JP6701244B2 - Connectors, wires with connectors, and sensors for medical devices - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector including a connector terminal and a housing in which the connector terminal is housed, an electric wire with a connector, and a sensor for a medical device including the electric wire with a connector.

  BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a connector terminal in which a mating terminal pin is inserted/removed is known (see Patent Document 1). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, this connector terminal is connected to an electric connection portion 101 to which an electric wire 105 is connected, a lower contact piece 102 extending from the electric connection portion 101, and a base portion of the lower contact piece 102, Two lower contact pieces 102 and two upper contact pieces 103 extending in the same direction are provided. These three contact pieces (the lower contact piece 102 and the upper contact piece 103) are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the mating terminal pin to be inserted. Each of the contact pieces 102 and 103 is elastically deformable, and is elastically deformed so that the distance between the tips is widened by inserting the mating terminal pin from the tip side into the space surrounded by the three contact pieces 102 and 103. In this connector terminal 100, the mating terminal pin is held by the elastic restoring force of each of the contact pieces 102, 103 (elastic force for returning to the initial position). At this time, each contact piece 102, 103 holds the other party terminal pin in a state where a part of the tip side of the contact piece 102, 103 in the inserting direction of the other party terminal pin is in contact with the other party terminal pin. ..

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho 49-96474

  The connector terminal is required to have a holding force that prevents the mating terminal pin from coming off from the connector terminal during use. In order to secure this holding force, in the above-mentioned connector terminal 100, for example, the distance between the tips of the contact pieces 102, 103 is made small, that is, the inscribed circles at the tips of the three contact pieces 102, 103 (Fig. It is conceivable to reduce the diameter of β of 12). In this way, when the distance between the tips is made small, the mating terminal pin is firmly held by the elastic restoring force in the state where the mating terminal pin is inserted, and thus it becomes difficult to pull out from the connector terminal 100.

  However, in this case, the resistance at the time of inserting the mating terminal pin into the space surrounded by the three contact pieces 102, 103 becomes large, and it becomes difficult to firmly insert the mating terminal pin deeply.

  Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connector in which a mating terminal pin is easy to insert and hard to pull out, an electric wire with the connector, and a medical sensor including the electric wire with the connector.

  The connector of the present invention has a terminal base portion to which an electric wire can be connected, and a connector terminal having an electrical connection portion extending from the terminal base portion and to which a counterpart terminal pin is detachably connected, and the counterpart terminal pin can be inserted. A connector housing having a terminal insertion opening and a terminal accommodation portion that accommodates the connector terminal in a state in which the electrical connection portion is directed toward and engaged with the terminal insertion opening; and the terminal accommodation portion includes the electrical connection portion. Has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface extending toward the terminal insertion opening side in a state of enclosing the periphery of, and the electrical connection portion is arranged on the inner side of the cylindrical inner peripheral surface at intervals around the central axis three or more. Of the elastic contact pieces, each of the three or more elastic contact pieces extends along the central axis and is curved so as to bulge toward the central axis, and from the contact section to the terminal base portion. A base portion that extends to the side and is directly or indirectly connected to the terminal base portion, and extends from an end portion of the contact portion opposite to the base portion, and is located outside the contact portion in a direction orthogonal to the central axis. A tip portion, and the contact portion applies a pressing force from the mating terminal pin to the cylindrical inner peripheral surface side when the mating terminal pin is inserted into the connector housing from the terminal insertion opening. By receiving the tip, the tip is elastically deformed into a linear shape so as to move the tip toward the terminal insertion port side while the tip is in contact with the cylindrical inner peripheral surface.

  According to this structure, when the mating terminal pin is inserted from the terminal insertion opening to the back, the elastic contact piece moves in the direction orthogonal to the central axis (the direction in which the elastic contact piece is pushed by the mating terminal pin). Since the base portion whose movement is restricted and the tip end portion support both ends of the contact portion, the contact portion is elastically deformed to be linear along the inserted mating terminal pin. As a result, the holding force by the elastic return force of each elastic contact piece (the pressing force toward the mating terminal pin) and the frictional force by the contact portion contacting the mating terminal pin in the entire insertion direction (the mating terminal pin The force that resists this when trying to pull out) is sufficiently secured by the force of holding the mating terminal pin. Moreover, since the elastic return force (pressing force of the elastic contact piece toward the counterpart terminal pin) can be made smaller than when the force for holding the counterpart terminal pin is secured only by the elastic return force, the counterpart terminal pin Is easier to insert.

