connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector that can further improve the reliability of connection with the mating contact, even when using a wire with terminals having plate-shaped contact portions. [Solution] The connector 3 includes a wire 32 with a terminal, which has a terminal 322 having a plate-shaped contact portion 3223 that is electrically connected to a mating contact portion 223, and which is connected to the conductor portion 3211 of the wire 321. The connector 3 also includes a housing 31 having an inlet S4b into which the mating contact portion 223 is introduced, and a contact portion housing space S41 formed therein in which the contact portion 3223 is housed. A rib 3812 that clamps the contact portion 3223 is formed in the part of the housing 31 where the contact portion housing space S41 is formed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional connector of this type, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. In this Patent Document 1, a connector is disclosed in which a wire with a terminal having an electrical contact portion as a contact portion is held in an inner housing as a housing, and the electrical contact portion of the wire with the terminal is connected to a conductor portion of an electric wire. In this Patent Document 1, in a state where the wire with the terminal is held in the inner housing, the box-shaped electrical contact portion of the wire with the terminal is housed in a housing space formed in the inner housing. Then, the mating contact portion is introduced into the housing space from an introduction port formed in the housing space and brought into contact with the electrical contact portion. By doing so, the electrical contact portion and the mating contact portion are conductively connected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above conventional technology, a clearance is formed between the electrical contact portion and the inner housing in a state where the electrical contact portion is housed in the housing space of the inner housing. Therefore, when vibration occurs in the connector, the electrical contact portion vibrates in the housing space, and the contact with the mating contact portion becomes unstable, which may cause an increase in resistance or a conduction failure. And such problems will appear more prominently when using a wire with a terminal having a plate-shaped contact portion.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art. The object of this invention is to provide a connector that can further improve the reliability of connection with the mating contact portion, even when using a wire with terminals having plate-shaped contact portions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connector according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a wire with a terminal having a plate-shaped contact portion that is electrically connected to a mating contact portion, the terminal having a terminal that is connected to the conductor portion of the wire, and a housing having an inlet into which the mating contact portion is introduced and a contact portion housing space formed in which the contact portion is housed, wherein a rib for clamping the contact portion is formed in the portion of the housing in which the contact portion housing space is formed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, even when using a wire with terminals having plate-shaped contact portions, it is possible to provide a connector that can further improve the reliability of the connection with the mating contact portion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector mating assembly. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector mating assembly, disassembled into the unit-side connector and the harness-side connector. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a unit-side connector. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of a partially disassembled example of a harness-side connector. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view from below of a partially disassembled example of a harness-side connector. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a top-down perspective view of some of the components of an example harness-side connector, shown in a disassembled state. [Figure 7]Figure 7 is a perspective view from below of some of the components of an example harness-side connector, after they have been disassembled. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the inner housing containing the terminal-equipped wires, broken in a vertical plane. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the inner housing containing the terminal-equipped wires broken in the horizontal plane. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the terminals of the unit-side connector and the terminals of the harness-side connector are electrically connected. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the terminals of the unit-side connector and the terminals of the harness-side connector are not electrically connected. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The connector according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0010] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, when mating and unmating the mating connector to the connector, the direction in which the mating connector moves relative to the connector (the mating direction of the mating connector to the connector) is defined and described as the Z direction (up and down direction). The up and down directions of each component are defined and described with the connector positioned above and the mating connector positioned below.

[0011] Furthermore, the direction in which the wires of the terminal-equipped wires provided by the connector extend is defined as the X direction (front-to-back direction), and the direction intersecting the X direction (front-to-back direction) and the Z direction (up-down direction) is defined as the Y direction (width direction) for explanation purposes. The side from which the wires of the terminal-equipped wires exit the housing is defined as the rear in the front-to-back direction for explanation purposes.

