Connector device

Abstract

A connector device includes a housing having an upper surface portion formed with an accommodation space, and a position assurance device inserted into the accommodation space of the housing. When the position assurance device is installed in the housing, an installation portion of the position assurance device is exposed on a side surface portion of the housing, thereby improving visibility during work. In addition, the position assurance device is connected to the housing in a snap structure, thereby facilitating installation and removal of the position assurance device and ensuring installation strength.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector device including a terminal position assurance device (TPA). Background Art

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] The connector can perform electrical connection by coupling with a mating connector.The connector can be formed by installing a terminal formed of a conductive material inside a housing formed of an insulating material.

[0004] During the process of coupling or separating a connector to or from a mating connector, or through other external forces, forces may be applied to the terminals mounted inside the connector housing. To ensure the position of the terminals relative to the forces, a terminal position assurance device (TPA) may be used. The TPA may be locked to the housing to support a portion of the terminal, thereby fixing the position of the terminal mounted inside the housing.

[0005] However, we have found that when reworking is required to separate the terminal position assurance device locked to the housing from the housing, the connector is easily damaged due to excessive external force applied to the connector when performing such reworking.

[0006] Furthermore, since the terminal position assurance device according to the related art has a structure in which it is inserted from the upper side of the housing toward the lower side of the housing and buried, it is difficult to detach the terminal position assurance device from the housing when rework is required.

[0007] What is described as the related art has been provided only to help understanding the background of the present disclosure and should not be considered to correspond to the prior art known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure provides a connector device for improving the convenience of handling terminal position assurance (TPA).

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a connector device includes: a housing having an opening through which a terminal is inserted in a front-to-rear direction; the housing including an upper surface portion having an accommodation space formed therein, the accommodation space extending laterally toward a side surface portion and recessed downward from the upper surface portion; and a position assurance device configured to be inserted into the accommodation space from above the housing to be mounted in the housing. The position assurance device includes a through hole, a side end portion, and a mounting portion. The through hole is configured to communicate with the opening when the position assurance device is mounted in the housing. The side end portion extends downward from the upper surface of the position assurance device and is connected to the mounting portion. The mounting portion is mounted on the side end portion and is configured to have a curved shape. Specifically, when the position assurance device is mounted in the housing, the housing portion of the housing is inserted between the side end portion and the mounting portion of the position assurance device, such that the side end portion is positioned inside the mounting portion and the mounting portion is exposed outside the mounting portion.

[0010] The seating portion may be recessed inwardly from the side surface portion so that the mounting portion is buried in the side surface portion when the position assurance device is mounted in the housing.

[0011] The mounting portion may include a first extending portion extending outward from an upper end of the side end portion and then bending downward; and a second extending portion extending downward from the bent portion of the first extending portion and having a width smaller than that of the first extending portion.

[0012] The seating portion may include a seating space extending downward from an upper end of the side surface portion and into which the first extension portion is inserted; and a snap-fitting space extending downward from the seating space and into which the second extension portion is inserted.

[0013] A support end can be formed in the side surface portion, and the support end protrudes toward the snap-fit ​​space to contact the lower end of the first extension part and the front end or rear end of the second extension part. When the position assurance device is installed in the shell, the first extension part can be placed on the support end.

[0014] A clamping portion facing the clamping space is formed in the side surface portion, and a connecting portion that matches with and is clamped by and connected to the clamping portion may be formed in the second extending portion of the mounting portion.

[0015] The engaging portion may be a plurality of grooves spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction in the engaging space, and the connecting portion may be a protrusion protruding to be inserted into one of the plurality of grooves.

[0016] A plurality of protrusions constituting the connection portion may be formed to be spaced apart from one another along the first extension portion to respectively match the plurality of grooves.

[0017] The first extension portion may have a chamfered portion formed by recessing front and rear ends of the first extension portion, and a protrusion portion protruding toward the seating space and inserted into the chamfered portion may be formed in the side surface portion.

[0018] The engaging space may extend in a direction opposite to a portion where the engaging portion is formed, thereby securing a space so that the second extending portion is bent and deformed.

[0019] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order that the present disclosure may be better understood, various forms of the description of the present disclosure will now be given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a connector device according to one form of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the connector device shown in ;

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of region R1 of the connector device shown in FIG.

[0024] Figure 4 is used to describe Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the mounting portion and placement portion of the connector device shown in ;

[0025] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 a cross-sectional view taken along line AA′ of the connector device shown in FIG.

[0026] Figure 6 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB′ of the connector device shown in FIG.

