JP2006216433A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an insertion force peak from being generated in connecting terminal fittings to each other. <P>SOLUTION: This connector 3 is provided with: a first housing 1 with female terminals 10 housed therein; a second housing 2 with male terminals 20 housed therein; and holders 22a. Each female terminal 10 is provided with: a tube part 11 for housing an insert 27 of the male terminal 20; a spring piece 12 for energizing the insert 27 toward the inside surface of the tube part 11; and a tilting part 14 tilting so as to approach the spring piece 12 as it separates from the insert 27 side. Each holder 22a movably supports the male terminal 20 along a direction in which the spring piece 12 and the tilting part 14 face to each other and energizes the male terminal 20 toward the tilting part 14. The connector 3 is so structured that the insert 27 is inserted into the tube part 11 without sliding a tip 26 of the insert 27 on the spring piece 12 by bringing it into contact with the tilting part 14. In the connector 3, the spring pieces 12 and the inserts 27 are brought into contact with each other when the housings 1 and 2 are fitted to each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector used for circuit connection in a wire harness or the like.

  A wide variety of electronic devices are mounted on a vehicle as a moving body. In the automobile, a wire harness is routed to transmit electric power, a control signal, and the like to the electronic device. The wire harness includes a plurality of electric wires and a plurality of connectors (see Patent Document 1). The electric wire is a so-called covered electric wire including a conductive core wire and an insulating covering portion that covers the core wire.

  The connector includes a pair of insulating connector housings that are fitted together, and conductive terminal fittings that are accommodated in these housings. The terminal fitting is attached to an end portion of the electric wire and electrically connected to the core wire. The connector housing accommodates the terminal fitting. The wire harness transmits a control signal and the like to the electronic device by connector-connecting the connector housings.

  The terminal fitting accommodated in one connector housing is a spring piece that urges the cylindrical portion and an insert of the terminal fitting provided in the cylindrical portion and accommodated in the other connector housing toward the inner surface of the cylindrical portion. It has. In this type of terminal fitting, the insert of the terminal fitting housed in the other connector housing described above is urged toward the inner surface of the cylindrical portion by the spring piece, and between the spring piece and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion. It was connected with the terminal metal fitting accommodated in the other connector housing.

As described above, in the connector, that is, the terminal metal fitting that has been conventionally used, the urging force of the spring piece is maintained at a predetermined value or more. Further, the terminal fitting increases the rigidity of the spring piece and makes it difficult to elastically deform the spring piece, thereby maintaining the biasing force of the spring piece at a predetermined value or more. Thus, the conventional terminal fitting has been electrically connected to the terminal fitting accommodated in the other connector housing.
JP 2002-15803 A

  As described above, the connector elastically deforms the spring piece while the inserter slides on the spring piece when the connector housings are fitted to each other. For this reason, the insertion force (hereinafter referred to as the insertion force peak) applied when the inserter is inserted into the cylindrical portion, that is, when the connector housings are fitted to each other, tends to increase.

  On the other hand, the connector described above is required to accommodate more terminal fittings. As described above, the increase in the insertion force peak has a problem that it is difficult to fit the connector housings that accommodate many terminal fittings, and the assembly work efficiency of the connector is lowered.

  As a structure of the terminal fitting that prevents the above-described peak of the insertion force from occurring, the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a recess provided at the tip of the surface that contacts the spring piece of the inserter, and the inserter inserts from the recess. A terminal fitting provided with a taper over the outer surface at the rear in the insertion direction is used. By doing so, in the insertion process of the inserter, the insertion force applied to the other contact piece is increased stepwise, and the insertion force peak is reduced.

  However, in the structure of the terminal fitting of Patent Document 1, the insertion force peak can be reduced, but the insertion force peak cannot be completely eliminated because the insert slides on the spring piece.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that prevents an insertion force peak from occurring when connecting terminal fittings.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a connector according to claim 1 includes a first housing in which a female terminal is accommodated and a second housing in which a male terminal is accommodated, and the housings are fitted to each other. In the connector in which the terminals are electrically connected to each other, the female terminal includes a cylindrical portion that accommodates the male terminal inserter, and the male terminal inserter provided in the cylindrical portion. A spring piece that urges toward the inner surface of the portion, and a vertex portion that is provided on the spring piece and is bent so as to protrude toward the side in contact with the male terminal. The tip of the insert in the insertion direction passes through a position facing the apex, and the apex of the spring piece and the tip of the insert are restricted from contacting each other, and When the housings fit together, the apex of the spring piece and the It is characterized by having a regulating means for contacting the contact surface of the terminal.

  The connector according to claim 2 is the connector according to claim 1, wherein the restricting means is provided at a position facing the spring piece and approaches the spring piece as the distance from the inserter side increases. An inclined portion inclined to the second housing, and the male terminal is movably supported along a direction in which the spring piece and the inclined portion face each other, and the male terminal is inclined. A holder biased toward the portion, and when the housings are fitted to each other, the tip of the male terminal abuts on the inclined portion, and slides on the inclined portion, thereby The contact surface is in contact with the apex, and the terminals are connected to each other.

  The connector according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the connector according to claim 2, an interval between the apex portion and a position of the inclined portion facing the apex portion is larger than a thickness of the inserter. .

  The connector according to claim 4 is the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the female terminal is provided on a side farther from the male terminal side than the spring piece in the cylindrical portion. When the first housing and the second housing are fitted, the contact surface of the male terminal comes into contact with the apex and the position restricting piece is at the tip of the inserter. It is characterized by touching.

  The connector according to claim 5 is the connector according to claim 1, wherein the restricting means is provided on the spring piece, protrudes outside the cylindrical portion, and bends convex toward the outside of the cylindrical portion. A second apex portion formed, and a male rib provided in the second housing, extending in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the male terminal and inserted into the first housing, After the tip portion passes through the position facing the vertex portion, the male rib presses the second vertex portion in a direction in which the vertex portion approaches the contact surface of the male terminal, and the terminals are connected to each other. It is characterized by that.

  The connector according to claim 6 is the connector according to claim 5, wherein a tapered surface that intersects with the insertion direction of the male rib is provided at a portion that contacts the second apex portion of the male rib. It is characterized by being.

  The connector according to claim 7 is the connector according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the female terminal includes a protective wall that is continuous with the outer wall of the cylindrical portion and protects the spring piece from external interference. The second housing includes a concave portion that is recessed from a portion of the male rib that contacts the protective wall, and the protective wall enters the concave portion when the housings are fitted to each other.

  The connector according to claim 8 has a first housing in which a female terminal is accommodated and a second housing in which a male terminal is accommodated, and the terminals are electrically connected to each other by fitting the housings together. In the connector to be connected, the first housing includes a cavity for accommodating the female terminal and an inserter of the male terminal, the female terminal is in contact with the male terminal and the male terminal is connected to the male terminal. A spring piece for urging toward the inner surface of the cavity; and a vertex provided on the spring piece and bent convexly toward the male terminal; and the inserter is inserted into the cavity, When the distal end portion in the insertion direction of the inserter passes through the position facing the apex portion, the contact between the apex portion of the spring piece and the distal end portion of the inserter is restricted and the housings are fitted together Top of the spring piece It is characterized by having a regulating means for contacting the part and the contact surface of the male terminal.

  The connector according to claim 9 is the connector according to claim 8, wherein the restricting means includes an outer wall of the first housing and an outer wall of the second housing that overlap each other when the housings are fitted to each other. A projection provided on one side and projecting toward the other, and a guide groove provided on the other side and into which the projection enters, wherein the guide groove contacts the spring piece and the male terminal. It is characterized in that it is inclined in the direction of approaching.

  The connector according to claim 10 is the connector according to claim 8, wherein one of the outer wall of the first housing and the outer wall of the second housing overlaps each other when the housings are fitted to each other. A lock protrusion protruding from the outer wall and a lock arm fitted to the lock protrusion 35 provided on the other outer wall, the lock protrusion and the lock arm can overlap each other, and the housing Tapered surfaces provided at one edge in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction of each other and inclined in a direction approaching the outer wall of the housing toward the outside of the housing along the orthogonal direction In the state where the tapered surfaces overlap each other, the terminals are spaced apart from each other, and the locking projection and the front When the lock arm is fitted, and moves the housing between the direction in which the tapered faces away, the terminals each other is characterized by contacting.

  The connector according to claim 11 is the connector according to claim 10, wherein the restricting means places the housings in positions where the tapered surfaces can overlap each other until the housings are completely fitted together. When the housings are completely fitted to each other, the housings move in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction in a direction in which the tapered surfaces are separated from each other, and the lock protrusion and the lock arm It is characterized in that it is provided with guiding means for allowing the fitting.

