JP3126906B2 - Structure and method for locking terminal fitting to connector housing - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a locking structure and a locking method for locking a terminal fitting in a terminal receiving chamber of a connector housing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS.
1 shows a locking structure for locking a terminal fitting (female terminal fitting) 3 connected to an end of an electric wire in the terminal accommodating chamber. FIG. 5 shows a flexible locking piece 5 protruding from the terminal fitting 3.
Are engaged with the locking projections 9 projecting from the inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber 7, thereby preventing the terminal fitting 3 from coming out of the terminal accommodating chamber 7.

FIG. 6 shows a terminal fitting 3 in which a flexible locking arm 15 protruding from an inner wall 13 of a terminal accommodating chamber 11 engages with a locking shoulder 3 a of the terminal fitting 3. 3 is prevented from falling out of the terminal accommodating chamber 7.

[0004]

However, in the locking structure shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, there is only one means for preventing the terminal fitting 3 from coming out of the terminal accommodating chambers 7 and 11. If the locking piece 5 or the flexible locking arm 15 bends carelessly, the terminal fitting 3 may fall out of the terminal housings 7 and 11 and fall off.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, by inserting a spacer 19 into the bending space 17 of the flexible locking arm 15, the flexible locking arm 15 may be inadvertently bent. There is no so-called double locking structure, or, as shown in FIG.
1, the holder 21 is mounted on the rear end side of the
A structure that prevents the terminal fitting 3 from coming off from inside 1 has been proposed.

However, in the locking structure shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, since the spacer 19 and the holder 21 are separate parts, the time and labor required for mounting the spacer 19 and the holder 21 increase, resulting in an increase in cost or forgotten attachment. May occur.

For this reason, in the locking structure described in JP-A-48-4983, as shown in FIG.
, Two engaging pieces 25, 25 are protruded and engaged with the inner wall 27 a of the terminal accommodating chamber 27. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
In the locking structure described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 160385, as shown in FIG. 10, two locking projections 31, 33 are protruded from the inner wall 29 a of the terminal accommodating chamber 29, and these locking projections 31, 33 are provided.
33 is engaged with the terminal fitting 35.

However, in the locking structure proposed in each of the above publications, the terminal fittings 23 and 35 are connected to the terminal accommodating chambers 27 and 2.
In order to engage the two locking pieces 25, 25 with the inner wall 27 a of the terminal accommodating chamber 27 when inserting the two locking pieces 25, the locking projections 31, 31 engage with the terminal fitting 35. The insertion force increases, and the terminal fittings 2 into the terminal accommodating chambers 27 and 29
It takes time to insert 3, 35. Also, terminal fitting 2
When the insertion force of the terminals 3 and 25 into the terminal receiving chambers 27 and 29 is increased, the terminal fittings 23 and 35 may not be able to be reliably inserted into the terminal receiving chambers 27 and 29. A condition can occur.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention can reduce the force of inserting the terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber, and can securely lock the terminal fitting in the terminal receiving chamber without using a separate component. An object of the present invention is to provide a structure and a method for locking a terminal fitting to a connector housing.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with a flexible locking arm protruding from one of the inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber or the terminal fitting and the other. A plurality of engaging means for preventing the terminal fitting from coming out of the terminal accommodating chamber, the engaging means being provided with an engaging portion engaged with the engaging arm; The terminal fittings are engaged at different insertion positions.

In this locking structure, when the terminal fitting is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber, the first locking arm and the engaging portion are engaged, and when the terminal fitting is further inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber, the next locking arm is engaged. And the engaging portion are engaged with each other, so that the plurality of locking means do not engage at the same time, but engage at different insertion positions of the terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber. Accordingly, the timing of engagement differs depending on the position of insertion of the terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber, and the plurality of engaging means do not simultaneously engage. Therefore, the insertion force of the terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber is always one locking means. And the terminal fitting can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber with a low insertion force. Further, even if the terminal fitting is to be pulled out from the state where the terminal fitting is completely inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber, even if the engaging state of one locking means is inadvertently released, the other locking means is engaged. In this state, the terminal fitting does not come out of the terminal receiving chamber, and the terminal fitting can be securely locked in the terminal receiving chamber.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of locking means are provided at opposing positions in the terminal receiving chamber.

