JP2012155919A - Connector and connector manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector capable of easily positioning a terminal, and a connector manufacturing method.SOLUTION: A connector 1 comprises: a housing 10 with a cylindrical part 12 having a base part 11, on which a mounting face 11c is formed, and an inclined wall 12a whose end inner face 12e is inclined relative to a normal line N of the mounting face 11c by an acute angle R; and a first male terminal 20 and a second male terminal 30 fixed to the base part 11 with both ends aligned. The first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 have inclined region parts 20a, 30a parallel to an inner face of the inclined wall 12a, and orthogonal region parts 20b, 30b orthogonal to the mounting face 11c. The first male terminal 20 is shorter than the second male terminal 30, and arranged near the inclined wall 12a. An opening 20c embedded on the base part 11 is formed on the inclined region part 20a, and the housing 10 has a bored part 11f continued from an end face 11g and inserted in the opening 20c.

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector and a method for manufacturing the connector.

  Conventionally, there are connectors in which a plurality of male terminals are integrally provided in a housing by insert molding, and a mating connector is connected to each of both ends where the plurality of male terminals are aligned. When manufacturing such a connector, the operation of attaching a plurality of male terminals to a mold used for insert molding becomes complicated. Thus, a connector manufacturing method has been proposed in which the workability of attaching a plurality of male terminals to a mold is improved (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-24446

  In the method of manufacturing a connector described in Patent Document 1, the mold is separated into a cavity block, an upper intermediate mold member, and a mold member that is movably provided on the left and right sides, and can be brought into contact with and separated from each other Support and form a cavity inside the mold, and support the lower side of multiple terminals arranged in parallel on the cavity block, then connect the upper part of each terminal and the plate thickness is larger than the terminal Between the two formed carrier plates, the terminal prism is bent within the elastic limit and the upper intermediate mold member is inserted, and then the resin is filled in the cavity to form the mold portion, and then each gold plate When the mold member is separated, the terminal prism is bent within the elastic limit, and the upper intermediate mold member inserted between them is forcibly removed.

  By the way, some connectors have a plurality of male terminals whose longitudinal cross-section is bent in a U-shape. In such a connector, since both ends of each male terminal are aligned and integrally formed with the housing, a difference is provided in the length in the longitudinal direction of the male terminal, and each male terminal is determined by the length in the longitudinal direction. It is integrally formed with the housing at a predetermined position. In such a connector, it is necessary to attach each male terminal to a mold setting position determined for each length in the longitudinal direction of the terminal when the connector is manufactured.

  However, in the connector manufacturing method described in Patent Document 1, one end of the terminal is fixed upright in the terminal holding hole of the mold in which the terminal is first set. It is possible to visually determine whether the end of the male terminal holding side and the opposite side are inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and whether the both ends of each male terminal are aligned and set in the mold. There is a problem that it is difficult to set the terminal in the mold.

  This invention is made in view of the above, Comprising: It aims at providing the manufacturing method of the connector which can perform positioning of a terminal easily.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the connector according to claim 1 of the present invention is such that the base portion on which the mounting surface to the mounting destination of the connector is formed and the inner surface of the end portion on the base side are the mounting portions. A housing provided with a cylindrical portion having an inclined wall inclined at an acute angle with respect to the normal of the surface, and provided integrally with the housing by insert molding, and both ends thereof are aligned and fixed to the base portion A first male terminal and a second male terminal, each having a mating connector connected to each of both ends of the first male terminal and the second male terminal, The first male terminal and the second male terminal have a longitudinal section bent in a U-shape, and are formed perpendicular to the mounting surface and an inclined region portion formed parallel to the inner surface of the inclined wall. An orthogonal region portion, and The first male terminal is formed shorter in the longitudinal direction than the second male terminal, and is disposed near the inclined wall as compared with the second male terminal and embedded in the base portion. An opening formed in the inclined region portion, and the housing has a lightening portion connected to an end surface of the base portion on the side where the orthogonal region portion protrudes and inserted into the opening. It is characterized by.

  The connector according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the mounting surface is formed on a flange portion provided so as to protrude from the outer periphery of the base portion.

