Connector and splice connector structure

Abstract

To easily obtain a desired connection pattern without requiring preparation of a connector in each type of electric connection patterns of a plurality of terminals.SOLUTION: A connector comprises: a connector housing 11 formed by an insulation material; and a plurality of terminals 4 formed by a conductive material. A window part 41a in which some of the plurality of terminals 4 housed in an inner part 121 of a housing main body 13 are opened so as to be exposed is formed in the connector housing 11. A conductive joint member 23 that is inserted into an inner part 41 of the housing main body 13 from the window part 41a, and can conductively connect both of any female terminals 4 from the plurality of female terminals 4 in the inner part 41; and a blockage member 22 blocking the window part 41a are provided in the connector housing 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for electrically connecting a plurality of terminals, and to a connector structure configured so that a male connector and a female connector can be connected to each other. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, joint connectors have been used in various locations in a variety of forms suited to each location, such as those used as relay connectors that are interposed between a pair of mating connectors and are formed so that each of the pair of mating connectors can be inserted and fitted from both directions, those used as end processing caps (joint caps) that are attached to the ends of the electric wires that make up a wire harness, and those used as terminal connectors that are provided at one end of a circuit board to connect to a cable.

[0003] The joint connector of Patent Document 1 is a joint connector used as a relay connector, and includes a connector housing and a bus bar. The connector housing has connection ports at one end and the other end for inserting mating connectors (female connectors in Patent Document 1), and has a partition wall in the center. The bus bar has a central portion embedded and fixed in the partition wall, and has branch terminal portions extending from the central portion to one end and the other end.

[0004] As a result, the joint connector of Patent Document 1 electrically connects a plurality of branch terminal portions via a path provided in the center of the bus bar, thereby forming a predetermined connection pattern (circuit).

[0005] The joint connector of Patent Document 1 is configured to have multiple bus bars of the same shape that are provided as components of the joint connector, but different connection patterns (conduction patterns) can be made depending on the number and shapes of the bus bars (the number and arrangement of branch terminal parts, the path in the central part, etc.).

[0006] However, conventional joint connectors have the following problems, not only when used as a relay connector like the joint connector of Patent Document 1, but also when used as the end treatment cap or terminal connector described above.

[0007] In conventional joint connectors, the connector housing and bus bar are integrally formed by insert molding, making it impractical to separate them or replace them with different bus bars, and they have the problem of only being able to be joined in predetermined connection patterns.

[0008] Therefore, to obtain a joint connector with a desired circuit pattern, it is necessary to manufacture a new joint connector. Also, if there are multiple types (specifications) of connection patterns, it is necessary to prepare multiple joint connectors corresponding to each connection pattern, which may increase manufacturing and management costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3038116 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a connector and a connection connector structure that can easily obtain a desired connection pattern (circuit specification) without the need to prepare a joint connector for each type (specification) of electrical connection pattern between multiple terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The connector of the present invention includes a connector housing made of an insulating material and a plurality of terminals made of a conductive material, and the connector housing includes: a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers for accommodating the terminals; and insertion holes communicating between the adjacent terminal accommodating chambers;a window portion is formed in the housing so that at least a portion of the plurality of terminals housed inside the housing is exposed; the window portion and the insertion hole portion communicate with each other, A conductive joint member is inserted into the housing through the window portion and connects any of the plurality of terminals to each other in a conductive manner within the housing, and a closing member is provided to close the window portion. The conductive joint member is inserted into the insertion hole portion and is formed so as to be insertable between at least a pair of adjacent terminals among the plurality of terminals, and the adjacent terminals are electrically connected to each other via the conductive joint member inserted into the insertion hole portion. It is characterized by:

[0012] According to the above configuration, when the terminals are electrically connected to each other via a conductive joint member, the electrical connection pattern between the multiple terminals can be freely configured depending on which of the multiple terminals are connected to each other by the conductive joint member.

[0013] For example, by inserting a conductive joint member into the housing through the window portion so as to connect to terminals that are to be conductive according to a desired connection pattern, multiple terminals can be electrically connected to each other via the conductive joint member to form the desired connection pattern.

[0014] Therefore, there is no need to prepare a joint connector for each type of electrical connection pattern between multiple terminals, and it is possible to easily accommodate the desired connection pattern, which in turn allows for standardization of components and reduces manufacturing and management costs.

[0015] Furthermore, since the window portion can be closed with a closing member after the terminals are connected to each other via the conductive joint member, a connector housing in which the terminals are connected to each other in a desired connection pattern can be easily formed.

[0016] Also, The conductive joint member is configured to be insertable between at least one pair of adjacent terminals among the plurality of terminals. To become According to this, by inserting the conductive joint member between the pair of terminals, the pair of terminals can be securely connected to each other in a conductive state.

[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, the blocking member may be configured to hold the conductive joint member. According to the above configuration, by holding the conductive joint member with the blocking member, the terminals can be maintained in a state where they are electrically connected to each other, and stable conductivity can be ensured.

[0018] Furthermore, by fitting the blocking member into the window portion, the window portion is blocked and the conductive joint member can be inserted into the housing so that the terminals are electrically connected to each other by the conductive joint member. Furthermore, when the plurality of conductive joint members are held by the blocking member, the window portions are blocked by the blocking member, so that the plurality of terminals can be electrically connected together.

[0019] In another aspect of the present invention, the closing member may be formed as a retainer that holds the terminals housed inside the housing. According to the above configuration, by accommodating the blocking member, which functions as a retainer, inside the housing, it is possible not only to block the window portion but also to hold not only the terminal but also the conductive joint member, thereby reducing the number of parts compared to when the blocking member and the retainer are provided separately and simplifying the operation of fitting them into the window portion.

[0020] In addition, as an aspect of the present invention, a connecting joint member may be configured which includes a plurality of the conductive joint members and in which the plurality of conductive joint members are connected to each other by connecting parts so as to be conductive to each other.

[0021] According to the above configuration, it is possible to electrically connect not only a pair of adjacent terminals but also a plurality of terminals spaced apart by at least one terminal via the connecting joint member, and also to electrically connect two or more terminals via the connecting joint member.

[0022] Therefore, it is possible to further increase the variety of electrical connection patterns between a plurality of terminals.

[0023] In another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of conductive joint members may be arranged offset from one another in the axial direction of the terminal. According to the above configuration, even in a layout in which a plurality of the conductive joint members are provided corresponding to a plurality of terminals arranged in parallel, the conductive joint members can be distributed not only in the parallel arrangement of the terminals but also in the axial direction, which makes it easier to avoid a conductive state (short-circuit state) caused by inadvertent interference between the plurality of connecting portions connecting the plurality of conductive joint members, thereby making it possible to achieve a configuration in which there are fewer restrictions on the number and paths of the conductive joint members. Therefore, it is possible to easily configure a configuration with an increased variety of electrical connection patterns between a plurality of terminals.

[0024] In one aspect of the present invention, in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axial direction of the terminals, a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction in which the conductive joint member is inserted between the terminals is set as an orthogonal direction, and the housing may be provided with a terminal row constituted by a plurality of the terminals arranged in parallel and spaced apart along the orthogonal direction, and the plurality of terminal rows may be provided spaced apart from each other in the insertion direction, and the conductive joint member may be formed to have a length that extends from the terminal row closest to the blocking member to the terminal row furthest from the plurality of terminal rows.

[0025] According to the above configuration, for any of the multiple terminal rows arranged in parallel along the insertion direction inside the housing, the terminals can be electrically connected to each other via the conductive joint member. Therefore, it is possible to further increase the variety of electrical connection patterns between a plurality of terminals.

[0026] In addition, as an aspect of the present invention, the multiple terminals provided in each of the multiple terminal rows may be configured to be arranged in parallel in a layout in which the positions and spacing in the orthogonal direction are the same for each of the multiple terminal rows.

[0027] According to the above configuration, for any of the plurality of terminal rows arranged in multiple stages in the insertion direction, the conductive joint member can be inserted between a pair of terminals in the terminal row by inserting it into the housing through the window in the insertion direction, thereby ensuring electrical continuity between the pair of terminals via the conductive joint member. Therefore, the variety of electrical connection patterns between the multiple terminals can be further increased.

[0028] Also, The conductive joint member is inserted between a pair of the terminals in one of the plurality of terminal rows spaced apart in the insertion direction, and has a conductive portion that is in direct contact with the pair of terminals to establish electrical continuity, and a conductive portion that is inserted between a pair of adjacent terminals in another terminal row in the plurality of terminal rows spaced apart in the insertion direction, and has a gap between the pair of terminals. Non-conductive part to be in a non-conductive state and may be provided.

[0029] According to the above configuration, it is not necessary to always make the terminal and the conductive joint member conductive at the contact point, but by interposing a non-conductive portion, it is possible to make them non-conductive at the contact point.

[0030] Therefore, depending on whether the contact points are brought into a conductive state or a non-conductive state, the variations in the electrical connection patterns between the plurality of terminals can be further increased.

[0031] In addition, as an aspect of the present invention, the connector may be configured as a connecting connector to be connected to a mating connector, and the terminal may be provided with a terminal connection portion that is electrically connected to a mating terminal provided on the mating connector.

[0032] According to the above configuration, in addition to functioning as a joint connector that electrically connects multiple terminals, it can also function as a connecting connector that holds terminals at the ends of multiple electric wires and connects them to a mating connector.

[0033] Therefore, the connector of the present invention can be made smaller than a connector provided separately. Furthermore, unlike conventional joint connectors, the connector of the present invention does not require connecting connectors from both sides, and it is sufficient to connect the mating connector from one side, thereby simplifying the connection work.

[0034] In addition, as an aspect of the present invention, the connector housing may be provided with a connector-side locking portion that locks the connector in a connected state with the mating connector, and the window portion may be provided on the surface of the connector housing that faces the surface on which the connector-side locking portion is provided and the surface on the opposite side across the interior of the housing (the opposite surface).

[0035] According to the above configuration, the connector of the present invention, which functions as a connecting connector, and the mating connector can be locked in a connected state.

