JP5217602B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector provided with a retainer.

For example, there is a connector used for an in-vehicle electrical component or the like in which a terminal fitting inserted into a housing is prevented from being detached by a retainer. As this type of connector, for example, a connector described in Patent Document 1 below is known. In this case, the retainer can be moved between the temporary locking position and the main locking position with respect to the housing into which the terminal fitting is inserted. When the retainer is in the temporary locking position, the terminal fitting is inserted into the housing and then moved to the full locking position, so that the retainer is locked to the terminal fitting and prevents the terminal fitting from coming off.
JP 2003-007388 A

  However, a clearance is set between the retainer and the housing to facilitate the assembly of the retainer. For this reason, for example, when the vibration at the time of starting the engine of the vehicle is transmitted to the connector, the retainer may be rattled by this clearance and an abnormal noise may be generated. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a connector that can prevent the retainer from rattling.

The present invention includes a connector housing that accommodates terminal fittings, a temporary locking position that is attached to a retainer mounting portion provided in the connector housing and that allows insertion of the terminal fitting, and a final locking position that prevents the terminal fitting from being inserted. The retainer is displaceable between the retainer and the retainer substantially in the shape of a box, and both side surfaces of the retainer are formed with ridges along the retainer mounting direction. Grooves into which the ridges are inserted are formed on both side surfaces of the part facing the both side surfaces of the retainer, and the retainer is displaced to the main locking position on the end surfaces of the both ridges. A backlashing projection that cancels the clearance between the end surface of the ridge and the bottom of the groove is sometimes provided by being pressed against the bottom of the groove, and the backlashing projection is formed by the retainer. Serial when in the temporary locking position is provided at a position exposed from the connector housing, further, with the rear end corner portion of the retainer mounting direction in the ridge is denoted by the rounded, the play elimination The protrusion is provided at a position just ahead of the rounded corner .

The following configuration is preferable as an embodiment of the present invention.
The backlash projection may be inclined to taper in the retainer mounting direction. In this way, when the retainer is displaced from the temporary locking position to the final locking position, in the initial stage of displacement, the force with which the backlashing projection is pressed against the retainer mounting section, and hence the frictional resistance between the two, Get smaller. For this reason, the retainer can be easily inserted.

  The backlash protrusion may have a thin tip. In this way, when the backlashing projection is pressed against the retainer mounting portion, the contact area between the two becomes small, so that the frictional resistance is reduced, and the retainer can be easily displaced to the full locking position. .

  According to the present invention, when the retainer is displaced to the main locking position, the backlashing projection presses the retainer against the retainer mounting portion in a direction that cancels the clearance between the two. Both sides are pressed against the retainer mounting portion. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the retainer from rattling against the connector housing.

<Embodiment>
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 of this embodiment corresponds to a plurality of terminal fittings 10 (only one is shown in FIG. 1) and a synthetic resin housing 30 (a “connector housing” of the present invention) that accommodates them. ) And a retainer 60 made of synthetic resin. In the following description, the right side of FIG. 1 is described as the front side and the left side as the rear side.

  The terminal fitting 10 is formed of a metal plate having excellent conductivity, and a tab 12 is protruded from the front end of a main body 11 having a rectangular tube shape, and a barrel 13 provided on the rear end side is caulked to thereby crimp the electric wire W. It is fixed to the terminal. A lance hole 14 is opened on the front side of the lower surface of the main body 11, and a locking recess 15 is formed behind the lance hole 14.

  The housing 30 includes a housing main body 31 that forms a rectangular parallelepiped, and a hood portion 32 that also forms a rectangular parallelepiped and continues to the front side of the housing main body 31. The hood portion 32 is formed with a connector accommodating portion 33 having an opening on the front side, and a female connector (not shown) is fitted therein. A lock protrusion 34 is formed on the upper opening edge of the hood portion 32, and the two connectors are prevented from coming off by being engaged with a lock receiving portion formed on the female connector.

