JP2009164145A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector capable of preventing fine sliding wear between terminal fittings. <P>SOLUTION: A pair of right and left regulating protrusions 32A are formed at the back end part of a flat plate region on the inner surface of the lower surface wall of a cylindrical engagement part 29, and an auxiliary protrusion 16 protruding from the center position in the width direction is formed at the rear end part of the flat plate region on the periphery of the lower surface wall of a hood part 12. Since the regulating protrusions 32A abuts on the hood part 12 and the auxiliary protrusion 16A abuts on the cylindrical engagement part 29, and the relative displacement of both housings 10, 20 is thereby regulated, with both housings 10, 20 normally engaged with each other, fine sliding wear between the terminal fittings 11, 21 which is caused by the relative displacement of both housings 10, 20 is prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

  Patent Document 1 includes a male housing having a hood portion that surrounds a tab of a male terminal fitting, and a female housing having a female terminal fitting. By fitting the female housing into the hood portion, A connector for connecting a tab is disclosed.

JP-A-5-182712

  In this type of connector, clearance is ensured between the outer periphery of the female housing and the inner periphery of the hood, taking into account dimensional tolerances and assembly tolerances. However, it is unavoidable that there is a slight backlash, but this backlash causes fine sliding wear between the terminal fittings.

  This invention is completed based on the above situations, Comprising: It aims at preventing the fine sliding abrasion between terminal metal fittings.

  As a means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a male housing having a hood portion for housing a male terminal fitting and surrounding a tab of the male terminal fitting, and a female housing a female terminal fitting. A connector that is configured to connect the female terminal fitting and the tab by fitting the female housing into the hood portion, and to fit the female housing to the hood portion. A pair of left and right restricting protrusions are formed at the back end of the horizontal flat plate region of the inner surface of the cylindrical fitting portion, and the rear end of the outer surface of the hood portion is provided. A horizontal flat plate region corresponding to the flat plate region in which the pair of left and right restricting protrusions is formed is formed with an auxiliary protrusion that protrudes from a center position in the width direction, and the male housing Female housing In the state where the fitting of the groove has advanced to the normal position, the fitting between the two housings is caused by the contact between the restricting protrusion and the hood part and the contact between the auxiliary protrusion and the cylindrical fitting part. It is characterized in that the relative displacement in the radial direction intersecting the direction is restricted.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary protrusion may be provided in the horizontal flat plate-like region where the pair of left and right restricting protrusions are formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical fitting portion. The floating regulation part located in the center in the width direction so as to correspond to the part is characterized in that it is formed to be elongated over the entire region from the front end to the back end of the cylindrical fitting part.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the fitting process according to the first or second aspect, in the fitting process of the male side housing and the female side housing, the abutment between the hood portion and the regulating protrusion, A feature is that the contact between the auxiliary projection and the cylindrical fitting portion is performed almost simultaneously.

<Invention of Claims 1 to 3>
When the fitting of both housings has advanced to the proper position, the contact between the regulating projection formed on the cylindrical fitting portion and the outer surface of the hood portion and the auxiliary projection formed on the hood portion and the cylindrical fitting By the contact with the inner surface of the joint portion, the relative displacement in the radial direction intersecting the fitting direction between the two housings is restricted. Therefore, the fine sliding wear between the terminal fittings due to the relative displacement of both housings can be prevented.

  In the process of fitting both housings, the hood part is inserted into the gap between the female housing and the cylindrical fitting part. The protrusion and the hood portion do not contact each other, and the auxiliary protrusion at the rear end of the hood portion and the cylindrical fitting portion do not contact each other. Therefore, the fitting resistance between the two housings due to the provision of the restricting protrusion and the auxiliary protrusion does not occur.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view in which both housings are fitted in the first embodiment. Cross section of female housing Cross section of male housing Front view of female housing AA sectional view of FIG. BB sectional view of FIG. Front view of male housing CC sectional view of FIG. Side view of male housing Bottom view of male housing Schematic showing the fitting state of the hood part and the cylindrical fitting part Sectional view showing how the guide rib and guide groove fit together Sectional drawing of the female side housing of Embodiment 2 Side view of female housing Front view of female housing Rear view of female housing

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The connector of the present embodiment includes a male housing 10 that houses a plurality of male terminal fittings 11 and a female housing 20 that houses a plurality of female terminal fittings 21.

