JP5381602B2 - Multilayer connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes a plurality of terminals that are respectively fixed to ends of a plurality of electric wires, and a plurality of sub-housings for holding these terminals, and the sub-housings are coupled to a mating connector in a state where these sub-housings are stacked on each other. The present invention relates to a laminated connector.

  Conventionally, in order to efficiently perform assembly work of a vehicle wire harness, the wire harness is divided into a plurality of small wire harnesses, and each small wire harness is individually manufactured, and then these small wire harnesses are combined to form a final wire harness. The method of building is used.

  According to this manufacturing method, simple and frequent processes such as wire adjustment, terminal crimping, and terminal insertion are performed for each small harness for automation and efficiency, and finally the simple process is simply to combine the small harnesses. There is an advantage that a large-sized wire harness can be constructed. However, on the other hand, with the division of the wire harness, it is necessary to divide the connector provided at the end of the wire harness, which increases the number of times of connecting the connectors.

  Therefore, in recent years, various types of stacked connectors have been proposed in which the housings of the divided connectors can be combined in a stacked state and can be coupled to the mating connector at once in the stacked state (for example, Patent Document 1). .

JP 2009-43642 A

  In this type of conventional multi-layer connector, for example, the basic structure such as the terminal insertion direction and locking method for each connector housing (referred to as sub-housing) is unified for all sub-housings included in a single multi-layer connector. It is common.

  On the other hand, in a manufacturing method in which small wire harnesses are individually manufactured and then combined to construct a final wire harness, it is conceivable to manufacture each small wire harness individually in a different factory. In such a case, it is assumed that the manufacturing equipment is different for each factory where the small wire harness is manufactured. In some cases, it is convenient to improve the performance and to reduce the manufacturing cost. However, in the conventional multilayer connector in which the basic structure of each sub-housing is unified, there is no room for selection in the sub-housing, and it is difficult to meet the above demand.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above situations, and it aims at providing the laminated connector which can contribute to the productivity improvement of wire harnesses, and the reduction in manufacturing cost.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises a plurality of terminals fixed to the ends of a plurality of electric wires, and a plurality of sub-housings for holding these terminals, and these sub-housings are stacked on each other. Each of the sub-housings is held in a state in which a plurality of terminals of the terminals are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and These sub-housings are stacked on each other in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction, and each of the sub-housings has a plurality of terminal receiving chambers arranged in a direction orthogonal to the housing stacking direction, and insertion of terminals into the terminal receiving chambers A first sub-housing and a second sub-housing having different directions, wherein the first sub-housing includes a terminal connected to the opposite connector along the axial direction thereof; The terminal housing chamber has a shape that can be inserted from the opposite side, and the second sub-housing has a shape that allows the terminal to be inserted from a direction orthogonal to the axial direction thereof. It is what has. Preferably, the first sub-housing and the second sub-housing have laminated portions on both outer sides of the terminal accommodating chambers, and these laminated portions are all the same structure and can be laminated with each other in an unspecified arrangement. It is what has.

  According to such a laminated connector, the sub-housing can be freely selected with respect to the terminal insertion direction. In particular, according to the configuration in which each sub-housing is provided with a laminated portion having the same structure, it is possible to provide a degree of freedom with respect to the arrangement when the sub-housings are laminated. Therefore, for example, when the final wire harness is constructed by combining the small wire harnesses after being manufactured individually, the first and second subhousings are properly used as necessary as the subhousings applied to the small wire harnesses. Finally, flexible production in which these first and second sub-housings are combined and joined to the mating connector becomes possible.

  Note that the above-described laminated connector may further include a holder housing that holds the sub-housing in a state where the sub-housings are laminated together.

  In this configuration, the stacked sub-housings are integrally held by the holder housing, and the stacked connector is coupled to the mating connector in this state. According to this configuration, there is no need to provide a complicated shape for each sub-housing, such as a locking portion or a locked portion for locking the sub-housings to each other, and the shape of each sub-housing is simplified accordingly. This is advantageous in reducing the manufacturing cost.

  In this case, the holder housing includes, for example, a top plate portion that covers the uppermost sub-housing among the stacked sub-housings from a direction parallel to the stacking direction, and both sides of the top plate portion in the arrangement direction of the terminal accommodating chambers. It is preferable to include a pair of holding portions that hang down from the outside and hold the sub-housing from outside.

  According to such a configuration of the holder housing, the stacked sub-housings can be stably held in a state of being integrally held from the outside.

  In this configuration, the lower surface of the lowermost sub-housing faces the outside from between the holding portions, so the sub-housing disposed in the lowermost layer on the side opposite to the top plate portion among the sub-housings, It is preferable to have an outer wall that continuously covers the entire lower surface of each terminal accommodating chamber.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the terminal accommodated in the lowermost sub-housing and the conductor portion of the electric wire connected to the terminal from being exposed to the outside from between the holding parts, and the short circuit This is advantageous in preventing the occurrence of troubles.

