JP3555405B2 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connection terminal capable of interconnecting a plurality of electric wires, and an electric connector suitable for a so-called joint connector capable of connecting a plurality of electric wires to each other while connecting the plurality of electric wires in common.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, when a plurality of electric devices are connected to one control device, a connection method of branching and connecting an electric wire on the control device side to the plurality of electric devices is adopted to simplify wiring. In such a case, an electric connector is used which connects the plurality of electric wires respectively connected to the plurality of electric devices to the electric wire on the control device side while commonly connecting the electric wires. As such an electric connector, for example, FIG. A joint connector as shown in FIG.
[0003]
In this electric connector, busbar connecting terminals 2 are attached to terminal portions of a plurality of electric wires 1, respectively, and these are housed in terminal housing holes 3 a of a connector housing 3 to produce a wire harness 6. The plurality of bus bar connection terminals 2 are brought into contact with the plurality of male terminal portions 5 a of the bus bar 5 provided in the connector housing 4 by being coupled to the mating connector housing 4. The bus bar 5 has a common connection portion 5b for connecting the plurality of male terminal portions 5a in common, and by connecting the common connection portion 5b to the electric wire on the control device side, the plurality of electric wires connected to the plurality of electric devices can be connected. It can be commonly connected to the electric wire on the control device side.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional electrical connector for common connection, when a plurality of electric wires are divided into a plurality of groups and commonly connected to each group, as shown in FIG. The shape of a plurality of bus bars must be changed, and the production cost has been increased due to the necessity of preparing various types of bus bars. Further, the male and female connection terminal shapes are completely different, and the connector housing is divided into the female terminal side and the male terminal side. This also leads to an increase in cost.
[0005]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost connection terminal and an electrical connector that can share the shape of the male and female connection terminals.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an electric connector according to the present invention includes a first connector and a second connector which are integrated at a proximal end attached to a terminal portion of an electric wire and branched at a distal end to extend in a length direction of the electric wire. also with the provision of the second branch end, the contact convex portion at a predetermined gap with respect to the second branch ends with projecting second branch end side to the branch end of the first A connection terminal adapted to make the contact protrusion contact the second branch end of the counterpart terminal , and a terminal storage hole on one end side and the other end side into which the connection terminal can be inserted. A connector housing, and a partition wall on one end that partitions between terminal storage holes on one end of the connector housing and a partition wall on the other end that partitions between terminal storage holes on the other end. The inner wall of the adjacent inner end faces the inner wall, and the inner end of the partition wall on the one end side faces the front. The connection terminal inserted into the terminal receiving hole at the other end enters between the first and second branch ends, and the inner end of the partition wall at the other end is inserted into the terminal receiving hole at the one end. When the male / female connection terminal is inserted so as to enter between the first and second branch ends of the connection terminal, any one of the first connection terminals inserted into the terminal receiving hole on the one end side Of the second connection terminal inserted into the terminal receiving hole on the other end side, and the first branch end of the second connection terminal has the first branch end. Of the first connection terminal inserted into the other one of the terminal receiving holes on the one end side to make an electrical connection .
[0009]
In such a configuration, the plurality of first connection terminals inserted into the terminal storage holes on the one end side are connected to the second connection terminals inserted into the terminal storage holes on the other end side. They are connected to each other via two connection terminals, and are commonly connected.
Further , when the connection terminals are inserted into the one end side and the other end side partition walls to a predetermined depth in the terminal storage holes on the one end side and the other end side, respectively, the base end side of each connection terminal By providing a retaining claw that can be brought into contact with the connection terminal, the connection terminal can be securely retained.
[0010]
Further , the connector housing has a terminal housing hole and a partition wall on the one end side and a terminal housing hole and a partition wall on the other end side, and can be coupled to and separated from the first housing member. A second housing member, and the first and second housing members are coupled to each other, so that the first connection terminal inserted into the one end side terminal storage hole and the first connection terminal inserted into the other end side terminal storage hole. The second connection terminal may be brought into contact with the second connection terminal.
