CN107017506B

CN107017506B - Connector with a locking member

Info

Publication number: CN107017506B
Application number: CN201710025034.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张相浩; 林根泽
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP Korea Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP Korea Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-01-15
Filing date: 2017-01-13
Publication date: 2020-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2037-01-13
Also published as: KR102607520B1; CN107017506A; KR20170085941A

Abstract

Disclosed is a connector, including: a connector housing including a connector bore for receiving the wire terminal, a tap bore communicating with the connector bore and for receiving the tap terminal, and a position assurance member combiner formed in intersecting directions with respect to a longitudinal direction of the connector bore; and a position assurance member configured to be inserted into the position assurance member combiner and including first and second locking projections configured to project toward a center line of the connector hole at different heights, respectively.

Description

Connector with a locking member

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims the preferred rights of korean patent application No. 10-2016-.

Background

1. Field of the invention

Exemplary embodiments relate to connectors.

2. Description of the related Art

A connector refers to a type of electrical component that selectively performs electrical connection, i.e., selectively powers on or off.

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to the related art, and fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line I-I of fig. 1. Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a connector 9 according to the related art may include a connector housing 90; a bus bar 91 including a plurality of tap terminals 911 respectively configured to be coupled with tap (tap) holes 902 formed on one side surface of the connector housing 90; and a plurality of wire terminals 92 configured to be coupled with the connector housing 90 from opposite directions of the tap hole 902.

The connector housing 90 may include a connector hole 901 configured to penetrate the inside of the connector housing 90 and configured to communicate with the tap hole 902, and a step (or step) 903 having a stepped shape with the connector hole 901.

The lead terminal 92 may include a tap connector 921 configured to be fixed to the lead W and configured to electrically connect the lead W to the tap terminal 911, and an elastic stopper 922 configured to be stopped by the step 903.

When the wire terminal 92 is inserted into the connector hole 901 and advanced to a preset position, the elastic stopper 922 of the wire terminal 92 may be stopped at the step 903, thereby preventing the wire terminal 92 from falling out in a direction opposite to its insertion direction.

Here, in order to form the step 903, a core (core) inserted from the tap hole 902 may be used. During the process of forming the step 903 by means of the core, a step machining hole 904 is formed. The step tooling hole 904 communicates with a connector hole 901, which is similar to the tap hole 902.

Therefore, in the case where a sealing material such as silicone or the like is applied for waterproofing in a state in which the bus bar 91 is inserted into the connector housing 90, the sealing material can flow through the step processed hole 904 exposed to the outside.

Disclosure of Invention

Exemplary embodiments provide a connector that can prevent a sealing material from being embedded in a connector hole in response to applying the sealing material to the connector and can also stably fix a connection terminal connected to a connector housing.

According to one aspect, there is provided a connector comprising: a connector housing including a connector hole for receiving a wire terminal, a tap hole communicating with the connector hole and for receiving a tap terminal, and a position assurance component combiner (combiner) formed in intersecting directions with respect to a longitudinal direction of the connector hole; and a position assurance member configured to be inserted into the position assurance member combiner and including first and second locking projections configured to project toward a center line of the connector hole at different heights, respectively.

The position assurance member may include a locking plate including a first locking projection and a second locking projection; and a head portion configured to be connected to the locking plate and configured to be temporarily fixable at two or more locations on the position assurance member combiner.

The position assurance member combiner may include a sliding groove into which the locking plate is slid and inserted; and a head combiner including a first combiner and a second combiner, wherein the first combiner is configured to be combined with (or combined with) the housing coupler formed on the head portion in response to the insertion of the head portion by a first length, and the second combiner is configured to be combined with the housing coupler in response to the insertion of the head portion by a second length greater than the first length.

The head portion may further include a sealing member configured to closely attach to an inner wall of the head combiner.

The locking plate may further include a slider configured to protrude toward both sides and configured to guide the locking plate to be inserted into the sliding groove.

The height of the second locking projection may be greater than the height of the first locking projection, and the length of the second locking projection may be less than the length of the first locking projection based on the insertion direction of the position assurance member.