[0036] Furthermore, by providing the window portion on the surface opposite to the surface on which the connector-side locking portion is provided, the terminal can be inserted into the housing through the window portion, and the window portion can be blocked by a blocking member smoothly without being hindered by the connector-side locking portion.

[0037] Furthermore, by providing the window portion on the surface opposite to the surface on which the connecting connector side locking portion is provided, the connector of the present invention can be connected to the mating connector, and even when in a locked state, a terminal can be inserted into the housing through the window portion, or the window portion can be blocked by a blocking member.

[0038] On the other hand, by providing the window portion on the surface opposite to the surface on which the connecting connector side locking portion is provided, the connector and the mating connector can be locked in a connected state smoothly without being hindered by blocking members, etc.

[0039] In addition, by providing the window portion on the surface opposite to the surface on which the connector-side locking portion is provided, the connector housing can be made more compact as a whole than when the window portion is provided on the same surface.

[0040] In another aspect of the present invention, the connection connector may be a female connector that is connected to a male connector that serves as the mating connector, the terminals may be female terminals that have a box portion (connected portion) into which a connection portion (connection tab) of the male terminal that serves as the mating terminal can be inserted, and the conductive joint member may be configured to be inserted between the box portions of any pair of adjacent female terminals among the plurality of female terminals.

[0041] According to the above configuration, the box portion has a high rigidity in the axial direction of the terminal due to its box-like shape, so that even when the conductive joint member is inserted between a pair of adjacent box portions, the box portions do not unintentionally deform, etc., and the conductive joint member can be firmly in contact with the box portions to maintain electrical continuity.

[0042] Furthermore, when the conductive joint member is inserted between a pair of adjacent box sections, it abuts against the outer side of the box section, so that when a male terminal is inserted into the box section, it can be inserted smoothly without any risk of interference with the male terminal.

[0043] The present invention also provides a connector structure configured to be connectable to a male connector and a female connector, wherein at least one of the male connector and the female connector is configured with the connector described above.

[0044] According to the above configuration, the terminals of each connector can be connected in a predetermined connection pattern simply by connecting the male connector and the female connector without the need for a separate relay connector between them. Therefore, compared to conventional joint connectors that connect mating connectors from both sides, the number of parts can be reduced and the effort required to connect the connectors can be reduced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0045] The present invention aims to provide a connector and a connector structure that can easily obtain a desired connection pattern without the need to prepare a joint connector for each type of electrical connection pattern between multiple terminals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0046] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] A bottom view of the connector housing without the hole insertion member attached to the housing body. [Figure 3] A cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 1 with the hole insertion member attached to the housing body. [Figure 4] (a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 3, and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Figure 3. [Figure 5] (a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in Figure 3, and (b) is a plan view of the hole insertion member. [Figure 6] 5(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the hole insertion member is inserted into the housing body and attached. [Figure 7] 4(a) is a cross-sectional view of the connector structure of Modification A, which corresponds to FIG. 4(a), and FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of the connector structure of Modification A, which corresponds to FIG. 4(b). [Figure 8] 5(a) is a cross-sectional view of a connector structure of Modification A, corresponding to FIG. 5(a), and FIG. 5(b) is a plan view of the same, corresponding to FIG. 5(b). [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8 showing a state before the hole insertion member is inserted into the housing main body. [Figure 10] 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of a connector structure according to a modified example B. [Figure 11]11(a) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 10 showing a state before the hole insertion member is inserted into the housing main body, (b) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 10 showing a state in which the hole insertion member has been inserted into the housing main body up to a temporary insertion position, and (c) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 10 showing a state in which the female terminal has been inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber from the state of FIG. 11(b). [Figure 12] 8(a) is an enlarged view showing a cross section of the connector structure of modified example C1 corresponding to region Z1 in FIG. 8(a); FIG. 8(b) is a cross section of the connector structure of modified example C2 corresponding to FIG. 12(a); FIG. 8(c) is a cross section of the connector structure of modified example C3 corresponding to FIG. 12(a); and FIG. 8(d) is a cross section of the connector structure of modified example C4 corresponding to FIG. 12(a). [Figure 13] 13(a) is a cross-sectional view of a connector structure of Modified Example D corresponding to a main part in FIG. 3, and FIG. 13(b) is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the connector structure of Modified Example D taken along the arrow EE in FIG. 13(a). [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a hole insertion member of modification D, partly in phantom lines; [Figure 15] 15(a) is an enlarged view of a connector structure of modified example E1 corresponding to a main part in FIG. 3, and FIG. 15(b) is an enlarged view of a connector structure of modified example E2 corresponding to a main part in FIG. 15(a). [Figure 16] 3. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connector structure according to a modification E3. [Figure 17] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the joint cap of modified example F, which corresponds to FIG. 4(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the joint cap of modified example F, which corresponds to FIG. 4(b). [Figure 18] 12(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a conductive joint pin of Modification 1 corresponding to FIG. 12(a), FIG. 12(b) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a conductive joint pin of Modification 2 corresponding to FIG. 12(a), and FIG. 12(c) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a conductive joint pin of Modification 3 corresponding to FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a connector structure 1 of this embodiment includes a female connector 2 as a connector and a male connector 3 as a mating connector, and is configured to be connectable to each other.

[0048] In the drawings, arrow Z indicates the up-down direction (height direction), arrow X indicates the left-right direction (width direction), and arrow Y indicates the front-rear direction (depth direction) of connector structure 1. Furthermore, in the drawings, arrow Xr indicates the right direction, arrow Xl indicates the left direction, arrow Yf indicates the front direction, and arrow Yr indicates the rear direction.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the female connector 2 is made up of a connector housing 11 and female terminals 4 (see FIGS. 2 to 5(a)), and is formed with five terminals in total.

[0050] The connector housing 11 includes a housing body 13 and a hole insertion member 21 attached to the housing body 13 .

[0051] The housing body 13 is formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin into a block shape that is wide and flat in the thickness direction (vertical direction Z). The housing body 13 has a plurality of hollow terminal accommodating chambers 121 that extend in the depth direction Y. The plurality of (five in this example) terminal accommodating chambers 121 are arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the width direction X (see FIGS. 2 to 3 and 5(a)). The number of terminal accommodating chambers 121 corresponds to the number of female terminals 4, and the terminal accommodating chambers 121 are formed to be able to accommodate the female terminals 4 individually.

[0052] 3 and 4(a), the terminal accommodating chamber 121 has a length in the depth direction Y that is sufficient to accommodate the entire axial length of the female terminal 4, and is formed linearly over substantially the entire length of the housing body 13 in the depth direction Y. The female terminal 4 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121 so that the terminal axial direction coincides with the depth direction Y of the housing body 13.

[0053] As shown in the figure, a plurality of male terminal insertion openings 122 are formed in the front portion of the housing body 13 corresponding to the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 121. As a result, the terminal accommodating chambers 121 open to the front Yf through the male terminal insertion openings 122 so that tab portions 18 (see FIG. 4(a)) of male terminals 8, which will be described later, can be inserted from the front Yf of the housing body 13.

[0054] A plurality of female terminal insertion openings 123 are formed on the rear surface of the housing body 13 corresponding to the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 121. As a result, the terminal accommodating chambers 121 open to the rear Yr through the female terminal insertion openings 123 so that the female terminals 4 can be inserted from the rear Yr of the housing body 13.

[0055] The female terminal 4 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate made of a single conductive material into a predetermined shape, and as shown in Figures 3 and 4(a), it has a wire connection portion 5 at one end (rear side) in the terminal axial direction that coincides with the depth direction Y, and a box portion 6 at the other end (front side). The wire connection portion 5 and the box portion 6 are connected to each other via a transition portion 7.

[0056] The electric wire connection portion 5 is a portion for connecting the end portion 100T of the electric wire 100, in which the conductor 101 is covered with an insulating covering material 102, and has a wire barrel portion 5a on the front side and an insulation barrel portion 5b on the rear side.

[0057] The wire barrel portion 5a crimps and connects the conductor exposed portion 101a at the end portion 100T of the electric wire 100, where the insulating coating material 102 is stripped to expose the conductor 101, and the insulation barrel portion 5b crimps and connects the end portion 102a of the insulating coating material 102 at the end portion 100T of the electric wire 100, which is located behind (opposite the end side of) the conductor exposed portion 101a. The terminal accommodating chamber 121 accommodates not only the female terminal 4 but also the portion of the electric wire 100 extending rearward Yr from the female terminal 4 (see FIGS. 3 and 4(a)).

[0058] As shown in Figure 4(a), the box portion 6 is formed in a square cylindrical shape (an inverted rectangular parallelepiped cylindrical shape) so that the tab portion 18 (connection portion) of the male terminal 8 as the mating terminal can be inserted, and the box portion 6 is provided with a resilient contact piece 6a that can come into contact with the tab portion 18 inserted from the front Yf.

[0059] 4(a), a flexible tongue-like lance 15 capable of engaging with the rear end of the female terminal 4 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121 is provided on the lower rear surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 121. The lance 15 allows the female terminal 4 to be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 121 through the female terminal insertion opening 123, and also functions to prevent the inserted female terminal 4 from slipping out of the female terminal insertion opening 123.

[0060] 1, 4(a), and 5(a), a lock arm 16 is provided in the center of the width direction X of the upper surface 13b of the housing main body 13. As shown in Fig. 4(a), the lock arm 16 has a base 16a that protrudes upward from the front of the upper surface 13b, a tip end 16b that extends substantially horizontally rearward Yr beyond the base 16a to the rear end of the upper surface 13b, and a lock portion 16c that protrudes upward from the tip end (rear end).

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5(a), upper protrusions 17 that protrude above the upper ends of the lock arms 16 are provided on both sides of the upper surface 13b of the housing body 13 in the width direction X.

