Connectors and wires with connectors

Abstract

To enable one kind of terminal metal fitting to be used in presence or absence of an electrical connection relation between terminal metal fittings for each purpose.SOLUTION: A connector comprises: a terminal metal fitting 30 for each electric wire 10; and a housing 40 in which a terminal housing chamber 41 for accommodating the terminal metal fitting at an accommodation completion position is provided for each terminal metal fitting. The terminal metal fitting has: a terminal main body 31; an elastically deformable electrical connection part 32 protruded from an outer wall 33b of the terminal main body in a direction orthogonal to an axis line of the terminal main body. The terminal housing chamber is formed in such a shape that the terminal main body can be rotated by 90 degrees around the axis line and inserted. The housing has: a first wall body 43 that partitions two terminal housing chambers from each other which are adjacent in a first direction orthogonal to the axis line; and a second wall body 44 that partitions two terminal housing chambers from each other which are adjacent in a second direction orthogonal to the axis line and the first direction. The first wall body has a through-hole 43a that makes the two terminal housing chambers adjacent in the first direction communicate with each other and into which the electrical connection part of the terminal metal fitting at the accommodation completion position is inserted to make the electrical connection part in contact with the adjacent terminal metal fitting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and a connectorized electric wire. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in connectors and electric wires with connectors, adjacent terminal fittings in a housing may be brought into contact with each other to achieve electrical connection. This type of connector and electric wire with connector is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 below. In the connector and electric wire with connector of Patent Document 1, an elastically deformable contact portion is provided on the terminal fitting, and the contact portion is brought into contact with an adjacent terminal fitting in the housing to electrically connect the two terminal fittings. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-138171 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional connector and electric wire with connector, all terminal fittings have an electrical connection relationship with other terminal fittings in the housing, and the terminal fittings are composed of only one type. Here, in the connector and electric wire with connector, terminal fittings that have an electrical connection relationship with other terminal fittings in the housing and terminal fittings that do not have an electrical connection relationship with other terminal fittings in the housing may be mixed. To realize this, in the conventional connector and electric wire with connector, in addition to terminal fittings that have an electrical connection relationship with other terminal fittings, it is necessary to prepare terminal fittings that do not have an electrical connection relationship with other terminal fittings, and there is room for improvement in terms of sharing terminal fittings.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector and an electric wire with a connector that can selectively use one type of terminal fitting with or without an electrical connection between the terminal fittings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a connector according to the present invention comprises: a terminal fitting for each electric wire, the terminal fitting being physically and electrically connected to the electric wire; and a housing in which a terminal accommodating chamber for accommodating the terminal fitting in a fully accommodated position is provided for each terminal fitting, the terminal fitting having a terminal body and an elastically deformable electrical connection portion protruding from an outer wall of the terminal body in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the terminal body, the terminal accommodating chamber being formed into a shape that allows the terminal body to be inserted by rotating it 90 degrees around the axis, the housing having a first wall body that separates two adjacent terminal accommodating chambers in a first direction perpendicular to the axis, and a second wall body that separates two adjacent terminal accommodating chambers in a second direction perpendicular to the axis and the first direction, and a terminal insertion opening for each of the terminal accommodating chambers for inserting the terminal fitting into the terminal accommodating chamber. The first wall body has a through hole that communicates two of the terminal accommodating chambers adjacent to each other in the first direction and through which the electrical connection portion of the terminal metal fitting in the fully accommodated position is inserted and contacts the adjacent terminal metal fitting. the terminal insertion opening side at the peripheral portion of the through hole is utilized as a terminal locking portion that locks the movement of the electrical connection portion that has entered the through hole toward the terminal insertion opening side, and the second wall body is recessed leaving a groove bottom that serves as a partition wall between two terminal accommodating chambers adjacent to each other in the second direction, and has a locking groove into which the electrical connection portion of the terminal fitting in the completed accommodation position is inserted, and the terminal insertion opening side at the peripheral portion of the locking groove is utilized as a terminal locking portion that locks the movement of the electrical connection portion that has entered the locking groove toward the terminal insertion opening side. It is characterized by the following.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, an electric wire with a connector according to the present invention comprises a plurality of electric wires, terminal fittings physically and electrically connected to the electric wires, and a housing in which a terminal accommodating chamber for accommodating the terminal fitting in a fully accommodated position is provided for each of the terminal fittings, the terminal fittings having a terminal body and an elastically deformable electrical connection portion protruding from an outer wall of the terminal body in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the terminal body, the terminal accommodating chamber being formed in a shape that allows the terminal body to be inserted by rotating it 90 degrees around the axis, and the housing having a first wall body separating two adjacent terminal accommodating chambers in a first direction perpendicular to the axis, and a second wall body separating two adjacent terminal accommodating chambers in a second direction perpendicular to the axis and the first direction, and a terminal insertion opening for each of the terminal accommodating chambers for inserting the terminal fitting into the terminal accommodating chamber.The first wall body has a through hole that communicates two of the terminal accommodating chambers adjacent to each other in the first direction and through which the electrical connection portion of the terminal metal fitting in the fully accommodated position is inserted and contacts the adjacent terminal metal fitting. the terminal insertion opening side at the peripheral portion of the through hole is utilized as a terminal locking portion that locks the movement of the electrical connection portion that has entered the through hole toward the terminal insertion opening side, and the second wall body is recessed leaving a groove bottom that serves as a partition wall between two terminal accommodating chambers adjacent to each other in the second direction, and has a locking groove into which the electrical connection portion of the terminal fitting in the completed accommodation position is inserted, and the terminal insertion opening side at the peripheral portion of the locking groove is utilized as a terminal locking portion that locks the movement of the electrical connection portion that has entered the locking groove toward the terminal insertion opening side. It is characterized by the following. Effect of the Invention

