JPH02172167A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To have a connector with certain engagement of terminal at a low cost by accomplishing engagement with terminals of the connector by a structure formed at a detent member. CONSTITUTION:From No.1 end 11 of a housing 10, No.1 detent arm 33 and No.2 detent arm 34 are pushed into a cavity 13 and a one 25, respectively, wherein the arm 33 makes instruction while in slide contacting with the slide contact surface 24 and the arm 34 does while contacting the inner surface of the outer side wall 17'. When instruction attains a certain degree, a detent boss on the arm 34 wedges into a detect hole 13a. When detent member 30 is further pushed into the housing 10, the arm 33 in the cavity 13 is inserted farther inward, and a tapered part 33b at the free end of arm 33 is pressed in the radial direction of cavity 13 by a tapered part 24b on the slide contact surface 24 so as to undergo deflection, and the free end 33c of this arm 33 is detained with the inner end 53' of the electrical contacting part 53 of a terminal 50. At the same time, a tapered part 33a as the base end of the arm 33 is pressed ion the radial direction of the cavity 13 by a tapered part 24a on the slide contact surface 24 to cause the detent part 30 to move in the radial direction of the cavity 13, and thus a detent boss 37 is detained with the external end 51' of a wire cover pressure fitting part 51 of the terminal 50.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to a member for locking an electrical terminal inserted into a cavity formed in a housing. Regarding electrical connectors.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, for example, Japanese Utility Model Application No. 63-58470 discloses an electrical connector that includes a spacer as a member for locking electrical terminals inserted into a plurality of cavities arranged in a housing. There is. The spacer includes a flexible locking arm that is insertable into the housing. The spacer and the housing are configured such that the former is movable relative to the latter from a temporary fixing (temporary insertion) position to a final fixing (main insertion) position. In the temporary fixing position of the spacer, a terminal can be inserted into each cavity, and in the final fixing position, the locking arm is attached to the inner end of the electrical contact part located in the middle of the terminal inserted into each cavity. The cross section of the terminal is engaged with a locking protrusion having a concave shape to prevent the terminal from moving in a direction opposite to its insertion direction. Since this connector is intended to have a double locking structure for terminals, in addition to the locking means using the locking arms, a flexible lance that engages with the lower surface of the terminal inserted into each cavity is provided in the cavity. We are preparing for

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the prior art, in order to perform one of the functions of the double locking structure for the intended terminal, in addition to the locking arms of the spacer, each cavity has its diameter. A lance that is flexible in the direction shall be provided.

In connectors that cannot have a double locking structure for terminals unless a flexible lance is formed in each cavity, in order to achieve the purpose of the double locking structure,
Of course, the lance always has to be formed, but in such connectors the structure of the housing, which only forms the flexible lance, is compared to connectors in which the shape does not have to form the lance. In addition to increasing the cost and difficulty of manufacturing the housing, it is inevitable that the housing will be bulky. The bulkiness of the housing means
It cannot fully meet the recent strong demands for connectors to be lighter, thinner, shorter, smaller, and more dense.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a locking member corresponding to the spacer with at least a double locking structure for the terminal, thereby eliminating the need to form the flexible lance. Our goal is to provide good connectors.

(Means for Solving 42 Problems) The present invention for achieving the above object includes
an insulating housing having an end and a cavity extending therebetween; an electrical terminal inserted into the cavity from the first end; and an electrical terminal inserted into the housing from the first end. a flexible first locking arm for engaging the terminal and preventing movement of the terminal toward the first end; and a first locking arm for engaging the housing and maintaining the engaged state with respect to the terminal. and an insulating locking member having a second locking arm having flexibility.

In the present invention, the cavity has a sliding surface with the first locking arm, and the sliding surface has a tapered surface inclined toward the center of the cavity at an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end. has a department. The first locking arm and the second locking arm extend from a frame having an opening corresponding to the cavity. Said first
The locking arm has a tapered portion expanding outward near the frame portion and a locking protrusion near the tapered portion and on the opposite side of the sliding surface. # When the first locking arm is inserted into the cavity from the first end toward the second end while slidingly contacting the sliding surface until the frame portion abuts the first end, The free end of the first locking arm is bent in the radial direction of the cavity by the tapered portion of the sliding surface to engage the intermediate portion of the terminal, and the tapered portion of the first locking arm is bent at the first end. By being pressed in the radial direction of the cavity by the vicinity of the opening end of the cavity, the locking member moves in the same direction and engages the locking protrusion with the outer end of the terminal located near the opening end. match.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a locking hole in its inner and outer walls, and the first locking arm moves from the first end to the first end until the frame abuts the first end. At the same time when the second locking arm is inserted into the cavity while slidingly contacting the sliding contact surface toward the second end, the second locking arm is slidingly contacting the inner surface of the outer wall from the first end toward the second end and locking the locking arm. It has a locking protrusion for engaging with the locking hole.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking protrusion of the second locking arm is located at a position shifted from the locking hole in the inner and outer walls of the housing in a direction from the first end to the second end. It has another locking hole that is in sliding contact with the inner surface of the outer wall for preliminary engagement before engaging with the locking hole.

