connector

Abstract

To provide a connector manufacturing device which attains suppression of deformation of a tab terminal.SOLUTION: A connector manufacturing device 10 is a device for manufacturing a connector 1 comprising: continued bodies 2 and 3 including a plurality of tab terminals 21 and 31; and a housing 7 including a cylindrical housing main body 71, in which the continued bodies are stored, and a plurality of terminal storage parts each provided inside of the housing main body and storing therein each of the plurality of tab terminals. The connector manufacturing device comprises a press-fitting jig 8. The plurality of tab terminals include: first tab terminals 21A and 31A including lock projections 211 and 311 which are engaged into inner surfaces of the terminal storage parts and capable of locking the terminal storage parts; and second tab terminals 21B and 31B not including the lock projections 211 and 311. In the continued bodies, jig abutment surfaces 22 and 32 on which the press-fitting jig is caused to abut are provided on end faces 2b and 3b at opposite sides of the first tab terminals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention is Ta Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Automobiles are equipped with a wide variety of electronic devices, and wire harnesses are installed to transmit power, control signals, etc. to the electronic devices. The wire harnesses include multiple electric wires and connectors, and are connected to the electronic devices and other wire harnesses by fitting the connectors into the connectors of the electronic devices or the connectors of other wire harnesses (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an earth joint connector that includes an earth joint terminal and a connector housing.

[0004] The earth joint terminal is integrally molded from a single metal plate and comprises a joint terminal portion formed by integrally forming a plurality of tongue-shaped connection terminals in a comb-tooth shape, an arm portion extending from the joint terminal portion, and an earth terminal portion provided at the tip of the arm portion and connected to ground.

[0005] The joint terminal portion includes a first joint terminal portion having an arm portion extending from a side edge, and a second joint terminal portion formed parallel to the first joint terminal portion by a folded portion on the rear end side of the first joint terminal portion.

[0006] The connector housing is a resin molded product, and includes a joint terminal accommodating portion that accommodates the joint terminal portion, and a connector fitting portion into which a mating connector housing is fitted.

[0007] Such an earth joint connector is assembled by press-fitting the joint terminal portion and accommodating the joint terminal portion in the joint terminal accommodating portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-0655931 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, conventional earth joint connectors are assembled by pressing in the joint terminal portion and accommodating the joint terminal portion in the joint terminal accommodating portion, and there was a concern that the first joint terminal portion (tab terminal) and the second joint terminal portion (tab terminal) would bend and deform due to the load generated during the press-fitting.

[0010] The present invention relates to a connector that suppresses deformation of tab terminals. Ta The purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the invention described in claim 1 provides a bus bar formed in a U-shape by a pair of plate-shaped connecting bodies facing each other and spaced apart in a plate thickness direction, and a plate-shaped connecting portion connecting end edges of the pair of connecting bodies, Starting from the connecting part, move towards one side of the specified press-fit direction. a housing press-fitted into the interior of the connector, Towards the one side of the press-fitting direction a plurality of protruding tab terminals; facing the opposite side to the one side in the press-fitting direction and an end surface of the tab terminals, and some of the tab terminals are provided with locking projections that bite into the inner surface of the housing, and the end surface of one of the pair of connecting bodies and the end surface of the other of the pair of connecting bodies are simultaneously pressed by a press-fitting jig when the bus bar is press-fitted. The aforementioned Press-fit direction said one side of Each of the jig contact surfaces is pressed against the Characterized by . [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the invention as set forth in claim 1, deformation of the tab terminal can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a connector that constitutes a connector manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connector as seen from above. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are plan views for explaining a procedure for assembling the connector, showing how a bus bar constituting the connector is brought close to a housing. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a post-processing step shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a step subsequent to that shown in FIG. 5, and is a plan view showing the connector in an assembled state. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of the connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a connector 1 constituting a connector manufacturing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of the connector 1 as viewed from above Z1. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector 1.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, a connector manufacturing apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is used to manufacture a connector 1, and includes a press-fitting jig 8 (shown in Figure 5) for press-fitting a bus bar 4 having a plurality of tab terminals 21, 31 (shown in Figure 5) into a housing 7 and accommodating each of the tab terminals 21, 31 in each terminal accommodating portion (not shown).

