Connector and release tool

Abstract

To ensure terminal removal force while reducing the number of parts, and to facilitate the insertion and removal of terminals.SOLUTION: A connector 110 electrically connects a conductive member 14 and an O-type crimp terminal 11, and includes a conductive contact 40 that contacts the conductive member 14 and the O-type crimp terminal 11, and a housing 20 that accommodates the contact 40 and has an insertion opening 27 through which the O-type crimp terminal 11 can be inserted and removed. The contact 40 includes a fixed portion 41 that is fixed to a bottom surface portion 21 of the housing 20, an elastically deformable bent piece portion 42, and a contact portion 43b that contacts the conductive member 14. The bent piece portion 42 includes a bead 44 that engages the O-type crimp terminal 11 inserted into the housing 20, and displaces a plate-shaped portion 42a when pressed, releasing the O-type crimp terminal 11 from its engaged state. The housing 20 has ceiling portions 25b, 26b, and the O-type crimp terminal 11 is held between the ceiling portions 25b, 26b and the plate-shaped portion 42a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector that electrically connects a conductor and a terminal, and a disconnecting jig. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, connectors have been used to electrically connect a conductor, such as a main board of an electronic device, to a terminal attached to one end of a cable or the like made of bundled electric wires. Specifically, the terminal is fixed to the connector, and contacts on the connector side can be brought into contact with the conductor, thereby electrically connecting the conductor and the terminal. As a terminal, for example, a crimp terminal that is fixed to the connector using a screw member is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, when removing a terminal such as a crimp terminal from the connector, the fixed state to the connector is released using a tool, jig, or the like as necessary.

[0003] However, using screws to secure the terminals requires additional steps during connector assembly, including the steps of forming screw holes in the connector, aligning the connector, and fastening the screws. This also requires the use of tools and jigs, such as screwdrivers, to remove the screws. These steps make it difficult to achieve satisfactory results when using the connector, including the steps of securing and unsecuring the terminals. Furthermore, the use of screws may unnecessarily increase the number of components in the connector.

[0004] In response to such problems, a connector has been disclosed that improves workability when using the connector and reduces the number of parts (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0005] The connector disclosed in Document 2 is composed of a housing and contacts, and in order to secure the crimp terminal, the crimp terminal is clamped between a base portion 1a, which is part of the contact, and a connecting terminal 1b, and the cut-and-raised portion 1f, which is also part of the contact, prevents the crimp terminal from slipping out of the fixed position. Therefore, no screw member is required to secure the crimp terminal to the contact. Furthermore, to release the locked state, the elastic lock-release piece 1h, which is part of the contact, is pressed down to push down the cut-and-raised portion 1f, which is also part of the contact, and the lock of the crimp terminal by the cut-and-raised portion 1f can be released, allowing the crimp terminal to be pulled out of the connector.

[0006] In this way, the connector disclosed in Document 2 is fixed by inserting the crimp terminal into the contact, whereby it is clamped and locked by the base portion 1a, the connecting terminal 1b, and the cut-and-raised portion 1f, which are parts of the contact, so the number of steps required to fix the crimp terminal to the connector is reduced and workability is improved compared to the connector disclosed in Document 1. Furthermore, since no screw members are required to fix the crimp terminal to the connector, the number of parts is also reduced compared to the connector disclosed in Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-112086 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-118790 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, when attempting to fix a terminal to a connector without using a screw member, the fixation is often not strong enough. In other words, when a screw member is not used, the removal force required to remove the terminal from the connector is small, and there is a concern that the fixed terminal may unintentionally come out of the connector.

[0009] Furthermore, since connectors are generally used by repeatedly inserting and removing terminals, if elastic members such as contacts are used to fix the terminals, there is a concern that the contacts will undergo plastic deformation, making it impossible to repeatedly use the connector as the number of uses increases. However, the connector disclosed in Document 2 did not take these concerns into consideration at all.

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a connector and a release jig that can reduce the number of parts in a reusable connector, ensure the terminal removal force, and make it easy to insert and remove the terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector of the present invention is a connector that electrically connects a conductor and a terminal, and comprises: conductive contacts that contact the conductor and the terminal; and a case that houses the contacts and has an opening through which the terminal can be inserted and removed; the contacts have a fixing portion that is fixed to the case, at least one elastic portion that can be elastically displaced, and a contact portion that contacts the conductor; the elastic portion has a locking portion that locks the terminal inserted into the case, and a pressed portion that is pressed to displace the locking portion and release the terminal from the locked state; the case or contact has a terminal abutment portion, and the terminal is held between the terminal abutment portion and the elastic portion.

[0012] With this configuration, in the connector according to the present invention, the locking portion, which is part of the elastic portion of the contact, locks the terminal inserted into the case, and the terminal abutment portion and the elastic portion hold the terminal, so when connecting the terminal, there is no need for work steps such as forming screw holes in the connector, aligning them, fastening screws, etc. This simplifies the process of inserting the terminal into the connector and reduces the number of parts.

[0013] Furthermore, since the locking portion locks the terminal inserted into the case, the removal force required when removing the terminal from the connector can be secured, and the fixed terminal can be prevented from unintentionally coming out of the connector.

[0014] Furthermore, when the pressed portion is pressed, the locking portion is displaced and the terminal is released from the state in which it is locked by the locking portion, making it easy to release the terminal from the locked state and remove the terminal, thereby improving the workability when using the connector.

[0015] In the above-described connector, the locking portion may be a protrusion formed on the elastic portion, and may be capable of locking the terminal by engaging with an attachment portion provided on the terminal.

[0016] With this configuration, the connector of the present invention has a protrusion formed on the elastic portion that serves as a locking portion that engages with a mounting portion provided on the terminal to lock the terminal, so connecting the terminal does not require work steps such as forming screw holes in the connector, aligning them, fastening screw members, etc. This improves workability when using the connector and reduces the number of parts.

[0017] In addition, since the protrusions lock the terminals inserted in the case, the removal force required to remove the terminals from the connector can be secured, preventing the fixed terminals from unintentionally coming out of the connector. Furthermore, the removal force can be adjusted by setting the shape of the protrusions, and the desired removal force can be secured.

[0018] Furthermore, when the pressed portion is pressed, the protrusion is displaced and the terminal is released from the state in which it is locked by the protrusion, which makes it easy to release the terminal from the locked state, thereby improving the workability when using the connector.

[0019] In the above-described connector, the case may be formed with a space in which the terminal and a release jig that presses the pressed portion can move along the insertion / removal direction.

[0020] With this configuration, the connector according to the present invention has an internal space that allows the terminals and the release tool to move along the insertion / removal direction of the case, making it easy to remove the terminals from the case, thereby improving workability when using the connector.

[0021] In the above-described connector, the case may have a guide portion, and when the pressed portion is pressed, the locking portion may be at a height equal to or lower than the guide portion in the space.

[0022] With this configuration, when the connector of the present invention is configured such that, in the space described above, the locking portion is at a height equal to or lower than the guide portion that supports the terminal when the pressed portion is pressed, the movement of the terminal is not impeded by the elastic portion when the terminal is moved in the removal direction, thereby facilitating the removal of the terminal from the connector.

[0023] In the above-mentioned connector, the pressed portion may be pressed by a release tool that can release the terminal from the locked state by pressing the pressed portion, and when released, at least a part of the release tool may be shaped to be positioned inside the mounting portion of the terminal.

[0024] With this configuration, in the connector according to the present invention, the pressed portion is pressed by the release jig, and the terminal is released from the locked state. Then, by moving the release jig in the removal direction, the terminal is reliably released from the locking portion, and by further moving it, the terminal can be removed from the case. Therefore, after pressing the pressed portion with the release jig, the release jig and the terminal can be removed from the case as is, and the two operations can be performed as a single operation rather than as separate operations. This simplifies the process of releasing the terminal fixed to the connector and removing it from the case, improving the ease of use of the connector.

[0025] In the above-described connector, the locking portion may also serve as the pressed portion.

[0026] With this configuration, the connector according to the present invention can be constructed with fewer parts because the locking portion that locks the terminal also serves as the pressed portion that releases the terminal from the locked state when pressed, resulting in a simpler connector configuration and a reduced number of parts.

[0027] In the above-mentioned connector, the elastic portion has a curved portion extending from one end of the fixed portion and an extending portion extending from one end of the curved portion, including an edge portion, and the locking portion is the edge portion and may be capable of locking the terminal by contacting the terminal at an acute angle with respect to the direction in which the terminal is removed.

[0028] With this configuration, the connector of the present invention has an edge of the extension formed on the elastic portion that serves as a locking portion, contacting the terminal at an acute angle with respect to the removal direction to lock the terminal, so that connecting the terminal does not require work steps such as forming screw holes in the connector, aligning them, fastening screw members, etc. This improves workability when using the connector and reduces the number of parts.

[0029] In the above-mentioned connector, the case is formed with a release window portion into which a release tool can be inserted to press the pressed portion, and the pressed portion may be formed in the extension portion and face the release window portion.

[0030] In the above-described connector, the release window may be formed to have a size or shape that makes the locking portion invisible.

[0031] With this configuration, the connector of the present invention is designed so that when the terminals are locked inside the case, the edges cannot be seen through the release window, thereby preventing the user from accidentally touching the edges and impairing the function of the edges to lock the terminals.

[0032] In the above-described connector, when the terminal is engaged with the engaging portion, the release tool may be configured to abut against at least a portion of the terminal when it presses the pressed portion.

[0033] With this configuration, when the release jig presses the pressed portion of the connector according to the present invention, it abuts against a part of the terminal, preventing the release jig from pressing the pressed portion below the height position of the terminal and causing plastic deformation of the connector contacts, thereby extending the life of the connector parts.

[0034] In the above-described connector, the case may have an opening, and a support portion for supporting the terminal may be formed in the opening.

[0035] With this configuration, when inserting or removing a terminal into or from the case, the connector of the present invention places the end of the terminal on the support portion formed in the opening, allowing for stable insertion and removal of the terminal without shaking. This simplifies the process of inserting or removing a terminal into or from the case, improving the operability when using the connector.

[0036] In the above-described connector, the case may have at least a part of the side surface and a part of the top surface cut out at the opening, so that a part of the support portion is visible from the top surface side.

[0037] With this configuration, when placing the terminals on the supports, the terminals can be placed on the supports while being aware of the positions of the supports, facilitating adjustment of the terminal positions, facilitating the work of inserting the terminals into the case and improving the workability when using the connector.

[0038] In the above-mentioned connector, the contact or case may have a pressure prevention portion, which abuts against a part of the connector when the pressed portion is pressed in a direction from the top surface portion toward the bottom surface portion, thereby regulating displacement of the elastic portion.

[0039] With this configuration, the connector of the present invention has a press-preventing portion that abuts against a part of the connector when the pressed portion is pressed, thereby restricting displacement of the elastic portion, thereby preventing excessive pressing of the pressed portion and plastic deformation of the connector contacts, thereby extending the life of the connector components.

[0040] In the above-described connector, the case may have a viewing window formed in the upper surface portion, through which it is possible to visually confirm that the terminal is inserted therein.

[0041] With this configuration, the connector of the present invention has a viewing window formed on the top surface of the case that makes it easy to check from the top side of the case that the terminals have been properly inserted to the specified positions within the case and fixed in place, which simplifies the process of checking when inserting and fixing the terminals into the case and improves operability when using the connector.

[0042] In the above-described connector, the case may be formed with abutment portions that restrict movement of the terminals beyond a predetermined range in the insertion direction.

[0043] With this configuration, the connector of the present invention restricts movement beyond a specified range within the connector when a terminal is inserted, making it easy to insert the terminal to the appropriate insertion direction position within the case, thereby improving workability when using the connector.

[0044] The release jig of the present invention is a release jig that presses the pressed portion of a connector, and has a pressing portion that presses the pressed portion and an abutting portion that abuts against an abutted portion that is a location other than the pressed portion, and is configured so that the height from the pressing portion to the abutting portion is greater than or equal to the height from the guide portion to the abutted portion.

[0045] With this configuration, when the release jig according to the present invention presses the pressed portion, it abuts against the contact portion, which is a location other than the pressed portion. This prevents the release jig from pressing the pressed portion below the height position of the terminal and causing plastic deformation of the connector contact. This extends the component life of the connector. Furthermore, because the height from the pressing portion to the abutting portion is equal to or greater than the height from the guide portion to the abutted portion, when the press portion presses the pressed portion, the abutting portion abuts against the abutted portion, and the pressed portion is pushed downward below the guide portion, releasing the terminal from its locked state. Then, with the terminal released from its locked state, moving the release jig in the removal direction reliably releases it from the locking portion. Further movement removes the terminal together with the release jig from the case. Therefore, after pressing the pressed portion with the releasing jig, it is possible to remove the releasing jig and the terminal from inside the case as is, and the two operations can be performed as a single operation rather than as separate operations. This makes it easy to release the terminal fixed to the connector and remove it from inside the case, improving the workability when using the connector.

[0046] In the above-mentioned release jig, the release jig has a slider portion, and when the release jig presses the pressed portion, the slider portion is shaped so that at least a portion of it is positioned within the upper space, and when the release jig is moved in the insertion / removal direction, it is shaped so that it moves through the space in the insertion / removal direction, and the height from the slider portion to the abutment portion may be less than the height from the terminal abutment portion to the abutted portion.

[0047] With this configuration, in the releasing jig according to the present invention, the height from the slider portion to the abutting portion is equal to or less than the height from the terminal abutting portion to the abutted portion, so that when the pressing portion presses the abutted portion, the abutting portion abuts the abutted portion, and the slider portion comes into contact with the terminal but does not abut normally. Therefore, when the terminal is released from the locked state, moving the releasing jig in the removal direction makes it easy to remove the terminal and the releasing jig from inside the case, improving operability when using the connector.

[0048] In the above-described releasing jig, the width of the slider portion may be substantially narrower than the width of the upper space.