  That is, when securing the force for holding the mating terminal pin only by the elastic restoring force of the elastic contact piece, it is difficult to insert the mating terminal pin, but as in the above configuration, the frictional force is used in addition to the elastic restoring force. Thus, by securing the force for holding the mating terminal pin, both the ease of inserting the mating terminal pin and the securing of a sufficient holding force for the mating terminal pin after insertion are realized.

  In this case, in the connector, the terminal accommodating portion has a protrusion that protrudes from a predetermined position in the central axis direction on the cylindrical inner peripheral surface toward the central axis, and the predetermined position is the contact portion. It is preferable that the tip end portion is in contact with the tip end portion when it is elastically deformed to be linear from a curved state.

  According to this structure, when the mating terminal pin is inserted and the contact portion is elastically deformed into a linear shape, the tip end of the elastic contact piece abuts the protruding portion, and the further terminals of the tip portion are contacted. By restricting the movement toward the insertion opening side, it is possible to prevent a part of the elastic return force generated at the contact portion due to elastic deformation from escaping to the terminal insertion opening side. As a result, the pressing force of the elastic contact piece can be efficiently applied to the mating terminal pin.

  In the connector, the protruding portion may be a wall portion that defines the terminal insertion opening in the connector housing.

  According to such a configuration, the connector can be made smaller than the configuration in which the wall portion defining the terminal insertion port and the protruding portion are separately formed.

  Further, in the connector, the terminal accommodating portion may include an elastic piece supporting portion that supports the base portion of the elastic contact piece from the outside.

  In this way, by supporting the base portion of the elastic contact piece, the movement of the base end of the contact portion is further regulated, whereby a part of the elastic return force generated in the contact portion due to elastic deformation escapes through the base portion. As a result, it is possible to more efficiently apply a pressing force to the mating terminal pin due to the elastic return force generated at the contact portion.

  An electric wire with a connector of the present invention includes any one of the above-mentioned connectors and an electric wire connected to the terminal base portion of the connector.

  According to the electric wire with a connector having such a configuration, the mating terminal pin is easily inserted into the connector, and the inserted mating terminal pin is hard to come off.

  The medical device sensor of the present invention includes a medical sensor main body, an output electric wire extending from the medical sensor main body, and any one of the connectors described above, and the output electric wire is the connector of the connector. It is connected to the terminal base.

  According to the medical device sensor having such a configuration, the mating terminal pin is easily inserted into the connector, and the inserted mating terminal pin is hard to come off.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector in which a mating terminal pin is easy to insert and hard to pull out, the electric wire with the connector, and a medical sensor including the electric wire with the connector.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connector terminal used for the connector. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the connector terminal viewed from the tip side in the central axis direction. FIG. 6 is a development view of the connector terminal. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the elastic contact piece. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a connector housing used for the connector. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the medical device sensor. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the connector and the mating terminal pin are fitted together. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a conventional connector terminal. FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the connector terminal viewed from the tip side in the central axis direction.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 1 includes a connector terminal 2 to which an electric wire is connected, and a tubular connector housing 5 that houses the connector terminal 2. The connector 1 is a female connector, to which mating terminal pins P (see FIG. 10) such as a male connector are connected (fitted).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the connector terminal 2 includes a terminal base portion 3 to which an electric wire can be connected, an electric connection portion 4 extending from the terminal base portion 3 and to which a mating terminal pin P is detachably connected. Have. The connector terminal 2 of the present embodiment is obtained by punching a conductive metal flat plate into a predetermined shape (see FIG. 6) and bending it into a cylindrical shape with the axis parallel to the center line C1 as the center axis C. It is formed by doing. Although the connector terminal 2 of the present embodiment is formed of phosphor bronze, it may be formed of brass, nickel silver, plated SUS, or the like. In the following, in the direction of the central axis C, the electric connection portion 4 side (left side in FIG. 2) is the tip side, and the terminal base 3 side (right side in FIG. 2) is the base end side.

  The terminal base 3 includes a plate-shaped base body 31 extending in the central axis C direction, a plurality of conductor crimping pieces 32 extending from the base body 31, and a pair of base caulking pieces 32 extending from the base end side of the conductor caulking piece 32. And a covering portion crimping piece 33.

  The conductor crimping piece 32 is a portion for crimping the core wire (conductor) exposed at the tip of the electric wire so as to crimp the core wire to the base body 31, and the covering portion crimping piece 33 is the exposed portion of the electric wire. This is a portion that is caulked so as to sandwich the insulating coated portion near the core wire between the base body 31 and the core portion.

