Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of insert-molding a housing to accommodate terminals while suppressing deformation of the terminals.SOLUTION: Five terminals 2A are arranged along the left-right direction. Five terminals 2B are arranged along the left-right direction. A resin housing 3 is insert-molded with the five terminals 2A and the five terminals 2B arranged in the vertical direction. A holder 4 is housed in the housing 3 and is provided between the five terminals 2A and the five terminals 2B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, connectors have been proposed that have multiple flat terminals and a housing that accommodates the terminals (Patent Document 1). In order to increase the number of terminals that can be accommodated, it is possible to accommodate multiple terminals by stacking them in the thickness direction. When such a connector is insert molded, the terminals are left floating in the mold or only one side of the terminals in the thickness direction is supported. For this reason, there was a problem that the terminals are deformed by the pressure of the resin when the liquefied resin is filled into the mold, which leads to poor alignment of both ends of the terminals and poor conduction with other terminals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-22874 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide a connector in which a housing that accommodates terminals can be insert molded while suppressing deformation of the terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector according to the present invention has the following features. A connector comprising: a plurality of first terminals arranged along a first arrangement direction; a plurality of second terminals arranged along the first arrangement direction; and a resin housing insert-molded with the first terminals and the second terminals arranged in a second arrangement direction intersecting the first arrangement direction, The housing further includes a holder disposed between the first terminals and the second terminals. It is a connector. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector in which a housing that accommodates terminals can be insert molded while suppressing deformation of the terminals.

[0007] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the following description of the embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the holder shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view of part B in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of an upper die for manufacturing a housing and a lower die with terminal 2B mounted thereon. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lower die taken along line CC shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the lower die shown in FIG. 5 taken along line DD immediately before the holder is mounted. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of the lower die shown in FIG. 5 immediately before mounting the terminal 2A. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC shown in FIG. 5 after the terminal 2A has been mounted. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in a state in which the upper and lower molds shown in FIG. 5 are joined together. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a partial enlarged view of a portion E in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a rear view of the holder shown in FIG. 2 before and after cutting. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing how the multiple holders shown in FIG. 2 are assembled. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which three holders shown in FIG. 2 are assembled. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] For ease of explanation, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper" and "lower" are defined below as shown in Figs. 1 to 14. The "front-rear direction", "left-right direction" and "up-down direction" are perpendicular to each other. The left-right direction corresponds to the "first arrangement direction" of the present invention, the up-down direction corresponds to the "second arrangement direction" of the present invention, and the front-rear direction corresponds to the "length direction" of the present invention.

[0011] The connector 1 shown in Fig. 1 is, for example, a connector constituting a part of a wire harness arranged in a vehicle, etc. As shown in Fig. 2, the connector 1 includes a plurality of flat terminals 2A (=first terminals), a plurality of flat terminals 2B (=second terminals), a resin housing 3 insert-molded with the plurality of terminals 2A, 2B arranged side by side, and a holder 4 held within the housing 3 and provided between the plurality of terminals 2A and the plurality of terminals 2B.

[0012] The terminals 2A, 2B are formed by punching and pressing a metal plate. The multiple terminals 2A are arranged in the left-right direction and housed in the housing 3. The multiple terminals 2B are arranged in the left-right direction and housed in the housing 3. The multiple terminals 2A and the multiple terminals 2B are arranged in the up-down direction and housed in the housing 3. In this embodiment, five terminals 2A are arranged in the left-right direction, and five terminals 2B are arranged in the left-right direction. The five terminals 2A and the five terminals 2B are arranged in the up-down direction.

[0013] 2, the terminals 2A and 2B each have a central portion 21 that is perpendicular to the up-down direction, and a pair of end portions 22 and 23 that are formed by bending both front-rear direction ends of the central portion 21 in the up-down direction. The central portions 21 of the terminals 2A and 2B are housed side by side in the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the central portion 21 of the terminal 2A is disposed on the upper side, and the central portion 21 of the terminal 2B is disposed on the lower side.

[0014] End 22 is bent so that its tip faces downward. End 23 is bent so that its tip faces upward. Ends 22, 23 of terminals 2A, 2B are housed side by side in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, ends 22, 23 of terminal 2A are arranged on the rear side, and ends 22, 22 of terminal 2B are arranged on the front side.