  The connector according to claim 12 is the connector according to claim 8, wherein one of the outer wall of the first housing and the outer wall of the second housing overlaps when the housings are fitted to each other. A lock protrusion protruding from the outer wall and a lock arm fitted to the lock protrusion provided on the other outer wall, and one of the lock protrusion and the lock arm can be in contact with the other member And is provided at one edge in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction of the housings, and approaches the outer wall of the housing toward the outside of the housing along the orthogonal direction. In the state where the tapered surface and the other member are in contact with each other, the terminals are spaced apart from each other. When the lock arm and the lock projection is fitted, said housing with each other by moving in a direction and the other member and the tapered surface away from each other, the terminals each other is characterized by contacting.

  The connector according to claim 13 is the connector according to claim 12, wherein the restricting means is a position where the tapered surface and the other member can contact each other until the housings are completely fitted to each other. When the housings are completely fitted together, the housings move in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction in a direction in which the tapered surface and the other member are separated from each other. And a guide means for allowing the lock protrusion and the lock arm to be fitted together.

  The connector according to claim 14 is the connector according to claim 11 or 13, wherein the guiding means is provided on one of an outer wall of the first housing and an outer wall of the second housing. And a guide groove that protrudes toward the other, and a guide groove that is provided on the other side and into which the guide protrusion enters, the guide groove extending in parallel with the insertion direction of the inserter. It is characterized by comprising a groove and a second groove that is connected to the first groove and extends in parallel with the direction in which the insert approaches the apex.

  In the connector according to claim 1 and claim 8, when the insertion direction distal end of the insert passes through a position facing the apex, the apex of the spring piece and the end of the insert Since it is provided with a restricting means for restricting contact and bringing the apex portion of the spring piece into contact with the contact surface of the male terminal when the housings are fitted together, the distal end portion of the inserter is placed on the spring piece. The inserter can be inserted and the terminals can be connected without sliding. Therefore, a connector in which no insertion force peak occurs can be obtained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the female terminal includes an inclined portion that is inclined so as to approach the spring piece as the female terminal moves away from the inserter side. The second housing includes a holder for supporting the male terminal movably along a direction in which the spring piece and the inclined portion face each other and urging the male terminal toward the inclined portion. I have. For this reason, even if the tip of the inserter contacts the inclined portion, the inserter moves by the holder, so that (almost) no frictional force is generated between the inserter and the inclined portion. Without sliding on the spring piece, the insert can be gradually brought closer to the apex as it is inserted, and the apex and the insert are inserted at the final stage of insertion of the insert. Can be contacted. Therefore, a connector in which no insertion force peak occurs can be obtained.

  The connector according to claim 3 is formed such that a distance between the apex portion and a position of the inclined portion facing the apex portion is larger than a thickness of the inserter. For this reason, even if the tip part of the inserter contacts the inclined part, the inserter does not slide on the spring piece at all. Therefore, a connector in which no insertion force peak occurs can be obtained.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the female terminal includes a position restricting piece provided on a side farther from the male terminal side than the spring piece in the cylindrical portion. For this reason, it can prevent that the said position control piece contacts the front-end | tip part of the said inserter, and an inserter rattles in the said cylinder part.

  The connector according to claim 5, wherein the male rib passes the second vertex portion after the distal end portion of the male terminal faces the vertex portion, and the vertex portion contacts the contact surface of the male terminal. In order to press in the approaching direction, the inserter can be inserted to the rear end part in the insertion direction without sliding the tip of the inserter on the spring piece. The contact surface of the male terminal can be brought into contact. Therefore, a connector in which no insertion force peak occurs can be obtained.

  In the connector according to claim 6, a tapered surface that intersects with the insertion direction of the male rib is provided at a portion that contacts the second apex portion of the male rib. For this reason, the amount of friction between the tip of the male rib and the second apex portion can be reduced by the tapered surface, and the housings can be fitted with a small force. Furthermore, the tip of the male rib and the second apex can be reliably brought into contact with each other by the tapered surface, and the spring piece and the insert can be brought into contact with each other.

  In the connector according to claim 7, since the female terminal includes a protective wall that protects the spring piece from external interference, the spring piece can be prevented from being deformed or damaged by the external interference. Furthermore, since the second housing has a concave recess from the portion of the male rib that contacts the protective wall, the female terminal can be positioned by positioning the protective wall in the concave, and the female terminal Prevents rattling.

  The connector according to claim 9 includes: a protrusion protruding toward one of the outer wall of the first housing and the outer wall of the second housing; and a guide groove provided on the other and into which the protrusion enters. I have. Further, the guide groove is inclined in a direction in which the spring piece and the male terminal that are in contact with each other approach each other. For this reason, when the housings are fitted to each other, the inserter can be gradually brought closer to the top of the spring piece, and at the same time the housings are fitted, the top and the male terminal. Can be brought into contact with each other. Therefore, a connector in which no insertion force peak occurs can be obtained.

  The connector according to claim 10 and claim 12 includes: a lock projection protruding from one outer wall of the outer wall of the first housing and the outer wall of the second housing; and a lock arm provided on the other outer wall. And at least one of the lock protrusion and the lock arm has a tapered surface. As a result, by utilizing the elastic restoring force and the tapered surface of the lock arm, it is possible to fit the lock protrusion and the lock arm only by applying pressure in one direction in the connector fitting work. Will improve.

  In the connector according to the eleventh and thirteenth aspects, the guiding means regulates the engagement between the lock protrusion and the lock arm until the housings are completely fitted, and the spring piece and the inserter are Restrict contact. For this reason, terminals can be connected without the tip of the inserter sliding on the spring piece. Further, when the housings are completely fitted together, the guide means allows the lock protrusion and the lock arm to be fitted, and allows the spring piece and the inserter to contact each other. For this reason, when the housings are completely fitted to each other, the inserter and the spring piece can be reliably brought into contact with each other, and the terminals can be reliably connected to each other.

  The connector according to claim 12, wherein the guiding means includes a guiding protrusion provided on one of the outer wall of the first housing and the outer wall of the second housing, and the guiding protrusion provided on the other. And a guide groove for intrusion. Further, the guide groove includes a first groove and a second groove. Therefore, until the housings are completely fitted, the housings are positioned so that the tapered surfaces overlap each other, and when the housings are completely fitted, the housings are in contact with each other. It can be allowed to move in the direction in which the male terminal approaches.

  A connector 3 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The connector 3 includes a first housing 1, a second housing 2, a female terminal fitting (hereinafter referred to as a female terminal) 10, a male terminal fitting (hereinafter referred to as a male terminal), as shown in FIG. 20) and a holder 22a.

  The housings 1 and 2 are made of insulating synthetic resin and are formed in a box shape. The first housing 1 includes a plurality of cavities 7 that accommodate the female terminals 10. The cavity 7 is a hole penetrating the first housing 1 and extends linearly. The second housing 2 includes a plurality of cavities 9 that accommodate the male terminals 20. The cavity 9 is a hole penetrating the second housing 2 and extends linearly.

  4 to 7, the female terminal 10 is housed in the first housing 1, and the male terminal 20 housed in the second housing 2 and an electric wire (not shown) are electrically connected to each other. Used to connect.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the female terminal 10 is obtained by punching a conductive metal plate made of copper or a copper alloy (including brass, beryllium copper, etc.). 8 and. The electric wire connecting portion caulks the electric wire to electrically connect with the electric wire and is fixed to the electric wire. The electrical contact portion 8 includes a cylindrical portion 11 that is formed in a cylindrical shape and accommodates the inserter 27 of the male terminal 20 therein. The cylinder part 11 is formed in the square cylinder shape in the example of illustration.

  Further, the electrical contact portion 8 of the female terminal 10 is provided in the cylindrical portion 11 and is provided at a position facing the spring piece 12 and a spring piece 12 that urges the inserter 27 toward the inside of the cylindrical portion 11. In addition, the inclined portion 14 which is inclined so as to approach the spring piece 12 as it is away from the inserter 27 side, is provided on the side farther from the male terminal 20 side than the spring piece 12, and the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted together. Then, a position restricting piece 15 that comes into contact with the distal end portion 26 of the inserter 27 is provided.