  Each of the plurality of conductor crimping pieces 32 of the base body 31 is in the connector terminal 2 in a state before the bending process and the like (state shown in FIG. 6: hereinafter referred to as “plate-shaped connector terminal 2 ”). It extends from both sides in the width direction (direction orthogonal to the center line C1: vertical direction in FIG. 6) toward the outside in the width direction. In the connector terminal 2 of the present embodiment, the conductor crimping piece 32 on one side (the upper side in FIG. 6) in the width direction and the conductor crimping piece 32 on the other side (the lower side in FIG. 6) are displaced in the centerline C1 direction. Alternating from the position (ie staggered).

  Each of the pair of covering portion crimping pieces 33 extends outward in the width direction from a position adjacent to the conductor crimping piece 32 on the base end side in the direction of the center line C1 in the base body 31 of the flat plate-shaped connector terminal 2. ing. The covering portion crimping piece 33 on one side in the width direction and the covering portion crimping piece 33 on the other side extend from the same position in the centerline C1 direction.

  By bending a part of the flat plate-shaped connector terminal 2 on which the base body 31, the conductor crimping piece 32, and the covering portion crimping piece 33 are formed so that the base body 31 is curved, the terminal base portion 3 is formed. Has been formed.

  The electrical connection part 4 includes a connection part body 41 that is connected to the base part body 31 and three or more elastic contact pieces 42 that are arranged around the central axis C at intervals. In the electrical connection portion 4, when the mating terminal pin P is inserted into the area A (see FIG. 5) surrounded by three or more elastic contact pieces 42 (see FIG. 10), the mating terminal pin P Connected (fitted) in a conductive manner. The number of elastic contact pieces 42 of this embodiment is three.

  The connecting portion body 41 has a tubular portion 411 that surrounds the central axis C, a restricting piece 412 that extends from the base end of the tubular portion 411 toward the central axis C, and extends outward from the tubular portion 411 to engage with the connector housing 5. And a terminal side engaging portion 413.

  The tubular portion 411 is a portion where the tip portion of the mating terminal pin P is located inside (the area surrounded by the tubular portion 411) when the mating terminal pin P and the connector 1 are fitted (FIG. 10). reference). The cylindrical portion 411 is a rectangular plate-shaped portion that is long in the direction orthogonal to the centerline C1 in the flat-shaped connector terminal 2, and this portion is opposed to each other with the center axis C as the center and the longitudinal ends thereof. It is formed by curving the whole so as to have a tubular shape.

  When the mating terminal pin P and the connector 1 are fitted to each other, the restricting piece 412 prevents the tip of the mating terminal pin P from further entering (toward the base end side of the connector 1). That is, when the mating terminal pin P that moves along the central axis C enters into the tubular portion 411, the tip of the mating terminal pin P abuts against the mating regulating piece 412. , Prevents further movement of the tip.

  This restricting piece 412 has a portion 412 extending in the direction of the center line C1 from the edge on the proximal end side of the tubular portion 411 of the flat plate-shaped connector terminal 2 shown in FIG. 6 with the tubular portion 411 in the tubular shape. It is formed by bending toward C. In the electrical connection portion 4 of the present embodiment, a plurality of (two in the example shown in the present embodiment) restriction pieces 412 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 411.

  The terminal side engaging portion 413 is provided inside the connector housing 5 when the connector terminal 2 is inserted into the inside of the connector housing 5 from the base end side opening 8 (see FIG. 2) and moved to a predetermined position. Engages with an engaging portion (a housing-side engaging portion 521 described later: see FIG. 2). As a result, the connector terminal 2 is locked in the connector housing 5. As a result, the movement of the connector terminal 2 toward the base end side inside the connector housing 5 is prevented.

  Specifically, the terminal-side engaging portion 413 projects from the tubular portion 411 and is inclined with respect to the central axis C so as to separate from the central axis C toward the base end side. The terminal-side engaging portions 413 extend in the tubular portion 411 of the flat plate-shaped connector terminal 2 from the end edge on the proximal end side toward the distal end side, and are spaced apart in the direction orthogonal to the center line C1. It is formed by raising the portion between the notches 411A (see FIG. 6) to the outside.

  Each of the three elastic contact pieces 42 extends along the central axis C and is elastically deformed by being pressed by the mating terminal pin P inserted from the terminal insertion opening 7 (see FIG. 2) of the connector housing 5. The three elastic contact pieces 42 are arranged at intervals on the circumference centered on the central axis C. The specific configuration of each elastic contact piece 42 is as follows.