[0062] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 4(a)(b), and 6, a hole portion 41 is formed at a predetermined position in the depth direction Y on the lower surface 13a (bottom surface) of the housing main body 13, the hole portion 41 being opened through a window portion 41a so that at least a portion of the female terminal 4 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121 is exposed. In the following description, the location in the depth direction Y of the lower surface 13a of the housing main body 13 where the window portion 41a is formed will be referred to as a window portion forming location P41.

[0063] In this embodiment, the window formation location P41 is set at a location corresponding to approximately the middle of the box portion 6 in the depth direction Y (terminal axis direction) of the lower surface 13a of the housing main body 13, as shown in Figure 3, but it may also be set at another location. The hole insertion member 21 is inserted through the window 41a into the hole 41 of the housing body 13 (see FIGS. 5(a) and 6). The hole 41 and the hole insertion member 21 will be described later.

[0064] 1 and 4(a), the male connector 3 as a mating connector includes a connector housing 31 and male terminals 8 (see FIG. 4(a)). The connector housing 31 has a block-shaped terminal mounting portion 32 to which a plurality of male terminals 8 are attached, and a rectangular cylindrical hood portion 33 extending rearward Yr from the terminal mounting portion 32, and is integrally formed by molding from an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0065] The terminal mounting portion 32 has terminal accommodating chambers 34 (see FIG. 4(a)) capable of accommodating male terminals 8, which are arranged in parallel in the width direction X in correspondence with the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 121 provided in the housing body 13 of the female connector 2. The interior of the hood portion 33 is provided with a female connector fitting space 35 (see FIG. 1) which opens toward the rear Yr so that the female connector 2 can be fitted thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, the female connector fitting space 35 has upward protruding spaces 35a that protrude upward on both sides in the width direction X corresponding to the pair of upward protruding portions 17 of the housing body 13 of the female connector 2.

[0066] That is, when the connector housing 11 of the female connector 2 is fitted into the female connector mating space 35 of the male connector 3, the inner wall of the upper protruding space 35a of the hood portion 33 is formed as a guide portion, and the upper protruding portion 17 of the housing main body 13 is formed as a guided portion that is guided by the guide portion.

[0067] As shown in Figure 4(a), the inner surface of the upper wall of the hood portion 33 has a locking portion 33a protruding downward, which engages with the locking portion 16c provided on the female connector 2 when the female connector 2 is fitted into the female connector fitting space 35.

[0068] The male terminal 8 is formed by bending a metal plate made of a conductive material into a predetermined shape, and similar to the male terminal 8 shown in Fig. 16, it has a wire connection portion 5 at the other end (front side) in the terminal axial direction that coincides with the depth direction Y, and an elongated tab portion 18 at one end (rear side). The wire connection portion 5 and the tab portion 18 are connected to each other via a transition portion 19.

[0069] The electric wire connection portion 5 of the male terminal 8 has the same structure as the electric wire connection portion 5 of the female terminal 4, and therefore the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] Similar to the male terminal 8 shown in Figure 16, the male terminal 8 is accommodated with the wire connection portion 5 and the transition portion 19 positioned in the terminal accommodating chamber 34 in the terminal mounting portion 32, and the tab portion 18 protrudes rearward Yr from the rear end of the terminal mounting portion 32 into the female connector mating space 35 of the hood portion 33.

[0071] When the connector housing 11 of the female connector 2 is fitted into the female connector fitting space 35 of the male connector 3, the locking portion 16c and the locked portion 33a engage with each other, so that the female connector 2 and the male connector 3 are held in a fitted state. At this time, the tab portion 18 of the male terminal 8 is inserted into the box portion 6 of the female terminal 4 from the front Yf and is electrically connected to the resilient contact piece 6a (see FIG. 4(a)).

[0072] Next, the hole 41 provided in the housing body 13 of the female connector 2 and the hole insertion member 21 inserted into the hole 41 will be described. 1, 5(a)(b), and 6, the hole insertion member 21 is formed by a lid 22, a conductive joint pin 23 (short pin), and an engagement arm 24. Of these, the lid 22 and the engagement arm 24 are integrally molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and the conductive joint pin 23 is fixed in a fixed position relative to the lid 22 by being incorporated into a molding die and insert-molded.

[0073] As shown in Figures 1 and 5(b), the lid 22 is integrally formed with a rectangular plate-like lid main body portion 25 extending in the width direction X by a length equivalent to approximately the entire length of the housing main body 13 in the width direction X, and a plurality of terminal pressing portions 26 protruding upward from an upper surface 25a of the lid main body portion 25.

[0074] 5(a)(b) and 6, the plurality of terminal pressing portions 26 are arranged in the width direction X of the lid main body portion 25 at positions corresponding to the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 121. The upper surface 26a of each of the plurality of terminal pressing portions 26 is formed flat so as to be able to press the box portion 6 of the female terminal 4 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121 from below.

[0075] 4(a) and 5(a), the lid 22 holds the female terminal 4 in a fixed position by pressing the box portion 6 of the female terminal 4 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121 from below with the terminal pressing portion 26. In other words, the lid 22 is provided with the terminal pressing portion 26, and is thus formed as a retainer that holds the female terminal 4 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121.

[0076] 1, 4(b), 5(a), and 6, the conductive joint pin 23 is formed of a conductive material such as metal into a long, thin cylindrical shape extending linearly in the vertical direction Z. The base 23f (lower part) of the conductive joint pin 23 is embedded in the lid main body 25 by insert molding as described above. This allows the multiple conductive joint pins 23 to be held in the lid main body 25.

[0077] As shown in Figures 1, 5(a)(b), and 6, these conductive joint pins 23 are arranged between the multiple terminal pressing portions 26 in the width direction X of the upper surface 25a of the lid main body portion 25, and each is formed to protrude upward beyond the upper surface 26a of the terminal pressing portion 26.

[0078] In other words, as shown in Figures 3, 4(b), and 5(a), when the hole insertion member 21 is inserted into the hole portion 41, the conductive joint pins 23 are arranged in multiple positions corresponding to the spaces between the multiple female terminals 4 (terminal accommodating chambers 121) in the width direction X of the housing main body 13, and each is formed to protrude with a length that allows it to be inserted between a pair of adjacent female terminals 4.

[0079] That is, when the conductive joint pin 23 is inserted between a pair of adjacent box sections 6, the conductive joint pin 23 is formed with a diameter that allows the outer surface to be pressed against both of the side sections facing each other in the width direction X of the pair of box sections 6 (see Figures 3 and 5(a)). In this embodiment, the plurality of conductive joint pins 23 have the same shape as one another and protrude upward from the upper surface 25a of the lid main body 25 so as to be parallel to one another and have the same protruding length.

[0080] As shown in Figures 1, 5(a), and 6, a pair of engagement arms 24 are provided on each side of the lid main body portion 25 in the width direction X, and each is formed to protrude from the lid main body portion 25 above the conductive joint pin 23.

[0081] The engaging arm 24 has a tip end portion 27 formed in a plate-like shape that is thinner in the width direction X than the base portion 28 so as to be flexible and deformable in the width direction X. An engaging portion 24a that can engage with the housing main body 13 is provided at the tip of the tip end portion 27 of the engaging arm 24 and protrudes outward in the width direction X.

[0082] As shown in Figures 2 to 6, particularly Figure 6, the hole portion 41 inside the housing main body 13 is divided into a lid insertion hole portion 42 (see Figures 2, 5(b), and 6) in which the lid main body portion 25 is accommodated, a pin insertion hole portion 43 (see Figures 2, 3, 4(b), 5(a), and 6) in which the conductive joint pin 23 is inserted, and an engagement arm insertion hole portion 44 in which the engagement arm 24 is inserted.

[0083] As shown in Figure 6, the lid insertion hole portion 42 is formed concavely upward from the lower surface 13a of the housing body 13 at a window formation location P41 in the depth direction Y of the lower surface of the housing body 13, over the entire length of the housing body 13 in the width direction X, with a depth that reaches at least the terminal accommodating chamber 121.

[0084] As a result, the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 121 communicate with the outer lower space of the housing main body 13 at the window portion forming position P41 via the lid insertion hole 42. Therefore, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, when the window portion 41a is not closed by the hole insertion member 21, the female terminal 4 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121 is exposed to the outside of the housing main body 13 at the window portion forming position P41.

[0085] 4(a) and 5(a), the lid insertion hole 42 is formed to be able to accommodate the entire lid main body 25 when the hole insertion member 21 is inserted into the hole 41 through the window 41a. Therefore, when the lid main body 25 is inserted into the lid insertion hole 42, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the window 41a is closed by the lid main body 25, and the lower surface 25b of the lid main body 25 is flush with the lower surface 13a of the housing main body 13.

[0086] 4(a) and 5(a), when the lid main body 25 is accommodated in the lid insertion hole 42, the terminal pressing portion 26 protrudes from below into the terminal accommodating chamber 121, and the upper surface 26a of the terminal pressing portion 26 abuts (presses) from below against the lower surface of the box portion 6 of the female terminal 4 in the terminal accommodating chamber 121. As a result, the box portion 6 is held in a sandwiched state from above and below between the upper surface 131a of the inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber 121 and the upper surface 26a of the terminal pressing portion 26.

[0087] As shown in Figures 3, 5(a), and 6, multiple pin insertion hole portions 43 are formed corresponding to the spaces between multiple terminal accommodating chambers 121 arranged in the width direction X, and each is formed concavely further upward than the lid insertion hole portion 42 so that the conductive joint pin 23 can be inserted therein.

[0088] As a result, the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 121 communicate in the width direction X via the pin insertion holes 43 provided between adjacent terminal accommodating chambers 121, and the plurality of pin insertion holes 43 communicate with the outer lower space of the housing main body 13 via the lid insertion holes 42. That is, the conductive joint pin 23 inserted into the pin insertion hole 43 is interposed in a state of direct contact with the box portion 6 of the adjacent female terminal 4 (see FIGS. 3 and 5(a)).

[0089] As shown in Figures 3, 5(a), and 6, the engagement arm insertion hole portions 44 are formed in a concave shape further upward than the lid insertion hole portions 42 on both sides of the outer sides of the multiple terminal accommodating chambers 121 in the width direction X of the housing main body 13, so that the corresponding engagement arms 24 can be inserted therein.

