JPH0935800A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To insert the terminal metal fitting into this connector easily even if the cable is thin. SOLUTION: When a retainer 40 is mounted into a connector housing 20, a lance 22 is flexed, and the locking projection 22a retreats out of the cavity 21. Accordingly, when inserting a terminal metal fitting 30, there is no necessity to push and flex that lance 22 through the locking projection 22a, so the insertion force can be reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly, to a connector in which a flexible lance is pushed and bent to insert a terminal fitting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional connector, a cylindrical cavity into which a terminal fitting is inserted is formed, and an arm-shaped lance is formed along one inner peripheral wall surface of the cavity. The lance has a locking projection with an inclined surface formed on the inner peripheral side surface on the far side in the insertion direction of the terminal fitting, and the locking projection is inserted and locked on one side wall surface of the terminal fitting. A hole is formed.

When the terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity, the tip corner portion of the terminal fitting hits the inclined surface of the locking projection of the lance, and the lance is bent outward as it is pushed. When the terminal metal fittings ride on the locking projection and are inserted all the way into the cavity, the locking projection faces the locking hole, and the bent lance moves the locking projection into the locking hole. Push it in to return. Usually, the inserting operation of the terminal fitting is performed by gripping the electric wire crimp-connected to the rear end of the terminal fitting.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional connector, the electric wire is grasped and the terminal metal fitting on the tip side is inserted into the cavity, but since the work is performed while pushing and bending the lance, the electric wire is thin. In this case, there is a problem in that the terminal fitting may not be able to be inserted in some cases because the insertion force is lost and the user is just stiff. Further, the work of inserting a large number of terminal fittings with such insertion force has been difficult. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a connector in which a terminal fitting can be easily inserted even with a thin electric wire.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with a holder for bending and holding a lance protruding from the inner peripheral wall of the cavity in the connector housing. The invention according to claim 2 is the connector according to claim 1, wherein the lance has an inclined surface protruding toward the outer end outside the cavity, and the holder faces the inclined surface and the cavity. The holding member is formed so as to be slidable so that both holding surfaces face each other and are pressed against each other.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the same as claim 1
Alternatively, in the connector according to the second aspect of the present invention, the holder is configured such that the tip of the lance is slightly bent so as to slide with the terminal fitting. Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holder is formed so as to integrally bend a plurality of lances. Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the holder is formed so as to be capable of being locked to the connector housing in a state in which the lance is bent. .

Further, in the invention according to claim 6, the connector housing is provided with a cylindrical cavity into which the terminal fitting is inserted and held, and an inclined surface projecting from an inner peripheral wall surface of the cavity. A lance that is flexibly driven when it is inserted is formed, and a holding tool that bends and holds the lance is provided.

[0008]

In the invention according to claim 1 configured as described above, when the lance protruding from the cavity inner peripheral wall of the connector housing is bent and held by the holder, the terminal fitting pushes and bends the lance. Without being inserted into the cavity.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2 configured as described above, the lance is formed with an inclined surface protruding toward the outer end outside the cavity, and the holder faces the inclined surface. At the same time, an inclined surface that protrudes toward the cavity side is formed.If you slide the holders so that the inclined surfaces are pressed against each other with both inclined surfaces facing each other, the inclined surfaces will ride on the other side. I will try. That is, the lance receives a force so that it is pulled out of the cavity, and the holder receives a force that is pulled toward the cavity side. This causes the lance to flex outside the cavity,
Does not project from the inner wall of the cavity.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3 configured as described above, when the holder bends the lance, the tip of the lance slightly slides on the terminal fitting. As it is inserted into the cavity, it slightly abuts against the tip of the lance and pushes outward to bend, causing the operator to feel a slight clicking sensation. Further, in the invention according to claim 4 configured as described above, the plurality of lances are bent by the integral holder, and the plurality of lances are bent and held at the same time.

Further, in the invention according to claim 5 configured as described above, by locking the holder to the connector housing, the lance is held in a bent state. Further, in the invention according to claim 6 configured as described above, the connector housing is formed with a cylindrical cavity into which the terminal fitting is inserted and held, and the inner peripheral wall surface of the cavity has the inner peripheral wall surface. A lance having an inclined surface that projects further is formed, and when the terminal fitting is inserted, it should be pressed against the inclined surface of the lance to bend and drive the lance.
However, since the lance is bent and held by the holder, even if the terminal fitting is inserted, the lance is inserted into the lance without being pressed against the inclined surface of the lance.

