Connector and housing unit

Abstract

The present application provides a connector excellent in reliability of electrical connection of a flat electric wire and a terminal. A connector (1) includes a housing (10), a terminal (20) housed in the housing (10), and a flat electric wire (30) electrically connected to the terminal (20). The flat electric wire has a conductor (31) and an insulating layer (32) that holds the conductor. The terminal (20) has a wall portion (22) that divides a space (S) in which the conductor of the flat electric wire is disposed and that opposes an inner surface (11a) of a housing portion (11) of the housing, a contact portion (25) that is provided to an inner surface of the wall portion and that is in press contact with the conductor, and an engaging portion (26) that engages with the insulating layer (32). One of the housing portion and the wall portion has a protrusion portion (28) that protrudes toward the other. The connector is configured such that the protrusion portion comes into contact with the other, the wall portion is displaced in a manner to approach the flat electric wire, the contact portion is in press contact with the conductor, and the engaging portion engages with the insulating layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector having a housing, terminals housed in the housing, and flat wires electrically connected to the terminals, and a housing unit for the connector. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, wiring harnesses, also known as circuits, were used to connect power supplies, electrical junction boxes, and various electrical devices mounted on vehicles, etc. (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-078962 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0006] However, the aforementioned types of circuits generally consist of multiple wires, terminals mounted at the ends of each wire, and a housing that houses these terminals. Because this type of circuit typically has a structure where a cable or similar material is wrapped around a bundle of wires, the circuit tends to have a large diameter and is difficult to make thinner as the number of circuits increases. In contrast, it is worth considering using flat wires (e.g., flat flexible cables) that are thinner than wire bundles to construct the circuit. When using flat wires, as with conventional wire bundles, it is desirable to improve the reliability of the electrical connection between the flat wire and the terminals.

[0007] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a connector and housing unit with excellent reliability for electrical connection between flat wires and terminals.

[0008] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the connector and housing unit of the present invention are characterized as follows.

[0010] A connector comprising a housing, terminals housed within the housing, and a flat wire electrically connected to the terminals, characterized in that, The flat wire has a conductor and an insulating layer that holds the conductor. The terminal has: a wall-like portion that divides a space for the conductor of the flat wire to be arranged and is opposite to the inner surface of the receiving portion of the housing; a contact portion that is disposed on the inner surface of the wall-like portion and presses against the conductor; and an engaging portion that engages with the insulating layer. One of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion has a protrusion that protrudes toward the other of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion. The connector is configured such that the protrusion contacts the other party, causing the wall-shaped portion to shift in a manner close to the flat wire, the contact portion presses against the conductor, and the engaging portion engages with the insulating layer.

[0011] A housing unit comprising a housing and terminals housed within the housing, and mounted on the end of a flat wire, characterized in that... The terminal has: a wall-like portion that divides a space for the conductor of the flat wire to be arranged and is opposite to the inner surface of the housing's receiving portion; a contact portion that is disposed on the inner surface of the wall-like portion and presses against the conductor; and an engaging portion that engages with the insulation layer of the flat wire. One of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion has a protrusion that protrudes toward the other of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion. The housing unit is configured such that the protrusion contacts the other party, causing the wall-shaped portion to shift in a manner close to the flat wire, the contact portion presses against the conductor, and the engaging portion engages with the insulating layer.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] According to the connector and housing unit of the present invention, the terminal has: 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 pressing against a conductor; and an engaging portion engaging with an insulating layer. Furthermore, one of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion has a protrusion protruding toward the other of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion. The protrusion contacts the other of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion, causing the wall-like portion to shift in a manner close to the flat wire, the contact portion pressing against the conductor, and the engaging portion engaging with the insulating layer. Thus, compared to the case where only the contact portion and the engaging portion are provided on the terminal, the contact between the contact portion and the conductor, and the engaging portion engaging with the insulating layer, are strengthened with the shifting of the wall-like portion of the terminal. Therefore, in the connector and housing unit of the present invention, the reliability of the electrical connection between the flat wire and the terminal is excellent.

[0014] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the detailed content of the present invention can be further clarified by referring to the accompanying drawings and reading the specific embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the end of the flat wire shown.

[0017] Figure 3This corresponds to the state in which the terminals housed in the housing are held in a temporary locked position. Figure 1 A sectional view of section AA.