[0027] Figure 7 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line CC′ of the connector device shown in FIG.

[0028] Figures 8 to 10 Is used to describe the installation Figure 1 An illustration of the sequence of connector devices shown in ;

[0029] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing another form of a connector device according to the present disclosure.

[0030] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0032] Hereinafter, a connector apparatus according to exemplary forms of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a connector device according to one form of the present disclosure, Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the connector device shown in Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of region R1 of the connector device is shown in FIG. Figure 4 is used to describe Figure 1 , which is a diagram of the mounting portion and placement portion of the connector device shown in FIG. Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA′ of the connector device shown in FIG. Figure 6 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB′ of the connector device shown in FIG. Figure 7 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line CC′ of the connector device shown in FIG. Figures 8 to 10 Is used to describe the installation Figure 1 An illustration of the sequence of connector devices shown in .

[0034] In one form of the present disclosure, Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown in FIG, the connector device includes: a housing 100 having an opening hole 110 formed therein, through which a terminal 300 is inserted in the front-to-rear direction; an upper surface portion 120 having an accommodation space 121 formed therein, the accommodation space extending laterally toward a side surface portion 130 and recessed downward from the upper surface portion; and a side surface portion 130 having a seating portion 140 formed therein, the seating portion being arranged on an extension line of the accommodation space 121 and extending downward from an upper end of the side surface portion 130; and a position ensuring device 200 inserted from above the housing 100 into the accommodation space 121 to be installed in the housing 100. The position ensuring device includes a through hole 210 formed to communicate with the opening hole 110 when the position ensuring device 200 is installed in the housing. The position ensuring device includes a side end portion 230 extending downward from the upper surface of the position ensuring device 200 and connected to the seating portion 140. In one embodiment, the seating portion 240 is mounted on the side end portion 230 and has a curved shape.

[0035] Here, the housing 100 can accommodate the terminal 300. That is, the terminal 300 is inserted into the opening hole, the opening hole 110 is formed in the housing 100, and the terminal 300 can be inserted along the opening hole 110 to be installed inside the housing 100. In this way, the terminal 300 installed inside the housing 100 can be coupled to the mating connector to perform electrical connection.

[0036] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG, the housing 100 may include a lance 111 in the opening hole 110. Therefore, when the terminal 300 is installed in the opening hole 110 of the housing 100, the lance 111 can be fastened and fixed to the protruding portion 320 protruding from the base portion 310 of the terminal 300, and the terminal 300 can be coupled to the mating connector in the state in which it is installed in the housing 100.

[0037] The terminal 300 is inserted into the housing 100 through the opening hole 110. An accommodation space 121 extending laterally toward the side surface portion 130 and recessed downward is formed in the upper surface portion 120 of the housing 100 to allow the position assurance device 200 to be installed. A seating portion 140 is formed in the side surface portion 130 of the housing 100, extending downward from the upper end and extending along an extension of the accommodation space 121. Therefore, the position assurance device 200 inserted into the accommodation space 121 can be secured by the seating portion 140.

[0038] Therefore, the position assurance device 200 is inserted into the accommodation space 121 from above the housing 100 to be installed in the housing 100. The position assurance device includes a through hole 210 formed to communicate with the opening hole 110 when the position assurance device 200 is installed. The position assurance device has a side end portion 230, on which a mounting portion 240 is formed. The mounting portion 240 is bent and extended downward and connected to the seating portion 140. Here, the mounting portion 240 can be provided on both side end portions 230 of the position assurance device 200. Therefore, the seating portion 140 can be formed on both side surface portions 130 of the housing 100. Therefore, the through hole 210 of the position assurance device 200 communicates with the opening hole 110, allowing the terminal 300 to pass through the through hole 210 of the position assurance device 200.

[0039] That is, the position ensuring device 200 is inserted into the accommodation space 121 from above the housing 100 and fixed to the seating portion 140 of the housing 100 by the mounting portion 240 formed on the side end portion 230 , so that the mounting position of the position ensuring device 200 is fixed.

[0040] In particular, when the position ensuring device 200 is installed in the housing 100, the seating portion 140 of the housing 100 is inserted between the side end portion 230 and the mounting portion 240 of the position ensuring device 200, so that the side end portion 230 is positioned inside the seating portion 140 and the mounting portion 240 is exposed outside the seating portion 140. In this way, in the present disclosure, when the position ensuring device 200 is installed in the housing 100, the position ensuring device 200 is fixed to the seating portion 140 by the side end portion 230 and the mounting portion 240, and the mounting portion 240 is exposed outside the seating portion 140, thereby facilitating installation and removal of the position ensuring device 200.

