JP3960943B2

JP3960943B2 - Joint connector

Info

Publication number: JP3960943B2
Application number: JP2003130386A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 環高林; 武宣藪
Original assignee: Furukawa Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Furukawa Electric Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-05-08
Filing date: 2003-05-08
Publication date: 2007-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-08
Also published as: JP2004335305A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は自動車等に配索されるワイヤーハーネス等の接続に好適なジョイントコネクタに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
この種のコネクタとしては、ワイヤーハーネス等を構成する電線に圧着等により接続された接続用端子を収容する複数の端子収容室が併設された複数のコネクタハウジングと、コネクタハウジングの両側部における前後方側にそれぞれ設けられて、コネクタハウジングを複数段に積層して合体する係止凹部及び係止凸部からなり、一方のコネクタハウジングに設けられた係止凹部又は係止凸部と積層される他方のコネクタハウジングに設けられた係止凸部又は係止凹部を係合するコネクタハウジングロック手段と、前記積層される他方のコネクタハウジングに、前記一方のコネクタハウジングの端子収容室に収容された接続用端子に係合するように突設され、接続用端子の抜け防止と半挿入検知を行う係止突起とを備えている。
【０００３】
そして、前記コネクタハウジングの両側部の前方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段は、その係止凹部がコネクタハウジングの上部に上方へ開口し、下方の内底部分に拡径段部を有する凹溝で形成され、係止凸部がコネクタハウジングの下部に下方へ突出し、先端に係止凹部の拡径段部に係合する爪を有する直線状係止片で形成されている。
【０００４】
また、前記コネクタハウジングの両側部の後方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段は、前方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段とは反対に、係止凹部がコネクタハウジングの下部に下方へ開口し、上方の内底部分に拡径段部を有する凹溝で形成され、係止凸部がコネクタハウジングの上部に上方へ突出し、先端に係止凹部の拡径段部に係合する爪を有する直状係止片で形成されている（特許文献１参照）。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
特開２００２−２４６１２７号公報（発明の詳細な説明の項の段落００３６乃至段落００４０、図１、図３及び図４）
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
このようなジョイントコネクタは、通常、コネクタハウジングの端子収容室に接続用端子を収容した状態で、これらコネクタハウジングを複数段に積層し、コネクタハウジングロック手段で合体して組み立てるが、コネクタハウジングを積層する場合、前記コネクタハウジングロック手段の構成により、コネクタハウジングを接続用端子の挿入方向に垂直な方向に移動して重ね合わせることにより積層する。これにより、コネクタハウジングの端子収容室に接続用端子が半挿入状態で収容されていると、積層されるコネクタハウジングに突設されている係止突起がこの接続用端子の壁等に突き当たって係合部に係合しなくなるので、これを利用して接続用端子の半挿入状態を検知する。
【０００７】
しかしながら、コネクタハウジングは一般にプラスチック成形により形成され、軽量、且つ、製造が容易で安価な長所を有するが、強度が十分でなく外力が加わると変形し易いという欠点を有するため、接続用端子が半挿入状態で端子収容室に収容され、前記係止突起が接続用端子に係合しない不都合が生じても、端子収容室の一部変形により係止突起が逃げ、あたかも係止突起が接続用端子に係合したのと同じ状態になり易い。そうすると、接続用端子の正しい半挿入検知が出来なくなり、接続用端子が端子収容室に半挿入状態で収容された状態で、積層されたコネクタハウジングを合体してしまう恐れがあり、コネクタの接続の性能及び信頼性を低下させる問題があった。
【０００８】
このような問題を解決するために、コネクタハウジングの端子収容室の壁厚を厚くして機械的強度を大きくし、コネクタハウジングを積層する際、コネクタハウジングの変形を防止し、接続用端子の半挿入状態を確実に検知し、接続用端子が半挿入状態のコネクタハウジングを合体することがないようにすることも考えられる。しかしながら、コネクタハウジングの外形寸法が大きくなるので、コネクタハウジングの積層段数が増えて多段化するに伴い、ジョイントコネクタが大型化し、機器等への組付け等が不便になるという問題があった。
【０００９】
本発明は上記課題を解決し、コネクタハウジングを積層する際、端子収容室に接続用端子が半挿入状態で収容されることがあっても、接続用端子を所望の正常挿入状態に速やかに矯正して収容することが可能で、接続の性能及び信頼性を向上させると共に、小型で機器等への組付け等を能率よく手数をかけずに行うことができるジョイントコネクタを提供することを目的とするものである。
【００１０】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、本発明の請求項１に記載された発明は、接続用端子を収容する複数の端子収容室が併設された複数のコネクタハウジングと、コネクタハウジングの両側部における前後方側にそれぞれ設けられて、コネクタハウジングを複数段に積層して合体する係止凹部及び係止凸部からなり、一方のコネクタハウジングに設けられた係止凹部又は係止凸部と積層される他方のコネクタハウジングに設けられた係止凸部又は係止凹部を係合するコネクタハウジングロック手段と、前記他方のコネクタハウジングに、前記一方のコネクタハウジングの端子収容室に収容された接続用端子に係合するように突設され、接続用端子の抜け防止と半挿入検知を行う係止突起とを備えたジョイントコネクタにおいて、前記コネクタハウジングの両側部の前方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段は、その係止凹部が横方向に開口する凹溝を有し、係止凸部が係止凹部の凹溝に相対的に緩挿して係合する前後方向に延出した横係止片と係止凹部に当接可能な縦係止片を有し、横係止片と縦係止片により略Ｌ字形状に形成されていることを特徴とするものである。
【００１１】
このような構成によると、コネクタハウジングを積層する際、端子収容室に接続用端子が半挿入状態で収容されることがあっても、接続用端子を所望の正常挿入状態に速やかに矯正して所定位置に収容することが可能になり、コネクタの接続の性能及び信頼性を向上させると共に、小型で機器等への組付け等を能率よく手数をかけずに行うことができる。
【００１２】
本発明の請求項２に記載された発明は、請求項１記載のジョイントコネクタにおいて、前記コネクタハウジングの両側部における前後方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段間に、積層されたコネクタハウジング同士の相対移動を拘束する案内凹溝及びこれに嵌合する案内リブが設けられ、案内凹溝及び案内リブの各後部が末広がり状の傾斜面に形成されていることを特徴とするものである。
【００１３】
このような構成によると、積層、合体されたコネクタハウジングの相対移動が案内リブにより確実に拘束されると共に、がたつきが案内凹溝及び案内リブの傾斜面による接触で押さえられ、更に、コネクタハウジングを傾斜状態の姿勢から積層する際、案内リブが案内凹溝の内周縁に突き当たらず、円滑に嵌合するので、積層の作業性を向上させることができる。
【００１４】
本発明の請求項３に記載された発明は、請求項１又は２記載のジョイントコネクタにおいて、前記コネクタハウジングの端子収容室における端子挿入口近傍の下壁に下方へ突出する端子案内傾斜部が設けられ、これに対応する端子挿入口近傍の両側壁の上部に、前記端子案内傾斜部に係合する逃げ溝が設けられていることを特徴とするものである。
【００１５】
このような構成によると、小サイズ、細径のため、座屈、曲げ変形し易い電線に接続された接続用端子を、コネクタハウジングの端子収容室に挿入する場合でも、電線を座屈、曲げ変形させることなく、端子挿入口の端子案内傾斜部で案内しながら円滑に挿入することができる。
【００１６】
本発明の請求項４に記載された発明は、請求項１、２又は３記載のジョイントコネクタにおいて、前記コネクタハウジングの端子収容室の後方側が上方へ開口され、前記端子挿入口における上方の開口を覆うように、端子挿入口における端子収容室の両側壁の上部にストッパ部材が設けられ、これに対応する端子収容室の両側壁の下部にストッパ部材を受け入れる切り欠きが設けられていることを特徴とするものである。
【００１７】
このような構成によると、端子収容室に接続用端子が挿入されて収容された後、電線に上方向への引張り力が作用しても、端子挿入口の上部を覆うストッパ部材により、電線が上方向に煽られることがなく、コネクタハウジングのランスの後方側や接続用端子の破損を防止することができる。また、ストッパ部材により、接続用端子の端子挿入口からの挿入方向が規制されるため、接続用端子が端子収容室に上下逆方向に挿入されるのを速やかに検知し、接続用端子が端子収容室に上下逆方向に収容されるのを確実に防止することができる。
【００１８】
【発明の実施の形態】
