JP2024017405A

JP2024017405A - connector unit

Info

Publication number: JP2024017405A
Application number: JP2022120023A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 昌大中川; Masahiro Nakagawa; 章一野村; Shoichi Nomura; 恵大石; Megumi Oishi
Original assignee: Yazaki Corp
Current assignee: Yazaki Corp
Priority date: 2022-07-27
Filing date: 2022-07-27
Publication date: 2024-02-08

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector unit that can perform both prevention of fingers from touching terminals and miniaturization.

SOLUTION: A connector unit 1 includes a first connector 2 having a first terminal 10, and a second connector 3 having a second terminal 30 including a cylindrical contact portion 31 and an extension portion 32. The first connector 2 has a first housing 20 having a hood portion 21 surrounding the first terminal 10. The second connector 3 has a second housing 40 in which a cylindrical contact portion 31 is inserted into a cylinder of the hood portion 21 when fitted, and which holds the second terminal 30 so that the first terminal 10 is inserted into the cylindrical contact portion 31. The hood portion 21 has a pair of notches 22 and a cylindrical wall piece 23 sandwiched between the pair of notches 22 at its open end portion. The extension portion 32 of the second terminal 30 has a pair of plate-shaped portions 34 into which the pair of notches 22 are inserted when fitted, and a space portion 35 which is defined between the pair of plate-like portions 34 and into which the cylindrical wall piece 23 is inserted.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

本発明は、第１端子を有する第１コネクタと、第２端子を有する第２コネクタと、を備えるコネクタユニットに関する。 The present invention relates to a connector unit including a first connector having a first terminal and a second connector having a second terminal.

従来から、棒状の端子を電気回路における電気的接続に用いることが提案されている。例えば、従来の例の一つでは、円柱状のオス端子をメス端子の筒状の窪みに挿し込むことで、オス端子とメス端子とが電気的に接続されるようになっている（例えば、特許文献１を参照。）。 Conventionally, it has been proposed to use rod-shaped terminals for electrical connections in electrical circuits. For example, in one conventional example, the male terminal and the female terminal are electrically connected by inserting the cylindrical male terminal into the cylindrical recess of the female terminal (for example, (See Patent Document 1.)

特許第６４７１００１号公報Patent No. 6471001

上述した従来の例のような棒状のオス端子をコネクタに用いる場合、一般に、オス端子を収容するオスハウジングに設けた筒状のフード部でオス端子を取り囲んで、作業者の指等が誤ってオス端子に接触すること（いわゆる、触指）を防ぐようになっている。触指をより確実に防ぐ観点では、フード部の筒長さをオス端子よりも十分に長くして、フード部の出来る限り奥側にオス端子を配置することが好ましい。ところが、そのようにフード部の筒長さを長くする場合、オス端子とメス端子との接続の際（即ち、コネクタ嵌合の際）にフード部がメスハウジングやメス端子の接点部以外の箇所に干渉しないように、それらをフード部から十分に離すような形状に、メスハウジングやメス端子を設計することになる。その結果、双方のコネクタを含むコネクタユニットが大型化することになる。このように、端子への触指の防止と、コネクタユニットの小型化と、は一般に両立が困難である。 When using a rod-shaped male terminal in a connector as in the conventional example described above, the male terminal is generally surrounded by a cylindrical hood provided on the male housing that accommodates the male terminal, so that the operator's fingers or the like may be accidentally touched. This prevents contact with the male terminal (so-called tactile fingers). From the viewpoint of more reliably preventing touch fingers, it is preferable to make the cylinder length of the hood part sufficiently longer than that of the male terminal, and to arrange the male terminal as far back as possible in the hood part. However, when the length of the cylinder of the hood part is increased in this way, when connecting the male terminal and the female terminal (i.e., when mating the connector), the hood part is attached to a part other than the female housing or the contact part of the female terminal. The female housing and female terminals must be designed in such a way that they are sufficiently separated from the hood so that they do not interfere with the hood. As a result, the connector unit including both connectors becomes larger. In this way, it is generally difficult to simultaneously prevent fingers from touching the terminals and reduce the size of the connector unit.

本発明の目的の一つは、端子への触指の防止と、コネクタユニットの小型化と、を両立可能なコネクタユニットの提供である。 One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a connector unit that can both prevent fingers from touching terminals and reduce the size of the connector unit.

上述した目的を達成するために、本発明に係るコネクタユニットは、下記を特徴としている。 In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector unit according to the present invention has the following features.

第１端子を有する第１コネクタと、第２端子を有する第２コネクタと、を備えるコネクタユニットであって、
前記第１端子は、
前記第２端子との接続のための第１接点部を有し、
前記第２端子は、
前記第１端子との接続のための第２接点部と、前記第１コネクタと前記第２コネクタとの嵌合方向に交差する向きに前記第２接点部から延びる延出部と、を有し、
前記第１コネクタは、
前記第１接点部を取り囲む筒形状のフード部を有する第１ハウジングを有し、
前記第２コネクタは、
前記第１コネクタと前記第２コネクタとの嵌合の際、前記フード部の開口端部から筒内に前記第２端子の前記第２接点部が挿入されるとともに前記第２接点部に前記第１接点部が導通接続されるように、前記第２端子を保持する第２ハウジングを有し、
前記フード部は、
当該フード部の前記開口端部に、当該フード部の筒軸方向に延びる切欠きと、前記切欠きに隣り合う筒壁片と、を有し、
前記第２端子の前記延出部は、
前記嵌合の際に前記切欠きに挿入される板状部と、前記板状部に隣り合うように画成されて前記嵌合の際に前記筒壁片が挿入される空間部と、を有する、
コネクタユニットであること。 A connector unit comprising a first connector having a first terminal and a second connector having a second terminal,
The first terminal is
having a first contact portion for connection with the second terminal;
The second terminal is
a second contact portion for connection with the first terminal; and an extension portion extending from the second contact portion in a direction intersecting the fitting direction of the first connector and the second connector. ,
The first connector is
a first housing having a cylindrical hood portion surrounding the first contact portion;
The second connector is
When the first connector and the second connector are fitted together, the second contact part of the second terminal is inserted into the cylinder from the open end of the hood part, and the second contact part is inserted into the second contact part. a second housing that holds the second terminal so that the first contact portion is electrically connected;
The hood part is
The opening end of the hood has a notch extending in the axial direction of the cylinder of the hood, and a cylinder wall piece adjacent to the notch,
The extending portion of the second terminal is
a plate-shaped part that is inserted into the notch when the fitting is performed; and a space that is defined adjacent to the plate-shaped part and into which the cylindrical wall piece is inserted during the fitting. have,
Must be a connector unit.

本発明のコネクタユニットによれば、第１コネクタが有する第１端子の第１接点部が、第１ハウジングに設けられた筒形状のフード部に収容される。第２コネクタが有する第２端子は、第１端子に導通接続する第２接点部と、嵌合方向に交差する向きに第２接点部から延びる延出部と、を有する。第１コネクタのフード部は、その開口端部に、フード部の筒軸方向に延びる切欠きと、切欠きに隣り合う筒壁片と、を有している。そして、コネクタ同士の嵌合の際、第２端子の第２接点部が、フード部の筒内に入り込むとともに、第２端子の延出部に設けられる板状部が、フード部の切欠きに挿入される。更に、フード部の筒壁片が、第２端子の延出部の空間部に挿入される。これにより、フード部が上述した切欠き等を有さない場合に比べ、切欠きの深さの分だけ、第１コネクタと第２コネクタとを互いに近づけることができる。換言すると、嵌合方向において、コネクタユニットの全体的な大きさを小さくする（換言すると、低背化する）ことができる。更に、フード部の切欠きの幅を十分に狭くすれば、切欠きを通じて触指が生じることはないため、フード部による触指予防効果が損なわれることもない。更に、第２端子に上述した板状部及び空間部を設けることで、第２ハウジングにはそのような構造を設けなくてもよいため、第２ハウジングによる触指予防効果が損なわれることもない。したがって、本構成のコネクタユニットは、端子への触指の防止と、コネクタユニットの小型化と、を両立可能である。 According to the connector unit of the present invention, the first contact portion of the first terminal included in the first connector is accommodated in the cylindrical hood portion provided in the first housing. The second terminal of the second connector has a second contact portion electrically connected to the first terminal, and an extension portion extending from the second contact portion in a direction intersecting the fitting direction. The hood portion of the first connector has, at its open end, a notch extending in the direction of the cylinder axis of the hood portion, and a cylindrical wall piece adjacent to the notch. When the connectors are mated together, the second contact part of the second terminal enters the cylinder of the hood part, and the plate-shaped part provided on the extension part of the second terminal fits into the notch of the hood part. inserted. Further, the cylindrical wall piece of the hood portion is inserted into the space of the extension portion of the second terminal. Thereby, the first connector and the second connector can be brought closer to each other by the depth of the notch, compared to the case where the hood part does not have the above-mentioned notch or the like. In other words, the overall size of the connector unit can be reduced in the fitting direction (in other words, the height can be reduced). Furthermore, if the width of the notch in the hood section is made sufficiently narrow, no tactile fingers will occur through the notch, and the effect of the hood section on preventing tactile fingers will not be impaired. Furthermore, by providing the above-mentioned plate-shaped portion and space in the second terminal, the second housing does not need to be provided with such a structure, so that the second housing does not impair the tactile prevention effect. . Therefore, the connector unit having this configuration can both prevent fingers from touching the terminals and reduce the size of the connector unit.

