connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of detecting an engagement state between a terminal and a locking lance.SOLUTION: A connector comprises: a housing 3 in which a terminal 11 is housed; and a holder 9, assembled to the housing 3, which holds the terminal 11 in the housing 3. The housing 3 is provided with a locking lance 27 which is engaged with the terminal 11 so as to hold the terminal 11 in the housing 3. The locking lance 27 is provided with a detection part 33 which interferes with the holder 9 so that the holder 9 may be prevented from being assembled to the housing 3 when the locking lance 27 is located at a position where it is disengaged from the terminal 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a connector has been known that includes a housing in which terminals are accommodated, and a front mask that is attached to the housing and serves as a holder for holding the terminals in the housing (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In this connector, the housing is provided with a locking lance that engages with the terminal and holds the terminal in the housing. In this type of connector, after the front mask is assembled to the housing, the terminal is inserted into the housing. The terminal inserted into the housing is engaged with the locking lance, and is held in the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-143303 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the connector of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, if the terminal is not inserted in the correct position relative to the housing, for example, if the terminal is partially inserted, the locking lance does not engage with the terminal. If the locking lance does not engage with the terminal, the terminal may come off the housing, or the terminal may not be able to connect normally with the mating terminal when the housing is mated, resulting in a decrease in the reliability of the electrical connection.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of detecting the engagement state between the terminal and the locking lance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The connector of this embodiment comprises a housing in which terminals are accommodated, and a holder that is assembled to the housing and holds the terminals in the housing, the housing is provided with a locking lance that engages with the terminals and holds the terminals in the housing, and the locking lance is provided with a detection portion that interferes with the holder when the locking lance is in a position where it is disengaged from the terminal, thereby preventing the holder from being assembled to the housing. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector capable of detecting the engagement state between a terminal and a locking lance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment when the holder is placed in a full locking position. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention when the holder is placed in a temporary locking position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is an enlarged front view of a main portion of the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is an enlarged perspective view, partly in section, of a main portion of the connector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which a locking lance of the connector is restored from elastic deformation; [Figure 7] 1 is an enlarged perspective view, partly in section, of a main portion of the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a locking lance is elastically deformed. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of a housing of the connector according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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 7, and a holder 9. A terminal 11 is accommodated inside the housing 3.

[0012] 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 13 is provided on the upper surface of the outer surface of the housing 3. The lock arm 13 is provided with a locking portion 15. The locking portion 15 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 locking portion 15 and the locked portion maintains the fitted state between the connector 1 and the mating connector. The lock arm 13 is provided with an operating portion 17 that elastically deforms the lock arm 13 when pressed. The operating portion 17 elastically deforms the lock arm 13 when pressed, and releases the engagement between the locking portion 15 and the locked portion. The release of the engagement between the locking portion 15 and the locked portion allows the fitted state between the connector 1 and the mating connector to be released.

[0013] A flange 19 is provided on the outer surface of the housing 3 at the rear side in the fitting direction of the connector 1 (front side in the assembling direction of the holder 9). The flange 19 extends perpendicularly to the outer surface of the housing 3. A plurality of engagement protrusions 21 are provided on the upper and lower outer surfaces of the housing 3. The surface of the engagement protrusion 21 at the front side in the fitting direction of the connector 1 (rear side in the assembling direction of the holder 9) is formed as an inclined surface that slopes upward from the bottom to the top. The surface of the engagement protrusion 21 at the rear side in the fitting direction of the connector 1 (front side in the assembling direction of the holder 9) is a locking surface formed as a surface perpendicular to the outer surface of the housing 3. A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 23 capable of accommodating terminals 11 are provided inside the housing 3.

[0014] The terminal accommodating chambers 23 extend along the mating direction of the connector 1 and the mating connector. The terminal accommodating chambers 23 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 23 are open on both sides in the length direction. The opening on one side in the length direction of the terminal accommodating chambers 23 (the rear side in the mating direction of the connector 1) serves as an insertion opening 25 through which the terminal 11 can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers 23.

[0015] The terminal 11 is made of a conductive material. The terminal 11 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 11 is electrically connected to an end portion of an electric wire W drawn out of the terminal accommodating chamber 23. The electric wire W is electrically connected to, for example, a power source, an apparatus, etc. The terminal 11 is electrically connected to the end portion of the electric wire W by crimping the crimping piece of the terminal 11. A locking lance 27 is provided inside the terminal accommodating chamber 23 that accommodates the terminal 11.

