Connector

Abstract

The invention provides a connector capable of suppressing complication of a terminal structure and appropriately suppressing contact of a finger with a terminal. A connector (100) is provided with: a terminal (20) that is electrically connected to a terminal section (10a) of an electric wire (10); a housing (30) which accommodates the terminal part of the electric wire and enables the terminal to protrude from an opening formed at one end; an elastic member (40) provided in the housing; and a cover housing (50) which is disposed on one end side of the housing in a state of being supported by the elastic member, accommodates the terminal, has an opening (50b) at an end (50a) on the opposite side from the housing side, and is accommodated in the housing from the opening of the housing while elastically deforming the elastic member by applying an external force toward the housing side to the cover housing. The terminal protrudes from the opening toward the outside of the cover housing.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] For example, a technique related to a spring connector is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The spring connector includes a movable terminal and a spring member that always biases the movable terminal upward. In the spring connector of Patent Document 1, two movable terminals are provided. These movable terminals are configured to be able to slide independently in the vertical direction and to be able to swing independently in a plane parallel to the sliding direction. Further, arc-shaped convex portions are respectively formed at the upper ends of these movable terminals. The arc-shaped convex portions protrude from the upper end of the housing and have line contact portions that can contact terminals electrically connected to the movable terminals. Inclined surfaces that are inclined with respect to the pressing surface of the spring member are respectively formed at the lower ends of these movable terminals. In Patent Document 1, with the above structure, the contact resistance is stable, and stable conduction performance can be obtained.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3208179 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in a high-voltage connector for an electric vehicle or the like, an anti-touch structure for preventing an operator's finger from contacting a terminal (conductive portion) is sometimes adopted. In a connector adopting the anti-touch structure, there is a case where the manufacturing cost of the connector increases due to the complication of the terminal structure. In a connector, it is desired to suppress the complication of the terminal structure and appropriately suppress the contact of a finger with the terminal.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can appropriately suppress the contact of a finger with a terminal while suppressing the complication of the terminal structure.

[0009] Technical Means for Solving the Problem

[0010] The connector of the present invention includes: terminals electrically connected to the end portions of electric wires; a housing that houses the end portions of the electric wires and projects the terminals from an opening formed at one end; an elastic member disposed within the housing; and a cover housing that is disposed on the one end side of the housing in a state supported by the elastic member, houses the terminals, and has an opening at an end on the side opposite to the housing side. By applying an external force toward the housing side to the cover housing, the elastic member is elastically deformed while the cover housing is received into the housing from the opening of the housing, and the terminals project outward from the opening of the cover housing.

[0011] Advantages of the Invention

[0012] The connector of the present invention has the effect of being able to suppress the complication of the terminal structure and appropriately suppress the contact of fingers with the terminals. Description of the Drawings

[0013] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a top view showing the connector of the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view showing the connection state of the connector of the embodiment and the mating device unit.

[0016] Description of Reference Numerals

[0017] 10: Electric wire, 10a: End portion

[0018] 20: Terminal

[0019] 30: Housing, 31: Cylindrical portion, 32: Rear retainer

[0020] 40: Elastic member

[0021] 50: Cover housing, 50a: End portion, 50b: Opening

[0022] 60: Terminal cover

[0023] 100: Connector

[0024] 200: Mating device unit, 201: Frame, 201a: Terminal insertion opening

[0025] 201b: Edge portion, 202: Mating terminal

[0026] 300: Fastening member, 301: Fastening bolt, 302: Cover portion Detailed Description of the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Further, among the structural elements of the following embodiments, there are elements that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art, or substantially identical elements.

[0028] [Embodiment]

[0029] Refer to Figures 1 to 3 for the description of the embodiment. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of the embodiment, Figure 2 is a top view showing the connector of the embodiment, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection state of the connector of the embodiment and the other device unit. In addition, Figure 2 is shown in Figure 1 is a top view of the connector as viewed from the side of the other device unit.

