JP2017103160A - connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector capable of protecting a contact point part of a terminal in a connector used for substrate direct connection.SOLUTION: A connector (110) includes a terminal (140), and housings (120, 130) in which the terminal is housed. The housing includes a first housing member (120) in which the terminal is held and a second housing member (130) assembled to the first housing member so as to be movable in a cross direction. According to relative movement of the first housing member (120) and the second housing member (130), the terminal (140) can switch between a first state where the terminal (140) protrudes from the housing and a second state where the terminal (140) does not protrude from the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector used for a method of directly connecting a connector terminal to an electrode on a circuit board (substrate direct connection).

  Conventionally, a method of connecting a circuit board and a connector by directly contacting a contact portion of a connector terminal with an electrode (a part of a conductor pattern and a metal plate bonded to the conductor pattern) provided on a circuit board. (Substrate direct connection) has been proposed.

  For example, the connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a terminal and a housing that holds the terminal, and the terminal is held in the housing so that the contact portion of the terminal protrudes from the end surface of the housing. .

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-204312

  In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, the contact portion of the terminal always protrudes from the end surface of the housing. Therefore, before the connector is fitted to the mating connector (for example, at the time of manufacturing the wire harness), damages such as scratches and deformation of the contact portion and adhesion of foreign matter to the contact portion may occur. . From the viewpoint of a good electrical connection between the mating electrode and the contact portion of the terminal of the connector, it is desirable to protect the contact portion of the terminal from damage and adhesion of foreign matter.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector capable of protecting a contact portion of a terminal in a connector used for direct substrate connection.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the connector according to the present invention is characterized by the following (1) to (6).
(1)
A connector comprising a terminal and a housing in which the terminal is accommodated,
The housing is
A first housing member that holds the terminal, and a second housing member that is assembled to the first housing member so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.
The terminal is
With relative movement between the first housing member and the second housing member, it is possible to switch between a first state in which the terminal protrudes from the housing and a second state in which the terminal does not protrude from the housing.
connector.
(2)
In the connector according to (1) above,
The first housing member is a housing body, and the second housing member is a front holder,
The housing body and the front holder have a first locking structure for holding the front holder in a front position with respect to the housing body, and for holding the front holder in a rear position with respect to the housing body. A second locking structure of
The terminal is
The front end has a contact portion that comes into contact with and contacts the electrode on the circuit board to which the connector is connected, and is held by the housing body in a state in which the contact portion protrudes from the front end of the housing body,
When the front holder is held at a front position with respect to the housing body, the contact portion is accommodated inside the front holder, and the front holder is held at a rear position with respect to the housing body. The contact portion protrudes forward from the front holder,
connector.
(3)
In the connector according to (2) above,
The terminal is
When the housing body is held at the rear position, it has a push spring piece that biases the front holder forward by elastic deformation.
connector.
(4)
In the connector according to (1) above,
The first housing member is an outer housing, and the second housing member is an inner housing;
The terminal is
A terminal main body held by the outer housing, and a cylindrical box portion slidably combined in the front-rear direction with respect to the terminal main body,
The terminal body is
An elastic spring piece having a contact portion at the front end that comes into contact with an electrode on a circuit board to which the connector is connected;
The box is
The elastic spring piece is attached to the terminal body so as to surround the elastic spring piece, and is fitted and fixed to the inner periphery of the opening of the inner housing.
When the inner housing is in the front position with respect to the outer housing, the contact portion of the terminal is accommodated in the box portion, and when the inner housing is in the rear position with respect to the outer housing, the terminal The contact portion of the projection protrudes in front of the box portion,
connector.
(5)
In the connector according to (1) above,
The first housing member is an outer housing, and the second housing member is an inner housing;
The terminal is
A terminal body that is held by the inner housing by having a cylindrical box portion at the front portion and fitting and fixing the box portion to an inner periphery of a terminal accommodating chamber of the inner housing;
The terminal body is separate from the terminal body, has a contact portion at the front end that comes into contact with the electrode on the circuit board to which the connector is connected, and is mounted inside the box portion using its own elasticity. An elastic spring piece provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the box part,
When the inner housing is in the front position with respect to the outer housing, the contact portion of the terminal is accommodated in the box portion, and when the inner housing is in the rear position with respect to the outer housing, the terminal The contact portion of the projection protrudes in front of the box portion,
connector.
(6)
In the connector according to (1) above,
The first housing member is a housing body, and the second housing member is a spacer inserted into the rear end of the housing body from the rear,
The terminal is
A terminal body that is held by the housing body by having a cylindrical box part at the front, and fitting and fixing the box part to an inner periphery of a terminal accommodating chamber of the housing body,
Separated from the terminal body, has a contact portion at the front end that abuts against and contacts an electrode on a circuit board to which the connector is connected, and is mounted inside the box portion using its own elasticity. An elastic spring piece provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the box part,
The spacer is
By inserting the terminal into the terminal receiving chamber of the housing body from the rear in a state where the terminal is fitted and fixed in the terminal receiving chamber of the housing body, the elastic spring piece is pushed forward to be housed in the box portion. Projecting the contact portion that had been in front of the box portion and preventing the terminal from retreating,
Be a connector.

  According to the connector having the configuration (1), the terminal protrudes from the housing (first state) due to the relative movement between the first housing and the second housing, and the terminal does not protrude from the housing (second state). ) And can be switched. Therefore, if the terminal is set to the first state before the connector is fitted to the mating connector, and the terminal is set to the second state when the connector is fitted to the mating connector, the contact portion of the terminal may be damaged or foreign matter. Can be prevented. Therefore, the connector of this structure can protect the contact portion of the terminal.

  According to the connector having the above configuration (2), the contact portion of the terminal is accommodated in the front holder when the front holder is held at the front position before the connector is fitted to the mating connector. Therefore, the contact part is protected. On the other hand, when the connector is fitted to the mating connector, when the front holder moves to the rear position, the contact portion of the terminal is exposed from the front holder, so that the contact portion can be brought into contact with the electrode of the circuit board.

  According to the connector configured as described in (3) above, when the connector is separated from the mating connector, the force to move the front holder to the rear position is released, so the biasing force of the push spring brings the front holder to the front position. Can be returned. Therefore, when the connector is separated from the mating connector, the contact portion of the terminal can be reliably protected.

  According to the connector having the configuration (4), when the inner housing is in the front position before the connector is fitted to the mating connector, the contact portion of the terminal is accommodated in the inner housing. Can protect. On the other hand, when the inner housing moves to the rear position when the connector is fitted to the mating connector, the elastic spring piece is pushed forward with respect to the inner housing (and the box portion). Therefore, since the contact portion at the front end of the elastic spring piece is exposed from the inner housing, the contact portion can be brought into contact with the electrode of the circuit board.

  According to the connector having the above configuration (5), when the inner housing is in the front position before the connector is fitted to the mating connector, the contact portion of the terminal is accommodated inside the inner housing (and the box portion). Therefore, the contact part can be protected. On the other hand, when the inner housing moves to the rear position with respect to the housing when the connector is fitted to the mating connector, the elastic spring piece is pushed forward with respect to the inner housing (and the box portion). Therefore, since the contact portion at the front end of the elastic spring piece is exposed from the inner housing, the contact portion can be brought into contact with the electrode of the circuit board.

  According to the connector having the configuration (6), since the contact portion of the terminal is accommodated in the housing body (and the box portion) before the connector is fitted to the mating connector, the contact portion can be protected. On the other hand, when the connector is fitted to the mating connector, the elastic spring piece can be pushed forward by inserting the spacer into the housing body from the rear. Thereby, the contact part of the front end of an elastic spring piece can be exposed from a box part, and a contact part can be made to contact the electrode of a circuit board.

  According to the present invention, since the contact portion of the terminal can be protected before the connector is fitted to the mating connector, damage to the contact portion and adhesion of foreign matter to the contact portion can be prevented. Therefore, good electrical connection between the mating electrode and the contact portion of the terminal of the connector can be achieved.

  The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through a mode for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) with reference to the accompanying drawings. .

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 (a) is an exploded perspective view showing a connector device to which the connector is applied, and FIG. 1 (b) is an illustration of the connector. It is detail drawing of the latching protrusion provided in the left-right side surface of the connector housing. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the terminals of the connector of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a combination view of the connector housing and the front holder of the connector according to the first embodiment, FIG. 3 (a) is a vertical sectional view, and FIG. 3 (b) is a horizontal sectional view. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4A is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state when no forward pressing force is applied to the terminal before the connector is fitted. b) is a horizontal cross-sectional view, FIG. 4 (c) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a terminal is pressed forward when the connector is fitted, and FIG. 4 (d) is a horizontal cross-sectional view. . FIG. 5 is a view showing a state when the connector of the first embodiment is fitted to the board side unit, and FIG. 5A shows a state when a forward pressing force is applied to the terminal. The vertical sectional view shown in FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view thereof. FIG. 6 is a main part configuration diagram showing modified examples (a) and (b) of terminals used in the connector of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a connector device to which the connector of the second embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing the terminals of the connector of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side view showing three typical states (a), (b), and (c) of the terminal shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of the connector of the second embodiment, and FIG. 10 (a) is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state when no forward pressing force is applied to the terminal before connector fitting. 10 (b) is a vertical sectional view showing a state when the connector is fitted to the board-side unit of the connection partner and a forward pressing force is applied to the terminal. FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which no forward pressing force is applied to the terminals in the modification of the connector of the second embodiment, and FIG. 11A is an external perspective view of the connector viewed from the front. FIG. 11B is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the terminal is not applied with a forward pressing force when the connector is started to be fitted to the board side unit. FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in which a forward pressing force is applied to the terminal in the connector shown in FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 (a) is an external perspective view of the connector viewed from the front. FIG. 12B is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state where a forward pressing force is applied to the terminal in a state where the connector is completely fitted to the board side unit. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a side sectional view showing a state before the connector of the third embodiment is fitted to the board side unit. FIG. 15 is a side sectional view showing a state in the middle of fitting the connector of the third embodiment to the board side unit. FIG. 16 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the connector of the third embodiment is completely fitted to the board side unit. FIG. 17 is a side sectional view showing a state before the connector of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is fitted to the board side unit and the rear spacer is pushed in. FIG. 18 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the connector of the fourth embodiment is fitted to the board side unit, the rear spacer is pushed in, and the terminal is pressed against the board side electrode. FIG. 19 is an external perspective view showing an outline of the relationship between the board-side unit and the connector.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the connector according to the present invention (first to fourth embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the connector device 100 includes a connector according to the first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “connector 110”) and a board side unit 180 (corresponding to a board side connector). .

  The connector 110 includes a connector housing 120 made of a resin molded product, a front holder 130 assembled to the front portion of the connector housing 120 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and metal terminals 140 held by the connector housing 120.

  In the description of the present embodiment, the direction in which the connector 110 is viewed from the board side unit 180 (the right side in FIG. 1) is the front, and the opposite direction (the left side in FIG. 1) is the rear. Further, among the directions perpendicular to the fitting direction of the connector 110, the directions perpendicular to each other are defined as an up-down direction and a left-right direction. Each direction is indicated by an arrow in each figure as necessary. The same applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

  The board side unit 180 to be connected to the connector 110 includes a unit case 181 made of resin. The unit case 181 is provided with a substrate holding part 183, and the circuit board 185 is accommodated and held in the substrate holding part 183. A cylindrical fitting hood portion 182 projects from the front surface of the substrate holding portion 183. A space inside the fitting hood portion 182 serves as a connector fitting port 182a (see FIG. 5) that is a space for receiving the connector 110.

  The circuit board 185 is arranged in a posture perpendicular to the fitting direction (front-rear direction) of the connector 110, and the front surface of the circuit board 185 (the surface facing the direction in which the connector 110 is fitted) of the connector 110. An electrode 186 to which each terminal 140 is connected is disposed corresponding to the position of the terminal 140.

  The electrode 186 is constituted by a part of a conductor pattern (substrate pattern) formed on the circuit board 185, and if necessary, a terminal contact surface (a surface on which the terminal 140 of the connector 110 contacts), for example, A tin (Sn) plating layer is formed.

  A terminal housing chamber 121 is provided in the connector housing 120, and a terminal 140 is inserted into each terminal housing chamber 121. The terminal 140 is a board direct connection terminal that is in direct contact with the planar electrode 186 on the circuit board 185 to conduct. The terminal 140 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 121 of the connector housing 120 while being attached to the tip of the electric wire W by the electric wire crimping portion 143.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 140 is long in the connector fitting direction (front-rear direction), has a cylindrical box portion 141 at the front portion, and a wire crimping portion 143 at the rear side of the box portion 141. have. The box portion 141 has an upper wall 141a, a lower wall (bottom wall) 141b, left and right side walls 141c and 141d, and a single metal plate is bent into a rectangular tube shape so as to have a hollow portion 146 therein. It is a molded part.

  The terminal 140 includes an elastically deformable strip-shaped elastic spring piece 142 extending from the box portion 141 toward the hollow portion 146 inside the box portion 141. The elastic spring piece 142 has a contact portion 142a that abuts and contacts the electrode 186 on the circuit board 185 at the front end of the U-shaped curved portion, and the contact portion 142a is forward from the front end of the box portion 141. It is held inside the box part 141 in a state of protruding into the box 141.

  On the upper wall 141a of the box part 141, there is provided an extruding spring piece 145 made of a cantilevered leaf spring extending obliquely forward and upward from the rear end of the box part 141. The push spring piece 145 is elastically deformable in the vertical direction on the front end 145a side with the rear end coupled to the box portion 141 as a fulcrum.

  The terminal 140 having such a configuration is formed by press-molding a single metal plate, and is manufactured as an integral structure. However, the elastic spring piece 142 and the push spring piece 145 may be manufactured separately from the box portion 141 and fixed to the box portion 141 by welding or the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A, 3A, and 3B, the connector housing 120 has an upper wall surface 122 and a side wall surface 123, and has a rectangular cross section when viewed in the connector fitting direction. It is. The terminal housing chamber 121 is provided in the connector housing 120 so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction, and the terminal 140 inserted into the terminal housing chamber 121 from the rear is prevented from coming off on the upper wall of each terminal housing chamber 121. A flexible lance 124 is provided. Furthermore, a first locking projection 125 and a second locking projection 126 are provided in the front side portion of the side wall surface 123 in order from the front side in a spaced manner in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (b), the first locking projection 125 includes a front inclined surface 125a inclined toward the fitting direction, a top surface 125b parallel to the fitting direction, and a rear vertical perpendicular to the fitting direction. A surface 125c is provided. Further, the second locking protrusion 126 includes a front inclined surface 126a inclined toward the fitting direction, a top surface 126b parallel to the fitting direction, and a rear inclined surface 126c inclined in the fitting direction.

  Further, the upper wall surface 122 of the connector housing 120 is provided with a lock arm 127 that locks when mated with the board side unit 180, and the lock arm 127 is provided with a lock projection 127a. Correspondingly, a lock arm receiving portion 187 is provided on the upper wall of the fitting hood portion 182 of the board side unit 180, and the lock arm 127 is engaged with the lock projection 127a of the lock arm 127 on the wall of the lock arm receiving portion 187. A hole 187a is provided.

  Further, the front holder 130 made of a resin molded product has a front wall 131 having a terminal window (opening) 132 and a pair of side arms 136 extending rearward from the left and right ends of the front wall 131. ing. Each side arm 136 is provided with a rectangular locking hole 137. The locking hole 137 is an opening that engages with the first locking protrusion 125 and the second locking protrusion 126 of the connector housing 120, and on the rear end side (connector housing 120 side) of the locking hole 137, A locking wall 137a is secured.

  The terminal window 132 formed on the front wall 131 is an opening for allowing a necessary portion of the terminal 140 to face forward, and is provided at a position corresponding to the number corresponding to the terminal 140. As shown in FIG. 3A, a stepped portion 133 that engages with the front end 145 a of the pushing spring piece 145 of the terminal 140 is provided on the upper portion of the inner peripheral wall of the terminal window 132.

  The first locking protrusion 125 and the second locking protrusion 126 on the connector housing 120 side, the locking hole 137 and the locking wall 137a on the front holder 130 side, and the front holder 130 on the front side with respect to the connector housing 120. It corresponds to a first locking portion for temporarily holding the position in a state where movement in the front-rear direction is restricted. In other words, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the locking wall 137a on the front holder 130 side is sandwiched between the first locking projection 125 and the second locking projection 126 on the connector housing 120 side, The front holder 130 is temporarily held at the front side position.

  Furthermore, the first locking projection 125 and the second locking projection 126 on the connector housing 120 side, and the locking hole 137 and the locking wall 137a on the front holder 130 side rear the front holder 130 with respect to the connector housing 120. This corresponds to a second locking portion for temporarily holding the side position in a state where movement in the front-rear direction is restricted. In other words, as shown in FIG. 4 (d), the first locking projection 125 and the second locking projection 126 on the connector housing 120 side engage with the locking hole 137 on the front holder 130 side. The holder 130 is temporarily held at the rear side position.

  With the above configuration, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the front holder 130 is temporarily held at the front position with respect to the connector housing 120, the contact portion 142 a of the terminal 140 is moved to the front holder 130. It is housed inside and protected.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, when the front holder 130 is temporarily held at the rear position with respect to the connector housing 120, the contact portion 142 a of the terminal 140 moves forward from the front holder 130. Protrusively. Further, when the front holder 130 is temporarily held in the rear position in this way, the pushing spring piece 145 of the terminal 140 is elastically deformed, thereby applying a forward biasing force to the front holder 130.

  Temporary holding at the rear position of the front holder 130 is achieved by the second locking protrusion 126 on the connector housing 120 side being engaged with the locking wall 137a on the front holder 130 side. However, since the rear end surface of the second locking projection 126 engaged with the locking wall 137a is the rear inclined surface 126c, the locking force is weak, and a pressing force from the front acts on the front holder 130. When there is not (when the connector is not fitted), the urging force of the pushing spring piece 145 becomes larger than this locking force. As a result, the front holder 130 is returned to the front position by the urging force of the push spring piece 145.

  Next, the operation of the connector 110 will be described.

  In the state before the connector is fitted, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the front holder 130 is not pushed by the pressing force from the front to the rear, so the front holder 130 is held at the front side position. The In this state, the front end 145a of the push spring piece 145 of the terminal 140 is engaged with the stepped portion 133 of the front holder 130 so that the terminal 140 is restricted from moving forward. Is retracted inside the front holder 130. Therefore, the contact portion 142 a of the terminal 140 is protected by the front holder 130.

  From this state, the connector 110 is fitted into the board side unit 180. Then, the connector housing 120 enters the fitting hood portion 182 of the board side unit 180 with the front holder 130 held at the front end. Thereafter, by further proceeding with the fitting, the front holder 130 comes into contact with a stopper wall (not shown) on the board side unit 180 side and stops. When the fitting is further advanced in this state, the connector housing 120 advances with respect to the stopped front holder 130. In other words, the front holder 130 moves rearward relative to the connector housing 120.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the locking wall 137 a on the front holder 130 side gets over the second locking projection 126 on the connector housing 120 side, and the front holder 130 is behind the connector housing 120. Temporarily held in position.

  At this stage, as shown in FIG. 5A, the lock protrusion 127a of the lock arm 127 engages with the lock hole 187a on the fitting hood portion 182 side. Further, the contact portion 142 a of the terminal 140 protrudes from the front holder 130, and the contact portion 142 a comes into pressure contact with the electrode 186 on the circuit board 185 of the board side unit 180. Therefore, the connector 110 and the board side unit 180 can be electrically connected.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 5A, the pushing spring piece 145 of the terminal 140 is in an elastically deformed state, and a biasing force directed forward from the pushing spring piece 145 is applied to the front holder 130.

  Next, when the connector 110 is disengaged from the board side unit 180, the front holder 130 is pushed forward by the restoring reaction force of the push spring piece 145 as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). As a result, the contact portion 142a of the terminal 140 is again accommodated in the front holder 130.

  As described above, according to the connector 110 of this configuration, the front holder 130 is held at the front side position with respect to the connector housing 120 before being fitted to the mating connector (board side unit 180). Sometimes, the contact portion 142a of the terminal 140 is accommodated in the front holder 130, so that the contact portion 142a can be protected. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the contact portion 142a is scratched, the contact portion 142a is deformed, or a foreign matter adheres to the contact portion 142a when the wire harness is manufactured. Can dispel concerns.

  Furthermore, since the front holder 130 moves to the rear position with respect to the connector housing 120 when fitted to the mating connector (board side unit 180), the contact portion 142a of the terminal 140 is exposed from the front holder 130. The contact portion 142a can be brought into contact with the electrode 186 of the circuit board 185.

  Further, when the fitting with the mating connector (board side unit 180) is released, the force for moving the front holder 130 to the rear position with respect to the connector housing 120 is released, so that the biasing force of the push spring piece 145 is released. Thus, the front holder 130 can be immediately returned to the front position, and the contact portion 142a of the terminal 140 can be protected.

<Modification of First Embodiment>
Various modifications can be made to the configuration of the push spring piece 145 of the terminal 140. For example, in the terminal 140B shown in FIG. 6A, a plurality of pusher spring pieces 145B are arranged symmetrically up and down. In this case, the step portion 133 of the front holder 130 is provided corresponding to each push spring piece 145B.

  Further, in the terminal 140C shown in FIG. 6B, not a cantilevered push spring piece but a double-supported push spring piece 145C is provided. In this case, as in the illustrated example, a plurality of both-end supported pushing spring pieces 145C may be arranged symmetrically, or only one pushing spring piece 145C may be arranged. Furthermore, when the double-supported push-out spring piece 145C is employed, it is desirable to devise such as providing an inclined surface 133a at the corner of the stepped portion 133 so that the spring force is effectively transmitted to the front holder 130.

Second Embodiment

  As shown in FIG. 7, the connector device 200 includes a connector according to the second embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “connector 210”) and a board side unit 280 (corresponding to a board side connector).

  The connector 210 includes an outer housing 220 made of a resin molded product, an inner housing 230 that is assembled in the front end of the outer housing 220 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and a metal terminal that is accommodated in the outer housing 220 and the inner housing 230. 240.

  The board side unit 280 to which the connector 210 is connected includes a resin unit case 281. The unit case 281 is provided with a substrate holding part 283, and the circuit board 285 is accommodated and held in the substrate holding part 283. A cylindrical fitting hood portion 282 protrudes from the front surface of the substrate holding portion 283. A space inside the fitting hood portion 282 is a connector fitting port 282a (see FIG. 10) that is a space for receiving the connector 210.

  The circuit board 285 is arranged in a posture perpendicular to the fitting direction (front-rear direction) of the connector 210, and the front surface of the circuit board 285 (surface facing the direction in which the connector 210 is fitted) of the connector 210. An electrode 286 to which each terminal 240 is connected is disposed corresponding to the position of the terminal 240.

  The electrode 286 is configured by a part of a conductor pattern (substrate pattern) formed on the circuit board 285, and if necessary, on the terminal contact surface (the surface on which the terminal 240 of the connector 210 contacts), for example, A tin (Sn) plating layer is formed.

  A terminal housing chamber 221 is provided in the outer housing 220, and a step portion 224 that receives the inner housing 230 is provided on the front side of the terminal housing chamber 221. A terminal 240 is inserted in each terminal accommodating chamber 221. The terminal 240 is a board direct connection terminal that is in direct contact with the planar electrode 286 on the circuit board 285 to establish conduction. The terminal 240 is inserted from the rear into the terminal accommodating chamber 221 of the outer housing 220 while being attached to the tip of the electric wire W by the electric wire crimping portion 243.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the terminal 240 is long in the connector fitting direction (front-rear direction), and is created separately from the terminal main body 240 </ b> A and the terminal main body 240 </ b> A held by the outer housing 220. A cylindrical box portion 246 that is slidably movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the main body 240A.

  The terminal body 240 </ b> A includes an elastic spring piece 242 having a contact portion 242 a that comes into contact with and contacts the electrode 286 on the circuit board 285 to which the connector 210 is connected at the front end. Furthermore, the terminal main body 240A includes a guide cylinder portion 241 that guides the slide in the front-rear direction of the cylindrical box portion 246 formed separately, on the rear side of the elastic spring piece 242. Furthermore, the electric wire crimping part 243 is provided in the back side.

  The box portion 246 is attached to the terminal body 240A so as not to drop off so as to surround the elastic spring piece 242 by using the elasticity of the elastic spring piece 242. In addition, the box portion 246 is fitted and fixed to the inner periphery of the terminal window 232 of the inner housing 230.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, the dimensional relationship between the box portion 246 and the terminal body 240A is such that the contact portion 242a of the elastic spring piece 242 is located when the box portion 246 is at the front position within the range of the guide tube portion 241. As shown in FIG. 9C, when the box portion 246 is in the rear position within a range that can stably surround the elastic spring piece 242 as shown in FIG. The contact portion 242a is set so as to protrude from the box portion 246.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the inner housing 230 made of a resin molded product has a front wall 231 provided with a terminal window (opening) 232, and has locking protrusions 236 on the left and right side surfaces of the front wall 231. doing. When the inner housing 230 is mounted on the step 224 of the outer housing 220, the locking protrusion 236 engages with a locking hole 226 provided on the side wall of the step 224 of the outer housing 220.

  Engagement between the locking projection 236 and the locking hole 226 is performed with a margin so that the inner housing 230 can slide with respect to the outer housing 220 within a predetermined range in the front-rear direction. In addition to the dimensional relationship between the locking projection 236 and the locking hole 226, the restriction on the one end side (push-in side) of the range is also performed by the inner housing 230 hitting the back end wall 224a of the step portion 224. Yes.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer housing 220 has an upper wall surface 222 a and left and right side wall surfaces 222 b as a peripheral wall 222, and has a quadrangular cross section when viewed in the connector fitting direction. The outer housing 220 is provided with a terminal housing chamber 221 penetrating in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 10A, the terminal housing chamber 221 is connected to the upper inner wall of each terminal housing chamber 221 from the rear. A flexible lance 225 is provided to prevent the inserted terminal main body 240A from slipping backward.

  Further, the upper wall 222a of the outer housing 220 is provided with a lock arm 227 that locks when fitted to the board side unit 280, and the lock arm 227 is provided with a lock protrusion 227a. Correspondingly, a lock arm receiving portion 287 is provided on the upper wall of the fitting hood portion 282 of the board side unit 280, and the lock protrusion 227a of the lock arm 227 is engaged with the wall of the lock arm receiving portion 287. A lock hole 287a is provided.

  10A, when the inner housing 230 is held at the front side position with respect to the outer housing 220, the contact portion 242a of the terminal 240 is connected to the inner housing 230 and the box portion 246. As shown in FIG. It is housed inside and protected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the inner housing 230 is held at the rear side position with respect to the outer housing 220, the contact portion 242 a of the terminal 240 moves forward from the inner housing 230 and the box portion 246. Protruding.

  Next, the operation of the connector 210 will be described.

  In the state before the connector fitting, as shown in FIG. 10A, the inner housing 230 is held at the front position because the inner housing 230 is not pressed from the front to the rear. In this state, the contact portion 242a of the terminal 240 is retracted inside the inner housing 230 and the box portion 246. Therefore, the contact portion 242a of the terminal 240 is protected by the inner housing 230 and the box portion 246.

  From this state, the connector 210 is fitted into the board side unit 280. Then, the outer housing 220 enters the inside of the fitting hood portion 282 of the board side unit 280 with the inner housing 230 held at the front end portion. When the fitting is further advanced, the inner housing 230 comes into contact with the stopper wall 284 formed inside the board side unit 280 and stops. When the fitting is further advanced in this state, the outer housing 220 advances with respect to the stopped inner housing 230. In other words, the inner housing 230 and the box portion 246 move rearward relative to the outer housing 220. At this time, together with the outer housing 220, the terminal body 240 </ b> A is also moved forward by being pushed by the lance 225.

  When the outer housing 220 advances until the inner housing 230 and the box portion 246 reach the rear side position with respect to the outer housing 220, the lock protrusion 227a of the lock arm 227 engages with the lock hole 287a on the fitting hood portion 282 side, and at the same time The contact portion 242a of the terminal main body 240A pushed by the lance 225 protrudes forward from the inner housing 230 and the box portion 246 and comes into pressure contact with the electrode 286 on the circuit board 285 of the board side unit 280. Therefore, the connector 210 and the board side unit 280 can be electrically connected.

  As described above, according to the connector 210 of this configuration, when the inner housing 230 is at the front side position with respect to the outer housing 220 before being fitted to the mating connector (board side unit 280), the terminal 240 Since the contact part 242a is accommodated in the inner housing 230 and the box part 246, the contact part 242a can be protected. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the contact portion 242a is scratched, the contact portion 242a is deformed, or a foreign matter adheres to the contact portion 242a at the time of manufacturing the wire harness. Can dispel concerns.

  Furthermore, since the inner housing 230 moves to the rear side position with respect to the outer housing 220 when fitted to the mating connector (board side unit 280), the lance 225 with respect to the inner housing 230 and the box portion 246 is obtained. Thus, the elastic spring piece 242 can be pushed forward. Accordingly, the contact portion 242a at the front end of the elastic spring piece 242 can be protruded from the inner housing 230 and the box portion 246, and the contact portion 242a can be brought into contact with the electrode 286 of the circuit board 285.

<Modification of Second Embodiment>
As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the connector 210 </ b> B according to the modified example is provided with abutting walls 238 protruding forward at the left and right ends of the front surface of the inner housing 230. These abutting walls 238 are for stopping further advancement of the inner housing 230 when the abutting wall 238 abuts against the circuit board 285 when the connector 210B is fitted to the board side unit 280B. By providing the abutting wall 238, the stopper wall 284 (see FIG. 10B) provided in the substrate side unit 280B is omitted. Further, a stopper projection 246a is provided on the lower surface of the box portion 246B so that the box portion 246B of the terminal body 240B does not fall forward from the inner housing 230B, and this stopper projection 246a is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the terminal window 232 of the inner housing 230B. It is engaged with the provided locking groove 232a. Further, a groove 221a is provided on the inner bottom wall of the terminal housing chamber 221 of the outer housing 220B to allow the stopper protrusion 246a to pass when the terminal body 240B fitted with the box 246B is inserted from the rear.

