JP4258146B2

JP4258146B2 - connector

Info

Publication number: JP4258146B2
Application number: JP2001293310A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 英人中村; 亮太郎石川; 治川瀬; 健司辻
Original assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2001-09-26
Filing date: 2001-09-26
Publication date: 2009-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 2021-09-26
Also published as: JP2003100377A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、端子金具の係止構造に改良を加えたコネクタに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
端子金具をキャビティ内で強固に抜け止めするためにリテーナを備えたコネクタは公知であり、従来その一例として図１１に示すものが知られている。これは、フロントリテーナ型と称されるもので、コネクタハウジング１のキャビティ２内に端子金具３が挿入されると、キャビティ２の底壁に撓み変形可能に設けられたランス４により一次係止され、続いてキャビティ２の前面側からリテーナ５を押し込んでランス４の撓み空間６に進入させ、ランス４の撓み変形を規制することで二重係止するようになっている。
なお、この種のコネクタは、例えば特開平５−３２６０６６号公報に記載されている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかるに上記構造による二重係止は、ランス４の撓み変形を規制しただけの言わば間接的な二重係止であって、例えば同図の鎖線に示す欠損線７から、ランス４の係止突起４Ａが欠損したような場合には、全く係止できないことになり、信頼性を考慮すると、必ずしも十分であるとは言えなかった。
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、端子金具の係止を高い信頼性を持って行うところにある。
【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内には端子金具が挿入されるキャビティが形成され、このキャビティの側壁に前記端子金具に係止する撓み変形可能なランスが設けられたコネクタにおいて、前記キャビティ内には固定係止部が形成されるとともに、前記端子金具が前記ランスにより係止されたのちにこの端子金具を前記固定係止部で係止される位置まで移動させる移動部材が備えられ、かつこの移動部材は、前記コネクタハウジングに対して、前記端子金具が前記ランスによる係止位置まで前記キャビティ内に挿入されるのを許容する退避位置と、それより奥で前記端子金具を前記固定係止部に向けて移動させる進出位置とでそれぞれ保持可能となっており、さらに、前記移動部材には前記キャビティの前壁が設けられるとともに、前記キャビティを横切るコネクタハウジングの側面側から装着可能となっており、前記前壁には、前記移動部材が前記進出位置にあるときにおいて前記固定係止部に係止された状態の前記端子金具の前方に整合する端子接続口と、前記移動部材が退避位置にあるときにおいて前記ランスの前方に整合する係止解除用の治具の挿入口とが開口されている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、前記移動部材には、前記キャビティにおける前記固定係止部を設けた側と対向する壁面側に挿入される挿入部が設けられ、この挿入部に、前記端子金具を前記固定係止部を設けた壁面側に移動させるカム部が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または請求項２に記載のものにおいて、前記ランスは、前記端子金具が前記固定係止部に係止された状態でも前記端子金具に係止可能となっ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、前記移動部材には、前記ランスの撓み空間に進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、前記移動部材が、前記キャビティの前壁の少なくとも一部を兼用して形成さ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てランスにより弾性的に係止されると、引き続いて移動部材により端子金具が移動されて、固定係止部により固定的に係止される。端子金具は最終的には固定的に係止されるのであるから、強固に高い信頼性を持ってキャビティ内で抜け止め保持することができる。
また、移動部材を退避位置に保持してキャビティに端子金具を挿入すると、所定位置まで挿入されたところでランスにより係止される。続いて移動部材を進出位置に押し込むと、端子金具が移動されて固定係止部で係止される。移動部材をコネクタハウジングに仮組みした状態で取り扱えるから、端子金具の挿入作業や部品管理がしやすくなる。
