JP2020202033A - Connector and connector-equipped wire - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress quality degradation.SOLUTION: A connector includes a terminal fitting 10 that is physically and electrically connected to a mating terminal fitting of a mating connector, and a housing 20 that stores and holds the terminal fitting that is physically and electrically connected to a terminal of a wire We, and the housing includes a terminal storage chamber 21 in which the terminal fitting is stored and held at the storage completion position, a terminal insertion slot 22 which is an opening of the terminal storage chamber, is formed at one end in the connector insertion/removal direction with the other connector, and is used when the other terminal fitting is inserted into the terminal storage chamber, an electric wire outlet 23 that is another opening of the terminal storage chamber, is formed at the other end in the connector insertion/removal direction, and draws the wire out of the terminal storage chamber, and a terminal storage port 24 that is yet another opening of the terminal storage chamber, is formed at the end in the direction orthogonal to the connector insertion/removal direction in a state of being connected to the electric wire outlet 23, and is used when the connected terminal fitting and the electric wire terminal are stored in the terminal storage chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a connector and an electric wire with a connector.

Conventionally, in a connector and an electric wire with a connector, after the terminal fitting is physically and electrically connected to the terminal of the electric wire, the terminal fitting is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber through the terminal accommodating port of the housing. In the housing, a terminal insertion port of the mating terminal fitting is formed at one end in the connector insertion / removal direction with the mating connector, and a terminal accommodating port is formed at the other end in the connector insertion / removal direction (the following patent). Documents 1 and 2), the terminal metal fittings are inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber from the terminal accommodating port toward the terminal insertion port. Further, as a connector, a connector in which two electric wires drawn out to the outside of a housing are twisted as a twisted pair is known (Patent Document 3 below).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-043928 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-354185 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-217358

By the way, in the case of a connector and an electric wire with a connector, the connection portion between the terminal fitting and the terminal of the electric wire is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber of the housing. Therefore, when accommodating the terminal fitting in the terminal accommodating chamber, at least at the end of the accommodating work, a force directed in the insertion direction of the terminal fitting is applied to the electric wire, and the terminal fitting is moved to the terminal accommodating chamber via the electric wire. It may be pushed in. That is, the conventional connector and the electric wire with a connector may apply an unnecessary load to the electric wire, such as bending the electric wire when the terminal metal fitting is pushed into the terminal accommodating chamber via the electric wire.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector and an electric wire with a connector capable of suppressing deterioration in quality.

In order to achieve the above object, the connector according to the present invention is physically and electrically connected to the terminal fitting of the other party connector and the terminal fitting of the electric wire. The housing includes a housing for accommodating and holding the terminal fittings, and the housing includes a terminal accommodating chamber in which the terminal fittings are accommodated and held at the accommodating completion position, and an opening of the terminal accommodating chamber. It is a terminal insertion port formed at one end in the connector insertion / removal direction with the mating connector and used when inserting the mating terminal fitting into the terminal accommodating chamber, and another opening of the terminal accommodating chamber. An electric wire outlet formed at the other end in the connector insertion / removal direction and for drawing the electric wire out of the terminal accommodating chamber, and yet another opening of the terminal accommodating chamber, the end portion in a direction orthogonal to the connector insertion / extraction direction. It is characterized in that it is formed in a state of being connected to the electric wire outlet, and has a terminal fitting in a connected state and a terminal accommodating port used for accommodating the terminal of the electric wire in the terminal accommodating chamber.

Here, between the terminal fitting and the housing, the relative movement of the terminal fitting from the terminal insertion port side to the electric wire outlet side with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber at the accommodation completion position is performed in the first direction. The first locking structure for suppressing the terminal fitting and the second locking structure for suppressing the relative movement of the terminal fitting to the terminal accommodating chamber in the second direction with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber at the accommodation completion position are provided. The 1 locking structure is provided on the wire outlet side with respect to the first locked portion provided on the terminal fitting and the first locked portion of the terminal fitting provided on the housing at the accommodation completion position. The second locking structure includes a first locking portion to be arranged so as to face each other, and the second locking structure is provided on the second locked portion provided on the terminal fitting and the terminal fitting provided on the housing at the accommodation completion position. It is desirable to provide a second locking portion that is arranged to face the second locked portion on the terminal accommodating port side.

Further, the terminal accommodating port is also connected to the terminal insertion port, and the housing is used when inserting the terminal fitting and the terminal of the electric wire in a connected state from the terminal accommodating port to the temporary accommodating position of the terminal accommodating chamber. At least, the terminal fitting at the temporary storage position is moved relative to the terminal storage chamber from the terminal insertion port side to the wire outlet side together with the electric wire to the storage completion position without contacting the terminal fitting. As a result, it is desirable to form the first locked portion so as to face the first locking portion and the second locked portion to face the second locking portion.

Further, it is desirable to provide a locking member that suppresses the relative movement of the terminal fitting from the electric wire outlet side to the terminal insertion port side with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber at the accommodation completion position.

Further, it is desirable that the housing has a plurality of combinations of the terminal accommodating chamber, the terminal insertion port, the electric wire outlet, and the terminal accommodating port.

Further, it is desirable to include a plurality of the housings connected together, and to provide a connecting structure for connecting the two housings between two adjacent housings to be connected.

Further, the connecting structure is defined by a first connecting portion provided on the terminal accommodating port side of one of two adjacent housings to be connected and the terminal accommodating chamber on the other side of the first connecting portion. A second connecting portion, which is provided on the opposite side of the terminal accommodating port and engages with the first connecting portion to connect the one housing and the other housing, is provided. It is desirable to have one connecting portion and the second connecting portion, respectively.

Further, the connecting structure is provided on one side and the other side in the direction orthogonal to the adjacent installation direction of the two adjacent housings to be connected and the connector insertion / removal direction, respectively, and the connecting structure is a connection target. A first connecting portion provided in one of two adjacent housings and a second connecting portion provided in the other of the two adjacent housings and engaged with the first connecting portion to connect the one housing and the other housing. The first connecting portion includes two connecting portions, and the first connecting portion has a flexible cantilever main portion protruding outward of the one housing in the adjacent installation direction, and the other connecting structure side. The second connection of the other housing located on the fixed end side of the main body when the two adjacent housings to be connected are provided at the free end of the main body in a state of protruding into the main body. The claw portion to be hooked on the portion and the fixed end side of the main body portion are connected to the outer wall side of the one housing, and the main body portion and the claw portion are rotated around the axis of the rotation shaft along the connector insertion / removal direction. A rotation mechanism that suppresses rotation of the main body portion in the direction opposite to the claw portion side of the main body portion by the hinge portion when the hinge portion that can be made to be formed and the main body portion are projected toward the adjacent installation direction. It is desirable that each of the housings has a stop portion and a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion of the two connecting structures, respectively.

Further, it is desirable that each housing has a connecting portion accommodating chamber in which the main body portion and the claw portion are accommodated when the main body portion is rotated toward the claw portion by the hinge portion.

In order to achieve the above object, the electric wire with a connector according to the present invention includes an electric wire, a terminal metal fitting that is physically and electrically connected to the other terminal metal fitting of the other party connector, and a physical electric wire to the terminal of the electric wire. The housing includes a housing for accommodating and holding the electrically connected terminal fittings, and the housing includes a terminal accommodating chamber in which the terminal fittings are accommodated in the accommodation completion position and held in the accommodation completion position. A terminal insertion port which is an opening of the terminal accommodating chamber, is formed at one end in the connector insertion / removal direction with the mating connector, and is used when the mating terminal fitting is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber, and a terminal accommodating chamber. Another opening, which is an electric wire outlet formed at the other end in the connector insertion / removal direction and for drawing the electric wire out of the terminal accommodation chamber, and yet another opening in the terminal accommodation chamber, the connector insertion / removal direction. It is characterized by having a terminal fitting in a connected state and a terminal accommodating port used when accommodating the terminal of the electric wire in the terminal accommodating chamber, which is formed at an end portion in a direction orthogonal to the electric wire. It is said.