[0049] With this configuration, the width of the slider portion in the insertion / removal direction of the release jig according to the present invention is narrower than the width of the space, so that when the pressing portion presses the pressed portion, the slider portion abuts the abutted portion, and although it may come into contact with the case, it does not normally abut. Therefore, when the terminals are released from their locked state, moving the release jig in the removal direction makes it easy to remove the terminals and the release jig from within the case, improving operability when using the connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0050] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector and a release jig that can reduce the number of parts in a reusable connector, ensure the force required to remove the terminals, and facilitate the insertion and removal of the terminals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0051] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a housing used in a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a contact used in a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view seen from the y direction showing a state before an O-type crimp terminal is inserted into a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 6, showing a state in which an O-type crimp terminal is inserted into the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view seen from the y direction showing a state in which an O-type crimp terminal is inserted into a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an O-type crimp terminal is inserted into a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a conductive member is attached. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an O-type crimp terminal is inserted into a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a conductive member is attached. FIG. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views showing the process of releasing the fixation of an O-type crimp terminal from a connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 9A shows the state where pressing by the release jig has begun, and FIG. 9B shows the state where pressing by the release jig has been completed. [Figure 10] 10(a) and 10(b) are cross-sectional views showing the process of removing an O-type crimp terminal from a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 10(a) shows the state in which the O-type crimp terminal has been released from its fixation by a release jig, and FIG. 10(b) shows the state in which the O-type crimp terminal is being removed. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a housing used in a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a contact used in a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 15A and 15B show a state before a Y-type crimp terminal is inserted into a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 15A being a perspective view and FIG. 15B being a cross-sectional view seen from the y direction. [Figure 16] 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 17, showing a state in which a Y-type crimp terminal is inserted into the connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 10 is a cross-sectional view seen from the y direction showing a state in which a Y-type crimp terminal is inserted into a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 18] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a Y-type crimp terminal is inserted into a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a conductive member is attached. FIG. [Figure 19] 19(a) and 19(b) show a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 19(a) being a top view and FIG. 19(b) being a perspective view. [Figure 20] 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing a process of removing the Y-type crimp terminal from the connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] 21(a) shows the state where pressing by the release tool has started, and FIG. 21(b) shows the state where pressing by the release tool has been completed. [Figure 22] 22(a) and 22(b) are cross-sectional views taken along line AA in FIG. 20 showing a modified example of the process for releasing the fixation of a Y-type crimp terminal from a connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 22(a) shows the state where pressing by the release jig has begun, and FIG. 22(b) shows the state where pressing by the release jig has been completed. [Figure 23] 23(a) shows the process of removing a Y-type crimp terminal from a connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 23(a) being an oblique view of the connector in a state before the Y-type crimp terminal is released from its fixed position by a release jig, FIG. 23(b) being an oblique view of the BB cross section of the connector in FIG. 23(a) in a state before the Y-type crimp terminal is released from its fixed position by a release jig, and FIG. 23(c) being an oblique view of the BB cross section of the connector in FIG. 23(a) in a state after the Y-type crimp terminal has been released from its fixed position by the release jig. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a housing used in a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a contact used in a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] 27(a) and 27(b) are top views showing the process of inserting a Y-type crimp terminal into a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 27(a) shows the state in which the Y-type crimp terminal is being inserted and FIG. 27(b) shows the state in which the Y-type crimp terminal is fixed. [Figure 28] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a Y-type crimp terminal is inserted into a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention and a conductive member is attached. FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a housing used in a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a contact used in a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 32] 32(a) and 32(b) show a state before a Y-type crimp terminal is inserted into a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 32(a) being a perspective view and FIG. 32(b) being a cross-sectional view. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a Y-type crimp terminal is inserted into a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 34] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a Y-type crimp terminal is inserted into a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention and a conductive member is attached. FIG. [Figure 35] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a Y-type crimp terminal is inserted into a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention and a conductive member is attached. FIG. [Figure 36] 36(a) and 36(b) show a state in which a Y-type crimp terminal is inserted into a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 36(a) being a perspective view and FIG. 36(b) being a cross-sectional view taken along line AA. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] (First embodiment) A connector 10 according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0053] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a connector 10 according to this embodiment. In Figure 1, the X direction is the insertion / removal direction, the Y direction is the depth direction, and the Z direction is the height direction, and this also applies to Figure 2 and subsequent figures. The positive side of the X direction is sometimes referred to as the insertion direction, the negative side as the removal direction, the positive side of the Z direction as the upper side, and the negative side as the lower side.

[0054] (connector) As shown in Fig. 1, connector 10 includes housing 20 and contacts 40. As shown in Fig. 8, connector 10 secures O-type crimp terminal 11 and contacts conductive member 14, thereby electrically connecting O-type crimp terminal 11 and conductive member 14. O-type crimp terminal 11 secured to connector 10 can be easily released from the secured state using a jig or the like, as will be described later.

[0055] The O-type crimp terminal 11 has a round hole 11a and is a metal conductor connected to one end of a cable 12 formed by bundling electric wires. The O-type crimp terminal 11 constitutes a terminal according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the O-type crimp terminal 11 is used as the terminal, but a terminal other than a crimp terminal may be used as long as it can be fixed to the connector 10. The conductive member 14 is a member including a metal conductor provided on, for example, a component or a board that relays between an electronic device and the connector 10. The conductive member 14 constitutes a conductor according to the present invention.

[0056] (housing) FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a housing 20 according to this embodiment. The housing 20 accommodates and fixes the contacts 40. The housing 20 has a bottom surface 21 and side walls 22, 23, and 24. The housing 20 is formed of a synthetic resin such as PBT, but may be made of other synthetic resins. The housing 20 constitutes a case according to the present invention. Note that, in the following, a resin housing will be described as an example of the case according to the present invention, but the case is not necessarily limited to a housing, and may also include cases where the housing and the contacts are the same part.

[0057] The side wall portion 22 and the side wall portion 24 face each other along the insertion / removal direction of the O-type crimp terminal 11. A side groove 25 for moving the O-type crimp terminal 11 in the insertion / removal direction is formed on the side wall portion 22 inside the housing 20 along the insertion / removal direction. The side groove 25 has a guide portion 25a, a ceiling portion 25b, a side rear wall portion 25c, and an abutment portion 25d. The guide portion 25a is the bottom surface of the side groove 25 and supports the O-type crimp terminal 11 when it is inserted into or removed from the housing 20. The ceiling portion 25b is the upper surface of the side groove 25 and abuts against the O-type crimp terminal 11 when the O-type crimp terminal 11 is fixed to the connector 10. The side rear wall portion 25c is a side surface of the side groove 25 and determines the depth position of the O-type crimp terminal 11. The abutting portion 25d is a portion that the O-type crimp terminal 11 abuts against in the side groove 25 when the O-type crimp terminal 11 is inserted into the housing 20, and determines the insertion direction position of the O-type crimp terminal 11. The guide portion 25a constitutes the guide portion according to the present invention, and the ceiling portion 25b constitutes the terminal abutting portion according to the present invention.

[0058] Similarly, a side groove 26 for moving the O-type crimp terminal 11 in the insertion / removal direction is formed on the inside of the side wall 24 of the housing 20. The side groove 26 has a guide portion 26a, a ceiling portion 26b, a rear side wall portion 26c, and an abutment portion 26d. The guide portion 26a is the bottom surface of the side groove 26 and supports the O-type crimp terminal 11 when it is inserted into or removed from the housing 20. The ceiling portion 26b is the upper surface of the side groove 26 and abuts against the O-type crimp terminal 11 when the O-type crimp terminal 11 is fixed to the connector 10. The rear side wall portion 26c is the side surface of the side groove 26 and determines the depth position of the O-type crimp terminal 11. Abutment portion 26d is a portion that O-type crimp terminal 11 abuts against in side groove 26 when O-type crimp terminal 11 is inserted into housing 20, and determines the insertion direction position of O-type crimp terminal 11. Guide portion 26a constitutes a guide portion according to the present invention, and ceiling portion 26b constitutes a terminal abutment portion according to the present invention. By placing both ends of O-type crimp terminal 11 in the depth direction on guide portions 25a and 26a, the insertion and removal of O-type crimp terminal 11 from housing 20 becomes stable and easy.

[0059] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 10 taken along the line AA in FIG. 6 , showing the connector 10 with an O-type crimp terminal inserted. As shown in FIG. 5 , the O-type crimp terminal 11 is held or clamped between the ceiling portions 25b, 26b and a bent portion 42 (described later). In addition, the O-type crimp terminal 11 is locked by a bead 44 (described later), ensuring the necessary removal force when removing the O-type crimp terminal 11 from the connector 10 and preventing the fixed O-type crimp terminal 11 from unintentionally coming out of the connector 10. The ceiling portions 25b, 26b may be located on the side walls 22, 24 or the top surface 22a, for example. In this embodiment, the O-type crimp terminal 11 is held or clamped between the ceiling portions 25b, 26b (terminal contact portions) of the housing 20 and the bent portion 42. However, the terminal contact portions may be located on the contact side rather than the housing side, and the O-type crimp terminal 11 may be held or clamped by multiple portions of the contact.

[0060] The upper surface 22a of the side wall 22 has a notch 29 cut out at the insertion opening 27. Similarly, the upper surface 24a of the side wall 24 has a notch 30 cut out at the insertion opening 27. By forming the notches 29, 30 at the insertion opening 27 in this manner, the guide portions 25a, 26a can be seen from the top surface of the housing 20 when placing the O-type crimp terminal 11 on the guide portions 25a, 26a, making it easy to adjust the position of the O-type crimp terminal 11. The guide portions 25a, 26a may be surfaces that are approximately horizontal with respect to the bottom surface of the housing 20. The side rear wall 25c is sandwiched between the guide portion 25a and the ceiling portion 25b. The side rear wall 26c is sandwiched between the guide portion 26a and the ceiling portion 26b. The rear side wall portions 25c and 26c face each other in the depth direction. Although notches 29 and 30 are provided in the insertion opening 27, at least a portion of the rear side wall portions 25c and 26c is not cut out. This allows the rear side wall portions 25c and 26c to determine the position of the O-type crimp terminal 11 when the O-type crimp terminal 11 is placed on the guide portions 25a and 26a, making it easier to insert the O-type crimp terminal 11. The rear side wall portions 25c and 26c may have any shape that matches the shape of the O-type crimp terminal 11, as long as the shape can determine the position of the O-type crimp terminal 11.

[0061] The height positions of the side grooves 25, 26 are arbitrary as long as they are capable of retaining the O-type crimp terminal 11, and may be changed depending on the purpose. The height positions of the side grooves 25, 26 are set by first setting the height of the ceiling portions 25b, 26b, and then setting the height of the guide portions 25a, 26a. For example, if it is desired to increase the force with which the contact 40 retains the O-type crimp terminal 11, first the height of the ceiling portions 25b, 26b is set low. Next, the height of the guide portions 25a, 26a is set low, thereby setting the height positions of the side grooves 25, 26. The height of the guide portions 25a, 26a is set according to the height of the ceiling portions 25b, 26b. This is because if the height from guide portions 25a, 26a to ceiling portions 25b, 26b in side grooves 25, 26 becomes too high, O-type crimp terminal 11 becomes unstable within side grooves 25, 26 and becomes prone to wobbling, and conversely, if the height from guide portions 25a, 26a to ceiling portions 25b, 26b becomes too low, O-type crimp terminal 11 cannot be inserted into side grooves 25, 26. By setting the height position of side grooves 25, 26 low, the height position at which O-type crimp terminal 11 is inserted into housing 20 becomes lower, which increases the displacement of bent piece portions 42 of contact 40 and increases the elastic force of contact 40. This increases the force with which contact 40 locks O-type crimp terminal 11.

[0062] Conversely, if it is desired to weaken the force with which the contact 40 locks the O-type crimp terminal 11, first the heights of the ceiling portions 25b, 26b are set higher. Next, the heights of the guide portions 25a, 26a are set higher, thereby setting the height position of the side grooves 25, 26 higher. By setting the height position of the side grooves 25, 26 higher, the height position at which the O-type crimp terminal 11 is inserted into the housing 20 becomes higher, which reduces the displacement of the bent piece portions 42 of the contact 40 and the elastic force of the contact 40. This makes it possible to weaken the force with which the contact 40 locks the O-type crimp terminal 11.

[0063] The bottom surface portion 21 forms the bottom surface of the housing 20, and has a rectangular hole portion 21a formed on the side closer to the side wall portion 23 in the insertion / removal direction. The bottom surface portion 21 comes into contact with and fixes the fixing portion 41 of the contact 40. After a lance 41c (described later) enters the hole portion 21a, it comes into contact with the edge of the hole portion 21a, thereby restricting movement of the contact 40 relative to the housing 20. In this embodiment, the hole portion 21a is rectangular, but the shape of the hole portion 21a is not limited to this and may be other shapes. The position of the hole portion 21a may also be other positions.

[0064] The housing 20 has an insertion opening 27 formed on the side opposite the side wall 23 where the O-type crimp terminal 11 is inserted, allowing the O-type crimp terminal 11 to be inserted in the insertion / removal direction. The insertion opening 27 constitutes an opening according to the present invention. The upper surface of the housing 20 is open, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a portion of the contact 40 protrudes upward from the housing 20 before the O-type crimp terminal 11 is inserted. An insertion / removal space 28 is formed inside the housing 20 from the insertion opening 27 to the side wall 23 along the insertion / removal direction, allowing the O-type crimp terminal 11 and a releasing jig 15 (described later) to be inserted and removed. The insertion / removal space 28 is the space inside the housing 20, i.e., the space surrounded by the inner surfaces 22b, 23b, and 24b. The space above the O-type crimp terminal 11 in the insertion / removal space 28 shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) is referred to as an upper space 28a.

[0065] (contact) 3 is a perspective view of contact 40 according to the present embodiment. Contact 40 is a conductive member that contacts conductive member 14 and O-type crimp terminal 11. Contact 40 has fixed portion 41, bent piece portion 42, and bent piece portion 43. Contact 40 is formed of a metal such as a copper alloy, but may be formed of other conductive metals. Fixed portion 41 constitutes the fixed portion according to the present invention, bent piece portion 42 constitutes the elastic portion according to the present invention, and bent piece portion 43 constitutes the contact portion according to the present invention.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 4 , the fixed portion 41 is fixed to the bottom surface 21 of the housing 20. The fixed portion 41 has a hole 41a and a pressure prevention portion 45 formed below the bent piece 42. The fixed portion 41 also has a hole 41b and a lance 41c formed below the bent piece 43. The hole 41a is formed to prevent the bent piece 42 from contacting the fixed portion 41 when a bead 44 (described later) is pressed. Contact between the bent piece 42 and the fixed portion 41 can cause wear of the bent piece 42, potentially shortening the component life of the connector 10. However, the provision of the hole 41a prevents this. The lance 41c displaces and passes through the hole 41b to enter the hole 21a in the bottom surface 21 of the housing 20, then contacts the edge of the hole 21a, restricting movement of the contact 40 relative to the housing 20. A press-fit piece may be provided on one or both sides of the fixed portion 41 in the Y direction and press-fitted into the housing inner surface portions 22b, 24b to restrict movement of the contact 40. In this embodiment, the hole 41a is provided. However, depending on the position, shape, and size of the housing 20 and the contact 40, the bent piece 42 may not contact the fixed portion 41 or the like when the bead 44 is pressed. In such cases, the hole 41a may not be provided. The press-preventing portion 45 protrudes upward and contacts the bent piece 42 when the bead 44 (described later) is pressed vertically downward, restricting its displacement. This prevents excessive pressure on the bead 44 and plastic deformation of the contact 40 of the connector 10. In this embodiment, the press-preventing portion 45 is formed on the contact 40, but it does not necessarily have to be formed on the contact 40; it may be formed on the housing 20.

[0067] The bent piece 42 is an elastically deformable portion and has a plate-like portion 42a, a curved portion 42b, and a bead 44. The plate-like portion 42a is the main body of the bent piece 42 and is elastically deformed when an external force is applied by the O-type crimp terminal 11 inserted into the housing 20. The curved portion 42b is a curved portion extending from the fixed portion 41. When the O-type crimp terminal 11 is inserted into the housing 20 in the insertion / removal direction, the bead 44 and the plate-like portion 42a are pressed by the O-type crimp terminal 11 and are displaced downward. As shown in FIG. 5, the O-type crimp terminal 11 is held or clamped between the plate-like portion 42a and the ceiling portions 25b and 26b. In addition, since the O-type crimp terminal 11 is locked by the bead 44 described later, the removal force required when removing the O-type crimp terminal 11 from the connector 10 can be secured, and the fixed O-type crimp terminal 11 can be prevented from unintentionally coming out of the connector 10.

