Connector

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to simplify the shape of a housing and further miniaturize a connector. A connector for holding a terminal is provided with a housing in which a cavity capable of accommodating the terminal is formed, and a stopper that can be fitted between a temporary fitting position and a formal fitting position with respect to the housing. The stopper includes a lance capable of temporarily locking the terminal in the cavity at the temporary mounting position, and a locking projection capable of locking the terminal in the cavity at the formal mounting position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a connector having a housing body with a cavity for inserting and removing terminal parts and a stopper. The housing body has a lance for first-stage locking with the terminal parts, and the stopper has a second-stage locking projection for second-stage locking with the terminal parts. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-305473 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] Here, it is required to simplify the shape of the housing and further reduce the size of the connector.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to simplify the shape of the housing and further miniaturize the connector. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0006] The connector disclosed herein is a connector for holding terminals, comprising: a shell having a cavity formed therein capable of accommodating the terminal; and a stopper capable of being assembled relative to the shell in a temporary assembly position and a formal assembly position, the stopper comprising a lance capable of temporarily engaging the terminal in the cavity in the temporary assembly position, and a locking protrusion capable of engaging the terminal in the cavity in the formal assembly position. Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the shape of the housing can be simplified, and the connector can be further miniaturized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a connector according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector. Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Partial cross-sectional view along line IV-IV. Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Partial cross-sectional view along line VV. Figure 6 is Figure 1 A partial cross-section taken along line IV-IV shows a temporary assembly state of the stopper. Figure 7 is Figure 1 The VV line partial cross section shows the temporary assembly state of the stopper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by way of examples.

[0010] The connector of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0011] (1) A connector is a connector for holding a terminal, comprising: a housing having a cavity formed therein capable of accommodating the terminal; and a stopper capable of being assembled relative to the housing at a temporary assembly position and a formal assembly position, the stopper comprising a lance capable of temporarily engaging the terminal in the cavity at the temporary assembly position, and a locking protrusion capable of engaging the terminal in the cavity at the formal assembly position.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, the stopper is provided with a lance that is temporarily locked to the terminal. Therefore, the shape of the housing can be simplified, and the connector can be miniaturized.

[0013] (2) In the connector of (1), the terminal may include a recessed portion that is recessed in a portion of its extending direction, the lance may be temporarily locked in the recessed portion, and the locking projection may be locked in the recessed portion.

[0014] In this case, the lance can be temporarily locked in the recessed portion where the locking protrusion is locked. Therefore, it is not necessary to form a separate portion for the lance to be temporarily locked in the terminal. Thus, the terminal can be simplified and miniaturized, which also contributes to the miniaturization of the connector.

[0015] (3) Based on the connector of (1) or (2), the shell may have an opening for formal assembly and an opening for temporary assembly, the stopper includes a stopper body main body assembled in the formal assembly opening, and a pair of locking wall portions extending from both sides of the stopper body main body along both sides of the shell, the locking protrusion is formed to protrude from the stopper body main body toward the cavity, and the lance-shaped piece is formed at a middle position in the extension direction of the stopper body main body in a manner that allows it to be configured in the temporary assembly opening and protrudes in the same direction as the locking wall portion, and is elastically deformed in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the cavity.

[0016] In this case, the lance is formed in the middle of the extension direction of the stopper body in a manner that allows it to be arranged in the opening for temporary assembly, in the same direction as the locking wall portion, and is elastically deformed in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the cavity. Therefore, compared with the case where the lance is set in a posture along the extension direction of the cavity, the structure for forming the lance can be reduced. As a result, the size of the connector in the front-to-back direction can be miniaturized.

[0017] (4) In the connector of (3), the base end of the lance may be integrally connected to the locking projection. Thus, even if the protruding length of the lance is increased, the lance can be easily reinforced.

[0018] (5) Based on the connector of (3) or (4), the lance may include an elastic sheet and a temporary locking protrusion protruding toward the cavity at a position away from the base end of the elastic sheet. When the stopper is located at the temporary assembly position, the lance is arranged at the temporary assembly opening, and the temporary locking protrusion protrudes into the cavity so as to be temporarily locked to the terminal in the cavity. When the stopper is located at the formal assembly position, the temporary locking protrusion moves over the terminal to release the temporary locking with the terminal, and the locking protrusion protrudes into the cavity so as to be temporarily locked to the terminal in the cavity.

[0019] Thus, when the stopper is at the temporary assembly position, the lance can be temporarily locked to the terminal. When the stopper is pressed and moved to the formal assembly position, the temporary locking of the lance and the terminal is released, and the locking protrusion can be locked to the terminal without the lance becoming an obstacle.

[0020] (6) Based on the connector of (5), the temporary locking protrusion may have a first guide surface and a second guide surface, wherein the first guide surface gradually reduces the protruding size of the temporary locking protrusion as it extends toward the side where the terminal is inserted, and the second guide surface gradually reduces the protruding size of the temporary locking protrusion as it extends toward the top end side of the lance.

[0021] In this case, when the stopper is located at the temporary assembly position, the temporary stop projection protrudes into the cavity. When the terminal is inserted into the cavity, the terminal contacts the first guide surface, causing the lance to elastically deform in the direction of retreating from the cavity. When the terminal is further pressed in, the lance elastically returns to its original shape, and the temporary stop projection can be temporarily stopped by the terminal. When the stopper is pressed from the temporary assembly position toward the formal assembly position, the second guide surface contacts the terminal, and the lance elastically deforms in the direction of retreating from the cavity. Therefore, the temporary stop projection passes over the terminal, releasing the temporary stop between the lance and the terminal.