  The spring piece 12 has a strip shape, one end is connected to the cylindrical portion 11 and the other end is formed in a cantilever shape having a free end, and is elastically deformable. Further, the spring piece 12 is provided with a vertex portion 13 that is bent so as to protrude toward the side in contact with the inserter 27. The apex portion 13 is formed by bending a strip-like sheet metal in the illustrated example, but in the present invention, the apex portion 13 protrudes from the other portion of the spring piece 12 toward the insert 27. As long as it is a thing, it does not necessarily need to be bent, for example, the embossing part which protruded in the inserter 27 side may be sufficient.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the inclined portion 14 is provided at a position facing the spring piece 12 of the cylindrical portion 11, and is formed by bending a part of a sheet metal forming the cylindrical portion 11. The inclined portion 14 is an inclined surface that is continuous in the direction approaching the spring piece 12 along the insertion direction of the inserter 27 from the opening side where the inserter 27 of the cylindrical portion 11 is inserted, and the inserter 27 is inclined. It slides on the part 14 and contacts the apex part 13 at the final stage of insertion. Furthermore, the space | interval of the position 14a facing the vertex part 13 and the vertex part 13 on the inclination part 14 is formed larger than the thickness of the inserter 27 inserted in the meantime.

  The position restricting piece 15 is provided on the same surface as the spring piece 12 of the cylindrical portion 11 and on the side farther from the male terminal 20 side than the spring piece 12. The position restricting piece 15 is formed in a cantilever shape with one end connected to the cylindrical portion 11, and is bent so that the other end contacts the inserter 27. When the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted together, the position restricting piece 15 comes into contact with the distal end portion 26 of the insert 27 and prevents the insert 27 from rattling in the cylindrical portion 11.

  In such a female terminal 10, when the inserter 27 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 11 and the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted, the inserter 27 is sandwiched between the spring piece 12 and the inclined portion 14. At this time, the spring piece 12 generates an elastic restoring force that urges the inserter 27 toward the inclined portion 14, that is, the inner surface of the tube portion 11, and restricts the inserter 27 from coming out of the tube portion 11. In this way, the inserter 27 is fixed in the cylindrical portion 11 and the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 10 are electrically connected.

  The male terminal 20 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate. As shown in FIG. 3, the male terminal 20 includes an electric wire connecting portion 20 a to which electric wires are electrically connected, a cylindrical portion 28, and an inserter 27 inserted into the cylindrical portion 11 of the female terminal 10. It is prepared as one. As for the male terminal 20, the electric wire connection part 20a, the cylindrical part 28, and the inserter 27 are distribute | arranged in order in order.

  The electric wire connection part 20a is fixed with the electric wire while caulking the electric wire to electrically connect the electric wire.

  The tubular portion 28 is connected to both the wire connecting portion 20a and the insert 27 and is formed in a square tubular shape. A locking arm (not shown) integrally formed with the second housing 2, a rib, a holder 22 a, which will be described later, and the like are locked to the cylindrical portion 28, and the male terminal 20 comes out of the cylindrical portion 11 and is displaced. Is prevented.

  The insert 27 is connected to the tubular portion 28 and has a contact surface 21 with the female terminal 10 and is formed in an elongated prismatic shape. The inserter 27 is formed thinner than the cylindrical portion 28. As shown in FIG. 3, the contact surface 21 is a portion excluding both ends in the longitudinal direction of the inserter 27, and may be anywhere as long as it is a portion excluding the distal end portion 26 and the base portion 29. That is, the contact surface 21 refers to the outer surface of the intermediate portion between the distal end portion 26 and the base portion 29. In addition, the inserter 27 is formed such that the distal end portion 26 away from the wire connecting portion 20a is gradually tapered toward the distal end.

  The holder 22a is mounted in the second housing 2 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, and the direction in which the spring piece 12 and the inclined portion 14 face each other, that is, the insertion direction of the insert 27 (in FIG. 4). A main body (not shown) that is slidably supported in a direction intersecting with the main body, and a plurality of attachments that contact the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 28 and position the male terminal 20. And a force portion 22. In addition, the arrow K has comprised the fitting direction (direction approached when fitting) of the housings 1 and 2 described in this specification, and the insertion direction of the insertion element 27. Further, the second housing 2 is provided with a notch 23 for restricting the movement of an urging plate 24, which will be described later, of the urging portion 22, that is, the holder 22a.

  The main body, that is, the holder 22a, restricts (but does not contact) the insert 27 of the male terminal 20 to contact the apex 13 of the spring piece 12, and the position shown in FIG. It is movably provided in the second housing 2 over the position shown in FIG. 7 and the like that allows (contacts) the apex portion 13 of the piece 12. That is, the holder 22a supports the male terminal 20 so as to be movable along a direction orthogonal (crossing) to the arrow K. Further, when the holder 22 a is positioned at the position shown in FIG. 4, the inserter 27 of the male terminal 20 is opposed to the inclined portion 14 along the arrow K.

  The urging unit 22 is made of an elastically deformable material and includes a plate-like urging plate 24 and a plate spring-like urging arm 25. The biasing plate 24 is in surface contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 28 on the side in contact with the inclined portion 14 to position the male terminal 20. The urging arm 25 is in contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 28 on the side in contact with the apex portion 13 and urges the male terminal 20 toward the urging plate 24. That is, the urging arm 25 urges the male terminal 20 in a direction in which the male terminal 20 contacts the inclined portion 14.

  In the illustrated example, the urging arm 25 is formed in a plate spring shape. However, in the present invention, a winding spring or the like can be used as the urging arm 25.

  The notch 23 is provided in the location which faces the holder 22a of the inner wall of the 2nd housing 2, as shown in FIG. The notch 23 restricts the movement of the urging plate 24 in the second housing 2, and keeps the urging plate 24 at the position shown in FIG. 4 or the position shown in FIG. Then, as the distal end portion 26 of the inserter 27 slides on the inclined portion 14 and moves in the direction in contact with the apex portion 13, the biasing arm 25 is bent and stored in the biasing arm 25. When the deflection amount reaches the maximum, the urging plate 24 is elastically deformed and gets over the notch 23. When one urging plate 24 and urging arm 25 slide, the other urging plate 24 and urging arm 25 also slide in conjunction with them.

  The holder 22a described above is maintained at the position shown in FIG. 4 before the housings 1 and 2 are fitted together. The holder 22a sandwiches the cylindrical portion 28 between one urging plate 24 and another urging arm 25 so that the male terminal 20 can move along the direction in which the spring piece 12 and the inclined portion 14 face each other. Supports and biases toward the inclined portion 14. Note that the above-described holder 22a and the inclined portion 14 constitute a regulating means of the present invention.

  In the connector 3 described above, the first housing 1 enters the second housing 2 through the opening of the second housing 2, and the insert 27 of the male terminal 20 accommodated in the second housing 2 is provided. These housings 1 and 2 are fixed to each other by locking means (not shown) provided on the outer walls of the housings 1 and 2 respectively, into the cylindrical portion 11 of the female terminal 10 accommodated in the first housing 1. The housings 1 and 2 are connected to each other by connectors. The male terminal 20 and the female terminal 10 are electrically connected to each other.

  Next, a state in which the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are fitted and the inserter 27 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 11 and contacts the spring piece 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. To do.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing a state before the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are fitted together. As shown in FIG. 4, the housings 1 and 2 are positioned so that the opening of the cylindrical portion 11 and the insert 27 are opposed to each other, and the insert 27 is inside the cylindrical portion 11 along the insertion direction indicated by the arrow K in FIG. The housings 1 and 2 are relatively brought close to each other so that they are inserted into the housing.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the inserter 27 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 11, and the distal end portion 26 of the inserter 27 comes into contact with the inclined portion 14 without contacting the spring piece 12.

  Subsequently, when the insertion of the inserter 27 further proceeds, the inserter 27 slides on the inclined portion 14 at the distal end portion 26 and resists the biasing force of the biasing arm 25, so that the inserter 27 of the male terminal 20 is inserted. Moves in a direction approaching the apex portion 13 of the spring piece 12. Then, the amount of bending of the urging arm 25 reaches the maximum, and one urging plate 24 gets over the notch 23, and the other urging plate 24 slides in conjunction therewith. And as shown in FIG. 6, the front-end | tip part 26 of the inserter 27 passes the position 14a facing the vertex part 13 on the inclination part 14. As shown in FIG. At this time, the contact surface 21 and the apex portion 13 of the inserter 27 are not in contact with each other, and a gap exists between the contact surface 21 and the apex portion 13.

  Further, when the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted, as shown in FIG. 7, the contact surface 21 of the insert 27 and the apex portion 13 come into contact with each other, and the position restricting piece 15 and the distal end portion 26 of the insert 27 Touch. Thus, the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 10 are electrically connected. Thus, in the holder 22a and the inclined portion 14 described above, the insert 27 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 11, and the distal end portion 26 of the insert 27 passes through the position 14a facing the apex portion 13 on the inclined portion 14. In doing so, the apex portion 13 and the distal end portion 26 of the insert 27 are restricted from contacting each other. Further, the holder 22a and the inclined portion 14 bring the apex portion 13 and the contact surface 21 of the insert 27 into contact with each other when the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted. Further, when the housings 1 and 2 are fitted to each other, the holder 22a and the inclined portion 14 are brought into contact with the apex portion 13 and the insert 27 by sliding the tip portion 26 of the insert 27 on the inclined portion 14. The surfaces 21 are brought into contact with each other.

