Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector which can prevent detachment of a connector from a male terminal due to an impact.SOLUTION: A connector comprises: a female terminal; and a lock member which locks condition connected to a male terminal. The female terminal comprises: a box part into which the male terminal is inserted; a contact part which comes into electrical contact with the male terminal; and a fixing part which fixes the male terminal to the box part. The lock member is slidably fitted to the box part. When the lock member moves relative to the box part from a first position to a second position in a sliding direction, the connector transits from first condition, where the lock member does not press the box part and the fixing part, to second condition, where the lock member presses the box part and the fixing part to the male terminal side. In the second condition, the lock member presses the box part so that contact pressure between the contact part and the male terminal is higher than that in the first condition, and the lock member presses the fixing part so that the fixing part engages with an engagement target part of the male terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, connectors equipped with female terminals to be connected to male terminals have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a female terminal into which the male terminal is inserted, and a spring member that presses the female terminal against the male terminal when the male terminal is inserted into the female terminal. The spring member presses the female terminal against the male terminal, thereby generating contact pressure between the female terminal and the male terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5522459 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the connector described in Patent Document 1, if an impact or the like is applied to the connector or the male terminal, there is a possibility that the connector may come off from the male terminal.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that is capable of preventing the connector from coming off the male terminals due to impact or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present invention is a connector electrically connected to a male terminal, the connector comprising: a female terminal electrically connected to the male terminal; and a locking member for locking the connection state between the male terminal and the female terminal, the female terminal comprising: a box portion into which the male terminal is inserted; a contact portion for electrical contact with the male terminal inserted in the box portion; and a fixing portion for fixing the male terminal inserted in the box portion to the box portion, the locking member being attached slidably to an outer surface of the box portion, and the connector is configured such that the locking member presses the box portion and the fixing portion as the locking member moves relative to the box portion from a first position to a second position in a sliding direction. The connector transitions from a first state in which the locking member is not pressed against the box portion to a second state in which the locking member presses the box portion and the fixing portion toward the male terminal, and the connector is configured such that in the first state, the locking member does not press the box portion, thereby causing the contact pressure between the contact portion and the male terminal to be small, and the locking member does not press the fixing portion, thereby causing the fixing portion to not engage with the engaged portion formed on the male terminal; and in the second state, the connector is configured such that the locking member presses the box portion, thereby causing the contact pressure between the contact portion and the male terminal to be greater than in the first state, and the locking member presses the fixing portion, thereby causing the fixing portion to engage with the engaged portion formed on the male terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can prevent the connector from coming off the male terminal due to impact or the like. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state before a male terminal is inserted. [Diagram 2]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which a male terminal is inserted into a female terminal and a locking member is in a first position relative to the female terminal. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which the male terminal is inserted into the female terminal and the locking member is in a second position relative to the female terminal. [Figure 4] 4 is a view of the connector shown in FIG. 3 as seen from a direction A. [Diagram 5] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a female terminal constituting a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 6 is a view of the female terminal shown in FIG. 5 taken in the direction of arrow B. [Figure 7] 6 is a view of the female terminal shown in FIG. 5 as seen from a direction C. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a locking member constituting a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 9 is a view of the female terminal shown in FIG. 8 as seen from a direction E. [Figure 10] 3 is a view of the connector shown in FIG. 2 as seen from the direction of the arrow F. [Figure 11] 4 is a view of the connector shown in FIG. 3 as seen from the direction of the arrow G. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example, and the connector of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0010] The connector 1 according to this embodiment is a connector that is electrically connected to a male terminal. The connector 1 is, for example, a connector that can handle a large current. The connector 1 can be used, for example, as a connector that connects an automobile battery to an electric device.

[0011] In this specification and the drawings, the direction D1 represents the height direction (up-down direction) of the connector 1, the direction D2 represents the longitudinal direction of the connector 1, and the direction D3 represents the width direction of the connector 1. The directions D1, D2, and D3 are mutually orthogonal. In the following, the directions D1, D2, and D3 are used when describing the female terminal 2 and the locking member 3 constituting the connector 1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 is disposed below the male terminal T, but is not limited to this. The connector 1 may be disposed above the male terminal T. In addition, when connecting the male terminal T and the connector 1, the connector 1 may be brought closer to the male terminal T (the connector 1 may be moved toward the male terminal T), or the male terminal T may be brought closer to the connector 1 (the male terminal T may be moved toward the connector 1). The thickness direction of the male terminal T is parallel to the direction D3. In addition, the longitudinal direction of the male terminal T is parallel to the direction D1.

[0012] The shape of the male terminal T is not particularly limited, but is formed, for example, in a tab shape (flat plate shape). In this embodiment, the male terminal T is configured to protrude from a terminal block (not shown). The male terminals T are provided, for example, such that multiple male terminals T protrude from one terminal block. Note that the male terminals T may be provided such that one male terminal T protrudes from one terminal block.