[0022] (7) Based on any one of the connectors (3) to (6), the shell may include a longitudinal wall along the extension direction of the cavity and the protruding direction of the locking wall portion, and the temporary assembly opening may be a slit formed on the longitudinal wall and along the protruding direction of the locking wall portion.

[0023] In this case, the lance is arranged in the slit-shaped opening for temporary assembly, so as to guide the stopper. In addition, the lance can be elastically deformed by utilizing the space in the slit.

[0024] (8) In the connector of (7), the vertical wall may include an outer wall exposed at any side surface of the housing, and the temporary assembly opening may be a slit formed in the outer wall.

[0025] In this way, if the temporary assembly opening is a slit formed in the outer wall, it is easy to ensure a space for elastically deforming the lance outward.

[0026] (9) Based on the connector of (7) or (8), the shell may include a pair of temporary assembly stop parts temporarily locked with the pair of stop wall parts when the stop body is located in the temporary assembly position, and a pair of formal assembly stop parts locked with the pair of stop wall parts when the stop body is located in the formal assembly position, the pair of temporary assembly stop parts and the pair of formal assembly stop parts are formed into an elongated convex shape along the extension direction of the cavity, and the temporary assembly opening is a slit formed in a manner of transversely crossing at least one of the pair of temporary assembly stop parts and at least one of the pair of formal assembly stop parts.

[0027] In this case, the locking wall is locked to the temporary locking portion or the final locking portion near the position where the lance is guided by the slit-shaped temporary locking opening. Therefore, the locking wall is smoothly locked to the temporary locking portion or the final locking portion.

[0028] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Hereinafter, specific examples of the connector of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples, but is indicated by the claims, and includes all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0029] [Implementation Method] Hereinafter, a connector according to an embodiment will be described. Figure 1 2 is a perspective view showing the connector 20 . Figure 2 and Figure 3 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector 20 . Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Partial cross-sectional view along line IV-IV. Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Partial cross-sectional view along line VV. Figure 5 The electric wire 18 is shown by a two-dot chain line. Figure 6 is Figure 1 A diagram showing a temporary assembly state of the stopper body in a partial cross-section along line IV-IV, Figure 7 is Figure 1 The VV line partial cross section shows the temporary assembly state of the stopper.

[0030] <Overall structure of the connector> The overall structure of the connector 20 will be described. The connector 20 holds the terminal 10 .

[0031] The terminal 10 is formed by performing a stamping process on a metal plate, etc. The terminal 10 includes a covering crimping portion 11, a core wire crimping portion 12, and a terminal connecting portion 13. The covering crimping portion 11 is a portion of the covering portion crimped to the end of the electric wire 18. The core wire crimping portion 12 is a portion crimped to the core wire portion exposed at the end of the electric wire 18. The terminal connecting portion 13 is a portion connected to the terminal on the other side, and is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example. The covering crimping portion 11, the core wire crimping portion 12, and the terminal connecting portion 13 are arranged in a straight line in sequence. The thickness of the covering crimping portion 11 and the terminal connecting portion 13 is greater than the thickness of the core wire crimping portion 12. Therefore, when the terminal 10 is viewed from the side, a recessed portion 14 that is partially recessed in the extension direction of the terminal 10 is formed on the core wire crimping portion 12 and between the covering crimping portion 11 and the terminal connecting portion 13.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the connector 20 holds a plurality of terminals 10. More specifically, a plurality of (e.g., two) terminals 10 are held in multiple layers (e.g., two layers). In each layer, the plurality of terminals 10 are arranged in a row in a parallel state. In addition, the plurality of terminals 10 may be terminals of the same size and material, or may be terminals of different sizes or materials. In addition, the number of terminals 10 held by the connector 20 is arbitrary.

[0033] The connector 20 includes a housing 30 and a stopper 80. The stopper 80 holds the plurality of terminals 10 in at least one layer so as not to be separated from the housing 30. In the present embodiment, the connector 20 further includes a cover 60. The cover 60 is mounted on the opposite side of the stopper 80 relative to the housing 30. The cover 60 holds the plurality of terminals 10 in other layers so as not to be separated from the housing 30.

[0034] In the following description, the terminal connection portion 13 side in the extension direction of the terminal 10 is sometimes referred to as the front side, and the covering crimping portion 11 side is sometimes referred to as the rear side. In addition, the cover 60 side is sometimes referred to as the lower side, and the stopper 80 side is sometimes referred to as the upper side. In addition, the left and right directions are sometimes referred to assuming a state of standing in front of the cover 60 and facing the front side.

[0035] The housing 30 is formed of resin or the like, and includes terminal receiving portions 32 and 42. In the present embodiment, the housing 30 includes a terminal receiving portion 32 on the lower side and a terminal receiving portion 42 on the upper side. The terminal receiving portion 32 on the lower side has a cavity 34 for receiving the terminal 10. In the present embodiment, the terminal receiving portion 32 on the lower side has a plurality of (here, two) cavities 34 arranged in parallel. The terminal receiving portion 42 on the upper side has a cavity 44 for receiving the terminal 10. In the present embodiment, the terminal receiving portion 42 on the upper side has a plurality of (here, two) cavities 44 arranged in parallel.