In the connector and the electric wire with a connector according to the present invention, the terminal fitting and the terminal of the electric wire in the connected state are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber from the terminal accommodating port along the intersecting direction with respect to the connector insertion / removal direction. Therefore, in the connector and the electric wire with the connector, the terminal fitting in the connected state and the terminal of the electric wire can be accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber without applying an unnecessary load to the electric wire such as bending the electric wire. Therefore, the connector and the electric wire with the connector are excellent in the workability of accommodating the terminal fitting in the connected state and the terminal of the electric wire in the terminal accommodating chamber, and the deterioration of the quality of the product can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a connector of an embodiment and an electric wire with a connector, and is an exploded perspective view before attaching a locking member. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connector of an embodiment and an electric wire with a connector, and is an exploded perspective view before the connectors are connected to each other. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electric wire with a connector of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electric wire with a connector of the embodiment as viewed from another angle. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an electric wire with a connector when the terminal fitting is in the temporary storage position in the terminal storage chamber. FIG. 6 is a plan view of an electric wire with a connector when the terminal fitting is in the temporary storage position in the terminal storage chamber as viewed from the terminal storage port side. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an electric wire with a connector when the terminal fitting is in the accommodation completion position in the terminal accommodation chamber. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an electric wire with a connector when the terminal fitting is in the accommodation completed position in the terminal accommodating chamber as viewed from another angle. FIG. 9 is a plan view of an electric wire with a connector when the terminal fitting is in the accommodation completion position in the terminal accommodation chamber as viewed from the terminal accommodation port side. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an electric wire with a connector when the terminal fitting is in the accommodation completed position in the terminal accommodating chamber as viewed from another angle. FIG. 11 is a plan view of an electric wire with a connector when the terminal fitting is in the accommodation completion position in the terminal accommodation chamber as viewed from another angle. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connection structure between housings. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the connecting structure between the housings as viewed from another angle. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connecting structure between housings. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the locking member. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the connector of the embodiment and the electric wire with the connector. FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a modified form of the locking member. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a process of forming twisted pair wires. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a process of forming twisted pair wires. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a process of forming twisted pair wires. FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a modified form of the twisted pair wire forming process. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a modified form of the twisted pair wire forming process. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a step of accommodating the terminal fittings connected to the twisted pair wire, which comprises the step of forming the deformed form, into the housing. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a connector of a modified example and an electric wire with a connector, and is an exploded perspective view before the connectors are connected to each other. FIG. 26 is a view of the connector of the modified example and the electric wire with the connector viewed from different angles, and is an exploded perspective view before the connectors are connected to each other. FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a connector of a modified example and an electric wire with a connector. FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the connector of the modified example and the electric wire with the connector as viewed from different angles. FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of a modified electric wire with a connector. FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of a modified electric wire with a connector as viewed from another angle. FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing an electric wire with a connector when the terminal fitting is in the accommodation completion position in the terminal accommodation chamber. FIG. 32 is a plan view of an electric wire with a connector when the terminal fitting is in the accommodation completion position in the terminal accommodation chamber as viewed from the terminal accommodation port side. FIG. 33 is a sectional view taken along line Y1-Y1 of FIG. 32. FIG. 34 is a plan view of the housing as viewed from the terminal accommodating port side. FIG. 35 is a sectional view taken along line Y2-Y2 of FIG. 32. FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connection structure between housings. FIG. 37 is a perspective view illustrating a connection structure between housings. FIG. 38 is a sectional view taken along line Z1-Z1 of FIG. 36. FIG. 39 is a sectional view taken along line Z1-Z1 of FIG. 37. FIG. 40 is a sectional view taken along line Z1-Z1 of FIG. 28. FIG. 41 is a perspective view showing a connector and an electric wire with a connector before accommodating the first connecting portion. FIG. 42 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connecting structure between the housing and the lid member.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the connector and the electric wire with the connector according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[Embodiment]
One of the embodiments of the connector and the electric wire with the connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 24.

Reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicates a connector according to this embodiment. Further, reference numeral 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicates an electric wire with a connector of the present embodiment in which the connector 1 is attached to the terminal of the electric wire We. Further, reference numeral 1X in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicates a connector in which a plurality of connectors 1 are collectively connected (hereinafter, referred to as “connecting connector”). Further, reference numeral 2X in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicates an electric wire with a connector in which a plurality of connectors 1 in a plurality of electric wires with connectors 2 are collectively connected (hereinafter, referred to as “electric wire with a connector”).

The connector 1 includes a terminal fitting 10 and a housing 20 (FIGS. 1 to 9). The electric wire 2 with a connector includes an electric wire We in addition to the terminal metal fitting 10 and the housing 20 forming the connector 1, and the terminal metal fitting 10 physically and electrically connected to the terminal of the electric wire We is the housing 20. Contained and held in (FIGS. 1-9).

The terminal fitting 10 is formed of a conductive material such as metal. The terminal fitting 10 is physically and electrically connected to the terminal connection portion 11 which is physically and electrically connected to the other terminal fitting (not shown) of the other connector and to the terminal of the electric wire We. It has an electric wire connecting portion 12 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

One of the terminal connection portion 11 and the mating terminal connection portion (not shown) of the mating terminal fitting is formed in a female terminal shape, and the other is formed in a male terminal shape. In this example, the terminal connection portion 11 is formed in a square tubular female terminal shape, and the mating terminal connection portion is formed in a male terminal shape that is fitted inside the terminal connection portion 11. In the terminal connection portion 11, the mating terminal connection portion is inserted along the tubular axis direction from the opening at one end in the tubular axis direction. Therefore, here, the tubular axis direction of the terminal connection portion 11 is the terminal insertion / removal direction between the terminal connection portion 11 and the mating terminal connection portion, and is the connector insertion / removal direction between the connector 1 and the mating connector. ..

The electric wire connecting portion 12 is arranged on the other end side of the terminal connecting portion 11 in the tubular axis direction, and pulls out the physically and electrically connected electric wire We along the tubular axis direction. For example, the electric wire connecting portion 12 is physically and electrically connected to the terminal of the electric wire We by crimping and crimping the core wire We1 of the terminal of the electric wire We (FIG. 4).

The housing 20 is molded of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing 20 has a terminal accommodating chamber 21 in which the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated (FIGS. 1 to 9). The terminal accommodating chamber 21 inserts the terminal fitting 10 to the accommodation completion position and accommodates the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position. In the terminal accommodating chamber 21, the terminal fitting 10 is held at the accommodation completion position. Therefore, the housing 20 accommodates the terminal fitting 10 physically and electrically connected to the terminal of the electric wire We at the accommodation completion position of the terminal accommodation chamber 21 and holds it at the accommodation completion position.

The terminal connection portion 11 of the terminal fitting 10 in the terminal accommodation chamber 21 is fitted and connected to the counterpart terminal connection portion of the counterpart terminal fitting inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 21. Therefore, the housing 20 is an opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 21, is formed at one end in the connector insertion / removal direction with the mating connector, and is used when the mating terminal fitting is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 21. (FIGS. 1 to 9). Further, the housing 20 is another opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 21, and is formed at the other end in the connector insertion / removal direction, and the terminal is physically and electrically connected to the electric wire connecting portion 12 of the terminal fitting 10. Has an electric wire outlet 23 for pulling out the terminal accommodating chamber 21 (FIGS. 1 to 9).

Here, the housing 20 is still another opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 21, and is formed at the end in the direction orthogonal to the connector insertion / removal direction in a state of being connected to the electric wire outlet 23, and the terminal metal fitting 10 and the electric wire We in the connected state. It has a terminal accommodating port 24 used for accommodating the terminal in the terminal accommodating chamber 21 (FIGS. 1 to 9). That is, the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state and the terminal of the electric wire We are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 21 from the terminal accommodating port 24 along the intersecting direction with respect to the connector insertion / removal direction.