[0068] The bead 44 is a protrusion formed on the plate-like portion 42a. The bead 44 engages with a round hole 11a provided in the O-type crimp terminal 11 to lock the O-type crimp terminal 11 inserted into the housing 20. When the bead 44 is pressed downward in the height direction, it is displaced downward together with the plate-like portion 42a and released from the state of engagement with the round hole 11a of the O-type crimp terminal 11. When the O-type crimp terminal 11 is inserted into the housing 20 in the insertion / removal direction, the bead 44 and the plate-like portion 42a are pressed by the O-type crimp terminal 11 and displaced downward. In this embodiment, the bead 44 is pressed by a release jig 15, which will be described later, but it may also be pressed by another jig or tool, such as a screwdriver.

[0069] In this way, the bead 44 functions as both a locking portion that locks the O-type crimp terminal 11 and a pressed portion that releases the O-type crimp terminal 11 from the locked state when pressed. The bead 44 constitutes the protrusion, locking portion, and pressed portion of the present invention. The pressed portion may be located at a position different from the bead 44 (locking portion). For example, a part of the plate-shaped portion 42a may be used as the pressed portion. For example, a protrusion different from the bead 44 may be provided and used as the pressed portion. The pressed portion may be located near the locking portion or at a position away from it.

[0070] The bead 44 has a shape close to a cone, but the inclination varies depending on the position, as shown in Figures 3 and 6. Specifically, the inclination of the first half of the bead 44 from the base to the top in the insertion direction of the O-type crimp terminal 11 (positive X-direction) is gentle, while the inclination of the second half from the top to the base is steep. The reason for using this shape for the bead 44 is to make it easier for the tip of the O-type crimp terminal 11 in the insertion direction to pass over the top of the bead 44 when inserting the O-type crimp terminal 11 into the housing 20, while also preventing the O-type crimp terminal 11 from easily moving in the removal direction once the round hole 11a of the O-type crimp terminal 11 is engaged with the bead 44. However, if there is no need for the above-mentioned insertion and removal of the O-type crimp terminal 11, this shape is not necessarily required; for example, the inclination of the first and second half may be equal. The force required to remove the O-type crimp terminal 11 can be controlled by the height of the bead 44 and the inclination angle of the bead 44 in the removal direction. In other words, increasing the height of the bead 44 increases the force required to remove the O-type crimp terminal 11, while increasing the inclination angle of the bead 44 in the removal direction (steeper inclination) increases the force required to remove the O-type crimp terminal 11. Conversely, decreasing the height of the bead 44 decreases the force required to remove the O-type crimp terminal 11, while decreasing the inclination angle of the bead 44 in the removal direction decreases the force required to remove the O-type crimp terminal 11. The inclination angle of the latter half from the top to the base may not be uniform but may vary. Furthermore, the inclination from the top to the base may have a substantially vertical surface (that abuts against the inner surface of the circular hole 11a of the O-type crimp terminal 11). In this way, when the inclination of the bead 44 from the top to the base is divided into multiple sections, the inclination angle of each divided section can be finely adjusted. The angle of inclination of each section of the bead 44 from the top to the bottom may be adjusted individually depending on the force required to remove the O-type crimp terminal 11 or other factors.

[0071] When the bead 44 (pressed portion) is pressed, the bent piece portion 42 is displaced downward due to its elastic force. FIG. 9(b) shows an example in which the bead 44 is pressed by the releasing jig 15. The bead 44 can be pressed until it reaches at least the same height as the guide portions 25a and 26a or a height less than that. At this time, the bead 44 can be pressed until the bent piece portion 42 reaches the same height as the guide portions 25a and 26a or a height less than that in the insertion / removal space 28. For example, the height of the curved portion 42b is equal to or less than that of the guide portions 25a and 26a. For example, when the bead 44 is pressed, the plate-shaped portion 42a is also displaced downward. As described above, by pressing the bead 44, the bent piece 42, the plate-shaped portion 42a, and the curved portion 42b are displaced downward, so that when the O-type crimp terminal 11 is moved in the removal direction, the movement is not hindered by the bead 44, the bent piece 42, the plate-shaped portion 42a, and the curved portion 42b, and the O-type crimp terminal 11 can be smoothly removed from the housing 20.

[0072] Bent piece portion 43 is a portion that comes into contact with conductive member 14 and has plate-shaped portion 43a, contact portion 43b, plate-shaped portion 43c, and curved portion 43d. Plate-shaped portion 43a is the main body of bent piece portion 43 and is elastically deformable. Curved portion 43d is a curved portion that extends from fixed portion 41. Contact portion 43b is located between plate-shaped portion 43a and plate-shaped portion 43c and is a portion that comes into contact with conductive member 14, and comes into contact with conductive member 14 when conductive member 14 is attached to connector 10, as shown in FIG. 7 .

[0073] Pressing the bead 44 may cause the pressure preventing portion 45 to be displaced together with the bead 44. Pressing the bead 44 may cause the pressure preventing portion 45 to be displaced downward and come into contact with a part of the connector 10 (or an electronic device or the like in which the connector 10 is mounted), thereby limiting the displacement of the bent piece portion 42. By limiting the displacement of the bent piece portion 42 with the pressure preventing portion 45, the curved portion 42b does not undergo plastic deformation, and the connector 10 can be used repeatedly.

[0074] (Variation) FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a modified example of the connector 10 according to the present embodiment. The connector according to this modified example is formed by combining two connectors 10, and has the same configuration as the connector 10 except that two housings 20 are integrally molded to form housing 20A, and the same reference numerals are used. The connector according to the modified example is suitable when two O-type crimp terminals 11 are to be connected to the connector 10. If necessary, two or more connectors 10 may be combined. The connectors may be arranged in the insertion / removal direction as shown in FIG. 11, or in the depth direction. They may also be arranged in the height direction, for example, with their bottom surfaces facing each other.

[0075] (O-type crimp terminal insertion / fixing process) The process of inserting and fixing the O-type crimp terminal 11 into the connector 10 according to this embodiment will be described below. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state before the O-type crimp terminal 11 is inserted into the connector 10. In the state shown in Fig. 4, the contact portion 43b of the contact 40 is located higher than the upper surface of the housing 20. In addition, the top of the bead 44 is located higher than the ceiling portions 25b and 26b of the side grooves 25 and 26.

[0076] 6 shows the state in which the O-type crimp terminal 11 is inserted into the connector 10 and locked by the bead 44 of the contact 40. When the O-type crimp terminal 11 is inserted into the insertion opening of the connector 10 and pushed in the insertion direction, the O-type crimp terminal 11 is supported by the guide portions 25a and 26a, passes through the insertion / removal space 28, and abuts against the bent piece 42. When the O-type crimp terminal 11 is pushed in, the O-type crimp terminal 11 elastically deforms the bent piece 42 downward. When the tip side of the O-type crimp terminal 11 climbs over the bead 44, the bent piece 42 is displaced upward. The bead 44 is positioned inside the round hole 11a of the O-type crimp terminal 11, and the O-type crimp terminal 11 is locked by the bead 44. The O-type crimp terminal 11 is sandwiched between the bent piece 42 and the ceiling portions 25b, 26b. The bent piece 42 and the O-type crimp terminal 11 are electrically connected. The O-type crimp terminal 11 can be inserted into an appropriate insertion position within the housing 20 by abutting against the abutment portions 25d, 26d. The formation of the abutment portions 25d, 26d makes it easier to insert the O-type crimp terminal 11 into the housing 20 to an appropriate insertion direction position.

[0077] In the state shown in Fig. 6, the contact portion 43b of the contact 40 is located higher than the upper surface of the housing 20. Furthermore, the bead 44 engages with the round hole 11a of the O-type crimp terminal 11, thereby preventing the O-type crimp terminal 11 from moving in the insertion / removal direction. The plate-like portion 42a is pressed from above by the O-type crimp terminal 11, and is displaced downward compared to the state shown in Fig. 4. In this state, the O-type crimp terminal 11 is sandwiched between the bent piece portion 42 and the ceiling portions 25b, 26b, and is locked by the bead 44, thereby being sufficiently firmly fixed to the connector 10.

[0078] 7 and 8 show a state in which the conductive member 14 has been further attached to the state shown in FIG. 6. When the conductive member 14 is pressed against the contact portion 43b, the contact 40 is displaced downward due to elastic deformation. The conductive member 14 may or may not abut against the housing 20. The contact 40 is pressed from above by the conductive member 14 (by elastic force), and the conductive member 14 and the contact 40 are electrically connected. In the state shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the contact portion 43b of the contact 40 is in contact with the conductive member 14 and displaced downward. Furthermore, the bead 44 is in the same state as in FIG. 6, and prevents movement of the O-type crimp terminal 11 in the insertion / extraction direction.

[0079] (O-type crimp terminal release / removal process) The following describes a process for releasing the O-type crimp terminal 11 from the connector 10 according to this embodiment and removing the O-type crimp terminal 11 from the connector 10. Fig. 10(a) is a diagram showing a state in which the O-type crimp terminal 11 is locked as shown in Fig. 6 and the bead 44 (pressed portion) is pressed from above by the pressing portion 16 of the releasing jig 15 to a height where the top of the bead 44 will not come into contact with the O-type crimp terminal 11 when removed. In this embodiment, the pressing portion 16 is provided on the tip side of the releasing jig 15, but the pressing portion 16 may be provided at a position other than the tip side. In the state shown in Fig. 10(a), the bead 44 (pressed portion) is pressed by the releasing jig 15 to press down the bent piece portion 42 and the plate-like portion 42a, thereby releasing the O-type crimp terminal 11 from its sandwiched state between the bent piece portion 42 and the ceiling portions 25b and 26b. In other words, the O-type crimp terminal 11 is released from the locked and fixed state. That is, even if the O-type crimp terminal 11 is moved in the removal direction, the bead 44 (locking portion) does not restrict the movement of the O-type crimp terminal 11.

[0080] 10(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the releasing jig 15 is moved in the removal direction from the state shown in Fig. 10(a) to remove the O-type crimp terminal 11. When the releasing jig 15 is moved in the removal direction, the round hole 11a of the O-type crimp terminal 11 and the bead 44 (locking portion) of the contact 40 are positioned so as not to engage with each other, and the O-type crimp terminal 11 is reliably released from locking by the bead 44. Even if the releasing jig 15 is removed at this point, the O-type crimp terminal 11 has already been released from locking, and can be removed from the connector 10 by pulling the O-type crimp terminal 11 in the removal direction. Furthermore, when the release jig 15 is moved in the removal direction and reaches the state shown in Figure 10(b), the bead 44 does not restrict the movement of the O-type crimp terminal 11 in the removal direction, so by continuing to move the release jig 15, the O-type crimp terminal 11 is removed from the connector 10.

[0081] To remove the O-type crimp terminal 11 using the releasing jig 15 according to this embodiment, the user simply presses the releasing jig 15 downward a predetermined distance and then moves the releasing jig 15 in the removal direction, which moves the O-type crimp terminal 11 along with it, making the removal operation very easy. That is, if a user releases the fixed state of the crimp terminal with one hand and then, while maintaining that state, pulls out the crimp terminal with the other hand, the user must use both hands at the same time, which makes the removal operation difficult. However, the O-type crimp terminal 11 can be removed easily using the releasing jig 15 with one hand.

[0082] When the force required to remove the O-type crimp terminal 11 is small (for example, when the height of the bead 44 is low or the inclination angle of the bead 44 in the removal direction is gentle), the O-type crimp terminal 11 can be removed from the connector 10 simply by pulling it out in the removal direction without using the release jig 15. This is because the tip of the O-type crimp terminal 11 comes into contact with the bead 44 (locking portion) and displaces the bent piece portion 42 downward, thereby releasing it from the locked and fixed state. However, this does not prohibit the use of the release jig 15 to remove the O-type crimp terminal 11 when the force required for removal is small.

[0083] (Release jig) The releasing jig 15 is a jig that displaces the bent piece portion 42 downward by pressing the bead 44 (pressed portion). As shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), the releasing jig 15 has a pressing portion 16, a contact portion 17, and a slider portion 18. The pressing portion 16 is a portion that presses the bead 44 (pressed portion), and a pressing surface 16a of the pressing portion 16 abuts against the bead 44 (pressed portion). The abutment portion 17 is a portion that abuts against the upper surface portions 22a, 24a (abutted portion) of the housing 20 when the releasing jig 15 presses the bead 44 (pressed portion), and abutment surfaces 17a, 17b of the abutment portion 17 abut against the upper surface portions 22a, 24a (abutted portion) of the housing 20.

[0084] When the releasing jig 15 presses the bead 44 (pressed portion), at least a portion of the slider portion 18 is located in the upper space 28a, which is the space above the O-type crimp terminal 11 in the insertion / removal space 28. When the releasing jig 15 is moved in the insertion / removal direction in this state, the slider portion 18 moves in the insertion / removal direction within the insertion / removal space 28. The lower surface of the slider portion 18 is slider lower surface 18a1, slider lower surface 18b1, and the side surfaces are slider side surfaces 18a2, 18b2. In this embodiment, the bead 44 serves as both the pressed portion and the locking portion, and they are the same part, but they may be different parts. For example, a part of the plate-shaped portion 42a may be the pressed portion. A convex portion or concave portion different from the locking portion may be provided on the plate-shaped portion 42a of the bent piece portion 42, and the convex portion or concave portion may be the pressed portion.

[0085] 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the bead 44 is pressed using the releasing jig 15. Fig. 9A shows a state in which pressing by the releasing jig 15 has begun, and the pressing portion 16 has begun to contact the bead 44. Fig. 9B shows a state in which pressing by the releasing jig 15 has been completed, and the pressing portion 16 has pressed the bead 44 to the maximum extent.

[0086] 9(b), h1, h2, h3, and h4 indicate the respective heights, and specifically, h1 indicates the height from guide portions 25a and 26a to upper surface portions 22a and 24a of housing 20, h2 indicates the height from ceiling portions 25b and 26b to upper surface portions 22a and 24a of housing 20, h3 indicates the height from slider portion 18 of releasing jig 15 to contact portion 17, and h4 indicates the height from pressing portion 16 of releasing jig 15 to contact portion 17. Here, the height from slider portion 18 to contact portion 17 is the height from slider lower surfaces 18a1 and 18b1 to contact surfaces 17a and 17b, and the height from pressing portion 16 to contact portion 17 is the height from pressing surface 16a to contact surfaces 17a and 17b. In Figure 9(b), L1 and L2 indicate the respective widths. Specifically, L1 is the depth width of the upper space 28a, and indicates the width from the inner surface portion 22b to the inner surface portion 24b, and L2 is the depth width of the slider portion 18, and indicates the width from the slider side surface 18a2 to the slider side surface 18b2.

[0087] When the release jig 15 presses the bead 44, at least a portion of the release jig 15 other than the pressing portion 16 abuts against a portion of the housing 20, and in this embodiment, the abutment surfaces 17a and 17b of the abutment portion 17 abut against the upper surface portions 22a and 24a of the housing 20, respectively, but this is not necessarily limited to this.

