JP2021051853A - connector - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of maintaining electrical connection reliability.SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes: a housing 7 which can be fitted with a mating housing 5 where a mating terminal 3 is accommodated; and a terminal 11 which is accommodated in the housing 7, which is electrically connected to the terminal part of an electrical wire 9, and which is electrically connected to the mating terminal 3 while the mating housing 5 is fitted with the housing 7. In the connector, a suppression member 13 that is brought into contact with the internal wall surface of the housing 7 and the outer peripheral surface of the terminal 11 is accommodated in the housing 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a connector.

Conventionally, as a connector, a housing that can be fitted with a mating housing in which a mating terminal is housed and a mating terminal that is housed in the housing and electrically connected to the terminal portion of an electric wire and that the mating housing and the housing are fitted together. Those provided with terminals that are electrically connected are known (see Patent Document 1).

In this connector, by fitting the mating housing and the housing, the mating terminal and the terminal are fitted, and the mating terminal and the terminal are electrically connected.

JP-A-2018-14300

By the way, in a connector as in Patent Document 1, a gap is formed between the inner wall surface of the housing and the outer peripheral surface of the terminal in a state where the terminal is housed in the housing. If such a gap is formed, the terminals will rattle in the housing.

If the terminals rattle in the housing, wear may occur between the electrical contacts of each other while the mating terminals and the terminals are electrically connected, and the reliability of the electrical connection between the contacts may decrease. was there.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of maintaining electrical connection reliability.

The connector according to the present embodiment has a housing that can be fitted with a mating housing in which a mating terminal is housed, and a housing that is housed in the housing and is electrically connected to a terminal portion of an electric wire so that the mating housing and the housing are fitted. A restraining member that is electrically connected to the mating terminal in a state and is housed in the housing and is brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the housing and the outer peripheral surface of the terminal or the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire adjacent to the terminal. And have.

The restraining member includes a pair of sandwiching portions in which the outer peripheral surface abuts on the inner wall surface of the housing and the inner peripheral surface abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the terminal or the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire adjacent to the terminal. It is preferable to have a connecting portion that connects one end side of the sandwiching portion.

It is preferable that the pair of the holding portions are provided with spring portions that apply urging forces in the directions facing each other.

It is preferable that a tapered surface is provided on the front side of the restraining member in the insertion direction into the housing.

The terminal is provided with an electric wire connecting portion fixed to the outer periphery of the electric wire, and the restraining member is provided with a locking portion that engages with the electric wire connecting portion in the direction of detachment from the housing. Is preferable.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector capable of maintaining electrical connection reliability.

It is sectional drawing of the connector which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is an enlarged sectional view of the main part of the connector which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view when the restraining member is attached to the terminal of the connector which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view when the restraining member is attached to the terminal of the connector which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is an enlarged sectional view of the main part of FIG. It is a perspective view of the holding member of the connector which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the holding member of a connector which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the connector which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is an enlarged sectional view of the main part of the connector which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view when the restraining member is attached to the terminal of the connector which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view when the restraining member is attached to the terminal of the connector which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of FIG.

Hereinafter, the connector according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

(First Embodiment)
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

The connector 1 according to the present embodiment has a housing 7 that can be fitted with the mating housing 5 in which the mating terminal 3 is housed, and the mating housing 5 and the housing 7 that are housed in the housing 7 and electrically connected to the terminal portion of the electric wire 9. It is provided with a terminal 11 that is electrically connected to the mating terminal 3 in a state in which the and is fitted.

The housing 7 accommodates a restraining member 13 that comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the housing 7 and the outer peripheral surface of the terminal 11.

Further, the restraining member 13 has a pair of holding portions 15 and 15 and a pair of holding portions 15 and 15 whose outer peripheral surface abuts on the inner wall surface of the housing 7 and whose inner peripheral surface abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the terminal 11 to hold. It has a connecting portion 17 that connects one end side.

Further, the pair of holding portions 15 and 15 are provided with spring portions 19 and 19 for applying an urging force in directions facing each other.

