JP4153366B2

JP4153366B2 - IDC connector

Info

Publication number: JP4153366B2
Application number: JP2003154434A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 剛久井出
Original assignee: Fujikura Ltd
Current assignee: Fujikura Ltd
Priority date: 2003-05-30
Filing date: 2003-05-30
Publication date: 2008-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-30
Also published as: JP2004356012A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、自動車等に用いられるフラットケーブルからなるワイヤハーネスに圧接される圧接端子を備える圧接コネクタに関し、特に電線との圧接作業を容易にすることができる圧接コネクタに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来より、電線の被覆を破ることにより電線との導通を図る圧接部を有する圧接端子を収容した圧接コネクタにワイヤハーネスの電線を圧接する場合、圧接専用の治具などを用いた圧接作業が行われている（例えば、特許文献１参照。）。
また、複数の電線を平面状に並設した構造からなるフラットケーブルから構成されるフラットハーネスの電線を圧接コネクタに圧接する場合にも、圧接専用の治具などが用いられることがある（例えば、特許文献２参照。）。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
実開平７−４１９８２号公報（第６頁、第７−９図）
【特許文献２】
特開平１０−１３４８６１号公報（第３−４頁、第１−７図）
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、特許文献１及び特許文献２に記載の圧接コネクタでは、電線の圧接に圧接専用の治具が必要となると共に、特に特許文献２の圧接コネクタでは、各圧接端子の圧接部にフラットハーネスの電線を位置合わせを行ってから圧接しなければならないため、圧接作業が繁雑となるという問題がある。
【０００５】
この発明は、このような問題点に鑑みてなされたもので、圧接コネクタに収容された圧接端子への電線の圧接作業を容易にすると共に圧接端子を確実にコネクタハウジングに固定ことができる圧接コネクタを提供することを目的とする。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この発明に係る圧接コネクタは、複数の電線を平面状に並設したフラットケーブルと圧接される金属製の複数の圧接端子と、これら複数の圧接端子を収容する複数の端子収容孔を有するコネクタハウジングと、このコネクタハウジングに嵌合されると共に嵌合前の状態では前記フラットケーブルを嵌合方向と直交する方向に沿って直線状に保持するリテーナとを備え、前記複数の圧接端子は、前記端子収容孔内に収容され、相手方接続端子と嵌合する嵌合接続部と、この嵌合接続部の基端側に形成されるとともに前記端子収容孔外に位置し、前記電線が挿入されるスリット部を有する圧接部と、垂直に屈曲してこれら嵌合接続部及び圧接部の間を両者が同一直線上に並ばないように連結する端子本体部とをそれぞれ備えて構成され、前記コネクタハウジングは、前記相手方接続端子を収容した他のコネクタハウジングと嵌合するハウジング嵌合部と、前記複数の端子収容孔と連通すると共に前記リテーナが嵌合する環状のリテーナ嵌合壁が形成されたリテーナ嵌合部とを備えて構成され、前記リテーナは、前記リテーナ嵌合部への嵌合時に前記フラットケーブルをその嵌合方向に対して直交する面と平行に保持するケーブル保持部と、このケーブル保持部から突設され前記複数の端子収容孔を前記端子本体部と共に塞ぐようにそれぞれ前記複数の端子収容孔に挿入される収容孔挿入柱部とを備えて構成され、前記ケーブル保持部は、保持した前記フラットケーブルの一方の面側に前記嵌合時に前記リテーナ嵌合部内で前記圧接部に前記電線を挿入し圧接するための端子側開口部と備えてなることを特徴とする。
【０００７】
この発明によれば、リテーナのケーブル保持部において、保持したフラットケーブルの一方の面側に圧接端子と圧接するための端子側開口部を備えたため、このリテーナをコネクタハウジングのリテーナ嵌合部に嵌合する（リテーナをコネクタハウジングに装着する）ことで、ケーブル保持部で保持したフラットケーブルの電線と圧接端子の圧接部とを容易に圧接することが可能となる。これにより、フラットケーブルと圧接端子との圧接作業を容易に行うことができる。
また、リテーナのケーブル保持部にコネクタハウジングの複数の端子収容孔に挿入される収容孔挿入柱部を備えたため、端子収容孔に収容された圧接端子を収容孔挿入柱部でコネクタハウジングに押さえ付け確実に取り付けることができる。
【０００８】
なお、この圧接コネクタの、例えばそれぞれ対向する一対のリテーナ嵌合壁の内壁面とケーブル保持部の側面とには、嵌合時にフラットケーブルを屈曲した状態で保持するための凹部がそれぞれ形成されていると良い。このようにすれば、リテーナをコネクタハウジングに嵌合したときにケーブル保持部が保持したフラットケーブルを屈曲した状態で保持することができるため、フラットケーブルと圧接端子との圧接部分にいわゆるストレインリリーフ構造を具備することができる。
【０００９】
そして、凹部が形成された内壁面及び側面以外のそれぞれ対向する他の一対の内壁面及び側面には、リテーナとリテーナ嵌合部との嵌合状態を保持するためのリテーナ係止部が形成されており、リテーナ係止部は、内壁面及び側面のいずれか一方に形成されたリテーナ係止突起と、いずれか他方に形成されたリテーナ係止突起と係合するリテーナ係止凹部とから構成されている。
【００１０】
なお、圧接コネクタは、例えばコネクタハウジングとリテーナとの嵌合部分に形成され両者を電線と圧接部との圧接部分と共に封止固定する樹脂モールド部を更に備えていても良く、この場合、ケーブル保持部は、例えば保持したフラットケーブルの他方の面側にリテーナ嵌合部内に樹脂モールド部を形成するモールド樹脂を充填するための注入開口部を更に備えてなる。
【００１１】
また、リテーナのケーブル保持部は、例えばフラットケーブルを介して対向配置されフラットケーブルをその厚さ方向に挟み込んで挟持固定する複数の挟持部材と、これら複数の挟持部材の一方の端部同士を結合するヒンジ部と、複数の挟持部材の他方の端部同士を係合して固定する係合部とを一体的に形成して構成されており、係合部は、複数の挟持部材のうちの一方の挟持部材の他方の端部に形成された係合凹部と、複数の挟持部材のうちの他方の挟持部材の他方の端部に形成された、係合凹部と係合する係合突起部を有するプレート係合片部とから構成されている。
【００１２】
また、複数の挟持部材は、例えばフラットケーブルとの対向面にフラットケーブルを構成する各電線の被覆外周径に合わせて形成された、各電線の芯線方向に延び各電線の配列方向に複数配列形成された固定溝部を備える。
【００１３】
