阅读说明：本技术 连接器 (Connector with a locking member ) 是由 千叶贤 吉开靖芳 于 2018-03-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：连接器(10)具备：外侧壳体(70)、以能够相对于外侧壳体(70)在规定的可动区域内在连接器前后方向上移动的方式收容于外侧壳体(70)的内侧壳体(60)、以及端子(20)。端子(20)具有前端部(50)、基端部(30)、以及位于前端部(50)与基端部(30)之间的弹簧部(40)。前端部(50)具有与连接对象物(94)接触的接触部(52)、以及保持于内侧壳体(60)的前端侧被保持部(51),基端部(30)具有电线连接部(31)(挠性配线材料连接部)、以及保持于外侧壳体(70)的基端侧被保持部(32)。(A connector (10) is provided with: an outer housing (70), an inner housing (60) housed in the outer housing (70) so as to be movable in a predetermined movable region relative to the outer housing (70) in the connector front-rear direction, and a terminal (20). The terminal (20) has a tip portion (50), a base end portion (30), and a spring portion (40) located between the tip portion (50) and the base end portion (30). The distal end portion (50) has a contact portion (52) that contacts an object to be connected (94), and a distal end-side held portion (51) that is held by the inner case (60), and the proximal end portion (30) has an electric wire connection portion (31) (flexible wiring material connection portion), and a proximal end-side held portion (32) that is held by the outer case (70).)

1. A connector is provided with:

an outer case fitted to a counterpart case holding an object to be connected;

an inner housing that is housed in the outer housing so as to be movable in a connector front-rear direction within a predetermined movable region with respect to the outer housing; and

a terminal housed in the outer case,

characterized in that the terminal has a tip portion, a base end portion, and a spring portion located between the tip portion and the base end portion,

the front end portion has a contact portion that contacts the connection object inserted and removed in the front-rear direction of the connector and a front end side held portion that is held by the inner housing,

the base end portion includes a flexible wiring material connecting portion connected to a flexible wiring material, and a base end side held portion held by the outer case.

2. The connector of claim 1,

the outer case has: a housing assembly port formed on a surface of the outer housing on a rear side of the connector and connected to a housing accommodating portion accommodating the inner housing; and a locking part arranged on the housing accommodating part,

the inner housing has an engaged portion that is elastically deformed when the inner housing is pushed into the housing accommodating portion from the housing assembly opening, and that is released from elastic deformation when reaching the locking portion and locked to the locking portion,

the locked portion is locked to the locking portion, whereby the moving range of the inner housing in the connector rear direction is restricted.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2,

the base end side held portion is held in the outer case by being press-fitted to the outer case,

the base end side held portion has a press-fitting shoulder portion for press-fitting from the connector rear direction toward the connector front direction when the base end side held portion is press-fitted,

the base end side held portion is located between the flexible wiring material connecting portion and the spring portion.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the outer housing has a jig insertion hole that penetrates a bottom surface of a base end housing portion for housing the base end portion and communicates the base end housing portion with an external space of the outer housing.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the insertion and extraction axis of the contact portion is substantially parallel to the connection axis of the flexible wiring material connection portion, and the insertion and extraction axis of the contact portion is shifted from the connection axis of the flexible wiring material connection portion in a position orthogonal to a connector front-rear direction.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the spring portion includes a folded-back portion folded back in a connector rear direction which is an insertion direction of the connection object.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connector.

Background

Conventionally, connectors disclosed in patent document 1 (fig. 8 to 9) have been used for connecting internal wirings of automobiles and the like.

The connector (connector B) disclosed in patent document 1 includes a housing (first housing 60) and a terminal (first terminal metal fitting 70) housed inside the housing. The terminal is in contact with an object to be connected (the second terminal fitting 30) at one end (the terminal connection portion 71) and is connected to the electric wire (the electric wire 50) at the other end (the electric wire connection portion 72). When the housing is fitted to the mating housing (second housing 20), one end of the terminal is conductively connected to the object to be connected.

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2004-241246

However, such a connector has the following problems.

That is, since the housing is fitted to the counterpart housing, the housing may shake with respect to the counterpart housing. In this case, there is a possibility that a contact point between an object to be connected held by the housing on the other side and the terminal held by the housing may slide (hereinafter, referred to as "contact point sliding").

Further, since the electric wire (wire harness) connected to the other end of the terminal has flexibility, the electric wire may shake, and in this case, the influence of the shaking of the electric wire is transmitted to the terminal, and the contact may slip.

If contact slip occurs, for example, there is a concern that a plating layer of a terminal or an object to be connected may peel off.

In the connector as described above, it is conceivable that the other end of the terminal is not connected to an electric wire but to an FPC (Flexible printed circuit board) or an FFC (Flexible flat Cable) (in other words, a connector for FPC connection or a connector for FFC connection). The FPC or FFC is also flexible as in the case of the electric wire, and therefore, in this case, as in the case of the electric wire, the influence of the vibration is transmitted to the terminal, and there is a possibility that the contact may slide.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a connector capable of suppressing contact sliding caused by shaking with a mating housing or shaking of a flexible wiring material (a wire, an FPC, an FFC, or the like).

A connector according to a first aspect includes: an outer case fitted to a counterpart case holding an object to be connected; an inner housing that is housed in the outer housing so as to be movable in a connector front-rear direction within a predetermined movable region with respect to the outer housing; and a terminal housed in the outer housing, wherein the terminal has a tip portion, a base portion, and a spring portion located between the tip portion and the base portion, the tip portion has a contact portion that comes into contact with the connection object inserted and removed in a front-rear direction of the connector and a tip-side held portion held by the inner housing, and the base portion has a flexible wiring material connection portion that is connected to a flexible wiring material and a base-side held portion held by the outer housing.