  Further, the insertion surface 27 of the inserter 27 comes into contact with and is supported at three points of the inclined portion 14 of the female terminal 10, the apex portion 13, and the position restricting piece 15. The insert 27 is prevented from rattling in the cylinder portion 11.

  The insertion force generated when the connector 3 of the present embodiment is fitted is shown in the graph of FIG. It can be seen that the conventional connector indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in the figure generates a large insertion force peak, whereas the connector 3 of the present embodiment indicated by the solid line in the figure does not generate an insertion force peak.

  As described above, the connector 3 according to the first embodiment includes the inclined portion 14 as the regulating means that is inclined so as to approach the spring piece 12 as it is away from the inserter 27 side, and the male terminal 20 is connected to the spring piece 12. A holder 22a is provided as a restricting means for supporting the male terminal 20 toward the inclined portion 14 while supporting the inclined portion 14 so as to be movable in a direction opposite to each other. For this reason, the inserter 27 can be gradually brought closer to the apex portion 13 as it is inserted, and the tip end portion 26 of the inserter 27 does not slide on the spring piece 12 and the spring piece 12 and the inclined portion 14. The top portion 13 and the contact surface 21 of the male terminal 20 can be brought into contact with each other at the final stage of insertion of the inserter 27. Therefore, the connector 3 in which the insertion force peak does not occur is obtained.

  Further, since the holder 22a supports the male terminal 20 so as to be movable along a direction orthogonal to (intersects) the arrow K, when the distal end portion 26 of the inserter 27 slides on the inclined portion 14. The inserter 27 is moved by the holder 22 a in accordance with the inclination of the inclined portion 14. For this reason, a frictional force is not generated between the inserter 27 and the inclined portion 14 (almost). Therefore, it is possible to obtain a connector 3 that does not generate an insertion force peak, that is, a connector 3 that has a small insertion force (can fit the housings 1 and 2 with a small insertion force).

  Further, since the distance between the apex portion 13 and the position 14a facing the apex portion 13 of the inclined portion 14 along the direction orthogonal to the arrow K is larger than the thickness of the insert 27, the distal end portion 26 of the insert 27 is The housings 1 and 2 can be fitted together without contacting the spring piece 12.

  Next, the connector 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The connector 3 in this embodiment also has a female terminal fitting (hereinafter referred to as a female terminal) 10, a male terminal fitting (hereinafter referred to as a male terminal) 20, as shown in FIG. The housing 1 and the second housing 2 are provided.

  In the female terminal 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the spring piece 12 has a vertex portion 13 formed by pressing so as to protrude toward the side in contact with the inserter 27, and the vertex portion 13. And a second apex portion 16 that is bent so as to be convex on the opposite side. A cutout is provided in the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 11, and a part of the spring piece 12 including the second apex portion 16 is exposed to the outside of the cylindrical portion 11 from the cutout. In other words, the second apex portion 16 protrudes outside the cylindrical portion 11 and is formed so as to be convex toward the outside of the cylindrical portion 11. Further, the position 14 a facing the apex portion 13 of the cylindrical portion 11 is formed so as to be convex toward the side in contact with the inserter 27, that is, convex toward the inside of the cylindrical portion 11. That is, the position 14 a described above is formed so as to protrude from the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 11 toward the inserter 27.

  Furthermore, the female terminal 10 includes a protective wall 17 that is connected to the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 11 and protects the spring piece 12 from external interference. In the illustrated example, the protective wall 17 is connected to each of the outer walls facing each other of the cylindrical portion 11, extends from the outer wall toward the outside of the cylindrical portion 11, and particularly the second apex of the spring piece 12 therebetween. The part 16 is positioned. Further, the pair of protective walls 17 are located outside the cylindrical portion 11 with respect to the second vertex portion 16 of the spring piece 12. Thus, in the illustrated example, a pair of protective walls 17 are provided. However, in the present invention, a pair of protective walls 17 do not necessarily have to be provided, and at least one protective wall 17 may be provided on the outer wall on one side of the cylindrical portion 11. The protective wall 17 protects the spring piece 12 from deformation and damage due to external interference.

  In addition, the second housing 2 in the present embodiment includes male ribs 30 that extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inserter 27 and are inserted into the first housing 1, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. Yes. The male rib 30 is formed in a flat plate shape and extends from the second housing 2 toward the arrow K (shown in FIG. 11), that is, the first housing 1 in parallel with the insert 27 of the male terminal 20. The male rib 30 enters the first housing 1 when the housings 1 and 2 are fitted together. When the male rib 30 is fitted between the housings 1 and 2, the male rib 30 is positioned at a position where the distal end portion 26 of the inserter 27 contacts the second apex portion 16 after passing over the position 14 a facing the apex portion 13. It is arranged.

  The male rib 30 presses the second apex portion 16 in a direction in which the apex portion 13 approaches the contact surface 21 of the insert 27 after the distal end portion 26 of the insert 27 has passed over the position 14 a facing the apex portion 13. Then, the apex portion 13 and the contact surface 21 are brought into contact with each other. In this way, the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 20 are electrically connected to each other. In addition, the 2nd vertex part 16 and the male rib 30 which were mentioned above have comprised the control means of this invention.

  Furthermore, a tapered surface that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the male rib 30 (the direction of the arrow K), as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, at the portion (tip) that contacts the second apex portion 16 of the male rib 30. 31 is provided. The tapered surface 31 is inclined in a direction in which the male rib 30 is gradually thickened from the first housing 1 toward the second housing 2. That is, the tapered surface 31 is gradually inclined toward the second apex portion 16, that is, the spring piece 12 as it goes from the first housing 1 to the second housing 2. The tapered surface 31 having the above-described configuration reduces the amount of friction between the tip of the male rib 30 and the second apex portion 16 and allows the housings 1 and 2 to be fitted with a small force. Further, the tapered surface 31 having the above-described configuration makes it possible to reliably press the second vertex portion 16 in a direction in which the vertex portion 13 approaches the contact surface 21 of the inserter 27.

  Further, the male rib 30 has a recess 32 (shown by a dotted line in FIGS. 11 to 13 and a sectional view in a direction crossing the insertion direction in FIG. 11) extending from the distal end in the insertion direction toward the rear in the insertion direction. I have. When the housings 1 and 2 are fitted to each other, the recess 32 is formed as a recess from the surface of the male rib 30 facing the female terminal 10. That is, the recess 32 is open to the tapered surface 31 described above. The recess 32 is provided corresponding to each of the protective walls 17. The recess 32 extends linearly along the arrow K. When the housings 1 and 2 are fitted into the recesses 32, the corresponding protective walls 17 respectively enter.

  In the present embodiment, the holder 22a described in the first embodiment is not provided. For this reason, in this embodiment, the male terminal 20 is restricted from moving along a direction orthogonal to the arrow K.

  The female terminal 10 described above is accommodated in the first housing 1, and the male terminal 20 is accommodated in the second housing 2. In the connector 3, the first housing 1 enters the second housing 2 through the opening of the second housing 2, and the male terminal 20 accommodated in the second housing 2 is connected to the first housing 1. It penetrates into the cylindrical part 11 of the female terminal 10 accommodated. The connector 3 has a latching portion 4 provided on the outer wall of the first housing 1 and a latch receiving portion 5 provided on the outer wall of the second housing 2 to lock the housings 1 and 2 together. The housings 1 and 2 are fixedly connected to each other. The male terminal 20 and the female terminal 10 are electrically connected to each other.

  Next, a state in which the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are fitted together and the inserter 27 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 11 and contacts the spring piece 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. .

  FIG. 11 is a view showing a state before the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are fitted together. As shown in FIG. 11, the housings 1 and 2 are positioned so that the opening of the cylindrical portion 11 and the insert 27 are opposed to each other, and the insert 27 is inside the cylindrical portion 11 along the insertion direction indicated by the arrow K in FIG. The housings 1 and 2 are relatively brought close to each other so that they are inserted into the housing.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the insert 27 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 11, and the distance between the apex portion 13 and the position 14a is larger than the thickness of the insert 27. It passes over the position 14a facing the apex 13. At this time, the contact surface 21 and the apex portion 13 of the inserter 27 are not in contact with each other, and a gap exists between the contact surface 21 and the apex portion 13. At this time, the tip of the male rib 30 does not reach the second apex portion 16 and the male rib 30 and the second apex portion 16 are not in contact with each other.