以上、本発明について簡潔に説明した。更に、以下に説明される発明を実施するための形態（以下、「実施形態」という。）を添付の図面を参照して通読することにより、本発明の詳細は更に明確化されるであろう。 The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the mode for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. .

図１は、本発明の実施形態に係るコネクタユニットを構成するオスコネクタとメスコネクタとが分離した状態を示す斜視図である。FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a separated state of a male connector and a female connector that constitute a connector unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 図２は、図１に示すオスコネクタの下面図である。FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the male connector shown in FIG. 1. 図３は、図１に示すメスコネクタの斜視図である。FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the female connector shown in FIG. 1. 図４は、オスコネクタに収容されるオス端子の分解斜視図である。FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a male terminal housed in a male connector. 図５は、メスコネクタに収容されるメス端子の斜視図である。FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a female terminal housed in a female connector. 図６は、オスコネクタ及びメスコネクタの嵌合状態における、図１のＡ－Ａ断面に相当する断面図である。FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the AA cross section in FIG. 1 when the male connector and the female connector are in a fitted state. 図７は、図６のＢ－Ｂ断面図である。FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 図８は、参考例に係る環状のコイルスプリングの周方向の一部を示す側面図である。FIG. 8 is a side view showing a part of the annular coil spring in the circumferential direction according to the reference example. 図９は、図４に示す環状のコイルスプリングの周方向の一部を示す側面図である。FIG. 9 is a side view showing a part of the annular coil spring shown in FIG. 4 in the circumferential direction.

＜実施形態＞
以下、図面を参照しながら、本発明の実施形態に係るコネクタユニット１について説明する。図１及び図６等に示すように、コネクタユニット１は、オス端子１０を内蔵するオスコネクタ２と、オス端子１０に接続可能なメス端子３０を内蔵して電線５０が延びるメスコネクタ３と、を備える。オスコネクタ２に属するオスハウジング２０と、メスコネクタ３に属するメスハウジング４０とが嵌合することで、コネクタユニット１は、オス端子１０に接続された電線（図示省略）と電線５０とを、オス端子１０及びメス端子３０を介して電気的に接続するように機能する。 <Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a connector unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, etc., the connector unit 1 includes a male connector 2 that has a built-in male terminal 10, a female connector 3 that has a built-in female terminal 30 connectable to the male terminal 10, and from which an electric wire 50 extends. Equipped with By fitting the male housing 20 belonging to the male connector 2 and the female housing 40 belonging to the female connector 3, the connector unit 1 connects the electric wire (not shown) connected to the male terminal 10 and the electric wire 50 to the male It functions to electrically connect via the terminal 10 and female terminal 30.

以下、説明の便宜上、図１～図９に示すように、「前」、「後」、「上」、「下」、「左」及び「右」を定義する。「前後方向」、「上下方向」、及び「左右方向」は、互いに直交している。前後方向は、オスハウジング２０とメスハウジング４０との嵌合方向、及び、オス端子１０とメス端子３０との接続方向と一致している。オスコネクタ２及びメスコネクタ３の各々について、相手側コネクタとの嵌合の進行側及び退行側をそれぞれ「前」側及び「後」側とする。よって、オスコネクタ２についての「前」及び「後」と、メスコネクタ３についての「前」及び「後」とは、互いに逆になっている。図１、図６及び図７では、オスコネクタ２についての「前」及び「後」を主に示し、メスコネクタ３についての「前」及び「後」はカッコ書きで示す。 Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" will be defined as shown in FIGS. 1 to 9. The "front-back direction", the "up-down direction", and the "left-right direction" are orthogonal to each other. The front-rear direction corresponds to the direction in which the male housing 20 and the female housing 40 are fitted together, and the direction in which the male terminal 10 and the female terminal 30 are connected. For each of the male connector 2 and the female connector 3, the forward and backward sides of mating with the mating connector are defined as the "front" side and the "rear" side, respectively. Therefore, the "front" and "rear" of the male connector 2 and the "front" and "rear" of the female connector 3 are opposite to each other. In FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, the "front" and "rear" of the male connector 2 are mainly shown, and the "front" and "rear" of the female connector 3 are shown in parentheses.

以下、まず、オスコネクタ２について説明する。オスコネクタ２は、図１に示すように、オス端子１０と、オス端子１０を収容するオスハウジング２０と、を有する。オスハウジング２０は、図１、図２及び図６に示すように、左右方向及び上下方向に延びる略矩形平板状の形状を有する樹脂成形体である。フロントハウジング２０は、詳細な説明は省略するが、実際には、複数の樹脂部品が組み合わされて構成されている（図６参照）。 Hereinafter, first, the male connector 2 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 1, the male connector 2 includes a male terminal 10 and a male housing 20 that accommodates the male terminal 10. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the male housing 20 is a resin molded body having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape extending in the left-right direction and the up-down direction. Although detailed explanation is omitted, the front housing 20 is actually constructed by combining a plurality of resin parts (see FIG. 6).

オスハウジング２０には、左右一対のオス端子１０が、左右方向に間隔を空けて並ぶように収容されている（図１参照）。各オス端子１０は、図４及び図６に示すように、前後方向に延びる円柱状の棒状接続部１１と、棒状接続部１１の後側に位置して図示しない電線に接続されることになる前後方向に延びる円柱状の電線接続部１２と、を一体に有する。オス端子１０の全表面には、メッキ層が設けられている。電線接続部１２の外径は、棒状接続部１１の外径より大きい。棒状接続部１１は、オスハウジング２０の前端面から前側に突出するように配置されて、オスハウジング２０の前面側に露出している（図１及び図６参照）。電線接続部１２は、オスハウジング２０の後面側に露出している（図６参照）。電線接続部１２の後端面には、前方に窪む凹部１２ａが形成されており（図６参照）、この凹部１２ａに、図示しない電線の端末部が挿入され固定される。 A pair of left and right male terminals 10 are housed in the male housing 20 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the left and right direction (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, each male terminal 10 is connected to a cylindrical rod-shaped connection part 11 extending in the front-rear direction and an electric wire (not shown) located on the rear side of the rod-shaped connection part 11. It integrally includes a cylindrical wire connection portion 12 extending in the front-rear direction. A plating layer is provided on the entire surface of the male terminal 10. The outer diameter of the wire connecting portion 12 is larger than the outer diameter of the rod-shaped connecting portion 11. The rod-shaped connecting portion 11 is arranged so as to protrude forward from the front end surface of the male housing 20, and is exposed on the front side of the male housing 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). The wire connection portion 12 is exposed on the rear side of the male housing 20 (see FIG. 6). A forwardly recessed portion 12a is formed in the rear end surface of the wire connecting portion 12 (see FIG. 6), and an end portion of an electric wire (not shown) is inserted and fixed into this recessed portion 12a.

