connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can maintain electrical connection reliability. [Solution] In a connector 1 comprising a housing 3, a cylindrical terminal 35 housed in the housing 3, and a spacer 7 assembled to the housing 3 and engaging with the terminal 35 to prevent the terminal 35 from coming off the housing 3, a rotation restricting part 53 is provided between the housing 3 and the spacer 7, which, when the spacer 7 is assembled to the housing 3, clamps and presses the terminal 35 to restrict the rotation of the terminal 35.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a connector, there is provided a housing and a shield member as a terminal formed in a cylindrical shape and housed in the housing. Further, there is known a connector provided with a spacer that is assembled to the housing and engages with the shield member to prevent the shield member from coming off the housing (see Patent Document 1). In this connector, the spacer is assembled to be movable between a temporary locking position where the shield member can be inserted into the housing with respect to the housing and a main locking position where the spacer engages with the shield member to prevent the shield member from coming off. In such a connector, in a state where the shield member is housed in the housing, by moving the spacer to the main locking position, the spacer is engaged with the shield member, and the shield member is prevented from coming off the housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a connector such as the above Patent Document 1, the terminals housed in the housing are formed in a cylindrical shape. Therefore, the terminals may rotate inside the housing. When the terminals are rotated in a state where the terminals are electrically connected to the mating terminals, abrasion or the like may occur at the electrical contact portions, and the electrical connection reliability may be reduced.

[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 maintain electrical connection reliability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector according to this embodiment comprises a housing, a terminal housed in the housing and formed in a cylindrical shape, and a spacer assembled to the housing and engaging with the terminal to prevent the terminal from coming off the housing. Between the housing and the spacer, a rotation restricting portion is provided that, when the spacer is assembled to the housing, clamps and presses the terminal to restrict the rotation of the terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that can maintain electrical connection reliability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the housing of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of the housing of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged perspective view of a key part, showing a cross-section of a portion of the housing of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the terminal unit of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10]It is an exploded perspective view of a terminal unit of a connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view of a spacer of a connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] It is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] It is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 12. [Figure 15] It is a cross-sectional view of a housing of a connector according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] It is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] It is a perspective view of a spacer of a connector according to the second embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the connector according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0010] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 according to the present embodiment electrically connects between two electrical components (not shown), such as between a power source mounted on a vehicle and a device, or between devices. The connector 1 is electrically connected to one electrical component and is capable of fitting with a mating connector (not shown) that is electrically connected to the other electrical component. By fitting the connector 1 with the mating connector, the two electrical components are electrically connected.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, the connector 1 includes a housing 3, a terminal unit 5, and a spacer 7.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the housing 3 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing 3 is formed in a housing shape that can be fitted with a mating housing (not shown) of a mating connector and extends in the fitting direction. Above the housing 3, a lock arm 9 that can be elastically deformed in the height direction of the housing 3 is formed of a single member. The lock arm 9 extends along the fitting direction so as to be elastically deformable with the front side in the fitting direction between the connector 1 and the mating connector as the base end and the rear side in the fitting direction as the free end. On the outer surface of the lock arm 9, a locking portion 11 that protrudes upward is provided. The locking portion 11 is engaged with a locked portion (not shown) provided on the mating housing when the connector 1 and the mating connector are fitted together. By the engagement between the locking portion 11 and the locked portion, the fitting state between the connector 1 and the mating connector can be maintained. An operation portion 13 is provided at the free end of the lock arm 9. When the operation portion 13 is pressed downward, the lock arm 9 is elastically deformed downward. When the lock arm 9 is elastically deformed downward, the engagement between the locking portion 11 and the locked portion is released. By releasing the engagement between the locking portion 11 and the locked portion, the fitting state between the connector 1 and the mating connector can be released.

[0014] Inside the housing 3, there is a housing chamber 15 capable of accommodating a terminal unit 5. There are multiple (four in this case) housing chambers 15. The housing chambers 15 extend along the mating direction between the connector 1 and the mating connector. The housing chambers 15 have openings on both sides in the longitudinal direction. The opening on one side in the longitudinal direction of the housing chamber 15 is a connection opening into which the mating inner terminal (not shown) and mating terminal (not shown) of the mating connector are inserted when the connector 1 and the mating connector are mated. The opening on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the housing chamber 15 is an insertion opening into which the terminal unit 5 can be inserted. Inside the housing chamber 15, there is a regulating wall 17 that protrudes inward from the inner surface. The regulating wall 17 abuts against the terminal unit 5 inserted through the insertion opening, restricting the terminal unit 5 from penetrating the housing chamber 15 and positioning the terminal unit 5 relative to the housing chamber 15. Inside the housing chamber 15, there is an elastically deformable locking lance 19. The locking lance 19 engages with the terminal unit 5 housed in the housing chamber 15, preventing the terminal unit 5 from coming out of the housing chamber 15 and holding the terminal unit 5 in place of the housing chamber 15.

