EP1365483B1 - A connector - Google Patents
A connector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1365483B1 EP1365483B1 EP20030011076 EP03011076A EP1365483B1 EP 1365483 B1 EP1365483 B1 EP 1365483B1 EP 20030011076 EP20030011076 EP 20030011076 EP 03011076 A EP03011076 A EP 03011076A EP 1365483 B1 EP1365483 B1 EP 1365483B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- receptacle
- relay
- electrical
- electronic part
- resilient locking
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
- H01R13/6271—Latching means integral with the housing
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a connector connectable with an electrical and/or electronic part such as a relay, a fuse, a resistor, a processor or the like.
- a relay mounting portion having a relay mounting construction disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-35605 is known as the one corresponding to this type of connector.
- a relay mounting portion 1 is such that a relay 5 is fittable between a pair of outer walls 2, and two pairs of resilient locking pieces 3 stand from a bottom wall 4 inside the outer walls 2 while being spaced apart from the outer walls 2.
- a locking claw 7 engageable with a locking projection 6 provided on the relay 5 is formed at the leading end of each resilient locking piece 3.
- the resilient locking pieces 3 are resiliently deformed outward in the process of inserting the relay 5 into the relay mounting portion 1, and resiliently return to engage the locking claws 7 with the locking projection 6 upon moving over the locking projection 6.
- the relay 5 is prevented from detachment from the relay mounting portion 1. Further, the outer walls 2 prevent the excessive resilient deformation of the resilient locking pieces 3 since being located at such positions as to be brought into abutment against the resilient locking pieces 3 when the resilient locking pieces 3 are resiliently deformed outward.
- the relay mounting portion 1 tends to be large as a whole. Although such a problem can be solved by deleting the outer walls 2, it is not reasonable because a function of preventing the excessive resilient deformation of the resilient locking pieces 3 is lost.
- a connector of this type has been conventionally comprised of a receptacle into which a relay is fittable through an opening formed in the front surface thereof, and a terminal accommodating portion continuously extending backward from the back surface of the receptacle for accommodating terminal fittings, and resilient locking pieces each having a locking claw at its leading end are resiliently deformably provided at a surrounding wall of the receptacle. Window holes used to grip the relay are formed in the surrounding wall of the receptacle by cutting. When the relay is fitted through the opening of the receptacle, it is inserted while resiliently deforming the resilient locking pieces outward.
- US-A-6 126 474 discloses a connector having a receptacle into which an electrical part is insertable. Further, this connector includes a resilient locking piece engageable with the electrical part and a deformation preventing portion to prevent an excessive deformation of the resilient locking piece.
- US-A-5 980 297 discloses a connector having a locking piece and a deformation preventing portion integrally molded with the connector housing.
- JP-10 050 404 discloses a connector for PC card which connector comprises a hole into which a drawing jig is insertable to facilitate drawing of a card at the time of inspection.
- the resilient locking piece formed between a pair of slits formed in the receptacle to extend substantially backward from the front end of the receptacle.
- a connector which can avoid becoming larger as a whole while preventing the excessive resilient deformation of a resilient locking piece, thus increasing operability.
- the excessive deformation preventing portion is formed to bulge out so as to cover the outer side of one slit.
- the resilient locking piece includes a main body provided with a locking claw for locking the electrical part substantially at a proper connection position in the receptacle, and an inner projection bulges out substantially in widthwise direction (or in a direction substantially lying in the plane of the resilient locking piece or of the wall in which the resilient locking piece are provided) from the main body, preferably has an extended locking surface substantially in flush with a locking surface of the locking claw and can be brought substantially into abutment against the inner surface of the excessive deformation preventing portion after passing the one slit when the resilient locking piece is resiliently deformed outward or away from the electric/electronic part or the receptacle.
- the inner projection bulges out in widthwise direction from the main body of the resilient locking piece and can be brought substantially into abutment against the inner surface of the excessive deformation preventing portion after passing the slit when the resilient locking piece is resiliently deformed outward.
- the outward excessive resilient deformation of the resilient locking piece can be prevented.
- the inner projection has the extended locking surface substantially in flush with the locking surface of the locking claw, an area of engagement of the locking claw with the electrical/electronic part is increased, with the result that the electrical/electronic part can be strongly locked.
- the resilient locking piece includes a main body provided with a locking claw for locking the electrical/electronic part at a proper connection position in the receptacle, and an outer projection bulges out substantially in widthwise direction (or in a direction substantially lying in the plane of the resilient locking piece or of the wall in which the resilient locking piece are provided) from the main body, is formed to at least partly cover the outer side of one slit, preferably the other slit as the one covered by the excessive deformation preventing portion, and can be brought substantially into abutment against the outer surface of the receptacle as the excessive deformation preventing portion when the resilient locking piece is resiliently deformed inward.
- the outer projection bulges out in widthwise direction from the main body of the resilient locking piece and can be brought into abutment against the outer surface of the receptacle as the excessive deformation preventing portion when the resilient locking piece is resiliently deformed inward.
- the inward excessive resilient deformation of the resilient locking piece can be prevented.
- a connector comprising a housing including a terminal accommodating portion accommodating one or more terminal fittings, and a receptacle and into which a terminal-provided electrical/electronic part such as a relay is at least partly insertable to electrically connect the one or more terminal fittings and respective terminals of the electrical/electronic part, wherein at least one hole through which the front surface and/or front edge of the electrical/electronic part with respect to inserting direction can be seen is formed at a position of a surrounding wall of the receptacle near the terminal
- a connector in which an electric/electronic part such as a relay can be detached with good operability and whether or not the electric/electronic part such as the relay is connected at a substantially proper position can be preferably judged.
- a connector comprising a housing including a terminal accommodating portion accommodating terminal fittings, and a receptacle which is open substantially forward at the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion and into which a terminal-provided electrical part such as a relay is insertable to electrically connect the terminal fittings and terminals of the electrical part, wherein a hole through which the front surface of the electrical part with respect to inserting direction can be seen is formed at a position of a surrounding wall of the receptacle near the terminal accommodating portion.
- the electrical/electronic part can be detached from the receptacle, for example, by at least partly inserting a jig through this hole, thrusting it between the front surface of the electrical/electronic part with respect to inserting direction and the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion and successively forcibly displacing it.
- a series of operations can be performed with good operability.
- whether or not the electrical/electronic part is connected at a proper position can be preferably judged or detected by seeing the position of the front surface of the electrical part with respect to inserting direction through this hole.
- the electrical/electronic part is inserted up to a position where the electrical/electronic part can substantially abut against the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion, and at least one insertion opening through which a detaching jig is at least partly insertable to detach the electrical/electronic part is so formed in the surrounding wall of the terminal accommodating portion preferably as to be open in the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion and substantially communicate with the hole.
- the insertion opening through which the detaching jig for the electrical part is insertable is so formed as to be open in the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion and communicate with the hole, the electrical part can be lifted by the jig and easily detached from the receptacle if the jig is inserted through this insertion opening and successively forcibly displaced. In such a case, the jig can be prevented from damaging the electrical part during insertion since being inserted through the insertion opening without interfering with the electrical part.
- the receptacle is formed at the front end of the terminal accommodating portion via a stepped portion, the electrical/electronic part is inserted up to a position where the electrical/electronic part can substantially abut against the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion, and preferably such a pedestal as to serve as a supporting point of the detaching jig operated or pivoted to detach the electrical/electronic part projects at or near a part of the stepped portion located in or adjacent to the hole.
- the electrical/electronic part can be easily lifted by placing an operating portion of the jig on the pedestal and forcibly displacing the jig with the pedestal as a supporting point of leverage.
- operability is good.
- the electrical/electronic part can be easily detached only by exerting a small force.
- At least one pedestal which bulges out on a portion of the terminal accommodation portion near the hole can serve as a supporting point of a detaching jig operated to detach the electric/electronic part.
- FIGS. 1 to 13 A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a connector for a relay (as a preferred electric and/or electronic element) to be used in a vehicle is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13.
- Identified by 10 is a connector.
- This con-nector 10 is comprised of a terminal accommodating portion 12 for accommodating one or more female terminal fittings 11 (see FIG. 12, unillustrated in other figures) and a receptacle 20 provided before or adjacent to the terminal accommodating portion 12 and substantially in the form of a rectangular tube opening forward.
- One or more cavities 13 are formed to penetrate the terminal accommodating portion 12 substantially along longitudinal direction, and the female terminal fittings 11 are at least partly insertable thereinto.