  The male housing 10 is made of synthetic resin and has a hood portion 12 that protrudes forward (the same direction as the fitting direction with respect to the female housing 20). An elongated tab 11 a that protrudes forward of the male terminal fitting 11 is accommodated in the hood portion 12, and the tab 11 a is surrounded by the hood portion 12 to be protected from foreign matter interference and the like. On the outer surface of the upper surface wall of the hood portion 12, a lock portion 13 that is the center in the width direction and protrudes upward (outward) from a substantially central position in the front-rear direction of the hood portion 12 is formed. Further, the outer surface of the upper surface wall of the hood portion 12 is provided in the front-rear direction (parallel to the fitting direction of the housings 10 and 20) over the entire length from the front end to the rear end of the hood portion 12 at the left and right sides of the lock portion 13. A rib-like protrusion 14 extending in the right direction). Further, on the outer side surfaces of the left and right side walls of the hood portion 12, a substantially rectangular shape extending in the front-rear direction (a direction parallel to the fitting direction of the housings 10 and 20) over the entire length from the front end to the rear end of the hood portion 12. The cross-section guide ribs 15 are formed symmetrically.

  On the outer periphery of the hood portion 12, the radial direction between the housings 10, 20 (direction intersecting with the fitting direction of both the housings 10, 20), similarly to the regulation protrusions 32 </ b> A, 32 </ b> B, 32 </ b> C of the female housing 20 described later. A plurality (five in this embodiment) of auxiliary protrusions 16A, 16B, and 16C for restricting the backlash are formed. All of these five auxiliary projections 16A, 16B, 16C are rear end portions of the hood portion 12 (the cylindrical fitting of the female housing 20 just before the normal fitting is reached in the fitting process of the two housings 10, 20). (Position corresponding to the front end of the portion 29).

  In the flat region of the lower surface wall of the hood portion 12, one auxiliary protrusion 16A elongated in the front-rear direction is formed at the center in the width direction. On the left and right side walls of the hood portion 12, a pair of auxiliary protrusions 16 </ b> B that form a substantially square shape in a side view are formed symmetrically at a position substantially below the guide rib 15 and at a substantially central height in the vertical direction of the hood portion 12. Has been. On the substantially horizontal and flat upper surfaces of the left and right guide ribs 15 (substantially parallel to the lower wall of the hood portion 12), auxiliary protrusions 16C elongated in the front-rear direction are formed symmetrically.

  The clearances 23 of these auxiliary protrusions 16A, 16B, and 16C from the outer surface of the hood 12 are ensured between the hood 12 and the cylindrical fitting portion 29 in consideration of dimensional tolerance and assembly tolerance. The dimensions are slightly larger than the above. Further, the protruding end surfaces (outer surfaces) of the auxiliary protrusions 16A, 16B, and 16C are all flat surfaces. Furthermore, guide surfaces 17A, 17B, and 17C that are inclined with respect to the fitting direction of the housings 10 and 20 are formed at the front ends of the auxiliary protrusions 16A, 16B, and 16C, respectively.

  Next, the female housing 20 will be described. The female side housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and has a block shape as a whole, and a substantially front half portion of the female side housing 20 is fitted into the hood portion 12. A plurality of cavities 22 elongated in the front-rear direction for inserting the female terminal fitting 21 from the rear are formed in the female housing 20. An elastically deflectable lance 23 extending in a cantilevered manner forward (in the same direction as the fitting direction with respect to the male housing 10) is formed on the lower surface wall of each cavity 22. A rubber seal ring 24 is attached to a region corresponding to the lance 23 on the outer periphery of the female housing 20. A retainer 25 is assembled to the female housing 20 from the front. The retainer 25 is made of synthetic resin, and a retaining portion 25a for restricting the seal ring 24 from moving forward, a cavity constituting portion 25b constituting a front end portion of the inner wall of the cavity 22, and a lance 23 are female. A displacement restricting portion 25c for restricting displacement in a direction of dissociating from the terminal fitting 21.