[0041] As described above, in the present disclosure, when the position ensuring device 200 is installed in the shell 100, the side end portion 230 of the position ensuring device 200 contacts the inner side of the seating portion 140, thereby ensuring strength, and the mounting portion 240 of the position ensuring device 200 is exposed to the outside of the seating portion 140, so that the work of installing and disassembling the position ensuring device 200 through the mounting portion 240 is easy, thereby ensuring work convenience.

[0042] The present disclosure described above will be described in detail. Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the seating portion 140 may be recessed inward from the side surface portion 130 such that when the position assurance device 200 is mounted in the housing 100 , the mounting portion 240 is buried in the side surface portion 130 .

[0043] As such, the seating portion 140 is formed in a shape recessed from the side surface portion 130 of the housing 100 so that the mounting portion 240 is seated to be buried in the seating portion 140 when the position assurance device 200 is mounted in the housing 100. Figure 1 As shown in FIG, when the position assurance device 200 is installed in the housing 100, the side surface portion 130 of the housing 100 and the mounting portion 240 of the position assurance device 200 form a flat surface, thereby resolving the difference in appearance. In addition, the mounting portion 240 of the position assurance device 200 does not protrude from the side surface portion 130 of the housing 100, thereby preventing the position assurance device 200 from being disassembled due to unexpected external force.

[0044] At the same time, if Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the mounting portion 240 may include: a first extension portion 241, which extends outward from the upper end of the side end portion 230 and then bends downward; a second extension portion 242, which continues to extend downward from the bent portion of the first extension portion 241, and the width of the second extension portion in the front-to-back direction is smaller than the width of the first extension portion 241 in the front-to-back direction.

[0045] In addition, the seating portion 140 may include: a seating space 141, which extends downward from the upper end of the side surface portion 130 and into which the first extension portion 241 is inserted; and a snap-fitting space 142, which extends downward from the seating space 141 and into which the second extension portion 242 is inserted.

[0046] That is, the mounting portion 240 of the position assurance device 200 includes a first extension portion 241 and a second extension portion 242. The first extension portion 241 is formed in a shape extending outward from the side end portion 230 and then bending downward, and the second extension portion 242 is formed in a shape extending downward from the lower end of the first extension portion 241. Therefore, the seating portion 140 includes a seating space 141 and a snap-fitting space 142. The first extension portion 241 is inserted into the seating space, and the second extension portion 242 is inserted into the snap-fitting space. The seating space 141 and the snap-fitting space 142 can be formed so that the first extension portion 241 and the second extension portion 242 can be inserted into the seating space and the snap-fitting space, respectively.

[0047] Here, because the width of the first extension portion 241 is greater than the width of the second extension portion 242, the mounting portion 240 is formed to have a width that decreases as it extends downward. In the present disclosure, the first extension portion 241 prevents the position assurance device 200 from separating from the seating portion 140 when the position assurance device 200 is installed in the housing 100 and ensures strength, and the first extension portion is formed so as to ensure its width in the front-to-back direction. The second extension portion 242 is the portion that couples and secures the position assurance device 200 to the housing 100 when installed in the housing 100, and is formed to have a relatively small width in the front-to-back direction, thereby allowing for local deformation thereof.

[0048] In addition, if Figure 6 As shown in , the length L1 of the first extension portion 241 in the vertical direction is the same as the length L2 of the seating space 141 in the vertical direction, so that the first extension portion 241 can be seated in the side surface portion 130 when the position assurance device 200 is installed in the housing 100. Figure 7 As shown in FIG, a length L3 of the first and second extension portions 241 and 242 in the vertical direction may be shorter than a length L4 of the seating space 141 and the engaging space 142 to prevent the mounting portion 240 from interfering with the side surface portion 130 at the lower side of the seating portion 140 .

[0049] Therefore, the position assurance device 200 can be installed in the housing 100 in a state where the first and second extending portions 241 and 242 constituting the mounting portion 240 respectively match the seating space 141 and the engaging space 142 constituting the seating portion 140 of the housing 100 .

