Female connector and connector unit

Abstract

To provide a female connector in which deterioration of accuracy of positioning of a guide protrusion and a guide recess can be suppressed, even when a plurality of insertions and removals are supposed.SOLUTION: A female connector (10) is fitted to a male connector (12) having a male housing (28) which is made of synthetic resin and holds male terminals (18) and metal guide protrusions (26) and comprises: a female terminal (16) electrically connected to the male terminal (18); a female housing (20) which is made of synthetic resin and holds the female terminal (16); a guide recess (22) provided in the female housing (20) into which the guide protrusion (26) is inserted to position the male terminal (18) and the female terminal (16) before the male terminal (18) and the female terminal (16) are fitted; and a metal cylindrical body (24) embedded in the female housing (20), wherein the inner surface (110) of the metal cylindrical body (24) forms the inner surface on the opening side of the guide recess (22).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a female connector and a connector unit.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector unit including a male connector having a male housing that holds a flat tab-shaped male terminal, and a female connector having a female housing that holds a female terminal conductively connected to the male terminal. When the male connector and the female connector are fitted to each other, first, a guide projection provided on the male housing is inserted into a guide recess provided on the female housing. Thereby, the male terminal and the female terminal are positioned so as to be fitted, and the connection between the male and female terminals is smoothly performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the structures of the female connector and the connector unit of Patent Document 1, since both the guide projection and the guide recess are made of resin, when the connector unit is used in a place where multiple insertions and extractions are assumed, the positioning accuracy by the guide projection and the guide recess deteriorates due to wear, which may hinder the fitting of the male connector and the female connector.

[0005] Therefore, a female connector and a connector unit are disclosed that can suppress deterioration of the positioning accuracy by the guide projection and the guide recess even when multiple insertions and extractions are assumed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The female connector of the present disclosure is a female connector that is fitted to a male connector including a male terminal and a male housing made of synthetic resin that holds a metal guide projection, and includes a female terminal that is conductively connected to the male terminal, a female housing made of synthetic resin that holds the female terminal, a guide recess that is provided in the female housing and into which the guide projection is inserted before the male terminal and the female terminal are fitted to position the male terminal and the female terminal, and a metal cylindrical body embedded in the female housing. An inner peripheral surface of the guide recess is formed by an inner peripheral surface of the metal cylindrical body.

[0007] The connector unit of the present disclosure includes a male connector including a male terminal and a male housing made of synthetic resin that holds a metal guide projection, and a female connector according to the present disclosure.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a female connector and a connector unit that can suppress deterioration in positioning accuracy due to the guide projection and the guide recess even when multiple insertions and extractions are assumed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The female connector of the present disclosure is (1) A female connector that is fitted to a male connector including a male terminal and a male housing made of synthetic resin that holds a metal guide projection, the female connector including a female terminal that is conductively connected to the male terminal, a female housing made of synthetic resin that holds the female terminal, a guide recess that is provided in the female housing and into which the guide projection is inserted before the male terminal and the female terminal are fitted to position the male terminal and the female terminal, and a metal cylindrical body embedded in the female housing, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the guide recess on the opening side is formed by an inner peripheral surface of the metal cylindrical body.

[0011] According to the female connector of the present disclosure, the inner peripheral surface on the opening side of the guide recess into which the metal guide projection provided on the mating male connector is inserted is constituted by the inner peripheral surface of the metal cylindrical body embedded in the synthetic resin female housing. That is, in the guide recess into which the metal guide projection is inserted, the inner peripheral surface on the opening side where the sliding time (distance) of the guide projection is the longest can be constituted by the inner peripheral surface of the metal cylindrical body. Thereby, even when applied to a use location where multiple insertions and extractions are assumed, the combination of the metal guide projection and the guide recess whose opening side is constituted by the inner peripheral surface of the metal cylindrical body can suppress the deterioration of the positioning accuracy due to the guide projection and the guide recess compared to the conventional structure in which both are made of resin. As a result, it is possible to provide a female connector or a connector unit that can more stably ensure a good fitting state with the male connector.

[0012] (2) In the above (1), the end portion on the opening side of the guide recess is constituted by the first end portion on one side in the axial direction of the metal cylindrical body, the guide recess has a depth portion extending to the other side in the axial direction beyond the second end portion on the other side in the axial direction of the metal cylindrical body, and it is preferable that the inner surface of the depth portion is formed by the female housing. The depth portion of the guide recess extending to the other side in the axial direction beyond the second end portion on the other side in the axial direction of the metal cylindrical body, which forms the inner peripheral surface on the opening side of the guide recess, is formed by the synthetic resin female housing. Thereby, in order to form the depth portion of the guide recess, which is often arranged on the proximal end side of the female connector, there is no need to embed the metal cylindrical body or other separate members in the female housing. As a result, the design freedom of the proximal end side of the female connector, where fastening members and the like with external energizing members such as nuts are often arranged, is improved, and the occurrence of interference between the members arranged on the proximal end side of the female connector and the metal cylindrical body can be prevented in advance.

[0013] (3) In the above (2), it is preferable that the inner diameter of the metal cylindrical body of the guide recess is equal to or less than the inner diameter of the portion of the metal cylindrical body in the depth portion that is connected to the second end portion. In this aspect, for example, a part of the female housing including the formation site of the depth portion of the guide recess is formed as a primary molded product, and then the primary molded product and the metal cylindrical body are used as insert parts to form the other parts of the female housing to obtain a secondary molded product, so that it is possible to manufacture the female connector. At that time, by making the inner diameter of the metal cylindrical body of the guide recess equal to or less than the inner diameter of the portion of the metal cylindrical body in the depth portion that is connected to the second end portion, the resin can be advantageously prevented from flowing into the inner peripheral surface of the metal cylindrical body during the secondary molding.

