plug connectors

Abstract

Plug connector (1), comprising: a housing (11) made of a plastic (11D) and fittable onto a socket connector; a plug terminal (12) made of a metal, partially embedded in the housing (11), projecting forward in a connecting direction from the housing (11), and formed into a tubular shape, with plastic filled inside the plug terminal (12); and a plastic cap (13) configured to cover a tip of the plug terminal (12) on a front side in the connecting direction; where: the plug terminal (12) is provided with a communication opening (12F) in a part embedded in the housing (11), the communication opening (12F) allowing communication between the inside and the outside of the plug terminal (12), and a projection (12D) is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the part of the plug terminal (12) embedded in the housing (11); the plastic (11D) forming the housing (11) and the plastic filled inside the plug terminal (12) are integrated via the communication opening (12F), and the plastic filled inside the plug terminal (12) and the plastic (13A) forming the plastic cap (13) are integrated via an opening (12K) of the plug terminal (12) on the front side in the connection direction; and the housing is formed with a recess (12J) which exposes the projection (12D) to an outside, wherein the recess (12J) is formed in a forward surface of the housing (11) in the connecting direction to expose the projection (12D) forward in the connecting direction.

Description

Technical field

[0001] One technique disclosed in this specification relates to a male or male connector. State of the art

[0002] In a conventionally known male connector including a housing, a tubular male terminal having a resin filled inside, and a resin cap covering a tip of the male terminal on a front side in a connecting direction of the male terminal, a part of the male terminal is embedded in the housing, and resin constituting the housing, the resin being filled in the male terminal, and resin constituting the resin cap are integrated (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). Literature listPatent literature Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP 2014- 72 169 A Patent Literature 2: JP S50-18 995 U describes a connector with embedded contacts. Summary of the inventionTechnical problem

[0003] However, in the conventional connector, when the part of the connector terminal is embedded in the housing by molding, there has been a possibility that the connector terminal deviates positionally relative to the housing due to a forward movement (or a backward movement) of the connector terminal in the connecting direction or the rotation of the connector terminal around an axis caused by an injection pressure of molten resin.

[0004] The object of the invention relates to a technique capable of improving the positional accuracy of a connector terminal relative to a housing. Solution to the problem

[0005] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] A male connector disclosed in this specification includes a housing made of a resin and fittable onto a female connector, a male terminal made of a metal, partially embedded in the housing, protruding forward in a connecting direction from the housing and formed into a tubular shape, with resin filled inside the male terminal, and a plastic cap configured to cover a tip of the male terminal on a front side in the connecting direction, the male terminal being provided with a communication opening in a part embedded in the housing, the communication opening having a communication opening.Connection between the inside and the outside of the plug terminal is allowed, and a protrusion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the part of the plug terminal embedded in the housing, the plastic constituting the housing and the plastic filled in the inside of the plug terminal are integrated via the communication opening, and the plastic filled in the inside of the plug terminal and plastic constituting the plastic cap are integrated via an opening of the plug terminal on the front side in the connection direction, and the housing is formed with a recess configured to expose the protrusion to an outside.

[0007] According to the above male connector, by providing a contact portion, for example, at a position to be located in front of the above-mentioned projection in a mold, forward movement is restricted by the contact of the projection with the contact portion even if the male terminal will move forward due to injection pressure. Backward movement and rotation about an axis can also be restricted by appropriately setting the position of the contact portion relative to the projection. However, when the contact portion is provided in the mold, a part of the housing where the contact portion was present is left as a recess to expose the projection to an outside when the mold is opened.

[0008] In contrast, according to the above connector, the protrusion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the part of the plug terminal embedded in the housing, and the housing is formed with the recess configured to expose the protrusion to an outside. Thus, when the plug terminal is embedded in the housing by molding, forward and backward movements and rotation about the axis of the plug terminal can be restricted. Therefore, the positional accuracy of the plug terminal relative to the housing can be improved.

[0009] Furthermore, according to the invention, the recess is formed in a forward surface of the housing in the connecting direction to expose the projection forward in the connecting direction.

[0010] According to the above connector, when the connector terminal is embedded in the housing, forward movement of the connector terminal can be restricted.

