Connector
The connector design with a flexible arm on the metal terminal prevents housing cracks and maintains holding force by radially bending and locking into the resin housing.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024005343
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-30
AI Technical Summary
Conventional connectors cause cracks in the resin housing due to direct application of press-fit force, compromising the holding force.
A connector design featuring a metal terminal with a flexible arm that bends radially and pierces the resin housing, ensuring the flexible arm locks into the housing to prevent cracks and maintain holding force.
The design effectively suppresses housing cracks and ensures a strong holding force by using a flexible arm to absorb insertion stress.
Smart Images

Figure 2025111134000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, a connector has been proposed in which a pair of protrusions is provided on a terminal and is press-fitted into a terminal holding portion of a resin housing (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-179639 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional connector, the ridges are not expected to bend, so a press-fit force is applied directly to the resin housing, which can cause cracks in the housing.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that suppresses the occurrence of cracks in the housing and ensures a sufficient holding force. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector according to the present invention has the following features. A metal terminal attached to the end of the electric wire, A connector comprising: a resin housing that accommodates the terminals; The terminal has a flexible arm provided on an outer surface and having a tip that is flexible in a radial direction of the electric wire, The tip of the flexible arm is stuck into the inner surface of the housing. It is a connector. [Effect of the Invention]
[0007] According to the connector of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the generation of cracks in the housing and ensure the holding force.
[0008] As described above, the present invention has been briefly explained. Further, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief Description of the Drawings]
[0009]
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Figure 2
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Figure 5
Figure 6
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Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
[0010] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the respective drawings.
[0011] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “upper” and “lower” are defined. The “front-rear direction”, “left-right direction” and “upper-lower direction” are orthogonal to each other. Note that the front-rear direction corresponds to the “longitudinal direction of the electric wire” of the present invention. The front side corresponds to the “deep side in the insertion direction of the terminal” of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a connector 1 attached to the terminal of a shielded electric wire 10 as an electric wire. As shown in FIG. 2, the shielded electric wire 10 has a twisted wire 10A formed by twisting two electric wires, a braided wire 10B covering the twisted wire 10A, and an insulating sheath 10C covering the braided wire 10B. The connector 1 includes a metal inner terminal (not shown), a resin inner housing 3, a metal outer terminal 4 as a terminal, and an outer housing 5 as a resin housing that houses these inner terminal, inner housing 3, and outer terminal 4.
[0013] For the shielded electric wire 10, the sheath 10C at the terminal is removed and the braided wire 10B is exposed. Also, the terminal of the braided wire 10B is folded back outward and the terminal of the twisted wire 10A is exposed. The two electric wires constituting the twisted wire 10A have the covering portions at the terminals removed and the core wires exposed. Two inner terminals are provided. The two inner terminals are electrically connected to the core wires of the two electric wires constituting the exposed twisted wire 10A, for example, by caulking.
[0014] The inner housing 3 is provided with two terminal accommodation holes (not shown) for respectively accommodating the two inner terminals. The two terminal accommodation holes are respectively provided so as to penetrate the inner housing 3 in the front-rear direction. The two terminal accommodation holes are provided side by side in the front-rear direction.
[0015] The outer terminal 4 is formed by cutting metal. The outer terminal 4 houses the inner housing 3 and is electrically connected to the braided wire 10B of the shielded wire 10. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the outer terminal 4 is composed of two parts: a rear side portion 41 and a terminal connection portion 42 disposed in front of the rear side portion 41.
[0016] The rear side portion 41 is provided in a substantially cylindrical shape. The rear side portion 41 has a caulking portion 411 for caulking the folded braided wire 10B and a housing portion 412 for housing the inner housing 3, which is provided continuously behind the caulking portion 411.
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a flexible arm 413 that engages and locks into the outer housing 5 described later is provided on the outer surface of the housing portion 412. As shown in FIG. 5, the flexible arm 413 extends rearward from the outer surface of the housing portion 412 and obliquely extends away from the outer surface of the housing portion 412 as it extends rearward. The flexible arm 413 has a fixed end with its front end fixed to the outer surface of the housing portion 412 and a free end that is flexible in the radial direction of the shielded wire 10 at its rear end (tip).
