JP3988424B2

JP3988424B2 - connector

Info

Publication number: JP3988424B2
Application number: JP2001306316A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 亮太郎石川; 治川瀬; 英人中村; 健司辻
Original assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2001-10-02
Filing date: 2001-10-02
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-02
Also published as: JP2003115348A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、端子金具を係止するランスを備えたコネクタに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、コネクタハウジング内に端子金具を抜け止めして収容する構造としては、図１１に示すものが一般的である。すなわち、コネクタハウジング１内には端子金具２を後方から挿入可能なキャビティ３が設けられ、このキャビティ３の一面（例えば天井面）に、撓み変形可能な片持ち状の樹脂製のランス４が設けられており、端子金具２はランス４を撓み変形させつつキャビティ３内に挿入され、正規位置まで挿入されると、ランス４が復元変形しつつ端子金具２のアゴ部２Ａ等に係止することで、端子金具２がキャビティ３内に抜け止めされて収容されるようになっている。
なお、この種のコネクタは、特開平６−３２５８１４号に開示されている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで上記のように撓み変形する形式のランスは、例えば固定的に設けられたものと比べるとどうしても係止力に劣る嫌いがある。そこで係止力を上げるためには、ランス４が端子金具２に引っ掛かる深さを大きくすることが考えられるが、そうすると、端子金具２が挿入される際にランス４が逃げて変形する寸法も大きくならざるを得ない。特に、ランス４の先端に解除操作用の突部５が設けられたものでは、大きな撓み空間が必要となり、その結果、上下のキャビティ３間のピッチが大きくなって、ひいてはコネクタハウジング１の大型化に繋がるという問題があった。
本発明は上記のような事情に基づいて完成されたものであって、その目的は、端子金具の係止力を確保した上でコネクタハウジングの小型化を図るところにある。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記の目的を達成するための手段として、請求項１の発明は、コネクタハウジングには、端子金具を挿入可能なキャビティを有するタワー部が設けられ、このキャビティの内壁には先端側が自由端となった片持ち状のランスが撓み空間へ向けて撓み可能に形成されるとともに、このランスには係止突起が形成されて前記端子金具に対して弾性的に係止可能となっているコネクタにおいて、前記タワー部には受け部材が装着される一方、前記端子金具が前記キャビティ内に挿入されるときに、前記ランスにおける前記係止突起の後面側を前記端子金具が突き当たって押すことで、ランスは、その先端側における前記受け部材に形成された受け面による支持と、その基端側における支持と併せた両持ち状態で、長さ方向方向の中央部が前記撓み空間内に陥没するように撓み変形して前記端子金具の通過を許容し、通過後に復帰して前記端子金具に対する前記係止がなされる構成としたところに特徴を有する。
請求項２の発明は、請求項１に記載のものにおいて、前記受け部材は、自然状態における前記ランスの自由端との間に所定のスペースを確保して設けられているところに特徴を有する。
【０００５】
請求項３の発明は、請求項１に記載のものにおいて、前記受け部材には、前記ランスの撓み空間に突入してその撓み規制を行う撓み規制部が設けられているところに特徴を有する。
請求項４の発明は、請求項３に記載のものにおいて、前記受け部材は、前記撓み規制部が前記撓み空間から退避した仮係止位置と、前記撓み空間に進入した本係止位置とで保持可能とされており、前記撓み規制部には、前記受け部材が前記仮係止位置にある場合に自然状態における前記ランスの自由端と所定のスペースを挟んで対応する受け部が設けられているところに特徴を有する。
【０００６】
請求項５の発明は、請求項１ないし請求項４のいずれかに記載のものにおいて、前記ランスの側面には翼部が張り出し形成されているとともに、前記受け部材には、前記翼部と係合して前記ランスを強制的に撓み変形させるべく係止解除用の治具の挿入口が設けられているところに特徴を有する。
請求項６の発明は、請求項５に記載のものにおいて、前記治具と前記翼部との突き当て面の少なくともいずれか一方が、テーパ状に形成されているところに特徴を有する。
請求項７の発明は、請求項６に記載のものにおいて、前記治具を前記翼部に向けて真直に挿入案内するガイドが設けられているところに特徴を有する。
【０００７】
【発明の作用及び効果】
＜請求項１の発明＞
キャビティ内に端子金具が挿入されると、ランスはその自由端が受け部材で受けられつつ両持ち状態で撓み変形し、端子金具が正規位置まで挿入されると、ランスが復元変形して端子金具に抜け止め状に係止する。
ランスを両持ち状で撓み変形させるようにしたから、同じ引っ掛かり深さを設定した場合に、片持ち状で撓み変形するもの、特に先端に解除用突部を設けたものと比較すると、ランスの撓みを逃がす撓み空間が小さく抑えられる。したがって、端子金具に対する係止力を確保した上でコネクタハウジングの低背化を図ることができる。しかも、成形時のランスは片持ち状であるから、予め両持ち状に成形する場合と比較すると、型抜きが容易にできて成形金型の構造を簡略化することができる。
