Electrical connector

Abstract

In an electrical connector in which multiple terminals connected to an electric wire are inserted into and held in multiple terminal housing chambers of a housing, damage to the inter-terminal walls separating the terminal housing chambers is suppressed when an external force is applied that bends the electric wire connected to the terminal. [Solution] The housing 10 has a plurality of terminal housing chambers 12 that hold a plurality of terminals 11, and an inter-electrode wall 15 is provided between adjacent terminal housing chambers 12. The terminal 11 has a core wire crimping portion 21 that is crimped onto the core wire 100a of the electric wire 100, an insulated crimping portion 22 provided alongside the core wire crimping portion 21 that is crimped onto the insulation 100b of the electric wire 100, and an extension portion 23 that extends from the insulated crimping portion 22. The extension portion 23 extends along the inter-electrode wall 15 to the position of the end face 13 of the housing 10 where the terminal housing chamber 12 opens to the outside, and the extension portion 23 is provided with a locking portion 24 that locks onto the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 that partitions the terminal housing chamber 12 between the inter-electrode walls 15.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector including a plurality of terminals respectively crimped and connected to electric wires, and a housing that holds the plurality of terminals.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electrical connector including a plurality of terminals respectively crimped and connected to electric wires, and a housing that holds the plurality of terminals connected to the electric wires has been used. In such an electrical connector, in the housing, a plurality of terminal accommodation chambers into which the plurality of terminals connected to the electric wires are respectively inserted and held are provided. In the housing, the plurality of terminal accommodation chambers are provided side by side, and further, in the housing, a partition wall, which is a partition wall that partitions between the terminals inserted and held in adjacent terminal accommodation chambers, is provided.

[0003] Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose an electrical connector in which a plurality of terminals crimped and connected to electric wires are respectively inserted and held in terminal accommodation chambers of a housing.

[0004] In the electrical connector of Patent Document 1, the terminal holder 2, which is provided as a housing, has a plurality of terminal housing chambers arranged side by side into which a plurality of crimp terminals 1, which are crimped and connected to an electric wire, are inserted and held. Between adjacent terminal housing chambers, there is a partition wall 13 which is an inter-electrode wall that separates the crimp terminals 1 inserted and held in adjacent terminal housing chambers. Furthermore, the crimp terminals 1 held in the terminal housing chambers are configured to engage with projections provided on the bottom wall 12 of the terminal housing chambers inside the terminal housing chambers. In the electrical connector of Patent Document 1, when an external force is generated that pulls the electric wire in the longitudinal direction of the crimp terminal 1, displacement of the crimp terminals 1 crimped and connected to the electric wire along the longitudinal direction within the terminal housing chambers of the terminal holder 2 is suppressed. Furthermore, the crimp terminal 1 is provided with a wire crimping section 9 that is crimped onto the insulation of the electric wire. When the crimp terminal 1 is held in the terminal housing chamber, the wire crimping section 9 secures the electric wire inside the terminal housing chamber. The electric wire, secured to the crimp terminal 1 by the wire crimping section 9, extends along the partition wall 13 that separates adjacent terminal housing chambers within the terminal housing chamber, and is then pulled out to the outside of the terminal holder 2.

[0005] In the electrical connector 30 of Patent Document 2, the housing 40 is provided with a plurality of contact receiving holes 42 arranged in a row, which serve as a plurality of terminal housing chambers into which a plurality of terminals crimped and connected to an electric wire are inserted and held. Between adjacent contact receiving holes 42, there is an inter-pole wall 46 that separates the terminals inserted and held in adjacent contact receiving holes 42. The end face 46a of the inter-pole wall 46 is formed to be recessed in an arc shape from the end of the housing 40 toward the inside of the housing 40. In the electrical connector 30 of Patent Document 2, the fact that the end face 46a of the inter-pole wall 46 is recessed toward the inside of the housing 40 prevents damage to the inter-pole wall 46 from colliding with other housings 40 when multiple housings 40 are transported together in one bag. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-17491 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-42010 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In the electrical connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the wire connected to the crimp terminal 1 held in the terminal housing chamber is fixed to the wire crimping portion 9 of the crimp terminal 1 inside the terminal housing chamber. The wire fixed to the crimp terminal 1 by the wire crimping portion 9 extends along the partition wall 13, which is an inter-pole wall separating adjacent terminal housing chambers, and is further drawn out to the outside of the terminal holder 2, which is the housing. Therefore, when an external force is applied that bends the wire connected to the crimp terminal 1, the wire drawn out from the terminal holder 2 will directly interfere with the partition wall 13. If the external force bending the wire acts directly from the wire to the partition wall 13, there is a risk that the partition wall 13 may be damaged. However, in the electrical connector of Patent Document 1, the crimp terminal 1 connected to the wire is locked with a projection provided inside the terminal housing chamber, so that when an external force is applied that pulls the wire along the longitudinal direction of the crimp terminal 1, displacement of the crimp terminal 1 in the longitudinal direction inside the terminal housing chamber is suppressed. However, in the electrical connector of Patent Document 1, only the displacement of the crimp terminal 1 along its longitudinal direction within the terminal housing chamber is suppressed, and it is not possible to prevent the wire connected to the crimp terminal 1 from interfering with the partition wall 13 and damaging the partition wall 13 when an external force is applied that bends the wire.