[0012] Further, in the following, as the connector, a harness-side connector including a wire with terminals is exemplified, and as the mating connector, a unit-side connector fixed to the housing of a unit member such as an inverter case is exemplified.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the harness-side connector (connector) 3 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the unit-side connector (mating connector) 2 is detachably fitted. Then, when the unit-side connector (mating connector) 2 is inserted and fitted into the harness-side connector (connector) 3, a connector fitting body 1 is formed.

[0014] In the present embodiment, the connector fitting body 1 includes a harness-side connector (connector) 3 having a housing 31, and a unit-side connector (mating connector) 2 having a unit-side housing 21 that fits and disengages from the housing 31. Further, the connector fitting body 1 includes a lever 4 rotatably attached to the housing 31 of the harness-side connector (connector) 3.

[0015] By rotating the lever 4 rotatably attached to the housing 31 of the harness-side connector (connector) 3, the housing 31 can be inserted and removed with respect to the unit-side housing 21. That is, by rotating the lever 4, the housing 31 can be fitted to the unit-side housing 21 or detached from the unit-side housing 21.

[0016] As described above, in the present embodiment, the insertion and removal (joining and detachment) of the housing 31 with respect to the unit-side housing 21 can be assisted by the lever 4. Therefore, the connector fitting body 1 according to the present embodiment has a function as a LIF (Low Insertion Force) connector that joins the harness-side connector (connector) 3 to the unit-side connector (mating connector) 2 with a low insertion force by operating the lever 4.

[0017] The unit-side connector (the mating connector) 2 includes, as shown in FIG. 3, a unit-side housing 21, unit-side terminals 22, a unit-side shield member 23, and a packing 24.

[0018] The unit-side housing 21 includes a substantially rectangular plate-shaped base portion 211, and a peripheral wall 212 is erected upward on the upper surface side of the base portion 211. At this time, the peripheral wall 212 is connected to the base portion 211 inside the outer peripheral edge of the base portion 211. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the base portion 211 includes a base body 2111 located inside the peripheral wall 212 and a flange portion 2112 protruding outward in the radial direction (XY plane) of the peripheral wall 212.

[0019] Also, inside the peripheral wall 212 on the upper surface side of the base portion 211, a pair of terminal holding walls 213 for holding a pair of unit-side terminals 22 are erected side by side in the Y direction. Further, at a portion corresponding to each terminal holding wall 213 on the lower surface side of the base portion 211, a hood portion 215 into which the unit-side terminal 22 is inserted and which covers the periphery of the unit-side terminal 22 is provided to open downward. The unit-side terminal 22 is inserted through the opening of the hood portion 215 and locked to the terminal holding wall 213 so as to be held by the terminal holding wall 213.

[0020] Also, in the present embodiment, a shield member holding wall 214 is provided around each terminal holding wall 213. The unit-side shield member 23 is inserted from above inside the shield member holding wall 214, and the unit-side shield member 23 is locked to the shield member holding wall 214 so that the unit-side shield member 23 is held by the shield member holding wall 214.

[0021] Furthermore, in this embodiment, through holes 2112a are formed at the four corners of the flange portion 2112, penetrating in the Z direction (vertical direction: the thickness direction of the base portion 211), and cylindrical collars 2113 are fitted into each through hole 2112a. The unit-side housing 21 (unit-side connector 2) is fixed to the housing of the unit component such as the inverter case by inserting bolts into the collars 2113 and fastening them to the housing of the unit component such as the inverter case. At this time, a packing 24 is interposed between the base portion 211 and the housing of the unit component such as the inverter case, so that the unit-side housing 21 (unit-side connector 2) is fixed to the housing of the unit component such as the inverter case in a liquid-tight manner.