＜請求項２の発明＞
端子金具が挿入されると、ランスは初めは片持ち状で撓み変形し、続いて両持ち状で撓み変形する。初めに片持ち状で撓み変形させることから抵抗が小さく、その分端子金具の挿入力を低減できる。
【０００８】
＜請求項３の発明＞
受け部材に対して間接的な二重係止を行うリテーナの機能を兼用させることができ、構造をすっきりとまとめることができる。
＜請求項４の発明＞
受け部材が仮係止位置にある状態で端子金具が挿入され、ランスは初めは片持ち状で撓み変形し、続いて自由端が受け部で受けられつつ両持ち状で撓み変形し、端子金具が正規位置まで挿入されると、ランスが復元変形して端子金具に抜け止め状に係止する。続いて受け部材を本係止位置に押し込むと、ランスの撓み変形が規制されて間接的に二重係止される。
ランスを初めに片持ち状で撓み変形させることから、端子金具の挿入力を低減できる。
また、端子金具が正規位置まで押し込まれていない、すなわち半挿入状態に留められていると、ランスも撓み変形した状態にあるから、受け部材が仮係止位置から本係止位置に押し込まれたときに撓み変形しているランスに当たって押し込みができず、これを以て端子金具の半挿入検知を行うことができる。
【０００９】
＜請求項５の発明＞
メンテナンス等において端子金具をキャビティから抜く場合は、受け部材の挿入口から治具を挿入してランスの側面に張り出された翼部に当て、これを押し下げる等によりランスを強制的に撓み変形させると、端子金具に対する係止が解除されて端子金具を引き抜くことができる。
＜請求項６の発明＞
治具を押し込んで翼部に当てると、テーパのカム機能で翼部が押し下げられる等によってランスが撓み変形する。治具をこじることなく真直に押し込むだけで、係止解除のためのランスの撓み変形操作を簡単に行うことができる。
＜請求項７の発明＞
治具はガイドに沿って真直に翼部に向けて押し込まれる。ランスの撓み変形操作がさらに簡単にかつ確実に行われる。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の一実施形態を図１ないし図１０に基づいて説明する。
この実施形態では雌側の防水コネクタを例示しており、図１に示すように、雌側端子金具１０と、この雌側端子金具１０が収容されるキャビティ２６を設けた雌側のコネクタハウジング２０（以下、雌ハウジングという）と、受け部材４０とから構成されている。以下では図１の左側を前方として説明する。
雌側端子金具１０は、導電性に優れた金属板をプレス加工して形成されており、相手の雄側端子金具のタブと接続される接触舌片（図示せず）を内部に設けた角筒形の接続部１１を備え、後端側に設けられたバレル１２をかしめることで、防水ゴム栓１３とともに電線１５の端末に圧着されている。接続部１１の下面の後縁（アゴ部１６）が、後記するランス２７に係止可能となっている。
【００１１】
雌ハウジング２０は合成樹脂製であって、扁平なタワー部２１の前部側の回りにフード部２２が形成された形状となっている。この雌ハウジング２０におけるタワー部２１とフード部２２との間に、相手の雄側のコネクタハウジング（図示せず）が嵌合され、ロックアーム２３により雌雄のハウジングが嵌合状態にロックされ、またタワー部２１の根元側に嵌着されたパッキン２４により、雌雄のハウジング間がシールされるようになっている。
タワー部２１内には、図２にも示すように、上記した雌側端子金具１０を収容するための前後方向を向いた２個のキャビティ２６が、横方向に並んで形成されている。
【００１２】
各キャビティ２６の底面には、その長さ方向のほぼ中央部において、ランス２７が一体形成されている。このランス２７は、キャビティ２６の底面から若干立ち上がったのち前方に延出した片持ち状に形成され、その下面側に設けられた撓み空間２９に向けて撓み変形可能となっている。ランス２７の上面には、雌側端子金具１０のアゴ部１６に係止可能な係止突起２８が形成されている。係止突起２８の後面は、ガイド用にテーパ面２８Ａとされている。
各キャビティ２６の前面壁３１には、相手の雄ハウジングに収容された雄側端子金具のタブが挿入可能な端子接続口３２が開口されている。なお、キャビティ２６の前面壁３１において、端子接続口３２の下側の口縁部分を含むランス２７の前方位置は、切除されて開口されている。
【００１３】
雌ハウジング２０のタワー部２１には、受け部材４０が装着可能となっている。この受け部材４０は合成樹脂製であって、タワー部２１の先端側の回りに被着可能なキャップ形に形成されている。受け部材４０の前面板４１には、タワー部２１の先端が嵌合される窓孔４２が開口され、この窓孔４２の下縁に、上記した端子接続口３２の下側の口縁部４３が形成されている。
受け部材４０の左右の内側面には、前縁から後縁の少し手前にわたって、前後方向を向いた凹溝４５が形成されており、この凹溝４５内のほぼ中央部に被係止突部４６が形成されている。この被係止突部４６は、前面側が切り立った面で、後面側がテーパ面となっている。
一方、タワー部２１の左右の外側面には、その先端側の位置にロック突部３４が突設されている。このロック突部３４は、逆に後面側が切り立った面で、前面側がテーパ面となっている。
【００１４】
受け部材４０がタワー部２１の先端に嵌められると、まず図３に示すように、ロック突部３４が凹溝４５の後縁と被係止突部４６との間に嵌まることで、受け部材４０が前後方向の移動を規制された状態に保持される。これが受け部材４０の仮係止位置であって、ここでは、受け部材４０の前面板４１がフード部２２の前縁よりもさらに突出した状態となる。
受け部材４０が仮係止位置からさらに押し込まれると、図７に示すように、被係止突部４６がロック突部３４を乗り越えてその後面側に嵌まり、抜け止め状に保持される。これが本係止位置であって、ここでは、受け部材４０の前面板４１がフード部２２内に入り込み、窓孔４２に嵌めつつタワー部２１の前面と面一となる。
【００１５】