In this locking structure, since a plurality of locking means are provided at positions facing each other in the terminal receiving chamber, when the terminal fitting is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber, both sides of the terminal fitting are engaged with the terminal receiving chamber. Is stopped.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, after engaging the locking arm protruding from the inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber with the terminal fitting,
Further, by inserting the terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber, the engagement between the locking arm and the terminal fitting is released, and
The locking pieces provided on the terminal fittings are engaged with the inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber, and the terminal fittings are respectively locked in the terminal receiving chambers at a plurality of places at different insertion positions of the terminal fittings into the terminal receiving chamber. It is characterized by the following.

According to this locking method, when the terminal fitting is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber, and after the locking arm is engaged with the terminal fitting, the terminal fitting is further inserted into the terminal receiving chamber. Is released, and the locking piece provided on the terminal fitting engages with the inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber. In this case, when the terminal fitting is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber, the terminal fitting does not engage at a plurality of places at the same time, so that the force for inserting the terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber does not increase.

[0016]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a structure and a method for locking a terminal fitting to a connector housing according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a connector housing 37 to which the locking structure of the present invention is applied,
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal fitting 39. FIG.
(A), (b), (c), and (d) show a procedure for locking the terminal fitting 39 into the terminal accommodating chamber 41 of the connector housing 37.

As shown in FIG. 1, the connector housing 3
7 has an inner wall 4 on one opening 42 side of the terminal accommodating chamber 41.
A flexible locking arm 43 protrudes from 1a. The flexible locking arm 43 includes a substantially arcuate elastic portion 45 integrally protruding from the inner wall 41a, and a locking step portion 47 on the free end side (tip side) of the elastic portion 45. Elastic part 45
Is formed with a bending space 49 between itself and the inner wall 41a, and can be bent and deformed toward the inner wall 41a.
The locking step 47 can be engaged with a locking shoulder 39 a of a terminal fitting (female terminal fitting) 39 connected to the end of the electric wire 51. The locking arm 43 and the locking shoulder 39a constitute locking means.

A locking projection 55 projects from the inner wall 41a of the terminal receiving chamber 41 on the other opening 53 side. The locking projection 55 can be engaged with a flexible locking piece 59 protruding from the bottom wall 57 of the terminal fitting 39. And
The locking projection 55 and the locking piece 59 constitute locking means.

When the terminal fitting 39 is inserted from one of the openings 42, the flexible locking arm 43 and the engagement shoulder 39a are engaged first, and in this state, the locking piece 59 is engaged. There is no engagement with the stop projection 55. Also, the terminal fitting 39
Is further inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 41, that is, when it is inserted toward the other opening 53 side, the engagement state between the locking arm 43 and the engaging shoulder 39a is released, and the locking piece 59 is locked. 55. Therefore, when the terminal fitting 39 is properly inserted into the terminal storage chamber 41, the terminal strip 39 is locked in the terminal storage chamber 41 by engaging the locking piece 59 with the locking projection 55.

Next, FIGS. 2 (a), (b), (c),
A method of locking the terminal fitting 39 to the terminal accommodating chamber 41 using (d) will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2A, when the terminal fitting 39 connected to the terminal of the electric wire 51 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 41 from the opening 42 side, the end of the terminal fitting 39 is locked.
, The elastic portion 45 bends. When the terminal fitting 39 is further inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 41, as shown in FIG. 2B, the elastic portion 45 returns to its original shape by its own elastic force, and the locking step portion 47 causes the terminal fitting 39 to move. With the locking shoulder 39a. Thus, the terminal fitting 39 is prevented from coming out of the terminal accommodating chamber 41. In this state, as shown in FIG. 2C, the locking pieces 59 are not engaged with the locking projections 55 but are simply in contact. From this state, the terminal fitting 3
9 is inserted toward the opening 53, the locking piece 59 is bent by the locking projection 55. When the locking piece 59 gets over the locking projection 55, as shown in FIG. Engage. In this state, the engagement between the locking step 47 and the locking shoulder 39a is released. Therefore, in the locking method in this embodiment, when the terminal fitting 39 is housed in the terminal housing chamber 41, the engagement between the locking arm 43 and the locking shoulder 39 a, the locking piece 59 and the locking projection 55, and Are not performed at the same time, but are engaged at different insertion positions of the terminal fitting 39 into the terminal accommodating chamber 41, and the engagement timing is shifted.

