JP3864752B2

JP3864752B2 - Terminal fittings and connectors

Info

Publication number: JP3864752B2
Application number: JP2001324897A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 亮太郎石川; 英人中村; 治川瀬; 健司辻
Original assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2001-10-23
Filing date: 2001-10-23
Publication date: 2007-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-23
Also published as: JP2003132986A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、端子金具及びコネクタに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、端子金具がハウジングのキャビティ内に挿入される際に、その挿入姿勢が不正であることを検知する機能を有するものが知られており、その一例が特開平７−９４２３０号公報に記載されている。このものは、相手の端子と導通接続可能な角筒状の本体部と、電線の端末に接続されるバレル部とを前後に備えるとともに、本体部の下部側縁から下方へ突出する板状のスタビライザを有している。一方、ハウジングのキャビティの下面側縁には、端子金具が正規の挿入姿勢だった場合にはスタビライザの挿通を許容する挿通溝が凹設されている。従って上記構成によれば、端子金具の挿入姿勢が例えば上下に反転した不正な姿勢だった場合には、スタビライザがキャビティの上縁に突き当たることで、端子金具の挿入動作が規制され、もって端子金具が不正な挿入姿勢であったことが検知されるのである。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上記端子金具では、スタビライザが本体部から外方へ突出した形態であり、またハウジングについてもキャビティの側縁に挿通溝を凹設している。このため、端子金具は、スタビライザの突出分だけ大型化し、またハウジングは、挿通溝を凹ませた分だけ上下のキャビティ間のピッチが大きくなっており、端子金具及びコネクタの小型化を図る上で問題となっていた。
本発明は上記のような事情に基づいて完成されたものであって、端子金具及びコネクタの小型化を図ることを目的とする。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記の目的を達成するための手段として、請求項１の発明に係る端子金具は、コネクタハウジングのキャビティ内に挿入される端子金具であって、略筒状の本体部を備えたものにおいて、前記本体部は、外幅寸法の縮小された非対称形状に形成されており、この本体部の外形に沿う形状に形成された前記キャビティに対する挿入姿勢が不正だった場合に本体部がキャビティの周縁に突き当たってその挿入動作が規制されるようになっており、前記本体部が略角筒状に形成されるとともに、その両対向辺の外幅寸法が互いに異なる設定とされ、さらに前記両対向辺を繋ぐ側部が、両対向辺のうち外幅寸法が大きい辺側から小さい辺側にかけて両側部間の幅寸法を連続して減少させるか、その一部に等幅部分を含むように形成されており、前記本体部内に挿入される相手の端子に対して弾性接触可能な弾性接触片を備えるとともに、前記弾性接触片が前記両対向辺のうち外幅寸法が大きい辺側から折り返して形成されており、前記両対向辺を繋ぐ側部が途中で屈曲されることで、前記本体部内の空間が幅狭領域と幅広領域とに分けて形成され、このうち幅広領域内には、前記弾性接触片が配されるのに対し、幅狭領域内には、前記相手の端子が挿入可能とされ、且つ両対向辺を繋ぐ側部のうち幅狭領域を構成する部分の内面が相手の端子の外縁に当接可能とされており、さらには、前記側部の途中には、前記両対向辺のうち外幅寸法が大きい辺側から小さい辺側にかけて両側部間の幅寸法を連続して減少させるテーパ部が形成されるとともに、前記幅広領域と前記幅狭領域との間に前記テーパ部により構成される中間領域が配置され、前記弾性接触片が前記幅広領域と前記中間領域とにまたがって配されるのに対し、前記相手の端子が前記幅狭領域と前記中間領域とにまたがる範囲に挿入されるようになっている構成としたところに特徴を有する。
【０００５】
請求項２の発明は、コネクタハウジングのキャビティ内に挿入される端子金具であって、略筒状の本体部を備えたものにおいて、前記本体部は、外幅寸法の縮小された非対称形状に形成されており、この本体部の外形に沿う形状に形成された前記キャビティに対する挿入姿勢が不正だった場合に本体部がキャビティの周縁に突き当たってその挿入動作が規制されるようになっており、前記コネクタハウジングのキャビティ内に挿入された状態では、前記本体部に設けられた被係止部に抜け止め手段が係止されることでキャビティからの抜け止めが図られるものであって、前記本体部のうち両対向辺を繋ぐ側部は、テーパ状に形成されるとともに、そのテーパ部分が前記被係止部を構成しているところに特徴を有する。
【０００６】
請求項３の発明は、請求項２に記載のものにおいて、前記本体部が略角筒状に形成されるとともに、その両対向辺の外幅寸法が互いに異なる設定とされ、さらに前記両対向辺を繋ぐ側部が、両対向辺のうち外幅寸法が大きい辺側から小さい辺側にかけて両側部間の幅寸法を連続して減少させるか、その一部に等幅部分を含むように形成されているところに特徴を有する。
請求項４の発明は、請求項３に記載のものにおいて、前記本体部内に挿入される相手の端子に対して弾性接触可能な弾性接触片が備えられているものにおいて、前記弾性接触片が前記両対向辺のうち外幅寸法が大きい辺側から折り返して形成されているところに特徴を有する。
【０００７】
請求項５の発明は、請求項４に記載のものにおいて、前記両対向辺を繋ぐ側部が途中で屈曲されることで、前記本体部内の空間が幅狭領域と幅広領域とに分けて形成され、このうち幅広領域内には、前記弾性接触片が配されるのに対し、幅狭領域内には、前記相手の端子が挿入可能とされ、且つ両対向辺を繋ぐ側部のうち幅狭領域を構成する部分の内面が相手の端子の外縁に当接可能とされているところに特徴を有する。
【０００８】
請求項６の発明に係るコネクタは、上記した請求項１ないし請求項５のいずれかに記載された端子金具を備えるコネクタであって、コネクタハウジングには、キャビティを横切って側方に開口して形成されることで係止部を有するリテーナを差し込み可能なリテーナ取付孔が設けられており、前記コネクタハウジングに対して前記リテーナが、前記係止部が前記キャビティから退避して配される仮係止位置と、係止部がキャビティ内に進入して前記端子金具の本体部に設けられた被係止部に係止される本係止位置との間を移動可能に装着され、さらに前記仮係止位置では係止部が、前記リテーナ取付孔のうち前記端子金具の本体部における両対向辺間の位置で、且つ本体部の最大外幅寸法内に配されるようになっているところに特徴を有する。
【０００９】
請求項７の発明に係るコネクタは、上記した請求項１ないし請求項５のいずれかに記載された端子金具を備えるコネクタであって、コネクタハウジングには、複数のキャビティが前記端子金具の本体部の両対向辺とほぼ平行な向きに並んで設けられるとともに、隣り合うキャビティが、端子金具の本体部の両対向辺を互いに反転させる向きで収容できるように形成されているところに特徴を有する。
【００１０】
【発明の作用及び効果】
＜請求項１の発明＞
キャビティに対する端子金具の挿入姿勢が正規だった場合には、キャビティに対して本体部が整合するので、挿入動作が許容される。一方、挿入姿勢が不正だった場合には、本体部がキャビティに対して不整合となり、本体部がキャビティの周縁に突き当たることで挿入動作が規制されるので、端子金具の挿入姿勢が不正であったことが検知される。
端子金具の不正な挿入を規制すべく本体部を非対称形状に形成するのにあたって、本体部の外幅寸法を縮小させるようにしたから、従来のように本体部から外方にスタビライザを突出させた場合と比較して端子金具を小型化することができる。
本体部をくびれない形状に形成しているから、端子金具の形状を簡単なものとすることができる。
弾性接触片が両対向辺のうち外幅寸法の大きい辺側から折り返して形成されているから、仮に両対向辺のうち小さい辺側から設けた場合と比較して弾性接触片の幅寸法を大きく確保することができ、もって相手の端子に対する接圧を十分に得ることができる。
相手の端子が幅広領域と比較して幅寸法が小さいものであっても、その端子の幅寸法に合わせて幅狭領域の幅寸法を設定することで、両対向辺を繋ぐ側部のうち幅狭領域を構成する部分によって幅狭領域内に挿入される端子をがたつき規制することができ、もって端子と弾性接触片との接触状態を安定したものとすることができる。
【００１１】
＜請求項２の発明＞
キャビティに対する端子金具の挿入姿勢が正規だった場合には、キャビティに対して本体部が整合するので、挿入動作が許容される。一方、挿入姿勢が不正だった場合には、本体部がキャビティに対して不整合となり、本体部がキャビティの周縁に突き当たることで挿入動作が規制されるので、端子金具の挿入姿勢が不正であったことが検知される。
端子金具の不正な挿入を規制すべく本体部を非対称形状に形成するのにあたって、本体部の外幅寸法を縮小させるようにしたから、従来のように本体部から外方にスタビライザを突出させた場合と比較して端子金具を小型化することができる。
本体部のうち両対向辺を繋ぐ側部におけるテーパ部分を抜け止め手段が係止される被係止部としたから、例えば、両対向辺を繋ぐ側部を直角に屈曲して形成し、その真っ直ぐな部分に抜け止め手段を係止させた場合と比較して、抜け止め手段に対する係止面積を大きく確保することができる。
＜請求項３の発明＞
本体部をくびれない形状に形成しているから、端子金具の形状を簡単なものとすることができる。
【００１２】
＜請求項４の発明＞
弾性接触片が両対向辺のうち外幅寸法の大きい辺側から折り返して形成されているから、仮に両対向辺のうち小さい辺側から設けた場合と比較して弾性接触片の幅寸法を大きく確保することができ、もって相手の端子に対する接圧を十分に得ることができる。
【００１３】
＜請求項５の発明＞
相手の端子が幅広領域と比較して幅寸法が小さいものであっても、その端子の幅寸法に合わせて幅狭領域の幅寸法を設定することで、両対向辺を繋ぐ側部のうち幅狭領域を構成する部分によって幅狭領域内に挿入される端子をがたつき規制することができ、もって端子と弾性接触片との接触状態を安定したものとすることができる。
【００１４】
＜請求項６の発明＞
リテーナ取付孔内にリテーナを仮係止位置に装着したときの係止部の待機位置として、キャビティ内に挿入された端子金具の本体部における両対向辺間で、且つ本体部の最大外幅寸法内の位置を設定したから、外幅寸法の縮小された本体部の外形に沿ってキャビティを形成することでリテーナ取付孔に空けられたスペースを有効に利用することができる。これにより、コネクタの小型化を図ることができる。
【００１５】
＜請求項７の発明＞
隣り合うキャビティにそれぞれ挿入される端子金具の本体部の両対向辺が互いに反転するような向きにキャビティを配置したから、キャビティ間のピッチを小さくすることができ、コネクタを小型化することができる。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態を添付図面に基づいて説明する。
＜第１実施形態＞
本発明の第１実施形態を図１ないし図５によって説明する。この第１実施形態では、キャビティ１１及びリテーナ取付孔１２を有するコネクタハウジング１０（以下、単にハウジング１０という）と、キャビティ１１内に挿入される雌側の端子金具２０と、リテーナ取付孔１２内に差し込まれて端子金具２０を抜け止め保持可能なリテーナ１４とを備えた雌コネクタについて示す。なお、以下ではキャビティ１１に対する端子金具２０の挿入方向を前方として説明する。