  In this case, the lowermost sub-housing comprises the first sub-housing, and the first sub-housing includes a plurality of pulling directions only in a direction orthogonal to both the terminal housing chamber arrangement direction and the sub-housing stacking direction. It is preferable that the second sub-housing is molded by using a mold whose extraction direction is only the stacking direction of the sub-housings.

  As described above, according to the configuration including the first and second sub-housings molded using the mold having only one pulling direction, the manufacturing cost of the first and second sub-housings including the mold manufacturing can be reduced. Since it becomes possible to suppress, it contributes to the cost reduction of the whole laminated connector.

  The stacked connector including a holder housing has means for maintaining the stacked state of a plurality of stacked housings, and the lower end portions of the pair of holding portions of the holder housing are formed of the holding portions. These are free ends that can be deflected and displaced in a direction parallel to the alignment direction, and at these ends, the lowermost sub-housings of the sub-housings that are stacked so as to protrude inwardly are locked from below. It is preferable that each of the locking portions is provided.

  According to this configuration, the laminated connector can be assembled by a simple operation. That is, each sub-housing in a stacked state is inserted between the holding parts from the lower side, and the sub-housing of the lowermost layer is simply engaged with the main locking part of both holding parts. The housing can be held by the holder housing.

  In this case, the pair of holding portions, in addition to the main locking portion, of the stacked sub-housings, each of the sub-housings that individually lock the sub-housings above the lowermost sub-housing from the lower side thereof. It is preferable to provide a stop.

  According to this configuration, since each sub-housing can be individually locked with respect to both holding portions, the holding stability of each sub-housing by the holder housing is improved. In addition, since each sub-housing can be individually held by the holder housing from the uppermost one, the assembly of the connector is also improved.

  As described above, the multi-layer connector of the present invention can give the sub-housing freedom of choice with respect to the terminal insertion direction. Therefore, at the time of manufacturing the wire harness, flexible production such that the first and second housings are properly used according to the conditions of the manufacturing equipment and the like, and finally the first and second sub-housings are combined and coupled to the mating connector. It becomes possible, and it can contribute to the productivity improvement and cost reduction of a wire harness.

It is a perspective view which shows the laminated connector which concerns on this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of a laminated connector (a figure disassembled into a sub housing and a holder housing in a laminated state). It is a perspective view which shows the 1st-3rd subhousing contained in a laminated connector. It is a top view which shows a 1st subhousing. It is a front view (V arrow view of FIG. 4) which shows a 1st subhousing. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a 1st subhousing ((a) is a state in which a terminal is not inserted, (b) shows a terminal insertion state, respectively). It is a top view which shows a 2nd subhousing. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a 2nd subhousing (It is the VIII-VIII sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 7, (a)-(c) is respectively code | symbol (a)-(c) among the VIII-VIII lines of FIG. ) Shows a cross section of the line portion indicated by). It is a front view (IX arrow directional view of Drawing 7) showing the 2nd sub housing. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a 2nd subhousing (the XX sectional view of Fig.8 (a), (a) is a terminal non-insertion state, (b) shows a terminal insertion state, respectively). It is a top view which shows the state by which the terminal was inserted in the 2nd subhousing (terminal storage chamber) (it is a XI arrow line view of FIG.10 (b)). It is a top view which shows a 3rd subhousing. It is a front view (XIII arrow line view of FIG. 12) which shows a 3rd subhousing. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a 3rd subhousing (it is a XIV-XIV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 13, (a) shows a terminal non-insertion state, (b) shows a terminal insertion state, respectively). It is a figure which shows the terminal of the state crimped | bonded to the electric wire ((a) is a top view, (b) shows a terminal with a side view, respectively). It is a rear view (XVI arrow view of FIG. 17) which shows a holder housing. FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the laminated connector (decomposed into a laminated sub-housing and a holder housing: a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 2). It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a laminated connector (vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 1). It is a rear view (XIX arrow line view of FIG. 18) which shows a laminated connector.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laminated connector according to the present invention. The laminated connector shown in this figure has a male housing structure in which female terminals are accommodated, and is coupled to a mating connector (not shown) having a female housing structure in which male terminals are accommodated. It has become.

  As shown in exploded perspective views in FIGS. 2 and 3, the laminated connector includes a plurality of terminals T that are respectively fixed to ends of the plurality of electric wires C, and a plurality of sub-housings S <b> 1 for holding these terminals T. To S3 (referred to as the first sub-housing S1, the second sub-housing S2, and the third sub-housing S3) and a holder housing H for holding the sub-housings S1 to S3. In a stacked state, these are integrally held by the holder housing H, and in this state, are combined with the mating connector.

  Each of the sub-housings S1 to S3 is flat in the housing stacking direction and has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and holds the plurality of terminals T in a state of being arranged in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. And it is comprised so that it can mutually laminate in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction.