次に、本発明の実施形態を図面により詳細に説明する。図１は、本発明の一実施形態を示すジョイントコネクタ１０（図１０参照）を構成するコネクタハウジング１２の斜視図、図２（ａ）は図１のコネクタハウジング１２を裏から見た斜視図、（ｂ）は図２（ａ）のコネクタハウジング１２を背面から見た斜視図、図３は図１のＸ−Ｘ線矢視図である。
【００１９】
本実施形態のジョイントコネクタ１０は、複数のコネクタハウジング１２と、これらコネクタハウジング１２を上下方向に複数段に積層して合体するコネクタハウジングロック手段１４、１６とを備えた積層ジョイントコネクタである。
【００２０】
コネクタハウジング１２は、図１乃至３に詳細に示すように、ワイヤーハーネス等を構成する電線１８に圧着等により接続された複数（図示例では１０個）の雌状の接続用端子２０（図４、５等参照）を収納する複数（図示例では１０室）の端子収容室２２が横方向に単層に併設され、プラスチック成形加工により厚肉矩形板状ブロック体に形成され、両側部には、ジョイントコネクタ１０を相手側コネクタ１１（図１０参照）に円滑に挿入案内するための鍔部２４（両側部自体が鍔部２４になる場合を含む）が突設され、各鍔部２４にはジョイントコネクタ１０を相手側コネクタ１１とロックして離脱を防止するロック溝２６が設けられる。
【００２１】
なお、鍔部２４の後方側には上下方向に突出する係止タブ２５が形成され、ジョイントコネクタ１０が後記する相手側コネクタ１１（図１０、１１参照）と嵌合したとき、そのコネクタ１１のコネクタケース６４における案内溝６６の入口側に形成された溝幅拡径部６６ａに係合し、ジョイントコネクタ１０のコネクタハウジング１２の後部ががたつかないようにしてある。ジョイントコネクタ１０は同一構造、サイズのコネクタハウジング１２が、図１０に示すように、例えば、上下方向に１０段に積層、合体され、最上段のコネクタハウジング１２の上にコネクタハウジング１２の大きさに合わせた矩形板状のカバー２８が装着されて組み立てられる。なお、カバー２８の両側部にも鍔部２４が突設され、これにロック溝２６が設けられている。
【００２２】
コネクタハウジング１２は、端子収容室２２の後方側が上方に開口されており、端子収容室２２の前方側における一方の壁、即ち、上壁２２ａには、例えば、端子収容室２２の長手方向に形成された一対のスリット３０（図１参照）により、基先端が前記上壁２２ａに支持される両持ち構造で、背中側に厚肉となる肉盛り部３４（図３乃至５等参照）と、内側に接続用端子２０の先端側上部に突設されたタブ状の係止受部２０ａ（図４参照）に係合される係止爪３６が形成されたプラスチック製の弾性係止片からなるランス３２が設けられる。
【００２３】
前記ランス３２の位置に対応する端子収容室２２の反対側の他方の壁、即ち、下壁２２ｂには、図３乃至５等に示すように、隣接する他方（下段）のコネクタハウジング１２の端子収容室２２に接続用端子２０が挿入された場合（図４参照）、接続用端子２０の係止受部２０ａに係止爪３６が当接し、上方に少し持ち上げられるランス３２の肉盛り部３４を受け入れて、ランス３２が外側に変位するのを許容するスリット状の細穴からなるランス受入部３８が設けられる。接続用端子２０の係止受部２０ａがランス３２の係止爪３６に係合することにより、ランス３２の肉盛り部３４が下がり、接続用端子２０がランス３２に係合し、端子収容室２２から抜けないように固定される。このランス受入部３８は、図示のものでは細穴であるが、ランス３２の強度が十分保持でき、肉盛り部３４を小さくできる場合には、穴ではなく凹溝（有底穴）としてもよい。また、ランス３２の構成及び設けられる位置は前記したものだけに限定されるものではない。
【００２４】
コネクタハウジング１２における端子収容室２２のランス３２よりも後方に位置する下壁２２ｂの外側（下側）には、図２（ａ）（ｂ）、図３乃至５に示すように、例えば角型の係止突起４０が突設され、これが該コネクタハウジング１２に積層される他方（下段）のコネクタハウジング１２に収容された接続用端子２０の係合部２０ｂに当接して係合することにより、接続用端子２０の端子収容室２２からの抜け防止（ランス３２による抜け防止と合わせて二重係止機能を有する）と半挿入検知を行うことができるようになっている。
【００２５】
コネクタハウジング１２の端子収容室２２の後部に形成された端子挿入口２３近傍の下壁２２ｂには、図３乃至５に示すように、下方へ突出する端子案内傾斜部４２が設けられ、これに対応する端子挿入口２３近傍の両側壁２２ｃの上部に、前記端子案内傾斜部４２に係合する逃げ溝４４が設けられ、コネクタハウジング１２を積層する際、一方のコネクタハウジング１２の逃げ溝４４に、積層される他方（上段）のコネクタハウジング１２の端子案内傾斜部４２を係合するようになっている。
【００２６】
このような端子案内傾斜部４２及び逃げ溝４４が設けられていると、小サイズ、細径のため、座屈、曲げ変形し易い電線１８に接続された接続用端子２０を、コネクタハウジング１２の端子収容室２２に挿入する場合でも、電線１８を座屈、曲げ変形させることなく、端子挿入口２３の端子案内傾斜部４２で案内しながら円滑に挿入することができる。
【００２７】
更に、コネクタハウジング１２の前記端子挿入口２３における上方の開口を覆うように、各端子挿入口２３における端子収容室２２の両側壁２２ｃの上部に跨って横長片からなるストッパ部材４６が設けられ、これに対応する端子収容室２２の両側壁２２ｃの下部にストッパ部材４６を受け入れる切り欠き４８が設けられ、コネクタハウジング１２を積層する際、一方のコネクタハウジング１２の切り欠き４８に、積層される他方（下段）のコネクタハウジング１２のストッパ部材４６を係合するようになっている。
【００２８】
このように、ストッパ部材４６が端子挿入口２３の開口を覆うように設けられていると、図４に示すように、端子収容室２２に接続用端子２０が挿入されて収容された後、電線１８に上方向への引張り力が作用しても、電線１８が上方向に煽られることがなく、コネクタハウジング１２のランス３２の後方側や接続用端子２０の破損を防止することができる。また、ストッパ部材４６により、接続用端子２０の端子挿入口２３からの挿入方向が規制されるため、接続用端子２０が、図５に示すように、端子収容室２２に上下逆方向に挿入されることがあっても、ストッパ部材４６によって挿入方向が同図で斜め上向きにずれて、接続用端子２０の先端が前記ランス３２の後部に当接し、挿入不能になる。従って、接続用端子２０が端子収容室２２に上下逆方向に挿入されるのを速やかに検知し、接続用端子２０が端子収容室２２に上下逆方向に収容されるのを確実に防止することができる。なお、５０は端子収容室２２の前壁２２ｄに形成された相手側コネクタの接続用端子７０（図１０参照）を挿入するための細径の端子挿入孔である。
【００２９】
コネクタハウジングロック手段１４は、図１乃至３に示すように、コネクタハウジング１２の両側部における前方側の例えば鍔部２４の上部に設けられた係止凹部５２と、これに対応する例えば鍔部２４の下部に設けられた係止凸部５４からなり、一方（下段）のコネクタハウジング１２に設けられた係止凹部５２と積層される他方（上段）のコネクタハウジング１２に設けられた係止凸部５４を係合するように構成される。更に詳細に説明すると、前記係止凹部５２は、横方向に開口するコ字状の凹溝５２ａを有し、係止凸部５４は係止凹部５２の凹溝５２ａに緩挿して係合する前後方向に延出した横係止片５４ａと係止凹部５２に当接可能な縦係止片５４ｂを有し、横係止片５４ａと縦係止片５４ｂにより略Ｌ字形状に形成され、係止凸部５４の横係止片５４ａの先端側が係止凹部５２の凹溝５２ａと対向するように前方を向いて配置される。
【００３０】
コネクタハウジングロック手段１６は、図１乃至３に示すように、コネクタハウジング１２の両側部における後方側の例えば鍔部２４の上部に設けられた係止凹部５６と、これに対応する例えば鍔部２４の下部に設けられた係止凸部５８とからなり、一方（下段）のコネクタハウジング１２に設けられた係止凹部５６と積層される他方（上段）のコネクタハウジング１２に設けられた係止凸部５８を係合するように構成される。更に詳細に説明すると、係止凹部５６は横方向に開口するコ字状の凹溝５６ａを有し、係止凸部５８は鍔部２４より下方へ突出する直線状係止片５８ａと、その先端に形成された係止凹部５６の凹溝５６ａに係合する内向きの爪５８ｂから構成される。
【００３１】
コネクタハウジングロック手段１４の係止凹部５２とこれに係合する係止凸部５４の係止面間及びコネクタハウジングロック手段１６の係止凹部５６とこれに係合する係止凸部５８の係止面間には、それぞれ遊間隙が設けられて緩く係合し、複数のコネクタハウジング１２同士が相対的に移動可能に緩く合体した蛇腹構造になっている。
【００３２】
更に、前記コネクタハウジング１２の両側部における前後方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段１４、１６間の例えば鍔部２４の上部には、図１、２（ａ）（ｂ）に示すように、積層されたコネクタハウジング１２同士の相対移動を拘束する矩形状の案内凹溝６０が設けられる。また、これに対応する、例えば、鍔部２４の下部には、案内凹溝６０に嵌合する矩形板状の案内リブ６２が下方に突出して設けられ、案内凹溝６０及び案内リブ６２の各後部がそれぞれ末広がり状の傾斜面６０ａ、６２ａに形成され、一方のコネクタハウジング１２の案内凹溝６０に、積層される他方（上段）のコネクタハウジング１２の案内リブ６２を挿入して係合するようになっている。
【００３３】
案内凹溝６０及び案内リブ６２が設けられていると、積層、合体されたコネクタハウジング１２の相対移動が案内リブ６２により確実に拘束されると共に、がたつきが案内凹溝６０及び案内リブ６２の傾斜面６０ａ、６２ａによる接触で押さえられ、更に、コネクタハウジング１２を傾斜状態の姿勢から積層する際、案内リブ６２が案内凹溝６０の内周縁に突き当たらず、円滑に嵌合するので、コネクタハウジング１２の積層の作業性を向上させることができる。
【００３４】