In the connector of the first aspect, the outer housing is fitted to the mating housing in a state where the terminal is conductively connected to the connection object. Therefore, the outer housing may shake in the front-rear direction of the connector with respect to the counterpart housing.

Here, in the connector of the first aspect, the distal end portion of the terminal includes a contact portion that comes into contact with a connection object inserted and pulled in the front-rear direction of the connector, and a distal end side held portion that is held by the inner housing. That is, the tip end of the terminal is held by the inner housing while being in contact with the connection object. The inner housing holding the distal end portion is movable in the connector front-rear direction within a predetermined movable region with respect to the outer housing.

Therefore, even when the outer housing is shaken in the front-rear direction of the connector with respect to the mating housing, the contact point between the object to be connected and the contact portion can be suppressed from sliding by the movement of the inner housing in the front-rear direction of the connector with respect to the outer housing.

The base end portion of the terminal includes a flexible wiring material connecting portion connected to a flexible wiring material and a base end side held portion held by the outer case. That is, the base end portion of the terminal is connected to a flexible wiring material (an electric wire, an FPC, an FFC, or the like) and held in the outer case. Therefore, the influence of the vibration of the flexible wiring material is transmitted to the base end portion of the terminal.

Here, in the connector of the first aspect, the terminal has a spring portion located between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion.

Therefore, even if the flexible wiring member shakes, pushes, or pulls the terminal, the spring portion between the base end portion and the distal end portion elastically deforms, and the influence of the shake of the flexible wiring member on the distal end portion of the terminal can be suppressed. Therefore, contact sliding due to shaking of the flexible wiring material can be suppressed.

A connector according to a second aspect is the connector according to the first aspect, wherein the outer housing includes: a housing assembly port formed on a surface of the outer housing on a rear side of the connector and connected to a housing accommodating portion accommodating the inner housing; and a locking portion provided in the housing receiving portion, wherein the inner housing has an engaged portion that is elastically deformed when the inner housing is pushed into the housing receiving portion from the housing assembling port, and the engaged portion is released from elastic deformation when reaching the locking portion and locked to the locking portion, and a movement range of the inner housing in a connector rear direction is restricted by the engagement of the engaged portion to the locking portion.

In the connector according to the second aspect, the inner housing can be accommodated in the outer housing by pressing the inner housing into the housing accommodating portion from the housing assembling opening formed in the surface of the outer housing on the connector rear side when the connector is assembled.

At this time, the portion to be locked of the inner housing is temporarily elastically deformed, and when the portion to be locked reaches the locking portion formed in the housing accommodating portion, the elastic deformation is released and the locking portion is locked. The locked portion of the inner housing is locked to the locking portion of the outer housing, whereby the moving range of the inner housing in the connector rear direction is restricted (that is, the inner housing is prevented from falling off from the outer housing).

A connector according to a third aspect is the connector according to the first or second aspect, wherein the base end side held portion is held by the outer housing by being press-fitted into the outer housing, the base end side held portion has a press-fitting shoulder portion for being press-fitted from a connector rear direction toward a connector front direction when the base end side held portion is press-fitted, and the base end side held portion is located between the flexible wiring material connecting portion and the spring portion.

In the connector of the third aspect, the base end side held portion is held by the outer housing by being press-fitted to the outer housing. Here, in order to press the base end side held portion into the outer housing, the terminal needs to be pressed into the outer housing by a jig or the like.

Here, when the flexible wiring material connection portion is a wire connection portion, it is conceivable to press-fit the wire connection portion of the terminal by press-fitting. However, in the wire connecting portion, when the jig is used for pressing the wire, a portion to be pressed (press-fitting shoulder portion) is likely to be small, and the wire connecting portion is a portion to be caulked with the wire, and therefore, unevenness may occur. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately press the metal sheet. Further, the caulked portion may be deformed or damaged by press-fitting.

In the case where the flexible wiring material connection portion is other than the electric wire connection portion, for example, in the case of an FPC connection portion, it is conceivable to press-fit the flexible wiring material connection portion into the FPC connection portion of the terminal. However, the FPC connection portion is often only a portion that elastically contacts the FPC, and in this case, it is not appropriate to press-fit the FPC portion with a jig or the like.

Therefore, in the connector according to the third aspect, the base end side held portion having the press-fitting shoulder portion for press-fitting from the connector rear direction toward the connector front direction when the base end side held portion is press-fitted is located between the flexible wiring material connecting portion and the spring portion. Therefore, the base end side held portion can be appropriately press-fitted.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the connector of the third aspect, wherein the outer housing has a jig insertion hole that penetrates a bottom surface of a base end housing portion for housing the base end portion and communicates the base end housing portion with an external space of the outer housing.

In the connector of the fourth aspect, the base end side held portion is easily press-fitted into the outer housing.

That is, in the connector of the third aspect, in the case where the flexible wiring material connecting portion is an electric wire connecting portion, the base end side held portion is located between the electric wire connecting portion and the spring portion, and therefore, even if it is desired to press in the press-in shoulder portion of the base end side held portion from the electric wire side, the electric wire connecting portion is likely to become a disturbance. Therefore, in the connector of the fourth aspect, the outer housing has a jig insertion hole that penetrates through the bottom surface of the base end housing portion for housing the base end portion and communicates the base end housing portion with the external space of the outer housing. Therefore, by inserting the jig or the like from the jig insertion hole, the press-fitting shoulder portion of the proximal end side held portion can be press-fitted without being disturbed by the electric wire connection portion.

