JP7690438B2 - Coupler device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a coupler device.

Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, a coupler device is known in which, when connecting two electric wires, a male terminal attached to one electric wire is connected to a male coupler, and a female terminal attached to the other electric wire is connected to a female coupler, and the male coupler and female coupler are connected to connect the electric wires.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-162892

There is room for improvement in this type of coupler device in terms of the number of parts. In other words, when it is not necessary to attach and detach the female coupler and male coupler, it is desirable to develop a coupler device that can connect electric wires with a simple structure and that can connect electric wires with a reduced number of parts.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a coupler device that can connect electric wires while reducing the number of parts.

That is, the coupler device according to the present invention is configured to include a first terminal having a first lance attached to the end of a first electric wire and protruding from the side, a second terminal having a second lance attached to the end of a second electric wire and protruding from the side, which connects to the first terminal, an insertion space extending along the extension direction, a first opening that opens on one side of the insertion space and allows the first terminal to be inserted, a first latching portion that is provided within the insertion space and latches the first lance, a second opening that opens on the other side of the insertion space and allows the second terminal to be inserted, and a main body that forms a second latching portion that is provided within the insertion space and latches the second lance.

The coupler device of the present invention allows for the connection of electrical wires while reducing the number of parts.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a coupler device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the coupler device taken along line II-II in FIG. 1 when connected. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of electric wire connections in the coupler device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of electric wire connections in the coupler device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of electric wire connections in the coupler device according to the embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiment include those that are easily replaceable by a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[Embodiment]
This embodiment relates to a coupler device. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the coupler device according to the embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the coupler device when connected along II-II in Fig. 1. Figs. 3 to 5 are cross-sectional views along II-II in Fig. 1, and are explanatory diagrams of terminal connections in the coupler device according to the embodiment.

In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction is referred to as the "connection direction X," the second direction is referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction is referred to as the "height direction Z." Here, the connection direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z are perpendicular to one another. The connection direction X corresponds to the connection direction of the terminals, or the extension direction of the terminals and main body. The width direction Y and height direction Z correspond to intersecting directions that intersect with the connection direction X. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, each direction used in the following description represents the direction when each part is assembled with each other. Note that orthogonal here includes nearly orthogonal.

As shown in FIG. 1, the coupler device 1 includes a first terminal 2, a second terminal 3, and a main body 4. The coupler device 1 is a device that connects the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 within the main body 4, and by connecting the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3, it is possible to connect a first electric wire W1 to which the first terminal 2 is attached and a second electric wire W2 to which the second terminal 3 is attached. The coupler device 1 is mounted, for example, on a vehicle. The first electric wire W1 and the second electric wire W2 constitute, for example, electric wires, cables, etc. of a control system or power system in the vehicle.

The first terminal 2 is a terminal attached to the end of the first electric wire W1, for example, a crimp terminal that is crimped and attached to the end of the first electric wire W1. The first terminal 2 has a wire connection portion 21, a linking portion 22, and an electrical connection portion 23. The wire connection portion 21, the linking portion 22, and the electrical connection portion 23 are made of a conductive metal, and are formed integrally, for example, by pressing and bending a single sheet of metal punched into a shape corresponding to each portion. The first terminal 2 is formed in the extension direction (connection direction X) in the order of the wire connection portion 21, the linking portion 22, and the electrical connection portion 23, and are connected to each other.

The first electric wire W1 is, for example, configured with an insulating coating on the outer periphery of the conductor portion, with the end portion being in a state in which the conductor portion is exposed, and the first terminal 2 is attached to the end portion. That is, the electric wire connection portion 21 of the first terminal 2 is attached by crimping the conductor portion and the insulating coating portion of the first electric wire W1. The connecting portion 22 is a portion that connects the electric wire connection portion 21 and the electrical connection portion 23. The electrical connection portion 23 is a portion that is electrically connected to the second terminal 3, and is formed, for example, in a box shape. The first terminal 2 is a female terminal, and a connection hole 231 is formed in order to insert the terminal portion 331 of the second terminal 3 into the electrical connection portion 23. The connection hole 231 extends from the end face of the electrical connection portion 23 in the extension direction of the second terminal 3.

