WO2009132332A1

WO2009132332A1 - Electric connector

Info

Publication number: WO2009132332A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/041774
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hisato Takase; Tokiharu Kakimoto
Original assignee: Molex Incorporated
Priority date: 2008-04-25
Filing date: 2009-04-27
Publication date: 2009-10-29
Also published as: JP2009266609A

Abstract

An electric connector comprises a conductive terminal and a housing. The conductive terminal is provided with a terminal body portion, a soldering portion, to which an end portion of an electric wire is soldered, and a connection portion connected to a counterpart terminal. The housing is provided with a terminal receipt-hole, in which at least a portion of the terminal body portion is received, and a soldering portion accommodation-groove, in which at least a portion of the soldering portion is accommodated. The soldering portion accommodation-groove is provided with inner side walls, that extend along lateral ends of a soldering surface of the soldering portion, and a concave portion, which is formed in the inner side walls so that a portion of solder that is used for soldering of the end portion of the electric wire is able to come into the concave portion.

Description

ELECTRIC CONNECTOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an electric connector, and, more particularly, to an electric connector having an adequate force to prevent the movement of the terminals attached thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Electric connectors have been used for connecting an electric cable to another electric cable. A typical electric connector is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-086028. In the conventional electric connector, an end portion of a core wire of each electric wire of the electric cable is connected to a terminating end of an associated terminal, typically by soldering. Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a terminating end of a terminal of a conventional electric connector. As shown in Fig. 21, body portion 181 of a conventional electric connector is connected to a terminating end of a conductive cable (not shown), and tightly fitted to a counterpart connector (not shown). Body portion 801 is provided with housing 811, integrally formed of an insulating material, and terminals 851, each being formed of a conductive material and fitted in housing 811. Terminals 851 are arranged to extend in a direction in which the body portion is brought into tight fitting with the counterpart connector, and adjacent terminals are arranged in parallel with one another and fitted in housing 811.

Moreover, terminals 851 are provided with contacting portion 854, which comes into contact with a counterpart terminal of the counterpart connector, and soldering portion 852, to which an end portion of a core wire of the conductive cable is connected by soldering. Soldering portion 852 is received in receipt-concave portion 813, formed in bottom plate portion 812 of housing 811. Moreover, solder pool 856 is formed on an upper surface of soldering portion 852. Furthermore, projection 814 is formed on bottom plate portion 812 of housing 811 so as to support solder pool 856 from a lower side thereof. When the end portion of the core wire of the conductive cable is soldered to soldering portion 852 of terminal 851, the end portion is placed above solder pool 856, and a heater tip of a solder melting heater (not shown) is lowered from the above, so that the end portion of the core wire is heated by the heater tip while being pressed against solder pool 856. With this operation, the end portion of the core wire is soldered to soldering portion 852.

However, in a conventional electric connector, the force required to hold terminals 851, exhibited by housing 811, is not always sufficiently strong. For example, when an operator pulls the conductive cable and a force is applied to terminals 851 in the extending direction thereof, i.e., in an axial direction, terminals 851 may be axially unfavorably moved with respect to housing 811. Further, in the trend of recent years, with the downsizing of electronics, it is preferable to miniaturize electric connectors arranged in the respective electronics. Therefore, when a pitch between adjacent terminals 851 is configured to a size as small as around 1 mm, for example, it is difficult to incorporate any measure or mechanism for strengthening the force, exhibited by housing 811, required to hold terminals 851.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the Present Invention to solve the above-described problems encountered by the conventional electric connector, and to provide an electric connector, in which concave portions are formed in inner side walls of an accommodation-groove of a housing in which a soldering portion of a terminal is received and accommodated, and a portion of solder that connects end portions of electric wires comes into the concave portion so as to perform an anchoring function, so that the holding force by the housing to hold the terminals can be efficiently strengthened with a simple configuration and without increasing the number of assembling process, and the terminals are prevented from being removed from the housing even when the terminals are configured with a very small size, thereby providing higher reliability. For this reason, the electric connector according to one embodiment of the Present Invention includes a conductive terminal provided with a terminal body portion, a soldering portion to which an end portion of an electric wire is soldered, and a connection portion connected to a counterpart terminal; and a housing provided with a terminal receipt-hole in which at least a portion of the terminal body portion is received and a soldering portion accommodation-groove in which at least a portion of the soldering portion is accommodated, wherein the soldering portion accommodation-groove is provided with inner side walls that extend along lateral ends of a soldering surface of the soldering portion and a concave portion which is formed in the inner side walls so that a portion of solder that is used for soldering of the end portion of the electric wire is able to come into the concave portion.

In the electric connector according to another embodiment of the Present Invention, the terminal is provided with a latching convex portion that is formed in a side surface of the terminal body portion and/or the soldering portion and is capable of being squeezed into a side wall of the terminal receipt-hole and/or the soldering portion accommodation-groove.

In the electric connector according to another embodiment of the Present Invention, the terminal is provided with a latching piece that extends from the terminal body portion and is configured to be latched to the housing. In the electric connector according to another embodiment of the Present Invention, the housing is provided with an upper opening that is formed at a position corresponding to the terminal body portion and is communicated with an upper surface of the housing from an upper surface of the terminal receipt-hole and a lower opening that is communicated with a lower surface of the housing from a lower surface of the terminal receipt-hole, and the latching piece has a free end thereof being latched to an end surface of the upper opening or the lower opening.

In the electric connector according to another embodiment of the Present Invention, the connection portion is offset from a central axis of the terminal.

In accordance with the Present Invention, the accommodation-groove of the housing in which the soldering portion of a terminal is accommodated is provided with the inner side walls in which the concave portions are formed. With this configuration, a portion of the solder that connects end portions of electric wires, by soldering, to the above-mentioned soldering portion can enter into and stay at the concave portion, thereby performing an anchoring function. Therefore, the holding force exhibited by the housing to hold the terminals can be efficiently strengthened with a simple construction and without increasing the number of assembling processes. Accordingly, the terminals are prevented from being removed from the housing even when the terminals are configured with a very small size, thereby providing higher reliability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the Present Invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following Detailed Description, taken in connection with the accompanying Figures, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

Figs. IA and IB are perspective views of a first connector according to an embodiment of the Present Invention, in which Fig. IA illustrates a state thereof before soldering process is performed and Fig. IB illustrates a state thereof after soldering process is performed;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the connector according to an embodiment of the Present Invention, illustrating a state where a first connector and a second connector are tightly fitted thereto;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a first housing according to an embodiment of the Present Invention;

Figs. 4A and 4B are two planar views of the first housing according to an embodiment of the Present Invention, in which Fig. 4A is a rear view and Fig. 4B is a top plan view;

