JP6819001B2 - Branch connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a branch connector for branching an electric wire.

For the branch connector that branches the electric wire, for example, each end edge of the housing formed in a T shape (
Some of them function as a waterproof branch connector by inserting a socket to which an electric wire is connected into the hood) and sealing the space between the hood and the socket with a sealing member to ensure watertightness (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ). A waterproof connector using a sealing member is generally configured by using a crimp terminal for crimping and connecting an electric wire (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

In addition, some connectors are configured by using pressure welding terminals for pressure welding and connecting electric wires instead of crimping terminals. As a waterproof branch connector using a pressure welding terminal, there is one configured to branch and connect the pressure welding terminal to an electric wire arranged so as to penetrate the sealing material (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-45631 JP-A-2008-210658 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-203709

In a type of waterproof branch connector using a crimp terminal, when an attempt is made to branch an electric wire using the waterproof branch connector, it is necessary to crimp the electric wire to the crimp terminal. for that reason,
Since it is necessary to remove the coating of the electric wire at the work site and the coating residue of the electric wire is generated, it cannot be said that it is preferable in terms of work man-hours and work efficiency.
Further, in the conventional product of the type using the pressure welding terminal, since it is necessary to insert the electric wire through the sealing material in advance, there are restrictions on the connector installation location and the end treatment of the electric wire. For example, when the electric wire is long or when the existing electric wire is branched, it may be difficult to insert the electric wire through the sealing material. As described above, the conventional waterproof branch connector using the pressure welding terminal lacks the versatility of using the connector.

The present invention provides a branch connector that has good workability for branching even when the electric wire is branched while ensuring waterproofness, and can sufficiently secure the versatility of using the connector. The purpose is to do.

According to one aspect of the invention
A first housing having three or more fitting recesses and configured as a waterproof container.
A second housing constituting a fitting convex portion to be fitted in the fitting concave portion, and
A pressure-welding terminal fitting arranged in the second housing and pressure-welded to an electric wire,
The second, which is arranged in the first housing and fits into each of the three or more fitting recesses.
Tab terminals that conduct the pressure welding terminal fittings of the housing with each other,
It has an opening through which an electric wire arranged in the second housing and connected by pressure welding to the pressure welding terminal fitting of the second housing is inserted, and between the electric wire inserted through the opening and the second housing. With an electric wire seal that seals
When the second housing forming the fitting protrusion is fitted into the fitting recess of the first housing, which is arranged in an annular shape on either the side of the first housing or the side of the second housing. In addition, a housing seal that seals between the first housing and the second housing,
A branch connector is provided.

According to the present invention, even when the electric wire is branched while ensuring waterproofness, the workability for the branching is good, and the versatility of using the connector can be sufficiently ensured.

It is a perspective view of the branch connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the branch connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the female connector which constitutes the branch connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the housing (the second housing main body) which comprises the female connector of the branch connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the housing (cover part) which comprises the female connector of the branch connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the pressure welding terminal metal fitting which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows the modification of the pressure welding part of the pressure welding terminal metal fittings.

<One Embodiment of the present invention>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of Branch Connector FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a branch connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the branch connector 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the female connector 30 constituting the branch connector 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a housing (second housing main body 32) constituting the female connector 30. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a housing (cover portion 44) constituting the female connector 30.

In the present embodiment, as an example of the electric wire connected to the branch connector 1, a flat cable 10 in which a plurality of (for example, four) core wires 11 are arranged in parallel will be described. However, in the present invention, the electric wire is not limited to the flat cable 10 in which each core wire 11 is joined, and may be another cable having a plurality of core wires. , The electric wire having a coating or the electric wire having no coating may be used. Furthermore, it does not necessarily have to be configured with a plurality of core wires, and can be applied to a configuration composed of a single core wire.

(A. Overall configuration)
The branch connector 1 is arranged at the branch point of the flat cable 10, and the flat cable 10 is provided.
A female connector 30 connected to the end of the connector and a male connector 2 to which the female connector 30 is fitted.
It includes 0 and. More specifically, the branch connector 1 includes, for example, two female connectors 30 connected to the ends of the flat cable 10 (main cable) constituting the trunk circuit, and the flat cable 10 (branch cable) constituting the branch circuit. It includes one female connector 30 connected to the end and one male connector 20 into which each female connector 30 is fitted.
The male connector 20 and each female connector 30 may be formed with a latch mechanism for preventing the female connector 30 from coming off (see FIG. 1). Since the latch mechanism may be a latch mechanism using a known technique, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and illustrations other than those shown in FIG. 1 will be omitted.

(B. Male connector configuration)
As shown in FIG. 2, the male connector 20 includes a first housing 21 and a tab terminal 24.
(B-1. Configuration of the first housing)
The first housing 21 is configured as a waterproof container. That is, the first housing 21 has a configuration in which no other openings (holes or the like) are formed except for the opening of the fitting recess 22 described later. The first housing 21 is, as an example, polybutylene terephthalate (
It is formed of a resin material such as PBT).

The first housing 21 includes three fitting recesses 22. The first housing 21 has two fitting recesses 22 opened on one side in the longitudinal direction (the depth direction of the fitting recess 22 or the axial direction in which the flat cable 10 extends (the left-right direction in FIG. 2)) and one in the longitudinal direction. It includes one fitting recess 22 that opens on the other side opposite to the side. In each fitting recess 22, the female connector 30
Is fitted.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the first housing 21 includes three fitting recesses 22 will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and four or more fittings are fitted according to the number of branches. The recess 22 may be provided.

Each fitting recess 22 is formed by the same shape, and each fitting recess 22 has the same shape as the female connector 30.
Is configured to be fitted. Therefore, any female connector 30 that can be fitted in one fitting recess 22 can be fitted in another fitting recess 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, a convex portion 23 that regulates the orientation of the female connector 30 is arranged on a predetermined surface in each fitting recess 22. That is, the convex portion 23 prevents the female connector 30 from being fitted in the wrong direction. Therefore, it is assumed that the female connector 30 is formed with a concave portion 37 that interacts with the convex portion 23, as will be described later.
Further, the convex portion 23 is arranged in each of the fitting concave portions 22. However, the first housing 2
In the fitting recess 22 on one side in the longitudinal direction of 1 and in the fitting recess 22 on the other side, the forming position of the convex portion 23 is set so that the direction of the female connector 30 to be fitted to each is reversed. They are different from each other. Specifically, as an example, the fitting recess 22 on the right side shown in FIG. 2
Then, the convex portion 23 is arranged on the lower surface. Further, in the fitting recess 22 on the left side shown in FIG. 2, a convex portion 23 is arranged on the upper surface. On the other hand, each female connector 30 has a convex portion 2 at the same position.
A recess 37 that interacts with 3 is formed. Therefore, the female connector 30 with the recess 37 facing downward is fitted in the fitting recess 22 on the right side shown in FIG. Further, a female connector 30 with the recess 37 facing upward is fitted in the fitting recess 22 on the left side shown in FIG.

