JP2004241205A

JP2004241205A - Stacked joint connector

Info

Publication number: JP2004241205A
Application number: JP2003027650A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Tamaki Takabayashi; 環高林; Seiichi Ueno; 静一上野; Masakazu Murakami; 正和村上; Katsunori Ogata; 勝則岳田
Original assignee: Furukawa Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Furukawa Electric Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-02-04
Filing date: 2003-02-04
Publication date: 2004-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-04
Also published as: JP4043964B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stacked joint connector in which an insertion part is easily inserted into a receiving part and bad electrical connection is surely prevented. <P>SOLUTION: The stacked joint connector comprises insertion parts 11 and receiving parts 13 or 77 in which the insertion part is inserted. The insertion part 11 includes two or more connector housings 15 accompanied by two or more terminal holding rooms 17 for holding connector terminals and connector-housing locking parts 21 which join them to stack. The insertion part 11 is inserted to the receiving connectors 13 or 77 to join them. A gap is made between the engaging surfaces of a recess and a project, which are parts of the connector-housing locking part 21, so that they are engaged loosely. Two or more connector housings 15 are united to move relatively one another. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は自動車等の内部における各種電装部品間の接続等に用いられるワイヤーハーネスの分岐接続に好適な積層ジョイントコネクタに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
この種のコネクタは、挿入側コネクタ部と前記挿入側コネクタ部が挿入される受入側コネクタ部とからなり、挿入側コネクタ部が受入側コネクタ部に案内されながら挿入され、前記挿入側コネクタ部と受入側コネクタ部とが嵌合接続されるように構成されている。挿入側コネクタ部は、横方向に複数の端子収容室が併設されて接続用端子を収容する複数のコネクタハウジングと、コネクタハウジングに設けられた係止凹部とこれに係止される係止凸部とを有し、前記コネクタハウジングを複数段に積層して合体するコネクタハウジングロック手段とを備えている。受入側コネクタ部は、挿入側コネクタ部を受け入れて保持する挿入側コネクタ部受入室を有するコネクタケースと、前記コネクタケースに装着され、前記挿入側コネクタ受入室内に突出されて挿入側コネクタ部の接続用端子と接続される複数の接続バーを有する回路形成体とを備えている（特許文献１参照）。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−３９２３９号公報（発明の詳細な説明の項の段落００１９乃至段落００２６、図１（Ａ）（Ｂ））
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
このような積層ジョイントコネクタでは、通常、挿入側コネクタ部が複数のコネクタハウジングを複数段に積層した後、コネクタハウジングロック手段の係止凹部に係止凸部を締まり嵌めによりきつく挿入することにより合体して構成され、挿入側コネクタ部に外力が作用してもコネクタハウジング同士が相対移動しないような剛性構造になっている。
【０００５】
そこで、このような挿入側コネクタ部を受入側コネクタ部の挿入側コネクタ部受入室に挿入して嵌合接続する際、挿入側コネクタ部の軸線と受入側コネクタ部の軸線が平行になるように整列させた正しい姿勢で、受入側コネクタ部の挿入側コネクタ部受入室に挿入して嵌合することが望ましいが、挿入側コネクタ部が受入側コネクタ部に対して傾斜した状態で挿入されることが多く、挿入側コネクタ部を正しい姿勢で挿入することが容易でない。そうすると、挿入側コネクタ部が剛性構造のため、その挿入に大きな力が必要になるほか、途中で挿入ができなくなったり、コネクタハウジングや接続用端子に無理な力が加わって変形したりして、コネクタの電気的接続不良を起こす恐れがある。
【０００６】
また、個々のコネクタハウジングの厚さは寸法公差があるため同じ寸法にならない場合が多く、特に寸法公差内のミニマム値になっていると、コネクタハウジングを積層したときの接続用端子間のピッチが所定ピッチよりも小さくなって、嵌合される受入側コネクタ部における回路形成体の接続バーのピッチと合致しなくなることがある。そうすると、挿入側コネクタ部を受入側コネクタ部に挿入したとき、受入側コネクタ部の接続バーが挿入側コネクタ部の接続用端子に正しく挿入されなくなり、これまたコネクタの電気的接続不良を起こす恐れがある。
【０００７】
本発明は上記の課題を解決し、挿入側コネクタ部と受入側コネクタ部との嵌合接続が容易で、コネクタの電気的接続不良が確実に防止することができる積層ジョイントコネクタを提供することを目的とするものである。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、本発明の請求項１に記載された発明は、挿入側コネクタ部と前記挿入側コネクタ部が挿入される受入側コネクタ部とからなり、挿入側コネクタ部は、横方向に複数の端子収容室が併設されて接続用端子を収容する複数のコネクタハウジングと、コネクタハウジングに設けられた係止凹部とこれに係止される係止凸部とを有し、前記コネクタハウジングを複数段に積層して合体するコネクタハウジングロック手段とを備え、受入側コネクタ部は、挿入側コネクタ部を受け入れて保持する挿入側コネクタ部受入室を有するコネクタケースと、前記コネクタケースに装着され、前記挿入側コネクタ受入室内に突出されて挿入側コネクタ部の接続用端子と接続される複数の接続バーを有する回路形成体とを備え、前記挿入側コネクタ部と受入側コネクタ部とが嵌合接続される積層ジョイントコネクタにおいて、前記コネクタハウジングロック手段を構成する係止凹部と係止凸部との係止面間に遊間隙が設けられ、係止凹部に係止凸部が緩く係止されるようにし、複数のコネクタハウジングが相対移動可能に緩く合体されていることを特徴とするものである。
【０００９】
このように、挿入側コネクタ部を構成する積層されたコネクタハウジングが相対移動可能に緩く合体され、アコーデオン式に伸縮、滑り、曲がり等が可能な柔性構造になるので、挿入側コネクタ部が受入側コネクタ部に対して傾斜した状態で挿入されても、コネクタハウジング同士が速やかに相対移動して形状が変わり、挿入側コネクタ部が受入側コネクタ部に整列して正しい姿勢に速やかに矯正される。従って、挿入側コネクタ部の挿入に大きな力が不要になるほか、途中で挿入が困難になることもなくなり、挿入側コネクタ部の挿入が容易になる。また、コネクタハウジングや接続用端子に無理な力が加わらず、これらが容易に変形しなくなる。
【００１０】
また、コネクタハウジングの寸法公差により、コネクタハウジングを積層したときの接続用端子間のピッチが受入側コネクタ部の接続バーのピッチとずれるような場合でも、コネクタハウジング同士が積層方向に広がって、接続用端子間のピッチが受入側コネクタ部の接続バーのピッチに合わせることが容易になるので、挿入側コネクタ部を受入側コネクタ部に挿入したとき、受入側コネクタ部の接続バーを挿入側コネクタ部の接続用端子に無理なく円滑に挿入することが可能になる。以上の結果、挿入側コネクタ部と受入側コネクタ部の嵌合接続が容易になってコネクタの電気的接続不良を確実に防止することができる。
【００１１】
本発明の請求項２に記載された発明は、請求項１記載の積層ジョイントコネクタにおいて、受入側コネクタ部の挿入側コネクタ部受入室の内側壁に、挿入側コネクタ部のコネクタハウジングの側部が挿入される案内溝を形成するための複数の案内用凸条部が併設され、前記案内用凸条部の幅が挿入側コネクタ部受入室の入口側に向けて徐々に狭くなり、前記案内溝の幅が徐々に広くなるように形成されていることを特徴とするものである。
【００１２】
このような構成によると、挿入側コネクタ部を受入側コネクタ部に挿入する際、挿入側コネクタ部のコネクタハウジングの側部が受入側コネクタ部の入口側の広がった案内溝にガイドされるので、挿入側コネクタ部が受入側コネクタ部に対して傾斜した状態で挿入されることが減少し、挿入側コネクタ部を受入側コネクタ部に整列させて正しい姿勢で挿入し易くなり、両コネクタ部の嵌合接続をより円滑に行うことができるので好ましい。
【００１３】
本発明の請求項３に記載された発明は、請求項１又は２記載の積層ジョイントコネクタにおいて、挿入側コネクタ部の各コネクタハウジングにおける各端子収容室の一方の壁に、端子収容室の長手方向に形成された一対のスリットにより、基先端が前記壁に支持される両持ち構造で、背中側に厚肉となる肉盛り部と内側に接続用端子と係止される係止突起がそれぞれ形成された弾性係止片からなるランスが設けられ、前記ランスの位置に対応する反対側の他方の壁に、端子収容室に接続用端子を挿入する際、隣接するコネクタハウジングの端子収容室に設けられたランスの肉盛り部を受け入れて、ランスが外側に撓んで変位するのを許容するランス受入部が設けられていることを特徴とするものである。
【００１４】
このような構成によると、挿入側コネクタ部のコネクタハウジングにおける端子収容室の壁厚を薄くしても、ランスを構成する弾性係止片が両持ち構造で支持が強固になり、且つ、肉盛り部を有し、補強されて強度が大きくなり、接続用端子の保持力を十分確保することが可能になる。従って、端子収容室の壁厚、即ち、コネクタハウジングを厚さの薄い薄型にすることができ、コネクタハウジングが積層された挿入側コネクタ部の高さが低くなって、積層ジョイントコネクタが小型になるほか、接続用端子の積層方向のピッチが小さくなって無駄がなくなるので好ましい。
【００１５】
本発明の請求項４に記載された発明は、請求項３記載の積層ジョイントコネクタにおいて、挿入側コネクタ部の各コネクタハウジングにおける各端子収容室に設けられたランスよりも後方に位置する前記他方の壁の外側に、接続用端子の２重係止リブが突設され、前記２重係止リブの位置に対応する前記一方の壁に、隣接するコネクタハウジングの端子収容室に突設された２重係止リブが係止される係止穴が設けられていることを特徴とするものである。
【００１６】
このような構成によると、挿入側コネクタ部のコネクタハウジングにおける端子収容室に収容された接続用端子をランスと２重係止リブとにより２重に係止するので、接続用端子が端子収容室から抜けるのをより確実に防止することができる。
【００１７】
また、端子収容室に接続用端子を挿入する際、接続用端子が所定位置まで奥深く挿入されず、中途半端な半挿入状態にあると、コネクタハウジングを複数段に積層する際、その端子収容室の一方の壁に設けられた係止穴に、隣接するコネクタハウジングにおける端子収容室の他方の壁に突設された２重係止リブを挿入しようとしても、２重係止リブの先端が接続用端子の後端に衝突して２重係止リブの挿入を妨げる。このため、２重係止リブを係止穴に所定深さまで確実に挿入することができず、コネクタハウジングの積層が困難になる。このようにして、接続用端子の端子収容室内への半挿入状態を複雑な機構を用いずに簡単に検知することができるので好ましい。
【００１８】
【発明の実施の形態】
