connector

Abstract

A housing (11) has a stopper portion (17) that is positioned on the rear-end side of a cavity (14) and abuts and stops a terminal fitting (80). A holder (40) has a covering portion (41) that faces the front-end side of the cavity (14). A first insertion hole (18) is formed in the stopper portion (17), and a second insertion hole (44) is formed in the covering portion (41). The terminal fitting (80) has a first connection portion (81) that can be connected to an electroconductive portion of a mating terminal fitting (170) disposed in the cavity (14) through the first insertion hole (18), and a second connection portion (82) that can be connected to an electroconductive portion of a FPC (160) disposed in the cavity (14) through the second insertion hole (44).

Description

connector

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors.

[0002] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a holder that holds a flat cable in a bent state and terminals that are accommodated in the connector housing. The connector housing has terminal accommodating chambers that extend in the front-to-rear direction inside the connector housing, terminal insertion holes that penetrate the front wall of the connector housing and communicate with the terminal accommodating chambers, and a rear opening that opens on the rear surface of the connector housing and communicates with the terminal accommodating chambers. Terminals are inserted into each terminal accommodating chamber from the rear. Mating terminals are inserted into the terminal insertion holes from the front. The mating terminals are connected to the terminals accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers. A holder that holds a flat cable is inserted into the rear opening. Patent Document 2 discloses an electrical connector with a connector body into which a flat cable is inserted.

[0003] JP 2002-117923 A JP 2017-126508 A

[0004] In the case of Patent Document 1, at a site such as a harness factory, after inserting a terminal into the terminal receiving chamber of the connector housing, the holder holding the flat cable must be inserted into the connector housing and assembled, which poses a problem of heavy workload.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that can simplify the work of assembling conductive members such as harnesses at the work site.

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a cavity, terminal fittings accommodated in the cavity of the housing, and a holder attached to the housing, wherein the housing has a stop portion located at one end of the cavity for stopping the terminal fittings, the holder has a cover portion arranged opposite the other end of the cavity, the stop portion has a first insertion hole formed therein that communicates with the one end of the cavity, and the cover portion has a second insertion hole formed therein that communicates with the other end of the cavity, and the terminal fittings have a first connection portion facing the one end of the cavity and connectable to a conductive portion of a first conductive member arranged in the cavity from the first insertion hole, and a second connection portion facing the other end of the cavity and connectable to a conductive portion of a second conductive member arranged in the cavity from the second insertion hole.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that can simplify the work of assembling conductive members such as harnesses at the site.

[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector according to the first embodiment is mated with a mating connector. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment, as seen from above. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a housing in the connector according to the first embodiment, as seen from above. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a holder in the connector according to the first embodiment, as seen from the front. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of terminal fittings in the connector according to the first embodiment, as seen from above. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of terminal fittings in the connector according to the first embodiment, as seen from below. FIG. 9 is a side view of terminal fittings in the connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a chain terminal in which a plurality of terminal fittings in the connector according to the first embodiment are linked via a carrier. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a locking member in the connector according to the first embodiment, as seen from the front. FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of a housing unit in which terminal fittings, a housing, and a holder are integrated in the connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a state in which a plurality of terminal fittings are connected to an FPC in the connector according to the first embodiment, as seen from above. FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the locking portion of the locking member that has passed through the through-hole of the FPC is locked with the lock receiving portion of the housing in the connector of the first embodiment.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. A connector of the present disclosure includes: (1) a housing having a cavity, terminal fittings accommodated in the cavities of the housing, and a holder attached to the housing, the housing having a stop portion located at one end of the cavity for stopping the terminal fittings, the holder having a cover portion arranged opposite the other end of the cavity, the stop portion having a first insertion hole formed in the stop portion communicating with the one end of the cavity, and a second insertion hole formed in the cover portion communicating with the other end of the cavity, the terminal fittings having a first connection portion facing the one end of the cavity and connectable from the first insertion hole to a conductive portion of a first conductive member arranged in the cavity, and a second connection portion facing the other end of the cavity and connectable from the second insertion hole to a conductive portion of a second conductive member arranged in the cavity.

