JP2022135618A - joint connector - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a joint connector with reduced insertion and removal force in fitting.SOLUTION: A joint connector that can be fitted with a first connector at a first side and with a second connector at a second side, has: one or more joint terminals 4 each having a collar 43 provided between a first contact 41 and a second contact 42; a first joint housing 11; and a second joint housing 12. The first joint housing 11 and the second joint housing 12 form a collar housing part 11C for housing the collars 43 in a state where they are locked with each other while interposing the collars 43 of the plurality of joint terminals 4. The plurality of joint terminals 4 are prevented from being dropped off from the first and second joint housings 11 and 12 with the collars 43. Gaps 11G1 and 12G1 are respectively provided between first and second contact holes 11B and 12B and the collar housing part 11C so that the plurality of joint terminals 4 are movable in a plane direction crossing a fitting shaft that connects between the first side and the second side in the locking state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to joint connectors.

The joint connector relays and couples the first connector and the second connector, which are receptacles. Specifically, the joint connector accommodates a joint terminal having a first contact and a second contact at both ends in a housing, the female terminal of the first connector is fitted to the first contact of the joint terminal, and the second connector is fitted to the second contact of the joint terminal. For example, by branching the second terminals of the joint terminals into a plurality of branches, one first connector is branched into a plurality of second connectors and connected. Further, if the first terminals of the joint terminals are also branched into a plurality of terminals, a plurality of first connectors and a plurality of second connectors can be connected.

Joint connectors are described in the following patent documents.

JP-A-2006-59597 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-77600 JP-A-2005-347036 JP-A-10-12338

In the joint connector described in the above prior art, the joint terminal is press-fitted into the insertion hole of the joint housing, or the joint terminal is fixed in the joint housing by insert molding. In either case, the joint terminal cannot move within the joint housing in a planar direction perpendicular to the axis in the mating direction of the joint terminal.

Therefore, when the female terminals of the first and second connectors are fitted with the joint terminals on the male side of the joint connector, the joint terminals may be fitted with being biased in one direction from the center of the concave portion of the female terminal. As a result, the insertion/removal force of the connector increases, which is not preferable especially when the connector terminals are multi-polarized. In addition, the surface plating of the joint terminal and the female terminal may be partially scraped off, increasing the surface frictional force and further increasing the insertion/extraction force. Furthermore, the scraping of the surface plating of the joint terminal and the female terminal may worsen the electrical contact resistance between the two terminals (increase in contact resistance).

Therefore, an object of the first aspect of the present embodiment is to provide a joint connector that reduces insertion/removal force when fitting.

A first aspect of the present embodiment is a joint connector that can be fitted with a first connector on a first side and a second connector on a second side that is opposite to the first side, wherein the first A first contact to be fitted with the connector terminal of the connector, a second contact to be fitted with the connector terminal of the second connector, and a flange provided between the first contact and the second contact. The above joint terminal, a first joint housing having a first contact hole into which the first contact is inserted, and a second joint housing having a second contact hole into which the second contact is inserted, In a state in which the first joint housing and the second joint housing are engaged with each other by sandwiching the flanges of the plurality of joint terminals, a flange accommodating portion for housing the flanges is formed. are prevented from coming off from the first and second joint housings, and in the locked state, the plurality of joint terminals extend in a plane direction intersecting the fitting axis connecting the first side and the second side. The joint connector has a gap between the first contact hole, the second contact hole, and the flange accommodating portion so as to be movable.

According to the first aspect, it is possible to reduce the insertion/extraction force during fitting. Also, an increase in electrical contact resistance between the joint terminal and the female terminal can be suppressed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a combined part of the joint connector and the first and second connectors (connectors to be jointed) according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the joint connector according to the embodiment; It is a figure which shows the front view of the 1st joint housing 11 (right side) and the 2nd joint housing 12 (left side), a rear view, a front side perspective view (input side), and a back side perspective view (output side). Fig. 3 shows a front view (input side), a left side view, a plan view, and a front view (output side) of the joint connector 1 with the first and second joint housings engaged; It is a figure which shows the relationship between an A-pole joint terminal and a B-pole joint terminal. It is a figure which shows the perspective view with sectional drawing and sectional drawing of the A pole joint terminal of a joint connector. It is a figure which shows the perspective view with sectional drawing and sectional drawing of B pole joint terminal of a joint connector. It is a figure which shows sectional drawing of the B pole joint terminal of a joint connector. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between joint terminals in the joint connector and female terminals in the first and second connectors in the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a locking structure of a joint connector according to this embodiment;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combined part of a joint connector and first and second connectors (connectors to be jointed) according to the present embodiment. The joint connector 1 accommodates a plurality of joint terminals (not shown). The first connector 21 has a plurality of electric wires 21A and a first connector housing 21B, and the plurality of electric wires 21A are connected to a plurality of female terminals 21C inside the first connector housing 21B. Similarly, the second connector 22 has a plurality of electric wires 22A and a second connector housing 22B, and the plurality of electric wires 22A are respectively connected to a plurality of female terminals 22C (not shown) inside the second connector housing 22B. . In the example of FIG. 1, one first connector 21 and two second connectors 22 are fitted to the joint connector 1 respectively.