[0008] In the connector and electric wire with connector according to the present invention, the terminal fittings are accommodated in all the terminal accommodating chambers with the outer wall facing the second wall, so that there is no electrical connection between all the terminal fittings. On the other hand, in the connector and electric wire with connector according to the present invention, if there is a terminal fitting among all the terminal fittings that is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber with the outer wall facing the first wall after being rotated 90 degrees around the axis, the electrical connection portion of this terminal fitting contacts the adjacent terminal fitting through the through hole, so that these terminal fittings can be electrically connected to each other. In this way, this connector and electric wire with connector can use one type of terminal fitting to selectively have or not have an electrical connection between the terminal fittings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector and an electric wire with a connector according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the connector and the connector-attached electric wire of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic cross section taken along line X1-X1 and line X2-X2 in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic cross section taken along line Y1-Y1 in FIG. [Diagram 5] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams that diagrammatically show cross sections taken along lines Y2-Y2, Y3-Y3, and Y4-Y4 in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector and the connector-attached electric wire according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a terminal fitting. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams that typically show cross sections taken along lines X1-X1 and X2-X2 of the housing in FIG. [Figure 9] 9A to 9C are explanatory views showing a process of assembling an electric wire with a terminal to a housing, the views corresponding to cross sections taken along lines X1-X1 and X2-X2 in FIG. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are explanatory views showing an assembly process of an electric wire with a terminal, which correspond to cross sections taken along the lines Y2-Y2, Y3-Y3, and Y4-Y4 in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an application example of the connector and the connector-equipped electric wire according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a connector and an electric wire with a connector according to a modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector and an electric wire with a connector according to a modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a connector and a connector-attached electric wire according to a modified example, which corresponds to a cross section taken along line Y1-Y1 in FIG. [Figure 15] 15A and 15B are schematic diagrams of a connector and a connector-attached electric wire of a modified example, which correspond to cross sections taken along lines Y2-Y2, Y3-Y3, and Y4-Y4 in FIG. [Figure 16] 16A to 16C are explanatory views showing a process of assembling a modified example of an electric wire with a terminal into a housing, the views corresponding to the cross sections along the lines Y2-Y2, Y3-Y3, and Y4-Y4 in FIG. [Figure 17] 17A to 17C are explanatory views showing a process of assembling a modified example of an electric wire with a terminal into a housing, the views corresponding to the cross sections along the lines Y2-Y2, Y3-Y3, and Y4-Y4 in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a connector and an electric wire with a connector according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these preferred embodiments.

[0011] [Embodiment] One embodiment of a connector and an electric wire with a connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.

[0012] 1 to 6, reference numeral 1 denotes an electric wire with a connector according to the present embodiment. This electric wire with a connector 1 includes a plurality of electric wires 10 and a connector 20 attached to the plurality of electric wires 10. In this electric wire with connector 1, the connector 20 is attached to each end of the plurality of electric wires 10.

[0013] Although not shown in the drawings, the electric wire 10 includes a core wire as a conductor and a coating that covers the core wire. One terminal fitting 30 (described later) of the connector 20 is physically and electrically connected to an end of the electric wire 10.

[0014] The connector-attached electric wire 1 may include multiple combinations of one electric wire 10 and one terminal fitting 30 in the connected state, or multiple combinations of a twisted pair 10A formed by twisting two electric wires 10 together and terminal fittings 30 physically and electrically connected to each electric wire 10 of the twisted pair 10A, or a combination of both. The connector-attached electric wire 1 shown here includes four combinations of one electric wire 10 and one terminal fitting 30, and two combinations of a twisted pair 10A and two terminal fittings 30 (FIG. 6).