[0013] In this embodiment, the male terminal T has an engaged portion T1. The engaged portion T1 is a portion with which the fixed portion 23 (described later) of the female terminal 2 of the connector 1 engages. The shape and size of the engaged portion T1 are not particularly limited as long as the fixed portion 23 can be engaged. In this embodiment, the engaged portion T1 is a through hole penetrating the male terminal T in the thickness direction. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the engaged portion T1 is configured to be circular. Also, the engaged portion T1 is configured to engage with the engaging portion 231 of the fixed portion 23. In this embodiment, the engaged portion T1 is configured so that the engaging portion 231 of the fixed portion 23 is inserted into the engaged portion T1 (see FIG. 11). Note that the engaged portion T1 does not have to penetrate the male terminal T in the thickness direction. The engaged portion T1 may be a recess (not shown) in which the surface of the male terminal T is recessed. In this case, the engaged portion T1 can be, for example, a circular recess.

[0014] The connector 1 includes a female terminal 2 electrically connected to the male terminal T, and a locking member 3 that locks the connection between the male terminal T and the female terminal 2. The connector 1 is configured so that it can be detachably connected to the male terminal T. The connector 1 also includes a separation prevention unit 4 that prevents separation of the locking member 3 from the female terminal 2. The connector 1 also includes a state retention unit 5 (see FIG. 4) that retains the connector 1 in a second state S2 described below.

[0015] The female terminal 2 is a member that is electrically connected to the male terminal T by receiving the male terminal T (the male terminal T is inserted). In this embodiment, the female terminal 2 is configured so that the male terminal T can be inserted and removed. The female terminal 2 has an opening 24 through which the male terminal T is inserted and removed. In the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the female terminal 2 has an opening 24 at an end of the female terminal 2 opposite to the locking member 3 in the direction D1. As a result, by inserting (pushing) the male terminal T into the female terminal 2 from the opening 24 and further pushing the male terminal T, the female terminal 2 can be moved relatively toward the locking member 3, and the connector 1 can be transitioned from a first state (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 10) to a second state (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 11). The first state is a state in which the male terminal T is not fixed to the female terminal 2. The second state is a state in which the male terminal T is electrically connected to the female terminal 2 and is fixed to the female terminal 2.

[0016] The female terminal 2 (see Figs. 1 to 7 and 10) is made of an elastic material. The female terminal 2 is also made of a conductive material. The material of the female terminal 2 is not particularly limited as long as it has elasticity and conductivity. In this embodiment, the female terminal 2 is made of a metal. Specifically, the female terminal 2 is made of, for example, copper or a copper alloy. Since the female terminal 2 is made of an elastic material, it can be elastically deformed from a natural state when it receives an external force (pressing force) from the locking member 3. Furthermore, it can elastically return from an elastically deformed state to a natural state by being in a state where it does not receive an external force (pressing force) from the locking member 3. The female terminal 2 may be made of a metal other than copper or a copper alloy. For example, the female terminal 2 may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0017] Specifically, by placing the female terminal 2 in a state where it is pressed by the locking member 3 (see Figs. 3 and 11), the female terminal 2 can be elastically deformed (elastically deformed from its natural state) so as to be displaced toward the male terminal T inserted into the female terminal 2. Also, by placing the female terminal 2 in a state where it is not pressed by the locking member 3 (see Figs. 2 and 10), the female terminal 2 can be displaced away from the male terminal T inserted into the female terminal 2 (elastically returning to its natural state).

[0018] The female terminal 2 includes a box portion 21, a contact portion 22, and a fixing portion 23 (see Figs. 2, 3, 10, and 11). The female terminal 2 also includes a first movement restricting portion 25. The female terminal 2 also includes a second movement restricting portion 26.

[0019] In this embodiment, the box part 21, the contact part 22, the fixed part 23, the first movement restricting part 25, and the second movement restricting part 26 are integrally configured. The box part 21, the contact part 22, the fixed part 23, the first movement restricting part 25, and the second movement restricting part 26 may be configured of the same material, or may be configured of different materials. In this embodiment, the box part 21, the contact part 22, the fixed part 23, the first movement restricting part 25, and the second movement restricting part 26 are configured of the same material. The box part 21, the contact part 22, the fixed part 23, the first movement restricting part 25, and the second movement restricting part 26 can be manufactured, for example, by performing a process of notching a predetermined part of a metal plate (a process of cutting out or removing a part of the material) and further performing a bending process.

[0020] The method of manufacturing the female terminal 2 is not limited to such a method. For example, the female terminal 2 may be manufactured by welding. Specifically, for example, the box portion 21 and the contact portion 22 may be manufactured separately, and the box portion 21 and the contact portion 22 may be joined by welding. The box portion 21 and the fixing portion 23 may be manufactured separately, and the box portion 21 and the fixing portion 23 may be joined by welding. The box portion 21 and the first movement restricting portion 25 may be manufactured separately, and the box portion 21 and the first movement restricting portion 25 may be joined by welding. The box portion 21 and the second movement restricting portion 26 may be manufactured separately, and the box portion 21 and the second movement restricting portion 26 may be joined by welding.