[0016] The connector 1 is manufactured using a press-fitting jig 8 described later, and as shown in Figures 1 to 3, includes a bus bar 4 having a plurality of tab terminals 21, 31 (shown in Figure 3), and a housing 7 having a plurality of terminal accommodating portions in which the plurality of tab terminals 21, 31 are respectively accommodated. As shown in Figure 3, this connector 1 has terminal-attached electric wires 11 connected to the plurality of tab terminals 21, 31, and is fixed to a vehicle body panel (not shown) so that current transmitted through each terminal-attached electric wire 11 is grounded. Each terminal-attached electric wire 11 includes a female terminal fitting (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a female terminal 11A) connected to the tab terminal 21, 31, and an electric wire 11B connected to the female terminal 11A.

[0017] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the bus bar 4 comprises an upper connecting body 2 and a lower connecting body 3 (shown in Figure 3), a body fixing portion 5 that is provided continuous with the lower connecting body 3 and fixed to the body panel, and a pair of connecting portions 6, 6 that connect the upper connecting body 2 and the lower connecting body 3.

[0018] In this embodiment, the X direction (front-to-back direction), Y direction (width direction, direction in which tab terminals 21, 31 are arranged), and Z direction (up-down direction) are perpendicular to each other. The direction in which tab terminals 21, 31 extend is sometimes referred to as the "forward (X1 direction)," and the opposite direction is sometimes referred to as the "rear (X2 direction)." The direction in which the upper connecting body 2 and the lower connecting body 3 face each other is sometimes referred to as the "up-down direction (Z direction)," and one side of the Z direction (the side of the upper connecting body 2) is sometimes referred to as the "upper side (Z1 direction)," and the other side of the Z direction (the side of the lower connecting body 3) is sometimes referred to as the "lower side (Z2 direction)."

[0019] 3 and 4, the upper connecting body 2 includes a rectangular upper base 20 (base) extending in the width direction Y, an upper tab terminal 21 (tab terminal) extending forward X1 from the upper base 20, and an upper jig abutment surface 22 (jig abutment surface) provided on the upper base 20 and against which the press-fit jig 8 abuts. The upper tab terminal 21 includes an upper first tab terminal 21A (first tab terminal) and an upper second tab terminal 21B (second tab terminal).

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, three (plural) upper jig contact surfaces 22 are provided. The three upper jig contact surfaces 22 are provided at the center and both end portions in the width direction Y on the rear end surface 2b of the upper connecting body 2, and are located behind X2 of each upper first tab terminal 21A, which will be described later. Each upper jig contact surface 22 is composed of a flat end surface including the width direction Y and the up-down direction Z. Hereinafter, the upper jig contact surface 22 provided at the center portion in the width direction Y may be referred to as the "upper center contact surface 22A (22)," and the upper jig contact surfaces 22 provided at both end portions in the width direction Y may be referred to as the "upper both end contact surfaces 22B, 22C (22)." The upper center contact surface 22A and the pair of upper both end contact surfaces 22B, 22C are provided at the same positions in the front-rear direction X and the up-down direction Z. That is, the upper center contact surface 22A and the pair of upper end contact surfaces 22B, 22C are provided on the same plane.

[0021] 4, the upper base portion 20 is provided with a pair of notches 20a, 20a formed by cutting out a rear edge (the same position as the rear end surface 2b) at a position adjacent to the upper jig contact surface 22 in the width direction Y. Each notch 20a is located behind X2 of each upper second tab terminal 21B described later, and a front end surface 20af of each notch 20a is located forward X1 of the upper jig contact surface 22. As a result, the jig contact surfaces 22A, 22B, 22C are provided to protrude from the notch 20a, making the jig contact surfaces 22A, 22B, 22C distinguishable from other portions.

[0022] 4, five (plural) upper first tab terminals 21A are provided, and four (plural) upper second tab terminals 21B are provided. Two upper first tab terminals 21A are provided in the center of the width direction Y of the upper base 20, one upper first tab terminal 21A is provided at one end of the width direction Y, and two upper second tab terminals 21B are provided at the other end of the width direction Y. That is, the upper first tab terminals 21A are provided at the center and both end portions of the width direction Y of the upper base 20. Of the four upper second tab terminals 21B, two upper second tab terminals 21B are provided between the upper first tab terminals 21A located at the center and both end portions of the upper base 20.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, the upper first tab terminal 21A includes a tongue-shaped upper tab terminal body 210 extending forward X1, and a pair of upper locking protrusions 211, 211 provided on the upper tab terminal body 210 and capable of being locked to the inner surface of a terminal accommodating section described later.