  Subsequently, when the insertion of the inserter 27 further proceeds, the tapered surface 31 of the male rib 30 and the second apex portion 16 come into contact with each other. As the male rib 30 is inserted toward the first housing 1, the second apex portion 16 slides on the tapered surface 31 and is pressed toward the inside of the cylindrical portion 11. . Then, together with the second apex portion 16, the apex portion 13 is pressed from the male rib 30 in a direction approaching the contact surface 21.

  Further, when the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted, the apex portion 13 is pressed from the male rib 30 or the like as shown in FIG. 13 and comes into contact with the contact surface 21 of the inserter 27. At the same time, the engaging portion 4 provided on the outer wall of the first housing 1 and the engaging receiving portion 5 provided on the outer wall of the second housing 2 are engaged with each other. Thus, the insertion surface 27 of the inserter 27 contacts the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 10 electrically by contacting the contact surface 21 at two locations of the apex portion 13 of the female terminal 10 and the position 14a facing the apex portion 13. Is done.

  Further, when the housings 1 and 2 are fitted to each other, the protective wall 17 enters the recess 32 as the housings 1 and 2 come closer to each other. When the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted, as shown in FIG. 14, the protective wall 17 enters the recess 32 and the female terminal 10 is positioned.

  Thus, the male rib 30 and the second apex portion 16 described above are arranged so that the apex portion is inserted when the insert 27 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 11 and the distal end portion 26 of the insert 27 passes through the apex portion 13. 13 and the tip portion 26 of the insert 27 are restricted from contacting each other. The male rib 30 and the second apex portion 16 bring the apex portion 13 and the contact surface 21 of the insert 27 into contact with each other when the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted together.

  The insertion force generated when the connector 3 of this embodiment is fitted also has the same curve as the connector 3 of the first embodiment shown in the graph of FIG. 8, and the connector 3 of this embodiment has an insertion force peak. It turns out that it does not occur.

  As described above, the connector 3 according to the second embodiment includes the second apex portion 16 and the male rib 30 as the restricting means. Then, after the distal end portion 26 of the male terminal 20 passes through the position 14 a facing the vertex portion 13, the male rib 30 comes into contact with the second vertex portion 16, and the vertex portion 13 becomes the male portion of the second vertex portion 16. Press in a direction approaching the contact surface 21 of the terminal 20. For this reason, the insert 27 can be inserted to the rear end in the insertion direction without the tip 26 of the insert 27 sliding on the spring piece 12, and the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted together. At the same time, the apex portion 13 and the contact surface 21 of the male terminal 20 can be brought into contact with each other. Therefore, the connector 3 in which the insertion force peak does not occur is obtained.

  A tapered surface 31 that intersects the insertion direction of the male rib 30 (the direction of the arrow K) is provided at a portion (tip) that contacts the second apex portion 16 of the male rib 30. For this reason, the tapered surface 31 can reduce the amount of friction between the tip of the male rib 30 and the second apex portion 16, and the housings 1 and 2 can be fitted with a small force. Further, the tapered surface 31 allows the tip of the male rib 30 and the second apex portion 16 to be reliably brought into contact with each other, so that the spring piece 12 and the insert 27 can be reliably brought into contact with each other.

  Furthermore, since the female terminal 10 includes the protective wall 17 that protects the spring piece 12 from external interference, the spring piece 12 can be prevented from being deformed or damaged by external interference. Since the second housing 2 includes the concave portion 32 that is recessed from the portion of the male rib 30 that contacts the protective wall 17, the female terminal 10 can be positioned by positioning the protective wall 17 in the concave portion 32. It is possible to prevent the terminal 10 from rattling.

  Subsequently, a connector 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as 1st and 2nd embodiment mentioned above, and description is abbreviate | omitted. As shown in FIG. 19 and the like, the connector 3 in the present embodiment also includes a female terminal fitting (hereinafter referred to as a female terminal) 10, a male terminal fitting (hereinafter referred to as a male terminal) 20, and a first terminal. The housing 1 and the second housing 2 are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the female terminal 10 in the present embodiment includes a vertex portion 13 that is bent and formed on the spring piece 12 so as to protrude toward the side of the male terminal 20 that contacts the insert 27. ing. A cutout is provided in the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 11, and a part of the spring piece 12 including the apex portion 13 is exposed to the outside of the cylindrical portion 11 from the cutout. That is, the apex portion 13 protrudes to the outside of the cylinder portion 11 and is curved to be convex toward the outside of the cylinder portion 11 (the inner surface of the cavity 7).

  Similarly to the second embodiment, the female terminal 10 includes a protective wall 17 that is continuous with the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 11 and protects the spring piece 12 from external interference. As described above, in the present invention, a pair of protective walls 17 do not necessarily have to be provided, and at least one protective wall 17 may be provided on the outer wall on one side of the cylindrical portion 11.

  Furthermore, the female terminal 10 is provided with a sag prevention means 18 for preventing the sag of the cylindrical portion 11. As shown in FIG. 18, the sag prevention means 18 is provided on a convex portion 18 a that protrudes from one outer wall of the cylindrical portion 11 toward the other outer wall, and on the other outer wall. And a window 18b for accommodating the convex portion 18a. By providing this sag prevention means 18, the strength of the cylindrical portion 11 can be improved.

  The female terminal 10 described above is accommodated in a cavity 7 provided in the first housing 1. The insert 27 of the male terminal 20 is positioned between the inner surface of the cavity 7 and the apex 13 of the spring piece 12. The spring piece 12 urges the inserter 27 toward the inner surface of the cavity 7.

  Moreover, the male terminal 20 in this embodiment is accommodated in the 2nd housing 2, as shown in FIG. The inserter 27 of the male terminal 20 is overlaid on a rib 20 b provided integrally with the second housing 2. The rib 20 b is formed in a flat plate shape and extends from the second housing 2 toward the arrow K, that is, the first housing 1 in parallel with the insert 27 of the male terminal 20. Further, the rib 20b is provided with a recess 32 '. The recess 32 ′ is provided between the inserts 27 adjacent to each other. The recess 32 ′ is formed as a recess from the surface of the rib 20 b on the side where the inserter 27 is overlapped, and extends linearly along the arrow K. When the housings 1 and 2 are fitted into the recess 32 ′, the protective wall 17 described above enters.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the outer wall of the first housing 1 in the present embodiment is provided with a protrusion 34 protruding toward the outer wall of the second housing 2, and the second housing 2 in the present embodiment. A guide groove 33 into which the protrusion 34 enters is provided on the outer wall. One pair of protrusions 34 is provided on the outer walls of the first housing 1 facing each other, and one pair of guide grooves 33 is provided on the outer walls of the second housing 2 facing each other. Note that the outer wall provided with the guide groove 33 and the outer wall provided with the protrusion 34 overlap each other.

  Further, the second housing 2 is open on the side opposite to the side where the insert 27 of the male terminal 20 contacts the rib 20b positioned on the surface, and the first housing 1 is second from the opening. It is possible to enter the housing 2. As described above, the second housing 2 opens in two directions, that is, the front end portion 26 side in the longitudinal direction of the male terminal 20 and the opposite side to the side in contact with the rib 20b in the thickness direction of the male terminal 20.

  The pair of guide grooves 33 are opened at the edge on the distal end portion 26 side in the longitudinal direction of the male terminal 20 on the outer wall described above. As the pair of guide grooves 33 move away from the edge of the outer wall, that is, move away from the first housing 1, the guide grooves 33 gradually move toward the ribs 20 b, that is, in the direction approaching the insert 27 of the male terminal 20. Crossed. That is, the guide groove 33 is inclined with respect to the fitting direction of the housings 1 and 2 (the direction of the arrow K) so that the spring piece 12 and the male terminal 20 that are in contact with each other approach each other.

  When the pair of protrusions 34 respectively enter the pair of guide grooves 33 to bring the housings 1 and 2 relatively close to each other, the first housing 1 passes through the opening of the second housing 2 and the second housing 2. The male terminal 20 that has entered into the second housing 2 enters the female terminal 10 that has received the first housing 1. When the protrusion 34 is positioned near the edge of the outer wall of the pair of guide grooves 33, the spring piece 12 and the male terminal 20 are spaced from each other without contacting each other. As the protrusion 34 enters the back of the guide groove 33, the spring piece 12 and the male terminal 20 gradually approach each other. When the protrusion 34 enters the back of the guide groove 33, the apex 13 and the insert 27 do not contact each other when the tip 26 of the insert 27 passes through the position 14a facing the apex 13. And it fixes by the latching means (not shown) provided in the outer wall of each housing 1 and 2, and these housings 1 and 2 are mutually connector-coupled. When the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted, the apex 13 and the insert 27 come into contact with each other. The male terminal 20 and the female terminal 10 are electrically connected to each other. In addition, the protrusion 34 and the guide groove 33 constitute a regulating means of the present invention.