[0015] The connector 20 includes a terminal fitting 30 for each electric wire 10 that is physically and electrically connected to the electric wire 10, and a housing 40 in which a terminal accommodating chamber 41 that accommodates the terminal fitting 30 in the fully accommodated position is provided for each terminal fitting 30 (Figures 3 to 6).

[0016] The terminal fitting 30 is made of a conductive material such as metal, and is formed into a predetermined shape by, for example, press forming such as bending and cutting a metal plate as a base material.

[0017] This terminal fitting 30 has a terminal body 31 and a cantilevered, elastically deformable electrical connection portion 32 protruding from the outer wall of the terminal body 31 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the terminal body 31 (Figures 3 and 5 to 7).

[0018] The terminal body 31 shown here has a terminal connection portion 33 that is physically and electrically connected to a mating terminal connection portion (not shown) of a mating terminal fitting, and an electric wire connection portion 34 that is physically and electrically connected to a core wire at the end of the electric wire 10 (Figures 3 to 7).

[0019] For example, the terminal connection part 33 and the counterpart terminal connection part are physically and electrically connected to each other by fitting and connecting with each other, one of which is formed in a female terminal shape and the other of which is formed in a male terminal shape. The terminal connection part 33 shown here is formed in a female terminal shape and has a square cylindrical appearance (FIGS. 6 and 7). Therefore, this terminal connection part 33 has four rectangular flat plate-shaped outer walls. In this terminal connection part 33, the cylindrical axis direction is the fitting connection direction with the counterpart terminal connection part, and the counterpart terminal connection part is inserted and fitted into the square opening at the tip 33a. In the terminal body 31, the cylindrical axis of this terminal connection part 33 is the axis line.

[0020] The electric wire connection portion 34 may be, for example, a crimping portion that crimps two crimping pieces to the exposed core wire at the end of the electric wire 10, or a crimping portion that cuts the covering at the end of the electric wire 10 with two crimping pieces and crimps the two crimping pieces to the core wire inside. The electric wire connection portion 34 shown here is formed as a crimping portion (FIG. 7). In the terminal body 31, the electric wire connection portion 34 is arranged side by side with the terminal connection portion 33 on the opposite side to the tip 33a in the cylindrical axis direction.

[0021] This terminal body 31 is formed so that, when viewed along its axis, the electric wire connecting portion 34 does not protrude from the rectangular cylindrical terminal connecting portion 33 in a direction perpendicular to this axis.

[0022] The electrical connection portion 32 protrudes from the outer wall of the terminal body 31 at any location between the terminal connection portion 33 and the electric wire connection portion 34. The electrical connection portion 32 shown here is formed in a cantilever shape protruding from any one of the four outer walls of the terminal connection portion 33 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Here, the electrical connection portion 32 protrudes from the first outer wall 33b. The electrical connection portion 32 is formed as a flexible piece that can be elastically deformed by bending toward the wall surface of the first outer wall 33b on the fixed end side. Furthermore, the electrical connection portion 32 protrudes toward the electric wire connection portion 34 so that the tip 33a side of the first outer wall 33b is the fixed end and the free end is located closer to the electric wire connection portion 34 than the fixed end.

[0023] The housing 40 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0024] In this housing 40, a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 41 are arranged in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of the accommodated terminal body 31, and a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 41 are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the axis of the terminal body 31 and the first direction. In the housing 40 shown here, four terminal accommodating chambers 41 are arranged in the first direction, and one terminal accommodating chamber 41 is arranged in the second direction for each of the four terminal accommodating chambers 41.

[0025] The housing 40 has a terminal insertion opening 42 for each terminal accommodating chamber 41 when the terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 41 (FIGS. 3 to 5 and 8). The terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 41 from the terminal insertion opening 42 along the axis of the terminal body 31. The terminal accommodating chamber 41 is formed in a shape that allows the terminal body 31 to be rotated 90 degrees around the axis and inserted. Here, since the outermost shape of the terminal body 31 around the axis is a rectangular cylindrical shape, the terminal accommodating chamber 41 is formed in a rectangular column having a size equivalent to the outermost shape of the terminal body 31. Thus, the housing 40 has a first wall 43 (FIGS. 3 and 8) that partitions two terminal accommodating chambers 41 adjacent to each other in the first direction, and a second wall 44 (FIGS. 4 and 5) that partitions two terminal accommodating chambers 41 adjacent to each other in the second direction.

