JP5804041B2 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical connector used on the wire harness side as means for electrically connecting a circuit board and a wire harness.

  Conventionally, electrical connectors, which are means for electrical connection between a circuit board and a wire harness, have been proposed with various structures and functions, but in order to improve the holding power of terminal fittings inserted into the connector housing. A device having a mechanism for double-locking a terminal fitting is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  The “electrical connector” described in Patent Document 1 is an electric connector provided with a lance for preventing the terminal metal from being pulled out in a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers formed in the connector housing, and is provided in a rear holder for double locking. A temporary locking projection is provided on the side surface of each locking piece, and the rear holder is locked so that the outer peripheral wall is sandwiched by the temporary locking projection, whereby the locking piece of the rear holder projects into the insertion path area of the terminal fitting. The rear holder can be temporarily locked without any trouble.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-212380

  In the “electrical connector” described in Patent Document 1, a lance and a rear holder are provided as means for double-locking terminal fittings housed in a plurality of terminal housing chambers formed in the connector housing. There is a surface where the holding power of the terminal fitting housed in the chamber is insufficient.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrical connector capable of improving the holding power of the terminal fitting.

The electrical connector according to the present invention includes a plurality of terminal holding grooves formed for inserting the terminal fittings, and a detachment for locking to the first locking portion provided in the terminal fittings inserted into the terminal holding grooves. A housing having a primary locking portion for prevention, and a secondary for preventing separation that locks to a second locking portion that is provided integrally with the housing and is inserted into the terminal holding groove. And a rear holder having a latching portion, and a tongue-shaped convex portion provided on the front surface of the rear holder and on the back surface of the second latching portion of the terminal metal fitting so as to hang in the axial direction of the terminal metal fitting. Is provided with a stepped recess that can be inserted ,
The portion of the front surface of the rear holder where the concave portion is not formed can abut on the portion of the terminal fitting inserted into the terminal holding groove where the convex portion on the back side of the second locking portion is not provided. It is characterized by being.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to secure a wide contact area between the second locking portion of the terminal fitting and the front portion of the rear holder, which is effective in improving the holding strength of the terminal fitting.

  Here, it is also possible to provide an uneven fitting mechanism that joins the rear holder and the housing when the rear holder is rotated and overlapped with the housing.

  With such a configuration, after inserting the terminal fitting into the terminal holding groove of the housing, if the rear holder is rotated and overlapped with the housing, both are integrally joined by the uneven fitting mechanism. The work becomes easy and the overall height of the connector can be reduced. Further, since the first locking portion and the second locking portion of the terminal fitting inserted into the terminal holding groove are double-locked by the primary locking portion of the housing and the secondary locking portion of the rear holder, respectively, The terminal fitting can also be held stably.

  Here, in a state before the rear holder is rotated, the housing and the rear holder can be shaped so as to form an obtuse angle.

  With such a configuration, in the process of inserting the terminal fitting into the terminal holding groove formed in the housing, the rear holder does not interfere with the insertion work, so that the assembly workability is improved.

  The concave-convex fitting mechanism includes a first convex portion provided in a partition wall that forms the terminal holding groove of the housing, and a first concave portion provided in the rear holder for fitting the first convex portion. be able to.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to hold the terminal fitting firmly while reducing the overall height of the connector.

  Moreover, the said uneven | corrugated fitting mechanism can be comprised by the 2nd convex part provided in the side surface of the said rear holder, and the 2nd recessed part provided in the said housing in order to insert the said 2nd convex part.

  With such a configuration, play when the rear holder is joined to the housing can be eliminated, and the rear holder can be reliably joined.

  In this case, it is desirable that the second concave portion is a hole portion that is opened in a state in which the second convex portion can be fitted into a flexible standing wall provided in the housing.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the hole portion of the upright wall, which is the second concave portion, from being damaged when an external force is applied to separate the two after the rear holder is joined to the housing.

  Furthermore, it is desirable that the concave / convex fitting mechanism includes a third convex portion provided on the front surface of the rear holder and a third concave portion provided on the housing for fitting the third convex portion.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the rear holder joined to the housing from being lifted.