[0088] Height h4 from pressing portion 16 of releasing jig 15 to abutting portion 17 that abuts against housing 20 is equal to or greater than height h1 from guide portion 25a to upper surface portions 22a, 24a, and in the present embodiment, the relationship of height h4 ≥ height h1 holds, but is not necessarily limited to this. As a result, when pressing portion 16 presses bead 44, with abutting portion 17 abutting against upper surface portions 22a, 24a, bead 44 is pressed downward below guide portions 25a, 26a, and O-type crimp terminal 11 is released from the locked state.

[0089] A scale mark or the like (not shown) may be provided on the releasing jig 15 to visually restrict the releasing jig 15 so that it is only pushed to a predetermined position. By restricting the displacement of the bent piece portion 42 when the releasing jig 15 presses the bead 44 (by preventing the bead 44 and the bent piece portion 42 from being pressed too far when the releasing jig 15 presses the bead 44), the curved portion 42b of the bent piece portion 42 does not undergo plastic deformation, and repeated use becomes possible.

[0090] The releasing jig 15 may have a shape that allows it to abut against a surface that faces the O-type crimp terminal 11 when viewed from the insertion direction when the bead 44 is pressed. The releasing jig 15 may have a shape that allows at least a portion of it to be positioned inside the round hole 11a of the O-type crimp terminal 11. In this way, when the releasing jig 15 is moved in the removal direction, the O-type crimp terminal 11 may move in the removal direction together with the releasing jig 15. The releasing jig 15 has a slider portion 18 that is movable in the insertion / removal direction within an insertion / removal space 28 provided in the housing 20 of the connector 10, but is not necessarily limited to this.

[0091] The depth direction width L2 of the slider portion 18 is wider than the depth direction width L3 of the pressing portion 16, but is not necessarily limited to this. The depth direction width L2 of the slider portion 18 is slightly narrower than the depth direction width L1 of the upper space 28a, but is not necessarily limited to this. With the pressing portion 16 of the releasing jig 15 pressing the bead 44, at least a portion of the slider portion 18 is positioned within the upper space 28a. When the releasing jig 15 is moved in the insertion / removal direction, the slider portion 18 slides between the inner surface portion 22b and the inner surface portion 24b of the housing 20, i.e., within the insertion / removal space 28. When attempting to move the releasing jig 15 in the insertion / removal direction, even if the releasing jig 15 is moved in a direction deviating from the insertion / removal direction (for example, the depth direction), the slider portion 18 abuts against the inner surface portion 22b or the inner surface portion 24b of the housing 20, making it difficult for the releasing jig 15 to move in the depth direction. The height h3 from the slider portion 18 to the abutment portion 17 is equal to or less than the height h2 from the ceiling portions 25b, 26b to the upper surface portions 22a, 24a. In this embodiment, the relationship of height h2 ≥ height h3 holds, but is not necessarily limited to this. This makes it difficult for the slider portion 18 to come into contact with the O-type crimp terminal 11.

[0092] As described above, the connector 10 according to this embodiment is a connector that electrically connects the conductive member 14 and the O-type crimp terminal 11, and includes the conductive contact 40 that comes into contact with the conductive member 14 and the O-type crimp terminal 11, and the housing 20 that accommodates the contact 40 and has the insertion opening 27 through which the O-type crimp terminal 11 can be inserted and removed. The contact 40 has a fixing portion 41 that is fixed to the bottom surface portion 21 of the housing 20, and at least one elastically deformable portion. The housing 20 has a bent piece portion 42 that can be displaced and a contact portion 43b that comes into contact with the conductive member 14, the bent piece portion 42 locks the O-type crimp terminal 11 inserted into the housing 20, and has a bead 44 that displaces the plate-shaped portion 42a when pressed, thereby releasing the O-type crimp terminal 11 from the locked state, and the housing 20 has ceiling portions 25b, 26b, and the O-type crimp terminal 11 is held or clamped between the ceiling portions 25b, 26b and the plate-shaped portion 42a.

[0093] With this configuration, in connector 10 according to the present embodiment, beads 44, which are part of plate-like portion 42a of contact 40, lock O-type crimp terminal 11 inserted into housing 20, and ceiling portions 25b, 26b and plate-like portion 42a hold or clamp O-type crimp terminal 11, so that connecting O-type crimp terminal 11 does not require work steps such as forming screw holes in connector 10, aligning positions, or fastening screw members. Therefore, inserting O-type crimp terminal 11 into connector 10 is easy, and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0094] In addition, the locking portion locks the O-type crimp terminal 11 inserted into the housing 20, and the ceiling portions 25b, 26b and the plate-shaped portion 42a hold or clamp the O-type crimp terminal 11, so that the removal force required when removing the O-type crimp terminal 11 from the connector 10 can be secured, and the fixed O-type crimp terminal 11 can be prevented from unintentionally coming out of the connector 10.

[0095] Furthermore, when the bead 44 is pressed, the plate-like portion 42a is displaced, and the O-type crimp terminal 11 is released from the state where it is locked by the bead 44, facilitating the work of releasing the O-type crimp terminal 11 from the locked state and removing the terminal. Therefore, the workability when using the connector 10 can be improved.

[0096] In the connector 10 of this embodiment, the bead 44 is a protrusion formed on the plate-shaped portion 42a, and can lock the O-type crimp terminal 11 by engaging with the round hole 11a provided in the O-type crimp terminal 11.

[0097] With this configuration, in connector 10 according to the present embodiment, bead 44 formed on plate-like portion 42a serves as a locking portion that engages with round hole 11a provided in O-type crimp terminal 11 to lock O-type crimp terminal 11, so that connecting O-type crimp terminal 11 does not require work steps such as forming a screw hole in connector 10, aligning, or fastening a screw member. This improves workability when using connector 10 and reduces the number of parts.

[0098] Furthermore, the bead 44 locks the O-type crimp terminal 11 inserted into the case, and the ceiling portions 25b, 26b and the plate-like portion 42a hold or clamp the O-type crimp terminal 11, ensuring the removal force required when removing the O-type crimp terminal 11 from the connector 10 and preventing the fixed O-type crimp terminal 11 from unintentionally coming out of the connector 10. Furthermore, the removal force can be adjusted by setting the shape of the bead 44, ensuring the desired removal force.

[0099] Furthermore, when the bead 44 is pressed, the bead 44 is displaced and the terminal is released from the state where it is locked by the bead 44, making it easy to release the O-type crimp terminal 11 from the locked state. Therefore, the workability when using the connector 10 can be improved.

[0100] In the connector 10 according to this embodiment, the housing 20 has an insertion / removal space 28 formed therein into which the O-type crimp terminal 11 and the releasing jig 15 can be inserted and removed along the insertion / removal direction.

[0101] With this configuration, connector 10 according to the present embodiment has insertion / removal space 28 formed inside housing 20 into which O-type crimp terminal 11 and releasing jig 15 can be inserted and removed along the insertion / removal direction, facilitating the operation of inserting and removing O-type crimp terminal 11 into housing 20. This improves the operability when using connector 10.

[0102] In the connector 10 according to this embodiment, the housing 20 has guide portions 25a and 26a, and when the bead 44 is pressed, the bent piece portion 42 is at a height equal to or less than the guide portions 25a and 26a in the insertion / removal space 28.

[0103] With this configuration, in connector 10 according to the present embodiment, when bead 44 is pressed, bent piece portion 42 is at a height equal to or lower than guide portions 25a, 26a that support O-type crimp terminal 11 in insertion / extraction space 28, so that when O-type crimp terminal 11 is moved in the removal direction, movement of O-type crimp terminal 11 is not hindered by bent piece portion 42. Therefore, O-type crimp terminal 11 can be smoothly removed from connector 10, making the operation of removing O-type crimp terminal 11 from connector 10 easy.

[0104] In the connector 10 of this embodiment, the bead 44 is pressed by a pressing portion 16 of a release jig 15, which can release the O-type crimp terminal 11 from its locked state by pressing the bead 44, and when released, at least a portion of the release jig 15 is positioned inside the round hole 11a of the O-type crimp terminal 11.

[0105] With this configuration, in connector 10 according to the present embodiment, bead 44 is pressed by pressing portion 16 of release jig 15, and O-type crimp terminal 11 is released from the locked state. Then, by moving release jig 15 in the removal direction, O-type crimp terminal 11 is reliably released from the locked state by bead 44, and by further moving release jig 15, O-type crimp terminal 11 is removed from housing 20. Therefore, after pressing bead 44 with pressing portion 16 of release jig 15, release jig 15 and O-type crimp terminal 11 can be removed from housing 20 as is, and the two operations can be performed as a series of operations rather than as separate operations. Therefore, the operations of releasing O-type crimp terminal 11 fixed to connector 10 and removing it from housing 20 are easy, improving the operability when using connector 10.

[0106] In connector 10 according to this embodiment, housing 20 has insertion opening 27, and guide portions 25a and 26a for supporting O-type crimp terminal 11 are formed in insertion opening 27.

[0107] With this configuration, when the O-type crimp terminal 11 is inserted into or removed from the housing 20 of the connector 10 according to the present embodiment, the end of the O-type crimp terminal 11 is placed on the guide portions 25a, 26a formed in the insertion opening 27, and the O-type crimp terminal 11 is inserted or removed, so that the O-type crimp terminal 11 can be inserted or removed stably without shaking when inserting or removing the O-type crimp terminal 11. Therefore, the O-type crimp terminal 11 can be easily inserted into or removed from the housing 20, and the operability when using the connector 10 can be improved.

[0108] In the connector 10 according to this embodiment, the housing 20 has portions of the upper surfaces 22a, 24a of the side walls 22, 24 cut out at the insertion opening 27 so that portions of the side grooves 25, 26 are visible from above.

[0109] With this configuration, when placing the O-type crimp terminal 11 in the side grooves 25, 26, the connector 10 according to this embodiment allows the side grooves 25, 26 to be seen from parts of the cut-out upper surfaces 22a, 24a of the housing 20. Therefore, the O-type crimp terminal 11 can be placed in the side grooves 25, 26 while recognizing the positions of the side grooves 25, 26, making it easy to adjust the position of the O-type crimp terminal 11. This makes it easy to insert the O-type crimp terminal 11 into the housing 20, improving the operability when using the connector 10.

[0110] The connector 10 in this embodiment has contacts 40 or protruding pressure prevention portions 45, which abut against a part of the connector 10 when the bead 44 is pressed in the direction from the top surface portions 22a, 23a, 24a toward the bottom surface portion 21, thereby regulating the displacement of the bent piece portions 42.

[0111] With this configuration, in connector 10 according to the present embodiment, when bead 44 is pressed, pressure prevention portion 45 comes into contact with a part of connector 10, thereby restricting displacement of bent piece portion 42, thereby preventing excessive pressure on bead 44 and plastic deformation of contact 40 of connector 10. Therefore, the component life of connector 10 can be extended.

[0112] In the connector 10 according to this embodiment, the housing 20 is formed with abutment portions 25d and 26d that restrict movement of the O-type crimp terminal 11 beyond a predetermined range in the insertion direction.

[0113] With this configuration, the connector 10 of this embodiment has abutment portions 25d, 26d formed in the housing 20 that restrict movement of the O-type crimp terminal 11 beyond a predetermined range in the insertion direction, making it easy to insert the O-type crimp terminal 11 to an appropriate insertion direction position within the housing 20, thereby improving workability when using the connector 10.

[0114] The release jig 15 in this embodiment is a release jig 15 that presses the bead 44 of the connector 10, and has a pressing portion 16 that presses the bead 44 and an abutting portion 17 that abuts against the upper surface portions 22a, 24a, which are locations other than the bead 44, and is configured so that the height h4 from the pressing surface 16a of the pressing portion 16 to the abutting surfaces 17a, 17b of the abutting portion 17 is greater than or equal to the height h1 from the guide portions 25a, 26a to the upper surface portions 22a, 24a.

[0115] With this configuration, when releasing jig 15 according to the present embodiment presses bead 44, it abuts against upper surface portions 22a, 24a, which are not on bead 44, thereby preventing releasing jig 15 from pressing bead 44 below the height position of the terminal and causing plastic deformation of contacts 40 of connector 10. This extends the component life of connector 10. Furthermore, since height h4 from pressing surface 16a of pressing portion 16 to abutting surfaces 17a, 17b of abutting portion 17 is equal to or greater than height h1 from guide portions 25a, 26a to upper surface portions 22a, 24a, when pressing portion 16 presses bead 44, bead 44 is pressed below guide portions with abutting portion 17 abutting against upper surface portions 22a, 24a, and O-type crimp terminal 11 is released from its locked state. Then, when the O-type crimp terminal 11 is released from its locked state, moving the releasing jig 15 in the removal direction reliably releases it from the locking by the bead 44, and by further moving it, the O-type crimp terminal 11 is removed together with the releasing jig 15 from within the housing 20. Therefore, after pressing the bead 44 with the releasing jig 15, it is possible to remove the releasing jig 15 and the O-type crimp terminal 11 from within the housing 20, and the two operations can be performed as a series of operations rather than as separate operations. Therefore, the operations of releasing the O-type crimp terminal 11 fixed to the connector 10 and removing it from within the housing 20 are easy, and the operability when using the connector 10 can be improved.

[0116] The release jig 15 of this embodiment has a slider portion 18 and an abutment portion 17 that abuts against the upper surface portions 22a, 24a, which are locations other than the bead 44. When the release jig 15 presses the bead 44, the slider portion 18 is shaped so that at least a portion of it is positioned within the upper space 28a. When the release jig 15 is moved in the insertion / extraction direction, the slider portion 18 is shaped so that it is moved in the insertion / extraction direction through the insertion / extraction space 28. The height h3 from the slider lower surface 18a1, 18b1 of the slider portion 18 to the abutment surfaces 17a, 17b of the abutment portion 17 may be configured to be equal to or less than the height h2 from the ceiling portions 25b, 26b to the upper surface portions 22a, 24a.

[0117] With this configuration, in releasing jig 15 according to the present embodiment, height h3 from slider lower surfaces 18a1, 18b1 of slider portion 18 to contact surfaces 17a, 17b of contact portion 17 is equal to or less than height h2 from ceiling portions 25b, 26b to upper surface portions 22a, 24a, so that when pressing portion 16 presses bead 44, with contact portion 17 in contact with upper surface portions 22a, 24a, slider portion 18 may come into contact with O-type crimp terminal 11 but is not in constant contact with it. Therefore, when releasing jig 15 is moved in the removal direction after O-type crimp terminal 11 has been released from its locked state, the O-type crimp terminal 11 and releasing jig 15 can be easily removed from within housing 20, improving operability when using connector 10.

[0118] In the releasing jig 15 according to this embodiment, the width L2 of the slider portion 18 may be substantially narrower than the width L1 of the upper space 28a.

[0119] With this configuration, in releasing jig 15 according to this embodiment, width L2 of slider portion 18 in the insertion / removal direction is narrower than width L1 of upper space 28a, so when pressing portion 16 presses bead 44, in a state in which slider portion 18 abuts against upper surface portions 22a, 24a, slider portion 18 may come into contact with housing 20 but does not normally abut. Therefore, when releasing jig 15 is moved in the removal direction after O-type crimp terminal 11 has been released from its locked state, the O-type crimp terminal 11 and releasing jig 15 can be easily removed from within housing 20, improving operability when using connector 10.

