阅读说明：本技术 连接器 (Connector with a locking member ) 是由 畑彻弥 大原茂树 于 2018-07-05 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种连接器,能够提高接触件中的电缆的压接的准确性,从而能够提高电缆与接触件的接触可靠性。一种连接器(10),利用压接部夹持电缆的芯线,具有：相互嵌合的一对嵌合对象物；接触件(50),设置于嵌合对象物的内部,具有一对压接部；第一分隔壁(18b1),形成于一对嵌合对象物中的一个的内部；以及第二分隔壁(33),形成于另一个嵌合对象物的内部,接触件(50)的一对压接部相互分离,在嵌合的一对嵌合对象物的内部被第一分隔壁(18b1)及第二分隔壁(33)隔开。(The invention provides a connector, which can improve the accuracy of the pressure welding of a cable in a contact element, thereby improving the contact reliability of the cable and the contact element. A connector (10) for clamping a core wire of a cable by a crimping portion, comprising: a pair of objects to be fitted to each other; a contact (50) which is provided inside the object to be fitted and has a pair of pressure-bonding sections; a first partition wall (18b1) formed inside one of the pair of objects to be fitted; and a second partition wall (33) formed inside the other object to be fitted, wherein the pair of pressure-bonding sections of the contact (50) are separated from each other, and the inside of the pair of objects to be fitted is partitioned by the first partition wall (18b1) and the second partition wall (33).)

1. A connector for clamping a core wire of a cable by a crimping portion,

comprising:

a pair of objects to be fitted to each other;

a contact provided inside the object to be fitted and having a pair of the pressure-bonding sections;

a first partition wall formed inside one of the pair of objects to be fitted; and

a second partition wall formed inside the other object to be fitted,

the pair of pressure-bonding sections of the contact are separated from each other, and are separated by the first partition wall and the second partition wall inside the pair of fitting objects to be fitted.

2. The connector of claim 1,

the contact has a slit portion formed between a pair of the crimping portions.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2,

the crimping portion has a substantially line-symmetrical shape centered on a straight line along the fitting direction.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the contact has a narrow width portion formed continuously with the crimp portion and having a width narrower than a width of the crimp portion.

5. The connector of claim 4,

the pair of crimping portions and the narrow width portion have the same shape and size.

6. The connector according to claim 4 or 5,

the one object to be fitted further includes a protrusion located between the pair of narrow portions in a state where the contact is provided.

7. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the first partition wall and the second partition wall are opposed to each other in a fitting direction when fitted.

8. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

the pair of objects to be fitted are connected to each other by a connecting portion,

the object to be fitted holds the cable,

the contact is embedded and then is enclosed in a state of being conducted with the cable.

9. The connector of claim 8,

the object to be fitted holds a pair of the cables,

the contact members, after fitting, electrically connect the cables to each other in a state where the core wires of the cables are held by the pressure-bonding section.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connector.

Background

Conventionally, there is known a contact which is arranged inside a pair of fitting objects fitted to each other and has a pressure-bonding section which is brought into contact with a core wire of a cable by pressure-bonding. A connector having such a contact generally electrically connects two or more cables to each other through the contact.

For example, patent document 1 discloses the following connector: the contacts electrically connect the 2 cables by pressing (crimp) one cable and crimping the other when the cover and the body are engaged with each other.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

When the cable and the contact are electrically connected by pressure-bonding the cable, there is a possibility that a problem such as exposure of the core wire occurs in which a part of the core wire is not accommodated in the pressure-bonding groove and is exposed to the outside. On the other hand, when the cable is crimped, the crimping groove is opened excessively, and there is a possibility that the covering layer of the cable cannot be completely cut and the covering layer is wound in the crimping groove. The above-described problem is conspicuously caused in a case where one contact has a plurality of parallel pressure-bonding grooves. In the connector described in patent document 1, only one pressure contact groove is formed, and the accuracy of pressure contact is not sufficiently considered.

The invention aims to provide a connector, which can improve the accuracy of the pressure welding of a cable in a contact piece, thereby improving the contact reliability of the cable and the contact piece.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problem, a connector according to a first aspect clamps a core wire of a cable by a crimping portion,

comprising:

a pair of objects to be fitted to each other;

a contact provided inside the object to be fitted and having a pair of the pressure-bonding sections;

a first partition wall formed inside one of the pair of objects to be fitted; and

a second partition wall formed inside the other object to be fitted,

the pair of pressure-bonding sections of the contact are separated from each other, and are separated by the first partition wall and the second partition wall inside the pair of fitting objects to be fitted.

In the connector of the second aspect,

the contact may also have a slit portion formed between a pair of the crimping portions.

In the connector of the third aspect,

the pressure-bonding section may have a substantially line-symmetrical shape with a straight line along the fitting direction as a center. .

In the connector of the fourth aspect,

the contact may have a narrow width portion formed continuously with the crimping portion and having a width narrower than a width of the crimping portion.

In the connector of the fifth aspect,

the pair of pressure-bonding sections and the narrow section may have the same shape and size.

In the connector of the sixth aspect,

the one object to be fitted may further include a protrusion located between the pair of narrow portions in a state where the contact is provided.

In the connector of the seventh aspect,

the first partition wall and the second partition wall may be opposed to each other in a fitting direction at the time of fitting.

In the connector of the eighth aspect,

the pair of objects to be fitted may be connected to each other by a connecting portion,

the object to be fitted may hold the cable,

the contact may be contained in a state of being electrically connected to the cable after fitting.

In the connector of the ninth aspect,

the object to be fitted may hold a pair of the cables,

the contact may be configured to conduct the cables with each other in a state where the core wires of the cables are held by the pressure-bonding section after fitting.

Effects of the invention

According to the connector of one embodiment of the present invention, the accuracy of crimping of the cable in the contact can be improved, and the contact reliability between the cable and the contact can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector, a first cable, and a second cable according to an embodiment when an insulating housing is in an expanded state.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the first split case enlarged only in a state without the relay contact.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of only the second split case.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the entire insulating housing without the relay contact.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the relay contact unit.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the connector, the first cable, and the second cable at a stage when the insulating housing is changed from the unfolded state to the locked state.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the connector, the first cable, and the second cable with the insulative housing in a locked state.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX of fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along line X-X of fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI of fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the insulating case in the expanded state is filled with the filler.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to fig. 9 showing a locked state of the connector filled with the filler.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to fig. 13 of an engagement portion between the first locking portion and the second locking portion in an enlarged modification.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The directions of the front-back, left-right, and up-down in the following description are based on the directions of arrows in the drawings.

