connector

Abstract

To provide a connector in which a storage state of a terminal in a housing can be easily determined by viewing.SOLUTION: A connector 1 comprises a housing 3 in which a terminal 9 is disposed, and a holder 7 which is assembled to the housing 3 and holds the terminal 9 in the housing 3. The holder 7 is assembled to the housing 3 movably between a temporary lock position and a final lock position. A lock lance 27 which is engaged to the terminal 9 and holds the terminal 9 in the housing 3 is provided in the housing 3. A projection 47 is provided in the holder 7, which protrudes toward the lock lance 27, interferes with the lock lance 27 when the lock lance 27 is located at a position of disengagement from the terminal 9, and regulates a movement of the holder 7 from the temporary lock position to the final lock position. A flange 17 extending outward from an outer surface is provided in the housing 3. A holder flange 35 is provided in the holder 7, which exposes the flange 17 at the temporary lock position of the holder 7 and stores the flange 17 at the final lock position of the holder 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a known connector includes a housing that accommodates terminals and a holder that is assembled to the housing and holds the terminals in the housing (see Patent Document 1). The holder is assembled to the housing so as to be movable between a provisional locking position and a full locking position. The housing is provided with a locking lance that engages with the terminal and holds the terminal in the housing.

[0003] The holder is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the locking lance and interferes with the locking lance when the locking lance is in a position where it has disengaged from the terminal, thereby restricting movement of the holder from the temporary locking position to the full locking position.

[0004] In such a connector, when the locking lance is in the position where it engages with the terminal, the protrusion does not interfere with the locking lance, and the holder can be moved from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, so that it can be detected that the locking lance is engaged with the terminal and that the terminal is normally accommodated in the housing.

[0005] On the other hand, in such a connector, when the locking lance is in a position where it has disengaged from the terminal, the protrusion interferes with the locking lance, making it impossible to move the holder from the temporary locking position to the full locking position. This makes it possible to detect that the locking lance does not engage with the terminal and that the terminal is not properly accommodated in the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-305454 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the connector of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the accommodation state of the terminals in the housing is detected based on whether the holder can move from the temporary locking position to the full locking position. The movement of the holder in relation to the housing does not change significantly when viewed as a whole connector. Therefore, if the movement of the holder is visually confirmed, it is easy to notice the change in the holder's position, but if the movement of the holder is not visually confirmed, it is difficult to notice the change in the holder's position, making it difficult to visually determine the accommodation state of the terminals in the housing.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the conventional art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that makes it easy to visually determine the accommodation state of the terminals in the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The connector of this embodiment comprises a housing in which terminals are accommodated, and a holder assembled to the housing and holding the terminals in the housing, the holder is assembled to the housing so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a full locking position, the housing is provided with a locking lance that engages with the terminal and holds the terminal in the housing, the holder is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the locking lance and interferes with the locking lance when the locking lance is in a position where it has disengaged from the terminal, thereby restricting movement of the holder from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, the housing is provided with a flange extending outward from its outer surface, and the holder is provided with a holder flange that exposes the flange at the temporary locking position of the holder and accommodates the flange at the full locking position of the holder. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector that makes it easy to visually determine the accommodation state of the terminals in the housing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view of the connector according to the embodiment when the holder is placed in a temporary locking position. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1 is a side view of the connector according to the embodiment when the holder is placed in a full locking position. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holder of the connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, the connector according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0013] 1 to 8, a connector 1 according to this embodiment is capable of being mated with a mating connector (not shown). The connector 1 includes a housing 3, a spacer 5, and a holder 7. A terminal 9 is accommodated inside the housing 3.

[0014] The housing 3 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing 3 is formed in a casing shape extending in the direction in which the connector 1 and the mating connector are fitted together. An elastically deformable lock arm 11 is provided on the upper surface of the outer surface of the housing 3. The lock arm 11 is provided with a lock portion 13. The lock portion 13 is engaged with a locked portion (not shown) provided on the mating connector when the connector 1 and the mating connector are fitted together. The engagement between the lock portion 13 and the locked portion maintains the fitted state between the connector 1 and the mating connector. The lock arm 11 is provided with an operation portion 15 that elastically deforms the lock arm 11 when pressed. The operation portion 15 elastically deforms the lock arm 11 when pressed, and releases the engagement between the lock portion 13 and the locked portion. The release of the engagement between the lock portion 13 and the locked portion allows the fitted state between the connector 1 and the mating connector to be released.

[0015] A flange 17 is provided on the outer surface of the housing 3 at the rear side in the mating direction of the connector 1 (front side in the moving direction of the holder 7). The flange 17 extends perpendicularly to the outer surface of the housing 3. A plurality of engagement protrusions 19 are provided on the upper and lower outer surfaces of the housing 3. The surface of the engagement protrusion 19 at the front side in the mating direction of the connector 1 (rear side in the moving direction of the holder 7) is formed as an inclined surface that slopes upward from the bottom to the top. The surface of the engagement protrusion 19 at the rear side in the mating direction of the connector 1 (front side in the moving direction of the holder 7) is a locking surface formed as a surface perpendicular to the outer surface of the housing 3. A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 21 capable of accommodating terminals 9 are provided inside the housing 3.

[0016] The terminal accommodating chambers 21 extend along the mating direction of the connector 1 and the mating connector. The terminal accommodating chambers 21 are arranged in multiple rows in the width direction of the housing 3 and in multiple stages in the height direction of the housing 3. The terminal accommodating chambers 21 are open on both sides in the length direction. The opening on one side in the length direction of the terminal accommodating chambers 21 (the rear side in the mating direction of the connector 1) serves as an insertion opening 23 through which the terminal 9 can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers 21.

[0017] The terminal 9 is made of a conductive material. The terminal 9 is, for example, a female terminal having a box-shaped connecting portion extending along the fitting direction of the connector 1 and the mating connector. The terminal 9 is electrically connected to an end portion of an electric wire 25 drawn out of the terminal accommodating chamber 21. The electric wire 25 is electrically connected to, for example, a power source, an apparatus, etc. The terminal 9 is electrically connected to the end portion of the electric wire 25 by crimping the crimping piece of the terminal 9. A locking lance 27 is provided inside the terminal accommodating chamber 21 that accommodates the terminal 9.

[0018] The locking lance 27 is provided elastically deformable inside the terminal accommodating chamber 21. The locking lance 27 extends from the lower surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 21 as a base end to an opening side on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the terminal accommodating chamber 21 (the front side in the fitting direction of the connector 1 and the holder 7 side) as a free end. The free end side of the locking lance 27 forms a locking portion 29 that engages with the terminal 9 when the locking lance 27 is in a free state (a state restored from elastic deformation).

[0019] When the terminal 9 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 21 from the insertion opening 23, the base end side of the locking lance 27 slides against the terminal 9, and the locking lance 27 is elastically deformed downward. When the terminal 9 is placed in the correct position in the terminal accommodating chamber 21, the elastically deformed locking lance 27 is restored to its original position upward. When the locking lance 27 is restored to its original position, the locking portion 29 engages with the terminal 9, preventing the terminal 9 from falling out of the terminal accommodating chamber 21, and the terminal 9 is held in the terminal accommodating chamber 21.

[0020] The housing 3 having the terminal accommodating chamber 21 with such a locking lance 27 is provided with a spacer accommodating portion 31 in which the spacer 5 is assembled. The spacer accommodating portion 31 is open on the lower surface side of the housing 3 and communicates with the multiple terminal accommodating chambers 21. The spacer 5 is assembled into the spacer accommodating portion 31 through the opening.

[0021] The spacer 5 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The spacer 5 is formed so as to be arranged in the arrangement direction of the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 21. The spacer 5 is provided with holes penetrating along the insertion direction of the terminals 9 into the housing 3 at positions corresponding to the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 21 in the lower stage. An engagement portion 33 that engages with the terminals 9 is provided on the upper surface of the spacer 5 and inside the hole. The spacer 5 is assembled to the spacer accommodating portion 31 so as to be movable between a provisional locking position where the terminals 9 can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers 21 and a full locking position where the spacer 5 engages with the terminals 9 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers 21. Although not shown, a holding portion that holds the spacer 5 at the provisional locking position and the full locking position is provided between the housing 3 and the spacer 5.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, when the spacer 5 is disposed in the temporary locking position, the hole and the upper surface are aligned with the terminal accommodating chambers 21. When the spacer 5 is in the temporary locking position, the engaging portion 33 is not disposed inside the terminal accommodating chamber 21. Therefore, when the spacer 5 is in the temporary locking position, the terminal 9 can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 21. As shown in FIG. 5, when the spacer 5 moves from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, the engaging portion 33 engages with the terminal 9. By engaging the engaging portion 33 with the terminal 9, the terminal 9 can be doubly prevented from coming out of the terminal accommodating chamber 21 together with the locking lance 27. Therefore, the terminal 9 can be stably held in the terminal accommodating chamber 21. A holder 7 is assembled to the housing 3 to which such a spacer 5 is assembled.

[0023] The holder 7 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The holder 7 is attached to the housing 3 at the front side in the insertion direction of the terminals 9 into the housing 3 (the front side in the mating direction of the connector 1). The holder 7 is attached to the housing 3 so as to be movable between a temporary locking position (see FIG. 2) and a full locking position (see FIG. 4). The holder 7 includes a holder flange 35 and a plate portion 37, and the holder flange 35 and the plate portion 37 are connected to each other via a plurality of connecting portions 39 extending in the mating direction of the connector 1.

[0024] The holder flange 35 is disposed on the outer surface of the housing 3 on the side where the terminal 9 is inserted into the housing 3 (the flange 17 side of the housing 3, which is the rear side in the fitting direction of the connector 1). The holder flange 35 extends outward from the outer surface of the housing 3. The portion of the holder flange 35 where the lock arm 11 is located is formed in a frame shape to avoid interference with the lock arm 11. The flange 17 side of the holder flange 35 is provided with a flange accommodating portion 41 capable of accommodating the flange 17 so as to cover the outer periphery of the flange 17 when the holder 7 is disposed in the main locking position.

[0025] 2 and 3, when the holder 7 is in the provisionally locked position, the surface of the holder flange 35 on the flange 17 side is located in front of the inclined surfaces of the multiple engaging projections 19 of the housing 3. Although not shown, a holding portion is provided between the housing 3 and the holder 7 to hold the holder 7 in the provisionally locked position.

[0026] When the holder 7 is in the temporary locking position, the flange 17 of the housing 3 is not accommodated in the flange accommodating portion 41 of the holder flange 35 and is exposed to the outside of the housing 3. Therefore, when looking at the entire connector 1, the flange 17 of the housing 3 can be visually confirmed and it can be confirmed that the holder 7 is arranged in the temporary locking position.

[0027] 4 and 5, when the holder 7 is in the full locking position, the surface of the holder flange 35 opposite the flange 17 engages with the locking surfaces of the multiple locking projections 19 of the housing 3. The engagement between the holder flange 35 and the locking projections 19 makes it possible to restrict movement of the holder 7 toward the temporary locking position. Furthermore, the flange 17 of the housing 3 is accommodated in the flange accommodating portion 41 of the holder flange 35 when the holder 7 is in the full locking position. The accommodation of the flange 17 in the flange accommodating portion 41 makes it possible to restrict movement of the holder 7 toward the flange 17.

[0028] When the holder 7 is in the full locking position, the flange 17 of the housing 3 is accommodated in the flange accommodating portion 41 of the holder flange 35 and is not exposed to the outside of the housing 3. Therefore, when looking at the entire connector 1, the flange 17 of the housing 3 cannot be seen, and it can be confirmed that the holder 7 is in the full locking position. The plate portion 37 is connected to the holder flange 35 of the holder 7 via a plurality of connecting portions 39.

[0029] The plate portion 37 is disposed on the outer surface of the housing 3 on the front side in the insertion direction of the terminals 9 into the housing 3 (front side in the fitting direction of the connector 1). The plate portion 37 is formed in a shape capable of closing the openings of the multiple terminal accommodating chambers 21. The plate portion 37 is provided with a terminal accommodating portion 43, a terminal insertion hole 45, and a protrusion 47.

[0030] A plurality of terminal accommodating portions 43 are provided on the surface of the plate portion 37 facing the housing 3 at positions corresponding to the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 21. The terminal accommodating portion 43 accommodates the tip side of the connection portion of the terminal 9 when the terminal 9 is accommodated in the correct position of the terminal accommodating chamber 21 and the holder 7 is arranged in the full locking position. When the terminal 9 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 43, movement of the terminal 9 in the insertion direction relative to the housing 3 is restricted and the terminal 9 is held in the terminal accommodating chamber 21. A terminal insertion hole 45 is provided in such terminal accommodating portion 43.

[0031] The terminal insertion hole 45 is formed in each of the terminal accommodating parts 43 by penetrating the plate part 37 along the fitting direction of the connector 1. When the connector 1 and the mating connector are fitted to each other, a tab-shaped connection part of a mating terminal (not shown) accommodated in the mating connector is inserted into the terminal insertion hole 45. The mating terminal inserted into the terminal insertion hole 45 is inserted into the connection part of the terminal 9 accommodated in the terminal accommodating part 43, and the terminal 9 and the mating terminal are electrically connected. The surface of the terminal insertion hole 45 opposite to the terminal accommodating part 43 is formed as a tapered surface that guides the connection part of the mating terminal toward the terminal insertion hole 45. The plate part 37 having such a terminal insertion hole 45 is provided with a protrusion 47.