[0008] In the electrical connector 30 disclosed in Patent Document 2, the end face 46a of the inter-pole wall 46 is recessed inward into the housing 40, thereby preventing damage to the inter-pole wall 46 from colliding with other housings 40 when multiple housings 40 are transported together in a single bag. However, in the electrical connector 30 of Patent Document 2, the electric wire connected to the terminal held in the terminal housing chamber extends along the inter-pole wall 46 that separates adjacent terminal housing chambers within the terminal housing chamber, and is then drawn out to the outside of the housing 40. Therefore, when an external force is applied that bends the electric wire connected to the terminal, the electric wire drawn out from the housing 40 will directly interfere with the inter-pole wall 46. If the external force that bends the electric wire acts directly from the electric wire to the inter-pole wall 46, there is a risk that the inter-pole wall 46 may be damaged.

[0009] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an electrical connector in which a plurality of terminals connected to an electric wire are inserted into and held in a plurality of terminal housing chambers of a housing, and in which an external force is applied that bends the electric wire connected to the terminal, the inter-electrode wall separating adjacent terminal housing chambers can be prevented from being damaged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] (1) An electrical connector relating to a certain aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objectives is an electrical connector comprising a plurality of terminals that are crimped and connected to an electric wire, and a housing that holds the plurality of terminals. Furthermore, an electrical connector according to a certain aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the housing has a plurality of terminal housing chambers into which a plurality of terminals connected to the electric wire are each inserted and held, the plurality of terminal housing chambers are arranged side by side in the housing, and between adjacent terminal housing chambers there are inter-pole walls that separate the terminals held in adjacent terminal housing chambers, and the terminal has a core wire crimping portion that is crimped onto the core wire, an insulation crimping portion provided side by the core wire crimping portion and crimped onto the insulation of the electric wire, and an extension portion that extends from the insulation crimping portion, the extension portion is provided such that it extends along the inter-pole wall to the position of the end face of the housing where the terminal housing chamber in which the terminal is held opens to the outside from the housing, and the extension portion is provided with a locking portion that engages with the inner wall of the housing that partitions the terminal housing chamber between adjacent inter-pole walls.

[0011] In this configuration, each of the multiple terminals connected to the electric wire is inserted into and held in each of the multiple terminal housing chambers in the housing. The terminals held in the terminal housing chambers are provided with a core wire crimping portion and an insulation crimping portion, as well as an extension portion that extends further from the insulation crimping portion. The extension portion is provided to extend along the inter-pole wall to the end face of the housing where the terminal housing chamber opens. Therefore, if an external force that bends the electric wire is applied to the electric wire connected to the terminal held in the terminal housing chamber, the load from the external force acting through the electric wire is received by the extension portion, preventing the electric wire from interfering with the inter-pole wall. Furthermore, in the above configuration, the extension portion is provided with a locking portion that engages with the inner wall of the housing between adjacent inter-pole walls, so that the load from the external force acting from the electric wire to the extension portion is received by the inner wall of the housing through the locking portion. Therefore, the transmission of external forces acting from the electric wires to the thin inter-electrode walls is suppressed, and the load from the electric wires can be borne by the high-strength inner wall of the housing. Consequently, when an external force occurs that bends the electric wires connected to the terminals, damage to the inter-electrode walls separating adjacent terminal housings can be suppressed.

[0012] As described above, with the above configuration, in an electrical connector in which multiple terminals connected to an electric wire are inserted into and held in multiple terminal housing chambers of a housing, it is possible to provide an electrical connector that can prevent damage to the inter-terminal walls separating adjacent terminal housing chambers when an external force is applied that bends the electric wire connected to the terminal.

[0013] (2) The inner wall of the housing is provided with a groove extending along the insertion direction in which the terminal is inserted into the terminal housing chamber, and the locking portion may be inserted into the groove along the insertion direction when the terminal is inserted into the terminal housing chamber and lock against the inner wall of the housing in the groove.

[0014] In this configuration, when a terminal is inserted into the terminal housing chamber, a locking portion provided on the extension of the terminal is inserted into the terminal housing chamber along a groove provided on the inner wall of the housing. Therefore, the locking portion that engages with the inner wall of the housing allows the terminal, which has a locking portion on its extension, to be easily inserted into and held in the terminal housing chamber.

[0015] (3) The locking portion may be provided so as to extend along the insertion direction.

[0016] With this configuration, a locking portion extending in the insertion direction engages with a groove extending in the insertion direction, thus allowing for a larger area of ​​engagement between the groove and the locking portion along the insertion direction. As a result, the locking portion provided on the extension and the groove provided on the inner wall of the housing can more stably withstand the load caused by external forces acting from the electric wire.

