Electric connector

Abstract

To provide an electric connector capable of satisfactorily maintaining a connection state between terminals which are mounted to cables.SOLUTION: In an electric connector 1 which comprises a first terminal 10 mounted to a first cable C1 and a second terminal 30 mounted to a second cable C2 and electrically connects the first cable C1 and the second cable C2 by fitting the second terminal 30 forward to the first terminal 10, each of the first terminal 10 and the second terminal 30 is formed by bending a metal plate member and can be brought into contact with each other in a fitting state. The first terminal 10 includes a reception part 11 in which a space for receiving the second terminal 30 is formed, and the reception part 11 includes a lock part 27. The second terminal 30 includes an insertion part 31 which is inserted into the reception part 11, and the insertion part 31 includes a locked part 35B-2 which can be locked from the front to the lock part 27 in the fitting state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector in which terminals attached to a cable are mated and connected to each other. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a receptacle terminal attached to the end of an electric wire and a mating insertion terminal attached to the end of another electric wire. Both the receptacle terminal and the mating insertion terminal are made by bending a metal plate member, and the mating insertion terminal is inserted into the receptacle terminal to connect them. The receptacle terminal has a mating clamping portion with a rectangular cylindrical outer shape, and a cantilever-shaped main leaf spring extending in the terminal insertion / removal direction is provided within the mating clamping portion. When connecting the terminals, a flat tab provided on the mating insertion terminal is inserted between the main leaf spring and the upper plate portion of the mating clamping portion. As a result, the tab is clamped between the main leaf spring and the upper plate portion and comes into contact with the main leaf spring with contact pressure, electrically connecting the terminals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-237375 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the connection between the receptacle terminal and the mating insertion terminal is maintained solely by the clamping force that the tab of the mating insertion terminal receives from the main leaf spring and upper plate portion of the receptacle terminal. Therefore, if an external force greater than the clamping force is inadvertently applied to the mating insertion terminal while the terminals are connected, the mating insertion terminal may easily come out of the receptacle terminal, making it impossible to maintain the connection.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector that can maintain a good connection between terminals attached to a cable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The electrical connector of the present invention has a first terminal attached to a first cable and a second terminal attached to a second cable, and electrically connects the first cable and the second cable by fitting the second terminal to the first terminal facing forward.

[0007] In such an electrical connector, the present invention is characterized in that the first terminal and the second terminal each have a shape formed by bending a metal plate member and are capable of contacting each other when mated, the first terminal has a receiving portion in which a space is formed for receiving the second terminal, the receiving portion has a locking portion, the second terminal has an insertion portion that is inserted into the receiving portion, and the insertion portion has a locked portion that can be engaged with the locking portion from the front when mated.

[0008] In the present invention, when connecting the first terminal and the second terminal, the insertion portion of the second terminal is inserted forward into the receiving portion of the first terminal and fits into the first terminal. When the first terminal and the second terminal are connected, the locked portion of the second terminal is positioned so that it can be locked from the front with the locking portion of the first terminal. Therefore, if an external force acts on the second terminal in the rearward direction, i.e., in the direction of removal of the second terminal, the locked portion of the second terminal locks with the locking portion of the first terminal from the front, preventing the second terminal from moving rearward. As a result, the second terminal is effectively prevented from being accidentally removed from the first terminal.

[0009] (2) In the invention of (1) above, the insertion portion has a lockable piece extending along the front-to-rear direction, and the lockable piece is elastically deformable in a direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction, and the lockable portion may be provided on the lockable piece.

[0010] (3) In the invention of (1) or (2) above, the receiving portion may have a base portion having a plate surface that intersects with the thickness direction of the electrical connector, side plate portions extending in the thickness direction from each side edge of the base in the width direction of the electrical connector, and a cover plate portion extending in the width direction from at least one of the side plate portions and facing the base in the thickness direction.

[0011] (4) In the invention of (3) above, the cover plate portion is provided within a portion of the receiving portion in the front-to-rear direction, and the receiving portion has a cylindrical receiving portion formed within the range of the cover plate portion in the front-to-rear direction and an open receiving portion formed rearward of the cylindrical receiving portion, and the open receiving portion is open in the thickness direction over the entire range in the front-to-rear direction, and the locked piece has an unlocking operation portion that undergoes an unlocking operation by being pressed in the thickness direction, and the unlocking operation portion may be provided so as to be located within the range of the open receiving portion in the front-to-rear direction and the width direction when in an engaged state.

[0012] In this configuration, the open receiving portion is open in the thickness direction over its entire range in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, when the second terminal is removed rearward from the first terminal, there is no interference between the unlocking operation portion and the jig, finger, etc. behind the unlocking operation portion when the unlocking operation portion is pressed with a tool, finger, etc. Therefore, while the unlocking operation portion is kept pressed with a tool, finger, etc., the second terminal can be moved rearward together with the tool, finger, etc. until it is out of the first terminal. This allows the second terminal to be easily removed from the first terminal.

[0013] (5) In the invention of (3) or (4) above, the receiving portion has a contact piece extending in the front-to-rear direction from the cover plate portion, the contact piece being located between the base and the cover plate portion in the thickness direction and being elastically deformable in the thickness direction, the insertion portion having an insertion plate portion with a plate surface intersecting the thickness direction and being inserted into the receiving portion, the insertion plate portion being located between the base and the contact piece in the thickness direction in the fitted state and having a contacted portion that can come into contact with the contact piece with contact pressure when supported by the base, and the base may extend continuously over at least a portion of the range in the front-to-rear direction and over the entire range in the width direction.

[0014] In this configuration, when the second terminal is connected to the first terminal, the insertion plate portion of the second terminal enters between the base portion and the contact piece of the first terminal from the rear. The contacted portion of the insertion plate portion, supported by the base, comes into contact with the contact piece with contact pressure and is sandwiched between the base and the contact piece. At this time, the contact piece presses the contacted portion toward the base in the thickness direction, so the base receives the pressing force from the contact piece through the contacted portion. If the base were discontinuous in the width direction over the entire range in the front-rear direction, the base subjected to the pressing force could deform, opening up the discontinuous portion. On the other hand, in the invention (5) above, the base extends continuously over the entire range in the width direction, at least in a portion in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the base has sufficient strength to resist the pressing force and is less likely to deform even when subjected to the pressing force. As a result, a good contact state with sufficient contact pressure between the contact piece and the contacted portion can be ensured.

