CN113258338A

CN113258338A - Connector and method for manufacturing connector

Info

Publication number: CN113258338A
Application number: CN202110034964.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 佐藤秀一; 村上幸司; 田中幹士; 井上直哉
Original assignee: Molex LLC
Current assignee: Molex LLC
Priority date: 2020-01-27
Filing date: 2021-01-12
Publication date: 2021-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 2041-01-12
Also published as: CN113258338B; JP2021118170A; KR20210096006A; JP7548782B2; KR102471869B1

Abstract

The invention provides a connector and a manufacturing method thereof, wherein terminals at two ends of a flexible component are correctly and easily inserted into a base in a short time. The connector (10) includes: a first base (11A), a first terminal (51A) mounted on the first base (11A); a second base (11B) provided independently of the first base (11A); a second terminal (51B) attached to the second base (11B); a flexible member (81) having a first terminal (51A) and a second terminal (51B) connected to both ends thereof, and connecting the first base (11A) and the second base (11B); and an alignment member (41) that has a flexible member insertion cavity (44) into which the flexible member (81) is inserted and that is configured to be movable between the first base (11A) and the second base (11B) in a state in which the flexible member (81) is inserted.

Description

Connector and method for manufacturing connector

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a connector and a method of manufacturing the connector.

Background

Conventionally, various connectors are known in electrical apparatuses, electronic apparatuses, and the like for electrically connecting various components to be driven with various substrates.

For example, patent document 1 discloses a connector, the arrangement of which is designed so that a mold release space in a base can be eliminated to improve waterproof performance and dustproof performance, and which can be miniaturized without forming a lance portion on the base or a terminal, and which can connect the terminal to the base regardless of the orientation of the terminal in the circumferential direction. The connector is characterized by comprising a base, a terminal crimped to the end of an electric wire, and a holder for connecting the terminal to the base, and further comprising: (A) a holder locking unit that locks the holder to the base 1, (B) a terminal locking unit that locks the terminal to the holder, (C) a unit that couples the terminal to the base via the holder.

Patent document 1: JP2010-123312A

However, with the connector disclosed in patent document 1, the terminal provided at one end of the flexible wire is inserted into the base, and the other end of the wire is a multicore circular cable. Therefore, when the connector disclosed in patent document 1 is used for a so-called connector with a wire for relay in which terminals and bases are provided at both ends of an electric wire, a holder and a base are required at each end, and the above-described configurations of (a), (B), and (C) and the respective locking and coupling operations are required at each end.

In view of the foregoing, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector and a method of manufacturing the connector, which are capable of correctly and easily inserting terminals located at both ends of a flexible member such as an electrical wire into a base in a short time.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure is made to achieve the foregoing objects. A first aspect of the present disclosure is a connector, comprising: a first base; a first terminal attached to the first base; a second base independently provided from the first base; a second terminal attached to the second base; a flexible member having both ends connected to the first terminal and the second terminal, and connecting the first base and the second base; and an alignment member having a flexible member insertion cavity that allows insertion of the flexible member, and configured to be movable between the first base and the second base in a state where the flexible member is inserted.

Further, a second aspect of the present disclosure is a method of manufacturing a connector, the connector including: a first base; a first terminal attached to the first base; a second base spaced apart from the first base; a second terminal attached to the second base; a flexible member having both ends connected to the first terminal and the second terminal, and connecting the first base and the second base; and an alignment member having a flexible member insertion cavity into which the flexible member is inserted, and configured to be movable between the first base and the second base in a state in which the flexible member is inserted. The method comprises the following steps: preparing a flexible member having both ends connected to the first terminal and the second terminal; a step of overlapping the first base and the alignment member; a step of mounting the first terminal to the first base by inserting the alignment member; a step of moving the alignment member in a direction of the second terminal in a state where the flexible member is inserted into the alignment member; inserting the second terminal into the aligning member so that a contact piece of an end of the second terminal protrudes from the aligning member; and a step of housing the contact piece of the second terminal protruding from the alignment member in the second base, and further housing the second terminal in the second base.

With the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector and a method of manufacturing the connector, which are capable of correctly and easily inserting terminals located at both ends of a flexible member such as an electrical wire into a base in a short time.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the connector of the first embodiment before assembly.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the connector of the first embodiment after assembly, and is a perspective view including the first mating connector connected to the first base thereof.

Fig. 3 is a four-sided view of the alignment member of the first embodiment, wherein (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a bottom view, and (d) is a cross-sectional view.

Fig. 4 is a four-sided view of the first base of the first embodiment, in which (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a bottom view, and (d) is a sectional view.

Fig. 5 is a four-side view of the second base of the first embodiment, in which (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a bottom view, and (d) is a sectional view.

Fig. 6 is a two-sided view of the flexible member of the first embodiment, in which (a) is a first side view and (b) is a second side view viewed from a direction intersecting (a).

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing a state where the first mating connector is connected to the first base of the connector of the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a view explaining an assembly process of the connector of the first embodiment, and is a view showing a step of inserting the first terminal side of the flexible member into the alignment member.

Fig. 9 is a view explaining an assembly process of the connector of the first embodiment, and is a view showing a step of engaging the alignment member with the first base and inserting the first terminal side of the flexible member into the first base.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a state in which the first terminal of the flexible member in fig. 9 is inserted into the first base.

Fig. 11 is a view explaining an assembling process of the connector of the first embodiment, and is a view showing a step of separating the alignment member from the first base and regulating the second terminals of the flexible member by the alignment member.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the second terminal of the flexible member of fig. 11 is regulated by the alignment member.

Fig. 13 is a view explaining an assembly process of the connector of the first embodiment, and is a view showing a step of inserting the second terminals of the flexible member regulated by the alignment member into the second housing.