  On the other hand, when an external force in the direction opposite to the insertion direction is applied to the terminal fitting inserted in the terminal holding groove, a stopper portion that abuts on the first convex portion of the partition wall and prevents the terminal fitting from being detached. It can be provided in a hole formed in the rear holder.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the terminal fitting from coming out of the terminal holding groove when an external force (tensile force) in the direction opposite to the insertion direction is applied to the terminal fitting of the electrical connector that has been assembled. . In addition, it is desirable that the shape of the stopper portion is a projecting shape in which the tip portion forms an obtuse angle. With such a shape, it is possible to prevent crushing when a pressing force is applied to the stopper portion. .

  According to the present invention, an electrical connector capable of improving the holding power of the terminal fitting can be provided.

It is a perspective view which shows the electrical connector which is embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the electrical connector shown in FIG. It is a partially cutaway side view seen from the arrow P direction in FIG. It is a perspective view of the terminal metal fitting for electric connectors shown in FIG. It is a top view of the electrical connector shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a partially omitted perspective sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a partially omitted perspective sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 7. FIG. 2 is a partially omitted perspective view of the electrical connector shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing in the AA line in FIG. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 10. FIG. 5 is a partially omitted sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 4. It is the partially-omission perspective view which looked at the state in the middle of the assembly of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 1 from the front diagonal direction. FIG. 5 is a partially omitted perspective view showing a region indicated by an arrow Y in FIG. 4. It is sectional drawing in the CC line in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the electrical connector 100 of the present embodiment has a plurality of terminal holders formed for inserting an electrical connector terminal fitting 10 (hereinafter abbreviated as “terminal fitting 10”). A housing 30 having a groove 32 and a primary locking portion 31 for preventing detachment that is locked to the first locking portion 11 of the terminal fitting 10 inserted in each terminal holding groove 32, and a hinge portion 61 in the housing 30. And a rear holder 60 having a secondary locking portion 62 for preventing detachment that is locked to the second locking portion 12 of the terminal fitting 10 that is integrally provided via the terminal holding groove 32. The first concavo-convex fitting mechanism, the second concavo-convex fitting mechanism, and the third concavo-convex fitting mechanism for joining the rear holder 60 and the housing 30 when the rear holder 60 is rotated around the upper surface of the housing 30 and superimposed on the upper surface of the housing 30. In several places It has been kicked.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal fitting 10 has a substantially rectangular tube-shaped contact 13 into which a mating terminal, which is another member, can be inserted, and a crimping portion provided at the proximal end portion of the contact 13 for connecting the electric cable 20. 14, a first locking portion 11 protruding in a substantially square shape on the upper surface on the distal end side of the contact 13, and a second locking portion protruding in a substantially rectangular shape on the upper surface on the proximal end side of the contact 13. 12 is protrudingly provided. The terminal fitting 10 is formed by subjecting a metal plate having conductivity to press working and bending work.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in a state before the rear holder 60 is rotated about the hinge portion 61 (after the molding of the housing 30, the hinge portion 61 and the rear holder 60), the housing 30 and the rear holder 60 The included angle R is an obtuse angle. In this embodiment, the included angle R is set to about 135 degrees, but is not limited to this.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, as the first concavo-convex fitting mechanism, a first protrusion 34 projecting from the upper surface of a partition wall 33 that forms a terminal holding groove 32 of the housing 30, A hole 63 is provided as a first recess formed in the rear holder 60 in order to fit the projection 34. As will be described later, when the rear holder 60 is overlapped and pressed against the housing 30 by rotating around the hinge portion 61, the first convex portion 34 of the housing 30 is fitted into the hole 63 of the rear holder 60, and the rear holder 60 and the housing 30 are joined in an overlapping state. Thereby, the terminal metal fitting 10 inserted into the terminal holding groove 32 can be firmly held while reducing the height of the electrical connector 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the second concavo-convex fitting mechanism is provided in the housing 30 for fitting the second convex portion 64 projecting from the side surface of the rear holder 60 and the second convex portion 64. And a single-leg portal hole 35 serving as a second recessed portion. The hole 35 is opened in a state in which the second protrusion 64 can be fitted into the flexible upright wall 36 provided in the housing 30. As will be described later, when the rear holder 60 is rotated around the hinge portion 61 so as to be superimposed on the housing 30 and pressed, the second convex portion 64 slides along the inner surface of the upright wall 36, thereby causing the vicinity of the hole portion 35. After the upright wall 36 is elastically deformed so as to expand in the lateral direction of the housing 30, the second convex portion 64 is fitted into the hole portion 35. As a result, the rear holder 60 is securely locked to the housing 30, and no rattling occurs after locking. In addition, it is possible to prevent the hole 35 from being damaged when an external force is applied to pull the rear holder 60 away from the housing 30 after locking.