the bending space 46 located between each support part 52. As shown in FIG. The concave portion 54 has the same thickness as the base end portion of the locking piece main body 47 that is the thinnest in the plate thickness dimension of the base portion of the locking piece main body 47 by notching the base portion of the locking piece main body 47 rearward. The plate thickness is set to. That is, the locking piece main body 47 can be easily elastically displaced by elongating the thinnest portion of the locking piece main body 47 in the front-rear direction.

The connector 10 of the present embodiment is configured as described above, and the procedure for configuring the connector 10 by inserting the female terminal 20 into the cavity 41 of the housing 40 will be described. Subsequently, the female terminal 20 is pulled backward. The operation and effect when this is done will be described.
First, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the female terminal 20 is disposed upside down behind the housing 40, and the female terminal 20 is inserted into the cavity 41 from the rear. In this insertion process, when the terminal connection portion 21 of the female terminal 20 is inserted into the rear cavity 41R, the front end edge of the ceiling plate 21C of the terminal connection portion 21 is the inclined surface of the locking protrusion 48 in the elastic locking piece 45. Abuts on 48R. When the female terminal 20 is further inserted from this state, the locking projection 48 is pressed from the rear by the front edge of the ceiling plate 21C, and the locking piece main body 47 is elastically displaced obliquely downward and forward, whereby the terminal connection portion 21 is moved. Ride on the locking projection 48.

  By the way, for example, if the size of the elastic locking piece is reduced for the purpose of reducing the height and size of the connector, the rigidity of the base end portion of the elastic locking piece decreases, and stress is applied to the base end portion of the elastic locking piece. When concentrated, the base end of the elastic locking piece may be damaged. For this reason, a method of filling the entire lower side of the elastic locking piece, which is the deflection space side, is also conceivable. However, according to this method, although the rigidity of the elastic locking piece is increased, the female terminal is inserted into the cavity. Insertion resistance becomes high. In addition, in order to reduce the insertion resistance of the female terminal, if the thickness of the entire back side of the locking projection of the elastic locking piece is reduced, when the female terminal is pulled rearward, the area on the back side of the locking projection It becomes impossible to secure the holding force of the terminal fitting, for example, the stress concentrates and the elastic locking piece is easily bent and deformed.

  However, according to the present embodiment, when the female terminal 20 is pulled backward, the lower end portion of the locking piece main body 47 (the back side of the locking projection 48) where the stress is most concentrated among the elastic locking pieces 45 and the reinforcement. Since the support portion 52 is formed so that the inclined portion 53 bridges the portion 49 (the region where the locking protrusion 48 is not provided) 49, the elastic locking piece 45 is pressed obliquely upward and rearward. Even if the stress concentrates on the region on the back side of the stop protrusion 48, the elastic locking piece 45 can be prevented from being damaged due to the deformation of the elastic locking piece 45 when the support portion 52 is stepped on. Thereby, the insertion resistance of the female terminal 20 can be reduced without reducing the holding force of the female terminal 20.

  Further, since the base portion of the locking piece main body 47 is notched rearward and the recess 54 is provided, the thickness of the base end portion having the smallest plate thickness in the locking piece main body 47 is increased in the front-rear direction. Compared with the case where no recess is provided at the base portion of the locking piece body, the locking piece body 47 can be easily elastically displaced and the insertion resistance of the female terminal 20 can be reduced.

  When the female terminal 20 is inserted to the proper position, the pressing state of the ceiling plate 21C against the locking projection 48 is released, the locking piece body 47 is elastically restored, and the locking surface 48F of the locking projection 48 is restored. The ceiling plate 21C of the terminal connecting portion 21 is locked from the rear by the upper end position. Thereby, the female terminal 20 is prevented from coming off into the cavity 41, and the connector 10 is completed.