It is needless to say that, in the case where the flexible wiring material connecting portion is other than the electric wire connecting portion, for example, even in the case of the FPC connecting portion, the fourth aspect can facilitate the press-fitting of the base end side held portion into the outer case.

A connector according to a fifth aspect is the connector according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the insertion/removal axis of the contact portion is substantially parallel to the connection axis of the flexible wiring material connection portion, and the insertion/removal axis of the contact portion and the connection axis of the flexible wiring material connection portion are displaced from each other in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the connector.

In the connector according to the fifth aspect, since the insertion/extraction shaft of the contact portion is substantially parallel to the connecting shaft of the flexible wiring material connecting portion and the insertion/extraction shaft of the contact portion and the connecting shaft of the flexible wiring material connecting portion are displaced in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the connector (i.e., insertion/extraction shaft), it is possible to suppress the expansion of the front-rear dimension of the connector and to ensure the easiness of deformation of the spring portion.

A connector according to a sixth aspect is the connector according to the fifth aspect, wherein the spring portion includes a folded portion folded back in a connector rear direction which is an insertion direction of the connection object.

In the connector according to the sixth aspect, the spring portion extending from the base end portion to the distal end portion includes a folded portion folded back toward the rear of the connector, except for a position shift between the insertion/extraction shaft and the connection shaft of the flexible wiring material connection portion. Therefore, the spring portion can be more easily deformed.

Effects of the invention

As described above, the present invention has an excellent effect of suppressing contact sliding caused by shaking with the mating housing or shaking of the flexible wiring material.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a terminal is assembled to the inner case.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the connector in an assembled state.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a terminal connected to an electric wire.

Fig. 5 is a rear view showing a state in which the terminal is assembled to the inside housing (in which the leftmost terminal is omitted).

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view from the side showing the same state as fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector in the same state (assembled state) as fig. 3, as viewed from the side.

Fig. 9 is a rear view of the outer housing.

Fig. 10 is a rear view of the connector in an assembled state.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the wire arrangement portion of the outer case (cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in fig. 8).

Fig. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the terminal holding portion of the outer housing (cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in fig. 8).

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view seen from the side showing a state in which the base end side held portion of the terminal is pressed in.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a state before the connector is fitted to the mating housing.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a state where the connector is fitted to the mating housing.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of a connector according to another embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a terminal according to another embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a sectional perspective view showing a connector in an assembled state according to another embodiment.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view of the connector in an assembled state according to another embodiment (the view of fig. 18 is seen from the side of the connector).

Fig. 20 is a rear view of an outer housing of another embodiment.

Fig. 21 is a rear view of another embodiment of the connector in an assembled state.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

< connector 10>

As shown in fig. 1, the connector 10 of the present embodiment includes an outer housing 70, an inner housing 60, and a plurality of (6) terminals 20. The connector 10 is assembled by assembling the plurality of terminals 20 (see fig. 2) to the inner housing 60 and then assembling the terminals 20 and the inner housing 60 to the outer housing 70 (see fig. 3).

< terminal 20>

The terminal 20 will be explained below. The plurality of terminals 20 have the same structure. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing one terminal 20 among the plurality of terminals 20. Fig. 4 shows the terminal 20 connected to the electric wire 80.

In the following description of the terminal 20, an arrow X shown in fig. 4 is taken as a terminal front direction, an arrow Y is taken as one side (left direction) in a terminal width direction, and an arrow Z is taken as a terminal upper direction. Unless otherwise specified, terms such as front-back, up-down, and width (left-right) are used to indicate the front-back of the terminal in the front-back direction, the up-down of the terminal in the up-down direction, and the width (left-right) of the terminal in the width (left-right) direction. In the assembled state of the connector 10, the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions of the terminals 20 substantially coincide with the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions of the connector 10.

The terminal 20 is formed by punching a plate material and then bending the plate material. The material of the terminal 20 is, for example, a conductive material such as a copper alloy.

The terminal 20 includes a base end portion 30, a spring portion 40, and a tip end portion 50 in this order from one end toward the other end.

(basal end 30)

The base end portion 30 linearly extends forward from the rear end 20B of the terminal 20. The base end portion 30 is bent upward on both sides in the width direction (inner surface side in the plate thickness direction) as a whole, and has a substantially U-shaped or substantially C-shaped cross section orthogonal to the front-rear direction and opened upward. The base end portion 30 includes a wire connecting portion 31 and a base end held portion 32 in this order from one end side to the other end side.

The wire connection portion 31 is a portion to be connected to the wire 80 which is a "wiring material having flexibility", and corresponds to a "flexible wiring material connection portion" of the present invention. The wire connection portion 31 includes: a coated pressure-bonding section 31A which is pressure-bonded to the coating 84 of the electric wire 80; and a core wire crimping part 31B crimped on the core wire 82 of the electric wire 80.

In addition, the wire connecting portion 31 has a reinforcing portion 31C formed continuously with the other end side of the core wire crimping portion 31B. The reinforcing portion 31C is formed in a U-shaped cross section that opens upward, and reinforces the wire connecting portion 31.