[0015] (6) In the invention of (5) above, the cylindrical receiving portion has an external regulating portion extending in the width direction from at least one of the side plate portions, and the external regulating portion is provided on the opposite side of the cover plate portion from the base portion in the thickness direction, and is positioned so as to have an area that overlaps with the cover plate portion when viewed in the thickness direction, and may be able to regulate displacement of the cover plate portion in the thickness direction by abutting against the cover plate portion.

[0016] When the contact piece of the first terminal is in contact with the contacted portion of the second terminal, the contact piece receives a reaction force from the contacted portion toward the cover plate portion in the thickness direction. Because the contact piece extends from the cover plate portion, the cover plate portion receives a force in the same direction as the reaction force in the thickness direction. In the invention (6) above, the outer restricting portion can restrict displacement of the cover plate portion in the thickness direction, so that in the mated state, inadvertent deformation of the cover plate portion can be suppressed and good contact between the contact piece and the contacted portion can be maintained.

[0017] (7) In the invention of (5) or (6) above, the tubular receiving portion may have an internal regulating portion extending in the width direction from at least one of the side plate portions, and the internal regulating portion may be provided on the opposite side of the base portion from the locked piece in the thickness direction when in an engaged state, and may be positioned so as to have an area that overlaps with the locked piece when viewed in the thickness direction, and may be able to regulate displacement of the locked piece in the thickness direction by abutting against the locked piece.

[0018] In this configuration, even if an external force acts on the second terminal toward the cover plate portion in the thickness direction in the mated state, the inner restricting portion abuts against the locked piece, thereby restricting displacement of the locked piece and therefore the second terminal, thereby maintaining a good connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0019] (8) In the invention of (7) above, the cover plate portion may be provided on the opposite side of the base portion from the internal regulating portion in the thickness direction, and may be positioned so as to have an overlapping area with the internal regulating portion when viewed in the thickness direction, and may be able to regulate displacement of the internal regulating portion in the thickness direction by abutting against the internal regulating portion.

[0020] In this configuration, even if an external force acts on the inner restricting portion toward the cover plate in the thickness direction due to the locked piece of the second terminal abutting against the inner restricting portion of the first terminal in the thickness direction, the cover plate abuts against the inner restricting portion, thereby restricting displacement of the inner restricting portion. Therefore, displacement of the locked piece abutting against the inner restricting portion and, ultimately, the second terminal is also restricted. As a result, the connection state between the first terminal and the second terminal can be maintained in a good condition.

[0021] (9) In any of the inventions (1) to (8) above, the receiving portion may have an abutment portion that protrudes in the width direction toward the space of the receiving portion, and the abutment portion may be capable of abutting against the insertion portion from the front when in an engaged state.

[0022] In this configuration, when the insertion portion of the second terminal is inserted into the receiving portion of the first terminal, the abutment portion of the first terminal abuts against the insertion portion of the second terminal from the front, preventing excessive forward movement of the second terminal. Therefore, the second terminal is held in an appropriate position in the front-to-rear direction, ensuring a good connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0023] (10) In any of the inventions (1) to (9) above, the first terminal may have a first crimping piece that is crimped to the first cable, and the second terminal may have a second crimping piece that is crimped to the second cable, and the first crimping piece and the second crimping piece may be located on the same side of the electrical connector in the thickness direction.

[0024] In this configuration, the worker can reliably fit the first terminal and the second terminal together by positioning them so that both the first crimping piece and the second crimping piece are simultaneously visible from the same side in the thickness direction, thereby effectively avoiding misfitting of the terminals and facilitating the fitting and connection work. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] The present invention can provide an electrical connector that can maintain a good connection between terminals attached to a cable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state before mating and connection as viewed from above. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the electrical connector of FIG. 1 turned upside down. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view showing the mated and connected state of the electrical connector of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a first terminal, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a second terminal. [Figure 5] 1A is a plan view of the first terminal, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VB-VB of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along line VC-VC of FIG. [Figure 6] 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIA-VIA in FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIB-VIB in FIG. 5A. [Figure 7] (A) is a plan view of the second terminal, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIB-VIIB of (A), and (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIC-VIIC of (A). [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are diagrams showing a part of an electrical connector in a mated connection state, in which (A) is a plan view, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIB-VIIIB of (A), and (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIC-VIIIC of (A). [Figure 9] 8A and 8B are diagrams showing a part of the electrical connector in a mated and connected state, in which (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXA-IXA of FIG. 8A, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXB-IXB of FIG. 8A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] 1 to 3, an electrical connector 1 (hereinafter referred to as "connector 1") of this embodiment is composed of a first terminal 10 configured as a receptacle terminal and a second terminal 30 configured as a plug terminal to be mated with the first terminal 10. Hereinafter, the first terminal 10 and the second terminal 30 will be collectively referred to as "terminals 10, 30" as necessary. The terminals 10, 30 each have a shape formed by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction, and are capable of contacting each other when mated.

[0029] In this embodiment, the front-to-rear direction is the X-axis direction (X1 direction is the front, X2 direction is the rear), the width direction of the connector 1 is the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction, which is the thickness direction of the connector 1, is the Z-axis direction (Z1 direction is the up direction, Z2 direction is the down direction). The width directions of the first terminal 10 and the second terminal 30 are the same as the width direction of the connector 1, i.e., the Y-axis direction. In the following description of the first terminal 10 and the second terminal 30, the width directions of the first terminal 10 and the second terminal 30 will be referred to as the "terminal width directions."

[0030] 1, the first terminal 10 is attached to the rear end (the end on the X2 side) of a first cable C1 (hereinafter referred to as "first cable C1") extending in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). The second terminal 30 is attached to the front end (the end on the X1 side) of a second cable C2 (hereinafter referred to as "second cable C2") extending in the front-rear direction. The first cable C1 and the second cable C2 are electrically connected by fitting the second terminal 30 to the first terminal 10 facing forward (X1 direction).

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 4(A), the first terminal 10 has a receiving portion 11 in which a space is formed for receiving the second terminal 30, a wiring connection portion 14 to which the first cable C1 is connected forward of the receiving portion 11, and a transition portion 17 that connects the receiving portion 11 to the wiring connection portion 14.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the receiving portion 11 has a cylindrical receiving portion 12 located in a front region I and an open receiving portion 13 located in a rear region II. The receiving portion 11 has a base 18 having a plate surface (X-Y plane) perpendicular to the up-down direction (Z-axis direction), a pair of side plate portions 19 bent at right angles at the side edges on both sides of the base 18 in the terminal width direction (Y-axis direction) and extending upward, and a cover plate portion 20 bent at right angles at the upper edge of one of the side plate portions 19 and extending in the terminal width direction. Hereinafter, as necessary, the side plate portion 19 on the Y1 side of the pair of side plate portions 19 will be referred to as the “side plate portion 19A,” and the side plate portion 19 on the Y2 side will be referred to as the “side plate portion 19B.” In this embodiment, the cover plate portion 20 is bent at right angles at the upper edge of the side plate portion 19A and extends toward the Y2 side in the terminal width direction. The cover plate portion 20 extends to the position of the side plate portion 19B and faces the base portion 18 from above.