[0014] (4) In the above (2) or (3), the axial end face on the second end side of the metal cylindrical body has a cylindrical stepped face provided with a small-diameter portion on the tip side and a large-diameter portion on the base end side, and the axial end face of the inner portion of the guide recess has a stepped face of the inner portion provided with a large-diameter portion on the tip side and a small-diameter portion on the base end side, and it is preferable that the cylindrical stepped face and the stepped face of the inner portion are in contact with each other in the axial direction. Since the cylindrical stepped face is provided on the axial end face of the second end of the metal cylindrical body and the stepped face of the inner portion is provided on the axial end face of the inner portion of the guide recess, a part of the female housing including the forming portion of the inner portion of the guide recess is formed as a primary molded product, and then, when manufacturing the female connector so as to form the other parts of the female housing with the primary molded product and the metal cylindrical body as insert parts to obtain a secondary molded product, by bringing the cylindrical stepped face and the stepped face of the inner portion into contact with each other, the positioning of the metal cylindrical body with respect to the inner portion of the guide recess can be advantageously performed. Further, by the mutual contact of the cylindrical stepped face and the stepped face of the inner portion, the resin flowing into the inner peripheral surface of the metal cylindrical body during the secondary molding can be more advantageously blocked.

[0015] (5) In any one of the above (1) to (4), it is preferable that the metal cylindrical body has a retaining projection protruding from the outer peripheral surface in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the metal cylindrical body, and the retaining projection is embedded in the female housing. Since the retaining projection protruding in a direction intersecting the axial direction is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the metal cylindrical body and is embedded in the female housing, even if the guide projection of the male connector is inserted and removed into and from the metal cylindrical body a number of times, the metal cylindrical body can be advantageously prevented from being pulled out of the female housing.

[0016] (6) In any one of the above (1) to (5), the female housing has a base portion that holds the base end portion of the female terminal, a hood portion that surrounds the tip portion of the female terminal protruding from the base portion, and a cover portion that has a male terminal insertion hole and covers the opening of the hood portion. The cover portion has an elastic locking piece that protrudes toward the base portion, and the base portion has a locking portion that protrudes toward the cover portion and to which the elastic locking piece is locked. This is preferable. Since the female housing has a base portion that holds the base end portion of the female terminal and a hood portion that surrounds the tip portion of the female terminal, it is possible to advantageously achieve the holding of the female terminal and the prevention of interference with other members. Further, since it is provided with a cover portion having a male terminal insertion hole, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of electric shock or the like due to contact with the female terminal while allowing the insertion of the male terminal. Since the base portion is provided with a locking portion that is locked to the elastic closing piece of the cover portion, the cover portion can be stably held on the base portion. In addition, if it is not possible to provide a die punching hole in the base portion to form the locking portion, the base portion including the guide recess and the locking portion can be integrally formed with the female terminal or the like as an insert, and then, the other parts including the hood portion can be integrally formed with a metal cylinder or the like as an insert to advantageously manufacture the female connector of this embodiment.

[0017] The connector unit of the present disclosure (7) A male connector including a male housing made of synthetic resin that holds a male terminal and a metal guide protrusion, and a female connector according to any one of the above (1) to (6).

[0018] In the connector unit of the present disclosure, since the female connector is configured in the manner described in any one of the above (1) to (6), it is possible to provide a connector unit that can achieve the same operational effects as those obtained in any one of the above (1) to (6).

[0019] <Details of the Embodiment of the Present Disclosure> Specific examples of the female connector and the connector unit of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0020] <Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, the female connector 10 of Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure and the connector unit 14 including the female connector 10 and the male connector 12 fitted to the female connector 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. The female connector 10 is a connector that connects between a member on the power supply side such as a battery and a member on the load side such as a motor in, for example, an automobile or a motorcycle. The female connector 10 is provided with female terminals 16, and the male connector 12 is provided with male terminals 18. Then, when the female terminals 16 in the female connector 10 provided on one of the power supply side and the load side come into contact with the male terminals 18 in the male connector 12 provided on the other of the power supply side and the load side to be in a conductive state, power is supplied from a power source such as a battery to a load such as a motor.

[0021] Note that the female connector 10 can be arranged in an arbitrary orientation. Hereinafter, the upward direction refers to the upward direction in FIG. 3, the downward direction refers to the downward direction in FIG. 3, the front direction refers to the downward direction in FIG. 2, the rear direction refers to the upward direction in FIG. 2, the left direction refers to the left direction in FIG. 2, and the right direction refers to the right direction in FIG. 2. As will be described later, the female connector 10 and the male connector 12 are fitted to each other in the vertical direction. The tip side of the female connector 10 refers to the lower side on the side of the male connector 12, and the tip side of the male connector 12 refers to the upper side on the side of the female connector 10. Also, for a plurality of identical members, only some members may be labeled, and the labels may be omitted for other members.

[0022] <Female connector 10> The female connector 10 includes a female terminal 16 that is conductively connected to the male terminal 18, and a female housing 20 made of synthetic resin that holds the female terminal 16. The female housing 20 is provided with a guide recess 22 into which a guide projection 26 (to be described later) is inserted before the male terminal 18 and the female terminal 16 are fitted, so as to position the male terminal 18 and the female terminal 16. Further, a metal cylinder 24 is embedded in the female housing 20. In the first embodiment, a pair of female terminals 16, 16 are held in the female housing 20, and these female terminals 16 are arranged so as to be separated from each other in the left - right direction.

[0023] <Male connector 12> The male connector 12 includes a male terminal 18 and a male housing 28 made of synthetic resin that holds the metal guide projection 26. The male terminal 18 is a tab terminal having a plate - like shape as a whole. In the first embodiment, a pair of male terminals 18, 18 are arranged so as to be separated from each other in the left - right direction. Each male terminal 18 is substantially rectangular in a left - right direction view (projection in the left - right direction), has a predetermined front - rear dimension and left - right dimension, and projects upward from the male housing 28. Note that, at each male terminal 18, the end portion (the tip portion and the upper end portion) on the front side in the insertion direction into the female terminal 16 has a tapered shape. Each male terminal 18 has conductivity and is formed of a metal having a low electrical resistance, such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy.

