Connector

Abstract

A connector (100) comprises terminals (11 to 15), a base housing (20), and a cover housing (30). The terminals (11 to 15) each have an insulation displacement terminal (10A), to which an electrical wire is connected by insulation displacement, and a branch terminal (10B). A mating connector connection part (25), which is formed so as to allow the branch terminals (10B) to be exposed to the outside, is placed on the base housing (20). The cover housing (30) connects the insulation displacement terminals (10A) to the electrical wires by insulation displacement by holding the electrical wires between the cover housing (30) and the base housing (20). The mating connector connection part (25) extends from the base housing (20) in a second direction (D2), which is a direction opposite to the first direction (D1) in which the insulation displacement terminals (10A) extend. The insulation displacement terminals (10A) and the mating connector connection part (25) are disposed at positions offset from each other in a routing direction (Da) in which the routed electrical wires extend.

Description

connector

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector in which a terminal is pushed from above into a flat cable held by a case and a base, causing the tip of the terminal to break the cable's insulation displacement coating and establish electrical contact with the core wire. The insulation displacement terminal and the branch terminal are formed as an integral plate. The branch terminal is located directly above the insulation displacement terminal.

[0003] Special Publication No. 58-16310

[0004] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which the terminals themselves are pushed into the flat cable, so there is a risk that the terminals may bend when being pushed into the flat cable, or that the terminals may not be able to completely break through the wire coating, damaging the case. As a result, the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not make it easy to electrically connect the terminals to the conductor portion of the flat cable, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can improve the efficiency of the electrical connection work between a terminal and an electric wire.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector of the present invention comprises: a terminal having an insulation displacement terminal to which an electric wire is crimped; and a branch terminal that is conductive with the insulation displacement terminal and is connected to a counterpart terminal of a counterpart connector; a base housing in which a counterpart connector connection portion is installed that is formed so that the branch terminal is exposed to the outside; and a cover housing that crimps the electric wire to the insulation displacement terminal onto the electric wire by sandwiching the electric wire between the base housing and the cover housing, wherein the insulation displacement terminal extends from the base housing in a first direction that is a direction opposite to the cover housing, and the counterpart connector connection portion extends from the base housing in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction in which the insulation displacement terminal extends, and the insulation displacement terminal and the counterpart connector connection portion are arranged at positions offset in the wiring direction that is the direction in which the wired electric wire extends.

[0007] The branch terminal may be exposed to the outside in a direction perpendicular to the routing direction of the electric wire.

[0008] The branch terminal may be exposed to the outside in a direction parallel to the routing direction of the electric wire.

[0009] The terminal may have a connecting portion that extends in the routing direction of the electric wire and connects the insulation displacement terminal and the branch terminal.

[0010] The insulation displacement terminal, the branch terminal and the connecting portion may be formed from a single plate material.

[0011] The insulation displacement terminal, the branch terminal, and the connecting portion may be configured by combining separate members.

[0012] The insulation displacement terminals may be provided in plurality and may be arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the routing direction of the electric wires.

[0013] A plurality of the pressure-displacement terminals may be provided, and adjacent pressure-displacement terminals may be arranged at positions offset from each other in the routing direction of the electric wires.

[0014] The branch terminal may be provided in plurality and may be arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the routing direction of the electric wires.

[0015] The base housing may have a base housing-side wire holding portion that holds the electric wires and is provided on one end and the other end in the wiring direction, and the cover housing may have a cover housing-side wire holding portion that holds the electric wires and is provided on one end and the other end in the wiring direction, and the cover housing-side wire holding portion may be provided in a position facing the base housing-side wire holding portion when the cover housing is attached to the base housing.

[0016] The base housing side wire holding portion or the cover housing side wire holding portion may be disposed at positions offset from the mating connector connecting portion in the routing direction of the wires.