  Next, the manner in which the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are fitted and the inserter 27 is inserted into the cavity 7 and contacts the spring piece 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 19 is a view showing a state before the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are fitted together. As shown in FIG. 19, the housings 1 and 2 are positioned so that the opening of the guide groove 33 and the projection 34 (not shown) face each other, and the housings 1 and 2 are relative to each other so that the projection 34 enters the guide groove 33. Approach closely.

  When the protrusion 34 is inserted into the guide groove 33, the apex 13 and the insert 27 are spaced apart from each other, and the insert 27 is inserted into the cavity 7 of the first housing 1 as shown in FIG. The Furthermore, when the housings 1 and 2 are brought close to each other, that is, when the protrusion 34 is inserted into the back of the guide groove 33, the distal end portion 26 of the inserter 27 passes through the position 14 a facing the apex portion 13. At this time, the contact surface 21 and the apex portion 13 of the inserter 27 are not in contact with each other, and a gap exists between the contact surface 21 and the apex portion 13.

  Then, when the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted by being fixed by locking means (not shown) provided on the outer walls of the housings 1 and 2, as shown in FIG. 21, the contact surface 21 and the apex portion 13 of the inserter 27. And contact. In this way, the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 10 are electrically connected.

  As described above, when the housings 1 and 2 are fitted together, the guide groove 33 and the protrusion 34 are inserted into the cavity 7 and the tip 26 passes through the position 14 a facing the apex 13. In doing so, the tip portion 26 of the inserter 27 is restricted from contacting the apex portion 13. The guide groove 33 and the protrusion 34 bring the contact surface 21 of the inserter 27 into contact with the apex 13 when the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted.

  The insertion force generated when the connector 3 of this embodiment is fitted also has the same curve as the connector 3 of the first embodiment shown in the graph of FIG. 8, and the connector 3 of this embodiment has an insertion force peak. It turns out that it does not occur.

  As described above, the connector 3 according to the third embodiment is a protrusion as a restricting means that protrudes toward the second housing 2 on the outer wall of the first housing 1, which overlaps each other when the housings 1 and 2 are fitted to each other. 34 is provided, and a guide groove 33 is provided as a restricting means for the protrusion 34 to enter the outer wall of the second housing 2. The guide groove 33 is inclined from the opening toward the back of the guide groove 33 in a direction in which the spring piece 12 and the male terminal 20 that are in contact with each other approach each other along the fitting direction of the housings 1 and 2. Therefore, the inserter 27 can be gradually brought closer to the apex portion 13 as it is inserted, and the apex portion 13 and the apex portion 13 do not slide the tip 26 of the inserter 27 on the spring piece 12. Between the positions 14a facing each other, and the apex portion 13 and the contact surface 21 of the male terminal 20 can be brought into contact with each other at the final stage of insertion of the inserter 27. Therefore, the connector 3 in which the insertion force peak does not occur is obtained.

  In the connector 3 according to the third embodiment, the projections 34 are provided on the first housing 1 and the guide grooves 33 are provided on the second housing 2. However, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. The first housing 1 may be provided with a guide groove 33, and the second housing 2 may be provided with a protrusion 34. In this case, the guide groove 33 intersects the arrow K (shown in FIG. 19) as it approaches the second housing 2 from the first housing 1, that is, from the back of the guide groove 33 toward the opening. Inclined in the direction. Further, the guide groove 33 and the protrusion 34 restrict the contact between the insert 27 and the spring piece 12 even when the protrusion 34 enters the opening of the guide groove 33, and the position 14 a facing the apex portion 13. After the distal end portion 26 of the inserter 27 passes, the apex portion 13 is brought into contact with the contact surface 21 of the inserter 27. In this way, the guide groove 33 shown in FIG. 22 also has the spring piece 12 and the male terminal 20 that are in contact with each other along the fitting direction of the housings 1 and 2 from the opening to the back of the guide groove 33. It suffices if it is inclined in the direction of approaching.

  Further, in the connector 3 of the third embodiment, the sag prevention means 18 is provided in the cylindrical portion 11, but in the present invention, the sag prevention means 18 is not necessarily provided, and is shown in FIG. Thus, the female terminal 10 not provided with the sag prevention means 18 may be used.

  Next, a connector 3 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as the 1st thru | or 3rd embodiment mentioned above, and description is abbreviate | omitted. As shown in FIG. 27 and the like, the connector 3 in the present embodiment also includes a female terminal fitting (hereinafter referred to as a female terminal) 10, a male terminal fitting (hereinafter referred to as a male terminal) 20, and a first terminal. The housing 1 and the second housing 2 are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the female terminal 10 in the present embodiment is formed by being bent into an arch shape so that the spring piece 12 protrudes to the side in contact with the insert 27 of the male terminal 20. The apex portion 13 is provided. A cutout is provided in the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 11, and a part of the spring piece 12 including the apex portion 13 is exposed to the outside of the cylindrical portion 11 from the cutout. That is, the apex portion 13 protrudes toward the outside of the tube portion 11 and is curved to be convex toward the outside of the tube portion 11, that is, the inner surface of the cavity 7.

  The female terminal 10 described above is accommodated in the cavity 7 provided in the first housing 1, and the insert 27 of the male terminal 20 is positioned between the cavity 7 and the apex 13 of the spring piece 12. The spring piece 12 urges the inserter 27 toward the inner surface of the cavity 7.

  A lock protrusion 35 protruding from the outer wall is provided on the outer wall of the first housing 1 in the present embodiment, and a lock arm 36 that fits the lock protrusion 35 on the outer wall of the second housing 2 in the present embodiment. Is provided. The lock arm 36 is formed in a rectangular frame shape. One end (not shown), that is, the end on the side away from the lock projection 35 is connected to the second housing 2, and the other end near the lock projection 35 is It is a free end. The outer wall provided with the lock protrusion 35 and the outer wall provided with the lock arm 36 overlap each other.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the lock projection 35 is provided with an inclined surface 35a and a first tapered surface 35b. The inclined surface 35 a is provided at the end of the lock projection 35 that faces the second housing 2. The inclined surface 35a intersects the above-described arrow K so as to gradually go to the outside of the first housing 1 as the distance from the second housing 2 increases.

  The first taper surface 35 b is provided at one edge of the lock projection 35 in a direction orthogonal to the arrow K in the plan view of the lock projection 35. The first taper surface 35b is a direction in which the first taper surface 35b gradually approaches the outer wall of the first housing 1 along the direction orthogonal to the arrow K in the plan view of the lock protrusion 35 toward the outside of the first housing 1. It is inclined to.

  The lock arm 36 is provided with a second tapered surface 36b (shown in FIGS. 26 and 30). The second taper surface 36b is provided on one edge of the lock arm 36 that can overlap the first taper surface 35b in a direction orthogonal to the arrow K of the lock arm 36 in plan view. Yes. The second taper surface 36b gradually approaches the outer wall of the second housing 2 along the direction orthogonal to the arrow K in the plan view of the lock arm 36 toward the outside of the second housing 2. It is inclined to.

  The length C (shown in FIG. 26C) of the first taper surface 35b in the direction perpendicular to the arrow K in the plan view of the lock protrusion 35 is such that the contact surface 21 of the male terminal 20 described later faces the apex portion 13. It is formed to be the same as the moving distance.

  Further, when the tapered surfaces 35b and 36b overlap each other, the lock protrusion 35 and the lock arm 36 are restricted from fitting with each other (not fitted). When the tapered surfaces 35b and 36b overlap each other, the apex portion 13 of the spring piece 12 and the insert 27 are restricted from contacting (not contacting). That is, in a state where the tapered surfaces 35b and 36b overlap each other, the terminals 10 and 20 are spaced from each other.

  When the taper surfaces 35b and 36b are separated from each other from a state where they overlap each other (when they do not overlap each other), the lock protrusion 35 and the lock arm 36 are fitted to each other. When the tapered surfaces 35b and 36b are separated from each other from the state where they overlap each other (when they do not overlap each other), the apex portion 13 of the spring piece 12 and the insert 27 come into contact with each other.

  In addition, the connector 3 of the present embodiment is provided with a guide protrusion 37 that protrudes toward the outer wall of the second housing 2 on the outer wall of the first housing 1 that faces the outer wall of the first housing 1 where the lock protrusion 35 is provided. . A guide groove 38 into which the guide protrusion 37 enters is provided on the outer wall of the second housing 2 facing the outer wall on which the lock arm 36 is provided. Note that the outer wall provided with the guide protrusion 37 and the outer wall provided with the guide groove 38 overlap each other.

