JP4386676B2

JP4386676B2 - connector

Info

Publication number: JP4386676B2
Application number: JP2003154884A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 宏行松岡
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Current assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date: 2003-05-30
Filing date: 2003-05-30
Publication date: 2009-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-30
Also published as: WO2004109862A1; JP2004356032A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、電線導体と端子との相互接続構造に関し、特に、端子の導体接続部に電線導体を圧力下で当接する当接部材を備えた電線接続構造を採用したコネクタに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
電線導体と端子との相互接続構造としては、電線端の所要長さに渡り被覆を除去して露出させた導体に、端子の導体接続部を塑性変形させて（すなわちかしめて）接続する構造（いわゆる圧着構造）と、端子の導体接続部に導体径よりも小幅のスリットを形成して鋭利な外形とし、この導体接続部を電線の被覆に穿刺して導体をスリットに圧入することにより接続する構造（いわゆる圧接構造）とが知られている。これら周知の電線接続構造では、近年の高密度接続の要求レベルに合致する電線導体の小径化及び端子配列の狭ピッチ化への対応が、接続作業性及び端子加工性の両面で困難になっている。そこで、そのような高密度接続に対応可能な電線接続構造として、電線端の所要長さに渡り被覆を除去して露出させた導体を、端子の導体接続部に圧力下で当接することにより接続する構造が、種々提案されている（例えば特許文献１及び２参照）。
【０００３】
特許文献１に開示される導体当接型の電線接続構造は、電線導体に接続される導体接続部をそれぞれに有する複数の端子と、個々の導体接続部を露出させてそれら端子を支持する電気絶縁性の本体と、本体に組み付けられ、複数の端子の導体接続部に電線導体を個別に圧力下で当接する複数の当接部材とを備え、特に多芯フラットケーブルに適用可能なコネクタとして構成されている。このコネクタでは、複数の端子（ベースコンタクト）の各々に、曲折した外縁を有する導体接続部が設けられる一方、端子と同様の導電金属片からなる複数の当接部材（サポートコンタクト）の各々に、端子の導体接続部の曲折外縁に対応する曲折形状の当接面が設けられる。そして、複数の端子を所定の離間配置で整列支持する本体と、複数の当接部材を対応の離間配置で整列支持する電気絶縁性のカバーとを、両者間に接続対象ケーブルを配置した状態で、ケーブル延長方向に交差する方向へ相互に組み付けることにより、ケーブルの複数の導体が、対応する端子と当接部材との間で、端子の導体接続部の外縁及び当接部材の当接面の曲折形状に強制的に沿わされて、圧力下で固定的に挟持される。
【特許文献１】
特開２０００−２７７１９０号公報
【０００４】
また、特許文献２に開示される導体当接型の電線接続構造は、特許文献１の電線接続構造と同様に、複数の端子（ベースコンタクト）の各々に曲折外縁を有する導体接続部を設ける一方、複数の当接部材（サポートコンタクト）の各々に対応曲折形状の当接面を設けている。そして、複数の端子を所定の離間配置で整列支持する本体と、複数の当接部材を対応の離間配置で整列支持する電気絶縁性の一対のカバーとを、それらカバーの間に接続対象ケーブルを挟持した状態で、ケーブル延長方向に平行な方向へ相互に組み付けることにより、ケーブルの複数の導体が、対応する端子と当接部材との間で、端子の導体接続部の外縁及び当接部材の当接面の曲折形状に沿わされて、圧力下で固定的に挟持される。
【特許文献２】
特開２０００−３０６６２２号公報
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
前述した特許文献１及び２に開示される電線接続構造は、互いに対応する曲折形状を有する端子の導体接続部の外縁と当接部材の当接面との間に、電線導体を、端子と当接部材との相対移動により圧力下で挟み込むように構成されている。したがって電線接続作業中に、電線導体が金属片に圧力下で擦り付けられることになるので、電線導体を損傷する危惧がある。
【０００６】
また近年、ノート型パーソナルコンピュータや携帯電話等の、開閉式ディスプレイを備えた電子／情報機器において、機器本体とディスプレイとを連結するヒンジ部を跨いで敷設されるケーブルに、屈曲特性に優れた半硬質銅合金製の導体を有するものが採用され始めている。この種の半硬質導体は、屈曲や捻回に対する高水準の耐久性を発揮すると同時に、形状復元性に富むものである。したがって、前述した特許文献１及び２に開示される電線接続構造を、この種の半硬質導体を有するケーブルに適用する場合には、接続作業に際し、端子の導体接続部の曲折外縁や当接部材の曲折当接面に予めケーブル導体を沿わせて配置しておくことが、ケーブル導体の形状復元性に起因して極めて困難であるから、直線状に延びようとするケーブル導体を端子と当接部材との相対移動により強制的に曲折させながら両者間に徐々に挟持することになる。このような作業では、強制的な曲折作用の間にケーブル導体が端子及び当接部材に対して適正位置から逸脱し、結果としてケーブル導体と端子との導通接触の安定性及び信頼性が低下する懸念がある。
【０００７】
本発明の目的は、端子の導体接続部に電線導体を圧力下で当接する当接部材を備えた電線接続構造において、電線接続作業に伴う電線導体の損傷を回避でき、しかも、半硬質導体を有する電線に対しても、導体と端子との導通接触の安定性及び信頼性を確保できる電線接続構造を提供するとともに、そのような優れた安定性及び信頼性を有する電線接続構造を採用し、電線導体の小径化及び端子配列の狭ピッチ化に対応した高密度接続型のコネクタを提供することにある。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、請求項１に記載の発明は、電線導体に接続される導体接続部を有する端子と、導体接続部を露出させて端子を支持する電気絶縁性の本体と、本体に組み付けられ、端子の導体接続部に電線導体を圧力下で当接する当接部材とを具備するコネクタにおいて、本体は、端子を支持する第１支持部材と、第１支持部材に支持された端子の導体接続部に対向する受け面を有して、第１支持部材を支持する第２支持部材とを備え、第１支持部材は、端子の導体接続部を突出させる主部分と、主部分に隣接する窪部とを備え、第２支持部材は、主部分を受容する凹部と、凹部に隣接し、窪部に受容される突部とを備え、第１支持部材と第２支持部材とが、主部分及び窪部と凹部及び突部との相補作用によって互いに固定的に組み合わされることにより、端子の導体接続部が、第２支持部材の受け面に対向して、導体接続部と受け面との間に電線導体を仮留めできるように配置され、当接部材は、本体に組み付けられたときに、第１支持部材に支持された端子の導体接続部を、第２支持部材の受け面に向けて押すように作用する押圧面を有し、端子の導体接続部と受け面との間に電線導体を仮留めした本体に、当接部材を組み付けることにより、押圧面が導体接続部を押すように作用して、導体接続部と受け面との間に電線導体を固定すること、を特徴とするコネクタを提供する。
【００１０】
請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１に記載のコネクタにおいて、端子は、導体接続部に隣接するばね部を有し、当接部材は、本体に組み付けられたときに、押圧面で端子のばね部を押圧し、それによりばね部に生じるばね力の下で電線導体が導体接続部と受け面との間に挟持されるコネクタを提供する。
【００１１】
請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項１又は２に記載のコネクタにおいて、当接部材は、押圧面を有する突起を備え、第２支持部材は、当接部材の突起を受容する凹所を備えるコネクタを提供する。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、添付図面を参照して、本発明の実施の形態を詳細に説明する。全図面に渡り、対応する構成要素には共通の参照符号を付す。
図１及び図２は、本発明の第１の実施形態による電線接続構造及びそれを採用したコネクタ１０を示す斜視図、図３〜図５は、コネクタ１０の主要構成要素の断面図である。図示の電線接続構造は、電線Ｗの端部の所要長さに渡り被覆Ｓを除去して露出させた導体Ｃを、端子１２の導体接続部１４に圧力下で当接することによって接続する導体当接型のものであり、図示実施形態に係る多芯ケーブル接続用のコネクタ１０に限らず、種々のコネクタ、端子箱等に採用できる。
【００１３】
コネクタ１０に採用されている電線接続構造は、電線導体Ｃに接続される導体接続部１４を有する端子１２と、導体接続部１４を露出させて端子１２を支持する電気絶縁性の支持体１６と、端子１２の導体接続部１４に電線導体Ｃを圧力下で当接する当接部材１８とを備える。支持体１６は、端子１２を支持する第１支持部２０と、第１支持部２０に支持された端子１２の導体接続部１４に対向する受け面２２を有する第２支持部２４とを備え、導体接続部１４と受け面２２との間に電線導体Ｃが配置されるようになっている。当接部材１８には、第１支持部２０に支持された端子１２の導体接続部１４を、第２支持部２４の受け面２２に向けて押すように作用する押圧面２６が設けられる。
【００１４】
上記電線接続構造を採用したコネクタ１０は、電線導体Ｃに接続される導体接続部１４をそれぞれに有する複数の端子１２と、個々の導体接続部１４を露出させてそれら端子１２を支持する電気絶縁性の本体（支持体）１６と、本体１６に組み付けられ、複数の端子１２の導体接続部１４に電線導体Ｃを個別に圧力下で当接する当接部材１８とを備える。本体１６は、複数の端子１２を支持する第１支持部材（第１支持部）２０と、第１支持部材２０を支持する第２支持部材（第２支持部）２４とを、互いに固定的に組み合わせて構成される。第２支持部材２４は、第１支持部材２０に支持された複数の端子１２の導体接続部１４に個別に対向し得る複数の受け面２２を有する。第１支持部材２０と第２支持部材２４とは、複数の端子１２の導体接続部１４と対応の受け面２２との間に、それぞれ電線導体Ｃを配置できるように組み合わされる。そして当接部材１８には、当接部材１８を本体１６に組み付けたときに、第１支持部材２０に支持された複数の端子１２の導体接続部１４を、第２支持部材２４の対応の受け面２２に向けて一様に押すように作用する押圧面２６が設けられる。