[0017] The electric wire may be a flat cable having a plurality of conductor portions and connected by an electric wire connection portion that links the plurality of conductor portions, and the base housing side electric wire holding portion and the cover housing side electric wire holding portion may sandwich and hold the electric wire connection portion of the flat cable.

[0018] The connector according to the present invention can improve the efficiency of the electrical connection work between the terminal and the electric wire.

[0019] 6A . FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6C is an exploded perspective view (part 1) of a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 6D is an exploded perspective view (part 2) of a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 6E is an exploded perspective sectional view of a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 6F is an exploded sectional view of a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 6G is a plan view of a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 6H is a plan view of a terminal of a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 6I is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 6A . FIG. 6J is a sectional view (part 1) of a connector for explaining the functions of a base housing side wire holding portion and a cover housing side wire holding portion. FIG. 6J is a sectional view (part 2) of a connector for explaining the functions of a base housing side wire holding portion and a cover housing side wire holding portion. FIG. 6I is a perspective view of a base housing. FIG. 6J is a plan view of a base housing. FIG. 6I is a perspective view of a cover housing. FIG. 6J is a bottom view of a cover housing. FIG. 6J is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a method of attaching a flat cable to a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 6J is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a method of attaching a flat cable to a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 6J is a diagram (part 3) illustrating a method of attaching a flat cable to a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 6I is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a manufacturing device using a connector according to an embodiment. It is a diagram (part 2) showing a manufacturing device using the connector according to the embodiment. It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the effect of the connector according to the embodiment. It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the effect of the connector according to the modification 1.

[0020] A connector 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of understanding, mutually orthogonal XYZ coordinate systems are set and referenced as appropriate. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the X-axis direction of the XYZ coordinate system is the same as the wiring direction Da, which is the direction in which the wired electric wires 200 extend. The +X and −X directions are also the directions in which the electric wires 200 are pulled out from the base housing 20 and the cover housing 30 of the connector 100. The Y-axis direction is the same as the width direction Dc of the connector 100. The Z-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to both the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0021] The connector 100 according to this embodiment is used to electrically connect electric wires 200 .

[0022] The electric wire 200 includes a first cable 211, a second cable 212, a third cable 213, a fourth cable 214, a fifth cable 215, a convex portion 220, and an electric wire connection portion 230. In this embodiment, the electric wire 200 is a flat cable. The electric wire 200 extends from the connector 100 in the +X direction and the −X direction.

[0023] The first cable 211 and the second cable 212 are sheathed electric wires that supply electric power. The third cable 213, the fourth cable 214, and the fifth cable 215 are sheathed electric wires that supply electric signals for communication and are thinner than the first cable 211 and the second cable 212. The electric wires 200 are connected in parallel in the width direction Dc in the order of the first cable 211, the third cable 213, the fourth cable 214, the fifth cable 215, and the second cable 212. Furthermore, the first cable 211, the third cable 213, the fourth cable 214, the fifth cable 215, and the second cable 212 are connected in that order by electric wire connection parts 230.

[0024] The protrusion 220 is a protrusion extending in the X-axis direction and is provided on the first cable 211 .

[0025] The connector 100 is connected to the middle of the electric wire 200 configured as described above. The connector 100 includes a terminal group 10, a base housing 20, and a cover housing 30, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 .

[0026] In this embodiment, the terminal group 10 has five terminals 11 to 15, as shown in Fig. 3. However, this is not limited to this. The terminal group 10 may have four or fewer terminals 11 to 15, or six or more terminals 11 to 15.

[0027] Each of the terminals 11 to 15 has a pressure-displacement terminal 10A provided at one end, a branch terminal 10B provided at the other end, and a connecting portion 10C. In this embodiment, the pressure-displacement terminal 10A, the branch terminal 10B, and the connecting portion 10C are integrally formed by press-molding a single plate material.