[0022] Such a unit-side housing 21 can be formed from, for example, an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0023] Furthermore, the unit-side terminal 22 is equipped with a connection portion 221 that is electrically connected to electrical equipment (loads and power supplies) of unit components such as the inverter case. The unit-side terminal 22 is also equipped with a unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223 that is electrically connected to a tab portion (contact portion) 3223 of a terminal-equipped wire 32, which will be described later. The unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223 is also equipped with a connecting portion 222 that connects the connection portion 221 and the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223. In addition, in this embodiment, multiple pairs of clamping pieces 2231 are provided on the tip side (upper side) of the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223 in the left-right (Y direction: width direction) direction, and in the X direction (front-back direction). When the unit-side connector (mating connector) 2 is inserted and mated into the harness-side connector (connector) 3, each pair of clamping pieces 2231, which are arranged in pairs on the left and right (Y direction: width direction), clamps the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 in the Y direction (width direction). In this way, when the unit-side connector (mating connector) 2 is inserted and mated into the harness-side connector (connector) 3, the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 and the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223 are electrically connected.

[0024] Such a unit-side terminal 22 can be formed, for example, by bending a single metal plate that has been cut into a predetermined shape.

[0025] Furthermore, the shield member 23 comprises a cylindrical main body portion 231 that penetrates in the Z direction (vertical direction), a locking piece 232 formed to protrude downward from the lower end of the main body portion 231, and a contact piece 233 formed to protrude upward from the upper end of the main body portion 231. The cylindrical main body portion 231 is moved from top to bottom so that the terminal holding wall 213 is inserted into the cylinder, and the locking piece 232 is locked to the shield member holding wall 214, thereby holding the shield member 23 to the shield member holding wall 214.

[0026] When the unit-side connector (mating connector) 2 is inserted and mated into the harness-side connector (connector) 3, the contact piece 233 of the shielding member 23 is made to contact the shielding member 33 of the harness-side connector (connector) 3, which will be described later.

[0027] Such a shield member 23 can also be formed, for example, by bending a single metal plate that has been cut into a predetermined shape.

[0028] On the other hand, the harness-side connector (connector) 3, as shown in Figures 4 to 7, comprises a housing 31, a wire with terminals 32, a shielding member 33, a packing 34, a holder 35, and a holder with a rubber stopper 36.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing 31 comprises an outer housing 37 and an inner housing 38 that is housed and held within the outer housing 37.

[0030] The outer housing 37 comprises a main body portion 370 that forms the outer casing of the housing 31. This main body portion 370 includes a fitting portion 371 into which the unit-side housing 21 is fitted, and a hood portion 372 into which the inner housing 38 is inserted and held. The main body portion 370 is formed by integrally molding the fitting portion 371 and the hood portion 372.

[0031] In this embodiment, the fitting portion 371 comprises an inner cylinder 3711 and an outer cylinder 3712 formed on the radial side (XY plane) of the inner cylinder 3711. Inside the inner cylinder 3711, an introduction space S1 opening downward is formed, into which the unit-side terminal 22 held by the terminal holding wall 213 and the unit-side shield member 23 held by the shield member holding wall 214 are introduced.

[0032] Furthermore, a slit S2 is formed between the inner cylinder 3711 and the outer cylinder 3712, opening downwards. The peripheral wall 212 of the unit-side housing 21 is inserted into this slit S2. In this embodiment, a portion of the slit S2 is made to penetrate in the Z direction (vertical direction). Specifically, both sides of the slit S2 in the Y direction (width direction) are made to penetrate in the Z direction (vertical direction). This ensures that when the peripheral wall 212 of the unit-side housing 21 is inserted into the slit S2, the cam projection 2121 formed on the peripheral wall 212 is exposed to the outside of the fitting portion 371.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, pivot shafts 37111 are formed on both sides of the inner cylinder 3711 in the Y direction (width direction) so as to protrude outward in the Y direction (width direction). By attaching the lever 4 to this pair of pivot shafts 37111, the lever 4 can be rotated relative to the housing 31.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the holder 35 is held in the fitting portion 371 so that the packing 34 is positioned in the slit S2. In this way, when the peripheral wall 212 of the unit-side housing 21 is inserted into the slit S2, the gap between the peripheral wall 212 and the inner cylinder 3711 is sealed by the packing 34. In this embodiment, the holder 35 comprises a substantially annular peripheral wall 351, a locking piece 352 connected to the peripheral wall 351 so as to rise upward, and a wall portion 353 connected to the peripheral wall 351 so as to rise upward. The holder 35 is attached to the fitting portion 371 by locking the locking piece 352 to a locking portion formed on the fitting portion 371. The wall portion 353 is a member that holds down the portion located in the introduction space S1 of the inner housing 38 and the shield member 33.

