Connector and housing unit

Abstract

A connector includes a housing, a terminal housed in the housing, and a flat electric wire electrically connected to the terminal. The flat electric wire includes a conductor and an insulating layer sandwiching the conductor. The terminal includes a wall portion defining a space in which the conductor of the flat electric wire is disposed and facing an inner surface of a housing portion of the housing, a contact portion disposed on an inner surface of the wall portion and in pressure contact with the conductor, and an engaging portion engaged with the insulating layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a connector and a housing unit for the connector, the connector including a housing, terminals configured to be housed within the housing, and flat wires configured to be electrically connected to the terminals. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, a circuit (so-called wiring harness) for connecting power supplies, electrical junction boxes, various electrical components, etc., installed in vehicles, etc. (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] List of cited references

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: JP2005-078962A Summary of the Invention

[0006] The aforementioned type of circuit typically includes multiple wires, terminals attached to the various ends of the wires, and a housing that accommodates the terminals. Because this type of circuit usually has a structure that integrates multiple wires by bundling them together and wrapping them with tape, the diameter tends to increase with the number of circuits, and it is difficult to reduce the thickness. In contrast, it is conceivable to implement the circuit using flat wires (e.g., flat flexible cables) that allow it to be made thinner than wire harnesses. Even when using flat wires, it is desirable to improve the reliability of the electrical connection between the flat wires and the terminals, as is the case when using related wire harnesses.

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a connector and housing unit that provides a highly reliable electrical connection between flat wires and terminals.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the connector and housing unit according to this disclosure are characterized as follows.

[0009] The connector disclosed herein includes: a housing; terminals housed within the housing; and a flat wire electrically connected to the terminals. The flat wire includes a conductor and an insulating layer sandwiching the conductor. The terminal includes: a wall-like portion defining a space therein for the conductor of the flat wire and facing an inner surface of the housing's receiving portion; a contact portion disposed on the inner surface of the wall-like portion and in pressure contact with the conductor; and an engagement portion engaging with the insulating layer of the flat wire.

[0010] The housing unit disclosed herein is attached to the end of a flat wire. The housing unit includes a housing and terminals housed within the housing. The terminals include: a wall-like portion defining a space therein for a conductor of the flat wire and facing an inner surface of the housing portion; a contact portion disposed on the inner surface of the wall-like portion and in pressure contact with the conductor; and a joining portion engaging with the insulation layer of the flat wire.

[0011] According to the connector and housing unit of this disclosure, the terminal includes: a wall-like portion facing the inner surface of a receiving portion of the housing; a contact portion disposed on the inner surface of the wall-like portion and configured to make pressure contact with a conductor; and a joining portion configured to engage with an insulating layer. Therefore, compared to the case where the contact portion is simply disposed in the terminal, the displacement of the flat wire (e.g., displacement causing the flat wire to unintentionally separate from the housing) is limited by the effect of the joining portion. Therefore, the connector and housing unit of this disclosure provides excellent reliability in the electrical connection between the flat wire and the terminal.

[0012] The present disclosure has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present disclosure will be further clarified by reading the following description of methods for carrying out the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a connector according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A perspective view of the end of the flat wire shown;

[0015] Figure 3 This corresponds to the state where the terminal is housed in the housing. Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of section AA in the diagram;

[0016] Figure 4 It is done by cutting the end of the flat wire from... Figure 3 The state shown corresponds to the state in which the connector is inserted into the space between a pair of wall-like portions of the terminal to complete the connector assembly. Figure 3 Cross-sectional view;

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of part B in the image;

[0018] Figure 6 The connector in the second embodiment of the present invention corresponds to Figure 3 Cross-sectional view.