[0018] Figure 4 From Figure 3 The state shown corresponds to the state in which the end of the flat wire is inserted into the space between a pair of wall-like portions of the terminal. Figure 3 A sectional view.

[0019] Figure 5 From Figure 4 From the state shown, the terminal moves integrally with the flat wire to the final locking position by pressing in the flat wire, thus completing the connector assembly state corresponding to... Figure 3 A sectional view.

[0020] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An enlarged view of part B.

[0021] Figure 7 The connector of the second embodiment of the present invention is... Figure 6 The corresponding sectional view.

[0022] Figure 8 The connector of the third embodiment of the present invention is... Figure 6 The corresponding sectional view.

[0023] Figure 9 The connector of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is... Figure 6 The corresponding sectional view.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 1: Connector; 2: Shell unit; 10: Shell; 11: Storage Department; 11a: Inner surface; 13: concave part; 14: Temporary locking groove (first locked part); 15: Formal locking groove (second locked part); 20: terminal; 22: Parietal part; 25: Contact section; 26: Engaging protrusion (engaging part); 27: Locking protrusion (locking part); 28: Protrusion; 30: Flat electrical wire; 31: Conductor; 32: Insulation layer; S: Space. Detailed Implementation

[0025] <First Implementation> The following is for reference Figures 1-6 The connector 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the connector 1 of 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 of the present invention (see reference). Figure 1 Connector 1 is used, for example, in a vehicle in a state of engagement with the connector on the other side (not shown).

[0026] For ease of explanation, the following is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down" are defined. The "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are orthogonal to each other. The front-rear direction is consistent with the mating direction of connector 1 and the opposite connector, and also with the extension direction of the flat wire 30. Furthermore, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction do not necessarily have to be consistent with the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the vehicle in the case where connector 1 is mounted. The structure of each component constituting connector 1 will be described below.

[0027] First, the housing 10 will be described. The housing 10 is a resin molded body, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, it has a flat, short vertical shape and a generally rectangular box-like shape extending in the front-to-back direction. Inside the housing 10, there is a generally cuboid hollow section, which has a flat, short vertical shape extending in the front-to-back direction and an opening at the rear. (See diagram below.) Figure 3 As shown, the hollow portion functions as the storage portion 11 for the storage terminal 20.

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, a communication hole 12 is provided on the front wall of the housing 10 to connect the outside of the housing 10 with the storage part 11. When the connector 1 is engaged with the other side connector, the other side terminal (not shown) belonging to the other side connector is inserted into the storage part 11 of the housing 10 through the communication hole 12 and electrically connected to the terminal 20 stored in the storage part 11.

[0029] like Figure 3As shown, on the upper and lower inner surfaces 11a (the inner surfaces of the upper and lower walls of the housing 10) of the housing 10, a recess 13 is provided near the rear end in the front-rear direction, a temporary locking groove 14 is provided in front of the recess 13, and a formal locking groove 15 is provided in front of the temporary locking groove 14. The recess 13, the temporary locking groove 14, and the formal locking groove 15 are all groove-shaped, recessed outward in the upper and lower directions and extending in the left and right directions. The effects of providing such a recess 13, temporary locking groove 14, and formal locking groove 15 will be explained later.

[0030] Next, terminal 20 will be described. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the metal terminal 20 consists of a main body 21 and a pair of generally rectangular flat plate-shaped wall portions 22, forming a housing portion 11 that can be housed within the housing 10. The main body 21 has a short, flat shape and a generally cuboid shape extending in the front-rear direction. The pair of generally rectangular flat plate-shaped wall portions 22 extend rearward from the upper and lower edge portions of the rear end face of the main body 21, respectively. The pair of wall portions 22 are arranged opposite each other with a gap in the vertical direction. The pair of wall portions 22 can be elastically deformed by shifting in the vertical direction. The space S divided by the pair of wall portions 22 is used for the insertion of the end of the flat wire 30 (see reference). Figure 4 wait).

