Connector

Abstract

To downsize a connector by omitting a fitting detection component required in prior arts.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises: a receptacle 20 having a receptacle housing 21 and a receptacle terminal 28; and a plug 30 having a plug housing 31 and a plug terminal 38. The receptacle terminal 28 and the plug terminal 38 respectively have terminal connection parts 28b and 38b which are conductively connected such that they overlap each other. The terminal connection part 38b is formed so as to be elastically deformable in a direction separated away from the terminal connection part 28b. The receptacle housing 21 is provided with an insulative guide part 25 which elastically deforms the terminal connection part 38b in a separation direction by slide contact when the receptacle 20 is half-fitted to the plug 30. The terminal connection part 38b has a fitting hole 39. The guide part 25 and the fitting hole 39 are fitted to each other when the receptacle 20 is fully fitted to the plug 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] The connector includes a receptacle and a plug. The receptacle has a receptacle housing and receptacle terminals held by the receptacle housing. The plug has a plug housing and plug terminals held by the plug housing. The plug housing is fitted into the receptacle housing. Some receptacle terminals and plug terminals have terminal connection parts that overlap and are electrically connected. In this case, the terminal connection parts are electrically connected not only when the receptacle and plug are in a completely fitted state, but also when they are in a partially fitted state. Therefore, it is not possible to check whether the housings are completely fitted by conducting an electrical connection test between the receptacle terminal and the plug terminal.

[0003] Patent Document 1 also discloses a mating confirmation device that includes a detection current-carrying plate and an insulating plate provided on one housing, and a pair of mating detection contacts provided on the other housing. When the receptacle and plug are in a completely mated state, the detection current-carrying plate and the pair of mating detection contacts are electrically connected to form a mating detection circuit. When the receptacle and plug are in a partially mated state, the electrical continuity between the detection current-carrying plate and the pair of mating detection contacts is interrupted by the insulating plate. In this way, it is possible to confirm whether the housings are completely mated by checking the electrical continuity of the mating detection circuit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-106951 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to the connector of Patent Document 1, because it requires mating detection components such as a detection conductive plate, a pair of mating detection contacts, and an insulating plate, the connector is inevitably large in size.

[0006] The problem that the technology disclosed in this specification aims to solve is to confirm whether the housings are completely mated in a connector having terminal connection portions in which the receptacle terminals and the plug terminals are conductively connected so as to overlap each other, without requiring any mating detection components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the technique disclosed in this specification takes the following measures.

[0008] The first means is a connector comprising a receptacle having a receptacle housing and a receptacle terminal held in the receptacle housing, and a plug having a plug housing and a plug terminal held in the plug housing that is fitted into the receptacle housing, the receptacle terminal and the plug terminal each having a terminal connection portion that is electrically connected to overlap with each other, and the terminal connection portion of one of the receptacle terminal and the plug terminal is rotated in a direction away from the terminal connection portion of the other terminal. The connector is formed to be elastically deformable, and an insulating guide portion is provided on the other terminal side which elastically deforms the terminal connection portion of the one terminal in a direction separating them by sliding contact when the receptacle and the plug are in a semi-engaged state, and a fitting portion that fits with the guide portion is formed in the terminal connection portion of the one terminal, and when the receptacle and the plug are in a fully engaged state, the terminal connection portions are electrically connected to each other by the guide portion and the fitting portion fitting together due to the elastic restoration of the terminal connection portion of the one terminal.

[0009] According to the first means, in a semi-fitted state between the receptacle housing and the plug housing, the terminal connection portion of one of the receptacle terminal and the plug terminal rides up against the insulating guide portion provided on the other terminal side by utilizing elastic deformation, i.e., bending deformation. As a result, the terminal connection portion of one terminal is separated from the terminal connection portion of the other terminal, and electrical continuity between the terminal connection portions is interrupted. In addition, in a completely fitted state between the receptacle housing and the plug housing, the guide portion on the other terminal side and the fitting portion of the terminal connection portion of one terminal match. Then, the elastic restoration of the terminal connection portion of the one terminal causes the guide portion and the fitting portion to fit together, and the terminal connection portions are electrically connected so as to overlap each other. Therefore, by conducting an electrical continuity test between the receptacle terminal and the plug terminal, it is possible to check whether the housings are completely fitted together. Therefore, in a connector having terminal connection parts where the receptacle terminal and the plug terminal are conductively connected so as to overlap each other, it is possible to check whether the housings are completely mated without needing any mating detection parts. In addition, since no mating detection parts are required, it is effective in miniaturizing the connector. The other terminal side on which the guide part is provided corresponds to the housing on the other terminal side or the terminal connection part of the other terminal.