For example, the first connector 21 is the input side and the second connector 22 is the output side. An input signal from the first connector 21 is branched into two by a joint terminal in the joint connector 1 and flows to two second connectors 22 . However, the number of second connectors 22 may be one. In that case, the joint terminal does not split the input signal into multiple parts.

In FIG. 1, the fitting direction in which the first connector 21 and the second connector 22 are fitted to the joint connector 1 is the Z-axis direction, and the horizontal direction of the first and second connectors 21 and 22 and the joint connector 1 is the X-axis. The direction and the vertical direction are defined as the Y-axis direction.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the joint connector according to this embodiment. The joint connector 1 includes a plurality of joint terminals 4 and 5, a first joint housing 11 into which first contacts 41 and 51 of the joint terminals 4 and 5 are inserted, and second contacts 42 and 52 of the joint terminals 4 and 5. and a second joint housing 12 to be inserted.

As in FIG. 1, in FIG. 2, the direction in which the first joint housing 11 and the second joint housing are engaged with each other is the Z-axis direction, the horizontal direction of both joint housings is the X-axis direction, and the vertical direction is the Y-axis. direction.

In this embodiment, the joint terminals include a plurality of A-pole joint terminals 4 arranged in the X-axis direction and a plurality of B-pole joint terminals 4 arranged in the X-axis direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the A-pole joint terminals 4. terminal 5;

The A-pole joint terminal 4 includes one A-pole first contact 41 that is fitted with the female terminal of the first connector 21 and two A-pole second contacts that are fitted with the female terminal of the second connector 22 . 42 and an A-pole flange 43 provided between the first contact 41 and the second contact 42 . The first and second contacts 41 and 42 have shapes extending in the Z-axis direction. The flange 43 has a shape extending in the Y-axis direction.

Similarly, the B-pole joint terminal 5 includes one B-pole first contact 51 that is fitted with the female terminal of the first connector 21 and two B-poles that are fitted with the female terminal of the second connector 22 . It has a second contact 52 and a B pole flange 53 provided between the first contact 51 and the second contact 52 . The first and second contacts 51 and 52 have shapes extending in the Z-axis direction. The flange 53 has a shape extending in the Y-axis direction.

The A-pole flange 43 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 is wider than the width of the A-pole first contact 41 and the A-pole second contact 42 and extends in the Z-axis direction connecting the A-pole first contact 41 and the A-pole second contact 42 . It has a shape that protrudes in the Y-axis direction at right angles. The A-pole collar 43, one A-pole first contact 41, and two A-pole second contacts 42 are formed by punching a metal plate. Similarly, the B-pole flange 53 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 is wider than the width of the B-pole first contact 51 and the B-pole second contact 52, and connects the B-pole first contact 51 and the B-pole second contact 52 together. It has a shape protruding in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The B-pole flange 53, one B-pole first contact 51, and two B-pole second contacts 52 are also formed by punching a metal plate.

The A-pole and B-pole joint terminals 4 and 5 of the present embodiment have the same shape, and the joint housing 11 and the joint housing 11 are arranged so that the first contact and the second contact are arranged upside down in the Y-axis direction. 12.

However, the A-pole and B-pole joint terminals 4 and 5 may have the same configuration with one second contact 42 and 52, respectively. In this case, the flanges 43 and 53 have a shape protruding in the Y-axis direction like a blade between the first contact and the second contact. Further, the joint terminals 4 or 5 may be arranged in only one row in the X-axis direction regardless of whether they are A poles or B poles.

