connector

Abstract

To provide a connector which enables improvement of working efficiency in work of inserting a terminal into a housing.SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes a housing 10 and a terminal 20. The housing 10 is provided with a terminal insertion hole 10a and includes a first lance 11 and a second lance 12 (an engaged part) within the terminal insertion hole 10a. The terminal 20 has: an outer terminal 21 in which a first engaging part 21a which may engage with any of the first lance 11 and the second lance 12 is formed; and a sleeve 22 which is inserted into the outer terminal 21 and in which a second engaging part 22a which may engage with any of the first lance 11 and the second lance 12 is formed. The terminal 20 is inserted into the terminal insertion hole 10a in an insertion direction D1 to be disposed. The terminal 20 is formed so that when the first engaging part 21a engages with one of the first lance 11 and the second lance 12, the second engaging part 22a engages with the other of the first lance 11 and the second lance 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a housing, a terminal fitting, and a retainer. In the connector described in Patent Document 1, the housing is formed to extend in the front-rear direction and has a cavity in which the terminal fitting is disposed, a lance for locking the terminal fitting disposed in the cavity, and a retainer insertion hole that intersects and communicates with the front-rear direction in which the cavity extends and opens to the outer surface. The terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity from the rear. The terminal fitting has a stabilizer projecting outward that guides the insertion into the cavity while restricting insertion in an incorrect posture. Further, the terminal fitting has a locking portion that locks to the lance of the housing. The retainer has a retaining portion that catches on the stabilizer of the terminal fitting.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the case of the one described in Patent Document 1, when the terminal fitting is inserted into the housing, the locking portion of the terminal fitting locks to the lance formed in the housing, so that the terminal fitting is disposed in the cavity of the housing. Therefore, in order for the terminal fitting to be disposed in the cavity of the housing, the operator needs to insert the terminal fitting into the housing in a fixed posture and direction around the insertion direction so that the locking portion of the terminal fitting locks to the lance.

[0005] The present invention has been made under the circumstances described above, and aims to provide a connector that can improve the work efficiency in the process of inserting terminals into a housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the connector according to the present invention is A housing having a terminal insertion hole formed therein, and a first lance and a locking portion provided inside the terminal insertion hole, The device comprises an outer terminal having a first locking portion formed thereon that can be locked to either the first lance or the locked portion, and a sleeve inserted into the outer terminal having a second locking portion formed thereon that can be locked to either the first lance or the locked portion, and a terminal that is inserted into the terminal insertion hole in a predetermined insertion direction, The terminal is formed such that when the first locking portion locks onto one of the first lance and the locked portion, the second locking portion locks onto the other of the first lance and the locked portion.

[0007] The terminal may have an inner housing that is inserted into the sleeve and housed inside the outer terminal.

[0008] The locking portion may be a second lance formed inside the terminal insertion hole of the housing.

[0009] The housing comprises a housing body and a retainer fitted into the housing body to prevent the terminals from coming out of the housing body. The locking portion may be provided on the retainer which is fitted into the housing body.

[0010] The first lance and the locking portion may be formed at the same position in the insertion direction.

[0011] At least a portion of the terminal insertion hole is formed as a hole centered on a central axis parallel to the insertion direction, The first lance may be formed at a position that is symmetrical with respect to the position where the locking portion is formed, with respect to the plane containing the central axis as the plane of symmetry.

[0012] At least a portion of the terminal insertion hole is formed as a hole centered on a central axis parallel to the insertion direction, The first lance may be formed in a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the shape of the locking portion, with respect to the plane containing the central axis as the plane of symmetry.

[0013] The first locking portion formed on the outer terminal may have a first inclined portion provided at a position closer to the tip in the insertion direction and inclined with respect to the insertion direction.

[0014] The second locking portion formed in the sleeve may have a second inclined portion provided at a position closer to the tip in the insertion direction and inclined with respect to the insertion direction.

[0015] The first locking portion formed on the outer terminal has a first contact portion provided at a position near the rear end in the insertion direction, which contacts and locks the first lance or the locked portion. The second locking portion formed in the sleeve has a second contact portion provided at a position near the rear end in the insertion direction, which contacts and locks the first lance or the locked portion. The first contact portion and the second contact portion may be formed at the same position in the insertion direction.

[0016] The outer terminal is provided with a positioning portion that determines the insertion position of the terminal relative to the housing when inserting the terminal into the housing. The positioning portion may be formed at a position adjacent to the second locking portion formed on the sleeve.