なお、圧接コネクタは、例えばリテーナ嵌合壁の外壁面に嵌る壁部を有しリテーナ嵌合部を覆う形状に形成された蓋部を更に備えて構成され、蓋部は、内壁面及び側面の凹部で保持されたフラットケーブルをそのままの状態でコネクタハウジングの基端方向に露出するための切欠部及びフラットケーブルを１８０°折り返した状態でコネクタハウジングの先端方向に露出するための間隙部の少なくとも１つを備えて構成されている。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、添付の図面を参照して、この発明の好ましい実施の形態を説明する。
図１〜図３は、この発明の一実施形態に係る圧接コネクタを説明するための斜視図、図４は、この圧接コネクタのリテーナの展開斜視図、図５は、図３のＡ−Ａ´断面図、図６は、図３のＢ−Ｂ´断面図である。
圧接コネクタ１は、主に例えば樹脂成型部材からなるコネクタハウジング１０と、このコネクタハウジング１０に装着（嵌合）されると共に嵌合前の状態ではフラットケーブル４０を嵌合方向と交差する方向に沿って直線状に保持する同じく樹脂成型部材からなるリテーナ２０とを備え、更にこれらの嵌合部分にコネクタハウジング１０及びリテーナ２０を封止固定する後述する樹脂モールド部８０（図３参照）を形成して構成されている。
【００１５】
コネクタハウジング１０は、主に金属製の複数の圧接端子３０を内部に収容する複数の端子収容孔１１（図５及び図６参照）と、ハウジング先端側に圧接端子３０と接続する相手方接続端子（図示せず）を内部に収容した他のコネクタハウジングと嵌合するハウジング嵌合部１２（図５及び図６参照）と、ハウジング基端側に端子収容孔１１と連通し環状のリテーナ嵌合壁１３が形成された、リテーナ２０が内部に嵌合するリテーナ嵌合部１４とを備えて構成されている。
【００１６】
なお、リテーナ２０に保持されるフラットケーブル４０は、この例では絶縁被覆４１に芯線４２が覆われた複数の電線４３を平面状に並設し、各電線４３間を絶縁被覆４１と同じく絶縁樹脂からなるブリッジ部４４で連結した構造からなり、可撓性を備える。そして、圧接端子３０の後述する圧接部との圧接を容易にするために、少なくともリテーナ２０に保持される部分には、ブリッジ部４４に該当する部分にスリット４５が形成されている。ここで、このフラットケーブル４０としては、単体からなる複数の電線４３を平面状に並設したものでも良い。
【００１７】
また、コネクタハウジング１０の端子収容孔１１に収容される圧接端子３０は、図５に示すように、例えば相手方接続端子が嵌合する筒状の嵌合接続部３１と、この嵌合接続部３１の基端側に形成されフラットケーブル４０の電線４３が挿入されるスリット部３２を有する圧接部３３と、これら嵌合接続部３１及び圧接部３３の間を両者が同一直線上に並ばないように連結する端子本体部３４とを備えて構成されている。なお、嵌合接続部３１には、例えば相手方接続端子との接続状態を良好にするための弾性接触片３５が形成されている。
【００１８】
一方、リテーナ２０は、コネクタハウジング１０のリテーナ嵌合部１４への嵌合時にフラットケーブル４０をその嵌合方向に対して直交する面と平行に保持する枠状のケーブル保持部２１と、このケーブル保持部２１から突設されコネクタハウジング１０の端子収容孔１１を塞ぐように端子収容孔１１に挿入される収容孔挿入柱部２２とを備えて構成されている。この例のケーブル保持部２１は、例えばフラットケーブル４０を介して対向配置されフラットケーブル４０をその厚さ方向に挟み込んで挟持固定する矩形枠状の第１及び第２挟持部材２３，２４（図４参照）と、これら第１及び第２挟持部材２３，２４の一方の端部同士を結合するヒンジ部２５と、第１及び第２挟持部材２３，２４の他方の端部同士を係合して固定する係合部２６とを一体的に形成して構成されている。なお、係合部２６は、第１挟持部材２３のヒンジ部２５側と反対側の端部に形成された係合凹部２７と、第２挟持部材２４のヒンジ部２５側と反対側の端部に形成された、係合凹部２７と係合する係合突起部２８を有する係合片部２９とから構成されている。ここで、第１及び第２挟持部材２３，２４は、ヒンジ部２５で一体的に連結された構造以外に両者を着脱可能に分割することができる構造からなるものでも良い。
【００１９】
このケーブル保持部２１の第１挟持部材２３には、例えば後述する樹脂モールド部８０を形成するモールド樹脂を充填するための注入開口部２３ａが形成され、第２挟持部材２４には、例えば圧接端子３０の圧接部３３にフラットケーブル４０の電線４３を挿入して圧接するための端子側開口部２４ａが形成されている。そして、第１及び第２挟持部材２３，２４のそれぞれの対向端部には、例えばフラットケーブル４０を構成する各電線４３の被覆外周径に合わせて形成された各電線４３の芯線方向に延びると共に各電線４３の配列方向に複数配列形成された固定溝部２１ｃが備えられている。
【００２０】
また、このケーブル保持部２１の第１挟持部材２３の一対の側面には、フラットケーブル４０の電線４３の被覆外周径に合わせて形成されたリテーナ側凹部２１ａが複数形成されており、コネクタハウジング１０のリテーナ嵌合部１４におけるこれらリテーナ側凹部２１ａと対向するリテーナ嵌合壁１３の一対の内壁面には、同じくフラットケーブル４０の電線４３の被覆外周径に合わせて形成されたハウジング側凹部１３ａが複数形成されている。これらリテーナ側凹部２１ａ及びハウジング側凹部１３ａでリテーナ２０のリテーナ嵌合部１４への嵌合時にケーブル保持部２１がその嵌合方向に対して直交する面と平行に保持していたフラットケーブル４０を図２に示すように屈曲した状態に保持するため、圧接端子３０の圧接部３３とフラットケーブル４０の電線４３との圧接部分に対していわゆるストレインリリーフ構造を具備させることが可能となる。
【００２１】
なお、ケーブル保持部２１とリテーナ嵌合壁１３におけるリテーナ側凹部２１ａとハウジング側凹部１３ａとが形成された以外の側面及び内壁面には、リテーナ係止部が形成されている。このリテーナ係止部は、例えばケーブル保持部２１の第１挟持部材２３の側面に形成されたリテーナ係止突起２１ｂと、リテーナ嵌合壁１３の内壁面に形成されたリテーナ係止突起２１ｂと係合するリテーナ係止凹部１３ｂとから構成されている。このリテーナ係止部により、リテーナ２０とコネクタハウジング１０との嵌合状態を確実に継続させることができる。
【００２２】
こうして、フラットケーブル４０を保持したリテーナ２０をコネクタハウジング１０のリテーナ嵌合部１４に嵌合し、リテーナ２０とリテーナ嵌合部１４とを電線４３と圧接部３３との圧接部分と共に樹脂モールド部８０で封止固定すれば、リテーナ２０とコネクタハウジング１０とを更に確実に固定することができる。このとき、モールド樹脂はリテーナ２０のケーブル保持部２１の第１挟持部材２３に形成された注入開口部２３ａからリテーナ嵌合部１４内を満たすように充填される。なお、リテーナ２０にはケーブル保持部２１の第２挟持部材２４に、端子収容孔１１を塞ぐ収容孔挿入柱部２２が備えられているため、注入開口部２３ａから充填されたモールド樹脂が端子収容孔１１内に入り圧接端子３０の嵌合接続部３１を塞いでしまう不具合が発生することはない。また、収容孔挿入柱部２２が端子収容孔１１に収容された圧接端子３０を端子収容孔１１の内孔面に押さえ付けるため、圧接端子３０をコネクタハウジング１０に確実に固定することができる。
【００２３】