[0017] (4) The extension portion has a first extension wall extending along the surface of the interpole wall and a second extension wall provided integrally with the first extension wall and extending along the surface of the inner wall, and the locking portion may be provided on the second extension wall.

[0018] In this configuration, the load caused by external forces acting through the electric wires is received by the first extension wall, preventing the electric wires from interfering with the inter-pole walls. Furthermore, the load caused by external forces acting from the electric wires to the extension is received by the inner wall of the housing through a locking mechanism provided on the second extension wall, which is integrally provided with the first extension wall and extends along the inner wall of the housing. As a result, the transmission of the load caused by external forces acting from the electric wires to the thin inter-pole walls is efficiently suppressed, and the load caused by external forces acting from the electric wires can be efficiently received by the high-strength inner wall of the housing.

[0019] (5) The first extension wall may be provided so as to extend along only one of the adjacent inter-electrode walls in the terminal housing chamber.

[0020] According to this configuration, since the first extension wall is provided so as to extend only along one of the adjacent inter-pole walls, a large creepage distance can be ensured between the terminals held in the adjacent terminal accommodation chambers, and a decrease in insulation performance can be suppressed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, in an electrical connector in which a plurality of terminals connected to electric wires are inserted and held in a plurality of terminal accommodation chambers of a housing, when an external force that bends the electric wires connected to the terminals occurs, it is possible to provide an electrical connector that can suppress breakage of the inter-pole walls partitioning between the adjacent terminal accommodation chambers.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(A) and FIG. 1(B) are perspective views showing an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2(A) is a rear view of the electrical connector, and FIG. 2(B) is a front view of the electrical connector. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view of the electrical connector. [Figure 5] It is a rear view of the housing in the electrical connector. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view of the terminal in the electrical connector, shown in a state of being connected to an electric wire. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing the terminal in a state of being connected to an electric wire. [Figure 8] It is a view showing the terminal in a state of being connected to an electric wire. FIG. 8(A) is a plan view, and FIG. 8(B) is a side view. [Figure 9] It is an enlarged rear view showing the terminal in a state of being connected to an electric wire. [Figure 10] FIG. 10(A) and FIG. 10(B) are perspective views showing the terminal in a state of not being connected to an electric wire. [Figure 11]This diagram shows terminals that are not connected to electric wires; Figure 11(A) is a plan view, and Figure 11(B) is a side view. [Figure 12] This diagram shows an electrical connector including a partial cross-section, specifically a cross-section viewed from the position indicated by the arrow AA in Figure 2(A). [Figure 13] This diagram shows an electrical connector including a partial cross-section, specifically a cross-section viewed from the position indicated by the line B-B in Figure 2(A). [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector, taken from the position indicated by the arrow CC in Figure 13. [Figure 15] This diagram shows an electrical connector with a partial cross-section when an external force is applied that bends the wire, and includes a cross-section viewed from a position corresponding to the position indicated by the arrow AA in Figure 2(A). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is an electrical connector comprising a plurality of terminals that are crimped and connected to an electric wire, and a housing that holds the plurality of terminals, and can be widely applied in various applications.

[0024] [Overall configuration of electrical connectors] Figures 1(A) and 1(B) are perspective views showing an electrical connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2(A) is a rear view of the electrical connector 1, and Figure 2(B) is a front view of the electrical connector 1. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the electrical connector 1. In Figures 1 to 4, the electrical connector 1 is shown together with the electric wire 100 connected to the terminal 11 of the electrical connector 1. In Figures 1 to 4, the portion of the electric wire 100 connected to the terminal 11 is schematically shown. Furthermore, Figure 1(A) is a perspective view of the electrical connector 1 seen from diagonally above the rear side, Figure 1(B) is a perspective view of the electrical connector 1 seen from diagonally above the front side, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the electrical connector 1 seen from diagonally below the rear side.

[0025] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the electrical connector 1 comprises a plurality of terminals 11, each crimped and connected to an electric wire 100, and a housing 10 that holds the plurality of terminals 11. The housing 10 is made of an insulating resin material and is formed in a shape having a basic outer shape that is substantially rectangular. The plurality of terminals 11 are each made of a conductive metal material. The plurality of terminals 11 are inserted into and held in the housing 10 while each is crimped and connected to an electric wire 100. The plurality of terminals 11 are inserted into the housing 10 along their longitudinal direction and are held in the housing 10 in a line with their longitudinal directions running parallel to each other.

[0026] The electrical connector 1 is electrically and mechanically connected to multiple wires 100 by inserting and holding multiple terminals 11, each crimped to a wire 100, into the housing 10. The electrical connector 1 connected to the multiple wires 100 is then mated and connected to a mating connector (not shown).