The outer shape of the illustrated housing 20 is formed in a square shape. In the housing 20, a terminal insertion port 22 is formed in one of the six outer walls, and an electric wire outlet 23 is formed on the outer wall opposite to the outer wall having the terminal insertion port 22. Further, in the housing 20, the terminal accommodating port 24 is formed on one outer wall that is connected to the outer wall having the terminal insertion port 22 and the outer wall having the electric wire outlet 23.

The terminal accommodating port 24 of the present embodiment is also connected to the terminal insertion port 22 (FIGS. 3 to 9).

In the connector 1 and the electric wire 2 with the connector of the present embodiment, when the terminal fitting 10 and the terminal of the electric wire We in the connected state are accommodated from the terminal accommodating port 24 to the accommodating completed position of the terminal accommodating chamber 21, the terminal fitting 10 is first accommodated. The terminal connection portion 11 of the above is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 21 while being projected from the terminal insertion port 22 to the outside of the terminal accommodating chamber 21 (FIGS. 3 to 6). Therefore, the terminal fitting 10 remains in a state of being projected from the terminal insertion port 22 to the outside of the terminal accommodation chamber 21 when the insertion into the terminal accommodation chamber 21 is completed (FIGS. 5 and 6). ). Here, the position of the protruding terminal fitting 10 in the terminal accommodating chamber 21 is referred to as a temporary accommodating position. The housing 20 of the present embodiment has a shape that does not come into contact with at least the terminal fitting 10 when the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state from the terminal receiving port 24 to the temporary housing position of the terminal containing chamber 21 and the terminal of the electric wire We are inserted. Form as.

Subsequently, in the connector 1 and the electric wire 2 with the connector of the present embodiment, it is necessary to move the terminal fitting 10 at the temporary accommodation position to the accommodation completion position together with the electric wire We. Therefore, in the connector 1 and the electric wire 2 with the connector, the terminal metal fitting 10 at the temporary accommodation position is relative to the terminal accommodation chamber 21 from the terminal insertion port 22 side to the electric wire outlet 23 side together with the electric wire We to the accommodation completion position. Move (FIGS. 5 to 9). In the relative movement, the electric wire We drawn from the electric wire outlet 23 is pulled from the terminal insertion port 22 side to the electric wire outlet 23 side, so that the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state and the terminal of the electric wire We are temporarily accommodated. It may be moved relative to the accommodation completion position. Further, during the relative movement, the terminal connection portion 11 of the terminal fitting 10 is pushed from the terminal insertion port 22 side to the electric wire outlet 23 side to temporarily accommodate the terminal fitting 10 and the terminal of the electric wire We in the connected state. May be moved relative to the containment completion position. The housing 20 of the present embodiment can move the terminal fitting 10 at the temporary accommodation position together with the electric wire We from the terminal insertion port 22 side to the electric wire outlet 23 side to the accommodation completion position with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber 21. Form as a shape.

In the connector 1 and the electric wire 2 with a connector, between the terminal fitting 10 and the housing 20, the terminal fitting 10 is located between the terminal fitting 10 and the terminal containing chamber 21 from the terminal insertion port 22 side to the electric wire outlet 23 side. The first locking structure 31 that suppresses the relative movement in one direction (FIG. 7) and the relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 in the second direction (FIG. 7) toward the terminal accommodation port 24 with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber 21 at the accommodation completion position. A second locking structure 32 is provided (FIGS. 3 and 4).

The first locking structure 31 is provided in the first locked portion 31a (FIGS. 4 and 11) provided in the terminal fitting 10 and the first locked portion 31a of the terminal fitting 10 provided in the housing 20 at the accommodation completion position. A first locking portion 31b (FIGS. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 8, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11) is provided so as to face the electric wire outlet 23 side. The distance between the first locked portion 31a and the first locked portion 31b in the facing arrangement direction at the accommodation completion position is the allowable relative movement amount of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber 21 in the first direction (allowable in design). Relative movement amount taking into account tolerances, etc.)

The terminal fitting 10 shown here has a protruding portion (hereinafter, referred to as “first protruding portion”) 13 protruding outward from the terminal connecting portion 11 (FIGS. 4, 10, and 11). .. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the wall surface on the wire outlet 23 side of the first protrusion 13 at the accommodation completion position is used as the first locked portion 31a. On the other hand, the housing 20 shown here has a protrusion accommodating chamber 25 for accommodating the first protrusion 13 when the terminal fitting 10 is in the accommodation completion position (FIGS. 3, 8, 10, and 11). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the wall body on the electric wire outlet 23 side in the protrusion accommodating chamber 25 is used as the first locking portion 31b. The housing 20 guides the first protrusion 13 when the terminal fitting 10 is inserted from the terminal storage port 24 into the temporary storage position, and the first protrusion when the terminal metal fitting 10 is relatively moved from the temporary storage position to the insertion completion position. It has a guide unit (hereinafter, referred to as “first guide unit”) 41 for guiding the unit 13 (FIGS. 5 to 9). The first guide portion 41 is formed as a recess for guiding while avoiding the first protrusion portion 13.

The second locking structure 32 is provided in the second locked portion 32a (FIGS. 4 and 11) provided in the terminal fitting 10 and the second locked portion 32a of the terminal fitting 10 provided in the housing 20 at the accommodation completion position. A second locking portion 32b (FIGS. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 8, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11) is provided so as to face the terminal accommodating port 24 side. The distance between the second locked portion 32a and the second locked portion 32b in the facing arrangement direction at the accommodation completion position is the allowable relative movement amount of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber 21 in the second direction (allowable in design). Relative movement amount taking into account tolerances, etc.)

In the present embodiment, the wall surface of the first protrusion 13 at the accommodation completion position on the terminal accommodation port 24 side is used as the second locked portion 32a (FIGS. 4 and 11). Further, in the present embodiment, the wall body on the terminal accommodating port 24 side in the protrusion accommodating chamber 25 is used as the second locking portion 32b (FIGS. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 8 and FIG. 11). Here, the housing 20 of this example is projected from the wall body toward the terminal insertion port 22 side on the wall body used as the first locking portion 31b, and the terminal storage port of the protrusion storage chamber 25 is projected. It has a cantilevered body arranged on the 24 side. The piece is arranged so that the thickness direction is the opposite arrangement direction of the second locked portion 32a and the second locking portion 32b, and the piece is flexible enough to bend in the opposite arrangement direction. have. Therefore, here, one body on the terminal accommodating port 24 side in the protrusion accommodating chamber 25 is used as the second locking portion 32b (FIGS. 3, 4 and 11).

Further, in the connector 1 and the electric wire 2 with the connector, between the terminal fitting 10 and the housing 20, from the terminal insertion port 22 side to the electric wire outlet 23 side of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 21 at the accommodation completion position. A third locking structure 33 that suppresses relative movement in the first direction is also provided (FIGS. 3, 4 and 12).

The third locking structure 33 includes a third locked portion 33a (FIGS. 4 and 12) provided on the terminal fitting 10 and a third locked portion of the terminal fitting 10 provided on the housing 20 at the accommodation completion position. A third locking portion 33b (FIGS. 3 and 12) is provided so as to face the 33a on the wire outlet 23 side. The distance between the third locked portion 33a and the third locked portion 33b in the facing arrangement direction at the accommodation completion position is equal to or less than the allowable relative movement amount of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber 21 in the first direction. Form.

The terminal fitting 10 shown here is a protrusion protruding outward from the insertion port side of the mating terminal connection portion with respect to the first protrusion 13 in the terminal connection portion 11 (hereinafter, referred to as “second protrusion”). Has a part. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the second protrusion is used as the third locked portion 33a (FIGS. 4 and 12). The housing 20 is formed with a wall body to be arranged so as to face the third locked portion 33a of the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position on the wire outlet 23 side. In the present embodiment, the wall body is used as the third locking portion 33b.