[0028] The insulation displacement terminal 10A extends from the base housing 20 in a first direction D1, which is a direction facing the cover housing 30. In this embodiment, the first direction D1 is a direction that coincides with the +Z direction. However, this is not limited to this. The first direction D1 does not have to coincide completely with the +Z direction as long as it is a direction from the base housing 20 facing the cover housing 30. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the insulation displacement terminal 10A has slits 11a to 15a into which the first cable 211 to the fifth cable 215 are inserted, respectively. Each of the slits 11a to 15a has an inclined portion that breaks the coating of the wire to facilitate insertion. The inclined portion has a blade that cuts a slit in the coating of the insulated wire. As a result, when the first cable 211 to the fifth cable 215 are inserted into the slits 11a to 15a, respectively, a notch is made in the coated portion, and when they are pushed further in the -Z direction, the conductor portions of the first cable 211 to the fifth cable 215 are electrically connected to the terminals 11 to 15.

[0029] 5, 6A, and 6B, the above-described pressure contact terminals 10A are arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the routing direction Da of the electric wire 200. Adjacent pressure contact terminals 10A are arranged at positions offset in the routing direction Da of the electric wire 200. For example, the pressure contact terminal 10A of adjacent terminal 11 and the pressure contact terminal 10A of adjacent terminal 13 are arranged at positions offset in the routing direction Da of the electric wire 200. The pressure contact terminal 10A of adjacent terminal 13 and the pressure contact terminal 10A of adjacent terminal 14 are arranged at positions offset in the routing direction Da of the electric wire 200. The pressure contact terminal 10A of adjacent terminal 14 and the pressure contact terminal 10A of adjacent terminal 15 are arranged at positions offset in the routing direction Da of the electric wire 200. The pressure-displacement terminal 10A of the terminal 15 and the pressure-displacement terminal 10A of the terminal 12 that are adjacent to each other are arranged at positions offset from each other in the wiring direction Da of the electric wire 200.

[0030] 4 and 5, the branch terminal 10B is provided with contacts that are electrically connected to mating terminals 110a of the mating connector 110. The branch terminal 10B is formed so as to be exposed to the outside from an opening 25a of a mating connector connection portion 25 of the base housing 20, which will be described later. More specifically, in this embodiment, the branch terminal 10B is exposed to the outside from an orthogonal direction Db (-Z direction) that is orthogonal to the routing direction Da of the electric wire 200.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B, the branch terminals 10B are arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the routing direction Da of the electric wires 200.

[0032] 3, the connecting portion 10C connects the insulation displacement terminal 10A and the branch terminal 10B together. The connecting portion 10C is formed to extend in the X-axis direction.

[0033] The base housing 20 is integrally molded from resin. A lower flat surface 20a is formed on the -Z side of the base housing 20. The lower flat surface 20a is supported by a crimping tool (described later). As shown in FIG. 2, the base housing 20 includes an outer wall 21, a terminal holding portion 22, a first locked portion 23, a second locked portion 24, and a mating connector connecting portion 25.

[0034] The outer wall portion 21 is formed by molding resin into a cubic box shape, and is provided with an opening edge 21a with a step and recesses 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, and 26e into which the first to fifth cables 211 to 215 fit, respectively. The outer wall portion 21, together with the outer wall portion 31 of the cover housing 30, protects the connection portions between the conductor portions of the electric wires 200 and the terminals 11 to 15. When the cover housing 30 is attached to the base housing 20, the opening edge 31a of the cover housing 30 fits into the opening edge 21a of the base housing 20, and the electric wires 200 fit between the recesses 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, and 36e and the recesses 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, and 26e.

[0035] The terminal holding portion 22 is provided inside the outer wall portion 21 and holds the terminals 11 to 15 .

[0036] The first locked portion 23 is a claw that locks into the locking portion 35 of the cover housing 30, and temporarily fastens the cover housing 30 to the base housing 20. When the locking portion 35 is locked to the first locked portion 23, the cover housing 30 holds the electric wire 200 so that it can slide in the X-axis direction.