[0036] The stopper 80 is combined with the upper terminal receiving portion 42 to hold the terminal 10 in the upper cavity 44. That is, the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 44 before the stopper 80 is formally assembled. With the terminal 10 inserted in the cavity 44, the stopper 80 is formally assembled to the upper terminal receiving portion 42. In this way, the terminal 10 does not fall out of the upper cavity 44.

[0037] The cover 60 is integrated with the lower terminal receiving portion 32 to hold the terminal 10 in the lower cavity 34. That is, before the cover 60 is assembled to the lower terminal receiving portion 32, the terminal 10 is placed in the lower cavity 34. In this state, the cover 60 is assembled to the lower terminal receiving portion 32. In this way, the terminal 10 does not fall out of the lower cavity 34.

[0038] It is not essential for the connector to include the cover 60 described above and the terminal 10 held by the cover 60 .

[0039] The structure in which the terminal 10 is held by the stopper 80 will be described in more detail.

[0040] <Regarding the holding structure of the stopper> The stopper 80 is configured to be assembled relative to the housing 30 in a temporary assembly position and a formal assembly position. Formal assembly refers to a state in which the stopper 80 is locked to the terminal 10 in a manner that prevents the terminal 10 from being detached when the connector 20 is in use. When the stopper 80 is assembled to the housing 30 in the formal assembly position, the terminal 10 is held in the cavity 44 without being detached from the housing 30 even when the connector 20 is carried or plugged in or unplugged from the other connector. Temporary assembly refers to a state in which the terminal 10 can be temporarily locked in a state before the formal assembly state. It is assumed that the holding force of the stopper 80 on the terminal 10 in the temporary assembly state is smaller than the holding force of the stopper 80 on the terminal 10 in the formal assembly state. For example, the holding force of the stopper 80 on the terminal 10 in the temporary assembly state is sufficient to be able to hold the terminal 10 during the operation of moving the stopper 80 from the temporary assembly position to the formal assembly position.

[0041] More specifically, the housing 30 has a partition portion 31 that separates the cavity 44 of the upper layer from the lower side. In the present embodiment, the partition portion 31 is located between the terminal storage portion on the lower side and the terminal storage portion on the lower side, and separates the cavity 34 on the lower side from the cavity 44 on the upper side. The partition portion 31 can also be understood as a bottom plate located at the bottom of the cavity 44 on the upper layer. The housing 30 has longitudinal walls 43a and 43b from the partition portion 31 toward the upper side. The longitudinal walls 43a and 43b are plate-like portions that are orthogonal to the partition portion 31 and extend along the extension direction of the cavity 44. The longitudinal walls 43a and 43b are also along the protruding direction of the locking wall portion 84 described below. The longitudinal walls 43a and 43b include a pair of outer walls 43a located on both sides of the housing 30. The pair of outer walls 43a are exposed on the left or right outer side of the housing 30. The longitudinal walls 43a and 43b include an intermediate wall 43b that partitions the plurality of cavities 44. The intermediate wall 43b is located between the pair of outer walls 43a, and the pair of outer walls 43a and the intermediate wall 43b are arranged in parallel in the width direction of the housing 30 with a gap therebetween.

[0042] A front plate portion 31F extending in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction is provided at the front edge of the housing 30. The front plate portion 31F is located at the front end of the cavity 44. The terminal 10 disposed in the cavity 44 is restricted from moving forward by contacting the front plate portion 31F. A connection hole 31Fa is formed in the front plate portion 31F into which a terminal on the other side (for example, a male terminal having an elongated plate portion or a pin-shaped portion) can be inserted. The terminal on the other side can pass through the connection hole 31Fa and be connected to the terminal 10 in the cavity 44.

[0043] At least a portion of the openings on the side opposite to the partition portion 31 in the pair of outer walls 43a and the middle wall 43b is closed by the top plate portion 43c. The upper terminal receiving portion 42 is a structure including the upper part of the partition portion 31, the pair of outer walls 43a, the middle wall 43b, the top plate portion 43c and the front plate portion 31F, and a plurality of cavities 44 are formed in each gap between the pair of outer walls 43a and the middle wall 43b. The cavity 44 has a rear opening, and the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity through the rear opening.

[0044] The housing 30 has a permanent assembly opening 36 and a temporary assembly opening 38 .

[0045] In the present embodiment, the middle portion of the extension direction of the cavity 44 in the top plate portion 43c of the housing 30 is formed as a partial depression, and a formal assembly opening 36 is formed in a part of the depressed portion. When the front end of the terminal 10 disposed in the cavity 44 is in contact with the front plate portion 31F, at least a portion of the recess 14 in the terminal 10 can pass through the formal assembly opening 36 and be exposed outside the housing 30.

[0046] In addition, the rear portion of a pair of outer walls 43a of the shell 30 is partially recessed, and a temporary assembly opening 38 is formed in a portion of the recessed portion. The temporary assembly opening 38 is formed in a slit shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the cavity 44. The temporary assembly opening 38 is also a slit along the protruding direction of the locking wall portion 84 described below. In the extension direction of the cavity 44, at least a portion of the formation position of the temporary assembly opening 38 overlaps with at least a portion of the formal assembly opening 36. In the present embodiment, in the extension direction of the cavity 44, the temporary assembly opening 38 is located at a position forward of the formal assembly opening 36. Moreover, in a state where the front end of the terminal 10 arranged in the cavity 44 is in contact with the front plate portion 31F, at least a portion of the recess 14 in the terminal 10 can pass through both the formal assembly opening 36 and the temporary assembly opening 38 and be exposed outside the shell 30 (refer to Figure 6 ).

