JP7041114B2

JP7041114B2 - Connector and wire harness

Info

Publication number: JP7041114B2
Application number: JP2019208692A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 知之宮川; 知由深谷; 舞時田
Original assignee: Yazaki Corp
Current assignee: Yazaki Corp
Priority date: 2019-11-19
Filing date: 2019-11-19
Publication date: 2022-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-19
Also published as: JP2021082472A

Description

本発明は、コネクタ、及び、ワイヤハーネスに関する。 The present invention relates to a connector and a wire harness.

車両のワイヤハーネスに適用される従来のコネクタとして、例えば、特許文献１には、端子と、ハウジングと、弾性係合部と、を備えるコネクタが開示されている。ハウジングは、端子が挿入される挿入口が設けられているとともに挿入口から挿入された端子を保持する。弾性係合部は、ハウジング内で片持ち梁状に延びるように設けられ、挿入口から挿入された端子と当接して弾性変形して撓むとともに弾性変形した後に弾性回復して端子と係合する。 As a conventional connector applied to a wire harness of a vehicle, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a terminal, a housing, and an elastic engaging portion. The housing is provided with an insertion slot into which the terminal is inserted and holds the terminal inserted from the insertion slot. The elastic engaging portion is provided so as to extend like a cantilever in the housing, and abuts with the terminal inserted from the insertion port to elastically deform and bend, and after elastically deforming, elastically recovers and engages with the terminal. ..

特開２０１９－３２９８８号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-32988

ところで、上述のようなコネクタは、例えば、大型化抑制の点で更なる改善の余地がある。 By the way, the connector as described above has room for further improvement in terms of suppressing the increase in size, for example.

本発明は、上記の事情に鑑みてなされたものであって、大型化を抑制することができるコネクタ、及び、ワイヤハーネスを提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a wire harness capable of suppressing an increase in size.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明に係るコネクタは、配索材に接続された端子と、第１方向に沿って前記端子を収容する端子収容室、前記端子収容室に面して前記第１方向と交差する第２方向に沿って弾性変形可能に設けられ前記端子収容室に収容された前記端子を係止するランス部、及び、前記第２方向に対して前記ランス部を挟んで前記端子収容室とは反対側に位置し当該ランス部の弾性変形を許容する変形許容空間部を含んで構成される端子保持部とを備え、前記端子保持部は、前記第２方向に対して前記変形許容空間部が互いに近接し、かつ、前記第１方向及び前記第２方向と交差する第３方向に沿って視て前記ランス部の可動範囲が少なくとも一部で相互に重なり合う位置関係で複数設けられ、それぞれの前記ランス部が前記第３方向に沿ってずれて位置し、前記ランス部は、前記端子を係止する係止部の前記第１方向の両側が支持されることを特徴とする。
また、上記コネクタでは、複数の前記端子保持部は、それぞれ、前記第３方向に対して前記端子収容室と隣接して設けられ前記第１方向に沿って延在する係止解除空間部、及び、前記ランス部から前記第３方向に沿って前記係止解除空間部に突出する解除突起部を含んで構成され、それぞれの前記係止解除空間部、及び、前記解除突起部が前記第３方向に対して前記端子収容室の一方側に位置するものとすることができる。 In order to achieve the above object, the connector according to the present invention faces the terminal connected to the wiring material, the terminal accommodating chamber accommodating the terminal along the first direction, and the terminal accommodating chamber. A lance portion that is elastically deformable along a second direction that intersects with one direction and that locks the terminal housed in the terminal accommodating chamber, and the lance portion that sandwiches the lance portion with respect to the second direction. The terminal holding portion is provided on the side opposite to the terminal accommodating chamber and includes a deformation allowable space portion that allows elastic deformation of the lance portion. A plurality of deformation allowable space portions are provided in a positional relationship in which the movable ranges of the lance portions are at least partially overlapped with each other when viewed along the first direction and the third direction intersecting the second direction. Each of the lance portions is positioned so as to be offset along the third direction, and the lance portion is characterized in that both sides of the locking portion for locking the terminal are supported in the first direction. ..
Further, in the connector, the plurality of terminal holding portions are provided adjacent to the terminal accommodating chamber with respect to the third direction, respectively, and extend along the first direction. A release projection portion that protrudes from the lance portion to the unlocking space portion along the third direction is included, and the respective unlocking release space portion and the release protrusion portion are in the third direction. It can be located on one side of the terminal accommodating chamber.

また、上記コネクタでは、前記端子保持部は、前記第３方向に沿って視て、前記ランス部の可動範囲が、他の前記端子保持部において前記端子を係止した状態にある他の前記ランス部と重なり合うものとすることができる。 Further, in the connector, the terminal holding portion is viewed along the third direction, and the movable range of the lance portion is such that the terminal is locked in the other terminal holding portion. It can overlap with the part.

また、上記コネクタでは、複数の前記端子保持部は、それぞれの前記変形許容空間部が互いに連続しているものとすることができる。 Further, in the connector, the plurality of terminal holding portions may have the deformation allowable space portions continuous with each other.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明に係るワイヤハーネスは、導電性を有する配索材と、前記配索材に電気的に接続されるコネクタとを備え、前記コネクタは、前記配索材に接続された端子と、第１方向に沿って前記端子を収容する端子収容室、前記端子収容室に面して前記第１方向と交差する第２方向に沿って弾性変形可能に設けられ前記端子収容室に収容された前記端子を係止するランス部、及び、前記第２方向に対して前記ランス部を挟んで前記端子収容室とは反対側に位置し当該ランス部の弾性変形を許容する変形許容空間部を含んで構成される端子保持部とを備え、前記端子保持部は、前記第２方向に対して前記変形許容空間部が互いに近接し、かつ、前記第１方向及び前記第２方向と交差する第３方向に沿って視て前記ランス部の可動範囲が少なくとも一部で相互に重なり合う位置関係で複数設けられ、それぞれの前記ランス部が前記第３方向に沿ってずれて位置し、前記ランス部は、前記端子を係止する係止部の前記第１方向の両側が支持されることを特徴とする。 In order to achieve the above object, the wire harness according to the present invention includes a wiring material having conductivity and a connector electrically connected to the wiring material, and the connector is attached to the wiring material. The connected terminal, a terminal accommodating chamber for accommodating the terminal along the first direction, and the terminal provided so as to be elastically deformable along the second direction facing the terminal accommodating chamber and intersecting the first direction. A lance portion that locks the terminal housed in the accommodation chamber and a lance portion that is located on the opposite side of the terminal accommodation chamber with the lance portion sandwiched with respect to the second direction to allow elastic deformation of the lance portion. The terminal holding portion includes a terminal holding portion including a deformation allowable space portion, and the terminal holding portion has the deformation allowable space portion close to each other with respect to the second direction, and the first direction and the second direction. A plurality of movable ranges of the lance portions are provided in a positional relationship in which at least a part of the movable ranges of the lance portions overlap each other when viewed along a third direction intersecting the directions, and the respective lance portions are positioned so as to be offset along the third direction. The lance portion is characterized in that both sides of the locking portion for locking the terminal are supported in the first direction .

本発明に係るコネクタ、及び、ワイヤハーネスは、第１方向に沿って端子収容室に収容された端子をランス部によって係止することで当該端子を保持する端子保持部が複数設けられる。この場合に、複数の端子保持部は、第２方向に対して変形許容空間部が互いに近接し、かつ、第３方向に沿って視てランス部の可動範囲が少なくとも一部で相互に重なり合う位置関係で設けられた上で、それぞれのランス部が第３方向に沿ってずれて位置する。この結果、コネクタ、及び、ワイヤハーネスは、大型化を抑制することができる、という効果を奏する。 The connector and the wire harness according to the present invention are provided with a plurality of terminal holding portions for holding the terminals by locking the terminals accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber along the first direction by a lance portion. In this case, in the plurality of terminal holding portions, the deformation allowable space portions are close to each other with respect to the second direction, and the movable ranges of the lance portions are at least partially overlapped with each other when viewed along the third direction. The lance portions are positioned so as to be offset along the third direction after being provided in relation to each other. As a result, the connector and the wire harness have the effect of suppressing the increase in size.

図１は、実施形態に係るワイヤハーネスの概略構成を表す分解斜視図である。FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a wire harness according to an embodiment. 図２は、実施形態に係るコネクタの概略構成を表す断面図である。FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a connector according to an embodiment. 図３は、実施形態に係るコネクタの概略構成を表す正面図である。FIG. 3 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a connector according to an embodiment. 図４は、実施形態に係るコネクタのランス部を含む部分断面斜視図である。FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view including a lance portion of the connector according to the embodiment. 図５は、実施形態に係るコネクタのランス部を含む部分断面斜視図である。FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view including a lance portion of the connector according to the embodiment. 図６は、実施形態に係るコネクタのランス部の可動範囲について説明する模式的な部分断面図である。FIG. 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view illustrating the movable range of the lance portion of the connector according to the embodiment. 図７は、実施形態に係るコネクタの係止解除空間部を含む部分断面斜視図である。FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view including the unlocking space portion of the connector according to the embodiment.