[0024] The guide projection 26 has a pin - like shape as a whole. In the first embodiment, a pair of guide projections 26, 26 having a substantially cylindrical shape are arranged so as to be separated from each other in the left - right direction. In particular, in the first embodiment, these guide projections 26 are arranged outward in the left - right direction from each male terminal 18 and project upward from the male housing 28. At each guide projection 26, the portion (the tip portion and the upper end portion) on the front side in the insertion direction into the guide recess 22 has a tapered shape. Further, the male housing 28 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view as a whole, and the left - right dimension is made larger than the front - rear dimension.

[0025] In the middle part in the left - right direction of the male - side housing 28, the proximal ends (lower ends) of the male terminals 18 are held in a state of being separated from each other in the left - right direction, and the proximal ends (lower ends) of the guide projections 26 are held at both ends in the left - right direction of the male - side housing 28. In Embodiment 1, the proximal ends of the male terminals 18 are fixed to the male - side housing 28 in a substantially embedded state, and the proximal ends (lower ends) of the guide projections 26 are fixed to the male - side housing 28 in a substantially embedded state. In particular, in Embodiment 1, when molding the male - side housing 28, by molding in a state where each male terminal 18 and each guide projection 26 are set in the molding cavity, the male - side housing 28 is formed as an integrally molded product integrally including each male terminal 18 and each guide projection 26. Thereby, each male terminal 18 and each guide projection 26 protrude upward from the male - side housing 28. And, in the male connector 12, each guide projection 26 protrudes above each male terminal 18.

[0026] <Female terminal 16> The female terminals 16 have the same shape as each other, and the female terminals 16 are arranged in a state of being inverted in the left - right direction with respect to each other. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, etc., each female terminal 16 includes a female terminal body portion 30 having a substantially cylindrical shape. Each female terminal body portion 30 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape corresponding to each male terminal 18 having a substantially tab - like shape. Each female terminal body portion 30 extends in the vertical direction, and an inner hole 34 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall portion 32 having a rectangular cylindrical shape.

[0027] Among the wall portions constituting each peripheral wall portion 32, a folding portion 36 is formed at the lower end portion of the wall portion on the outer side in the left-right direction. A first contact portion 38 that protrudes into the inner hole 34 and faces the wall portion on the inner side in the left-right direction of each peripheral wall portion 32 in the left-right direction is connected to each folding portion 36. Further, a second contact portion 40 that protrudes toward the wall portion on the outer side in the left-right direction is provided on the wall portion on the inner side in the left-right direction among the wall portions constituting each peripheral wall portion 32. In Embodiment 1, the second contact portion 40 extends in the vertical direction with a predetermined dimension. In particular, in Embodiment 1, a pair of second contact portions 40, 40 are provided with a predetermined gap therebetween in the front-rear direction. Each first contact portion 38 and each second contact portion 40 face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween in the left-right direction, and the gap in the left-right direction between each first contact portion 38 and each second contact portion 40 is the male terminal insertion gap 42 into which each male terminal 18 is inserted.

[0028] Each first contact portion 38 is elastically deformable in the left-right direction with the folding portion 36 as a base point. Further, before the insertion of each male terminal 18, the opposing distance in the left-right direction between each first contact portion 38 and each second contact portion 40 is made smaller than the thickness dimension (left-right direction dimension) of each male terminal 18. Thereby, when each male terminal 18 is inserted into each male terminal insertion gap 42, each male terminal 18 is press-fitted while elastically deforming each first contact portion 38 outward in the left-right direction. Then, when each male terminal 18 is inserted into each male terminal insertion gap 42, each first contact portion 38 and each second contact portion 40 are brought into pressure contact with each male terminal 18 by the elastic restoring force of each first contact portion 38.

[0029] Further, an outer protruding portion 44 that protrudes outward in the left-right direction is provided at the upper end portion of the wall portion on the outer side in the left-right direction among the wall portions constituting each peripheral wall portion 32. Each outer protruding portion 44 has a substantially rectangular plate shape, and a circular bolt insertion hole 46 that penetrates each outer protruding portion 44 in the thickness direction (vertical direction) is formed at the center portion of each outer protruding portion 44. The female connector 10 is fixed to a member on the power supply side, such as a battery (not shown), by a bolt (not shown) inserted through each bolt insertion hole 46. Further, when the member on the power supply side is electrically connected to each outer protruding portion 44, the member on the power supply side and the female connector 10 are brought into an electrically conductive state.

[0030] Each female terminal 16 having the above-described shape may be formed, for example, by subjecting a single metal flat plate to press working, or may be formed by fixing a plurality of metal members by welding, bolts, or the like.

[0031] <Female housing 20> In Embodiment 1, the female housing 20 has a base portion 48 that holds the base end portions (upper end portions) of the respective female terminals 16, a hood portion 50 that surrounds the tip end portions (lower end portions) of the respective female terminals 16 protruding from the base portion 48, and a cover portion 56 that has male terminal insertion holes 52 and covers the opening (lower opening 54) of the hood portion 50.

[0032] <Base portion 48> The base portion 48 includes a holding portion 58 that holds the base end portions (upper end portions) of the respective female terminals 16 (particularly, the respective female terminal main body portions 30). That is, in Embodiment 1, a pair of holding portions 58, 58 that are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction are provided, and these holding portions 58 are connected by a connecting portion 60. Each holding portion 58 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 32 over the entire circumference at the upper end portion of the respective female terminal main body portion 30, and is also filled inside the inner hole 34 and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 32 over the entire circumference. Each outer protruding portion 44 protruding outward in the left-right direction from each female terminal main body portion 30 is not covered by each holding portion 58, and protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the upper end portion of each holding portion 58. Further, outer extending portions 62 that extend outward in the left-right direction are provided at the outer end portions in the left-right direction at the lower end portions of each holding portion 58, and a back portion 64 that constitutes the axial direction (up-down direction) end portion in each guide recess 22 is formed at the extending end portion (outer end portion in the left-right direction) of each outer extending portion 62. Thereby, as also shown in FIG. 6 and the like, each outer protruding portion 44 and each outer extending portion 62 face each other in the up-down direction with a predetermined distance therebetween.

