JPH062570U - Joint connector - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] Protects elastic contact pieces to prevent deformation and damage,
Also, a joint connector is provided which ensures reliability and quality improvement by improving the contact and locking mechanism between terminals. The electric connection part 3 has side walls 3a formed substantially vertically on both sides of the front end of the substrate 1, and the side walls 3a are bent in a substantially U-shape so as to project outside the side walls 3a. The overhanging engagement piece 3b is formed, and the substrate 1 is provided at an intermediate portion of the side wall 3a.
An elastic contact piece 4 formed by folding back the front end portion of the is provided. [Effect] Deformation and damage of the terminal can be prevented, the engagement and conductivity inside the housing are improved, cost reduction and versatility are improved by reducing the number of parts, and electrical performance, reliability and quality are improved. The improvement can be secured.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a terminal interconnection structure in a joint connector for forming a branch connection in electric wiring.

[0002]

[Prior art]

In general, a large number of branch lines may be provided when performing electrical wiring.Before branch connection, remove the insulation coating from both wires, and then use crimp terminal fittings or the like to collectively crimp and connect the wires. Is being done. However, since such a branch connection is not very workable, a joint connector has been proposed in which a large number of electric wires are collectively connected. In the perspective view of the conventional joint connector shown in FIG. 8, the terminals a are respectively inserted into the insertion holes b ₁ of the housing b of the connector, while the joint terminal c having a plurality of contact pieces c ₁ is a terminal. It is attached to the housing b from the direction opposite to the insertion direction of A and is held by the lid b ₂ . Therefore, when the terminal a is inserted into the insertion hole b ₁ of the housing b, the terminal a clamps the contact piece c ₁ and makes the terminals electrically conductive. However, since such a connector assembles the housing b and the joint terminal c and further inserts the terminal a, there is a problem that the number of parts and the number of assembling steps increase.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a method of maintaining continuity by direct contact between terminals has been proposed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-120287. In the perspective view of the conventional interconnection terminal E that maintains electrical continuity by direct contact shown in FIG. 9, the wire fixing portion 12 formed at the rear end of the substrate 11 is an insulator crimped to the covered portion of the conductive wire. It comprises a portion 12a and a conductor crimping portion 12b for the core wire. Further, both side portions of the substrate 11 are formed with side walls 13 facing each other substantially in parallel, and a locking arm 16 provided on the side wall 13 is for engaging a terminal in the housing. Further, the front end of the substrate 11 is double folded back to form a contact piece 14, and the side walls 13 protect the sides. In the partial sectional view of the terminal E shown in FIG. 10 in FIG. 10, the middle abdomen 14b of the folded portions 14a and 14c of the contact piece 14 is formed so as to project from between the side walls 13, and the spring elasticity as a whole. Holding Further, the electric contact portion 15 on the back surface side of the substrate 11 is formed so as to bulge out.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional joint connector in which a terminal E is fitted and inserted in FIG. 11. A plurality of spaces 17 for fitting and inserting the terminals E are provided in the housing F so as to communicate with each other, and a side wall portion is formed with a locking step portion 18 capable of being engaged with the locking arm 16. The guide 19 for restricting the insertion position of the terminal E is for preventing the positional displacement in the housing F even when the number of the inserted terminals E is small. Therefore, by inserting the terminal E into the housing F, the locking arm 16 is engaged and fixed to the locking step portion 18, and the abdominal portion 14b of the protruding elastic contact piece 14 of the adjacent terminal E. The electrical contacts 15 on the back side are contacted to complete the conduction between the terminals. Similarly, the required number of terminals E are sequentially inserted and fixed in the housing F to form the required number of branches, which is economical because the number of parts is small. However, in the terminal E of the conventional joint connector, since the abdominal portion 14b of the elastic contact piece 14 is projected as described above, there is a risk of deformation, damage, adhesion of foreign matter, etc., and it is difficult to ensure quality. Also, since there is only one contact point between terminals and point contact, there is a limit to the electrical performance. Furthermore, since the terminal locking means to the housing is the terminal lance by the locking arm 16 provided on the side wall portion of the terminal, the reliability for preventing the terminal from coming off is low. Therefore, in general, the method using the above-mentioned joint terminal has become the mainstream.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 As described above, in the conventional branch connection between terminals using joint terminals, the number of parts increases and the number of assembling steps also increases. Also, in branch connection by direct contact of multiple terminals, the abdomen of the elastic contact piece protrudes, so the elastic contact piece may be deformed or damaged, and there remains a problem in quality maintenance and reliability improvement. .