このように構成された圧接コネクタ１では、フラットケーブル４０を保持したリテーナ２０をコネクタハウジング１０に装着するだけで、フラットケーブル４０の電線４３を圧接端子３０の圧接部３３に挿入して圧接することができると共に、圧接端子３０をコネクタハウジング１０に固定することができる。また、フラットケーブル４０を屈曲した状態で保持し、いわゆるストレインリリーフ構造を具備することができるため、圧接作業を容易にしつつフラットケーブル４０への引っ張り力に強い圧接コネクタ１を実現することができる。
【００２４】
なお、図３に示すように、リテーナ２０とコネクタハウジング１０とで屈曲状態に保持されたフラットケーブル４０をリテーナ嵌合壁１３の周縁部で再び折り曲げるようにすれば、更に強いストレインリリーフ構造を具備することができる。また、図５に示すように、圧接コネクタ１は、リテーナ嵌合壁１３の外壁面に嵌る壁部９１を有するリテーナ嵌合部１４を覆う形状の蓋部９０を更に備えて構成されていても良い。蓋部９０を備えれば、リテーナ２０とコネクタハウジング１０との嵌合部分を保護することができる。この場合、蓋部９０には、リテーナ嵌合壁１３の内壁面のハウジング側凹部１３ａとケーブル保持部２１の側面のリテーナ側凹部２１ａとで屈曲状態に保持したフラットケーブル４０をそのままの状態でコネクタハウジング１０の基端方向に露出するための切欠部９２や、１８０°折り返した状態でコネクタハウジング１０の先端方向に露出するための間隙部９３が形成されていても良い。切欠部９２や間隙部９３でリテーナ２０によりコネクタハウジング１０の圧接端子３０に圧接されたフラットケーブル４０の配線方向を、ストレインリリーフ構造を具備したまま任意の方向に変更したり設定したりすることが可能となる。
【００２５】
【発明の効果】
以上述べたように、この発明によれば、リテーナのケーブル保持部において、保持したフラットケーブルの一方の面側に圧接端子と圧接するための端子側開口部を備えたため、このリテーナをコネクタハウジングのリテーナ嵌合部に嵌合する（リテーナをコネクタハウジングに装着する）ことで、ケーブル保持部で保持したフラットケーブルの電線と圧接端子の圧接部とを容易に圧接することが可能となる。これにより、フラットケーブルと圧接端子との圧接作業を容易に行うことができる。
【００２６】
また、リテーナのケーブル保持部にコネクタハウジングの複数の端子収容孔に挿入される収容孔挿入柱部を備えたため、端子収容孔に収容された圧接端子を収容孔挿入柱部でコネクタハウジングに押さえ付け確実に取り付けることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明の一実施形態に係る圧接コネクタを説明するための斜視図である。
【図２】同圧接コネクタを説明するための斜視図である。
【図３】同圧接コネクタを説明するための斜視図である。
【図４】同圧接コネクタのリテーナの展開斜視図である。
【図５】図３のＡ−Ａ´断面図である。
【図６】図３のＢ−Ｂ´断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１…圧接コネクタ、１０…コネクタハウジング、１１…端子収容孔、１２…ハウジング嵌合部、１３…リテーナ嵌合壁、１３ａ…ハウジング側凹部、１４…リテーナ嵌合部、２０…リテーナ、２１…ケーブル保持部、２１ａ…リテーナ側凹部、２２…収容孔挿入柱部、２３…第１挟持部材、２４…第２挟持部材、２５…ヒンジ部、２６…係合部、３０…圧接端子、３１…嵌合接続部、３３…圧接部、３４…端子本体部、４０…フラットケーブル、８０…樹脂モールド部、９０…蓋部。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pressure contact connector including a pressure contact terminal that is pressed against a wire harness made of a flat cable used in an automobile or the like, and more particularly to a pressure contact connector that can facilitate a pressure contact operation with an electric wire.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when a wire harness wire is pressure-welded to a pressure-contact connector that has a pressure-contact terminal that has a pressure-contact portion that establishes electrical connection with the wire by breaking the coating of the wire, a pressure welding operation using a jig dedicated to pressure welding has been performed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
In addition, when a flat harness electric wire composed of a flat cable having a structure in which a plurality of electric wires are arranged side by side in a flat shape is press-contacted to a press-connecting connector, a press-dedicated jig or the like may be used (for example, (See Patent Document 2).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-41982 (6th page, Fig. 7-9)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-134861 (page 3-4, FIG. 1-7)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the pressure connector described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 requires a dedicated jig for pressure welding of the electric wire. In particular, in the pressure connector of Patent Document 2, a flat harness is attached to the pressure contact portion of each pressure contact terminal. There is a problem that the pressure welding work becomes complicated because the wires must be pressure-welded after positioning.