[0010] The terminal fitting is inserted into the housing cavity from the other end of the cavity and is stopped by the stopper portion. Next, a holder is attached to the housing, and the other end of the housing cavity is covered by a cover portion. This prevents the terminal fitting from slipping out of the cavity relative to the housing and the holder. The housing holding the terminal fitting is transported to a site such as a harness factory where the first conductive member or the second conductive member is assembled. At this site, the conductive portion of the first conductive member or the conductive portion of the second conductive member is inserted into the cavity through the first insertion hole or the second insertion hole. The conductive portion of the first conductive member or the conductive portion of the second conductive member is connected to the first connection portion or the second connection portion of the terminal fitting that was previously inserted into the cavity. This eliminates the need to insert the terminal fitting into the housing cavity at the site such as a harness factory, thereby reducing the number of work steps and simplifying the work.

[0011] (2) The connector described in (1) above further includes a locking member attached to the housing, wherein the first conductive member is a circuit board, the housing has a locking portion, and the locking member has a locking portion that penetrates a through-hole in the circuit board and engages with the locking portion. The conductive portion of the circuit board is inserted into the cavity through the first insertion hole and connected to the first connecting portion of the terminal fitting. When the locking member is then attached to the housing, the locking portion of the locking member penetrates the through-hole in the circuit board and engages with the locking portion of the housing. The circuit board is fixed to the housing via the locking member. By fixing the circuit board to the housing, the connection position between the conductive portion of the circuit board and the first connecting portion of the terminal fitting can be maintained constant.

[0012] (3) In the connector described in (1) or (2) above, it is preferable that the second conductive member has a tab-shaped mating connection portion on the conductive portion, and the second insertion hole of the holder is a tab insertion hole through which the mating connection portion is inserted. According to the configuration described in (3) above, a conventionally known front holder attached to a housing can be used as the holder.

[0013] (4) In the connector described in any one of (1) to (3), the terminal fittings are preferably made of a conductive plate material and have a flat connecting portion connecting the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. According to the configuration described in (4), in a chain terminal connecting multiple terminal fittings via a carrier, after forming the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, the remaining portion of the carrier can be cut away and used as the connecting portion. This allows the terminal fittings to be manufactured efficiently and easily.

[0014] (5) In the connector described in any one of (1) to (4), the first conductive member is preferably a circuit board, the first insertion hole has a tapered surface that gradually reduces the hole diameter in the thickness direction of the circuit board toward the cavity, and the housing has a mating recess that fits the first connection portion in a positioned state between opposing surfaces of the cavity that face each other in the thickness direction. When the first connection portion of the terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity and positioned by the mating recess, the conductive portion of the circuit board is guided by the tapered surface and connected to the first connection portion. This allows for proper connection between the conductive portion of the circuit board and the first connection portion of the terminal fitting.

[0015] (6) In the connector according to any one of (1) to (5) above, the first conductive member is preferably a flexible substrate serving as a circuit board. If the first conductive member is a flexible substrate serving as a circuit board, handling can be improved.

[0016] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0017] First Embodiment As shown in FIG. 1 , a connector 10 of the first embodiment includes a housing 11, a holder 40, a locking member 60, and a terminal fitting 80. As shown in FIG. 2 , the housing 11 is mated with a mating connector 100. The terminal fitting 80 has a first connecting portion 81 and a second connecting portion 82. The first connecting portion 81 is connected to a flexible circuit board (FPC 160, described later) serving as a first conductive member. The second connecting portion 82 is connected to a mating terminal fitting 170 serving as a second conductive member. In the following description, the front side of the terminal fitting 80 where the second connecting portion 82 is located is referred to as the front, and the rear side of the terminal fitting 80 where the first connecting portion 81 is located is referred to as the rear. The up-down direction is based on the up-down direction in each drawing except for FIGS. 8 and 10 . In FIGS. 1 and 2 , the front side is represented by the symbol X, the right side is represented by the symbol Y, and the top side is represented by the symbol Z. These directional references do not necessarily coincide with the directional references when the connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle or the like (not shown).

[0018] (Mating Connector 100) As shown in Figure 2, the mating connector 100 includes a mating housing 110 and a plurality of mating terminal fittings 170. The mating housing 110 is made of synthetic resin and has a cylindrical hood portion 111 that is open to the rear. A lock receiving portion 112 is formed through the upper wall of the hood portion 111. A lock protrusion 13 of a lock arm 12 of the housing 11, which will be described later, can be engaged with the lock receiving portion 112.