The core wires 11 constituting the flat cable 10 are connected to each female connector 30 fitted in the fitting recess 22 of the first housing 21 in the same order. Therefore, by inverting the front and back sides of the female connectors 30 facing each other, the core wires 11 having the same rank are opposed to each other in the state where the female connectors 30 are fitted. Here, the rank is, for example, a number that identifies the core wire 11.

(B-2. Configuration of tab terminals)
The tab terminal 24 shown in FIG. 2 has a tab terminal 24 when the female connector 30 is fitted to the male connector 20.
The electric wires connected to the female connectors 30 are made conductive. More specifically, the tab terminal 24
When a plurality of female connectors 30 are fitted to the male connector 20, each female connector 30
Of the flat cables 10 connected to the above, the core wires 11 having the same rank are made conductive. That is, the tab terminals 24 are arranged for each core wire 11 constituting the flat cable 10. In the present embodiment, since there are four core wires 11 of the flat cable 10, there are four tab terminals 24.

Each tab terminal 24 includes a tip portion 25 protruding into each fitting recess 22, and a connecting portion 26 connecting the tip portions 25 protruding into each fitting recess 22. The tip portion 25 engages with the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 in the female connector 30 that fits into each fitting recess 22, as described in detail later. Further, the connecting portion 26 connects the tip portions 25 to each other to conduct the pressure welding terminal fittings 50 that engage with the tip portions 25 with each other.
The tab terminal 24 including the tip portion 25 and the connecting portion 26 is formed of, for example, a metal plate-like member, and as an example, is formed of copper or a copper alloy plated with tin.
It is arranged in the first housing 21.

(C. Female connector configuration)
The female connector 30 shown in FIG. 3 is fitted to the male connector 20, and includes three female connectors 30 in the present embodiment. In the present invention, the number of female connectors 30 is not limited to three, and may be the same as the total number of trunk cables and branch cables, that is, the same as the number of fitting recesses 22. Alternatively, it may be less than the number of fitting recesses 22. Depending on the sales form of the branch connector 1, the number of female connectors 30 may be small and the number of fitting recesses 22 may be small.

Each female connector 30 includes a second housing 31. The second housing 31 constitutes a fitting convex portion to be fitted in the fitting recess 22.
Further, each female connector 30 includes an electric wire seal 38 and a housing seal 41.

(C-1. Configuration of the second housing)
The second housing 31 includes a second housing body 32 (see FIG. 4) and a cover portion 44 (FIG. 5).
(See) and. The second housing body 32 and the cover portion 44 are formed of a resin material such as PBT as an example.

(C-2. Configuration of the second housing body)
As shown in FIG. 4, the second housing main body 32 constitutes a container in which the main body opening 33 is formed by opening one surface. That is, the second housing main body 32 has an upper opening in FIG. 4 to form a container having a concave cross section. Further, in the second housing body 32, one end portion 32a in the longitudinal direction (the axial direction of the connected core wire 11 (the direction from the lower left (upper right) to the upper right (lower left) in FIG. 4) inserts the core wire 11 through the core wire 11. The opening is on the wall of the opening (second)
An electric wire seal 38 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) is arranged so as to be in close contact with the housing body 32).

The second housing body 32 includes four first hole portions 34 through which the tip end portion 25 of the tab terminal 24 can be inserted into the other end portion 32b opposite to the one end portion 32a in the longitudinal direction. That is, the first hole 34 is the tab terminal 2 when the female connector 30 fits into the male connector 20.
It is arranged at a position facing the tip portion 25 of 4. When the female connector 30 is fitted to the male connector 20, the tip portion 25 of the tab terminal 24 is inserted into the second housing 31 via the first hole portion 34. The number of the first hole 34 is the same as the number of the tab terminals 24.

The second housing main body 32 is provided with a guide groove 35 on the bottom surface of the main body opening 33. The guide groove 35 is a groove that regulates the position of the core wire 11 inserted through the opening formed at one end 32a in the longitudinal direction of the second housing body 32. That is, the guide groove 35 is a groove that holds the position of the core wire 11 in order to arrange the core wire 11 in parallel at a predetermined interval. Guide groove 3
No. 5 is formed in the same number as the number of the first hole portions 34. On the side of the guide groove 35 opposite to the opening of the second housing body 32, a wall to which the end edge of the core wire 11 is in contact is arranged.

In each guide groove 35, the core wire 11 in the second housing 31 from the outside of the second housing 31
The electric wire confirmation hole 36 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) for confirming the above is formed. Wire confirmation hole 3
6 is arranged at a position facing the core wire 11 when the core wire 11 is inserted into the second housing main body 32. The electric wire confirmation hole portion 36 is used when the core wire 11 is inserted into the second housing main body 32 with the second housing main body 32 and the cover portion 44 described later temporarily assembled, and when the cover portion 44 is inserted into the second housing main body 32. After engaging with the core wire 11, it becomes a window portion for confirming the core wire 11. Instead of inserting the core wire 11 into the second housing body 32 with the second housing main body 32 and the cover portion 44 temporarily assembled, the core wire 11 is inserted into the second housing 31. 2 Even when the cover portion 44 is engaged with the housing body 32, the wire confirmation hole portion 3
Reference numeral 6 denotes a window portion for confirming the core wire 11.

Further, on the outer surface of the second housing body 32 on the other end 32b side, the above-mentioned recess 37 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) that engages with the convex portion 23 formed in the fitting recess 22 is formed. There is. That is, the recess 37 is formed at a position facing the convex portion 23 formed in the fitting recess 22 when the female connector 30 is fitted to the male connector 20. If the orientation of the female connector 30 inserted into the fitting recess 22 can be regulated, the convex portion 23 and the concave portion 37
It is not limited to the example of.

(C-3. Configuration of electric wire seal)
As shown in FIG. 2, the electric wire seal 38 includes an opening 39 through which the core wire 11 is inserted. When the core wire 11 is inserted through the opening 39, the electric wire seal 38 seals between the core wire 11 and the second housing 31. The number of openings 39 is the same as the number of first holes 34.

The opening 39 is a first convex shape portion 4 having a convex shape continuously formed in the circumferential direction.
It has 0. That is, the first convex shape portion 40 is formed so as to go around the opening 39 once. A plurality of first convex shaped portions 40 are formed along the axial direction of the opening 39.

