Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector which can stably restrict backlash of a holder and can be downsized.SOLUTION: A connector 1 comprises: a housing 3 having a hood part 9 whose inner surface 13 is formed in a curved shape; a terminal 5 housed in the housing 3; and a holder 7, housed inside the hood part 9, whose outer surface 35 facing the inner surface 13 of the hood part 9 is formed in a curved shape. The inner surface 13 of the hood part 9 is provided with a plurality of backlash restricting ribs 17 which press the outer surface 35 of the holder 7. The outer surface 35 of the holder 7 is provided with a flat surface part 39 which is formed in a flat shape. The inner surface 13 facing the flat surface part 39 of the hood part 9 is provided with a facing flat surface part 19 which is formed in a flat shape parallel to the flat surface part 39. The facing flat surface part 19 is provided with a position restricting rib 21 which presses the flat surface part 39.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a known connector includes a housing having a hood portion whose inner surface is formed into a curved surface, terminals accommodated in the housing, and a holder accommodated inside the hood portion (see Patent Document 1). In this connector, the holder is provided with a pair of planar substrate portions and an elastically deformable elastic portion connecting the pair of substrate portions. Planar guide walls that abut the pair of substrate portions are provided inside the hood portion. The distance between the pair of substrate portions is set to be larger than the distance between the two guide walls. Therefore, the holder is accommodated in the hood portion with the pair of substrate portions applying a biasing force against each guide wall due to the elastic portion's recovery from elastic deformation, thereby preventing rattling. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-45411 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The connector of Patent Document 1 has a relatively large interior space within the hood, allowing a planar guide wall to be provided within the hood, allowing the planar substrate of the holder to abut against it. However, for example, if the connector is miniaturized and a planar portion cannot be provided within the hood, the outer surface of the holder may need to abut against the inner surface of the hood. The inner surface of the hood is curved, and the outer surface of the holder that abuts against the curved inner surface must also be curved because a flat surface like the substrate may cause rattle. However, when the curved surfaces of the holders abut against each other due to their recovery from elastic deformation, the contact between the abutting surfaces may vary, resulting in unstable rattle control of the holder.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can stably prevent rattle of the holder and can be made smaller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of this embodiment comprises a housing having a hood portion whose inner surface is formed in a curved shape, terminals accommodated in the housing, and a holder accommodated inside the hood portion and whose outer surface facing the inner surface of the hood portion is formed in a curved shape, the inner surface of the hood portion is provided with a plurality of backlash-reducing ribs that press against the outer surface of the holder, the outer surface of the holder is provided with a flat portion that is formed in a flat shape, the inner surface of the hood portion facing the flat portion is provided with an opposing flat portion that is formed in a flat shape parallel to the flat portion, and the opposing flat portion is provided with a position-regulating rib that presses against the flat portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can stably prevent rattle of the holder and can be made smaller. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holder of the connector according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The connector according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, the connector 1 according to this embodiment electrically connects two electrical components (not shown), such as a power source and a device, or two devices. The connector 1 is electrically connected to, for example, one of the electrical components. The connector 1 can be mated with a mating connector (not shown) that is electrically connected to the other electrical component. By mating the connector 1 with the mating connector, the two electrical components are electrically connected.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the connector 1 includes a housing 3, terminals 5, and a holder .

[0012] 1 to 4, the housing 3 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, etc. The housing 3 includes a hood portion 9 and a terminal receiving chamber 11.

[0013] The hood portion 9 is formed in the shape of a rectangular housing into which a mating housing (not shown) of a mating connector can be fitted. The hood portion 9 is open at the front side in the mating direction with the mating housing and closed at the rear side in the mating direction with the mating housing. The inner surface 13 of the hood portion 9 is formed into a curved surface with rounded corners and slightly outwardly curved sides, for example, to improve adhesion with a sealing member (not shown) such as a packing that seals the gap with the mating housing. The inner surface 13 of the hood portion 9 is provided with multiple (two in this example) guide ribs 15 that protrude inward of the hood portion 9. The guide ribs 15 extend along the insertion direction of the holder 7 into the hood portion 9.

