Joint Connector

Abstract

To provide a joint connector which can prevent the deformation of a joint tab when a joint terminal is inserted in a housing, and can prevent degraded connection reliability between adjacent joint terminals.SOLUTION: A joint connector 11 includes: a joint terminal 17 which includes a joint tab 57 protruding from one side wall 63 to the outside, and a joint slit which is provided on the other side wall 63 and in which the joint tab 57 of another joint terminal 17 is inserted; and a housing 13 which includes a tab insertion slit 73 which is provided on a partition wall 37 and in which the joint tab 57 is inserted, and a joint tab deformation prevention space 70 provided on the rear end side of the tab insertion slit 73. When the joint terminal 17 is inserted into a terminal housing chamber 25, the joint tab deformation prevention space 70 suppresses the contact of a release end part 80 of the tab insertion slit 73 with the joint tab 57.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There is known a joint connector in which a plurality of terminals (joint terminals) are electrically connected by performing a predetermined number of terminal insertion operations (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The joint terminal inserted into the joint connector is formed by bending a single conductive plate material having a predetermined shape. The joint terminal includes a terminal body portion and a wire connection portion to which a wire is connected. A joint tab portion that protrudes horizontally outward is provided on one side wall portion. A side slit (joint slit portion) having a front end side that is open and a rear end side that is closed is formed on the other side wall portion.

[0004] In this type of joint connector, the joint terminal is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber at the rightmost end as viewed from the front of the connector housing (housing) through the rear opening. The joint terminal is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber while its joint tab portion is inserted into the slit (tab insertion slit or tab insertion groove) of the left partition wall. The joint terminal inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber has the tip side of its joint tab portion protruding into the adjacent terminal accommodation chamber on the left.

[0005] Next, another joint terminal is inserted into the adjacent terminal accommodation chamber on the left from the rear side. Then, the other joint terminal is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber while its joint tab portion is inserted into the slit of the left partition wall and the joint tab portion of the right joint terminal is inserted into the side slit.

[0006] The joint tab portion inserted into the side slit is inserted while elastically deforming the leaf spring portion provided in the terminal body portion. At the insertion completion position, the joint tab portion is clamped between the leaf spring portion and the tab clamping protrusion by the elastic restoring force of the leaf spring portion. Thereby, the joint connector conducts between the adjacent joint terminals. By performing the insertion operation of such joint terminals a predetermined number of times, the joint connector electrically connects between a plurality of joint terminals.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, in the above-described conventional joint connector, the joint terminal must be inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber of the housing while inserting the joint tab portion into the slit of the partition wall (or the tab insertion groove on one housing side wall). And when the joint terminal is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber of the housing, it may be inserted while being inclined in the height direction. Therefore, when inserting the terminal, the release end of the slit strongly contacts the middle part of the joint tab portion, and the joint tab portion of the joint terminal may be deformed. Thus, when using a joint terminal with a deformed joint tab portion, there is a concern about a decrease in connection reliability between adjacent joint terminals.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object thereof is to provide a joint connector that can prevent deformation of the joint tab portion when inserting the joint terminal into the housing and prevent a decrease in connection reliability between adjacent joint terminals.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The above object according to the present invention is achieved by the following configuration. A box-shaped terminal body portion having a bottom wall portion, a pair of side wall portions erected on both sides of the bottom wall portion, and an upper wall portion facing the bottom wall portion, a wire connection portion provided behind the terminal body portion, and a plate spring portion disposed inside the terminal body portion, a joint tab portion protruding outside one of the side wall portions, and a joint slit portion provided on the other side wall portion with the front end side being open and into which the joint tab portion of another joint terminal is inserted, a joint terminal, a plurality of terminal accommodation chambers respectively partitioned by partition walls, a tab insertion slit provided on the partition wall with the rear end side being open and through which the joint tab portion is inserted, a tab insertion groove provided on one housing side wall facing the partition wall with the rear end side being open and into which the joint tab portion is inserted, and a joint tab deformation prevention space provided at the rear end side of the tab insertion slit within the range located on the front side of the release end having a chamfer taper and continuous from the release end and 、 the rear end side of the tab insertion groove within the range located on the front side of the release end having a chamfer taper and continuous from the release end A housing having a joint tab deformation prevention space provided respectively at the rear end side of the tab insertion slit and the rear end side of the tab insertion groove, the joint tab deformation prevention space suppressing contact of the release end portion of the tab insertion slit or the release end portion of the tab insertion groove with the joint tab portion when the joint terminal is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber, a joint connector.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the joint connector of the present invention, deformation of the joint tab portion can be prevented when the joint terminal is inserted into the housing, and a decrease in connection reliability between adjacent joint terminals can be prevented.

