Connector

Abstract

To reduce a relative positional deviation between different terminals.SOLUTION: A connector 20 for holding first and second terminals 10A and 10B comprises: a base component 30 having a first set depressed part 32 in which the first terminal is set; an inner component 40 overlaid on the base component so as to close an opening on the opposite side of the bottom of the first set depressed part and having a second set depressed part 52 in which the second terminal is set; and a cover component 70 overlaid on the inner component so as to close an opening on the opposite side of the bottom of the second set depressed part. In a state in which the inner component is sandwiched between the base component and the cover component, the connector makes the cover component unite with the base component in the state of contact with the base component.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a dielectric that is configured by combining a holding member and a cover member in a direction intersecting the axial direction of an electric wire and can accommodate an inner conductor. A guide portion is formed in the cover member. When the cover member and the holding member are combined, the guide portion brings the holding member and the cover member closer to each other in the combining direction during the process in which the cover member is displaced in the front-rear direction from the temporary assembly position to the regular assembly position. This suppresses rattling between the cover member and the holding member in the combining direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-147558 ​​A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, it is assumed that a plurality of terminals are housed in a connector separated into upper and lower rows, and the positions of the terminals in the upper and lower rows are restricted by separate upper and lower cover members.

[0005] In this case, the cumulative dimensional tolerances of multiple parts may affect the positional error of the upper and lower cover members. If the positional error of the upper and lower cover members becomes large, the relative positional deviation between the upper and lower terminals may also become large.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to reduce the relative positional deviation between different terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The connector of the present disclosure is a connector that holds a first terminal and a second terminal, and includes a base part having a first set recess into which the first terminal is set, an inner part that is overlaid on the base part so as to cover an opening on the opposite side to the bottom of the first set recess and has a second set recess into which the second terminal is set, and a cover part that is overlaid on the inner part so as to cover an opening on the opposite side to the bottom of the second set recess, and which is combined with the inner part sandwiched between the base part and the cover part, with the cover part in contact with the base part. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce relative positional deviation between different terminals. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the connector. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the assembly work of a connector. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the assembly work of the connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0011] The connectors of the present disclosure are as follows.

[0012] (1) A connector that holds a first terminal and a second terminal, comprising: a base part having a first set recess into which the first terminal is set; an inner part that is overlaid on the base part so as to cover an opening on the opposite side to the bottom of the first set recess and has a second set recess into which the second terminal is set; and a cover part that is overlaid on the inner part so as to cover an opening on the opposite side to the bottom of the second set recess, wherein the base part and the cover part are combined with each other with the inner part sandwiched between them and the cover part in contact with the base part.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, the base part and the cover part are joined together with the inner part sandwiched between them and the cover part in contact with the base part. Therefore, the first terminal in the first set recess is positioned between the base part and the inner part positioned with the base part as a reference. The second terminal in the second set recess is positioned between the inner part positioned with the base part as a reference and the cover part. Therefore, the accumulation of dimensional tolerances of multiple parts is unlikely to affect the relative positional relationship between the first terminal and the second terminal. Therefore, the relative positional deviation between different terminals can be reduced.

[0014] (2) In the connector of (1), the base part and the cover part may surround the periphery of the inner part.

[0015] In this case, the error in the connector's external shape can be reduced compared to when the connector's external shape is formed by combining three or more parts.

[0016] (3) In the connector according to (1) or (2), the base part may have a front wall having an insertion guide hole for guiding a mating terminal to be connected to the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0017] In this case, by positioning the first terminal and the second terminal with reference to the base part having the insertion guide hole, the mating terminal can be smoothly connected to the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0018] (4) In any one of the connectors (1) to (3), the base part, the inner part, or the cover part may have a crush rib that protrudes in the direction in which the base part, the inner part, and the cover part are combined and that can be crushed when the base part, the inner part, and the cover part are combined.

[0019] In this case, the crush ribs are crushed when the base component, the inner component, and the cover component are combined, thereby making it possible to suppress rattling between the components.

[0020] (5) In the connector of (4), the base part or the cover part may have, as the crush rib, a first crush rib located at the contact point between the base part and the cover part, and the inner part or the cover part may have, as the crush rib, a second crush rib located at the contact point between the inner part and the cover part.

[0021] As a result, the first crush rib is crushed between the base component and the cover component, thereby suppressing rattling between the base component and the cover component. Also, the second crush rib is crushed between the inner component and the cover component, thereby suppressing rattling between the inner component and the cover component. As a result, rattling can be suppressed throughout the connector. Since there is no need to interpose a crush rib between the base component and the inner component, the relative position error between the base component and the inner component can be reduced. As a result, the position error between the first terminal in the first set recess of the base component and the second terminal in the second set recess of the inner component can be reduced.

[0022] (6) In the connector according to (4) or (5), the crush rib may have a shape that gradually narrows from the base end side toward the tip end side.

[0023] This allows the crush ribs to be gradually crushed from their tips in accordance with the gaps between the components.

[0024] (7) A connector according to any one of (4) to (6), wherein the base part, the inner part or the cover part has a front wall having an insertion guide hole for guiding a mating terminal to be connected to the first terminal and the second terminal, and the crush rib may be located in the base part, the inner part or the cover part closer to the edge of the front wall than to the edge farthest from the front wall.

[0025] This makes it possible to suppress rattling of the components near the insertion guide holes, which in turn makes it possible to more accurately position the terminals near the insertion guide holes and facilitates smooth connection of the mating terminals.

[0026] (8) In any one of the connectors (1) to (7), the cover part may have a cover body that covers an opening on the opposite side to the bottom of the second set recess, and a pair of engaging walls that extend from both sides of the cover body, pass around the outside of both sides of the inner part, toward both sides of the base part, and engage with both sides of the base part.

[0027] This allows the pair of engaging walls to engage with both sides of the base part, making it possible to easily realize a configuration in which the cover part is combined with the base part with the inner part sandwiched between the base part and the cover part.