- the cavities 13 of this embodiment are arranged at one or more stages, preferably at three upper, middle and lower stages in FIG. 2. There are a total of e.g. five cavities 13, one at each of the upper and middle stages and three transversely arranged substantially side by side at the lower stage.
- a resiliently deformable locking portion 14 is formed preferably in each cavity 13 and engageable with the female terminal fitting 11 to lock it.
- the receptacle 20 is formed to have such shape and size that a relay 50 (as a preferred electric/electronic element) is at least partly insertable thereinto through an insertion opening formed in the front surface of the receptacle 20.
- the relay 50 at least partly mountable into this receptacle 20 is substantially in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole and one or more relay terminals 51 project at the bottom surface thereof at positions substantially corresponding to the female terminal fittings 11 inserted into the cavities 13.
- each recess 22 is provided with guiding edges or edge portions 23 (a pair of left and right or lateral guiding edges 23 in FIG. 3) for guiding the insertion of a detecting jig 60 for checking an electrical connection, and stopping edges 24 with which an engaging projection 63 of the detecting jig 60 comes substantially into contact to stop the detecting jig 60 is provided at an end position of each guiding edge 23.
- the detecting jig 60 is comprised of an operable portion 61, preferably substantially in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, and a main body 62 extending forward (or toward the connector 10) from the front surface of the operable portion 61.
- the main body 62 has the outer surfaces of its rear portion, preferably of its rear half, shaped such that the rear portion, preferably the rear half, is at least partly fittable into the receptacle 20 with the outer surfaces thereof held substantially in close contact with the inner surfaces of the receptacle 20.
- the engaging projection 63 which can be brought substantially into sliding contact with the corresponding recess 22 of the receptacle 20 projects from each of the left and right or lateral side surfaces of the rear portion/half.
- One or more detecting pins 64 engageable with the respective locking portions 14 in the cavities 13 project from the front surface of the main body 62, and one or more electrically conductive connection detecting pins 66 which are shorter than the detecting pins 64 and can be brought into contact with the female terminal fittings 11 project near the respective detecting pins 64.
- Each detecting pin 64 is provided with a leading-end flat portion 65, which is at least partly insertable into an insertion space Q defined between the locking portion 14 and the inner surface of the cavity 13 when the locking portion 14 is engaged with the female terminal fitting 11 at a proper insertion position (see FIG. 13).
- the operable portion 61 is or can be gripped or manipulated to at least partly insert the detecting jig 60 into the receptacle 20 through the insertion opening and push it to the back of the receptacle 20 while holding the engaging projections 63 substantially in sliding contact with the guiding edges 23.
- the operable portion 61 is or can be gripped or manipulated to at least partly insert the detecting jig 60 into the receptacle 20 through the insertion opening and push it to the back of the receptacle 20 while holding the engaging projections 63 substantially in sliding contact with the guiding edges 23.
- the leading-end flat portion 65 of the detecting pin 64 has the leading end surface thereof substantially abutted against the locking portion 14, thereby hindering any further insertion of the detecting jig 60.
- the front end surfaces of the engaging projections 63 do not come into contact with the stopping edges 24 of the recesses 22.
- the connection detecting pin(s) 66 electrically connectable with the female terminal fitting(s) 11 without reaching the leading end(s) of the female terminal fitting(s) 11. In this way, whether or not the female terminal fittings 11 are properly inserted can be detected by an electrical connection check by means of the connection detecting pin(s) 66.
- Such a detection can be also made by seeing the contact state of the engaging projections 63 with the stopping edges 24 from outside.
- Each of opposite walls 25 of the receptacle 20 located at position different from the opposite walls 22 (and at the left and right in FIG. 2) is formed with a pair of slits 26 extending backward from the front end thereof.
- a resilient locking piece 27 integrally or unitarily formed at the receptacle 20 and engageable with the relay 50 to prevent the detachment of the relay 50 from the receptacle 20 is provided between each pair of the slits 26.
- Each resilient locking piece 27 includes a main body 27F, and a locking claw 27A engageable with the rear end surface or a rear stepped surface of the relay 50 (as seen in an insertion direction of the relay 50 into the receptacle 20) when the relay 50 is located at a proper connection position (when the relay 50 is accommodated to a substantially proper depth in the receptacle 20) projects inward from the leading end of the main body 27F.
- a slanted surface 27B for guiding the relay 50 and/or the resilient deformation of the resilient locking piece 27 is provided on the upper surface of each locking claw 27A.
- An inner projection 27E bulges out in widthwise direction WD (or in a direction substantially lying in the plane of the resilient locking piece 27 or of the wall in which the resilient locking piece 27 are provided) at the inner side of each main body 27F.
- This inner projection 27E has an extended locking surface 27H (see FIG. 6) substantially in flush with a locking surface of the locking claw 27A at least partly engageable with the relay 50, thereby increasing an area of engagement of the locking claw 27A with the relay 50 by a hatched portion shown in FIG. 7.
- the inner projections 27E are normally located inside the slits 26 (upper slits in FIG. 2).
- the inner projections 27E When the resilient locking pieces 27 are resiliently deformed outward, the inner projections 27E first pass the slits 26 and come into abutment against the inner surfaces of the receptacle 20 as the resilient locking pieces 27 are further resiliently deformed.
- the receptacle 20 against which the inner projections 27E can be brought into abutment forms excessive deformation preventing portions 40, and areas of the receptacle 20 along the slits 26 (upper slits in FIG. 2) are extended outward and bulged to substantially cover the outer sides of the slits 26 and/or the inner projections 27E.
- the excessive deformation preventing portions 40 of this embodiment are provided preferably over the substantially entire length of the slits 26 and cover only the outer sides of the slits 26 without covering the outer sides of the main bodies 27F.
- Each excessive deformation preventing portion 40 is formed with a slanted surface 40A for escaping the corresponding inner projection 27E to make the relay 50 withdrawable (see FIG. 8).
- an outer projection 27G bulges out in widthwise direction WD (or in a direction substantially lying in the plane of the resilient locking piece 27 or of the wall in which the resilient locking piece 27 are provided) at the outer side of each main body 27F.
- This outer projections 27G preferably are substantially in the form of a rectangular flat plate and integrally or unitarily (at least partly) overlap the leading ends of the resilient locking pieces 27 from outside (see FIG. 1), and at least partly cover the outer sides of the slits 26 (lower slits in FIG. 2).
- the outer projections 27G come substantially into abutment against the outer surfaces of the receptacle 20 which serve as excessive deformation preventing portions 41 when the resilient locking pieces 27 are resiliently deformed inward.
- the outer surfaces of the receptacle 20 as the excessive deformation preventing portions 41 are recessed at positions where the outer projections 27 come substantially into abutment, thereby forming recesses 29.
- the recesses 29 are formed to remove molding pins for forming the outer projections 27G and useful in improving the strength of the molding pins.
- the relay 50 is at least partly inserted through the insertion opening of the receptacle 20.
- the one or more resilient locking pieces 27 are brought into substantially sliding contact with the outer surfaces of the relay 50 while being resiliently deformed outward (see FIGS. 4 and 5).
- the resilient locking pieces 27 are resiliently restored to engage the locking claws 27 with the rear end surface or a rear side of a stepped portion of the relay 50 like hooks (see FIG. 6).
- the relay 50 is withdrawn from the receptacle 20 by being disengaged from the locking claws 27A and being pulled out of the receptacle 20.
- the locking claws 27A are held e.g. by fingers and pushed wider apart in directions of arrows S to free the relay 50 in withdrawing direction Z.
- the resilient locking pieces 27 may be resiliently deformed beyond their resiliency limit since the operation is done in particular by an operator's feeling.
- the inner projections 27E can come substantially into abutment against the inner surfaces (slanted surfaces 40A) of the excessive deformation preventing portions 40 (receptacle 20), thereby hindering any further displacement of the resilient locking pieces 27.
- the excessive outward resilient deformation of the resilient locking pieces 27 can be securely prevented.
- the outer projections 27G can come substantially into abutment against the outer surfaces of the receptacle 20 as the excessive deformation preventing portions 41, thereby hindering any further displacement of the resilient locking pieces 27.
- the excessive inward resilient deformation of the resilient locking pieces 27 can also be securely prevented.
