connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector that can suppress variations in the contact pressure of each spring segment. [Solution] The main body 31 of the terminal 11 comprises a cylindrical base 32 centered on the central axis L1 of the main body 31 along the first direction D1, and a plurality of spring pieces 33 extending from the base 32. Each of the plurality of spring pieces 33 is arc-shaped centered on the central axis L1 and is arranged in parallel with spacing between them along the circumferential direction centered on the central axis L1. Each of the plurality of spring pieces 33 comprises a base end 41 connected to the base 32, a reduced diameter portion 42 extending from the base end 41 toward the central axis L1 toward the first direction D1, and a contact portion 43 provided at the tip of the reduced diameter portion 42 toward the first direction D1 and in contact with the mating terminal T. The reduced diameter portion 42 of each of the plurality of spring pieces 33 comprises an outer peripheral projection 44 that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the reduced diameter portion 42 between the base end 41 and the contact portion 43 and abuts against the inner surface of the cavity 23.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a connector including a terminal having a main body portion connected to a mating terminal and a housing having a cavity into which the main body portion of the terminal is inserted is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The main body portion of the terminal has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. The main body portion of the terminal has a plurality of spring pieces arranged in the circumferential direction on the tip side thereof. When a mating terminal is inserted into the internal space of the main body portion surrounded by the plurality of spring pieces, each spring piece is elastically contacted with the mating terminal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the terminal of the connector as described above, if the radial distance from the central axis of the main body portion to the spring piece varies depending on each spring piece due to manufacturing tolerances or the like, the contact pressure of each spring piece against the mating terminal varies. When the contact pressure of each spring piece against the mating terminal varies, there is a problem of affecting the electrical resistance value between the main body portion of the terminal and the mating terminal.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector capable of suppressing variations in the contact pressure of each spring piece.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a terminal having a main body that is connected to a mating terminal, and a housing having a cavity into which the main body is inserted in a first direction, wherein the main body comprises a cylindrical base centered on the central axis of the main body along the first direction, and a plurality of spring pieces extending from the base, each of the plurality of spring pieces being arc-shaped with respect to the central axis and arranged side by side at intervals from each other along the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis, each of the plurality of spring pieces comprising a base end connected to the base, a reduced diameter portion extending from the base end toward the central axis in the first direction, and a contact portion provided at the tip of the reduced diameter portion in the first direction that contacts the mating terminal, and each of the plurality of spring pieces having a reduced diameter portion that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the reduced diameter portion between the base end and the contact portion and abuts against the inner surface of the cavity. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The connector of this disclosure makes it possible to suppress variations in the contact pressure of each spring segment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector in one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view of the connector in the same embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a magnified perspective view showing a portion of the terminals in the same embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connector in the modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. The connector disclosed herein is [1] A connector comprising a terminal having a main body that is connected to a mating terminal, and a housing having a cavity into which the main body is inserted in a first direction, wherein the main body comprises a cylindrical base centered on the central axis of the main body along the first direction, and a plurality of spring pieces extending from the base, each of the plurality of spring pieces being arc-shaped with respect to the central axis and arranged side by side at intervals from each other along the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis, each of the plurality of spring pieces comprising a base end connected to the base, a reduced diameter portion extending from the base end toward the central axis in the first direction, and a contact portion provided at the tip of the reduced diameter portion in the first direction that contacts the mating terminal, and each of the plurality of spring pieces having a reduced diameter portion that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the reduced diameter portion between the base end and the contact portion and abuts against the inner surface of the cavity.

[0010] With this configuration, even if the spring segments of a terminal are formed to be radially outward due to manufacturing tolerances, when the terminal body is housed in the cavity, the outer peripheral protrusions of the spring segments come into contact with the inner surface of the cavity, causing the spring segments to bend inward and be corrected to the proper position. Therefore, the outer peripheral protrusions of each spring segment help to suppress variations in the contact pressure of each spring segment against the mating terminal.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the outer peripheral projection may be formed by bending a part of the reduced diameter portion. This configuration makes it possible to easily form an outer peripheral projection on the reduced diameter portion of the spring piece.