  Each elastic contact piece 42 is an elastically deformable plate-shaped portion extending from the connection portion main body 41 toward the distal end side, and a main surface (a surface orthogonal to the thickness direction) 42A (see FIG. 4) is directed toward the central axis C. In a closed state, they are arranged at equal intervals around the central axis C. The elastic contact piece 42 has two bent portions (a first bent portion 421 and a second bent portion 422) spaced apart in the central axis C direction. Hereinafter, a portion of the elastic contact piece 42 that is closer to the base end side than the first bent portion 421 is referred to as a base portion 423, a portion between the first bent portion 421 and the second bent portion 422 is referred to as a contact portion 424, and a second portion A portion on the tip side of the bent portion 422 is referred to as a tip portion 425.

  The base portion 423 extends from the contact portion 424 toward the terminal base portion 3 side and is directly or indirectly connected to the terminal base portion 3. The base portion 423 of the present embodiment is connected to the terminal base portion 3 via the connection portion main body 41. The base portion 423 restricts the movement of the contact portion 424 toward the terminal base portion 3 side by connecting the contact portion 424 and the connection portion main body 41 (specifically, the tubular portion 411). The base portion 423 is inclined with respect to the central axis C so as to move away from the central axis C from the contact portion 424 toward the proximal end side (see FIGS. 2 and 4). The base portion 423 of this embodiment is in contact with the connector housing 5 at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 2 ).

  The contact portion 424 is a portion that contacts (conducts) with the mating terminal pin P when the mating terminal pin P is inserted from the terminal insertion port 7. The contact portion 424 is bent. Specifically, the contact portion 424 extends along the central axis C and is curved so as to bulge toward the central axis C (see FIGS. 2, 4, and 7). Due to this bending, the inscribed circle α (see FIG. 5) that is in contact with the portion of each contact portion 424 that is closest to the center axis C is smaller than the outer circumference of the mating terminal pin P. There is. Therefore, when the mating terminal pin P is inserted into the region A surrounded by the elastic contact pieces 42, each contact portion 424 is expanded in a direction away from the central axis C and elastically deforms (from a curved state to a linear shape). Extends to). The contact portion 424 of this embodiment is arranged such that the base end is closer to the central axis C than the tip end. Since the actual bending (bending) of the contact portion 424 is slight, the degree of bending (bending degree) of the contact portion 424 is exaggerated in the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 7.

  The tip portion 425 extends from the tip of the contact portion 424 (the end portion on the side opposite to the base portion 423) and is located outside the contact portion 424 in the direction orthogonal to the central axis C. Specifically, the distal end portion 425 is inclined with respect to the central axis C so as to move away from the central axis C from the contact portion 424 toward the distal end side (see FIGS. 2, 4, and 7). . The other end terminal pin P is inserted from the terminal insertion port 7 of the connector housing 5, and the contact portion 424 is elastically deformed, so that the tip portion 425 has its tip end on the inner peripheral surface 50 of the connector housing 5 (specifically, One portion 51: moves to the tip side in a state of being in contact with (see FIG. 7), that is, slides with respect to the inner peripheral surface 50 of the connector housing 5 toward the tip side.

  The connector terminal 2 configured as described above is housed in the connector housing 5 with the electric connection portion 4 facing the terminal insertion port 7 (see FIG. 2 ).

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 8, the connector housing 5 includes a terminal accommodating portion 6 that accommodates the connector terminal 2 and a terminal insertion port 7 into which the mating terminal pin P is inserted. Have. Further, the connector housing 5 has a base end side opening 8 into which the connector terminal 2 is inserted. Specifically, it is as follows.

  The connector housing 5 has a tubular shape having a central axis C and is made of a resin having an insulating property. The connector housing 5 has an inner peripheral surface 50, and the inner peripheral surface 50 defines a space (accommodation space) S in which the connector terminal 2 is accommodated. The terminal accommodating portion 6 of the present embodiment includes the inner peripheral surface 50 and the accommodating space S. Further, the terminal insertion port 7 is an opening at the tip of the connector housing 5 that communicates the outside with the housing space S in the central axis C direction, and the proximal opening 8 is at the proximal end of the connector housing 5 the central axis C. This is an opening that allows the outside and the accommodation space S to communicate with each other in the direction.