[0031] like Figure 3 As shown, a recessed portion 23 facing rearward is provided on the front end face of the main body portion 21 of the terminal 20. When the connector 1 is engaged with the counterpart connector, the counterpart 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 respectively provided on the upper and lower inner surfaces dividing the recess 23. Figure 3 In the example shown, the upper and lower pair of contact portions 24 each have a shape that bulges toward the opposite terminal (inward in the vertical direction) inserted into the recess 23 and have a double-support beam shape extending in the front-back direction. The opposite terminal inserted into the recess 23 is clamped and pressed by the upper and lower pair of contact portions 24, thereby electrically connecting to the terminal 20.

[0032] like Figure 3 As shown, contact portions 25 are respectively provided on the inner surfaces (opposite surfaces) of the upper and lower pair of wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20. Figure 3In the example shown, the upper and lower pair of contact portions 25 each have a shape that protrudes toward the end of the flat wire 30 inserted in the space S between the upper and lower pair of wall-shaped portions 22 (towards the inner side in the vertical direction), and have a double-support beam shape extending in the front-back direction. Moreover, a locking protrusion 26 is provided at the extended ends (rear ends) of the upper and lower pair of wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20, and the locking protrusion 26 protrudes toward the end of the flat wire 30 inserted in the space S between the upper and lower pair of wall-shaped portions 22 (towards the inner side in the vertical direction).

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, locking protrusions 27 are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the main body 21 of the terminal 20, corresponding to the temporary locking groove 14 and the formal locking groove 15 of the housing 10, respectively. Furthermore, protrusions 28 are provided on the outer surfaces (the sides opposite to the opposing surfaces) of the upper and lower pair of wall-like portions 22 of the terminal 20, corresponding to the recesses 13 of the housing 10, respectively. The locking protrusions 27 have a strip shape capable of engaging with the temporary locking groove 14 and the formal locking groove 15, and the protrusions 28 have a strip shape capable of engaging with the recesses 13. The terminal 20 housed in the housing 11 of the housing 10 can be selectively held in the position where the locking protrusions 27 are engaged with the temporary locking groove 14 (see reference). Figure 3 and Figure 4 (Hereinafter referred to as the "temporary locking position") and the locking protrusion 27 locking in the position of the formal locking groove 15 (refer to...) Figure 5 (Hereinafter referred to as the "official stop position") any of the following positions.

[0034] Next, the flat wire 30 will be described. For example... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the flat wire 30 has a flat shape that is short vertically and has a long strip-like flat shape extending in the front-back direction, possessing the flexibility to be flexibly bent (folded) in the vertical direction and extended in the front-back direction. The flat wire 30 is composed of a sheet-like conductor 31 and an insulating layer 32 covering the outer periphery of the conductor 31. Here, the conductor 31 is, for example, a conductor layer. Figure 2 As shown, at the end (front end) of the flat wire 30, the insulation layer 32 covering the upper and lower sides of the conductor 31 is removed through so-called end treatment, exposing the upper and lower surfaces of the conductor 31. The structure of each component constituting the connector 1 has been described above.

[0035] Next, the assembly steps for connector 1 will be explained. To assemble connector 1, firstly, as follows... Figure 3As shown, the terminal 20 is housed in the housing portion 11 of the housing 10 and held in a temporary locking position. Specifically, the terminal 20 is inserted into the housing portion 11 of the housing 10 from the rear until the locking protrusion 27 of the terminal 20 is engaged (locked) into the temporary locking groove 14 of the housing 10. During the insertion of the terminal 20, the upper and lower walls of the housing 10 elastically deform outward in the vertical direction due to the push (press) from the locking protrusion 27 before it reaches the temporary locking groove 14. However, when the locking protrusion 27 reaches the temporary locking groove 14, it elastically returns to the inward direction in the vertical direction. As a result, the locking protrusion 27 is engaged and locked in the temporary locking groove 14.

[0036] With the terminal 20 stored in the housing 11 of the housing 10 in a temporarily locked position, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the outer surface of the wall-shaped portion 22 of the terminal 20 is configured to face the inner surface 11a of the receiving portion 11 of the housing 10. However, the protrusion 28 provided on the outer surface of the wall-shaped portion 22 of the terminal 20 is located outside the receiving portion 11 (behind the rear end opening of the receiving portion 11) and does not contact the inner surface 11a of the receiving portion 11. Therefore, the upper and lower pair of wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20 remain in an inelastic deformation state.