The structure of the connector 10 in a state where the filler 70 is not filled will be mainly described.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the connector 10, the first cable 60, and the second cable 65 according to the embodiment when the insulating housing 15 is in the expanded state. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of fig. 1. The connector 10 of one embodiment has the insulating housing 15 and the relay contacts 50 (contacts) as main structural members.

The insulating housing 15 is a molded product made of, for example, an insulating synthetic resin material. The insulating housing 15 includes a first divided housing 16 (object to be fitted) and a second divided housing 30 (object to be fitted). The insulating housing 15 has a first connection portion 46 and a second connection portion 47 (connection portions) as connection portions for connecting the first split housing 16 and the second split housing 30. The insulating housing 15 is integrally formed with the first split housing 16, the second split housing 30, the first connecting portion 46, and the second connecting portion 47.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of only the first split case 16 in a state without the relay contact 50. The structure of the first division case 16 is explained in detail with reference to fig. 3.

An outer peripheral edge portion of one surface (upper surface in fig. 3) in the thickness direction of the first split case 16 is formed by an outer peripheral wall 17. The inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral wall 17 of the first split case 16 is constituted by an inner peripheral side recess 17a recessed downward by one step from the upper surface of the first split case 16. The bottom surface of the inner peripheral side recess 17a is constituted by an inner peripheral side first opposing surface 17b, and the inner peripheral side first opposing surface 17b is constituted by a plane parallel to the upper surface of the first split case 16. The central portion on the inner peripheral side of the inner peripheral side first opposing surface 17b is formed by a central first recess portion 17c recessed downward by one step from the inner peripheral side first opposing surface 17 b. The bottom surface of the center first recess 17c is constituted by a center first opposing surface 17d, and the center first opposing surface 17d is constituted by a plane parallel to the inner peripheral side first opposing surface 17 b. The contact mounting groove 18 is formed by the center first recess 17c and the center first opposing face 17 d. The contact mounting groove 18 has a fixing portion 18a and an intermediate convex portion 18b, and the intermediate convex portion 18b is located at the middle of the fixing portion 18a in the left-right direction, and the fixing portion 18a is divided into a pair of left and right portions by narrowing the front-rear width of the fixing portion 18 a. The intermediate convex portion 18b is constituted by a partition wall 18b1 (first partition wall) forming an upper portion and formed to be narrow, and a protrusion 18b2 formed to be continuous with a portion immediately below the partition wall 18b1 and formed to be wide. The intermediate convex portion 18b is formed in a substantially convex shape when viewed from the front. At four corners of the fixed portion 18a on the side of the central first opposing surface 17d, projections 18c are formed to narrow the front-rear width, similarly to the intermediate projections 18 b. A positioning projection 18d having a substantially cylindrical shape is provided to project from the bottom surface (central first opposing surface 17d) of the pair of fixing portions 18 a.

A pair of first cable installation grooves 19 are concavely provided on the outer peripheral wall 17 of the first division case 16, the pair of first cable installation grooves 19 being located on both front and rear sides of one fixing portion 18a and being located on the same line with each other. A pair of second cable installation grooves 20 are concavely provided on the outer peripheral wall 17 of the first split case 16, the pair of second cable installation grooves 20 being located on both front and rear sides of the other fixing portion 18a and being located on the same straight line with each other. The second cable installation groove 20 is parallel to the first cable installation groove 19. The front surfaces of the first and second cable installation grooves 19 and 20 are semicircular in shape. A pair of inclined surfaces 19a is provided on the front and rear surfaces of the outer peripheral wall 17 of the first split case 16, and the pair of inclined surfaces 19a are inclined outward downward from the deepest bottom surface of the pair of first cable attachment grooves 19. Similarly, a pair of inclined surfaces 20a is provided on the front and rear surfaces of the outer peripheral wall 17 of the first split case 16, and the pair of inclined surfaces 20a are inclined outward downward from the deepest bottom surface of the pair of second cable attachment grooves 20. Flat plate-like lid portions 21 and 22 are provided on the front and rear surfaces of the outer peripheral wall 17 of the first split case 16, and the lid portions 21 and 22 extend in the front and rear direction at positions below the front and rear inclined surfaces 19a and 20 a. The facing surfaces 21a, 22a of the lid portions 21, 22 are located at the same height as the lowermost portions of the inclined surfaces 19a, 20 a.

A pair of elastic first locking portions 25 are formed on both left and right side surfaces of the outer peripheral wall 17 of the first split case 16. A pair of concave portions 25a are formed between the first locking portions 25 and the front and rear surfaces of the outer peripheral wall 17. Each first locking portion 25 has a first locking projection 26 projecting outward from a side surface of the first split case 16. The first locking projection 26 extends in the front-rear direction. Each of the first locking projections 26 has an inclined surface 26a inclined outward of the first split case 16 as it goes downward. The first locking portion 25 has an inclined surface 26b, and the inclined surface 26b is formed at an upper edge portion of the inner surface and inclined inward of the first split case 16 as it goes downward.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of only the second split case 30 enlarged. The structure of the second division case 30 is explained in detail with reference to fig. 4.

An outer peripheral wall 31 is provided so as to protrude from an outer peripheral edge of a surface (upper surface in fig. 4) on one side in the thickness direction of the second split case 30. The portion on the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral wall 31 of the second split case 30 is constituted by an inner peripheral side recessed portion 31a recessed by one step from the upper edge portion of the outer peripheral wall 31. The bottom surface of the inner peripheral side recess 31a is formed by an inner peripheral side second opposing surface 31b, and the inner peripheral side second opposing surface 31b is formed by a plane parallel to the upper surface of the second split case 30. A cable pressing projection 32 having a pair of first pressing grooves 32a and second pressing grooves 32b having a U-shaped cross section on the left and right sides is projected from the inner peripheral side second opposing surface 31 b. The cable pressing projection 32 has a central projection 32c and projections 32d, 32e formed on both sides of the central projection 32c in the left-right direction. A first pressing groove 32a is formed between the central protrusion 32c and the protrusion 32d on one side. A second pressing groove 32b is formed between the center protrusion 32c and the other side protrusion 32 e. Narrow partition walls 33 (second partition walls) extending in the vertical direction are formed on both the front and rear sides of the central protrusion 32 c.