再び図１において、受け部材４０の前面板４１の裏面には、キャビティ２６側のランス２７の撓み空間２９に進入可能な撓み規制板５０が突設されている。ただし、この撓み規制板５０の突出端における上面には、ランス２７と対応する位置ごとに、所定寸法凹んだ受け面５１が形成されている。
そして、受け部材４０が仮係止位置に保持された状態では、図３に示すように、撓み規制板５０の突出端が撓み空間２９の入口に進入し、受け面５１がランス２７の先端の下方に若干のスペースを開けて対応するようになっている。一方、受け部材４０が本係止位置まで押し込まれると、図７に示すように、撓み規制板５０が撓み空間２９の奥の方まで進入するようになっている。
【００１６】
上記したランス２７における左右の側面には、図４に示すように、このランス２７を強制的に撓み変形させることに用いる翼部３５が張り出し形成されている。この翼部３５の上面は、奥側に向けて上り勾配となったテーパ面３６とされている。一方、各キャビティ２６の両側壁２６Ａはその下縁側が切除され、それによりランス２７の翼部３５が前方に開口されている。
一方、受け部材４０の前面板４１には、図２にも示すように、口縁部４３の根元の両側に対応する位置ごとに、左右一対ずつの治具挿入口５４が開口されている。この治具挿入口５４は言い換えると、各ランス２７の一対の翼部３５の前方に開口して形成されており、特に治具挿入口５４の上面と、キャビティ２６の側壁２６Ａの切除された下面とが真直に整合し、治具６０を挿入する場合のガイド面５５を構成している。
【００１７】
解除用の治具６０は、図８及び図９に示すように、持ち手部となる基部６１から、角棒状の２本の解除棒６２が突設された構造であって、対をなす治具挿入口５４に対して２本の解除棒６２が同時に挿入可能となっている。
解除棒６２の先端における上面側の角は、図８に示すように、ガイド用に丸みが付されているとともに、先端側の下面は、先に向けて上り勾配となったテーパ面６３とされている。
【００１８】
本実施形態は上記のような構造であって、続いてその作用を説明する。
まず図１の状態から、受け部材４０を雌ハウジング２０のタワー部２１の先端に嵌めて押し込み、図３に示すように、タワー部２１側のロック突部３４を、受け部材４０側の凹溝４５の後縁と被係止突部４６との間に嵌めることで、受け部材４０を仮係止位置に保持する。ここでは、撓み規制板５０の突出端がランス２７の撓み空間２９の入口に進入し、凹み形成された受け面５１が、ランス２７の先端の下方に若干のスペースを開けて対応する。
【００１９】
この状態から、図１の矢線に示すように、雌側端子金具１０を対応するキャビティ２６内に後方から挿入する。挿入が進むと、接続部１１の下面の前縁が、ランス２７の係止突起２８の後面のテーパ面２８Ａに突き当たってこれを押すことで、ランス２７は先端側が下方に撓み変形する。所定量撓み変形すると、ランス２７の先端が受け面５１に当たるから、それ以降、ランス２７は先端側と基端側の両方で支持された両持ち状となって、図５に示すように、長さ方向の中央部が撓み空間２９内に陥没するように撓み変形し、接続部１１が通過することを許容する。
【００２０】
雌側端子金具１０がキャビティ２６の前面壁３１に突き当たってその押し込みが停止されると、接続部１１が係止突起２８を通過するから、ランス２７が元の姿勢に復元変形し、図６に示すように、係止突起２８が雌側端子金具１０のアゴ部１６の後方に突出し、これにより雌側端子金具１０は抜け方向に一次係止される。それとともに、防水ゴム栓１３がキャビティ２６の入口に嵌着される。
両雌側端子金具１０の挿入が完了したら、図６の矢線に示すように受け部材４０を押し込み、図７に示すように、被係止突部４６をロック突部３４の後面側に嵌めることで、本係止位置に保持する。これに伴い、ランス２７の撓み空間２９に撓み規制板５０が進入してランス２７の撓み規制を行い、これにより雌側端子金具１０は抜け方向に二重係止される。
【００２１】
なお、雌側端子金具１０がランス２７を撓み変形させつつキャビティ２６内に挿入される間、相応の抵抗を受けるために、正規位置に至る手前で押し込み動作を停止し、いわゆる半挿入状態に留め置かれるおそれがある（図５参照）。しかるにこのときは、先端を受け面５１に載せつつランス２７が撓み変形した状態にあるから、受け部材４０を本係止位置に向けて押し込んだ場合に、受け面５１の奥壁５２がランス２７の先端に突き当たって押し込みが規制され、これを以て雌側端子金具１０が半挿入状態に留め置かれていることが検知される。
そうしたら、再度雌側端子金具１０を正規位置まで押し込み、続いて受け部材４０を本係止位置に押し込めばよい。
【００２２】
以上により雌側のコネクタの組み付けが完了し、そのときには、受け部材４０の口縁部４３を含めて端子接続口３２が形成される。
そしてこの状態から相手の雄側のコネクタと嵌合されると、雄コネクタに収容された雄側端子金具のタブが端子接続口３２を通り、雌側端子金具１０の接続部１１内に進入して電気的な接続が図られる。雌雄両コネクタはパッキン２４によりシールされた状態で嵌合され、またロックアーム２３によって嵌合状態にロックされる。
【００２３】
一方、メンテナンス等において雌側端子金具１０をキャビティ２６から外す場合は、以下のようにして行う。相手の雄コネクタとの嵌合を外したのち、受け部材４０を図７に示す本係止位置から引き、図８に示す退避位置に戻す。これにより、撓み規制板５０は、その先端の受け面５１が撓み空間２９の入口、すなわちランス２７の先端の下方に対応する位置まで戻される。
そうしたら解除用の治具６０を準備して、両解除棒６２を対をなす治具挿入口５４に挿入する。両解除棒６２は引き続いてガイド面５５で案内されて真直に挿入され、所定位置まで挿入されると、解除棒６２の先端のテーパ面６３が、ランス２７の翼部３５のテーパ面３６に突き当たる。さらに治具６０を押し込むと、図１０に示すように、テーパ面６３，３６同士のカム機能によって両翼部３５が押し下げられ、ランス２７は両持ち状となって、長さ方向の中央部が撓み空間２９内に陥没するように撓み変形し、係止突起２８が下がってアゴ部１６から外れ、雌側端子金具１０に対する係止が解除される。そうしたら続いて電線１５を後方に引っ張れば、雌側端子金具１０をキャビティ２６から引き抜くことができる。
