JP2020149764A - connector - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of more stably holding a terminal fitting.SOLUTION: A connector comprises: a housing internally provided with a cavity into which a terminal fitting is inserted from behind; and a fitting member fitted to the housing. The housing has a lance which is elastically bent in such a manner as to retreat in a direction away from the terminal fitting during an insertion process of the terminal fitting and elastically returns when the terminal fitting is completely inserted into the cavity, thereby preventing the detachment of the terminal fitting. The fitting member has a restriction part which comes into contact with the lance so as to restrict the lance from being bent to the terminal fitting side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

The present disclosure relates to connectors.

Conventionally, a connector in which a lance is formed in a housing is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5 and the like). The lance is elastically deformable in the cavity into which the terminal fitting of the housing is inserted. When the terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity, the lance bends and deforms out of the insertion path by being pressed by the terminal fitting, and temporarily retracts. When the terminal fitting is normally inserted, the lance elastically returns and locks to the terminal fitting. As a result, when a force in the direction of being pulled out from the housing acts on the terminal fittings such as when the electric wire is pulled, the terminal fittings are kept in a retaining state by locking the lance.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-115345 JP-A-2010-97765 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-330757 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-79167 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-311748

When a force in the pulling direction acts on the terminal fitting, the lance locked to the terminal fitting is displaced in the direction opposite to the bending direction when the terminal fitting is inserted, that is, in the reverse direction. Force acts. For this reason, if an excessive pulling force acts on the terminal fitting, the lance may be excessively deformed, making it difficult to keep the terminal fitting in a retaining state, and the holding state of the terminal fitting may become unstable. was there.
The present disclosure has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector capable of more stably holding a terminal fitting.

The connector of the present disclosure is a connector including a housing in which a cavity into which a terminal fitting is inserted from the rear is formed, and a mounting member attached to the housing.
The housing elastically bends so as to retract in a direction away from the terminal fitting in the process of inserting the terminal fitting, and elastically returns when the terminal fitting is normally inserted into the cavity to prevent the terminal fitting from coming off. Have and
The mounting member has a regulating portion that hits the lance and regulates bending of the lance toward the terminal fitting side.

According to the present disclosure, the terminal fitting can be held more stably.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view of the housing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. FIG. 6 is a front view of the front retainer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the front retainer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a main part in the IX-IX line cross section of FIG. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

[Explanation of Embodiments of the present disclosure]
First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

The connectors of this disclosure are
A connector including a housing in which a cavity into which a terminal fitting is inserted from the rear is formed, and a mounting member attached to the housing.
The housing elastically bends so as to retract in a direction away from the terminal fitting in the process of inserting the terminal fitting, and elastically returns when the terminal fitting is normally inserted into the cavity to prevent the terminal fitting from coming off. Have and
The mounting member has a regulating portion that hits the lance and regulates bending of the lance toward the terminal fitting side.

When a force in the pulling direction acts on the terminal fittings such as when the electric wire is pulled and the lance tries to displace in the reverse direction, which is the direction in which the lance bends toward the terminal fittings, it hits the regulation part arranged in the same direction and further Flexure is regulated. As described above, since the connector of the present disclosure can suppress the bending deformation of the lance toward the terminal fitting side, the lance can be stably fastened at a position suitable for preventing the terminal fitting from coming off. Therefore, the connector of the present disclosure can hold the terminal fitting more stably.

In the connector of the present disclosure, the mounting member may have a detecting portion that hits the lance from the side opposite to the regulating portion and regulates bending in a direction away from the terminal fitting. According to this configuration, when the lance tries to be displaced in the direction of bending in the direction opposite to the terminal fitting side, the lance hits the detection unit arranged in the same direction and further bending is restricted. For this reason, it is possible to suppress bidirectional bending deformation of the lance in addition to the regulation by the regulating portion, so that the lance can be stably fastened at a position suitable for preventing the terminal fitting from coming off.

In the connector of the present disclosure, the lance has a lance main body and an overhanging portion formed by projecting laterally from the lance main body, and the overhanging portion is lateral to the terminal fitting. The position may be shifted, and the restricting portion may be arranged so as to be able to hit the overhanging portion. According to this configuration, it is possible to regulate the bending deformation of the lance toward the terminal fitting side with a simple configuration.

