connector

The E-shaped retaining ring in the connector design addresses the instability of terminal tips by ensuring precise alignment through a repulsive force, enhancing positional accuracy and reducing wear and costs.

JP2026067631APending Publication Date: 2026-04-21YAZAKI CORP
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
YAZAKI CORP
Filing Date
2024-10-09
Publication Date
2026-04-21

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing connectors for electric vehicles suffer from instability and positional inaccuracies of terminal tips due to clearance between the C-ring insertion groove and the C-ring, leading to potential tilting and looseness of the terminals.

Method used

A connector design featuring an E-shaped retaining ring with pressing projections that fit into an annular groove on the terminal's outer surface, engaging with a receiving surface to prevent loosening and improve positional accuracy by generating a repulsive force that maintains the terminal's alignment.

Benefits of technology

The design effectively suppresses terminal tilt and looseness, enhancing the positional accuracy of terminal tips, reducing wear and insertion/removal forces, and allowing for thinner plating, thus lowering costs and improving assembly efficiency.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

This connector provides an improved positional accuracy of the terminal tip by suppressing the tilt and looseness of the terminals housed in the terminal housing. [Solution] The connector comprises an E-ring 50 fitted into an annular groove 14 of the terminal 10, an inner housing 30 that holds the housing holding portion 13 of the terminal 10, a rear case 40 assembled to the rear side of the inner housing 30, an E-ring receiving surface 48a formed on the inner wall of the terminal housing portion 47 to lock the rear end surface 51b of the E-ring 50 to prevent it from coming loose when the terminal 10 is inserted into the terminal housing portion 47 of the rear case 40 from the rear side, a terminal fixing surface 35 formed on the inner housing 30 to contact the terminal contact surface 16 of the housing holding portion 13 and restrict the protruding position of the terminal connection portion 11 of the terminal 10 relative to the connector mating chamber, and a pressing projection 55 integrally formed on the main body portion 51 of the E-ring 50 and biasing the E-ring receiving surface 48a.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to supply (charge) electric power from outside the vehicle to a battery mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle, a connector (charging inlet) installed on the vehicle has been used (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The connector 501 of Patent Document 1 includes a connector housing 530 fixed to a vehicle body mounting housing and a rear case 540 assembled on the back side of the connector housing 530.

[0004] A terminal protection wall 535 protruding into the connector fitting chamber 531 is provided on the bottom wall 533 of the connector housing 530. The rear case 540 is provided with a terminal holding wall 541 arranged coaxially with the terminal protection wall 535. Then, a terminal accommodating portion 545 for accommodating the terminal 510 is formed by the terminal protection wall 535 and the terminal holding wall 541.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 11, an annular C-ring insertion groove 514 for mounting a C-ring (stop ring) 550 and an annular O-ring insertion groove 515 for mounting an O-ring 560 are formed in the terminal 510 connected to a wire not shown.

[0006] When the terminal 510 is inserted through the opening 541a of the terminal holding wall 541 of the rear case 540, the C-ring 550 mounted on the terminal 510 is reduced in diameter when passing through the tapered chamber 541b, and the insertion is allowed. Then, when the terminal 510 is inserted to the insertion completion position of the terminal accommodating portion 545, the C-ring 550 expands in diameter and enters the recess 542 of the terminal holding wall 541. Thereby, the terminal 510 is positioned and fixed in the terminal accommodating portion 545.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6923500 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, in the connector 501 described above, a clearance 570 is required between the groove width of the C-ring insertion groove 514 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the terminal 510 and the ring width of the C-ring 550 due to component tolerances and assembly requirements, making it impossible to completely fix the C-ring 550 to the terminal 510. As a result, the tip of the terminal 510 housed in the terminal housing portion 545 is unstable, potentially leading to a decrease in the positional accuracy of the terminal tip. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a connector that can improve the positional accuracy of the terminal tip by suppressing the tilting and looseness of the terminal housed in the terminal housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the connector according to the present invention is characterized by the following: A terminal having a terminal connection portion that is electrically connected to a mating terminal, and a housing holding portion, An E-shaped retaining ring is fitted into an annular groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing retaining portion, A first housing having a connector mating chamber into which a mating connector is mated, and holding the housing holding portion in a state in which the terminal connection portion protrudes into the connector mating chamber, A second housing is assembled to the rear side of the first housing, which is on the opposite side from the side to which the mating connector is mated, When the terminal is inserted into the terminal housing of the second housing from the rear side, the E-type retaining ring receiving surface is formed on the inner wall of the terminal housing to engage the rear end surface of the E-type retaining ring and prevent it from coming loose, A terminal fixing surface formed on the first housing to contact the terminal contact surface of the housing holding portion and to restrict the protruding position of the terminal connection portion relative to the connector mating chamber, The E-shaped retaining ring has a pressing projection (dowel portion) that protrudes from the main body and biases the E-shaped retaining ring receiving surface, A connector equipped with this feature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the connector of the present invention, the tilt and looseness of the terminals housed in the terminal housing can be suppressed, thereby improving the positional accuracy of the terminal tips.