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, as the third concavo-convex fitting mechanism, the third convex portion 65 provided on the front surface of the rear holder 60 and the primary engagement of the housing 30 for fitting the third convex portion 65 are used. And a third recess 37 provided below the back surface of the stopper 31. As will be described later, when the rear holder 60 is rotated around the hinge portion 61 so as to be superimposed on the housing 30 and pressed, the third convex portion 65 of the rear holder 60 is fitted into the third concave portion 37 of the housing 30. 60 is securely locked to the housing 30 and does not cause backlash or floating after locking.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, when an external force in the direction opposite to the insertion direction (arrow Q direction in FIG. 3) is applied to the terminal fitting 10 inserted in the terminal holding groove 32, A stopper portion 66 that abuts on the first convex portion 34 of the partition wall 33 and prevents the terminal fitting 10 from being detached is provided on the inner periphery on the front side of the hole portion 63 of the rear holder 60. As shown in FIG. 8, the vertical cross section of the stopper portion 66 has a convex chevron shape toward the first convex portion 34, and the apex angle is formed to be 90 degrees or more. is not. The front side of the hole 63 of the rear holder 60 refers to the leading side in the insertion direction of the terminal fitting 10 (arrow Q direction in FIG. 3) when the rear holder 60 is overlapped and joined to the housing 30. The opposite side of 180 degrees is called the back side.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4, 10, 11, and 12, the mating terminal 50, which is another member, is inserted into the contact 13 of the terminal fitting 10 on the back side of the first locking portion 11 of the terminal fitting 10. When the ceiling portion 17 is pressed, the locking projection 15 that contacts the ceiling portion 17 is formed so as to protrude toward the axis 10 c of the terminal fitting 10. Therefore, as will be described later, the electrical connection between the mating terminal 50 inserted into the contact 13 of the terminal fitting 10 and the contact 13 can be ensured.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 13, and 14, in a state where the rear holder 60 is joined to the housing 30, the front side of the rear holder 60 (the insertion direction of the terminal fitting 10 (the direction of the arrow Q in FIG. 3)). A concave portion 67 into which the convex portion 16 provided on the back surface of the second locking portion 12 of the terminal fitting 10 can be fitted is provided at a portion located on the leading side). Therefore, since the convex part 16 of the terminal metal fitting 10 inserted into the terminal holding groove 23 fits into the concave part 67 of the rear holder 60, it is possible to secure a large area of the part where both abut, so that the terminal metal fitting 10 is retained. The power can be improved. In addition, although the convex part 16 is formed by hanging down the tongue-like part formed in the back side of the metal plate material which comprises the 2nd latching | locking part 12 of the terminal metal fitting 10 toward the axial center 10c, However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, in order to detachably engage with a male housing 70 which is another member connected to the housing 30 constituting the electrical connector 100, the upper surface of the housing 30 is provided in an elastically undulating manner. The pressing operation surface 38a of the lock arm 38 and the uppermost surface 39a of the gate-shaped lock guard portion 39 for preventing the lock arm 38 from being deformed in the standing direction are arranged on substantially the same plane S. The pressing operation surface 38a and the uppermost surface 39a are not limited to be located on the same plane, and the pressing operation surface 38a may be disposed at a position lower than the uppermost surface 39a.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the electrical connector 100 shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into the terminal holding groove 32 of the housing 30, and then the rear holder 60 is rotated to overlap the housing 30 and be pressed. For example, since the rear holder 60 and the housing 30 are integrally joined by the first uneven fitting mechanism, the second uneven fitting mechanism, and the third uneven fitting mechanism described above, the assembly work is easy, and the entire connector Can be reduced in height.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, in a state before the rear holder 60 is rotated around the hinge portion 61, the rear holder 60 that is inclined at the upper side on the back side of the housing 30 has the housing around the hinge portion 61. 30, the rear holder 60 does not hinder the insertion work in the process of inserting the terminal fitting 10 into the terminal holding groove 32 from the back side of the housing 30, and the assembly workability is also good. is there.