[0028] (9) In the connector of (8), a slide protrusion may be formed on the inner surface of the pair of engagement walls, and a combination guide groove may be formed on both sides of the base part to guide the slide protrusion along the extension direction of the first terminal.

[0029] With this, in a state in which the inner part is superimposed on the base part, the cover part is combined with the base part by moving the slide protrusion along the combination guide groove, thereby assembling the connector.

[0030] (10) In the connector of (9), an interference surface may be formed on the base part, which extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the combination guide groove and interferes with the slide protrusion attempting to move when the inner part or the cover part is floating relative to the base part.

[0031] This reduces assembly defects.

[0032] (11) In the connector of (9) or (10), the base part or the guide groove for combination may have a guide surface that guides the cover part in a direction approaching the base part as the slide protrusion moves along the extension direction of the guide groove for combination.

[0033] In this case, when the slide protrusion is moved along the guide groove, the cover part approaches the base part, and rattling between the cover part and the base part is suppressed.

[0034] (12) In any one of the connectors (1) to (11), a first retainer for preventing the first terminal from falling out may be formed at the bottom of the first set recess, and a second retainer for preventing the second terminal from falling out may be formed at the bottom of the second set recess.

[0035] This makes it possible to prevent the first terminal and the second terminal from slipping out of the bottom of the first set recess and the second set recess, respectively, making it easier to align the orientation of the first terminal in the first set recess and the orientation of the second terminal in the second set recess.

[0036] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0037] [Embodiment] A connector according to an embodiment will be described below. Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a connector 20. Figures 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views of the connector 20. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Figure 1. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 1. Figures 3 to 6 show a first terminal 10A and a second terminal 10B. Figures 3 to 5 show an electric wire 18 by a two-dot chain line.

[0038] <Overall structure of connector> The following describes the overall structure of connector 20. Connector 20 holds first terminal 10A and second terminal 10B.

[0039] The first terminal 10A and the second terminal 10B are formed by pressing a metal plate or the like. The first terminal 10A includes a coating crimping portion 11A, a core crimping portion 12A, and a terminal connection portion 13A. The coating crimping portion 11A is a portion that is crimped to the coating portion of the end of the electric wire 18. The core crimping portion 12A is a portion that is crimped to the core portion exposed at the end of the electric wire 18. The terminal connection portion 13A is a portion that is connected to a mating terminal, and is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The coating crimping portion 11A, the core crimping portion 12A, and the terminal connection portion 13A are linearly arranged in this order. The thicknesses of the coating crimping portion 11A and the terminal connection portion 13A are greater than the thickness of the core crimping portion 12A. Therefore, when first terminal 10A is observed from the side, a recess is observed on core wire crimping portion 12A between coating crimping portion 11A and terminal connection portion 13A.

[0040] Similar to the first terminal 10A, the second terminal 10B also includes a coating crimping portion 11B, a core wire crimping portion 12B, and a terminal connecting portion 13B.

[0041] First terminal 10A and second terminal 10B may be terminals having the same size, material, etc., or may be terminals having different sizes or materials.

[0042] In this embodiment, the connector 20 includes a plurality of (here, two) first terminals 10A and a plurality of (here, two) second terminals 10B. The plurality of first terminals 10A are arranged in a row in parallel. The plurality of second terminals 10B are also arranged in a row in parallel. The plurality of first terminals 10A and the plurality of second terminals 10B are adjacent to each other. That is, the connector 20 holds the plurality of first terminals 10A and the plurality of second terminals 10B in a first row and a second row. The number of first terminals 10A and second terminals 10B held by the connector 20 is arbitrary.

[0043] In the following description, the terminal connection portion 13A side in the extension direction of the first terminal 10A may be referred to as the front side, and the coating crimping portion 11A side as the rear side. The first terminal 10A side may be referred to as the lower side, and the second terminal 10B side as the upper side. Furthermore, the left-right direction may be referred to assuming a state in which one is standing on the first terminal 10A and facing the front side.

[0044] The connector 20 includes a base component 30, an inner component 50, and a cover component 70. The base component 30, the inner component 50, and the cover component 70 are each a molded component made of resin or the like.

[0045] The base component 30 has a first set recess 32 in which the first terminal 10A is set. The first set recess 32 is a recess that is partitioned into a lower portion and left and right portions. The first terminal 10A is accommodated in the first set recess 32, whereby it is supported from below and positioned in the left and right direction. The front of the first set recess 32 is open. The mating terminal enters the first set recess 32 from the front and is connected to the first terminal 10A. The rear of the first set recess 32 is open, and the electric wire 18 connected to the first terminal 10A is drawn out of the connector 20 through the rear opening. The top of the first set recess 32 is open, and the first terminal 10A is set in the first set recess 32 from the upper opening.

[0046] The inner component 50 is placed on the base component 30 so as to cover the upper opening on the opposite side to the bottom of the first set recess 32. By placing the inner component 50 on the base component 30, the first terminal 10A is held in the first set recess 32.

[0047] The inner part 50 also has a second set recess 52 in which the second terminal 10B is set. The second set recess 52 is a recess that is partitioned into a lower portion, left and right portions, and is open at a front, rear and upper portion, similar to the first set recess 32. The second terminal 10B is accommodated in the second set recess 52 in a manner similar to the manner in which the first terminal 10A is accommodated in the first set recess 32.

[0048] The cover part 70 is placed on the inner part 50 so as to cover the upper opening on the side opposite to the bottom of the second set recess 52. By placing the cover part 70 on the inner part 50, the second terminal 10B is held in the second set recess 52.

[0049] With the cover part 70 overlapping the inner part 50, the inner part 50 is sandwiched between the base part 30 and the cover part 70. In this state, the cover part 70 is combined with the base part 30 in contact therewith. As a result, the base part 30, the inner part 50, and the cover part 70 are assembled into one connector 20.

