Connector mating structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector mating structure that reduces the peak value of the insertion force required for mating when multiple elastic pieces are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction on the female terminal. [Solution] In the connector mating structure 1, the multiple elastic pieces 33 arranged on the female terminal 10 are arranged along a parallel direction perpendicular to both the mating direction of the male connector 3 to the female connector 2 and the opposing direction of the pair of piece parts 11, and press against one of the main planes 51a of the flat plate part 51 of the male terminal 50, thereby pressing the flat plate part 51 against the other piece part 11. The first side edge 55 has a first part P1 facing the first elastic piece 33a and a second part P2 facing the second elastic piece 33b, which is in a different position in the parallel direction from the first elastic piece 33a. The positions of the first part P1 and the second part P2 are different in the mating direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector fitting structure.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when a female connector and a male connector are fitted together, there is a connector fitting structure in which a rod-shaped or flat plate-shaped tip portion of the male terminal is pressed or sandwiched by an elastic portion of the female terminal. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to an electrical connection connector that employs a contact structure in which the insertion and extraction force is dispersed by having the female terminal have a spring structure of two contact pieces in a series arrangement configuration.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the contact structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, in one female terminal, two contact pieces, which are elastic pieces, are arranged in series along the fitting direction of the plug into the socket. On the other hand, for example, in one female terminal, a plurality of contact pieces may be arranged along both the fitting direction and the direction orthogonal to the fitting direction on a plane. In this case, when the male connector is fitted to the female connector, the side edge portion of the flat plate-shaped tip portion of the male terminal temporarily contacts a plurality of contact pieces, so an increase in the insertion force required for fitting is assumed, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. The object of the present invention is to provide a connector fitting structure that reduces the peak value of the insertion force required for fitting when a plurality of elastic pieces are arranged along a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction in the female terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connector mating structure according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a female connector having a female terminal on which a plurality of elastic pieces are arranged on one of a pair of opposing pieces, and a male connector having a male terminal having a flat plate portion which is sandwiched between the pair of pieces with a first side edge portion as the leading edge when mated to the female connector, wherein the plurality of elastic pieces are arranged along a parallel direction perpendicular to both the mating direction of the male connector to the female connector and the opposing direction of the pair of pieces, and the flat plate portion is pressed against the other piece by making contact with one of the main planes of the flat plate portion while pressing against it, and the first side edge portion has a first portion facing the first elastic piece and a second portion facing the second elastic piece which is in a different position in the parallel direction from the first elastic piece, and the positions of the first portion and the second portion are different in the mating direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when a plurality of elastic pieces are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction on the female terminal, it is possible to provide a connector mating structure that reduces the peak value of the insertion force required for mating. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a connector mating structure according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a front view of a connector mating structure according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the connector mating structure before the connectors are mated together. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector mating structure before the connectors are mated together. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of a female connector, showing the side into which the male connector is mated. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of a female terminal with an elastic fitting attached. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the male connector. [Figure 8]This is a cross-sectional view of the female and male terminals before the connectors are mated together. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of the female and male terminals when contact is initiated between them. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of the female and male terminals during the insertion stage of the male connector. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view of the female and male terminals after the connectors have been mated together. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes in detail a connector mating structure according to one embodiment, using the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector mating structure 1 according to one embodiment, which includes a female connector 2 and a male connector 3 that are mated to each other. Figure 1 shows the connector mating structure 1 in a state where the female connector 2 and the male connector 3 have been mated together.

[0011] Hereinafter, the direction in which the male connector 3 is mated with the female connector 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "mating direction") will be defined as the Z direction. In addition, the downstream part of the mating direction may be referred to as "front," and the upstream part as "back." Furthermore, the X direction and the Y direction will be defined as two directions that are perpendicular to the mating direction and are also perpendicular to each other.

