JP5538815B2 - Low insertion force connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a low insertion force connector.

  FIG. 8 shows a conventional example of a connector for large current that can be used for connecting a motor and a power source, for example.

  The connector 1 includes a first housing 5 that holds a plurality of first tab terminals 3 protruding in the central axis direction, and a second housing 7 that is fitted and connected to the first housing 5.

  The distal end surface of the second housing 7 is provided with a plurality of mating terminal receiving holes 9 into which the first tab terminals 3 are inserted when the housings are fitted together. The plurality of mating terminal receiving holes 9 are provided at the same arrangement pitch as the arrangement pitch of the first tab terminals 3 on the first housing 5.

  Although not shown, each mating terminal receiving hole 9 is equipped with a female tab terminal that holds the first tab terminal 3 inserted into the mating terminal receiving hole 9. The first housing 5 is provided with an alignment protrusion 11, and the second housing 7 is provided with an alignment hole 13 into which the protrusion 11 is fitted. If the alignment protrusion 11 and the alignment hole 13 are not aligned, the housings cannot be fitted to each other, and erroneous insertion can be prevented.

  The above connector 1 is configured such that when the first housing 5 and the second housing 7 are fitted together, the first tab terminal 3 is simultaneously held by the mating female tab terminal. In addition to the frictional force between the fitting portions between the housings, the frictional force between the tab terminals also acts. The frictional force between the tab terminals increases as the number of terminals to be connected increases.

  For this reason, a large operating force is required when the housings are inserted and removed, and there is a problem that workability is poor because the burden on the worker is large.

  Therefore, a connector shown in FIG. 9 has been proposed as a connector capable of fitting housings with a low insertion force.

  This connector 15 is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, and after the first housing 16 and the second housing 18 are fitted in the same position, the housings are rotated relative to each other by a predetermined angle around the central axis. In this way, a connected state is established.

  The first connection terminal 19 provided in the first housing 16 has a structure in which a hole 19a into which a mating terminal is loosely fitted is provided at the tip. The second connection terminal 21 provided in the second housing 18 includes a needle-like terminal body 21a whose tip is loosely fitted in the hole 19a when the housings are fitted to each other, and a base end of the terminal body 21a. And a terminal base 21b to be fixed to the terminal.

  In this connector 15, when the housings are fitted to each other, only the tip of the second connection terminal 21 is loosely fitted in the hole 19 a of the first connection terminal 19, and no friction occurs between the terminals. Therefore, the operating force at the time of insertion / extraction does not increase.

  Then, when the fitted housings are rotated relative to each other, as shown in FIG. 10, the position of the first connection terminal 19 and the position of the second connection terminal 21 are moved relative to each other in the circumferential direction, so that the positional shift of the distance L1 occurs. Due to this displacement, opposite shearing forces F1 and F2 are applied to both ends of the needle-like terminal body 21a. Then, due to the bending deformation of the terminal body 21a due to the shearing forces F1 and F2, the tip of the terminal body 21a is pressed into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hole 19a, and the first connection terminal 19 and the second connection terminal 21 are electrically connected. Connected.

  Note that an engagement protrusion 23 projects from the inner periphery of the cylindrical hood portion 18 a at the tip of the second housing 18. A guide groove 25 into which the engaging protrusion 23 can enter is cut out in the cylindrical wall 16a of the first housing 16 that is rotatably fitted to the hood portion 18a.

  The guide groove 25 includes a fitting guide groove 25a extending along the central axis direction, and a rotation guide groove 25b extending in the circumferential direction from the end of the fitting guide groove 25a.

  Position restriction at the time of relative rotation between the housings is performed by the engagement between the engagement protrusion 23 and the rotation guide groove 25b. A lock spring 26 is provided near the end of the rotation guide groove 25b so as to protrude into the groove. This lock spring 26 prevents the relative rotation between the housings from returning by locking the engagement protrusion 23 that has moved over the lock spring 26 and moved to the end side of the rotation guide groove 25b between the end of the groove. To do.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 06-72185

  However, the connector 15 described in Patent Document 1 causes the needle-like terminal body 21a to bend and deform by the displacement when the fitted housings 16 and 18 are relatively rotated, and the tip of the terminal body 21a is moved to the first position. There is a problem that the contact area between the first connection terminal 19 and the second connection terminal 21 cannot be increased because it is pressed against the inner periphery of the hole 19a of the connection terminal 19 and cannot be used for a connector for a large current. It was.