- the outer walls 2 are provided at the outer sides of the resilient locking pieces 3 while being spaced therefrom in the prior art relay mounting portion 1 (see FIG. 15), the resilient locking pieces 27 and the excessive deformation preventing portions 40, 41 are all integrally or unitarily formed at or on the receptacle 20 in this embodiment. Thus, the enlargement of the connector as a whole can be avoided unlike the prior art.
- the inner projections 27E preferably have the extended locking surfaces 27H substantially in flush with the locking surfaces of the locking claws 27A, the areas of engagement of the locking claws 27A wit the relay 50 are increased by the width of the extended locking surfaces 27H, with the result that the relay 50 can be securely and strongly locked.
- the outer surfaces of the resilient locking pieces 27 are not completely covered by the excessive deformation preventing portions 40.
- a degree of resilient deformation of each resilient locking piece 27 can be seen from outside. In other words, if the resilient locking pieces 27 are seen not to be resiliently deformed, the properly mounted state of the relay 50 can be advantageously judged. Conversely, if the resilient locking pieces 27 are seen to be resiliently deformed, the relay 50 can be advantageously judged to be partly mounted without the locking claws 27A being precisely engaged with the relay 50.
- a connector 10 is provided with a receptacle 20 into which a relay 50 or other electric/electronic part or element such as a fuse, a resistor, etc. is at least partly insertable through an insertion opening formed in the front surface of the receptacle 20.
- At least one resilient locking piece 27 engageable with the relay 50 to prevent the detachment of the relay 50 is provided between a pair of slits or recesses 26 formed in the receptacle 20 to extend substantially backward from the front end thereof or substantially along the insertion direction of the relay 50.
- the receptacle 20 is provided with an excessive deformation preventing portion 40 which can be brought substantially into abutment against the resilient locking piece 27 to prevent the excessive resilient deformation of the resilient locking piece 27 when the resilient locking piece 27 is resilient deformed.
- FIGS. 16 to 21 A second preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 21.
- a connector 120 connectable with a relay 10 is illustrated in this embodiment.
- the relay 110 (as a preferred electric/electronic part) is made e.g. of a synthetic resin substantially into a short rectangular column shape as a whole, and one or more, preferably a plurality of substantially tab-shaped relay terminals 111 (see phantom lines in FIG. 19) project from the bottom or mating surface of the relay 110.
- the connector 120 is provided with a housing 121 made e.g. of a synthetic resin.
- the housing 121 is comprised of a terminal accommodating portion 122 preferably substantially in the form of a rectangular tube for at least partly accommodating one or more terminal fittings (not shown) and a receptacle 123 which is so formed at the front or mating surface of the terminal accommodating portion 122 as to be slightly larger than the terminal accommodating portion 122 and into which the relay 110 is at least partly insertable through an opening formed in the front surface thereof.
- one or more, preferably a plurality of cavities 140 are formed to penetrate the terminal accommodating portion 122 substantially along longitudinal direction, and one or more female terminal fittings (not shown) can be at least partly accommodated therein.
- a resiliently deformable locking portion 130 is formed in each cavity 140 and engageable with the female terminal fitting to lock it.
- the receptacle 123 has such a depth that the relay 110 can be at least partly accommodated therein, and window holes 123B used or usable to grip or hold the relay 110 are formed at the front sides of substantially opposed side walls 123A of its surrounding walls preferably at four sides e.g. by cutting.
- the remaining opposed side walls 123C of the surrounding walls of the receptacle 123 are provided with resilient locking pieces 123D for locking the relay 110 so as not to come out.
- Each resilient locking piece 123D preferably substantially in the form of a cantilever is preferably formed by making slits 123E at the opposite sides thereof as shown in FIG. 18, and the leading end thereof is resiliently deformable inward and outward of the receptacle 123.
- a locking claw 123F projects inward from the leading end of each resilient locking piece 123D. Further, a slanted guiding surface 123G for guiding the relay 110 and/or the deformation of the resilient locking piece 123D is formed at the leading end surface of each locking claw 123F. Excessive deformation preventing portions 123H for preventing the excessive resilient deformation of the resilient locking pieces 123D are formed to bulge out along the edges of the slits 123E so as to at least partly cover the outer sides of the slits 123E. Preferably, the excessive deformation preventing portions 123H project from an edge portion of the respective slit 123E so as to be substantially step-shaped, wherein the leading end portion thereof is arranged in substantially the same plane as the respective side wall 123C.
- the side walls 123A of the receptacle 123 formed with the window holes 123B are substantially continuous with the front ends of the side walls of the terminal accommodating portion 122 via stepped portions 123J.
- the inner surfaces of the stepped portions 123J preferably are substantially in flush and continuous with the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion 122 and function as contact surfaces 123Q with which the relay 110 inserted in an inserting direction ID into the receptacle 123 comes substantially into contact.
- the relay 10 is fitted until coming into contact with the contact surfaces 23Q.
- a hole 123K is formed to cut or transverse preferably also a part of the corresponding stepped portion 123J present there.
- the front surface and/or an edge portion of the terminal accommodating portion 122 and that of the inserted relay 110 can be at least partly seen through the holes 123K.
- the hole 123K is also formed in one side wall 123C of the receptacle 123 where the resilient locking piece 123D is provided.
- a pedestal or projection 123M which bulges out and serves as a supporting point of a detaching jig 170 operated to detach the relay 110 is formed at a part of each stepped portion 123J at least partly located in the hole 123K.
- the pedestal 123M preferably is substantially in the form of a column as a whole and spaced away from the other part of the stepped portion 123J, and this clearance substantially communicates with the hole 123K. Further, the height of the pedestal 123M is set lower than that of the other part of the stepped portion 123J, and the leading end thereof with respect to height direction has its front portion obliquely cut to form a slanted guiding surface 123N.
- the relay 110 is at least partly inserted in the inserting direction ID into the receptacle 123 of the connector 120 from a mating side (left side in FIG. 20).
- the edges of the front surface of the relay 110 come substantially into contact with the guiding surfaces 123D of the locking claws 123F of the resilient locking pieces 123D and push them, whereby the relay 110 is pushed while resiliently deforming the resilient locking pieces 123D outward.
- the resilient locking pieces 123D are at least partly resiliently restored to engage the locking claws 123F with the rear surface (or with the rear portion of a stepped portion) of the relay 110 with respect to its inserting direction to lock the relay 110.
- the one or more relay terminals 111 at least partly enter the corresponding cavities 140 to be connected with the respective female terminal fittings accommodated therein.
- the contact of the front surface of the relay 110 and that of the terminal accommodating portion 122 can be seen through the holes 123K, whereby judgment can be made as to whether or not the relay 110 is properly connected in the receptacle 123.
- the relay 110 can be prevented from staying at a depth of incomplete connection.
- the resilient locking pieces 123D are first resiliently deformed outward to disengage the locking claws 123F from the relay 10.
- the leading end of the detaching jig 170 e.g. flat or minus screwdriver
- the detaching jig 170 for the relay 110 is or can be at least partly inserted into the hole 123K while being slid along the guiding surface 123N of the pedestal 123M and thrusts itself between the front surface of the relay 110 and that of the terminal accommodating portion 122.
- the jig 170 is forcibly displaced or pivoted with the pedestal 123M as a supporting point of leverage, thereby lifting the relay 110 from the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion 122 or in a withdrawing direction. Then, the relay 110 is or can be gripped and pulled out e.g. by fingers. As a result, the relay 110 is or can be detached from the receptacle 123. Here, if the relay 110 is gripped and pulled out e.g. by fingers without using the jig 170, the relay 110 cannot be detached unless a strong pulling force is exerted. If the holes 123K as above are formed, the jig 170 can be at least partly inserted through the hole 123K, making it easier to detach the relay 110 using the jig 170.
- the detaching operation can proceed with good operability. Further, since the relay 110 can be detached with a small force due to leverage action, work loads can be reduced. Furthermore, the jig 170 can smoothly thrust itself between the front surface of the relay 110 and that of the terminal accommodating portion 122 by causing the leading end of the jig 170 to slide along the guiding surface 123N of the pedestal 123M.
- the jig 170 can be operated and the connection position of the relay 110 can be visually confirmed from three sides of the connector 120, i.e. from many angles by forming the holes 123K in two or more, e.g. three of the side walls 123A, 123C of the receptacle 123.
- the connector 120 can be used in a wider range of application.
- a connector 120A of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that insertion openings 155 used to at least partly insert a detaching jig 170 for a relay 110 (as a preferred electric/electronic part) are formed in a terminal accommodating portion 122. Since the other construction is substantially similar or the same as in the second embodiment, no description is given on the structure, functions and effects thereof by identifying it by the same reference numerals.