  The connector according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the first male terminal and the second male terminal are plate-shaped.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a method for manufacturing a connector according to claim 4 of the present invention includes a base portion on which a mounting surface to a mounting destination of the connector is formed and an end on the base side. A housing provided with a cylindrical portion having an inclined wall whose inner surface is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the normal of the mounting surface, and provided integrally with the housing by insert molding, with both ends aligned and A first male terminal and a second male terminal fixed to a base, wherein the first male terminal and the second male terminal are bent in a cross-sectional shape in a longitudinal direction, and the inclined An inclined region portion formed parallel to the inner surface of the wall, and an orthogonal region portion formed orthogonal to the mounting surface, wherein the first male terminal is connected to the second male terminal. Compared to the second male terminal, and shorter in the longitudinal direction An opening that is disposed in the vicinity of the inclined wall and is embedded in the base is formed in the inclined region, and a mating connector is provided at both ends of the first male terminal and the second male terminal that are aligned. A method for manufacturing a connector to be connected, characterized in that the first male terminal includes a terminal setting step in which a protruding portion protruding from a mold is inserted into the opening and set in the mold. And

  In the connector according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the first male terminal and the second male terminal can be distinguished from each other by the opening, the terminal can be easily positioned.

  In the connector according to claim 2 of the present invention, the attachment surface is formed on a flange portion provided so as to protrude from the outer periphery of the base portion, so that the connector can be easily attached to the attachment destination via the flange portion. it can.

  In the connector according to claim 3 of the present invention, since the first male terminal and the second male terminal are plate-shaped, the opening is formed so as to allow the protrusion provided in the mold to be inserted. Alternatively, it is easy to make contact with the protruding portion.

  In the method for manufacturing a connector according to claim 4 of the present invention, when the first male terminal is set in a mold, the protrusion provided in the mold is inserted into the opening. When the male terminal and the second male terminal are set in the mold with the wrong set position, the end opposite to the set side of the second male terminal is longer in the longitudinal direction than the first male terminal. Protrudes from the opposite end of the first male terminal, and the opposite ends of the first male terminal and the second male terminal are noticeably uneven. For this reason, the operator can easily notice that the first male terminal and the second male terminal are set in the mold with the wrong setting position, and the terminal can be easily positioned. it can

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view seen from the mounting surface side of the connector shown in FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the mounting surface side. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the first male terminal and the second male terminal shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a manufacturing method of the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a connector manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a method for manufacturing a connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the first male terminal and the second male terminal are set in the first mold with the wrong set positions. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a connector of Modification 1 of the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the first male terminal and the second male terminal shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a connector of Modification 2 of the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a connector and a method for manufacturing a connector according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connector 1 shown in FIG. 1 viewed from the mounting surface 11c side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector 1 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the mounting surface 11c side. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 shown in FIG.
The connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to an outer surface of a casing or the like (not shown) that is an attachment destination. The connector 1 functions as a relay terminal that electrically connects a mating connector in a casing (not shown) and a mating connector outside the casing.

The connector 1 includes a housing 10, a first male terminal 20, and a second male terminal 30.
The housing 10 is made of an insulating resin material, and has a cylindrical shape having a base 11 on which an attachment surface 11c to the attachment destination of the connector 1 is formed and an inclined wall 12a inclined with respect to the attachment surface 11c. Part 12 is provided.

The base portion 11 includes a terminal holding portion 11a and a flange portion 11b.
The terminal holding part 11a is a part where the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 are fixedly held.
The flange portion 11b is projected along the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the terminal holding portion 11a. The flange portion 11b is formed with an attachment surface 11c.
The attachment surface 11c is a surface that comes into contact with an attachment surface on the casing side (not shown) when the housing 10 is attached to the above-described casing (not shown).
In addition, bolt insertion holes 11d are formed at the four corners of the flange portion 11b. A metal collar 11e is fitted into the bolt insertion hole 11d.
The housing 10 is fixed to a casing (not shown) via a bolt (not shown) inserted through the bolt insertion hole 11d of the flange portion 11b.