[0047] In addition, the temporary assembly opening 38 extends downward over the bottom surface of the cavity 44 on the side opposite to the formal assembly opening 36. A recess 44h is partially formed on the bottom surface of the cavity 44 at a position corresponding to the top of the temporary assembly opening 38. The recess is continuous with the temporary assembly opening 38, and the temporary locking protrusion 88 of the lance 86 is arranged in the recess 44h in the formal assembly state (see FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 6 ).

[0048] The stopper 80 can be assembled relative to the housing 30 in a temporary assembly position and a formal assembly position. The stopper 80 includes a lance 86 and a locking protrusion 83. When the stopper 80 is assembled in the temporary assembly position, the lance 86 is temporarily locked to the terminal 10 in the cavity 44, and a temporary assembly state can be achieved. Here, the lance 86 protrudes into the cavity 44 through the temporary assembly opening 38 and is temporarily locked to the terminal 10. When the stopper 80 is assembled in the formal assembly position, the locking protrusion 83 is locked to the terminal 10 in the cavity 44, and a formal assembly state can be achieved. Here, the locking protrusion 83 can protrude into the cavity 44 through the formal assembly opening 36 and be locked to the terminal 10.

[0049] Specifically, the housing 30 has a pair of temporary assembly locking portions 47 and a pair of permanent assembly locking portions 46 .

[0050] The pair of temporary attachment locking portions 47 are portions that are locked to the pair of locking wall portions 84 of the stopper 80 when the stopper 80 is located at the temporary attachment position.

[0051] The pair of formal assembly locking portions 46 are portions that are locked to the pair of locking wall portions 84 of the stopper 80 when the stopper 80 is located at the formal assembly position.

[0052] The pair of temporary fitting stoppers 47 protrude outward from the bottom of the recessed portion in the outer surface of the pair of outer walls 43a. The pair of temporary fitting stoppers 47 are formed to include the top end of the outer wall 43a, that is, the portion whose protruding dimension gradually decreases upward.

[0053] A pair of formal fitting stoppers 46 protrude outward from the bottom of the recessed portion in the outer surface of the pair of outer walls 43a. The pair of formal fitting stoppers 46 are formed to include the top end of the outer wall 43a, that is, the portion whose protruding dimension gradually decreases upward.

[0054] The pair of temporary assembly stoppers 47 are located on the side closer to the formal assembly opening 36, i.e., on the upper side, relative to the pair of formal assembly stoppers 46. Therefore, after the stopper 80 is temporarily stopped by the pair of temporary assembly stoppers 47 to form a temporary assembly state, it is further pressed so that it can be stopped by the pair of formal assembly stoppers 46 to form a formal assembly state.

[0055] The pair of formal assembly stoppers 46 and the pair of temporary assembly stoppers 47 are formed in an elongated convex shape along the extension direction of the cavity 44. The front ends of the pair of formal assembly stoppers 46 and the pair of temporary assembly stoppers 47 are located at the front side of the formal assembly opening 36, and the rear ends of the pair of formal assembly stoppers 46 and the pair of temporary assembly stoppers 47 are located at the rear side of the formal assembly opening 36.

[0056] The temporary assembly opening 38 extends in each of the pair of outer walls 43a in a manner that crosses the formal assembly stopper 46 and the temporary assembly stopper 47. Therefore, when the housing 30 is viewed from the side, the slit-shaped temporary assembly opening 38 intersects with the middle portion of the extension direction of the formal assembly stopper 46 and the temporary assembly stopper 47. The temporary assembly opening 38 may also cross the formal assembly stopper 46 or the temporary assembly stopper 47. The temporary assembly opening 38 may not cross the formal assembly stopper 46 and the temporary assembly stopper 47.

[0057] The stopper 80 includes a stopper body 82 and a pair of locking wall portions 84 .

[0058] The stopper body 82 is a part that is assembled to the formal assembly opening 36. Here, the stopper body 82 is formed into a plate shape that is expanded to a size that can block the formal assembly openings 36 corresponding to the plurality of cavities 44 at once. In the present embodiment, the middle portion of the top plate portion 43c in the front-to-back direction is partially recessed, and the stopper body 82 is formed into a plate shape that can be arranged in the recessed portion of the top plate portion 43c. When the stopper body 82 is arranged in the recessed portion, the front end of the stopper body 82 contacts the end surface of the top plate portion 43c located on the front side of the recessed portion, and the rear end of the stopper body 82 contacts the end surface of the top plate portion 43c located on the rear side of the recessed portion. Thus, the stopper 80 is positioned in the front-to-back direction.

[0059] A locking protrusion 83 is formed on the stopper body 82. Here, a plurality of locking protrusions 83 are formed in parallel corresponding to a plurality of cavities 44. The locking protrusion 83 is formed in the middle portion of the extending direction of the cavity 44, more specifically, in the region where the core wire crimping portion 12 is located in the extending direction of the cavity 44. The locking protrusion 83 is elongated in the extending direction of the cavity 44. The length of the locking protrusion 83 is set to a size smaller than the distance between the covering crimping portion 11 and the terminal connecting portion 13, for example, to enable positioning of the terminal 10 in the extending direction.