[0037] Next, as Figure 3 As indicated by the white arrow, the end of the flat wire 30 is inserted from the rear into the space S between the upper and lower wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20. With the flat wire 30 fully inserted, as shown... Figure 4 As shown, the exposed front end of the conductor 31 of the flat wire 30 contacts the rear end face of the main body 21 of the terminal 20. It should be noted that... Figure 4 In the example shown, the exposed conductor 31 of the flat wire 30 is held (in contact) by the upper and lower pair of contact portions 25 of the terminal 20, and the end of the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30 is held (in contact) by the upper and lower pair of engaging protrusions 26 of the terminal 20. Thus, positioning of the flat wire 30 relative to the terminal 20 is possible. Alternatively, at this stage, the exposed conductor 31 of the flat wire 30 may not be held (in contact) by the upper and lower pair of contact portions 25 of the terminal 20, and the end of the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30 may not be held (in contact) by the upper and lower pair of engaging protrusions 26 of the terminal 20.

[0038] Next, terminal 20, which was held in the temporary locking position, moves to the final locking position and remains there. Therefore, as... Figure 4 As indicated by the white arrow, the flat wire 30 is pressed forward. When the flat wire 30 is pressed in in this manner, the tip of the flat wire 30 (the tip of the conductor 31) is pressed into the body portion 21 of the terminal 20, thereby... Figure 5As indicated by the white arrow, terminal 20 and flat wire 30 move forward integrally toward the final locking position. The pressing of the flat wire 30 continues until the locking protrusion 27 of terminal 20 is engaged (locked) into the final locking groove 15 of housing 10. During the movement of terminal 20 toward the final locking position, the upper and lower walls of housing 10 are elastically deformed outwards and upwards by the push (press) from the locking protrusion 27 until the locking protrusion 27 reaches the final locking groove 15. However, when the locking protrusion 27 reaches the final locking groove 15, it elastically returns to its inward position. As a result, the locking protrusion 27 is engaged and locked into the final locking groove 15.

[0039] Here, the flat wire 30 can be skipped, and the terminal 20 (more specifically, the extended end of the wall-shaped portion 22 of the terminal 20 extending rearward from the storage portion 11) can be directly pressed forward, thereby moving the terminal 20 and the flat wire 30 together towards the final locking position. Here, the pressing of the flat wire 30 or the terminal 20 can be performed manually by an operator, or using the arm of an automatic assembly device (not shown). With the terminal 20 held in the final locking position, as... Figure 5 As shown, the front end face of terminal 20 (the front end face of main body 21) contacts the bottom wall 11b of the front end face of the receiving portion 11 that divides housing 10. This prevents further relative movement of terminal 20 relative to housing 10 towards the front.

[0040] With the terminal 20 housed in the housing 11 within the housing 10 held in the fully locked position, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the protrusion 28 provided on the outer surface of the wall-shaped portion 22 of the terminal 20 is inserted into and engaged with the recess 13 provided on the inner surface 11a of the receiving portion 11. However, since the convex shape of the protrusion 28 is larger than the concave shape of the recess 13, only a portion of the front end of the protrusion 28 enters the recess 13, while the portion of the base end of the protrusion 28 is located outside the recess 13 (inside the vertical direction of the inner surface 11a). Thus, with the portion of the base end of the protrusion 28 located outside the recess 13 (inside the vertical direction of the inner surface 11a), the upper and lower wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20 are maintained in a state of elastic deformation and displacement in the vertical direction (towards the side closer to the flat wire 30) by being pushed back (pressed) from the recess 13 (inner surface 11a) of the housing 10.

[0041] By maintaining the upper and lower wall-like portions 22 in a displaced state in this way, such as Figure 6As shown, the exposed conductor 31 of the flat wire 30 is pressed and held (pressed contact) by the upper and lower pair of contact portions 25 of the terminal 20, and the upper and lower pair of engaging protrusions 26 of the terminal 20 engage in a manner that simultaneously presses and bites into the end of the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30. In this way, the protrusions 28 function to displace the wall-shaped portion 22, thereby strengthening the contact between the contact portion 25 of the terminal 20 and the conductor 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, along with the displacement of the wall-shaped portion 22 of the terminal 20.