Further, a tapered surface 21 is provided on the front side of the suppressing member 13 in the insertion direction into the housing 7.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the connector 1 includes a mating housing 5, a mating terminal 3, a housing 7, a terminal 11, and a restraining member 13.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mating housing 5 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin and is formed in a housing shape. The mating housing 5 is provided with a fitting portion 23 in which one end side is opened and the housing 7 is fitted inside. The mating terminal 3 is housed inside the fitting portion 23.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mating terminal 3 is made of a conductive material and has a tab-shaped mating connecting portion 25. One end of the mating terminal 3 is fixed to the mating housing 5 by insert molding or the like, and the tab-shaped mating connecting portion 25 on the other end side is arranged in the mating portion 23. Such a mating terminal 3 is electrically connected to the terminal 11 with the mating housing 5 fitted to the housing 7.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 7 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and is formed in a housing shape that can be fitted in the fitting portion 23 of the mating housing 5. Inside the housing 7, a terminal accommodating chamber 27 is provided along the mating direction with the mating housing 5. The terminal accommodating chamber 27 has a connection opening 29 on one end side in the length direction and an insertion opening 31 on the other end side in the length direction.

The mating connection portion 25 of the mating terminal 3 is inserted into the connecting opening 29 by fitting the mating housing 5 and the housing 7. By inserting the mating connection portion 25 into the connection opening 29, the mating terminal 3 and the terminal 11 are electrically connected. The terminal 11 is inserted into the insertion opening 31 from the electrical connection portion 37 side, and the terminal 11 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 27. A locking lance 33 is provided in the terminal accommodating chamber 27 provided with the insertion opening 31.

The locking lance 33 is provided with a member whose base end is continuous with the upper wall of the terminal accommodating chamber 27, and is provided so as to be flexible so that the free end side is arranged so as to be inclined toward the inside. The locking lance 33 slides and bends with the electrical connection portion 37 when the terminal 11 is inserted through the insertion opening 31. Such a locking lance 33 is restored with the terminal 11 arranged at a regular position in the terminal accommodating chamber 27, and the free end side is engaged with the electrical connection portion 37 of the terminal 11. By engaging the locking lance 33, the terminal 11 is prevented from coming out from the insertion opening 31 side, and the terminal 11 is held at a regular position in the terminal accommodating chamber 27.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the terminal 11 is formed by performing a punching process, a bending process, or the like on a single plate material made of a conductive material. The terminal 11 is formed of a continuous member of the electric wire connecting portion 35 and the electrical connecting portion 37. The electric wire connecting portion 35 includes a covering crimping portion 39 and a core wire crimping portion 41.

The coating crimping portion 39 is composed of a pair of crimping pieces. The coating crimping portion 39 crimps the covering portion 43 of the electric wire 9 at the terminal portion of the electric wire 9 connected to a power source, equipment, or the like. By crimping such a covering crimping portion 39 to the covering portion 43 of the electric wire 9, the terminal 11 is fixed to the electric wire 9.

The core wire crimping portion 41 is composed of a pair of crimping pieces provided between the electrical connecting portion 37 and the covering crimping portion 39. The core wire crimping portion 41 is crimped by crimping the core wire portion 45 exposed from the covering portion 43 of the electric wire 9 at the terminal portion of the electric wire 9. By crimping the core wire crimping portion 41 to the core wire portion 45 of the electric wire 9, the terminal 11 is electrically connected to the electric wire 9.

The electrical connection portion 37 is formed of a single member whose bottom wall is continuous with the electric wire connection portion 35, and is bent so that both side walls are arcuate (curled) toward the bottom wall side, thereby forming a tubular shape. Is formed in. The bent ends of both side walls of the electrical connection portion 37 are contact portions 47 that come into contact with the electrical connection portion of the mating terminal. In such an electrical connection portion 37, when the mating housing 5 and the housing 7 are fitted, the mating connecting portion 25 of the mating terminal 3 is inserted, and the contact portion 47 is brought into contact with the mating connecting portion 25. By the contact between the contact portion 47 of the electrical connection portion 37 and the mating connection portion 25, the mating terminal 3 and the terminal 11 are electrically connected.