  The first locking portion 11 and the second locking portion 12 of the terminal fitting 10 inserted into the terminal holding groove 32 are doubled by the primary locking portion 31 of the housing 30 and the secondary locking portion 62 of the rear holder 60, respectively. Since it is locked, the terminal fitting 10 can be stably held.

  As the first concave / convex fitting mechanism, the first convex portion 34 provided in the partition wall 33 of the housing 30 and the hole 63 which is the first concave portion provided in the rear holder 60 are provided. The terminal fitting 10 can be firmly held while achieving a low profile.

  As the second concave / convex fitting mechanism, since the second convex portion 64 provided on the side surface of the rear holder 60 and the hole portion 35 which is the second concave portion provided in the standing wall 36 of the housing 30 are provided, the rear holder 60 Can be eliminated, and the rear holder 60 can be reliably joined. Since the standing wall 36 is elastic and flexible, when an external force is applied to separate the rear holder 60 and the housing 30 after assembly, the hole 35 of the standing wall 36 is not easily damaged. is there.

  Further, as the third concave-convex fitting mechanism, since the third convex portion 65 provided on the front surface of the rear holder 60 and the third concave portion 37 provided on the lower back of the housing 30 are provided, the third concave-convex fitting mechanism is joined to the housing 30. It is possible to prevent the rear holder 60 from floating.

  On the other hand, since the stopper portion 66 is provided in the hole 63 of the rear holder 60, the terminal fitting 10 is moved into the terminal holding groove when an external force (tensile force) in the direction opposite to the insertion direction is applied to the terminal fitting 10 of the electrical connector 100. It is possible to prevent the slipping from 32. In addition, since the distal end portion of the stopper portion 66 has an obtuse angle, the stopper portion 66 can be prevented from being crushed when a pressing force is applied to the stopper portion 66.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first locking portion 11 of the terminal fitting 10 is provided with a locking projection 15 that is convex toward the axis 10 c of the terminal fitting 10. Is arranged so as to be in contact with the ceiling portion 17 located below (the portion near the axis 10c). Therefore, when the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the contact 13 of the terminal fitting 10 and the ceiling portion 17 is pushed up, the locking projection 15 comes into contact with the ceiling portion 17 to prevent the ceiling portion 17 from being lifted. Is reliably pressed and contacted, so that the holding force is increased and a reliable electrical connection can be obtained. Further, by providing the locking protrusion 15, a wide contact area is ensured when the back side of the first locking portion 11 of the terminal fitting 10 comes into contact with the front side of the primary locking portion 31 of the housing 30. Is effective in improving the holding power.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, on the front surface of the rear holder 60, a step in which a tongue-shaped convex portion 16 provided in a hanging shape on the back surface of the second locking portion 12 of the terminal fitting 10 can be fitted. A concave portion 67 is provided. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, an external force (tensile force) in the direction opposite to the insertion direction is applied to the terminal fitting 10 inserted in the terminal holding groove 32, so that the rear side of the second locking portion 12 of the terminal fitting 10 is the rear holder 60. When contacting the front side, the convex portion 16 of the second locking portion 12 of the terminal fitting 10 and the concave portion 67 of the rear holder 60 can be fitted to ensure a wide contact area, and the terminal fitting 10 can be held. It is effective for improving power.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, on the upper surface of the housing 30, the pressing operation surface 38 a of the lock arm 38 and the uppermost surface 39 a of the lock guard portion 39 are arranged so as to be located on substantially the same plane S. This is effective in reducing the overall height of the connector. Further, when the lock arm 38 is bent upward by applying a pushing force (force in the direction in which the pressing operation surface 38a is raised) to the lock arm 38, the lower surface of the lock guard portion 39 formed at a lower position than the conventional connector. Since the lock arm 38 is brought into contact with this and further bending is prevented, deformation or breakage of the lock arm 38 can be prevented. In addition, since the uppermost surface 39a of the lock guard portion 39 is positioned lower than the conventional connector, the waste generated between the electrical connector 100 and the male housing 70 and the unit frame 80 and the separate unit 81 disposed thereabove. Space can be eliminated.