[0017] The second locking portion is formed to protrude from the sleeve. The positioning portion may be formed to protrude from the outer terminal in the same direction as the protruding direction of the second locking portion.

Effect of the Invention

[0018] In the connector according to the present invention, when the first locking portion of the terminal is locked to one of the first lance of the housing and the locked portion, the second locking portion is formed to be locked to the other of the first lance of the housing and the locked portion. Thereby, the terminal can be inserted into the housing in a plurality of postures and directions around the insertion direction. As a result, the connector according to the present invention can improve the working efficiency in the insertion operation of the terminal into the housing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is an exploded perspective view of a connector unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view (Part 1) of the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view (Part 2) of the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] It is an exploded cross-sectional view (Part 1) of the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] It is an exploded cross-sectional view (Part 2) of the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] It is an exploded cross-sectional view (Part 3) of the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view of the housing according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 10] (A) is a front view of the housing according to Embodiment 1. (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of (A). [Figure 11]This is a front view of the terminal according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 13] This is a front view of the terminals related to the comparative example. [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 15] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the connector according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 16] This is a cross-sectional view (part 1) of the housing according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 17] This is a cross-sectional view (part 2) of the housing according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 18] This is a front view of the terminal according to a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, a connector 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures. For ease of understanding, mutually orthogonal XYZ coordinates will be set and referred to as appropriate. The -Y direction of the XYZ coordinates is the same direction as the insertion direction D1 in which the terminal 20 is inserted into the housing 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The X-axis direction of the XYZ coordinates is the same direction as the width direction of the housing 10. The Z-axis direction of the XYZ coordinates is a direction that is orthogonal in both directions, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, connector 1 is used together with the mating connector 90. Connector unit A, which consists of connector 1 and mating connector 90, is, for example, an in-vehicle connector used as an automotive part, and electrically connects a coaxial cable W and a circuit board B. Connector 1 of connector unit A comprises a housing 10 and terminals 20, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0022] The housing 10 is made of an insulating material such as resin. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the housing 10 has a terminal insertion hole 10a, a first lance 11, a second lance 12 (locking part), a locking part 13, a support arm 14, a locking release operation part 15, a protective wall 16R (see Figure 2), and a protective wall 16L.

[0023] As shown in Figure 5, the terminal insertion hole 10a is formed to penetrate the housing 10 in the Y-axis direction. The terminal 20 is inserted into the terminal insertion hole 10a from the opening closer to +Y. At least a portion of the terminal insertion hole 10a is formed as a circular hole centered on a central axis A1 parallel to the insertion direction D1. However, it is not limited to this. The terminal insertion hole 10a may be a hole other than a circular hole. For example, the terminal insertion hole 10a may be a square hole.

[0024] The first lance 11 is formed inside the terminal insertion hole 10a. Specifically, the first lance 11 is provided on the inner surface of the terminal insertion hole 10a in a protruding shape at a position closer to +Z. The first lance 11 has an inclined portion and a contact portion. The inclined portion of the first lance 11 is formed at a position closer to +Y and is inclined with respect to the insertion direction D1 in order to improve the insertion efficiency of the terminal 20 into the terminal insertion hole 10a of the housing 10. The contact portion of the first lance 11 is formed at a position closer to -Y and is the portion that a part of the terminal 20 inserted into the terminal insertion hole 10a catches on and contacts.

[0025] The second lance 12 (locking portion) is formed inside the terminal insertion hole 10a. Specifically, the second lance 12 is positioned opposite the first lance 11 on the inner surface of the terminal insertion hole 10a, with a protruding shape and located towards -Z. The second lance 12 has an inclined portion and a contact portion. The inclined portion of the second lance 12 is formed towards +Y and is inclined with respect to the insertion direction D1 in order to improve the insertion efficiency of the terminal 20 into the terminal insertion hole 10a of the housing 10. The contact portion of the second lance 12 is formed towards -Y and is the portion that a part of the terminal 20 inserted into the terminal insertion hole 10a catches on and contacts.