[0012] Figure 2 is a front view of the connector mating structure 1, viewed from the opposite direction to the Z direction. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the connector mating structure 1 before the female connector 2 and the male connector 3 are mated. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector mating structure 1, cut along section IV-IV shown in Figure 2, while the connector mating structure 1 in the state shown in Figure 3 is in. Specifically, the cross-section in Figure 4 is parallel to the main plane 51a (see Figure 7) of the flat plate portion 51 of the male terminal 50, and is a virtual YZ plane that passes through the flat plate portion 51 while allowing the multiple elastic pieces 33 arranged on one side 11 of the first female terminal 10a to be visible.

[0013] The female connector fitting structure 1 is, as an example, a combination of a female connector 2 as a terminal block and a male connector 3 as a high-voltage connector mounted on an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the female connector 2 for visually recognizing the side where the male connector 3 is to be fitted. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of two female terminals 10 each equipped with an elastic metal fitting 30.

[0015] The female connector 2 includes a plurality of female terminals 10, a female housing 20, a plurality of elastic metal fittings 30, and a first shield shell 41.

[0016] The plurality of female terminals 10 are each terminal fittings formed by subjecting a conductive metal plate material punched into a predetermined shape to bending or the like. In the present embodiment, there are two female terminals 10, a first female terminal 10a and a second female terminal 10b. Each female terminal 10 has a pair of piece parts 11 and a wire bonding piece part 12.

[0017] The pair of piece parts 11 face each other and are connection parts for connecting the male terminal 50 to the female terminal 10 by sandwiching a flat plate part 51 which is a part of the male terminal 50. The shape of each piece part 11 is a flat plate shape of equal size to each other. In the present embodiment, an elastic metal fitting 30 having a plurality of elastic pieces 33 is mounted on one of the piece parts 11. The wire bonding piece part 12 is a bonding part for joining a terminal to a wire (not shown) to be electrically connected to any one of a plurality of wires 100 connected to the male connector 3.

[0018] The female housing 20 holds each female terminal 10 and fits with the outer housing 70 of the male connector 3 when the female connector 2 and the male connector 3 are fitted. The female housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and integrally has a plurality of terminal accommodating parts 21, an inner part 2, an outer part 23, a flange part 24, and a pair of cam protrusions 25.

[0019] Each of the multiple terminal housing sections 21 accommodates at least a portion of the female terminal 10. In this embodiment, since there are two female terminals 10, there are two terminal housing sections 21. As shown in Figure 5, the terminal housing section 21 has a shape that covers the outer surfaces of each of the pair of pieces 11 without hindering the insertion of the flat plate portion 51 of the male terminal 50 between the pair of pieces 11. On the other hand, the terminal housing section 21 exposes the wire connecting piece 12 to the outside from the side opposite to the side that accommodates the pair of pieces 11, with the flange portion 24 as the reference.

[0020] The inner portion 22 is a cylindrical portion with a roughly rectangular cross-section that supports the terminal housing portions 21 inside. The first shield shell 41, which is similarly cylindrical, is assembled to the inner portion 22. A unit packing 42 is also assembled to the outer surface of the inner portion 22. The outer portion 23 is a cylindrical portion with a roughly rectangular cross-section that supports the inner portion 22 inside.

[0021] The flange portion 24 supports the inner portion 22 and the outer portion 23 on the side where the male connector 3 is mated with the female connector 2, while the opposite side is assembled to a part of the vehicle. On the side of the flange portion 24 that is assembled to a part of the vehicle, an O-ring 43 is assembled so that multiple terminal housing portions 21 are arranged on the inner circumference.

[0022] In this embodiment, a pair of cam protrusions 25 are provided coaxially in the X direction on the side surface of the outer portion 23, and when the male connector 3 is fitted into the female connector 2, they individually enter a pair of cam grooves 94 provided on the lever 90 of the male connector 3. With the corresponding cam protrusion 25 entered in each cam groove 94, the lever 90 rotates to a locking position, bringing the female connector 2 and the male connector 3 closer together.

[0023] Multiple elastic fittings 30 are attached to one side 11 of each female terminal 10 and are members that press the flat plate portion 51 of the male terminal 50 inserted between the pair of side portions 11 to stably maintain electrical contact with the flat plate portion 51. In this embodiment, there are two female terminals 10, so there are two elastic fittings 30. The elastic fitting 30 has a fitting body 31, a pair of engaging portions 32, and multiple elastic pieces 33.