[0037] The second locked portion 24 is a claw that locks with the locking portion 35 of the cover housing 30, and secures the cover housing 30 to the base housing 20. When the cover housing 30 is pushed into the base housing 20 in the −Z direction with the locking portion 35 locked to the first locked portion 23, the locking portion 35 of the cover housing 30 locks with the second locked portion 24 of the base housing 20.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7, the mating connector connection portion 25 is a portion that connects to the mating connector 110. As shown in FIG. 3, the mating connector connection portion 25 extends from the base housing 20 in a second direction D2 that is opposite to the first direction D1 in which the insulation displacement terminal 10A extends. In this embodiment, the second direction D2 coincides with the -Z direction. However, this is not limited to this. The second direction D2 does not have to coincide completely with the -Z direction as long as it extends approximately in the -Z direction from the rear side of the base housing 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the mating connector connection portion 25 is formed so that the branch terminal 10B is exposed to the outside in the orthogonal direction Db through its opening 25a.

[0039] Furthermore, the mating connector connection portion 25 configured as described above is disposed at a position offset in the wiring direction Da with respect to the insulation displacement terminal 10A.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 8, 9A, 9B, and 9C, the base housing 20 further includes base housing side wire holding portions 29A and 29B.

[0041] The base housing side wire holding portions 29A, 29B are provided on one end side and the other end side in the wiring direction Da. In the present embodiment, four base housing side wire holding portions 29A, 29B are formed, which is the same number as the number of wire connection portions 230. These base housing side wire holding portions 29A, 29B are disposed at positions offset from the mating connector connection portion 25 in the wiring direction Da of the wires 200.

[0042] The base housing side wire holding portions 29A and 29B are formed to hold the wire 200. More specifically, in this embodiment, the base housing side wire holding portions 29A and 29B are formed to sandwich and hold the wire connection portion 230 of the wire 200, which is a flat cable.

[0043] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cover housing 30 sandwiches the electric wire 200 between itself and the base housing 20, thereby crimping the insulation displacement terminal 10A to the electric wire 200. The cover housing 30 is integrally molded from resin. An upper flat surface 30a is formed on the +Z side of the cover housing 30, and is pressed by a crimping tool (described later). The cover housing 30 includes an outer wall portion 31, a recess 32, a holding portion 33, a pressing portion 34, and a locking portion 35.

[0044] The outer wall portion 31 is formed by molding resin into a cubic box shape, and is provided with an opening edge 31a having a step and recesses 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, and 36e into which the first to fifth cables 211 to 215 are respectively fitted. The outer wall portion 31 protects the connection portions between the electric wires 200 and the terminals 11 to 15.

[0045] The recess 32 is provided in a portion where the first cable 211 is arranged, and is a portion into which the protrusion 220 provided on the first cable 211 fits. The recess 32 prevents the electric wire 200 from being attached upside down. The protrusion 220 is an example of a fitting portion, and the recess 32 is an example of a fitted portion.

[0046] The holding portion 33 holds the electric wire 200 so as to be movable in the wiring direction Da (X-axis direction), is formed in a portion where the second cable 212 is arranged, and holds the second cable 212 so as to be movable in the wiring direction. The convex portion 220 provided on the electric wire 200 fits into the concave portion 32, and the holding portion 33 holds the second cable 212, so that the electric wire 200 can be held so as to be slidable in the X-axis direction.

[0047] The pressing portion 34 is a portion that presses the electric wire 200, and is formed with recesses 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, and 34e into which the first cable 211 to the fifth cable 215 respectively fit. When the cover housing 30 is attached to the base housing 20, the recesses 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, and 34e formed in the pressing portion 34 press the first cable 211 to the fifth cable 215 of the electric wire 200 into the terminals 11 to 15, respectively.

[0048] The locking portion 35 is provided at the end of a lock arm 35 a provided on the outer wall portion 31 , and is a portion that locks onto the first locked portion 23 or the second locked portion 24 provided on the base housing 20 .