【００２４】
以上説明したように本実施形態によれば、雌側端子金具１０に係止するランス２７を両持ち状で撓み変形させる構造としたから、同じ引っ掛かり深さを設定した場合に、片持ち状で撓み変形するもの、特に先端に解除用突部を設けたものと比較すると、ランス２７の撓みを逃がす撓み空間２９が小さく抑えられる。したがって、雌側端子金具１０に対する係止力を確保した上で雌ハウジング２０の低背化を図ることができる。しかも、成形時のランス２７は片持ち状であるから、雌ハウジング２０内で予め両持ち状に成形する場合と比較すると、型抜きが容易にできて成形金型の構造を簡略化することができる。
【００２５】
受け部材４０の撓み規制板５０に一段凹んだ受け面５１を設けることで、ランス２７は初めは片持ち状で撓み変形するようにしたから、その分抵抗が小さく、雌側端子金具１０の挿入力が低減できる。また、雌側端子金具１０が半挿入状態に留められていると、ランス２７が撓み変形して受け面５１の奥壁５２に対応した状態にあるから、受け部材４０を本係止位置に向けて押し込みができず、これを以て雌側端子金具１０の半挿入検知を行うことができる。
【００２６】
ランス２７による係止を解除する場合は、受け部材４０を仮係止位置に戻した状態において治具６０の両解除棒６２を治具挿入口５４から挿入し、ガイド面５５に沿って真直に押し込んで翼部３５に当てると、テーパ面６３，３６の機能により翼部３５が押し下げられてランス２７が撓み変形し、雌側端子金具１０のアゴ部１６に対する係止が解除される。治具６０を単にガイド面５５に沿って真直に押し込むだけで、こじり操作等を行うことなく、係止解除のためのランス２７の撓み変形操作を簡単に行うことができる。
【００２７】
＜他の実施形態＞
本発明は上記記述及び図面によって説明した実施形態に限定されるものではなく、例えば次のような実施形態も本発明の技術的範囲に含まれ、さらに、下記以外にも要旨を逸脱しない範囲内で種々変更して実施することができる。
（１）受け部材について一段凹んだ受け面を設けることなく、ランスを初めから両持ち状として撓み変形させるようにしてもよい。
（２）受け部材には、ランスの撓み規制を行うリテーナの機能が備えられていなくてもよく、また、ランスの撓み規制を行うリテーナは別に設けられていてもよい。
【００２８】
（３）治具の解除棒の先端とランスの翼部に設けられたテーパ面は、いずれか一方だけであってもよく、また必ずしもテーパ面を設ける必要はない。
（４）本発明は、キャビティが多段に形成されたコネクタにも適用可能であり、そのような多段コネクタほど低背化に実効がある。
（５）本発明は、雄側端子金具を収容した雄側のコネクタにも適用可能であり、また非防水形式のコネクタにも適用することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態の分解縦断面図
【図２】雌ハウジングの正面図
【図３】受け部材が仮係止位置に保持された状態の縦断面図
【図４】そのランスの翼部を示した縦断面図
【図５】雌側端子金具の挿入途中の状態の縦断面図
【図６】雌側端子金具の挿入完了時の縦断面図
【図７】受け部材が本係止位置に保持された状態の縦断面図
【図８】治具の挿入前の状態の縦断面図
【図９】治具の底面図
【図１０】ランスの係止解除動作を示す縦断面図
【図１１】従来例の縦断面図
【符号の説明】
１０…雌側端子金具
１６…アゴ部
２０…雌ハウジング（コネクタハウジング）
２１…タワー部
２６…キャビティ
２７…ランス
２８…係止突起
２９…撓み空間
３４…ロック突部
３５…翼部
３６…テーパ面
４０…受け部材
４６…被係止突部
５０…撓み規制板（撓み規制部）
５１…受け面（受け部）
５２…奥壁
５４…治具挿入口
５５…ガイド面
６０…治具
６２…解除棒
６３…テーパ面[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector provided with a lance for locking a terminal fitting.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a structure shown in FIG. 11 is generally used as a structure for retaining a terminal fitting in a connector housing. That is, a cavity 3 in which the terminal fitting 2 can be inserted from the rear is provided in the connector housing 1, and a cantilevered resin lance 4 that can be bent and deformed is provided on one surface (for example, a ceiling surface) of the cavity 3. The terminal fitting 2 is inserted into the cavity 3 while bending and deforming the lance 4, and when inserted to the proper position, the lance 4 is restored and deformed and locked to the jaw portion 2A of the terminal fitting 2 and the like. Thus, the terminal fitting 2 is held in the cavity 3 so as not to be detached.