- the pedestals 123M are used upon operating the detaching jig 170 for the relay 110 in the second embodiment, such pedestals 123M are not provided, the insertion openings 155 are instead formed at the front end of the terminal accommodating portion 122 (near the stepped portions 122J) preferably by cutting and the detaching jig 170 is at least partly inserted through these insertion openings 155 in this embodiment.
- the insertion openings 155 open in the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion 122 and substantially communicating with holes 123K are formed at the front ends of the surrounding walls of the terminal accommodating portion 122 in such a size that the leading end of the jig 170 is at least partly insertable therethrough.
- the jig 170 can be smoothly inserted through the insertion opening 155 without interfering with the relay 110. Therefore, the jig 170 can be prevented from damaging the relay 110 during the insertion.
- a connector 120 is provided with a housing 121 including a terminal accommodating portion 122 and a receptacle 123 which is open forward at the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion 122 and into which a relay 110 is at least partly insertable.
- One or more holes 123K through which the front surface and/or an edge portion of the relay 110 with respect to inserting direction can be seen are formed at positions of the surrounding wall of the receptacle 123 near the terminal accommodating portion 122.
- a detaching jig 170 used to detach the relay 110 is insertable through the holes 123K.
Landscapes
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a connector connectable with an electrical and/or electronic part such as a relay, a fuse, a resistor, a processor or the like.
- A relay mounting portion having a relay mounting construction disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-35605 is known as the one corresponding to this type of connector. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a
relay mounting portion 1 is such that arelay 5 is fittable between a pair ofouter walls 2, and two pairs of resilient locking pieces 3 stand from a bottom wall 4 inside theouter walls 2 while being spaced apart from theouter walls 2. Alocking claw 7 engageable with alocking projection 6 provided on therelay 5 is formed at the leading end of each resilient locking piece 3. The resilient locking pieces 3 are resiliently deformed outward in the process of inserting therelay 5 into therelay mounting portion 1, and resiliently return to engage thelocking claws 7 with thelocking projection 6 upon moving over thelocking projection 6. In this way, therelay 5 is prevented from detachment from therelay mounting portion 1. Further, theouter walls 2 prevent the excessive resilient deformation of the resilient locking pieces 3 since being located at such positions as to be brought into abutment against the resilient locking pieces 3 when the resilient locking pieces 3 are resiliently deformed outward. - Since the
outer walls 2 separate from the resilient locking pieces 3 are provided outside the resilient locking pieces 3 while being spaced apart from the resilient locking pieces 3 in therelay mounting portion 1 corresponding to the prior art connector, therelay mounting portion 1 tends to be large as a whole. Although such a problem can be solved by deleting theouter walls 2, it is not reasonable because a function of preventing the excessive resilient deformation of the resilient locking pieces 3 is lost. - Furthermore, a connector of this type has been conventionally comprised of a receptacle into which a relay is fittable through an opening formed in the front surface thereof, and a terminal accommodating portion continuously extending backward from the back surface of the receptacle for accommodating terminal fittings, and resilient locking pieces each having a locking claw at its leading end are resiliently deformably provided at a surrounding wall of the receptacle. Window holes used to grip the relay are formed in the surrounding wall of the receptacle by cutting. When the relay is fitted through the opening of the receptacle, it is inserted while resiliently deforming the resilient locking pieces outward. When the relay is inserted to a proper position, the resilient locking pieces resiliently return to their original positions to engage the locking claws with the rear end surface of the relay with respect to its inserting direction, with the result that the relay is so locked as not to come out. Such a connector for relay is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-35605.
- In the case of the above prior art connector, upon detaching the relay for maintenance or other reason, the locking claws are held by fingers to resiliently deform the resilient locking pieces outward and a rear part of the relay is held by other fingers while maintaining the above state. Thereafter, the relay is pulled and detached from the receptacle. However, since the relay needs to be pulled with a considerably large force to disconnect relay terminals and the terminals fittings, the operation is sometimes difficult. Thus, there has been a demand for improvement in operability. It has been also difficult to precisely judge whether or not the relay is connected at a proper position in the receptacle.
- US-A-6 126 474 discloses a connector having a receptacle into which an electrical part is insertable. Further, this connector includes a resilient locking piece engageable with the electrical part and a deformation preventing portion to prevent an excessive deformation of the resilient locking piece.
- US-A-5 980 297 discloses a connector having a locking piece and a deformation preventing portion integrally molded with the connector housing.
- JP-10 050 404 discloses a connector for PC card which connector comprises a hole into which a drawing jig is insertable to facilitate drawing of a card at the time of inspection.
- It is the object of the invention to provide a novel connector connectable with an electrical part like a relay which connector may prevent an excessive deformation of a resilient locking piece, while the outer dimensions of the connector may be downsized.
- This object is fulfilled by a connector having the features disclosed in
claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent subclaims. - According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the resilient locking piece formed between a pair of slits formed in the receptacle to extend substantially backward from the front end of the receptacle.
- Accordingly, there is provided a connector which can avoid becoming larger as a whole while preventing the excessive resilient deformation of a resilient locking piece, thus increasing operability.
- Preferably, the excessive deformation preventing portion is formed to bulge out so as to cover the outer side of one slit.
- Further preferably, the resilient locking piece includes a main body provided with a locking claw for locking the electrical part substantially at a proper connection position in the receptacle, and
an inner projection bulges out substantially in widthwise direction (or in a direction substantially lying in the plane of the resilient locking piece or of the wall in which the resilient locking piece are provided) from the main body, preferably has an extended locking surface substantially in flush with a locking surface of the locking claw and can be brought substantially into abutment against the inner surface of the excessive deformation preventing portion after passing the one slit when the resilient locking piece is resiliently deformed outward or away from the electric/electronic part or the receptacle. - The inner projection bulges out in widthwise direction from the main body of the resilient locking piece and can be brought substantially into abutment against the inner surface of the excessive deformation preventing portion after passing the slit when the resilient locking piece is resiliently deformed outward. Thus, the outward excessive resilient deformation of the resilient locking piece can be prevented. Further, since the inner projection has the extended locking surface substantially in flush with the locking surface of the locking claw, an area of engagement of the locking claw with the electrical/electronic part is increased, with the result that the electrical/electronic part can be strongly locked.
- Most preferably, the resilient locking piece includes a main body provided with a locking claw for locking the electrical/electronic part at a proper connection position in the receptacle, and
an outer projection bulges out substantially in widthwise direction (or in a direction substantially lying in the plane of the resilient locking piece or of the wall in which the resilient locking piece are provided) from the main body, is formed to at least partly cover the outer side of one slit, preferably the other slit as the one covered by the excessive deformation preventing portion, and can be brought substantially into abutment against the outer surface of the receptacle as the excessive deformation preventing portion when the resilient locking piece is resiliently deformed inward. The outer projection bulges out in widthwise direction from the main body of the resilient locking piece and can be brought into abutment against the outer surface of the receptacle as the excessive deformation preventing portion when the resilient locking piece is resiliently deformed inward. Thus, the inward excessive resilient deformation of the resilient locking piece can be prevented. - According to the invention, there is further provided a connector according to one of the preceding embodiments, comprising a housing including a terminal accommodating portion accommodating one or more terminal fittings, and a receptacle and into which a terminal-provided electrical/electronic part such as a relay is at least partly insertable to electrically connect the one or more terminal fittings and respective terminals of the electrical/electronic part,
wherein at least one hole through which the front surface and/or front edge of the electrical/electronic part with respect to inserting direction can be seen is formed at a position of a surrounding wall of the receptacle near the terminal Thus, there is provided a connector in which an electric/electronic part such as a relay can be detached with good operability and whether or not the electric/electronic part such as the relay is connected at a substantially proper position can be preferably judged. - According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a connector, comprising a housing including a terminal accommodating portion accommodating terminal fittings, and a receptacle which is open substantially forward at the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion and into which a terminal-provided electrical part such as a relay is insertable to electrically connect the terminal fittings and terminals of the electrical part,
wherein a hole through which the front surface of the electrical part with respect to inserting direction can be seen is formed at a position of a surrounding wall of the receptacle near the terminal accommodating portion. - Since the hole through which the front surface and/or the edge portion of the electrical part with respect to inserting direction can be seen is formed at the position of the surrounding wall of the receptacle near or adjacent to the terminal accommodating portion, the electrical/electronic part can be detached from the receptacle, for example, by at least partly inserting a jig through this hole, thrusting it between the front surface of the electrical/electronic part with respect to inserting direction and the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion and successively forcibly displacing it. Thus, a series of operations can be performed with good operability. Further, whether or not the electrical/electronic part is connected at a proper position can be preferably judged or detected by seeing the position of the front surface of the electrical part with respect to inserting direction through this hole.