  In addition, an attachment portion 17 for fixing to a device main body (not shown) is formed on the lower surface of the hood portion 32. The attachment portion 17 is configured to have a locking claw 18 that can be elastically locked to the apparatus main body side.

  In the housing main body 31, a plurality of (four in this embodiment) cavities 35 communicating with the connector housing portion 33 are formed in alignment in the left-right direction in FIG. 3, and the terminal fitting 10 can be inserted. Yes. A retainer mounting portion 36 is formed by opening the lower wall 31 </ b> A of the housing body 31.

  On the lower wall of each cavity 35, a lance 37 that extends forward in a cantilevered manner at a position in front of the retainer mounting portion 36 is elastic downward (in a direction of retracting out of the insertion region of the terminal fitting 10). It is formed to allow bending. The front end of the lance 37 is cut out in an L shape to form a locking receiver 37A. When the lance 37 is in a locking position where it does not flex elastically, the locking receiver 37A is rearward of the lance hole 14 of the terminal fitting 10. The height can be locked (primary locking) (see FIG. 7).

  A front stop portion 38 is formed at the front end of the cavity 35 so as to tilt downward. When the terminal fitting 10 is inserted, the front end 11 </ b> A of the main body 11 of the terminal fitting 10 comes into contact with the front stop portion 38, so that the forward movement of the terminal fitting 10 is restricted.

  The retainer mounting portion 36 communicates with each cavity 35, and insertion grooves 27 that open downward are respectively formed at the left and right ends shown in FIG. A side plate portion 64 and a protrusion 69 of the retainer 60 described later can be inserted into the insertion groove 27. Further, the lower ends of the pair of left and right side surfaces 36 </ b> B facing inward of the retainer mounting portion 36 are entrance inclined surfaces 36 </ b> C that are inclined upward toward the inner side of the retainer mounting portion 36 by notching.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a projection-like temporary locking receiving portion 39 is formed on the front upper edge of the insertion groove 27, and a temporary locking receiving portion is formed on the rear upper edge of the insertion groove 27. At a position slightly higher than 39, a main locking receiving portion 40 having a protruding shape is formed. The lower surface of the temporary locking receiving portion 39 is a contact surface 39A that is inclined upward toward the rear side, and the upper surface is a temporary locking receiving surface 39B orthogonal to the vertical direction (retainer insertion direction). Yes. The lower surface of the main latch receiving portion 40 is a contact surface 40A that is inclined upwardly toward the front side, and the upper surface is a main latch receiving surface 40B that is orthogonal to the vertical direction.

  The retainer 60 is used to put the terminal fitting 10 inserted into the housing 30 into a retaining state (secondary locking), and is inserted into the retainer mounting portion 36 so as to be removable. As shown in FIG. 4, the retainer 60 is mainly composed of a base plate portion 61 fitted to the inlet 36 </ b> A of the retainer mounting portion 36 and a main body portion 62 erected from the base plate portion 61. It has a shape. On the upper surface of the main body 62, the same number of locking projections 63 as the cavities 35 (four in this embodiment) are formed.

  The locking protrusions 63 are arranged side by side at the same interval as the arrangement interval of the cavities 35, and have a shape that can be locked corresponding to the locking recesses 15 of the terminal fitting 10. Each terminal fitting 10 is prevented from coming off when each locking projection 63 is locked to the locking recess 15 of each terminal fitting 10 inserted into each cavity 35.

  A pair of side plate portions 64 are erected on both the left and right ends of the substrate portion 61 of the retainer 60, and as shown in FIG. And the main locking arm 66 are formed so as to be able to bend and deform in a back-to-back posture. A temporary locking projection 67 that can be locked with the temporary locking receiving portion 39 of the retainer mounting portion 36 is formed at the upper end of the temporary locking arm 65. A main locking projection 68 that can be locked with the main locking receiving portion 40 of the portion 36 is formed.

