JP4941388B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

Patent Document 1 discloses a connector in which a male terminal fitting is accommodated in a housing from the rear and the housing is accommodated in a cylindrical frame from the rear.
The male terminal fitting includes a terminal main body to which an electric wire is connected at a rear end portion, and a tab protruding forward from the terminal main body. The housing includes a terminal accommodating portion that holds the accommodated terminal body in a locked state by a locking action of an elastically deflectable lance, and a protective portion that protrudes forward from the terminal accommodating portion to protect the tab.

  The frame includes a rear cylindrical part for accommodating the terminal accommodating part, a front cylindrical part for accommodating the protective part, and a restricting part fitted into the terminal accommodating part from the front. The restricting portion restricts the lance from elastically bending in the direction of disengagement from the male terminal fitting, and the male terminal fitting is reliably prevented from being removed by the restricting portion.

In the frame, a wall-like support part that partitions the front cylindrical part and the rear cylindrical part is formed, and the restricting part protrudes rearward from the support part. Further, the protective part of the housing is composed of a pair of plate-like parts arranged so as to sandwich the tab from the left and right, and a relief hole for penetrating the pair of plate-like parts is formed in the support part.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-102183

In the conventional connector described above, the support portion, which is the base for forming the restriction portion, has a wall shape that partitions the front side cylindrical portion and the rear side cylindrical portion. On the other hand, the protective part penetrates the support part and is accommodated in the front cylindrical part in front of it, but in order to fix the support part to the frame, A part of the outer periphery must be connected to the inner periphery of the frame. Therefore, the protection part cannot be formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding the tab over the entire circumference, and there is a possibility that other members may interfere with the tab in a state where the housing is removed from the frame.
The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to reliably protect a tab from interference of other members.

  As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 comprises a male terminal fitting, a housing to which the male terminal fitting is attached from the rear, and a cylindrical frame to which the housing is attached from the rear. The male terminal fitting has a terminal main body to which an electric wire is connected to a rear end portion, and a tab protruding forward from the terminal main body. The housing includes a terminal accommodating portion for accommodating the terminal main body, and the terminal. An elastically bendable lance that locks in a retaining state with respect to the terminal main body housed in the housing portion, and a protection portion that projects forward from the terminal housing portion to protect the tab, and the frame is A rear cylindrical portion that surrounds the terminal accommodating portion, a front cylindrical portion that surrounds the protective portion, and an elastic deformation in a direction in which the lance is fitted into the terminal accommodating portion from the front and the lance is disengaged from the male terminal fitting. The protective portion has a cylindrical shape that is continuous over the entire circumference, and the frame has a rear side from the front end portion of the front cylindrical portion. A support portion having a shape in which an entry space allowing entry of the protection portion is formed between the front cylindrical portion and the restriction portion is formed on the support portion. It has a characteristic where it exists.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the support portion includes an extension portion extending rearward from the front end portion of the front cylindrical portion, and the terminal from the rear end portion of the extension portion. A plate-like portion extending so as to face the front end surface of the housing portion, and the restricting portion protrudes from the plate-like portion, and the tab-like portion penetrates the tab-like portion. Thus, a positioning hole for positioning the tab is formed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the extension portion has a plate shape along the inner periphery of the protection portion, and the front end portion of the extension portion is formed of the protection portion. It is characterized in that the front end edge is covered from the front.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the support portion is slidably contactable with an inner peripheral surface of the protection portion. .

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the guide surface according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the support portion is slidably contacted with an outer periphery of a mating connector inserted into the front cylindrical portion. It is characterized in that is formed.

<Invention of Claim 1>
The support part, which is the base for forming the restriction part, is configured to extend rearward from the front end part of the front cylindrical part, and an entry space allowing entry into the protective part is secured between the support part and the front cylindrical part. Therefore, the protection part could be made into the cylindrical form which continues over a perimeter. Since this protection part covers a tab from all directions, it can protect a tab reliably from interference of other members.