[0019] Figure 7 It is at the end of the flat wire from Figure 6The state shown corresponds to the state in which the terminal is inserted into the space between a pair of wall-like portions. Figure 6 Cross-sectional view;

[0020] Figure 8 It is through from Figure 7 The state shown corresponds to the state in which the pressing component is assembled into the housing to complete the connector assembly. Figure 6 Cross-sectional view; and

[0021] Figure 9 Is Figure 8 The connector shown corresponds to Figure 5 Enlarged image. Detailed Implementation

[0022] <First Embodiment>

[0023] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 1 to 5 A connector 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is described. (As follows) Figure 1 As shown, the connector 1 according to the first embodiment includes a housing 10, terminals 20 housed in the housing 10, and a flat wire 30 electrically connected to the terminals 20. The housing 10 and terminals 20 constituting the connector 1 constitute the housing unit 2 according to this disclosure (see [link to disclosure]). Figure 1 Connector 1 is mounted on the vehicle and used, for example, in a state of assembly with a mating connector (not shown).

[0024] In the following text, for ease of description, such as Figure 1 The terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down" are defined as shown. The "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are orthogonal to each other. The front-rear direction aligns with the assembly direction of connector 1 and the mating connector, and also with the extension direction of the flat wire 30. When connector 1 is installed on a vehicle, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions may not necessarily align with the vehicle's front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions. The configuration of each component implementing connector 1 will be described sequentially below.

[0025] First, the housing 10 will be described. The housing 10 is a resin molded body, and as... Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, it has a generally rectangular box shape that is flat and short in the vertical direction and extends in the front-back direction. Inside the housing 10, there is a generally cuboid hollow portion that is flat and relatively short in the vertical direction, extends in the front-back direction, and opens rearward. (As shown...) Figure 3 As shown, the hollow portion serves as the receiving portion 11 for receiving the terminal 20.

[0026] like Figure 3As shown, the front wall of the housing 10 is provided with a communication hole 12, which connects the outside of the housing 10 to the receiving part 11. When the connector 1 and the mating connector are assembled together, the mating terminal (not shown) belonging to the mating connector is inserted into the receiving part 11 of the housing 10 through the communication hole 12 and is electrically connected to the terminal 20 received in the receiving part 11.

[0027] like Figure 3 As shown, each of the rear ends of a pair of upper and lower inner surfaces 11a (the inner surfaces of the upper and lower walls of the housing 10) of the housing 10 is provided with a protrusion 13 protruding toward the terminal 20 (inner side in the vertical direction) housed in the housing 11. The effect of providing such a protrusion 13 will be described later.

[0028] Next, terminal 20 will be described. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the metal terminal 20 includes: a main body 21, which is a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is flat and short in the vertical direction and extends in the front-rear direction; and a pair of generally rectangular flat wall portions 22, each extending rearward from the upper and lower end edges of the rear end surface of the main body 21, and having an overall shape capable of being received in a receiving portion 11 of the housing 10. The pair of upper and lower wall portions 22 are arranged to face each other at a distance in the vertical direction. Each of the pair of upper and lower wall portions 22 is elastically deformable in the vertical direction so as to be displaced. The end of the flat wire 30 is inserted into and disposed in the space S defined by the pair of upper and lower wall portions 22 (see reference). Figure 4 wait).

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, a recessed portion 23 is provided on the front end surface of the main body portion 21 of the terminal 20. When the connector 1 and the mating connector are assembled together, the mating terminal, which is inserted into the receiving portion 11 of the housing 10 through the connecting hole 12, is inserted into the recess 23. Contact portions 24 are provided on each of a pair of upper and lower inner surfaces defining the recess 23. Figure 3 In the example shown, each of the pair of upper and lower contact portions 24 has a double support beam shape, which protrudes toward the mating terminal in the insertion recess 23 (inward in the vertical direction) and extends in the front-back direction. The mating terminal inserted into the recess 23 is electrically connected to the terminal 20 by being pressed and clamped by the pair of upper and lower contact portions 24.