[0060] Moreover, when the stopper body 82 is assembled in the formal assembly opening 36, the locking projection 83 is arranged at a position corresponding to the formal assembly opening 36. In the temporary assembly state of the stopper 80, the locking projection 83 does not protrude into the cavity 44, but is arranged in the formal assembly opening 36 or at a position closer to the outside than the formal assembly opening 36. In the formal assembly state of the stopper 80, the locking projection 83 can protrude from the stopper body 82 into the cavity 44. In this state, the locking projection 83 can be inserted into the recess 14 between the covering crimping portion 11 and the terminal connecting portion 13 in the terminal 10 of the cavity 44. As a result, the terminal 10 is positioned in its extension direction, and the rearward separation is suppressed.

[0061] The pair of locking wall portions 84 extend from both sides of the stopper body main body 82 to both sides of the terminal receiving portion 42, here, along the outer surfaces of the pair of outer walls 43a. Anti-slip convex portions 85 are formed near the top ends of the inner surfaces of the pair of locking wall portions 84. The anti-slip convex portions 85 are convex portions protruding from the inner surfaces of the locking wall portions 84, and the anti-slip convex portions 85 are formed in a shape including a portion whose protruding size gradually decreases toward the top end side of the locking wall portions 84. The pair of locking wall portions 84 can be locked to the pair of temporary assembly locking portions 47 or the pair of formal assembly locking portions 46.

[0062] The anti-dropout protrusion 85 may also be in a convex shape that is elongated along the extension direction of the cavity 44. The anti-dropout protrusion 85 may also be of the same length as the length of the pair of temporary assembly stoppers 47 or the pair of formal assembly stoppers 46. Thus, the entire extension direction of the anti-dropout protrusion 85 can be stopped by the pair of temporary assembly stoppers 47 or the pair of formal assembly stoppers 46, so that the temporary assembly state or the formal assembly state of the stopper 80 is stable.

[0063] The lance 86 is a portion that temporarily stops the terminal 10 in the cavity 44 when the stopper 80 is located at the temporary mounting position.

[0064] Here, the lance 86 is formed at a middle position in the extension direction of the stopper body 82 so as to protrude in the same direction as the locking wall portion 84 so as to be arranged in the temporary assembly opening 38. More specifically, the lance 86 is a portion of the stopper body 82 that faces the terminal receiving portion 42 and protrudes from a portion between the pair of locking wall portions 84. When the stopper 80 is assembled in the formal assembly opening 36, the lance 86 is arranged in the temporary assembly opening 38. The lance 86 is configured to be long in a direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the cavity 44 and to be elastically deformable in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the cavity 44.

[0065] Preferably, the front-to-back length of the lance 86 may be equal to the gap width of the temporary assembly opening 38 in the front-to-back direction so that the lance 86 can be accommodated in the temporary assembly opening 38 without play in the front-to-back direction.

[0066] In this embodiment, the base end of the lance 86 is integrally connected to one side of the locking protrusion 83. Therefore, the structure is strengthened compared with the case where the lance 86 is not connected to the locking protrusion 83 and protrudes from the stopper body 82. As a result, the lance 86 is less likely to be damaged. By the structure in which the lance 86 is guided by the temporary assembly opening 38 in the extending direction of the cavity 44, the locking protrusion 83 is guided toward the formal assembly opening 36, so that the assembly of the stopper 80 is smooth.

[0067] The lance 86 has an elastic piece 87 and a temporary locking projection 88 .

[0068] The elastic piece 87 is an elongated portion extending in a direction (here, the up-down direction) intersecting (here, orthogonal) the extending direction of the cavity 44, and is configured to be elastically deformable in a direction (here, the left-right direction) intersecting (here, orthogonal) the extending direction of the cavity 44. As described above, the base end of the elastic piece 87 is integrally connected to the outer surface of the locking protrusion 83. The top end of the elastic piece 87 further protrudes from the top end of the locking protrusion 83 and can be easily elastically deformed in the left-right direction.

[0069] The temporary locking projection 88 is formed to protrude toward the cavity 44 at a position away from the base end of the elastic piece 87. Here, the temporary locking projection 88 protrudes toward the cavity 44 at a position away from the tip end of the locking projection 83.

[0070] When the lance 86 is disposed in the temporary fitting opening 38, the temporary locking projection 88 can protrude from the temporary fitting opening 38 into the cavity 44. Therefore, the temporary locking projection 88 can be temporarily locked to the recess 14 of the terminal 10 from the right or left side.

[0071] Since the temporary stop convex portion 88 is arranged at a position away from the top end of the stop convex portion 83, the temporary stop convex portion 88 can be temporarily stopped at the recessed portion 14 before the stop convex portion 83 is stopped at the recessed portion 14. In addition, the temporary stop convex portion 88 can be located at a position beyond the recessed portion 14 when the stop convex portion 83 is stopped at the recessed portion.

[0072] The temporary locking projection 88 has a first guide surface 88f1 and a second guide surface 88f2.

[0073] The first guide surface 88f1 is a surface of the temporary stop protrusion 88 that faces obliquely backward. The first guide surface 88f1 is a surface that gradually reduces the protruding dimension of the temporary stop protrusion 88 as it moves toward the side (rear side) where the terminal 10 is inserted in the extending direction of the cavity 44. When the temporary stop protrusion 88 protrudes from the temporary assembly opening 38 into the cavity 44, if the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 44, the top end of the terminal 10 can contact the first guide surface 88f1.