[0090] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 6, the upper space 44a of the engagement arm insertion hole portion 44 corresponds to the internal space of the upward protrusion portion 17 of the housing main body 13, and is large enough to accommodate the tip portion 27 of the engagement arm 24 and to allow for flexible deformation.

[0091] Meanwhile, an engaged portion 33b engageable with the engaging portion 24a of the engaging arm 24 is provided on the outer inner wall of the upper space 44a of the engaging arm insertion hole 44 in the width direction X, and protrudes inward in the width direction X in the upper space 44a. As shown in Fig. 6, the engaging arm insertion hole 44 communicates with the outer lower space of the housing main body 13 via the lid insertion hole 42.

[0092] When an operator inserts the engaging arm 24 into the engaging arm insertion hole 44 through the window 41a from the state shown in Fig. 6, the inclined upper surface of the engaging portion 24a of the engaging arm 24 abuts against the inclined lower surface of the engaged portion 33b provided on the housing main body 13. This insertion position of the engaging arm 24 is the temporary insertion position (see the engaging arm 24 shown by the imaginary line in Fig. 6).

[0093] When the operator pushes the engaging arm 24, which is located in the temporary insertion position, further upward, the engaging arm 24 can be inserted further into the engaging arm insertion hole 44. This allows the engaging portion 24a of the engaging arm 24 to engage with the engaged portion 33b provided on the housing main body 13 side. This insertion position of the engaging arm 24 is called the insertion completion position. With the engaging arm 24 in the insertion completion position, the hole insertion member 21 remains fully inserted into the hole 41 of the housing main body 13.

[0094] 5, the female terminals 4 are held accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers 121 by the pressure of the terminal pressing portions 26, as described above. Furthermore, the conductive joint pins 23 inserted into the pin insertion holes 43 are fitted between adjacent female terminals 4. This allows the multiple female terminals 4 aligned in a row in the width direction X to be electrically connected to each other via the conductive joint pins 23.

[0095] As shown in Fig. 1, the female connector 2 (joint connector) provided in the connector structure 1 of the present embodiment described above includes a connector housing 11 made of an insulating material and a plurality of female terminals 4 (terminals) (see Fig. 2) made of a conductive material. As shown in Figs. 2 and 6, the connector housing 11 is formed with a window 41a that is opened so that at least a portion of the plurality of female terminals 4 accommodated inside the housing main body 13 (inside the housing) is exposed. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, the connector housing 11 is characterized by being provided with a conductive joint pin 23 (conductive joint member) (see Figures 1, 3, 4(b), 5(a)(b), and 6) that is inserted into a hole 41 inside the housing main body 13 from the window portion 41a and that electrically connects any of the multiple female terminals 4 to each other in the hole 41, and a lid 22 (closing member) that closes the window portion 41a (see Figures 1, 3, 4(a)(b), 5(a)(b), and 6).

[0096] According to the above configuration, when the female terminals 4 are electrically connected to each other via the conductive joint pin 23, the electrical connection pattern between the multiple female terminals 4 can be freely configured depending on which of the multiple female terminals 4 are connected to each other via the conductive joint pin 23.

[0097] Therefore, there is no need to prepare a female connector 2 for each type (specification) of electrical connection pattern between multiple female terminals 4, and it is possible to easily accommodate the desired connection pattern (circuit specification), which in turn allows for standardization of components and reduces manufacturing and management costs.

[0098] Furthermore, since the window portion 41a can be closed with the lid 22 after the female terminals 4 are connected to each other via the conductive joint pins 23, it is possible to easily form a connector housing 11 in which the female terminals 4 are connected to each other in a desired connection pattern.

[0099] Furthermore, by closing the window portion 41a with the lid 22, the conductive joint pin 23 can be protected from unintentional removal from the window portion 41a to the outside of the connector housing 11, and the conductive joint pin 23 and the female terminal 4 can be protected from contact with surrounding conductive members and causing an unintentional short circuit.

[0100] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5(b), the conductive joint pin 23 can be formed so as to be insertable between at least one pair of adjacent female terminals 4 among the plurality of female terminals 4.

[0101] According to the above configuration, by inserting the conductive joint pin 23 between the pair of female terminals 4, the pair of female terminals 4 can be securely connected to each other in a conductive state. Specifically, the conductive joint pin 23 is not simply pressed against the female terminals 4, but is inserted into the gap between a pair of adjacent female terminals 4, so that the conductive joint pin 23 can be brought into tight contact with both of the adjacent female terminals 4 without being affected by misalignment in the axial direction (vertical direction Z) of the conductive joint pin 23. Therefore, a stable conductive state can be maintained between the multiple female terminals 4 via the conductive joint pin 23.

[0102] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4(b), 5(a) and 5(b), and 6, the lid 22 is configured to hold the conductive joint pin 23.

[0103] According to the above configuration, by holding the conductive joint pin 23 with the lid 22, the female terminals 4 can be maintained in a conductively connected state via the conductive joint pin 23, thereby ensuring stable conductivity between the female terminals 4.

[0104] Furthermore, by inserting the lid 22 into the hole 41 through the window 41a, the conductive joint pin 23 can also be inserted into the hole 41, so that the female terminals 4 can easily be made conductive with each other via the conductive joint pin 23.

[0105] As shown in FIGS. 4(b) and 5(a), the cover 22 is formed as a retainer that holds the female terminal 4 housed inside the housing body 13 by the pressure of the terminal pressing portion .

[0106] According to the above configuration, the lid 22 can hold not only the conductive joint pin 23 but also the female terminal 4, so the number of parts can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the female connector 2 is provided with a lid main body portion 25 that holds the conductive joint pin 23 and a terminal pressing portion 26 that holds the female terminal 4 separately, and the operation of fitting into the hole portion 41 can be simplified.

[0107] Also, as shown in Figure 4(a), the female connector 2 of this embodiment is configured as a connecting connector to connect with a male connector 3 (a mating connector), and the female terminal 4 is provided with a box portion 6 (terminal connection portion) that is electrically connected to a male terminal 8 (a mating terminal) (see Figures 1 and 4(a)) provided on the male connector 3.

[0108] According to the above configuration, the female connector 2 can function as a joint connector that electrically connects (joins) multiple female terminals 4 together using a desired conductive pattern, as well as a connection connector that electrically connects the female terminals 4 at the end portions 100T of multiple electric wires 100 together to the male connector 3.

[0109] Therefore, the female connector 2 of this embodiment reduces the number of parts and is smaller than a connector that has two male connectors, such as a joint connector that allows male connectors to be inserted from both directions, and also reduces the effort required for connection work compared to a connector that inserts male connectors from both directions and connects them.

[0110] As shown in Figures 1 and 4(a), the female connector 2 of this embodiment has a locking portion 16c on the upper surface (13b) of the connector housing 11 that locks the connector 2 in a connected state with the male connector 3, and a window portion 41a on the surface opposite the upper surface (13b) of the connector housing 11 across the hole portion 41, i.e., the lower surface (13a).

[0111] According to the above configuration, by providing a window portion 41a on the underside (13a) of the connector housing 11 (housing main body 13), the locking portion 16c is not hindered from locking onto the male connector 3, and the fitting operation onto the male connector 3 can be carried out smoothly.

[0112] On the other hand, the operation of inserting the conductive joint pin 23 and the lid 22 into the hole 41 through the window 41a can be carried out smoothly without being hindered by the locking portion 16c.

[0113] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5(a), the conductive joint pin 23 is configured to be inserted between the box portions 6 of a pair of adjacent female terminals 4 among the plurality of female terminals 4.

[0114] According to the above configuration, the box portion 6 has a box-like shape and is therefore a portion with high rigidity in the axial direction of the female terminal 4. Therefore, even when the conductive joint pin 23 is inserted between a pair of adjacent box portions 6, the box portion 6 will not be inadvertently deformed, and will make firm contact with the female terminal 4, maintaining a stable conductive state.

[0115] Furthermore, since the conductive joint pins 23 abut against the outer side surface of the box portion 6, there is no risk that the conductive joint pins 23 contacting the box portion 6 will adversely affect the insertion of the male terminals 8 into the box portion 6. Therefore, the male terminals 8 can be inserted into the box portion 6 smoothly.

[0116] The connector assembly of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the connector assembly 1 of this embodiment described above, and other embodiments may be employed. Modifications of the present embodiment described above will be described below, but the same or similar components as those in the connector structure 1 of the present embodiment described above will be assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0117] (Variation A) Figures 7 to 9 show the female connector 2A provided in the connecting connector structure 1A of modified example A, with Figure 7(a) being a view corresponding to Figure 4(a) of the female connector 2A of modified example A, and Figure 7(b) being a view corresponding to Figure 4(b) of the same.

[0118] Figure 8(a) is a view corresponding to Figure 5(a) of female connector 2A of Modification A, and Figure 8(b) is a view corresponding to Figure 5(b) of female connector 2A of Modification A. Figure 9 is a view corresponding to Figure 6 of female connector 2A of Modification A.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 8, the female connector 2A of variant A has two upper and lower terminal rows 40a, 40b each consisting of a plurality of (five in this example) female terminals 4A arranged in parallel in the width direction X, for a total of 10 terminals.

[0120] That is, the connector housing 11 of the female connector 2A is provided with terminal accommodating chambers 121 arranged in two upper and lower stages corresponding to the female terminals 4A of the terminal rows 40a and 40b.

[0121] Although the male connector of the modified example A is not shown, it has upper and lower two-stage terminal rows (not shown) corresponding to the female connector 2A of the modified example A.

[0122] The female connector 2A of the modified example A is formed so as to be longer in the vertical direction Z than the female connector 2 of this embodiment in correspondence with the upper and lower two terminal rows 40a, 40b.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 8(a), the two upper and lower terminal rows 40a, 40b are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction Z of the female connector 2A, and are arranged in a grid pattern overall so that they have the same layout in the width direction X (i.e., the spacing in the width direction X and the formation locations in the width direction X are the same).