[0030] Figure 1 The connector 100 of the embodiment shown is, for example, a shielded connector and is assembled to a wire harness laid in a vehicle such as an automobile. Here, the wire harness bundles a plurality of wires 10 for power supply and signal communication as a collective element for connection between various devices mounted on the vehicle, and connects the plurality of wires 10 to the respective devices through the connector 100 or the like.

[0031] The connector 100 of the embodiment includes a terminal 20, a housing 30, an elastic member 40, a cover housing 50, and a terminal cover 60. The terminal 20 is formed of a conductive metal. In the embodiment, the terminal 20 is formed in a flat plate shape having a pair of main surfaces. One end portion of the terminal 20 is electrically connected to the end portion 10a of the wire 10.

[0032] In the embodiment, the wire 10 is a so-called shielded wire and includes a core wire 11, an inner covering (inner sheath) 12, a shielding material 13, and an outer covering (outer sheath) 14. The core wire 11 has conductivity and is formed in a cylindrical shape. For example, the core wire 11 may be composed of a single cylindrical metal wire conductor, or may be a single cylindrical bundle formed by stranding or the like of a plurality of metal wire conductors. The inner covering 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is an insulating member that covers the core wire 11. The shielding material 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is a conductive member that covers the inner covering 12. The shielding material 13 may be a woven body formed by weaving a metal wire conductor into a mesh shape and having a cylindrical shape, or may be a metal foil (so-called metal foil) formed in a cylindrical shape. The outer covering 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is an insulating member that covers the shielding material 13. The wire 10 of the embodiment has a core wire exposed portion at the end portion 10a, and the core wire 11 is exposed to the outside by locally removing the inner covering 12, the shielding material 13, and the outer covering 14.

[0033] In an embodiment, one end portion of the terminal 20 is joined to the exposed portion of the core wire at the end portion 10a of the electric wire 10 by ultrasonic welding or the like. Here, one end portion (upper surface) of one of the pair of main surfaces of the terminal 20 is joined to the exposed portion of the core wire. In addition, an insertion through-hole 20b that penetrates the terminal 20 in the plate thickness direction is formed at the other end portion of the terminal 20. The insertion through-hole 20b is a hole through which the shaft portion of a fastening bolt 301 described later is inserted.

[0034] The housing 30 is configured to house the end portion 10a of the electric wire 10. The housing 30 of the embodiment has a cylindrical portion 31 and a rear retainer 32. The cylindrical portion 31 is a conductive member formed in a cylindrical shape, and houses the end portion 10a of the electric wire 10 in its internal space. At the end portion 10a of the electric wire 10 housed in the internal space of the housing 30, the shielding material 13 and the outer covering 14 are folded back so that the inner covering 12 covering the core wire 11 is exposed to the outside, and the end portion of the folded-back shielding material 13 is electrically connected to the inner peripheral surface of the housing 30.

[0035] An opening 30a is formed at one end of the cylindrical portion 31 of the housing 30, and the terminal 20 protrudes from the opening 30a. In addition, a plate-shaped flange portion 31a that extends toward the outside of the cylindrical portion 31 is formed at one end of the cylindrical portion 31.

[0036] As Figure 2 shown, an insertion through-hole 31b that penetrates the flange portion 31a is formed in the flange portion 31a. The connector 100 is mounted on a later-described counterpart device unit 200 and is fixed to the counterpart device unit 200 by a fastening member (for example, a fastening bolt). Specifically, the fastening member is inserted through the insertion through-hole 31b of the flange portion 31a of the connector 100 and is screwed into a screw hole formed in the counterpart device unit 200 so as to communicate with the insertion through-hole 31b, thereby fixing the connector 100 to the counterpart device unit 200.

[0037] In the embodiment, when viewed from the side of the counterpart device unit 200 (on the side opposite to the base end side of the electric wire 10 with respect to the flange portion 31a), the flange portion 31a is formed in a rectangular shape having an opening 30a at the center. Two insertion through-holes 31b are formed in the flange portion 31a. When viewed from the side of the counterpart device unit 200, one insertion through-hole 31b is formed at the upper right corner, and when viewed from the side of the counterpart device unit 200, the other insertion through-hole 31b is formed at the lower left corner.

