JP7410562B2 - electrical connectors - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to electrical connectors. In particular, the present invention relates to the structure of an electrical connector that is attached to the ends of a plurality of electric wires, and in which the extending direction of the plurality of electric wires is substantially perpendicular to the direction of fitting with a mating connector.

Automobiles and other vehicles are equipped with a so-called wire harness, which is a cable made up of multiple electric wires with an electrical connector attached to the end. As such electrical connectors for wire harnesses, a so-called right-angle connector is known, in which the extending direction of a plurality of electric wires is approximately perpendicular to the mating direction with the mating connector. For example, see Patent Document 1).

Special Publication No. 2007-537566

The connector according to Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of contacts and a housing that accommodates these contacts. Further, the connector according to Patent Document 1 includes a flat lid housing that covers the housing and a positioning assurance member (hereinafter abbreviated as TPA) that ensures the positioning of a plurality of contacts.

The contact has a crimp part and a connecting part. The crimp portion can connect the ends of the electric wires by crimp. The connecting portion is bent at a substantially right angle from the crimp portion and can be connected to a mating contact. The housing has a rectangular parallelepiped main body and a header. The body can arrange a plurality of contacts from its open surface. The header projects on the side opposite to the open surface of the main body. The header allows the connecting portions of the contacts to be introduced into the header and can be fitted with a mating connector.

The lid housing can cover the contact with the electric wire from the open surface of the housing. The TPA can be inserted into the lid housing from the side opposite to the direction in which the header protrudes. Further, the TPA has a plurality of alignment pieces and lock pieces. When the TPA is inserted into the lid housing, the alignment piece can positionably align the plurality of contacts. Further, when the TPA is inserted into the lid housing, the lock piece can be engaged with the housing to prevent the lid housing from separating from the housing.

The connector according to Patent Document 1 is provided with a key that protrudes in a trapezoidal shape from the side surface of the header in order to prevent incorrect insertion with a mating connector. By providing the mating connector with a key groove that fits into the key, the connector according to Patent Document 1 can prevent incorrect insertion with the mating connector.

However, the connector according to Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the extending direction of the electric wire is limited with respect to the mating connector. By preparing two types of housings for the mating connector, the direction in which the wires extend can be selected so that the wiring can extend horizontally or vertically.

However, the mold for molding the housing is expensive, and by preparing two types of housings, there is a problem in that the manufacturing cost of the mating connector and the corresponding connector become expensive.

There is a need for an electrical connector that can prevent erroneous insertion into a mating connector, allows the direction of electric wire extension to be selected from two options with respect to the mating connector, and is inexpensive to manufacture. The above can be said to be the problem of the present invention.

The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and provides an electrical connector for electric wires that has a low manufacturing cost and can select one of two extending directions of the electric wires relative to the mating connector. The purpose is to

The present inventor has provided a housing for accommodating a plurality of contacts, a plurality of contacts having a connection part that connects the ends of electric wires, and a connection part bent at a substantially right angle from the connection part, and a housing that allows the plurality of contacts to be aligned. The electrical connector is configured with a cover housing that covers the housing, the housing is modularized with a first housing that accommodates the connection part and a second housing that accommodates the connection part, and the first housing and the second housing are combined to form the second housing. Based on this idea, we came up with the following new electrical connector.

(1) The electrical connector according to the present invention is an electrical connector that can be attached to the ends of a plurality of electric wires, and in which the extending direction of the plurality of electric wires is approximately perpendicular to the direction of mating with a mating connector, A plurality of contacts each having a connection part for connecting the terminals of the terminal, and a connection part bent at a substantially right angle from the connection part, and a plurality of introduction holes into which mating contacts can be freely introduced are opened on one surface, and the introduction holes and A first housing having a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped header that communicates with the contact cavity and has a contact cavity opening into which a connecting portion of the contact can be inserted from the other surface, and the first housing is fitted in a substantially orthogonal state so as to be detachable from the other surface of the first housing. and a rectangular parallelepiped shape into which the connection part of the contact can be introduced from the outer circumferential direction, and the second housing has a plurality of electric wires extending in one direction or the other direction with respect to the first housing. They are arranged line-symmetrically so that you can choose between the two.

(2) Preferably, the electrical connector according to the present invention further includes a cover housing that covers the second housing from a side opposite to the first housing.

(3) It is preferable that the cover housing has a groove formed from an inner wall in which a plurality of the connection parts and electric wires can be aligned.