The base end side held portion 32 is a portion held by the outer case 70. The base end side held portion 32 is formed in a flat plate shape with the plate thickness direction directed in the vertical direction, and locking projections 32K are formed on both sides in the width direction.

The connecting portion 33 connects the wire connecting portion 31 and the base end side held portion 32 in the front-rear direction. The connecting portion 33 has a plate thickness direction oriented in the vertical direction and linearly extends in the front-rear direction. The connecting portion 33 has the same width from one end to the other end, and the width thereof is smaller than the width of the wire connecting portion 31 and the base end side held portion 32, specifically, 3-to-1.

The other end (front end) of the connecting portion 33 is connected to the widthwise central portion of the rear end of the proximal-side held portion 32. Thus, a pair of left and right press-fitting shoulders 32R are formed at the rear end of the base end side held portion 32. A pair of left and right press-fitting shoulders 32R are formed on the left and right sides thereof with the coupling portion 33 interposed therebetween. The press-fitting shoulder 32R is a surface facing rearward of the terminal, and the base end side held portion 32 can be appropriately press-fitted forward by bringing a jig or the like into contact with the press-fitting shoulder 32R.

(spring part 40)

The spring portion 40 is elastically deformed more easily than other portions. The spring portion 40 is elastically deformed, so that the distal end portion 50 can move relative to the base end portion 30 in the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions.

The spring portion 40 of the present embodiment includes, in order from one end side to the other end side, a first straight portion 41, an inclined portion 42, a first curved portion 43, a second straight portion 44, and a second curved portion 45. The spring portion 40 has the same width from one end to the other end, and the width thereof is smaller than the width of the base-end held portion 32, specifically, 3-to-1.

The first straight portion 41 extends forward from the widthwise central portion of the distal end of the proximal held portion 32. The first straight portion 41 extends linearly forward from one end toward the other end with the plate thickness direction facing in the vertical direction. The first linear portion 41 extends in a direction parallel to the terminal front-rear direction. The other end side of the first straight portion 41 is connected to the inclined portion 42 via a bent portion slightly bent toward the inner surface side in the plate thickness direction.

The inclined portion 42 extends linearly in a direction (a forward and upward oblique direction) in which the plate thickness direction is substantially in the vertical direction and slightly inclined upward from one end toward the other end in the forward direction. The angle formed by the extending direction of the inclined portion 42 and the terminal front-rear direction is an angle smaller than 45 degrees, and in the present embodiment, is an angle of approximately 20 degrees. The other end side in the extending direction of the inclined portion 42 is connected to the first bent portion 43.

The first bent portion 43 is bent toward the inner side in the plate thickness direction and has a bent shape protruding forward. The extending direction of the first curved portion 43 from one end to the other end thereof is shifted by approximately 160 degrees. The second straight portion 44 is connected to the other end side of the first bent portion 43 in the extending direction.

The second straight portion 44 extends linearly in the plate thickness direction in the vertical direction from one end to the other end in the rearward direction. The second straight portion 44 extends in a direction parallel to the terminal front-rear direction. The second curved portion 45 is connected to the other end side of the second linear portion 44 in the extending direction.

The second bent portion 45 is bent to the outer surface side in the plate thickness direction and is formed in a shape projecting rearward. Specifically, the second bent portion 45 includes two bent portions 45C bent by substantially 90 degrees. The extending direction of the second bent portion 45 from one end to the other end thereof is changed over by substantially 180 degrees. The other end side in the extending direction of the second bent portion 45 is connected to the tip portion 50.

(front end 50)

The distal end portion 50 has a distal end side held portion 51 and a contact portion 52. The distal end held portion 51 is a portion held by the inner case 60. The contact portion 52 is a portion that contacts the connection object 94 (see fig. 8).

The cross-sectional shape of the distal-side held portion 51 orthogonal to the front-rear direction is a substantially U-shape (substantially U-shape) that is open to the left. Specifically, the distal-end-side held portion 51 includes a lower plate portion 51B, a right plate portion 51R extending upward from the right end of the lower plate portion 51B, and an upper plate portion 51T extending leftward from the upper end of the right plate portion 51R. The spring portion 40 is connected to the widthwise central portion of the rear end of the lower plate portion 51B. The width of the distal end side held portion 51 is larger than the width of the spring portion 40, specifically, 3 times or more.

Locking projections 51K are formed on the left end of the lower plate portion 51B and the left end of the upper plate portion 51T of the distal end side held portion 51, respectively.

The contact portion 52 has a pair of contact piece portions 52A. The pair of contact piece portions 52A extend forward from the widthwise centers of the front ends of the upper plate portion 51T and the lower plate portion 51B of the front end side held portion 51, respectively. The pair of contact pieces 52A contact the object 94 from the top-bottom direction, and the terminal 20 is electrically connected to the object 94.

< inner case 60>

Next, the inner case 60 will be described.

In the following description of the inner case 60, the arrow X is defined as the inner case front direction, the arrow Y is defined as one side (left direction) in the inner case width direction, and the arrow Z is defined as the inner case upper direction. Unless otherwise specified, terms such as front-back, up-down, and width (left-right) are used to indicate the front-back of the inner case in the front-back direction, the up-down of the inner case in the up-down direction, and the width (left-right) of the inner case in the width (left-right) direction. In the assembled state of the connector 10, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions of the inner housing 60 substantially coincide with the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions of the connector 10.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the inner housing 60 has a front end accommodating portion 62 that accommodates and holds the front end portion 50 of the terminal 20. A plurality of (6) tip end receiving portions 62 are provided according to the number of terminals 20, and the tip end receiving portions 62 are formed in parallel in the width direction of the inner housing 60. The plurality of front end receiving portions 62 have the same structure as each other.