The A-pole first contact 41 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 and the B-pole first contact 51 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 are inserted in the positive direction of the Z-axis into first contact holes (not shown) of the first joint housing 11 . be. On the other hand, in the second contact hole (not shown) of the second joint housing 12, the A-pole second contact 42 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 and the B-pole second contact 52 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 are connected in the negative direction of the Z axis. inserted. As will be described later, the first joint housing 11 and the second joint housing 12 are engaged with each other by the engaged portion 11F and the engaging portion 12F, and the collars 43 and 53 of the plurality of joint terminals are sandwiched. , both joint terminals 4 and 5 are prevented from coming off from both joint housings 11 and 12. - 特許庁Both joint housings 11 and 12 that are engaged form a flange accommodation portion (not shown) that accommodates the flanges 43 and 53 .

[Construction of A-pole joint terminal and B-pole joint terminal having one first contact and two second contacts]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the joint terminals may have one first contact and one second contact, and a plurality of joint terminals may be arranged in one row in the X-axis direction. However, in the figure, the joint terminal has an A-pole joint terminal and a B-pole joint terminal having one first contact and two second contacts. Therefore, in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 below, configurations of an A-pole joint terminal and a B-pole joint terminal having one first contact and two second contacts will be described. After that, in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, in a state in which the first and second joint housings, which is the first aspect of the present embodiment, are engaged, the sandwiched joint terminals are separated from the first and second connectors. The first contact, the second contact, and the flange are attached to the first and second joint housings so as to be movable in the plane intersecting the Z-axis in the fitting direction (specifically, the XY plane perpendicular to the Z-axis). A configuration having gaps with respect to the first contact hole, the second contact hole, and the flange accommodating portion will be described.

FIG. 3 shows a front view, rear view, front perspective view (input side), and rear perspective view (output side) of the first joint housing 11 (right side) and the second joint housing 12 (left side). be. FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view (input side) and a front perspective view (output side) of both joint housings 11 and 12 . In this specification, each view such as front view, top view, rear view, side view, etc. is based on trigonometry. The respective positional relationships can be understood based on the X, Y, and Z axes shown in each figure.

As shown in FIG. 2 (2-1) front perspective view (output side) and FIG. has four rows of second female terminal holes 12A in the Y-axis direction. Each female terminal hole 12A is defined by left and right vertical walls 12D and upper and lower horizontal walls 12E. A plurality of second contact holes 12B arranged in the X-axis direction are each formed in the central portion of the female terminal hole 12A. The four rows of female terminal holes 12A and the second contact holes 12B are arranged from the bottom in the Y-axis direction as the B pole arrangement, the A pole arrangement, the B pole arrangement, and the A pole arrangement. The arrangement of the four rows of female terminal holes 12A and second contact holes 12B is such that the A pole side is shifted in the negative direction of the X axis (left side in the front view), and the B pole side is shifted in the positive direction of the X axis (left side in the front view). right).

As shown in (2-3) rear view (output side) and (2-4) rear perspective view (output side) of FIG. Four rows of contact holes 12B are provided in the Y-axis direction. Two second contact points 52 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 are inserted into a pair of vertically aligned second contact holes 12B in the first and third rows from the negative side in the Y-axis direction. Similarly, two second contacts 42 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 are inserted into a pair of vertically aligned second contact holes 12B on the second and fourth rows from the negative side in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, in the rear view, the A-pole joint terminal 4 is closer to the negative direction of the X-axis (to the right in the rear view), and the B-pole joint terminal 5 is closer to the positive direction of the X-axis (to the left in the rear view). there is The positive and negative directions of the Y-axis are reversed between the front view and the rear view, and the vertical direction in the figure is reversed.

Both joint housings are locked between a pair of second contact holes 12B into which the second contacts 42, 52 of the A-pole and B-pole joint terminals 4, 5 are inserted, and on the upper and lower sides of both second contact holes. In this state, a flange accommodating portion 12C in which the flanges 43 and 53 are accommodated is formed.

On the other hand, as shown in (1-1) front perspective view (input side) and (1-2) front view (input side) of FIG. Two rows of first female terminal holes 11A are provided in the Y-axis direction. The first female terminal hole 11A is defined by left and right vertical walls 11D and upper and lower horizontal walls 11E. A plurality of first contact holes 11B arranged in the X-axis direction are each formed in the central portion of the female terminal hole 11A. The arrangement of the two rows of female terminal holes 11A and the first contact holes 11B is the arrangement of the A pole and the arrangement of the B pole from the negative side in the Y-axis direction. The arrangement of two rows of female terminal holes 11A and first contact holes 11B is such that the A pole side is shifted in the negative direction of the X axis (left side in the front view), and the B pole side is shifted in the positive direction of the X axis (left side in the front view). right).