[0015] On both sides of the width direction of the housing 3, there are spacer housing sections 21 into which spacers 7 are assembled. The spacer housing section 21 is open on the side of the housing 3 and communicates with a plurality (two in this case) of housing chambers 15. Above and below the opening side of the spacer housing section 21, there are temporary engaging sections 23 and permanent engaging sections 25, respectively, which protrude outward from the outer surface. The temporary engaging section 23 is located on the opening side of the spacer housing section 21, which is the rear side in the assembly direction of the spacer 7 to the spacer housing section 21. The permanent engaging section 25 is located on the interior side of the spacer housing section 21, which is the front side in the assembly direction of the spacer 7 to the spacer housing section 21.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, 9 and 10, the terminal unit 5 comprises a wire 27, a sleeve 29, an inner terminal 31, an inner housing 33, and an outer terminal 35 as a terminal.

[0017] The electric wire 27 has one end housed inside the housing 3 and the other end leading out to the outside of the housing 3. The electric wire 27 consists of an internal wire, a shielding member, and a sheath. The internal wire is, for example, a coated wire in which the outer circumference of the core wire is covered with an insulating coating. The other end of the internal wire is electrically connected to one of the electrical components. The shielding member is, for example, made of a braid made of multiple strands of conductive material or metal foil, and is arranged to cover the outer circumference of the internal wire. The other end of the shielding member is electrically connected to, for example, a grounded portion provided on one of the electrical components. The sheath is made of an insulating material and is arranged to cover the outer circumference of the shielding member.

[0018] The sleeve 29 is made of a conductive material such as metal. The sleeve 29 is formed into an elastically deformable annular shape with a portion of its circumference cut out. The sleeve 29 is positioned on the outer circumference of the shield member exposed from the sheath and is crimped to be in close contact with the shield member. The excess length of the shield member is folded back and positioned around the outer circumference of the crimped sleeve 29.

[0019] The inner terminal 31 is made of a conductive material and consists of a female terminal having a box-shaped connector into which the tab-shaped connector of the mating inner terminal can be inserted. The outer surface of the inner terminal 31 is provided with an elastically deformable elastic piece. The inner terminal 31 is electrically connected to the internal wires of the electric wire 27 by crimping a crimping portion consisting of a pair of crimping pieces onto the core wires of the internal wires of the electric wire 27. The inner terminal 31 is housed in the inner housing 33 and is electrically connected to the mating inner terminal when the connector 1 and the mating connector are mated together.

[0020] The inner housing 33 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin and is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to be able to accommodate the inner terminal 31. The inner housing 33 is provided with an engagement hole (not shown) into which the elastic piece of the inner terminal 31 engages. The engagement of the elastic piece with the engagement hole prevents the inner terminal 31 from coming out of the inner housing 33, and the inner terminal 31 is held in place by the inner housing 33. The inner housing 33 is housed in the outer terminal 35 and maintains insulation between the inner terminal 31 and the outer terminal 35.

[0021] The outer terminal 35 is made of a conductive material. The outer terminal 35 includes a wire connection portion 37, an electrical connection portion 39, a flange portion 41, and a locking portion 43.

[0022] The wire connection portion 37 has a shield crimping portion 45 and a sheath fixing portion 47. The shield crimping portion 45 has a pair of crimping pieces. The shield crimping portion 45 electrically connects the outer terminal 35 and the shield member together with the sleeve 29 by crimping the pair of crimping pieces onto the outer circumference of the shield member, which is folded and positioned around the outer circumference of the sleeve 29 of the electric wire 27. The sheath fixing portion 47 is positioned closer to the electric wire 27 than the shield crimping portion 45 and has a pair of crimping pieces formed from a single member continuous with the shield crimping portion 45. The sheath fixing portion 47 fixes the outer terminal 35 to the electric wire 27 by crimping the pair of crimping pieces onto the outer circumference of the sheath of the electric wire 27. When connected to the electric wire 27, the wire connection portion 37 has a circular outer shape.