As shown in fig. 1, the front end housing portion 62 is a space that opens rearward at the rear surface 60R of the inner case 60. This opening portion is referred to as a front end assembly port. By inserting the distal end portion 50 of the terminal 20 into the distal end accommodating portion 62 from the distal end assembly opening, the distal end portion 50 of the terminal 20 can be accommodated and held in the distal end accommodating portion 62 of the inner housing 60 (see fig. 2).

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the inner case 60 as viewed from the rear. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of fig. 5. In addition, only the terminal 20 corresponding to the leftmost front end housing portion 62 among the plurality of front end housing portions 62 is omitted.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the front end housing portion 62 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped space, and includes an upper wall 62T, a lower wall 62B, a left wall 62L, a right wall 62R, and a front wall 62F.

A connection object insertion hole 63 into which the connection object 94 is inserted is formed in the front wall 62F. The object insertion hole 63 penetrates the front wall 62F in the front-rear direction, and has a rectangular cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the front-rear direction. As shown in fig. 7, the front portion when the object insertion hole 63 is divided into the front portion and the rear portion becomes a tapered portion 63F gradually expanding forward.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, a projecting portion 62LD projecting in the right direction is formed on the left wall 62L of the front end housing portion 62. The protruding portion 62LD is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped portion protruding rightward from a portion of the left wall 62L other than the upper end portion and the lower end portion. As shown in fig. 6, the protruding portion 62LD is integrally formed in the front-rear direction of the front end housing portion 62 from the front end assembly port (the rear end of the front end housing portion 62) to the front wall 62F.

As shown in fig. 5, in a state where the distal end portion 50 of the terminal 20 is held by the distal end accommodating portion 62, the left end of the upper plate portion 51T of the distal end held portion 51 of the terminal 20 is disposed above the protruding portion 62LD, and the left end of the lower plate portion 51B of the distal end held portion 51 of the terminal 20 is disposed below the protruding portion 62 LD.

As shown in fig. 6, a stepped portion 64 is formed on the right wall 62R of the front end housing portion 62, and the width dimension of the front end housing portion 62 changes back and forth across the stepped portion 64. Thus, the width dimension of the front end housing portion 62 on the front side (front portion 62A) of the stepped portion 64 is reduced, and the width dimension of the rear end housing portion on the rear side (rear portion 62B) of the stepped portion 64 is increased.

More specifically, the stepped portion 64 is composed of a vertical surface 64A vertically connected to the right wall 62R of the rear portion 62B of the front end housing portion 62, and a corner surface 64B obliquely connected to the right wall 62R of the front portion 62A of the front end housing portion 62. The corner surface 64B is an inclined surface that is chamfered between the right wall 62R of the front portion 62A of the front end housing 62 and the vertical surface 64A.

In addition, in a state where the distal end portion 50 of the terminal 20 is accommodated in the distal end accommodating portion 62, the right plate portion 51R of the distal end side held portion 51 is in contact with the right wall 62R of the rear portion 62B of the distal end accommodating portion 62. On the other hand, the locking projections 51K of the upper plate portion 51T and the lower plate portion 51B of the distal end held portion 51 cut into the left wall 62L of the rear portion 62B of the distal end housing portion 62. Thereby, the distal end held portion 51 is press-fitted into and held by the inner case 60.

As shown in fig. 1 and 5, the outer shape of the inner case 60 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the width direction, and specifically, the lower portion of the inner case 60 has a large width dimension with respect to the other portions (the upper portion than the lower portion). In other words, the inner case 60 is composed of a wide portion 60B at the lower portion and a generally wide portion 60A other than the lower portion.

The inner case 60 has a locked portion 65 to be locked to a locking portion 75 (see fig. 7 and 8) of the outer case 70 described later.

The engaged portion 65 of the present embodiment is formed in the center portion in the width direction on the upper surface 60U side of the inner case 60. Specifically, as shown in fig. 2, a recessed portion 66 recessed downward is formed in the upper surface 60U of the inner case 60 at the center in the width direction. The engaged portion 65 projects from the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the recess 66. As shown in fig. 7, the engaged portion 65 includes a spring piece portion 65A extending rearward and a body portion 65B formed at a front end (rear end) of the spring piece portion 65A. The body portion 65B is formed to protrude upward from the spring piece portion 65A and the upper surface 60U of the inner case 60. When a downward load is applied to the main body portion 65B, the spring piece portion 65A is elastically deformed, and the main body portion 65B is displaced downward.

< outer case 70>

Next, the outer case 70 will be explained.

In the following description of the outer case 70, the arrow X is defined as the outer case front direction, the arrow Y is defined as one side (left direction) in the outer case width direction, and the arrow Z is defined as the outer case upper direction. Unless otherwise specified, terms such as front-back, up-down, and width (left-right) are used to indicate the front-back of the outer case in the front-back direction, the up-down of the outer case in the up-down direction, and the width (left-right) of the outer case in the width (left-right) direction. The front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions of the outer case 70 coincide with the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions of the connector 10.

As shown in fig. 7 and 9, the outer case 70 has a receiving portion 71 which is a space opened rearward. The connector 10 is assembled by inserting the inner housing 60, in which the plurality of terminals 20 are assembled, from the opening portion of the rear surface 70R of the outer housing 70 to the back side of the housing portion 71.

