JP7376414B2 - Connector and connector manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector and a connector manufacturing method.

As a conventional connector applied to a vehicle wire harness or the like, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a board connector device including an insulating housing, a first slider, and a second slider. ing. The insulating housing includes a first set of a plurality of connection terminals each having a resilient conductive contact portion and arranged in a first direction; and a first set of connection terminals each having a resilient conductive contact portion and arranged in a first direction. and a second set of a plurality of connecting terminals are held so as to face each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first slider is disposed outside the insulating housing and is movable in a first direction while being guided by the insulating housing. The second slider is provided with a board insertion part, engages with the first slider in a movable state in a third direction perpendicular to each of the first direction and the second direction, and The elastic conductive contact portions of the plurality of connection terminals forming the first and second sets are brought into contact with each other. In this connector device, the first slider connects the plurality of connection terminals forming the first set and the second set within the second slider through the board insertion part on which the plurality of terminal parts are provided. When the slider is inserted between the plurality of connection terminals of the insulating housing and moves in the first direction with respect to the insulating housing, the second slider moves in the third direction and connects the first and second assemblies. The elastic conductive contact portion of each of the plurality of connection terminals forming the board is elastically deformed and brought into pressure contact with a corresponding one of the plurality of terminal portions arranged on the substrate, or is released from the state of pressure contact. to take the operating position.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-100652

By the way, the above-mentioned connector device has room for further improvement, for example, in terms of ease of assembling each part.

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 connector manufacturing method that can ensure proper assembly.

In order to achieve the above object, a connector according to the present invention includes a plurality of terminals each including a columnar part provided at the end of an electric wire and formed in a columnar shape, and a plurality of terminals including a plurality of terminals with the columnar part exposed. a terminal holder held in a state along a first direction; a housing into which the terminal holder can be fitted from one side along the first direction; and a housing held inside the housing and connected to the plurality of terminals. an electrically connected board, the board is located adjacent to the terminal holder in a second direction intersecting the first direction inside the housing, and the board is located adjacent to the terminal holder in a second direction intersecting the first direction; The housing is held along the first direction with respect to the substrate holding space opened on one side, and the housing is inclined toward the substrate holding space with respect to the first direction, and the terminal holder is fitted into the housing. a pressing rib portion having an inclined surface that can come into contact with the columnar portion exposed from the terminal holder in a mated state, and the columnar portion is bent toward the substrate in the second direction along the inclined surface. and a first bent part that is bent in a direction opposite to the first bent part along the substrate at a distal end side of the first bent part with respect to the first direction, and is brought into contact with and electrically connected to the substrate. It is characterized by including a second bent part.

Further, in the connector, the columnar portion may be elastically deformed along the second direction while at least the second bent portion is in contact with the substrate and electrically connected.

Further, in the above connector, the housing includes a regulating rib portion that is provided on the inclined surface and forms a bending direction regulating space that is tapered toward the substrate holding space along the second direction. be able to.

Further, in the above connector, the terminal holders are provided in a pair with the substrate holding space interposed in the second direction, and the pair of terminal holders are arranged to intersect in the first direction and the second direction. The holding positions of the terminals may be shifted from each other with respect to the third direction.

Further, in the above connector, the terminal holder may be configured by combining a plurality of divided bodies.

In order to achieve the above object, a connector manufacturing method according to the present invention includes a plurality of terminals each including a columnar part provided at an end of an electric wire and formed in a columnar shape in a first direction with the columnar part exposed. a holding step in which the terminal holder is held along the first direction; and after the holding step, a fitting operation in which the terminal holder is fitted into the housing from one side along the first direction; a first bending step of bending the columnar portion exposed from the housing toward one side in a second direction intersecting the first direction by an inclined surface of a pressing rib portion provided on the housing and inclined with respect to the first direction; and, after the first bending step, a substrate located adjacent to the terminal holder on the one side with respect to the second direction inside the housing and opened on the one side along the first direction. With the insertion operation of inserting the substrate into the holding space along the first direction, the substrate bends the columnar portion bent toward the one side in the second direction by the first bending step. , a second bending step of bending the substrate to the other side in the second direction and bringing it into contact with the substrate for conductive connection.

Further, in the above-mentioned connector manufacturing method, in the first bending step, a bending direction regulating space portion is formed on the inclined surface and tapered toward the substrate holding space portion side along the second direction. The regulating rib portion may restrict the bending direction of the columnar portion to bend the columnar portion.

The connector and the connector manufacturing method according to the present invention are configured as described above, and have the effect of ensuring proper assemblability.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a terminal holder included in the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a terminal holder included in the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a housing included in the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a pressing rib portion and a regulating rib portion of a housing included in the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a method of manufacturing a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a partially sectional perspective view illustrating a method of manufacturing a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a partially sectional perspective view illustrating a method of manufacturing a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view illustrating a method for manufacturing a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a method for manufacturing a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a partially sectional perspective view illustrating a method of manufacturing a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a partially sectional perspective view illustrating a method of manufacturing a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view illustrating the method of manufacturing the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a partial front view illustrating the method of manufacturing the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a method for manufacturing a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 17 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a connector according to a modification. FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view of a connector according to a modified example. FIG.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail below based on the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements in the embodiments described below include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

Note that in FIGS. 1 and 2 described below, electric wires are illustrated with double chain lines, and in other figures, illustration of the electric wires themselves is omitted. Further, in FIGS. 10, 14, and 18, illustration of the housing is omitted in order to clearly illustrate the state of each terminal. Further, in some of the figures, the shapes of the terminals, etc. are partially simplified and illustrated as appropriate. Furthermore, in the following description, three directions that intersect with each other will be referred to as a "first direction X," a "second direction Y," and a "third direction Z," respectively. The first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are typically orthogonal to each other. The first direction X typically corresponds to the axial direction of the connector, the extending direction of the electric wire, the fitting direction of the terminal holder to the housing, the insertion direction of the board to the housing, etc. The second direction Y typically corresponds to a direction in which the pair of terminal holders face each other, a direction in which the terminal holder and the substrate holding space are adjacent to each other, a direction in which the terminal is bent, and the like. The third direction Z typically corresponds to the direction in which the terminal holding spaces in the terminal holder are arranged. Further, each direction used in the following description represents a direction in a state where each part is assembled with each other, unless otherwise specified.