[0012]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the lance is bent and held by the holder in advance, it is not necessary for the terminal fitting to bend when the terminal fitting is inserted. Reduce the required insertion force. Therefore,
To provide a connector that can be inserted without thinning even when a thin electric wire is crimped, and can reduce labor because each insertion force is small even when many terminal fittings are attached. You can

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, since the holding tool and the inclined surface of the lance are only pressed against each other, the work is extremely easy. Further, according to the invention of claim 3, when inserting the terminal fitting into the cavity, the operator can feel a slight clicking sensation and confirm the inserted state. You can prevent it from ending up. Further, according to the invention of claim 4, since a plurality of lances are bent at a time, workability can be improved.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5,
The holding jig can be locked to the connector housing to hold the lance in a bent state. During this time, the holding jig is integrated with the connector housing, so that the workability of inserting the terminal fitting can be improved. Further, claim 6
Also according to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to reduce a necessary insertion force, facilitate insertion even when a thin electric wire is crimped, and reduce labor even when mounting a large number of terminal fittings.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing a connector housing thereof. In the figure, a rectangular box-shaped connector housing 20 has a cavity 21 in which the terminal fittings 30 are inserted and accommodated, and a total of six cavities, that is, two chambers at the upper and lower sides and three chambers at the left and right sides are formed. In the lower cavity 21, lances 22 and 22 are formed on the ceiling wall, respectively. Cavity 2
1 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, and one opening is the terminal fitting 3
0 is a terminal insertion port 21a, and the other opening is a slit-shaped opening 21b into which a pair of male side metal terminals can be inserted. The lance 22 has a terminal insertion port 21.
A locking protrusion that is formed in an arm shape extending from the side a toward the slit-shaped opening 21b and forms an inner peripheral wall surface of the cavity 21 and at the tip thereof projects into the cavity 21. 22a.

In the present embodiment, the cavities 21 are formed in the above-mentioned arrangement, but the arrangement is not limited to such an arrangement, and the lance 22 has two upper and lower cavities 2.
Although it is formed on the inner peripheral wall surface on the intermediate side of 1, 21, it may be formed on any inner peripheral wall surface. Further, the lance 22 itself also protrudes toward the inner peripheral side of the cavity 21 and is inserted when the terminal fitting 30 is inserted.
It is only necessary that the lance 22 be acted so that the lance 22 is bent and the arm 22 is not necessarily parallel to the inner peripheral wall surface as in the present embodiment. Of course, it is not necessary to be integrated with the connector housing 20,
It may be a separate body or may be formed of a metal piece.

A gap is formed between the three pairs of upper and lower lances 22 and 22, and three jig insertion openings 23 communicating with the gap are formed on the front surface of the connector housing 20. Each lance 22 itself projects into the gap, and the front end facing the jig insertion port 23 has an inclined surface 22.
b. With reference to the cavity 21, the inclined surface 22b is inclined so as to protrude toward the jig insertion port 23 toward the outside of the cavity 21, and the upper and lower lances 22 and 22 are forward toward the inner ends. Overhangs.

The holder 40 is provided with a plate-like base portion 41 facing the front surface of the connector housing 20, and three convex portions 42 protruding in the middle of the front surface of the base portion 41. Same convex part 4
2 is provided with a pair of protrusions 43, 43 projecting in a U-shape, and the intervals are such that they respectively face the front end faces of the upper and lower lances 22, 22. Sloped surfaces 43a, 43a formed at the front end of the lance 22 are formed at the front ends of the protrusions 43, 43.
With reference to 1, the inside of the cavity 21 is inclined so as to protrude toward the inner side of the gap, and the upper and lower protrusions 43, 43 are protruded toward the front toward the outer ends.

The inclined surface 22b at the front end of the lance 22 and the projection 4
Since the inclined surface 43a at the front end of 3 has the above-described inclination, when the holder 40 is made to face the front surface of the connector housing 20 and the convex portion 42 is inserted into the jig insertion port 23, As shown in FIG.
The b and 43a are brought into contact with each other so as to mesh with each other. Therefore, when the holder 40 is pressed against the connector housing 20, the inclined surface 43a of the projection 43 and the inclined surface 22b of the front end of the lance 22 come into contact with each other as shown in FIG. The lance 22 slides between the inclined surfaces to be bent, and is drawn out toward the outside of the cavity 21.