Fig. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the first housing according to an embodiment of the Present Invention, in which Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows A-A in Fig. 4B and Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows B-B in Fig. 4A;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a first terminal according to an embodiment of the Present Invention;

Figs. 7 A and 7B are two planar views of the first terminal according to an embodiment of the Present Invention, in which Fig. 7A is a top plan view and Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows C-C in Fig. 7A;

Figs. 8 A to 8C are three planar views of the first connector according to an embodiment of the Present Invention, in which Fig. 8 A is a rear view, Fig. 8B is a top plan view, and Fig. 8C is a side view;

Figs. 9 A and 9B are two planar views of the first connector according to an embodiment of the Present Invention, in which Fig. 9A is a front view and Fig. 9B is a bottom plan view;

Figs. 1OA and 1OB are cross-sectional views of the first connector according to an embodiment of the Present Invention, in which Fig. 1OA is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows E-E in Fig. 8C and Fig. 1OB is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows D-D in Fig. 8B; Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the first connector according to an embodiment of the

Present Invention; Figs. 12A and 12B are two planar views of a second housing according to an embodiment of the Present Invention, in which Fig. 12A is a rear view and Fig. 12B is a top plan view;

Figs. 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views of the second housing according to an embodiment of the Present Invention, in which Fig. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows F-F in Fig. 12B and Fig. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows G-G in Fig. 12A;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a second terminal according to an embodiment of the Present Invention;

Figs. 15A and 15B are two planar views of the first terminal according to an embodiment of the Present Invention, in which Fig. 15A is a top plan view and Fig. 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows H-H in Fig. 15 A;

Figs. 16A to 16C are three planar views of the second connector according to an embodiment of the Present Invention, in which Fig. 16A is a rear view, Fig. 16B is a top plan view, and Fig. 16C is a side view; Figs. 17A and 17B are two planar views of the second connector according to an embodiment of the Present Invention, in which Fig. 17A is a top plan view and Fig. 17B is a bottom plan view;

Figs. 18A and 18B are cross-sectional views of the second connector according to an embodiment of the Present Invention, in which Fig. 18A is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows J-J in Fig. 16C and Fig. 18B is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows I-I in Fig. 16B;

Figs. 19A and 19B are perspective views of the second connector according to an embodiment of the Present Invention, in which Fig. 19A illustrates a state thereof before soldering is performed and Fig. 19B illustrates a state thereof after soldering is performed; Fig. 20 is a top plan view of the second connector according to an embodiment of the

Present Invention; and

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a terminating end portion of a terminal of a conventional electric connector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS While the Present Invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the Figures, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments, with the understanding that the disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the Present Invention, and is not intended to limit the Present Invention to that as illustrated. In the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, representations of directions such as up, down, left, right, front, rear and the like, used for explaining the structure and movement of the various elements of the Present Invention, are not absolute, but relative. These representations are appropriate when the elements are in the position shown in the Figures. If the description of the position of the elements changes, however, it is assumed that these representations are to be changed accordingly.

Referring to Fig. 2, first connector 1 is preferably connected to distal ends of electric wires 91 of one electric cable. Further, second connector 101 is connected to distal ends of electric wires 191 of the other electric cable. When first and second connectors 1, 101 are tightly fitted, electric wires 91, 191 are electrically connected. It is to be noted that both electric cables have substantially identical structures, and thus, both electric wires 91 have substantially identical structures. Moreover, although the electric cables are used for transmission of electrical signals in an electronic apparatus, the electric cables may be used for other purposes. Moreover, electric wires 91, 191 are provided with conductive metal cores 92, 192, respectively, and a cover member that covers the surroundings. First connector 1 is preferably provided with first housing 11, integrally formed of an insulating material, tightly fitted to second housing 111 of second connector 101, and first terminal 61 fitted in first housing 11 and to which electric wires 91 are soldered. First housing 11 is provided with first body portion 12 and first fitting portion 21, which extends toward a front side from first body portion 12, and is fitted tightly to second connector 101. Moreover, first latching projection 24a and second latching projection 24b are formed around first fitting portion 21. When first and second latching projections 24a, 24b are collectively described, they will be referred to as latching projection 24.

Second connector 101 is preferably provided with second housing 111, integrally formed of an insulating material, tightly fitted to first housing 11 of first connector 1, and second terminal 161 fitted in second housing 111 and to which second electric wires 191 are soldered. Second housing 111 is provided with second body portion 112 and second fitting portion 121, which extends toward a front side from second body portion 112, and is tightly fitted to first connector 1. Moreover, first latching recess 124a and second latching recess 124b are formed around second fitting portion 121 so as to be engaged with first latching projection 24a and second latching projection 24b, respectively. When first and second latching recesses 124a, 124b are collectively described, they will be referred to as latching recess 124.

Referring to Figs. 3-5, first housing 11 is provided with a plurality of first terminal receipt-holes 13, penetrating through an interior portion thereof. First terminal receipt-holes 13 are arranged at a very small pitch, of around 1 mm, for example, and first terminal 61 is fitted in each of first terminal receipt-holes 13. Although first terminal receipt-holes 13 are flat holes having a rectangular sectional shape that extend in the width direction of first housing 11, in first fitting portion 21, each first terminal receipt-hole 13 is provided with second terminal receipt- grooves 13a formed in upper and lower surfaces thereof, extending in the longitudinal direction of first housing 11. At portions where second terminal receipt- grooves 13a are formed, first terminal receipt-holes 13 have an approximate cross-shaped sectional shape. Moreover, second terminal receipt-grooves 13a are portions to which second terminals 161 are inserted when first and second connectors 1, 101 are tightly fitted, and have an end thereof opened to a front end surface of first housing 11 - that is, a front end surface of the first fitting portion 21, and another end closed inside first fitting portion 21. Furthermore, second terminal receipt-grooves 13a are formed such that its central axis is displaced from the central axis of first terminal receipt-holes 13 in the width direction of first housing 11. That is, second terminal receipt-grooves 13a are offset from the central axis of each of first terminal receipt-holes 13.