[0014] The inner surface 13 of the hood portion 9 is provided with a plurality of (seven in this example) rattle-reducing ribs 17 that protrude inward of the hood portion 9. The plurality of rattle-reducing ribs 17 extend along the insertion direction of the holder 7 into the hood portion 9. The plurality of rattle-reducing ribs 17 are arranged so that at least one is located on each of the four side portions in the circumferential direction of the hood portion 9. In this embodiment, one rattle-reducing rib 17 is located on each of the short side portions of both side walls, three on the long side portion of the top wall, and two on the long side portion of the bottom wall. By arranging at least one rattle-reducing rib 17 on each of the four side portions, rattle of the holder 7 can be evenly restricted in the circumferential direction of the hood portion 9.

[0015] The inner surface 13 of the hood portion 9 is provided with a plurality of (here, two) opposing flat surfaces 19 that protrude inward into the hood portion 9 and have flat surfaces in the protruding direction. The opposing flat surfaces 19 have a predetermined width and extend along the insertion direction of the holder 7 into the hood portion 9. Each of the opposing flat surfaces 19 is provided with a position restriction rib 21 that protrudes toward the inside of the hood portion 9. The position restriction rib 21 extends along the insertion direction of the holder 7 into the hood portion 9.

[0016] A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 11 are provided inside the hood portion 9. In this embodiment, five terminal accommodating chambers 11 are provided which are partitioned into one space, one terminal accommodating chamber 11 is provided which is partitioned into three spaces, and one terminal accommodating chamber 11 is provided which is partitioned into six spaces. The plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 11 extend along the mating direction of the connector 1 and the mating connector. Both sides of the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 11 in the extension direction are open. The opening on one side of the terminal accommodating chamber 11 is an insertion opening through which a terminal 5 can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 11. The opening on the other side of the terminal accommodating chamber 11 is a connection opening through which the terminal 5 is electrically connected to a mating terminal (not shown) of the mating connector.

[0017] Each of the terminal accommodating chambers 11 is provided with a locking lance 23 that is elastically deformable and engageable with the terminal 5. By engaging with the terminal 5, the locking lance 23 prevents the terminal 5 from slipping out of the insertion opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 11, thereby holding the terminal 5 in the housing 3. Of the multiple locking lances 23, the locking lance 23 where the position restricting rib 21 is located is arranged facing the position restricting rib 21 in the elastic deformation direction. The locking lance 23 facing the position restricting rib 21 abuts against the position restricting rib 21 when it attempts to undergo excessive elastic deformation. This prevents excessive elastic deformation of the locking lance 23, prevents deformation or damage to the locking lance 23, and ensures stable retention of the terminal 5 in the housing 3. The terminal 5 is received into the terminal accommodating chamber 11 provided with the locking lance 23 through the insertion opening.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1 , the terminals 5 are made of a conductive material and are used in multiple numbers to be accommodated in the multiple terminal accommodating chambers 11, respectively. In this embodiment, five large terminals 5, such as power terminals, and nine small terminals 5, such as communication terminals, are used. The multiple terminals 5 are male terminals having tab-shaped connection portions. Each of the multiple terminals 5 is electrically connected, by crimping or the like, to an end portion of an electric wire 25 electrically connected to one of the electric components. A waterproof plug 27 is attached to the outer periphery of the electric wire 25, which fits tightly against the inner surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 11 and seals between the housing 3 and the electric wire 25. The terminal 5 is inserted through the insertion opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 11 and is retained in the terminal accommodating chamber 11 by engaging with the locking lance 23. The terminal 5 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 11 has its tab-shaped connection portion inserted through the connection opening, and the tab-shaped connection portion is disposed in the hood portion 9. When connector 1 and a mating connector are mated, the tab-shaped connecting portion arranged on hood portion 9 is inserted into the box-shaped connecting portion of the mating terminal, electrically connecting terminal 5 to the mating terminal. The accommodation state of terminal 5 in housing 3 is detected by holder 7.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the holder 7 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The holder 7 is formed in the shape of a rectangular lid that can be accommodated within the hood portion 9 to close the hood portion 9. The holder 7 is accommodated within the hood portion 9 and is movable between a temporary locking position and a full locking position. A holding portion (not shown) that holds the holder 7 at the temporary locking position and the full locking position may be provided between the holder 7 and the housing 3. An operating portion 29 that an operator grasps to operate the holder 7 is provided on the opening side of the hood portion 9 of the holder 7. The holder 7 has multiple (seven in this example) through-holes 31 at positions corresponding to the multiple terminal accommodating chambers 11, exposing the connection openings of the terminal accommodating chambers 11 and the locking lances 23. When the holder 7 is in the full locking position, the tab-shaped connecting portions of the terminals 5 are disposed in the through-holes 31, enabling electrical connection between the terminals 5 and the mating terminals when the connector 1 and the mating connector are mated. In addition, a jig (not shown) that elastically deforms the locking lance 23 when the holder 7 is in the temporary locking position can be inserted into the through hole 31, and the locking lance 23 can be elastically deformed using the jig, making it possible to remove the terminal 5 from the terminal accommodating chamber 11.