[0023] The electrical connection section 39 is a single component continuous with the wire connection section 37 and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a circular outer form. The inner housing 33 is housed inside the electrical connection section 39. Multiple elastically deformable contact points are provided on the outer surface of the electrical connection section 39 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The electrical connection section 39 is positioned on the connection opening side of the housing chamber 15 when the terminal unit 5 is housed in the housing chamber 15 of the housing 3. The electrical connection section 39 is electrically connected to the grounded mating terminal of the mating connector when the connector 1 and the mating connector are mated. The outer terminal 35 and the mating terminal are electrically connected to form a shield circuit. The formation of the shield circuit prevents the intrusion and leakage of noise and other signals to the inner terminal 31 and the mating inner terminal.

[0024] The flange portion 41 is located on the outer surface of the electrical connection portion 39, on the side of the wire connection portion 37. The flange portion 41 protrudes outward from the outer surface of the electrical connection portion 39 and is formed in a circular ring shape that is continuous in the circumferential direction. When the terminal unit 5 is inserted into the insertion opening of the housing chamber 15 from the electrical connection portion 39 side of the outer terminal 35, the flange portion 41 comes into contact with the restricting wall 17 of the housing chamber 15. The contact between the flange portion 41 and the restricting wall 17 restricts the terminal unit 5 from penetrating the housing chamber 15, and positions the terminal unit 5 relative to the housing chamber 15.

[0025] The locking portion 43 is positioned on the wire connection portion 37 side of the flange portion 41 on the outer surface of the electrical connection portion 39. The locking portion 43 is recessed inward from the outer surface of the electrical connection portion 39 and is formed as a groove that is continuous in the circumferential direction. When the terminal unit 5 is housed in the housing chamber 15, the locking portion 43 engages with the locking lance 19 inside the housing chamber 15. The engagement of the locking portion 43 and the locking lance 19 prevents the terminal unit 5 from coming out of the housing chamber 15 and holds the terminal unit 5 in place within the housing chamber 15.

[0026] The assembly of the terminal unit 5 begins by stripping a predetermined length of the sheath from the electric wire 27 to expose the internal wire and shielding member. Next, the sleeve 29 is fixed to the outer circumference of the shielding member, and the excess portion of the shielding member is folded back to the outer circumference of the sleeve 29. Then, the insulation coating of the internal wire is stripped a predetermined length, and the inner terminal 31 is electrically connected to the exposed core wire. Next, the inner terminal 31 is housed in the inner housing 33, and the inner housing 33 is housed in the electrical connection portion 39 of the outer terminal 35. Finally, at the wire connection portion 37 of the outer terminal 35, the shield crimp portion 45 is crimped to the shielding member to make an electrical connection, and the sheath fixing portion 47 is crimped to the sheath of the electric wire 27 to fix it, completing the assembly.

[0027] The terminal unit 5 is inserted from the electrical connection portion 39 side of the outer terminal 35 through the insertion opening of the housing chamber 15 of the housing 3. At this time, the flange portion 41 of the outer terminal 35 abuts against the regulating wall 17 of the housing chamber 15, thereby positioning the terminal unit 5 relative to the housing chamber 15. Once housed in the housing chamber 15, the terminal unit 5 is held in place by the locking lance 19 engaging with the locking portion 43 of the outer terminal 35. Once housed in the housing 3, the terminal unit 5 is doubly prevented from coming out of the housing chamber 15 by the engagement of the spacer 7 assembled to the housing 3.

[0028] The spacer 7 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. Multiple spacers 7 are used (two in this case) to correspond to multiple spacer housings 21 in the housing 3. The spacer 7 is formed in a U shape and comprises a pair of side walls and a connecting wall connecting the pair of side walls. The pair of side walls are elastically deformable so that the connecting wall side is the base end and the other end is the free end. Engaging portions 49 are provided on the free end sides of the pair of side walls, each protruding inward from the inner surface. The engaging portions 49 can engage with the temporary engaging portion 23 and the permanent engaging portion 25 of the spacer housing 21 in the housing 3. The connecting wall is provided with multiple locking portions 51 extending inward from the inner surface. The locking portions 51 have a thickness that allows them to be inserted into the locking portion 43 of the outer terminal 35, and their end faces in the extending direction are curved so that they can engage with the locking portion 43.