[0026] The first lance 11 and the second lance 12 are provided on the same plane F1 perpendicular to the insertion direction D1. As a result, the first lance 11 and the second lance 12 are formed at the same position in the insertion direction D1. Furthermore, the first lance 11 is formed at a position that is plane-symmetric with respect to the position where the second lance 12 is formed, with respect to the XY plane containing the central axis A1 as the plane of symmetry F2. In this embodiment 1, the plane of symmetry F2 is the plane containing the central axis A1 of the terminal insertion hole 10a, which is a circular hole, and therefore it is the plane that divides the terminal insertion hole 10a in half vertically (in the Z-axis direction). Moreover, the first lance 11 is formed in a shape that is plane-symmetric with respect to the shape of the second lance 12, with respect to the XY plane containing the central axis A1 as the plane of symmetry F2.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the locking portion 13 is used to fix the connector 1 to the mating connector 90 by locking into a locking hole 91a formed in the housing 91 of the mating connector 90. The locking portion 13 is provided protruding from the support arm 14 in the +Z direction.

[0028] The support arm 14 extends from the -Y-side tip of the housing 10 toward the rear end (+Y direction) and is connected to the +Y-side rear end of the housing 10, thereby being formed to bend in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the support arm 14 is provided to bend as the mating of the connector 1 and the mating connector 90 progresses.

[0029] The lock release operation unit 15 is provided on the support arm 14. The lock release operation unit 15 is used by the user when removing connector 1 from mating connector 90. This lock release operation unit 15 is provided so that it can move in the -Z direction by bending the support arm 14 when pressed by the user.

[0030] The protective walls 16R and 16L are provided on both the +X and -X sides of the lock release operation part 15. The protective walls 16R and 16L are formed to prevent, for example, other members from coming into contact with the lock release operation part 15 and accidentally releasing the lock between the locking part 13 and the locking hole 91a.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a coaxial cable W is crimped and connected to terminal 20.

[0032] The coaxial cable W comprises a central conductor W1, an insulator W2, an outer conductor W3 for the coaxial cable, and a covering portion W4.

[0033] The central conductor W1 is formed from a conductive material. The central conductor W1 propagates high-frequency signals.

[0034] The insulator W2 is formed from an insulating material. This insulator W2 is positioned between the central conductor W1 and the outer conductor W3 for the coaxial cable so as to cover the central conductor W1.

[0035] The outer conductor W3 for the coaxial cable is formed from a conductive material. The outer conductor W3 for the coaxial cable is formed, for example, as a braided portion formed in the shape of a braid of interwoven metal wires.

[0036] The covering portion W4 is formed from an insulating material and protects the central conductor W1, the insulator W2, and the outer conductor W3 for the coaxial cable by covering these components.

[0037] The terminal 20 includes an outer terminal 21, a sleeve 22, an inner housing 23, and a center terminal 24.

[0038] The outer terminal 21 is an outer conductor electrically connected to the coaxial cable outer conductor W3 of the coaxial cable W. The outer terminal 21 is used to efficiently propagate high-frequency signals at the center terminal 24. Specifically, the outer terminal 21 prevents leakage of high-frequency signals to the outside of the coaxial cable W and terminal 20, and functions as a ground terminal that blocks radio waves from the outside. The outer terminal 21 is formed by bending a plate made of a conductive material, for example. Examples of conductive plate materials include copper and copper alloys. As shown in Figure 5, the outer terminal 21 has a main body portion 21-1 and crimping portions 21-2 and 21-3.

[0039] The main body portion 21-1 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical axis A2 parallel to the Y-axis direction as its central axis. In this embodiment 1, the cylindrical axis A2 is the axis that coincides with the central axis A1 of the terminal insertion hole 10a. The cylindrical tip portion 21-4 of the main body portion 21-1 on the +Y side is formed to have a flexible portion that can bend radially (in a direction perpendicular to the Y-axis direction). When a mating terminal (not shown) is inserted into this cylindrical tip portion 21-4, the cylindrical tip portion 21-4 contacts the outer surface of the mating terminal based on its bending action. Through this contact, the outer terminal 21 of terminal 20 is electrically connected to the mating terminal.

[0040] The crimping portion 21-2 is the part that is crimped onto the outer conductor W3 for the coaxial cable. The crimping portion 21-2 extends from the end of the main body portion 21-1 that is closer to the +Y direction. When the crimping portion 21-2 is crimped onto the outer conductor W3 for the coaxial cable, the outer terminal 21 is electrically connected to the outer conductor W3 for the coaxial cable. Furthermore, another crimping portion 21-3 extends from the end of the crimping portion 21-2 that is closer to the +Y direction.