[0050] The combination of the cover part 70 with the base part 30 means that the cover part 70 and the base part 30 are in direct contact with each other and can be handled as a single object. In this embodiment, the cover part 70 engages with the base part 30, so that the inner part 50 between the cover part 70 and the base part 30 can be handled integrally with the cover part 70 and the base part 30.

[0051] As described above, when the base component 30, the inner component 50, and the cover component 70 are assembled, the base component 30, the inner component 50, and the cover component 70 are in contact with one another. For example, the base component 30 is in contact with both the inner component 50 and the cover component 70. This makes it easy to reduce variation in the relative positional relationship between the three components 30, 50, and 70.

[0052] Each part will now be described in more detail.

[0053] <Base parts> The base component 30 includes a bottom plate portion 34 , a middle wall 36 , and a pair of outer walls 40 .

[0054] The bottom plate portion 34 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The left-right width of the bottom plate portion 34 is equal to or greater than the width of the multiple first terminals 10A arranged side by side, and the front-rear length of the bottom plate portion 34 is equal to or greater than the length of the first terminals 10A.

[0055] An intermediate wall 36 is provided in an upright position at the widthwise intermediate portion of the bottom plate portion 34. The intermediate wall 36 is a rectangular plate extending along the front-rear and up-down directions. When the base component 30 holds three or more first terminals 10A, a plurality of intermediate walls may be provided in an upright position on the bottom plate portion.

[0056] A pair of outer walls 40 are erected on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 34 at positions spaced apart from the intermediate wall 36 in the left-right direction. The outer walls 40 are rectangular plate-shaped along the front-rear and up-down directions. A gap equal to or larger than the width of the first terminal 10A is formed between the intermediate wall 36 and the outer walls 40. The first set recess 32 is a recess defined by the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 34, one of the side surfaces of the intermediate wall 36, and the inner surface of one of the outer walls 40.

[0057] A first retainer 33 that partially protrudes in the front-rear direction is formed on the bottom of the first set recess 32. The first retainer 33 is a protrusion formed in a front-rear direction intermediate portion of the bottom plate portion 34 between the intermediate wall 36 and the outer wall 40.

[0058] The first terminal 10A is set in the first set recess 32 with the recess between the coating crimping portion 11A and the terminal connecting portion 13A facing the bottom of the first set recess 32. Then, the first retainer 33 fits into the recess between the coating crimping portion 11A and the terminal connecting portion 13A. As a result, the first retainer 33 positions the first terminal 10A in its longitudinal direction and prevents the first terminal 10A from coming off.

[0059] Positioning recesses 36g, 40g that are partially recessed downward are formed on the upper edges of the intermediate wall 36 and the pair of outer walls 40. The positioning protrusions 56p, 60p of the inner part 50 fit into the positioning recesses 36g, 40g, thereby positioning the inner part 50 with respect to the base part 30 in the front-rear direction.

[0060] Positioning protrusions 40p that partially protrude upward are formed on the upper edges of the intermediate wall 36 and the pair of outer walls 40. The positioning protrusions 40p fit into the positioning recesses 60g of the inner part 50, thereby positioning the inner part 50 with respect to the base part 30 in the front-rear direction.

[0061] Even if one of the positioning recesses 36g, 40g and the positioning protrusions 40p is omitted, the inner component 50 is positioned relative to the base component 30 in the front-rear direction.

[0062] In this embodiment, both sides of the bottom plate portion 34 protrude outward beyond the pair of outer walls 40, but this is not essential. The pair of outer walls may protrude from the outer edges of both sides of the bottom plate portion.

[0063] A combination guide groove 38 is formed in the outward facing portion of the pair of outer walls 40 to be used for combination with the cover part 70. The combination guide groove 38 will be described later together with the configuration for combination with the cover part 70.

[0064] The base part 30 also has a front wall 44 having an insertion guide hole 44h. The front wall 44 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and protrudes from the front edge of the bottom plate part 34. The front wall 44 extends in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the terminals 10A, 10B. The front wall 44 is located in front of the first set recess 32 of the base part 30 and in front of the second set recess 52 of the inner part 50. The insertion guide hole 44h is formed in the front wall 44 on the forward extension of the first set recess 32 and on the forward extension of the second set recess 52. The insertion guide hole 44h may have a guide surface that gradually widens toward the front side, i.e., outward.

[0065] The mating terminals connected to the terminals 10A and 10B pass through the insertion guide hole 44h and are connected to the terminals 10A and 10B in the first set recess 32 and the second set recess 52. Since the insertion guide hole 44h has a role of guiding the mating terminals toward the terminals 10A and 10B, it is preferable that the insertion guide hole 44h is disposed at a fixed position relative to the terminals 10A and 10B. Here, in the direction perpendicular to the terminals 10A and 10B, the terminal 10A is positioned between the base part 30 and the inner part 50, and the terminal 10B is positioned between the inner part 50 and the cover part 70. Therefore, if both the inner part 50 and the cover part 70 are positioned based on the base part 30, it is easy to position the terminals 10A and 10B at a fixed position relative to the insertion guide hole 44h.

[0066] <Inner parts> The inner part 50 includes a bottom plate portion 54 , an intermediate wall 56 , and a pair of outer walls 60 .

[0067] The bottom plate portion 54 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The left-right width of the bottom plate portion 54 is equal to or greater than the parallel arrangement width of the plurality of second terminals 10B, and the front-to-rear length of the bottom plate portion 54 is equal to or greater than the length of the second terminals 10B. Here, the left-to-right width of the bottom plate portion 54 is smaller than the left-to-right width of the bottom plate portion 54, and the front-to-rear length of the bottom plate portion 54 is the same as the front-to-rear length of the bottom plate portion 34.

[0068] An intermediate wall 56 is provided in an upright position at the widthwise intermediate portion of the bottom plate portion 54. The intermediate wall 56 is a rectangular plate extending along the front-rear and up-down directions. When the base component 30 holds three or more second terminals 10B, a plurality of intermediate walls may be provided in an upright position on the bottom plate portion.