Since the core wire 11 inserted through the opening 39 is obtained by dividing the flat cable 10, uneven coating may be formed on the divided surface (broken cross section). Even if there is such unevenness in the coating, in order to secure the sealing function, the opening 39 has a plurality of first convex shaped portions 40.
Is formed. The number of the first convex shape portions 40 is larger than that in the case where the first convex shape portion 40 is in close contact with a flat surface.

(C-4. Housing seal configuration)
Further, the second housing body 32 is an annular housing seal 4 arranged in close contact with the outer surface.
1 is provided. When the female connector 30 fits into the male connector 20, the housing seal 41 comes into close contact with the fitting recess 22 and seals between the second housing 31 (second housing body 32) and the fitting recess 22. ..

The housing seal 41 includes a second convex shape portion 42 formed on the annular inner peripheral surface side and a third convex shape portion 43 formed on the annular outer peripheral surface side.
The second convex shape portion 42 has a convex shape and is continuously formed in the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the housing seal 41. The second convex shape portion 42 is formed so as to go around the housing seal 41 once. A plurality of second convex shaped portions 42 are formed in the annular axial direction of the housing seal 41.
The third convex shape portion 43 has a convex shape and is continuously formed in the circumferential direction of the outer surface of the housing seal 41. The third convex shape portion 43 is formed so as to go around the housing seal 41 once. A plurality of third convex shaped portions 43 are formed in the annular axial direction of the housing seal 41.
The housing seal 41 is in close contact with the inside of the fitting recess 22 and the second housing body 32. Since the surfaces of the fitting recess 22 and the second housing 31 are flat, the number of the second convex shape portion 42 and the third convex shape portion 43 is reduced as compared with the case where the surfaces are uneven.

That is, the first convex shape portion 40 of the electric wire seal 38 is in close contact with the core wire 11 having irregularities, whereas the second convex shape portion 42 and the third convex shape portion 43 of the housing seal 41 are in close contact with each other.
Adheres to a flat surface. Therefore, the number of the first convex shape portion 40 is larger than the number of each of the second convex shape portion 42 and the third convex shape portion 43. Here, as an example, the first convex shape portion 4
The number of 0s is 4, and the number of the second convex shape portion 42 and the number of the third convex shape portion 43 are three.

(C-5. Configuration of cover part)
As shown in FIG. 5, the cover portion 44 constitutes a container in which the cover opening 45 is formed by opening one surface. That is, the cover portion 44 has an opening at the upper side in FIG. 5 to form a container having a concave cross section. Pressure welding terminal fittings 50, which will be described later, are arranged in parallel on the cover portion 44 in the same direction. The number of pressure welding terminal fittings 50 is the same as the number of first hole portions 34.

A pressure welding portion 52 of the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 is arranged on one end side 44a of the cover portion 44. The pressure welding portion 52 is pressure-welded to the core wire 11. On the side wall of the one end side 44a of the cover portion 44, for example, the core wire 11 can be pressure-welded to the pressure-welding portion 52, and the pressure-welded core wire 11 can pass through the side wall. A groove 46 having a shape or a U shape is formed.

A leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60 of the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 is arranged on the other end side 44b opposite to the one end side 44a of the cover portion 44. The leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60 is configured so that the tip portion 25 of the tab terminal 24 can be inserted and removed, and conducts with the tab terminal 24 in a state where the tip portion 25 is inserted. Pressure welding terminal fitting 50
Is arranged in the cover portion 44 so that the direction in which the core wire 11 is press-fitted into the pressure contact portion 52 faces the opening of the cover opening 45. A leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 6 is provided on the side wall of the other end side 44b of the cover portion 44.
In order to make 0 and the tab terminal 24 conductive, a second hole portion (not shown) for inserting the tip portion 25 of the tab terminal 24 into the cover portion 44 is arranged. That is, when the cover portion 44 is engaged with the second housing main body 32, the second hole portion is arranged at a position facing the first hole portion 34.

The cover portion 44 is inserted into the main body opening 33 with the cover opening 45 facing the main body opening 33 of the second housing main body 32. At this time, one end side 44 of the cover portion 44
a is arranged on one end side 32a of the second housing main body 32 in the longitudinal direction. Then, when inserted into the main body opening 33 of the second housing main body, the cover portion 44 is positioned in a state of closing the main body opening 33, and in that state, engages with the second housing main body 32 by a latch mechanism (not shown). It fits.

When the cover portion 44 engages with the second housing body 32, the core wire 1 in the second housing 31
The shape and positional relationship of the second housing body 32 and the cover 44 are configured so that 1 is pressure-welded to the pressure-welding terminal fitting 50 arranged on the cover 44.

(2) Configuration of Pressure Welding Terminal Metal Fitting Next, the pressure welding terminal metal fitting 50 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pressure welding terminal fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(D. Overall configuration)
The pressure welding terminal fitting 50 includes a bottom surface portion 51, a pressure welding portion 52 arranged on one end side of the bottom surface portion 51, and a leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60 arranged on the other end side opposite to one end side of the bottom surface portion 51. , Equipped with. The pressure welding terminal fitting 50 is formed by bending a metal plate having a predetermined thickness (for example, a constant thickness within the range of 0.2 to 0.5 mm, more preferably about 0.4 mm thickness), thereby forming the pressure welding portion 52. , The leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60 and the bottom surface portion 51 are integrally formed. Here, the metal plate is, for example, a copper or a copper alloy plated with tin or the like.

(D-1. Configuration of bottom surface)
The pressure welding terminal fitting 50 has a substantially rectangular bottom surface portion 51. That is, the bottom surface portion 51 is, for example, a rectangle having a long side along the axial direction in which the core wire 11 to be pressure-welded is extended.

(D-2. Configuration of pressure welding part)
Two pressure welding portions 52 rising from the bottom surface portion 51 are arranged on one end side of the bottom surface portion 51. The two pressure contact portions 52 are provided apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface portion 51 (the long side direction (arrow A direction) of the rectangle described above) so that the flat plate portion 55 described later is parallel or substantially parallel. ing. The number of pressure contact portions 52 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

The pressure contact portion 52 includes a flat plate portion 55 and a side edge portion 57. The flat plate portion 55 and the side edge portion 57 are also integrally formed by bending and forming the above-mentioned metal plate. The flat plate portion 55 has a pressure welding groove 56 that opens upward in FIG. The flat plate portion 55 sandwiches the core wire 11 based on the fact that the core wire 11 is press-fitted into the pressure welding groove 56 from the direction (arrow B direction) where the core wire 11 intersects the axial direction (arrow A direction) of the core wire 11. Hold. Specifically, when the core wire 11 is press-fitted into the pressure welding groove 56, the flat plate portion 55 breaks the coating of the core wire 11 by the pressure welding groove 56 and comes into contact with the conductor of the core wire 11. The pressure welding groove 56 has a large opening on the upper side, and the lower side of the opening has a substantially U-shape. This makes it easier for the pressure welding portion 52 to insert the core wire 11 into the pressure welding groove 56.