[0035] The hood section 372 comprises a peripheral wall 3721 and a partition wall 3722 that divides the inside of the peripheral wall 3721 into two regions (spaces). Inside the hood section 372, an inner housing accommodation space S3 is formed, defined by the peripheral wall 3721 and the partition wall 3722, and opens to the rear. Thus, within the hood section 372, a pair of inner housing accommodation spaces S3 are formed to extend in the X direction (front-to-back direction). Furthermore, the pair of inner housing accommodation spaces S3 are connected to an introduction space S1 at their front end (rear end), so that when the inner housing 38 is housed in the inner housing accommodation space S3, the front end of the inner housing 38 is inserted into the introduction space S1.

[0036] In this embodiment, a rib 3723 is formed within the inner housing accommodation space S3, and the inner housing 38 is held in a positioned state by this rib 3723.

[0037] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the inner housing 38 is substantially rectangular in shape and comprises a top wall 381, a bottom wall 382, ​​and side walls 383 connecting the top wall 381 and the bottom wall 382. Inside the inner housing 38, a storage space S4 is formed, defined by the top wall 381, the bottom wall 382, ​​and the pair of side walls 383. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner housing 38 is provided with a front wall 384, which closes the front of the storage space S4. Thus, in this embodiment, a storage space S4 is formed inside the inner housing 38, opening to the rear and extending in the X direction (front-to-back direction). The terminal 322 of the terminal-equipped wire 32 is inserted into this storage space S4 from the rear, and the wire 321 of the terminal-equipped wire 32 is led out to the rear. Therefore, in this embodiment, the opening that opens at the rear of the accommodation space S4 is the outlet S4a through which the electric wire 321 is led out.

[0038] In this embodiment, a slit 3811 is formed on the lower surface (inner surface) of the top wall 381, allowing the terminal 322 of the terminal-equipped electric wire 32 to be guided by the slit 3811 when inserting it into the housing space S4 from the rear.

[0039] Furthermore, a through-hole 3821 is formed at the front end of the bottom wall 382, ​​penetrating in the Z direction (vertical direction). When the inner housing 38 is housed in the inner housing housing space S3, the housing space S4 communicates with the introduction space S1 via the through-hole 3821. When the unit-side connector (mating connector) 2 is inserted and fitted into the harness-side connector (connector) 3, the clamping piece 2231 of the unit-side terminal 22 is introduced into the housing space S4 through the through-hole 3821. Therefore, in this embodiment, the through-hole 3821 serves as an introduction opening S4b into which the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223 is introduced. The portion above the through-hole 3821 in the housing space S4 serves as the contact portion housing space S41 into which the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 is housed.

[0040] Thus, in this embodiment, the inlet S4b is formed to open in a direction intersecting the opening direction of the outlet S4a. Therefore, in this embodiment, the direction (Z direction: up and down direction) that intersects the extending direction (X direction: front and back direction) of the electric wire 321 is the mating direction between the harness-side connector (connector) 3 and the unit-side connector (mating connector) 2.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a rib 3822 is formed at the rear end of the bottom wall 382, ​​so that when the terminal 322 of the terminal-equipped electric wire 32 is inserted into the housing space S4, the terminal 322 rests on this rib 3822.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner housing 38 is housed in the inner housing housing space S3 with almost the entire perimeter except for the through hole 3821 covered by the shielding member 33. Specifically, the shielding member 33 is composed of a front split body 331 and a rear split body 332. The front side of the inner housing 38 into which the terminaled wire 32 is inserted and held is covered by the front split body 331, and the rear side is covered by the rear split body 332, with the front split body 331 and the rear split body 332 connected. In this way, almost the entire perimeter except for the through hole 3821 is covered by the shielding member 33, and the terminaled wire 32, shielded by the shielding member 33, is housed in the outer housing 37.