[0011] Furthermore, the plug terminal may include a slot extending over an entire length at a position in a circumferential direction.

[0012] When the connector terminal is formed into a tubular shape, it generally results in lower costs for forming the connector terminal by rounding a metal plate into a tubular shape than for forming the connector terminal using a tube. However, when the connector terminal is formed by rounding the metal plate into a tubular shape, the connector terminal includes a slit extending over the entire length at a position in the circumferential direction.

[0013] In contrast, since the connector terminal includes the slit extending over the entire length at a position in the circumferential direction according to the above connector terminal, the connector terminal can be formed by rounding the metal plate into a tubular shape. Thus, manufacturing costs can be reduced compared to the case of using a tube.

[0014] Further, the projection may be separated from an outer peripheral wall of the plug terminal except for a base end and rise outward from the outer peripheral wall.

[0015] According to the above plug connector, the protrusion can be provided by a so-called cutting and lifting.

[0016] Further, the projection may be a convex part formed on the outer peripheral surface, and a recess may be formed at a position corresponding to the convex part in an inner peripheral surface of the male terminal.

[0017] According to the above plug connector, the projection can be provided by a so-called forging or striking.

[0018] Furthermore, the projection may be separated from the outer peripheral wall of the plug terminal except for a base end and project outwardly via a step.

[0019] According to the above plug connector, the projection can be provided by a so-called separation and bending. Effect of the invention

[0020] According to the technique disclosed in this specification, the positional accuracy of a connector terminal relative to a housing can be improved. Short description of the drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a male connector according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a front view of the plug connector, Fig. 3 is a section along AA in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a connector terminal, Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing an enlarged portion of a mold before a resin or plastic is filled, Fig. 6 is a section of a plug connector according to a second embodiment, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a connector terminal, Fig. 8 is a section of a plug connector according to a third embodiment, and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a connector terminal. Embodiments of the invention<Erste Ausführungsform>

[0021] A first embodiment is based on Fig. 1 to 5. In the following description, a vertical direction, a forward-backward direction and a lateral direction are based on a vertical direction, a forward-backward direction and a lateral direction, which are in Fig. 1. A front side is an example of a front side in a connecting direction, and a back side is an example of a back side in the connecting direction. (1) Configuration of a connector

[0022] First, a male connector 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The plug connector 1 is mounted or arranged in a vehicle to connect or connect electrical devices in the vehicle and includes a housing 11 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), which is made of a resin or plastic, two male or plug connections 12 ( Fig. 1) and resin or plastic caps 13 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) to cover the tips of the plug terminals 12. (1-1) Housing

[0023] As this is Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the housing 11 has a so-called racetrack shape consisting of two straight lines and two semicircles when viewed from the front. The housing 11 is formed into a receptacle, and a female connector (not illustrated) is fitted and inserted from the front.

[0024] As this is Fig. 3, a rear wall 11A, which divides an interior space into front and rear sections, is integrally formed inside the housing 11. A terminal holding section 11B, in which parts of the plug terminals 12 are embedded, is integrally formed to extend rearward behind the rear wall 11A. Further, as shown in Fig. 1, a partition wall 11C is integrally formed between the two connector terminals 12 inside the housing 11. The front end position of the partition wall 11C is substantially aligned with those of the plastic caps 13. (1-2) Plug connections

[0025] As this is Fig. 3, an intermediate part of the male terminal 12 is embedded in a longitudinal direction in the rear wall 11A and the terminal holding portion 11B of the housing 11, a front side thereof projects forward from the rear wall 11A, and a rear part thereof emerges rearward from the terminal holding portion 11B.

[0026] The shape of the plug terminal 12 will be described more specifically with reference to Fig. 4. The plug terminal 12 is formed by bending a metal plate of a predetermined shape formed by punching a metal plate material such as copper or a copper alloy, and includes a tubular portion 12A and a conductor connecting portion 12B extending from a rear side of the tubular portion 12A.

[0027] The tubular portion 12A is formed by bending a front part of the metal plate into a tubular shape from both left and right sides, and includes a slit 12C extending over the entire length at a position in a circumferential direction. Specifically, this slit 12C is formed by bending the metal plate to form the tubular portion 12A.