【００１５】
コネクタ１０の複数の端子１２は、本体１６の第１支持部材２０に、例えばインサート成形工程により一体的に取着されて、所定の離間配置で互いに平行かつ並列に整列支持される。各端子１２は、電気良導性の金属板から所定形状に打ち抜かれたピン状部材であり、第１支持部材２０に埋設される一端側の埋設部２８と、埋設部２８から延長されて第１支持部材２０の外部に突出する他端側の導体接続部１４とを一体に備える。端子１２の埋設部２８は、その一部分が第１支持部材２０の一表面２０ａに露出して、コネクタ１０の接続相手となる他のコネクタの端子に導通接触する接触部３０を構成する。また、端子１２の導体接続部１４は、埋設部２８に隣接して埋設部２８に実質的平行に延びる梁部分１４ａと、梁部分１４ａに隣接して梁部分１４ａに交差する方向へ延設される腕部分１４ｂとを有する。
【００１６】
各端子１２はさらに、埋設部２８とは反対側で導体接続部１４に隣接して、導体接続部１４から一体に延設されるばね部３２を備える。ばね部３２は、導体接続部１４の腕部分１４ｂからＳ字状に曲成して延長される第２腕部分３２ａと、第２腕部分３２ａの末端に形成される圧力受け部分３２ｂとを有する。各端子１２の導体接続部１４及びばね部３２は、第１支持部材２０に片持ち梁式に支持され、外力を受けて弾性的に撓むことができる。特に、ばね部３２の第２腕部分３２ａは、導体接続部１４の腕部分１４ｂとばね部３２の圧力受け部分３２ｂとを互いに接近させる方向へ弾性的に撓んで、撓み量に比例するばね力を発することができる。導体接続部１４の腕部分１４ｂとばね部３２の圧力受け部分３２ｂとは、導体接続部１４及びばね部３２の双方が弾性変形していない無負荷状態で、最大距離（外面間の距離）Ｌだけ離れて配置される。なお、端子１２は、本体１６の第１支持部材２０に予め形成した貫通孔に圧入式に取着される構成とすることもできる。
【００１７】
本体１６の第１支持部材２０は、例えば樹脂材料の一体成形品からなり、複数の端子１２を互いに絶縁して並列に支持する。第１支持部材２０は、各端子１２の導体接続部１４を所定姿勢で突出させる表面２０ｂを有する主部分３４と、主部分３４から側方へ延設され、各端子１２の接触部３０を露出させる表面２０ａを有する副部分３６とを備える。主部分３４と副部分３６との境界領域には、端子１２の接触部３０を露出させる表面２０ａとは反対の側に、矩形断面の窪部３８が形成される。また、主部分３４の表面２０ｂと端子１２の導体接続部１４の腕部分１４ｂとの間には、所要寸法の空間４０が形成される。副部分３６は、後述するように第１支持部材２０と第２支持部材２４とを適正に組み合わせたときに、本体１６の外方へ突出して、接続相手の他のコネクタに脱着自在に嵌合する嵌合部分を構成する。
【００１８】
本体１６の第２支持部材２４は、例えば樹脂材料の一体成形品からなり、第１支持部材２０の主部分３４に係合する第１部分４２と、第１部分４２に隣接して設けられ、前述した複数の受け面２２を有する第２部分４４と、第２部分４４に隣接して設けられ、接続対象の複数の電線Ｗを担持する第３部分４６と、第１〜第３部分４２、４４、４６に隣接して設けられ、当接部材１８に係合する第４部分４８とを備える。第１部分４２は、第２支持部材２４の矩形平面形状の一辺に沿った領域を構成する。第１部分４２には、第１支持部材２０の主部分３４をがたつき無く受容する凹部５０が形成されるとともに、凹部５０を画定する周壁の１つとして、第１部分４２の外面を含む矩形断面の突部５２が、第１支持部材２０の窪部３８にがたつき無く受容される寸法及び形状を有して形成される。したがって、第１支持部材２０と第２支持部材２４とは、前者の主部分３４及び窪部３８と後者の第１部分４２の凹部５０及び突部５２との相補作用により、互いに相対移動しないように固定的に組み合わされる。
【００１９】
第２支持部材２４の第２部分４４は、第１部分４２の突部５２とは反対の側で凹部５０に隣接する中間領域を構成する。第２部分４４には、凹部５０に対し隆起した輪郭を呈する複数の仕切り５４が、互いに平行かつ等間隔に形成され、隣り合う仕切り５４の間に、クランク状に曲折して延びる底面を有する溝５６が、それぞれ凹部５０に連通するように形成される。第２部分４４に形成される複数の受け面２２は、それら溝５６の底面の一部分であって、第１部分４２の凹部５０とは反対の側に位置する鉛直部分から構成される。第１支持部材２０と第２支持部材２４とを適正に組み合わせたときに、第１支持部材２０の主部分３４から突出する複数の端子１２の導体接続部１４は、第２支持部材２４の第２部分４４に設けた複数の溝５６に個別に受容され、それら端子１２の導体接続部１４の間に仕切り５４がそれぞれ介在する。このとき、各端子１２の導体接続部１４の腕部分１４ｂは、対応の溝５６内の受け面２２に対向して配置される。
【００２０】
第２支持部材２４の第３部分４６は、第１部分４２とは反対の側で、第２支持部材２４の矩形平面形状の他辺に沿った領域を構成する。第３部分４６には、第２部分４４の複数の仕切り５４からそれぞれ一体的に延長される複数の仕切り５８が形成され、隣り合う仕切り５８の間に、第２部分４４の複数の溝５６に個々に連通する溝６０が形成される。第３部分４６の複数の溝６０は、接続対象の複数の電線Ｗを個別に、特に被覆Ｓを有する部分を直線状に延ばした状態で受容する。第２部分４４と第３部分４６との境界領域には、溝５６、６０の横断方向へ延びる断面矩形状の凹所６２が設けられる。凹所６２は、複数の仕切り５４と複数の仕切り５８との境界領域にそれぞれ形成される凹状縁部が溝横断方向へ整合して重畳することにより、複数の溝５６、６０に対する一様な位置関係を有して形成される。
【００２１】
第２支持部材２４の第４部分４８は、第１部分４２及び第３部分４６とは異なる側で、第２支持部材２４の矩形平面形状の対向する二辺に沿った領域を構成する。第４部分４８には、当接部材１８に対向する第２支持部材２４の頂面を構成する一対の端面４８ａと、それら端面４８ａの所定位置にそれぞれ凹設される一対の嵌合溝６４とが形成される。
【００２２】
当接部材１８は、例えば樹脂材料の一体成形品からなり、矩形平板状の主部分６６と、主部分６６の一表面６６ａの略中央に配置され、表面６６ａに隣接して前述した押圧面２６を有する直立壁状の突起６８と、突起６８の延長方向両側で表面６６ａ上に配置され、表面６６ａを基準として突起６８よりも高く突設される直立壁状の一対の掛着要素７０とを備える。主部分６６には、突起６８の押圧面２６に隣接する側で、平坦な表面６６ａから僅かに隆起して押圧面２６に略直交する方向へ直線状に延びる複数の突条７２が、互いに平行に離間して形成される。さらに主部分６６には、突起６８の押圧面２６とは反対の側で一対の掛着要素７０の間の領域に、表面６６ａを基準として突起６８よりも低くかつ突条７２よりも高く隆起する略平坦な保持面７４が形成される。
【００２３】
突起６８は、本体１６の第２支持部材２４の凹所６２に対し、相補的に組合せ可能な形状を有する。突起６８に形成される押圧面２６は、主部分６６の表面６６ａに直交する方向へ平坦に延設され、第２支持部材２４に設けた複数の受け面２２の全てに一様に対向可能な形状及び寸法を有する。一対の掛着要素７０は、第２支持部材２４の第４部分４８に形成した一対の嵌合溝６４に個別に嵌入されて固定的に掛止されるものであり、その目的で各掛着要素７０に一対の爪部分７０ａが設けられる。当接部材１８は、両掛着要素７０を第２支持部材２４の対応の嵌合溝６４に嵌入して掛止することにより、第２支持部材２４に固定的に組み付けられる。
【００２４】
当接部材１８を本体１６の第２支持部材２４に適正に組み付けた状態で、当接部材１８の突起６８は、第２支持部材２４の凹所６２に受容され、突起６８の押圧面２６は、第２支持部材２４の複数の受け面２２に平行に離間して対向配置される。このとき、当接部材１８の押圧面２６と第２支持部材２４の各受け面２２との間隔は、端子１２の導体接続部１４の腕部分１４ｂとばね部３２の圧力受け部分３２ｂとの無負荷時の最大距離Ｌ（図３）よりも小さくなるように設定される。また、当接部材１８の主部分６６は、その表面６６ａが、第２支持部材２４の第４部分４８の一対の端面４８ａに接触し、複数の突条７２が、同第２部分４４の複数の溝５６に個別に受容され、保持面７４が、同第３部分４６の複数の仕切り５８に実質的に接触して配置される。
【００２５】
上記構成を有するコネクタ１０における複数の電線Ｗの接続手順を、図６及び図７を参照して以下に説明する。
まず準備作業として、多芯ケーブル（図示せず）に内設される複数の電線Ｗの端部に、所要長さに渡り被覆Ｓを除去して導体Ｃを露出させる処理を施す。これら線端処理を施した複数の電線Ｗを、本体１６の第２支持部材２４に対し、第３部分４６の複数の溝６０にそれぞれ沿わせて個別に挿入する（図６（ａ））。このとき、各電線Ｗの被覆Ｓを有する部分が対応の溝６０に挿入され、露出した導体Ｃは略直線状に延ばしたままに置かれて、その一部分が、溝６０に連通する第２支持部材２４の第２部分４４の溝５６に受容される。ここで各電線Ｗは、露出した導体Ｃが、第２支持部材２４の溝５６内に設けた受け面２２を越える位置まで略直線状に延びる必要が有り、好ましくは導体Ｃが第１部分４２の凹部５０を越えて延びる長さを有するように線端処理される。
【００２６】
このようにして複数の電線Ｗを仮配置した第２支持部材２４に対し、第１支持部材２０を、後者の主部分３４を前者の凹部５０に挿入するとともに後者の窪部３８に前者の突部５２を挿入することにより、相補的に組み合わせる（図６（ｂ））。この状態で、第１支持部材２０に支持された複数の端子１２は、それぞれの導体接続部１４及びばね部３２が、第２支持部材２４の対応の溝５６に受容され、それにより、個々の導体接続部１４と対応の溝５６の底面との間に、予め当該溝５６に部分的に挿入されていた電線Ｗの導体Ｃがそれぞれ配置される。その結果、各電線Ｗの導体Ｃは、対応の溝５６の底面に強制的に沿わされて、特に各端子１２の導体接続部１４の腕部分１４ｂと第２支持部材２４の対応の受け面２２との間に挟持されることにより、溝５６内に仮留めされる。
【００２７】