  The female housing 20 is formed with a lock arm 26 extending in the front-rear direction along the outer peripheral upper surface. The lock arm 26 is supported on the upper surface of the female housing 20 via a leg portion 27 in the center in the length direction, and can be elastically deformed into a forward tilt posture and a rear tilt posture with the support portion 27 as a fulcrum. ing. In addition, a lock hole 28 that is engaged with the lock portion 13 of the hood portion 12 is formed in the front end portion of the lock arm 26 when both the housings 10 and 20 are properly fitted.

  Further, the female housing 20 is integrally formed with a cylindrical fitting portion 29 that surrounds the substantially first half region. The tubular fitting portion 29 has a rear end connected to the outer periphery of the female housing 20 and is open forward (in the same direction as the fitting direction to the male housing 10). In the fitted state, the hood portion 12 is inserted into the gap between the inner periphery of the cylindrical fitting portion 29 and the outer periphery of the female housing 20. In other words, the cylindrical fitting portion 29 surrounds the hood portion 12. A pair of left and right guide grooves 30 corresponding to the guide ribs 15 of the hood portion 12 are formed on the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls of the cylindrical fitting portion 29. A notch 31 for avoiding interference with the lock arm 26 is formed in a region where the lock arm 26 is formed in the upper surface wall of the cylindrical fitting portion 29.

  The female terminal fitting 21 has a connecting portion 21a having a rectangular tube shape at the front end, and the tab 11a is inserted into the connecting portion 21a from the front. Further, at the rear end of the connection portion 21 a, the female terminal fitting 21 is locked to the lance 23 in a state where the female terminal fitting 21 is inserted to the normal position in the cavity 22, so that the cavity 22 is held in a retaining state. A stop 21b is formed. An electric wire 35 is connected to the electric wire crimping portion 21c at the rear end of the female terminal fitting 21 by crimping. In a state where the female terminal fitting 21 is properly inserted, an elastic contact piece (not shown) provided in the connection portion 21a and the tab 11a are elastically contacted, and this contact portion is formed by the seal ring 24 and the lance 23. Located ahead of.

  Now, in the state where both housings 10 and 20 are properly fitted to the inner surface of the cylindrical fitting portion 29 described above, the radial direction between the housings 10 and 20 (the direction intersecting the fitting direction of both the housings 10 and 20). ) Are formed (six in the present embodiment, six) restricting protrusions 32A, 32B, and 32C. These six restricting protrusions 32A, 32B, and 32C are all on the male end immediately before reaching the normal end in the fitting process of both housings 10 and 20, ie, the rear end portion of the cylindrical fitting portion 29, that is, the rear end portion. The housing 10 is disposed at a position corresponding to the front end portion of the hood portion 12.

  A pair of symmetrical projecting protrusions 32 </ b> A that are elongated in the front-rear direction are formed on the flat surface region of the lower surface wall of the cylindrical fitting portion 29 so as to protrude upward. A pair of regulation protrusions 32B elongated in the front-rear direction are formed on the left and right side walls of the cylindrical fitting portion 29 so as to protrude inward symmetrically. A pair of regulation protrusions 32C elongated in the front-rear direction are formed on the upper surfaces of the left and right guide grooves 30 so as to protrude downward in a bilaterally symmetrical manner. The projecting dimensions of these restricting protrusions 32A, 32B, and 32C from the inner surface of the cylindrical fitting portion 29 are secured between the hood portion 12 and the cylindrical fitting portion 29 in consideration of dimensional tolerances and assembly tolerances. The dimension is slightly larger than the clearance 23. Further, the protruding end surfaces (outer surfaces) of the restricting protrusions 32A, 32B, 32C are all flat surfaces. Furthermore, guide surfaces 33A, 33B, and 33C that are inclined with respect to the fitting direction of the housings 10 and 20 are formed at the front ends of the restricting protrusions 32A, 32B, and 32C, respectively.