[0038] As Figure 1 shown, the rear retainer 32 is a portion that closes the opening formed at the other end of the cylindrical portion 31. An insertion through-hole for inserting the electric wire 10 is formed in the rear retainer 32, and the end portion 10a of the electric wire 10 is housed in the housing space of the cylindrical portion 31 through the insertion through-hole of the rear retainer 32.

[0039] The elastic member 40 is a member disposed within the housing 30 and supporting the later-described cover housing 50. The elastic member 40 in the embodiment is a metal helical spring. The elastic member 40 is disposed in the accommodation space of the cylindrical portion 31 of the housing 30 and extends in a direction along the installation direction of the connector 100 and the other device unit 200. In the embodiment, the elastic member 40 extends in a direction along the installation direction of the connector 100 and the other device unit 200 in a manner wound around the end portion 10a of the electric wire 10 within the housing 30.

[0040] On the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31, a first locking projection 31c protruding toward the inside of the cylindrical portion 31 is formed. The first locking projection 31c in the embodiment is formed in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 31 on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31. The first locking projection 31c is located at the end portion of the cylindrical portion 31 on the side of the rear cage 32. The end portion of the elastic member 40 on the rear cage 32 side is supported by the housing 30 by abutting against the first locking projection 31c, and the elastic member 40 is held in the accommodation space of the cylindrical portion 31 in a manner sandwiched between the cover housing 50 and the first locking projection 31c so as to be elastically deformable.

[0041] The cover housing 50 is a member that is disposed on one end side of the housing 30 (one end on the other device unit 200 side) in a state supported by the elastic member 40 and accommodates the terminal 20. The cover housing 50 in the embodiment is an insulating cylindrical member that accommodates the terminal 20 inside when the connector 100 is in a state of not being installed on the other device unit 200, thereby preventing an operator's finger from coming into contact with the terminal 20.

[0042] On the end portion of the cover housing 50 on the rear cage 32 side, a third locking projection 50c protruding outward is formed. The third locking projection 50c is formed, for example, in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the cover housing 50 on the outer peripheral surface of the cover housing 50. In addition, on the end portion of the cylindrical portion 31 on the opening 30a side, a second locking projection 31d protruding toward the inside of the cylindrical portion 31 is formed. The second locking projection 31d in the embodiment is formed in an annular shape along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31. The cover housing 50 is held by sandwiching the third locking projection 50c between the second locking projection 31d and the elastic member 40.

[0043] The cover housing 50 has an opening 50b at the end portion 50a on the side opposite to the housing 30 side. In the embodiment, at the end portion 50a of the cover housing 50, an annular portion 50d protruding toward the inside of the cover housing 50 is formed so as to surround the opening 50b. For example, the connector 100 in the embodiment can prevent an operator's finger from entering the cover housing 50 through the annular portion 50d.

[0044] By applying an external force toward the housing 30 side to the cover housing 50, while elastically deforming the elastic member 40, the cover housing 50 is received into the housing 30 from the opening 30a of the housing 30, and the terminal 20 protrudes outward from the cover housing 50 through the opening 50b. That is, by applying an external force toward the housing 30 side to the cover housing 50, while elastically deforming the elastic member 40, the cover housing 50 moves from the terminal receiving position where the terminal 20 is received inside to the terminal protruding position where the terminal 20 protrudes from the outside of the cover housing 50. In addition, when the external force toward the housing 30 side applied to the cover housing 50 is released, the cover housing 50 moves from inside the housing 30 (terminal protruding position) to the position for receiving the terminal 20 (terminal receiving position) by the restoring force of the elastic member 40.