さらに、キャビティに収容された端子金具が雌側端子金具である場合、移動部材が進出位置に保持されていると、相手の雄コネクタとの嵌合に伴い前壁の端子接続口を通して雄側端子金具のタブが進入して雌側端子金具と接続される。メンテナンス等において雌側端子金具をキャビティから抜く場合は、相手の雄コネクタとの嵌合を外したのち移動部材を退避位置に戻すと、雌側端子金具が固定係止部から外れる。それとともに治具挿入口がランスの前方に開口するから、治具によりランスを強制的に撓み変形させることでランスによる係止が解除され、引き続いて雌側端子金具を引っ張ることでキャビティから引き抜くことができる。治具による係止解除の操作をする際、治具を誤って端子接続口に突っ込むおそれがあるが、そのときには雌側端子金具は端子接続口から外れた位置にあるから、接触片等が突かれて変形等を起こすおそれがない。
＜請求項２の発明＞移動部材の装着に伴って挿入部が挿入されると、そこに設けられたカム部が端子金具を押して固定係止部に係止する位置に移動させる。
【０００８】
＜請求項３の発明＞
端子金具はランスにより係止されつつ固定係止部にも係止され、二重係止される。直接的な二重係止であり、かつ一方は固定の係止であるから、強固な係止力が得られる。仮にいずれかの係止部に欠損が生じたとしても、他方の係止部で係止できるから、端子金具の係止について高い信頼性が得られる。
＜請求項４の発明＞
ランスの部分で間接的な二重係止がなされ、固定係止部を含めて言わば三重係止されるから、さらに強固な係止力を得ることができる。
＜請求項５の発明＞
前壁の一部を移動部材に持たせることで、例えばランスの前方を開放した構造にでき、ランスを成形する型抜き等が簡単となり、ひいてはコネクタハウジングの成形が容易となる。
【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コネクタを例示しており、大まかには、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２２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、移動部材４０とから構成されている。
なお、以下では図１の左側を前方として説明する。
【００１１】
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をかしめることで電線１３の端末に圧着されている。接続部１１の上面には係止孔１５が開口され、後記するランス２５が係止可能となっており、一方、接続部１１の上面の後縁（アゴ部１６）が、同じく後記する固定係止部２９に係止可能となっている。
【００１２】
雌ハウジング２０は合成樹脂製であって、図２及び図３にも示すように、正面から見て横方向に扁平なブロック状に形成されている。雌ハウジング２０の上面には、相手の雄側のコネクタハウジング（図示せず）との間を嵌合状態にロックするためのロックアーム２１が設けられている。
一方、雌ハウジング２０内には、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４個のキャビティ２２が、所定間隔を開けて横方向に並んで形成されている。
【００１３】
各キャビティ２２の天井面は、その先端側が所定寸法持ち上げられた段付き状に形成され、その高位面２３Ａにランス２５が一体形成されている。このランス２５は、高位面２３Ａの後縁側から若干下がったのち前方に延出した片持ち状に形成され、先端側が上下方向に撓み変形可能となっている。このランス２５の先端寄りの位置の下面に、上記した雌側端子金具１０の係止孔１５に嵌合可能な係止突起２６が突設されている。係止突起２６の下端の後側の角は、ガイド用にＣ面２７とされている。
一方、キャビティ２２の天井面における低位面２３Ｂの前縁の角が、雌側端子金具１０のアゴ部１６に係止可能な固定係止部２９となっている。この固定係止部２９の前後方向の位置は、後記するように雌側端子金具１０がキャビティ２２内の正規位置まで押し込まれた場合に、アゴ部１６の直後に位置するようになっている。
【００１４】
雌ハウジング２０には、主に雌側端子金具１０を二次係止位置まで移動させることに機能する移動部材４０が装着可能とされている。移動部材４０は、図２に示すように、雌ハウジング２０における正面から見た右側面の前端側において、左方向への挿入可能となっている。そのため、雌ハウジング２０の右側面の前端側には、一段凹んだ装着凹面３０が形成され（図２，３参照）、この装着凹面３０に、図１に示すように、キャビティ２２の前端側における下面、前面並びに上面にわたるようなほぼチャンネル形をなす挿入溝３２が、雌ハウジング２０を横切るようにして形成されている。
【００１５】
移動部材４０は、同じく合成樹脂材によって、図４に示すような形状に形成されている。この移動部材４０は、上記したキャビティ２２における前端側の周壁の一部を併せて担うべく形成されており、上記の挿入溝３２に挿入可能で、雌ハウジング２０の全幅にわたる長さを有している。より詳細には、キャビティ２２の前壁を構成する前壁部４１と、底壁を構成する底壁部４２と、天井壁を構成する天井壁部４３とが形成され、さらに挿入方向の手前側に押し込み操作部を兼ねた側壁部４４が形成されている。
【００１６】
移動部材４０の底壁部４２の下面には、図１に示すように、左右方向を向いた前後２本のレール４５が形成されているとともに、挿入溝３２の対応する面には、同じく左右方向を向いた前後２本のガイド溝３４が形成され、両レール４５をガイド溝３４に合わせることで、移動部材４０は、その前壁部４１を雌ハウジング２０の前面と面一にした状態で挿入溝３２内に挿入可能となっている。
一方、移動部材４０の前壁部４１の上面には、挿入方向の後端寄り（図２の右端寄り）の位置にロック突起４７が突設されているとともに、挿入溝３２の対応した面の入口寄りの位置に、仮ロック孔３５と本ロック孔３６とが左右に並んで形成されている。
【００１７】