  4 to 6 show a specific configuration of the first sub-housing S1. As shown in the figure, the first sub-housing S1 extends in the connecting direction with the mating connector (vertical direction in FIG. 4, horizontal direction in FIG. 6; this direction is hereinafter referred to as the front-rear direction), and the housing stacking direction A plurality of (10 in the illustrated example) terminal accommodating chambers 10 arranged in a direction orthogonal to the horizontal direction (in FIG. 4, the horizontal direction in FIG. 4, the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 6; this direction is hereinafter referred to as the width direction). Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6A, each terminal accommodating chamber 10 is formed in a long hole shape in which a certain range on the front side (right side in FIG. 6) is surrounded by the upper and lower partition walls 14, 16 and the partition wall 12. (Hereinafter, this portion is referred to as a long hole-like portion 10a), and a portion on the rear side thereof is formed in a groove shape that is partitioned only by the partition wall 12, and the terminal T extends in the axial direction. Is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 10 from the rear side of the first sub-housing S1, that is, the side opposite to the mating connector (left side in FIG. 6), and the tip portion thereof is formed so as to be inserted into the elongated hole portion 10a. Yes.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b), the terminal T is a female type (box type in the illustrated example) at the front end of the strip 1 extending in the terminal connecting direction (left and right direction in FIG. 15). A terminal connecting portion 2 is provided, and a plurality of barrels for holding an electric wire on the rear side, specifically, a conductor holding barrel 4 for holding an exposed portion of the conductor of the end of the electric wire C and a covering portion are held. And a covering portion holding barrel 5. And the terminal T is mounted | worn with the terminal of the electric wire C by hold | maintaining the terminal part of the electric wire C with each barrel 4 and 5. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the terminal T is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 10 in a lateral orientation in which the strip 1 is oriented in a direction parallel to the partition wall 12 (attitude oriented in a direction parallel to the housing lamination direction). The terminal connecting portion 2 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 10 in a state where the terminal connecting portion 2 is inserted into the long hole portion 10a.

  In each terminal accommodating chamber 10, a lance 14a is formed at the front end of the ceiling portion (the lower surface of the upper partition wall 14) of the long hole portion 10a. As shown in FIG. In a state where the terminal connection portion 2 of T is inserted into the long hole portion 10a, the locking portion 2a provided at the tip of the terminal T is engaged with the lance 14a, whereby the terminal T is engaged with the first sub-housing S1. Stopped. In addition, the said latching | locking part 2a of the terminal T is integrally formed in the said terminal connection part 2 when a part of side wall of the terminal connection part 2 is bend | folded outside.

  At the position on the upper surface of the first sub-housing S <b> 1 (the upper surface of the upper partition wall 14) and the front end of each terminal accommodating chamber 10, convex portions 14 b are projected upward. In addition, a notch portion 16b corresponding to the convex portion 14b is formed at a position on the lower surface of the first sub-housing S1 and at the front end of each terminal accommodating chamber 10 (long hole portion 10a). The convex portions 14b and the cutout portions 16b are for positioning the terminal housing chambers of the upper and lower sub-housings in the width direction in the housing laminated state.

  Retainers 16a project downward from the lower surface of the first sub-housing S1 at positions approximately in the front-rear direction of the terminal housing chambers 10, respectively. These retainers 16a are inserted into the terminal housing chambers of the sub-housing adjacent to the lower side in the housing laminated state, and restrain the terminals T accommodated in the terminal housing chambers from the rear side.

  Further, the first sub-housing S1 includes a stacked portion for stacking the sub-housings at positions on both outer sides in the width direction with respect to the region where the terminal accommodating chambers 10 are arranged in parallel. Specifically, a substantially flat laminated surface is formed on the upper surface of the first sub-housing S1 outside the region where the terminal accommodating chambers 10 are juxtaposed, and the front and rear directions for positioning are formed on these laminated surfaces. 3c and 4c, and the side surfaces of the first sub-housing S1 are recessed inward in the width direction so as to correspond to the two ridges 14c. An L-shaped step 18 is formed. The stepped portion 18 also serves as a portion to be locked of a later-described locking plate 37 of the holder housing H.

  In addition, two large and small bosses 15a and 15b projecting forward from the front end surface are located at positions on both outer sides in the width direction of the front end surface of the first sub-housing S1 and the region where the terminal accommodating chambers 10 are arranged in parallel. Is formed. These bosses 15a and 15b are for positioning the first sub-housing S1 with respect to the holder housing H.

  7 to 11 show a specific configuration of the second sub-housing S2. The second sub-housing S2 has the same basic configuration as the first sub-housing S1 described above except that the terminal housing chamber 20 is configured as follows.

  As shown in the figure, the second sub-housing S2 has a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 20 extending in the front-rear direction and arranged in the width direction. The number and arrangement of these terminal accommodating chambers 20 are the same as the terminal accommodating chambers 10 of the first sub-housing S1.