次に、本発明の実施形態を図面により詳細に説明する。図１は本発明の積層ジョイントコネクタを自動車用ワイヤーハーネスの多極コネクタに適用した場合の分解斜視図、図２は図１の構成部品が組み合わされたアッシー状態の積層ジョイントコネクタの拡大斜視図，図３は図１の挿入側コネクタ部を構成するコネクタハウジングを示すもので、（Ａ）は表側から見た斜視図、（Ｂ）は裏側から見た斜視図、図４は図３のコネクタハウジングを示すもので、（Ａ）は平面図、（Ｂ）は裏面図である。
【００１９】
本発明の積層ジョイントコネクタは、上記図に示すように、挿入側コネクタ部（雌コネクタ）１１と前記挿入側コネクタ部１１が挿入される受入側コネクタ部（雄コネクタ）１３とからなる。挿入側コネクタ部１１は、横方向に複数（図示例は１０個）の端子収容室１７が併設されて接続用端子１９（図８乃至１０、１３参照）を収容する複数（図示例は１０個）の矩形板状をした１０極のコネクタハウジング１５と、コネクタハウジング１５に設けられた係止凹部２３とこれに係止される係止凸部２５とを有し、前記コネクタハウジング１５を複数段（図示例は１０段）に積層して合体するコネクタハウジングロック手段２１とを備える。これらコネクタハウジング１５及びコネクタハウジングロック手段２１はプラスチック成形加工により形成される。なお、個々のコネクタハウジング１５はサブハーネス１個１個に対応しており、各々のコネクタハウジング１５は別々のサブハーネスが取り付けられる。
【００２０】
受入側コネクタ部１３は、一方側に挿入側コネクタ部１１を受け入れて保持する四角形状の挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９を有し、プラスチック成形加工により形成される四角形状箱型のコネクタケース２７と、前記コネクタケース２７の他方側に装着され、前記挿入側コネクタ受入室２９内に突出されて挿入側コネクタ部１１の接続用端子１９と接続される複数（図示例は１００個）の接続バー３３を有する回路形成体３１とを備え、前記挿入側コネクタ部１１と受入側コネクタ部１３とが嵌合接続されるように構成されている。なお、３５はコネクタケース２７の回路形成体３１が装着される側に設けられて、回路形成体３１を保護する四角板状のケースカバーであり、プラスチック成形加工により形成される。
【００２１】
更に詳細に説明すると、前記挿入側コネクタ部１１を構成する１０個のコネクタハウジング１５は簡単、且つ、確実に積層して合体することが容易なように同じ構造をしており、その両方の側部３７の後端に、挿入側コネクタ部１１を受入側コネクタ部１３に挿入するときのつかみ部になる耳部３９が突設されている。
【００２２】
前記コネクタハウジングロック手段２１の係止凹部２３は、図３乃至５に示すように、横方向に開口するコ字状凹溝からなり、前記挿入側コネクタ部１１を構成する各コネクタハウジング１５の両方の側部３７にあって、両側端に位置する端子収容室１７の両外側壁に、前後方向（端子収容室１７の長手方向）に間隔をおいて各２個、合計４個設けられる。係止凸部２５は前記係止凹部２３に対応する下方位置に、前記側部３７から下方へ鉤状（フック状）に突出するように各２個、合計４個設けられ、隣接するコネクタハウジング１５の一方側に設けられた係止凹部２３に他方側に設けられた係止凸部２５が挿入されて係止されるようになっている。
【００２３】
更に、図５から明らかなように、係止凹部２３に係止凸部２５が係止された状態で、係止凹部２３と係止凸部２５との係止面２３ａ、２５ａ間に遊間隙２４が設けられる。この遊間隙２４の間隔（遊び代）は０．１ｍｍ〜０．２ｍｍ程度設けるのが好ましい。
【００２４】
コネクタハウジングロック手段２１は、更に各コネクタハウジング１５の両方の側部３７にあって、両側端に位置する端子収容室１７の両外側壁に前記係止凹部２３間に挟まれるようにして突設された各１個の矩形状の挿入凹溝４１と、その挿入凹溝４１に対応する側部３７の真下に突設された各１個の矩形板状の案内リブ４３とを有し、隣接するコネクタハウジング１５の一方側に突設された挿入凹溝４１に他方側に突設された案内リブ４３が緩く嵌着される。そして、複数段に積層されたコネクタハウジング１５の水平方向（接触面に沿った方向）の相対移動距離（移動量）が過大にならないように拘束するようになっている。
【００２５】
なお、前記係止凸部２５（係止凹部２３）、案内リブ４３（挿入凹溝４１）の個数は前記数量に限定されない。また、案内リブ４３と挿入凹溝４１の形状や位置をコネクタハウジング１５毎に適宜変化させておくと、積層するコネクタハウジング１５の順序を間違えることが減少し、積層する際の作業性を向上させることができるので好ましい。
【００２６】
また、図３（Ａ）、図４（Ａ）、図５に示すように、各係止凹部２３に対応する側部３７の上面には、矩形状の凹溝４５が設けられ、棒状の抜き治具４７の先端を凹溝４５に突き入れて、これを図５の矢印方向（上方向）に回動することにより、上段のコネクタハウジング１５を少し持ち上げ、コネクタハウジングロック手段２１のロックを外し、積層されたコネクタハウジング１５の合体を解除してコネクタハウジング１５を個々に分解できるようになっている。
【００２７】
本発明の積層ジョイントコネクタは、前記したように、コネクタハウジングロック手段２１を構成する係止凹部２３と係止凸部２５との係止面２３ａ、２５ａ間に遊間隙２４が設けられ、係止凹部２３に係止凸部２５が緩く係止されている。これにより、挿入側コネクタ部１１を構成する積層されたコネクタハウジング１５が相対移動可能に緩く合体され、アコーデオン式に伸縮、滑り、曲がり等が可能な柔性構造になって、挿入側コネクタ部１１が受入側コネクタ部１３に対して傾斜した状態で挿入されても、コネクタハウジング１５同士が速やかに相対移動して形状が変わり、挿入側コネクタ部１１が受入側コネクタ部１３に整列して正しい姿勢に速やかに矯正される。
【００２８】
従って、挿入側コネクタ部１１の挿入に大きな力が不要になるほか、途中で挿入が困難になることもなくなり、挿入側コネクタ部１１の挿入が容易になる。また、コネクタハウジング１５や接続用端子１９に無理な力が加わらず、これらが容易に変形しなくなる。
【００２９】
また、コネクタハウジング１５の寸法公差により、コネクタハウジング１５を積層したときの接続用端子１９間のピッチが受入側コネクタ部１３の接続バー３３のピッチとずれるような場合でも、コネクタハウジング１５同士が積層方向に広がって、接続用端子１９間のピッチが受入側コネクタ部１３の接続バー３３のピッチに合わせることが容易になるので、挿入側コネクタ部１１を受入側コネクタ部１３に挿入したとき、受入側コネクタ部１３の接続バー３３を挿入側コネクタ部１１の接続用端子１９に無理なく円滑に挿入することが可能になる。以上の結果、挿入側コネクタ部１１と受入側コネクタ部１３の嵌合接続が容易になってコネクタの電気的接続不良を確実に防止することができる。
【００３０】
更に、図３（Ａ）、４（Ａ）、６（Ａ）に示すように、挿入側コネクタ部１１のコネクタハウジング１５における各端子収容室１７の一方の壁、即ち、上壁１７ａには、端子収容室１７の長手方向に形成された一対のスリット４９により、基先端が前記壁１７ａに支持される両持ち構造で、背中側に厚肉となる肉盛り部５３（図６（Ａ）（Ｂ）参照）と内側に接続用端子１９と係止される係止突起５５（図６（Ｃ）参照）がそれぞれ形成されたプラスチック製の弾性係止片からなるランス５１が設けられる。
【００３１】
また、前記ランス５１の位置に対応する端子収容室１７の反対側の他方の壁、即ち、下壁１７ｂには、図３（Ｂ）、４（Ｂ）、７（Ａ）（Ｂ）に示すように、端子収容室１７に接続用端子１９を挿入する際、隣接するコネクタハウジング１５の端子収容室１７に設けられたランス５１の肉盛り部５３を受け入れて、ランス５１が外側に撓んで変位するのを許容するスリット状の細穴からなるランス受入部５７が設けられる。このランス受入部５７は、図示のものでは細穴であるが、ランス５１の強度が十分保持でき、肉盛り部５３を小さくできる場合には、穴ではなく凹溝（有底穴）としてもよい。
【００３２】
このような構成のランス５１を用いると、挿入側コネクタ部１１のコネクタハウジング１５における端子収容室１７の壁厚を薄くしても、ランス５１を構成する弾性係止片が両持ち構造で支持が強固になり、且つ、肉盛り部５３を有し、補強されて強度が大きくなり、接続用端子１９の保持力を十分確保することが可能になる。従って、端子収容室１７の壁厚、即ち、コネクタハウジング１５を厚さの薄い薄型にすることができ、コネクタハウジング１５が積層された挿入側コネクタ部１１の高さが低くなって、積層ジョイントコネクタが小型になるほか、接続用端子１９の積層方向のピッチが小さくなって無駄がなくなるので好ましい。
【００３３】
更に、図３（Ｂ）、４（Ｂ）、８乃至１０に示すように、挿入側コネクタ部１１の各コネクタハウジング１５における各端子収容室１７に設けられたランス５１よりも後方に位置する前記下壁（他方の壁）１７ｂの外側（下部）には、接続用端子１９の例えば角型の２重係止リブ５９が突設されている。そして、前記２重係止リブ５９の位置に対応する前記上壁１７ａ（一方の壁）には、隣接するコネクタハウジング１５の端子収容室１７に突設された２重係止リブ５９が係止される係止穴６１が設けられている。
【００３４】
コネクタハウジング１５を複数段（図示例では１０段）に積層する場合には、その積層前に、図８に示すように、予め各コネクタハウジング１５の端子収容室１７に入口側（図８の右側）から接続用端子１９（電線は省略）を挿入して収容する。その際、接続用端子１９の先端側上部に突設されたタブ状の係止受部１９ａがランス５１の係止突起５５に当接して、ランス５１をスリット４９部分から上方へ少しわん曲させた後、係止突起５５に係止され、接続用端子１９の抜けが防止される。このような状態で、コネクタハウジング１５の積層、合体が行われる。
【００３５】
図８は端子収容室１７に接続用端子１９が収容されたコネクタハウジング１５を複数段に積層する際、一方のコネクタハウジング１５の端子収容室１７に設けられた係止穴６１に隣接する他方のコネクタハウジング１５の端子収容室１７に突設された２重係止リブ５９が係止される前の状態を示す縦断面図、図９はコネクタハウジング１５が積層されて、図８の状態から係止穴６１に２重係止リブ５９が係止された状態を示す縦断面図である。
【００３６】
このように、コネクタハウジング１５を積層する際、その端子収容室１７に突設された２重係止リブ５９を係止穴６１に係止させるようにすると、コネクタハウジング１５における端子収容室１７に収容された接続用端子１９が前記ランス５１の係止突起５５による係止のほかに、２重係止リブ５９により２重に係止されることになり、接続用端子１９が端子収容室１７から抜けるのをより確実に防止することができるので好ましい。
【００３７】
また、図８、９等に示すように、２重係止リブ５９の後部に突起５９ａを設けておくと、２重係止リブ５９を係止穴６１に係止した後、突起５９ａが係止穴６１の端縁に引掛かり、係止穴から抜けにくくなり、接続用端子１９の抜け防止が更に強化されるので好ましい。前記突起５９ａは全２重係止リブ５９に設けてもよいが、コネクタハウジング１４が横長の場合には、その中央付近が浮く恐れがあるので、中央付近に位置する２重係止リブ５９の方だけに設けるようにしてもよい。
【００３８】
図１０は端子収容室１７に接続用端子１９が半挿入状態で収容された一方のコネクタハウジング１５の端子収容室１７に設けられた係止穴６１に、隣接する他方のコネクタハウジング１５の端子収容室１７に突設された２重係止リブ５９が係止される前の状態を示す縦断面図である。
【００３９】
このように、コネクタハウジング１５を積層する前に、端子収容室１７に接続用端子１９を挿入する際、接続用端子が所定位置まで奥深く挿入されず、中途半端な半挿入状態にあると、コネクタハウジング１５を複数段に積層する際、その端子収容室１７に設けられた係止穴６１に、隣接するコネクタハウジング１５の端子収容室に突設された２重係止リブ５９を挿入しようとしても、２重係止リブ５９の先端が接続用端子１９の後端に衝突して２重係止リブ５９の挿入を妨げる。このため、２重係止リブ５９を係止穴６１に所定深さまで確実に挿入することができず、コネクタハウジング１５の積層が困難になる。そこで、この２重係止リブ５９が突設されていると、接続用端子１９の端子収容室１７内への半挿入状態を複雑な機構を用いずに簡単に検知することができるので好ましい。
【００４０】
なお、２重係止リブ５９は、図１１に示すように、下方がランス受入部５７、即ち、接続用端子１９の先端側に向けて前方へ傾斜するように形成してもよい。このような形状にすると、接続用端子１９の挿入状態が不完全な場合、ハウジングに当接し易くなり、接続用端子１９の半挿入状態を検知する感度が向上するので好ましい。
【００４１】
また、前記２重係止リブ５９と係止穴６１の形状や位置を前記案内リブ４３と挿入凹溝４１のときのようにコネクタハウジング１５毎に適宜変化させておくと、同様に積層するコネクタハウジング１５の順序を間違えることが減少し、積層する際の作業性を向上させることができるので好ましい。
