JPH1174006A - Electric connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric connector which is equipped with multiple functions and can secure sufficient bonding strength. SOLUTION: An electric connector is composed of a contact housing 10 furnished with a groove 11 to accommodate an electric cable 40 and with a through hole 15 crossing the groove, a connector housing 20 furnished with a groove 21 to accommodate an electric cable 50 and with a through hole 24 crossing the groove 21, and a contact 30 whose one end is inserted into the hole 15 and connected with the cable 40 and the other end part 32 protrudes from the housing 10. When the housing 10 is laid on the connector housing 20 and the other end part 32 of the contact 30 is inserted into the hole 24, the cables 40 and 50 are connected together through the contact 30, and coupling of the two housings 10 and 20 is generated. Thus the two housings 10 and 20 can be used in common, which permits lessening of the number of components and reduction of the manufacturing costs.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrical connector for connecting electrical circuits, and more particularly to a multifunctional electrical connector capable of not only connecting electrical circuits but also collecting and distributing them.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are various methods for connecting electric circuits. For example, the following is an example of an electric connection method for an automobile. FIG. 8 shows male and female connector members 1 attached to electric cables 101 and 102 such as wire harnesses.
3 shows a connection connector 100 composed of 03 and 104. This connector 100 is, as shown in FIG.
Each electric wire of the electric cable 101 can be connected to a corresponding electric wire of the other electric cable 102.

FIG. 9 shows three splices 203 crimped so that the ends of the electric wires 202 are respectively connected to the stripped portions of the three electric wires 201. As shown in FIG. 12B, these splices 203 have a connection form in which the electric wire 202 serving as a branch line branches off from the electric wire 201 of the main cable, so that the same circuit can be distributed as needed. .

FIG. 10 shows a female connector member 3 attached to the ends of electric cables 301 and 302 each comprising three electric wires.
04, and a male connector member 305 attached to the ends of two electric cables 303.
0 is shown. This connector 300 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, when assembling wiring and wire harness
For electric cables 301 to 303 having different numbers of electric wires,
The same circuit can be aggregated and distributed to the other party.

[0005] Fig. 11 shows a male box-shaped connector member 406 attached to the ends of four electric cables 401.
A joint box 400 in which a female connector member 407 is attached to the ends of electric cables 402 to 405 each having three electric wires is shown. This joint box 40
0, as shown in FIG. 12 (d), can be aggregated and distributed similarly to the joint connector for each connection destination.

[0006]

As mentioned above, each electrical connection technique requires a different type of electrical connector. In other words, since the conventional electrical connector lacked multifunctionality, a different type of electrical connector was required for each connection mode, and branch wires could be freely added unless a spare connection portion was provided except for splices. Can not. Even in splices, you can add branch lines,
Work to partially remove the coating of the cable is required, and the work is not only time-consuming but also almost impossible to disconnect or change the connection position. Therefore, in the case of a wire harness of an automobile adopting the conventional connection method, there has been a problem that the number of parts increases and the manufacturing cost increases.

On the other hand, for example, the press-contact blades are protruded from both sides of the same connector housing to connect an electric cable with the connector housing interposed therebetween. It is conceivable to have However, even with such a connector structure, it is difficult to securely hold the electric cable in the connector housing, and it is necessary to secure sufficient coupling strength even if the cover for holding the cable is fixed to the connector housing. Is not easy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to provide an electric connector capable of ensuring a multifunctional and sufficient coupling strength.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an electric connector according to the present invention has a groove for accommodating a first electric cable and a through hole intersecting the groove. A first connector housing, a second connector housing having a groove for accommodating the second electric cable and a through hole intersecting the groove, and a first connector housing inserted into the first connector housing through hole. A contact member having one end connected to the electric cable and the other end protruding from the first connector housing, wherein the first connector housing is overlapped with the second contact housing and the other contact member is provided. When the end is inserted into the through hole of the second connector housing,
The first and second electric cables are connected via the contact member, and the first and second connector housings are connected.

[0010] In such a configuration, the contact member connects the connector housing, thereby enabling a simple branch connection, and increasing the connection strength as compared with the case of simply connecting the connector housing, thereby improving reliability. High reliable connection is possible. The electric connector according to the second aspect of the present invention is the electric connector, wherein the first and second electric cables are each an electric wire coated with an insulating material, and the contact member penetrates the electric cable coating and contacts the electric wire. The coating can be torn by the pressing blade, so that even if the electric cable is an electric wire each coated with an insulating material,
And a second electrical cable can be connected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, one end of the contact member is connected to one electric wire of the first electric cable, and the other end of the contact member is connected to the second electric cable. It is characterized in that it is branched so as to be connected to a plurality of electric wires of a cable. By connecting one electric wire of a first electric cable to a plurality of electric wires of a second electric cable, it is also possible to form a splice. Can be used.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electrical connector, one end of the contact member branches so as to be connected to a plurality of electric wires of the first electric cable, and the other end of the contact member has a second end. A plurality of electric wires of the first electric cable are connected to one electric wire of the second electric cable, so that a joint connector is provided. Can also be used.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical connector comprising: a third connector housing having a groove for accommodating a third electrical cable and a through hole intersecting the groove; and a third connector housing. And a multi-stage connection contact member having one end connected to the third electric cable and inserted into the through hole of the second connector and having the other end protruding from the third connector housing. The other end of the contact member is inserted into the through-hole of the second connector housing so as to overlap the second contact housing, and the third connector housing is overlapped with the first contact housing so as to overlap the multi-stage connection. When the other end of the contact member is inserted into the through hole of the first connector housing, the contact member and the multi-stage connection The first through the contact member, a second
And a third electric cable are connected, and the first, second, and third connector housings are connected in multiple stages.