[0074] The second guide surface 88f2 is a surface of the temporary stop protrusion 88 that faces obliquely downward. The second guide surface 88f2 is a surface that gradually reduces the protruding dimension of the temporary stop protrusion 88 toward the tip side of the lance 86. The temporary stop protrusion 88 is arranged in the recess 14 of the terminal 10 so as to protrude from the temporary assembly opening 38 into the cavity 44. If the stopper 80 is pressed from this state, the second guide surface 88f2 can contact the core wire crimping portion 12.

[0075] The front surface of the temporary stop convex portion 88 may also be a temporary stop surface 88f3 perpendicular to the extension direction of the cavity 44. The temporary stop surface 88f3 is a surface that contacts the terminal connecting portion 13 when the terminal 10 is to be disengaged from the cavity 44 to the rear to achieve its disengagement. If the temporary stop surface 88f3 is perpendicular to the extension direction of the cavity 44, even if the temporary stop surface 88f3 contacts the terminal connecting portion 13, it is difficult for the lance 86 to elastically deform in the direction of releasing the temporary stop. Therefore, the temporary stop state is effectively maintained.

[0076] <Terminal holding operation> An example of the holding operation of the terminal 10 will be described.

[0077] For example, a structure in which a pair of anti-dropping protrusions 85 of the stopper 80 are locked to a pair of temporary assembly locking portions 47 is prepared (see Figure 6 and Figure 7 In this state, the locking projection 83 does not protrude into the cavity 44. Therefore, when the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 44 through the rear opening 45, it can be inserted into the inner side, that is, the front side, of the cavity 44 without being hooked on the locking projection 83.

[0078] In addition, in the above state, the elastic piece 87 of the lance 86 is disposed in the temporary assembly opening 38. The temporary locking projection 88 protruding from the elastic piece 87 protrudes from the temporary assembly opening 38 into the cavity 44. Therefore, when the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 44 through the rear opening 45, the terminal connection portion 13 of the terminal 10 contacts the temporary locking projection 88.

[0079] At this time, the tip of the terminal connection portion 13 contacts the first guide surface 88f1 of the temporary locking protrusion 88 (see Figure 7 ). As described above, the first guide surface 88f1 is a surface that gradually reduces the protruding size of the temporary locking protrusion 88 as the terminal 10 is inserted toward the rear side. Therefore, when the terminal 10 is inserted into the inner side of the cavity 44, the top end of the terminal connecting portion 13 contacts the first guide surface 88f1 and pushes the temporary locking protrusion 88 away from the cavity 44, that is, in the direction of retreating from the cavity 44, that is, the right outer side or the left outer side. As a result, the terminal 10 can move to the inner side of the cavity 44, that is, the front side.

[0080] When the terminal connection portion 13 passes over the temporary stop convex portion 88, the temporary stop convex portion 88 is restored to a state protruding into the cavity 44 by the elastic force of the elastic sheet 87 to restore to its original shape. As a result, the temporary stop convex portion 88 is temporarily stopped at the concave portion 14 of the terminal 10 (see Figure 6 ).

[0081] The terminals 10 are inserted into the cavities 44 in the same manner as described above. When the terminals 10 are inserted into the cavities 44, the temporary locking projections 88 are temporarily locked to the terminals 10. Therefore, once the terminals 10 are inserted into the cavities 44, the terminals 10 can be easily inserted one by one without worrying about the terminals 10 being disengaged thereafter.

[0082] In a state where the terminal 10 is temporarily stopped in each of the plurality of cavities 44 , the stopper 80 is pressed from the temporary mounting position toward the final mounting position.

[0083] At this time, the temporary stop convex portion 88 is pressed downward in the direction of pressing the stop body 80, that is, perpendicular to the extension direction of the cavity 44. In this way, the temporary stop convex portion 88 moves from the recessed portion 14 toward the core wire crimping portion 12 and contacts the core wire crimping portion 12. As described above, the second guide surface 88f2 is a surface that gradually reduces the protruding size of the temporary stop convex portion 88 as it moves toward the top end side of the lance 86. Therefore, the second guide surface 88f2 contacts the core wire crimping portion 12, and the temporary stop convex portion 88 moves in the direction of retreating from the cavity 44, that is, the right outer side or the left outer side. As a result, the temporary stop convex portion 88 passes over the core wire crimping portion 12 and moves downward of the core wire crimping portion 12, thereby releasing the temporary stop with the terminal 10. The temporary locking projection 88 that has passed over the core wire crimping portion 12 downward is returned to its original position on the cavity 44 side by the elastic force of the elastic piece 87 , and is disposed in a local recess 44 h of the cavity 44 .

[0084] The locking projection 83 enters the cavity 44 through the permanent assembly opening 36, and temporarily locks the recess 14 instead of the temporary locking projection 88. The locking projection 83 enters the recess 14 from the opposite side of the core wire crimping portion 12.

[0085] When the anti-dropout protrusions 85 of the pair of locking wall portions 84 of the stopper 80 pass over the formal assembly locking portion 46 and are locked in the formal assembly locking portion 46 in an anti-dropout state, the stopper 80 reaches the formal assembly position and is formally assembled to the housing 30. In this state, the locking protrusions 83 are kept protruding into the cavity 44, and the core wire crimping portion 12 is locked in the locking protrusions 83 from the front. As a result, the terminal 10 is prevented from slipping out of the cavity 44 to the rear.

[0086] <Effects, etc.> According to the connector structured as above, the stopper 80 includes the lance 86 that can be temporarily locked to the terminal 10 at the temporary mounting position and the locking projection that can be locked to the terminal 10 at the permanent mounting position. Therefore, the shape of the housing 30 can be simplified, and the connector 20 can be miniaturized.