[0016] The locking lance 27 is provided elastically deformably inside the terminal accommodating chamber 23. The locking lance 27 extends from the lower surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 23 as a base end to an opening side on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the terminal accommodating chamber 23 (the front side in the mating direction of the connector 1 and the holder 9 side) as a free end. A locking portion 29, a support portion 31, and a detection portion 33 are provided on the free end side of the locking lance 27.

[0017] The locking portion 29 is disposed on the free end side of the locking lance 27, between the support portion 31 and the detection portion 33 in the width direction of the housing 3. The locking portion 29 protrudes upward from the locking lance 27 and is formed extending in the insertion direction of the terminal 11 into the housing 3. The surface of the locking portion 29 on the rear side in the insertion direction of the terminal 11 into the housing 3 is formed as an inclined surface that slopes upward from the bottom to the top. The surface of the locking portion 29 on the front side in the insertion direction of the terminal 11 into the housing 3 is a locking surface formed as a surface perpendicular to the inner surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 23.

[0018] The support portion 31 is disposed on the free end side of the locking lance 27, on the opposite side of the detection portion 33 in the width direction of the housing 3 with respect to the locking portion 29. The support portion 31 is formed extending from the locking lance 27 in the insertion direction (holder 9 side) of the terminal 11 into the housing 3. The upper and lower surfaces of the support portion 31 are formed as surfaces that are approximately parallel to the inner surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 23 when the locking lance 27 is in a free state.

[0019] The detection portion 33 is disposed on the free end side of the locking lance 27, on the opposite side of the locking portion 29 to the support portion 31 in the width direction of the housing 3. The detection portion 33 is formed extending from the locking lance 27 in the insertion direction (toward the holder 9) of the terminal 11 into the housing 3. The extension length of the detection portion 33 is set longer than the extension length of the support portion 31.

[0020] The detection portion 33 is provided on the locking lance 27 and moves integrally with the locking lance 27, so that the accurate arrangement position due to the elastic deformation and restoration of the locking lance 27 can be detected. The detection portion 33 is disposed on the outside of the terminal 11 in the locking lance 27. In detail, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection portion 33 is disposed outside the range of the terminal 11 (here, on the left side in the width direction of the terminal 11) when viewed from the fitting direction of the connector 1. By disposing the detection portion 33 on the outside of the terminal 11, for example, when the terminal 11 is inserted into the housing 3, there is no interference between the terminal 11 and the detection portion 33, and deformation of the detection portion 33 can be prevented.

[0021] When the terminal 11 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 23, the inclined surface of the locking portion 29 of the locking lance 27 slides against the terminal 11, elastically deforming the locking lance 27 downward. The elastically deformed locking lance 27 returns to its original position upward when the terminal 11 is placed in the correct position in the terminal accommodating chamber 23. When the locking lance 27 is restored to its original position, the locking surface of the locking portion 29 engages with the terminal 11, preventing the terminal 11 from falling out of the terminal accommodating chamber 23 and holding the terminal 11 in the terminal accommodating chamber 23. At this time, the connection portion of the terminal 11 is supported by the upper surface of the support portion 31.

[0022] The housing 3 having the terminal accommodating chamber 23 with such a locking lance 27 is provided with a spacer accommodating portion 35 in which the spacer 7 is assembled. The spacer accommodating portion 35 is open on the lower surface side of the housing 3 and communicates with the multiple terminal accommodating chambers 23. The spacer 7 is assembled into the spacer accommodating portion 35 through the opening.

[0023] The spacer 7 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The spacer 7 is formed so as to be arranged in the arrangement direction of the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 23. The spacer 7 has holes penetrating along the insertion direction of the terminals 11 into the housing 3 at positions corresponding to the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 23 in the lower stage. An engagement portion 37 that engages with the terminals 11 is provided on the upper surface of the spacer 7 and inside the holes. The spacer 7 is assembled to the spacer accommodating portion 35 so as to be movable between a provisional locking position where the terminals 11 can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers 23 and a full locking position where the spacer 7 engages with the terminals 11 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers 23. Although not shown, a holding portion that holds the spacer 7 at the provisional locking position and the full locking position is provided between the housing 3 and the spacer 7.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, when the spacer 7 is disposed in the temporary locking position, the hole and the upper surface are aligned with the terminal accommodating chambers 23. When the spacer 7 is in the temporary locking position, the engaging portion 37 is not disposed inside the terminal accommodating chambers 23. Therefore, when the spacer 7 is in the temporary locking position, the terminal 11 can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 23. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, when the spacer 7 moves from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, the engaging portion 37 engages with the terminal 11. By engaging the engaging portion 37 with the terminal 11, the terminal 11 can be doubly prevented from coming out of the terminal accommodating chamber 23 together with the locking lance 27. Therefore, the terminal 11 can be stably held in the terminal accommodating chamber 23. A holder 9 is assembled to the housing 3 to which such a spacer 7 is assembled.