[0011]
In this case, although the connector housing is composed of two parts, it is suitable for applications in which separation and connection operations are expected.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 5 are views showing one embodiment of a connection terminal and an electric connector according to the present invention.
First, the configuration will be described. In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a first connection terminal formed of a terminal fitting having a predetermined shape, and reference numeral 12 denotes a second connection terminal formed of a terminal fitting having the same shape as the first connection terminal 11. These first and second connection terminals 11 and 12, which are connection terminals, are attached to the terminal portions 15a and 16a of the electric wires 15 and 16, respectively, and are brought into contact with each other to make an electrical connection. .
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 3, the connection terminals 11 and 12 are integrated at the base end 21 side attached to the terminal portions 15 a and 16 a of the wires 15 and 16, and each of the connection terminals 11 and 12 has a distal end portion 22 in the length direction of the wire. A first branch end portion 24 and a second branch portion 23 are provided so as to extend to the first branch end portion. The first branch end portion 24 projects toward the second branch end portion 23 and A tongue-shaped resilient contact projection 25 is provided facing the second branch end 23 with a predetermined gap therebetween.
[0014]
Reference numeral 30 denotes a connector housing in which a plurality of terminal receiving holes 31 and 32 on one end side and the other end side into which the connection terminals 11 and 12 can be inserted are formed. As shown in FIG. 4, the connector housing 30 has a partition wall 33 at one end that partitions between terminal storage holes 31 at one end, and a partition wall at the other end that partitions between terminal storage holes 32 at the other end. 34, and these partition walls 33 and 34 are arranged in parallel at different positions. The partition walls 33, 34 face each other on the inner end portions 33a, 34a side adjacent to each other, whereby the axis of the terminal storage hole 31 on one end and the terminal storage hole 32 on the other end adjacent thereto. Both terminal housing holes 31 and 32 are formed so that the axes of the terminals are shifted from each other in the direction perpendicular to the axes. The inner end 33a of the partition wall 33 at one end enters between the first and second branch ends 24 and 23 of the second connection terminal 12 inserted into the terminal storage hole 32 at the other end. The inner end 34a of the partition wall 34 at the other end enters between the first and second branch ends 24 , 23 of the first connection terminal 11 inserted into the terminal receiving hole 33 at the one end. I have.
[0015]
As described above, the male and female connection terminals 11 and 12 inserted into the connector housing 30 are connected to any one of the first branch ends 24 of the first connection terminals 11 inserted into the terminal storage holes 31 on one end side. Contacts one of the second branch ends 23 of the second connection terminal 12 inserted into the terminal storage hole 32 on the other end side, and the first branch end of the second connection terminal 12 The portion 24 is in contact with the second branch end 23 of the first connection terminal 11 inserted into another of the terminal storage holes 31 on one end.
[0016]
Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, when the connection terminals 11 and 12 are inserted into the partition walls 33 and 34 to the predetermined depths in the terminal storage holes 31 and 32 on one end and the other end, respectively. The connection terminals 11 and 12 are provided with retaining claw portions 35 and 36 that can abut from the base end 21 side. Further, the length L1 of the second branch end 23 is longer than the length L2 of the first branch end 24, and the width w2 of the bend inside the first branch end 24 a second branch end bending the smaller Kunar so than the outer width w1 of 23, both side edges of the second branch end 23 is bending. Therefore, when each of the connection terminals 11 and 12 causes the elastic contact projection 25 of the first branch end 24 to contact the second branch end 23 of the adjacent partner terminal, the first branch end 24. And the second branch end 23 of the other terminal does not interfere with each other. Incidentally, it may be the width of the bent outside of the first branch end 24 changes the terminal shape to a second magnitude than the width of the bending inner branch end 23 Kunar so, short first branch end It is sufficient that both side edges are bent so that the width of the second branch end 23 differs from that of the second branch end 23 .