[0087] That is, generally speaking, when comparing a housing having a cavity and a stopper having the function of holding a terminal in the cavity, the shape of the housing tends to become complicated. Furthermore, since a guide structure and a locking structure for connecting to a connector on the other side are often incorporated in the housing, the shape of the housing tends to become complicated from this point of view. Therefore, when a lance is formed in the housing, it tends to be large-sized from the viewpoint of mold constraints.

[0088] Therefore, as described in the present embodiment, by forming the lance 86 on the stopper 80, the shape of the housing 30 can be simplified and miniaturized. In addition, since the stopper 80 has a simpler shape than the housing 30, even if the housing 30 is formed on the stopper 80, there are fewer mold restrictions and it is difficult to cause the stopper 80 to be enlarged. Therefore, the shape of the connector 20 as a whole can be simplified and miniaturized.

[0089] In addition, the lance 86 and the locking protrusion 83 can both be locked in the recess 14 of the terminal 10. Therefore, it is not necessary to form a separate portion for the lance 86 to be temporarily locked in the terminal 10. Thus, the terminal 10 can be simplified and miniaturized, which contributes to the miniaturization of the connector 20.

[0090] Of course, the lance and the locking protrusion may also be locked at different positions relative to the terminal.

[0091] In addition, the lance 86 is formed in the middle of the extension direction of the stopper body 82 so as to protrude in the same direction as the locking wall portion 84 so as to be arranged in the temporary assembly opening 38, and is elastically deformed in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the cavity 44. Therefore, compared with the case where the lance is set in a posture along the extension direction of the cavity, the structure for forming the lance 86 can be reduced. As a result, the size of the connector 20 in the front-rear direction can be miniaturized.

[0092] In addition, the lance may also be arranged along the extending direction of the cavity. For example, the lance may protrude from the locking wall portion along the extending direction of the cavity, and an opening in which the lance may be arranged is formed on the side of the housing.

[0093] In addition, the base end of the lance 86 is connected integrally to the locking projection 83. Therefore, the lance 86 is reinforced and is difficult to be damaged.

[0094] In addition, the lance 86 has an elastic piece 87 and a temporary locking protrusion 88. When the stopper 80 is located at the temporary assembly position, the lance 86 is arranged in the temporary assembly opening 38, and the temporary locking protrusion 88 protrudes into the cavity 44 and away from the recessed portion of the terminal 10. Then, when the stopper 80 is located at the formal assembly position, the temporary locking protrusion 88 moves over the terminal 10 to release the temporary locking with the terminal 10. Alternatively, the stopper body 82 is assembled in the formal assembly opening 36, and the locking protrusion 83 protrudes into the cavity 44 and is locked in the recessed portion of the terminal 10.

[0095] Therefore, when the stopper 80 is located at the temporary assembly position, the lance 86 can temporarily lock the terminal 10. Then, when the stopper 80 is pressed and moved to the formal assembly position, the temporary locking of the lance 86 and the terminal 10 is released, and the locking protrusion 83 is temporarily locked to the terminal 10.

[0096] If the lance 86 and the locking protrusion 83 are at the same position or at least partially overlap in the extending direction of the terminal 10 , it is easy to realize a structure in which the lance 86 and the locking protrusion 83 are locked in the same position of the terminal 10 , that is, the recess 14 .

[0097] In addition, the temporary stop protrusion 88 has a first guide surface 88f1 and a second guide surface 88f2. Therefore, when the stopper 80 is located at the temporary assembly position, when the terminal 10 is inserted into the cavity 44, the terminal 10 can contact the first guide surface 88f1. As a result, the lance 86 is easily elastically deformed in the direction of retreating from the cavity 44. Then, when the terminal 10 is further pressed in, the lance 86 elastically returns to its original shape, and the temporary stop protrusion 88 can be temporarily stopped on the terminal 10.

[0098] In addition, when the stopper 80 is pressed from the temporary assembly position toward the formal assembly position, the second guide surface 88f2 contacts the terminal 10, and the lance 86 can be easily elastically deformed in the direction of retreating from the cavity 44. Therefore, the temporary locking protrusion 88 passes over the terminal 10, and the temporary locking of the lance 86 and the terminal 10 is released. Thus, by inserting the terminal 10, it is easy to achieve temporary locking of the lance 86 on the terminal 10, and by pressing the lance 86, it is easy to achieve temporary locking of the lance 86 and the terminal 10.

[0099] Furthermore, after the locking between the lance 86 and the terminal 10 is released, the locking projection 83 can be easily locked to the recess 14 .

[0100] In addition, in a state where the locking projection 83 is locked in the recess 14 , the state where the lance is temporarily locked in the terminal 10 can also be maintained.

[0101] In addition, the housing 30 includes an outer wall 43a as a vertical wall, and the temporary assembly opening 38 is formed in the outer wall 43a, and is formed as a slit along the protruding direction of the locking wall portion 84. Therefore, the lance 86 is arranged in the slit-shaped temporary assembly opening 38, so that the stopper 80 is guided. In addition, the lance 86 is easily elastically deformed by utilizing the space in the slit.

[0102] In addition, if the temporary assembly opening 38 is formed in the outer wall 43a, it is easy to ensure a space that allows the lance 86 to be elastically deformed to the outside of the outer wall 43a. Thus, even if the temporary locking protrusion 88 is made to protrude fully into the cavity 44, the lance 86 can be elastically deformed to the outside to a large extent. By making the temporary locking protrusion 88 protrude fully into the cavity 44, it is easy to keep the lance 86 temporarily locked to the terminal 10.