  The cylindrical portion 12 has a cylindrical shape whose outer periphery is a rectangular shape, and as shown in FIG. 4, an inclined wall in which an end inner surface 12 e on the base 11 side is inclined at an acute angle R with respect to the normal N of the mounting surface 11 c. 12a. The wall 12d facing the inclined wall 12a is provided in parallel to the inclined wall 12a. That is, the cylindrical portion 12 is provided to be inclined with respect to the mounting surface 11c formed on the flange portion 11b. A mating connector (not shown) is fitted to the cylindrical portion 12. That is, the fitting recess 12 b is formed by the tubular portion 12 and the base portion 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom surface 12c of the fitting recess 12b is formed to be orthogonal to the inclined wall 12a.

  Next, the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 will be described. The first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 are provided integrally with the housing 10 by insert molding, and are fixed to the base 11 with both ends aligned. In addition, the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 are bent in a U-shaped cross section in the longitudinal direction, and are formed on the inclined region portions 20a and 30a formed in parallel to the inclined wall 12a and the mounting surface 11c. It is a plate-like member having orthogonal region portions 20b and 30b formed orthogonally. For this reason, the length L1 of the longitudinal direction of the 1st male terminal 20 and the 2nd male terminal 30 which protrude from the bottom face 12c of the fitting recessed part 12b is equal. Further, the lengths L2 in the longitudinal direction of the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 protruding from the mounting surface 11c are equal.

  The first male terminal 20 is shorter than the second male terminal 30 in the longitudinal direction, and an opening 20c embedded in the base 11 is formed in the inclined region 20a. Compared to the terminal 30, it is arranged near the inclined wall 12 a.

Here, the terminal holding part 11a will be described in detail. The terminal holding part 11a has a thinned part 11f.
In the case where insert molding is performed using a first mold 41 to be described later, the thinned portion 11f is formed along the shape of a protruding portion 41a formed on the first mold 41 to be described later. The thinned portion 11f is connected to the end surface 11g of the terminal holding portion 11a on the side from which the orthogonal region portion 11a protrudes and is inserted into the opening 20c. For this reason, when the first male terminal 20 is set in a first mold 41 to be described later for manufacturing the connector 1, the protruding portion 41a is inserted through the opening 20c.

Next, the manufacturing method of the connector 1 concerning embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIGS. FIGS. 6-8 is a figure which showed an example of the manufacturing method of the connector 1 concerning embodiment of this invention. FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 are set on the first mold 41 in the wrong setting position.
In the method for manufacturing the connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the material of the housing 10 is contained in the cavity formed by the first mold 41, the second mold 42, and the third mold 43. Filled with an insulating resin.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6, the operator sets the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 in the first mold 41. Here, the first mold 41 is a mold that mainly forms an end of the connector 1 on the mounting surface 11c side. The first mold 41 has a protruding portion 41 a that protrudes from the first mold 41. The protrusion 41 a is formed so as to be inserted through the opening 20 c of the first male terminal 20 when the first male terminal 20 is set at a predetermined position of the first mold 41. When the first male terminal 20 is set in the first mold 41, the first male terminal 20 in which the opening 20c is formed can be distinguished from the first male terminal 20.

Here, as shown in FIG. 9, when the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 are set to the first mold 41 by the operator in the wrong position, that is, the operator When the first male terminal 20 is set at the set position of the second male terminal 30 and the second male terminal 30 is set at the set position of the first male terminal 20, the second male terminal 30 The inclined region portion 30a hits the protruding portion 41a and is inserted to the middle of the terminal set hole 41b of the first mold 41.
In such an erroneous setting state, the end on the opposite side of the set of the second male terminal 30 that is longer in the longitudinal direction than the first male terminal 20 is more than the end on the opposite side of the setting of the first male terminal 20. The end of the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 on the opposite side of the set is conspicuous and uneven. For this reason, the operator easily notices that the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 have been set in the first mold 41 in the wrong position, and correctly before proceeding to the next work. Can be reset.

  Thereafter, the operator sets the second mold 42 as shown in FIG. The second mold 42 is a mold that mainly forms the outer shape of the cylindrical portion 12 of the connector 1.

  Thereafter, the operator sets the third mold 43 as shown in FIG. The 3rd metal mold | die 43 is a metal mold | die which forms the fitting recessed part 12b. The third mold 43 has an insertion portion 43a so as to cover the inclined region portions 20a, 30a of the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 exposed from the base portion 11 inside the cylindrical portion 12. Is formed. For this reason, when setting the 3rd metal mold | die 43, the 1st male terminal 20 and the 2nd male terminal 30 are inserted in the insertion part 43a.