[0010] The second means is a connector, in which the fitting portion is a fitting hole or a fitting recess formed in the terminal connection portion of the one terminal.

[0011] According to a second aspect, the fitting portion of the terminal connecting portion of one of the terminals may be a fitting hole or a fitting recess. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, in a connector having terminal connection portions in which the receptacle terminals and the plug terminals are conductively connected so as to overlap each other, it is possible to confirm whether the housings are completely mated without requiring any mating detection components. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of a completely fitted state of a receptacle and a plug of the connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic state before the receptacle and the plug are fitted together. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of a partially fitted state between the receptacle and the plug. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of a completely fitted state between a receptacle and a plug according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of a completely fitted state between a receptacle and a plug according to a third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of a completely fitted state between a receptacle and a plug according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the techniques disclosed in this specification will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] [Embodiment 1] A connector according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic state before the receptacle and the plug are mated. As shown in Fig. 2, the connector 10 includes a receptacle 20 and a plug 30. For convenience of explanation, the up, down, left and right directions are defined based on Fig. 2, but the arrangement direction of the connector 10 is not specified.

[0016] (Receptacle 20) Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a receptacle. As shown in Fig. 3, receptacle 20 has receptacle housing 21 and receptacle terminals 28. Receptacle housing 21 is made of insulating synthetic resin material and has a rectangular box shape with the front and right side faces open. Receptacle housing 21 has upper wall portion 21a, lower wall portion 21b, left wall portion 21c, and rear wall portion 21d.

[0017] An upper rail 22 extending linearly in the left-right direction protrudes from the lower surface of the central portion of the upper wall portion 21a in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 2). A lower rail 23 extending linearly in the left-right direction protrudes from the upper surface of the central portion of the lower wall portion 21b in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 2). A standing wall portion 24 protruding in a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the front is formed on the tip end (right end) of the lower rail 23. The standing wall portion 24 has a guide slope 24a that slopes upward to the left and downward to the right. The top of the standing wall portion 24 is formed as a guide portion 25.

[0018] A rectangular terminal insertion hole 26 that is elongated in the front-to-rear direction is formed in the lower center of the left wall portion 21c. A flat support plate 27 that extends along the upper surface of the lower rail 23 (excluding the vertical wall portion 24) is formed on the left wall portion 21c. Both front and rear side portions of the support plate 27 protrude in both the front-to-rear directions beyond the lower rail 23. The upper surface of the support plate 27 is flush with the lower surface of the terminal insertion hole 26 (see FIG. 2).

[0019] The receptacle terminal 28 is held in the receptacle housing 21. The receptacle terminal 28 is formed in a strip shape from a conductive material such as a metal plate having conductivity. The receptacle terminal 28 is inserted into the terminal insertion hole 26 from the left side of the receptacle housing 21 with almost no gap and abuts against the vertical wall portion 24. The part of the receptacle terminal 28 that is fixedly held in the terminal insertion hole 26 is called the base portion 28a, and the part supported on the support plate 27 is called the terminal connection portion 28b. The part protruding leftward from the receptacle housing 21 is called the wiring connection portion 28c. The wiring connection portion 28c is bent downward so as to follow the left wall portion 21c. An external wiring is connected to the wiring connection portion 28c. The top portion of the vertical wall portion 24 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the terminal connection portion 28b corresponds to the guide portion 25 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the guide portion 25 has insulating properties.

[0020] (Plug 30) Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a plug. As shown in Fig. 4, the plug 30 has a plug housing 31 and plug terminals 38. The plug housing 31 is made of an insulating synthetic resin material and has a rectangular box shape with openings on the front and left sides. The plug housing 31 is formed so that it can be fitted into the hollow portion of the receptacle housing 21 (see Figs. 2-3) with almost no gap (see Fig. 1).

[0021] The plug housing 31 has an upper wall portion 31a, a lower wall portion 31b, a right wall portion 31c, and a rear wall portion 31d. An upper rail groove 32 extending linearly in the left-right direction is formed on the upper surface of the central portion in the front-rear direction of the plug housing 31. A lower rail groove 33 extending linearly in the left-right direction is formed in the central portion in the front-rear direction of the lower wall portion 31b as a split groove. The right wall portion 31c is formed to cover the lower half between the upper wall portion 31a and the lower wall portion 31b. An opening 34 is formed between the upper wall portion 31a and the right wall portion 31c.