コネクタハウジング１２を複数段、例えば、１０段に積層し、コネクタハウジングロック手段１４、１６で合体してジョイントコネクタ１０を組み立てる場合には、予め最下段に配置されるコネクタハウジング１２の端子収容室２２に端子挿入口２３から電線１８に接続された接続用端子２０を挿入して収容する。本実施形態では接続用端子２０が端子収容室２２の所定位置まで深く挿入されず、半挿入状態で収容されているものであり、従って、ランス３２に係合されていない状態を示している。そして、下から２段目（上段）に積層されるコネクタハウジング１２を最下段（下段）のコネクタハウジング１２に対して前方側が斜め下向きに低くなるように、傾斜状態に、且つ、少し後方にずらして配置する（図６（ａ）（ｂ）参照）。
【００３５】
次に、このような状態で、前記上段のコネクタハウジング１２を前記傾斜状態を維持しながら下げて下段のコネクタハウジング１２に近付け、下段のコネクタハウジング１２の前方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段１４における係止凹部５２の凹溝５２ａに、積層される上段のコネクタハウジング１２の前方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段１４における係止凸部５４の横係止片５４ａを緩挿し、コネクタハウジングロック手段１４の係止凹部５２と係止凸部５４を緩く係合する（図７（ａ）（ｂ）参照）。
【００３６】
次に、上段のコネクタハウジング１２を前方に移動させると共に、下段のコネクタハウジング１２と平行になるようにコネクタハウジングロック手段１４を支点にして回動（図８の時計方向）させる。その過程において、上段のコネクタハウジング１２に突設された係止突起４０を端子収容室２２に半挿入状態で収容された接続用端子２０の係合部２０ｂに当接して係合し、この係止突起４０により接続用端子２０を上段のコネクタハウジング１２の移動に伴い、端子収容室２２の奥の方に押し込む。一方、上段のコネクタハウジング１２に設けられた案内リブ６２の一部（先端部）が下段のコネクタハウジング１２に設けられた案内凹溝６０に挿入され、後方側のコネクタハウジングロック手段１６の係止凹部５６と係止凸部５８が半係合状態になる（図８（ａ）（ｂ）参照）。
【００３７】
次に、上記のような状態から、更に、上段のコネクタハウジング１２を、前方側のコネクタハウジングロック手段１４の係止凹部５２の凹溝５２ａに係止凸部５４の縦係止片５４ｂが当接するまで前方に移動させて、下段のコネクタハウジング１２の上に積層し、前方側のコネクタハウジングロック手段１４の係止凹部５２と係止凸部５４、後方側のコネクタハウジングロック手段１６の係止凹部５６と係止凸部５８をそれぞれ係合し、隣接する上下段のコネクタハウジング１２同士を合体する。前記コネクタハウジング１２の積層完了に伴い、接続用端子２０が端子収容室２２の設計された所定位置まで挿入されて収納され、接続用端子２０の係止受部２０ａがランス３２の係止爪３６と係合し、端子収容室２２から抜けないように固定される。なお、同時に端子案内傾斜部４２が逃げ溝４４に、ストッパ部材４６が切り欠き４８に、案内リブ６２が案内凹溝６０に入って係合する（図９（ａ）（ｂ）参照）。
【００３８】
上記のようにして、最下段のコネクタハウジング１２に対する下から２番目（上段）のコネクタハウジング１２の積層作業が終了したら、上段のコネクタハウジング１２に、前記と同様にしてその端子収容室２２に別の接続用端子２０を挿入した後、この上段のコネクタハウジング１２の上に、同様にして下から３番目のコネクタハウジング１２を積層し、コネクタハウジングロック手段１４、１６で係合して合体し、以下同様な操作を繰り返し行って、コネクタハウジング１２を上下１０段に積層、合体することにより、図１０に示すようなジョイントコネクタ１０を組み立てる。
【００３９】
なお、上記実施形態では、コネクタハウジング１２を１層積層する毎に、上段に積層される側のコネクタハウジング１２の端子収容室２２に接続用端子２０を収容するようにしたが、上段のコネクタハウジング１２を下段のコネクタハウジング１２の上に積層する前に、上段のコネクタハウジング１２の予め端子収容室２２に接続用端子２０を収容しておき、接続用端子２０が収容された上下段のコネクタハウジング１２同士を積層するようにしてジョイントコネクタ１０を組み立てるようにしてもよい。このようにすると、コネクタハウジング１２の積層作業が容易になり作業能率が向上するほか、特に、細径で曲がり易い電線１８に接続された接続用端子２０をコネクタハウジング１２の端子収容室２２に挿入する場合には、その端子挿入口２３に設けられた端子案内傾斜部４２で案内しながら挿入することができ、接続用端子２０の挿入に要する手数が減るので好ましい。
【００４０】
また、上記実施形態では、コネクタハウジング１２の両側部の前方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段１４の係止凹部５２が該ハウジング１２の上部に設けられ、これに対応する該ハウジング１２の下部に係止凸部５４が設けられたが、これとは反対に、係止凹部５２が該ハウジング１２の下部に設けられ、これに対応する該ハウジング１２の上部に係止凸部５４が設けられるようにしてもよい。この場合、係止凸部５４の横係止片５４ａが係止凹部５２の凹溝５２ａに対向するように後方を向いて配置される。コネクタハウジング１２を積層する場合には、前方側が斜め下向きに低くなるような傾斜状態に配置した上段のコネクタハウジング１２におけるコネクタハウジングロック手段１４の係止凹部５２の凹溝５２ａを、下段のコネクタハウジング１２におけるコネクタハウジングロック手段１４の係止凸部５４の横係止片５４ａに相対的に緩挿し、上段のコネクタハウジング１２を前方に移動させると共に、下段のコネクタハウジング１２と平行になるようにコネクタハウジングロック手段１４を支点として回動させることにより同様に積層する。
【００４１】
このように、コネクタハウジング１２の両側部の前方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段１４の係止凹部５２が横方向に開口する凹溝５２ａを有し、係止凸部５４が係止凹部５２の凹溝５２ａに相対的に緩挿して係合する前後方向に延出した横係止片５４ａと係止凹部５２に当接可能な縦係止片５４ｂを有し、横係止片５４ａと縦係止片５４ｂにより略Ｌ字形状に形成されていることにより、コネクタハウジング１２を複数段に積層し、コネクタハウジングロック手段１２、１４で合体してジョイントコネクタ１０を組み立てる際、一方のコネクタハウジング１２に対して積層される他方のコネクタハウジング１２を、前方側が斜め下向きに低くなるような傾斜状態に、且つ、少し後方にずらして配置し、このような傾斜状態の姿勢で、一方のコネクタハウジング１２に近付け、一方のコネクタハウジング１２の前方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段１４の係止凹部５２の凹溝５２ａ又は係止凸部５４の横係止片５４ａに他方のコネクタハウジング１２の前方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段１４の係止凸部５４の横係止片５４ａ又は係止凹部５２の凹溝５２ａを相対的に緩挿し、他方のコネクタハウジング１２を前方に移動させると共に、一方のコネクタハウジング１２と平行になるように前方側のコネクタハウジングロック手段１４を支点として回動させ、一方のコネクタハウジング１２上に重ね合わせる。
【００４２】
その過程において、他方のコネクタハウジング１２に突設された係止突起４０を一方のコネクタハウジング１２の端子収容室２２に半挿入状態で収容された接続用端子２０の係合部２０ｂに係合し、この係止突起４０により前記接続用端子２０を他方のコネクタハウジング１２の移動に伴い、端子収容室２２の奥の方に押し込むことが可能になる。その結果、コネクタハウジング１２を積層する際、端子収容室２２に接続用端子２０が半挿入状態で収容されることがあっても、その接続用端子２０を所望の正常挿入状態に速やかに矯正して所定位置に収容することが可能になり、コネクタの接続の性能及び信頼性を向上させると共に、小型で機器等への組付け等を能率よく手数をかけずに行うことができる。
【００４３】
上記ジョイントコネクタ１０を相手側コネクタ１１と接続する場合には、図１０に示すように、ジョイントコネクタ１０と相手側コネクタ１１を対向させ、センターラインを合わせて配置する。次に、ジョイントコネクタ１０を構成するコネクタハウジング１２及びカバー２８の両側部に突設された鍔部２４を、相手側コネクタ１１のコネクタケース６４の両内側壁に形成された複数の略コ字型の案内溝６６に支持させ、案内溝６６に沿って摺動案内しながら、ジョイントコネクタ１０を相手側コネクタ１１のコネクタケース６４内に差し込んで嵌合する。そして、相手側コネクタ１１の案内溝６６の、例えば、下から３段目と８段目に形成された弾性係止爪６８をジョイントコネクタ１０の前記鍔部２４に設けられた対応する２個のロック溝２６に係合し、ジョイントコネクタ１０が相手側コネクタ１１から離脱しないように固定する（図１１（ａ）参照）。
【００４４】
このようなジョイントコネクタ１０と相手側コネクタ１１の嵌合に伴い、相手側コネクタ１１に装着されてコネクタケース６４内に突出された複数のピンタイプ状（雄状の）の接続用端子７０がジョイントコネクタ１０のコネクタハウジング１２の端子収容室に収容された接続用端子２０に挿入されて該端子２０と導通する。このようにして、ジョイントコネクタ１０が相手側コネクタ１１と接続される。
【００４５】
なお、ジョイントコネクタ１０と相手側コネクタ１１を嵌合したとき、相手方ジョイントコネクタ１０のコネクタハウジング１２における鍔部２４の後方側に形成された係止タブ２５が、図１１（ｂ）（ｃ）に示すように、相手側コネクタ１１のコネクタケース６４における案内溝６６の入口側に形成された溝幅拡径部６６ａに係合し、ジョイントコネクタ１０のコネクタハウジング１２の後部ががたつかないようにしてある。このように係止タブ２５が溝幅拡径部６６ａに係合するようにすると、ジョイントコネクタ１０のコネクタハウジング１２同士が相対的に移動可能に緩く合体した蛇腹構造になっていても、相手側コネクタ１１と嵌合した状態でジョイントコネクタ１０のコネクタハウジング１２のがたつきを防止でき、コネクタの接続の信頼性をより向上させることができるので好ましい。