[Embodiment]
A connector 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is installed, for example, in a wire harness mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. For example, a wire harness is a set of parts in which multiple electric wires W used for power supply and signal communication are bundled together to connect each device mounted on a vehicle, and the multiple electric wires W are connected to each device. It was designed to do so. The connector 1 of this embodiment constitutes a board joint connector that connects a plurality of circuit systems by connecting a plurality of electric wires W to each other in conduction using the board 6. Hereinafter, the configuration of the connector 1 will be described in detail with reference to each figure.

Specifically, the connector 1 includes a plurality of terminals 2, a terminal holder 3, a retainer (spacer) 4, a housing 5, and a substrate 6.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of terminals 2 are metal fittings each provided at an end of an electric wire W and including a columnar part 22 formed in a columnar shape. The electric wire W is, for example, an insulated wire in which the outside of a conductor portion (core wire) made of a plurality of conductive metal wires is covered with an insulating covering portion. At least one end of the electric wire W has its covering section stripped off, and the conductor section is exposed from the insulating covering section. Each terminal 2 is provided at the end of a conductor portion of the electric wire W that is exposed from the covering portion.

The terminal 2 of this embodiment constitutes a male terminal including a columnar portion 22. The terminal 2 includes a wire connection portion 21 to which the wire W is connected, and a columnar portion 22, which are integrally formed of a conductive metal material or the like. The wire connection portion 21 is a portion electrically connected to the conductor portion of the wire W. Here, the wire connecting portion 21 constitutes, for example, a crimping portion that is crimped to the end of the conductor portion. The columnar portion 22 is a portion that constitutes a contact portion that forms an electrical connection portion with the substrate 6. The columnar portion 22 is formed in a straight line along the first direction X and in a substantially rectangular column shape (substantially rectangular rod shape). More specifically, in the initial state before each part such as the housing 5 and the board 6 is assembled to each other, the columnar part 22 extends linearly along the first direction X, and extends twice as described later. After going through the bending process, it is finally formed into a shape bent at a plurality of locations (see FIG. 13, etc.). The plurality of terminals 2 are conductively connected to each other via the substrate 6, and form a circuit system corresponding to the required function.

The terminal holder 3 is a member that holds a plurality of terminals 2 along the first direction X with the columnar portions 22 exposed, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The terminal holder 3 constitutes a male connector that is fitted into the housing 5. The terminal holders 3 of this embodiment are provided as a pair facing each other in the second direction Y. The pair of terminal holders 3 are formed to have substantially the same shape, and are disposed facing each other so as to be rotated by 180 degrees around the first direction X when fitted into the housing 5.

Specifically, the terminal holder 3 includes a main body part 31, a holding space part 32, a partition part 33, a retainer installation opening part 34, and a locking arm part 35, which are made of an insulating resin material. It is formed integrally by etc.

The main body portion 31 is the main portion of the terminal holder 3 and is formed in a shape that can be fitted into the housing 5. The main body portion 31 is generally formed into a substantially rectangular plate shape, and has a thickness direction along the second direction Y, and extends along the first direction X and the third direction Z. Here, in the main body portion 31, the first direction X is the short side direction, and the third direction Z is the long side direction. The main body portion 31 is provided with various uneven shapes and wall portions corresponding to each portion such as the holding space portion 32, the partition wall portion 33, the retainer installation opening portion 34, and the locking arm portion 35.

The holding space 32 is a space that accommodates and holds the terminal 2 along the first direction X, and is also called a cavity. The holding space portion 32 is formed along the first direction X in the main body portion 31 . The holding space 32 is formed in a shape that corresponds to the external shape of the terminal 2 and can accommodate the terminal 2 . The holding space portion 32 penetrates the main body portion 31 along the first direction X, and is open at both ends in the first direction X, forming openings 32a and 32b, respectively. The opening 32a is an opening for inserting the terminal 2 into the holding space 32 from the columnar part 22 side. The opening 32 b is an opening for exposing the columnar part 22 of the terminal 2 housed and held inside the holding space 32 to the outside of the holding space 32 . In the holding space portion 32, the terminal 2 is inserted through the opening 32a, and the columnar portion 22 is exposed through the opening 32b. The terminal 2 held in the holding space 32 is locked at a normal position within the holding space 32 by a lance or the like formed facing the holding space 32 . Here, the normal position of the terminal 2 in the holding space 32 means that the wire connecting part 21 is located in the holding space 32 and the columnar part 22 is exposed to the outside of the holding space 32 through the opening 32b. It's the location. A plurality of holding spaces 32 are provided corresponding to the plurality of terminals 2. The plurality of holding spaces 32 are formed in line along the third direction Z, and each holds one terminal 2.

The partition wall portion 33 is a wall portion that protects the columnar portion 22 of each terminal 2 exposed from the holding space portion 32, and a plurality of partition wall portions 33 are provided. The partition wall portions 33 each surround and protect the columnar portions 22 of several (3, 4) terminals 2 as a group. Each partition wall portion 33 is formed into a substantially U-shape when viewed along the first direction X, and is open on one side in the first direction The columnar portion 22 is protected. That is, the terminal holder 3 of this embodiment holds the terminal 2 with at least the columnar part 22 exposed to one side in the first direction X and one side in the second direction Y.