[0019] A rear wall 113 is formed on the front end side of the hood portion 111. Each mating terminal fitting 170 has a tab- or pin-shaped mating connection portion 171 that extends in the front-to-rear direction and penetrates the rear wall 113, and a board connection portion 172 that extends downward from the front end of the mating connection portion 171 forward of the rear wall 113. The mating connection portion 171 of each mating terminal fitting 170 penetrates the rear wall 113 in two stages, upper and lower, and has its rear end protruding into the hood portion 111. The lower end of the board connection portion 172 is inserted into a through-hole in a rigid printed circuit board (not shown) and is electrically connected to a conductive portion of the circuit board by soldering or the like.

[0020] (Housing 11) The housing 11 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in Fig. 5, is in the shape of a flat block with a small vertical dimension. A lock arm 12 is formed to protrude from the top surface of the housing 11. The lock arm 12 extends rearward from the front end of the top surface of the housing 11 and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction with its front end connected to the top surface of the housing 11 as a fulcrum. The lock arm 12 is formed with a lock protrusion 13 that protrudes upward. As shown in Fig. 2, when the housing 11 is mated with the mating connector 100, the lock protrusion 13 fits into the lock receiving portion 112, maintaining the housing 11 and the mating connector 100 in a mated state.

[0021] The housing 11 is formed with a plurality of cavities 14 extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 5 , the cavities 14 are arranged in two rows, one above the other, in the width direction of the housing 11. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 12 , the inner surface of each cavity 14 is aligned along the front-rear direction and does not have any protruding lances, equivalent to those found in conventional connectors, that engage the terminal fittings 80. The housing 11 also has guide grooves 15 that individually communicate with each cavity 14. Each guide groove 15 extends in the front-rear direction parallel to the corresponding cavity 14, with its front end opening to the front end face of the housing 11 (see FIG. 5 ) and its rear end closed near the rear end of each cavity 14 (see FIGS. 2 and 12 ). The housing 11 has mating recesses 16 in the rear portions of the cavities 14, behind the guide grooves 15, into which the first connecting portions 81 of the terminal fittings 80 can be mated.

[0022] Abutment stop portions 17 are formed at the rear end of the housing 11 so as to close the rear ends of the cavities 14. As shown in Fig. 2, the abutment stop portions 17 have a thickness in the front-rear direction that exceeds the thickness of a locking member 60, which will be described later. The first connecting portions 81 of the terminal fittings 80 abut and are stopped against the front end surface of the abutment stop portion 17 (the front end surface facing the cavities 14).

[0023] The abutment stopper 17 is formed with two upper and lower first insertion holes 18 penetrating in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 4 , each first insertion hole 18 has a slit shape extending elongatedly in the left-right direction in rear view. A front end portion of a flexible printed circuit (FPC 160) serving as a flexible circuit board is inserted into each first insertion hole 18 from the rear. As shown in FIG. 13 , the front end portion of the FPC 160 is reinforced by a reinforcing plate 161 attached to a film-like substrate 164 on which a conductive portion 163 (see FIG. 14 ) is printed. The conductive portion 163 of the FPC 160 is electrically connected to the first connecting portion 81 of the terminal fitting 80. As shown in FIG. 13 , a pair of through holes 162 are formed on both left and right ends of the front end portion of the FPC 160, through which a locking portion (described later) passes in a positioned state. The through-hole 162 has a rectangular opening shape at the front end of the FPC 160 .

[0024] 2 and 12 , the front-to-rear intermediate portion of the inner surface of the first insertion hole 18 forms an insertion guide groove surface 19 that extends long in the front-to-rear direction. The front end portion of the inner surface of the first insertion hole 18 forms a tapered surface 21 that gradually narrows in the vertical direction from the front end of the insertion guide groove surface 19 to the front end surface of the abutment stopper 17. The rear end portion of the inner surface of the first insertion hole 18 forms a guide surface 18A that gradually widens in the vertical direction from the rear end of the insertion guide groove surface 19 to the rear end surface of the abutment stopper 17. The tapered surface 21 is formed to be longer in the front-to-rear direction than the guide surface 18A.