First body portion 12 is provided with lance accommodation-opening 17 having a lower end in communication with an upper surface of first terminal receipt-holes 13, and an upper end being opened to an upper surface of first body portion 12. Lance accommodation-opening 17 is preferably a slit-like opening having a rectangular sectional shape that extends in the longitudinal direction of first housing 11, and is provided to each of first terminal receipt-holes 13 in a one-to- one correspondence. Moreover, lance portion 67 of first terminal 61, fitted in a corresponding first terminal receipt-hole 13, is accommodated in each of lance accommodation-openings 17. Furthermore, a rear end surface of each lance accommodation-opening 17 functions as lance latching surface 17a, so that free end 67a of lance portion 67 is latched. First body portion 12 is further provided with lance adjustment opening 18 having an upper end in communication with a lower surface of first terminal receipt-holes 13, and a lower end opened to a lower surface of first body portion 12. Lance adjustment opening 18 is preferably an opening having a rectangular sectional shape and is provided to each of first terminal receipt-holes 13 in a one-to-one correspondence. Moreover, lance adjustment opening 18 is opposed to a portion of a corresponding lance accommodation-opening 17. When an operator inserts a member into lance adjustment opening 18 from a lower surface side of first body portion 12 so that lance portion 67, accommodated in lance accommodation-opening 17 is pressed upward, an inclination angle of lance portion 67 can be adjusted. In the example illustrated in the Figures, although lance accommodation-opening 17 is formed at an upper side of first terminal receipt-hole 13 and lance adjustment opening 18 is formed at a lower side thereof, lance accommodation-opening 17 may be formed at a lower side of first terminal receipt-holes 13 and lance adjustment opening 18 may be formed at an upper side thereof. In other words, either one of the upper opening or the lower opening of first body portion 12 may function as lance accommodation-opening 17 while the other one may function as lance adjustment opening 18.

First housing 11 is provided with electric wire connection portions 14 that extend toward a rear side from a rear end surface of first body portion 12. Moreover, groove-shaped concave portions 14a, that extend in the up-down direction, are formed at both end portions in the width direction of first housing 11 corresponding to interfacing portions of electric wire connection portions 14 with the rear end surface of first body portion 12.

Moreover, each electric wire connection portion 14 is provided with plurality of first terminal tail portion accommodation-grooves 15, having open upper surfaces and extending in the longitudinal direction of first housing 11, so that tail portions 62 of first terminals 61 are accommodated therein. The number and pitch of first terminal tail portion accommodation- grooves 15 are preferably the same as first terminal receipt-holes 13, and each of first terminal tail portion accommodation-grooves 15 is formed so as to be communicated with a rear end of a corresponding first terminal receipt-hole 13.

As illustrated in Fig. 4A, each first terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 15 is provided with flat groove body portion 15a having a rectangular sectional shape and extending in the width direction of first housing 11. As illustrated in Fig. 5B, groove body portion 15a has a width dimension approximately equal to a width dimension of each first terminal receipt-hole 13, and each tail portion 62 is accommodated in groove body portion 15a. Moreover, each first terminal tail portion accommodation-grooves 15 is provided with auxiliary groove 15c, formed on a lower surface thereof, so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of first housing 11. Auxiliary groove 15c has a width dimension smaller than a width dimension of each groove body portion 15a and a width dimension of each tail portion 62. Therefore, each tail portion 62 is not accommodated in auxiliary groove 15c.

When it is desired to use electric wires thicker than electric wires 91, auxiliary groove 15c can allow the use of first housing 11 by providing concave portions to tail portions 62, to which thicker electric wires are soldered, thereby lowering the height of the solder-adhered surface, so that first housing 11 can be used even when a distance from the uppermost portions of the electric wires to the lower surfaces of tail portions 62 is increased.

Moreover, lower side portions of groove body portion 15a, at both sides of auxiliary groove 15c, function as tail bottom support walls 15d, supporting both ends in the width direction of tail portion 62 from the lower side. Furthermore, upper portions of first terminal tail portion accommodation-grooves 15, at both ends in the width direction of the groove body portion 15a, function as tail top support walls 15b, extending toward the central axis of first terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 15 to be opposed to tail bottom support walls 15d, thereby supporting both ends in the width direction of tail portion 62 from the upper side. Tail top support walls 15b extend in the longitudinal direction of first housing 11, and, in a state where first terminals 61 are fitted in first housing 11, tail top support walls 15b function as inner side walls, extending along lateral ends of upper surface 62a. Moreover, each tail top support wall 15b is provided with anchor concave portion 15e at an intermediate portion thereof, so that solder can enter into and stay at the concave portion. As can be understood from Fig. 5A, anchor concave portion 15e penetrates tail top support wall 15b in the up-down direction and is configured as a rectangular groove opened toward the central axis of first terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 15, illustrated in Fig. 4B. When metal cores 92 of electric wires 91 are connected to upper surfaces 62a, accommodated in first terminal tail portion accommodation- grooves 15 by soldering, a portion of solder may enter into anchor concave portion 15e, and forms a convex portion functioning as an anchor to first housing 11. For this reason, as illustrated in Fig. 4B, from the viewpoint of improving the anchoring function, it is desirable that the side surfaces of anchor concave portion 15e are at a right or acute angle to the side surfaces of tail top support wall 15b, that extend in the longitudinal direction of first housing 11.

Figs. 6-7 illustrate the structure of first terminal 61. Preferably, first terminal 61 is a conductive plate-like member formed by punching and bending a metal plate and has an approximately tuning fork- like or fork- like shape, as illustrated. Moreover, first terminal 61 is provided with body portion 63 having an approximately rectangular shape, two arm portions 64 extending toward a front side from a front end of body portion 63, tail portion 62 as an approximately rectangular soldering portion that extends toward a rear side from a rear end of body portion 63, and lance portion 67 as a latching piece that extends obliquely upward toward a rear side from a midway of body portion 63. Body portion 63 has at least a portion received in first terminal receipt-hole 13. Moreover, tail portion 62 has at least a portion accommodated in first terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 15, and metal core 92 is soldered to upper surface 62a as a soldering surface.

Arm portions 64 are preferably connected to second terminal 161, and include first arm portion 64a, second arm portion 64b, first contacting portion 65a formed in the vicinity of a distal end of first arm portion 64a so as to be projected toward second arm portion 64b, and second contacting portion 65b formed in the vicinity of a distal end of second arm portion 64b so as to be projected toward first arm portion 64a. First and second contacting portions 65a, 65b face each other so that when first and second connectors 1, 101 are tightly fitted, arm portion 164 enters between first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b. Moreover, first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b make contact with both side surfaces of arm portion 164.

When arm portion 164 enters between first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b, first arm portion 64a is generally kept unmoved without displacement, but second arm portion 64b is elastically displaced. When second contacting portion 65b is primarily elastically displaced, a gap between first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b is increased, whereby arm portion 164 can be inserted between first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b. In addition, since second contacting portion 65b is pressed toward first contacting portion 65a by a spring force generated by the elastic deformation of second arm portion 64b, first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b are pressed against both side surfaces of arm portion 164. With this arrangement, it is possible to maintain secure contact between first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b and both side surfaces of arm portion 164. Moreover, first and second arm portions 64a, 64b and first and second contacting portion 65a, 65b are asymmetrical about the central axis of first terminal 61. In the example illustrated, a distance from first arm portion 64a and first contacting portion 65a to the central axis is greater than the distance from second arm portion 64b and second contacting portion 65b to the central axis. Thus, first arm portion 64a and first contacting portion 65a, and second arm portion 64b and second contacting portion 65b, are offset from the central axis of first terminal 61.

