JP2675477B2 - Joint connector - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a joint connector in which a terminal group inserted in a connector housing is electrically connected by a joint terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional joint connector, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-98490 or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-98490.
5 and 6, which are similar to those described in US Pat.
There are the following. This joint connector includes a connector housing 1 and a joint terminal 2. The connector housing 1 has a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 4 on one side.
a, 4b, 4c, 4d are provided, and the joint terminal accommodating chamber 6 is provided on the other side.

Flexible terminal locking locks 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d are provided in the respective terminal accommodating chambers 4a to 4d (however, the terminal locking lock 12a is represented in FIG. 6). The engaging holes 16a of the female terminals 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d housed in the terminal housing chambers 4a-4d,
It engages with 16b, 16c, 16d (however, it is represented by the engagement hole 16a in FIG. 6).

A retainer 18 is provided at one end of the connector housing 1 and faces the rear ends of the conductive connecting portions 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d of the female terminals 14a to 14d.

At the other end of the connector housing 1, a lid 24 for opening and closing the opening 22 of the joint terminal insertion chamber 6 is provided.
Are integrally attached via a hinge 26, and an engaging claw 28 is provided on the opposite side of the hinge 26. Further, the opening 22 of the joint terminal insertion chamber 6 is provided with a locking portion 30 for locking the engaging claw 28.

The joint terminal 2 integrally has a plurality of terminal contact portions 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d,
Each terminal contact part 32a, 32d is a female terminal 14a-14
It is inserted in d.

In this way, through the joint terminal 2,
The female terminals 14a to 14d are conductively connected to each other, and each electric wire 34
The branch connection of a, 34b, 34c and 34d can be performed.

In assembling, first, in the state shown in FIG. 5, the female terminals 14a to 14d are placed in the terminal accommodating chambers 4a to 4d.
Is inserted, the engaging holes 16 of the female terminals 14a to 14d are inserted.
a to 16d engage with the respective terminal locking locks 12a to 12d as shown in FIG.

Next, the retainer 18 is attached to one end of the connector housing 1 so as to face the rear ends of the conductive connecting portions 20a to 20d of the female terminals 14a to 14d. Therefore, the female terminals 14a to 14d are connected to the terminal locking locks 12a to 12d.
It will be double locked by 12d and retainer 18.

The joint terminal 2 is inserted from the joint terminal accommodating chamber 6 and the terminal contact portions 32a to 32d are respectively inserted into the female terminals 14a to 14d in the terminal accommodating chambers 4a to 4d.
It is to be inserted into the conductive connecting portions 20a to 20d of d.
The opening 22 of the joint terminal insertion chamber 6 is closed by the lid 24, and the engaging claw 28 of the lid 24 is engaged with the locking portion 30.

[0011]

However, although the retainer 18 can be used for double locking with the above-described structure, the retainer 18 is a separate item, so that the number of parts is large and the assembly is difficult. However, the management of parts is extremely complicated, and there is a risk of forgetting to attach the retainer 18 or the like.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a joint connector which facilitates the assembling work, simplifies the management of parts, and does not forget to attach the parts.

[0013]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a connector housing with a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers partitioned by partition walls, and the connector housing is provided with openings to provide the terminal accommodating chambers. One side part is opened, and each terminal accommodating chamber is provided with a terminal locking lock, and the terminal locking lock is inserted into each of the plurality of terminal fittings housed in each terminal accommodating chamber and locked by each terminal locking lock. A joint terminal having a plurality of terminal contact portions for electrical continuity is provided in the opening, and a retaining engagement portion that extends to each of the terminal contact portions is provided by bending the joint terminal, and the retaining terminal is provided in the opening of the connector housing. The engaging part is provided with a locking part for locking the respective terminal fittings in order to prevent them from coming off.