[0024] The metal fitting body 31 is a flat plate portion on which a plurality of elastic pieces 33 are formed. The metal fitting body 31 is positioned on the main plane of one piece 11 so as to face the other piece 11 when the elastic fitting 30 is attached to one piece 11. A pair of engaging portions 32 are provided for each side edge of the metal fitting body 31 that are opposite to each other in the Y direction, and are hooked onto the side ends of the piece 11 so that the metal fitting body 31 is positioned on the piece 11 as described above.

[0025] Multiple elastic pieces 33 are provided on the metal fitting body 31 and, when the flat plate portion 51 of the male terminal 50 is inserted between the pair of pieces 11, press against one of the main planes 51a of the flat plate portion 51, thereby pressing the flat plate portion 51 against the opposite piece 11. The multiple elastic pieces 33 are arranged along parallel directions that are perpendicular to both the fitting direction and the opposing direction of the pair of pieces 11.

[0026] In this embodiment, the multiple elastic pieces 33 are arranged on the metal fitting body 31 as follows. If the fitting direction corresponds to the Z direction and the opposing direction of the pair of pieces 11 corresponds to the X direction, then the parallel direction corresponds to the Y direction. The multiple elastic pieces 33 are arranged on the main plane of the metal fitting body 31 in multiple rows along the fitting direction and multiple columns along the parallel direction. Specifically, five elastic pieces 33 are arranged in series along the Z direction at equal intervals. In addition, sets of five elastic pieces 33 aligned in the Z direction are arranged in parallel along the Y direction in three rows. That is, in this embodiment, a total of 10 elastic pieces 33, represented by three rows and five columns, are provided on the metal fitting body 31.

[0027] The first shield shell 41 is a metal shielding member for blocking noise, and is assembled to the inner part 22 of the female housing 20 such that each terminal housing portion 21 is positioned inside and covers at least a portion of it.

[0028] Furthermore, the female connector 2 includes a unit packing 42 and an O-ring 43 as water-sealing members. The unit packing 42 is an annular elastic member that is tightly attached to the outer circumferential surface of the inner portion 22. When the outer housing 70 of the male connector 3 is fitted into the female housing 20, the unit packing 42 seals the space between the outer circumferential surface of the inner portion 22 and the inner opening portion 72. The O-ring 43 is an annular elastic member that is tightly attached to the side of the flange portion 24 that is assembled to a part of the vehicle. When the female connector 2 is installed at a predetermined location on the vehicle, the O-ring 43 seals the space between that location and the flange portion 24.

[0029] The male connector 3 is a so-called lever-type connector that is brought closer to and mated with the female connector 2 by the operator's operation of rotating the lever 90. In this embodiment, the male connector 3 is a two-pole high-voltage connector for automotive use that is connected to the ends of two electric wires 100, the first electric wire 100a and the second electric wire 100b. Each electric wire 100 has a core wire 101 which is a conductor covered with an insulating sheath, as shown in Figure 4. One end of the electric wire 100 is connected to a certain electrical component, and the other end of the electric wire 100 is connected to the male terminal 50 provided on the male connector 3. In addition, on each electric wire 100, the sheath is removed at the end that is connected to the male terminal 50, and the end portion of the core wire 101 is exposed. Note that the core wire 101 may actually be composed of multiple strands, but in Figure 4 it is simply depicted as a single conductor member.

[0030] The male connector 3 comprises a plurality of male terminals 50, an inner housing 60, an outer housing 70, a second shield shell 81, a front holder 82, a rear holder 83, and a wire holder 84.

[0031] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the male terminal 50.

[0032] The multiple male terminals 50 are terminal fittings made of conductive metal plate material having a certain thickness. In this embodiment, there are two male terminals 50, one connected to the first female terminal 10a and the other connected to the second female terminal 10b. Each male terminal 50 has a flat plate portion 51, a wire connection plate portion 52, and a connecting portion 53. In this embodiment, the flat plate portion 51 and the wire connection plate portion 52 are arranged in series along the Y direction, with the connecting portion 53 in between. Also, in this embodiment, the two male terminals 50 are assumed to be the same shape as each other. However, differences such as different shapes of the connecting portion 53 for each male terminal 50 are permitted.