- Preferably, the electrical/electronic part is inserted up to a position where the electrical/electronic part can substantially abut against the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion, and at least one insertion opening through which a detaching jig is at least partly insertable to detach the electrical/electronic part is so formed in the surrounding wall of the terminal accommodating portion preferably as to be open in the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion and substantially communicate with the hole.
- Since the insertion opening through which the detaching jig for the electrical part is insertable is so formed as to be open in the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion and communicate with the hole, the electrical part can be lifted by the jig and easily detached from the receptacle if the jig is inserted through this insertion opening and successively forcibly displaced. In such a case, the jig can be prevented from damaging the electrical part during insertion since being inserted through the insertion opening without interfering with the electrical part.
- Further preferably, the receptacle is formed at the front end of the terminal accommodating portion via a stepped portion, the electrical/electronic part is inserted up to a position where the electrical/electronic part can substantially abut against the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion, and preferably such a pedestal as to serve as a supporting point of the detaching jig operated or pivoted to detach the electrical/electronic part projects at or near a part of the stepped portion located in or adjacent to the hole.
- Since such a pedestal as to serve as a supporting point of the detaching jig operated to detach the electrical part is formed at the part of the stepped portion located in the hole, the electrical/electronic part can be easily lifted by placing an operating portion of the jig on the pedestal and forcibly displacing the jig with the pedestal as a supporting point of leverage. Thus, operability is good. Further, by taking advantage of leverage action, the electrical/electronic part can be easily detached only by exerting a small force.
- Most preferably, at least one pedestal which bulges out on a portion of the terminal accommodation portion near the hole can serve as a supporting point of a detaching jig operated to detach the electric/electronic part.
- Thus, the leverage of the detaching jig is supported thus further improving the operability of the connector.
- These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that even though embodiments are separately described, single features thereof may be combined to additional embodiments.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a connector according to one embodiment of the invention,
- FIG. 2 is a front view of the connector,
- FIG. 3 is a section along A-A of FIG. 2,
- FIG. 4 is a section of the connector in the process of inserting a relay,
- FIG. 5 is a front view of the connector in the state of FIG. 4,
- FIG. 6 is a section of the connector after the insertion of the relay,
- FIG. 7 is a front view of the connector in the state of FIG. 6,
- FIG. 8 is a section of the connector upon withdrawing the relay,
- FIG. 9 is a front view of the connector in the state of FIG. 8,
- FIG. 10 is a side view of a detecting jig for electrical connection check,
- FIG. 11 is a plan view of the detecting jig,
- FIG. 12 is a side view showing a process of inserting the detecting jig,
- FIG. 13 is a section of the connector when the detecting jig reaches a detecting position,
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a prior art connector,
- FIG. 15 is a section of the prior art connector,
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a connector according to a second embodiment of the invention,
- FIG. 17 is a side view of the connector,
- FIG. 18 is a plan view of the connector,
- FIG. 19 is a horizontal section of the connector,
- FIG. 20 is a side view partly in section showing a state before and after a relay is connected,
- FIG. 21 is an enlarged section of an essential portion showing a state where a jig is operated to detach the relay,
- FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a connector according to a third embodiment of the invention, and
- FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a connector according to another embodiment of the invention.
-
- Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a connector for a relay (as a preferred electric and/or electronic element) to be used in a vehicle is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. Identified by 10 is a connector. This con-
nector 10 is comprised of aterminal accommodating portion 12 for accommodating one or more female terminal fittings 11 (see FIG. 12, unillustrated in other figures) and areceptacle 20 provided before or adjacent to theterminal accommodating portion 12 and substantially in the form of a rectangular tube opening forward. - One or
more cavities 13 are formed to penetrate theterminal accommodating portion 12 substantially along longitudinal direction, and the femaleterminal fittings 11 are at least partly insertable thereinto. Thecavities 13 of this embodiment are arranged at one or more stages, preferably at three upper, middle and lower stages in FIG. 2. There are a total of e.g. fivecavities 13, one at each of the upper and middle stages and three transversely arranged substantially side by side at the lower stage. A resiliently deformable lockingportion 14 is formed preferably in eachcavity 13 and engageable with the female terminal fitting 11 to lock it. - The
receptacle 20 is formed to have such shape and size that a relay 50 (as a preferred electric/electronic element) is at least partly insertable thereinto through an insertion opening formed in the front surface of thereceptacle 20. Therelay 50 at least partly mountable into thisreceptacle 20 is substantially in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole and one ormore relay terminals 51 project at the bottom surface thereof at positions substantially corresponding to the femaleterminal fittings 11 inserted into thecavities 13. - Each of
opposite walls 21 provided at the top and bottom of thereceptacle 20 in FIG. 2 is cut in U-shape at its front end to form a recess orgroove 22. As described in more detail next, eachrecess 22 is provided with guiding edges or edge portions 23 (a pair of left and right or lateral guiding edges 23 in FIG. 3) for guiding the insertion of a detectingjig 60 for checking an electrical connection, and stoppingedges 24 with which an engagingprojection 63 of the detectingjig 60 comes substantially into contact to stop the detectingjig 60 is provided at an end position of each guidingedge 23. - Here, the construction of the detecting
jig 60 is briefly described. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the detectingjig 60 is comprised of anoperable portion 61, preferably substantially in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, and amain body 62 extending forward (or toward the connector 10) from the front surface of theoperable portion 61. Themain body 62 has the outer surfaces of its rear portion, preferably of its rear half, shaped such that the rear portion, preferably the rear half, is at least partly fittable into thereceptacle 20 with the outer surfaces thereof held substantially in close contact with the inner surfaces of thereceptacle 20. The engagingprojection 63 which can be brought substantially into sliding contact with thecorresponding recess 22 of thereceptacle 20 projects from each of the left and right or lateral side surfaces of the rear portion/half. One or more detectingpins 64 engageable with therespective locking portions 14 in thecavities 13 project from the front surface of themain body 62, and one or more electrically conductiveconnection detecting pins 66 which are shorter than the detectingpins 64 and can be brought into contact with the femaleterminal fittings 11 project near the respective detecting pins 64. Each detectingpin 64 is provided with a leading-endflat portion 65, which is at least partly insertable into an insertion space Q defined between the lockingportion 14 and the inner surface of thecavity 13 when the lockingportion 14 is engaged with the female terminal fitting 11 at a proper insertion position (see FIG. 13). - Next, the functions of the detecting
jig 60 are described. First, as shown in FIG. 12, theoperable portion 61 is or can be gripped or manipulated to at least partly insert the detectingjig 60 into thereceptacle 20 through the insertion opening and push it to the back of thereceptacle 20 while holding the engagingprojections 63 substantially in sliding contact with the guiding edges 23. As shown in FIG. 13, when the leading-endflat portions 65 of the detectingpins 64 reach positions where they are at least partly inserted into the insertion spaces Q, the front end surfaces of the engagingprojections 63 come substantially into contact with the stoppingedges 24 of therecesses 22 and the connection detecting pin(s) 66 come(s) substantially into abutment against the leading ends of the female terminal fitting(s) 11, thereby being electrically connectable with the female terminal fitting(s) 11. - On the contrary, when the female terminal fitting 11 is insufficiently inserted without being engaged with the locking