Cable support arm portions 35, 36 are formed in the second split case 30 so as to project from the front and rear surfaces. First cable holding grooves 35a, 36a and second cable holding grooves 35b, 36b are provided on the upper surfaces of the cable support arm portions 35, 36. In the front cable support arm portion 35 and the rear cable support arm portion 36, the front end side portions and the rear end side portions of the first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a are respectively formed by a pair of projecting pieces 37a and a pair of projecting pieces 38a which are separated and divided into left and right by a gap. Similarly, in the front cable supporting arm portion 35 and the rear cable supporting arm portion 36, the front end side and the rear end side portions of the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b are respectively formed by a pair of projecting pieces 37b and a pair of projecting pieces 38b separated and divided into left and right by a gap. Each pair of the projecting pieces 37a, 38a, 37b, 38b, particularly the projecting pieces on the left and right outer sides of the cable supporting arm portions 35, 36 elastically deflect in the left-right direction, and the interval between the adjacent projecting pieces is variable. In each pair of projecting pieces 37a, 38a, 37b, 38b, claw portions opposed to each other are provided projecting from lower end portions of the front and rear end portions.

The first cable holding grooves 35a, 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b, 36b are grooves having a depth (accommodating the entire diameter) into which the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are respectively inserted and held along the entire diameter. The first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a have inclined surfaces 35e and 36e inclined upward as they face outward. If the first cable 60 is inserted and held in the first cable holding grooves 35a, 36a, as shown in fig. 1, in the first cable 60, the respective cable portions are inclined in the up-down oblique direction along the inclined surfaces 35e, 36e of the first cable holding grooves 35a, 36 a. Similarly, the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b have inclined surfaces 35f and 36f, and the second cable 65 is inserted into and held by the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b in the same manner as the first cable 60.

A pair of drop-off preventing projections 35c and a pair of drop-off preventing projections 36c are provided at upper opening portions (facing surfaces of the projecting pieces 37a, 38 a) near the front and rear end portions of the first cable holding grooves 35a, 36 a. Similarly, a pair of drop-off preventing projections 35d and a pair of drop-off preventing projections 36d are provided at upper opening portions (facing surfaces of the projecting pieces 37b, 38 b) near the front and rear end portions of the second cable holding grooves 35b, 36 b. The falling- off prevention projections 35c, 36c and 35d, 36d allow the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 to be inserted into the first cable holding grooves 35a, 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b, 36b, respectively. At this time, the pair of projecting pieces 37a, 38a and the pair of projecting pieces 37b, 38b are flexed to widen the interval in the left-right direction (the interval between the pair of fall-off preventing projections 35c, 36c and 35d, 36 d).

When the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are inserted into the first cable holding grooves 35a, 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b, 36b, the pair of fall- off prevention projections 35c, 36c and 35d, 36d pinch the first cable 60 and the second cable 65, respectively. The pair of projecting pieces 37a and 38a and the pair of projecting pieces 37b and 38b elastically deflect in the direction in which the distance in the left-right direction is narrowed. Therefore, the pair of projecting pieces 37a, 38a and the pair of projecting pieces 37b, 38b allow the first cables 60 and the second cables 65 inserted into the first cable holding grooves 35a, 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b, 36b to move in the cable extending direction while applying resistance to them. At the same time, the pair of projecting pieces 37a and 38a and the pair of projecting pieces 37b and 38b exert resistance to the force with which the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are to be separated from the first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b, respectively, so that the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are not easily separated, and the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 can be separated by an external force of a predetermined magnitude or more. This retaining action can be maintained even if the upper and lower sides (front and rear sides) of the second split case 30 are reversed.

A pair of second locking portions 39 are formed on both left and right side surfaces of the outer peripheral wall 31 of the second split case 30. A pair of second locking portions 39 is formed on the inner surface of the second split housing 30. Each of the second locking portions 39 has a second locking projection 40 projecting inward from a side surface of the second split case 30. A pair of protruding walls 41 extending in the vertical direction are formed at both front and rear ends of each second locking portion 39. Each of the second locking projections 40 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is formed on the inner surface of the second split case 30 so as to extend between the pair of projecting walls 41. The second locking projection 40 extends in the front-rear direction.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the entire insulating housing 15 without the relay contact 50.

As shown in fig. 5, the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 are coupled by a pair of front and rear first coupling portions 46 extending linearly from the first split case 16 side, a pair of front and rear second coupling portions 47 extending linearly from the second split case 30 side, and a flexible portion 48. The pliable portion 48 connects the first connection portion 46 and the second connection portion 47. The front and rear pair of first connecting portions 46 and the front and rear pair of second connecting portions 47 are located on the same plane as each other in the expanded state.

As shown in fig. 2 and 5, the flexible portion 48 is thinner than the front and rear first connecting portions 46 and second connecting portions 47. The front and rear first connecting portions 46 and second connecting portions 47 can (easily) be recessed (bent in a direction in which the first and second split cases 16 and 30 approach each other) in fig. 1, 5, and the like, with the flexible portions 48 extending in the front-rear direction as bending lines. The first connecting portion 46 is set to have a bending rigidity smaller than that of the second connecting portion 47.

The first split case 16, the first connecting portion 46, the easily bendable portion 48, the second connecting portion 47, and the second split case 30 have a strength (rigidity) to such an extent that the unfolded state is automatically maintained in the unfolded state shown in fig. 1 and 5.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the relay contact 50 alone. The structure of the relay contact 50 is described in detail with reference to fig. 6.

The relay contact 50 is formed by forming a thin plate of a copper alloy (for example, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, titanium copper) or corson copper alloy having spring elasticity into the illustrated shape using a progressive die (press). On the surface of the relay contact 50, after forming a base by nickel plating, tin-copper plating or tin plating (or gold plating) is applied.

