JPH0794240A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely perform positioning so that a front end part of a terminal is concentrically placed with a cavity. CONSTITUTION:A cylindrical cap 20 is mounted to a connection port 4 of a cavity 2. Since the internal periphery of a positioning hole 23 of the cap 20 surrounds the external periphery of a front end part of a terminal 10 by providing a slight clearance, even when external force acts in the terminal 10, its front end part is prevented from largely floating in the direction of displacement of the center relative to the cavity 2, to hold alignment with the cavity 2. Thus, a mate side terminal is smoothly fitted to a fitting part 11 in the front end of this terminal 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector used for charging an electric vehicle, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of this type of connector is shown in FIG. In this case, a cavity b is formed inside, one end side of which is opened as an insertion port c of a terminal f, the other end side is opened as a connection port d with a mating connector (not shown), and a wall surface in the middle of the cavity. A locking projection e is formed on the projection. The inserted terminal f has a tip end surface which is a fitting portion g with a mating terminal (not shown), and a cable h extending from a charging power source is connected to the rear end. A cylindrical retainer j is externally fitted to the terminal f, and an elastically deformable lance k is formed by cutting and raising at a predetermined position of the retainer j.

When the terminal f is mounted in the cavity b, the terminal f is inserted from the rear end insertion port c to bend and deform the lance k of the retainer j while passing the locking projection e. , The lance k elastically returns to engage with the engaging projection e, and the engaging portion m formed overhanging the terminal f comes into contact with the engaging projection e from the rear side. The attachment work is completed when the joint part g is positioned inside the hollow of the connection port d of the cavity b.

[0004]

By the way, in the cavity b, on the front side of the locking projection e, that is, on the side of the connection port d, at least the locking projection e is formed due to the molding of the locking projection e.
There is no choice but to leave a gap between the cavity b and the terminal f by the protrusion height of. Such a gap causes misalignment of the fitting portion of the terminal. This is lance k
Since it is elastically deformable, this occurs when the cable h is bent and routed, and a force is applied to the terminal f in a direction intersecting the core direction thereof. Thus, if there is a misalignment of the terminal f, the connection may not be possible due to the contact with the mating connector, or the terminal f may be damaged if it is forcibly inserted. As a solution to this problem, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5, the cavity b has a rectangular cross section, and the terminal f also has a square cross section corresponding thereto. In other words, if it is formed in a rectangular shape, it is possible to position the two in terms of shape, and rattling is allowed only in the direction (one place) in which the locking projection e is provided.

However, when the terminal f is inserted, the insertion work must be performed in the direction in which the lance k and the locking convex portion e engage with each other, which makes the insertion work complicated. Therefore, recently, it is required that the insertion work is omnidirectional. That is, in order that the terminal f and the cavity b have a circular cross section and the lance k can be engaged regardless of the insertion direction, it is necessary to project the locking projection e in an annular shape. . However, if this is simply done, the insertion work will be smooth, but a gap will be created over the entire circumference of the fitting portion of the terminal f, and as described above, there will be a problem in connection with the mating connector.

The present invention was devised in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to reliably position a terminal.

[0007]

As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention inserts a terminal having a circular cross section into a cavity having a circular cross section provided in a connector housing as described in claim 1. , A connector in which a plurality of lances circumferentially arranged on the outer circumference of the terminal are elastically contacted with the inner circumference of the cavity to hold the terminal concentrically with the cavity, the connection with the mating connector of the cavity It is characterized in that the mouth is provided with a positioning member which surrounds the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the terminal and positions it.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the above structure, the connector has a plurality of cavities and is characterized in that a positioning member is provided for each cavity.

A connector according to a third aspect is the connector according to the first aspect, wherein the cavity has a plurality of chambers, and the plurality of positioning members are integrally formed and provided. It is a thing.

[0010]

The present invention has the above-described structure, and since the tip end portion of the terminal is positioned by the positioning member that surrounds the periphery thereof, the force in the direction intersecting with the core direction is applied to the terminal due to bending and routing of the cable. Even when the action is performed, the tip end portion of the terminal is kept in a state of being positioned concentrically with the connection port of the cavity.

The terminal of the mating connector is fitted to the tip of the terminal thus positioned.

In the connector according to the second aspect, a plurality of positioning members are individually attached to the connection ports of each cavity.

In the connector according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the plurality of positioning members are integrally molded, all the positioning members are attached to all the cavities at once.

[0014]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the positioning member allows the tip of the terminal to be reliably positioned so as to be concentric with the connection port of the cavity, the connection with the mating connector is achieved. In this case, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the mating terminals and the terminals in the cavity are abutted against each other without being fitted, and it is possible to prevent the connection failure of the connector and the damage of the terminals. The positioning member may correspond to each cavity individually, and if a plurality of positioning members are integrally molded as in the invention of claim 3, the effect of facilitating the mounting work can be obtained.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment embodying the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG.
2 and FIG. 2.