  In addition, the lock spring 26 restricts the relative rotation of the housings from returning due to the engagement protrusion 23 being locked, but the restriction force is small because the lock spring 26 itself is small. For this reason, there is a possibility that the engagement by the lock spring 26 is released and a contact failure between the first connection terminal 19 and the second connection terminal 21 occurs.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can reduce the burden on workers during the insertion / extraction operation between the housings, and furthermore, a large contact between the tab terminals provided in each housing. An object of the present invention is to provide a low insertion force connector capable of securing an area.

The above-described object of the present invention is achieved by the following configuration.
(1) a first housing holding a plurality of first tab terminals;
Holding a plurality of second tab terminals that are conductively connected to the first tab terminals, and a second housing that is fitted and attached to the tip of the first housing;
A cover having a cylindrical structure covering a fitting portion between the first housing and the second housing;
A low insertion force connector comprising:
The first housing includes a fitting cylindrical portion projecting from a center portion on a distal end side, and the plurality of the first housings so as to extend along a generatrix of the fitting cylindrical portion to a plurality of locations around the fitting cylindrical portion. A first terminal support part for supporting the first tab terminals.
The second housing has a boss projecting from the center portion on the front end side and rotatably fitted to the fitting cylindrical portion, and the housings in a state where the boss portion is fitted to the fitting cylindrical portion. The second tab terminals are supported at a plurality of locations around the boss portion so that each second tab terminal is in surface contact with the corresponding first tab terminal when the two tab terminals are rotated relative to each other by a predetermined angle. A terminal support and a latch that engages with the first housing when the first tab terminal and the second tab terminal are brought into a surface contact state by the relative rotation and restricts the movement of the housing away from each other in the axial direction. Means, and
The cover includes one end that fits in the first housing so as not to rotate relative to the first housing, and the other end that fits in the second housing so as not to rotate in relative rotation. The first housing and the second housing A low insertion force connector characterized by restricting relative rotation of the connector.

(2) The first housing includes a non-circular outer peripheral portion that extends to a position closer to the base end than the first terminal support portion and has a larger outer shape than the outer shape of the first terminal support portion. 1 partition and a first packing provided around the outer peripheral surface of the first partition,
The second housing includes a second partition wall provided with a non-circular outer peripheral portion extending to a position closer to the base end than the second terminal support portion and having an outer shape larger than the outer shape of the second terminal support portion; A second packing provided around the outer peripheral surface of the second partition wall,
The low insertion according to (1) above, wherein the cover has the one end portion closely fitted to the first packing and the other end portion tightly fitted to the second packing. Force connector.

(3) The first housing is equipped with two first tab terminals, and these two first tab terminals are arranged separately on both sides of the fitting cylindrical portion, and the first housing The partition wall is formed in an oval shape or an oval shape having a major axis in a direction connecting the two first tab terminals,
The second housing is equipped with two second tab terminals, the two second tab terminals are arranged separately on both sides of the boss portion, and the second partition wall is the 2 The low insertion force connector according to (2), wherein the connector is formed in an oval shape or an oval shape whose major axis is directed in a direction connecting the two second tab terminals.

  (4) The low insertion force connector according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the cover is made of metal and has an electromagnetic shielding function with respect to the housing fitting portion.

  According to the configuration of (1) above, when the first housing and the second housing are fitted, the first tab terminal is not in contact with the second tab terminal and no friction occurs between the terminals. The operation force at the time of insertion / extraction does not increase by mutual fitting. Therefore, the housings can be fitted with each other with a low insertion force. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the worker when inserting and removing the housings, and to improve the workability of the connector connecting work.