[0029] The spacer 7 is assembled to the spacer housing 21 of the housing 3 so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a permanent locking position. In the temporary locking position of the spacer 7, the engaging portion 49 engages with the temporarily engaged portion 23 of the spacer housing 21, and the position of the spacer 7 relative to the spacer housing 21 is maintained. In the temporary locking position of the spacer 7, the locking portion 51 does not interfere with the engaged portion 43 of the outer terminal 35 of the terminal unit 5 housed in the housing chamber 15, and the terminal unit 5 can be housed in the housing chamber 15. In the permanent locking position of the spacer 7, the engaging portion 49 engages with the permanent engaged portion 25 of the spacer housing 21, and the position of the spacer 7 relative to the spacer housing 21 is maintained. In the permanent locking position of the spacer 7, the locking portion 51 engages with the engaged portion 43 of the outer terminal 35 housed in the housing chamber 15. The engagement between the locking portion 51 and the locked portion 43 allows the spacer 7, together with the locking lance 19, to double-prevent the terminal unit 5 from coming loose in the housing chamber 15. As a result, the terminal unit 5 can be stably held in the housing chamber 15.

[0030] Here, the outer terminal 35, which engages with the locking lance 19 and the locking portion 51 of the spacer 7, is formed in a cylindrical shape. Therefore, the outer terminal 35 may rotate inside the housing 3. If the outer terminal 35 rotates, wear may occur at the contact point while it is electrically connected to the mating terminal, potentially reducing the reliability of the electrical connection. For this reason, a rotation restricting portion 53 is provided between the housing 3 and the spacer 7 to restrict the rotation of the outer terminal 35.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, 7, 8, and 11, the rotation restricting portion 53 has a housing projection 55 provided on the housing 3 and a spacer projection 57 provided on the spacer 7.

[0032] Multiple housing protrusions 55 are provided on the restricting wall 17 of the housing chamber 15 of the housing 3. The housing protrusions 55 project toward the flange portion 41 of the outer terminal 35 from the side surface of the restricting wall 17 that abuts against it. The direction in which the housing protrusions 55 project intersects (in this case is perpendicular to) the assembly direction of the spacer 7 to the housing 3. The projecting end of the housing protrusion 55, which is the pressing surface that abuts against and presses against the flange portion 41, is formed in a curved shape.

[0033] Multiple spacer protrusions 57 are provided on the locking portion 51 of the spacer 7. The spacer protrusions 57 project toward the flange portion 41 from the side of the locking portion 51 facing the flange portion 41. The direction in which the spacer protrusions 57 project intersect (in this case, perpendicular to) the assembly direction of the spacer 7 with respect to the housing 3. The projecting end of the spacer protrusion 57, which is the pressing surface that abuts and presses against the flange portion 41, is formed in a curved shape.

[0034] The housing projection 55 and spacer projection 57, which act as the rotation restricting part 53, clamp and press the flange portion 41 of the outer terminal 35 at the permanent locking position of the spacer 7 when the spacer 7 is assembled to the housing 3. At this time, the direction in which the flange portion 41 is clamped and pressed is perpendicular to the assembly direction of the spacer 7. By clamping and pressing the outer terminal 35 with the rotation restricting part 53, the rotation of the outer terminal 35 inside the housing 3 can be restricted. Therefore, when the outer terminal 35 is electrically connected to the mating terminal, wear at the contact portion due to the rotation of the outer terminal 35 can be suppressed, and electrical connection reliability can be maintained. In addition, by clamping and pressing the flange portion 41 with the rotation restricting part 53, the influence of the pressing of the rotation restricting part 53 on the electrical connection portion of the outer terminal 35 can be suppressed, and electrical connection reliability can be maintained. Furthermore, by setting the pressing direction of the rotation restricting portion 53 to intersect with the assembly direction of the spacer 7, the reaction force caused by the pressing of the rotation restricting portion 53 does not act in the direction of disassembling the spacer 7, and the spacer 7 can be stably held in the housing 3. In addition, by forming the pressing surfaces of the housing projection 55 and the spacer projection 57 in a curved shape, sliding friction when assembling the spacer 7 can be reduced, and the ease of assembling the spacer 7 to the housing 3 can be improved.