  As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 10 (a), each terminal accommodating chamber 20 is formed in a groove shape that opens upward over substantially the entire front and rear direction, and only the front end is the upper wall portion 14. Covered by. Thereby, as indicated by a virtual line in FIG. 10A, each terminal accommodating chamber 20 is moved from the upper side of the second sub-housing S2 to the terminal accommodating chamber 20 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction thereof. It is configured to be inserted. In addition, the terminal T is accommodated in each terminal accommodating chamber 20 with the horizontal attitude | position which the strip | belt-shaped body 1 faces in the direction parallel to the partition 12, similarly to 1st sub housing S1.

  Each terminal accommodating chamber 20 is not provided with a lance 14a like the first sub-housing S1 for locking the terminal T. Instead, the following terminal locking structure is adopted.

  That is, each partition wall that partitions adjacent terminal accommodating chambers 20 is composed of four unit partition walls 22a to 22d that are arranged in the front-rear direction and separated from each other, and among these unit partition walls 22a to 22d, the inner two unit partitions As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 (a), the walls 22b and 22c are each formed of a locking piece having a locking claw 23 at its tip (upper end) and capable of bending and displacing in the width direction. Thereby, in the state where the terminal T is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 20, as shown in FIGS. 10B and 11, the terminal T is restrained from above by the respective locking claws 23 of the unit partition walls 22b and 22c. The terminal T is locked to the second sub-housing S2. In FIG. 11, the terminals T are shaded to clarify the relationship between the terminals T and the unit partition walls 22 b and 22 c.

  Each terminal accommodating chamber 20 is provided with a restricting portion 16c that protrudes upward from the inner bottom surface (lower partition 16). The restricting portion 16c is inserted between the terminal connecting portion 2 of the terminal T and the conductor holding barrel 4 in a state where the terminal T is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 20, and restrains the terminal connecting portion 2 from the rear side. Thus, the terminal T is locked to the second sub-housing S2.

  The second sub-housing S2 has the same configuration as that of the first sub-housing S1 described above except that the terminal housing chamber 20 is configured as described above.

  That is, the convex portions 14b are respectively provided on the upper surface of the second sub-housing S2 (the upper surface of the upper partition wall 14) and at the front end of each terminal accommodating chamber 20, and the lower surface of the second sub-housing S2 And the said notch part 16b is formed in the position used as the front end of each terminal storage chamber 20, respectively. Further, the first sub-housing S1 has the same position as the first sub-housing S1 including the protrusion 14c, the stepped portion 18 and the like at positions on both outer sides in the width direction from the region where the terminal accommodating chambers 20 are arranged in parallel. A stack of structures is provided. Thereby, the first sub-housing S1 and the second sub-housing S2 can be stacked in an unspecified arrangement.

  In addition, the retainers 16a are formed at positions on the lower surface of the second sub-housing S2 that are substantially in the middle in the front-rear direction of each terminal accommodating chamber 20. Each retainer 16a of the second sub-housing S2 is formed at a position directly below the restricting portion 16c of each terminal accommodating chamber 10, and each of the retainers 16a of the first sub-housing S1 is also moved to a position corresponding thereto. Is formed. Therefore, in a state where the first sub-housing S1 is stacked on the second sub-housing S2, each retainer 16a of the first sub-housing S1 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 20 of the second sub-housing S2, and the restriction portion 16c. Proximity to opposite.

  Furthermore, two large and small bosses 15a and 15b are provided at the front end surface of the second sub-housing S2 at positions on the both outer sides in the width direction from the region where the terminal accommodating chambers 20 are arranged side by side, like the first sub-housing S1. Is formed.

  12 to 14 show a specific configuration of the third sub-housing S3. The third sub-housing S3 is a dedicated sub-housing stacked on the lowermost layer, but has the same basic configuration as the first sub-housing S1 described above except for the following points.

  That is, the notch 16 b is not formed on the lower surface of the third sub-housing S 3, and the entire lower surface is continuously covered by the lower partition wall 16. Further, the retainer 16a is not provided, and instead, a knob 16d that hangs downward is provided at the rear end of the lower surface of the third sub-housing S3. The knob 16d is for an operator to put his / her finger on when the connector is joined.

  Other configurations are the same as those of the first sub-housing S1. Accordingly, in the third sub-housing S3, similarly to the first sub-housing S1, the terminal T is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 10 from the rear side of the third sub-housing S3 along the axial direction, and the terminal connecting portion 2 is connected. It accommodates in the state inserted in the said long hole-shaped part 10a. In addition, the first and second sub-housings S1 and S2 have the same structure, so that the first and second sub-housings S2 and S2 are adjacent to each other. Can be stacked. However, as a result of the knob 16d being formed, the other sub-housings S1 and S2 cannot be stacked adjacent to each other below the third sub-housing S3.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2, 16 and 17, the holder housing H has the front end surfaces of the laminated sub-housings S <b> 1 to S <b> 3 collectively in front (side facing the mating connector; right side in FIG. 17). ) And a holding portion that holds the sub-housings S1 to S3 in a stacked state at a position behind the front mask portion 30, and these are integrally formed of a resin material. Yes.