<Invention of Claim 2>
Since the plate-like portion of the support portion functions as an alignment plate for positioning the tab, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated alignment plate separately from the support portion, and the number of parts can be reduced.

<Invention of Claim 3>
By the extension part, the front end edge of the protection part can be protected from interference of other members.

<Invention of Claim 4>
When the housing is assembled to the frame from the rear, the inner peripheral surface of the protection portion is in sliding contact with the support portion, so that the housing is restricted from rattling in the direction intersecting the assembly direction with respect to the frame.

<Invention of Claim 5>
When the mating connector is fitted into the front cylindrical portion, the outer circumference of the mating connector and the guide surface are in sliding contact with each other so that the mating connector is loose in the direction intersecting the fitting direction with respect to the frame. Is regulated.

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. A female connector F that is a fitting target of the male connector M of the present embodiment includes a connector main body 60 having a block shape and a lock arm 61 provided on the upper surface of the connector main body 60. Accommodates a plurality of well-known female terminal fittings (not shown). This female connector F is provided on the body (not shown) of the automobile.

  The male connector M includes a synthetic resin frame 10 (see FIGS. 6 to 11), a synthetic resin housing 40 (see FIGS. 12 to 14), and a plurality of metal male terminal fittings 50. It is prepared for. The male connector M is provided on a door mirror (not shown) of an automobile, and is fitted to the female connector F when the door mirror is assembled to the body.

  The frame 10 has a rectangular tube shape with four corners rounded into a substantially quarter arc as a whole. A substantially front half portion of the frame 10 is a form opened to the front, and is a front cylindrical portion 11 for inserting the female connector F from the front. A substantially second half portion of the frame 10 has a form opened rearward, and is a rear cylindrical portion 12 into which the housing 40 is inserted from the rear.

  A pair of attachment portions 13 projecting in a plate shape are formed on the left and right outer surfaces of the frame 10, and bolt holes 14 penetrating in the front-rear direction are formed in the attachment portion 13. The frame 10 is fixed to the door mirror by bolts (not shown) passed through the bolt holes 14. A pair of upper and lower slits are formed in the left and right side walls of the front cylindrical portion 11 so as to be notched backward from the front edge of the front cylindrical portion 11, and the portion between the slits is elastic outward in the left-right direction. The locking arm 15 is deflectable. A locking projection 15 a that protrudes inward is formed at the front end of the locking arm 15.

  A support portion 16 that extends rearward from the front edge of the front cylindrical portion 11 is integrally formed inside the frame 10. The support portion 16 includes a plate-like portion 17 having a square shape, a pair of left and right arm-like extending portions 21 for supporting the plate-like portion 17 on the frame 10, and a plate for supporting the plate-like portion 17 on the frame 10. And a shape extending portion 25.

  The plate-like portion 17 has its thickness direction in the front-rear direction (a direction parallel to the assembly direction of the housing 40 with respect to the frame 10, and in the front-rear direction, a direction parallel to the assembly direction of the female connector F with respect to the male connector M). The front cylindrical portion 11 and the rear cylindrical portion 12 are disposed at a position facing the front. Further, in the vertical and horizontal directions, the plate-like portion 17 is positioned so as to be spaced from the inner peripheral surface of the frame 10 over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge thereof. In other words, the plate-like portion 17 is not directly connected to the frame 10, and the inner periphery of the frame 10 is interposed via the arm-like extension portion 21 and the plate-like extension portion 25 in a state of floating inside. It is connected to. The arm-like extension part 21 and the plate-like extension part 25 have different forms.

  A plurality of positioning holes 18 penetrating in the front-rear direction are formed in the plate-like portion 17 so as to be aligned vertically and horizontally so as to correspond to the cavity 44 of the housing 40. The positioning hole 18 functions as an alignment plate for positioning the tab 52 in the vertical and horizontal directions by penetrating the tab 52 of the male terminal fitting 50.