[0024] 4, the pair of upper locking projections 211, 211 are provided on the upper tab terminal body 210 at positions spaced a predetermined distance forward X1 from the upper base 20 and extending to both sides in the width direction Y. Each upper locking projection 211 extends on the same plane as the upper tab terminal body 210 and is formed in a triangular shape when viewed from above Z1.

[0025] Furthermore, the width of the upper first tab terminal 21A at the position where the pair of upper locking protrusions 211, 211 are provided is formed to be larger than the width of each terminal accommodating section, which will be described later. Each upper first tab terminal 21A is configured so that the pair of upper locking protrusions 211, 211 bite into the inner surface of each terminal accommodating section and are locked into each terminal accommodating section.

[0026] The upper second tab terminal 21B is configured to have a tongue-shaped upper tab terminal body 210 extending forward X1. The upper second tab terminal 21B is not provided with a pair of upper locking protrusions 211, 211 that can be locked to the inner surface of the terminal accommodating portion.

[0027] 3 and 4, the lower connecting body 3 includes a rectangular lower base 30 (base, shown in FIG. 3) extending in the width direction Y, a lower tab terminal 31 (tab terminal) extending forward X1 from the lower base 30, and a lower jig abutment surface 32 (jig abutment surface, shown in FIG. 3) provided on the lower base 30 and against which the press-fitting jig 8 abuts. The lower tab terminal 31 includes a lower first tab terminal 31A (first tab terminal) and a lower second tab terminal 31B (second tab terminal).

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3 , three (plural) lower jig contact surfaces 32 are provided. The three lower jig contact surfaces 32 are provided at the center and both end portions in the width direction Y on the rear end surface 3b of the lower connecting body 3. Each lower jig contact surface 32 is composed of a flat end surface including the width direction Y and the up-down direction Z. Hereinafter, the lower jig contact surface 32 provided at the center in the width direction Y may be referred to as the "lower center contact surface 32A (32)," and the lower jig contact surfaces 32 provided at both end portions in the width direction Y may be referred to as the "lower both end contact surfaces 32B, 32C (32)." The lower center contact surface 32A and the pair of lower both end contact surfaces 32B, 32C are provided at the same positions in the front-rear direction X and the up-down direction Z. That is, the lower center contact surface 32A and the pair of lower both end contact surfaces 32B, 32C are provided on the same plane.

[0029] The lower central contact surface 32A and the pair of lower end contact surfaces 32B, 32C are provided on the same plane as the upper central contact surface 22A and the pair of upper end contact surfaces 22B, 22C.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4, four (plural) lower first tab terminals 31A are provided, and five (plural) lower second tab terminals 31B are provided. One lower first tab terminal 31A is provided in the center of the width direction Y of the lower base 30, two lower first tab terminals 31A are provided at one end of the width direction Y, and one lower second tab terminal 31B is provided at the other end. That is, the lower first tab terminals 31A are provided at the center and both end portions of the width direction Y of the lower base 30. Of the five lower second tab terminals 31B, two are provided between the lower first tab terminal 31A located in the center of the width direction Y of the lower base 30 and the two lower first tab terminals 31A located at one end of the width direction Y, and three are provided between the lower first tab terminal 31A located in the center of the width direction Y of the lower base 30 and the one lower first tab terminal 31A located at the other end of the width direction Y.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the lower first tab terminal 31A includes a tongue-shaped lower tab terminal body 310 extending forward X1, and a pair of lower locking protrusions 311, 311 provided on the lower tab terminal body 310 and capable of locking with the inner surfaces of each terminal accommodating portion described later.

[0032] 4, the pair of lower locking projections 311, 311 are provided on the lower tab terminal body 310 at positions spaced a predetermined distance forward X1 from the lower base 30 and extend to both sides in the width direction Y. Each lower locking projection 311 extends on the same plane as the lower tab terminal body 310 and is formed in a triangular shape when viewed from above Z1.

[0033] Furthermore, the width of the lower first tab terminal 31A at the position where the pair of lower locking protrusions 311, 311 are provided is formed to be larger than the width of each terminal accommodating section, which will be described later. Each lower first tab terminal 31A is configured so that the pair of lower locking protrusions 311, 311 bite into the inner surface of each terminal accommodating section and are locked into each terminal accommodating section.