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown, contact portions 25 are provided on each of the inner surfaces (facing each other) of a pair of upper and lower wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20. Figure 3In the example shown, each of the pair of upper and lower contact portions 25 has a double-support beam shape, protruding (inward in the vertical direction) toward the end of the flat wire 30 inserted into the space S between the pair of upper and lower wall-like portions 22 and extending in the front-back direction. In the inelastic deformation state of the pair of upper and lower contact portions 25, the spacing between the tips of the pair of upper and lower contact portions 25 is less than the thickness (length in the vertical direction) of the conductor layer 31 of the flat wire 30, which will be described later. Furthermore, each of the extended ends (rear ends) of the pair of upper and lower wall-like portions 22 of the terminal 20 is provided with an engaging protrusion 26, which protrudes (inward in the vertical direction) toward the end of the flat wire 30 inserted into the space S between the pair of upper and lower wall-like portions 22. The tip of the engaging protrusion 26 has a sharp shape with a pointed tip, so that it can bite into the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30, which will be described later (see [link to documentation]). Figure 5 (etc.). In the inelastic deformation state of a pair of upper and lower wall-like portions 22, the gap between the tips of a pair of upper and lower engaging protrusions 26 is less than the thickness (length in the vertical direction) of the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30.

[0031] Next, the flat wire 30 will be described. For example... Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the flat wire 30 has a long, flat shape that is flat and short in the vertical direction and extends in the front-back direction, and has the flexibility to allow the flat wire 30 to be routed so as to be flexibly bent (bent) in the vertical direction while extending in the front-back direction. The flat wire 30 includes a sheet-like conductor layer 31 and an insulating layer 32 covering the outer periphery of the conductor layer 31. Figure 2 As shown, at the end (front end) of the flat wire 30, the insulating layer 32 covering the upper and lower sides of the conductor layer 31 is removed by a so-called terminal processing, exposing the upper and lower surfaces of the conductor layer 31. The components constituting the connector 1 have been described above.

[0032] Next, the assembly process of connector 1 will be described. To assemble connector 1, firstly, as... Figure 3 As shown, the terminal 20 is housed in the receiving portion 11 of the housing 10. Specifically, the terminal 20 is inserted into the receiving portion 11 of the housing 10 from the rear until the extended end (rear end) of the wall-shaped portion 22 of the terminal 20 locks into the protrusion 13 of the housing 10. During the insertion of the terminal 20, each of the upper and lower walls of the housing 10 elastically deforms outward in the vertical direction by being pushed away (pressed) from the terminal 20 until the extended end of the wall-shaped portion 22 of the terminal 20 overcomes the protrusion 13. However, once the extended end of the wall-shaped portion 22 of the terminal 20 overcomes the protrusion 13, each of the upper and lower walls of the housing 10 elastically returns inward in the vertical direction. As a result, the extended end of the wall-shaped portion 22 of the terminal 20 is locked into the protrusion 13.

[0033] With the terminal 20 fully housed within the housing portion 11 of the housing 10, as follows: Figure 3 As shown, the rearward displacement of terminal 20 after it emerges from housing 10 is limited by the engagement between the extended end of the wall-like portion 22 of terminal 20 and the protrusion 13. This prevents unintentional separation of terminal 20 from housing 10. Furthermore, the front surface of terminal 20 (the front surface of the main body portion 21) contacts the bottom wall 11b of the receiving portion 11 that defines the front surface of housing 10. This prevents further forward relative movement of terminal 20 relative to housing 10. The outer surface of the wall-like portion 22 of terminal 20 is configured to face the inner surface 11a of the receiving portion 11 of housing 10, and the pair of upper and lower wall-like portions 22 of terminal 20 remain in an inelastically deformable state.

[0034] Next, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As indicated by the white arrow, the end of the flat wire 30 is inserted from the rear into the space S between the pair of upper and lower wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20. The insertion of the flat wire 30 can be performed manually by an operator or by using the arm of an automated assembly device (not shown). With the flat wire 30 inserted, as shown... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the tip of the exposed conductor layer 31 of the flat wire 30 contacts the rear end surface of the main body 21 of the terminal 20. The exposed conductor layer 31 of the flat wire 30 is pressed and clamped (in pressure contact) by a pair of upper and lower contact portions 25 of the terminal 20, and the end of the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30 is pressed and clamped (in pressure contact) by a pair of upper and lower engagement protrusions 26 of the terminal 20. The top ends of the pair of upper and lower engagement protrusions 26 bite into the end of the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30 (see reference). Figure 5 The pair of upper and lower wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20 receive forces in a direction away from each other (outward in the vertical direction) from the contact portion 25 and the engagement protrusion 26, which are in pressure contact with the conductor layer 31 and the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30, respectively, and therefore tend to elastically deform outward in the vertical direction. However, the pair of upper and lower wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20 are kept in a non-elastic deformation state by being in pressure contact with the inner surface 11a of the receiving portion 11 of the housing 10, which is provided to face the outer surface of the pair of upper and lower wall-shaped portions 22, and receiving reaction forces in a direction approaching each other (inward in the vertical direction) from the inner surface 11a.