[0026] The first wall 43 has a through hole 43a that communicates two adjacent terminal accommodating chambers 41 in the first direction and allows the electrical connection portion 32 of the terminal fitting 30 in the accommodation complete position to enter and contact the adjacent terminal fitting 30 (FIGS. 3 and 8). On the other hand, the second wall 44 does not have such a through hole (a through hole that communicates two adjacent terminal accommodating chambers 41 in the second direction and allows the electrical connection portion 32 of the terminal fitting 30 in the accommodation complete position to enter and contact the adjacent terminal fitting 30).

[0027] In this housing 40, the terminal fittings 30 are accommodated in all the terminal accommodating chambers 41 with the first outer wall 33b facing the second wall body 44, so that there is no electrical connection between all the terminal fittings 30. On the other hand, in this housing 40, if there is a terminal fitting 30 among all the terminal fittings 30 that is rotated 90 degrees around the axis and accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 41 with the first outer wall 33b facing the first wall body 43, the electrical connection portion 32 of this terminal fitting 30 contacts the adjacent terminal fitting 30 via the through hole 43a, so that these terminal fittings 30 can be electrically connected to each other.

[0028] In this manner, the connector 20 and the connector-attached electric wire 1 of this embodiment can use one type of terminal fitting 30 and selectively use the terminal fittings 30 with or without electrical connection therebetween.

[0029] For example, in the connector 20 and the electric wire with connector 1 shown here, the terminal fittings 30 connected to the straight-shaped electric wire 10 are accommodated in the four terminal accommodating chambers 41 at both ends in the first direction (FIG. 6). The four terminal fittings 30 are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers 41 with the first outer wall 33b and the second wall body 44 facing each other. In addition, in the connector 20 and the electric wire with connector 1, the terminal fittings 30 connected to the electric wires 10 of the twisted pair wire 10A are accommodated in the two terminal accommodating chambers 41 adjacent to the two terminal accommodating chambers 41 at one end in the first direction, respectively, and the terminal fittings 30 connected to the electric wires 10 of the twisted pair wire 10A are accommodated in the two terminal accommodating chambers 41 adjacent to the two terminal accommodating chambers 41 at the other end in the first direction, respectively (FIG. 6). The two twisted pair wires 10A are used as communication lines. The two terminal fittings 30 connected to one twisted pair wire 10A are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 41 with the first outer wall 33b facing the second wall 44. On the other hand, the two terminal fittings 30 connected to the other twisted pair wire 10A are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 41 with the first outer wall 33b facing the first wall 43 on the side of the one twisted pair wire 10A. Therefore, in the two terminal fittings 30 connected to the other twisted pair wire 10A, the electrical connection portions 32 are in contact with and electrically connected to the terminal fittings 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction connected to the one twisted pair wire 10A via the through holes 43a.

[0030] Incidentally, the first wall 43 shown here utilizes the terminal insertion opening 42 side at the peripheral portion of the through hole 43a as a terminal locking portion 43b that locks the movement of the electrical connection portion 32 inserted into the through hole 43a toward the terminal insertion opening 42 side (FIGS. 3 and 8). Furthermore, the first wall 43 shown here has a guide groove 43c that guides the electrical connection portion 32 from the terminal insertion opening 42 to the through hole 43a while elastically deforming it (FIGS. 3 and 8).

[0031] In the terminal fitting 30, by inserting the terminal connection portion 33 into the terminal insertion opening 42 so that the first outer wall 33b and the first wall body 43 face each other, the free end side of the electrical connection portion 32 enters the guide groove 43c and is pushed by the groove bottom of the guide groove 43c and elastically deforms toward the first outer wall 33b (FIG. 9). Then, in this terminal fitting 30, by continuing to insert into the terminal accommodating chamber 41, the free end side of the electrical connection portion 32 slides on the groove bottom of the guide groove 43c, and when the electrical connection portion 32 reaches the accommodation completion position, it enters the through hole 43a while approaching its original shape before elastic deformation (FIG. 3). In this terminal fitting 30, the free end side of the electrical connection portion 32 in the through hole 43a comes into contact with the terminal connection portion 33 of the adjacent terminal fitting 30 while exerting a resilient force due to elastic deformation on the terminal connection portion 33. Furthermore, in this terminal fitting 30, the free end side of the electrical connection portion 32 in the through hole 43a is positioned opposite the terminal locking portion 43b on the terminal insertion opening 42 side at the peripheral portion of the through hole 43a, thereby locking the movement of this electrical connection portion 32 toward the terminal insertion opening 42.