[0021] The box portion 21 is a portion into which the male terminal T is inserted. The box portion 21 can receive the male terminal T by inserting the male terminal T into it. In this embodiment, the box portion 21 is configured so that the male terminal T can be inserted and removed. The box portion 21 has an opening 24 into which the male terminal T is inserted and removed. In the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the box portion 21 has the opening 24 at an end of the box portion 21 opposite to the locking member 3 in the insertion direction D11 of the male terminal T. The locking member 3 is attached to be slidable relative to the outer surface of the box portion 21. The sliding direction D4 of the locking member 3 relative to the box portion 21 is parallel to the insertion direction D11 of the male terminal T. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the sliding direction D4 of the locking member 3 relative to the box portion 21 and the insertion direction D11 of the male terminal T are parallel to the direction D1. As a result, by inserting (pushing) the male terminal T into the box portion 21 from the opening 24 and further pushing the male terminal T, the box portion 21 can be slid relatively toward the locking member 3, transitioning the connector 1 from a first state (see FIGS. 2 and 10) to a second state (see FIGS. 3 and 11), which will be described later. Therefore, by a series of operations of inserting (pushing) the male terminal T into the box portion 21 from the opening 24 and further pushing the male terminal T, the connector 1 can be easily and quickly transitioned from the first state to the second state.

[0022] The operation of inserting (pushing) the male terminal T into the box portion 21 from the opening 24 and further pushing the male terminal T is an operation of relatively moving the male terminal T toward the connector 1. The concept of relatively moving the male terminal T toward the connector 1 includes the case where the male terminal T is moved, the case where the connector 1 is moved, and the case where both the male terminal T and the connector 1 are moved.

[0023] 1 to 4, the directions of insertion and removal of the male terminal T into and from the box portion 21 (insertion direction D11 and removal direction D12) are parallel to the direction D1. Specifically, the insertion direction D11 (see FIG. 1) of the male terminal T is the direction from the female terminal 2 toward the locking member 3. Moreover, the removal direction D12 of the male terminal T is the direction from the locking member 3 toward the female terminal 2.

[0024] In this embodiment, the box portion 21 includes a first side wall portion 211 and a second side wall portion 212. The first side wall portion 211 is a portion where a first contact piece 221 (described later) of the contact portion 22 is provided. The second side wall portion 212 is a portion where a second contact piece 222 (described later) of the contact portion 22 is provided. In the example shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 are disposed so as to face each other in the direction D3. In addition, the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 extend along the direction D2. In this embodiment, the box portion 21 further includes a connecting portion 213. The connecting portion 213 is a portion that connects the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212. The connecting portion 213 connects the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 at one end portion 214, 215 (the end portion on the locking member 3 side in the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4) in a sliding direction D4 (described later) of the locking member 3. The connecting portion 213 is a bottom portion of the box portion 21.

[0025] In this embodiment, the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 are configured to be able to swing around one end portion 214, 215 as a fulcrum by elastic deformation (see Figs. 10 and 11). In the example shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 are able to swing in a direction D3. The first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 swing around one end portion 214 of the first side wall portion 211 and one end portion 215 of the second side wall portion 212 as a fulcrum, respectively, so that the distance between the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 changes. Specifically, the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 are in a natural state when they are not receiving an external force (pressing force) from the locking member 3 (first state S1, see Figs. 2 and 10). The distance between the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 in the first state S1 is greater than the distance between them in the second state S2 (see FIGS. 3 and 11).

[0026] 10 and 11, the distance G11 between the portion where the first contact piece 221 is provided on the first side wall portion 211 and the portion where the second contact piece 222 is provided on the second side wall portion 212 is wider in the first state S1 (see FIG. 10) than in the second state S2 (see FIG. 11). In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 10 and 11, the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 have a protruding portion 216 that protrudes outward in the width direction (direction D3 in the example shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11) perpendicular to the sliding direction D4. For example, the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 have a shape in which a portion P3 farther from the locking member 3 protrudes outward in the direction D3 than a portion P4 close to the locking member 3. For example, the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 have a shape that is inclined outward (inclined with respect to the insertion direction D11 of the male terminal T) from a portion P4 close to the locking member 3 to a portion P3 far from the locking member 3. In this case, as the locking member 3 moves relatively toward the box portion 21 (relatively moves from the first position P1 shown in FIG. 10 to the second position P2 shown in FIG. 11), the locking member 3 presses the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 toward the male terminal T in the direction D3 while sliding against the outer surfaces of the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212, and the pressing force gradually increases with the movement. The pressing force is maximum in a state where the portions of the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 that have the maximum outward protrusion amount are in contact with the locking member 3 (second state S2, see FIG. 11). Therefore, the gap G11 between the portion of the first side wall portion 211 where the first contact piece 221 is provided and the portion of the second side wall portion 212 where the second contact piece 222 is provided is narrower in the second state S2 (see FIG. 11) than in the first state S1 (see FIG. 10). As a result, the gap between the first contact piece 221 and the second contact piece 222 is narrower in the second state S2 than in the first state S1. Therefore, in the first state S1, the male terminal T can be easily inserted into and removed from the box portion 21 through the gap between the first contact piece 221 and the second contact piece 222.In the second state S2, the first contact piece 221 and the second contact piece 222 can clamp the male terminal T with a strong pressing force in the thickness direction of the male terminal T. This ensures electrical continuity between the male terminal T and the contact portion 22. In the second state S2, the contact portion 22 clamps the male terminal T strongly, thereby preventing the male terminal T from coming off the connector 1.