[0012] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the inner surface of the cavity may be provided with a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the main body in the first direction by contacting the outer peripheral projection in the first direction.

[0013] According to this configuration, by bringing the outer peripheral protrusion of the spring piece at the terminal into contact with the regulating portion in the cavity in the first direction, the positioning of the main body portion of the terminal in the first direction becomes possible.

[0014] [4] In the above [3], the tip portions of the respective spring pieces in the first direction may face the end surface of the cavity in the first direction with a gap therebetween. According to this configuration, while bringing the outer peripheral protrusion of each spring piece into contact with the regulating portion in the cavity in the first direction, the tip portion of each spring piece does not come into contact with the end surface of the cavity in the first direction. Therefore, since the tip portion of each spring piece does not interfere with the end surface of the cavity, the deflection of the portion from the outer peripheral protrusion to the tip portion of the spring piece when the mating terminal is inserted is not inhibited by the end surface of the cavity. As a result, while positioning the main body portion of the terminal in the first direction by the regulating portion of the cavity that contacts the outer peripheral protrusion, it becomes possible to further suppress variations in the contact pressure of each spring piece with respect to the mating terminal. Further, it is possible to prevent the tip portion of the spring piece from being damaged due to interference with the end surface of the cavity.

[0015] [5] In the above [3] or [4], the regulating portion may be a stepped portion formed on the inner surface of the cavity. According to this configuration, the positioning of the main body portion of the terminal in the first direction becomes possible by the stepped portion as the regulating portion formed on the inner surface of the cavity.

[0016] [6] In the above [3] or [4], the regulating portion may be a fitting recess formed by recessing the inner surface of the cavity and into which the outer peripheral protrusion fits. According to this configuration, the positioning of the main body portion of the terminal in the first direction becomes possible by the fitting recess as the regulating portion formed by recessing the inner surface of the cavity.

[0017] [Details of the Embodiment of the Present Disclosure] A specific example of the connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, a part of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may be different in each drawing. As used in the description of this specification, the "cylindrical shape" includes not only a shape in which a circumferential wall is continuously formed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, but also a shape formed by combining a plurality of parts to form a cylindrical shape, or a shape having a notch in a part of the circumferential direction such as a C shape. The outer peripheral shape of the "cylindrical shape" includes, but is not limited to, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and a polygon having sharp or rounded corners. The "cylindrical shape" is a shape having a through-hole in a plan view, and includes a shape in which the outer peripheral shape and the inner peripheral shape of the through-hole are the same shape, and a shape in which the outer peripheral shape and the inner peripheral shape of the through-hole are different shapes. The "cylindrical shape" includes a shape having a predetermined length extending along the axial direction in which a central axis passing through the center of the through-hole extends, and the size of the length is not limited. As used in this specification, "opposite" means that surfaces or members are in a position facing each other, and includes not only a case where they are completely in a facing position, but also a case where they are partially in a facing position. Also, as used in this specification, "opposite" includes both a case where a member different from the two parts is interposed between the two parts and a case where nothing is interposed between the two parts. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0018] (Configuration of Connector 10) The connector 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a so-called squib connector used for controlling an airbag inflator. The connector 10 includes, for example, two terminals 11, a housing 12 that houses each terminal 11, and a cover 13 attached to the back surface of the housing 12. An electric wire 14 is connected to each terminal 11 and drawn out from the housing 12 to the outside. The terminal 11 is formed, for example, by press working or the like from a metal plate. In the drawings, for convenience of explanation, illustration of components constituting the connector 10 other than the terminal 11, the housing 12, the cover 13, and the electric wire 14 is omitted.

[0019] (Housing 12 configuration) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the housing 12 includes a cylindrical hood portion 21 into which a mating connector (not shown) is fitted, and a terminal holding portion 22 formed to pass inside the hood portion 21.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the terminal holding portion 22 of the housing 12 has a cavity 23 that accommodates the main body portion 31 of the terminal 11, which will be described later. In this embodiment, there are two cavities 23, corresponding to the number of terminals 11. Each cavity 23 penetrates the terminal holding portion 22 in the first direction D1. The main body portion 31 of each terminal 11 is inserted into each cavity 23 toward the first direction D1. In the following description, the first direction D1 may be referred to as "forward," and the second direction D2, which is opposite to the first direction D1, may be referred to as "rear."

