Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector which can stably house a terminal in a housing, thereby maintaining electrical connection reliability.SOLUTION: A connector 1 comprises: a housing 3; and a terminal 5 which is housed in the housing 3, and which has a box-shaped electric connection part 23 for inserting a mating terminal 205. The electric connection part 23 has: an elastically deformable elastic piece 37 having a contact point part 39 brought into contact with the mating terminal 205; a contact part 41, provided on the elastic piece 37, which extends in an elastic deformation direction of the elastic piece 37 when the contact point part 39 comes into contact with the mating terminal 205; and a hole part 45 which is penetratingly provided on a box-shaped wall part facing the contact part 41, and which brings the contact part 41 into contact with the housing 3 when the elastic piece 37 is elastically deformed as a result of the contact point part 39 making contact with the mating terminal 205. The contact part 41 is disposed further on a base end side than the contact point part 39 with respect to the elastic piece 37.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a connector is known that includes a housing and a terminal that is accommodated in the housing and has a box-shaped electrical connection portion into which a mating terminal is inserted (see Patent Document 1). In this connector, the electrical connection portion of the terminal has a terminal spring as an elastically deformable elastic piece having a contact portion that comes into contact with the mating terminal. A contact portion that extends in the elastic deformation direction of the terminal spring is provided at the free end of the terminal spring. The electrical connection portion of the terminal has an opening that penetrates a wall portion facing the contact portion and serves as a hole portion that brings the contact portion into contact with the housing when the terminal spring is elastically deformed. When the contact portion comes into contact with the housing, the biasing force of the terminal spring closes the gap between the housing and the terminal, and the terminal can be stably accommodated in the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-135998 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the connector of Patent Document 1, the contact portion is provided at the free end of the elastic piece, and is located closer to the free end than the contact portion between the base end and free end of the elastic piece. Therefore, when the contact portion comes into contact with the housing, the contact portion located closer to the base end of the elastic piece than the contact portion is likely to deform, which may reduce the reliability of the electrical connection.

[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 in which the terminals can be stably accommodated in the housing and the electrical connection reliability can be maintained. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of this embodiment comprises a housing, and a terminal having a box-shaped electrical connection portion accommodated in the housing and into which a mating terminal is inserted, the electrical connection portion having an elastically deformable elastic piece having a contact portion that comes into contact with the mating terminal, a contact portion provided on the elastic piece and extending in the direction of elastic deformation of the elastic piece when the contact portion comes into contact with the mating terminal, and a hole portion provided through a box-shaped wall portion facing the contact portion, for bringing the contact portion into contact with the housing when the contact portion comes into contact with the mating terminal and the elastic piece is elastically deformed, and the contact portion is positioned on the base end side of the elastic piece relative to the contact portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector in which terminals can be stably accommodated in a housing and electrical connection reliability can be maintained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector and a mating connector according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion when a mating terminal is inserted into the connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion when a mating terminal is inserted into the connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a terminal of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of a terminal of a connector according to a first embodiment, the terminal being partially cross-sectional; [Figure 7] 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of a terminal of a connector according to a first embodiment, the terminal being partially cross-sectional; [Figure 8] 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion when a mating terminal is inserted into a connector according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view, with a part in section, of a housing of a connector according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the connector according to the present 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] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG.

[0011] 1, a connector 1 according to this embodiment is applied to electrically connect electrical components, such as a power source and a device, or devices and devices. The connector 1 is, for example, electrically connected to one electrical component and can be fitted with a mating connector 201 electrically connected to the other electrical component. By fitting the connector 1 with the mating connector 201, the electrical connection between the electrical components is established.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the mating connector 201 includes a mating housing 203 and a mating terminal 205 .

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, mating housing 203 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin and is formed into a box shape. Mating housing 203 is provided with mating portion 207 that is open at one end and into which housing 3 is fitted. A locked portion (not shown) that protrudes inward is provided on the opening side of mating portion 207. A mating terminal accommodating chamber 209 is provided on the bottom side of mating portion 207.

