JP4805017B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector of a type in which a sub-connector is accommodated in a frame.

  The thing of patent document 1 is known as an example of the connector of the type which accommodates a subconnector in a frame. 14 and 15 show the configuration of the connector described in Patent Document 1, FIG. 14 is a side sectional view showing the relationship between the frame and the sub-connector, and FIG. 15 is a view seen from the front of the frame.

  This connector includes a frame 110 and sub-connectors 150 accommodated in a plurality of sub-connector accommodating recesses 111 formed in the frame 110, respectively. The subconnector 150 is integrally coupled by fitting the lock portion 121 on the frame 110 side and the lock portion 122 on the subconnector 150 side with each other in a state where the subconnector 150 is properly received in the subconnector receiving recess 111 formed in the frame 110. Is done.

  The sub-connector 150 is obtained by inserting a terminal 160 into the cavity 151 formed in the resin-made sub-connector housing 150 </ b> A from the rear and locking each terminal 160 with a flexible lance 152. The lance 152 is once bent into the flexible space 153 as the terminal 160 is inserted into the cavity 151, and then elastically returns to the original position when the terminal 160 is inserted to a normal depth. Then, the terminal 160 is retained and locked.

  In the back wall of the sub-connector receiving recess 111 of the frame 110, the sub-connector 150 enters the flexible space 153 of the lance 152 as the sub-connector 150 is received in the sub-connector receiving recess 111. The bending restricting portion 112 that double-locks the terminal 160 together with the primary locking by the lance 152 is integrally formed.

  The bending restricting portion 112 also serves as a regular insertion detection member that detects that the terminal 160 is inserted at a regular position in the sub-connector housing 150A.

That is, if the terminal 160 is inserted to the proper position, the lance 152 is elastically returned to the original position, so that the bending restricting portion 112 can enter the flexible space 153, and as a result, the sub The connector 150 can be properly fitted to the frame 110, but when the terminal 160 is not inserted to the proper position, the lance 152 is bent toward the flexible space 153, so that the bending restricting portion 112 is moved to the lance 152. As a result, the sub-connector 150 cannot be properly fitted to the frame 110, and as a result, regular insertion of the terminal 160 can be detected.
JP 2002-170622 A

  By the way, in the conventional connector described in Patent Document 1, since the bending restricting portion 112 having a function of detecting the normal insertion of the terminal 160 is formed integrally with the frame 110, the configuration of the sub connector 150 is changed. In response to this, it has not been possible to freely change the configuration of the detection unit (deflection regulating unit 112). Therefore, even when handling sub-connectors with the same external dimensions, a dedicated frame must be prepared according to the difference in the internal specifications of the sub-connector. There was a problem that the cost increased due to the increase in the cost.

  In other words, this type of connector has the advantage that a single connector that suits the purpose can be made by freely selecting and combining the specifications of the sub-connector according to the specifications of the electrical circuit of the vehicle. Depending on the situation, it is conceivable to freely rearrange the types and arrangement of the terminals of the sub-connector. However, when the specifications of the terminals inside the sub-connector are changed, there is a problem in that extra cost is required because the bending restricting portion functioning as a detecting portion provided in the frame must be changed accordingly.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can easily cope with a change in the specifications of terminals on the sub-connector side with a common frame and can reduce costs.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector having a sub-connector that locks a plurality of inserted terminals with a lance, and a frame that accommodates the sub-connector in the sub-connector accommodating portion. An attachment portion for detachably attaching a detection member for detecting normal insertion of a terminal in the sub-connector is provided , and the detection member can be attached to the attachment portion as required .

  A second aspect of the invention is the connector according to the first aspect, wherein the detection member can be temporarily locked to the sub-connector side.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection member restricts the bending of the lance by entering the flexible space of the lance of the sub-connector, and The terminal is double-locked together with the primary lock by the lance.

A fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the sub connector housing portion of the frame, front KiSo attaching portion is integrally provided, the mounting portion The device itself has a minimum shape that can function as the detection member.