Furthermore, in the connector 1 and the electric wire 2 with the connector, between the terminal metal fitting 10 and the housing 20, the electric wire outlet 23 side to the terminal insertion port 22 side of the terminal metal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 21 at the accommodation completion position. A fourth locking structure 34 that suppresses relative movement in the third direction (FIG. 7) is also provided (FIGS. 3, 4 and 11). As will be described later, the connector 1 and the electric wire 2 with a connector are provided with a locking member 60 that suppresses the relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 in the third direction. Therefore, the fourth locking structure 34 is mainly used to suppress the relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 in the third direction until the locking member 60 is attached to the housing 20.

The fourth locking structure 34 is provided in the fourth locked portion 34a (FIGS. 4 and 11) provided in the terminal fitting 10 and the fourth locked portion of the terminal fitting 10 provided in the housing 20 at the accommodation completion position. A fourth locking portion 34b (FIGS. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 8, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11) is provided so as to face the terminal insertion port 22 side with respect to 34a. The distance between the fourth locked portion 34a and the fourth locked portion 34b in the facing arrangement direction at the accommodation completion position is the allowable relative movement amount of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber 21 in the third direction (allowable in design). Relative movement amount taking into account tolerances, etc.)

In the present embodiment, the wall surface on the terminal insertion port 22 side of the first protrusion 13 at the accommodation completion position is used as the fourth locked portion 34a (FIGS. 4 and 11). Further, in the present embodiment, the wall body on the terminal insertion port 22 side in the protrusion accommodating chamber 25 is used as the fourth locking portion 34b (FIGS. 3, 4 and 11). Here, the housing 20 of this example is a claw-shaped protrusion protruding from the free end of the above-mentioned piece used as the second locking portion 32b toward the side opposite to the terminal accommodating port 24. Have a body. Therefore, here, the protrusion on the terminal insertion port 22 side in the protrusion accommodation chamber 25 is used as the fourth locking portion 34b (FIGS. 3, 4, and 11). The first protrusion 13 is a fourth locking portion while bending one body used as the second locking portion 32b when the terminal fitting 10 is relatively moved from the temporary accommodation position to the accommodation completion position. The protrusions to be used as 34b are overcome, and the bending of one of the protrusions is eliminated accordingly, so that the protrusions are accommodated in the protrusion storage chamber 25.

In the housing 20 of the present embodiment, the terminal fitting 10 is relatively moved from the temporary accommodation position to the accommodation completion position, so that the first locked portion 31a is arranged to face the first locking portion 31b and the second locked portion 31b is locked. The portion 32a is formed in a shape that can be arranged so as to face the second locking portion 32b. Further, in the housing 20 of the present embodiment, the terminal fitting 10 is relatively moved from the temporary accommodation position to the accommodation completion position, so that the third locked portion 33a is arranged to face the third locking portion 33b and the fourth covered portion 33b. The locking portion 34a is formed to have a shape that can be arranged so as to face the fourth locking portion 34b.

Further, the housing 20 of the present embodiment is temporarily accommodated without coming into contact with the terminal fitting 10 when the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state from the terminal accommodating port 24 to the temporary accommodating position of the terminal accommodating chamber 21 and the terminal of the electric wire We are inserted. When the terminal metal fitting 10 at the position is relatively moved from the terminal insertion port 22 side to the electric wire outlet 23 side to the storage completion position with respect to the terminal storage chamber 21, the terminal metal fitting 10 is suppressed from being detached from the terminal storage port 24. While doing so, it has a guide portion (hereinafter, referred to as “second guide portion”) 42 that guides the terminal fitting 10 to the accommodation completion position (FIGS. 5 to 9). The second guide portion 42 is formed as a convex wall body along the terminal insertion port 22.

In the connector 1 and the electric wire 2 with a connector of the present embodiment, the housing 20 has a plurality of combinations of a terminal accommodating chamber 21, a terminal insertion port 22, an electric wire outlet 23, and a terminal accommodating port 24. The illustrated housing 20 has two sets thereof. The combination of the two sets is an orthogonal direction with respect to the connector insertion / removal direction and the insertion direction of the terminal fitting 10 from the terminal storage port 24 to the terminal storage chamber 21 (that is, the orthogonal direction with respect to the first direction, the third direction, and the second direction). ) Are arranged side by side.

A plurality of connectors 1 of the present embodiment are prepared, and each of them is connected together to form a connecting connector 1X (FIGS. 1 and 2). Further, a plurality of electric wires 2 with connectors of the present embodiment are prepared, and the electric wires 2X with a connecting connector are formed by connecting the respective connectors 1 together (FIGS. 1 and 2). In other words, the connecting connector 1X and the electric wire 2X with the connecting connector include a plurality of housings 20 that are collectively connected. Therefore, a connecting structure 50 for connecting the two housings 20 is provided between the two adjacent housings 20 to be connected (FIGS. 13 to 15).

The connecting structure 50 is provided on one of two adjacent housings 20 to be connected, the first connecting portion 51 (FIG. 13), and on the other side thereof, and engages with the first connecting portion 51. A second connecting portion 52 (FIG. 14) for connecting one housing 20A and the other housing 20B is provided. Here, the two terminal accommodating ports 24 in one of the two adjacent housings 20 to be connected are connected so as to be closed by the other (FIG. 2). Therefore, in this connection structure 50, the first connecting portion 51 is provided on the terminal accommodating port 24 side of one housing 20A, and is on the opposite side of the terminal accommodating port 24 with the terminal accommodating chamber 21 in the other housing 20B as a boundary. A second connecting portion 52 is provided. In this example, since the same product is used for each housing 20, each housing 20 has a first connecting portion 51 and a second connecting portion 52, respectively.

For example, one of the first connecting portion 51 and the second connecting portion 52 is formed as a first protruding portion protruding inward of the housing 20, and the other of them is outward of the housing 20. It is formed as a protruding second protrusion (FIG. 15). Then, the first connecting portion 51 and the second connecting portion 52 are arranged so as to face each other in the adjacent direction of the two housings 20 in the connected state so as not to release the connected state (FIG. 15). In this example, the first connecting portion 51 and the second connecting portion 52 are formed in a triangular prism shape having the connector insertion / removal direction as the column axis direction. Further, in this example, the first connecting portion 51 and the second connecting portion 52 are each formed at a plurality of positions.

The housing 20 of this example has a temporary storage chamber 26a for temporarily accommodating the second connecting portion (second protrusion) 52 of the other party when the other party to be connected is temporarily connected at the temporary connecting position (FIG. 13). .. Further, in the housing 20 of this example, when the other party to be connected is relatively moved from the temporary connection position to the connection completion position along any one of the connector insertion / removal directions, the other party detached from the temporary storage chamber is the first. The main housing chamber 26b in which the two connecting portions (second protrusions) 52 are mainly accommodated and the second connecting portion (second protrusions) 52 is arranged to face the first connecting portion (first protrusions) 51 is provided. Has (Fig. 13). The housing 20 of this example is an opening in its own temporary storage chamber 26a (an opening on the side where the other party to be connected is provided next to it), and the second connecting portion (second protrusion) 52 of the other party is its own temporary housing 20. It has a protrusion insertion port 26c used for temporary storage in the storage chamber 26a (FIG. 13).

Further, the housing 20 of this example locks the other party at the connection completion position when the other party to be connected is relatively moved from the temporary connection position to the connection completion position along any one of the connector insertion / removal directions. It has a first locking portion 27a and a second locking portion 27b (FIGS. 13 and 14). One of the first locking portion 27a and the second locking portion 27b is formed as a protrusion, and the other of them is formed as a groove into which the protrusion is fitted at the connection completion position. Here, a semi-cylindrical first locking portion 27a as a protrusion is formed on the terminal accommodating port 24 side, and a semi-cylindrical groove portion is formed on the side opposite to the terminal accommodating port 24 with the terminal accommodating chamber 21 as a boundary. The second locking portion 27b of the above is formed.