[0014]

When a plurality of terminal fittings are respectively inserted and housed in the terminal accommodating chambers, the terminal fittings are locked and locked by the terminal locking locks of the terminal accommodating chambers. When the joint terminal is inserted through the opening of the connector housing and the plurality of terminal fittings are brought into conduction, the joint terminal engages with or is engageable with the connector housing, and the retaining engagement portion of the joint terminal is Engages or becomes engageable with each terminal fitting, and a retaining engagement portion of the joint terminal,
With the terminal locking lock, regarding the connector housing,
A plurality of terminal fittings will be doubly locked.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a joint connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is shown in FIG.
11 is a cross-sectional view in the assembled state, as viewed from the line II-II of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector housing 1A has a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 3a, 3b, 3c,
3d is provided, and a joint terminal accommodating chamber 5 is provided on the front upper side of the connector housing 1A in the terminal insertion direction. Further, on the upper surface of the connector housing 1A, there is provided an opening 19 through which the upper portion of the joint terminal accommodating chamber 5 is opened and the joint terminal 33 can be inserted. Therefore, the joint terminal accommodating chamber 5 is
Since it is connected to a, 3b, 3c, and 3d, the opening 1
9 is configured to open the upper portions of the terminal accommodating chambers 3a to 3d.

The terminal accommodating chambers 3a to 3d are partitioned by partition walls 7a, 7b and 7c, respectively, and flexible terminals are provided on the bottom walls 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d of the terminal accommodating chambers 3a to 3d. Locking locks 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d are provided.

As described above, the joint terminal accommodating chamber 5 is opened to the upper surface side of the connector housing 1A by the opening 19, and in the joint terminal accommodating chamber 5, the partition walls 7a to 7c and the terminals are formed. Containment room 3
A partition plate 15 for partitioning the joint terminal accommodating chamber 5 and the terminal accommodating chambers 3a to 3d on the side walls 13a and 13b of the a and 3d.
a, 15b, 15c, 15d and 15e are provided. Therefore, each of the terminal accommodating chambers 3a is opened by the opening 19.
It is configured such that one side portion of 3d is open.

Further, the partition walls 7a to 7c have the structure shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, partition plates 15a, 15b, 15c, 15
d-shaped locking portions 17a, 17b, 17 at one end of d
c is provided, and the engaging portion 17a is provided on the connector housing 1A.
17c are provided.

The opening 19 of the joint terminal accommodating chamber 5 is configured to be openable / closable by a cover 21, and the cover 21 is provided with cover engaging claws 23a, 23b and joint terminal retainers 25a, 25b, and the connector housing 1A.
Are provided with cover locks 27a and 27b for locking the cover engaging claws 23a and 23b.

A plurality of terminal fittings 29 are inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers 3a to 3d (however, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, only one of the plurality of terminal fittings is shown, and the others are shown). The conductive connection portion 31 of each terminal fitting 29 has a shape in which a mating terminal is inserted as shown by an arrow (a) in FIG. Further, the terminal connecting hole 31a is provided in the conductive connecting portion 31 of each terminal fitting 29.

On the other hand, the joint terminal 33 for conducting the plurality of terminal fittings 29 accommodated in the respective terminal accommodating chambers 3a to 3d in the opening 19 has a hook-shaped terminal contact portion 35 in cross section.
a, 35b, 35c, 35d and these terminal contact portions 3
5a to 35d are integrally connected to each other, and the connection portion 37 is provided with a retaining engagement portion 39 that is capable of retaining engagement with the joint terminal fitting 29 and is integrally bent.

At the time of assembling, each terminal fitting 29 is inserted into each terminal accommodating chamber 3a to 3d as shown by an arrow (b) in FIG.
When the conductive connecting portion 31 of each terminal fitting 29 is located below the joint terminal accommodating chamber 5, the upper portion of the conductive connecting portion 31 is restricted by the partition plates 15a to 15e, and the terminal locking hole 3 is formed.
1a is locked by the terminal locking locks 11a to 11d.