この電線仮留め状態で、第１支持部材２０に支持された複数の端子１２は、第２支持部材２４に対し、各々のばね部３２の圧力受け部分３２ｂが第２支持部材２４の凹所６２に突入する位置に置かれる。同時に、図７に示すように、複数の電線Ｗは複数の端子１２に対し、コネクタ１０を縦断する所与の鉛直平面αに沿って、それぞれに心合わせして配置される。図示のように、端子１２及び電線Ｗは、鉛直平面αに交差する方向へ延出する部分を実質的に有さないので、端子１２の配列ピッチが可及的に低減されている。なお、この電線仮留め状態では、端子１２の導体接続部１４の腕部分１４ｂと対応の受け面２２との間で電線導体Ｃに負荷される圧力は実質的に不要である。しかし、導体接続部１４の腕部分１４ｂがそれ自体、前述した空間４０を広げる方向へ僅かに弾性的に撓むことにより、電線導体Ｃを僅かな圧力下で仮留めするように構成することもできる。
【００２８】
このようにして複数の電線Ｗの導体Ｃを仮留めした本体１６に対し、当接部材１８を、後者の一対の掛着要素７０を前者の第２支持部材２４に設けた対応の嵌合溝６４にそれぞれ嵌入することにより、固定的に組み付ける（図６（ｃ））。この状態で、本体１６の第１支持部材２０は、第２支持部材２４と当接部材１８との間に固定的に挟持され、複数の電線Ｗは、当接部材１８の保持面７４によって対応の溝６０から脱落しない状態に保持される。同時に、当接部材１８の突起６８が、第２支持部材２４の凹所６２に挿入され、突起６８の押圧面２６が第２支持部材２４の複数の受け面２２に対し平行に配置される。また、当接部材１８の複数の突条７２が、第２支持部材２４の対応の溝５６に挿入され、溝５６内に位置する端子１２のばね部３２の図示上方に近接してそれぞれ配置される。
【００２９】
ここで、第２支持部材２４の凹所６２に挿入された当接部材１８の突起６８の押圧面２６と、第２支持部材２４の各受け面２２との間隔は、各端子１２の導体接続部１４の腕部分１４ｂとばね部３２の圧力受け部分３２ｂとの無負荷時の最大距離Ｌよりも小さくなっているから、突起６８の押圧面２６が、凹所６２に突入している複数の端子１２のばね部３２の圧力受け部分３２ｂに衝突し、圧力受け部分３２ｂを対応の受け面２２に向けて一様に押圧する。同時に、当接部材１８の複数の突条７２が、対応の溝５６内で端子１２のばね部３２を図で上方から押さえ付けて、ばね部３２の浮き上がりを防止するように作用する。それにより、各端子１２の導体接続部１４の腕部分１４ｂが、対応の受け面２２に向けて押し付けられ、押圧面２６と受け面２２との間で各端子１２のばね部３２が弾性的に撓む。その結果、第２支持部材２４の複数の溝５６内で仮留めされている複数の電線Ｗの導体Ｃは、個々の端子１２のばね部３２に一様に生じるばね力の下で、個々の端子１２の導体接続部１４の腕部分１４ｂと第２支持部材２４の対応の受け面２２との間に固定的に挟持される。このようにして、複数の電線Ｗの導体Ｃが、コネクタ１０の複数の端子１２に、所要の接触圧力下で安定的に接続される。
【００３０】
このように、上記構成を有するコネクタ１０によれば、本体１６を第１支持部材２０と第２支持部材２４とに分割して、接続対象の電線Ｗの導体Ｃを、第１支持部材２０に支持した端子１２の導体接続部１４と第２支持部材２４の受け面２２との間に予め配置する構成としたから、電線接続作業に際し、電線導体Ｃが金属片に圧力下で擦り付けられる状況が回避され、したがって電線導体Ｃを損傷する危惧が排除される。そして、本体１６に当接部材１８を適正に組み付けるだけで、押圧面２６が複数の端子１２の導体接続部１４を対応の受け面２２に向けて一様に押すように構成したから、端子１２と電線導体Ｃとの間に所要の接触圧力を容易に確保できる。しかも、この接触圧力を、各端子１２のばね部３２のばね力により得るようにしたので、各種構成部材の寸法公差や組立誤差に影響されることなく、所要の接触圧力を安定的に確保できる。
【００３１】
また、屈曲特性に優れた半硬質銅合金製の導体を有する電線にコネクタ１０を適用する場合、電線接続作業に際し、形状復元性に富む半硬質導体を、第１支持部材２０に支持した端子１２の導体接続部１４により第２支持部材２４の溝５６の底面に強制的に沿わせて、導体接続部１４と受け面２２との間に仮留めすることができる。したがってコネクタ１０によれば、そのような半硬質銅合金からなる電線導体Ｃであっても、接続作業の間に端子１２の導体接続部１４に対し適正位置に容易に保持でき、結果として電線導体Ｃと端子１２との導通接触の安定性及び信頼性を確保することができる。
【００３２】
図８は、本発明の第２の実施形態による電線接続構造及びそれを採用したコネクタ８０を示す。コネクタ８０は、端子８２の構造が異なる以外は、前述したコネクタ１０と実質的に同一の構成を有するので、対応する構成要素には共通の符号を付してその説明を省略する。
【００３３】
コネクタ８０の複数の端子８２の各々は、電気良導性の金属板から所定形状に打ち抜かれたピン状部材であり、本体１６の第１支持部材２０に埋設される一端側の埋設部８４と、埋設部８４から延長されて第１支持部材２０の外部に突出する他端側の導体接続部８６とを一体に備える。端子８２の埋設部８４は、その一部分が第１支持部材２０の一表面２０ａに露出して、コネクタ１０の接続相手となる他のコネクタの端子に導通接触する接触部３０を構成する。また、端子８２の導体接続部８６は、埋設部８４に隣接して埋設部８４に実質的平行に延びる梁部分８６ａと、梁部分８６ａに隣接して梁部分８６ａに交差する方向へ延設される腕部分８６ｂとを有する。腕部分８６ｂは、梁部分８６ａに略平行に延びる末端部分８６ｃで終端する。したがって、端子８２は、第１実施形態に係るコネクタ１０の端子１２と異なり、導体接続部８６に隣接するばね部を有しない構成となっている。
【００３４】
本体１６の第１支持部材２０と第２支持部材２４とを適正に組み合わせたときに、第１支持部材２０の主部分３４から突出する複数の端子８２の導体接続部８６は、第２支持部材２４の複数の溝５６に個別に受容され、それら端子８２の導体接続部８６の間に仕切り５４がそれぞれ介在する。このとき、各端子８２の導体接続部８６の腕部分８６ｂは、対応の溝５６内の受け面２２に対向して配置され、導体接続部８６の梁部分８６ａと腕部分８６ｂとの境界領域が、第２支持部材２４の凹所６２に部分的に突入する。なおコネクタ８０では、このような端子８２の構成に対応して、第２支持部材２４の凹所６２及びその相補的組合せ相手である当接部材１８の突起６８は、第１実施形態のコネクタ１０におけるものよりも寸法が若干大きくなっており、またコネクタ１０において当接部材１８に設けた複数の突条７２が省略されている。
【００３５】
上記構成を有するコネクタ８０における複数の電線Ｗの接続手順では、まず線端処理した複数の電線Ｗを、第２支持部材２４の複数の溝６０内に個別に仮配置し（図８（ａ））、次いでこの第２支持部材２４に第１支持部材２０を相補的に組み合わせる（図８（ｂ））。この状態で、第１支持部材２０に支持された複数の端子８２は、それぞれの導体接続部８６が、第２支持部材２４の対応の溝５６に受容され、それにより、個々の導体接続部８６と対応の溝５６の底面との間に、予め当該溝５６に部分的に挿入されていた電線Ｗの導体Ｃがそれぞれ配置される。その結果、各電線Ｗの導体Ｃは、対応の溝５６の底面に強制的に沿わされて、特に各端子８２の導体接続部８６の腕部分８６ｂと第２支持部材２４の対応の受け面２２との間に挟持されることにより、溝５６内に仮留めされる。
【００３６】
この電線仮留め状態で、第１支持部材２０に支持された複数の端子８２は、第２支持部材２４に対し、各々の導体接続部８６の梁部分８６ａと腕部分８６ｂとの境界領域が第２支持部材２４の凹所６２に部分的に突入する位置に置かれる。なお、この電線仮留め状態では、端子８２の導体接続部８６の腕部分８６ｂと対応の受け面２２との間で電線導体Ｃに負荷される圧力は実質的に不要であるが、第１実施形態に関連して説明したように、導体接続部８６の腕部分８６ｂがそれ自体弾性的に撓むことにより、電線導体Ｃを僅かな圧力下で仮留めするように構成することもできる。
【００３７】
このようにして複数の電線Ｗの導体Ｃを仮留めした本体１６に対し、当接部材１８を固定的に組み付ける（図８（ｃ））。この状態で、本体１６の第１支持部材２０は、第２支持部材２４と当接部材１８との間に固定的に挟持され、複数の電線Ｗは、当接部材１８の保持面７４によって対応の溝６０から脱落しない状態に保持される。同時に、当接部材１８の突起６８が、第２支持部材２４の凹所６２に挿入され、突起６８の押圧面２６が第２支持部材２４の複数の受け面２２に対し平行に配置される。このとき、突起６８の押圧面２６が、凹所６２に部分的に突入している複数の端子８２の導体接続部８６の梁部分８６ａと腕部分８６ｂとの境界領域に衝突して、導体接続部８６を対応の受け面２２に向けて一様に押圧する。それにより、各端子８２の導体接続部８６の腕部分８６ｂが、対応の受け面２２に向けて押し付けられる。その結果、第２支持部材２４の複数の溝５６内で仮留めされている複数の電線Ｗの導体Ｃは、個々の端子８２の導体接続部８６の腕部分８６ｂと第２支持部材２４の対応の受け面２２との間に固定的に挟持される。このようにして、複数の電線Ｗの導体Ｃが、コネクタ８０の複数の端子８２に、所要の接触圧力下で安定的に接続される。
【００３８】
上記構成を有するコネクタ８０によっても、前述した第１実施形態に係るコネクタ１０と同等の作用効果が奏されることは理解されよう。なお、コネクタ８０では、各端子８２が導体接続部８６に隣接するばね部を有しないので、端子８２と電線導体Ｃとの間の接触圧力を安定的に確保する点では、コネクタ１０よりも機能的に若干劣るかもしれない。しかしその代わりに、端子８２の構造が簡素化されるとともに、端子８２の導体接続部８６の末端に、ばね性を考慮しない直線状の末端部分８６ｃを設けることができるので、特に半硬質導体を有する電線をコネクタ８０に接続する際に、端子８２の導体接続部８６の末端部分８６ｃによって、形状復元性に富む半硬質導体を第２支持部材２４の溝５６の底面に強制的に沿わせる作用が向上する。
【００３９】
上記したコネクタ１０、８０の格別の作用効果は、コネクタ１０、８０に採用されている電線接続構造の特徴的構成によって奏されるものである。特にコネクタ１０、８０においては、そのような優れた安定性及び信頼性を有する電線接続構造を採用したことにより、電線導体Ｃの小径化及び端子１２、８２の配列の狭ピッチ化に対応した高密度接続構造を実現することができる。コネクタ１０、８０において実現可能な高密度接続構造は、例えば電線導体Ｃの外径寸法が０．０９ｍｍ以下（ＡＷＧ（アメリカ電線規格）４０以上）、端子１２、８２の配列ピッチが０．３ｍｍ以下の水準である。また、コネクタ１０、８０を適用可能な半硬質導体ケーブルとしては、例えば銀めっき銅合金や錫めっき銅合金等の銅合金線から成る導体Ｃと、ポリテトラフルオロエチレン（ＰＴＦＥ）、パーフルオロアルコキシアルカン（ＰＦＡ）、パーフルオロエチレン−プロペンコポリマー（ＦＥＰ）等のフッ素樹脂から成る被覆Ｓとを有するものが挙げられる。
【００４０】