[0020] The holder 7 has a detection portion 33 extending toward the housing 3. A plurality of detection portions 33 are provided corresponding to the plurality of locking lances 23. The detection portion 33 is insertable into an allowable space that allows the locking lances 23 to be elastically deformed. When the holder 7 is in the provisional locking position relative to the hood portion 9, the detection portion 33 waits so as not to be inserted into the allowable section. This allows the locking lances 23 to be elastically deformable and to accommodate the terminals 5 in the terminal accommodating chambers 11. When the holder 7 is in the full locking position relative to the hood portion 9, the detection portion 33 is inserted into the allowable space. If the terminals 5 are properly positioned in the terminal accommodating chambers 11 at this time, the locking lances 23 have recovered from their elastic deformation, and the detection portion 33 can be inserted into the allowable space, allowing the holder 7 to be moved from the provisional locking position to the full locking position. On the other hand, when the terminal 5 is not properly positioned in the terminal accommodating chamber 11, the locking lance 23 is in an elastically deformed state, and the detection part 33 cannot be inserted into the allowable space, making it impossible to move the holder 7 from the provisional locking position to the full locking position. In this way, the accommodation state of the terminal 5 in the housing 3 can be detected by the arrangement position of the holder 7 relative to the hood part 9.

[0021] The holder 7 has an outer surface 35 facing the inner surface 13 of the hood portion 9, which is formed into a curved surface with rounded corners and sides that curve slightly outward, similar to the inner surface 13 of the hood portion 9. The outer surface 35 of the holder 7 is provided with a plurality of (two in this example) guide grooves 37 that can engage with the guide ribs 15 at positions corresponding to the plurality of guide ribs 15 of the hood portion 9. The engagement between the guide ribs 15 and the guide grooves 37 makes it possible to guide the movement of the holder 7 relative to the hood portion 9. The outer surface 35 of the holder 7 is provided with flat surfaces 39 that are formed into a plane parallel to the opposing flat surfaces 19 at positions facing the plurality of opposing flat surfaces 19 of the hood portion 9.

[0022] When the holder 7 is housed in the hood portion 9, the curved outer surface 35 of the holder 7 is pressed inwardly of the hood portion 9 by the multiple (seven in this example) backlash-reducing ribs 17 of the hood portion 9. By pressing the curved outer surface 35 with the backlash-reducing ribs 17, since the curved surfaces are not in contact with each other, there is no variation in the contact of the contacting surfaces, and backlash of the holder 7 can be stably restricted. When the holder 7 is housed in the hood portion 9, the flat portion 39 of the holder 7 is pressed inwardly of the hood portion 9 by the position-restricting rib 21 of the opposing flat portion 19. By pressing the flat portion 39 with the position-restricting rib 21 of the opposing flat portion 19, it is possible to restrict fluctuations in the position of the holder 7 relative to the hood portion 9. Therefore, without providing a structure for restricting rattle of the holder 7 inside the hood portion 9, rattle of the holder 7 can be restricted between the inner surface 13 of the hood portion 9 and the outer surface 35 of the holder 7, and the connector 1 can be made smaller.

[0023] As an example of assembling such a connector 1, first, the holder 7 is inserted into the hood portion 9. At this time, the outer surface 35 of the holder 7 is pressed by the backlash-restricting rib 17, and the flat surface 39 of the holder 7 is pressed by the position-restricting rib 21, thereby restricting movement of the holder 7 relative to the hood portion 9 and restricting backlash of the holder 7. Next, the holder 7 is moved until it is positioned at the temporary locking position. Next, the terminals 5 are accommodated in the housing 3. Then, the holder 7 is moved until it is positioned at the full locking position, completing the assembly of the connector 1.