【００１７】
ハウジング１０は、合成樹脂製とされ、図１に示すように、全体が扁平なブロック状に形成されている。ハウジング１０の後面には、後方から端子金具２０を挿入可能なキャビティ１１が開口して形成され、幅方向に４室並んで配されている。キャビティ１１は、後に詳しく説明するように端子金具２０の本体部２６の外形に沿った形状に形成されている。またキャビティ１１は、前方にも開口していて、前方外部から図示しない雄コネクタに収容された雄端子Ｍがキャビティ１１内に進入可能とされている。ハウジング１０の図示左側面には、左側方からリテーナ１４を装着可能なリテーナ取付孔１２が開口して設けられている。このリテーナ取付孔１２は、図３に示すように、全キャビティ１１の上部を横切るように幅方向に沿って形成されている。リテーナ１４は、幅方向に沿って延出する細長い基部１５から各端子金具２０に係止可能な４つの係止部１６が各キャビティ１１に対応する位置に突設されることで、全体が略櫛歯状に形成されている。このリテーナ１４は、各係止部１６が各キャビティ１１の側方に退避して配されることでキャビティ１１に対する端子金具２０の挿抜を許容する仮係止位置と、図４に示すように、各係止部１６が各キャビティ１１内に進入することで端子金具２０に係止される本係止位置との間を幅方向に沿って移動可能な状態で所定の保持手段（図示せず）によってリテーナ取付孔１２内に保持されるようになっている。なお係止部１６の形状などについて後に詳しく説明する。
【００１８】
端子金具２０は、金属板を所定形状に打ち抜いたものに曲げ加工を施すことにより図１に示すような形状に成形されている。端子金具２０は、前後方向に沿って延出する基板２１と、基板２１の両側縁からその全長にわたって立ち上げられる一対の側板２２，２３とを有しており、両側板２２，２３のうち前部（全長の約２／５程度の長さ）が他の部分に対して段付き状に上方へ突出するように形成され、その突出端からそれぞれ突板２４，２５が突設されるとともにそれらが上下に重なり合うように内側に屈曲されることで略角筒状の本体部２６が形成されている。一方、両側板２２，２３のうち本体部２６から所定の間隔を空けた後部からはそれぞれ前後一対ずつかしめ片２７，２８が立ち上げられることでバレル部２９が形成されている。バレル部２９のうち、前側の両かしめ片２７が、基板２１上に載置された電線Ｗのうち被覆を切除して露出した芯線に対してかしめ付けられることで芯線に導通接続され、後側の両かしめ片２８が、電線Ｗのうち被覆の端部に対してかしめ付けられることで被覆に固定されている。なお基板２１は、本体部２６からバレル部２９にかけて幅寸法が僅かに縮小するように形成されている。
【００１９】
本体部２６について詳細に説明する。図２に示すように、本体部２６のうち基板２１（正面から見て本体部２６における上下に対向する両対向辺のうち下辺）の外幅寸法Ａに対して突板２４（正面から見て本体部２６における上下に対向する両対向辺のうち上辺）の外幅寸法Ｂが小さくなっているとともに、両側板２２，２３が上方に行くのに従って内側に傾斜するよう屈曲して形成されることで、本体部２６は、その外幅寸法が部分的に縮小されており、全体が上下方向について非対称形状に形成されている。より詳細には、両側板２２，２３は、上部２２ａ，２３ａと下部２２ｃ，２３ｃがそれぞれ上下方向に沿って平行に形成されることで、両上部２２ａ，２３ａ間の幅寸法と両下部２２ｃ，２３ｃ間の幅寸法（両上部２２ａ，２３ａ間の幅寸法よりも大きい）をそれぞれ等幅としているのに対し、中部２２ｂ，２３ｂが内向きに傾斜したテーパ部として形成されることで、両中部２２ｂ，２３ｂ間の幅寸法を上方に行くに従って（基板２１側から両突板２４，２５側にかけて）連続して減少させている。これにより、本体部２６は、くびれのない形状に形成されている。上記のような両側板２２，２３の形状により、本体部２６内の空間は、両側板２２，２３における２箇所の屈曲箇所を境界として上下３つの領域に分けられている。すなわち、両側板２２，２３の下部２２ｃ，２３ｃによって等幅な幅広領域Ｔｃが構成され、中部２２ｂ，２３ｂによって上方に行くに従って次第に内幅寸法が減少される中間領域Ｔｂが構成され、上部２２ａ，２３ａによって幅広領域Ｔｃよりも小さい内幅寸法で等幅な幅狭領域Ｔａが構成されている。
【００２０】
このような形状とされた本体部２６の外形に沿って形成されたキャビティ１１は、図３に示すように、上下方向について非対称形状とされており、詳細には内周面のうち下面が幅広に形成されるのに対して上面が幅狭に形成され、且つ両側面のうち上部と下部とが上下方向に沿って平行に形成されるのに対し、中部が上方に行くのに従って次第に内側に張り出すように傾斜して形成されている。従って、幅方向に隣り合うキャビティ１１を仕切る隔壁１３は、キャビティ１１の内側面が内側に張り出した部分について厚みが増加しており、下部の厚み寸法Ｃに比べて上部の厚み寸法Ｄの方が大きくなっている。そして、リテーナ取付孔１２のうち隔壁１３の上部を切欠する部分には、仮係止位置に取り付けられたリテーナ１４の係止部１６が配されるようになっている。この係止部１６は、幅寸法が隔壁１３の上部の厚み寸法Ｄとほぼ同じ大きさとされ、高さ寸法が本体部２６の側板２２，２３における上部２２ａ，２３ａの高さ寸法とほぼ同じ大きさとされている。すなわち、リテーナ１４が仮係止位置のときに係止部１６は、リテーナ取付孔１２のうちで、キャビティ１１内に挿入される本体部２６の基板２１と両突板２４，２５との間（両対向辺間）の高さ位置に配されるとともに、本体部２６の基板２１における外幅寸法（本体部の最大外幅寸法）内に配されている。
【００２１】
リテーナ１４が本係止位置に移動されると係止部１６は、本体部２６の両突板２４，２５のほぼ全域と両側板２２，２３の上部２２ａ，２３ａの内縁部とにおける後端部に対して係止されるようになっており、この部分が被係止部３０とされている（図１及び図４参照）。本体部２６の基板２１の前端からは、図２に示すように、後方へ向けて折り返されるとともに略山形に形成される弾性接触片３１が設けられている。弾性接触片３１は、幅広領域Ｔｃと中間領域Ｔｂとにまたがって配されるとともに、前方外部から本体部２６内に挿入される雄端子Ｍに対して弾性接触可能とされている。この弾性接触片３１の外幅寸法は、幅広領域Ｔｃの内幅寸法よりは僅かに小さいものの、幅狭領域Ｔａの内幅寸法よりも大きく設定されている。略山形の弾性接触片３１における頂点部分には、雄端子Ｍに対する接点部３２が叩き出しにより上方に突出して形成されている。この弾性接触片３１に対向する内側の突板２５からは、雄端子Ｍに対する接圧を高めるための張出部３３が下方の幅狭領域Ｔａ内に張り出して形成されている。また、図１に示すように、外側の突板２４からは保持片３４が突設され、この保持片３４が図１の手前側の側板２３に切欠して形成された保持溝３５内に嵌合されることで、本体部２６を所定形状に保持できるようになっている。
【００２２】
雄端子Ｍは、正面から見てほぼ四角形に形成されるとともに本体部２６における中間領域Ｔｂと幅狭領域Ｔａとにまたがる範囲に挿入されるようになっており、その外幅寸法が幅狭領域Ｔａの内幅寸法とほぼ同じか僅かに小さくなっている。従って、雄端子Ｍが本体部２６内に挿入されると、その両外側面が幅狭領域Ｔａを構成する両側板の上部２２ａ，２３ａの内側面に当接されることで幅方向についてがたつきなく保持されるようになっている。また雄端子Ｍは、高さ寸法が張出部３３と接点部３２との間の距離よりも若干大きくされることで弾性接触片３１を下方へ撓ませつつ本体部２６内に挿入されるようになっている。
【００２３】
本実施形態は以上のような構造であり、続いてその作用について説明する。図３に示すように、ハウジング１０に対してリテーナ１４を仮係止位置に装着した状態で、各キャビティ１１内に後方から端子金具２０をそれぞれ挿入する。このとき、キャビティ１１に対する端子金具２０の挿入姿勢が正規だった場合、すなわち本体部２６の基板２１がキャビティ１１の下面に対向し、突板２４がキャビティ１１の上面に対向するような姿勢だった場合には、キャビティ１１に対して本体部２６が整合してその挿入動作が許容される。挿入過程では、本体部２６の外周面がキャビティ１１の内周面に摺接されることで挿入動作が案内される。
【００２４】
ところで、この端子金具２０の挿入時において、端子金具２０の挿入姿勢が正規の姿勢とは上下に反転した不正なものだった場合には、図５に示すように、キャビティ１１に対して本体部２６が不整合となる。このため、本体部２６のうち基板２１の両端部と側板２２，２３の下部２２ｃ，２３ｃ（図５では上方に配される）とがキャビティ１１の周縁上部に突き当たることで、その挿入動作が規制される。これにより、端子金具２０の挿入姿勢が不正なものであったことが検知されるので、改めて端子金具２０を正規な挿入姿勢としてから、再度キャビティ１１への挿入作業を行うようにする。
【００２５】
全ての端子金具２０を各キャビティ１１内に挿入し終えたら、リテーナ１４を仮係止位置から本係止位置へと移動させる。リテーナ１４が本係止位置に達すると、図４に示すように、各係止部１６がキャビティ１１内に進入するとともに端子金具２０の被係止部３０に対して係止されることで、端子金具２０がキャビティ１１から抜け止め状態に保持される。なおリテーナ１４を本係止位置に移動するときに、仮にキャビティ１１に対する挿入深さが不十分な端子金具２０があった場合には、係止部１６がその端子金具２０の側板２２に突き当たることで、リテーナ１４の移動動作が規制されるので端子金具２０の半挿入が検知される。その場合は、改めて端子金具２０を正規深さまで挿入した後に、再度リテーナ１４を本係止位置へ移動させる。
【００２６】
このようにして組み付けられた雌コネクタに対して相手の雄コネクタを嵌合すると、前方から雄端子Ｍがキャビティ１１内に進入されるとともに本体部２６内の幅狭領域Ｔａと中間領域Ｔｂとにまたがる範囲に進入される。この過程で雄端子Ｍは、図２に示すように、幅狭領域Ｔａを構成する両側板２２，２３の上部２２ａ，２３ａの内側面に当接されるとともに、弾性接触片３１を下方へ撓ませつつ張出部３３と接点部３２との間で狭圧状態で弾性接触される。この状態では、雄端子Ｍの両外側面が両側板２２，２３の上部２２ａ，２３ａの内側面に当接されることで、雄端子Ｍが弾性接触片３１に弾接した状態から幅方向にがたつくのが規制される。従って、微摺動摩耗などの問題を生じさせることなく、両端子の接触状態を安定したものとすることができる。
【００２７】
以上説明したように本実施形態によれば、本体部２６を上下非対称形状に形成するのにあたって、本体部２６の外幅寸法を部分的に縮小させるようにし、さらにキャビティ１１をその本体部２６の外形に沿った形状に形成するようにしたから、従来のように本体部から外方にスタビライザを突出させて、キャビティの内面にスタビライザを挿通させる挿通溝を凹み形成した場合と比較して端子金具２０及び雌コネクタを小型化することができる。しかも、従来のスタビライザは、本体部を切り起こして形成されているのに対し、本実施形態ではそのようなことがなく、端子金具２０の強度を高く保つことができる。
【００２８】
また、本体部２６は、基板２１に対して突板２４の方が外幅寸法が小さくされるとともに、両側板２２，２３が上方に向けて幅寸法を連続して減少させる中部２２ｂ，２３ｂと、等幅部分である上部２２ａ，２３ａと下部２２ｃ，２３ｃを有していることで、全体がくびれのない形状に形成されているから、端子金具２０及びキャビティ１１の形状を簡単なものとすることができる。
また、両突板２４，２５と比べて外幅寸法の大きい基板２１の前端から弾性接触片３１を折り返して形成するようにしたから、弾性接触片３１の外幅寸法を大きく確保することができ、雄端子Ｍに対する接圧を十分に得ることができる。
【００２９】
また、雄端子Ｍの外幅寸法が本体部２６の幅広領域Ｔｃの幅寸法よりも小さいのに対して、この雄端子Ｍの外幅寸法に合わせて幅狭領域Ｔａの幅寸法を設定することで、本体部２６内に挿入される雄端子Ｍの両外側面に対して幅狭領域Ｔａを構成する両側板２２，２３の上部２２ａ，２３ａの内側面を当接させてその幅方向についてのがたつきを規制することができ、もって雄端子Ｍと弾性接触片３１との接触状態を安定したものとすることができる。
