Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of reducing an insertion force of a terminal metal fitting to a cavity of a housing and suppressing looseness of the terminal metal fitting in the cavity.SOLUTION: A housing 20 of a connector 1 includes: a first inner wall surface 22a, a second inner wall surface 22b facing the first inner wall surface 22a, and a third inner wall surface 22c and a fourth inner wall surface 22d facing each other while being continued with the second inner wall surface 22b, as an inner wall surface forming a cavity 21; a lance 23 that is provided on the first inner wall surface 22a and is engaged with a first side part 11a that is one side part of a connection part 11 when housing a terminal metal fitting 10; and a padding part 24 that is provided on a first corner part 22e in which the second inner wall surface 22b and the third inner wall surface 22c are continued, and on a second corner part 22f in which the second inner wall surface 22b and the fourth inner wall surface 22d are continued along an extension direction of the cavity 21, and that comes into contact with a corner part such as a first corner part 11e or the like in the connection part 11 at the time of housing the terminal metal fitting 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, many connectors for connecting electric wires and the like are installed in vehicles such as automobiles. For example, when electric wires vibrate due to vibrations while the vehicle is running, the terminal metal fittings connected to the ends of the electric wires may rattle in the cavity of the housing, and wear may occur at the contact points with the mating connector, resulting in non-continuity. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology relating to a connector having long protrusions on the peripheral wall surfaces constituting the cavity to eliminate gaps between the terminal metal fittings and the terminal metal fittings in order to prevent the terminal metal fittings from rattling in the cavity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-17507 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to prevent the terminal fitting from rattling in the horizontal and vertical directions on a surface perpendicular to the insertion direction into the cavity, it is actually necessary to provide multiple long protrusions symmetrically in the horizontal and vertical directions on the peripheral wall surface of the cavity. In this case, the terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity while plastically deforming the multiple long protrusions provided on the peripheral wall surface of the cavity, which requires a strong insertion force and makes assembly work difficult.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the conventional technology, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that reduces the force required to insert the terminal fittings into the cavities of the housing while preventing the terminal fittings from rattling within the cavities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connector according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing having a cavity for accommodating a terminal fitting, the terminal fitting having a connection portion having a rectangular outer periphery in cross section, and the housing has inner wall surfaces forming the cavity, including a first inner wall surface that faces one of the four sides of the connection portion when the terminal fitting is accommodated, a second inner wall surface that faces the first inner wall surface, and a third inner wall surface and a fourth inner wall surface that are each continuous with the second inner wall surface and opposite each other, a lance provided on the first inner wall surface that engages with one side of the connection portion when the terminal fitting is accommodated, and raised portions provided along the extension direction of the cavity at a first corner where the second inner wall surface and the third inner wall surface are continuous and at a second corner where the second inner wall surface and the fourth inner wall surface are continuous, and that contact any of the corners where the two sides are continuous with each other at the connection portion when the terminal fitting is accommodated. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that reduces the insertion force of the terminal fittings into the cavities of the housing while preventing the terminal fittings from rattling within the cavities. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the connector according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector corresponding to III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1 is a rear view of a housing included in a connector according to one embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the housing corresponding to VV in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a connector according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0010] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 1 shows the connector 1 together with a mating connector 100 to which the connector 1 is connected. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the connector 1 as viewed along the direction in which the connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1 corresponding to III-III in Fig. 2.

[0011] Hereinafter, the direction in which the connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100 is defined as the X direction. The Y direction and the Z direction are each perpendicular to the X direction and perpendicular to each other. The Y direction is along the width direction of the connector 1. Hereinafter, the Y direction may be expressed as "left" or "right". The Z direction is along the height direction of the connector 1. In this case, the cutting surface in FIG. 3 is a virtual XZ plane passing through the center of the connector 1 in the Y direction. In this embodiment, the Z direction is defined as the direction from below to above. Hereinafter, in accordance with this definition of the Z direction, it may be expressed as "upper" or "lower".

[0012] The connector 1 is applied, for example as an automobile connector, for electrically connecting between a power source and a device or between devices, and includes at least a housing 20. The connector 1 is electrically connected to one device or the like, and is freely connectable to a mating connector 100 electrically connected to the other device or the like. In this embodiment, the connector 1 is a female connector, and the mating connector 100 is a male connector.