[0033] <Back portion 64> In each outer extending portion 62, at the formation position of the inner portion 64, a through hole 66 that penetrates the outer extending portion 62 in the thickness direction (vertical direction) is formed, and the upper opening of the through hole 66 is closed by a substantially dome-shaped circular lid portion 68. Each circular lid portion 68 is formed with a substantially constant thickness dimension, and has a tapered shape in which the diameter dimension decreases upward, substantially corresponding to the protruding tip portion (upper end portion) of each guide protrusion 26. The internal space of each circular lid portion 68 and each through hole 66 communicate with each other in the vertical direction, and the internal space of each circular lid portion 68 opens to the lower surface of each outer extending portion 62 (base portion 48) through the lower opening of each through hole 66. Thereby, each inner portion 64 is configured to include the peripheral portion of each through hole 66 and each circular lid portion 68, and the inner surface 69 of each inner portion 64 is configured to include the inner peripheral surfaces of each through hole 66 and each circular lid portion 68 formed in the female housing 20.

[0034] And, in each inner portion 64, the end surface on one axial direction side (lower side), that is, the lower end surface formed by the peripheral portion at the lower opening of each through hole 66 has different inner diameter dimensions stepwise, and includes an annular distal side large diameter portion 70 located on the more distal side (lower side) and an annular proximal side small diameter portion 72 located on the proximal side of the distal side large diameter portion 70. The lower end surfaces of these distal side large diameter portions 70 and the lower end surface of the proximal side small diameter portion 72 are connected by a substantially cylindrical tubular surface 74, and an inner portion step surface 76 is configured to include the distal side large diameter portion 70, the proximal side small diameter portion 72, and the tubular surface 74 at the lower end surface of each inner portion 64.

[0035] <Locking portion 78> Also, in a portion of each outer extending portion 62 that is inward in the left - right direction from the inner portion 64, that is, between each holding portion 58 and each inner portion 64 in the left - right direction, a locking portion 78 that protrudes downward from each outer extending portion 62 is provided. As will be described later, since the above - mentioned cover portion 56 is assembled to the base portion 48 from below, each locking portion 78 protrudes from the base portion 48 toward the cover portion 56. At the protruding tip (lower end portion) of each locking portion 78, a locking claw 80 that protrudes inward in the left - right direction is provided, and on the lower end surface of each locking claw 80, an inclined surface 82 that inclines in a direction in which the protruding dimension inward in the left - right direction decreases downward is provided.

[0036] As described above, the base portion 48 includes each outwardly extending portion 62 having each inner portion 64 and each locking portion 78, each holding portion 58, and the connecting portion 60, and is generally rectangular in plan view as a whole. In Embodiment 1, the lateral dimension of the base portion 48 is made larger than the longitudinal dimension. In particular, in Embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. 6, the base portion 48 is formed as a primary molded product 84 integrally having the above-described female terminals 16. That is, when molding the base portion 48, by molding in a state where each female terminal 16 is set in the molding cavity, the base portion 48 is formed as an integrally molded product (primary molded product 84) integrally having each female terminal 16. In this primary molded product 84, in the vertical projection, each locking portion 78 is formed at a position overlapping each outwardly projecting portion 44 that projects outward in the lateral direction of each female terminal 16.

[0037] <Hood portion 50> As described above, each female terminal 16 projects downward from the base portion 48, and the tip portion (lower end portion) of each female terminal 16 projecting from the base portion 48 is surrounded by the hood portion 50. That is, the hood portion 50 is generally cylindrical and extends in the vertical direction as a whole, and the above-described female terminals 16 are accommodated in the accommodation space 86 on the inner peripheral side of the hood portion 50. The upper opening of the hood portion 50 is closed by the base portion 48 that holds each female terminal 16, and before the cover portion 56 is assembled, each female terminal 16 inside the accommodation space 86 is exposed to the outside through the lower opening 54 of the hood portion 50.

[0038] And, on the outer sides in the left - right direction of the hood portion 50, the above - mentioned respective metal cylinders 24 are fixed in a substantially embedded state. That is, the female housing 20 is provided with a substantially cylindrical cylinder holding portion 88 that covers the outer peripheral side of each metal cylinder 24, and each cylinder holding portion 88 is provided on both sides in the left - right direction of the hood portion 50. In Embodiment 1, each cylinder holding portion 88 is integrally formed with the hood portion 50, and the inner - side wall portion in the left - right direction in each cylinder holding portion 88 and the inner - side wall portion in the left - right direction in each hood portion 50 are configured as a common part. And, the upper opening of each cylinder holding portion 88 (that is, the opening on the side of the second end portion 114, which will be described later, in each metal cylinder 24) is closed by each inner portion 64 at both ends in the left - right direction in the base portion 48. Also, the lower opening of each cylinder holding portion 88 is not closed, and the opening on the side of the first end portion 112, which will be described later, of each metal cylinder 24 held by each cylinder holding portion 88 opens on the inner - peripheral side at the lower opening of the cylinder holding portion 88 (female housing 20).

[0039] Furthermore, the female housing 20 is provided with an upper covering portion 90 that covers the upper part of the base portion 48. That is, the upper covering portion 90 is substantially rectangular as a whole, with the left - right dimension being larger than the front - rear dimension in plan view, and covers substantially the entire upper surface of the base portion 48. Note that the upper covering portion 90 covers and holds only the left - and - right both ends with respect to each outward - projecting portion 44 that projects outward in the left - right direction from each holding portion 58 in the base portion 48, and substantially the whole of each outward - projecting portion 44 and each bolt insertion hole 46 are exposed from the upper covering portion 90.