[0043] The terminal-equipped wire 32 comprises a wire 321 and a terminal 322 electrically connected to the wire 321. In this embodiment, the wire 321 comprises a conductor portion 3211, an internal covering portion 3212 covering the outer circumference of the conductor portion 3211, a shielding layer 3213 such as braid arranged on the outer circumference of the internal covering portion 3212, and an external sheath 3214 covering the outer circumference of the shielding layer 3213. Thus, this embodiment illustrates a terminal-equipped wire 32 using a shielded wire.

[0044] The terminal 322 includes a conductor crimping portion 3221 to which the conductor portion 3211 is crimped, a tab portion (contact portion) 3223 that is electrically connected to the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223, and a connecting portion 3222 that connects the conductor crimping portion 3221 and the tab portion (contact portion) 3223.

[0045] In this embodiment, the terminal 322 has a rectangular plate-shaped tab portion (contact portion) 3223, and the plate-shaped tab portion (contact portion) 3223 is housed in the contact portion housing space S41 with its plate thickness direction substantially aligned with the Y direction (width direction). When the unit-side connector (mating connector) 2 is inserted and mated into the harness-side connector (connector) 3, the tab portion (contact portion) 3223, with its plate thickness direction substantially aligned with the Y direction (width direction), is held between the clamping pieces 2231.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, with the inner housing 38, which holds the terminal-equipped electric wire 32 and is shielded, housed in the inner housing housing space S3, the rear opening of the inner housing housing space S3 is sealed with a rubber stopper holder 36. The rubber stopper holder 36 is formed by attaching a rubber stopper 362 to a holder 361. In this embodiment, the holder 361 comprises a holder body 3611, which has an engagement hole 36111. The rubber stopper 362 comprises a body 3621, which has an engagement projection 36211. The rubber stopper 362 is attached to the holder 361 by inserting the engagement projection 36211 formed on the body 3621 of the rubber stopper 362 into the engagement hole 36111 formed on the holder body 3611 of the holder 361 and engaging them. Furthermore, the holder 361 and the rubber stopper 362 have through holes that penetrate in the X direction (front-to-back direction), and by inserting the electric wire 321 through these through holes, the holder 36 with the rubber stopper can be slidably attached to the electric wire 321.

[0047] Then, with the rubber stopper holder 36 attached to the electric wire 321, the locking frame 3612 formed on the holder 361 is locked to the locking hook 37211 formed on the peripheral wall 3721 of the hood portion 372. In this way, the rubber stopper holder 36 can be attached to the hood portion 372 with the gap between the electric wire 321 and the hood portion 372 sealed by the rubber stopper 362.

[0048] As described above, the lever 4 is rotatably attached to the outer housing 37 of the harness-side connector (connector) 3.

[0049] The lever 4 comprises a pair of arm portions 41 and an operating portion 42 that connects the rear ends of the pair of arm portions 41 and allows the lever 4 to be rotated.

[0050] The pair of arm portions 41 are plate-shaped with the thickness direction substantially aligned with the width direction, and a shaft portion 411 is formed on the tip side of each of the pair of arm portions 41 (the side opposite to the side to which the operating portion 42 is connected).

[0051] In this embodiment, the shaft portion 411 has a bearing hole 4111 that penetrates in the plate thickness direction (width direction). By inserting the bearing hole 4111 into the pivot shafts 37111 formed on both sides of the inner cylinder 3711 in the Y direction (width direction), the lever 4 is made rotatably attached to the outer housing 37.