As shown in (1-3) rear view (input side) of FIG. 3 and (1-4) rear perspective view (input side) of FIG. has two rows of first contact holes 11B in the Y-axis direction. The first contact 41 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 is inserted into the first contact hole 11B on the first row from the negative side in the Y-axis direction. Similarly, the first contact 51 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 is inserted into the first contact hole 11B on the second row from the minus side in the Y-axis direction. In the rear view, the first contact 41 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 inserted into the first contact hole 11B on the first row from the negative side of the Y axis is arranged closer to the negative direction of the X axis (left side in the rear view). and the first contact 51 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 inserted into the first contact hole 11B in the second row is arranged in the positive direction of the X axis (right side in the rear view).

FIG. 4 shows a front view (input side), a left side view, a plan view, and a front view (output side) of the joint connector 1 with the first and second joint housings engaged. (3) Front view (output side) of the joint connector 1 in FIG. 4 is the same as (2-2) Front view (output side) of the second joint housing 12 in FIG. side) is the same as the (1-2) front view (input side) of the first joint housing 11 in FIG.

In (1) front view (input side) of the joint connector 1, the first joint housing 11 has ten A-pole first female terminal holes 11A in the first row (upper row in the figure) in the Y-axis direction. The first contact hole 11B has ten B-pole first female terminal holes 11A and first contact holes 11B in the second row (lower row in the drawing). (1) The arrangement of the A-pole and B-pole first contacts 41 and 51 is shown on the lower side of the front view (input side). In this arrangement, the A-pole first contacts 41 are labeled A1-A10 and the B-pole first contacts 51 are labeled B1-B10, respectively. As is clear from this arrangement, the A-pole first contacts A1-A10 are arranged on the minus side of the X-axis, and the B-pole first contacts B1-B10 are arranged on the plus side of the X-axis.

The (2) plan view of the joint connector 1 shows a state in which the second joint housing 12 and the first joint housing 11 are engaged in the positive direction of the Z axis. The plane of the second joint housing 12 corresponds to the second contact on the B pole side, and the plane of the first joint housing 11 corresponds to the second contact on the A pole side.

In (3) front view (output side) of the joint connector 1, the second joint housing 12 has ten B-pole second female terminal holes 12A and second contact holes 12B in the first and third rows in the Y-axis direction. and ten A-pole second female terminal holes 12A and second contact holes 12B in the second and fourth rows, respectively. (3) The arrangement of the A-pole and B-pole second contacts 42 and 52 is shown on the lower side of the front view (output side). In this arrangement, the A pole second contacts 42 are labeled A1-A10 and the B pole second contacts 52 are labeled B1-B10, respectively. As is clear from this arrangement, the second contacts A1 to A10 of the A pole are arranged on the negative side of the X axis, and the second contacts B1 to B10 of the B pole are arranged on the positive side of the X axis. The second contacts and the second contacts of the B pole are arranged in a staggered pattern.

The (4) left side view of the joint connector 1 shows a state in which the second joint housing 12 and the first joint housing 11 are engaged. Two upper and lower second connectors 22 are shown on the left side of the second joint housing 12, and one first connector 21 is shown on the right side. In the left side view, the A-pole joint terminal 4 (dashed line) and the B-pole joint terminal 5 (chain line) are shown superimposed on the joint connector 1 . Collars 43 and 53 of both joint terminals 4 and 5 overlap vertically in the side view, but both collars are shown shifted in the drawing. As is clear from this, the A-pole joint terminal 4 and the B-pole joint terminal 5 are upside down when viewed from the side.

The two rows of A-pole and B-pole arrays AR1 and AR2 shown in (1) front view (input side) and (3) front view (output side), respectively, are the same.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the A-pole joint terminal and the B-pole joint terminal. FIG. 5 shows (4) a left side view of the joint connector, (5) a front view (input side), a plan view, and a front view (output side) of the joint connector and the joint terminal, and (6) a front view of the first connector. , (7) shows a front view of the second connector; (4) Left side view is the same as (4) Left side view of FIG.

(5) As shown in the plan view of the joint connector and joint terminals, the B-pole joint terminals 5 and the A-pole joint terminals 4 directed in the Z-axis direction of the fitting direction are alternately arranged in the X-axis direction. In the plan view, flanges 43 and 53 of both joint terminals oriented in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) to the plane of the paper are shown in a pseudo manner.

(4) As shown in the left side view, on the first joint housing 11 side, the A-pole first contact 41 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 is positioned below the B-pole first contact 51 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 on the Y axis. Located in On the other hand, on the second joint housing 12 side, the A-pole second contact 42 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 is located above the B-pole second contact 52 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 on the Y axis.