[0032] Here, the guide groove 43c is provided on at least one wall surface of the first wall 43 between two terminal accommodating chambers 41 adjacent to each other in the first direction. For example, in this housing 40, when the guide grooves 43c are provided on both wall surfaces of the first wall 43, the electrical connection portion 32 of the terminal fittings 30 on either side of the two terminal accommodating chambers 41 between which the first wall 43 is placed can be brought into contact with the adjacent terminal fitting 30. However, in this case, there is a possibility that the electrical connection portions 32 of the terminal fittings 30 in the two terminal accommodating chambers 41 may come into contact with each other via the through hole 43a, and if one of the electrical connection portions 32 is in a state of coming out of the through hole 43a, it becomes difficult to keep the terminal fitting 30 in the terminal accommodating chamber 41.

[0033] Therefore, the guide groove 43c is provided on one wall surface of the two terminal accommodating chambers 41 adjacent in the first direction in the first wall 43 (FIGS. 3 and 8). The other wall surface of the two terminal accommodating chambers 41 adjacent in the first direction at the end of the first wall 43 on the terminal insertion opening 42 side is used as a terminal insertion restricting portion 43d that engages the electrical connection portion 32 of the terminal fitting 30 and restricts the insertion of the terminal fitting 30 into the terminal accommodating chamber 41 (FIGS. 3 and 8). As a result, in this housing 40, the first outer wall 33b and the first wall 43 can be opposed to each other only on the side of one terminal accommodating chamber 41, and the electrical connection portion 32 can be inserted into the through hole 43a only from the side of this one terminal accommodating chamber 41 to bring the terminal fittings 30 into contact with each other.

[0034] Furthermore, in this terminal accommodating chamber 41 on one side, an end portion on the terminal insertion opening 42 side of a third wall 45 arranged to face the second wall 44 with a gap therebetween is also used as a terminal insertion restricting portion 45a similar to the terminal insertion restricting portion 43d (FIGS. 4 and 5). In addition, among the multiple terminal accommodating chambers 41 on one side, in those located at both ends in the first direction, an end portion on the terminal insertion opening 42 side of a side wall 46 arranged to face the first wall 43 with a gap therebetween is also used as a terminal insertion restricting portion 46a similar to the terminal insertion restricting portions 43d, 45a (FIGS. 3 and 8).

[0035] Further, the second wall 44 shown here has a locking groove 44a into which the electrical connection portion 32 of the terminal fitting 30 in the fully accommodated position is inserted (FIGS. 4 and 5). The second wall 44 shown here utilizes the peripheral portion of the locking groove 44a on the terminal insertion opening 42 side as a terminal locking portion 44b that locks the movement of the electrical connection portion 32 inserted into the locking groove 44a toward the terminal insertion opening 42 side (FIGS. 4 and 5). Furthermore, the second wall 44 shown here has a guide groove 44c that guides the electrical connection portion 32 from the terminal insertion opening 42 to the locking groove 44a while elastically deforming it (FIGS. 4 and 5). The guide groove 44c is provided, together with the locking groove 44a and the terminal locking portion 44b, on one wall surface of the two terminal accommodating chambers 41 adjacent to each other in the second direction in the second wall 44.

[0036] The other of the two terminal accommodating chambers 41 adjacent in the second direction at the end of the second wall 44 on the terminal insertion opening 42 side is used as a terminal insertion restricting portion 44d that engages the electrical connection portion 32 of the terminal fitting 30 and restricts the insertion of the terminal fitting 30 into the terminal accommodating chamber 41 (FIGS. 4 and 5). In the terminal accommodating chamber 41 on the other side, a locking groove 47a similar to the locking groove 44a, a terminal locking portion 47b similar to the terminal locking portion 44b, and a guide groove 47c similar to the guide groove 44c are provided on the wall surface of a fourth wall 47 that is disposed opposite the second wall 44 with a gap therebetween (FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0037] When the terminal fitting 30 is inserted from the terminal connection portion 33 into the terminal insertion opening 42 so that the first outer wall 33b and the second wall 44 (or the fourth wall 47) face each other, the free end side of the electrical connection portion 32 enters the guide groove 44c (or the guide groove 47c) and is pushed by the groove bottom of the guide groove 44c (or the guide groove 47c) and elastically deforms toward the first outer wall 33b (FIG. 10). Then, when the terminal fitting 30 is continuously inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 41, the free end side of the electrical connection portion 32 slides on the groove bottom of the guide groove 44c (or the guide groove 47c) and reaches the accommodation completion position, the electrical connection portion 32 enters the locking groove 44a (or the locking groove 47a) while approaching its original shape before elastic deformation (FIG. 5). In this terminal fitting 30, the free end side of the electrical connection portion 32 in the locking groove 44a (or locking groove 47a) is positioned opposite the terminal locking portion 44b (or terminal locking portion 47b) on the terminal insertion port 42 side at the peripheral portion of the locking groove 44a (or locking groove 47a), thereby locking the movement of the electrical connection portion 32 toward the terminal insertion port 42.