The connector of the present disclosure may be provided with a contact portion facing the terminal fitting side at the front end of the lance, and the regulation portion may be arranged so as to be able to hit the contact portion. According to this configuration, it is possible to regulate the bending deformation of the lance toward the terminal fitting side with a simple configuration.

[Details of Embodiments of the present disclosure]
Specific examples of the connectors of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and is indicated by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

<Embodiment 1>
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 1 of the first embodiment includes a housing 10 and a front retainer 20 (exemplified as a mounting member according to the present invention). The housing 10 has a cavity 10A inside which the terminal fitting 30 is inserted from the rear (right side in FIG. 2). The front retainer 20 is attached to the housing 10 from the front (left side in FIG. 2). The front retainer 20 is a member that has a function of retaining the terminal fitting 30 by being attached to the housing 10 and a function of detecting the inserted state of the terminal fitting 30. The connector 1 of the first embodiment is a female connector, and a male connector (not shown), which is a mating connector, is fitted from the front. The terminal metal fitting 30 has a tubular main body portion 31 connected to a mating terminal (not shown) at the front portion. The main body portion 31 of the terminal fitting 30 has a lance receiving portion 32 projecting downward. An electric wire 33 is connected to the rear portion of the terminal fitting 30.

The housing 10 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the housing 10 has a housing main body 11 and a protruding portion 12 formed so as to project forward from the housing main body 11. In the housing 10, the cavity 10A is formed by opening to the rear end surface of the housing body 11 and penetrating to the front end surface of the protrusion 12. A plurality of cavities 10A are formed side by side in the left-right direction of the housing 10. In the front portion of the housing body 11, an insertion space 10B into which the hood of the mating connector (not shown) fitted to the connector 1 is inserted is formed inside the tubular portion surrounding the base end side of the protrusion 12. Has been done. A lock arm 13 for holding the mating connector in the fitted state is provided on the upper portion of the tubular portion of the housing body 11.

The housing 10 has a lance 40. A plurality of lances 40 are provided corresponding to each cavity 10A. The lance 40 is formed by notching the lower wall portion of the protruding portion 12 and extending forward from the housing main body 11 in a cantilever shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the lance 40 forms a lower wall on the front end side of the cavity 10A. The lance 40 elastically bends so as to retract out of the insertion path of the terminal fitting 30 (in the direction away from the terminal fitting 30) during the insertion process of the terminal fitting 30, and elastically returns when the terminal fitting 30 is normally inserted into the cavity 10A. To prevent the terminal fitting 30 from coming off. The lance 40 maintains a natural posture without bending in the locked state (see FIG. 9). Further, the lance 40 can be elastically displaced downward with the rear end portion (base end portion) as a fulcrum when a downward external force acts on the tip end side of the lance 40 due to the insertion of the terminal fitting 30 and interference. It has become.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the lance 40 has a lance main body 41 and a locking projection 42 formed so as to project upward from the front end portion of the lance main body 41. The locking projection 42 locks to the terminal fitting 30 in a state of being normally inserted into the cavity 10A. The lance 40 has an overhanging portion 43. The overhanging portion 43 is formed so as to project laterally (to the right in FIG. 3) from the lance main body 41. The overhanging portion 43 is formed so as to extend along the front-rear direction (which is also the insertion direction of the terminal fitting 30), which is the extending direction of the lance 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the front end portion of the overhanging portion 43 has a tapered inclination on the upper and lower surfaces in a side view. Further, the overhanging portion 43 is arranged at a position overlapping the partition wall portion that partitions the adjacent cavities 10A in the left-right direction.

Further, the lance 40 has a slope 44 (exemplified as a contact portion according to the present invention) formed at the front end of the lance main body 41. The slope 44 is formed on the end surface of the front end of the lance body 41 below the locking projection 42. The slope 44 is formed so as to face diagonally upward and forward so as to face the terminal fitting 30 from below. The front end surface of the locking projection 42 is formed so as to face diagonally downward and forward, contrary to the slope 44.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the front retainer 20 has a front wall portion 21 and a peripheral wall portion 22 projecting rearward from the outer periphery of the front wall portion 21. When the front retainer 20 is attached to the housing 10, the front wall portion 21 is arranged on the front end side of the protruding portion 12, and the peripheral wall portion 22 is arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the protruding portion 12 from the front end to the base end side. To. The front wall portion 21 is formed through a plurality of (four in FIG. 6) window holes 21A into which the front end portions of the protruding portions 12 are inserted. The front end surface of the protruding portion 12 inserted into the window hole 21A is substantially flush with the front surface of the front wall portion 21 (see FIG. 2). The lower edge of the window hole 21A and the lower edge of the protrusion 12 inserted into the window hole 21A open a receiving hole 10C for receiving the terminal of the mating connector (FIG. FIG. 1).