【００３０】
また、ハウジング１０に対してリテーナ１４を仮係止位置に装着したときの係止部１６の待機位置として、キャビティ１１内に挿入された端子金具２０の本体部２６における基板２１と両突板２４，２５との間で、且つ本体部２６の最大外幅寸法内の位置に設定したから、本体部２６の外形に沿ってキャビティ１１を形成することでリテーナ取付孔１２に空けられたスペースを有効に利用することができる。これによりコネクタの小型化を図ることができる。
【００３１】
＜第２実施形態＞
本発明の第２実施形態を図６ないし図９によって説明する。この第２実施形態では、ハウジングに対するリテーナの差込方向を変更するとともに端子金具における被係止部を変更したものについて示す。
【００３２】
端子金具２０Ａは、図６及び図７に示すように、基板２１Ａと、その両側縁から下方へ突出する一対の側板２２Ａ，２３Ａとを有しており、両側板２２Ａ，２３Ａの前部から突設された両突板２４Ａ，２５Ａが内側に屈曲されるとともに上下に重ね合わせられることで角筒状の本体部２６Ａが形成されている。本体部２６Ａのうち突板２４Ａの外幅寸法Ａに対して基板２１Ａの外幅寸法Ｂの方が小さくなっているとともに、両側板２２Ａ，２３Ａの中部２２Ａｂ，２３Ａｂが上方へ行くのに従って内側に傾斜するテーパ部として形成されることで、本体部２６Ａは、その外幅寸法が部分的に縮小されており、全体が上下非対称形状に形成されている。弾性接触片３１Ａは、内側の突板２５Ａの前端から突設されるとともに、本体部２６Ａ内の幅広領域Ｔｃと中間領域Ｔｂとにまたがって配されている。また弾性接触片３１Ａの外幅寸法は、幅狭領域Ｔａの内幅寸法よりも大きくなっている。張出部３３Ａは、基板２１Ａのうち弾性接触片３１Ａの接点部３２Ａに対向する部分を内側に叩き出して形成され、幅狭領域Ｔａ内に突出して配されている。雄端子Ｍは、本体部２６Ａ内のうち幅狭領域Ｔａと中間領域Ｔｂとにまたがる範囲に挿入可能とされ、弾性接触片３１Ａの接点部３２Ａと張出部３３Ａとの間に狭圧状態で弾接されるようになっている。また雄端子Ｍの外側面は、幅狭領域Ｔａを構成する両側板２２Ａ，２３Ａの上部２２Ａａ，２３Ａａの内側面に当接可能とされている。ところで、両側板２２Ａ，２３Ａの中部２２Ａｂ，２３Ａｂと下部２２Ａｃ，２３Ａｃ及び両突板２４Ａ，２５Ａの左右両側端部は、基板２１Ａよりも外側に張り出すように形成されており、この部分の後端部によってリテーナ１４Ａの係止部１６Ａが係止可能な左右一対の被係止部３０Ａが構成されている。
【００３３】
ハウジング１０Ａの上面には、図６に示すように、上方からリテーナ１４Ａを差し込むためのリテーナ取付孔１２Ａが開口して形成されている。このリテーナ取付孔１２Ａは、リテーナ１４Ａの基部１５Ａを収容する部分が幅方向に沿って細長く形成されているのに対し、係止部１６Ａを収容する部分が、図８に示すように、幅方向に隣り合うキャビティ１１Ａを仕切る隔壁１３Ａを上下に貫通して形成されており、これにより隣り合うキャビティ１１Ａ同士が連通されている。係止部１６Ａは、隔壁１３Ａの上部の厚み寸法Ｄより若干小さい幅寸法を有するとともにその先端部がキャビティ１１Ａの側面中部のテーパ部分に沿って斜めに形成されている。リテーナ１４Ａを仮係止位置に装着した状態では、係止部１６Ａの下端面（隔壁１３Ａの下部の厚み寸法Ｃより若干小さい幅寸法）がキャビティ１１Ａの下部の上端（中部の下端）にまで達している。
【００３４】
リテーナ１４Ａを仮係止位置に装着した状態で各端子金具２０Ａを各キャビティ１１Ａ内に挿入した後、リテーナ１４Ａを下方へ押し込んで本係止位置へと移動させる。すると、各係止部１６Ａは、図９に示すように、キャビティ１１Ａの側部（挿入過程において端子金具２０Ａの本体部２６Ａのうち両側板２２Ａ，２３Ａの中部２２Ａｂ，２３Ａｂと下部２２Ａｃ，２３Ａｃ及び両突板２４Ａ，２５Ａの左右両側端部が通過される部分）に進入するとともに、本体部２６Ａにおける左右２箇所の被係止部３０Ａに対してそれぞれ係止される。このとき、１つの係止部１６Ａが隣り合う２つのキャビティ１１Ａ内に進入して両キャビティ１１Ａに挿入された２つの端子金具２０Ａを抜け止め保持している。言い換えると、１本の端子金具２０Ａは、左右２箇所の被係止部３０Ａに対して係止される２本の係止部１６Ａによって抜け止めされる。
【００３５】
以上説明したように本実施形態によれば、本体部２６Ａの両側板２２Ａ，２３Ａの中部２２Ａｂ，２３Ａｂをテーパ部分として形成し、被係止部３０Ａとしてそのテーパ部分を含ませるようにしたから、例えば、両側板を直角に屈曲して形成し、その真っ直ぐな部分に係止部を係止させた場合と比較して、係止部１６Ａに対する係止面積を大きく確保することができる。もって端子金具２０Ａを強固に保持することができる。
なお、その他の構造、作用及び効果は上記した第１実施形態と同様であるため重複する説明は省略する。
【００３６】
＜第３実施形態＞
本発明の第３実施形態を図１０によって説明する。この第３実施形態では、ハウジングにおけるキャビティの配列を変更したものを示す。
【００３７】
このハウジング１０Ｂでは、図１０に示すように、幅方向（本体部における両対向辺である基板及び両側板と平行な方向）に並ぶ４つのキャビティ１１Ｂが交互に上下逆転するように配列されている。言い換えると、隣り合うキャビティ１１Ｂにそれぞれ挿入される端子金具の本体部における基板と両突板とを互いに反転させるような向きにキャビティ１１Ｂを配置している（図１参照）。つまり、隣り合うキャビティ１１Ｂにおける幅広部分と幅狭部分とが交互に並ぶ配置となるとともに、隣り合うキャビティ１１Ｂにおける周面のテーパ部分同士が平行になるから、隔壁１３Ｂの厚み寸法Ｃが全域にわたってほぼ一定の大きさとなる。従って、上記した第１実施形態及び第２実施形態において隣り合うキャビティを上下同じ向きとし、幅広部分が下側に、幅狭部分が上側に並ぶ配置とした場合に隔壁の厚み寸法が上下で異なるのと比較して（図３及び図８参照）、各キャビティ１１Ｂ間のピッチを小さくすることができ、もってハウジング１０Ｂを幅方向について小型化することができる。
また、上記キャビティ１１Ｂに挿入される端子金具としては、雄端子が本体部における高さ方向中央位置に挿入される設定とすれば、雄コネクタに配設する各雄端子の高さ位置を全て同じ位置に揃えることができる。
なお、その他の構造、作用及び効果は上記した第１実施形態と同様であるため重複する説明は省略する。
【００３８】
＜他の実施形態＞
本発明は上記記述及び図面によって説明した実施形態に限定されるものではなく、例えば次のような実施形態も本発明の技術的範囲に含まれ、さらに、下記以外にも要旨を逸脱しない範囲内で種々変更して実施することができる。
（１）上記した実施形態では、本体部の外幅寸法を部分的に縮小させるものについて示したが、本体部の外幅寸法を全域にわたって縮小させることにより、本体部を正面から見て台形状や三角形状に形成するようにしてもよい。また、その他の本体部の形状として、例えば五角形などの多角形状に形成するようにしてもよい。また、本体部の形状として左右非対称形状のものも本発明に含まれる。
【００３９】
（２）上記した実施形態では、端子金具の抜け止め手段としてリテーナをハウジングに装着するものについて示したが、例えば、キャビティの内側面から樹脂ランスを突設し、キャビティ内に端子金具を挿入すると、端子金具によって押圧されることで樹脂ランスが一旦撓み変形し、端子金具が正規深さに達すると樹脂ランスが弾性復帰するとともに端子金具の被係止部に対して係止されるものについても本発明を適用することができる。
（３）上記した実施形態では、雌側の端子金具について示したが、筒状の本体部からタブが突設される構成の雄側の端子金具についても本発明を同様に適用することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１実施形態に係るハウジングと端子金具の斜視図
【図２】端子金具の正面図
【図３】リテーナを仮係止位置に装着したハウジングの部分横断面図
【図４】リテーナを本係止位置に装着したハウジングの部分横断面図
【図５】不正な挿入姿勢とされた端子金具とキャビティとの関係を示す拡大背面図
【図６】本発明の第２実施形態に係るハウジングと端子金具の斜視図
【図７】端子金具の正面図
【図８】リテーナを仮係止位置に装着したハウジングの部分横断面図
【図９】リテーナを本係止位置に装着したハウジングの部分横断面図
【図１０】本発明の第３実施形態に係るハウジングの背面図
【符号の説明】
１０，１０Ａ，１０Ｂ…ハウジング
１１，１１Ａ，１１Ｂ…キャビティ
１２，１２Ａ…リテーナ取付孔
１４，１４Ａ…リテーナ（抜け止め手段）
１６，１６Ａ…係止部
２０，２０Ａ…端子金具
２１，２１Ａ…基板（対向辺）
２２，２２Ａ，２３，２３Ａ…側板（側部）
２２ａ，２２Ａａ，２３ａ，２３Ａａ…側板の上部（側部のうち幅狭領域を構成する部分）
２２Ａｂ，２３Ａｂ…側板の中部（テーパ部分）
２４，２４Ａ，２５，２５Ａ…突板（対向辺）
２６，２６Ａ…本体部
３０，３０Ａ…被係止部
３１，３１Ａ…弾性接触片
Ｍ…雄端子（相手の端子）
Ｔａ…幅狭領域
Ｔｃ…幅広領域[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a terminal fitting and a connector.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there has been known one having a function of detecting that the insertion posture is incorrect when the terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity of the housing, and an example thereof is described in JP-A-7-94230. ing. This is provided with a rectangular tube-shaped main body portion that can be conductively connected to the other terminal, and a barrel portion that is connected to the end of the electric wire, and a plate-like shape that protrudes downward from the lower side edge of the main body portion. It has a stabilizer. On the other hand, an insertion groove for allowing the stabilizer to be inserted when the terminal fitting is in a normal insertion posture is formed in the lower side edge of the cavity of the housing. Therefore, according to the above configuration, when the insertion posture of the terminal fitting is an incorrect posture inverted up and down, for example, the stabilizer is abutted against the upper edge of the cavity, so that the insertion operation of the terminal fitting is restricted, and thus the terminal fitting. Is detected to be an illegal insertion posture.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the terminal fitting has a configuration in which the stabilizer protrudes outward from the main body, and the housing also has an insertion groove provided in the side edge of the cavity. For this reason, the terminal fitting is enlarged by the amount of protrusion of the stabilizer, and the housing has a larger pitch between the upper and lower cavities by the amount of the recessed insertion groove, so that the size of the terminal fitting and connector can be reduced. It was a problem.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to reduce the size of the terminal fitting and the connector.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