[0033] The flat plate portion 51 is a connecting portion that connects the male terminal 50 to the female terminal 10 by being sandwiched between a pair of pieces 11 of the female terminal 10. Terminals having such a flat plate-shaped connecting portion are sometimes referred to as "tab terminals". The flat plate portion 51 has a first side edge portion 55 and a second side edge portion 56, which are a pair of side edges located opposite each other in the Z direction, which is perpendicular to the Y direction, which is the extension direction of the male terminal 50.

[0034] The first side edge 55 is the side edge that is sandwiched between the pair of pieces 11 as the leading edge when the male connector 3 is mated with the female connector 2. The first side edge 55 has a first portion P1 and a second portion P2, which are located at different positions in the mating direction. The first portion P1 and the second portion P2 are set in relation to the positions of the multiple elastic pieces 33 arranged on the piece 11 of the female terminal 10. Note that the first portion P1 and the second portion P2 are not limited to one each, but may be two or more.

[0035] In this embodiment, there are two first parts P1. Here, in the metal fitting body 31 of the elastic fitting 30, as described above, a plurality of elastic pieces 33 are arranged in three stages in a parallel direction along the Y direction. Of these, the stage furthest upstream in the Y direction is defined as the "first stage," the stage furthest downstream in the Y direction is defined as the "third stage," and the middle stage located between the first and third stages is defined as the "second stage." In this case, when the male connector 3 is mated to the female connector 2, one of the first parts P1 faces the elastic piece 33 located in the first stage in the mating direction. When the male connector 3 is mated to the female connector 2, the other first part P1 faces the elastic piece 33 located in the third stage in the mating direction. Hereinafter, the elastic piece 33 facing the first part P1 is defined as the first elastic piece 33a.

[0036] The first part P1 is set on an inclined surface 55a which is part of the first side edge 55. The inclined surface 55a is a surface that is inclined with respect to a first virtual surface V1 which is a virtual surface perpendicular to the fitting direction. There are two separate inclined surfaces 55a on which one first part P1 is set and on which the other first part P1 is set. The two inclined surfaces 55a are in opposite directions to each other.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is one second portion P2. When the male connector 3 is mated with the female connector 2, the second portion P2 faces the elastic piece 33 located in the second stage in the mating direction. Hereinafter, the elastic piece 33 facing the second portion P2 will be defined as the second elastic piece 33b.

[0038] The second portion P2 is set on a parallel surface 55b which is part of the first side edge 55. The parallel surface 55b is a surface parallel to the first virtual surface V1. In the first side edge 55, one end of the parallel surface 55b is continuous with the inclined surface 55a on which one of the first portions P1 is set, and the other end of the parallel surface 55b is continuous with the inclined surface 55a on which the other first portion P1 is set. In this embodiment, each inclined surface 55a is inclined so that as it moves away from the parallel surface 55b in the Y direction or the direction opposite to the Y direction, it also gradually moves away from the parallel surface 55b in the Z direction.

[0039] More specifically, the shape of the first side edge 55 is symmetrical with respect to a second virtual plane V2 located at an intermediate position in a direction perpendicular to both the fitting direction and the thickness direction of the flat plate portion 51. Since the thickness direction of the flat plate portion 51 corresponds to the X direction, the direction perpendicular to both the fitting direction and the thickness direction corresponds to the Y direction. In other words, in this embodiment, both the inclined surface 55a on which one first portion P1 is set and the inclined surface 55a on which the other first portion P1 is set are symmetrical with respect to the second virtual plane V2.

[0040] On the other hand, the second side edge 56 is a side edge that is symmetrical to the first side edge 55. In other words, the second side edge 56 has two inclined surfaces 56a corresponding to the two inclined surfaces 55a of the first side edge 55, and a parallel surface 56b corresponding to the parallel surface 55b of the first side edge 55.

[0041] The wire joint plate portion 52 is a joint portion for joining the ends of the electric wires 100. The ends of the core wires 101 are joined to the surface of the wire joint plate portion 52, for example, by ultrasonic bonding. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, each electric wire 100 extends in the opposite direction to the Y direction, starting from the wire joint plate portion 52.

