JP7436315B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector having a terminal fitting provided with a protrusion.

Some terminal fittings have a protruding stabilizer (protrusion). If the terminal fitting is inserted into the housing in the wrong orientation, the stabilizer will hit the housing, making it impossible to insert the terminal fitting. However, when a stabilizer is provided on a terminal fitting, a problem arises in that when inserting the terminal fitting into the housing, the lance (locking piece) has to overcome the stabilizer with a large protrusion, which increases the insertion force of the terminal. was.

Therefore, a connector described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. In the connector described in Patent Document 1, the stabilizer passes on both sides of the lance when the terminal fitting is inserted, so that the lance does not need to climb over the stabilizer. However, the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the degree of freedom in the position where the stabilizer is provided is limited.

JP2006-236678A

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector in which the insertion force of a terminal fitting is reduced.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector according to the present invention is characterized by the following [1] to [4].
[1]
terminal fittings,
A terminal accommodating chamber into which the terminal fitting can be inserted, and a fixed end on the rear end side in the insertion direction so that the terminal fitting can be bent in a first bending direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal fitting, and a fixed end in the insertion direction. A connector comprising: a housing configured in a cantilever shape with a free end being a free end, and a locking piece that locks a rear end side of the terminal fitting in the insertion direction,
The terminal fitting has a protrusion that protrudes in the first deflection direction,
The locking piece is configured to be able to bend in a second bending direction that intersects both the insertion direction and the first bending direction, and the locking piece is configured to be able to bend in a second bending direction that intersects both the insertion direction and the first bending direction. , an inclined surface that approaches the protrusion in the second deflection direction toward the distal end side in the insertion direction;
Must be a connector.
[2]
In the connector described in [1],
When the terminal fitting is inserted, the inclined surface is pushed by the protrusion, and the locking piece is bent in the second bending direction.
Must be a connector.
[3]
In the connector described in [1] or [2],
the locking piece locks a rear end side of the protrusion in the insertion direction;
Must be a connector.
[4]
In the connector described in [3],
The terminal fitting has a box portion into which a mating terminal fitting is inserted,
The protruding portion is provided to protrude from the rear end of the box portion in the insertion direction,
the locking piece locks both the box portion and the protrusion portion;
Must be a connector.

According to the connectors having the configurations [1] and [2] above, the locking piece is provided with an inclined surface on the protruding portion side of the side surfaces facing in the second deflection direction. As a result, when the terminal fitting is inserted, the inclined surface is pushed by the protrusion, and the locking piece is bent in the second bending direction. By making the locking piece bend in two directions, the first bending direction and the second bending direction, it is possible to reduce the insertion force of the terminal fitting.

According to the connector configured in [3] above, the locking piece locks the protrusion. Thereby, the holding force of the terminal fitting in the terminal housing chamber can be improved.

According to the connector having the configuration [4] above, the tip of the box portion of the terminal fitting deforms the locking piece in the first deflection direction. Thereafter, when the terminal fitting is further inserted, the protrusion provided at the rear end deforms the locking piece in the second bending direction. Then, when the terminal fitting is accommodated in the terminal housing chamber, the locking piece locks both the box portion and the protruding portion. Accordingly, when inserting the terminal fitting, the locking piece first bends in the first bending direction and then bends in the second bending direction, so that the insertion force of the terminal fitting can be further reduced. Further, since the locking piece locks both the box portion and the stabilizer, the holding force of the terminal fitting can be improved.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector in which the insertion force of a terminal fitting is reduced.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the mode for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. .

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connector of the present invention viewed from the tip side when the front housing is inserted to the temporary locking position. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line II in FIG. 1 before the terminal fitting is locked to the lance. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line II--II in FIG. 1 immediately before the terminal fitting is locked to the lance. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line II in FIG. 1 after the terminal fitting is locked to the lance. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the rear end side. 7 is a partial sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a partially sectional perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 2. FIG.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to each figure.