The connector housing 1 having a circular shape as a whole has three cavities 2 of a total of 6 chambers having a circular cross section and different inner diameters and internal shapes, with the core directions thereof being parallel to each other. It is formed by opening at both front and rear surfaces.

The opening on the rear side of each cavity 2 serves as an insertion opening 3 for inserting a terminal 10, which will be described in detail later, and the opening on the front side of each cavity 2 is connected to a mating connector (not shown). The cavity 2 is composed of an insertion side space 5 and a connection side space 6 which are concentric with each other and have circular cross sections. Between the insertion side space 5 and the connection side space 6, there is formed a stopper 7 whose inner periphery projects toward the hollow center in a ring shape, whereby the insertion side space 5 and the connection side space 6 are formed. Between the two spaces is a diameter-reducing hole 8 having a smaller diameter than both the spaces and being concentric with the both spaces 5, 6.

Terminal 1 inserted into each cavity 2
0 has an elongated shape with a circular cross section as a whole, and its outer diameter dimension is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the reduced diameter hole 8 of the cavity 2. The tip surface of the terminal 10 is a fitting portion 11 to be fitted with a mating terminal of a mating connector (not shown), and the tip of a cable 12 extending from a charging power source (not shown) is connected to the rear end portion. Has been done.

A mounting portion 13 having a slightly reduced diameter is formed on the outer periphery of the terminal 10, and a retainer 15 for holding the terminal 10 in the cavity 2 is fitted to the mounting portion 13. The retainer 15 has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, and one portion in the circumferential direction thereof is cut so that the retainer 15 can be expanded into a substantially C shape. Retainer 1
A plurality of elastically deformable lances 16 extending obliquely so as to widen rearward are formed by cutting and raising at a plurality of positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction of 5.

A collar-shaped engaging portion 17 having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the reduced diameter hole 8 is formed at a position rearward of the position where the retainer 15 of the terminal 10 is fitted.

The terminal 10 is mounted in the cavity 2 by inserting the tip of the terminal 10 into the insertion opening 3 of the cavity 2 from the rear of the connector housing 1. When the terminal 10 is inserted, its distal end passes through the insertion side space 5 and penetrates the reduced diameter hole 8, and then the retainer 15 penetrates the reduced diameter hole 8 while elastically deforming the lance 16 so as to contract. When the lances 16 pass through the diameter-reduced holes 8, each lance 16 expands due to the elastic restoring force, and the expanded end behind the lances 16 elastically contacts the inner circumference of the connection-side space 6. Immediately after the lance 16 expanded, the terminal 1
The collar-shaped locking portion 17 of 0 is a stopper (hole edge portion of the reduced diameter hole 8)
7 abuts on the rear surface. As a result, the terminal 10 cannot be pulled out, and the mounting of the terminal 10 is completed.

When the terminal 10 is mounted in the cavity 2 in this manner, the expanded end of the lance 16 and the locking portion 17 are locked to the stopper 7 from both front and rear sides, so that the terminal 10 is moved in the front-back direction. Positioned immovably.

Next, the positioning means for surely aligning the terminals 10 will be described.

The positioning means comprises a cylindrical cap 20 fitted in the connection port 4 at the front end of each cavity 2. A positioning hole 23 is concentrically opened on the side of the cap 20 facing the terminal 10, and the positioning hole 23 is formed with a diameter that allows the fitting portion 11 of the terminal 10 to be loosely inserted. A fitting hole 21 for inserting a mating connector (not shown) is formed on the front end side of the cap 20 so as to communicate with the positioning hole. The fitting hole 21 is concentric with the positioning hole 23 and has a smaller diameter than the positioning hole 23. Further, a tapered guide surface 22 is formed on the opening edge of the fitting hole 21 to facilitate the insertion of a mating terminal (not shown).

Prior to mounting the terminal 10 in the cavity 2, the cap 20 is fixed by fusion after being fitted into the connection port 4 of the cavity 2 (may be simply press fitting). When both the cap 20 and the terminal 10 are mounted, the opening of the rear end of the fitting hole 21 of the cap 20 corresponds to the fitting portion 11 of the front end surface of the terminal 10, and the inner periphery of the positioning hole 23 is the terminal. The outer periphery of the tip of 10 is surrounded with a slight gap.