According to the locking structure in this embodiment, the terminal fittings 39 are engaged with the terminal receiving chambers 41 at different insertion positions into the terminal receiving chambers 41, respectively, so that they do not engage simultaneously. As a result, the terminal fitting 3 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 41.
9 can be reduced.

Also, even if a tensile force acts on the electric wire 51 and an external force is applied in a direction in which the terminal fitting 39 comes out of the opening 42 side in the terminal accommodating chamber 41, the locking piece 59 is engaged with the locking projection 55. As a result, the terminal fitting 39 is prevented from falling out of the terminal accommodating chamber 41. Even if the engagement between the locking piece 59 and the locking projection 55 is inadvertently disengaged, the locking arm 43 and the locking shoulder 39a will be engaged this time. The falling out of the chamber 41 is prevented, and the falling off of the terminal fitting 39 is reliably prevented.

Further, in the locking structure according to the present embodiment, the terminal fitting 39 can be engaged with the terminal accommodating chamber 41 to prevent the terminal fitting 39 from being disengaged without using a separate component, so that the cost is not increased. According to the locking structure of the present embodiment,
A plurality of locking means (locking arm 43 and locking shoulder 39a, locking projection 55 and locking piece 59) are provided at opposing positions of terminal storage chamber (41), respectively, so that terminal fitting (3) is provided.
The terminal fittings (41) are locked on both sides of the terminal receiving chamber (41), so that the terminal fittings (39) are not stored in the terminal receiving chambers (41) in a biased position, but are stored in regular positions. It can be locked securely.

Next, another embodiment of the locking structure shown in FIGS.

A flexible locking arm 63 similar to the above-described embodiment is protruded from an inner wall 61a of a terminal accommodating chamber 63 formed in the connector housing 60 shown in FIG. Further, a locking projection 6 is provided on the inner wall at a position facing the locking arm 63.
5 are protrudingly provided.

Connector housing 60 in this embodiment
When the terminal fitting 39 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 61 from the opening 67 side, the end of the terminal fitting 39 comes into contact with the locking arm 63 to deflect the locking arm 63 and the locking piece 68 is engaged. The locking piece 68 bends in contact with the stop projection 65. Furthermore, terminal fitting 3
When the terminal 9 is inserted into the opening 69 side of the terminal accommodating chamber 61, the locking piece 68 gets over the locking projection 65 and engages with the locking projection 65. At this time, the locking arm 63 remains in contact with the terminal fitting 39 and is bent, and the elastic portion 45 is in contact with the terminal fitting 39.
To the locking projection 65 side.

Further, when the terminal fitting 39 is further moved to the opening 69 side of the terminal accommodating chamber 61, the locking arm 63 returns to the original shape by its own elastic force, and the locking shoulder 3 of the terminal fitting 39 is moved.
9a. In this state, the engagement between the locking projection 65 and the locking piece 68 is released.

In this embodiment as well, similar to the above embodiment, the terminal fittings 39 engage with the terminal receiving chambers 61 at different insertion positions into the terminal receiving chambers 61, respectively, so that a plurality of engagement states may occur at the same time. Absent. As a result, the terminal receiving chamber 61
The insertion force of the terminal fitting 39 into the inside can be reduced.

Further, even if a tensile force acts on the electric wire 51 and an external force is applied in a direction in which the terminal fitting 39 comes out from the opening 67 side in the terminal accommodating chamber 61, the locking piece 68 is engaged with the locking projection 65. Therefore, the terminal fitting 39 is prevented from falling out of the terminal accommodating chamber 61.

On the inner wall 73a of the terminal accommodating chamber 73 formed in the connector housing 71 shown in FIG. , 77 are formed. On the other hand, the terminal fitting 79 of the present embodiment has a pair of locking pieces 81 and 8.
3 are protruded.

Then, when the terminal fitting 79 is inserted from the opening 85 side of the terminal accommodating chamber 73, the locking projection 75 comes into contact with one of the locking pieces 81 to bend. Then, when the terminal fitting 79 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 73, one of the locking pieces 81 becomes
5, the locking projection 75 and the locking piece 81 are engaged. In this state, the other locking piece 83 is in contact with the locking projection 77 and is bent. Further, the terminal fitting 79 is opened 86
When inserted toward the side, the other locking piece 83 is
7, the locking piece 83 engages with the locking projection 77, and the engagement between the locking piece 81 and the locking projection 75 is released.