[0027] [Detailed configuration of electrical connectors] The following describes the configuration of the electrical connector 1 in more detail. In the following description, the insertion direction X1, width direction X2, and height direction X3 of the electrical connector 1 are defined as shown by the double-ended arrows X1, X2, and X3 in Figures 1 to 4 and the drawings described later. The insertion direction X1 is configured as the direction in which the terminal 11 is inserted into the housing 10. The insertion direction X1 of the electrical connector 1 is also configured as the insertion direction X1 in the housing 10 and as the insertion direction X1 in the terminal 11. Furthermore, the insertion direction X1 of the electrical connector 1 corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the terminal 11, and also corresponds to the direction in which the electric wire 100 connected to the terminal 11 held in the housing 10 is pulled out from the housing 10. The width direction X2 is the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction X1 and is configured as the direction in which the multiple terminals 11 held in the housing 10 are arranged in a line in the housing 10. The width direction X2 of the electrical connector 1 is configured as the width direction X2 of the housing 10 and as the width direction X2 of the terminal 11. The height direction X3 is configured as a direction perpendicular to both the insertion direction X1 and the width direction X2. The height direction X3 of the electrical connector 1 is configured as the height direction X3 of the housing 10 and as the height direction X3 of the terminal 11.

[0028] <Housing> Figure 5 is a rear view of the housing 10 in the electrical connector 1. Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the housing 10 is made of an insulating resin material and is provided as a structural member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 10 is configured to hold the multiple terminals 11 into which the electric wire 100 is inserted.

[0029] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the housing 10 has a plurality of terminal housing chambers 12 into which a plurality of terminals 11 connected to the electric wire 100 are each inserted and held. Each of the plurality of terminal housing chambers 12 is formed to partition a space within the housing 10 that extends along the insertion direction X1. The plurality of terminal housing chambers 12 are arranged in a line along the width direction X2 within the housing 10. The terminals 11 connected to the electric wire 100 are inserted into the terminal housing chambers 12 along the insertion direction X1 and held within the terminal housing chambers 12.

[0030] Each of the multiple terminal housing chambers 12 opens to the outside from the housing 10 at one end face 13 in the insertion direction X1 of the housing 10. The end face 13 of the housing 10 from which the terminal housing chamber 12 opens to the outside is the rear end face 13 of the housing 10, and is the end face 13 on which the electric wire 100 connected to the terminal 11 held in the terminal housing chamber 12 extends so that it is pulled out from the housing 10 along the insertion direction X1. Furthermore, each of the multiple terminal housing chambers 12 communicates with a terminal connection port 14 that opens at the other end face of the housing 10 in the insertion direction X1. The terminal connection port 14 is provided as an opening into which the mating terminal (not shown) of the mating connector is inserted when the electrical connector 1 is mated and connected to the mating connector (not shown). When electrical connector 1 is mated with the mating connector, the pin-shaped terminals on the mating connector are inserted into the terminal connection port 14 of the housing 10. The terminals inserted into the terminal connection port 14 then come into contact with the terminal 11 held in the terminal housing chamber 12, thereby creating an electrical connection.

[0031] In the housing 10, multiple terminal housing chambers 12 are arranged in a width direction X2, and between adjacent terminal housing chambers 12 in the width direction X2, inter-pole walls 15 are provided to separate the terminals 11 held in adjacent terminal housing chambers 12. The inter-pole walls 15 are provided as partition walls separating adjacent terminal housing chambers 12, and are provided as wall portions that extend in a plate shape along the insertion direction X1 within the housing 10. In addition, the inter-pole walls 15 are also provided as partition walls that demarcate both sides of the terminal housing chamber 12 in the width direction X2. For this reason, at both ends in the width direction X2 of the housing 10, inter-pole walls 15 are also provided as partition walls that separate the terminal housing chambers 12 located on both end sides in the width direction X2 from the outside of the housing 10.

[0032] Furthermore, the housing 10 is provided with inner walls 16 that partition the terminal housing chambers 12 between adjacent inter-electrode walls 15 in the width direction X2. The inner walls 16 are provided as walls that partition the bottom side of each terminal housing chamber 12 and are provided as walls that extend along the insertion direction X1. The inner walls 16 of the housing 10 are also provided with grooves 17 that extend along the insertion direction X1 into which the terminals 11 are inserted into the terminal housing chambers 12. The grooves 17 are provided corresponding to each inner wall 16 that partitions the bottom side wall of each terminal housing chamber 12. The grooves 17 are recessed from the inner wall 16 toward the height direction X3 and extend along the insertion direction X1. For example, the grooves 17 are provided with a rectangular cross-section that is recessed toward the height direction X3 and extends along the insertion direction X1 with the same cross-sectional shape. The grooves 17 are configured so that the locking portion 24 of the terminal 11, which will be described later, is inserted along the insertion direction X1. The locking portion 24 of the terminal 11 is configured to lock onto the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 by being inserted into the groove 17.