Here, in this terminal holder 3, one side in the first direction X that is opened by each partition wall 33 corresponds to the side on which a pressing rib 58, which will be described later, is located. In the terminal holder 3, the portion opened to one side in the first direction functions as

On the other hand, in this terminal holder 3, one side in the second direction Y that is opened by each partition 33 corresponds to the side where a substrate holding space 60 (see FIG. 8, etc.), which will be described later, and a substrate 6 are located. In the terminal holder 3, the portion opened to one side in the second direction Y by each partition wall portion 33 as described above functions as an inward-falling allowing opening portion 37 that allows the terminal 2 to fall inwardly, as will be described later.

The retainer installation opening 34 is an opening in which the retainer 4 is installed. The retainer installation opening 34 is formed in the main body 31 and communicates with the holding space 32 along the second direction Y. In other words, the holding space 32 opens along the second direction Y via the retainer installation opening 34. The retainer installation openings 34 are provided on mutually opposing surfaces of the main body portions 31 of the pair of terminal holders 3. The retainer installation opening 34 is formed approximately at the center of each holding space 32 in the first direction X. The retainer installation openings 34 provided in each holding space 32 are continuous with each other along the third direction Z.

The locking arm portion 35 is a portion that is locked to the housing 5 when the terminal holder 3 is fitted into the housing 5. The locking arm portion 35 is located on one side of the main body portion 31 in the second direction Y, here, the surface opposite to the surface where the retainer installation opening 34 is provided (in other words, on the side of the pair of terminal holders 3 The main body portion 31 is provided on a surface opposite to mutually opposing surfaces. The locking arm portion 35 is provided approximately at the center of the main body portion 31 in the third direction Z. Here, the locking arm portion 35 is formed to protrude in an arm shape along the first direction X from a support wall portion 35a that is erected on the main body portion 31. The support wall portion 35a is provided at the end of the main body portion 31 on the opening 32b side in the first direction X. The locking arm portion 35 extends from the support wall portion 35a along the first direction X toward the opening 32a side. The locking arm portion 35 is supported in a cantilevered manner so as to be elastically deformable along the second direction Y with respect to the support wall portion 35a. The locking arm portion 35 has a locking protrusion 35b formed in the midsection in the first direction X in the shape of a protruding claw. The locking arm portion 35 is bent as the terminal holder 3 is fitted into the housing 5, and the locking protrusion 35b is locked to the housing 5 when the terminal holder 3 is completely fitted to the housing 5. Ru.

The terminal holder 3 of this embodiment configured as described above is configured by combining a plurality of divided bodies 3A, 3B, and 3C. Here, one terminal holder 3 is configured by combining three parts: a first divided body 3A, a second divided body 3B, and a third divided body 3C. The divided body 3A, the divided body 3B, and the divided body 3C are arranged adjacent to each other in the third direction Z, and are interconnected and integrated via the connecting wall portion 38, thereby forming one terminal holder 3. . Here, the connecting wall portion 38 is provided at each end of each of the divided bodies 3A, 3B, and 3C in the third direction Z, and the concave and convex shapes engage with each other, so that the adjacent divided bodies 3A, 3B, and 3C It is a structure that connects and unites them. Here, in the terminal holder 3, the above-described locking arm portion 35 is provided in the divided body 3B located at the center in the third direction Z, and the locking arm portion 35 and the locking arm portion 35 are provided in each divided body 3A, 3B, and 3C. A connecting wall 38 is provided on the same side.

The retainer 4 is a locking member that is formed separately from the terminal holder 3 and is attached to the retainer installation opening 34 of the terminal holder 3, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The retainer 4 is installed in the retainer installation opening 34 and locks the terminal 2 held in each holding space 32 at a normal position. Here, the retainer 4 constitutes a double locking member that prevents each terminal 2, which is locked at a normal position within each holding space 32, from coming off by a lance. Further, here, the retainer 4 is divided into three parts in one terminal holder 3 according to the three divided bodies 3A, 3B, and 3C. That is, one retainer 4 is provided for each of the three divided bodies 3A, 3B, and 3C, and a total of three retainers 4 are provided for one terminal holder 3. The retainer 4 is assembled into the retainer installation opening 34 provided across the plurality of holding spaces 32 in each of the divided bodies 3A, 3B, and 3C, and locks the terminal 2 in each holding space 32. .

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the housing 5 is a member into which the terminal holder 3 can be fitted from one side along the first direction X, and constitutes a connector housing. As described above, the housing 5 is fitted along the first direction X such that the pair of terminal holders 3 are rotated 180 degrees relative to each other around the first direction X. When the pair of terminal holders 3 are fitted into the housing 5, the holding positions of the terminals 2 in the third direction Z substantially coincide with each other.

Specifically, the housing 5 includes a cylindrical part 51, a back plate part 52, a holder assembly part 53, a holder locking part 54, a board assembly part 55, a board locking part 56, a crushing rib part 57, and a pressing rib. It includes a portion 58 and a regulating rib portion 59, which are integrally formed of an insulating resin material or the like.

The cylindrical portion 51 is a main portion constituting the housing 5, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with an axial direction along the first direction X. The cylindrical portion 51 is formed into a shape into which the pair of terminal holders 3 can fit. Here, the cylindrical portion 51 has a substantially rectangular frame shape at both ends in the third direction Z, and a substantially trapezoidal frame shape at the substantially central portion in the third direction Z. It is formed into a polygonal cylinder shape.

The back plate portion 52 is formed at one end of the cylindrical portion 51 in the first direction X as a partition wall that closes the one end (see also FIG. 8, etc.). The back plate portion 52 has a thickness direction along the first direction X, and extends along the second direction Y and the third direction Z in accordance with the shape of the cylindrical portion 51. With this configuration, the cylindrical portion 51 has a cylindrical shape with an opening on one side along the first direction X, and is configured such that the pair of terminal holders 3 can be fitted through the opening.