[0017]
Reference numeral 37 denotes a terminal stopper rib 37 as a stopper that protrudes into the endmost one of the terminal storage holes 31 on one side of the connector housing 30 and can contact the first branch end 24 from the distal end side. The inner ends 33a and 34a of the partition walls 33 and 34 may be provided with stopper portions that abut against the first branch ends 24 from the front end side and regulate the insertion depth of the connection terminals 11 and 12, respectively. it can. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 39 denotes a notch for identification provided on a side wall of the terminal storage hole 31 on one end side for identifying the first terminal insertion opening.
[0018]
According to such a configuration, the contact protrusion 25 provided on the first branch end 24 of one connection terminal 11 or 12 is adjacent to the second connection terminal 12 or 11 of the counterpart connection terminal. The electrical connection is made by contacting the branch end 23 . Therefore, the connection terminal shapes of the male and female become the same, and the parts are shared. Further, the with respect to the first branch end 24 formed long second branch end 23, since the first branch end 24 by bending the opposite side edges so as to vary the width, as required intensity at the longest first branch end 24 is secured, moreover, a second branch end 23 interferes the first branch end 24 and mating terminals of the connection terminals 11 and 12 Is prevented, and stable contact by the elastic contact projection 25 can be obtained.
[0019]
Further, the plurality of first connection terminals 11 inserted into the terminal storage holes 31 at one end are connected to the second connection terminals 12 inserted into the terminal storage holes 32 at the other end, and the second connection terminals 11 are connected to the second connection terminals 12. The conventional bus bars are unnecessary because they are connected to each other through the connection terminals 12 and are commonly connected, and the storage positions of the connection terminals 11, 12 which are single terminal fittings in the connector housing 30 (the terminals are stored). By simply selecting (hole position), it is possible to cope with many connection modes.
[0020]
When the connection terminals 11 and 12 are inserted into the terminal storage holes 31 and 32 to a predetermined depth, respectively, the retaining claws 35 and 36 abut against the base end 21 side of the connection terminals 11 and 12. Since the connection terminals 11 and 12 are prevented from falling off, a stable connection state can be maintained.
In the above-described embodiment, the connector housing 30 is described as a single component. However, this can be changed to an embodiment having a divided structure as shown in FIG.
[0021]
That is, as shown in the drawing, the connector housing 50 is formed by a first housing member 41 having a terminal storage hole 51 and a partition wall 53 on one end side, and a second housing member having a terminal storage hole 52 and a partition wall 54 on the other end side. The housing member 42 may be configured to be connectable and separable from each other. In this case, by connecting the first and second housing members 41 and 42 in a predetermined state, the first connection terminal 11 inserted into the terminal storage hole 51 on one end and the terminal storage hole 53 on the other end are connected. The inserted second connection terminals 12 are brought into contact with each other in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, so that electrical connection is made. Reference numeral 44 denotes a terminal stopper rib provided on the second housing member 42 so as to protrude into the terminal receiving hole 52 on the other end side, as a stopper for stopping the distal end of the second connection terminal 12. Reference numeral 54a denotes inner ends of the partition walls 53 and 54, respectively. Other configurations are almost the same as those in the above-described example, and therefore, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.
[0022]
In such an embodiment, the connector housing is composed of two parts. However, in applications where separation and connection operations are expected, the workability is good and suitable.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
So that, as described, is contacted with the second branch end of the connecting terminal of the other party to the adjacent convex contact portion provided in the first branch end of the connection terminal to make electrical connection or Therefore, the male and female connection terminal shapes can be made the same, parts can be shared, and a low-cost connection terminal can be provided.
[0024]
Further , the second branch end is formed to be longer than the first branch end, and both side edges of the second branch end are bent so as to have a width different from that of the first branch end. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the first branch end and the second branch end of the counterpart terminal from interfering with each other, and to obtain stable contact by the contact protrusion.