  Also in the case of the connector 210B, in the state before the fitting and the state before the fitting shown in FIG. 11, the inner housing 230B is at the front side position with respect to the outer housing 220B, so that the contact portion 242a of the terminal main body 240B is located. Since it is accommodated in the inner housing 230B and the box part 246B, the contact part 242a can be protected.

  Further, when the connector 210B is fitted to the board side unit 280B from this state, the outer housing 220B enters the inside of the fitting hood portion 282 of the board side unit 280B with the inner housing 230B held at the front end. Go. When the fitting is further advanced, the abutting wall 238 of the inner housing 230B comes into contact with the circuit board 285 and stops as shown in FIG. When the fitting is further advanced in this state, the outer housing 220B moves forward with respect to the stopped inner housing 230B. In other words, the inner housing 230B and the box portion 246B move rearward relative to the outer housing 220B. At this time, together with the outer housing 220B, it is pushed by the lance 225 and the terminal body 240B also advances.

  When the outer housing 220B moves forward until the inner housing 230B and the box portion 246B reach the rear position with respect to the outer housing 220B, the lock projection 227a of the lock arm 227 engages with the lock hole 287a on the fitting hood portion 282, and at the same time The contact portion 242a of the terminal body 240B pushed by the lance 225 protrudes forward from the inner housing 230B and the box portion 246B, and presses and contacts the electrode 286 on the circuit board 285 of the board side unit 280B. Therefore, the connector 210B and the board side unit 280B can be electrically connected.

<Third Embodiment>
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the connector device 300 includes a connector according to the third embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “connector 310”) and a board side unit 380 (corresponding to a board side connector). .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the connector 310 includes an outer housing 320 made of a resin molded product, an inner housing 330 that is assembled in the front end of the outer housing 320 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and the outer housing 320 and the inner housing 330. And a metal terminal 340 housed inside.

  The board-side unit 380 to which the connector 310 is connected will be described with reference to FIG. 14. The board-side unit 380 has a part of the unit case 381 as a circuit board 385, and is a cylinder perpendicular to the circuit board 385. A fitting hood portion 382 having a shape is provided. A space inside the fitting hood portion 382 serves as a connector fitting port 382 a that receives the connector 310.

  The circuit board 385 is positioned perpendicular to the fitting direction (front-rear direction) of the connector 310, and each terminal 340 of the connector 310 is disposed on the front surface of the circuit board 385 (the surface facing the direction in which the connector 310 is fitted). The electrode 386 to be connected is disposed corresponding to the position of the terminal 340.

  The electrode 386 is constituted by, for example, a part of a conductor pattern (substrate pattern) formed on the circuit board 385, and if necessary, on the terminal contact surface (the surface on which the terminal 340 of the connector 310 contacts) A plating layer such as tin (Sn) plating is formed.

  Referring to FIG. 13 again, the outer housing 320 is provided with a terminal accommodating chamber 323 penetrating in the front-rear direction. A step portion 324 for receiving the inner housing 330 is provided at the front portion of the terminal accommodating chamber 323. The rear end wall 324 a of the step portion 324 serves as a movement restriction wall to the rear of the inner housing 330.

  A terminal 340 is inserted into each terminal accommodating chamber 323. The terminal 340 is a board direct connection terminal that is brought into direct contact with the planar electrode 386 on the circuit board 385 to be conductive. The terminal 340 is inserted from the rear into the terminal accommodating chamber 323 of the outer housing 320 in a state of being attached to the tip of the electric wire W by the electric wire crimping portion 347. Further, a flexible lance 325 is provided on the upper inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber 323 so as to prevent the terminal 340 inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 323 from coming out from behind.

  The terminal 340 used in the connector 310 of the present embodiment is created separately from the terminal main body 341 held by the inner housing 330 and the terminal main body 341, and is slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the terminal main body 341. And an elastic spring piece 342 to be combined.

  The terminal main body 341 has a box portion 345 at the front portion and a wire crimping portion 347 at the rear portion. The box portion 345 is a square cylindrical portion having an upper wall 345a, a lower wall 345b, and left and right side walls 345c. The elastic spring piece 342 is formed by bending a band plate into a U shape, and a contact portion 342a is provided in the U-shaped curved portion, and an upper side portion 342b is provided continuously above the contact portion 342a. A lower side portion 342d is provided continuously below the portion 342a. The upper side portion 342b and the lower side portion 342d extend rearward in parallel with each other, the rear end of the upper side portion 342b is bent outward as a pressure receiving portion 342c, and the rear end of the lower side portion 342d is directly rearward as a free end 342e. As extended. The contact portion 342a is a portion that contacts and contacts the electrode 386 on the circuit board 385 to which the connector 310 is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the elastic spring piece 342 formed into a U-shape is inserted into the box portion 345 of the terminal body 341 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, with the contact portion 342a facing forward. It is stably held inside the box portion 345 by utilizing its own elasticity. The pressure receiving portion 342 c of the elastic spring piece 342 is a portion that receives a pushing movement force from the lance 325 of the outer housing 320 when the elastic spring piece 342 is pushed and moved forward with respect to the box portion 345. The pressure receiving portion 342c is located outside the rear end of the box portion 345. When the elastic spring piece 342 is pushed forward with respect to the box portion 345, the pressure receiving portion 342c hits the rear end of the box portion 345. It also serves as a retaining portion that prevents the elastic spring piece 342 from penetrating from the portion 345 to the front.

  Furthermore, the upper wall 345a of the box part 345 is formed with a locking piece 346 that protrudes obliquely upward rearward by cutting up a part of the upper wall 345a.

  The inner housing 330 has a terminal accommodating chamber 332 penetrating in the front-rear direction corresponding to the terminal accommodating chamber 323 of the outer housing 320. The terminal main body 341 is held by the inner housing 330 by fitting the box portion 345 to the inner periphery of the terminal accommodating chamber 332. At this time, the front end of the box portion 345 is engaged with a locking projection 335 provided on the inner periphery of the terminal accommodating chamber 332, so that the box portion 345 is prevented from coming forward.

  Further, the inclined locking piece 346 provided on the upper wall 345a of the box portion 345 fits into the groove 333 formed on the inner periphery of the terminal accommodating chamber 332, and the front end (rear end) of the locking piece 346 is formed. By engaging the end portion 333a of the groove 333, the box portion 345 is prevented from coming out backward. Thereby, the box portion 345 is fitted and fixed to the terminal accommodating chamber 332 of the inner housing 330 in a state where the position is regulated in the front-rear direction.

  Here, these elements provided between the box part 345 and the inner housing 330, that is, the locking piece 346, the groove 333, the front end of the box part 345, and the locking projection 335 are formed in the box part 345 ( An engaging portion for preventing the terminal body 341) from moving in the front-rear direction is configured.

  Further, a locking projection 326 for temporarily locking the inner housing 330 is provided at a position where the inner housing 330 is accommodated on the inner wall of the outer housing 320. On the other hand, a locking projection 336 that engages with the locking projection 326 of the outer housing 320 is provided on the outer periphery of the inner housing 330.

  The lance 325 of the outer housing 320 allows the terminal main body 341 and the elastic spring piece 342 to be inserted into the outer housing 320 from the rear to the front, and engages with the pressure receiving portion 342c at the rear end of the elastic spring piece 342. Thus, the elastic spring piece 342 is prevented from retreating.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the connector 310 is in a state before being fitted to the board side unit 380, the locking projection 336 of the inner housing 330 is positioned in front of the locking projection 326 of the outer housing 320, The inner housing 330 is located at a front position with respect to the outer housing 320. As long as the inner housing 330 does not have a certain pressing force toward the rear, the locking projection 336 of the inner housing 330 does not get over the locking projection 326 of the outer housing 320, so that the inner housing 330 is temporarily held in that position. .