  In the inner peripheral surface 50 of the present embodiment, the cross section at each position in the central axis C direction (the cross section in the plane direction orthogonal to the central axis C) is circular or substantially circular. The inner peripheral surface 50 has a plurality of portions having different diameters. Specifically, the first portion (cylindrical inner peripheral surface) 51 having the smallest diameter, the second portion 52 having the diameter larger than the first portion 51, and the second portion in order from the distal end side to the proximal end side. And a third portion 53 having a larger diameter than 52 (the largest diameter). The first portion 51 and the second portion 52 are connected by a first reduced diameter portion 54 that reduces its diameter toward the tip side. Further, the second portion 52 and the third portion 53 are connected by a second reduced diameter portion 55 that reduces its diameter toward the tip side. The central axes of the respective parts 51 to 55 forming the inner peripheral surface 50 coincide with each other.

  The first portion 51, the first reduced diameter portion 54, and the second portion 52 are portions that surround the periphery of the electrical connection portion 4 on the inner peripheral surface 50. The second portion 52 has a housing-side engagement portion 521 that engages with the terminal-side engagement portion 413 at a position corresponding to the terminal-side engagement portion 413 of the electrical connection portion 4 (specifically, the connection portion body 41). . The housing side engagement portion 521 of the present embodiment is a portion having a small diameter (a portion that bulges toward the central axis C side) partially provided in the central axis C direction, and the second reduced diameter portion in the central axis C direction. It is provided at a position adjacent (continuous) to 55. Further, the boundary portion (elastic piece support portion) 56 between the first portion 51 and the first reduced diameter portion 54 is formed by the base portion 423 of the elastic contact piece 42 and the outside of the base portion 423 (specifically, the radial direction of the inner peripheral surface 50). From outside). That is, the boundary portion 56 supports the base portion 423 from the outside.

  The proximal end of the third portion 53 defines the proximal opening 8 formed in the proximal end of the connector housing 5. The housing space S of the connector housing 5 and the external space communicate with each other through the base end side opening 8.

  Further, the connector housing 5 has a protrusion 70 that protrudes toward the central axis C from a predetermined position in the central axis C direction in the first portion 51. The protruding portion 70 of the present embodiment is a wall portion (tip wall portion) that defines the terminal insertion port 7 at the tip of the connector housing 5. That is, the protrusion 70 protrudes in the central axis C direction from the end edge of the first portion 51 on the tip side. In the direction of the central axis C, the projecting portion 70 is provided at a position where the tip portion 425 abuts when the contact portion 424 is elastically deformed from a curved state to a straight line (when straightened). The housing space S of the connector housing 5 and the external space communicate with each other through the terminal insertion port 7.

  The connector 1 configured as described above is used by being connected to the tip of an electric wire. Specifically, the connection of the connector 1 to the electric wire is performed as follows.

  First, the electric wire is connected to the terminal base 3 of the connector terminal 2. Specifically, the end of the electric wire with the core wire exposed is arranged on the base body 31 of the terminal base 3, and the conductor crimping piece 32 is crimped so as to embrace the core wire, whereby the core wire is crimped to the base body 31. To be done. Further, the covering portion crimping piece 33 is crimped, so that the base body 31 and the covering portion crimping piece 33 sandwich the portion of the electric wire which is covered with insulation.

  When the connector terminal 2 is connected to the end of the electric wire, the connector terminal 2 with the electric wire being connected is opened in the base end side of the connector housing 5 with the electric connection part 4 facing the terminal insertion port 7 side. 8 is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 6 (in the accommodating space S). At this time, until the terminal side engaging portion 413 of the electrical connecting portion 4 (specifically, the free end side edge of the terminal side engaging portion 413) passes through the housing side engaging portion 521 of the inner peripheral surface 50, the connector. Push the terminal 2 toward the tip side (terminal insertion port 7 side). In this way, the terminal-side engaging portion 413 engages with the housing-side engaging portion 521, whereby the connection (attachment) of the connector 1 to the electric wire is completed.

  Further, the connector 1 may be used, for example, in a medical sensor or the like. The medical sensor of this embodiment is, for example, an electrocardiographic electrode 10 as shown in FIG. The electrocardiographic electrode 10 includes an electrode body 11 to be worn on the skin such as the chest, an output wire 12 extending from the electrode body 11, and a connector 1 connected to the tip of the output wire 12.

  According to the connector 1 described above, when the mating terminal pin P is inserted from the terminal insertion opening 7 to the back, the elastic contact piece 42 is in a direction orthogonal to the central axis C (the elastic contact piece 42 is the mating terminal pin P). Since the base portion 423 and the tip end portion 425 whose movement in the pushing direction) is restricted support both ends of the contact portion 424, the contact portion 424 is elastically deformed and the mating terminal pin P is inserted. It becomes a straight line along. Details are as follows.