[0033] Two support protrusions 18A that protrude upward and extend in the front-rear direction are formed by embossing on the upper surface of the base 18. This pair of support protrusions 18A are adjacent to each other in the terminal width direction at the central region of the base 18 in the terminal width direction. The support protrusions 18A are formed in a range that straddles the front region I and the rear region II in the front-rear direction. Specifically, when the terminals 10, 30 are mated and connected to each other (hereinafter referred to as the "mated and connected state"), the support protrusions 18A are formed in approximately the same area as an insertion plate portion 32 (described later) of the second terminal 30 (see FIGS. 8(B) and (C)), and support the insertion plate portion 32 from below (see FIGS. 8(B) and (C) and FIG. 9(B)).

[0034] The cylindrical receiving portion 12 has a generally rectangular cylindrical shape that is surrounded by a base 18, both side plate portions 19, and the cover plate portion 20 in a front region I in the front-rear direction, i.e., in the range of the cover plate portion 20, and penetrates in the front-rear direction. The cylindrical receiving portion 12 further has an inner restricting portion 21 and an outer restricting portion 22 extending from the side plate portion 19B, a pair of abutting portions 23 extending from both side plate portions 19, and a contact piece 24 (see FIGS. 5(B) and (C)) and a stopper piece 25 extending from the cover plate portion 20.

[0035] The internal restriction portion 21 is bent at a right angle at the upper edge of the side plate portion 19B at the rear of the cylindrical receiving portion 12 and extends toward the Y1 side. As shown in Fig. 6(A), the tip end (free end) of the internal restriction portion 21 is located on the Y2 side of the support protrusion 18A in the terminal width direction. In other words, the internal restriction portion 21 is provided on the Y2 side in the terminal width direction at the top of the cylindrical receiving portion 12.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 6A, the internal restricting portion 21 is located directly below the cover plate portion 20. In other words, the cover plate portion 20 is located directly above the internal restricting portion 21, overlapping the internal restricting portion 21 in a vertical direction. Therefore, the cover plate portion 20 can abut against the internal restricting portion 21 from above, restricting upward displacement of the internal restricting portion 21. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, a slight gap is formed between the internal restricting portion 21 and the cover plate portion 20. Alternatively, the internal restricting portion 21 and the cover plate portion 20 may be arranged so that they come into contact with each other. As will be described later, the internal restricting portion 21 is located directly above a locking piece 34 provided on the Y2 side of the second terminal 30 in the mated connection state, restricting upward movement of the locking piece 34 (see FIGS. 9A and 9B).

[0037] The outer restricting portion 22 is bent at a right angle at the upper edge of the side plate portion 19B and extends toward the Y1 side at the front portion of the cylindrical receiving portion 12, i.e., forward of the inner restricting portion 21. As shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), the outer restricting portion 22 extends to the position of the side plate portion 19A, and is provided over almost the entire range of the cylindrical receiving portion 12 in the terminal width direction.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 4, the outer regulating portion 22 is located directly above the front portion of the cover plate portion 20 so as to overlap with the front portion of the cover plate portion 20 over almost the entire range when viewed in the up-down direction. Therefore, the outer regulating portion 22 can abut against the cover plate portion 20 from above, and regulates upward displacement of the cover plate portion 20. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6(A), a small gap is formed between the outer regulating portion 22 and the cover plate portion 20, but instead, the outer regulating portion 22 and the cover plate portion 20 may be arranged so as to come into surface contact with each other.

[0039] The abutting portions 23 are formed by cutting and raising the lower portions of both side plate portions 19 within the range of the outer restricting portions 22 in the front-rear direction and bending them inward in the terminal width direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, the abutting portions 23 protrude toward the lower portion of the space in the tubular receiving portion 12. As shown in FIG. 2, a notch 29 is formed around the abutting portions 23, penetrating the first terminal 10 in the plate thickness direction within a range spanning the base 18 and the side plate portions 19. The rear end surface (the plate thickness surface on the X2 side) of the abutting portions 23 faces the front end of the locking piece 34 of the second terminal 30 in the mated connection state, as described below (see FIG. 9A). Therefore, the abutting portions 23 can abut against the locking piece 34 from the front, thereby preventing excessive forward movement of the locking piece 34.

[0040] The contact piece 24 is bent back at the front edge of the cover plate portion 20 in the central region of the cover plate portion 20 in the terminal width direction, and extends rearward. As shown in Figures 5(B) and (C) , the contact piece 24 is located between the base portion 18 and the cover plate portion 20 in the vertical direction, and extends so as to slope downward toward the rear. The rear end of the contact piece 24 is located slightly forward of the stopper piece 25, and is formed with a contact portion 24A that is bent downward and convex. The contact piece 24 is elastically deformable in the vertical direction with its front end, i.e., the bent portion connected to the cover plate portion 20, as a fulcrum, and the contact portion 24A contacts the contacted portion 32B (described later) of the second terminal 30 from above (see Figures 8(B) and (C) ).

[0041] The stopper piece 25 is bent at a right angle at the rear edge of the cover plate portion 20 in the central region of the cover plate portion 20 in the terminal width direction, and extends downward. The stopper piece 25 is a portion for preventing erroneous insertion of the second terminal 30. When the second terminal 30 is inserted into the first terminal 10 in an orientation upside down from the correct orientation, the insertion plate portion 32 of the second terminal 30 abuts against the rear surface (the plate surface on the X2 side) of the stopper piece 25, thereby preventing the second terminal 30 from being erroneously inserted into the tubular receiving portion 12 of the first terminal 10. Furthermore, although the stopper piece 25 is bent downward, it is relatively short and rigid, and therefore can effectively prevent the above-mentioned erroneous insertion of the second terminal 30.