[0038] Among the multiple other-side terminal accommodating chambers 41, those located at both ends in the first direction are provided with side walls 46 arranged opposite to the first wall 43 at a distance, similar to the one-side terminal accommodating chamber 41 (FIGS. 3 and 8). Therefore, in this side wall 46, the end on the terminal insertion opening 42 side is used as a terminal insertion restricting portion 46a, similar to the one-side terminal accommodating chamber 41.

[0039] As described above, in this housing 40, the terminal fittings 30 can be accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers 41 only when the electrical connection portions 32 can be inserted into the guide grooves 43c, 44c, and 47c of the first wall 43, the second wall 44, and the fourth wall 47. Thus, the connector 20 and the connector-attached electric wire 1 of this embodiment not only allow one type of terminal fitting 30 to be used with or without an electrical connection relationship between the terminal fittings 30, but also has the effect of preventing erroneous assembly of the terminal fittings 30 to the housing 40.

[0040] For example, the connector 20 and the connector-equipped electric wire 1 configured in this manner are applicable to a daisy chain connection that connects a plurality of electronic devices EP (FIG. 11).

[0041] [Variations] 12 to 15 indicates an electric wire with a connector of this modified example. This electric wire with a connector 2 is obtained by replacing the housing 40 of the connector 20 with a housing 140 of a connector 120 in the electric wire with connector 1 of the above-described embodiment. For this reason, the same components and portions having the same functions as those of the electric wire with connector 1 of the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the electric wire with connector 1, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0042] The housing 140 of this modification double-locks the terminal fitting 30 so that it does not slip out of the terminal insertion opening 42 when the terminal fitting 30 is accommodated in the accommodation completion position, regardless of whether the terminal body 31 of the terminal accommodating chamber 41 is rotated 90 degrees around the axis. Therefore, the housing 140 has a two-part structure and includes a first housing member 140A and a second housing member 140B that are fitted together and assembled (FIGS. 12 to 15). Here, the terminal fitting 30 is double-locked by the first housing member 140A and the second housing member 140B so that it does not slip out of the terminal insertion opening 42, even when the terminal fitting 30 is accommodated in the accommodation completion position with the first outer wall 33b facing the second wall 44 (or the fourth wall 47) or when the terminal fitting 30 is accommodated in the accommodation completion position with the first outer wall 33b facing the first wall 43.

[0043] In the housing 140 of this modified example, when the first housing member 140A and the second housing member 140B are in the temporary assembly position, each terminal accommodating chamber 41 is formed as a temporary accommodating chamber into which the terminal fitting 30 can be inserted up to the fully accommodated position (Figures 16 and 17), and when the first housing member 140A and the second housing member 140B are in the fully assembled position, each terminal accommodating chamber 41 is formed (Figures 14 and 15).

[0044] This housing 140 has a first housing member 140A as a main body, and a second housing member 140B is assembled to this first housing member 140A. In this housing 140, the second housing member 140B assembled to the first housing member 140A locks the terminal fittings 30 so that they do not slip out of the terminal insertion openings 42, regardless of whether the terminal bodies 31 of the terminal accommodating chambers 41 are rotated 90 degrees around the axis.

[0045] For example, as described in the embodiment, when the terminal fitting 30 is accommodated in the accommodation complete position with the first outer wall 33b facing the second wall body 44 (or the fourth wall body 47), the terminal fitting 30 is kept in the accommodation complete position by the locking function of the terminal locking portion 44b (or the terminal locking portion 47b) with respect to the electrical connection portion 32. However, if the state in which the terminal locking portion 44b (or the terminal locking portion 47b) can lock the electrical connection portion 32 is released and the electrical connection portion 32 enters the guide groove 44c (or the guide groove 47c), there is a risk that the terminal fitting 30 will slip out of the terminal insertion opening 42. Therefore, in the housing 140, the electrical connection portion 32 on the guide groove 44c (or the guide groove 47c) is locked to the second housing member 140B on the terminal insertion opening 42 side so that the terminal fitting 30 will not slip out of the terminal insertion opening 42 even in such an unlikely event. For example, the second housing member 140B includes a first locking portion 148a that is disposed on the guide groove 44c at the assembly completion position and can lock the electrical connection portion 32 on the guide groove 44c at the terminal insertion opening 42 side, and a second locking portion 148b that is disposed on the guide groove 47c at the assembly completion position and can lock the electrical connection portion 32 on the guide groove 47c at the terminal insertion opening 42 side (FIGS. 13 to 17). The first locking portion 148a shown here is formed as a wall that forms a part of the wall surface of each terminal accommodating chamber 41 on one side. The second locking portion 148b shown here is formed as a wall that forms a part of the wall surface of each terminal accommodating chamber 41 on the other side.