The first locking projection may interfere with the connector hole in response to the insertion position assuring member being inserted by a first length or more, and the second locking projection may not interfere with the connector hole in response to the insertion position assuring member being inserted by the first length and may interfere with the connector hole in response to the insertion position assuring member being inserted by a second length greater than the first length.

The position assurance member may include a plurality of second locking projections including the above-described second locking projection, and the plurality of second locking projections may be disposed apart from each other in the insertion direction of the position assurance member.

The position assurance member may further include a third locking projection configured to project from an opposite side of the first locking projection; and a fourth locking tab configured to protrude from an opposite side of the second locking tab.

The head portion may comprise a centrally located primary head; and an auxiliary head connected to the main head and positioned at an outer side of the main head, and the position ensuring component combiner may include a main head combiner into which the main head is inserted; and an accessory head combiner into which the accessory head is inserted.

The accessory head may include a housing coupler configured to protrude toward the main head, and the accessory head combiner may include a first combiner configured to combine with the housing coupler in response to inserting the head portion into the head combiner for a first length; and a second combiner configured to combine with the housing coupler in response to inserting the head portion into the head combiner for a second length greater than the first length.

The connector housing may include a spacer (partition) provided between the main head combiner and the sub head combiner in response to completion of the coupling between the position assurance member and the connector housing, and the first combiner and the second combiner may be projections configured to protrude outward from the spacer.

According to another aspect, there is provided a connector comprising: a bus bar including a tap terminal; a lead terminal including a terminal body on which a tap connector to be connected to the tap terminal is formed and an elastic stopper configured to protrude from the terminal body so as to be inclined; a connector housing including a tap hole for receiving the tap terminal, a connector hole communicating with the tap hole and for receiving the wire terminal, and a position assurance member combiner recessed in an intersecting direction with respect to a longitudinal direction of the connector hole; and a position assurance member including a first locking projection for supporting the elastic stopper, and a second locking projection for supporting a rear end of the terminal body and configured to be inserted into the position assurance member combiner.

In response to the insertion of the wire terminal into the connector hole in a state in which the position assurance member is inserted into the position assurance member combiner for the first length or more, the elastic stopper may be elastically deformed to pass over the first locking projection and then elastically restored to be coupled with the first locking projection, thereby primarily preventing the deflection (or disengagement) of the wire terminal.

The second locking projection is positioned at the rear end of the wire terminal in response to the position assurance member being inserted by the second length in a state in which the wire terminal is fully inserted into the connector hole, thereby secondarily preventing the displacement of the wire terminal.

The connector may further include a sealing layer configured to prevent foreign matter from flowing in the tap hole. The wire terminal may further include a first sealing member configured to prevent the flow of foreign substances in the connector hole, and the position assurance member may further include a second sealing member configured to prevent the flow of foreign substances in the position assurance member combiner.

The head portion may comprise a centrally located primary head; and an auxiliary head positioned at an outer side surface of the main head, and the position ensuring component combiner may include a main head combiner into which the main head is inserted; and an accessory head combiner into which the accessory head is inserted.

According to the exemplary embodiments, it is possible to prevent the sealing material from being embedded into the connector hole in response to the application of the sealing material to the connector and also to stably fix the connection terminal connected to the connector housing.

Drawings

These and/or other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to the related art;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connector housing according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a position assurance member in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a connector in a primary connection state according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a connector in a primary connection state according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a connector in an auxiliary connection state according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a connector in an auxiliary connection according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows a portion of a front view of a connector in a primary connection state in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and

fig. 11 shows a portion of a front view of a connector in an auxiliary connection state according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, some exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. With regard to the reference numerals assigned to the elements in the figures, it should be noted that the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals whenever possible even though they are shown in different figures. Also, in the description of the exemplary embodiments, a detailed description of well-known related structures or functions will be omitted when it is considered that such description will cause an unclear interpretation of the present disclosure.