[0041] The crimping portion 21-3 is the part that is crimped to the covering portion W4. By crimping the crimping portion 21-3 to the covering portion W4, the terminal 20 is firmly connected to the coaxial cable W.

[0042] Furthermore, the outer terminal 21 has a first locking portion 21a and a positioning portion 21b.

[0043] The first locking portion 21a is provided on the main body portion 21-1 of the outer terminal 21 and is formed to protrude in the +Z direction from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 21-1. As shown in Figure 6, the first locking portion 21a is formed so that it can be locked to either the first lance 11 or the second lance 12 by rotating the terminal 20 around the Y-axis relative to the housing 10 and inserting the terminal 20 into the terminal insertion hole 10a in one of two positions of the terminal 20 (a first position and a second position, which will be described later). As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the first locking portion 21a has a first inclined portion 21a-1 and a first contact portion 21a-2 formed thereon. Here, the two positions of the terminal 20 refer to a first position in which the second locking portion 22a is locked to the second lance 12 of the housing 10, and a second position obtained by rotating the first position 180° around the Y-axis.

[0044] The first inclined portion 21a-1 is provided in the first locking portion 21a at a position closer to the tip (-Y) in the insertion direction D1. The first inclined portion 21a-1 is formed inclined with respect to the insertion direction D1 and the cylindrical axis A2 in order to improve the insertion efficiency of the terminal 20 into the terminal insertion hole 10a of the housing 10.

[0045] The first contact portion 21a-2 is a surface parallel to the XZ plane located near the rear end (+Y side) of the insertion direction D1 in the first locking portion 21a. The first contact portion 21a-2 contacts and locks against the first lance 11 or the second lance 12, preventing the terminal 20 from coming out of the housing 10 in the +Y direction. In this embodiment 1, the first contact portion 21a-2 is a surface parallel to the XZ plane. However, it is not limited to this. The first contact portion 21a-2 may have a shape other than a surface parallel to the XZ plane.

[0046] The positioning portion 21b is provided on the main body portion 21-1 of the outer terminal 21. The positioning portion 21b is formed to determine the insertion position of the terminal 20 relative to the housing 10 when inserting the terminal 20 into the housing 10. The positioning portion 21b is formed to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 21-1 of the outer terminal 21 in the -Z direction, which is opposite to the protrusion direction of the first locking portion 21a. In this embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 3, the positioning portion 21b is composed of a pair of protruding portions formed by bending the ends of the plate material forming the outer terminal 21 outwards. However, it is not limited to this. The positioning portion 21b may be composed of a single protruding portion.

[0047] The positioning portion 21b is formed to fit into either the positioning groove 10b formed inside the terminal insertion hole 10a of the housing 10 shown in Figure 8, or the positioning groove 10c shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0048] As shown in Figure 8, the positioning groove 10b has a positioning contact surface 10d formed at a position closer to -Y, which is the surface that the positioning portion 21b of the terminal 20 inserted into the terminal insertion hole 10a contacts. The positioning portion 21b contacts the positioning contact surface 10d, thereby determining the position of the terminal 20 in the insertion direction D1 inside the terminal insertion hole 10a. Furthermore, the positioning portion 21b of the terminal 20 fits into the positioning groove 10b, preventing the terminal 20 from rotating around the insertion direction D1 relative to the housing 10.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, a positioning contact surface 10e is formed in the positioning groove 10c at a position closer to -Y.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5, the sleeve 22 is a component with a shape having two cylindrical parts with different outer diameters. The sleeve 22 is formed by bending a sheet material made of, for example, a conductive material. Examples of conductive sheet materials include copper and copper alloys. A second locking portion 22a is formed on this sleeve 22.

[0051] The second locking portion 22a is formed in the sleeve 22, projecting in the -Z direction from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion with the larger outer diameter among two cylindrical portions with different outer diameters. In this embodiment 1, the second locking portion 22a is formed projecting in the -Z direction, which is the same direction as the projection direction of the positioning portion 21b formed on the outer terminal 21. In this embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 3, the second locking portion 22a is composed of a pair of protruding portions formed by bending the ends of the plate material forming the sleeve 22 outwards. However, it is not limited to this. The second locking portion 22a may be composed of a single protruding portion.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 and 11, the second locking portion 22a is provided between the positioning portion 21b, which is composed of a pair of protruding portions. As a result, the second locking portion 22a is formed in a position adjacent to the positioning portion 21b. As shown in Figure 6, this second locking portion 22a is formed to be able to lock onto either the first lance 11 or the second lance 12 by rotating the terminal 20 around the Y-axis relative to the housing 10 and inserting the terminal 20 into the terminal insertion hole 10a in either of two positions (first position and second position) of the terminal 20. As shown in Figure 5, the second locking portion 22a has a second inclined portion 22a-1 and a second contact portion 22a-2 formed thereon.