[0069] A pair of outer walls 60 are erected on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 54 at positions spaced apart from the intermediate wall 56 in the left-right direction. The outer walls 60 are rectangular plate-shaped along the front-rear and up-down directions. A gap equal to or larger than the width of the second terminal 10B is formed between the intermediate wall 56 and the outer walls 60. The second set recess 52 is a recess defined by the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 54, one of the side surfaces of the intermediate wall 56, and the inner surface of one of the outer walls 60.

[0070] A second retainer 53 that partially protrudes in the front-rear direction is formed on the bottom of the second set recess 52. The second retainer 53 is a protrusion formed in a front-rear direction intermediate portion of the bottom plate portion 54 between the intermediate wall 56 and the outer wall 60.

[0071] The second terminal 10B is set in the second set recess 52 with the recess between the coating crimping portion 11B and the terminal connecting portion 13B facing the bottom of the second set recess 52. Then, the second retainer 53 fits into the recess between the coating crimping portion 11B and the terminal connecting portion 13B. As a result, the second retainer 53 positions the second terminal 10B in its longitudinal direction and prevents the second terminal 10B from coming off.

[0072] Positioning protrusions 56p, 60p that partially protrude downward are formed on the bottom surface of the bottom plate portion 54 on the lower extensions of the intermediate wall 56 and the pair of outer walls 60 (see FIG. 4). The positioning protrusions 56p, 60p fit into the positioning recesses 36g, 40g of the base component 30, thereby positioning the inner component 50 relative to the base component 30 in the front-rear direction.

[0073] A positioning recess 60g is formed in a portion of the bottom plate portion 54 in the longitudinal direction. The positioning protrusion 40p of the base component 30 fits into this positioning recess 60g, thereby positioning the inner component 50 relative to the base component 30 in the front-rear direction.

[0074] Even if one of the positioning protrusions 56p, 60p and the positioning recess 60g is omitted, the inner part 50 is positioned relative to the base part 30 in the front-rear direction.

[0075] With the first terminal 10A set in the first set recess 32, the inner part 50 is placed on the base part 30. In this state, the bottom surface of the bottom plate portion 54 of the inner part 50 comes into contact with the upper ends of the intermediate wall 36 and the pair of outer walls 40 of the base part 30, thereby restricting the minimum distance of the intermediate wall 36 from the base part 30 in the up-down direction.

[0076] As described later, the cover part 70 keeps the inner part 50 pressed against the base part 30. Therefore, the lower surface of the bottom plate part 54 contacts the upper surface of the first terminal 10A, restricting the upward movement of the first terminal 10A. In this embodiment, the terminal connection part 13A of the first terminal 10A is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the first set recess 32 and the downward surface of the bottom plate part 54, so that the vertical position of the first terminal 10A is restricted. Here, a long and thin protrusion is formed in a part of the bottom plate part 54 corresponding to a region closer to the front of the first set recess 32, and the protrusion is disposed in the first set recess 32 to restrict the upward movement of the first terminal 10A. Since the upward movement of the first terminal 10A is restricted, the first retainer 33 is kept in a state of being fitted into the recess of the first terminal 10A, and thus the movement of the first terminal 10A in the front-rear direction is restricted. Moreover, the first terminal 10A is positioned between both side surfaces of the first set recess 32, and its position in the left-right direction is restricted. Therefore, the inner part 50 is kept pressed against the base part 30, and the first terminal 10A is held at a fixed position within the first set recess 32.

[0077] <Cover parts> The cover part 70 is a part that is placed on the inner part 50 so as to close the opening on the opposite side to the bottom of the second set recess 52. The cover part 70 is combined with the base part 30 in a state of contact with the base part 30. It is preferable that the cover part 70 and the base part 30 are in contact with each other so as to be pressed against each other in the vertical direction.

[0078] More specifically, the cover part 70 includes a cover body 72 and a pair of locking walls 74 .

[0079] The cover body 72 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The left-right width of the cover body 72 is equal to or greater than the parallel width of the second set recesses 52, and the front-rear length of the bottom plate portion 54 is equal to or greater than the length of the second terminal 10B. With the cover part 70 stacked on the inner part 50, the cover body 72 can close the upper openings of the second set recesses 52 on the side opposite to the bottom.

[0080] With the second terminal 10B set in the second set recess 52, the cover part 70 is placed on the inner part 50. In this state, the bottom surface of the cover body 72 comes into contact with the middle wall 56 of the inner part 50 and the upper ends of the pair of outer walls 60, thereby restricting the minimum distance of the cover body 72 from the inner part 50 in the up-down direction.

[0081] As described later, by combining the cover part 70 with the base part 30, the cover body 72 is kept pressed against the inner part 50. Therefore, the lower surface of the cover body 72 contacts the upper surface of the second terminal 10B, restricting the upward movement of the second terminal 10B. In this embodiment, the terminal connection part 13B of the second terminal 10B is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the second set recess 52 and the downward surface of the cover body 72, restricting the vertical position of the second terminal 10B. Here, an elongated protrusion is formed in a part of the cover body 72 corresponding to a region closer to the front of the second set recess 52, and the protrusion is disposed in the second set recess 52 to restrict the upward movement of the second terminal 10B. Since the upward movement of the second terminal 10B is restricted, the second retainer 53 is kept fitted in the recess of the second terminal 10B, thereby restricting the forward and backward movement of the second terminal 10B. Further, the second terminal 10B is positioned between both side surfaces of the second set recess 52, and its position in the left-right direction is restricted. Therefore, the cover part 70 is kept pressed against the inner part 50, and the second terminal 10B is held at a fixed position within the second set recess 52.

[0082] The pair of locking walls 74 have a shape including a rectangular plate-like portion, and extend from both sides of the cover body 72, passing through both outside sides of the inner part 50, toward both sides of the base part 30. The pair of locking walls 74 lock onto both sides of the base part 30. This allows the cover part 70 to be combined with the base part 30 in a state of contact therewith.