[0032] The protruding portion 47 extends from the surface of the plate portion 37 facing the housing 3 toward the housing 3 along the fitting direction of the connector 1 (the moving direction of the holder 7). The protruding portion 47 includes a flat plate portion 49 and a beam portion 51. The flat plate portion 49 is formed in a flat plate shape so as to be insertable into a space formed between the lower surface of the locking lance 27 and the inner surface of the housing 3, which allows the locking lance 27 to deform. The beam portion 51 is formed of a single member that is continuous with the flat plate portion 49, and extends upward from the flat plate portion 49 on one side in the width direction of the flat plate portion 49. By providing the beam portion 51 on the flat plate portion 49, the rigidity of the flat plate portion 49 can be increased. The beam portion 51 is formed in a shape that allows it to be inserted into a space formed between the side surface of the locking lance 27 and the inner surface of the housing 3.

[0033] 3, when the locking lance 27 is in an elastically deformed state at the temporary locking position of the holder 7, the tip side of the flat portion 49 of the protrusion 47 is disposed opposite the free end of the locking lance 27 in the moving direction of the holder 7. The locking lance 27 is elastically deformed when it is in a state in which it is disengaged from the terminal 9, for example, when the terminal 9 is in a partially inserted state with respect to the housing 3. That is, when the locking lance 27 is in an elastically deformed state at the temporary locking position of the holder 7 and is in a position in which it is disengaged from the terminal 9, the protrusion 47 is disposed opposite the locking lance 27 in the moving direction of the holder 7.

[0034] For this reason, when attempting to move the holder 7 from the partial locking position to the full locking position, the protrusion 47 comes into contact with the locking lance 27, preventing the holder 7 from being moved. Since the holder 7 cannot be moved to the full locking position, it can be detected that the terminal 9 is not accommodated in the correct position in the housing 3.

[0035] 2, the flange 17 of the housing 3 is not accommodated in the flange accommodating portion 41 of the holder flange 35, and is exposed to the outside of the housing 3. Therefore, when looking at the entire connector 1, the exposed flange 17 can be visually confirmed, and it can be easily confirmed that the terminals 9 are not accommodated in the correct positions in the housing 3.

[0036] On the other hand, when the locking lance 27 is restored from elastic deformation at the temporary locking position of the holder 7, the tip side of the flat portion 49 of the protrusion 47 is disposed opposite the space that allows elastic deformation of the locking lance 27 and the movement direction of the holder 7. When the terminal 9 is normally inserted into the housing 3 and engaged with the terminal 9, the locking lance 27 is restored from elastic deformation. In other words, when the locking lance 27 is restored from elastic deformation at the temporary locking position of the holder 7 and is in a position where it is engaged with the terminal 9, the protrusion 47 is disposed opposite the space that allows elastic deformation of the locking lance 27 and the movement direction of the holder 7.

[0037] 5, when the holder 7 is moved from the partial locking position to the full locking position, the protrusion 47 is inserted into a space that allows elastic deformation of the locking lance 27, and the holder 7 can be placed in the full locking position. By placing the holder 7 in the full locking position, it can be detected that the terminal 9 is accommodated in the correct position in the housing 3.

[0038] 4, the flange 17 of the housing 3 is accommodated in the flange accommodating portion 41 of the holder flange 35 and is not exposed to the outside of the housing 3. Therefore, when looking at the entire connector 1, it is not possible to visually confirm that the flange 17 is exposed, and it is easy to confirm that the terminals 9 are accommodated in the correct positions in the housing 3.

[0039] When the holder 7 is in the full locking position, the flat portion 49 of the protrusion 47 is inserted into a space that allows elastic deformation of the locking lance 27. Therefore, when the holder 7 is in the full locking position, the locking lance 27 cannot elastically deform. By restricting the elastic deformation of the locking lance 27, the engagement of the locking lance 27 with the terminal 9 is not released, and the terminal 9 can be stably held in the housing 3.

[0040] To assemble such a connector 1, first, the spacer 5 and the holder 7 are assembled to the housing 3 in the temporary locking position. Next, the terminals 9 are accommodated in each of the terminal accommodating chambers 21 of the housing 3. Next, the holder flange 35 is operated to move the holder 7 from the temporary locking position to the full locking position. Then, the spacer 5 is moved from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, completing the assembly of the connector 1.

[0041] Such a connector 1 includes a housing 3 in which a terminal 9 is accommodated, and a holder 7 that is assembled to the housing 3 and holds the terminal 9 in the housing 3. The holder 7 is assembled to the housing 3 so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a full locking position. The housing 3 is provided with a locking lance 27 that is engaged with the terminal 9 and holds the terminal 9 in the housing 3. The holder 7 is provided with a protruding portion 47 that protrudes toward the locking lance 27 and interferes with the locking lance 27 when the locking lance 27 is in a position where it is disengaged from the terminal 9, thereby restricting the movement of the holder 7 from the temporary locking position to the full locking position. The housing 3 is provided with a flange 17 that extends outward from the outer surface. The holder 7 is provided with a holder flange 35 that exposes the flange 17 at the temporary locking position of the holder 7 and accommodates the flange 17 at the full locking position of the holder 7.

[0042] Therefore, when looking at the entire connector 1, if the flange 17 of the housing 3 is exposed, it can be confirmed that the holder 7 is in the temporary locking position. If the holder 7 cannot be moved to the full locking position when it is in the temporary locking position, it can be confirmed that the locking lance 27 is in a position where it has disengaged from the terminal 9. In other words, it can be detected that the terminal 9 is not normally accommodated in the housing 3.

[0043] On the other hand, if the flange 17 of the housing 3 is not exposed when looking at the entire connector 1, it can be confirmed that the holder 7 is in the full locking position. Therefore, it can be detected that the locking lances 27 are engaged with the terminals 9 and the terminals 9 are normally accommodated in the housing 3.

[0044] Therefore, in such a connector 1, when looking at the entire connector 1, the position of the holder 7 can be easily confirmed by visually checking whether the flange 17 is exposed or not, making it easy to visually determine the accommodation state of the terminal 9 in the housing 3.

[0045] Moreover, the protruding portion 47 has a flat plate portion 49 extending in the moving direction of the holder 7, and a beam portion 51 formed integrally with the flat plate portion 49 and extending in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the holder 7. Therefore, the rigidity of the flat plate portion 49 can be increased by the beam portion 51. In addition, by increasing the rigidity of the protruding portion 47, it is possible to stabilize the restriction of the movement of the holder 7 due to the interference between the protruding portion 47 and the locking lance 27.

[0046] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0047] For example, in the connector according to the present embodiment, the flange and the holder flange are disposed on the rear side in the mating direction of the connector, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the flange and the holder flange may be disposed in any position that can be seen when the entire connector is viewed, such as in the center of the connector.

[0048] In the connector according to the present embodiment, the holder is assembled to the housing so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the insertion direction of the terminals into the housing, but the movement direction of the holder is not limited to this. For example, the holder may be assembled to the housing so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the terminals, or the movement direction of the holder may be in any direction. In this case, the holder may be provided with a protrusion so that the protrusion interferes with the locking lance when the locking lance is not engaged with the terminal.

[0049] Furthermore, although the beam portion extends continuously from the flat plate portion in the direction of movement of the holder, this is not limited to this, and the shape of the beam portion may be any shape, for example, multiple beam portions may be provided discontinuously in the direction of movement of the holder from the flat plate portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Connector 3. Housing 7 Holder 9 Terminals 17 Flange 27 Locking Lance 35 Holder flange 47 Protrusion 49 Flat plate part 51 Beam section

Claims

1. a housing in which the terminals are accommodated; a holder and a spacer that are assembled to the housing and hold the terminals in the housing; Equipped with the holder and the spacer are assembled to the housing so as to be movable between a partial locking position and a full locking position; The housing is provided with a locking lance that engages with the terminal and holds the terminal in the housing, the holder is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the locking lance and interferes with the locking lance when the locking lance is in a position where it has disengaged from the terminal, thereby restricting movement of the holder from the temporary locking position to the full locking position; the spacer is provided with an engagement portion that is not disposed inside the housing at a temporary locking position so that the terminal can be inserted into the housing, and that engages with the terminal at a full locking position to restrict movement of the terminal from the temporary locking position to the full locking position; The housing is provided with a flange extending outward from an outer surface thereof, The holder is provided with a holder flange that exposes the flange when the holder is in a temporary locking position and receives the flange when the holder is in a full locking position.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion has a flat plate portion extending in the moving direction of the holder, and a beam portion formed integrally with the flat plate portion and extending in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the holder.

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