The relay contact 50 integrally has: a flat plate-like substrate 51 extending in the left-right direction; a pair of first cable crimping pieces 52 in a flat plate shape protruding from one end portion of front and rear side edge portions of the base sheet 51 and extending in a direction orthogonal to the base sheet 51; and a pair of second cable crimping pieces 54 in a flat plate shape protruding from the other end portion of the front and rear side edge portions of the base sheet 51 and extending in a direction orthogonal to the base sheet 51. The front-to-rear width of the pair of first cable crimping pieces 52 is substantially the same as the front-to-rear width of the pair of second cable crimping pieces 54. Circular positioning holes 51a are formed in the left and right portions of the substrate 51. The front and rear first cable crimping pieces 52 and the second cable crimping pieces 54 are respectively formed with a first crimping groove 53 and a second crimping groove 55 each formed of a slit linearly extending toward the base piece 51. The upper end opening of the first pressure-bonding groove 53 is formed in a substantially V shape extending upward from the distal end portion 52 a. The upper end opening of the second pressure-bonding groove 55 is formed in a substantially V shape extending upward from the distal end portion 54 a.

The first cable crimping pieces 52, the first crimping groove 53, and the distal end portion 52a constitute a crimping portion P1. Similarly, the second cable crimping piece 54, the second crimping groove 55, and the distal end portion 54a constitute a crimping portion P2. Thus, the relay contact 50 has a pair of crimping portions P1, P2. As shown in fig. 6, the pair of crimping portions P1, P2 are separated from each other. The pair of pressure-contact sections P1, P2 are arranged linearly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction, i.e., in the left-right direction. A slit S is formed between the pair of pressure-bonding parts P1, P2. The pair of crimping portions P1, P2 have, for example, the same shape and size as each other. The pressure-contact sections P1 and P2 have shapes that are substantially line-symmetrical about straight lines L1 and L2, respectively, which are vertical directions along the fitting direction. The pressure-bonding sections P1 are formed symmetrically with respect to the first pressure-bonding groove 53. Similarly, the pressure-bonding section P2 is formed symmetrically about the second pressure-bonding groove 55.

The relay contact 50 has narrow portions 52b, 54b, and the narrow portions 52b, 54b are formed continuously with the pair of front and rear pressure-bonding sections P1 and the pair of front and rear pressure-bonding sections P2, respectively, and are narrower than the width of each pressure-bonding section. A front and rear pair of first cable crimping pieces 52 and second cable crimping pieces 54 are connected to the base sheet 51 via the narrow- width portions 52b, 54b, respectively. The distance between the opposing edges of the first cable crimping pieces 52 and the second cable crimping pieces 54 positioned in the left-right direction, i.e., the left-right width of the slit portion S, is narrower than the distance between the opposing edges of the narrow width portions 52b, 54 b.

The narrow portions 52b and 54b are formed in shapes that are narrowed approximately line-symmetrically about straight lines L1 and L2 along the fitting direction with respect to the pressure-contact portions P1 and P2, respectively. The left side surface of the narrow portion 52b is continuously formed so as to be inwardly constricted from the left side surface of the pressure-bonding section P1. The right side surface of the narrow-width portion 52b is continuously formed so as to be narrowed inward from the right side surface of the pressure-bonding section P1, in a symmetrical manner with the left side surface. Similarly, the left and right side surfaces of the narrow portion 54b are continuously formed so as to be bilaterally symmetrically contracted from the left and right side surfaces of the pressure-bonding section P2 toward the inside, respectively. The pressure-bonding part P1 and the narrow part 52b are integrally formed in a line-symmetric shape centered on the straight line L1. Similarly, the pressure-bonding part P2 and the narrow part 54b are integrally formed in a line-symmetrical shape centered on the straight line L2. The narrow portions 52b and 54b have, for example, the same shape and size as the pair of pressure-bonding sections P1 and P2.

A play portion 51b is provided between the narrow portions 52b, 54 b. Only the slit portion S is provided between the first cable crimping piece 52 and the second cable crimping piece 54, and no other member such as an insulator is provided.

The relay contact 50 is wrapped around the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 in a state of being electrically connected to the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 in a state where the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 are fitted to each other. More specifically, when the first and second split housings 16 and 30 are fitted to each other, the relay contact 50 cuts the insulating coating layer 62 and the insulating coating layer 67 through the first and second pressure- bonding grooves 53 and 55, respectively, to electrically connect the first and second cables 60 and 65 to each other. After the relay contact 50 is fitted, the first pressure-bonding groove 53 and the second pressure-bonding groove 55 clamp the core wire 61 and the core wire 66, respectively, so that the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are electrically connected to each other.

The first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are members in which surfaces of core wires 61 and 66 (stranded wires or single wires) made of a material having conductivity and flexibility (for example, copper or aluminum) are covered with tubular, flexible, and insulating covering layers 62 and 67, respectively. The first cable 60 is a cable that is initially wired inside an object to be wired (e.g., an automobile or the like) and is connected to a power supply of the object to be wired. The second cable 65 is a cable to be connected to the first cable 60 added later. An electronic device, an electrical device (e.g., a car navigation system), or the like is connected to one end (front end) of the second cable 65.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the connector 10, the first cable 60, and the second cable 65 at a stage when the insulating housing 15 is shifted from the expanded state to the locked state. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the connector 10, the first cable 60, and the second cable 65 when the insulating housing 15 is in the locked state. Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX of fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along line X-X of fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI of fig. 8.

In assembling the connector 10 by integrating the insulating housing 15, the relay contact 50, the first cable 60, and the second cable 65 and electrically connecting the first cable 60 and the second cable 65, the assembly worker fits the lower portion of the relay contact 50 into the contact mounting groove 18 of the first split housing 16 in the expanded state shown in fig. 1 and 5 by hand or the like. Specifically, in a state where both left and right end portions of the substrate 51 are respectively engaged with the protrusions 18c, the substrate 51 is engaged with the bottom portion of the contact mounting groove 18 while the play portion 51b is engaged with the intermediate protrusion 18 b. The base plate 51-side half portion (lower half portion in fig. 1, 2) of the first cable crimping piece 52 is fitted to the corresponding fixing portion 18a, and the base plate 51-side half portion of the second cable crimping piece 54 is fitted to the corresponding fixing portion 18 a. Since the pair of positioning projections 18d of the first split case 16 are fitted into the pair of positioning holes 51a of the substrate 51 (see fig. 2 and 9), the relay contact 50 is positioned in the first split case 16. When the relay contact 50 is mounted to the first split case 16, the front and rear first pressure-contact grooves 53 are located on the axis passing through the front and rear first cable mounting grooves 19, and the front and rear second pressure-contact grooves 55 are located on the axis passing through the front and rear second cable mounting grooves 20.

