connector

Abstract

Provided is a connector capable of suppressing the increase in size and complexity of a housing and preventing misalignment of a front cover in the front direction. A cavity (22) of a housing (20) extends in the front-rear direction and is arranged in multiple numbers in the width direction. The housing (20) has a recess (32, 32A) with one face opened in the height direction in a partition wall (23) that separates cavities (22) adjacent in the width direction. The recess (32, 32A) is in the shape of a cutout of the partition wall (23) in the width direction. A front cover (60) has an end wall (62) that protrudes from a front wall (61) and is arranged on one face side of the housing (20) in the height direction, and a protruding portion (67, 67A) that protrudes from the end wall (62) and is fitted into the recess (32, 32A) so as to be embedded in the recess (32, 32A), does not contact a terminal part (50), and is in contactable opposition with respect to the front surface of the recess (32, 32A).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to connectors. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a connector comprising: a female housing; a front cover, a mounting recess assembled from below to the front surface of the female housing; and a female terminal inserted from the rear into a cavity of the female housing. The front cover has a front wall that engages with the mounting recess. The female terminal is inserted into the cavity and blocked by the front wall.

[0003] Furthermore, the front cover has a mounting portion extending in the width direction further rearward than the front wall. The female housing has a locking recess with an opening on its lower surface. By entering the locking recess from below through the mounting portion, the front cover is configured to be restricted from moving forward and backward relative to the female housing. Patent Document 2 discloses a structure in which a front retainer is disposed on the front surface side of the housing.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-29052

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-140046 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] In the case of Patent Document 1, when the female terminal is blocked by the front wall, the front wall can be prevented from shifting forward by the locking part and the locking recess. However, the locking recess of the female housing is formed with a special shape with a large width to accommodate the locking part. Therefore, it is possible to make the female housing larger and more complicated.

[0010] Therefore, this disclosure aims to provide a connector that can suppress the enlargement and complexity of the housing and prevent the front cover from being misaligned forward.

[0011] Solution for solving the problem

[0012] The connector disclosed herein comprises: a housing having a cavity; terminal parts housed within the cavity; and a front cover having a front wall disposed on the front surface side of the housing, the cavity extending in a longitudinal direction and having a plurality of cavities arranged in a width direction, the housing having a recess in a partition wall separating cavities adjacent along the width direction, the recess opening on a side in a height direction intersecting the longitudinal and width directions, the recess being shaped to cut the partition wall in the width direction, the front cover having: an end wall protruding from the front wall and disposed adjacent to a side of the housing in the height direction; and a protrusion protruding from the end wall and fitting into the recess in such a way as to be embedded within the recess, the protrusion not contacting the terminal parts but being contactably opposed to the front surface of the recess.

[0013] Invention Effects

[0014] According to this disclosure, a connector can be provided that can suppress the enlargement and complexity of the housing and prevent the front cover from being misaligned forward. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector of Embodiment 1 of this implementation, viewed from an obliquely upward front.

[0016] Figure 2 This is an enlarged side sectional view of the front of the connector.

[0017] Figure 3 This is an enlarged top-down sectional view of the front of the connector.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a magnified partial view showing the state in which the convex part crosses the concave part and the engaging recess and is fitted with it.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional view of the shell from a slightly lower front angle.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a 3D view of the front grille from an angled, upper rear view.

[0021] Figure 7 This is equivalent to the connector of Embodiment 2 of this implementation. Figure 2 The image. Detailed Implementation

[0022] [Description of embodiments of this disclosure]

[0023] First, the implementation methods of this disclosure are listed and explained.

[0024] The connector disclosed herein,

[0025] (1) The device comprises: a housing having a cavity; terminal parts housed within the cavity; and a front cover having a front wall disposed on the front surface side of the housing, the cavities extending in a longitudinal direction and having a plurality of such cavities arranged in a width direction, the housing having a recess in a partition wall separating cavities adjacent along the width direction, the recess opening on a side in a height direction intersecting the longitudinal and width directions, the recess being shaped to cut the partition wall in the width direction, the front cover having: an end wall protruding from the front wall and disposed on a side of the housing in the height direction; and a protrusion protruding from the end wall and fitting into the recess in such a way as to be embedded in the recess, the protrusion not contacting the terminal parts and being contactably opposed to the front surface of the recess.