The connector 1 according to this embodiment is a female connector that can be fitted with a male connector. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 1 includes a terminal fitting 2 (FIG. 2), a housing 3 into which the terminal fitting 2 can be inserted, and a front holder 4 housed in the housing 3. There is.

As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal fitting 2 is a female terminal fitting, and is formed into a predetermined shape by bending a metal plate material. The terminal fitting 2 has a box portion 21 into which a mating terminal fitting is inserted, a core crimping portion 22 for crimping the core wire of the electric wire, and a covering crimping portion 23 for crimping the sheathing portion of the electric wire. The box portion 21, the core wire caulking portion 22, and the covering caulking portion 23 are provided in succession along the insertion direction D1 of the terminal fitting 2 in this order. Note that the above-mentioned "insertion direction D1" refers to the direction in which the terminal fitting 2 is inserted into the housing 3. Furthermore, in the following description, the box portion 21 side in the insertion direction D1 will be referred to as the front end side, and the covering caulking portion 23 side will be referred to as the rear end side.

The box portion 21 is provided in the shape of a square tube having a bottom wall 211, a pair of side walls 212, 212, and a ceiling wall 213, and a mating terminal fitting is inserted inside. The pair of side walls 212, 212 are erected from both sides of the width direction (second deflection direction) D2 upward in the vertical direction D3 (first deflection direction). The width direction D2 and the vertical direction D3 are orthogonal to each other (intersect), and are also orthogonal to the insertion direction D1. The ceiling wall 213 spans between the upper ends of the pair of side walls 212, 212. At the rear end of the ceiling wall 213 and on one side in the width direction D2, a stabilizer 24 (protrusion) is formed to protrude upward. The stabilizer 24 is formed by cutting and raising a part of the ceiling wall 213.

The core wire caulking section 22 includes a bottom wall (not shown) that is continuous to the rear end of the bottom wall 211 of the box section 21 in the insertion direction D1, a pair of caulking pieces 221 raised upward from both sides of the bottom wall in the width direction D2, 221. By mounting a core wire on this bottom wall (not shown) and caulking the tips of the pair of caulking pieces 221, 221 toward the core wire, the core wire and the terminal fitting 2 can be electrically connected.

The covering caulking section 23 includes a bottom wall 231 that is continuous to the rear end of the bottom wall of the core wire caulking section 22 in the insertion direction D1, and a pair of caulking pieces 232, 232 raised upward from both sides of the bottom wall 231 in the width direction D2. have. The covering portion can be fixed to the terminal fitting 2 by mounting the covering portion on the bottom wall 231 and caulking the tips of the pair of caulking pieces 232 toward the covering portion.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the housing 3 includes a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 301 into which the terminal fittings 2 can be inserted, and a lance 302 (locking piece). A lance 302 is provided for each terminal accommodating chamber 301. The lance 302 is configured in a cantilever shape, with a fixed end on the rear end side in the insertion direction D1 and a free end on the front end side in the insertion direction D1. By being configured in a cantilever shape in this way, the lance 302 is bent upward in the vertical direction D3 (first deflection direction) when the terminal fitting 2 is inserted, and the terminal fitting 2 is accommodated in the normal position in the terminal accommodating chamber 301. Then, it is restored downward in the vertical direction D3 and locks the rear end of the box portion 21 of the terminal fitting 2.

As shown in FIG. 6, the housing 3 includes a bottom wall 303, a pair of first housing side walls 304, 304, a pair of second housing side walls 305, 305, and a ceiling wall 306, and has an insertion direction D1. It is provided in the shape of a substantially rectangular cylinder with an opening. A pair of first housing side walls 304, 304 are erected upward from both ends of the bottom wall 303 in the width direction D2. The pair of second housing side walls 305, 305 are erected from slightly inside of both ends of the bottom wall 303 in the width direction D2. The pair of first housing side walls 304, 304 and the pair of second housing side walls 305, 305 are provided side by side along the insertion direction D1.