[0012] The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a joint connector 11 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The joint connector 11 according to the first embodiment includes an insulating resin housing 13, an insulating resin spacer 15, and a plurality of (for example, four) electric wires 19 with terminals having joint terminals 17 attached to their ends.

[0015] The housing 13 is formed as a flat hexahedron in which the upper surface 21 and the lower surface 23 are rectangles larger than the other surfaces. One end in the longitudinal direction of the housing 13 is a front end surface 27 having an opening for forming a terminal accommodation chamber 25. The other end in the longitudinal direction of the housing 13 is a rear end surface 31 (see FIG. 2) having a terminal insertion opening 29 (see FIG. 2) for inserting the joint terminal 17 into the terminal accommodation chamber 25. A spacer insertion opening 33 for inserting the spacer 15 is formed in the upper surface 21 of the housing 13.

[0016] In the housing 13, a plurality of (for example, four) terminal accommodation chambers 25 in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped space extending back and forth communicating with the terminal insertion opening 29 are sandwiched between the upper surface 21 and the lower surface 23 and arranged side by side in a direction (lateral direction) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Both sides of the housing 13 in the lateral direction of the terminal accommodation chambers 25 are a pair of housing side walls 35. Each terminal accommodation chamber 25 has a space between the pair of housing side walls 35 partitioned at equal intervals by a plurality of parallel partition walls 37 (see FIG. 2). Note that a jig insertion opening 39 for releasing the lance locking of the joint terminal 17 is provided above the opening for forming each terminal accommodation chamber 25 in the front end surface 27 of the housing 13.

[0017] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the state where the joint terminal 17 starts to be inserted into the joint connector 11 with the spacer 15 in the temporarily locked position, as seen from obliquely above and rearward. The joint terminal 17 is inserted into each terminal insertion opening 29 that opens side by side on the rear end surface 31 of the housing 13.

[0018] The spacer 15 is locked to the housing 13 in two stages, the temporarily locked position and the fully locked position, from the upper surface 21 to the lower surface 23 of the housing 13 through the spacer insertion opening 33. On both side portions of the spacer 15, as shown in FIG. 1, a temporarily locking protrusion 41 and a fully locking protrusion 43 that are spaced apart in the insertion direction of the spacer 15 are formed. On both inner side surfaces of the spacer insertion opening 33, spacer locking protrusions 34 that engage with these temporarily locking protrusion 41 and fully locking protrusion 43 project. The spacer 15 becomes the temporarily locked position by sandwiching the spacer locking protrusion 34 between the temporarily locking protrusion 41 and the fully locking protrusion 43, and becomes the fully locked position when the fully locking protrusion 43 is locked to the lower surface of the spacer locking protrusion 34. The spacer 15 arranges a regulating portion 49 in the release space 47 of the flexible lance 45 that locks the joint terminal 17 in the fully locked position to regulate the unlocking of the flexible lance 45 (see FIG. 8).