[0018] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the flexible arm 413 is continuously provided over the entire circumference in the axial rotation direction around the front-rear direction on the outer surface of the housing portion 412. As shown in FIG. 5, the flexible arm 413 has a rear end face 413A, a rear outer side face 413B that is continuous with the outside of the rear end face 413A, a front outer side face 413C that is continuous with the front side of the rear outer side face 413B, and an inner side face 413D that is continuous with the inside of the rear end face 413A.
[0019] In the present embodiment, the rear end face 413A is provided in a ring shape when viewed from the rear side and is provided perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The rear outer side face 413B is provided perpendicular to the radial direction of the shielded wire 10. The front outer side face 413C and the inner side face 413D are provided on inclined surfaces that approach the outer surface of the housing portion 412 as they extend forward.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal connection portion 42 is electrically connected to the mating connector. The rear end of the terminal connection portion 42 is housed in the housing portion 412 and locks with the inner housing 3 housed in the housing portion 412.
[0021] The outer housing 5 is provided in a substantially cylindrical shape and houses the outer terminal 4 described above. The outer housing 5 has a housing portion 51, a housing portion 52 as a first housing portion, a housing portion 53 as a second housing portion, and a boundary portion 54 provided between the housing portion 52 and the housing portion 53. The shielded wire 10 is passed through a rubber ring-shaped packing 20. The shielded wire 10 on the rear side of the outer terminal 4 is passed through the packing 20.
[0022] The housing portion 51 is provided at the rear end of the outer housing 5 and houses the packing 20. The housing portion 52 is continuous with the front side of the housing portion 51. The inner diameter of the housing portion 52 is provided to be smaller than the inner diameter of the housing portion 51. The housing portion 52 is provided with an inner diameter such that the rear end (tip) of the flexible arm 413 does not bend when the outer terminal 4 is inserted. The caulking portion 411 of the outer terminal 4 is mainly housed in the housing portion 52.
[0023] The housing portion 53 is provided on the front side of the housing portion 52. The inner diameter of the housing portion 53 is provided to be smaller than the inner diameter of the housing portion 52. The housing portion 53 is provided with an inner diameter such that the rear end of the flexible arm 413 bends when the outer terminal 4 is inserted. The housing portion 412 of the outer terminal 4 and the terminal connection portion 42 are mainly housed in the housing portion 53.
[0024] The boundary portion 54 is provided between the housing portion 52 and the housing portion 53 and is provided on an inclined surface whose diameter decreases as the inner surface approaches the housing portion 53. No irregularities are provided on the inner surfaces of the housing portions 51 to 53.
[0025] Next, the state when inserting the outer terminal 4 into the above-described outer housing 5 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11. In FIGS. 6 to 11, for simplicity of the drawing, the inner housing 3 housed in the outer terminal 4, the shield wire 10 connected to the outer terminal 4, and the packing 20 are not shown.
[0026] Insert the front side of the outer terminal 4 through the rear opening of the outer housing 5. When the outer terminal 4 is moved forward, as shown in FIG. 6, the flexible arm 413 passes through the accommodating portion 51 and is inserted into the accommodating portion 52. The inner diameter of the accommodating portion 52 is provided so that the flexible arm 413 does not bend. For this reason, the flexible arm 413 does not bend within the accommodating portion 52.
[0027] When the outer terminal 4 is further moved forward, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the flexible arm 413 is inserted into the boundary portion 54, and the flexible arm 413 abuts against the inner surface of the boundary portion 54. When the flexible arm 413 passes through the boundary portion 54, the rear end bends along the inner surface provided on the inclined surface and gradually approaches the outer surface of the accommodating portion 412.
[0028] When the outer terminal 4 is further moved forward, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the flexible arm 413 is inserted to a specified position within the accommodating portion 53. The flexible arm 413 moves within the accommodating portion 53 in a bent state. Since the flexible arm 413 is bent, the outer terminal 4 does not forcibly expand the outer housing 5, and the occurrence of cracks in the outer housing 5 can be suppressed.
[0029] Also, after the outer terminal 4 is inserted to the specified position of the outer housing 5 and the movement of the outer terminal 4 is stopped, as shown in FIG. 11, due to the restoring force of the flexible arm 413, the tip of the flexible arm 413 pierces the inner surface of the outer housing 5 and is bite-locked. At this time, when a force to pull the outer terminal 4 backward is applied, the tip of the flexible arm 413 pierces deeper into the inner surface of the outer housing 5, and the holding force can be ensured.