[0042] The connecting portion 53 connects the flat plate portion 51 and the wire connection plate portion 52. By setting the width of the connecting portion 53 along the Z direction to be narrower than the width of the end portion of the flat plate portion 51 along the Z direction, a locking surface 54 is set on a part of the end portion of the flat plate portion 51 that is continuous with the connecting portion 53.

[0043] The inner housing 60 is made of synthetic resin and is a box-shaped part that houses each male terminal 50. However, the inner housing 60 includes at least an opening for introducing multiple electric wires 100 from the outside, and an opening for exposing the first side edge 55 of each male terminal 50 to the outside. The inner housing 60 also has a lance 61 that protrudes inward. When the male terminal 50 is housed in the inner housing 60, the lance 61 engages with a locking surface 54 provided on the male terminal 50, thereby holding the male terminal 50 in the inner housing 60.

[0044] The outer housing 70 is a synthetic resin structure that forms the exterior of the male connector 3, and integrally comprises a housing body portion 71, an inner opening portion 72, an outer opening portion 73, a wire outlet portion 74, and a pair of lever rotation shafts 75.

[0045] The housing body 71 is a cylindrical portion that houses an inner housing 60 containing multiple male terminals 50, a second shield shell 81, and a front holder 82. In this embodiment, the axial direction of the housing body 71 is along the Y direction, which is perpendicular to the Z direction corresponding to the mating direction.

[0046] The inner opening portion 72 and the outer opening portion 73 are cylindrical portions located on the inside and outside of each other, and when the female connector 2 and the male connector 3 are mated, they mat with the female housing 20 of the female connector 2. In other words, when the female connector 2 and the male connector 3 are mated, a part of the terminal housing portion 21 that holds one side 11 of the female terminal 10 enters through the inside of the inner opening portion 72 toward the flat plate portion 51 of the male terminal 50. At this time, the outer portion 23 of the female housing 20 enters between the inner opening portion 72 and the outer opening portion 73. In addition, the inside of the tip of the inner opening portion 72 is in close contact with the unit packing 42 assembled to the inner portion 22 of the female housing 20.

[0047] The wire exit section 74 is provided coaxially with respect to the housing body 71 and is a cylindrical section for drawing each wire 100 from inside the housing body 71 to outside the outer housing 70. When assembling the male connector 3, the inner housing 60 containing each male terminal 50, the second shield shell 81, and the front holder 82 are housed inside the housing body 71 through the through-space inside the wire exit section 74.

[0048] In this embodiment, the pair of lever rotation shafts 75 are provided coaxially in the X direction on the side surface of the housing body 71 and serve as pivot points that rotatably support the lever 90. Each lever rotation shaft 75 is a cylindrical portion that slidably engages individually with a pair of lever mounting holes 93 provided in the lever 90.

[0049] The second shield shell 81 is a metal shielding member for blocking noise and is assembled to the inner housing 60 so as to cover the inner housing 60. However, the second shield shell 81, like the inner housing 60, includes at least an opening for introducing a plurality of electric wires 100 from the outside, and an opening for exposing the first side edge 55 of each male terminal 50 to the outside.

[0050] The front holder 82 is made of synthetic resin and is attached to the opening of the inner housing 60 facing outward through the inner opening 72, protecting the male terminal 50 while allowing a portion of the terminal housing 21 that holds the female terminal 10 to be inserted. The rear holder 83 is made of synthetic resin and covers the opening of the wire outlet section 74 while allowing each wire 100 to pass through it. The wire holder 84 is made of synthetic resin and is attached to the wire outlet section 74 to prevent the wire packing 86 from falling out of the wire outlet section 74. The wire holder 84 is prevented from falling out of the wire outlet section 74 by the rear holder 83.