This type of connector is disclosed in JP-A-6-325814.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the lance of the type which bends and deforms as described above is inevitably inferior to the locking force as compared with, for example, a fixed lance. In order to increase the locking force, it is conceivable to increase the depth at which the lance 4 is hooked on the terminal fitting 2. However, when the terminal fitting 2 is inserted, the lance 4 escapes and deforms greatly. I have to be. In particular, in the case where the protrusion 5 for the release operation is provided at the tip of the lance 4, a large deflection space is required. As a result, the pitch between the upper and lower cavities 3 becomes larger, and consequently the connector housing 1 becomes larger. There was a problem of being connected to.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the size of the connector housing while securing the locking force of the terminal fitting.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a means for achieving the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the connector housing is provided with a tower portion having a cavity into which the terminal fitting can be inserted, and a distal end side of the inner wall of the cavity is a free end. In the connector in which the cantilevered lance is formed so as to be able to bend toward the bending space, and a locking projection is formed on this lance so that it can be elastically locked to the terminal fitting. While the receiving member is attached to the tower portion, when the terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity, the terminal fitting abuts against the rear surface side of the locking projection in the lance and pushes the lance. The center portion in the longitudinal direction is in the bending direction in a both-side supported state in combination with the support by the receiving surface formed on the receiving member on the distal end side and the support on the proximal end side. And deformed so as to collapse within and permit passage of the terminal fitting, characterized in was configured to the locking with respect to the terminal fitting to return after passing through it is made.
The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the receiving member is provided with a predetermined space between the receiving member and the free end of the lance in a natural state.
[0005]
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, the receiving member is provided with a bending restricting portion that enters the bending space of the lance and restricts the bending.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the receiving member includes a temporary locking position where the bending restricting portion is retracted from the bending space, and a main locking position where the bending member enters the bending space. The bending restricting portion is provided with a receiving portion corresponding to the free end of the lance in a natural state across a predetermined space when the receiving member is in the temporary locking position. It has a characteristic where it exists.
[0006]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a wing portion is formed to project from a side surface of the lance, and the receiving member is associated with the wing portion. In addition, there is a feature in that an insertion port for an unlocking jig is provided to force the lance to bend and deform.
The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the structure of claim 5, at least one of the abutting surfaces of the jig and the wing portion is formed in a tapered shape.
A seventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect of the invention, a guide for straightly inserting and guiding the jig toward the wing portion is provided.
[0007]
[Action and effect of the invention]
<Invention of Claim 1>
When the terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity, the lance is bent and deformed while being supported by the receiving member, and when the terminal fitting is inserted to the proper position, the lance is restored and deformed. Lock in a retaining shape.
Since the lance is bent and deformed in both ends, when the same hook depth is set, the lance is deformed compared to the one that bends and deforms in the cantilever, especially the tip provided with the release protrusion. The bending space for escaping the bending is kept small. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the height of the connector housing while securing a locking force for the terminal fitting. Moreover, since the lance at the time of molding is cantilevered, the mold can be easily removed and the structure of the molding die can be simplified as compared with the case where the lance is molded in advance.
<Invention of Claim 2>
When the terminal fitting is inserted, the lance is initially bent and deformed in a cantilevered state, and subsequently bent and deformed in a cantilevered state. The resistance is small because the cantilever is bent and deformed first, and the insertion force of the terminal fitting can be reduced accordingly.
[0008]
<Invention of Claim 3>
The function of the retainer that performs indirect double locking with respect to the receiving member can also be used, so that the structure can be neatly organized.
<Invention of Claim 4>
The terminal fitting is inserted in a state where the receiving member is in the temporary locking position, the lance is initially bent and deformed in a cantilevered state, and then the free end is bent and deformed in a cantilevered manner while being received by the receiving portion. When is inserted to the proper position, the lance is restored and deformed and locked to the terminal fitting in a retaining manner. Subsequently, when the receiving member is pushed into the main locking position, the bending deformation of the lance is restricted and indirectly double locked.
Since the lance is first bent and deformed in a cantilever manner, the insertion force of the terminal fitting can be reduced.
Also, if the terminal fitting is not pushed to the normal position, that is, if it is held in the half-inserted state, the lance is also bent and deformed, so the receiving member has been pushed from the temporary locking position to the main locking position. It is sometimes impossible to push in against a lance that is bent and deformed, and it is possible to detect the half-insertion of the terminal fitting.
[0009]
<Invention of Claim 5>
When removing the terminal fitting from the cavity for maintenance, etc., insert a jig through the insertion port of the receiving member and place it against the wings protruding from the side of the lance, and forcibly bend and deform the lance by pushing it down. And the lock | rock with respect to a terminal metal fitting is cancelled | released, and a terminal metal fitting can be pulled out.