Further, the first housing side walls 304 , 304 are provided at the front end of the housing 3 , and the second housing side walls 305 , 305 are provided at the rear end of the housing 3 . The first housing side walls 304, 304 and the second housing side walls 305, 305 are connected by a plurality of arms 307 protruding from the rear ends of the first housing side walls 304, 304. The ceiling wall 306 spans between the upper ends of the pair of first housing side walls 304, 304 and between the upper ends of the second housing side walls 305, 305. A locking portion 308 that locks the mating housing is provided above the ceiling wall 306.

A first housing partition 309 that partitions the inside of the housing 3 in the vertical direction D3, and a second housing partition 310 that partitions the inside of the housing 3 in the width direction D2 are provided between the pair of second housing side walls 305, 305. . The first housing partition 309 is provided only at the rear end of the housing 3 (that is, only between the second housing side walls 305, 305), and is not provided at the tip. The spaces surrounded by the bottom wall 303, the pair of second housing side walls 305, 305, the ceiling wall 306, the first housing partition wall 309, and the second housing partition wall 310 serve as rear end portions of the terminal accommodating chamber 301, respectively. In this embodiment, one first housing partition wall 309 and a plurality of second housing partition walls 310 are provided, and a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 301 are arranged in two stages, upper and lower, in the width direction D2.

Further, a groove portion 311 extending in the insertion direction D1 through which the stabilizer 24 of the terminal fitting 2 can pass is provided in each terminal accommodating chamber 301 in the ceiling wall 306 and the first housing partition wall 309 . By providing the groove 311, the stabilizer 24 can pass through the groove 311 when the terminal fitting 2 is inserted into the housing 3 with the stabilizer 24 protruding upward. That is, if the terminal fitting 2 is inserted into the housing 3 in an incorrect orientation, the stabilizer 24 will hit the housing 3, making it impossible to insert the terminal fitting 2. This can prevent the terminal fitting 2 from being inserted into the housing 3 in an incorrect orientation.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the ceiling wall 306 between the second housing side walls 305 is provided thicker than the ceiling wall 306 between the first housing side walls 304, and the ceiling wall 306 is provided with a stepped surface. ing. A plurality of plate-shaped lances 302 are provided protruding from the lower end of this step surface toward the tip side. Further, a plurality of plate-shaped lances 302 are also provided protruding from the lower end of the distal end surface of the first housing partition wall 309 toward the distal end side. The lance 302 protrudes from a position adjacent to the other side in the width direction D2 of the groove 311 through which the stabilizer 24 passes, on the stepped surface of the ceiling wall 306 and the tip end surface of the first housing partition wall 309.

Further, the lance 302 is provided so that the rear end portion approaches the lower side toward the tip, and the tip portion is provided substantially perpendicular to the up-down direction D3. The rear end of the lance 302 is supported by the ceiling wall 306 or the first housing partition wall 309, and the front end surface and the side surface S1 on one side in the width direction D2 are not supported. As shown in FIG. 7, among the side surfaces on both sides of the lance 302 in the width direction D2, a side surface S1 on the stabilizer 24 side (i.e., one side) is provided with an inclined surface that approaches the stabilizer 24 in the width direction D2 toward the tip. ing. The inclined surface is provided at the rear end of the side surface S1.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the bottom wall 303 between the second housing side walls 305 is thicker than the bottom wall 303 between the first housing side walls 304, and is provided with a stepped surface. Further, the bottom wall 303 is provided with a positioning convex portion 312 extending along the insertion direction D1 from a slightly more distal end side than the step surface to the step surface. A positioning convex portion 312 is provided on the upper surface of the first housing partition wall 309 and extends along the insertion direction D1 from a slightly rear end side to the distal end surface from which the lance 302 projects. These positioning convex portions 312 are provided for each terminal accommodating chamber 301, and fit into notches 47 provided in the front holder 4, which will be described later, to position the front holder 4 in the width direction D2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the housing 3 includes a bottom wall 313 that protrudes from the top and bottom of the second housing side wall 305 and the second housing partition wall 310 toward the tips, respectively, and a bottom wall 313 that is erected from both ends of the bottom wall 313 in the width direction D2. It further includes a first standing wall 314 and a second standing wall 315, and a guide wall 316 that bridges the tips of the first standing wall 314 and the second standing wall 315 that are erected from the bottom wall 313 adjacent to each other in the width direction D2. There is. The bottom wall 313 is provided perpendicular to the vertical direction D3. The rear end portion of the second standing wall 315 provided on the other side in the width direction D2 is cut, and is provided apart from the lance 302.