[0014] The mating terminal accommodating chambers 209 are arranged in a plurality of stages in the height direction of the mating housing 203, and in a plurality of rows in the width direction of the mating housing 203. One end side of the mating terminal accommodating chambers 209 in the length direction is an accommodating opening, and the other end side in the length direction is a connecting opening. The mating terminal 205 is inserted from the mating electrical connection portion 217 side into the accommodating opening, and the mating terminal 205 is accommodated in the mating terminal accommodating chamber 209. With the mating terminal 205 accommodated in the mating terminal accommodating chamber 209, the mating electrical connection portion 217 of the mating terminal 205 is inserted into the connecting opening, and the mating electrical connection portion 217 is arranged in the fitting portion 207.

[0015] A mating locking lance (not shown) is provided in the mating terminal accommodating chamber 209 so as to be elastically deformable in the height direction. The mating locking lance is engaged with the mating terminal 205 when the mating terminal 205 is positioned at the normal position in the mating terminal accommodating chamber 209. The mating terminal 205 is prevented from coming out of the accommodating opening by the engagement of the mating locking lance with the mating terminal 205. In the mating terminal accommodating chamber 209, a mating spacer 211 is accommodated in an accommodating hole (not shown) provided to communicate the plurality of mating terminal accommodating chambers 209. The mating spacer 211 is held movably between a provisional locking position where the mating terminal 205 can be accommodated in the mating terminal accommodating chamber 209 and a full locking position where the mating spacer 211 is engaged with the mating terminal 205, for example, via an engaging means. When the mating terminal 205 is positioned at the normal position in the mating terminal accommodating chamber 209, the mating spacer 211 is held in a full locking position with respect to the accommodating hole and engaged with the mating terminal 205. The engagement between the mating spacer 211 and the mating terminal 205 serves to doubly prevent the mating terminal 205 from slipping out of the receiving opening.

[0016] 1 to 3, mating terminal 205 is formed by punching, bending, and the like, a single plate material made of a conductive material. Mating terminal 205 has a box portion 213 formed in the center thereof, which is engaged with a mating locking lance and a mating spacer 211. On one side of box portion 213, mating wire connection portion 215 is formed of a single member continuous with box portion 213. On the other side of box portion 213, mating electrical connection portion 217 is formed of a single member continuous with box portion 213.

[0017] The mating wire connecting part 215 is made of a pair of crimping pieces, and is crimped at an end of the mating wire 219 electrically connected to an electric component (not shown) by crimping a core wire part exposed from a covering part of the mating wire 219. By crimping the mating wire connecting part 215 to the core wire part of the mating wire 219, the mating terminal 205 is electrically connected to the mating wire 219.

[0018] The mating electrical connection portion 217 is formed of one member that is continuous with the mating electric wire connection portion 215 via the box portion 213. The mating electrical connection portion 217 is a male connection portion that extends in a tab shape from the box portion 213 in the mating direction of the mating connector 201 and the connector 1. The mating electrical connection portion 217 is inserted through the connection opening and disposed in the mating portion 207 with the mating terminal 205 accommodated in the mating terminal accommodating chamber 209. The mating electrical connection portion 217 disposed in the mating portion 207 is electrically connected to the terminal 5 with the mating connector 201 and the connector 1 mated.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the connector 1 includes a housing 3 and a terminal 5. The housing 3 and the terminal 5 include a connector housing 3 and a terminal 5. As shown in FIG.

[0020] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the housing 3 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and is formed in a casing shape that can be fitted into the fitting portion 207 of the mating housing 203. A lock arm 9 is provided on the outer periphery of the housing 3 so as to be elastically deformable, from which a lock portion 7 that engages with a locked portion of the fitting portion 207 is protruded. When the mating connector 201 and the connector 1 are fitted together, the locked portion of the lock arm 9 is engaged with the lock portion 7. The engagement between the locked portion and the lock portion 7 maintains the mating state between the mating connector 201 and the connector 1. The lock arm 9 is provided with an operating portion 11. When the mating connector 201 and the connector 1 are released from the mating, the operating portion 11 is pressed to elastically deform the lock arm 9. The elastic deformation of the lock arm 9 releases the engagement between the locked portion and the lock portion 7, and the mating between the mating connector 201 and the connector 1 can be released. A terminal accommodating chamber 13 is provided inside the housing 3.