(4) The header has a lock lever piece on one side surface that can be engaged with a locking opening opened in the mating housing, and the lock lever piece is cantilevered from a rectangular metal plate so that it can rise and fall freely. It is preferable that the outer edge of the metal plate is supported so as to be embedded in one side of the header.

An electrical connector according to the present invention includes a plurality of contacts having a wiring portion and a connecting portion, a first housing housing the connecting portion, and a second housing housing the wiring portion, and combining the first housing and the second housing. In this way, the direction of the electric wire extending from the second housing can be selected. Since the first housing and the second housing do not require two types of molds depending on the direction in which the electric wires extend, manufacturing costs of the connector can be reduced.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the configuration of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(B) is a diagram showing a state in which the electrical connector is fitted with a mating connector. FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the configuration of the electrical connector according to the embodiment, and FIG. ) is a state diagram in which the electrical connector is fitted with a mating connector. FIG. 3A is a perspective exploded view showing the configuration of the electrical connector according to the embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 3B is a state diagram in which the contacts and the cover housing are arranged facing each other before being assembled into the first housing and the second housing. FIG. 4A is a perspective exploded view showing the configuration of the electrical connector according to the embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 3B is a state diagram in which the contacts and the cover housing are arranged facing each other before being assembled into the first housing and the second housing. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the configuration of a first housing included in the electrical connector according to the embodiment, FIG. 5A is a plan view of the first housing, FIG. 5B is a right side view of the first housing, and FIG. (C) is a rear view of the first housing, and FIG. 5(D) is a bottom view of the first housing. 6A is a front view of the second housing, FIG. 6B is a right side view of the second housing, and FIG. 6(C) is a rear view of the second housing, FIG. 6(D) is a plan view of the second housing, and FIG. 6(E) is a perspective view of the second housing viewed from the front side. 6(F) is a perspective view of the second housing viewed from the back side. FIG. 7A is a state diagram in which the first housing and the second housing are assembled so that the extending direction of a plurality of electric wires is downward; FIG. 7A is a state diagram in which the second housing is viewed from the back side; (B) is a view taken along the AA arrow in FIG. 7(A), FIG. 7(C) is a view taken along the BB arrow in FIG. 7(A), and FIG. 7(D) is a view taken along the BB arrow in FIG. 7(A). 7(E) is a view taken along line DD of FIG. 7(A), and FIG. 7(F) is a perspective view of FIG. 7(E). 8A is a state diagram in which the first housing and the second housing are assembled so that the extending direction of a plurality of electric wires is upward; FIG. 8A is a state diagram in which the second housing is viewed from the back side; FIG. (B) is a view taken along the AA arrow in FIG. 8(A), FIG. 8(C) is a view taken along the BB arrow in FIG. 8(A), and FIG. 8(D) is a view taken along the BB arrow in FIG. 8(A). 8(E) is a view taken along line DD of FIG. 8(A), and FIG. 8(F) is a perspective view of FIG. 8(E).

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Electrical connector configuration]
First, the overall configuration of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(overall structure)
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, an electrical connector (hereinafter referred to as a plug) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to terminals of a plurality of electric wires W. In the plug 10, the direction in which the plurality of electric wires W extend is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the plug 10 is fitted with a mating connector (hereinafter referred to as a receptacle) 20 (see FIG. 1 or 2).

Referring to FIG. 1 or 2, the plug 10 can be detachably connected to the receptacle 20. In the embodiment, the receptacle 20 is mounted on the end of the printed circuit board 9p.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the plug 10 includes a plurality of contacts 1, a first housing 3, and a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped second housing 5. The contact 1 has a connecting portion 1c and a connecting portion 1a (see FIG. 3 or 4). Referring to FIG. 3 or 4, the connection portion 1c connects the ends of the electric wires W. The connection portion 1a is bent at a substantially right angle from the connection portion 1c.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 5, the first housing 3 has a rectangular parallelepiped header 3h protruding from the main body 3b. The header 3h has a plurality of introduction holes 31h opened on one side. A mating contact 2 can be introduced into these introduction holes 31h (see FIG. 1 or 2).