[0015] The housing 3 has a solid portion 31 that accommodates the central portion 21 and the central portion 21 side of the end portions 22, 23 of the terminals 2A, 2B, and hood portions 32, 33 that accommodate the tips of the end portions 22, 23 of the terminals 2A, 2B. In the solid portion 31, resin is filled between the outer surface of the housing 3 and the terminals 2A, 2B, and resin is also filled between the terminals 2A, 2B. The tips of the end portions 22, 23 of the terminals 2A, 2B protrude from both ends of the solid portion 31. The hood portions 32, 33 are formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the tips of the end portions 22, 23 of the terminals 2A, 2B that protrude from the solid portion 31. A mating connector is fitted into the hood portions 32, 33.

[0016] The holder 4 is made of an insulating material such as resin. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the holder 4 has a plurality of main body parts 41 each having terminal accommodating grooves 41A, 41B (see Fig. 4) on the upper and lower surfaces (=side surfaces on both sides in the second arrangement direction) for accommodating the terminals 2A, 2B, and connecting parts 42 connecting the main body parts 41 and having a smaller vertical width than the connecting parts 42.

[0017] The main body portions 41 are formed in a substantially cubic shape and are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction with the connecting portion 42 between them. In this embodiment, five main body portions 41 are provided. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the terminal accommodating grooves 41A and 41B is provided in one main body portion 41. The terminal accommodating grooves 41A and 41B are provided from one end to the other end in the front-rear direction of the main body portion 41. The connecting portion 42 is provided so as to connect the centers of the left and right side surfaces of the main body portion 41 in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 3, slits 43 are provided above and below the connecting portion 42. The connecting portion 42 is provided with a width in the up-down direction that makes it easy to cut.

[0018] 4, the main body 41 has positioning grooves 41C provided on the left and right side surfaces (=side surfaces on both sides in the first arrangement direction) along the up-down direction. The positioning grooves 41C are provided on the left and right side surfaces from below the connecting portion 42 (=one side in the second arrangement direction) to the lower end portions (=end portions on one side in the second arrangement direction).

[0019] The main body 41 also has a pair of assembly protrusions 41D protruding from the upper surface, and a pair of assembly grooves 41E provided on the lower surface at positions facing the assembly protrusions 41D in the up-down direction and shaped to fit into the pair of assembly protrusions 41D. The assembly protrusions 41D are provided side by side in the left-right direction, sandwiching the terminal accommodating groove 41A therebetween. The assembly protrusions 41D are provided in approximately the center of the main body 41 in the front-rear direction. The assembly grooves 41E are also provided side by side in the left-right direction, sandwiching the terminal accommodating groove 41B therebetween.

[0020] Next, a manufacturing process of the connector 1 described above will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 11. As shown in Fig. 5, the connector 1 is manufactured using two lower molds 5 and an upper mold 6. First, the lower mold 5 and the upper mold 6 will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, the lower mold 5 is formed in a cube shape and is disposed below the upper mold 6. The lower mold 5 has two recesses 51, 52 that are continuous in the front-rear direction on its upper surface. The recess 51 forms the lower side of the front side of the solid portion 31. The recess 52 forms the hood portion 32 of the housing 3 and the lower side of the rear side of the solid portion 31. The recess 51 is provided with a lower height in the up-down direction than the recess 52.

[0021] A pressure pin 53 and a positioning protrusion 54 protrude upward from the bottom surface of the recess 51. The pressure pin 53 is provided in a substantially cylindrical shape, and supports the central portion 21 of the terminal 2B from below. In this embodiment, five pressure pins 53 are provided lined up in the left-right direction and three in the front-back direction. That is, in this embodiment, five terminals 2B are mounted lined up in the left-right direction in the lower mold 5, and the central portion 21 of one terminal 2B is supported by three pressure pins 53.

[0022] 7, the positioning protrusion 54 is provided in a square prism shape, and is fitted into the positioning groove 41C of the holder 4. In this embodiment, the positioning protrusions 54 are provided in a pair aligned in the left-right direction, and five terminals 2B are arranged between the pair of positioning protrusions 54.

[0023] 6, a rectangular prism-shaped protrusion 55 is provided from the bottom surface of the recess 52, and a hole 56 is provided in the protrusion 55 to accommodate the tip of the end 22 of the terminals 2A, 2B. The tip of the end 22 of the terminals 2A, 2B is accommodated in the hole 56 without any gap. The protrusion 55 forms the internal space of the hood portion 32.

[0024] The upper die 6 is disposed above the lower die 5 and is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 9, the upper die 6 is formed in a cube shape, and has two recesses 61, 62 that are continuous in the front-rear direction on the lower surface. The recess 61 provided on the rear side forms the upper side of the rear side of the solid portion 31 of the housing 3. The recess 62 provided on the front side forms the hood portion 33 of the housing 3 and the upper side of the front side of the solid portion 31. The recess 61 is provided so as to be lower in the vertical direction than the recess 62.