[0040] In Embodiment 1, the upper covering portion 90 is integrally formed with the hood portion 50 and each cylinder holding portion 88. That is, the female housing 20 includes an outer resin portion 92 that covers substantially the entire outer peripheral portions of the primary molded article 84 and each metal cylinder 24, and this outer resin portion 92 is configured to include the hood portion 50, each cylinder holding portion 88, and the upper covering portion 90. In short, when molding the outer resin portion 92, by molding in a state where the primary molded article 84 and each metal cylinder 24 are set in the molding cavity, the outer resin portion 92 is formed as an integrally molded article (secondary molded article 94) that integrally includes the primary molded article 84 and each metal cylinder 24. Note that the resin material constituting the resin (base portion 48) in the primary molded article 84 and the resin material constituting the resin (outer resin portion 92) in the secondary molded article 94 are not limited as long as they are both hard synthetic resins, but in Embodiment 1, the same materials are adopted for these resin materials.

[0041] In particular, in Embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. 7, when molding the outer resin portion 92, in addition to the primary molded article 84 and each metal cylinder 24, a pair of nuts 96, 96 are set in the molding cavity. As a result, in the secondary molded article 94, each nut 96 is integrally held in the outer resin portion 92 in addition to the primary molded article 84 and each metal cylinder 24. These nuts 96 are disposed so as to overlap the lower surfaces of the respective outward protruding portions 44, and in the secondary molded article 94, the bolt insertion holes 46 in each outward protruding portion 44 and the inner holes of each nut 96 communicate with each other in the vertical direction. As a result, when fixing the female connector 10 to a power source side member such as a battery (not shown), for example, a bolt (not shown) inserted through each bolt insertion hole 46 is fastened to each nut 96.

[0042] In the secondary molded article 94 formed in this manner, a hood portion 50 that covers the tip portion (lower end portion) of each female terminal 16 is formed so as to extend downward from the formation position of each locking portion 78 in each outward extending portion 62. That is, as also shown in FIG. 3, the inner surfaces in the left-right direction of each locking portion 78 are at positions substantially equal in the left-right direction to the inner surfaces in the left-right direction of each hood portion 50. As a result, in the accommodation space 86 formed on the inner peripheral side of each hood portion 50, each locking claw 80 of each locking portion 78 protrudes inward in the left-right direction from the wall portion of the inner surface in the left-right direction.

[0043] Further, since the outer resin portion 92 covers the outer peripheral portions of the primary molded article 84 and each metal cylindrical body 24, as also shown in FIG. 5, the lower opening 54 of the hood portion 50 and the lower openings of each cylindrical body holding portion 88 (the openings on the side of the first end portion 112 described later in each metal cylindrical body 24) open to the lower surface of the secondary molded article 94 (outer resin portion 92). And the lower opening 54 of the hood portion 50 is covered by the cover portion 56 when the cover portion 56 is inserted into the accommodation space 86.

[0044] <Cover portion 56> The cover portion 56 has a shape similar to that of the accommodation space 86 in plan view, and is a substantially rectangular shape in which the dimension in the left-right direction is larger than the dimension in the front-rear direction. The cover portion 56 includes a bottom wall portion 98 having a substantially rectangular plate shape, and a substantially cylindrical surrounding portion 100 that protrudes toward the base portion 48 (upward in the state of being assembled to the secondary molded article 94) and surrounds the periphery is provided at the outer peripheral edge portion of the bottom wall portion 98. Elastic locking pieces 102 that protrude in the same direction as the surrounding portion 100 are provided at both end portions in the left-right direction of the cover portion 56, and each elastic locking piece 102 is formed with a protruding dimension larger than that of the surrounding portion 100. Each elastic locking piece 102 has a substantially rectangular frame shape, and a through window portion 104 that penetrates in the thickness direction (left-right direction) is formed in each elastic locking piece 102. Further, inclined surfaces 106 that incline inward in the left-right direction as going upward are provided on the outer surfaces in the left-right direction of the upper end portions of each elastic locking piece 102.

[0045] Each of the above elastic locking pieces 102 is elastically deformable in the left-right direction. Thus, when the cover portion 56 is inserted into the accommodation space 86 for assembly, the cover portion 56 is inserted through the lower opening 54 of the accommodation space 86 (hood portion 50), and the inclined surface 82 of each locking claw 80 and the inclined surface 106 of each elastic locking piece 102 are brought into contact with each other in the vertical direction. As a result, each elastic locking piece 102 is elastically deformed inward in the left-right direction along the inclined surfaces 82, 106, and further insertion of the cover portion 56 is allowed. Then, when each locking claw 80 enters the through-hole portion 104 of each elastic locking piece 102, each elastic locking piece 102 is elastically restored and deformed, and each locking claw 80 is locked to the upper wall portion constituting each through-hole portion 104. Thereby, the cover portion 56 is prevented from falling off from the accommodation space 86 (hood portion 50).

[0046] Here, in the bottom wall portion 98 of the cover portion 56, at a position corresponding to the male terminal insertion gap 42 of each female terminal 16, the above-described male terminal insertion hole 52 that penetrates the bottom wall portion 98 in the thickness direction is formed. That is, in the first embodiment, a pair of male terminal insertion holes 52, 52 are formed in the bottom wall portion 98 so as to be separated from each other in the left-right direction. In particular, in the first embodiment, each male terminal insertion hole 52 is formed in a notch shape that also opens in front of the bottom wall portion 98.