  The electrical connector 100 described based on FIGS. 1 to 15 shows an example of the present invention, and the electrical connector 100 of the present invention is not limited to the electrical connector 100 described above.

  The electrical connector and the electrical connector terminal fitting of the present invention can be widely used in various industrial fields such as the electronic / electric equipment industry and the automobile industry as means for electrically connecting the circuit board and the wire harness.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Terminal metal fitting 10c Shaft center 11 1st latching | locking part 12 2nd latching | locking part 13 Contact 14 Crimping part 15 Locking protrusion 16 Convex part 17 Ceiling part 20 Electric cable 30 Housing 31 Primary locking part 32 Terminal holding groove 33 Partition 34 First convex part 35 Hole part (second concave part)
36 Standing wall 37 Third recess 38 Lock arm 38a Press operation surface 39 Lock guard portion 39a Top surface 50 Mating terminal 60 Rear holder 61 Hinge portion 62 Secondary locking portion 63 Hole portion (first recess)
64 Second convex part 65 Third convex part 66 Stopper part 67 Concave part 70 Male housing 80 Unit frame 81 Separate unit 100 Electrical connector Q Arrow line R Angle S S plane

Claims (8)

A plurality of terminal holding grooves formed for inserting the terminal fittings, and a primary locking portion for preventing separation that locks to the first locking portions provided on the terminal fittings inserted into the terminal holding grooves. And a rear holder having a secondary locking portion for preventing separation, which is locked to a second locking portion provided on the terminal fitting that is provided integrally with the housing and is inserted into the terminal holding groove. A step-shaped recess that can be fitted with a tongue-shaped convex portion that is provided on the front surface of the rear holder in a hanging manner on the back surface of the second locking portion of the terminal metal fitting in the axial direction of the terminal metal fitting. Provided ,
The portion of the front surface of the rear holder where the concave portion is not formed can abut on the portion of the terminal fitting inserted into the terminal holding groove where the convex portion on the back side of the second locking portion is not provided. Is an electrical connector.   The electrical connector according to claim 1, further comprising an uneven fitting mechanism that joins the rear holder and the housing when the rear holder is rotated and overlapped with the housing.   The electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing and the rear holder form an obtuse angle when the rear holder is not rotated.   The concave / convex fitting mechanism includes a first convex portion provided in a partition wall that forms the terminal holding groove of the housing, and a first concave portion provided in the rear holder for fitting the first convex portion. The electrical connector according to claim 2 or 3.   The said uneven | corrugated fitting mechanism was comprised by the 2nd convex part provided in the side surface of the said rear holder, and the 2nd recessed part provided in the said housing in order to insert the said 2nd convex part. An electrical connector according to any one of the above.   The electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein the second concave portion is a hole portion that is opened in a state in which the second convex portion can be fitted into a flexible standing wall provided in the housing.   The said uneven | corrugated fitting mechanism was comprised by the 3rd convex part provided in the front of the said rear holder, and the 3rd recessed part provided in the said housing in order to insert the said 3rd convex part. An electrical connector according to any one of the above. When the external force in the direction opposite to the insertion direction is applied to the terminal fitting inserted into the terminal holding groove, a stopper portion that contacts the first convex portion of the partition wall and prevents the terminal fitting from being detached is provided in the rear holder. The electrical connector according to claim 4 , wherein the electrical connector is provided in a hole formed in

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