2, the terminal portion 232 is formed on the electrical connection portion 23 of the first terminal 2. The terminal portion 232 is, for example, two contact pieces formed in the connection hole 231, and is connected to the terminal portion 331 of the second terminal 3 by sandwiching it. The first terminal 2 is formed with a first lance 25. The first lance 25 is a member that fixes the first terminal 2 inserted into the main body portion 4 and prevents it from slipping out. The first lance 25 is formed, for example, by bending the side of the electrical connection portion 23 outward. In other words, the first lance 25 is provided by cutting out the side of the electrical connection portion 23, lifting the first electric wire W1 side of the cutout portion, and protruding outward at an acute angle, and is elastically deformable in the height direction Z. The first lance 25 is tapered toward the tip side of the first terminal 2, allowing the first terminal 2 to enter the main body portion 4 and restricting it from retracting.

In FIG. 1, the second terminal 3 is a terminal attached to the end of the second electric wire W2, for example, a crimp terminal that is crimped and attached to the end of the second electric wire W2. The second terminal 3 has a wire connection portion 31, a linking portion 32, and an electrical connection portion 33. The wire connection portion 31, the linking portion 32, and the electrical connection portion 33 are made of a conductive metal, and are formed integrally, for example, by pressing and bending a single sheet of metal punched into a shape corresponding to each portion. The second terminal 3 is formed in the extension direction (connection direction X) in the order of the wire connection portion 31, the linking portion 32, and the electrical connection portion 33, and these are connected to each other.

The second electric wire W2 is, for example, configured with an insulating coating on the outer periphery of the conductor portion, with the end portion exposed, and the first terminal 2 attached to the end portion. That is, the electric wire connection portion 31 of the second terminal 3 is attached by crimping the conductor portion and the insulating coating portion of the second electric wire W2. The connecting portion 32 is a portion that connects the electric wire connection portion 31 and the electrical connection portion 33. The electrical connection portion 33 is a portion that is electrically connected to the first terminal 2, and is formed, for example, in a box shape. The second terminal 3 is a male terminal, and forms a terminal portion 331 that is connected to the terminal portion 232 of the first terminal 2 at the electrical connection portion 33. The terminal portion 331 is a tab-shaped terminal that extends from the end face of the electrical connection portion 33 in the extension direction of the second terminal 3, and is, for example, a plate or rod.

In FIG. 2, the second terminal 3 is formed with a second lance 35. The second lance 35 is a member that fixes the second terminal 3 inserted into the main body 4 and prevents it from slipping out. The second lance 35 is formed, for example, by bending the side of the electrical connection portion 33 outward. In other words, the second lance 35 is provided by cutting out the side of the electrical connection portion 33, lifting the second electric wire W2 side of this cutout portion, and protruding outward at an acute angle, and is elastically deformable in the height direction Z. The second lance 35 is tapered toward the tip side of the second terminal 3, allowing the second terminal 3 to enter the main body 4 and restricting it from retracting.

In FIG. 1, the main body 4 is a member into which the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 are inserted to connect them, and has, for example, a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The main body 4 is a long, non-divisible body extending in the direction of extension, and is not divided, nor is it made up of two or more joined members. For this reason, the main body 4 has a simple structure and can be easily manufactured at low cost by resin molding, etc.

The main body 4 forms an insertion space 41 along the extension direction. The insertion space 41 is a hole that penetrates the main body 4 in the extension direction, and is, for example, rectangular in cross section and is formed with a size that allows the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 to be inserted. In other words, the insertion space 41 allows the first terminal 2 to be inserted from the first opening 411 on one side, and the second terminal 3 to be inserted from the second opening 412 on the other side. The insertion space 41 includes a first terminal accommodating chamber 41A in which the first terminal 2 is accommodated, and a second terminal accommodating chamber 41B in which the second terminal 3 is accommodated. The first terminal accommodating chamber 41A is a space that accommodates the first terminal 2, and is, for example, the space from the first opening 411 to the guide portion 46 in the insertion space 41. The second terminal accommodating chamber 41B is a space that accommodates the second terminal 3, and is, for example, the space from the second opening 412 to the guide portion 46 in the insertion space 41.