 As a means for achieving the above object, a terminal fitting according to the invention of claim 1 is a terminal fitting inserted into a cavity of a connector housing, comprising a substantially cylindrical main body, The main body is formed in an asymmetrical shape with a reduced outer width dimension, and when the insertion posture with respect to the cavity formed in a shape along the outer shape of the main body is incorrect, the main body hits the periphery of the cavity. And its insertion movement is regulatedThe body portion is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape, and the outer width dimensions of the opposite sides thereof are set to be different from each other, and the side portion connecting the opposite sides is the outer width dimension of the opposite sides. Is formed so as to continuously reduce the width dimension between both sides from the large side to the small side, or to include a uniform width part in the part, and to the mating terminal inserted into the main body part An elastic contact piece that can be elastically contacted, and the elastic contact piece is formed by folding back from a side having a large outer width dimension among the two opposing sides, and a side portion that connects the two opposing sides is in the middle By being bent, the space in the main body is divided into a narrow region and a wide region, and the elastic contact piece is disposed in the wide region, while the space is in the narrow region. The mating terminal can be inserted and the opposite sides are connected. The inner surface of the portion constituting the narrow region of the side portion can be brought into contact with the outer edge of the mating terminal, and the outer width dimension of the opposite sides is large in the middle of the side portion. A tapered portion that continuously decreases the width dimension between the two side portions from the side to the small side is formed, and an intermediate region constituted by the tapered portion is disposed between the wide region and the narrow region. The elastic contact piece is arranged across the wide region and the intermediate region, whereas the counterpart terminal is inserted in a range spanning the narrow region and the intermediate region. HaveIt is characterized by its configuration.
[0005]
 The invention of claim 2A terminal fitting to be inserted into the cavity of the connector housing, comprising a substantially cylindrical main body portion, wherein the main body portion is formed in an asymmetric shape with a reduced outer width dimension. When the insertion posture with respect to the cavity formed in a shape that conforms to the outer shape of the part is incorrect, the main body part comes into contact with the peripheral edge of the cavity and the insertion operation is restricted, and the cavity of the connector housing In the inserted state, the retaining means provided in the main body part is retained by the retaining means to prevent the cavity from coming off. The connecting side portion is formed in a tapered shape, and the tapered portion forms the locked portion.However, it has characteristics.
[0006]
 The invention of claim 3 is the one described in claim 2,The main body portion is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape, and the outer width dimensions of the opposite sides thereof are set to be different from each other, and the side portion connecting the opposite sides has a larger outer width dimension among the opposite sides. It is formed so that the width dimension between both sides is continuously reduced from the side to the small side, or a part of the width is included.However, it has characteristics.
 The invention of claim 4 is the one described in claim 3,An elastic contact piece capable of elastic contact with a mating terminal inserted into the main body is provided, and the elastic contact piece is formed by folding back from the side having a larger outer width dimension between the two opposing sides. Has beenHowever, it has characteristics.
[0007]
 The invention of claim 5, ContractClaim4In what is described,The side part connecting the opposite sides is bent in the middle, so that the space in the main body part is divided into a narrow area and a wide area, and the elastic contact piece is arranged in the wide area. On the other hand, in the narrow region, the mating terminal can be inserted, and the inner surface of the portion constituting the narrow region of the side part connecting the opposite sides contacts the outer edge of the mating terminal. It is possible to contactHowever, it has characteristics.