  The restriction protrusions 32 </ b> B formed on the left and right side walls of the cylindrical fitting part 29 correspond to the left and right auxiliary protrusions 16 </ b> B on the left and right side walls of the hood part 12 in the left-right direction. The restriction protrusions 32 </ b> C formed on the upper surfaces of the left and right guide grooves 30 correspond to the auxiliary protrusions 16 </ b> C of the guide ribs 15 of the hood part 12 in the vertical direction. The restriction protrusion 32 </ b> A formed on the lower surface wall of the cylindrical fitting portion 29 corresponds to the vertical direction with respect to the lower surface wall of the hood portion 12. In addition, on the lower surface wall of the cylindrical fitting portion 29, an idle regulation portion 34 that corresponds to the upper and lower auxiliary projections 16 </ b> A on the lower surface wall of the hood portion 12 by being positioned in the center in the width direction is cylindrically fitted. The part 29 is continuously elongated in the front-rear direction over the entire region from the front end to the rear end (back end).

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
In the process of fitting both the housings 10 and 20, the hood portion 12 is inserted into the gap between the female housing 20 and the cylindrical fitting portion 29. The regulating protrusions 32A, 32B, 32C at the rear end portion and the hood portion 12 do not contact each other. Thereby, sufficient clearance 23 is ensured between the outer periphery of the hood part 12 and the inner periphery of the cylindrical fitting part 29, and the hood part 12 (male side housing 10) and the cylindrical fitting part 29 (female side). The housing 20) can be relatively displaced in the direction intersecting the fitting direction (up, down, left and right). Therefore, the fitting resistance between the housings 10 and 20 due to the provision of the restricting protrusions 32A, 32B, and 32C and the auxiliary protrusions 16A, 16B, and 16C does not occur.

  Although there is a concern that the clearance 23 between the hood portion 12 and the cylindrical fitting portion 29 may cause a large backlash between the housings 10 and 20 as described above, in this embodiment, the cylindrical fitting is performed. Since the clearance restricting portion 34 that protrudes toward the hood portion 12 is formed on the inner periphery of the portion 29, the clearance 23 is substantially reduced. The backlash between 20 is suppressed.

  When the fitting of both the housings 10 and 20 proceeds to a position just before the normal fitting state, first, the front end of the hood portion 12 comes into contact with the seal ring 24 and elastically deflects the seal ring 24 in the radial direction. A fitting resistance due to the elastic restoring force is generated. Thereafter, when the housings 10 and 20 are further fitted, the front end of the hood portion 12 and the guide surfaces 33A, 33B, and 33C of the restricting protrusions 32A, 32B, and 32C come into contact with each other, and the auxiliary protrusions are almost simultaneously performed. The guide surfaces 17A, 17B, and 17C of the portions 16A, 16B, and 16C come into contact with the front end of the cylindrical fitting portion 29, and a slight fitting resistance is generated by this contact. In the process of further fitting the housings 10 and 20 from this state, the outer surface of the hood portion 12 is in sliding contact with the inner surfaces of the restricting protrusions 32A, 32B, and 32C, and the inner surface of the cylindrical fitting portion 29 is the auxiliary protrusion. The outer surfaces of 16A, 16B, and 16C are brought into sliding contact, and fitting resistance (sliding resistance) resulting from the sliding contact is generated. While the fitting resistance due to the sliding is generated, the relative displacement (with backlash) in the direction intersecting the fitting direction of the housings 10 and 20 is restricted.