[0035] As described above, the assembly of connector 1 is completed, and the desired result is obtained. Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5The connector 1 is shown. In the assembled state of connector 1, the exposed conductor layer 31 of the flat wire 30 is pressed and clamped by a pair of upper and lower contact portions 25 of the terminal 20, thereby electrically connecting the flat wire 30 to the terminal 20. Further, a pair of upper and lower engagement protrusions 26 of the terminal 20 engage (pressure contact) with the ends of the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30. Therefore, compared to the case where the contact portions 25 are simply provided in the terminal 20, the displacement of the flat wire 30 (e.g., displacement that causes the flat wire 30 to unintentionally separate from the housing 10) is limited by the action of the engagement protrusions 26. Further, the pair of upper and lower engagement protrusions 26 of the terminal 20 bite into the ends of the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30. Therefore, compared to the case where the engagement protrusions 26 simply make pressure contact with the insulation layer 32, the engagement between the engagement protrusions 26 and the insulation layer 32 is strengthened.

[0036] As described above, according to the connector 1 of the first embodiment, the terminal 20 includes: a wall-like portion 22 facing the inner surface 11a of the receiving portion 11 of the housing 10; a contact portion 25 disposed on the inner surface of the wall-like portion 22 and in pressure contact with the conductor (conductor layer 31); and a joining portion (joining protrusion 26) configured to join with the insulating layer 32. Therefore, compared to the case where the contact portion 25 is simply disposed in the terminal 20, the displacement of the flat wire 30 (e.g., displacement that causes the flat wire 30 to unintentionally separate from the housing 10) is limited by the action of the joining protrusion 26. Therefore, the connector 1 according to this embodiment exhibits superior reliability in the electrical connection between the flat wire 30 and the terminal 20.

[0037] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to the first embodiment, the engagement protrusion 26 of the terminal 20 is inserted into the insulating layer 32 to restrict the displacement of the flat wire 30 in the direction in which the flat wire 30 exits the housing 10. Therefore, for example, the engagement between the engagement protrusion 26 and the insulating layer 32 is strengthened compared to the case where the engagement protrusion 26 simply contacts the insulating layer 32. Accordingly, the reliability of the electrical connection between the flat wire 30 and the terminal 20 can be further improved.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the connector 1 of the first embodiment, the housing 10 includes a protrusion 13 projecting toward the terminal 20. The protrusion 13 then contacts the terminal 20 to limit the displacement of the terminal 20 in the direction in which the terminal 20 exits the housing 10. Thus, unintentional separation of the terminal 20 from the housing 10 is prevented.

[0039] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to the first embodiment, the contact portion 25 of the terminal 20 has a beam shape protruding toward the conductor layer 31 of the flat wire 30. Therefore, even when an external force such as vibration is applied to the connector 1 during use, the contact portion 25 elastically deforms to absorb the external force, thereby properly maintaining the contact portion 25 and the conductor 31 in pressure contact with each other. Accordingly, the reliability of the electrical connection between the flat wire 30 and the terminal 20 can be further improved.

[0040] <Second Embodiment>

[0041] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 6 to 9 The connector 1 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first embodiment does not have a configuration where openings 14 are provided in each portion of the wall-shaped portions 22 facing the terminals 20 on the upper and lower walls of the housing 10, and a pressing member 40 is assembled to the housing 10 to close each of the pair of upper and lower openings 14. The pressing member 40 is a resin molded body and is a flat plate-shaped member having an outer peripheral shape corresponding to the opening shape of the opening 14. Figure 6 In the example shown, the pressing member 40 is a member separate from the housing 10, but it can be connected to the housing 10 via a hinge.