[0051] Furthermore, the male connector 3 includes a holder packing 85 and a wire packing 86 as water-sealing members. The holder packing 85 is an annular elastic member that is tightly attached to the outer circumferential surface of the wire holder 84. The holder packing 85 seals the space between the outer circumferential surface of the wire holder 84 and the inner circumferential surface of the wire outlet 74. The wire packing 86 is a block-shaped elastic member that is tightly attached to the inner circumferential surface of the wire holder 84. The wire packing 86 has two through holes that allow each wire 100 to pass through individually while making tight contact with each wire. The wire packing 86 seals the space between the inner circumferential surface of the wire holder 84 and each wire 100 that passes through the through space of the wire outlet 74.

[0052] Furthermore, the male connector 3 includes a lever 90 and a CPA 95.

[0053] The lever 90 is rotatably supported by the outer housing 70 and rotates from its initial position to a locked position to bring the female connector 2 and the male connector 3 closer together and engage them. Here, the initial position of the lever 90 is the position in which the lever 90 is maintained in a constant state where the male connector 3 is not connected to the female connector 2. On the other hand, the locked position of the lever 90 is the position in which the male connector 3 is engaged with the female connector 2.

[0054] The lever 90 is made of synthetic resin and has a pair of arm plates 91, an operating part 92, a pair of lever mounting holes 93, and a pair of cam grooves 94. The pair of arm plates 91 are arranged parallel to each other in the X direction, with a portion of the outer housing 70 positioned between them. The operating part 92 connects each arm plate 91 at their respective ends and is operated when the operator rotates the lever 90. The pair of lever mounting holes 93 are provided for each arm plate 91 and are through holes that individually engage with a pair of lever rotation shafts 75 provided in the outer housing 70. The pair of cam grooves 94 are provided for each arm plate 91 and are through grooves that individually engage with a pair of cam projections 25 provided on the outer portion 23 of the female connector 2.

[0055] The CPA95 is made of synthetic resin and is pre-assembled to the outer surface of the housing body 71. It engages with the operating part 92 when the lever 90 is in the locked position, thereby ensuring that the lever 90 is in the locked position. CPA is an abbreviation for Connector Position Assurance.

[0056] Next, the operation and effects of the connector mating structure 1 will be explained.

[0057] The connector mating structure 1 comprises a female connector 2 and a male connector 3. The female connector 2 includes a female terminal 10 with a plurality of elastic pieces 33 arranged on one of a pair of opposing pieces 11. The male connector 3 includes a male terminal 50 having a flat plate portion 51 that is sandwiched between the pair of pieces 11, with a first side edge portion 55 leading the way, when mated with the female connector 2. The plurality of elastic pieces 33 are arranged along a parallel direction perpendicular to both the mating direction of the male connector 3 to the female connector 2 and the opposing direction of the pair of pieces 11, and press against one of the main planes 51a of the flat plate portion 51, thereby pressing the flat plate portion 51 against the other piece 11. The first side edge portion 55 has a first portion P1 facing the first elastic piece 33a and a second portion P2 facing the second elastic piece 33b, which is in a different position in the parallel direction from the first elastic piece 33a. The positions of the first part P1 and the second part P2 in the fitting direction are different from each other.

[0058] Here, the direction in which the male connector 3 is mated to the female connector 2 corresponds to the Z direction in the above example. The opposing direction of the pair of pieces 11 corresponds to the X direction in the above example. Also, the parallel direction corresponds to the Y direction in the above example.

[0059] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the female terminal 10 and male terminal 50 before the female connector 2 and male connector 3 are mated. The cross-section in Figure 8 is the same as the cross-section in the cross-sectional view of the connector mating structure 1 shown in Figure 4. In other words, Figure 8 illustrates the case where the female terminal 10 is the first female terminal 10a, and the male terminal 50 is connected to the first female terminal 10a.

[0060] Before the female connector 2 and the male connector 3 are mated, the first portion P1 set on the first side edge 55 of the male terminal 50 faces the first elastic piece 33a located on one side 11 of the first female terminal 10a in the mating direction. In the example shown in Figure 8, the first portion P1 is set at two locations on the first side edge 55, with one first portion P1 facing the elastic piece 33 located in the first stage and the other first portion P1 facing the elastic piece 33 located in the third stage.