Also, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used herein to describe components. Each of these terms is not intended to define the nature, order, or sequence of the corresponding elements, but rather is intended to merely distinguish the corresponding elements from other element(s). It should be noted that if one member is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "coupled" to another member in the specification, a third member may be "connected", "coupled", and "coupled" between the first member and the second member even though the first member may be directly connected, coupled, or coupled to the second member.

Components having a common function as components included in one exemplary embodiment are described using the same name in another exemplary embodiment. Unless otherwise noted, the description made in one exemplary embodiment may be applied to another exemplary embodiment and detailed description in a repetitive range is omitted.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment, fig. 4 is a sectional view of a connector housing according to an exemplary embodiment, and fig. 5 is a perspective view of a position assurance member according to an exemplary embodiment. Here, fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 3 to 5, the connector 1 may include a connector housing 10, a bus bar 11, at least one wire terminal 12, and a position assurance member 13 according to an exemplary embodiment. The connector 1 may further include a sealing layer L of fig. 6 formed using a sealing material applied in a state in which the bus bar 11 is coupled with the connector housing 10.

The bus bar 11 may be coupled with the connector housing 10 and may include at least one tap terminal 111.

The wire terminal 12 may be electrically and physically connected to the wire W, and may be inserted into the connector housing 10 to electrically connect the wire W to the bus bar 11. The wire terminal 12 may include a terminal body on which a tap connector 121 to be connected to the tap terminal 111 is formed, an elastic stopper 122 configured to protrude from the terminal body so as to be inclined, and a first sealing member 123 configured to be connected to the terminal body and configured to surround the wire W along a circumference of the wire W. The elastic stopper 122 may be elastically deformed toward the center of the terminal body. During the process of inserting the wire terminal 12 into the connector housing 10, the elastic stopper 122 may be elastically deformed while passing over the first locking protrusion 1311 of the position assurance member 13 and may be elastically restored after passing over the first locking protrusion 1311 and thus stopped by the first locking protrusion 1311. The above operation will be further described with reference to fig. 6 and 7.

The connector housing 10 may be used to connect the bus bar 11 and the wire terminal 12 to each other. The connector housing 10 may include a connector bore 101 for receiving the wire terminal 12, a tap bore 102 communicating with the connector bore 101 and for receiving the tap terminal 111, and a position assurance member combiner 104 configured to be combined with the position assurance member 13.

The connector bore 101 may be in communication with the tap bore 102 and the position assurance member combiner 104. The connector hole 101 may be provided in a shape recessed from a first surface of the connector housing 10 (e.g., a rear surface of the connector housing 10 of fig. 3).

The tap hole 102 may be formed on a second surface of the connector housing 10 (e.g., a front surface of the connector housing 10 of fig. 3). The tap hole 102 can be understood as being formed on the side opposite to the side on which the connector hole 101 is formed. The tap hole 102 may be provided in a shape to fit the tap terminal 111. The tap hole 102 may be provided in a shape corresponding to the cross section of the tap terminal 111, for example, a cutout shape. The tap hole 102 may be provided in a shape that completely fits the cross section of the tap terminal 111 to prevent insertion of other components than the tap terminal 111. That is, a hole (e.g., the stepped tooling hole 904 shown in fig. 1 and 2) may not be formed on the connector housing 10. In detail, other holes than the tap hole 102 may not be formed on the second surface of the connector housing 10.

The position ensuring member combiner 104 provides a space in which the position ensuring member 13 is to be incorporated. The position ensuring member combiner 104 may be formed in an intersecting direction, for example, a perpendicular direction, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the connector hole 101. The position ensuring member combiner 104 may be provided in a shape recessed from a third surface of the connector housing 10 (e.g., a right side surface of the connector housing 10 of fig. 3).

The position ensuring member combiner 104 may include a slide groove 1041 into which the lock plate 131 of the position ensuring member 13 is slid and inserted, and a head combiner 1042 into which the head portion 132 of the position ensuring member 13 is inserted. The head combiner 1042 may be provided in a shape recessed from the third surface, and the slide groove 1041 may be provided in a shape further recessed and stepped from the head combiner 1042.