The side edge portion 57 intersects the groove width direction of the pressure welding groove 56 in the flat plate portion 55 (specifically, the axial direction of the core wire 11 (arrow A direction) and the press fitting direction of the core wire 11 (arrow B direction). (Arrow C direction)) is extended from at least one of the side edges on both sides of the flat plate portion 55, and the connection portion with the flat plate portion 55 is bent. By arranging the side edge portion 57 on the pressure contact portion 52 in this way, it can be considered that the area of the flat plate portion 55 is expanded by the amount of the side edge portion 57, and the pressure contact groove 5
It becomes possible to reinforce (make it difficult to deform) the flat plate portion 55 in the groove width direction of 6.
The flat plate portion 55 needs to have an appropriate plate thickness in order to prevent excessive deformation due to a load when the core wire 11 is press-fitted into the press-fitting groove 56. However, as described above, if the side edge portion 57 extends from the flat plate portion 55, the flat plate portion 55 is reinforced by the side edge portion 57.
Even if the flat plate portion 55 is made thinner than in the case where the side edge portion 57 is not provided, excessive deformation due to press-fitting of the core wire 11 can be suppressed.

Further, in FIG. 6, the side edge portion 57 extends from the left and right side edges of the flat plate portion 55 in the direction along the bottom surface portion 51. The side edge portion 57 and the flat plate portion 55 are bent at the connection portion, and are U-shaped when viewed from the press-fitting direction of the core wire 11 (arrow B direction: plan view). In other words
The width of the pressure contact portion 52 (width in the arrow C direction) is the same as the length (width) in the direction (arrow C direction) intersecting the longitudinal direction (arrow A direction) of the bottom surface portion 51, or wider than the width of the bottom surface portion 51. It's getting narrower. As a result, the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 can be arranged on the cover portion 44 while suppressing the area where the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 is arranged from becoming large.

Of the two pressure welding portions 52, the pressure welding portion 52 (first pressure welding portion 53) arranged at one end of the bottom surface portion 51.
Is connected to the bottom surface portion 51 on the lower surface of the flat plate portion 55. Further, of the two pressure contact portions 52, the pressure contact portion 52 (second pressure contact portion 54) arranged on the other end side of the bottom surface portion 51 from one end is the side edge portion 57a of one of the two side edge portions 57. It is connected to the bottom surface portion 51 on the lower surface of the. That is, the second pressure contact portion 54 is cantileveredly connected to the bottom surface portion 51. The second pressure contact portion 54 is supported in a cantilever shape at one side edge portion 57 because the pressure contact portion 52, the leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60, and the bottom surface portion 51 are formed by bending one metal plate. is there.

A side edge opening 58 is formed in one side edge portion 57a. The side edge opening 58 is, for example,
It is formed by a hole or a notch. FIG. 6 shows an example in which a hole is formed as the side edge opening 58. When the side edge opening 58 is not provided on one side edge portion 57a, the second pressure contact portion 54 is supported in a cantilever shape, so that one of the flat plate portions 55 is supported by the bottom surface portion 51. The strength of the surface on the side edge portion 57a side and the surface on the other side edge portion 57b side that is not supported by the bottom surface portion 51 may be different. In this case, when the core wire 11 is inserted into the second pressure contact portion 54, the less strong surface of the flat plate portion 55 (the other side edge portion 57 not supported by the bottom surface portion 51) is inserted.
The surface on the b side) may be deformed. Therefore, of the flat plate portion 55, one side edge portion 57a
In order to make the strength of the side surface and the surface on the other side edge portion 57b side equal to each other, one side edge portion 57
A side edge opening 58 is formed in a so as to suppress deformation of the flat plate portion 55. The side edge opening 58 is formed at an appropriate position by, for example, conducting an appropriate experiment. Further, the number of side edge openings 58 is not limited to one, and may be a plurality.

Further, an upright portion 59 standing up from the bottom surface portion 51 is arranged at a position adjacent to the other side edge portion 57b that is not supported by the bottom surface portion 51 of the second pressure contact portion 54. The upright portion 59 is the second pressure welding portion 54.
It has substantially the same height as the above, and forms a U-shape together with the second pressure contact portion 54 when viewed from the direction of arrow B. By arranging the upright portion 59 close to the other side edge portion 57b, for example, when the core wire 11 is pressure-welded to the second pressure-welding portion 54, a force is applied to the core wire 11 and the second pressure-welding portion is applied. 54 (
In particular, even when the other side edge portion 57b side) is tilted in the axial direction (arrow A direction) of the core wire 11, the standing portion 59 can support the second pressure contact portion 54. Further, the core wire 11 is formed into a pressure welding groove 56 by forming a U shape when viewed from the direction of arrow B by the second pressure welding portion 54 and the standing portion 59.
It can serve as a guide when press-fitting into the core wire 11 and can also suppress the movement of the core wire 11. The upright portion 59 is located between the first pressure contact portion 53 and the second pressure contact portion 54.
It may be arranged close to the second pressure contact portion 54.

(D-3. Configuration of leaf spring-shaped terminal portion)
A leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60 is arranged on the other end side of the bottom surface portion 51. The leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60 is formed so as to extend inward in a leaf spring shape (that is, having elasticity) from the side walls 61 on both sides along the longitudinal direction (arrow A direction) of the bottom surface portion 51. Will be done. The leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60 guides the tip portion 25 of the tab terminal 24 when the female connector 30 fits into the male connector 20, and has elastic force on the tip portion 25 of the tab terminal 24 from both sides. It is designed to come into contact.

The leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60 preferably has a thin leaf spring-shaped portion. This is because if the plate thickness is thin, the length of the leaf spring-like portion can be shortened. That is, for example, when the displacement amount, elastic coefficient, spring width, etc. of the leaf spring-shaped portion are the same when the plate thickness of the leaf spring-shaped portion is reduced and when the plate thickness is increased. , The length of the leaf spring-like portion can be shortened by reducing the plate thickness. Therefore, it is easier to reduce the size of the leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60 by reducing the plate thickness.