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and is a pressure contact connector that facilitates a pressure contact operation of a wire to a pressure contact terminal accommodated in the pressure contact connector and can securely fix the pressure contact terminal to the connector housing. The purpose is to provide.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A press-connecting connector according to the present invention includes a connector housing having a plurality of metal press-connecting terminals that are press-contacted with a flat cable in which a plurality of electric wires are arranged in a plane, and a plurality of terminal receiving holes that receive the plurality of press-connecting terminals. And a retainer that is fitted into the connector housing and holds the flat cable in a straight line shape in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction in a state before the fitting, wherein the plurality of press contact terminals are the terminals. A fitting connection portion that is accommodated in the accommodation hole and fits with the counterpart connection terminal, and a slit that is formed on the base end side of the fitting connection portion and is located outside the terminal accommodation hole and into which the electric wire is inserted. a pressure contact portion having a part, is configured to include each a terminal body portion where both between these mating connections and contact portion are connected so as not aligned on the same straight line bent vertically, the connector The housing is formed with a housing fitting portion that fits with another connector housing that houses the counterpart connection terminal, and an annular retainer fitting wall that communicates with the plurality of terminal housing holes and fits the retainer. A retainer fitting portion, and the retainer is a cable holding portion that holds the flat cable in parallel with a surface orthogonal to the fitting direction when fitting to the retainer fitting portion, The cable holding portion is configured to include a receiving hole insertion pillar portion that protrudes from the cable holding portion and is inserted into the plurality of terminal receiving holes so as to block the plurality of terminal receiving holes together with the terminal main body portion. Is provided with a terminal-side opening and a terminal-side opening for inserting and pressing the electric wire into the press-contact portion within the retainer fitting portion during the fitting to the one surface side of the held flat cable. Characterized in that it comprises Te.
[0007]
According to the present invention, since the cable holding portion of the retainer is provided with the terminal side opening for press-contacting with the press contact terminal on one surface side of the held flat cable, the retainer is fitted into the retainer fitting portion of the connector housing. By combining (attaching the retainer to the connector housing), the flat cable held by the cable holding portion and the press contact portion of the press contact terminal can be easily pressed. Thereby, the press-contact operation | work with a flat cable and a press-contact terminal can be performed easily.