  The guide groove 38 includes a first groove 38 a extending in parallel with the insertion direction (the direction of the arrow K) of the insert 27, a direction that is continuous with the first groove 38 a, and the insert 27 approaches the apex portion 13. A second groove 38b extending in parallel is provided. The guide protrusion 37 and the guide groove 38 form both the guide means of the present invention and the restricting means.

  The first groove 38a extends in parallel with the K direction in FIG. The first groove 38 a opens at an edge of the second housing 2 near (opposed to) the first housing 1. The second groove 38b is connected to the end of the first groove 38a on the side away from the first housing 1. The second groove 38 extends along a direction orthogonal to the arrow K described above. The arrow K is parallel to the direction in which the lock protrusion 35 and the lock arm 36 approach relatively.

  The guide protrusion 37 and the guide groove 38 position the housings 1 and 2 at positions where the tapered surfaces 35b and 36b overlap each other when the guide protrusion 37 is positioned in the first groove 38a. The guide protrusion 37 and the guide groove 38 are such that when the guide protrusion 37 is positioned in the second groove 38b, the housings 1 and 2 are relatively moved in a direction in which the tapered surfaces 35b and 36b are separated from each other (no longer overlap each other). Allow to move.

  Next, the manner in which the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are fitted and the inserter 27 is inserted into the cavity 7 and contacts the spring piece 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 27 is a view showing a state before the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are fitted together. As shown in FIG. 27, the housings 1 and 2 are positioned so that the cylindrical portion 11 and the inserter 27 face each other. Then, as shown in FIG. 32A, the guide protrusion 37 faces the opening of the guide groove 38 along the arrow K, and the tapered surfaces 35b, 36b are arranged along the arrow K. The housings 1 and 2 are relatively brought closer to each other so that the inserter 27 is inserted into the cavity 7 of the first housing 1 along the insertion direction indicated by the arrow K in the figure.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 32 (b), the guide projection 37 enters the first groove 38a of the guide groove 38, and as shown in FIG. 26 (a), the lock arm 36 is placed on the inclined surface 35a. Get on. As shown in FIG. 28, the inserter 27 is inserted into the cavity 7 of the first housing 1, and the tapered surfaces 35b and 36b overlap each other as shown in FIG. 26 (b).

  Further, when the housings 1 and 2 are brought closer to each other, the guide protrusion 37 is positioned in the first groove 38 a and the tapered surfaces 35 b and 36 b overlap with each other. It passes through the opposite position 14a. At this time, as shown in FIG. 30, the contact surface 21 and the vertex portion 13 of the inserter 27 are not in contact with each other, and a gap exists between the contact surface 21 and the vertex portion 13. Further, the clearance of the length C or more is provided between the first housing 1 and the second housing 2.

  Further, when the housings 1 and 2 are brought closer to each other, the inserter 27 is inserted into the back of the cavity 7 and the lock arm 36 is positioned on the back side in the fitting direction of the lock protrusion 35 as shown in FIG. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 32 (c), the guide protrusion 37 is positioned at the intersection of the grooves 38 a and 38 b of the guide groove 38. Then, the lock arm 36 moves on the first taper surface 35b, and the housings 1 and 2 move in a direction in which the taper surfaces 35b and 36b do not overlap (separate) each other. That is, the housings 1 and 2 relatively move in a direction in which the apex portion 13 of the spring piece 12 and the contact surface 21 of the inserter 27 approach each other.

  Then, the guide protrusion 37 moves in the second groove 38b, and the lock protrusion 35 and the lock arm 36 are fitted to each other as shown in FIG. Thus, the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted together by fitting the lock projection 35 and the lock arm 36 together. Then, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 31, the contact surface 21 of the inserter 27 and the apex portion 13 come into contact with each other. In this way, the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 10 are electrically connected. Further, as shown in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 (d), the guide protrusion 37 is positioned in the back of the second groove 38 b. Thus, the housings 1 and 2 are fitted together.

  As described above, the guide protrusion 37 and the guide groove 38 are positioned so that the tapered surfaces 35b and 36b can overlap each other until the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted, The terminals 10 and 20 are restricted from contacting each other. In other words, the guide protrusion 37 and the guide groove 38 are arranged such that when the insert 27 is inserted into the female terminal 10 and the distal end portion 26 in the arrow K direction of the insert 27 passes through the position 14 a facing the vertex 13, The contact between the portion 13 and the distal end portion 26 of the inserter 27 is restricted. The “position where the tapered surfaces can overlap each other” described in the present specification and claims is a direction in which the tapered surfaces 35b and 36b are relatively close to each other with the lock protrusion 35 and the lock arm 36. A position aligned along (in the direction of the arrow K) or a position where the tapered surfaces 35b and 36b overlap each other.

  In addition, when the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted together, the guide protrusion 37 and the guide groove 38 are formed so that the housings 1 and 2 extend in a direction perpendicular to the arrow K in a direction in which the tapered surfaces 35b and 36b are separated from each other. It moves and the lock protrusion 35 and the lock arm 36 are allowed to be fitted, and the terminals 10 and 20 are allowed to contact each other. That is, the guide protrusion 37 and the guide groove 38 bring the apex portion 13 and the contact surface 21 of the male terminal 20 into contact when the housings 1 and 2 are fitted together.

  The insertion force generated when the connector 3 of this embodiment is fitted also has the same curve as the connector 3 of the first embodiment shown in the graph of FIG. 8, and the connector 3 of this embodiment has an insertion force peak. It turns out that it does not occur.

  As described above, the connector 3 according to the fourth embodiment includes the lock protrusion 35 and the lock arm 36, and further includes the guide protrusion 37 and the guide groove 38 as the restricting means and the guide means. For this reason, the insert 27 can be inserted to the rear end in the insertion direction without the tip 26 of the insert 27 sliding on the spring piece 12, and the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted together. At the same time, the apex portion 13 and the contact surface 21 of the male terminal 20 can be brought into contact with each other. Therefore, the connector 3 in which the insertion force peak does not occur is obtained.

  Further, by utilizing the elastic restoring force of the lock arm 36, the second tapered surface 36b, and the first tapered surface 35b provided on the lock projection 35, the lock projection 35 and the lock arm can be applied without applying external force. 36 can be fitted to each other, and therefore, in the fitting operation of the connector 3, it is only necessary to pressurize in one direction, and the working efficiency is improved.

  In the connector 3 according to the fourth embodiment, the lock protrusion 35 is provided with the inclined surface 35a. However, the inclined surface 35a reduces the amount of friction when the lock protrusion 35 and the lock arm 36 are fitted. In the present invention, the inclined surface 35a is not necessarily provided. Instead of providing the inclined surface 35 a on the lock protrusion 35, an alternative inclined surface may be provided on the lock arm 36 side, or an inclined surface may be provided on both the lock protrusion 35 and the lock arm 36.

  In the connector 3 of the fourth embodiment, the lock protrusion 35 is provided with the first taper surface 35b, and the lock arm 36 overlaps with the first taper surface 35b at the second taper surface 36b. Was established. However, in the present invention, at least one of the lock projection 35 and the lock arm 36 can be in contact with the other member, and the direction in which the housings 1 and 2 are fitted to each other (the direction of the arrow K). It is only necessary to provide a tapered surface provided at one edge portion in the orthogonal direction and inclined in a direction approaching the outer walls of the housings 1 and 2 along the orthogonal direction. That is, it is sufficient that at least one of the first tapered surface 35b and the second tapered surface 36b is provided. In this case, the restricting means also positions the housings 1 and 2 at a position where the tapered surface and the other member can contact each other until the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted to each other. , 20 are restricted from contacting each other. The “position where the tapered surface and the other member can come into contact with each other” described in this specification and the claims means that the taper surface and the other member are formed by the lock protrusion 35 and the lock arm 36. It is a position where the taper surface and the other member are in contact with each other along the relatively approaching direction (the direction of the arrow K).

  In the connector 3 of the fourth embodiment, the lock projection 35 is provided on the first housing 1 and the lock arm 36 is provided on the second housing 2. However, in the present invention, the first housing 1 is provided. The lock arm 36 may be provided, and the lock projection 35 may be provided on the second housing 2.

  In the connector 3 of the fourth embodiment, the guide projection 37 is provided in the first housing 1 and the guide groove 38 is provided in the second housing 2. However, in the present invention, the first housing 1 is provided. The guide groove 38 may be provided on the second housing 2, and the guide protrusion 37 may be provided on the second housing 2.