Fig. 14 is a view explaining an assembly process of the connector of the first embodiment, and is a view showing a step of separating the alignment member from the second terminals of the flexible member.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view showing a state in which the alignment member of fig. 14 separated from the second terminal of the flexible member is mounted on the first base.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the second embodiment before assembly of the connector.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the connector of the second embodiment after assembly.

Fig. 18 is a four-sided view of the alignment member of the second embodiment, wherein (a) is a top view, (b) is a bottom view, (c) is a side view, and (d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line a-a of (a).

Fig. 19 is a four-sided view of the second base of the second embodiment, in which (a) is a top view, (B) is a bottom view, (c) is a side view, and (d) is a sectional view taken along line B-B of (a).

Fig. 20 is a view in the vicinity of the second terminal of the flexible member of the second embodiment, in which (a) is a first side view, (b) is a second side view viewed from a direction intersecting (a), and (c) is a third side view viewed from a direction opposite to (a).

Fig. 21 is a view explaining an assembling process of the connector of the second embodiment, and is a view showing a step of separating the alignment member from the first base and regulating the second terminals of the flexible member by the alignment member.

Fig. 22 is an enlarged view of the upper surface side of the alignment member in fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is a view explaining an assembling process of the connector of the second embodiment, and is a view showing a step of inserting the second terminals of the flexible member regulated by the alignment member into the second housing.

Fig. 24 is a view explaining an assembly process of the connector of the second embodiment, and is a view showing a step of mounting the alignment member to the second base.

Fig. 25 is a view after the connector of the second embodiment is assembled, in which (a) is a top view and (b) is a sectional view taken along a line C-C in (a).

Fig. 26 is an enlarged view of an important part of fig. 25 (b).

Description of the reference numerals

10 connector

11 base (11A first base, 11B second base)

11a basal end

11b terminal part

11c basal end surface

11d end surface

11e alignment member receiving recess

11f positioning recess

13 terminal accommodating cavity

15 spear-shaped piece

41 alignment feature

42 body part

43 projection

44 flexible member insertion cavity

45 positioning projection

51 terminal (51A first terminal, 51B second terminal)

52 base

53 bottom plate

54 contact sheet

55 locking piece

81 Flexible part

111 docking connector of docking base (111A first docking base)

Detailed Description

First embodiment

A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that, throughout the description of the embodiments, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Note that expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, rear, and the like used in the specification to explain the actions or configurations of the respective portions of the connector 10 and other components are appropriate when the expressions are relative directions and in the postures shown in the drawings. However, if the posture shown in the figure changes, these directions should be interpreted variably based on the change in posture.

General overview of the connector 10

The connector 10 of the present embodiment is a relay connector for electrically connecting a substrate (not shown) to a mating member (not shown) opposing the substrate. Further, the connector is suitably used as a so-called floating connector having flexibility to provide a certain width to the positional relationship therebetween. The substrate may be various kinds of substrates such as a flexible printed substrate for electric equipment, electronic equipment, and the like, a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC), a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC), and the like.

As shown in fig. 1, fig. 1 is an exploded view before assembly, and the connector 10 includes: a first base 11A on the lower side; a first terminal 51A attached to the first base 11A; an upper second base 11B provided separately from the first base 11A; a second terminal 51B attached to the second base 11B; a flexible member 81 having a first terminal 51A and a second terminal 51B connected to both ends thereof and connecting the first base 11A and the second base 11B; and an alignment member 41 having a flexible member insertion cavity 44 into which the flexible member 81 is inserted, and configured to be movable between the first base 11A and the second base 11B in a state in which the flexible member 81 is inserted. The first base 11A and the second base 11B have a partially common structure and may be described as the bases 11 when both are collectively described in the present disclosure.

The arrangement relationship between the first base 11A and the second base 11B is not particularly limited. Hereinafter, the first base 11A will be described as the side connected to the substrate, and the second base 11B will be described as the side connected to the electric equipment and the like. The base 11 may be integrally formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin or the like.

The flexible members 81 may be arranged in a plurality of rows concentrically inside and outside. Herein, as shown in fig. 1, a case where four flexible members 81 are arranged in a single loop will be explained. The flexible member 81 may be any kind of member as long as the member is an elongated member having conductivity and flexibility such as an electric wire, for example. Further, when suitably used as a so-called floating connector, the flexible member 81 preferably has a hardness and a length sufficient to be self-supporting. In this context, the component is described as a relatively short, self-standing rod-like component extending in the up-down direction, formed by pressing a conductive metal plate.

A first terminal 51A formed of a conductive metal is connected to the lower end of the flexible member 81, and a second terminal 51B formed of a conductive metal is connected to the upper end of the flexible member 81. The first terminal 51A and the second terminal 51B have substantially the same structure and may be described as the terminals 51 when both are collectively described in the present disclosure.

Returning to the base 11, as a common point, the first base 11A and the second base 11B are members having a substantially cylindrical shape, and include: a base end portion 11a located on the flexible member 81 side; and a distal end portion 11b having an outer diameter smaller than that of the proximal end portion 11a and located on the opposite side of the flexible member 81. The terminal accommodating chamber 13 is formed in the base 11 as a through hole penetrating in the vertical direction. The entire first terminal 51A and the vicinity of the lower end of the flexible member 81 are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 13 of the first base 11A, and the entire second terminal 51B and the vicinity of the upper end of the flexible member 81 are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 13 of the second base 11B. Note that the shape of the base 11 is not particularly limited to a substantially cylindrical shape, and may be, for example, a quadrangular prism shape having rounded corners.

The second base 11B has a base end surface 11c of the base end portion 11a located on the flexible member 81 side and a distal end surface 11d of the distal end portion 11B located on the opposite side of the flexible member 81. On the other hand, although the first base 11A has the distal end surface 11d at the distal end portion 11B in the same place as the second base 11B, the first base 11A differs from the second base 11B in this respect in that an aligning member accommodating recess portion 11e for accommodating the aligning member 41 is provided on the flexible member 81 side of the proximal end portion 11A. Further, a positioning recess 11f for positioning when the alignment member 41 is housed is provided in the alignment member housing recess 11 e.