図４に示すように、棒状接続部１１の前端部には、棒状接続部１１の他の部分より小径の円柱状の小径部１３が同軸的に設けられ、更に、小径部１３の前側には、キャップ装着部１４が設けられている。小径部１３には、円環状の金属製の傾斜コイルスプリング６０が装着され、キャップ装着部１４には、筒状の樹脂製のキャップ７１が装着される。傾斜コイルスプリング６０は、オス端子１０の棒状接続部１１（小径部１３）の外周面と、メス端子３０の後述する筒状接点部３１（図５及び図６参照）の内壁面と、に挟まれて、棒状接続部１１と筒状接点部３１とを電気的に接続する機能を発揮する。傾斜コイルスプリング６０の表面にはメッキ層が設けられている。傾斜コイルスプリング６０の詳細な構成（図９参照）については後述する。キャップ７１は、傾斜コイルスプリング６０のオス端子１０からの前方への脱落を防止する機能、及び、オス端子１０への触指を防止する機能を発揮する。 As shown in FIG. 4, a cylindrical small-diameter portion 13 having a smaller diameter than other portions of the rod-like connection portion 11 is coaxially provided at the front end of the rod-like connection portion 11, and furthermore, a small diameter portion 13 having a smaller diameter than other portions of the rod-like connection portion 11 is provided on the front end of the rod-like connection portion 11. , a cap mounting portion 14 is provided. An annular metal inclined coil spring 60 is attached to the small diameter portion 13, and a cylindrical resin cap 71 is attached to the cap attachment portion 14. The inclined coil spring 60 is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the rod-shaped connecting portion 11 (small diameter portion 13) of the male terminal 10 and the inner wall surface of the later-described cylindrical contact portion 31 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) of the female terminal 30. As a result, the rod-shaped connecting portion 11 and the cylindrical contact portion 31 are electrically connected to each other. A plating layer is provided on the surface of the inclined coil spring 60. The detailed configuration of the inclined coil spring 60 (see FIG. 9) will be described later. The cap 71 has the function of preventing the inclined coil spring 60 from falling off from the male terminal 10 in the forward direction, and the function of preventing the male terminal 10 from being touched by fingers.

略矩形平板状のオスハウジング２０の前端面には、左右一対のオス端子１０に対応して、左右一対の円筒状のフード部２１が、前方に突出し且つ前方に開口するように設けられている（図１及び図６参照）。各フード部２１は、対応するオス端子１０の棒状接続部１１を取り囲むように、棒状接続部１１と同軸的に配置されている。フード部２１は、キャップ７１との協働により、オス端子１０への触指を防止する機能を発揮する。 A pair of left and right cylindrical hoods 21 are provided on the front end surface of the substantially rectangular flat male housing 20 so as to protrude forward and open forward, corresponding to the left and right pair of male terminals 10. (See Figures 1 and 6). Each hood part 21 is arranged coaxially with the rod-shaped connection part 11 so as to surround the rod-shaped connection part 11 of the corresponding male terminal 10 . The hood part 21 cooperates with the cap 71 to perform a function of preventing fingers from touching the male terminal 10.

フード部２１の前端部に位置する開口端部の下端部には、当該開口端部の下端より左側及び右側に位置して前後方向に延びる左右一対の切欠き２２が形成されている（図１及び図２等参照）。この結果、フード部２１の開口端部の下端には、左右一対の切欠き２２に挟まれて前後方向に延びる筒壁片２３が画成されている。切欠き２２の幅は、切欠き２２を通じてオス端子１０への触指が生じない程度に十分に小さい。なお、オスハウジング２０の成形時の型抜きの便宜上、フード部２１の開口端部の上端部にも、一対の切欠き２２及び筒壁片２３と同様の一対の切欠き及び筒壁片が形成されている。 A pair of left and right notches 22 are formed at the lower end of the open end located at the front end of the hood portion 21. The cutouts 22 extend in the front-rear direction and are located on the left and right sides of the lower end of the open end. and Figure 2, etc.). As a result, a cylindrical wall piece 23 is defined at the lower end of the open end of the hood portion 21, and extends in the front-rear direction and is sandwiched between the pair of left and right notches 22. The width of the notch 22 is sufficiently small so as not to touch the male terminal 10 through the notch 22. In addition, for convenience of die cutting during molding of the male housing 20, a pair of notches and a cylinder wall piece similar to the pair of notches 22 and the cylinder wall piece 23 are also formed at the upper end of the open end of the hood part 21. has been done.

オスハウジング２０の前端面には、左右一対のフード部２１に対応して、左右一対の円環状の環状凹部２４が、後方に窪むように設けられている（図１及び図６参照）。各環状凹部２４は、対応するフード部２１を取り囲むように、フード部２１と同軸的に配置されている。オスハウジング２０とメスハウジング４０との嵌合の際、左右一対の環状凹部２４には、メスハウジング４０の後述する左右一対のフード部４１（図３及び図６参照）がそれぞれ挿入されることになる。以上、オスコネクタ２について説明した。 On the front end surface of the male housing 20, a pair of left and right annular recesses 24 are provided so as to be recessed rearward, corresponding to the left and right pair of hoods 21 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). Each annular recess 24 is arranged coaxially with the corresponding hood 21 so as to surround the corresponding hood 21. When the male housing 20 and the female housing 40 are fitted together, a pair of left and right hoods 41 (see FIGS. 3 and 6) of the female housing 40 (described later) are inserted into the pair of left and right annular recesses 24, respectively. Become. The male connector 2 has been described above.

次いで、メスコネクタ３について説明する。メスコネクタ３は、オス端子１０に接続されるメス端子３０と、メス端子３０を収容するメスハウジング４０と、メス端子３０に接続される電線５０と、を有する。メスハウジング４０は、図１、図３及び図６に示すように、前後方向、左右方向及び上下方向に延び且つ前後方向に偏平な略直方体状の箱状の形状を有する樹脂成形体である。メスハウジング４０は、詳細な説明は省略するが、実際には、複数の樹脂部品が組み合わされて構成されている（図６参照）。 Next, the female connector 3 will be explained. The female connector 3 includes a female terminal 30 connected to the male terminal 10, a female housing 40 housing the female terminal 30, and an electric wire 50 connected to the female terminal 30. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, the female housing 40 is a resin molded body that has a substantially rectangular box-like shape that extends in the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction, and is flat in the front-rear direction. Although detailed explanation is omitted, the female housing 40 is actually constructed by combining a plurality of resin parts (see FIG. 6).

メスハウジング４０には、左右一対のオス端子１０に対応して、左右一対のメス端子３０が、左右方向に間隔を空けて並ぶように収容されている（図３参照）。各メス端子３０は、図５及び図６に示すように、オス端子１０の棒状接続部１１に接続されることになる前後方向に延びる筒状接点部３１と、筒状接点部３１から下方に延びて電線５０の端末に接続される延出部３２と、を一体に有する。メス端子３０の全表面には、メッキ層が設けられている。筒状接点部３１は、前端が開口し後端が塞がれた円筒状の形状を有しており、筒状接点部３１の前端の開口端部から筒内にオス端子１０の棒状接続部１１が挿入される（図６参照）。筒状接点部３１は、メスハウジング４０の前面側に露出している（図３及び図６参照）。電線５０は、延出部３２から下方に向けてメスハウジング４０の外部へと延出している（図１、図３及び図６参照）。 In the female housing 40, a pair of left and right female terminals 30 are housed in correspondence with a pair of left and right male terminals 10 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the left and right direction (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each female terminal 30 has a cylindrical contact portion 31 extending in the front-rear direction to be connected to the rod-shaped connection portion 11 of the male terminal 10, and a cylindrical contact portion 31 extending downward from the cylindrical contact portion 31. It integrally includes an extending portion 32 that extends and is connected to the terminal of the electric wire 50. A plating layer is provided on the entire surface of the female terminal 30. The cylindrical contact part 31 has a cylindrical shape with an open front end and a closed rear end, and a rod-shaped connection part of the male terminal 10 is inserted into the cylinder from the open end of the front end of the cylindrical contact part 31. 11 is inserted (see FIG. 6). The cylindrical contact portion 31 is exposed on the front side of the female housing 40 (see FIGS. 3 and 6). The electric wire 50 extends downward from the extending portion 32 to the outside of the female housing 40 (see FIGS. 1, 3, and 6).

筒状接点部３１の前端の開口縁部には、キャップ装着部３３が設けられている（図５及び図６参照）。キャップ装着部３３には、前後方向に延びる円筒状の樹脂製のキャップ７２が、筒状接点部３１から前方に連続して延びるように装着される（図３及び図６参照）。キャップ７２は、メス端子３０への触指を防止する機能を発揮する。 A cap mounting portion 33 is provided at the opening edge at the front end of the cylindrical contact portion 31 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). A cylindrical resin cap 72 extending in the front-rear direction is attached to the cap attachment part 33 so as to continuously extend forward from the cylindrical contact part 31 (see FIGS. 3 and 6). The cap 72 functions to prevent fingers from touching the female terminal 30.