[0021] The terminal accommodating chambers 13 are arranged in a plurality of stages in the height direction of the housing 3, and in a plurality of rows in the width direction of the housing 3. One end side of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 in the length direction is an accommodating opening, and the other end side in the length direction is a connection opening 15. The terminal 5 is inserted into the accommodating opening from the electrical connection portion 23 side, and the terminal 5 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 13. When the mating connector 201 and the connector 1 are fitted together, the mating electrical connection portion 217 of the mating terminal 205 is inserted into the connection opening 15. When the mating electrical connection portion 217 is inserted into the connection opening 15, the mating terminal 205 and the terminal 5 are electrically connected. A locking lance 17 is provided in the terminal accommodating chamber 13 so as to be elastically deformable in the height direction.

[0022] The locking lance 17 is disposed in the terminal accommodating chamber 13 on the opposite side (here, the lower side in FIG. 2 ) to the direction of elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37 of the terminal 5 when the contact portion 39 contacts the mating electrical connection portion 217. The locking lance 17 extends along the length of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 with the inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 on the accommodating opening side as a base end and the connection opening 15 side as a free end, and is provided so as to be elastically deformable in the height direction. The locking lance 17 engages with the terminal 5 when the terminal 5 is positioned at the correct position in the terminal accommodating chamber 13. The engagement between the locking lance 17 and the terminal 5 prevents the terminal 5 from slipping out of the accommodating opening, and the terminal 5 is held in the housing 3. In the terminal accommodating chamber 13, a spacer 19 is accommodated in an accommodating hole (not shown) that is provided to communicate with the multiple terminal accommodating chambers 13. The spacer 19 is held, for example via an engagement means, so as to be movable with respect to the accommodating hole between a temporary locking position where the terminal 5 can be accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 13 and a full locking position where the spacer 19 is engaged with the terminal 5. When the terminal 5 is positioned in the correct position in the terminal accommodating chamber 13, the spacer 19 is held in the full locking position with respect to the accommodating hole and engaged with the terminal 5. The engagement between the spacer 19 and the terminal 5 prevents the terminal 5 from slipping out of the accommodating opening, and the terminal 5 is doubly held in the housing 3.

[0023] 1 to 7, the terminal 5 is formed by subjecting a single plate material made of a conductive material to processes such as punching and bending. In the terminal 5, the electric wire connection portion 21 and the electrical connection portion 23 are formed as a single continuous member.

[0024] The electric wire connection part 21 is made of a pair of crimping pieces, and is crimped at an end of an electric wire 25 electrically connected to an electric component (not shown) by crimping a core wire exposed from a coating of the electric wire 25. By crimping the electric wire connection part 21 to the core wire of the electric wire 25, the terminal 5 is electrically connected to the electric wire 25.

[0025] The electrical connection part 23 is formed of a single member in which the bottom wall 27 and the pair of side walls 29, 29 are continuous with the electric wire connection part 21, and is a female connection part formed in a box shape by bending the pair of side walls 29, 29, the upper wall 31, and the bottom wall 27. The upper wall 31 is provided with a plurality of auxiliary contact parts 33 protruding toward the inside of the electrical connection part 23 by stamping. The auxiliary contact parts 33 come into contact with the mating electrical connection parts 217 of the mating terminals 205 inserted into the electrical connection part 23, and electrically connect the mating terminals 205 and the terminals 5. The upper wall 31 is provided with an engagement hole 35 formed penetrating the upper wall 31. The locking lance 17 is engaged with the engagement hole 35 to prevent the terminals 5 from falling out of the receiving opening, and the terminals 5 are held in the housing 3. The upper wall 31 is formed of a single member to which an elastic piece 37 is continuous via a connecting wall (not shown) at the end on the electric wire connection part 21 side.