[0013] The mating connector 100 includes at least a mating housing 110. The mating housing 110 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and the housing 20 is fitted into the mating housing 110. The direction in which the housing 20 fits into the mating housing 110 is along the X direction. In this embodiment, the mating housing 110 is a cylindrical body having a rectangular cross section. In addition, when the mating connector 100 is a male connector as in this embodiment, the housing may be called a male housing. The mating housing 110 has a mating cavity 111 that accommodates the housing 20 through an opening 111a. A part of a mating terminal (not shown) is arranged inside the mating cavity 111. When the housing 20 fits into the mating housing 110, the mating terminal connects with the connection portion 11 of the terminal fitting 10.

[0014] The connector 1 is connected to an electric wire (not shown) electrically connected to an in-vehicle device via a terminal fitting 10. Note that in Figs. 1 to 3, the terminal fitting 10 is shown in an initial state before being connected to the electric wire, i.e., before the end of the electric wire is crimped.

[0015] The terminal fitting 10 is a conductive member in which a connection portion 11, a conductor crimping portion 12, and a coating crimping portion 13 are linearly arranged along the X direction.

[0016] The connecting portion 11 is connected to a mating terminal of a mating connector 100. The connecting portion 11 is shaped like a cylinder having a rectangular outer periphery in cross section and an open end 11h into which the mating terminal can be inserted. The connecting portion 11 has four sides, namely, a first side 11a, a second side 11b, a third side 11c, and a fourth side 11d. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the extension direction of the terminal fitting 10 is along the X direction, the first side 11a and the second side 11b are opposed to each other in the Z direction, and the third side 11c and the fourth side 11d are opposed to each other in the Y direction.

[0017] Furthermore, the connection portion 11 has four corners that each extend along the X direction and are continuous between adjacent sides. Hereinafter, the corner where the second side portion 11b and the third side portion 11c are continuous is defined as a first corner portion 11e. Similarly, the corner where the second side portion 11b and the fourth side portion 11d are continuous is defined as a second corner portion 11f. Furthermore, the connection portion 11 has a hole portion 11g formed in the center in the Y direction on the outer surface of the first side portion 11a, into which a protrusion 23a of a lance 23 provided in the housing 20 engages.

[0018] The conductor crimping portion 12 and the covering crimping portion 13 connect electric wires whose conductor portions are covered with insulating covering portions. The conductor crimping portion 12 is made of a pair of crimping pieces and is crimped to the conductor portions of the electric wires. The covering crimping portion 13 is made of a pair of crimping pieces and is crimped to the covering portion of the electric wires.

[0019] Fig. 4 is a rear view of the housing 20 as viewed along the X direction. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the housing 20 corresponding to VV in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 corresponds to a view in which the terminal fittings 10 are removed from the connector 1 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 corresponds to a view in which the terminal fittings are removed from the connector 1 shown in Fig. 3.

[0020] The housing 20 is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and is fitted into a mating housing 110 of the mating connector 100. In this embodiment, the housing 20 is a cylindrical body having a rectangular cross section. In addition, when the connector is a female connector, as in this embodiment, the housing may be called a female housing. The housing 20 has a cavity 21, a lance 23, a raised portion 24, and a locking arm 25.

[0021] The cavity 21 is an elongated hole-shaped receiving portion formed along the X direction, and receives the terminal fitting 10. In this embodiment, the extension direction of the cavity 21 is along the X direction, the width direction of the cavity 21 is along the Y direction, and the height direction of the cavity 21 is along the Z direction. The terminal fitting 10 is inserted into the cavity 21 with the extension direction of the terminal fitting 10 aligned with the X direction. The downstream opening of the cavity 21 in the X direction is a receiving opening 22g that receives the terminal fitting 10 in the cavity 21. The upstream opening of the cavity 21 in the X direction is a connection opening 22i that is provided in the front wall 22h and receives a mating terminal when the connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100.

[0022] Moreover, the cavity 21 is formed by four inner wall surfaces along the extension direction. Specifically, these inner wall surfaces are a first inner wall surface 22a, a second inner wall surface 22b, a third inner wall surface 22c, and a fourth inner wall surface 22d. The first inner wall surface 22a is an inner wall surface on which the lance 23 is provided. The second inner wall surface 22b faces the first inner wall surface 22a in the Z direction. The third inner wall surface 22c and the fourth inner wall surface 22d face each other in the Y direction. The third inner wall surface 22c is continuous with one end of the first inner wall surface 22a at one end in the Z direction, and is continuous with one end of the second inner wall surface 22b at the other end in the Z direction. Similarly, the fourth inner wall surface 22d is continuous at one end in the Z direction with the other end of the first inner wall surface 22a, and is continuous at the other end in the Z direction with the other end of the second inner wall surface 22b.