延出部３２における筒状接点部３１との連結部には、図５に示すように、オスハウジング２０のフード部２１の左右一対の切欠き２２に対応して、左右一対の板状部３４が、左右方向に間隔を空けて並ぶように設けられている。各板状部３４は、上下方向及び前後方向に延びる平板状の部分であり、その板厚（左右方向の厚さ）は、オスハウジング２０の切欠き２２の幅より小さい。左右一対の板状部３４の間には、オスハウジング２０のフード部２１の筒壁片２３に対応して、空間部３５が画成されている。空間部３５の左右方向の幅は、オス端子１０の筒壁片２３の幅より大きい。オスハウジング２０とメスハウジング４０との嵌合の際、一対の板状部３４が一対の切欠き２２に挿入可能であり、且つ、筒壁片２３が空間部３５に挿入可能となっている（図７参照）。本例では、空間部３５は前後方に窪んだ溝状の形状を有するが、空間部３５は、延出部３２を前後方向に貫通する孔状の形状を有してもよい。 As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of left and right plate-shaped portions 34 are provided at the connection portion of the extension portion 32 with the cylindrical contact portion 31, corresponding to the pair of left and right notches 22 of the hood portion 21 of the male housing 20. are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other in the left and right direction. Each plate-like part 34 is a flat part extending in the vertical direction and the front-back direction, and its plate thickness (thickness in the left-right direction) is smaller than the width of the notch 22 of the male housing 20. A space portion 35 is defined between the pair of left and right plate portions 34, corresponding to the cylindrical wall piece 23 of the hood portion 21 of the male housing 20. The width of the space 35 in the left-right direction is larger than the width of the cylindrical wall piece 23 of the male terminal 10. When the male housing 20 and the female housing 40 are fitted together, the pair of plate-shaped parts 34 can be inserted into the pair of notches 22, and the cylindrical wall piece 23 can be inserted into the space 35 ( (See Figure 7). In this example, the space portion 35 has a groove-like shape recessed in the front and rear directions, but the space portion 35 may have a hole-like shape that penetrates the extending portion 32 in the front-rear direction.

メスハウジング４０の前端面には、左右一対のメス端子３０（左右一対のキャップ７２）に対応して、左右一対の円筒状のフード部４１が、前方に突出し且つ前方に開口するように設けられている（図３及び図６参照）。各フード部４１は、対応するメス端子３０に装着されたキャップ７２を取り囲むように、メス端子３０及びキャップ７２と同軸的に配置されている。フード部４１は、キャップ７２との協働により、メス端子３０への触指を防止する機能を発揮する。以上、メスコネクタ３について説明した。 A pair of left and right cylindrical hoods 41 are provided on the front end surface of the female housing 40 so as to protrude and open forward, corresponding to the pair of left and right female terminals 30 (the pair of left and right caps 72). (See Figures 3 and 6). Each hood portion 41 is arranged coaxially with the female terminal 30 and the cap 72 so as to surround the cap 72 attached to the corresponding female terminal 30. The hood part 41 cooperates with the cap 72 to perform a function of preventing fingers from touching the female terminal 30. The female connector 3 has been described above.

上記構成を有するオスコネクタ２及びメスコネクタ３は、前後方向に互いに分離した状態から前後方向に互いに近づけることで、嵌合される。嵌合の際、図６に示すように、オス端子１０の棒状接続部１１がメス端子３０の筒状接点部３１の筒内に挿入され、筒状接点部３１がオスハウジング２０のフード部２１の筒内に挿入され、且つ、メスハウジング４０のフード部４１がオスハウジング２０の環状凹部２４に挿入される。更に、メス端子３０の一対の板状部３４がフード部２１の一対の切欠き２２に挿入され、且つ、フード部２１の筒壁片２３が、メス端子３０の空間部３５に挿入される（図６及び図７参照） The male connector 2 and the female connector 3 having the above configuration are fitted together by moving them closer to each other in the front-back direction from a state where they are separated from each other in the front-back direction. When mating, as shown in FIG. 6, the rod-shaped connecting portion 11 of the male terminal 10 is inserted into the cylinder of the cylindrical contact portion 31 of the female terminal 30, and the cylindrical contact portion 31 is inserted into the hood portion 21 of the male housing 20. The hood portion 41 of the female housing 40 is inserted into the annular recess 24 of the male housing 20. Furthermore, the pair of plate-shaped parts 34 of the female terminal 30 are inserted into the pair of notches 22 of the hood part 21, and the cylindrical wall piece 23 of the hood part 21 is inserted into the space part 35 of the female terminal 30 ( (See Figures 6 and 7)

嵌合完了状態では、図７に示すように、一対の板状部３４が一対の切欠き２２に挿入され、且つ、筒壁片２３が空間部３５に挿入されている。これにより、フード部２１が切欠き２２及び筒壁片２３を有さない場合に比べ、切欠き２２の深さ（前後方向に長さ）の分だけ、オスコネクタ２とメスコネクタ３とを互いに近づけることができる。換言すると、前後方向（嵌合方向）において、コネクタユニット１を小型化（低背化）できる。 In the fully fitted state, as shown in FIG. 7, the pair of plate-shaped portions 34 are inserted into the pair of notches 22, and the cylindrical wall piece 23 is inserted into the space 35. As a result, compared to the case where the hood part 21 does not have the notch 22 and the cylindrical wall piece 23, the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are separated from each other by the depth of the notch 22 (length in the front and back direction). You can get close. In other words, the connector unit 1 can be made smaller (lower in height) in the front-rear direction (fitting direction).

嵌合完了状態では、オス端子１０の棒状接続部１１（小径部１３）の外周面及びメス端子３０の筒状接点部３１の内壁面が傾斜コイルスプリング６０を挟んで同軸的に配置され且つ傾斜コイルスプリング６０に弾性的に押圧接触している。この結果、オス端子１０とメス端子３０とが傾斜コイルスプリング６０を介して電気的に接続されることで、コネクタユニット１に振動等の外力が及んだ場合でも、オス端子１０とメス端子３０とが導通接続された状態が適正に維持される。更に、オス端子１０とメス端子３０との間を流れる電流は、傾斜コイルスプリング６０とオス端子１０との接点、傾斜コイルスプリング６０、及び、傾斜コイルスプリング６０とメス端子３０との接点を経て、流れることになる。よって、単にオス端子及びメス端子同士を接触させる場合に比べ、オス端子１０とメス端子３０との電気的接点の数（即ち、傾斜コイルスプリング６０とオス端子１０及びメス端子３０との接点の数）を増大させることができる。 In the fully mated state, the outer circumferential surface of the rod-shaped connecting portion 11 (small diameter portion 13) of the male terminal 10 and the inner wall surface of the cylindrical contact portion 31 of the female terminal 30 are arranged coaxially with the inclined coil spring 60 in between and are inclined. It is in elastic pressure contact with the coil spring 60. As a result, the male terminal 10 and the female terminal 30 are electrically connected via the inclined coil spring 60, so that even if an external force such as vibration is applied to the connector unit 1, the male terminal 10 and the female terminal 30 The state in which they are electrically connected is properly maintained. Furthermore, the current flowing between the male terminal 10 and the female terminal 30 passes through the contact point between the inclined coil spring 60 and the male terminal 10, the inclined coil spring 60, and the contact point between the inclined coil spring 60 and the female terminal 30. It will flow. Therefore, the number of electrical contact points between the male terminal 10 and the female terminal 30 (i.e., the number of contact points between the inclined coil spring 60 and the male terminal 10 and the female terminal 30) is reduced compared to the case where the male terminal and the female terminal are simply brought into contact with each other. ) can be increased.

以下、円環状の傾斜コイルスプリング６０の詳細な構成（図９参照）について説明する。その準備として、まず、図８を参照しながら、一般的な円環状のコイルスプリング６０Ａの構成について説明する。円環状のコイルスプリング６０Ａは、導体線材６１が螺旋状に旋回しながら円環の周方向Ｘの全周に亘って延びている。即ち、コイルスプリング６０Ａは、周方向Ｘに閉じている。図８は、円環状のコイルスプリング６０Ａの上端部分を示している。図８では、図示の便宜上、周方向Ｘを、左右方向に直線状に延びるように図示しているが、実際には、図８に示す周方向Ｘは、上に凸の円弧状に延びている（図９についても同様）。 The detailed configuration of the annular inclined coil spring 60 (see FIG. 9) will be described below. In preparation, first, the configuration of a general annular coil spring 60A will be described with reference to FIG. The annular coil spring 60A extends over the entire circumference of the annular ring in the circumferential direction X while the conductor wire 61 spirally turns. That is, the coil spring 60A is closed in the circumferential direction X. FIG. 8 shows the upper end portion of the annular coil spring 60A. In FIG. 8, for convenience of illustration, the circumferential direction (The same applies to Figure 9).