[0026] The elastic piece 37 is arranged inside the electrical connection part 23 so as to overlap with the bottom wall 27 by performing a bending process on the connecting wall. The elastic piece 37 is arranged inside the electrical connection part 23 so as to be elastically deformable, with the connecting wall side (the electric wire connection part 21 side) as a base end and the tip side (the connection opening 15 side) as a free end. A contact part 39 that protrudes in a curved shape toward the inside of the electrical connection part 23 is provided on the free end side of the elastic piece 37 by performing a stamping process. The contact part 39 contacts the mating electrical connection part 217 of the mating terminal 205 inserted into the electrical connection part 23 and the auxiliary contact part 33 by the biasing force of the elastic piece 37 so as to be sandwiched between them, and electrically connects the mating terminal 205 and the terminal 5. The elastic piece 37 is formed of a pair of contact parts 41, 41, which are continuous with each other.

[0027] The pair of contact portions 41, 41 extend outward in the width direction from the side surfaces of the elastic piece 37 in the width direction, and then extend in the direction of elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37 (here, the upper side in FIG. 2) when the contact portion 39 contacts the mating electrical connection portion 217. The pair of contact portions 41, 41 are disposed on the base end side of the elastic piece 37 (the electric wire connection portion 21 side) relative to the contact portion 39 in the length direction of the elastic piece 37.

[0028] The bottom wall 27 is provided with a fulcrum portion 43 that is protruded toward the inside of the electrical connection portion 23 by stamping. The fulcrum portion 43 comes into contact with the elastic piece 37 and serves as a fulcrum when the elastic piece 37 elastically deforms. By changing the position of the fulcrum portion 43, the elastic deformation force (urging force) of the elastic piece 37 can be adjusted.

[0029] The pair of side walls 29, 29 are arranged to face the elastic piece 37 in a direction perpendicular to the elastic deformation direction of the elastic piece 37 (width direction of the elastic piece 37). The pair of side walls 29, 29 are each provided with a hole portion 45 formed by penetrating the side wall 29. The hole portion 45 is arranged at a position corresponding to the pair of contact portions 41, 41 of the elastic piece 37. The hole portion 45 has an open edge on the elastic deformation direction side (bottom wall 27 side) of the elastic piece 37 when the contact portion 39 contacts the mating electrical connection portion 217. The contact portion 41 is arranged in the hole portion 45 so that the extended end of the contact portion 41 is arranged in the opening on the bottom wall 27 side of the hole portion 45. The pair of contact portions 41, 41 arranged in the pair of hole portions 45, 45 are arranged to sandwich the bottom wall 27 in the width direction. Therefore, the movement of the elastic piece 37 in a direction perpendicular to the elastic deformation direction is restricted, and the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37 can be stabilized.

[0030] The contact portion 41 disposed in the hole 45 is set so that the extended end does not protrude from the opening on the bottom wall 27 side of the hole 45 to the outside of the electrical connection portion 23 in a free state of the elastic piece 37 in which the contact portion 39 is not in contact with the mating electrical connection portion 217. Therefore, in a state in which the mating electrical connection portion 217 is not inserted into the electrical connection portion 23, the contact portion 41 does not contact the inner surface 47 of the terminal accommodating chamber 13. Note that the contact portion 41 may contact the inner surface 47 of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 as long as the urging force of the elastic piece 37 in the free state of the elastic piece 37 is input to the inner surface 47 of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 very slightly. When the mating electrical connection portion 217 is inserted into the electrical connection portion 23 and the contact portion 39 comes into contact with the mating electrical connection portion 217 to elastically deform the elastic piece 37, the contact portion 41 protrudes from the opening on the bottom wall 27 side of the hole 45 to the outside of the electrical connection portion 23 and contacts the inner surface 47 of the terminal accommodating chamber 13. The contact portion 41 applies a biasing force due to the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37 to the inner surface 47 of the terminal accommodating chamber 13, moving the electrical connection portion 23 toward the opposite side to the elastic deformation direction of the elastic piece 37 (toward the locking lance 17). This closes the gap between the electrical connection portion 23 and the terminal accommodating chamber 13, allowing the terminal 5 to be stably accommodated in the housing 3. In addition, the locking lance 17 is disposed on the opposite side to the elastic deformation direction of the elastic piece 37, and the electrical connection portion 23 is pressed toward the locking lance 17. This strengthens the engagement between the electrical connection portion 23 and the locking lance 17 to ensure an engagement margin, allowing the terminal 5 to be more stably accommodated in the housing 3.