The assembly operator pushes the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 (see fig. 1) by hand against the resistance of the front and rear detachment prevention projections 35c and 36c and 35d and 36d, respectively. At this time, the respective projection pieces 37a, 38a, 37b, 38b are deflected against the elastic force to widen the intervals of the opposing fall-off preventing projections 35c, 36c and 35d, 36 d. When the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are pushed into the first cable holding grooves 35a, 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b, 36b, respectively, the intervals between the opposing separation preventing projections 35c, 36c and 35d, 36d become narrow. Thereby, the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are respectively clamped between the bottom portions of the first cable holding grooves 35a, 36a and the bottom portions of the second cable holding grooves 35b, 36b and the drop-off preventing projections 35c, 36c and 35d, 36 d. Thus, the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 can move in the cable extending direction while receiving resistance. Therefore, the positions in the extending direction of the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 can be adjusted with respect to the connector 10 in the expanded state shown in fig. 1 and 2. When the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are to be separated from the first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b, respectively, resistance against separation is received. Therefore, even if the connector 10 is turned upside down, the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are not easily detached from the first cable holding grooves 35a, 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b, 36b, respectively. The first cable 60 and the second cable 65 can be disengaged from the first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b, respectively, by a predetermined biasing force or more. Therefore, replacement of the connector 10 and modification of the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 attached to and detached from the connector 10 are facilitated.

In a state where the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are arranged in the left-right direction and fitted into and held by the first cable holding grooves 35a, 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b, 36b, respectively, the second split case 30 (the front and rear second connecting portions 47) is rotated about the front and rear flexible portions 48 so as to be close to the first split case 16 (the front and rear first connecting portions 46). Then, the second locking projection 40 on the first split case 16 side abuts against the inclined surface 26a of the corresponding first locking projection 26. When the second locking projection 40 is further rotated, the corresponding inclined surface 26a slides downward, and the corresponding first locking projection 26 is elastically deformed in the inner direction of the first split case 16. The second pressing groove 32b of the cable pressing projection 32 located on the second connection portion 47 side slightly presses the intermediate portion of the second cable 65 toward the back side (lower side) of the second pressure-bonding groove 55. Thereby, the intermediate portion of the second cable 65 enters the space between the front and rear second cable crimping pieces 54.

The second split case 30 is rotated by hand or the like in a direction to approach the first split case 16 around the front and rear flexible portions 48. The first pressing groove 32a of the cable pressing projection 32 located on the opposite side of the second connection portion 47 presses the intermediate portion of the first cable 60 against the distal end portion 52a of the first cable pressing piece 52 in the extending direction of the first pressing groove 53 or in the direction close thereto. Therefore, the first cable 60 is sandwiched by the tip portion 52a and the cable pressing projection 32.

After the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are placed on the distal end portions 52a and 54a of the relay contact 50, the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 are pressed substantially in parallel in the direction of approaching each other by a general tool (for example, forceps) not shown. Each second locking projection 40 engages with the corresponding first locking projection 26. Each convex wall 41 of the second locking portion 39 is fitted to the corresponding concave portion 25 a. Thereby, the first split housing 16 is accommodated in the second split housing 30, and the first locking portion 25 and the second locking portion 39 are engaged with each other inside the first split housing 16 and the second split housing 30 which are fitted to each other.

The cable pressing projection 32 further presses the intermediate portions of the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 into the back sides (bottom sides) of the first pressure-bonding groove 53 and the second pressure-bonding groove 55, respectively. Therefore, the first cable 60 is press-fitted from the distal end portion 52a to a substantially central portion of the first pressure-bonding groove 53. The second cable 65 is press-fitted from the distal end portion 54a to a substantially central portion of the second pressure-bonding groove 55. At this time, the pressing directions of the first pressing groove 32a and the second pressing groove 32b of the cable pressing projection 32 with respect to the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are substantially parallel to the vertical direction (the extending direction of the first pressure-bonding groove 53 and the second pressure-bonding groove 55). Thereby, both left and right side portions of the covering layer 62 of the first cable 60 are broken by the inner surfaces (both left and right sides) of the first pressure-bonding groove 53. The coating layer 67 of the second cable 65 is broken at both left and right sides by the inner surfaces (both left and right sides) of the second pressure-bonding groove 55. Therefore, when the insulating housing 15 is held in the closed state, the inner surfaces (a pair of opposing surfaces) of the first crimping grooves 53 are uniformly and reliably brought into contact (crimped) with both side portions of the core wire 61. The inner surfaces (a pair of opposing surfaces) of the second pressure-bonding groove 55 uniformly and reliably contact (press-bond) both side portions of the core wire 66. As a result, inside the connector 10, the core wire 61 of the first cable 60 and the core wire 66 of the second cable 65 are electrically conducted to each other via the relay contact 50.

Since the inner surfaces of the first pressure-bonding groove 53 and the second pressure-bonding groove 55 do not excessively strongly contact one of the both side portions of the core wires 61 and 66, a part of the core wires 61 and 66 is not cut by the first pressure-bonding groove 53 and the second pressure-bonding groove 55, respectively. Therefore, since the mechanical strength of the core wires 61, 66 is not reduced, even if a tensile force acts on the first cable 60 and the second cable 65, there is little possibility that the core wires 61, 66 are completely cut. Therefore, the contact reliability of the first and second cables 60 and 65 and the relay contact 50 can be improved.

In a state where the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 are held (locked) in a closed state (fitted), the opposing surfaces 21a, 22a of the lid portions 21, 22 of the first split case 16 close a part of the openings (upper openings in fig. 4) of the first cable holding grooves 35a, 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b, 36 b. The first cable 60 is sandwiched between the pair of inclined surfaces 19a of the first split case 16 and the corresponding inclined surfaces 35e and 36e of the second split case 30 in the vertical direction. The second cable 65 is sandwiched between the pair of inclined surfaces 20a of the first split case 16 and the corresponding inclined surfaces 35f and 36f of the second split case 30 in the vertical direction. With this configuration, when the first and second split cases 16 and 30 are in the closed state (locked state), the filler is in close contact with the surfaces of the coating layers 62 and 67 of the first and second cables 60 and 65, and does not interfere with electrical conduction to the relay contact 50. Therefore, even if the first cable 60 or the second cable 65 is vibrated and bent by an external force applied to the outside of the connector 10, the movement and the stress due to the bending of the first cable 60 or the second cable 65 can be suppressed from being transmitted to the contact portion with the relay contact 50, and the contact reliability can be maintained.

As shown in fig. 10, in the locked state, the partition wall 33 of the second split housing 30 is fitted into the slit portion S of the relay contact 50. Similarly, in the locked state, the partition wall 18b1 of the first split housing 16 is fitted into the slit portion S of the relay contact 50. The partition wall 18b1 and the partition wall 33 are fitted into the slit portion S in a state where they face each other in the vertical direction in the locked state. In other words, the pair of pressure-bonding sections P1, P2 separated from each other by the slit section S are separated by the partition wall 18b1 and the partition wall 33 while forming a predetermined gap with the partition wall 18b1 and the partition wall 33. On the other hand, the projection 18b2 of the first split case 16 is fitted between the pair of narrow width portions 52b, 54b wider than the width of the slit portion S. The projection 18c of the first split case 16 is located outside each of the pair of narrow- width portions 52b, 54b so as to be adjacent to the pair of narrow- width portions 52b, 54 b.

Hereinafter, the connector 10 loaded with the filler 70 will be mainly described. The filler 70 is provided in the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 (the first filler 70a and the second filler 70b), respectively. The first filler 70a and the second filler 70b may be joined to each other to be integrated with each other or may be bonded to each other to form a joint surface when the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 are fitted to each other. The filler 70 may be any material having binding or adhesive properties, such as a water-repellent gel, a UV curable resin, or an adhesive.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the filler 70 is loaded in the insulating case 15 in the expanded state. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to fig. 9 showing a locked state of the connector 10 filled with the filler 70.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 12, the filler 70 is attached to the inner peripheral first opposing surface 17b of the first split case 16 and the inner peripheral second opposing surface 31b of the second split case 30.

The planar shape of the lower surface of the first filler 70a attached to the inner peripheral first opposing surface 17b of the first split case 16 is substantially the same as the inner peripheral first opposing surface 17b, and is formed so as to surround the relay contact 50. The height of the first filler 70a is a height at which the first filler 70a and the second filler 70b are bonded or adhered to each other when the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 are fitted to each other.

The planar shape of the lower surface of the second filler 70b attached to the inner peripheral side second opposing surface 31b of the second split case 30 is substantially the same as the inner peripheral side second opposing surface 31b, and is formed so as to surround the cable pressing projection 32. The height of the second filler 70b is a height at which the first filler 70a and the second filler 70b are bonded or adhered to each other when the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 are fitted to each other.

When the connector 10 is shifted from the expanded state shown in fig. 12 to the locked state, as shown in fig. 13, the entire inside of the fitted first split housing 16 and second split housing 30 is filled with the filler 70. In more detail, when the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 are brought into the locked state, the filler 70 is in close contact with the inner periphery side first opposing surface 17b and the inner periphery side second opposing surface 31b, and surrounds the relay contact 50.

In the locked state, the first filler 70a and the second filler 70b are pressed against each other to be temporarily in a compressed state, and are reliably brought into close contact. In this case, when the filler 70 is made of a material having a binding property, the first filler 70a and the second filler 70b are integrated by a chemical reaction such as hydrogen bonding. In the case where the filler 70 is composed of a material having adhesiveness, the first filler 70a and the second filler 70b form a joint surface and adhere to each other. As described above, the filler 70 seals the periphery of the relay contact 50.

The first cable 60 and the second cable 65 extend outward from the relay contact 50 disposed inside the filler 70 in the locked state. The first cable 60 and the second cable 65 extend outward in the front-rear direction from the crimped portion of the relay contact 50.

The filler 70 abuts on the inner surfaces of the pair of first locking portions 25 of the first split case 16. As shown in fig. 13, the engaging surface 27 of the first locking projection 26 and the second locking projection 40 is located within the width of the filler 70 in the vertical direction. When the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 are fitted to each other, the surface of the second locking projection 40 abuts against the outer surface of the first locking portion 25. The abutment surface 42 thus formed is substantially parallel to the inner surface of the first locking portion 25 in abutment with the filler 70.

With the above-described configuration of the filler 70, the connector 10 can effectively suppress the intrusion of external foreign matter such as water or dust.

The connector 10 according to the above-described embodiment can improve the accuracy of pressure-bonding the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 in the relay contact 50, and can improve the contact reliability between each cable and the relay contact 50. As described below, the connector 10 can optimize the opening of the pressure contact portions P1 and P2 with pressure contact, and can improve the contact reliability between each cable and the relay contact 50.

The connector 10 can accurately crimp the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 by separating the pair of pressure-bonding parts P1, P2 from each other in the relay contact 50. By separating the pair of pressure-bonding sections P1, P2 from each other, the connector 10 can secure a space in which the first cable crimping pieces 52 are deformed outward in both the left and right directions. Similarly, the connector 10 can secure a space in which the second cable crimping pieces 54 are deformed outward in both the left and right directions. Thus, when each cable is pressed into the corresponding pressure-bonding groove, the corresponding cable pressure-bonding piece can be deformed outward in both the left and right directions. Therefore, the connector 10 can suppress troubles such as exposure of the core wire, and can accurately press-contact the first cable 60 and the second cable 65.

On the other hand, the connector 10 includes the partition wall 18b1 and the partition wall 33, and thus can prevent the pair of crimping portions P1 and P2 from being opened excessively when the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are crimped. When the crimp portions P1, P2 are excessively opened in the left-right direction along with crimping of the respective cables, the ends thereof contact the partition wall 18b1 or the partition wall 33. Thereby, further opening of the crimping portions P1, P2 is restricted. Therefore, the connector 10 can suppress troubles such as entanglement of the coating layers of the cables, and can accurately crimp the first cable 60 and the second cable 65. By providing the partition wall 18b1 and the partition wall 33, the connector 10 can accurately position the relay contact 50 before and after fitting together with the positioning projection 18 d. Thus, even when an external force is accidentally applied to the pressure-contact sections P1, P2 when the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are pressure-contacted to the relay contact 50, the deformation of the pressure-contact sections P1, P2 can be suppressed by the partition wall 18b1 and the partition wall 33.