Invention of Claim 5 is a connector of any one of Claims 1-4, Comprising: The said subframe is provided with the some subconnector accommodating part via the partition wall, In the said partition wall A mounting portion for detachably mounting the detection member is provided, and the detection member can be mounted on the mounting portion as required .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the sub connector housing portion of the frame is provided with the mounting portion for detachably mounting the detection member for detecting the normal insertion of the terminal in the sub connector, and this mounting portion is provided with the mounting portion as necessary. Since the detection member can be mounted freely, when the sub-connector is accommodated in the frame, it is possible to detect whether the terminal on the sub-connector side is properly inserted or half-inserted (unauthorized insertion). it can. That is, if the terminal in the sub-connector is half-inserted, the detection member interferes with the sub-connector side, thereby preventing further insertion of the sub-connector. Therefore, the operator can recognize that there is an abnormality in the terminal mounting position in the sub-connector. On the other hand, when the terminal in the sub-connector is properly inserted, the detection member does not interfere with the sub-connector side. Therefore, since the sub-connector can be smoothly inserted to the appropriate position in the frame, the operator can recognize that the terminal in the sub-connector is properly attached.

Further, in the present invention, the detection member is detachably provided on the mounting portion provided in the sub-connector accommodating portion of the frame as necessary, so that the detection member is detected in accordance with the configuration on the sub-connector side to be accommodated. The type and arrangement of the members can be changed as appropriate. For example, the configuration on the sub-connector side may have different types and arrangement of internal terminals even if the outer dimensions are the same (that is, the same dimensions can be accommodated in the frame). In such a case, if the detection member provided on the frame side is uniform, it is difficult to cope with all cases, and each difference in configuration on the sub-connector side (that is, difference in terminal type and arrangement) A special frame must be prepared. However, in the present invention, the type and arrangement of the detection member can be freely changed in accordance with the configuration on the sub-connector side. Accordingly, it is possible to detect regular insertion of terminals of a plurality of types of sub-connectors having different configurations while using a common frame, which can contribute to a reduction in the number of parts. In addition, since the detection member is detachably provided on the frame side mounting portion as necessary, the configuration on the sub-connector side can be simplified.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the detection member can be temporarily locked to the sub-connector side, it is possible to confirm the normal fitting of the terminal in advance, and in the sub-connector assembly stage, By temporarily locking the detection member to the connector, it is possible to detect normal insertion of the terminal. Therefore, if there is a half-inserted terminal, there is a concern that the terminal may fall off during the process until the sub-connector is accommodated in the frame (for example, during transportation). It is possible to eliminate the terminal dropout at the terminal. The detection member temporarily locked on the sub-connector side is attached to a predetermined attachment portion on the frame side when the sub-connector is accommodated in the frame.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the terminal can be double-locked by the detection member that detects the normal insertion of the terminal, the holding force of the terminal can be improved. In addition, when the detection member is configured to be able to be temporarily locked to the sub-connector side, the detection member is previously entered into the bending space of the lance of the sub-connector to restrict the lance bending. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the terminal from falling off.

  According to the invention of claim 4, with respect to the specific terminal, it is possible to detect the normal insertion of the terminal with the mounting portion itself integrated with the frame. For example, when a small terminal and a large terminal are incorporated into a sub-connector, the small part is set so that the mounting part itself can detect normal insertion of the terminal, and the large terminal is detected by a detection member attached to the mounting part. It will be possible to detect regular insertions. By doing so, it is possible to detect the regular insertion of the terminal by attaching the detection member only for the large terminal, and to detect the regular insertion of the terminal without attaching the detection member for the small terminal. Can do.

  In addition, if a terminal with a high frequency of use is made to be able to detect the normal insertion of the terminal with a minimum-shaped mounting portion, the normal insertion of the terminal is detected without intentionally attaching a detection member for that terminal. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of mounting the detection member.

  According to the invention of claim 5, the plurality of sub-connectors can be mounted on the frame in various directions depending on the way of providing the partition walls.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
1 is a front view of a frame constituting the connector of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a half-inserted state of terminals of the sub-connector constituting the connector of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a rear view showing a state in which the sub-connector is inserted into the frame, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG.

  As schematically shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the connector of this embodiment includes a frame 10 and one or a plurality of subconnectors 50 accommodated in the subconnector accommodating recess 11 of the frame 10. The sub-connector 50 includes a sub-connector housing 50A as a main part and a plurality of terminals (male terminals in the illustrated example) 60 accommodated in the sub-connector housing 50A. The terminal 60 is inserted into the sub-connector housing 50A from the rear while being connected to the terminal of the electric wire W.

  The sub-connector housing 50A is flexible to engage with a plurality of cavities 51 into which the terminals 60 can be inserted from the rear and the engaging portions 61 of the terminals 60 inserted from the rear to prevent the terminals 60 from coming out rearward. And a lance 52 having Next to the lance 52, a flexible space 53 is secured for the lance 52 to bend when the terminal 60 is inserted, and each flexible space 53 is open toward the front.