[0120] (Second embodiment) A connector 110 according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0121] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing connector 110 according to this embodiment. In Figure 12, the X direction is the insertion / removal direction, the Y direction is the depth direction, and the Z direction is the height direction, and this also applies to Figures 13 and beyond. The positive side of the X direction is sometimes referred to as the insertion direction, the negative side as the removal direction, the positive side of the Z direction as the upper side, and the negative side as the lower side.

[0122] (connector) As shown in Fig. 12, connector 110 includes housing 120 and contacts 140. As shown in Fig. 18, connector 110 secures Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 and contacts conductive member 14, thereby electrically connecting Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 and conductive member 14. Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 secured to connector 110 can be easily released from the secured state using a jig or the like, as will be described later.

[0123] Y-type crimp terminal 111 has terminal pieces 111a and 111b and is a metal conductor connected to one end of cable 112, which is a bundle of electric wires. Y-type crimp terminal 111 constitutes a terminal according to the present invention. In this embodiment, Y-type crimp terminal 111 is used as the terminal, but a terminal other than a crimp terminal may be used as long as it can be fixed to connector 110. Conductive member 14 is a member including a metal conductor provided on, for example, a component or board that relays between an electronic device and connector 110. Conductive member 14 constitutes a conductor according to the present invention.

[0124] (housing) FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a housing 120 according to this embodiment. The housing 120 accommodates and fixes the contacts 140. The housing 120 has a bottom surface 121, side walls 122 and 123, and a top surface 124. The housing 120 is formed from a synthetic resin such as PBT, but may be made from other synthetic resins. The housing 120 constitutes a case according to the present invention. Note that, in the following, a resin housing will be described as an example of the case according to the present invention, but the case is not necessarily limited to a housing, and may also include cases where the housing and the contacts are the same part.

[0125] The side wall portion 122 and the side wall portion 123 face each other along the insertion / removal direction of the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111. A side groove 125 for moving the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 in the insertion / removal direction is formed on the inner side of the side wall portion 122 in the housing 120 along the insertion / removal direction. As shown in FIG. 16 , the side groove 125 has a guide portion 125a, a ceiling portion 125b, and a side rear wall portion 125c. The guide portion 125a is the bottom surface of the side groove 125 and supports the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 when it is inserted into or removed from the housing 120. The ceiling portion 125b is the upper surface of the side groove 125 and abuts against the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 when the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is fixed to the connector 110. The side rear wall portion 125c is the side surface of the side groove 125 and determines the depth position of the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111. The guide portion 125a constitutes a guide portion according to the present invention, and the ceiling portion 125b constitutes a terminal abutment portion according to the present invention.

[0126] Similarly, a side groove 126 for moving the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 in the insertion / removal direction is formed on the inner side of the side wall 123 of the housing 120. The side groove 126 has a guide portion 126a, a ceiling portion 126b, and a rear side wall portion 126c. The guide portion 126a is the bottom surface of the side groove 126 and supports the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 when it is inserted into or removed from the housing 120. The ceiling portion 126b is the upper surface of the side groove 126 and abuts against the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 when the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is fixed to the connector 110. The rear side wall portion 126c is a side surface of the side groove 126 and determines the depth position of the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111. The guide portion 126a constitutes the guide portion according to the present invention, and the ceiling portion 126b constitutes the terminal abutment portion according to the present invention. By placing the terminal pieces 111a and 111b of the Y-type crimp terminal 111 on the guide portions 125a and 126a, the insertion and removal of the Y-type crimp terminal 111 from the housing 120 becomes stable and easy.

[0127] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Fig. 17, showing connector 110 with a Y-shaped crimp terminal inserted. As shown in Fig. 16, Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is held or clamped between ceiling portions 125b and 126b and plate-shaped portion 143a of bent piece portion 143, which will be described later. In addition, Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is locked by edges 143a1 and 143a2, which will be described later, so that the removal force required to remove Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 from connector 110 can be secured, and the fixed Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 can be prevented from unintentionally coming out of connector 110. Ceiling portions 125b and 126b may be located on side wall portions 122 and 123 or top surface portion 124, for example. In this embodiment, the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is held or clamped between the ceiling portions 125b, 126b (terminal abutment portions) of the housing 120 and the plate-shaped portion 143a of the bent piece portion 143, but the terminal abutment portion may be provided on the contact side rather than the housing side, and the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 may be held or clamped by multiple parts of the contact.

[0128] The top surface 124 constitutes the top surface of the housing 120. The top surface 124 is formed with a release window 127, viewing windows 131a and 131b, a notch 132, and a contact opening 134. The release window 127 is an opening formed in a position facing a release piece 143c of a contact 140, which will be described later.

[0129] The release window 127 is formed to have a size or shape that prevents the visibility of edges 143a1 and 143a2, which will be described later, of the contact 140. Figures 19(a) and 19(b) show the connector 110 in a state before the Y-type crimp terminal 111 is inserted into the housing 120, and because the edges 143a1 and 143a2 are located just below and outside the outer edge of the release window 127, they cannot be seen from directly above the release window 127. In other words, the size and shape of the release window 127 prevent the edges 143a1 and 143a2 from being seen.

[0130] Also, Figure 23(b) shows the connector 110 in a state after the Y-type crimp terminal 111 has been inserted into the housing 120. In this case, the edges 143a1 and 143a2 are located below the Y-type crimp terminal 111, and the edges 143a1 and 143a2 cannot be seen due to the size and shape of the release window portion 127.

[0131] This prevents a user from accidentally touching edges 143a1, 143a2 and thereby impairing the function of edges 143a1, 143a2 to lock Y-shaped crimp terminal 111. In the present embodiment, release window 127 is rectangular, but the size and shape of release window 127 are not limited to this and may be other sizes and shapes, and may also be formed in other positions as long as they face release piece 143c.

[0132] The viewing window 131a is an opening for visually checking the terminal pieces 111a of the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 when the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is inserted into the housing 120 and fixed at a predetermined position. Similarly, the viewing window 131b is an opening for visually checking the terminal pieces 111b of the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 when the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is inserted into the housing 120 and fixed at a predetermined position. By forming the viewing windows 131a and 131b, it is possible to easily check from the top side of the housing 120 that the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 has been properly inserted to a predetermined position in the housing 120 and fixed. In this embodiment, the viewing windows 131a and 131b are rectangular, but the shape of the viewing window 131a is not necessarily limited to this and may be other shapes. Furthermore, the viewing window 131a may be formed at other positions as long as the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 can be viewed from above the housing 120.

[0133] Notch 132 is formed by cutting out upper surface 124 above support portion 129 at insertion opening 128, which will be described later. By forming notch 132, support portion 129 can be seen from the upper surface side of housing 120 when Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is placed on support portion 129, making it easier to adjust the position of Y-shaped crimp terminal 111.

[0134] The contact opening 134 is an opening formed in the top surface portion 124 to allow the contact portion 142 b of the contact 140 to come into contact with the conductive member 14 .

[0135] The bottom surface portion 121 forms the bottom surface of the housing 120 and contacts and fixes the fixed portion 141 of the contact 140. More specifically, fixing pieces 141a and 141b of the fixed portion 141 to the bottom surface portion 121 prevents the contact 140 from falling off the housing 120. The fixing pieces 141a and 141b may be fixed to the bottom surface portion 121 by any known fixing method, for example, by being press-fitted into a portion of the bottom surface portion 121. The housing 120 has an insertion opening 128 on the side where the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is inserted, allowing the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 to be inserted in the insertion / removal direction. The insertion opening 128 forms an opening according to the present invention. An insertion / removal space 130 is formed therein, into which the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 can be inserted and removed from the insertion opening 128 of the housing 120 in the insertion / removal direction. The space above the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 in the insertion space 130 shown in FIGS. 21(a) and 21(b) is referred to as an upper space 130a.

[0136] Support portion 129 is formed on the insertion opening 128 side of housing 120, and supports Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 when it is moved in the insertion / removal direction. By forming support portion 129 on housing 120, Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 can be inserted and removed stably without wobbling.

[0137] 17 and 18, terminal strip stoppers 133a and 133b are formed inside housing 120 to restrict movement of Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 so that terminal strips 111a and 111b of Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 do not exceed a specified position in the insertion direction (X direction). The formation of terminal strip stoppers 133a and 133b makes it easier to insert Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 to an appropriate insertion direction position within housing 120. Terminal strip stoppers 133a and 133b are examples of abutting portions according to this embodiment.

[0138] (contact) 14 is a perspective view of contact 140 according to the present embodiment. Contact 140 is a conductive member that contacts conductive member 14 and Y-shaped crimp terminal 111. Contact 140 has fixed portion 141, bent piece portion 142, and bent piece portion 143. Contact 140 is formed of a metal such as SUS, but may be formed of other conductive metals. Fixed portion 141 constitutes the fixed portion according to the present invention, bent piece portion 142 constitutes the contact portion according to the present invention, and bent piece portion 143 constitutes the elastic portion according to the present invention.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 15 , the fixed portion 141 is fixed to the bottom surface 121 of the housing 120. At one end of the fixed portion 141 in the insertion / removal direction, a bent piece 142 is cut and bent from the fixed portion 141 and formed between the fixed piece pieces 141a and 141b. The fixed portion 141 has a pressure prevention portion 144 formed below the bent piece 143 and protruding upward. When a release piece 143c (described later) is pressed vertically downward, the pressure prevention portion 144 abuts against the bent piece 143 and restricts the displacement of the bent piece 143. This prevents the release piece 143c from being excessively pressed, which would cause plastic deformation of the contacts 140 of the connector 110. In this embodiment, the pressure prevention portion 144 is formed on the contacts 140, but it is not necessarily formed on the contacts 140 and may be formed on the housing 120.

[0140] Bent piece portion 142 is a portion that comes into contact with conductive member 14, and has plate-shaped portion 142a, contact portion 142b, and plate-shaped portion 142c. Plate-shaped portion 142a is a main body portion of bent piece portion 142, and is elastically deformable. Contact portion 142b is located between plate-shaped portion 142a and plate-shaped portion 142c, and is a portion that comes into contact with conductive member 14, and comes into contact with conductive member 14 as shown in FIG. 18 .

[0141] Bent piece 143 is an elastically deformable portion and has plate-like portion 143a, curved portion 143b, and release piece 143c. More specifically, bent piece 143 has edges 143a1 and 143a2 that lock Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 inserted into housing 120, and release piece 143c that displaces edges 143a1 and 143a2 when pressed, thereby releasing Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 from the locked state.

[0142] Plate-shaped portion 143a is the main body of bent piece 143, and is elastically deformed when an external force is applied by Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 inserted into housing 120. Plate-shaped portion 143a extends from one end of curved portion 143b and includes edges 143a1 and 143a2 that are edge portions. Plate-shaped portion 143a constitutes the extending portion according to the present invention. When Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is inserted into housing 120 in the insertion / removal direction, plate-shaped portion 143a is pressed by Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 and is displaced downward. As shown in FIG. 16 , Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is held or clamped between plate-shaped portion 143a and ceiling portions 125b and 126b. In addition, since the Y-type crimp terminal 111 is locked by the edges 143a1 and 143a2, the removal force required when removing the Y-type crimp terminal 111 from the connector 110 can be secured, and the fixed Y-type crimp terminal 111 can be prevented from unintentionally coming out of the connector 110.

[0143] As shown in Figures 19 and 23(b), edges 143a1 and 143a2 engage with Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 at an acute angle relative to the removal direction, thereby locking Y-shaped crimp terminal 111. Edges 143a1 and 143a2 constitute edges and locking portions according to the present invention. Edges 143a1 and 143a2 of plate-shaped portion 143a (extension portion) contact Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 at an acute angle. Housing 120 also has ceiling portions 125b and 126b that come into contact with Y-shaped crimp terminal 111. When Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is inserted into connector 110, it is pressed between edges 143a1 and 143a2 of plate-shaped portion 143a (extension portion) and ceiling portions 125b and 126b, resulting in edges 143a1 and 143a2 and ceiling portions 125b and 126b holding or clamping Y-shaped crimp terminal 111. Because edges 143a1 and 143a2 form an acute angle with Y-shaped crimp terminal 111, Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is not pulled out in the removal direction with a removal force below a certain level. For example, by changing the inclination angle of edges 143a1 and 143a2 relative to Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 or by changing the width of edges 143a1 and 143a2, the contact load and therefore the removal force of Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 can be controlled.

[0144] In this embodiment, edges 143a1 and 143a2 are used as the edges, but other configurations, such as a linear protrusion provided midway along bent piece 143, are also possible. The linear protrusion is an edge configured to be sharp so that it can bite into Y-type crimp terminal 111, and can obtain a suitable conductor holding force. The linear protrusion may be formed at any position on bent piece 143 as long as it is positioned so that it can hold or clamp the terminal together with the terminal holding portion.

[0145] Curved portion 143b is a curved portion extending from fixed portion 141. Release piece 143c is formed at one end of plate-shaped portion 143a, and when pressed downward, displaces edges 143a1 and 143a2, releasing Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 from its locked state. Release piece 143c constitutes the pressed portion according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, release piece 143c faces release window 127 formed in top surface 124 of housing 120. To release Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 from its locked state, it is sufficient to press release piece 143c and pull out Y-shaped crimp terminal 111, making it easy to release Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 from connector 110.

[0146] When the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is released from its fixed state in the housing 120, the release piece 143c is pressed by a release jig 115, which can insert a pressing portion 116 into the release window 127. The upper end of the release piece 143c is located above the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 when the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is locked by the connector 110. The release jig 115 is sized so that no part of the release piece 143c other than the pressing portion 116 enters the release window 127, so as to limit the pressing distance to a predetermined distance or less. This prevents the release jig 115 from excessively pressing the release piece 143c and causing plastic deformation of the contacts 140 of the connector 110. In this embodiment, the release piece 143c is pressed by the release jig 115, but it may also be pressed by another jig or tool, such as a screwdriver. The upper end of the release piece 143c does not have to be located above the Y-type crimp terminal 111 when the Y-type crimp terminal 111 is locked.

[0147] As a modification, two or more connectors 110 may be combined together in the same manner as in the modification of the first embodiment to form a connector capable of connecting two or more Y-type crimp terminals 111.

[0148] (Y-type crimp terminal insertion / fixing process) The process of inserting and fixing the Y-type crimp terminal 111 into the connector 110 according to this embodiment will be described below. Figure 15 shows the state before the Y-type crimp terminal 111 is inserted into the connector 110, with Figure 15(a) being a perspective view and Figure 15(b) being a cross-sectional view. In the state shown in Figure 15(a), the contact portion 142b of the contact 140 is located higher than the upper surface portion 124 of the housing 120. In addition, the top of the release piece portion 143c protrudes from the release window portion 127 and is located higher than the upper surface portion 124.

[0149] FIG. 17 shows the state in which the Y-type crimp terminal 111 is inserted into the connector 110 and locked by the edges 143a1 and 143a2 of the contact 140. In the state shown in FIG. 17, the contact portion 142b of the contact 140 is located higher than the upper surface portion 124 of the housing 120. The edges 143a1 and 143a2 lock the Y-type crimp terminal 111 by contacting the Y-type crimp terminal 111 at an acute angle relative to the removal direction. The state in which the edges 143a1 and 143a2 and the Y-type crimp terminal 111 are in contact is shown in FIG. 23(b). In this state, the Y-type crimp terminal 111 is sufficiently firmly fixed to the connector 110.

