JP5999505B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

  In Patent Document 1, in the process of inserting the terminal fitting into the housing, the terminal fitting elastically displaces the lance to the unlocking position, and when the terminal fitting is normally inserted, the lance is elastically moved to the locking position. A connector is disclosed that returns and locks onto a terminal fitting and prevents the terminal fitting from being pulled out by this locking action. This connector employs a structure in which a rubber seal member is attached to the housing and the terminal metal member is elastically pressed via the lance by means of this seal member as a means for restricting backlash of the inserted terminal metal fitting. Yes.

JP 2011-159527 A

The connector has a structure in which the seal member elastically presses the lance before the terminal fitting is inserted into the housing. Therefore, when the terminal fitting in the insertion process elastically displaces the lance to the unlocking position, both the elastic restoring force of the lance and the elastic restoring force of the seal member act as reaction forces on the terminal fitting. Since these elastic restoring forces serve as insertion resistance against the insertion operation of the terminal fitting, there is a problem that workability when inserting the terminal fitting is not good.
The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent backlash of a terminal fitting without increasing insertion resistance when the terminal fitting is inserted. .

The present invention
A first housing;
A second housing engageable with the first housing;
A terminal fitting inserted into the first housing in a state where the first housing and the second housing are not fitted,
A pressing portion that is formed on the second housing and applies a pressing force in a direction intersecting an insertion direction to the terminal fitting when fitted to the first housing ;
A rubber elastic contact portion that is attached to the first housing and transmits the pressing force of the pressing portion to the terminal fitting;
It is characterized in that it includes a rubber elastic contact portion that is attached to the first housing and transmits the pressing force of the pressing portion to the terminal fitting .

According to this configuration, in a state where the first housing and the second housing are fitted, the pressing portion applies a pressing force in a direction intersecting the insertion direction to the terminal fitting, so that the terminal fitting is prevented from rattling. The In a state where the first housing and the second housing are not fitted, the pressing portion does not apply a pressing force to the terminal fitting, and therefore no insertion resistance due to the pressing action of the pressing portion is generated. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the backlash of a terminal metal fitting can be prevented without increasing the insertion resistance at the time of inserting a terminal metal fitting. Moreover, since the dimensional tolerance of the terminal fitting or the pressing portion can be absorbed by the elastic deformation of the elastic contact portion, it is possible to reliably prevent the terminal fitting from being loose.

The sectional side view showing the state which fitted the 1st housing and the 2nd housing in Example 1 Side sectional view of the first housing Side sectional view of the second housing Front view of seal member AA line sectional view of FIG. Bottom view of seal member

The connector of the present invention
A seal member provided on the first housing, for sealing between the peripheral surfaces of the first housing and the second housing;
The elastic contact portion may be formed integrally with the seal member.
According to this configuration, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where the elastic contact portion and the seal member are separate parts.

The connector of the present invention
During the fitting of the first housing and the second housing, the pressing portion is not in contact with the elastic contact portion, and when the first housing and the second housing reach the end of fitting, the pressing portion May press the elastic contact portion.
According to this configuration, in the fitting process of the two housings, the fitting resistance due to the sliding contact between the pressing portion and the elastic contact portion does not occur until the end of the fitting, so the workability at the time of fitting is improved. good.

<Example 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The connector of the present embodiment is fitted with the first housing 10 made of synthetic resin, the first metal terminal fitting 21 (terminal fitting according to the claims), the rubber seal member 24, and the first housing 10. The second housing 40 made of synthetic resin and the second metal terminal fitting 46 made of metal can be combined.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first housing 10 includes a housing main body 11 and a front retainer 19 assembled to the housing main body 11. The housing body 11 is configured by integrally forming a terminal accommodating portion 12 having a block shape and a cylindrical fitting portion 13 surrounding the terminal accommodating portion 12. In the terminal accommodating portion 12, a plurality of chambers (three chambers in this embodiment) of terminal accommodating chambers 14 are formed side by side in the left-right direction (a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the first terminal fitting 21 with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 14). Has been.