[0027] The contact portion 22 is a portion that electrically contacts the male terminal T inserted into the box portion 21. The male terminal T and the female terminal 2 can be brought into a conductive state by the electrical contact between the contact portion 22 and the male terminal T (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 11). The male terminal T and the female terminal 2 can be brought into a non-conductive state by putting the contact portion 22 and the male terminal T into a non-contact state (see Fig. 1) in which they are not in electrical contact. When the connector 1 is in the first state S1, the contact pressure between the male terminal T and the contact portion 22 is small (see Figs. 2 and 10). In this specification, the concept of "the contact pressure between the male terminal T and the contact portion 22 is small" includes a case in which the male terminal T and the contact portion 22 are in contact with each other and the contact pressure is small, and a case in which the male terminal T and the contact portion 22 are not in contact with each other and are not in contact with each other.

[0028] In this embodiment, the contact portion 22 includes a first contact piece 221 provided on the first side wall portion 211 and a second contact piece 222 provided on the second side wall portion 212. The first contact piece 221 and the second contact piece 222 contact the male terminal T so as to sandwich the male terminal T in the thickness direction of the male terminal T. As described above, the connector 1 is configured such that the distance between the first contact piece 221 and the second contact piece 222 in the second state S2 is narrower than that in the first state S1.

[0029] In the example shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the first contact piece 221 and the second contact piece 222 are arranged to face each other in the direction D3. The first contact piece 221 and the second contact piece 222 extend along the direction D2. In this embodiment, the contact portion 22 is provided along the inner edge of the opening 24 of the female terminal 2. Specifically, the first contact piece 221 is provided so as to extend into the box portion 21 from an end portion (hereinafter also referred to as a tip portion of the first side wall portion 211) opposite the locking member 3 of the first side wall portion 211 in the direction D1 (insertion direction D11 of the male terminal T). The second contact piece 222 is provided so as to extend into the box portion 21 from an end portion (hereinafter also referred to as a tip portion of the second side wall portion 212) opposite the locking member 3 of the second side wall portion 212 in the direction D1 (insertion direction D11 of the male terminal T).

[0030] The shape of the first contact piece 221 is not particularly limited as long as it is a shape that allows easy insertion of the male terminal T into the box portion 21 and easy contact with the male terminal T inserted into the box portion 21. The first contact piece 221 and the second contact piece 222 each have, for example, an arc-shaped portion (hereinafter also referred to as an arc-shaped portion) that extends into the box portion 21 from the tip of the first side wall portion 211 and the tip of the second side wall portion 212 (see Figs. 2, 3, 10 and 11). The first contact piece 221 and the second contact piece 222 also have, for example, a portion (hereinafter also referred to as an extending portion) that extends from the tip of the arc-shaped portion toward the locking member 3 side. The extending portion is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape.

[0031] Since the contact portion 22 has an arc-shaped portion, the arc-shaped portion guides the insertion of the male terminal T into the opening 24. Therefore, the male terminal T can be easily and smoothly inserted into the opening 24. Furthermore, since the contact portion 22 has an extending portion, the extending portion guides the movement of the male terminal T towards the locking member 3 inside the box portion 21. Therefore, the male terminal T can be easily and smoothly inserted into the box portion 21 towards the locking member 3.

[0032] The fixing portion 23 is a portion that fixes the male terminal T inserted into the box portion 21 to the box portion 21. By fixing the male terminal T to the box portion 21 by the fixing portion 23, it is possible to prevent the male terminal T from coming off from the box portion 21 when an impact or the like is applied to the connector 1 or the male terminal T.

[0033] In this embodiment, the fixing portion 23 is provided in the box portion 21 so as to be displaceable in a direction approaching and separating from the male terminal T (see Figs. 10 and 11). In the natural state shown in Fig. 10, the fixing portion 23 is in a state separated from the male terminal T. In a state in which the fixing portion 23 is pressed toward the male terminal T by the lock piece 33 of the locking member 3 as shown in Fig. 11, the fixing portion 23 is in a state of contact with the male terminal T. In this embodiment, the fixing portion 23 extends in a rod shape from a predetermined portion (for example, the connecting portion 213) on the inner surface of the box portion 21 toward the opening 24 side. In this case, the fixing portion 23 swings in the box portion 21 in the direction D3 with the connecting position with the box portion 21 as a fulcrum. The fixing portion 23 has an engaging portion 231 at its tip portion that engages with the engaged portion T1 of the male terminal T in the second state S2. The shape of the engaging portion 231 is not particularly limited as long as it can engage with the engaged portion T1 of the male terminal T. In the example shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 11, the engaging portion 231 is a protrusion that protrudes in a triangular shape. The engaging portion 231 can prevent the male terminal T from coming off from the female terminal 2 by engaging with the engaged portion T1 of the male terminal T. The locking member 3 slides relatively to the box portion 21 (the locking member 3 slides in a direction approaching the box portion 21), and the locking piece 33 of the locking member 3 slides relative to the fixed portion 23 and presses the fixed portion 23 toward the male terminal T (second state S2). In the second state S2 (see FIG. 11) in which the locking piece 33 of the locking member 3 presses the fixed portion 23, the engaging portion 231 of the fixed portion 23 engages with the engaged portion T1 of the male terminal T. This can prevent the male terminal T from coming off from the female terminal 2. When the pressure by the locking piece 33 is removed, the fixed portion 23 returns to its natural state and the fixed portion 23 is displaced in a direction away from the male terminal T. As a result, the engagement between the engaging portion 231 of the fixing portion 23 and the engaged portion T1 of the male terminal T is released.