[0024] Such connector 1 includes a housing 3 having a hood portion 9 with an inner surface 13 formed into a curved surface, terminals 5 accommodated in the housing 3, and a holder 7 accommodated inside the hood portion 9 and having an outer surface 35 opposed to the inner surface 13 of the hood portion 9 formed into a curved surface. The inner surface 13 of the hood portion 9 is provided with a plurality of backlash-restricting ribs 17 that press against the outer surface 35 of the holder 7. The outer surface 35 of the holder 7 is provided with a flat surface portion 39 that is formed into a flat surface. The inner surface 13 opposed to the flat surface portion 39 of the hood portion 9 is provided with an opposing flat surface portion 19 that is formed into a flat surface parallel to the flat surface portion 39. The opposing flat surface portion 19 is provided with a position-regulating rib 21 that presses against the flat surface portion 39.

[0025] The curved outer surface 35 of the holder 7 is pressed inwardly of the hood portion 9 by the multiple backlash-reducing ribs 17 of the hood portion 9. By pressing the curved outer surface 35 with the backlash-reducing ribs 17, since the curved surfaces are not in contact with each other, there is no variation in the contacting surfaces, and backlash of the holder 7 can be stably restricted. The flat surface 39 of the holder 7 is pressed inwardly of the hood portion 9 by the position-reducing ribs 21 of the opposing flat surface 19. By pressing the flat surface 39 with the position-reducing ribs 21 of the opposing flat surface 19, fluctuations in the position of the holder 7 relative to the hood portion 9 can be restricted. Therefore, backlash of the holder 7 can be restricted between the inner surface 13 of the hood portion 9 and the outer surface 35 of the holder 7 without providing a structure for restricting backlash of the holder 7 inside the hood portion 9, and the connector 1 can be made smaller.

[0026] Therefore, in such a connector 1, rattle of the holder 7 can be stably restricted, and the connector can be made smaller.

[0027] The housing 3 is provided with elastically deformable locking lances 23 that engage with the terminals 5 and hold the terminals 5 in the housing 3. The position restricting ribs 21 are arranged opposite the locking lances 23 in the direction of elastic deformation of the locking lances 23.

[0028] When the locking lance 23 facing the position restricting rib 21 attempts to be excessively elastically deformed, it abuts against the position restricting rib 21. This restricts excessive elastic deformation of the locking lance 23, prevents deformation or damage to the locking lance 23, and allows the terminal 5 to be stably held in the housing 3.

[0029] Furthermore, the holder 7 detects the accommodation state of the terminal 5 in the housing 3 based on the arrangement position of the holder 7 relative to the hood portion 9.

[0030] The holder 7 is restricted from rattling relative to the hood portion 9. Therefore, the position of the holder 7 relative to the hood portion 9 can be stably changed, and the accommodation state of the terminal 5 relative to the housing 3 can be stably detected.

[0031] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0032] For example, seven backlash-reducing ribs are provided, but the number is not limited to this, and six or less, or eight or more backlash-reducing ribs may be provided.

[0033] Although two opposing flat surfaces and two position restricting ribs are provided, this is not limiting, and three or more opposing flat surfaces and three or more position restricting ribs may be provided. In addition, one opposing flat surface may be provided with a plurality of position restricting ribs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1 connector 3. Housing 5 terminals 7 Holder 9. Hood 13 Inner 17. Backlash control rib 19 Opposing plane part 21 Position control rib 23 Locking lance 35 External surface 39 Plane part

Claims

1. a housing having a hood portion whose inner surface is formed into a curved surface; a terminal accommodated in the housing; a holder that is housed inside the hood portion and has an outer surface that faces the inner surface of the hood portion and is formed into a curved surface; Equipped with The inner surface of the hood portion is provided with a plurality of backlash-reducing ribs that press against the outer surface of the holder, The holder has an outer surface provided with a flat surface portion formed in a flat shape, An inner surface of the hood portion facing the flat surface portion is provided with an opposing flat surface portion formed in a plane parallel to the flat surface portion, The connector has a position-regulating rib on the opposing flat surface portion that presses against the flat surface portion.

2. The housing is provided with an elastically deformable locking lance that engages with the terminal and holds the terminal in the housing, 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the position-restricting rib is disposed opposite the locking lance in the direction of elastic deformation of the locking lance.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the holder detects the accommodation state of the terminal in the housing based on the arrangement position of the holder relative to the hood portion.

Images