[0008]
A connector according to a sixth aspect of the invention is a connector comprising the terminal fitting according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the connector housing has a lateral opening across the cavity. A retainer mounting hole into which a retainer having a latching portion can be inserted is provided, and the retainer is disposed relative to the connector housing so that the latching portion is retracted from the cavity. It is mounted so as to be movable between a locking position and a locking position where the locking part enters the cavity and is locked by a locked part provided in the body part of the terminal fitting. In the locking position, the locking part is arranged at a position between the opposing sides of the terminal fitting main body of the retainer mounting hole and within the maximum outer width dimension of the main body. Has characteristics
[0009]
 The connector according to the invention of claim 7 is the above-described claim.1A connector comprising the terminal fitting according to any one of claims 5 to 5, wherein the connector housing is provided with a plurality of cavities arranged side by side in a direction substantially parallel to both opposing sides of the body portion of the terminal fitting. The adjacent cavities are characterized in that they are formed so that they can be accommodated in a direction in which both opposing sides of the main body of the terminal fitting are reversed.
[0010]
[Action and effect of the invention]
 <Invention of Claim 1>
 When the insertion posture of the terminal fitting with respect to the cavity is normal, the body portion is aligned with the cavity, so that the insertion operation is allowed. On the other hand, if the insertion posture is incorrect, the main body becomes inconsistent with the cavity, and the insertion operation is restricted when the main body abuts against the periphery of the cavity. Is detected.
 When forming the main body part in an asymmetrical shape to restrict unauthorized insertion of terminal fittings, the outer width dimension of the main body part was reduced, so that the stabilizer protruded outward from the main body part as before. Compared to the case, the terminal fitting can be reduced in size.
Since the main body is formed in a shape that is not constricted, the shape of the terminal fitting can be simplified.
Since the elastic contact piece is formed by folding back from the side having the larger outer width dimension among the opposing sides, the width dimension of the elastic contact piece is made larger than that provided from the smaller side of the opposing sides. Thus, sufficient contact pressure with the other terminal can be obtained.
Even if the other terminal has a smaller width than the wide area, the width of the side connecting the opposite sides can be reduced by setting the width of the narrow area according to the width of the terminal. The terminal inserted into the narrow region can be rattled and regulated by the portion constituting the narrow region, so that the contact state between the terminal and the elastic contact piece can be stabilized.
[0011]
 <Invention of Claim 2>
When the insertion posture of the terminal fitting with respect to the cavity is normal, the body portion is aligned with the cavity, so that the insertion operation is allowed. On the other hand, if the insertion posture is incorrect, the main body becomes inconsistent with the cavity, and the insertion operation is restricted when the main body abuts against the periphery of the cavity. Is detected.
When forming the main body part in an asymmetrical shape to restrict unauthorized insertion of terminal fittings, the outer width dimension of the main body part was reduced, so that the stabilizer protruded outward from the main body part as before. Compared to the case, the terminal fitting can be reduced in size.
Since the taper portion on the side portion connecting the opposite sides of the main body portion is a locked portion to which the retaining means is locked, for example, the side portion connecting both opposite sides is bent at a right angle, Compared with the case where the retaining means is locked to the straight portion, a large locking area for the retaining means can be secured.
 <Invention of Claim 3>
Since the main body is formed in a shape that is not constricted, the shape of the terminal fitting can be simplified.
[0012]
 <Invention of Claim 4>
Since the elastic contact piece is formed by folding back from the side having the larger outer width dimension among the opposing sides, the width dimension of the elastic contact piece is made larger than that provided from the smaller side of the opposing sides. Thus, sufficient contact pressure with the other terminal can be obtained.
[0013]
 <Invention of Claim 5>
Even if the other terminal has a smaller width than the wide area, the width of the side connecting the opposite sides can be reduced by setting the width of the narrow area according to the width of the terminal. The terminal inserted into the narrow region can be rattled and regulated by the portion constituting the narrow region, so that the contact state between the terminal and the elastic contact piece can be stabilized.