【００４２】
６３は挿入側コネクタ部１１を受入側コネクタ部１３に挿入したとき、受入側コネクタ部１３の接続バー３３をコネクタハウジング１５の端子収容室１７に収容された接続用端子１９に挿入して電気的接続が行えるように、端子収容室１７の前壁１７ｃにこれを貫通して形成された接続バー挿入穴である。また、６５は各コネクタハウジング１５における両方の側部３７の先端寄り位置にそれぞれ設けられたロック溝であり、挿入側コネクタ部を受入側コネクタ部に挿入して嵌合した後、受入側コネクタ部側に設けられたロック爪部７３の爪７３ａ（図１４参照）が係止されて、挿入側コネクタ部が受入側コネクタ部１３の挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９から抜け出ないように固定するものである。なお、図示のものでは、ロック溝６５がコネクタハウジング１５の両方の側部３７に設けられているが、片側の側部３７だけに設けられていてもよい。
【００４３】
図１２（Ａ）（Ｂ）は１０個の前記コネクタハウジング１５を上下１０段に積層、合体して構成された挿入側コネクタ部１１を示す左側面図（前面図）、正面図、図１３は図１２（Ａ）のＸ―Ｘ線矢視断面図である。このような挿入側コネクタ部１１を組み立てる場合には、図１３に示すように、サブハーネスを構成する電線Ａに接続された接続用端子１９を、コネクタハウジング１５の積層前に、予めコネクタハウジング１５の端子収容室１７に挿入して収容しておき、その後、コネクタハウジング１５を積層し、コネクタハウジングロック手段２１で合体することにより行う。この過程において、コネクタハウジング１５の端子収容室１７内に接続用端子１９を挿入する作業は、１０個のコネクタハウジング１５の積層を開始する前に行ってもよいし、下段のコネクタハウジング１５の上に上段のコネクタハウジング１５を積層する都度、順次行うようにしてもよい。
【００４４】
なお、前記挿入側コネクタ部１１の最上段に積層されたコネクタハウジング１５の上には、その端子収容室１７に収納された接続用端子１９を２重係止することができるように、下部の相当位置に、１０個の２重係止リブ５９（図示せず）が突設され、また、コネクタハウジングロック手段２１の４個の係止凸部２５、２個の案内リブ４３、ランス受入部（凹溝）５７（図示せず）が設けられた矩形板状のカバー６７が装着される（図１２、１３参照）。
【００４５】
次に、前記受入側コネクタ部１３の構成を更に説明すると、図２、１４（Ａ）（Ｂ）に示すように、受入側コネクタ部１３を構成するコネクタケース２７の挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９の両内側壁には、挿入側コネクタ部１１の各コネクタハウジング１５の両方の側部３７が案内されながら挿入される、例えば、略コ字状の案内溝６９を形成するため、複数の、例えば、断面略角型の案内用凸条部７１（図では片側だけが見えている）が、挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９の長手方向に沿って、且つ、上下方向に所定間隔、即ち、挿入側コネクタ部１１の端子収容室１７に収容された接続用端子１９のコネクタハウジング積層方向のピッチに合致するピッチ間隔で併設されている。
【００４６】
図示のものでは、挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９の両内側壁を凹ませて案内溝６９が形成されており、このため、該内側壁に設けられた各案内用凸条部７１の高さ面は挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９の内側壁面と同面上にあり、該内側壁面から内方には突出していない。前記案内溝６９は、図示のものでは、挿入側コネクタ部１１側の各側部３７とカバー６７の側部３７が挿入し得るように１１個形成され、従って、案内用凸条部７１は１０個設けられている。更に、前記各案内用凸条部７１の幅が挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９の入口側に向けて徐々に狭くなって先細り、前記案内溝６９の幅が徐々に広くなるように形成されている。なお、案内用凸条部７１は、挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９の両内側壁から内方に突出するように併設してもよく、この場合には突出した案内用凸条部７１間に前記案内溝６９が形成される。なお、図示のものでは、案内溝６９が受入側コネクタ部１３における挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９の両内側壁に形成されているが、片側の内側壁だけに形成されていてもよい。
【００４７】
また、挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９の両側壁には、その受入室２９に挿入側コネクタ部１１が挿入されたときに、そのコネクタハウジング１５に設けられたロック溝６５に係止されて、挿入側コネクタ部１１が受入側コネクタ部１３の挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９から抜け出ないように固定する弾性係止片からなるロック爪部７３が設けられている。このロック爪部７３はコネクタハウジング１５に設けられたロック溝６５に相当する数（図示例は２０個）だけ設けなくても挿入側コネクタ部１１を十分に固定することができる。そこで、図示のように、挿入側コネクタ部１１のコネクタハウジング１５が１０段に積層されている場合には、例えば、挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９の両側壁において、前記挿入側コネクタ部１１の下から３段目と８段目のコネクタハウジング１５が挿入される位置に２個ずつ、合計４個設けられている。なお、図示のものでは、ロック爪部７３が挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９の両側壁に設けられているが、片側の側壁だけに設けられていてもよい。
【００４８】
更に、前記回路形成体３１は、図示のものでは、一面（裏面）に銅箔等の導電体からなる回路パターンが印刷等により設けられた絶縁基板３２の他面（表面）に、複数（図示例は１００個）の銅材料等からなる良導電性のピンコンタクトからなる接続バー３３の一端が前記回路パターンに接続され、他端側が絶縁基板３２を貫通して突設されてなる。この回路形成体３１は、コネクタケース２７の挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９の反対側に隔壁２９ａを隔てて形成された回路形成体収容室７５に収容されて保持されると共に、その接続バー３３が隔壁２９ａを貫通して前記挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９内に突出され、挿入側コネクタ部１１の接続用端子１９に挿入されて接続されるようになっている。なお、この回路形成体３１は前記基板型に代えて、ブスバーにより回路パターン及び接続バー６３が形成されてなるブスバー型（図示せず）のものを使用してもよい。
【００４９】
このような構成の受入側コネクタ部１３によると、挿入側コネクタ部１１を受入側コネクタ部１３に挿入する際、挿入側コネクタ部１１のコネクタハウジング１５の側部３７が受入側コネクタ部１３の入口側の広がった案内溝６９にガイドされるので、挿入側コネクタ部１１が受入側コネクタ部１３に対して傾斜した状態で挿入されることが減少し、挿入側コネクタ部１１を受入側コネクタ部１３に整列させて正しい姿勢で挿入し易くなり、両コネクタ部１１、１３の嵌合接続をより円滑に行うことができるので好ましい。
【００５０】
図１５に示す受入側コネクタ部７７は、前記受入側コネクタ部１３の変形例を示すものである。この受入側コネクタ部７７が受入側コネクタ部１３と異なるところは、受入側コネクタ部１３において、更に案内用凸条部７１の中央付近に位置する１又は複数（図示例は２個）の案内用凸条部７２の長さが他のものよりも挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９の入口側に所定量長く形成され、挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９の長手方向に沿って突出していること、また、挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９の入口側上下両端部に両側端部よりも所定長さ延出され、且つ、内壁面が入口側に向かって外側にラッパ状に傾斜するひさし部７９が設けられていることであり、その他の構成は受入側コネクタ部１３と同じである。
【００５１】
このように、中央付近に位置する案内用凸条部７２の長さが長く形成されていると、挿入側コネクタ部１１を受入側コネクタ部７７に挿入するときの軸ずれがより減少し、正しい姿勢で挿入することができるので好ましい。更に、前記ひさし部７９が設けられていると、挿入側コネクタ部１１を受入側コネクタ部７７に挿入するときに生じた軸ずれを修正する効果がより大きくなるので好ましい。なお、前記２手段のいずれか一方を省略しても受入側コネクタ部１３のものよりも挿入側コネクタ部１１の挿入性を向上させることができることは勿論である。また、中央付近に案内用凸条部７２を設ける場合、案内用凸条部７２の個数、即ち、上下方向に設ける区間長さを長くすると、挿入側コネクタ部１１におけるコネクタハウジング１５の積層段数が増えても挿入側コネクタ部１１の挿入が容易になるので好ましい。
【００５２】
本発明の積層ジョイントコネクタを組み立てる場合には、図１６（Ａ）に示すように、挿入側コネクタ部１１と受入側コネクタ部１３とを対向させ、両コネクタ部１１、１３の軸線が平行になるように整列させた正しい姿勢で、挿入側コネクタ部１１を受入側コネクタ部１３の挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９に挿入し、受入側コネクタ部１３の接続バー３３を挿入側コネクタ部１１の端子収容室１７に収容された接続用端子１９内に挿入し、挿入側コネクタ部１１と受入側コネクタ部１３とを嵌合接続する。
【００５３】
ところで、前記挿入側コネクタ部１１を受入側コネクタ部１３に挿入する際、挿入側コネクタ部１１の軸線が受入側コネクタ部１３の軸線と平行にならず、例えば、図１６（Ｂ）に示すように、挿入側コネクタ部１１の軸線が受入側コネクタ部１３の軸線に対して時計方向に少し回動し、挿入側コネクタ部１１が右下がり状に傾斜した状態で挿入したり、或いは、図１６（Ｃ）に示すように、挿入側コネクタ部１１の軸線が受入側コネクタ部１３の軸線に対して反時計方向に少し回動し、挿入側コネクタ部１１が右上がり状に傾斜した状態で挿入したりすることが多い。
【００５４】
挿入側コネクタ部１１が前記したように傾斜した状態で挿入された場合には、挿入側コネクタ部１１が前記したように柔性構造をしているため、コネクタハウジング１５同士が速やかに相対移動して、挿入側コネクタ部１１の軸線が受入側コネクタ部１３の軸線と平行に整列し、挿入側コネクタ部１１が正しい姿勢に速やかに矯正される。こうして、挿入側コネクタ部１１を比較的小さな力で無理なく円滑に挿入することができ、両コネクタ部１１、１３を速やかに嵌合接続することができる。
【００５５】
積層ジョイントコネクタを組み立てる際、挿入側コネクタ部１１と受入側コネクタ部１３との嵌合接続を、図１７に示すようなコネクタ保持具８１、８２を用いて行ってもよい。この場合、コネクタ保持具８１の支持受部８１ａに挿入側コネクタ部１１におけるコネクタハウジング１５の耳部３９を保持させ、コネクタ保持具８２の支持受部８２ａに受入側コネクタ部１３のコネクタケース２７に突設されたチャック部８３を保持させ、コネクタ保持具８１、８２の操作により挿入側コネクタ部１１を受入側コネクタ部１３に挿入する。このようなコネクタ保持具８１，８２を用いると、両コネクタ部１１、１３の上下左右の振れが押えられるので、挿入側コネクタ部１１を受入側コネクタ部１３に挿入し易くなるので好ましい。
【００５６】
また、挿入側コネクタ部１１を受入側コネクタ部１３に挿入する際、挿入側コネクタ部１１におけるコネクタハウジング１１の積層段数が少ない場合には、挿入側コネクタ部１１が挿入される受入側コネクタ部１３の挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９内に空き空間が生じ、挿入側コネクタ部１１を挿入しにくくなることがある。このような場合には、挿入側コネクタ部受入室２９の空き空間が生じる箇所の案内溝６９に予めダミー板を挿入して空き空間を埋めるようにしておくと、挿入側コネクタ部１１の挿入が容易になるほか、挿入された挿入側コネクタ部１１が振動等でがたつくようなことがなく安定するので好ましい。