[0033] <Terminal> Figure 6 is a perspective view of terminal 11 in electrical connector 1, showing it connected to the electric wire 100. Figure 7 is a perspective view of terminal 11 connected to the electric wire 100. Note that Figure 6 is a perspective view of terminal 11 seen from the front, and Figure 7 is a perspective view of terminal 11 seen from the rear. Figure 8 shows terminal 11 connected to electric wire 100, with Figure 8(A) being a top view and Figure 8(B) being a side view. Figure 9 is a rear view showing an enlarged view of terminal 11 connected to electric wire 100. Figures 10(A) and 10(B) are perspective views showing terminal 11 not connected to electric wire 100. Figure 11 shows terminal 11 not connected to electric wire 100, with Figure 11(A) being a top view and Figure 11(B) being a side view.

[0034] Referring to Figures 1 to 4 and Figures 6 to 11, the electrical connector 1 is provided with multiple terminals 11. Each of the multiple terminals 11 is made of a conductive metal material and is crimped to the electric wire 100 to connect it to the electric wire 100. The electric wire 100 to which the terminals 11 are connected has a core wire 100a and a sheath 100b that covers the core wire 100a. The core wire 100a is, for example, made up of a single metal wire or made by twisting together multiple metal wires. The sheath 100b is made of an insulating material such as resin or rubber. At the end of the electric wire 100 to which the terminals 11 are crimped and connected, a portion of the sheath 100b is removed, and the core wire 100a is exposed to the outside. As described later, the terminals 11 are crimped and connected by crimping them to the exposed portion of the core wire 100a and the portion of the sheath 100b at the end of the electric wire 100.

[0035] The terminals 11, which are crimped and connected to the electric wire 100, are inserted into the terminal housing chamber 12 and held in the housing 10 within the terminal housing chamber 12. Each of the multiple terminals 11 has a longitudinal direction, and they are inserted into and held in the housing 10 with their longitudinal directions extending parallel to each other along the insertion direction X1 of the housing 10. The multiple terminals 11 are held in the housing 10 with their longitudinal directions extending parallel to each other along the insertion direction X1 of the housing 10 and aligned along the width direction X2 of the housing 10.

[0036] Referring to Figures 2 to 4 and Figures 6 to 11, each of the multiple terminals 11 has a mating connector 20, a core wire crimping section 21, a sheathing crimping section 22, and an extension section 23. The mating connector 20, core wire crimping section 21, sheathing crimping section 22, and extension section 23 of the terminal 11 are provided integrally. The mating connector 20, core wire crimping section 21, sheathing crimping section 22, and extension section 23 are arranged in series along the insertion direction X1, which is the longitudinal direction of the terminal 11, in this order and provided integrally.

[0037] The mating connector portion 20 is provided as one end portion in the insertion direction X1, which is the longitudinal direction of the terminal 11. The mating connector portion 20 is provided as the tip end portion when the terminal 11 is inserted into the terminal housing chamber 12 of the housing 10. The mating connector portion 20 is provided as the portion that contacts and electrically connects to the mating terminal (not shown) of the mating connector (not shown) to which the electrical connector 1 is connected. The mating connector portion 20 is provided as a portion that is bent to form a roughly cylindrical basic outer shape. The mating connector portion 20 is configured to connect to the mating terminal by fitting the pin-shaped mating terminal (not shown) of the mating connector (not shown) into the roughly cylindrical inside of the mating connector portion 20.

[0038] Referring to Figures 3, 6 to 11, the core wire crimping portion 21 is provided as the part that is crimped to the core wire 100a at the end of the electric wire 100. At the end of the electric wire 100, there is a portion where the insulation 100b has been removed and the core wire 100a is exposed, and the core wire crimping portion 21 is configured to be crimped to the exposed portion of the core wire 100a at the end of the electric wire 100. Note that Figures 10 and 11 show the state before the core wire crimping portion 21 is crimped to the core wire 100a of the electric wire 100, and Figures 6 to 9 show the state after the core wire crimping portion 21 is crimped to the core wire 100a of the electric wire 100. The core wire crimping portion 21 is configured to be crimped to the exposed portion of the core wire 100a at the end of the electric wire 100 by curving and folding back a plate-like portion so that it bites into the exposed portion of the core wire 100a at the end of the electric wire 100. The terminal 11 is electrically connected to the electric wire 100 by crimping the core wire crimping portion 21 to the core wire 100a of the electric wire 100.