[0083] The bottom plate portion 34 of the base part 30 is located at the bottom of the connector 20, a cover body 72 is located on the connector 20, and a pair of locking walls 74 are located on both sides of the connector 20. Thus, the base part 30 and the cover part 70 surround the periphery of the inner part 50. In this embodiment, the base part 30 and the cover part 70 surround the periphery of the inner part 50 so that the inner part 50 is not exposed on the top, bottom, left and right sides surrounding the terminals 10A, 10B.

[0084] <Engagement structure for combination> The structure for joining the cover part 70 to the base part 30 will now be described.

[0085] Slide protrusions 76a, 76b, 76c are formed on the inner surface of a pair of locking walls 74 of the base component 30. For example, a plurality of slide protrusions 76a, 76b, 76c are formed at intervals along the tip edge of the inner surface of the locking wall 74. The slide protrusions 76a, 76b, 76c are aligned in this order from the front to the rear.

[0086] A combination guide groove 38 extending along the front-rear direction is formed on the outer surface of a pair of outer walls 40 of the base component 30. More specifically, groove forming convex parts 46a, 46b, 46c are formed on the outer surface of the outer wall 40 at positions away from the bottom plate part 34. For example, a plurality of groove forming convex parts 46a, 46b, 46c are formed at intervals along the leading edge of the outer surface of the outer wall 40. The plurality of groove forming convex parts 46a, 46b, 46c are arranged in this order from the front to the rear. The outer surface of the outer wall 40, the downward surfaces of the plurality of groove forming convex parts 46a, 46b, 46c, and the upward surface of the side part of the bottom plate part 34 form a combination guide groove 38 that guides the slide protrusions 76a, 76b, 76c along the extension direction of the terminals 10A, 10B.

[0087] Here, the positioning recess 36g is located between the front groove forming protrusion 46a and the intermediate groove forming protrusion 46b in the front-rear direction. The positioning protrusion 40p is continuous with the upper part of the intermediate groove forming protrusion 46b in the front-rear direction. These configurations are not essential.

[0088] Between the front groove forming protrusion 46a and the intermediate groove forming protrusion 46b in the front-rear direction, a gap is provided through which the front slide protrusion 76a can pass in the up-down direction. Between the intermediate groove forming protrusion 46b in the front-rear direction and the rear groove forming protrusion 46c, a gap is provided through which the intermediate slide protrusion 76b can pass in the up-down direction. Furthermore, between the front slide protrusion 76a and the intermediate slide protrusion 76b in the front-rear direction, a gap is provided through which the intermediate groove forming protrusion 46b can pass in the up-down direction. Furthermore, between the intermediate slide protrusion 76b in the front-rear direction and the rear slide protrusion 76c, a gap is provided through which the rear groove forming protrusion 46c can pass in the up-down direction.

[0089] A position restriction surface 46af1 is formed on the bottom plate portion 34 side of the front groove forming convex portion 46a (see FIGS. 3 and 6 to 8). The position restriction surface 46af1 is parallel to the upward surface of the bottom plate portion 34. The distance between the position restriction surface 46af1 and the bottom plate portion 34 is set to be the same as the vertical dimension of the slide protrusion 76a.

[0090] A guide surface 46af2 is formed on the bottom plate portion 34 side of the front groove forming protrusion 46a, behind the position restriction surface 46af1 (see FIGS. 3, 7, and 8). The guide surface 46af2 is an inclined surface that gradually faces away from the bottom plate portion 34 toward the rear. When the slide protrusion 76a moves between the front groove forming protrusion 46a and the bottom plate portion 34 along the extension direction of the combination guide groove 38, the guide surface 46af2 guides the slide protrusion 76a toward the bottom plate portion 34. As a result, the cover part 70 moves in a direction approaching the base part 30 as it moves forward.

[0091] An interference surface 46af3 is formed on the rearward-facing portion of the front groove forming protrusion 46a (see Figs. 3, 7, and 8). The interference surface 46af3 extends in a direction intersecting, here perpendicular to, the extending direction of the combination guide groove 38. When the cover part 70 is combined with the base part 30, if the inner part 50 or the cover part 70 is in a floating state away from the properly assembled state with respect to the base part 30, the slide protrusion 76a interferes with the interference surface 46af3. This prevents the cover part 70 from moving.

[0092] The groove forming protrusion 46b in the middle in the front-rear direction is also formed with a position restriction surface 46bf1, a guide surface 46bf2 and an interference surface 46bf3 corresponding to the position restriction surface 46af1, the guide surface 46af2 and the interference surface 46af3 (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

[0093] In addition to or instead of the guide surfaces 46af2, 46bf2, guide surfaces may be formed on the slide protrusions 76a, 76b. In this case, it is sufficient that a guide surface that gradually slopes downward toward the rear is formed on the upward-facing portion of the slide protrusions 76a, 76b near the rear end.

[0094] Further, a slip-out prevention protrusion 48 is formed on the outer surface of the outer wall 40, here at a position toward the rear. The slip-out prevention protrusion 48 is formed in a shape that includes a portion whose protruding dimension gradually decreases toward the rear. A slip-out prevention protrusion 78 is formed on the inner surface of the engagement wall 74, here at a position toward the rear. The slip-out prevention protrusion 78 is formed in a shape that includes a portion whose protruding dimension gradually decreases toward the front.

[0095] In this embodiment, the slip-off prevention protrusion 78 is located between the slide protrusion 76b at the middle in the front-rear direction and the rear slide protrusion 76c, and the slip-off prevention protrusion 48 is located between the groove forming protrusion 46b at the middle in the front-rear direction and the rear groove forming protrusion 46c. During the operation of combining the base component 30 and the cover component 70, the slip-off prevention protrusion 78 can move in the up-down direction between the groove forming protrusion 46b at the middle in the front-rear direction and the rear groove forming protrusion 46c, passing behind the slip-off prevention protrusion 48.