以下に、本発明に係る実施形態を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。なお、この実施形態によりこの発明が限定されるものではない。また、下記実施形態における構成要素には、当業者が置換可能かつ容易なもの、あるいは実質的に同一のものが含まれる。 Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

なお、以下で説明する図１、図２は、配索材、端子を実線で図示し、他図では配索材、端子の図示を省略している。また、以下の説明では、互いに交差する第１方向、第２方向、及び、第３方向のうち、第１方向を「軸線方向Ｘ」といい、第２方向を「高さ方向Ｙ」といい、第３方向を「幅方向Ｚ」という。ここでは、軸線方向Ｘと高さ方向Ｙと幅方向Ｚとは、相互に直交する。軸線方向Ｘは、典型的には、端子収容室に対する端子の挿入方向に相当する。高さ方向Ｙは、典型的には、ランス部が弾性変形する方向に相当する。幅方向Ｚは、典型的には、端子収容室に対する係止解除空間部の隣接方向に相当する。また、以下の説明では、軸線方向Ｘの一方側を「前側」、軸線方向Ｘの他方側を「後側」という場合がある。ここでは、図２に向かって左側を軸線方向Ｘの「前側」、図２に向かって右側を軸線方向Ｘの「後側」という。同様に、高さ方向Ｙの一方側を「上側」、高さ方向Ｙの他方側を「下側」という場合がある。ここでは、図３に向かって上側を高さ方向Ｙの「上側」、図３に向かって下側を高さ方向Ｙの「下側」という。同様に、幅方向Ｚの一方側を「左側」、幅方向Ｚの他方側を「右側」という場合がある。ここでは、図３に向かって左側を幅方向Ｚの「左側」、図３に向かって右側を幅方向Ｚの「右側」という。また、以下の説明で用いる各方向は、特に断りのない限り、各部が相互に組み付けられた状態での方向を表すものとする。 In FIGS. 1 and 2 described below, the wiring material and the terminal are shown by solid lines, and the wiring material and the terminal are omitted in the other drawings. Further, in the following description, of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction that intersect each other, the first direction is referred to as "axis direction X", and the second direction is referred to as "height direction Y". , The third direction is called "width direction Z". Here, the axial direction X, the height direction Y, and the width direction Z are orthogonal to each other. The axial direction X typically corresponds to the insertion direction of the terminal with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber. The height direction Y typically corresponds to the direction in which the lance portion is elastically deformed. The width direction Z typically corresponds to the direction adjacent to the unlocked space portion with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber. Further, in the following description, one side of the axial direction X may be referred to as "front side", and the other side of the axial direction X may be referred to as "rear side". Here, the left side facing FIG. 2 is referred to as the “front side” of the axial direction X, and the right side facing FIG. 2 is referred to as the “rear side” of the axial direction X. Similarly, one side of the height direction Y may be referred to as "upper side", and the other side of the height direction Y may be referred to as "lower side". Here, the upper side toward FIG. 3 is referred to as the "upper side" in the height direction Y, and the lower side toward FIG. 3 is referred to as the "lower side" in the height direction Y. Similarly, one side of the width direction Z may be referred to as "left side", and the other side of the width direction Z may be referred to as "right side". Here, the left side facing FIG. 3 is referred to as the “left side” in the width direction Z, and the right side facing FIG. 3 is referred to as the “right side” in the width direction Z. Further, unless otherwise specified, each direction used in the following description shall represent a direction in which each part is assembled to each other.

［実施形態］
図１、図２に示す本実施形態に係るコネクタ１は、自動車等の車両に搭載され、ワイヤハーネスＷＨ１に組み込まれるものである。ワイヤハーネスＷＨ１は、例えば、車両に搭載される各機器間の接続のために、電源供給や信号通信に用いられる複数の配索材Ｗを束にして集合部品とし、コネクタ等で複数の配索材Ｗを各機器に接続するようにしたものである。ワイヤハーネスＷＨ１は、導電性を有する配索材Ｗと、配索材Ｗに電気的に接続されるコネクタ１とを備える。ワイヤハーネスＷＨ１は、この他、さらに、グロメット、プロテクタ、固定具、電気接続箱等を含んで構成されてもよい。 [Embodiment]
The connector 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and incorporated into the wire harness WH1. In the wire harness WH1, for example, for connection between each device mounted on a vehicle, a plurality of wiring materials W used for power supply and signal communication are bundled into a collective part, and a plurality of wirings are made by a connector or the like. The material W is connected to each device. The wire harness WH1 includes a wiring material W having conductivity and a connector 1 electrically connected to the wiring material W. The wire harness WH1 may further include a grommet, a protector, a fixture, an electric connection box, and the like.

配索材Ｗは、例えば、複数の導電性の金属素線からなる導体部（芯線）の外側を絶縁性の被覆部によって覆った電線、当該電線を束ねた電線束、導電性の棒状部材の外側を絶縁性の被覆部によって覆った金属棒等によって構成される。ここでは、配索材Ｗは、導電性を有する線状の導体部Ｗ１と、当該導体部Ｗ１の外側を覆う絶縁性を有する絶縁被覆部Ｗ２とを含んで構成される。導体部Ｗ１は、例えば、導電性を有する金属素線を複数束ねた芯線や当該複数の金属素線を撚り合わせた撚り芯線である。絶縁被覆部Ｗ２は、導体部Ｗ１の外周側を被覆する電線被覆である。配索材Ｗは、絶縁被覆部Ｗ２で導体部Ｗ１を被覆した絶縁電線である。配索材Ｗは、少なくとも導体部Ｗ１の一方の端末において、絶縁被覆部Ｗ２が剥ぎ取られており、当該導体部Ｗ１の一方の端末が絶縁被覆部Ｗ２の端末から露出しており、当該露出している導体部Ｗ１の端末にコネクタ１が接続される。 The wiring material W is, for example, an electric wire in which the outside of a conductor portion (core wire) composed of a plurality of conductive metal strands is covered with an insulating covering portion, an electric wire bundle in which the electric wires are bundled, or a conductive rod-shaped member. It is composed of a metal rod or the like whose outside is covered with an insulating covering. Here, the wiring material W includes a linear conductor portion W1 having conductivity and an insulating coating portion W2 having insulation covering the outside of the conductor portion W1. The conductor portion W1 is, for example, a core wire obtained by bundling a plurality of conductive metal strands or a twisted core wire obtained by twisting the plurality of metal strands. The insulating coating portion W2 is an electric wire coating that covers the outer peripheral side of the conductor portion W1. The wiring material W is an insulated wire in which the conductor portion W1 is covered with the insulating coating portion W2. In the wiring material W, the insulating coating portion W2 is stripped off at least at one terminal of the conductor portion W1, and one terminal of the conductor portion W1 is exposed from the terminal of the insulating coating portion W2. The connector 1 is connected to the terminal of the conductor portion W1.

コネクタ１は、典型的には、ワイヤハーネスＷＨ１を構成する配索材Ｗと他の配索材とを接続する配索材対配索材接続用の接続機構を構成するものである。コネクタ１は、接続相手である相手コネクタと嵌合することで当該相手コネクタとの間に電気的な接続部位を形成し、配索材Ｗと他の配索材とを導通接続することができる。以下、各図を参照してコネクタ１の構成について詳細に説明する。 The connector 1 typically constitutes a connection mechanism for connecting a wiring material to a wiring material that connects the wiring material W constituting the wire harness WH1 and another wiring material. The connector 1 can form an electrical connection portion with the mating connector by mating with the mating connector, and can electrically connect the wiring material W and another wiring material. .. Hereinafter, the configuration of the connector 1 will be described in detail with reference to each figure.

具体的には、コネクタ１は、図１、図２、図３に示すように、端子２と、ハウジング３とを備える。本実施形態のコネクタ１は、メス型のコネクタであり、オス型の相手コネクタと嵌合しコネクタ接合される。 Specifically, the connector 1 includes a terminal 2 and a housing 3 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The connector 1 of the present embodiment is a female type connector, and is fitted with a male type mating connector and joined to the connector.

端子２は、導電性を有する金属材料によって形成され、配索材Ｗの導体部Ｗ１に電気的に接続される金属金具である。ここでは、端子２は、一例として導体部Ｗ１の端末に圧着される圧着端子である。本実施形態の端子２は、オス型の相手端子と電気的に接続されるメス型の端子である。なお、本実施形態の配索材Ｗは、この端子２の軸線方向Ｘの後側端部に止水用のパッキンＰが装着されている。 The terminal 2 is a metal fitting formed of a conductive metal material and electrically connected to the conductor portion W1 of the wiring material W. Here, the terminal 2 is, for example, a crimping terminal that is crimped to the terminal of the conductor portion W1. The terminal 2 of this embodiment is a female terminal that is electrically connected to a male mating terminal. In the wiring material W of the present embodiment, a packing P for stopping water is attached to the rear end portion of the terminal 2 in the axial direction X.