[0011] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by referring to the attached drawings and reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of section A in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first housing shown in Figure 2, viewed from the rear. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the E-type retaining ring according to this embodiment, viewed from the front. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the E-type retaining ring according to this embodiment, viewed from the rear. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state immediately before the E-type retaining ring is attached to the terminal. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the E-type retaining ring shown in Figure 7 attached to the terminal. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part showing the E-type retaining ring shown in Figure 8 attached to the terminal. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a state in which a terminal is retained from coming off in a second housing by an E-ring. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a conventional connector.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0013] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the respective drawings. A connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a charging inlet that is installed in a vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle and is connected to an electric wire extending from a battery mounted on the vehicle. By fitting a mating connector (so-called charging gun) to the connector 1, power is supplied from outside the vehicle to the battery, and the battery is charged.

[0014] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 1, a “front-rear direction”, a “left-right direction”, and an “up-down direction” are defined. These “front-rear direction”, “left-right direction”, and “up-down direction” are orthogonal to each other. The front-rear direction coincides with the fitting direction of the connector 1 and the mating connector (not shown), and the front side in the fitting direction as viewed from the connector 1 (the side approaching the mating connector) is referred to as the “front side”, and the release side in the fitting direction as viewed from the connector 1 (the side moving away from the mating connector) is referred to as the “rear side”.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the connector 1 according to the present embodiment includes a pair of terminals 10, an inner housing (first housing) 30 and a rear case (second housing) 40 that constitute a connector housing 60 that houses the pair of terminals 10, and a metal E-ring (E-shaped retaining ring) 50 that is attached to an annular groove 14 formed on the outer peripheral surface of each terminal 10.

[0016] A pair of terminals 10 are connected to one end of a pair of electric wires 20. The other ends of the pair of electric wires 20 are connected to a battery (not shown). The electric wires 20 consist of a conductor core wire 21 and an insulating resin sheath 23 that covers the conductor core wire 21. The following describes each component that makes up the connector 1 in order.

[0017] First, the connector housing 60 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector housing 60 comprises a resin inner housing 30 and a resin rear case 40.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the inner housing 30 of this embodiment has a bottom wall portion 33, a fitting cylinder portion 32 protruding from the rear of the bottom wall portion 33, a hood portion 37 erected in front of the bottom wall portion 33, and a rectangular flange portion 39 protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the hood portion 37.

[0019] A pair of connector mating chambers 31 are formed, surrounded by the bottom wall portion 33 and the hood portion 37. The connector mating chambers 31 open to the front side of the inner housing 30. The mating connector is mated into the connector mating chamber 31.

[0020] The bottom wall portion 33 is provided with a terminal holding hole 34 through which the terminal 10 is inserted. The terminal holding hole 34 holds the housing holding portion 13 of the terminal 10 so that the terminal connection portion 11 of the terminal 10, which will be described later, protrudes into the connector mating chamber 31.

[0021] The terminal holding hole 34 is a stepped hole having a through hole 34a through which the terminal connection portion 11 of the terminal 10 passes, and a terminal support hole 34b that is larger in diameter than the through hole 34a. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, a thermistor housing portion 34c for housing the thermistor 80 (described later) is formed adjacent to the terminal support hole 34b on the inner circumferential surface of the fitting cylinder portion 32, which is fitted into the fitting recess 44 of the rear case 40.