【００５７】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明の請求項１記載の積層ジョイントコネクタによると、挿入側コネクタ部におけるコネクタハウジングロック手段を構成する係止凹部と係止凸部との係止面間に遊間隙が設けられ、係止凹部に係止凸部が緩く係止されるようにし、複数のコネクタハウジングが相対移動可能に緩く合体されているので、挿入側コネクタ部が柔性構造になり、挿入側コネクタ部が受入側コネクタ部に対して傾斜した状態で挿入されても、コネクタハウジング同士が速やかに相対移動して形状が変わり、挿入側コネクタ部が受入側コネクタ部に整列して正しい姿勢に速やかに矯正される。従って、挿入側コネクタ部の挿入に大きな力が不要になるほか、途中で挿入が困難になることもなくなり、挿入側コネクタ部の挿入が容易になる。また、コネクタハウジングや接続用端子に無理な力が加わらず、これらが容易に変形しなくなる。
【００５８】
また、コネクタハウジングの寸法公差により、コネクタハウジングを積層したときの接続用端子間のピッチが受入側コネクタ部の接続バーのピッチとずれるような場合でも、コネクタハウジング同士が積層方向に広がって、接続用端子間のピッチが受入側コネクタ部の接続バーのピッチに合わせることが容易になるので、挿入側コネクタ部を受入側コネクタ部に挿入したとき、受入側コネクタ部の接続バーを挿入側コネクタ部の接続用端子に無理なく円滑に挿入することが可能になる。以上の結果、挿入側コネクタ部と受入側コネクタ部の嵌合接続が容易になってコネクタの電気的接続不良を確実に防止することができる。
【００５９】
本発明の請求項２に記載された積層ジョイントコネクタのように、受入側コネクタ部の挿入側コネクタ部受入室の内側壁に、挿入側コネクタ部のコネクタハウジングの側部が挿入される案内溝を形成するための複数の案内用凸条部が併設され、前記案内用凸条部の幅が挿入側コネクタ部受入室の入口側に向けて徐々に狭くなり、前記案内溝の幅が徐々に広くなるように形成されていると、挿入側コネクタ部を受入側コネクタ部に挿入する際、挿入側コネクタ部が受入側コネクタ部に対して傾斜した状態で挿入されることが減少し、挿入側コネクタ部を受入側コネクタ部に整列させて正しい姿勢で挿入し易くなり、両コネクタ部の嵌合接続をより円滑に行うことができるので好ましい。
【００６０】
本発明の請求項３に記載された積層ジョイントコネクタのように、挿入側コネクタ部の各コネクタハウジングにおける各端子収容室の一方の壁に、端子収容室の長手方向に形成された一対のスリットにより、基先端が前記壁に支持される両持ち構造で、背中側に厚肉となる肉盛り部と内側に接続用端子と係止される係止突起がそれぞれ形成された弾性係止片からなるランスが設けられ、前記ランスの位置に対応する反対側の他方の壁に、端子収容室に接続用端子を挿入する際、隣接するコネクタハウジングの端子収容室に設けられたランスの肉盛り部を受け入れて、ランスが外側に撓んで変位するのを許容するランス受入部が設けられていると、挿入側コネクタ部のコネクタハウジングにおける端子収容室の壁厚を薄くしても、ランスを構成する弾性係止片が両持ち構造で支持が強固になり、且つ、肉盛り部を有し、補強されて強度が大きくなり、接続用端子の保持力を十分確保することが可能になるので、コネクタハウジングを薄型にすることができ、コネクタハウジングが積層された挿入側コネクタ部の高さが低くなって、積層ジョイントコネクタが小型になるほか、接続用端子の積層方向のピッチが小さくなって無駄がなくなるので好ましい。
【００６１】
本発明の請求項４に記載された積層ジョイントコネクタのように、挿入側コネクタ部の各コネクタハウジングにおける各端子収容室に設けられたランスよりも後方に位置する前記他方の壁の外側に、接続用端子の２重係止リブが突設され、前記２重係止リブの位置に対応する前記一方の壁に、隣接するコネクタハウジングの端子収容室に突設された２重係止リブが係止される係止穴が設けられていると、挿入側コネクタ部のコネクタハウジングにおける端子収容室に収容された接続用端子をランスと２重係止リブとにより２重に係止するので、接続用端子が端子収容室から抜けるのをより確実に防止することができる。
【００６２】
また、端子収容室に接続用端子を挿入する際、接続用端子が中途半端な半挿入状態にあると、コネクタハウジングを複数段に積層する際、その端子収容室の一方の壁に設けられた係止穴に、隣接するコネクタハウジングにおける端子収容室の他方の壁に突設された２重係止リブを挿入しようとしても、２重係止リブを係止穴に所定深さまで確実に挿入することができないことを利用し、接続用端子の端子収容室内への半挿入状態を複雑な機構を用いずに簡単に検知することができるので好ましい。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の積層ジョイントコネクタを自動車用ワイヤーハーネスの多極コネクタに適用した場合の分解斜視図である。
【図２】図１の構成部品が組み合わされたアッシー状態の積層ジョイントコネクタの拡大斜視図である。
【図３】図１の挿入側コネクタ部を構成するコネクタハウジングを示すもので、（Ａ）は表側から見た斜視図、（Ｂ）は裏側から見た斜視図である。
【図４】図３のコネクタハウジングを示すもので、（Ａ）は平面図、（Ｂ）は裏面図である。
【図５】コネクタハウジングロック手段の係止凹部と係止凸部の係止状態を示す拡大断面図である。
【図６】コネクタハウジングのランス部分を示すものでは、（Ａ）は端子収容室にランスが設けられている状態の斜視図、（Ｂ）はランスの拡大斜視図、（Ｃ）はランスの係止突起を示す拡大斜視図である。
【図７】コネクタハウジングの端子収容室に設けられたランスの係止突起部分を示すもので、（Ａ）は縦断面図、（Ｂ）は横断面図である。
【図８】接続用端子が収容されたコネクタハウジングの端子収容室の係止穴に隣接するコネクタハウジングの端子収容室に突設された２重係止リブが係止される前の状態を示す縦断面図である。
【図９】図８の状態から係止穴に２重係止リブが係止された状態を示す縦断面図である。
【図１０】接続用端子が半挿入状態で収容されたコネクタハウジングの端子収容室の係止穴に隣接するコネクタハウジングの端子収容室に突設された２重係止リブが係止される前の状態を示す縦断面図である。
【図１１】２重係止リブの変形例を示す断面図である。
【図１２】コネクタハウジングを積層、合体して構成された挿入側コネクタ部を示すもので、（Ａ）は左側面図、（Ｂ）は正面図である。
【図１３】図１２（Ａ）のＸ―Ｘ線矢視断面図である。こ
【図１４】受入側コネクタ部を示すもので、（Ａ）は正面縦断面図、（Ｂ）は（Ａ）のＹ―Ｙ線矢視断面図である。
【図１５】図１４の受入側コネクタ部の変形例を示す正面縦断面図である。
【図１６】挿入側コネクタ部を受入側コネクタ部に挿入する状態を示すもので、（Ａ）は挿入側コネクタ部と受入側コネクタ部とを対向させ、挿入側コネクタ部を正しい姿勢で挿入する状態、（Ｂ）は挿入側コネクタ部が右下がり状に傾斜した状態で、（Ｃ）は右上がり状に傾斜した状態で挿入された状態を示す説明図である。
【図１７】挿入側コネクタ部を受入側コネクタ部にコネクタ保持具を用いて挿入する場合を示す概要図である。
【符号の説明】
１１挿入側コネクタ部
１３受入側コネクタ部
１５コネクタハウジング
１７端子収容室
１７ａ上壁
１７ｂ下壁
１７ｃ前壁
１９接続用端子
１９ａ係止受部
２１コネクタハウジングロック手段
２３係止凹部
２３ａ係止面
２４遊間隙
２５係止凸部
２５ａ係止面
２７コネクタケース
２９挿入側コネクタ部受入室
２９ａ隔壁
３１回路形成体
３２絶縁基板
３３接続バー
３５ケースカバー
３７側部
３９耳部
４１挿入凹溝
４３案内リブ
４５凹溝
４７抜き治具
４９スリット
５１ランス
５３肉盛り部
５５係止突起
５７ランス受入部
５９２重係止リブ
５９ａ突起
６１係止穴
６３接続バー挿入穴
６５ロック溝
６７カバー
６９案内溝
７１案内用凸条部
７２案内用凸条部
７３ロック爪部
７３ａ爪
７５回路形成体収容室
７７受入側コネクタ部
７９ひさし部
８１コネクタ保持具
８１ａ支持受部
８２コネクタ保持具
８２ａ支持受部
８３チャック部
Ａ電線[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a laminated joint connector suitable for branch connection of a wire harness used for connection between various electric components inside an automobile or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
This type of connector includes an insertion-side connector portion and a receiving-side connector portion into which the insertion-side connector portion is inserted. The insertion-side connector portion is inserted while being guided by the receiving-side connector portion, and the insertion-side connector portion The receiving side connector portion is configured to be fitted and connected. The insertion-side connector portion includes a plurality of connector housings each having a plurality of terminal receiving chambers arranged side by side to accommodate connection terminals, a locking concave portion provided in the connector housing, and a locking convex portion locked by the connector housing. And connector connector locking means for stacking the connector housings in a plurality of stages and uniting them. The receiving-side connector section has a connector case having an insertion-side connector section receiving chamber for receiving and holding the insertion-side connector section, and is connected to the connector case and is connected to the insertion-side connector section by projecting into the insertion-side connector receiving chamber. And a circuit forming body having a plurality of connection bars connected to the terminal for use (see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-39239 A (paragraphs 0019 to 0026 of the detailed description of the invention, FIGS. 1A and 1B)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such a laminated joint connector, usually, the insertion side connector portion is formed by laminating a plurality of connector housings in a plurality of stages, and then the locking projections are tightly inserted into the locking recesses of the connector housing locking means by tight fitting. The connector housing has a rigid structure such that the connector housings do not move relative to each other even when an external force acts on the insertion-side connector portion.