ハウジング３は、絶縁性を有する樹脂材料によって形成され、端子２を保持するコネクタハウジングである。本実施形態のハウジング３は、オス型の相手コネクタハウジングと嵌合するメス型のコネクタハウジングである。ハウジング３は、本体部３０、及び、当該本体部３０に設けられる複数の端子保持部３１を備え、全体が絶縁性を有する樹脂材料によって一体で形成される。 The housing 3 is a connector housing formed of an insulating resin material and holding the terminal 2. The housing 3 of the present embodiment is a female connector housing that fits with a male mating connector housing. The housing 3 includes a main body portion 30 and a plurality of terminal holding portions 31 provided on the main body portion 30, and is integrally formed of a resin material having an insulating property as a whole.

本体部３０は、ハウジング３を形成する主たる部分であり、複数の端子保持部３１が設けられる。本体部３０は、相手コネクタハウジングと嵌合可能な形状、大きさに形成される。ここでは、本体部３０は、中心軸線が軸線方向Ｘに沿い、かつ、角部が曲面状をなす略三角形柱状に形成される。本体部３０は、外面に相手コネクタハウジングを係止する係止突起部や各種リブ等の種々の形状が付されている。 The main body portion 30 is a main portion forming the housing 3, and a plurality of terminal holding portions 31 are provided. The main body portion 30 is formed in a shape and size that can be fitted with the mating connector housing. Here, the main body portion 30 is formed in a substantially triangular columnar shape in which the central axis is along the axis direction X and the corner portions are curved. The main body portion 30 is provided with various shapes such as a locking protrusion for locking the mating connector housing and various ribs on the outer surface.

端子保持部３１は、端子２を収容、保持する部分である。端子保持部３１は、本体部３０に複数設けられ、それぞれ１つずつ端子２を保持する。本実施形態のハウジング３は、一例として、３つの端子保持部３１を備えており、それぞれの端子保持部３１に対して１つずつ、合計３つの端子２を保持する。以下では、３つの端子保持部３１を区別して説明する場合には便宜的にそれぞれ「端子保持部３１Ａ」、「端子保持部３１Ｂ」、「端子保持部３１Ｃ」といい、３つの端子保持部３１を特に区別して説明する必要がない場合には単に「端子保持部３１」という場合がある。 The terminal holding portion 31 is a portion that accommodates and holds the terminal 2. A plurality of terminal holding portions 31 are provided in the main body portion 30, and each terminal 2 is held one by one. As an example, the housing 3 of the present embodiment includes three terminal holding portions 31, and holds a total of three terminals 2 one for each terminal holding portion 31. In the following, when the three terminal holding portions 31 are described separately, they are referred to as "terminal holding portion 31A", "terminal holding portion 31B", and "terminal holding portion 31C", respectively, for convenience, and the three terminal holding portions 31. When it is not necessary to distinguish and explain the above, it may be simply referred to as “terminal holding portion 31”.

端子保持部３１は、端子収容室３２、ランス部３３、変形許容空間部３４、係止解除空間部３５、及び、解除突起部３６を含んで構成される。以下では、まず、端子保持部３１の各部において端子保持部３１、３１Ａ、３１Ｂ、３１Ｃに共通の構成について概略を説明し、その後、端子保持部３１、３１Ａ、３１Ｂ、３１Ｃごとの各部の位置関係等ついて詳細に説明する。 The terminal holding portion 31 includes a terminal accommodating chamber 32, a lance portion 33, a deformation allowable space portion 34, a locking release space portion 35, and a release protrusion 36. In the following, first, the configuration common to the terminal holding portions 31, 31A, 31B, and 31C in each portion of the terminal holding portion 31 will be outlined, and then the positional relationship of each portion of the terminal holding portions 31, 31A, 31B, and 31C will be described. Etc. will be explained in detail.

端子収容室３２は、図１、図２、図３に示すように、軸線方向Ｘに沿って端子２を収容する空間部である。端子収容室３２は、軸線方向Ｘに沿って端子２が挿入されるキャビティ（端子挿入室）とも呼ばれる。端子収容室３２は、本体部３０の内部に軸線方向Ｘに沿って延在して中空状に形成される。端子収容室３２は、端子２の外形形状に応じて当該端子２が挿入可能な大きさ、形状の空間部として形成され、内部に端子２を収容する。ここでは、端子収容室３２は、軸線方向Ｘの前側において当該軸線方向Ｘと直交する断面形状が略矩形状に形成される一方、軸線方向Ｘの後側において当該軸線方向Ｘと直交する断面形状が略円形状に形成され、中心軸線が軸線方向Ｘに沿う筒状に形成される。 As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the terminal accommodating chamber 32 is a space portion accommodating the terminal 2 along the axial direction X. The terminal accommodating chamber 32 is also called a cavity (terminal insertion chamber) into which the terminal 2 is inserted along the axial direction X. The terminal accommodating chamber 32 extends inside the main body 30 along the axial direction X and is formed in a hollow shape. The terminal accommodating chamber 32 is formed as a space portion having a size and shape into which the terminal 2 can be inserted according to the outer shape of the terminal 2, and accommodates the terminal 2 inside. Here, the terminal accommodating chamber 32 has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the axial direction X on the front side of the axial direction X, while the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the axial direction X is formed on the rear side of the axial direction X. Is formed in a substantially circular shape, and the central axis is formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis direction X.

端子収容室３２は、本体部３０において、軸線方向Ｘの両端部が開口し、それぞれ開口部３２ａ、３２ｂを構成する。開口部３２ａは、端子収容室３２の軸線方向Ｘの後側端部に形成された開口である。コネクタ１は、開口部３２ａから端子収容室３２に端子２が挿入され、当該端子収容室３２に端子２を保持する。一方、開口部３２ｂは、端子収容室３２の軸線方向Ｘの前側端部に形成された開口である。コネクタ１は、開口部３２ｂから相手端子が挿入され、端子収容室３２内の端子２と接続される。 In the terminal accommodating chamber 32, both ends of the main body 30 are opened in the axial direction X, forming openings 32a and 32b, respectively. The opening 32a is an opening formed at the rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber 32 in the axial direction X. In the connector 1, the terminal 2 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 32 from the opening 32a, and the terminal 2 is held in the terminal accommodating chamber 32. On the other hand, the opening 32b is an opening formed at the front end portion of the terminal accommodating chamber 32 in the axial direction X. The mating terminal is inserted into the connector 1 from the opening 32b, and the connector 1 is connected to the terminal 2 in the terminal accommodating chamber 32.

ランス部３３は、端子収容室３２に面して高さ方向Ｙに沿って弾性変形可能に設けられ端子収容室３２に収容された端子を正規位置で係止する端子係止機構である。ここで、端子２の端子収容室３２内での正規位置とは、端子２がランス部３３によって適正な端子保持力で端子収容室３２内に係止され保持されると共に相手端子と適正に電気的に接続される位置である。 The lance portion 33 is a terminal locking mechanism that faces the terminal accommodating chamber 32 and is elastically deformable along the height direction Y to lock the terminals accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 32 at a normal position. Here, the normal position of the terminal 2 in the terminal accommodating chamber 32 is that the terminal 2 is locked and held in the terminal accommodating chamber 32 by the lance portion 33 with an appropriate terminal holding force, and is properly electrically connected to the other terminal. It is a position to be connected.

本実施形態のランス部３３は、図２、図４、図５に示すように端子２を係止する係止部３３ａの軸線方向Ｘの両側が支持された両持ち状のランス部を構成する。具体的には、ランス部３３は、係止部３３ａ、両持ち支持部３３ｂ、及び、スリット部３３ｃを含んで構成される。 As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the lance portion 33 of the present embodiment constitutes a double-sided lance portion in which both sides of the locking portion 33a for locking the terminal 2 are supported in the axial direction X. .. Specifically, the lance portion 33 includes a locking portion 33a, a double-sided support portion 33b, and a slit portion 33c.

係止部３３ａは、端子収容室３２を形成する壁体３２ｃから高さ方向Ｙの上側に突出して爪状に形成される部分である。係止部３３ａが形成される壁体３２ｃは、端子収容室３２の高さ方向Ｙの一方側（端子保持部３１Ａ、３１Ｂにおいては下側、端子保持部３１Ｃにおいては上側）を区画する壁体である。壁体３２ｃは、係止部３３ａより軸線方向Ｘの前側の部分の一部が空間部となっている。係止部３３ａは、軸線方向Ｘの前側端部が端子２の凹部端部（例えば、相手端子と当接する箱状部分の端部）に当接することで、端子２を端子収容室３２内の正規位置に係止する。 The locking portion 33a is a portion formed in a claw shape so as to project upward in the height direction Y from the wall body 32c forming the terminal accommodating chamber 32. The wall body 32c on which the locking portion 33a is formed is a wall body that partitions one side of the terminal accommodating chamber 32 in the height direction Y (lower side in the terminal holding portions 31A and 31B, upper side in the terminal holding portion 31C). Is. A part of the wall body 32c on the front side in the axial direction X from the locking portion 33a is a space portion. In the locking portion 33a, the front end portion in the axial direction X abuts on the concave end portion of the terminal 2 (for example, the end portion of the box-shaped portion that abuts on the mating terminal), whereby the terminal 2 is placed in the terminal accommodating chamber 32. Lock in place.