[0061] Furthermore, before the female connector 2 and the male connector 3 are mated, the second portion P2 set on the first side edge 55 of the male terminal 50 faces the second elastic piece 33b located on the piece 11 of the first female terminal 10a in the mating direction. In the example shown in Figure 8, the second portion P2 faces the elastic piece 33 located in the second stage.

[0062] Therefore, when the male connector 3 begins to engage with the female connector 2 along the mating direction indicated by the solid arrow in Figure 8, the first part P1 and the second part P2 also advance toward the opposing elastic piece 33, as indicated by the dashed arrow in Figure 8.

[0063] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the first female terminal 10a and the male terminal 50 as contact between them begins, drawn in chronological order relative to Figure 8.

[0064] At the first side edge 55, the positions of the first portion P1 and the second portion P2 in the mating direction are different from each other. In the example shown in Figures 8 and 9, the two first portions P1 are located downstream, i.e., in front of, the second portion P2 in the mating direction. Therefore, as the male connector 3 moves further from the state shown in Figure 8, as shown in Figure 9, the portion of the first side edge 55 near the first portion P1 first contacts the first elastic piece 33a. Immediately after the portion of the first portion P1 contacts the first elastic piece 33a, the portion of the first side edge 55 near the second portion P2 has not yet contacted the second elastic piece 33b. In other words, as the male connector 3 continues to move, there will be a discrepancy between the timing when the portion of the first portion P1 rides over the first elastic piece 33a and the timing when the portion of the second portion P2 rides over the second elastic piece 33b.

[0065] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the first female terminal 10a and the male terminal 50 during the insertion stage of the male connector 3, drawn in chronological order relative to Figure 9.

[0066] In the examples shown in Figures 8 to 10, the multiple elastic pieces 33 are arranged not just in one parallel row along the Y direction, but in a total of five rows. Therefore, even if the male connector 3 moves further from the state shown in Figure 9, a similar timing difference in the riding up of the first side edge 55 continues to occur for each row.

[0067] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the first female terminal 10a and male terminal 50 after the female connector 2 and male connector 3 have been mated together, drawn in chronological order relative to Figure 10.

[0068] When the mating of the female connector 2 and the male connector 3 is complete, all of the elastic pieces 33 will be in contact with the flat plate portion 51 of the male terminal 50, as shown in Figure 11.

[0069] Here, as a comparative example, let us assume that the first side edge 55 of the flat plate portion 51 of the male terminal 50 is simply straight along a direction perpendicular to the mating direction. In this case, when mating of the male connector 3 to the female connector 2 begins and the male connector 3 starts to move, the corresponding portion of the first side edge 55 comes into contact with and rides up against multiple elastic pieces 33 arranged in parallel directions at once. Therefore, as the number of multiple elastic pieces 33 arranged in parallel directions increases, the insertion force required for mating increases, and thus the burden on the worker increases.

[0070] In contrast, in the connector mating structure 1 according to this embodiment, as described above, for each of the multiple elastic pieces 33 arranged in parallel directions, there is a timing difference in when the corresponding portion of the first side edge 55 contacts and rides up, so the portion that rides up at once is reduced compared to the comparative example. Therefore, the peak value of the insertion force required for mating can be reduced compared to the comparative example.

[0071] As described above, according to this embodiment, when a plurality of elastic pieces 33 are arranged on the female terminal 10 in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction, a connector mating structure 1 is provided that reduces the peak value of the insertion force required for mating. By reducing the peak value of the insertion force required for mating in this way, the operation of connecting connectors by an operator can be made easier.

[0072] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the sliding distance of the contact portion of the second elastic piece 33b that contacts the main plane 51a of the flat plate portion 51 of the male terminal 50 is substantially shorter than the sliding distance of the contact portion of the first elastic piece 33a that contacts the main plane 51a of the flat plate portion 51 of the male terminal 50. In other words, the sliding distance of some of the elastic pieces 33 can be shortened compared to the comparative example, so for example, if the surface of the male terminal 50 is plated, the amount of plating abrasion can be reduced.

[0073] Furthermore, in the connector mating structure 1, the female connector 2 may have an elastic fitting 30 that is attached to one side 11 of the female terminal 10. Multiple elastic pieces 33 may be formed on the elastic fitting 30.