[0025] The holder 9 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The holder 9 is attached to the housing 3 at the front side in the insertion direction of the terminals 11 into the housing 3 (the front side in the mating direction of the connector 1). The holder 9 is attached to the housing 3 so as to be movable between a temporary locking position and a full locking position. The holder 9 includes an operation flange 39 and a plate portion 41, and the operation flange 39 and the plate portion 41 are connected to each other via a plurality of connecting portions 43 extending in the mating direction of the connector 1.

[0026] The operation flange 39 is disposed on the outer surface of the housing 3 on the side where the terminal 11 is inserted into the housing 3 (the flange 19 side, which is the rear side in the fitting direction of the connector 1). The operation flange 39 extends outward from the outer surface of the housing 3. The portion of the operation flange 39 where the lock arm 13 is located is formed in a frame shape to avoid interference with the lock arm 13.

[0027] 2, when the holder 9 is in the provisional locking position, the operating flange 39 is disposed such that its surface on the flange 19 side faces and can engage with the inclined surfaces of the multiple engagement protrusions 21 of the housing 3. Although not shown, a holding portion is provided between the housing 3 and the holder 9 to hold the holder 9 in the provisional locking position.

[0028] 1, when the holder 9 is in the full locking position, the surface of the operation flange 39 opposite the flange 19 engages with the locking surfaces of the multiple engagement projections 21 of the housing 3. The engagement between the operation flange 39 and the engagement projections 21 makes it possible to restrict movement of the holder 9 toward the temporary locking position. Furthermore, when the holder 9 is in the full locking position, the operation flange 39 is disposed opposite the flange 19. As the operation flange 39 faces the flange 19, movement of the holder 9 toward the flange 19 can be restricted.

[0029] The plate portion 41 is disposed on the outer surface of the housing 3 on the front side in the insertion direction of the terminals 11 into the housing 3 (front side in the fitting direction of the connector 1). The plate portion 41 is formed in a shape capable of closing the openings of the multiple terminal accommodating chambers 23. The plate portion 41 is provided with a terminal accommodating portion 45, a restricting portion 47, a terminal insertion hole 49, a detection accommodating portion 51, and a visual hole 53.

[0030] A plurality of terminal accommodating portions 45 are provided on the surface of the plate portion 41 facing the housing 3 at positions corresponding to the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 23. When the terminal 11 is accommodated in the correct position of the terminal accommodating chamber 23 and the holder 9 is arranged in the full locking position, the terminal accommodating portion 45 accommodates the tip side of the connection portion of the terminal 11. When the terminal 11 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 45, movement of the terminal 11 in the insertion direction relative to the housing 3 is restricted, and the terminal 11 is held in the terminal accommodating chamber 23. When the holder 9 is arranged in the full locking position, the terminal accommodating portion 45 accommodates the support portion 31 of the locking lance 27. A portion of the terminal accommodating portion 45 facing the support portion 31 serves as a restricting portion 47.

[0031] The restricting portion 47 faces the support portion 31 in the elastic deformation direction of the locking lance 27. Therefore, even if the locking lance 27 attempts to deform in the elastic deformation direction, the support portion 31 abuts against the restricting portion 47, and the locking lance 27 is not elastically deformed. Therefore, the engagement between the locking portion 29 of the locking lance 27 and the terminal 11 is not released, and the terminal 11 can be stably held in the terminal accommodating chamber 23. A terminal insertion hole 49 is provided in the terminal accommodating portion 45 in which the restricting portion 47 is provided.