  The front mask portion 30 has a plurality of through holes 31 that allow insertion of male terminals of the mating connector into the terminal accommodating chambers 10 and 20 of the sub-housings S1 to S3 held in a stacked state. Yes. Specifically, a set of ten through holes 31 arranged in a horizontal row at intervals corresponding to the terminal accommodating chambers 10 and 20 are formed in three upper and lower stages corresponding to the sub-housings S1 to S3. A chamfered portion 31a is formed at the periphery of each through-hole 31 in the front surface of the front mask portion 30, so that the male terminal can be inserted into the through-hole when the laminated connector and the mating connector are coupled. Invite to 31.

  In addition, in the front mask portion 30, two large and small types of through holes 32 a, separately from the through holes 31, at positions on both outer sides of the set of ten through holes 31 corresponding to the sub-housings S <b> 1 to S <b> 3. 32b is respectively drilled. The through holes 32a and 32b correspond to the bosses 15a and 15b formed on the front end surfaces of the sub-housings S1 to S3. The bosses 15a and 15b of the sub-housings S1 to S3 are respectively connected to the through-holes 32a and 32b. Each sub-housing S <b> 1 to S <b> 3 is positioned with respect to the front mask portion 30 by being fitted (inserted) into 32 b.

  The holding portion includes a top plate portion 34 that covers the uppermost sub-housing among the stacked sub-housings S1 to S3 from above (a direction parallel to the stacking direction), and both ends in the width direction of the top plate portion 34 (FIG. 16). Then, it includes a pair of holding portions 35 that hang down from both ends in the left-right direction and hold the sub-housings S1 to S3 from the outside in the width direction. Each of the top plate portion 34 and each holding portion 35 has a front end connected to the front mask portion 30.

  Each holding portion 35 includes a restriction plate 36 connected to the front mask portion 30 and extending in the front-rear direction, and a locking plate 37 extending in the front-rear direction alongside the restriction plate 36.

  The restricting plate 36 restricts the positions of the sub-housings S1 to S3 in the width direction with respect to the front mask portion 30 by contacting the sub-housings S1 to S3 from the outer side in the width direction. 37 is for locking the sub-housings S1 to S3.

  Each locking plate 37 is separated from the restriction plate 36 and is connected only to the top plate portion 34. Therefore, the lower end portion of the locking plate 37 is a free end portion that can be bent and displaced in the width direction. Each locking plate 37 is provided with a locking portion protruding inward. Specifically, three locking portions 37a to 37c for locking the stacked sub-housings S1 to S3, respectively. Is provided on each locking plate 37, and a locking portion 37 c for locking the third sub-housing S 3 is provided on the lower end portion of the locking plate 37. In this embodiment, the locking portion 37c for locking the third sub-housing S3 corresponds to the main locking portion of the present invention, and the other locking portions 37a and 37b are the sub-locking of the present invention. It corresponds to the part.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the top plate 34 includes a retainer 34 a that protrudes downward at a position facing the terminal accommodating chamber of the uppermost sub-housing on the lower surface thereof, and a recess 34 b that is recessed upward. It has. The retainers 34a correspond to the retainers 16a provided on the lower surfaces of the sub-housings S1 and S2, and are inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers of the uppermost sub-housing among the sub-housings S1 to S3 held by the holder housing H. The terminal T accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber is restrained from the rear side. Accordingly, the retainers 34a are provided at positions corresponding to the retainers 16a and the restricting portions 16c of the sub-housings S1 and S2 on the lower surface of the top plate portion 34, respectively. On the other hand, the concave portion 34b corresponds to the notch portion 16b formed on the lower surface of the first sub-housing S1 and the like, and fits the convex portion 14b of the uppermost sub-housing.

  The top plate portion 34 further includes guide portions 39a and 39b for guiding the laminated connector with respect to the housing of the mating connector when the laminated connector and the mating connector are coupled, and the mating connector. And a lock arm 38 having a locking portion 38a for engaging with the housing and locking the engaged state.

Next, assembly of the above-described laminated connector will be described.
<Insert terminal>
First, the said terminal T currently fixed to the terminal of the some electric wire C is inserted in the terminal accommodating chambers 10 and 20 of each sub-housing S1-S3, respectively.

  In this case, for the first sub-housing S1 and the third sub-housing S3, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 14, the terminals T are arranged from the rear side of the sub-housings S1 and S3 along the axial direction in the horizontal orientation. It is inserted into the storage chamber 10, and its tip portion is inserted into the elongated hole portion 10 a of the terminal storage chamber 10. Thus, in the state where the terminal T is inserted into the long hole-shaped portion 10a, the engaging portion 2a of the terminal T is engaged with the lance 14a of the terminal accommodating chamber 10, whereby the terminal T is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 10. The state is locked to the sub-housings S1 and S3.