両持ち支持部３３ｂは、係止部３３ａの軸線方向Ｘの両側を支持する部分である。両持ち支持部３３ｂは、端子収容室３２を形成する壁体３２ｄの一部、及び、上述の壁体３２ｃの一部によって構成される。壁体３２ｄは、端子収容室３２の幅方向Ｚの一方側（端子保持部３１Ａ、３１Ｂ、３１Ｃにおいて左側）を区画する壁体であり、端子収容室３２と後述する係止解除空間部３５の一部とを隔てる壁体でもある。両持ち支持部３３ｂは、壁体３２ｃと壁体３２ｄとが交わる角部状の部分によって構成され、軸線方向Ｘと直交する断面形状が概略的に略Ｌ字型の断面形状に形成される。両持ち支持部３３ｂは、軸線方向Ｘに沿って係止部３３ａの両側に延在し、軸線方向Ｘの両側で係止部３３ａを壁体３２ｃ、壁体３２ｄに支持する。ここでは、両持ち支持部３３ｂは、係止部３３ａの幅方向Ｚの左側の端部を支持する。係止部３３ａは、幅方向Ｚの左側の端部が両持ち支持部３３ｂに支持された状態で幅方向Ｚの右側の端部が自由端となっており、端子収容室３２の内壁面に対して縁を切った状態となっている。 The double-sided support portion 33b is a portion that supports both sides of the locking portion 33a in the axial direction X. The double-sided support portion 33b is composed of a part of the wall body 32d forming the terminal accommodating chamber 32 and a part of the above-mentioned wall body 32c. The wall body 32d is a wall body that partitions one side (left side in the terminal holding portions 31A, 31B, 31C) of the width direction Z of the terminal accommodating chamber 32, and is a wall body of the terminal accommodating chamber 32 and the unlocking space portion 35 described later. It is also a wall that separates a part. The double-sided support portion 33b is composed of a square portion where the wall body 32c and the wall body 32d intersect, and the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the axial direction X is formed into a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional shape. The double-sided support portion 33b extends on both sides of the locking portion 33a along the axial direction X, and supports the locking portions 33a on the wall body 32c and the wall body 32d on both sides of the axial direction X. Here, the double-sided support portion 33b supports the left end portion of the locking portion 33a in the width direction Z. The locking portion 33a has a free end on the right end in the width direction Z while the left end in the width direction Z is supported by the double-sided support portion 33b, and is formed on the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 32. On the other hand, the edge is cut off.

スリット部３３ｃは、壁体３２ｄにおいて両持ち支持部３３ｂの高さ方向Ｙの上側に形成される。スリット部３３ｃは、壁体３２ｄを幅方向Ｚに沿って貫通し、かつ、軸線方向Ｘに沿って直線状に延在して形成される。ランス部３３は、壁体３２ｄに当該スリット部３３ｃが形成されることで、係止部３３ａ、両持ち支持部３３ｂの全体が高さ方向Ｙに沿って弾性変形可能に構成される。 The slit portion 33c is formed on the wall body 32d on the upper side of the double-sided support portion 33b in the height direction Y. The slit portion 33c is formed so as to penetrate the wall body 32d along the width direction Z and extend linearly along the axis direction X. The lance portion 33 is configured such that the entire locking portion 33a and the double-sided support portion 33b can be elastically deformed along the height direction Y by forming the slit portion 33c in the wall body 32d.

変形許容空間部３４は、図１、図２、図３、図４に示すように、高さ方向Ｙに対してランス部３３を挟んで端子収容室３２とは反対側に位置する空間部である。つまり、変形許容空間部３４は、ランス部３３の高さ方向Ｙの一方側（端子保持部３１Ａ、３１Ｂにおいては下側、端子保持部３１Ｃにおいては上側）に位置する。変形許容空間部３４は、本体部３０の内部に軸線方向Ｘに沿って延在して中空状に形成される。変形許容空間部３４は、本体部３０において、軸線方向Ｘの前側端部が開口し、軸線方向Ｘに沿ってランス部３３の係止部３３ａの基端部まで延在する。変形許容空間部３４は、ランス部３３の高さ方向Ｙに沿った弾性変形を許容する。すなわち、変形許容空間部３４は、ランス部３３の係止部３３ａが相手端子に係合する際に、当該ランス部３３が撓むためのランス退避空間として機能する。 As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the deformation allowable space portion 34 is a space portion located on the opposite side of the terminal accommodating chamber 32 with the lance portion 33 interposed therebetween in the height direction Y. be. That is, the deformation allowable space portion 34 is located on one side of the lance portion 33 in the height direction Y (lower side in the terminal holding portions 31A and 31B, upper side in the terminal holding portion 31C). The deformation allowable space portion 34 extends inside the main body portion 30 along the axial direction X and is formed in a hollow shape. In the main body portion 30, the deformation allowable space portion 34 opens at the front end portion in the axial direction X and extends along the axial direction X to the base end portion of the locking portion 33a of the lance portion 33. The deformation allowable space portion 34 allows elastic deformation of the lance portion 33 along the height direction Y. That is, the deformation allowable space portion 34 functions as a lance retracting space for the lance portion 33 to bend when the locking portion 33a of the lance portion 33 engages with the mating terminal.

係止解除空間部３５は、図１、図３、図４、図５に示すように、幅方向Ｚに対して端子収容室３２と隣接して設けられ軸線方向Ｘに沿って延在する空間部である。本実施形態の係止解除空間部３５は、幅方向Ｚに対して壁体３２ｄを挟んで端子収容室３２の一方側（端子保持部３１Ａ、３１Ｂ、３１Ｃにおいて左側）に隣接して位置する。係止解除空間部３５は、本体部３０の内部に軸線方向Ｘに沿って端子収容室３２と並行して延在し中空状に形成される。係止解除空間部３５は、本体部３０において、軸線方向Ｘの前側端部が開口し、軸線方向Ｘに沿って後述する解除突起部３６の基端部まで延在する。ここでは、係止解除空間部３５は、壁体３２ｄに形成された連通孔部３２ｅを介して端子収容室３２と連通している。連通孔部３２ｅは、壁体３２ｄにおいて軸線方向Ｘの中腹部分、より詳細には、係止部３３ａが位置する部分に形成され、壁体３２ｄを幅方向Ｚに沿って貫通する貫通孔である。係止解除空間部３５は、ランス部３３による端子２の係止を解除する際に解除用治具１００（後述する図７参照）が挿入される治具挿入空間として機能する。 As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5, the unlocking space portion 35 is provided adjacent to the terminal accommodating chamber 32 in the width direction Z and extends along the axial direction X. It is a department. The unlocking space portion 35 of the present embodiment is located adjacent to one side of the terminal accommodating chamber 32 (left side in the terminal holding portions 31A, 31B, 31C) with the wall body 32d interposed therebetween in the width direction Z. The unlocking space portion 35 extends in parallel with the terminal accommodating chamber 32 along the axial direction X inside the main body portion 30 and is formed in a hollow shape. In the main body portion 30, the unlocking space portion 35 has a front end portion opened in the axial direction X and extends along the axial direction X to the base end portion of the unlocking protrusion 36 described later. Here, the unlocking space portion 35 communicates with the terminal accommodating chamber 32 via the communication hole portion 32e formed in the wall body 32d. The communication hole portion 32e is a through hole formed in the middle portion of the wall body 32d in the axial direction X, more specifically, in the portion where the locking portion 33a is located, and penetrates the wall body 32d along the width direction Z. .. The unlocking space portion 35 functions as a jig insertion space into which the unlocking jig 100 (see FIG. 7 described later) is inserted when the terminal 2 is unlocked by the lance portion 33.