  The terminal accommodating portion 12 is formed with a lance 15 that can be elastically deflected in a form that cantilevered forward along the lower wall surface of each terminal accommodating chamber 14. The terminal accommodating portion 12 is formed with a plurality of (three) communication holes 16 that communicate from the upper surface thereof to the upper wall surface of each terminal accommodating chamber 14 (inner wall surface opposite to the lance 15 in the vertical direction). The vertical direction is a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the first terminal fitting 21 with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 14.

  A space between the outer periphery of the terminal accommodating portion 12 and the inner periphery of the cylindrical fitting portion 13 is a fitting space 17 opened to the front of the first housing 10 (leftward in FIGS. 1 and 2). . Moreover, a part of the upper wall part which comprises the cylindrical fitting part 13 becomes the lock arm 18 which can be elastically bent. The front retainer 19 is assembled to the terminal accommodating portion 12 from the front, and a temporary locking position (not shown) that allows the elastic deformation of the lance 15 and a main locking position (FIG. 1, FIG. 1) that controls the elastic bending of the lance 15. 2) is selectively held.

  The first terminal fitting 21 is a female terminal elongated in the front-rear direction. The first terminal fitting 21 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 14 from the rear. In the process of inserting the first terminal fitting 21, the first terminal fitting 21 elastically displaces the lance 15 to the locking release position (not shown). When the first terminal fitting 21 reaches the proper insertion position, the lance 15 is elastically restored and locked to the first terminal fitting 21, and the first terminal fitting 21 is prevented from being pulled out by this locking action. A front end side region of the first terminal fitting 21 is a rectangular tube portion 22. The upper surface of the rectangular tube portion 22 functions as a pressure receiving surface 23 that receives a pressing force from an elastic contact portion 28 described later.

  The seal member 24 has a generally rectangular tube shape as a whole, and is attached so as to be in close contact with the outer periphery of the terminal accommodating chamber 14. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the sealing member 24 includes a sealing function portion 25 having a substantially rectangular tube shape, a plurality of retaining portions 27 connected to a rear end portion of the sealing function portion 25, and a front end portion of the sealing function portion 25. And an elastic contact portion 28 that is continuous with each other. The inner periphery of the seal function part 25 is in elastic contact with the outer periphery of the terminal accommodating chamber 14, and the lip part 26 on the outer periphery of the seal function part 25 is in elastic contact with the inner periphery of the hood part 42 described later.

  The retaining portion 27 has a form protruding from the rear end portion of the sealing function portion 25, and is arranged at a plurality of positions spaced in the circumferential direction. Each retaining portion 27 is locked to a hooking portion (not shown) formed in the terminal accommodating chamber 14. The seal member 24 is assembled in a state where the seal member 24 is positioned in the front-rear direction and the circumferential direction with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber 14 by the locking of the retaining portion 27 and the hook portion.

  The elastic contact portion 28 is composed of one plate-like support portion 29 and a plurality (three in this embodiment) of protrusions 30. The plate-like support part 29 has a form that extends horizontally in a cantilevered manner from the upper edge part on the front end face of the seal function part 25. The lower surface (inner surface) of the plate-like support portion 29 is in contact with the outer surface (upper surface) of the terminal accommodating chamber 14. The three protrusions 30 are in the form of independently protruding downward from the front end portion of the lower surface of the plate-like support portion 29, and in the state where the seal member 24 is assembled to the terminal accommodating chamber 14, each protrusion 30 is respectively It is accommodated in the communication hole 16.

  The lower ends (protruding ends) of the protrusions 30 accommodated in the communication holes 16 are disposed so as to face the pressure receiving surfaces 23 of the first terminal fittings 21 in the corresponding terminal accommodating chambers 14, respectively. However, since the plate-like support portion 29, which is a base for forming the protrusion 30, is positioned in contact with the upper surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 14, the protrusion 30 is also positioned in the vertical direction. Therefore, in a state where the first housing 10 and the second housing 40 are not fitted, the lower end of the protrusion 30 is opposed to the pressure receiving surface 23 of the first terminal fitting 21 with a gap, or on the pressure receiving surface 23. On the other hand, it is held in a state of light contact with almost no elastic deformation.

