JPH09245921A - Coupling connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coupling connector having a degree of freedom in bending, excellent in the degree of freedom in wiring and equipped with versatility, by forming a housing so that it can expand and contract and also rotate around a bellows part, and connecting a flat cable resiliently with the housing. SOLUTION: A lead-in opening 4 for a flat cable 2 is furnished at each end of a hollow rectangular cylindrical part whose one surface constitutes an upper lid 3B capable of being opened and closed. A bellows part 3c formed as capable of expanding and contracting and also bending is installed rigidly approx. in the center of the hollow rectangular cylindrical part of the housing 3. Resiliently coupling terminals 6 are resiliently connected with the exposed portions of the flat cable conductors 2A to be led in from the lead-in openings 4 on both sides as interposing the bellows part 3c. The coupling terminals 6 are connected with one another through electric wires.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connection connector, and more particularly to a connection connector for automobiles or the like for connecting a flat cable composed of a plurality of rectangular conductors covered with an insulating resin to each other.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the use of flat cables composed of a plurality of rectangular conductors covered with an insulating resin is increasing for wiring of wiring harnesses for automobiles, electronic devices and input / output devices of information systems. are doing. This is lightweight,
This is due to the features of flat cables such as space saving, excellent durability, ease of handling during installation, and low cost. By the way, when such a flat cable is routed at a desired angle in a narrow space such as a dashboard of an automobile, for example, as shown in FIG. The protector disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-21131 is applied.

That is, the protector 64 has a thin and flexible structure that connects two substantially triangular protective plates 65 and 66 made of, for example, a synthetic resin material and the oblique sides of the protective plates 65 and 66. The hinge portion 67 has a structure integrally formed, and the overlapping portion 63 of the folded flat cable 61.
It was used at the time of wiring by sandwiching it between two protective plates 65 and 66 from above and below. By using the protector 64, the overlapping portion 63 and the folded portion 62 of the flat cable 61 are covered with the protector 64, so that damage due to external force can be avoided, and the overlapping portion 63 of the folded flat cable 61 can be removed. Since it was sandwiched and difficult to move, fatigue of the conductor was small and there was no fear of disconnection. However, such a protector has a drawback that it cannot be applied to a flat cable having a hard base material. Further, since the flat cables are arranged in parallel, it is difficult to form a circuit by interconnecting conductors, for example. In addition, since each protector has a constant bending angle, and this angle is fixed, it is necessary to select and use the protector of various bending angles according to the usage situation. There was a problem that it lacked flexibility and versatility.

Therefore, for example, a connecting connector as shown in FIG. 8 has been proposed. In this connecting connector 75, first and second housings 72 and 73 formed in a hollow rectangular tube shape are rotatably connected to each other at one end by a rotating shaft 74, and the first and second housings 72 are , 73 respectively, the connecting electric wires 76 disposed inside the respective housings 72,
The flat cable 71 introduced to the other end of each 73 is connected to each other. According to such a configuration, the above-mentioned problems with the protective equipment can be solved, various bending angles can be dealt with, and versatility is improved.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned connecting connector structure, although there is a degree of freedom in bending with respect to the horizontal wiring surface along the flat cable surface, the vertical direction bent from the wiring surface. There was no bending freedom in the direction. Moreover, since the connecting connector is composed of two types of housings, the number of molds is increased and the cost is increased. Further, since the housings are connected to each other via a rotary shaft and the dimension in the longitudinal direction is made constant and there is no freedom of expansion and contraction, it is not possible to sufficiently cope with the dimensional error of the routing route that occurs during cable routing. The present invention has been made to solve such problems and drawbacks, has versatility with excellent bending flexibility, can be applied to a hard flat cable, and can also change the wiring inside the connector and form a circuit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coupling connector capable of protecting a flat cable as well as possible.

