connector

Abstract

A connector (100) comprises: terminals (11 to 15) that are connected to an electric cable (200) having electrically conductive portions; a base housing (20); a terminal fixing housing (40); and a cover housing (30). The base housing (20) holds the terminals (11 to 15). The terminal fixing housing (40) fixes the terminals (11 to 15) to the base housing (20). The cover housing (30) presses the electric cable (200) toward the terminal fixing housing (40). The terminal fixing housing (40) fixes the terminals (11 to 15) such that a +Z side of each of the terminals (11 to 15), which is one end side thereof, extends in a +Z direction orthogonal to an XY plane that includes a wiring direction (Da), which is the direction in which the electric cable (200) extends. The base housing (20) has a connector opening portion that can be connected to a counterpart-side connector. The connector opening portion is open in an opening direction (Db) parallel to the XY plane.

Description

connector

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector in which a flat cable is crimped to a terminal provided in the housing by sandwiching the flat cable between the housing and a cover. The connector opening to which the mating connector is connected is open in a direction perpendicular to the routing direction of the routed flat cable. One side of the terminal is formed with a crimping blade that is crimped to the flat cable. The other side of the terminal is formed in the housing and is inserted into a through hole that is formed in the housing and communicates with the connector opening. A protrusion is provided inside the through hole. The terminal is formed with a locking portion that engages with the protrusion when the terminal is inserted into the through hole. As a result, the terminal inserted into the through hole is held in the through hole of the housing.

[0003] Patent No. 3948529

[0004] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the connector opening is opened in a direction perpendicular to the routing direction of the flat cable, which increases the size of the connector opening in the perpendicular direction, resulting in an increase in the size of the connector.

[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 be prevented from becoming large.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector of the present invention comprises a terminal connected to an electric wire having a conductive portion, a base housing that holds the terminal, a terminal fixing housing that fixes the terminal to the base housing, and a cover housing that presses the electric wire toward the terminal fixing housing, wherein the terminal fixing housing fixes the terminal so that one end side of the terminal extends in a direction perpendicular to a plane that includes the wiring direction in which the electric wire extends, and the base housing has a connector opening that can be connected to a mating connector, and the connector opening is open in a direction parallel to the plane.

[0007] One end of the terminal may be provided with a pressure-contact blade portion that is pressure-contacted to the core wire of the electric wire, and the other end of the terminal may be provided with a branch terminal portion that is connected to a mating terminal of the mating connector that is connected to the connector opening.

[0008] The base housing may be formed with a terminal installation portion in which the terminal is installed, and the terminal installation portion may be formed with a terminal insertion groove in which the terminal is fitted.

[0009] A partition wall may be formed between the terminal installation portion and the connector opening, and a branch terminal portion insertion hole through which the branch terminal portion is inserted may be formed in the partition wall.

[0010] The pressure contact blade may be arranged to be swingable relative to the base housing.

[0011] The branch terminal portion may extend in the direction of an axis parallel to the wiring direction, and the pressure-contact blade portion may be provided to be swingable about the axis parallel to the wiring direction.

[0012] The branch terminal may be formed with a terminal engaging portion that engages with the branch terminal insertion hole.

[0013] The connector opening may be formed with a peripheral wall that surrounds the branch terminal portion and extends from the partition wall in the wiring direction.

[0014] The cover housing may be held by the base housing, and the terminal installation portion may be formed with a cover housing holding portion for holding the cover housing.

[0015] The terminal may be provided in a plurality of pieces, and the pressure contact blade portions may be arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the routing direction of the electric wires.

[0016] The terminal may be provided in a plurality of pieces, and the adjacent insulation displacement blade portions may be arranged at positions offset from each other in the routing direction of the electric wire.

[0017] The terminal may be provided in a plurality of pieces, and the branch terminal portions may be arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the routing direction of the electric wires.

[0018] The connector opening may be open in the wiring direction.