  The frame 10 is formed with a sub connector housing recess 11 penetrating in the front-rear direction, and a detection member 13 for detecting normal insertion of the terminal 60 in the sub connector 50 is detachably provided in the sub connector housing recess 11. ing. In this case, a mounting portion 12 for detachably mounting the detection member 13 is integrally formed in the sub-connector housing recess 11 of the frame 10, and the detection member 13 is attached to the mounting portion 12 as necessary. Is installed.

  The detection member 13 enters the flexible space 53 of the sub-connector 50 when the sub-connector 50 is accommodated in the frame 10, thereby restricting the bending of the lance 52, and is connected to the terminal together with the primary locking by the lance 52. It arrange | positions so that the function as a bending control member which double-locks 60 can also be exhibited.

  1A shows a portion where the detection member 13 is attached, and FIG. 4B and FIG. 5C show portions where the detection member 13 detects half-insertion of a terminal.

  As described above, when the detection member 13 for detecting the normal insertion of the terminal 60 in the sub-connector 50 is provided in the sub-connector receiving recess 11 of the frame 10, the sub-connector 50 is accommodated when the sub-connector 50 is received in the frame 10. It can be easily detected whether the terminal 60 on the side is properly inserted or half-inserted (unauthorized insertion).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the terminal 60 accommodated in the sub-connector 50 is half-inserted, the tip of the detection member 13 abuts against the lance 52 in the sub-connector 50 as shown in FIG. Further insertion of the sub-connector 50 is prevented. Therefore, the operator can recognize that there is an abnormality in the mounting position of the terminal 60 in the sub-connector 50.

  On the other hand, when the terminal 60 in the sub-connector 50 is inserted to the proper position, the detection member 13 does not interfere with the sub-connector 50 side. In other words, the leading end of the detection member 13 enters the flexible space 53 of the lance 52 so that it does not hit the lance 52. Therefore, since the sub-connector 50 can be smoothly inserted to the appropriate position in the frame 10, the operator can recognize that the terminal 60 in the sub-connector 50 is properly mounted.

  Further, in the case of the connector of this embodiment, the detection member 13 that detects the normal insertion of the terminal 60 enters the flexible space 53 to restrict the bending of the lance 52. Double locking is possible. Therefore, the holding force of the terminal 60 can be improved.

  Further, basically, since the detection member 13 is detachably provided on the frame 10 side, the configuration on the sub-connector 50 side can be simplified.

  Moreover, in this connector, since the detection member 13 is detachably provided in the mounting portion 12 formed in the sub connector housing recess 11 of the frame 10, it corresponds to the configuration on the sub connector 50 side to be housed in the frame 10. Thus, the type and arrangement of the detection member 13 can be changed as appropriate. For example, when a large terminal and a small terminal are mounted together as the terminal 60 on the sub-connector 50 side, a large detection member 13 is mounted at a position facing the large terminal, and a small detection member is disposed at a position corresponding to the small terminal. If 13 is mounted, it is possible to easily cope with a change in specifications of the terminal 60 on the side of the sub-connector 50 while making the frame 10 common, which can contribute to a reduction in the number of parts.

  In this case, as will be described in detail later, if the mounting portion 12 itself is caused to function as a regular insertion detecting member for a small terminal, the mounting member 12 does not need to be mounted with the detection member 13 on purpose.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment in which the shape of the mounting portion and the detection member is made more specific will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example thereof, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the sub connector 50 is fitted to the frame 10 having the mounting portion and the detection member.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the mounting portion 22 is formed in a T-shaped cross section including a strip-shaped horizontal plate portion 22 a and a vertical rib 22 b on the lower surface on the base end side. Further, the detection member 23 is suspended from the board portion 23a mounted on the horizontal plate portion 22a of the mounting portion 22 and both side edges thereof, thereby forming a fitting hole 23c of the horizontal plate portion 22a of the mounting portion 22. And a pair of side walls 23b having an L-shaped cross section, and a groove 23d into which the vertical rib 22b of the mounting portion 22 enters is secured between the tips of both side walls 23b.