[0047] In addition, at the central portion in the left - right direction of the bottom wall portion 98, there is provided a contact wall portion 108 that protrudes toward the base portion 48 side (upward). In Embodiment 1, at the central portion in the left - right direction of the bottom wall portion 98, a pair of contact wall portions 108, 108 are provided so as to be spaced apart from each other in the left - right direction and have a predetermined vertical dimension. Thereby, for example, when the cover portion 56 is accommodated in the accommodation space 86, each contact wall portion 108 abuts against the bottom surface of the accommodation space 86 (for example, the lower surface of the connecting portion 60), so that the upward displacement of the cover portion 56 is restricted and each locking claw 80 is locked to the through - window portion 104 in each elastic locking piece 102. In particular, in Embodiment 1, in a state where each locking claw 80 is locked to each through - window portion 104 and the cover portion 56 is accommodated in the accommodation space 86, the vertical positions of the lower surface of the cover portion 56 and the lower surface of the secondary molded product 94 are substantially equal, but it is not limited to this aspect. In a state where the cover portion 56 is accommodated in the accommodation space 86, the lower surface of the cover portion 56 may be located above or below the lower surface of the secondary molded product 94.

[0048] <Guide recess 22> In the secondary molded product 94 as described above, the upper openings of each metal cylinder 24 (the openings on the side of the second end portion 114 to be described later) are closed by the respective inner portions 64 in the female housing 20. In short, the internal space of each metal cylinder 24 and the internal space in each inner portion 64 communicate with each other in the vertical direction. As a result, at both left - right ends of the female connector 10, a relatively long space in the vertical direction is formed by the internal space of each metal cylinder 24 and the internal space in each inner portion 64, and a guide recess 22 into which each guide protrusion 26 is inserted is constituted by this space. In other words, the inner peripheral surface 110 of each metal cylinder 24 forms the inner peripheral surface of the opening side (lower side) of each guide recess 22.

[0049] <Metal cylinder 24> The metal cylinder 24 is a cylinder that extends substantially straight, and in the female connector 10, it is arranged in a direction extending vertically. That is, each metal cylinder 24 has a first end 112 which is an end on one side (lower side) in the axial direction, and a second end 114 which is an end on the other side (upper side) in the axial direction. And the end on the opening side (lower side) of each guide recess 22 is constituted by the first end 112 of each metal cylinder 24. Also, in each guide recess 22, the portion above the second end 114 of each metal cylinder 24 is constituted by each inner portion 64. In other words, each guide recess 22 has each inner portion 64 that extends to the other side (upper side) in the axial direction beyond the second end 114 of each metal cylinder 24.

[0050] On the inner peripheral surface 110 of each metal cylinder 24, the inner diameter dimension is substantially constant over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction, but in a predetermined region on the side of the first end 112 (lower end), an attracting surface 116 is formed where the inner diameter dimension gradually increases as it goes to the opening side (lower side).

[0051] Here, the inner diameter dimension φA (see FIG. 3) of each metal cylinder 24 is preferably equal to or less than the inner diameter dimension φB (see FIG. 3) of the portion (for example, each proximal-side small-diameter portion 72) connecting to the second end 114 of each metal cylinder 24 in each inner portion 64. In Embodiment 1, the magnitudes of these φA and φB are made equal to each other. Thereby, in Embodiment 1, in each guide recess 22, the inner peripheral surface 110 of each metal cylinder 24 and the inner surface 69 of each inner portion 64 are smoothly continuous with substantially no step.

[0052] Further, the outer diameter dimensions of each metal cylinder 24 vary in the axial direction (vertical direction), and at the middle portion in the length direction (vertical direction) of each metal cylinder 24, there is provided a retaining projection 120 that projects from the outer peripheral surface 118 in the horizontal direction intersecting (particularly perpendicular) to the axial direction. In Embodiment 1, an annular retaining projection 120 that projects outward in the circumferential direction is provided over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface 118 of each metal cylinder 24, and the outer diameter dimension of each metal cylinder 24 is increased at the formation position of each retaining projection 120. Each metal cylinder 24 is embedded in each cylinder holding portion 88 that constitutes the female housing 20 substantially entirely, and each retaining projection 120 is also embedded in each cylinder holding portion 88 in the female housing 20.

[0053] And, the axial end surface on the second end portion 114 side (upper side) of each metal cylinder 24 has different outer diameter dimensions stepwise, and includes an annular distal end side small diameter portion 122 located on the more distal end side (upper side) in the direction toward each second end portion 114 (the direction from the lower side to the upper side), and an annular proximal end side large diameter portion 124 located on the proximal end side with respect to the distal end side small diameter portion 122. The upper end surface of these distal end side small diameter portions 122 and the upper end surface of the proximal end side large diameter portions 124 are connected by a cylindrical surface 126 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a cylinder step surface 128 is configured including the distal end side small diameter portion 122, the proximal end side large diameter portion 124, and the cylindrical surface 126.

[0054] Here, the inner diameter dimension of the cylindrical surface 74 in each inner portion step surface 76 and the outer diameter dimension of the cylindrical surface 126 in each cylinder step surface 128 are made substantially equal. As shown in FIG. 7, when the primary molded product 84 and each metal cylinder 24 are set in the molding cavity of the outer resin portion 92, each inner portion step surface 76 and each cylinder step surface 128 are in contact with each other in the axial direction (vertical direction). Specifically, the cylindrical surfaces 74 and 126 are overlapped in the radial direction (perpendicular to the axis), and the proximal end side small diameter portions 72 and the distal end side small diameter portions 122 are overlapped in the vertical direction. That is, the second end portion 114 in each metal cylinder 24 is inserted into the annular recess provided on the end surface on the opening side (lower side) of each inner portion 64, and thereby, displacement of each metal cylinder 24 in the horizontal direction (perpendicular to the axis) with respect to the base portion 48 is prevented.

[0055] <Assembly of Female Connector 10> The following is a specific example of a method for assembling the female connector 10. Note that the assembly method of the female connector 10 is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0056] First, one metal flat plate is bent into the aforementioned shape to form a pair of female terminals 16, 16. Then, each female terminal 16 is set in the molding cavity for molding the base portion 48 as described above, and the base portion 48 is molded. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6, the base portion 48 integrally including each female terminal 16 is obtained as the primary molded product 84.