[0019] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the joint terminal 17 as seen from obliquely above and forward. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the joint terminal 17 as seen from obliquely below. The joint terminal 17 has a terminal body portion 51, a wire connection portion 53, a leaf spring portion 55, a joint tab portion 57, and a joint slit portion 59.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the terminal body portion 51 has a bottom wall portion 61, a pair of side wall portions 63 erected on both sides of the bottom wall portion 61, and an upper wall portion 62 facing the bottom wall portion 61, and is formed in a box shape. The wire connection portion 53 is provided continuously behind the terminal body portion 51. The wire connection portion 53 has a conductor crimping portion 69 crimped to the conductor 67 of the wire 65 and a covering crimping portion 71 crimped to the outer periphery of the insulation covering of the wire 65. The leaf spring portion 55 is disposed inside the terminal body portion 51. The leaf spring portion 55 is formed by being folded back from the front end of the bottom wall portion 61 of the terminal body portion 51. The terminal body portion 51 is provided with a guide protrusion 79 protruding outward from the bottom wall portion 61. A guide groove 81 extending in the terminal insertion direction and guiding the insertion of the guide protrusion 79 is provided at the bottom of the terminal accommodation chamber 25 facing the guide protrusion 79.

[0021] The joint tab portion 57 is formed to protrude in the horizontal direction (a direction parallel to the lower surface 23) outward from one of the side wall portions 63. As shown in FIG. 3, the joint slit portion 59 is formed in the other side wall portion 63 with the front end side being open and the rear end side being closed. The joint tab portion 57 of another joint terminal 17 is inserted into the joint slit portion 59 from the terminal tip side.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the joint connector 11 shown in FIG. 2. FIGS. 6 to 7 are enlarged cross-sectional views of main parts corresponding to line A-A of FIG. 5 showing the state during the insertion of the joint terminal 17 in the joint connector 11 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line B-B of FIG. 5 showing the state after the completion of the insertion of the joint terminal 17 in the joint connector 11 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 13 is formed with tab insertion slits 73 (see FIG. 6) that communicate between adjacent terminal accommodation chambers 25 in each partition wall 37. A tab insertion groove 75 into which the joint tab portion 57 is inserted is also formed in one housing side wall 35 facing the rightmost partition wall 37 when viewed from the rear end surface 31 side of the housing 13.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, a joint tab deformation prevention space 70 is defined by a pair of tapered portions 74 that widen toward a release end portion 80 having a chamfered taper on the rear end side (left end side in FIG. 6) of the tab insertion slit 73. In the joint tab deformation prevention space 70, the slit width at the release end portion 80 of the tab insertion slit 73 is wider than the slit width at the front end side (right end side in FIG. 6). Note that, similarly, a joint tab deformation prevention space 70 is defined by a pair of tapered portions 76 that widen toward the release end portion 80 on the rear end side of the tab insertion groove 75.

[0024] When inserting a plurality of joint terminals 17 into the housing 13, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the joint terminals 17 are inserted in order from the terminal insertion port 29 of the terminal accommodation chamber 25 at the leftmost end as viewed from the rear end surface 31 of the housing 13. The joint tab portion 57 of the joint terminal 17 is inserted into the tab insertion slit 73 of the right partition wall 37 while being inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25. The joint terminal 17 inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25 has the tip side of its joint tab portion 57 protruding into the adjacent terminal accommodation chamber 25 on the right.

[0025] When the joint terminal 17 is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25, as shown in FIG. 6, the joint terminal 17 with the wire connection portion 53 being gripped is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25 of the housing 13 while being inclined in the height direction (vertical direction in FIG. 6). Then, the insertion tip of the joint tab portion 57 is inserted into the joint tab deformation prevention space 70 of the tab insertion slit 73. When the joint terminal 17 is further inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25, the insertion tip of the joint tab portion 57 is smoothly inserted and guided along the lower tapered portion 74.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 7, when the joint terminal 17 is further inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25, the insertion rear end of the joint tab portion 57 contacts the release end portion 80. That is, the slit width at the release end portion 80 of the tab insertion slit 73 is made wider than the slit width on the tip side by the joint tab deformation prevention space 70. Therefore, when the joint tab portion 57 is inserted into the tab insertion slit 73, the insertion rear end rather than the intermediate portion of the joint tab portion 57 contacts the release end portion 80, so that the bending force acting on the intermediate portion of the joint tab portion 57 can be reduced.