[0025] A pressure pin 63 protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the recess 61. The pressure pin 63 is provided in a substantially cylindrical shape and supports the central portion 21 of the terminal 2A from above. In this embodiment, five pressure pins 63 are provided lined up in the left-right direction. That is, in this embodiment, five terminals 2A are mounted lined up in the left-right direction, and the central portion 21 of one terminal 2A is supported from above by one pressure pin 63.

[0026] A rectangular prism-shaped protrusion 64 is provided from the bottom surface of the recess 62, and a hole 65 is provided in the protrusion 64 to accommodate the tip of the end 23 of the terminals 2A, 2B. The tip of the end 23 of the terminals 2A, 2B is accommodated without gaps within the hole 65. The above-mentioned protrusion 64 forms the internal space of the hood portion 33.

[0027] Next, the manufacturing process of the connector 1 described above will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 11. First, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the terminal 2B is brought close to the lower die 5 from above, and the end 22 of the terminal 2B is inserted into the hole 56 of the lower die 5. Furthermore, the terminal 2B is brought close to the lower die 5, and the center portion 21 is placed on the pressing pin 53. Next, as shown in Fig. 7, the holder 4 is brought close to the lower die 5 from above and placed on the terminal 2B. At this time, the positioning protrusion 54 provided on the lower die 5 is inserted into the positioning groove 41C provided on the right side surface of the rightmost main body portion 41 and the left side surface of the leftmost main body portion 41. This allows the holder 4 to be positioned in the front-rear and left-right directions within the lower die 5, and the terminals 2B can be accommodated one by one in the terminal accommodation grooves 41B of the holder 4.

[0028] 8, the terminals 2A are brought closer to the lower mold 5 from above, and the ends 22 of the terminals 2A are inserted into the holes 56 of the lower mold 5. Furthermore, the terminals 2A are brought closer to the lower mold 5, and the central portions 21 of the terminals 2A are accommodated one by one in the terminal accommodating grooves 41A of the holder 4, as shown in FIG.

[0029] Thereafter, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the upper die 6 is moved downward. Furthermore, the tips of the ends 23 of the terminals 2A and 2B are inserted into the holes 65 of the upper die 6. Next, the lower surface of the upper die 6 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the lower die 5 to close the openings of the recesses 51, 52, 61, 62. As a result, as shown in Figure 11, the pressure pin 63 comes into contact with the upper surface of the central portion 21 of the terminal 2A and supports it from above. That is, the terminal 2A is supported from above by the pressure pin 63, and is also supported from below by the holder 4. The terminal 2B is supported from above by the holder 4, and is also supported from below by the pressure pin 53.

[0030] Next, liquid resin is poured into the recesses 51, 52 of the lower mold 5 and the recesses 61, 62 of the upper mold 6. After that, when the resin is cooled and solidified, the upper mold 6 is moved upward and separated from the lower mold 5, and the connector 1 is taken out. At this time, holes 34A, 34B are provided in the housing 3 at the portions corresponding to the presser pins 53, 63, as shown in FIG. 2. The hole 34A is a hole that reaches from the outer surface of the housing 3 to the center portion 21 of the terminal 2A. The hole 34B is a hole that reaches from the outer surface of the housing 3 to the center portion 21 of the terminal 2B. In addition, the housing 3 is provided with a hole 35 at the portion corresponding to the positioning protrusion 54, as shown in FIG. 1. The hole 35 is a hole that reaches from the outer surface of the housing 3 to the inner surface of the positioning groove 41C of the holder 4.

[0031] According to the above-described embodiment, the holder 4 is provided between the terminals 2A and 2B in the connector 1. Therefore, the terminals 2A and 2B can be supported from both the top and bottom directions by the holder 4 and the presser pins 53 and 63 provided on the lower die 5 and the upper die 6, and deformation of the terminals 2A and 2B when the resin is filled can be suppressed.

[0032] According to the above-described embodiment, even if the housing 3 accommodates the crank-shaped terminals 2A, 2B with bent ends, the housing 3 can be insert-molded while suppressing deformation of the terminals 2A, 2B.

[0033] According to the embodiment described above, the holder 4 is provided with the positioning grooves 41C on the left and right side surfaces. This makes it possible to position the holder 4 within the lower die 5 by fitting the positioning protrusions 54 provided on the lower die 5 of the housing 3 into the positioning grooves 41C of the holder 4.