[0052] In this embodiment, the housing 31 (outer housing 37) is configured to fit into the unit-side housing 21 by rotating the lever 4 from the open position to the closed position.

[0053] Then, by rotating the lever 4 from the open position to the closed position and fitting the housing 31 into the unit-side housing 21, electrical contact is established between the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 and the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223.

[0054] Therefore, when lever 4 is in the open position, housing 31 is separated from unit-side housing 21. Also, when lever 4 is in the open position, tab portion (contact portion) 3223 is separated from unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223.

[0055] On the other hand, when lever 4 is in the closed position, housing 31 is fitted into unit-side housing 21. Also, when lever 4 is in the closed position, tab portion (contact portion) 3223 is electrically connected to unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a fitting force applying mechanism is provided that can apply a fitting force between the housing 31 and the unit-side housing 21 when the lever 4 is rotated from the open position to the closed position. This applies a force that pulls the housing 31 into the unit-side housing 21, making it possible to easily fit the housing 31 into the unit-side housing 21.

[0057] In this embodiment, the fitting force application mechanism is composed of a first cam groove 41121, which is a cam groove 4112 formed at the tip of the arm portion 41 of the lever 4, and a first cam projection 21211, which is a cam projection 2121 formed on the peripheral wall 212 of the unit-side housing 21. That is, when the lever 4 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the first cam projection 21211 comes into contact with the first cam groove 41121. This applies a force that pulls the housing 31 into the unit-side housing 21.

[0058] Furthermore, the device is equipped with a release force application mechanism that can apply a release force between the housing 31 and the unit-side housing 21 when the lever 4 is rotated from the closed position to the open position. This applies a force that pulls the housing 31 away from the unit-side housing 21, making it easy to detach the housing 31 from the unit-side housing 21.

[0059] In this embodiment, the release force application mechanism is configured with a second cam groove 41122, which is a cam groove 4112 formed at the tip of the arm portion 41 of the lever 4, and a second cam projection 21212, which is a cam projection 2121 formed on the peripheral wall 212 of the unit-side housing 21. That is, when the lever 4 is rotated from the closed position to the open position, the second cam projection 21212 comes into contact with the second cam groove 41122. This applies a force to pull the housing 31 away from the unit-side housing 21.

[0060] In this embodiment, by utilizing the so-called "lever principle" and operating the lever 4 with low operating force, the housing 31 can be easily fitted into the unit-side housing 21.

[0061] In this embodiment, the release force application mechanism is located at a different position from the engagement force application mechanism.

[0062] Furthermore, the operating unit 42 comprises an operating unit body 421 and a slide locking unit 422 slidably attached to the operating unit body 421. When the lever 4 is in the closed position, sliding the slide locking unit 422 backward causes the slide locking unit 422 to engage with a locking projection 37212 formed on the peripheral wall 3721 of the hood unit 372. In this way, the slide locking unit 422 restricts the rotation of the lever 4 from the closed position to the open position. In this embodiment, sliding the slide locking unit 422 forward releases the locking between the slide locking unit 422 and the locking projection 37212, thereby allowing the lever 4 to rotate from the closed position to the open position. At this time, a restricting projection 37213 formed on the peripheral wall 3721 of the hood unit 372 prevents the slide locking unit 422, which has been released from the locking projection 37212, from moving further forward. This prevents the slide lock portion 422 from detaching from the operating unit body 421.

[0063] Such a lever 4 can also be formed from an electrically insulating material, such as synthetic resin.

[0064] In this embodiment, even when using a wire 32 with a terminal having a plate-shaped tab portion (contact portion) 3223, the reliability of the connection with the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223 can be further improved.