  By the way, as a countermeasure when the female terminal 20 is pulled rearward due to the electric wire W being pulled or the like, for example, a method of ensuring the holding force of the female terminal by double locking by both the elastic locking piece and the retainer. There is. However, in order to double-lock as described above, it is necessary to attach a separate retainer to the housing, which increases the number of parts and the number of assembly steps.

  However, according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, when the female terminal 20 is pulled rearward and the ceiling plate 21 </ b> C of the terminal connection portion 21 presses the locking surface 48 </ b> F of the locking projection 48 from the front, By the surface 48F, the ceiling plate 21C is guided from the upper end portion to the lower end portion of the locking surface 48F, and the locking piece body 47 is elastically displaced obliquely upward and rearward with the base end portion as a fulcrum, The locking projection 48 is displaced obliquely upward and rearward (see FIGS. 12 and 13). And the lower end part of the latching protrusion 48 latches the width direction substantially center part (central area | region S1) of the rear-end edge in the ceiling board 21C of the terminal connection part 21 from back.

  That is, as compared to a natural state where the locking piece main body 47 is not displaced (see FIG. 11), as shown in FIG. 12, the length dimension in the front-rear direction of the locking projection 48 at the height position where the ceiling plate 21C is arranged. Becomes longer (L2> L1), and the area where the ceiling plate 21C of the terminal connecting portion 21 shears the locking protrusion 48 can be increased. Thereby, the retention strength of the female terminal 20 can be improved compared with the case where the latch piece main body is not elastically displaced.

  Further, since the locking projection 48 is locked while pressing the ceiling plate 21C from the rear by the reaction force that the locking piece main body 47 is elastically restored, the locking projection does not press the ceiling plate, and the rear side. Compared with the case where it latches from, the retention strength of the female terminal 20 can be improved.

  Further, when the female terminal 20 is further pulled backward from this state, as shown in FIG. 14, the lower end portion of the locking projection 48 is slightly sheared by the ceiling plate 21 </ b> C of the terminal connection portion 21, and the locking piece main body 47. Is further elastically displaced obliquely upward and rearward. Then, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the distal end portion of the long reinforcing portion 50 enters the passage path of the terminal connecting portion 21, and at the same time, the receiving surface provided at the distal end portion of the long reinforcing portion 50. 50A rises and comes into contact with both the width direction side portions (side region S2) at the rear end edge of the ceiling plate 21C and the rear end of the rear stabilizer 24R from the rear. And the receiving surface 50A of the elongate reinforcement part 50 latches, pressing both the ceiling board 21C and the rear side stabilizer 24R from back.

  That is, after the locking projection 48 locks the ceiling plate 21C from the rear, the receiving surface 50A of the long reinforcing portion 50 locks both the ceiling plate 21C and the rear stabilizer 24R while pressing from the rear. It is possible to more effectively utilize the reaction force that the stop piece main body 47 elastically recovers, and to increase the lock region of the elastic lock piece 45 with respect to the female terminal 20. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and reduce the number of assembling steps while securing the holding force of the female terminal 20 without attaching a retainer or the like.

  As described above, according to the connector 10 of the present embodiment, when the female terminal 20 is pulled rearward, the locking protrusion 48 is inclined as the locking piece main body 47 is elastically displaced obliquely upward and rearward. The area where the ceiling plate 21 </ b> C of the terminal connection portion 21 shears the locking protrusion 48 can be increased by being displaced upward and rearward.

  Further, the female terminal 20 is pulled rearward, the lower end portion of the locking projection 48 is slightly sheared, and the locking piece main body 47 is further elastically displaced obliquely upward and rearward to receive the long reinforcing portion 50. The surface 50A engages the ceiling plate 21C and the rear stabilizer 24R while pressing both from behind. That is, the engagement region of the elastic locking piece 45 with respect to the female terminal 20 is enlarged, and the reaction force that the locking piece main body 47 and the reinforcing portion 49 tend to return elastically is applied to the female via the locking projection 48 and the receiving surface 50A. Since it is transmitted to the terminal 20, the holding force of the female terminal 20 can be ensured without attaching a separate retainer or the like. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced and the number of assembling steps can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the distal end portion of the long reinforcing portion 50 is provided thinner in the vertical direction than the proximal end portion of the reinforcing portion 49, and the receiving surface 50A is provided obliquely downward. While it becomes easy to elastically displace diagonally upward and rearward from the base end portion of the reinforcing portion 49, the receiving surface 50 </ b> A rises when the long reinforcing portion 50 is elastically displaced. Thereby, both the ceiling plate 21C and the rear side stabilizer 24R and the receiving surface 50A of the long reinforcing portion 50 can be firmly locked in the front-rear direction to prevent the female terminal 20 from coming off. .