[0026] According to the above structure, even if the terminal part is blocked by the front wall or the front wall is pressed forward, the front surface of the protrusion contacts the front surface of the recess, thereby preventing the front wall from shifting forward. In particular, in the case of the above structure, the recess is effectively provided by the partition wall that divides the cavity, thus suppressing the increase in the size and complexity of the housing. Moreover, since the protrusion is fitted into the recess in a way that fills the recess, the protrusion can fill the missing part caused by the recess. Furthermore, since the protrusion does not contact the terminal part, it is not necessary to raise the top of the protrusion to a height position that can contact the terminal part, thus the height dimension (recess amount) of the recess can be kept small.

[0027] (2) Preferably, the protrusion protrudes from the end wall in a prismatic shape. Accordingly, the protrusion can be made into a simple shape, and the rigidity of the protrusion can be improved.

[0028] (3) Alternatively, the housing may have a flexibly deformable spear-shaped portion that protrudes into the cavity and locks the terminal part. The spear-shaped portion has a locking recess with an opening on at least one of the two sides in the width direction. The protrusion has a locking protrusion that protrudes from the partition wall and fits into the locking recess and is contactably opposed to the front surface of the locking recess.

[0029] According to the above structure, when a pulling force is applied to the terminal part to pull it from the cavity to the rear, the engaging protrusion can contact the front surface of the engaging recess, thus resisting the pulling force and improving the holding force of the spear-shaped portion on the terminal part.

[0030] (4) Alternatively, the engaging protrusion may have a gap between the engaging recess and the front and rear surfaces of the engaging recess, allowing the spear-shaped portion to flex. Accordingly, when the engaging protrusion is engaged in the engaging recess, inserting the terminal part into the cavity allows the spear-shaped portion to flex and deform.

[0031] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure]

[0032] The following is a reference to the appendix. Figure 1 Specific examples of embodiments of this disclosure will be described below. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to these examples, but is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims, as indicated by the claims.

[0033] <Example 1>

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the connector 10 of Embodiment 1 of this invention includes a housing 20, terminal parts 50, and a front cover 60. The connector 10 can be engaged with a counterpart connector (not shown). The terminal parts 50 are housed within the housing 20. The front cover 60 is assembled to the housing 20. Furthermore, in the following description, regarding the front-rear direction, the side of the connector 10 facing the counterpart connector at the start of engagement is defined as the front side. The front side is also the side of the front cover 60 relative to the housing 20. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The X direction in the diagram is forward. Regarding the vertical direction, the front side of the assembly direction when assembling the housing 20 with the front cover 60 is defined as the upper side. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this context, the Z-direction is upward. The up-down direction is synonymous with the height direction. Regarding the left-right direction, [the text continues with further details about direction and direction]. Figure 1 The Y direction is defined as the right. The left and right directions are synonymous with the width direction. These directions are for ease of explanation and do not limit the direction in which connector 10 is assembled or used.

[0035] Terminal component 50 is made of conductive metal, not shown as a whole, and has a shape that extends relatively long in the front-to-back direction. For example... Figure 2 As shown, a cylindrical main body 51 is provided at the front of the terminal part 50. A male protrusion for connecting a terminal on the opposite side (not shown) is inserted into the main body 51 from the front. A locking part 52 is provided protruding downward from the main body 51. The terminal part 50 is crimped to the end of a wire (not shown).

[0036] The casing 20 is made of synthetic resin, such as Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, it forms a flat shape with a small height dimension. A locking arm 21 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 20. The locking arm 21 can be flexed and deformed with its front end as a fulcrum. The locking arm 21 locks the opposite connector, keeping the connector 10 and the opposite connector in a mating state.

[0037] like Figure 3As shown, the housing 20 has a plurality of cavities 22. Each cavity 22 extends within the housing 20 in the front-rear direction and is arranged in a row in the width direction. Terminal parts 50 are inserted into the cavities 22 from the rear. Adjacent cavities 22 in the width direction are separated by partitions 23.

[0038] The housing 20 has spear-shaped portions 24 in each cavity 22. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the spear-shaped portion 24 is shaped to protrude forward from the lower surface of the inner wall of the cavity 22, and can be flexed and deformed in the vertical direction. The spear-shaped portion 24 has locking protrusions 25 at the left and right center portions of its front end. Additionally, as... Figure 3 As shown, the spear-shaped portion 24 has guide surfaces 26 on both sides of the front end, separated by the locking protrusion 25. The guide surfaces 26 are inclined with the front lower than the rear (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0039] Terminal component 50 is inserted into cavity 22. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the terminal part 50 is prevented from detaching from the cavity 22 by being locked by the locking portion 52 of the main body 51 and the locking protrusion 25 of the spear-shaped portion 24. In addition, the spear-shaped portion 24 is flexed and deformed by contact between the release jig (not shown) and the guide surface 26, thereby releasing the locking of the terminal part 50 and the spear-shaped portion 24.