[0028] Furthermore, a projection 12D in the shape of a rectangular column is formed by cutting and lifting on an outer peripheral wall of the tubular portion 12A. Specifically, this projection 12D is separated from the outer peripheral wall of the tubular portion 12A except for a base end and rises outward from the outer peripheral wall. Since the projection 12D is formed by cutting and lifting, an opening 12E is formed in the outer peripheral wall of the tubular portion 12A. As shown in Fig. 3, the projection 12D is formed in a part of the tubular portion 12A to be embedded in the housing 11.

[0029] Furthermore, as stated in Fig. 3, the tubular portion 12A is open on both front and rear sides, and an opening 12F on the rear side is embedded in the casing 11. In the following description, the opening 12F on the rear side is referred to as a communication opening 12F. Resin 12G is filled into the interior of the tubular portion 12A, and resin 11D constituting the casing 11 and the resin 12G filled into the interior of the tubular portion 12A are integrated via the communication opening 12F and the opening 12E.

[0030] The conductor connecting portion 12B is for fixing a busbar by a bolt and is formed with a through hole 12H through which the bolt is inserted. In this embodiment, the position of the busbar relative to the connector is fixed, and the conductor connecting portion 12B is bent into a wedge shape (bent substantially 90° toward an opposite side after being bent substantially 90°) to be positionally aligned with the busbar. Note that the conductor connecting portion 12B does not need to be bent if the busbar and the conductor connecting portion 12B can be overlapped without bending the conductor connecting portion 12B.Alternatively, the conductor connecting portion 12B may be formed by bending it only once by 90° so that plate surfaces thereof are directed in the front-back direction.

[0031] Here is or will be, as in Fig. 3, the rear wall 11A of the housing 11 is formed with a recess 12J for exposing the protrusion 12D to the outside. Specifically, according to the first embodiment, the recess 12J is formed to be recessed rearward from a forward surface of the rear wall 11A and exposes the protrusion 12D forward. (1-3) Plastic cap

[0032] As this is Fig. 3, the plastic cap 13 is provided on the front of the plug terminal 12. The plastic cap 13 is provided as a countermeasure against finger contact (electric shock) to prevent a worker's finger from touching the tip of the plug terminal 12. As shown in Fig. 3, the resin 12G filled into the interior of the tubular portion 12A and a resin 13A constituting the resin cap 13 are integrated via an opening 12K on the front side of the tubular portion 12A. (2) Shapes of a plug connector

[0033] When molding or casting the male or female connector 1, the plug terminals 12 are fixed or arranged in a mold 20 (20A, 20B), as shown in Fig. 5. It should be noted that the mold 20, before resin or plastic is filled into an interior space 22, Fig. 5. The mold 20 is provided with contact portions 21 at positions to be located in front of the projections 12D of the male terminals 12. When the male terminals 12 are inserted into the mold 20, the projections 12D come into contact with the contact portions 21 from behind. It should be noted that small clearances may exist between the projections 12D and the contact portions 21 when the male terminals 12 are inserted into the mold 20.

[0034] Subsequently, molten resin is filled into the inner space 22 of the mold 20. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the molten resin is filled from the back. Since the communication holes 12F of the male terminals 12 are embedded in the housing 11 as described above, when the molten resin is filled into the mold 20, the molten resin flows into the tubular portions 12A through the communication holes 12F. The molten resin that has flowed into the tubular portion 12A partially flows out of the holes 12A on the front side, and the resin caps 13 are formed by the flowed-out molten resin.

[0035] Here, since the projections 12D of the male terminals 12 are in contact with the contact portions 21 from the rear in the mold 20 as described above, even if the male terminals 12 come to move forward due to an injection pressure of the molten resin filled from the rear, the projections 12D come into contact with the contact portions 21, thereby restricting forward movements.

[0036] Alternatively, even if there are small clearances between the projections 12D and the contact portions 21, when the male terminals 12 are placed in the mold 20, further forward movements of the male terminals 12 from positions where the projections 12D are in contact with the contact portions 21 are restricted because the male terminals 12 are slightly moved forward by the injection pressure and the projections 12D come into contact with the contact portions 21.