また、コネクタ１０、８０は、図９に示すような基板コネクタ９０と組み合わせて使用することができる。基板コネクタ９０は、樹脂成形品からなる本体９２と、本体９２に支持される複数の端子９４とを備える周知構造を有する。基板コネクタ９０の本体９２は、コネクタ１０、８０の本体１６を構成する第１支持部材２０の副部分３６（図２）に脱着可能に嵌合する雌型の嵌合部９６を備え、嵌合部９６の内側に複数の端子９４の接触部分９４ａが、コネクタ１０、８０の複数の端子１２、８２の接触部３０に個別に導通接触可能に整列配置される。基板コネクタ９０の各端子９４は、接触部分９４ａとは反対側の端部に形成したリード部分９４ｂが、本体９２の外部に突出して、図示しない基板に形成した導体パッドに接続できるようになっている。図１０に、コネクタ１０、８０と基板コネクタ９０との嵌合形態を示す。
【００４１】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明から明らかなように、本発明によれば、端子の導体接続部に電線導体を圧力下で当接する当接部材を備えた電線接続構造において、電線接続作業に伴う電線導体の損傷を未然に回避でき、しかも、半硬質導体を有する電線に対しても、導体と端子との導通接触の安定性及び信頼性を確保できるようになる。さらに本発明によれば、そのような優れた安定性及び信頼性を有する電線接続構造を採用したコネクタであって、電線導体の小径化及び端子配列の狭ピッチ化に対応した高密度接続型のコネクタが提供される。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１実施形態によるコネクタの構成部品を示す図で、（ａ）当接部材の斜視図、及び（ｂ）本体の分解斜視図である。
【図２】図１のコネクタの組立斜視図である。
【図３】図１のコネクタにおける第１支持部材及び端子の線ＩＩＩ−ＩＩＩに沿った断面図である。
【図４】図１のコネクタにおける第２支持部材の線ＩＶ−ＩＶに沿った断面図である。
【図５】図１のコネクタにおける当接部材の線Ｖ−Ｖに沿った断面図である。
【図６】図１のコネクタによる電線接続手順を示す図で、（ａ）電線仮配置状態、（ｂ）電線仮留め状態、及び（ｃ）接続完了状態を示す。
【図７】図６の電線仮留め状態にあるコネクタ１０の半完成品の平面図である。
【図８】本発明の第２実施形態によるコネクタの構成部品を示す図で、（ａ）電線仮配置状態、（ｂ）電線仮留め状態、及び（ｃ）接続完了状態の各状態で示す。
【図９】図１及び図８のコネクタと組み合わせて使用可能な基板コネクタの斜視図である。
【図１０】図１及び図８のコネクタと図９の基板コネクタとの嵌合形態を示す斜視図である。
【符号の説明】
１０、８０…コネクタ
１２、８２…端子
１４、８６…導体接続部
１６…本体（支持体）
１８…当接部材
２０…第１支持部材（第１支持部）
２２…受け面
２４…第２支持部材（第２支持部）
２６…押圧面
３２…ばね部
６２…凹所
６８…突起[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an interconnection structure between an electric wire conductor and a terminal, and more particularly, to an electric wire connection structure provided with an abutting member for bringing an electric wire conductor into contact with a conductor connecting portion of the terminal under pressure. Make It relates to the adopted connector.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As an interconnection structure between the wire conductor and the terminal, a structure in which the conductor connection portion of the terminal is plastically deformed (that is, caulked) and connected to the conductor exposed by removing the covering over the required length of the wire end (ie, caulking) ( A so-called crimping structure) is formed by forming a slit having a smaller width than the conductor diameter in the conductor connection portion of the terminal to form a sharp outer shape, and piercing the conductor connection portion into the sheath of the electric wire to press-fit the conductor into the slit. A structure (so-called pressure contact structure) is known. With these well-known wire connection structures, it is difficult to reduce the diameter of the wire conductors and meet the narrow pitch of the terminal arrangement in line with the required level of high-density connections in both connection workability and terminal workability. Yes. Therefore, as a wire connection structure that can handle such high-density connections, the conductor exposed by removing the coating over the required length of the wire end is connected by contacting the conductor connection portion of the terminal under pressure. Various structures have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0003]
The conductor contact type electric wire connection structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of terminals each having a conductor connection portion connected to an electric wire conductor, and an electric circuit that exposes the individual conductor connection portions and supports these terminals. Insulated main body and a plurality of contact members that are assembled to the main body and contact the wire conductors individually under pressure on the conductor connection parts of multiple terminals, especially as a connector applicable to multi-core flat cables Has been. In this connector, each of a plurality of terminals (base contacts) is provided with a conductor connecting portion having a bent outer edge, while each of a plurality of contact members (support contacts) made of conductive metal pieces similar to the terminals is provided. A bent contact surface corresponding to the bent outer edge of the conductor connecting portion of the terminal is provided. Then, a main body that aligns and supports a plurality of terminals in a predetermined spacing arrangement, and an electrically insulating cover that aligns and supports a plurality of contact members in a corresponding spacing arrangement, with a cable to be connected disposed therebetween. By assembling each other in the direction crossing the cable extension direction, the plurality of conductors of the cable can be connected between the corresponding terminal and the contact member by the outer edge of the conductor connection portion of the terminal and the contact surface of the contact member. It is forced along the bent shape and fixedly clamped under pressure.