Therefore, in (5) the front view of the joint connector and the joint terminal (output side), the pair of B-pole second contacts 52 and the pair of A-pole second contacts 42 in the Y-axis direction are arranged in the X-axis direction. In the Y-axis direction, the B-pole second contacts 52 are shifted downward and the A-pole second contacts 42 are shifted upward. An A-pole flange 43 is shown between a pair of A-pole second contacts 42, and a B-pole flange 53 is shown between a pair of B-pole second contacts 52, respectively. The array AR2 of the A-pole second contacts 42 and the B-pole second contacts 52 shown here has only four joint terminals arranged in the X-axis direction. output side).

Similarly, in (5) the front view of the joint connector and the joint terminal (input side), the A-pole first contact 41 and the B-pole first contact 51 are arranged in the X-axis direction. The A-pole first contact 41 is positioned below the B-pole first contact 51 in the Y-axis direction. placed out of alignment. The arrangement AR1 of the A-pole first contacts 41 and the B-pole first contacts 51 shown in this front view (input side) is the same as the arrangement AR1 shown in (1) Front view (input side) shown in FIG. It's becoming

(6) The front view of the first connector shows the arrangement AR3 of the A-pole and B-pole female terminals of the first connector. Furthermore, (7) in the front view of the second connector, two arrays AR4 of female terminals of the A pole and the B pole of the second connector are shown side by side. Both sequences AR3, AR4 are the same. From this, it can be understood that the first connector and the second connector are of the same type.

[Gap between the first contact, the second contact, and the flange with respect to the first and second joint housings]
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view and a perspective view with the cross-sectional view of the A-pole joint terminal of the joint connector. FIG. 6 shows (1) a perspective view with A-pole section, (2) A-pole section view, (3) A-pole enlarged section view, and (4) a perspective view with A-line section. The position of the A pole cross section and the position of the A row cross section are shown in the front view of FIG. 3(2-2).

As shown in (1) perspective view with A pole section and (2) A pole section view, the A pole first contact 41 of the joint terminal 4 on the A pole side is inserted into the first contact hole 11B of the first joint housing 11. , two A-pole second contacts 42 are inserted into the second contact hole 12B of the second joint housing 12, and the joint housings 11 and 12 are opposed to each other and engaged. In the engaged state, the flange 43 of the joint terminal 4 is sandwiched between the opposing surfaces of the joint housings 11 and 12, and the flange 43 is accommodated in the flange accommodating portions 11C and 12C formed on the opposing surfaces. Also, the A-pole first contact 41 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 protrudes into the first female terminal hole 11A formed in the first joint housing 11, and conversely, the A-pole second contact 42 protrudes into the second joint terminal. It protrudes into the second female terminal hole 12A formed in the housing 12 .

As shown in (2) A pole sectional view or (3) A pole enlarged sectional view, the first contact 41 of the joint terminal 4 is positioned between the first contact hole 11B of the first joint housing 11 and the first contact hole. The second contact 42 has a second contact hole gap 12G1 between it and the second contact hole 12B of the second joint housing 12 . That is, the size of the first contact hole 11B in the Y-axis direction is larger than that of the first contact 41, and the size of the second contact hole 12B in the Y-axis direction is larger than the second contact .

Furthermore, the flange 43 of the joint terminal 4 has flange accommodation gaps 11G2 and 12G2 between the flange accommodation portions 11C and 12C formed by the two joint housings in the locked state. In other words, the size of the flange accommodation portions 11C and 12C in the Z-axis direction is larger than the flange 43 .

(4) Perspective view with A-line section is a view obtained by cutting (1) Perspective view with A-pole section along the plane shown in the A-line section view and rotating the Z axis vertically. In this figure, the A-pole first contact 41 and the A-pole second contact 42 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 protrude toward the first joint housing 11 and the second joint housing 12, respectively. Also, both joint housings are locked by the locked portion 11F (not shown) and the locking portion 12F.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view and a perspective view with the cross-sectional view of the B-pole joint terminal of the joint connector. FIG. 7 shows (1) a perspective view with a B pole section, (2) a B pole section view, (3) a B pole enlarged section view, and (4) a perspective view with a B row section. The position of the B pole cross section and the position of the B row cross section are shown in the front view of FIG. 3(2-2). 7 shows the relationship between the B-pole joint terminal and the joint housings 11 and 12 instead of the A-pole joint terminal of FIG.