portion 14, the leading-endflat portion 65 of the detectingpin 64 has the leading end surface thereof substantially abutted against the lockingportion 14, thereby hindering any further insertion of the detectingjig 60. Thus, the front end surfaces of the engagingprojections 63 do not come into contact with the stoppingedges 24 of therecesses 22. Neither is/are the connection detecting pin(s) 66 electrically connectable with the female terminal fitting(s) 11 without reaching the leading end(s) of the female terminal fitting(s) 11. In this way, whether or not the femaleterminal fittings 11 are properly inserted can be detected by an electrical connection check by means of the connection detecting pin(s) 66. Such a detection can be also made by seeing the contact state of the engagingprojections 63 with the stoppingedges 24 from outside. - Each of
opposite walls 25 of thereceptacle 20 located at position different from the opposite walls 22 (and at the left and right in FIG. 2) is formed with a pair ofslits 26 extending backward from the front end thereof. Aresilient locking piece 27 integrally or unitarily formed at thereceptacle 20 and engageable with therelay 50 to prevent the detachment of therelay 50 from thereceptacle 20 is provided between each pair of theslits 26. Eachresilient locking piece 27 includes amain body 27F, and a lockingclaw 27A engageable with the rear end surface or a rear stepped surface of the relay 50 (as seen in an insertion direction of therelay 50 into the receptacle 20) when therelay 50 is located at a proper connection position (when therelay 50 is accommodated to a substantially proper depth in the receptacle 20) projects inward from the leading end of themain body 27F. Aslanted surface 27B for guiding therelay 50 and/or the resilient deformation of theresilient locking piece 27 is provided on the upper surface of each lockingclaw 27A. - An
inner projection 27E bulges out in widthwise direction WD (or in a direction substantially lying in the plane of theresilient locking piece 27 or of the wall in which theresilient locking piece 27 are provided) at the inner side of eachmain body 27F. Thisinner projection 27E has an extendedlocking surface 27H (see FIG. 6) substantially in flush with a locking surface of the lockingclaw 27A at least partly engageable with therelay 50, thereby increasing an area of engagement of the lockingclaw 27A with therelay 50 by a hatched portion shown in FIG. 7. Theinner projections 27E are normally located inside the slits 26 (upper slits in FIG. 2). When theresilient locking pieces 27 are resiliently deformed outward, theinner projections 27E first pass theslits 26 and come into abutment against the inner surfaces of thereceptacle 20 as theresilient locking pieces 27 are further resiliently deformed. Thereceptacle 20 against which theinner projections 27E can be brought into abutment forms excessivedeformation preventing portions 40, and areas of thereceptacle 20 along the slits 26 (upper slits in FIG. 2) are extended outward and bulged to substantially cover the outer sides of theslits 26 and/or theinner projections 27E. The excessivedeformation preventing portions 40 of this embodiment are provided preferably over the substantially entire length of theslits 26 and cover only the outer sides of theslits 26 without covering the outer sides of themain bodies 27F. Each excessivedeformation preventing portion 40 is formed with aslanted surface 40A for escaping the correspondinginner projection 27E to make therelay 50 withdrawable (see FIG. 8). - Further, an
outer projection 27G bulges out in widthwise direction WD (or in a direction substantially lying in the plane of theresilient locking piece 27 or of the wall in which theresilient locking piece 27 are provided) at the outer side of eachmain body 27F. Thisouter projections 27G preferably are substantially in the form of a rectangular flat plate and integrally or unitarily (at least partly) overlap the leading ends of theresilient locking pieces 27 from outside (see FIG. 1), and at least partly cover the outer sides of the slits 26 (lower slits in FIG. 2). Theouter projections 27G come substantially into abutment against the outer surfaces of thereceptacle 20 which serve as excessivedeformation preventing portions 41 when theresilient locking pieces 27 are resiliently deformed inward. The outer surfaces of thereceptacle 20 as the excessivedeformation preventing portions 41 are recessed at positions where theouter projections 27 come substantially into abutment, thereby forming recesses 29. Therecesses 29 are formed to remove molding pins for forming theouter projections 27G and useful in improving the strength of the molding pins. - Next, the functions of this embodiment are described. First, the
relay 50 is at least partly inserted through the insertion opening of thereceptacle 20. In the inserting process of therelay 50, the one or moreresilient locking pieces 27 are brought into substantially sliding contact with the outer surfaces of therelay 50 while being resiliently deformed outward (see FIGS. 4 and 5). When therelay terminals 51 reach substantially proper connection positions where they are connected with the female terminal fitting(s) 11 in thereceptacle 20, theresilient locking pieces 27 are resiliently restored to engage the lockingclaws 27 with the rear end surface or a rear side of a stepped portion of therelay 50 like hooks (see FIG. 6). - The
relay 50 is withdrawn from thereceptacle 20 by being disengaged from the lockingclaws 27A and being pulled out of thereceptacle 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the lockingclaws 27A are held e.g. by fingers and pushed wider apart in directions of arrows S to free therelay 50 in withdrawing direction Z. At this time, theresilient locking pieces 27 may be resiliently deformed beyond their resiliency limit since the operation is done in particular by an operator's feeling. However, in this embodiment, theinner projections 27E can come substantially into abutment against the inner surfaces (slantedsurfaces 40A) of the excessive deformation preventing portions 40 (receptacle 20), thereby hindering any further displacement of theresilient locking pieces 27. Thus, the excessive outward resilient deformation of theresilient locking pieces 27 can be securely prevented. - In the case that the
resilient locking pieces 27 are resiliently deformed inward, theouter projections 27G can come substantially into abutment against the outer surfaces of thereceptacle 20 as the excessivedeformation preventing portions 41, thereby hindering any further displacement of theresilient locking pieces 27. Thus, the excessive inward resilient deformation of theresilient locking pieces 27 can also be securely prevented. - Although the
outer walls 2 are provided at the outer sides of the resilient locking pieces 3 while being spaced therefrom in the prior art relay mounting portion 1 (see FIG. 15), theresilient locking pieces 27 and the excessivedeformation preventing portions receptacle 20 in this embodiment. Thus, the enlargement of the connector as a whole can be avoided unlike the prior art. - Since the
inner projections 27E preferably have the extendedlocking surfaces 27H substantially in flush with the locking surfaces of the lockingclaws 27A, the areas of engagement of the lockingclaws 27A wit therelay 50 are increased by the width of the extended locking surfaces 27H, with the result that therelay 50 can be securely and strongly locked. Further, unlike the prior artrelay mounting portion 1, the outer surfaces of theresilient locking pieces 27 are not completely covered by the excessivedeformation preventing portions 40. Thus, a degree of resilient deformation of eachresilient locking piece 27 can be seen from outside. In other words, if theresilient locking pieces 27 are seen not to be resiliently deformed, the properly mounted state of therelay 50 can be advantageously judged. Conversely, if theresilient locking pieces 27 are seen to be resiliently deformed, therelay 50 can be advantageously judged to be partly mounted without the lockingclaws 27A being precisely engaged with therelay 50. - Accordingly, to provide a connector having an improved operability which can avoid becoming larger as a whole while preventing the excessive resilient deformation of resilient locking pieces, a
connector 10 is provided with areceptacle 20 into which arelay 50 or other electric/electronic part or element such as a fuse, a resistor, etc. is at least partly insertable through an insertion opening formed in the front surface of thereceptacle 20. At least oneresilient locking piece 27 engageable with therelay 50 to prevent the detachment of therelay 50 is provided between a pair of slits or recesses 26 formed in thereceptacle 20 to extend substantially backward from the front end thereof or substantially along the insertion direction of therelay 50. Further, thereceptacle 20 is provided with an excessivedeformation preventing portion 40 which can be brought substantially into abutment against theresilient locking piece 27 to prevent the excessive resilient deformation of theresilient locking piece 27 when theresilient locking piece 27 is resilient deformed. - The present invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated embodiments. For example, the following embodiments are also embraced by the technical scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Beside the following embodiments, various changes can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the claims.
- (1) A mating part to be connected with the connector is not limited to a relay. It may be, for example, a fuse, a resistor and/or any terminal-provided electrical or electronic part.
- (2) The excessive deformation preventing portions for preventing the inward excessive resilient deformation of the resilient locking pieces may not be necessarily in the form of recesses, and may be formed on the substantially same planes as the other outer surfaces of the receptacle.
- (3) The excessive deformation preventing portions for preventing the inward excessive resilient deformation of the resilient locking pieces may not be necessarily provided, i.e. the resilient locking pieces may not be provided with the outer projections.