[0042] 5(B) and 5(C), the lower end of the stopper piece 25 is positioned so as to overlap the rear end (free end) of the contact piece 24 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the front end of the second terminal 30 does not abut against the rear end of the contact piece 24 from behind, and the stopper piece 25 prevents damage to the contact piece 24, such as buckling. If the second terminal 30 is inserted into the cylindrical receiving portion 12 of the first terminal 10 with the insertion plate portion 32 in a slightly tilted position, the upper surface of the insertion plate portion 32 abuts against the lower end of the stopper piece 25, and the insertion plate portion 32 is guided downward by the stopper piece 25. As a result, the second terminal 30 is returned from the tilted position to the normal position (parallel to the front-to-rear direction) and smoothly inserted forward into the cylindrical receiving portion 12. Thus, the stopper piece 25 also functions as a guide for the cylindrical receiving portion 12.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the open receiving portion 13 is formed in a rear region II by a base portion 18 and both side plate portions 19, penetrates in the front-rear direction, and is open upward. As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4(A), the open receiving portion 13 further has edge plate portions 26 extending from both side plate portions 19, and locking portions 27 and protrusions 28 extending from the edge plate portions 26. The edge plate portions 26 are bent at right angles toward the inside in the terminal width direction at the upper edges of both side plate portions 19 in an intermediate region of the open receiving portion 13 in the front-rear direction, and extend in the front-rear direction. In the mated connection state, the edge plate portions 26 are located directly above side wall portions 37 (described later) of the second terminal 30, and are configured to restrict upward displacement of the side wall portions 37 and, therefore, the second terminal 30 (see Figure 9(A)).

[0044] The locking portion 27 is bent at the inner edge (the edge extending in the front-rear direction) of the edge plate portion 26 in the intermediate region of the edge plate portion 26 in the front-rear direction and extends downward. In this embodiment, the locking portion 27 is inclined downward so as to be inward in the terminal width direction. In the mated connection state, the front end surface (the plate thickness surface on the X1 side) of the locking portion 27 is positioned to face from behind and be able to be locked by the locked portion 35B-2 provided on the locked piece 34 of the second terminal 30 (see FIG. 8(A)). As a result, the locking portion 27 restricts rearward movement of the locked portion 35B-2, preventing the second terminal 30 from being accidentally removed.

[0045] The protrusion 28 extends inward in the terminal width direction without being bent from the inner edge of the edge plate portion 26, forward of the locking portion 27. In the mated connection state, the protrusion 28 is located directly above a part of the locked portion 35B-2 provided on the second terminal 30 (see FIG. 8(A)), and restricts the upward displacement of the locked portion 35B-2.

[0046] 1 to 3, 4(A), etc., the wiring connection portion 14 has a pair of core crimping pieces 15 as first crimping pieces and a pair of coating crimping pieces 16 as first crimping pieces. The core crimping pieces 15 are provided on the upper side of the rear portion of the wiring connection portion 14, extending from both sides of the rear portion in the terminal width direction. These core crimping pieces 15 are crimped to a core wire (not shown) exposed at the rear end of the first cable C1 by being tightened to the core wire. When the core crimping pieces 15 are crimped, the free ends of the pair of core crimping pieces 15 face each other in the connector width direction, and this facing state can be seen from above.

[0047] The coating crimping pieces 16 are located forward of the core wire crimping pieces 15, are provided on the upper side of the front part of the connection portion 14, and extend from both sides of the front part in the terminal width direction. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, these coating crimping pieces 16 are crimped to the coating at the rear end of the first cable C1 by being tightened against the coating. When the coating crimping pieces 16 are crimped, the free ends of the pair of coating crimping pieces 16 face each other in the connector width direction, and this facing state can be seen from above.

[0048] The transition portion 17 extends forward from the front end of the receiving portion 11 and is connected to the rear end of the wire connection portion 14. As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 4(A), the dimension of the transition portion 17 in the terminal width direction (Y-axis direction) gradually decreases toward the front.

[0049] As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 4(B), the second terminal 30 has an insertion portion 31 that is inserted into the receiving portion 11 of the first terminal 10, a wiring connection portion 38 to which the second cable C2 is connected behind the insertion portion 31, and a transition portion 41 that connects the insertion portion 31 to the wiring connection portion 38.

[0050] The insertion portion 31 has an insertion plate portion 32 having a plate surface perpendicular to the vertical direction, a pair of bent portions 33 bent backward at the front end edge of the insertion plate portion 32, a locking piece 34 extending backward from the bent portion 33, and a pair of side wall portions 37 bent at both side edges of the insertion plate portion 32 in the terminal width direction (Y-axis direction) and extending upward.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4(B), the insertion plate portion 32 has an entry piece 32A at its front portion that protrudes forward in the central region in the terminal width direction. As shown in Figures 4(B) and 7(B), (C), the entry piece 32A has an upper surface that slopes downward toward the front, and the plate thickness (dimension in the vertical direction) gradually decreases toward the front. The entry piece 32A is located between a pair of bent portions 33 in the terminal width direction. In addition, the front end of the entry piece 32A protrudes forward beyond the bent portions 33.

[0052] The insertion plate portion 32 has a flat plate shape with a plate surface (XY plane) perpendicular to the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) behind the entry piece 32A. The central region of the insertion plate portion 32 in the terminal width direction, specifically the portion located between two locking arm portions 35 described below, is formed as a contacted portion 32B for contacting the contact portion 24A of the first terminal 10. As described below, the contacted portion 32B has a flat upper surface that comes into contact with the contact portion 24A with contact pressure.

[0053] The bent portions 33 are provided at both end regions of the insertion plate portion 32 in the terminal width direction, extending from the front edge of the insertion plate portion 32. The bent portions 33 are bent so as to fold back toward the rear above the insertion plate portion 32. The distance between the outer surfaces of the bent portions 33 on both sides in the terminal width direction is set to be slightly smaller than the distance between the inner surfaces of the side plate portions 19 on both sides of the tubular receiving portion 12 of the first terminal 10.

[0054] The lockable piece 34 has a pair of lockable arms 35 that extend rearward from the bent portion 33 and are elastically deformable in the up-down direction, and a connecting portion 36 that connects the rear ends of the pair of lockable arms 35. Therefore, the lockable piece 34 has a generally U-shape that opens forward when viewed in the up-down direction. In this way, by providing the pair of lockable arms 35 in the lockable piece 34, the arm width of each lockable arm 35 is reduced, making it easier to elastically deform, while by connecting both lockable arms 35 with the connecting portion 36, the strength of the lockable piece 34 itself is improved.

[0055] 4(B), the pair of locking arms 35 have an inclined portion 35A that extends rearward from the bent portion 33 so as to narrow the gap between the locking arms 35, and a parallel portion 35B that continues from the inclined portion 35A and extends rearward while remaining parallel to each other. The parallel portion 35B also has an inclined portion 35B-1 that rises upward rearward in the middle in the front-to-rear direction.