[0040] The spear-shaped portion 24 has engaging recesses 27 opening on its left and right end faces (side faces). The engaging recesses 27 penetrate the spear-shaped portion 24 vertically. The front surface of the engaging recesses 27 slopes forward from its lower end toward its upper end. The rear surface of the engaging recesses 27 is positioned vertically. Figure 4 As shown, the engaging recess 27 is positioned behind the guide surface 26.

[0041] like Figure 5 As shown, a mounting recess 28 is provided at the front of the housing 20. The mounting recess 28 is shaped to be recessed at the front of the housing 20 so as to retain the left and right ends and the front end of the locking arm 21. The front end of each cavity 22 opens at the rear surface (bottom surface) of the mounting recess 28. The front cover 60 fits into the mounting recess 28 of the housing 20 from below. In addition, the front of the housing 20 has locking holes 29 that extend through in the left and right directions at the left and right ends.

[0042] like Figure 5 As shown, a lower surface mounting recess 31 is continuously provided at the front of the housing 20, following the mounting recess 28. The lower surface mounting recess 31 is a recessed shape in the lower surface of the front of the housing 20. The lower ends of the front of each partition wall 23 are exposed on the lower surface of the housing 20 through the lower surface mounting recess 31.

[0043] A recess 32 is provided at the front of each partition 23. The recess 32 penetrates the partition 23 by making a cut in the left-right direction. Figure 3 As shown, the recess 32 is connected to the engaging recess 27 in the left-right direction. Additionally, as... Figure 2 As shown, the recess 32 extends vertically, with its lower end (open end) opening at the lower end of the partition wall 23, and its upper end (bottom end) closed by the interior of the partition wall 23. The front surface of the recess 32 slopes forward from the lower end toward the upper end. The rear surface of the recess 32 is arranged along both the left-right and vertical directions, and is connected to the rear surface of the lower surface where the recess 31 is mounted without any steps. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown, one end of the left and right sides of the housing 20 ( Figure 5 The sidewall 34 (on the left end) is not a partition wall 23, but has a recess 32.

[0044] like Figure 5 As shown, a retainer mounting hole 33 is provided on the lower surface of the housing 20. A retainer (not shown) is inserted into the retainer mounting hole 33. To form the retainer mounting hole 33, the partition walls 23 at the front and rear middle portions of the housing 20 are cut off. In addition, the retainer connecting spear-shaped portion 24 provides secondary anti-detachment for the terminal part 50.

[0045] The front cover 60 is made of synthetic resin, such as Figure 6 As shown, it has a front wall 61 that extends relatively long in the left-right direction and an end wall 62 that protrudes rearward from the lower end of the front wall 61. The end wall 62 also extends relatively long in the left-right direction and is connected to the lower end of the front wall 61 throughout its full width.

[0046] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the front wall 61 fits into the mounting recess 28. Figure 6 As shown, claw-shaped locking protrusions 63 are provided on the end faces (side faces) on both sides of the front wall 61. The front wall 61 has a plurality of tab insertion holes 64. The tab insertion holes 64 are arranged in a row in the width direction at positions corresponding to each cavity 22.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, a forward-expanding guide portion 65 is provided at the front of the tab insertion hole 64. The male tab of the opposite terminal (not shown) is guided towards the cavity 22 by the guide portion 65. A rectangular fitting recess 66 is provided at the rear of the tab insertion hole 64. Figure 3 As shown, the front end of the main body 51 of the terminal part 50 is fitted into the fitting recess 66. The main body 51 is blocked by contact with the front surface of the fitting recess 66 in the tab insertion hole 64.

[0048] The end wall 62 is plate-shaped, with the plate surface (wall surface) facing upwards and downwards. The end wall 62 can be flexibly connected to the lower end of the front wall 61, such as... Figure 2As shown, it fits into the mounting recess 31 on the lower surface. A plurality of protrusions 67 are provided protruding from the upper surface of the end wall 62. The protrusions 67 are arranged in a row in the width direction on the upper surface of the end wall 62, corresponding to the positions of the recesses 32. The protrusions 67 are positioned away from the rear of the front wall 61.

[0049] The protrusion 67 is formed into a flattened prism shape with a smaller height. Furthermore, the protrusion 67, integral with the end wall 62, is formed with a specific quadrilateral cross-section, more specifically a square cross-section, from its lower end to its upper end. The rear surface of the protrusion 67 is positioned along both the left-right and up-down directions, and is connected to the rear surface of the end wall 62 without any steps. Figure 2 As shown, the front surface of the protrusion 67 slopes forward from the lower end toward the upper end.