[0039] Referring to Figures 3, 6 to 11, the insulation crimping portion 22 is provided alongside the core wire crimping portion 21 in the insertion direction X1, which is the longitudinal direction of the terminal 11, and is provided alongside the core wire crimping portion 21 on the opposite side of the mating connection portion 20 from the core wire crimping portion 21. The insulation crimping portion 22 is provided as the portion that is crimped to the insulation 100b at the end of the electric wire 100. The insulation crimping portion 22 is configured to be crimped to the portion at the end of the electric wire 100 where the insulation 100b has not been removed and the core wire 100a is not exposed. Note that Figures 10 and 11 show the state before the insulation crimping portion 22 is crimped to the insulation 100b of the electric wire 100, and Figures 6 to 9 show the state after the insulation crimping portion 22 has been crimped to the insulation 100b of the electric wire 100. The insulated crimping portion 22 is configured to be crimped and fastened by a plate-shaped portion that curves and folds back so as to bite into the portion of the end of the electric wire 100 where the insulation 100b is not removed and covers the core wire 100a. When the insulated crimping portion 22 is crimped to the insulation 100b of the electric wire 100, the terminal 11 is mechanically fixed and connected to the electric wire 100.

[0040] Figure 12 is a diagram showing the electrical connector 1 including a partial cross-section, including a cross-section viewed from the position indicated by the arrow AA in Figure 2(A). Figure 13 is a diagram showing the electrical connector 1 including a partial cross-section, including a cross-section viewed from the position indicated by the arrow B-B in Figure 2(A). Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 1, a cross-sectional view viewed from the position indicated by the arrow CC in Figure 13. Referring to Figures 2 to 4 and Figures 6 to 14, the extension portion 23 is provided to extend from the covering crimp portion 22 along the insertion direction X1, which is the longitudinal direction of the terminal 11, and is provided to extend from the covering crimp portion 22 toward the opposite side of the core wire crimp portion 21 from the covering crimp portion 22. Furthermore, when the terminal 11 is held in the terminal housing chamber 12, the extension portion 23 is provided to extend along the inter-pole wall 15 in the housing 10 to the position of the end face 13 of the housing 10 where the terminal housing chamber 12 holding the terminal 11 opens to the outside from the housing 10.

[0041] The extension portion 23 has a substantially L-shaped cross-section and is provided to extend from the covering crimp portion 22 along the insertion direction X1. More specifically, the extension portion 23 has a first extension wall 23a that extends along the surface of the inter-pole wall 15 that partitions the terminal housing chamber 12 in the width direction X2, and a second extension wall 23b that is provided integrally with the first extension wall 23a and extends substantially perpendicular to the first extension wall 23a. The first extension wall 23a is provided to extend along the surface of the inter-pole wall 15 to the position of the end face 13 of the housing 10 where the terminal housing chamber 12 opens to the outside. The second extension wall 23b is provided to extend along the surface of the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 that partitions the terminal housing chamber 12 between adjacent inter-pole walls 15 via the terminal housing chamber 12 in the width direction X2, to the position of the end face 13 of the housing 10. Furthermore, the first extension wall 23a is provided so as to extend along only one of the adjacent inter-pole walls 15 in the terminal housing chamber 12.

[0042] Furthermore, referring to Figures 2, 4, 6 to 11, 13, and 14, the extension portion 23 is provided with a locking portion 24 that engages with the inner wall 16 of the housing 10, which partitions the terminal housing chamber 12 between adjacent inter-pole walls 15 in the width direction X2. The locking portion 24 is provided on the second extension wall 23b of the extension portion 23, and is provided on the second extension wall 23b so as to protrude in the height direction X3 and extend along the insertion direction X1. The locking portion 24 is configured to be inserted into a groove 17 in the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 along the insertion direction X1 when the terminal 11 is inserted into the terminal housing chamber 12, and to engage with the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 in the groove 17.

[0043] [Operation of electrical connectors when external force is applied to power lines] Next, the operation of the electrical connector 1 when an external force is applied that bends the electric wire 100 connected to the electrical connector 1 will be described. In the electrical connector 1, the terminal 11 connected to the electric wire 100 is held in the terminal housing chamber 12 of the housing 10. When no external force is applied that bends the electric wire 100 connected to the terminal 11 held in the housing 10, as shown in Figures 4, 12, and 13, the electric wire 100 connected to the terminal 11 held in the housing 10 extends from the end face 13 of the housing 10 along the insertion direction X1, and no external force acts from the electric wire 100 to the housing 10, so there is almost no load from the electric wire 100 to the housing 10.

[0044] Figure 15 is a diagram showing the electrical connector 1, including a partial cross-section, in a state where an external force is applied that bends the electric wire 100, and includes a cross-section viewed from a position corresponding to the position indicated by the arrow AA in Figure 2(A). As shown in Figure 15, when an external force is applied that bends the electric wire 100 connected to the terminal 11 held in the housing 10, the electric wire 100 extending from the end face 13 of the housing 10 to the outside of the housing 10 will bend and extend. When an external force is applied that bends the electric wire 100 extending from the end face 13 of the housing 10 along the insertion direction X1 toward the width direction X2, the portion of the electric wire 100 located within the terminal housing chamber 12 will come into contact with and receive the force from the extension 23 of the terminal 11. Therefore, the load due to the external force acting through the electric wire 100 is received by the extension 23 of the terminal 11, preventing the electric wire 100 from interfering with the inter-pole wall 15. Furthermore, since the extension 23 extends along the inter-pole wall 15 to the position of the end face 13 of the housing 10 where the terminal housing chamber 12 opens, interference between the electric wire 100 and the inter-pole wall 15 is prevented along its entire length within the terminal housing chamber 12. If the terminal 11 is not provided with an extension 23, an external force will bend the electric wire 100, which extends from the end face 13 of the housing 10 along the insertion direction X1, in the width direction X2. In this case, the load from the electric wire 100 will directly act on the inter-pole wall 15. However, in the electrical connector 1, the load from the external force acting through the electric wire 100 is received by the extension 23 of the terminal 11, preventing the electric wire 100 from interfering with the inter-pole wall 15.