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-277190 A
[0004]
In addition, the conductor contact type electric wire connection structure disclosed in Patent Document 2 is similar to the electric wire connection structure of Patent Document 1, in which a conductor connection portion having a bent outer edge is provided on each of a plurality of terminals (base contacts). Each of the contact members (support contacts) is provided with a corresponding bent contact surface. Then, a main body that aligns and supports a plurality of terminals in a predetermined spaced arrangement, and a pair of electrically insulating covers that align and support a plurality of contact members in a corresponding spaced arrangement, and a cable to be connected between the covers. In the clamped state, by assembling each other in the direction parallel to the cable extension direction, the plurality of conductors of the cable can be connected between the corresponding terminals and the abutting member between the outer edge of the conductor connection portion of the terminal and the abutting member. Along the bent shape of the abutment surface, it is fixedly held under pressure.
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-306622 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the electric wire connection structures disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, the electric wire conductor is placed in contact with the terminal between the outer edge of the conductor connection portion of the terminal having a corresponding bent shape and the contact surface of the contact member. It is configured to be sandwiched under pressure by relative movement with the contact member. Accordingly, the wire conductor is rubbed against the metal piece under pressure during the wire connection operation, and there is a risk of damaging the wire conductor.
[0006]
In recent years, in electronic / information equipment equipped with an openable display, such as a notebook personal computer or a mobile phone, a cable laid across a hinge portion that connects the equipment body and the display has an excellent bending property. Those having conductors made of hard copper alloy are beginning to be adopted. This kind of semi-rigid conductor exhibits a high level of durability against bending and twisting, and at the same time has excellent shape restoring properties. Therefore, when the electric wire connection structure disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above is applied to a cable having a semi-rigid conductor of this type, a bent outer edge or an abutting member of a conductor connection portion of a terminal in connection work Because it is extremely difficult to place the cable conductor along the bent contact surface of the cable in advance because of the shape recoverability of the cable conductor, contact the cable conductor that tries to extend linearly with the terminal. It is gradually sandwiched between the two while forcibly bending by relative movement with the member. In such an operation, the cable conductor deviates from the proper position with respect to the terminal and the abutting member during the forced bending action, and as a result, the stability and reliability of the conductive contact between the cable conductor and the terminal is lowered. There are concerns.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to provide a wire connection structure having an abutting member for abutting an electric wire conductor on a conductor connection portion of a terminal under pressure, so that the electric wire conductor can be prevented from being damaged due to electric wire connection work. Provided is an electric wire connection structure capable of ensuring the stability and reliability of a conductive contact between a conductor and a terminal even for an electric wire having With It is an object of the present invention to provide a high-density connection type connector that employs such a wire connection structure having excellent stability and reliability, and can cope with a reduction in the diameter of the wire conductor and a narrow pitch of the terminal arrangement.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a terminal having a conductor connecting portion connected to a wire conductor and an electrically insulating member that supports the terminal by exposing the conductor connecting portion. Book Body, Assembled to the body, An abutting member that abuts the electric wire conductor under pressure on the conductor connecting portion of the terminal; connector In Book The body is a first support part that supports the terminal. Material And the first support part Material A receiving surface facing the conductor connection of the terminal supported by the And support the first support member Second support part Material And The first support member includes a main portion that protrudes the conductor connection portion of the terminal, and a recess that is adjacent to the main portion, and the second support member is a recess that receives the main portion, the recess that is adjacent to the recess, and the recess And the first support member and the second support member are fixedly combined with each other by the complementary action of the main portion, the recess, the recess, and the protrusion, thereby connecting the conductor of the terminal. Facing the receiving surface of the second support member, Wire conductor between conductor connection and receiving surface So that you can temporarily fix Arranged, the abutment member is When assembled to the body, 1st support part Material The conductor connecting portion of the terminal supported by the second supporting portion Material Has a pressing surface that acts to push toward the receiving surface. Then, by attaching the abutting member to the main body in which the wire conductor is temporarily fastened between the conductor connection portion of the terminal and the receiving surface, the pressing surface acts so as to press the conductor connection portion, so that the conductor connection portion and the receiving surface are received. Wire conductor is fixed between the surface Characterized by connector I will provide a.
[0010]
Claim 2 The invention described in claim 1 In the connector according to claim 1, the terminal has a spring portion adjacent to the conductor connection portion, and the abutting member presses the spring portion of the terminal with the pressing surface when assembled to the main body, thereby the spring portion. Provided is a connector in which an electric wire conductor is sandwiched between a conductor connecting portion and a receiving surface under a generated spring force.
[0011]
Claim 3 The invention described in claim 1 Or 2 In the connector according to item 1, the contact member includes a protrusion having a pressing surface, and the second support member provides a connector including a recess that receives the protrusion of the contact member.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Corresponding components are denoted by common reference symbols throughout the drawings.
1 and 2 are perspective views showing a wire connection structure and a connector 10 employing the same according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 to 5 are cross-sectional views of main components of the connector 10. FIG. In the illustrated wire connection structure, the conductor C, which is exposed by removing the coating S over the required length of the end of the wire W, is brought into contact with the conductor connection portion 14 of the terminal 12 under pressure. It is a contact type, and is not limited to the connector 10 for connecting the multi-core cable according to the illustrated embodiment, but can be used for various connectors, terminal boxes, and the like.
[0013]
The wire connection structure employed in the connector 10 includes a terminal 12 having a conductor connection portion 14 connected to the wire conductor C, and an electrically insulating support 16 that supports the terminal 12 by exposing the conductor connection portion 14. And a contact member 18 that contacts the conductor C of the terminal 12 with the wire conductor C under pressure. The support body 16 includes a first support portion 20 that supports the terminal 12, and a second support portion 24 having a receiving surface 22 that faces the conductor connection portion 14 of the terminal 12 supported by the first support portion 20, An electric wire conductor C is arranged between the conductor connecting portion 14 and the receiving surface 22. The contact member 18 is provided with a pressing surface 26 that acts to press the conductor connecting portion 14 of the terminal 12 supported by the first support portion 20 toward the receiving surface 22 of the second support portion 24.
[0014]
The connector 10 employing the above-described wire connection structure includes a plurality of terminals 12 each having a conductor connection portion 14 connected to the wire conductor C, and an electrical insulation that supports the terminals 12 by exposing the individual conductor connection portions 14. The main body 16 (supporting body) and the contact member 18 which is assembled to the main body 16 and contacts the conductor connection portions 14 of the plurality of terminals 12 under pressure individually. The main body 16 fixes a first support member (first support portion) 20 that supports the plurality of terminals 12 and a second support member (second support portion) 24 that supports the first support member 20 to each other. Composed in combination. The second support member 24 has a plurality of receiving surfaces 22 that can individually face the conductor connection portions 14 of the plurality of terminals 12 supported by the first support member 20. The 1st support member 20 and the 2nd support member 24 are combined so that the electric wire conductor C can be arrange | positioned between the conductor connection part 14 of the some terminal 12, and the corresponding receiving surface 22, respectively. The contact member 18 receives the conductor connection portions 14 of the plurality of terminals 12 supported by the first support member 20 when the contact member 18 is assembled to the main body 16. A pressing surface 26 is provided that acts to press uniformly toward the surface 22.