2, the main body 4 is formed with a first hook 42. The first hook 42 is a portion that hooks the first lance 25 of the first terminal 2, and is formed in the first terminal accommodating chamber 41A of the insertion space 41. The first hook 42 is a hole that connects the first terminal accommodating chamber 41A of the insertion space 41 to the outside of the main body 4, and is formed according to the position and direction of the first lance 25. The first hook 42 may be configured as a recess that recesses the inner surface of the insertion space 41 toward the outside of the main body 4. When the first hook 42 is formed as a connecting hole, it becomes easier to remove the main body 4 from the mold when forming the main body 4 by resin molding. In addition, since the formation position of the first hook 42 can be confirmed from the outside of the main body 4, the posture of the first terminal 2 can be adjusted relative to the main body 4, making it easier to properly insert the first terminal 2.

The main body 4 is also formed with a first tapered portion 43. The first tapered portion 43 is a portion that facilitates the insertion of the first terminal 2 into the insertion space 41, and is formed within the insertion space 41. That is, the first tapered portion 43 is formed by inclining the inner surface of the insertion space 41, and is formed so that the inner surface of the insertion space 41 tapers from the first opening 411 side toward the insertion direction of the first terminal 2 along the extension direction. The first tapered portion 43 is formed on the insertion path of the first terminal 2 in the insertion space 41, and is formed at a position closer to the first opening 411 than the second opening 412. By forming the first tapered portion 43, the first terminal 2 can be guided to an appropriate insertion position when the first terminal 2 is inserted into the main body 4, and the first terminal 2 can be inserted smoothly.

The second hook portion 44 is formed on the main body 4. The second hook portion 44 is a portion that hooks the second lance 35 of the second terminal 3, and is formed in the second terminal accommodating chamber 41B of the insertion space 41. The second hook portion 44 is a hole that communicates between the second terminal accommodating chamber 41B of the insertion space 41 and the outside of the main body 4, and is formed according to the position and direction in which the second lance 35 enters. The second hook portion 44 may be configured as a recess that recesses the inner surface of the insertion space 41 toward the outside of the main body 4. When the second hook portion 44 is formed as a communicating hole, it becomes easier to remove the main body 4 from the mold when forming the main body 4 by resin molding. In addition, since the formation position of the first hook portion 42 can be confirmed from the outside of the main body 4, the posture of the second terminal 3 can be adjusted relative to the main body 4, making it easier to properly insert the first terminal 2.

The main body 4 is also formed with a second tapered portion 45. The second tapered portion 45 is a portion that facilitates the insertion of the second terminal 3 into the insertion space 41, and is formed within the insertion space 41. That is, the second tapered portion 45 is formed by inclining the inner surface of the insertion space 41, and is formed so that the inner surface of the insertion space 41 tapers from the second opening 412 side toward the insertion direction of the second terminal 3 along the extension direction. The second tapered portion 45 is formed on the insertion path of the second terminal 3 in the insertion space 41, and is formed at a position closer to the second opening 412 than the first opening 411. By forming the second tapered portion 45, the second terminal 3 can be guided to an appropriate insertion position when the second terminal 3 is inserted into the main body 4, and the second terminal 3 can be smoothly inserted.

The main body 4 is formed with a guide portion 46. The guide portion 46 is a portion that guides the terminal portion 331 of the second terminal 3 toward the first terminal accommodating chamber 41A within the insertion space 41, and is formed within the insertion space 41. That is, the guide portion 46 is a protrusion that protrudes from the inner surface of the insertion space 41 toward the center position of the insertion space 41, and two guide portions 46 are formed to sandwich the terminal portion 331 from above and below. In other words, the two guide portions 46 are located between the first terminal accommodating chamber 41A and the second terminal accommodating chamber 41B, and protrude from the ceiling and floor surfaces of the inner surface of the insertion space 41 toward their respective formation positions.