In the connector 10, the slit S is provided and the pair of pressure-bonding sections P1 and P2 are arranged in the left-right direction, whereby the relay contact 50 can have a symmetrical shape. Thereby, the connector 10 can make the relay contact 50 compact while securing the deformation allowable space of each of the first cable crimping pieces 52 and the second cable crimping pieces 54. The connector 10 can further improve accuracy in crimping the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 by arranging the pair of crimping portions P1, P2 in the left-right direction.

In the connector 10, since the pressure-bonding sections P1 are formed symmetrically about the first pressure-bonding groove 53, the first cable pressure-bonding pieces 52 can be deformed uniformly in both the right and left directions when the first cable 60 is pressed into the first pressure-bonding groove 53. Similarly, in the connector 10, by forming the pressure-bonding section P2 to be bilaterally symmetrical, the second cable crimping pieces 54 can be deformed uniformly in both the left and right directions. The relay contact 50 can apply a uniform force to the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 in the pressure contact. Thus, the connector 10 can prevent the core wires 61 and 66 from being partially exposed to the outside without being accommodated in the first pressure-bonding groove 53 and the second pressure-bonding groove 55, respectively, and can suppress troubles such as exposure of the core wires. Similarly, the connector 10 can prevent the other cable from being wound in by cutting only one of the right and left sides of the coating layer of each cable, and thus can suppress troubles such as entanglement of the coating layer of each cable.

By providing the narrow portions 52b and 54b, the connector 10 can reduce the size of the relay contact 50. The connector 10 can reduce the width of the relay contact 50 in the lateral direction, and can contribute to reduction in size and weight as a whole. In the connector 10, the first cable crimping pieces 52 and the second cable crimping pieces 54 are spaced apart by the narrow slit portion S, and other members such as an insulator are not attached to the slit portion S, which contributes to the reduction in size and weight of the relay contact 50. The connector 10 has the narrow portions 52b and 54b, and can elastically deform the pressure-contact portions P1 and P2 to a greater extent. The pressure-contact portions P1, P2 are elastically deformable in the left-right direction by their root portions contracting at the connection portions with the narrow portions 52b, 54 b. This can suppress troubles such as exposure of the core wire in the connector 10, and can further improve the accuracy of the pressure contact between the first cable 60 and the second cable 65.

In the connector 10, the narrow portions 52b and 54b are formed in a shape that is narrowed symmetrically in the left-right direction, so that the forming process of the relay contact 50 can be facilitated, which contributes to improvement in productivity. In the connector 10, the pressure-bonding section P1 and the narrow-width section 52b are integrally formed in left-right symmetry, so that the force applied to the pressure-bonding section P1 and the narrow-width section 52b when the first cable 60 is press-fitted can be made uniform on both the left and right sides. Similarly, the connector 10 can make the force applied to the crimping portion P2 and the narrow-width portion 54b uniform on the left and right sides when the second cable 65 is press-fitted. This allows the connector 10 to suppress troubles such as exposure of the core wire and entanglement of the coating layer of each cable, thereby further improving the accuracy of crimping.

In the connector 10, the crimp part P1 and the narrow part 52b, and the crimp part P2 and the narrow part 54b have the same shape and size, so that the same crimping performance can be achieved for the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 of the same specification.

In the connector 10, the partition walls 18b1 and the partition walls 33 face each other in the vertical direction when fitted to each other, and thereby the pressure-contact portions P1 and P2 can be prevented from being opened excessively while the width of the slit portion S in the horizontal direction is narrowed. Since the partition wall 18b1 and the partition wall 33 are adjacent to substantially the entirety of the crimping portions P1, P2 in the up-down direction, the connector 10 can prevent the crimping portions P1, P2 from coming into contact with each other in the left-right direction.

Since the connector 10 has the projection 18b2, the relay contact 50 can be accurately positioned before and after fitting together with the positioning projection 18 d. The connector 10 can position the relay contact 50 with high accuracy in the first split housing 16 by fitting the play portion 51b to the projection 18b2 and fitting the pair of positioning holes 51a to the pair of positioning projections 18d, respectively. Similarly, the connector 10 has the projection 18c, and thus the relay contact 50 can be positioned with higher accuracy.

The connector 10 is internally housed in a state where the relay contact 50 is in conduction with the cable, and thereby the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 can be connected to each other safely. The connector 10 can improve reliability as a product.

In the connector 10, the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are electrically connected with the core wires 61 and 66 of the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 being held between the first pressure-contact groove 53 and the second pressure-contact groove 55, respectively, whereby contact reliability can be improved. This allows the connector 10 to reliably electrically connect the first cable 60 and the second cable 65.

When the filler 70 abuts against the inner surface of the first locking portion 25, the first locking portion 25 having elasticity is intended to be elastically deformed outward by the elastic force from the inside to the outside due to the expansion or swelling of the filler 70. In the connector 10, since the locking portion is formed on the inner side, the engagement between the first locking portion 25 and the second locking portion 39 can be further secured by the connector 10 by the elastic deformation on the outer side. More specifically, the engagement surface 27 of the first locking protrusion 26 and the second locking protrusion 40 is located within the width in the vertical direction of the inner surface of the first locking portion 25 in contact with the filler 70, whereby the expansion force and the like of the filler 70 can be efficiently converted into the engagement force. By making the contact surface 42 substantially parallel to the inner surface of the first locking portion 25 that is in contact with the filler 70, the expansion force of the filler 70 and the like are transmitted to the surfaces of the first locking portion 25 and the second locking projection 40 in the substantially vertical direction. This converts the expansion force of the filler 70 and the like into the engaging force more effectively. As a result, the connector 10 can further improve the close contact state of the first split housing 16 and the second split housing 30. In this way, in the connector 10, even in a state where the elastic force from the inside to the outside acts, the opening action of the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 can be suppressed. As a result, the connector 10 can maintain waterproofness. This effect is exhibited at normal temperature, but is more pronounced as the filler 70 expands more at high temperatures.

In the case where the filler 70 also has a high viscosity, the connector 10 can further suppress the opening between the first split case 16 and the second split case 30. By disposing the filler 70 on the inner surfaces of the first split case 16 and the second split case 30, the respective fillers 70 are bonded to each other in a locked state. The adhesive force acts as resistance to opening the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 that are fitted together.

Since the connector 10 forms the lock mechanism inside the first split housing 16 and the second split housing 30 which are fitted to each other, the outer wall can be formed into a substantially planar shape with few irregularities and few through holes. This can further improve the waterproof property of the connector 10, and can further suppress the intrusion of foreign matter such as water or dust.