[0025] A pair of locking receiving portions 22 are formed on both left and right ends of the rear end of the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 14 , the locking receiving portions 22 have locking holes 23 that penetrate both left and right ends of the stopper portion 17 in the up-down direction. The locking holes 23 have rectangular openings (see FIG. 5 ) and communicate with the first insertion holes 18 in the upper and lower rows. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 , a rectangular tubular portion 24 protrudes from the upper surface of the stopper portion 17, framing the upper end openings of each locking hole 23. As shown in FIGS. 1 , 5 , and 14 , a locking main body portion 25 protrudes from the inner surface of the locking hole 23 of the tubular portion 24, located toward the center of the housing 11. The locking main body portion 25 has a rib shape that extends in the front-rear direction, and its upper surface is flat along the left-right and front-rear directions. As shown in FIG. 14 , a locking portion 62 of the locking member 60 , which will be described later, is inserted into the locking hole 23 of the lock receiving portion 22 from below, and the locking projection 65 is locked to the locking main body portion 25 .

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, the front end of each cavity 14 opens into the front end face of the housing 11 as a terminal insertion opening 26 through which a terminal fitting 80 is inserted into the cavity 14. The housing 11 has a pair of side walls 27 that protrude forward from both left and right sides of the front end face of the housing 11. A plurality of locking portions 28 that can be locked with the holder 40 are formed to penetrate the side walls 27 in the left-right direction. Two of each locking portion 28 are arranged vertically side by side on the side walls 27.

[0027] (Holder 40) The holder 40 is made of synthetic resin and is attached to the housing 11 as shown in Figures 2 and 12. The holder 40 has a cover portion 41 that covers the front end surface of the housing 11. The cover portion 41 prevents the terminal fitting 80 from slipping out forward from the cavity 14. The cover portion 41 is disposed in a position opposite the front end side of the cavity 14. As shown in Figures 1 and 6, a plurality of holder locking portions 42 are formed to protrude from both left and right ends of the cover portion 41. Two of each holder locking portion 42 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction on the cover portion 41.

[0028] The holder 40 moves vertically along the front end surface of the housing 11, and is held in a state where its movement relative to the housing 11 is restricted by engaging each holder locking portion 42 with each locked portion 28 (see Figure 3).

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6 , a plurality of second through-holes 44 are formed penetrating the cover portion 41. The second through-holes 44 are arranged in two rows, one above the other, in the width direction to correspond to the cavities 14. When the holder 40 is properly attached, each second through-hole 44 communicates with the front end of the corresponding cavity 14. As shown in FIG. 2 , the mating connection portions 171 of the mating terminal fittings 170 are inserted into each second through-hole 44 from the front. As shown in FIG. 6 , a plurality of jig insertion holes 45 are formed penetrating the cover portion 41 at positions adjacent to the second through-holes 44. Each jig insertion hole 45 communicates with the front end of each cavity 14 in the provisionally locked position before proper attachment. An inspection jig (not shown) is inserted into each jig insertion hole 45 from the front to inspect the electrical continuity of each terminal fitting 80. The holder 40 shown in FIG. 6 is an existing front holder that is assembled to a general connector. Each second insertion hole 44 corresponds to a tab insertion hole of the front holder.

[0030] (Terminal fittings 80) The terminal fittings 80 are integrally formed by bending a conductive metal plate material or the like. The terminal fittings 80 of the first embodiment are individually separated from a state in which a plurality of terminal fittings 80 are lined up in the left-right direction in the chain terminal 180 shown in Fig. 10. As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the terminal fittings 80 have a first connecting portion 81 located on the rear end side, a second connecting portion 82 located on the front end side, and a connecting portion 83 that connects the first connecting portion 81 and the second connecting portion 82.

[0031] The second connecting portion 82 has a rectangular cylindrical box portion 84 that is open in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figures 2 and 12, a resilient contact portion 85 is disposed inside the box portion 84. The resilient contact portion 85 extends rearward from the front end of the upper wall of the box portion 84 and is resiliently deformable in the vertical direction with the front end of the upper wall as a fulcrum. As shown in Figure 2, the mating connecting portion 171 of the mating terminal fitting 170 is disposed inside the second connecting portion 82 and is in conductive contact with the resilient contact portion 85.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 , the first connecting portion 81 has a rectangular cylindrical portion 86 that is open in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 8 , a slit 87 is formed in the left-to-right direction in the middle of the front-to-rear portion of the lower wall of the cylindrical portion 86. The portion of the lower wall of the cylindrical portion 86 that is located in front of the slit 87 (the front portion) is positioned one step lower than the portion located in the rear (the rear portion). As shown in FIG. 12 , the cylindrical portion 86 has an auxiliary spring portion 88 that extends rearward from the rear end of the front portion of the lower wall. The auxiliary spring portion 88 is elastically deformable in the up-and-down direction with the rear end of the front portion of the lower wall as a fulcrum.