The head combiner 1042 may include a first combiner 1042a configured to be combined with a housing coupler 1321 formed on the head part 132 when the head part 132 is inserted into the head combiner 1042 by a first length; and a second combiner 1042b configured to be combined with the housing coupler 1321 when the head portion 132 is inserted into the head combiner 1042 by a second length that is greater than the first length. For example, the first combiner 1042a and the second combiner 1042b can be projections that protrude from the head combiner 1042.

The position assurance member 13 may be inserted into the position assurance member combiner 104 to support at least a portion of the wire terminals 12 to prevent the wire terminals 12 from being offset (or disengaged) from the connector housing 10. The position assurance member 13 may be temporarily fixed at two or more positions with respect to the connector housing 10.

The position ensuring member 13 may include a locking plate 131 configured to slide and be inserted along the slide groove 1041 and a head portion 132 configured to be inserted into the head combiner 1042.

The locking plate 131 may include a first locking protrusion 1311 and a second locking protrusion 1312 having different heights. The first and

second locking protrusions

1311 and 1312 may protrude toward a center line of the connector hole 101 to interfere with the wire terminals 12.

The height of second locking protrusion 1312 may be greater than the height of first locking protrusion 1311. The first locking protrusion 1311 may support the elastic stopper 122 of the wire terminal 12, and the second locking protrusion 1312 may support the rear end of the terminal body of the wire terminal 12.

Based on the insertion direction of position ensuring member 13 (i.e., the direction along which position ensuring member 13 is inserted), the length of second locking protrusion 1312 may be smaller than the length of first locking protrusion 1311. That is, the second locking protrusion 1312 may overlap only a portion of the first locking protrusion 1311 based on the insertion direction of the wire terminal 12.

The locking plate 131 may include a plurality of second locking protrusions 1312 separated from each other in the insertion direction of the position ensuring member 13. At least a portion of the space partitioned between the plurality of second locking protrusions 1312 may overlap the first locking protrusion 1311 based on a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the position ensuring member 13.

The locking plate 131 may further include sliders 1313 configured to protrude from both sides of the locking plate 131 and configured to guide the insertion of the locking plate 131 into the slide grooves 1041. The slider 1313 may prevent the locking plate 131 from moving in a vertical direction with respect to the slide groove 1041, for example, upward and downward based on fig. 3.

The head portion 132 may be connected to the locking plate 131 and may be temporarily fixed at two or more locations on the head combiner 1042. By the interaction between the head portion 132 and the head combiner 1042, the position assurance member 13 can be temporarily fixed at two or more positions with respect to the connector housing 10. Head portion 132 may include a housing coupler 1321 and a second sealing member 1322.

The housing coupler 1321 may be coupled with the first combiner 1042a or the second combiner 1042b and may temporarily fix the relative position of the position assurance member 13 with respect to the connector housing 10. For example, the housing connector 1321 may be a protrusion formed along an outer circumference of the head portion 132.

The second sealing member 1322 may prevent inflow of foreign substances (e.g., moisture, dust, etc.) from the outside through the position ensuring member combiner 104. The second sealing member 1322 may be provided in the shape of a ring surrounding the head portion 132 along the outer circumference of the head portion 132. The second sealing member 1322 may be closely attached to a portion of the combiner 104, for example, an inner wall of the head combiner 104.

Also, according to an exemplary embodiment, if a portion of the position ensuring member combiner 104 is in a protruding shape and the head portion 132 is in a shape surrounding the protruding shape, the housing coupler 1321 and the second sealing member 1322 may be provided along an inner circumference of the head portion 132.

Also, according to an exemplary embodiment, housing coupler 1321 and/or second seal member 1322 may be formed on head combiner 1042 instead of on head portion 132. In this case, the first combiner 1042a and the second combiner 1042b may be formed on the head part 132 instead of the head combiner 1042. Further description is omitted.