[0031] The contact portion 41, which comes into contact with the inner surface 47 of the terminal accommodating chamber 13, is disposed on the elastic piece 37 closer to the base end (the fulcrum portion 43 side) than the contact portion 39. By locating the contact portion 41 closer to the base end than the contact portion 39, it is possible to suppress the effect on the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37 located on the free end side of the contact portion 41 when the contact portion 41 comes into contact with the inner surface 47 of the terminal accommodating chamber 13. Therefore, deformation is less likely to occur in the contact portion 39 located on the free end side of the contact portion 41, and the contact between the contact portion 39 and the mating electrical connection portion 217 is stabilized, thereby maintaining the reliability of the electrical connection.

[0032] Here, the electrical connection portion 23 is provided with a restricting portion 49 that restricts the elastic piece 37 from being deformed in the opposite direction (the locking lance 17 side) to the direction of elastic deformation when the contact portion 39 contacts the mating electrical connection portion 217. The restricting portion 49 is provided on an edge portion of the hole portion 45 that faces the contact portion 41, the edge portion being located on the opposite side (the upper wall 31 side) to the direction of elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37 when the contact portion 39 contacts the mating electrical connection portion 217. The restricting portion 49 abuts against the contact portion 41 when the elastic piece 37 is about to be deformed in the opposite direction to the direction of elastic deformation when the contact portion 39 contacts the mating electrical connection portion 217. The abutment of the restricting portion 49 and the contact portion 41 can restrict the deformation of the elastic piece 37 in the opposite direction, and can prevent, for example, the elastic piece 37 from being pushed against the mating electrical connection portion 217 due to the deformation of the elastic piece 37 in the opposite direction. This allows the elastic piece 37 to be elastically deformed normally, thereby maintaining the reliability of the electrical connection between the terminal 5 and the mating terminal 205. In addition, by providing the restricting portion 49 at the edge of the hole 45, the hole 45 can have the function of bringing the contact portion 41 into contact with the housing 3 and the function of stabilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37, thereby simplifying the structure of the electrical connection portion 23.

[0033] Such a connector 1 includes a housing 3 and a terminal 5 having a box-shaped electrical connection portion 23 accommodated in the housing 3 and into which a mating terminal 205 is inserted. The electrical connection portion 23 has an elastically deformable elastic piece 37 having a contact portion 39 that comes into contact with the mating terminal 205. The electrical connection portion 23 has a contact portion 41 that is provided on the elastic piece 37 and extends in the direction of elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37 when the contact portion 39 comes into contact with the mating terminal 205. The electrical connection portion 23 also has a hole portion 45 that is provided through the box-shaped wall portion facing the contact portion 41 and that brings the contact portion 41 into contact with the housing 3 when the contact portion 39 comes into contact with the mating terminal 205 and the elastic piece 37 is elastically deformed. The contact portion 41 is disposed on the base end side of the elastic piece 37 relative to the contact portion 39.