  Since each of the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 is set correctly in the first mold 41, the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 are It is inserted into the insertion part 43a at the correct position. Therefore, the third metal mold 43 is prevented from damaging the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30, or the third metal mold 43 is prevented from being damaged by the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30. Damage to the terminal 30 can be prevented.

  Thereafter, the operator fills the cavity formed by the first mold 41, the second mold 42, and the third mold 43 with an insulating resin that is a material of the housing 10. As a result, the connector 1 is formed in which the housing 10, the first male terminal 20, and the second male terminal 30 are integrated.

  In the manufacturing method of the connector 1 and the connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the first male terminal 20 is set in the first mold 41 for manufacturing the connector 1, the protruding portion 41a is the inclined region portion 20a. Since the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 can be distinguished from each other by the opening 20c, the opening 20c is set in the mold 41. In this case, the terminal can be easily positioned because it is formed in the visible inclined region 20a of the terminal.

  Further, the connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has the mounting surface 11c formed on the flange portion 11b provided so as to protrude from the outer periphery of the base portion 11, so that the connector 1 can be easily attached to the connector 1 via the flange portion 11b. Can be attached to.

  In the connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 are plate-like, the opening 20c is formed so that the protruding portion 41a is inserted, or the protruding It becomes easy to hit the part 41a.

  In the manufacturing method of the connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the first male terminal 20 is set in the first mold 41 for manufacturing the connector 1, the projecting portion 41a has the opening 20c of the inclined region portion 20a. Therefore, even when the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 are set in the first mold 41 with the wrong set position, the second male terminal 30 is inserted. Since the inclined region portion 30a of the second male terminal 30 is longer than the first male terminal 20 in the longitudinal direction, the opposite end portion of the second male terminal 30 is opposite to the first male terminal 20 in the set reverse side. The end of the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 on the opposite side of the set is conspicuously uneven, so that the operator can use the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30. Is set in the first mold 41 with the wrong setting position. It is possible to notice easily, it is possible to position the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 easily.

(Modification 1)
Next, Modification 1 of the connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a connector 2 of Modification 1 of the connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the first male terminal 21 and the second male terminal 31 shown in FIG.
The connector 2 of Modification 1 includes a first male terminal 21 and a second male terminal 31 instead of the plate-like first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30. Similar to the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30, the first male terminal 21 and the second male terminal 31 are bent in a cross-section in the longitudinal direction and parallel to the inclined wall 12a. The formed inclined region portions 21a and 31a and the orthogonal region portions 21b and 31b formed orthogonal to the mounting surface 11c are provided.
The first male terminal 21 and the second male terminal 31 have the plate-like portions 21c and 31c and the rod-like portions 21d and 31d, and the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30. Different. Other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment, and the same components as those of the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The plate-like portions 21c and 31c are provided at substantially the center positions in the longitudinal direction of the first male terminal 21 and the second male terminal 31, respectively. The plate-like portion 21c of the first male terminal 21 has an opening 21e through which the protruding portion 41a is inserted.
For this reason, when the 1st male terminal 21 and the 2nd male terminal 31 are set in the 1st metal mold | die 41 in the wrong setting position, the plate-shaped part 31c of the 2nd male terminal 31 contacts the protrusion part 41a. Therefore, the end on the opposite side of the set of the second male terminal 31 that is longer in the longitudinal direction than the first male terminal 21 protrudes from the end on the opposite side of the set of the first male terminal 21. The ends of the terminal 21 and the second male terminal 31 on the opposite side of the set are noticeably uneven.
The rod-shaped parts 21d and 31d are parts connected to a mating connector (not shown). The rod-like portions 21d and 31d are formed so as to protrude from both longitudinal ends of the plate-like portions 21c and 31c.