コイルスプリング６０Ａがオス端子１０に装着された場合、オスコネクタ２及びメスコネクタ３の嵌合の際、コイルスプリング６０Ａは、図８に示すように、メス端子３０（筒状接点部３１）に接触する導体線材６１の第１箇所ａと、導体線材６１の旋回方向の一側において第１箇所ａに隣り合い且つオス端子１０（小径部１３）に接触する導体線材６１の第２箇所ｂと、導体線材６１の旋回方向の他側において第１箇所ａに隣り合い且つオス端子１０（小径部１３）に接触する導体線材６１の第３箇所ｃと、を有すると共に、周方向Ｘにおいて、第１箇所ａの一方側に第２箇所ｂが位置し、第１箇所ａの他方側に第３箇所ｃが位置する。嵌合の際、コイルスプリング６０Ａがオス端子１０とメス端子３０とに挟まれる過程で、コイルスプリング６０Ａが径方向（図８では上下方向）に押し潰されて、第１箇所ａがオス端子１０に近付くように（図８では下方に）変位し、第２箇所ｂ及び第３箇所ｃがメス端子３０に近付くように（図８では上方に）変位することになる。 When the coil spring 60A is attached to the male terminal 10, when the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are mated, the coil spring 60A comes into contact with the female terminal 30 (cylindrical contact portion 31) as shown in FIG. a first location a of the conductor wire 61, and a second location b of the conductor wire 61, which is adjacent to the first location a on one side in the turning direction of the conductor wire 61 and contacts the male terminal 10 (small diameter portion 13); a third location c of the conductor wire 61 that is adjacent to the first location a on the other side in the turning direction of the conductor wire 61 and contacts the male terminal 10 (small diameter portion 13); A second location b is located on one side of the location a, and a third location c is located on the other side of the first location a. During fitting, the coil spring 60A is crushed in the radial direction (in the vertical direction in FIG. 8) in the process of being sandwiched between the male terminal 10 and the female terminal 30, and the first location a is pressed against the male terminal 10. (downward in FIG. 8), and the second location b and third location c are displaced toward the female terminal 30 (upward in FIG. 8).

このとき、周方向Ｘにおいて第２箇所ｂ及び第３箇所ｃが第１箇所ａに対して互いに反対側にあるため、第１箇所ａ及び第２箇所ｂを含む螺旋面と、第１箇所ａ及び第３箇所ｃを含む螺旋面とが互いに逆向きに更に傾くように変位しようとする。上記２つの螺旋面が互いに逆向きに更に傾くように変位するためには、コイルスプリング６０Ａが周方向Ｘの全長が長くなるように変位する必要がある。しかしながら、コイルスプリング６０Ａは、オス端子１０及びメス端子３０によって径方向に挟まれ、且つ、周方向Ｘに閉じているため、全長が長くなるように（拡径するように）変位することが難しい。この結果、上記２つの螺旋面が互いに逆向きに更に傾くように変位し難い（第１箇所ａ、第２箇所ｂ及び第３箇所ｃが変位し難い）ことで、嵌合の際に要するオス端子１０のメス端子３０への挿入力（操作力）が比較的大きくなり易い。 At this time, since the second location b and the third location c are on opposite sides of the first location a in the circumferential direction X, the spiral surface including the first location a and the second location b and the first location a and the spiral surface including the third point c are about to be displaced so that they are further tilted in opposite directions. In order to displace the two helical surfaces so that they are further tilted in opposite directions, the coil spring 60A needs to be displaced so that its total length in the circumferential direction X becomes longer. However, since the coil spring 60A is sandwiched between the male terminal 10 and the female terminal 30 in the radial direction and closed in the circumferential direction . As a result, the two helical surfaces are difficult to displace so that they are further tilted in opposite directions (the first location a, the second location b, and the third location c are difficult to displace). The insertion force (operating force) of the terminal 10 into the female terminal 30 tends to be relatively large.

これに対し、図９に示す傾斜コイル構造を有する円環状の傾斜コイルスプリング６０がオス端子１０に装着された場合、オスコネクタ２及びメスコネクタ３の嵌合の際、傾斜コイルスプリング６０は、図８に示すコイルスプリング６０Ａと同様、メス端子３０（筒状接点部３１）に接触する導体線材６１の第１箇所ａと、導体線材６１の旋回方向の一側において第１箇所ａに隣り合い且つオス端子１０（小径部１３）に接触する導体線材６１の第２箇所ｂと、導体線材６１の旋回方向の他側において第１箇所ａに隣り合い且つオス端子１０（小径部１３）に接触する導体線材６１の第３箇所ｃと、を有する。一方、コイルスプリング６０Ａとは異なり、傾斜コイルスプリング６０は、周方向Ｘにおいて、第２箇所ｂ及び第３箇所ｃの双方が第１箇所ａの一方側に位置する、傾斜コイル構造を有する。嵌合の際、傾斜コイルスプリング６０がオス端子１０とメス端子３０とに挟まれる過程で、第１箇所ａがオス端子１０に近付くように（図９では下方に）変位し、第２箇所ｂ及び第３箇所ｃがメス端子３０に近付くように（図９では上方に）変位することになる。このとき、周方向Ｘにおいて第２箇所ｂ及び第３箇所ｃが第１箇所ａに対して同じ側にあるため、第１箇所ａ及び第２箇所ｂを含む螺旋面と、第１箇所ａ及び第３箇所ｃを含む螺旋面とが、相対的に互いに近づきながら同じ向きに更に傾くように変位しようとする。即ち、コイルスプリング６０Ａの周方向Ｘの全長を長くする（拡径する）ことなく、上記２つの螺旋面が同じ向きに更に傾くように変位し易い（第１箇所ａ、第２箇所ｂ及び第３箇所ｃが変位し易い）。この結果、図８に示すコイルスプリング６０Ａがオス端子１０に装着される場合と比べて、嵌合の際に要するオス端子１０のメス端子３０への挿入力（操作力）を小さくできる。 On the other hand, when the annular gradient coil spring 60 having the gradient coil structure shown in FIG. Similarly to the coil spring 60A shown in FIG. A second location b of the conductor wire 61 that contacts the male terminal 10 (small diameter portion 13) and a second location b that is adjacent to the first location a on the other side of the turning direction of the conductor wire 61 and contacts the male terminal 10 (small diameter portion 13). and a third location c of the conductor wire 61. On the other hand, unlike the coil spring 60A, the gradient coil spring 60 has a gradient coil structure in which both the second location b and the third location c are located on one side of the first location a in the circumferential direction X. During fitting, in the process of the inclined coil spring 60 being sandwiched between the male terminal 10 and the female terminal 30, the first location a is displaced so as to approach the male terminal 10 (downward in FIG. 9), and the second location b And the third location c is displaced so as to approach the female terminal 30 (upward in FIG. 9). At this time, since the second location b and the third location c are on the same side with respect to the first location a in the circumferential direction X, the spiral surface including the first location a and the second location b and the first location a and The helical surface including the third point c tends to be displaced so as to be further inclined in the same direction while relatively approaching each other. In other words, the two helical surfaces can be easily displaced so that they are further inclined in the same direction (the first location a, the second location b, and the 3 points c are likely to be displaced). As a result, compared to the case where the coil spring 60A shown in FIG. 8 is attached to the male terminal 10, the insertion force (operating force) required for fitting the male terminal 10 into the female terminal 30 can be reduced.