[0150] Figure 18 shows a state in which conductive member 14 has been further attached to the state shown in Figure 17. In the state shown in Figure 18, contact portion 142b of contact 140 is displaced downward and comes into contact with conductive member 14, displaced downward. In addition, edges 143a1 and 143a2 are in the same state as shown in Figure 17, and lock movement of Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 in the insertion / removal direction.

[0151] (Y-type crimp terminal release / removal process) The following describes the process of releasing the fixed state of the Y-type crimp terminal 111 relative to the connector 110 according to this embodiment and removing the Y-type crimp terminal 111 from the connector 110. Fig. 20 shows a state in which the Y-type crimp terminal 111 is locked as shown in Fig. 17 and then released by pressing the release piece 143c from above with the pressing portion 116 of the releasing jig 115 to a height where the edges 143a1 and 143a2 will not come into contact with the Y-type crimp terminal 111 during removal. In the state shown in Fig. 20, the Y-type crimp terminal 111 is released from its locked and fixed state. In other words, even if the Y-type crimp terminal 111 is moved in the removal direction, the edges 143a1 and 143a2 do not restrict the movement of the Y-type crimp terminal 111.

[0152] Fig. 23(a) is a perspective view of connector 110 in a state before the fixation of Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is released by releasing jig 115, Fig. 23(b) is a perspective view of B-B cross section of connector 110 in a state before the fixation of Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is released by releasing jig 115, and Fig. 23(c) is a perspective view of B-B cross section of connector 110 in a state after the fixation of Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 has been released by releasing jig 115. With the fixation of Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 released as shown in Fig. 23(c), Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is removed from connector 110 by pulling Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 in the removal direction.

[0153] (Release jig) The releasing jig 115 is a jig that displaces the bent piece 143 downward by pressing the release piece 143c (pressed portion). The releasing jig 115 has a pressing portion 116 and a contact portion 117. The pressing portion 116 is a portion that presses the release piece 143c (pressed portion), and a pressing surface 116a of the pressing portion 116 abuts against the release piece 143c (pressed portion). The abutment portion 117 is a portion that abuts against the upper surface portion 124 (abutted portion) of the housing 120 when the releasing jig 115 presses the release piece 143c (pressed portion), and abutment surfaces 117a, 117b of the abutment portion 117 abut against the upper surface portion 124 (abutted portion) of the housing 120. The release jig 115 may be a dedicated jig for the connector 110, or may be a general jig or tool that can be used for pressing, such as a flat-head screwdriver.

[0154] 21A and 21B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the release piece 143c is pressed using the releasing jig 115. FIG. 21A shows a state in which pressing by the releasing jig 115 has begun, with the pressing portion 116 beginning to abut against the release piece 143c. FIG. 21B shows a state in which pressing by the releasing jig 115 has been completed, with the pressing portion 116 pressing the release piece 143c to the maximum extent. In the state of FIG. 21A, the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is locked by the connector 110, but the upper end of the release piece 143c is located above the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111. 21(b), when pressing portion 116 of releasing jig 115 presses release piece 143c, release piece 143c and edges 143a1, 143a2 are displaced downward, and after Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 and edges 143a1, 143a2 are separated, pressing portion 116 of releasing jig 115 also comes into contact with the upper surface side of Y-shaped crimp terminal 111, i.e., the surface opposite to the surface where terminal pieces 111a, 111b of Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 are in contact with edges 143a1, 143a2. Then, because Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is pressed by releasing jig 115 and comes into contact with guide portions 125a, 126a, Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 cannot be displaced further downward, i.e., releasing jig 115 cannot be displaced either. Therefore, the releasing jig 115 cannot press the releasing piece 143c any further, and the releasing piece 143c is not pushed in too far, preventing the contacts 140 of the connector 110 from being plastically deformed. In other words, the connector 110 can be used repeatedly. However, the pressing portion 116 of the releasing jig 115 does not necessarily have to abut against the upper surface of the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111, and may be located above the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111. Even in this case, if the connector 110 is structured so that the releasing jig 115 cannot move downward beyond a certain position (for example, a structure in which the abutting portion 117, described below, abuts against the upper surface portion 124), the releasing piece 143c can be prevented from being pushed in too far. Also, as shown in FIG. 22, when the pressing portion 116 of the release jig 115 presses the release piece portion 143c, a location other than the pressing portion 116 of the release jig 115, for example, the abutment portion 117, may abut against the upper surface portion 124 of the housing 120.FIG. 22 shows an example using a modified version of the releasing jig 115. FIG. 22(a) shows the state where the releasing jig 115 starts pressing, with the pressing portion 116 beginning to abut against the release piece 143c. FIG. 22(b) shows the state where the releasing jig 115 has completed pressing, with the pressing portion 116 pressing against the release piece 143c to its maximum extent. As shown in FIG. 22(b), the abutting portion 117 of the releasing jig 115 abuts against the upper surface portion 124 of the housing 120, preventing the releasing jig 115 from further displacing downward. This prevents the releasing jig 115 from pressing the release piece 143c too far, thereby preventing plastic deformation of the contacts 140 of the connector 110. In other words, the connector 110 can be used repeatedly. Connector 110 prevents release piece 143c from being pushed in too far by three functions: the abutment of pressing portion 116 against Y-type crimp terminal 111 and abutment of abutment portion 117 against upper surface portion 124, and the abutment of bent piece 143 against pressure prevention portion 144. However, not all three of these functions are necessarily required to prevent release piece 143c from being pushed in too far; a configuration that realizes any one of these functions can prevent this.

[0155] As described above, connector 110 according to this embodiment is a connector that electrically connects conductive member 14 and Y-type crimp terminal 111, and includes conductive contact 140 that contacts conductive member 14 and Y-type crimp terminal 111, and housing 120 that accommodates contact 140 and has insertion opening 128 through which Y-type crimp terminal 111 can be inserted and removed. Contact 140 includes fixing portion 141 fixed to the bottom surface of housing 120, bent piece portion 143 that can be elastically deformed, and a contact 140 that contacts conductive member 14. The bent piece portion 143 has edges 143a1, 143a2 that engage the Y-type crimp terminal 111 inserted into the housing 120, and a release piece portion 143c that displaces the edges 143a1, 143a2 when pressed, thereby releasing the Y-type crimp terminal 111 from the engaged state, and the housing 120 or the contact 140 has ceiling portions 125b, 126b, and the Y-type crimp terminal 111 is held or clamped between the ceiling portions 125b, 126b and the bent piece portion 143.

[0156] With this configuration, in connector 110 according to the present embodiment, edges 143a1 and 143a2 that are part of bent piece portions 143 of contacts 140 lock Y-type crimp terminal 111 inserted into housing 120, and ceiling portions 125b and 126b and bent piece portions 143 hold or clamp Y-type crimp terminal 111, so that connecting Y-type crimp terminal 111 does not require work steps such as forming screw holes in connector 110, aligning positions, or fastening screw members. Therefore, the work of inserting Y-type crimp terminal 111 into connector 110 is easy, and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0157] In addition, edges 143a1 and 143a2 engage Y-type crimp terminal 111 inserted into housing 120, and ceiling portions 125b and 126b and bent piece portion 143 hold or clamp Y-type crimp terminal 111, thereby ensuring the removal force required when removing the terminal from connector 110 and preventing fixed Y-type crimp terminal 111 from unintentionally coming out of connector 110.

[0158] Furthermore, when release piece 143c is pressed, edges 143a1 and 143a2 are displaced, and Y-type crimp terminal 111 is released from the state where it is locked by edges 143a1 and 143a2, facilitating the work of releasing Y-type crimp terminal 111 from the locked state and removing Y-type crimp terminal 111. This improves the workability when using connector 110.

[0159] In the connector 110 of this embodiment, the bent piece portion 143 has a curved curved portion 143b extending from one end of the fixed portion 141, and a plate-like portion 143a extending from one end of the curved portion 143b and including edges 143a1 and 143a2, and the edges 143a1 and 143a2 contact the Y-type crimp terminal 111 at an acute angle relative to the removal direction of the Y-type crimp terminal 111, thereby enabling the Y-type crimp terminal 111 to be engaged.

[0160] With this configuration, in connector 110 according to the present embodiment, edges 143a1 and 143a2 of plate-like portion 143a formed on bent piece portion 143 function as locking portions that contact Y-type crimp terminal 111 at an acute angle with respect to the removal direction to lock Y-type crimp terminal 111, so that connecting Y-type crimp terminal 111 does not require work steps such as forming screw holes in connector 110, aligning the connector, and fastening screw members. This improves workability when using connector 110 and reduces the number of parts.

[0161] In the connector 110 of this embodiment, a release window 127 is formed in the housing 120, into which a release tool 115 can be inserted to press the release piece 143c, and the release piece 143c is formed in the plate-shaped portion 143a and faces the release window 127.

[0162] With this configuration, in connector 110 according to the present embodiment, edges 143a1 and 143a2 of plate-like portion 143a formed on bent piece portion 143 contact Y-type crimp terminal 111 at an acute angle with respect to the removal direction, thereby locking Y-type crimp terminal 111, so that connecting Y-type crimp terminal 111 does not require work steps such as forming screw holes in connector 110, aligning the connector, and fastening screw members. Therefore, workability when using connector 110 can be improved and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0163] In connector 110 according to this embodiment, release window 127 is formed to have a size or shape that makes edges 143a1 and 143a2 invisible.

[0164] With this configuration, the connector 110 according to this embodiment is designed so that the edges 143a1 and 143a2 cannot be seen from the release window portion 127, thereby preventing the function of the edges 143a1 and 143a2 to lock the Y-type crimp terminal 111 from being impaired by the user accidentally touching the edges 143a1 and 143a2, for example.

[0165] The connector 110 of this embodiment is configured such that when the Y-type crimp terminal 111 is engaged with the edges 143a1, 143a2, when the release jig 115 presses the release piece portion 143c, it also abuts against the terminal pieces 111a, 111b, which are part of the Y-type crimp terminal 111.

[0166] With this configuration, when the release jig 115 presses the release piece 143c, the connector 110 according to this embodiment abuts against the terminal pieces 111a, 111b that are part of the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111, and therefore it is possible to prevent the release jig 115 from pressing the release piece 143c downward from the height position of the Y-shaped crimp terminal 111, thereby preventing plastic deformation of the contacts 140 of the connector 110. Therefore, the component life of the connector 110 can be extended.

[0167] In connector 110 according to this embodiment, housing 120 has insertion opening 128, and insertion opening 128 is formed with support portion 129 that supports Y-type crimp terminal 111.

[0168] With this configuration, when inserting the housing 120 into the housing 120 or removing the housing 120 from the housing 120, the Y-type crimp terminal 111 is inserted or removed by placing the end of the Y-type crimp terminal 111 on the support portion 129, so that the Y-type crimp terminal 111 can be inserted or removed stably without shaking when inserting or removing the Y-type crimp terminal 111. Therefore, the operation of inserting the Y-type crimp terminal 111 into the housing 120 or removing the Y-type crimp terminal 111 from the housing 120 is easy, and the workability when using the connector 110 can be improved.

[0169] In connector 110 according to this embodiment, housing 120 has a portion of top surface 124 that faces bottom surface 121 at insertion opening 128 cut out, making a portion of support portion 129 visible from the top surface 124 side.

[0170] With this configuration, connector 110 according to the present embodiment allows support portion 129 to be seen from a portion of the cutout upper surface of housing 120 when Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 is placed on support portion 129. Therefore, Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 can be placed on support portion 129 while the position of support portion 129 is recognized, making it easy to adjust the position of Y-shaped crimp terminal 111. This simplifies the task of inserting Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 into housing 120, improving the operability when using connector 110.

[0171] In connector 110 according to this embodiment, contacts 140 have protruding pressure prevention portions 144, which come into contact with bent pieces 143 when release pieces 143c are pressed in the direction from top surface portion 124 toward bottom surface portion 121, thereby restricting displacement of bent pieces 143. Pressure prevention portions 144 may be provided on housing 120 instead of contacts 140.

[0172] With this configuration, in connector 110 according to the present embodiment, when release piece 143c is pressed, press prevention portion 144 comes into contact with bent piece 143, thereby restricting displacement of bent piece 143, thereby preventing release piece 143c from being pressed excessively and causing plastic deformation of contact 140 of connector 110. Therefore, the component life of connector 110 can be extended.

[0173] In connector 110 according to this embodiment, housing 120 has viewing windows 131a and 131b formed in upper surface 124 through which it is possible to visually confirm that Y-type crimp terminal 111 is inserted inside.

[0174] With this configuration, connector 110 according to the present embodiment allows easy confirmation from the top side of housing 120 through viewing windows 131a, 131b formed in top surface 124 of housing 120 that Y-type crimp terminal 111 has been properly inserted to a specified position within housing 120 and fixed in place. This simplifies the confirmation process when inserting and fixing Y-type crimp terminal 111 into housing 120, improving the operability of connector 110 when used.

[0175] In connector 110 according to this embodiment, housing 120 is formed with terminal piece stoppers 133a and 133b that restrict movement of Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 beyond a predetermined range in the insertion direction.

[0176] With this configuration, connector 110 according to this embodiment has terminal piece stoppers 133a, 133b formed in housing 120 that restrict movement of Y-type crimp terminal 111 beyond a predetermined range in the insertion direction, making it easy to insert Y-type crimp terminal 111 to an appropriate insertion direction position within housing 120, thereby improving workability when using connector 110.

[0177] In connector 110 according to this embodiment, release piece 143c is pressed by release jig 115, which can insert pressing portion 116 into release window 127 of housing 120.

[0178] With this configuration, when releasing Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 fixed by locking portions, for example, edges 143a1 and 143a2, from a fixed state in housing 120, connector 110 according to this embodiment can perform the release by inserting pressing portion 116 of releasing jig 115 through release window 127 and pressing release piece 143c. Therefore, the operation of releasing Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 from a locked state is easy, and the operability when using connector 110 can be improved.

[0179] In connector 110 according to this embodiment, when pressing portion 116 of releasing jig 115 presses release piece portion 143c so that the pressing distance does not exceed a predetermined distance, pressing portion 116 of releasing jig 115 abuts against a surface opposite to a surface where terminal pieces 111a, 111b of Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 are in contact with edges 143a1, 143a2. Also, when pressing portion 116 of releasing jig 115 presses release piece portion 143c, abutting portion 117, which is a location other than pressing portion 116 of releasing jig 115, abuts against upper surface portion 124 of housing 120.

[0180] With this configuration, in connector 110 according to this embodiment, the pressing distance of release jig 115 is limited so as not to exceed a predetermined distance. That is, Y-shaped crimp terminal 111 and pressing portion 116 of release jig 115 abut against each other, and upper surface portion 124 of housing 120 and abutting portion 117 of release jig 115 abut against each other, so there is no need for release jig 115 to press release piece 143c more than necessary. This prevents release jig 115 from excessively pressing release piece 143c and causing plastic deformation of contacts 140 of connector 110. This, in turn, extends the component life of connector 110.