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the front retainer 20 has a regulation unit 23. The regulating unit 23 regulates the lance 40 from bending toward the terminal fitting 30 side. The regulating portion 23 is arranged in a form adjacent to the lance 40 on the terminal fitting 30 side in the bending direction of the lance 40 in a state where the front retainer 20 is normally attached to the housing 10. In the first embodiment, the regulation portion 23 is formed so as to project rearward from the front wall portion 21. A plurality of regulation units 23 are provided individually corresponding to the plurality of lances 40. Each regulation unit 23 has a plate shape along the left-right direction. The regulating portion 23 is arranged so as to enter the upper surface side of the overhanging portion 43 of the lance 40 in a state where the front retainer 20 is normally attached to the housing 10 (see FIG. 10). Each regulation unit 23 is adjacent to the overhanging unit 43 at a predetermined interval in a state where the front retainer 20 is normally attached to the housing 10. That is, the regulation unit 23 of the first embodiment slightly allows the lance 40 to bend. Each regulation unit 23 has a portion arranged between adjacent window holes 21A in the left-right direction.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the front retainer 20 has a second regulation unit 24. The second regulation unit 24 regulates the lance 40 from bending toward the terminal fitting 30 side, similarly to the regulation unit 23. The second regulation unit 24 is arranged so as to face the slope 44 at the front end of the lance 40. Specifically, the second regulating portion 24 is formed by forming the upper surface of the lower peripheral wall portion 22 in a stepped manner. The surface of the second regulating portion 24 facing the slope 44 is formed so as to be inclined along the slope 44, that is, to face downward. Specifically, the surface of the second regulating portion 24 facing the slope 44 is formed so as to face diagonally downward and forward. The second regulating unit 24 faces the slope 44 at a predetermined distance in a state where the front retainer 20 is normally attached to the housing 10. That is, the second regulating unit 24 slightly allows the lance 40 to bend.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the front retainer 20 has a detection unit 25. When the front retainer 20 is normally attached to the housing 10, the detection unit 25 is adjacent to the lance 40 in the direction of bending in the direction opposite to the terminal fitting 30 side of the lance 40, that is, in the downward direction with respect to the lance 40. It is arranged in the form of The detection unit 25 arranged in this way regulates the lance 40 from bending downward. The detection unit 25 is arranged so as to fill the space under the lance 40 to prevent the lance 40 from bending downward. As shown in FIG. 7, in the first embodiment, the detection unit 25 is composed of a lower peripheral wall portion 22. That is, the detection unit 25 has a form in which one detection unit 25 extends continuously in the width direction corresponding to a plurality of lances 40.

The detection unit 25 forms an upward flat surface arranged along the front-rear direction behind the lower end of the second regulation unit 24. Each of the above-mentioned regulation units 23 has a downward flat surface facing in parallel with the upward flat surface of the detection unit 25. In a state where the front retainer 20 is normally attached to the housing 10, the overhanging portion 43 is arranged so as to be sandwiched in the thickness direction (vertical direction) between the flat surface of the detection unit 25 and the flat surface of each regulation unit 23. ..

Next, the operation of the connector 1 of the first embodiment will be described.
When assembling the connector 1, first, the terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the cavity 10A from the rear of the housing 10. In the insertion process, the lower surface of the terminal fitting 30 interferes with the locking projection 42 of the lance 40, so that the lance 40 elastically bends so as to retract downward outside the insertion path of the terminal fitting 30. At this time, if the terminal fitting 30 does not reach the normal insertion position and the lance 40 is elastically displaced downward, the detection unit 25 interferes with the lance 40 even if the front retainer 20 is attached to the housing 10, so that the lance 40 is normally attached. It is impossible. On the other hand, when the terminal fitting 30 reaches the regular insertion position, the lance 40 elastically returns to the cavity 10A side and the locking projection 42 locks to the terminal fitting 30. By this locking action, the terminal fitting 30 is held in the retaining state. In this state, the detection unit 25 can enter the space under the lance 40, and the front retainer 20 can be normally attached to the housing 10.