The alignment member 41 is a member for aligning the flexible member 81 having flexibility when assembling the connector 10 and conforming the position and orientation of the flexible member 81 to receive and mount the terminal 51 in the base 11. The alignment member 41 includes: a main body 42 provided on the flexible member 81 side (i.e., the second base 11B side); and a protrusion 43 having an outer diameter smaller than the main body 42 and located on the opposite side of the flexible member 81 (i.e., on the first base 11A side). The flexible member insertion cavity 44 is formed in the alignment member 41 as a through hole that penetrates the body portion 42 and the protruding portion 43 in the up-down direction. The main body 42 of the alignment member 41 has substantially the same outer diameter as the base end portion 11a of the base 11. Similarly, the protruding portion 43 also has an outer diameter that allows accommodation in the alignment member accommodation recess 11e of the first base 11A. Note that, in the present disclosure, the alignment member 41 is illustrated as having a substantially cylindrical two-stage configuration, but is not particularly limited to a substantially cylindrical configuration, and in the case where the shape of the base 11 is, for example, a quadrangular prism shape of a rounded corner, the quadrangular prism shape may be a rounded corner configured by two stages so as to match the shape.

The alignment member 41 has a positioning projection 45 projecting downward (i.e., toward the first base 11A side) at the boundary between the body portion 42 and the projection 43. When the protruding portion 43 is accommodated in the alignment member accommodating recessed portion 11e of the first base 11A, the positioning protruding portion 45 engages with the positioning recessed portion 11f to position the alignment member 41 and thus the flexible member 81 relative to the first base 11A.

The assembled state of the connector 10 is shown in fig. 2. The assembled connector 10 is connected to the first mating base 111A of the first mating connector provided on the substrate, and the first terminals 51A clamp the plug terminals 151 provided in the first mating base 111A to achieve conduction. The state in which the first base 11A and the first docking base 111A are connected will be described later with reference to fig. 7. Although not shown, the second terminals 51B are also connected to the second mating connector in the same manner, and may be described as a mating base 111 when both are described collectively in this disclosure.

Alignment member 41

The respective members constituting the connector 10 will be separately described. First, the alignment member 41 has the form shown in fig. 3 (a) a plan view, (b) a side view, (c) a bottom view, and (d) a cross-sectional view. As described above, the alignment member 41 includes: a body portion 42 located on the second base 11B side and having a relatively large outer diameter; and a protrusion 43 which is located on the first base 11A side, has a relatively small outer diameter, and is accommodated in the alignment member accommodating recess 11e of the first base 11A. After assembly of the connector 10, the alignment member 41 is retained as part of the connector 10. Therefore, the main body 42 not accommodated in the aligning member accommodating recess 11e preferably has substantially the same outer diameter as the base end portion 11a of the base 11 so as not to be an obstacle when mounted on the electrical apparatus.

The flexible member insertion cavities 44 provided to the alignment member 41 shown in fig. 3 (d) are openings through which the first terminals 51A and the second terminals 51B can penetrate and which enable the first terminals 51A and the second terminals 51B to be mounted to the first base 11A and the second base 11B. The opening of the flexible member insertion cavity 44 is formed in a quadrangular shape (with rounded corners) matching the shape of the terminal 51 so that the terminal 51 can freely pass through the flexible member insertion cavity 44 without significant rotation about the insertion direction (e.g., the up-down direction in fig. 2) and the position in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction (e.g., the lateral direction in fig. 2) is oriented so that the terminal 51 can be accommodated in the terminal accommodating cavity 13 of the base 11 without deviation. Further, the position of the flexible member insertion cavity 44 is at a position corresponding to the arrangement of the terminal receiving cavities 13 of the first and

second bases

11A and 11B.

As a result, when the first terminal 51A is attached to the first base 11A and the flexible member 81 is connected to the base 11, the alignment member 41 and the first base 11A are aligned and overlapped so that the flexible member insertion cavity 44 and the terminal receiving cavity 13 can communicate with each other, and after the first terminal 51A is inserted from the upper opening of the flexible member insertion cavity 44, the first terminal 51A is further pressed and inserted through the flexible member insertion cavity 44, and is received in the terminal receiving cavity 13 of the first base 11A.

A positioning protrusion 45 protruding downward at the boundary between the body portion 42 and the protrusion 43 of the alignment member 41 is provided to correspond to the positioning recess 11f provided on the outer edge of the alignment member accommodating recess 11e of the first base 11A. When the positioning projection 45 and the positioning recess 11f are engaged, the flexible member insertion cavity 44 and the terminal accommodation cavity 13 are aligned to communicate. Thus, when the connector 10 is assembled, the corresponding first terminals 51A and the flexible member insertion cavities 44 and the terminal accommodation cavities 13 can be properly positioned, thereby preventing the flexible members 81 from twisting.

First base 11A

Next, the first base 11A has a configuration shown in fig. 4 (a) a plan view, (b) a side view, (c) a bottom view, and (d) a cross-sectional view. As described above, the first base 11A includes: a base end portion 11a on the flexible member 81 side and further on the second base 11B side, having a relatively large outer diameter; and a distal end portion 11B located on the opposite side of the flexible member 81 and further on the opposite side of the second base 11B, and having a relatively small outer diameter.

As shown in fig. 4 (d), in the first base 11A, an alignment member accommodating recess 11e that accommodates the protrusion 43 of the alignment member 41 is provided at the base end portion 11A of the first base 11A, unlike the second base 11B. The positioning recess 11f is provided on the outer edge of the aligning member accommodating recess 11e so as to correspond to the positioning protrusion 45 provided on the aligning member 41. The terminal accommodating cavity 13 is formed to penetrate from the bottom surface of the alignment member accommodating recess 11e to the distal end surface 11 d. The first terminals 51A are inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers 13 from the bottom surface of the alignment member accommodating recess 11e through the flexible member insertion chambers 44.