[0045] The terminal cover 60 is an insulating member that covers the terminal 20. The terminal cover 60 is received into the cover housing 50 together with the terminal 20. The opening 50b of the embodiment is formed in a size that allows the terminal 20 and the terminal cover 60 received in the cover housing 50 to pass through. As Figure 2 shown, in the embodiment, the opening 50b is formed in a shape corresponding to the terminal cover 60 (here, a rectangular shape), and the terminal cover 60 covers the flat terminal 20. When the cover housing 50 moves from the terminal receiving position to the terminal protruding position, the terminal cover 60 protrudes outward from the opening 50b of the cover housing 50 together with the terminal 20. In addition, when the cover housing 50 moves from the terminal protruding position to the terminal receiving position, the terminal cover 60 is received inside the cover housing 50 together with the terminal 20.

[0046] The terminal cover 60 of the embodiment is formed to expose the connection surface of the terminal 20 for connecting to the other terminal 202, that is, the other-terminal connection surface 20a, and covers the other surfaces. That is, the terminal 20 of the embodiment is provided in a state where the other-terminal connection surface 20a is exposed from the terminal cover 60. In addition, an insertion hole 60a communicating with the insertion hole 20b of the terminal 20 is formed in the terminal cover 60. Further, in the embodiment, the other-terminal connection surface 20a of the terminal 20 is the lower surface of the pair of main surfaces of the terminal 20 (the surface opposite to the joint surface of the core wire exposed portion).

[0047] The other-device unit 200 is a device unit to which the connector 100 is mounted, and includes a housing 201, the other terminal 202, and a base portion 203. The housing 201 is a metal housing 201 that houses the other terminal 202 and the base portion 203 inside. A terminal insertion port 201a is formed in the surface of the housing 201 where the connector 100 is mounted, that is, the mounting surface. The size of the terminal insertion port 201a is formed to allow the terminal 20 to pass through and restrict the cover housing 50 from passing through. In addition, the edge portion 201b of the terminal insertion port 201a has a recessed shape that is recessed with respect to the surface around the mounting surface.

[0048] The recessed shape at the edge portion 201b of the terminal insertion port 201a functions as a guiding portion when the opening portion 50b of the cover housing 50 is overlapped and communicated with the terminal insertion port 201a. In addition, the recessed shape at the edge portion 201b of the terminal insertion port 201a also functions as a position mark for pressing the end portion 50a of the cover housing 50. Further, a screw hole is formed at a position of the frame body 201 corresponding to the insertion through hole 31b of the flange portion 31a of the connector 100. The frame body 201 is configured such that by screwing a fastening member (such as a fastening bolt) into the screw hole, the flange portion 31a can be fastened to the frame body 201.

[0049] The mating terminal 202 is formed of a conductive metal. In the embodiment, the mating terminal 202 is formed in a flat plate shape having a pair of main surfaces. The end portion of the mating terminal 202 is electrically connected to, for example, an electronic component or the like provided in the frame body 201 of the mating device unit 200 via a conductive member such as a wire. An insertion through hole 202a that penetrates the mating terminal 202 in the plate thickness direction is formed in the mating terminal 202.

[0050] The base portion 203 is an insulating member on which the mating terminal 202 is placed on the upper surface. A screw hole 203a is formed in the base portion 203 in a manner that communicates with the insertion through hole 202a of the mating terminal 202 placed on the upper surface. The screw hole 203a is formed to be able to be screwed with a fastening member 300 described later.

[0051] The terminal 20 and the mating terminal 202 are fixed in a state of being in contact with each other by the fastening member 300. The fastening member 300 in the embodiment includes a fastening bolt 301 composed of a shaft portion and a head portion, and a cover portion 302 that covers the head portion of the fastening bolt 301. The fastening bolt 301 is formed of a conductive metal material or the like, and the cover portion 302 is formed of an insulating resin material or the like. The shaft portion of the fastening bolt 301 is a rod-shaped portion that extends in one direction, and the head portion of the fastening bolt 301 extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the shaft portion. The shaft portion of the fastening bolt 301 is formed to be able to be inserted through the insertion through holes 20b, 60a, 202a, and to be able to be screwed with the screw hole 203a of the base portion 203.