Since the connector of this embodiment is constructed as described above, the cable 12 of the terminal 10 is bent and routed, so that the terminal 10 intersects the core direction. When a directional force is applied, the terminal 10 tries to change its posture so as to incline the core direction while elastically deforming the lance 16 within the range of the gap with the reduced diameter hole 8. Since the front end of the terminal 10 is fitted in the positioning hole 23 of the cap 20 with a slight gap, the front end of the terminal 10 may move largely in the radial direction, that is, in the direction in which the core 2 is displaced from the cavity 2. There is no. Therefore, terminal 10
The fitting portion 11 on the front end face of the is held substantially concentrically with the cavity 2, and even if a misalignment occurs, the amount of the misalignment is extremely small, and the fitting range 11 can be smoothly fitted to the mating terminal. It is within.

When the mating connector is connected to the connector housing 1 in this state, the tip of the mating terminal is inserted into the fitting hole 21 of the cap 20 and smoothly fitted into the fitting portion 11 of the terminal 10. It Therefore, unlike the conventional connector, a situation where the connection of the connector is disabled or the terminal is damaged due to collision with the mating terminal due to the misalignment of the terminal does not occur.

Since the inner diameter of the positioning hole 23 of the cap 20 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the front end portion of the terminal 10, when the terminal 10 is inserted, the front end portion is fitted into the positioning hole 23. It's getting easier.

Further, when the mating terminal is inserted into the fitting hole 21 of the cap 20, the mating terminal 21 has a tapered guide surface 22 so that the mating terminal has a core. Even if there is a deviation, the guide surface 22 corrects it toward the center of the fitting hole 21 and inserts it smoothly.

Further, when the mating connector is not inserted, the fitting portion 11 on the tip end surface of the terminal 10 is positioned so as to be hidden behind the fitting hole 21 of the cap 20 without being exposed to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to surely avoid a situation where the fitting portion 11 of the terminal 10 is accidentally touched by the hand and an electric shock is caused.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

In the second embodiment, the same connector housing and terminal as the connector housing 1 and the terminal 10 in the first embodiment described above are used as the connector housing and the terminal, but the positioning as the centering means of the front end portion of the terminal 10 is performed. The body 30 has the following configuration.

The positioning body 30 has a structure in which six cylindrical portions 32 are projected on the rear surface of a circular substrate 31 in an arrangement corresponding to each cavity 2. The substrate 3 is provided in each cylindrical portion 32.
A fitting hole 33 having a tapered guide surface 34 opening to the front end surface of No. 1 and a positioning hole 35 opening to the rear end surface of the cylindrical portion 32 are formed.

The positioning body 30 is attached to the connector housing 1 by attaching each cylindrical portion 32 to the corresponding cavity 2.
It is carried out by fitting the contact surface of the connector 31 and the rear surface of the substrate 31 in close contact with the front end surface of the connector housing 1.

When the positioning body 30 is attached to the connector housing 1, the opening at the rear end of the fitting hole 33 corresponds to the fitting portion 11 on the front end surface of the terminal 10, and the inner periphery of the positioning hole 35 is at the terminal. The outer circumference of the tip of 10 is surrounded by a slight gap.

Therefore, even if a force is applied to the terminal 10 in a direction intersecting with the core direction, the front end of the terminal 10 is fitted into the positioning hole 35 with a slight gap, so that the cavity 2 Is held in a state of being positioned substantially concentrically with.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but can be modified and implemented as follows, for example. (A) In the above embodiment, the case where the cavities 2 having a total of six chambers of three types are provided has been described. However, according to the present invention, the types of cavities and the number of chambers thereof can be arbitrary. (B) The positioning member is not limited to the cylindrical cap 20 and the positioning body 30 having the cylindrical portion 32 described in the above embodiments, but includes, for example, three or more restriction pieces that are equally spaced in the circumferential direction. It is also possible to use a means having another configuration as the positioning member, such as a configuration in which each restricting piece corresponds to the outer periphery of the front end portion of the terminal by using the positioning member with a slight gap therebetween.

Besides, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an assembled state of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a disassembled state of the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an assembled state of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connector housing 2 ... Cavity 4 ... Connection port 10 ... Terminal 16 ... Lance 20 ... Cap (positioning member) 30 ... Positioning body (positioning member)

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tadashi Miyazaki 1-14 Nishisuehiro-cho, Yokkaichi-shi, Mie Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. (72) Eiji Saijo 1-14 Nishisuehiro-cho, Yokkaichi-shi, Mie Sumitomo Denso Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A terminal having a circular cross section is inserted into a cavity having a circular cross section provided in a connector housing, and a plurality of lances circumferentially arranged on the outer circumference of the terminal are elastically contacted with the inner circumference of the cavity. In the connector configured to hold the terminal concentrically with the cavity, a positioning member is provided at a connection port of the cavity with a mating connector for surrounding and positioning the outer periphery of the tip end portion of the terminal. connector. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the cavity has a plurality of chambers, and a positioning member is provided for each cavity. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the cavity has a plurality of chambers, and a plurality of positioning members are integrally formed and provided.