[0053] The second inclined portion 22a-1 is provided in the second locking portion 22a at a position closer to the tip (-Y) in the insertion direction D1. The second inclined portion 22a-1 is formed inclined with respect to the insertion direction D1 in order to improve the insertion efficiency of the terminal 20 into the terminal insertion hole 10a of the housing 10.

[0054] The second contact portion 22a-2 is a surface parallel to the XZ plane located near the rear end (+Y side) of the insertion direction D1 in the second locking portion 22a. The second contact portion 22a-2 contacts and locks against the first lance 11 or the second lance 12, preventing the terminal 20 from coming off the housing 10 in the +Y direction. In this embodiment 1, the second contact portion 22a-2 is a surface parallel to the XZ plane. However, it is not limited to this. The second contact portion 22a-2 may have a shape other than a surface parallel to the XZ plane. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the second contact portion 22a-2 and the first contact portion 21a-2 are provided on the same plane F3 perpendicular to the cylindrical axis A2 of the terminal 20. As a result, the second contact portion 22a-2 and the first contact portion 21a-2 are formed at the same position in the insertion direction D1.

[0055] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the inner housing 23 is used to match the characteristic impedance of the transmission line and to efficiently propagate high-frequency signals at the center terminal 24. The inner housing 23 is a dielectric made of, for example, an insulating material. The inner housing 23 is formed in a shape having two cylindrical parts with different outer diameters. The center terminal 24 is fitted into this inner housing 23.

[0056] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the central terminal 24 is electrically connected to the central conductor W1 of the coaxial cable W by being crimped and fixed to it, and propagates high-frequency signals together with the central conductor W1.

[0057] As described above, the terminal 20 is configured such that, as shown in Figure 6, when the first locking portion 21a locks onto one of the first lance 11 and the second lance 12, the second locking portion 22a locks onto the other of the first lance 11 and the second lance 12.

[0058] As shown in Figure 1, the mating connector 90 comprises a mating terminal (not shown), a housing 91 that accommodates the mating terminal, and a hold-down portion 92.

[0059] The housing 91 is a substantially box-shaped member that opens in the +Y direction and has a fitting hole 93 into which the housing 10 of the connector 1 is fitted. The housing 91 is made of an insulating material such as resin. A locking hole 91a is also formed in the housing 91.

[0060] The locking portion 13 of the connector 1 engages with the locking hole 91a. The locking hole 91a is formed to penetrate from the inside of the fitting hole 93 to the outside of the housing 91 in the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment 1, the locking hole 91a is a hole that penetrates in the Z-axis direction. However, it is not limited to this. The locking hole 91a may be a non-through hole. The locking between the locking hole 91a and the locking portion 13 is released by moving the locking release operation unit 15 in the -Z direction.

[0061] The hold-down portion 92 is a component that is fixed to the housing 91 and also to the surface of the substrate B, which is the target of the mating connector 90. The hold-down portion 92 is made of, for example, a relatively rigid metal. The housing 91 and the substrate B are firmly fixed by this hold-down portion 92. In this embodiment 1, the target of the mating connector 90 is the substrate B. However, it is not limited to this. The target of the mating connector 90 may be something other than the substrate B.

[0062] As described above, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 6, the terminal 20 is formed such that when the first locking portion 21a locks onto one of the first lance 11 and the second lance 12 of the housing 10, the second locking portion 22a locks onto the other of the first lance 11 and the second lance 12 of the housing 10. Therefore, the user can insert the terminal 20 into the housing 10 in either a first position in which the first locking portion 21a locks onto the first lance 11 of the housing 10 and the second locking portion 22a locks onto the second lance 12 of the housing 10, or a second position in which the first locking portion 21a locks onto the second lance 12 of the housing 10 and the second locking portion 22a locks onto the first lance 11 of the housing 10. In other words, as shown in Figure 12, the terminal 20 can be inserted into the housing 10 in two positions: a first position and a second position obtained by rotating the first position 180° around the Y-axis. This allows the terminal 20 to be inserted into the housing 10 in multiple positions and orientations around the Y-axis. As a result, the connector 1 according to this embodiment 1 can improve the work efficiency in the insertion of the terminal 20 into the housing 10.