  By sliding the detection member 23 to the mounting portion 22, the detection member 23 can be attached to the frame 10 without rattling. In this state, it is possible to determine whether or not the terminal 60 in the sub-connector 50 is mounted at an appropriate position by fitting the sub-connector 50 into the sub-connector receiving recess 11 of the frame 10. Further, when mounted at an appropriate position, the tip of the board portion 23a of the detection member 23 enters the flexible space 53 of the lance 52 of the sub-connector 50, so that the bending of the lance 52 is restricted and the terminal 60 double locks.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a structure for preventing the mounting portion 22A and the detection member 23 from coming off in the third embodiment.

  The mounting portion 22A has a T-shaped cross section having a horizontal plate portion 22a and a vertical rib 22b, and a dimension (width of the horizontal plate portion 22a) D1 between the base side edges 22c of the horizontal plate portion 22a is detected. The width 23 is set slightly smaller than the width dimension D2 of the fitting hole 23c of the member 23, so that the detection member 23 is tightly fitted to the mounting portion 22A. Thus, the detection member 23 can be reliably prevented from coming off by the interference fitting. In order to facilitate insertion, slopes 22d are provided on both side edges on the front end side of the horizontal plate portion 22a.

<Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a retaining structure for the mounting portion 22B and the detection member 23 in the fourth embodiment.

  The mounting portion 22B has a T-shaped cross section having a horizontal plate portion 22a and a vertical rib 22b, and is engaged with the rear end of the fitting hole 23c of the detection member 23 on the lower surface of the front end of the horizontal plate portion 22a. A protrusion 22e is provided. The side wall 23b of the detection member 23 is bent and deformed in a direction to open the fitting hole 23c while passing through the engaging protrusion 22e, and is elastically restored when the engaging protrusion 22e passes through the fitting hole 23. Thus, the detection member 23 is reliably prevented from coming off.

<Fifth Embodiment>
In the above description, the detection member 23 is mounted on the frame 10 in advance. However, as in the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the detection member 23 </ b> A can be provided on the sub-connector 50 side in advance. . That is, in that case, the detection protrusion 23e is provided on the detection member 23A so that the detection protrusion 23a can be temporarily locked by the engagement protrusion 23a in a state where the distal end of the detection member 23A is inserted into the flexible space 53 of the lance 52. .

  Thus, when the detection member 23A can be temporarily locked to the sub-connector 50 side, the terminal 60 that needs to be confirmed in advance is detected by the sub-connector 50 at the assembly stage of the sub-connector 50. By inserting the member 23A in advance, normal insertion of the terminal 60 can be detected.

  Therefore, if there is the half-inserted terminal 60, there is a concern that the terminal 60 may be dropped in the process (for example, during the conveyance) until the sub-connector 50 is accommodated in the frame 10, but the proper insertion is confirmed. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the dropout of the terminal 60 in the middle.

  Note that the detection member 23A that is temporarily locked to the sub-connector 50 side in advance is mounted on the predetermined mounting portion 12 on the frame 10 side when the sub-connector 50 is housed in the frame 10. .

  Further, when the detection member 23A is configured to be temporarily locked to the sub-connector 50 in this way, the detection member 23A is previously entered into the bending space 53 of the lance 52 of the sub-connector 50 in advance. By placing, the bending of the lance 52 can be restricted, so that the terminal 60 can be more reliably prevented from falling off.

  FIG. 11 is a connector assembly process diagram for explaining how it is advantageous to temporarily hold the detection member 23A on the sub-connector 50 side as in the fifth embodiment. It is.

  In this process example, the case where electric wires WA and WB having terminals 60A, 60B, 68A and 68B at both ends are set in the connector by different processes is shown.

  In the step of FIG. 11A, the sub-connector 50 is prepared, and the terminal 60A of the electric wire WA that is first assembled to the predetermined cavity 51 is mounted. Next, in the step of FIG. 11 (b), the detection member 23A is preceded, thereby determining whether or not the terminal 60A is properly inserted, and the terminal 60A is double-locked.

  Next, the terminal 68A is assembled to the opposite connector 69 in the process of FIG. 11C, and the terminal 60B of the electric wire WB is assembled to the sub connector 50 in the process of FIG. Finally, in the step of FIG. 11 (e), the sub connector 50 is fitted into the sub connector housing recess 11 of the frame 10 in which the detection member 23 is attached to the remaining mounting portion 22 in advance.

  By doing so, it is possible to detect the normal insertion of the remaining terminals 60B by the detection member 23 mounted in advance on the frame 10, and to double-lock the terminals 60B. Note that the detection member 23A that is attached in advance fits into the mounting portion 22 on the frame 10 side.