＜作用・効果＞
以上、本実施形態に係るコネクタユニット１によれば、オスコネクタ２が有する棒状のオス端子１０が、オスハウジング２０に設けられた筒形状のフード部２１に収容される。メスコネクタ３が有するメス端子３０は、オス端子１０が挿入される筒状接点部３１と、筒状接点部３１から筒径方向（嵌合方向に交差する方向。下方向）に延びて電線５０に接続される延出部３２と、を有する。オスコネクタ２のフード部２１は、その開口端部に、フード部２１の筒軸方向に延びる一対の切欠き２２と、一対の切欠き２２に隣り合って挟まれる筒壁片２３と、を有している。そして、コネクタ２，３同士の嵌合の際、メス端子３０の筒状接点部３１が、フード部２１の筒内に入り込むとともに、メス端子３０の延出部３２に設けられる一対の板状部３４が、フード部２１の一対の切欠き２２に挿入される。更に、フード部２１の筒壁片２３が、メス端子３０の延出部３２の空間部３５に挿入される。これにより、フード部２１が上述した切欠き２２等を有さない場合に比べ、切欠き２２の深さの分だけ、オスコネクタ２とメスコネクタ３とを互いに近づけることができる。換言すると、嵌合方向（前後方向）において、コネクタユニット１を小型化（低背化）できる。更に、フード部２１の切欠き２２の幅を十分に狭くすれば、切欠き２２を通じて触指が生じることはないため、フード部２１による触指予防効果が損なわれることもない。同様に、メス端子３０の延出部３２に上述した板状部３４及び空間部３５のような構造を設けることで、メスハウジング４０にはそのような構造を設けなくてもよいため、メスハウジング４０による触指予防効果が損なわれることもない。したがって、本実施形態に係るコネクタユニット１は、端子への触指の防止と、コネクタユニット１の小型化と、を両立可能である。 <Action/Effect>
As described above, according to the connector unit 1 according to the present embodiment, the rod-shaped male terminal 10 of the male connector 2 is accommodated in the cylindrical hood portion 21 provided in the male housing 20. The female terminal 30 of the female connector 3 includes a cylindrical contact portion 31 into which the male terminal 10 is inserted, and an electric wire 50 extending from the cylindrical contact portion 31 in the radial direction of the cylinder (direction that intersects the fitting direction; downward). It has an extension part 32 connected to. The hood part 21 of the male connector 2 has, at its open end, a pair of notches 22 extending in the axial direction of the cylinder of the hood part 21, and a cylinder wall piece 23 sandwiched adjacent to the pair of notches 22. are doing. When the connectors 2 and 3 are fitted together, the cylindrical contact portion 31 of the female terminal 30 enters into the cylinder of the hood portion 21, and the pair of plate-like portions provided on the extension portion 32 of the female terminal 30 34 are inserted into the pair of notches 22 of the hood portion 21. Further, the cylindrical wall piece 23 of the hood portion 21 is inserted into the space 35 of the extension portion 32 of the female terminal 30. This allows the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 to be brought closer to each other by the depth of the notch 22, compared to the case where the hood portion 21 does not have the above-mentioned notch 22 or the like. In other words, the connector unit 1 can be made smaller (lower in height) in the fitting direction (front-back direction). Furthermore, if the width of the notch 22 of the hood portion 21 is made sufficiently narrow, no tactile fingers will occur through the notch 22, and the effect of the hood portion 21 on preventing tactile fingers will not be impaired. Similarly, by providing the above-described structure such as the plate portion 34 and the space portion 35 on the extending portion 32 of the female terminal 30, the female housing 40 does not need to have such a structure. The anti-tactile prevention effect of No. 40 is not impaired. Therefore, the connector unit 1 according to the present embodiment can both prevent fingers from touching the terminals and reduce the size of the connector unit 1.

更に、オス端子１０の外周面とメス端子の筒状接点部３１の内壁面との間に、それら双方に弾性的に接触する円環状の傾斜コイルスプリング６０が配置される。この傾斜コイルスプリング６０により、コネクタユニット１に振動等の外力が及んだ場合でも、オス端子１０とメス端子３０とが導通接続された状態が適正に維持される。よって、コネクタユニット１における電気的接続の信頼性を向上できる。 Further, an annular inclined coil spring 60 is disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the male terminal 10 and the inner wall surface of the cylindrical contact portion 31 of the female terminal, so as to elastically contact both of them. Due to the inclined coil spring 60, even when an external force such as vibration is applied to the connector unit 1, the state in which the male terminal 10 and the female terminal 30 are electrically connected is properly maintained. Therefore, the reliability of the electrical connection in the connector unit 1 can be improved.

更に、オス端子１０とメス端子３０との間を流れる電流は、傾斜コイルスプリング６０とオス端子１０との接点、傾斜コイルスプリング６０、及び、傾斜コイルスプリング６０とメス端子３０との接点を経て、流れることになる。よって、単にオス端子及びメス端子同士を接触させる場合に比べ、オス端子１０とメス端子３０との電気的接点の数（即ち、傾斜コイルスプリング６０とオス端子１０及びメス端子３０との接点の数）を増大させることができる。その結果、端子間の接触荷重を過度に大きくしなくても、適正な電気的接続を図ることができる。そのため、オス端子１０、メス端子３０、及び、傾斜コイルスプリング６０に設けたメッキ層に過大な接触荷重によって摩耗等が生じ、電気的接続の信頼性が損なわれることを抑制できる。 Furthermore, the current flowing between the male terminal 10 and the female terminal 30 passes through the contact point between the inclined coil spring 60 and the male terminal 10, the inclined coil spring 60, and the contact point between the inclined coil spring 60 and the female terminal 30. It will flow. Therefore, the number of electrical contact points between the male terminal 10 and the female terminal 30 (i.e., the number of contact points between the inclined coil spring 60 and the male terminal 10 and the female terminal 30) is reduced compared to the case where the male terminal and the female terminal are simply brought into contact with each other. ) can be increased. As a result, proper electrical connection can be achieved without excessively increasing the contact load between the terminals. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wear and the like on the plating layers provided on the male terminal 10, the female terminal 30, and the inclined coil spring 60 due to an excessive contact load, thereby reducing the reliability of the electrical connection.

更に、傾斜コイルスプリング６０が、傾斜コイル構造を有する。即ち、コネクタユニット１の嵌合の際に傾斜コイルスプリング６０がオス端子１０とメス端子３０とに挟まれる過程で、傾斜コイルスプリング６０の第１箇所ａがオス端子１０に近付くように変位し、傾斜コイルスプリング６０の第２箇所ｂ及び第３箇所ｃがメス端子３０に近付くように変位することになる。このとき、第２箇所ｂ及び第３箇所ｃの双方が周方向Ｘにおいて第１箇所ａの一方側にあるため（図９を参照）、傾斜した螺旋面自体が傾くように変位することができる。よって、通常のコイルスプリング６０Ａ（図８参照。即ち、周方向Ｘにおいて、第１箇所ａの一方側に第２箇所ｂがあり、第１箇所ａの他方側に第３箇所ｃがあるコイルスプリング）に比べ、第１箇所ａ、第２箇所ｂ及び第３箇所ｃの変位が妨げられ難い。したがって、嵌合の際に要する操作力（いわゆる、挿入力）を小さくしながら、コネクタユニット１における電気的接続の信頼性を向上できる。 Further, the gradient coil spring 60 has a gradient coil structure. That is, in the process in which the inclined coil spring 60 is sandwiched between the male terminal 10 and the female terminal 30 when the connector unit 1 is fitted, the first portion a of the inclined coil spring 60 is displaced so as to approach the male terminal 10, The second location b and the third location c of the inclined coil spring 60 are displaced so as to approach the female terminal 30. At this time, since both the second location b and the third location c are on one side of the first location a in the circumferential direction X (see FIG. 9), the inclined spiral surface itself can be displaced so as to be inclined. . Therefore, a normal coil spring 60A (see FIG. 8; that is, a coil spring with a second location b on one side of the first location a and a third location c on the other side of the first location a in the circumferential direction X) ), the displacement of the first location a, second location b, and third location c is less likely to be hindered. Therefore, the reliability of the electrical connection in the connector unit 1 can be improved while reducing the operating force (so-called insertion force) required for fitting.

＜他の形態＞
なお、本発明は上記各実施形態に限定されることはなく、本発明の範囲内において種々の変形例を採用することができる。例えば、本発明は、上述した実施形態に限定されるものではなく、適宜、変形、改良、等が可能である。その他、上述した実施形態における各構成要素の材質、形状、寸法、数、配置箇所、等は本発明を達成できるものであれば任意であり、限定されない。 <Other forms>
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

例えば、上記実施形態では、オス端子１０の外周面とメス端子の筒状接点部３１の内壁面との間に、それら双方に弾性的に接触する傾斜コイルスプリング６０が配置されている。ここで、傾斜コイルスプリング６０に代えて、板バネ等の弾性変形可能な導電部材が用いられてもよいし、通常のコイルスプリング６０Ａが用いられてもよい。換言すると、オス端子１０及びメス端子３０の形状や、要求される挿入力の大きさに応じて、適切な導電部材を用いることができる。 For example, in the embodiment described above, the inclined coil spring 60 is disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the male terminal 10 and the inner wall surface of the cylindrical contact portion 31 of the female terminal, so as to elastically contact both of them. Here, instead of the inclined coil spring 60, an elastically deformable conductive member such as a plate spring may be used, or a normal coil spring 60A may be used. In other words, an appropriate conductive member can be used depending on the shape of the male terminal 10 and the female terminal 30 and the required insertion force.