[0124] As shown in Figures 7(b) and 8(a), the conductive joint pin 23A extends in a straight line upward from the upper surface 25a of the lid main body 25 to a length that allows it to be inserted between adjacent female terminals 4A in the lower terminal row 40a (referred to as the "lower terminal row 40a") of the two upper and lower terminal rows 40a, 40b, but also to a length that allows it to be inserted between adjacent female terminals 4A in the upper terminal row 40b (referred to as the "upper terminal row 40b").

[0125] Similarly, the pin insertion hole portion 43A is formed to have a depth that allows the conductive joint pin 23A to be inserted between adjacent female terminals 4A in the upper terminal row 40b.

[0126] As shown in Figure 8(a), when the conductive joint pin 23A is inserted into the pin insertion hole portion 43A, the upper portion (tip side portion) is inserted so that it is perpendicular to the upper terminal row 40b and the lower portion (base side portion) is inserted so that it is perpendicular to the lower terminal row 40a.

[0127] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8(a), in the female connector 2A of variant A, the positions and sizes between a pair of female terminals 4A in the upper terminal row 40b and between a pair of female terminals 4A in the lower terminal row 40a coincide in the width direction X.

[0128] That is, by inserting each of the linear conductive joint pins 23A into the pin insertion hole portion 43A, it is possible to simultaneously insert the conductive joint pins 23A between adjacent female terminals 4A not only in the lower terminal row 40a but also in the upper terminal row 40b.

[0129] In Modification A, the multiple female terminals 4A are electrically connected to each other in the width direction X via the conductive joint pins 23A in both the upper and lower terminal rows 40a, 40b, and are also electrically connected to each other in the vertical direction Z via the conductive joint pins 23A between the upper terminal row 40b and the lower terminal row 40a. That is, in Modification A, all of the female terminals 4A can be electrically connected to each other.

[0130] 8(a)(b) and 9, the lid 22A of the modified example A does not have the terminal pressing portion 26, the upper surface 22Aa is formed flat, and it does not have a retainer function. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 7(a)(b), the lance 15 (see FIG. 4(a)) is not provided on the lower wall of the inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber 121 of the housing main body 13A of the modified example A.

[0131] For this reason, the female connector 2A of variant A has a configuration that replaces the terminal pressing portion 26 and the lance 15 (see Figure 4(a)) as a terminal holding means (to prevent the terminal from slipping out) for keeping the female terminal 4A housed in the terminal accommodating chamber 121 in a held state. 7(a), 7(b) and 8(a), a flexible flap piece 4aa is formed on a part of the upper surface of the box portion 6 of the female terminal 4A of Modification A. The flap piece 4aa is cut and raised so as to face upward and rearward Yr relative to the surrounding area. Meanwhile, a flap piece engaging protrusion 131 is formed on the upper surface of the inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber 121 and protrudes downward. The flap piece engaging protrusion 131 engages with the flap piece 4aa when the female terminal 4A is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121.

[0132] Furthermore, in the female connector 2A of variant A, when the female terminal 4A is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 121 through the female terminal insertion port 123, the flap piece 4aa bends and deforms so as to retreat downward upon contact with the flap piece engaging protrusion 131, and does not hinder the insertion of the female terminal 4A into the terminal accommodating chamber 121.

[0133] Furthermore, in the female connector 2A of Modification A, when the female terminal 4A is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121, the flap piece 4aa restored upward engages with the flap piece engaging protrusion 131. As a result, the female connector 2A of Modification A can ensure the retention function of the female terminal 4A in the terminal accommodating chamber 121 without providing the terminal pressing portion 26, the lance 15, or the like. Note that, as described above, the retention function of the female terminal 4A is not limited to the terminal pressing portion 26, the lance 15, or the flap piece 4aa, and other configurations may be employed as long as they have the function of retaining the female terminal 4A in the terminal accommodating chamber 121.

[0134] As shown in Figure 8(a), the female connector 2A of the above-mentioned variant A has terminal rows 40a, 40b composed of a plurality of female terminals 4A arranged in parallel and spaced apart from each other in the width direction X (orthogonal direction) in the hole portion 41, and the plurality of terminal rows 40a, 40b (upper terminal row 40b and lower terminal row 40a) are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction Z (insertion direction), and as shown in Figures 7(b) and 8(a), the conductive joint pin 23A is formed to have a length from the lower terminal row 40a (the terminal row of the plurality of terminal rows 40a, 40b that is closest to the lid 22A) to the upper terminal row 40b (the terminal row that is furthest apart).

[0135] According to the above configuration, in the hole portion 41, for both the upper terminal row 40b and the lower terminal row 40a (multiple terminal rows spaced apart in the vertical direction Z), the female terminals 4A adjacent to each other in the width direction X can be electrically connected to each other via the conductive joint pin 23A. Therefore, the female connector 2A of the modified example A can further increase the variety of electrical connection patterns between the plurality of female terminals 4A.

[0136] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the female connector 2A of the above-described variant A has a layout in which the multiple female terminals 4A provided in each of the multiple terminal rows 40a, 40b are arranged in such a way that the positions and spacing in the width direction X are the same for each of the multiple terminal rows 40a, 40b.

[0137] According to the above configuration, when the conductive joint pin 23A is inserted between a pair of female terminals 4A in the lower terminal row 40a, the conductive joint pin 23A can be reliably inserted between a pair of female terminals 4A in the upper terminal row 40b. In other words, the conductive joint pin 23A common to the lower terminal row 40a and the upper terminal row 40b can be reliably inserted between the pairs of female terminals 4A provided in each of the terminal rows 40a, 40b.

[0138] Therefore, the female connector 2A of the modified example A can further increase the variety of electrical connection patterns between the plurality of female terminals 4A.

[0139] (Variation B) Figures 10 and 11(a), (b) and (c) show the female connector 2B provided in the connection connector structure 1B of modified example B, where Figure 10 is a view corresponding to Figure 5(a) of the female connector 2B of modified example B, Figure 11(a) is a view corresponding to Figure 6, Figure 11(b) is a view corresponding to Figure 6 in the state where the engagement arm 24 has been inserted to the temporary insertion position and before the female terminal 4 has been inserted, and Figure 11(c) is a view corresponding to Figure 6 in the state where the engagement arm 24 has been inserted to the temporary insertion position and after the female terminal 4 has been inserted.

[0140] 10, the female connector 2B of the modified example B is configured to have two upper and lower terminal rows 40a, 40b, and is configured to have a terminal pressing portion 26 on the cover 22B. That is, the female connector 2B of the modified example B is provided with a plurality of terminal pressing portions 26 corresponding to all of the female terminals 4 (terminal accommodating chambers 121) not only in the lower terminal row 40a but also in the upper terminal row 40b.

[0141] 10 and 11(a), a plurality of terminal pressing portions 26 are arranged on the upper surface 22Ba of the lid 22B in the width direction X at positions corresponding to each female terminal 4 in the lower terminal row 40a. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the lid 22B is provided with a horizontal bridge portion 29 that spans across the two upper and lower terminal rows 40a, 40b when inserted into the hole 41. The horizontal bridge portion 29 extends linearly in the width direction X so that both ends are connected to the bases 28 of the pair of engagement arms 24. A plurality of terminal pressing portions 26 are arranged on the upper surface of the horizontal bridge portion 29 in the width direction X, corresponding to each female terminal 4 in the upper terminal row 40b.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 10, when the hole insertion member 21B is inserted into the hole portion 41, the inner surfaces of the bases 28 of the pair of engagement arms 24 in the width direction X form the outer inner walls of the terminal accommodating chambers 121 located on the outer side in the width direction X among the multiple terminal accommodating chambers 121.

[0143] Next, we will explain an example of the procedure for assembling the female connector 2B of variant B from a state in which the female terminal 4 is not accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121 and the hole insertion member 21B is not inserted into the hole portion 41 of the housing main body 13B (the state shown in Figure 11(a)) to a state as shown in Figure 10.

[0144] First, the hole insertion member 21B is inserted into the hole 41 through the window 41a of the housing main body 13B up to the temporary insertion position so as to change from the state shown in Fig. 11(a) to the state shown in Fig. 11(b). Furthermore, in this state, the female terminal 4 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 121 through the female terminal insertion opening 123 to reach the state shown in Fig. 11(c).

[0145] In this way, by inserting the hole insertion member 21B up to the temporary insertion position of the hole portion 41 before inserting the female terminal 4 into the terminal accommodating chamber 121, the horizontal portion 29 does not interfere with the female terminal 4 of the lower terminal row 40a, and the hole insertion member 21B can be properly inserted up to the temporary insertion position.

[0146] Furthermore, when the hole insertion member 21B is in the temporary insertion position, the terminal pressing portion 26 does not protrude (does not penetrate) from below into the terminal accommodating chamber 121 (see FIG. 11(b)), so that the female terminal 4 can be smoothly inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 121, as shown in FIG. 11(c). When the female terminals 4 are inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 121, the conductive joint pins 23A are inserted between adjacent female terminals 4, so that the plurality of female terminals 4 can be brought into a conductive state via the conductive joint pins 23A.

[0147] 11(c), the hole insertion member 21B is inserted into the hole 41 of the housing main body 13B from the temporary insertion position to the fully inserted position, thereby achieving the state shown in Fig. 10. At this time, the female terminals 4 in the upper and lower terminal rows 40a, 40b can be pressed by the corresponding terminal pressing portions 26, and the female terminals 4 can be held in the terminal accommodating chambers 121 by the terminal pressing portions 26.

[0148] On the other hand, the plurality of female terminals 4 maintain a conductive state even when the hole insertion member 21B is inserted from the temporary insertion position to the fully inserted position. That is, the female terminals 4 can be kept conductive across the entire terminal rows 40a, 40b in the upper and lower stages and in the width direction X.

[0149] (Variations C1 to C4) FIG. 12(a) schematically shows a portion corresponding to the region Z1 in FIG. 8 in a female connector 2Ca provided in a connector structure 1Ca of modification C1.