[0019] The terminal fixing housing may have terminal fixing housing side wire holding portions that hold the electric wires and are provided on one end side and the other end side in the wiring direction, and the cover housing may have cover housing side wire holding portions that hold the electric wires and are provided on one end side and the other end side in the wiring direction, and the cover housing side wire holding portions may be provided in positions that face the terminal fixing housing side wire holding portions when the cover housing is attached to the terminal fixing housing.

[0020] The electric wire may be a flat cable having a plurality of the conductive portions and connected by an electric wire connection portion that links the plurality of conductive portions, and the terminal fixing housing side electric wire holding portion and the cover housing side electric wire holding portion may hold the electric wire connection portion of the flat cable by sandwiching it therebetween.

[0021] In the connector according to the present invention, the opening is parallel to a plane including the wiring direction, which is the direction in which the electric wires extend, and therefore, the connector can be prevented from becoming large in size.

[0022] 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view (part 1) of a connector according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base housing according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a rear view of the base housing according to an embodiment; FIG. 5 is a rear view of the base housing with terminals installed therein according to an embodiment; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the base housing according to an embodiment; FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view (part 2) of a connector according to an embodiment; FIG. 8 is an exploded sectional view (part 1) of a connector according to an embodiment; FIG. 9 is a plan view of a base housing and a terminal-fixing housing according to an embodiment; FIG. 10 is an exploded sectional view of a base housing and a terminal-fixing housing according to an embodiment; FIG. 11 is an exploded side view of a connector according to an embodiment; FIG. 12 is a rear view of a cover housing according to an embodiment; FIG. 13 is a rear oblique view of a cover housing according to an embodiment; FIG. 14 is a plan view of a connector according to an embodiment; FIG. 15 is an exploded sectional view (part 2) of a connector according to an embodiment; FIG. 16 is an exploded sectional view (part 3) of a connector according to an embodiment; FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a manufacturing apparatus using a connector according to an embodiment; FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a manufacturing apparatus using a connector according to an embodiment; FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a manufacturing apparatus using a connector according to an embodiment; FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to an embodiment; FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to a comparative example.

[0023] 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.

[0024] The connector 100 according to this embodiment is used to electrically connect an electric wire 200 to a device.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] The protrusion 220 is a protrusion extending in the X-axis direction and is provided on the first cable 211 .

[0028] The electric wire connection portion 230 is formed integrally with the covering portions that protect the core wires of the first cable 211 , the third cable 213 , the fourth cable 214 , the fifth cable 215 , and the second cable 212 .

[0029] The connector 100 is connected to the middle of the electric wire 200 configured as described above. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the connector 100 includes a terminal group 10, a base housing 20, a cover housing 30, and a terminal fixing housing 40.

[0030] In this embodiment, the terminal group 10 has five terminals 11 to 15. 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.

[0031] Each of the terminals 11 to 15 has a pressure-contact blade portion 10A provided at one end, a branch terminal portion 10B provided at the other end, and a connecting portion 10C connecting the pressure-contact blade portion 10A and the branch terminal portion 10B. In this embodiment, each of the terminals 11 to 15 is integrally formed by press-molding a single plate material.

[0032] The insulation displacement blade portion 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. 3, 4A, and 4B, the insulation displacement blade portion 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 electric wire to facilitate insertion. The inclined portion has a blade that cuts into the coating of the insulated electric 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.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 5 , the above-mentioned insulation displacement blade portions 10A are arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the wiring direction Da of the electric wire 200. Adjacent insulation displacement blade portions 10A are arranged at positions offset in the wiring direction Da of the electric wire 200. For example, the insulation displacement blade portions 10A of adjacent terminals 11 and 13 are arranged at positions offset in the wiring direction Da of the electric wire 200. The insulation displacement blade portions 10A of adjacent terminals 13 and 14 are arranged at positions offset in the wiring direction Da of the electric wire 200. The insulation displacement blade portions 10A of adjacent terminals 14 and 15 are arranged at positions offset in the wiring direction Da of the electric wire 200. The pressure contact blade portions 10A of the adjacent terminals 15 and 12 are arranged at positions offset from each other in the wiring direction Da of the electric wire 200.