[0042] Thus, the assembly of connector 1 is completed, resulting in... Figure 1 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 The connector 1 shown. In the assembled state of connector 1, the exposed conductor 31 of the flat wire 30 is pressed and clamped by the upper and lower contact portions 25 of the terminal 20, thereby electrically connecting the flat wire 30 to the terminal 20. Additionally, in Figure 6 In the example shown, the sharp tip of the engaging protrusion 26 of the terminal 20 penetrates the end of the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30, and then comes into contact with the conductor 31 covered by the end of the insulation layer 32. This contact between the engaging protrusion 26 of the terminal 20 and the conductor 31 of the flat wire 30 further improves the reliability of the electrical connection between the flat wire 30 and the terminal 20.

[0043] According to the connector 1 of the first embodiment, the terminal 20 has: a wall-shaped portion 22 that divides a space S for the conductor 31 of the flat wire 30 to be disposed, and is opposite to the inner surface 11a of the housing 10's receiving portion 11; a contact portion 25 that is disposed on the inner surface of the wall-shaped portion 22 and presses against the conductor 31; and an engaging portion (engaging protrusion 26) that engages with the insulating layer 32. Furthermore, one of the receiving portion 11 and the wall-shaped portion 22 (the wall-shaped portion 22) has a protrusion 28 that protrudes toward the other of the receiving portion 11 and the wall-shaped portion 22 (the receiving portion 11). The connector 1 is configured such that the protrusion 28 contacts the other 11, causing the wall-shaped portion 22 to shift in a manner close to the flat wire 30, thereby pressing the contact portion 25 against the conductor 31, and engaging the engaging portion 26 with the insulating layer 32. Therefore, compared to the case where the contact portion 25 and the engaging portion 26 are only provided on the terminal 20, the contact between the contact portion 25 and the conductor 31 and the engaging portion 26 and the insulating layer 32 are strengthened with the displacement of the wall portion 22 of the terminal 20. Thus, in the connector 1 of the first embodiment, the electrical connection between the terminal 20 and the flat wire 30 has excellent reliability.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the connector 1 of the first embodiment, the protrusion 28 engages with the recess 13 of the other of the receiving portion 11 and the wall-shaped portion 22. Therefore, in addition to displacing the wall-shaped portion 22, the protrusion 28 also engages with the other of the receiving portion 11 and the wall-shaped portion 22 to hold the terminal 20 in the housing 10. As a result, the terminal 20 can be securely held in the housing 10 without making the connector 1 larger.

[0045] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to the first embodiment, the contact portion 25 of the terminal 20 has a beam shape that protrudes toward the conductor 31 of the flat wire 30. Therefore, even when external forces such as vibration are applied to the connector 1 during use, the external force can be absorbed by the elastic deformation of the contact portion 25, and the state of pressed contact between the contact portion 25 and the conductor 31 can be appropriately maintained. As a result, the reliability of the electrical connection between the terminal 20 and the flat wire 30 can be further improved.

[0046] Furthermore, according to the connector 1 of the first embodiment, the terminal 20 can be held in the housing 10 at a first position (e.g., a temporary locking position) where the locking portion (locking protrusion 27) of the terminal 20 is locked in the first locked portion (temporary locking groove 14) of the housing 10, and at a second position (e.g., a formal locking position) where the locking portion 27 of the terminal 20 is locked in the second locked portion (formal locking groove 15) of the housing 10. Therefore, for example, after the flat wire 30 is arranged in the space S divided by the wall-like portion 22 of the terminal 20 in the first position, the terminal 20 and the flat wire 30 are moved together to the second position, thereby allowing the contact portion 25 to press against the conductor 31 and the engaging portion 26 to engage with the insulating layer 32. As a result, the terminal 20 can be stored in the housing 10 and the connection between the terminal 20 and the flat wire 30 can be performed simultaneously, thus improving the productivity of the connector 1.

[0047] <Second Implementation> Next, we will refer to Figure 7 The connector 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, in the formal locking position of the terminal 20, the protrusion 16 provided on the inner surface 11a (instead of the recess 13) of the housing 10's receiving portion 11 engages with the recess 29 provided on the outer surface (instead of the protrusion 28) of the wall-like portion 22 of the terminal 20. This differs from the first embodiment, where the protrusion 28 on the outer surface of the wall-like portion 22 of the terminal 20 engages with the recess 13 on the inner surface 11a of the housing 10's receiving portion 11. In the second embodiment, a recess 29a is further provided on the outer surface of the wall-like portion 22 of the terminal 20, at a position forward of the recess 29, which engages with the protrusion 16 of the housing 10 in the temporary locking position of the terminal 20.