[0181] The release jig 115 of this embodiment is a release jig 115 that presses the release piece portion 143c of the connector 110, and the release jig 115 has a pressing portion 116 that presses the release piece portion 143c, and an abutting portion 117 that abuts against the upper surface portion 124, which is a location other than the release piece portion 143c.

[0182] With this configuration, in releasing jig 115 according to this embodiment, pressing portion 116 of releasing jig 115 abuts against Y-shaped crimp terminal 111, and abutting portion 117 of releasing jig 115 abuts against upper surface portion 124 of housing 120, so there is no need to press release piece portion 143c more than necessary with releasing jig 115. This prevents releasing jig 115 from excessively pressing release piece portion 143c and causing plastic deformation of contacts 140 of connector 110. This allows the component life of connector 110 to be extended.

[0183] (Third embodiment) A connector 210 according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0184] Figure 24 is a perspective view showing connector 210 according to this embodiment. In Figure 24, the X direction is the insertion / removal direction, the Y direction is the depth direction, and the Z direction is the height direction, and the same applies to Figure 25 and subsequent figures. The positive side of the X direction is sometimes referred to as the insertion direction, the negative side as the removal direction, the positive side of the Z direction as the upper side, and the negative side as the lower side.

[0185] (connector) As shown in Fig. 24, connector 210 includes housing 220 and contacts 240. As shown in Fig. 28, connector 210 secures Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 and contacts conductive member 14, thereby electrically connecting Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 and conductive member 14. Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 secured to connector 210 can be released from its secured state by being pulled out in the removal direction.

[0186] Y-type crimp terminal 211 has terminal pieces 211a and 211b, and is a metal conductor connected to one end of cable 212, which is a bundle of electric wires. Y-type crimp terminal 211 constitutes a terminal according to the present invention. In this embodiment, Y-type crimp terminal 211 is used as the terminal, but a terminal other than a crimp terminal may be used as long as it can be fixed to connector 210. Conductive member 14 is a member including a metal conductor provided on, for example, a component or board that relays between an electronic device and connector 210. Conductive member 14 constitutes a conductor according to the present invention.

[0187] (housing) FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a housing 220 according to this embodiment. The housing 220 accommodates and fixes the contacts 240. The housing 220 has a bottom surface 221, side walls 222 and 223, and a top surface 224. The housing 220 is formed from a synthetic resin such as PBT, but may be made from other synthetic resins. The housing 220 constitutes a case according to the present invention. Note that, in the following, a resin housing will be described as an example of the case according to the present invention, but the case is not necessarily limited to a housing, and also includes cases where the housing and the contacts are the same part.

[0188] Side wall portion 222 and side wall portion 223 face each other in the insertion / removal direction of Y-shaped crimp terminal 211. A support groove portion 226a is formed on the inside of side wall portion 222 of housing 220 along the insertion / removal direction, for moving Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 in the insertion / removal direction. Similarly, a support groove portion 226b is formed on the inside of side wall portion 223 of housing 220 along the insertion / removal direction, for moving Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 in the insertion / removal direction. By placing terminal pieces 211a, 211b of Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 on support groove portions 226a, 226b, the insertion and removal operation of Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 from housing 220 is stabilized and made easy.

[0189] The top surface portion 224 forms the top surface of the housing 220. Top surface openings 224a, 224b, and 224c and a notch 224d are formed in the top surface portion 224. The top surface opening 224a is formed so that the terminal pieces 211a of the Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 can be seen from above when the Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 is inserted and fixed in the housing 220. Similarly, the top surface opening 224b is formed so that the terminal pieces 211b of the Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 can be seen from above when the Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 is inserted and fixed in the housing 220. This makes it easy to confirm from the top surface side of the housing 220 that the Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 has been properly inserted to a specified position in the housing 220 and fixed in place.

[0190] Top surface opening 224c is an opening formed in top surface 224 to allow contact portion 244c of contact 240 to come into contact with conductive member 14. Notch 224d is formed by cutting out top surface 224 above support grooves 226a, 226b at insertion opening 225. Forming notch 224d makes support grooves 226a, 226b visible from the top surface side of housing 220 when Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 is placed on support grooves 226a, 226b, facilitating position adjustment of Y-shaped crimp terminal 211.

[0191] Bottom surface portion 221 constitutes the bottom surface of housing 220, and comes into contact with and fixes fixed portion 241 of contact 240. Square hole portion 221a is formed in bottom surface portion 221. After lance 241d (described later) enters hole portion 221a, it comes into contact with the edge of hole portion 221a, thereby restricting movement of contact 240 relative to housing 220.

[0192] Housing 220 has insertion opening 225 formed on the side where Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 is inserted, allowing Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 to be inserted in the insertion / removal direction. Insertion opening 225 constitutes an opening according to the present invention. Insertion / removal space 227 is formed inside housing 220, allowing Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 to be inserted and removed in the insertion / removal direction from insertion opening 225 of housing 220. In this embodiment, hole 221a is rectangular, but the shape of hole 221a is not limited to this and may be other shapes. Furthermore, hole 221a may be located in other positions.

[0193] (contact) 26 is a perspective view of a contact 240 according to the present embodiment. The contact 240 is a conductive member that comes into contact with the conductive member 14 and the Y-shaped crimp terminal 211. The contact 240 has a fixed portion 241, clamping pieces 242 and 243, and a bent piece 244. The contact 240 is formed of a metal such as a copper alloy, but may be formed of other conductive metals. The fixed portion 241 constitutes the fixed portion according to the present invention, and the bent piece 244 constitutes the contact portion according to the present invention.

[0194] As shown in FIG. 27, the fixed portion 241 is fixed to the bottom surface 221 of the housing 220. The fixed portion 241 is formed with a plate-shaped portion 241a, branched pieces 241b and 241c, a lance 241d, and a hole 241e. The plate-shaped portion 241a extends in the insertion / removal direction and branches into branched pieces 241b and 241c near the insertion opening 225. The lance 241d and the hole 241e are formed near the center of the plate-shaped portion 241a. The lance 241d is displaced and passes through the hole 241e to enter the hole 221a in the bottom surface 221 of the housing 220, and then comes into contact with the edge of the hole 221a, restricting movement of the contact 240 relative to the housing 220.

[0195] Bent piece portion 244 is a portion that comes into contact with conductive member 14, and has curved portion 244a, plate-shaped portion 244b, contact portion 244c, and plate-shaped portion 244d. Plate-shaped portion 244b is a main body portion of bent piece portion 244, and is elastically deformable. Curved portion 244a is a curved portion that extends from fixed portion 241. Contact portion 244c is located between plate-shaped portion 244b and plate-shaped portion 244d, and is a portion that comes into contact with conductive member 14, and comes into contact with conductive member 14 when conductive member 14 is attached to connector 210, as shown in FIG. 28 .

[0196] Clamping piece 242 is a metal spring that extends from branch piece 241b and is elastically displaceable in the depth direction (y direction). Clamping piece 243 is also a metal spring that extends from branch piece 241c and is elastically displaceable in the depth direction (y direction). Clamping piece 242 has clamping portion 242a that clamps one end of Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 to be inserted into housing 220. Clamping piece 243 has clamping portion 243a that clamps one end of Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 to be inserted into housing 220. The depthwise distance between clamping portions 242a and 243a is smaller than the width of Y-type crimp terminal 211 in the insertion / removal direction as shown in Figure 27(a) when there is no external load, but when Y-type crimp terminal 211 is advanced in the insertion direction, clamping portions 242a and 243a are displaced in the depthwise direction as shown in Figure 27(b), and Y-type crimp terminal 211 can be clamped and fixed.

[0197] As a modification, two or more connectors 210 may be combined together in the same manner as in the modification of the first embodiment to form a connector capable of connecting two or more Y-type crimp terminals 211.

[0198] (Y-type crimp terminal insertion / fixing process and release / removal process) The process of inserting and fixing the Y-type crimp terminal 211 into the connector 210 according to this embodiment will be described below. Fig. 27(a) is a top view showing the state before the Y-type crimp terminal 211 is inserted into the connector 210. In the state shown in Fig. 27(a), the Y-type crimp terminal 211 is not in contact with the clamping pieces 242, 243.

[0199] From the above state, by pushing Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 in the insertion direction, as shown in Fig. 27(b), Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 is clamped between clamping portions 242a and 243a. Clamping pieces 242 and 243 are metal springs, and can clamp and fix Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 by the force of the springs. In this state, Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 is fixed to connector 210.

[0200] In addition, the force with which the crimp terminal is held by the clamping metal spring in this embodiment is weaker than in the first and second embodiments, so connector 210 according to this embodiment is suitable for cases where a high degree of force is not required to hold the crimp terminal. Furthermore, a release tool does not need to be used to release the fixed state of Y-shaped crimp terminal 211; the user can release the fixed state of Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 simply by pulling out Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 in the removal direction.

[0201] As described above, connector 210 of this embodiment is a connector that electrically connects conductive member 14 and Y-type crimp terminal 211, and includes conductive contact 240 that contacts conductive member 14 and Y-type crimp terminal 211, and housing 220 that accommodates contact 240 and has insertion opening 225 through which Y-type crimp terminal 211 can be inserted and removed, contact 240 has fixing portion 241 fixed to the bottom surface of housing 220, resiliently deformable clamping pieces 242, 243, and contact portion 244c that contacts conductive member 14, and clamping pieces 242, 243 have clamping portions 242a, 243a that engage Y-type crimp terminal 211 inserted into housing 220.

[0202] With this configuration, in connector 210 according to the present embodiment, clamping portions 242a, 243a, which are part of clamping pieces 242, 243 of contact 240, lock Y-type crimp terminal 211 inserted into housing 220, so that connecting Y-type crimp terminal 211 does not require work steps such as forming a screw hole in connector 210, aligning, or fastening a screw member. This improves workability when using connector 210 and reduces the number of parts. Furthermore, since the only structure for fixing Y-type crimp terminal 211 is clamping portions 242a, 243a that lock Y-type crimp terminal 211 inserted into housing 220, the connector has a simple configuration.

[0203] Furthermore, when releasing the fixed Y-type crimp terminal 211, there is no need to use a release jig, and the user can release the fixed state of the Y-type crimp terminal 211 simply by pulling out the Y-type crimp terminal 211 in the removal direction, making it easy to release the Y-type crimp terminal 211 from its locked state. This improves the workability when using the connector 210.

[0204] In connector 210 according to this embodiment, housing 220 has upper surface openings 224a and 224b formed in upper surface 224, through which it is possible to visually confirm that Y-type crimp terminal 211 is inserted inside.

[0205] With this configuration, connector 210 according to the present embodiment allows easy confirmation from the top side of housing 220 that Y-type crimp terminal 211 has been properly inserted through top surface openings 224a, 224b formed in top surface portion 224 of housing 220 to a specified position within housing 220 and fixed. Therefore, the confirmation work when inserting and fixing Y-type crimp terminal 211 into housing 220 is easy, and the workability when using connector 210 can be improved.

[0206] In connector 210 according to this embodiment, housing 220 may be formed with support grooves 226a and 226b along the insertion / removal direction for moving Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 in the insertion / removal direction.

[0207] With this configuration, when connector 210 according to the present embodiment inserts or removes Y-type crimp terminal 211 into or from housing 220, the Y-type crimp terminal 211 is inserted or removed by placing the end of Y-type crimp terminal 211 on support grooves 226a, 226b formed along the insertion / removal direction of Y-type crimp terminal 211, so that Y-type crimp terminal 211 can be inserted or removed stably without shaking when inserting or removing Y-type crimp terminal 211. Therefore, the operation of inserting Y-type crimp terminal 211 into or removing Y-type crimp terminal 211 from housing 220 is easy, and the workability when using connector 210 can be improved.

[0208] In the above-described connector, housing 220 may have a cutout 224d formed by cutting out a portion of top surface 224 at insertion opening 225, so that support grooves 226a and 226b are partially visible from above.

[0209] With this configuration, when placing Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 in support grooves 226a, 226b, connector 210 according to the present embodiment allows support grooves 226a, 226b to be seen through notch 224d, which is part of upper surface 224 of notched housing 220. This makes it easy to place Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 in support grooves 226a, 226b and to easily adjust the position of Y-shaped crimp terminal 211. This simplifies the process of inserting Y-shaped crimp terminal 211 into housing 220, improving the operability when using connector 210.

[0210] (Fourth embodiment) A connector 310 according to the fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0211] Figure 29 is a perspective view showing connector 310 according to this embodiment. In Figure 29, the X direction is the insertion / removal direction, the Y direction is the depth direction, and the Z direction is the height direction, and the same applies to Figures 30 and beyond. The positive side of the X direction is sometimes referred to as the insertion direction, the negative side as the removal direction, the positive side of the Z direction as the upper side, and the negative side as the lower side.

[0212] (connector) As shown in Figure 29, connector 310 includes housing 320 and contacts 340. As shown in Figures 34 and 35, connector 310 secures Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 and contacts conductive member 14, thereby electrically connecting Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 and conductive member 14. Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 secured to connector 310 can be released from its secured state by being pulled out in the removal direction.

[0213] Y-type crimp terminal 311 has terminal pieces 311a and 311b and is a metal conductor connected to one end of cable 312, which is a bundle of electric wires. Y-type crimp terminal 311 constitutes a terminal according to the present invention. In this embodiment, Y-type crimp terminal 311 is used as the terminal, but a terminal other than a crimp terminal may be used as long as it can be fixed to connector 310. Y-type crimp terminal 311 is press-fitted into housing 320 and contacts 340, which will be described later, and is locked to connector 310. Conductive member 14 is a member including a metal conductor provided on, for example, a component or board that relays between an electronic device and connector 310. Conductive member 14 constitutes a conductor according to the present invention.

[0214] (housing) FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing a housing 320 according to this embodiment. Housing 320 accommodates and secures contacts 340. Housing 320 has a bottom surface 321, side walls 322, 323, and 331, and a top surface 332. Housing 320 is formed from a synthetic resin such as PBT, but may be made from other synthetic resins. Housing 320 constitutes a case according to the present invention. Note that, in the following, a resin housing will be described as an example of a case according to the present invention, but the case is not necessarily limited to a housing, and may also include cases where the housing and contacts are the same part.

[0215] Side wall portion 322 and side wall portion 323 face each other in the insertion / removal direction of Y-shaped crimp terminal 311. On the inside of housing 320 of side wall portion 322, along the insertion direction, crimp recess 327 is formed on the front side and bent piece press-fit portion 324 is formed on the back side. Similarly, on the inside of housing 320 of side wall portion 323, along the insertion direction, crimp recess 328 is formed on the front side and bent piece press-fit portion 325 is formed on the back side.

[0216] Crimp recess 327 is a recess that holds one end of crimp portion 345 of contact 340 in the depth direction. Similarly, crimp recess 328 is a recess that holds one end of crimp portion 346 of contact 340 in the depth direction. Bending piece press-fit portion 324 is a portion into which press-fit piece 343 of contact 340 is press-fit. Similarly, bending piece press-fit portion 325 is a portion into which press-fit piece 344 of contact 340 is press-fit. Press-fit piece 343 is press-fitted into bending piece press-fit portion 324, and press-fit piece 344 is press-fitted into bending piece press-fit portion 325, respectively, whereby contact 340 is fixed to housing 320.