  Further, for example, even when the width dimension of the locking projection cannot be increased in order to secure a predetermined amount of the guide surface of the terminal insertion hole, according to the present embodiment, the reinforcement is made through the jig insertion hole 43. Since the portion 49 is formed and the female terminal 20 can be locked by the reinforcing portion 49, it is very effective even when the width dimension of the elastic locking piece cannot be increased due to die cutting. is there.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, one stabilizer 24 is arranged at the substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the terminal connecting portion, and the pair of reinforcing portions 49 are configured by the long reinforcing portion 50 and the short reinforcing portion 51. However, the present invention is not limited to such a mode. For example, both stabilizers may be provided at the rear end of the terminal connecting portion, and any of the reinforcing portions may be configured as a long reinforcing portion.
(2) In the above embodiment, the female terminal 20 is applied as the terminal fitting. However, the present invention is not limited to such a mode, and for example, a male terminal may be applied as the terminal fitting. .
(3) In the above embodiment, both the ceiling plate 21C and the rear stabilizer 24R are engaged with the long reinforcing portion 50. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example , only the rear side stabilizer may be engaged with the long reinforcing portion 50.

10: Connector 20: Female terminal (terminal fitting)
21: Terminal connection part (cylinder part)
24R: Rear stabilizer (incorrect insertion prevention part)
40: Housing 41: Cavity 45: Elastic locking piece 46: Deflection space 48: Locking protrusion (first locking portion)
48F: Locking surface (guide surface)
50: Long reinforcing part (second locking part)
50A: Reception surface W: Electric wire

Claims (4)

A terminal fitting connected to the end of the wire;
A synthetic resin housing having a cavity in which the terminal fitting is housed from behind;
An elastic locking piece provided in a cantilever manner on the inner wall of the cavity and elastically displaceable toward a flexure space provided outside the cavity;
The terminal fitting housed in the cavity is provided on the elastic locking piece so that it can be locked from behind, and when the terminal fitting moves backward in the removal direction, it is pressed from the front by the terminal fitting. By displacing together with the elastic locking piece into the cavity, a first locking portion in which the shear area with respect to the terminal fitting is larger than before the displacement,
Provided integrally with the elastic locking piece, and when the first locking portion is displaced toward the cavity, it enters the passage of the terminal metal from the bending space side, and the terminal metal and the A second locking portion that locks with the terminal fitting after the first locking portion is locked ,
The terminal fitting is provided with a rectangular tube-shaped tube portion and a side edge of the tube portion that extends in a direction intersecting with the insertion direction of the terminal, and prevents erroneous insertion of the terminal fitting into the cavity. An insertion prevention part,
Connectors said second locking portion, by being protruded from the side surface of the elastic latching pieces, that abolish the engagement and insertion preventing portion erroneous the said tubular portion. The second locking portion is provided along the elastic locking piece,
The connector according to claim 1, wherein in the second locking portion, a distal end portion that locks with the terminal is formed narrower than a proximal end portion of the second locking portion. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a guide surface that is inclined toward the inside of the cavity toward the front is provided at a position where the first locking portion is locked with the terminal fitting. 4. The receiving surface which inclines toward the inside of the said cavity is provided in the position latched with the said terminal metal fitting in the said 2nd latching | locking part as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3. The connector described.

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