<Invention of Claim 6>
When the jig is pushed in and applied to the wing, the lance is bent and deformed, for example, when the wing is pushed down by a taper cam function. It is possible to easily perform the bending deformation operation of the lance for releasing the lock simply by pushing it straight without twisting the jig.
<Invention of Claim 7>
The jig is pushed straight toward the wing along the guide. The operation of bending and deforming the lance is further easily and reliably performed.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In this embodiment, a female waterproof connector is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 1, a female connector housing 20 provided with a female terminal fitting 10 and a cavity 26 in which the female terminal fitting 10 is accommodated. (Hereinafter referred to as a female housing) and a receiving member 40. In the following description, the left side of FIG.
The female terminal fitting 10 is formed by pressing a metal plate having excellent conductivity, and has a corner provided with a contact tongue piece (not shown) connected to the tab of the mating male terminal fitting inside. A cylindrical connecting portion 11 is provided, and the barrel 12 provided on the rear end side is crimped to be crimped to the end of the electric wire 15 together with the waterproof rubber plug 13. A rear edge (ago portion 16) of the lower surface of the connection portion 11 can be locked to a lance 27 described later.
[0011]
The female housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and has a shape in which a hood portion 22 is formed around the front side of the flat tower portion 21. A mating male connector housing (not shown) is fitted between the tower portion 21 and the hood portion 22 of the female housing 20, and the male and female housings are locked in the fitted state by the lock arm 23. A gap between the male and female housings is sealed by a packing 24 fitted on the base side of the tower portion 21.
As shown in FIG. 2, two cavities 26 facing in the front-rear direction for accommodating the female terminal fitting 10 are formed side by side in the tower portion 21.
[0012]
A lance 27 is integrally formed on the bottom surface of each cavity 26 substantially at the center in the length direction. The lance 27 is formed in a cantilever shape that slightly rises from the bottom surface of the cavity 26 and extends forward, and can be bent and deformed toward a bending space 29 provided on the lower surface side thereof. On the upper surface of the lance 27, a locking projection 28 that can be locked to the jaw portion 16 of the female terminal fitting 10 is formed. The rear surface of the locking projection 28 is a tapered surface 28A for guiding.
A terminal connection port 32 into which a tab of a male terminal fitting housed in a mating male housing can be inserted is opened in the front wall 31 of each cavity 26. In addition, in the front wall 31 of the cavity 26, the front position of the lance 27 including the lower edge portion of the terminal connection port 32 is cut open.
[0013]
A receiving member 40 can be attached to the tower portion 21 of the female housing 20. The receiving member 40 is made of a synthetic resin and is formed in a cap shape that can be attached around the front end side of the tower portion 21. A window hole 42 into which the tip of the tower portion 21 is fitted is opened in the front plate 41 of the receiving member 40, and the lower edge portion 43 of the terminal connection port 32 is formed at the lower edge of the window hole 42. Is formed.
On the left and right inner surfaces of the receiving member 40, a concave groove 45 is formed in the front and rear direction slightly from the front edge to the rear edge. 46 is formed. The locked protrusion 46 is a surface with a raised front surface and a tapered surface on the rear surface side.
On the other hand, on the left and right outer surfaces of the tower portion 21, lock projections 34 project from the front end side. On the contrary, the lock protrusion 34 is a surface whose rear side is raised, and the front side is a tapered surface.
[0014]
When the receiving member 40 is fitted to the tip of the tower portion 21, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the locking projection 34 is fitted between the rear edge of the concave groove 45 and the locked projection 46, thereby receiving the receiving portion 40. The member 40 is held in a state where movement in the front-rear direction is restricted. This is the temporary locking position of the receiving member 40, and here, the front plate 41 of the receiving member 40 is in a state of further protruding from the front edge of the hood portion 22.
When the receiving member 40 is further pushed in from the temporary locking position, as shown in FIG. 7, the locked protrusion 46 gets over the lock protrusion 34 and fits on the rear surface side, and is held in a retaining shape. This is the main locking position. Here, the front plate 41 of the receiving member 40 enters the hood portion 22 and is flush with the front surface of the tower portion 21 while being fitted in the window hole 42.
[0015]
Referring again to FIG. 1, a deflection regulating plate 50 that can enter the bending space 29 of the lance 27 on the cavity 26 side protrudes from the back surface of the front plate 41 of the receiving member 40. However, a receiving surface 51 that is recessed by a predetermined dimension is formed on the upper surface at the protruding end of the deflection regulating plate 50 for each position corresponding to the lance 27.
In the state where the receiving member 40 is held at the temporary locking position, as shown in FIG. 3, the protruding end of the bending restricting plate 50 enters the inlet of the bending space 29, and the receiving surface 51 is at the tip of the lance 27. A small space is opened below to accommodate this. On the other hand, when the receiving member 40 is pushed down to the final locking position, the bending restricting plate 50 enters the depth of the bending space 29 as shown in FIG.
[0016]
On the left and right side surfaces of the lance 27, as shown in FIG. 4, wing portions 35 used for forcibly bending and deforming the lance 27 are formed to project. The upper surface of the wing portion 35 is a tapered surface 36 that has an upward slope toward the back side. On the other hand, the lower edge side of both side walls 26A of each cavity 26 is cut away, whereby the wing portion 35 of the lance 27 is opened forward.