As shown in fig. 9, the housing portion 71 is composed of a housing upper portion 72 and a housing lower portion 73 divided into a plurality of (6) spaces, which are continuous in the width direction.

(storage upper part 72)

As shown in fig. 8 and 10, the inner case 60 is housed in the housing upper portion 72. Specifically, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, the inner housing 60 is inserted from a housing assembly port 72RR at the rear end of the housing upper portion 72, passes through the rear portion 72R of the housing upper portion 72, and is housed in the front portion 72F of the housing upper portion 72. That is, the front portion 72F that houses the upper portion 72 serves as a housing portion 72F that houses the inner housing 60. The rear portion 72R of the housing upper portion 72 serves as a housing passage portion 72R through which the inner housing 60 passes.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, when the housing upper portion 72 is viewed from the rear side of the outer case 70, the shape thereof is substantially similar to the shape of the inner case 60 viewed from the rear side. That is, the accommodating upper portion 72 is constituted by the general width portion 72A through which the general width portion 60A of the inner case 60 passes and is accommodated, and the wide width portion 72B through which the wide width portion 60B of the inner case 60 passes and is accommodated.

The housing upper portion 72 is formed forward while maintaining the shape of the housing assembly port 72 RR. That is, the housing upper portion 72 has substantially the same sectional shape (sectional shape orthogonal to the front-rear direction) in all of the housing receiving portion 72F as the front portion thereof, the housing passing portion 72R as the rear portion thereof, and the housing assembling port 72RR as the rear end thereof. However, a tapered surface (chamfered surface) for introducing the inner case 60 is formed in the case assembly port 72 RR.

A front wall 71F is formed at the front end of the receiving portion 71. A plurality of (6) object-to-be-connected insertion holes 74 are formed in the front wall 71F at positions corresponding to the objects to be connected 94. The object insertion hole 74 penetrates the front wall 71F of the housing portion 71 in the front-rear direction. As shown in fig. 7, the front portion when the object insertion hole 74 is divided into the front portion and the rear portion becomes a tapered portion 74F gradually expanding toward the front.

As shown in fig. 10, the vertical dimension and the width dimension of the housing upper portion 72 are formed slightly larger than the outer shape of the inner case 60. Accordingly, the vertical dimension and the width dimension of the housing receiving portion 72F are slightly larger than the outer shape dimension of the inner housing 60. Therefore, the inner case 60 can move in the vertical direction and the width direction within a predetermined movable region with respect to the outer case 70.

(engaging part 75)

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, a locking portion 75 is formed at the front portion (housing portion 72F) of the housing upper portion 72. The locking portion 75 is a hole that penetrates (at the center in the width direction of) the upper wall 71U of the housing receiving portion 72F in the vertical direction.

In a state where the inner case 60 is accommodated in the outer case 70, the body portion 65B of the engaged portion 65 of the inner case 60 is disposed in the locking portion 75. Therefore, when the inner housing 60 moves rearward, the body 65B of the locked portion 65 abuts against the locking portion 75. That is, the engaged portion 65 is engaged by the engaging portion 75, and the range of movement of the inner case 60 in the rearward direction is restricted. That is, the inner case 60 is prevented from falling off from the outer case 70.

On the other hand, when the inner housing 60 moves forward, the inner housing 60 abuts against the front wall 71F of the housing portion 71. Thereby, the moving range of the inner case 60 in the forward direction is restricted.

As a result, the inner case 60 can move in the front-rear direction within a predetermined movable range with respect to the outer case 70.

As shown in fig. 8 and 10, in a free state (hereinafter, referred to as a free state) in which the connection object 94 is not connected, the inner housing 60 is in a state of floating in the housing upper portion 72 via the terminal 20. In other words, in the free state, the inner case 60 is located at an intermediate position in the movable region and can move in any direction of up, down, left, right, front, and rear.

(storage lower part 73)

As shown in fig. 9, the lower housing portion 73 is formed of a plurality of (6) terminal housing portions 73 (the same reference numerals as those of the lower housing portion 73 are used) arranged in the width direction. The plurality of terminal receiving portions 73 are divided from each other and have the same configuration.

The terminal housing portion 73 is a space that is open toward the upper housing portion 72 side and extends in the front-rear direction, and includes a bottom wall 73U and a pair of left and right side walls 73S.

As shown in fig. 8, in the terminal housing portion 73 extending in the front-rear direction, the wire 80, the wire connecting portion 31 of the terminal 20, the base end side held portion 32, and the spring portion 40 are arranged in this order from the rear to the front.

The wire 80 and the wire connecting portion 31 are disposed at the rear portion (the wire disposing portion 73C) of the terminal accommodating portion 73.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of fig. 8. As shown in fig. 11, the width W1 of the upper end of the wire arrangement portion 73C is smaller than the width of the wire connection portion 31 of the terminal 20, and the wire connection portion 31 is arranged below the upper end of the wire arrangement portion 73C. Further, the width W1 of the upper end of the wire arrangement portion 73C is formed larger than the width of the spring portion 40. Thereby, (the second bent portion 45 of) the spring portion 40 can be passed through by the upper end portion of the wire arrangement portion 73C in the front-rear direction.

The width W2 of the lower end portion of the wire arrangement portion 73C is larger than the width W3 of the vertical intermediate portion, and the width W2 thereof is larger than the width of the base-end held portion 32 including the locking projection 32K. Thereby, the lower end portion of the wire arrangement portion 73C can pass the base end side held portion 32 having a larger width dimension than the wire connection portion 31 in the front-rear direction.

