JP2015062191A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector that enables connector connection of partner side connectors included in each of laminated electric and electronic devices (members), in block even when tolerance caused by lamination is generated on the devices (members) side.SOLUTION: A plurality of cavities 12 in each of which a terminal metal fitting is housed are provided. Each cavity 12 is configured cylindrically as a separated member independent from a connector main body 14, and the plurality of cavities 12 are also configured as separated members independent from each other. The connector main body 14 serves as a holder for housing these cavities 12, and the cavities 12 are locked to the connector main body 14 individually. In the locking part, clearance is provided between the individual cavity 12 and the connector main body 14. The cavities 12 are allowed to move to the connector main body 14 by the clearance.

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector having a plurality of cavities in which terminal fittings connected to electric wire terminals are accommodated, and more particularly, a connector suitable as a connector to be connected to a plurality of mating connectors provided in each of stacked members. About.

  The electrical / electronic device (member) is provided with a connector for electrical connection to a power source or another electrical / electronic device (member). For example, in Patent Document 1, bus bars and tab terminals are provided on a wiring board in an electrical junction box, and these bus bars and tab terminals are accommodated in a connector housing formed integrally with a main cover that covers the wiring board. The resulting connector is provided in the electrical junction box.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-299054

  For example, in the case where a plurality of electric / electronic devices (members) having the same configuration are used, these may be laminated or arranged in parallel. For example, when the member is a flat plate, such as a substrate, it may be laminated. When a plurality of electrical / electronic devices (members) having the same configuration are used in a stacked manner, these connectors have the same configuration, so that each connector is stacked and arranged at the same position on the same side of the member. .

  At this time, in the design, the stacked connectors on the member side are stacked and arranged at predetermined intervals designed in advance. However, in practice, due to the design tolerance of each member, a tolerance due to the lamination often occurs in the interval between the connectors on the laminated member side.

  For this reason, when these connectors are collectively connected to each other, the connectors must be connected in consideration of the stacking tolerance generated on the stacked members. At this time, it is very difficult to correct the tolerance on the laminated member side, and even if possible, it may lead to a significant cost increase. Therefore, in the conventional connector, these connectors cannot be collectively connected to each other.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that, even when a tolerance due to lamination occurs on the laminated electrical / electronic equipment (member) side, the mating connectors of each of these equipment (members) are collectively connected to the connector. It is to provide a connector that can be connected.

  In order to solve the above problems, a connector according to the present invention is a connector having a plurality of cavities in which terminal fittings connected to electric wire terminals are accommodated, and the cavities are configured in a cylindrical shape as separate members independent of the connector body. The plurality of cavities are also configured as separate members independent of each other, and the connector body serves as a holder for housing the plurality of cavities, and the plurality of cavities are individually locked to the connector body, In this locking portion, clearances are provided between individual cavities and the connector body, and the gist is that movement of the cavities with respect to the connector body is allowed by this clearance. is there.

  At this time, the connector body has a plurality of locking holes for inserting and locking the cavity, and a cover for preventing the inserted cavity from dropping from the connector body at a position behind the inserted cavity. It is preferable to provide.

  At this time, it is preferable that a clearance that allows movement of the inserted cavity with respect to the connector body is provided between the inserted cavity and the cover.

  In the connector according to the present invention, it is desirable that there is a reference cavity whose movement is restricted with respect to the connector body.

  Here, examples of the reference cavity include a cavity whose movement is restricted with respect to the connector body by being integrally formed with the connector body.

  Moreover, as a reference | standard cavity, the thing by which movement is controlled with respect to the said connector main body by press-fitting in the said connector main body can be mentioned.

  Moreover, as a reference | standard cavity, the thing by which movement is controlled with respect to the said connector main body by being integrally molded by the said cover can be mentioned.

  Moreover, as a reference | standard cavity, the thing by which a movement is controlled with respect to the said connector main body by being pressed by the said cover can be mentioned.

  The cover is formed with a through hole through which an electric wire connected to the terminal fitting accommodated in the cavity is passed, and the guide for determining the wiring direction of the electric wire from the through hole is formed in the through hole. It is preferable that the grooves are continuous.

  And it is preferable that the connector which concerns on this invention is equipped with each of the laminated | stacked member, and connects several connectors in the laminated | stacked state collectively.