[0021] As shown in Figure 4, the cavity 23 has an inner circumferential surface 24 that surrounds the outer circumference of the main body 31 and an end face 25 provided at the end in the first direction D1. The main body 31 faces the end face 25 of the cavity 23 in the first direction D1. The end face 25 is provided with an insertion hole 26 that penetrates in the first direction D1. The mating terminal T is inserted into the insertion hole 26 in the second direction D2.

[0022] The inner circumferential surface 24 of the cavity 23 is provided with a stepped portion 27, which serves as a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the main body portion 31 in the first direction D1. The stepped portion 27 is formed, for example, around the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface 24. The inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 24 of the cavity 23 changes at the boundary of the stepped portion 27, with the inner diameter on the front side of the stepped portion 27 being smaller than the inner diameter on the rear side of the stepped portion 27.

[0023] (Configuration of terminal 11) As shown in Figure 4, terminal 11 has a main body 31 that is connected to a mating terminal T of the mating connector. The main body 31 has a central axis L1 along a first direction D1 and has a shape that extends along the central axis L1. The mating terminal T is inserted into the main body 31 from the tip side in the first direction D1 toward the second direction D2. The electric wire 14 is connected to the base end (rear end) of the main body 31.

[0024] (Configuration of the main body 31) The main body 31 comprises, for example, a cylindrical base 32 centered on the central axis L1, and a plurality of spring pieces 33 extending forward from the base 32.

[0025] (Configuration of spring piece 33) As shown in Figure 5, each of the multiple spring segments 33 is shaped like an arc with respect to the central axis L1 and is arranged in parallel with spacing between them along the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis L1. In the terminal 11 of this embodiment, the main body 31 is provided with three spring segments 33. Each spring segment 33 is designed to bend elastically in the radial direction with respect to the central axis L1.

[0026] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each of the multiple spring pieces 33 comprises a base end 41 connected to the base 32, a reduced diameter portion 42 extending forward from the base end 41, and a contact portion 43 provided at the front end of the reduced diameter portion 42. The reduced diameter portion 42 extends from the base end 41 inclined toward the central axis L1 in the first direction D1. That is, the reduced diameter portion 42 has a shape that narrows toward the first direction D1 (a shape that tapers toward the first direction D1). The contact portion 43 has a shape that is bent so as to be recessed toward the inner circumference. The contact portion 43 contacts the mating terminal T inserted into the space surrounded by the multiple spring pieces 33.

[0027] (Configuration of the outer peripheral projection 44) Each of the multiple spring segments 33 has a diameter-reduced portion 42 with an outer peripheral projection 44 between the base end 41 and the contact portion 43. The outer peripheral projection 44 protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the diameter-reduced portion 42. The outer peripheral projection 44 is formed by bending the intermediate portion of the diameter-reduced portion 42 in the first direction D1. The outer peripheral projection 44 is provided, for example, in the central part of the spring segment 33 in the first direction D1. The outer peripheral projection 44 is formed, for example, over the entire diameter-reduced portion 42 in the circumferential direction.

[0028] The outer peripheral projection 44 of each spring piece 33 abuts against the stepped portion 27 of the cavity 23 in the first direction D1. This restricts the movement of the main body 31 in the first direction D1 within the cavity 23. The rear end of the main body 31 (the end in the second direction D2) can abut against the cover 13 in the second direction D2, for example. That is, the main body 31 is positioned by the stepped portion 27 on the front side and by the cover 13 on the rear side in the direction along the central axis L1. The tip portion 45 of each spring piece 33 in the first direction D1 faces the first direction D1 at a distance from the end face 25 of the cavity 23. In this embodiment, the spring piece 33 has, for example, an enlarged diameter portion 46 that expands in diameter from the contact portion 43 toward the tip portion 45.