As shown in (1) perspective view with B pole section and (2) B pole section view, the B pole first contact 51 of the joint terminal 5 on the B pole side is inserted into the first contact hole 11B of the first joint housing 11. , two B-pole second contacts 52 are inserted into the second contact hole 12B of the second joint housing 12, and the two joint housings 11 and 12 are opposed and engaged. In the engaged state, the flange 53 of the joint terminal 5 is sandwiched between the opposing surfaces of the joint housings 11 and 12, and the flange 53 is accommodated in the flange accommodating portions 11C and 12C formed by the opposing surfaces. The B-pole first contact 51 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 protrudes into the first female terminal hole 11A formed in the first joint housing 11, and conversely, the B-pole second contact 52 projects into the second joint housing 11. It protrudes into the second female terminal hole 12A formed in the housing 12 .

As shown in (2) B pole sectional view or (3) B pole enlarged sectional view, the first contact 51 of the joint terminal 5 is positioned between the first contact hole 11B of the first joint housing 11 and the first contact hole. The second contact 52 has a second contact hole gap 12G1 between the second contact hole 12B of the second joint housing 12 and the second contact hole 12B. That is, the size of the first contact hole 11B in the Y-axis direction is larger than that of the first contact 51, and the size of the second contact hole 12B in the Y-axis direction is larger than the second contact 52.

Further, the flange 53 of the joint terminal 5 has flange accommodation gaps 11G2 and 12G2 between the flange accommodation portions 11C and 12C formed by both joint housings in the locked state. In other words, the size of the flange accommodation portions 11C and 12C in the Z-axis direction is larger than the flange 53 .

(4) Perspective view with B-row cross section is a view obtained by cutting (1) Perspective view with B-pole cross-section along the plane shown in the B-row cross-sectional view and rotating the Z axis vertically. In this figure, the B-pole first contact 51 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 protrudes toward the first joint housing 11 side, and the B-pole second contact point 52 protrudes toward the second joint housing 12 side. Also, both joint housings are locked by the locked portion 11F (not shown) and the locking portion 12F.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a B-pole joint terminal of the joint connector. FIG. 8 shows (1) a B-line cross-sectional view and (2) an enlarged B-line cross-sectional view. The B-line cross-sectional view is a cross-sectional view of (4) B-line cross-sectional perspective view in FIG. 6 .

(1) A cross-sectional view of an enlarged region EX3 of the B-pole first and second contacts 51 and 52 and the B-pole flange 53 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 on the far right in the X-axis direction of the B-row cross-sectional view is shown in (2). ) is shown in the enlarged row B cross-sectional view. According to this, the B-pole first and second contacts 51 and 52 and the B-pole flange 53 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 are arranged in the X-axis direction such that the first contact hole 11B, the second contact hole 12B, and the flange accommodating portion 11C , 12C. In other words, the first contact hole 11B, the second contact hole 12B, and the flange accommodation portions 11C and 12C are determined from the widths of the B pole first and second contacts 51 and 52 and the B pole collar 53 of the B pole joint terminal 5 in the X-axis direction. is wide in the X-axis direction.

As is clear from FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the flanges 43 and 53 of both joint terminals 4 and 5 have gaps 11G2, 12G2 and 12G3 in the X, Y and Z axial directions in the flange accommodating portions 11C and 12C. It is movable along the plane formed by the axis and the Y axis. Further, the first and second contacts 41 and 42 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 and the first and second contacts 51 and 52 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 are arranged in the first contact hole 11B and the second contact hole 12B. , gaps 11G1 and 12G1 in the Y-axis direction. The clearance provided by these gaps allows the joint terminal to move along the plane formed by the X and Y axes.

[Suppression of insertion/removal force between connector and joint connector]
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the joint terminal in the joint connector and the female terminals in the first and second connectors in this embodiment. The first and second contacts 41, 42, 51, 52 of the joint terminals 4, 5 in the joint connector 1 are fitted to the female terminals 21C, 22C in the first and second connectors 21, 22, respectively. In a joint connector having multipolar joint terminals, it is necessary to suppress the insertion force required when inserting the first and second connectors 21 and 22, and the insertion/extraction force required for extraction.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the first and second contacts 41, 42, 51, 52 are inserted into the female terminals 21C, 22C during mating, and pulled out from the female terminals when pulling out to release the mating. In order to maintain good electrical connection between the joint terminal and the female terminal during fitting, the female terminals 21C and 22C are provided with fitting springs 21D and 22D shown in FIG. 9, for example. The fitting spring may be provided all along the circumference of the female terminal.