[0014]
<Invention of Claim 6>
The maximum outer width dimension of the main body between the opposing sides of the main body of the terminal fitting inserted into the cavity as a standby position for the locking portion when the retainer is mounted in the temporary locking position in the retainer mounting hole Since the inner position is set, the space formed in the retainer mounting hole can be effectively used by forming the cavity along the outer shape of the main body portion whose outer width is reduced. Thereby, size reduction of a connector can be achieved.
[0015]
<Invention of Claim 7>
Since the cavities are arranged in such a direction that the opposite sides of the main body of the terminal fitting respectively inserted into adjacent cavities are inverted from each other, the pitch between the cavities can be reduced and the connector can be downsized. .
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, a connector housing 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as housing 10) having a cavity 11 and a retainer mounting hole 12, a female terminal fitting 20 inserted into the cavity 11, and a retainer mounting hole 12. A female connector provided with a retainer 14 that is inserted and can retain the terminal fitting 20 will be described. In the following description, the insertion direction of the terminal fitting 20 with respect to the cavity 11 is assumed to be the front.
[0017]
The housing 10 is made of a synthetic resin, and is formed in a flat block shape as shown in FIG. A cavity 11 into which the terminal fitting 20 can be inserted from the rear is formed on the rear surface of the housing 10 so as to be open and arranged in four chambers in the width direction. The cavity 11 is formed in a shape along the outer shape of the main body portion 26 of the terminal fitting 20 as will be described in detail later. The cavity 11 is also open forward, so that a male terminal M accommodated in a male connector (not shown) can enter the cavity 11 from outside the front. A retainer mounting hole 12 in which a retainer 14 can be mounted from the left side is provided on the left side of the housing 10 in the figure. As shown in FIG. 3, the retainer mounting hole 12 is formed along the width direction so as to cross the upper part of all the cavities 11. The retainer 14 protrudes at a position corresponding to each cavity 11 from four elongated locking portions 16 that can be locked to the respective terminal fittings 20 from the elongated base portion 15 extending along the width direction. It is formed in a comb-teeth shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the retainer 14 has a temporary locking position that allows insertion and removal of the terminal fitting 20 with respect to the cavity 11 by arranging the locking portions 16 so as to be retracted to the sides of the cavities 11. Predetermined holding means (not shown) in a state of being movable along the width direction between the locking portions 16 and the main locking positions locked by the terminal fittings 20 by entering the cavities 11. Is held in the retainer mounting hole 12. The shape of the locking portion 16 will be described in detail later.
[0018]
The terminal fitting 20 is formed into a shape as shown in FIG. 1 by bending a metal plate punched into a predetermined shape. The terminal fitting 20 includes a substrate 21 extending along the front-rear direction and a pair of side plates 22 and 23 raised from both side edges of the substrate 21 over its entire length. Part (length of about 2/5 of the total length) is formed so as to protrude upward in a stepped manner with respect to the other parts, and projecting plates 24 and 25 project from the projecting ends respectively. A main body portion 26 having a substantially rectangular tube shape is formed by being bent inward so as to overlap vertically. On the other hand, a pair of front and rear caulking pieces 27 and 28 are raised from a rear portion of the side plates 22 and 23 that are spaced apart from the main body portion 26 to form a barrel portion 29. The front caulking pieces 27 of the barrel portion 29 are electrically connected to the core wire by being caulked to the core wire exposed by cutting off the coating of the electric wires W placed on the substrate 21, and the rear side These two caulking pieces 28 are fixed to the sheath by being caulked against the end of the sheath of the electric wire W. The substrate 21 is formed so that the width dimension is slightly reduced from the main body portion 26 to the barrel portion 29.
[0019]
The main body 26 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the projecting plate 24 (the main body viewed from the front) with respect to the outer width dimension A of the substrate 21 (the lower side of the opposing sides facing the top and bottom of the main body 26 as viewed from the front) of the main body 26. The outer width dimension B of the upper and lower opposing sides of the portion 26 is reduced, and the side plates 22 and 23 are bent so as to incline as they go upward. The main body portion 26 has an outer width dimension partially reduced, and is formed in an asymmetric shape in the vertical direction as a whole. More specifically, the side plates 22 and 23 are formed such that the upper portions 22a and 23a and the lower portions 22c and 23c are formed in parallel along the vertical direction, respectively, so that the width dimension between the upper portions 22a and 23a and the lower portions 22c, While the width dimension between 23c (which is larger than the width dimension between both upper parts 22a and 23a) is made equal, the middle parts 22b and 23b are formed as tapered parts inclined inward, so that both middle parts The width dimension between 22b and 23b is continuously decreased as it goes upward (from the substrate 21 side to the both projecting plates 24 and 25 side). Thereby, the main-body part 26 is formed in the shape without a constriction. Due to the shape of the side plates 22 and 23 as described above, the space in the main body portion 26 is divided into upper and lower three regions with two bent portions of the side plates 22 and 23 as boundaries. That is, the equal width wide region Tc is configured by the lower portions 22c and 23c of the side plates 22 and 23, and the intermediate region Tb in which the inner width dimension gradually decreases as it goes upward is formed by the middle portions 22b and 23b. A narrow area Ta having an inner width dimension smaller than that of the wide area Tc and having an equal width is formed by 23a.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 3, the cavity 11 formed along the outer shape of the main body portion 26 having such a shape is asymmetric in the vertical direction. Specifically, the lower surface of the inner peripheral surface is wide. The upper surface is formed narrower and the upper and lower portions of both side surfaces are formed in parallel along the vertical direction, while the middle portion gradually increases inward as it goes upward. It is tilted so as to overhang. Therefore, the partition wall 13 that divides the cavities 11 that are adjacent to each other in the width direction has an increased thickness at the portion where the inner surface of the cavity 11 protrudes inward, and the upper thickness dimension D is higher than the lower thickness dimension C. It is getting bigger. A retaining portion 16 of the retainer 14 attached to the temporary locking position is arranged in a portion of the retainer mounting hole 12 where the upper portion of the partition wall 13 is cut out. The locking portion 16 has a width dimension that is substantially the same as the thickness dimension D of the upper portion of the partition wall 13, and a height dimension that is substantially the same as the height dimension of the upper portions 22 a and 23 a of the side plates 22 and 23 of the main body portion 26. It is said. That is, when the retainer 14 is in the temporary locking position, the locking portion 16 is located between the substrate 21 of the main body portion 26 inserted into the cavity 11 and both the protruding plates 24 and 25 (both It is disposed at a height position between the opposing sides) and is disposed within the outer width dimension (maximum outer width dimension of the main body portion) of the substrate portion 21 of the main body portion 26.
[0021]
When the retainer 14 is moved to the final locking position, the locking portion 16 is located at the rear end portion in the substantially entire area of both the projecting plates 24 and 25 of the main body portion 26 and the inner edge portions of the upper portions 22a and 23a of the side plates 22 and 23. This portion is locked, and this portion is a locked portion 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). As shown in FIG. 2, an elastic contact piece 31 is provided from the front end of the substrate 21 of the main body 26 so as to be folded back and formed in a substantially mountain shape. The elastic contact piece 31 is arranged across the wide region Tc and the intermediate region Tb, and is also capable of elastic contact with the male terminal M inserted into the main body portion 26 from the front outside. The outer width dimension of the elastic contact piece 31 is set slightly larger than the inner width dimension of the narrow area Ta, although it is slightly smaller than the inner width dimension of the wide area Tc. A contact portion 32 with respect to the male terminal M is formed at the apex portion of the substantially mountain-shaped elastic contact piece 31 so as to protrude upward by knocking out. From the protruding plate 25 on the inner side facing the elastic contact piece 31, an overhanging portion 33 for increasing the contact pressure with respect to the male terminal M is formed so as to protrude into the lower narrow region Ta. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a holding piece 34 protrudes from the outer protruding plate 24, and this holding piece 34 is fitted into a holding groove 35 formed by cutting out the side plate 23 on the near side in FIG. Thus, the main body 26 can be held in a predetermined shape.
[0022]
The male terminal M is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is inserted in a range extending between the intermediate region Tb and the narrow region Ta in the main body 26, and the outer width dimension thereof is a narrow region. It is almost the same as or slightly smaller than the inner width dimension of Ta. Therefore, when the male terminal M is inserted into the main body portion 26, both outer side surfaces thereof come into contact with the inner side surfaces of the upper portions 22a and 23a of the both side plates constituting the narrow region Ta, and thus the width direction is fluctuated. It is designed to be held without difficulty. The male terminal M is inserted into the main body 26 while the elastic contact piece 31 is bent downward by making the height dimension slightly larger than the distance between the protruding portion 33 and the contact portion 32. It has become.