The guide portion 46 is provided so as to protrude in such a manner that the inner surface of the insertion space 41 is tapered toward the insertion direction of the second terminal 3, like the second tapered portion 45. This allows the terminal portion 331 to be guided to an appropriate position when the second terminal 3 is inserted into the main body portion 4, and the terminal portion 331 can be supported at an appropriate position. In addition, the distance between the tips of the two guide portions 46 is, for example, narrower than the thickness of the electrical connection portion 23 of the first terminal 2 and wider than the thickness of the terminal portion 331 of the second terminal 3. By setting the distance between the two guide portions 46 in this manner, the terminal portion 331 can be inserted between the guide portions 46, but the electrical connection portion 23 cannot be inserted between the guide portions 46. Therefore, the guide portion 46 can guide the terminal portion 331. In addition, the guide portion 46 can function as a stopper when the first terminal 2 is inserted.

Next, we will explain how to connect electric wires using the coupler device 1 according to this embodiment.

The coupler device 1 is used to connect the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3, and to electrically connect the first electric wire W1 and the second electric wire W2. To connect electric wires using the coupler device 1, first, the first terminal 2 is inserted into the main body 4 as shown in FIG. 3. The first terminal 2 is inserted into the insertion space 41 from the first opening 411, and is pushed toward the back of the insertion space 41. At this time, since the first tapered portion 43 is formed in the insertion space 41, the first terminal 2 is smoothly inserted into the insertion space 41 without getting caught in the insertion space 41.

4, when the first lance 25 of the first terminal 2 reaches the position of the first hooking portion 42, the first lance 25 is hooked to the first hooking portion 42. That is, the first lance 25 enters the first hooking portion 42, and the movement of the first terminal 2 toward the first opening 411 is restricted. As a result, the first terminal 2 does not come off from the main body 4, and the first terminal 2 is fixed in the main body 4. At this time, since the first hooking portion 42 is a hole that communicates with the outside of the main body 4, it is possible to visually confirm from the outside of the main body 4 that the first lance 25 is hooked to the first hooking portion 42 and that the first terminal 2 is inserted to the appropriate position of the main body 4. In addition, when it is desired to pull out the first terminal 2 from the main body 4, the first lance 25 can be released from the hooking by inserting a rod or the like into the first hooking portion 42 and pushing the first lance 25 out of the first hooking portion 42. This makes it possible to pull out the first terminal 2 from the main body 4 without deforming or damaging the first terminal 2 and the first electric wire W1.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the second terminal 3 is inserted into the main body 4. The second terminal 3 is inserted into the insertion space 41 from the second opening 412 and is pushed toward the back of the insertion space 41. At this time, since the second tapered portion 45 is formed in the insertion space 41, the second terminal 3 is smoothly inserted into the insertion space 41 without getting caught in the insertion space 41.

Then, the terminal portion 331 of the second terminal 3 passes between the two guide portions 46 and is inserted into the connection hole 231 of the first terminal 2. At this time, the guide portions 46 guide the terminal portion 331 along the correct path, so that the terminal portion 331 can be smoothly inserted into the connection hole 231. The terminal portion 331 is then inserted between the two terminal portions 232 of the first terminal 2 and is connected to the terminal portions 232.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, when the second lance 35 of the second terminal 3 reaches the position of the second hook portion 44, the second lance 35 is hooked to the second hook portion 44. That is, the second lance 35 enters the second hook portion 44, and the movement of the second terminal 3 toward the second opening 412 side is restricted. As a result, the second terminal 3 does not come off from the main body 4, and the second terminal 3 is fixed in the main body 4. At this time, since the second hook portion 44 is a hole that communicates with the outside of the main body 4, it can be visually confirmed from the outside of the main body 4 that the second lance 35 is hooked to the second hook portion 44 and the second terminal 3 is inserted to the appropriate position of the main body 4. In addition, when it is desired to pull out the second terminal 3 from the main body 4, the hooking of the second lance 35 can be released by inserting a rod or the like into the second hook portion 44 and pushing the second lance 35 out of the second hook portion 44. This makes it possible to pull out the second terminal 3 from the main body 4 without damaging the second terminal 3 and the second wire W2.