[0050] The mounting structure of the position ensuring device 200 and the housing 100 will be described in detail. Figure 4As shown in FIG, a support end 131 is formed in the side surface portion 130, protruding toward the engaging space 142 to contact the lower end of the first extension portion 241 and the front or rear end of the second extension portion 242. When the position assurance device 200 is installed in the housing 100, the first extension portion 241 can rest on the support end 131. The support end 131 is created because the widths of the seating space 141 and the engaging space 142 differ from each other. Specifically, the support end 131 of the side surface portion 130 protrudes toward the engaging space 142, allowing the lower end of the first extension portion 241 to rest on the upper end of the support end 131 when the mounting portion 240 is installed in the seating portion 140. Therefore, when the position assurance device 200 is installed in the housing 100, the position of the mounting portion 240 is restricted by the support end 131, ensuring that the position assurance device 200 is correctly positioned. Furthermore, the lower end of the first extension portion 241 and the front or rear end of the second extension portion 242 contact the support end 131, thereby ensuring mounting strength. Already in Figure 4 As shown in FIG, the front end of the second extending portion 242 contacts the supporting end 131, but the portion contacting the supporting end 131 may be changed according to design.

[0051] At the same time, if Figure 3 and Figure 8 As shown in FIG, a snap-fit ​​portion 132 facing the snap-fit ​​space 142 may be formed in the side surface portion 130, and a connecting portion 242a that mates with, is snap-fitted to, and connected to the snap-fit ​​portion 132 may be formed in the second extension portion 242 of the mounting portion 240. Therefore, when the position assurance device 200 is installed in the housing 100, the second extension portion 242 of the mounting portion 240 is inserted into the snap-fit ​​space 142, and the connecting portion of the second extension portion 242 is snap-fitted to and connected to the snap-fit ​​portion formed in the side surface portion 130, thereby securing the second extension portion 242 to the side surface portion 130. As described above, the second extension portion 242 is snap-fitted by the side surface portion 130 in the snap-fit ​​space 142, securing the position of the mounting portion 240. As a result, the position assurance device 200 is secured to the housing 100 and does not separate from the housing 100.

[0052] Here, the snap-fitting portion 132 is a plurality of grooves spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction in the snap-fitting space 142, and the connecting portion 242a may be a protrusion that protrudes to be inserted into one of the plurality of grooves. As described above, the snap-fitting portion 132 and the connecting portion 242a may form a snap-fitting structure respectively constituted by grooves and protrusions to couple with each other. In particular, the snap-fitting portion 132 is constituted by a plurality of grooves spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction in the snap-fitting space 142, so that the fixed position of the mounting portion 240 can be determined according to the position at which the protrusion constituting the connecting portion 242a is inserted into a specific groove. In one form of the present disclosure, the plurality of grooves constituting the snap-fitting portion 132 may include a first groove 132a and a second groove 132b. Therefore, before the terminal 300 is inserted into the housing 100, the position assurance device 200 is inserted and temporarily fixed to the housing 100, and as Figure 8 As shown in FIG, the connection portion 242a formed in the mounting portion 240 of the position assurance device 200 is fastened to the first groove 132a, so that the primary locking can be performed. Subsequently, after the insertion of the terminal 300 is completed, the position assurance device 200 is completely installed in the accommodation space 121 of the housing 100, and as shown in FIG. Figure 9 As shown in FIG, the mounting portion 240 moves downward, so that the connecting portion 242a is separated from the first groove 132a, and the second extension portion 242 is bent and deformed. Figure 10 As shown in FIG, when the connection portion 242a is fastened to the second groove 132b, secondary locking may be performed.

[0053] Here, engaging space 142 extends in a direction opposite to the portion where engaging portion 132 is formed, thereby ensuring space for second extending portion 242 to bend and deform. That is, when second extending portion 242 moves within engaging space 142, engaging portion 132 passes through connecting portion 242a, causing second extending portion 242 to deform. However, engaging space 142 extends in a direction opposite to the portion where engaging space 142 is formed, thereby ensuring space for second extending portion 242 to bend and deform, thereby allowing second extending portion 242 to deform smoothly. The extension length of engaging space 142 can be determined based on the amount of deformation of second extending portion 242.

[0054] In addition, an inclined portion 242b that is inclined in a direction toward the engaging portion 132 may be formed at the lower end of the protrusion constituting the connecting portion 242a. Therefore, when the position assurance device 200 is installed in the housing 100, the protrusion constituting the connecting portion 242a can be smoothly moved by passing over the groove constituting the engaging portion 132 in a direction in which the mounting portion 240 is mounted in the seating portion 140, and is engaged by the groove in the opposite direction, and thus is not disassembled.

[0055] As another example, Figure 11 As shown in , the plurality of protrusions constituting the connecting portion 242a can be formed to be spaced apart from each other along the second extending portion 242 so as to respectively match the plurality of grooves. As described above, when the number of protrusions constituting the connecting portion 242a matches the number of grooves constituting the clamping portion 132, the fastening strength between the connecting portion 242a and the clamping portion 132 is ensured.