When the position assurance member 13 is inserted by the first length, the position assurance member 13 may be fixed at the first position. When the position ensuring member 13 is inserted by the second length, the position ensuring member 13 can be engaged with the second combiner 1042b and fixed at the second position. In the first position, the resilient stopper 122 of the wire terminal 12 may stop at the first locking protrusion 1311, thereby preventing the wire terminal 12 from being offset from the connector housing 10. In the second position, the rear end of the terminal body of the wire terminal 12 may be stopped at the second locking protrusion 1312, thereby preventing the wire terminal 12 from being offset from the connector housing 10. The wire terminal 12 may be displaced (or detached) using only the first locking protrusion 1311 for some reasons, such as breakage due to elastic deformation of the structure of the elastic stopper 122 or weak durability, or the like. However, with the second locking protrusion 1312, the above problem can be solved.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment in a main coupling state, and fig. 7 is a front view of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment in the main coupling state. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of fig. 7.

Fig. 6 and 7 show a state in which the position assurance member 13 is mainly fixed to the connector housing 10 by mutual coupling between the housing coupler 1321 and the first combiner 1042 a.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7, the first locking protrusion 1311 may have a height lower than the lower end of the terminal body of the wire terminal 12 and may be higher than the lower end of the elastic stopper 122 of the wire terminal 12 based on a state in which the wire terminal 12 is completely inserted into the connector hole 101. The second locking protrusion 1312 may have a height higher than the lower end of the terminal body of the wire terminal 12 and may be lower than the lower end of the wire W. According to the above structure, the first locking protrusion 1311 may support the elastic stopper 122, and the second locking protrusion 1312 may support the rear end of the terminal body of the wire terminal 12 based on the state in which the wire terminal 12 is completely inserted into the connector hole 101.

The first locking protrusion 1311 protrudes toward the center line of the connector hole 101. Therefore, referring to fig. 7, when the insertion position securing member 13 is inserted by at least a predetermined length (e.g., a first length), the first locking protrusion 1311 may interfere with the connector hole 101 based on a view from the front.

Meanwhile, in the case where the specific second length is greater than the first length, when the insertion position securing member 13 reaches a length greater than or equal to the first length and less than the second length, the second locking protrusion 1312 may not interfere with the connector hole 101 based on a view from the front. That is, the housing coupler 1321 and the first combiner 1042a may maintain a state in which the position assurance member 13 is inserted by a length greater than or equal to the first length and less than the second length, thereby allowing the first locking protrusion 1311 to interfere with the connector hole 101 and preventing the second locking protrusion 1312 from interfering with the connector hole 101.

When the wire terminal 12 is inserted in a state in which the position assurance member 13 is primarily fixed to the connector housing 10, the elastic stopper 122 of the wire terminal 12 may be elastically deformed and pass over the first locking protrusion 1311, whereby the wire terminal 12 may be inserted into the connector hole 101. When the wire terminal 12 is inserted until the elastic stopper 122 completely passes over the first locking protrusion 1311, the elastic stopper 122 may be elastically restored and positioned in front of the first locking protrusion 1311, thereby primarily preventing the wire terminal 12 from being offset from the connector hole 101. That is, in the primary securing state, the first locking protrusion 1311 may support the resilient stopper 122 to prevent the wire terminal 12 from being deflected. In the primary securing state, the second locking protrusion 1312 may not interfere with the connector bore 101 and may not interrupt insertion of the wire terminal 12.

Meanwhile, the locking plate 131 of the position ensuring member 13 may further include a third locking protrusion 1314 configured to protrude from an opposite side of the first locking protrusion 1311 and a fourth locking protrusion 1315 configured to protrude from an opposite side of the second locking protrusion 1312. Unless otherwise stated, the description about first locking protrusion 1311 and second locking protrusion 1312 is applicable to third locking protrusion 1314 and fourth locking protrusion 1315. Therefore, by using the single position assuring member 13, the plurality of wire terminals 12 can be fixed to the connector housing 10. That is, by using a single position assurance member 13, the lead terminal 12 inserted through the upper side of the position assurance member 13 and the lead terminal 12 inserted through the lower side of the position assurance member 13 can be fixed.