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 8, 9A, 9D, and 9E, the cover-housing 30 further includes cover-housing-side wire holding portions 39A and 39B.

[0050] The cover-housing side wire holding portions 39A, 39B are provided on one end side and the other end side in the wiring direction Da. In the present embodiment, four cover-housing side wire holding portions 39A, 39B are formed, which is the same number as the number of wire connection portions 230. The cover-housing side wire holding portions 39A, 39B are provided in positions facing the base-housing side wire holding portions 29A, 29B when the cover housing 30 is attached to the base housing 20. The cover-housing side wire holding portions 39A, 39B are positioned offset from the mating connector connection portion 25 in the wiring direction Da of the wires 200.

[0051] The cover-housing side wire holding portions 39A, 39B are formed to hold the wire 200 together with the base-housing side wire holding portions 29A, 29B. More specifically, in this embodiment, the cover-housing side wire holding portions 39A, 39B are formed to hold the wire connection portion 230 of the wire 200, which is a flat cable, by sandwiching it together with the base-housing side wire holding portions 29A, 29B.

[0052] Next, a method for attaching the connector 100 to the electric wire 200 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0053] First, as shown in Figure 10, a user attaching the connector 100 to the electric wire 200 attaches the electric wire 200 to the cover housing 30. More specifically, the convex portion 220 provided on the first cable 211 is fitted into the concave portion 32 provided on the cover housing 30. The second cable 212 is also held by the holding portion 33. As a result, the convex portion 220 provided on the electric wire 200 fits into the concave portion 32, and the holding portion 33 holds the second cable 212, thereby holding the electric wire 200 so that it can slide in the X-axis direction.

[0054] Next, as shown in FIG. 11 , the cover housing 30 with the electric wire 200 attached thereto is temporarily fixed to the base housing 20. Specifically, the cover housing 30 is pushed into the base housing 20 until the locking portion 35 provided on the cover housing 30 locks with the first locked portion 23 provided on the base housing 20. This temporarily fixes the cover housing 30 to the base housing 20. When the locking portion 35 is locked with the first locked portion 23, the cover housing 30 holds the electric wire 200 so that it can slide in the X-axis direction. In this state, the position of the electric wire 200 in the X-axis direction is adjusted.

[0055] Next, as shown in FIG. 12 , the cover housing 30 is fixed to the base housing 20. For ease of understanding, the electric wires 200 are omitted from this figure. Specifically, the cover housing 30 is further pushed into the base housing 20 in the −Z direction until the locking portion 35 provided on the cover housing 30 locks with the second locked portion 24 provided on the base housing 20. As a result, the recesses 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, and 34e formed in the pressing portion 34 of the cover housing 30 press the first cable 211 to the fifth cable 215 of the electric wire 200 into the terminals 11 to 15, respectively. As a result, the conductor portions of the first cable 211 to the fifth cable 215 are electrically connected to the terminals 11 to 15. Furthermore, the locking portion 35 of the cover housing 30 locks with the second locked portion 24 of the base housing 20.

[0056] As a result of the above, the attachment of the connector 100 to the electric wire 200 is completed as shown in FIG. 1, and a connector-cable combination in which the connector 100 is attached to the electric wire 200 is completed.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the connector 100 having the above configuration has a recess 32 in the cover housing 30, which prevents the electric wire 200 from being attached upside down. Furthermore, the cover housing 30 has a retaining portion 33, which allows the protrusion 220 on the electric wire 200 to fit into the recess 32, and the retaining portion 33 holds the second cable 212, thereby holding the electric wire 200 so that it can slide in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the base housing 20 has a first locked portion 23 that temporarily fastens the cover housing 30 to the base housing 20, which allows the electric wire 200 to be held so that it can slide in the X-axis direction. In this state, the position of the electric wire 200 in the X-axis direction can be adjusted. Furthermore, the base housing 20 has a second locked portion 24 that fastens the cover housing 30 to the base housing 20, which allows the cover housing 30 to be fastened to the base housing 20.

[0058] The connector 100 of the above-described embodiment can be used in a manufacturing apparatus 300 including actuators 400, as shown in FIG. 13 . The manufacturing apparatus 300 includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) 310 that controls the actuators 400, a gateway 320 that converts data transmitted from the PLC 310 into control signals that control the actuators 400, a power supply 330 that drives the actuators 400, and the actuators 400 themselves. The control signals output from the gateway 320 are transmitted to a junction connector 350 via a signal cable 340. Power output from the power supply 330 is output to the junction connector 350 via a power cable 360. One end of the electric wire 200 described above is connected to the junction connector 350. A connector 100 is connected to the middle of the electric wire 200, and supplies control signals and power to each actuator 400 via a mating connector 110. A terminal 500 is connected to the other end of the electric wire 200. In this way, it is possible to supply control signals and power to each actuator 400 along the electric wire 200. Note that, without using the merging connector 350, the end of the electric wire 200 may be split and the signal line portion may be directly connected to the gateway 320 and the power line portion may be directly connected to the power supply 330. This also makes it possible to shorten the total length of the wiring compared to connecting wiring to each actuator 400. Furthermore, a controller that controls the actuator 400 may be installed in each actuator 400, or a controller may not be installed in each actuator 400, and the merging connector 350 may be replaced with the controller of the actuator 400.

[0059] 14, the manufacturing apparatus 300 may also include an expansion unit 370 connected to the gateway 320. In this case, the power output from the power supply 330 is output to the gateway 320. One end of the electric wire 200 described above is connected to the expansion unit 370. Alternatively, the end of the electric wire 200 may be split and the signal line portion may be directly connected to the gateway 320 and the power line portion may be directly connected to the power supply 330 without using the expansion unit 370. This simplifies the wiring. A controller for controlling the actuator 400 may be installed in each actuator 400, or a controller may not be installed in each actuator 400, and the expansion unit 370 may be replaced with the controller of the actuator 400.

[0060] As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 , the insulation displacement terminal 10A and the mating connector connection portion 25 are positioned offset in the wiring direction Da. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15 , the insulation displacement terminal 10A can be pressed against the electric wire 200 while avoiding interference with the mating connector connection portion 25. For example, when using insulation displacement tools T1 and T2, a user can support the lower flat surface 20a of the base housing 20 with the insulation displacement tool T2 while pressing the upper flat surface 30a of the cover housing 30 with the insulation displacement tool T1. This makes it easier to clamp the base housing 20 and the cover housing 30 between the insulation displacement tools T1 and T2, facilitating the insulation displacement of the insulation displacement terminal 10A onto the electric wire 200. As a result, a connector 100 can be provided that can improve the efficiency of the electrical connection between the terminals 11-15 and the conductor portion of the electric wire 200.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the press-connecting tools T1 and T2 can be used to press the base housing 20 and the cover housing 30 at appropriate positions, so that damage to the terminals 11 to 15 can be suppressed.

[0062] In this embodiment, the mating connector connection portion 25 is disposed at a position offset in the wiring direction Da with respect to the insulation displacement terminal 10A. Therefore, the mating connector connection portion 25 is offset from the position where the insulation displacement tools T1, T2 contact the base housing 20 and the cover housing 30. Furthermore, the insulation displacement terminals 10A are disposed in parallel in the Y-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the wiring direction Da of the electric wires 200, and adjacent insulation displacement terminals 10A are disposed at positions offset in the wiring direction Da of the electric wires 200, so that the width direction Dc of the connector 100 can be reduced. Therefore, large tools are not required.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the base housing side wire holding portions 29A, 29B are disposed at positions offset in the wiring direction Da of the electric wire 200 with respect to the mating connector connecting portion 25. Similarly, the cover housing side wire holding portions 39A, 39B are disposed at positions offset in the wiring direction Da of the electric wire 200 with respect to the mating connector connecting portion 25. Therefore, when the insulation displacement terminal 10A is pressure-connected to the electric wire 200, the base housing side wire holding portions 29A, 29B and the cover housing side wire holding portions 39A, 39B can reliably hold the electric wire 200.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the base housing side wire holding portions 29A, 29B and the cover housing side wire holding portions 39A, 39B hold the electric wire 200 at one end (+X side) and the other end (-X side) of the crimping portion of the crimping terminal 10A to the electric wire 200. Therefore, even if an external force is applied to the portion of the electric wire 200 that is pulled out to the outside of the connector 100, the external force can be prevented from being transmitted to the crimping portion of the crimping terminal 10A to the electric wire 200. As a result, even if an external force is applied to the portion of the electric wire 200 that is pulled out to the outside of the connector 100, breakage of the conductor portion of the electric wire 200 at the crimping portion of the crimping terminal 10A to the electric wire 200 can be prevented.

[0065] (Modifications) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0066] For example, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the terminals 11 to 15 have slits 11a to 15a into which the first to fifth cables 211 to 215 are inserted. The terminals 11 to 15 may be terminals of other types as long as they are connected to the first to fifth cables 211 to 215, respectively.

[0067] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example in which the electric wire 200 includes the first cable 211 to the fifth cable 215 has been described, but the electric wire 200 may include at least the first cable 211 and the second cable 212. Furthermore, when the electric wire 200 includes three or more cables, the first cable 211 having the fitting portion does not have to be a side cable, and any cable may be the first cable 211. Furthermore, although the third cable 213, the fourth cable 214, and the fifth cable 215 are thinner than the first cable 211 and the second cable 212, the first cable 211 to the fifth cable 215 may all be the same thickness. Furthermore, the thicknesses of the first cable 211 to the fifth cable 215 may be appropriately changed depending on the intended use.

[0068] 7, each of the terminals 11 to 15 includes a pressure-displacement terminal 10A, a branch terminal 10B, and a connecting portion 10C connecting these terminals. However, this is not limiting. Each of the terminals 11 to 15 does not necessarily have to include the connecting portion 10C.

[0069] In this embodiment, each of the terminals 11 to 15 is integrally formed by press-forming a single sheet of plate material. However, this is not limiting. Each of the terminals 11 to 15 may be formed by a manufacturing method other than press-forming. Furthermore, each of the terminals 11 to 15 may be formed by combining the separate components of the insulation displacement terminal 10A, the branch terminal 10B, and the connecting portion 10C, which are formed separately. Furthermore, in this case, the connecting portion 10C may be omitted.

[0070] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the branch terminal 10B is exposed to the outside from an orthogonal direction Db (−Z direction) perpendicular to the routing direction Da of the electric wire 200. However, this is not limited thereto. The branch terminal 10B may be exposed to the outside from a direction other than the orthogonal direction Db (−Z direction) perpendicular to the routing direction Da of the electric wire 200. For example, as in a connector 100A according to a first modification shown in FIG. 16 , the branch terminal 10B may be exposed to the outside from a +X direction that is a direction parallel to the routing direction Da of the electric wire 200.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the pressure contact terminals 10A are arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the routing direction Da of the electric wire 200, and adjacent pressure contact terminals 10A are arranged at positions offset in the routing direction Da of the electric wire 200. However, this is not limited to this. All of the pressure contact terminals 10A may be arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the routing direction Da of the electric wire 200, as long as insulation and the like can be ensured.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the electric wire 200 includes the electric wire connection portion 230, but the electric wire 200 may include at least the first cable 211 and the second cable 212 connected in parallel. Alternatively, the electric wire 200 may not include the electric wire connection portion 230, and the cables may be arranged in parallel.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the base housing side wire holding portions 29A, 29B and the cover housing side wire holding portions 39A, 39B are described as holding the wire connection portion 230 of the wire 200, but they may also be configured to hold the covering portions of the conductor portions of the first cable 211 to the fifth cable 215.

[0074] The present invention allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. The above-described embodiments are for the purpose of explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0075] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-105366, filed on June 28, 2024. The entire specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-105366 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0076] The present invention is suitable for use as a connector for connecting electrical devices together.

[0077] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Terminal group 10A: Pressure contact terminal 10B: Branch terminal 10C: Connecting portion 11-15: Terminal 11a-15a: Slit 20: Base housing 20a: Lower flat surface 21: Outer wall portion 21a: Opening edge 22: Terminal holding portion 23: First locked portion 24: Second locked portion 25: Mating connector connection portion 25a: Opening 26a-26e: Recesses 29A, 29B: Base housing side wire holding portion 30: Cover housing 30a: Upper flat surface 31: Outer wall portion 31a: Opening edge 32: Recess 33: Holding portion 34: Pressing portion 34a-34e: Recesses 35: Locking portion 35a: Locking arm 36a-36e: Recesses 39A, 39B: Cover housing side wire holding portion 100, 100A: Connector 110: Mating connector 110a: Mating terminal 200: Electric wire 211: First cable 212: Second cable 213: Third cable 214: Fourth cable 215: Fifth cable 220: Convex portion 230: Electric wire connection portion 300: Manufacturing device 320: Gateway 330: Power supply 340: Signal cable 350: Merging connector 360: Power cable 370: Expansion unit 400: Actuator 500: Terminal T1, T2: Crimping tool Da: Wiring direction Db: Orthogonal direction Dc: Width direction D1: First direction D2: Second direction

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a terminal having an insulation displacement terminal to which an electric wire is crimped; and a branch terminal that is conductive with the insulation displacement terminal and connects to a counterpart terminal of a counterpart connector; a base housing in which a counterpart connector connection part is installed that is formed so that the branch terminal is exposed to the outside; and a cover housing that crimps the electric wire to the insulation displacement terminal by sandwiching the electric wire between the base housing and the cover housing, wherein the insulation displacement terminal extends from the base housing in a first direction that faces the cover housing, and the counterpart connector connection part extends from the base housing in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction in which the insulation displacement terminal extends, and the insulation displacement terminal and the counterpart connector connection part are positioned at positions offset in the wiring direction that is the direction in which the wired electric wire extends.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the branch terminal is exposed to the outside in a direction perpendicular to the routing direction of the electric wire.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the branch terminal is exposed to the outside in a direction parallel to the routing direction of the electric wires.

4. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the terminal has a connecting portion that extends in the wiring direction of the electric wire and connects the insulation displacement terminal and the branch terminal.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the insulation displacement terminal, the branch terminal and the connecting portion are constructed from a single plate material.

6. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the insulation displacement terminal, the branch terminal, and the connecting portion are constructed by combining separate members.

7. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of the pressure-displacement terminals are provided and arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the wiring direction of the electric wires.

8. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a plurality of the crimp terminals are provided, and adjacent crimp terminals are arranged at positions offset from each other in the wiring direction of the electric wire.

9. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a plurality of the branch terminals are provided and arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the wiring direction of the electric wires.

10. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the base housing is formed with base housing side wire holding portions that hold the electric wires and are provided on one end and the other end in the wiring direction, and the cover housing is formed with cover housing side wire holding portions that hold the electric wires and are provided on one end and the other end in the wiring direction, and the cover housing side wire holding portions are provided in positions that face the base housing side wire holding portions when the cover housing is attached to the base housing.

11. A connector as described in claim 10, wherein the base housing side wire holding portion or the cover housing side wire holding portion and the mating connector connection portion are positioned at positions offset from each other in the wiring direction of the wires.

12. A connector as described in claim 10 or 11, wherein the electric wire is a flat cable having a plurality of conductor portions and connected by an electric wire connection portion that links the plurality of conductor portions, and the base housing side electric wire holding portion and the cover housing side electric wire holding portion sandwich and hold the electric wire connection portion of the flat cable.

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