[0022] Furthermore, a terminal fixing surface 35 is formed between the inner circumferential surface of the terminal support hole 34b and the inner circumferential surface of the thermistor housing portion 34c. The terminal fixing surface 35 is an annular surface perpendicular to the fitting direction that faces the terminal contact surface 16 of the housing holding portion 13 on the terminal 10, and can contact the terminal 10 to restrict the protruding position of the terminal connection portion 11 relative to the connector fitting chamber 31.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the rear case 40 of this embodiment is assembled to the rear side of the inner housing 30, which is on the opposite side from the side to which the mating connector is fitted. The rear case 40 has a rectangular flange portion 41 that is assembled and fixed to the flange portion 39 of the inner housing 30, a cylindrical portion 43 that is erected behind the flange portion 41 to define a pair of terminal housing portions 47, and a fitting recess 44 that is fitted onto the fitting cylindrical portion 32 of the inner housing 30.

[0024] The flange portion 39 is fastened and fixed to the back surface of the flange portion 39 by assembly screws 90 inserted through screw insertion holes 45. When the rear case 40 is assembled to the inner housing 30, the pair of terminal housings 47 are arranged coaxially with the pair of connector mating chambers 31 and are in communication with each other.

[0025] Each terminal housing section 47 has an opening 40a on the rear side of the rear case 40. Each terminal housing section 47 extends from the front side to the rear side of the rear case 40 and has a housing chamber 47a that accommodates the terminal 10 with almost no gaps, a tapered chamber 47b that gradually widens in diameter from the housing chamber 47a, and a large-diameter chamber 47c that accommodates the terminal 10 with some gaps. The rear side of the large-diameter chamber 47c is the opening 40a.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the front end surface of the peripheral wall 48 at the front end of the housing chamber 47a is an E-ring receiving surface (E-type retaining ring receiving surface) 48a. The E-ring receiving surface 48a is an annular surface perpendicular to the fitting direction and facing the bottom wall portion 33 of the inner housing 30, and can lock the E-ring 50 attached to the outer circumferential surface of the terminal 10, thereby preventing the terminal 10 from coming off from the rear of the rear case 40.

[0027] Next, the pair of terminals 10 according to this embodiment will be described. In this example, the pair of terminals 10 are identical in shape. Each terminal 10 is made of metal and has a terminal connection portion 11 on one end that is electrically connected to the mating terminal, and a wire connection portion 15 on the other end that is electrically connected to the electric wire 20. Between the terminal connection portion 11 and the wire connection portion 15, there is a housing holding portion 13 that is held by the connector housing 60.

[0028] The terminal connector 11 is a male terminal formed in the shape of a circular rod and is inserted into the mating terminal (female terminal). Note that the terminal connector 11 in this embodiment is not limited to a male terminal; it can also be configured as a female terminal.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the wire connection section 15 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a connection hole 19 provided on its rear end surface 15a. The conductor core wire 21, which is exposed at one end of the electric wire 20, is inserted into the connection hole 19 and crimped into place. Alternatively, the wire connection section 15 may be formed in a short, solid column shape, and the conductor core wire 21 of the electric wire 20 may be joined to the rear end surface 15a by heat-pressure welding.

[0030] The housing holding portion 13 has a stepped cylindrical portion consisting of a small-diameter portion 17 located in front of the wire connection portion 15 and having a smaller outer diameter than the wire connection portion 15, and an intermediate stepped portion 12 formed between the small-diameter portion 17 and the terminal connection portion 11.

[0031] An annular groove 14 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the small-diameter portion 17 near the wire connection portion 15, into which an E-ring 50 for fixing the terminal is fitted. The annular groove 14 has a front wall surface 14b and a rear wall surface 14c that face each other front and rear, with an annular bottom wall surface 14a in between.

[0032] Furthermore, a thermistor 80 is mounted on the outer surface of the small-diameter portion 17 in front of the annular groove 14. The thermistor 80 makes it possible to measure the temperature of the terminal 10, and to monitor the temperature changes of the terminal 10 when the connector 1 is in use (when the battery is in use).