  In the steps shown in FIGS. 11B to 11D, the detection member 23A is attached in advance, so that the terminal 60A can be reliably prevented from coming off.

<Sixth Embodiment>
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the sixth embodiment and shows an example in which the mounting portion 22 itself is configured to have a minimum shape that can function as a detection member. As in this example, with respect to the specific terminal 60C, the mounting portion 22 itself integrated with the frame 10 can be configured to detect normal insertion of the terminal 60C. Further, by allowing the sub connector 50C to enter the flexible space 53C of the lance 52C, the deflection of the lance 52C can be regulated.

  For example, when a small terminal and a large terminal are incorporated into the sub-connector 50C, the mounting portion 22 itself can detect the normal insertion of the terminal 60C for the small terminal 60C, and the mounting portion 22 for the large terminal 60. It is made possible to detect the normal insertion of the terminal 60 by the mounted detection member 23 (see FIG. 7).

  In such a case, it is possible to detect the regular insertion of the terminal 60 by attaching the detection member 23 only to the large terminal 60, and it is possible to detect the regular insertion of the terminal 60C without attaching the detection member 23 to the small terminal 60C. Can be detected.

  In addition, if the terminal 60C can be properly inserted by the mounting part 22 having the minimum shape for a frequently used terminal, the terminal 60C can be connected to the terminal 60C without attaching the detection member 23. Since regular insertion can be detected, the trouble of mounting the detection member 23 can be saved.

<Seventh embodiment>
FIG. 13 shows an outline of the frame of the connector of the seventh embodiment.

  In this connector, a plurality of sub-connector accommodating recesses 11 are provided on the frame 10D via a partition wall 11k, and a mounting portion 12 for detachably mounting the detection member 13 is provided on the partition wall 11k. Yes.

  As described above, when the mounting portion 12 of the detection member 13 is disposed on the partition wall 11k, the plurality of sub-connectors can be mounted on the frame 10D in various orientations depending on how the partition wall 11k is provided.

It is a front view of the flame | frame which comprises the connector of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is II-II arrow sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing at the time of the terminal half-insertion state of the subconnector which comprises the connector of 1st Embodiment. It is a rear view which shows the state which inserted the sub connector in the flame | frame which comprises the connector of 1st Embodiment. It is a VV arrow sectional view of Drawing 4. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between the mounting part in 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and a detection member. It is a sectional side view of the second embodiment. It is a top view which shows the relationship between the mounting part in 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and a detection member. It is a block diagram which shows the relationship between the mounting part in 4th Embodiment of this invention, and a detection member, (a) is a side view, (b) is a rear view at the time of a fitting. It is a sectional side view of 5th Embodiment of this invention. (A)-(e) is process drawing for demonstrating the usefulness of 5th Embodiment. It is a sectional side view of 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the frame of 7th Embodiment of this invention of this invention. It is sectional drawing of a prior art example. It is a rear view of the frame of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

60, 60A, 60B, 60C Terminal 10, 10D Frame 11 Sub-connector receiving recess 12, 22, 22A, 22B Mounting portion 13, 23, 23A Detection member 50, 50C Sub-connector 52, 52C Lance 53, 53C Flexible space

Claims (5)

In a connector having a sub-connector that locks each inserted terminal with a lance, and a frame that accommodates the sub-connector in a sub-connector accommodating portion ,
A mounting portion for detachably mounting a detection member for detecting normal insertion of a terminal in the sub-connector is provided in the sub-connector housing portion of the frame, and the detection member can be mounted on the mounting portion as required. connector being characterized in that the. The connector according to claim 1,
The connector, wherein the detection member can be temporarily locked to the sub-connector side. The connector according to claim 1 or 2,
The detection member is configured to restrict the bending of the lance by entering the flexible space of the lance of the sub-connector and to double-lock the terminal together with the primary locking by the lance. Features a connector. It is a connector given in any 1 paragraph of Claims 1-3,
The auxiliary connector housing portion of said frame, front and KiSo attaching portion is integrally provided with a connector the mounting portion itself, characterized in that it has a minimum feature capable of exhibiting the function as the sensing member . The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
On the frame, through the partition wall has a plurality of sub-connector receiving portion is provided on the partition wall, the mounting portion for detachably mounting said sensing member is provided, optionally in the mounting portion A connector characterized in that the detection member can be mounted freely .

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