[0034] The first movement restricting portion 25 is configured to restrict the movement of the male terminal T inserted into the opening 24 in the longitudinal direction of the female terminal 2 in the opening 24 (direction D2 in the example shown in FIG. 3). The configuration of the first movement restricting portion 25 is not particularly limited as long as such restriction can be performed. In this embodiment, the first movement restricting portion 25 includes a pair of first extension pieces 251 extending from the tip of the first side wall portion 211 to the tip of the second side wall portion 212, and a pair of second extension pieces 252 extending from the tip of the second side wall portion 212 to the tip of the first side wall portion 211. The pair of first extension pieces 251 are arranged at a predetermined interval (for example, the width of the male terminal T or slightly larger than the width) from each other in the direction D2. The pair of second extension pieces 252 are arranged at a predetermined interval (for example, the width of the male terminal T or slightly larger than the width) from each other in the direction D2. The first extension piece 251 and the second extension piece 252 face each other in the direction D3.

[0035] The second movement restricting portion 26 is configured to restrict the movement of the tip of the male terminal T inserted into the box portion 21 in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction D11 of the male terminal T and the longitudinal direction of the female terminal 2 (direction D3 in the example shown in FIG. 11). The configuration of the second movement restricting portion 26 is not particularly limited as long as such restriction can be achieved. In this embodiment, the second movement restricting portion 26 is provided in the connecting portion 213 (bottom) of the box portion 21. The second movement restricting portion 26 is provided in a region (hereinafter also referred to as an adjacent region) adjacent to a region (hereinafter also referred to as a contact region) in the connecting portion 213 with which the tip of the male terminal T inserted into the box 21 along the direction D1 comes into contact. The adjacent regions are provided on both sides of the contact region in the direction D3. In this embodiment, the second movement restricting portion 26 includes a first extension piece 261 provided to extend from one adjacent region toward the opening 24, and a second extension piece 262 provided to extend from the other adjacent region toward the opening 24. The first extension piece 261 and the second extension piece 262 are arranged at a predetermined interval (for example, the thickness of the male terminal T is slightly larger than the thickness of the male terminal T) in the direction D3. In addition, the first extension piece 261 and the second extension piece 262 are provided so that the interval between them gradually increases toward the tip side. By providing them in this manner, the tip portion of the male terminal T is less likely to interfere with the first extension piece 261 and the second extension piece 262 when the male terminal T is inserted. Therefore, the male terminal T can be easily and smoothly inserted.

[0036] Locking member 3 (see Figs. 1 to 4, 8, 9 and 11) is a member that is slidably attached to female terminal 2 and presses female terminal 2 against male terminal T. Locking member 3 is also a member that is held by a user and slid relatively to female terminal 2. Locking member 3 is slidably attached to the outer surface of box portion 21 of female terminal 2. Hereinafter, the direction in which locking member 3 slides relative to box portion 21 is also referred to as sliding direction D4 (see Figs. 2, 3, 10 and 11). When the locking member 3 moves relative to the box portion 21 from a first position P1 (see FIGS. 2 and 10) to a second position P2 (see FIGS. 3 and 11) in the sliding direction D4, the connector 1 transitions from a first state S1 (see FIGS. 2 and 10) in which the locking member 3 does not press the box portion 21 and the fixing portion 23 to a second state S2 (see FIGS. 3 and 11) in which the locking member 3 presses the box portion 21 and the fixing portion 23 toward the male terminal T. The material of the locking member 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can press the female terminal 2 and is non-conductive. In this embodiment, the locking member 3 is made of, for example, a non-conductive metal. Specifically, the locking member 3 is made of, for example, stainless steel. The locking member 3 may be made of a non-conductive synthetic resin. In this embodiment, the locking member 3 has a rigidity sufficient to press the female terminal 2.

[0037] In this specification, the "first position P1" and the "second position P2" refer to the relative positions of the locking member 3 with respect to the box portion 21 in the first state S1 and the second state S2, respectively. Therefore, the change in position from the first position P1 to the second position P2 (change in relative position) may be caused by any of the following: movement of the locking member 3, movement of the box portion 21, and movement of the locking member 3 and the box portion 21. That is, in this specification, the concept of "the locking member 3 moves relatively to the box portion 21 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 in the sliding direction D4" includes the case where the locking member 3 moves, the case where the box portion 21 moves, and the case where both the locking member 3 and the box portion 21 move.

[0038] The locking member 3 includes a first locking wall portion 31 that contacts the outer surface of the first side wall portion 211 of the female terminal 2, and a second locking wall portion 32 that contacts the outer surface of the second side wall portion 212 of the female terminal 2. In this embodiment, the locking member 3 further includes a connecting portion 34 that connects the first locking wall portion 31 and the second locking wall portion 32. The connecting portion 34 connects the first locking wall portion 31 and the second locking wall portion 32 at one end portion 311, 321 (the end portion on the locking member 3 side in the example shown in Figs. 1 to 4) in the sliding direction D4 of the locking member 3. The connecting portion 34 is the bottom portion of the locking member 3. The first locking wall portion 31 and the second locking wall portion 32 are inclined so as to gradually approach each other from the connecting portion 34 side toward the tip portion, for example. By providing such an inclination, a larger pressing force can be applied to the female terminal 2 when the locking member 3 is slid relative to the female terminal 2.