In the connector 10, by engaging the first locking projection 26 extending in one direction with the second locking projection 40 extending in the same direction, the engaging surface 27 forms a flat surface extending in the same direction, whereby the area of the engaging surface 27 can be enlarged, and the engagement can be made more firm. In the connector 10, as shown in fig. 13, the engagement surface 27 is formed substantially horizontally, so that the engagement force can be easily transmitted between the first locking projection 26 and the second locking projection 40.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. Accordingly, the above description is illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to fig. 13, which is an enlarged view of an engagement portion between the first locking portion 25 and the second locking portion 39 of the modification. In the above, as shown in fig. 13, the engaging surface 27 of the first locking projection 26 and the second locking projection 40 is a substantially horizontal plane extending in the front-rear direction, but is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in fig. 14, the engaging surface 27 may be inclined downward from the inside toward the outside of the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 that are fitted to each other. The connector 10 can further reduce the possibility of the lock being released by the sectional shape.

The first locking portion 25 is formed in the first split case 16, and the second locking portion 39 is formed in the second split case 30. The first locking portion 25 having elasticity may be formed on the second split housing 30 side not having the relay contact 50, and the second locking portion 39 may be formed on the first split housing 16 side having the relay contact 50. The positions of formation of the first locking portion 25 and the second locking portion 39 in the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 are not limited to the above, and any positions of formation may be used as long as the first split case 16 and the second split case 30 can be fitted and locked.

The first locking portion 25 and the second locking portion 39 each have a first locking projection 26 and a second locking projection 40, respectively, and the first locking projection 26 and the second locking projection 40 engage with each other. The first locking portion 25 and the second locking portion 39 may have any locking mechanism.

The pair of pressure-bonding sections P1 and P2 are arranged in a straight line with the slit S therebetween, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the pair of pressure-bonding sections P1 and P2 may be shifted from each other in the front-rear direction as long as the accuracy of pressure bonding can be ensured. The front-rear width of the pair of first cable crimping pieces 52 is substantially the same as the front-rear width of the pair of second cable crimping pieces 54, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The respective front and rear widths may be different as long as the accuracy of the crimping can be ensured.

The case where each of the pressure-bonding sections has a bilaterally symmetrical shape has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Each of the pressure-bonding sections may have a shape that is asymmetric in the left-right direction as long as it can suppress defects such as exposure of the core wire and maintain the accuracy of the pressure-bonding.

The narrow width portions are formed in a shape that contracts bilaterally symmetrically with respect to the corresponding pressure-bonding section, but the shape is not limited to this. Each narrow portion may be formed in a shape that contracts asymmetrically in the left-right direction as long as it can suppress defects such as core wire exposure. Each of the pressure-bonding sections and the corresponding narrow-width section may be integrally formed in a left-right asymmetrical manner.

The pressure-bonding section P1 and the narrow-width section 52b, and the pressure-bonding section P2 and the narrow-width section 54b have the same shape and size as each other. For example, the pair of crimping portions and the narrow portion may be formed differently from each other so that desired crimping performance of each cable can be achieved in accordance with the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 of different specifications.

The case where the partition wall 18b1 and the partition wall 33 face each other in the vertical direction when they are fitted to each other has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the partition wall 18b1 and the partition wall 33 may be slightly offset from each other in the left-right direction.

The case where the connector 10 has the projection 18b2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The connector 10 may not have the projection 18b2 as long as it can position the relay contact 50 with high accuracy only by the pair of positioning holes 51a and the pair of positioning projections 18d, for example.

The relay contact 50 is mounted on the first split case 16, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The relay contact 50 may be attached to the second split case 30, or may be attached to both the first split case 16 and the second split case 30.

The case where the first and second split cases 16 and 30 are filled with the first and second fillers 70a and 70b, respectively, has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The connector 10 may be configured such that only one of the first split housing 16 and the second split housing 30 includes the filler 70, as long as the appropriate waterproof property can be obtained.

Three or more cables arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the extending direction of the portion of each cable supported by the connector 10 may be connected by the connector 10. In this case, three or more pairs of pressure-bonding grooves may be formed in one relay contact (arranged in the left-right direction). The relay contact may be provided with a plurality of crimping grooves, and at least one of the relay contacts may be provided with two or more pairs of crimping grooves, so that the cable (core wire) is crimped by the crimping grooves.

Description of the reference numerals:

10 connector

15 insulating shell

16 first divided case (object to be fitted)

17 outer peripheral wall

17a inner peripheral side concave part

17b inner peripheral first facing surface

17c first recess in the center

17d center first opposing face

18 contact mounting groove

18a fixed part

18b middle convex part

18b1 dividing wall (first dividing wall)

18b2 projection

18c projection

18d positioning projection

19 first cable mounting groove

19a inclined surface

20 second Cable mounting groove

20a inclined plane

21. 22 cover part

21a, 22a opposite faces

25 first locking part

25a recess

26 first locking projection

26a, 26b inclined surface

27 engaging surface

30 second divided case (fitting object)

31 outer peripheral wall

31a inner peripheral side concave part

31b inner peripheral side second opposing surface

32 Cable pressing projection

32a first pressing groove

32b second pressing groove

32c center projection

32d, 32e projection

33 partition wall (second partition wall)

35. 36 cable support arm

35a, 36a first cable holding groove

35b, 36b second cable holding groove

35c, 36c falling-off prevention projection

35d, 36d falling-off prevention projection

35e, 36e inclined plane

35f, 36f inclined plane

37a, 37b, 38a, 38b tabs

39 second locking part

40 second locking projection

41 convex wall

42 abutting surface

46 first connection part (connection part)

47 second connecting part (connecting part)

48 pliable portion

50 Relay contact (contact)

51 substrate

51a positioning hole

51b play part

52 first cable crimping piece (crimping part)

52a tip part (crimping part)

52b narrow part

53 first crimp groove (crimp part)

54 second Cable crimping piece (crimping part)

54a tip part (crimping part)

54b narrow part

55 second crimping groove (crimping part)

60 first cable (Cable)

61 core wire

62 coating layer

65 second cable (Cable)

66 core wire

67 coating layer

70 Filler

70a first Filler

70b second Filler

L1, L2 straight line

P1, P2 crimping part

S slit part