  And even if the fitting of both the housings 10 and 20 has advanced to the normal position, the contact between the restricting protrusions 32A, 32B, and 32C and the hood part 12 and the auxiliary protrusions 16A, 16B, and 16C and the tubular shape The contact with the fitting portion 29 restricts backlash (relative displacement) in the radial direction (direction intersecting the fitting direction) between the housings. The contact position between the restricting protrusions 32A, 32B, 32C and the hood part 12 is substantially the same as the contact region between the hood part 12 and the seal ring 24. Specifically, the contact part between the hood part 12 and the seal ring 24 is detailed. It is a position on the far side of the cylindrical fitting portion 29 slightly from the position.

  Similarly, the contact position between the restricting protrusions 32A, 32B, 32C and the hood part 12 is farther from the contact point between the female terminal fitting 21 and the tab 11a than the front end of the tab 11a. ), Which is a position deeper in the cylindrical fitting portion 29 than the locking position between the lance 23 and the female terminal fitting 21 (further than the front end of the tab 11a). Further, the contact position between the restricting protrusions 32A, 32B, 32C and the hood part 12 is a position where the front end 26F of the lock arm 26 presses toward the radial center side behind the lock part 13 on the upper surface wall of the hood part 12. Is further shifted to the front of the tab 11a.

  Similarly, in a state where both housings 10 and 20 are properly fitted, the tab 11a of the male terminal fitting 11 enters the female terminal fitting 21 and contacts an elastic contact portion (not shown) in the connecting portion 21a. Both terminals 11 and 21 are connected. Further, the gap between the inner periphery of the front end portion of the hood portion 12 and the outer periphery of the female housing 20 is sealed in a liquid-tight manner by the seal ring 24.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, relative displacement between the hood portion 12 and the cylindrical fitting portion 29 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the hood portion 12 at the inner peripheral surface inner end of the cylindrical fitting portion 29. Since the restricting protrusions 32A, 32B, and 32C are provided, the fine sliding wear between the terminal fittings due to the relative displacement of the housings 10 and 20 can be prevented.

  Further, the restricting protrusions 32A, 32B, and 32C are provided only on the cylindrical fitting portion 29, and the restricting protrusions 32A, 32B, and 32C and the hood portion 12 are in the process of fitting both the housings 10 and 20 until the normal fitting. The fitting workability is good because the fitting resistance due to the interference with the fitting is not generated.

  In addition, since the lock arm 26 is provided on the upper surface of the cylindrical fitting portion 29 and the lock portion 13 to be locked to the lock arm 26 is provided on the outer peripheral upper surface of the hood portion 12, the cylindrical fitting portion 29 and It is difficult to provide a restricting portion on the top wall of the hood portion 12 in terms of space. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the guide ribs 15 are provided along the fitting direction of the two housings 10 and 20 on the left and right side surfaces on the outer periphery of the hood portion 12, and both the housings 10 and 20 are provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical fitting portion 29. The guide groove 30 is provided along the fitting direction of the guide groove 15 and the guide rib 15 can be fitted. A restriction protrusion 32C is provided on the upper surface of the inner end of the guide groove 30, and the inner peripheral lower surface wall of the cylindrical fitting portion 29 is provided. A regulation protrusion 32A is provided at the back end. As a result, a pair of downward left and right restricting protrusions 32 </ b> C provided in the guide groove 30 and an upward restricting protrusion 32 </ b> A provided on the lower surface wall of the cylindrical fitting portion 29 cause the housings 10 and 20 to move vertically. Relative displacement can be regulated.

  In the left-right direction, relative displacement between the housings 10 and 20 is restricted by a pair of restriction protrusions 32 </ b> B provided to protrude inward on the left and right side walls.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, means for reducing the fitting resistance when the two housings 10 and 20 are fitted in the first embodiment is provided. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions of structures, operations, and effects are omitted.