By the way, the leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60 is integrally formed with the pressure contact portion 52. Therefore, when the plate thickness of the leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60 is reduced, the plate thickness of the pressure contact portion 52 is also reduced accordingly.
However, as described above, the pressure contact portion 52 includes a flat plate portion 55 and a side edge portion 57, and the flat plate portion 55 is reinforced by the side edge portion 57. Therefore, even when the plate thickness is reduced in order to shorten the length of the leaf spring-shaped portion of the leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60, it is possible to sufficiently secure the strength of the pressure contact portion 52, and the pressure contact portion 52 can be sufficiently secured. Excessive deformation due to press-fitting of the core wire 11 to 52 can be suppressed.

That is, according to the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 of the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve the strength of the pressure welding portion 52 and the miniaturization of the leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60 in combination with these contradictory matters.

(3) How to use the branch connector and the pressure welding terminal fitting Next, how to use the branch connector 1 and the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 will be described.

First, the female connector 30 is connected to the end of the flat cable 10 at the position where the flat cable 10 is to be branched. That is, the branch connector 1 is connected to a position where the trunk cable is branched and the branch cable is to be connected. At this time, when branching one branch cable from the trunk cable, the female connector 30 is connected to each of the two ends of the trunk cable and one end of the branch cable.

Specifically, first, the end of the flat cable 10 is divided into core wires 11. Next, each core wire 11 is inserted into the opening 39 of the electric wire seal 38 arranged in the second housing main body 32, and arranged in parallel in the second housing main body 32 by using the guide groove 35. When the core wire 11 is inserted into the second housing body 32, the core wire 11 is inserted until it reaches the wall behind the guide groove 35. The order in which the core wires 11 are arranged in the second housing main body 32 is the same in all three second housing main bodies 32. As an example, when there are core wires 11 having ranks 1 to 4, in all three second housing main bodies 32, the second housing main body 32
The core wires 11 from No. 1 to No. 4 are arranged in order from the left end to the right end of.

When the core wire 11 is inserted into the second housing main body 32, the core wire 11 may be inserted with the second housing main body 32 and the cover portion 44 temporarily assembled. In this case, the guide groove 35
Since the position of the core wire 11 is regulated by, the core wire 11 can be arranged at an appropriate position. Further, the insertion position of the core wire 11 can be confirmed by the electric wire confirmation hole portion 36. For example, is the core wire 11 reaching the depth of the guide groove 35 through the wire confirmation hole 36?
In addition, it can be confirmed whether the core wire 11 is not displaced from the guide groove 35.

Next, the cover portion 44 in which a plurality of pressure welding terminal fittings 50 are arranged in parallel is connected to the pressure welding portion 52 and the core wire 1.
1 is engaged with the second housing body 32 so as to face each other. At this time, the pressure welding portion 52
Is U-shaped in a plan view, so that the core wire 11 arranged inside the U-shape is prevented from moving in the width direction of the pressure contact portion 52. Further, since the guide groove 35 is formed in the second housing main body 32, the core wire 11 is prevented from moving in the width direction of the guide groove 35. And
The core wire 11 enters the pressure welding groove 56. Then, the core wire 11 is formed by the pressure welding groove 56.
The coating of the core wire 11 is broken, and the conductor of the core wire 11 and the pressure welding groove 56 come into contact with each other. That is, the flat plate portion 55 holds the core wire 11 so as to sandwich it from both sides. Further, since the flat plate portion 55 is reinforced by arranging the side edge portion 57, the possibility that the flat plate portion 55 is deformed or the like when the core wire 11 is press-fitted into the pressure welding groove 56 is reduced. ..

By confirming the core wire 11 through the wire confirmation hole 36 when the cover portion 44 is engaged with the second housing main body 32 and after the cover portion 44 is engaged with the second housing main body 32. It can be confirmed whether the core wire 11 is not moving (moving in the length direction of the guide groove 35 and the direction intersecting the length direction), that is, whether the pressure welding portion 52 is appropriately pressure-welded. .. If the core wire 11 cannot be confirmed through the wire confirmation hole 36, it is determined that the core wire 11 has moved and the core wire 11 and the pressure welding portion 52 are not properly pressure-welded. be able to.

Further, the cover portion 44 in which all the core wires 11 constituting the flat cable 10 are inserted into the second housing main body 32 and the same number of pressure welding terminal fittings 50 as the number of core wires 11 are arranged is provided in the second housing main body 32. All the core wires 11 can be pressure-welded to the pressure-welding portion 52 in one operation. As a result, the connection of the flat cable 10 to the female connector 30 is completed.

Next, the female connector 30 is fitted to the male connector 20. At this time, the male connector 2
The convex portion 23 formed in the fitting concave portion 22 of 0 is engaged with the concave portion 37 formed in the female connector 30. That is, each female connector 30 is fitted to the male connector 20 so that the front and back sides of the female connectors 30 facing each other are reversed from each other. As a result, the flat cable 10
Those having the same order of the core wires 11 constituting the above are electrically connected to each other via the branch connector 1.

Further, the electric wire seal 38 seals between the second housing 31 and the core wire 11, and the housing seal 41 seals between the second housing 31 and the fitting recess 22, so that the female connector 30 is used.
By fitting the male connector 20 into the male connector 20, the branch connector 1 has a waterproof function.

(4) Effects obtained by the present embodiment According to the present embodiment, one or more of the following effects can be obtained.

(A) The branch connector 1 of the present embodiment includes the first housing 21, the second housing 31, and the like.
A tab terminal 24 and a pressure welding terminal fitting 50 are provided. The second housing 31 fits into the first housing 21. The tab terminal 24 makes the core wires 11 connected to the second housing 31 conductive to each other when the second housing 31 is fitted to the first housing 21. Pressure welding terminal fitting 5
0 is conductive with the tab terminal 24 when the core wire 11 is pressure-welded and the second housing 31 is fitted into the first housing 21.
As a result, the branch connector 1 can branch the flat cable 10.
Further, since the branch connector 1 is pressure-welded to the core wire 11, it is not necessary to remove the coating of the core wire 11 at the time of connection unlike the crimp connection, and the coating residue of the core wire 11 is not generated. Therefore, it is very preferable in terms of work man-hours, work efficiency, and the like.
Further, since the branch connector 1 is connected to the end of the flat cable 10, it can be easily attached to a long flat cable 10 or an existing flat cable 10. That is, even when the pressure welding terminal is used, the versatility of using the connector can be sufficiently ensured.

Further, the branch connector 1 of the present embodiment has a wire seal 38 that seals between the core wire 11 and the second housing 31, and a housing seal 41 that seals between the second housing 31 and the fitting recess 22. And.
As a result, the branch connector 1 can have a waterproof function.

As described above, according to the branch connector 1 of the present embodiment, even when the branch line cable 10 is branched from the trunk line cable while ensuring waterproofness, the workability for the branching is good, and moreover, the workability for the branching is good. Sufficient versatility can be ensured when using the connector.

