Connector

Abstract

The utility model relates to a connector. The present invention eliminates a conventional fitting detection member, and reduces the size of a connector. The connector includes a receptacle having a receptacle housing and a receptacle terminal, and a plug having a plug housing and a plug terminal. The receptacle terminal and the plug terminal each have a terminal connection part that is conductively connected so as to overlap each other. The terminal connection portion is formed so as to be elastically deformable in a direction away from the terminal connection portion. The socket housing is provided with an insulating guide portion that elastically deforms the terminal connection portion in a direction in which the terminal connection portion is separated by sliding contact when the socket and the plug are in a semi-fitted state. A fitting hole is formed in the terminal connection portion. When the socket and the plug are completely fitted together, the guide part and the fitting hole are fitted together.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a connector. Background Art

[0002] The connector includes a socket and a plug. The socket includes a socket housing and a socket terminal held in the socket housing. The plug includes a plug housing and a plug terminal held in the plug housing. The plug housing is engaged with the socket housing. In addition, for the socket terminal and the plug terminal, there is a socket terminal and a plug terminal, each of which has a terminal connection portion that is conductively connected in a mutually overlapping manner. In this case, the socket and the plug are not limited to being in a completely engaged state, and the terminal connection portions are in a conductively connected state even in a semi-engaged state. Therefore, it is impossible to confirm whether the engagement state of the housings is complete by checking whether the socket terminal and the plug terminal are energized.

[0003] In addition, Patent Document 1 discloses a mating confirmation device, which includes a detection energizing plate and an insulating plate provided on one housing and a pair of mating detection contacts provided on the other housing. In the fully mating state of the socket and the plug, the detection energizing plate and the pair of mating detection contacts are connected to form a mating detection circuit. In addition, in the semi-mated state of the socket and the plug, the conduction between the detection energizing plate and the pair of mating detection contacts is blocked by the insulating plate. Thus, by confirming the energization of the mating detection circuit, it is confirmed whether the mating state of the housings is complete.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-106951 Utility Model Content

[0007] Problems to be solved by utility models

[0008] According to the connector of Patent Document 1, since the detection energization plate, a pair of mating detection contacts, and mating detection components such as an insulating plate are required, the connector must be increased in size.

[0009] The problem to be solved by the technology disclosed in this specification is to confirm whether the mating state of the housings is complete without a mating detection component in a connector in which the socket terminal and the plug terminal each have a terminal connection portion that is conductively connected to each other in a superimposed manner.

[0010] Solutions for solving problems

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, the technology disclosed in this specification adopts the following technical solutions.

[0012] The first technical solution is a connector, which includes: a socket, which has a socket housing and a socket terminal held by the socket housing; and a plug, which has a plug housing that fits with the socket housing and a plug terminal held by the plug housing, the socket terminal and the plug terminal respectively having terminal connecting parts that are conductively connected in a mutually overlapping manner, and the connector is characterized in that the terminal connecting part of one of the socket terminal and the plug terminal is formed to be elastically deformable in a direction of separation relative to the terminal connecting part of the other terminal, and a guide part with insulating properties is provided on the other terminal side, the guide part elastically deforms the terminal connecting part of the one terminal in a separation direction by sliding contact in a semi-fitted state of the socket and the plug, and a fitting part that can fit with the guide part is formed on the terminal connecting part of the one terminal, and when the socket and the plug are fully fitted, the guide part and the fitting part fit together due to the elastic recovery of the terminal connecting part of the one terminal, so that the terminal connecting parts are conductively connected to each other.

[0013] According to the first technical solution, in the semi-fitted state of the socket housing and the plug housing, the terminal connection portion of one of the socket terminal and the plug terminal jumps onto the insulating guide portion provided on the other terminal side by elastic deformation, that is, so-called flexural deformation. As a result, the terminal connection portion of one terminal is separated from the terminal connection portion of the other terminal, so that the conduction between the terminal connection portions is blocked. In addition, in the fully fitted state of the socket housing and the plug housing, the guide portion on the other terminal side and the fitting portion of the terminal connection portion of the one terminal are aligned. Then, by elastic recovery of the terminal connection portion of the one terminal, the guide portion and the fitting portion fit together, so that the terminal connection portions are conductively connected to each other in a superimposed manner. Therefore, by checking the power supply of the socket terminal and the plug terminal, it is possible to confirm whether the fitting state of the housings is complete. Therefore, in a connector in which the socket terminal and the plug terminal each have a terminal connection portion that is conductively connected in a superimposed manner, it is possible to confirm whether the fitting state of the housings is complete without the need for a fitting detection component. In addition, since a fitting detection component is not required, it can be said that it is effective for miniaturization of the connector. In addition, the housing on the other terminal side or the terminal connection portion of the other terminal corresponds to the portion on the other terminal side where the guide portion is provided.