  The plate-like portion 17 is formed with a pair of upper and lower restricting portions 19 and 20. The upper restricting portion 19 has a horizontal plate shape, and extends in a cantilevered manner from the position close to the upper end edge of the plate-like portion 17 to the rear over substantially the entire width of the plate-like portion 17. The upper surface of the upper restricting portion 19 is lowered stepwise with respect to the upper edge of the plate-like portion 17. The lower restricting portion 20 has a horizontal plate shape like the upper restricting portion 19, and extends in a cantilevered manner from the lower end edge of the plate-like portion 17 to the rear over almost the entire width of the plate-like portion 17. is there. Both the restricting portions 20 function as a retainer for restricting the lance 45 of the housing 40 from being elastically bent in the direction of disengaging from the male terminal fitting 50.

  The pair of arm-like extension portions 21 are elongated in the front-rear direction. The front end portion of the arm-like extension portion 21 is connected to the upper edge portion of the front end portion of the front cylindrical portion 11 in the protruding portion 21a protruding upward, and the rear end portion of the arm-like extension portion 21 is a plate. It continues to a position slightly below the upper edge of the front surface of the shape portion 17. In the left-right direction, the arm-like extension portion 21 is disposed at a position close to the left and right side edges of the plate-like portion 17. Further, in the vertical direction, it is arranged in a height region including the upper restricting portion 19.

  The lower surface of the arm-like extension portion 21 is a first guide surface 22 that extends linearly in the front-rear direction (a direction parallel to the fitting direction of the female connector F with respect to the male connector M). On the other hand, the upper surface of the arm-like extension portion 21 is a first sliding contact surface 23 that extends linearly in the front-rear direction (a direction parallel to the assembly direction of the housing 40 with respect to the frame 10). An entry space 24 for allowing the protection part 42 of the housing 40 to enter is vacant between the upper surface (first sliding contact surface 23) of the arm-like extension part 21 and the inner surface of the front cylindrical part 11.

  The plate-like extension portion 25 has a horizontal flat plate shape (perpendicular to the plate-like portion 17). The front end portion of the plate-like extension portion 25 is connected to the lower edge portion at the front end of the front cylindrical portion 11 in a connecting portion 25a that protrudes downward in a rib shape, and the connecting portion 25a is connected to the plate-like extension portion 25. Across the full width of On the other hand, the rear end portion of the plate-like extension portion 25 is connected to the lower edge portion on the front surface of the plate-like portion 17. The plate-like extension portion 25 is slightly narrower than the plate-like portion 17, and the left and right side edges of the plate-like portion 17 protrude laterally from the left and right side edges of the plate-like extension portion 25. Further, the lower surface (second sliding contact surface 27 described later) of the plate-like extending portion 25, the lower surface of the plate-like portion 17, and the lower surface of the lower regulating portion 20 are continuous with each other.

  The upper surface of the plate-like extension portion 25 is a second guide surface 26 that extends in a planar shape in the front-rear direction (a direction parallel to the fitting direction of the female connector F with respect to the male connector M). On the other hand, the lower surface of the plate-like extending portion 25 is a second slidable contact surface 27 extending in a planar shape in the front-rear direction (a direction parallel to the assembly direction of the housing 40 with respect to the frame 10). Between the upper surface (second slidable contact surface 27) of the plate-like extending portion 25 and the inner surface of the front cylindrical portion 11, a slit-like entry space 28 for allowing the protective portion 42 of the housing 40 to enter is vacant. ing.

  A pair of left and right arm-shaped reinforcing portions 29 are formed in the front cylindrical portion 11. The pair of arm-shaped reinforcing portions 29 are elongated in the front-rear direction as a whole, and are disposed between the pair of arm-shaped extended portions 21 in the left-right direction, like the arm-shaped extended portions 21. The front end portion of the arm-shaped reinforcing portion 29 is connected to the front end edge of the upper surface wall of the front cylindrical portion 11 at the upward rising portion 29 a, and the rear end portion of the arm-shaped reinforcing portion 29 is the front surface of the plate-shaped portion 17. It is connected to a position slightly lower than the upper edge portion. The upper surface of the arm-shaped reinforcing portion 29 (the surface facing the inner surface of the front cylindrical portion 11) is lower than the upper surface (first sliding contact surface 23) of the arm-shaped extending portion 21 (a position far from the entrance path of the holding portion). )It is in.