[0034] The lower second tab terminal 31B is configured to have a tongue-shaped lower tab terminal body 310 extending forward X1. The lower second tab terminal 31B is not provided with a pair of lower locking protrusions 311, 311 that can be locked to the inner surfaces of each terminal accommodating portion, which will be described later.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the vehicle body fixing portion 5 comprises a vehicle body fixing portion main body 51 that continues to the rear X2 of the lower connecting body 3, a busbar side jig insertion hole 52 (hole portion) that is provided in the vehicle body fixing portion main body 51 and has a lower central contact surface 32A inside it to insert the press-in jig 8 described later, a bolt insertion hole 53 that inserts a stud bolt (not shown) that protrudes from the vehicle body panel, and multiple (four) protrusion portions 54 that are provided in the vehicle body fixing portion main body 51.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle body fixing portion main body 51 comprises a first plate-shaped portion 51A that continues to the rear X2 of the lower connecting body 3, a second plate-shaped portion 51B that continues to the rear X2 of the first plate-shaped portion 51A and bends to extend downward Z2, a third plate-shaped portion 51C that continues to the lower end of the second plate-shaped portion 51B and bends to extend rear X2, and a fourth plate-shaped portion 51D that bends from the third plate-shaped portion 51C and extends downward Z2.

[0037] 4, the first plate-shaped portion 51A is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and is provided in the center in the width direction Y of the lower base portion 30 of the lower connecting body 3. The dimension of this first plate-shaped portion 51A in the width direction Y is formed to be larger than the pair of cutout portions 20a, 20a, and is provided at a position that includes the pair of cutout portions 20a, 20a of the upper connecting body 2 when viewed from above Z1. In addition, the first plate-shaped portion 51A is provided on the same plane as the lower base portion 30 of the lower connecting body 3.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the third plate-shaped portion 51C is provided opposite the first plate-shaped portion 51A and also opposite the vehicle body panel.

[0039] 1, the fourth plate-shaped portion 51D is provided contiguous to one side of the third plate-shaped portion 51C in the width direction Y, and is provided so as to bend from the third plate-shaped portion 51C and extend downward Z2. The fourth plate-shaped portion 51D is configured to be inserted into a slit (not shown) provided in a vehicle body panel.

[0040] 1 and 4, the busbar-side jig insertion hole 52 is configured as a rectangular hole extending in the front-rear direction X when viewed from above Z1. The busbar-side jig insertion hole 52 is located at the center of the vehicle body fixing part main body 51 in the width direction Y, and is provided continuously from the first plate-shaped portion 51A to the second plate-shaped portion 51B.

[0041] 1, a lower central abutment surface 32A is provided on the front X1 end face (front end face) of the busbar side jig insertion hole 52. The busbar side jig insertion hole 52 is configured so that when a press-fitting jig 8 (described later) is inserted through the busbar side jig insertion hole 52, the lower central abutment surface 32A comes into contact with a pressing surface 8f of the press-fitting jig 8.

[0042] The bolt insertion hole 53 is provided in the center of the third plate-shaped portion 51C, penetrating the third plate-shaped portion 51C, and is configured to allow a stud bolt (not shown) protruding from the vehicle body panel to be inserted therethrough.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the multiple (four) embossing portions 54 include a pair of first embossing portions 54A, 54B and a pair of second embossing portions 54C, 54D.

[0044] The pair of first embossing portions 54A, 54B are provided on both sides of the busbar-side jig insertion hole 52 in the width direction Y. Each of the first embossing portions 54A, 54B is provided in a rectangular shape when viewed from above Z1, and is provided continuously from the first plate-shaped portion 51A to the second plate-shaped portion 51B. Hereinafter, one of the pair of first embossing portions 54A, 54B may be referred to as the "one-side first embossing portion 54A," and the other may be referred to as the "other-side first embossing portion 54B."

[0045] A pair of second stamping portions 54C, 54D are arranged side by side in the width direction Y, with one second stamping portion 54C being arranged between the one-side first stamping portion 54A and the busbar side jig insertion hole 52, and the other second stamping portion 54D being arranged on the side away from the busbar side jig insertion hole 52, sandwiched between the other-side first stamping portion 54B.

[0046] As shown in Figure 3, the pair of connecting portions 6, 6 are provided at both ends in the width direction Y of the upper connecting body 2 and the lower connecting body 3. Each connecting portion 6 is formed in a roughly U-shape and has a connecting portion main body 60 extending in the vertical direction Z, an upper continuous plate 61 bending at the boundary with the connecting portion main body 60 and extending rearward X2, and a lower continuous plate 62 bending at the boundary with the connecting portion main body 60 and extending rearward. The upper continuous plate 61 is provided continuous with the upper base 20 of the upper connecting body 2, and the lower continuous plate 62 is provided continuous with the lower base 30 of the lower connecting body 3.