  Further, after the first housing and the second housing are fitted to each other, the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other by being relatively rotated about the central axis by a predetermined angle. When the relative rotation is completed, the first tab terminal held in the first housing and the second tab terminal held in the second housing come into contact with each other, and the tab terminals are in a conductive connection state. Since the contact between the tab terminals is realized by surface contact, a large contact area can be secured between the tab terminals. Therefore, it can be used as a connector for large current while being a low insertion force connector.

  Further, according to the configuration of (1), the means for restricting relative rotation between the assembled housings is a cylindrical structure cover that covers the fitting portions between the housings, and the cover itself is a large component. Since a large contact surface can be secured between each housing whose position is regulated, a large regulating force can be exhibited, and relative rotation between the housings can be reliably prevented.

  According to the configuration of (2) above, the cover that covers the fitting portion between the housings is tightly fitted to the outer periphery of the first partition and the second partition, both ends of which are located outside the fitting, via the packing. Therefore, stable sealing performance can be ensured on both sides of the fitting portion, and the contact portion between the first tab terminal and the second tab terminal in the fitting portion can be well waterproofed.

  According to the configuration of (3) above, the first housing and the second housing have a flat structure that is wide in the direction in which the tab terminals are arranged. The relative rotation operation between the housings is facilitated. Also, relative rotation can be easily restricted by fitting the cover.

  According to the configuration of (4) above, the cover is made of metal and has an electromagnetic shielding function for the housing fitting portion. Therefore, when used as a signal line connector, the influence of disturbance can be prevented.

  According to the low insertion force connector according to the present invention, when the first housing and the second housing are fitted, the first tab terminal is not in contact with the second tab terminal, and friction does not occur between the terminals. The operation force at the time of insertion / extraction does not increase due to the mutual fitting of the terminals. Therefore, the housings can be fitted with each other with a low insertion force. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the worker when inserting and removing the housings, and to improve the workability of the connector connecting work.

  Further, after the first housing and the second housing are fitted to each other, the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other by being relatively rotated about the central axis by a predetermined angle. When the relative rotation is completed, the first tab terminal held in the first housing and the second tab terminal held in the second housing come into contact with each other, and the tab terminals are in a conductive connection state. Since the contact between the tab terminals is realized by surface contact, a large contact area can be secured between the tab terminals. Therefore, it can be used as a connector for large current while being a low insertion force connector.

  Further, according to the low insertion force connector of the present invention, the means for restricting relative rotation between the assembled housings is a cover having a cylindrical structure that covers the fitting portions between the housings, and the cover itself is a large component. Since a large contact surface can be secured between each housing whose position is regulated, a large regulating force can be exerted, and relative rotation between the housings can be surely prevented.

It is a disassembled perspective view of one Embodiment of the low insertion force connector which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the low insertion force connector shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the low insertion force connector in the fitted state of FIG. 2 as viewed from a direction rotated by 90 °. It is a principal part enlarged view of the state which mutually rotated the mutually fitted housings and made the mutual tab terminal surface contact. It is an expansion perspective view of the cover fitted on the fitting part between housings after relative rotation between housings. It is a perspective view of the assembly state by which the cover was fitted by the fitting part between housings after the relative rotation of housings. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the surface contact state of the tab terminals of the low insertion force connector of an assembly state. It is a disassembled perspective view of the conventional connector for large currents. It is a disassembled perspective view of the conventional low insertion force connector. It is explanatory drawing of the connection state of the terminals in the low insertion force connector shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a low insertion force connector according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a low insertion force connector according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the low insertion force connector shown in FIG. It is a principal part enlarged view of the state which mutually rotated the mutually fitted housings and made the mutual tab terminal surface contact.

  The low insertion force connector 31 according to this embodiment includes a first housing 41 made of resin, a second housing 51 made of resin fitted and attached to the tip of the first housing 41, and the first housing 41 And a cover 61 having a cylindrical structure that covers a fitting portion with the second housing 51.