An object of the present invention is to improve reliability and quality by protecting elastic contact pieces to prevent deformation and damage and improving contact and locking mechanism between terminals in branch connection by direct contact of terminals. It is to provide a joint connector that ensures the improvement of

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The above-mentioned object of the present invention comprises a terminal having a wire fixing portion at a rear end portion of a substrate and an electric connecting portion at a front end portion, and a housing in which a plurality of the terminals are mutually connected and fitted. In the joint connector, a side wall in which an electrical connection part of the terminal is formed substantially vertically from both side ends of the board, and a protruding engagement piece formed at an upper end of the side wall for sandwiching a side wall of another terminal, An elastic contact piece formed at an intermediate position of the electrical connection portion, the elastic contact piece being provided at a position not projecting above the upper end of the overhang engagement piece, and the inner end of the overhang engagement piece. This is achieved by a joint connector characterized in that the width between the parts is smaller than the width between the side walls.

[0008]

[Action]

 Since the elastic contact piece of the terminal is provided at a position that does not project upward from the upper end of the overhang engagement piece, the elastic contact piece is protected by the overhang engagement piece. Moreover, when the guide member is inserted into a position adjacent to another terminal already fitted in the housing, the elastic contact piece of this terminal abuts the base plate of the other terminal and the inner side of the overhanging engagement piece. By sandwiching both side walls of another terminal, the ends are conductively connected at three points. Moreover, since the rear end of one of the overhanging engagement pieces of the terminal is securely locked by the elastic locking piece provided in the housing, a high quality and highly reliable joint connector can be realized.

[0009]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a terminal A showing an embodiment of the present invention. The terminal A has an electric wire fixing portion 2 for fixing a connecting electric wire at the rear end portion of the board 1, is locked in the housing at the front end portion, and has an electrical contact for engaging and connecting another terminal. The connecting portion 3 is formed. The electric wire fixing portion 2 is composed of an edge caulking portion 2a for fixing an insulating coating portion of a connecting electric wire and a conductor caulking portion 2b for fixing a conductive wire portion. Further, the electrical connection portion 3 has side walls 3a formed substantially vertically on both sides of the front end of the substrate 1, and an upper portion of the side wall 3a is bent in a substantially U-shape so as to project to the outside of the side wall. An output engaging piece 3b is formed, and an elastic contact piece 4 formed by folding back the front end portion of the substrate 1 is provided so as to be located between the side walls 3a, 3a. The inner end 3c of the overhanging engagement piece 3b is formed in an arc shape so that it can be smoothly inserted into the board of another terminal already inserted into the adjacent housing.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line XX of the terminal A shown in FIG. The elastic contact piece 4 includes a folded-back portion 4a bent from the front end portion of the base plate 1 in the rear end direction and an abdominal portion 4b bent substantially horizontally so as not to project above the inner end surface 3c of the overhang engagement piece 3b. And a folded-back portion 4c bent downward from the rear end portion of the overhanging engagement piece 3b. When the base plate 4b of the elastic contact piece 4 comes into contact with the board of another terminal, the elastic action of both of them surely brings the mutual contact portions into surface contact with each other to surely bring both terminals into conduction.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the terminal A seen from the front end direction. A pair of side walls 3a is formed substantially vertically on both end portions of the substrate 1, and the protruding engagement pieces 3b are formed by bending the upper end portions of the both side walls 3a to be bent outward in a substantially U-shape. . The width x ₁ between the inner end portions 3c of the overhanging engagement piece 3b is set smaller than the width x ₂ between the side walls 3a, and when another terminal is already inserted in the adjacent upper housing, When the terminal A 1 is inserted along the guide member 9, the substrate of another terminal comes into contact with the abdomen 4b of the elastic contact piece 4. At that time, since the abdomen 4b is below the inner end 3c of the overhanging engagement piece 3b, the lower portions of both side walls of another terminal are clamped by both inner end 3c of the terminal A, and the elastic action thereof Securely locked from the outside.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a joint connector showing an embodiment of the present invention. Inside the housing B, a guide member 9 is provided so that the terminal A fixed to the wire fixing portion 2 of the connecting wire W can be inserted into a predetermined position, and an elastic member for engaging the terminal in the housing. A locking piece 8 is provided. Terminal A on housing B₁The side wall 3a width x₂When it is inserted between a pair of opposing guide members 9a which are substantially equal to each other,₁Corresponding to the U-shape, one of the overhanging engagement pieces 3b is formed in the concave groove portion 10a formed between the one guide member 9a and the housing inner side wall.₁Is inserted and the other protruding engagement piece 3b₁The rear end portion is locked by the elastic locking piece 8a. Next, Terminal A₂Is inserted between the pair of guide members 9b in the same procedure, one of the overhanging engagement pieces 3b₂Is inserted into the concave groove portion 10b, and the other protruding engagement piece 3b₂The rear end portion is locked by the elastic locking piece 8b. At this time, Terminal A₂4b of the elastic contact piece 4 of ₂ Is Terminal A₁Abutting against the base plate 1 of the above, and also the protruding engagement pieces 3b on both sides.₂ Both inner ends 3c of₂Is Terminal A₁Both side walls 3a₁To pinch. Therefore, both terminals A at 3 locations₁, A₂Will be in contact with each other, and a joint connector of high quality and high reliability can be realized.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line YY of the joint connector shown in FIG. Terminal A ₂ Terminal A already fitted in housing B₁Inserted into the housing adjacent to the board side of the terminal A₂Abdominal part 4b of elastic contact piece₂Is Terminal A₁The surface contact with the substrate 1 and the mutual elastic forces exerted by the elastic action of both sides further increase the contact force to achieve a reliable conductive connection.