Such a terminal 11 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 27 of the housing 7, and a gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the terminal 11 and the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 27. Therefore, for example, when vibration during traveling of the vehicle is applied, the terminal 11 may rattle in the terminal accommodating chamber 27. When the terminal 11 rattles in the terminal accommodating chamber 27, wear occurs between the electrical contacts of each other while the mating terminal 3 and the terminal 11 are electrically connected, and the electrical connection between the contacts occurs. There was a risk that reliability would decline. Therefore, the housing 7 accommodates the suppressing member 13 in order to suppress the rattling of the terminal 11.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the restraining member 13 is housed in the terminal accommodating chamber 27 through the insertion opening 31 of the housing 7 in a state of being assembled to the covering crimping portion 39 of the electric wire connecting portion 35 of the terminal 11. Will be done. The restraining member 13 is formed in a frame shape by a pair of holding portions 15 and 15 and a connecting portion 17 connecting one end side of the pair of holding portions 15 and 15.

The pair of sandwiching portions 15, 15 are formed of one member whose one end side is continuous with the connecting portion 17, and extends from the connecting portion 17 so that the other end side is open. The pair of sandwiching portions 15 and 15 are provided so as to be flexible in the opposite direction and the separating direction from each other so that the connecting portion 17 side is the base end and the opening side is the free end. By providing the pair of holding portions 15 and 15 in this way, an arbitrary position on the outer circumference of the terminal 11 from the opening side or the outer circumference of the electric wire 9 adjacent to the terminal 11 (here, the covering crimping portion 39 of the electric wire connecting portion 35). ) Can be assembled with the restraining member 13.

In the present embodiment, the space between the pair of holding portions 15 and 15 is set to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the covering crimping portion 39 of the electric wire connecting portion 35. A covering crimping portion 39 of the electric wire connecting portion 35 is arranged between the pair of sandwiching portions 15 and 15, and abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the covering crimping portion 39 to sandwich the covering crimping portion 39. Spring portions 19 and 19 are provided on the facing surface side of the pair of sandwiching portions 15 and 15, that is, the portion that sandwiches the covering crimping portion 39.

The spring portions 19 and 19 are provided so as to be flexible so as to have an urging force in the opposite directions by folding back from the free end side of the pair of holding portions 15 and 15 toward the connecting portion 17 side. The spring portions 19 and 19 are bent in the direction of separation from each other in the vicinity of the central portion in accordance with the outer shape of the covering crimping portion 39 of the electric wire connecting portion 35 and the electric wire 9. Such spring portions 19 and 19 sandwich the covering crimping portion 39 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 5 in a state where the pair of sandwiching portions 15 and 15 sandwich the covering crimping portion 39 of the electric wire connecting portion 35. Gives urging force in the direction. By providing the spring portions 19 and 19 on the pair of holding portions 15 and 15 in this way, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation of the suppressing member 13 with respect to the terminal 11.

Such a restraining member 13 is housed in the terminal accommodating chamber 27 through the insertion opening 31 of the housing 7 in a state of being assembled to the covering crimping portion 39 of the electric wire connecting portion 35 of the terminal 11. Here, a tapered surface 21 is provided on the front side of the restraining member 13 in the insertion direction into the housing 7. By providing the tapered surface 21 in this way, the restraining member 13 can be easily inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 27. In addition, the restraining member 13 can function as a guide member when the terminal 11 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 27.

Such a restraining member 13 is arranged so that the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of holding portions 15 and 15 are in contact with the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 27 in a state of being accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 27 of the housing 7. The pair of holding portions 15 and 15 are provided in the connecting portion 17 so as to be flexible. Therefore, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, the outer peripheral surface is brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 27 so as to apply an urging force by the reaction force that sandwiches the covering crimping portion 39.

By accommodating such a restraining member 13 in the terminal accommodating chamber 27, the gap formed between the outer peripheral surface of the terminal 11 and the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 27 is eliminated. Therefore, for example, even if vibration during traveling of the vehicle is applied, it is possible to significantly prevent the terminal 11 from rattling in the terminal accommodating chamber 27. Therefore, in a state where the mating terminal 3 and the terminal 11 are electrically connected, it is possible to significantly suppress the occurrence of wear between the electrical contacts of each other, and the reliability of the electrical connection between the contacts is maintained. be able to.

In such a connector 1, since the housing 7 accommodates a restraining member 13 that comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the housing 7 and the outer peripheral surface of the terminal 11, the restraining member 13 accommodates the inner wall surface of the housing 7 and the terminal 11. It is possible to eliminate the gap with the outer peripheral surface of the. Therefore, the terminal 11 has no gap for moving inside the housing 7, and it is possible to prevent the terminal 11 from rattling inside the housing 7.