In addition, since the retainer cable holding part is equipped with a receiving hole insertion post part to be inserted into the plurality of terminal receiving holes of the connector housing, the press contact terminal received in the terminal receiving hole is pressed against the connector housing by the receiving hole insertion post part. Can be attached securely.
[0008]
In addition, for example, a recess for holding the flat cable in a bent state at the time of fitting is formed on the inner wall surface of the pair of retainer fitting walls facing each other and the side surface of the cable holding portion of the pressure contact connector, for example. Good to be. In this way, since the flat cable held by the cable holding portion can be held in a bent state when the retainer is fitted to the connector housing, a so-called strain relief structure is provided at the pressure contact portion between the flat cable and the pressure contact terminal. Can be provided.
[0009]
A retainer locking portion for holding the fitting state between the retainer and the retainer fitting portion is formed on the other pair of inner wall surfaces and side surfaces facing each other other than the inner wall surface and the side surface where the recess is formed. The retainer locking portion includes a retainer locking protrusion formed on one of the inner wall surface and the side surface, and a retainer locking recess that engages with the retainer locking protrusion formed on the other side. ing.
[0010]
Note that the pressure contact connector may further include a resin mold portion that is formed, for example, at a fitting portion between the connector housing and the retainer and seals and fixes both together with the pressure contact portion between the electric wire and the pressure contact portion. The portion further includes, for example, an injection opening for filling a mold resin for forming a resin mold portion in the retainer fitting portion on the other surface side of the held flat cable.
[0011]
In addition, the retainer cable holding portion is connected to, for example, a plurality of holding members that are opposed to each other via a flat cable and sandwich and fix the flat cable in its thickness direction, and one end of each of the plurality of holding members A hinge portion and an engaging portion that engages and fixes the other ends of the plurality of clamping members are integrally formed, and the engaging portion is formed of the plurality of clamping members. An engagement recess formed at the other end of one clamping member and an engagement projection formed at the other end of the other clamping member of the plurality of clamping members to engage with the engagement recess And a plate engaging piece portion having
[0012]
In addition, the plurality of clamping members are formed on the surface facing the flat cable, for example, according to the outer peripheral diameter of each wire constituting the flat cable, extending in the core direction of each electric wire, and formed in a plurality in the arrangement direction of each electric wire Provided with a fixed groove.