[0022] The plug terminal 38 is held by the plug housing 31. The plug terminal 38 is formed in a strip shape from a conductive material such as a metal plate having conductivity. The plug terminal 38 is inserted into the opening 34 from the right side of the plug housing 31 and supported on the right wall portion 31c. Of the plug terminal 38, a portion fixedly held on the right wall portion 31c is called a base portion 38a, and a portion protruding into the plug housing 31 is called a terminal connection portion 38b. The tip (left end) of the terminal connection portion 38b is disposed in a position recessed to the right from the left end face of the plug housing 31. The portion protruding to the right from the plug housing 31 is called a wiring connection portion 38c. The wiring connection portion 38c is bent downward so as to follow the right wall portion 31c. An external wiring is connected to the wiring connection portion 38c.

[0023] Terminal connection portion 38b is formed to be elastically deformable upward, i.e., flexible (see dashed double-dashed line 38b in FIG. 2). An elliptical fitting hole 39 that penetrates in the plate thickness direction (up-down direction) and is elongated in the front-rear direction is formed in the center of terminal connection portion 38b in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction). The tip (left end) of terminal connection portion 38b is gently curved upward, and has a gently arcuate guide surface 38d on its underside.

[0024] In the first embodiment, the receptacle terminal 28 corresponds to the "other terminal" as defined herein. The receptacle housing 21 corresponds to the "housing on the other terminal side" as defined herein. The plug terminal 38 corresponds to the "one terminal" as defined herein. The mating hole 39 corresponds to the "mating portion" as defined herein. The plug housing 31 corresponds to the "housing on the one terminal side" as defined herein.

[0025] A locking mechanism for maintaining the receptacle and plug in a completely fitted state is provided between receptacle housing 21 and plug housing 31. Since the locking mechanism is of a well-known configuration, a description and illustration of the locking mechanism will be omitted.

[0026] (Actions and Effects of the First Embodiment) Assume now that receptacle 20 and plug 30 are in a pre-mating state (see FIG. 2). From this state, receptacle 20 and plug 30 are mated (see FIG. 5). At this time, upper rail 22 of receptacle housing 21 engages with upper rail groove 32 of plug housing 31. Also, lower rail 23 of receptacle housing 21 engages with lower rail groove 33 of plug housing 31.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, as the mating of the receptacle 20 and the plug 30 progresses, the terminal connection portion 38b of the plug terminal 38 abuts against the guide portion 25 of the receptacle housing 21. At this time, the guide surface 38d of the terminal connection portion 38b slides in contact with the guide slope 24a of the guide portion 25, and then the lower surface continuing to the guide surface 38d slides in contact on the guide portion 25. As a result, the terminal connection portion 38b is elastically deformed, that is, is deflected so as to ride up onto the guide portion 25 (see the two-dot chain line 38b in FIG. 2). In this state, the terminal connection portions 28b, 38b of the receptacle terminal 28 and the plug terminal 38 are separated from each other, so that it is impossible to pass electricity between the terminal connection portions 28b, 38b. This state continues until the receptacle 20 and the plug 30 are completely mated, that is, during the semi-fitted state.

[0028] 1, when the mating of receptacle 20 and plug 30 is completed, that is, when the receptacle 20 and plug 30 reach a fully mated state, guide portion 25 of receptacle housing 21 mates with mating hole 39 of terminal connection portion 38b of plug terminal 38. Then, due to the elastic restoration of terminal connection portion 38b of plug terminal 38, guide portion 25 and mating hole 39 are mated, and terminal connection portions 28b, 38b are electrically connected so as to overlap each other.

[0029] According to the present embodiment, it is possible to check whether the mating state between the housings 21, 31 is complete by testing the electrical continuity between the receptacle terminals 28 and the plug terminals 38. Therefore, in connector 10 having terminal connection portions 28b, 38b in which receptacle terminals 28 and plug terminals 38 are conductively connected so as to overlap each other, it is possible to check whether the mating state between the housings 21, 31 is complete without requiring any mating detection parts. In addition, since no mating detection parts are required, this is effective in reducing the size of connector 10.

[0030] [Embodiment 2] Since this embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), the modified parts will be described, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and will not be described again. FIG 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of a completely mated state between the receptacle and the plug.

[0031] 6, in this embodiment, the fitting hole 39 (see FIG. 1) of the terminal connecting portion 38b of the plug terminal 38 in the first embodiment is changed to a fitting recess 39A with a closed top surface. The fitting recess 39A corresponds to the "fitting portion" in this specification.