(B) Further, a flat cable 10 in which a plurality of core wires 11 are arranged in parallel is connected to the branch connector 1 of the present embodiment. The core wires 11 are connected in the same order at each of the plurality of female connectors 30.
If the order of connecting the core wires to the female connector is different between the female connectors, the branch connector may connect the core wires to the female connector in the wrong order and fit the female connector to the male connector. There is a possibility that the female connectors will be fitted in the wrong positions so that the core wires of the same order will not be conducted.
However, in the branch connector 1 of the present embodiment, since the core wires 11 are connected in the same order to each of the plurality of female connectors 30, the connection work becomes easy.

(C) Further, in the branch connector 1 of the present embodiment, when a plurality of second housings 31 are fitted in the fitting recess 22 so as to face each other along the length direction of the flat cable 10, a plurality of second housings 31 are fitted. The housing 31 is fitted into the fitting recess 22 in the direction in which the housing 31 is turned upside down.
As a result, the branch connector 1 can conduct the core wires 11 having the same order even if the core wires 11 are connected to each of the plurality of female connectors 30 in the same order.

(D) Further, in the branch connector 1 of the present embodiment, the number of the first convex shape portions 40 formed in the opening 39 of the electric wire seal 38 is changed to the number of the second convex shape portions 42 formed in the housing seal 41. The number is larger than the number of each of the third convex shape portion 43 and the third convex shape portion 43.
As a result, even if the branch connector 1 has irregularities on the coating of the core wire 11, for example, the branch connector 1 has irregularities.
The sealing function can be ensured in close contact with the core wire 11, and as a result, the waterproof function can be enhanced as compared with the case where the number of each is the same.

(E) Further, in the branch connector 1 of the present embodiment, the second housing 31 constituting the female connector 30 includes the second housing main body 32 and the cover portion 44, and the second housing main body 3
By inserting the cover portion 44 into the 2 and engaging the cover portion 44, a plurality of core wires 11 are pressure-welded to the pressure-welding terminal fitting 50.
As a result, the branch connector 1 can make a plurality of core wires 11 pressure-welded to the pressure-welding portion 52 of each pressure-welding terminal fitting 50 by one operation. That is, the work man-hours can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where the work of individually pressing and connecting each core wire 11 is performed.

(F) Further, the branch connector 1 of the present embodiment includes an electric wire confirmation hole 36 for confirming the position of the core wire 11.
As a result, in the branch connector 1, when the core wire 11 is inserted in a state where the second housing body 32 and the cover portion 44 are temporarily assembled, or when the cover portion 44 is inserted into the second housing body 32 and engaged with the branch connector 1. Or, after engaging the cover portion 44 with the second housing body 32,
The core wire 11 can be confirmed from the outside of the second housing 31 by using the electric wire confirmation hole portion 36. That is, since it is possible to determine whether or not the core wire 11 is correctly connected by using the electric wire confirmation hole portion 36, the reliability as a connector can be improved as compared with the case where the electric wire confirmation hole portion 36 is not provided. Can be done.

(G) Further, the branch connector 1 of the present embodiment includes a guide groove 35 that regulates the position of the core wire 11 in the second housing main body 32.
As a result, the branch connector 1 can guide the core wire 11 to an appropriate position even when the core wire 11 is inserted into the second housing 31 with the second housing body 32 and the cover portion 44 temporarily assembled. ..

(H) The pressure welding terminal fitting 50 of the present embodiment includes a pressure welding portion 52 and a leaf spring-shaped terminal 60, and the pressure welding portion 52 further includes a flat plate portion 55 and a side edge portion 57. And the side edge portion 57
The pressure welding groove 56 formed in the flat plate portion 55 extends from at least one of both side edges of the flat plate portion 55 in the groove width direction, and the connection portion with the flat plate portion 55 is bent.
As described above, in the pressure welding terminal fitting 50, it can be considered that the flat plate portion 55 is apparently formed wide by arranging the side edge portion 57 on the pressure welding portion 52. Therefore, the pressure welding portion 5
When the core wire 11 is pressure-welded to 2, the core wire 11 is connected to the entire pressure-welded portion 52 (flat plate portion 55 and side edge portion 5).
Since it is supported by 7), the flat plate portion 55 is reinforced (hard to be deformed) in the groove width direction of the pressure contact groove 56, and the possibility that the pressure contact portion 52 is deformed can be reduced. Further, since the strength of the pressure contact portion 52 is increased, even a thicker core wire 11 can be pressure-welded to the pressure contact portion 52.
Further, in the pressure welding terminal fitting 50, the pressure welding portion 5 is provided by arranging the side edge portion 57 on the pressure welding portion 52.
The strength of 2 becomes stronger. Therefore, even when the plate thickness is reduced in order to shorten the length of the leaf spring-shaped portion of the leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60, it is possible to sufficiently secure the strength of the pressure contact portion 52, and the pressure contact portion 52 can be sufficiently secured. Excessive deformation due to press-fitting of the core wire 11 to 52 can be suppressed. That is, according to the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 of the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve the strength of the pressure welding portion 52 and the miniaturization of the leaf spring-shaped terminal portion 60 in combination with these contradictory matters.
Therefore, according to the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 of the present embodiment, when the core wire 11 is pressure-welded to the pressure-welding portion 52, the possibility that a defect occurs in the pressure-welding portion 52 can be reduced.

(I) Further, in the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 of the present embodiment, the pressure welding portion 52 is U-shaped when viewed from the press fitting direction of the core wire 11.
As a result, the pressure-welding terminal fitting 50 is required for arranging the pressure-welding terminal fitting 50 in a plan view as compared with the case where the pressure-welding portion is not U-shaped and the flat plate portion and the entire side edge portion are flat. Area can be reduced. That is, for example, when viewed in a plan view, the bottom surface portion 51 to the pressure contact portion 52
By preventing the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 from protruding, it is possible to prevent the area required for the placement of the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 from becoming large when the cover portion 44 is arranged.
Further, in the pressure welding terminal fitting 50, when the pressure welding portion 52 is U-shaped, the pressure welding portion 52 can be formed into a symmetrical shape. Therefore, even if the pressure contact portion 52 is deformed when the core wire 11 is pressure-welded to the pressure contact portion 52, the deformation of the pressure contact portion 52 can be made substantially symmetrical on the left and right.
Compared with the case where only the left side or the right side of the pressure contact portion 52 is deformed, the possibility that the pressure contact portion 52 is damaged can be reduced.

(J) Further, in the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 of the present embodiment, in the pressure welding portion 52, at least one side edge portion 57 and the bottom surface portion 51 of the side edges on both sides are integrally molded.
As a result, the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 can form a plurality of pressure welding portions 52 even when one metal plate is bent and integrally formed.

