Coupling device

Abstract

To provide a coupler device which can reduce the number of components and enables wire connection.SOLUTION: A coupler device 1 includes: a first terminal 2, fitted to an end of a first wire W1, which has a first lance 25 protruding on a lateral part; a second terminal 3, fitted to an end of a second wire W2, which has a second lance 35 protruding on a lateral part and is connected to the first terminal 2; and a body part which forms an insertion space 41 extending along an extension direction, a first opening 411 opened on one side of the insertion space 41 and allowing the first terminal 2 to be inserted thereinto, a first hooking part 42 provided in the insertion space 41 and allowing the first lance 25 to be hooked thereon, a second opening 412 opened on the other side of the insertion space 41 and allowing the second terminal 3 to be inserted thereinto, and a second hooking part 44 provided in the insertion space 41 and allowing the second lance 35 to be hooked thereon.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupler device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a coupler device, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, when connecting two electric wires, a male terminal attached to one electric wire is connected to a male coupler, and a female terminal attached to the other electric wire is connected to a female coupler, and the male coupler and the female coupler are connected to connect the electric wires. Such a device is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a coupler device, there is room for improvement in that the number of parts increases. That is, when the attachment and detachment of the female coupler and the male coupler are not required, it is desired to develop a coupler device that can connect electric wires with a simple structure and reduce the number of parts for connecting the electric wires.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coupler device that reduces the number of parts and can connect electric wires.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] That is, the coupler device according to the present invention includes a first terminal having a first lance attached to the end of a first electric wire and protruding from a side portion thereof, a second terminal having a second lance attached to the end of a second electric wire and protruding from a side portion thereof and connected to the first terminal, an insertion space extending along an extending direction, a first opening that opens on one side of the insertion space and allows the first terminal to be inserted, a first latching portion provided in the insertion space for latching the first lance, a second opening that opens on the other side of the insertion space and allows the second terminal to be inserted, and a main body portion that forms a second latching portion provided in the insertion space for latching the second lance.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the coupler device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of components and connect electric wires.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be replaced by those skilled in the art and are easy to replace, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] This embodiment relates to a coupler device. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the coupler device according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the coupler device at the time of connection in II-II of FIG. 1. FIGS. 3 to 5 are cross-sectional views in II-II of FIG. 1 and are explanatory views of terminal connection in the coupler device according to the embodiment.

[0011] In the following description, among the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction that intersect each other, the first direction is referred to as the "connection direction X", the second direction is referred to as the "width direction Y", and the third direction is referred to as the "height direction Z". Here, the connection direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are orthogonal to each other. The connection direction X corresponds to the connection direction of the terminals or the extending direction of the terminals and the main body portion. The width direction Y and the height direction Z correspond to the intersecting directions that intersect the connection direction X. In addition, each direction used in the following description represents the direction in the state where each part is assembled to each other unless otherwise specified. Here, the orthogonal includes substantially orthogonal.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the coupler device 1 includes a first terminal 2, a second terminal 3, and a main body portion 4. The coupler device 1 is a device that connects the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 inside the main body portion 4. By connecting the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3, the first electric wire W1 to which the first terminal 2 is attached and the second electric wire W2 to which the second terminal 3 is attached can be connected. The coupler device 1 is mounted on a vehicle, for example. The first electric wire W1 and the second electric wire W2 constitute, for example, electric wires, cables, etc. in the control system or the power system of the vehicle.

[0013] The first terminal 2 is a terminal attached to the end of the first electric wire W1, and is, for example, a crimp terminal crimped and attached to the end of the first electric wire W1. The first terminal 2 has a wire connection portion 21, a connecting portion 22, and an electrical connection portion 23. The wire connection portion 21, the connecting portion 22, and the electrical connection portion 23 are made of a conductive metal, and are integrally formed, for example, by pressing and bending a single sheet metal punched into a shape corresponding to each part. The first terminal 2 is formed in the order of the wire connection portion 21, the connecting portion 22, and the electrical connection portion 23 in the extending direction (connection direction X) and is connected to each other.