In addition, in the present invention, depending on the structure and function of the locking member, it is not necessary to form a flexible lance as in the cavity of the housing of the prior art described above, or it is not a condition that it is not formed. do not have.

(Function) In the connector according to the present invention, as is clear from the above configuration, by inserting the locking member into the housing,
The free end of the first locking arm of the locking member engages with the intermediate portion of the terminal, and the locking protrusion of the first locking arm engages with the outer end of the terminal, that is, double locks. By matching, movement of the terminal in a direction opposite to the insertion direction is prevented. At the same time, the locking protrusion of the second locking arm of the locking member engages with the locking hole of the housing, thereby maintaining the engaged state of the first locking arm with the terminal.

(Example) In FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector includes an insulating housing IO and an insulating locking member 30. The housing 10 and the locking member 30 are molded, for example, from a plastic material.

Housing IO has a first end 11 and a second end 12. Walls 14, 15, 1 in which a plurality of holes W413 extending horizontally extend between the first end 11 and the second end 12.
63 and a wall 17 extending perpendicularly thereto and intersecting these, a cavity 25 is formed between the outer wall 17'' on both sides and the opposing inner wall 17''.

A projecting edge 18 is formed on the outer periphery of the first end 11 . A recess 19 extending from the first end 11 to the second end 12 is formed in the center of the upper wall 14 . The recess 19 has a second end 12
a lever 20 that extends in the direction of the first end 11 continuously from the upper wall 14;
is located. The lever 20 has a locking part 21 at the middle part and a pressing part 22 at the free end. Another connector housing (not shown) having a complementary relationship is fitted into the housing lO of this connector, and at that time, the locking portion of the latter pushes down the lever 20 and engages with the locking portion 21. In the fitted state, the engagement can be released by pressing down the lever 20 via the pressing part 22. Locking holes 23a and 23b are formed slightly shifted in the front-back and up-down directions. The cavity 13 has a sliding surface 24 at an intermediate portion between the first end 11 and the second end 12 . This sliding surface 24 is located at the first end 1
It has a tapered part 24a located at 1 and expanding outward (upward), and a tapered (cam) part 24b located at the back and inclined toward the center of the cavity 13.

The locking member 0 includes a frame portion 32 having a plurality of openings 31 arranged in correspondence with the arrangement of the cavities 13 of the housing 10;
It consists of a first locking arm 33 that extends horizontally from the frame and has flexibility, and a second locking arm 34 that extends horizontally from both outsides of the frame and has flexibility. A recessed part 35 that fits into the recessed part 19 of the housing 10 is provided in the upper center part of the frame part 2, and a protruding piece 36 for drawing out the locking member 30 is provided on both outer sides.
is formed. The upper surface of the first locking arm 33 makes sliding contact with the sliding surface 24 of the housing IO. The upper surface of the first locking arm 33 has a tapered portion 33a that almost matches the tapered portion 24a of the sliding surface 24 at the base end and a sliding surface 24 at the free end.
It has a tapered portion 33b that substantially matches the tapered portion 24b of the. Further, the first locking arm 33 has a locking protrusion 37 on its lower surface near the tapered portion 33a. The second locking arm 34 has a locking protrusion 38 on its outer surface that is tapered.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first locking arm 33 is pushed into the cavity 13 and the second locking arm 34 is pushed into the cavity 25 from the first end 11 to the second end 12 of the housing IO. At the same time, the first locking arm 33 is in sliding contact with the sliding surface 24 of the cavity 13, and the second locking arm 34 is in sliding contact with the outer wall 17.
(see Fig. 1), and when this approach is made enough, the second locking arm 3
First, the locking protrusion 38 of No. 4 is automatically and preliminarily engaged with the locking hole 23a located on the outer side 1i'17' by the elastic expansion action of the second locking arm.