[0014] In the second aspect, the fitting portion is a fitting hole or a fitting recess formed in a terminal connecting portion of the one terminal.

[0015] According to the second aspect, the fitting portion of the terminal connecting portion of the one terminal may be a fitting hole or a fitting recess.

[0016] Effect of utility model

[0017] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, in a connector in which the receptacle terminal and the plug terminal each have a terminal connection portion that is conductively connected to overlap each other, whether the fitting state of the housings is complete can be confirmed without requiring a fitting detection component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a completely fitted state of the receptacle and the plug of the connector according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state before the socket and the plug are fitted together.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram showing a socket.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing a plug.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a semi-fitted state of the socket and the plug.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a completely fitted state of the socket and the plug according to the second embodiment.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a completely fitted state of the socket and the plug according to the third embodiment.

[0025] Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a completely fitted state of the socket and the plug according to the fourth embodiment.

[0026] Description of Reference Numerals

[0027] 10. Connector; 20. Socket; 21. Socket housing (housing on the other terminal side); 25. Guide portion; 28. Socket terminal (the other terminal); 28b. Terminal connecting portion; 30. Plug; 31. Plug housing (housing on one terminal side); 38. Plug terminal (one terminal); 38b. Terminal connecting portion; 39. Fitting hole (fitting portion); 39A. Fitting recess (fitting portion); 43. Guide portion; 43A. Guide portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the technology disclosed in this specification will be described using the drawings.

[0029] [Implementation Method 1]

[0030] The connector according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state of the socket and the plug before being mated. Figure 2 As shown, the connector 10 includes a socket 20 and a plug 30. For convenience of description, Figure 2 The up, down, left, and right directions are determined as a reference, but the arrangement direction of the connector 10 is not limited.

[0031] (Socket 20)

[0032] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional diagram showing a socket. Figure 3 As shown, the socket 20 has a socket housing 21 and a socket terminal 28. The socket housing 21 is formed of an insulating synthetic resin material into a quadrilateral box shape with the front side and the right side being opened. The socket housing 21 has an upper wall portion 21a, a lower wall portion 21b, a left wall portion 21c, and a rear wall portion 21d.

[0033] An upper rail 22 (see FIG. 21 ) extending linearly in the left-right direction protrudes from the lower surface of the center portion of the upper wall portion 21 a in the front-rear direction. Figure 2 ). In addition, a lower guide rail 23 extending linearly in the left-right direction protrudes from the upper surface of the center portion in the front-back direction of the lower wall portion 21b (see Figure 2 ). A vertical wall portion 24 protruding in a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the front is formed at the top end (right end) of the lower guide rail 23. The vertical wall portion 24 has a guide slope 24a that is inclined in a manner of rising on the left side and falling on the right side. The top of the vertical wall portion 24 is a guide portion 25.

[0034] A terminal through hole 26 having a rectangular shape that is long in the front-to-back direction is formed at the lower center of the left wall portion 21c. A flat support plate 27 is formed on the left wall portion 21c and extends along the lower guide rail 23 (except for the vertical wall portion 24). The front and rear sides of the support plate 27 protrude in the front and rear directions compared to the lower guide rail 23. The upper surface of the support plate 27 and the lower surface of the terminal through hole 26 are flush with each other (see FIG. 21 ). Figure 2 ).

[0035] The socket terminal 28 is held in the socket housing 21. The socket terminal 28 is formed into a strip shape by a conductive material such as a conductive metal plate. The socket terminal 28 passes through the terminal through hole 26 from the left side of the socket housing 21 almost without a gap and abuts against the vertical wall portion 24. The portion of the socket terminal 28 that is fixedly held in the terminal through hole 26 is called a base 28a, and the portion supported on the support plate 27 is called a terminal connection portion 28b. In addition, the portion protruding to the left from the socket housing 21 is called a wiring connection portion 28c. The wiring connection portion 28c is bent downward in a manner along the left wall portion 21c. External wiring is connected to the wiring connection portion 28c. The top portion of the vertical wall portion 24 that protrudes upward compared to the upper surface of the terminal connection portion 28b corresponds to the guide portion 25 (refer to Figure 2 ). Therefore, the guide portion 25 has insulating properties.

[0036] (Plug 30)

[0037] Figure 4 : is a three-dimensional diagram showing a plug. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the plug 30 includes a plug housing 31 and a plug terminal 38. The plug housing 31 is formed of an insulating synthetic resin material into a rectangular box shape with the front side and the left side being open. The plug housing 31 is formed to be able to be fitted into the socket housing 21 (see FIG. 2 ) with almost no gap. Figure 2 - Figure 3 ) (refer to Figure 1 ).