[0034] The branch terminal portion 10B is provided with contacts that are electrically connected to a mating terminal of the mating connector 110. This branch terminal portion 10B is formed to protrude into the connector opening 25 of the base housing 20. The branch terminal portion 10B is formed to be exposed to the outside through the opening of the connector opening 25. In this embodiment, the branch terminal portion 10B of terminal 12 of terminals 11 to 15 is formed to protrude longer in the −X direction than the branch terminal portions 10B of the other terminals 11, 13 to 15. The voltage applied to terminals 11, 13 to 15 is 24 V, and the voltage applied to terminal 12 is 0 V. In other words, terminal 12 is configured as a ground terminal. When the mating connector 110 is fitted into the connector opening 25, terminal 12 is first connected to the mating terminal of the mating connector 110. Furthermore, as the mating connector 110 is fitted into the connector opening 25, the terminals 11, 13 to 15 are connected to the mating terminals of the mating connector 110. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connector 100 is formed so that the mating terminals of the mating connector 110 are connected to the ground terminal 12 before the mating terminals of the mating connector 110 are connected to the terminals 11, 13 to 15 to which a voltage of 24 V is applied. This prevents the mating terminals of the mating connector 110 from contacting the ground terminal 12 and the terminals 11, 13 to 15 to which a voltage of 24 V is applied before or simultaneously contacting the ground terminal 12. This branch terminal 10B has a terminal engagement portion 10B-1 and a stepped portion 10B-2, as shown in FIG. 3 .

[0035] When the terminals 11 to 15 are inserted into the branch terminal portion insertion holes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, and 27e in the partition wall 21 of the base housing 20, the terminal engagement portion 10B-1 engages with the inner walls of the branch terminal portion insertion holes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, and 27e. The terminal engagement portion 10B-1 is formed with a protrusion that abuts against the edge of the branch terminal portion insertion holes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, and 27e. By abutting the protrusion against the edge, the terminals 11 to 15 are positioned in the X-axis direction with respect to the partition wall 21 so that the terminals 11 to 15 are not inserted too far into the branch terminal portion insertion holes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, and 27e. The terminal engaging portion 10B-1 may be formed in a shape other than that shown in the figure, as long as it is formed in a shape that can engage with the branch terminal portion insertion holes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, and 27e.

[0036] 3, the stepped portion 10B-2 is a portion formed in a stepped shape on the branch terminal portion 10B. The lower surface (the surface on the -Z side) of the stepped portion 10B-2 is formed at a position lower than the lower surface (the surface on the -Z side) of the branch terminal portion 10B.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6 , the base housing 20 holds the terminal group 10 to be connected to the electric wires 200. The base housing 20 is integrally molded from resin. However, this is not limiting. The base housing 20 may be formed by combining multiple parts. The base housing 20 may be made of an insulating material. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8A and 8B , the base housing 20 includes a base housing main body 20a, a partition wall 21, a terminal installation portion 22, a first locked portion 23A and a second locked portion 23B that function as cover housing holding portions, a base-side locking portion 24, and a connector opening 25.

[0038] The base housing main body 20a is made by molding resin into a cubic box shape, and has an opening edge 21a with a step.

[0039] Partition wall 21 is formed between terminal installation portion 22 and connector opening 25. Partition wall 21 is a wall that separates terminal installation portion 22 from the inside of connector opening 25. As shown in Figures 4A, 4B, and 5, partition wall 21 has branch terminal portion insertion holes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, and 27e formed therein, through which parts of branch terminal portions 10B of terminals 11 to 15 are inserted.

[0040] 3 and 7, the terminal installation portion 22 is a portion where the terminals 11 to 15 are installed. The terminal installation portion 22 is formed with terminal insertion grooves 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, and 28e (see FIG. 14) into which the terminals 11 to 15 fit, respectively.