In this illustrated connector 1X and the electric wire 2X with a connector, four housings 20 are connected (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Here, the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector) of the present embodiment are terminal-inserted from the electric wire outlet 23 side with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 21 of the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position. A locking member 60 that suppresses relative movement in the third direction toward the mouth 22 side is provided (FIGS. 1, 16 and 17). The locking member 60 may be provided for each housing 20, or may be provided once for a plurality of housings 20 that are collectively connected. Here, the latter is illustrated.

The locking member 60 of this example partially covers each of the terminal insertion ports 22 in the four housings 20 and allows the mating terminal connection portion to be inserted into each of the terminal insertion ports 22. It has a body 61 (FIGS. 1, 16 and 17). A through hole 61a for each terminal insertion port 22 is formed in the locking wall body 61. The through hole 61a allows the mating terminal connection portion to be inserted into the terminal insertion port 22, while the terminal fitting 10 tries to move relative to the terminal accommodating chamber 21 in the third direction. The terminal connection portion 11 of the metal fitting 10 is formed to have a shape that can be locked at the peripheral edge portion. Therefore, the terminal fitting 10 has a terminal accommodating chamber so that the end portion of the terminal connection portion 11 (the end portion on the insertion port side of the mating terminal connection portion) is arranged at a position substantially equivalent to the terminal insertion port 22 at the accommodation completion position. It is housed in 21.

The locking member 60 of this example has a first held portion 62a (FIGS. 1, 16 and 17) that engages with a first holding portion 28a (FIGS. 1, 13 and 17) of the housing 20. ing. In this example, the first holding portion 28a is formed in a claw shape, and the first held portion 62a is formed in a U shape having an inner space portion for hooking on the first holding portion 28a. Further, the locking member 60 of this example has a second held portion 62b (FIG. 16) that engages with a second holding portion 28b (FIG. 14) of the housing 20. In this example, the second holding portion 28b is formed in a claw shape, and the second holding portion 28b is formed in a claw shape that can be hooked on the second holding portion 28b. The locking member 60 engages the first holding portion 62a with the first holding portion 28a, forms the second holding portion 28b, and engages the second holding portion 28b with the second holding portion 28b. By doing so, it is held in four housings 20 which are connected together.

By the way, in the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector), the terminal accommodating port 24 of the housing 20 arranged at one end in the arrangement direction remains open ( FIG. 17). Therefore, in the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector), it is desirable to provide a lid portion for closing the terminal accommodating port 24. The lid portion may be assembled to the housing 20 as a lid member. Further, the lid portion may be provided as a part of the locking member 60. In FIG. 18, the latter is illustrated, and the locking member 60 is provided with a lid 63.

As shown above, in the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector) of the present embodiment, the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state and the terminal of the electric wire We are crossed with respect to the connector insertion / removal direction. It is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 21 from the terminal accommodating port 24 along the above. Therefore, in the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector), the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state and the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state are used without applying an unnecessary load to the electric wire We such as bending the electric wire We. The terminal of the electric wire We can be accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 21. Therefore, the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector) have excellent workability in accommodating the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state and the terminal of the electric wire We into the terminal accommodating chamber 21. , It is possible to suppress the deterioration of product quality.

Further, in the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector) of the present embodiment, the relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 21 in the first direction is performed by the third locking structure 33. The relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 21 in the third direction is suppressed by a locking member 60 such as a so-called front holder. Conventionally, the terminal fitting 10 is held in the terminal accommodating chamber 21 by the terminal locking body by further assembling the terminal locking body (so-called retainer) to the housing 20. However, in the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector) of the present embodiment, the first locking structure 31 and the second locking structure 32 are used instead of the terminal locking body. I am using it. Then, the first locking structure 31 and the second locking structure 32 can exert the locking function by accommodating the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position of the terminal accommodating chamber 21. In this way, the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector) can reduce the number of terminal locking bodies, and accordingly, the assembling process of the terminal locking body is also reduced. can do. Therefore, the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector) can reduce the number of parts and the assembling man-hours. Further, the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector) can suppress the occurrence of an unexpected situation such as forgetting to assemble the terminal locking body.

By the way, in the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector) of the present embodiment, the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) is connected to one end and the other end of a twisted pair wire (so-called twisted pair cable). May be good. Here, conventionally, a combination of two paired terminal fittings is housed in one housing, and there is a case where a plurality of pairs of twisted pair wires must be formed in the one housing. However, in the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector) of the present embodiment, twisted pair wires are formed for each housing 20 of the connector 1 and then the respective connectors 1 are connected. Since it can be connected by the structure 50, the work in forming the twisted pair wire can be improved as compared with such a conventional one.

For example, in the electric wire 2 with a connector of the present embodiment, the connector 1A at one end of the two electric wires We is fixed to the fixing jig E1, and the connector 1B at the other end of the two electric wires We is installed in the twister E2. (Fig. 19). Then, in the electric wire 2 with the connector, the connector 1B is rotated by the twisting machine E2, and the twisted pair wire is formed by the two electric wires We while twisting the two electric wires We (FIG. 20). After that, in the electric wire 2 with the connector, one connector 1A is removed from the fixing jig E1 and the other connector 1B is removed from the twister E2 (FIG. 21).

Further, when a wire having a high hardness such as a so-called hard copper wire is used for the core wire We1 of the electric wire We, a twisted pair may be formed as follows to suppress the untwisting after the formation. .. In this case, the terminal fittings 10 attached to one ends of the two electric wires We are fixed to the fixing jig E3, and the terminal fittings 10 attached to the other ends of the two electric wires We are twisted. It is installed on the machine E4 (Fig. 22). The twister E4 includes a main rotating shaft E4a that rotates around an axis, a holder E4b provided at the center of rotation of the main rotating shaft E4a, and two rotating tools E4c held by the holder E4b. .. The two rotating tools E4c are equally separated from the center of rotation of the main rotating shaft E4a in the holder E4b, and are arranged so that the axial direction of their own rotating shaft is aligned with the axial direction of the main rotating shaft E4a. In the twisting machine E4, a twisting pair is formed by rotating the main rotating shaft E4a around the axis and rotating the two rotating tools E4c around the axis in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the main rotating shaft E4a. (Fig. 23). In this case, after that, the two terminal fittings 10 at one end of the two electric wires We are housed in one housing 20A, and the two terminal fittings 10 at the other end of the two electric wires We are housed in the other housing 20B. By doing so, the electric wire 2 with a connector is formed (FIG. 24). At the time of accommodating the electric wire 2 with the connector, as shown above, the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state and the terminal of the electric wire We are moved from the terminal accommodating port 24 to the terminal accommodating chamber 21 along the intersecting direction with respect to the connector insertion / removal direction. Contain. Therefore, the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector) of the present embodiment are connected to the terminal fitting 10 even if they have undergone such a twisted pair wire forming process. In addition, the workability of accommodating the terminal of the electric wire We into the terminal accommodating chamber 21 is excellent, and deterioration of product quality can be suppressed.

[Modification example]
A modified example of the connector and the electric wire with the connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 42.

Reference numerals 101 in FIGS. 25 to 28 indicate connectors of this modification. Reference numerals 102 in FIGS. 25 to 28 indicate an electric wire with a connector of the present modification in which the connector 101 is attached to the terminal of the electric wire We. Reference numerals 101X in FIGS. 25 to 28 indicate a connector in which a plurality of connectors 101 are collectively connected (hereinafter, referred to as “connecting connector”). Reference numerals 102X in FIGS. 25 to 28 indicate an electric wire with a connector in which a plurality of connectors 101 in the electric wires with connectors 102 are collectively connected (hereinafter, referred to as “electric wire with a connector”).

The connector 101 includes a terminal fitting 10 and a housing 120 (FIGS. 25 to 32). In this modification, the same terminal fitting 10 as in the above-described embodiment is given as an example, but the terminal fitting 10 is not necessarily limited to the terminal fitting 10. The electric wire 102 with a connector includes an electric wire We in addition to the terminal metal fitting 10 forming the connector 101 and the housing 120, and the terminal metal fitting 10 physically and electrically connected to the terminal of the electric wire We is the housing 120. Contained and held in (FIGS. 25-32).