[0013]
In addition, the press-connecting connector is configured to further include, for example, a lid portion that has a wall portion that fits on the outer wall surface of the retainer fitting wall and is formed in a shape that covers the retainer fitting portion. At least one of a notch for exposing the flat cable held in the recess as it is toward the proximal end of the connector housing and a gap for exposing the flat cable in the direction of the distal end of the connector housing when folded back 180 ° It is configured with one.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 to 3 are perspective views for explaining a press-connecting connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a retainer of the press-connecting connector, and FIG. 5 is an AA ′ of FIG. Sectional drawing and FIG. 6 are BB 'sectional drawing of FIG.
The pressure contact connector 1 is mounted (fitted) to the connector housing 10 mainly made of, for example, a resin molded member, and the flat cable 40 extends in a direction crossing the fitting direction before being fitted. And a retainer 20 made of the same resin molded member that is held in a straight line, and a resin mold portion 80 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, for sealing and fixing the connector housing 10 and the retainer 20 to these fitting portions. Configured.
[0015]
The connector housing 10 includes a plurality of terminal receiving holes 11 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) for internally housing a plurality of press contact terminals 30 mainly made of metal, and a mating connection terminal (see FIG. A housing fitting portion 12 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) that fits with another connector housing that houses therein (not shown), and an annular retainer fitting wall that communicates with the terminal housing hole 11 on the housing base end side. A retainer fitting portion 14 in which a retainer 20 is formed is formed.
[0016]
In this example, the flat cable 40 held by the retainer 20 includes a plurality of electric wires 43 in which a core wire 42 is covered with an insulating coating 41 arranged in a plane, and an insulating resin is provided between the electric wires 43 in the same manner as the insulating coating 41. It consists of the structure which connected with the bridge part 44 which consists of, and has flexibility. In order to facilitate press-contact with a press-contact portion described later of the press-contact terminal 30, a slit 45 is formed at a portion corresponding to the bridge portion 44 at least in a portion held by the retainer 20. Here, as the flat cable 40, a plurality of single electric wires 43 arranged in a plane may be used.
[0017]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the press contact terminal 30 accommodated in the terminal accommodating hole 11 of the connector housing 10 includes, for example, a cylindrical fitting connection portion 31 into which a mating connection terminal is fitted, and the fitting connection portion 31. The press contact portion 33 having the slit portion 32 formed on the base end side of the flat cable 40 into which the electric wire 43 of the flat cable 40 is inserted, and the fitting connection portion 31 and the press contact portion 33 are not aligned on the same straight line. The terminal main body part 34 to be connected is provided. The fitting connection portion 31 is formed with an elastic contact piece 35 for improving the connection state with the counterpart connection terminal, for example.
[0018]
On the other hand, the retainer 20 includes a frame-shaped cable holding portion 21 that holds the flat cable 40 in parallel with a surface orthogonal to the fitting direction when the connector housing 10 is fitted to the retainer fitting portion 14, and the cable. A housing hole insertion post portion 22 is provided so as to project from the holding portion 21 and to be inserted into the terminal housing hole 11 so as to close the terminal housing hole 11 of the connector housing 10. The cable holding portion 21 of this example is arranged to face each other via, for example, a flat cable 40, and has rectangular frame-shaped first and second holding members 23, 24 that hold the flat cable 40 in its thickness direction and hold it fixed (FIG. 4). And the other end portions of the first and second clamping members 23 and 24 are engaged with each other, and the hinge portion 25 that couples one end portions of the first and second clamping members 23 and 24 to each other. The engaging portion 26 to be fixed is integrally formed. The engaging portion 26 includes an engaging recess 27 formed at an end portion of the first holding member 23 opposite to the hinge portion 25 side, and an end portion of the second holding member 24 opposite to the hinge portion 25 side. And an engagement piece 29 having an engagement protrusion 28 that engages with the engagement recess 27. Here, the 1st and 2nd clamping members 23 and 24 may consist of a structure which can detach | divide both in addition to the structure integrally connected by the hinge part 25 so that attachment or detachment is possible.
[0019]
The first holding member 23 of the cable holding portion 21 is formed with, for example, an injection opening 23a for filling a mold resin forming a resin mold portion 80 to be described later, and the second holding member 24 has, for example, a press contact terminal. A terminal side opening 24a for inserting and pressing the electric wire 43 of the flat cable 40 into the 30 pressure contact portions 33 is formed. And in the opposing edge part of each of the 1st and 2nd clamping members 23 and 24, while extending in the core line direction of each electric wire 43 formed according to the covering outer periphery diameter of each electric wire 43 which comprises the flat cable 40, for example A plurality of fixed groove portions 21c formed in the arrangement direction of the electric wires 43 are provided.