[0023] When the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated in the cavity 21 (hereinafter referred to as "when the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated"), these inner wall surfaces face any of the four side portions of the connection portion 11 of the terminal fitting 10. In this embodiment, when the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated, the first inner wall surface 22a faces the first side portion 11a, the second inner wall surface 22b faces the second side portion 11b, the third inner wall surface 22c faces the third side portion 11c, and the fourth inner wall surface 22d faces the fourth side portion 11d while being close to or in contact with each other.

[0024] Furthermore, cavity 21 has four corners that extend along the X direction and are continuous between adjacent inner wall surfaces. Hereinafter, the corner where second inner wall surface 22b and third inner wall surface 22c are continuous is defined as first corner 22e. Similarly, the corner where second inner wall surface 22b and fourth inner wall surface 22d are continuous is defined as second corner 22f.

[0025] The lance 23 is provided at the center of the first inner wall surface 22a in the Y direction, and engages with a hole 11g provided on the outer surface of the first side portion 11a of the connection portion 11 when the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated, thereby locking the terminal fitting 10 accommodated in the cavity 21. The lance 23 extends in the X direction with its upstream tip end as a free end, and is elastically deformed in a direction away from the cavity 21 when subjected to an external force. As the terminal fitting 10 is inserted into the empty cavity 21, the protrusion 23a of the lance 23 comes into contact with the first side portion 11a, and the lance 23 is elastically deformed. As the terminal fitting 10 is subsequently inserted, the protrusion 23a reaches the hole 11g formed in the first side portion 11a, and the shape of the lance 23 is restored, and the terminal fitting 10 is arranged in the correct position of the cavity 21. In the normal position, the protrusion 23a engages with the hole 11g, so that the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated in the cavity 21 in a state where it is prevented from coming out.

[0026] The ridges 24 are provided linearly in the extension direction of the cavity 21 at the first corner 22e and the second corner 22f of the cavity 21. The ridges 24 provided at the first corner 22e and the second corner 22f may be symmetrical in the Y direction. The ridges 24 provided at the first corner 22e are formed to a degree that they come into contact with the first corner 11e of the connecting portion 11 when the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated. Similarly, the ridges 24 provided at the second corner 22f are formed to a degree that they come into contact with the second corner 11f of the connecting portion 11 when the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated.

[0027] Furthermore, the length L1 of the raised portion 24 may be set to a dimension that faces the connection portion 11 when the terminal fitting 10 is housed therein. If the length in the X direction that the first corner portion 11e and the second corner portion 11f of the connection portion 11 can take is defined as a corner length L2, then the length L1 as the range in which the raised portion 24 can come into contact with the first corner portion 11e or the second corner portion 11f is set to be equal to the corner length L2.

[0028] The lock arm 25 extends approximately along the X direction with the side opposite to the side mated with the mating housing 110 as a free end. The base end of the lock arm 25 is continuous with an upper surface 22j, which is the opposite surface of the first inner wall surface 22a among the outer wall surfaces of the housing 20. The lock arm 25 elastically deforms approximately along the Z direction when subjected to an external force. When the housing 20 is mated with the mating housing 110, the lock arm 25 engages with a locked portion (not shown) provided on the mating housing 110 to maintain the mated state.

[0029] Next, the effects of the connector 1 will be described.

[0030] The connector 1 includes a housing 20 having a cavity 21 for receiving a terminal fitting 10. The terminal fitting 10 has a connecting portion 11 having a rectangular outer periphery in cross section. The housing 20 has inner wall surfaces forming the cavity 21, which are a first inner wall surface 22a, a second inner wall surface 22b facing the first inner wall surface 22a, and a third inner wall surface 22c and a fourth inner wall surface 22d that are continuous with the second inner wall surface 22b and face each other. Each of these inner wall surfaces faces one of the four sides of the connecting portion 11 when the terminal fitting 10 is received. The housing 20 has a lance 23 that is provided on the first inner wall surface 22a and engages with one side of the connecting portion 11 when the terminal fitting 10 is received. The housing 20 also has a bulge 24 provided along the extension direction of the cavity 21 at a first corner 22e where the second inner wall surface 22b and the third inner wall surface 22c are continuous and at a second corner 22f where the second inner wall surface 22b and the fourth inner wall surface 22d are continuous. The bulge 24 comes into contact with a corner such as the first corner 11e of the connection portion 11 when the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated.

[0031] Here, the four sides of the connection portion 11 correspond to the first side 11a, the second side 11b, the third side 11c, and the fourth side 11d in the above example. The side of the connection portion 11 with which the lance 23 engages is the first side 11a in the above example. The extension direction of the cavity 21 corresponds to the X direction in the above example. In addition, the corners correspond to the first corner 11e where the second side 11b and the third side 11c are continuous, and the second corner 11f where the second side 11b and the fourth side 11d are continuous in the above example.