[0048] In the second embodiment, since the convex shape of the protrusion 16 is smaller than the concave shape of the recess 29a, the entire protrusion 16 can enter the recess 29a in the temporary locking position of the terminal 20. Therefore, in the temporary locking position of the terminal 20, the upper and lower wall-like portions 22 of the terminal 20 remain in an inelastic deformation state. On the other hand, since the convex shape of the protrusion 16 is larger than the concave shape of the recess 29, in the permanent locking position of the terminal 20, only a portion of the top end of the protrusion 16 enters the recess 29, while the portion of the base end of the protrusion 16 is located outside the recess 29 (outside in the vertical direction than the outer surface of the wall-like portions 22). Thus, since the portion at the base end of the protrusion 16 is located outside the recess 29 (outer in the vertical direction than the outer surface of the wall-shaped portion 22), the upper and lower wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20 are held in a state of displacement by elastic deformation in the vertical direction (towards the side closer to the flat wire 30) by the push-back (press) from the protrusion 16 of the housing 10. In this way, the protrusion 16 performs the function of displacing the wall-shaped portions 22, so that in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, with the displacement of the wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20, the contact portion 25 of the terminal 20 with the conductor 31 of the flat wire 30 and the engagement of the engagement protrusion 26 of the terminal 20 with the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30 are strengthened.

[0049] <Third Implementation Method> Next, we will refer to Figure 8 The connector 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the recess 13 is not provided on the inner surface 11a of the storage portion 11 of the housing 10.

[0050] In the third embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, at the temporary locking position of the terminal 20, the protrusion 28 provided on the outer surface of the wall-shaped portion 22 of the terminal 20 is located outside the receiving portion 11 (behind the rear end opening of the receiving portion 11) and does not contact the inner surface 11a of the receiving portion 11. Therefore, the wall-shaped portion 22 of the terminal 20 remains in an inelastic deformation state. On the other hand, at the formal locking position of the terminal 20, the front end of the protrusion 28 contacts the inner surface 11a of the receiving portion 11, and the protrusion 28 as a whole is located in a position that is inward in the vertical direction than the inner surface 11a of the receiving portion 11. In this way, the protrusion 28 as a whole is located in a position that is inward in the vertical direction than the inner surface 11a of the receiving portion 11, so that the upper and lower wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20 are maintained in a state of elastic deformation and displacement in the vertical direction (closer to the side of the flat wire 30) by being pushed back (pressed) from the inner surface 11a of the receiving portion 11. Thus, in the third embodiment, the protrusion 28 also functions to displace the wall-shaped portion 22. Similar to the first embodiment, with the displacement of the wall-shaped portion 22 of the terminal 20, the contact portion 25 of the terminal 20 with the conductor 31 of the flat wire 30 and the engagement of the engagement protrusion 26 of the terminal 20 with the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30 are strengthened. In this embodiment, the protrusion 28 is provided on the outside of the housing portion 11, but this structure can be replaced by providing the protrusion 16 on the inner surface 11a of the housing portion 11 of the housing 10, as in the second embodiment, and not providing the protrusion 28 on the outside of the housing portion 11.

[0051] <Fourth Implementation> Next, we will refer to Figure 9 The connector 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the contact portion 25 of the terminal 20 has a cantilever beam shape extending in the front-back direction.

[0052] In the fourth embodiment, based on the same mechanism as the first embodiment, in the temporary locking position of the terminal 20, the upper and lower wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20 remain in an inelastic deformation state. In the formal locking position of the terminal 20, the upper and lower wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20 are maintained in a state of elastic deformation and displacement towards the inner side (closer to the side of the flat wire 30) by being pushed back (pressed) from the inner surface 11a of the receiving portion 11. Thus, in the fourth embodiment, the protrusion 28 plays the role of displacing the wall-shaped portions 22. As in the first embodiment, with the displacement of the wall-shaped portions 22 of the terminal 20, the contact portion 25 of the terminal 20 with the conductor 31 of the flat wire 30 and the engagement of the engaging protrusion 26 of the terminal 20 with the insulation layer 32 of the flat wire 30 are strengthened.