  In this state, there is a predetermined gap between the rear end of the inner housing 330 and the rear end of the box portion 345 of the terminal body 341 and the pressure receiving portion 342c at the rear end of the elastic spring piece 342 with which the lance 325 is engaged. S is secured. As described above, when the inner housing 330 is held at the front position relative to the outer housing 320, the contact portion 342 a of the elastic spring piece 342 is accommodated inside the inner housing 330 and the box portion 345. Thus, the contact portion 342a is protected.

  Further, the elastic spring piece 342 is pushed and moved forward in the box portion 345 by the gap S, and the pressure receiving portion 342 c at the rear end of the elastic spring piece 342 contacts the rear end of the box portion 345. 16, the dimensional relationship between the box portion 345 and the elastic spring piece 342 is set so that the contact portion 342a at the front end of the elastic spring piece 342 protrudes forward from the front end of the box portion 345. Has been.

  Further, a lock arm 322 is provided on the outer side of the upper wall of the outer housing 320 so as to be locked when the board-side unit 380 is fitted, and the lock arm 322 is provided with a lock protrusion 322a. Correspondingly, a lock arm receiving portion 383 is provided on the upper wall of the fitting hood portion 382 of the board side unit 380, and the lock protrusion 322a of the lock arm 322 is engaged with the wall of the lock arm receiving portion 383. A lock hole 383a is provided.

  Next, the operation of the connector 310 will be described.

  In the state before the connector fitting, as shown in FIG. 14, the inner housing 330 is held at the front position because no pressing force is applied to the inner housing 330 from the front to the rear. In this state, the contact portion 342a of the terminal 340 is retracted inside the inner housing 330 and the box portion 345. Therefore, the contact portion 342 a of the terminal 340 is protected by the inner housing 330 and the box portion 345.

  From this state, the connector 310 is fitted into the board side unit 380. Then, the outer housing 320 enters the inside of the fitting hood portion 382 of the board side unit 380 with the inner housing 330 held at the front end. When the fitting is further advanced as shown in FIG. 15, the front end of the inner housing 330 abuts against the circuit board 385 of the board-side unit 380, and the advancement of the inner housing 330 is stopped.

  When the fitting is further advanced in this state, the outer housing 320 advances with respect to the inner housing 330 that has stopped. In other words, the inner housing 330 and the box portion 345 move rearward relative to the outer housing 320. At this time, since a reaction force acts on the front end of the inner housing 330 from the circuit board 385, the locking projection 336 of the inner housing 330 gets over the locking projection 326 of the outer housing 320. As a result, as shown by an arrow X1 in FIG. 16, the elastic spring piece 342 is also moved forward by being pushed by the lance 325 together with the outer housing 320.

  When the outer housing 320 and the elastic spring piece 342 move forward until the inner housing 330 and the box portion 345 reach the rear side position with respect to the outer housing 320, the lock protrusion 322a of the lock arm 322 enters the lock hole 383a on the fitting hood portion 382 side. At the same time, the contact portion 342a of the elastic spring piece 342 pressed by the lance 325 protrudes forward from the front end of the box portion 345 and presses and contacts the electrode 386 on the circuit board 385 of the board side unit 380. Therefore, the connector 310 and the board side unit 380 can be electrically connected.

  As described above, according to the connector 310 of this configuration, when the inner housing 330 is in the front position with respect to the outer housing 320 before being fitted to the mating connector (board side unit 380), the terminal 340 is provided. Since the contact portion 342a is accommodated in the inner housing 330 and the box portion 345, the contact portion 342a can be protected. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the contact portion 342a is scratched, the contact portion 342a is deformed, or a foreign matter adheres to the contact portion 342a when the wire harness is manufactured. Can dispel concerns.

  Further, when the inner housing 330 is engaged with the mating connector (board side unit 380), the inner housing 330 moves to the rear side position with respect to the outer housing 320, so that an elastic spring is applied to the inner housing 330 and the box portion 345. The piece 342 can be pushed forward by the lance 325 of the outer housing 320, whereby the contact portion 342 a of the front end of the elastic spring piece 342 can be exposed from the box portion 345, and the contact point is connected to the electrode 386 of the circuit board 385. The part 342a can be brought into contact.

<Fourth embodiment>
As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the connector device 400 includes a connector according to the fourth embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “connector 410”) and a board side unit 480 (corresponding to a board side connector). .

  The connector 410 includes a connector housing 420 made of a resin molded product, a rear spacer 430 assembled after insertion of the terminal behind the connector housing 420, and a metal terminal 440 accommodated in the connector housing 420.

  The board-side unit 480 to which the connector 410 is connected is a circuit board 485 that is a part of the unit case 481, and includes a cylindrical fitting hood portion 482 perpendicular to the circuit board 485. A space inside the fitting hood portion 482 serves as a connector fitting port 482 a that receives the connector 410.

  The circuit board 485 is positioned perpendicular to the fitting direction (front-rear direction) of the connector 410, and each terminal 440 of the connector 410 is disposed on the front surface of the circuit board 485 (the surface facing the direction in which the connector 410 is fitted). An electrode 486 to be connected is disposed corresponding to the position of the terminal 440.

  For example, the electrode 486 is configured by a part of a conductor pattern (substrate pattern) formed on the circuit board 485, and if necessary, a terminal contact surface (a surface on which the terminal 440 of the connector 410 contacts) A plating layer such as tin (Sn) plating is formed.

  The connector housing 420 is provided with a terminal accommodating chamber 423 penetrating in the front-rear direction inside the peripheral wall 421. A terminal 440 is inserted in each terminal accommodating chamber 423. The terminal 440 is a board direct connection terminal that is in direct contact with the planar electrode 486 on the circuit board 485 to be conductive. The terminal 440 is inserted from the rear into the terminal accommodating chamber 423 of the connector housing 420 while being attached to the tip of the electric wire W by the electric wire crimping portion 447.

  Further, a lock arm 422 is provided on the outer side of the upper wall of the connector housing 420 to be locked when the board side unit 480 is fitted, and the lock arm 422 is provided with a lock protrusion 422a. Correspondingly, a lock arm receiving portion 483 is provided on the upper wall of the fitting hood portion 482 of the board side unit 480, and the lock protrusion 422a of the lock arm 422 is engaged with the wall of the lock arm receiving portion 483. A lock hole 483a is provided.

  The terminal 440 used in the connector 410 of this embodiment is formed separately from the terminal main body 441 fitted and held in the connector housing 420 and the terminal main body 441, and slides in the front-rear direction with respect to the terminal main body 441. Elastic spring pieces 442 that can be freely combined. This terminal 440 has the same configuration as the terminal 340 of the third embodiment.

  The terminal main body 441 has a box portion 445 at the front portion and a wire crimping portion 447 at the rear portion. The box portion 445 is a square cylindrical portion having an upper wall, a lower wall, and left and right side walls. The elastic spring piece 442 is formed by bending a band plate into a U shape. A contact portion 442a is provided on the U-shaped curved portion, and an upper side portion 442b is provided continuously above the contact portion 442a. A lower side portion 442d is provided continuously below the portion 442a. The upper side portion 442b and the lower side portion 442d extend rearward in parallel with each other, and the rear end of the upper side portion 442b is bent outward as a pressure receiving portion 442c. The contact portion 442a is a portion that contacts and contacts the electrode 486 on the circuit board 485 to which the connector 410 is connected.