解除突起部３６は、図３、図４、図５に示すように、ランス部３３から幅方向Ｚに沿って係止解除空間部３５に突出する部分である。解除突起部３６は、ランス部３３による端子２の係止を解除する際に解除用治具１００（後述する図７参照）によって押圧される。解除突起部３６は、ランス部３３の両持ち支持部３３ｂにおいて軸線方向Ｘの中腹部分、より詳細には、係止部３３ａが位置する部分から幅方向Ｚに沿って突出して形成される。解除突起部３６は、幅方向Ｚの先端部が自由端となっており、係止解除空間部３５の内壁面に対して縁を切った状態となっている。解除突起部３６は、軸線方向Ｘに沿って延在し、軸線方向Ｘの後側端部が係止解除空間部３５の内壁面に支持されて基端部を構成する一方、軸線方向Ｘの前側端部が曲面状に形成され先端部を構成する。解除突起部３６は、ランス部３３による端子２の係止を解除する際に解除用治具１００（後述する図７参照）によって高さ方向Ｙに沿って変形許容空間部３４側に押圧される。 As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the release protrusion 36 is a portion that protrudes from the lance portion 33 along the width direction Z to the lock release space portion 35. The release protrusion 36 is pressed by the release jig 100 (see FIG. 7 described later) when the terminal 2 is released from the lock by the lance portion 33. The release protrusion 36 is formed so as to project from the middle portion of the axial direction X, more specifically, the portion where the locking portion 33a is located, along the width direction Z in the double-sided support portion 33b of the lance portion 33. The release protrusion 36 has a free end at the tip in the width direction Z, and has a cut edge with respect to the inner wall surface of the unlocking space 35. The release protrusion 36 extends along the axial direction X, and the rear end portion of the axial direction X is supported by the inner wall surface of the unlocking space portion 35 to form a base end portion, while the release protrusion portion 36 is in the axial direction X. The front end is formed in a curved shape to form the tip. The release protrusion 36 is pressed toward the deformation allowable space portion 34 along the height direction Y by the release jig 100 (see FIG. 7 described later) when the terminal 2 is released from the lock by the lance portion 33. ..

上記のように構成される端子保持部３１は、端子２を開口部３２ａを介して軸線方向Ｘに沿って端子収容室３２に挿入する動作に伴って、ランス部３３が高さ方向Ｙに沿って変形許容空間部３４側に撓みつつ弾性変形する。そして、端子保持部３１は、端子２が端子収容室３２内の正規位置まで挿入されると、ランス部３３が弾性復元力によって端子収容室３２側に復帰し係止部３３ａが端子２の凹部端部に当接することで、当該端子２を端子収容室３２内の正規位置に係止する。この結果、端子保持部３１は、端子収容室３２内の正規位置に端子２を保持することができる。 In the terminal holding portion 31 configured as described above, the lance portion 33 is along the height direction Y as the terminal 2 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 32 along the axial direction X through the opening 32a. It elastically deforms while bending toward the deformation allowable space portion 34. Then, when the terminal 2 is inserted to the normal position in the terminal accommodating chamber 32, the terminal holding portion 31 returns to the terminal accommodating chamber 32 side by the elastic restoring force, and the locking portion 33a is a recess of the terminal 2. By abutting on the end portion, the terminal 2 is locked to a regular position in the terminal accommodating chamber 32. As a result, the terminal holding portion 31 can hold the terminal 2 at a regular position in the terminal accommodating chamber 32.

一方、端子保持部３１は、ランス部３３による端子２の係止を解除する際には、解除用治具１００（後述する図７参照）が係止解除空間部３５に挿入され、解除用治具１００によって解除突起部３６が高さ方向Ｙに沿って変形許容空間部３４側に押圧される。これにより、端子保持部３１は、解除突起部３６と共にランス部３３が高さ方向Ｙに沿って変形許容空間部３４側に弾性変形することで係止部３３ａによる端子２の係止が解除され、端子２を端子収容室３２から抜き取り可能な状態とすることができる。 On the other hand, when the terminal 2 is unlocked by the lance portion 33, the terminal holding portion 31 is inserted into the unlocking space portion 35 with the unlocking jig 100 (see FIG. 7 described later), and the terminal holding portion 31 is used for unlocking. The release projection portion 36 is pressed by the tool 100 toward the deformation allowable space portion 34 along the height direction Y. As a result, in the terminal holding portion 31, the lance portion 33 is elastically deformed toward the deformation allowable space portion 34 along the height direction Y together with the release protrusion portion 36, so that the terminal 2 is released from being locked by the locking portion 33a. , The terminal 2 can be taken out from the terminal accommodating chamber 32.

そして、本実施形態のコネクタ１は、図１、図３に示すように、上記のように構成される複数の端子保持部３１を所定の位置関係となるように配置することで、大型化の抑制を実現している。 Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the connector 1 of the present embodiment is increased in size by arranging a plurality of terminal holding portions 31 configured as described above so as to have a predetermined positional relationship. Achieves suppression.

具体的には、端子保持部３１は、高さ方向Ｙに対して変形許容空間部３４が互いに近接し、かつ、図６に示すように、幅方向Ｚに沿って視てランス部３３の可動範囲Ｒが少なくとも一部で相互に重なり合う位置関係で複数設けられる。本実施形態のコネクタ１は、端子保持部３１Ａと端子保持部３１Ｃとの位置関係、及び、端子保持部３１Ｂと端子保持部３１Ｃとの位置関係において、上記のような位置関係が成り立つように、端子保持部３１Ａ、３１Ｂ、３１Ｃが配置されている。そして、本実施形態の複数の端子保持部３１は、それぞれの係止解除空間部３５、及び、解除突起部３６が幅方向Ｚに対して端子収容室３２の一方側、ここでは、左側に位置する。 Specifically, in the terminal holding portion 31, the deformation allowable space portion 34 is close to each other in the height direction Y, and as shown in FIG. 6, the lance portion 33 is movable when viewed along the width direction Z. A plurality of ranges R are provided in a positional relationship in which at least a part thereof overlaps with each other. In the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the above-mentioned positional relationship is established in the positional relationship between the terminal holding portion 31A and the terminal holding portion 31C and the positional relationship between the terminal holding portion 31B and the terminal holding portion 31C. The terminal holding portions 31A, 31B, and 31C are arranged. The plurality of terminal holding portions 31 of the present embodiment are located on one side of the terminal accommodating chamber 32 with respect to the width direction Z, that is, on the left side, respectively, of the unlocking space portion 35 and the unlocking protrusion portion 36. do.

より具体的には、端子保持部３１Ａは、図１、図３に示すように、略三角形柱状に形成された本体部３０の１つの角部が高さ方向Ｙの下側を向く位置関係で配置された状態で、本体部３０の高さ方向Ｙの上側で、かつ、幅方向Ｚの左側に位置する角部に設けられる。同様に、端子保持部３１Ｂは、本体部３０の高さ方向Ｙの上側で、かつ、幅方向Ｚの右側に位置する角部に設けられる。端子保持部３１Ａと端子保持部３１Ｂとは、高さ方向Ｙに沿った位置がほぼ同等で、かつ、幅方向Ｚに沿って並んで位置する。そして、端子保持部３１Ｃは、本体部３０の幅方向Ｚの中央で、かつ、高さ方向Ｙの下側に位置する角部に設けられる。つまり、端子保持部３１Ａと端子保持部３１Ｂと端子保持部３１Ｃとは、高さ方向Ｙに対して２段に分かれて設けられ、３つが相互に幅方向Ｚに沿ってずれて位置し、かつ、端子保持部３１Ａ、３１Ｂと端子保持部３１Ｃとが高さ方向Ｙに沿ってずれて位置する。これにより、端子保持部３１Ａと端子保持部３１Ｂと端子保持部３１Ｃとは、本体部３０においてそれぞれが高さ方向Ｙ及び幅方向Ｚに対して互い違いとなるように位置することとなる。 More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the terminal holding portion 31A has a positional relationship in which one corner portion of the main body portion 30 formed in a substantially triangular columnar shape faces downward in the height direction Y. In the arranged state, it is provided at the corner portion located on the upper side of the main body portion 30 in the height direction Y and on the left side in the width direction Z. Similarly, the terminal holding portion 31B is provided at a corner portion located on the upper side of the main body portion 30 in the height direction Y and on the right side in the width direction Z. The terminal holding portion 31A and the terminal holding portion 31B are located at substantially the same position along the height direction Y and side by side along the width direction Z. The terminal holding portion 31C is provided at a corner portion located at the center of the main body portion 30 in the width direction Z and below the height direction Y. That is, the terminal holding portion 31A, the terminal holding portion 31B, and the terminal holding portion 31C are provided in two stages in the height direction Y, and the three are positioned so as to be offset from each other along the width direction Z. , The terminal holding portions 31A and 31B and the terminal holding portions 31C are positioned so as to be offset along the height direction Y. As a result, the terminal holding portion 31A, the terminal holding portion 31B, and the terminal holding portion 31C are positioned in the main body portion 30 so as to be staggered with respect to the height direction Y and the width direction Z, respectively.