(K) Further, the pressure-welding terminal fitting 50 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which the pressure-welding portion 52 is cantilevered and one side edge portion 57a supporting the pressure-welding portion 52 is provided with a side edge opening 58. is there.
When the pressure contact portion 52 is supported in a cantilever shape in this way, the other side edge portion 57b is in a floating state. Of the flat plate portion 55, the strength (resistance to deformation) differs between one side edge portion 57a side and the other side edge portion 57b side. Therefore, the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 forms a side edge opening 58 on one side edge portion 57a to weaken the strength of one side edge portion 57a side of the flat plate portion 55, thereby reducing the strength of one of the flat plate portions 55. The strength of the side edge portion 57a side and the other side edge portion 57b side can be made similar.
As a result, even when the core wire 11 is pressure-welded to the cantilever pressure-welded portion 52, the flat plate portion 55
It is possible to reduce the possibility that only the surface on the other side edge portion 57b side of the above is deformed, and the possibility that the pressure contact portion 52 is damaged can be reduced.

(L) Further, the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 of the present embodiment includes an upright portion 59 formed at a portion adjacent to the side edge portion 57b of the pressure welding portion 52.
As a result, the pressure-welding terminal fitting 50 has the pressure-welding portion 5 even when the pressure-welding portion 52 may tilt.
It is possible to prevent the 2 from tilting, and the core wire 11 can be reliably pressure-welded to the pressure-welding portion 52.

(M) Further, in the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 of the present embodiment, a plurality of pressure welding portions 52 are provided along the axial direction of the core wire 11.
As a result, the pressure welding terminal fitting 50 can increase the contact area between the pressure welding portion 52 and the core wire 11, and can increase the force for holding the core wire 11.

<Other embodiments>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been specifically described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist thereof.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the pressure contact portion 52 is U-shaped in a plan view has been described, but the present invention is not limited to that example.
FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustrating a modified example of the shape of the pressure contact portion. FIG. 7A shows an example in which the pressure contact portion is L-shaped in a plan view. FIG. 7B shows an example in which the pressure contact portion includes a curved portion and a side edge portion.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the pressure contact portion 101 has a flat plate portion 102 having a pressure contact groove 103 and a side edge portion 104 extending from only one side edge of the flat plate portion 102, and is flat. It is viewed to form an L-shape. Even in such a configuration, since the pressure contact portion 101 has the side edge portion 104,
The flat plate portion 102 can be reinforced.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the pressure contact portion 111 has a curved portion 112 instead of the flat plate portion described above. That is, the pressure contact portion 111 includes a curved portion 112 having a pressure contact groove 113 and a curved portion 11.
It is provided with a side edge portion 114 extending from at least one side edge of 2. In FIG. 7B, the side edge portion 114 extends from the side edges on both sides of the curved portion. Curved portion 112 and side edge portion 1
The connection point with 14 is bent. Even when the pressure contact portion 111 has the curved portion 112, the curved portion 112 can be reinforced because the side edge portion 114 is integrally formed with the curved portion 112.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the housing seal 41 is arranged on the female connector 30 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the housing seal may be arranged in close contact with the fitting recess of the male connector. Even in the case of this modification, the housing seal can be brought into close contact with the female connector when the female connector is fitted to the male connector, and the inside of the fitting recess can be sealed.

The branch connector can also be connected in advance to a location where the flat cable is expected to branch.
That is, a female connector is connected to the end of the trunk cable, and the female connector is fitted to the male connector. As a result, the continuity between the trunk cables is ensured. Also, since the branch line cable will be connected in the future, do not connect the branch line cable to the female connector (branch line side female connector).
However, in order to ensure the waterproofness of the branch connector, a sealing material for sealing the opening is inserted into the opening of the electric wire seal in the female connector on the branch line side. The sealing material can be removed when connecting the branch line cable to the branch line side female connector. Then, the female connector on the branch line side in which the sealing material is inserted into the opening is fitted to the male connector. As a result, female connectors are fitted to all the fitting recesses of the male connector, and a flat cable serving as a trunk line is connected to each female connector, or a sealing material is inserted into the opening. , The branch connector can ensure waterproofness.
If it becomes necessary to branch the trunk line cable in the future, remove the sealing material arranged on the branch line side female connector and connect the branch line cable to the branch line side female connector. The trunk cable can be branched by fitting the female connector on the branch line side to which the branch line cable is connected to the male connector.
As a result, when it becomes necessary to branch the trunk line cable, the trunk line cable can be branched only by connecting the branch line cable to the branch line side female connector. That is, the trunk cable can be branched with less work than when all of the trunk cable and the branch cable are connected to the female connector.

<Preferable Aspect of the Present Invention>
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

(Appendix 1)
A first housing having three or more fitting recesses and configured as a waterproof container.
A second housing constituting a fitting convex portion to be fitted in the fitting concave portion, and
A pressure-welding terminal fitting arranged in the second housing and pressure-welded to an electric wire,
The second, which is arranged in the first housing and fits into each of the three or more fitting recesses.
Tab terminals that conduct the pressure welding terminal fittings of the housing with each other,
It has an opening through which an electric wire arranged in the second housing and connected by pressure welding to the pressure welding terminal fitting of the second housing is inserted, and between the electric wire inserted through the opening and the second housing. With an electric wire seal that seals
When the second housing forming the fitting protrusion is fitted into the fitting recess of the first housing, which is arranged in an annular shape on either the side of the first housing or the side of the second housing. In addition, a housing seal that seals between the first housing and the second housing,
A branch connector is provided.

(Appendix 2)
The branch connector described in Appendix 1
The electric wire is configured to include a plurality of core wires.

(Appendix 3)
The branch connector described in Appendix 2
In the second housing, the pressure welding terminal fittings to be pressure-welded to each core wire are arranged so that the plurality of core wires extend in parallel.
The first housing is
The second housing having the same shape is configured to fit into each of the three or more fitting recesses, and the second housing has the same shape.
With respect to the fitting recesses arranged so as to face each other along the direction in which the core wire extends, the second housing to be fitted to each of the fitting recesses is fitted into the fitting recess in a direction in which the second housing is turned upside down. It is configured.

(Appendix 4)
The branch connector according to Appendix 2 or 3,
The opening of the electric wire seal is provided with a plurality of first convex-shaped portions continuous in the circumferential direction of the opening along the axial direction of the opening.
The housing seal is formed by a second convex shape portion continuously formed in the circumferential direction on the annular inner peripheral surface side of the housing seal and continuously in the circumferential direction on the annular outer peripheral surface side of the housing seal. A plurality of the second convex shape portion and the third convex shape portion are arranged along the annular axis direction of the housing seal.
The number of the first convex shape portions is larger than the number of each of the second convex shape portion and the third convex shape portion.