[0103] In addition, the slit-shaped temporary assembly opening 38 crosses the temporary assembly locking portion 47 and the formal assembly locking portion 46. Therefore, the anti-dropout protrusion 85 of the locking wall portion 84 is locked to the temporary assembly locking portion 47 or the formal assembly locking portion 46 near the position where the lance 86 is guided by the temporary assembly opening 38. Therefore, the anti-dropout protrusion 85 of the locking wall portion 84 can be smoothly locked to the temporary assembly locking portion 47 or the formal assembly locking portion 46.

[0104] In addition, in the structure where the lance 86 and the locking protrusion 83 are locked to the concave portion 14 at the same position in the length direction of the terminal 10, the locking protrusion 83 is locked to the terminal 10 at the middle part of the locking area of ​​the anti-dropout protrusion 85 and the locking portion 46 for formal assembly. Therefore, the anti-dropout of the terminal 10 by the locking protrusion 83 becomes more secure.

[0105] In addition, the connector may have three or more cavities arranged in a row. In this case, a temporary assembly opening may be formed in a wall separating the cavities, and a lance may be arranged in the temporary assembly opening.

[0106] In addition, the above structure can also be applied to a structure in which the same stopper is used to prevent the terminal inserted into the cavity of multiple layers from falling out. For example, the stopper body 82, the locking protrusion 83, and the lance 86 can also be provided in multiple layers corresponding to each layer.

[0107] In addition, the respective configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiment and the respective modifications can be appropriately combined unless there is any contradiction between them. Description of Reference Numerals

[0108] 10 terminals 11 Covering crimping part 12 Core wire crimping section 13 Terminal connection 14 recess 18 Wire 20 Connectors 30 Shell 31 Partition 31F Front panel 31Fa connection hole 32, 42 terminal storage area 34, 44 cavity 36 Opening for formal assembly 38 Opening for temporary assembly 43a outer wall (vertical wall) 43b Middle wall (vertical wall) 43c Top plate 44h Depression 45 Rear opening 46 Formal assembly stopper 47 Temporary assembly stopper 60 hood 80 stop body 82 Stopper body 83 locking protrusion 84 locking wall 85 Anti-falling convex part 86 Spear 87 Elastic sheet 88 Temporary stop convex part 88f1 first guide surface 88f2 Second guide surface 88f3 temporary card stop surface

Claims

1. A connector, which holds a terminal, comprising: a housing having a cavity formed therein capable of receiving the terminal; and The stopper can be assembled relative to the housing in a temporary assembly position and a formal assembly position, The stopper includes a lance capable of temporarily locking the terminal in the cavity at the temporary mounting position, and a locking projection capable of locking the terminal in the cavity at the permanent mounting position.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The terminal includes a recessed portion that is recessed in a portion of its extending direction, The lance can be temporarily locked in the recessed portion, and the locking protrusion can be locked in the recessed portion.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The housing has an opening for formal assembly and an opening for temporary assembly. The stopper includes a stopper body mounted on the formal mounting opening, and a pair of stopper wall portions extending from both sides of the stopper body along both sides of the housing. The locking protrusion is formed to protrude from the stop body toward the cavity. The lance is formed at a middle position in the extension direction of the stopper body so as to protrude in the same direction as the locking wall portion so as to be arrangeable in the temporary assembly opening, and is elastically deformed in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the cavity.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein: The base end of the lance is integrally connected to the locking projection.

5. The connector according to claim 3, wherein: The lance has an elastic piece and a temporary locking projection protruding toward the cavity at a position away from the base end of the elastic piece. When the stopper is located at the temporary assembly position, the lance is disposed at the temporary assembly opening, and the temporary locking projection protrudes into the cavity, so as to be temporarily locked to the terminal in the cavity. When the stopper is located at the formal assembly position, the temporary locking protrusion moves over the terminal to release the temporary locking with the terminal, and the locking protrusion protrudes into the cavity to be able to be locked with the terminal in the cavity.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein: The temporary locking protrusion has a first guide surface and a second guide surface, the first guide surface gradually reduces the protruding size of the temporary locking protrusion as it moves toward the side where the terminal is inserted in the extension direction of the cavity, and the second guide surface gradually reduces the protruding size of the temporary locking protrusion as it moves toward the top end side of the lance.

7. The connector according to claim 3, wherein: The housing includes a longitudinal wall along the extending direction of the cavity and the protruding direction of the locking wall portion. The temporary assembly opening is a slit formed in the vertical wall and along the protruding direction of the locking wall portion.

8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein: The longitudinal wall includes an outer wall exposed on any side of the shell, The temporary assembly opening is a slit formed in the outer wall.

9. The connector according to claim 7, wherein: The housing includes a pair of temporary assembly stoppers that are temporarily locked with the pair of stopper walls when the stopper is located at the temporary assembly position, and a pair of formal assembly stoppers that are locked with the pair of stopper walls when the stopper is located at the formal assembly position. The pair of temporary assembly stoppers and the pair of formal assembly stoppers are formed in an elongated convex shape along the extending direction of the cavity. The temporary assembly opening is a slit formed so as to cross at least one of the pair of temporary assembly locking portions and at least one of the pair of permanent assembly locking portions.

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