[0014] The first electric wire W1 is configured by providing an insulating coating on the outer periphery of the conductor portion, for example, with the end portion in a state where the conductor portion is exposed, and the first terminal 2 is attached to the end portion. That is, the wire connection portion 21 of the first terminal 2 is attached by clamping and crimping the conductor portion and the insulating coating of the first electric wire W1. The connecting portion 22 is a portion that connects the wire connection portion 21 and the electrical connection portion 23. The electrical connection portion 23 is a portion that is electrically connected to the second terminal 3 and is formed in a box shape, for example. The first terminal 2 is a female terminal, and a connection hole 231 for inserting the terminal portion 331 of the second terminal 3 into the electrical connection portion 23 is formed. The connection hole 231 extends from the end face of the electrical connection portion 23 in the extending direction of the second terminal 3.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, a terminal portion 232 is formed in the electrical connection portion 23 of the first terminal 2. The terminal portion 232 is, for example, two contact pieces formed in the connection hole 231, and sandwiches the terminal portion 331 of the second terminal 3 and is connected to the terminal portion 331. A first lance 25 is formed on the first terminal 2. The first lance 25 is a member that fixes the first terminal 2 inserted into the main body portion 4 and prevents it from coming out. The first lance 25 is formed, for example, by bending the side portion of the electrical connection portion 23 outward. That is, the first lance 25 notches the side portion of the electrical connection portion 23, lifts the first electric wire W1 side of the notched portion, and projects it outward at an acute angle, and is made elastically deformable in the height direction Z. The first lance 25 is tapered toward the tip side of the first terminal 2, allows entry of the first terminal 2 into the main body portion 4, and restricts backward movement.

[0016] In FIG. 1, the second terminal 3 is a terminal attached to the end of the second electric wire W2. For example, it is a crimp terminal crimped and attached to the end of the second electric wire W2. The second terminal 3 has a wire connection portion 31, a connection portion 32, and an electrical connection portion 33. The wire connection portion 31, the connection portion 32, and the electrical connection portion 33 are made of conductive metal. For example, they are integrally formed by pressing and bending a single sheet metal punched into shapes corresponding to each part. The second terminal 3 is formed in the order of the wire connection portion 31, the connection portion 32, and the electrical connection portion 33 in the extending direction (connection direction X) and is interconnected.

[0017] The second electric wire W2 is configured, for example, by providing an insulating coating on the outer periphery of the conductor portion, with the end exposing the conductor portion, and the first terminal 2 is attached to the end. That is, the wire connection portion 31 of the second terminal 3 is attached by clamping and crimping the conductor portion and the insulating coating of the second electric wire W2. The connection portion 32 is a part that connects the wire connection portion 31 and the electrical connection portion 33. The electrical connection portion 33 is a part that is electrically connected to the first terminal 2 and is formed in a box shape, for example. The second terminal 3 is a male terminal and forms a terminal portion 331 that is connected to the terminal portion 232 of the first terminal 2 at the electrical connection portion 33. The terminal portion 331 is a tab-shaped terminal extending from the end face of the electrical connection portion 33 in the extending direction of the second terminal 3 and is made of a plate body or a rod body, for example.

[0018] In FIG. 2, a second lance 35 is formed on the second terminal 3. The second lance 35 is a member that fixes the second terminal 3 inserted into the main body portion 4 and prevents it from coming out. The second lance 35 is formed, for example, by bending the side portion of the electrical connection portion 33 outward. That is, the second lance 35 is formed by notching the side portion of the electrical connection portion 33, lifting the portion on the second electric wire W2 side of the notched part, and projecting it outward at an acute angle, and is made elastically deformable in the height direction Z. The second lance 35 is tapered toward the tip side of the second terminal 3, allows the second terminal 3 to enter the main body portion 4, and restricts its retreat.

[0019] In FIG. 1, the main body portion 4 is a member for inserting and connecting the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3, and for example, has an outer shape with a rectangular cross-section. The main body portion 4 is an elongated body along the extending direction with a non-divided structure, and is not a structure that can be divided, nor is it a structure formed by joining two or more members. Therefore, the main body portion 4 has a simple structure and can be easily manufactured at low cost by resin molding or the like.

[0020] The main body portion 4 forms an insertion space 41 along the extending direction. The insertion space 41 is a hole that penetrates the main body portion 4 in the extending direction, and for example, has a rectangular cross-section and is formed in a size capable of inserting the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3. That is, the insertion space 41 enables the insertion of the first terminal 2 from one first opening 411 and the insertion of the second terminal 3 from the other second opening 412. The insertion space 41 includes a first terminal accommodation chamber 41A for accommodating the first terminal 2 and a second terminal accommodation chamber 41B for accommodating the second terminal 3. The first terminal accommodation chamber 41A is a space for accommodating the first terminal 2, and for example, is the space from the first opening 411 to the guide portion 46 in the insertion space 41. The second terminal accommodation chamber 41B is a space for accommodating the second terminal 3, and for example, is the space from the second opening 412 to the guide portion 46 in the insertion space 41.

[0021] In FIG. 2, a first latching portion 42 is formed on the main body portion 4. The first latching portion 42 is a portion for latching the first lance 25 of the first terminal 2, and is formed in the first terminal accommodation chamber 41A of the insertion space 41. The first latching portion 42 is a hole that communicates the first terminal accommodation chamber 41A of the insertion space 41 with the outside of the main body portion 4, and is formed according to the position and direction in which the first lance 25 enters. The first latching portion 42 may be configured as a concave portion that depresses the inner surface of the insertion space 41 toward the outside of the main body portion 4. When formed as a hole communicating the first latching portion 42, it becomes easier to perform mold release when the main body portion 4 is formed by resin molding. Also, since the formation position of the first latching portion 42 can be confirmed from the appearance of the main body portion 4, the posture of the first terminal 2 can be adjusted with respect to the main body portion 4, and it becomes easier to properly insert the first terminal 2.

[0022] In addition, a first tapered portion 43 is formed on the main body portion 4. The first tapered portion 43 is a portion that smooths the insertion of the first terminal 2 into the insertion space 41 and is formed within the insertion space 41. That is, the first tapered portion 43 is formed by inclining the inner surface of the insertion space 41, and the inner surface of the insertion space 41 is tapered from the first opening 411 side along the extending direction toward the insertion direction of the first terminal 2. The first tapered portion 43 is formed on the insertion path of the first terminal 2 in the insertion space 41 and is formed at a position closer to the first opening 411 than the second opening 412. By forming the first tapered portion 43, when the first terminal 2 is inserted into the main body portion 4, the first terminal 2 can be guided to an appropriate insertion position, and the insertion of the first terminal 2 can be performed smoothly.

[0023] A second latching portion 44 is formed on the main body portion 4. The second latching portion 44 is a portion that latches the second lance 35 of the second terminal 3 and is formed in the second terminal accommodating chamber 41B of the insertion space 41. The second latching portion 44 is a hole that communicates the second terminal accommodating chamber 41B of the insertion space 41 with the outside of the main body portion 4, and is formed according to the position and direction in which the second lance 35 enters. The second latching portion 44 may be configured as a concave portion that depresses the inner surface of the insertion space 41 toward the outside of the main body portion 4. When formed as a hole communicating the second latching portion 44, it becomes easier to perform mold release when the main body portion 4 is formed by resin molding. In addition, since the formation position of the first latching portion 42 can be confirmed from the appearance of the main body portion 4, the posture of the second terminal 3 can be aligned with respect to the main body portion 4, and it becomes easier to properly insert the first terminal 2.

[0024] Further, a second tapered portion 45 is formed in the main body portion 4. The second tapered portion 45 is a portion that smooths the insertion of the second terminal 3 into the insertion space 41 and is formed within the insertion space 41. That is, the second tapered portion 45 is formed by inclining the inner surface of the insertion space 41 so that the inner surface of the insertion space 41 tapers toward the insertion direction of the second terminal 3 from the side of the second opening 412 along the extending direction. The second tapered portion 45 is formed on the insertion path of the second terminal 3 in the insertion space 41 and is formed at a position closer to the second opening 412 than the first opening 411. By forming the second tapered portion 45, when the second terminal 3 is inserted into the main body portion 4, the second terminal 3 can be guided to an appropriate insertion position, and the insertion of the second terminal 3 can be performed smoothly.

[0025] A guide portion 46 is formed in the main body portion 4. The guide portion 46 is a portion that guides the terminal portion 331 of the second terminal 3 toward the first terminal accommodation chamber 41A side within the insertion space 41 and is formed within the insertion space 41. That is, the guide portion 46 is a protrusion that projects the inner surface of the insertion space 41 toward the central position of the insertion space 41, and two guide portions 46 are formed so as to sandwich the terminal portion 331 from above and below. That is, the two guide portions 46 are located between the first terminal accommodation chamber 41A and the second terminal accommodation chamber 41B and project from the ceiling surface and the floor surface of the inner surface of the insertion space 41 toward their respective formation positions.

[0026] The guide portion 46 is protruded so as to be inclined such that the inner surface of the insertion space 41 tapers toward the insertion direction of the second terminal 3, like the second tapered portion 45. Thereby, when the second terminal 3 is inserted into the main body portion 4, the terminal portion 331 can be guided to an appropriate position and supported at the appropriate position. Further, the distance between the tips of the two guide portions 46 is made, for example, narrower than the thickness of the electrical connection portion 23 of the first terminal 2 and wider than the thickness of the terminal portion 331 of the second terminal 3. By setting the distance between the two guide portions 46 in this way, the terminal portion 331 can be inserted through between the guide portions 46, and the electrical connection portion 23 cannot be inserted through between the guide portions 46. For this reason, the guide portion 46 can guide the insertion of the terminal portion 331. Further, the guide portion 46 can function as a stopper when the first terminal 2 is inserted.

[0027] Next, the connection of the electric wire by the coupler device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0028] The coupler device 1 is used to connect the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 and electrically connect the first electric wire W1 and the second electric wire W2. As the connection of the electric wire using the coupler device 1, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the first terminal 2 is inserted into the main body portion 4. The first terminal 2 is inserted into the insertion space 41 from the first opening 411 and is inserted deeper into the insertion space 41. At this time, since the first tapered portion 43 is formed in the insertion space 41, the first terminal 2 is smoothly inserted into the insertion space 41 without being caught inside the insertion space 41.

[0029] Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when the first lance 25 of the first terminal 2 reaches the position of the first latching portion 42, the first lance 25 is latched by the first latching portion 42. That is, the first lance 25 enters into the first latching portion 42, and the movement of the first terminal 2 toward the first opening 411 side is restricted. As a result, the first terminal 2 cannot be removed from the main body portion 4, and the first terminal 2 is fixed within the main body portion 4. At this time, since the first latching portion 42 is a hole communicating with the outside of the main body portion 4, it can be confirmed visually from the outside of the main body portion 4 that the first lance 25 is latched by the first latching portion 42 and the first terminal 2 is inserted to an appropriate position of the main body portion 4. Further, when it is desired to pull out the first terminal 2 from the main body portion 4, the latching of the first lance 25 can be released by inserting a rod or the like into the first latching portion 42 and pushing out the first lance 25 from the first latching portion 42. Therefore, it is possible to pull out the first terminal 2 from the main body portion 4 without deforming or damaging the first terminal 2 and the first electric wire W1.

[0030] Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the second terminal 3 is inserted into the main body portion 4. The second terminal 3 is inserted into the insertion space 41 from the second opening 412 and is inserted deeper into the insertion space 41. At this time, since the second tapered portion 45 is formed in the insertion space 41, the second terminal 3 is smoothly inserted into the insertion space 41 without being caught therein.

[0031] Then, the terminal portion 331 of the second terminal 3 passes between the two guide portions 46 and is inserted into the connection hole 231 of the first terminal 2. At this time, since the guide portion 46 allows the terminal portion 331 to be inserted along an appropriate path, the terminal portion 331 can be smoothly inserted into the connection hole 231. Then, the terminal portion 331 is inserted between the two terminal portions 232 of the first terminal 2 and is connected to the terminal portions 232.

[0032] On the one hand, as shown in FIG. 2, when the second lance 35 of the second terminal 3 reaches the position of the second latching portion 44, the second lance 35 is latched by the second latching portion 44. That is, the second lance 35 enters the second latching portion 44, and the movement of the second terminal 3 toward the second opening 412 side is restricted. As a result, the second terminal 3 cannot be removed from the main body portion 4, and the second terminal 3 is fixed within the main body portion 4. At this time, since the second latching portion 44 is a hole communicating with the outside of the main body portion 4, it can be confirmed visually from the outside of the main body portion 4 that the second lance 35 is latched by the second latching portion 44 and the second terminal 3 is inserted to the proper position within the main body portion 4. Further, when it is desired to pull out the second terminal 3 from the main body portion 4, the latching of the second lance 35 can be released by inserting a rod or the like into the second latching portion 44 and pushing out the second lance 35 from the second latching portion 44. Therefore, it is possible to pull out the second terminal 3 from the main body portion 4 without damaging the second terminal 3 and the second electric wire W2.