  The upper surface of the temporary locking projection 67 is a contact surface 67A that rises and inclines toward the rear side (left side in FIG. 5), and the lower surface is temporarily locked perpendicular to the upward direction (retainer insertion direction). It becomes surface 67B.

  The upper surface of the main locking projection 68 is a contact surface 68A that is inclined downward toward the rear side, and the lower surface is a main locking surface 68B that is orthogonal to the upward direction (retainer insertion direction). . Further, the temporary locking protrusion 67 and the main locking protrusion 68 are arranged at the same height.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a retainer 60 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) is inserted into the retainer mounting portion 36 from below, and the temporary locking protrusion 67 is locked to the temporary locking receiving portion 39. Temporary locking position. When the retainer 60 is in the temporary locking position, as shown in FIG. 7, each locking projection 63 of the retainer 60 is retracted below the corresponding cavity 35 to allow the terminal fitting 10 to be inserted into and removed from the cavity 35. To get.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the position where the main locking projection 68 is locked to the main locking receiving portion 40 is the final locking position. When the retainer 60 is in the main locking position, as shown in FIG. 9, the bottom surface 61 </ b> A (the bottom surface of the retainer 60) of the board portion 61 is flush with the outer bottom surface 31 </ b> B of the housing body 31, and The part 63 enters into the corresponding cavity 35.

  Now, as shown in FIG. 6, linear protrusions 69 projecting left and right are formed near the center in the front-rear direction of both side plate portions 64. On the left and right protrusion end surfaces 69A (corresponding to “both side surfaces of the retainer” in the present invention) of the protrusion 69, a loosely packed protrusion 70 is formed at the center in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the backlash projection 70 has a semicircular cross section in plan view and has a thin tip. As shown in FIG. 11, the backlash projection 70 includes an inclined portion 70 </ b> A that tapers upward (front side in the retainer mounting direction) in a side view and a base portion 70 </ b> B below the inclined portion 70 </ b> A.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the retainer 60 is in the temporary locking position, a part of the lower side of the protrusion 69 is exposed from the housing main body 31, and the backlash protrusion 70 is exposed to the exposed portion e. Is formed. More specifically, the upper end of the backlashing projection 70 is formed so as to be substantially the same height as the outer bottom surface 31B of the housing body 31. When the retainer 60 is in the final locking position, the backlash projecting portion 70 is completely stored in the retainer mounting portion 36 together with the exposed portion e.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the length a in the longitudinal direction of the retainer 60 including the left and right protrusions 69 is set to be slightly shorter than the left and right opening length b of the retainer mounting portion 36. . For this reason, when the retainer 60 is inserted into the retainer mounting portion 36, as shown in FIG. 14, a clearance c is generated between each protrusion end surface 69A and each side surface 36B of the retainer mounting portion 36 facing ( In FIG. 14, only the clearance c on one side is shown), and the retainer 60 can be easily inserted. And the protrusion height d (distance from the protrusion end surface 69A to the front-end | tip of the base part 70B) to the outer side of the backlashing protrusion part 70 is set a little larger than this clearance c. For this reason, when both the backlashing projections 70 are accommodated in the retainer mounting portion 36, each backlashing projection 70 is pressed against each side surface 36B.

  Next, a procedure for assembling the connector 1 of this embodiment will be described. When inserting the terminal fitting 10 into the housing 30, the retainer 60 is assembled in advance to the housing 30 at the temporary locking position (see FIGS. 2 and 7). Specifically, first, the retainer 60 is inserted into the retainer mounting portion 36 from below. As the retainer 60 is inserted, the contact surface 67A of the temporary locking projection 67 abuts against the contact surface 39A. When the retainer 60 is further inserted, the contact surface 39A of the temporary lock receiving portion 39 pushes the contact surface 67A of the temporary lock protrusion 67 backward, so that the temporary lock arm 65 has the base end as a fulcrum. Elastically deformed and bent backward. When the temporary locking projection 67 reaches above the temporary locking receiving portion 39, the temporary locking arm 65 is elastically returned to the front.