The holder assembly part 53 is a part to which the terminal holder 3 is assembled and holds the terminal holder 3. The holder assembly portion 53 is formed in a concave shape on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 51 and extends from an opening on one side in the first direction X to the back plate portion 52 along the first direction X. The holder assembly portion 53 is formed in a straight rail shape along the first direction X. The holder assembly portions 53 are provided as a pair on both sides in the third direction Z inside the cylindrical portion 51 . The pair of holder assembly parts 53 are provided facing each other along the third direction Z. The pair of holder assembly parts 53 are formed by inserting the ends of the terminal holders 3 in the third direction Z from the opening on one side in the first direction X of the cylindrical part 51 along the first direction X. The terminal holder 3 is assembled. The pair of holder assembly parts 53 position and hold the end of the terminal holder 3 in the third direction Z with respect to the second direction Y.

Two sets of the pair of holder assembly parts 53 are provided at intervals along the second direction Y, corresponding to the pair of terminal holders 3. Here, in the substantially rectangular frame-shaped portion at both ends of the cylindrical portion 51 in the third direction Z, a total of four holder assembly portions 53 are provided, one at each corner. The two pairs of holder assembly parts 53 hold the pair of terminal holders 3 at intervals along the second direction Y. The pair of terminal holders 3 are fitted into the cylindrical portion 51 in a positional relationship such that the locking arm portion 35, the support wall portion 35a, and the connecting wall portion 38 are accommodated in the approximately trapezoidal frame-shaped portion of the cylindrical portion 51. and is held in each holder assembly section 53. This housing 5 has a pair of terminal holders 3 held in each holder assembly part 53, and a space between the pair of terminal holders 3 inside the cylindrical part 51 is a board holding space 60 (see FIG. 8 etc.). In other words, the terminal holders 3 are provided as a pair on both sides of the substrate holding space 60 in the second direction Y inside the cylindrical portion 51 .

Here, the board holding space 60 is a space located inside the cylindrical part 51 of the housing 5 adjacent to the terminal holder 3 in the second direction Y and opening on one side along the first direction X. This is a space in which the board 6 is inserted and held. The opening of the board holding space 60 is located on the same side of the cylindrical part 51 as the opening into which the terminal holder 3 is fitted, that is, the board 6 is also located in the cylinder from the same side as the terminal holder 3 along the first direction It will be inserted inside the shaped portion 51. This substrate holding space 60 also functions as a space that allows the columnar portion 22 of the terminal 2 to be bent in a first bending step to be described later.

The holder locking portion 54 is a portion to which the locking arm portion 35 of the terminal holder 3 is locked. Two holder locking portions 54 are provided, one for each of the locking arm portions 35 of the pair of terminal holders 3. Inside the cylindrical portion 51, one holder locking portion 54 is provided in each substantially trapezoidal frame-shaped portion that accommodates the locking arm portion 35. The holder locking portions 54 are provided at positions facing the locking arm portions 35 along the first direction X, respectively. The holder locking portion 54 includes a locking surface on which the locking protrusion 35b of the locking arm portion 35 is locked. The holder locking portion 54 is configured such that the locking protrusion 35b of the locking arm portion 35 is locked when each terminal holder 3 is completely fitted into the cylindrical portion 51 and held in each holder assembly portion 53. By doing so, the terminal holder 3 is locked to the housing 5.

The board assembly section 55 is a part to which the board 6 is assembled and holds the board 6 . Like the holder assembly part 53, the board assembly part 55 is formed in a concave shape on the inner surface of the cylindrical part 51, and extends from the opening on one side in the first direction X to the back plate part 52. extends up to The board assembly part 55 is formed in a straight rail shape along the first direction X, similarly to the holder assembly part 53. A pair of board assembly parts 55 are provided inside the cylindrical part 51 on both sides in the third direction Z with a space between the pair of terminal holders 3 interposed therebetween. In other words, the board assembly parts 55 are provided as a pair on both sides of the third direction Z with the board holding space part 60 (see also FIG. 8, etc.) in between. The pair of board assembly parts 55 are located between the two sets of the pair of holder assembly parts 53 in the second direction Y, and are provided facing each other along the third direction Z. The pair of board assembly parts 55 are formed by inserting the end part of the board 6 in the third direction Z from the opening on one side in the first direction X of the cylindrical part 51 along the first direction X. The board 6 is assembled. The pair of board assembly parts 55 position and hold the end of the board 6 in the third direction Z with respect to the second direction Y. As a result, the pair of board assembly parts 55 can hold the board 6 in the board holding space 60 between the pair of terminal holders 3 held by each holder assembly part 53 inside the cylindrical part 51. I can do it.

The board locking portion 56 is a portion that locks the board 6. A total of two board locking parts 56 are provided, one each on the bottom surface (inner wall surface along the second direction Y) of each board assembly part 55. The board locking part 56 is formed in a slit formed in the bottom surface of the board assembly part 55 so as to protrude in an arm shape along the first direction X. The board locking part 56 extends from the bottom surface of the board assembly part 55 along the first direction X toward the opening side of the cylindrical part 51. The board locking part 56 is supported in a cantilevered manner so as to be elastically deformable along the second direction Y with respect to the bottom surface of the board assembly part 55. The substrate locking portion 56 has a locking protrusion 56a formed in the shape of a protruding claw at the tip in the first direction X. The board locking portion 56 is bent as the board 6 is inserted into the board mounting portion 55 of the housing 5, and the locking protrusion 56a is bent when the board 6 is completely inserted into the board mounting portion 55. The board 6 is locked to the housing 5 by being locked to the end face of the housing 5 .

The crushing rib portion 57 is a portion that prevents rattling along the second direction Y of the board 6 assembled to the board assembly portion 55 and locked by the board locking portion 56. The crushing rib portion 57 is formed to protrude from the side wall surface (inner wall surface along the third direction Z) of the board assembly portion 55 . The crushing rib portion 57 is formed to protrude from the side wall surface of the board assembly portion 55 along the second direction Y in a substantially triangular rib shape. The crushing rib portion 57 extends from the middle portion of the side wall surface of the board assembly portion 55 in the first direction X toward the back plate portion 52 along the first direction X. The crushing rib portions 57 are provided in pairs, one on each side wall surface, in each board assembly portion 55, and the pair of crushing rib portions 57 are located opposite to each other along the second direction Y. The pair of crushing rib parts 57 are each crushed along with the insertion operation of the board 6 into the board assembly part 55 of the housing 5 and clamp the end of the board 6, thereby allowing the board 6 to move along the second direction Y. Control rattling.