In this temporary insertion (temporary fastening) position shown in the second figure, the terminal 50 attached to each electric wire 40 is inserted through each opening 31 into each cavity 13.
inserted into. The terminal 50 has a known structure consisting of a crimping part 51 to the sheathing material of the electric wire 40, a crimping part 52 to the conductor of the electric wire from which the sheathing has been peeled off, and an electrical contact part (receptacle contact) 53.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the first locking arm 33 is further inserted into the cavity 13 by being further pushed into the housing lO, the first locking arm The free end of the tapered portion 33b is pressed in the radial direction of the cavity 13 by the tapered portion 24b of the sliding contact surface 24 and is bent, and the free end surface 33c of the first locking arm is the inner end of the electrical contact portion 53 of the terminal 50. Engage at 53°. At the same time, the tapered portion 33a at the base end of the first locking arm 33 is pressed in the radial direction of the cavity 13 by the tapered portion 24a of the sliding surface 24,
Therefore, the locking member 30 moves in the radial direction (arrow direction) of the air W413, and the locking protrusion 37 engages with the outer end 51' of the wire covering crimping portion 51 of the terminal 50. At the same time, the second
The locking protrusion 38 of the locking arm 34 moves from the locking hole 23a to the locking hole 23b while slidingly contacting the inner surface of the outer wall 17', and is automatically engaged by the elastic expansion action of the second locking arm. engages and thereby locks the locking member 30 to the housing IO.
Therefore, the engaged state of the first locking arm 33 with respect to the terminal 50 is maintained. In this way, when the locking member 30 finishes moving to the predetermined position of the housing IO, the frame portion 32 abuts against the first end 11.

When the terminal 50 is not inserted normally into the cavity 13, which is a so-called half-insertion state, at least one of the free end surface 33c of the first locking arm 33 and the locking protrusion core abuts the terminal. This is further pushed in the direction of the second end 12 to correct it to a normal insertion state.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the connector according to the present invention having the above configuration, the terminal inserted into the cavity of the housing is doubly locked by the first locking arm of the locking member, so that the terminal is locked in the insertion direction of the terminal and Movement in the opposite direction or withdrawal is prevented.

In this way, since the terminal is locked by the structure formed on the locking member, the structure and molding of the housing do not need to be complicated, and it can be manufactured at low cost, and the connector can be light, thin, short, and small. , can fully meet the demands for higher density.

According to the connector according to the present invention, there is no need to form an elastic lance that engages with the lower surface of the terminal in the housing cavity in addition to the locking member, as in the prior art described above, and the connector is light, thin, short, and small. If high density, cost reduction, etc. are not particularly required, and it is desired to further secure the terminal, the elastic lance may be formed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector housing and a locking member according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the locking member temporarily inserted into the housing, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the locking member temporarily inserted into the housing. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the process of transition from temporary insertion to actual insertion; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the state in which the locking member is fully inserted; IO... Housing 11... First end l2...
・Second end 24...Sliding surface 30...Locking member 32...Frame part 33a・Tapered part 34...Second locking arm 13...Cavity 24b...Tapered part ...Opening 33...First locking arm 33b...Free end 17.38...Latching protrusion

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) an insulating housing having a first end and a second end and a cavity extending therebetween; an electrical terminal inserted into the cavity from the first end; and an electrical terminal inserted from the first end into the cavity; a first locking arm that is flexible and inserted into the housing to engage the terminal and prevent movement of the terminal toward the first end; an insulating locking member having a flexible second locking arm for maintaining engagement with a terminal, the cavity being a sliding surface with the first locking arm. the sliding surface has a tapered portion inclined toward the center of the cavity at an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end, and the first locking arm and the second locking A locking arm extends from a frame having an opening corresponding to the cavity, and the first locking arm includes an outwardly divergent tapered portion proximate the frame and proximate the tapered portion. A locking protrusion is provided on the opposite side of the sliding contact surface, and the first locking arm slides from the first end toward the second end until the frame abuts the first end. When inserted into the cavity while slidingly contacting the surface, the free end of the first locking arm is bent in the radial direction of the cavity by the tapered portion of the sliding surface and engages with the intermediate portion of the terminal,
When the tapered portion of the first locking arm is pressed in the radial direction of the cavity by the first end near the open end of the cavity, the locking member moves in the same direction and the locking protrusion is engaged with an outer end of the terminal located near the open end. (2) The housing has locking holes on both outer walls thereof, and the first locking arm moves from the first end toward the second end until the frame abuts the first end. At the same time as the second locking arm is inserted into the cavity while slidingly contacting the sliding surface, the second locking arm slides against the inner surface of the outer wall from the first end toward the second end and engages with the locking hole. 2. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a locking protrusion for locking the connector. (3) When the housing is at a position shifted from the locking holes in both outer walls thereof, the locking protrusion of the second locking arm is inserted into the inner surface of the outer wall from the first end toward the second end. 2. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising another locking hole for preliminary engagement before sliding and engaging with said locking hole.