【００４６】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明の請求項1記載のジョイントコネクタによると、複数のコネクタハウジングの両側部における前後方側にそれぞれ設けられて、コネクタハウジングを複数段に積層して合体する係止凹部及び係止凸部からなり、一方のコネクタハウジングに設けられた係止凹部又は係止凸部と積層される他方のコネクタハウジングに設けられた係止凸部又は係止凹部を係合するコネクタハウジングロック手段を備えたジョイントコネクタにおいて、前記コネクタハウジングの両側部の前方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段の係止凹部が横方向に開口する凹溝を有し、係止凸部が係止凹部の凹溝に相対的に緩挿して係合する前後方向に延出した横係止片と係止凹部に当接可能な縦係止片を有し、横係止片と縦係止片により略Ｌ字形状に形成されているので、一方のコネクタハウジングに対して積層される他方のコネクタハウジングを傾斜状態の姿勢から一方のコネクタハウジング上に重ね合わせて積層することが可能になり、従って、コネクタハウジングを積層する際、端子収容室に接続用端子が半挿入状態で収容されることがあっても、接続用端子を所望の正常挿入状態に速やかに矯正して所定位置に収容することが可能になり、コネクタの接続の性能及び信頼性を向上させると共に、小型で機器等への組付け等を能率よく手数をかけずに行うことができる。
【００４７】
本発明の請求項２に記載されたジョイントコネクタによると、前記コネクタハウジングの両側部における前後方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段間に、積層されたコネクタハウジング同士の相対移動を拘束する案内凹溝及びこれに嵌合する案内リブが設けられ、案内凹溝及び案内リブの各後部が末広がり状の傾斜面に形成されているので、積層、合体されたコネクタハウジングの相対移動が案内リブにより確実に拘束されると共に、がたつきが案内凹溝及び案内リブの傾斜面による接触で押さえられ、更に、コネクタハウジングを傾斜状態の姿勢から積層する際、案内リブが案内凹溝の内周縁に突き当たらず、円滑に嵌合するので、積層の作業性を向上させることができる。
【００４８】
本発明の請求項３に記載されたジョイントコネクタによると、前記コネクタハウジングの端子収容室における端子挿入口近傍の下壁に下方へ突出する端子案内傾斜部が設けられ、これに対応する端子挿入口近傍の両側壁の上部に、前記端子案内傾斜部に係合する逃げ溝が設けられているので、小サイズ、細径のため、座屈、曲げ変形し易い電線に接続された接続用端子を、コネクタハウジングの端子収容室に挿入する場合でも、電線を座屈、曲げ変形させることなく、端子挿入口の端子案内傾斜部で案内しながら円滑に挿入することができる。
【００４９】
本発明の請求項４に記載されたジョイントコネクタによると、前記コネクタハウジングの端子収容室の後方側が上方へ開口され、前記端子挿入口における上方の開口を覆うように、端子挿入口における端子収容室の両側壁の上部にストッパ部材が設けられ、これに対応する端子収容室の両側壁の下部にストッパ部材を受け入れる切り欠きが設けられているので、端子収容室に接続用端子が挿入されて収容された後、電線に上方向への引張り力が作用しても、端子挿入口の上部を覆うストッパ部材により、電線が上方向に煽られることがなく、コネクタハウジングのランスの後方側や接続用端子の破損を防止することができる。また、ストッパ部材により、接続用端子の端子挿入口からの挿入方向が規制されるため、接続用端子が端子収容室に上下逆方向に挿入されるのを速やかに検知し、接続用端子が端子収容室に上下逆方向に収容されるのを確実に防止することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明のジョイントコネクタを構成するコネクタハウジングを示す斜視図である。
【図２】（ａ）は図１のコネクタハウジングを裏から見た斜視図、（ｂ）は（ａ）のコネクタハウジングを背面から見た斜視図である。
【図３】図１のＸ−Ｘ線矢視図である。
【図４】図１乃至３のコネクタハウジングの端子収容室に接続用端子が正しく収容された電線に上方向への引張り力が作用した状態を示す断面図である。
【図５】図１乃至３のコネクタハウジングの端子収容室に接続用端子が上下逆方向に挿入される状態を示す断面図である。
【図６】（ａ）はコネクタハウジングを積層して合体するにあたり、一方のコネクタハウジングに対して他方のコネクタハウジングを前方側が斜め下向きに低くなるように傾斜状態に配置した状態を示す側面図、（ｂ）は（ａ）の断面図である。
【図７】（ａ）は図６の状態から、他方のコネクタハウジングを一方のコネクタハウジング側に近付けて、一方のコネクタハウジングの前方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段における係止凹部に、積層される他方のコネクタハウジングの前方側に設けられたコネクタハウジングロック手段における係止凸部の横係止片を緩挿した状態を示す側面図、（ｂ）は（ａ）の断面図である。
【図８】（ａ）は図７の状態から、他方のコネクタハウジングを前方に移動させつつ、一方のコネクタハウジングと平行になるように回動させ、他方のコネクタハウジングに突設された係止突起を一方側のコネクタハウジングの端子収容室に半挿入状態で収容された接続用端子の係合部に係合して接続用端子を前方に押し込む状態を示す側面図、（ｂ）は（ａ）の断面図である。
【図９】（ａ）は図７の状態から、更に、他方のコネクタハウジングを、前方側のコネクタハウジングロック手段の係止凹部の凹溝に係止凸部の縦係止片が当接するまで前方に移動させて、一方のコネクタハウジングに積層し、前後方側のコネクタハウジングロック手段の係止凹部と係止凸部を係合して、隣接する２個のコネクタハウジング同士を合体した状態を示す側面図、（ｂ）は（ａ）の断面図である。
【図１０】図９に示すコネクタハウジングの積層、合体作業を繰り返して組み立てられたジョイントコネクタを相手側コネクタと嵌合、接続するために、相手側コネクタとセンターラインを合わせて整列させた状態を示す一部断面側面図である。
【図１１】（ａ）は図９の状態から、ジョイントコネクタが相手側コネクタと嵌合、接続された状態を示す一部断面側面図、（ｂ）はジョイントコネクタにおけるコネクタハウジングの係止タブが相手側コネクタにおけるコネクタケースの案内溝の溝幅拡径部に係合した状態を拡大して示す説明図、（ｃ）は（ｂ）のＹ−Ｙ線矢視図である。
【符号の説明】
１０ジョイントコネクタ
１１相手側コネクタ
１２コネクタハウジング
１４コネクタハウジングロック手段
１６コネクタハウジングロック手段
１８電線
２０接続用端子
２０ａ係止受部
２０ｂ係合部
２２端子収容室
２２ａ上壁
２２ｂ下壁
２２ｃ側壁
２２ｄ前壁
２３端子挿入口
２４鍔部
２５係止タブ
２６ロック溝
２８カバー
３０スリット
３２ランス
３４肉盛り部
３６係止爪
３８ランス受入部
４０係止突起
４２端子案内傾斜部
４４逃げ溝
４６ストッパ部材
４８切り欠き
５０端子挿入孔
５２係止凹部
５２ａ凹溝
５４係止凸部
５４ａ横係止片
５４ｂ縦係止片
５６係止凹部
５６ａ凹溝
５８係止凸部
５８ａ直線状係止片
５８ｂ爪
６０案内凹溝
６０ａ傾斜面
６２案内リブ
６２ａ傾斜面
６４コネクタケース
６６案内溝
６６ａ溝幅拡径部
６８弾性係止爪
７０接続用端子[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a joint connector suitable for connecting a wire harness or the like routed in an automobile or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As this type of connector, there are a plurality of connector housings provided with a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers for accommodating connection terminals connected to an electric wire constituting a wire harness or the like by crimping, and front and rear sides on both sides of the connector housing Each of which is provided with a latching recess and a latching projection, each of which is provided on one side, and is laminated with a plurality of connector housings, and the other is laminated with the latching recess or latching projection provided on one connector housing. Connector housing locking means for engaging a locking projection or a locking recess provided in the connector housing of the connector housing, and the connection connector housed in the terminal housing chamber of the one connector housing on the other connector housing to be stacked A protrusion is provided so as to be engaged with the terminal, and a locking protrusion is provided for preventing the connection terminal from coming off and detecting half-insertion.