[0039] The connector 1 is configured such that, as the locking member 3 moves relatively from a first position P1 (see FIGS. 2 and 10) to a second position P2 (see FIGS. 3 and 11) in the sliding direction D4, the locking member 3 presses the protrusion 216 inward in the width direction (direction D3), thereby narrowing the gap between the first contact piece 221 and the second contact piece 222. Specifically, the connector 1 is configured such that, as the first locking wall 31 and the second locking wall 32 move relatively from a first position P1 (see FIGS. 2 and 10) to a second position P2 (see FIGS. 3 and 11) in the sliding direction D4 with respect to the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212, respectively, the gap between the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 narrows, thereby narrowing the gap between the first contact piece 221 and the second contact piece 222.

[0040] Specifically, as described above, for example, the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 have protrusions 216 that protrude outward in the width direction (direction D3 in the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11) perpendicular to the sliding direction D4. The first locking wall portion 31 and the second locking wall portion 32 of the locking member 3 press the protrusions 216 of the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212, respectively, thereby narrowing the gap between the first contact piece 221 and the second contact piece 222.

[0041] As described above, the locking member 3 includes the locking piece 33 that slides relative to the fixed portion 23 in the process of the locking member 3 moving relatively from the first position P1 to the second position P2 in the sliding direction D4. The connector 1 is configured such that, as the locking piece 33 slides relative to the fixed portion 23 in the process of the locking member 3 moving relatively from the first position P1 to the second position P2 in the sliding direction D4, the locking piece 33 presses the fixed portion 23 toward the male terminal T, the fixed portion 23 is displaced toward the male terminal T, and the fixed portion 23 engages with the engaged portion T1 of the male terminal T.

[0042] Specifically, as described above, the lock piece 33 slides relative to the fixed portion 23 and presses the fixed portion 23 toward the male terminal T. This causes the fixed portion 23 to swing in the direction D3 with the joining position with the connecting portion 213 of the box portion 21 as a fulcrum, and the engaging portion 231 of the fixed portion 23 engages with the engaged portion T1 of the male terminal T. Therefore, the male terminal T is prevented from coming off from the female terminal 2. The shape of the lock piece 33 is not particularly limited as long as it can press the fixed portion 23 toward the male terminal T by sliding with the fixed portion 23. In this embodiment, the lock piece 33 is configured to slide and press the surface of the fixed portion 23 opposite to the male terminal T as the lock member 3 moves relatively toward the female terminal 2 in a state where the male terminal T is inserted into the box portion 21 (see FIG. 11). 11, lock piece 33 is configured to extend from one lock wall portion (second lock wall portion 32 in the example shown in FIG. 11) located on the opposite side of male terminal T with respect to fixed portion 23 to the other lock wall portion (first lock wall portion 31 in the example shown in FIG. 11). With this configuration, lock piece 33 can press fixed portion 23 toward male terminal T as it moves relative to fixed portion 23 in direction D1, displacing fixed portion 23 toward male terminal T.

[0043] Furthermore, as described above, in the first state S1 (see FIG. 10), the connector 1 is configured such that the contact pressure between the contact portion 22 and the male terminal T is small because the locking member 3 does not press the box portion 21, and the locking member 3 does not press the fixing portion 23, so that the fixing portion 23 does not engage with the engaged portion T1 formed on the male terminal T.

[0044] Furthermore, as described above, in the second state S2 (see FIG. 11), the locking member 3 presses the box portion 21, so that the contact pressure between the contact portion 22 and the male terminal T is greater than in the first state S1 (see FIG. 10), and the locking member 3 presses the fixing portion 23, so that the fixing portion 23 engages with the engaged portion T1 formed on the male terminal T.

[0045] The connector 1 is configured so that the locking member 3 is movable relative to the box portion 21 of the female terminal 2. In this specification, the concept of "the locking member 3 moves relative to the box portion 21 of the female terminal 2" includes the case where the locking member 3 moves, the case where the box portion 21 moves, and the case where both the locking member 3 and the female terminal 2 move.

[0046] Furthermore, as described above, the connector 1 is configured such that the first locking wall portion 31 and the second locking wall portion 32 slide relatively from the first position P1 to the second position P2 with respect to the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212, respectively, so that the first side wall portion 211 and the second side wall portion 212 swing in a direction approaching each other, thereby narrowing the distance between the first contact piece 221 and the second contact piece 222.