  The elastic spring piece 442 formed into a U-shape is inserted into the box portion 445 of the terminal body 441 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction with the contact portion 442a facing forward, and utilizes its own elasticity. Is stably held inside the box portion 445. The pressure receiving portion 442 c of the elastic spring piece 442 is a portion that receives a pressing movement force from the tip 432 of the lance 431 of the rear spacer 430 when the elastic spring piece 442 is pushed and moved forward with respect to the box portion 445. The pressure receiving portion 442c is located outside the rear end of the box portion 445. When the elastic spring piece 442 is pushed and moved forward with respect to the box portion 445, the pressure receiving portion 442c hits the rear end of the box portion 445. It also serves as a retaining portion that prevents the elastic spring piece 442 from penetrating forward from the portion 445.

  Furthermore, a locking piece 446 that projects rearward and obliquely upward is formed on the upper wall of the box portion 445 by cutting a part of the upper wall. The terminal main body 441 is held by the connector housing 420 by fitting the box portion 445 to the inner periphery of the front half of the terminal accommodating chamber 423. At that time, the inclined locking piece 446 provided on the upper wall of the box portion 445 fits into the groove 424 formed on the inner periphery of the front half of the terminal accommodating chamber 423, and the front end (rear end) of the locking piece 446 is provided. Is engaged with the rear end portion 424a of the groove 424, so that the box portion 445 is prevented from coming out backward. Furthermore, the front end of the box portion 445 is engaged with a locking projection 424 b provided on the inner periphery of the front end of the terminal accommodating chamber 423, so that the box portion 445 is prevented from coming forward. Thereby, the box portion 445 is fitted and fixed to the front half of the terminal accommodating chamber 423 of the connector housing 420 in a state where the position is restricted in the front-rear direction.

  Here, these elements provided between the box portion 445 and the connector housing 420, that is, the locking piece 446, the groove 424, the front end of the box portion 445, and the locking protrusion 424 b are connected to the box portion 445 ( An engaging portion for preventing the terminal body 441) from moving in the front-rear direction is formed.

  On the other hand, the rear spacer 430 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 423 of the connector housing 420 from the rear, and has a lance 431 extending forward, a lock protrusion 433, and a wire lead-out hole 434. The lance 431 in this case is merely for pushing and moving the elastic spring piece 442 forward after being inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 423, and thus has no flexibility. Further, a lock hole 425 that engages with the lock protrusion 433 of the rear spacer 430 is provided at a position on the inner wall of the connector housing 420 where the rear spacer 430 is accommodated.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the connector housing 420 is fitted to the fitting hood portion 482 of the board side unit 480 and the lock arm 422 is completely locked as shown in FIG. A predetermined gap S is secured between the rear end of the box portion 445 of the terminal body 441 and the pressure receiving portion 442c at the rear end of the elastic spring piece 442 until the state before the piece 442 is pushed forward. Yes. In this state, the contact portion 442a of the elastic spring piece 442 is accommodated inside the box portion 445, thereby protecting the contact portion 442a.

  Further, the elastic spring piece 442 is pushed forward in the box portion 445 by the gap S, and the pressure receiving portion 442c at the rear end of the elastic spring piece 442 contacts the rear end of the box portion 445. 18, the dimensional relationship between the box portion 445 and the elastic spring piece 442 is set so that the contact portion 442a at the front end of the elastic spring piece 442 protrudes forward from the front end of the box portion 445. Has been.

  Next, the operation of the connector 410 will be described.

  In a state before the connector is fitted, the contact portion 442a of the terminal 440 is retracted inside the box portion 445, so that the contact portion 442a of the terminal 440 is protected by the box portion 445.

  When the connector 410 is fitted to the board side unit 480 from this state, the connector housing 420 enters the inside of the fitting hood portion 482 of the board side unit 480. When the fitting is further advanced, the front end of the connector housing 420 abuts against the circuit board 485 of the board-side unit 480, and the advancement of the connector housing 420 is stopped. FIG. 17 shows this state. At this stage, the lock protrusion 422a of the lock arm 422 of the connector housing 420 is engaged with the lock hole 483a of the board side unit 480, and the board side unit 480 and the connector housing 420 are locked.

  The state shown in FIG. 17 (that is, the connector housing 420 is fitted to the fitting hood portion 482 of the board side unit 480 and the lock arm 422 is completely locked, but the elastic spring piece 442 is moved forward by the rear spacer 430. In the state before the contact), the contact portion 442a of the terminal 440 is retracted inside the box portion 445, and the contact portion 442a of the terminal 440 is protected by the box portion 445.

  In this state, the rear spacer 430 is pushed into the terminal accommodating chamber 423 as indicated by an arrow X1 in FIG. Then, the tip 432 of the lance 431 pushes and moves the elastic spring piece 442 via the pressure receiving portion 442c. As a result, the contact portion 442a of the elastic spring piece 442 pressed by the lance 431 protrudes forward from the front end of the box portion 445 and presses and contacts the electrode 486 on the circuit board 485 of the board side unit 480. Therefore, the connector 410 and the board side unit 480 can be electrically connected.

  At this stage, the lock protrusion 433 of the rear spacer 430 engages with the lock hole 425 of the connector housing 420, and the rear spacer 430 prevents the elastic spring piece 442 from moving backward.

  As described above, according to the connector 410 of this configuration, the contact portion 442a of the terminal 440 is placed inside the connector housing 420 and the box portion 445 before being fitted to the mating connector (board side unit 480). Since it is accommodated, the contact portion 442a can be protected. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the contact portion 442a is scratched, the contact portion 442a is deformed, or a foreign matter adheres to the contact portion 442a when the wire harness is manufactured. Can dispel concerns.

  Furthermore, the elastic spring piece 442 can be pushed forward by inserting the rear spacer 430 into the inside of the connector housing 420 from the rear when it is fitted to the mating connector (board side unit 480). The contact portion 442a at the front end of 442 can be exposed from the box portion 445, and the contact portion 442a can be brought into contact with the electrode 486 of the circuit board 485.

  FIG. 19 is an external perspective view showing an outline of the relationship between the board-side unit 580 and the connector 510. The board side units of the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment can also be configured as a board side unit 580 as shown in FIG. The illustrated connector device 500 includes a connector 510 and a board side unit 580.

  The board side unit 580 includes a circuit board 585 inside a unit case 581 including a case body 587 and a case lid 588, and the case lid 588 is provided with a fitting hood portion 582.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment, A various modification is employable within the scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, and the like can be made as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, arrangement location, and the like of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