On the other hand, as for 2nd subhousing S2, as shown in FIG. 10, the terminal T is inserted with respect to the terminal storage chamber 20 from a subhousing upper side with the attitude | position facing sideways. In this state where the terminal T is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 20, the terminal T is restrained from above by the locking claws 23 of the respective partition walls 22 a and 22 b and the restriction formed on the inner bottom surface of each terminal accommodating chamber 20. The terminal 16 is restrained from the rear side by the portion 16c, and thereby the terminal T is locked to the second sub-housing S2 while being accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 20.
<Housing lamination>
Next, the sub-housings S1 to S3 in which the terminals T are accommodated are stacked on each other.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second sub-housing S2 is arranged on the third sub-housing S3 so that the front end surfaces are flush with each other, and the protrusions of the third sub-housing S3 are arranged. The second sub-housing S2 is overlaid on the third sub-housing S3 so that the stepped portion 18 is fitted between the 14c. At this time, each convex portion 14b of the third sub-housing S3 is inserted into each notch portion 16b of the second sub-housing S2. Similarly, the first sub housing S1 is overlaid on the second sub housing S2.

  In the state where the sub-housings S1 to S3 are stacked in this way, as shown in FIG. 17, the retainers 16a of the second sub-housing S2 are inserted into the terminal-accommodating chambers 10 of the third sub-housing S3, respectively. It is interposed between the terminal connecting portion 2 of the terminal T accommodated in the chamber 10 and the conductor holding barrel 4. Thereby, each terminal T (terminal connection part 2) accommodated in the third sub-housing S3 is restrained from the rear side by the retainer 16a of the second sub-housing S2. That is, the displacement of the terminal T accommodated in the third sub-housing S3 in the pulling-out direction (rear) is doubly restricted by the retainer 16a and the lance 14a of the second sub-housing S2.

Similarly, each retainer 16a of the first sub-housing S1 is inserted into each terminal accommodating chamber 20 of the second sub-housing S2, so that each terminal T accommodated in the second sub-housing S2 is associated with the first sub-housing S2. It is restrained from the rear side by the retainer 16a of the housing S1. In this case, as shown in FIG. 17, each retainer 16 a inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 20 is in close proximity to the restricting portion 16 c formed in the terminal accommodating chamber 20. That is, the terminal T accommodated in the second sub-housing S2 is double-constrained in the displacement of the terminal T in the pull-out direction (rear) by the retainer 16a and the restricting portion 16c of the first sub-housing S1. .
<Combination with holder housing>
Next, the sub housings S <b> 1 to S <b> 3 in a stacked state are combined with the holder housing H. As shown in FIG. 17, the uniting is performed by inserting the stacked sub-housings S <b> 1 to S <b> 3 between the holding portions 35 from the lower side of the holder housing H.

  Specifically, the uppermost first sub-housing S <b> 1 contacts the lower surface of the top plate portion 34 while the front end surfaces of the stacked sub-housings S <b> 1 to S <b> 3 are along the front mask portion 30 and the side surfaces are along the regulating plate 36. The sub-housings S1 to S3 are integrally inserted to the position. Thus, in a state where the sub-housings S1 to S3 are inserted between the holding portions 35, as shown in FIG. 19, the locking portions 37a to 37c of the locking plates 37 respectively correspond to the corresponding sub-housings S1 to S3. The sub-housings S1 to S3 are respectively held by the holder housing H in a state in which they are stacked.

  And in this state, each sub-housing S1-S3 is pressed to the front mask part 30 side, and the boss | hubs 15a, 15b of each sub-housing S1-S3 are each fitted to the corresponding through-holes 32a, 32b of the front mask part 30 ( The front end surfaces of the sub-housings S <b> 1 to S <b> 3 are positioned with respect to the front mask portion 30. Thereby, the assembly of the laminated connector is completed.

  In such an assembled state of the laminated connector, as shown in FIG. 18, each retainer 34a formed on the lower surface of the top plate portion 34 of the holder housing H is placed in each terminal accommodating chamber 10 of the uppermost first sub-housing S1. Each is inserted and interposed between the terminal connection portion 2 of the terminal T accommodated in each terminal accommodating chamber 10 and the conductor holding barrel 4. As a result, the terminals T accommodated in the uppermost first sub-housing S1 are restrained from the rear side by the retainer 34a. That is, with respect to the terminal T accommodated in the uppermost first sub-housing S1, the retainer 16a and the lance 14a restrain the displacement of the terminal T in the pull-out direction (backward) in a double manner.

  Here, in the assembled state of the laminated connector, the lower surface of the lowermost third sub-housing S3 faces downward from between the holding portions 35, but as described above, the third sub-housing S3 has the entire lower surface thereof. Is continuously covered by the lower partition 16. Accordingly, the terminal T accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 10 and the conductor portion of the electric wire C fixed to the terminal T are not exposed to the outside, thereby causing a trouble such as a short circuit of the terminal T in the third sub-housing S3. Is prevented in advance.