[0034] The contact portion 41 contacts the housing 3 through the hole portion 45, and the biasing force due to the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37 moves the terminal 5 in the direction opposite to the elastic deformation direction of the elastic piece 37. Therefore, the gap between the terminal 5 and the housing 3 is reduced, and the terminal 5 can be stably accommodated in the housing 3. The contact portion 41 that contacts the housing 3 is disposed on the base end side of the elastic piece 37 relative to the contact portion 39. By positioning the contact portion 41 on the base end side relative to the contact portion 39, it is possible to suppress the influence on the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37 located on the free end side relative to the contact portion 41 when the contact portion 41 contacts the housing 3. Therefore, the contact portion 39 located on the free end side relative to the contact portion 41 is less likely to deform, and the contact between the contact portion 39 and the mating terminal 205 is stabilized, and the reliability of the electrical connection can be maintained.

[0035] Therefore, in such a connector 1, the terminals 5 can be stably accommodated in the housing 3, and the reliability of the electrical connection can be maintained.

[0036] Furthermore, the housing 3 is provided with a locking lance 17 that engages with the terminal 5 on the opposite side to the direction of elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37 when the contact portion 39 comes into contact with the mating terminal 205 .

[0037] The terminal 5 is pressed by the urging force of the elastic piece 37 due to contact between the contact portion 41 and the housing 3, and is pressed toward the locking lance 17. Therefore, the engagement between the terminal 5 and the locking lance 17 is strengthened to ensure an engagement margin, and the terminal 5 can be accommodated in the housing 3 more stably.

[0038] Furthermore, the electrical connection portion 23 has a restricting portion 49 that restricts the elastic piece 37 from deforming in a direction opposite to the direction of elastic deformation when the contact portion 39 comes into contact with the mating terminal 205 .

[0039] Therefore, the elastic piece 37 can be elastically deformed normally, and the reliability of the electrical connection between the terminal 5 and the mating terminal 205 can be maintained.

[0040] The hole 45 is provided in a box-shaped wall located in a direction perpendicular to the elastic deformation direction of the elastic piece 37. The restricting portion 49 faces the contact portion 41 and is provided on the edge of the hole 45 located on the opposite side of the elastic deformation direction of the elastic piece 37 when the contact portion 39 contacts the mating terminal 205.

[0041] Therefore, the hole portion 45 can have the function of bringing the contact portion 41 into contact with the housing 3 and the function of stabilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37, thereby simplifying the structure of the electrical connection portion 23.

[0042] Second embodiment The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0043] In the connector 101 according to this embodiment, the housing 3 is provided with an accommodating portion 103 that is in contact with the contact portion 41 and that accommodates the contact portion 41 therein.

[0044] Note that the same symbols are used for configurations similar to those in the first embodiment, and functional descriptions will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment, but since the configurations are similar, the functions and effects obtained are equivalent.

[0045] As shown in Figs. 8 to 10, an accommodating portion 103 is provided on the inner surface 47 of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 of the housing 3. The accommodating portion 103 is disposed at a position corresponding to the contact portion 41 protruding from the hole portion 45. The accommodating portion 103 is recessed into the inner surface 47 of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 so as to be able to accommodate the tip side of the contact portion 41 protruding from the hole portion 45. When forming the housing 3, when the accommodating portions 103 are also formed in the other terminal accommodating chambers 13 at the same time, the accommodating portions 103 are formed penetrating the walls of the other terminal accommodating chambers 13 in order to remove the mold for forming the accommodating portion 103. The width of the opening of the accommodating portion 103 is set to be equal to or slightly smaller than the width of the contact portion 41.