Here, the characteristics of the embodiment of the connector according to the present invention described above are summarized and listed in the following (1) to (6), respectively.
(1)
A connector (110) comprising a terminal (140) and a housing (120, 130) in which the terminal is accommodated,
The housing is
A first housing member (120) for holding the terminal; and a second housing member (130) assembled to the first housing member so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.
The terminal (140)
A first state in which the terminal (140) protrudes from the housing with relative movement between the first housing member (120) and the second housing member (130), and the terminal (140) protrudes from the housing. It is possible to switch between the second state and not
Connector (110).
(2)
In the connector according to (1) above,
The first housing member is a housing body (120) and the second housing member is a front holder (130);
The housing body (120) and the front holder (130) have a first locking structure (137, 125) for holding the front holder in a front position with respect to the housing body, and the front holder (130). A second locking structure (137, 126) for holding the housing body at a rear position with respect to the housing body,
The terminal (140) is
A state in which the front end has a contact portion (142a) that contacts and contacts the electrode (186) on the circuit board to which the connector is connected, and the contact portion (142a) protrudes from the front end of the housing body (120) And is held by the housing body,
When the front holder (130) is held at a front side position with respect to the housing body (120), the contact portion (142a) is accommodated inside the front holder (130), and the front holder (130 ) Is held at a rear position with respect to the housing body (120), the contact portion (142a) protrudes forward from the front holder (130).
Connector (110).
(3)
In the connector according to (2) above,
The terminal (140) is
When the housing body (120) is held at the rear position, the housing body (120) has a push spring piece (145) that biases the front holder forward by elastic deformation.
Connector (110).
(4)
In the connector according to (1) above,
The first housing member is an outer housing (220), and the second housing member is an inner housing (230);
The terminal (240) is
A terminal body (240A) held by the outer housing (220), and a cylindrical box part (246) that is slidably combined in the front-rear direction with respect to the terminal body;
The terminal body (240A)
An elastic spring piece (242) having a contact portion (242a) at the front end that comes into contact with the electrode (286) on the circuit board to which the connector is connected;
The box (246) is
The elastic body is attached to the terminal body (240A) so as to surround the elastic spring piece by utilizing the elasticity of the elastic spring piece (242), and on the inner periphery of the opening (232) of the inner housing (230). Fitted and fixed,
When the inner housing (230) is in a front side position with respect to the outer housing (220), the contact portion (242a) of the terminal is accommodated in the box portion (246), and the inner housing (230) is When in the rear position with respect to the outer housing (220), the contact portion (242a) of the terminal protrudes forward of the box portion (246).
Connector (210).
(5)
In the connector according to (1) above,
The first housing member is an outer housing (320), and the second housing member is an inner housing (330);
The terminal (340) is
A cylindrical box part (345) is provided at the front part, and the box part is held in the inner housing (330) by being fitted and fixed to the inner periphery of the terminal accommodating chamber (332) of the inner housing (330). A terminal body (341) to be operated;
The terminal body (341) is a separate body and has a contact portion (342a) at the front end that abuts against and contacts the electrode on the circuit board to which the connector is connected. An elastic spring piece (342) provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the box portion by being mounted using elasticity;
When the inner housing (330) is at a front side position with respect to the outer housing (320), the contact portion (342a) of the terminal is accommodated inside the box portion (345), and the inner housing (330) is When in the rear position with respect to the outer housing (320), the contact portion (342a) of the terminal protrudes forward of the box portion (345).
Connector (310).
(6)
In the connector according to (1) above,
The first housing member is a housing body (420), and the second housing member is a spacer (430) inserted from the rear into the rear end of the connector housing;
The terminal (440) is
A terminal having a cylindrical box portion (445) at the front portion and held by the connector housing by fitting and fixing the box portion (445) to the inner periphery of the terminal housing chamber (423) of the connector housing. A main body (441);
The terminal body (441) is separated from the terminal body (441) and has a contact portion (442a) at the front end to abut against and contact the electrode (486) on the circuit board to which the connector is connected, and the box portion (445) An elastic spring piece (442) provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the box portion (445) by being attached to the inside of the box using its own elasticity,
The spacer (430)
The elastic spring piece (442) is moved forward by inserting the terminal (440) into the terminal housing chamber (423) of the connector housing from the rear in a state where the terminal (440) is fitted and fixed in the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing. Pushing and causing the contact portion (442a) housed inside the box portion (445) to protrude forward of the box portion (445) and preventing the terminal (440) from retreating,
Connector (410).

110 connector 120 connector housing (first housing member, housing body)
125 1st latching protrusion (1st latching | locking part, 2nd latching | locking part)
126 2nd latching protrusion (1st latching | locking part, 2nd latching | locking part)
130 Front holder (second housing member)
137 Locking hole (first locking part, second locking part)
137a Locking wall (first locking part, second locking part)
140 Terminal 142a Contact portion 145 Pushing spring piece 185 Circuit board 186 Electrode 210 Connector 220 Outer housing 230 Inner housing 232 Terminal window (opening)
240 terminal 240A terminal main body 242 elastic spring piece 242a contact part 246 box part 285 circuit board 286 electrode 310 connector 320 outer housing 325 lance 330 inner housing 333 groove 335 locking projection (engaging part)
340 Terminal 341 Terminal body 342 Elastic spring piece 342a Contact part 342c Pressure receiving part (preventing part)
345 Box part 346 Locking piece (engagement part)
385 Circuit board 386 Electrode 410 Connector 420 Connector housing (housing body)
423 Terminal storage room
430 Rear spacer (spacer)
440 terminal 441 terminal main body 442 elastic spring piece 442a contact part 445 box part 485 circuit board 486 electrode

Claims (6)

A connector comprising a terminal and a housing in which the terminal is accommodated,
The housing is
A first housing member that holds the terminal, and a second housing member that is assembled to the first housing member so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.
The terminal is
With relative movement between the first housing member and the second housing member, it is possible to switch between a first state in which the terminal protrudes from the housing and a second state in which the terminal does not protrude from the housing.
connector. The connector according to claim 1,
The first housing member is a housing body, and the second housing member is a front holder,
The housing body and the front holder have a first locking structure for holding the front holder in a front position with respect to the housing body, and for holding the front holder in a rear position with respect to the housing body. A second locking structure of
The terminal is
The front end has a contact portion that comes into contact with and contacts the electrode on the circuit board to which the connector is connected, and is held by the housing body in a state in which the contact portion protrudes from the front end of the housing body,
When the front holder is held at a front position with respect to the housing body, the contact portion is accommodated inside the front holder, and the front holder is held at a rear position with respect to the housing body. The contact portion protrudes forward from the front holder,
connector. The connector according to claim 2,
The terminal is
When the housing body is held at the rear position, it has a push spring piece that biases the front holder forward by elastic deformation.
connector. The connector according to claim 1,
The first housing member is an outer housing, and the second housing member is an inner housing;
The terminal is
A terminal main body held by the outer housing, and a cylindrical box portion slidably combined in the front-rear direction with respect to the terminal main body,
The terminal body is
An elastic spring piece having a contact portion at the front end that comes into contact with an electrode on a circuit board to which the connector is connected;
The box is
The elastic spring piece is attached to the terminal body so as to surround the elastic spring piece, and is fitted and fixed to the inner periphery of the opening of the inner housing.
When the inner housing is in the front position with respect to the outer housing, the contact portion of the terminal is accommodated in the box portion, and when the inner housing is in the rear position with respect to the outer housing, the terminal The contact portion of the projection protrudes in front of the box portion,
connector. The connector according to claim 1,
The first housing member is an outer housing, and the second housing member is an inner housing;
The terminal is
A terminal body that is held by the inner housing by having a cylindrical box portion at the front portion and fitting and fixing the box portion to an inner periphery of a terminal accommodating chamber of the inner housing;
The terminal body is separate from the terminal body, has a contact portion at the front end that comes into contact with the electrode on the circuit board to which the connector is connected, and is mounted inside the box portion using its own elasticity. An elastic spring piece provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the box part,
When the inner housing is in the front position with respect to the outer housing, the contact portion of the terminal is accommodated in the box portion, and when the inner housing is in the rear position with respect to the outer housing, the terminal The contact portion of the projection protrudes in front of the box portion,
connector. The connector according to claim 1,
The first housing member is a housing body, and the second housing member is a spacer inserted into the rear end of the housing body from the rear,
The terminal is
A terminal body that is held by the housing body by having a cylindrical box part at the front, and fitting and fixing the box part to an inner periphery of a terminal accommodating chamber of the housing body,
Separated from the terminal body, has a contact portion at the front end that abuts against and contacts an electrode on a circuit board to which the connector is connected, and is mounted inside the box portion using its own elasticity. An elastic spring piece provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the box part,
The spacer is
By inserting the terminal into the terminal receiving chamber of the housing body from the rear in a state where the terminal is fitted and fixed in the terminal receiving chamber of the housing body, the elastic spring piece is pushed forward to be housed in the box portion. Projecting the contact portion that had been in front of the box portion and preventing the terminal from retreating,
connector.

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