[0023]
The present embodiment has the above-described structure, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal fittings 20 are inserted into the cavities 11 from the rear in a state where the retainer 14 is attached to the housing 10 at the temporary locking position. At this time, when the insertion posture of the terminal fitting 20 with respect to the cavity 11 is normal, that is, when the substrate 21 of the main body portion 26 faces the lower surface of the cavity 11 and the protruding plate 24 faces the upper surface of the cavity 11. The body portion 26 is aligned with the cavity 11 and its insertion operation is allowed. In the insertion process, the insertion operation is guided by the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 26 being in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cavity 11.
[0024]
By the way, when the terminal fitting 20 is inserted, if the insertion posture of the terminal fitting 20 is an incorrect one inverted up and down from the normal posture, as shown in FIG. 26 becomes inconsistent. For this reason, both the end portions of the substrate 21 and the lower portions 22c and 23c (disposed upward in FIG. 5) of the main body portion 26 abut on the upper peripheral edge of the cavity 11, thereby restricting the insertion operation. Is done. As a result, since it is detected that the insertion posture of the terminal fitting 20 is incorrect, the terminal fitting 20 is again set to the normal insertion posture, and the insertion operation into the cavity 11 is performed again.
[0025]
When all the terminal fittings 20 have been inserted into the cavities 11, the retainer 14 is moved from the temporary locking position to the final locking position. When the retainer 14 reaches the final locking position, as shown in FIG. 4, each locking portion 16 enters the cavity 11 and is locked to the locked portion 30 of the terminal fitting 20. The terminal fitting 20 is held from the cavity 11 so as not to come off. When the retainer 14 is moved to the final locking position, if there is a terminal fitting 20 with an insufficient insertion depth with respect to the cavity 11, the locking portion 16 abuts against the side plate 22 of the terminal fitting 20. Thus, since the movement of the retainer 14 is restricted, half insertion of the terminal fitting 20 is detected. In that case, after inserting the terminal metal fitting 20 to the normal depth again, the retainer 14 is moved again to the full locking position.
[0026]
When the mating male connector is fitted to the female connector assembled in this way, the male terminal M enters the cavity 11 from the front, and the narrow region Ta and the intermediate region Tb in the main body 26 are formed. Enter the span. In this process, as shown in FIG. 2, the male terminal M is brought into contact with the inner surfaces of the upper portions 22a and 23a of the side plates 22 and 23 constituting the narrow region Ta, and the elastic contact piece 31 is bent downward. However, the protruding portion 33 and the contact portion 32 are elastically contacted in a narrow pressure state. In this state, both the outer surfaces of the male terminal M are brought into contact with the inner surfaces of the upper portions 22a and 23a of the side plates 22 and 23, so that the male terminal M is elastically contacted with the elastic contact piece 31 in the width direction. Shaking is restricted. Therefore, the contact state of both terminals can be stabilized without causing problems such as fine sliding wear.
[0027]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the main body portion 26 is formed in a vertically asymmetrical shape, the outer width dimension of the main body portion 26 is partially reduced, and the cavity 11 of the main body portion 26 is further reduced. Compared to the case where the stabilizer is protruded outward from the main body and the insertion groove into which the stabilizer is inserted is recessed on the inner surface of the cavity as in the conventional case because it is formed in a shape that conforms to the outer shape. 20 and a female connector can be reduced in size. Moreover, the conventional stabilizer is formed by cutting and raising the main body portion, but in the present embodiment, this is not the case, and the strength of the terminal fitting 20 can be kept high.
[0028]
Further, the main body portion 26 has a projecting plate 24 whose outer width dimension is smaller than that of the substrate 21, and both side plates 22, 23 continuously reduce the width dimension toward the upper side, and 22b, 23b, By having the upper portions 22a and 23a and the lower portions 22c and 23c which are equal width portions, the whole is formed in a shape without constriction, so that the shapes of the terminal fitting 20 and the cavity 11 are simplified. Can do.
In addition, since the elastic contact piece 31 is formed by folding back from the front end of the substrate 21 having a larger outer width than both the projecting plates 24 and 25, the outer width of the elastic contact piece 31 can be ensured to be large. A sufficient contact pressure with respect to the male terminal M can be obtained.
[0029]
Further, while the outer width dimension of the male terminal M is smaller than the width dimension of the wide area Tc of the main body 26, the width dimension of the narrow area Ta is set in accordance with the outer width dimension of the male terminal M. Thus, the inner side surfaces of the upper portions 22a, 23a of the side plates 22, 23 constituting the narrow region Ta are brought into contact with both outer side surfaces of the male terminal M inserted into the main body portion 26, and the width direction thereof is changed. The rattling can be restricted, and the contact state between the male terminal M and the elastic contact piece 31 can be stabilized.
[0030]
Further, as the standby position of the locking portion 16 when the retainer 14 is mounted on the housing 10 at the temporary locking position, the substrate 21 and the two projecting plates 24 in the main body portion 26 of the terminal fitting 20 inserted into the cavity 11 are provided. Since the cavity 11 is formed along the outer shape of the main body 26, the space vacated in the retainer mounting hole 12 is made effective. Can be used. Thereby, size reduction of a connector can be achieved.
[0031]
Second Embodiment
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this 2nd Embodiment, it shows about what changed the to-be-latched part in a terminal metal fitting while changing the insertion direction of the retainer with respect to a housing.
[0032]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the terminal fitting 20A has a substrate 21A and a pair of side plates 22A and 23A protruding downward from both side edges thereof, and protrudes from the front portions of the side plates 22A and 23A. The projecting plates 24A and 25A provided are bent inward and overlapped vertically to form a rectangular tubular body 26A. Of the main body 26A, the outer width B of the substrate 21A is smaller than the outer width A of the protruding plate 24A, and the inner portions 22Ab and 23Ab of the side plates 22A and 23A are inclined inward as they go upward. By being formed as a tapered portion, the outer width dimension of the main body portion 26A is partially reduced, and the whole is formed in a vertically asymmetric shape. The elastic contact piece 31A protrudes from the front end of the inner protruding plate 25A, and is disposed across the wide region Tc and the intermediate region Tb in the main body portion 26A. The outer width dimension of the elastic contact piece 31A is larger than the inner width dimension of the narrow region Ta. The overhang portion 33A is formed by knocking out a portion of the substrate 21A that faces the contact portion 32A of the elastic contact piece 31A inward, and is disposed so as to protrude into the narrow region Ta. The male terminal M can be inserted into the main body portion 26A in a range extending between the narrow region Ta and the intermediate region Tb, and in a narrow pressure state between the contact portion 32A and the overhang portion 33A of the elastic contact piece 31A. It comes to be in contact with the ball. The outer surface of the male terminal M can be brought into contact with the inner surfaces of the upper portions 22Aa and 23Aa of the side plates 22A and 23A constituting the narrow region Ta. By the way, the middle portions 22Ab and 23Ab of the both side plates 22A and 23A, the lower portions 22Ac and 23Ac, and the left and right side end portions of both projecting plates 24A and 25A are formed so as to protrude outward from the substrate 21A. A pair of left and right locked portions 30A that can lock the locking portion 16A of the retainer 14A is configured by the portion.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 6, a retainer mounting hole 12A for inserting the retainer 14A from above is formed on the upper surface of the housing 10A. The retainer mounting hole 12A is formed so that the portion that accommodates the base portion 15A of the retainer 14A is elongated along the width direction, whereas the portion that accommodates the locking portion 16A has a width direction as shown in FIG. The partition walls 13A partitioning the adjacent cavities 11A are vertically formed so that the adjacent cavities 11A communicate with each other. The locking portion 16A has a width that is slightly smaller than the thickness D of the upper portion of the partition wall 13A, and its tip is formed obliquely along the tapered portion in the middle of the side surface of the cavity 11A. In a state where the retainer 14A is mounted at the temporary locking position, the lower end surface of the locking portion 16A (a width dimension slightly smaller than the thickness dimension C of the lower part of the partition wall 13A) reaches the upper end (lower end of the middle part) of the lower part of the cavity 11A. ing.