Lance portion 67 is preferably formed by punching and bending a portion of body portion 63. Thus, punctured opening 68 is formed in body portion 63. Punctured opening 68 preferably has a shape approximately identical to a flat surface shape of lance portion 67. Moreover, lance portion 67 has a front end connected to body portion 63 via bent portion 67b and a rear end forming free end 67a. Furthermore, lance portion 67 is generally disposed on an upper side of body portion 63 and is obliquely inclined upward toward a rear side. In addition, a front-to-rear length of lance portion 67 has a dimension such that the whole of lance portion 67 is received in lance accommodation-opening 17 when first terminal 61 is completely fitted in first terminal receipt-hole 13, and free end 67a is latched to lance latching surface 17a. For this reason, first terminal 61 is prevented from moving toward a rear side of first housing 11; that is, first terminal 61 is prevented from being rearwardly removed from first housing 11.

In the side surfaces of tail portion 62 and/or body portion 63, first anchor portion 66a, second anchor portion 66b, and third anchor portion 66c are formed at predetermined intervals, biting into a side wall of first terminal receipt-hole 13 and/or first terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 15. When first, second and third anchor portions 66a, 66b, 66c are collectively described, they will be referred to as anchor portion 66. When first terminal 61 is press-fit into first terminal receipt-hole 13, anchor portion 66 is squeezed into a side wall of first terminal receipt-hole 13 and a portion of a side wall of first tail portion accommodation-groove 15 corresponding to groove body portion 15a so that first terminal 61 is latched to first housing 11. For this reason, first terminal 61 is prevented from moving in the front-rear direction of first housing 11; that is, first terminal 61 is prevented from being removed from first housing 11.

Moreover, first terminal 61 is press-fit into first terminal receipt-hole 13 from a rear side of first housing 11. In order to facilitate the press-fitting, the front end of anchor portion 66 is preferably inclined toward a rear side with respect to side surfaces of tail portion 62 and body portion 63, as best shown in Fig. 7A. Moreover, the rear end of anchor portion 66 is preferably perpendicular or inclined toward a rear side with respect to side walls of tail portion 62 and body portion 63, as best shown in Fig. 7 A, in order to improve the anchoring function and prevent first terminal 61 from coming out to the rear side.

In the example illustrated in the Figures, it is preferable that at least one anchor portion at one side is formed at a position slightly rearer than punctured opening 68. This is because the portion of body portion 63, where punctured opening 68 is present, is hollow and has a low rigidity. Therefore, when first terminal 61 is press-fit into first terminal receipt-hole 13, the biting force of anchor portion 66 into the side wall of first terminal receipt-hole 13 is weaker than other portions. On the other hand, the portion of body portion 63 rearer anchor portion 66b is formed is nearly solid and has a high rigidity. Therefore, the anchoring function of rearer anchor portion 66b in first terminal receipt-hole 13 is stronger than other anchor portions 66.

Figs. 8-10 illustrate the structure of first connector 1 in a state where first terminal 61 is fitted therein. Preferably, first terminal 61 is fitted by being press-fit into first terminal receipt- hole 13 from a rear side of first housing 11. Where first terminal 61 is completely fitted in first terminal receipt-hole 13, a rear end surface of first terminal 61 (i.e., , a rear end surface of tail portion 62) is at the same surface as a rear end surface of first housing 11 (i.e., a rear end surface of electric wire connection portion 14). Moreover, as illustrated in Fig. 1OA, anchor portion 66 is squeezed into a side wall of first terminal receipt-hole 13 and a portion of a side wall of first terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 15 corresponding to groove body portion 15a. Furthermore, as illustrated in Fig. 1OB, lance portion 67 is accommodated in lance accommodation-opening 17, and free end 67a is in close contact with lance latching surface 17a. Therefore, in a state where first and second connectors 1, 101 are tightly fitted, or in other states, when a force is applied in such a manner that first terminal 61 is moved in the front-rear direction relative to first housing 11, by the anchoring function of anchor portion 66 that is squeezed into the side wall of first terminal receipt-hole 13 and a portion of the side wall of first terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 15 corresponding to groove body portion 15a and the anchoring function of lance portion 67 having free end 67a being latched to lance latching surface 17a, first terminal 61 is prevented from moving in the front-rear direction relative to first housing 11; i.e., first terminal 61 is prevented from being removed from first housing 11. Moreover, by the anchoring function of the solder having a portion thereof coming into anchor concave portion 15e of first terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 15, first terminal 61 is prevented from being removed from first housing 11.

In addition, depending on an inclination angle of lance portion 67, there may be a case where free end 67a is positioned at a lower side or an upper side than lance latching surface 17a. In such a case, free end 67a is not latched to lance latching surface 17a. Therefore, an operator inserts a member into lance adjustment opening 18 from a lower surface side of first body portion 12 so that lance portion 67 is pressed upward, or the operator inserts the member into lance accommodation-opening 17 from an upper surface side of first body portion 12 so that lance portion 67 is pressed downward. With this operation, the inclination angle of lance portion 67 is adjusted, and thus, the vertical position of free end 67a is adjusted, so that free end 67a can be latched to lance latching surface 17a.

Moreover, second terminal accommodation-groove 13a is formed such that the central axis thereof is displaced in the width direction of first housing 11 from the central axis of first terminal receipt-hole 13. Furthermore, first and second arm portions 64a, 64b and first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b are formed asymmetrical about the central axis of first terminal 61. Therefore, as can be understood from Fig. 1OA, a midpoint between first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b corresponds to second terminal receipt-groove 13a. That is, first arm portion 64a and first contacting portion 65a and second arm portion 64b and second contacting portion 65b are offset from the central axis of first terminal receipt-hole 13 so as to correspond to second terminal receipt-groove 13a that is offset from the central axis of first terminal receipt-hole 13. Therefore, when first and second connector 1, 101 are tightly fitted, arm portion 164 of second terminal 161 is inserted into second terminal receipt-groove 13a and between first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b.

Furthermore, since first arm portion 64a and first contacting portion 65a and second arm portion 64b and second contacting portion 65b are offset from the central axis of first terminal receipt-hole 13, when an external force is applied in the central axis direction to first terminal 61 via arm portion 164, a rotational moment acts on first terminal 61. For this reason, the squeezing force of anchor portion 66 into the side wall of first terminal receipt-hole 13 is strengthened. Thus, first terminal 61 is prevented from being removed from first housing 11. In addition, an outer portion of first arm portion 64a is in close contact with a side wall of first terminal receipt-hole 13, while an outer portion of second arm portion 64b is greatly separated from the side wall of first terminal receipt-hole 13. Thus, when arm portion 164 enters between first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b, first arm portion 64a is generally kept unmoved without displacement, but second arm portion 64b is elastically displaced.

Moreover, as illustrated in Fig. 1OA, both sides of tail portion 62 are in abutting contact with portions of the side walls of first terminal accommodation-groove 15 corresponding to groove body portion 15a. Thus, when metal core 92 is connected to upper surface 62a, any applied solder does not turn into a lower surface side of tail portion 62. Since even a small amount of solder can sufficiently cover the surroundings of metal core 92 and can sufficiently come into anchor concave portion 15e, the soldering of metal core 92 to tail portion 62 can be performed in an assured manner.

Figs. 1 and 11 illustrate the soldering of metal core 92 to tail portion 62. As illustrated in Fig. IA, each electric wire 91 has a cover member removed at a terminating end, so that metal core 92 is exposed. The exposed metal core 92 is placed on upper surface 62a of a corresponding one of first terminals 61, and molten solder is applied thereto. When the molten solder covers the surroundings of metal core 92 and upper surface 62a, and is cooled down and becomes solid, solder bonding portion 93 as shown in Fig. IB is formed.

Solder bonding portion 93 covers the surroundings of metal core 92 and most of upper surface 62a, thereby connecting metal core 92 and tail portion 62. Moreover, as will be understood from Fig. 11, a portion of solder comes into anchor concave portion 15e of first terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 15, thereby forming solder convex portion 93a integrated with solder bonding portion 93, so that an anchoring function can be performed. That is, since solder convex portion 93a, which is bonded to tail portion 62, is latched to anchor concave portion 15e, first terminal 61 is latched to first terminal tail portion accommodation- groove 15, so that first terminal 61 is prevented from being removed from first housing 11. Moreover, since solder boding portion 93 is bonded to metal core 92, metal core 92 is also latched to first terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 15 by solder convex portion 93a. For this reason, even when an external force is applied to electric wire 91 in a direction toward the rear side of first connector 1 by the anchoring function of solder convex portion 93a, metal core 92 is prevented from being removed from first housing 11. Therefore, it is possible to further strengthen the connection of electric wire 91 to first connector 1. Although it has been described for the case where molten solder is applied during soldering, instead of using the molten solder, solder may be preliminarily applied to upper surface 62a and/or the surroundings of metal core 92, and metal core 92 may be placed on upper surface 62a, and thereafter, the solder may be heated and melt. Moreover, the solder may be supplied by any other methods. Specifically, as long as solder bonding portion 93 including solder convex portion 93a can be formed and soldering can be performed to upper surface 62a, the soldering may be performed by any methods.

Figs. 12-13 illustrate the structure of second connector 101. Preferably, second housing 111 is provided with a plurality of lines of second terminal receipt-holes 113, penetrating through an interior portion thereof in the longitudinal direction. Second terminal receipt-holes 113 are arranged at a very small pitch, of around 1 mm, for example (similar to first terminal receipt-holes 13), and second terminal 161 is fitted in each of second terminal receipt-holes 113. Second terminal receipt-holes 113 are flat holes having a rectangular sectional shape that extend in the width direction of second housing 111. Second fitting portion 121, which extends from second body portion 112 toward a front side, is provided with first fitting portion accommodation-portion 121a having a hollow shape, an open bottom surface and an open front surface, but second terminal receipt-holes 113 are not included. Moreover, when first and second connectors 1, 101 are tightly fitted, first fitting portion 21 of first connector 1 is inserted into first fitting portion accommodation- portion 121a, and accommodated therein.

Second body portion 112 is provided with lance accommodation-opening 117 having a lower end thereof being communicated with an upper surface of each second terminal receipt- hole 113 and an upper end thereof being opened to an upper surface of second body portion 112. Lance accommodation-opening 117 is a slit- like opening having a rectangular sectional shape that extends in the longitudinal direction of second housing 111, and is provided to each second terminal receipt-hole 113 in a one-to-one correspondence. Moreover, lance portion 167, fitted in a corresponding second terminal receipt-hole 113, is accommodated in each lance accommodation-opening 117. Furthermore, a rear end surface of each lance accommodation- opening 117 functions as lance latching surface 117a, so that free end 167a is latched. Second body portion 112 is further provided with lance adjustment opening 118 having an upper end communicating with a lower surface of each second terminal receipt-hole 113, and a lower end opened to the lower surface of second body portion 112. Lance adjustment opening 118 has a rectangular sectional shape, and is provided to each second terminal receipt-hole 113 in a one-to-one correspondence. Moreover, each lance adjustment opening 118 is formed at a position where it is opposed to a portion of a corresponding lance accommodation-opening 117. When an operator inserts a member into lance adjustment opening 118 from a lower surface side of second body portion 112 so that lance portion 167 accommodated in lance accommodation- opening 117 is pressed upward, an inclination angle of lance portion 167 can be adjusted.

In the example illustrated in the Figures, although lance accommodation-opening 117 is formed at an upper side of second terminal receipt-hole 113 and lance adjustment opening 118 is formed at a lower side thereof, lance accommodation-opening 117 may be formed at a lower side of second terminal receipt-hole 113 and lance adjustment opening 118 may be formed at an upper side thereof. In other words, either one of the upper opening or the lower opening of second body portion 112 may function as lance accommodation-opening 117 while the other one may function as lance adjustment opening 118. Second housing 111 is provided with electric wire connection portions 114 that extend toward a rear side from a rear end surface of second body portion 112. Moreover, groove-shaped concave portions 114a, which extend in the up-down direction, are formed at both end portions in the width direction of second housing 111 corresponding to interfacing portions of electric wire connection portions 114 with the rear end surface of second body portion 112. Moreover, each electric wire connection portion 114 is provided with a plurality of lines of second terminal tail portion accommodation-grooves 115, having open upper surfaces and extending in the longitudinal direction of second housing 111, so that tail portions 162 are accommodated therein. The number and pitch of second terminal tail portion accommodation- grooves 115 are the same as those of second terminal receipt-holes 113, and each of second terminal tail portion accommodation-grooves 115 is formed so as to be communicated with a rear end of a corresponding one of second terminal receipt-holes 113.

As illustrated in Fig. 12A, each second terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 115 is provided with flat groove body portion 115a having a rectangular sectional shape and extending in the width direction of second housing 111. As illustrated in Fig. 13B, groove body portion 115a has a width dimension approximately equal to a width dimension of each second terminal receipt-hole 113, and each tail portion 162 is accommodated in groove body portion 115a. Moreover, each second terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 115 is provided with auxiliary groove 115c formed on a lower surface thereof so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of second housing 111. Auxiliary groove 115c has a width dimension smaller than a width dimension of each groove body portion 115a and a width dimension of each tail portion 162. Therefore, each tail portion 162 is not accommodated in auxiliary groove 115c.

When it is desired to use electric wires thicker than electric wires 191, auxiliary groove 115c allows the use of second housing 111, by providing concave portions to tail portions 162 to which electric wires are soldered, thereby lowering the height of the solder adhered surface, so that second housing 111 can be used even when a distance from the uppermost portions of the electric wires to the lower surfaces of tail portions 162 is increased.

Moreover, portions on a lower side of groove body portion 115a at both sides of auxiliary groove 115c function as tail bottom support walls 115d that support both ends in the width direction of tail portion 162 from the lower side. Furthermore, upper portions of second terminal tail portion accommodation-grooves 115 at both ends in the width direction of groove body portion 115a function as tail top support walls 115b that extend toward the central axis of second terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 115 to be opposed to tail bottom support walls 115d, thereby supporting both ends in the width direction of tail portion 162 from the upper side.

Tail top support walls 115b extend in the longitudinal direction of second housing 111, and, in a state where second terminals 161 are fitted in second housing 111, tail top support walls 115b function as inner side walls that extend along lateral ends of upper surface 162a.

Moreover, second housing 111 is provided with anchor concave portion 115e at an intermediate portion thereof, so that solder can come into the concave portion. As will be understood from Fig. 13 A, anchor concave portion 115e is formed to penetrate tail top support wall 115b in the up-down direction and configured as a rectangular groove opened toward the central axis of second terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 115, as shown in Fig. 12B. When metal cores 192 are connected to upper surfaces 162a, accommodated in second terminal tail portion accommodation-grooves 115 by soldering, a portion of solder may come into anchor concave portions 115e, so that the solder performs an anchoring function. For this reason, as illustrated in Fig. 12B, from the viewpoint of improving the anchoring function, it is desirable that the side surfaces of anchor concave portion 115e are at right angle or acute angle to the side surfaces of tail top support wall 115b, that extend in the longitudinal direction of second housing 111. Figs. 14-5 illustrate the structure of second terminal 161. Preferably, second terminal 161 is a conductive plate-like member formed by punching and bending a metal plate and has an approximately battledore-like or scoop-like shape as seen in a top view. Moreover, second terminal 161 is provided with body portion 163 having an approximately rectangular shape, one arm portion 164 that extends toward a front side from a front end of body portion 163, tail portion 162 as an approximately rectangular soldering portion that extends toward a rear side from a rear end of the body portion 163, and lance portion 167 that extends obliquely upward toward a rear side from a midway of body portion 163. Body portion 163 has at least a portion thereof being received in second terminal receipt-hole 113. Moreover, tail portion 162 has at least a portion thereof being accommodated in second terminal tail portion accommodation- groove 115, and metal core 192 is soldered to upper surface 162a.

Arm portion 164 is preferably a member that functions as a connection portion connected to first terminal 61. Moreover, when first and second connectors 1, 101 are tightly fitted, arm portion 164 is positioned between first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b, so that first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b are surely kept in contact with both side surfaces of arm portion 164. Furthermore, the vertical dimension, i.e., the thickness of arm portion 164 is preferably configured so as to be larger than the thickness of first and second contacting portion 65a, 65b. With this arrangement, it is possible to maintain secure contact between first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b and both side surfaces of arm portion 164. Moreover, arm portion 164 is formed asymmetrical about the central axis of second terminal 161. That is, arm portion 164 is offset from the central axis of second terminal 161, and the central axis of arm portion 164 is misaligned with respect to the central axis. Moreover, an amount of offset of arm portion 164 from the central axis of second terminal 161 is set to an amount of offset of first arm portion 64a and first contacting portion 65a and second arm portion 64b and second contacting portion 65b from the central axis of first terminal 61.

Lance portion 167 is formed by punching and bending a portion of body portion 163 in a manner similar to lance portion 67. For this reason, punctured opening 168 is formed in body portion 163. Punctured opening 168 has a shape approximately identical to a flat surface shape of lance portion 167. Moreover, lance portion 167 has a front end thereof being connected to body portion 163 via bent portion 167b and a rear end thereof forming free end 167a as a latching end. Furthermore, lance portion 167 is generally disposed on an upper side of body portion 163 and is obliquely inclined upward toward a rear side so that it goes upward as it goes toward a rear side. In addition, a front-to-rear length of lance portion 167 has such a dimension that whole lance portion 167 is received in lance accommodation-opening 117 when second terminal 161 is completely fitted in second terminal receipt-hole 113, and free end 167a is latched to lance latching surface 117a. For this reason, second terminal 161 is prevented from moving toward a rear side of second housing 111; i.e., second terminal 161 is prevented from being rearwardly removed from second housing 111.

In the side surfaces of tail portion 162 and/or body portion 163, first anchor portion 166a, second anchor portion 166b and third anchor portion 166c are formed at predetermined intervals capable of biting into a side wall of second terminal receipt-hole 113 and/or second terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 115. When first, second and third anchor portions 166a, 166b, 166c are collectively described, they will be referred to as anchor portion 166. When second terminal 161 is press-fit into second terminal receipt-hole 113, anchor portion 166 bites into a side wall of second terminal receipt-hole 113 and a portion of a side wall of second tail portion accommodation-groove 115 corresponding to groove body portion 115a, so that second terminal

161 is latched to second housing 111. For this reason, second terminal 161 is prevented from moving in the front-rear direction of second housing 111; i.e., second terminal 161 is prevented from coming off from second housing 111.

Moreover, second terminal 161 is press-fit into second terminal receipt-hole 113 from a rear side of second housing 111. In order to facilitate the press-fitting, the front end of anchor portion 166 is preferably inclined toward a rear side with respect to side surfaces of tail portion

162 and body portion 163, as shown in Fig. 15A. Moreover, the rear end of anchor portion 166 is preferably perpendicular or inclined toward a rear side with respect to side walls of tail portion 162 and body portion 163, as shown in Fig. 15 A, in order to improve the anchoring function and prevent second terminal 161 from coming out to the rear side.

In the example illustrated in the Figures, although anchor portion 166 is formed at a single side, the number and location of anchor portions 166 may be appropriately changed.

However, it is preferable that similar to anchor portion 66 of first terminal 61, at least one anchor portion at one side is formed at a position slightly rearer than punctured opening 168 (e.g., first anchor portion 166a). That is, at least one anchor portion is formed in tail portion 162. Since, for example, the portion of tail portion 162 where first anchor portion 166a is formed is solid and thus has a high rigidity, the anchoring function of second anchor portion 166b in the side wall of second terminal receipt-hole 113 is stronger than other anchor portions 166.

Figs. 16-8 illustrate the structure of second connector 101 in a state where second terminal 161 is fitted therein. Preferably, second terminal 161 is press-fit into second terminal receipt-hole 113 from a rear side of second housing 111. Moreover, in the example illustrated in the Figures, although second terminals 161 are fitted in second terminal receipt-holes 113, second terminals 161 are not necessarily fitted in second terminal receipt-holes 113, but second terminals 161 may not be fitted in several of second terminal receipt-holes 113.

In a state where second terminal 161 is completely fitted in second terminal receipt-hole 113 , a rear end surface of second terminal 161 (L e. , a rear end surface of tail portion 162) is at the same surface as a rear end surface of second housing 111; i.e., that is, a rear end surface of electric wire connection portion 114. Moreover, anchor portions 166 bite into a side wall of second terminal receipt-hole 113 and a portion of a side wall of second terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 115 corresponding to groove body portion 115a. Furthermore, as illustrated in Fig. 18B, lance portion 167 is accommodated in lance accommodation-opening 117, and free end 167a of lance portion 167 is in close contact with lance latching surface 117a.

Therefore, in a state where first and second connectors 1, 101 are tightly fitted, or in other states, when a force is applied in such a manner that second terminal 161 is moved in the front- rear direction relative to second housing 111 by anchor portion 166, which bites into the side wall of second terminal receipt-hole 113 and a portion of the side wall of second terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 115 corresponding to groove body portion 115a and the anchoring function of lance portion 167, having free end 167 a being latched to lance latching surface 117a, second terminal 161 is prevented from moving in the front-rear direction relative to second housing 111; i.e., that is second terminal 161 is prevented from coming off from second housing 111. Moreover, in the present embodiment, by the anchoring function of the solder having a portion thereof coming into anchor concave portion 115e, second terminal 161 is prevented from being removed from second housing 111.

In addition, depending on an inclination angle of lance portion 167, there may be a case where free end 167a is positioned at a lower side or an upper side than lance latching surface 117a. In such a case, free end 167a is not latched to lance latching surface 117a. Therefore, an operator inserts a member into lance adjustment opening 118 from a lower surface side of second body portion 112 so that lance portion 167 is pressed upward, or the operator inserts the member into lance accommodation-opening 117 from an upper surface side of second body portion 112 so that lance portion 167 is pressed downward. With this operation, the inclination angle of lance portion 167 is adjusted, and thus, the vertical position of free end 167a is adjusted, so that free end 167a can be assuredly latched to lance latching surface 117a.

As described above, in first connector 1, second terminal receipt-groove 13a is offset from the central axis of first terminal receipt-hole 13. Moreover, first and second arm portions 64a, 64b and first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b are offset from the central axis of first terminal receipt-hole 13 in a corresponding manner. Therefore, arm portion 164 that is offset from the central axis of second terminal 161 can be inserted into second terminal receipt-groove 13a and between first and second contacting portions 65a, 65b. Moreover, although arm portion 164 of second terminal 161 has a vertical dimension larger than a vertical dimension of arm portion 64, since second terminal receipt-groove 13a is protruded further out in the up-down direction than first terminal receipt- groove 13, arm portion 164 can be received in second terminal receipt-groove 13a.

Furthermore, since arm portion 164 is offset from the central axis of second terminal 161, when an external force is applied in the central axis direction to second terminal 161 via arm portion 64, a moment acts on second terminal 161. For this reason, the biting force of anchor portion 166 into the side wall of second terminal receipt-hole 113 is strengthened. Thus, second terminal 161 is prevented from coming off from second housing 111 in a more assured manner. Moreover, as illustrated in Fig. 18 A, both sides of tail portion 162 are in abutting contact with portions of the side walls of second terminal receipt-groove 115 corresponding to groove body portion 115a. For this reason, when metal core 192 is connected to upper surface 162a by soldering, applied solder does not turn into a lower surface side of tail portion 162. Since even a small amount of solder can sufficiently cover the surroundings of metal core 192 and can sufficiently come into anchor concave portion 115e, the soldering of metal core 192 to tail portion 162 can be achieved. Moreover, the anchoring function can be performed.

Figs. 19-20 illustrate the soldering of metal core 192 to tail portion 162. As illustrated in Fig. 19 A, similar to electric wires 91, each electric wire 191 has a cover member removed at a terminating end thereof, so that metal core 192 is exposed. The exposed metal core 192 at the end portion of each electric wire 191 is placed on upper surface 162a of a corresponding one of second terminals 161, and molten solder is applied thereto. The soldering method is the same as that of first connector 1, and any redundant description thereof will be omitted for the simplicity sake. When the molten solder cools down and becomes solid, solder bonding portion 193 as shown in Fig. 19B is formed. Solder bonding portion 193 covers the surroundings of metal core 192 and most of upper surface 162a, thereby connecting metal core 192 and tail portion 162 with each other. Moreover, as will be understood from Fig. 20, a portion of solder comes into anchor concave portion 115e of second terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 115, thereby forming solder convex portion 193a integrated with solder bonding portion 193, so that an anchoring function can be performed. That is, since solder convex portion 193a is latched to anchor concave portion 115e, second terminal 161 is latched to second terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 115, so that second terminal 161 is prevented from being removed from second housing 111.

Moreover, since solder boding portion 193 is bonded to metal core 192, metal core 192 is also latched to second terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 115 by solder convex portion 193a. For this reason, even when an external force is applied to electric wire 191 in a direction toward the rear side of second connector 101, by the anchoring function of solder convex portion 193a, metal core 192 is prevented from being pulled away from second housing 111. Therefore, it is possible to further strengthen the connection of electric wire 191 to second connector 101. As described above, first connector 1 includes first conductive terminal 61 provided with body portion 63, tail portion 62 to which metal core 92 of electric wire 91 is soldered, and arm portion 64 connected to second terminal 161; and first housing 11 provided with first terminal receipt-hole 13 in which at least a portion of body portion 63 is accommodated and first terminal tail portion accommodation- groove 15 in which at least a portion of tail portion 62 is accommodated, wherein first terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 15 is provided with tail top support walls 15b that extend along lateral ends of upper surface 62a and anchor concave portion 15e which is formed in tail top support walls 15b so that a portion of solder that solders metal core 92 can come into the concave portion.