[0035] Such a connector 1 comprises a housing 3 and an outer terminal 35 housed in the housing 3 and formed in a cylindrical shape. It also includes a spacer 7 that is assembled to the housing 3 and engages with the outer terminal 35 to prevent the outer terminal 35 from coming loose from the housing 3. Between the housing 3 and the spacer 7, there is a rotation restricting part 53 that, when the spacer 7 is assembled to the housing 3, clamps and presses the outer terminal 35, thereby restricting the rotation of the outer terminal 35.

[0036] By clamping and pressing the outer terminal 35 with the rotation restricting part 53, the rotation of the outer terminal 35 inside the housing 3 can be restricted. Therefore, when the outer terminal 35 is electrically connected to the mating terminal, wear on the contact point due to the rotation of the outer terminal 35 can be suppressed, and electrical connection reliability can be maintained.

[0037] Therefore, such a connector 1 can maintain electrical connection reliability.

[0038] Furthermore, the outer terminal 35 is provided with a flange portion 41 that protrudes from the outer surface and is formed continuously in the circumferential direction. The rotation restricting portion 53 then clamps and presses the flange portion 41.

[0039] Therefore, the impact of the rotation restricting section 53 on the electrical connection portion of the outer terminal 35 can be suppressed, and electrical connection reliability can be maintained.

[0040] Furthermore, the rotation restricting section 53 clamps the outer terminal 35 from a direction intersecting the assembly direction of the spacer 7.

[0041] Therefore, the reaction force caused by the pressing of the rotation restricting part 53 does not act in the direction of disassembling the spacer 7, and the spacer 7 can be stably held in the housing 3.

[0042] Furthermore, the rotation restricting section 53 has a plurality of housing protrusions 55 and spacer protrusions 57 that project in the direction of pressing against the outer terminal 35. The pressing surfaces of the housing protrusions 55 and spacer protrusions 57 that press against the outer terminal 35 are formed in a curved shape.

[0043] Therefore, sliding friction when assembling the spacer 7 can be reduced, and the ease of assembling the spacer 7 to the housing 3 can be improved.

[0044] (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment will be described using Figures 12 to 17.

[0045] In this embodiment, the connector 101 has a rotation restricting portion 53 that clamps the outer terminal 35, which serves as a terminal, from a direction parallel to the assembly direction of the spacer 7.

[0046] In addition, for configurations similar to those in the first embodiment, the same symbols are used, and the configuration and function descriptions are omitted, referring to the first embodiment. However, since the configuration is the same as the first embodiment, the effects obtained are the same.

[0047] As shown in Figures 12 to 17, the rotation restricting portion 53 has a housing pressing portion 103 provided on the housing 3 and a spacer pressing portion 105 provided on the spacer 7.

[0048] Multiple housing pressing portions 103 are provided on the inner surface adjacent to the regulating wall 17 of the housing chamber 15 of the housing 3 and facing the flange portion 41 of the outer terminal 35. The housing pressing portions 103 protrude from the inner surface of the housing chamber 15 toward the flange portion 41 of the outer terminal 35 and extend in the width direction of the flange portion 41. The protruding direction of the housing pressing portions 103 is parallel to the assembly direction of the spacer 7 relative to the housing 3. The extension length of the housing pressing portions 103 is set to be equal to or slightly longer than the width of the flange portion 41. The protruding ends of the housing pressing portions 103, which are the pressing surfaces that contact and press against the flange portion 41, are formed in a curved shape.

[0049] The spacer pressing portion 105 is located adjacent to the locking portion 51 of the spacer 7 and is provided on the inner surface of the connecting wall facing the flange portion 41 of the outer terminal 35. The spacer pressing portion 105 protrudes from the inner surface of the connecting wall toward the flange portion 41 of the outer terminal 35 and is formed as a plate extending radially from the flange portion 41. The protruding direction of the spacer pressing portion 105 is parallel to the assembly direction of the spacer 7 to the housing 3. The thickness of the spacer pressing portion 105 is set to be equal to or slightly thicker than the width of the flange portion 41. The protruding end of the spacer pressing portion 105 is formed as a curved surface that conforms to the outer surface shape of the flange portion 41. The protruding end of the spacer pressing portion 105 is provided with a projection 107 that contacts and presses against the flange portion 41. The protruding end of the projection 107, which is the pressing surface that contacts and presses against the flange portion 41, is formed as a curved surface.