  In the state before the mating terminal pin P is inserted (initial state), as shown in FIG. 7, the contact portion 424 of each elastic contact piece 42 is curved so as to bulge toward the central axis C. In this state, when the mating terminal pin P is inserted from the terminal insertion port 7 in the direction of the central axis C, the inscribed circle α (see FIG. 5) is smaller than the outer circumference of the mating terminal pin P, so the mating terminal pin P As P advances toward the base end side, the contact portion 424 of each elastic contact piece 42 is expanded outward in the radial direction of the inner peripheral surface 50. That is, the contact portion 424 of each elastic contact piece 42 receives a pressing force from the mating terminal pin P toward the radially outer side of the inner peripheral surface 50.

  At this time, the base end of the contact portion 424 is connected to the base portion 423 which extends from the connection portion main body 41 engaged with the connector housing 5 and is supported by the boundary portion 56 from the radially outer side of the inner peripheral surface 50. Therefore, movement is restricted. Therefore, when the pressing force is applied to the contact portion 424, the tip of the contact portion 424 moves to the terminal insertion port 7 side, whereby the contact portion 424 elastically deforms and the curvature decreases, and the mating terminal pin P When it is fully inserted, the contact portion 424 becomes linear along the mating terminal pin P (see FIG. 10).

  When the contact portion 424 extends due to elastic deformation, the distal end portion 425 is restricted by the first portion 51 from moving outward in the radial direction of the inner peripheral surface 50, but can move along the first portion 51. Therefore, it moves to the tip end side (terminal insertion port 7 side) while being in contact with the first portion 51. That is, the tip portion 425 slides (moves while sliding) toward the terminal insertion port 7 side with respect to the first portion 51. When the contact portion 424 is elastically deformed and straightened along the mating terminal pin P, the tip portion 425 sliding toward the terminal insertion port 7 side with respect to the first portion 51 has a protruding portion. It abuts 70 (see FIG. 10). In this state where the contact portion 424 is elastically deformed and straightened, the entire area of the contact portion 424 in the direction of the central axis C is in contact with the mating terminal pin P.

  As a result, in the connector 1, the holding force by the elastic return force (the pressing force toward the mating terminal pin P) of each elastic contact piece 42 and the contact portion 424 in the entire area in the central axis C direction (insertion direction). The frictional force caused by the contact with the terminal pin P (the force that opposes the mating terminal pin P when the mating terminal pin P is about to come off) ensures a sufficient force for holding the mating terminal pin P. Moreover, since the elastic return force (the pressing force of the elastic contact piece 42 toward the counterpart terminal pin P) can be made smaller than the case where the force for holding the counterpart terminal pin P is secured only by the elastic return force, the counterpart The side terminal pin P becomes easy to insert.

  That is, when securing the force for holding the mating terminal pin only by the elastic restoring force of the elastic contact piece, it is difficult to insert the mating terminal pin, but in addition to the elastic restoring force as in the connector 1 of the present embodiment. By also using the frictional force to secure the force for holding the mating terminal pin P, both the ease of inserting the mating terminal pin P and the securing of sufficient holding force for the mating terminal pin P after insertion are both achieved. Has been realized.

  Further, in the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 50 extends from the predetermined position in the first portion 51 in the central axis C direction (in the example of the present embodiment, the tip of the first portion 51) toward the central axis C. It has a protruding portion 70 that protrudes. The projecting portion 70 is provided at a position where the tip portion 425 abuts when the contact portion 424 is elastically deformed from the curved state to be linear. That is, in the initial state (the state in which the mating terminal pin P is not inserted), the distance between the tip portion 425 of each elastic contact piece 42 and the projecting portion 70 is such that the curved contact portion 424 is the inner circumference from the mating terminal pin P. It is a distance at which the tip portion 425 contacts the protrusion 70 at the timing when the surface 50 side is pressed and elastically deformed from the curved state to be straightened (straightened).

  According to this configuration, when the mating terminal pin P is inserted and the contact portion 424 is elastically deformed into a linear shape, the tip portion 425 of the elastic contact piece 42 comes into contact with the protruding portion 70 and the tip portion 425. By restricting the further movement of 425 toward the terminal insertion opening 7 side, it is possible to prevent a part of the elastic return force generated in the contact portion 424 due to elastic deformation from escaping to the terminal insertion opening 7 side. As a result, the pressing force of each elastic contact piece 42 can be efficiently applied to the mating terminal pin P. That is, in the state where the movement of the tip end portion 425 toward the terminal insertion port 7 side is not regulated, a part of the elastic return force generated by the straight extension of the contact portion 424 may escape through the tip end portion 425. When the tip portion 425 contacts the protruding portion 70, the escape of this force is suppressed, whereby the elastic return force generated at the contact portion 424 is efficiently applied to the mating terminal pin P.