[0046] The contact portion 39 comes into contact with the mating electrical connection portion 217, and the elastic piece 37 is elastically deformed, so that the contact portion 41 protruding from the hole 45 is inserted into the accommodating portion 103. At this time, the contact portion 41 is inserted into the accommodating portion 103 in a state similar to a press fit while sliding against the opening of the accommodating portion 103, and is accommodated in the accommodating portion 103 while contacting the inner surface of the accommodating portion 103. When the contact portion 41 comes into contact with the accommodating portion 103, a biasing force due to the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37 is applied to the housing 3, and the electrical connection portion 23 is moved toward the opposite side to the elastic deformation direction of the elastic piece 37 (the locking lance 17 side). Therefore, the gap between the electrical connection portion 23 and the terminal accommodating chamber 13 is closed, and the terminal 5 can be stably accommodated in the housing 3. By accommodating the contact portion 41 in the accommodating portion 103, an increase in the biasing force due to the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37 can be suppressed. Therefore, the contact pressure between the contact portion 39 and the mating electrical connection portion 217 does not increase, and an increase in the insertion force of the mating terminal 205 can be suppressed, improving the ease of assembly. In addition, by accommodating the contact portion 41 in the accommodating portion 103, the terminal 5 can be prevented from coming off the housing 3. Therefore, when the terminal 5 and the mating terminal 205 are electrically connected, the terminal 5 can be stably held in the housing 3. Note that the extended end of the contact portion 41 is chamfered to make the corners round in order to facilitate insertion into the accommodating portion 103.

[0047] In such a connector 101, the housing 3 is provided with an accommodating portion 103 that is in contact with the contact portion 41 and that accommodates the contact portion 41.

[0048] When the contact portion 41 comes into contact with the accommodating portion 103, a biasing force due to the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37 is applied to the housing 3, and the terminal 5 is moved in the direction opposite to the direction of elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37. Therefore, the gap between the terminal 5 and the housing 3 is reduced, and the terminal 5 can be stably accommodated in the housing 3. By accommodating the contact portion 41 in the accommodating portion 103, an increase in the biasing force due to the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 37 can be suppressed. Therefore, the contact pressure between the contact portion 39 and the mating terminal 205 does not increase, and an increase in the insertion force of the mating terminal 205 can be suppressed, thereby improving the assembling ability. In addition, by accommodating the contact portion 41 in the accommodating portion 103, the terminal 5 can be prevented from coming out of the housing 3. Therefore, the terminal 5 can be stably held in the housing 3 when the terminal 5 and the mating terminal 205 are electrically connected to each other.

[0049] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0050] For example, in the present embodiment, the mating terminal is accommodated in the mating housing, but this is not limited thereto, and the mating terminal may be electrically connected to a terminal accommodated in the housing without being accommodated in the mating housing.

[0051] In addition, the hole is provided in the side wall of the electrical connection part, but is not limited thereto, and for example, the hole may be provided in the bottom wall of the electrical connection part. In this case, the restricting portion may be, for example, an extension portion that extends from the side wall of the electrical connection part toward the elastic piece. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1,101 Connectors 3. Housing 5 Terminal 17 Locking lance 23 Electrical Connections 37 Elastic piece 39 Contact part 41 Contact part 45 Hole 49 Regulatory Department 103 Storage unit 205 Mating terminal

Claims

1. Housing and a terminal accommodated in the housing and having a box-shaped electrical connection portion into which a mating terminal is inserted; Equipped with the electrical connection portion includes an elastically deformable elastic piece having a contact portion that comes into contact with the mating terminal, a contact portion that is provided on the elastic piece and extends in a direction in which the elastic piece elastically deforms when the contact portion comes into contact with the mating terminal, and a hole portion that is provided through a box-shaped wall portion facing the contact portion and that brings the contact portion into contact with the housing when the contact portion comes into contact with the mating terminal and the elastic piece is elastically deformed, A connector in which the contact portion is disposed on the base end side of the elastic piece relative to the contact point portion.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a locking lance for engagement with the terminal on a side opposite to a direction in which the elastic piece is elastically deformed when the contact portion comes into contact with the mating terminal.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection portion has a restricting portion that restricts the elastic piece from deforming in a direction opposite to a direction of elastic deformation when the contact portion comes into contact with the mating terminal.

4. The hole is provided in a box-shaped wall portion located in a direction perpendicular to a direction of elastic deformation of the elastic piece, The connector according to claim 3, wherein the restricting portion is provided on the edge of the hole portion opposite the contact portion and located on the opposite side of the elastic deformation direction of the elastic piece when the contact portion contacts the mating terminal.

5. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a receiving portion that receives the contact portion while being in contact with the contact portion.

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