When the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 are attached to the main body 4, the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 are connected inside the main body 4. This electrically connects the first electric wire W1 and the second electric wire W2, completing the electric wire connection by the coupler device 1.

As described above, the coupler device 1 according to this embodiment has the first terminal 2 inserted into the main body 4 from one side and the second terminal 3 inserted into the other side, connecting the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 inside the main body 4. Therefore, the coupler device according to this embodiment does not require a female coupler and a male coupler, and can connect the first electric wire W1 and the second electric wire W2 with a reduced number of parts. Furthermore, the coupler device 1 according to this embodiment can reduce the number of parts, thereby reducing costs.

In addition, in the coupler device 1 according to this embodiment, the main body 4 is a long body with a non-divided structure, and the main body 4 that connects the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 can have a simple structure. This makes it easy to manufacture the main body 4.

In addition, the coupler device 1 according to this embodiment forms a first tapered portion 43 and a second tapered portion 45 in the insertion space 41 of the main body portion 4, so that the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 can be smoothly inserted into the main body portion 4.

Furthermore, the coupler device 1 according to this embodiment has a guide portion 46 formed in the insertion space 41 of the main body portion 4, so that the terminal portion 331 can be guided to an appropriate position when the second terminal 3 is inserted into the main body portion 4.

The coupler device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The coupler device according to this embodiment may be constructed by appropriately combining the components of each of the embodiments and modified examples described above.

For example, the coupler device 1 according to the above embodiment has been described as being mounted on a vehicle, but it may also be used without being mounted on a vehicle.

1: Coupler device 2: First terminal 3: Second terminal 4: Main body 25: First lance 35: Second lance 41: Insertion space 41A: First terminal accommodating chamber 41B: Second terminal accommodating chamber 42: First retaining portion 43: First tapered portion 44: Second retaining portion 45: Second tapered portion 46: Guide portion 331: Terminal portion 411: First opening 412: Second opening W1: First electric wire W2: Second electric wire

Claims (4)

a first terminal attached to an end of the first electric wire and having a first lance protruding from a side portion of the first terminal;
a second terminal attached to an end of a second electric wire, the second terminal having a second lance protruding from a side thereof, and connected to the first terminal;
the terminal block includes an insertion space extending in an extension direction, a first opening that opens on one side of the insertion space and allows the first terminal to be inserted therein, a first retaining portion that is provided within the insertion space and retains the first lance, a second opening that opens on the other side of the insertion space and allows the second terminal to be inserted therein, and a main body that forms a second retaining portion that is provided within the insertion space and retains the second lance,
the insertion space includes a first terminal accommodating chamber in which the first terminal is accommodated and a second terminal accommodating chamber in which the second terminal is accommodated,
the main body portion is located between the first terminal accommodating chamber and the second terminal accommodating chamber, the main body portion has a guide portion formed to protrude from an inner surface of the insertion space and inclined so as to make the inner surface of the insertion space tapered,
The guide portion is formed at a rear side position of the first terminal accommodating chamber and at a rear side position of the second terminal accommodating chamber,
The first terminal accommodating chamber and the second terminal accommodating chamber are formed in the same shape, including the guide portion.
Coupler device. The main body portion is an elongated body having a non-divided structure along the extension direction,
The coupler device according to claim 1 . the main body portion has a first tapered portion formed on an inner surface of the insertion space and tapered from the first opening side toward the insertion direction of the first terminal along the extending direction, and a second tapered portion formed on the inner surface of the insertion space and tapered from the second opening side toward the insertion direction of the second terminal along the extending direction,
3. The coupler device according to claim 1 or 2. the second terminal has a tab-shaped terminal portion that is inserted into the first terminal,
the guide portion formed at a rear side position of the second terminal accommodating chamber guides the terminal portion toward the first terminal accommodating chamber when the second terminal is inserted.
3. The coupler device according to claim 1 or 2.

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