Further, referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the header 3h has a contact cavity 32h that communicates with the introduction hole opened on the other surface (see FIG. 7(D) or FIG. 8(D)). The connecting portion 1a of the contact 1 can be inserted into the contact cavity 32h from the other side of the first housing 3.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6, the second housing 5 can be fitted into the first housing 3 in a state that is substantially perpendicular to the other surface of the first housing 3 and can be detachably attached thereto. Further, the second housing 5 allows the connection portion 1c of the contact 1 to be introduced from the outer circumferential direction (see FIG. 3(B) or FIG. 4(B)).

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the plug 10 according to the embodiment has a plurality of electric wires W extending in one direction or the other direction with respect to the first housing 3. The second housing 5 is arranged line-symmetrically.

Referring to FIG. 3(A), by attaching the second housing 5 to the lower side of the first housing 3, a plurality of electric wires W can be extended to the lower side of the printed circuit board 9p (see FIG. 1). . Referring to FIG. 4(A), by attaching the second housing 5 above the first housing 3, a plurality of electric wires W can be extended above the printed circuit board 9p (see FIG. 2).

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 do not require two types of molds depending on the extending direction of the electric wire W, so that manufacturing cost of the connector can be reduced.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the plug 10 according to the embodiment further includes a cover housing 7. As shown in FIGS. The cover housing 7 covers the second housing 5 from the side opposite to the first housing 3. Further, the cover housing 7 has a groove 71a formed in the inner wall thereof in which the plurality of connection parts 1c and electric wires W can be aligned (see FIG. 3(B) or FIG. 4(B)).

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the header 3h has a lock lever piece 3r on one side. The lock lever piece 3r can engage with a locking opening 4h opened in the housing 4 of the receptacle 20 (see FIG. 1 or 2). More specifically, the claw piece 3n protruding from the lock lever piece 3r can be engaged with the locking opening 4h (see FIG. 1 or 2).

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the lock lever piece 3r is cantilevered from a rectangular metal plate so as to be able to rise and fall freely. Further, the outer edge of this metal plate is supported so as to be embedded in one side surface of the header 3h.

(Contact configuration)
Next, the configuration of the contact 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Referring to FIG. 3(B) or FIG. 4(B), the contact 1 is preferably made of a conductive metal plate. Contacts 1 having a desired shape can be obtained by molding a conductive metal plate. The contact 1 is preferably made of a copper alloy plate, but is not limited to a copper alloy plate.

Referring to FIG. 3(B) or FIG. 4(B), the connection portion 1c of the contact 1 is constituted by a crimp terminal in the embodiment. The connection portion 1c includes an insulation barrel 11b and a conductor barrel 12b. The insulation barrel 11b fixes the covering of the electric wire W by crimping. The conductor barrel 12b fixes the core wire of the electric wire W by crimping.

Referring to FIG. 3(B) or FIG. 4(B), the connecting portion 1a of the contact 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape. A mating pin contact can be introduced inside the connecting portion 1a. In other words, the connecting portion 1a according to the embodiment is composed of a female terminal. The connecting portion 1a may be configured with a male terminal. The connecting portion 1a of the contact 1 may be covered with a ferrite tube.

(Configuration of first housing)
Next, the configuration of the first housing 3 according to the embodiment will be explained. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the first housing 3 has insulation properties. The first housing 3 having a desired shape can be obtained by molding an insulating synthetic resin.

Referring to FIG. 3(A), FIG. 4(A), and FIG. 5(A), the first housing 3 has four partition pieces 31p protruding from the rear surface. These partition pieces 31p can be introduced into a rectangular recess 51n opened on the front surface of the second housing 5. Further, the pair of outer partition pieces 31p and 31p are guided by a pair of holding pieces 5e and 5e that protrude from the front surface of the second housing 5, and constitute a housing lance that can be freely engaged with the second housing 5. There is.

Referring to FIG. 3(A), by assembling the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 so that the second housing 5 protrudes downward with respect to the first housing 3, the printed circuit board 9p is lowered. A plurality of electric wires W can be extended to the side (see FIG. 1).

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 4(A), by incorporating the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 so that the second housing 5 protrudes upwardly with respect to the first housing 3, the printed circuit board 9p A plurality of electric wires W can be extended upward (see FIG. 2).

(Configuration of second housing)
Next, the configuration of the second housing 5 according to the embodiment will be described. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6, the second housing 5 has insulation properties. The second housing 5 having a desired shape can be obtained by molding an insulating synthetic resin.