[0006]

A connecting connector according to the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object is provided with flat cable introduction openings at both ends of a hollow square tube whose one surface is an openable and closable upper lid. A housing in which a bellows portion formed in a substantially tubular center is formed integrally so as to be capable of expanding and contracting and bending, and the housing is integrally provided on both sides sandwiching the bellows portion, and introduced from the introduction opening, respectively. Elastic connecting terminals that are elastically connected to the exposed conductors of the flat cable, and connecting wires that interconnect the elastic connecting terminals.

Further, the elastic connecting terminal is characterized in that a pressure contact blade portion into which the connecting wire is press-fitted and connected is integrally provided. Further, an alignment plate that holds and controls the position of the connecting electric wire connected to the elastic connecting terminal is provided in a protruding manner inside the housing between the elastic connecting terminal and the bellows portion. Further, the connecting electric wire may be provided so as to be able to extend following the deformation of the bellows portion.

Since the connecting connector according to the present invention is provided with the bellows portion in the central portion, the bellows portion can be bent in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. Therefore, this connecting connector can be used by deforming the flat cables respectively introduced into the housing into a free shape along the installation surface, and providing the versatility. As a result, it can be easily applied to a flat cable whose base material is hard, and by connecting the elastic connecting terminals appropriately with a connecting wire with excellent flexibility of connection, even if it is a flat cable, the connection between rectangular conductors is possible. Change of
Arbitrary circuit formation is possible. Further, since the housing is provided with the upper lid, the flat cable inside and its exposed conductor are surely protected.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of a connecting connector according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a connection connector according to the present invention with an upper lid opened. Further, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which the flat cable is introduced into the housing that constitutes the connection connector according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the elastic connection terminal shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, a connecting connector 1 according to the present invention has an upper lid 3B whose one surface is openable / closable, a base portion 3A facing the upper lid 3B, and a standing member extending from both sides of the base portion 3A in the direction of the upper lid 3B. It is composed of a hollow rectangular tubular housing 3 composed of inner plates 3F, 3F.

One side of the upper lid 3B is one inner plate 3F.
(Inside plate shown on the back side in the figure) Upper end and hinge 3E
Is integrally and foldably connected through the upper lid 3
On the other side surface of B (the side surface shown on the upper side in the drawing),
An outer plate 3D is continuously provided in a direction perpendicular to the upper lid 3B in the direction of the base 3A. On the outer surface of the other inner plate 3F (the inner plate shown on the front side in the figure), four protrusions 3G protruding outward are provided, and on the outer surface of the outer plate 3D of the upper lid 3B. Has four locking holes 3H. The upper hole 3B of the locking hole 3H is closed, and the outer plate 3D of the upper plate 3B is the other inner plate 3F (inner plate shown on the front side in the figure).
It is configured to engage with the protrusion 3G when it is overlaid.

Further, the base portion 3A and the upper lid 3B are integrally provided with a bellows portion 3C which is extendable and bendable in a substantially central portion of the housing 3. That is, the housing 3 formed in a hollow rectangular tube shape by closing the upper lid 3B can bend the bellows portion 3C and set the angle in any direction.

The housing 3 is formed with a hollow rectangular tube shape by closing the upper lid 3B and has flat cables 2 to be described later at both ends.
The introduction opening 4 of Furthermore, one inner side plate 3F
A holder for a flat cable 2 to be described later is provided near the introduction opening 4 of each of the inner plate shown on the far side in the drawing and the other inner plate 3F (the inner plate shown on the front side in the drawing). A locking hole 7 and a locking groove 8 into which the protruding portion 11A of 11 is inserted are provided respectively. The locking groove 8 includes a vertical groove 8A into which the protrusion 11A can be inserted, and a lateral groove 8 that is bent at a right angle from the lower end of the vertical groove 8A and extends in the introduction opening 4 direction.
It is configured by connecting with B.