[0056] The pair of locking arms 35 are provided at positions different from the contact pieces 24 and stopper pieces 25 of the first terminal 10 in the terminal width direction. When the locking arms 35 are inserted into the cylindrical receiving portion 12 of the first terminal 10, they are positioned on both sides of the contact pieces 24 and stopper pieces 25 (see FIGS. 8(A)-(C) and 9(A) and (B)). The pair of locking arms 35 are also provided at positions where they overlap the contact pieces 24 and stopper pieces 25 in the vertical direction (see FIGS. 8(B) and (C) and 9(A) and (B)). In this manner, in this embodiment, by providing the locking arms 35 at positions different from the contact pieces 24 and stopper pieces 25 in the terminal width direction, they can be provided at positions where they overlap each other in the vertical direction without interfering with each other. As a result, the vertical dimension of the connector 1 can be reduced by the dimension corresponding to the overlapping portion, thereby enabling the connector 1 to be miniaturized in the vertical direction.

[0057] The rear end of the parallel portion 35B forms a locked portion 35B-2 at its rear end surface (the plate thickness surface on the X2 side) that can be locked with the locking portion 27 of the first terminal 10. The plate surface of the locked portion 35B-2 is approximately parallel to the plate surface of the insertion plate portion 32B (the plate surface perpendicular to the up-down direction). Strictly speaking, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, it extends so as to be slightly inclined upward as it extends rearward. In this embodiment, the locked portion 35B-2 is configured to be able to be locked with the locking portion 27, thereby restricting rearward movement of the locked portion 35B-2. Furthermore, in the mated connection state, a portion of the locked portion 35B-2 is located below the protruding portion 28 of the first terminal 10 and can abut against the protruding portion 28 from below (see FIG. 8A). In this embodiment, the locked portion 35B-2 abuts against the protruding portion 28 from below, thereby restricting excessive upward elastic deformation of the locked arm portion 35B-2.

[0058] In this embodiment, the plate surface of the locked portion 35B-2 faces the plate surface of the insertion plate portion 32. On the other hand, the plate surface of the locking portion 27 of the first terminal 10 extends in a direction intersecting the plate surface of the base portion 18 of the first terminal 10. Therefore, the locked portion 35B-2 and the locking portion 27 are in an intersecting positional relationship when viewed in the front-to-rear direction. In this positional relationship, when the second terminal 30 is pulled rearward in the mated connection state, the locked portion 35B-2 more reliably abuts against the locking portion 27, making it easier to lock. As a result, the second terminal 30 is effectively prevented from being accidentally removed.

[0059] In this embodiment, the locking portion 27 and the locked portion 35B-2 are locked by abutting their plate thickness surfaces, providing high strength against abutment forces. As described above, the locked portion 35B-2 of the second terminal 30 is disposed substantially parallel to the plate surface of the insertion plate portion 32B, so the presence of the locked portion 35B-2 does not increase the size of the second terminal 30 in the vertical direction.

[0060] The connecting portion 36 extends in the terminal width direction so as to connect the rear ends of the locked portions 35B-2 together. The connecting portion 36 has an unlocking operation portion 36A that protrudes rearward from the center in the terminal width direction. The unlocking operation portion 36A is a portion that receives a pressing force from above to unlock the terminals 10, 30 when the connector is removed. In this embodiment, the unlocking operation portion 36A protrudes rearward to ensure a large upper surface area, making the unlocking operation easy. Furthermore, the unlocking operation portion 36A is positioned between both locking portions 27 of the first terminal 10 in the mated connection state, so interference with the locking portions 27 is avoided (see FIG. 8(A)).

[0061] The side wall portions 37 are formed rising from both side edges of the insertion plate portion 32 between a position immediately behind the bent portion 33 in the front-rear direction and the transition portion 41. In this embodiment, the distance between the outer surfaces of the side wall portions 37 is approximately the same as the distance between the outer surfaces of the bent portions 33 on both sides located forward of the side wall portions 37. Therefore, when the bent portion 33 is received in the tubular receiving portion 12 in the front region I of the first terminal 10 during mating connection, the side wall portions 37 are received in the open receiving portion 13 in the rear region II of the first terminal 10.

[0062] The side wall 37 has a recess 37A recessed from the upper edge at a midpoint in the front-to-rear direction. The side wall 37 also has a notch cut out at the top of its front end to form a stepped positioning portion 37B. The positioning portion 37B of the side wall 37 located on the Y2 side is positioned so that its front end surface (thickness surface) perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction can abut against the rear end surface (thickness surface) of the inner restricting portion 21 of the first terminal 10 from behind in the mated connection state (see FIG. 9(A)).

[0063] Furthermore, in the side wall portion 37, a portion located behind the recess 37A is located directly below the edge plate portion 26 of the first terminal 10 in the mated connection state, and can abut against the edge plate portion 26 from below (see FIG. 9(A)). In this embodiment, the side wall portion 37 abuts against the edge plate portion 26 from below, thereby restricting upward movement of the side wall portion 37.

[0064] The wiring connection portion 38 has a pair of core crimping pieces 39 as second crimping pieces and a pair of coating crimping pieces 40 as second crimping pieces. The core crimping pieces 39 are provided on the upper side of the front portion of the wiring connection portion 38, extending from both sides of the front portion in the terminal width direction. These core crimping pieces 39 are crimped to a core wire (not shown) exposed at the front end of the second cable C2 by being tightened to the core wire. When the core crimping pieces 39 are crimped, the free ends of the pair of core crimping pieces 39 face each other in the connector width direction, and this facing state can be seen from above.

[0065] The coating crimping pieces 40 are provided rearward of the core wire crimping pieces 39 and above the rear portion of the connection portion 38, extending from both sides of the rear portion in the terminal width direction. These coating crimping pieces 40 are crimped to the coating of the front end portion of the second cable C2 by being tightened against the coating. When the coating crimping pieces 40 are crimped, the free ends of the pair of coating crimping pieces 40 face each other in the connector width direction, and this facing state can be seen from above.

[0066] The transition portion 41 extends rearward from the rear end of the insertion portion 31 and is connected to the front end of the wire connection portion 38. As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 4(B), the dimension of the transition portion 41 in the terminal width direction (Y-axis direction) gradually decreases toward the rear.

[0067] Next, the mating and connecting operation of the connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1, 3, 8(A)-(C), and 9(A) and (B). Here, Figure 8(A) shows a portion of the electrical connector in a mated and connected state. Figure 8(A) is a plan view, Figure 8(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIB-VIIIB of Figure 8(A), and Figure 8(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIC-VIIIC of Figure 8(A). Figure 9(A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXA-IXA of Figure 8(A), and Figure 9(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXB-IXB of Figure 8(A). Note that the connection portion 14, the connection portion 38, the first cable C1, and the second cable C2 are not shown in Figures 8(A)-(C) and 9(A) and (B).