  In the above description, the sub-housings S1 to S3 are first stacked, and then the stacked sub-housings S1 to S3 are combined into the holder housing H at a time. Since the holding portion 35) is provided with locking portions 37a to 37c for individually locking the sub-housings S1 to S3, the sub-housings S1 to S3 are individually connected in order from the first sub-housing S1 of the uppermost layer. You may make it laminate | stack sequentially, uniting with the holder housing H. FIG.

  Further, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 17, FIG. 18, etc., the sub-housings are laminated in the order of the first sub-housing S1 and the second sub-housing S2 from the top. Since the housings S1 and S2 each have a structure having a laminated portion having the same structure including the protrusion 14c and the stepped portion 18 and the like, the first sub-housing S1 and the second sub-housing S2 are switched in order and laminated. It is also possible. Also in this case, the vertical relationship between the first sub-housings S1 and S2 is reversed, and the terminals T accommodated in the sub-housings S1 to S3 are connected to the upper sub-housing or holder housing H (the top plate portion 34). ) Is restrained from the rear side by the retainers 16a and 34a.

  The laminated connector according to the present invention as described above includes the first and third sub-housings S1 and S3 of the type in which the terminal T is inserted from the rear side of the housing along the axial direction thereof, and the terminal T is inserted from the upper side of the housing. The second sub-housing S2 of the type, and the first and second sub-housings S1 and S2 can be stacked in an unspecified arrangement with respect to the third sub-housing S3. The sub-housing can be used properly and has the following advantages.

  For example, in the second sub-housing S2 in which the terminal T is inserted into the housing from the direction orthogonal to the axial direction as described above, the terminal insertion work using a terminal insertion device or the like can be automated. On the other hand, when the terminal insertion operation is performed manually, the first sub-housing S1 in which the terminal T is inserted from the rear side of the housing along the axial direction is often more workable. Therefore, when a wire harness is divided into a plurality of small wire harnesses and manufactured at different factories, and the final wire harness is constructed by combining these small wire harnesses, manufactured at a factory or the like having a terminal insertion device For the small wire harness to be applied, the second sub-housing S2 is applied to automate the terminal insertion work, while for the small wire harness manufactured in a factory or the like that does not have the terminal insertion device, the first sub-housing is used. Depending on the conditions of the factory equipment where the small wire harness is manufactured, such as applying the terminal insertion work by the worker efficiently and combining the sub-housings S1 and S2 when constructing the final wire harness This makes it possible to use different sub-housings so that wire harnesses can be manufactured reasonably and efficiently. .

  By the way, the above-mentioned laminated connector is an example of a preferred embodiment of the laminated connector according to the present invention, and the specific configuration thereof can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following configuration can be applied.

  In the embodiment, the laminated connector having the three-layer structure has been described. Needless to say, it may have a two-layer structure or a structure having four or more layers.

  In the multilayer connector of the embodiment, the lowermost third sub-housing S3 includes a terminal accommodating chamber 10 having a shape in which the terminal T can be inserted from the rear side of the housing along the axial direction thereof. However, the third sub-housing S3 has a terminal accommodating chamber 20 having a shape capable of inserting the terminal T1 from a direction (housing upper side) orthogonal to the axial direction, like the second sub-housing S2. It may be. Further, the multi-layer connector may be configured by only the first and second sub-housings S1 and S2 without providing a sub-housing dedicated to the lowermost layer such as the third sub-housing S3.

  Moreover, although the laminated connector of the embodiment is configured to integrally hold the sub housings S1 to S3 in a stacked state by the holder housing H, the holder housing H may be omitted. For example, the first and second sub-housings S1 and S2 can be locked to each other in an unspecified arrangement on both outer sides of the terminal housing chambers 10 and 20 of the sub-housings S1 to S3 with the third sub-housing S3 as the lowermost layer. It is good also as a structure which can provide the latching | locking part which has a shape, and a to-be-latched part, and can integrate subhousing S1-S3 only by these.

  Further, in the laminated connector of the embodiment, the holder housing H has a reverse U-shaped holding portion including a top plate portion 34 and a holding portion 35 to be inserted on the rear side of the front mask portion 30, and the holding portion Although it is the structure holding sub-housing S1-S3, the specific shape of the front mask part 30 will not be limited to the structure of embodiment, if the sub-housing S1-S3 of a lamination | stacking state can be hold | maintained. For example, the holder housing H has a box shape with an insertion recess that opens on the opposite side of the mating connector, and holds the sub housings S1 to S3 in a stacked state in the insertion recess. There may be.