[0063] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 6, it is possible to eliminate the need for separate parts such as retainers to hold the terminals 20 to the housing 10. Therefore, the connector 1 according to this embodiment 1 has two locking structures, which allows for a reduction in the number of parts while maintaining the holding force of the terminals 20 to the housing 10 and preventing the terminals 20 from coming loose from the housing 10.

[0064] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment 1, the second locking portion 22a is formed adjacent to the positioning portion 21b, as shown in Figure 11. This makes it possible to reduce the outer diameter of the terminal 20.

[0065] For example, if the second locking portion 22a is not formed adjacent to the positioning portion 21b, as in the comparative example terminal 20A shown in Figure 13, the outer diameter of terminal 20A may increase. As a result, the overall size of connector 1A may increase.

[0066] In contrast, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment 1, the second locking portion 22a is formed adjacent to the positioning portion 21b, as shown in Figure 7. Therefore, the outer diameter of the terminal 20 can be reduced. Consequently, the overall size of the connector 1 can be reduced.

[0067] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment 1, the positioning portion 21b is formed to protrude in the -Z direction, which is the same direction as the protrusion direction of the second locking portion 22a. Therefore, the outer diameter of the terminal 20 can be reduced. Consequently, the overall size of the connector 1 can be reduced.

[0068] Embodiment 2. In the above-described embodiment 1, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a second lance 12 is formed inside the terminal insertion hole 10a of the housing 10 as a locked portion to which the first locking portion 21a or the second locking portion 22a of the terminal 20 is locked. However, it is not limited to this. Hereinafter, the differences between the connector 2 according to embodiment 2, which has a housing 10 of a different shape, and embodiment 1 will be mainly described with reference to the figures. Except for the differences described, it will be the same as or equivalent to embodiment 1. For the sake of ease of understanding, XYZ coordinates will be set and referred to as appropriate.

[0069] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, connector 2 comprises a housing 10 and terminals 20, similar to connector 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0070] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the housing 10 has a housing body 10-1 and a retainer 10-2.

[0071] The housing body 10-1 has a terminal insertion hole 10a, a first lance 11, a locking portion 13, a support arm 14, a locking release operation portion 15, a protective wall 16R (see Figure 2), and a protective wall 16L. Furthermore, the housing body 10-1 has a retainer fitting hole 17 into which the retainer 10-2 is fitted. Note that, unlike the first embodiment, the housing body 10-1 does not have a second lance 12.

[0072] The terminal insertion hole 10a is formed as a circular hole with at least a portion of its axis centered on an axis parallel to the insertion direction D1. However, it is not limited to this. The terminal insertion hole 10a may be a hole other than a circular hole. For example, the terminal insertion hole 10a may be a square hole.

[0073] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the retainer 10-2 is fitted into the retainer fitting hole 17 of the housing body 10-1 to prevent the terminal 20 from coming out of the housing body 10-1. In this second embodiment, the retainer 10-2 is integrally formed with the housing body 10-1 by being connected via a hinge structure. However, it is not limited to this. The retainer 10-2 may be formed separately from the housing body 10-1. The tip portion of the retainer 10-2 extending from the housing body 10-1 is formed as a locked portion 18 that is locked to either the first locking portion 21a or the second locking portion 22a of the terminal 20.

[0074] The locking portion 18 is positioned inside the terminal insertion hole 10a when the retainer 10-2 is fitted into the retainer fitting hole 17. Specifically, when the retainer 10-2 is fitted into the retainer fitting hole 17, the locking portion 18 is positioned in the Z-axis direction opposite to the first lance 11. The locking portion 18 has a portion that catches and contacts a part of the terminal 20 inserted into the terminal insertion hole 10a.

[0075] The first lance 11 and the locking portion 18 are located on the same plane F1 perpendicular to the insertion direction D1 when the retainer 10-2 is fitted into the retainer fitting hole 17. As a result, the first lance 11 and the locking portion 18 are formed at the same position in the insertion direction D1. Furthermore, the first lance 11 is formed at a position that is plane-symmetric to the position where the locking portion 18 is located, with the XY plane containing the central axis A1 being the plane of symmetry F2.