[0068] First, as shown in Fig. 1 , the first terminal 10 is connected to the first cable C1, and the second terminal 30 is connected to the second cable C2. Then, the first terminal 10 is placed in an upward position so that the core crimping pieces 15 and the coating crimping pieces 16 can be seen from above, and the second terminal 30 is placed in an upward position so that the core crimping pieces 39 and the coating crimping pieces 40 can be seen from above. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 1 , the second terminal 30 is placed behind the first terminal 10 with both the first cable C1 and the second cable C2 extending in the front-to-rear direction. Next, the second terminal 30 is moved forward, and the insertion portion 31 of the second terminal 30 is inserted into the receiving portion 11 of the first terminal 10.

[0069] In this embodiment, the core crimping pieces 15 and the coating crimping pieces 16 of the first terminal 10 and the core crimping pieces 39 and the coating crimping pieces 40 of the second terminal 30 are all provided on the upper side, so that the state in which the free ends of each pair of crimping pieces face each other can be seen from above. Therefore, if the worker positions the first terminal 10 and the second terminal 30 so that both the crimping pieces of the first terminal 10 (the core crimping pieces 15 and the coating crimping pieces 16) and the crimping pieces of the second terminal 30 (the core crimping pieces 39 and the coating crimping pieces 40) are both visible from above, the terminals can be reliably mated without mis-mating.

[0070] Furthermore, if the second terminal 30 is inserted into the first terminal 10 in a position that is upside down relative to the normal position, the entry piece 32A of the second terminal 30 will abut against the stopper piece 25 of the first terminal 10 from behind, preventing further forward movement of the second terminal 30, thereby reliably preventing erroneous fitting of the second terminal 30.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the crimping pieces of both terminals of the first terminal 10 and the second terminal 30 are provided above the connection portion, but the positions at which the crimping pieces of both terminals are provided are not limited to this and may be provided, for example, below the connection portion. In other words, it is sufficient that the crimping pieces of both terminals are provided on the same side so that they can be seen simultaneously.

[0072] During the insertion of the second terminal 30, the movement of the side wall portion 37 of the second terminal 30 in the terminal width direction is restricted by the inner surface of the side plate portion 19 of the first terminal 10. The side wall portion 37 of the second terminal 30 moves directly below the edge plate portion 26 of the first terminal 10, and the upward movement of the second terminal 30 is restricted by the edge plate portion 26. In this way, the movement of the second terminal 30 in the terminal width direction and the up-down direction is restricted, so that the second terminal 30 can be reliably guided into the tubular receiving portion 12.

[0073] As the insertion of the second terminal 30 progresses, the sloped portion 35B-1 of the locked piece 34 abuts against the lower end of the locking portion 27 of the first terminal 10 and receives a reaction force from the lower end. As a result, the locking arm 35 gradually elastically deforms downward, allowing the second terminal 30 to move further forward and continuing the insertion. Then, the portion of the locking arm 35 rearward of the sloped portion 35B-1 is pressed against the lower surface (thickness surface) of the locking portion 27, and the locking arm 35 continues to be elastically deformed to the maximum extent while the insertion of the second terminal 30 continues.

[0074] When the second terminal 30 is further inserted forward into the cylindrical receiving portion 12 of the first terminal 10, the pair of locking arms 35 of the second terminal 30 move forward after passing both sides of the stopper piece 25 provided on the cylindrical receiving portion 12, and then passing both sides of the contact piece 24. In other words, the stopper piece 25 provided on the cylindrical receiving portion 12 and the contact piece 24 enter between the pair of locking arms 35 from the front.

[0075] Furthermore, when the second terminal 30 moves forward and the rear end of the locking arm 35, i.e., the locked portion 35B-2, reaches a position forward of the locking portion 27 of the first terminal 10, the locking arm 35 is released from its elastically deformed state and returns to its free state, as shown in FIGS. 8(B) and 8(C). As a result, the locked portion 35B-2 approaches the locking portion 27 in front of it. Therefore, the locked portion 35B-2 can be locked by the locking portion 27 from the front, and the second terminal 30 is prevented from moving rearward, i.e., in the locked state. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8(A), in the locked state, the locked portion 35B-2 and the connecting portion 36 of the second terminal 30 are located within the range of the open receiving portion 13 in the front-rear direction and the terminal width direction.

[0076] 9(A), the bent portion 33 approaches the contact portion 23 behind the contact portion 23, and the positioning portion 37B of the Y2-side side wall portion 37 approaches the internal restricting portion 21 behind the internal restricting portion 21. In this way, the bent portion 33 is positioned so as to be able to abut against the abutting portion 23, and the positioning portion 37B is positioned so as to be able to abut against the internal restricting portion 21 from behind, thereby restricting further forward movement of the second terminal 30. As a result, the electrical connection and locked state between the terminals are maintained, and the mating connection operation is completed.

[0077] Meanwhile, the insertion plate portion 32 of the second terminal 30 enters between the base portion 18 of the first terminal 10 and the contact piece 24 from the rear. At this time, after the entry piece 32A of the insertion plate portion 32 passes under the stopper piece 25, the insertion plate portion 32 abuts against the contact portion 24A of the contact piece 24, pressing the contact piece 24 upward and elastically deforming it. As shown in FIG. 8(C), even after the second terminal 30 is completely inserted, the elastically deformed state of the contact piece 24 is maintained, and the contact portion 24A comes into contact with the contacted portion 32B of the insertion plate portion 32 from above with contact pressure. As a result, the first terminal 10 and the second terminal 30 are electrically connected. Note that in FIG. 8(C), the contact piece 24 is not shown in an elastically deformed state, and the contact portion 24A is shown overlapping the contacted portion 32B. However, in reality, the contact piece 24 is elastically deformed upward by the vertical dimension of the overlap.

[0078] When contacted portion 32B is in contact with contact portion 24A, contacted portion 32B is supported from below by support protrusion 18A of base 18, and is sandwiched between support protrusion 18A and contact portion 24A. At this time, contact portion 24A presses contacted portion 32B from above toward support protrusion 18A, so that base 18, which has support protrusion 18A, receives a pressing force from contact portion 24A via contacted portion 32B.