[0150] The present invention may also be configured such that an insulating portion 50 is interposed between the female terminal 4A and the conductive joint pin 23A at the contact point (between them) to prevent electrical conduction between them, as in the female connector 2Ca of modified example C1 shown in Figure 12(a).

[0151] Specifically, the female connector 2Ca of modification C1 is configured such that, as shown in Fig. 12(a), layered insulating portions 50 are interposed between all contact points between the female terminals 4A and the conductive joint pins 23A in the upper terminal row 40b. This allows the female connector 2Ca to keep the female terminals 4A in the upper terminal row 40b in a non-conductive state while keeping the female terminals 4A in the lower terminal row 40a in a conductive state.

[0152] This insulating portion 50 can be formed, for example, by applying an insulating coating agent to at least one of the contact points between the female terminal 4A and the conductive joint pin 23A or by adhering an insulating adhesive tape thereto.

[0153] Furthermore, the present invention may also be configured such that, for example, an insulating portion 50 is not interposed at the contact point between the female terminal 4A and the conductive joint pin 23A in the upper terminal row 40b, as in the female connector 2Cb provided in the connection connector structure 1Cb of modified example C2 shown in Figure 12(b), but an insulating portion 50 is interposed at the contact point between the female terminal 4A and the conductive joint pin 23A in the lower terminal row 40a. In this configuration, only the plurality of female terminals 4A provided in the upper terminal row 40b can be brought into a state of electrical continuity with one another via the conductive joint pins 23A.

[0154] Furthermore, the present invention may be configured such that an insulating portion 50 is interposed at the contact point between one of a pair of adjacent female terminals 4A in the upper terminal row 40b and the conductive joint pin 23A, as in the female connector 2Cc provided in the connection connector structure 1Cc of modified example C3 shown in Figure 12(c), and at the contact point between the other of a pair of adjacent female terminals 4A in the lower terminal row 40a and the conductive joint pin 23A.

[0155] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described conductive joint pin 23A, but may be configured, for example, as a conductive joint pin 23C provided in a connector structure 1Cd of a modified example C4 shown in FIG. 12(d). Specifically, the conductive joint pin 23C provided in the female connector 2Cd of variant C4 is configured to have a cylindrical insulating pin 51 formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin and extending in the vertical direction Z, and conductive portions 52 on the outer periphery of the insulating pin 51 corresponding to the height of each of the upper and lower terminal rows 40a, 40b.

[0156] The conductive portion 52 can be formed on the outer surface of the insulating pin 51 by, for example, applying a conductive coating agent or by adhering a thin conductive member such as a metal foil to the outer surface.

[0157] In variant C4, the conductive portion 52 is provided around the entire circumference of the conductive joint pin 23C, so that in each of the upper and lower terminal rows 40a, 40b, a pair of adjacent female terminals 4A separated by the conductive joint pin 23C are electrically connected to each other.

[0158] That is, the multiple female terminals 4A can be in a non-conductive state between the upper terminal row 40b and the lower terminal row 40a, while being in a conductive state between the upper terminal row 40b and the lower terminal row 40a in the width direction X.

[0159] The female connector of the present invention can be configured in such a way that an insulating portion 50 is interposed between at least one of the adjacent female terminals 4A and the conductive joint pin 23C, regardless of whether it is one of the two upper and lower terminal rows 40a, 40b, as in the female connectors 2Ca, 2Cb, and 2Cc of the above-mentioned modified examples C1, C2, and C3.

[0160] Furthermore, in the female connector of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of conductive joint pins 23A may be the conductive joint pin 23C of the above-described modification C4.

[0161] As a result, the female connector of the present invention can further increase the variety of electrical connection patterns between the plurality of female terminals 4A. (Variation D) Figure 13(a) shows a cross section of a female connector 2D provided in a connector structure 1D of Modification D, corresponding to the main part of Figure 3. Figure 13(b) shows a schematic cross section taken along line EE in Figure 13(a). Figure 14 shows the main part of a connecting joint member 55 provided in the female connector 2D of Modification D.

[0162] The present invention may include a connecting joint member 55, as in a female connector 2D of Modification D shown in FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b). As shown in FIG. 14, the connecting joint member 55 is made up of a plurality of conductive joint pins 23 and a connecting portion 56 that connects these conductive joint pins 23 to each other in an electrically conductive manner.

[0163] Specifically, as shown in Figures 13(a) and (b), the female connector 2D of variant D has a terminal row 40 in which four female terminals 4 are arranged in parallel in the width direction X, and is provided with four conductive joint pins 23 corresponding to each female terminal 4.

[0164] Here, the multiple female terminals 4 are set as a first female terminal 4a, a second female terminal 4b, a third female terminal 4c, and a fourth female terminal 4d from one side to the other in the width direction X, and the multiple conductive joint pins 23 are set as a first conductive joint pin 23a, a second conductive joint pin 23b, a third conductive joint pin 23c, and a fourth conductive joint pin 23d from one side to the other in the width direction X.

[0165] 13(a) and 13(b), the first conductive joint pin 23a is inserted between the first female terminal 4a and the second female terminal 4b. The first female terminal 4a and the first conductive joint pin 23a are in direct contact with each other to ensure electrical continuity, whereas the second female terminal 4b and the first conductive joint pin 23a are in a non-conductive state due to the presence of an insulating part 50 between them.

[0166] Similarly, the second female terminal 4b and the second conductive joint pin 23b are in a conductive state, while the third female terminal 4c and the second conductive joint pin 23b are in a non-conductive state. Also, the third female terminal 4c and the third conductive joint pin 23c are in a conductive state, while the fourth female terminal 4d and the third conductive joint pin 23c are in a non-conductive state. Furthermore, the fourth female terminal 4d and the fourth conductive joint pin 23d are in a conductive state.

[0167] 13(a)(b) and 14, the first conductive joint pin 23a and the third conductive joint pin 23c are electrically connected to each other via a connecting portion 56 (also referred to as a "first connecting portion 56a"). This ensures that the first female terminal 4a and the third female terminal 4c are electrically connected to each other via the first conductive joint pin 23a, the third conductive joint pin 23c, and the first connecting portion 56a.

[0168] The second conductive joint pin 23b and the fourth conductive joint pin 23d are electrically connected to each other via a connecting portion 56 (also referred to as a "second connecting portion 56b"). This ensures that the second female terminal 4b and the fourth female terminal 4d are electrically connected to each other via the second conductive joint pin 23b, the fourth conductive joint pin 23d, and the second connecting portion 56b.

[0169] The first connecting portion 56a and the second connecting portion 56b are both formed of a conductive material such as a metal foil or a bus bar, and are embedded in the lid main body portion 25 by insert molding or the like so as to maintain the above-mentioned connecting pattern (circuit pattern), as shown in Figures 13(b) and 14.

[0170] Needless to say, the connection pattern for connecting the plurality of conductive joint pins 23 by the connecting portions 56 is not limited to the above embodiment, and various connection patterns can be used.

[0171] For this reason, the female connector of the present invention is not limited to electrically connecting adjacent pairs of female terminals 4 arranged in parallel in the width direction X via the conductive joint pins 23, but can also electrically connect any combination of pairs via the conductive joint pins 23 and the connecting portions 56, as in the female connector 2D of modification D. Therefore, the female connector of the present invention can increase the variety of conduction patterns (circuit patterns) of the multiple female terminals 4.

[0172] (Variations E1 to E3) FIG. 15(a) shows a cross section of a female connector 2Ea of the modification E1, corresponding to the main part of FIG.

[0173] The present invention may also be configured such that multiple conductive joint pins 23 are arranged offset from each other in the depth direction Y of the housing main body 13 (axial direction of the female terminal 4), as in the female connector 2Ea of modified example E1 shown in Figure 15(a).

[0174] Specifically, the female connector 2Ea of the modification E1 is configured such that the first conductive joint pin 23a and the third conductive joint pin 23c are shifted rearward relative to the second conductive joint pin 23b and the fourth conductive joint pin 23d.

[0175] In the female connector 2Ea of variant E1, the window portion 41a of the housing main body 13 is formed to be wide in the depth direction Y, and the position of the pin insertion hole portion 43 is appropriately shifted to correspond to the position of the conductive joint pin 23.

[0176] In this way, the female connector 2Ea of the modification E1 has a plurality of conductive joint pins 23 arranged in a staggered arrangement in the depth direction Y rather than arranged in parallel in a line along the width direction X.

[0177] As a result, the first connecting portion 56a can connect the first conductive joint pin 23a and the third conductive joint pin 23c in a straight line, as shown in Figure 15(a), without connecting the second conductive joint pin 23b and the fourth conductive joint pin 23d via a detour in the depth direction Y.

[0178] Similarly, the second connecting portion 56b can connect the second conductive joint pin 23b and the fourth conductive joint pin 23d in a straight line, as shown in Figure 15(a), without connecting the first conductive joint pin 23a and the third conductive joint pin 23c via a detour in the depth direction Y.

[0179] In other words, the female connector 2Ea of variant example E1 can be configured to be less subject to restrictions on the number of conductive joint pins 23 and the paths of the connecting parts 56, as it is easier to avoid a conductive state (short-circuit state) caused by inadvertent interference between the multiple connecting parts 56 that connect the multiple conductive joint pins 23 to each other. Therefore, it is possible to easily configure a configuration with an increased variety of electrical connection patterns between a plurality of terminals.

[0180] The female connector of the present invention is not limited to arranging the plurality of conductive joint pins 23 in two rows in the depth direction Y, as in the female connector 2Ea of modification E1, but may also be arranged in three or more rows. In this case, the window portion 41a is not limited to being provided in common across the plurality of rows of conductive joint pins 23, but may be provided independently for each row.

[0181] FIG. 15(b) shows a cross section of a female connector 2Eb of the modification E2, which corresponds to the main part of FIG. As shown in FIG. 15(b), the female connector 2Eb of the modification E2 has a pair (two) of conductive joint pins 23A arranged in parallel in the depth direction Y between a predetermined pair of adjacent female terminals 4.