[0033] 12, a main body spring portion 89 is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 86. The main body spring portion 89 extends forward from the rear end of the rear portion of the lower wall and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction with the rear end of the rear portion as a fulcrum. The front end of the main body spring portion 89 is supported from below by the rear end of the auxiliary spring portion 88.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 7-9 , insertion portions 91 are formed at the upper ends of the left and right side walls of the cylindrical portion 86, extending in the front-rear direction and opening at the rear ends of the side walls. The insertion portions 91 are open grooves extending in the front-rear direction between the top wall and side wall of the cylindrical portion 86, and are open to the rear and both left and right sides. The front end of the FPC 160 is inserted into the insertion portions 91 of the cylindrical portion 86 from the rear along the front-rear direction. The front end of the FPC 160 is sandwiched vertically between the top wall of the cylindrical portion 86 and the main spring portion 89. The main spring portion 89, together with the auxiliary spring portion 88, applies an elastic reaction force to the front end of the FPC 160, sandwiching and holding the front end of the FPC 160 between the top wall of the cylindrical portion 86 and the main spring portion 89. The conductive portion 163 of the FPC 160 is in conductive contact with the contact portion 89A (see FIG. 9 ) of the main spring portion 89.

[0035] 7 and 9, a stabilizer 92 is formed on the front end side of the upper wall of the cylindrical portion 86. The stabilizer 92 is bent and raised between the notches on both the left and right sides of the upper wall of the cylindrical portion 86. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 12, the stabilizer 92 is inserted into the guide groove 15 in a fitted state.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 , the connecting portion 83 is a flat plate extending in the front-rear direction, with the plate surface facing up and down. As shown in FIG. 12 , the connecting portion 83 is a part of the carrier 181 of the chained terminal 180. As shown in FIG. 10 , in the chained terminal 180, the carrier 181 extends in the left-right direction, and the first connecting portion 81 and the second connecting portion 82 protrude on both the front and rear sides of the carrier 181. The connecting portion 83 is formed at a position where the first connecting portion 81 and the second connecting portion 82 are connected by removing a portion of the carrier 181 between adjacent terminal fittings 80 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 , the front end of the connecting portion 83 is continuously connected to the upper wall of the box portion 84 of the second connecting portion 82 via a constricted portion 93. The rear end of the connecting portion 83 is also continuously connected to the upper wall of the tubular portion 86 of the first connecting portion 81 via a constricted portion 93. The left and right ends of the connecting portion 83 are configured as cut surfaces 94 resulting from the cutting of the carrier 181 .

[0037] (Locking Member 60) The locking member 60 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11 , has an extending portion 61 extending longitudinally in the left-right direction and a pair of engaging portions 62 protruding upward from both left and right ends of the extending portion 61. As shown in FIG. 14 , the locking member 60 positions and fixes the FPC 160 to the housing 11. The upper surface of the extending portion 61 is disposed flat in the left-right and front-rear directions. The extending portion 61 is fitted into a recess 11A formed in the bottom surface of the stopper portion 17 of the housing 11 along the left-right direction (see FIG. 2 ). As shown in FIG. 2 , the extending portion 61 has a portion that protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the housing 11, allowing the rear and bottom surfaces to be used as surfaces against which fingers can rest during assembly.

[0038] The locking portion 62 has a rectangular plate shape in a side view with its plate surface facing left and right, and as shown in FIG. 14 , it locks with the lock receiving portion 22. An elastic locking piece 64 that is thinner in the left and right directions than the lower portion is formed at the upper end of the locking portion 62, with shoulders 63 on both sides. The elastic locking piece 64 is arranged in the locking hole 23 within the tubular portion 24 of the lock receiving portion 22 so as to be elastically deformable in the left and right directions with the base of the elastic locking piece 64 and the shoulders 63 as a fulcrum. The lower portion of the locking portion 62 (the portion excluding the elastic locking piece 64) is arranged in the locking hole 23 of the lock receiving portion 22 while being positioned in the left and right directions. The lower portion of the locking portion 62 is inserted into the through hole 162 of the FPC 160 while being positioned.