The base end side held portion 32 of the terminal 20 is held in a front-rear direction intermediate portion (terminal holding portion 73B) of the terminal housing portion 73.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of fig. 8. As shown in fig. 12, the width W4 of the lower end portion of the terminal holding portion 73B is smaller than the width W2 (see fig. 11) of the lower end portion of the wire arrangement portion 73C, and the width W4 thereof is smaller than the width including the locking projection 32K of the base-end held portion 32. Thus, the base end side held portion 32 is press-fitted into the lower end portion of the terminal holding portion 73B, whereby the locking projections 32K cut into the left and right side walls 73S of the lower end portion of the terminal holding portion 73B. In this way, the base end side held portion 32 is pressed into the outer case 70.

The width W5 above the lower end of the wire arrangement portion 73C is a dimension through which the spring portion 40 can pass in the front-rear direction, and specifically, is the same as the width W1 of the upper end of the wire arrangement portion 73C.

The spring portion 40 of the terminal 20 is disposed in the front portion (spring disposition portion 73A) of the terminal housing portion 73. The spring arrangement portion 73A is formed to have the same width from the lower end to the upper end, and the width is the same as the width W5 of the wire arrangement portion 73C other than the lower end or the width W1 of the upper end of the wire arrangement portion 73C.

(jig insertion hole 76)

As shown in fig. 8, a jig insertion hole 76 penetrating the bottom wall 73U in the vertical direction is formed in the bottom wall 73U of the housing lower portion 73. The jig insertion hole 76 is formed right behind the terminal holding portion 73B and right in front of the wire arrangement portion 73C. As shown in fig. 13, in a state where the base end side held portion 32 of the terminal 20 is press-fitted to some extent, a jig is inserted into the terminal holding portion 73B from the jig insertion hole 76, whereby the press-fitting shoulder portion 32R of the base end side held portion 32 can be press-fitted by the jig.

(fitting with the case 92 on the other side)

As shown in fig. 14 and 15, the outer case 70 is configured to be fitted to a mating case 92 holding a connection object 94. Specifically, the engaged portion 77 is formed on the upper surface side of the outer case 70, and the outer case 70 is fitted to the mating case 92 by inserting the outer case 70 into the fitting opening 95 of the mating case 92 from the front side, as shown in fig. 15. Thereby, the plurality of connection objects 94 are electrically connected to the plurality of terminals 20.

< Effect >

Next, the operation and effects of the present embodiment will be described.

In the connector 10 of the present embodiment, in a state where the terminal 20 is conductively connected to the object 94 to be connected, as shown in fig. 15, the outer housing 70 is fitted to the mating housing 92. Therefore, the outer case 70 may be shaken with respect to the counterpart case 92.

Here, in the connector 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, the distal end portion 50 of the terminal 20 includes a contact portion 52 that comes into contact with a connection object 94 inserted and pulled in the connector front-rear direction, and a distal end side held portion 51 that is held by the inner housing 60. That is, the front end 50 of the terminal 20 is held by the inner housing 60 while being in contact with the connection object 94. As shown in fig. 8 and 10, the inner housing 60 holding the distal end portion 50 is movable in the connector front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions within a predetermined movable region with respect to the outer housing 70.

Therefore, even when the outer case 70 is shaken with respect to the mating case 92, the contact point between the object 94 and the contact portion 52 can be prevented from sliding by the movement of the inner case 60 with respect to the outer case 70.

The base end portion 30 of the terminal 20 includes a wire connecting portion 31 connected to the wire 80 and a base end side held portion 32 held by the outer housing 70. That is, the base end portion 30 of the terminal 20 is connected to the wire 80 and held by the outer case 70. Therefore, the influence of the shaking of the wire 80 is transmitted to the base end portion 30 of the terminal 20.

Here, in the connector 10 of the present embodiment, the terminal 20 has the spring portion 40 located between the distal end portion 50 and the base end portion 30.

Therefore, even if the wire 80 shakes and the terminal 20 is pushed or pulled, the spring portion 40 located between the base end portion 30 and the tip end portion 50 elastically deforms, and the tip end portion 50 of the terminal 20 is prevented from being affected by the shake of the wire 80. Therefore, the contact slip due to the wobble of the electric wire 80 can be suppressed.

In the connector 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, when the connector 10 is assembled, the inner housing 60 can be accommodated in the outer housing 70 by pressing the inner housing 60 into the housing accommodating portion 72F from the housing assembling port 72RR formed in the surface (rear surface 70R) of the outer housing 70 on the connector rear side.

At this time, the portion to be locked 65 of the inner housing 60 is temporarily elastically deformed (see fig. 13), and when the portion to be locked 65 reaches the locking portion 75 formed in the housing accommodating portion 72F, the elastic deformation is released and the locking portion 75 is locked. The locked portion 65 of the inner housing 60 is locked to the locking portion 75 of the outer housing 70, whereby the moving range of the inner housing 60 in the connector rear direction is restricted (that is, the inner housing 60 is prevented from falling off from the outer housing 70).

In the connector 10 of the present embodiment, the base end side held portion 32 is held in the outer housing 70 by being press-fitted into the outer housing 70. Here, in order to press-fit the base end side held portion 32 into the outer housing 70, the terminal 20 needs to be press-fitted by a jig or the like.