[0042] In order to assemble connector 1 according to the second embodiment, firstly, as Figure 6 As shown, the terminal 20 is housed in the receiving portion 11 of the housing 10 from the state where the pressing member 40 is not assembled to the housing 10. Next, as... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As indicated by the white arrow, the end of the flat wire 30 is inserted from the rear into the space S between the pair of upper and lower wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20. Since the process of housing the terminal 20 in the receiving portion 11 and the process of inserting the flat wire 30 into the space S are the same as in the first embodiment, their detailed description will be omitted here. Figure 7 In the example shown, with the flat wire 30 fully inserted, the exposed conductor layer 31 of the flat wire 30 is sandwiched between (in contact with) a pair of upper and lower contact portions 25 of the terminal 20, and the end of the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30 is sandwiched between (in contact with) a pair of upper and lower engagement protrusions 26 of the terminal 20. Therefore, the flat wire 30 can be positioned relative to the terminal 20. However, at this stage, the exposed conductor layer 31 of the flat wire 30 may not be sandwiched between (in contact with) the pair of upper and lower contact portions 25 of the terminal 20, and the end of the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30 may not be sandwiched between (in contact with) the pair of upper and lower engagement protrusions 26 of the terminal 20.

[0043] Next, as Figure 8As indicated by the white arrows, a pair of upper and lower pressing members 40 are assembled into the housing 10 to respectively close a pair of upper and lower openings 14. With the pressing members 40 fully assembled into the housing 10, locking protrusions 41 provided on the outer peripheral edge of the pressing members 40 are locked into locking grooves 15 provided on the opening edge of the openings 14 (see [reference]). Figure 9 Therefore, the pressing member 40 is prevented from detaching from the housing 10. Furthermore, the inner surface of the pressing member 40 (the surface facing the wall-like portion 22 of the terminal 20) is located further inside the housing 11 (inner in the vertical direction) relative to the inner surface 11a of the housing 10. As described above, since the inner surface of the pressing member 40 is located further inside the housing 11 (inner in the vertical direction) relative to the inner surface 11a, the pair of upper and lower wall-like portions 22 of the terminal 20 are held in a state where they are displaced by elastic inward deformation (towards the flat wire 30) in the vertical direction due to displacement (pressing) from the inner surface of the pressing member 40. Figure 8 As indicated by the white arrow in the image.

[0044] Because the pair of upper and lower wall-like portions 22 are held in a displaced state in this way, such as Figure 9 As shown, the exposed conductor layer 31 of the flat wire 30 is pressed and clamped (in pressure contact) by a pair of upper and lower contact portions 25 of the terminal 20, and a pair of upper and lower engaging protrusions 26 of the terminal 20 engage with the ends of the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30, thereby biting into it while in pressure contact. As described above, since the pressing member 40 acts to displace the wall-shaped portion 22, as the wall-shaped portion 22 of the terminal 20 displaces, the contact between the contact portion 25 of the terminal 20 and the conductor layer 31 of the flat wire 30, and the engagement between the engaging protrusions 26 of the terminal 20 and the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30, are strengthened. In addition, in Figure 9 In the example shown, the sharp tip of the engagement protrusion 26 of terminal 20 pierces the end of the insulation layer 32 of flat wire 30 and comes into contact with the conductor layer 31 covered by the end of the insulation layer 32. This contact between the engagement protrusion 26 of terminal 20 and the conductor layer 31 of flat wire 30 can further enhance the reliability of the electrical connection between flat wire 30 and terminal 20.

[0045] <Other Embodiments>

[0046] This disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of this disclosure. For example, this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and appropriate modifications and improvements can be made. In addition, the material, shape, size, quantity, and arrangement of the components in the above embodiments are freely selected and are not limited, as long as this disclosure can be implemented.

[0047] For example, in the above embodiment, the contact portion 25 of the terminal 20 has a double-support beam shape extending in the front-rear direction. However, the contact portion 25 of the terminal 20 may have a cantilever beam shape extending in the front-rear direction.