  In addition, embodiment mentioned above only showed the typical form of this invention, and this invention is not limited to embodiment. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the connector 3 of the first to fourth embodiments described above, the apex portion 13 and the contact surface 21 are in contact with each other at the final stage of insertion of the inserter 27. In order to achieve the above, it is only necessary that the insert 27 can pass through the spring piece 12 without sliding when the distal end portion 26 of the insert 27 passes through the position 14a facing the apex portion 13. That is, in the present invention, the interval between the apex portion 13 and the position 14 a facing the apex portion 13 may be configured to be equal to the thickness of the inserter 27.

It is a perspective view which shows the female terminal of the connector concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where a part of the side wall of the female terminal shown in FIG. 1 is removed. It is a perspective view of the male terminal connected with the female terminal shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state before the fitting of the housings of the connector concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state in the middle of fitting of the housings of the connector shown by FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the housing is further brought closer to the state shown in FIG. 5. It is sectional drawing which shows the state after the fitting of the housings of the connector shown by FIG. It is a graph showing the insertion force of the connector shown by FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the female terminal of the connector concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a part of the side wall of the female terminal illustrated in FIG. 9 is removed. It is sectional drawing which shows the state before the fitting of the housings of the connector concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state in the middle of fitting of the housings of the connector shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state after the fitting of the housings of the connector shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the CC line in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the connector concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a male terminal accommodated in a second housing of the connector shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a female terminal housed in a first housing of the connector shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a part of the side wall of the female terminal illustrated in FIG. 17 is removed. It is sectional drawing which shows the state before the fitting of the housings of the connector concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state in the middle of fitting of the housings of the connector shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state after the fitting of the housings of the connector shown by FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the connector concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the female terminal of the connector concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the female terminal of the connector concerning the 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a part of the side wall of the female terminal illustrated in FIG. 24 is removed. It is a perspective view explaining a mode that a lock projection and a lock arm of a connector concerning a 4th embodiment of the present invention fit. It is sectional drawing which shows the state before the fitting of the housings of the connector concerning the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state in the middle of fitting of the housings of the connector shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state after the fitting of the housings of the connector shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the BB line in FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining the guide protrusion and guide groove of the connector shown by FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st housing 2 2nd housing 3 Connector 7 Cavity 10 Female terminal 11 Cylinder part 12 Spring piece 13 Vertex part 14 Inclination part (regulation means)
14a Position facing the apex 15 Position restriction piece 16 Second apex (regulation means)
17 Protective wall 20 Male terminal 21 Contact surface 22a Holder (regulating means)
22 Biasing portion 26 Tip portion 27 Insertor 30 Male rib (regulating means)
31 Tapered surface 32 Concave portion 33 Guide groove (regulating means)
34 Protrusion (regulation means)
35 Locking protrusion (regulating means)
35b First taper surface (taper surface)
36 Lock arm (regulation means)
36b Second taper surface (taper surface)
37 Guide protrusion (guide means)
38 Guide groove (guide means)
38a First groove 38b Second groove K Insertion direction

Claims (14)

In the connector which has the 1st housing in which the female terminal was accommodated, and the 2nd housing in which the male terminal was accommodated, and the terminals are electrically connected by fitting the housings together,
The female terminal includes a cylindrical portion that accommodates the male terminal insert, a spring piece that is provided in the cylindrical portion and biases the male terminal insert toward the inner surface of the cylindrical portion, and the spring piece. Provided with an apex portion that is bent so as to be convex on the side in contact with the male terminal,
When the inserter is inserted into the female terminal and the distal end portion in the insertion direction of the inserter passes through the position facing the vertex portion, the apex portion of the spring piece and the distal end portion of the inserter are A connector comprising: a regulating means for regulating contact and bringing the apex of the spring piece into contact with the contact surface of the male terminal when the housings are fitted together. The restricting means is attached to the second housing, provided at a position facing the spring piece and inclined so as to approach the spring piece as it moves away from the inserter side, and A holder for supporting the male terminal movably along a direction in which the spring piece and the inclined portion face each other and urging the male terminal toward the inclined portion;
When the housings are fitted together, the tip of the male terminal comes into contact with the inclined part, and the contact surface of the male terminal comes into contact with the apex by sliding on the inclined part. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connectors are connected to each other.   The connector according to claim 2, wherein a distance between the apex portion and a position of the inclined portion facing the apex portion is larger than a thickness of the inserter. The female terminal includes a position regulating piece provided on a side farther from the male terminal side than the spring piece in the cylindrical portion,
When the first housing and the second housing are fitted, the contact surface of the male terminal comes into contact with the apex portion and the position restricting piece comes into contact with the distal end portion of the inserter. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The restricting means is provided on the spring piece, and is provided on the second housing and a second apex portion that protrudes outward from the cylindrical portion and is formed to bend toward the outer side of the cylindrical portion. A male rib extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the male terminal and inserted into the first housing,
After the distal end portion of the male terminal has passed the position facing the apex portion, the male rib presses the second apex portion in a direction in which the apex portion approaches the contact surface of the male terminal, and the terminal The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connectors are connected to each other.   6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein a taper surface that intersects with the insertion direction of the male rib is provided at a portion that contacts the second apex portion of the male rib. The female terminal includes a protective wall that is continuous with the outer wall of the cylindrical portion and protects the spring piece from external interference,
The second housing includes a recessed portion that is recessed from a portion that contacts the protective wall of the male rib,
The connector according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the protective wall enters the recess when the housings are fitted together. In the connector which has the 1st housing in which the female terminal was accommodated, and the 2nd housing in which the male terminal was accommodated, and the terminals are electrically connected by fitting the housings together,
The first housing includes a cavity that accommodates the female terminal and the male terminal insert,
The female terminal is in contact with the male terminal and urges the male terminal toward the inner surface of the cavity, and a vertex provided on the spring piece and bent convexly toward the male terminal And
When the inserter is inserted into the cavity and the tip of the insert in the insertion direction passes through the position facing the apex, the apex of the spring piece and the tip of the insert come into contact with each other. A connector comprising regulation means for regulating the contact between the top of the spring piece and the contact surface of the male terminal when the housing is fitted together. The restricting means is provided on one of the outer wall of the first housing and the outer wall of the second housing that overlaps each other when the housings are fitted to each other, and a protrusion that protrudes toward the other, A guide groove provided on the other side and into which the protrusion enters,
The connector according to claim 8, wherein the guide groove is inclined in a direction in which the spring piece and the male terminal that are in contact with each other approach each other. Of the outer wall of the first housing and the outer wall of the second housing, the lock protrusion protruding from one outer wall and the lock protrusion provided on the other outer wall that overlap each other when the housings are fitted to each other And a lock arm that fits into the
The lock protrusion and the lock arm can overlap each other, and are provided at one edge portion in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction of the housings, and along the orthogonal direction, Each taper surface inclined in a direction approaching the outer wall of the housing toward the outside of the housing,
When the tapered surfaces overlap each other, the terminals are spaced apart from each other, and when the lock protrusion and the lock arm are fitted, the housings move in a direction in which the tapered surfaces are separated from each other, and the terminals are The connector according to claim 8, wherein the connector contacts.   The restricting means positions the housings at positions where the tapered surfaces can overlap each other until the housings are completely fitted together, and when the housings are completely fitted together, the tapered surfaces are mutually attached. A guide means is provided that allows the housings to move in a direction away from each other along a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction so that the lock protrusion and the lock arm are fitted. The connector according to claim 10. Of the outer wall of the first housing and the outer wall of the second housing, the lock protrusion protruding from one outer wall and the lock protrusion provided on the other outer wall that overlap each other when the housings are fitted to each other And a lock arm that fits into the
One of the lock protrusion and the lock arm can be in contact with the other member, and is provided at one edge in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the housings are fitted, and A tapered surface inclined in a direction approaching the outer wall of the housing as it goes to the outside of the housing along a direction orthogonal to the housing;
When the tapered surface and the other member are in contact with each other, the terminals are spaced apart from each other, and when the lock protrusion and the lock arm are fitted, the tapered surface and the other member are separated from each other. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the housings move in a direction so that the terminals are in contact with each other.   The restricting means positions the housings at a position where the tapered surface and the other member can contact each other until the housings are completely fitted, and when the housings are completely fitted, Guidance that allows the housings to move in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction in a direction in which the taper surface and the other member are separated from each other, and the lock protrusion and the lock arm are fitted. The connector according to claim 12, further comprising means. The guide means is provided on one of the outer wall of the first housing and the outer wall of the second housing and protrudes toward the other, and is provided on the other and the guide protrusion. With a guide groove into which
The guide groove includes a first groove extending in parallel with the insertion direction of the insert, and a second groove connected to the first groove and extending in parallel with a direction in which the insert approaches the apex portion. The connector according to claim 11, wherein the connector is provided.

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