そして、端子保持部３１Ａと端子保持部３１Ｃとは、高さ方向Ｙに対してそれぞれの変形許容空間部３４が互いに近接する位置関係で設けられる。言い換えれば、端子保持部３１Ａと端子保持部３１Ｃとは、高さ方向Ｙに対してそれぞれの変形許容空間部３４が互いの側を向く位置関係で設けられる。より具体的には、端子保持部３１Ａは、高さ方向Ｙに対して変形許容空間部３４がランス部３３の下側に位置し、端子保持部３１Ｃは、高さ方向Ｙに対して変形許容空間部３４がランス部３３の上側に位置する位置関係で設けられる。つまり、端子保持部３１Ａと端子保持部３１Ｃとは、それぞれの変形許容空間部３４が高さ方向Ｙに対してランス部３３より本体部３０の内方側に位置する位置関係で設けられる。そして、端子保持部３１Ａと端子保持部３１Ｃとは、ともにそれぞれの係止解除空間部３５、及び、解除突起部３６が幅方向Ｚに対して端子収容室３２の左側に位置する。 The terminal holding portion 31A and the terminal holding portion 31C are provided in a positional relationship in which the deformation allowable space portions 34 are close to each other in the height direction Y. In other words, the terminal holding portion 31A and the terminal holding portion 31C are provided in a positional relationship in which the deformation allowable space portions 34 face each other in the height direction Y. More specifically, in the terminal holding portion 31A, the deformation allowable space portion 34 is located below the lance portion 33 in the height direction Y, and the terminal holding portion 31C is deformable in the height direction Y. The space portion 34 is provided in a positional relationship so as to be located above the lance portion 33. That is, the terminal holding portion 31A and the terminal holding portion 31C are provided in a positional relationship in which the respective deformation allowable space portions 34 are located on the inner side of the main body portion 30 from the lance portion 33 with respect to the height direction Y. The terminal holding portion 31A and the terminal holding portion 31C both have the unlocking space portion 35 and the unlocking protrusion 36 located on the left side of the terminal accommodating chamber 32 with respect to the width direction Z.

同様に、端子保持部３１Ｂと端子保持部３１Ｃとは、高さ方向Ｙに対してそれぞれの変形許容空間部３４が互いに近接する位置関係で設けられる。言い換えれば、端子保持部３１Ｂと端子保持部３１Ｃとは、高さ方向Ｙに対してそれぞれの変形許容空間部３４が互いの側を向く位置関係で設けられる。より具体的には、端子保持部３１Ｂは、高さ方向Ｙに対して変形許容空間部３４がランス部３３の下側に位置し、端子保持部３１Ｃは、高さ方向Ｙに対して変形許容空間部３４がランス部３３の上側に位置する位置関係で設けられる。つまり、端子保持部３１Ｂと端子保持部３１Ｃとは、それぞれの変形許容空間部３４が高さ方向Ｙに対してランス部３３より本体部３０の内方側に位置する位置関係で設けられる。そして、端子保持部３１Ｂと端子保持部３１Ｃとは、ともにそれぞれの係止解除空間部３５、及び、解除突起部３６が幅方向Ｚに対して端子収容室３２の左側に位置する。ここでは、端子保持部３１Ｂの係止解除空間部３５、解除突起部３６は、幅方向Ｚに対して端子保持部３１Ａの端子収容室３２と端子保持部３１Ｂの端子収容室３２との間に位置する。 Similarly, the terminal holding portion 31B and the terminal holding portion 31C are provided in a positional relationship in which the deformation allowable space portions 34 are close to each other in the height direction Y. In other words, the terminal holding portion 31B and the terminal holding portion 31C are provided in a positional relationship in which the deformation allowable space portions 34 face each other in the height direction Y. More specifically, in the terminal holding portion 31B, the deformation allowable space portion 34 is located below the lance portion 33 in the height direction Y, and the terminal holding portion 31C is deformable in the height direction Y. The space portion 34 is provided in a positional relationship so as to be located above the lance portion 33. That is, the terminal holding portion 31B and the terminal holding portion 31C are provided in a positional relationship in which the respective deformation allowable space portions 34 are located on the inner side of the main body portion 30 from the lance portion 33 with respect to the height direction Y. The terminal holding portion 31B and the terminal holding portion 31C both have the unlocking space portion 35 and the unlocking protrusion 36 located on the left side of the terminal accommodating chamber 32 with respect to the width direction Z. Here, the unlocking space 35 and the unlocking protrusion 36 of the terminal holding portion 31B are located between the terminal accommodating chamber 32 of the terminal holding portion 31A and the terminal accommodating chamber 32 of the terminal holding portion 31B in the width direction Z. To position.

そして、端子保持部３１Ａと端子保持部３１Ｃとは、図６に示すように、幅方向Ｚに沿って視て、端子保持部３１Ａのランス部３３の可動範囲ＲＡと端子保持部３１Ｃのランス部３３の可動範囲ＲＣとが少なくとも一部で相互に重なり合う。同様に、端子保持部３１Ｂと端子保持部３１Ｃとは、図６に示すように、幅方向Ｚに沿って視て、端子保持部３１Ｂのランス部３３の可動範囲ＲＢと端子保持部３１Ｃのランス部３３の可動範囲ＲＣとが少なくとも一部で相互に重なり合う。ここでは、端子保持部３１Ａは、幅方向Ｚに沿って視て、ランス部３３の可動範囲ＲＡが、他の端子保持部３１である端子保持部３１Ｃにおいて端子２を係止した状態にある他のランス部３３と重なり合う。同様に、端子保持部３１Ｂは、幅方向Ｚに沿って視て、ランス部３３の可動範囲ＲＢが、他の端子保持部３１である端子保持部３１Ｃにおいて端子２を係止した状態にある他のランス部３３と重なり合う。端子保持部３１Ｃは、幅方向Ｚに沿って視て、ランス部３３の可動範囲ＲＣが、他の端子保持部３１である端子保持部３１Ａ、３１Ｂにおいて端子２を係止した状態にある他のランス部３３と重なり合う。 Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the terminal holding portion 31A and the terminal holding portion 31C are viewed along the width direction Z, and the movable range RA of the lance portion 33 of the terminal holding portion 31A and the lance portion of the terminal holding portion 31C. The movable range RC of 33 overlaps with each other at least in part. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6, the terminal holding portion 31B and the terminal holding portion 31C are viewed along the width direction Z, and the movable range RB of the lance portion 33 of the terminal holding portion 31B and the lance of the terminal holding portion 31C. The movable range RC of the portion 33 overlaps with each other at least in part. Here, the terminal holding portion 31A is in a state where the movable range RA of the lance portion 33 locks the terminal 2 in the terminal holding portion 31C which is another terminal holding portion 31 when viewed along the width direction Z. It overlaps with the lance part 33 of. Similarly, in the terminal holding portion 31B, when viewed along the width direction Z, the movable range RB of the lance portion 33 is in a state where the terminal 2 is locked in the terminal holding portion 31C which is another terminal holding portion 31. It overlaps with the lance part 33 of. The terminal holding portion 31C is viewed along the width direction Z, and the movable range RC of the lance portion 33 is in a state where the terminal 2 is locked in the terminal holding portions 31A and 31B which are the other terminal holding portions 31. It overlaps with the lance portion 33.

その上で、端子保持部３１Ａと端子保持部３１Ｂと端子保持部３１Ｃとは、上記のような位置関係で設けられることで、３つのランス部３３が相互に幅方向Ｚに沿ってずれて位置し、かつ、端子保持部３１Ａ、３１Ｂのランス部３３と端子保持部３１Ｃのランス部３３とが高さ方向Ｙに沿ってずれて位置する。これにより、端子保持部３１Ａと端子保持部３１Ｂと端子保持部３１Ｃとは、本体部３０においてそれぞれのランス部３３が高さ方向Ｙ及び幅方向Ｚに対して互い違いとなるように位置する。この結果、端子保持部３１Ａと端子保持部３１Ｂと端子保持部３１Ｃとは、少なくとも幅方向Ｚに対してはそれぞれのランス部３３の可動範囲ＲＡ、ＲＢ、ＲＣが相互にずれて位置することになる。 Further, the terminal holding portion 31A, the terminal holding portion 31B, and the terminal holding portion 31C are provided in the above-mentioned positional relationship, so that the three lance portions 33 are positioned so as to be displaced from each other along the width direction Z. Further, the lance portion 33 of the terminal holding portions 31A and 31B and the lance portion 33 of the terminal holding portion 31C are positioned so as to be offset from each other along the height direction Y. As a result, the terminal holding portion 31A, the terminal holding portion 31B, and the terminal holding portion 31C are positioned so that the respective lance portions 33 of the main body portion 30 are staggered with respect to the height direction Y and the width direction Z. As a result, the terminal holding portion 31A, the terminal holding portion 31B, and the terminal holding portion 31C are positioned so that the movable ranges RA, RB, and RC of the respective lance portions 33 are displaced from each other at least in the width direction Z. Become.