[0074] According to the connector mating structure 1, the shape of the female terminal 10 itself can be simplified, and the shape or number of elastic pieces 33 can be easily adjusted by appropriately changing the elastic fitting 30 while keeping the female terminal 10 standard.

[0075] Furthermore, in the connector mating structure 1, the first side edge portion 55 may have an inclined surface 55a that is inclined with respect to a first virtual plane V1 perpendicular to the mating direction.

[0076] According to the connector mating structure 1, the positions of the first part P1 and the second part P2 in the mating direction can be made different from each other in a simpler manner without complicating the shape of the flat plate part 51 and thus the male terminal 50.

[0077] Furthermore, in the connector mating structure 1, the shape of the first side edge portion 55 may be symmetrical with respect to a second virtual surface V2 located at an intermediate position in the flat plate portion 51 in a direction perpendicular to both the mating direction and the thickness direction.

[0078] Here, the thickness direction of the flat plate portion 51 corresponds to the X direction in the above example. Also, the direction perpendicular to both the fitting direction and the thickness direction in the flat plate portion 51 corresponds to the Y direction.

[0079] For example, consider a case where multiple elastic pieces 33 are arranged in parallel from the first to the third stage, as illustrated in the above diagrams. In this case, the positions of one first part P1 facing the first elastic piece 33a located in the first stage and the other first part P1 facing the first elastic piece 33a located in the third stage coincide in the mating direction. Therefore, with this connector mating structure 1, bias in the insertion force in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction is less likely to occur, making it easier for workers to connect the connectors.

[0080] Furthermore, in the connector mating structure 1, the flat plate portion 51 may have a second side edge portion 56 that is symmetrical with respect to the first side edge portion 55.

[0081] In this case, even if the male terminal 50 is assembled in the male connector 3 inverted with the axis along the Y direction as the central axis, the second side edge 56 functions in the same way as the first side edge 55. Therefore, the connector mating structure 1 reduces the limitations on the assembly orientation of the male terminal 50 to the male connector 3.

[0082] In the above description, an example was given in which multiple elastic pieces 33 are provided on the elastic fitting 30 and the elastic fitting 30 is attached to one side 11 of the female terminal 10. However, if permitted in the manufacturing of the female terminal 10, the multiple elastic pieces 33 may be formed directly on the female terminal 10.

[0083] Although each embodiment has been described above, the embodiments are not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1. Connector mating structure 2 Female connectors 3 Male connectors 10 Female terminals 11 Piece 30 Elastic fittings 33 Elastic piece 33a First elastic piece 33b Second elastic piece 50 Male terminals 51 Flat plate part 51a Main plane 55 First side edge 55a Slope 56 Second side edge P1 1st part P2 2nd part V1 First Virtual Surface V2 Second Virtual Surface

Claims

1. A female connector having a female terminal in which multiple elastic pieces are arranged on one of a pair of opposing pieces, A male connector comprising a male terminal having a flat plate portion that is sandwiched between a pair of the aforementioned pieces, with the first side edge portion being the leading edge when mated with the female connector, Multiple elastic pieces are arranged in parallel directions perpendicular to both the mating direction of the male connector into the female connector and the opposing direction of the pair of pieces, and press against one of the main planes of the flat plate portion, thereby pressing the flat plate portion against the other piece. The first side edge portion has a first portion facing the first elastic piece and a second portion facing the second elastic piece, which is positioned differently from the first elastic piece in the parallel direction. A connector mating structure in which the first part and the second part are in different positions in the mating direction.

2. The female connector has an elastic fitting that is attached to one of the female terminals, The connector fitting structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of elastic pieces are formed on the elastic fitting.

3. The connector mating structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first side edge has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to a first virtual plane perpendicular to the mating direction.

4. The connector fitting structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shape of the first side edge is symmetrical with respect to a second virtual plane located at an intermediate position in the flat plate portion in a direction perpendicular to both the fitting direction and the thickness direction.

5. The connector fitting structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flat plate portion has a second side edge portion that is symmetrical with respect to the first side edge portion.

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