[0065] Specifically, a rib 3812 is formed in the housing 31 at the location where the contact portion housing space S41 is formed, to clamp the tab portion (contact portion) 3223. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 8 to 11, a pair of ribs 3812 are formed extending downward from the lower surface (inner surface) of the top wall 381 of the inner housing 38 where the contact portion housing space S41 is formed. At this time, the pair of ribs 3812 are formed separated by a predetermined distance (approximately the same distance as the plate thickness of the tab portion 3223) in the Y direction (width direction). In this way, when the plate-shaped tab portion (contact portion) 3223 is housed in the contact portion housing space S41, the upper end of the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 is clamped by the pair of ribs 3812.

[0066] Thus, in this embodiment, the plate-shaped tab portion (contact portion) 3223 is housed in the contact portion housing space S41 and is held between the ribs 3812 formed on the housing 31. Furthermore, with the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 housed in the contact portion housing space S41, the side opposite to the side where the inlet S4b is located is held between the ribs 3812.

[0067] This ensures that the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 housed in the contact portion housing space S41 does not rattle, and even if vibration occurs in the harness-side connector (connector) 3 due to vibrations while the vehicle is in motion, the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 does not vibrate within the contact portion housing space S41, which is more reliably suppressed.

[0068] In this way, by suppressing vibrations within the contact housing space S41 of the tab portion (contact portion) 3223, it becomes possible to maintain a more stable contact state between the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 and the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223. As a result, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress the occurrence of unstable contact with the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223, which can lead to increased resistance or poor conductivity, thereby improving the reliability of the connection with the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223.

[0069] Furthermore, if the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 is held by the rib 3812 on the side opposite to the inlet S4b, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress misalignment of the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 during the electrical connection work with the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223. As a result, it becomes possible to further improve the electrical connection workability between the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 and the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223. Also, by suppressing misalignment of the tab portion (contact portion) 3223, it becomes possible to improve the contact pressure between the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 and the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223. Therefore, it becomes possible to further improve the reliability of the connection with the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner housing 38, which is housed within the outer housing 37, is configured to have a contact portion housing space S41 and ribs 3812.

[0071] This prevents vibrations generated in the outer housing 37 from being directly transmitted to the tab portion (contact portion) 3223. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress rattling of the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 housed in the contact portion housing space S41, thereby further improving the reliability of the connection with the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, an upper regulating rib 3813 is formed between the pair of ribs 3812. This upper regulating rib 3813 prevents the tab portion (contact portion) 3223, which is sandwiched between the pair of ribs 3812, from moving upward.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a front restricting wall 3814 and a mounting wall 3815 are formed within the contact portion housing space S41. When the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 is housed in the contact portion housing space S41, the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 is made to come into contact with the front restricting wall 3814 and the mounting wall 3815. This ensures that displacement of the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 is more reliably suppressed.

[0074] In this embodiment, the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 has a projection 32231 formed by dowel processing to prevent it from coming loose, and the rib 3812 has a slit 38121 that opens downward. When the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 is housed in the contact portion housing space S41, the projection 32231 is positioned within the slit 38121. In this way, the movement of the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 in the X direction (front-back direction) is restricted by the projection 32231 and the slit 38121, making it more reliable to prevent the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 from coming out of the contact portion housing space S41.

[0075] [Effects / Effects] The following describes the characteristic configuration of the connector shown in the above embodiment and the effects obtained therefrom.

[0076] The harness-side connector (connector) 3 shown in the above embodiment includes a wire 32 with a terminal, which has a terminal 322 having a plate-shaped tab portion (contact portion) 3223 electrically connected to a unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223, and which is connected to the conductor portion 3211 of the wire 321. The harness-side connector (connector) 3 also includes a housing 31 having an inlet S4b into which the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223 is introduced, and a contact portion housing space S41 in which the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 is housed. A rib 3812 for clamping the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 is formed in the portion of the housing 31 where the contact portion housing space S41 is formed.

[0077] As described above, in the harness-side connector (connector) 3 shown in the above embodiment, the plate-shaped tab portion (contact portion) 3223 is housed in the contact portion housing space S41 and is held between the ribs 3812 formed on the housing 31.