[0003]
The connector housing locking means provided on the front side of the both sides of the connector housing has a concave groove whose locking recess opens upward in the upper portion of the connector housing and has an enlarged diameter step portion in the lower inner bottom portion. The locking projection protrudes downward from the lower portion of the connector housing, and is formed of a linear locking piece having a claw that engages with the enlarged stepped portion of the locking recess at the tip.
[0004]
Further, the connector housing locking means provided on the rear side of the both sides of the connector housing is opposite to the connector housing locking means provided on the front side, and the locking recess opens downward in the lower part of the connector housing, It is formed with a concave groove with an enlarged diameter step on the upper inner bottom part, the locking projection protrudes upward at the top of the connector housing, and has a claw that engages with the enlarged diameter step of the locking recess at the tip. It is formed by the shape locking piece (refer patent document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-246127 (paragraphs 0036 to 0040 in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 4)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Such a joint connector is usually assembled by laminating these connector housings in a plurality of stages in a state where the connection terminals are accommodated in the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing, and combining them with the connector housing locking means. In this case, due to the structure of the connector housing locking means, the connector housings are stacked by moving in a direction perpendicular to the connecting terminal insertion direction and overlapping. As a result, when the connection terminal is housed in the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing in a half-inserted state, the locking projection protruding from the stacked connector housing abuts against the wall of the connection terminal and the like. Since it does not engage with the joint, the half-insertion state of the connection terminal is detected using this.
[0007]
However, the connector housing is generally formed by plastic molding and has the advantages of being lightweight and easy to manufacture and inexpensive. However, the connector housing has the disadvantage that it is not strong enough and easily deforms when external force is applied. Even if the locking projection is accommodated in the terminal receiving chamber in the inserted state and the locking projection does not engage with the connection terminal, the locking projection escapes due to a partial deformation of the terminal receiving chamber, and it is as if the locking projection is the connection terminal. It is easy to be in the same state as engaged with. If it does so, correct half-insertion detection of the connection terminal cannot be performed, and there is a possibility that the stacked connector housings may be united with the connection terminal being accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber in a half-inserted state. There was a problem of lowering performance and reliability.
[0008]
In order to solve such a problem, the wall thickness of the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing is increased to increase the mechanical strength, and when the connector housings are stacked, the connector housings are prevented from being deformed, and the connection terminals are half-finished. It is also conceivable that the insertion state is reliably detected so that the connector terminal does not merge with the connector housing in the half insertion state. However, since the outer dimensions of the connector housing are increased, the number of stacked layers of the connector housing is increased and the number of stages is increased. As a result, the size of the joint connector is increased, which causes inconvenience in assembling to a device or the like.
[0009]
The present invention solves the above problems, and when stacking connector housings, the connection terminals are quickly corrected to the desired normal insertion state even if the connection terminals may be accommodated in the terminal accommodation chamber in a half-inserted state. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a joint connector that can be housed in a compact manner, improves connection performance and reliability, and is compact and can be efficiently assembled without any effort. To do.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention includes a plurality of connector housings provided with a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers for accommodating connection terminals, and front and rear sides on both sides of the connector housing. Each of which is provided with a latching recess and a latching projection, each of which is provided on one side, and is laminated with a plurality of connector housings, and the other is laminated with the latching recess or latching projection provided on one connector housing. A connector housing locking means for engaging a locking projection or a locking recess provided in the connector housing, and a connection terminal accommodated in the terminal housing chamber of the one connector housing on the other connector housing. In the joint connector provided with a locking projection that protrudes so as to be connected and prevents the connection terminal from coming off and detects half-insertion, the connector housing The connector housing locking means provided on the front side of the both sides of the housing has a recessed groove whose locking recess opens laterally, and the locking protrusion is loosely inserted into the recessed groove of the locking recess. It has a horizontal locking piece that extends in the front-rear direction to be engaged and a vertical locking piece that can be brought into contact with the locking recess, and is formed in a substantially L shape by the horizontal locking piece and the vertical locking piece. It is characterized by.
[0011]
According to such a configuration, when the connector housings are stacked, even if the connection terminals may be accommodated in the half-inserted state in the terminal accommodating chamber, the connection terminals are promptly corrected to the desired normal insertion state. The connector can be accommodated in a predetermined position, and the connection performance and reliability of the connector can be improved, and it is small in size and can be efficiently assembled without trouble.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the joint connector according to the first aspect, the connector housings stacked between the connector housing locking means provided on the front and rear sides on both sides of the connector housing are arranged. A guide concave groove for restraining relative movement and a guide rib fitted to the guide concave groove are provided, and each rear portion of the guide concave groove and the guide rib is formed in an inclined surface that is widened toward the end.
[0013]
According to such a configuration, the relative movement of the laminated and combined connector housings is reliably restrained by the guide ribs, and rattling is suppressed by contact by the guide concave grooves and the inclined surfaces of the guide ribs. When the housings are stacked from the inclined position, the guide ribs do not hit the inner peripheral edge of the guide groove, but fit smoothly, so that the stacking workability can be improved.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the joint connector according to the first or second aspect, a terminal guide inclined portion projecting downward is provided on the lower wall near the terminal insertion opening in the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing. In addition, a relief groove that engages with the terminal guide inclined portion is provided in the upper part of both side walls in the vicinity of the corresponding terminal insertion opening.
[0015]
According to such a configuration, even when a connection terminal connected to an electric wire which is easily buckled and bent due to its small size and small diameter is inserted into the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing, the electric wire is buckled and bent. Without being deformed, it can be smoothly inserted while being guided by the terminal guide inclined portion of the terminal insertion port.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the joint connector according to the first, second, or third aspect, the rear side of the terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing is opened upward, and the upper opening of the terminal insertion port is opened. A stopper member is provided at the upper part of both side walls of the terminal accommodating chamber at the terminal insertion port so as to cover, and a notch for receiving the stopper member is provided at the lower part of both side walls of the terminal accommodating chamber corresponding thereto. It is what.
[0017]
According to such a configuration, after the connection terminal is inserted and accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber, even if a tensile force acts upward on the electric wire, the electric wire is It is possible to prevent the rear side of the lance of the connector housing and the connection terminals from being damaged without being twisted upward. In addition, since the insertion direction of the connection terminal from the terminal insertion port is regulated by the stopper member, it is quickly detected that the connection terminal is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber in the upside down direction. It is possible to reliably prevent the storage chamber from being stored in the upside down direction.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector housing 12 constituting a joint connector 10 (see FIG. 10) showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the connector housing 12 of FIG. (B) is the perspective view which looked at the connector housing 12 of Fig.2 (a) from the back surface, FIG. 3 is the XX arrow directional view of FIG.
[0019]
The joint connector 10 of the present embodiment is a laminated joint connector including a plurality of connector housings 12 and connector housing locking means 14 and 16 for laminating and joining the connector housings 12 in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction.
[0020]
As shown in detail in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connector housing 12 includes a plurality of (10 in the illustrated example) female connection terminals 20 (FIG. 4) connected to the electric wires 18 constituting a wire harness or the like by crimping or the like. A plurality of (10 chambers in the illustrated example) terminal accommodating chambers 22 that are accommodated in a single layer in the lateral direction are formed into a thick rectangular plate-like block body by plastic molding, In addition, flanges 24 (including the case where both side parts themselves become flanges 24) for smoothly inserting and guiding the joint connector 10 to the mating connector 11 (see FIG. 10) are projected. A lock groove 26 is provided to lock the joint connector 10 with the mating connector 11 to prevent detachment.