[0047] To manufacture such a busbar 4, as shown in FIG. 3 , a metal plate is stamped and punched to form a punched member (not shown). Then, the boundary between the connecting portion main body 60 and the upper continuous plate 61 in the connecting portion 6 is bent so that the upper connecting body 2 and the lower connecting body 3 face each other, and the boundary between the connecting portion main body 60 and the lower continuous plate 62 in the connecting portion 6 is bent. Furthermore, the boundary between the first plate-shaped portion 51A and the second plate-shaped portion 51B is bent so that the first plate-shaped portion 51A and the third plate-shaped portion 51C face each other, and the boundary between the second plate-shaped portion 51B and the third plate-shaped portion 51C is bent. In this manner, the busbar 4 is manufactured. When the busbar 4 is viewed from above Z1, the upper tab terminals 21 in the upper connecting body 2 and the lower tab terminals 31 in the lower connecting body 3 are alternately arranged in the width direction Y.

[0048] 3, the housing 7 includes a housing main body 71 formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape with its axis in the front-rear direction X, a housing-side jig insertion hole 72 provided in the housing main body 71 and overlapping with and communicating with the busbar-side jig insertion hole 52, a housing-side cutout portion 73 (press-fit amount measurement window) for inserting the busbar 4 into the housing main body 71, and a pair of U-shaped receiving portions 74, 74 provided on both sides of the housing main body 71 in the width direction Y to protrude in a U-shape and receive the pair of connecting portions 6, 6 of the busbar 4.

[0049] 3, the housing body 71 is configured in a rectangular tubular shape and has an upper wall 71A, a lower wall 71B, and a pair of side walls 71C, 71C. The internal space of the housing body 71 is divided by upper and lower partition walls 71D, and is provided with an upper link body accommodating section 7A for accommodating the upper link body 2 and a lower link body accommodating section 7B for accommodating the lower link body 3.

[0050] The upper connecting body accommodating portion 7A and the lower connecting body accommodating portion 7B each have a plurality of terminal accommodating portions for accommodating the tab terminals 21, 31. Each terminal accommodating portion is formed by being partitioned by a widthwise partition wall (not shown) that divides each connecting body accommodating portion 7A, 7B in the width direction Y. Each terminal accommodating portion is open at the front X1 and the rear X2, and is configured so that each tab terminal 21, 31 is inserted through a rear-side opening (not shown) at the rear X2, and a mating female terminal 11A that fits with each tab terminal 21, 31 is inserted through a front-side opening (not shown) at the front X1, thereby electrically connecting each tab terminal 21, 31 to the female terminal 11A.

[0051] The lower wall 71B includes a lower wall main body 710 facing the upper wall 71A, a rearward extending wall 711 extending rearward X2 from the lower wall main body 710, and a downward extending wall 712 that is continuous with the rearward extending wall 711 and extends downward Z2. When the bus bar 4 is accommodated in the housing 7, the rearward extending wall 711 faces the first plate-shaped portion 51A of the bus bar 4, and the downward extending wall 712 faces the second plate-shaped portion 51B of the bus bar 4.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing main body 71 includes a pair of upper support pieces 75, 75 and a pair of lower support pieces 76, 76.

[0053] The pair of upper support pieces 75, 75 are provided between housing-side cutout portions 73, which will be described later, in the width direction Y. Each upper support piece 75 is provided to protrude downward Z2 from the upper wall 71A, and is configured to abut against the upper base portion 20 of the upper connecting body 2 and press the upper connecting body 2 against the upper and lower partition walls 71D when the bus bar 4 is accommodated in the housing 7.

[0054] The pair of lower support pieces 76, 76 are provided at the same position as the pair of upper support pieces 75, 75 in the width direction Y. Each lower support piece 76 is provided to protrude downward Z2 and rearward X2 from the upper and lower partition walls 71D, and is configured to abut against the lower base portion 30 and the first plate-shaped portion 51A of the lower connecting body 3 and press the lower connecting body 3 against the lower wall 71B when the bus bar 4 is accommodated in the housing 7.