The first sealing member 123 and the sealing layer L may prevent foreign substances such as moisture, dust, etc. from flowing in through the connector hole 101 and the tap hole 102 from the outside, respectively. Referring again to fig. 3, the first sealing member 123, the sealing layer L, and the second sealing member 1322 may seal all the holes, for example, the connection hole 101, the tap hole 102, and the position assuring member combiner 104, which communicate with the inner space of the connector housing 10. In this way, waterproofing of the connector 1 can be achieved.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment in an auxiliary coupling state, and fig. 9 is a front view of the connector according to an exemplary embodiment in the auxiliary coupling state. Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of fig. 9.

Fig. 8 and 9 show a state in which the position assurance member 13 is secondarily fixed to the connector housing 10 by mutual coupling between the housing coupler 1321 and the second combiner 1042 b.

Referring to fig. 8 and 9, when the position ensuring member 13 is inserted by the second length or more, the second locking protrusion 1312 may interfere with the connector hole 101 based on a front view. That is, the housing coupler 1321 and the second combiner 1042b may be maintained in a state in which the position assurance member 13 is inserted by the second length or more, thereby allowing the second locking protrusion 1312 to interfere with the connector hole 101.

In a state in which the position assurance member 13 is secondarily fixed to the connector housing 10, the second locking protrusion 1312 may be positioned at the rear of the wire terminal 12, thereby secondarily preventing the displacement of the wire terminal 12.

Fig. 10 shows a part of a front view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment in a primary connection state, and fig. 11 shows a part of a front view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment in an auxiliary connection state. Fig. 10 and 11 show a modified example of the connector housing 30 and the position assurance member 33.

Referring to fig. 10 and 11, the connector 3 may include a connector housing 30, the bus bar 11 of fig. 3, at least one wire terminal 12 of fig. 3, and a position assurance member 33 according to an example. The connector housing 30 may include a connector bore, a tap bore, and a position assurance member combiner 304. The position assurance member 33 may include a locking plate and a head portion 332. Descriptions about components similar to those of the above exemplary embodiments have been omitted.

The head portion 332 of the position ensuring member 33 may include a main head 332a positioned at the center and an auxiliary head 332b connected to the main head 332a and positioned at an outer side surface of the main head 332 a.

The position ensuring component combiner 304 of the connector housing 30 may include a main header combiner 304a into which the main header 332a is inserted and an auxiliary header combiner 304b into which the auxiliary header 332b is inserted.

The accessory head combiner 304b may include a first combiner 3042a configured to combine with a housing coupler 3321 formed on the accessory head portion 332b when the head portion 332 is inserted to a first length; and a second combiner 3042b configured to be combined with the housing coupler 3321 when the head portion 332 is inserted to a second length greater than the first length. For example, first combiner 3042a and second combiner 3042b may be protrusions that protrude outward from spacer 305 that are configured to isolate primary head combiner 304a and secondary head combiner 304 b.

The second seal member 3322 may be provided in the shape of a ring surrounding the main head 332a along the outer circumference of the main head 332a, and may be closely attached to the inner wall of the main head combiner 304 a.

The exemplary embodiment does not require the stepped tooling holes 904 to stop the resilient stops 922 of the wire terminals 92 during the process of inserting the core to form the steps 903 as shown in fig. 1 and 2. Therefore, according to the exemplary embodiments, when applying the sealing material to the connector, it is possible to prevent the sealing material from being embedded in the connector hole and to stably fix the connection terminal connected to the connector housing.

A number of exemplary embodiments have been described above. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments. For example, suitable results may be obtained if the described techniques were performed in a different order and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit were combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising:

a connector housing including a connector hole for receiving a wire terminal, a tap hole communicating with the connector hole and for receiving a tap terminal, and a position assurance member combiner formed in intersecting directions with respect to a longitudinal direction of the connector hole; and

a position assurance member configured to be inserted into the position assurance member combiner and including first and second locking projections configured to project toward a center line of the connector hole at different heights, respectively.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the position assurance member comprises:

a locking plate comprising the first locking projection and the second locking projection; and

a head portion configured to be connected to the locking plate and configured to be temporarily securable at two or more locations on the position assurance member combiner.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein the position assurance member combiner comprises:

a sliding groove into which the locking plate is slid and inserted; and

a head combiner including a first combiner configured to combine with a housing coupler formed on the head portion in response to insertion of the head portion by a first length and a second combiner configured to combine with the housing coupler in response to insertion of the head portion by a second length greater than the first length.