[0021]
A locking tab 25 protruding in the vertical direction is formed on the rear side of the flange portion 24, and when the joint connector 10 is fitted to a mating connector 11 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) described later, the connector 11 The connector case 64 engages with a groove width enlarged portion 66a formed on the inlet side of the guide groove 66 so that the rear portion of the connector housing 12 of the joint connector 10 does not rattle. As shown in FIG. 10, the joint connector 10 has a connector housing 12 having the same structure and size, for example, stacked and united in 10 stages in the vertical direction, and is sized to the size of the connector housing 12 on the uppermost connector housing 12. A combined rectangular plate-like cover 28 is mounted and assembled. Note that flanges 24 protrude from both sides of the cover 28, and a lock groove 26 is provided in the flange 24.
[0022]
The connector housing 12 is opened upward on the rear side of the terminal accommodating chamber 22, and is formed in one wall on the front side of the terminal accommodating chamber 22, that is, the upper wall 22 a in the longitudinal direction of the terminal accommodating chamber 22, for example. With a pair of slits 30 (see FIG. 1), a built-up portion 34 (see FIGS. 3 to 5 and the like) that is thick on the back side in a doubly supported structure whose proximal end is supported by the upper wall 22a; It consists of an elastic locking piece made of plastic in which a locking claw 36 that is engaged with a tab-shaped locking receiving portion 20a (see FIG. 4) that protrudes from the upper end of the connecting terminal 20 is formed. A lance 32 is provided.
[0023]
On the other wall on the opposite side of the terminal accommodating chamber 22 corresponding to the position of the lance 32, that is, the lower wall 22b, as shown in FIGS. When the connection terminal 20 is inserted into the housing chamber 22 (see FIG. 4), the locking claw 36 comes into contact with the locking receiving portion 20a of the connection terminal 20 and is slightly lifted upward. And a lance receiving portion 38 formed of a slit-like thin hole that allows the lance 32 to be displaced outward is provided. When the latch receiving portion 20a of the connection terminal 20 is engaged with the latch claw 36 of the lance 32, the built-up portion 34 of the lance 32 is lowered, the connection terminal 20 is engaged with the lance 32, and the terminal accommodating chamber. It is fixed so as not to come out of 22. Although the lance receiving portion 38 is a thin hole in the illustrated example, if the strength of the lance 32 can be sufficiently maintained and the build-up portion 34 can be reduced, it may be a concave groove (bottomed hole) instead of a hole. . Further, the configuration and the position of the lance 32 are not limited to those described above.
[0024]
On the outer side (lower side) of the lower wall 22b located behind the lance 32 of the terminal housing chamber 22 in the connector housing 12, as shown in FIGS. The locking projections 40 are provided so as to abut on and engage with the engaging portions 20b of the connection terminals 20 accommodated in the other (lower) connector housing 12 stacked on the connector housing 12, The connection terminal 20 can be prevented from coming off from the terminal accommodating chamber 22 (having a double locking function in combination with the prevention by the lance 32) and half-insertion can be detected.
[0025]
The lower wall 22b in the vicinity of the terminal insertion opening 23 formed in the rear portion of the terminal housing chamber 22 of the connector housing 12 is provided with a terminal guide inclined portion 42 protruding downward as shown in FIGS. A clearance groove 44 that engages with the terminal guide inclined portion 42 is provided in the upper part of both side walls 22c in the vicinity of the corresponding terminal insertion port 23. When the connector housings 12 are stacked, the clearance groove 44 of one connector housing 12 The terminal guide inclined portion 42 of the other (upper) connector housing 12 to be stacked is engaged.
[0026]
When the terminal guide inclined portion 42 and the relief groove 44 are provided, the connection terminal 20 connected to the electric wire 18 which is easily buckled and bent due to a small size and a small diameter is connected to the connector housing 12. Even when inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 22, the electric wire 18 can be smoothly inserted while being guided by the terminal guide inclined portion 42 of the terminal insertion port 23 without being buckled or bent.
[0027]
Furthermore, a stopper member 46 made of a horizontally long piece is provided across the upper portions of both side walls 22c of the terminal accommodating chamber 22 in each terminal insertion port 23 so as to cover the upper opening in the terminal insertion port 23 of the connector housing 12. A notch 48 for receiving the stopper member 46 is provided at the lower part of the side wall 22c of the terminal accommodating chamber 22 corresponding to this, and when the connector housing 12 is laminated, the other laminated on the notch 48 of one connector housing 12 The stopper member 46 of the (lower) connector housing 12 is engaged.
[0028]
As described above, when the stopper member 46 is provided so as to cover the opening of the terminal insertion port 23, as shown in FIG. 4, after the connection terminal 20 is inserted and accommodated in the terminal accommodation chamber 22, Even if an upward pulling force acts on 18, the electric wire 18 is not twisted upward, and damage to the rear side of the lance 32 of the connector housing 12 and the connection terminal 20 can be prevented. Further, since the insertion direction of the connection terminal 20 from the terminal insertion port 23 is regulated by the stopper member 46, the connection terminal 20 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 22 in the upside down direction as shown in FIG. Even if this occurs, the insertion direction is shifted obliquely upward in the figure by the stopper member 46, and the tip of the connection terminal 20 comes into contact with the rear portion of the lance 32, making insertion impossible. Accordingly, it is possible to quickly detect that the connection terminal 20 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 22 in the upside down direction, and reliably prevent the connecting terminal 20 from being accommodated in the terminal receiving chamber 22 in the upside down direction. Can do. Reference numeral 50 denotes a small-diameter terminal insertion hole for inserting a mating connector connection terminal 70 (see FIG. 10) formed in the front wall 22 d of the terminal accommodating chamber 22.
[0029]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connector housing locking means 14 includes a locking recess 52 provided on the front side, for example, the upper portion of the flange portion 24 on both sides of the connector housing 12, and a corresponding flange portion 24, for example. The locking projections provided on the other (upper) connector housing 12 are laminated with the locking recesses 52 provided on one (lower) connector housing 12. 54 is configured to engage. More specifically, the locking recess 52 has a U-shaped groove 52a that opens in the lateral direction, and the locking protrusion 54 is loosely inserted into and engaged with the groove 52a of the locking recess 52. It has a horizontal locking piece 54a extending in the front-rear direction and a vertical locking piece 54b that can come into contact with the locking recess 52, and is formed in a substantially L shape by the horizontal locking piece 54a and the vertical locking piece 54b. The front end side of the lateral locking piece 54 a of the locking projection 54 is arranged facing forward so that it faces the groove 52 a of the locking recess 52.
[0030]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connector housing locking means 16 includes a locking recess 56 provided on, for example, the upper portion of the flange portion 24 on the rear side of the both sides of the connector housing 12, and a corresponding flange portion 24, for example. The locking projection 58 is provided on the other (upper) connector housing 12 and is laminated with the locking recess 56 provided on one (lower) connector housing 12. The portion 58 is configured to engage. More specifically, the locking recess 56 has a U-shaped groove 56a that opens in the lateral direction, the locking projection 58 includes a linear locking piece 58a that protrudes downward from the flange 24, and It is comprised from the inward nail | claw 58b engaged with the ditch | groove 56a of the latching recessed part 56 formed in the front-end | tip.
[0031]
Engagement between the locking recess 52 of the connector housing locking means 14 and the locking surface of the locking projection 54 engaged therewith and between the locking recess 56 of the connector housing locking means 16 and the locking projection 58 engaged therewith. Between the stop surfaces, loose gaps are respectively provided and engaged loosely, and a plurality of connector housings 12 are loosely combined so as to be relatively movable to form a bellows structure.
[0032]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, for example, on the upper portion of the flange 24 between the connector housing locking means 14 and 16 provided on the front and rear sides on both sides of the connector housing 12, as shown in FIGS. A rectangular guide groove 60 that restrains relative movement between the stacked connector housings 12 is provided. Corresponding to this, for example, a rectangular plate-shaped guide rib 62 that fits into the guide groove 60 is provided in the lower part of the flange 24 so as to protrude downward, and each of the guide groove 60 and the guide rib 62 is provided. The rear portions are formed on inclined surfaces 60a and 62a that are widened toward the end, and the guide ribs 62 of the other (upper) connector housing 12 to be stacked are inserted into and engaged with the guide grooves 60 of one connector housing 12. It has become.
[0033]
When the guide groove 60 and the guide rib 62 are provided, the relative movement of the connector housing 12 stacked and united is reliably restrained by the guide rib 62, and rattling is caused by the guide groove 60 and the guide rib 62. When the connector housing 12 is stacked from the inclined position, the guide rib 62 does not hit the inner peripheral edge of the guide groove 60 and smoothly fits. The workability of stacking the connector housing 12 can be improved.