[0053] <Other Implementation Methods> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications and improvements can be made. In addition, the material, shape, size, quantity, and arrangement of the constituent elements in the above embodiments can be arbitrary and without particular limitation, as long as they can realize the present invention.

[0054] For example, in the above embodiment, the flat wire 30 has a single conductor 31. In contrast, the flat wire 30 may also have multiple conductors 31 arranged in the width direction and the thickness direction.

[0055] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the contact portion 25 contacts the upper and lower surfaces of the conductor 31 exposed at the end of the flat wire 30. In contrast, a reinforcing layer may be provided above or below the conductor 31 (e.g., a layer remaining after the insulation layer 32 located above or below the conductor 31 is not removed, a sheet material adhered to the upper or lower surface of the flat wire 30, or a dummy conductor layer not used for circuitry when the flat wire 30 has a multi-layer structure). This allows, for example, easy insertion of the end of the flat wire 30 into the terminal 20 (see [reference]). Figure 3 and Figure 4 ).

[0056] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the connector 1 and housing unit 2 of the present invention are briefly summarized as follows [1] to [5].

[0057] [1] A connector (1) includes a housing (10), terminals (20) housed in the housing (10), and a flat wire (30) electrically connected to the terminals (20), wherein, The flat wire (30) has a conductor (31) and an insulating layer (32) that holds the conductor (31). The terminal (20) has: a wall-shaped portion (22) that divides a space (S) for the conductor (31) of the flat wire (30) to be disposed, and is opposite to the inner surface (11a) of the receiving portion (11) of the housing (10); a contact portion (25) that is disposed on the inner surface of the wall-shaped portion (22) and presses against the conductor (31); and an engaging portion (26) that engages with the insulating layer (32). One of the receiving portion (11) and the wall-shaped portion (22) has a protrusion (28) that protrudes toward the other of the receiving portion (11) and the wall-shaped portion (22). The connector (1) is configured such that the protrusion (28) contacts the other party, causing the wall portion (22) to shift in a manner close to the flat wire (30), the contact portion (25) presses against the conductor (31), and the engaging portion (26) engages with the insulating layer (32).

[0058] According to the connector described in [1] above, the terminal has: 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 pressed into contact with the conductor; and an engaging portion engaging with the insulating layer. Furthermore, one of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion has a protrusion protruding toward the other of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion. The protrusion contacts the other of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion, causing the wall-like portion to shift in a manner close to the flat wire, the contact portion to press into contact with the conductor, and the engaging portion engaging with the insulating layer. Thus, compared to the case where only the contact portion and the engaging portion are provided on the terminal, the contact between the contact portion and the conductor, and the engaging portion with the insulating layer, are strengthened with the shifting of the wall-like portion of the terminal. Therefore, in the connector and housing unit of the present invention, the reliability of the electrical connection between the flat wire and the terminal is excellent.

[0059] [2] According to the connector (1) described in [1], wherein, The protrusion (28) engages with the recess (13) of the other of the receiving portion (11) and the wall-shaped portion (22).

[0060] According to the connector described in [2] above, the protrusion engages with the recess of the other of the receiving portion and the wall-shaped portion. Therefore, in addition to its function of displacing the wall-shaped portion, the protrusion also functions to engage with the other of the receiving portion and the wall-shaped portion to hold the terminal in the housing. As a result, the terminal can be securely held in the housing without increasing the size of the connector.

[0061] [3] According to the connector (1) described in [1], wherein, The contact portion (25) of the terminal (20) has a beam shape that protrudes toward the conductor (31) of the flat wire (30).

[0062] According to the connector described in [3] above, the contact portion of the terminal has a beam shape that protrudes towards the conductor of the flat wire. Therefore, even if the connector is affected by external forces such as vibration during use, the contact portion can absorb the external force through elastic deformation and properly maintain the state of pressed contact between the contact portion and the conductor. As a result, the reliability of the electrical connection between the flat wire and the terminal can be further improved.

[0063] [4] According to the connector (1) described in [1] above, wherein, The terminal (20) has a locking portion (27) that engages with the receiving portion (11) to hold the terminal (20) within the receiving portion (11). The housing (10) has: a first locking portion (14) that locks the locking portion (27) at a first position where the protrusion (28) does not contact the other of the receiving portion (11) and the wall-shaped portion (22); and a second locking portion (15) that locks the locking portion (27) at a second position where the protrusion (28) contacts the other.