[0037] The mold 20 is released after the plastic or resin is filled into the interior 22 of the mold 20. When the mold 20 is released or opened, parts where the contact portions 21 were present are or become the recesses 12J (see Fig. 3) are left in the rear wall 11A of the housing 11 and the projections 12D are exposed forward through these recesses 12J. (3) Effects of the embodiment

[0038] According to the plug connector 1 relating to the above-described first embodiment, the contact portions 21 are provided at the positions to be arranged in front of the projections 12D in the mold 20, as shown in Fig. 5, whereby, even if the male terminals 12 begin to move forward due to the injection pressure, the projections 12D come into contact with the contact portions 21 to restrict forward movements. However, when the mold 20 is provided with the contact portions 21, the parts where the contact portions 21 were present are left as the recesses 12J in the housing 11, as shown in Fig. 3, and the projections 12D are exposed forward in the connecting direction when the mold 20 is released.

[0039] In contrast, according to the male connector 1, the protrusion 12D is provided on the outer peripheral surface of a part of the tubular portion 12A to be embedded in the housing 11, and the recess 12J for exposing the protrusion 12D forward is formed in the forward surface of the housing 11 (more specifically, the rear wall 11A). Thus, when the male terminal 12 is embedded in the housing 11 by molding, forward movement of the male terminal 12 can be restricted. Therefore, the positional accuracy of the male terminal 12 relative to the housing 11 can be improved.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the male connector 1, since the tubular portion 12A includes the slit 12C extending over the entire length at a position in the circumferential direction, the tubular portion 12A can be formed by rounding the metal plate into a tubular shape. Thus, manufacturing costs can be reduced compared to the case of using a tube.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the plug connector 1, the projection 12D can be provided by a so-called cutting and lifting. <Zweite Ausführungsform>

[0042] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 described.

[0043] As this is Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 7, a protrusion 212D is formed by hammering in a male connector 201 according to the second embodiment. Specifically, the protrusion 212D is a convex part formed on an outer peripheral wall of a tubular portion 212A and formed by hammering, whereby a recess 212L is formed at a position corresponding to the convex part in an inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 212A. Since the protrusion 212D is formed by hammering in the second embodiment, an opening equivalent to the opening 12E of the first embodiment is not formed in the outer peripheral wall of the tubular portion 212A.

[0044] According to the plug connector 201 relating to the second embodiment, the projection 212D can be provided by so-called hammering. <Dritte Ausführungsform>

[0045] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 described.

[0046] As this is Fig. 8 and Fig. As shown in FIG. 9, a protrusion 312D according to the third embodiment is separated from an outer peripheral wall of a tubular portion 312A except for a base end and formed by bending a base end side to form a step having a height smaller than a thickness of the outer peripheral wall. Specifically, the protrusion 312D is separated from the outer peripheral wall except for the base end and protrudes outward beyond the step having the height smaller than the thickness of the outer peripheral wall.

[0047] Furthermore, as stated in Fig. 9, a conductor connecting portion 312B is bent 90° in the third embodiment, instead of being bent into a key shape. Note that, in the third embodiment as well, the conductor connecting portion 312B may be bent into a key shape like the first or second embodiment.

[0048] According to a plug connector 301 of the third embodiment described above, the projection 312D can be provided by so-called separation and bending.

[0049] It should be noted that although the height of the step is less than the thickness of the outer peripheral wall in the example described here, the height of the step may be equal to or greater than the thickness of the outer peripheral wall. <Andere Ausführungsformen>

[0050] The technology disclosed by this description is not limited or restricted to the embodiments described and illustrated above.

[0051] (1) In the above embodiment, the forward surface of the projection 12D comes into contact with the contact portion 21. In contrast, the contact portion 21 may be configured such that a side surface (surface projecting forward from the plane of Fig. 3 and surface which is directed backward from the plane of Fig. 3) of the protrusion 12D comes into contact with the contact portion 21. With this configuration, the rotation of the male terminal 1 about the axis during molding can be restricted. Note that in this case, the side surface of the protrusion 12D is exposed to the outside.