[0096] The slide protrusions 76a, 76b, 76c are accommodated in the combination guide groove 38, thereby positioning the cover part 70 relative to the base part 30 in the up-down direction. In particular, the slide protrusions 76a, 76b are positioned between the position restriction surfaces 46af1, 46bf1 and the upper surface of the bottom plate part 34, thereby positioning the cover part 70. Furthermore, with the front end of the cover part 70 in contact with the rear surface of the front wall 44, the anti-slip protrusions 48 and the anti-slip protrusions 78 are engaged to prevent slipping out, thereby positioning the cover part 70 relative to the base part 30 in the front-rear direction.

[0097] In this embodiment, convex portions having shapes that are upward extensions of the groove forming convex portions 46b, 46c and the slip-out preventing convex portion 48 are formed on the outer wall 60 of the inner part 50. The convex portions in the inner part 50 may be omitted.

[0098] It is not essential that the plurality of slide protrusions and the plurality of groove forming convex parts are provided at intervals in the front and rear directions. A continuous slide protrusion and a continuous groove forming convex part may be formed. In this case, the slide protrusion may be disposed in the combination guide groove from the rear of the base part.

[0099] <Crush Rib> The base component 30, the inner component 50, or the cover component 70 may have crush ribs 80, 82 that protrude in the combining direction of the base component 30, the inner component 50, and the cover component 70 and can be crushed when these components are combined. The combining direction is the stacking direction in which the base component 30, the inner component 50, and the cover component 70 are combined, which is the up-down direction in this embodiment. In Fig. 6, the shapes of the crush ribs 80, 82 before being crushed are shown by dashed lines.

[0100] That is, the cover part 70 is assembled to the base part 30 in a state in which the inner part 50 is sandwiched between the base part 30 and the cover part 70. Within the tolerance range, the inner part arrangement space of the inner part 50 between the cover part 70 and the base part 30 may be larger or smaller than the actual inner part 50. If the inner part arrangement space is larger than the actual inner part 50, the inner part 50 may rattle. If the inner part arrangement space is smaller than the actual inner part 50, the cover part 70 may not be assembled to the base part 30 well.

[0101] By providing the crush ribs 80, 82 on the base component 30, the inner component 50, or the cover component 70, the crush ribs 80, 82 can fill the gaps between the components 30, 50, 70 and suppress rattling. Furthermore, if the inner component arrangement space is smaller than the actual inner component 50, the crush ribs 80, 82 can be crushed to ensure that the cover component 70 is attached to the base component 30.

[0102] In this embodiment, the cover part 70 has a first crush rib 80 located at the contact point between the base part 30 and the cover part 70. More specifically, the first crush rib 80 is formed on the upward facing surface of the front slide protrusion 76a of the cover part 70, protruding upward.

[0103] The first crush rib 80 is formed in a long and narrow convex shape along the front-rear direction. The first crush rib 80 is also formed in a shape that gradually narrows from the base end side toward the tip end side. Here, the first crush rib 80 is formed in a triangular shape when viewed along the front-rear direction. For this reason, when the groove-forming convex portion 46a of the base component 30 is pressed against the first crush rib 80, the first crush rib 80 can be crushed successively from the tip end side.

[0104] Further, the rear end portion of the first crush rib 80 is formed in a shape that gradually decreases in height toward the rear.

[0105] The first crush rib 80 may be formed on other portions of the cover component 70. For example, it may be formed on other groove-forming protrusions 46b, 46c, the tips of the pair of locking walls 74, etc. If the first crush rib 80 is formed at a position closer to the front end edge on the front wall 44 side than to the rear end edge farther from the front wall 44, it is possible to eliminate rattling between the base component 30 and the cover component 70 near the front wall 44. In addition, it is easy to position the terminals 10A, 10B in a fixed position with respect to the front wall 44 near the front wall 44.

[0106] The first crush ribs 80 may be formed on the base component 30. For example, the first crush ribs 80 may be formed on the surfaces of the groove-forming protrusions 46a, 46b, 46c of the base component 30 that face the bottom plate portion 34.

[0107] The inner part 50 also has a second crush rib 82 located at the contact point between the inner part 50 and the cover part 70. More specifically, the second crush rib 82 protruding upward is formed at a position near the front of the tip end of the pair of outer walls 60 of the inner part 50. The second crush rib 82 is formed in an elongated convex shape along the front-rear direction. The rear end of the second crush rib 82 is formed in a shape whose protruding dimension gradually decreases toward the rear.

[0108] Similar to the first crush rib 80, the second crush rib 82 is formed in a shape that gradually narrows from the base end toward the tip end. Here, the second crush rib 82 is formed in a triangular shape when viewed along the front-to-rear direction. For this reason, when the cover body 72 of the cover component 70 is pressed against the second crush rib 82, the second crush rib 82 can be crushed successively from the tip end.

[0109] The second crush rib 82 may be formed in another portion of the inner part 50. For example, the second crush rib 82 may be formed in a position closer to the rear ends of the pair of outer walls 40, or may be formed in the intermediate wall 56. If the second crush rib 82 is formed in a position closer to the front wall 44 than the center in the front-rear direction, that is, closer to the front edge on the front wall 44 side than the rear edge farther from the front wall 44, rattling between the inner part 50 and the cover part 70 near the front wall 44 can be eliminated. Also, it is easy to arrange the terminal 10B in a fixed position with respect to the front wall 44 near the front wall 44.

[0110] The second crush rib 82 may be formed on the cover component 70. For example, the second crush rib may be formed on the downward surface of the cover body 72 at a position facing the outer wall 60.

[0111] It is preferable that the base component 30 and the inner component 50 abut against each other without a crush rib. In other words, it is preferable that the base component 30 and the inner component 50 are in a state where their portions that maintain a constant shape are in contact with each other. In this embodiment, the upper end of the outer wall 40 and the upper end of the intermediate wall 36 are in a state where they are in contact with the downward surface of the bottom plate portion 54 while maintaining a stable shape. Therefore, when the inner component 50 is pressed against the base component 30, the positional relationship between the inner component 50 and the base component 30 is kept constant, compared to the case where a crush rib is interposed between them.