  According to the connector of the present invention, the individual cavities are allowed to move relative to the connector main body by the clearance at the engaging portion between the individual cavities independent of the connector main body and the connector main body. For this reason, when the mating connectors of the stacked electrical / electronic devices (members) are collectively connected to each other, the mating connectors stacked on the stacked electrical / electronic devices (members) side With respect to the stacking tolerances that occur during this time, the individual cavities can be moved to align with the respective mating connector to which the individual cavities are fitted to absorb the stacking tolerances. Accordingly, the stacked mating connectors can be collectively connected to each other.

  In this case, when the connector body has a plurality of locking holes for inserting and locking the cavity, and a cover is provided at a position behind the inserted cavity to prevent the inserted cavity from falling off the connector body. Can securely lock the cavity in the connector body.

  At this time, if there is a clearance between the inserted cavity and the cover to allow the inserted cavity to move with respect to the connector body, the cavity is allowed to move even when the cover is provided. Can be maintained.

  In the connector according to the present invention, when there is a reference cavity whose movement is restricted with respect to the connector main body, it is easy to fit the mating connector with the reference cavity as a reference.

  The cover is formed with a through hole through which an electric wire connected to the terminal fitting accommodated in the cavity is passed, and a guide groove for determining the wiring direction of the electric wire is connected to the through hole from the through hole. If there is, it is possible to regulate the direction of wiring.

1 is an external perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the cavity of a connector. It is a left view of the cavity of a connector. It is a front view of the cavity of a connector. It is an external appearance perspective view of the holder (connector main body) of a connector. It is an external appearance perspective view showing the holder made into the state which can see the inside. It is a rear view of the holder of a connector. It is a front view of the holder of a connector. It is a left view of the holder of a connector. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which inserted the cavity in the one part insertion hole of the holder. It is a rear view of the connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 11 taken along line AA. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 11 taken along line BB. It is a front view of the connector concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state before fitting with the connector of this invention and the other party connector. It is a schematic diagram which shows a cross section when what fitted the connector of this invention and the other party connector is cut | disconnected along the front-back direction in the center position of a cavity.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. In each figure, for convenience, as shown in FIG. 1, the front, rear, up, down, left, and right directions of the connector are specified. The side mated with the mating connector is the front side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of cavities 12 in which terminal fittings connected to electric wire terminals are accommodated, and a connector main body 14. The plurality of cavities 12 are configured in a cylindrical shape as separate members independent of the connector main body 14. The plurality of cavities 12 are also configured as separate members independent of each other. The connector body 14 is a holder that accommodates the plurality of cavities 12 (hereinafter, the connector body 14 may be expressed as the holder 14).

  2 to 4 are drawings showing the cavity 12 of the connector 10. 2 is an external perspective view of the cavity 12, FIG. 3 is a left side view of the cavity 12, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the cavity 12. 5 to 9 are drawings showing the holder 14 (connector body 14). 5 is an external perspective view of the holder 14, FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing the holder 14 in a state where the inside can be seen, FIG. 7 is a rear view of the holder 14, and FIG. 8 is a front view of the holder 14. FIG. 9 is a left side view of the holder 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the cavity 12 is configured in a rectangular tube shape, and a terminal fitting (not shown) can be accommodated therein. The terminal fitting is locked inside the cavity 12 by being locked to a locking projection (not shown) inside the cavity 12. The opening side 12a behind the cavity 12 is a side into which a terminal fitting (cylindrical terminal 70 described later) is inserted, and the opening side 12b before the cavity 12 is a terminal fitting (pin terminal 62) of a mating connector 60 described later. Is the side to be inserted. Both the rear opening side 12a and the front opening side 12b of the cavity 12 are formed with a taper that widens the entrance so that a terminal fitting (a cylindrical terminal 70 and a pin terminal 62 described later) can be easily inserted.

  On one side of the cavity 12 (on the right side in FIG. 2), a pair of protrusions 22a and 22b extending the entire length of the cavity 12 in the front-rear direction is formed. Further, on the other side of the cavity 12 (left side in FIG. 2), a pair of protrusions 24 a and 24 b extending only to a part of the rear side of the cavity 12 are formed. The groove between the pair of protrusions 22a and 22b on one side and the groove between the pair of protrusions 24a and 24b on the other side serves as a guide, so that the cavity 12 can be easily inserted into the holder 14.