[0020]
A plurality of retainer-side recesses 21 a are formed on the pair of side surfaces of the first holding member 23 of the cable holding portion 21 so as to match the outer diameter of the outer periphery of the electric wire 43 of the flat cable 40. On the pair of inner wall surfaces of the retainer fitting wall 13 facing the retainer-side recesses 21a in the retainer fitting part 14, a housing-side recess 13a that is also formed in accordance with the outer diameter of the sheath of the electric wire 43 of the flat cable 40 is formed. A plurality are formed. The flat cable 40 held by the cable holding portion 21 in parallel with the plane orthogonal to the fitting direction when the retainer 20 is fitted to the retainer fitting portion 14 by the retainer side concave portion 21a and the housing side concave portion 13a. Since the bent state is maintained as shown in FIG. 2, a so-called strain relief structure can be provided to the press-contact portion between the press-contact portion 33 of the press-contact terminal 30 and the electric wire 43 of the flat cable 40.
[0021]
A retainer locking portion is formed on the side surface and the inner wall surface of the cable holding portion 21 and the retainer fitting wall 13 other than the retainer-side recess 21a and the housing-side recess 13a. For example, the retainer locking portion is engaged with a retainer locking projection 21 b formed on the side surface of the first holding member 23 of the cable holding portion 21 and a retainer locking projection 21 b formed on the inner wall surface of the retainer fitting wall 13. It is comprised from the retainer latching recessed part 13b to match. With this retainer locking portion, the fitted state between the retainer 20 and the connector housing 10 can be reliably continued.
[0022]
In this way, the retainer 20 holding the flat cable 40 is fitted into the retainer fitting portion 14 of the connector housing 10, and the retainer 20 and the retainer fitting portion 14 are joined together with the pressure contact portion between the electric wire 43 and the pressure contact portion 33 together with the resin mold portion 80. If the sealing and fixing are performed, the retainer 20 and the connector housing 10 can be more reliably fixed. At this time, the mold resin is filled so as to fill the retainer fitting portion 14 from the injection opening 23 a formed in the first holding member 23 of the cable holding portion 21 of the retainer 20. In addition, since the retainer 20 is provided with the accommodation hole insertion column portion 22 that closes the terminal accommodation hole 11 in the second holding member 24 of the cable holding portion 21, the mold resin filled from the injection opening 23a is accommodated in the terminal. There is no problem of entering the hole 11 and closing the fitting connection portion 31 of the press contact terminal 30. In addition, since the receiving hole insertion column portion 22 presses the press contact terminal 30 received in the terminal receiving hole 11 against the inner hole surface of the terminal receiving hole 11, the press contact terminal 30 can be securely fixed to the connector housing 10.
[0023]
In the press-connecting connector 1 configured as described above, the electric wire 43 of the flat cable 40 is inserted into the press-connecting portion 33 of the press-connecting terminal 30 and press-contacted only by attaching the retainer 20 holding the flat cable 40 to the connector housing 10. In addition, the press contact terminal 30 can be fixed to the connector housing 10. In addition, since the flat cable 40 can be held in a bent state and can be provided with a so-called strain relief structure, the press-connecting connector 1 that can withstand the pulling force on the flat cable 40 while facilitating the press-contacting operation can be realized.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 3, if the flat cable 40 held in a bent state by the retainer 20 and the connector housing 10 is bent again at the peripheral edge portion of the retainer fitting wall 13, a stronger strain relief structure is provided. can do. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the press-connecting connector 1 may be configured to further include a lid portion 90 having a shape covering the retainer fitting portion 14 having a wall portion 91 fitted on the outer wall surface of the retainer fitting wall 13. good. If the cover part 90 is provided, the fitting part of the retainer 20 and the connector housing 10 can be protected. In this case, the flat cable 40 held in a bent state by the housing-side recess 13a on the inner wall surface of the retainer fitting wall 13 and the retainer-side recess 21a on the side surface of the cable holding portion 21 is attached to the lid 90 as it is. A notch 92 for exposing in the proximal direction of the housing 10 and a gap 93 for exposing in the distal direction of the connector housing 10 when folded back 180 ° may be formed. The wiring direction of the flat cable 40 pressed against the press contact terminal 30 of the connector housing 10 by the retainer 20 at the notch portion 92 or the gap portion 93 can be changed or set in any direction while the strain relief structure is provided. It becomes possible.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the cable holding portion of the retainer is provided with the terminal-side opening for press-contacting with the pressure contact terminal on one surface side of the held flat cable, the retainer is attached to the connector housing. By fitting into the retainer fitting portion (attaching the retainer to the connector housing), it becomes possible to easily press-contact the flat cable held by the cable holding portion and the press-contact portion of the press-contact terminal. Thereby, the press-contact operation | work with a flat cable and a press-contact terminal can be performed easily.