したがって移動部材４０が挿入溝３２に挿入されると、図５に示すように、ロック突起４７がまず手前側の仮ロック孔３５に嵌まって保持され、これが移動部材４０の退避位置となる。この退避位置からさらに移動部材４０が押し込まれると、図８に示すように、ロック突起４７が奥側の本ロック孔３６に嵌まって保持され、これが移動部材４０の進出位置となる。この進出位置では、移動部材４０の側壁部４４が装着凹面３０に嵌まって、雌ハウジング２０の右側面と面一となる（図１０参照）。
【００１８】
移動部材４０の底壁部４２は奥行き方向に長く形成され、詳細には、図１に示すように固定係止部２９の形成位置まで延びており、言い換えると、キャビティ２２内に雌側端子金具１０が前壁部４１に当たるまで挿入された場合の、接続部１１のほぼ全長を受けることが可能な奥行き寸法を持っている。
底壁部４２の上面には、前後方向を向いた４本の低位面５０がキャビティ２２と同じピッチで形成されている。図３に示すように、低位面５０の横幅はキャビティ２２の横幅よりも若干狭く、かつキャビティ２２の後部側の底面よりも若干低い位置に形成されている。各低位面５０の正面から見た右側には上り勾配の傾斜面５１が形成され、さらにその右側に高位面５２が形成されている。
【００１９】
移動部材４０が退避位置にあるときには、図３に示すように、各低位面５０の正面から見た左縁が対応するキャビティ２２の左壁面と整合し、一方、移動部材４０が進出位置に押し込まれたときには、図１０に示すように、高位面５２の左縁部が対応するキャビティ２２の位置に達するようになっている。この底壁部４２のカム機能によって、キャビティ２２内の下部側に挿入された雌側端子金具１０が、上部側に所定寸法押し上げられるようになっている。
【００２０】
移動部材４０の前壁部４１は、上記したようにキャビティ２２内に挿入された雌側端子金具１０を突き当てる機能を果たす。この前壁部４１には、図２に示すように、相手の雄側端子金具のタブが挿入される４個の端子接続口５４が、キャビティ２２と同一ピッチで形成されている。また、各端子接続口５４の正面から見た左上の位置には、ランス２５と係合して撓み変形させるための係止解除用の治具を挿入可能とした治具挿入口５５がそれぞれ形成されている。
移動部材４０が退避位置にあるときには、図５に示すように、治具挿入口５５が対応するランス２５の前方で開口し、一方、移動部材４０が進出位置にあるときには、図８に示すように、端子接続口５４が対応するキャビティ２２の上部側の前方で開口するようになっている。
【００２１】
移動部材４０の天井壁部４３は、図１に示すように、ランス２５の先端の直前に達する程度の奥行き寸法の小さいものに形成されている。この天井壁部４３の先端からは、ランス２５の撓み空間２８に進入可能な４本の撓み規制片５７が、ランス２５と同一ピッチで形成されている。
移動部材４０が退避位置にあるときには、図７に示すように、撓み規制片５７はランス２５の撓み空間２８の正面から見た右側に退避し、一方、移動部材４０が進出位置にあるときには、図１０に示すように、撓み規制片５７が撓み空間２８に進入する設定となっている。
【００２２】
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２の矢線に示すように移動部材４０を挿入溝３２に挿入し、図５に示すように、ロック突起４７を仮ロック孔３５を嵌めて退避位置に保持する。この退避位置では、図３に示すように、移動部材４０における底壁部４２の各低位面５０がキャビティ２２の位置と対応し、また、各撓み規制片５７がランス２５の撓み空間２８の正面から見た右側に逃げている。
【００２３】
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２２内に後方から挿入する。雌側端子金具１０は、途中から接続部１１を底壁部４２の低位面５０から傾斜面５１の裾にわたって載せ（図７）、またランス２５を撓み変形させつつ押し込まれる。雌側端子金具１０が前壁部４１に突き当たって押し込みが停止されると、ランス２５が復元変形して、図６に示すように係止突起２６が雌側端子金具１０の係止孔１５に嵌まり、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。このとき、雌側端子金具１０のアゴ部１６は、キャビティ２２内に設けられた固定係止部２９の直前でかつ直下に位置している。
【００２４】
すべての雌側端子金具１０の挿入が完了したら、図７の矢線に示すように移動部材４０を押し込み、図８に示すように、ロック突起４７を本ロック孔３６を嵌めて進出位置に保持する。この間に、図１０に示すように、底壁部４２の傾斜面５１から高位面５２が、雌側端子金具１０の接続部１１の下面に正面から見た右方から潜り込み、雌側端子金具１０を所定寸法持ち上げる。
これにより図９に示すように、ランス２５の係止突起２６が雌側端子金具１０の係止孔１５内にさらに深く差し込まれるとともに、固定係止部２９の前方にアゴ部１６がせり上がり、もって雌側端子金具１０は、抜け方向に二重係止される。
さらに、図１０にも示すように、ランス２５の撓み空間２８に撓み規制片５７が進入してランス２５の撓み規制を行うから、間接的な係止機能が加わって、いわば三重係止された状態とされる。
【００２５】
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、雌側端子金具１０の接続部１１は、図８に示すように、移動部材４０の前壁部４１に開口された端子接続口５４と整合した状態となる。
この状態から相手の雄側のコネクタと嵌合され、ロックアーム２１により嵌合状態にロックされると、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５４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。
【００２６】