Moreover, second connector 101 includes second conductive terminal 161 provided with body portion 163, tail portion 162 to which metal core 192 of electric wire 191 is soldered, and arm portion 164 connected to first terminal 61 ; and second housing 111 provided with second terminal receipt-hole 113 in which at least a portion of body portion 163 is accommodated and second terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 115 in which at least a portion of tail portion 162 is accommodated, wherein second terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 115 is provided with tail top support walls 115b that extend along lateral ends of upper surface 162a and anchor concave portion 115e which is formed in tail top support walls 115b so that a portion of solder that solders metal core 192 can come into the concave portion.

With this arrangement, a portion of the solder that connects metal cores 92, 192 can enter into and stay at anchor concave portions 15e, 115e, thereby performing the anchoring function. Therefore, the holding force of first and second housings 11, 111, respectively, holding first and second terminals 61, 161 can be efficiently strengthened with a simple configuration and without increasing the number of assembling processes. Accordingly, first and second terminal 61, 161 are prevented from being removed from first and second housings 11, 111, respectively, even when the terminals are configured with a very small size.

Moreover, first terminal 61 is provided with anchor portion 66 formed in the side surface of body portion 63 or tail portion 62, and is capable of being squeezed into the side surface of first terminal receipt-hole 13 or first terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 15. Moreover, second terminal 161 is provided with anchor portion 166 formed in the side surface of body portion 163 or tail portion 162, and is capable of being squeezed into the side surface of second terminal receipt-hole 113 or second terminal tail portion accommodation-groove 115.

With this arrangement, first and second terminals 61, 161 are latched to first and second housings 11, 111, respectively; therefore, first and second terminals 61, 161 are prevented from being removed from first and second housings 11, 111, respectively. Furthermore, first terminal 61 is provided with lance portion 67 that extends from body portion 63 and is configured to be latched to first housing 11. Moreover, second terminal 161 is provided with lance portion 167 that extends from body portion 163 and is configured to be latched to second housing 111. With this arrangement, lance portions 67, 167 are latched to first and second housings 11, 111, respectively. Therefore, first and second terminals 61, 161 are prevented from being removed from first and second housings 11, 111, respectively.

In addition, first housing 11 is provided with lance accommodation-opening 17, formed at a position corresponding to body portion 63, and communicates with the upper surface of first housing 11 from the upper surface of first terminal receipt-hole 13, lance adjustment opening 18 communicates with the lower surface of first housing 11 from the lower surface of first terminal receipt-hole 13, and lance portion 67 has free end 67a thereof being latched to an end surface of lance accommodation-opening 17. Moreover, second housing 111 is provided with lance accommodation-opening 117 formed at a position corresponding to body portion 163, and communicates with the upper surface of second housing 111 from the upper surface of second terminal receipt-hole 113, lance adjustment opening 118 communicates with the lower surface of second housing 111 from the lower surface of second terminal receipt-hole 113, and lance portion 167 has free end 167a thereof being latched to an end surface of lance accommodation- opening 117. With this arrangement, lance portions 67, 167 can be pressed upward and downward, so that the vertical position of free ends 67a, 167a can be adjusted. Thus, free ends 67a, 167a can be latched to the end surface of lance accommodation-openings 17, 117.

Furthermore, arm portions 64, 164 are offset from the central axis of first and second terminals 61, 161, respectively. With this arrangement, a moment acts on first and second terminals 61, 161. For this reason, the squeezing force of anchor portions 66, 166 into the side walls of first and second terminal receipt-holes 13, 113, respectively, is strengthened, and thus, first and second terminals 61, 161 are prevented from being removed from first and second housings 11, 111, respectively, in a more assured manner.

While a preferred embodiment of the Present Invention is shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the foregoing Description and the appended Claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An electric connector (1, 101), comprising: a conductive terminal (61, 161) provided with a terminal body portion (63, 163), a soldering portion (62, 162) to which an end portion (92, 192) of an electric wire (91, 191) is soldered, and a connection portion (64, 164) connected to a counterpart terminal; and a housing (11, 111) provided with a terminal receipt-hole (13, 113) in which at least a portion of the terminal body portion (63, 163) is received and a soldering portion accommodation-groove (15, 115) in which at least a portion of the soldering portion (62, 162) is accommodated; wherein the soldering portion accommodation-groove (15, 115) is provided with inner side walls (15b, 115b) that extend along lateral ends of a soldering surface (62a, 162a) of the soldering portion (62, 162) and a concave portion (15e, 115e) which is formed in the inner side walls (15b, 115b) so that a portion of solder that is used for soldering of the end portion (92, 192) of the electric wire (91, 191) is able to come into the concave portion (15e, 115e).

2. The electric connector (1, 101) according to Claim 1, wherein the terminal (61, 161) is provided with a latching convex portion (66, 166) that is formed in a side surface of the terminal body portion (63, 163) and/or the soldering portion (62, 162) and is capable of being squeezed into a side wall of the terminal receipt-hole (13, 113) and/or the soldering portion accommodation-groove (15, 115).

3. The electric connector (1, 101) according to Claim 2, wherein the terminal (61,

161) is provided with a latching piece (67, 167) that extends from the terminal body portion (63, 163) and is configured to be latched to the housing (11, 111).

4. The electric connector (1, 101) according to Claim 3: wherein the housing (11, 111) is provided with an upper opening (17, 117) that is formed at a position corresponding to the terminal body portion (63, 163) and is communicated with an upper surface of the housing (11, 111) from an upper surface of the terminal receipt-hole (13, 113) and a lower opening (18, 118) that is communicated with a lower surface of the housing (11, 111) from a lower surface of the terminal receipt-hole (13, 113); and wherein the latching piece (67, 167) has a free end thereof (67a, 167a) being latched to an end surface of the upper opening (17, 117) or the lower opening (18, 118).

5. The electric connector (1, 101) according to Claim 4, wherein the connection portion (64, 164) is offset from a central axis of the terminal (61, 161).

6. The electric connector (1, 101) according to Claim 1, wherein the terminal (61,

7. The electric connector (1, 101) according to Claim 1, wherein the connection portion (64, 164) is offset from a central axis of the terminal (61, 161).

8. The electric connector (1, 101) according to Claim 2, wherein the connection portion (64, 164) is offset from a central axis of the terminal (61, 161).

9. The electric connector (1, 101) according to Claim 3, wherein the connection portion (64, 164) is offset from a central axis of the terminal (61, 161).