[0015]
The plurality of terminals 12 of the connector 10 are integrally attached to the first support member 20 of the main body 16 by, for example, an insert molding process, and are aligned and supported in parallel with each other at a predetermined spacing. Each terminal 12 is a pin-shaped member punched out into a predetermined shape from an electrically conductive metal plate. The terminal 12 is embedded in the first support member 20 on one end side, and is extended from the embedded portion 28 to the first end. 1 The conductor connection part 14 of the other end side which protrudes outside the support member 20 is provided integrally. A portion of the embedded portion 28 of the terminal 12 is exposed on one surface 20 a of the first support member 20, and constitutes a contact portion 30 that is in conductive contact with a terminal of another connector to which the connector 10 is connected. The conductor connection portion 14 of the terminal 12 is extended in a direction crossing the beam portion 14a adjacent to the embedded portion 28 and adjacent to the embedded portion 28, and a beam portion 14a adjacent to the embedded portion 28a. Arm portion 14b.
[0016]
Each terminal 12 further includes a spring portion 32 extending integrally from the conductor connection portion 14 adjacent to the conductor connection portion 14 on the side opposite to the embedded portion 28. The spring portion 32 has a second arm portion 32a that is bent and extended in an S shape from the arm portion 14b of the conductor connection portion 14, and a pressure receiving portion 32b that is formed at the end of the second arm portion 32a. . The conductor connecting portion 14 and the spring portion 32 of each terminal 12 are supported by the first support member 20 in a cantilever manner, and can be elastically bent by receiving an external force. In particular, the second arm portion 32a of the spring portion 32 is elastically bent in a direction in which the arm portion 14b of the conductor connecting portion 14 and the pressure receiving portion 32b of the spring portion 32 approach each other, and is a spring force proportional to the amount of bending. Can be issued. The arm portion 14b of the conductor connecting portion 14 and the pressure receiving portion 32b of the spring portion 32 are in a no-load state in which neither the conductor connecting portion 14 nor the spring portion 32 is elastically deformed, and the maximum distance (distance between outer surfaces) L Just placed apart. The terminal 12 may be configured to be press-fitted into a through-hole formed in the first support member 20 of the main body 16 in advance.
[0017]
The first support member 20 of the main body 16 is made of, for example, an integrally molded product of a resin material, and insulates and supports the plurality of terminals 12 in parallel. The first support member 20 has a main portion 34 having a surface 20b for projecting the conductor connection portion 14 of each terminal 12 in a predetermined posture, and is extended from the main portion 34 to the side to expose the contact portion 30 of each terminal 12. And a sub-part 36 having a surface 20a to be made. In the boundary region between the main portion 34 and the sub portion 36, a recess 38 having a rectangular cross section is formed on the side opposite to the surface 20a that exposes the contact portion 30 of the terminal 12. In addition, a space 40 having a required dimension is formed between the surface 20 b of the main portion 34 and the arm portion 14 b of the conductor connecting portion 14 of the terminal 12. As will be described later, when the first support member 20 and the second support member 24 are properly combined, the sub-part 36 protrudes outward from the main body 16 and is detachably fitted to another connector of the connection partner. The fitting part to be configured is configured.
[0018]
The second support member 24 of the main body 16 is made of, for example, an integrally molded product of a resin material, and is provided adjacent to the first portion 42 and the first portion 42 that engage with the main portion 34 of the first support member 20. The second portion 44 having the plurality of receiving surfaces 22 described above, the third portion 46 provided adjacent to the second portion 44 and carrying the plurality of electric wires W to be connected, the first to third portions 42, 44 and 46, and a fourth portion 48 that engages the contact member 18. The first portion 42 constitutes a region along one side of the rectangular planar shape of the second support member 24. The first portion 42 is formed with a recess 50 that receives the main portion 34 of the first support member 20 without rattling, and includes the outer surface of the first portion 42 as one of the peripheral walls that define the recess 50. The protrusion 52 having a rectangular cross section is formed to have a size and shape that can be received in the recess 38 of the first support member 20 without rattling. Accordingly, the first support member 20 and the second support member 24 do not move relative to each other by the complementary action of the former main portion 34 and the recess 38 and the recess 50 and the protrusion 52 of the latter first portion 42. Are fixedly combined.
[0019]
The second portion 44 of the second support member 24 forms an intermediate region adjacent to the recess 50 on the side opposite to the protrusion 52 of the first portion 42. In the second portion 44, a plurality of partitions 54 having a raised profile with respect to the recess 50 are formed in parallel with each other at equal intervals, and a groove having a bottom surface that bends and extends in a crank shape between the adjacent partitions 54. 56 are formed so as to communicate with the recess 50, respectively. The plurality of receiving surfaces 22 formed in the second portion 44 are part of the bottom surfaces of the grooves 56 and are constituted by vertical portions located on the side opposite to the concave portion 50 of the first portion 42. When the first support member 20 and the second support member 24 are appropriately combined, the conductor connecting portions 14 of the plurality of terminals 12 protruding from the main portion 34 of the first support member 20 The plurality of grooves 56 provided in the two portions 44 are individually received, and the partitions 54 are respectively interposed between the conductor connecting portions 14 of the terminals 12. At this time, the arm portion 14 b of the conductor connection portion 14 of each terminal 12 is disposed to face the receiving surface 22 in the corresponding groove 56.
[0020]
The third portion 46 of the second support member 24 forms a region along the other side of the rectangular planar shape of the second support member 24 on the side opposite to the first portion 42. A plurality of partitions 58 that are integrally extended from the plurality of partitions 54 of the second portion 44 are formed in the third portion 46, and the grooves 56 of the second portion 44 are formed between the adjacent partitions 58. Individually communicating grooves 60 are formed. The plurality of grooves 60 of the third portion 46 receive the plurality of electric wires W to be connected individually, particularly in a state where the portion having the coating S is extended linearly. In the boundary region between the second portion 44 and the third portion 46, a recess 62 having a rectangular cross section extending in the transverse direction of the grooves 56, 60 is provided. The recess 62 has a uniform position with respect to the plurality of grooves 56, 60 by overlapping the concave edges formed in the boundary regions between the plurality of partitions 54 and the plurality of partitions 58 in alignment with each other in the groove transverse direction. Formed in a relationship.
[0021]
The fourth portion 48 of the second support member 24 forms a region along two opposite sides of the rectangular planar shape of the second support member 24 on the side different from the first portion 42 and the third portion 46. The fourth portion 48 includes a pair of end surfaces 48a that constitute the top surface of the second support member 24 that faces the contact member 18, and a pair of fitting grooves 64 that are respectively recessed at predetermined positions on the end surfaces 48a. Is formed.
[0022]
The contact member 18 is made of, for example, an integrally molded product of a resin material, and is disposed at a substantially central portion of a rectangular flat plate-shaped main portion 66 and one surface 66a of the main portion 66, and the pressing surface 26 described above adjacent to the surface 66a. And a pair of upright wall-like hooking elements 70 that are disposed on the surface 66a on both sides in the extending direction of the protrusion 68 and project higher than the protrusion 68 with respect to the surface 66a. Prepare. On the main portion 66, on the side adjacent to the pressing surface 26 of the protrusion 68, a plurality of protrusions 72 that slightly protrude from the flat surface 66 a and extend linearly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pressing surface 26 are parallel to each other. Are spaced apart from each other. Further, the main portion 66 protrudes in a region between the pair of hooking elements 70 on the side opposite to the pressing surface 26 of the protrusion 68, which is lower than the protrusion 68 and higher than the protrusion 72 on the basis of the surface 66a. A substantially flat holding surface 74 is formed.
[0023]
The protrusion 68 has a shape that can be complementarily combined with the recess 62 of the second support member 24 of the main body 16. The pressing surface 26 formed on the protrusion 68 extends flat in a direction orthogonal to the surface 66a of the main portion 66, and can uniformly face all of the plurality of receiving surfaces 22 provided on the second support member 24. Has shape and dimensions. The pair of hooking elements 70 are individually fitted into a pair of fitting grooves 64 formed in the fourth portion 48 of the second support member 24 and fixedly hooked. The element 70 is provided with a pair of claw portions 70a. The contact member 18 is fixedly assembled to the second support member 24 by fitting both hooking elements 70 into the corresponding fitting grooves 64 of the second support member 24 and hooking them.
[0024]
In a state where the contact member 18 is properly assembled to the second support member 24 of the main body 16, the protrusion 68 of the contact member 18 is received in the recess 62 of the second support member 24, and the pressing surface 26 of the protrusion 68 is The plurality of receiving surfaces 22 of the second support member 24 are arranged in parallel and spaced apart from each other. At this time, the distance between the pressing surface 26 of the contact member 18 and each receiving surface 22 of the second support member 24 is such that there is no gap between the arm portion 14 b of the conductor connecting portion 14 of the terminal 12 and the pressure receiving portion 32 b of the spring portion 32. It is set to be smaller than the maximum distance L at the time of loading (FIG. 3). Further, the main portion 66 of the abutting member 18 has a surface 66 a that is in contact with a pair of end surfaces 48 a of the fourth portion 48 of the second support member 24, and a plurality of protrusions 72 are provided on the plurality of second portions 44. The retaining surfaces 74 are individually received in the grooves 56, and are disposed substantially in contact with the plurality of partitions 58 of the third portion 46.
[0025]
A connection procedure of the plurality of electric wires W in the connector 10 having the above configuration will be described below with reference to FIGS.