The pressing rib portion 58 is a portion that bends the columnar portion 22 of the terminal 2 toward the substrate holding space 60 in the second direction Y as the terminal holder 3 is fitted into the holder assembly portion 53 of the housing 5. . The pressing rib portion 58 is formed to protrude from the back plate portion 52 toward the inside of the cylindrical portion 51 along the first direction X. The pressing rib portions 58 are formed at positions facing, along the first direction X, the tips of the columnar portions 22 exposed from the openings 32b of the terminal holder 3.

Several (3, 4) pressing rib portions 58 are integrated in a row in the third direction Z to form a continuous body. A plurality of continuous bodies of the plurality of pressing rib portions 58 are provided at intervals along the third direction Z (six in this case), and are provided at intervals in the second direction Y in correspondence with the pair of terminal holders 3. Two rows are provided on both sides with the substrate holding space 60 in between. In other words, the plurality of pressing ribs 58 are provided on both outer sides of the substrate holding space 60 in the second direction Y, respectively.

Each pressing rib portion 58 has an inclined surface 58a that can come into contact with the columnar portion 22 exposed from the terminal holder 3. Each inclined surface 58a is inclined toward the substrate holding space 60 with respect to the first direction X. More specifically, each inclined surface 58a has an inclined surface that gradually approaches the substrate holding space section 60 side along the second direction Y as it approaches the back plate section 52 side along the first direction X. It is formed as follows. In other words, the amount of protrusion of each pressing rib portion 58 from the back plate portion 52 along the first direction X gradually decreases as it approaches the substrate holding space portion 60 side along the second direction Y. As a result, the inclined surface 58a is formed on the distal end surface in the first direction X.

Each inclined surface 58a configured as described above comes into contact with the tip of the columnar part 22 exposed from the opening 32b of the terminal holder 3 when the terminal holder 3 is fitted into the housing 5. More specifically, as the terminal holder 3 is fitted into the housing 5, each inclined surface 58a comes into contact with the tip of the columnar part 22, and the columnar part 22 is moved to one side in the second direction Y. Here, it functions as a terminal bending and pressing surface that presses and bends the terminal toward the substrate holding space 60 side.

The regulating rib portion 59 is provided on each inclined surface 58a and is a portion that regulates and limits the bending direction of the columnar portion 22. The regulating rib portion 59 is provided on each inclined surface 58a to form a bending direction regulating space 59a. The bending direction regulating space 59a is a space formed by the regulating rib 59 facing the inclined surface 58a, and is a space that tapers toward the substrate holding space 60 along the second direction Y. be.

The regulating rib portion 59 is formed to protrude from the inclined surface 58a in a substantially triangular column shape along the first direction X. A plurality of regulating rib portions 59 are provided on the inclined surface 58a at intervals along the third direction Z in the continuum of each pressing rib portion 58, and a space adjacent to the regulating rib portion 59 is arranged in the bending direction. A restricted space portion 59a is configured. Here, the regulating rib portion 59 is formed in a substantially triangular column shape along the second direction Y, tapering on the side opposite to the substrate holding space portion 60 side. Thereby, the bending direction regulating space 59a defined by the regulating rib portion 59 is formed so as to taper toward the substrate holding space 60 side along the second direction Y as described above.

Here, the bending direction regulating space 59a is formed as a space sandwiched between a pair of regulating ribs 59 in the midsection of the continuous body of the pressing ribs 58. In this case, the pair of regulating rib portions 59 are provided on the inclined surface 58a with an interval H (see FIG. 4) along the third direction Z, and the interval H extends along the second direction Y into the substrate holding space. It is provided so that it becomes gradually narrower toward the portion 60 side. On the other hand, the bending direction regulating space 59a is formed at the end of the continuous body of the pressing ribs 58 as a space adjacent to the regulating rib 59 located at the end.

The board 6 is a circuit board that is held inside the housing 5 and electrically connected to the plurality of terminals 2, as shown in FIG. The substrate 6 constitutes an electronic circuit that electrically connects the plurality of terminals 2 to each other. The board 6 is configured by, for example, a so-called printed circuit board (PCB). The board 6 is formed by printing a wiring pattern (print pattern) using a conductive material such as copper on an insulating layer made of an insulating material such as epoxy resin, glass epoxy resin, paper epoxy resin, or ceramic. A circuit body is composed of patterns. The circuit body (wiring pattern) of the board 6 electrically connects the columnar parts 22 of the plurality of terminals 2, and forms a circuit system according to the required function. The circuit body of the board 6 may, for example, constitute a circuit that joins the terminals 2 one to one, or may constitute a circuit that joints the terminals 2 one to more. Thereby, the connector 1 can implement a joint function of a plurality of circuit systems by connecting a plurality of electric wires W to each other in conduction using the substrate 6.

The substrate 6 of this embodiment is formed into a substantially rectangular plate shape as a whole, and the plate thickness direction extends along the second direction Y, and the first direction X and the third direction Z. Here, in the substrate 6, the first direction X is the short side direction, and the third direction Z is the long side direction. Then, the board 6 is inserted into each board assembly part 55 of the housing 5 along the first direction X, pushed into the board holding space 60 (see also FIG. will be stopped. Thereby, the board 6 is held along the first direction X in the board holding space 60 between the pair of terminal holders 3 inside the cylindrical part 51 of the housing 5 . At this time, the board 6 of this embodiment is bent by pressing the columnar part 22 of the terminal 2 in the opposite direction to the bending by the above-mentioned pressing rib part 58 as the board 6 is inserted into the board assembly part 55 of the housing 5. Functions as a terminal bending and pressing tool.