The locking hole 7 and the locking groove 8 have substantially the same function, but one is formed in a hole shape to prevent the careless removal of the protrusion 11A, and the other is of the holder 11. It is provided in the shape of an open groove for facilitating the insertion. The plate 3J is provided on the base portion 3A near the introduction opening 4 from the locking hole 7 and the lateral groove 8B.
Is erected. Further, a plate 3K is erected inside the upper lid 3B at a position corresponding to the plate 3J. When the upper lid 3B is closed, the plate 3J and the plate 3K form a flat cable 2 introduced later. To pinch. As shown in FIG. 2, a plate 3L is erected inside the upper lid 3B. This plate 3L
When the upper lid 3B is closed, the upper lid 3B is fitted with the step 11C of the holder 11 of the flat cable 2 which will be described later, and the holder 1
Regulate the movement of 1. In addition, a plate 3M is further erected inside the upper lid 3B. This plate 3M is
Flat cable 2 which will be described later when the upper lid 3B is closed
The tip portion 11B of the holder 11 is brought into contact with and pressed by the tip portion 11B.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of elastic connection terminals 6 are attached to the base portions 3A on both sides of the bellows portion 3C of the housing 3, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the elastic connection terminal 6 is made of a conductive material and integrally includes a crimp spring portion 6A and a pressure contact blade portion 6B. The crimping spring portion 6A elastically connects with the exposed conductor 2A of the flat cable 2 described later introduced from the introduction opening 4. On the other hand, the pressure contact blade portion 6
To B, one end of the connecting electric wire 10 which is flexible and has a length that can be extended following the deformation of the bellows portion 3C is press-fitted and connected. As shown in FIG. 1, the other end of the connecting electric wire 10 is connected to the other elastic connecting terminal 6 that is arranged opposite to each other with the bellows portion 3C interposed therebetween. As a result,
The elastic connection terminals 6 arranged to face each other with the bellows portion 3C interposed therebetween are electrically conducted.

Here, both ends of the connecting electric wire 10 can be connected to elastic connecting terminals of any form.
That is, in the above-described configuration, the elastic connection terminals 6 on both sides of the housing 3 are configured by applying a so-called pressure contact terminal for press-fitting and connecting the connection wire 10 to the pressure contact blade portion 6B. It is also possible to use a so-called crimp terminal for caulking connection or a combination of these terminals. Further, the connecting electric wire 10 can easily change the already connected combination. That is, by connecting the connecting wire 10 to the plurality of elastic connecting terminals 6 on the opposite side or connecting the elastic connecting terminals 6 at different positions on the opposite side, conduction between the elastic connecting terminals can be facilitated. It can be set or changed to form a desired circuit. On the base portion 3A of the elastic connecting terminal 6 which is close to the bellows portion 3C, an aligning plate 5 having a plurality of position regulating vertical grooves 5A for holding the connecting electric wire 10 is provided in a protruding manner.

Next, the flat cable and its holder will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the flat cable and the holder introduced on both sides of the housing are provided in the same manner, only one of them is shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the flat cable 2 is provided in a state where the cable tip portion is bent in a U shape in advance, and the conductor 2A is exposed at the cable tip portion.

The flat cable holder 11 is provided with a tip portion 11B formed in a comb tooth-like shape at the tip thereof. When the holder 11 supports the flat cable 2, the exposed conductor 2A of the flat cable 2 is wound around the surface of the tip portion 11B. As a result, the conductor 2A of the flat cable 2 is lined with a solid support, and elastic compression with the elastic connection terminal 6 is possible. Further, projecting portions 11A are provided at both ends of the holder 11, and a step 11C is provided so as to extend in the width direction at the position on the upper surface of the holder 11 in the longitudinal direction, that is, the position toward the tip portion 11B.