[0039] Each locking portion 62 has a locking projection 65 that protrudes from the tip (upper end) of the elastic locking piece 64 toward the center of the locking member 60. As shown in Fig. 11, the locking projection 65 is rib-shaped and extends in the front-rear direction, and its lower surface is flat along the left-right and front-rear directions. As shown in Fig. 14, the lower surface of the locking projection 65 faces along the upper surface of the locking main body 25 of the housing 11 so as to be able to be locked.

[0040] (Operation of Connector 10) Next, an example of the process of accommodating the terminal fittings 80 in the housing 11 will be described. First, in a factory where components are assembled, the housing 11 is placed on a workbench (not shown) with the terminal insertion openings 26 facing upward. Next, the terminal fittings 80, which have been separated from the carrier 181 except for the connecting portion 83, are inserted sequentially into the terminal insertion openings 26 under their own weight. The first connecting portion 81 of the terminal fitting 80 is inserted into the cavity 14 through the terminal insertion opening 26, and is positioned and fitted into the mating recess 16 and abuts against the abutting stop portion 17. The insertion portion 91 of the terminal fitting 80 communicates with the first insertion hole 18.

[0041] After all of the terminal fittings 80 have been inserted into the corresponding cavities 14, the holder 40 is attached to the housing 11. When the holder 40 is properly held in the housing 11, as shown in Fig. 12, the front end of the second connecting portion 82 comes into contact with or is close to and faces the cover portion 41 of the holder 40, and the interior of the box portion 84 communicates with the second insertion hole 44. In this way, the first connecting portion 81 faces the abutment stopper 17 from the front so as to be able to come into contact with it, and the second connecting portion 82 faces the cover portion 41 from the rear so as to be able to come into contact with it, so that the terminal fittings 80 are accommodated between the housing 11 and the holder 40 in a state where their movement in the front-to-rear direction is restricted.

[0042] As a result, the terminal fittings 80, the housing 11, and the holder 40 can be handled as a single unit in the housing unit 30 (see FIG. 12). The terminal fittings 80 are held in the housing unit 30 in a state where they are prevented from slipping out of the cavities 14. Therefore, the housing unit 30 can be transported between processes and factories during the manufacture of the connector 10.

[0043] Next, the housing unit 30 is transported to a site, such as a harness factory, where the FPC 160 is assembled to the connector 10. Here, the front end of the FPC 160 is first inserted into the first insertion hole 18 of the housing 11 from the rear. The front end of the FPC 160 is inserted into the first insertion hole 18 from the rear, guided by the guide surface 18A and along the insertion guide groove surface 19. The vertical position of the FPC 160 is gradually restricted and positioned by the tapered surface 21 on the rear side of the insertion direction. The front end of the FPC 160 is then inserted from the tapered surface 21 of the first insertion hole 18 into the insertion portions 91 of the first connection portions 81 of the terminal fittings 80 lined up in the left-right direction (see the conceptual diagram in FIG. 13 ). The conductive portions 163 of the FPC 160 contact the main body spring portion 89, thereby electrically connecting the FPC 160 and the terminal fittings 80. The through holes 162 of the upper and lower FPCs 160 communicate with the locking holes 23 of the respective locking receiving portions 22 .

[0044] Next, the locking member 60 is assembled from below to the rear end (abutment stopper portion 17) of the housing 11. The locking portions 62 of the locking member 60 are inserted into the locking holes 23 of the locking receiving portions 22 while passing through the through holes 162 of the FPCs 160. During the assembly process of the locking member 60 to the housing 11, the locking protrusions 65 of the locking portions 62 come into contact with the locking main bodies 25, causing the locking portions 62 to elastically deform outward to the left and right. When the locking member 60 is properly assembled to the housing 11, the locking portions 62 elastically return to their original position, and the locking protrusions 65 are engaged with the locking main bodies 25 from above (see FIG. 14 ). Furthermore, the extensions 61 of the locking member 60 are fitted into the recesses 11A of the housing 11 from below. This prevents the locking member 60 from slipping out of the housing 11 or shifting out of position. By fixing the locking member 60 to the housing 11, the first connecting portion 81 of each terminal fitting 80 is stably maintained in an electrically connected state with the conductive portion 163 of each FPC 160.

[0045] Thereafter, the connector 10 assembled as described above is mated with the mating connector 100. Then, the mating connecting portions 171 of the mating terminal fittings 170 are inserted into the box portions 84 of the second connecting portions 82 of the terminal fittings 80 through the second insertion holes 44 of the holder 40. The lock arms 12 engage the lock receiving portions 112, preventing the connector 10 and the mating connector 100 from separating from each other, thereby maintaining a stable state in which the elastic contact portions 85 of the second connecting portions 82 are electrically connected to the mating connecting portions 171 of the respective mating terminal fittings 170.