[0079] If the base of the first terminal were discontinuous across its entire length in the front-to-rear direction, the base would be deformed by the pressure, opening up the discontinuous portion. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the base 18 of the first terminal 10 extends continuously across the entire width of the terminal, most of the length in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., excluding the area of ​​the notch 29. Therefore, the base 18 has sufficient strength to resist the pressure, and is therefore less likely to deform even when subjected to the pressure. As a result, a satisfactory contact state with sufficient contact pressure between the contact portion 24A and the contacted portion 32B can be ensured.

[0080] In this embodiment, the base 18 supports the contacted portion 32B by the support protrusions 18A that protrude upward. Therefore, the support force that supports the contacted portion 32B from below is concentrated on the support protrusions 18A, so the contact pressure between the contact portion 24A and the contacted portion 32B can be increased compared to when the support protrusions 18A are not provided.

[0081] Furthermore, when the contact portion 24A and the contacted portion 32B are in contact with each other, the contact portion 24A receives an upward reaction force from the contacted portion 32B. Because the contact piece 24 having the contact portion 24A extends from the cover plate portion 20, the cover plate portion 20 receives an upward force in the same direction as the reaction force. In this embodiment, the outer restricting portion 22 can restrict upward displacement of the cover plate portion 20. Therefore, in the mated connection state, inadvertent deformation of the cover plate portion 20 is suppressed, and good contact between the contact portion 24A and the contacted portion 32B can be maintained.

[0082] In this embodiment, the front portion of the second terminal 30 is inserted into the tubular receiving portion 12 of the first terminal 10, and the front end of the second terminal 30 is hidden by the tubular receiving portion 12, so the degree of insertion cannot be visually confirmed. However, even if the second terminal 30 is inserted with a strong operating force, the bent portion 33 and the positioning portion 37B of the second terminal 30 abut against the abutment portion 23 and the inner restricting portion 21 of the first terminal 10, respectively, so that the second terminal 30 is not over-inserted. Therefore, the insertion position of the second terminal 30 is automatically determined. Moreover, this abutment provides a tactile sensation that the second terminal 30 has been inserted to the predetermined position.

[0083] Furthermore, when the second terminal 30 reaches the correct insertion position, the locked arm 35 returns upward to its free state, causing the locked portion 35B-2 to hit the protruding portion 28 of the first terminal 10 from below, providing a clicking sensation. This clicking sensation also allows the user to recognize that the second terminal 30 has been inserted into the correct insertion position.

[0084] 8(A) and 8(B), in the mated connection state, the locked portion 35B-2 of the second terminal 30 faces the locking portion 27 of the first terminal 10 from the front so as to be able to be locked. Therefore, even if the second terminal 30 is pulled rearward in the mated connection state, the locked portion 35B-2 is locked by the locking portion 27, preventing the second terminal 30 from moving rearward. As a result, the second terminal 30 is effectively prevented from being accidentally removed.

[0085] 8(B), the locked portion 35B-2 is inclined slightly upward toward the rear, so that when the locked portion 35B-2 abuts against the locking portion 27 and is engaged (locked state), the locked portion 35B-2 is displaced upward, i.e., toward the base portion of the locking portion 27 (the bent portion connected to the edge plate portion 26). In other words, the locked portion 35B-2 moves away from the free end (the lower end of the locking portion 27) that is easily released, and as a result, the lock deepens and becomes more difficult to release. Note that, although the locked portion 35B-2 is inclined in this embodiment, if a sufficient lock depth can be ensured, the locked portion may not be inclined and may be, for example, parallel to the front-to-rear direction.

[0086] 8(A) and 8(B), in the mated connection state, the protrusion 28 of the first terminal 10 is located directly above a part of the locked portion 35B-2 of the second terminal 30. Therefore, even if an external force acting upward on the locking arm 35 in the mated connection state is inadvertently applied, the locked portion 35B-2 abuts against the edge plate portion 26 from below, thereby restricting the upward displacement of the locking arm 35. As a result, damage to the locking arm 35 can be effectively prevented.

[0087] 9(A), in the mated and connected state, the edge plate portion 26 of the first terminal 10 is located directly above the side wall portion 37 of the second terminal 30. Therefore, even if, for example, the second cable C2 is inadvertently pulled upward in the mated and connected state, and an external force acts on the second terminal 30 such that the rear portion of the second terminal 30 is lifted upward, the side wall portion 37 abuts against the edge plate portion 26 from below, thereby restricting the upward displacement of the rear portion of the second terminal 30. As a result, a good mated and connected state can be maintained.

[0088] 9(A) and 9(B), in the mated connection state, the internal restricting portion 21 of the first terminal 10 is located directly above the front portion of the locking arm portion 35 located on the Y2 side. Therefore, even if, for example, the second cable C2 is inadvertently pulled downward in the mated connection state and an external force acts on the second terminal 30 such that the front portion of the locking arm portion 35 is lifted upward, the front portions of the locking arm portions 35 each abut against the internal restricting portion 21 from below, thereby restricting upward displacement of the front portion of the second terminal 30. As a result, a good mated connection state can be maintained.

[0089] In this embodiment, the cover plate portion 20 is provided directly above the inner restricting portion 21, and the outer restricting portion 22 is provided directly above the cover plate portion 20. Therefore, when the front portion of the locking arm portion 35 abuts against the inner restricting portion 21 from below as described above, the upward displacement of the inner restricting portion 21 is restricted by the cover plate portion 20, and the upward displacement of the cover plate portion 20 is restricted by the outer restricting portion 22, thereby effectively restricting the displacement of the second terminal 30 and more reliably maintaining the mated connection state.

[0090] When removing the second terminal 30 from the first terminal 10 in the mated connection state, the upper surface of the unlocking operation portion 36A of the second terminal 30 is pressed from above with a tool (not shown) or a finger (not shown) to elastically deform the locking arm 35 downward, thereby bringing the locked portion 35B-2 to a position below the locking portion 27 of the first terminal 10. As a result, the state in which the locked portion 35B-2 and the locking portion 27 can be engaged (locked state) is released. Then, while maintaining the elastically deformed state of the locking arm 35, the second terminal 30 is pulled backward to pass the locking arm 35 below the locking portion 27, thereby removing the second terminal 30.

[0091] In this embodiment, the open receiving portion 13 of the first terminal 10 is open upward over its entire range in the front-to-rear direction, and the unlocking operation portion 36A provided on the connecting portion 36 of the second terminal 30 is located within the range of the open receiving portion 13 in the front-to-rear direction and the terminal width direction. Therefore, when the second terminal 30 is removed rearward from the first terminal 10, when the unlocking operation portion is pressed with a tool, finger, or the like, there is no part behind the unlocking operation portion 36A or the tool, finger, or the like that interferes with them. Therefore, while the unlocking operation portion 36A is kept pressed with a tool, finger, or the like, the second terminal 30 can be moved rearward together with the tool, finger, or the like to the outside of the first terminal 10. Therefore, the second terminal 30 can be easily removed from the first terminal 10.