[0056] At the same time, if Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in , the first extension portion 241 may have a chamfered portion 241a formed by recessing the front and rear ends of the first extension portion 241, and a protrusion 133 protruding toward the seating space 141 and inserted into the chamfered portion 241a may be formed in the side surface portion 130. Here, the chamfered portion 241a extends from the front and rear ends of the first extension portion 241 in the vertical direction, and the protrusion 133 extends from the side surface portion 130 in the vertical direction toward the seating space 141, and the chamfered portion 241a and the protrusion 133 form a sliding connection structure in the vertical direction.

[0057] Therefore, when the position assurance device 200 is installed in the housing 100, the chamfered portion 241a of the first extension portion 241 can be moved and inserted along the protrusion 133 formed in the side surface portion 130 of the housing 100. In particular, the chamfered portion 241a of the first extension portion 241 is engaged by the protrusion 133 of the housing 100, thereby restricting the movement of the mounting portion 240 of the position assurance device 200 toward the outside. Therefore, buckling of the mounting portion 240 due to the widening of the mounting portion 240 toward the outside is prevented, and the installation strength is ensured.

[0058] Since the mounting portion of the position securing device is exposed on the side surface portion of the housing when the position securing device is mounted in the housing, the connector device having the above structure is excellent in visibility during operation. In addition, the position securing device is connected to the housing in a snap-fit ​​structure, making it easy to install and remove the position securing device and ensuring mounting strength.

[0059] While the present disclosure has been shown and described with respect to particular forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A connector device, comprising: a housing formed with an opening hole through which the terminal is inserted in a front-to-rear direction, and comprising an upper surface portion having an accommodation space formed therein, the accommodation space extending laterally toward the side surface portion and recessed downward from the upper surface portion, wherein the side surface portion comprises a seating portion provided on an extension line of the accommodation space and extending downward from an upper end of the side surface portion; a position ensuring device configured to be inserted into the accommodation space from above the housing to be installed in the housing, and comprising: a through hole configured to communicate with the opening hole when the position ensuring device is mounted to the housing; a side end portion extending downward from an upper surface of the position ensuring device and connected to the seating portion; a mounting portion mounted on the side end portion and configured to have a curved shape, and the mounting portion is formed to have a width that decreases as it extends downward, wherein the mounting portion includes: a first extension portion extending outward from an upper end of the side end portion and then bending downward; a second extending portion, extending downwardly from the bent portion of the first extending portion, wherein the second extending portion has a width smaller than that of the first extending portion; When the position ensuring device is installed in the housing, the placement portion of the housing is inserted between the side end portion and the mounting portion of the position ensuring device, so that the side end portion is positioned inside the placement portion and the mounting portion is exposed outside the placement portion.

2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein The seating portion is recessed inward from the side surface portion so that when the position assurance device is mounted in the housing, the mounting portion is buried in the side surface portion.

3. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein The placement part includes: a seating space extending downward from an upper end of the side surface portion, and into which the first extension portion is inserted; A clamping space extends downward from the seating space, and the second extending portion is inserted into the clamping space.

4. The connector device according to claim 3, wherein: The side surface portion includes a support end that protrudes toward the engaging space and is configured to contact a lower end of the first extending portion and a front end or a rear end of the second extending portion, When the position assurance device is mounted in the housing, the first extension portion rests on the support end.

5. The connector device according to claim 3, wherein The side surface portion includes a snap-fit ​​portion facing the snap-fit ​​space, The second extending portion includes a connecting portion configured to be matched with the engaging portion and engaged by and connected to the engaging portion.

6. The connector device according to claim 5, wherein The engaging space is configured to extend in a direction opposite to a portion where the engaging portion is formed, and provides a space for receiving the second extending portion.

7. The connector device according to claim 5, wherein The engaging portion includes a plurality of grooves spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction in the engaging space, The connection portion is a protrusion that protrudes to be inserted into a groove among the plurality of grooves.

8. The connector device according to claim 7, wherein: The connection portion includes a plurality of protrusions that are spaced apart from each other and arranged to be respectively inserted into corresponding grooves among the plurality of grooves.

9. The connector device according to claim 3, wherein: The first extension portion has a chamfered portion formed by recessing a front end and a rear end of the first extension portion; The side surface portion includes a protruding portion configured to protrude toward the seating space and be inserted into the chamfered portion.

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