そして、複数の端子保持部３１は、上記のような位置関係で配置された上で、それぞれの変形許容空間部３４が互いに連続している。また、複数の端子保持部３１は、それぞれの係止解除空間部３５も互いに連続している。本実施形態の複数の端子保持部３１は、それぞれの変形許容空間部３４、及び、それぞれの係止解除空間部３５が軸線方向Ｘの前側端部の開口で一連（ひとつら）なりとなり連続空間Ｓ１を形成する。 The plurality of terminal holding portions 31 are arranged in the positional relationship as described above, and the respective deformation allowable space portions 34 are continuous with each other. Further, in the plurality of terminal holding portions 31, the locking release space portions 35 are also continuous with each other. In the plurality of terminal holding portions 31 of the present embodiment, each deformation allowable space portion 34 and each unlocking release space portion 35 form a series (one) at the opening of the front end portion in the axial direction X, and are continuous spaces. Form S1.

以上で説明したコネクタ１、ワイヤハーネスＷＨ１は、軸線方向Ｘに沿って端子収容室３２に収容された端子２をランス部３３によって係止することで当該端子２を保持する端子保持部３１が複数設けられる。この場合に、複数の端子保持部３１は、高さ方向Ｙに対して変形許容空間部３４が互いに近接し、かつ、幅方向Ｚに沿って視てランス部３３の可動範囲Ｒが少なくとも一部で相互に重なり合う位置関係で設けられた上で、それぞれのランス部３３が幅方向Ｚに沿ってずれて位置する。この構成により、コネクタ１は、高さ方向Ｙに対して複数の端子保持部３１を近接させた上で、端子２を係止する際にそれぞれのランス部３３同士が干渉することを確実に抑制することができる。この結果、コネクタ１、ワイヤハーネスＷＨ１は、複数のランス部３３同士の干渉を確実に抑制することができる構成を実現した上で、大型化を抑制することができ、コンパクト化を図ることができる。 The connector 1 and the wire harness WH1 described above have a plurality of terminal holding portions 31 for holding the terminals 2 by locking the terminals 2 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 32 along the axial direction X by the lance portions 33. It will be provided. In this case, in the plurality of terminal holding portions 31, the deformation allowable space portions 34 are close to each other with respect to the height direction Y, and the movable range R of the lance portion 33 is at least a part when viewed along the width direction Z. The lance portions 33 are positioned so as to be offset from each other along the width direction Z after being provided in a positional relationship in which they overlap each other. With this configuration, the connector 1 ensures that the plurality of terminal holding portions 31 are brought close to each other in the height direction Y, and that the respective lance portions 33 interfere with each other when the terminals 2 are locked. can do. As a result, the connector 1 and the wire harness WH1 can be made compact by realizing a configuration in which interference between a plurality of lance portions 33 can be reliably suppressed, and in addition, the size of the connector 1 and the wire harness WH1 can be suppressed. ..

ここでは、以上で説明したコネクタ１は、幅方向Ｚに沿って視て、端子保持部３１のランス部３３の可動範囲Ｒが、他の端子保持部３１において端子２を係止した状態にある他のランス部３３と重なり合う。この場合において、コネクタ１は、高さ方向Ｙに対して複数の端子保持部３１を上記の位置関係まで近接させても、上記のように複数のランス部３３同士の干渉を確実に抑制することができる。この結果、コネクタ１、ワイヤハーネスＷＨ１は、ランス部３３同士の干渉抑制と、大型化抑制とを好適に両立することができる。 Here, the connector 1 described above is in a state where the movable range R of the lance portion 33 of the terminal holding portion 31 locks the terminal 2 in the other terminal holding portion 31 when viewed along the width direction Z. It overlaps with the other lance portion 33. In this case, the connector 1 reliably suppresses the interference between the plurality of lance portions 33 as described above even if the plurality of terminal holding portions 31 are brought close to each other in the height direction Y up to the above positional relationship. Can be done. As a result, the connector 1 and the wire harness WH1 can suitably suppress interference between the lance portions 33 and suppress the increase in size.

また、以上で説明したコネクタ１は、複数の端子保持部３１のそれぞれの変形許容空間部３４が互いに連続する。この構成により、コネクタ１は、高さ方向Ｙに対して複数の端子保持部３１を近接させた上で、隔壁等を設けることなく変形許容空間部３４を連続させることができる。この結果、コネクタ１、ワイヤハーネスＷＨ１は、高さ方向Ｙに対する大型化をさらに抑制することができ、よりコンパクト化を図ることができる。 Further, in the connector 1 described above, the deformation allowable space portions 34 of the plurality of terminal holding portions 31 are continuous with each other. With this configuration, the connector 1 can have a plurality of terminal holding portions 31 close to each other in the height direction Y, and can make the deformation allowable space portion 34 continuous without providing a partition wall or the like. As a result, the connector 1 and the wire harness WH1 can be further suppressed in size in the height direction Y, and can be made more compact.

さらに、以上で説明したコネクタ１は、各ランス部３３において係止部３３ａの軸線方向Ｘの両側が支持される構成とされる。この構成により、コネクタ１は、例えば、ランス部が片持ち状に構成される場合と比較して、端子２の係止に要するランス部３３のたわみ量を抑制することができ、可動範囲Ｒ自体を相対的に小さくすることができる。この結果、コネクタ１、ワイヤハーネスＷＨ１は、複数の端子保持部３１をより近接させることができるので、高さ方向Ｙに対する大型化をさらに抑制することができ、更なるコンパクト化を図ることができる。 Further, the connector 1 described above is configured such that both sides of the locking portion 33a in the axial direction X are supported by each lance portion 33. With this configuration, the connector 1 can suppress the amount of deflection of the lance portion 33 required for locking the terminal 2, as compared with the case where the lance portion is configured in a cantilever shape, for example, and the movable range R itself. Can be made relatively small. As a result, in the connector 1 and the wire harness WH1, since the plurality of terminal holding portions 31 can be brought closer to each other, it is possible to further suppress the increase in size in the height direction Y, and it is possible to further reduce the size. ..

また、以上で説明したコネクタ１は、複数の端子保持部３１のそれぞれの係止解除空間部３５、解除突起部３６が幅方向Ｚに対して各端子収容室３２の一方側、ここでは、左側に位置する。この構成により、コネクタ１、ワイヤハーネスＷＨ１は、それぞれの係止解除空間部３５、解除突起部３６を幅方向Ｚの片側に寄せてスペース効率よく配置することができるので、この点でも、大型化を抑制することができ、コンパクト化を図ることができる。 Further, in the connector 1 described above, the unlocking space portion 35 and the unlocking protrusion 36 of the plurality of terminal holding portions 31 are on one side of each terminal accommodating chamber 32 with respect to the width direction Z, in this case, the left side. Located in. With this configuration, the connector 1 and the wire harness WH1 can be arranged in a space-efficient manner by moving the unlocking space portion 35 and the release protrusion 36 to one side in the width direction Z, respectively, and thus the size is increased in this respect as well. Can be suppressed and compactness can be achieved.

ここでは、以上で説明したコネクタ１は、複数の端子保持部３１のそれぞれの係止解除空間部３５が互いに連続している。そして、コネクタ１は、それぞれの解除突起部３６が高さ方向Ｙに沿って互いに接近する側、言い換えれば、本体部３０の内方側に押圧されそれぞれのランス部３３が高さ方向Ｙに沿って互いに接近する側に変形することで端子２の係止が解除される。このような構成において、コネクタ１は、図７に示すように、係止解除空間部３５に挿入され解除突起部３６を押圧する解除用治具１００の支点３５ａが各係止解除空間部３５において解除突起部３６の押圧側とは反対側に位置する。つまり、上記のように構成されるコネクタ１において、解除用治具１００の支点３５ａは、図３、図７に示すように、各係止解除空間部３５の軸線方向Ｘの前側端部の開口における本体部３０の外方側の縁部に形成される。この構成により、コネクタ１は、ランス部３３による端子２の係止を解除する際の解除用治具１００の支点３５ａを適正に確保することができる。この結果、コネクタ１、ワイヤハーネスＷＨ１は、ランス部３３による端子２の係止を適正に解除することができる構成を実現した上で、上記のように大型化を抑制することができ、コンパクト化を図ることができる。 Here, in the connector 1 described above, the unlocking space portions 35 of the plurality of terminal holding portions 31 are continuous with each other. Then, the connector 1 is pressed toward the side where the release protrusions 36 approach each other along the height direction Y, in other words, toward the inward side of the main body portion 30, and the respective lance portions 33 are pressed along the height direction Y. By deforming to the side closer to each other, the locking of the terminal 2 is released. In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, the connector 1 is inserted into the unlocking space portion 35, and the fulcrum 35a of the release jig 100 that presses the release protrusion portion 36 is provided in each unlocking space portion 35. It is located on the side opposite to the pressing side of the release protrusion 36. That is, in the connector 1 configured as described above, the fulcrum 35a of the release jig 100 is an opening at the front end portion of each unlocking space portion 35 in the axial direction X, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. It is formed on the outer edge of the main body 30 in the above. With this configuration, the connector 1 can properly secure the fulcrum 35a of the release jig 100 when the terminal 2 is released from the lock by the lance portion 33. As a result, the connector 1 and the wire harness WH1 can be made compact by realizing a configuration in which the terminal 2 can be properly released by the lance portion 33, and can suppress the increase in size as described above. Can be planned.