[0217] A bent piece recess 326 is formed on the side wall 331 inside the housing 320. The bent piece recess 326 is a recess that holds one end of the bent piece 342 of the contact 340. The bottom surface 321 forms the bottom surface of the housing 320 and comes into contact with and fixes the fixed portion 341 of the contact 340. As shown in FIG. 30 , the bottom surface 321 is formed with support portions 321a and 321b on which the Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 is placed and supported when the Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 is inserted into the housing 20.

[0218] Top surface 332 constitutes the top surface of housing 320. Notch 333 is formed in top surface 332. Notch 333 is formed by cutting out top surface 332 above insertion opening 329. By forming notch 333, insertion opening 329 can be seen from the top surface side of housing 320 when inserting Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 through insertion opening 329, making it easier to adjust the position of Y-shaped crimp terminal 311.

[0219] Housing 320 has insertion opening 329 formed on the side where Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 is inserted, allowing Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 to be inserted in the insertion / removal direction. Insertion opening 329 constitutes an opening according to the present invention. Insertion / removal space 330 is formed inside housing 320, into which Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 can be inserted and removed in the insertion / removal direction from insertion opening 329 of housing 320.

[0220] (contact) 31 is a perspective view of a contact 340 according to the present embodiment. The contact 340 is a conductive member that comes into contact with the conductive member 14 and the Y-type crimp terminal 311. The contact 340 has a fixed portion 341, a bent piece portion 342, press-fit pieces 343 and 344, and crimp portions 345 and 346. The contact 340 is formed of a metal such as a copper alloy, but may be formed of other conductive metals. The fixed portion 341 constitutes the fixed portion according to the present invention, and the bent piece portion 342 constitutes the contact portion according to the present invention.

[0221] As shown in FIG. 32(b), the fixing portion 341 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 321 of the housing 320. The fixing portion 341 has a first fixing portion 341a and a second fixing portion 341b. The first fixing portion 341a is a part of the portion that locks the terminal piece 311a of the Y-type crimp terminal 311. The second fixing portion 341b is a part of the portion that locks the O-type crimp terminal when locking an O-type crimp terminal instead of the Y-type crimp terminal as in the present embodiment. The Y-type crimp terminal 311 is locked by the first fixing portion 341a and the crimp edges 345a and 346a. At this time, the Y-type crimp terminal 311 rests on the support portions 321c and 321d of the housing 320, so that the Y-type crimp terminal 311 is more stably locked. Bent piece portion 342 is a portion that comes into contact with conductive member 14, and has plate-shaped portion 342a, curved portion 342b, and contact portion 342c. Plate-shaped portion 342a is the main body of bent piece portion 342, and is elastically deformable. Curved portion 342b is a portion that is bent and extends from fixed portion 341. Contact portion 342c is a portion that comes into contact with conductive member 14, and comes into contact with conductive member 14 when conductive member 14 is attached to connector 310, as shown in FIG.

[0222] The press-fit pieces 343 and 344 are press-fit into the bent piece press-fit portions 324 and 325 of the housing 320, respectively. This fixes the contact 340 to the housing 320. The crimp portions 345 and 346 are each formed by bending a portion of the contact 340, for example, as shown in FIG. 31 . The crimp portion 345 has a crimp edge 345a as its edge. Similarly, the crimp portion 346 has a crimp edge 346a as its edge.

[0223] Crimp portions 345, 346, including crimp edges 345a, 346a, and fixing portion 341 form a space into which Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 can be inserted. As shown in FIG. 36(a), Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 can be inserted into this space after passing through insertion opening 329. By press-fitting Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 between crimp edges 345a, 346a of crimp portions 345, 346 and first fixing portion 341a and second fixing portion 341b, Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 is fitted and locked into contact 340, as shown in FIG. 36(b). At this time, Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 is clamped between crimp edges 345a, 346a and first fixing portion 341a. This not only prevents movement of Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 in the insertion / extraction direction, but also reduces rattle in the vertical direction.

[0224] As a modification, two or more connectors 310 may be combined together in the same manner as in the modification of the first embodiment to form a connector capable of connecting two or more Y-type crimp terminals 311.

[0225] (Y-type crimp terminal insertion / fixing process and release / removal process) The process of inserting and fixing Y-type crimp terminal 311 into connector 310 according to this embodiment will be described below. Figure 32 shows the state before Y-type crimp terminal 311 is inserted into connector 310, with Figure 32(a) being a perspective view and Figure 32(b) being a cross-sectional view. In the state shown in Figure 32(b), contact portion 342c of contact 340 is located higher than the upper surface of housing 320. Furthermore, crimp portions 345 and 346, including crimp edges 345a and 346a, and fixing portion 341 each form a space into which Y-type crimp terminal 311 can be inserted.

[0226] 33 shows a state in which a Y-type crimp terminal 311 is inserted into a space formed by crimp portions 345, 346, including crimp edges 345a, 346a, and fixing portion 341 in housing 320, and the Y-type crimp terminal 311 is locked by crimp edges 345a, 346a of crimp portions 345, 346. In the state shown in FIG. 33, contact portion 342c of contact 340 is positioned higher than the upper surface of housing 320. Furthermore, by press-fitting Y-type crimp terminal 311 between crimp edges 345a, 346a and first fixing portion 341a and second fixing portion 341b, Y-type crimp terminal 311 is fitted and locked to contact 340. At this time, Y-type crimp terminal 311 is clamped between crimp edges 345a, 346a and first fixing portion 341a. In this state, the Y-type crimp terminal 311 is securely fixed to the connector 310 .

[0227] Figures 34 and 35 show a state in which conductive member 14 has been further attached to the state shown in Figure 33. In the state shown in Figures 34 and 35, contact portion 342c of contact 340 has been displaced downward and is in contact with conductive member 14. Furthermore, crimp edges 345a and 346a are in the same state as shown in Figure 33, and prevent movement of Y-shaped crimp terminal 311 in the insertion / removal direction.

[0228] In addition, when releasing the fixed Y-type crimp terminal 311, it is not necessary to use a release jig; the user can release the fixed state of the Y-type crimp terminal 311 simply by pulling out the Y-type crimp terminal 311 in the removal direction.

[0229] As described above, the connector 310 of this embodiment is a connector 310 that electrically connects the conductive member 14 and the Y-type crimp terminal 311, and includes a conductive contact 340 that contacts the conductive member 14 and the Y-type crimp terminal 311, and a housing 320 that accommodates the contact 340 and has an insertion opening 329 through which the Y-type crimp terminal 311 can be inserted and removed. The contact 340 has a fixed portion 341 that is fixed to the bottom surface portion 321 of the housing 320, elastically deformable crimp portions 345, 346, and a contact portion 342c that contacts the conductive member 14. The crimp portions 345, 346 have crimp edges 345a, 346a that engage the Y-type crimp terminal 311 inserted into the housing 320, and the Y-type crimp terminal 311 is clamped between the crimp edges 345a, 346a and the first fixed portion 341a.

[0230] With this configuration, connector 310 according to the present invention has crimp edges 345a, 346a, which are part of crimp portions 345, 346 of contact 340, and first fixing portion 341a, which lock Y-type crimp terminal 311 inserted into housing 320. Therefore, connecting Y-type crimp terminal 311 does not require work steps such as forming a screw hole in connector 310, aligning, or fastening a screw member. This improves workability when using connector 310 and reduces the number of parts. Furthermore, since the connector has a configuration in which crimp edges 345a, 346a, first fixing portion 341a, and second fixing portion 341b that lock Y-type crimp terminal 311 inserted into housing 320 are provided as a configuration for fixing Y-type crimp terminal 311, the connector has a simple configuration. Furthermore, crimp edges 345a, 346a engage Y-type crimp terminal 311 inserted into housing 320, and first fixing portion 341a and crimp edges 345a, 346a clamp Y-type crimp terminal 311, thereby ensuring the removal force required when removing Y-type crimp terminal 311 from connector 310 and preventing fixed Y-type crimp terminal 311 from unintentionally coming out of connector 310.

[0231] Furthermore, when releasing the fixed Y-type crimp terminal 311, no release tool is required, and the user can release the fixed state of the Y-type crimp terminal 311 simply by pulling out the Y-type crimp terminal 311 in the removal direction, making it easy to release the Y-type crimp terminal 311 from its locked state. This improves the workability when using the connector 310.

[0232] As described above, the connector and release jig of the present invention have the effect of reducing the number of parts in a reusable connector while ensuring the terminal removal force and facilitating the insertion and removal of the terminals, and are therefore useful for connectors in general.

[0233] It should be noted that the above examples and structures are shown for illustrative purposes only, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0234] 10 Connectors 11 O-type crimp terminal (terminal) 11a Round hole (mounting part) 12 Cable 14 Conductive material (conductor) 15 Release jig 16 Pressing section 16a Pressing surface 17 Contact part 17a, 17b Contact surface 18 Slider section 18a1, 18b1 Slider bottom surface 18a2, 18b2 Slider side 20, 20A housing (case) 21 Bottom part 21a Hole 22, 23, 24 Side wall 22a, 23a, 24a Top part (abutted part) 22b, 23b, 24b inner surface 25, 26 side groove 25a, 26a Guide section 25b, 26b Ceiling part (terminal contact part) 25c, 26c side back wall 25d, 26d butt section 27 Insertion port (opening) 28 Space for insertion / extraction 28a Upper space 29, 30 Notch 40 Contacts 41 Fixed part 41a, 41b holes 41c Reims 42 Bending piece (elastic part) 42a Plate-shaped part 42b Curved section 43 Bent piece 43a Plate-shaped part 43b Contact part 43c Plate-shaped part 43d Curved section 44 Bead (protrusion, locking part, pressed part) 45 Pressure prevention part 110 Connector 111 Y-type crimp terminal (terminal) 111a, 111b terminal piece 112 Cable 115 Release jig 116 Pressing section 116a Pressing surface 117 Contact part 117a, 117b Contact surface 120 Housing (case) 121 Bottom part 122, 123 Side wall 124 Top part 125, 126 side groove 125a, 126a Guide section 125b, 126b Ceiling part (terminal contact part) 125c, 126c side back wall 127 Release window 128 Insertion port (opening) 129 Support part 130 Space for insertion / extraction 130a Upper space 131a, 131b Viewing window 132 Notch 133a, 133b Terminal strip stopper (butting part) 134 Contact opening 140 Contacts 141 Fixed part 141a, 141b Fixed part 142 Bent piece 142a Plate-shaped part 142b Contact part 142c Plate-shaped part 143 Bending piece (elastic part) 143a Plate-shaped part (extension part) 143a1, 143a2 Edge (edge, locking part) 143b Curved section 143c Release piece part (pressed part) 144 Pressure prevention part 210 Connector 211 Y-type crimp terminal (terminal) 211a, 211b terminal piece 212 Cable 220 Housing (case) 221 Bottom part 221a Hole 222, 223 Side wall 224 Top part 224a, 224b, 224c Top opening 224d Notch 225 Insertion port (opening) 226a, 226b Support groove 227 Space for insertion / extraction 240 Contacts 241 Fixed part 241a Plate-shaped part 241b, 241c Branch piece 241d Reims 241e Hole 242, 243 Clamping piece 242a, 243a clamping part 244 Bent piece 244a Curved section 244b Plate-shaped part 244c Contact part 244d Plate-shaped part 310 Connector 311 Y-type crimp terminal (terminal) 311a, 311b terminal piece 312 Cable 320 Housing (Case) 321 Bottom part 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d Support part 322, 323, 331 Side wall 324, 325 Bent piece press-fit part 326 Bent piece recess 327, 328 Crimp recess 329 Insertion port (opening) 330 Space for insertion / extraction 332 Top part 333 Notch 340 Contacts 341 Fixed part 341a First fixed part 341b Second fixed part 342 Bent piece 342a Plate-shaped part 342b Curved section 342c contact part 343, 344 Press-fit pieces 345, 346 Crimp section 345a, 346a Crimp Edge

Claims

1. A connector that electrically connects a conductor and a terminal, a conductive contact that contacts the conductor and the terminal; a case that houses the contact and has an opening through which the terminal can be inserted and removed, The contact has a fixed portion fixed to the case, at least one elastic portion that is elastically deformable, and a contact portion that comes into contact with the conductor, The elastic portion is a locking portion that locks the terminal inserted into the case; a pressed portion that is pressed to displace the locking portion and release the terminal from the locked state, The case or the contact has a terminal abutment portion, A connector, characterized in that the terminal is held between the terminal abutment portion and the elastic portion.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion is a protrusion formed on the elastic portion, and is capable of locking the terminal by engaging with an attachment portion provided on the terminal.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the case has a space in which the terminal and a release jig that presses the pressed portion can move along the insertion / removal direction.

4. the case has a guide portion, 4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein when the pressed portion is pressed, the locking portion is located at a height equal to or lower than the guide portion in the space.

5. the pressed portion is pressed by a release tool that can release the terminal from the locked state by pressing the pressed portion, 5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the releasing jig is shaped so that at least a part of the releasing jig is positioned inside the mounting portion of the terminal when released.

6. 6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the locking portion also serves as a pressure-receiving portion.

7. the elastic portion has a curved portion extending from one end of the fixing portion, and an extending portion extending from the one end of the curved portion including an edge portion, The connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion is the edge portion and is capable of locking the terminal by contacting the terminal at an acute angle with respect to the direction in which the terminal is removed.

8. a release window portion into which a release tool that presses the pressed portion can be inserted is formed in the case; 8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein the pressed portion is formed on the extension portion and faces the release window portion.

9. 9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the release window is formed to have a size or shape that makes the locking portion invisible.

10. When the terminal is locked in the locking portion, 8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein the releasing tool is structured so that when the releasing tool presses the pressed portion, it also abuts against at least a part of the terminal.

11. 11. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the case has an opening, and a support portion for supporting the terminal is formed in the opening.

12. A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the case has at least a portion of the side surface and a portion of the top surface cut out at the opening, so that a portion of the support portion can be seen from the top surface side.

13. The contact or the case has a pressure prevention portion, A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the pressure prevention portion abuts against a part of the connector when the pressed portion is pressed in a direction from the top surface portion toward the bottom surface portion, thereby regulating displacement of the elastic portion.

14. 11. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the case has a viewing window formed on the top surface thereof through which it is possible to visually confirm that the terminals are inserted inside.

15. 11. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the case is formed with abutting portions that restrict movement of the terminals beyond a predetermined range in the insertion direction.

16. A release tool for pressing the pressed portion of the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the releasing jig has a pressing portion that presses the pressed portion and a contact portion that contacts the contacted portion that is a location other than the pressed portion, A releasing jig, wherein the height from the pressing portion to the abutting portion is equal to or greater than the height from the guide portion to the abutted portion.

17. the release jig has a slider portion, the slider portion is shaped so that at least a part of it is positioned in the upper space when the releasing jig presses the pressed portion, and is shaped so that when the releasing jig is moved in the insertion / removal direction, it is moved in the upper space in the insertion / removal direction, 17. The releasing jig according to claim 16, wherein a height from the slider portion to the abutting portion is equal to or less than a height from the terminal abutting portion to the abutted portion.

18. 18. The releasing jig according to claim 17, wherein the width of the slider portion is substantially narrower than the width of the upper space.

Images