[0055] 3, the housing-side jig insertion hole 72 is provided at a position communicating with the busbar-side jig insertion hole 52 when the busbar 4 is accommodated in the housing 7. The housing-side jig insertion hole 72 is formed so that its dimension in the width direction Y is approximately the same as the width dimension of the busbar-side jig insertion hole 52.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 4, the housing-side cutouts 73 are formed by cutting out the rear end edge 71b of the housing main body 71 (the edge on the opposite side to the press-fitting direction of the press-fit jig 8 relative to the connecting body). As shown in Fig. 3, nine (plural) housing-side cutouts 73 are provided. Of the nine housing-side cutouts 73, three are provided on each of the upper wall 71A, the lower wall main body 710, and the upper and lower partition walls 71D of the housing main body 71. The three housing-side cutouts 73 are provided at the center and both ends in the width direction Y on the rear end surfaces of the upper wall 71A, the lower wall main body 710, and the upper and lower partition walls 71D, respectively, and are cut out to an extent that the jig contact surfaces 22, 32 of the busbar 4 are exposed when the busbar 4 is accommodated in the housing 7. The housing-side cutout 73 allows the bus bar 4 to be pressed forward X1 from the rear end edge 71b of the housing main body 71, and also allows the amount of press-fit of the bus bar 4 into the housing main body 71 to be measured. The housing-side cutout 73 provided in the upper wall 71A of the housing main body 71 functions as a press-fit amount measurement window.

[0057] As shown in Figure 5, the press-fitting jig 8 has three pressing portions 8A, 8B, and 8C. Each pressing portion 8A, 8B, and 8C has a pressing surface 8f that can press against the jig contact surfaces 22 and 32 of the bus bar 4. Each pressing surface 8f is composed of a flat surface that includes the vertical direction Z and the width direction Y. Furthermore, each pressing surface 8f is formed so that the dimension in the vertical direction Z is larger than the dimension in the opposing direction of the upper connecting body 2 and the lower connecting body 3 (the dimension in the vertical direction Z), and is configured to be able to simultaneously press against the jig contact surfaces 22 and 32 of the upper connecting body 2 and the lower connecting body 3. In addition, the dimension of the pressing portion 8B in the width direction Y is formed to be smaller than the width dimensions of the housing side jig insertion hole 72 and the busbar side jig insertion hole 52, and is configured to be able to be inserted into the busbar side jig insertion hole 52 and the housing side jig insertion hole 72 when the busbar side jig insertion hole 52 and the housing side jig insertion hole 72 are arranged so that they are connected to each other.

[0058] Next, a procedure for manufacturing connector 1 using press-fitting jig 8 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0059] First, as shown in FIG. 4 , the tips of the tab terminals 21, 31 of the busbar 4 are inserted into the rear opening of the housing 7 with their tips approaching each other. As the insertion progresses, the locking protrusions 211, 311 of the first tab terminals 21A, 31A of the connecting bodies 2, 3 come into contact with the inner surfaces of the terminal accommodating portions. After this, the pressing surface 8f of the pressing portion 8A of the press-fitting jig 8 is brought close to the jig contact surfaces 22A, 32A of the busbar 4, and the pressing surface 8f of the pressing portion 8C is brought close to the jig contact surfaces 22C, 32C of the busbar 4. Furthermore, the pressing portion 8B is inserted into the busbar-side jig insertion hole 52 and the housing-side jig insertion hole 72, and the pressing surface 8f is brought close to the jig contact surfaces 22B, 32B of the busbar 4.

[0060] Thereafter, the pressing portions 8A to 8C are moved simultaneously to press the bus bar 4 into the housing 7. The pressing surface 8f of the pressing portion 8A of the press-fitting jig 8 abuts against the jig abutment surfaces 22A and 32A of the bus bar 4, the pressing surface 8f of the pressing portion 8C abuts against the jig abutment surfaces 22C and 32C, and the pressing surface 8f of the pressing portion 8B abuts against the jig abutment surfaces 22B and 32B.

[0061] As the pressing portions 8A-8C continue to press, the locking projections 211, 311 of the first tab terminals 21A, 31A of the connecting bodies 2, 3 bite into the inner surfaces of the terminal accommodating portions, and the first tab terminals 21A, 31A are locked to the inner surfaces of the terminal accommodating portions, as shown in Fig. 5. As a result, the first tab terminals 21A, 31A reach predetermined positions in the terminal accommodating portions and are accommodated therein, and the second tab terminals 21B, 31B reach predetermined positions in the terminal accommodating portions and are accommodated therein, as shown in Fig. 6. The upper connecting body 2 is accommodated in the upper connecting body accommodating portion 7A, and the lower connecting body 3 is accommodated in the lower connecting body accommodating portion 7B.