The housing 120 is molded of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. Similar to the housing 20 of the embodiment, the housing 120 accommodates and holds the terminal fitting 10 that is physically and electrically connected to the terminal of the electric wire We. Therefore, the housing 120 has a terminal accommodating chamber 121, a terminal insertion port 122, an electric wire outlet 123, and a terminal accommodating port 124 arranged in the same manner as the terminal fitting 10 (FIGS. 29 to 32). Therefore, similarly to the housing 20 of the embodiment, the housing 120 accommodates the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state and the terminal of the electric wire We from the terminal accommodating port 124 to the terminal accommodating chamber 121 along the intersecting direction with respect to the connector insertion / removal direction. ..

However, unlike the housing 20 of the embodiment, the housing 120 does not connect the terminal insertion port 122 and the terminal storage port 124. Further, unlike the housing 20 of the embodiment, the housing 120 has a third direction (FIG. 31) from the electric wire outlet 123 side to the terminal insertion port 122 side with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber 121 of the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position. The relative movement of the terminal 122 is suppressed by the peripheral edge of the terminal insertion port 122.

In the connector 101 and the electric wire 102 with the connector of this modification, the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state and the terminal of the electric wire We are inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 121 from the terminal accommodating port 124 along the direction orthogonal to the connector insertion / extraction direction. In the connector 101 and the electric wire 102 with the connector of this modification, the terminal metal fitting 10 in the connected state and the terminal of the electric wire We are inserted in this way, so that the terminal metal fitting 10 in the connected state and the terminal of the electric wire We are inserted. It is accommodated in the accommodation completion position of the terminal accommodating chamber 121 (FIGS. 29 to 32). Therefore, the housing 120 of the present modification is formed in a shape that does not hinder the insertion of the terminal fitting 10 and the terminal of the electric wire We in the connected state from the terminal accommodating port 124 to the accommodating completed position of the terminal accommodating chamber 121.

In the connector 101 and the electric wire 102 with a connector, between the terminal fitting 10 and the housing 120, the terminal fitting 10 is located between the terminal fitting 10 and the terminal containing chamber 121 from the terminal insertion port 122 side to the electric wire outlet 123 side. A first locking structure 131 that suppresses relative movement in one direction (FIG. 31) is provided (FIG. 33). Further, between the terminal fitting 10 and the housing 120, a second direction (FIG. 31) of suppressing the relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal storage chamber 121 toward the terminal storage port 124 at the storage completion position is suppressed. It includes a locking structure 132 (FIGS. 29 to 32).

The first locking structure 131 is provided in the first locked portion 131a provided in the terminal fitting 10 and the electric wire outlet 123 with respect to the first locked portion 131a of the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position provided in the housing 120. A first locking portion 131b to be arranged facing each other on the side is provided (FIG. 33). The distance between the first locked portion 131a and the first locked portion 131b in the facing arrangement direction at the accommodation completion position is the allowable relative movement amount of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber 121 in the first direction (allowable in design). Relative movement amount taking into account tolerances, etc.)

In this modification, the wall surface on the wire outlet 123 side of the first protrusion 13 of the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position is used as the first locked portion 131a. On the other hand, the housing 120 shown here has a protrusion accommodating chamber 125 for accommodating the first protrusion 13 when the terminal fitting 10 is in the accommodation completion position (FIGS. 33 and 34). Therefore, in this modification, the wall body on the electric wire outlet 123 side in the protrusion accommodating chamber 125 is used as the first locking portion 131b.

The second locking structure 132 is provided in the second locked portion 132a provided on the terminal fitting 10 and the terminal accommodating port 124 with respect to the second locked portion 132a of the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position. A second locking portion 132b, which is arranged so as to face each other on the side, is provided (FIGS. 29 to 34). The distance between the second locked portion 132a and the second locked portion 132b in the facing arrangement direction at the accommodation completion position is the allowable relative movement amount of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber 121 in the second direction (allowable in design). Relative movement amount taking into account tolerances, etc.)

In the present embodiment, the rectangular wall surface arranged on the terminal accommodating port 124 side at the accommodating completed position in the terminal fitting 10 is used as the second locked portion 132a (FIGS. 29 to 34). Here, in the housing 120 of this example, a plurality of claws are formed in the terminal accommodating port 124. Here, the plurality of claw portions are used as the second locking portion 132b (FIGS. 29 to 34). Each of the second locking portions 132b can get over the terminal fitting 10 inserted from the terminal accommodating port 124, and can lock the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position in the second direction. Formed as a shape and arrangement.

Further, in the connector 101 and the electric wire 102 with the connector, between the terminal fitting 10 and the housing 120, from the terminal insertion port 122 side to the electric wire outlet 123 side of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 121 at the accommodation completion position. It also has a third locking structure 133 that suppresses the relative movement of the first direction (FIG. 35).

The third locking structure 133 is provided in the third locked portion 133a provided in the terminal fitting 10 and the electric wire outlet with respect to the third locked portion 133a of the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position. A third locking portion 133b, which is arranged to face each other on the 123 side, is provided (FIGS. 34 and 35). The distance between the third locked portion 133a and the third locked portion 133b in the facing arrangement direction at the accommodation completion position is equal to or less than the allowable relative movement amount of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber 121 in the first direction. Form.

In this modification, the third locked portion 33a of the embodiment is used as the third locked portion 133a (FIG. 35). On the other hand, the housing 120 shown here has a protrusion accommodating chamber 126 for accommodating the third locked portion 133a (second protrusion) when the terminal fitting 10 is in the accommodation completion position (FIGS. 34 and 35). ). Therefore, in this modification, the wall body on the electric wire outlet 123 side in the protrusion accommodating chamber 126 is used as the third locking portion 133b.

In the housing 120 of this modification, the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated from the terminal accommodating port 124 to the accommodating completed position of the terminal accommodating chamber 121, so that the first locked portion 131a is arranged to face the first locking portion 131b. Moreover, the second locked portion 132a is formed so as to have a shape capable of being arranged so as to face the second locking portion 132b. Further, in the housing 120 of the present modification, the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated from the terminal accommodating port 124 to the accommodating completed position of the terminal accommodating chamber 121, so that the third locked portion 133a faces the third locking portion 133b. It is formed as having a shape that can be arranged.

In the connector 101 and the electric wire 102 with the connector of this modification, the housing 120 has a plurality of combinations of the terminal accommodating chamber 121, the terminal insertion port 122, the electric wire outlet 123, and the terminal accommodating port 124. The illustrated housing 120 has two sets thereof. The combination of the two sets is an orthogonal direction with respect to the connector insertion / removal direction and the insertion direction of the terminal fitting 10 from the terminal storage port 124 into the terminal storage chamber 121 (that is, the orthogonal direction with respect to the first direction, the third direction, and the second direction). ) Are arranged side by side.

A plurality of connectors 101 of this modification are prepared, and each of them is connected together to form a connecting connector 101X (FIGS. 25 to 28). Further, a plurality of electric wires 102 with connectors in this modification are prepared, and the electric wires 102X with a connecting connector are formed by connecting the respective connectors 101 together (FIGS. 25 to 28). In other words, the connecting connector 101X and the electric wire 102X with the connecting connector include a plurality of housings 120 that are collectively connected. Therefore, a connecting structure 140 for connecting the two housings 120 is provided between the two adjacent housings 120 to be connected (FIGS. 25 to 31, 33 and 35 to 40).

The two adjacent housings 120 to be connected are connected so that the two terminal accommodating ports 124 in one of them are closed by the other (FIGS. 25 to 28, 36 and 40). Therefore, the connecting structure 140 is provided at one end and the other end in the direction orthogonal to the adjacent direction and the connector insertion / removal direction of the two adjacent housings 120 to be connected (FIGS. 26 and 26). 36 to 40).