[0005]
Therefore, when such an insertion-side connector portion is inserted into the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber of the receiving-side connector portion and is fitted and connected, the axis of the insertion-side connector portion and the axis of the receiving-side connector portion are parallel to each other. It is desirable to insert and fit into the insertion-side connector part receiving chamber of the receiving-side connector part in the aligned and correct posture, but the insertion-side connector part should be inserted in a state inclined with respect to the receiving-side connector part. However, it is not easy to insert the insertion side connector part in a correct posture. Then, since the insertion side connector part is a rigid structure, a large force is required for its insertion, it can not be inserted in the middle, or an excessive force is applied to the connector housing and connection terminals and it is deformed, Poor electrical connection of the connector may occur.
[0006]
In addition, the thickness of individual connector housings often has the same dimensions due to dimensional tolerances.In particular, when the connector housing has a minimum value within the dimensional tolerances, the pitch between the connection terminals when the connector housings are stacked is reduced. The pitch may be smaller than the predetermined pitch, and may not match the pitch of the connection bar of the circuit forming body in the receiving-side connector portion to be fitted. Then, when the insertion-side connector section is inserted into the reception-side connector section, the connection bar of the reception-side connector section may not be correctly inserted into the connection terminal of the insertion-side connector section, which may cause a poor electrical connection of the connector. is there.
[0007]
The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and provides a laminated joint connector that can easily fit and connect an insertion-side connector portion and a reception-side connector portion and reliably prevent poor electrical connection of the connector. It is the purpose.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises an insertion-side connector portion and a receiving-side connector portion into which the insertion-side connector portion is inserted, and the insertion-side connector portion has a horizontal configuration. A plurality of connector housings in which a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers are provided side by side to accommodate connection terminals, a locking recess provided in the connector housing, and a locking projection locked by the connector housing; A connector housing locking means for stacking and merging the housings in a plurality of stages, wherein the receiving side connector section has a connector case having an insertion side connector section receiving chamber for receiving and holding the insertion side connector section, and is mounted on the connector case. And a circuit forming body having a plurality of connection bars protruding into the insertion-side connector receiving chamber and connected to connection terminals of the insertion-side connector portion. In the laminated joint connector in which the connector portion and the receiving-side connector portion are fitted and connected, a play gap is provided between the locking surfaces of the locking concave portion and the locking convex portion constituting the connector housing locking means, and The locking projection is loosely locked in the recess, and the plurality of connector housings are loosely combined so as to be relatively movable.
[0009]
In this manner, the laminated connector housings constituting the insertion-side connector portion are loosely united so as to be relatively movable, and have a flexible structure capable of expanding, contracting, sliding, and bending in an accordion manner. Even when the connector housing is inserted in an inclined state with respect to the connector portion, the connector housings quickly move relative to each other to change the shape, and the insertion-side connector portion is aligned with the receiving-side connector portion and quickly corrected to a correct posture. Therefore, a large force is not required for inserting the insertion-side connector portion, and the insertion does not become difficult in the middle, and the insertion-side connector portion is easily inserted. In addition, no excessive force is applied to the connector housing and the connection terminals, and these are not easily deformed.
[0010]
Further, even when the pitch between the connection terminals when the connector housings are stacked is different from the pitch of the connection bar of the receiving side connector portion due to the dimensional tolerance of the connector housings, the connector housings are spread in the stacking direction and connected. It is easy to adjust the pitch between the terminals for connection to the pitch of the connection bar of the receiving connector. When the insertion connector is inserted into the receiving connector, the connection bar of the receiving connector is inserted into the insertion connector. Can be smoothly and smoothly inserted into the connection terminal. As a result, the mating connection between the insertion-side connector portion and the receiving-side connector portion is facilitated, and electrical connection failure of the connector can be reliably prevented.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the laminated joint connector according to the first aspect, a side portion of the connector housing of the insertion side connector portion is provided on an inner side wall of the insertion side connector portion receiving chamber of the reception side connector portion. A plurality of guide ridges for forming a guide groove to be inserted are provided side by side, and the width of the guide ridge is gradually narrowed toward the entrance side of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber, and the guide groove is formed. Are formed so that the width of each of them gradually increases.
[0012]
According to such a configuration, when the insertion-side connector portion is inserted into the reception-side connector portion, the side portion of the connector housing of the insertion-side connector portion is guided by the widened guide groove on the entrance side of the reception-side connector portion. The insertion-side connector section is less likely to be inserted in an inclined state with respect to the reception-side connector section, the insertion-side connector section is aligned with the reception-side connector section, and is easily inserted in a correct posture. This is preferable because the connection can be performed more smoothly.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the laminated joint connector according to the first or second aspect, one wall of each terminal accommodating chamber in each connector housing of the insertion-side connector portion is provided in a longitudinal direction of the terminal accommodating chamber. With a pair of slits formed at the base, the base end is supported by the wall, and a double-sided structure is formed. A lance made of an elastic locking piece is provided, and is provided in the terminal housing chamber of the adjacent connector housing when the connection terminal is inserted into the terminal housing chamber on the other wall opposite to the position of the lance. A lance receiving portion for receiving the built-up portion of the lance and allowing the lance to bend outward and displace.
[0014]
According to such a configuration, even if the wall thickness of the terminal accommodating chamber in the connector housing of the insertion-side connector portion is reduced, the elastic locking piece constituting the lance has a two-sided structure, and the support is strong, and the padding is increased. It has a portion and is reinforced to increase the strength, and it is possible to sufficiently secure the holding force of the connection terminal. Therefore, the wall thickness of the terminal accommodating chamber, that is, the connector housing can be made thin and thin, and the height of the insertion-side connector portion on which the connector housing is laminated is reduced, so that the laminated joint connector is reduced in size. In addition, it is preferable because the pitch of the connection terminals in the stacking direction is reduced and waste is eliminated.
[0015]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the laminated joint connector according to the third aspect, the other of the other side of the insertion-side connector portion is located rearward of a lance provided in each terminal accommodating chamber in each connector housing of the insertion-side connector portion. On the outside of the wall, a double locking rib of the connection terminal protrudes, and on the one wall corresponding to the position of the double locking rib, the double locking rib protrudes from the terminal receiving chamber of the adjacent connector housing. A locking hole for locking the heavy locking rib is provided.
[0016]
According to such a configuration, the connection terminals housed in the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing of the insertion-side connector portion are double-locked by the lances and the double locking ribs. Can be more reliably prevented from falling off.
[0017]
Further, when inserting the connection terminal into the terminal housing chamber, if the connection terminal is not inserted deeply to the predetermined position and is in an incomplete half-inserted state, when the connector housing is stacked in a plurality of stages, the terminal housing chamber is not inserted. Even if an attempt is made to insert a double locking rib projecting from the other wall of the terminal accommodating chamber in the adjacent connector housing into a locking hole provided in one wall of the connector housing, the tip of the double locking rib is connected. Collides with the rear end of the terminal and prevents insertion of the double locking rib. For this reason, the double locking rib cannot be reliably inserted into the locking hole to a predetermined depth, and it becomes difficult to stack the connector housings. In this manner, the half-inserted state of the connection terminal into the terminal receiving chamber can be easily detected without using a complicated mechanism, which is preferable.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view in which the laminated joint connector of the present invention is applied to a multi-pole connector of a wire harness for an automobile, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an assembled laminated joint connector in which the components of FIG. 1 are combined, 3A and 3B show a connector housing constituting the insertion-side connector portion of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3A is a perspective view seen from the front side, FIG. 3B is a perspective view seen from the back side, and FIG. (A) is a plan view and (B) is a back view.
[0019]
As shown in the figure, the laminated joint connector of the present invention includes an insertion-side connector (female connector) 11 and a receiving-side connector (male connector) 13 into which the insertion-side connector 11 is inserted. The insertion-side connector section 11 has a plurality of (ten in the illustrated example) terminal accommodating chambers 17 arranged side by side to accommodate the connection terminals 19 (see FIGS. 8 to 10 and 13). ), A 10-pole connector housing 15 having a rectangular plate shape, a locking concave portion 23 provided on the connector housing 15 and a locking convex portion 25 locked by the connector housing 15. (In the illustrated example, 10 stages) and a connector housing locking means 21 which is stacked and united. The connector housing 15 and the connector housing locking means 21 are formed by plastic molding. Note that each connector housing 15 corresponds to each sub-harness, and each connector housing 15 is attached with a separate sub-harness.