[0062] Here, since the locking protrusions 211, 311 of the first tab terminals 21A, 31A are pressed into the inner surface of the terminal accommodating portion while biting into the inner surface of the terminal accommodating portion, the press-fit load on the first tab terminals 21A, 31A becomes high. However, since the jig contact surfaces 22A, 22B, 22C, 32A, 32B, 32C located at the rear X2 of the first tab terminals 21A, 31A are pressed by the pressing surface 8f of the press-fit jig 8, the press-fit load acting on the first tab terminals 21A, 31A is reduced.

[0063] 6, when each of first tab terminals 21A, 31A reaches a predetermined position in each terminal accommodating section, each of jig abutment surfaces 22A, 22B, 22C, 32A, 32B, 32C is positioned inside housing-side cutout portion 73 and is visible to the worker. In this manner, connector 1 is assembled.

[0064] Thereafter, the female terminal 11A of the terminal-fitted electric wire 11 is inserted into the terminal accommodating section from the front opening of the housing 7, and inside each terminal accommodating section, each tab terminal 21, 31 and each female terminal 11A are electrically connected.

[0065] Thereafter, the vehicle body fixing portion 5 of the bus bar 4 is brought into opposition to a predetermined position on the vehicle body panel. The stud bolts protruding from the vehicle body panel are inserted into the bolt insertion holes 53 of the bus bar 4, and the fourth plate-shaped portions 51D of the vehicle body fixing portion 5 are inserted into slits provided in the vehicle body panel. Thereafter, nuts (not shown) are screwed onto the stud bolts, thereby fixing the vehicle body fixing portion 5 to the vehicle body panel. In this manner, the connector 1 is fixed to the vehicle body panel. With the connector 1 fixed to the vehicle body panel, the current that has traveled through each terminal-equipped electric wire 11 is grounded to the vehicle body panel via the bus bar 4.

[0066] According to the above-described embodiment, the locking protrusions 211, 311 of each first tab terminal 21A, 31A are press-fitted while biting into the inner surface of the terminal accommodating portion, which increases the press-fit load on the first tab terminals 21A, 31A. However, by pressing the jig contact surfaces 22, 32 located at the rear X2 of each first tab terminal 21A, 31A with the pressing surface 8f of the press-fitting jig 8, the press-fit load acting on the first tab terminals 21A, 31A can be reduced. This allows the first tab terminals 21A, 31A to be press-fitted without bending, thereby preventing deformation of each tab terminal 21, 31. Furthermore, a sufficient contact area in the front-rear direction X between each tab terminal 21, 31 and the female terminal 11A can be ensured.

[0067] The jig contact surfaces 22, 32 are provided at the center and both ends in the width direction Y (alignment direction) of each of the bases 20, 30. This allows a force to act in a balanced manner in the width direction Y on each of the bases 20, 30, and further prevents deformation of each of the tab terminals 21, 31.

[0068] The upper base 20 has notches 20a, 20a formed by cutting out the rear end surface 2b of the upper base 20 (the end surface opposite the second tab terminal), and the notches 20a, 20a are located adjacent to the jig contact surface 22 of the upper connecting body 2 in the width direction Y (the direction of alignment). The provision of the notches 20a in this manner causes the jig contact surfaces 22A, 22B, 22C (22) to protrude from the notches 20a, making the jig contact surfaces 22A, 22B, 22C distinguishable from other portions. This allows the operator to recognize the jig contact surfaces 22A, 22B, 22C, improving the workability of assembling the connector 1.

[0069] Furthermore, housing main body 71 has housing-side cutout portion 73 (press-fit amount measurement window), and is configured so that when each tab terminal 21, 31 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion, jig abutment surfaces 22, 32 are exposed from housing-side cutout portion 73. Thus, by providing housing-side cutout portion 73, busbar 4 can be pressed inward (forward X1) beyond rear end edge 71b of housing main body 71, and the press-fit amount of busbar 4 into housing main body 71 can be measured.