Also in the locking structure of this embodiment, the terminal fittings 79 are engaged at different insertion positions into the terminal accommodating chamber 73, and the timing of the engagement is shifted. Therefore, similarly to the locking structure of the above-described embodiment, the terminal fittings 79 are engaged with the terminal housing chamber 73 at different insertion positions into the terminal housing chamber 73, respectively, so that a plurality of engagement states do not occur at the same time. As a result, the force for inserting the terminal fitting 79 into the terminal accommodating chamber 73 can be reduced.

Also, even if a tensile force acts on the electric wire 51 and an external force is applied in a direction in which the terminal fitting 79 comes out of the opening 85 side in the terminal accommodating chamber 73, the locking piece 83 is engaged with the locking projection 77. As a result, the terminal fitting 79 is prevented from falling out of the terminal accommodating chamber 73.

[0035]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of locking means for preventing the terminal fitting from coming out of the terminal receiving chamber are provided, and the plurality of locking means are provided to the terminal receiving chamber. By engaging the terminal fittings at different insertion positions, the insertion force of the terminal fittings into the terminal receiving chamber can be reduced, and the terminal fittings can be securely locked without using a separate component in the terminal receiving chamber. Can be done.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the plurality of locking means are provided at positions opposite to the terminal receiving chamber, the locking means is locked to the terminal receiving chamber on both sides of the terminal fitting. The terminal fittings can be accommodated in regular positions without being accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber at an uneven position.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, after the locking arm protruding from the inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber engages with the terminal fitting, the terminal fitting is further inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber so that the locking is achieved. Since the engagement between the arm and the terminal fitting is released and the locking piece provided on the terminal fitting engages with the inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber, a plurality of different insertion positions of the terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber are provided. At this point, the terminal fittings are locked in the terminal receiving chambers, respectively, so that the force of inserting the terminal fittings into the terminal receiving chambers can be reduced. Further, the terminal fitting can be securely locked in the terminal receiving chamber without using a separate component.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a connector housing to which a structure for locking a terminal fitting to a connector housing according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 shows a procedure for locking a terminal fitting into a terminal accommodating chamber;
(A) is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the terminal fitting has begun to be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a flexible locking arm and an engaging shoulder are engaged, and (c). FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the engagement state between the locking arm and the engaging shoulder is released, and FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the locking projection and the locking piece are engaged.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector housing to which another form of the locking structure according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector housing to which another form of the locking structure according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a connector housing to which a conventional locking structure is applied.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector housing to which another conventional locking structure is applied.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector housing to which a conventional locking structure using a spacer is applied.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a connector housing to which a conventional locking structure using a holder is applied.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector housing to which a conventional locking structure is applied in which a pair of locking pieces formed on a terminal fitting are engaged in the terminal receiving chamber and the terminal fitting is locked in the terminal receiving chamber. It is.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector housing to which a conventional locking structure in which a terminal fitting is locked by a pair of locking projections projecting from an inner wall of a terminal accommodating chamber is applied.

[Description of Signs] 37 Connector 39 Terminal fitting 41 Terminal accommodating chamber 43 Locking arm 55 Locking projection 59 Locking piece

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] In a terminal receiving chamber of a connector housing,
A locking structure for locking a terminal fitting, wherein a flexible locking arm protruding from one of an inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber or the terminal fitting is engaged with the locking arm provided on the other side. A plurality of locking means for preventing the terminal fitting from coming out of the terminal accommodating chamber, and the plurality of locking means being engaged at different insertion positions of the terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber. A structure for locking a terminal fitting to a connector housing. 2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of locking means are provided at positions facing each other in the terminal receiving chamber, respectively. . 3. A locking method for locking a terminal fitting in a terminal receiving chamber of a connector housing, the method further comprising: after engaging a locking arm protruding from an inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber with the terminal fitting. By inserting the terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber, the engagement between the locking arm and the terminal fitting is released, and the locking piece provided on the terminal fitting is engaged with the inner wall of the terminal receiving chamber. A method of locking the terminal fitting to the connector housing, wherein the terminal fitting is locked in the terminal receiving chamber at a plurality of locations at different insertion positions of the terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber.