Joint Connector

Abstract

To provide a joint connector with reduced insertion and removal force in fitting.SOLUTION: A joint connector that can be fitted with a first connector at a first side and with a second connector at a second side, has: one or more joint terminals 4 each having a collar 43 provided between a first contact 41 and a second contact 42; a first joint housing 11; and a second joint housing 12. The first joint housing 11 and the second joint housing 12 form a collar housing part 11C for housing the collars 43 in a state where they are locked with each other while interposing the collars 43 of the plurality of joint terminals 4. The plurality of joint terminals 4 are prevented from being dropped off from the first and second joint housings 11 and 12 with the collars 43. Gaps 11G1 and 12G1 are respectively provided between first and second contact holes 11B and 12B and the collar housing part 11C so that the plurality of joint terminals 4 are movable in a plane direction crossing a fitting shaft that connects between the first side and the second side in the locking state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a joint connector. [Background technology]

[0002] The joint connector connects a first connector, which is a receptacle, to a second connector. Specifically, the joint connector accommodates a joint terminal having a first contact and a second contact at both ends in a housing, and the female terminal of the first connector fits into the first contact of the joint terminal, and the female terminal of the second connector fits into the second contact of the joint terminal. For example, by making the second terminal of the joint terminal into a structure that branches into multiple terminals, one first connector is branched into multiple second connectors for connection. Also, by making the first terminal of the joint terminal into a structure that branches into multiple terminals, multiple first connectors can be connected to multiple second connectors.

[0003] Joint connectors are described in the following patent documents: [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-59597 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2003-77600 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2005-347036 A [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-12338 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the joint connectors described in the above-mentioned prior art, the joint terminals are press-fitted into insertion holes in the joint housing, or the joint terminals are fixed in the joint housing by insert molding. In either case, the joint terminals cannot move in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the fitting direction of the joint terminals in the joint housing.

[0006] Therefore, when the female terminals of the first and second connectors are mated with the male joint terminal of the joint connector, the joint terminal may be mated in one direction away from the center of the recess of the female terminal. As a result, the insertion and removal force of the connector increases, which is particularly undesirable when the connector terminals are multi-polarized. In addition, the surface plating of the joint terminal and the female terminal may be partially scraped off, increasing the surface friction force and further increasing the insertion and removal force. Furthermore, the scraping of the surface plating of the joint terminal and the female terminal may cause the electrical contact resistance between the two terminals to deteriorate (increase in contact resistance).

[0007] Therefore, an object of a first aspect of the present embodiment is to provide a joint connector in which the insertion and removal force required during fitting is reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first aspect of the present embodiment is a joint connector that can be fitted to a first connector on a first side and to a second connector on a second side opposite to the first side, the joint connector comprising: a first contact that fits with a connector terminal of the first connector; a second contact that fits with a connector terminal of the second connector; one or more joint terminals, each having a flange provided between the first contact and the second contact; a first joint housing having a first contact hole into which the first contact is inserted; and a second joint housing having a second contact hole into which the second contact is inserted, the first joint housing and the second joint housing forming a flange accommodating portion that accommodates the flange when the first joint housing and the second joint housing are engaged with each other by sandwiching the flanges of the multiple joint terminals, the multiple joint terminals are prevented from coming off the first and second joint housings by the flange, and a gap is provided between the first contact hole, the second contact hole, and the flange accommodating portion so that the multiple joint terminals are movable in a planar direction intersecting a fitting axis connecting the first side and the second side when engaged. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the first aspect, it is possible to reduce the insertion / removal force required for fitting, and also to suppress an increase in electrical contact resistance between the joint terminal and the female terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a combined part of a joint connector and first and second connectors (jointed connectors) in the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the joint connector according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are a front view, a rear view, a front perspective view (input side), and a rear perspective view (output side) of a first joint housing 11 (right side) and a second joint housing 12 (left side). [Figure 4]1A to 1C are a front view (input side), a left side view, a plan view, and a front view (output side) of a joint connector 1 in a state in which first and second joint housings are engaged with each other. [Diagram 5] 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between an A-pole joint terminal and a B-pole joint terminal. FIG. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view with a cross-sectional view of an A-pole joint terminal of a joint connector. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view with a cross-sectional view of a B-pole joint terminal of a joint connector. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a B-pole joint terminal of the joint connector. [Figure 9] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between a joint terminal in a joint connector and female terminals in first and second connectors in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 5A to 5C are diagrams showing a locking structure of a joint connector in the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination of a joint connector and first and second connectors (joined connectors) in this embodiment. The joint connector 1 accommodates a plurality of joint terminals (not shown). The first connector 21 has a plurality of electric wires 21A and a first connector housing 21B, and the plurality of electric wires 21A are respectively connected to a plurality of female terminals 21C in the first connector housing 21B. Similarly, the second connector 22 has a plurality of electric wires 22A and a second connector housing 22B, and the plurality of electric wires 22A are respectively connected to a plurality of female terminals 22C (not shown) in the second connector housing 22B. In the example of FIG. 1, one first connector 21 and two second connectors 22 are respectively fitted to the joint connector 1.

[0012] For example, the first connector 21 is the input side, and the second connector 22 is the output side. An input signal from the first connector 21 is branched into two by a joint terminal in the joint connector 1, and flows to two second connectors 22. However, there may be only one second connector 22. In that case, the joint terminal does not branch the input signal into multiple signals.

[0013] In FIG. 1, the fitting direction in which the first connector 21 and the second connector 22 are fitted into the joint connector 1 is the Z-axis direction, the horizontal direction between the first and second connectors 21, 22 and the joint connector 1 is the X-axis direction, and the vertical direction is the Y-axis direction.

[0014] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the joint connector in this embodiment. The joint connector 1 has a plurality of joint terminals 4, 5, a first joint housing 11 into which first contacts 41, 51 of the joint terminals 4, 5 are inserted, and a second joint housing 12 into which second contacts 42, 52 of the joint terminals 4, 5 are inserted.

[0015] 1, in FIG. 2, the direction in which the first joint housing 11 and the second joint housing engage with each other is the Z-axis direction, the horizontal direction of both joint housings is the X-axis direction, and the vertical direction is the Y-axis direction.

[0016] In this embodiment, the joint terminal has a plurality of A-pole joint terminals 4 arranged in the X-axis direction, and a plurality of B-pole joint terminals 5 arranged in the X-axis direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the A-pole joint terminals 4.

[0017] The A-pole joint terminal 4 has one A-pole first contact 41 that fits with the female terminal of the first connector 21, two A-pole second contacts 42 that fit with the female terminal of the second connector 22, and an A-pole flange 43 provided between the first contact 41 and the second contacts 42. The first and second contacts 41, 42 have a shape that extends in the Z-axis direction. The flange 43 has a shape that extends in the Y-axis direction.

[0018] Similarly, the B-pole joint terminal 5 has one B-pole first contact 51 that mates with the female terminal of the first connector 21, two B-pole second contacts 52 that mate with the female terminal of the second connector 22, and a B-pole flange 53 provided between the first contact 51 and the second contact 52. The first and second contacts 51, 52 have shapes that extend in the Z-axis direction. The flange 53 has a shape that extends in the Y-axis direction.

[0019] The A-pole flange 43 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 is wider than the A-pole first contact 41 and the A-pole second contact 42, and has a shape that protrudes in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction connecting the A-pole first contact 41 and the A-pole second contact 42. The A-pole flange 43, one A-pole first contact 41, and two A-pole second contacts 42 are formed by stamping a metal plate. Similarly, the B-pole flange 53 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 is wider than the B-pole first contact 51 and the B-pole second contact 52, and has a shape that protrudes in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction connecting the B-pole first contact 51 and the B-pole second contact 52. The B-pole flange 53, one B-pole first contact 51, and two B-pole second contacts 52 are also formed by stamping a metal plate.

[0020] The A-pole and B-pole joint terminals 4, 5 in this embodiment have the same shape, and are arranged in the joint housings 11, 12 so that the arrangement relationship of the respective first contacts and second contacts is upside down in the Y-axis direction.

[0021] However, the A-pole and B-pole joint terminals 4, 5 may have the same configuration, each having one second contact 42, 52. In this case, the flanges 43, 53 have a shape that protrudes in the Y-axis direction like a sword guard between the first and second contacts. Furthermore, the joint terminals 4 or 5 may be configured to be arranged in only one row in the X-axis direction, regardless of whether they are A or B poles.

[0022] The A-pole first contact 41 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 and the B-pole first contact 51 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 are inserted in the positive direction of the Z-axis into a first contact hole (not shown) of the first joint housing 11. Meanwhile, the A-pole second contact 42 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 and the B-pole second contact 52 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 are inserted in the negative direction of the Z-axis into a second contact hole (not shown) of the second joint housing 12. Then, as described later, in a state in which the first joint housing 11 and the second joint housing 12 are locked to each other by the locked portion 11F and the locking portion 12F, the flanges 43, 53 of the multiple joint terminals are sandwiched, and both joint terminals 4, 5 are prevented from coming off both joint housings 11, 12. The locked joint housings 11, 12 form a flange receiving portion (not shown) that receives the flanges 43, 53.

[0023] [Configuration of A-pole joint terminal and B-pole joint terminal with one first contact and two second contacts] As described above, in this embodiment, the joint terminal may have one first contact and one second contact, and may be configured to have a row of a plurality of joint terminals arranged in the X-axis direction. However, in the drawings, the joint terminal has an A-pole joint terminal and a B-pole joint terminal each having one first contact and two second contacts. Therefore, in the following Figs. 3, 4, and 5, the configuration of the A-pole joint terminal and the B-pole joint terminal each having one first contact and two second contacts will be described. After that, in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, a configuration will be described in which the first contact, the second contact, and the flange have gaps with respect to the first contact hole, the second contact hole, and the flange accommodating portion of the first and second joint housings, respectively, so that the sandwiched joint terminal can move in the direction of a plane intersecting the Z-axis in the fitting direction of the first and second connectors when the first and second joint housings are engaged, which is the first side of this embodiment.

[0024] Fig. 3 shows a front view, a rear view, a front perspective view (input side), and a rear perspective view (output side) of the first joint housing 11 (right side) and the second joint housing 12 (left side). Fig. 2 shows a rear perspective view (input side) and a front perspective view (output side) of both joint housings 11 and 12. In this specification, each view, such as a front view, a plan view, a rear view, and a side view, is based on trigonometry. The positional relationship between each view can be understood based on the X, Y, and Z axes shown in each view.

[0025] As shown in the front perspective view (output side) of FIG. 2 (2-1) and the front view (output side) of FIG. 3 (2-2), the second joint housing 12 has a plurality of second female terminal holes 12A arranged in four rows in the Y-axis direction. Each female terminal hole 12A is partitioned by left and right vertical walls 12D and upper and lower horizontal walls 12E. Each of the plurality of second contact holes 12B arranged in the X-axis direction is formed in the center of the female terminal hole 12A. The arrangement of the four rows of female terminal holes 12A and second contact holes 12B is, from the bottom in the Y-axis direction, an arrangement of B poles, an arrangement of A poles, an arrangement of B poles, and an arrangement of A poles. In addition, the arrangement of the four rows of female terminal holes 12A and second contact holes 12B is such that the A pole side is shifted in the negative direction of the X-axis (left side in the front view) and the B pole side is shifted in the positive direction of the X-axis (right side in the front view).

[0026] As shown in (2-3) rear view (output side) and (2-4) rear perspective view (output side) in FIG. 3, the second joint housing 12 has a plurality of second contact holes 12B arranged in four rows in the Y-axis direction, which are arranged in the X-axis direction. Two second contacts 52 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 are inserted into a pair of second contact holes 12B arranged vertically in the first and third rows from the negative side in the Y-axis direction. Similarly, two second contacts 42 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 are inserted into a pair of second contact holes 12B arranged vertically in the second and fourth rows from the negative side in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, in the rear view, the A-pole joint terminal 4 is closer to the negative direction of the X-axis (right side in the rear view), and the B-pole joint terminal 5 is closer to the positive direction of the X-axis (left side in the rear view). The positive and negative directions of the Y-axis are inverse between the front view and the rear view, and the top and bottom in the figure are reversed.

[0027] A flange accommodating portion 12C for accommodating the flanges 43, 53 is formed between a pair of second contact holes 12B into which the second contacts 42, 52 of the A-pole and B-pole joint terminals 4, 5 are inserted, and on the upper and lower sides of both second contact holes, with both joint housings engaged.

[0028] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 3 (1-1) front perspective view (input side) and (1-2) front view (input side), the first joint housing 11 has two rows of first female terminal holes 11A arranged in the X-axis direction. Each of the first female terminal holes 11A is partitioned by left and right vertical walls 11D and upper and lower horizontal walls 11E. Each of the first contact holes 11B arranged in the X-axis direction is formed in the center of the female terminal hole 11A. The two rows of female terminal holes 11A and first contact holes 11B are arranged in the A-pole arrangement and the B-pole arrangement from the negative side in the Y-axis direction. In addition, the two rows of female terminal holes 11A and first contact holes 11B are arranged in such a way that the A-pole side is shifted in the negative direction of the X-axis (left side in the front view) and the B-pole side is shifted in the positive direction of the X-axis (right side in the front view).

[0029] As shown in the rear view (input side) of FIG. 3 (1-3) and the rear perspective view (input side) of FIG. 2 (1-4), the first joint housing 11 has a plurality of first contact holes 11B arranged in two rows in the Y-axis direction, the first contact 41 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 is inserted into the first contact hole 11B in the first row from the negative side in the Y-axis direction. Similarly, the first contact 51 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 is inserted into the first contact hole 11B in the second row from the negative side in the Y-axis direction. In the rear view, the first contact 41 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 inserted into the first contact hole 11B in the first row from the negative side of the Y-axis is disposed closer to the negative direction of the X-axis (left side in the rear view), and the first contact 51 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 inserted into the first contact hole 11B in the second row is disposed closer to the positive direction of the X-axis (right side in the rear view).

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a front view (input side), a left side view, a plan view, and a front view (output side) of the joint connector 1 in a state where the first and second joint housings are engaged. The (3) front view (output side) of the joint connector 1 in Fig. 4 is the same as the (2-2) front view (output side) of the second joint housing 12 in Fig. 3, and the (1) front view (input side) is the same as the (1-2) front view (input side) of the first joint housing 11 in Fig. 3.

[0031] In the (1) front view (input side) of the joint connector 1, the first joint housing 11 has ten A-pole first female terminal holes 11A and first contact holes 11B in the first row (upper row in the figure) in the Y-axis direction, and ten B-pole first female terminal holes 11A and first contact holes 11B in the second row (lower row in the figure). The arrangement of the A-pole and B-pole first contacts 41, 51 is shown at the bottom of the (1) front view (input side). In this arrangement, the A-pole first contacts 41 are indicated as A1 to A10, and the B-pole first contacts 51 are indicated as B1 to B10. As is clear from this arrangement, the A-pole first contacts A1 to A10 are arranged on the negative side of the X-axis, and the B-pole first contacts B1 to B10 are arranged on the positive side of the X-axis, shifted from each other.

[0032] The plan view (2) of the joint connector 1 shows the second joint housing 12 and the first joint housing 11 engaged in the positive direction of the Z axis. The plane of the second joint housing 12 corresponds to the second contact on the B pole side, and the plane of the first joint housing 11 corresponds to the second contact on the A pole side.

[0033] In the (3) front view (output side) of the joint connector 1, the second joint housing 12 has ten B-pole second female terminal holes 12A and second contact holes 12B in the first and third rows in the Y-axis direction, and ten A-pole second female terminal holes 12A and second contact holes 12B in the second and fourth rows. The arrangement of the A-pole and B-pole second contacts 42, 52 is shown at the bottom of the (3) front view (output side). In this arrangement, the A-pole second contacts 42 are indicated as A1 to A10, and the B-pole second contacts 52 are indicated as B1 to B10. As is clear from this arrangement, the A-pole second contacts A1 to A10 are arranged on the negative side of the X-axis, and the B-pole second contacts B1 to B10 are arranged on the positive side of the X-axis, shifted from each other, and the A-pole second contacts and the B-pole second contacts are arranged in a staggered pattern.

[0034] The left side view (4) of the joint connector 1 shows the second joint housing 12 and the first joint housing 11 in an engaged state. Two second connectors 22, one above the other, are shown on the left side of the second joint housing 12, and one first connector 21 is shown on the right side. The left side view shows the A-pole joint terminal 4 (dashed line) and the B-pole joint terminal 5 (chain line) superimposed on the joint connector 1. The flanges 43 and 53 of both joint terminals 4 and 5 are superimposed one above the other in the side view, but are shown shifted in the drawing. As is clear from this, the A-pole joint terminal 4 and the B-pole joint terminal 5 are upside down when viewed from the side.

[0035] The arrangements AR1 and AR2 of the A and B poles in two rows shown in (1) the front view (input side) and (3) the front view (output side), respectively, are the same.

[0036] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the A-pole joint terminal and the B-pole joint terminal. Fig. 5 shows (4) a left side view of the joint connector, (5) a front view (input side), a plan view, and a front view (output side) of the joint connector and joint terminal, (6) a front view of the first connector, and (7) a front view of the second connector. (4) The left side view is the same as (4) the left side view in Fig. 4.

[0037] (5) As shown in the plan view of the joint connector and the joint terminal, the B-pole joint terminal 5 and the A-pole joint terminal 4, which are oriented in the Z-axis direction of the mating direction, are alternately arranged in the X-axis direction. In the plan view, the flanges 43 and 53 of both joint terminals, which are oriented in the direction perpendicular to the paper (Y-axis direction), are shown in a pseudo-manner.

[0038] (4) As shown in the left side view, on the first joint housing 11 side, the A-pole first contact 41 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 is located lower on the Y-axis than the B-pole first contact 51 of the B-pole joint terminal 5. On the other hand, on the second joint housing 12 side, the A-pole second contact 42 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 is located higher on the Y-axis than the B-pole second contact 52 of the B-pole joint terminal 5.

[0039] Therefore, in the (5) front view (output side) of the joint connector and joint terminal, a pair of B-pole second contacts 52 and a pair of A-pole second contacts 42 are alternately arranged along the X-axis direction, and the B-pole second contacts 52 are shifted downward and the A-pole second contacts 42 are shifted upward in the Y-axis direction. An A-pole flange 43 is shown between a pair of A-pole second contacts 42, and a B-pole flange 53 is shown between a pair of B-pole second contacts 52. The arrangement AR2 of the A-pole second contacts 42 and the B-pole second contacts 52 shown here has only four joint terminals lined up in the X-axis direction, but is the same as the arrangement AR2 shown in the (3) front view (output side) shown in Figure 4.

[0040] Similarly, in the (5) front view (input side) of the joint connector and joint terminal, the A-pole first contact 41 and the B-pole first contact 51 are each arranged in the X-axis direction. The A-pole first contact 41 is located lower than the B-pole first contact 51 in the Y-axis direction, and furthermore, the A-pole first contact 41 is arranged shifted in the negative direction of the X-axis with respect to the B-pole first contact 51. The arrangement AR1 of the A-pole first contacts 41 and the B-pole first contacts 51 shown in this front view (input side) is the same as the arrangement AR1 shown in the (1) front view (input side) shown in FIG. 4.

[0041] (6) The front view of the first connector shows an arrangement AR3 of the A-pole and B-pole female terminals of the first connector. Furthermore, (7) the front view of the second connector shows two arrangements AR4 of the A-pole and B-pole female terminals of the second connector side by side. Both arrangements AR3 and AR4 are the same. From this, it can be understood that the first connector and the second connector are the same type.

[0042] [There is a gap between the first and second contacts and the flange and the first and second joint housings] Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view and a perspective view with a cross-sectional view of the A-pole joint terminal of the joint connector. Fig. 6 shows (1) a perspective view with an A-pole cross-section, (2) an A-pole cross-sectional view, (3) an enlarged A-pole cross-sectional view, and (4) a perspective view with an A-row cross-section. The positions of the A-pole cross-section and the A-row cross-section are shown in the front view of Fig. 3 (2-2).

[0043] As shown in (1) the perspective view with the A-pole cross section and (2) the A-pole cross section, the A-pole first contact 41 of the A-pole side joint terminal 4 is inserted into the first contact hole 11B of the first joint housing 11, and the two A-pole second contacts 42 are inserted into the second contact hole 12B of the second joint housing 12, and the two joint housings 11 and 12 are opposed to each other and engaged. In the engaged state, the flange 43 of the joint terminal 4 is sandwiched between the opposed surfaces of the two joint housings 11 and 12, and the flange 43 is accommodated in the flange accommodating portions 11C and 12C formed on the opposed surfaces. The A-pole first contact 41 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 protrudes into the first female terminal hole 11A formed in the first joint housing 11, and conversely, the A-pole second contact 42 protrudes into the second female terminal hole 12A formed in the second joint housing 12.

[0044] As shown in (2) A-pole cross-sectional view or (3) A-pole enlarged cross-sectional view, the first contact 41 of the joint terminal 4 has a first contact hole gap 11G1 between it and the first contact hole 11B of the first joint housing 11, and the second contact 42 has a second contact hole gap 12G1 between it and the second contact hole 12B of the second joint housing 12. In other words, the size of the first contact hole 11B in the Y-axis direction is larger than that of the first contact 41, and the size of the second contact hole 12B in the Y-axis direction is larger than that of the second contact 42.

[0045] Furthermore, the flange 43 of the joint terminal 4 has gaps 11G2, 12G2 between the flange accommodating portions 11C, 12C formed when both joint housings are in a locked state.

[0046] (4) A-row cross-sectional perspective view is a view obtained by cutting (1) A-pole cross-sectional perspective view at the plane shown in the A-row cross-sectional view and rotating the Z-axis vertically. In this view, the A-pole first contact 41 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 protrudes toward the first joint housing 11, and the A-pole second contact 42 protrudes toward the second joint housing 12. In addition, both joint housings are locked by a locked portion 11F (not shown) and a locking portion 12F.

[0047] Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view and a perspective view with a cross-sectional view of the B-pole joint terminal of a joint connector. Fig. 7 shows (1) a perspective view with a B-pole cross-section, (2) a B-pole cross-sectional view, (3) an enlarged B-pole cross-sectional view, and (4) a perspective view with a B-row cross-section. The positions of the B-pole cross-section and the B-row cross-section are shown in the front view of Fig. 3 (2-2). Fig. 7 shows the relationship between the B-pole joint terminal and the joint housings 11 and 12 instead of the A-pole joint terminal in Fig. 6, and the following description of the B-pole joint terminal will be similar to that of Fig. 6.

[0048] As shown in (1) a perspective view with a B-pole cross section and (2) a B-pole cross section, the B-pole first contact 51 of the B-pole side joint terminal 5 is inserted into the first contact hole 11B of the first joint housing 11, and the two B-pole second contacts 52 are inserted into the second contact hole 12B of the second joint housing 12, and the two joint housings 11 and 12 are opposed to each other and engaged. In the engaged state, the flange 53 of the joint terminal 5 is sandwiched between the opposing surfaces of the two joint housings 11 and 12, and the flange 53 is accommodated in the flange accommodating portions 11C and 12C formed on the opposing surfaces. The B-pole first contact 51 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 protrudes into the first female terminal hole 11A formed in the first joint housing 11, and conversely, the B-pole second contact 52 protrudes into the second female terminal hole 12A formed in the second joint housing 12.

[0049] As shown in (2) B-pole cross-sectional view or (3) B-pole enlarged cross-sectional view, the first contact 51 of the joint terminal 5 has a first contact hole gap 11G1 between it and the first contact hole 11B of the first joint housing 11, and the second contact 52 has a second contact hole gap 12G1 between it and the second contact hole 12B of the second joint housing 12. In other words, the size of the first contact hole 11B in the Y-axis direction is larger than that of the first contact 51, and the size of the second contact hole 12B in the Y-axis direction is larger than that of the second contact 52.

[0050] Furthermore, the flange 53 of the joint terminal 5 has gaps 11G2, 12G2 between the flange accommodating portions 11C, 12C formed when the two joint housings are in a locked state.

[0051] (4) B-row cross-sectional perspective view is a view obtained by cutting (1) B-pole cross-sectional perspective view at the plane shown in the B-row cross-sectional view and rotating the Z-axis vertically. In this view, the B-pole first contact 51 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 protrudes toward the first joint housing 11, and the B-pole second contact 52 protrudes toward the second joint housing 12. In addition, both joint housings are locked by a locked portion 11F (not shown) and a locking portion 12F.

[0052] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view of the B-pole joint terminal of the joint connector. Fig. 8 shows (1) a B-row cross-sectional view and (2) an enlarged B-row cross-sectional view. The B-row cross-sectional view is a cross-sectional view of the B-row cross-sectional perspective view of (4) Fig. 6.

[0053] (1) A cross-sectional view of an enlarged area EX3 of the B-pole first and second contacts 51, 52 and the B-pole flange 53 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 on the rightmost side in the X-axis direction of the B-pole cross-sectional view is shown in (2) Enlarged B-pole cross-sectional view. According to this, the B-pole first and second contacts 51, 52 and the B-pole flange 53 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 have gaps 11G1, 11G2, 12G1, 12G2 between the first contact hole 11B, the second contact hole 12B, and the flange housing parts 11C, 12C in the X-axis direction. In other words, the width in the X-axis direction of the first contact hole 11B, the second contact hole 12B, and the flange housing parts 11C, 12C is wider than the width in the X-axis direction of the B-pole first and second contacts 51, 52 and the B-pole flange 53 of the B-pole joint terminal 5.

[0054] 6, 7, and 8, the flanges 43, 53 of both joint terminals 4, 5 have gaps 11G2, 12G2, and 12G3 in the X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions in the flange housing portions 11C, 12C, and are therefore movable along the plane formed by the X-axis and Y-axis. Furthermore, the first and second contacts 41, 42 of the A-pole joint terminal 4 and the first and second contacts 51, 52 of the B-pole joint terminal 5 have gaps 11G1, 12G1 in the X-, Y-axis directions in the first contact hole 11B and the second contact hole 12B. Due to the clearances provided by these gaps, the joint terminals are movable along the plane formed by the X-axis and Y-axis.

[0055] [Reducing the insertion and removal force of connectors and joint connectors] 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the joint terminals in the joint connector and the female terminals in the first and second connectors in this embodiment. The first and second contacts 41, 42, 51, 52 of the joint terminals 4, 5 in the joint connector 1 are fitted to the female terminals 21C, 22C in the first and second connectors 21, 22, respectively. In a joint connector in which the joint terminals are multipolarized, it is necessary to suppress the insertion and removal forces, which are the insertion force required when inserting into the first and second connectors 21, 22 and the removal force required when removing them.

[0056] Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 9, the first and second contacts 41, 42, 51, 52 are inserted into the female terminals 21C, 22C when mated, and are pulled out from the female terminals when removed to release the mating. In order to maintain a good electrical connection between the joint terminal and the female terminal when mated, the female terminals 21C, 22C are provided with mating springs 21D, 22D as shown in Fig. 9, for example. The mating springs may be provided all around the female terminal in the circumferential direction.

[0057] There is a positional deviation (or backlash) in the joint terminals 4 and 5 in the joint connector within the X and Y-axis planes, and similarly, there is a positional deviation in the female terminals in the first and second connectors. On the other hand, when the joint terminals are press-fitted into the holes in the joint housing, the contacts of the joint terminals cannot move within the X and Y-axis planes. Therefore, if the contacts 41, 42, 51, and 52 of the joint terminals are misaligned within the X and Y-axis planes relative to the female terminals, the contacts of the press-fitted joint terminals cannot move, and the contacts of the joint terminals are pressed against the female terminals in the positional deviation direction, increasing the contact pressure. As a result, the insertion and removal force increases. In addition, the high contact pressure scrapes off the plating on the contacts of the joint terminals and the inner surface of the female terminals, which also increases the insertion and removal force.

[0058] In contrast, in the joint connector of this embodiment, as described above, the joint terminals are movable along the plane formed by the X-axis and Y-axis. Therefore, when the first and second connectors are mated with the joint connector, the contacts of the joint terminals are mated with the female terminals at a position where the contact pressure with the female terminals is the lowest. Also, when the first and second connectors are pulled out, the contacts of the joint terminals are pulled out at a position where the contact pressure with the female terminals is the lowest. Therefore, the insertion and removal forces at the time of mating and pulling out are suppressed. In addition, because the contact pressure is low, scraping of the plating of the joint terminals and the female terminals is suppressed, and an increase in frictional force due to scraping of the plating is suppressed, and an increase in the insertion and removal force is also suppressed.

[0059] [Gap between flange and flange housing] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the locking structure of the joint connector in this embodiment. Fig. 10 shows (1) a front view (output side), (2) a bottom view with a cross section, (3) an enlarged cross section of EX4, and (4) a locking operation of the locked portion of the second joint housing 12. (1) The front view is a front view of the second joint housing 12, and (2) the bottom view with a cross section is a cross section taken along the arrow AA in the front view.

[0060] As shown in the front view, the second joint housing 12 has four locking portions 12F at left, right, top and bottom. As shown in the bottom view with cross section, the first joint housing 11 has locked portions 11F at four positions corresponding to the locking portions 12F. As shown in the enlarged cross section of an area EX4 in the bottom view with cross section, the locked portion 11F has a movable piece 11F_1 extending in the Z-axis direction, which is the fitting direction.

[0061] When both joint housings 11 and 12 are sandwiched in the Z-axis direction, as shown in the locking operation of the locked portion, the movable piece 11F_1 of the locked portion 11F slides along the inclination of the locking portion 12F and rotates in the negative direction of the X-axis, becoming the state shown by the dashed line. When the tip of the L-shape of the locked portion 11F is eventually locked by the locking portion 12F, the movable piece 11F_1 returns to its original position and becomes in a locked state (locked state), becoming the state shown by the solid line.

[0062] Since the movable piece 11F_1 extends from the first joint housing 11, during the locking operation, it rotates along the arc indicated by the dashed line around the connection point 11H with the first joint housing 11. In the dashed line state, the distance D2 in the Z-axis direction from the connection point 11H to the L-shaped portion of the locked portion 11F is shorter than the distance D1 in the solid line state. Therefore, in the dashed line state, the two joint housings 11, 12 are closer in position to each other in the Z-axis direction. Then, when the locked state is reached as indicated by the solid line, the distance from the connection point 11H to the L-shaped portion of the locked portion 11F returns to D1, and the positional relationship in the Z-axis direction of the two joint housings becomes farther apart than in the dashed line state.

[0063] As the positional relationship between the two joint housings in the Z axis direction becomes greater, gaps 11G2, 12G2 in the Z axis direction relative to the flange accommodating portions of flanges 43, 53 of the joint terminals become wider, facilitating movement of the joint terminals within the plane of the X and Y axes.

[0064] [Variations] In this embodiment, the joint terminals 4, 5 inserted into the joint housing have a shape in which one first contact 41, 51 and two second contacts 42, 52 are connected by flanges 43, 53, respectively. In addition, the joint terminals 4, 5 are produced by punching a metal plate, without performing bending or the like.

[0065] However, the joint terminal may have a structure having one first contact, one second contact, and a flange between the two contacts. In this case, if multiple joint terminals are accommodated in the joint housing and multiple female terminals are accommodated in the first and second connectors, the joint connector can connect multi-pole connectors. In this case, each joint terminal can move independently within the X- and Y-axis planes, so the insertion and removal force for the female terminals is suppressed.