[0032] The terminal insertion hole 49 is formed in each of the terminal accommodating sections 45 by penetrating the plate section 41 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 portion of a mating terminal (not shown) accommodated in the mating connector is inserted into the terminal insertion hole 49. The tab-shaped connection portion of the mating terminal inserted into the terminal insertion hole 49 is inserted into the connection portion of the terminal 11 accommodated in the terminal accommodating section 45, and the terminal 11 and the mating terminal are electrically connected. The surface of the terminal insertion hole 49 opposite to the terminal accommodating section 45 is formed as a tapered surface that guides the tab-shaped connection portion of the mating terminal toward the terminal insertion hole 49.

[0033] A plurality of the detection accommodating portions 51 are provided on the surface of the plate portion 41 facing the housing 3 at positions corresponding to the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 23. The detection accommodating portion 51 is connected to the terminal accommodating portion 45 on the housing 3 side of the plate portion 41. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, when the holder 9 is disposed at the main locking position with the locking lance 27 in a free state (a state restored from elastic deformation), the detection portion 33 of the locking lance 27 is accommodated in the detection accommodating portion 51. That is, when the locking lance 27 is in a state restored from elastic deformation, the detection portion 33 is accommodated in the detection accommodating portion 51, and the holder 9 can be assembled to the housing 3 (here, the holder 9 moves to the main locking position). Therefore, if the holder 9 can be assembled to the housing 3, it can be detected that the locking portion 29 of the locking lance 27 is engaged with the terminal 11.

[0034] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, even if the holder 9 attempts to move to the full locking position when the locking lance 27 is elastically deformed, the holder 9 cannot move and the detection portion 33 of the locking lance 27 is not accommodated in the detection accommodation portion 51. When the holder 9 attempts to move to the full locking position, the detection portion 33 of the locking lance 27 abuts against the surface of the plate portion 41 on the housing 3 side, and the holder 9 cannot move to the full locking position. That is, when the locking lance 27 is elastically deformed, the detection portion 33 interferes with the holder 9, and the holder 9 cannot be assembled to the housing 3 (here, the holder 9 cannot move to the full locking position). Therefore, if the holder 9 cannot be assembled to the housing 3, it can be detected that the locking portion 29 of the locking lance 27 is not engaged with the terminal 11 (so-called partial insertion of the terminal 11). Such a detection accommodation portion 51 is provided with a visual hole 53.

[0035] The visual inspection hole 53 is formed in each of the multiple detection and accommodating sections 51 by penetrating the plate section 41 along the fitting direction of the connector 1. Therefore, the accommodation state of the detection section 33 relative to the detection and accommodating section 51 can be visually observed through the visual inspection hole 53.

[0036] Such a holder 9 is assembled to the housing 3 at a temporary locking position. The terminal 11 is accommodated in the housing 3 to which the holder 9 is assembled. With the terminal 11 accommodated in the housing 3, the holder 9 is moved from the temporary locking position to the full locking position. At this time, if the terminal 11 is properly accommodated in the housing 3, the locking lance 27 recovers from its elastic deformation, and the locking portion 29 engages with the terminal 11. Therefore, the detection portion 33 of the locking lance 27 is accommodated in the detection accommodation portion 51 of the holder 9, and the holder 9 can be moved to the full locking position.

[0037] On the other hand, when the terminal 11 is not normally accommodated in the housing 3, such as in a partially inserted state, the locking lance 27 is in an elastically deformed state, and the locking portion 29 is not engaged with the terminal 11. When the locking lance 27 is in an elastically deformed state, the detection portion 33 is located in a position disengaged from the detection accommodation portion 51, as shown by the right viewing hole 53 in Fig. 5. Therefore, the detection portion 33 of the locking lance 27 comes into contact with the surface of the plate portion 41 on the housing 3 side, and the holder 9 cannot be moved to the full locking position.

[0038] By providing the detection portion 33 on the locking lance 27 in this way, it is possible to determine whether or not the holder 9 can be assembled to the housing 3 depending on the engagement state of the locking lance 27 with the terminal 11. If the holder 9 cannot be assembled to the housing 3 (here, if the holder 9 cannot move to the full locking position), it can be detected that the locking lance 27 is not normally engaged with the terminal 11. If the holder 9 can be assembled to the housing 3 (here, if the holder 9 can move to the full locking position), it can be detected that the locking lance 27 is normally engaged with the terminal 11. Therefore, in a state where the holder 9 is assembled to the housing 3 (here, if the holder 9 is disposed at the full locking position), the locking lance 27 is normally engaged with the terminal 11, and the terminal 11 is disposed at a regular position in the terminal accommodating chamber 23. Therefore, in a state where the holder 9 is assembled to the housing 3, the terminal 11 can be stably held in the housing 3, and the reliability of the electrical connection between the terminal 11 and the mating terminal can be maintained.

[0039] To assemble such a connector 1, first, the spacer 7 and holder 9 are assembled to the housing 3 in the temporary locking position. Next, the terminals 11 are accommodated in each of the terminal accommodating chambers 23 of the housing 3. Next, the operating flange 39 is operated to move the holder 9 from the temporary locking position to the full locking position. Then, the spacer 7 is moved from the temporary locking position to the full locking position, completing the assembly of the connector 1.

[0040] In such connector 1, locking lance 27 is provided with detection portion 33 that interferes with holder 9 when locking lance 27 is in a position disengaged from terminal 11, making it impossible to assemble holder 9 to housing 3. When locking lance 27 is in a position disengaged from terminal 11 due to partial insertion of terminal 11, detection portion 33 interferes with holder 9, making it impossible to assemble holder 9 to housing 3.

[0041] Therefore, when the holder 9 cannot be assembled to the housing 3, it can be detected that the locking lance 27 is not engaged with the terminal 11. On the other hand, when the holder 9 can be assembled to the housing 3, it can be detected that the locking lance 27 is engaged with the terminal 11. Therefore, in the state where the holder 9 is assembled to the housing 3, the terminal 11 can be stably held in the housing 3, and the electrical connection reliability of the terminal 11 can be maintained.

[0042] In addition, since the detection portion 33 is provided on the locking lance 27, it moves integrally with the locking lance 27. Therefore, the detection portion 33 can detect the position of the locking lance 27 accurately.

[0043] Therefore, in such a connector 1, the engagement state between the terminal 11 and the locking lance 27 can be detected based on whether the holder 9 is assembled to the housing 3 or not.

[0044] Moreover, the holder 9 is provided with a viewing hole 53 communicating with the outside at a position facing the detection portion 33. Therefore, the state of the detection portion 33 can be visually confirmed through the viewing hole 53, the state of the locking lance 27 can be detected, and the accommodation state of the terminal 11 relative to the housing 3 can be detected from outside the housing 3.

[0045] Furthermore, the detection portion 33 is disposed on the outer side of the terminal 11 in the locking lance 27. Therefore, the terminal 11 and the detection portion 33 do not interfere with each other, deformation of the detection portion 33 can be prevented, and the state of the locking lance 27 can be accurately detected.

[0046] Moreover, the holder 9 is provided with a restricting portion 47 that restricts movement of the locking lance 27 in the disengagement direction relative to the terminal 11. Therefore, the locking lance 27 does not move in the disengagement direction, and the terminal 11 can be stably held in the housing 3.

[0047] 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.

[0048] For example, in the connector according to this embodiment, the holder is assembled to the housing so as to be movable between a partial locking position and a full locking position, but this is not limited thereto, and the holder may be assembled directly to the housing.

[0049] In the connector according to the present embodiment, the holder is assembled to the housing in the same direction as the insertion direction of the terminal into the housing, but the assembly direction of the holder is not limited to this. For example, the holder may be assembled to the housing in any direction, such as in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the terminal. In this case, the detection portion of the locking lance may be provided on the locking lance so that the detection portion interferes with the holder when the locking lance is not engaged with the terminal, for example, by forming the detection portion of the locking lance to protrude toward the assembly direction of the holder. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Connector 3. Housing 9 Holder 11 Terminal 27 Locking Lance 33 Detection unit 47 Regulatory Department 53 Sight Hole

Claims

1. a housing in which the terminals are accommodated; a holder that is attached to the housing and holds the terminal in the housing; Equipped with The housing is provided with a locking lance that engages with the terminal and holds the terminal in the housing, the locking lance is provided with a detection portion that interferes with the holder when the locking lance is in a position where it has disengaged from the terminal, thereby disabling assembly of the holder to the housing; A connector in which the detection portion is arranged outside the range of the terminal when viewed from the mating direction of the connector on the locking lance.

2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the holder is provided with a viewing hole communicating with the outside at a position facing the detection portion.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the holder is provided with a restricting portion that restricts movement of the locking lance in a direction in which the locking lance is released from the terminal.

Images