[0052] Alternatively, the contact portion 21 may be configured such that not only the forward surface of the protrusion 12D comes into contact with the contact portion 21 as in the first embodiment, but also the side surface comes into contact with the contact portion 21 as described above. With this configuration, forward movement of the male terminal 12 can be restricted, and rotation of the male terminal 12 around the axis during molding can also be restricted.

[0053] (2) Although the molten resin is filled from the rear in the above embodiments, the molten resin may be filled from the front. Specifically, for example, the molten resin may be filled through the opening 12K on the front side of the tubular portion 12A, and the housing 11 may be formed by the molten resin flowing out from the opening 12F on the back side of the tubular portion 12A. In this case, since the male terminal 12 will move rearward due to injection pressure, a contact portion 21 may be provided at a position to be located behind the protrusion 12D in the left mold 20B. In this case, the protrusion 12D is exposed rearward.

[0054] (3) Although the tubular portion 12A is formed by rounding the metal plate in the above embodiment, the tubular portion 12A may be formed using a pipe.

[0055] (4) Although the opening 12F on the rear side of the tubular portion 12A serves as the communication port 12F in the above embodiment, the communication port 12F may be a through hole formed in the outer peripheral wall of the tubular portion 12A. For example, when the tubular portion 12A is formed using a tube, it is also possible to form a terminal connecting portion by crimping a rear end part of the tubular portion 12A into a flat plate. In this case, the tubular portion 12A does not include the opening 12F in the part embedded in the rear wall 11A, therefore, the communication port 12F may be provided by forming a through hole in the outer peripheral wall. List of reference symbols

[0056] 1 ... male connector, 11 ... housing, 11D ... plastic or resin, 12 ... male terminal, 12A ... tubular section, 12C ... slot, 12D ... projection or extension, 12F ... communication or connection opening, 12G ... resin or plastic, 12J ... recess or notch, 12K ... opening, 13 ... plastic cap, 13A ... resin or plastic, 201 ... male connector, 212 ... male terminal, 212A ... tubular section, 212D ... projection or extension, 212L ... recess or notch, 212J ... recess or notch, 301 ... male connector, 312 ... male terminal, 312A ... tubular section, 312D ... projection or extension, 312J ... depression or recess

Claims

[1] Plug connector (1), comprising: a housing (11) made of a plastic (11D) and fittable onto a socket connector; a plug terminal (12) made of a metal, partially embedded in the housing (11), projecting forward in a connecting direction from the housing (11) and formed into a tubular shape, with plastic being filled into the interior of the plug terminal (12); and a plastic cap (13) configured to cover a tip of the plug terminal (12) on a front side in the connecting direction; where: the plug terminal (12) is provided with a communication opening (12F) in a part embedded in the housing (11), the communication opening (12F) allowing communication between the inside and the outside of the plug terminal (12), and a projection (12D) is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the part of the plug terminal (12) embedded in the housing (11); the plastic (11D) forming the housing (11) and the plastic filled inside the plug terminal (12) are integrated via the communication opening (12F), and the plastic filled inside the plug terminal (12) and the plastic (13A) forming the plastic cap (13) are integrated via an opening (12K) of the plug terminal (12) on the front side in the connection direction; and the housing is formed with a recess (12J) which exposes the projection (12D) to an outside, wherein the recess (12J) is formed in a forward surface of the housing (11) in the connecting direction to expose the projection (12D) forward in the connecting direction. [2] A plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the plug terminal (12) includes a slit (12C) extending over an entire length at a position in a circumferential direction. [3] A plug connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the projection (12D) is separated from an outer peripheral wall of the plug terminal (12) except for a base end and rises outward from the outer peripheral wall. [4] A plug connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the projection (12D) is a convex part formed on the outer peripheral surface, and a recess (12J) is formed at a position corresponding to the convex part in an inner peripheral surface of the plug terminal (12). [5] A plug connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the projection (12D) is separated from an outer peripheral wall of the plug terminal (12) except for a base end and projects outwardly via a step.

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