[0057] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, the primary molded product 84, each metal cylinder 24, and each nut 96 are set in the molding cavity for molding the outer resin portion 92, and the outer resin portion 92 is molded. At this time, by axially abutting each inner step surface 76 at the opening of each inner portion 64 and each cylinder step surface 128 of each metal cylinder 24, the horizontal displacement of each metal cylinder 24 with respect to the primary molded product 84 (base portion 48) can be prevented. Thereby, the secondary molded product 94 shown in FIG. 5 is obtained.

[0058] Then, the cover portion 56 is prepared and, as shown in FIG. 5, is vertically opposed to the lower opening 54 of the hood portion 50 in the secondary molded product 94. Thereafter, the cover portion 56 is brought close to the secondary molded product 94 and housed in the housing space 86, and each locking claw 80 is locked to each through window portion 104 of each elastic locking piece 102, thereby completing the female connector 10.

[0059] <Assembly of Connector Unit 14> The following describes a specific example of a method for assembling the connector unit 14 in a state where the male connector 12 is inserted into the female connector 10 of Embodiment 1 and the female connector 10 and the male connector 12 are connected.

[0060] First, the female connector 10 assembled as described above and the male connector 12 prepared separately are opposed to each other in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 4, and the female connector 10 and the male connector 12 are brought closer to each other. In the male connector 12, since each guide projection 26 protrudes upward more than each male terminal 18, each guide projection 26 is inserted into each guide recess 22 before each male terminal 18 is inserted into each female terminal 16. Then, with each guide projection 26 inserted into each guide recess 22 and the female connector 10 and the male connector 12 positioned relative to each other, the female connector 10 and the male connector 12 are brought closer to each other further. As a result, the protruding tip portions of the male terminals 18 are press-fitted into the male terminal insertion gaps 42 in the female terminals 16 through the male terminal insertion holes 52 in the cover portion 56. As a result, each male terminal 18 is inserted into the male terminal insertion gaps 42 while elastically deforming each first contact portion 38 outward in the left-right direction, and each first and second contact portions 38, 40 are pressed against each male terminal 18 by the elastic restoring force of each first contact portion 38. In this state, the female connector 10 and the male connector 12 are brought closer to each other until, for example, the lower end surface of the female housing 20 abuts against the upper end surface of the male housing 28, thereby completing the connection between the female connector 10 and the male connector 12.

[0061] In this way, the female connector 10 and the male connector 12 are connected to electrically connect each female terminal 16 in the female connector 10 and each male terminal 18 in the male connector 12. Thereby, for example, the female connector 10 provided on a member on the power supply side such as a battery and the male connector 12 provided on a member on the load side such as a motor are brought into a conductive state, and power is supplied from the member on the power supply side to the member on the load side.

[0062] According to the female connector 10 of Embodiment 1 having the above structure, each guide protrusion 26 is made of metal, and the inner peripheral surface of the opening side of each guide recess 22 is formed by the inner peripheral surface 110 of each metal cylinder 24. Thereby, when inserting each guide protrusion 26 into each guide recess 22 for positioning the female connector 10 and the male connector 12, the strength and durability of each guide protrusion and each guide recess are improved as compared with the case where each guide protrusion and each guide recess are made of synthetic resin. In particular, by improving the strength and durability of these guide protrusions 26 and guide recesses 22, it becomes possible to repeatedly insert and remove the female connector 10 and the male connector 12 a large number of times, and it is possible to provide the female connector 10 and the connector unit 14 that allow a large number of insertions and removals.

[0063] And each guide recess 22 has a deep portion 64 that extends further upward beyond the upper end portion (each second end portion 114) of each metal cylinder 24, and the inner surface 69 of each deep portion 64 is formed by the female housing 20. Thereby, even in the main part α in FIG. 3 that is likely to be relatively thin depending on the arrangement position of each nut 96 or the like, a predetermined resin thickness C (see FIG. 3) can be ensured, and the strength and durability when inserting each guide protrusion 26 into each guide recess 22 can be further improved.

[0064] The inner diameter dimension φA of the metal cylinder 24 in each guide recess 22 is set to be equal to or less than the inner diameter dimension φB of the portion connecting to the second end portion 114 of each metal cylinder 24 in each deep portion 64. That is, for example, when the inner diameter dimension φA is larger than the inner diameter dimension φB, the inner surface of each deep portion protrudes inward with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the metal cylinder, so there is a possibility that each guide protrusion may be caught by the inner surface of each deep portion when inserting each guide protrusion into each guide recess. On the other hand, in the female connector 10 of Embodiment 1, such a possibility is eliminated, and each guide protrusion 26 inserted through each guide recess 22 can be more reliably inserted into each deep portion 64.

[0065] In Embodiment 1, when setting the primary molded product 84 and each metal cylinder 24 in the molding cavity during the molding of the outer resin part 92, the cylinder step surface 128 of each metal cylinder 24 and the inner step surface 76 of each inner part 64 are configured to abut in the axial direction. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the horizontal displacement of each metal cylinder 24 with respect to the primary molded product 84 (base part 48), suppress the manufacturing error in the female connector 10, and more reliably achieve the electrical connection between the female connector 10 and the male connector 12.

[0066] Each metal cylinder 24 has a retaining protrusion 120 protruding toward the outer peripheral side, and each retaining protrusion 120 is embedded in the female housing 20. Thereby, even when the insertion and removal between the female connector 10 and the male connector 12 are repeated a large number of times, it is possible to stably prevent each metal cylinder 24 from falling off from the female housing 20.

[0067] The cover part 56 has elastic locking pieces 102 protruding toward the base part 48, and the base part 48 has locking parts 78 to which the elastic locking pieces 102 are locked. Thereby, for example, compared with the case where the cover part is bolt-fixed to the base part, the cover part 56 can be more easily assembled to the base part 48.