  A lock protrusion 30 is formed on the top wall of the front cylindrical portion 11 so as to protrude downward from the front end edge thereof. The lock protrusion 30 is disposed at the center of the front cylindrical portion 11 in the left-right direction. When the female connector F and the male connector M are in a proper fitting state, the lock projection 30 and the lock arm 61 of the female connector F are locked, and the connectors F and M are regulated to be detached by this locking action. To be locked.

  The housing 40 is formed by integrally forming a terminal accommodating portion 41 having a block shape and a rectangular tubular protective portion 42 protruding forward from the terminal accommodating portion 41. On both the left and right outer surfaces of the housing 40, a groove-shaped notch is formed in the longitudinal direction from the rear edge of the housing 40 to a position close to the front end, and the front end of the notch is engaged. It is a stop 43.

  A plurality of cavities 44 penetrating the terminal accommodating portion 41 in the front-rear direction are formed in the terminal accommodating portion 41 so as to be aligned vertically and horizontally. A lance 45 is formed on the inner wall of the cavity 44 so as to be cantilevered forward and elastically deflectable in the vertical direction (a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the male terminal fitting 50 with respect to the cavity 44). Yes. Further, on the opposite side of the terminal housing 41 from the cavity 44 across the lance 45, the terminal housing 41 is open to the front end surface of the terminal housing 41 and is elastic in the direction in which the lance 45 is detached from the male terminal fitting 50. A bending space 46 for allowing the bending is formed.

  The protection part 42 protrudes along the outer periphery of the terminal accommodating part 41 so that it may form a rectangular tube shape, and is a form which made the upper surface wall, the right-and-left both side wall, and the lower surface wall continue over the perimeter. A first recess 47 is formed on the upper surface wall of the protection portion 42 in a form in which the front end edge is notched. By forming the first recess 47, the protection part 42 has a front end part (protrusion part 21 a) of the pair of arm-like extension parts 21, a front end part (rising part 29 a) of the pair of arm-like reinforcement parts 29, and a lock protrusion. Interference with 30 can be avoided. On the other hand, a second recess 48 having a shape in which a front end edge thereof is cut out is also formed on the lower surface wall of the protection portion 42, and by forming the second recess 48, the protection portion 42 has the plate-like extension portion 25. Interference with the front end (connecting portion 25a) can be avoided.

  The male terminal fitting 50 is a terminal of a known form that is elongated in the front-rear direction as a whole and has a terminal main body 51 and a tab 52 that protrudes forward from the terminal main body 51. An electric wire 53 is connected to the rear end portion of the terminal body 51 by crimping. Further, a retaining projection 54 for locking the lance 45 is formed on the outer surface of the terminal body 51.

  The male terminal fitting 50 is inserted into the cavity 44 from the rear. In the process of insertion, the lance 45 is elastically bent so as to advance toward the bending space 46 due to interference with the male terminal fitting 50. When the male terminal fitting 50 reaches the proper insertion position, the lance 45 is elastically restored and locked to the retaining projection 54 from the rear, and the male terminal fitting 50 is held in the retaining state by this locking action. . In a state where the male terminal fitting 50 is properly inserted, the tab 52 projects forward from the front end surface of the terminal accommodating portion 41 and is surrounded by the protective portion 42. When the male terminal fitting 50 is held at the half-insertion position that does not reach the normal insertion position, the lance 45 remains in the elastic space and advances into the bending space 46.

  The housing 40 in which all male terminal fittings 50 have been inserted is assembled so as to be fitted into the frame 10 from the rear. In the assembling process, the protective portion 42 is in sliding contact with the inner periphery of the front cylindrical portion 11, but at the same time, the protective portion 42 is also in sliding contact with the first sliding contact surface 23 and the second sliding contact surface 27. Posture is stable. Further, as the assembly of the housing 40 proceeds, the plate-like portion 17 relatively enters the inside of the protective portion 42, and further, the upper and lower restricting portions 19 and 20 enter the terminal accommodating portion 41 and bend. It fits in the space 46. Further, when the outer surface of the protection portion 42 interferes with the locking projection 15a of the locking arm 15, the locking arm 15 is elastically bent outward.