In this state, when the joint terminal 33 is accommodated from the upper opening 19 of the joint terminal accommodating chamber 5 as shown by the arrow (c) in FIG. 1, the respective terminal contact portions 35a to 35d.
Is connected to the conductive connecting portion 31 of the terminal fitting 29 as shown in FIG. 4 (the terminal contact portion 35b is representatively shown), and the plurality of terminal fittings 29 are brought into conduction. At the same time, the retaining engagement portion 39 is the locking portion 17a on the connector housing 1A side.
17 to 17c, and faces the rear end of the conductive connection portion 31 of the terminal fitting 29.

Then, the opening 19 is closed by the cover 21, and the cover engaging claws 23a and 23b are locked by the cover lock 27.
By locking and locking the joint terminals a and 27b, the joint terminal retainers 25a and 25b can retain the upper surface of the joint terminal 33 for reliable fixing.

Further, according to such a structure, the terminal locking lock 11a against the force of the terminal fitting 29 in the removing direction.
~ 11d and the retaining engagement portion 39 ensures double locking, and each terminal fitting 2 by the joint terminal 33.
The reliability of the conductive connection 9 can be improved. In addition, the retaining engagement portion 39 for double locking has the joint terminal 33.
Since it is provided at the same time, there is no need to handle it specially at the time of assembling work, the work is significantly simplified, and the parts management is extremely easy.

Furthermore, since the attachment of the retaining engagement portion 39 is completed by assembling the joint terminal 33, there is no risk of forgetting to attach it, and the reliability is remarkably improved.

[0028]

As is apparent from the above, according to the structure of the present invention, since the joint terminal is provided with the retaining engagement portion, it is not necessary to specially handle the retaining engagement portion for double locking.
Assembly and parts management become extremely easy.

Further, when the joint terminal is assembled, the retaining engagement portion is naturally attached, so that it is not forgotten to attach and the reliability is remarkably improved. Moreover, the retaining engagement part
Since it is provided across each terminal contact part and is bent, the retaining engagement part reinforces and the overall rigidity can be increased, and each terminal contact part can be securely inserted into each terminal metal fitting. Therefore, the reliability of conduction can be significantly improved. Moreover, since the coupling strength of each terminal contact portion is high even during the insertion work, it becomes easy to collectively perform the work of inserting each terminal contact portion into each terminal fitting. Further, when one of the terminal fittings receives the pull-out force and engages with the retaining engagement portion, the engaging force is distributed over the retaining engagement portion, and the other terminal fitting and the terminal contact portion are inserted. Locked by force and each terminal locking lock that locks the terminal fitting,
The contact state can be maintained properly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a joint connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled state according to the embodiment, taken along the line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an engaging portion on the connector housing side according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a joint terminal and a terminal fitting according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a joint connector according to a conventional example.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled state according to a conventional example taken along the line VI-VI of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1A Connector housing 3a Terminal accommodating chamber 3b Terminal accommodating chamber 3c Terminal accommodating chamber 3d Terminal accommodating chamber 11a Terminal locking lock 11b Terminal locking lock 11c Terminal locking lock 11d Terminal locking lock 17a Locking part 17b Locking part 17c Locking Part 29 terminal fitting 33 joint terminal 39 retaining engagement part

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A connector housing is provided with a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers partitioned by partition walls, an opening is provided in the connector housing to open one side of each terminal accommodating chamber, and a terminal is provided in each terminal accommodating chamber. A joint terminal having a plurality of terminal contact portions that are provided with locking locks and are respectively inserted into a plurality of terminal fittings housed in the terminal housing chambers and locked by the terminal locking locks to conduct electricity is provided in the opening. Provided inside the joint terminal, the retaining engagement portion extending over each of the terminal contact portions is bent, and the retaining engagement portion is provided in the opening of the connector housing to prevent the terminal fittings from coming off. A joint connector having a locking portion for stopping.