A lance 15 that engages with a locking piece 55 provided on the inserted first terminal 51A is formed on a wall surface of the first base 11A on the central axis side in the terminal accommodating chamber 13 (refer to fig. 6 for the locking piece 55; refer to fig. 7 for the engagement between the locking piece 55 and the lance 15). The lance 15 is a cantilever-like member in which a base end thereof is integrally connected to the wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 and a tip end thereof extends obliquely as a free end toward the inside of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 and toward the tip end surface 11 d. As a result, the first terminals 51A accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers 13 are prevented from moving toward the aligning member accommodating recess portions 11e and from coming off even if the flexible member 81 is pulled toward the second base 11B.

Second base 11B

Next, the second base 11B includes the configurations shown in fig. 5 (a) a top view, (B) a side view, (c) a bottom view, and (d) a cross-sectional view. As described above, the second base 11B includes: a base end portion 11A located on the flexible member 81 side and further on the first base 11A side, and having a relatively large outer diameter; and a distal end portion 11b located on the opposite side of the flexible member 81 and further on the opposite side of the first base 11A, and having a relatively small outer diameter.

As shown in fig. 5 (d), the second base 11B is not provided with the alignment member housing recess 11e, unlike the first base 11A. Further, the terminal accommodating chamber 13 is formed to penetrate from the base end surface 11c to the distal end surface 11d, and is formed in a shape and arrangement of an opening thereof corresponding to the aligning member 41 and the first base 11A. The second terminal 51B is inserted into the terminal accommodating cavity 13 from the base end surface 11 c.

A lance 15 that engages with a locking piece 55 provided on the inserted second terminal 51B is formed on a wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 on the central axis side of the second base 11B (refer to fig. 6 for the locking piece 55; refer to fig. 15 for the engagement between the locking piece 55 and the lance 15). The lance 15 is a cantilever-like member in which a base end thereof is integrally connected to the wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 and a tip end thereof extends obliquely as a free end toward the inside of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 and toward the tip end surface 11 d. As a result, the second terminals 51B accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers 13 are prevented from moving toward the base end surface 11c side and are not removed even if the flexible member 81 is pulled toward the first base 11A side.

Flexible member 81

Next, the flexible member 81 includes the forms shown in (a) a first side view and (b) a second side view of fig. 6. The first terminal 51A and the second terminal 51B provided at both ends of the flexible member 81 each include: a base 52 connected to an end of the flexible member 81; a pair of contact pieces 54 extending from the base 52 toward the distal end; and a locking piece 55 protruding in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the flexible member 81 in the vicinity of the base end of the contact piece 54.

The pair of contact pieces 54 are bent in a U shape from a bottom plate 53 extending from the base 52 to the distal end, and bent so that the distal end faces inward. The locking piece 55 is formed by forming a protruding piece on the opposite side of the bottom plate portion 53 of each contact piece 54 and bending the protruding piece inward. The terminal 51 is formed by a pair of contact pieces 54, a bottom plate portion 53, and a lock piece 55 so as to be quadrangular when viewed from the insertion direction of the flexible member 81. The first terminal 51A and the second terminal 51B are attached to the flexible member 81 so as to face in opposite directions to each other in the axial direction, but in the same direction in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

The opening of the flexible member insertion cavity 44 has a quadrangular shape slightly larger than a quadrangle formed by the pair of contact pieces 54, the bottom plate portion 53, and the lock piece 55 of the terminal 51. Thus, the terminal 51 can be accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 13 through the flexible member insertion chamber 44 without being significantly rotated in the insertion direction and without being displaced in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction, and can be attached to the base 11 without being displaced.

Herein, when the flexible member 81 is constituted by an electric wire, the base 52 may be connected to an end of the electric wire by crimping. When the pair of contact pieces 54 are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 13 of the first base 11A from the alignment member accommodating recess 11e side and mounted on the first base 11A, for example, the pair of contact pieces 54 sandwich the plug terminal 151 (see fig. 2) inserted into the first mating base 111A of the first base 11A from the distal end surface 11d side. The same applies to the second base 11B.

Connection state

Based on the above-described configuration, fig. 7 shows a state in which the first base 11A and the first docking base 111A are connected and the protruding portion 43 of the alignment member 41 is accommodated in the alignment member accommodating recess portion 11e of the first base 11A. As shown in fig. 7, the first terminals 51A pass through the flexible member insertion cavities 44 of the alignment members 41 and are fixed by the engagement of the locking pieces 55 with the lance 15 in the terminal receiving cavities 13 of the first base 11A. Meanwhile, the distal end portion 11b of the first base 11A is fitted inside the first mating base 111A surrounded by the bottom plate 111A and the side wall 111b, and the pair of contact pieces 54 of the first terminal 51A sandwich the plug terminal 151 of the first mating base 111A.

In fig. 7, the alignment member 41 is shown in a state in which the positioning convex portion 45 thereof is engaged with the positioning concave portion 11f of the alignment member accommodating concave portion 11e of the first base 11A and the protruding portion 43 is accommodated in the alignment member accommodating concave portion 11 e. This accommodated state shows a state in which the alignment member 41 is attached to the alignment member accommodating recess 11e or the base end portion 11A of the first base 11A, and is in a state in which it is movable toward the second base 11B side (upper side in the drawing) along the flexible member 81. Note that, when it is desired to prevent the alignment member 41 from freely moving toward the flexible member 81 after the connector 10 is assembled, the positioning convex portion 45 may be provided at a position offset from the boundary between the base end portion 11a and the distal end portion 11b toward the distal end portion 11b side, and the positioning concave portion 11f may be formed in an L-shape when viewed from a side view. Therefore, the alignment member 41 can be used as a simple locking mechanism within a range that does not interfere with the twisting of the flexible member 81.