[0046] Furthermore, the second housing member 140B has a third locking portion 148c, which is disposed opposite the terminal connecting portion 33 at the accommodation completion position on the terminal insertion opening 42 side in addition to the first locking portion 148a and the second locking portion 148b in the assembly completion position, to lock the terminal fitting 30 so that it does not slip out of the terminal insertion opening 42 (FIG. 13). This third locking portion 148c is disposed opposite a corner portion 33c of the rectangular cylindrical terminal connecting portion 33 at the accommodation completion position on the terminal insertion opening 42 side when the second housing member 140B is in the assembly completion position. Therefore, this third locking portion 148c is provided for each terminal accommodating chamber 41. The position of the corner portion 33c on the terminal connecting portion 33 changes depending on whether the terminal body 31 of the terminal accommodating chamber 41 is rotated 90 degrees around the axis or not.

[0047] For example, when the terminal fitting 30 is accommodated in the accommodation completion position with the first outer wall 33b facing the second wall 44 (or the fourth wall 47), the terminal fitting 30 may be locked by the first locking portion 148a or the second locking portion 148b before the third locking portion 148c, and when the terminal fitting 30 cannot be locked by the first locking portion 148a or the second locking portion 148b, the terminal fitting 30 may be locked by the third locking portion 148c. The reverse is also possible. Even in this case, the terminal fitting 30 may be locked by the third locking portion 148c at the same timing as the first locking portion 148a or the second locking portion 148b.

[0048] On the other hand, for example, as described in the embodiment, when the terminal fitting 30 is accommodated in the accommodation completion position with the first outer wall 33b facing the first wall body 43, the terminal fitting 30 is kept in the accommodation completion position by the locking function of the terminal locking portion 43b with respect to the electrical connection portion 32. However, if the state where the electrical connection portion 32 can be locked by the terminal locking portion 43b is released and the electrical connection portion 32 enters the guide groove 43c, there is a risk that the terminal fitting 30 will slip out of the terminal insertion opening 42. The first locking portion 148a and the second locking portion 148b cannot lock the terminal fitting 30 at this time. However, the third locking portion 148c can lock the terminal fitting 30 at this time. Therefore, the second housing member 140B can prevent the terminal fitting 30 from slipping out of the terminal insertion opening 42 regardless of whether the terminal body 31 of the terminal accommodating chamber 41 is rotated 90 degrees around the axis or not.

[0049] In this housing 140, first, the second housing member 140B is fitted into the first housing member 140A to the temporary assembly position, and then the terminal fittings 30 are accommodated to the fully accommodated position (FIGS. 16 and 17). For this reason, the second housing member 140B is formed with a first locking portion 148a so as not to be positioned on the guide groove 44c when in the temporary assembly position, and a second locking portion 148b so as not to be positioned on the guide groove 47c when in the temporary assembly position. Furthermore, the second housing member 140B is formed with a third locking portion 148c so as not to be positioned on the insertion path of the terminal body 31 when in the temporary assembly position.

[0050] In this housing 140, after the terminal fittings 30 are accommodated to the accommodation completion position, the second housing member 140B is fitted into the first housing member 140A to the assembly completion position. As a result, in this housing 140, the first locking portion 148a is arranged on the guide groove 44c between the terminal locking portion 44b and the terminal insertion opening 42, and the second locking portion 148b is arranged on the guide groove 47c between the terminal locking portion 47b and the terminal insertion opening 42. Furthermore, in this housing 140, the third locking portion 148c is arranged to face the terminal insertion opening 42 side of the terminal connection portion 33 at the accommodation completion position. Therefore, in this housing 140, the first locking portion 148a, the second locking portion 148b, and the third locking portion 148c each have a double locking function with respect to the terminal fittings 30.