[0032] [Embodiment 3] Since this embodiment is a modification of embodiment 1 (see FIG. 1), the modified parts will be described, and the same parts as in embodiment 1 will be given the same reference numerals and will not be described again. FIG 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of a completely mated state between the receptacle and the plug.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 7, this embodiment relates to a modification of guide portion 25 (see Fig. 1) of receptacle housing 21 in embodiment 1 (see Fig. 1). Guide portion 25 is cut out from vertical wall portion 24. Also, the length in the overlapping direction (left-right direction, longitudinal direction) of terminal connection portion 28b of receptacle terminal 28 and terminal connection portion 38b of plug terminal 38 is increased. Accordingly, the length of support plate 27 in the left-right direction is also increased.

[0034] A through hole 40 corresponding to the fitting hole 39 of the plug terminal 38 is formed in the terminal connection portion 28b of the receptacle terminal 28. A protrusion 42 penetrating the through hole 40 of the terminal connection portion 28b is formed on the support plate 27 of the receptacle housing 21. Of the protrusion 42, a tip portion (upper end portion) that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the terminal connection portion 28b serves as a guide portion 43. For this reason, the guide portion 43 has insulating properties.

[0035] [Embodiment 4] This embodiment is a modification of embodiment 3 (see FIG. 7), so the modified parts will be described, and the same parts as in embodiment 3 will be given the same reference numerals and will not be described again. FIG 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of a completely mated state between the receptacle and the plug.

[0036] 8, in this embodiment, through-hole 40 of terminal connecting portion 28b of receptacle terminal 28 and protrusion 42 of receptacle housing 21 in embodiment 3 (see FIG. 7) are omitted. Also, instead of guide portion 43 (see FIG. 7), guide portion 43A having insulating properties and formed as a separate part from receptacle housing 21 is fixedly attached to the upper surface of terminal connecting portion 28b of receptacle terminal 28.

[0037] [Other embodiments] The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be embodied in various other forms. For example, the fitting portion (fitting hole 39 or fitting recess 39A) and the guide portion 25 may be arranged in reverse. That is, the terminal connection portion 28b of the receptacle terminal 28 may be formed to be elastically deformable, and the fitting portion (fitting hole 39 or fitting recess 39A) may be formed in the terminal connection portion 28b, while the guide portion 25 may be provided in the terminal connection portion 38b of the plug terminal 38 or the plug housing 31.

[0038] Furthermore, the receptacle terminal 28 and the plug terminal 38 are not limited to one pair as in the embodiment, but may be multiple pairs. In this case, it is preferable that the present invention is applied to at least one pair of the receptacle terminal 28 and the plug terminal 38.

[0039] In addition, in the actual embodiment, the vertical wall portion 24 including the guide portion 25 or the protrusion portion 42 including the guide portion 43 is integrally formed with the receptacle housing 21, but it may also be formed separately from the receptacle housing 21 and attached to the receptacle housing 21. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10 Connectors 20 Receptacle 21 Receptacle housing (housing on the other terminal side) 25 Guide section 28 Receptacle terminal (other terminal) 28b Terminal connection part 30 Plug 31 Plug housing (housing on one terminal side) 38 Plug terminal (one terminal) 38b Terminal connection part 39 Fitting hole (fitting part) 39A Fitting recess (fitting part) 43 Guide section 43A Guide section

Claims

1. a receptacle having a receptacle housing and a receptacle terminal held in the receptacle housing; a plug having a plug housing that is fitted into the receptacle housing and a plug terminal held by the plug housing; It is equipped with the receptacle terminal and the plug terminal each have a terminal connection portion that is electrically connected to each other so as to overlap each other, a terminal connection portion of one of the receptacle terminal and the plug terminal is formed to be elastically deformable in a direction away from the terminal connection portion of the other terminal, a guide portion having insulating properties is provided on the other terminal side, the guide portion elastically deforming the terminal connection portion of the one terminal in a direction in which the terminal connection portion separates from the other terminal by sliding contact when the receptacle and the plug are in a semi-fitted state, a terminal connection portion of the one terminal is formed with a fitting portion that fits into the guide portion, A connector in which, when the receptacle and the plug are fully engaged, the terminal connection portion of one of the terminals elastically restores to its original position, thereby engaging the guide portion with the engaging portion, thereby electrically connecting the terminal connection portions to each other.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, The connector, wherein the fitting portion is a fitting hole or a fitting recess formed in a terminal connection portion of the one terminal.

Images