-
- A second preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 21. A
connector 120 connectable with arelay 10 is illustrated in this embodiment. - The relay 110 (as a preferred electric/electronic part) is made e.g. of a synthetic resin substantially into a short rectangular column shape as a whole, and one or more, preferably a plurality of substantially tab-shaped relay terminals 111 (see phantom lines in FIG. 19) project from the bottom or mating surface of the
relay 110. - On the other hand, the
connector 120 is provided with ahousing 121 made e.g. of a synthetic resin. Thehousing 121 is comprised of a terminalaccommodating portion 122 preferably substantially in the form of a rectangular tube for at least partly accommodating one or more terminal fittings (not shown) and areceptacle 123 which is so formed at the front or mating surface of theterminal accommodating portion 122 as to be slightly larger than the terminalaccommodating portion 122 and into which therelay 110 is at least partly insertable through an opening formed in the front surface thereof. - As shown in FIG. 19, one or more, preferably a plurality of
cavities 140 are formed to penetrate theterminal accommodating portion 122 substantially along longitudinal direction, and one or more female terminal fittings (not shown) can be at least partly accommodated therein. A resilientlydeformable locking portion 130 is formed in eachcavity 140 and engageable with the female terminal fitting to lock it. - The
receptacle 123 has such a depth that therelay 110 can be at least partly accommodated therein, andwindow holes 123B used or usable to grip or hold therelay 110 are formed at the front sides of substantially opposedside walls 123A of its surrounding walls preferably at four sides e.g. by cutting. The remainingopposed side walls 123C of the surrounding walls of thereceptacle 123 are provided withresilient locking pieces 123D for locking therelay 110 so as not to come out. Eachresilient locking piece 123D preferably substantially in the form of a cantilever is preferably formed by makingslits 123E at the opposite sides thereof as shown in FIG. 18, and the leading end thereof is resiliently deformable inward and outward of thereceptacle 123. A lockingclaw 123F projects inward from the leading end of eachresilient locking piece 123D. Further, aslanted guiding surface 123G for guiding therelay 110 and/or the deformation of theresilient locking piece 123D is formed at the leading end surface of each lockingclaw 123F. Excessivedeformation preventing portions 123H for preventing the excessive resilient deformation of theresilient locking pieces 123D are formed to bulge out along the edges of theslits 123E so as to at least partly cover the outer sides of theslits 123E. Preferably, the excessivedeformation preventing portions 123H project from an edge portion of therespective slit 123E so as to be substantially step-shaped, wherein the leading end portion thereof is arranged in substantially the same plane as therespective side wall 123C. - The
side walls 123A of thereceptacle 123 formed with the window holes 123B are substantially continuous with the front ends of the side walls of theterminal accommodating portion 122 via steppedportions 123J. The inner surfaces of the steppedportions 123J preferably are substantially in flush and continuous with the front surface of theterminal accommodating portion 122 and function as contact surfaces 123Q with which therelay 110 inserted in an inserting direction ID into thereceptacle 123 comes substantially into contact. Therelay 10 is fitted until coming into contact with the contact surfaces 23Q. - At a position of one or more, preferably each,
side wall 123A near or adjacent the terminal accommodating portion 122A, ahole 123K is formed to cut or transverse preferably also a part of the corresponding steppedportion 123J present there. The front surface and/or an edge portion of theterminal accommodating portion 122 and that of the inserted relay 110 (or a border portion between the electric/electronic part 110 and a bottom surface of thereceptacle 123 and/or a front portion of the terminal accommodating portion 122) can be at least partly seen through theholes 123K. As shown in FIG. 19, thehole 123K is also formed in oneside wall 123C of thereceptacle 123 where theresilient locking piece 123D is provided. - A pedestal or
projection 123M which bulges out and serves as a supporting point of a detachingjig 170 operated to detach therelay 110 is formed at a part of each steppedportion 123J at least partly located in thehole 123K. Thepedestal 123M preferably is substantially in the form of a column as a whole and spaced away from the other part of the steppedportion 123J, and this clearance substantially communicates with thehole 123K. Further, the height of thepedestal 123M is set lower than that of the other part of the steppedportion 123J, and the leading end thereof with respect to height direction has its front portion obliquely cut to form aslanted guiding surface 123N. - The
relay 110 is at least partly inserted in the inserting direction ID into thereceptacle 123 of theconnector 120 from a mating side (left side in FIG. 20). The edges of the front surface of therelay 110 come substantially into contact with the guidingsurfaces 123D of the lockingclaws 123F of theresilient locking pieces 123D and push them, whereby therelay 110 is pushed while resiliently deforming theresilient locking pieces 123D outward. - When the
relay 110 is pushed in the inserting direction ID to a position where it comes substantially into abutment against the front surface of theterminal accommodating portion 122 and the inner surfaces of the steppedportions 123J, i.e. pushed to a proper connection position, theresilient locking pieces 123D are at least partly resiliently restored to engage the lockingclaws 123F with the rear surface (or with the rear portion of a stepped portion) of therelay 110 with respect to its inserting direction to lock therelay 110. During this time, the one ormore relay terminals 111 at least partly enter the correspondingcavities 140 to be connected with the respective female terminal fittings accommodated therein. - In this case, the contact of the front surface of the
relay 110 and that of theterminal accommodating portion 122 can be seen through theholes 123K, whereby judgment can be made as to whether or not therelay 110 is properly connected in thereceptacle 123. Thus, therelay 110 can be prevented from staying at a depth of incomplete connection. - Further, in the case of detaching the
relay 110 from thereceptacle 123 for maintenance or other reason, theresilient locking pieces 123D are first resiliently deformed outward to disengage the lockingclaws 123F from therelay 10. In this state, the leading end of the detaching jig 170 (e.g. flat or minus screwdriver) for therelay 110 is or can be at least partly inserted into thehole 123K while being slid along the guidingsurface 123N of thepedestal 123M and thrusts itself between the front surface of therelay 110 and that of theterminal accommodating portion 122. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 21, thejig 170 is forcibly displaced or pivoted with thepedestal 123M as a supporting point of leverage, thereby lifting therelay 110 from the front surface of theterminal accommodating portion 122 or in a withdrawing direction. Then, therelay 110 is or can be gripped and pulled out e.g. by fingers. As a result, therelay 110 is or can be detached from thereceptacle 123. Here, if therelay 110 is gripped and pulled out e.g. by fingers without using thejig 170, therelay 110 cannot be detached unless a strong pulling force is exerted. If theholes 123K as above are formed, thejig 170 can be at least partly inserted through thehole 123K, making it easier to detach therelay 110 using thejig 170. - Since the
pedestal 123M is used as a supporting point of leverage or for the pivotal movement of thejig 170 when thejig 170 is operated, the detaching operation can proceed with good operability. Further, since therelay 110 can be detached with a small force due to leverage action, work loads can be reduced. Furthermore, thejig 170 can smoothly thrust itself between the front surface of therelay 110 and that of theterminal accommodating portion 122 by causing the leading end of thejig 170 to slide along the guidingsurface 123N of thepedestal 123M. - Further, the
jig 170 can be operated and the connection position of therelay 110 can be visually confirmed from three sides of theconnector 120, i.e. from many angles by forming theholes 123K in two or more, e.g. three of theside walls receptacle 123. Thus, theconnector 120 can be used in a wider range of application. - Next, a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIG. 22.
- A
connector 120A of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in thatinsertion openings 155 used to at least partly insert a detachingjig 170 for a relay 110 (as a preferred electric/electronic part) are formed in aterminal accommodating portion 122. Since the other construction is substantially similar or the same as in the second embodiment, no description is given on the structure, functions and effects thereof by identifying it by the same reference numerals. - Although the
pedestals 123M are used upon operating the detachingjig 170 for therelay 110 in the second embodiment,such pedestals 123M are not provided, theinsertion openings 155 are instead formed at the front end of the terminal accommodating portion 122 (near the stepped portions 122J) preferably by cutting and the detachingjig 170 is at least partly inserted through theseinsertion openings 155 in this embodiment. - Specifically, the
insertion openings 155 open in the front surface of theterminal accommodating portion 122 and substantially communicating withholes 123K are formed at the front ends of the surrounding walls of theterminal accommodating portion 122 in such a size that the leading end of thejig 170 is at least partly insertable therethrough. Thus, thejig 170 can be smoothly inserted through theinsertion opening 155 without interfering with therelay 110. Therefore, thejig 170 can be prevented from damaging therelay 110 during the insertion. - Accordingly, to provide a connector in which a relay (as a preferred electric/electronic part) can be detached with good operability and whether or not the relay is connected at a proper position can be judged, a
connector 120 is provided with ahousing 121 including a terminalaccommodating portion 122 and areceptacle 123 which is open forward at the front surface of theterminal accommodating portion 122 and into which arelay 110 is at least partly insertable. One ormore holes 123K through which the front surface and/or an edge portion of therelay 110 with respect to inserting direction can be seen are formed at positions of the surrounding wall of thereceptacle 123 near theterminal accommodating portion 122. A detachingjig 170 used to detach therelay 110 is insertable through theholes 123K. - The present invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated embodiments. For example, the following embodiments are also embraced by the technical scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Beside the following embodiments, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
- (1) A connector according to the present invention may be a
connector 120B basically shaped as shown in FIG. 23 unless convenience in handling the connector upon operating the jig is required to a large extent. Specifically, theconnector 120B is formed withsuch holes 123K, through which the front surface of therelay 110 can be seen, at positions of thereceptacle 123 near theterminal accommodating portion 122, but includes neither theinsertion openings 155 nor thepedestals 123M. In the connector of this embodiment, thejig 170 can be inserted through thehole 123K to detach therelay 110 and the substantially proper connection position of therelay 110 can be visually confirmed through theholes 123K. - (2) Although the holes are formed in three of the side walls of the receptacle in the foregoing embodiments, one, two or four walls (all walls) may be formed with the hole(s).