[0076] Terminal 20 is the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0077] As described above, in the connector 2 according to this second embodiment, as shown in Figure 15, the terminal 20 is formed such that when the first locking portion 21a locks onto one of the first lance 11 and the locked portion 18 of the housing 10, the second locking portion 22a locks onto the other of the first lance 11 and the locked portion 18 of the housing 10. Therefore, the user can insert the terminal 20 into the housing 10 in either a first orientation in which the first locking portion 21a locks onto the first lance 11 of the housing 10 and the second locking portion 22a locks onto the locked portion 18 of the housing 10, or a second orientation in which the first locking portion 21a locks onto the locked portion 18 of the housing 10 and the second locking portion 22a locks onto the first lance 11 of the housing 10. In other words, the terminal 20 can be inserted into the housing 10 in two positions: a first position and a second position obtained by rotating the first position 180° around the Y-axis. This allows the terminal 20 to be inserted into the housing 10 in multiple positions and orientations around the Y-axis. As a result, the connector 2 according to this embodiment 2 can improve the work efficiency in the insertion of the terminal 20 into the housing 10.

[0078] Furthermore, in the connector 2 according to this second embodiment, regardless of whether the shape of the housing 10 differs from that of the first embodiment, the same terminals 20 as those in the first embodiment can be used.

[0079] Furthermore, the connector 2 according to this second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the connector 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0080] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0081] For example, as shown in Figure 5, in the above embodiment 1, the first lance 11 and the second lance 12 are formed at the same position in the insertion direction D1. However, it is not limited to this. The first lance 11 and the second lance 12 do not have to be formed at the same position in the insertion direction D1. However, from the viewpoint of the holding force of the terminal 20 with respect to the housing 10, it is preferable that the first lance 11 and the second lance 12 are formed at the same position in the insertion direction D1.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16, in the above embodiment 2, the first lance 11 and the locking portion 18 are formed at the same position in the insertion direction D1. However, it is not limited to this. The first lance 11 and the locking portion 18 do not have to be formed at the same position in the insertion direction D1. However, from the viewpoint of the holding force of the terminal 20 with respect to the housing 10, it is preferable that the first lance 11 and the locking portion 18 are formed at the same position in the insertion direction D1.

[0083] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, in the above embodiment 1, the first lance 11 is formed at a position symmetric to the position where the second lance 12 is formed, with respect to the XY plane containing the central axis A1 as the plane of symmetry F2. However, it is not limited to this. The first lance 11 does not have to be formed at a position symmetric to the position where the second lance 12 is formed. However, from the viewpoint of the holding force of the terminal 20 with respect to the housing 10, it is preferable that the first lance 11 is formed at a position symmetric to the position where the second lance 12 is formed, with respect to the XY plane containing the central axis A1 as the plane of symmetry F2.

[0084] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 15, in the above embodiment 2, the first lance 11 is formed at a position symmetrical to the position where the locking portion 18 is located, with respect to the XY plane including the central axis A1 as the plane of symmetry F2. However, it is not limited to this. The first lance 11 does not have to be formed at a position symmetrical to the position where the locking portion 18 is located. However, from the viewpoint of the holding force of the terminal 20 with respect to the housing 10, it is preferable that the first lance 11 is formed at a position symmetrical to the position where the locking portion 18 is located, with respect to the XY plane including the central axis A1 as the plane of symmetry F2.

[0085] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, in the above embodiment 1, the first lance 11 is formed in a shape that is plane-symmetric with respect to the shape of the second lance 12, with respect to the XY plane containing the central axis A1 as the plane of symmetry F2. However, it is not limited to this. The first lance 11 does not have to be formed in a shape that is plane-symmetric with respect to the shape of the second lance 12, with respect to the XY plane containing the central axis A1 as the plane of symmetry F2. However, from the viewpoint of the holding force of the terminal 20 with respect to the housing 10, it is preferable that the first lance 11 is formed in a shape that is plane-symmetric with respect to the shape of the second lance 12, with respect to the XY plane containing the central axis A1 as the plane of symmetry F2.

[0086] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, in the above embodiment 2, the locking portion 18 is not formed in a shape that is plane-symmetric with respect to the shape of the first lance 11, with the XY plane containing the central axis A1 being the plane of symmetry F2. However, it is not limited to this. Similar to the second lance in embodiment 1, in embodiment 2, the locking portion 18 may be formed in a shape that is plane-symmetric with respect to the shape of the first lance 11.