[0034] According to the above-described embodiment, the holder 4 has a main body portion 41 and a connecting portion 42. For example, when manufacturing a connector 1 having three terminals 2A, 2B arranged in the left-right direction, as shown in Fig. 12, the connecting portion 42 connecting the third main body portion 41 from the left and the fourth main body portion 41 from the left can be cut along a dashed line to manufacture a holder 4 having three main body portions 41. This makes it possible to use only one mold for manufacturing holders 4 for connectors 1 having different numbers of terminals 2A, 2B arranged in the left-right direction, thereby reducing costs.

[0035] According to the embodiment described above, by providing the positioning grooves 41C on the left and right side surfaces of the main body 41, the positioning grooves 41C can be provided on the left and right side surfaces of the holder 4 no matter where the multiple connecting portions 42 are cut.

[0036] According to the embodiment described above, the holder 4 is provided with the assembly projection 41D and the assembly groove 41E. As a result, when a plurality of holders 4 are stacked vertically as shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, the assembly projection 41D of the lower holder 4 can be fitted into the assembly groove 41E of the upper holder 4, thereby positioning the upper holder 4. Also, the terminals 2A, 2B are not limited to being arranged in two rows, and the connector 1 can be manufactured with three or four rows arranged.

[0037] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

[0038] According to the above-described embodiment, the terminals 2A, 2B are provided in a flat plate shape, but this is not limiting, and the terminals 2A, 2B may be provided in a rod shape, for example.

[0039] According to the above-described embodiment, the terminals 2A, 2B are provided in a crank shape, but this is not limiting, and the terminals 2A, 2B may be provided in a straight shape.

[0040] According to the embodiment described above, the holder 4 has a plurality of main body parts 41 and the connecting parts 42 that connect the main body parts 41, but this is not limited to this. The connecting parts 42 may be omitted.

[0041] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the connector according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [6].

[0042] [1] A connector (1) comprising: a plurality of first terminals (2A) arranged along a first arrangement direction (left-right direction); a plurality of second terminals (2B) arranged along the first arrangement direction (left-right direction); and a resin housing (3) insert-molded with the first terminals (2A) and the second terminals (2B) arranged in a second arrangement direction (up-down direction) intersecting the first arrangement direction (left-right direction), The connector further includes a holder (4) accommodated in the housing (3) and disposed between the first terminals (2A) and the second terminals (2B). Connector(1).

[0043] According to the configuration [1] above, the connector (1) is provided with the holder (4) between the first terminal (2A) and the second terminal (2B). Therefore, the first terminal (2A) and the second terminal (2B) can be supported from both sides in the second arrangement direction (up and down direction) by the holder (4) and the presser pins (53, 63) provided in the molds (5, 6), and deformation of the first terminal (2A) and the second terminal (2B) can be suppressed when filling the resin. In other words, the housing (3) that accommodates the first terminal (2A) and the second terminal (2B) can be insert molded while suppressing deformation of the first terminal (2A) and the second terminal (2B).

[0044] [2] [1] The connector according to the present invention, Each of the first terminals (2A) and the second terminals (2B) has a central portion (21) and a pair of end portions (22, 23) formed by bending both ends of the central portion (21) in a longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) toward the second arrangement direction (up-down direction), The housing (3) has a solid portion (31) that accommodates the central portion (21) side of the first terminal (2A) and the second terminal (2B) at the central portion (21) and the end portions (22, 23), and a hood portion (32, 33) that collectively surrounds the tips of the end portions (22, 23) of the plurality of first terminals (2A) and the plurality of second terminals (2B) and into which a mating connector is fitted, The holder (4) is accommodated in the solid portion (31) of the housing (3). Connector(1).

[0045] According to the configuration [2] above, even if the housing (3) accommodates the first terminal (2A) and the second terminal (2B) whose both ends are bent, the housing (3) can be insert molded while suppressing deformation of the first terminal (2A) and the second terminal (2B).

[0046] [3] In the connector (1) according to [1], The holder (4) has positioning grooves (41C) provided on both side surfaces (left and right side surfaces) in the first arrangement direction (left and right direction) and aligned along the second arrangement direction (up and down direction), The positioning groove (41C) is provided on the side surface (left and right side surface) from between an end portion (upper end portion) on one side in the second arrangement direction (vertical direction) and an end portion (lower end portion) on the other side to the end portion (lower end portion) on one side in the second arrangement direction (vertical direction). Connector(1).

[0047] According to the above configuration [3], the positioning protrusion (54) provided on the mold (5) of the housing (3) can be fitted into the positioning groove (41C) of the holder (4), thereby enabling the holder (4) to be positioned within the molds (5, 6).