In such a configuration, the first, second, and third connector housings are connected in multiple stages, so that a connection having a distribution function equivalent to that of a conventional joint box can be easily realized as necessary. can do.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show an electric connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 to 3, reference numeral 10 denotes a first connector housing that supports the first electric cable 40. First connector housing 1
In 0, parallel grooves 11 for accommodating a plurality of electric wires 41 of the first electric cable 40 are provided at a predetermined depth from the surface of the first connector housing 10 by the number of the electric wires 41. The cross-sectional shape of these grooves 11 is a circular portion 12 for accommodating the electric wires 41 of the first electric cable 40.
And a recessed portion 13 for preventing the electric wire 41 of the first electric cable 40 from falling off.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a second connector housing for supporting the second electric cable 50. The second connector housing 20 has a plurality of electric wires 51 of the second electric cable.
Are provided in a predetermined depth from the surface of the second connector housing 20 by the number of the electric wires 51. The cross-sectional shape of the groove 21 is the same as that of the groove 11, and includes a circular portion 22 for accommodating the electric wire 51 of the second electric cable 50 and the electric wire 5 of the second electric cable 50.
And a recessed portion 23 for preventing the falling off of the first portion.

Further, the first connector housing 10 is provided with a contact member 30 for making the electric wire 41 of the first electric cable 40 and the electric wire 51 of the second electric cable 50 conductive. This contact member 30
When the first connector housing 10 and the one end 31 inserted into the through hole 15 formed in the first connector housing 10 are superimposed on the second connector housing 20 as shown in FIG. The other end 32 inserted into the through hole 24 formed in the second connector housing 20
And The through holes 15 and 24 are provided in the respective grooves 11 and 21 to cope with a change in the position of the contact member 30.
Are provided at equal intervals along the
A plurality of rows of contact member insertion portions are formed. The through hole 15 intersects the groove 11 at an angle of 90 degrees, and the through hole 24
They cross at an angle of degrees.

The electric wire 41 of the first electric cable 40 and the second
The electric wires 51 of the electric cable 50 are covered with an insulating material.
Pressing blades 31, 32 are provided which can rip and penetrate one of the coatings 42, 52. As shown in FIG. 3, the press contact blade 31 is provided in the circular portion 12 of the groove 11 provided in the first electric cable support 10, and the press contact blade 32 is provided in the second connector housing 20. The electric wire 41 of the first electric cable 40 and the second electric cable are protruded from the circular portion 22 of the groove 21, and the pressure contact blade portions 31 and 32 come into contact with the core portions 41 a and 51 a of the electric wires 41 and 51. The 50 electric wires 51 are brought into conduction through the contact members 30. FIG. 3 shows a diagram when the electric wire 41 of the first electric cable 40 and the electric wire 51 of the second electric cable 50 are in a conductive state.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a first cover.
Is attached to the first connector housing 10 by the first cover stopper 6.
1 and covers the upper surface side of the first connector housing 10. The first cover 60 protects a contact portion between the contact member 30 and the electric wire 41, and also has a recessed portion 1 for dropping the electric wire 41 of the first electric cable 40.
Prevent with 3 Reference numeral 70 denotes a second cover. The second cover 70 is fixed to the second connector housing 20 by a second cover system stopper 71, and the second connector housing 2
0 covers the lower surface side. Like the first cover 60, the second cover 70 protects the contact portion between the contact member 30 and the electric wire 51, and the second electric cable 50
Of the electric wire 51 together with the recessed portion 23 is prevented.

The first connector housing 10, the contact member 30, the first electric cable 40, and the first cover 60 are, for example, a first electric cable 40 serving as a branch line.
Of the second connector housing 2
The first cover 70 and the second cover 70 are attached to a part of the second electric cable 50 serving as a main line, and constitute the coupling unit 2 that is detachably coupled to the terminal unit 1. The first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 can be closed in a state where the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 are overlapped with each other by a system stopper piece 14 formed in the first connector housing 10.