[0182] Furthermore, the female connector 2Eb of variant E2 is configured to have two upper and lower terminal rows 40a, 40b, similar to variant A (see Figure 8) described above, and each of the pair of conductive joint pins 23A is formed to a length that reaches not only the lower terminal row 40a but also the upper terminal row 40b.

[0183] Here, as shown in FIG. 15(b), the conductive joint pin 23A located on one side in the width direction X is set as the one-side conductive joint pin 23Aa, and the conductive joint pin 23A located on the other side in the width direction X is set as the other-side conductive joint pin 23Ab.

[0184] Of the pair of conductive joint pins 23Aa, 23Ab, one conductive joint pin 23Aa has insulating portions 50 formed at each contact point with a pair of adjacent female terminals 4 in the upper terminal row 40b, as shown in Fig. 12(a) which shows a cross section taken along line FF in Fig. 15(b). On the other hand, the other conductive joint pin 23Ab has insulating portions 50 formed at each contact point with a pair of adjacent female terminals 4 in the lower terminal row 40a, as shown in Fig. 12(b) which shows a cross section taken along line GG in Fig. 15(b).

[0185] With this configuration, a pair of adjacent female terminals 4 can be electrically connected to each other in the lower terminal row 40a via the one-side conductive joint pin 23Aa (see FIG. 12(a)), and can be electrically connected to each other in the upper terminal row 40b via the other-side conductive joint pin 23Ab (see FIG. 12(b)). Furthermore, a pair of adjacent female terminals 4 can be electrically disconnected from each other between the upper terminal row 40b and the lower terminal row 40a.

[0186] That is, the pair of conductive joint pins 23Aa, 23Ab provided in the female connector 2Eb of the modification E2 can form a conduction pattern similar to that of the conductive joint pin 23C shown in FIG. 12(d).

[0187] FIG. 16 shows a cross section corresponding to FIG. 3 of a connector structure 1Ec of the modification E3, showing a state in which a female connector 2Ec and a male connector 3Ec are mated.

[0188] In the present invention, as in a connector structure 1Ec of a modification E3 shown in FIG. 16, the conductive joint pin 23 and the hole 41' may be provided not only on the female connector 2Ec but also on the male connector 3Ec side. Specifically, as shown in Figure 16, the connector housing 31E in the male connector 3Ec of variant E3 has a hole portion 41' formed in the terminal mounting portion 32E, and is provided with a hole insertion member 21E' that is inserted into the hole portion 41' through a window portion 41a'.

[0189] The male connector 3Ec of the modified example E3 is configured to include a plurality of (four) male terminals 8 arranged in a row along the width direction X, i.e., a terminal row 40′. The four male terminals 8 are designated as a first male terminal 8a, a second male terminal 8b, a third male terminal 8c, and a fourth male terminal 8d, in that order from one side to the other in the width direction X.

[0190] The hole portion 41' on the male connector 3Ec side is formed over substantially the entire length in the width direction X at a position in the depth direction Y of the terminal mounting portion 32E that corresponds to the transition portion 19 of the male terminal 8. Furthermore, the hole insertion member 21E' on the male connector 3Ec side is provided with a first conductive joint pin 23a and a third conductive joint pin 23c as the conductive joint pin 23.

[0191] The first conductive joint pin 23a and the second male terminal 8b on the male connector 3Ec side are in a non-conductive state with an insulating portion 50 interposed between their respective contact points, and the third conductive joint pin 23c and the fourth male terminal 8d are in a non-conductive state with an insulating portion 50 interposed between their respective contact points.

[0192] Furthermore, the first conductive joint pin 23a and the third conductive joint pin 23c are electrically connected by a connection portion 56 (referred to as a "male terminal side connection portion 56c"). As a result, the first male terminal 8a and the third male terminal 8c are electrically connected via the first conductive joint pin 23a, the third conductive joint pin 23c, and the male terminal side connection portion 56c.

[0193] In addition, in response to the fact that the hole insertion member 21E' on the male connector 3Ec side is provided with the first conductive joint pin 23a and the third conductive joint pin 23c, the hole portion 41' on the male connector 3Ec side is provided with a first pin insertion hole portion 43a and a third pin insertion hole portion 43c.

[0194] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, the female connector 2Ec of the modified example E4 is configured to have a plurality of (four) female terminals 4, i.e., a single terminal row 40, arranged in the width direction X corresponding to the male connector 3Ec. The four female terminals 4 are designated in order from one side to the other in the width direction X as a first female terminal 4a, a second female terminal 4b, a third female terminal 4c, and a fourth female terminal 4d.

[0195] The window portion 41a on the female connector 2Ec side is formed over substantially the entire length in the width direction X at a position in the depth direction Y of the housing body 13 that corresponds to the box portion 6 of the female terminal 4. Furthermore, the hole insertion member 21E on the female connector 2Ec side is provided with a second conductive joint pin 23b and a fourth conductive joint pin 23d as the conductive joint pins 23. The second conductive joint pin 23b and the third female terminal 4c on the female connector 2Ec side are in a non-conductive state with an insulating portion 50 interposed between them at their contact points.

[0196] Furthermore, the second conductive joint pin 23b and the fourth conductive joint pin 23d are electrically connected by a connection portion 56 (referred to as the "female terminal side connection portion 56d"). As a result, the second female terminal 4b and the fourth female terminal 4d are electrically connected via the second conductive joint pin 23b, the fourth conductive joint pin 23d, and the female terminal side connection portion 56d.

[0197] In addition, in response to the fact that the hole insertion member 21E on the female connector 2Ec side is provided with the second conductive joint pin 23b and the fourth conductive joint pin 23d, the hole portion 41 on the female connector 2Ec side is provided with a second pin insertion hole portion 43b and a fourth pin insertion hole portion 43d.

[0198] According to the above configuration, when the female connector 2Ec is fitted into the male connector 3Ec, a conduction pattern similar to that of the female connector 2D of the modified example D (see FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b)) can be formed.

[0199] In addition, the present invention is not limited to providing the hole portion 41' at a location corresponding to the transition portion 19 in the depth direction Y of the terminal mounting portion 32E, as in the male connector 3Ec of modified example E3, but may provide it at any location in the depth direction Y.

[0200] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the hole portion and hole insertion member are provided only on the female connector 2 side as in the above-mentioned embodiment, or on both the female connector 2Ec and the male connector 3Ec as in the connecting connector structure 1Ec of variant example E3, but may also be provided only on the male connector 3Ec side.

[0201] (Variation F) FIG. 17(a) shows a cross section of the joint cap 2F of modified example F, which corresponds to FIG. 4(a), and FIG. 17(b) shows a cross section of the joint cap 2F of modified example F, which corresponds to FIG. 4(b). The joint connector of the present invention is not limited to being configured as a female connector or a male connector, but may also be configured as a joint cap 2F of modified example F as shown in FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b).

[0202] Specifically, the joint cap 2F of variant F is configured, for example, similar to the female connector 2 of the above-described embodiment, to include a housing main body 13F and a hole insertion member 21 that is inserted into a hole portion 41 provided in the housing main body 13F.

[0203] 17(a) and 17(b), the joint cap 2F of the modified example F does not have a male terminal insertion opening 122 (see FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b)) in the front wall of the housing main body 13F, and the front end of the terminal accommodating chamber 121 is closed. In addition, the joint cap 2F of the modified example F is configured such that the housing main body 13F is not provided with a locking portion 16c (see the same figures) for locking the male connector 3Ec when fitted thereto.

[0204] In such a joint cap 2F, a terminal 4F is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121, but the terminal 4F is formed only by the wire connection portion 5 without a mating connection portion such as a box portion 6 or a tab portion 18.

[0205] In the joint cap 2F of this embodiment, when the terminal 4F is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 121, the hole insertion member 21 is inserted into the hole portion 41, thereby fitting the conductive joint pin 23 between adjacent terminals 4F (see Figure 17(b)).

[0206] As a result, when the joint cap 2F is used as an electric wire holder for holding the end portions 100T of the multiple electric wires 100, the joint cap 2F can hold the end portions 100T of the multiple electric wires 100 in a state in which the terminals 4F connected to the end portions 100T are conductive to each other.

[0207] As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modified examples, but can be formed in various embodiments. For example, the present invention can be configured such that a non-conductive portion is provided at at least one of the contact points between the terminal and the conductive joint member to prevent electrical conduction between them. However, the non-conductive portion is not limited to being formed by an insulating portion 50, as in the female connector 2Ca of the above-mentioned modified example C1 (see FIG. 12(a)), but may also be formed by a gap portion 50s, as shown in FIG. 18(a).

[0208] 18(a), the conductive joint pin 23D of the first modification is configured to have a large diameter portion 61 on the axial tip side and a small diameter portion 62 on the axial base side. The large diameter portion 61 has an outer diameter that can come into contact with the box portion 6 and the like of the female terminal 4A when inserted into the pin insertion hole 43, and the small diameter portion 62 has an outer diameter that is smaller than the large diameter portion 61 so that the small diameter portion 62 does not come into contact with the box portion 6 and the like when inserted into the pin insertion hole 43.

[0209] When the conductive joint pin 23D of variant example 1 is inserted into the pin insertion hole portion 43, the large diameter portion 61 corresponds to the abutment point with the female terminal 4A in the upper terminal row 40b, and the small diameter portion 62 corresponds to the abutment point with the female terminal 4A in the lower terminal row 40a.

[0210] The conductive joint pin 23D is interposed in the upper terminal row 40b with the large diameter portion 61 in direct contact with the box portion 6 of the adjacent female terminal 4A (see FIG. 8(a)).

[0211] On the other hand, the small diameter portion 62 does not directly contact the box portion 6 of the adjacent female terminal 4A in the lower terminal row 40a, but faces the box portion 6 across a gap portion 50s (gap) serving as a non-conductive portion.