  At the center of the groove between the other pair of protrusions 24a, 24b, a lance locking hole 26 is formed as a recessed portion that is depressed by one step, and a lance 44 of the holder 14 described later enters and the lance 44 is engaged. It has come to be stopped.

  A protrusion-like stopper 28 that protrudes further in the right direction is formed at the rear end of the upper protrusion 22a of the pair of protrusions 22a, 22b on one side. 38.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the holder 14 includes a box-shaped holder main body 30 surrounded by a front surface 30 a, both side surfaces 30 b and 30 c, and upper and lower surfaces 30 d and 30 e, and an open rear side 30 f. A cover 32 that covers the rear side 30f that is opened, and a lock 34 that is engaged with the mating connector when the holder 14 is fitted to the mating connector.

  The inside of the holder body 30 is a storage chamber that stores a portion of the cavity 12 that is not fitted to the mating connector. The front surface 30 a of the holder body 30 has a plurality of insertion holes 36 into which the individual cavities 12 are inserted so that a portion of the cavity 12 to be received that fits into the mating connector protrudes from the holder body 30. Is formed through. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, two insertion holes 36 are arranged in the left-right direction, and four insertion holes 36 are arranged in the up-down direction.

  Between the two insertion holes 36 aligned in the left-right direction, an abutting protrusion 38 on which the stopper 28 of the cavity 12 abuts projects inside the front surface 30 a of the holder body 30, and It is formed so as to be continuous along the vertical direction. The contact protrusions 38 also serve as ribs that reinforce the front surface 30a of the holder main body 30, and are similarly connected to the upper and lower ribs 40 and 42 that reinforce the upper and lower surfaces 30d and 30e of the holder main body 30. . Inside the both side surfaces 30b and 30c of the holder body 30, there are provided lances 44 that enter and are locked into the lance locking holes 26 of the cavity 12 when the cavity 12 is inserted. Further, on the outer side of the left side surface 30b of the holder main body 30, an engaging claw 46 that engages with an engaging piece 50 of the cover 32 described later is provided.

  The cover 32 is connected to the right rear end of the holder body 30 by two hinges 48 provided at the right end. The cover 32 can be rotated with the hinge 48 as a rotation center, and the opening of the rear side 30f of the holder body 30 can be opened and closed by the rotation of the cover 32. Engaging pieces 50 that engage with engaging claws 46 formed on the outer side of the left side surface 30 b of the holder body 30 are provided at two positions above and below the left end of the cover 32. When the rear side 30f is covered, the engagement claw 46 and the engagement piece 50 of the holder main body 30 engage with each other, whereby the state where the cover 32 covers the rear side 30f of the holder main body 30 is maintained.

  A protrusion 52 extending in the vertical direction is formed at the central portion of the inner surface of the cover 32. When the cover 32 covers the rear side 30f of the holder body 30, it is inserted into the insertion hole 36 of the holder 14. It faces the rear end face of the protruding stopper 28 formed at the rear end of the cavity 12 at a predetermined interval (clearance).

  In the cover 32, a through hole 54 through which an electric wire connected to a terminal fitting accommodated in the cavity 12 passes is formed on both sides of the portion where the protrusion 52 is formed. The through hole 54 faces the opening side 12 a behind the cavity 12, and the terminal fitting to which the wire terminal is connected is accommodated in the cavity 12 through the through hole 54. Alternatively, the electric wire connected to the terminal fitting housed inside the cavity 12 is drawn out of the connector 10 through the through hole 54. A guide groove 56 extending in the upward direction or the downward direction is connected to the through hole 54, and the guide direction of the electric wire from the through hole 54 is restricted upward or downward by the guide groove 56. Can do.

  On the outside of the left side surface 30b of the holder main body 30, a lock 34 is formed integrally with the holder main body 30 so that the fitting state can be maintained when the connector 10 is fitted to the mating connector.

  FIG. 10 shows a state in which the cavity 12 is inserted into a part of the insertion hole 36 of the holder 14 having such a configuration.