[0020]
The receiving-side connector section 13 has a square-shaped insertion-side connector section receiving chamber 29 for receiving and holding the insertion-side connector section 11 on one side, and a square box-shaped connector case 27 formed by plastic molding. A plurality (100 in the illustrated example) of connection bars 33 are mounted on the other side of the connector case 27, protruded into the insertion-side connector receiving chamber 29, and connected to the connection terminals 19 of the insertion-side connector portion 11. And the insertion side connector section 11 and the reception side connector section 13 are fitted and connected. Reference numeral 35 denotes a rectangular plate-shaped case cover provided on the side of the connector case 27 on which the circuit forming body 31 is mounted, and protecting the circuit forming body 31, and is formed by plastic molding.
[0021]
More specifically, the ten connector housings 15 constituting the insertion-side connector portion 11 have the same structure so that they can be simply and easily stacked and combined easily. At the rear end of the portion 37, an ear portion 39 which is a grip portion when the insertion side connector portion 11 is inserted into the reception side connector portion 13 is provided in a protruding manner.
[0022]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the locking recess 23 of the connector housing locking means 21 is formed of a U-shaped concave groove which opens in the lateral direction, and both of the connector housings 15 constituting the insertion side connector portion 11 are formed. Are provided on both outer walls of the terminal accommodating chambers 17 located on both side ends at a distance in the front-rear direction (longitudinal direction of the terminal accommodating chambers 17), that is, four in total. A total of four locking projections 25 are provided at a lower position corresponding to the locking recesses 23 so as to protrude downward from the side portions 37 in a hook shape (hook shape). The locking projection 23 provided on the other side is inserted into the locking recess 23 provided on one side of the 15 and is locked.
[0023]
Further, as is apparent from FIG. 5, in a state where the locking projection 25 is locked in the locking recess 23, a play gap is formed between the locking surfaces 23a, 25a of the locking recess 23 and the locking projection 25. 24 are provided. The interval (play allowance) of the play gap 24 is preferably set to about 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm.
[0024]
The connector housing locking means 21 is further provided on both side portions 37 of each connector housing 15 and protrudingly provided on both outer side walls of the terminal accommodating chambers 17 located on both side ends so as to be sandwiched between the locking concave portions 23. And one rectangular plate-shaped guide rib 43 projecting directly below the side portion 37 corresponding to the one inserted rectangular groove 41. A guide rib 43 protruding from the other side is loosely fitted into an insertion concave groove 41 protruding from one side of the connector housing 15. Then, the relative movement distance (movement amount) in the horizontal direction (direction along the contact surface) of the connector housings 15 stacked in a plurality of stages is restricted so as not to be excessive.
[0025]
The number of the locking projections 25 (locking recesses 23) and the guide ribs 43 (insertion grooves 41) are not limited to the above numbers. In addition, when the shapes and positions of the guide ribs 43 and the insertion concave grooves 41 are appropriately changed for each connector housing 15, the order of the connector housings 15 to be stacked is reduced, and the workability at the time of stacking is improved. It is preferable because it can be used.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 3 (A), 4 (A) and 5, a rectangular groove 45 is provided on the upper surface of the side portion 37 corresponding to each locking concave portion 23, and a rod-shaped punch groove is provided. The tip of the jig 47 is inserted into the groove 45 and is rotated in the arrow direction (upward) in FIG. 5 to slightly lift the upper connector housing 15 and unlock the connector housing locking means 21. The connector housings 15 can be individually disassembled by uncoupling the stacked connector housings 15.
[0027]
As described above, in the laminated joint connector of the present invention, the play gap 24 is provided between the locking surfaces 23a, 25a of the locking concave portion 23 and the locking convex portion 25 constituting the connector housing locking means 21. The locking projection 25 is loosely locked in the recess 23. Thereby, the laminated connector housings 15 constituting the insertion-side connector portion 11 are loosely united so as to be relatively movable, and have a flexible structure that can be expanded, contracted, slid, bent, and the like in an accordion manner. Even when the connector housing 15 is inserted in an inclined state with respect to the receiving-side connector portion 13, the connector housings 15 quickly move relative to each other to change the shape, and the insertion-side connector portion 11 is aligned with the receiving-side connector portion 13 to be in a correct posture. It is corrected immediately.
[0028]
Therefore, a large force is not required for inserting the insertion-side connector portion 11, and the insertion does not become difficult in the middle, and the insertion of the insertion-side connector portion 11 becomes easy. Further, no excessive force is applied to the connector housing 15 and the connection terminal 19, and these are not easily deformed.
[0029]
Further, even when the pitch between the connection terminals 19 when the connector housings 15 are stacked is shifted from the pitch of the connection bars 33 of the receiving-side connector portion 13 due to the dimensional tolerance of the connector housings 15, the connector housings 15 are stacked. When the insertion-side connector portion 11 is inserted into the receiving-side connector portion 13, the pitch between the connection terminals 19 is easily adjusted to the pitch of the connection bars 33 of the receiving-side connector portion 13. The connection bar 33 of the side connector portion 13 can be smoothly and smoothly inserted into the connection terminal 19 of the insertion side connector portion 11. As a result, the fitting connection between the insertion-side connector portion 11 and the reception-side connector portion 13 is facilitated, and the electrical connection failure of the connector can be reliably prevented.
[0030]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 (A), 4 (A), and 6 (A), one wall of each terminal accommodating chamber 17 in the connector housing 15 of the insertion-side connector portion 11, that is, the upper wall 17a has: With a pair of slits 49 formed in the longitudinal direction of the terminal accommodating chamber 17, the base end is supported by the wall 17 a in a two-sided structure, and the thickened back portion 53 (FIG. 6 (A) B)), and a lance 51 formed of a plastic elastic locking piece having a locking projection 55 (refer to FIG. 6C) formed on the inside thereof and locking with the connection terminal 19.
[0031]
3B, 4B, 7A and 7B show the other wall on the opposite side of the terminal accommodating chamber 17 corresponding to the position of the lance 51, that is, the lower wall 17b. As described above, when the connection terminal 19 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 17, the overhanging portion 53 of the lance 51 provided in the terminal accommodating chamber 17 of the adjacent connector housing 15 is received, and the lance 51 is bent outward and displaced. A lance receiving portion 57 formed of a slit-like small hole that allows the lance to be inserted is provided. Although the lance receiving portion 57 is a small hole in the illustrated one, if the strength of the lance 51 can be sufficiently maintained and the built-up portion 53 can be made small, it may be a concave groove (a bottomed hole) instead of a hole. .
[0032]
When the lance 51 having such a configuration is used, even when the wall thickness of the terminal accommodating chamber 17 in the connector housing 15 of the insertion-side connector section 11 is reduced, the elastic locking pieces constituting the lance 51 are supported in a double-supported structure. It becomes strong, has a built-up portion 53, is reinforced, and has a large strength, so that a sufficient holding force of the connection terminal 19 can be secured. Therefore, the wall thickness of the terminal accommodating chamber 17, that is, the connector housing 15 can be made thin and thin, and the height of the insertion-side connector portion 11 on which the connector housing 15 is laminated becomes low, so that the laminated joint connector This is preferable because it reduces the size and the pitch of the connection terminals 19 in the stacking direction is reduced and waste is eliminated.
[0033]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 (B), 4 (B), and 8 to 10, the lances 51 provided behind the lances 51 provided in the respective terminal housing chambers 17 in the respective connector housings 15 of the insertion-side connector portion 11. On the outer side (lower part) of the lower wall (the other wall) 17b, for example, a square double locking rib 59 of the connection terminal 19 is projected. On the upper wall 17a (one wall) corresponding to the position of the double locking rib 59, a double locking rib 59 projecting from the terminal housing chamber 17 of the adjacent connector housing 15 is locked. A locking hole 61 is provided.
[0034]
When the connector housings 15 are stacked in a plurality of stages (in the illustrated example, ten stages), before the stacking, as shown in FIG. ) Is inserted and accommodated in the connection terminal 19 (the electric wire is omitted). At this time, the tab-shaped locking receiving portion 19a protruding from the upper end side of the connection terminal 19 abuts on the locking projection 55 of the lance 51, and the lance 51 is slightly bent upward from the slit 49 portion. After that, the connection terminal 19 is locked by the locking protrusion 55 to prevent the connection terminal 19 from coming off. In such a state, the connector housings 15 are stacked and united.
[0035]
FIG. 8 shows that when the connector housings 15 in which the connection terminals 19 are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers 17 are stacked in a plurality of stages, one of the connector housings 15 adjacent to the locking hole 61 provided in the terminal accommodating chamber 17 is provided. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state before the double locking rib 59 projecting from the terminal accommodating chamber 17 of the connector housing 15 is locked. FIG. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a double locking rib 59 is locked in a stop hole 61.
[0036]
As described above, when the connector housings 15 are stacked, the double locking ribs 59 protruding from the terminal accommodating chambers 17 are engaged with the engaging holes 61 so that the terminal accommodating chambers 17 in the connector housing 15 can be accommodated. The accommodated connection terminal 19 is not only locked by the locking projection 55 of the lance 51 but also double-locked by a double locking rib 59, so that the connection terminal 19 is It is preferable because it can be more reliably prevented from falling off.
[0037]
Also, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and the like, if a projection 59a is provided at the rear of the double locking rib 59, the projection 59a is engaged after the double locking rib 59 is locked in the locking hole 61. This is preferable because it is caught on the edge of the stop hole 61 and hardly comes off from the locking hole, and the prevention of the connection terminal 19 from coming off is further enhanced. The protrusion 59a may be provided on the full double locking rib 59. However, when the connector housing 14 is horizontally long, there is a possibility that the center of the connector housing 14 will float. It may be provided only for one.
[0038]
FIG. 10 shows the terminal housing of the other connector housing 15 adjacent to the locking hole 61 provided in the terminal housing chamber 17 of one connector housing 15 in which the connection terminal 19 is housed in the terminal housing chamber 17 in a half-inserted state. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state before a double locking rib 59 protruding from a chamber 17 is locked.
[0039]
As described above, when the connection terminal 19 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 17 before the connector housing 15 is stacked, if the connection terminal is not inserted deeply to a predetermined position and is in a half-inserted state, the connector When stacking the housings 15 in a plurality of stages, even if it is attempted to insert the double locking ribs 59 projecting from the terminal housings of the adjacent connector housing 15 into the locking holes 61 provided in the terminal housings 17. The tip of the double locking rib 59 collides with the rear end of the connection terminal 19 to prevent the double locking rib 59 from being inserted. For this reason, the double locking rib 59 cannot be reliably inserted into the locking hole 61 to a predetermined depth, and it becomes difficult to stack the connector housings 15. Therefore, it is preferable that the double locking rib 59 is protruded, since the half insertion state of the connection terminal 19 into the terminal accommodating chamber 17 can be easily detected without using a complicated mechanism.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 11, the double locking rib 59 may be formed so that the lower portion is inclined forward toward the lance receiving portion 57, that is, toward the tip end of the connection terminal 19. Such a shape is preferable because, when the connection terminal 19 is not completely inserted, the housing is easily brought into contact with the housing, and the sensitivity of detecting the half-inserted state of the connection terminal 19 is improved.