[0070] Furthermore, the connecting bodies 2, 3 are provided as a pair and are provided opposite each other, and the lower connecting body 3 (one of the pair of connecting bodies) has a vehicle body fixing portion 5 that is fixed to a vehicle body panel, and the vehicle body fixing portion 5 is provided with a bus bar side jig insertion hole 52 (hole portion), and the jig contact surface 32B is provided on the inner surface of the bus bar side jig insertion hole 52. According to this, even when the vehicle body fixing portion 5 is provided, the jig contact surface 32B can be provided, so that each tab terminal 21, 31 can be press-fitted without being deflected.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes other configurations that can achieve the object of the present invention, and the following modifications are also included in the present invention.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the locking protrusions 211, 311 are provided at positions spaced a certain distance from the bases 20, 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 7 , the bus bar 14 may have the locking protrusions 211 and 211A on the upper connecting body 12 and the locking protrusions 311 and 311A ​​on the lower connecting body 13. In this case, the locking protrusions 211A, 311A ​​may be formed at positions farther from the bases 20, 30 in the front-rear direction X than the locking protrusions 211, 311. Furthermore, the locking protrusions 211A, 311A ​​may be provided at one end in the width direction Y, as shown in FIG. 7 , or at the other end or center in the width direction Y.

[0073] Although the best configurations and methods for carrying out the present invention have been disclosed above, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, although the present invention has been particularly illustrated and described mainly with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the above-described embodiments in terms of shape, material, quantity, and other detailed configurations without departing from the scope of the technical idea and purpose of the present invention. Therefore, the above-disclosed descriptions limiting the shape, material, etc. are provided as examples to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, descriptions using names of components that are free from some or all of the limitations on shape, material, etc. are included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 connector 10 Connector manufacturing equipment 2, 12 Upper connected body (connected body) 20 Upper base (base) 20a Notch 21 Upper tab terminal (tab terminal) 21A Upper 1st tab terminal (1st tab terminal) 21B Upper second tab terminal (second tab terminal) 211, 211A Upper locking protrusion (locking protrusion) 22 Upper jig contact surface (jig contact surface) 3, 13 Lower connecting body (connecting body, one of a pair of connecting bodies) 30 Lower base (base) 31 Lower tab terminal (tab terminal) 31A Lower 1st tab terminal (1st tab terminal) 31B Lower second tab terminal (second tab terminal) 311, 311A ​​Lower locking protrusion (locking protrusion) 32 Lower jig contact surface (jig contact surface) 5 Body fixing part 52 Busbar side jig insertion hole (hole) 7. Housing 71 Housing body 73 Housing side notch (press-fit measurement window) 8 Press-fit jig Y Width direction (direction in which the first and second tab terminals are aligned)

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a bus bar formed in a U-shape by a pair of plate-like connecting bodies facing each other and spaced apart in a plate thickness direction, and a plate-like connecting portion connecting end edges of the pair of connecting bodies; and a housing into which the bus bar is press-fitted toward one side in a predetermined press-fitting direction, with the connecting portion side leading, Each of the pair of connecting bodies has a plurality of tab terminals protruding toward the one side in the press-fitting direction and an end surface facing the opposite side to the one side in the press-fitting direction, Some of the plurality of tab terminals are provided with locking projections that bite into the inner surface of the housing, a jig contact surface that is simultaneously pressed toward one side in the press-fitting direction by a press-fitting jig when the bus bar is pressed in, is provided on the end face of one of the pair of connecting bodies and the end face of the other of the pair of connecting bodies.

2. The tab terminal includes a first tab terminal provided on one of the pair of connecting bodies and a second tab terminal provided on the other of the pair of connecting bodies, the first tab terminal and the second tab terminal are arranged side by side in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction and the press-fitting direction, The pair of connecting bodies have base portions formed to extend in the predetermined direction, 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the jig contact surfaces are provided at a central portion and both end portions of the base portion in the predetermined direction.

3. The base portion is provided with a notch portion formed by cutting out the end surface, 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the notch is provided at a position adjacent to the jig contact surface in the predetermined direction.

4. the housing is provided with an opening into which the bus bar is press-fitted, a press-fit amount measurement window formed by cutting out a portion of an edge of the opening; 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the jig contact surface is exposed from the press-fit amount measurement window when the tab terminal is accommodated in the housing.

5. one of the pair of connecting bodies has a vehicle body fixing portion that is continuous with the base portion and extends in a direction away from the tab terminal to be fixed to a vehicle body panel; The vehicle body fixing portion is provided with a hole portion through which the press-fitting jig is inserted, 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the jig contact surface is provided on an inner surface of the hole.

Images