[0052] As Figure 3 shown, the connector 100 overlaps the terminal insertion port 201a of the mating device unit 200 with the opening portion 50b of the cover housing 50, and is mounted on the mating device unit 200 in such a manner that the end portion 50a of the cover housing 50 is pressed against the edge portion 201b of the terminal insertion port 201a.

[0053] For example, an operator who installs the connector 100 on the mating device unit 200 holds the housing 30, and presses the end portion 50a of the cover housing 50 against the edge portion 201b of the terminal insertion port 201a of the mating device unit 200, so that a force toward the housing 30 side acts on the end portion 50a of the cover housing 50.

[0054] When the housing 30 is moved to press the cover housing 50 against the edge portion 201b of the terminal insertion port 201a of the mating device unit 200, and thus an external force toward the housing 30 side acts on the cover housing 50, the cover housing 50 moves to the terminal protruding position, and the terminal 20 protrudes into the terminal insertion port 201a from the opening portion 50b.

[0055] The operator moves the housing 30 toward the mating device unit 200 until the flange portion 31a abuts against the housing 201 of the mating device unit 200. Further, the operator fixes the connector 100 to the mating device unit 200 by inserting a fastening member through the insertion hole 31b of the flange portion 31a and screwing it into the screw hole of the housing 201 of the mating device unit 200. By fixing the connector 100 to the mating device unit 200 using a fastening bolt, for example, it is possible to prevent the cover housing 50 from being pushed back toward the mating device unit 200 by the restoring force of the elastic member 40.

[0056] The mating terminal 202 of the mating device unit 200 is disposed at a position where it contacts the terminal 20 protruding into the terminal insertion port 201a. In the embodiment, the mating terminal 202 is disposed at a position where the upper surface of the mating terminal 202 makes surface contact with the mating terminal connection surface (lower surface) 20a of the terminal 20 protruding into the terminal insertion port 201a. At this time, the insertion hole 20b of the terminal 20 protruding into the terminal insertion port 201a and the insertion hole 202a of the mating terminal 202 are located at positions where they communicate with each other. That is, in the embodiment, when the connector 100 is installed on the mating device unit 200, the terminal 20 and the mating terminal 202 overlap in a state where the insertion hole 20b and the insertion hole 202a communicate with each other.

[0057] The operator fixes the terminal 20 and the mating terminal 202 to the base portion 203 by inserting the shaft portion of the fastening bolt 301 through the insertion holes 20b, 60a, and 202a and screwing it into the screw hole 203a of the base portion 203. At this time, the terminal 20 is covered with an insulating terminal cover 60, and the head of the fastening bolt 301 is covered with an insulating cover portion 302. According to this structure, when the terminal 20 and the mating terminal 202 are fixed to the base portion 203 by the fastening member 300 in the connector 100 of the embodiment, it is possible to prevent the operator's finger from contacting the conduction portions (the terminal 20, the mating terminal 202, the fastening bolt 301, etc.).

[0058] In addition, when the connector 100 is detached from the mating device unit 200, the operator first detaches the fastening bolts inserted through the insertion holes 31b of the flange portion 31a (see Figure 2 ) and the fastening members 300 inserted through the insertion holes 20b of the terminals 20. Then, the operator holds the housing 30 and moves the housing 30 in a direction away from the edge portion 201b of the terminal insertion port 201a, thereby pulling out the terminal 20 from the terminal insertion port 201a of the mating device unit 200.

[0059] When the external force toward the housing 30 side is released by moving the housing 30 in a direction away from the edge portion 201b of the terminal insertion port 201a, the cover housing 50 moves to the terminal accommodation position by the restoring force of the elastic member 40 and accommodates the terminal 20 pulled out from the terminal insertion port 201a. According to this structure, the connector 100 of the embodiment can suppress contact between the operator's finger and the conduction portion (terminal 20, fastening bolt 301, etc.) even when detached from the mating device unit 200.