[0078] This makes it possible to more reliably suppress rattling of the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 housed in the contact portion housing space S41. Therefore, even if vibration occurs in the harness-side connector (connector) 3 due to vibrations while the vehicle is in motion, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress vibration of the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 within the contact portion housing space S41. By suppressing vibration of the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 within the contact portion housing space S41 in this way, it becomes possible to maintain a more stable contact state between the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 and the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223. As a result, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress unstable contact with the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223, which can lead to increased resistance or poor conductivity, thereby improving the reliability of the connection with the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223.

[0079] Thus, by using the harness-side connector (connector) 3 shown in the above embodiment, even when using a wire 32 with terminals having plate-shaped tab portions (contact portions) 3223, it becomes possible to further improve the reliability of the connection with the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223.

[0080] Furthermore, the housing 31 may comprise an outer housing 37 and an inner housing 38 housed within the outer housing 37. The inner housing 38 may also be provided with a contact portion housing space S41 and ribs 3812.

[0081] This makes it possible to suppress the transmission of vibrations generated in the outer housing 37 directly to the tab portion (contact portion) 3223. In other words, it becomes possible to make the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 less affected by vibrations. As a result, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress rattling of the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 housed in the contact portion housing space S41, thereby further improving the reliability of the connection with the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223.

[0082] Furthermore, the contact portion housing space S41 may be connected to the outlet S4a from which the electric wire 321 is led out. Additionally, the inlet S4b may open in a direction intersecting the opening direction of the outlet S4a. And, with the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 housed in the contact portion housing space S41, the side opposite to the side where the inlet S4b is located may be clamped by the rib 3812.

[0083] This makes it possible to more reliably suppress misalignment of the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 during the electrical connection process with the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223. As a result, the electrical connection process between the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 and the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223 can be improved. Furthermore, by suppressing misalignment of the tab portion (contact portion) 3223, the contact pressure between the tab portion (contact portion) 3223 and the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223 can be improved. Therefore, the reliability of the connection with the unit-side terminal portion (mating contact portion) 223 can be further improved.

[0084] [others] Although this embodiment has been described above, this embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of this embodiment.

[0085] For example, in the above embodiment, the unit-side connector was used as an example of the mating connector, but the configuration of the mating connector is not limited to this configuration and can be various.

[0086] Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to connectors that do not use shielding members (including the shielding layer of the electric wire), rubber stoppers, etc.

[0087] Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to connectors that do not have an inner housing 38 or connectors that do not have a lever 4.

[0088] Furthermore, it is possible to align the mating direction with the other connector with the direction in which the wire extends.

[0089] Furthermore, it is possible to modify the housing, terminals, and other detailed specifications (shape, size, layout, etc.) as needed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 223 Unit-side terminal section (mutual contact section) 3. Harness-side connector (connector) 31 Housing 32 wires with terminals 321 Electric wire 3211 Conductor section 322 terminals 3223 Tab portion (contact portion) 37 Outer Housing 38 Inner Housing 3812 Rib S4 Containment Space S4a outlet S4b Inlet S41 Contact area housing space

Claims

1. A wire with a terminal, in which a plate-shaped contact portion is electrically connected to the mating contact portion, is connected to the conductor portion of the wire, A housing having an inlet into which the mating contact portion is introduced, and a contact portion housing space formed therein in which the contact portion is housed, Equipped with, Ribs for clamping the contact portion are formed in the portion of the housing where the contact portion housing space is formed. connector.

2. The housing comprises an outer housing and an inner housing housed within the outer housing. The inner housing has the contact portion housing space and the ribs formed therein. The connector according to claim 1.

3. The contact portion housing space is in communication with the outlet from which the electric wire is discharged. The aforementioned inlet opens in a direction intersecting the opening direction of the aforementioned outlet, The contact portion is housed in the contact portion housing space, and the side opposite to the side where the inlet is located is held in place by the rib. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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