On the other hand, on the front plate 41 of the receiving member 40, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of left and right jig insertion ports 54 are opened at positions corresponding to both sides of the base of the mouth edge 43. In other words, the jig insertion port 54 is formed to open in front of the pair of wing portions 35 of each lance 27, and in particular, the upper surface of the jig insertion port 54 and the lower surface of the side wall 26 </ b> A of the cavity 26 that is cut off. Are aligned straight and constitute a guide surface 55 when the jig 60 is inserted.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the release jig 60 has a structure in which two release rods 62 each having a square bar shape project from a base portion 61 serving as a handle portion. Two release rods 62 can be simultaneously inserted into the tool insertion port 54.
As shown in FIG. 8, the corner on the upper surface side at the tip of the release rod 62 is rounded for the guide, and the lower surface on the tip side is a tapered surface 63 that is inclined upward. ing.
[0018]
This embodiment has the structure as described above, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently.
First, from the state of FIG. 1, the receiving member 40 is fitted and pushed into the tip of the tower portion 21 of the female housing 20, and as shown in FIG. 3, the locking protrusion 34 on the tower portion 21 side is moved into the concave groove on the receiving member 40 side. The receiving member 40 is held at the temporary locking position by being fitted between the rear edge of 45 and the locked protrusion 46. Here, the protruding end of the bending restricting plate 50 enters the entrance of the bending space 29 of the lance 27, and the receiving surface 51 formed with a recess corresponds to the lance 27 by opening a small space below the tip.
[0019]
From this state, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1, the female terminal fitting 10 is inserted into the corresponding cavity 26 from behind. As the insertion progresses, the front edge of the lower surface of the connecting portion 11 abuts against and presses the tapered surface 28A on the rear surface of the locking projection 28 of the lance 27, so that the tip side of the lance 27 is bent and deformed downward. When a predetermined amount of bending deformation occurs, the tip of the lance 27 hits the receiving surface 51, and thereafter, the lance 27 becomes a doubly supported shape supported on both the tip end side and the base end side, as shown in FIG. The central portion in the vertical direction is bent and deformed so as to sink into the bending space 29, and the connection portion 11 is allowed to pass.
[0020]
When the female terminal fitting 10 abuts against the front wall 31 of the cavity 26 and the pushing is stopped, the connecting portion 11 passes through the locking projection 28, so that the lance 27 is restored and deformed to the original posture, as shown in FIG. As shown, the locking projection 28 protrudes rearward of the jaw portion 16 of the female terminal fitting 10, whereby the female terminal fitting 10 is primarily locked in the removal direction. At the same time, the waterproof rubber plug 13 is fitted into the entrance of the cavity 26.
When the insertion of the female terminal fittings 10 is completed, the receiving member 40 is pushed in as shown by the arrow in FIG. 6 and the locked protrusion 46 is fitted to the rear surface side of the lock protrusion 34 as shown in FIG. Thus, it is held at the final locking position. Along with this, the bending restricting plate 50 enters the bending space 29 of the lance 27 to restrict the bending of the lance 27, whereby the female terminal fitting 10 is double-locked in the pulling direction.
[0021]
While the female terminal fitting 10 is inserted into the cavity 26 while bending and deforming the lance 27, the pushing operation is stopped before reaching the normal position in order to receive a corresponding resistance, and the so-called half-inserted state is maintained. There is a risk of being placed (see FIG. 5). However, at this time, since the lance 27 is bent and deformed while the tip is placed on the receiving surface 51, when the receiving member 40 is pushed toward the main locking position, the inner wall 52 of the receiving surface 51 is moved to the lance 27. It is detected that the female terminal fitting 10 is kept in the half-inserted state by pressing against the tip of the wire and restricting pushing.
If it does so, the female side terminal metal fitting 10 may be pushed in to a regular position again, and the receiving member 40 should just be pushed in to a final locking position.
[0022]
Thus, the assembly of the female connector is completed, and at that time, the terminal connection port 32 is formed including the mouth edge portion 43 of the receiving member 40.
When the mating connector is mated with the mating male connector from this state, the tab of the male terminal fitting accommodated in the male connector enters the connection portion 11 of the female terminal fitting 10 through the terminal connection port 32. Electrical connection. The male and female connectors are fitted in a state where they are sealed by the packing 24, and are locked in the fitted state by the lock arm 23.
[0023]
On the other hand, when the female terminal fitting 10 is removed from the cavity 26 for maintenance or the like, it is performed as follows. After releasing the mating with the mating male connector, the receiving member 40 is pulled from the main locking position shown in FIG. 7 and returned to the retracted position shown in FIG. Thereby, the bending restricting plate 50 is returned to a position where the receiving surface 51 at the tip thereof corresponds to the entrance of the bending space 29, that is, below the tip of the lance 27.
If it does so, the jig | tool 60 for cancellation | release will be prepared and both the cancellation | release rods 62 will be inserted in the jig | tool insertion port 54 which makes a pair. Both release rods 62 are continuously guided by the guide surface 55 and inserted straight, and when inserted to a predetermined position, the tapered surface 63 at the tip of the release rod 62 abuts against the tapered surface 36 of the wing portion 35 of the lance 27. . When the jig 60 is further pushed in, as shown in FIG. 10, both wing portions 35 are pushed down by the cam function of the tapered surfaces 63 and 36, the lance 27 becomes doubly held, and the central portion in the length direction is bent. It bends and deforms so as to sink into the space 29, and the locking projection 28 is lowered and disengaged from the jaw portion 16, and the locking to the female terminal fitting 10 is released. Then, if the electric wire 15 is subsequently pulled backward, the female terminal fitting 10 can be pulled out from the cavity 26.