  When the housing 40 reaches the proper assembly position, the front end surface of the terminal accommodating portion 41 comes into contact with the rear surface of the plate-like portion 17, and the front end edge of the protection portion 42 is connected to the connecting portion 25 a of the plate-like extension portion 25. The housing 40 is stopped in front by the contact action. Further, the locking arm 15 of the frame 10 is elastically restored, and the locking projection 15a is locked to the locking portion 43 of the housing 40 from the rear, and this locking action causes the housing 40 to move rearward ( The detachment from the frame 10 is locked in a restricted state.

  In the state where the housing 40 is assembled correctly, the restricting portions 19 and 20 have entered the bending space 46, so that the lance 45 is restricted from being elastically bent in the direction of disengagement from the male terminal fitting 50. The male terminal fitting 50 is securely held in the normal insertion state. Further, when the housing 40 is assembled to the frame 10 in a state where the half-inserted male terminal fitting 50 exists, the lance 45 that interferes with the half-inserted male terminal fitting 50 is in the bending space 46. Since the advancing operation has been performed, the restricting portions 19 and 20 come into contact with the lance 45 in the bending space 46 during the assembly of the housing 40, and further assembly operation of the housing 40 is restricted. Thereby, it can detect that the male terminal metal fitting 50 of a half insertion state exists.

  In the present embodiment, the support portion 16 that is the formation base of the restriction portions 19 and 20 is configured to extend rearward from the front end portion of the front cylindrical portion 11, and between the support portion 16 and the front cylindrical portion 11. In addition, since the entry spaces 24 and 28 that allow entry into the protection part 42 are secured, it is possible to realize the protection part 42 having a cylindrical shape that is continuous over the entire circumference. Since the protection portion 42 covers the tab 52 from all directions, the tab 52 is reliably protected from interference by other members even when the housing 40 is removed from the frame 10 (before the housing 40 is assembled to the frame 10). can do.

  In addition, since the plate-like portion 17 constituting the support portion 16 functions as an alignment plate for positioning the tab 52 in the vertical and horizontal directions, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated alignment plate separately from the support portion 16, The number of parts has been reduced.

  The plate-like extension part 25 forms a plate shape along the inner periphery of the protection part 42, and the connecting part 25 a at the front end of the plate-like extension part 25 covers the front end edge of the protection part 42 from the front. Since it is set as a form, the front-end edge of the protection part 42 can be protected from interference of another member.

  Further, the arm-like extension part 21 and the plate-like extension part 25 constituting the support part 16 are provided with a first slidable contact surface 23 and a second slidable contactable surface with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the protection part 42. Since the contact surface 27 is formed, when the housing 40 is assembled to the frame 10, the inner peripheral surface of the protection portion 42 is in sliding contact with the first sliding contact surface 23 and the second sliding contact surface 27. The backlash of the frame 10 in the direction crossing the assembly direction is restricted, and workability at the time of assembly is good.