  The first housing 41 of the present embodiment holds two first tab terminals 34 to which the first electric wires 32 are connected at the proximal end. Further, the second housing 51 holds two second tab terminals 36 to which the second electric wires 33 are connected at the proximal end.

  That is, the first housing 41 of the present embodiment electrically connects the two first tab terminals 34 and the two second tab terminals 36 by fitting and connecting the first housing 41 and the second housing 51. .

  The first housing 41 is divided into two portions around the fitting cylindrical portion 42 projecting from the center portion on the tip end side thereof and the first terminal for supporting the two first tab terminals 34 around the fitting cylindrical portion 42. A support part 43, a first partition wall 45 extending in a bowl shape at a position closer to the base end (closer to the right end in FIG. 2) than the first terminal support part 43, and the outer peripheral surface of the first partition wall 45 The first packing 46 is provided.

  The fitting cylindrical portion 42 is provided with its axis aligned with the central axis (not shown) of the housing.

  The first terminal support portion 43 includes a pair of support plate portions 43 a and 43 b that protrude along the bus bars on both sides of the fitting cylindrical portion 42. The first terminal support portion 43 supports the first tab terminal 34 in a state where the first tab terminal 34 is overlaid on the support plate portions 43a and 43b. Accordingly, the pair of first tab terminals 34 are supported on both sides of the fitting cylindrical portion 42 so as to extend along the generatrix of the fitting cylindrical portion 42.

  However, the first tab terminal 34 is provided on the upper surface side of the one side support plate portion 43a. Moreover, the 1st tab terminal 34 is piled up and provided in the lower surface side at the other side support plate part 43b. That is, the two first tab terminals 34 are supported in a point-symmetric arrangement with the fitting cylindrical portion 42 as the center point.

  Each of the support plate portions 43a and 43b is provided with a retaining protrusion 43c that is locked to a locking means 54 of the second housing 51 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the retaining protrusion 43 c protrudes from the outer edge of the support plate portions 43 a and 43 b at a position near the tip.

  The outer shape surrounding the outer periphery of the first terminal support 43 having the two support plates 43a and 43b is elongated in the direction in which the support plates 43a and 43b are arranged (that is, the direction in which the two first tab terminals 34 are arranged). It becomes a flat shape.

  The first partition 45 of the present embodiment includes a non-circular outer peripheral portion 45 a having an outer shape larger than the outer shape surrounding the outer periphery of the first terminal support portion 43. In the case of this embodiment, as described above, the outer shape surrounding the outer periphery of the first terminal support portion 43 is a flat shape elongated in the arrangement direction of the tab terminals. The non-circular outer peripheral portion 45 a of the first partition 45 is an ellipse or an oval with the major axis directed in the direction connecting the two first tab terminals 34, and is more flat than the flat outer shape surrounding the outer periphery of the first terminal support portion 43. Large outline is given.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first packing 46 of the present embodiment is a ring-shaped packing that is fitted and mounted in a packing groove 45 b that is provided around the outer peripheral surface of the first partition wall 45.

  As shown in FIG. 7, on the base end side of the first housing 41, an electric wire guide tube portion 47 through which the first electric wire 32 connected to the first tab terminal 34 is inserted is integrally formed. The first electric wire 32 inserted through the electric wire guide tube portion 47 is fitted with a waterproof ring 48 that closes a gap between the electric wire guide tube portion 47 and the first electric wire 32.

  The second housing 51 is divided into two boss portions 52 that protrude from the center portion on the front end side and are rotatably fitted to the inner periphery of the fitting cylindrical portion 42, and are divided into two locations around the boss portion 52. 2nd terminal support part 53 which supports 2 tab terminal 36, Locking means 54 (refer to Drawing 2 and Drawing 4) which can lock retaining projection 43c equipped in the 1st housing 41, and 2nd terminal support A second partition wall 55 extending like a bowl at a position closer to the base end than the portion 53 (closer to the left end in FIG. 1), and a second packing 56 provided around the outer peripheral surface of the second partition wall 55. I have.

  The boss portion 52 is provided with its axis aligned with the central axis (not shown) of the housing.