First, as a preparatory work, the process which removes the coating | coated S over the required length and exposes the conductor C is performed to the edge part of the some electric wire W provided in a multi-core cable (not shown). The plurality of electric wires W subjected to these wire end treatments are individually inserted into the second support member 24 of the main body 16 along the plurality of grooves 60 of the third portion 46 (FIG. 6A). At this time, the portion having the coating S of each electric wire W is inserted into the corresponding groove 60, and the exposed conductor C is placed while extending substantially linearly, and a part of the second support communicates with the groove 60. Received in the groove 56 of the second portion 44 of the member 24. Here, each electric wire W needs to extend substantially linearly to a position where the exposed conductor C exceeds the receiving surface 22 provided in the groove 56 of the second support member 24, and preferably the conductor C is the first portion 42. The line ends are processed so as to have a length that extends beyond the recesses 50.
[0026]
In this way, with respect to the second support member 24 on which the plurality of electric wires W are temporarily arranged, the first support member 20 is inserted into the former concave portion 50 and the former protrusion is inserted into the latter recess 38. Complementary combination is achieved by inserting the portion 52 (FIG. 6B). In this state, the plurality of terminals 12 supported by the first support member 20 have their respective conductor connection portions 14 and spring portions 32 received in the corresponding grooves 56 of the second support member 24, whereby individual terminals 12 and spring portions 32 are received. Between the conductor connection portion 14 and the bottom surface of the corresponding groove 56, the conductor C of the electric wire W that has been partially inserted in the groove 56 in advance is disposed. As a result, the conductor C of each electric wire W is forced along the bottom surface of the corresponding groove 56, and in particular, the arm portion 14 b of the conductor connection portion 14 of each terminal 12 and the corresponding receiving surface 22 of the second support member 24. Is temporarily clamped in the groove 56.
[0027]
In the plurality of terminals 12 supported by the first support member 20 in the temporarily secured state of the electric wire, the pressure receiving portions 32b of the respective spring portions 32 are recessed 62 of the second support member 24 with respect to the second support member 24. It is put in the position to rush into. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of electric wires W are arranged with respect to the plurality of terminals 12 in alignment with each other along a given vertical plane α that vertically cuts the connector 10. As illustrated, since the terminals 12 and the electric wires W do not substantially have a portion extending in a direction intersecting the vertical plane α, the arrangement pitch of the terminals 12 is reduced as much as possible. In addition, in this electric wire temporary fastening state, the pressure loaded on the electric wire conductor C between the arm part 14b of the conductor connection part 14 of the terminal 12 and the corresponding receiving surface 22 is substantially unnecessary. However, the arm portion 14b of the conductor connecting portion 14 itself may be configured to be temporarily fixed to the wire conductor C under a slight pressure by being slightly elastically bent in the direction of expanding the space 40 described above. it can.
[0028]
Thus, with respect to the main body 16 in which the conductors C of the plurality of electric wires W are temporarily fastened, corresponding contact grooves 18 are provided, and the latter pair of hooking elements 70 are provided in the former second support member 24. Each is fixedly assembled by being fitted into 64 (FIG. 6C). In this state, the first support member 20 of the main body 16 is fixedly sandwiched between the second support member 24 and the contact member 18, and the plurality of electric wires W are supported by the holding surface 74 of the contact member 18. The groove 60 is kept from falling off. At the same time, the protrusion 68 of the contact member 18 is inserted into the recess 62 of the second support member 24, and the pressing surface 26 of the protrusion 68 is arranged in parallel to the plurality of receiving surfaces 22 of the second support member 24. Further, the plurality of protrusions 72 of the abutting member 18 are inserted into the corresponding grooves 56 of the second support member 24, and are respectively disposed in the vicinity of the upper portion of the spring portion 32 of the terminal 12 located in the groove 56. The
[0029]
Here, the distance between the pressing surface 26 of the protrusion 68 of the contact member 18 inserted into the recess 62 of the second support member 24 and each receiving surface 22 of the second support member 24 is determined by the conductor connection of each terminal 12. Since the maximum distance L between the arm portion 14b of the portion 14 and the pressure receiving portion 32b of the spring portion 32 is no load, the pressing surface 26 of the protrusion 68 protrudes into the recess 62. It collides with the pressure receiving portion 32b of the spring portion 32 of the terminal 12 and presses the pressure receiving portion 32b uniformly toward the corresponding receiving surface 22. At the same time, the plurality of protrusions 72 of the contact member 18 act to press the spring portion 32 of the terminal 12 from above in the corresponding groove 56 to prevent the spring portion 32 from being lifted. As a result, the arm portion 14 b of the conductor connection portion 14 of each terminal 12 is pressed toward the corresponding receiving surface 22, and the spring portion 32 of each terminal 12 is elastically pressed between the pressing surface 26 and the receiving surface 22. Bend. As a result, the conductors C of the plurality of electric wires W temporarily secured in the plurality of grooves 56 of the second support member 24 are individually subjected to the spring force generated uniformly in the spring portions 32 of the individual terminals 12. The arm 12b of the conductor connection portion 14 of the terminal 12 and the corresponding receiving surface 22 of the second support member 24 are fixedly sandwiched. In this way, the conductors C of the plurality of electric wires W are stably connected to the plurality of terminals 12 of the connector 10 under a required contact pressure.
[0030]
Thus, according to the connector 10 having the above configuration, the main body 16 is divided into the first support member 20 and the second support member 24, and the conductor C of the electric wire W to be connected is connected to the first support member 20. Since it was set as the structure previously arrange | positioned between the conductor connection part 14 of the supported terminal 12, and the receiving surface 22 of the 2nd support member 24, in the case of an electric wire connection operation, the condition where the electric wire conductor C is rubbed on a metal piece under pressure. This avoids the risk of damaging the wire conductor C. Since the pressing surface 26 is configured to uniformly press the conductor connecting portions 14 of the plurality of terminals 12 toward the corresponding receiving surfaces 22 only by properly assembling the contact member 18 to the main body 16, the terminals 12 The required contact pressure can be easily ensured between the wire conductor C and the wire conductor C. In addition, since the contact pressure is obtained by the spring force of the spring portion 32 of each terminal 12, the required contact pressure can be stably secured without being affected by dimensional tolerances and assembly errors of various components. .
[0031]
In addition, when the connector 10 is applied to an electric wire having a conductor made of a semi-hard copper alloy having excellent bending characteristics, the terminal 12 in which the semi-hard conductor having a high shape restoring property is supported on the first support member 20 at the time of wire connection work. The conductor connection portion 14 forcibly follows the bottom surface of the groove 56 of the second support member 24 and can be temporarily fastened between the conductor connection portion 14 and the receiving surface 22. Therefore, according to the connector 10, even the wire conductor C made of such a semi-hard copper alloy can be easily held at an appropriate position with respect to the conductor connecting portion 14 of the terminal 12 during the connection work, and as a result, the wire conductor The stability and reliability of the conductive contact between C and the terminal 12 can be ensured.
[0032]
FIG. 8 shows an electric wire connection structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a connector 80 employing the same. Since the connector 80 has substantially the same configuration as the connector 10 described above except that the structure of the terminal 82 is different, the corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
[0033]
Each of the plurality of terminals 82 of the connector 80 is a pin-like member punched into a predetermined shape from an electrically conductive metal plate, and an embedded portion 84 on one end side embedded in the first support member 20 of the main body 16. The other end side conductor connecting portion 86 extending from the embedded portion 84 and projecting to the outside of the first support member 20 is integrally provided. A portion of the embedded portion 84 of the terminal 82 is exposed on one surface 20 a of the first support member 20, and constitutes the contact portion 30 that is in electrical contact with the terminal of another connector to which the connector 10 is connected. The conductor connecting portion 86 of the terminal 82 is extended in a direction crossing the beam portion 86a adjacent to the embedded portion 84 and a beam portion 86a extending substantially parallel to the embedded portion 84 and adjacent to the beam portion 86a. Arm portion 86b. The arm portion 86b terminates at an end portion 86c that extends substantially parallel to the beam portion 86a. Therefore, unlike the terminal 12 of the connector 10 according to the first embodiment, the terminal 82 is configured not to have a spring portion adjacent to the conductor connecting portion 86.
[0034]
When the first support member 20 and the second support member 24 of the main body 16 are appropriately combined, the conductor connection portions 86 of the plurality of terminals 82 protruding from the main portion 34 of the first support member 20 are the second support members. 24 are individually received in the plurality of grooves 56, and the partitions 54 are interposed between the conductor connecting portions 86 of the terminals 82. At this time, the arm portion 86b of the conductor connection portion 86 of each terminal 82 is disposed to face the receiving surface 22 in the corresponding groove 56, and the boundary region between the beam portion 86a and the arm portion 86b of the conductor connection portion 86 is determined. , Partially enters the recess 62 of the second support member 24. In the connector 80, corresponding to the configuration of the terminal 82, the recess 62 of the second support member 24 and the protrusion 68 of the abutting member 18 which is a complementary combination partner thereof are provided on the connector 10 of the first embodiment. The dimensions are slightly larger than those in FIG. 5, and the plurality of protrusions 72 provided on the contact member 18 in the connector 10 are omitted.