  In the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the projecting portion 70 is a wall portion that defines the terminal insertion port 7 at the end portion on the front end side of the connector housing 5. Therefore, the size of the connector 1 can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which the wall portion defining the terminal insertion port 7 and the protruding portion 70 are separately provided.

  Further, in the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 50 of the connector housing 5 has the boundary portion 56 that supports the base portion 423 of each elastic contact piece 42 from the outside. Therefore, the base portion 423 of the elastic contact piece 42 is supported, and the movement of the contact portion 424 is further restricted. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a part of the elastic return force generated in the contact portion 424 due to the elastic deformation from escaping through the base portion 423. As a result, it is possible to more efficiently apply the pressing force to the mating terminal pin P due to the elastic restoring force generated in the contact portion 424 of each elastic contact piece 42.

  Further, in the electric wire to which the connector 1 is connected (electric wire with connector), the mating side terminal pin P is easily inserted into the connector 1 and the inserted mating side terminal pin P is hard to come off.

  That is, when the connector 1 is used for the medical device sensor 10, in the medical device sensor 10, the mating terminal pin P can be easily inserted into the connector 1 and the inserted mating terminal pin P can be hard to come off. ..

  The connector, the electric wire with a connector, and the sensor for a medical device of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment, and a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, some of the configurations of certain embodiments may be deleted.

  In the connector 1 of the above embodiment, the number of the elastic contact pieces 42 is three, but the number is not limited to this. The number of elastic contact pieces 42 may be four or more. Even in this case, the main surface 42A may be arranged with a space around the center axis C with the main surface 42A facing the center axis C, that is, the space may be arranged with a space around the center axis C. ..

  In the connector 1 of the above-described embodiment, the protruding portion 70 constitutes the wall portion at the tip of the connector housing 5 (the wall portion where the terminal insertion port 7 is provided), that is, the wall portion at the tip forms the protruding portion 70. The combined configuration is not limited to this configuration. The tip wall portion and the protrusion 70 may be provided separately.

  In addition, in the connector 1 of the above-described embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 50 (specifically, the first portion 51) of the connector housing 5 is a projection with which the tip portion 425 abuts when the contact portion 424 elastically deforms and extends straight. Although it has the part 70, it is not limited to this configuration. The inner peripheral surface 50 may be configured without the protruding portion 70. With such a configuration, when the mating terminal pin P is inserted from the terminal insertion opening 7 to the back, the contact portion 424 is elastically deformed to be linear along the mating terminal pin P. As a result, the mating terminal pin P is retained by the holding force by the elastic return force of each elastic contact piece 42 and the frictional force by the contact portion 424 contacting the mating terminal pin P in the entire area of the central axis C direction. Enough holding power is secured. In addition, the elastic return force (pressing force of the elastic contact piece 42 toward the counterpart terminal pin) can be reduced as compared with the case where the force for holding the counterpart terminal pin is secured only by the elastic return force, so the counterpart terminal The pin P can be easily inserted.

  Further, in the connector 1 of the above-described embodiment, the elastic contact piece 42 has a strip plate shape and is elastically deformable as a whole, but is not limited to this configuration. It is sufficient that at least the contact portion 424 of the elastic contact piece 42 is elastically deformable. With this structure, when the mating terminal pin P is inserted from the terminal insertion opening 7 to the back, the contact portion 424 is elastically deformed to be linear along the inserted mating terminal pin P. ..

  In the connector 1 of the above-described embodiment, the base portion 423 of the elastic contact piece 42 is supported (contacts) with the boundary portion 56 of the inner peripheral surface 50, but the configuration is not limited to this. The base portion 423 of the elastic contact piece 42 may not be in contact with the inner peripheral surface 50.

  Further, although the connector housing 5 of the above-described embodiment has a tubular shape, it is not limited to this configuration. If the connector housing 5 has the inner peripheral surface 50 (the terminal accommodating portion 6), various appearances can be selected.