[0033] Then, when the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 are attached to the main body portion 4, the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 are connected within the main body portion 4. As a result, the first electric wire W1 and the second electric wire W2 are electrically connected, and the wire connection by the coupler device 1 is completed.

[0034] As described above, in the coupler device 1 according to the present embodiment, the first terminal 2 is inserted into the main body portion 4 from one side and the second terminal 3 is inserted from the other side, and the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 are connected within the main body portion 4. Therefore, in the coupler device according to the present embodiment, a female coupler, a male coupler, etc. are unnecessary, the number of parts can be reduced, and the first electric wire W1 and the second electric wire W2 can be connected. Further, since the number of parts of the coupler device 1 according to the present embodiment can be reduced, cost reduction can be achieved.

[0035] Further, in the coupler device 1 according to the present embodiment, the main body portion 4 is a non-divided long body, and the main body portion 4 for connecting the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 can have a simple structure. Therefore, the manufacture of the main body portion 4 becomes easy.

[0036] In addition, the coupler device 1 according to the present embodiment forms a first tapered portion 43 and a second tapered portion 45 in the insertion space 41 of the main body portion 4, so that the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 can be smoothly inserted into the main body portion 4.

[0037] Furthermore, the coupler device 1 according to the present embodiment forms a guide portion 46 in the insertion space 41 of the main body portion 4, so that when the second terminal 3 is inserted into the main body portion 4, the terminal portion 331 can be guided to an appropriate position.

[0038] Note that the coupler device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope described in the claims. The coupler device according to the present embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the above-described embodiments and modification examples.

[0039] For example, although the coupler device 1 according to the above-described embodiment has been described for the case of being mounted on a vehicle, it may be used without being mounted on a vehicle.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0040] 1: Coupler device 2: First terminal 3: Second terminal 4: Main body portion 25: First lance 35: Second lance 41: Insertion space 41A: First terminal accommodation chamber 41B: Second terminal accommodation chamber 42: First latching portion 43: First tapered portion 44: Second latching portion 45: Second tapered portion 46: Guide portion 331: Terminal portion 411: First opening 412: Second opening W1: First electric wire W2: Second electric wire

Claims

1. A first terminal attached to an end of a first electric wire and having a first lance protruding from a side portion; A second terminal attached to an end of a second electric wire, having a second lance protruding from a side portion, and connecting to the first terminal; A main body portion forming an insertion space extending along an extending direction, a first opening that opens on one side of the insertion space and allows the first terminal to be inserted, a first latching portion provided in the insertion space for latching the first lance, a second opening that opens on the other side of the insertion space and allows the second terminal to be inserted, and a second latching portion provided in the insertion space for latching the second lance; The insertion space includes a first terminal accommodation chamber for accommodating the first terminal and a second terminal accommodation chamber for accommodating the second terminal; The main body portion is located between the first terminal accommodation chamber and the second terminal accommodation chamber, and has a guide portion formed to protrude from an inner surface of the insertion space and inclined so that the inner surface of the insertion space tapers; The guide portions are respectively formed at positions on the back side of the first terminal accommodation chamber and on the back side of the second terminal accommodation chamber; The first terminal accommodation chamber and the second terminal accommodation chamber are formed in the same shape including the guide portion; A coupler device.

2. The main body portion is a long body along the extending direction with a non-divided structure. The coupler device according to Claim 1.

3. The main body portion has a first tapered portion formed on the inner surface of the insertion space and tapering from the first opening side along the extending direction toward the insertion direction of the first terminal, and a second tapered portion formed on the inner surface of the insertion space and tapering from the second opening side along the extending direction toward the insertion direction of the second terminal; The coupler device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The second terminal has a tab-shaped terminal portion to be inserted into the first terminal; The guide portion formed at a position on the back side of the second terminal accommodation chamber guides the terminal portion toward the first terminal accommodation chamber when the second terminal is inserted; The coupler device according to Claim 1 or 2.

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