  In the cavity 12 to be inserted into the left insertion hole 36, a pair of protrusions 22a, 22b on one side is disposed on the right side, and a pair of protrusions 24a, 24b on the other side are disposed on the left side. On the other hand, in the cavity 12 to be inserted into the right insertion hole 36, a pair of protrusions 22a and 22b on one side are arranged on the left side, and a pair of protrusions 24a and 24b on the other side are arranged on the right side. Accordingly, the protruding stopper 28 of the cavity 12 inserted into the left insertion hole 36 is disposed on the upper side, and the protruding stopper 28 of the cavity 12 inserted into the right insertion hole 36 is disposed on the lower side. . Since these stoppers 28 are arranged in pairs so as to overlap in the vertical direction, the size of the connector 10 in the left-right direction can be reduced.

  FIGS. 11 to 14 are views showing the connector 10 as a completed form in which the cavity 12 is inserted into the insertion hole 36 of the holder 14. 11 is a rear view of the connector 10, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the connector 10 in FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of the connector 10 in FIG. 2 is a front view of the connector 10. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the cavity 12 inserted into the insertion hole 36 of the holder 14 is locked to the holder 14 when the lance 44 of the holder 14 enters the lance locking hole 26 of the cavity 12. At this time, the pair of protrusions 24 a and 24 b on the other side having the lance locking holes 26 of the cavity 12 are brought into contact with the front surface 30 a of the holder body 30, and the stopper 28 of the cavity 12 is brought into contact with the holder 14. It abuts on the strip 38.

  In this locking portion, a clearance L is provided between the side surface 12 c having the lance locking hole 26 of the cavity 12 and the insertion hole 36 of the holder 14. A clearance L is provided between the pair of protrusions 22 a, 22 b on one side having the stopper 28 of the cavity 12 and the protrusion protrusion 38 for the holder 14. A clearance L is provided between the stopper 28 of the cavity 12 and the protrusion 52 on the inner surface of the cover 32. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, in the locking portion of the cavity 12 inserted into the insertion hole 36 of the holder 14, the space between the upper side surface 12 d of the cavity 12 and the insertion hole 36 of the holder 14, or the lower side surface of the cavity 12. A clearance L is provided between 12 e and the insertion hole 36 of the holder 14. Due to these clearances L, the cavity 12 is allowed to move relative to the holder 14.

  A case where the connector 10 having such a configuration is fitted to the mating connector will be described. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a state before the connector 10 and the mating connector 62 are fitted together. FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a state in which the connector 10 and the mating connector 62 are fitted and cut along the front-rear direction at the center position of the cavity 12.

  An electric / electronic device (member) 60 such as a substrate that is collectively connected by the connector 10 of the present invention includes a mating connector 62 at one end edge. The mating connector 62 includes a pin terminal 64 drawn from one end edge and a hood portion 66 that covers the pin terminal 64. In the electric / electronic device (member) 60, two pin terminals 64 are drawn from one end edge. The two hood portions 66 that individually cover the two pin terminals 64 are connected to each other by integral molding. The hood portion 66 is formed in a rectangular tube shape in cross section, is open at the front side to which the connector 10 of the present invention is fitted, and has a length covering the periphery of the pin terminal 64.

  The electrical / electronic devices (members) 60 having such a configuration gather, and the plurality of electrical / electronic devices (members) 60 are stacked in the vertical direction. The mating connectors 62 of the plurality of electric / electronic devices (members) 60 are arranged in a vertical direction and are grouped together by arranging the plurality of electric / electronic devices (members) 60 in a stacked manner.

  The left side of the two hood portions 66 of the electric / electronic device (member) 60 located at the lowermost layer is directed upward to the left side of the two hood portions 66 of the electric / electronic device (member) 60 located at the uppermost layer. A plate-shaped guide member 68 extending in the direction is provided, and the left side of the two hood portions 66 of each electric / electronic device (member) 60 is in contact with the guide member 68 and positioned. As a result, the mating connectors 62 of the plurality of electric / electronic devices (members) 60 are arranged in the vertical direction and grouped together. A lock locking claw (not shown) that locks the lock 34 of the connector 10 is provided on the left outer surface of the guide member 68.