[0087] Furthermore, in the connector 1 according to this embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 11, the positioning portion 21b is formed to protrude in the -Z direction, which is the same direction as the protrusion direction of the second locking portion 22a, and is formed at a position adjacent to the second locking portion 22a. However, it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 18, even if the positioning portion 21b is formed to protrude only in the -Z direction, which is the same direction as the protrusion direction of the second locking portion 22a, the outer diameter of the terminal 20 can be reduced.

[0088] The present invention can be implemented in various forms and modified without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention. The embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] 1,1A,2: Connector, 10: Housing, 10-1: Housing body, 10-2: Retainer, 10a: Terminal insertion hole, 10b,10c: Positioning groove, 10d,10e: Positioning contact surface, 11: First lance, 12: Second lance (locked part), 13: Locking part, 14: Support arm, 15: Locking release operation part, 16R,16L: Protective wall, 17: Retainer fitting hole, 18: Locked part, 20,20A: Terminal, 21: Outer terminal, 21-1: Main body, 21-2,21-3: Crimping part, 21-4: Cylindrical tip, 21a: First locking part, 21a- 1: First inclined section, 21a-2: First contact section, 21b: Positioning section, 22: Sleeve, 22a: Second locking section, 22a-1: Second inclined section, 22a-2: Second contact section, 23: Inner housing, 24: Center terminal, 90: Mating connector, 91: Housing, 91a: Locking hole, 92: Hold-down section, 93: Mating hole, A: Connector unit, B: Circuit board, W: Coaxial cable, W1: Center conductor, W2: Insulator, W3: Outer conductor for coaxial cable, W4: Covering section, A1: Center axis, A2: Cylindrical axis, D1: Insertion direction, F1: Same plane, F2: Symmetrical plane, F3: Same plane.

Claims

1. A housing having a terminal insertion hole formed therein, and a first lance and a locking portion provided inside the terminal insertion hole, The device comprises an outer terminal having a first locking portion formed thereon that can be locked to either the first lance or the locked portion, and a sleeve inserted into the outer terminal having a second locking portion formed thereon that can be locked to either the first lance or the locked portion, and a terminal that is inserted into the terminal insertion hole in a predetermined insertion direction, The terminal is a connector in which, when the first locking portion locks onto one of the first lance and the locked portion, the second locking portion locks onto the other of the first lance and the locked portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is inserted into the sleeve and has an inner housing that is housed inside the outer terminal.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking portion is a second lance formed inside the terminal insertion hole of the housing.

4. The housing comprises a housing body and a retainer fitted into the housing body to prevent the terminals from coming out of the housing body. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking portion is provided on the retainer which is fitted into the housing body.

5. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first lance and the locking portion are formed at the same position in the insertion direction.

6. At least a portion of the terminal insertion hole is formed as a hole centered on a central axis parallel to the insertion direction, The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first lance is formed at a position symmetrical to the position where the locking portion is formed, with respect to the plane including the central axis as the plane of symmetry.

7. At least a portion of the terminal insertion hole is formed as a hole centered on a central axis parallel to the insertion direction, The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first lance is formed in a shape that is plane-symmetric with respect to the shape of the locking portion, with respect to the plane containing the central axis as the plane of symmetry.

8. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first locking portion formed on the outer terminal has a first inclined portion provided at a position closer to the tip in the insertion direction and inclined with respect to the insertion direction.

9. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second locking portion formed in the sleeve has a second inclined portion provided at a position closer to the tip in the insertion direction and inclined with respect to the insertion direction.

10. The first locking portion formed on the outer terminal has a first contact portion provided at a position near the rear end in the insertion direction, which contacts and locks the first lance or the locked portion. The second locking portion formed in the sleeve has a second contact portion provided at a position near the rear end in the insertion direction, which contacts and locks the first lance or the locked portion. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first contact portion and the second contact portion are formed at the same position in the insertion direction.

11. The outer terminal is provided with a positioning portion that determines the insertion position of the terminal relative to the housing when inserting the terminal into the housing. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the positioning portion is formed at a position adjacent to the second locking portion formed on the sleeve.

12. The second locking portion is formed to protrude from the sleeve, The connector according to claim 11, wherein the positioning portion is formed to protrude from the outer terminal in the same direction as the protrusion direction of the second locking portion.

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