[0038] The plug housing 31 has an upper wall portion 31a, a lower wall portion 31b, a right wall portion 31c, and a rear wall portion 31d. An upper guide groove 32 extending linearly in the left-right direction is formed on the upper surface of the central portion in the front-back direction of the plug housing 31. A lower guide groove 33 extending linearly in the left-right direction is formed in the central portion in the front-back direction of the lower wall portion 31b in the shape of a slot. The right wall portion 31c is formed to cover the lower half between the upper wall portion 31a and the lower wall portion 31b. An opening portion 34 is formed between the upper wall portion 31a and the right wall portion 31c.

[0039] The plug terminal 38 is held in the plug housing 31. The plug terminal 38 is formed into a strip shape by a conductive material such as a conductive metal plate. The plug terminal 38 passes through the opening 34 from the right side of the plug housing 31 and is supported on the right wall 31c. The portion of the plug terminal 38 that is fixedly held on the right wall 31c is called the base 38a, and the portion that protrudes into the plug housing 31 is called the terminal connection portion 38b. The top end (left end) of the terminal connection portion 38b is arranged in a position that is closer to the right than the left end surface of the plug housing 31. In addition, the portion that protrudes to the right from the plug housing 31 is called the wiring connection portion 38c. The wiring connection portion 38c is bent downward in a manner along the right wall 31c. External wiring is connected to the wiring connection portion 38c.

[0040] The terminal connection portion 38b is formed to be elastically deformable upward, that is, to be capable of so-called flexural deformation (see Figure 2 A double-dotted dashed line 38b in the figure). A waist-shaped fitting hole 39 is formed in the central part of the terminal connecting portion 38b in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) and is long in the front-back direction and penetrates in the plate thickness direction (up-down direction). The top end (left end) of the terminal connecting portion 38b is gently curved upward, and has a gently arc-shaped guide surface 38d on its lower surface.

[0041] In the first embodiment, the socket terminal 28 corresponds to the "other terminal" in this specification. The socket housing 21 corresponds to the "housing on the other terminal side" in this specification. The plug terminal 38 corresponds to the "one terminal" in this specification. The fitting hole 39 corresponds to the "fitting portion" in this specification. The plug housing 31 corresponds to the "housing on the one terminal side" in this specification.

[0042] In addition, a locking mechanism for maintaining the socket and the plug in a completely fitted state is provided between the socket housing 21 and the plug housing 31. The locking mechanism is a well-known structure, and therefore, description and illustration of the locking mechanism are omitted.

[0043] (Functions and Effects of Embodiment 1)

[0044] Now, it is assumed that the socket 20 and the plug 30 are in a state before being fitted (see Figure 2 ). From this state, the socket 20 and the plug 30 are engaged with each other (refer to Figure 5 At this time, the upper rail groove 32 of the plug housing 31 is engaged with the upper rail 22 of the socket housing 21. In addition, the lower rail groove 33 of the plug housing 31 is engaged with the lower rail 23 of the socket housing 21.

[0045] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , as the socket 20 and the plug 30 are mated, the terminal connection portion 38b of the plug terminal 38 abuts against the guide portion 25 of the socket housing 21. At this time, the guide surface 38d of the terminal connection portion 38b slides against the guide slope 24a of the guide portion 25, and then the lower surface continuous with the guide surface 38d slides on the guide portion 25. As a result, the terminal connection portion 38b elastically deforms in a manner of jumping onto the guide portion 25, that is, the so-called flexural deformation (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 2 In this state, the terminal connection parts 28b and 38b of the socket terminal 28 and the plug terminal 38 are separated from each other, so that the terminal connection parts 28b and 38b cannot be energized. This state continues until the socket 20 and the plug 30 are completely engaged, that is, during the semi-engaged state.

[0046] Next, if Figure 1 As shown in the figure, when the mating of the socket 20 and the plug 30 is completed, that is, the fully mated state, the guide portion 25 of the socket housing 21 is aligned with the mating hole 39 of the terminal connection portion 38b of the plug terminal 38. Then, due to the elastic recovery of the terminal connection portion 38b of the plug terminal 38, the guide portion 25 and the mating hole 39 are mated, so that the terminal connection portions 28b and 38b are conductively connected in a superimposed manner.

[0047] According to the present embodiment, by checking the conduction of electricity to the socket terminal 28 and the plug terminal 38, it is possible to confirm whether the housings 21 and 31 are completely fitted to each other. Therefore, in the connector 10 in which the socket terminal 28 and the plug terminal 38 respectively have the terminal connection parts 28b and 38b that are conductively connected in a mutually overlapping manner, it is possible to confirm whether the housings 21 and 31 are completely fitted to each other without requiring a fitting detection component. In addition, since a fitting detection component is not required, it can be said that this is effective in miniaturizing the connector 10.