FIG. 6 is a ZZ sectional view of the joint connector shown in FIG. With the front end of the terminal A being fitted and inserted to the bottom of the housing B, the rear end of the overhanging engagement piece 3b is an elastic locking piece provided side by side on the inner wall of the housing B adjacent to the guide member. 8 is locked. This is because the elastic force of the elastic locking piece 8 exerts an elastic force in the direction of the central axis of the terminal, so that it is more securely locked in the housing as compared with the conventional terminal lance provided on the side wall of the terminal. As a result, there is no need to worry about falling out or wobbling.

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention. The terminal D is provided with a scratch-proof wall 10 for covering the folded-back portion 4a of the elastic contact piece in order to protect the elastic contact piece 4 at the front end of the terminal A described above, and from the overhanging engagement piece 3b to the side wall 3a. A reinforcing bead 7 for partially increasing the strength of the electrical connecting portion 3 is partially provided. This makes it possible to set the clamping pressure of the inner end portion 3c higher, and further improve the conduction performance.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the cross-sectional shape of the overhanging engagement piece 3b may be formed, for example, in an arc shape if the receiving structure on the housing side is made to correspond. It is possible. Further, the shape of the elastic contact piece is not limited to the shape of the embodiment. Furthermore, the entire structure does not have to be an integrally molded structure. The wire fixing part and the elastic contact piece are integrally molded, and the wire connection part including the overhanging engagement piece is integrally molded to obtain a predetermined structure. It is also possible to join in position.

[0018]

[Effect of device]

 As described in detail above, in the joint connector of the present invention, the deformation and damage of the terminals are prevented, and the plural contact points between the adjacent terminals improve the engagement and conductivity in the housing. Moreover, cost reduction and versatility are improved by reducing the number of parts, and electrical performance, reliability, and quality can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a terminal A showing an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of the terminal A shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the terminal A viewed from the front end direction.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the joint connector of the present invention.

5 is a sectional view taken along line YY of the joint connector shown in FIG.

6 is a Z-Z sectional view of the joint connector shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a terminal D showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conventional joint connector.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional interconnection terminal.

10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the terminal shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional joint connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

A, D Terminal B Housing 1 Board 2 Wire fixing part 3 Electric connection part 3a Side wall 3b Overhanging engagement piece 3c Inner end part 4 Elastic contact piece 4b Elastic contact piece abdomen 6 Damaged wall 7 Reinforcing bead 8 Elastic locking piece 9 Guide member 10 Recessed groove part x ₁ Width between inner end parts x ₂ Width between side walls W Connection wire

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A joint connector comprising a terminal having a wire fixing portion at a rear end portion of a substrate and an electric connecting portion at a front end portion, and a housing in which the plurality of terminals are connected to each other and are fitted and inserted. A side wall of the terminal in which an electric connection portion of the terminal is formed substantially vertically from both side ends of the substrate, an overhanging engagement piece formed at an upper end of the side wall for holding a side wall of another terminal, and a side wall of the electric connection portion of the terminal. An elastic contact piece formed at an intermediate position, wherein the elastic contact piece is provided at a position that does not project above the upper end of the overhanging engagement piece,
The joint connector is characterized in that a width between inner end portions of the overhanging engagement piece is smaller than a width between the side walls.