[0030] Thrusting means that the tip of the flexible arm 413, i.e., the corner between the rear end face 413A and the rear outer side face 413B, thrusts into the smooth inner surface of the outer housing 5, deforming the inner surface of the outer housing 5 to form a recess, and the tip of the flexible arm 413 bites into and locks in the recess.
[0031] According to the above-described embodiment, by thrusting the flexible arm 413 of the outer terminal 4 into the inner surface of the outer housing 5, the occurrence of cracks in the outer housing 5 can be suppressed, and the holding force can be ensured.
[0032] According to the above-described embodiment, since the flexible arm 413 is provided over the entire circumference in the axial direction, the holding force can be further ensured.
[0033] According to the above-described embodiment, due to the inclined surface of the boundary portion 54, the tip of the flexible arm 413 is gradually bent while being accommodated in the second accommodation portion 53. Thereby, the outer terminal 4 can be smoothly inserted into the outer housing 5.
[0034] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. can be made as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.
[0035] In the above-described embodiment, the shielded wire 10 having the twisted wire 10A is employed as the electric wire, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The electric wire may be a shielded wire such as a coaxial cable, or may be an electric wire without a braided wire.
[0036] Also, according to the above-described embodiment, the flexible arm 413 is provided over the entire circumference in the axial direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. A plurality of flexible arms 413 may be arranged at intervals in the axial direction.
[0037] Here, the features of the embodiment of the connector according to the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed in [1] to [3] below, respectively. [1] A metal terminal (4) attached to the end of the electric wire (10), and In a connector (1) including a resin housing (5) that houses the terminal (4), The terminal (4) is provided on an outer surface and has a flexible arm (413) whose tip is flexible in the radial direction of the electric wire (10), The tip of the flexible arm (413) pierces the inner surface of the housing (5). Connector (1).
[0038] According to the configuration of [1] above, when inserting the terminal (4) into the housing (5), the flexible arm (413) bends, so that the generation of cracks in the housing (5) can be suppressed. Further, after the terminal (4) is inserted to a specified position in the housing (5), the tip of the flexible arm (413) pierces the inner surface of the housing (5), so that the holding force can be ensured.
[0039] [2] In the connector (1) described in [1], The flexible arm (413) is provided over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the electric wire (10) on the outer surface. Connector (1).
[0040] According to the configuration of [2] above, since the flexible arm (413) is provided over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, the holding force can be further ensured.
[0041] [3] In the connector (1) described in [1], The housing (5) is provided in a cylindrical shape, A first accommodating portion (52) having an inner diameter such that the tip of the flexible arm (413) does not bend when the terminal (4) is inserted, and Provided on the inner side (front side) in the insertion direction of the terminal (4), a second housing portion (53) having an inner diameter at which the tip of the flexible arm (413) bends when the terminal (4) is inserted, and a boundary portion (54) provided between the first housing portion (52) and the second housing portion (53), and provided on an inclined surface whose diameter decreases as the inner surface approaches the second housing portion (53). Connector (1).
[0042] According to the configuration of [3] above, due to the inclined surface of the boundary portion (54), the tip of the flexible arm (413) is gradually bent and accommodated in the second housing portion (53). Thereby, the terminal (4) can be smoothly inserted into the housing (5).
Explanation of reference numerals
[0043] 1 Connector 4 Outer terminal (terminal) 5 Outer housing (housing) 10 Shielded wire (wire) 52 Housing portion (first housing portion) 53 Housing portion (second housing portion) 54 Boundary portion 413 Flexible arm
Claims
1. A connector comprising a metal terminal attached to the end of a wire, and a resin housing for accommodating the terminal, wherein the terminal has a flexible arm provided on an outer surface thereof and having a tip that is flexible in a radial direction of the wire, and the tip of the flexible arm is inserted into an inner surface of the housing. Connector.
2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the flexible arm is provided over the entire circumference in a direction around an axis along the longitudinal direction of the wire on the outer surface. Connector.
3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing is provided in a cylindrical shape, and a first accommodating portion having an inner diameter such that the tip of the flexible arm does not bend when the terminal is inserted, and a second accommodating portion provided on the back side in the insertion direction of the terminal and having an inner diameter such that the tip of the flexible arm bends when the terminal is inserted, and a boundary portion provided between the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion and provided on an inclined surface whose diameter decreases as the inner surface approaches the second accommodating portion. Connector.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Connector terminal holding structure
JP2015179639A