Therefore, in such a connector 1, by suppressing the rattling of the terminal 11 in the housing 7, the mating terminal 3 and the terminal 11 are electrically connected to each other, and between the electrical contacts of each other. Wear can be suppressed and electrical connection reliability can be maintained.

Further, the restraining member 13 has a pair of holding portions 15 and 15 and a pair of holding portions 15 and 15 whose outer peripheral surface abuts on the inner wall surface of the housing 7 and whose inner peripheral surface abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the terminal 11 to hold. It has a connecting portion 17 that connects one end side. The pair of sandwiching portions 15 and 15 are in a state where the end side opposite to the connecting portion 17 is opened. Therefore, the restraining member 13 can be assembled at an arbitrary position on the outer circumference of the terminal 11 from the opening side of the pair of holding portions 15, 15, and the assembling property of the restraining member 13 can be improved.

Further, since the pair of holding portions 15 and 15 are provided with spring portions 19 and 19 for applying an urging force in the directions facing each other, the holding force of the suppressing member 13 with respect to the terminal 11 can be improved. The misalignment of the suppressing member 13 can be suppressed.

Further, since the tapered surface 21 is provided on the front side of the suppressing member 13 in the insertion direction into the housing 7, it is possible to easily insert the suppressing member 13 into the housing 7, and the assembling property of the suppressing member 13 can be improved. Can be improved.

(Modified example of the first embodiment)
A modified example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

The connector 1 (see FIG. 1) according to the present embodiment is a locking portion that is engaged with the restraining member 13 in the direction of disconnection from the housing 7 (see FIG. 1) with respect to the electric wire connecting portion 35 (see FIG. 3). 49 is provided.

In addition, in the same configuration as the first embodiment, the same symbol is described and the configuration and the function description will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment, but since it is the same configuration as the first embodiment, it is obtained. The effects are the same.

As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting portion 17 of the restraining member 13 is provided with a locking portion 49 protruding from the inner wall surface toward the inside of the restraining member 13. The locking portion 49 has a core wire crimping portion 41 (see FIG. 4) of the covering crimping portion 39 in a state where the restraining member 13 is assembled to the covering crimping portion 39 (see FIG. 4) of the electric wire connecting portion 35. Engage with the side surface. The locking portion 49 and the covering crimping portion 39 are engaged with each other in the direction of disengagement of the restraining member 13 from the housing 7.

Here, the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of holding portions 15 and 15 of the suppressing member 13 are in contact with the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 27 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, when the restraining member 13 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 27, the outer peripheral surface of the suppressing member 13 and the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 27 may slide, and the arrangement position of the suppressing member 13 may change. is there. Therefore, by engaging the locking portion 49 and the covering crimping portion 39, it is possible to prevent the restraining member 13 from being displaced due to sliding between the outer peripheral surface of the restraining member 13 and the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 27. it can.

In such a connector, since the restraining member 13 is provided with a locking portion 49 that is engaged with the electric wire connecting portion 35 in the direction of disconnection from the housing 7, when the restraining member 13 is accommodated in the housing 7. It is possible to prevent the position deviation of the suppressing member 13 of the housing.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12.

In the connector 101 according to the present embodiment, the housing 7 accommodates a restraining member 13 that comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the housing 7 and the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 9 adjacent to the terminal 11.

In addition, in the same configuration as the first embodiment, the same symbol is described and the configuration and the function description will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment, but since it is the same configuration as the first embodiment, it is obtained. The effects are the same.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, the restraining member 13 accommodates the terminal from the insertion opening 31 of the housing 7 in a state of being assembled to the electric wire 9 adjacent to the covering crimping portion 39 of the electric wire connecting portion 35 of the terminal 11. It is housed in room 27. In the present embodiment, the space between the pair of holding portions 15 and 15 of the suppressing member 13 is set to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the electric wire 9.

An electric wire 9 adjacent to the covering crimping portion 39 is arranged between the pair of sandwiching portions 15 and 15, and the spring portions 19 and 19 come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 9 to sandwich the electric wire 9. At this time, the pair of holding portions 15, 15 and the spring portions 19, 19 apply an urging force in the direction of sandwiching the electric wire 9, as shown by the arrow in FIG. By assembling the suppressing member 13 to the electric wire 9 in this way, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation of the suppressing member 13 with respect to the electric wire 9.