  Further, the connector housing 5 of the above-described embodiment includes one inner peripheral surface 50 (terminal accommodating portion 6), but the configuration is not limited to this. The connector housing 5 may be configured to include a plurality of inner peripheral surfaces 50 (terminal accommodating portions 6). In this case, the connector has a plurality of connector terminals 2 (the number of which is equal to or less than the number of inner peripheral surfaces 50).

  The specific configuration of the terminal base 3 of the connector terminal 2 is not limited. The terminal base 3 of the connector terminal 2 of the above-described embodiment is connected by caulking an electric wire, but may be connected by another connecting method such as soldering. Further, the specific configurations of the conductor crimping piece 32 and the covering portion crimping piece 33 are not limited.

  The specific configuration of the electric wire connected to the connector terminal 2 is also not limited. The core wire of the electric wire may be a core wire made of metal, or may be a core wire made of a conductive fiber such as plated fiber or carbon fiber.

  The medical device sensor of the above embodiment is an electrocardiographic electrode, but is not limited to this configuration. The medical device sensor may be, for example, a blood pressure sensor, an SpO2 (arterial oxygen saturation) sensor, an exhalation sensor, or the like.

  Further, the connector 1 is not limited to a medical device sensor and can be connected to electric wires used in various devices.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Connector, 2... Connector terminal, 3... Terminal base part, 31... Base part main body, 32... Conductor crimping piece, 33... Cover part crimping piece, 4... Electrical connection part, 41... Connection part main body, 411... Cylindrical part, 412 ...Regulating piece, 413... Terminal side engaging part, 42... Elastic contact piece, 421... First bent part, 422... Second bent part, 423... Base part, 424... Contact part, 425... Tip part, 5... Connector housing , 50... inner peripheral surface, 51... first portion (cylindrical inner peripheral surface), 52... second portion, 521... housing side engaging portion, 53... third portion, 54... first reduced diameter portion, 55... Second reduced diameter part, 56... Boundary part, 6... Terminal accommodating part, 7... Terminal insertion port, 70... Projection part, 8... Base end side opening, 10... Electrocardiogram electrode (medical device sensor), 11... Electrode Main body, 12... Output electric wire, 100... Connector terminal, 101... Electric connection part, 102... Lower contact piece, 103... Upper contact piece, 105... Electric wire, A... Region surrounded by elastic contact piece, C... Central axis , C1... center line, P... mating terminal pin, S... accommodation space, α, β... inscribed circle

Claims (6)

A terminal base portion to which an electric wire can be connected, and a connector terminal having an electric connection portion extending from the terminal base portion and to which a counterpart terminal pin is detachably connected,
A connector housing having a terminal insertion port into which the mating terminal pin can be inserted, and a terminal accommodation part that accommodates the connector terminal in a state in which the electrical connection part is directed and engaged with the terminal insertion port,
The terminal accommodating portion has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface extending toward the terminal insertion port side while surrounding the periphery of the electrical connection portion,
The electrical connection portion has three or more elastic contact pieces arranged at intervals around the central axis on the inner side of the cylindrical inner peripheral surface,
Each of the three or more elastic contact pieces is
A contact portion that extends along the central axis and is curved so as to expand toward the central axis;
A base portion extending directly from the contact portion to the terminal base portion side and directly or indirectly connected to the terminal base portion,
While extending from an end portion of the contact portion opposite to the base portion, a tip portion located outside the contact portion in a direction orthogonal to the central axis,
The tip portion makes the tip of the tip portion contact the cylindrical inner peripheral surface,
The contact part, by receiving the pressing force from the mating terminal pins when the mating terminal pin is inserted into the connector housing from the terminal insertion opening into the cylindrical inner circumferential surface, the cylindrical inside a straight tip of the tip portion in contact with the peripheral surface is elastically deformed to move to the terminal insertion port side in the state in contact with the said cylindrical inner circumferential surface, the connector. The terminal accommodating portion has a protruding portion that protrudes toward a central axis from a predetermined position in the central axis direction on the cylindrical inner peripheral surface,
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined position is a position at which the tip portion abuts when the contact portion is elastically deformed into a linear shape from a curved state.   The connector according to claim 2, wherein the protruding portion is a wall portion that defines the terminal insertion port in the connector housing.   The said terminal accommodating part is a connector of any one of Claims 1-3 which has the elastic piece support part which supports the said base part of the said elastic contact piece from the outer side. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An electric wire connected to the terminal base portion of the connector, and an electric wire with a connector. Medical sensor body,
An output electric wire extending from the medical sensor main body,
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:
The medical device sensor, wherein the output electric wire is connected to the terminal base portion of the connector.

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