[0041] The branch terminal portions 10B and connecting portions 10C of the terminals 11 to 15 are fitted into the terminal insertion grooves 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, and 28e (see FIG. 14). When the branch terminal portions 10B and connecting portions 10C are fitted into the terminal insertion grooves 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, and 28e, the branch terminal portions 10B are inserted into the branch terminal portion insertion holes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, and 27e of the partition wall 21, and a portion of the branch terminal portion 10B is disposed within the hole.

[0042] 9, the first locked portion 23A 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 23A, the cover housing 30 holds the electric wire 200 so that it can slide in the X-axis direction.

[0043] The second locked portion 23B 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 23A, the locking portion 35 of the cover housing 30 locks with the second locked portion 23B of the base housing 20.

[0044] 8A and 8B, the base side locking portion 24 is a portion for locking onto the terminal fixing housing 40. The base side locking portion 24 is provided on the base housing main body 20a.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5 , the connector opening 25 is a portion that is connected to the mating connector 110. The connector opening 25 is a cylindrical portion that extends from the partition wall 21 in the −X direction. The connector opening 25 opens in an opening direction Db (−X direction) parallel to the XY plane, and has an opening 25a through which the mating connector 110 is inserted. The +X side of the connector opening 25 is formed integrally with the partition wall 21. The connector opening 25 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 25b. The peripheral wall 25b of the connector opening 25 surrounds the branch terminal portion 10B and extends from the partition wall 21 in the wiring direction Da.

[0046] As shown in Figures 9 and 10 , the cover housing 30 sandwiches the electric wire 200 between itself and the terminal fixing housing 40, thereby pressurizing the insulation displacement blade portion 10A against the electric wire 200. The cover housing 30 is integrally molded from resin. However, this is not limited to this. The cover housing 30 may be formed by combining multiple parts. The cover housing 30 only needs to be made of an insulating material. As shown in Figures 11 and 12 , the cover housing 30 includes an outer wall portion 31, a recess 32, a holding portion 33, a pressing portion 34, a locking portion 35, and cover-housing-side electric wire holding portions 39A and 39B.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 10 , 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] As shown in Figure 9, the locking portion 35 is provided at the end of a lock arm 35a provided on the outer wall portion 31, and is a portion that locks onto the first locked portion 23A or the second locked portion 23B provided on the base housing 20.

[0052] 11 and 12, the cover-housing side wire holding portions 39A and 39B are provided along the wiring direction Da so as to be in contact with the wire connecting portion 230. The cover-housing side wire holding portions 39A and 39B hold the wire 200 as shown in FIG.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 10 , the terminal fixing housing 40 sandwiches the electric wire 200 between itself and the cover housing 30, thereby pressing the insulation displacement blade portion 10A against the electric wire 200. As shown in FIG. 7 , the terminal fixing housing 40 sandwiches the branch terminal portion 10B between itself and the base housing 20, thereby holding the terminal group 10 and preventing the insulation displacement blade portion 10A from falling. The terminal fixing housing 40 is disposed between the base housing 20 and the cover housing 30. When the base housing 20 and the cover housing 30 are combined, the terminal fixing housing 40 is housed inside the base housing 20 and the cover housing 30. The terminal fixing housing 40 is fitted into the base housing 20. The terminal fixing housing 40 is integrally molded from resin. However, this is not limited thereto. The terminal fixing housing 40 may be formed by combining multiple parts. The terminal fixing housing 40 may be made of an insulating material. 8A and 8B, the terminal fixing housing 40 has an outer wall portion 41, an inner wall portion 42, a terminal fixing housing side latching portion 43, and terminal fixing housing side wire holding portions 49A, 49B. The terminal fixing housing 40 has pressure contact blade portion insertion holes 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, and 44e formed therein.

[0054] The outer wall portion 41 is made by molding resin and has an opening edge 41a with a step formed therein.