なお、上述した本発明の実施形態に係るコネクタ、及び、ワイヤハーネスは、上述した実施形態に限定されず、特許請求の範囲に記載された範囲で種々の変更が可能である。 The connector and wire harness according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

以上の説明では、本体部３０は、中心軸線が軸線方向Ｘに沿い、かつ、角部が曲面状をなす略三角形柱状に形成されるものとして説明したがこれに限らない。本体部３０は、中心軸線が軸線方向Ｘに沿い、かつ、角部が曲面状をなす略矩形柱状等の多角形柱状に形成されてもよいし、中心軸線が軸線方向Ｘに沿う略円柱状に形成されてもよい。 In the above description, the main body portion 30 has been described as being formed in a substantially triangular columnar shape in which the central axis is along the axis direction X and the corner portions are curved, but the present invention is not limited to this. The main body portion 30 may be formed in a polygonal columnar shape such as a substantially rectangular columnar whose central axis is along the axis direction X and whose corners are curved, or whose central axis is a substantially columnar column along the axis direction X. May be formed in.

以上の説明では、コネクタ１は、３つの端子保持部３１を備えるものとして説明したがこれに限らない。コネクタは、最低限、２つの端子保持部を備えていればよく、また、４つ以上の端子保持部を備えていてもよい。 In the above description, the connector 1 has been described as having three terminal holding portions 31, but the present invention is not limited to this. The connector may be provided with at least two terminal holding portions, and may be provided with four or more terminal holding portions.

以上の説明では、コネクタ１は、メス型のコネクタであり、オス型の相手コネクタと嵌合しコネクタ接合されるものとして説明したが、この逆に、オス型のコネクタとして構成され、メス型の相手コネクタと嵌合しコネクタ接合されるものであってもよい。この場合、端子２は、メス型の相手端子と電気的に接続されるオス型の端子として構成され、ハウジング３は、メス型の相手コネクタハウジングと嵌合するオス型のコネクタハウジングとして構成される。また、以上の説明では、端子２は、一例として導体部Ｗ１の端末に圧着される圧着端子であるものとして説明したがこれに限らない。 In the above description, the connector 1 is a female type connector, and has been described as being fitted with a male type mating connector and joined to the connector. On the contrary, the connector 1 is configured as a male type connector and has a female type. It may be fitted with the mating connector and joined to the connector. In this case, the terminal 2 is configured as a male terminal electrically connected to the female mating terminal, and the housing 3 is configured as a male connector housing that fits with the female mating connector housing. .. Further, in the above description, the terminal 2 is described as being a crimp terminal crimped to the terminal of the conductor portion W1 as an example, but the terminal 2 is not limited to this.

以上の説明では、コネクタ１は、配索材対配索材接続用の接続機構を構成するものとして説明したがこれに限らず、配索材対装置接続用の接続機構、あるいは、装置対装置接続用の接続機構を構成するものであってもよい。 In the above description, the connector 1 has been described as constituting a connection mechanism for connecting the wiring material to the wiring material, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the connector 1 is not limited to this, and is a connection mechanism for connecting the wiring material to the device or a device to the device. It may constitute a connection mechanism for connection.

以上の説明では、ランス部３３は、端子２を係止する係止部３３ａの軸線方向Ｘの両側が支持された両持ち状のランス部を構成するものとして説明したがこれに限らず、片持ち状のランス部を構成するものであってもよい。 In the above description, the lance portion 33 has been described as forming a double-sided lance portion in which both sides of the locking portion 33a for locking the terminal 2 are supported in the axial direction X, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may constitute a holding lance portion.

以上の説明では、複数の端子保持部３１は、それぞれの係止解除空間部３５、及び、解除突起部３６が幅方向Ｚに対して端子収容室３２の一方側、ここでは、左側に位置するものとして説明したがこれに限らない。また、複数の端子保持部３１は、それぞれの係止解除空間部３５が互いに連続しなくてもよい。 In the above description, the plurality of terminal holding portions 31 are located on one side of the terminal accommodating chamber 32 with respect to the width direction Z, that is, on the left side, respectively, of the unlocking space portion 35 and the unlocking protrusion portion 36. Although it was explained as a thing, it is not limited to this. Further, in the plurality of terminal holding portions 31, the unlocking space portions 35 do not have to be continuous with each other.

以上の説明では、複数の端子保持部３１は、それぞれの変形許容空間部３４が互いに連続しているものとして説明したがこれに限らず、互いに連続しなくてもよい。 In the above description, the plurality of terminal holding portions 31 have been described as having their respective deformation allowable space portions 34 continuous with each other, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the plurality of terminal holding portions 31 may not be continuous with each other.

本実施形態に係るコネクタ、及び、ワイヤハーネスは、以上で説明した実施形態、変形例の構成要素を適宜組み合わせることで構成してもよい。 The connector and the wire harness according to the present embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the embodiments and modifications described above.

１コネクタ
２端子
３ハウジング
３０本体部
３１、３１Ａ、３１Ｂ、３１Ｃ端子保持部
３２端子収容室
３２ａ、３２ｂ開口部
３２ｃ、３２ｄ壁体
３２ｅ連通孔部
３３ランス部
３３ａ係止部
３３ｂ両持ち支持部
３３ｃスリット部
３４変形許容空間部
３５係止解除空間部
３５ａ支点
３６解除突起部
１００解除用治具
Ｐパッキン
Ｒ、ＲＡ、ＲＢ、ＲＣ可動範囲
Ｓ１連続空間
Ｗ配索材
Ｗ１導体部
Ｗ２絶縁被覆部
ＷＨ１ワイヤハーネス
Ｘ軸線方向（第１方向）
Ｙ高さ方向（第２方向）
Ｚ幅方向（第３方向） 1 Connector 2 Terminal 3 Housing 30 Main body 31, 31A, 31B, 31C Terminal holding 32 Terminal storage chamber 32a, 32b Opening 32c, 32d Wall 32e Communication hole 33 Lance 33a Locking 33b Double-sided support 33c Slit 34 Deformation allowable space 35 Unlocking space 35a Support point 36 Release protrusion 100 Release jig P Packing R, RA, RB, RC Movable range S1 Continuous space W Wire distribution material W1 Conductor W2 Insulation coating WH1 Wire harness X Axial direction (first direction)
Y height direction (second direction)
Z width direction (third direction)

Claims

Terminals connected to the wiring material and
A terminal accommodating chamber for accommodating the terminal along the first direction, and elastically deformable along the second direction facing the terminal accommodating chamber and intersecting the first direction, and accommodating in the terminal accommodating chamber. Includes a lance portion that locks the terminal, and a deformation allowable space portion that is located on the side opposite to the terminal accommodating chamber with the lance portion sandwiched in the second direction and allows elastic deformation of the lance portion. Equipped with a terminal holder composed of
In the terminal holding portion, the lance portion is movable when viewed along a third direction in which the deformation allowable space portion is close to each other with respect to the second direction and intersects the first direction and the second direction. A plurality of ranges are provided in a positional relationship in which at least a part thereof overlaps with each other, and the respective lance portions are positioned so as to be offset along the third direction.
The lance portion is characterized in that both sides of the locking portion for locking the terminal in the first direction are supported .
connector.

When the terminal holding portion is viewed along the third direction, the movable range of the lance portion overlaps with the other lance portion in which the terminal is locked in the other terminal holding portion.
The connector according to claim 1.

In the plurality of terminal holding portions, the deformation allowable space portions are continuous with each other.
The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

Conductive wiring material and
It is equipped with a connector that is electrically connected to the wiring material.
The connector is
The terminals connected to the wiring material and
A terminal accommodating chamber for accommodating the terminal along the first direction, and elastically deformable along the second direction facing the terminal accommodating chamber and intersecting the first direction, and accommodating in the terminal accommodating chamber. Includes a lance portion that locks the terminal, and a deformation allowable space portion that is located on the side opposite to the terminal accommodating chamber with the lance portion sandwiched in the second direction and allows elastic deformation of the lance portion. Equipped with a terminal holder composed of
In the terminal holding portion, the lance portion is movable when viewed along a third direction in which the deformation allowable space portion is close to each other with respect to the second direction and intersects the first direction and the second direction. A plurality of ranges are provided in a positional relationship in which at least a part thereof overlaps with each other, and the respective lance portions are positioned so as to be offset along the third direction.
The lance portion is characterized in that both sides of the locking portion for locking the terminal in the first direction are supported .
Wire harness.

The plurality of terminal holding portions are provided adjacent to the terminal accommodating chamber in the third direction, respectively, and extend along the first direction from the unlocking space portion and the lance portion. It is configured to include a release projection portion that protrudes into the unlocking space portion along a third direction, and each of the unlocking release space portions and the release protrusion portion accommodates the terminal with respect to the third direction. Located on one side of the room,
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3.