  As a result, the temporary locking surface 67B contacts the temporary locking receiving surface 39B, whereby the temporary locking projection 67 is locked to the temporary locking receiving portion 39, and the retainer 60 is released downward from the housing 30. Movement is restricted. Further, in this state, the contact surface 68A of the main locking projection 68 contacts the contact surface 40A of the main locking receiving portion 40 from below, so that the retainer 60 is restricted from moving upward. . As a result, the retainer 60 is held at the temporary locking position.

  Next, the terminal fitting 10 is inserted into the cavity 35 from the rear while the retainer 60 is held at the temporary locking position. In the insertion process, the lance 37 is elastically displaced downward by contacting the lower surface of the front end of the main body 11 of the terminal fitting 10. When the terminal fitting 10 is inserted to the normal insertion position where the front end portion 11A abuts the front stop portion 38, the locking receiver 37A of the lance 37 is released from the lower surface of the front end of the main body portion 11, and the lance 37 is elastically restored. Then, the latch receiving 37 </ b> A of the lance 37 has a height corresponding to the lance hole 14 of the terminal fitting 10. As a result, the rearward movement of the terminal fitting 10 from the housing 30 is restricted and the primary locking is achieved. At the same time, the tab 12 protrudes from the rear into the hood portion 32 and is accommodated in the hood portion 32 (see FIG. 7).

  After the terminal fitting 10 is primarily locked in all the cavities 35, the retainer 60 is inserted further upward from the temporary locking position. Then, as a result of the contact surface 40A of the main locking projection 68 pushing the contact surface 68A of the main locking projection 68 forward, the main locking arm 66 is elastically deformed and bent forward with the base end as a fulcrum. When the main locking projection 68 reaches above the main locking receiving portion 40, the main locking arm 66 is elastically returned backward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the main locking surface 68B comes into contact with the main locking receiving surface 40B, whereby the main locking projection 68 is locked to the main locking receiving portion 40, and the retainer 60 is temporarily engaged. Returning to the stop position side is restricted and held at the final locking position. As shown in FIG. 9, the locking protrusion 63 of the retainer 60 enters the corresponding cavity 35 and is locked to the locking recess 15 of the terminal fitting 10 at the main locking position. Thereby, secondary locking of the terminal metal fitting 10 is carried out.

  In the process in which the retainer 60 is inserted from the temporary locking position to the final locking position, the backlash projection 70 exposed from the housing body 31 moves upward integrally with the retainer 60. As shown in FIG. 14, the backlashing projection 70 moves from the tip side of the inclined portion 70A toward the retainer mounting portion 36, and enters the retainer mounting portion 36 while being guided by the entrance inclined surface 36C. And pressed against the opposite side surface 36B.

  At this time, when one backlash projection 70 is pressed against the opposite side surface 36B, the retainer 60 cancels the clearance c between the other side surface 36B and the protruding end surface 69A (in the other side surface 36B). The other backlash projecting projection 70 is pressed against the other side surface 36B opposite to this.

  When the retainer 60 further moves upward and is inserted to the main locking position, the base portions 70B of the backlash projections 70 are pressed against the side surfaces 36B over the entire length (FIGS. 15 and 16). Thus, both clearances c between the retainer 60 and the retainer mounting portion 36 are canceled out, and the retainer 60 is pressed against the retainer mounting portion 36 on both sides thereof (more precisely, the backlash projecting portions 70). Thereby, the play of the retainer 60 with respect to the housing 30 can be prevented. In FIG. 15, the terminal fitting is omitted.

  At this time, since the inclined portion 70A tapers upward, at the initial stage when the backlashing projection 70 is pressed against the side surface 36B, the pressing force, and hence the frictional resistance between them becomes small, and the retainer 60 is inserted. Work becomes easy.