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２２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、移動部材４０を図８に示す進出位置から右方に引き、図５に示す退避位置に戻す。これにより図７に示すように、高位面５２が接続部１１の下面から右方に抜けることで、雌側端子金具１０が下方位置に下がり、図６に示すように、アゴ部１６に対する固定係止部２９の係止が解除され、また図７に示すように、撓み規制片５７が撓み空間２８の右側に逃げて、ランス２５の撓み規制も解除される。
【００２７】
移動部材４０が退避位置に戻ったときには、図５に示すように、治具挿入口５５がランス２５の前方に開口するから、治具を挿入してランス２５を強制的に撓み変形させることで係止が解除できる。そのため引き続いて電線１３を引っ張れば、雌側端子金具１０をキャビティ２２から引き抜くことができる。
なお、治具を挿入する場合に、誤って端子接続口５４に突っ込むことがあり得るが、雌側端子金具１０は治具挿入口５５の下方の裏側に移動して、端子接続口５４の裏側に無いから、治具が雌側端子金具１０の接続部１１、特に接触舌片を突いて変形させるといった心配がない。
【００２８】
以上説明したように本実施形態によれば、移動部材４０を進出位置に保持した状態では、雌側端子金具１０はランス２５により係止されつつ固定係止部２９にも係止され、さらにランス２５の撓み規制もなされることによって、いわば三重係止された状態となり、強固な係止力が得られる。特に、ランス２５と固定係止部２９との直接的な二重係止構造が取られていることにより、仮にランス２５と固定係止部２９のいずれかに欠損が生じたとしても、他方により係止できるから、係止について高い信頼性を得ることができる。
【００２９】
移動部材４０には、特にキャビティ２２の前壁に相当する部分を持たせたから、雌ハウジング２０側では、例えばランス２５の前方を開放した構造にでき、ランス２５を成形する型抜き等が簡単となって、ひいては雌ハウジング２０の成形が容易となる。
また移動部材４０は、雌側端子金具１０の挿入作業を許容する退避位置に保持可能となっているから、移動部材４０を雌ハウジング２０に仮組みした状態で取り扱え、雌側端子金具１０の挿入作業や部品管理がしやすくなる。
【００３０】
＜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）移動部材は、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。
【００３１】
（２）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することが可能である。
（３）また本発明は、上記実施形態に例示した非防水のコネクタに限らず、防水コネクタにも適用可能である。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態に係る雌側端子金具の挿入前の縦断面図
【図２】移動部材の挿入動作を示す正面図
【図３】移動部材が退避位置に保持された状態の横断面図
【図４】リテーナの背面から見た斜視図
【図５】移動部材が退避位置にあって雌側端子金具が挿入された状態の正面図
【図６】その縦断面図
【図７】その横断面図
【図８】移動部材が進出位置に保持された状態の正面図
【図９】その縦断面図
【図１０】その横断面図
【図１１】従来例の縦断面図
【符号の説明】
１０…雌側端子金具（端子金具）
１１…接続部
１５…係止孔
１６…アゴ部
２０…雌ハウジング（コネクタハウジング）
２２…キャビティ
２５…ランス
２６…係止突起
２８…撓み空間
２９…固定係止部
３２…挿入溝
３５…仮ロック孔
３６…本ロック孔
４０…移動部材
４１…前壁部
４２…底壁部（挿入部）
４３…天井壁部
４７…ロック突起
５０…低位面
５１…傾斜面
５２…高位面（カム部）
５４…端子接続口
５５…治具挿入口
５７…撓み規制片（撓み規制部）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector obtained by improving the terminal metal locking structure.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A connector provided with a retainer for firmly holding the terminal fitting in the cavity is publicly known, and a conventional connector shown in FIG. 11 is known. This is called a front retainer type. When the terminal fitting 3 is inserted into the cavity 2 of the connector housing 1, it is primarily locked by a lance 4 provided on the bottom wall of the cavity 2 so as to be able to bend and deform. Subsequently, the retainer 5 is pushed from the front side of the cavity 2 to enter the bending space 6 of the lance 4, and the bending deformation of the lance 4 is restricted to be double-locked.