[0035]
In the connection procedure of the plurality of electric wires W in the connector 80 having the above-described configuration, first, the plurality of electric wires W subjected to the wire end treatment are temporarily and individually arranged in the plurality of grooves 60 of the second support member 24 (FIG. 8A). Then, the first support member 20 is complementarily combined with the second support member 24 (FIG. 8B). In this state, the plurality of terminals 82 supported by the first support member 20 have their respective conductor connection portions 86 received in the corresponding grooves 56 of the second support member 24, whereby the individual conductor connection portions 86. And the bottom surface of the corresponding groove 56, the conductor C of the electric wire W that has been partially inserted in the groove 56 in advance is disposed. As a result, the conductor C of each electric wire W is forced along the bottom surface of the corresponding groove 56, and in particular, the arm portion 86 b of the conductor connection portion 86 of each terminal 82 and the corresponding receiving surface 22 of the second support member 24. Is temporarily clamped in the groove 56.
[0036]
The plurality of terminals 82 supported by the first support member 20 in this electric wire temporary fastening state have a boundary region between the beam portion 86a and the arm portion 86b of each conductor connection portion 86 with respect to the second support member 24. 2 It is placed at a position where it partially enters the recess 62 of the support member 24. In addition, in this electric wire temporary fastening state, although the pressure loaded on the electric wire conductor C between the arm part 86b of the conductor connection part 86 of the terminal 82 and the corresponding receiving surface 22 is substantially unnecessary, 1st implementation As described in relation to the form, the arm portion 86b of the conductor connecting portion 86 can be elastically bent by itself so that the wire conductor C can be temporarily fixed under a slight pressure.
[0037]
In this way, the contact member 18 is fixedly assembled to the main body 16 in which the conductors C of the plurality of electric wires W are temporarily fastened (FIG. 8C). In this state, the first support member 20 of the main body 16 is fixedly sandwiched between the second support member 24 and the contact member 18, and the plurality of electric wires W are supported by the holding surface 74 of the contact member 18. The groove 60 is kept from falling off. At the same time, the protrusion 68 of the contact member 18 is inserted into the recess 62 of the second support member 24, and the pressing surface 26 of the protrusion 68 is arranged in parallel to the plurality of receiving surfaces 22 of the second support member 24. At this time, the pressing surface 26 of the protrusion 68 collides with the boundary region between the beam portion 86a and the arm portion 86b of the conductor connection portion 86 of the plurality of terminals 82 partially protruding into the recess 62, and the conductor connection The part 86 is uniformly pressed toward the corresponding receiving surface 22. As a result, the arm portion 86 b of the conductor connecting portion 86 of each terminal 82 is pressed toward the corresponding receiving surface 22. As a result, the conductors C of the plurality of wires W temporarily secured in the plurality of grooves 56 of the second support member 24 correspond to the arm portions 86b of the conductor connection portions 86 of the individual terminals 82 and the second support member 24. Between the receiving surface 22 and the receiving surface 22. In this way, the conductors C of the plurality of electric wires W are stably connected to the plurality of terminals 82 of the connector 80 under a required contact pressure.
[0038]
It will be understood that the connector 80 having the above configuration can provide the same operational effects as the connector 10 according to the first embodiment described above. In the connector 80, since each terminal 82 does not have a spring portion adjacent to the conductor connecting portion 86, it functions more than the connector 10 in that the contact pressure between the terminal 82 and the wire conductor C is stably secured. It may be slightly inferior. However, instead, the structure of the terminal 82 is simplified, and a linear end portion 86c that does not take into account springiness can be provided at the end of the conductor connecting portion 86 of the terminal 82. When connecting the electric wire to the connector 80, the end portion 86 c of the conductor connection portion 86 of the terminal 82 forces the semi-rigid conductor rich in shape restoration along the bottom surface of the groove 56 of the second support member 24. Will improve.
[0039]
The special effects of the connectors 10 and 80 described above are achieved by the characteristic configuration of the wire connection structure employed in the connectors 10 and 80. In particular, in the connectors 10 and 80, by adopting such an electric wire connection structure having excellent stability and reliability, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the electric conductor C and to reduce the pitch of the arrangement of the terminals 12 and 82. A density connection structure can be realized. The high-density connection structure that can be realized in the connectors 10 and 80 is, for example, the outer diameter of the wire conductor C is 0.09 mm or less (AWG (American Electric Wire Standard) 40 or more), and the arrangement pitch of the terminals 12 and 82 is 0.3 mm or less. It is the level of. Further, as the semi-rigid conductor cable to which the connectors 10 and 80 can be applied, for example, a conductor C made of a copper alloy wire such as a silver-plated copper alloy or a tin-plated copper alloy, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or perfluoroalkoxyalkane. (PFA), and a coating S made of a fluororesin such as perfluoroethylene-propene copolymer (FEP).
[0040]
Further, the connectors 10 and 80 can be used in combination with a board connector 90 as shown in FIG. The board connector 90 has a known structure including a main body 92 made of a resin molded product and a plurality of terminals 94 supported by the main body 92. The main body 92 of the board connector 90 includes a female fitting portion 96 that is detachably fitted to the sub-portion 36 (FIG. 2) of the first support member 20 constituting the main body 16 of the connectors 10 and 80. The contact portions 94a of the plurality of terminals 94 are aligned inside the portion 96 so as to be individually conductively contactable with the contact portions 30 of the plurality of terminals 12 and 82 of the connectors 10 and 80. Each terminal 94 of the board connector 90 has a lead part 94b formed at the end opposite to the contact part 94a protruding outside the main body 92 so that it can be connected to a conductor pad formed on a board (not shown). Yes. FIG. 10 shows a fitting form between the connectors 10 and 80 and the board connector 90.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, in the electric wire connection structure provided with the contact member that contacts the electric wire conductor to the conductor connection portion of the terminal under pressure, the electric wire conductor is damaged due to the electric wire connection work. In addition, the stability and reliability of the conductive contact between the conductor and the terminal can be secured even for an electric wire having a semi-rigid conductor. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a connector adopting such a wire connection structure having excellent stability and reliability, which is a high-density connection type corresponding to a reduction in the diameter of the wire conductor and a narrow pitch of the terminal arrangement. A connector is provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A and 1B are diagrams showing components of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a contact member, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of a main body.
2 is an assembled perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of a first support member and a terminal in the connector of FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of a second support member in the connector of FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of the contact member in the connector of FIG. 1;
6 is a diagram showing a procedure for connecting wires by the connector shown in FIG. 1, showing (a) a wire temporarily arranged state, (b) a wire temporarily fixed state, and (c) a connection completed state.
7 is a plan view of a semi-finished product of the connector 10 in the electric wire temporary fastening state of FIG. 6;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing components of the connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in each state of (a) a temporary wire arrangement state, (b) a temporary wire attachment state, and (c) a connection completion state.
9 is a perspective view of a board connector that can be used in combination with the connector of FIGS. 1 and 8. FIG.
10 is a perspective view showing a fitting form of the connector of FIGS. 1 and 8 and the board connector of FIG. 9;
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 80 ... Connector
12, 82 ... Terminal
14, 86 ... Conductor connection
16 ... Main body (support)
18 ... Abutting member
20 ... 1st support member (1st support part)
22 ... Reception
24 ... 2nd support member (2nd support part)
26 ... Pressing surface
32 ... Spring part
62 ... Recess
68 ... Protrusions

Claims

A terminal having a conductor connection portion connected to the wire conductor; an electrically insulating main body that exposes the conductor connection portion to support the terminal; and an electric wire conductor attached to the conductor connection portion of the terminal. In a connector comprising an abutting member that abuts under pressure,
The main body has a first support member that supports the terminal, and a receiving surface that faces the conductor connection portion of the terminal supported by the first support member, and supports the first support member. 2 support members,
The first support member includes a main portion for projecting the conductor connection portion of the terminal, and a recess adjacent to the main portion, and the second support member includes a recess for receiving the main portion; adjacent to the recess, and a protrusion received in depressions portion, said first support member and the second support member, the complementary action of the main portion and depressions portion and the concave portion and the projecting portion by being mutually fixedly combined by, the conductor connecting portions of said terminals, said opposite the receiving surface of the second support member, tacked wire conductor between said receiving surface and said conductor connecting portion Arranged to be able to
The abutting member acts to push the conductor connecting portion of the terminal supported by the first support member toward the receiving surface of the second support member when assembled to the main body. have a pressing surface,
By assembling the abutting member on the main body temporarily securing the electric wire conductor between the conductor connecting portion and the receiving surface of the terminal, the pressing surface acts to press the conductor connecting portion, Fixing a wire conductor between the conductor connecting portion and the receiving surface ;
Features a connector.

The terminal has a spring portion adjacent to the conductor connecting portion, and the abutting member presses the spring portion of the terminal with the pressing surface when assembled to the main body, thereby the spring. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein an electric wire conductor is sandwiched between the conductor connecting portion and the receiving surface under a spring force generated in the portion.

The contact member comprises a projection having the pressing surface, the second support member connector according to claim 1 or 2 comprising a recess for receiving the projection of the abutment member.