  Further, since the backlashing protrusions are provided on both side surfaces of the retainer, the backlashing protrusions are pressed against both side surfaces of the retainer mounting portion in a balanced manner, and the effect of preventing backlash is further enhanced.

  Further, the backlash projection 70 has a semicircular cross section in plan view and has a thin tip. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, when the backlashing projection 70 is pressed against the side surface 36B, the area in contact with the backside projection 36 is reduced, the frictional resistance between the backlashing projection 70 and the side surface 36B is reduced, and the retainer 60 is easy to insert.

  As described above, in the connector 1 of the present embodiment, when the retainer 60 is displaced to the final locking position, the backlashing projection 70 cancels the clearance c (between the retainer 60 and the retainer mounting portion 36). By displacing the retainer 60 in the direction, the retainer 60 is pressed against the retainer mounting portion 36 on both sides thereof at the main locking position. For this reason, backlash of the retainer 60 with respect to the housing 30 can be prevented. Thereby, for example, when the connector 1 is attached to a vehicle or the like and the connector 1 vibrates due to vibration at the time of starting the engine, it is possible to prevent the retainer 60 from rattling and generating abnormal noise.

  Further, the backlash projection 70 is exposed from the housing 30 when the retainer 60 is in the temporary locking position. For this reason, when the retainer 60 is inserted into the temporary locking position, the backlashing projection 70 is not pressed against the surface of the retainer mounting portion 36, and between the backlashing projection 70 and the surface of the retainer mounting portion 36. In this case, frictional resistance does not occur, so that the insertion work becomes easy.

<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-described embodiment, the backlash projection 70 has a semicircular cross-section in plan view, so that the tip is thinned. For example, the backlash projection 70 has a triangular shape. It is good also as a shape where a front-end | tip becomes thin.

Sectional view showing the terminal bracket and retainer removed from the housing Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the retainer is hold | maintained in the temporary latching position Sectional drawing which shows the state in which the retainer is hold | maintained in the temporary latching position (AA sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 13). Retainer front view Side view of retainer Retainer top view Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the retainer is hold | maintained in the temporary latching position Sectional drawing which shows the state in which the retainer is hold | maintained at this latching position Sectional view showing secondary locking of terminal fittings Sectional drawing which shows the retainer currently hold | maintained in this latching position (showing a retainer by planar view) Enlarged view of part B in FIG. Enlarged view of part C in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the state which the retainer was hold | maintained in the temporary latching position, and the protrusion was exposed from the housing Enlarged view of part D in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the state in which the retainer is hold | maintained at this latching position Enlarged view of part E in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connector 10 ... Terminal metal fitting 30 ... Housing (equivalent to "connector housing" in this invention)
36 ... Retainer mounting portion 60 ... Retainer 69A ... End face of protrusion (corresponding to "both sides of retainer" in the present invention)
70: Staggered projection c ... Clearance

Claims (3)

Between the connector housing that accommodates the terminal fitting, and the temporary locking position that allows insertion of the terminal fitting that is attached to the retainer mounting portion provided in the connector housing, and the final locking position that prevents the terminal fitting from being inserted. In connectors with displaceable retainers,
The retainer has a substantially box shape, and on both side surfaces of the retainer, ridges are formed along the mounting direction of the retainer,
Grooves through which the protrusions are inserted are formed on both side surfaces of the retainer mounting portion facing both side surfaces of the retainer,
The clearance between the end surface of the ridge and the bottom of the groove is canceled by pressing the retainer against the bottom of the groove when the retainer is displaced to the final locking position. A loose projection is provided,
And when the retainer is in the temporary locking position, the backlash projection is provided at a position exposed from the connector housing ,
Furthermore, the rear end corner portion of the protrusion in the retainer mounting direction is rounded, and the backlash projection portion is provided at a position just beyond the rounded corner portion . A connector characterized by that. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the backlash projecting portion is inclined to taper toward the retainer mounting direction. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the backlash projecting portion is narrowed.

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