This type of connector is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-326066.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the double locking by the above-described structure is an indirect double locking that only restricts the deformation of the lance 4, for example, from the broken line 7 shown by the chain line in FIG. When 4A is missing, it cannot be locked at all, and it is not always sufficient considering reliability.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to perform locking of the terminal fitting with high reliability.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a means for achieving the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a cavity into which a terminal fitting is inserted is formed in the connector housing, and the side wall of this cavity can be bent and deformed to be engaged with the terminal fitting. In the connector provided with the lance, a fixed locking portion is formed in the cavity, and the terminal fitting is locked by the fixed locking portion after the terminal fitting is locked by the lance. A moving member that moves to a position , and the moving member allows the terminal housing to be inserted into the cavity to the locking position by the lance with respect to the connector housing; It is possible to hold the terminal fitting at a deeper position and advancing position where the terminal fitting is moved toward the fixed locking portion. And a front wall of the connector that can be mounted from the side of the connector housing that crosses the cavity. The front wall is engaged with the fixed locking portion when the moving member is in the advanced position. A terminal connection port that aligns in front of the terminal fitting in a stopped state and an insertion port of an unlocking jig that aligns in front of the lance when the moving member is in the retracted position are opened. It has a characteristic where it exists .
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the moving member is provided with an insertion portion that is inserted into a wall surface facing the side of the cavity where the fixed locking portion is provided. The insertion portion is characterized in that a cam portion for moving the terminal fitting to the wall surface provided with the fixed locking portion is provided.
[0005]
The invention of claim 3 is the one according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lance can be locked to the terminal fitting even when the terminal fitting is locked to the fixed locking portion. It has a characteristic where it exists.
The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 3, the moving member is provided with a bending restricting portion that enters the bending space of the lance and restricts the bending.
The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the moving member is formed so as to share at least a part of the front wall of the cavity. .
[0007]
[Action and effect of the invention]
<Invention of Claim 1>
When the terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity and elastically locked by the lance, the terminal fitting is subsequently moved by the moving member and fixedly locked by the fixed locking portion. Since the terminal fitting is finally fixedly locked, it can be securely held in the cavity with high reliability.
Further, when the terminal member is inserted into the cavity while the moving member is held at the retracted position, it is locked by the lance when the terminal member is inserted to the predetermined position. Subsequently, when the moving member is pushed into the advanced position, the terminal fitting is moved and locked by the fixed locking portion. Since the moving member can be handled in a temporarily assembled state in the connector housing, it becomes easy to insert the terminal fitting and manage the parts.
Furthermore, when the terminal fitting accommodated in the cavity is a female terminal fitting, when the moving member is held in the advanced position, the male terminal is passed through the terminal connection port on the front wall when fitted with the mating male connector. The tab of the metal fitting enters and is connected to the female terminal metal fitting. When removing the female terminal fitting from the cavity for maintenance or the like, the female terminal fitting is detached from the fixed locking portion when the moving member is returned to the retracted position after the fitting with the mating male connector is removed. At the same time, the jig insertion opening opens to the front of the lance, so that the lance is forcibly bent and deformed by the jig to release the locking by the lance, and then the female terminal fitting is pulled out of the cavity. Can do. When performing the unlocking operation with a jig, there is a risk that the jig may be accidentally pushed into the terminal connection port.At that time, the female terminal fitting is located at a position disengaged from the terminal connection port. There is no risk of deformation.
<Invention of Claim 2> When the insertion portion is inserted along with the mounting of the moving member, the cam portion provided there moves the terminal fitting to a position where it is locked to the fixed locking portion.
[0008]
<Invention of Claim 3>
The terminal fitting is locked by the fixed locking portion while being locked by the lance, and is double locked. Since it is a direct double lock and one is a fixed lock, a strong locking force can be obtained. Even if a defect occurs in one of the locking portions, it can be locked by the other locking portion, so that high reliability can be obtained for locking the terminal fitting.
<Invention of Claim 4>
Since indirect double locking is performed at the lance portion and triple locking is performed including the fixed locking portion, a stronger locking force can be obtained.
<Invention of Claim 5>
By providing the moving member with a part of the front wall, for example, a structure in which the front of the lance is opened can be formed, and the die cutting for forming the lance can be simplified, and the connector housing can be easily formed.
[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 connector is illustrated, and roughly shown in FIG. 1, a female terminal fitting 10 and a female side provided with a cavity 22 in which the female terminal fitting 10 is accommodated are provided. A connector housing 20 (hereinafter referred to as a female housing) and a moving member 40 are included.
In the following description, the left side of FIG.
[0011]
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 crimped to the end of the electric wire 13 by caulking a barrel 12 provided on the rear end side. A locking hole 15 is opened on the upper surface of the connecting portion 11 so that a lance 25 which will be described later can be locked. On the other hand, the rear edge (the jaw portion 16) of the upper surface of the connecting portion 11 is also a fixing mechanism which will be described later. The stopper 29 can be locked.