[0045] Furthermore, the extension portion 23 of the terminal 11 is provided with a locking portion 24 that engages with the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 between adjacent inter-electrode walls 15 in the width direction X2. Therefore, when an external force acts on the electric wire 100 to bend it, and the electric wire 100 is supported by the extension portion 23, the load due to the external force acting from the electric wire 100 to the extension portion 23 is supported by the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 through the locking portion 24. As a result, the transmission of the load due to the external force acting from the electric wire 100 to the thin inter-electrode walls 15 is suppressed, and the load due to the external force acting from the electric wire 100 is supported by the high-strength inner wall 16 of the housing 10. Consequently, when an external force occurs that bends the electric wire 100 connected to the terminal 11, damage to the inter-electrode walls 15 separating adjacent terminal housing chambers 12 is suppressed.

[0046] [Effects of this embodiment] According to this embodiment, each of the multiple terminals 11 connected to the electric wire 100 is inserted into and held in each of the multiple terminal housing chambers 12 in the housing 10. The terminals 11 held in the terminal housing chambers 12 are provided with a core wire crimping portion 21 and a sheathing crimping portion 22, as well as an extension portion 23 that extends further from the sheathing crimping portion 22. The extension portion 23 is provided to extend along the inter-pole wall 15 to the position of the end face 13 of the housing 10 where the terminal housing chamber 12 opens. Therefore, if an external force that bends the electric wire 100 is applied to the electric wire 100 connected to the terminals 11 held in the terminal housing chambers 12, the load due to the external force acting through the electric wire 100 is received by the extension portion 23, preventing the electric wire 100 from interfering with the inter-pole wall 15. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the extension portion 23 is provided with a locking portion 24 that engages with the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 between adjacent inter-electrode walls 15. Therefore, the load due to the external force acting from the electric wire 100 to the extension portion 23 is received by the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 through the locking portion 24. As a result, the transmission of the load due to the external force acting from the electric wire 100 to the thin inter-electrode walls 15 is suppressed, and the load due to the external force acting from the electric wire 100 can be received by the high-strength inner wall 16 of the housing 10. Consequently, when an external force occurs that bends the electric wire 100 connected to the terminal 11, damage to the inter-electrode walls 15 separating adjacent terminal housing chambers 12 can be suppressed.

[0047] As described above, according to this embodiment, in an electrical connector 1 in which a plurality of terminals 11 connected to an electric wire 100 are inserted into and held in a plurality of terminal housing chambers 12 of a housing 10, when an external force is applied that bends the electric wire 100 connected to the terminals 11, it is possible to suppress damage to the inter-terminal walls 15 that separate adjacent terminal housing chambers 12.

[0048] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the terminal 11 is inserted into the terminal housing chamber 12, the locking portion 24 provided on the extension portion 23 of the terminal 11 is inserted into the terminal housing chamber 12 along the groove 17 provided on the inner wall 16 of the housing 10. As a result, the locking portion 24 that locks with the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 allows the terminal 11, which is provided on the extension portion 23, to be easily inserted into and held in the terminal housing chamber 12.

[0049] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the locking portion 24, which extends along the insertion direction X1, locks with the groove 17, which extends along the insertion direction X1, a larger area can be secured along the insertion direction X1 for locking the groove 17 and the locking portion 24. As a result, the locking portion 24 provided on the extension portion 23 and the groove 17 provided on the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 can more stably receive the load caused by the external force acting from the electric wire 100.

[0050] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the load due to external forces acting through the electric wire 100 is received by the first extension wall 23a, preventing the electric wire 100 from interfering with the inter-pole wall 15. The load due to external forces acting from the electric wire 100 to the extension 23 is received by the inner wall 16 of the housing 10 through a locking portion 24 provided on the second extension wall 23b, which is integrally provided with the first extension wall 23a and extends along the inner wall 16 of the housing 10. As a result, the transmission of the load due to external forces acting from the electric wire 100 to the thin inter-pole wall 15 is efficiently suppressed, and the load due to external forces acting from the electric wire 100 can be efficiently received by the high-strength inner wall 16 of the housing 10.

[0051] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the first extension wall 23a is provided to extend along only one of the adjacent inter-electrode walls 15, a large creepage distance can be secured between terminals 11 held in adjacent terminal housing chambers 12, thereby suppressing a decrease in insulation performance.