[0034]
When the connector housing 12 is stacked in a plurality of stages, for example, 10 stages, and the joint connector 10 is assembled by combining the connector housing lock means 14 and 16, the terminal housing chamber 22 of the connector housing 12 disposed in the lowest stage in advance. The terminal 20 for connection connected to the electric wire 18 from the terminal insertion port 23 is inserted and accommodated. In the present embodiment, the connection terminal 20 is not inserted deeply into a predetermined position of the terminal accommodating chamber 22 but is accommodated in a half-inserted state, and therefore, shows a state where it is not engaged with the lance 32. Then, the connector housings 12 stacked in the second (upper) stage from the bottom are shifted in the inclined state and slightly rearward so that the front side becomes lower obliquely downward with respect to the lowermost (lower) connector housing 12. (See FIGS. 6A and 6B).
[0035]
Next, in this state, the upper connector housing 12 is lowered while maintaining the inclined state so as to approach the lower connector housing 12, and connector housing locking means 14 provided on the front side of the lower connector housing 12. The lateral locking piece 54a of the locking projection 54 of the connector housing locking means 14 provided on the front side of the upper connector housing 12 to be stacked is loosely inserted into the groove 52a of the locking recess 52 in the connector housing lock. The locking recess 52 and the locking projection 54 of the means 14 are loosely engaged (see FIGS. 7A and 7B).
[0036]
Next, the upper connector housing 12 is moved forward and rotated (clockwise in FIG. 8) with the connector housing locking means 14 as a fulcrum so as to be parallel to the lower connector housing 12. In this process, the locking projection 40 protruding from the upper connector housing 12 is brought into contact with and engaged with the engaging portion 20b of the connection terminal 20 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 22 in a half-inserted state. The connection terminal 20 is pushed into the interior of the terminal accommodating chamber 22 by the stop projection 40 as the upper connector housing 12 moves. On the other hand, a part (tip portion) of the guide rib 62 provided in the upper connector housing 12 is inserted into the guide groove 60 provided in the lower connector housing 12 to lock the connector housing locking means 16 on the rear side. The recessed part 56 and the latching convex part 58 will be in a semi-engagement state (refer Fig.8 (a) (b)).
[0037]
Next, from the above state, the upper connector housing 12 is further brought into contact with the groove 52a of the locking recess 52 of the connector housing locking means 14 on the front side so that the vertical locking piece 54b of the locking projection 54 is brought into contact therewith. It is moved forward until it comes into contact, and is stacked on the lower connector housing 12, and the locking recess 52 and the locking protrusion 54 of the connector housing locking means 14 on the front side and the locking of the connector housing locking means 16 on the rear side are locked. The concave portions 56 and the locking convex portions 58 are engaged with each other, and the adjacent upper and lower connector housings 12 are combined. As the connector housing 12 is laminated, the connection terminal 20 is inserted and stored up to a predetermined designed position of the terminal accommodating chamber 22, and the engagement receiving portion 20 a of the connection terminal 20 is engaged with the engagement claw 36 of the lance 32. And is fixed so as not to come out of the terminal accommodating chamber 22. At the same time, the terminal guide inclined portion 42 engages with the escape groove 44, the stopper member 46 enters the notch 48, and the guide rib 62 enters the guide concave groove 60 (see FIGS. 9A and 9B).
[0038]
When the stacking operation of the second (upper) connector housing 12 from the bottom with respect to the lowermost connector housing 12 is completed as described above, the upper connector housing 12 is separated into its terminal accommodating chamber 22 in the same manner as described above. After the connection terminal 20 is inserted, the third connector housing 12 is laminated on the upper connector housing 12 in the same manner, and is engaged by the connector housing locking means 14 and 16 and combined. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated, and the connector housings 12 are stacked in 10 stages and joined together, thereby assembling the joint connector 10 as shown in FIG.
[0039]
In the above embodiment, each time the connector housing 12 is laminated, the connection terminal 20 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 22 of the connector housing 12 on the upper layer side. Before the connector 12 is stacked on the lower connector housing 12, the connection terminals 20 are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers 22 of the upper connector housing 12 in advance, and the upper and lower connector housings in which the connection terminals 20 are accommodated. The joint connector 10 may be assembled by stacking 12 members together. In this way, the laminating work of the connector housing 12 is facilitated and the work efficiency is improved, and in particular, the connection terminal 20 connected to the wire 18 having a small diameter and being easily bent is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 22 of the connector housing 12. In this case, it can be inserted while being guided by the terminal guide inclined portion 42 provided in the terminal insertion port 23, and the number of steps required to insert the connection terminal 20 is reduced, which is preferable.
[0040]
Further, in the above embodiment, the locking recess 52 of the connector housing locking means 14 provided on the front side of the both sides of the connector housing 12 is provided in the upper part of the housing 12, and the corresponding lower part of the housing 12 is provided in the lower part of the housing 12. On the contrary, the locking convex portion 54 is provided at the lower portion of the housing 12, and the locking convex portion 54 is provided at the upper portion of the housing 12 corresponding thereto. It may be. In this case, the lateral locking piece 54 a of the locking projection 54 is arranged facing rearward so as to face the concave groove 52 a of the locking recess 52. When the connector housings 12 are stacked, the groove 52a of the locking recess 52 of the connector housing locking means 14 in the upper connector housing 12 arranged in an inclined state so that the front side is inclined obliquely downward is provided in the lower connector housing. 12 is relatively loosely inserted into the lateral locking piece 54a of the locking projection 54 of the connector housing locking means 14 so that the upper connector housing 12 is moved forward and the connector housing 12 is parallel to the lower connector housing 12. Stacking is similarly performed by rotating the housing locking means 14 as a fulcrum.
[0041]
As described above, the locking recess 52 of the connector housing locking means 14 provided on the front side of the both side portions of the connector housing 12 has the recessed groove 52a that opens laterally, and the locking projection 54 is the locking recess 52. A laterally engaging piece 54a extending in the front-rear direction to be loosely inserted into and engaged with the concave groove 52a, and a longitudinally engaging piece 54b that can be brought into contact with the engaging recessed portion 52. When the connector housing 12 is stacked in a plurality of stages and is joined by the connector housing locking means 12 and 14 to assemble the joint connector 10 by being formed in a substantially L shape by the vertical locking piece 54b, one connector housing The other connector housing 12 that is laminated with respect to the connector 12 is disposed in an inclined state such that the front side is lowered obliquely downward and slightly shifted rearward. Thus, the connector housing 12 comes close to one connector housing 12 and the other side of the groove 52a of the locking recess 52 of the connector housing locking means 14 provided on the front side of the connector housing 12 or the lateral locking piece 54a of the locking projection 54 The lateral locking piece 54a of the locking projection 54 or the concave groove 52a of the locking recess 52 of the connector housing locking means 14 provided on the front side of the connector housing 12 is relatively loosely inserted, and the other connector housing 12 is mounted. While being moved forward, the connector housing locking means 14 on the front side is rotated so as to be parallel to the one connector housing 12 and overlapped on the one connector housing 12.
[0042]
In the process, the locking projection 40 protruding from the other connector housing 12 is engaged with the engaging portion 20b of the connection terminal 20 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 22 of the one connector housing 12 in a half-inserted state. The locking projection 40 allows the connection terminal 20 to be pushed toward the back of the terminal accommodating chamber 22 as the other connector housing 12 moves. As a result, even when the connector housing 12 is stacked, even if the connection terminal 20 is accommodated in the terminal accommodation chamber 22 in a half-inserted state, the connection terminal 20 is quickly corrected to a desired normal insertion state. Thus, the connector can be accommodated in a predetermined position, the connector connection performance and reliability can be improved, and the device can be compactly and efficiently assembled without any trouble.
[0043]
When connecting the joint connector 10 to the mating connector 11, as shown in FIG. 10, the joint connector 10 and the mating connector 11 are opposed to each other, and the center line is aligned. Next, the flanges 24 projecting from both sides of the connector housing 12 and the cover 28 constituting the joint connector 10 are formed into a plurality of substantially U-shapes formed on both inner side walls of the connector case 64 of the mating connector 11. The joint connector 10 is inserted and fitted into the connector case 64 of the mating connector 11 while being supported by the guide groove 66 and slidingly guided along the guide groove 66. Then, for example, the elastic locking claws 68 formed in the third and eighth steps from the bottom of the guide groove 66 of the mating connector 11 are provided with corresponding two pieces provided on the flange portion 24 of the joint connector 10. The joint connector 10 is engaged with the lock groove 26 and fixed so as not to be detached from the mating connector 11 (see FIG. 11A).
[0044]
When the joint connector 10 and the mating connector 11 are fitted, a plurality of pin type (male) connection terminals 70 which are attached to the mating connector 11 and protrude into the connector case 64 are joints. The connector 10 is inserted into the connection terminal 20 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing 12 and is electrically connected to the terminal 20. In this way, the joint connector 10 is connected to the mating connector 11.