When the insertion work of all the terminal fittings 30 is completed and the front retainer 20 is assembled to the housing 10, the detection unit 25 is arranged below the lance 40 as shown in FIG. As a result, the lance 40 is in a state of being guaranteed to prevent the terminal fitting 30 from coming off, and the lance 40 is in a state of being prevented from elastically bending downward.

Further, in the state where the front retainer 20 is assembled to the housing 10, the regulating portion 23 is arranged above the overhanging portion 43 of the lance 40 as shown in FIG. As a result, the elastic deflection of the lance 40 upward is prevented. For this reason, the electric wire 33 connected to the terminal fitting 30 is pulled backward and a pulling force acts on the terminal fitting 30, or a pushing force is received from the terminal of the mating connector when the connector is fitted. Even when a force in the direction in which the 30 moves backward is applied, the regulating portion 23 prevents the lance 40 from bending upward (displacement in the reverse direction).

Further, in the state where the front retainer 20 is assembled to the housing 10, as shown in FIG. 9, the second regulating portion 24 is arranged so as to face the slope 44 at the front end of the lance 40. As a result, the elastic deflection of the lance 40 upward is more reliably prevented. Therefore, even when a force is applied in the direction in which the terminal fitting 30 moves rearward, the restricting portion 23 and the second regulating portion 24 reliably prevent the lance 40 from warping upward.

As described above, the connector 1 of the first embodiment includes the housing 10 and the front retainer 20. The housing 10 has a cavity 10A inside which the terminal fitting 30 is inserted from the rear. The front retainer 20 is attached to the housing 10. The housing 10 has a lance 40. The lance 40 elastically bends so as to retract in the direction away from the terminal fitting 30 in the process of inserting the terminal fitting 30, and when the terminal fitting 30 is normally inserted into the cavity 10A, the lance 40 elastically returns to prevent the terminal fitting 30 from coming off. The front retainer 20 has a regulation unit 23. The regulating unit 23 hits the lance 40 and regulates the bending of the lance 40 toward the terminal fitting 30 side.

With such a configuration, the connector 1 of the first embodiment is arranged in the same direction when a force in the pulling direction acts on the terminal fitting 30 and the lance 40 tries to be displaced toward the terminal fitting 30 side. Further bending is regulated by hitting the regulating portion 23 of the front retainer 20. In this way, since the connector 1 can suppress the bending deformation of the lance 40 toward the terminal fitting 30 side, the lance 40 can be stably fastened at a position suitable for preventing the terminal fitting 30 from coming off. As a result, the lance 40 can stably exert the action of preventing the terminal fitting 30 from coming off. Therefore, the connector 1 of the first embodiment can hold the terminal fitting 30 more stably.

Further, in the connector 1, the front retainer 20 has a detection unit 25. The detection unit 25 hits the lance 40 from the side opposite to the regulation unit 23 and regulates the deflection in the direction away from the terminal fitting 30. Therefore, when the lance 40 tries to be displaced in the direction of bending in the direction opposite to the terminal metal fitting 30 side, it hits the detection unit 25 of the front retainer 20 arranged in the same direction and further bending is restricted. Therefore, in addition to the regulation by the regulation unit 23, the bidirectional bending deformation of the lance 40 can be suppressed. As a result, the lance 40 can be stably fastened at a position suitable for preventing the terminal fitting 30 from coming off.

Further, in the connector 1, the lance 40 has a lance main body 41 and an overhanging portion 43 formed by projecting laterally from the lance main body 41, and the overhanging portion 43 is on the side of the terminal fitting 30. The position is shifted toward the side, and the regulating portion 23 is arranged so as to be able to hit the overhanging portion 43. Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to regulate the bending deformation of the lance 40 toward the terminal fitting 30 side. A terminal fitting 30 is arranged on the upper surface of the lance body 41. For this reason, it is difficult to provide a structure in which the regulating portion 23 is applied to the upper surface of the lance body 41. In that respect, in the case of the first embodiment, the overhanging portion 43 is provided on the side of the lance main body 41, and the overhanging portion 43 is displaced laterally from the terminal fitting 30. A structure for applying the regulation unit 23 to the surface can be easily provided.