[0052] [Differentiation] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible as long as they are within the scope of the claims. For example, it may be implemented with the following modifications.

[0053] (1) In the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the first extension wall 23a of the extension 23 is provided to extend along only one of the adjacent inter-pole walls 15 via the terminal housing chamber 12 in the width direction X2, but this is not necessarily the case. An embodiment may be implemented in which the first extension wall 23a of the extension 23 is provided to extend along both of the adjacent inter-pole walls 15 via the terminal housing chamber 12 in the width direction X2. In this case, the first extension walls 23a are arranged on both sides of the second extension wall 23b in the width direction X2, and the first extension walls 23a provided on both sides of the second extension wall 23b in the width direction X2 are provided integrally with the second extension wall 23b.

[0054] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the extension portion 23 was exemplified as having a first extension wall 23a and a second extension wall 23b, a substantially L-shaped cross-section, and extending from the covering crimping portion 22 along the insertion direction X1, but it is not necessarily required to be in this manner. The shape of the extension portion 23 may be changed in various ways. For example, the extension portion 23 may be formed in a shape having a basic outer shape that extends in a rectangular tube shape. Alternatively, the extension portion 23 may be formed in a shape having a basic outer shape that extends in a cylindrical or elliptical tube shape. Alternatively, the extension portion 23 may be formed in a gate-shaped cross-section and extending from the covering crimping portion 22 along the insertion direction X1.

[0055] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the locking portion 24 was provided in such a form that it protrudes in the height direction X3 and extends along the insertion direction X1 on the second extension wall 23b, but it is not necessarily required to be in this manner. For example, the locking portion 24 may be formed to protrude convexly in the height direction X3 from the second extension wall 23b and to extend in a rail-like manner along the insertion direction X1. Alternatively, the locking portion 24 may be provided as a plurality of protrusions projecting in the height direction X3 from the second extension wall 23b, and the plurality of protrusions may be arranged in a line along the insertion direction X1. Alternatively, the locking portion 24 may be provided by bending a part of the plate-shaped second extension wall 23b to form a projection. In this case, for example, the locking portion 24 may be formed by bending the end edge portion of the second extension wall 23b in the width direction X2 toward the height direction X3 and provided as a projection-like portion extending along the insertion direction X1. Furthermore, when forming a locking portion 24 by bending a part of the plate-shaped second extension wall 23b into a protruding shape, the locking portion 24 can be easily formed by providing the locking portion 24 while considering its positional relationship with the carrier portion that temporarily connects the multiple terminals 11 when the multiple terminals 11 are formed by punching them out of a metal plate. [Industrial applicability]

[0056] The present invention can be widely applied as an electrical connector comprising a plurality of terminals that are crimped and connected to an electric wire, and a housing that holds the plurality of terminals. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 1. Electrical connector 10 Housing 11 terminals 12 Terminal housing room 13 End face of the housing 15 Interpolar wall 16. Interior walls of the housing 17 Groove 20. The other side connection 21 Core wire crimping section 22 Cover crimping part 23 Extension 24 Locking part 100 wire 100a electric wire core 100b Wire Insulation

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising a plurality of terminals, each crimped and connected to an electric wire, and a housing that holds the plurality of said terminals, The housing has a plurality of terminal housing chambers into which a plurality of terminals connected to the electric wire are each inserted and held, In the housing, a plurality of terminal housing chambers are arranged side by side, and between adjacent terminal housing chambers, an inter-electrode wall is provided to separate the terminals held in the adjacent terminal housing chambers. The terminal has a core wire crimping portion that is crimped onto the core wire of the electric wire, a coating crimping portion provided alongside the core wire crimping portion and crimped onto the coating of the electric wire, and an extension portion extending from the coating crimping portion. The extension is provided such that it extends along the inter-electrode wall to the position of the end face of the housing where the terminal housing chamber, in which the terminal is held, opens to the outside from the housing. An electrical connector characterized in that the extension portion is provided with a locking portion that engages with the inner wall of the housing that partitions the terminal housing chamber between adjacent inter-electrode walls.

2. An electrical connector according to claim 1, The inner wall of the housing is provided with a groove extending along the insertion direction in which the terminal is inserted into the terminal housing chamber. The locking portion is characterized in that it is inserted into the groove along the insertion direction when the terminal is inserted into the terminal housing chamber, and locks against the inner wall of the housing in the groove.

3. An electrical connector according to claim 2, An electrical connector characterized in that the locking portion is provided so as to extend along the insertion direction.

4. An electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The extension portion includes a first extension wall extending along the surface of the interpole wall, and a second extension wall provided integrally with the first extension wall and extending along the surface of the inner wall. An electrical connector characterized in that the locking portion is provided on the second extension wall.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 4, An electrical connector characterized in that the first extension wall is provided so as to extend along only one of the adjacent inter-electrode walls in the terminal housing chamber.

Images