[0032] First, in the connector 1, when the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated in the cavity 21, the first side portion 11a of the connection portion 11 comes into contact with the lance 23. At the same time, the first corner portion 11e of the connection portion 11 comes into contact with the raised portion 24 provided at the first corner portion 22e, and at the same time, the second corner portion 11f of the connection portion 11 comes into contact with the raised portion 24 provided at the second corner portion 22f. Here, the lance 23 provided on the first inner wall surface 22a applies a reaction force based on elastic deformation to the first side portion 11a in a direction toward the second inner wall surface 22b facing in the Z direction illustrated above, i.e., the height direction of the cavity 21. Meanwhile, the two raised portions 24 are present on the second inner wall surface 22b while being spaced apart from each other in the Y direction illustrated above, i.e., the width direction of the cavity 21. Therefore, when the connection portion 11 receives a reaction force from the lance 23, the first corner portion 11e and the second corner portion 11f are pressed against the two raised portions 24 individually, so that the connection portion 11 is stably supported at a predetermined position in the cavity 21, as shown by the outlined arrow in Fig. 2. In other words, the connector 1 can prevent the terminal fitting 10 from rattling in the cavity 21.

[0033] In addition, in the connector 1, the first corner 11e and the second corner 11f contact the two raised portions 24 in the cavity 21, not any of the second side portion 11b or the third side portion 11c of the connection portion 11. In other words, the movement of the connection portion 11 in two directions, the Z direction and the Y direction, i.e., up, down, left and right, can be restricted only by these two raised portions 24, so that it is not necessary to provide a contact portion for the connection portion 11 other than the two raised portions 24 other than the lance 23. Therefore, the contact portion between the housing 20 and the terminal fitting 10 is small, and a part of the inner wall surface is not plastically deformed when the terminal fitting 10 is inserted, so that the insertion force required to insert the terminal fitting 10 can be reduced and the assembling workability by the worker can be improved. In addition, according to the connector 1, the mold used for manufacturing the housing 20 having the cavity 21 can be prevented from becoming complicated, so that the cost required for mold manufacturing can be reduced.

[0034] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a connector 1 that reduces the insertion force of the terminal fittings 10 into the cavities 21 of the housing 20 while preventing rattling of the terminal fittings 10 within the cavities 21.

[0035] Furthermore, in the connector 1, the length L1 of the raised portion 24 along the extending direction of the cavity 21 may be set to a dimension that faces the connecting portion 11 when the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated.

[0036] According to this connector 1, the raised portion 24 is provided only in the portion required for contact with the connecting portion 11 when the terminal fitting 10 is accommodated in the cavity 21, so that the contact area between the terminal fitting 10 and the housing 20 when the terminal fitting 10 is inserted is reduced. Therefore, the force required to insert the terminal fitting 10 into the cavity 21 can be further reduced.

[0037] Although one embodiment has been described above, the embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Connector 10 Terminal fitting 11 Connection 11a First side 11b Second side 11c Third side 11d Fourth side 11e 1st corner 11f 2nd corner 20. Housing 21 Cavity 22 Inner wall surface 22a First inner wall 22b 2nd inner wall surface 22c 3rd inner wall 22d 4th inner wall 22e First corner 22f 2nd corner 23. Reims 24. The peak L1 Length of the raised part

Claims

1. The terminal fitting is provided with a housing having a cavity for receiving the terminal fitting, The terminal fitting has a connecting portion having a rectangular outer periphery in cross section, The housing includes: the cavity is formed of inner wall surfaces including a first inner wall surface facing one of the four side portions of the connecting portion when the terminal fitting is accommodated therein, a second inner wall surface facing the first inner wall surface, and a third inner wall surface and a fourth inner wall surface facing each other while being continuous with the second inner wall surface; a lance provided on the first inner wall surface and adapted to engage with one of the side portions of the connection portion when the terminal fitting is accommodated; a first corner portion where the second inner wall surface and the third inner wall surface are continuous, and a second corner portion where the second inner wall surface and the fourth inner wall surface are continuous, the first corner portion being provided along the extension direction of the cavity, and the first corner portion being in contact with either of the corner portions where the two side portions are continuous with each other at the connection portion when the terminal fitting is accommodated.

2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein a length of the raised portion along the extension direction of the cavity is set to a dimension that faces the connecting portion when the terminal fitting is accommodated therein.

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