Next, the assembly of the connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The assembly order and the like shown below are examples, and the present invention is not limited to this order and the like. As a first step, the elastic connection terminals are assembled to the housing, and the elastic connection terminals are electrically connected by a flexible connecting wire. First,
With the upper lid 3B of the housing 3 opened in FIG.
A predetermined number of elastic connection terminals 6 are provided so that the crimp springs 6A are on the side of the introduction opening 4 of the base 3A.
Attached to. For this mounting, as shown in FIG. 3, the engaging piece 6D hanging from the lower end of the elastic connecting terminal 6 is fitted into the engaging hole 3T of the base portion 3A, and the front surface of the press contact blade portion 6B of the elastic connecting terminal 6 is attached. , The stopper 3 projecting from the base portion 3A
The both ends of the board 6C are fitted into the pair of elastic locking claws 3R that also project from the base portion 3A, and are engaged with the first housing 3.

Next, one end of the flexible connecting wire 10 is press-fitted and connected to the press-contact blade portion 6B of each elastically connecting terminal 6 that is engaged and mounted, and each press-fitting connecting wire 10 is connected.
Is inserted into and held in the vertical groove 5A of the aligning plate 5 to regulate the position of each connecting electric wire 10 in an aligned state, and then the other end is similarly passed through the aligning plate 5 on the opposite side to elastically connect the connecting terminals 6. The elastic connecting terminals 6, 6 are electrically connected to each other by being press-fitted and connected to the press contact blade portion 6B.

In this way, when the elastic connecting terminals 6, 6 in the housing 3 are electrically connected to each other, the housing 3
The upper lid 3B is closed and the assembly of the connecting connector 1 is completed. In the thus-assembled connecting connector 1, the housing 3 is rotatable around the bellows portion 3C at an arbitrary angle, and the connecting electric wire 10 incorporated in the housing 3 has flexibility. In addition, since the length is set so that it can be stretched by following the deformation of the bellows portion 3C, it is possible to give the housing 3 a free angle. The assembled connection connector is transported and supplied to the flat cable connection work site.

At the flat cable connecting work site, the flat cables are respectively attached to the elastic connecting terminals by using the connecting connectors in a state where the elastic connecting terminals are electrically connected. The description will be given only for the flat cable on one side. First, the housing 3 in which the upper lid 3B is opened
The protrusions 11A, 11 of the holder 11 holding the flat cable 2 as shown in FIG. 1 in the locking holes 7 and the vertical grooves 8A of the locking grooves 8 provided in the inner plates 3F, 3F on both sides.
A is inserted. At this time, the holder 11 is slightly tilted to insert the projection 11A on the locking hole 7 side into the locking hole 7, and guide the projection 11A on the locking groove 8 side to the vertical groove 8A. It is pushed down. When the protruding portion 11A on the locking groove 8 side reaches the lower end of the vertical groove 8A, the holder 11 is pulled in the direction of the introduction opening 4. Thereby, the protrusion 11
A and 11A are slid toward the introduction opening 4 along the locking hole 7 and the lateral groove 8B. At this time, the conductor 2A of the flat cable 2 wound around the comb-shaped tip portion 11B at the tip of the holder 11 is the crimp spring portion 6A of the elastic connection terminal 6.
Is crimped.

As shown in FIG. 2, at the positions where the protruding portions 11A and 11A abut on the inner walls of the locking hole 7 and the lateral groove 8B,
When the upper lid 3B is closed around the thin hinge 3E, the plate 3K that hangs from the inner surface of the upper lid 3B becomes
The flat cable 2 is pressed so as to be sandwiched between the flat cable 2 and the plate 3J standing upright from A. Further, the plate 3L hanging from the inner surface of the upper lid 3B is provided with the step 11 on the upper surface of the holder 11.
It is fitted to C to restrict the movement of the holder 11 in the direction of the tip 11B. Further, the plate 3M hanging from the inner surface of the upper lid 3B comes into contact with the comb-teeth-shaped tip portion 11B at the tip of the holder 11 from above and pushes it down. Thereby, the crimp connection state between the conductor 2A of the flat cable 2 and the crimp spring portion 6A of the elastic connection terminal 6 is improved, and the electrical conduction state is improved. Then, when the upper lid 3B is closed, the protrusion 3G of the one inner plate 3F becomes the locking hole 3 of the outer plate 3D of the upper lid 3B.
By engaging with H, the upper lid 3B is locked to the base portion 3A.