  The second terminal support portion 53 includes a pair of support plate portions 53 a and 53 b that protrude along the bus bars on both sides of the boss portion 52. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the support plate portions 53 a and 53 b is provided with a gap S <b> 1 between the boss portion 52. The gap S1 is a gap through which the fitting cylinder 42 is inserted when the fitting cylinder 42 and the boss 52 are fitted.

  Arrows A and B shown in FIG. 3 indicate the moving directions of the housings when the fitting cylindrical portion 42 and the boss portion 52 are fitted.

  The second terminal support portion 53 supports the second tab terminal 36 in a state of being superimposed on the support plate portions 53a and 53b. Accordingly, the pair of second tab terminals 36 are supported on both sides of the boss portion 52 so as to extend along the bus line of the boss portion 52.

  The second terminal support portion 53 is configured so that each of the second terminal support portions 53 is rotated when the housings are relatively rotated by a predetermined angle in a state where the boss portion 52 is fitted to the fitting cylindrical portion 42 (the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). The second tab terminal 36 is supported by the support plate portions 53a and 53b so that the tab terminal is in surface contact with the corresponding first tab terminal 34. Specifically, the two second tab terminals 36 are supported by the support plate portions 53a and 53b so as to have a point-symmetric arrangement with the boss portion 52 as the center point.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second tab terminal 36 is equipped with a spring protrusion (indent) 36 a that is elastically deformed by contact with the first tab terminal 34 and enhances the electrical connection performance with the first tab terminal 34. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the locking means 54 protrudes from the outer edges of the support plate portions 53 a and 53 b. As shown in FIG. 3, when the first tab terminal 34 and the second tab terminal 36 are brought into surface contact with each other, the locking means 54 is rotated as shown in FIG. As shown, the engagement with the retaining protrusion 43c on the first housing 41 side restricts the movement of the housings apart in the axial direction.

  The outer shape surrounding the outer periphery of the second terminal support 53 having the two support plates 53a and 53b is the direction in which the support plates 53a and 53b are arranged (that is, the direction in which the two second tab terminals 36 and 36 are arranged). It becomes an elongated flat shape.

  The second partition wall 55 of the present embodiment includes a non-circular outer peripheral portion 55 a having a larger outer shape than the outer shape surrounding the outer periphery of the second terminal support portion 53. In the case of this embodiment, as described above, the outer shape surrounding the outer periphery of the second terminal support portion 53 is a flat shape elongated in the arrangement direction of the tab terminals. The noncircular outer peripheral portion 55 a of the second partition wall 55 is an oval or oval shape whose major axis is directed in the direction connecting the two second tab terminals 36, and has a flat outer shape surrounding the outer periphery of the second terminal support portion 53. Large outline is given.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second packing 56 of the present embodiment is a ring-shaped packing that is fitted and mounted in a packing groove 55 b that is provided around the outer peripheral surface of the second partition wall 55.

  As shown in FIG. 7, on the proximal end side of the second housing 51, an electric wire guide cylinder portion 57 through which the second electric wire 33 connected to the second tab terminal 36 is inserted is integrally formed. A waterproof ring 58 that closes the gap between the electric wire 33 that passes through the electric wire guide cylinder portion 57 is fitted and mounted.

  In the case of this embodiment, the noncircular outer peripheral part 45a and the noncircular outer peripheral part 55a are formed in the same dimension.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the cover 61 is a cylindrical body including one end 61 a that fits into the first housing 41 and another end 61 b that fits into the second housing 51. The cover 61 is an oval or oval cylindrical body in which the non-circular outer peripheral part 45a and the non-circular outer peripheral part 55a are closely fitted, and the one end part 61a is fitted to the first housing 41 so as not to be relatively rotatable. The other end portion 61 b is fitted to the second housing 51 so as not to be relatively rotatable, and restricts the relative rotation between the first housing 41 and the second housing 51.

  The cover 61 is made of a metal such as aluminum, and as shown in FIG. 1, a guide protrusion 62 projects from an inner peripheral portion facing the major axis direction. The guide protrusion 62 is fitted in a guide groove 51 a formed on the outer peripheral portion of the second housing 51.