[0041]
If the shapes and positions of the double locking ribs 59 and the locking holes 61 are appropriately changed for each connector housing 15 as in the case of the guide ribs 43 and the insertion concave grooves 41, the connectors to be similarly laminated This is preferable because mistakes in the order of the housings 15 can be reduced, and workability during lamination can be improved.
[0042]
When the insertion-side connector section 11 is inserted into the reception-side connector section 63, the connection bar 33 of the reception-side connector section 13 is inserted into the connection terminal 19 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 17 of the connector housing 15, and is electrically connected. A connection bar insertion hole formed through the front wall 17c of the terminal accommodating chamber 17 so as to enable connection. Reference numeral 65 denotes a lock groove provided at a position near the tip of both side portions 37 in each connector housing 15, and after inserting the insertion side connector portion into the receiving side connector portion and fitting the same, the receiving side connector portion is provided. The locking pawl 73a (see FIG. 14) of the locking pawl 73 provided on the side is locked so that the insertion-side connector section does not come out of the insertion-side connector section receiving chamber 29 of the receiving-side connector section 13. is there. Although the lock grooves 65 are provided on both side portions 37 of the connector housing 15 in the drawing, they may be provided only on one side portion 37.
[0043]
FIGS. 12A and 12B are a left side view (a front view), a front view, and a front view showing an insertion-side connector portion 11 formed by stacking and integrating ten connector housings 15 in upper and lower ten stages. FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. When assembling the insertion-side connector section 11, as shown in FIG. 13, the connection terminals 19 connected to the electric wires A constituting the sub-harness are connected to the connector housing 15 before the connector housing 15 is laminated. Then, the connector housings 15 are stacked and accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 17, and then the connector housings 15 are stacked and combined by the connector housing locking means 21. In this process, the operation of inserting the connection terminals 19 into the terminal accommodating chamber 17 of the connector housing 15 may be performed before the ten connector housings 15 are started to be stacked, or may be inserted into the lower connector housing 15. Each time the connector housings 15 in the upper stage are stacked, they may be sequentially performed.
[0044]
The connection terminal 19 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 17 is double-locked on the connector housing 15 stacked on the uppermost stage of the insertion-side connector portion 11 so as to be double-locked. At corresponding positions, ten double locking ribs 59 (not shown) are protruded, and four locking projections 25 of the connector housing locking means 21, two guide ribs 43, and a lance receiving part are provided. A rectangular plate-like cover 67 provided with a (concave groove) 57 (not shown) is attached (see FIGS. 12 and 13).
[0045]
Next, the configuration of the receiving side connector portion 13 will be further described. As shown in FIGS. 2, 14 (A) and (B), the insertion side connector portion receiving chamber 29 of the connector case 27 forming the receiving side connector portion 13 is provided. For example, in order to form a substantially U-shaped guide groove 69, both side portions 37 of each connector housing 15 of the insertion-side connector portion 11 are inserted into both inner side walls of the insertion side connector portion 11 while being guided. A guide ridge 71 having a substantially square cross section (only one side is visible in the drawing) is provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber 29 and in the vertical direction, that is, on the insertion side. The connection terminals 19 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers 17 of the connector portion 11 are provided at pitch intervals that match the pitch in the connector housing laminating direction.
[0046]
In the illustrated embodiment, the guide grooves 69 are formed by recessing both inner side walls of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber 29. Therefore, the height surface of each guide ridge 71 provided on the inner side wall is reduced. Are on the same plane as the inner wall surface of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber 29 and do not protrude inward from the inner wall surface. In the drawing, 11 guide grooves 69 are formed so that the respective side portions 37 on the insertion side connector portion 11 side and the side portion 37 of the cover 67 can be inserted. Are provided. Further, the width of each guide ridge 71 is gradually narrowed and tapered toward the entrance side of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber 29, and the width of the guide groove 69 is gradually increased. . The guide ridges 71 may be juxtaposed so as to protrude inward from both inner side walls of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber 29. In this case, the guide ridges 71 project between the projecting guide ridges 71. A guide groove 69 is formed. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide grooves 69 are formed on both inner side walls of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber 29 in the receiving-side connector portion 13, but may be formed only on one inner side wall.
[0047]
Further, when the insertion-side connector portion 11 is inserted into the reception-side chamber 29, the insertion-side connector portion 11 is engaged with a lock groove 65 provided in the connector housing 15 on both side walls of the insertion-side connector portion reception chamber 29. A lock claw portion 73 is provided, which is made of an elastic locking piece for fixing the side connector portion 11 so as not to come out of the insertion side connector portion receiving chamber 29 of the receiving side connector portion 13. The number of the locking claws 73 (20 in the illustrated example) corresponding to the number of the locking grooves 65 provided in the connector housing 15 can sufficiently fix the insertion-side connector portion 11. Therefore, as shown in the figure, when the connector housings 15 of the insertion-side connector portion 11 are stacked in ten layers, for example, the lower side of the insertion-side connector portion 11 is provided on both side walls of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber 29. The connector housings 15 of the third and eighth stages are inserted two at a time, and a total of four are provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock claws 73 are provided on both side walls of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber 29, but may be provided only on one side wall.
[0048]
Further, as shown in the figure, the circuit forming body 31 has a plurality (see FIG. 4) on the other surface (front surface) of the insulating substrate 32 provided with a circuit pattern made of a conductor such as copper foil on one surface (back surface) by printing or the like. In the illustrated example, one end of a connection bar 33 made of a highly conductive pin contact made of a copper material or the like (100 pieces) is connected to the circuit pattern, and the other end is protruded through the insulating substrate 32. The circuit forming body 31 is housed and held in a circuit forming body housing chamber 75 formed on the opposite side of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber 29 of the connector case 27 with a partition wall 29a interposed therebetween. It penetrates the partition wall 29a, protrudes into the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber 29, and is inserted into and connected to the connection terminal 19 of the insertion-side connector portion 11. Note that, instead of the substrate type, the circuit forming body 31 may be a bus bar type (not shown) in which a circuit pattern and a connection bar 63 are formed by bus bars.
[0049]
According to the receiving-side connector portion 13 having such a configuration, when the insertion-side connector portion 11 is inserted into the receiving-side connector portion 13, the side portion 37 of the connector housing 15 of the insertion-side connector portion 11 enters the entrance of the receiving-side connector portion 13. Since the insertion side connector 11 is guided by the widened guide groove 69, it is less likely that the insertion side connector 11 is inserted in an inclined state with respect to the reception side connector 13, and the insertion side connector 11 is connected to the reception side connector 13. It is preferable because it is easy to insert the connector parts 11 and 13 in a correct posture, and the connection between the connector parts 11 and 13 can be performed more smoothly.
[0050]
The receiving connector 77 shown in FIG. 15 is a modification of the receiving connector 13. The receiving connector section 77 is different from the receiving connector section 13 in that one or more (two in the illustrated example) guides located near the center of the guiding ridge 71 in the receiving connector section 13. The length of the protruding ridge portion 72 is formed to be longer by a predetermined amount at the entrance side of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber 29 than the other, and protrudes along the longitudinal direction of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber 29. Eaves 79 are provided at the upper and lower ends on the entrance side of the insertion-side connector part receiving chamber 29, extending from the both end portions by a predetermined length, and having inner wall surfaces inclined in a trumpet shape outward toward the entrance side. The other configuration is the same as that of the receiving-side connector unit 13.
[0051]
As described above, when the length of the guide ridge portion 72 located near the center is formed long, the axial deviation when the insertion-side connector portion 11 is inserted into the reception-side connector portion 77 is further reduced, and the correctness is achieved. It is preferable because it can be inserted in a posture. Further, it is preferable that the eaves portion 79 is provided, since the effect of correcting the axis deviation generated when the insertion side connector portion 11 is inserted into the reception side connector portion 77 is further increased. It should be noted that, of course, even if one of the two means is omitted, the insertability of the insertion-side connector portion 11 can be improved more than that of the receiving-side connector portion 13. When the guide ridges 72 are provided near the center, if the number of guide ridges 72, that is, the length of the section provided in the up-down direction is increased, the number of stacking stages of the connector housing 15 in the insertion-side connector portion 11 is reduced. It is preferable that the number of the connectors increases even if the number increases.
[0052]
When assembling the laminated joint connector of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 16 (A), the insertion side connector part 11 and the reception side connector part 13 are opposed to each other, and the axes of both connector parts 11, 13 are parallel. The insertion side connector part 11 is inserted into the insertion side connector part receiving chamber 29 of the reception side connector part 13 in the correct posture aligned as described above, and the connection bar 33 of the reception side connector part 13 is accommodated in the terminal of the insertion side connector part 11. It is inserted into the connection terminal 19 accommodated in the chamber 17, and the insertion-side connector portion 11 and the receiving-side connector portion 13 are fitted and connected.
[0053]
By the way, when the insertion side connector section 11 is inserted into the reception side connector section 13, the axis of the insertion side connector section 11 does not become parallel to the axis of the reception side connector section 13, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, the axis of the insertion-side connector portion 11 is slightly rotated clockwise with respect to the axis of the reception-side connector portion 13 so that the insertion-side connector portion 11 is inserted in a state of being inclined to the lower right. As shown in (C), the axis of the insertion-side connector 11 rotates slightly counterclockwise with respect to the axis of the reception-side connector 13, and the insertion is performed with the insertion-side connector 11 inclined upward to the right. Often.
[0054]
When the insertion-side connector portion 11 is inserted in an inclined state as described above, since the insertion-side connector portion 11 has the flexible structure as described above, the connector housings 15 move relatively quickly. The axis of the insertion-side connector section 11 is aligned parallel to the axis of the reception-side connector section 13, and the insertion-side connector section 11 is quickly corrected to a correct posture. Thus, the insertion-side connector portion 11 can be smoothly and smoothly inserted with a relatively small force, and the two connector portions 11 and 13 can be quickly fitted and connected.
[0055]
When assembling the laminated joint connector, fitting connection between the insertion-side connector portion 11 and the reception-side connector portion 13 may be performed using connector holders 81 and 82 as shown in FIG. In this case, the support receiving portion 81a of the connector holder 81 holds the ear 39 of the connector housing 15 in the insertion-side connector portion 11, and the support receiving portion 82a of the connector holder 82 connects to the connector case 27 of the receiving-side connector portion 13. The projecting chuck 83 is held, and the insertion-side connector 11 is inserted into the reception-side connector 13 by operating the connector holders 81 and 82. The use of such connector holders 81 and 82 is preferable because the up-down and left-right swings of both connector portions 11 and 13 are suppressed, so that the insertion-side connector portion 11 can be easily inserted into the receiving-side connector portion 13.