[0025]
Further , using the connection terminals, the plurality of first connection terminals inserted into the terminal storage holes on one end are connected to the second connection terminals inserted into the terminal storage holes on the other end. The present invention provides a low-cost electrical connector that can be connected to each other via the second connection terminal, so that common connection is possible, and that the male and female connection terminal shapes are the same and components are shared. Can be.
[0026]
Furthermore , when the connection terminals are inserted into the one end side and the other end side terminal storage holes to a predetermined depth, respectively, on the one end side and the other end side partition wall, respectively, on the base end side of each connection terminal. Providing a stopper claw that can be abutted makes it possible to reliably prevent the connection terminal from falling off.
Further, by connecting the first and second housing members, the first connection terminal inserted into the terminal storage hole on one end side and the second connection terminal inserted into the terminal storage hole on the other end side are brought into contact with each other. Although the connector housing is made into two parts, the separation and reconnection work can be facilitated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an electrical connector showing one embodiment of a connection terminal and an electrical connector according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a shape of a connection terminal according to an embodiment;
4A and 4B are perspective views showing a connector housing of the electrical connector according to the embodiment, wherein FIG. 4A shows a front side thereof, and FIG. 4B shows a rear side thereof.
5A and 5B are views showing the arrangement of partition walls of the connector housing shown in FIG. 4, wherein FIG. 5A is a partial front view thereof, and FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the electrical connector according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional electrical connector.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a conventional problem.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 first connecting terminal 12 and the second connection terminals 15 and 16 wires 15a, 16a end portion 21 proximal end 22 distal end 23 and the second branch end 24 first branch end 25 resilient contact projecting portion 30 the connector housing 31 One end side terminal storage hole 32 The other end side terminal storage hole 33 One end side partition wall 34 The other end side partition wall 33a, 34a Inner end portions 35, 36 Retaining claw portion 37 Terminal stopper rib

Claims (3)

Also with the provision of the first and second branch ends branched so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the respectively integrated distal side wire at the proximal end which is attached to the end portion of the wire,
A contact projection protruding from the first branch end toward the second branch end and having a predetermined gap from the second branch end;
A connection terminal adapted to bring the contact protrusion into contact with the second branch end of the other terminal;
A connector housing in which a terminal storage hole on one end side and the other end side into which the connection terminal can be inserted is provided,
A partition wall on one end that partitions between terminal storage holes on one end of the connector housing and a partition wall on the other end that partitions between the terminal storage holes on the other end are inner wall surfaces adjacent to each other. Face to face,
The inner end of the one end side partition wall enters between the first and second branch ends of the connection terminal inserted into the terminal storage hole on the other end side, and the inner end of the partition wall on the other end side. When the male / female connection terminal is inserted so that the end enters between the first and second branch ends of the connection terminal inserted into the terminal storage hole on the one end side, the terminal storage hole on the one end side is inserted. Any one of the first branch terminals of the first connection terminal inserted into the terminal contacts the one of the second connection terminals of the second connection terminal inserted into the terminal receiving hole at the other end. In addition, the first branch end of the second connection terminal contacts the second branch end of the first connection terminal inserted into the other one of the terminal receiving holes on the one end side, and the electrical connection is established. An electrical connector characterized by making an electrical connection . When the connection terminals are respectively inserted into the one end side and the other end side partition walls to a predetermined depth in the one end side and the other end side terminal receiving holes, respectively, the connection terminals are brought into contact with the base end side of each connection terminal. The electrical connector according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper claw that can be contacted . A first housing member having the terminal housing hole and the partition wall on the one end side, and a second housing member having the terminal housing hole and the partition wall on the other end side and being connectable and separable to the first housing member; A first connecting terminal inserted into the terminal receiving hole on the one end side and a terminal connecting hole inserted into the terminal receiving hole on the other end side by connecting the first and second housing members. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the second connection terminal is in contact with the second connection terminal .

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