The joint terminals 4 and 5 in the joint connector have a positional deviation (or backlash) within the plane of the X and Y axes, and the female terminals in the first and second connectors also have a similar positional deviation. . On the other hand, when the joint terminal is press-fitted into the hole in the joint housing, the contacts of the joint terminal cannot move within the plane of the X and Y axes. Therefore, if the contacts 41, 42, 51, 52 of the joint terminal are misaligned with respect to the female terminal within the X- and Y-axis planes, the press-fitted joint terminal contacts cannot move. is pressed against the female terminal in the direction of displacement, and the contact pressure increases. As a result, an increase in insertion/removal force is caused. In addition, the plating on the inner surfaces of the contact points of the joint terminal and the female terminal is scraped off due to the high contact pressure, which also causes an increase in the insertion/extraction force.

On the other hand, in the joint connector of the present embodiment, as described above, the joint terminals are movable along the plane defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis. Therefore, when fitting the first and second connectors to the joint connector, the contact of the joint terminal is fitted to the female terminal at the position where the contact pressure with the female terminal is the lowest. Also, when the first and second connectors are pulled out, the contacts of the joint terminal are pulled out at the position where the contact pressure with the female terminal is the lowest. Therefore, the insertion/extraction force at the time of fitting and at the time of extraction is suppressed. In addition, since the contact pressure is low, scraping of the plating on the joint terminal and the female terminal is suppressed, an increase in frictional force due to scraping of the plating is suppressed, and an increase in the insertion/extraction force is also suppressed.

[Gap between flange and flange accommodating part]
10A and 10B are diagrams showing a locking structure of the joint connector according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 shows (1) a front view (output side) of the second joint housing 12, (2) a bottom view with cross section, (3) an enlarged sectional view of EX4, and (4) locking operation of the locked portion. . (1) The front view is a front view of the second joint housing 12, and (2) The bottom view with cross section is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA in the front view.

As shown in the front view, the second joint housing 12 has locking portions 12F at four locations on the left, right, top and bottom. As shown in the cross-sectional bottom view, the first joint housing 11 has locked portions 11F at four positions corresponding to the locking portions 12F. As shown in the enlarged cross-sectional view of the region EX4 in the bottom portion with cross section, the locked portion 11F has a movable piece 11F_1 extending in the Z-axis direction of the fitting direction.

When both joint housings 11 and 12 are sandwiched in the Z-axis direction, the movable piece 11F_1 of the locked portion 11F slides along the inclination of the locked portion 12F in the negative direction of the X-axis, as shown in the locking operation of the locked portion. , and becomes the state of the dashed line. Eventually, when the L-shaped end of the locked portion 11F is locked by the locking portion 12F, the movable piece 11F_1 returns to its original position and becomes locked (locked), as indicated by the solid line.

Since the movable piece 11F_1 extends from the first joint housing 11, it rotates about the connection point 11H with the first joint housing 11 along the arc indicated by the dashed line during the locking operation. In the broken line state, the distance D2 in the Z-axis direction from the connection point 11H to the L-shaped locked portion 11F is shorter than the distance D1 in the solid line state. Therefore, in the broken line state, the two joint housings 11 and 12 are closer to each other in the Z-axis direction. In the locked state indicated by the solid line, the distance from the connection point 11H to the L-shaped portion to be locked 11F returns to D1, and the positional relationship of both joint housings in the Z-axis direction becomes farther than the state indicated by the broken line. positional relationship.

As the positional relationship of both joint housings in the Z-axis direction increases, the gaps 11G2 and 12G2 in the Z-axis direction with respect to the flange accommodating portions of the flanges 43 and 53 of the joint terminals widen, and the X- and Y-axis planes of the joint terminals expand. Easier to move around.

[Modification]
In this embodiment, the joint terminals 4 and 5 to be inserted into the joint housing have a shape in which one first contact 41 and 51 and two second contacts 42 and 52 are connected with flanges 43 and 53, respectively. be. Also, the joint terminals 4 and 5 are produced by punching a metal plate, and are produced without bending or the like.

However, the joint terminal may have a structure having one first contact, one second contact, and a flange between the two contacts. In this case, when a plurality of joint terminals are accommodated in the joint housing and a plurality of female terminals are accommodated in the first and second connectors, the joint connector can connect the multipolar connectors. In this case, since each joint terminal is separately movable within the plane of the X and Y axes, the insertion/extraction force with respect to the female terminal is suppressed.