[0012]
The female housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and is formed in a block shape that is flat in the lateral direction when viewed from the front, as shown in FIGS. A lock arm 21 is provided on the upper surface of the female housing 20 to lock the mating connector with a mating male connector housing (not shown).
On the other hand, in the female housing 20, four cavities 22 facing in the front-rear direction for accommodating the female terminal fitting 10 described above are formed side by side at a predetermined interval.
[0013]
The ceiling surface of each cavity 22 is formed in a stepped shape with its tip end raised by a predetermined dimension, and a lance 25 is integrally formed on its high-level surface 23A. The lance 25 is formed in a cantilever shape that extends slightly forward from the rear edge side of the high-order surface 23A, and its front end side can be bent and deformed in the vertical direction. A locking projection 26 that can be fitted into the locking hole 15 of the female terminal fitting 10 is provided on the lower surface of the lance 25 near the tip. The rear corner of the lower end of the locking projection 26 is a C surface 27 for guiding.
On the other hand, the corner of the front edge of the lower surface 23 </ b> B on the ceiling surface of the cavity 22 is a fixed locking portion 29 that can be locked to the jaw portion 16 of the female terminal fitting 10. The position in the front-rear direction of the fixed locking portion 29 is positioned immediately after the jaw portion 16 when the female terminal fitting 10 is pushed to the normal position in the cavity 22 as will be described later.
[0014]
The female housing 20 can be mounted with a moving member 40 that mainly functions to move the female terminal fitting 10 to the secondary locking position. As shown in FIG. 2, the moving member 40 can be inserted leftward on the front end side of the right side surface of the female housing 20 as viewed from the front. Therefore, a recessed mounting surface 30 that is recessed by one step is formed on the front end side of the right side surface of the female housing 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and the mounting concave surface 30 is formed on the front end side of the cavity 22 as shown in FIG. An insertion groove 32 having a substantially channel shape extending over the lower surface, the front surface and the upper surface is formed across the female housing 20.
[0015]
The moving member 40 is also formed of a synthetic resin material into a shape as shown in FIG. The moving member 40 is formed so as to bear a part of the peripheral wall on the front end side in the cavity 22 described above, can be inserted into the insertion groove 32, and has a length over the entire width of the female housing 20. Yes. More specifically, a front wall portion 41 that constitutes the front wall of the cavity 22, a bottom wall portion 42 that constitutes the bottom wall, and a ceiling wall portion 43 that constitutes the ceiling wall are formed, and the front side in the insertion direction is further formed. A side wall portion 44 that also serves as a push-in operation portion is formed.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, two front and rear rails 45 facing in the left-right direction are formed on the lower surface of the bottom wall portion 42 of the moving member 40. Two guide grooves 34 facing front and rear are formed, and both the rails 45 are aligned with the guide grooves 34, so that the moving member 40 is in a state where the front wall portion 41 is flush with the front surface of the female housing 20. It can be inserted into the insertion groove 32.
On the other hand, on the upper surface of the front wall portion 41 of the moving member 40, a lock projection 47 is projected at a position near the rear end in the insertion direction (near the right end in FIG. 2). A temporary lock hole 35 and a main lock hole 36 are formed side by side at a position near the entrance.
[0017]
Therefore, when the moving member 40 is inserted into the insertion groove 32, as shown in FIG. 5, the lock projection 47 is first fitted and held in the temporary lock hole 35 on the near side, and this is the retracted position of the moving member 40. When the moving member 40 is further pushed in from this retracted position, as shown in FIG. 8, the lock projection 47 is fitted and held in the main lock hole 36 on the back side, and this becomes the advanced position of the moving member 40. At this advanced position, the side wall 44 of the moving member 40 fits into the mounting concave surface 30 and is flush with the right side surface of the female housing 20 (see FIG. 10).
[0018]
The bottom wall portion 42 of the moving member 40 is formed to be long in the depth direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the bottom wall portion 42 extends to the position where the fixed locking portion 29 is formed. It has a depth dimension capable of receiving almost the entire length of the connecting portion 11 when it is inserted until 10 hits the front wall portion 41.
On the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 42, four lower surfaces 50 facing in the front-rear direction are formed at the same pitch as the cavities 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the lateral width of the lower surface 50 is slightly narrower than the lateral width of the cavity 22 and is formed at a position slightly lower than the bottom surface on the rear side of the cavity 22. An upwardly inclined surface 51 is formed on the right side as viewed from the front of each low surface 50, and a high surface 52 is formed on the right side thereof.
[0019]
When the moving member 40 is in the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 3, the left edge viewed from the front of each lower surface 50 is aligned with the left wall surface of the corresponding cavity 22, while the moving member 40 is pushed into the advanced position. When this occurs, as shown in FIG. 10, the left edge of the high-order surface 52 reaches the position of the corresponding cavity 22. By the cam function of the bottom wall portion 42, the female terminal fitting 10 inserted on the lower side in the cavity 22 is pushed up by a predetermined dimension on the upper side.