[0050] The housing pressing portion 103 and spacer pressing portion 105, which function as the rotation restricting portion 53, clamp and press the flange portion 41 of the outer terminal 35 at the permanent locking position of the spacer 7 when the spacer 7 is assembled to the housing 3. At this time, the direction in which the flange portion 41 is clamped and pressed is parallel to the assembly direction of the spacer 7. By clamping and pressing the outer terminal 35 with the rotation restricting portion 53, the rotation of the outer terminal 35 inside the housing 3 can be restricted. Therefore, when the outer terminal 35 is electrically connected to the mating terminal, wear at the contact portion due to the rotation of the outer terminal 35 can be suppressed, and electrical connection reliability can be maintained. In addition, by clamping and pressing the flange portion 41 with the rotation restricting portion 53, the influence of the pressing of the rotation restricting portion 53 on the electrical connection portion of the outer terminal 35 can be suppressed, and electrical connection reliability can be maintained. Furthermore, by setting the pressing direction of the rotation restricting portion 53 to be parallel to the assembly direction of the spacer 7, the rotation restricting portion 53 can stably grip and press the outer terminal 35 when the spacer 7 is assembled to the housing 3. This allows for stable restriction of the rotation of the outer terminal 35. In addition, when assembling the spacer 7, the rotation restricting portion 53 does not slide against the outer terminal 35, reducing the operating force required when assembling the spacer 7 and improving the ease of assembling the spacer 7 to the housing 3.

[0051] In a configuration where the rotation restricting portion 53 clamps the outer terminal 35 from a direction parallel to the assembly direction of the spacer 7, the rotation restricting portion 53 does not slide against the outer terminal 35 when the spacer 7 is assembled. Therefore, in order to reduce sliding friction, it is not necessary to make the housing pressing portion 103 a series of protrusions and to provide a protrusion 107 on the spacer pressing portion 105. For example, the housing pressing portion 103 can be formed in a symmetrical shape with the spacer pressing portion 105, and the protruding ends of the housing pressing portion 103 and the spacer pressing portion 105 can be formed into a curved surface that follows the outer surface shape of the flange portion 41 to form a pressing surface. Such a pressing surface can increase the contact area with the outer surface of the flange portion 41 and can further stably restrict the rotation of the outer terminal 35.

[0052] In this type of connector 101, the rotation restricting portion 53 clamps the outer terminal 35, which acts as a terminal, from a direction parallel to the assembly direction of the spacer 7.

[0053] Therefore, by assembling the spacer 7 to the housing 3, the rotation restricting part 53 can stably grip and press the outer terminal 35, thereby stably restricting the rotation of the outer terminal 35. In addition, when assembling the spacer 7, the rotation restricting part 53 does not slide against the outer terminal 35, which reduces the operating force required when assembling the spacer 7 and improves the ease of assembling the spacer 7 to the housing 3.

[0054] 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.

[0055] For example, the terminal is an outer terminal that constitutes a terminal unit, but it is not limited to this; it may be any terminal with a circular shape.

[0056] Furthermore, while the spacer is assembled to the housing from the radial direction of the terminal, it is not limited to this, and the spacer may also be assembled to the housing from the longitudinal direction of the terminal. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 1,101 Connector 3 Housing 7 Spacers 35 terminals (outer terminals) 53 Rotation restriction section 55, 57 Protrusions (housing protrusions, spacer protrusions)

Claims

1. Housing and The terminals housed in the aforementioned housing and formed in a cylindrical shape, A spacer assembled to the housing and engaging with the terminal to prevent the terminal from coming loose from the housing, Equipped with, A connector provided between the housing and the spacer, wherein a rotation restricting portion is provided that, when the spacer is assembled to the housing, clamps and presses the terminal to restrict the rotation of the terminal.

2. The terminal is provided with a flange portion that protrudes from the outer surface and is formed continuously in the circumferential direction. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the rotation restricting portion clamps and presses the flange portion.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation restricting portion clamps the terminal from a direction intersecting the assembly direction of the spacer.

4. The rotation restricting portion has a plurality of protrusions that project in the pressing direction for pressing the terminal, The connector according to claim 3, wherein the pressing surface of the projection that presses against the terminal is formed in a curved shape.

5. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation restricting portion clamps the terminal from a direction parallel to the assembly direction of the spacer.

Images