The first vertical wall 314 provided on one side in the width direction D2 supports the other side of the lance 302 in the width direction D2. The first vertical wall 314 is provided with a long through hole 314a in the insertion direction D1. The lance 302 is supported above the through hole 314a and is provided to be easily deflected in the width direction D2 and the vertical direction D3. The guide wall 316 is a wall for guiding the mating terminal fitting into the terminal fitting 2, and is provided with an inclined surface that approaches the terminal fitting 2 toward the rear end side in the insertion direction D1.

Next, the front holder 4 will be explained. The front holder 4 is housed in the tip of the housing 3, locks the tip of the terminal fitting 2, and pushes down the lance 302 to increase the locking force of the lance 302. As shown in FIG. 2, the front holder 4 includes a bottom wall 41, a pair of front side walls 42, 42 standing upwardly from both ends of the bottom wall 41 in the width direction D2, and a space between the upper ends of the pair of front side walls 42, 42. It has a ceiling wall 43 that spans over, and is provided in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape. The front holder 4 also includes a front partition wall 45 that partitions the interior of the cylindrical portion in the vertical direction D3, a bottom wall 41, and a guide wall 46 that stands from the tip of the front partition wall 45 in the insertion direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 4, at the tip of the housing 3, the terminal fitting 2 accommodated in the upper terminal accommodating chamber 301 is sandwiched between the ceiling wall 43 and the front partition wall 45, and is positioned in the vertical direction D3. Ru. Furthermore, at the tip of the housing 3, the terminal fitting 2 accommodated in the lower terminal accommodating chamber 301 is sandwiched between the front partition wall 45 and the bottom wall 41, and is positioned in the vertical direction D3. That is, a space surrounded by the ceiling wall 43, front partition wall 45, and bottom wall 41 of the front holder 4, and the first vertical wall 314 and second vertical wall 315 of the housing 3 becomes the terminal accommodating chamber 301 at the tip of the housing 3.

The bottom wall 41 and the front partition wall 45 are provided longer in the insertion direction D1 than the pair of front side walls 42 and the ceiling wall 43, and are provided so as to protrude further toward the rear end side in the insertion direction D1 than the front side walls 42 and the ceiling wall 43. . Further, the rear end sides of the bottom wall 41 and the front side wall 42 are provided with a notch 47 provided for each terminal accommodating chamber 301, which fits into the positioning convex portion 312 provided on the housing 3 described above. Further, a lance pressing part 48 for pushing down the lance 302 is provided protrudingly on the ceiling wall 43 and the front partition wall 45. The lance pressing portion 48 is provided for each terminal accommodating chamber 301.

A lance pressing portion 48 provided on the ceiling wall 43 projects from the rear end surface of the ceiling wall 43 . Further, the front partition wall 45 is thicker on the front end side than on the rear end side of the rear end surface of the ceiling wall 43, and is provided with a stepped surface. A lance pressing portion 48 provided on the front partition wall 45 projects from this stepped surface toward the rear end.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front side wall 42 is provided with a temporary locking portion 42a and a permanent locking portion 42b. When the temporary locking part 42a locks with the housing 3, the front holder 4 is in the temporary locking position where the tip part protrudes from the housing 3 and the lance pressing part 48 does not push down the lance 302, as shown in FIG. It can be temporarily locked to the housing 3. When the main locking part 42b locks with the housing 3, the front holder 4 is accommodated in the housing 3 up to the tip, and the front holder 4 is fully locked to the housing 3 at the main locking position where the lance pressing part 48 pushes down the lance 302. can do.