The connecting structure 140 is provided on one of two adjacent housings 120 to be connected, a first connecting portion 141, and on the other side of the first connecting portion 141, which is engaged with the first connecting portion 141 and one housing 120A. A second connecting portion 142 for connecting the housing 120B and the other housing 120B is provided (FIGS. 36 and 38).

The first connecting portion 141 connects the cantilevered main body portion 141a having flexibility protruding outward from one housing 120A in the adjacent direction of two adjacent housings 120 to be connected and the other connecting portion 141. The second housing 120B of the other housing 120B, which is provided at the free end of the main body portion 141a while protruding toward the structure 140 and is located on the fixed end side of the main body portion 141a when the two adjacent housings 120 to be connected are in the connected state. It has a claw portion 141b that hooks on the two connecting portions 142 (FIGS. 36 to 40). The main body portion 141a of this example is formed in the shape of a rectangular piece.

Further, the first connecting portion 141 connects the fixed end side of the main body portion 141a to the outer wall side of one housing 120A, and connects the main body portion 141a and the claw portion 141b around the axis of the rotation shaft along the connector insertion / removal direction. It has a hinge portion 141c that can be rotated (FIGS. 36 to 39). A so-called living hinge is used for the hinge portion 141c of this example.

The hinge portion 141c has a main body portion 141a (that is, a main body portion 141a protruding toward the adjacent installation direction of two adjacent housings 120 to be connected) in a protruding state with respect to one housing 120A on the claw portion 141b side. It is formed as being rotated by at least 90 degrees. On the other hand, the main portion 141a in the protruding state is not rotated by the hinge portion 141c in the direction opposite to the claw portion 141b side. Therefore, when the main body portion 141a is projected toward the adjacent installation direction of the two adjacent housings 120 to be connected, the first connecting portion 141 is different from the claw portion 141b side of the main body portion 141a by the hinge portion 141c. It has a rotation locking portion 141d that suppresses rotation in the reverse direction (FIGS. 36 to 40). For example, in the first connecting portion 141 of this example, a rectangular piece body orthogonal to the protruding direction of the main body part 141a is connected to the fixed end of the main body part 141a, and the piece body and one housing are connected. A hinge portion 141c is arranged between the 120A and the outer wall side. Therefore, here, the one body is used as the rotary locking portion 141d, and the locking wall 127 provided on one housing 120A is in the opposite direction to the claw portion 141b side of the protruding main portion 141a. The rotation locking portion 141d is locked so as to suppress the rotation (FIG. 38).

The connecting structure 140 includes a locking mechanism 143 that maintains the rotating locking portion 141d and the rotating locking state of the first connecting portion 141 by the locking wall 127 (FIGS. 38 and 39). The locking mechanism 143 is first formed by the rotating locking portion 141d and the locking wall 127 by hooking the claw portion 143a provided on the rotating locking portion 141d and the claw portion 143b provided on the locking wall 127 to each other. The rotation locked state of the connecting portion 141 is maintained.

Here, the main body portion 141a of one housing 120A is in a state where the claw portion 141b and the second connecting portion 142 can be locked in the adjacent direction of the two adjacent housings 120 to be connected, and the other. Is arranged to face the outer wall surface 120a of the housing 120B (FIGS. 25 to 28, 32, 34 and 36 to 40). The second connecting portion 142 of this example has a wall surface orthogonal to the outer wall surface 120a and connected to the outer wall surface 120a, and the claw portion 141b is arranged to face the wall surface.

In this connecting structure 140, when the two adjacent housings 120 to be connected are brought closer to each other along the adjacent direction, the claw portion 141b is moved to the other while bending the main body portion 141a on the one housing 120A side. It rides on the outer wall surface 120a of the housing 120B. Then, in the connecting structure 140, by bringing the two housings 120 closer to each other, the bending of the main body portion 141a is eliminated on the one housing 120A side, and the claw portion 141b and the second connecting portion 142 are locked. It will be possible.

In this example, since the same product is used for each housing 120, each housing 120 has two first connecting portions 141 and two second connecting portions 142.

In this illustrated connecting connector 101X and the electric wire 102X with a connecting connector, three housings 120 are connected (FIGS. 25 to 28 and 40).

Here, in the connector 101 and the electric wire 102 with a connector, when they are used alone, the first connecting portion 141 may remain in a protruding state. Further, in the connecting connector 101X and the electric wire 102X with a connecting connector, the first connecting portion 141 of the housing 120 arranged at one end in the arrangement direction may remain in a protruding state (FIG. 41). .. Therefore, the housing 120 has a connecting portion accommodating chamber 128 in which the main portion 141a and the claw portion 141b are accommodated when the main body portion 141a is rotated toward the claw portion 141b by the hinge portion 141c (FIG. 28 and FIG. 38 to 41). The connecting portion accommodating chamber 128 is formed in each housing 120.

The connecting structure 140 includes a locking mechanism 144 that maintains the housing state of the first connecting portion 141 in the connecting portion accommodating chamber 128 (FIGS. 40 and 41). The locking mechanism 144 hooks the locking portion 144a provided on the main body portion 141a of one housing 120A and the claw portion 144b provided on the rotating locking portion 141d of the other housing 120B to each other, thereby engaging the connecting portion accommodating chamber. The housed state of the first connecting portion 141 at 128 is maintained.

Further, in the connector 101 (connecting connector 101X) and the electric wire 102 with a connector (electric wire 102X with a connecting connector), the terminal accommodating port 124 of the housing 120 arranged at the other end in the arrangement direction does not remain open. As described above, the lid member 150 for closing the terminal accommodating port 124 is provided (FIGS. 25 to 28 and 40 to 42). The lid member 150 of this example has a rectangular flat plate-shaped lid portion 151 that closes the terminal accommodating port 124.

The lid member 150 of this example has a connecting portion 152 that is connected to the housing 120 by engaging with the second connecting portion 142 of the housing 120 to be connected (FIGS. 25 to 28 and 40 to 42). .. One connecting portion 152 is provided for each second connecting portion 142. The connecting portion 152 has a flexible cantilever main body portion 152a projecting in a direction orthogonal to the lid portion 151 toward the housing 120 to be connected, and a main body portion projecting toward the other connecting portion 152 side. It has a claw portion 152b provided at the free end of the portion 152a and hooked on a second connecting portion 142 located on the fixed end side of the main body portion 152a when the lid member 150 and the housing 120 are connected (FIGS. 40 and FIG. 42). The main body portion 152a is formed in the same shape as the main body portion 141a of the first connecting portion 141. Further, the claw portion 152b is formed in the same shape as the claw portion 141b of the first connecting portion 141.

The connecting portion 152 of this example is formed with a locking portion 152c having the same function as the locking portion 144a of the locking mechanism 144 (FIGS. 40 to 42). Between the housing 120 to be connected and the lid member 150, the lock mechanism 144 is configured by the claw portion 144b of the housing 120 and the locking portion 152c of the lid member 150.

As shown above, in the connector 101 (connecting connector 101X) and the electric wire 102 with a connector (electric wire 102X with a connecting connector) of this modified example, the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state and the terminal of the electric wire We are crossed with respect to the connector insertion / removal direction. It is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121 from the terminal accommodating port 124 along the above. Therefore, in the connector 101 (connecting connector 101X) and the electric wire 102 with a connector (electric wire 102X with a connecting connector), the same as the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector) of the embodiment. In addition, the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state and the terminal of the electric wire We can be accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121 without applying an unnecessary load to the electric wire We such as bending the electric wire We. Therefore, the connector 101 (connecting connector 101X) and the electric wire 102 with a connector (electric wire 102X with a connecting connector) have excellent workability in accommodating the terminal fitting 10 in the connected state and the terminal of the electric wire We into the terminal accommodating chamber 121. , It is possible to suppress the deterioration of product quality.