- (3) The receptacle and the terminal accommodating portion may be substantially continuous and substantially in flush with each other without being coupled via the stepped portions.
- (4) The present invention is also applicable to connectors in general with which fuses and other electrical/electronic parts are connectable.
-
-
- 10
- connector
- 20
- receptacle
- 26
- slit
- 27
- resilient locking piece
- 27A
- locking claw
- 27E
- inner projection
- 27F
- main body
- 27G
- outer projection
- 27H
- extended locking surface
- 40(41)
- excessive deformation preventing portion
- 50
- relay
Claims (10)
- A connector (10; 120; 120A; 120B), comprising:a receptacle (20; 123) into which a terminal-provided electrical/electronic part such as a relay (50; 110) is at least partly insertable through an insertion opening formed in the front surface of the receptacle (20; 123),at least one resilient locking piece (27; 123D) formed between a pair of slits (26; 123E) formed in the receptacle (20; 123) and engageable with the electrical/electronic part (50; 110) to prevent the detachment of the electrical/electronic part (50; 110), andat least one excessive deformation preventing portion (40; 41; 123H) provided at the receptacle (20; 123) for preventing the excessive resilient deformation of the resilient locking piece (27; 123D) by being brought substantially into abutment against the resilient locking piece (27; 123D) when the resilient locking piece (27; 123D) is resiliently deformed;
an inner projection (27E) bulges out substantially in widthwise direction (WD) from a main body (27F) of the resilient locking piece (27; 123D), and can be brought substantially into abutment against the inner surface of the excessive deformation preventing portion (40; 123H) after passing one slit (26; 123E) when the resilient locking piece (27; 123D) is resiliently deformed outward (S). - A connector according to claim 1, wherein the resilient locking piece (27; 123D) formed between a pair of slits (26) is formed in the receptacle (20; 123) to extend substantially backward from the front end of the receptacle (20; 123).
- A connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the excessive deformation preventing portion (40; 123H) is formed to bulge out so as to at least partly cover the outer side of one slit (26; 123E).
- A connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (27F) of the resilient locking piece (27; 123D) is provided with a locking claw (27A; 123F) for locking the electrical/electronic part (50) substantially at a proper connection position in the receptacle (20; 123), and
the inner projection (27E) has an extended locking surface (27H) preferably substantially in flush with a locking surface of the locking claw (27; 123F). - A connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein:an outer projection (27G) bulges out substantially in widthwise direction (WD) from the main body (27F), is formed to at least partly cover the outer side of one slit (26), preferably the other slit (27) as the one covered by the excessive deformation preventing portion (40), and can be brought substantially into abutment against the outer surface of the receptacle (20) as the excessive deformation preventing portion (41) when the resilient locking piece (27) is resiliently deformed inward.
- A connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a housing (121) including a terminal accommodating portion (122) accommodating one or more terminal fittings, and a receptacle (123) into which a terminal-provided electrical/electronic part (110) such as a relay (110) is at least partly insertable to electrically connect the one or more terminal fittings and respective terminals (111) of the electrical/electronic part (110),
wherein at least one hole (123K) through which the front surface and/or front edge of the electrical/electronic part (110) with respect to inserting direction (ID) can be seen is formed at a position of a surrounding wall (123C) of the receptacle (123) near the terminal accommodating portion (122). - A connector according to claim 6, wherein the electrical/electronic part (110) is inserted up to a position where the electrical/electronic part (110) can substantially abut against the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion (122), and at least one insertion opening (155) through which a detaching jig (170) is at least partly insertable to detach the electrical/electronic part (110) is so formed in the surrounding wall of the terminal accommodating portion (122) preferably as to be open in the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion (122) and substantially communicate with the hole (123K).
- A connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (20; 123) is formed at the front end of the terminal accommodating portion (12; 122) via a stepped portion (123J), the electrical/electronic part (50; 110) is inserted up to a position where the electrical/electronic part (50; 110) can substantially abut against the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion (12; 122).
- A connector according to claim 8, wherein such a pedestal (123M) as to serve preferably as a supporting point of the detaching jig (170) operated to detach the electrical/electronic part (110) projects at a part of the stepped portion (123J) located in the hole (123K).
- A connector according to one or more of the preceding claims 6 to 9, wherein at least one pedestal (123M) which bulges out on a portion of the terminal accommodation portion (122) near the hole (123K) can serve as a supporting point of a detaching jig (170) operated to detach the electric/electronic part (110).
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2002148202 | 2002-05-22 | ||
JP2002148202A JP3891038B2 (en) | 2002-05-22 | 2002-05-22 | connector |
JP2002155936A JP2003346619A (en) | 2002-05-29 | 2002-05-29 | Connector |
JP2002155936 | 2002-05-29 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1365483A1 EP1365483A1 (en) | 2003-11-26 |
EP1365483B1 true EP1365483B1 (en) | 2005-04-13 |
Family
ID=29405358
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20030011076 Expired - Fee Related EP1365483B1 (en) | 2002-05-22 | 2003-05-20 | A connector |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1365483B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60300495T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP5724896B2 (en) * | 2011-02-28 | 2015-05-27 | 住友電装株式会社 | connector |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH0935605A (en) * | 1995-07-20 | 1997-02-07 | Yazaki Corp | Relay fitting structure |
JPH1050404A (en) * | 1996-07-31 | 1998-02-20 | Dai Ichi Denshi Kogyo Kk | Connector for pc card |
JP3400679B2 (en) * | 1997-07-09 | 2003-04-28 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Lock arm deformation prevention structure |
US6126474A (en) * | 1999-01-22 | 2000-10-03 | Molex Incorporated | Retrofit latching shroud for backplane applications |
-
2003
- 2003-05-20 EP EP20030011076 patent/EP1365483B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-05-20 DE DE2003600495 patent/DE60300495T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1365483A1 (en) | 2003-11-26 |
DE60300495T2 (en) | 2006-02-23 |
DE60300495D1 (en) | 2005-05-19 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1592091B1 (en) | An intermediate connector | |
EP1587178B1 (en) | A connector | |
US7204725B2 (en) | Connector and method of assembling it | |
EP1990869B1 (en) | A connector and assembling method thereof | |
EP1562262A2 (en) | A connector and a method of mounting it to an electric device | |
EP1881569A2 (en) | A connector, a connector assembly and an assembling method therefor | |
US7588446B2 (en) | Connector and a connector assembly | |
EP1986288B1 (en) | A shorting terminal, a connector and an assembling method therefor | |
US7214090B2 (en) | Connector device | |
EP1271704A1 (en) | A connector and an unlocking jig therefor | |
KR100597374B1 (en) | Electric connector | |
EP1548894B1 (en) | A connector | |
JPH09134759A (en) | Electric connector with terminal position guarantee mechanism | |
EP1100156A1 (en) | A connector and a connector assembly | |
EP1557908A2 (en) | A connector | |
US20030100230A1 (en) | Connector | |
US7097476B2 (en) | Connector with movable member for assisting connection with a mating connector | |
EP1801926B1 (en) | A connetor and connector assembly | |
EP1387446A2 (en) | Resin-molded connector assembly and method of making same | |
US6551146B2 (en) | Connector and a method for assembling a connector | |
EP1365483B1 (en) | A connector | |
EP1796226A2 (en) | Electrical connector and connector assembly | |
US7033230B2 (en) | Connector | |
US7438568B2 (en) | Divided connector | |
EP1916746A2 (en) | A connector |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL LT LV MK |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20040108 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20040324 |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): DE FR |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE FR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 60300495 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20050519 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20060116 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R084 Ref document number: 60300495 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20170413 Year of fee payment: 15 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20170516 Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 60300495 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180531 Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20181201 |