Such a restraining member 13 is housed in the terminal accommodating chamber 27 through the insertion opening 31 of the housing 7 in a state of being assembled to the electric wire 9 adjacent to the covering crimping portion 39. The restraining member 13 is arranged so that the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of holding portions 15 and 15 are in contact with the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 27 in a state of being accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 27 of the housing 7. The pair of holding portions 15 and 15 are provided in the connecting portion 17 so as to be flexible. Therefore, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 9, the outer peripheral surface is brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 27 so as to apply an urging force by the reaction force holding the electric wire 9.

By assembling such a restraining member 13 to the electric wire 9 adjacent to the terminal 11, the gap formed between the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 9 and the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 27 is eliminated. Therefore, for example, even if vibration during traveling of the vehicle is applied, the electric wire 9 does not move in the terminal accommodating chamber 27. By restricting the movement of the electric wire 9 adjacent to the terminal 11 in the terminal accommodating chamber 27 in this way, it is possible to significantly prevent the terminal 11 from rattling in the terminal accommodating chamber 27. Therefore, in a state where the mating terminal 3 and the terminal 11 are electrically connected, it is possible to significantly suppress the occurrence of wear between the electrical contacts of each other, and the reliability of the electrical connection between the contacts is maintained. be able to.

In such a connector 101, since the housing 7 accommodates the restraining member 13 that comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the housing 7 and the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 9 adjacent to the terminal 11, the restraining member 13 accommodates the housing 7. It is possible to eliminate the gap between the inner wall surface and the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 9. Therefore, the electric wire 9 does not move in the housing 7. By restricting the movement of the electric wire 9 adjacent to the terminal 11 in the housing 7, it is possible to prevent the terminal 11 from rattling in the housing 7.

Therefore, in such a connector 101, by suppressing the rattling of the terminal 11 in the housing 7, the mating terminal 3 and the terminal 11 are electrically connected to each other, and between the electrical contacts of each other. Wear can be suppressed and electrical connection reliability can be maintained.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

Further, the restraining member is assembled to the covering crimping portion of the electric wire connecting portion of the terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the restraining member may be assembled to the core wire crimping portion of the electric wire connecting portion.

Further, the restraining member is housed in the housing while being assembled to the terminal or the electric wire, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the restraining member is housed in the housing through the insertion opening while the terminal is housed in the housing. May be good.

In addition, the housing may be provided with an opening communicating with the terminal accommodating chamber, and the restraining member may be assembled at an arbitrary position from the opening while the terminals are accommodated in the housing. Further, for example, when the electrical connection portion is formed in a box shape and the contact portion is provided inside, the suppressing member may be assembled to the electrical connection portion.

Further, the locking portion of the restraining member is engaged with the electric wire connecting portion in a state of being assembled to the electric wire connecting portion of the terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the restraining member is assembled to the electric wire. The restraining member may be provided with a locking portion that is engaged with the electric wire connecting portion. In this case, the locking portion may be extended toward the electric wire connecting portion, and the electric wire connecting portion may be provided with an engaging groove or the like in which the locking portion is engaged.

1,101 Connector 3 Mating terminal 5 Mating housing 7 Housing 9 Wire 11 Terminal 13 Suppressing member 15 Holding part 17 Connecting part 19 Spring part 21 Tapered surface 35 Wire connecting part 49 Locking part

Claims (5)

A housing that can be fitted with the mating housing that houses the mating terminal,
A terminal housed in the housing, electrically connected to the terminal portion of the electric wire, and electrically connected to the mating terminal in a state where the mating housing and the housing are fitted together.
A restraining member housed in the housing and brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the housing and the outer peripheral surface of the terminal or the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire adjacent to the terminal.
Connector with. The restraining member includes a pair of sandwiching portions in which the outer peripheral surface abuts on the inner wall surface of the housing and the inner peripheral surface abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the terminal or the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire adjacent to the terminal. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting portion that connects one end side of the sandwiching portion. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the pair of the sandwiching portions are provided with spring portions that apply urging forces in directions facing each other. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a tapered surface is provided on the front side of the restraining member in the insertion direction into the housing. The terminal is provided with an electric wire connection portion fixed to the outer circumference of the electric wire.
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the restraining member is provided with a locking portion that is engaged with the electric wire connecting portion in a direction of disconnection from the housing.

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