Assembly process

Next, an assembly process of the connector 10 will be explained with reference to fig. 8 to 15.

First, step S1 of inserting the first terminal 51A side of the flexible member 81 into the aligning member 41 is explained with reference to fig. 8. As shown in fig. 8, the alignment member 41 is positioned above the alignment member receiving recess 11e of the first base 11A such that the terminal receiving cavity 13 of the first base 11A and the flexible member insertion cavity 44 of the alignment member 41 oppose each other. At this time, the positioning convex portion 45 of the alignment member 41 and the positioning concave portion 11f of the alignment member housing concave portion 11e of the first base 11A are naturally also in opposite positions. Next, as shown in fig. 9, in a state where the positioning convex portion 45 and the positioning concave portion 11f are engaged and the alignment member 41 and the first base 11A are overlapped, the flexible member 81 is inserted into the flexible member insertion cavity 44 from the first terminal 51A as shown by a blank arrow in fig. 8.

Next, step S2 of inserting the first terminal 51A into the first base 11A will be explained with reference to fig. 9 and 10. In succession to step S1, the first terminal 51A is inserted through the inside of the flexible member insertion cavity 44, and the first terminal 51A is inserted into the first base 11A.

Thus, as shown in fig. 10, when the lock piece 55 engages with the lance 15, the first terminal 51A is attached to the first base 11A and will not come off from the first base 11A toward the second base 11B. Note that fig. 10 shows a cross section of a state in which the first terminal 51A of fig. 9 is inserted into the first base 11A, but the alignment member 41 is omitted from illustration.

Next, step S3 in which the aligning member 41 is separated from the first base 11A and the second terminals 51B are aligned by the aligning member 41 will be described with reference to fig. 11 and 12. In succession to step S2, alignment member 41 is separated from first base 11A, and alignment member 41 is moved toward second base 11B side along flexible member 81 as indicated by the blank arrow in fig. 11. Further, the second terminal 51B is inserted into the flexible member insertion cavity 44 of the alignment member 41 from the base portion 52 side via the opening of the protruding portion 43 side. The second terminals 51B are aligned by housing the second terminals 51B in the flexible member insertion cavities 44, respectively. The second terminal 51B and the alignment member 41 are held together by the respective terminals 51 contacting the inner surface of the flexible member insertion cavity 44 at the position where the locking piece 55 and the base portion 52 are accommodated inside the flexible member insertion cavity 44 of the alignment member 41, under the resistance force due to friction. At this time, the distal end side of the contact piece 54 of the second terminal 51B is held in a position protruding from the alignment part 41.

Thereby, even when the flexible member 81 having flexibility is bent or faces in various directions, the first terminal 51A can be engaged with the lance 15 in the first base 11A without coming off. Therefore, as shown in fig. 12, the flexible member 81 is tensioned, and thereby the respective second terminals 51B can correspond one by one to the terminal receiving cavities 13 of the second base 11B in the three directions X, Y and Z shown in fig. 1 to be positioned correctly.

Next, the step S4 of inserting the second terminals 51B aligned by the aligning members 41 into the second housing 11B will be explained with reference to fig. 13. In step S3, the contact piece 54 held and protruding from the alignment member 41 is inserted as indicated by the blank arrow in fig. 13 to be accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 13 opened in the base end surface 11c of the second base 11B. Here, the second terminals 51B are positioned and oriented toward the openings of the terminal receiving cavities 13 of the second base 11B aligned by the aligning members 41, which eliminates the need to individually align the respective second terminals 51B one by one with the corresponding terminal receiving cavities 13 of the second base 11B.

Next, the step S5 of separating the aligning member 41 from the second terminals 51B will be described with reference to fig. 14. In step S4, the second terminals 51B are completely passed from the distal end surface 11d to the proximal end surface 11c of the second housing 11B, accommodated in the second housing 11B, and attached to the second housing 11B by engaging the lance 15 with the lock piece 55, thereby completing the assembly of the connector 10. The alignment member 41 is freely movable relative to the flexible member 81, and therefore, when the first base 11A serves as a base on the lower side and the second base 11B serves as a base on the upper side, the alignment member 41 is movable to the alignment member accommodating recess 11e of the first base 11A as indicated by a blank arrow in fig. 14.

As described above, as shown in fig. 15, there are provided a connector capable of correctly and easily inserting the terminals 51 at both ends of the flexible member 81 such as the electric wire into the base 11 in a short time by one aligning member 41, and an aligning member 41 for the connector.

The effect of the present disclosure can be also achieved if the number of the flexible members 81 such as electric wires or the like is two or more, and the effect is better as the number thereof (i.e., the number of poles of the terminals 51) is larger and the distance between the bases 11 at both ends connected by the flexible members 81 (i.e., the length of the flexible members 81) is shorter.

Second embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be explained. Note that portions of the same configuration as those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. Further, the same actions and effects as those of the first embodiment will also be omitted.

In the foregoing first embodiment, when the connector 10 is assembled, the alignment member 41 is accommodated in the alignment member accommodating recess 11e of the first base 11A, as shown in fig. 14 and 15. In contrast, in the present embodiment, when the connector 10 is assembled, the alignment member 41 is mounted to the second base 11B by the first fixing piece 21A and the second fixing piece 21B. Note that the first fixing member 21A and the second fixing member 21B have substantially the same structure and can be described as the fixing member 21 when both are collectively described in the present disclosure. The fixing member 21 may be formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin or the like as with the base 11.

General overview of the connector 10

The connector 10 of the present embodiment includes a first fixing member 21A and a second fixing member 21B as shown in fig. 16, and fig. 16 is an exploded view before assembly. Further, as shown in fig. 17, after the connector 10 is assembled, the alignment member 41 is attached to the second base 11B by the first fixing member 21A and the second fixing member 21B.

Further, in the example shown in the figure, there are six flexible members 81. However, the number and layout of the flexible members 81 can be changed as appropriate.