  In the multilayer connector of the embodiment, each sub-housing S1 to S3 is locked to the holder housing H by each locking portion 37a to 37c of the holding portion 35 (locking plate 37), whereby each sub-housing. Although the stacked state of S1 to S3 is maintained, the first and second sub-housings S1 and S2 are arranged in an unspecified arrangement with the third sub-housing S3 as the lowermost layer as in the above modification. Even if it comprises so that the lamination | stacking state of each sub-housing S1-S3 can be hold | maintained only by providing the latching | locking part and to-be-latched part which have a shape which can be mutually latched in each sub-housing S1-S3. Good. In this case, the locking portions 37a and 37b corresponding to the upper two layers among the locking portions 37a to 37c of the holding portion 35 (locking plate 37) can be omitted.

  By the way, when each sub-housing S1 to S3 of the laminated connector as described above is molded, it is desirable that the manufacturing cost including the mold manufacturing can be suppressed. Here, since the first and third sub-housings S1 and S3 have the elongated hole portions 10a like the terminal housing chamber 10 as described above, the front and rear directions (in the terminal housing chamber arrangement direction and the housing stacking direction) The second sub-housing S2 has unit partition walls 22a to 22d that are separated from each other, so that the upper and lower direction (housing stacking direction) can be removed. Is required. Accordingly, the first and third sub-housings S1 and S3 are molded by using a plurality of molds whose extraction directions are only in the front-rear direction, while the second sub-housing S1 is only extracted in the vertical direction. It is preferable to mold using a mold. In this way, if the sub-housings S1 to S3 are molded using a mold that has only one pulling direction, the same mold can be efficiently removed from the mold material. Mold production can be carried out advantageously in terms of cost. Accordingly, the manufacturing cost of the sub-housings S1 to S3 including the mold manufacturing can be suppressed, and as a result, the overall cost of the multilayer connector can be reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Strip | belt-shaped body 2 Terminal connection part 2a Locking part 4 Barrier part holding barrel 5 Covering part holding barrel 10, 20 Terminal accommodating chamber 12 Partition wall 14 Upper partition 14a Lance 14b Projection 14c Projection 16 Lower partition 16a, 34a Retainer 16b Notch portion 16c Restriction portion 18 Stepped portion 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d Unit partition wall 30 Front mask portion 31 Through hole 34 Top plate portion 35 Holding portion 36 Restriction plate 37 Locking plate 37a, 37b, 37c Locking portion C electric wire H holder housing S1 first sub housing S2 second sub housing S3 third sub housing T terminal

Claims (8)

A multi-layer type comprising a plurality of terminals each fixed to the ends of a plurality of electric wires, and a plurality of sub-housings for holding these terminals, and these sub-housings being joined to a mating connector in a state of being stacked on each other A connector,
Each of the sub-housings is one in which a plurality of terminals among the terminals are held in a state arranged in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and are stacked on each other in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction,
These sub-housings include a first sub-housing and a second sub-housing each having a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers arranged in a direction orthogonal to the housing stacking direction and having different terminal insertion directions with respect to the terminal accommodating chambers. ,
The first sub-housing has a terminal accommodating chamber having a shape in which the terminal can be inserted along the axial direction from the opposite side of the mating connector,
The second sub-housing includes a terminal housing chamber having a shape into which the terminal can be inserted from a direction orthogonal to the axial direction thereof. The laminated connector according to claim 1, wherein
The first sub-housing and the second sub-housing have laminated portions on both outer sides of the terminal accommodating chambers, and these laminated portions have the same structure and can be laminated with each other in an unspecified arrangement. Multilayer connector characterized by. In the laminated connector according to claim 1 or 2,
A laminated connector further comprising a holder housing for holding the sub-housing in a state in which the sub-housings are laminated to each other. In the laminated connector according to claim 3,
The holder housing is suspended from both sides of the top plate portion in the arrangement direction of the terminal housing chamber, and a top plate portion that covers the uppermost sub-housing among the laminated sub housings from a direction parallel to the lamination direction. A laminated connector comprising a pair of holding portions for holding the sub-housing from outside. The laminated connector according to claim 4, wherein
The sub-housing disposed in the lowermost layer opposite to the top plate portion of the sub-housing has an outer wall that continuously covers the entire lower surface of each terminal accommodating chamber. The laminated connector according to claim 5, wherein
The lowermost sub-housing comprises the first sub-housing;
The first sub-housing is molded using a plurality of molds whose pulling direction is orthogonal to both the terminal housing chamber arrangement direction and the sub-housing stacking direction, and the second sub-housing is A multi-layer connector, characterized in that it is molded using a mold whose pulling direction is only in the sub-housing laminating direction. In the laminated connector according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
Means for maintaining the laminated state of the plurality of laminated housings;
The lower end portions of the pair of holding portions of the holder housing are free end portions that can be deflected and displaced in a direction parallel to the alignment direction of the holding portions, and these end portions are stacked so as to protrude inward. A multi-layer connector, wherein a main locking portion for locking the lowermost sub-housing from among the sub-housings is provided. The laminated connector according to claim 7, wherein
The pair of holding portions include, in addition to the main locking portion, sub-locking portions for individually locking the sub-housings above the lowermost sub-housing among the stacked sub-housings from the lower side thereof. A laminated connector characterized by comprising:

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