[0060] As described above, the connector 100 of the embodiment includes: a terminal 20 electrically connected to the end portion 10a of the electric wire 10; a housing 30 that accommodates the end portion 10a of the electric wire 10 and projects the terminal 20 from an opening 30a formed at one end of the housing 30; an elastic member 40 provided inside the housing 30; and a cover housing 50 disposed on one end side of the housing 30 in a state supported by the elastic member 40 and accommodating the terminal 20, and having an opening 50b at an end portion 50a on the side opposite to the housing 30 side. By applying an external force toward the housing 30 side to the cover housing 50, while elastically deforming the elastic member 40, the cover housing 50 is accommodated in the housing 30 from the opening 30a of the housing 30, and the terminal 20 projects outward from the opening 50b of the cover housing 50.

[0061] In the connector 100 of the embodiment, by applying an external force toward the housing 30 side to the cover housing 50, while elastically deforming the elastic member 40, the cover housing 50 is accommodated in the housing 30 from the opening 30a of the housing 30, and the terminal 20 projects outward from the opening 50b of the cover housing 50. For example, the connector 100 of the embodiment can suppress contact between the operator's finger and the terminal 20 and insert the terminal 20 into the mating device unit 200 by mounting the housing 30 on the mating device unit 200 by pressing the end portion of the cover housing 50 against the edge portion 201b of the terminal insertion port 201a of the mating device unit 200. According to this structure, the connector 100 of the embodiment can suppress complication of the structure of the terminal 20 and can appropriately suppress contact between the operator's finger and the terminal 20.

[0062] In addition, in the connector 100 of the embodiment, when the external force acting on the cover housing 50 toward the housing 30 side is released, the cover housing 50 moves from inside the housing 30 to the position for housing the terminals 20 by the restoring force of the elastic member 40.

[0063] In the connector 100 of the embodiment, by detaching the connector 100 from the mating device unit 200, the external force acting on the end portion of the cover housing 50 toward the housing 30 side is released, and by the restoring force of the elastic member 40, the cover housing 50 moves to house the terminals 20. According to this structure, even when the connector 100 is detached from the mating device unit 200, it is possible to appropriately prevent the operator's finger from contacting the terminals 20.

[0064] In addition, in the connector 100 of the embodiment, when the housing 30 moves in such a manner as to press the cover housing 50 against the edge portion 201b of the terminal insertion port 201a of the mating device unit 200, thereby applying an external force toward the housing 30 side, the cover housing 50 moves to the terminal protruding position and the terminals 20 protrude from the opening 50b into the terminal insertion port 201a. When the housing 30 moves in a direction away from the edge portion 201b of the terminal insertion port 201a and the external force toward the housing 30 side is released, the cover housing 50 moves to the terminal housing position by the restoring force of the elastic member 40 and houses the terminals 20 pulled out from the terminal insertion port 201a.

[0065] The connector 100 of the embodiment is mounted on the mating device unit 200 in such a manner as to press the cover housing 50 against the edge portion 201b of the terminal insertion port 201a, whereby the operator can insert the terminals 20 into the terminal insertion port 201a of the mating device unit 200 without the fingers contacting the vicinity of the terminals 20. In addition, when the connector 100 is detached from the mating device unit 200, due to the restoring force of the elastic member 40, the cover housing 50 moves to the position for housing the terminals 20. Therefore, even when the connector 100 is detached from the mating device unit 200, it is possible to appropriately prevent the operator's finger from contacting the terminals 20.

[0066] In addition, in the connector 100 of the embodiment, a terminal cover 60 is further provided. The terminal cover 60 covers the terminals 20 and is housed together with the terminals 20 in the cover housing 50. By applying an external force toward the housing 30 side to the cover housing 50, the terminal cover 60 protrudes from the opening 50b to the outside of the cover housing 50 together with the terminals 20. The terminals 20 are formed in a flat plate shape having a pair of main surfaces, and one of the pair of main surfaces, that is, the mating terminal connection surface 20a, is exposed from the terminal cover 60.