[0045]
When the joint connector 10 and the mating connector 11 are fitted, the locking tab 25 formed on the rear side of the flange 24 in the connector housing 12 of the mating joint connector 10 is shown in FIGS. As shown in the figure, it engages with the groove width enlarged portion 66a formed on the inlet side of the guide groove 66 in the connector case 64 of the mating connector 11 so that the rear portion of the connector housing 12 of the joint connector 10 does not rattle. It is. As described above, when the locking tab 25 is engaged with the groove width enlarged portion 66a, even if the connector housing 12 of the joint connector 10 has a bellows structure in which the connector housings 12 are relatively loosely combined with each other, It is preferable that the connector housing 12 of the joint connector 10 can be prevented from rattling in a state where the connector 11 is fitted, and the reliability of connector connection can be further improved.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the joint connector according to claim 1 of the present invention, the locking recess is provided on each of the front and rear sides of the both side portions of the plurality of connector housings, and the connector housings are stacked and combined in a plurality of stages. And a latching concave portion provided in one connector housing, or a latching convex portion provided in one connector housing and a latching convex portion provided in the other connector housing or a latching concave portion. In the joint connector provided with the locking means, the locking recess of the connector housing locking means provided on the front side of the both sides of the connector housing has a groove that opens laterally, and the locking protrusion is the locking recess. A horizontal locking piece that extends in the front-rear direction to be loosely inserted into the concave groove and engages with the concave groove, and a vertical locking piece that can come into contact with the locking recess. Since it is formed in a substantially L shape, the other connector housing that is laminated with respect to one connector housing can be laminated on the other connector housing from an inclined posture. When the connector housings are stacked, even if the connection terminals may be accommodated in the terminal accommodation chamber in a half-inserted state, the connection terminals can be quickly corrected to a desired normal insertion state and accommodated in a predetermined position. As a result, the connector connection performance and reliability can be improved, and it is small and can be efficiently assembled without any trouble.
[0047]
According to the joint connector described in claim 2 of the present invention, the guide recess for restricting the relative movement of the stacked connector housings between the connector housing locking means provided on the front-rear side on both sides of the connector housing. A groove and a guide rib that fits into the groove are provided, and each rear part of the guide groove and the guide rib is formed in a divergent inclined surface, so that the relative movement of the stacked and combined connector housings is ensured by the guide rib. In addition, when the connector housing is stacked from the tilted position, the guide rib protrudes into the inner peripheral edge of the guide groove. Since it does not hit and it fits smoothly, the workability | operativity of lamination | stacking can be improved.
[0048]
According to the joint connector described in claim 3 of the present invention, a terminal guide inclined portion projecting downward is provided on the lower wall in the vicinity of the terminal insertion port in the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing, and the corresponding terminal insertion port Since the clearance groove that engages the terminal guide inclined part is provided in the upper part of the side walls in the vicinity, the connecting terminal connected to the wire that is easily buckled and bent due to its small size and small diameter. Even when inserting into the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing, the wire can be smoothly inserted while being guided by the terminal guide inclined portion of the terminal insertion port without being buckled or bent.
[0049]
According to the joint connector described in claim 4 of the present invention, the terminal housing chamber in the terminal insertion port is configured such that the rear side of the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing is opened upward and covers the upper opening in the terminal insertion port. A stopper member is provided at the upper part of both side walls of the terminal, and a notch for receiving the stopper member is provided at the lower part of the side wall of the corresponding terminal receiving chamber. Then, even if an upward pulling force acts on the electric wire, the electric wire is not twisted upward by the stopper member that covers the upper part of the terminal insertion port. Terminal damage can be prevented. In addition, since the insertion direction of the connection terminal from the terminal insertion port is regulated by the stopper member, it is quickly detected that the connection terminal is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber in the upside down direction. It is possible to reliably prevent the storage chamber from being stored in the upside down direction.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector housing constituting a joint connector of the present invention.
2A is a perspective view of the connector housing of FIG. 1 as viewed from the back, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the connector housing of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line XX in FIG. 1;
4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an upward tensile force is applied to an electric wire in which a connection terminal is correctly accommodated in a terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing of FIGS. 1 to 3; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connection terminal is inserted upside down into the terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing of FIGS. 1 to 3;
FIG. 6A is a side view showing a state in which the connector housings are stacked and united, and the other connector housing is inclined with respect to one connector housing so that the front side is slanted downward. (B) is sectional drawing of (a).
7A is a view showing a state in which the other connector housing is brought close to one connector housing side from the state shown in FIG. 6 and is stacked on the locking recess in the connector housing locking means provided on the front side of the one connector housing. The side view which shows the state which inserted the side latching piece of the latching convex part in the connector housing locking means provided in the front side of the other connector housing to be loosely inserted, (b) is sectional drawing of (a).
FIG. 8A is a view of FIG. 7 in which the other connector housing is moved forward and rotated so as to be parallel to one connector housing, and the other connector housing is protruded. The side view which shows the state which engages the engaging part of the terminal for a connection accommodated in the terminal accommodation chamber of the connector housing of the one side in the half insertion state, and pushes the terminal for a connection forward, (b) is (a) FIG.
9A is a view from the state of FIG. 7 until the other connector housing is in contact with the vertical locking piece of the locking projection in the groove of the locking recess of the connector housing locking means on the front side. A state in which the two adjacent connector housings are combined by moving forward, stacking on one connector housing, engaging the locking recesses and the locking projections of the connector housing locking means on the front and rear side. The side view to show, (b) is sectional drawing of (a).
FIG. 10 shows a state in which the mating connector and the center line are aligned and aligned in order to fit and connect the joint connector assembled by repeating the stacking and uniting operations of the connector housing shown in FIG. 9 to the mating connector. It is a partial cross section side view shown.
11A is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a state in which the joint connector is fitted and connected to the mating connector from the state of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11B is a view of the locking tab of the connector housing in the joint connector. Explanatory drawing which expands and shows the state engaged with the groove width enlarged diameter part of the guide groove of the connector case in the other party connector, (c) is a YY arrow directional view of (b).
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Joint connector
11 Mating connector
12 Connector housing
14 Connector housing locking means
16 Connector housing locking means
18 Electric wire
20 Connection terminal
20a Locking receiving part
20b engagement part
22 Terminal compartment
22a Upper wall
22b Lower wall
22c side wall
22d front wall
23 Terminal insertion slot
24 Buttocks
25 Locking tab
26 Lock groove
28 Cover
30 slits
32 Lance
34 Filling section
36 Locking claw
38 Lance receiving department
40 Locking projection
42 Terminal guide slope
44 Escape Groove
46 Stopper member
48 Notches
50 Terminal insertion hole
52 Locking recess
52a Groove
54 Locking projection
54a Lateral locking piece
54b Vertical locking piece
56 Locking recess
56a Groove
58 Locking projection
58a Linear locking piece
58b nails
60 Guide groove
60a inclined surface
62 Guide rib
62a inclined surface
64 Connector case
66 Guide groove
66a Groove width enlarged portion
68 Elastic locking claws
70 Connection terminal

Claims

A plurality of connector housings provided with a plurality of terminal housing chambers for accommodating connection terminals, and locking recesses provided on the front and rear sides of both side portions of the connector housing to stack and combine the connector housings in a plurality of stages And a latching recess provided in one connector housing, or a latching projection provided on the other connector housing laminated with the latching projection. Locking means and a member that protrudes from the other connector housing so as to engage with a connection terminal housed in a terminal housing chamber of the one connector housing, and prevents the connection terminal from coming off and detects half-insertion. In the joint connector provided with the stop projection, the connector housing locking means provided on the front side of the both sides of the connector housing, The locking recess has a groove that opens in the lateral direction, and the locking projection is locked with the lateral locking piece that extends in the front-rear direction and is loosely inserted into and engaged with the groove in the locking recess. A joint connector having a vertical locking piece capable of abutting against a concave portion and formed in a substantially L shape by a horizontal locking piece and a vertical locking piece.

Between the connector housing locking means provided on the front and rear sides on both sides of the connector housing, there are provided guide concave grooves for restraining relative movement of the stacked connector housings and guide ribs fitted to the guide concave grooves. 2. The joint connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the rear portions of the groove and the guide rib is formed on an inclined surface that is widened toward the end.

A terminal guide inclined portion projecting downward is provided on a lower wall near the terminal insertion port in the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing, and a corresponding portion of the terminal guide inclined portion is connected to the upper portion of both side walls near the terminal insertion port. The joint connector according to claim 1, wherein a clearance groove is provided.

The rear side of the terminal housing chamber of the connector housing is opened upward, and a stopper member is provided at the upper part of both side walls of the terminal housing chamber at the terminal insertion port so as to cover the upper opening at the terminal insertion port. 4. The joint connector according to claim 1, wherein a notch for receiving a stopper member is provided at a lower part of both side walls of the terminal accommodating chamber.