  In a state where the front retainer 19 is in the final locking position, the outer wall portion 20 of the front retainer 19 is fitted on the front end portion of the terminal accommodating chamber 14, and the rear end portion of the outer wall portion 20 is the front end of the plate-like support portion 29. It is located so as to face from the front. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface (outer surface) of the front end portion (the portion corresponding to the protrusion 30 in the front-rear direction) of the plate-like support portion 29 is located above (outward) the upper surface of the outer wall portion 20. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the second housing 40 includes a terminal holding portion 41 and a hood portion that protrudes from the front surface of the terminal holding portion 41 forward (to the right in FIGS. 1 and 3) in a generally rectangular tube shape. 42 is formed integrally. A plurality (three in this embodiment) of second terminal fittings 46 are attached to the second housing 40. The second terminal fitting 46 is a male terminal having a tab 47 at the front end. The second terminal fitting 46 is held by the terminal holding portion 41 with the tab 47 protruding from the hood portion 42.

  The upper plate portion 43 (peripheral wall portion) constituting the hood portion 42 is formed with a lock portion 44 that protrudes from the upper surface (outer surface) thereof. When the first housing 10 and the second housing 40 are properly fitted, the lock arm 18 is locked to the lock portion 44, whereby the housings 10 and 40 are locked in the fitted state.

  The upper plate portion 43 of the hood portion 42 is formed with a pressing portion 45 that protrudes from the lower surface (inner surface) thereof. The pressing portion 45 is disposed at a position so as to press the front end portion of the plate-like support portion 29 from above (from the outer surface side) in a state where both the housings 10 and 40 are properly fitted. The pressing portion 45 may be divided and arranged in the left-right direction so as to correspond to the plurality of protrusions 30 and individually protrude, or in a rib shape continuously in the left-right direction so as to correspond to all of the plurality of protrusions 30. The form which protrudes may be sufficient.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The first terminal fitting 21 is inserted into the first housing 10 before the first housing 10 and the second housing 40 are fitted together. Further, when the first terminal fitting 21 is inserted, the seal member 24 is attached to the outer wall of the terminal accommodating chamber 14 in advance, and the front retainer 19 is held at the temporary locking position. When the lance 15 is elastically displaced to the unlocking position during the insertion process of the first terminal fitting 21, the front retainer 19 is retracted to the temporary locking position that does not interfere with the lance 15. There will be no trouble.

  While the first terminal fitting 21 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 14, the lower end (protruding end) of the protrusion 30 of the elastic contact portion 28 of the seal member 24 is positioned so as to directly face the terminal accommodating chamber 14. However, it does not come into contact with the first terminal fitting 21 being inserted. Accordingly, frictional resistance due to the sliding contact between the protrusion 30 and the first terminal fitting 21 does not occur. In the process of inserting the first terminal fitting 21, the presence of the protrusion 30 (elastic contact portion 28). Insertion workability is good because the resulting insertion resistance does not occur. After all the first terminal fittings 21 are properly inserted, the front retainer 19 is moved to the final locking position. Then, the restricting portion 31 of the front retainer 19 enters the bending space 32 of the lance 15 and restricts the elastic displacement of the lance 15, so that the terminal fitting is reliably secured. Thus, the insertion process of the first terminal fitting 21 is completed.

  After the insertion process of the first terminal fitting 21 is completed, the first housing 10 and the second housing 40 are fitted. At the time of fitting, the hood part 42 enters the fitting space 17. In the process of fitting, the inner periphery of the hood part 42 is in sliding contact with the lip part 26, so that fitting resistance is generated. However, the pressing part 45 is kept in contact with the seal member 24 (elastic contact) until the end of the fitting. The part 28) maintains a non-contact state.

  When the fitting process reaches the final stage, the pressing portion 45 comes into contact with the front end portion of the elastic contact portion 28, and the front end portion on which the projection 30 is formed in the plate-like support portion 29 is viewed from above (outer surface side). Press. Then, the front end portion of the plate-like support portion 29 and the protrusion 30 are elastically displaced downward (inner peripheral side), and the lower end portion of the protrusion 30 is in elastic contact with the pressure receiving surface 23 of the first terminal fitting 21. Due to this elastic contact action, the pressing force from the pressing portion 45 is applied to the first terminal fitting 21 in a direction (downward) intersecting the insertion direction via the elastic contact portion 28.