[0066] Furthermore, the joint terminal may have a structure in which M first contacts and N second contacts are connected by a flange, where M and N are positive numbers, and at least one of M and N is a positive number equal to or greater than 2. In this case, too, each joint terminal is movable within the plane of the X and Y axes, so that the insertion and removal force for the female terminal is suppressed.

[0067] In the case where the joint terminal has a structure in which M first contacts and N second contacts are connected by a flange, and multiple A-pole joint terminals 4 and multiple B-pole joint terminals 5 are arranged in a pair of joint housings in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) while being shifted in the up-down direction (Y-axis direction), the multiple A-pole joint terminals 4 and multiple B-pole joint terminals 5 are accommodated in the joint housings while being shifted from each other in the left-right arrangement direction (X-axis direction). This makes it possible to join multiple multi-polarized first and second connectors. In addition, the arrangement of the connector terminals of the first and second connectors can be made the same, thereby reducing the number of types of connectors to be joined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1: Joint connector 21: First connector, input receptacle 21A: Electric wire 21B: First connector housing 21C: Female terminal 21D: Mating spring 22: Second connector, output receptacle 22A: Electric wire 22B: Second connector housing 22C: Female terminal 22D: Mating spring 4: A-pole joint terminal 41: A-pole first contact 42: A-pole second contact 43: A-pole flange 5: B-pole joint terminal 51: B-pole first contact 52:B pole 2nd contact 53:B pole collar 11: First joint housing 11A: First female terminal hole 11B: First contact hole 11C: Flange receiving portion 11D: (for 1st female terminal) Vertical wall 11E: (for 1st female terminal) Horizontal wall 11F: engaged portion 11G1: gap of first contact hole 11G2: Gap of flange housing part (X, Z axis) 11G3: Gap of flange housing part (Y axis) 12: Second joint housing 12A: Second female terminal hole 12B: Second contact hole 12C: Flange receiving portion 12D: (for 2nd female terminal) Vertical wall 12E: (for 2nd female terminal) Horizontal wall 12F: Locking portion 12G1: Gap of second contact hole 12G2: Gap of flange housing part (X, Z axis) 12G3: Gap of flange housing part (Y axis)

Claims

1. A joint connector that can be fitted to a first connector on a first side and a second connector on a second side opposite to the first side, a plurality of joint terminals each having a first contact for mating with a connector terminal of the first connector, a second contact for mating with a connector terminal of the second connector, and a flange provided between the first contact and the second contact; a first joint housing having a first contact hole into which the first contact is inserted; a second joint housing having a second contact hole into which the second contact is inserted, a flange accommodating portion that accommodates the flanges of the joint terminals when the first joint housing and the second joint housing are engaged with each other by sandwiching the flanges of the joint terminals, and the flanges prevent the joint terminals from coming off the first and second joint housings; A joint connector having gaps between the first contact hole, the second contact hole, and the flange accommodating portion so that, in the engaged state, the multiple joint terminals can move in a planar direction intersecting a mating axis connecting the first side and the second side.

2. 2. The joint connector according to claim 1, wherein one of the first joint housing and the second joint housing has an engaged portion having a movable piece extending in the direction of the fitting axis, and the other has a locking portion that locks the engaged portion.

3. 2. The joint connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of joint terminals has M of the first contacts and N of the second contacts, where M and N are positive integers and at least one of them is a plurality.

4. the plurality of joint terminals include, in the engaged state, a plurality of first-pole joint terminals arranged side by side in a first arrangement direction intersecting the fitting axis, and a plurality of second-pole joint terminals arranged in a second arrangement direction parallel to the first arrangement direction and shifted from the plurality of first-pole joint terminals in the arrangement direction, 4. The joint connector according to claim 3, wherein first contacts of the plurality of first-pole joint terminals and first contacts of the plurality of second-pole joint terminals are respectively fitted with a plurality of first-pole connector terminals arranged in the first arrangement direction of the first connector and a plurality of second-pole connector terminals arranged in the second arrangement direction and shifted in the arrangement direction from the plurality of first-pole connector terminals.

5. M of the first connectors are mated on the first side; N second connectors are mated on the second side, The joint connector according to claim 4 , wherein the second connector has the same arrangement of the connector terminals of the first pole and the connector terminals of the second pole as the first connector.

6. 5. The joint connector according to claim 4, wherein the first and second contacts of the joint terminal of the first pole and the first and second contacts of the joint terminal of the second pole are in an opposite positional relationship to each other in a direction of a second axis intersecting the fitting axis and a first axis of the first and second arrangement directions.

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