[0033] The intermediate stepped portion 12 is held in the terminal support hole 34b of the terminal holding hole 34 provided in the bottom wall portion 33 of the inner housing 30. Furthermore, a terminal contact surface 16 is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate stepped portion 12 and the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 17. The terminal contact surface 16 is an annular surface perpendicular to the fitting direction and facing the terminal fixing surface 35 of the terminal holding hole 34, and by contacting the terminal fixing surface 35, the protruding position of the terminal connection portion 11 relative to the connector fitting chamber 31 is restricted.

[0034] Next, the E-ring 50 according to this embodiment will be described. The E-ring 50 according to this embodiment is made of, for example, spring steel, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6, has a main body portion 51 that is E-shaped in front view, with three fitting protrusions 52 that are inserted into the annular groove 14 of the terminal 10 protruding from its inner periphery, and a plurality of pressing portions 53 that are integrally formed on the main body portion 51.

[0035] The pressing portion 53 is composed of pressing protrusions 54 and 55 that are formed in pairs and protrude from the front end surface 51a and rear end surface 51b of the main body portion 51, respectively.

[0036] Specifically, the multiple (four in this embodiment) pressing portions 53 are integrally formed on the main body portion 51 by embossing or the like, with pressing protrusions 54 projecting from the front end surface 51a and pressing protrusions 55 projecting from the rear end surface 51b, so that they form pairs on the main body portion 51 and are arranged on the main body portion 51 at predetermined intervals (for example, equal intervals) along the circumferential direction. As a result, the E-ring 50 is formed with a symmetrical shape on its front and rear surfaces, there is no directionality when attaching it to the annular groove 14 of the terminal 10, and assembly workability is good.

[0037] The pressing portion 53 can also be configured such that only a plurality of pressing protrusions 55 protruding from at least the rear end surface 51b of the main body portion 51 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction, and no pressing protrusions 54 protruding from the front end surface 51a are provided. In this case, the E-ring 50 is mounted in the annular groove 14 such that the rear end surface 51b faces the E-ring receiving surface 48a.

[0038] Then, as shown in Figures 7 to 9, the E-ring 50 is attached to the terminal 10 such that the three fitting protrusions 52 are inserted into the annular groove 14. Here, the fitting protrusions 52 inserted into the annular groove 14 are made to have a clearance between the front wall surface 14b and the rear wall surface 14c, taking into consideration the tolerances of the parts and ease of assembly, so that they slide against either the front wall surface 14b or the rear wall surface 14c (see Figure 9).

[0039] Next, the assembly of the connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Connector 1 is formed by assembling the terminals 10 into the rear case 40, and then assembling the rear case 40 into the inner housing 30, thereby creating a connector in which the terminals 10 are housed in the connector housing 60.

[0040] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, terminal 10 is connected to one end of the electric wire 20. Then, this terminal 10 is inserted through the opening 40a of the terminal housing section 47 in the rear case 40.

[0041] When the terminal 10 is inserted to the completed insertion position in the terminal housing portion 47, the housing retaining portion 13, which penetrates the housing chamber 47a, is positioned in the fitting recess 44 of the rear case 40, as shown in Figure 7. At this point, the E-ring 50 is fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the housing retaining portion 13 from the front end side of the terminal 10. The E-ring 50, which has a fitting projection 52 protruding from its inner periphery, expands in diameter as it passes through the small-diameter portion 17 in front of the annular groove 14, and is then fitted onto the pair of through holes 56 at the open end of the main body portion 51 by the attachment / detachment jig.

[0042] Then, when the E-ring 50 is externally fitted to the housing holding portion 13 to the external fitting completion position and the attachment / detachment jig is removed, the main body portion 51 shrinks in diameter and the fitting projection 52 enters the annular groove 14. As a result, the terminal 10, with the E-ring 50 locked to the E-ring receiving surface 48a, is prevented from coming out of the terminal housing portion 47 to the rear, as shown in Figure 10.

[0043] Next, the rear case 40 with the terminal 10 assembled is assembled to the rear side of the inner housing 30, which houses the thermistor 80 in the thermistor housing section 34c. Then, as shown in Figure 2, the terminal connection section 11 of the terminal 10 passes through the through hole 34a of the terminal holding hole 34, and the intermediate stepped section 12 of the housing holding section 13 is held in the terminal support hole 34b of the terminal holding hole 34.