[0029] (Operation of this embodiment) The operation of this embodiment will be described below. When the main body 31 of the terminal 11 is inserted into the cavity 23 in the first direction D1, the outer peripheral projection 44 formed on the reduced diameter portion 42 of each spring piece 33 comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface 24 of the cavity 23. As a result, each spring piece 33 is inserted into the cavity 23 while bending radially inward. Therefore, even if at least one of the multiple spring pieces 33 is expanded radially outward due to manufacturing tolerances, etc., the contact between the outer peripheral projection 44 and the inner circumferential surface 24 of the cavity 23 guides each spring piece 33 to the correct position radially. As a result, variations in the contact pressure of each spring piece 33 with respect to the mating terminal T are less likely to occur.

[0030] The mating terminal T is inserted into the main body portion 31 of the terminal 11 housed in the cavity 23 through the insertion hole 26 in the second direction D2. At this time, the mating terminal T is inserted into the space on the inner circumference side of the plurality of spring pieces 33, and the contact portion 43 of each spring piece 33 contacts the mating terminal T. As a result, each spring piece 33 bends so that the portion from the outer peripheral projection 44 to the tip portion 45 opens radially outward, with the outer peripheral projection 44 which abuts the inner circumferential surface 24 of the cavity 23 acting as a fulcrum. Then, the mating terminal T is inserted to a predetermined position in the second direction D2 while sliding against the contact portion 43 of the spring piece 33.

[0031] (Effects of this embodiment) The effects of this embodiment will be described below. (1) Each of the multiple spring pieces 33 has a diameter-reduced portion 42 that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the diameter-reduced portion 42 between the base end 41 and the contact portion 43, and radially contacts the inner surface (inner circumferential surface 24) of the cavity 23. With this configuration, even if the spring pieces 33 are formed to be radially outward in the terminal 11 alone due to manufacturing tolerances, etc., when the main body portion 31 of the terminal 11 is housed in the cavity 23, the outer circumferential protrusion 44 of the spring piece 33 contacts the inner surface of the cavity 23, causing the spring piece 33 to bend inward and be corrected to the proper position. Therefore, the outer circumferential protrusion 44 of each spring piece 33 can suppress variations in the contact pressure of each spring piece 33 with respect to the mating terminal T.

[0032] (2) The outer peripheral projection 44 is formed by bending a part of the reduced diameter portion 42. With this configuration, the outer peripheral projection 44 can be easily formed on the reduced diameter portion 42 of the spring piece 33 by press working or the like.

[0033] (3) The inner surface of the cavity 23 is provided with a stepped portion 27 which acts as a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the main body portion 31 in the first direction D1 by having the outer peripheral projection 44 abut against the stepped portion 27 in the cavity 23. With this configuration, the positioning of the main body portion 31 of the terminal 11 in the first direction D1 is made possible by bringing the outer peripheral projection 44 of the spring piece 33 of the terminal 11 into contact with the stepped portion 27 in the cavity 23 in the first direction D1.

[0034] (4) The tip portion 45 of each spring piece 33 in the first direction D1 is positioned at a distance from the end face 25 of the cavity 23 in the first direction D1. With this configuration, the outer peripheral projection 44 of each spring piece 33 contacts the stepped portion 27 inside the cavity 23 in the first direction D1, while the tip portion 45 of each spring piece 33 does not contact the end face 25 of the cavity 23 in the first direction D1. Therefore, since the tip portion 45 of each spring piece 33 does not interfere with the end face 25 of the cavity 23, the deflection of the portion of the spring piece 33 from the outer peripheral projection 44 to the tip portion 45 when inserting the mating terminal T is not hindered by the end face 25 of the cavity 23. As a result, the stepped portion 27 of the cavity 23 that contacts the outer peripheral projection 44 positions the main body 31 of the terminal 11 in the first direction D1, while further suppressing variations in the contact pressure of each spring piece 33 with respect to the mating terminal T. In addition, it is possible to prevent the tip portion 45 of the spring piece 33 from interfering with the end face 25 of the cavity 23 and being damaged.

[0035] (5) The stepped portion 27, which serves as a restricting portion, is formed on the inner circumferential surface 24 of the cavity 23. With this configuration, the stepped portion 27 formed on the inner circumferential surface 24 of the cavity 23 allows for the positioning of the main body portion 31 of the terminal 11 in the first direction D1.