[0067] In the connector 100 of the embodiment, since the terminal cover 60 covers the terminal 20, for example, even when the terminal 20 protrudes outward from the opening 50b to the outside of the cover housing 50, it is possible to prevent the operator's finger from contacting the terminal 20.

[0068] In addition, as a structure of a comparative example different from the embodiment, a structure in which screw holes are provided in the terminals of the connector and the mating terminals and fastened with fastening bolts is also considered. For such a terminal structure, in the case of applying an anti-touch structure for preventing the operator's finger from contacting, it is possible to consider forming cylindrical conduction portions extending along the fastening direction of each other in both terminals by the length of the shaft portion of the fastening bolt, and covering each terminal with an insulating member. In this case, the terminal structure becomes complicated, so the manufacturing cost of the connector sometimes increases.

[0069] On the other hand, in the connector 100 of the embodiment, it is possible to prevent the operator's finger from contacting the flat-shaped terminal 20 by using the cover housing 50 and the terminal cover 60. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the shape of the terminal 20 from becoming complicated, and it is possible to appropriately prevent the operator's finger from contacting the terminal 20. By preventing the shape of the terminal 20 from becoming complicated, for example, an increase in the manufacturing cost of the connector 100 can be suppressed.

[0070] [Modification Example]

[0071] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example in which an external force acting on the cover housing 50 toward the housing 30 side is applied by pressing the end portion 50a of the cover housing 50 against the edge portion 201b of the terminal insertion port 201a of the mating device unit 200 has been described, but the structure is not limited thereto. For example, the cover housing 50 may have a protrusion protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cover housing 50.

[0072] In this case, the protrusion is formed, for example, near the end portion 50a of the cover housing 50. The protrusion may be provided in plurality on the outer peripheral surface of the cover housing 50, or may be formed in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the cover housing 50. The terminal insertion port 201a of the mating device unit 200 is set to a size that allows the terminal 20 to pass through and restricts the passage of the cover housing 50 by the protrusion.

[0073] In addition, the concave shape of the edge portion 201b of the terminal insertion port 201a in the mating device unit 200 may be formed to a depth that can accommodate the protrusion when the connector 100 is mounted on the mating device unit 200. In addition, a concave shape for accommodating the protrusion may be formed on the flange portion 31a side. According to this structure, for example, it is possible to prevent a gap from being generated between the flange portion 31a and the housing 201 and to prevent a reduction in dustproof performance or the like.

[0074] The content disclosed in the above embodiments and variations can be appropriately combined for implementation.

Claims

1. A connector, characterized in that, Comprising: A terminal, which is electrically connected to the end portion of a wire; A housing that houses the end portion of the wire and projects the terminal from an opening formed at one end of the housing; An elastic member disposed within the housing; And A cover housing that is disposed on the one end side of the housing in a state supported by the elastic member, houses the terminal, and has an opening at an end on the side opposite to the housing side, By applying an external force toward the housing side to the cover housing, while elastically deforming the elastic member, the cover housing is received into the housing from the opening of the housing, and the terminal projects outward from the opening portion to the outside of the cover housing.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that When the external force toward the housing side applied to the cover housing is released, the cover housing moves from within the housing to the position where the terminal is housed by the restoring force of the elastic member.

3. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that When moving the housing in a manner of pressing the cover housing against the edge of the terminal insertion port of the other device unit to apply an external force toward the housing side to the cover housing, the cover housing moves to the terminal projecting position and the terminal projects into the terminal insertion port from the opening portion, and When the external force toward the housing side is released by moving the housing in a direction away from the edge of the terminal insertion port, the cover housing moves to the terminal housing position by the restoring force of the elastic member and houses the terminal pulled out from the terminal insertion port.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The connector further includes a terminal cover that covers the terminal and is housed together with the terminal in the cover housing, and by applying an external force toward the housing side to the cover housing, the terminal cover projects outward from the opening portion to the outside of the cover housing together with the terminal, The terminal is formed in a flat plate shape having a pair of main surfaces, and one of the pair of main surfaces, i.e., the mating terminal connection surface, is exposed from the terminal cover.

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