[0068] <Modification Example> As described above, as a specific example of the present disclosure, Embodiment 1 has been described in detail. However, the present disclosure is not limited by this specific description. Modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope that can achieve the object of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure. For example, modification examples of the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0069] (1) In the above embodiment, when forming the female housing 20, after forming the primary molded product 84, the secondary molded product 94 was formed, but it is not limited to this mode. That is, for example, when it is possible to form a locking portion in the cover portion where the elastic locking piece in the cover portion is locked by die cutting by changing the forming position of a nut or a female terminal (particularly, an outward protruding portion), the female housing may be formed by a single molding. In that case, by setting each metal cylinder in the molding cavity of the female housing and performing the molding of the female housing, a female connector can be obtained in which the inner peripheral surface of the opening side of each guide recess is formed by the inner peripheral surface of each metal cylinder. In the above embodiment, the cover portion 56 was fixed to the base portion 48 by locking each locking portion 78 to each elastic locking piece 102, but it is not limited to this mode, and the cover portion may be fixed to the base portion by bolt fixing or press fitting. Even in this case, the female housing may be formed by a single molding.

[0070] (2) In the above embodiment, the inner diameter dimension φA of each metal cylinder 24 was made equal to the inner diameter dimension φB of the portion connecting to the second end portion 114 of each metal cylinder 24 in each inner portion 64, but the inner diameter dimension φA may be smaller than the inner diameter dimension φB. Thereby, when each guide protrusion 26 is inserted into each guide recess 22, the possibility that each guide protrusion 26 contacts the inner surface 69 of each inner portion 64 can be further reduced. Note that the inner diameter dimension φA may be larger than the inner diameter dimension φB.

[0071] (3) The number, shape, etc. of the female terminals employed in the female connector according to the present disclosure are not limited. For example, when the male terminal inserted into the female terminal is pin-shaped, the male terminal insertion gap in the female terminal may be cylindrical, and the number of female terminals employed in the female connector may be one or three or more according to the number of male terminals.

[0072] (4) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the female connector 10 and the male connector 12 are applied to an automobile or a motorcycle has been illustrated. However, the female connector and the connector unit according to the present disclosure can be adopted in known locations where connectors can be coupled. Further, the number of guide recesses into which the guide protrusions are inserted in the female connector according to the present disclosure is not limited to two, and can be appropriately changed according to the number of guide protrusions in the male connector.

Explanation of Signs

[0073] 10 Female connector 12 Male connector 14 Connector unit 16 Female terminal 18 Male terminal 20 Female housing 22 Guide recess 24 Metal cylinder 26 Guide protrusion 28 Male housing 30 Female terminal body 32 Peripheral wall 34 Inner hole 36 Folded-back part 38 First contact part 40 Second contact part 42 Male terminal insertion gap 44 Outer protruding part 46 Bolt insertion hole 48 Base part 50 Hood part 52 Male terminal insertion hole 54 Lower opening 56 Cover part 58 Holding part 60 Connecting part 62 Outer extending part 64 Rear part 66 Through hole 68 Circular lid part 69 Inner surface 70 Large-diameter part on the tip side 72 Small-diameter part on the base end side 74 Cylindrical surface 76 Rear step surface 78 Locking part 80 Latching claw 82 Inclined surface 84 Primary molded product 86 Accommodation space 88 Cylinder holding part 90 Upper covering part 92 Outer resin part 94 Secondary molded product 96 Nut 98 Bottom wall part 100 Surrounding part 102 Elastic latching piece 104 Through window part 106 Inclined surface 108 Contact wall part 110 Inner peripheral surface 112 First end 114 Second end 116 Enticing surface 118 Outer peripheral surface 120 Anti-pulling protrusion 122 Small-diameter part on the tip side 124 Large-diameter part on the base end side 126 Cylindrical surface 128 Cylinder step surface

Claims

1. A female connector that is fitted to a male connector having a male housing made of synthetic resin that holds male terminals and metal guide protrusions, the female connector comprising: female terminals electrically connected to the male terminals; a female housing made of synthetic resin that holds the female terminals; a guide recess provided in the female housing, into which the guide protrusions are inserted before the male terminals and the female terminals are fitted, for positioning the male terminals and the female terminals; a metal cylinder embedded in the female housing; and an inner peripheral surface of the guide recess is formed by an inner peripheral surface of the metal cylinder. Female connector.

2. An end portion on the opening side of the guide recess is constituted by a first end portion on one side in the axial direction of the metal cylinder, the guide recess has a depth portion that extends to the other side in the axial direction beyond a second end portion on the other side in the axial direction of the metal cylinder, and an inner surface of the depth portion is formed by the female housing. The female connector according to claim 1.

3. The inner diameter of the metal cylinder of the guide recess is equal to or less than the inner diameter of a portion of the metal cylinder in the depth portion that is connected to the second end portion. The female connector according to claim 2.

4. An axial end surface on the second end portion side of the metal cylinder has a cylinder stepped surface provided with a small-diameter portion on the tip side and a large-diameter portion on the base end side, an axial end surface of the depth portion of the guide recess has a depth stepped surface provided with a large-diameter portion on the tip side and a small-diameter portion on the base end side, the cylinder stepped surface and the depth stepped surface are in contact with each other in the axial direction. The female connector according to claim 2 or claim 3.

5. The metal cylinder has a retaining projection that projects from an outer peripheral surface in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the metal cylinder, and the retaining projection is embedded in the female housing. The female connector according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. The female housing has a base portion that holds a base end portion of the female terminal, a hood portion that surrounds a tip portion of the female terminal protruding from the base portion, and a cover portion that has a male terminal insertion hole and covers an opening portion of the hood portion, the cover portion has an elastic locking piece that projects toward the base portion, the base portion has a locking portion that projects toward the cover portion and to which the elastic locking piece is locked. The female connector according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. A male connector having a male housing made of synthetic resin that holds male terminals and metal guide protrusions, A connector unit having the female connector according to claim 1 or claim 2.

Images