[0047] The separation prevention part 4 can prevent the locking member 3 from being separated from the female terminal 2 when the connector 1 is transitioned from the second state S2 (see Figs. 3 and 11) to the first state S1 (see Figs. 2 and 10). The configuration of the separation prevention part 4 is not particularly limited as long as it can prevent the locking member 3 from being separated from the female terminal 2. In this embodiment, the separation prevention part 4 is configured to engage the female terminal 2 with the locking member 3 in the first state S1. For example, the separation prevention part 4 includes an engaging part 41 provided on the first lock wall part 31 and the second lock wall part 32 of the locking member 3, and an engaged part 42 provided on the box part 21. The engaging part 41 and the engaged part 42 are engaged with each other in the first state S1, and are disengaged in states other than the first state S1. Specifically, for example, the engaging part 41 is a protrusion provided on the first lock wall part 31 and the second lock wall part 32. The engaged portions 42 are holes provided in the first locking wall portion 31 and the second locking wall portion 32.

[0048] The state holding unit 5 can prevent the connector 1 from transitioning from the second state S2 to another state (for example, transitioning to the first state S1) against the user's intention. The state holding unit 5 only needs to be able to prevent the connector 1 from transitioning from the second state S2 to another state against the user's intention. When the user wants to transition the connector 1 from the second state S2 to another state (for example, the first state S1), the state holding unit 5 is configured to transition the connector 1 from the second state S2 to another state by a predetermined operation of the user. In this embodiment, the state holding unit 5 is configured to engage the female terminal 2 with the locking member 3 in the second state S2. The engagement force between the female terminal 2 and the locking member 3 is smaller than the disengagement force applied by the user. The state holding unit 5 includes, for example, an engagement portion 51 provided on the first lock wall portion 31 or the second lock wall portion 32 of the locking member 3 and an engaged portion 52 provided on the box portion 21. The engaging portion 51 and the engaged portion 52 are engaged in the second state S2, and are disengaged in states other than the second state S2. Specifically, for example, the engaging portion 51 is a hole provided in the first locking wall portion 31 or the second locking wall portion 32. The engaged portion 52 is a protrusion. The surface of the protrusion is formed in a curved shape (for example, a hemispherical shape).

[0049] Next, an example of a method of using the connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, it is assumed that the initial state of the connector 1 is a state in which the male terminal T is not inserted into the connector 1 and the locking member 3 is not pressing the female terminal 2, as shown in FIG. 1. It is also assumed that the connector 1 is arranged so that the sliding direction D4 of the locking member 3 relative to the box part 21 is parallel to the direction D1. It is also assumed that the male terminal T is arranged at a predetermined position, and the male terminal T and the connector 1 are connected by moving the connector 1 toward the male terminal T. In the following, for convenience, it is assumed that the male terminal T is moved relative to the connector 1.

[0050] First, the male terminal T is moved relative to the connector 1 along the direction D1, and the male terminal T is inserted into the female terminal 2 through the opening 24 (see FIG. 1). The insertion operation can be performed, for example, by a user gripping the locking member 3 and moving the connector 1 toward the male terminal T. In the insertion operation, the male terminal T is inserted until the tip of the male terminal T comes into contact with the bottom (the connecting portion 213) of the box portion 21. Next, the locking member 3 is moved relative to the box portion 21 along the direction D1. This moving operation is performed by moving the locking member 3 in a direction approaching the box portion 21 relatively. This moving operation is also performed by sliding the locking member 3 against the outer surface of the box portion 21 along the direction D1. This moving operation is performed so that the connector 1 transitions from the first state S1 (see FIGS. 2 and 10) to the second state S2 (see FIGS. 3 and 11). In the second state S2, the connector 1 is in a state in which the locking member 3 presses the box portion 21 and the fixing portion 23. As a result, the contact pressure between the contact portion 22 and the male terminal T is greater than in the first state S1, and the fixing portion 23 is engaged with the engaged portion T1 formed on the male terminal T. This completes the connection between the male terminal T and the connector 1.

[0051] On the other hand, when disconnecting the male terminal T and the connector 1, the operation can be performed in the reverse flow of the series of operations for connecting the male terminal T and the connector 1. Specifically, first, the locking member 3 is moved relative to the box part 21 along the direction D1. This moving operation is performed by moving the locking member 3 in a direction away from the box part 21. This moving operation is also performed by sliding the locking member 3 against the outer surface of the box part 21 along the direction D1. This moving operation is performed so that the connector 1 transitions from the second state S2 (see Figs. 3 and 11) to the first state S1 (see Figs. 2 and 10). In the first state S1, the connector 1 is in a state in which the locking member 3 does not press the box part 21 and the fixing part 23. As a result, the contact pressure between the contact part 22 and the male terminal T is smaller than that in the first state S2, and the fixing part 23 is not engaged with the engaged part T1 formed on the male terminal T. Next, the male terminal T is moved relative to the connector 1 in the direction D1, and the male terminal T is removed from the female terminal 2 through the opening 24. The removal operation can be performed, for example, by the user gripping the locking member 3 and moving the connector 1 in a direction away from the male terminal T. This completes the release of the connection between the male terminal T and the connector 1.