Next, assembly of the connector 1 having the above-described configuration will be explained. First, the front holder 4 is inserted into the housing 3 from the tip side. A temporary locking portion 42a provided on the front holder 4 locks on the housing 3, and the front holder 4 is temporarily locked. As shown in FIG. 4, in the temporary locking position, the lance pressing part 48 is located on the distal end side of the lance 302 and does not press down on the lance 302. Further, the upper surface of the bottom wall 41 of the front holder 4 and the upper surface of the rear end portion of the bottom wall 303 of the housing 3 are arranged on substantially the same plane. The upper surface of the front partition wall 45 of the front holder 4 and the upper surface of the first housing partition wall 309 of the housing 3 are also arranged on substantially the same plane.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3, the terminal fitting 2 is inserted from the rear end of the housing 3. At this time, the terminal fitting 2 is inserted into the housing 3 with the stabilizer 24 erected upward. Stabilizer 24 is inserted into groove 311 . When the terminal fitting 2 is further inserted toward the distal end side, the distal end of the terminal fitting 2 comes into contact with the lower surface formed on the inclined surface of the lance 302, as shown in FIG. When the terminal fitting 2 is further inserted, the lance 302 is bent upward by the terminal fitting 2.

When the terminal fitting 2 is further inserted, the stabilizer 24 comes into contact with the side surface S1 of the lance 302 on which the inclined surface is formed, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. When the terminal fitting 2 is further inserted, the stabilizer 24 causes the lance 302 to bend toward the other side in the width direction D2. When the terminal fitting 2 is further inserted, the stabilizer 24 is located closer to the tip than the lance 302, as shown in FIG. As a result, the lance 302 is restored downward and to one side in the width direction D2, and locks the rear ends of both the box portion 21 and the stabilizer 24. Further, at this time, the tip of the terminal fitting 2 is locked to the guide wall 316, so that the terminal fitting 2 does not go beyond the guide wall 316 toward the tip side in the insertion direction D1.

Thereafter, when the front holder 4 is pushed toward the rear end, the main locking portion 42b is locked to the housing 3. At this time, the lance pressing part 48 of the front holder 4 is located above the rear end of the lance 302 and pushes the lance 302 downward. Thereby, the locking force of the terminal fitting 2 by the lance 302 can be further improved. Further, the guide wall 46 comes into contact with the tip of the terminal fitting 2 and locks the terminal fitting 2. Further, the positioning projection 312 of the housing 3 fits into a notch 47 provided at the rear end of the bottom wall 41 and the front partition wall 45 .

According to the embodiment described above, the lance 302 is provided with an inclined surface on the side surface S1 on the stabilizer 24 side among the side surfaces facing in the width direction D2. As a result, when the terminal fitting 2 is inserted, the inclined surface is pushed by the stabilizer 24, and the lance 302 is bent in the width direction D2. By flexing the lance 302 in two directions: the vertical direction and the width direction, the insertion force of the terminal fitting 2 can be reduced.

According to the embodiments described above, lance 302 locks stabilizer 24 . Thereby, the holding force of the terminal fitting 2 within the terminal accommodating chamber 301 can be improved.

According to the embodiment described above, the tip of the box portion 21 of the terminal fitting 2 deforms the lance 302 in the vertical direction D3. Thereafter, when the terminal fitting 2 is further inserted, the stabilizer 24 provided at the rear end deforms the lance 302 in the width direction D2. When the terminal fitting 2 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 301, the lance 302 locks both the box portion 21 and the stabilizer 24. Accordingly, when inserting the terminal fitting 2, the lance 302 first bends in the vertical direction and then bends in the width direction D2, so that the insertion force of the terminal fitting 2 can be further reduced. Further, since the lance 302 locks both the box portion 21 and the stabilizer 24, the holding force of the terminal fitting 2 can be improved.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

According to the embodiment described above, the connector 1 includes the front holder 4, but the present invention is not limited to this. The front holder 4 is not essential and may be omitted.