[0051] In this manner, the connector 120 and the connector-attached electric wire 2 of this modified example not only provide the same effects as the connector 20 and the connector-attached electric wire 1 of the embodiment, but also enhance the holding function of the terminal fittings 30 in the housing 140. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1,2 Wire with connector 10 Electric wire 20,120 Connectors 30 Terminal fitting 31 Terminal body 32 Electrical connections 33b 1st outer wall (outer wall) 40,140 Housing 41 Terminal chamber 42 Terminal insertion port 43 1st wall 43a Through hole 43b Terminal locking part 43c Guide groove 43d Terminal insertion restriction part 44 Second wall 44a Locking groove 44b Terminal locking part 140A First housing member 140B second housing member

Claims

1. A terminal fitting for each electric wire is physically and electrically connected to the electric wire; a housing in which a terminal accommodating chamber for accommodating the terminal metal fitting at a fully accommodated position is provided for each of the terminal metal fittings; Equipped with The terminal fitting has a terminal body and an elastically deformable electrical connection portion protruding from an outer wall of the terminal body in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the terminal body, The terminal accommodating chamber is formed in a shape that allows the terminal body to be inserted by rotating it 90 degrees around the axis, the housing has a first wall separating two of the terminal accommodating chambers adjacent to each other in a first direction perpendicular to the axis, and a second wall separating two of the terminal accommodating chambers adjacent to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the axis and the first direction, and has a terminal insertion opening for each of the terminal accommodating chambers when the terminal fittings are inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers; the first wall body has a through hole that communicates two of the terminal accommodating chambers adjacent to each other in the first direction and allows the electrical connection portion of the terminal fitting in the completed accommodation position to enter and contact the adjacent terminal fitting, and a peripheral portion of the through hole on the terminal insertion opening side is utilized as a terminal locking portion that locks the electrical connection portion that has entered the through hole against movement toward the terminal insertion opening side, a terminal receiving portion that receives the electrical connection portion of the terminal fitting in the completed accommodation position and that is recessed except for a groove bottom that serves as a partition wall between two adjacent terminal accommodating chambers in the second direction, the second wall having a locking groove into which the electrical connection portion of the terminal fitting in the completed accommodation position is inserted, and the terminal insertion port side of the peripheral portion of the locking groove is utilized as a terminal locking portion that locks the movement of the electrical connection portion that has entered the locking groove toward the terminal insertion port side.

2. A connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first wall has a guide groove on the wall surface of at least one of the two terminal accommodating chambers adjacent in the first direction, which guides the electrical connection portion from the terminal insertion port to the through hole while elastically deforming the electrical connection portion.

3. One wall surface of the two terminal accommodating chambers adjacent to each other in the first direction in the first wall body has a guide groove that guides the electrical connection portion from the terminal insertion port to the through hole while elastically deforming the electrical connection portion, 2. A connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that the other of the two terminal accommodating chambers adjacent in the first direction at the end of the first wall on the terminal insertion port side is utilized as a terminal insertion restricting portion that engages the electrical connection portion of the terminal fitting and restricts insertion of the terminal fitting into the terminal accommodating chamber.

4. One wall surface of the two terminal accommodating chambers adjacent to each other in the second direction in the second wall body has a guide groove that guides the electrical connection portion from the terminal insertion port to the through hole while elastically deforming the electrical connection portion, A connector as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the other of the two terminal accommodating chambers adjacent in the second direction at the end of the second wall on the terminal insertion port side is utilized as a terminal insertion restricting portion that engages the electrical connection portion of the terminal fitting and restricts insertion of the terminal fitting into the terminal accommodating chamber.

5. A plurality of electric wires; a terminal fitting for each of the electric wires, the terminal fitting being physically and electrically connected to the electric wire; a housing in which a terminal accommodating chamber for accommodating the terminal metal fitting at a fully accommodated position is provided for each of the terminal metal fittings; Equipped with The terminal fitting has a terminal body and an elastically deformable electrical connection portion protruding from an outer wall of the terminal body in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the terminal body, The terminal accommodating chamber is formed in a shape that allows the terminal body to be inserted by rotating it 90 degrees around the axis, the housing has a first wall separating two of the terminal accommodating chambers adjacent to each other in a first direction perpendicular to the axis, and a second wall separating two of the terminal accommodating chambers adjacent to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the axis and the first direction, and has a terminal insertion opening for each of the terminal accommodating chambers when the terminal fittings are inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers; the first wall body has a through hole that communicates two of the terminal accommodating chambers adjacent to each other in the first direction and allows the electrical connection portion of the terminal fitting in the completed accommodation position to enter and contact the adjacent terminal fitting, and a peripheral portion of the through hole on the terminal insertion opening side is utilized as a terminal locking portion that locks the electrical connection portion that has entered the through hole against movement toward the terminal insertion opening side, the second wall is recessed leaving a groove bottom that serves as a partition wall between two adjacent terminal accommodating chambers in the second direction, and has an engagement groove into which the electrical connection portion of the terminal fitting in the completed accommodation position fits, and the terminal insertion port side of the peripheral portion of the engagement groove is utilized as a terminal engagement portion that engages the movement of the electrical connection portion that has entered the engagement groove toward the terminal insertion port side.

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