  When the housing 40 is assembled to the frame 10 as described above, the male connector M is completed. A female connector F is fitted to the front cylindrical portion 11 of the male connector M from the front. At the time of fitting, the outer surface of the female connector F is in sliding contact with the first guide surface 22 and the second guide surface 26 formed in the arm-like extension portion 21 and the plate-like extension portion 25 in the vertical direction. The sliding contact with the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls of the front cylindrical portion 11 prevents the female connector F from rattling in the direction intersecting the fitting direction with respect to the frame 10, thereby smoothly fitting. A joint action is performed. When both the connectors F and M are properly fitted, the connectors F and M are locked in the fitted state by the locking action of the lock arm 61 and the lock protrusion 30.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, a plate-like portion facing the front end surface of the terminal accommodating portion is formed in the support portion, and the regulating portion is protruded from the plate-like portion, but such a plate-like portion is not formed, From the rear end portion of the extending portion extending rearward from the front end portion of the front cylindrical portion, the frame-like portion is extended along the front end surface of the terminal accommodating portion, and the restricting portion is projected from this frame-like portion. May be.
(2) In the above embodiment, the support portion has the function of the alignment plate. However, a dedicated alignment plate for positioning the tab may be provided separately from the support portion.
(3) In the above embodiment, the support portion is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the protection portion. However, the support portion and the protection portion may be non-contact.
(4) In the above embodiment, the number of the upper arm-like extension portions is two, but the number of the arm-like extension portions may be one or three or more.
(5) In the above embodiment, the upper arm-like extension part and the lower plate-like extension part are different from each other, but the upper extension part and the lower extension part are symmetrical to each other. It may be.
(6) In the above embodiment, the rectangular plate-like portion is connected to the extending portion at two sides (upper edge portion and lower edge portion) located on the opposite sides, but the plate-like portion is one of the four sides. It may be connected to the extension part only on the side, may be connected to the extension part on three sides, or may be connected to the extension part on all four sides.

Sectional drawing of the connector of Embodiment 1 Front view of connector Horizontal section of connector Longitudinal cross section showing mating connector mated Front view showing the mating connector mated Front view of the frame Rear view of frame Side view of the frame Vertical section of the frame AA line sectional view of FIG. BB sectional view of FIG. Front view of housing Vertical section of housing CC sectional view of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

M ... Male connector (connector)
F ... Female connector (mating connector)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Frame 11 ... Front side cylindrical part 12 ... Rear side cylindrical part 16 ... Support part 17 ... Plate-like part 18 ... Positioning hole 19, 20 ... Restriction part 21 ... Arm-shaped extension part (extension part)
22 ... 1st guide surface 24,28 ... Entrance space 25 ... Plate-like extension part (extension part)
26 ... 2nd guide surface 40 ... Housing 41 ... Terminal accommodating part 42 ... Protection part 45 ... Lance 50 ... Male terminal metal fitting 51 ... Terminal body 52 ... Tab 53 ... Electric wire

Claims (5)

Male terminal fittings,
A housing to which the male terminal fitting is attached from the rear;
A cylindrical frame to which the housing is attached from the rear,
The male terminal fitting has a terminal main body to which an electric wire is connected to a rear end portion, and a tab protruding forward from the terminal main body,
The housing includes a terminal accommodating portion that accommodates the terminal body, an elastically deflectable lance that locks the terminal body accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion in a retaining state, and projects forward from the terminal accommodating portion. A protection part for protecting the tab,
The frame is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion from the front side, the rear cylindrical portion surrounding the terminal accommodating portion, the front cylindrical portion enclosing the protection portion, and the lance is disengaged from the male terminal fitting. In a connector having a restricting portion that restricts elastic bending in a direction,
The protective part has a cylindrical shape that is continuous over the entire circumference,
The frame is configured to extend rearward from the front end portion of the front cylindrical portion and has a support portion in which an entrance space allowing the protection portion to enter is provided between the frame and the front cylindrical portion. Formed,
The connector, wherein the restricting portion is formed on the support portion. The support portion includes an extension portion extending rearward from the front end portion of the front cylindrical portion, and a plate-like portion extending from the rear end portion of the extension portion so as to face the front end surface of the terminal accommodating portion. And configured with
The restricting portion protrudes from the plate-like portion,
The connector according to claim 1, wherein a positioning hole for positioning the tab by penetrating the tab is formed in the plate-like portion. The extension part has a plate shape along the inner periphery of the protection part,
The connector according to claim 2, wherein the front end portion of the extension portion is configured to cover the front end edge of the protection portion from the front.   The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support portion is slidably contactable with an inner peripheral surface of the protection portion.   5. The guide portion according to claim 1, wherein a guide surface is formed on the support portion so as to be in sliding contact with an outer periphery of a mating connector inserted into the front cylindrical portion. The connector described.

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