Alignment member 41

The alignment member 41 in the first embodiment includes a protrusion 43 and a positioning projection 45. However, the alignment member 41 of the present embodiment does not include the protruding portion 43 and the positioning protrusion 45.

As shown in fig. 18, the alignment member 41 of the present embodiment has a rotation stopper rod 48 attached to the body portion 42, serving as a polygonal column, while the center of the body portion 42 penetrates in the thickness direction (the insertion direction of the flexible member 81). The rotation stopper rod 48 is a hexagonal-cylindrical rod-shaped member in the example shown in fig. 18, and protrudes from the second base side surface 42c and the first base side surface 42d of the body portion 42 in the up-down direction (the insertion direction of the flexible member 81).

Further, a plurality of claw portions 42a protruding outward and one groove portion 42b extending in the up-down direction (the insertion direction of the flexible member 81) are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 42.

Further, a tab engagement groove 44a is formed at an end portion of each flexible member insertion cavity 44 on the second base side surface 42 side. The protruding piece engaging groove 44a is an elongated recess having an upper end opened to the second seating side surface 42c and extending downward (in the direction of the first seating side surface 42 d) from the second seating side surface 42c by a predetermined length (depth), and is capable of receiving an engaging protruding piece 57 described later provided to the second terminal 51B.

First base 11A

The first base 11A of the first embodiment includes an alignment member housing recess 11e and a positioning recess 11 f. However, the first base 11A in the present embodiment does not include the alignment member housing recess 11e and the positioning recess 11 f.

Note that, in the present embodiment, one groove portion 11 extending in the up-down direction (the insertion direction of the flexible member 81) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion 11A of the first base 11A. Further, a rotation stop hole 18 that opens at the center of the base end face 11c is formed on the base end portion 11 a. The rotation stop hole 18 is a polygonal hole (in which a hexagonal cross section is shown in the example of the drawing) and the rotation stop rod 48 is inserted therein.

Second base 11B

In the first embodiment, the lance 15 is formed on the wall surface of the terminal receiving cavity 13 of the second base 11B. However, in the present embodiment, the lance 15 is not formed on the wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 of the second base 11B.

As shown in fig. 19, in the present embodiment, a tab engagement groove 13a is formed in an end portion of each terminal receiving cavity 13 of the second base 11B on the base end surface 11c side. The protruding piece engagement groove 13a is a recess having an upper end opening in the base end surface 11c and elongated by a predetermined length (depth) downward (in the direction of the distal end surface 11 d) from the base end surface 11c, and is capable of receiving an engagement protruding piece 57 described later provided to the second terminal 51B.

Further, the base end portion 11a is formed to have an outer diameter smaller than that of the tip end portion 11b, and a fastener engagement groove 11a1 continuous in the circumferential direction is formed in the outer peripheral surface of a portion adjacent to the tip end portion 11 b. Further, one groove portion 11g extending in the up-down direction (the insertion direction of the flexible member 81) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 11 b. Further, a rotation stop hole 18 that opens at the center of the base end surface 11c and the distal end surface 11d is formed at the base end portion 11a and the distal end portion 11 b. The rotation stop hole 18 is a polygonal hole (of which a hexagonal section is shown in the example of the figure) and the rotation stop rod 48 is inserted therein.

Flexible member 81

The shape of a part of the second terminal 51B provided at one end of the flexible member 81 in the present embodiment is different from that of the second terminal 51B in the first embodiment.

As shown in fig. 20, the second terminal 51B in the present embodiment includes: a base 52 connected to an end of the flexible member 81; and a body portion 56 extending from the base portion 52 toward the tip. Further, the body portion 56 includes: the locking piece 55 is formed to protrude in one direction intersecting the axial direction of the flexible member 81 on the base 52 side thereof.

Further, the body portion 56 has: a pair of side walls 56a extending toward the distal end in a state of being opposed to each other; a deformation preventing wall 56b formed at a distal end of the side wall 56 a; and a pair of contact pieces 54 extending toward the distal ends in a state of being opposed to each other. A portion of the distal end side of the body portion 56 is formed by a pair of side walls 56a and a pair of contact pieces 54 to form a quadrangle when viewed from the insertion direction of the flexible member 81. Further, the deformation preventing wall 56b is a member formed in a continuous angular tube shape having a quadrangular shape when viewed from the insertion direction of the flexible member 81.

Further, the body portion 56 has: a pair of engaging projecting pieces 57 project toward the left and right sides in fig. 20 (a) and (c) in such a manner as to intersect the axial direction of the flexible member 81 and the projecting direction of the locking piece 55 at portions adjacent to the locking piece 55. After the connector 10 is assembled, the engagement projection 57 is received in the projection engagement groove 44a of the alignment member 41 or the projection engagement groove 13a of the second housing 11B, and functions to stop the rotation of the second terminal 51B.

Note that the length L1 (see fig. 18 (d)) of the tab engagement groove 44a of the alignment member 41 is preferably set to be slightly longer than the axial length L (see fig. 20 (a)) of the engagement tab 57. Thus, the entire engagement tab 57 is housed in the tab engagement groove 44a and does not protrude from the second base side surface 42c of the alignment member 41, and therefore is not referred to as an obstacle when mounting the second base 11B to the alignment member 41. Further, when the length L1 is further increased, for example, to about twice the length L, in the state shown in fig. 21 and 22, even if there are a large number of flexible members 81 and errors in the positions of the engagement tabs 57, all of the engagement tabs 57 are not caused to protrude from the second base side surface 42c of the alignment member 41.

Assembly process

An assembling process of the connector 10 according to the present embodiment will be explained.