[0092] In this embodiment, the contact piece 24 of the first terminal 10 extends rearward from the front edge of the cover plate portion 20 of the tubular receiving portion 12 within the tubular receiving portion 12, but the shape of the contact piece is not limited to this and, for example, it may be arranged to extend forward from the rear edge of the cover plate portion.

[0093] In this embodiment, the base 18 of the first terminal 10 extends continuously over the entire range in the terminal width direction, but only over a portion of the range in the front-rear direction, i.e., excluding the range of the notch 29. As a variation, the base may extend continuously over the entire range in the front-rear direction and over the entire range in the terminal width direction. In this case, no notch is formed in the base, and the abutment portion is provided in a different position from that in this embodiment.

[0094] In the present embodiment, in the first terminal 10, the cover plate portion 20 extends only from the Y1-side side plate portion 19A of the pair of side plate portions 19, but as a modified example, the cover plate portion may extend from both side plate portions, or may extend only from the Y2-side side plate portion. In that case, the inner restricting portion and the outer restricting portion are provided at positions that do not interfere with the cover plate portion.

[0095] In this embodiment, in the first terminal 10, the inner restricting portion 21 extends only from the Y2-side side plate portion 19B of the pair of side plate portions 19, but as a modified example, the inner restricting portion may extend from both side plate portions, or may extend only from the Y1-side side plate portion. In that case, the cover plate portion and the outer restricting portion are provided in positions that do not interfere with the inner restricting portion.

[0096] In this embodiment, in the first terminal 10, the outer restricting portion 22 extends only from the Y2-side side plate portion 19B of the pair of side plate portions 19, but as a modified example, the outer restricting portion may extend from both side plate portions, or may extend only from the Y1-side side plate portion. In that case, the cover plate portion and the inner restricting portion are provided in positions that do not interfere with the outer restricting portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1 connector 10 First terminal 11 Reception Department 12 Cylindrical receiving section 13 Open Receiving Section 15 Core wire crimping piece (first crimping piece) 16. Insulation crimping piece (first crimping piece) 18 base 19,19A,19B Side plate part 20 Cover plate part 21 Internal Regulation Department 22 External Control Section 23 Contact part 24 Contact piece 27 Rock Club 30 Second terminal 32 Insertion plate 32B Contacted part 34 Locked piece 35B-2 Locked part 36A Unlock operation part 39 Core wire crimping piece (second crimping piece) 40 Insulation crimping piece (second crimping piece) C1 First Cable (First Cable) C2 Second Cable (Second Cable)

Claims

1. An electrical connector having a first terminal attached to a first cable and a second terminal attached to a second cable, the first cable and the second cable being electrically connected by fitting the second terminal to the first terminal with the second terminal facing forward, The first terminal and the second terminal each have a shape formed by bending a metal plate member, and are capable of contacting each other in a fitted state, the first terminal has a receiving portion in which a space for receiving the second terminal is formed, The receiving portion has a locking portion, the second terminal has an insertion portion that is inserted into the receiving portion, The electrical connector is characterized in that the insertion portion has a locked portion that can be locked from the front with respect to the locking portion when the connector is fitted.

2. The insertion portion has a locking piece extending along the front-rear direction, The locked piece is elastically deformable in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction, 2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the lockable portion is provided on the lockable piece.

3. The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein the receiving portion has a base having a plate surface that intersects the thickness direction of the electrical connector, side plate portions extending in the thickness direction from each side edge of the base in the width direction of the electrical connector, and a cover plate portion extending in the width direction from at least one of the side plate portions and facing the base in the thickness direction.

4. The cover plate portion is provided within a range of a part of the receiving portion in the front-rear direction, The receiving portion has a cylindrical receiving portion formed within the range of the cover plate portion in the front-rear direction, and an open receiving portion formed rearward of the cylindrical receiving portion, The open receiving portion is open in the thickness direction in the front-rear direction, The locked piece has an unlocking operation portion that is pressed in the thickness direction to perform an unlocking operation, 4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein the unlocking operation portion is provided so as to be positioned within the range of the open receiving portion in the front-rear direction and the width direction in the mated state.

5. The receiving portion further includes a contact piece extending in the front-rear direction from the cover plate portion, the contact piece is located between the base portion and the cover plate portion in the thickness direction and is elastically deformable in the thickness direction; the insertion portion has an insertion plate portion having a plate surface intersecting the thickness direction and inserted into the receiving portion, the insertion plate portion is located between the base portion and the contact piece in the thickness direction in a fitted state, and has a contacted portion that is supported by the base portion and can come into contact with the contact piece with contact pressure, 4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein the base portion extends continuously over at least a portion of the length in the front-rear direction and over the entire length in the width direction.

6. the cylindrical receiving portion has an outer restriction portion extending in the width direction from at least one of the side plate portions, The electrical connector of claim 5, wherein the external regulating portion is provided on the opposite side of the cover plate portion from the base portion in the thickness direction, and is positioned so as to have an area that overlaps with the cover plate portion when viewed in the thickness direction, and is able to regulate displacement of the cover plate portion in the thickness direction by abutting against the cover plate portion.

7. the cylindrical receiving portion has an inner restricting portion extending in the width direction from at least one of the side plate portions, 7. An electrical connector as described in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein, in a mated state, the internal regulating portion is provided on the opposite side of the base portion from the locked piece in the thickness direction, and is positioned so as to have an area that overlaps with the locked piece in the thickness direction, and is able to regulate displacement of the locked piece in the thickness direction by abutting against the locked piece.

8. The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein the cover plate portion is provided on the opposite side of the base portion from the internal regulating portion in the thickness direction, and is positioned so as to have an overlapping area with the internal regulating portion when viewed in the thickness direction, and is capable of regulating displacement of the internal regulating portion in the thickness direction by abutting against the internal regulating portion.

9. the receiving portion has a contact portion that protrudes toward a space in the receiving portion in the width direction, 2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the abutting portion is capable of abutting against the inserting portion from the front in a mated state.

10. the first terminal has a first crimping piece that is crimped to the first cable, the second terminal has a second crimping piece that is crimped to the second cable, 2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the first crimping piece and the second crimping piece are provided on the same side in a thickness direction of the electrical connector.

Images