  The guide protrusion 62 functions as a slider that facilitates sliding movement when the cover 61 is fitted on the outer periphery of the second housing 51. An arrow C in FIG. 5 indicates a direction in which the cover 61 is slid to the fitting portion between the housings.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the one end 61a of the cover 61 is tightly fitted to the first packing 46 provided on the non-circular outer peripheral portion 45a. Further, the other end portion 61b of the cover 61 is tightly fitted to the second packing 56 provided on the non-circular outer peripheral portion 55a.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the cover 61 that has been fitted and attached to the fitting portions of the housings is engaged with the retaining protrusion 59 of the second housing 51 at the rear end portion, so that the removal direction (in FIG. Movement in the direction of arrow D) is restricted. Further, when the cover 61 is completely fitted to the fitting portions between the housings, the guide protrusion 62 contacts the terminal end of the guide groove 51a and moves toward the first housing 41 (see FIG. 6). The direction of arrow E) is also regulated.

  In the low insertion force connector 31 according to the embodiment described above, when the first housing 41 and the second housing 51 are fitted, the first tab terminal 34 is not in contact with the second tab terminal 36, and the terminals are mutually connected. Since there is no friction between them, the operation force at the time of insertion / extraction does not increase due to the mutual fitting of the terminals. Therefore, the housings can be fitted with each other with a low insertion force. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the worker when inserting and removing the housings, and to improve the workability of the connector connecting work.

  Further, after the first housing 41 and the second housing 51 are fitted to each other, the first housing 41 and the second housing 51 are rotated relative to each other around the central axis by a predetermined angle, thereby, as shown in FIG. Will be engaged, and it will be in the connection state which cannot be removed. When the relative rotation is completed, the first tab terminal 34 held by the first housing 41 and the second tab terminal 36 held by the second housing 51 come into contact as shown in FIG. The tab terminals are connected to each other. Since the contact between the tab terminals is realized by surface contact as shown in FIG. 7, a large contact area can be secured between these tab terminals. Therefore, it can be used as a connector for large current while being a low insertion force connector.

  Further, in the low insertion force connector 31 of the above-described embodiment, the second tab terminal 36 and the first tab terminal 34 are elastically brought into surface contact via the spring protrusion 36a provided on the second tab terminal 36. Stable contact pressure and contact area can be secured between the first tab terminal 34 and the second tab terminal 36 without being affected by dimensional tolerances and assembly errors in each housing, improving the reliability as a connector. Can be made.

  Furthermore, in the low insertion force connector 31 of the above-described embodiment, the means for restricting the relative rotation between the assembled housings is a cover 61 having a cylindrical structure that covers the fitting portions between the housings, and the cover 61 itself is large. Since it is a component and a large contact surface can be secured between each housing whose position is regulated, a large regulating force can be exerted, and relative rotation between the housings can be surely prevented.

  Furthermore, in the low insertion force connector 31 of the above-described embodiment, the cover 61 that covers the fitting portions between the housings is provided on the outer periphery of the first partition wall 45 and the second partition wall 55 whose both ends are located outside the fitting portion. Since the fitting is tightly performed via the packings 46 and 56, stable sealing performance can be secured on both sides of the fitting portion, and the first tab terminal 34 and the second tab terminal 36 in the fitting portion can be secured. The contact portion can be waterproofed well.

  Further, in the low insertion force connector 31 of the above-described embodiment, the first housing 41 and the second housing 51 have a flat structure that is wide in the direction in which the tab terminals are arranged. Compared with the case where the outer periphery is a perfect circle, the gripping properties of the housings 41 and 51 are improved, and the relative rotation operation between the housings becomes easy. In addition, it is easy to restrict relative rotation by fitting the cover 61.

  Furthermore, in the low insertion force connector 31 of the above-described embodiment, the cover 61 that covers the fitting portions between the housings is made of metal such as aluminum, and therefore has an electromagnetic shielding function for the housing fitting portions, and is used for signal lines. When used as a connector, the influence of disturbance can be prevented.