[0055] The inner wall portion 42 is provided inside the outer wall portion 41. The inner wall portion 42 is molded from resin and is formed integrally with the outer wall portion 41.

[0056] The terminal fixing housing side locked portion 43 is a claw that engages with the base side locking portion 24 of the base housing 20 , and fixes the terminal fixing housing 40 to the base housing 20 .

[0057] The pressure-contact blade portion insertion holes 44 a , 44 b , 44 c , 44 d , and 44 e are formed so that the pressure-contact blade portions 10 A of the terminal group 10 are inserted therethrough when the terminal fixing housing 40 is fitted into the terminal installation portion 22 .

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7 , the terminal fixing housing side wire holding portions 49A, 49B are portions that hold the electric wire 200. The terminal fixing housing side wire holding portions 49A, 49B are provided at the upper end of the inner wall portion 42. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B , the terminal fixing housing side wire holding portions 49A, 49B are provided at one end side and the other end side of the inner wall portion 42 in the wiring direction Da so as to sandwich the insulation displacement blade portion insertion holes 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, and 44e. As shown in FIG. 7 , the terminal fixing housing side wire holding portions 49A, 49B are provided at positions that face portions of the cover housing side wire holding portions 39A, 39B when the cover housing 30 is attached to the base housing 20. The terminal fixing housing side wire holding portions 49A, 49B, together with the cover housing side wire holding portions 39A, 39B, hold the electric wire 200.

[0059] Next, a method for assembling the connector 100 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0060] First, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 , the terminal group 10 is attached to the base housing 20. Specifically, the branch terminal portions 10B and connecting portions 10C of the terminals 11 to 15 are fitted into the terminal insertion grooves 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, and 28e of the terminal installation portion 22 and slid in the −X direction. Additionally, the branch terminal portions 10B of the terminals 11 to 15 are inserted into the branch terminal portion insertion holes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, and 27e of the partition wall 21. Then, the terminal engaging portions 10B-1 of the terminals 11 to 15 are engaged with the branch terminal portion insertion holes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, and 27e. As a result, the branch terminal portions 10B are extended in the direction of an axis parallel to the routing direction Da of the electric wires 200. 8A and 8B, the terminal-fixing housing 40 is fitted into the terminal installation portion 22, and the terminal-fixing housing 40 is further pushed into the base housing 20 in the -Z direction until the base-side locking portions 24 provided on the base housing 20 lock into the terminal-fixing-housing-side locked portions 43 provided on the terminal-fixing housing 40. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the lower surface of the terminal-fixing housing 40 presses the terminals 11 to 15 into the terminal insertion grooves 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, and 28e, and the terminals 11 to 15 are held in place. The terminals 11 to 15 can swing within the terminal insertion grooves 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, and 28e. Furthermore, the pressure-connecting blade portions 10A of the terminals 11 to 15 are inserted into the pressure-connecting blade portion insertion holes 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, and 44e and extend upward in the terminal fixing housing 40, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

[0061] Next, a method for attaching the connector 100 to the electric wire 200 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0062] First, a user attaching the connector 100 to the electric wire 200 attaches the electric wire 200 to the cover housing 30 as shown in Fig. 15. 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.

[0063] Next, the cover housing 30 with the electric wire 200 attached is temporarily fixed to the base housing 20. More 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 23A 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 23A, 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.

[0064] Next, as shown in FIG. 16C , the cover housing 30 is fixed to the base housing 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15 , 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 23B 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 push 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. As shown in FIG. 15 , the terminals 11 to 15 can swing within the terminal insertion grooves 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, and 28e. 15, the terminals 11 to 15 can swing about the axis of the branch terminal 10B inserted into the branch terminal insertion holes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, and 27e. Therefore, even if the position of the core of the electric wire 200 and the center line of the insulation displacement blade 10A are slightly misaligned, the insulation displacement blade 10A moves to follow the electric wire 200, and when the electric wire 200 is pressure-welded in this state, the electric wire 200 is pressure-welded while following the slope at the entrance of the blade of the insulation displacement blade 10A.

[0065] As a result, as shown in FIG. 16C, the attachment of connector 100 to electric wire 200 is completed, and a connector-cable combination in which connector 100 is attached to electric wire 200 is completed.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 15 , the connector 100 having the above configuration has a recess 32 disposed in the cover housing 30, thereby preventing 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. In this state, the position of the electric wire 200 in the X-axis direction can be adjusted. Furthermore, the cover housing 30 has a first locked portion 23A that temporarily fastens the cover housing 30 to the base housing 20, thereby holding the electric wire 200 so that it can slide in the X-axis direction. Even in this state, the position of the electric wire 200 in the X-axis direction can be adjusted. Furthermore, the cover housing 30 has a second locked portion 23B that fastens the cover housing 30 to the base housing 20, thereby allowing the cover housing 30 to be fixed to the base housing 20.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the terminals 11 to 15 can swing within the terminal insertion grooves 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, and 28e. The terminals 11 to 15 can swing, in particular, about the axis of the branch terminal 10B inserted into the branch terminal insertion holes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, and 27e. Therefore, even if the position of the core wire of the electric wire 200 and the center line of the press-connecting blade portion 10A are slightly misaligned, the press-connecting blade portion 10A moves to follow the electric wire 200 and is press-connected. As a result, even if the connection between the conductor portions of the electric wire 200 is elongated or if there is a slight misalignment between the core wire and the blade portion due to a manufacturing error of the electric wire 200, the possibility of damage to the core wire of the electric wire 200 can be reduced.

[0068] Furthermore, in the connector 100 of this embodiment, the cover-housing side wire holding portions 39A, 39B and the terminal fixing housing side wire holding portions 49A, 49B hold the electric wire 200 at one end (+X side) and the other end (-X side) of the press-contact portion of the press-contact blade portion 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 from the connector 100, the external force can be prevented from being transmitted to the press-contact portion of the press-contact blade portion 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 from the connector 100, breakage of the conductor portion of the electric wire 200 at the press-contact portion of the press-contact blade portion 10A to the electric wire 200 can be prevented.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 16A , the connector 100 of the above-described embodiment can be used in a manufacturing apparatus 300 including an actuator 400. The manufacturing apparatus 300 includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) 310 that controls the actuator 400, a gateway 320 that converts data transmitted from the PLC 310 into a control signal that controls the actuator 400, a power supply 330 that drives the actuator 400, and the actuator 400 itself. The control signal output from the gateway 320 is transmitted to a junction connector 350 via a signal cable 340. Furthermore, 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 the connector 100 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.

[0070] 16B , 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. Alternatively, 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.

[0071] As described above, in connector 100 according to the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 16C, connector opening 25 is opened in opening direction Db, which is a direction parallel to the XY plane. Therefore, in this embodiment, length L1 of connector 100 in the Z-axis direction can be reduced. This makes it possible to provide connector 100 that can be prevented from becoming too large.

[0072] In contrast, as shown in Figure 17, in the connector 100A according to the comparative example, in which the connector opening 25 is not opened in a direction parallel to the XY plane, the length L2 of the connector 100 in the Z-axis direction is large. This may result in an increase in the size of the connector 100. Furthermore, in the connector 100A according to the comparative example, when a mating connector is connected to the connector opening 25, the amount of protrusion in the Z-axis direction increases by the length of the mating connector.

[0073] However, in connector 100 according to the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 16C, connector opening 25 is opened in a direction parallel to the XY plane. This makes it possible to reduce the height of connector 100. As a result, it is possible to provide connector 100 that can be prevented from becoming too large.

[0074] Furthermore, connector 100 according to the present embodiment makes it easy to bundle electric wires 200 and cables drawn out from the mating connector. Furthermore, by making it easy to bundle electric wires 200 and cables drawn out from the mating connector, the aesthetic appearance of a device using connector 100 can be improved and the effect of external forces such as vibrations on the electrical contacts can be reduced.