[0064] According to the connector described in [4] above, the terminal can be held in the housing in a first position (e.g., a temporary locking position) where the locking portion of the terminal is locked in a first locked portion of the housing, and in a second position (e.g., a permanent locking position) where the locking portion of the terminal is locked in a second locked portion of the housing. Therefore, for example, after placing the flat wire in the space defined by the wall-like portion of the terminal in the first position, moving the terminal and the flat wire together to the second position allows the contact portion to press against the conductor and the engaging portion to engage with the insulating layer. Thus, the terminal can be simultaneously housed in the housing and connected to the flat conductor, thereby improving connector productivity.

[0065] [5] A housing unit (2) includes a housing (10) and terminals (20) housed in the housing (10), and is mounted on the end of a flat wire (30), wherein, The terminal (20) has: a wall-shaped portion (22) that divides a space (S) for the conductor (31) of the flat wire (30) to be arranged, and is opposite to the inner surface (11a) of the receiving portion (11) of the housing (10); a contact portion (25) that is disposed on the inner surface of the wall-shaped portion (22) and presses against the conductor (31); and an engaging portion (26) that engages with the insulation layer (32) of the flat wire (30). One of the receiving portion (11) and the wall-shaped portion (22) has a protrusion (28) that protrudes toward the other of the receiving portion (11) and the wall-shaped portion (22). The housing unit (2) is displaced such that the wall portion (22) approaches the flat wire (30) by the protrusion (28) contacting the other side, the contact portion (25) presses against the conductor (31), and the engaging portion (26) engages with the insulating layer (32).

[0066] According to the housing unit described above [5], the terminal has: a wall-like portion that divides a space for the conductor of the flat wire to be arranged and is opposite to the inner surface of the housing's receiving portion; a contact portion that is disposed on the inner surface of the wall-like portion and presses against the conductor; and a locking portion that locks against the insulating layer. Furthermore, one of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion has a protrusion that protrudes toward the other of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion. The connector is configured such that the protrusion contacts the other, causing the wall-like portion to shift in a manner close to the flat wire, the contact portion presses against the conductor, and the locking portion locks against the insulating layer. Thus, compared to the case where only the contact portion and the locking portion are provided at the terminal, the contact between the contact portion and the conductor, and the locking portion locks against the insulating layer, are strengthened with the shifting of the wall-like portion of the terminal. Therefore, in the housing unit of the present invention, the electrical connection between the flat wire and the terminal has excellent reliability.

Claims

1. A connector comprising a housing, terminals housed in the housing, and a flat wire electrically connected to the terminals, characterized in that, The flat wire has a conductor and an insulating layer that holds the conductor. The terminal has: a wall-like portion that divides a space for the conductor of the flat wire to be arranged and is opposite to the inner surface of the receiving portion of the housing; a contact portion that is disposed on the inner surface of the wall-like portion and presses against the conductor; and an engaging portion that engages with the insulating layer. One of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion has a protrusion that protrudes toward the other of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion. The connector is configured such that the protrusion contacts the other party, causing the wall-shaped portion to shift in a manner close to the flat wire, the contact portion presses against the conductor, and the engaging portion engages with the insulating layer.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protrusion engages with the recess of the other of the receiving portion and the wall-shaped portion.

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

4. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal has a locking portion that engages with the receiving portion to retain the terminal within the receiving portion. The housing has: a first locking portion that locks the locking portion at a first position where the protrusion does not contact the other of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion; and a second locking portion that locks the locking portion at a second position where the protrusion contacts the other.

5. A housing unit comprising a housing and terminals housed within the housing, and mounted on the end of a flat wire, characterized in that, The terminal has: a wall-like portion that divides a space for the conductor of the flat wire to be arranged and is opposite to the inner surface of the housing's receiving portion; a contact portion that is disposed on the inner surface of the wall-like portion and presses against the conductor; and an engaging portion that engages with the insulation layer of the flat wire. One of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion has a protrusion that protrudes toward the other of the receiving portion and the wall-like portion. The housing unit is configured such that the protrusion contacts the other party, causing the wall-shaped portion to shift in a manner close to the flat wire, the contact portion presses against the conductor, and the engaging portion engages with the insulating layer.

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