[0048] [Implementation Method 2]

[0049] This embodiment is a modification of Embodiment 1 (see Figure 1 ) is an implementation method in which changes are applied, and therefore, its changed parts are described, and the same figure marks are marked for the same parts as implementation method 1, and repeated descriptions are omitted. Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a completely fitted state of the socket and the plug.

[0050] like Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the fitting hole 39 (see Figure 1 ) is changed to a fitting recess 39A whose upper surface is closed. The fitting recess 39A is equivalent to the "fitting portion" mentioned in this specification.

[0051] [Implementation method 3]

[0052] This embodiment is a modification of Embodiment 1 (see Figure 1 ) is an implementation method in which changes are applied, and therefore, its changed parts are described, and the same figure marks are marked for the same parts as implementation method 1, and repeated descriptions are omitted. Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a completely fitted state of the socket and the plug.

[0053] like Figure 7 As shown, this embodiment is a modification of Embodiment 1 (refer to Figure 1 ) of the socket housing 21 (see Figure 1 ) is an embodiment in which a change is made. The guide portion 25 is cut off from the vertical wall portion 24. In addition, the length of the terminal connection portion 28b of the socket terminal 28 and the terminal connection portion 38b of the plug terminal 38 in the overlapping direction (left-right direction, length direction) is increased. Along with this, the length of the support plate 27 in the left-right direction is also increased.

[0054] The terminal connection portion 28b of the socket terminal 28 is formed with a through hole 40 corresponding to the fitting hole 39 of the plug terminal 38. A protrusion 42 that passes through the through hole 40 of the terminal connection portion 28b is formed on the support plate 27 of the socket housing 21. The top end portion (upper end portion) of the protrusion 42 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the terminal connection portion 28b serves as a guide portion 43. Therefore, the guide portion 43 has insulation properties.

[0055] [Implementation Method 4]

[0056] This embodiment is a modification of Embodiment 3 (see Figure 7 ) is an implementation method in which changes are applied, and therefore, the changed parts are described. The same figure marks are marked for the same parts as implementation method 3 and repeated descriptions are omitted. Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a completely fitted state of the socket and the plug.

[0057] like Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, the embodiment 3 (see Figure 7 ) of the through hole 40 of the terminal connection portion 28b of the socket terminal 28 and the protrusion 42 of the socket housing 21. In addition, instead of the guide portion 43 (refer to Figure 7 ), the guide portion 43A having insulation properties, which is formed by a component independent of the socket housing 21, is fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the terminal connecting portion 28b of the socket terminal 28.

[0058] [Other embodiments]

[0059] The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various other ways. For example, the fitting portion (fitting hole 39 or fitting recess 39A) and the guide portion 25 can also be set to the opposite configuration. That is, the terminal connection portion 28b of the socket terminal 28 can be formed to be elastically deformable, and the fitting portion (fitting hole 39 or fitting recess 39A) is formed in the terminal connection portion 28b, and on the other hand, the guide portion 25 is provided in the terminal connection portion 38b of the plug terminal 38 or the plug housing 31.

[0060] Furthermore, the socket terminal 28 and the plug terminal 38 are not limited to one set in the embodiment, but may be a plurality of sets. In this case, the present invention may be applied to at least one set of the socket terminal 28 and the plug terminal 38 .

[0061] Furthermore, the standing wall portion 24 including the guide portion 25 or the protrusion 42 including the guide portion 43 is formed integrally with the socket housing 21 in the embodiment, but a member formed independently of the socket housing 21 may be attached to the socket housing 21 .

Claims

1. A connector comprising: A socket having a socket housing and a socket terminal held in the socket housing; and A plug having a plug housing engaged with the socket housing and a plug terminal held in the plug housing, The socket terminal and the plug terminal respectively have terminal connection parts that are conductively connected in a mutually overlapping manner, and the connector is characterized in that: The terminal connection portion of one of the socket terminal and the plug terminal is formed to be elastically deformable in a direction away from the terminal connection portion of the other terminal. The other terminal is provided with an insulating guide portion, which elastically deforms the terminal connection portion of the one terminal in a direction of separation by sliding contact when the socket and the plug are half-fitted. A fitting portion capable of fitting with the guide portion is formed on the terminal connecting portion of the one terminal. When the socket and the plug are completely fitted together, the terminal connecting portion of the one terminal is elastically restored so that the guide portion and the fitting portion fit together, and thus the terminal connecting portions are conductively connected to each other.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fitting portion is a fitting hole or a fitting recess formed in a terminal connecting portion of the one terminal.

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