[0026]
In addition, since the retainer cable holding part is equipped with a receiving hole insertion post part to be inserted into the plurality of terminal receiving holes of the connector housing, the press contact terminal received in the terminal receiving hole is pressed against the connector housing by the receiving hole insertion post part. Can be attached securely.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining a pressure contact connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining the same pressure contact connector.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the same pressure contact connector.
FIG. 4 is a developed perspective view of a retainer of the pressure contact connector.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB ′ of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pressure contact connector, 10 ... Connector housing, 11 ... Terminal accommodation hole, 12 ... Housing fitting part, 13 ... Retainer fitting wall, 13a ... Housing side recessed part, 14 ... Retainer fitting part, 20 ... Retainer, 21 ... Cable Holding part, 21a: Retainer side recess, 22 ... Housing hole insertion column part, 23 ... First clamping member, 24 ... Second clamping member, 25 ... Hinge part, 26 ... Engaging part, 30 ... Pressure contact terminal, 31 ... Fitting Joint connection part 33 ... Pressing contact part 34 ... Terminal body part 40 ... Flat cable 80 ... Resin molding part 90 ... Cover part

Claims

A plurality of metal press-contact terminals that are press-contacted with a flat cable in which a plurality of electric wires are arranged in parallel;
A connector housing having a plurality of terminal accommodating holes for accommodating the plurality of press contact terminals;
A retainer that is fitted to the connector housing and holds the flat cable in a straight line along a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction in a state before the fitting;
The plurality of press contact terminals are:
A fitting connection portion that is accommodated in the terminal accommodation hole and is fitted to the mating connection terminal, and is formed on the base end side of the fitting connection portion and is located outside the terminal accommodation hole, and the electric wire is inserted A pressure contact portion having a slit portion, and a terminal main body portion that bends vertically and connects between the fitting connection portion and the pressure contact portion so that they are not aligned on the same straight line.
The connector housing is
Retainer fitting formed with a housing fitting portion that fits with another connector housing that accommodates the counterpart connection terminal, and an annular retainer fitting wall that communicates with the plurality of terminal accommodating holes and that fits the retainer. And comprising
The retainer is
Wherein the cable holding portion, the plurality of terminal accommodating holes projecting from the cable holding portion for the parallel holding the plane perpendicular to the flat cable with respect to the fitting direction when the fitting to the retainer fitting portion Each comprising a receiving hole insertion post portion inserted into the plurality of terminal receiving holes so as to be closed together with the terminal body portion ,
The cable holding part is
A pressure contact connector, comprising: a terminal side opening for inserting and pressing the electric wire into the pressure contact portion in the retainer fitting portion at the time of the fitting to the one surface side of the held flat cable.

A concave portion for holding the flat cable in a bent state at the time of the fitting is formed on the inner wall surface of the pair of retainer fitting walls facing each other and the side surface of the cable holding portion, respectively. The press contact connector according to claim 1.

Retainer engagement for holding the fitting state of the retainer and the retainer fitting portion on the other pair of the inner wall surface and the side surface facing each other other than the inner wall surface and the side surface in which the recess is formed Part is formed,
The retainer locking portion includes a retainer locking protrusion formed on one of the inner wall surface and the side surface, and a retainer locking concave portion that engages with the retainer locking protrusion formed on the other side. The press-connecting connector according to claim 2, wherein the connector is pressed.

A resin mold part that is formed in a fitting part between the connector housing and the retainer and seals and fixes both together with the pressure contact part between the wire and the pressure contact part;
The cable holding part is further provided with an injection opening for filling a mold resin for forming the resin mold part in the retainer fitting part on the other surface side of the held flat cable. The pressure contact connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

A plurality of clamping members that are arranged to face each other via the flat cable and clamp the flat cable in its thickness direction;
A hinge portion that joins one ends of the plurality of clamping members;
An engagement portion that engages and fixes the other ends of the plurality of clamping members is integrally formed, and
The engaging portion is
An engaging recess formed at the other end of one of the plurality of clamping members;
It is comprised from the engagement piece part which has the engaging protrusion part formed in the said other edge part of the other clamping member among the said several clamping members, and engages with the said engagement recessed part. The pressure contact connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

The plurality of clamping members are:
A plurality of fixed groove portions formed in the arrangement direction of the electric wires extending in the core line direction of the electric wires, formed in accordance with the outer peripheral diameter of the electric wires constituting the flat cable on the surface facing the flat cable. The press-connecting connector according to claim 5, further comprising:

It has a wall part that fits on the outer wall surface of the retainer fitting wall, and further comprises a lid part that is formed in a shape that covers the retainer fitting part,
The lid portion is a state in which the flat cable held by the concave portions on the inner wall surface and the side surface is left as it is, and the notch portion and the flat cable are folded back 180 ° to be exposed in the proximal direction of the connector housing. The pressure contact connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the connector is configured to include at least one gap portion that is exposed in a distal direction of the connector housing.