Referring to FIG. 4, the second housing 5 has four U-shaped grooves 5d formed from the rear surface. The groove portion 5d communicates with the contact cavity 32h (see FIG. 7(D)). The connection portion 1c of the contact 1 and the end of the electric wire W can be introduced into the groove portion 5d from the outer circumferential direction (see FIG. 4(B)). By introducing the connecting portions 1c and the ends of the electric wires W into the groove portion 5d, the plurality of connecting portions 1c and the ends of the electric wires W can be aligned.

(Cover housing configuration)
Next, the configuration of the cover housing 7 according to the embodiment will be described. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6, the cover housing 7 has insulation properties. The cover housing 7 having a desired shape can be obtained by molding an insulating synthetic resin.

Referring to FIG. 3(B) or FIG. 4(B), the cover housing 7 has a top plate 71 and a pair of side plates 72. The pair of side plates 72 are arranged to face each other. Furthermore, a trapezoidal lance 72r protrudes from the inner wall of the side plate 72.

Referring to FIG. 3(B) or FIG. 4(B), by sliding the inner surface of the top plate 71 along the rear surface of the second housing 5, the lance is inserted into the groove 5d formed on the side surface of the second housing 5. 72r can be engaged. Thereby, the cover housing 7 can be locked to the second housing 5 with difficulty in detachment. Further, the cover housing 7 constitutes a TPA that ensures the positioning of the contacts 1.

[Function of electrical connector]
Next, the action and effect of the plug 10 according to the embodiment will be explained. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the plug 10 according to the embodiment has a plurality of electric wires W extending in one direction or the other direction with respect to the first housing 3. The second housing 5 is arranged line-symmetrically.

Referring to FIG. 3(A), by attaching the second housing 5 to the lower side of the first housing 3, a plurality of electric wires W can be extended to the lower side of the printed circuit board 9p (see FIG. 1). . Referring to FIG. 5(A), by attaching the second housing 5 above the first housing 3, a plurality of electric wires W can be extended above the printed circuit board 9p (see FIG. 2).

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 do not require two types of molds depending on the extending direction of the electric wire W, so that manufacturing cost of the connector can be reduced.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the lock lever piece 3r according to the embodiment is constituted by a metal member incorporated in the first housing 3 made of synthetic resin; It can also be molded integrally with 3.

Referring to FIG. 3(B) or FIG. 4(B), the contact 1 according to the embodiment is composed of a female terminal and the mating contact is composed of a male terminal, but the contact according to the present invention is composed of a male terminal. However, the mating contact may be composed of a female terminal.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the plug 10 according to the embodiment includes a lock lever piece 3r on one surface of the header 3h of the first housing 3, so that incorrect insertion can be prevented.

Although the present invention has disclosed an electrical connector suitable for printed circuit board-to-wire, the electrical connector according to the present invention can also be applied to a panel-to-wire electrical connector.

1 Contact 1a Connection part 1c Connection part 3 First housing 3h Header 5 Second housing 10 Plug (electrical connector)
20 Receptacle (Mating connector)
31h Introduction hole 32h Contact cavity W Electric wire

Claims (4)

An electrical connector that can be attached to the ends of a plurality of electric wires, and in which the extending direction of the plurality of electric wires is substantially perpendicular to the direction of fitting with a mating connector,
a plurality of contacts each having a connection portion that connects an end of an electric wire, and a connection portion bent at a substantially right angle from the connection portion;
A header having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, which has a plurality of introduction holes opened on one side into which mating contacts can be freely introduced, a contact cavity that communicates with the introduction holes and into which a connecting part of the contact can be inserted from the other side. 1 housing,
a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped second housing that can be removably fitted to the other surface of the first housing in a substantially orthogonal state, and into which the connection portion of the contact can be introduced from the outer circumferential direction;
In contrast to the first housing, the second housing is configured such that the extending direction of the plurality of electric wires can be selectively selected from one direction or the other direction , and is symmetrical with respect to the center line in the width direction. Electrical connectors located. The electrical connector according to claim 1, further comprising a cover housing that covers the second housing from a side opposite to the direction in which the header of the first housing protrudes . 3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein the cover housing has a groove formed from an inner wall in which a plurality of the connection parts and electric wires can be aligned. The header has a lock lever piece on one side that can be engaged with a locking opening opened in the mating housing,
4. The lock lever piece according to claim 1, wherein the lock lever piece is cantilevered from a rectangular metal plate so as to be able to rise and fall freely, and the outer edge of the metal plate is supported so as to be embedded in one side of the header. Any of the electrical connectors listed.

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