[0050] Next, the assembly method and function of the connector 10 in this embodiment 1 will be explained. The front cover 60 is assembled to the housing 20 from below. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the front cover 60 is held in an anti-detachment state within the housing 20 by the front wall 61 fitting into the mounting recess 28 and the locking protrusion 63 fitting into the lock hole 29. At this time, the end wall 62 fits into the mounting recess 31 on the lower surface, and as shown... Figure 3 As shown, the left and right central portions of the protrusion 67 fit into the recess 32, and the portions on the left and right sides of the protrusion 67 (referred to as engaging protrusions 68) fit into the engaging recess 27. Simply put, the protrusion 67 spans and fits into the recess 32 and the engaging recess 27. The protrusion 67 has a cross-section with a similar shape to the recess 32 and the engaging recess 27. Therefore, the protrusion 67 is arranged such that it fills the recess 32 and the engaging recess 27 from their respective opening sides (see reference). Figures 2-4 ).

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, the front surfaces of the left and right central portions of the protrusion 67 and the front surface of the recess 32 are arranged opposite each other, covering the entire height of the protrusion 67, so that they can contact each other. Similarly, the front surfaces of the engaging protrusion 68 and the engaging recess 27 are arranged opposite each other, covering the entire height of the protrusion 67, so that they can contact each other.

[0052] After the front cover 60 is assembled into the housing 20, the terminal part 50 is inserted from the rear into the cavity 22 of the housing 20. The end of the wire is pre-connected to the terminal part 50.

[0053] During the insertion of terminal part 50, the main body 51 interferes with the locking protrusion 25 from the rear, and the spear-shaped part 24 flexes and deforms downward. The engaging protrusion 68 has a slight gap between itself and the front and rear surfaces of the engaging recess 27 (see reference). Figure 2Therefore, the spear-shaped portion 24 can flex and deform within the gap between the front and rear surfaces of the engaging recess 27 and the engaging protrusion 68. Because the front and rear surfaces of the engaging recess 27 are inclined in the direction of flexure of the spear-shaped portion 24, the gap does not become particularly large.

[0054] When the terminal part 50 is properly inserted into the cavity 22, the main body 51 is blocked by the front wall 61, and the spear-shaped part 24 elastically returns to its original position, and the locking protrusion 25 is locked by the locking part 52. Thus, the terminal part 50 is held within the cavity 22 in a state where its movement in the forward and backward directions is restricted (see reference). Figure 2 Furthermore, the protrusion 67 is positioned generally below the terminal part 50, offset from the insertion path of the terminal part 50 within the cavity 22. Therefore, the protrusion 67 does not contact the terminal part 50.

[0055] As the main body 51 is blocked by the front wall 61, a pressing force is applied to the front wall 61 to cause it to shift forward. In particular, because the front wall 61 is longer in the left-right direction, it is easy for the front wall 61 to deform when a large pressing force is applied to the left-right center portion.

[0056] However, in the case of this embodiment 1, the front surface of the protrusion 67 contacts the front surface of the recess 32, thereby resisting the pressing pressure and preventing the front wall 61 from shifting forward. Moreover, the protrusion 67 includes a plurality of protrusions arranged in the width direction corresponding to the left and right central portions of the front wall 61, and each protrusion 67 fits into the corresponding recess 32, thus effectively suppressing the deformation of the front wall 61.

[0057] Furthermore, when the wire extending from the rear of the housing 20 is pulled backward, a pulling force is applied to the terminal part 50, causing it to misalign backward. In contrast, in the case of this embodiment 1, the pulling force is counteracted by the contact between the front surface of the engaging protrusion 68 and the front surface of the engaging recess 27. In other words, the holding force of the spear-shaped portion 24 on the terminal part 50 is improved.

[0058] As described above, according to this embodiment 1, even when the front wall 61 is pressed forward, the front surface of the protrusion 67 contacts the front surface of the recess 32, thereby preventing the front wall 61 from shifting forward. In this case, the recess 32 is effectively provided by utilizing the partition wall 23 that separates adjacent cavities 22, thus suppressing the enlargement and complexity of the housing 20. Moreover, since the protrusion 67 is fitted into the recess 32 in a way that fills it, the protrusion 67 can fill the missing portion caused by the recess 32. Furthermore, since the protrusion 67 does not contact the terminal part 50, unlike the retainer, it is not necessary to raise the top of the protrusion 67 to a height position that can contact the terminal part 50, thus the height dimension (recess amount) of the recess 32 can be kept small.