[0052] As described above, according to the connector 1 of this embodiment, in the second state S2 in which the locking member 3 presses the box portion 21, the locking member 3 presses the box portion 21 and the fixing portion 23. As a result, the contact pressure between the contact portion 22 and the male terminal T is greater than that in the first state S1, and the fixing portion 23 is engaged with the engaged portion T1 formed on the male terminal T. Therefore, a high contact pressure capable of handling a large current, for example, can be ensured. In addition, when an impact or the like is applied to the connector 1 or the male terminal T, the male terminal T can be prevented from coming out of the box portion 21. In addition, in the first state S1 in which the locking member 3 does not press the box portion 21, the contact pressure between the contact portion 22 and the male terminal T is small, so that the male terminal T can be inserted and removed from the connector 1 with a small force. Moreover, the state of the connector 1 can be transitioned between the first state S1 and the second state S2 simply by sliding the locking member 3 relatively to the box portion 21 in the direction D4 parallel to the insertion direction D11 of the male terminal T into the box portion 21. Therefore, the connection and disconnection operations between the male terminal T and the connector 1 can be performed easily and smoothly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Connector 2 Female terminal 21 Box Section 211 First side wall portion 212 Second side wall portion 213 Connecting part 214 One end of the first side wall portion 215 One end of the second side wall 216 Protrusion 22 Contact section 221 First contact piece 222 Second contact piece 23 Fixed part 231 Engagement part 24 Opening 25 First Movement Control Section 251 First extension 252 Second extension 26 Second Movement Control Section 261 First extension piece 262 Second extension 3 Locking member 31 First lock wall 32 Second Lock Wall 33 Lock piece 34 Connecting part 4 Separation prevention part 41 Engagement part 42 Engaged part 5. State retention section 51 Engagement part 52 Engaged part D1 Connector height direction D11 Male terminal insertion direction D12 Male terminal removal direction D2 Connector Length D3 Connector width direction D4 Lock member sliding direction P1: First position of the locking member relative to the female terminal P2: Second position of the locking member relative to the female terminal P3 Part of the box far from the locking member P4 Part of the box close to the locking member T male terminal T1 Engaged part

Claims

1. A connector electrically connected to a male terminal, The connector comprises: a female terminal electrically connected to the male terminal; a locking member for locking the connection between the male terminal and the female terminal, The female terminal is a box portion into which the male terminal is inserted; a contact portion that electrically contacts the male terminal inserted into the box portion; a fixing portion that fixes the male terminal inserted into the box portion to the box portion, The locking member is attached to the outer surface of the box portion so as to be slidable relative to the outer surface of the box portion. When the locking member moves relative to the box portion from a first position to a second position in a sliding direction, the connector transitions from a first state in which the locking member does not press the box portion and the fixing portion to a second state in which the locking member presses the box portion and the fixing portion toward the male terminals, the connector is configured such that, in the first state, the locking member does not press the box portion, so that a contact pressure between the contact portion and the male terminal is small, and the locking member does not press the fixing portion, so that the fixing portion does not engage with an engaged portion formed on the male terminal, The connector is configured such that, in the second state, the locking member presses the box portion, thereby causing a contact pressure between the contact portion and the male terminal to be greater than that in the first state, and the locking member presses the fixing portion, thereby causing the fixing portion to engage with the engaged portion formed on the male terminal. connector.

2. an insertion direction of the male terminal into the female terminal and a sliding direction of the locking member into the box portion are parallel to each other; The connector of claim 1 .

3. The male terminal is formed in a tab shape, the contact portion includes a first contact piece and a second contact piece that contact the male terminal so as to sandwich the male terminal in a thickness direction of the male terminal, The connector is configured such that a distance between the first contact piece and the second contact piece in the second state is narrower than a distance between the first contact piece and the second contact piece in the first state. The connector of claim 1 .

4. the box portion includes a first side wall portion on which the first contact piece is provided and a second side wall portion on which the second contact piece is provided, the locking member includes a first locking wall portion that contacts an outer surface of the first side wall portion and a second locking wall portion that contacts an outer surface of the second side wall portion; The connector is configured such that, when the first lock wall portion and the second lock wall portion move relative to the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion, respectively, from the first position to the second position in the sliding direction, the distance between the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion becomes narrower, and the distance between the first contact piece and the second contact piece becomes narrower. The connector according to claim 3.

5. The female terminal is made of an elastic material, the box portion includes a connecting portion that connects the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion at one end in the sliding direction, the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion are configured to be swingable about the one end portion as a fulcrum by elastic deformation, The connector is configured such that, when the first lock wall and the second lock wall slide relatively from the first position to the second position with respect to the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion, respectively, the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion swing in a direction approaching each other, and a gap between the first contact piece and the second contact piece becomes narrower. The connector according to claim 4.

6. The first side wall portion and the second side wall portion each include a protruding portion that protrudes outward in a width direction perpendicular to the sliding direction, The connector is configured such that, when the locking member moves relatively from the first position to the second position in the sliding direction, the locking member presses the protrusion inward in the width direction, thereby narrowing the gap between the first contact piece and the second contact piece. The connector according to claim 5.

7. the fixing portion is provided in the box portion so as to be displaceable in a direction toward and away from the male terminal, the locking member includes a lock piece that slides relative to the fixed portion during a process in which the locking member moves relatively from the first position to the second position in the sliding direction, The connector is configured such that, as the locking piece slides relative to the fixed portion during the process of the locking member moving relatively from the first position to the second position in the sliding direction, the locking piece presses the fixed portion toward the male terminal, the fixed portion is displaced toward the male terminal, and the fixed portion engages with the engaged portion of the male terminal. The connector of claim 1 .

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