[0112] In other words, the cover component 70 is positioned via the crush ribs 80, 82 so as to suppress rattling relative to both the base component 30 and the inner component 50, which are maintained in a fixed positional relationship.

[0113] <Assembly work examples> An example of the assembly process of the connector 20 will now be described.

[0114] The first terminals 10A are set in the first set recesses 32 of the base component 30. The inner component 50 is placed on the base component 30 from above. At this time, the positioning protrusion 40p is fitted into the positioning recess 60g, and the positioning protrusions 56p, 60p are fitted into the positioning recess 36g. This positions the inner component 50 relative to the base component 30 in the front-rear direction.

[0115] The second terminals 10B are set in the second set recesses 52 of the inner part 50. After that, as shown in FIG. 7, the cover part 70 is placed on the inner part 50 from above. More specifically, the cover part 70 is placed in a position shifted rearward from the base part 30 and the inner part 50, and the pair of locking walls 74 are placed on both sides of the inner part 50. At this time, the front slide protrusion 76a passes between the front groove forming protrusion 46a and the groove forming protrusion 46b at the middle in the front-rear direction, the slide protrusion 76b at the middle in the front-rear direction and the slip-out prevention protrusion 78 pass between the groove forming protrusion 46b at the middle in the front-rear direction and the rear groove forming protrusion 46c, and the rear slide protrusion 76c passes behind the rear groove forming protrusion 46c. As a result, the pair of locking walls 74 pass on both outsides of the inner part 50 and are placed on the pair of outer walls 40 of the base part 30.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 8, when the slide projections 76a, 76b, 76c pass over the groove forming convex portions 46a, 46b, 46c and reach the combination guide groove 38, the cover part 70 is pushed forward relative to the base part 30 and the inner part 50.

[0117] At this time, if the inner part 50 floats upward relative to the base part 30 or the cover part 70 floats upward relative to the inner part 50, the slide protrusions 76a, 76b interfere with the interference surfaces 46af3, 46bf3. Therefore, when the cover part 70 cannot be moved forward, it can be detected that the inner part 50 or the cover part 70 has floated.

[0118] When the slide protrusions 76a, 76b, 76c move within the combination guide groove 38, the slide protrusions 76a, 76b are pushed toward the bottom plate portion 34 by the guide surfaces 46af2, 46bf2 and move, and can enter between the position restriction surfaces 46af1, 46bf1 and the bottom plate portion 34. Therefore, rattling of the cover part 70 relative to the base part 30 is suppressed.

[0119] When the cover part 70 moves forward until the front end of the cover part 70 abuts against the inner surface of the front wall 44, the retaining protrusion 78 engages with the retaining protrusion 48 in a retaining state.

[0120] In this manner, the connector 20 is assembled.

[0121] <Effects, etc.> According to the connector 20 configured as above, the base part 30 and the cover part 70 are joined together with the inner part 50 sandwiched between them, and the cover part 70 in contact with the base part 30. Therefore, the first terminal 10A in the first set recess 32 is positioned between the base part 30 and the inner part 50 positioned with the base part 30 as a reference. Also, the second terminal 10B in the second set recess 52 is positioned between the inner part 50 positioned with the base part 30 as a reference, and the cover part 70. Therefore, the accumulation of the dimensional tolerances of the multiple parts 30, 50, 70 is unlikely to affect the relative positional relationship between the first terminal 10A and the second terminal 10B. Therefore, the relative positional deviation between the different terminals 10A and 10B can be reduced.

[0122] For example, assuming a configuration in which the base part and the cover part are separately attached with respect to the inner part as a reference, the relative positional relationship between the base part and the cover part may vary within the range of the cumulative dimensional tolerances of the three parts. For this reason, it is considered that the relative positional relationship between the terminals positioned between the inner part and the base part and the terminals positioned between the inner part and the cover part is likely to be significantly shifted. If the relative positional relationship between the terminals of each stage is likely to be shifted, the terminals of each stage cannot be accurately held against the arranged mating terminals, and it may be difficult to simultaneously insert the mating terminals into the terminals of each stage.

[0123] In this embodiment, the inner part 50 and the cover part 70 can be positioned based on the base part 30, and the relative positional deviation of the terminals 10A, 10B held between these parts can be reduced. This makes it easier to insert the mating terminals into the terminals 10A, 10B of each stage.

[0124] Furthermore, since the base component 30 and the cover component 70 surround the periphery of the inner component 50, the error in the external shape of the connector 20 can be reduced compared to when the external shape of the connector 20 is formed by combining three or more components.

[0125] In addition, the base component 30 has a front wall 44 having an insertion guide hole 44h, and the first terminals 10A and the second terminals 10B are positioned via the inner component 50 and the cover component 70 with respect to the base component 30. Therefore, the mating terminals guided by the insertion guide hole 44h are smoothly inserted into the first terminals 10A and the second terminals 10B.

[0126] In addition, the base component 30, the inner component 50, and the cover component 70 have crush ribs 80, 82 that protrude in the direction in which those components are assembled and that can be crushed when those components are assembled. This makes it possible to suppress rattling between the components 30, 50, 70.

[0127] In addition, the base part 30 or the cover part 70 has a first crush rib 80 located at the contact point between the base part 30 and the cover part 70, and the inner part 50 or the cover part 70 has a second crush rib 82 located at the contact point between the inner part 50 and the cover part 70. Therefore, by crushing the crush ribs 80, 82, rattling between the base part 30 and the cover part 70 and rattling between the inner part 50 and the cover part 70 can be suppressed. As a result, rattling can be suppressed in the entire connector 20. In addition, since it is not necessary to interpose a crush rib between the base part 30 and the inner part 50, the relative position error between the base part 30 and the inner part 50 can be reduced. As a result, the position error between the first terminal 10A in the first set recess 32 of the base part 30 and the second terminal 10B in the second set recess 52 of the inner part 50 can be reduced.