[0059] In addition, the protrusion 67 is prismatic in shape protruding from the end wall 62, which can improve the rigidity of the protrusion 67.

[0060] Furthermore, when a rearward pulling force is applied to the terminal part 50, the front surface of the engaging protrusion 68 can contact the front surface of the engaging recess 27, thus resisting the pulling force and increasing the holding force of the spear-shaped portion 24 on the terminal part 50.

[0061] Furthermore, within the engaging recess 27, there is a gap between the front and rear surfaces of the engaging recess 27 and the engaging protrusion 68 that allows the spear-shaped portion 24 to flex. Therefore, when the engaging protrusion 68 is engaged within the engaging recess 27, inserting the terminal part 50 into the cavity 22 allows the spear-shaped portion 24 to flex and deform.

[0062] <Example 2>

[0063] Example 2 Figure 7 As shown, the shapes of the front surfaces of the protrusion 67A and the recess 32A differ from those in Embodiment 1. The front surface of the protrusion 67A, including the engaging recess 27, is arranged vertically in the vertical direction. The front surface of the recess 32A is also arranged vertically in the vertical direction. Figure 7 Although not visible, the engaging recess 27 is also arranged vertically along the vertical direction. In the case of Embodiment 2, the protrusion 67A can contact the front surfaces of the recess 32A and the engaging recess 27 in the vertical direction. Otherwise, it is the same as in Embodiment 1, and can achieve the same effect as in Embodiment 1.

[0064] [Other embodiments of this disclosure]

[0065] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative in all respects, and not restrictive.

[0066] In embodiments 1 and 2, the spear-shaped portion has engagement recesses on both its left and right surfaces, and the convex portion has engagement protrusions on both its left and right sides that engage with the engagement recesses. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the spear-shaped portion may have engagement recesses only on one side, and the convex portion may have engagement protrusions only on one side. However, depending on the circumstances, the spear-shaped portion may not have engagement recesses, and the convex portion may not have engagement protrusions.

[0067] In embodiments 1 and 2 described above, a structure is formed where a protrusion fits into a recess. In contrast, according to other embodiments, a structure can also be formed where a protrusion spans across and fits into multiple recesses.

[0068] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0069] 10: Connector

[0070] 20: Shell

[0071] 21: Locking arm

[0072] 22: cavity

[0073] 23: Next door

[0074] 24: Spear-shaped part

[0075] 25: Locking protrusion

[0076] 26: Guide surface

[0077] 27: Engaging recess

[0078] 28: Installation recess

[0079] 29: Keyhole

[0080] 31: Lower surface mounting recess

[0081] 32, 32A: concave part

[0082] 33: Retainer mounting hole

[0083] 34: Sidewall

[0084] 50: Terminal parts

[0085] 51: Main body

[0086] 52: Stuck part

[0087] 60: Front Cover

[0088] 61: Anterior wall

[0089] 62: End wall

[0090] 63: Locking Protrusion

[0091] 64: Protrusion through hole

[0092] 65: Introduction Section

[0093] 66: Fitting recess

[0094] 67, 67A: convex part

[0095] 68: Engaging protrusion

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a housing having cavities; and a front cover having a front wall disposed on a front surface side of the housing, the cavities being arranged in a width direction and a plurality of the cavities being arranged in a front-rear direction, the housing having a recess in a partition wall that separates the cavities adjacent in the width direction, the recess being open on one side in a height direction intersecting the front-rear direction and the width direction, the recess being a shape in which the partition wall is cut in the width direction, the front cover having: an end wall protruding from the front wall and disposed on one side of the housing in the height direction; and a protrusion protruding from the end wall and fitted into the recess in a manner of being buried in the recess, the protrusion not contacting the terminal member and being in contactable opposition with respect to a front surface of the recess, the housing having a lance-shaped portion that is elastically deformable, the lance-shaped portion protruding into the cavity and retaining the terminal member, the lance-shaped portion having a retaining recess open on at least one of side surfaces on both sides in the width direction, the protrusion having a retaining protrusion protruding from the partition wall and fitted into the retaining recess and being in contactable opposition with respect to a front surface of the retaining recess.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion protrudes from the end wall in a prismatic shape. a terminal part housed in the cavity; 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the retaining protrusion has a gap between front and rear surfaces of the retaining recess in the retaining recess that allows the lance-shaped portion to be elastically deformed. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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