Next, a method for manufacturing the connector 1 configured as described above (a connector manufacturing method) will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 16. The following description will be based on the flowchart in FIG. 6, with reference to other figures as appropriate. The manufacturing method of the connector 1 described below will be explained as being performed manually by a worker using various devices, equipment, jigs, etc., but is not limited to this, and may be performed automatically using various manufacturing devices, for example. It may be something that is executed.

First, as a holding step, the worker causes each terminal holder 3 to hold the terminal 2 (step S1). In this case, the worker causes the terminal holder 3 to hold the plurality of terminals 2 provided at the ends of the electric wires W along the first direction X with the columnar parts 22 exposed. More specifically, the worker inserts the columnar part 22 of the terminal 2 into the holding space 32 from the opening 32a along the first direction X, and exposes the columnar part 22 from the opening 32b. After pushing the terminal 2 into the position where the terminal 2 is locked by the lance, the worker assembles the retainer 4 into the retainer installation opening 34.

Next, as a first bending process, the worker places the terminal holder 3 inside the housing 5 after the holding process (step S1), as shown in FIGS. By fitting from the opening on one side along one direction X, the columnar part 22 of the terminal 2 is bent along the second direction Y by the press rib part 58 (step S2).

More specifically, as shown in FIG. By inserting the terminal holder 3 into the housing 5 and pushing it in along the first direction X, the terminal holder 3 is fitted into the housing 5. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the pressing rib portion 58 provided on the housing 5 is pushed toward the terminal holder 3 side via the rib portion advancement/opening portion 36 as the terminal holder 3 is fitted into the housing 5. advance. Then, as the terminal holder 3 is fitted into the housing 5, the tip of the columnar portion 22 of the terminal 2 held by the terminal holder 3 reaches the inclined surface 58a of the pressing rib portion 58 and touches the inclined surface 58a. come into contact with

Then, as the terminal holder 3 is further fitted into the housing 5, as shown in FIG. One side, here, is bent into the substrate holding space 60 to form a first bent part 22A in the columnar part 22.

In this case, the columnar part 22 exposed from the terminal holder 3 is bent toward the inward fall allowance opening part 37 by the inclined surface 58a, and the tip side protrudes toward the board holding space 60, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. located. The first bent portion 22A of the columnar portion 22 is a portion formed by the first bending step (step S2) as described above, and extends toward the substrate holding space 60 in the second direction Y along the inclined surface 58a. It is a part that bends and extends. In other words, the first bending step (step S2) is a step of forming the first bent portion 22A in the columnar portion 22 by the pressing rib portion 58 as the terminal holder 3 is fitted into the housing 5. After the first bending step (step S2), the terminal 2 has a shape in which the columnar portion 22 is bent toward the substrate holding space 60 in the second direction Y along the inclined surface 58a at the first bending portion 22A. Become. Here, the first bent part 22A is typically formed as a part that is plastically deformed by the pressure of the pressing rib part 58, but is not limited thereto, and may be formed as a part that is elastically deformed.

Further, in the first bending step (step S2) of the present embodiment, the pressing rib portion 58 controls the bending direction of the columnar portion 22 by the regulating rib portion 59 provided on the inclined surface 58a and forming the bending direction regulating space portion 59a. The columnar portion 22 is bent by controlling the bending direction. As a result, the pressing rib portion 58 bends the columnar portion 22 toward the substrate holding space 60 side while regulating the bending direction of the columnar portion 22 with the regulating rib portion 59 while centering the columnar portion 22 accurately. 22A can be formed. As a result, in the first bending process (step S2), the worker can, for example, suppress interference between adjacent columnar parts 22.

Although FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 described above illustrate a pair of terminal holders 3 being fitted into the housing 5 at the same time for convenience, the present invention is not limited to this. 3 may be fitted into the housing 5 one by one.

Next, as a second bending process, the worker places the board 6 inside the housing 5 after the first bending process (step S2), as shown in FIGS. By inserting the terminal from the opening on one side along the first direction X, the columnar part 22 of the terminal 2 is further bent by the substrate 6 (step S3).

More specifically, as shown in FIG. The substrate 6 is inserted and pushed along the first direction X using a jig or the like. Thereby, the operator inserts the board 6 into the board holding space 60 formed between the pair of terminal holders 3 inside the cylindrical part 51 . As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, as the substrate 6 is inserted into the substrate holding space 60, the end portion in the first direction X reaches the columnar portion 22 and comes into contact with the columnar portion 22. come into contact with Here, the end of the substrate 6 in the first direction X contacts a portion of the columnar portion 22 that is located on the distal side of the first bent portion 22A and that projects into the substrate holding space 60.

Then, as the operator further inserts the substrate 6 into the substrate holding space 60, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. The columnar part 22 bent toward the holding space 60 side is bent by the substrate 6 to the other side in the second direction Y, that is, the side opposite to the substrate holding space 60 side, and the columnar part 22 is bent toward the substrate holding space 60 side. 2 bent portions 22B are formed and brought into contact with the substrate 6 to establish a conductive connection.