  The first terminal fitting 21 is pressed against the lower wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 14 by the pressing force from the pressing portion 45. With this pressing force, the first terminal fitting 21 is prevented from rattling in the vertical direction (direction intersecting the insertion direction). Further, the first terminal fitting 21 is restricted from moving (backlashed) in the left-right direction (direction intersecting the insertion direction) due to the frictional resistance caused by the pressing.

  As described above, the connector of this embodiment includes the first housing 10, the second housing 40 that can be fitted to the first housing 10, and the first housing 10 in a state in which both the housings 10 and 40 are not fitted. A first terminal fitting 21 to be inserted and a press formed on the second housing 40 to apply a pressing force in a direction crossing the insertion direction to the first terminal fitting 21 when fitted to the first housing 10. Part 45.

  According to this configuration, in a state where both housings 10 and 40 are fitted, the pressing portion 45 applies a pressing force in a direction intersecting the insertion direction to the first terminal fitting 21, so that the first terminal fitting 21 Backlash is prevented. In a state in which the housings 10 and 40 are not fitted, the pressing portion 45 does not apply a pressing force to the first terminal fitting 21, so that no insertion resistance due to the pressing action of the pressing portion 45 is generated. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the backlash of the first terminal fitting 21 can be prevented without increasing the insertion resistance when the first terminal fitting 21 is inserted.

  The first housing 10 is provided with a rubber elastic contact portion 28 that transmits the pressing force of the pressing portion 45 to the first terminal fitting 21. According to this configuration, since the dimensional tolerances of the first terminal fitting 21 and the pressing portion 45 can be absorbed by the elastic deformation of the elastic contact portion 28, the backlash of the first terminal fitting 21 can be reliably prevented. The first housing 10 is attached with a seal member 24 that seals between the peripheral surfaces of the housings 10 and 40, and an elastic contact portion 28 is formed integrally with the seal member 24. According to this structure, compared with the case where the elastic contact part 28 and the sealing member 24 are separate parts, the number of parts can be reduced.

  Further, during the fitting of both housings 10, 40, the pressing portion 45 is not in contact with the elastic contact portion 28, and when the housings 10, 40 reach the end of fitting, the pressing portion 45 is elastically contacting portion 28. Is to be pressed. According to this configuration, in the fitting process of the housings 10 and 40, the fitting resistance due to the sliding contact between the pressing portion 45 and the elastic contact portion 28 does not occur until the end of the fitting. Workability at the time is good.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, the pressing force of the pressing portion is applied to the terminal fitting through the elastic contact portion, but the pressing portion may be applied directly to the terminal fitting to apply the pressing force.
(2) In the above embodiment, the elastic contact portion is formed integrally with the seal member, but the elastic contact portion may be a separate member from the seal member.
(3) In the above embodiment, the pressing portions are not in contact with the elastic contact portions until both housings reach the end of fitting. The portion may continue to press the elastic contact portion.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... 1st housing 21 ... 1st terminal metal fitting (terminal metal fitting)
24 ... Sealing member 28 ... Elastic contact portion 40 ... Second housing 45 ... Pressing portion

Claims (3)

A first housing;
A second housing engageable with the first housing;
A terminal fitting inserted into the first housing in a state where the first housing and the second housing are not fitted,
A pressing portion that is formed on the second housing and applies a pressing force in a direction intersecting an insertion direction to the terminal fitting when fitted to the first housing ;
A connector comprising: a rubber elastic contact portion attached to the first housing and transmitting a pressing force of the pressing portion to the terminal fitting . A seal member provided on the first housing, for sealing between the peripheral surfaces of the first housing and the second housing;
The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic contact portion is formed integrally with the seal member . During the fitting of the first housing and the second housing, the pressing portion is not in contact with the elastic contact portion, and when the first housing and the second housing reach the end of fitting, the pressing portion The connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member presses the elastic contact portion .

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