[0036] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0037] The restricting portion in the cavity 23, which restricts the movement of the main body 31 in the first direction D1 by the outer peripheral projection 44 of each spring piece 33 contacting the first direction D1, is not limited to the stepped portion 27 in the above embodiment. For example, a fitting recess 51 recessed in the inner surface of the cavity 23, as shown in Figure 6, may be provided as the restricting portion. The fitting recess 51 is formed so as to be recessed radially outward on the inner circumferential surface 24 of the cavity 23. The fitting recess 51 is formed, for example, around the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface 24. The outer peripheral projection 44 of each spring piece 33 fits into the fitting recess 51.

[0038] With the configuration shown in Figure 6, the outer peripheral projections 44 of each spring piece 33 can be fitted into the fitting recess 51, thereby enabling the positioning of the main body 31 in the front-rear direction (both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2). This allows the front-rear positioning of the main body 31 to be achieved solely by the housing 12 configuration, without requiring the cover 13 to come into contact with the main body 31. In Figure 6, the tip 45 of the spring piece 33 is in contact with the end face 25 of the cavity 23 in the first direction D1, but it is not limited to this, and may be positioned opposite the end face 25 with a gap between them in the first direction D1.

[0039] In the spring piece 33 of the above embodiment, the outer peripheral projection 44 is formed over the entire circumferential diameter reduction portion 42, but the outer peripheral projection 44 may be provided partially in the circumferential direction of the reduction portion 42.

[0040] In the spring piece 33, the enlarged diameter portion 46 from the contact portion 43 to the tip portion 45 may be omitted. In this case, the contact portion 43 is provided at the tip portion of the spring piece 33 in the first direction D1. The reduced-diameter portion 42 of the spring piece 33 may be set to extend parallel to the central axis L1 when the main body portion 31 is not inserted into the cavity 23. When housed in the cavity 23, it may be configured to have a shape that reduces in diameter toward the first direction D1 due to contact between the outer peripheral projection 44 and the inner peripheral surface 24 of the cavity 23.

[0041] The number of spring pieces 33 in terminal 11 is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be, for example, two or four or more depending on the configuration of the connector 10. The number of terminals 11 provided by the connector 10 is not limited to the above embodiment and can be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the connector 10.

[0042] Connector 10 may be used for devices other than airbag inflators, such as seat belt pretensioners or other equipment. The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 10 connectors 11 terminals 12 Housing 13 Cover 14 Electric wire 21 Food section 22 Terminal holding part 23 Cavity 24 Inner peripheral surface 25 End face 26 Insertion holes 27 Stepped section (restricted section) 31 Main body 32 Base 33 spring pieces 41 Proximal end 42 Reduced diameter part 43 Contact area 44 Outer protrusion 45 Tip 46 Expanded diameter part 51 Fitting recess (regulating part) D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction L1 center axis T (Mating terminal)

Claims

1. A terminal having a main body that is connected to the other terminal, A connector comprising a housing having a cavity into which the main body is inserted toward a first direction, The main body comprises a cylindrical base centered on the central axis of the main body along the first direction, and a plurality of spring pieces extending from the base, Each of the aforementioned multiple spring pieces is shaped like an arc with respect to the central axis and is arranged in a row with spacing between them along the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis. Each of the plurality of spring pieces comprises a base end connected to the base, a reduced diameter portion extending from the base end toward the central axis in the first direction, and a contact portion provided at the tip of the reduced diameter portion in the first direction that contacts the mating terminal. Each of the plurality of spring pieces has an outer peripheral projection that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the reduced diameter portion between the base end and the contact portion and contacts the inner surface of the cavity. connector.

2. The outer peripheral projection is formed by bending a part of the reduced diameter portion. The connector according to claim 1.

3. The inner surface of the cavity is provided with a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the main body in the first direction by contacting the outer peripheral projection in the first direction. The connector according to claim 1.

4. The tip of each spring piece in the first direction is positioned at a distance from the end face of the cavity in the first direction. The connector according to claim 3.

5. The restricting portion is a stepped portion formed on the inner surface of the cavity. The connector according to claim 3.

6. The restricting portion is a fitting recess formed in the inner surface of the cavity into which the outer peripheral projection fits. The connector according to claim 3.

Images