  According to the connector 2 of the first modification, the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 can be easily positioned as in the connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

(Modification 2)
Next, Modification 2 of the connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a connector 3 of Modification 2 of the connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The connector 3 of Modification 2 includes a housing 50 instead of the housing 10. Other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment, and the same components as those of the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the housing 50 includes a plurality of first male terminals 20 and a plurality of second male terminals 30 provided in parallel and integrally. As described above, when the plurality of first male terminals 20 and the plurality of second male terminals 30 are provided in the housing 50 in parallel, the protruding portions 41 a are inserted into the openings 20 c of the first male terminals 20. As described above, the first mold 41 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 41a.

  According to the connector 3 of the second modification, the first male terminal 20 and the second male terminal 30 can be easily positioned as in the connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In addition, although connector 1,2,3 of embodiment of this invention illustrated what has the flange part 11b, it is not restricted to this. That is, it is only necessary that the attachment surface to the casing or the like to be attached is formed on the housing.

  Moreover, although the connector 1,2,3 of embodiment of this invention illustrated what is formed with the 1st metal mold | die 41, the 2nd metal mold | die 42, and the 3rd metal mold | die 43, Not limited to this. That is, the protrusion 41a inserted into the openings 20c and 21c may be provided in the mold in which the first male terminals 20 and 21 and the second male terminals 30 and 31 are set.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment of the invention described above, but the invention is not limited to the embodiment of the invention described above, and departs from the gist thereof. Various changes can be made without departing from the scope.

1, 2, 3 Connector 10, 50 Housing 11 Base portion 11a Terminal holding portion 11b Flange portion 11c Mounting surface 11d Bolt insertion hole 11e Metal collar 11f Blanking portion 11g End surface 12 Tubular portion 12a Inclined wall 12b Fitting recess 12c Bottom surface 12d Wall 12e End inner surface 20, 21 First male terminal 21c, 31c Plate-like part 21d, 31d Rod-like part 20a, 30a, 21a, 31a Inclined area part 20b, 30b, 21b, 31b Orthogonal area part 20c, 21e Opening 30, 31 2nd male terminal 41 1st metal mold | die 41a Protruding part 41b Terminal set hole 42 2nd metal mold | die 43 3rd metal mold | die 43a Insertion part N normal line R acute angle

Claims (4)

A base portion on which an attachment surface to the attachment destination of the connector is formed, and an inner surface of the end portion on the base side includes a cylindrical portion having an inclined wall inclined at an acute angle with respect to a normal line of the attachment surface. A housing;
A first male terminal and a second male terminal which are provided integrally with the housing by insert molding and are fixed to the base with both ends aligned;
A mating connector is connected to each of the aligned both ends of the first male terminal and the second male terminal,
The first male terminal and the second male terminal are
An inclined region portion whose longitudinal section is bent in a U-shape and formed parallel to the inner surface of the inclined wall; and an orthogonal region portion formed orthogonal to the mounting surface;
Having
The first male terminal is
An opening which is formed shorter in the longitudinal direction than the second male terminal and is arranged near the inclined wall as compared to the second male terminal and embedded in the base portion is the inclined region portion. Formed into
The housing is
A connector having a lightening portion connected to an end surface of the base portion on the side from which the orthogonal region portion is projected and inserted into the opening. The mounting surface is
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is formed on a flange portion protruding from the outer periphery of the base portion. The first male terminal and the second male terminal are
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector has a plate shape. A base portion on which an attachment surface to the attachment destination of the connector is formed, and an inner surface of the end portion on the base side includes a cylindrical portion having an inclined wall inclined at an acute angle with respect to a normal line of the attachment surface. A housing;
It is provided integrally with the housing by insert molding, and has a first male terminal and a second male terminal fixed to the base part with both ends aligned,
The first male terminal and the second male terminal are
An inclined region portion whose longitudinal section is bent in a U-shape and formed parallel to the inner surface of the inclined wall; and an orthogonal region portion formed orthogonal to the mounting surface;
Having
The first male terminal is
An opening which is formed shorter in the longitudinal direction than the second male terminal and is arranged near the inclined wall as compared to the second male terminal and embedded in the base portion is the inclined region portion. Formed into
A connector manufacturing method in which a mating connector is connected to both ends of the first male terminal and the second male terminal,
The first male terminal is
A method for manufacturing a connector, comprising: a terminal setting step in which a protruding portion protruding from a mold is inserted into the opening and set in the mold.

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