[0020]
The front wall 41 of the moving member 40 functions to abut the female terminal fitting 10 inserted into the cavity 22 as described above. As shown in FIG. 2, four terminal connection ports 54 into which the tabs of the mating male terminal fitting are inserted are formed in the front wall portion 41 at the same pitch as the cavity 22. In addition, jig insertion ports 55 are formed at the upper left positions when viewed from the front of each terminal connection port 54 so that a locking release jig for engaging with and deforming the lance 25 can be inserted. Has been.
When the moving member 40 is in the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 5, the jig insertion port 55 opens in front of the corresponding lance 25, while when the moving member 40 is in the advanced position, as shown in FIG. Further, the terminal connection port 54 is opened in front of the corresponding cavity 22 on the upper side.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ceiling wall portion 43 of the moving member 40 is formed to have a small depth dimension that reaches just before the tip of the lance 25. From the tip of the ceiling wall portion 43, four bending restricting pieces 57 that can enter the bending space 28 of the lance 25 are formed at the same pitch as the lance 25.
When the moving member 40 is in the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 7, the bending restricting piece 57 is retracted to the right as viewed from the front of the bending space 28 of the lance 25, while when the moving member 40 is in the advanced position, As shown in FIG. 10, the bending regulating piece 57 is set to enter the bending space 28.
[0022]
This embodiment has the structure as described above, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently.
First, the moving member 40 is inserted into the insertion groove 32 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, and the lock protrusion 47 is fitted into the temporary lock hole 35 and held in the retracted position as shown in FIG. In this retracted position, as shown in FIG. 3, each lower surface 50 of the bottom wall portion 42 of the moving member 40 corresponds to the position of the cavity 22, and each bending restricting piece 57 is the front of the bending space 28 of the lance 25. Escape on the right side as seen from.
[0023]
From this state, the female terminal fitting 10 is inserted into the corresponding cavity 22 from behind as shown by the arrow in FIG. The female terminal fitting 10 is pushed in while the connecting portion 11 is placed from the lower surface 50 of the bottom wall portion 42 to the bottom of the inclined surface 51 (FIG. 7) and the lance 25 is bent and deformed. When the female terminal fitting 10 abuts against the front wall portion 41 and the pushing is stopped, the lance 25 is restored and deformed, and the locking projections 26 enter the locking holes 15 of the female terminal fitting 10 as shown in FIG. Thus, the female terminal fitting 10 is primarily locked in the removal direction. At this time, the jaw portion 16 of the female terminal fitting 10 is located immediately before and immediately below the fixed locking portion 29 provided in the cavity 22.
[0024]
When the insertion of all the female terminal fittings 10 is completed, the moving member 40 is pushed in as shown by the arrow in FIG. 7, and the lock protrusion 47 is fitted into the lock hole 36 and held in the advanced position as shown in FIG. To do. In the meantime, as shown in FIG. 10, the inclined surface 51 of the bottom wall portion 42 to the higher surface 52 sinks into the lower surface of the connecting portion 11 of the female terminal fitting 10 from the right side when viewed from the front, and the female terminal fitting 10 Lift up the specified dimension.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the locking projection 26 of the lance 25 is inserted deeper into the locking hole 15 of the female terminal fitting 10, and the jaw portion 16 rises in front of the fixed locking portion 29. Thus, the female terminal fitting 10 is double-locked in the pulling direction.
Further, as shown in FIG. 10, since the bending restricting piece 57 enters the bending space 28 of the lance 25 and restricts the bending of the lance 25, an indirect locking function is added, so that triple locking is performed. State.
[0025]
Thus, the assembly of the female connector is completed. At that time, the connection portion 11 of the female terminal fitting 10 is connected to the terminal connection port 54 opened in the front wall portion 41 of the moving member 40 as shown in FIG. It will be in a consistent state.
When mated with the mating male connector from this state and locked in the mated state by the lock arm 21, the tab of the male terminal fitting housed in the male connector passes through the terminal connection port 54, and the female terminal An electrical connection is achieved by entering the connection portion 11 of the metal fitting 10.
[0026]
On the other hand, when the female terminal fitting 10 is removed from the cavity 22 for maintenance or the like, it is performed as follows. After disconnecting the mating male connector, the moving member 40 is pulled rightward from the advanced position shown in FIG. 8 and returned to the retracted position shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the high-order surface 52 is pulled out from the lower surface of the connecting portion 11 to the right, so that the female terminal fitting 10 is lowered to the lower position, and as shown in FIG. The locking of the stop portion 29 is released, and as shown in FIG. 7, the bending restricting piece 57 escapes to the right side of the bending space 28 and the bending restriction of the lance 25 is also released.