[0048] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the rearward displacement of terminal 20 from housing 10 is limited by the engagement between the protrusion 13 (inward in the vertical direction) of housing 10 protruding towards terminal 20 and terminal 20. Instead, the rearward displacement of terminal 20 from housing 10 can be limited by the engagement between the "protrusion" (outward in the vertical direction) of terminal 20 protruding towards housing 10 and housing 10.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the flat wire 30 includes a conductor layer 31. Alternatively, the flat wire 30 may include multiple conductor layers 31 arranged in the width or thickness direction.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the contact portion 25 contacts the upper and lower surfaces of the conductor layer 31 exposed at the end of the flat wire 30. Alternatively, a reinforcing layer (e.g., a layer remaining after the insulation layer 32 above or below the conductor layer 31 has not been removed, a sheet metal attached to the upper or lower surface of the flat wire 30, or a dummy conductor layer not used in the circuit when the flat wire 30 has a multi-layer structure) can be provided above or below the conductor layer 31. Therefore, for example, the step of inserting the end of the flat wire 30 into the terminal 20 can be performed easily (see [reference]). Figure 3 , Figure 4 ).

[0051] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the connector 1 and housing unit 2 according to this disclosure will be briefly summarized and listed in [1] to [6] below.

[0052] [1] A connector (1), comprising:

[0053] Shell (10);

[0054] Terminal (20), which is housed in the housing (10); and

[0055] A flat wire (30) is electrically connected to the terminal (20), wherein,

[0056] The flat wire (30) includes:

[0057] Conductor (31), and

[0058] The insulating layer (32) sandwiching the conductor (31), and

[0059] The terminal (20) includes:

[0060] The wall-shaped portion (22) defines the space (S) in which the conductor (31) of the flat wire (30) is disposed, and faces the inner surface (11a) of the receiving portion (11) of the housing (10).

[0061] Contact portion (25), said contact portion (25) is disposed on the inner surface of said wall portion (22) and makes pressure contact with said conductor (31), and

[0062] The joint (26) that is joined to the insulating layer (32).

[0063] According to the connector having the above configuration [1], the terminal includes: a wall-like portion facing the inner surface of the housing's receiving portion; a contact portion disposed on the inner surface of the wall-like portion and configured to make pressure contact with a conductor; and a joining portion configured to engage with an insulating layer. Therefore, compared to the case where the contact portion is simply disposed in the terminal, the displacement of the flat wire (e.g., displacement that causes the flat wire to unintentionally separate from the housing) is limited by the effect of the joining portion. Therefore, the connector having this configuration is excellent in terms of the reliability of the electrical connection between the flat wire and the terminal.

[0064] [2] According to the connector (1) described in [1] above, wherein,

[0065] The junction (26) of the terminal (20) has a shape that protrudes toward the flat wire (30) and is inserted into the insulation layer (32) to limit the displacement of the flat wire (30) in the direction in which the flat wire (30) comes out of the housing (10).

[0066] According to the connector with the above configuration [2], the engagement portion of the terminal is inserted into the insulation layer to restrict the displacement of the flat wire in the direction in which the flat wire exits the housing. Therefore, for example, the engagement between the engagement portion and the insulation layer is strengthened compared to the case where the engagement portion simply contacts the insulation layer. Therefore, the reliability of the electrical connection between the flat wire and the terminal can be further improved.

[0067] [3] According to the connector (1) described in [1] above, wherein,

[0068] One of the housing (10) and the terminal (20) has a protrusion (13) facing the other of the housing (10) and the terminal (20), and

[0069] The connector (1) restricts the displacement of the terminal (20) in the direction in which the terminal (20) exits the housing (10) by contacting the other of the housing and terminals through the protrusion (13).

[0070] According to the connector with the above configuration [3], one of the housing and the terminal includes a protrusion that faces the other of the housing and the terminal. The protrusion then contacts the other to limit the displacement of the terminal in the direction in which the terminal exits the housing. Thus, unintentional separation of the terminal from the housing is prevented.

[0071] [4] According to the connector (1) described in [1] above, wherein,

[0072] The contact portion (25) of the terminal (20) has a beam shape that protrudes toward the conductor (31) of the flat wire (30).