[0075] 7, the terminals 11 to 15 are provided with a press-connecting blade portion 10A and a branch terminal portion 10B. The press-connecting blade portion 10A is held by the terminal fixing housing 40, and the branch terminal portion 10B is held by the branch terminal portion insertion holes 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, and 27e of the base housing 20, so that the terminals 11 to 15 can be firmly held.

[0076] 8A and 8B, the terminal fixing housing 40 is provided with pressure contact blade portion insertion holes 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, and 44e for holding the pressure contact blade portions 10A. This allows the connector 100 to firmly hold the pressure contact blade portions 10A and prevent the pressure contact blade portions 10A from falling over when the connector 100 is pressure connected to the electric wire 200.

[0077] In this embodiment, the insulation displacement blade portion 10A is provided so as to be swingable about the axis parallel to the wiring direction Da. Therefore, the insulation displacement blade portion 10A can pressure-contact the electric wire 200 regardless of variations in dimensions, etc. that occur during the manufacturing of the electric wire 200.

[0078] In addition, in this embodiment, the connector opening 25 is surrounded by the peripheral wall 25b, so that the branch terminal portion 10B can be protected.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal fixing housing side wire holding portions 49A, 49B and the cover housing side wire holding portions 39A, 39B hold the electric wire 200 at one end side (+X side) and the other end side (-X side) of the press-contact portion of the press-contact blade portion 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 press-contact portion of the press-contact blade portion 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 press-contact portion of the press-contact blade portion 10A to the electric wire 200 can be prevented.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cover housing 30 is held by the base housing 20, so that the electric wires 200 in the pressure-welded state can be stably held.

[0081] In addition, in this embodiment, the cover housing 30 and the terminal fixing housing 40 press the electric wire 200 against the press-contact blade portion 10A, so that the pressure contact force is not applied to the connector opening 25.

[0082] In addition, in this embodiment, by providing the first engaging portion 23A and the second engaging portion 23B in the terminal installation portion 22, the cover housing 30 can be held to the base housing 20 at the location where the pressure-connecting blade portion 10A is installed.

[0083] (Modifications) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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 have 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.

[0086] 3, each of the terminals 11 to 15 has a press-connecting blade portion 10A, a branch terminal portion 10B, and a connecting portion 10C connecting these. However, this is not limiting. Each of the terminals 11 to 15 does not necessarily have to have the connecting portion 10C.

[0087] In this embodiment, each of the terminals 11 to 15 is integrally formed by press-forming a single plate material. However, this is not limited to this. 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 insulation displacement blade portion 10A, the branch terminal portion 10B, and the connecting portion 10C, which are formed separately. Furthermore, in this case, the connecting portion 10C may be omitted.

[0088] In the present embodiment, the press-connecting blade portions 10A are arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the wiring direction Da of the electric wire 200, and adjacent press-connecting blade portions 10A are arranged at positions shifted in the wiring direction Da of the electric wire 200. However, this is not limiting. All of the press-connecting blade portions 10A may be arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the wiring direction Da of the electric wire 200, as long as insulation and the like can be ensured.

[0089] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the electric wire 200 includes the electric wire connection portion 230 has been described, but the electric wire 200 only needs to have at least the first cable 211 and the second cable 212 connected in parallel. Also, the electric wire 200 may have cables arranged in parallel without including the electric wire connection portion 230. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the terminal fixing housing side wire holding portions 49A, 49B and the cover housing side wire holding portions 39A, 39B hold the electric wire connection portion 230 of the electric wire 200 has been described, but they may also hold the covering portions of the conductor portions of the first cable 211 to the fifth cable 215.

[0090] 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.

[0091] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-105367, filed on June 28, 2024. The entire specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-105367 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0092] The present invention is suitable for use as a connector for connecting electrical devices together.