Furthermore, the joint terminal may have a structure in which the M first contacts and the N second contacts are connected with a flange. Here, M and N are positive numbers, and at least one of M and N is a positive number of 2 or more. Also in this case, since each joint terminal is movable within the plane of the X and Y axes, the insertion/extraction force with respect to the female terminal is suppressed.

The joint terminal has a structure in which M first contacts and N second contacts are connected with flanges, and a plurality of A-pole joint terminals 4 and a plurality of B-pole joints are provided in a pair of joint housings. When displacing the terminals 5 in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) and arranging them in the left-right direction (X-axis direction), the plurality of A-pole joint terminals 4 and the plurality of B-pole joint terminals 5 are aligned in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). are accommodated within the joint housing in a mutually offset manner. Thereby, it is possible to joint between a plurality of multi-polarized first and second connectors. Also, the arrangement of the connector terminals of the first and second connectors can be made the same, and the types of connectors to be jointed can be reduced.

1: Joint connector 21: First connector, input side receptacle 21A: Electric wire 21B: First connector housing 21C; Female terminal 21D: Fitting spring 22: Second connector, Output side receptacle 22A: Electric wire 22B: Second connector housing 22C Female terminal 22D: Fitting spring 4: A pole joint terminal 41: A pole first contact 42: A pole second contact 43: A pole collar 5: B pole joint terminal 51: B pole first contact 52: B pole Second contact 53: B pole collar 11: First joint housing 11A: First female terminal hole 11B: First contact hole 11C: Collar accommodating part 11D: (for first female terminal) vertical wall 11E: (first female terminal For) Horizontal wall 11F: Locked portion 11G1: First contact hole clearance 11G2: Collar housing clearance (X, Z axes) 11G3: Collar housing clearance (Y axis)
12: Second joint housing 12A: Second female terminal hole 12B: Second contact hole 12C: Collar accommodating portion 12D: Vertical wall (for second female terminal) 12E: Horizontal wall (for second female terminal) 12F: Locking Part 12G1: Gap of the second contact hole 12G2: Gap of the flange accommodating portion (X, Z axes) 12G3: Gap of the flange accommodating portion (Y axis)

Claims (6)

A joint connector that can be fitted with a first connector on a first side and a second connector on a second side that is opposite to the first side,
A first contact to be fitted with the connector terminal of the first connector, a second contact to be fitted with the connector terminal of the second connector, and a flange provided between the first contact and the second contact, respectively. one or more joint terminals having
a first joint housing having a first contact hole into which the first contact is inserted;
a second joint housing having a second contact hole into which the second contact is inserted;
In a state in which the first joint housing and the second joint housing are engaged with each other with the flanges of the plurality of joint terminals interposed therebetween, a flange accommodating portion is formed to accommodate the flanges. the terminals are prevented from coming off from the first and second joint housings;
The first contact hole and the second contact are arranged so that, in the locked state, the plurality of joint terminals can move in a plane direction intersecting a fitting axis connecting the first side and the second side. A joint connector having a gap between the hole and the flange accommodating portion. One of the first joint housing and the second joint housing has a locked portion having a movable piece extending in the direction of the fitting axis, and the other has a locking portion that locks the locked portion. 2. The joint connector of claim 1, comprising: 2. The joint according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of joint terminals has M said first contacts and N said second contacts, said M and N being positive numbers and at least one of them being a plurality. connector. The plurality of joint terminals, in the locked state, include a plurality of first pole joint terminals arranged side by side in a first arrangement direction intersecting the fitting axis, and a plurality of first pole joint terminals arranged in parallel with the first arrangement direction. a plurality of joint terminals of the first pole arranged in a second arrangement direction and a plurality of joint terminals of the second pole arranged shifted in the arrangement direction;
A plurality of first contacts of the plurality of first pole joint terminals and a plurality of first contacts of the plurality of second pole joint terminals arranged side by side in the first arrangement direction of the first connector. 4. The connector terminal of the first pole is fitted to the connector terminal of the second pole and the connector terminals of the second pole arranged in the second arrangement direction and shifted from the plurality of connector terminals of the first pole in the arrangement direction. Joint connector described in . M first connectors are mated on the first side;
N said second connectors are mated on said second side;
5. The joint connector according to claim 4, wherein said second connector has the same arrangement of said first connector, said first pole connector terminals, and said second pole connector terminals. The first and second contacts of the joint terminal of the first pole and the first and second contacts of the joint terminal of the second pole are aligned with the fitting axis and first axes in the first and second arrangement directions. 5. The joint connector according to claim 4, wherein the positions are opposite to each other in the direction of the second axis intersecting the .

Images