[0073] According to the connector with the above configuration [4], the contact portion of the terminal has a beam shape that protrudes toward the conductor of the flat wire. Therefore, even when an external force such as vibration is applied to the connector during use, the contact portion elastically deforms to absorb the external force so as to properly maintain the contact portion and the conductor in pressure contact with each other. Therefore, the reliability of the electrical connection between the flat wire and the terminal can be further improved.

[0074] [5] The connector (1) according to [1] above further includes:

[0075] Accessory component (40), said accessory component (40) is assembled to said housing (10), wherein,

[0076] The accessory component (40) comes into contact with the wall portion (22), causing the wall portion (22) to shift to approach the flat wire (30), thereby making pressure contact between the contact portion (25) and the conductor (31), and the joint portion (26) joins with the insulation layer (32).

[0077] According to the connector having the above configuration [5], the accessory component assembled to the housing contacts the wall portion to displace the wall portion to approach the flat wire, thereby making pressure contact between the contact portion and the conductor, and engaging the joint portion with the insulation layer. Therefore, the contact between the contact portion and the conductor, and the engagement between the joint portion and the insulation layer, are strengthened with the displacement of the wall portion of the terminal. Therefore, the reliability of the electrical connection between the flat wire and the terminal can be further improved.

[0078] [6] A housing unit (2) attached to the end of a flat wire (30), the housing unit (2) comprising:

[0079] Casing (10); and

[0080] Terminal (20), said terminal (20) is housed in said housing (10), wherein,

[0081] The terminal (20) includes:

[0082] The wall-shaped portion (22) defines the space (S) in which the conductor (31) of the flat wire (30) is disposed, and faces the inner surface (11a) of the receiving portion (11) of the housing (10).

[0083] Contact portion (25), said contact portion (25) is disposed on the inner surface of said wall portion (22) and makes pressure contact with said conductor (31), and

[0084] The joint (26) is joined to the insulation layer (32) of the flat wire (30).

[0085] According to the housing unit having the above configuration [6], the terminal includes: a wall-like portion facing the inner surface of the housing's receiving portion; a contact portion disposed on the inner surface of the wall-like portion and configured to make pressure contact with a conductor; and a joining portion configured to join with an insulating layer. Therefore, compared to the case where the contact portion is simply disposed in the terminal, the displacement of the flat wire (e.g., displacement that causes the flat wire to unintentionally separate from the housing) is limited by the effect of the joining portion. Therefore, the housing unit having this configuration is excellent in terms of the reliability of the electrical connection between the flat wire and the terminal.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising: case; Terminals, which are housed within the housing; and A flat wire, which is electrically connected to the terminal, wherein, The flat wire includes: conductor; and The insulating layer sandwiching the conductor, The terminal includes: A wall-like portion that defines the space in which the conductor of the flat wire is disposed and faces the inner surface of the receiving portion of the housing; A contact portion, wherein the contact portion is disposed on the inner surface of the wall-shaped portion and makes pressure contact with the conductor; and The joint portion that is bonded to the insulating layer.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The engagement portion of the terminal has a shape that protrudes toward the flat wire and is inserted into the insulation layer to limit the displacement of the flat wire in the direction in which the flat wire is dislodged from the housing.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, One of the housing and the terminal has a protrusion that faces the other of the housing and the terminal. The connector restricts the displacement of the terminal in the direction in which the terminal is dislodged from the housing by contacting the protrusion with another of the housing and the terminal.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The contact portion of the terminal has a beam shape that protrudes toward the conductor of the flat wire.

5. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising: Accessory components assembled to the housing, wherein, The accessory component contacts the wall-shaped portion, causing the wall-shaped portion to shift to approach the flat wire, thereby making pressure contact between the contact portion and the conductor, and the joint portion joining the insulation layer.

6. A housing unit attached to the end of a flat wire, the housing unit comprising: case; and Terminals, wherein, are housed within the housing, The terminal includes: A wall-like portion that defines the space in which the conductor of the flat wire is disposed and faces the inner surface of the receiving portion of the housing; A contact portion, wherein the contact portion is disposed on the inner surface of the wall-shaped portion and makes pressure contact with the conductor; and A joint that is joined to the insulation layer of the flat wire.

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