Further, in the connector 1, a slope 44 as a contact portion is formed at the front end of the lance 40. The slope 44 is formed so as to face the terminal fitting 30 side. The second regulation unit 24 is arranged so as to hit the slope 44. Therefore, for example, as compared with the case where the lance body 41 and the locking projection 42 are arranged adjacent to each other, it is possible to regulate the bending deformation of the lance 40 toward the terminal fitting 30 side with a simple structure.

Further, in the connector 1, the lance 40 has an overhanging portion 43. The base end portion of the overhanging portion 43 is integrated with the base end portion of the lance main body 41 and is provided so as to be connected to the housing main body 11. As a result, the strength of the lance 40 can be easily increased as compared with the case where the lance does not have an overhanging portion, and the lance 40 can more stably exert the action of preventing the terminal fitting 30 from coming off. ..

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described by the above description and drawings, and for example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) Although the embodiment in which the connector is a female connector is illustrated in the first embodiment, it may be a male connector.
(2) In the first embodiment, the front retainer is exemplified as the mounting member, but the mounting member according to the present invention is not limited in its configuration, function, etc. as long as it is mounted on the housing. For example, the mounting member may be a front holder mounted on the front surface of the housing so as to cover the front of the lance.
(3) In the first embodiment, the front retainer as a mounting member is mounted from the front to the housing, but the mounting member according to the present invention is mounted from the side, above, or rear of the housing. It may be attached.
(4) In the first embodiment, a mode in which the front retainer as a mounting member has a detection unit is illustrated, but in the connector according to the present invention, it is not essential that the mounting member has a detection unit.
(5) In the first embodiment, as the regulating portion, a regulating portion arranged in a form capable of hitting an overhanging portion provided on the lance and a regulating portion arranged facing the slope formed at the front end of the lance. Although the second regulatory unit and the two regulatory units are illustrated, the form of the regulatory unit according to the present invention is not limited to these. That is, the regulatory unit according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the regulatory unit or the second regulatory unit exemplified in the first embodiment. Further, the regulation unit may be in a form in which only one of the regulation unit illustrated in the first embodiment and the second regulation unit is provided. As described above, the number of regulatory units is not particularly limited, and may be only one or three or more.
(6) In the first embodiment, the mode in which the regulation unit is adjacent to the lance at a predetermined interval is illustrated, but the regulation unit may be in a form in which the regulation unit hits the lance in advance. For example, in the case where the regulating portion is adjacent to the overhanging portion, the regulating portion may be in contact with the overhanging portion in advance.
(7) In the first embodiment, the second regulation unit as the regulation unit is adjacent to the slope at the front end of the lance at a predetermined interval. However, when the second regulation unit is provided, the second regulation unit is provided. In a state where the mounting member is normally mounted on the housing, the mounting member may be in contact with the slope in advance.

1 ... Connector 10 ... Housing 10A ... Cavity 10B ... Insertion space 10C ... Receiving hole 11 ... Housing body 12 ... Protruding part 13 ... Lock arm 20 ... Front retainer (mounting member)
21 ... Front wall part 21A ... Window hole 22 ... Peripheral wall part 23 ... Regulation part 24 ... Second regulation part (regulation part)
25 ... Detection part 30 ... Terminal metal fittings 31 ... Main body part 32 ... Lance receiving part 33 ... Electric wire 40 ... Lance 41 ... Lance main body 42 ... Locking protrusion 43 ... Overhanging part 44 ... Slope (covered part)

Claims (4)

A connector including a housing in which a cavity into which a terminal fitting is inserted from the rear is formed, and a mounting member attached to the housing.
The housing elastically bends so as to retract in a direction away from the terminal fitting in the process of inserting the terminal fitting, and elastically returns when the terminal fitting is normally inserted into the cavity to prevent the terminal fitting from coming off. Have and
The mounting member is a connector having a regulating portion that hits the lance and regulates the deflection of the lance toward the terminal fitting side. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the mounting member has a detection unit that hits the lance from a side opposite to the regulation unit and regulates bending in a direction away from the terminal fitting. The lance has a lance main body and an overhanging portion formed by projecting laterally from the lance main body, and the overhanging portion is displaced laterally with respect to the terminal fitting.
The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the regulating portion is arranged so as to hit the overhanging portion. At the front end of the lance, a contact portion facing the terminal fitting side is provided.
The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the regulating portion is arranged so as to be able to hit the applied portion.

Images