According to the embodiment described above, the stabilizer 24 is provided at the rear end of the box portion 21 so that the lance 302 locks the stabilizer 24, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is not essential that the lance 302 lock the stabilizer 24. The stabilizer 24 may be provided at the center of the box portion 21 in the insertion direction D1, and the lance 302 does not need to lock the stabilizer 24.

Here, the features of the embodiments of the connector according to the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [4].
[1]
A terminal fitting (2),
A terminal accommodating chamber (301) into which the terminal fitting (2) can be inserted, and a terminal accommodating chamber (301) that can be bent in a first bending direction (D3) intersecting the insertion direction (D1) of the terminal fitting (2). , is configured in a cantilever shape, with the rear end side in the insertion direction (D1) being a fixed end and the front end side in the insertion direction (D1) being a free end, and the terminal fitting (2) in the insertion direction (D1) is configured in a cantilever shape. A connector (1) comprising a housing (3) having a locking piece (302) that locks the rear end side,
The terminal fitting (2) has a protrusion (24) that protrudes in the first deflection direction (D3),
The locking piece (302) is configured to be able to bend in a second bending direction (D2) that intersects both the insertion direction (D1) and the first bending direction (D3), and Among the side surfaces (S1) facing in the direction (D2), on the side of the protrusion (24), toward the protrusion (24) in the second deflection direction (D2) toward the distal end side in the insertion direction (D1); A slope is provided to approach the
Connector (1).
[2]
In the connector (1) described in [1],
When the terminal fitting (2) is inserted, the inclined surface is pushed by the protrusion (24) and the locking piece (302) is bent in the second bending direction (D2).
Connector (1).
[3]
In the connector (1) described in [1] or [2],
the locking piece (302) locks the rear end side of the protrusion (24) in the insertion direction (D1);
Connector (1).
[4]
In the connector (1) described in [3],
The terminal fitting (2) has a box portion (21) into which a mating terminal fitting is inserted,
The protruding portion (24) is provided to protrude from the rear end of the box portion (21) in the insertion direction (D1),
the locking piece (302) locks both the box portion (21) and the protrusion (24);
Connector (1).

1 Connector 2 Terminal fitting 3 Housing 21 Box portion 24 Stabilizer (protruding portion)
301 Terminal accommodation chamber 302 Lance (locking piece)
D1 Insertion direction D2 Width direction (second bending direction)
D3 Vertical direction (first deflection direction)
S1 side

Claims (4)

terminal fittings,
A terminal accommodating chamber into which the terminal fitting can be inserted, and a fixed end on the rear end side in the insertion direction so that the terminal fitting can be bent in a first bending direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal fitting, and a fixed end in the insertion direction. A connector comprising: a housing configured in a cantilever shape with a free end being a free end, and a locking piece that locks a rear end side of the terminal fitting in the insertion direction,
The terminal fitting has a protrusion that protrudes in the first deflection direction,
The locking piece is configured to be able to bend in a second bending direction that intersects both the insertion direction and the first bending direction, and the locking piece is configured to be able to bend in a second bending direction that intersects both the insertion direction and the first bending direction. , an inclined surface that approaches the protrusion in the second deflection direction toward the distal end side in the insertion direction;
connector. The connector according to claim 1,
When the terminal fitting is inserted, the inclined surface is pushed by the protrusion, and the locking piece is bent in the second bending direction.
connector. The connector according to claim 1 or 2,
the locking piece locks a rear end side of the protrusion in the insertion direction;
connector. The connector according to claim 3,
The terminal fitting has a box portion into which a mating terminal fitting is inserted,
The protruding portion is provided to protrude from the rear end of the box portion in the insertion direction,
the locking piece locks both the box portion and the protrusion portion;
connector.

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