Further, in the connector 101 (connecting connector 101X) and the electric wire 102 with a connector (electric wire 102X with a connecting connector) of this modification, the relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 121 in the first direction is the third locking structure 133. The relative movement of the terminal fitting 10 with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 121 in the third direction is suppressed by the peripheral edge of the terminal insertion port 122 in the housing 120. In the connector 101 (connecting connector 101X) and the electric wire 102 with a connector (electric wire 102X with a connecting connector), the same as the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector) of the embodiment. The first locking structure 131 and the second locking structure 132 are used instead of the conventional terminal locking body. Then, the first locking structure 131 and the second locking structure 132 can exert the locking function by accommodating the terminal fitting 10 at the accommodation completion position of the terminal accommodating chamber 121. As described above, the connector 101 (connecting connector 101X) and the electric wire 102 with a connector (electric wire 102X with a connecting connector) can reduce the number of terminal locking bodies, and accordingly, the assembling process of the terminal locking body is also reduced. can do. Therefore, the connector 101 (connecting connector 101X) and the electric wire 102 with a connector (electric wire 102X with a connecting connector) are the same as the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector) of the embodiment. , It is possible to reduce the number of parts and the number of assembly steps. Further, the connector 101 (connecting connector 101X) and the electric wire 102 with a connector (electric wire 102X with a connecting connector) are the same as the connector 1 (connecting connector 1X) and the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connecting connector) of the embodiment. , It is possible to suppress the occurrence of an unexpected situation such as forgetting to assemble the terminal locking body.

Here, the electric wire 102 with a connector (electric wire 102X with a connector) of the present modification can form a twisted pair wire in the same process as the electric wire 2 with a connector (electric wire 2X with a connector) of the embodiment.

1,101 connector 1X, 101X connector (connector)
2,102 Electric wire with connector 2X, 102X Electric wire with connector (Electric wire with connector)
10 Terminal metal fittings 20,120 Housing 20A, 120A One housing 20B, 120B The other housing 21,121 Terminal storage chamber 22,122 Terminal insertion port 23,123 Wire outlet 24,124 Terminal storage port 31,131 First locking Structures 31a, 131a 1st locked portion 31b, 131b 1st locked portion 32, 132 2nd locking structure 32a, 132a 2nd locked portion 32b, 132b 2nd locking portion 50 Connection structure 51 1st connection Part 52 2nd connecting part 60 Locking member 128 Connecting part Storage chamber 140 Connecting structure 141 1st connecting part 141a Main part 141b Claw part 141c Hinging part 141d Rotating locking part 142 2nd connecting part We Electric wire

Claims (10)

Terminal fittings that are physically and electrically connected to the mating terminal fittings of the mating connector,
A housing that houses and holds the terminal fittings that are physically and electrically connected to the end of the electric wire.
With
The housing is an opening of the terminal accommodating chamber and the terminal accommodating chamber in which the terminal fitting is accommodated and held in the accommodating completed position, and is at one end in the connector insertion / removal direction between the mating connector. A terminal insertion port formed and used when the mating terminal fitting is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber, and another opening of the terminal accommodating chamber, which are formed at the other end in the connector insertion / removal direction, and the electric wire is inserted into the terminal. An electric wire outlet to be pulled out of the accommodating chamber and yet another opening of the terminal accommodating chamber, which are formed at an end in a direction orthogonal to the connector insertion / extraction direction in a connected state with respect to the electric wire outlet, and are in a connected state. A connector characterized by having a terminal fitting and a terminal accommodating port used when accommodating the terminal of the electric wire in the terminal accommodating chamber. A first that suppresses the relative movement of the terminal fitting from the terminal insertion port side to the electric wire outlet side with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber at the accommodation completion position between the terminal fitting and the housing. It is provided with a locking structure and a second locking structure that suppresses the relative movement of the terminal fitting to the terminal accommodating chamber in the terminal accommodating port side in the second direction at the accommodating completed position.
The first locking structure is provided in the first locked portion provided in the terminal fitting and the electric wire outlet provided in the housing with respect to the first locked portion of the terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position. It is provided with a first locking portion to be arranged facing each other on the side.
The second locking structure is provided in the second locked portion provided on the terminal fitting and the terminal accommodating port provided in the housing with respect to the second locked portion of the terminal fitting at the accommodation completion position. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a second locking portion that is arranged to face each other on the side. The terminal accommodating port is also connected to the terminal insertion port.
The housing does not come into contact with at least the terminal fittings when the terminal fittings and the terminals of the electric wires are connected from the terminal storage port to the temporary storage position of the terminal storage chamber, and the terminals at the temporary storage position By moving the metal fitting together with the electric wire from the terminal insertion port side to the electric wire outlet side to the accommodation completion position with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber, the first locked portion is moved to the first locking portion. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the second locked portion is formed so as to face the second locked portion. 3. The third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the terminal fitting is provided with a locking member that suppresses the relative movement of the terminal fitting from the electric wire outlet side to the terminal insertion port side with respect to the terminal accommodation chamber at the accommodation completion position. Described connector. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing has a plurality of combinations of the terminal accommodating chamber, the terminal insertion port, the electric wire outlet, and the terminal accommodating port. .. It has a plurality of the housings connected together,
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a connecting structure for connecting the two housings is provided between two adjacent housings to be connected. The connecting structure accommodates the terminals with a first connecting portion provided on one of the two adjacent housings to be connected on the terminal accommodating port side and the terminal accommodating chamber on the other side as a boundary. It is provided on the side opposite to the mouth, and includes a second connecting portion that engages with the first connecting portion and connects the one housing and the other housing.
The connector according to claim 6, wherein each housing has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, respectively. The connecting structure is provided on one side and the other side in the direction orthogonal to the adjacent installation direction and the connector insertion / removal direction of the two adjacent housings to be connected, respectively.
The connecting structure includes a first connecting portion provided in one of two adjacent housings to be connected, and the other of the first connecting portions, which engages with the first connecting portion and engages with the one housing. A second connecting portion for connecting the other housing is provided.
The first connecting portion is a cantilevered main body portion having flexibility protruding outward of the one housing in the adjacent installation direction, and the main body in a state of protruding toward the other connecting structure side. A claw portion provided at the free end of the portion and hooked on the second connecting portion of the other housing located on the fixed end side of the main body portion when the two adjacent housings to be connected are connected, and the said portion. A hinge portion that connects the fixed end side of the main body portion to the outer wall side of the one housing and can rotate the main body portion and the claw portion around the axis of the rotation shaft along the connector insertion / removal direction. It has a rotation locking portion that suppresses rotation of the main body portion in the direction opposite to that of the claw portion side by the hinge portion when the main body portion is projected toward the adjacent installation direction.
The connector according to claim 6, wherein each housing has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion of the two connecting structures, respectively. 8. The housing is characterized by having a connecting portion accommodating chamber in which the main body portion and the claw portion are accommodated when the main body portion is rotated toward the claw portion by the hinge portion. The connector described in. With electric wires
Terminal fittings that are physically and electrically connected to the mating terminal fittings of the mating connector,
A housing that houses and holds the terminal fittings that are physically and electrically connected to the end of the wire.
With
The housing is an opening of a terminal accommodating chamber in which the terminal fitting is accommodated in the accommodating completed position and is held in the accommodating completed position, and is at one end in a connector insertion / removal direction between the mating connector. A terminal insertion port formed and used when the mating terminal fitting is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber, and another opening of the terminal accommodating chamber, which is formed at the other end in the connector insertion / removal direction, and the electric wire is inserted into the terminal. An electric wire outlet to be pulled out of the accommodating chamber and yet another opening of the terminal accommodating chamber, which are formed at an end in a direction orthogonal to the connector insertion / extraction direction in a connected state with respect to the electric wire outlet, and are in a connected state. An electric wire with a connector characterized by having a terminal fitting and a terminal accommodating port used when accommodating the terminal of the electric wire in the terminal accommodating chamber.

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