In the case where the aligning members 41 and the first bases 11A are overlapped, the processes up to the insertion of the first terminals 51A of the respective flexible members 81 into the terminal receiving cavities 13 of the respective first bases 11A through the flexible member insertion cavities 44 of the respective aligning members 41 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted. Note that, in the first embodiment, the positioning convex portion 45 and the positioning concave portion 11f are engaged, so that the alignment member 41 and the first base 11A overlap. However, in the present embodiment, the rotation stopper rod 48 protruding downward is inserted from the first base side surface 42d of the body portion 42 into the rotation stopper hole 18 opened at the center of the base end surface 11c of the base end portion 11A, and the alignment member 41 and the first base 11A are overlapped by bringing the first base side surface 42d and the base end surface 11c into contact or proximity. The relative rotation of the aligning member 41 and the first base 11A is prevented by inserting the rotation stopping rod 48 into the rotation stopping hole 18.

Further, as shown in fig. 18, an outwardly projecting rib 48a is formed on a side surface of a root portion of the rotation stopper lever 48 projecting from the first base side surface 42d of the aligning member 41 toward the downward direction. Therefore, when the rotation stopper rod 48 is inserted into the rotation stopper hole 18 of the first base 11A, the alignment member 41 is fixed to the first base 11A in a state where the rib 48a is lightly pressed into the inner wall surface of the rotation stopper hole 18. This allows the first terminals 51A to be stably inserted into the terminal accommodating cavities 13 of the first base 11A. Further, the rib 48a is only slightly pressed into the inner wall surface of the rotation stop hole 18, and therefore, the work of separating the alignment member 41 from the first base 11A to be performed later is not hindered.

Next, the alignment member 41 is separated from the first base 11A and moved along the flexible member 81 toward the second terminals 51B, and the second terminals 51B are inserted into the flexible member insertion cavities 44 from the second base side surface 42c side of the body portion 42 and aligned, thereby bringing about the state shown in fig. 21 and 22. In this state, each of the second terminals 51B has the base portion 52 and the lock piece 55 accommodated in the flexible member insertion cavity 44 and has the pair of engagement protruding pieces 57 accommodated in the protruding piece engagement grooves 44a formed in the end portions of the second base side surfaces 42c and engaged with the protruding piece engagement grooves 44 a. Therefore, each of the alignment second terminals 51B cannot move any further within the flexible member insertion cavity 44 toward the first base side face 42d, and as shown in fig. 21 and 22, the alignment member 41 is stopped in a state where the contact piece 54, the side wall 56a and the deformation preventing wall 56B project upward from the second base side face 42 c. Note that in fig. 21 and 22, some drawings of the flexible member 81 are omitted for convenience.

Next, as shown in fig. 23, the second base 11B is aligned with respect to the alignment member 41. Specifically, the base end surface 11c faces the second base side surface 42c in parallel, the rotation stopper hole 18 opened at the center of the base end surface 11c faces the rotation stopper rod 48 protruding upward from the second base side surface 42c, and the terminal receiving cavities 13 opened in the base end surface 11c face the respective second terminals 51B.

Next, the second housing 11B is relatively moved toward the aligning member 41, the rotation stopper rod 48 is inserted into the rotation stopper hole 18, the second terminal 51B protruding upward from the second housing side surface 42c is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber 13, and the second housing side surface 42c and the base end surface 11c come into contact or approach, so that the aligning member 41 and the second housing 11B are overlapped. The relative rotation of the aligning member 41 and the second base 11B is prevented by the insertion of the rotation stopping rod 48 into the rotation stopping hole 18. Note that the rotation-stopping rod 48 may be pressed into the rotation-stopping hole 18. Thereby, the second terminals 51B are accommodated in the corresponding terminal accommodating cavities 13 of the second base 11B.

Further, as shown in fig. 18, an outwardly projecting rib 48a is formed on a side surface of a root portion of the rotation stopper lever 48 projecting upward from the second base side surface 42c of the aligning member 41. Therefore, when the rotation stopper rod 48 is inserted into the rotation stopper hole 18 of the second base 11B, the alignment member 41 is fixed to the second base 11B in a state where the rib 48a is lightly pressed into the inner wall surface of the rotation stopper hole 18. This allows the second terminal 51B to be stably inserted into the terminal accommodating cavity 13 of the second housing 11B. Further, if the shape of the rib 48a is changed so that the rib 48a is forced into the inner wall surface of the rotation stop hole 18 to reinforce the fixing force of the aligning member 41 to the second base 11B, the first fixing member 21A and the second fixing member 21B used hereinafter can be omitted.

Note that the process so far can be performed by sliding the first base 11A, the alignment member 41, or the second base 11B along the guide member. For example, a table having a linear rail is prepared as a guide member on a horizontal upper surface. The first base 11A, the aligning member 41, and the second base 11B are turned in the lateral direction, and a groove portion 11g formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion 11A of the first base 11A, a groove portion 42B formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 42 of the aligning member 41, and a groove portion 11g formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion 11B of the second base 11B are slidably fitted to the rails. In this manner, the first base 11A, the aligning member 41, or the second base 11B can slide along one rail to approach or separate from each other.

Next, as shown in fig. 24 to 26, the first fixing piece 21A and the second fixing piece 21B are used to mount the alignment member 41, which is superimposed on the second base 11B, to the second base 11B. The first fixing member 21A and the second fixing member 21B each have: a body portion 22 having an overall shape such as a semi-cylinder bisecting the cylinder in the longitudinal direction; a window portion 23 formed in the body portion 22; a brim 24 projecting inward at the upper end (end on the second base 11B side) of the main body 22; and a step portion 25 protruding inward below the window portion 23 of the main body portion 22. Further, a portion corresponding to a crosspiece for defining the side end of the window portion 23 is a locking piece 23 a.