  The rear end portion (rear end portion) of the bottom wall where the pair of left and right restricting protrusions 32A of the cylindrical fitting portion 29 is formed excludes the region where the pair of restricting protrusions 32A are formed in the left and right direction. Three notches 40 are formed by notching the regions. These cutouts 40 are positioned so as to sandwich the restricting protrusions 32 </ b> A from both the left and right sides, and communicate with the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the lower surface wall of the cylindrical fitting portion 29. Further, the formation region of the notch 40 in the front-rear direction is a position in front of the front end of the restricting protrusion 32A and a position rearward of the rear end of the restricting protrusion 32A (that is, the rear end of the cylindrical fitting portion 29). Range). Due to the cutout portion 40, the region where the restricting protrusion 32 </ b> A is formed in the lower surface wall of the tubular fitting portion 29 (that is, the region sandwiched between the pair of cutout portions 40) The elastic support portion 41 is elastically deflectable in the radial direction (that is, the direction intersecting the fitting direction of the two housings 10 and 20). Further, a hollow portion 42 is formed on the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the lower surface wall of the cylindrical fitting portion 29, in which a region (elastic support portion 41) corresponding to the regulation protrusion 32 </ b> A is recessed. Thereby, the thickness of the elastic support part 41 is thinner than the area | region ahead of it.

  In the present embodiment, the rear end portion of the cylindrical fitting portion 29 where the restricting protrusion portion 32 </ b> A is formed is disposed at a position sandwiching the restricting protrusion portion 32 </ b> A, and the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the tubular fitting portion 29. A pair of cutout portions 40 in a form communicating with each other is formed, and the elastic support portion 41 provided with the restricting projection 32A in the cylindrical fitting portion 29 can be elastically displaced. As a result, when the restricting protrusion 32A comes into contact with the hood 12 in the process of fitting the two housings 10 and 20, the restricting protrusion 32A is elastically displaced in the direction of escaping from the hood 12, and the restricting protrusion 32A and the hood 12 are thereby displaced. The fitting resistance due to the interference with is reduced.

  In addition, since the region between the pair of notches 40, that is, the hollow portion 42 in the form in which the elastic support portion 41 where the restricting protrusion 32A is formed is recessed is provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical fitting portion 29. The region of the cylindrical fitting portion 29 where the restricting projection 32A is formed is thin and easily elastically displaced, and the female housing 20 is lightened.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
(1) Although the waterproof type connector has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to a non-waterproof type connector.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Male side housing 11 ... Male terminal metal fitting 11a ... Tab 12 ... Hood part 16A ... Auxiliary protrusion 20 ... Female side housing 21 ... Female terminal metal fitting 24 ... Seal ring 29 ... Cylindrical fitting part 32A ... Restriction protrusion 34 ... Idling Regulation Department

Claims (3)

A male-side housing having a hood portion for housing the male terminal fitting and surrounding the tab of the male terminal fitting;
A female housing that houses female terminal fittings,
In the connector in which the female terminal fitting and the tab are connected by fitting the female side housing into the hood portion,
The female housing is provided with a cylindrical fitting portion that is fitted on the hood portion,
A pair of left and right restricting projections are formed at the inner end of the cylindrical fitting portion at the back end in the horizontal flat plate region,
Among the rear end portions of the outer surface of the hood portion, a horizontal flat plate region corresponding to the flat plate region in which the pair of left and right restricting protrusions are formed has an auxiliary protrusion protruding from the center position in the width direction. Formed,
In a state where the fitting of the male housing and the female housing has advanced to the normal position, the contact between the restricting protrusion and the hood portion and the contact between the auxiliary protrusion and the cylindrical fitting portion The connector is characterized in that relative displacement in the radial direction intersecting the fitting direction between the two housings is restricted.   In the horizontal flat region where the pair of left and right restricting protrusions are formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical fitting part, there is an idle restricting part located at the center in the width direction so as to correspond to the auxiliary protrusion. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is formed to be elongated over the entire region from the front end to the back end of the cylindrical fitting portion.   In the fitting process of the male housing and the female housing, the contact between the hood portion and the restriction projection and the contact between the auxiliary projection and the cylindrical fitting portion are performed substantially simultaneously. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector is configured to be connected.

Images