  Here, when the cavity 12 of the connector 10 of the present invention is inserted into the hood portion 66 of the mating connector 62, as shown in FIG. 16, the pin terminals 64 inside the hood portion 66 of the mating connector 62, The tubular terminal 70 inside the cavity 12 of the connector 10 is fitted and brought into contact, and these terminals 64 and 70 are electrically connected.

  At this time, when the cavity 12 of the connector 10 of the present invention is inserted into the hood portion 66 of the mating connector 62, even if there is a tolerance due to lamination between the hood portions 66 arranged in the vertical direction, By moving the individual cavities 12, it is possible to align the individual hood portions 66 to which the individual cavities 12 are fitted and absorb the stacking tolerance. As a result, a plurality of stacked mating connectors 62 can be collectively connected to the connector 10.

  In the connector 10 of the above embodiment, all the cavities 12 of the plurality of cavities 12 are allowed to move with respect to the holder 14, but one or more of the plurality of cavities 12 It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the movement of the cavity is restricted with respect to the holder. Since the movement of such a cavity is restricted with respect to the holder, it can be used as a reference cavity for positioning when the connector of the present invention is fitted to the mating connector. As a result, the connector can be easily fitted into the mating connector.

  And since it is sufficient that there is only one reference for positioning when fitting the connector to the mating connector, it is possible to secure the degree of freedom of other cavities and make it easier to absorb tolerances due to lamination. Therefore, it is more preferable that there is one cavity whose movement is restricted with respect to the holder.

  As the form in which the movement of the cavity is restricted, 1) the form in which the cavity is integrally formed with the holder, 2) the form in which the cavity is press-fitted into the insertion hole of the holder body, and 3) the cavity is integrally formed with the cover. 2) a form in which the cavity is pressed against the cover, and the like. For example, a cavity shaped like this can be used as a reference cavity.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the cavities 12 are arranged in two rows in the left-right direction. However, the cavities 12 may be arranged in one row in the left-right direction, or three or more rows are arranged in parallel. It may be a configuration. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the cover 32 is provided, the structure in which the cover 32 is not provided may be sufficient. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the cavity 12 is a rectangular tube shape, other forms, such as a cylindrical shape, may be sufficient. In the above embodiment, the guide groove 56 formed in the cover 32 penetrates both surfaces of the cover 32 as in the case of the through hole 54, but does not penetrate both surfaces of the cover 32, and the outer surface of the cover 32. It can also be formed like a recessed portion with a recess.

10 Connector 12 Cavity 14 Holder (Connector body)
30 Holder body 32 Cover 34 Lock 36 Insertion hole 54 Through hole 56 Guide groove 60 Mating connector 62 Pin terminal 64 Hood part L Clearance

Claims (10)

A connector having a plurality of cavities in which terminal fittings connected to electric wire terminals are accommodated,
The cavity is configured as a separate member independent of the connector body, and the plurality of cavities are also configured as separate members independent of each other.
The connector body serves as a holder that accommodates the plurality of cavities, and the plurality of cavities are individually locked to the connector body,
In the locking portion, a clearance is provided between each cavity and the connector body, and the cavity is allowed to move with respect to the connector body by the clearance.   The connector body includes a plurality of locking holes for inserting and locking the cavity, and a cover for preventing the inserted cavity from dropping from the connector body at a position behind the inserted cavity. The connector according to claim 1.   The connector according to claim 2, wherein a clearance is provided between the inserted cavity and the cover to allow movement of the inserted cavity with respect to the connector main body.   The connector according to claim 1, wherein there is a reference cavity whose movement is restricted with respect to the connector body.   The connector according to claim 4, wherein the reference cavity is integrally formed with the connector body so that movement of the reference cavity is restricted with respect to the connector body.   5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein movement of the reference cavity is restricted with respect to the connector main body by being press-fitted into the connector main body.   The connector according to claim 4, wherein the reference cavity is integrally formed with the cover so that movement of the reference cavity is restricted with respect to the connector main body.   The connector according to claim 4, wherein the reference cavity is restricted from moving with respect to the connector body by being pressed by the cover.   The cover is formed with a through hole through which an electric wire connected to the terminal fitting accommodated in the cavity is passed, and a guide groove for determining the wiring direction of the electric wire from the through hole is formed in the through hole. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the connector is continuous.   10. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of the stacked members is connected to a plurality of mating connectors in a stacked state at a time. connector.

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