[0056]
When inserting the insertion-side connector section 11 into the reception-side connector section 13 and the number of stacked connector housings 11 in the insertion-side connector section 11 is small, the reception-side connector section 13 into which the insertion-side connector section 11 is inserted. In some cases, an empty space is formed in the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber 29, and it becomes difficult to insert the insertion-side connector portion 11. In such a case, inserting a dummy plate in advance into the guide groove 69 at a location where an empty space of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber 29 is formed so as to fill the empty space allows the insertion of the insertion-side connector portion 11 to be completed. This is preferable because it becomes easy and the inserted insertion-side connector portion 11 is stabilized without rattling due to vibration or the like.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the laminated joint connector of the first aspect of the present invention, the play gap is formed between the engaging surfaces of the engaging concave portion and the engaging convex portion constituting the connector housing locking means in the insertion side connector portion. A plurality of connector housings are loosely united so as to be relatively movable, so that the insertion-side connector portion has a flexible structure, and the insertion-side connector portion is provided. Even if is inserted in a state inclined with respect to the receiving-side connector, the connector housings move quickly relative to each other to change the shape, and the insertion-side connector is aligned with the receiving-side connector and quickly corrected to the correct posture. Is done. Therefore, a large force is not required for inserting the insertion-side connector portion, and the insertion does not become difficult in the middle, and the insertion-side connector portion is easily inserted. In addition, no excessive force is applied to the connector housing and the connection terminals, and these are not easily deformed.
[0058]
Further, even when the pitch between the connection terminals when the connector housings are stacked is different from the pitch of the connection bar of the receiving side connector portion due to the dimensional tolerance of the connector housings, the connector housings are spread in the stacking direction and connected. It is easy to adjust the pitch between the terminals for connection to the pitch of the connection bar of the receiving connector. When the insertion connector is inserted into the receiving connector, the connection bar of the receiving connector is inserted into the insertion connector. Can be smoothly and smoothly inserted into the connection terminal. As a result, the mating connection between the insertion-side connector portion and the receiving-side connector portion is facilitated, and electrical connection failure of the connector can be reliably prevented.
[0059]
Like the laminated joint connector according to the second aspect of the present invention, a guide groove into which a side portion of the connector housing of the insertion-side connector portion is inserted is formed on an inner wall of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber of the reception-side connector portion. A plurality of guide ridges for forming are provided side by side, the width of the guide ridges gradually decreases toward the entrance side of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber, and the width of the guide groove gradually increases. When the insertion-side connector portion is inserted into the reception-side connector portion, it is less likely that the insertion-side connector portion is inserted in an inclined state with respect to the reception-side connector portion. This is preferable because the parts are aligned with the receiving-side connector part and can be easily inserted in the correct posture, and the fitting connection between the two connector parts can be performed more smoothly.
[0060]
As in the laminated joint connector according to the third aspect of the present invention, a pair of slits formed in the longitudinal direction of the terminal accommodating chamber on one wall of each terminal accommodating chamber in each connector housing of the insertion-side connector portion. The base end is a double-supported structure supported by the wall, and is formed of an elastic locking piece having a thick build-up portion on the back side and a locking projection formed on the inner side with a locking terminal for locking the connection terminal. A lance is provided, and on the other wall on the opposite side corresponding to the position of the lance, when inserting the connection terminal into the terminal accommodating chamber, a built-up portion of the lance provided in the terminal accommodating chamber of the adjacent connector housing is provided. When the lance receiving portion is provided to allow the lance to bend outward and be displaced, the lance is formed even when the wall thickness of the terminal accommodating chamber in the connector housing of the insertion side connector portion is reduced. Since the elastic locking piece has a double-supported structure, the support becomes strong, and it has a built-up portion, it is reinforced and the strength is increased, and it is possible to sufficiently secure the holding force of the connection terminal, The connector housing can be made thinner, the height of the insertion-side connector section where the connector housings are stacked is reduced, the stacked joint connector becomes smaller, and the pitch of the connecting terminals in the stacking direction is reduced, resulting in waste. Is preferred because it is eliminated.
[0061]
Like the laminated joint connector according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the connector is connected to the outside of the other wall located behind the lance provided in each terminal accommodating chamber in each connector housing of the insertion side connector portion. A double locking rib protruding from a terminal receiving chamber of an adjacent connector housing is engaged with the one wall corresponding to the position of the double locking rib. If the locking hole to be stopped is provided, the connection terminal accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber in the connector housing of the insertion side connector portion is double-engaged by the lance and the double engagement rib, so that the connection is established. The terminal for use can be more reliably prevented from falling out of the terminal accommodating chamber.
[0062]
Further, when inserting the connection terminal into the terminal accommodating chamber, when the connection terminal is in a half-inserted state, the connector housing is provided on one wall of the terminal accommodating chamber when the connector housings are stacked in a plurality of stages. Even if an attempt is made to insert a double locking rib projecting from the other wall of the terminal accommodating chamber in the adjacent connector housing into the locking hole, the double locking rib is securely inserted into the locking hole to a predetermined depth. Utilizing the inability to do so, it is preferable because the half-insertion state of the connection terminal into the terminal receiving chamber can be easily detected without using a complicated mechanism.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view when a laminated joint connector of the present invention is applied to a multi-pole connector of a wire harness for an automobile.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the laminated joint connector in an assembled state in which the components of FIG. 1 are combined.
3A and 3B show a connector housing constituting the insertion-side connector portion of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3A is a perspective view as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view as viewed from the back side.
4A and 4B show the connector housing of FIG. 3, wherein FIG. 4A is a plan view and FIG.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a locked state of a locking concave portion and a locking convex portion of the connector housing locking means.
6A is a perspective view showing a lance portion of the connector housing, wherein FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a state in which a lance is provided in the terminal accommodating chamber, FIG. 6B is an enlarged perspective view of the lance, and FIG. It is an expansion perspective view showing a stop projection.
FIGS. 7A and 7B show a locking projection of a lance provided in a terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing, wherein FIG. 7A is a longitudinal sectional view and FIG. 7B is a transverse sectional view.
FIG. 8 shows a state before a double locking rib protruding from the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing adjacent to the locking hole of the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing in which the connection terminal is housed. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view.
9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the double locking rib is locked in the locking hole from the state of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 shows a state before the double locking rib protruding from the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing adjacent to the locking hole of the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing in which the connection terminal is housed in a half-inserted state. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the double locking rib.
12A and 12B show an insertion-side connector portion formed by stacking and combining connector housings, wherein FIG. 12A is a left side view and FIG. 12B is a front view.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 12 (A). This
14 (A) is a front vertical sectional view, and FIG. 14 (B) is a sectional view taken along the line YY in FIG. 14 (A).
FIG. 15 is a front vertical sectional view showing a modified example of the receiving-side connector portion of FIG. 14;
16A and 16B show a state in which the insertion-side connector is inserted into the reception-side connector. FIG. 16A shows the state where the insertion-side connector and the reception-side connector are opposed to each other, and the insertion-side connector is inserted in a correct posture. (B) is an explanatory view showing a state where the insertion-side connector portion is inclined downward to the right, and (C) is an explanatory view showing a state where the insertion side connector is inclined upward and to the right.
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a case where an insertion-side connector is inserted into a reception-side connector using a connector holder.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Insertion side connector
13 Receiving side connector
15 Connector housing
17 Terminal accommodation room
17a Upper wall
17b lower wall
17c front wall
19 Connection terminal
19a Lock receiving part
21 Connector housing locking means
23 Lock recess
23a Locking surface
24 Play gap
25 locking projection
25a Locking surface
27 Connector case
29 Receiving room for connector on insertion side
29a Partition wall
31 Circuit forming body
32 insulating substrate
33 Connection Bar
35 Case cover
37 side
39 ears
41 insertion groove
43 Guide rib
45 groove
47 Jig
49 slit
51 Lance
53 Overlay
55 locking projection
57 Lance Receiving Department
59 Double locking rib
59a protrusion
61 Lock hole
63 Connection bar insertion hole
65 Lock groove
67 cover
69 Guide groove
71 Guide ridge
72 Guide ridge
73 Lock Claw
73a claws
75 Circuit formation body accommodation room
77 Receiving connector
79 Eaves
81 Connector Holder
81a Support receiving part
82 Connector Holder
82a Support receiving part
83 Chuck
A electric wire

Claims

A plurality of connector housings, each including an insertion-side connector portion and a receiving-side connector portion into which the insertion-side connector portion is inserted, wherein the insertion-side connector portion is provided with a plurality of terminal receiving chambers in a lateral direction and accommodating connection terminals. And a connector housing locking means having a locking recess provided in the connector housing and a locking projection locked by the connector housing, and a connector housing locking means for stacking and integrating the connector housings in a plurality of stages. A connector case having an insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber for receiving and holding the insertion-side connector portion; and a connection terminal of the insertion-side connector portion mounted on the connector case and protruding into the insertion-side connector receiving chamber. A laminated joint comprising a circuit forming body having a plurality of connection bars to be connected, wherein the insertion-side connector portion and the receiving-side connector portion are fitted and connected to each other. In the connector, a play gap is provided between the locking surfaces of the locking concave portion and the locking convex portion constituting the connector housing locking means, and the locking convex portion is loosely locked in the locking concave portion. Wherein the connector housings are loosely combined so as to be relatively movable.

On the inner side wall of the insertion-side connector portion receiving chamber of the receiving-side connector portion, a plurality of guide ridges for forming a guide groove into which the side portion of the connector housing of the insertion-side connector portion is inserted are provided in parallel. The width of the projecting ridge is gradually narrowed toward the entrance side of the insertion-side connector part receiving chamber, and the width of the guide groove is gradually widened. Laminated joint connector.

In one end wall of each terminal accommodating chamber in each connector housing of the insertion-side connector portion, a pair of slits formed in the longitudinal direction of the terminal accommodating chamber have a pair of slits, and the base end is supported by the wall. There is provided a lance composed of an elastic locking piece in which a thick build-up portion and a locking projection locked to the connection terminal are formed inside, and the other of the opposite side corresponding to the position of the lance is provided. When the connection terminal is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber on the wall, the lance receiving portion accepts the built-up portion of the lance provided in the terminal receiving chamber of the adjacent connector housing and allows the lance to bend outward and displace. The laminated joint connector according to claim 1, wherein a portion is provided.

A double locking rib of a connection terminal protrudes from the outside of the other wall located behind a lance provided in each terminal accommodating chamber in each connector housing of the insertion-side connector portion, and the double engagement rib is provided. The one wall corresponding to the position of the stop rib is provided with a locking hole for locking a double locking rib projecting from the terminal receiving chamber of the adjacent connector housing. Item 4. The laminated joint connector according to Item 3.