(Appendix 5)
The branch connector according to any one of Appendix 2 to 4.
The second housing is
A second housing main body in which a main body opening is formed by opening one side and the electric wire seal is arranged, and
A container that can be inserted into the main body opening and has a cover opening formed by opening one side thereof is provided, and a cover portion in which a plurality of the pressure welding terminal fittings are arranged in parallel is provided.
When the cover portion is inserted into the main body opening of the second housing main body in a state where the plurality of core wires are inserted into the second housing main body via the electric wire seal, the cover portion is arranged in the cover portion. The pressure welding terminal fitting is configured to be pressure-welded to the plurality of core wires in the second housing body.

(Appendix 6)
The branch connector according to Appendix 5,
An electric wire confirmation hole for confirming the end of the core wire is arranged in the second housing main body.

(Appendix 7)
The branch connector according to Appendix 5 or 6,
In the second housing body, when the core wire is inserted into the second housing body,
A guide groove that regulates the position of the core wire is arranged.

(Appendix 8)
The branch connector according to any one of Appendix 1 to 7.
The pressure welding terminal fitting is
A pressure-welded portion having a pressure-welding groove into which the electric wire is press-fitted and conducting the core wire of the electric wire by press-fitting the electric wire into the pressure-welding groove
It is equipped with a leaf spring-shaped terminal that is configured so that the tip of the tab terminal, which is an external terminal, can be inserted and removed.
The pressure contact portion and the leaf spring-shaped terminal portion are integrally formed by bending a metal plate.
The pressure contact portion is
The flat plate portion on which the pressure contact groove is formed and the flat plate portion
A side edge portion extending from at least one of both side edges of the flat plate portion in the groove width direction of the pressure contact groove and having a bent connection portion with the flat plate portion.
Have.

(Appendix 9)
The branch connector according to Appendix 8.
The press-fitting portion is formed in a U-shape or an L-shape when viewed from the press-fitting direction of the electric wire.

(Appendix 10)
The branch connector according to Appendix 8 or 9.
A bottom surface portion formed integrally with the pressure contact portion and the leaf spring-shaped terminal portion by bending the metal plate, the pressure contact portion is arranged on one end side, and the leaf spring-shaped terminal portion is arranged on the other end side. Prepare,
The pressure contact portion has the side edge portion formed by bending so as to be connected to the bottom surface portion.

(Appendix 11)
The branch connector according to Appendix 10.
The pressure contact portion has a side edge opening formed in the side edge portion connected to the bottom surface portion.

(Appendix 12)
The branch connector according to any one of Appendix 8 to 11.
It is provided with an upright portion formed at a portion of the pressure contact portion adjacent to the side edge portion.

(Appendix 13)
The pressure-welding terminal fitting according to any one of Appendix 8 to 12.
A plurality of the pressure contact portions are provided along the axial direction of the electric wire.

1 Branch connector 10 Flat cable 11 Core wire 20 Male connector 21 1st housing 22 Fitting recess 24 Tab terminal 30 Female connector 31 2nd housing 32 2nd housing Main body 33 Main body opening 35 Guide groove 36 Wire confirmation hole 38 Wire seal 39 Opening 40 First convex shape part 41 Housing seal 42 Second convex shape part 43 Third convex shape part 44 Cover opening 50 Pressure welding terminal fitting 51 Bottom part 52 Pressure welding part 55 Flat plate part 56 Pressure welding groove 57 Side edge Part 58 Side edge opening 59 Standing part 60 Leaf spring-like terminal part

Claims (6)

A first housing having three or more fitting recesses and configured as a waterproof container.
A second housing constituting a fitting convex portion to be fitted in the fitting concave portion, and
A pressure-welding terminal fitting arranged in the second housing and pressure-welded to the core wire constituting the electric wire,
A tab terminal arranged in the first housing and engaged with the pressure welding terminal fitting of the second housing that fits into each of the three or more fitting recesses to conduct the pressure welding terminal fitting with each other.
It has an opening through which an electric wire arranged in the second housing and connected by pressure welding to the pressure welding terminal fitting of the second housing is inserted, and between the electric wire inserted through the opening and the second housing. With an electric wire seal that seals
When the second housing forming the fitting convex portion is fitted into the fitting recess of the first housing, which is arranged in an annular shape on either the side of the first housing or the side of the second housing. In addition, a housing seal that seals between the first housing and the second housing,
With
The second housing is
A second housing main body in which a main body opening is formed by opening one side and the electric wire seal is arranged, and
A container that can be inserted into the main body opening and has a cover opening formed by opening one surface thereof is provided, and a cover portion in which a plurality of the pressure welding terminal fittings are arranged in parallel is provided.
When the cover portion is inserted into the main body opening of the second housing main body in a state where the plurality of core wires are inserted into the second housing main body via the electric wire seal, the cover portion is arranged in the cover portion. The pressure welding terminal fitting is configured to be pressure-welded to the plurality of core wires in the second housing body.
The housing seal is farther from the first housing than the cover portion of the second housing when the second housing constituting the fitting convex portion is fitted into the fitting recess of the first housing. A branch connector that is located on the side. The branch connector according to claim 1, wherein the electric wire is configured to include a plurality of core wires. In the second housing, the pressure welding terminal fittings to be pressure-welded to each core wire are arranged so that the plurality of core wires extend in parallel.
The first housing is
The second housing having the same shape is configured to fit into each of the three or more fitting recesses, and the second housing has the same shape.
With respect to the fitting recesses arranged so as to face each other along the direction in which the core wire extends, the second housing to be fitted to each of the fitting recesses is fitted into the fitting recess in a direction in which the second housing is turned upside down. The branch connector according to claim 2, which is configured. The opening of the electric wire seal is provided with a plurality of first convex-shaped portions continuous in the circumferential direction of the opening along the axial direction of the opening.
The housing seal is formed by a second convex shape portion continuously formed in the circumferential direction on the annular inner peripheral surface side of the housing seal and continuously in the circumferential direction on the annular outer peripheral surface side of the housing seal. A plurality of the second convex shape portion and the third convex shape portion are arranged along the annular axis direction of the housing seal.
The branch connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the number of the first convex shape portions is larger than the number of each of the second convex shape portions and the third convex shape portions. The branch connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an electric wire confirmation hole for confirming the end of the core wire is arranged in the second housing body. The second housing body according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a guide groove that regulates the position of the core wire is arranged in the second housing body when the core wire is inserted into the second housing body. Branch connector.

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