[0027]
When the moving member 40 returns to the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 5, the jig insertion port 55 opens in front of the lance 25, so the jig is inserted and the lance 25 is forcibly bent and deformed. The lock can be released. Therefore, if the electric wire 13 is subsequently pulled, the female terminal fitting 10 can be pulled out from the cavity 22.
In addition, when inserting a jig | tool, although it may protrude into the terminal connection port 54 accidentally, the female side terminal metal fitting 10 moves to the back side below the jig insertion port 55, and the back side of the terminal connection port 54 Therefore, there is no concern that the jig may pierce and deform the connecting portion 11 of the female terminal fitting 10, particularly the contact tongue piece.
[0028]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a state where the moving member 40 is held at the advanced position, the female terminal fitting 10 is also locked to the fixed locking portion 29 while being locked by the lance 25, and further to the lance. By restricting the bending of 25, it is in a triple-locked state, and a strong locking force is obtained. In particular, since a direct double locking structure of the lance 25 and the fixed locking portion 29 is taken, even if a defect occurs in either the lance 25 or the fixed locking portion 29, the other Since it can be locked, high reliability can be obtained for locking.
[0029]
Since the moving member 40 has a part corresponding to the front wall of the cavity 22 in particular, the female housing 20 side can have a structure in which, for example, the front of the lance 25 is opened, and die cutting for forming the lance 25 can be easily performed. As a result, the female housing 20 can be easily formed.
Further, since the moving member 40 can be held at a retracted position that allows the female terminal fitting 10 to be inserted, the moving member 40 can be handled in a temporarily assembled state with the female housing 20, and the female terminal fitting 10 can be inserted. Work and parts management becomes easy.
[0030]
<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 moving member may not be provided with the function of a retainer that regulates the deflection of the lance, and the retainer that regulates the deflection of the lance may be provided separately.
[0031]
(2) The present invention can also be applied to a male connector housing a male terminal fitting.
(3) Moreover, this invention is applicable not only to the non-waterproof connector illustrated to the said embodiment but to a waterproof connector.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view before insertion of a female terminal fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing an insertion operation of a moving member. FIG. 3 is a state in which the moving member is held at a retracted position. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the retainer as seen from the rear side. Fig. 5 is a front view of the moving member in the retracted position and the female terminal fitting is inserted. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the retainer. 7] Cross-sectional view thereof [FIG. 8] Front view of the moving member held in the advanced position [FIG. 9] Vertical cross-sectional view thereof [FIG. 10] Cross-sectional view thereof [FIG. Explanation of symbols]
10: Female terminal fitting (terminal fitting)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Connection part 15 ... Locking hole 16 ... Jaw part 20 ... Female housing (connector housing)
22 ... Cavity 25 ... Lance 26 ... Locking projection 28 ... Deflection space 29 ... Fixed locking part 32 ... Insertion groove 35 ... Temporary lock hole 36 ... Main lock hole 40 ... Moving member 41 ... Front wall part 42 ... Bottom wall part ( Insertion part)
43 ... Ceiling wall portion 47 ... Lock projection 50 ... Lower surface 51 ... Inclined surface 52 ... High surface (cam portion)
54 ... Terminal connection port 55 ... Jig insertion port 57 ... Deflection restricting piece (deflection restricting portion)

Claims

In the connector housing, a cavity into which a terminal fitting is inserted is formed, and a flexible deformable lance that engages with the terminal fitting is provided on the side wall of the cavity. And a moving member that moves the terminal fitting to a position locked by the fixed locking portion after the terminal fitting is locked by the lance .
The moving member has a retracted position that allows the terminal fitting to be inserted into the cavity to the locking position by the lance with respect to the connector housing, and the fixing member that fixes the terminal fitting behind the retracting position. Each can be held at the advance position to move toward the stop,
Furthermore, the moving member is provided with a front wall of the cavity and can be mounted from a side surface side of the connector housing crossing the cavity, and when the moving member is in the advanced position on the front wall A terminal connection port aligned with the front of the terminal fitting in a state of being locked to the fixed locking portion, and a lock releasing jig aligned with the front of the lance when the moving member is in the retracted position. A connector characterized in that the insertion opening is opened .

The moving member is provided with an insertion portion to be inserted on a wall surface side facing the side where the fixed locking portion is provided in the cavity, and the terminal fitting is provided with the fixed locking portion on the insertion portion. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a cam portion that moves to a wall surface side.

The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lance can be locked to the terminal fitting even when the terminal fitting is locked to the fixed locking portion.

The connector according to claim 3, wherein the moving member is provided with a bending restricting portion that enters the bending space of the lance and restricts the bending.

The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the moving member is formed so as to share at least a part of a front wall of the cavity.