[0044] At this time, the thermistor 80 is attached to the small diameter portion 17 of the terminal 10, and the terminal contact surface 16 of the terminal 10 comes into contact with the terminal fixing surface 35 of the terminal holding hole 34. With the terminal contact surface 16 in contact with the terminal fixing surface 35, the terminal 10 is moved backward to the rear of the terminal housing portion 47, and the pressing projection 55 of the E-ring 50 mounted in the annular groove 14 is pressed against the E-ring receiving surface 48a of the peripheral wall 48 (see Figure 3).

[0045] Here, the E-ring 50 fitted in the annular groove 14 flexes radially overall when the pressing projection 55 is pressed against the E-ring receiving surface 48a. That is, a repulsive force greater than the connector fitting force is generated between the front wall surface 14b, which the front end surface 51a of the fitting projection 52 abuts against, and the E-ring receiving surface 48a, which the pressing projection 55, which is formed to protrude from the rear end surface 51b of the main body portion 51, abuts against. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, the terminal contact surface 16 of the terminal 10 is always elastically pressed against the terminal fixing surface 35 of the inner housing 30.

[0046] In other words, due to the repulsive force of the E-ring 50, the terminal 10, whose terminal contact surface 16 perpendicular to the mating direction is constantly pressed against the terminal fixing surface 35 perpendicular to the mating direction, has its tilt and looseness relative to the terminal housing 47 suppressed. As a result, the positional accuracy of the terminal tip of the terminal connection portion 11 of the terminal 10 is improved.

[0047] Therefore, according to the connector 1 of this embodiment, by integrally providing a pressing projection 55 on the main body 51 of the E-ring 50 for preventing the terminal 10 from coming out of the rear case 40, the positional accuracy of the tip of the terminal 10 can be improved without providing any additional parts.

[0048] Furthermore, because the positional accuracy of the tip of the terminal 10 of connector 1 is improved, the amount of wear on the terminal connection portion 11 that mates with the mating terminal when inserting or removing the mating connector is reduced, making it possible to reduce costs by using a thinner plating on the terminal surface. Furthermore, the improved positional accuracy of the tip of terminal 10 in connector 1 reduces the insertion and removal force required when inserting or removing the mating connector.

[0049] Furthermore, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of pressing protrusions 55 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction and protrude from at least the rear end surface 51b of the main body 51. Therefore, the E-ring 50 can press the pressing projection 55 parallel to the E-ring receiving surface 48a of the terminal housing portion 47, thereby further improving the positional accuracy of the tip of the terminal 10.

[0050] Furthermore, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, the multiple pressing protrusions 54 and 55 constituting the pressing portion 53 are formed in pairs protruding from the front end surface 51a and the rear end surface 51b of the main body portion 51. That is, the multiple pressing portions 53 are integrally formed on the main body portion 51 by embossing or the like so that the pressing protrusions 54 protruding from the front end surface 51a and the pressing protrusions 55 protruding from the rear end surface 51b are formed in pairs. As a result, the E-ring 50 is formed with a symmetrical shape on its front and rear surfaces, there is no directionality when attaching it to the annular groove 14 of the terminal 10, and assembly workability is good.

[0051] Therefore, according to the connector 1 of the embodiment described above, the tilt and looseness of the terminal 10 housed in the terminal housing portion 47 of the rear case 40 can be suppressed, thereby improving the positional accuracy of the terminal tip.

[0052] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc., as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, placement, etc. of each component in the embodiments described above are arbitrary and not limited, as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0053] Here, the features of the embodiments of the connector according to the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [3]. [1] A terminal (10) having a terminal connection portion (11) that is electrically connected to the mating terminal and a housing holding portion (13), An E-type retaining ring (E-ring 50) is fitted into an annular groove (14) formed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing retaining portion (13), A first housing (inner housing 30) has a connector mating chamber (31) into which a mating connector is mated, and holds the housing holding portion (13) in a state in which the terminal connection portion (11) protrudes into the connector mating chamber (31), A second housing (rear case 40) is assembled to the rear side of the first housing (inner housing 30), which is on the opposite side from the side to which the mating connector is mated, When the terminal (10) is inserted into the terminal housing portion (47) of the second housing (rear case 40) from the rear side, the rear end surface (51b) of the E-type retaining ring (E-ring 50) is engaged with the E-type retaining ring receiving surface (E-ring receiving surface 48a) formed on the inner wall of the terminal housing portion (47) to prevent it from coming loose, A terminal fixing surface (35) formed on the first housing (inner housing 30) in order to contact the terminal contact surface (16) of the housing holding portion (13) and restrict the protruding position of the terminal connection portion (11) relative to the connector mating chamber (31), The main body portion (51) of the E-type retaining ring (E-ring 50) is integrally formed with pressing projections (54, 55) that press and bias the E-type retaining ring receiving surface (E-ring receiving surface 48a), Equipped with a connector (1).