[0046] As described above, the connector 10 of the first embodiment includes the housing 11 having the cavity 14, the terminal fittings 80 accommodated in the cavity 14 of the housing 11, and the holder 40 attached to the housing 11. The housing 11 has a stopper portion 17 located at the rear end (one end) of the cavity 14 to stop the terminal fittings 80. The holder 40 has a cover portion 41 disposed opposite the front end (other end) of the cavity 14. The stopper portion 17 is formed with a first insertion hole 18 communicating with the rear end of the cavity 14. The cover portion 41 is formed with a second insertion hole 44 communicating with the front end of the cavity 14. The terminal fitting 80 has a first connection portion 81 facing the rear end side of the cavity 14 and connectable to the conductive portion 163 of the FPC 160 (first conductive member) arranged in the cavity 14 through the first insertion hole 18, and a second connection portion 82 facing the front end side of the cavity 14 and connectable to the mating connection portion 171 (conductive portion) of the mating terminal fitting 170 (second conductive member) arranged in the cavity 14 through the second insertion hole 44.

[0047] As described above, the terminal fittings 80 are inserted into the cavities 14 of the housing 11 from the front end side of the cavities 14 and are stopped by the stopper portions 17. Next, the holder 40 is attached to the housing 11, and the front end side of the cavities 14 of the housing 11 is covered by the cover portions 41. This prevents the terminal fittings 80 from slipping out of the cavities 14 relative to the housing 11 and the holder 40. The housing 11 holding the terminal fittings 80 is transported to a site such as a harness factory where the FPC 160 will be assembled. At this site, the conductive portions 163 of the FPC 160 are inserted into the cavities 14 through the first insertion holes 18. The conductive portions 163 of the FPC 160 are connected to the first connecting portions 81 of the terminal fittings 80 that were previously inserted into the cavities 14. This eliminates the need to insert the terminal fittings 80 into the cavities 14 of the housing 11 at the site such as a harness factory, thereby reducing the number of work steps and simplifying the work.

[0048] Furthermore, the connector 10 of the first embodiment includes a locking member 60 that is attached to the housing 11. The housing 11 has a locking receiving portion 22, and the locking member 60 has a locking portion 62 that penetrates the through-hole 162 of the FPC 160 and locks with the locking receiving portion 22.

[0049] The conductive portion 163 of the FPC 160 is inserted into the cavity 14 through the first insertion hole 18 and connected to the first connecting portion 81 of the terminal fitting 80. Thereafter, when the locking member 60 is attached to the housing 11, the engaging portion 62 of the locking member 60 passes through the through hole 162 of the FPC 160 and engages with the engaging receiving portion 22 of the housing 11. The circuit board is fixed to the housing 11 via the locking member 60. By fixing the circuit board to the housing 11, the connection position between the conductive portion 163 of the circuit board and the first connecting portion 81 of the terminal fitting 80 can be maintained constant.

[0050] In the first embodiment, the holder 40 has a second insertion hole 44 in the cover portion 41 through which the mating connection portion 171 of the mating terminal fitting 170 passes. A conventionally known front holder attached to the housing 11 can be used as the holder 40.

[0051] In the first embodiment, the terminal fittings 80 are made of a conductive metal plate and have a flat connecting portion 83 that connects the first connecting portion 81 and the second connecting portion 82. In a chained terminal 180 that connects a plurality of terminal fittings 80 via a carrier 181, after the first connecting portion 81 and the second connecting portion 82 are formed, a portion of the carrier 181 is cut away, so that the remaining portion of the carrier 181 serves as the connecting portion 83. This allows the terminal fittings 80 to be manufactured efficiently and easily.

[0052] Furthermore, in the case of the first embodiment, the first insertion hole 18 has a tapered surface 21 whose hole diameter in the vertical direction (thickness direction of the FPC 160) gradually decreases toward the cavity 14, and the housing 11 has a fitting recess 16 that fits the first connection portion 81 in a positioned state between opposing surfaces that face each other in the vertical direction in the cavity 14. When the first connection portion 81 of the terminal fitting 80 is inserted into the cavity 14 and positioned by the fitting recess 16, the conductive portion 163 of the FPC 160 is guided by the tapered surface 21 to be connected to the first connection portion 81. This allows the conductive portion 163 of the FPC 160 and the first connection portion 81 of the terminal fitting 80 to be connected properly.