[0034]
After each retainer 14A is mounted in the temporary locking position, each terminal fitting 20A is inserted into each cavity 11A, and then the retainer 14A is pushed downward to move to the final locking position. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, each locking portion 16 A includes a side portion of the cavity 11 A (the middle portions 22 Ab and 23 Ab of the side plates 22 A and 23 A of the main body portion 26 A of the terminal fitting 20 A in the insertion process) The left and right side ends of the two projecting plates 24A and 25A are passed through) and are respectively locked to the left and right locked portions 30A of the main body portion 26A. At this time, one locking portion 16A enters two adjacent cavities 11A and holds the two terminal fittings 20A inserted into both cavities 11A. In other words, one terminal fitting 20A is prevented from coming off by the two locking portions 16A locked to the left and right locked portions 30A.
[0035]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the middle portions 22Ab and 23Ab of the side plates 22A and 23A of the main body portion 26A are formed as tapered portions, and the tapered portions are included as the locked portions 30A. For example, it is possible to secure a large locking area with respect to the locking portion 16A as compared with a case where both side plates are bent at a right angle and the locking portion is locked to the straight portion. Accordingly, the terminal fitting 20A can be firmly held.
Other structures, operations, and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and therefore redundant description is omitted.
[0036]
<Third Embodiment>
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, the arrangement of the cavities in the housing is changed.
[0037]
In this housing 10B, as shown in FIG. 10, four cavities 11B arranged in the width direction (a direction parallel to both the substrate and both side plates in the main body) are alternately arranged upside down. . In other words, the cavities 11B are arranged in such a direction as to invert the substrate and the two protruding plates in the main body portion of the terminal fitting respectively inserted into the adjacent cavities 11B (see FIG. 1). That is, since the wide portions and the narrow portions in the adjacent cavities 11B are alternately arranged, and the tapered portions of the peripheral surfaces of the adjacent cavities 11B are parallel to each other, the thickness dimension C of the partition wall 13B is almost equal over the entire area. It becomes a certain size. Therefore, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, when the adjacent cavities are in the same vertical direction and the wide portion is arranged on the lower side and the narrow portion is arranged on the upper side, the thickness dimension of the partition wall is different between the upper and lower sides. (See FIGS. 3 and 8), the pitch between the cavities 11B can be reduced, and the housing 10B can be downsized in the width direction.
Further, as the terminal fitting inserted into the cavity 11B, if the male terminal is set to be inserted at the center in the height direction of the main body, the height positions of the male terminals arranged in the male connector are all the same. Can be aligned.
Other structures, operations, and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and therefore redundant description is omitted.
[0038]
 <Other embodiments>
 The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
 (1) In the above-described embodiment, the outer width dimension of the main body portion is partially reduced. However, the main body portion is trapezoidal when viewed from the front by reducing the outer width dimension of the main body portion over the entire area. Alternatively, it may be formed in a triangular shape. Further, as the shape of the other main body portion, for example, it may be formed in a polygonal shape such as a pentagon.. MaIn addition, the shape of the main body part is also included in the present invention in the form of a left-right asymmetric shape..
[0039]
(2) In the above-described embodiment, the retainer is mounted on the housing as the terminal metal retaining means. For example, when a resin lance is protruded from the inner surface of the cavity and the terminal metal is inserted into the cavity, The resin lance is once bent and deformed by being pressed by the terminal fitting, and when the terminal fitting reaches the normal depth, the resin lance is elastically restored and locked to the locked portion of the terminal fitting. The present invention can be applied.
(3) In the above-described embodiment, the female terminal metal fitting is shown. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a male terminal metal fitting in which a tab protrudes from the cylindrical main body. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a housing and terminal fittings according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[Figure 2] Front view of terminal fitting
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a housing in which a retainer is mounted at a temporary locking position.
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a housing in which a retainer is mounted at a full locking position.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged rear view showing the relationship between the terminal fitting in an incorrect insertion posture and the cavity.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a housing and a terminal fitting according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 Front view of terminal fitting
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a housing in which a retainer is mounted at a temporary locking position.
FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the housing in which the retainer is mounted at the full locking position.
FIG. 10 is a rear view of a housing according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 10A, 10B ... housing
11, 11A, 11B ... cavity
12, 12A ... Retainer mounting hole
14, 14A ... Retainer (Retaining means)
16, 16A ... Locking part
20, 20A ... Terminal fitting
21, 21 A ... substrate (opposite side)
22, 22A, 23, 23A ... side plate (side part)
22a, 22Aa, 23a, 23Aa... Upper part of side plate (part constituting narrow region in side part)
22Ab, 23Ab ... Middle part of side plate (tapered part)
24, 24A, 25, 25A ... Veneer (opposite side)
26, 26A ... main body
30, 30A ... locked part
31, 31A ... elastic contact piece
M ... Male terminal (mating terminal)
Ta ... Narrow area
Tc: Wide area

Claims

A terminal fitting inserted into the cavity of the connector housing, comprising a substantially cylindrical main body,
The main body is formed in an asymmetric shape with a reduced outer width dimension, and when the insertion posture with respect to the cavity formed in a shape along the outer shape of the main body is incorrect, the main body is positioned at the periphery of the cavity. When it hits, its insertion movement is regulated ,
The main body portion is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape, and the outer width dimensions of the opposite sides thereof are set to be different from each other, and the side portion connecting the opposite sides has a larger outer width dimension among the opposite sides. It is formed so as to continuously reduce the width dimension between both sides from the side side to the small side side, or to include a uniform width part in a part thereof,
The elastic contact piece includes an elastic contact piece that can be elastically contacted with a mating terminal inserted into the main body portion, and the elastic contact piece is formed by folding back from a side having a large outer width dimension among the opposite sides,
The side part connecting the opposite sides is bent in the middle, so that the space in the main body part is divided into a narrow area and a wide area, and the elastic contact piece is arranged in the wide area. On the other hand, in the narrow region, the mating terminal can be inserted, and the inner surface of the portion constituting the narrow region of the side part connecting the opposite sides contacts the outer edge of the mating terminal. It is possible to contact,
Furthermore, in the middle of the side portion, a taper portion is formed that continuously reduces the width dimension between the two side portions from the side having a larger outer width dimension to the side having the smaller outer width dimension, An intermediate region constituted by the tapered portion is disposed between the wide region and the narrow region, and the elastic contact piece is arranged across the wide region and the intermediate region, whereas A terminal fitting, wherein a terminal is inserted in a range extending between the narrow region and the intermediate region .

A terminal fitting inserted into the cavity of the connector housing, comprising a substantially cylindrical main body,
  The main body portion is formed in an asymmetric shape with a reduced outer width dimension. When it hits, its insertion movement is regulated,
  In the state of being inserted into the cavity of the connector housing, the retaining means is locked to the locked portion provided in the main body, so that the retaining from the cavity is prevented,
  The side fitting which connects both opposing sides among the said main-body parts is formed in a taper shape, The taper part comprises the said to-be-latched part, The terminal metal fitting characterized by the above-mentioned.

The main body portion is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape, and the outer width dimensions of the opposite sides thereof are set to be different from each other, and the side portion connecting the opposite sides has a larger outer width dimension among the opposite sides. 3. The terminal fitting according to claim 2, wherein a width dimension between both side portions is continuously reduced from a side to a small side or is formed so as to include an equal width portion in a part thereof .

In what is provided with an elastic contact piece capable of elastic contact with a counterpart terminal inserted into the main body,
The terminal fitting according to claim 3, wherein the elastic contact piece is formed by being folded back from a side having a larger outer width dimension among the opposite sides .

The side part connecting the opposite sides is bent in the middle, so that the space in the main body part is divided into a narrow area and a wide area, and the elastic contact piece is arranged in the wide area. On the other hand, in the narrow region, the mating terminal can be inserted, and the inner surface of the portion constituting the narrow region of the side part connecting the opposite sides contacts the outer edge of the mating terminal. it characterized in that it is possible contact 請 Motomeko 4 Symbol mounting of the terminal fitting.

A connector comprising the terminal fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The connector housing is provided with a retainer mounting hole into which a retainer having a locking portion can be inserted by being opened to the side across the cavity, and the retainer with respect to the connector housing A temporary locking position where the locking portion is retracted from the cavity and a main locking mechanism where the locking portion enters the cavity and is locked to the locked portion provided in the main body of the terminal fitting. It is mounted so as to be movable between the stop position, and in the temporary lock position, the lock portion is a position between the opposing sides of the retainer mounting hole in the main body portion of the terminal fitting and the maximum of the main body portion. A connector characterized by being arranged within an outer width dimension.

A connector comprising a terminal fitting according to any of claims 1 to 5 above,
The connector housing is provided with a plurality of cavities arranged side by side in a direction substantially parallel to both opposing sides of the terminal fitting body, and adjacent cavities are oriented to invert both opposing sides of the terminal fitting body. It is formed so that it can be accommodated in the connector.