[0212] As a result, when the conductive joint pin 23D of variant example 1 is inserted into the pin insertion hole portion 43, the large diameter portion 61 can be in a conductive state with the female terminal 4A in the upper terminal row 40b, while the small diameter portion 62 is in a non-contact state with the female terminal 4A in the lower terminal row 40a, thereby resulting in a mutually non-conductive state.

[0213] In addition, the conductive joint member of the present invention does not have to have the small diameter portion 62 limited to a location corresponding to the lower terminal row 40a as in the above-mentioned conductive joint pin 23D, but can be formed in at least a part of the axial and / or circumferential direction, for example, at a location corresponding to the upper terminal row 40b.

[0214] Furthermore, the conductive joint member of the present invention can be formed into a shape having a small diameter portion 62, for example, by cutting a pin-shaped member having an outer diameter corresponding to the large diameter portion 61 over the entire axial length, but the manufacturing method of a conductive joint pin having a small diameter portion 62 is not particularly limited.

[0215] 18(b), the conductive joint member of the present invention may be configured to include a pin main body 63 formed so that substantially the entire body, excluding the axial base end and tip end, has an outer diameter equivalent to that of the small diameter portion 62, and an elastic protruding piece 64 protruding radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the pin main body 63. The elastic protruding piece 64 protrudes in a tongue-like shape from at least a portion of the axial and circumferential directions of the pin main body 63 radially outward beyond the large diameter portion 61 so as to be elastically deformable (flexibly deformable).

[0216] The elastic protruding piece 64 and the pin main body 63 are both formed to be conductive, and a state of conduction between them is ensured. However, the elastic protruding piece 64 does not necessarily have to be formed integrally with the pin main body 63, but may be formed as a separate piece. Furthermore, the elastic protruding piece 64 may be formed to be detachable from the pin main body 63, in which case the attachment position relative to the pin main body 63 may be formed to be changeable in the circumferential and axial directions.

[0217] When the conductive joint pin 23E of the second modification is inserted into the pin insertion hole 43, a pair of elastic protruding pieces 64 is formed on each of the tip side and base side of the pin main body 63. Specifically, the pair of elastic protruding pieces 64 on the tip side are formed to correspond to the respective abutment points of adjacent female terminals 4A in the upper terminal row 40b, and the pair of elastic protruding pieces 64 on the base side are formed to correspond to the respective abutment points of adjacent female terminals 4A in the lower terminal row 40a.

[0218] Furthermore, when the conductive joint pin 23E is inserted into the pin insertion hole portion 43, each of the elastic protruding pieces 64 comes into contact with the corresponding female terminal 4A, causing the conductive joint pin 23E to elastically deform (flexibly deform) radially inward.

[0219] The conductive joint pins 23E can be kept in firm contact with the corresponding female terminals 4A by utilizing the elastic force (restoring force) of the elastic protruding pieces 64. That is, the conductive joint pins 23E of the second modification can reliably maintain electrical continuity with the female terminals 4A when inserted into the pin insertion holes 43.

[0220] The conductive joint pin 23F of Modification 3 shown in Fig. 18(c) is a modification accompanying Modification 2. As shown in Fig. 18(c), the conductive joint pin 23F of Modification 3 is configured without the elastic protruding piece 64 at a portion of the pin body 63 that is intended to be a non-conductive portion with respect to the female terminal 4A.

[0221] According to this configuration, when the conductive joint pin 23 is inserted into the pin insertion hole portion 43, in the portion to be made non-conductive, the pin main body portion 63 formed with an outer diameter equivalent to the small diameter portion 62 and the corresponding female terminal 4A can be made to face each other across the gap portion 50s.

[0222] As a result, the pin body 63 is in a non-contact state with the corresponding female terminal 4A, similar to the small diameter portion 62 described above, and as a result, they are in a non-conductive state with each other.

[0223] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the hole insertion member 21 is maintained inserted into the hole portion 41 by engaging the engagement arm 24 provided on the lid 22 of the hole insertion member 21 with the housing main body 13F, as in the female connector 2 of the embodiment described above (see Figure 5).

[0224] Specifically, although not shown, the lid 22 of the hole insertion member 21 may be configured to be attached in a state where it is inserted into the hole portion 41 by not having an engagement arm 24, but by inserting (fitting) the lid 22 into the lid insertion hole portion 42, or by fastening the lid 22 to each other with screws or the like in the inserted state.

[0225] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to providing window 41a at window-forming position P41 on underside 13a of housing main body 13, as in female connector 2 of the above-described embodiment, but may also provide window 41a at a position other than window-forming position P41 on underside 13a or on a surface other than underside 13a. For example, the female connector of the present invention may be configured such that locking portion 16c is provided on underside 13a of housing main body 13 and window 41a is provided on the upper surface of housing main body 13, or window 41a may be provided on the same surface as locking portion 16c, as long as the function of locking portion 16c is not impaired. Furthermore, the number of window 41a provided in female connector 2 is not limited to one, and multiple window portions 41a may be provided.

[0226] The present invention is not limited to the case where the conductive joint pin 23 and the lid 22 are integrally formed as in the female connector 2 of the above embodiment, but the conductive joint pin 23 may be configured to be detachable from the lid 22 (lid main body portion 25). Needless to say, the configurations of the above-described modified examples A, B, C1 to C3, D, E1 to E4, and F may be combined with each other and applied to other modified examples. Furthermore, the female connector or male connector of the present invention is not limited to the terminal layout adopted in the above-described embodiments and modified examples in terms of the number of terminals arranged in the width direction X or the number of rows in the vertical direction Z, and may be configured with various terminal layouts other than those described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0227] 1, 1A, 1B, 1Ca, 1Cb, 1Cc, 1Cd, 1D, 1Ec...connector structure 2F...Joint cap (connector) 2, 2A, 2B, 2Ca, 2Cb, 2Cc, 2D, 2Ea, 2Eb, 2Ec...Female connector (female connector, connector) 2...Female connector (connector) 3,3F...Male connector (male connector, mating connector, connector) 4...Female terminal (terminal) 4F...Terminal (Terminal) 6...Box section (terminal connection section) 8...Male terminal (mating terminal) 11...Connector housing 13a...the lower surface of the housing body 13 (the surface of the connector housing opposite to the surface on which the connector-side locking portion is provided, across the interior of the housing) 13b...Top surface of the housing body (surface of the connector housing on the side where the connector-side locking portion is provided) 16c...Lock section (connector side lock section) 22...Cover (closing member) 23, 23A, 23B, 23C, 23C', 23D, 23E, 23F...Conductive joint pin (conductive joint member) 26...Terminal pressing part 40, 40a, 40b...Terminal row 40a...Lower terminal row (terminal row closest to the blocking member) 40b...Upper terminal row (furthest apart terminal row) 41...Hole (inside the housing) 41a...Window section 55...Connecting joint member 56...Connection part 50...Insulating part (non-conductive part) 50s...Gap part (non-conducting part) 121...Terminal chamber (inside the housing) X: Width direction (orthogonal direction) Z…Vertical direction (insertion direction)

Claims

1. The connector includes a connector housing made of an insulating material and a plurality of terminals made of a conductive material. The connector housing is a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers for accommodating the terminals; a fitting hole portion communicating between the adjacent terminal accommodating chambers; a window portion is formed in the housing so that at least a portion of the plurality of terminals housed inside the housing is exposed; the window portion and the insertion hole portion communicate with each other, a conductive joint member that is inserted into the housing through the window portion and that electrically connects any of the plurality of terminals to each other within the housing; and a closing member that closes the window portion, the conductive joint member is inserted into the insertion hole portion and is formed so as to be insertable between at least a pair of adjacent terminals among the plurality of terminals, The adjacent terminals are electrically connected to each other via the conductive joint member inserted into the insertion hole. connector.

2. The blocking member is configured to hold the conductive joint member. The connector according to claim 1 .

3. The closing member is formed as a retainer for holding the terminal housed inside the housing.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A connecting joint member is provided which includes a plurality of the conductive joint members and is connected to each other by connecting portions so that the conductive joint members are electrically conductive to each other. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The plurality of conductive joint members are arranged offset from one another in the axial direction of the terminal. The connector according to claim 4.

6. In a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axial direction of the terminals, a direction perpendicular to an insertion direction in which the conductive joint member is inserted between the terminals is set as an orthogonal direction; a terminal row formed of a plurality of the terminals arranged in parallel and spaced apart from one another along the orthogonal direction is provided inside the housing, and the plurality of terminal rows are spaced apart from one another in the insertion direction; The conductive joint member is formed to have a length extending from the terminal row closest to the closing member to the terminal row farthest from the closing member among the plurality of terminal rows. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The plurality of terminals provided in each of the plurality of terminal rows are arranged in parallel in a layout in which the positions and intervals in the orthogonal direction are the same among the plurality of terminal rows. The connector according to claim 6.

8. The conductive joint member a conductive portion that is inserted between a pair of the terminals in any one of the plurality of terminal rows spaced apart in the insertion direction and that is in direct contact with the pair of terminals to establish electrical continuity; a non-conducting portion that is inserted between a pair of adjacent terminals in another terminal row among the plurality of terminal rows spaced apart in the insertion direction, and that separates the pair of terminals from each other by a gap, thereby creating a non-conducting state; The connector according to claim 6 or 7.

9. It is configured as a connector that connects to a mating connector, The terminal is provided with a terminal connection portion that is electrically connected to a mating terminal provided in the mating connector. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. a connector-side locking portion is provided in the connector housing to lock the connector in a connected state with the mating connector, The window portion is provided on a surface of the connector housing opposite to a surface on which the connector-side locking portion is provided, across the interior of the housing. The connector of claim 9.

11. The connector is a female connector that is connected to the male connector as the mating connector, the terminal is a female terminal having a box portion into which a connecting portion of the male terminal as the mating terminal can be inserted, The conductive joint member is inserted between the box portions of any pair of adjacent female terminals among the plurality of female terminals. The connector of claim 10.

12. A connector structure configured so that a male connector and a female connector can be connected to each other, At least one of the male connector and the female connector is configured as a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Connection connector structure.

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