[0053] [Other Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] The above-described first embodiment disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In the above-described first embodiment, the first conductive member connected to the first connection portion 81 of the terminal fitting 80 is the FPC 160, and the second conductive member connected to the second connection portion 82 of the terminal fitting 80 is the mating terminal fitting 170. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the first conductive member may be the mating terminal fitting and the second conductive member may be the FPC, as opposed to the first embodiment. Furthermore, both the first conductive member and the second conductive member may be the FPC. Alternatively, both the first conductive member and the second conductive member may be mating terminal fittings. Furthermore, the mating terminal fitting may be a terminal fitting connected to a linear electric wire such as a coated electric wire. In the above-described first embodiment, both the first connection portion 81 and the second connection portion 82 have a cylindrical portion (the cylindrical portion 86 of the first connection portion and the box portion 84 of the second connection portion). In contrast to this, according to another embodiment, at least one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion may not have a cylindrical portion, and may be formed, for example, only by a spring connecting portion.

[0054] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Connector 11...Housing 11A...Recess 12...Lock arm 13...Lock protrusion 14...Cavity 15...Guide groove 16...Mating recess 17...Abutment stop portion 18...First insertion hole 18A...Guiding surface 19...Insertion guide groove surface 21...Tapered surface 22...Latching receiving portion 23...Latching hole 24...Cylindrical portion 25...Latching main body portion 26...Terminal insertion opening 27...Side wall portion 28...Latched portion 30...Housing unit 40...Holder 41...Cover portion 42...Holder locking portion 44...Second insertion hole (tab insertion hole) 45...Jig insertion hole 60...Locking member 61...Extension portion 62...Latching portion 63...Shoulder portion 64...Elastic locking piece 65...Latching protrusion 80...Terminal fitting DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 81...First connecting portion 82...Second connecting portion 83...Coupling portion 84...Box portion 85...Resilient contact portion 86...Cylindrical portion 87...Slit 88...Auxiliary spring portion 89...Main body spring portion 89A...Contact portion 91...Insertion portion 92...Stabilizer 93...Neck portion 94...Cut surface 100...Mating connector 110...Mating housing 111...Hood portion 112...Lock receiving portion 113...Rear wall 160...FPC 161...Reinforcing plate (circuit board) 162...Through hole 163...Conductive portion (conductive portion of circuit board (FPC)) 170...Mating terminal fitting 171...Mating connecting portion (conductive portion of mating terminal fitting) 172...Board connecting portion 180...Chain terminal 181...Carrier

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a housing having a cavity; a terminal fitting housed in the cavity of the housing; and a holder attached to the housing, wherein the housing has a contact portion located on one end side of the cavity for abutting the terminal fitting, the holder has a covering portion disposed opposite to the other end side of the cavity, a first insertion hole communicating with the one end side of the cavity is formed in the contact portion, a second insertion hole communicating with the other end side of the cavity is formed in the covering portion, and the terminal fitting has a first connection portion facing the one end side of the cavity and connectable to a conductive portion of a first conductive member disposed in the cavity through the first insertion hole, and a second connection portion facing the other end side of the cavity and connectable to a conductive portion of a second conductive member disposed in the cavity through the second insertion hole.

2. Further comprising a locking member attached to the housing, wherein the first conductive member is a circuit board, the housing has a locking receiving portion, and the locking member has a locking portion passing through a through hole of the circuit board and locking with the locking receiving portion, the connector according to claim 1.

3. The second conductive member has a tab-shaped mating connection portion at the conductive portion, and the second insertion hole of the holder is a tab insertion hole for inserting the mating connection portion, the connector according to claim 1.

4. The terminal fitting is made of a conductive plate material and has a single flat plate-shaped connecting portion connecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion, the connector according to claim 1.

5. The first conductive member is a circuit board, the first insertion hole has a tapered surface gradually reducing the hole diameter in the thickness direction of the circuit board toward the cavity, and the housing has a fitting recess for fitting the first connection portion in a positioned state between opposing surfaces facing each other in the thickness direction in the cavity, the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The first conductive member is a flexible board as a circuit board, the connector according to claim 1.

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