The second bent portion 22B of the columnar portion 22 is a portion formed by the second bending step (step S3) as described above, and is located on the tip side of the first bent portion 22A with respect to the first direction X. This is a portion that bends and extends along the direction opposite to the first bent portion 22A, and contacts and is electrically connected to the substrate 6. In other words, the second bending step (step S3) is a step of forming the second bent portion 22B in the columnar portion 22 by the substrate 6 as the substrate 6 is inserted into the substrate holding space 60 inside the housing 5. . In the terminal 2, in the state after the second bending step (step S3), the columnar portion 22 is bent and extends toward the substrate 6 side in the second direction Y along the inclined surface 58a at the first bending portion 22A, Moreover, the second bent portion 22B has a shape bent and extended along the substrate 6 toward the opposite side from the first bent portion 22A. The second bent portion 22B of the terminal 2 serves as a contact portion with the substrate 6, and is electrically connected to the circuit body of the substrate 6 via the second bent portion 22B. Here, the second bent portion 22B is typically formed as a portion that is elastically deformed by pressure from the substrate 6. The columnar portion 22 of the terminal 2 is elastically deformed along the second direction Y with at least the second bent portion 22B in contact with the substrate 6 and electrically connected, and thereby the columnar portion 22 and the substrate 6 are connected to each other. Appropriate contact pressure (contact load) can be ensured at the conductive part.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 15, the substrate 6 is held in the substrate holding space 60 by being locked by the board locking portion 56 in a state in which it is completely pushed into the substrate holding space 60. Then, while the substrate 6 is locked by the substrate locking portion 56 and held in the substrate holding space 60 , the end portion in the third direction Z is held between the pair of crushing rib portions 57 , so that the second Shakiness along direction Y is regulated.

FIG. 16 shows a completed product of the connector 1 manufactured by the above manufacturing method. As described above, the connector 1 connects the plurality of terminals 2 to each other via the substrate 6 by electrically connecting the columnar portions 22 of the plurality of terminals 2 held by the terminal holder 3 to the circuit body of the board 6. A plurality of electric wires W can be electrically connected to each other.

The connector 1 described above can electrically connect the plurality of terminals 2 to each other via the board 6, and can electrically connect the plurality of electric wires W to each other. With such a configuration, in the connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1, the pressing rib portion 58 is bent in the first bending step (step S2) as the terminal holder 3 is fitted into the housing 5. The first bent portion 22A can be formed in the columnar portion 22 of the terminal 2 by the inclined surface 58a. In the connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1, in the second bending step (step S3), the second bending portion is formed in the columnar portion 22 by the substrate 6 as the substrate 6 is inserted into the substrate holding space 60. 22B can be formed. As a result, the terminal 2 has a shape in which the columnar portion 22 is bent toward the substrate 6 along the inclined surface 58a at the first bent portion 22A, and is bent along the substrate 6 at the second bent portion 22B. As a result, this connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1 automatically utilize the fitting operation of the terminal holder 3 and the insertion operation of the board 6 without bending the columnar part 22 in advance. By bending the columnar portion 22, the terminal 2 and the substrate 6 can be electrically connected.

At this time, in this connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1, in the second bending step (step S3), the board 6 is moved along the same direction as the fitting direction of the terminal holder 3 with respect to the housing 5. insert. That is, the opening of the board holding space 60 is located on the same side of the cylindrical part 51 as the opening into which the terminal holder 3 is fitted, and the board 6 is also inserted into the cylinder from the same side as the terminal holder 3 along the first direction X. It is inserted into the inside of the shaped part 51. As a result, in this connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1, the substrate 6 is further brought into contact with the columnar part 22 after the first bent part 22A is formed to form the second bent part 22B. At this time, it is possible to prevent the substrate 6 from getting caught on the tip of the columnar part 22. As a result, in the connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1, it is possible to prevent the columnar portion 22 from being bent in a direction different from the substrate 6 side, or from damaging the tip of the columnar portion 22. Therefore, the terminal 2 and the substrate 6 can be appropriately electrically connected.

As described above, the connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1 can improve assembly workability, ensure proper assembly, and, for example, reduce processing costs and the like, and reduce manufacturing costs. be able to.

Further, in the connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1 described above, at least the second bent portion 22B of the columnar portion 22 is elastically elastic along the second direction Y in a state where the second bent portion 22B of the columnar portion 22 is in contact with the substrate 6 and electrically connected. It's deformed. With this configuration, this connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1 can ensure appropriate contact pressure at the conductive portion between the columnar part 22 and the board 6 without separately providing a spring member for ensuring contact pressure. I can do it. As a result, the connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1 can stabilize the connection state between the columnar part 22 and the board 6 and improve connection reliability while ensuring proper assemblability.

Furthermore, in the connector 1 and the method of manufacturing the connector 1 described above, in the first bending step (step S2), while the regulating rib portion 59 regulates the bending direction of the columnar portion 22, the inclined surface 58a The first bent portion 22A can be formed by accurately bending the portion 22 toward the substrate holding space 60 side. As a result, in this connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1, for example, it is possible to suppress interference between adjacent columnar parts 22, ensure proper assembling performance, and achieve proper conduction performance. can be ensured.

Further, in the connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1 described above, the terminal holder 3 that holds the terminal 2 is configured by combining divided bodies 3A, 3B, and 3C into a plurality of parts. With this configuration, in this connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1, for example, after assembling the terminal 2 to each of the divided bodies 3A, 3B, and 3C for each subharness, the divided bodies 3A, 3B, and 3C are combined. Thus, each terminal holder 3 can be configured. As a result, in this connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1, for example, the work of fitting the terminal 2 of another sub-harness into the terminal holder 3 after the terminal 2 of one sub-harness has been assembled is performed. Since this becomes unnecessary, the ease of assembly can be improved in this respect as well. Furthermore, in this connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1, flexible pattern wiring can be realized by the substrate 6, and versatility can be improved.

Note that the connector and connector manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention described above are not limited to the embodiment described above, and various changes can be made within the scope of the claims.

In the above description, the pair of terminal holders 3 have been described on the assumption that the holding positions of the terminals 2 are substantially aligned with each other in the third direction Z when the pair of terminal holders 3 are fitted into the housing 5. Not exclusively.