[0027] Then, the joint terminal 17 that has been completely inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25 abuts against and stops at the front wall portion 89 of the terminal accommodation chamber 25 as shown in FIG. 8. In this state, the rear end of the terminal body portion 51 is locked by the flexible lance 45 to prevent backward movement. Next, the next joint terminal 17 is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25 adjacent to the right of the terminal insertion port 29 into which the joint terminal 17 has been inserted. Then, for the joint terminal 17 on the right side, the joint tab portion 57 is inserted into the tab insertion slit 73 of the partition wall 37 on the right side, and while inserting the joint tab portion 57 of the joint terminal 17 on the left side into the joint slit portion 59, it is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25.

[0028] The joint tab portion 57 inserted into the joint slit portion 59 is inserted while elastically deforming the leaf spring portion 55. The joint tab portion 57 is sandwiched between the leaf spring portion 55 and the tab clamping protrusion 77 (see FIG. 8) by the elastic restoring force of the leaf spring portion 55 at the insertion completion position. Thus, conduction is established between adjacent joint terminals 17. By performing such insertion operations of the joint terminals 17 a predetermined number of times, a plurality of joint terminals 17 are electrically connected.

[0029] And finally, the joint terminal 17 is inserted into the terminal insertion port 29 of the rightmost terminal accommodation chamber 25 as viewed from the rear end surface 31 of the housing 13. When the joint terminal 17 is inserted, the joint tab portion 57 is inserted into the tab insertion groove 75 formed in one of the housing side walls 35 while being inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25. The joint terminal 17 inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25 has the tip side of the joint tab portion 57 protruding into the tab insertion groove 75.

[0030] When the joint terminal 17 is inserted into the rightmost terminal accommodation chamber 25, the insertion tip of the joint tab portion 57 is inserted into the joint tab deformation prevention space 70 of the tab insertion groove 75. When the joint terminal 17 is further inserted into the rightmost terminal accommodation chamber 25, the insertion tip of the joint tab portion 57 is smoothly inserted and guided along the tapered portion 76. The action when the joint tab portion 57 of the joint terminal 17 is inserted into the joint tab deformation prevention space 70 of the tab insertion groove 75 is the same as the action when the joint tab portion 57 of the joint terminal 17 is inserted into the joint tab deformation prevention space 70 of the tab insertion slit 73 described above, so detailed description is omitted.

[0031] Next, the action of the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part corresponding to the line A-A of FIG. 5 showing a state where the joint terminal 17 starts to be inserted into the joint connector 111 according to the reference example. In the joint connector 11 according to the first embodiment described above, a joint tab deformation prevention space 70 that is suppressed from contacting the joint tab portion 57 is provided on the rear end side of the tab insertion slit 73 provided in the partition wall 37 of the housing 13 and on the rear end side of the tab insertion groove 75 provided in one of the housing side walls 35.

[0032] The joint tab deformation prevention space 70 of the tab insertion slit 73 is formed such that the slit width of the tab insertion slit 73 widens toward the rear end side, and the slit width at the release end 80 of the tab insertion slit 73 is made wider than the slit width on the front end side. Further, the joint tab deformation prevention space 70 of the tab insertion groove 75 is formed such that the groove width of the tab insertion groove 75 widens toward the rear end side, and the groove width at the release end 80 of the tab insertion groove 75 is made wider than the groove width on the front end side.

[0033] Therefore, when the joint terminal 17 is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25 of the housing 13 while being inclined in the height direction, it is possible to prevent the release end 80 of the tab insertion slit 73 or the tab insertion groove 75 from strongly contacting the middle part of the joint tab part 57 with the insertion tip of the joint tab part 57 being inserted into the tab insertion slit 73 or the tab insertion groove 75.

[0034] That is, as shown in FIG. 9, in the joint connector 111 according to the reference example, when the joint terminal 17 holding the wire connection part 53 is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber of the housing 113 while being inclined in the height direction, the middle part contacts the release end 180 with the insertion tip of the joint tab part 57 being inserted into the tab insertion slit 173. Therefore, depending on the way the force is applied during terminal insertion, an excessive bending force is likely to act on the middle part of the joint tab part 57 due to a lever action. On the other hand, in the joint connector 11 according to the first embodiment, by making the slit width or the groove width at the release end 80 of the tab insertion slit 73 or the tab insertion groove 75 wider than that on the front end side, it is possible to reduce the bending force acting on the middle part of the joint tab part 57 as compared with the joint connector 111 in which the slit width or the groove width at the release end 180 is not widened.

[0035] Furthermore, in the joint connector 11 according to the first embodiment, the joint tab deformation prevention space 70 of the tab insertion slit 73 is defined by a pair of tapered portions 74 whose slit width of the tab insertion slit 73 widens toward the release end portion 80. Also, the joint tab deformation prevention space 70 of the tab insertion groove 75 is defined by a pair of tapered portions 76 whose groove width of the tab insertion groove 75 widens toward the release end portion 80. Therefore, even when the joint terminal 17 is inclined in the height direction and inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25 of the housing 13, the insertion tip of the joint tab portion 57 is smoothly inserted and guided along the tapered portion 74 or the tapered portion 76.

[0036] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a state where the joint terminal 17 is started to be inserted into the joint connector 11A according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed obliquely upward from the rear. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part corresponding to the line A-A in FIG. 5 in the joint connector 11A shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part corresponding to the line A-A in FIG. 5 showing a state during the insertion of the joint terminal 17 in the joint connector 11A shown in FIG. 10. Note that the joint connector 11A in the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the joint connector 11 in the first embodiment except that a joint tab deformation prevention space 70A is formed instead of the joint tab deformation prevention space 70 in the first embodiment. Thus, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent members and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the joint connector 11A according to the second embodiment, a joint tab deformation prevention space 70A is defined by a pair of stepped portions 78 with a widened slit width on the rear end side (left end side in FIG. 11) of the tab insertion slit 73. In the joint tab deformation prevention space 70A, the slit width at the release end portion 80 of the tab insertion slit 73 is wider than the slit width on the front end side (right end side in FIG. 11). Note that similarly, a joint tab deformation prevention space 70A is defined by a pair of stepped portions 92 with a widened groove width on the rear end side of the tab insertion groove 75.

[0038] When the joint terminal 17 is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25, as shown in FIG. 11, the joint terminal 17 with the wire connection portion 53 being gripped is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25 of the housing 13 while being inclined in the height direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 11). Then, the insertion tip of the joint tab portion 57 is inserted into the joint tab deformation prevention space 70A of the tab insertion slit 73.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 12, when the joint terminal 17 is further inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25, since the insertion tip of the joint tab portion 57 is inserted into the tab insertion slit 73, the joint tab portion 57 does not strongly contact the release end portion 80. That is, the slit width at the release end portion 80 of the tab insertion slit 73 is made wider than the slit width on the tip side by the joint tab deformation prevention space 70A. Therefore, the joint tab portion 57 when inserted into the tab insertion slit 73 does not strongly contact the release end portion 80, so that the bending force acting on the joint tab portion 57 can be reduced. The action when the joint tab portion 57 of the joint terminal 17 is inserted into the joint tab deformation prevention space 70A of the tab insertion groove 75 is the same as the action when the joint tab portion 57 of the joint terminal 17 is inserted into the joint tab deformation prevention space 70A of the tab insertion slit 73 described above.

[0040] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the state where the joint terminal 17 starts to be inserted into the joint connector 11B according to the third embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely upward from the rear. FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part corresponding to the line A - A in FIG. 5 in the joint connector 11B shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part corresponding to the line A - A in FIG. 5 showing the state during the insertion of the joint terminal 17 in the joint connector 11B shown in FIG. 13. Note that the joint connector 11B in the present third embodiment has the same configuration as that described above except that a joint tab deformation prevention space 70B is formed instead of the joint tab deformation prevention space 70 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent members and the detailed description is omitted.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in the joint connector 11B according to the third embodiment, a joint tab deformation prevention space 70B is defined by a pair of curved portions 94 that widen toward the release end portion 80 on the rear end side (left end side in FIG. 14) of the tab insertion slit 73. In the joint tab deformation prevention space 70B, the slit width at the release end portion 80 of the tab insertion slit 73 is wider than the slit width at the front end side (right end side in FIG. 14). Similarly, on the rear end side of the tab insertion groove 75, a joint tab deformation prevention space 70B is defined by a pair of curved portions 96 that widen the groove width toward the release end portion 80.

[0042] When the joint terminal 17 is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25, as shown in FIG. 14, the joint terminal 17 with the wire connection portion 53 gripped is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25 of the housing 13 while being inclined in the height direction (vertical direction in FIG. 14). Then, the insertion tip of the joint tab portion 57 is inserted into the joint tab deformation prevention space 70B of the tab insertion slit 73.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 15, when the joint terminal 17 is further inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 25, the insertion tip of the joint tab portion 57 is inserted into the tab insertion slit 73, so that the joint tab portion 57 does not strongly contact the release end portion 80. That is, the slit width at the release end portion 80 of the tab insertion slit 73 is wider than the slit width at the front end side due to the joint tab deformation prevention space 70B. Therefore, when the joint tab portion 57 is inserted into the tab insertion slit 73, it does not strongly contact the release end portion 80, so that the bending force acting on the joint tab portion 57 can be reduced. Further, the insertion tip of the joint tab portion 57 is smoothly inserted and guided along the curved portion 94 or the curved portion 96. The action when the joint tab portion 57 of the joint terminal 17 is inserted into the joint tab deformation prevention space 70B of the tab insertion groove 75 is the same as the action when the joint tab portion 57 of the joint terminal 17 is inserted into the joint tab deformation prevention space 70B of the tab insertion slit 73 described above.

[0044] Therefore, according to the joint connector 11 (11A, 11B) according to the first to third embodiments described above, when the joint terminal 17 is inserted into the housing 13 (13A, 13B), deformation of the joint tab portion 57 can be prevented, and a decrease in connection reliability between adjacent joint terminals 17 can be prevented.

[0045] Here, the features of the embodiments of the joint connector according to the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed in [1] to [4] below. [1] A box-shaped terminal body portion (51) having a bottom wall portion (61), a pair of side wall portions (63) erected on both sides of the bottom wall portion (61), and an upper wall portion (62) facing the bottom wall portion (61); a wire connection portion (53) provided behind the terminal body portion (51); a leaf spring portion (55) disposed inside the terminal body portion (51); a joint tab portion (57) protruding outside one of the side wall portions (63); a joint terminal (17) provided with a joint slit portion (59) at the front end side of the other side wall portion (63) and into which the joint tab portion (57) of another joint terminal (17) is inserted; a plurality of terminal accommodation chambers (25) partitioned by partition walls (37); a tab insertion slit (73) provided at the rear end side of the partition wall (37) and through which the joint tab portion (57) is inserted; a tab insertion groove (75) provided at the rear end side of one housing side wall (35) facing the partition wall (37) and into which the joint tab portion (57) is inserted; and joint tab deformation prevention spaces (70, 70A, 70B) provided at the rear end sides of the tab insertion slit (73) and the tab insertion groove (75), respectively. The joint tab deformation prevention spaces (70, 70A, 70B) suppress contact of the release end (80) of the tab insertion slit (73) or the release end (80) of the tab insertion groove (75) with the joint tab portion (57) when the joint terminal (17) is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber (25). A joint connector (11, 11A, 11B).

[0046] According to the joint connectors (11, 11A, 11B) configured as described in [1] above, joint tab deformation prevention spaces (70, 70A, 70B) that are suppressed from contacting the joint tab portion (57) are provided on the rear end side of the tab insertion slit (73) provided in the partition wall (37) of the housing (13, 13A, 13B) and on the rear end side of the tab insertion groove (75) provided in one housing side wall (35). The joint tab deformation prevention spaces (70, 70A, 70B) of the tab insertion slit (73) are formed such that the slit width of the tab insertion slit (73) widens on the rear end side, and the slit width at the release end (80) of the tab insertion slit (73) is made wider than the slit width on the front end side. Also, the joint tab deformation prevention spaces (70, 70A, 70B) of the tab insertion groove (75) are formed such that the groove width of the tab insertion groove (75) widens on the rear end side, and the groove width at the release end (80) of the tab insertion groove (75) is made wider than the groove width on the front end side. Therefore, when the joint terminal (17) is tilted in the height direction and inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber (25) of the housing (13, 13A, 13B), it is possible to prevent the release end (80) of the tab insertion slit (73) or the tab insertion groove (75) from strongly contacting the middle portion of the joint tab portion (57) with the insertion tip of the joint tab portion (57) inserted into the tab insertion slit (73) or the tab insertion groove (75). That is, when the joint terminal (17) gripping the wire connection portion (53) is tilted in the height direction and inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber (25) of the housing (13, 13A, 13B), an excessive bending force is likely to act on the middle portion of the joint tab portion (57) that contacts the release end (80) with the insertion tip inserted into the tab insertion slit (73) or the tab insertion groove (75) due to the lever action. In contrast, by making the slit width or groove width at the release end (80) of the tab insertion slit (73) or the tab insertion groove (75) wider than the front end side, the bending force acting on the middle portion of the joint tab portion (57) can be reduced compared to the conventional joint connector (111A) where the slit width or groove width at the release end (80) is not widened.

[0047] [2] The joint connector (11) according to [1] above, wherein the joint tab deformation prevention space (70) is defined by a pair of tapered portions (74, 76) that widen the spacing toward the release end (80) of the tab insertion slit (73) or the release end (80) of the tab insertion groove (75).

[0048] According to the joint connector (11) configured as described in [2] above, the joint tab deformation prevention space (70) of the tab insertion slit (73) is defined by a pair of tapered portions (74) that widen the slit width of the tab insertion slit (73) toward the release end (80), and the slit width at the release end (80) of the tab insertion slit (73) is made wider than the slit width on the tip side. Also, the joint tab deformation prevention space (70) of the tab insertion groove (75) is defined by a pair of tapered portions (76) that widen the groove width of the tab insertion groove (75) toward the release end (80), and the groove width at the release end of the tab insertion groove (75) is made wider than the groove width on the tip side. Therefore, when the joint terminal (17) is tilted in the height direction and inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber (25) of the housing (13), it is possible to prevent the release end (80) of the tab insertion slit (73) or the tab insertion groove (75) from strongly contacting the middle portion of the joint tab portion (57) with the insertion tip of the joint tab portion (57) inserted into the tab insertion slit (73) or the tab insertion groove (75). Also, the insertion tip of the joint tab portion (57) is smoothly inserted and guided along the tapered portions (74, 76).

[0049] [3] The joint connector (11A) according to [1] above, wherein the joint tab deformation prevention space (70A) is defined by a pair of stepped portions (78, 92) that widen the slit width of the tab insertion slit (73) or the groove width of the tab insertion groove (75).

[0050] According to the joint connector (11A) configured as described in [3] above, the joint tab deformation prevention space (70A) of the tab insertion slit (73) is defined by a pair of stepped portions (78) that widen the slit width of the tab insertion slit (73), and the slit width at the release end (80) of the tab insertion slit (73) is made wider than the slit width on the tip side. Also, the joint tab deformation prevention space (70A) of the tab insertion groove (75) is defined by a pair of stepped portions (92) that widen the groove width of the tab insertion groove (75), and the groove width at the release end (80) of the tab insertion groove (75) is made wider than the groove width on the tip side. Therefore, when the joint terminal (17) is tilted in the height direction and inserted into the terminal housing chamber (25) of the housing (13A), it is possible to prevent the release end (80) of the tab insertion slit (73) or the tab insertion groove (75) from strongly contacting the middle portion of the joint tab portion (57) while the insertion tip of the joint tab portion (57) is inserted into the tab insertion slit (73) or the tab insertion groove (75).

[0051] [4] The joint connector (11B) according to [1] above, wherein the joint tab deformation prevention space (70B) is defined by a pair of curved portions (94, 96) that widen the interval toward the release end (80) of the tab insertion slit (73) or the release end (80) of the tab insertion groove (75).

[0052] According to the joint connector (11B) configured as described in [4] above, the joint tab deformation prevention space (70B) of the tab insertion slit (73) is defined by a pair of curved portions (94) that widen the interval of the slit width of the tab insertion slit (73) toward the release end (80), and the slit width at the release end (80) of the tab insertion slit (73) is made wider than the slit width on the tip side. Also, the joint tab deformation prevention space (70B) of the tab insertion groove (75) is defined by a pair of curved portions (96) that widen the interval of the groove width of the tab insertion groove (75) toward the release end (80), and the groove width at the release end (80) of the tab insertion groove (75) is made wider than the groove width on the tip side. Therefore, when the joint terminal (17) is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber (25) of the housing (13B) while being inclined in the height direction, the leading end of the joint tab portion (57) is inserted into the tab insertion slit (73) or the tab insertion groove (75), and it is possible to prevent the release end (80) of the tab insertion slit (73) or the tab insertion groove (75) from strongly contacting the middle portion of the joint tab portion (57). Further, the leading end of the joint tab portion (57) is smoothly inserted and guided along the curved portions (94, 96).

[0053] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. can be made as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0054] 11…Joint connector 13…Housing 17…Joint terminal 25…Terminal accommodation chamber 35…Housing side wall 37…Partition wall 51…Terminal main body portion 53…Wire connection portion 55…Leaf spring portion 57…Joint tab portion 59…Joint slit portion 61…Bottom wall portion 62…Upper wall portion 63…Side wall portion 70…Joint tab deformation prevention space 73…Tab insertion slit 75…Tab insertion groove

Claims

1. A box-shaped terminal body having a bottom wall portion, a pair of side wall portions erected on both sides of the bottom wall portion, and an upper wall portion facing the bottom wall portion; a wire connection portion provided behind the terminal body portion; and a leaf spring portion disposed inside the terminal body portion. A joint terminal having a joint tab portion protruding outside one of the side wall portions and a joint slit portion provided on the other side wall portion with its front end side open and into which the joint tab portion of another joint terminal is inserted. A housing having a plurality of terminal accommodation chambers partitioned by partition walls, a tab insertion slit provided on the partition wall with its rear end side open and through which the joint tab portion is inserted, and a tab insertion groove provided on one housing side wall facing the partition wall with its rear end side open and into which the joint tab portion is inserted. A joint tab deformation prevention space is provided in a range on the front side of a chamfered end portion having a chamfer taper and continuous from the chamfered end portion in a range on the rear end side of the tab insertion slit, and in a range on the front side of a chamfered end portion having a chamfer taper and continuous from the chamfered end portion in a range on the rear end side of the tab insertion groove. The joint tab deformation prevention space suppresses contact between the release end of the tab insertion slit or the release end of the tab insertion groove and the joint tab portion when the joint terminal is inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber. A joint connector.

2. The joint tab deformation prevention space is defined by a pair of tapered portions whose intervals are widened toward the release end of the tab insertion slit or the release end of the tab insertion groove. The joint connector according to Claim 1.

3. The joint tab deformation prevention space is defined by a pair of stepped portions whose slit widths of the tab insertion slit or groove widths of the tab insertion groove are widened. The joint connector according to Claim 1.

4. The joint tab deformation prevention space is defined by a pair of curved portions whose intervals are widened toward the release end of the tab insertion slit or the release end of the tab insertion groove. The joint connector according to Claim 1.

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