[0048] [4] In the connector (1) according to [1], The holder (4) has a plurality of main body portions (41) each having terminal accommodating grooves (41A, 41B) for accommodating the first terminals (2A) and the second terminals (2B) on both side surfaces (upper and lower surfaces) in the second arrangement direction (vertical direction), and a connecting portion (42) that connects the main body portions (41) and has a width in the second arrangement direction (vertical direction) smaller than that of the main body portions (41). Connector(1).

[0049] According to the configuration [4] above, the number of main bodies (41) of the holder (4) can be adjusted by cutting the connecting portion (42). This allows the use of a single mold for manufacturing the holder (4) for connectors (1) having different numbers of first terminals (2A) and second terminals (2B) arranged in the first arrangement direction, thereby reducing costs.

[0050] [5] In the connector (1) according to [4], The body portion (41) has positioning grooves (41C) provided along the second arrangement direction (up-down direction) on both side surfaces (left and right side surfaces) in the first arrangement direction (left-right direction), The positioning groove (41C) is provided on the side surface (left and right side surface) from one side (lower side) in the second arrangement direction (vertical direction) relative to the connecting portion (42) to an end portion (lower end portion) on one side in the second arrangement direction (vertical direction). Connector(1).

[0051] According to the configuration [5] above, by providing positioning grooves (41C) on both side surfaces (left and right side surfaces) of the main body portion (41) in the first arrangement direction (left and right direction), the positioning grooves (41C) can be provided on the left and right side surfaces of the holder (4) regardless of where the multiple connecting portions (42) are cut.

[0052] [6] In the connector (1) according to [1], The housing (3) has an assembly protrusion (41D) protruding from a side surface (upper surface) on one side in the second arrangement direction (vertical direction), and an assembly groove (41E) provided on a side surface (lower surface) on the other side in the second arrangement direction (vertical direction) at a position facing the assembly protrusion (41D) in the second arrangement direction (vertical direction) and shaped to fit with the assembly protrusion (41D). Connector(1).

[0053] According to the above configuration [6], the multiple holders (4) can be assembled in the second arrangement direction and the assembly protrusions (41D) can be fitted into the assembly grooves (41E) of the holders (4) adjacent in the second arrangement direction, thereby enabling the positioning of the multiple holders (4). [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 Connector 2A terminal (1st terminal) 2B terminal (second terminal) 3. Housing 4 Holder 21 Central part 22,23 End 31 Solid section 32,33 Hood section 41A, 41B Terminal receiving groove 41C Positioning groove 41D Assembly protrusion 41E Assembly groove

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a plurality of first terminals arranged along a first arrangement direction; a plurality of second terminals arranged along the first arrangement direction; and a resin housing insert-molded with the first terminals and the second terminals arranged in a second arrangement direction intersecting the first arrangement direction, The housing further includes a holder disposed between the first terminals and the second terminals. connector.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, each of the first terminals and the second terminals has a central portion and a pair of end portions formed by bending both ends of the central portion in a longitudinal direction toward the second arrangement direction; the housing has a solid portion that accommodates the central portions of the first terminals and the second terminals at the central portions and the end portions, and a hood portion that collectively surrounds tips of the end portions of the first terminals and the second terminals and is fitted with a mating connector; The holder is accommodated within the solid portion of the housing. connector.

3. 2. The connector according to claim 1, the holder has positioning grooves provided on both side surfaces in the first arrangement direction and aligned along the second arrangement direction, The positioning groove is provided on the side surface from between an end portion on one side in the second arrangement direction and an end portion on the other side to the end portion on the one side in the second arrangement direction. connector.

4. 2. The connector according to claim 1, The holder has a plurality of main body portions each having a terminal accommodating groove for accommodating the first terminal and the second terminal on a side surface on both sides in the second arrangement direction, and a connecting portion connecting the main body portions and having a width in the second arrangement direction smaller than that of the main body portions. connector.

5. 5. The connector according to claim 4, The main body portion has positioning grooves provided along the second arrangement direction on both side surfaces of the main body portion in the first arrangement direction, The positioning groove is provided on the side surface from one side of the connecting portion in the second arrangement direction to an end portion on the one side in the second arrangement direction. connector.

6. 2. The connector according to claim 1, the housing has an assembly protrusion protruding from a side surface on one side in the second arrangement direction, and an assembly groove provided on a side surface on the other side in the second arrangement direction at a position opposite to the assembly protrusion in the second arrangement direction and shaped to fit with the assembly protrusion, connector.

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