A connector 201 according to a modified example shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 differs from the connector 1 described above in that it includes a housing 205 instead of the housing 5. The housing 205 differs from the housing 5 described above in the holding positions of the pair of terminal holders 3. The other configurations of the connector 201 and housing 205 are substantially the same as those of the connector 1 and housing 5 described above. The housing 205 of this modification holds the pair of terminal holders 3 while being shifted relative to each other along the third direction Z, thereby holding the terminals 2 while being shifted from each other in the third direction Z. That is, in the pair of terminal holders of this modification, the holding positions of the terminals 2 are shifted from each other with respect to the third direction Z when the terminal holders are fitted into the housing 205. In other words, the pair of terminal holders 3 are arranged to face each other inside the housing 205 so as to be rotated by 180 degrees relative to each other around the first direction X, and with respect to the third direction Z. The positions of the holding spaces 32 are shifted from each other. In this housing 205, the position of the pressing rib portion 58 and the like in the third direction Z is also adjusted accordingly.

With this configuration, in the connector 201 and the method for manufacturing the connector 201, as shown in FIG. In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent adjacent columnar parts 22 from interfering with each other. In other words, in the connector 201 and the method for manufacturing the connector 201, the bending of the first bent portion 22A is increased to ensure sufficient contact pressure (contact load) at the conductive portion between the columnar portion 22 and the substrate 6. Even if the columnar portions 22 are adjacent to each other, it is possible to reliably prevent the adjacent columnar portions 22 from interfering with each other. As a result, in this connector 1 and the method for manufacturing the connector 1, the elastic force caused by the elastic deformation of the second bent portion 22B is relatively increased, and a sufficient size is obtained while ensuring proper assemblability. It is possible to secure contact pressure and improve connection reliability.

In the above description, the terminal holders 3 are provided as a pair facing each other in the second direction Y, but the terminal holders 3 are not limited to this. The number of terminal holders 3 may be one. Furthermore, in the above description, the terminal holder 3 was described as being constructed by combining a plurality of divided bodies 3A, 3B, and 3C, but the terminal holder 3 is not limited to this.

In the above description, the terminal holder 3 has been described on the assumption that the terminals 2 are provided in all the holding spaces 32, but the present invention is not limited to this. The terminal holder 3 may be blank without providing the terminals 2 in some of the holding spaces 32 depending on the required circuit system. In this case, even if the contact pressure acting on the substrate 6 becomes unbalanced due to a difference in the number of columnar portions 22 that contact both surfaces in the second direction Y, the end portion of the substrate 6 in the third direction Z By being held between the pair of crushing rib portions 57, rattling along the second direction Y can be restricted.

In the above description, the housing 5 has been described as being configured to include the restriction rib portion 59, but the housing 5 is not limited to this, and may have a configuration that does not include the restriction rib portion 59.

The connector and connector manufacturing method according to the present embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the constituent elements of the embodiment and modified examples described above.

1, 201 Connector 2 Terminal 3 Terminal holder 3A, 3B, 3C Divided body 4 Retainer 5, 205 Housing 6 Board 21 Wire connection part 22 Column part 22A First bent part 22B Second bent part 31 Main body part 32 Holding space part 32a, 32b opening
33 Partition wall part 34 Retainer installation opening part 35 Locking arm part 35a Support wall part 35b Locking projection part 36 Rib part advancement opening part 37 Permissible opening part 38 Connection wall part 51 Cylindrical part 52 Back plate part 53 Holder assembly part 54 Holder locking part 55 Board assembly part 56 Board locking part 56a Locking protrusion 57 Crushing rib part 58 Pressing rib part 58a Inclined surface 59 Regulating rib part 59a Direction regulating space 60 Board holding space H Spacing W Electric wire X No. 1st direction Y 2nd direction Z 3rd direction

Claims (7)

a plurality of terminals each provided at the end of the electric wire and including a columnar portion formed in a columnar shape;
a terminal holder that holds the plurality of terminals along a first direction with the columnar portion exposed;
a housing into which the terminal holder can be fitted from one side along the first direction;
a board held inside the housing and electrically connected to the plurality of terminals;
The board is located inside the housing adjacent to the terminal holder in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and is located in a board holding space that is open on the one side along the first direction. is held along the first direction,
The housing has an inclined surface that is inclined toward the substrate holding space with respect to the first direction and that can come into contact with the columnar part exposed from the terminal holder when the terminal holder is fitted. Including the pressing rib part,
The columnar portion includes a first bent portion bent toward the substrate in the second direction along the inclined surface, and a first bent portion bent toward the substrate in the second direction, and a first bent portion bent toward the substrate in the first direction. It is characterized by including a second bent part that is bent on the opposite side of the first bent part and is brought into contact with and electrically connected to the substrate.
connector. The columnar portion is elastically deformed along the second direction with at least the second bent portion in contact with the substrate and electrically connected.
The connector according to claim 1. The housing includes a regulating rib portion that is provided on the inclined surface and forms a bending direction regulating space that is tapered toward the substrate holding space along the second direction.
The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2. The terminal holders are provided as a pair with the substrate holding space interposed in the second direction,
In the pair of terminal holders, holding positions of the terminals are shifted from each other with respect to a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction.
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The terminal holder is configured by combining a plurality of divided bodies,
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4. a holding step of holding a plurality of terminals each including a columnar section provided at an end of the electric wire in a terminal holder along a first direction with the columnar section exposed;
After the holding step, as the terminal holder is fitted into the housing from one side along the first direction, the columnar portion exposed from the terminal holder is provided in the housing. a first bending step of bending the press rib part to one side in a second direction intersecting the first direction by an inclined surface of the pressing rib part which is inclined with respect to the first direction;
After the first bending step, a substrate holding space is located inside the housing adjacent to the terminal holder on the one side with respect to the second direction and is open on the one side along the first direction. With the insertion operation of inserting the substrate into the part along the first direction, the columnar part bent to the one side in the second direction by the first bending step is bent by the substrate into the columnar part. A second bending step of bending the substrate to the other side in the second direction and bringing it into contact with the substrate for conductive connection.
Connector manufacturing method. In the first bending step, the columnar portion is bent by a regulating rib portion that is provided on the inclined surface and forms a bending direction regulating space that tapers toward the substrate holding space along the second direction. Bending the columnar part by regulating the bending direction;
The connector manufacturing method according to claim 6.

Images