[0054] According to the connector (1) with the configuration described in [1] above, the E-ring (E-type retaining ring 50) fitted in the annular groove (14) is structured to flex radially overall when the pressing projection (55) is pressed against the E-ring receiving surface (E-type retaining ring receiving surface 48a), generating a repulsive force greater than the connector mating force. That is, due to the repulsive force of the E-ring (E-type retaining ring 50), the terminal (10), whose terminal contact surface (16) perpendicular to the mating direction is always pressed against the terminal fixing surface (35) perpendicular to the mating direction, has its tilt and looseness relative to the terminal housing (47) suppressed. As a result, the positional accuracy of the terminal tip of the terminal connection portion (11) of the terminal (10) is improved.

[0055] [2] Multiple pressing protrusions (55) are arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction and protrude from at least the rear end surface (51b) of the main body (51), The connector (1) described in [1] above.

[0056] According to the connector (1) with the configuration described in [2] above, the E-type retaining ring (E-ring 50) can press its pressing projection (55) parallel to the E-type retaining ring receiving surface (E-ring receiving surface 48a) of the terminal housing (47), thereby further improving the positional accuracy of the tip of the terminal 10.

[0057] [3] Multiple pressing protrusions are formed in pairs on the front end surface and the rear end surface of the main body portion, The connector (1) described in [2] above.

[0058] In the connector (1) with the configuration described in [3] above, the pressing projection (54) protruding from the front end surface (51a) of the main body (51) of the E-type retaining ring (E-ring 50) and the pressing projection (55) protruding from the rear end surface (51b) of the main body (51) are integrally formed in pairs with the main body (51). Therefore, the front and rear surfaces of the E-type retaining ring (E-ring 50) are formed in a symmetrical shape, there is no directionality when attaching it to the annular groove (14) of the terminal (10), and assembly workability is good. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1… Connector 10… Terminals 11…Terminal connection section 13…Housing retaining part 14… Ring groove 16…Terminal contact surface 30... Inner Housing (First Housing) 31…Connector mating chamber 35…Terminal fixing surface 40... Rear case (second housing) 47... Terminal housing section 48a...E-ring receiving surface (E-type retaining ring receiving surface) 50…E-ring (E-type retaining ring) 51...Main body 54…Pressure projection 55...Pressure projection

Claims

1. A terminal having a terminal connection portion that is electrically connected to a mating terminal, and a housing holding portion, An E-shaped retaining ring fitted into an annular groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing retaining portion, A first housing having a connector mating chamber into which a mating connector is mated, and holding the housing holding portion in a state in which the terminal connection portion protrudes into the connector mating chamber, A second housing is assembled to the rear side of the first housing, which is on the opposite side from the side to which the mating connector is mated, When the terminal is inserted into the terminal housing of the second housing from the rear side, the E-shaped retaining ring receiving surface is formed on the inner wall of the terminal housing to engage the rear end surface of the E-shaped retaining ring and prevent it from coming loose, A terminal fixing surface formed on the first housing to contact the terminal contact surface of the housing holding portion and to restrict the protruding position of the terminal connection portion relative to the connector mating chamber, A pressing projection is provided on the main body of the E-type retaining ring and biases the receiving surface of the E-type retaining ring by pressing against it, A connector equipped with this feature.

2. Multiple pressing protrusions are arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction and protrude from at least the rear end surface of the main body. The connector according to claim 1.

3. Multiple pressing protrusions are formed in pairs, protruding from the front end surface and the rear end surface of the main body portion. The connector according to claim 2.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • connector

    JP6923500B2