The first fixing piece 21A and the second fixing piece 21B are attached from both left and right sides so as to cover the peripheral surface of the body portion 42 of the alignment member 41. As a result, the locking piece 23a is locked to the claw portion 42a of the body portion 42 of the aligning member 41. The locking piece 23a functions as an elastic member that exerts an elastic force like a spring. Therefore, the locked state with the claw portion 42a is not easily released. Further, the eaves 24 enter and engage into the fastener engagement grooves 11a1 of the second base 11B. Further, the step portion 25 is engaged with the first base side surface 42d of the body portion 42 of the alignment member 41. Thereby, the eaves 24 is engaged with the fixture engaging groove 11a1 of the second base 11B, and the step portion 25 is engaged with the first base side surface 42d of the body portion 42 of the alignment member 41. Therefore, the state in which the alignment member 41 is attached to the second base 11B by the first fixing section 21A and the second fixing section 21B is maintained. Thereby, the positional relationship between the alignment member 41 and the second base 11B is stabilized, and thus the load is prevented from being applied to the flexible member 81.

Note that, as shown in fig. 25 and 26, the second terminal 51B is in a state in which the base portion 52 and the locking piece 55 are accommodated in the flexible member insertion cavity 44 of the alignment member 41, and the contact piece 54, the side wall 56a, and the deformation preventing wall 56B are accommodated in the terminal accommodating cavity 13 of the second base 11B. However, as described above, the lance 15 is not formed on the wall surface of the terminal receiving cavity 13 of the second base 11B, and therefore, the second terminal 51B can move to some extent in the insertion direction (the up-down direction in fig. 25 and 26) of the flexible member 81. For example, in the example of fig. 26, the engagement tab 57 of the second terminal 51B is positioned in the tab engagement groove 13a of the terminal accommodation cavity 13, but may be positioned in the tab engagement groove 44a of the flexible member insertion cavity 44. Note that, in the insertion direction of the flexible member 81, the length l2 of the tab engagement groove 13a in the terminal accommodation cavity 13 is preferably set longer than the length l1 of the tab engagement groove 44a in the flexible member insertion cavity 44. Thus, when the length L2 of the tab engagement groove 13a is longer than the length L of the engagement tab 57, the second terminal 51B can move in the insertion direction of the flexible member 81. Therefore, even if there is an error in the size of the flexible member 81 or the press-fitting position of the first terminal 51A in the terminal accommodating chamber 13 of the first base 11A, the error can be absorbed.

Note that, if the length l1 of the tab engagement groove 44a in the flexible member insertion cavity 44 is sufficiently long, the length of the tab engagement groove 13a in the terminal receiving cavity 13 can be reduced, and the tab engagement groove 13a can be omitted.

As described above, there are provided the connector 10 capable of correctly and easily inserting the terminals 51 at both ends of the flexible member 81 having flexibility such as an electric wire into the base 11 in a short time by one aligning member 41, and the aligning member 41 for the connector.

Note that the configuration and operation of other components of the connector 10 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure described in the scope of claims.

For example, in the present embodiment, the first terminal 51A and the second terminal 51B are explained as socket terminals having the same shape. However, any of the terminals may be connected to the flexible member 81 and protrude from the base 11 in a rod-like terminal to be directly connected to a wiring substrate or an apparatus without using a docking connector. Further, in the present embodiment, the shape of the opening of the flexible member insertion cavity 44 of the alignment member 41 and the shape of the terminal 51 are illustrated in a quadrangle shape. However, the opening shape is not particularly limited as long as the terminal 51 does not rotate significantly about the insertion direction and does not move in position.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising:

a first base;

a first terminal attached to the first base;

a second base independently provided from the first base;

a second terminal attached to the second base;

a flexible member having both ends connected to the first terminal and the second terminal, and connecting the first base and the second base; and

an alignment member having a flexible member insertion cavity that allows insertion of the flexible member and configured to be movable between the first base and the second base in a state where the flexible member is inserted.

2. The connector of claim 1,

the flexible member insertion cavity of the alignment member is an opening into which the first terminal and the second terminal can be inserted, and is configured such that the first terminal and the second terminal can be mounted to the first base and the second base.

3. Connector according to claim 1 or 2,

the alignment member includes: a body portion located on the second base side; and a protruding portion protruding from the body portion toward the first base side.

4. The connector of claim 3,

the alignment member has a positioning projection projecting from a boundary between the body portion and the projecting portion,

the positioning protrusion is engaged with a positioning recess provided in the first base.

5. The connector of claim 1,

the flexible member insertion cavity of the alignment member is an opening into which the first terminal can be inserted, and the second terminal is stopped in a state in which the contact piece of the second terminal protrudes and is arranged so that the first terminal and the second terminal can be attached to the first base and the second base.

6. The connector of claim 5,

the alignment member includes: a body portion; and a polygonal column protruding from the body portion toward the first base and the second base,

the polygonal column is inserted into the polygonal holes formed in the first base and the second base.

7. The connector of claim 6,

the alignment member is mounted to the second base by a mount.

8. The connector of claim 5,

the second terminal includes an engagement tab, and the flexible member insertion cavity of the alignment member includes a tab engagement groove formed on the second base side capable of receiving the engagement tab.

9. The connector of claim 8,

the length of the tab engagement groove is longer than the length of the engagement tab in the axial direction.

10. A method of manufacturing a connector, characterized in that,

the connector includes:

a first base;

a first terminal attached to the first base;

a second base independently provided from the first base;

a second terminal attached to the second base;

an alignment member having a flexible member insertion cavity into which the flexible member is inserted and configured to be movable between the first base and the second base in a state in which the flexible member is inserted;

the method comprises the following steps:

preparing a flexible member having both ends connected to the first terminal and the second terminal;

a step of overlapping the first base and the alignment member;

a step of inserting the first terminal into the alignment member to be mounted on the first base;

a step of moving the alignment member in a direction of the second terminal in a state where the flexible member is inserted into the alignment member;

inserting the second terminal into the alignment member and projecting a contact piece of an end of the second terminal from the alignment member; and

and a step of housing the contact piece of the second terminal protruding from the alignment member in the second base, and further housing the second terminal in the second base.

11. The method of manufacturing a connector according to claim 10, further comprising:

and a step of mounting the alignment member to the second base by a fixing member.