[0093] 10: Terminal group 10A: Pressure contact blade portion 10B: Branch terminal portion 10B-1: Terminal engagement portion 10B-2: Step portion 10C: Connection portion 11 to 15: Terminal 11a to 15a: Slit 20: Base housing 20a: Base housing main body 21: Partition wall 21a: Opening edge 22: Terminal installation portion 23A: First locked portion 23B: Second locked portion 24: Base side locking portion 25: Connector opening 25a: Opening 25b: Peripheral wall 27a to 27e: Branch terminal portion insertion hole 28a to 28e: Terminal insertion groove 30: Cover housing 31: Outer wall portion 31a: Opening edge 32: Recess 33: Holding portion 34: Pressing portion 34a to 34e: Recess 35: Locking portion 35a: Locking arm 36a to 36e: Recesses 39A, 39B: Cover housing side wire holding portion 40: Terminal fixing housing 41: Outer wall portion 41a: Opening edge 42: Inner wall portion 43: Terminal fixing housing side locked portion 44a to 44e: Pressure contact blade portion insertion hole 49A, 49B: Terminal fixing housing side wire holding portion 100, 100A: Connector 110: Mating connector 200: Wire 211: First cable 212: Second cable 213: Third cable 214: Fourth cable 215: Fifth cable 220: Convex portion 230: 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 Da: Wiring direction Db: Opening direction Dc: Width direction D1: First direction

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a terminal to be connected to an electric wire having a conductive portion; a base housing for holding the terminal; a terminal fixing housing for fixing the terminal to the base housing; and a cover housing for pressing the electric wire toward the terminal fixing housing, wherein the terminal fixing housing fixes the terminal so that one end side of the terminal extends in a direction perpendicular to a plane including a wiring direction in which the electric wire extends; the base housing has a connector opening that can be connected to a mating connector, and the connector opening is open in a direction parallel to the plane.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of said terminal is provided with a pressure-contact blade portion that is pressure-contacted to the core wire of said electric wire, and the other end of said terminal is provided with a branch terminal portion that is connected to the mating terminal of said mating connector that is connected to said connector opening.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the base housing is formed with a terminal installation section in which the terminal is installed, and the terminal installation section is formed with a terminal insertion groove in which the terminal is fitted.

4. A connector as described in claim 3, wherein a partition wall is formed between the terminal installation portion and the connector opening, and a branch terminal portion insertion hole through which the branch terminal portion is inserted is formed in the partition wall.

5. A connector according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the pressure contact blade portion is arranged to be swingable relative to the base housing.

6. A connector as described in claim 5, wherein the branch terminal portion extends in the direction of an axis parallel to the wiring direction, and the pressure-contact blade portion is arranged to be able to swing around the axis parallel to the wiring direction.

7. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the branch terminal is formed with a terminal engaging portion that engages with the branch terminal insertion hole.

8. A connector according to claim 4, wherein the connector opening is formed with a peripheral wall that surrounds the branch terminal portion and extends from the partition wall in the wiring direction.

9. A connector according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the cover housing is held by the base housing, and the terminal installation section is formed with a cover housing holding section for holding the cover housing.

10. A connector as described in any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein a plurality of the terminals are installed, and the pressure-contact blade portions are arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the wiring direction of the electric wires.

11. A connector as described in any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein a plurality of the terminals are installed, and adjacent crimping blade portions are arranged at positions offset in the wiring direction of the electric wire.

12. A connector as described in any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein a plurality of the terminals are installed, and the branch terminal portions are arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the wiring direction of the electric wires.

13. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the connector opening is open in the wiring direction.

14. A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the terminal fixing housing is formed with terminal fixing housing side wire holding portions that hold the electric wires and are provided on one end side and the other end side 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 side and the other end side in the wiring direction, and the cover housing side wire holding portions are provided in positions that face the terminal fixing housing side wire holding portions when the cover housing is attached to the terminal fixing housing.

15. The connector described in claim 14, wherein the electric wire is a flat cable having a plurality of the conductive portions and connected by an electric wire connection portion that links the plurality of the conductive portions, and the terminal fixing 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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