By the above-mentioned on-site assembly work, the connecting connector 1 is assembled as shown in the perspective view of FIG.
State. In this state, the housing 3 is stretchable and bendable around the bellows portion 3C, and is rotated vertically and horizontally as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and its angle can be set arbitrarily. it can. Further, since the connection of the connecting wires can be easily performed by simply re-pressing the connection, there is an advantage that even when the specifications are changed, the flat cable and the holder are not changed at all, and the operation can be performed easily and quickly at a low cost in the field.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the connecting connector 1 has a pair of flexible locking arms extending downward from the tip of the support shaft 51 on the outer surfaces on both sides of the bellows 3C of the upper lid 3B. 52
The elastic clamp 3N having the above is integrally provided. These wire clamps 3N, 3N are mounted on the vehicle body frame (not shown) when the connecting connector 1 whose angle is set is fixed in the wire harness wiring.
This is especially convenient when the 3N is pushed into the hole provided in the frame to mount and fix it. Then, the angle of the housing 3 is arbitrarily adjusted by the setting positions of the two holes provided in the body frame.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where one connecting connector according to the present invention is used on the wiring path has been explained, but a plurality of connecting connectors may be applied on the wiring path so that a flat shape is achieved in a complicated path. It goes without saying that cable installation is easy. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the field of wire harnesses for automobiles has been mainly described, but the field of application of the present invention is not limited to this, and is equally applicable to all devices using a flexible printed circuit body such as a flat cable and industrial fields. Of course, even if it is applied, the effect is remarkable.

[0027]

As described above, in the connecting connector according to the present invention, two flat cables are elastically connected to the elastic connecting terminals arranged in the housing which is expandable and rotatable about the bellows. Since the elastic connecting terminals of the housing are arbitrarily connected and connected by the flexible connecting wire, the angle of the housing can be freely set and the bending freedom is obtained. As a result, the wiring freedom can be improved. An excellent and versatile connection connector can be realized. As a result, for example, it can be easily applied to a power flat cable whose base material is hard. In addition, even with parallel flat cables, it is possible to change the connection and form an arbitrary circuit inside the connector by appropriately connecting the connecting wires with excellent connection flexibility, and the range of use is extremely high. It has the effect of being enlarged. In addition, since the housing is provided with the upper lid, it is possible to achieve the effect that the flat cable inside and the exposed conductor thereof can be effectively protected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a connection connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a flat cable connection state of the connection connector of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the elastic connection terminal of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a use state of the connection connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another use state of the connection connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing still another usage state of the connection connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional protector.

FIG. 8 is a configuration perspective view of a conventional connecting connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Connection Connector 2 Flat Cable 3 Housing 3C Bellows 4 Introduction Opening 5 Alignment Plate 6 Elastic Connection Terminal 10 Connection Wire

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A flat cable introduction opening is provided at both ends of a hollow rectangular tube whose one side is an openable and closable upper lid, and a bellows section which is formed so as to be expandable and curlable is integrally formed at substantially the center of the hollow rectangular tube. A housing connected continuously to the housing, elastic connecting terminals disposed inside the housing on both sides of the bellows, and elastically connected to the exposed conductors of the flat cables respectively introduced from the introduction openings, And a connecting electric wire for connecting the connecting terminals to each other. 2. The connection connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic connection terminal is formed by integrally connecting pressure contact blade portions into which the connection wires are press-fitted and connected. 3. An alignment plate for holding and controlling the position of the connecting electric wire connected to the elastic connecting terminal is projectingly provided inside the housing between the elastic connecting terminal and the bellows portion. The connection connector according to claim 1. 4. The connecting connector according to claim 1, wherein the connecting wire is provided so as to be able to extend following the deformation of the bellows portion.