  In addition, the low insertion force connector of this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A deformation | transformation, improvement, etc. are possible suitably. In addition, the material, shape, dimension, numerical value, form, number, arrangement location, and the like of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

  For example, the number of first tab terminals and second tab terminals provided in the first housing and the second housing is not limited to the two shown in the above embodiment. For example, the present invention can be applied to a connector that holds three or more tab terminals in each housing.

  When three or more tab terminals are held in each housing, the tab terminals may be arranged radially around the central axis of the housing, for example. Further, the arrangement of the plurality of tab terminals is not limited to the arrangement that is distributed to both sides of the central axis of the housing. For example, a form in which tab terminals are arranged in an L shape or a V shape on one side of the central axis of the housing is also conceivable.

31 Low insertion force connector 32 1st electric wire 33 2nd electric wire 34 1st tab terminal 36 2nd tab terminal 41 1st housing 42 cylindrical part 43 for fitting 43 1st terminal support part 43a, 43b support plate part 43c retaining projection 43c 45 First partition 45a Non-circular outer peripheral portion 46 First packing 51 Second housing 51a Guide groove 52 Boss portion 53 Second terminal support portion 53a, 53b Support plate portion 54 Locking means 55 Second partition 55a Non-circular outer peripheral portion 56 2 packing 59 Retaining protrusion 61 Cover 62 Guide protrusion

Claims (4)

A first housing holding a plurality of first tab terminals;
Holding a plurality of second tab terminals that are conductively connected to the first tab terminals, and a second housing that is fitted and attached to the tip of the first housing;
A cover having a cylindrical structure covering a fitting portion between the first housing and the second housing;
A low insertion force connector comprising:
The first housing includes a fitting cylindrical portion projecting from a center portion on a distal end side, and the plurality of the first housings so as to extend along a generatrix of the fitting cylindrical portion to a plurality of locations around the fitting cylindrical portion. A first terminal support part for supporting the first tab terminals.
The second housing has a boss projecting from the center portion on the front end side and rotatably fitted to the fitting cylindrical portion, and the housings in a state where the boss portion is fitted to the fitting cylindrical portion. The second tab terminals are supported at a plurality of locations around the boss portion so that each second tab terminal is in surface contact with the corresponding first tab terminal when the two tab terminals are rotated relative to each other by a predetermined angle. A terminal support and a latch that engages with the first housing when the first tab terminal and the second tab terminal are brought into a surface contact state by the relative rotation and restricts the movement of the housing away from each other in the axial direction. Means, and
The cover includes one end that fits in the first housing so as not to rotate relative to the first housing, and the other end that fits in the second housing so as not to rotate in relative rotation. The first housing and the second housing A low insertion force connector characterized by restricting relative rotation of the connector. The first housing includes a first partition wall having a non-circular outer peripheral portion that extends to a position closer to the base end than the first terminal support portion and has a larger outer shape than the outer shape of the first terminal support portion; And a first packing provided around the outer peripheral surface of the first partition,
The second housing includes a second partition wall provided with a non-circular outer peripheral portion extending to a position closer to the base end than the second terminal support portion and having an outer shape larger than the outer shape of the second terminal support portion; A second packing provided around the outer peripheral surface of the second partition wall,
2. The low insertion force according to claim 1, wherein the cover has the one end portion closely fitted to the first packing and the other end portion tightly fitted to the second packing. connector. The first housing is equipped with two first tab terminals, the two first tab terminals are arranged separately on both sides of the fitting cylindrical portion, and the first partition wall is Formed in an oval or oval shape with a major axis in the direction connecting the two first tab terminals,
The second housing is equipped with two second tab terminals, the two second tab terminals are arranged separately on both sides of the boss portion, and the second partition wall is the 2 The low insertion force connector according to claim 2, wherein the connector is formed in an elliptical shape or an oval shape whose major axis is directed in a direction in which the two second tab terminals are connected.   The low insertion force connector according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made of metal and has an electromagnetic shielding function with respect to the housing fitting portion.

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