In this embodiment, the lance 22 has an inclined surface 22b formed in a predetermined direction at the front end thereof, and the holder 40 has a protrusion 43 facing the lance 22 and a similar inclined surface 43a. Then, the lance 22 is bent and driven by pressing the inclined surfaces to face each other, but it is sufficient if the lance 22 is driven to bend, and the inclined surfaces are made to face each other from the front. It doesn't have to be like that. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, in the lance 22, the locking piece 22 protruding forward from the lower surface thereof.
In addition to extending c, the connector housing 20 is formed with a guide space 24 notched in the width direction, and in the holder 40, the convex portion 42 is continuously formed in the width direction and the side end of the tip is formed. An inclined surface is formed on the part. When the protrusion 42 of the holder 40 is slid and inserted into the guide space 24 from the side of the connector housing 20, the locking piece 22c is guided from the end lance 22 into the opening at the tip of the protrusion 42. , Each lance 22 is pulled out to the outside of the cavity 21.

Further, in the present embodiment, the holder 40 is formed separately from the connector housing 20, but the holder 40 is formed as an arm and is integrally formed with the connector housing 20. When the tool 40 is displaced, it can be configured to be pressed against the lance 22 to bend the lance 22 in the same manner as described above. In addition, when the retainer is attached, the retainer may temporarily bend the lance.

The shape of the holding jig 40 itself is not limited to the above-mentioned plate-like shape, but various shapes can be used.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the locking projections 25, 25 are formed on the outer surface of the connector housing 20 by sandwiching the upper surface and the lower surface of the connector housing 20.
It is also possible to have a configuration in which it is locked to. By doing so, the holding jig 40 can be integrally held in a state of being pressed against the connector housing 20, so that the work of inserting the terminal fitting 30 with the other hand while supporting the connector housing 20 can be performed. All you have to do is make it easier to work.

Next, the operation of this embodiment having the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the holder 40 is made to face the front surface of the connector housing 20, and as shown in FIG. 2, its convex portion 42 is inserted into the jig insertion opening 23, and as shown in FIG. The inclined surfaces 22b and 43a are pushed in as they are in contact with each other. Then, the inclined surface 43a of the protrusion 43 and the inclined surface 22b at the front end of the lance 22 come into contact with each other, and the lance 22 is pulled out toward the outside of the cavity 21.

When the terminal fitting 30 is inserted from the side of the terminal insertion opening 21a with the lance 22 pulled out, the lance 22 can be inserted deeply without being bent at the time of insertion, so that the insertion force is reduced. become. When all the terminal fittings have been inserted and the holder 40 that has been pressed is loosened, the force that has bent the lances 22 is released, and the lances 22 return due to their elasticity so that the locking projections 22a are inserted into the cavity 21. Enter and lock the terminal fitting 30.
Here, since one holding tool 40 bends and holds all the lances 22, the work of bending and releasing all the lances 22 is very easy. After that, the holder 4
0 may be separated from the connector housing 20 to form a separate body.

As described above, when the holder 40 is attached to the connector housing 20, the locking lance 22 is bent and the locking projection 22a is retracted to the outside of the cavity 21, and the locking projection 22a is inserted when the terminal fitting 30 is inserted. Since it is not necessary to push and bend the lance 22 through the insertion, the insertion force can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a connector housing of the connector.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a mounting process of the holder in the connector.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a process of inserting a terminal fitting in the connector.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connector according to a modified example.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to another modification.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 ... Connector housing 21 ... Cavity 22 ... Lance 22a ... Locking projection 22b ... Inclined surface 22c ... Locking piece 23 ... Jig insertion port 24 ... Guide space 25 ... Locking projection 30 ... Terminal fitting 40 ... Holding tool 43 ... Projection 43a ... inclined surface

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A connector comprising: a holder for bending and holding a lance projecting from an inner peripheral wall of a cavity in a connector housing. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the lance has an inclined surface protruding toward the outer end outside the cavity, and the holder faces the inclined surface and protrudes toward the cavity side. A connector comprising an inclined surface, wherein the holder is slidably formed so that both inclined surfaces face each other and are pressed against each other. 3. The connector according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the holder is bent so that the tip of the lance slightly slides on the terminal fitting. 4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holder is integrally formed so as to bend a plurality of lances. 5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the holder is formed so as to be able to engage with the connector housing with the lance bent. Connector to be. 6. A connector housing is provided with a cylindrical cavity for inserting and holding a terminal fitting and an inclined surface projecting from an inner peripheral wall surface of the cavity, and is flexibly driven when the terminal fitting is inserted. A connector comprising: a lance and a holder for bending and holding the lance.