[0128] Furthermore, if the crush ribs 80, 82 are shaped so that they become gradually narrower from the base end toward the tip end, they can be gradually crushed from the tip end according to the size of the gaps between the components 30, 50, 70.

[0129] Furthermore, if the crush ribs 80, 82 are located closer to the front wall 44, rattling of the components 30, 50, 70 near the insertion guide hole 44h can be suppressed. This allows the terminals 10A, 10B to be positioned more accurately near the insertion guide hole 44h, facilitating the connection work of the mating terminals.

[0130] The cover part 70 also includes a pair of locking walls 74 that extend from both sides of the cover body 72, pass around both outside sides of the inner part 50, toward both sides of the base part 30, and lock onto both sides of the base part 30. For this reason, a configuration in which the cover part 70 is combined with the base part 30 with the inner part 50 sandwiched between the base part 30 and the cover part 70 can be easily realized.

[0131] Further, slide protrusions 76a, 76b, 76c are formed on the pair of locking walls 74, and combination guide grooves 38 are formed on both sides of the base component 30. Therefore, with the inner component 50 stacked on the base component 30, the slide protrusions 76a, 76b, 76c are moved along the combination guide grooves 38, whereby the cover component 70 is combined with the base component 30, and the connector 20 is assembled.

[0132] Since the interference surfaces 46af3, 46bf3 are formed in the base part 30, when the inner part 50 or the cover part 70 is floating, the base part 30 cannot be moved. This suppresses assembly defects due to the floating of the inner part 50 or the cover part 70. In particular, since it is difficult to observe the inner part 50 from the outside, it is effective to be able to detect the floating of the inner part 50 based on whether the cover part 70 located on the outside can move.

[0133] In addition, since a guide surface is formed on the base part 30 or the combination guide groove 38, when the slide protrusions 76a, 76b are moved along the combination guide groove 38, the cover part 70 approaches the base part 30, thereby suppressing rattling between the cover part 70 and the base part 30.

[0134] Further, a first retainer 33 is formed on the bottom of the first set recess 32, and a second retainer 53 is formed on the bottom of the second set recess 52. This makes it possible to prevent the first terminals 10A and the second terminals 10B from being removed from the outside of the first set recess 32 and the second set recess 52. This makes it easy to align the posture of the first terminals 10A in the first set recess 32 and the posture of the second terminals 10B in the second set recess 52.

[0135] The configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 10A 1st terminal 10B 2nd terminal 11A, 11B Covered crimp part 12A, 12B core wire crimping section 13A, 13B terminal connection 18 Electric wire 20 Connectors 30 Base Parts 32 First set recess 33 First retainer 34, 54 Bottom plate part 36, 56 Intermediate wall 36g Positioning recess 38 Guide groove for combination 40, 60 Outer wall 40g, 60g Positioning recess 40p, 56p, 60p Positioning protrusions 44 Front wall 44h Insertion guide hole 46a, 46b, 46c Groove forming protrusions 46af1, 46bf1 Position control surface 46af2, 46bf2 Guide surface 46af3, 46bf3 interference surface 48, 78 Anti-slip protrusion 50 Inner parts 52 Second set recess 53 Second retainer 70 Cover parts 72 Cover body 74 Retaining Wall 76a, 76b, 76c Slide protrusions 80 First crush rib (crush rib) 82 Second Crush Rib (Crush Rib)

Claims

1. A connector that holds a first terminal and a second terminal, a base part having a first set recess into which the first terminal is set; an inner part that is placed on the base part so as to close an opening on an opposite side to a bottom of the first set recess, and that has a second set recess in which the second terminal is set; a cover part that is overlapped with the inner part so as to close an opening on an opposite side to a bottom of the second set recess; Equipped with A connector in which the base part and the cover part are joined together with the inner part sandwiched between them and the cover part in a state in which the cover part is in contact with the base part.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, The base part and the cover part surround the periphery of the inner part.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, The base part has a front wall having an insertion guide hole for guiding a mating terminal to be connected to the first terminal and the second terminal.

4. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, A connector, wherein the base part, the inner part or the cover part has a crush rib that protrudes in a direction in which the base part, the inner part and the cover part are combined and that can be crushed when the base part, the inner part and the cover part are combined.

5. 5. The connector of claim 4, the base component or the cover component has, as the crush rib, a first crush rib located at a contact point between the base component and the cover component, A connector, wherein the inner part or the cover part has, as the crush rib, a second crush rib located at a contact point between the inner part and the cover part.

6. 5. The connector of claim 4, The crush rib has a shape that gradually narrows from the base end side toward the tip end side of the connector.

7. 5. The connector of claim 4, the base part, the inner part or the cover part has a front wall having an insertion guide hole for guiding a mating terminal to be connected to the first terminal and the second terminal, A connector, wherein the crush rib is located on the base component, the inner component, or the cover component closer to an edge on the front wall side than an edge farther from the front wall.

8. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, The cover part has a cover body that covers an opening on the opposite side to the bottom of the second set recess, and a pair of locking walls that extend from both sides of the cover body, pass around the outside of both sides of the inner part, toward both sides of the base part, and lock onto both sides of the base part.

9. 9. The connector of claim 8, A slide protrusion is formed on the inner surface of the pair of locking walls, A connector, wherein a combination guide groove for guiding the slide protrusion along an extension direction of the first terminal is formed on both sides of the base part.

10. 10. The connector of claim 9, A connector in which an interference surface is formed on the base part, the interference surface extending in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the combination guide groove, and which interferes with the slide protrusion attempting to move when the inner part or the cover part is floating relative to the base part.

11. 10. The connector of claim 9, A connector, wherein the base part or the combination guide groove has a guide surface that guides the cover part in a direction approaching the base part as the slide protrusion moves along the extending direction of the combination guide groove.

12. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, a first retainer for preventing the first terminal from being removed is formed on a bottom of the first set recess; a second retainer for preventing the second terminal from being removed is formed on a bottom of the second set recess.

Images