In this embodiment, the contact member 30 has a shape in which the electric wire 41 of the first electric cable 40 and the electric wire 51 of the second electric cable 50 are connected one to one.
At least one groove 11 in the first connector housing 10
One, for example, two as shown in FIG. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, a contact member 60 for connecting each electric wire 41 of the first electric cable 40 and two electric wires 51 of the second electric cable 50 is provided, or as shown in FIG. Or a contact member 70 for connecting the plurality of electric wires 41 of the electric cable 40 to each electric wire 51 of the second electric cable 50. For details of these contact members 60 and 70, see contact member 30.
The same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

In the electrical connector according to the first embodiment thus configured, the contact member 30
Is used, a one-to-one connection connector and a contact member 6 are used.
By using 0 and 70, the same electrical connection as a splice or joint connector is possible, and the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 can be shared for connectors having these functions. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of functions and the number of components. Furthermore, it is possible to flexibly cope with a change in the connection form, addition of a branch line, and the like.

Further, since the plurality of contact members 30 also have a function of connecting the connector housings 10 and 20, the connection strength can be increased as compared with the case where the connector housings 10 and 20 are simply connected, while enabling a simple branch connection. As a result, a reliable and reliable connection can be achieved. FIG. 7 is a view showing an electric connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

This electric connector has the same structure as that of the first embodiment, and further includes a wire 8 of a third electric cable.
1 in the first connector housing 10 of the first embodiment.
And the through hole 15 of the third connector housing 10A.
End 9 which is inserted into the first cable and connected to the third electric cable
And a multi-stage connection contact member 90 having the other end 92 projecting from the first and third connector housings 10A.

Further, the first connector housing 10 is placed on the second contact housing 20 and the other end of the contact member 30 is inserted into the through hole 24 of the second connector housing 20, and the third connector housing 10A is removed. First
When the other end 92 of the contact member 90 for multi-stage connection is inserted into the through-hole 15 of the first connector housing 10 so as to overlap with the connector housing 10 of FIG.
And a first through a contact member 90 for multi-stage connection.
The electric wires 41, 51, 81 of the second and third electric cables 40, 50, 80 are connected to each other, and the first,
Second and third connector housings 10, 10A, 2
0s are combined in multiple stages.

The electrical connector according to the second embodiment having the above-described structure can be easily connected similarly to the joint box. Further, since the contact member 30 has a function of connecting the connector housings 10 and 20,
The connector housing 1 enables easy branch connection.
By increasing the coupling strength as compared with a configuration in which 0 and 20 are simply coupled, a highly reliable and reliable connection can be achieved.

[0027]

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a multifunctional electrical connector capable of performing the same electrical connection as a connection connector, a splice, a joint connector, a joint box, and the like with common components. As a result, the types of components can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, since the contact member has a function of connecting the connector housings to each other, it is possible to increase the strength of the connection as compared with the case where the connector housings are simply connected, while enabling a simple branch connection. High reliable connection can be made.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a connector coupling method according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a peripheral configuration according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a contact member according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing a modification of the contact member according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 3 and 5, showing a further modification of the contact member according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing an electrical connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional splice.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional joint connector.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional joint box.

FIG. 12 is a circuit configuration diagram of a conventional connector, splice, joint connector, and joint box shown in FIGS.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 1st connector housing 20 2nd connector housing 30 Contact member 40 1st electric cable 41 Electric wire 50 2nd electric cable 51 Electric wire

Claims (5)

[Claims] A first connector housing having a groove for accommodating a first electric cable and a through hole intersecting the groove; a groove for accommodating a second electric cable and intersecting the groove; A second connector housing having a through-hole formed therein; one end inserted into the through-hole of the first connector housing and connected to the first electric cable; and the other end protruding from the first connector housing. And a contact member, wherein the first connector housing is overlapped with a second contact housing, and the other end of the contact member is connected to the second contact housing.
The first and second connector cables are connected via the contact member when the connector is inserted into the through hole of the connector housing, and the first and second connector housings are connected to each other. . 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electric cables are electric wires coated with an insulating material, and the contact member has a press-contact blade portion that penetrates the electric cable and contacts the electric wires. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A branch so that one end of the contact member is connected to one electric wire of the first electric cable, and the other end of the contact member is connected to plural electric wires of the second electric cable. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: 4. One end of the contact member is branched so as to be connected to a plurality of electric wires of a first electric cable, and the other end of the contact member is connected to one electric wire of a second electric cable. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein a groove for accommodating the third electric cable and a through-hole intersecting the groove are formed in the third connector housing. A multi-stage connection contact member having one end inserted into the through-hole and connected to the third electric cable and the other end protruding from the third connector housing; and The other end of the contact member is placed on the second
And the third connector housing was overlapped with the first contact housing, and the other end of the multi-stage connection contact member was inserted into the through hole of the first connector housing. At this time, the first, second and third electric cables are connected via the contact member and the contact member for multi-stage connection, and the first, second and third connector housings are connected in multi-stage. Electrical connector characterized by the above.