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein the head portion further comprises a sealing member configured to tightly attach to an inner wall of the head combiner.

5. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the locking plate further comprises a slider configured to protrude toward both sides and configured to guide the insertion of the locking plate into the sliding groove.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the height of the second locking projection is greater than the height of the first locking projection; and

the length of the second locking projection is smaller than the length of the first locking projection based on the insertion direction of the position assurance member.

7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the first locking projection interferes with the connector hole in response to the position assurance member being inserted by a first length or more; and

the second locking projection does not interfere with the connector hole in response to insertion of the position assurance member by the first length and interferes with the connector hole in response to insertion of the position assurance member by a second length greater than the first length.

8. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the position assurance member includes a plurality of second locking projections including the second locking projection; and

the plurality of second locking projections are provided apart from each other in the insertion direction of the position assurance member.

9. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the position assurance member further comprises:

a third locking tab configured to protrude from an opposite side of the first locking tab; and

a fourth locking tab configured to protrude from an opposite side of the second locking tab.

10. The connector of claim 2, wherein the head portion comprises:

a main head positioned at the center; and

an accessory head connected to the main head and positioned at an outer side of the main head; and

the position assurance member combiner includes:

a primary head combiner into which the primary head is inserted; and

an accessory head combiner into which the accessory head is inserted.

11. The connector of claim 10, wherein the accessory head includes a housing coupler configured to protrude toward the main head; and

the dependent head combiner includes:

a first combiner configured to be combined with the housing coupler in response to inserting the head portion into the head combiner for a first length; and

a second combiner configured to be combined with the housing coupler in response to inserting the head portion into the head combiner for a second length that is greater than the first length.

12. The connector according to claim 11, wherein the connector housing comprises:

a spacer provided between the main header assembly and the sub header assembly in response to completion of bonding between the position assurance member and the connector housing; and

the first combiner and the second combiner are protrusions configured to protrude outward from the spacer.

13. A connector, comprising:

a bus bar including a tap terminal;

a wire terminal including a terminal body on which a tap connector to be connected to the tap terminal is formed and an elastic stopper configured to protrude from the terminal body so as to be inclined;

a connector housing including a tap hole for receiving the tap terminal, a connector hole communicating with the tap hole and for receiving the wire terminal, and a position assurance member combiner recessed in an intersecting direction with respect to a longitudinal direction of the connector hole; and

a position assurance member including a first locking projection for supporting the elastic stopper and a second locking projection for supporting a rear end of the terminal body and configured to be inserted into the position assurance member combiner.

14. The connector of claim 13, wherein the height of the second locking projection is greater than the height of the first locking projection; and

15. The connector according to claim 14, wherein in response to insertion of the wire terminal into the connector hole in a state in which the position assurance member is inserted into the position assurance member combiner for a first length or more, the elastic stopper is elastically deformed to pass over the first locking projection and then elastically restored to be coupled with the first locking projection, thereby primarily preventing deflection of the wire terminal.

16. The connector according to claim 15, wherein the second locking projection is positioned at a rear end of the wire terminal in response to insertion of the position assurance member for the second length in a state in which the wire terminal is fully inserted into the connector hole, thereby secondarily preventing displacement of the wire terminal.

17. The connector of claim 13, further comprising:

a sealing layer configured to prevent foreign substances from flowing in the tap hole;

wherein the wire terminal further comprises a first sealing member configured to prevent the foreign substance from flowing in the connector hole; and

the position assurance member further includes a second sealing member configured to prevent the foreign substance from flowing in the position assurance member assembly.

18. The connector of claim 2, wherein the head portion comprises:

a main head positioned at a center, and an satellite head positioned at an outer side of the main head; and

the position assurance member combiner includes:

a primary head combiner into which the primary head is inserted; and

an accessory head combiner into which the accessory head is inserted.