ここで、上述した本発明に係るコネクタユニット１の実施形態の特徴をそれぞれ以下［１］～［４］に簡潔に纏めて列記する。 Here, the features of the embodiment of the connector unit 1 according to the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [4].

［１］
第１端子（１０）を有する第１コネクタ（２）と、第２端子（３０）を有する第２コネクタ（３）と、を備えるコネクタユニット（１）であって、
前記第１端子（１０）は、
前記第２端子（３０）との接続のための第１接点部（１１）を有し、
前記第２端子（３０）は、
前記第１端子（１０）との接続のための第２接点部（３１）と、前記第１コネクタ（２）と前記第２コネクタ（３）との嵌合方向に交差する向きに前記第２接点部（３１）から延びる延出部（３２）と、を有し、
前記第１コネクタ（２）は、
前記第１接点部（１１）を取り囲む筒形状のフード部（２１）を有する第１ハウジング（２０）を有し、
前記第２コネクタ（３）は、
前記第１コネクタ（２）と前記第２コネクタ（３）との嵌合の際、前記フード部（２１）の開口端部から筒内に前記第２端子（３０）の前記第２接点部（３１）が挿入されるとともに前記第２接点部（３１）に前記第１接点部（１１）が導通接続されるように、前記第２端子（３０）を保持する第２ハウジング（４０）を有し、
前記フード部（２１）は、
当該フード部（２１）の前記開口端部に、当該フード部（２１）の筒軸方向に延びる切欠き（２２）と、前記切欠き（２２）に隣り合う筒壁片（２３）と、を有し、
前記第２端子（３０）の前記延出部（３２）は、
前記嵌合の際に前記切欠き（２２）に挿入される板状部（３４）と、前記板状部（３４）に隣り合うように画成されて前記嵌合の際に前記筒壁片（２３）が挿入される空間部（３５）と、を有する、
コネクタユニット（１）。 [1]
A connector unit (1) comprising a first connector (2) having a first terminal (10) and a second connector (3) having a second terminal (30),
The first terminal (10) is
having a first contact portion (11) for connection with the second terminal (30);
The second terminal (30) is
a second contact portion (31) for connection with the first terminal (10); and a second contact portion (31) for connection with the first terminal (10); an extending portion (32) extending from the contact portion (31);
The first connector (2) is
a first housing (20) having a cylindrical hood part (21) surrounding the first contact part (11);
The second connector (3) is
When the first connector (2) and the second connector (3) are fitted together, the second contact portion ( 31) is inserted and the first contact portion (11) is electrically connected to the second contact portion (31). death,
The hood portion (21) includes:
A notch (22) extending in the cylinder axis direction of the hood part (21) and a cylinder wall piece (23) adjacent to the notch (22) are provided at the open end of the hood part (21). have,
The extending portion (32) of the second terminal (30) is
a plate-shaped part (34) inserted into the notch (22) when the fitting is performed; and a cylindrical wall piece that is defined adjacent to the plate-shaped part (34) and which is inserted into the notch (22) when the fitting is performed. (23) is inserted into the space (35);
Connector unit (1).

上記［１］の構成のコネクタユニットによれば、第１コネクタが有する第１端子の第１接点部が、第１ハウジングに設けられた筒形状のフード部に収容される。第２コネクタが有する第２端子は、第１端子に導通接続する第２接点部と、嵌合方向に交差する向きに第２接点部から延びる延出部と、を有する。第１コネクタのフード部は、その開口端部に、フード部の筒軸方向に延びる切欠きと、切欠きに隣り合う筒壁片と、を有している。そして、コネクタ同士の嵌合の際、第２端子の第２接点部が、フード部の筒内に入り込むとともに、第２端子の延出部に設けられる板状部が、フード部の切欠きに挿入される。更に、フード部の筒壁片が、第２端子の延出部の空間部に挿入される。これにより、フード部が上述した切欠き等を有さない場合に比べ、切欠きの深さの分だけ、第１コネクタと第２コネクタとを互いに近づけることができる。換言すると、嵌合方向において、コネクタユニットの全体的な大きさを小さくすることができる。更に、フード部の切欠きの幅を十分に狭くすれば、切欠きを通じて触指が生じることはないため、フード部による触指予防効果が損なわれることもない。更に、第２端子に上述した板状部及び空間部のような構造を設けることで、第２ハウジングにはそのような構造を設けなくてもよいため、第２ハウジングによる触指予防効果が損なわれることもない。したがって、本構成のコネクタユニットは、端子への触指の防止と、コネクタユニットの小型化と、を両立可能である。 According to the connector unit having the configuration [1] above, the first contact portion of the first terminal included in the first connector is accommodated in the cylindrical hood portion provided in the first housing. The second terminal of the second connector has a second contact portion electrically connected to the first terminal, and an extension portion extending from the second contact portion in a direction intersecting the fitting direction. The hood portion of the first connector has, at its open end, a notch extending in the direction of the cylinder axis of the hood portion, and a cylindrical wall piece adjacent to the notch. When the connectors are mated together, the second contact part of the second terminal enters the cylinder of the hood part, and the plate-shaped part provided on the extension part of the second terminal fits into the notch of the hood part. inserted. Further, the cylindrical wall piece of the hood portion is inserted into the space of the extension portion of the second terminal. Thereby, the first connector and the second connector can be brought closer to each other by the depth of the notch, compared to the case where the hood part does not have the above-mentioned notch or the like. In other words, the overall size of the connector unit can be reduced in the fitting direction. Furthermore, if the width of the notch in the hood section is made sufficiently narrow, no tactile fingers will occur through the notch, and the effect of the hood section on preventing tactile fingers will not be impaired. Furthermore, by providing the second terminal with a structure such as the above-mentioned plate-like portion and space, the second housing does not need to have such a structure, so that the second housing's effect of preventing tactile fingers is impaired. There's no chance of it happening. Therefore, the connector unit having this configuration can both prevent fingers from touching the terminals and reduce the size of the connector unit.

［２］
上記［１］に記載のコネクタユニット（１）であって、
前記第１端子（１０）の前記第１接点部（１１）と前記第２端子（３０）の前記第２接点部（３１）との間に挟まれるように配置されて、前記第１接点部（１１）及び前記第２接点部（３１）に弾性的に接触することによって前記第１接点部（１１）と前記第２接点部（３１）とを導通接続する導電部材（６０）を、更に備える、
コネクタユニット（１）。 [2]
The connector unit (1) according to [1] above,
The first contact portion is arranged to be sandwiched between the first contact portion (11) of the first terminal (10) and the second contact portion (31) of the second terminal (30). (11) and a conductive member (60) that electrically connects the first contact portion (11) and the second contact portion (31) by elastically contacting the second contact portion (31); prepare,
Connector unit (1).

上記［２］の構成のコネクタユニットによれば、第１端子の第１接点部と第２端子の第２接点部との間に、それら双方に弾性的に接触する導電部材が配置される。この導電部材により、コネクタユニットに振動等の外力が及んだ場合でも、第１接点部と第２接点部とが導通接続された状態が適正に維持される。よって、コネクタユニットにおける電気的接続の信頼性を向上できる。 According to the connector unit having the configuration [2] above, a conductive member is disposed between the first contact portion of the first terminal and the second contact portion of the second terminal, and is in elastic contact with both of them. Due to this conductive member, even when an external force such as vibration is applied to the connector unit, the state in which the first contact portion and the second contact portion are electrically connected is properly maintained. Therefore, reliability of electrical connection in the connector unit can be improved.

［３］
上記［２］に記載のコネクタユニット（１）において、
前記第１端子（１０）の前記第１接点部（１１）は、棒状の形状を有し、
前記第２端子（３０）の前記第２接点部（３１）は、前記第１接点部（１１）が挿入される筒状の形状を有し、
前記導電部材は、
螺旋状に旋回する導体線材（６１）から構成され、前記第１接点部（１１）の外周面と前記第２接点部（３１）の内周面との間に挟まれるように、前記第１接点部（１１）及び前記第２接点部（３１）の周方向（Ｘ）に延びる環状の形状を有する、コイルスプリング（６０）である、
コネクタユニット（１）。 [3]
In the connector unit (1) described in [2] above,
The first contact portion (11) of the first terminal (10) has a rod-like shape,
The second contact portion (31) of the second terminal (30) has a cylindrical shape into which the first contact portion (11) is inserted,
The conductive member is
The first contact portion (61) is composed of a conductor wire (61) that spirals, and is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surface of the first contact portion (11) and the inner circumferential surface of the second contact portion (31). A coil spring (60) having an annular shape extending in the circumferential direction (X) of the contact portion (11) and the second contact portion (31);
Connector unit (1).

上記［３］の構成のコネクタユニットによれば、導電部材として、環状のコイルスプリングが用いられる。第１端子と第２端子との間を流れる電流は、コイルスプリングと第１端子の第１接点部との接点、コイルスプリング、及び、コイルスプリングと第２端子の第２接点部との接点を経て、流れることになる。よって、単に端子同士を接触させる場合に比べ、第１接点部と第２接点部との電気的接点の数（即ち、コイルスプリングと第１接点部及び第２接点部との接点の数）を増大させることができる。その結果、端子間の接触荷重を過度に大きくしなくても、適正な電気的接続を図ることができる。そのため、第１端子の第１接点部、第２端子の第２接点部、及び、コイルスプリングに設けたメッキ層に過大な接触荷重によって過度な摩耗等が生じ、電気的接続の信頼性が損なわれることを抑制できる。 According to the connector unit having the configuration [3] above, an annular coil spring is used as the conductive member. The current flowing between the first terminal and the second terminal connects the contact between the coil spring and the first contact portion of the first terminal, the coil spring, and the contact between the coil spring and the second contact portion of the second terminal. After that, it will flow. Therefore, compared to simply bringing the terminals into contact with each other, the number of electrical contacts between the first contact section and the second contact section (i.e., the number of contacts between the coil spring and the first contact section and the second contact section) is reduced. can be increased. As a result, proper electrical connection can be achieved without excessively increasing the contact load between the terminals. Therefore, excessive contact load causes excessive wear on the first contact part of the first terminal, the second contact part of the second terminal, and the plating layer provided on the coil spring, impairing the reliability of the electrical connection. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of

［４］
上記［３］に記載のコネクタユニット（１）において、
前記コイルスプリング（６０）は、
前記嵌合の際に前記第１接点部及び前記第２接点部の一方（３０）に接触する前記導体線材（６１）の第１箇所（ａ）と、前記導体線材（６１）の旋回方向において前記第１箇所（ａ）に隣り合い且つ前記嵌合の際に前記第１接点部及び前記第２接点部の他方（１０）に接触する前記導体線材（６１）の第２箇所（ｂ）及び第３箇所（ｃ）と、を有するとともに、前記第２箇所（ｂ）及び前記第３箇所（ｃ）の双方が前記周方向（Ｘ）において前記第１箇所（ａ）の一方側にある、傾斜コイル構造を有する、
コネクタユニット（１）。 [4]
In the connector unit (1) described in [3] above,
The coil spring (60) is
At a first location (a) of the conductor wire (61) that contacts one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion (30) during the fitting, and in the turning direction of the conductor wire (61). a second location (b) of the conductor wire (61) that is adjacent to the first location (a) and comes into contact with the other (10) of the first contact portion and the second contact portion during the fitting; a third location (c), and both the second location (b) and the third location (c) are on one side of the first location (a) in the circumferential direction (X); Has a gradient coil structure,
Connector unit (1).

上記［４］の構成のコネクタユニットによれば、コイルスプリングが、傾斜コイル構造を有する。そのため、例えば、コネクタユニットの嵌合の際にコイルスプリングが第１端子の第１接点部と第２端子の第２接点部とに挟まれる過程で、コイルスプリングが径方向に押し潰されるように変形するとき、第２箇所及び第３箇所の双方が周方向において第１箇所の一方側にあるため（図９を参照）、傾斜した螺旋面そのものが傾くように変位することになる。よって、通常のコイルスプリング（即ち、周方向において、第１箇所の一方側に第２箇所があり、第１箇所の他方側に第３箇所があるコイルスプリング）に比べ、より小さな力でコイルスプリングを押し潰すことができる。したがって、嵌合の際に要する操作力（いわゆる、挿入力）を小さくしながら、コネクタユニットにおける電気的接続の信頼性を向上できる。 According to the connector unit having the configuration described in [4] above, the coil spring has a tilted coil structure. Therefore, for example, when the connector unit is mated, the coil spring is crushed in the radial direction in the process of being sandwiched between the first contact part of the first terminal and the second contact part of the second terminal. When deforming, since both the second location and the third location are on one side of the first location in the circumferential direction (see FIG. 9), the inclined helical surface itself is displaced so as to be inclined. Therefore, compared to a normal coil spring (i.e., a coil spring in which the second part is located on one side of the first part and the third part is located on the other side of the first part in the circumferential direction), the coil spring can be activated with a smaller force. can be crushed. Therefore, the reliability of the electrical connection in the connector unit can be improved while reducing the operating force (so-called insertion force) required for fitting.

１コネクタユニット
２オスコネクタ（第１コネクタ）
３メスコネクタ（第２コネクタ）
１０オス端子（第１端子）
１１棒状接続部（第１接点部）
２０オスハウジング（第１ハウジング）
２１フード部
２２切欠き
２３筒壁片
３０メス端子（第２端子）
３１筒状接点部（第２接点部）
３２延出部
３４板状部
３５空間部
４０メスハウジング（第２ハウジング）
５０電線
６０傾斜コイルスプリング（導電部材）
６１導体線材 1 Connector unit 2 Male connector (first connector)
3 Female connector (second connector)
10 Male terminal (first terminal)
11 Rod-shaped connection part (first contact part)
20 Male housing (first housing)
21 Hood part 22 Notch 23 Cylinder wall piece 30 Female terminal (second terminal)
31 Cylindrical contact part (second contact part)
32 Extending portion 34 Plate portion 35 Space portion 40 Female housing (second housing)
50 Electric wire 60 Inclined coil spring (conductive member)
61 Conductor wire

Claims

A connector unit comprising a first connector having a first terminal and a second connector having a second terminal,
The first terminal is
having a first contact portion for connection with the second terminal;
The second terminal is
a second contact portion for connection with the first terminal; and an extension portion extending from the second contact portion in a direction intersecting the fitting direction of the first connector and the second connector. ,
The first connector is
a first housing having a cylindrical hood portion surrounding the first contact portion;
The second connector is
When the first connector and the second connector are fitted together, the second contact part of the second terminal is inserted into the cylinder from the open end of the hood part, and the second contact part is inserted into the second contact part. a second housing that holds the second terminal so that the first contact portion is electrically connected;
The hood part is
The opening end of the hood has a notch extending in the axial direction of the cylinder of the hood, and a cylinder wall piece adjacent to the notch,
The extending portion of the second terminal is
a plate-shaped part that is inserted into the notch when the fitting is performed; and a space that is defined adjacent to the plate-shaped part and into which the cylindrical wall piece is inserted during the fitting. have,
connector unit.

The connector unit according to claim 1,
Arranged to be sandwiched between the first contact part of the first terminal and the second contact part of the second terminal, and elastically contacts the first contact part and the second contact part. further comprising a conductive member that conductively connects the first contact portion and the second contact portion;
connector unit.

The connector unit according to claim 2,
The first contact portion of the first terminal has a rod-like shape,
The second contact portion of the second terminal has a cylindrical shape into which the first contact portion is inserted,
The conductive member is
The first contact part and the second contact part are made of a conductor wire that spirals, and are sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the first contact part and the inner peripheral surface of the second contact part. A coil spring having an annular shape extending in the circumferential direction,
connector unit.

The connector unit according to claim 3,
The coil spring is
a first portion of the conductor wire that contacts one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion during the fitting, and a first portion of the conductor wire that is adjacent to the first portion in the rotating direction of the conductor wire and that a second portion and a third portion of the conductor wire that contact the other of the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and both the second portion and the third portion are in contact with the other of the first contact portion and the second contact portion; a gradient coil structure on one side of the first location;
connector unit.