[0024]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the lance 27 that is locked to the female terminal fitting 10 is bent and deformed in a both-sided manner, when the same catching depth is set, the lance 27 is cantilevered. The bending space 29 in which the bending of the lance 27 is released is suppressed to a small size as compared with a bending deformation, particularly a case where a release protrusion is provided at the tip. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the height of the female housing 20 while securing a locking force for the female terminal fitting 10. Moreover, since the lance 27 at the time of molding is cantilevered, it is easier to remove the die and simplify the structure of the molding die as compared with the case where the female housing 20 is previously molded in a double-sided manner. it can.
[0025]
Since the lance 27 is initially cantilevered and deformed by providing a receiving surface 51 that is recessed in one step on the deflection regulating plate 50 of the receiving member 40, the resistance is small and the insertion of the female terminal fitting 10 is reduced accordingly. Power can be reduced. Further, when the female terminal fitting 10 is held in the half-inserted state, the lance 27 is bent and deformed and is in a state corresponding to the inner wall 52 of the receiving surface 51, so that the receiving member 40 is directed to the main locking position. Therefore, the half insertion of the female terminal fitting 10 can be detected.
[0026]
When releasing the locking by the lance 27, both release rods 62 of the jig 60 are inserted from the jig insertion port 54 in a state where the receiving member 40 is returned to the temporary locking position, and straight along the guide surface 55. When pushed into contact with the wing part 35, the wing part 35 is pushed down by the function of the tapered surfaces 63, 36, the lance 27 is bent and deformed, and the locking of the female terminal fitting 10 to the jaw part 16 is released. By simply pushing the jig 60 straight along the guide surface 55, the bending deformation operation of the lance 27 for releasing the locking can be easily performed without performing a twisting operation or the like.
[0027]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
(1) The lance may be bent and deformed from the beginning as a double-supported shape without providing a receiving surface that is recessed by one step.
(2) The receiving member may not be provided with a retainer function for restricting lance deflection, and a retainer for restricting lance deflection may be provided separately.
[0028]
(3) Only one of the tapered surfaces provided on the tip of the release rod of the jig and the wing portion of the lance may be provided, and the tapered surface is not necessarily provided.
(4) The present invention can also be applied to a connector having cavities formed in multiple stages, and such a multistage connector is more effective in reducing the height.
(5) The present invention is applicable to a male connector housing a male terminal fitting, and can also be applied to a non-waterproof connector.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of a female housing. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a receiving member held in a temporary locking position. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the female terminal fitting in the middle of insertion. Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the female terminal fitting when insertion is complete. Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a state before the jig is inserted. Fig. 9 is a bottom cross-sectional view of the jig. Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the lance unlocking operation. [Fig. 11] A longitudinal sectional view of a conventional example [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Female side terminal metal fitting 16 ... Jaw part 20 ... Female housing (connector housing)
21 ... Tower portion 26 ... Cavity 27 ... Lance 28 ... Locking projection 29 ... Deflection space 34 ... Lock projection 35 ... Wing 36 ... Tapered surface 40 ... Receiving member 46 ... Locked projection 50 ... Deflection regulating plate (deflection) Regulatory Department)
51 ... Receiving surface (receiving part)
52 ... Back wall 54 ... Jig insertion port 55 ... Guide surface 60 ... Jig 62 ... Release rod 63 ... Tapered surface

Claims

The connector housing is provided with a tower portion having a cavity into which the terminal fitting can be inserted, and a cantilever lance having a free end at the tip side is formed on the inner wall of the cavity so as to bend toward the bending space. In addition, in this connector, a locking projection is formed on the lance so that it can be elastically locked to the terminal fitting.
While the receiving member is attached to the tower portion, when the terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity, the terminal fitting abuts against the rear surface side of the locking projection in the lance and pushes the lance. In the both-side supported state combined with the support on the receiving end formed on the receiving member on the distal end side and the support on the proximal end side, the central portion in the longitudinal direction is bent so as to sink into the bending space. A connector that is deformed to allow passage of the terminal fitting, returns after passing, and is engaged with the terminal fitting .

The connector according to claim 1, wherein the receiving member is provided with a predetermined space between the receiving member and the free end of the lance in a natural state.

The connector according to claim 1, wherein the receiving member is provided with a bending restricting portion that enters the bending space of the lance and restricts the bending.

The receiving member can be held at a temporary locking position where the bending restricting portion is retracted from the bending space and a final locking position entering the bending space, and the bending restricting portion includes the receiving member. 4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein when the member is in the temporary locking position, a receiving portion corresponding to the free end of the lance in a natural state with a predetermined space therebetween is provided.

A wing is formed on the side surface of the lance so as to project, and the receiving member is inserted with an insertion hole for a lock releasing jig to engage with the wing and forcefully deform the lance. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is provided.

The connector according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the abutting surfaces of the jig and the wing portion is formed in a tapered shape.

The connector according to claim 6, further comprising a guide for guiding the jig to be inserted straight toward the wing portion.