Here, it is considered that the wire connecting portion 31 of the terminal 20 is press-fitted. However, when the jig is used to press the wire connection portion 31, the pressed portion (press shoulder) tends to be small, and the wire connection portion 31 is crimped with the wire 80, which may cause unevenness. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately press the metal sheet. Further, the caulked portion may be deformed or damaged by press-fitting.

Therefore, in the connector 10 of the present embodiment, the base end side held portion 32 is located between the wire connecting portion 31 and the spring portion 40, and the base end side held portion 32 has the press-fitting shoulder portion 32R for press-fitting from the connector rear direction toward the connector front direction when the base end side held portion 32 is press-fitted. Therefore, the proximal end side held portion 32 can be appropriately press-fitted.

In the connector 10 of the present embodiment, the proximal end-side held portion 32 is easily press-fitted into the outer housing 70.

That is, in the connector 10 of the present embodiment, since the proximal end side held portion 32 is positioned between the wire connecting portion 31 and the spring portion 40, the wire connecting portion 31 is likely to interfere even when the press-in shoulder portion 32R of the proximal end side held portion 32 is pressed in from the wire 80 side. Therefore, in the connector 10 of the present embodiment, the outer housing 70 has the jig insertion hole 76, and the jig insertion hole 76 penetrates through the bottom surface (bottom wall 73U) of the base end housing portion (the portion including the wire arrangement portion 73C and the terminal holding portion 73B) for housing the base end portion 30, and communicates the base end housing portion with the external space of the outer housing 70. Therefore, by inserting a jig or the like from the jig insertion hole 76, the press-fitting shoulder portion 32R of the proximal-end-side held portion 32 can be press-fitted without being disturbed by the electric wire connecting portion 31.

In the connector 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 8, the insertion/extraction axis AX1 of the contact portion 52 is substantially parallel to the wire connecting axis AX2 ("connecting axis of flexible wiring material connecting portion") of the wire connecting portion 31, and is displaced in a direction orthogonal to the connector front-rear direction, so that the expansion of the front-rear dimension of the connector 10 can be suppressed, and the ease of deformation of the spring portion 40 can be ensured. Further, since the direction in which the insertion/removal axis AX1 is displaced from the wire connecting axis AX2 is the direction (connector vertical direction) orthogonal to the inter-row direction (connector width direction) of the plurality of terminals 20, the width of the connector 10 can be prevented from being increased.

In the connector 10 of the present embodiment, the spring portion 40 extending from the base end portion 30 to the tip end portion 50 includes a folded portion (the first bent portion 43, the second linear portion 44, and the second bent portion 45) folded back toward the rear of the connector, in addition to the position shift between the insertion/extraction axis AX1 and the electric wire connection axis AX 2. Therefore, the spring portion 40 can be more easily deformed.

In the present embodiment, the end portion (the first bent portion 43) of the "folded portion" in the connector front direction extends to the connector front side to the same extent as the contact point P (see fig. 8) of the contact portion 52 of the terminal 20, and therefore, the deformation of the spring portion 40 is more easily ensured. Further, the end (second bent portion 45) of the "folded portion" of the terminal 20 in the connector rear direction is disposed on the rear side of the inner housing 60. Therefore, the entire length of the spring portion 40 can be set longer, and therefore, easy deformation of the spring portion 40 can be more easily ensured.

[ supplementary explanation of the above embodiment ]

In the above-described embodiment, the base end side held portion 32 of the terminal 20 is press-fitted into the outer case 70 to be held, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other holding methods may be used. Further, although the example in which the tip end side of the terminal 20 is held by the holding portion 51 being press-fitted into the inner housing 60 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and other holding methods may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the inner case 60 is movable in the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions of the connector within the predetermined movable region with respect to the outer case 70 in the state where the inner case 60 is housed in the outer case 70 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The inner housing may be configured to be substantially immovable in the connector vertical direction or the connector horizontal direction, as long as the inner housing is movable at least in the connector front-rear direction with respect to the outer housing.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the insertion/removal shaft AX1 and the wire connection shaft AX2 are shifted in position in the connector vertical direction has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the positions may be shifted in the connector width direction (the direction between the rows of the plurality of terminals). For example, the insertion/removal shaft AX1 and the wire connection shaft AX2 may be arranged substantially in a straight line.

In the above-described embodiment, the jig is inserted from the jig insertion hole 76 in a state where the base end side held portion 32 of the terminal 20 is press-fitted into the terminal holding portion 73B to some extent, whereby the press-fitting shoulder portion 32R of the base end side held portion 32 can be press-fitted with the jig. However, for example, the jig insertion hole 76 may be formed larger than the rear side in the embodiment, and thus, even in a state where the terminal holding portion 73B is not completely press-fitted, the press-fitting shoulder portion 32R of the proximal-end-side held portion 32 can be press-fitted with the jig inserted into the jig insertion hole 76.

[ other embodiments ]

Finally, a connector 110(FPC connection connector) according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 16 to 21.

As shown in fig. 16, 18, 19, and the like, the connector 110 of the other embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that an object ("flexible wiring material") to be connected to one end side (connector rear side) of the terminal 120 is not the electric wire 80 but the FPC180 ("flat wiring material"). In association with this difference, the configurations of the base end portions 30 of the terminals 120 and the accommodating lower portions 73 of the outer housing 170 are different from the connector 10 of the above-described embodiment. In another embodiment, unlike the above-described embodiment, the FPC180, which is a "flexible wiring material" or a "flat wiring material", is inserted into the connector 110 in an assembled state so as to be freely inserted into and removed from the connector.

The connector 110 will be specifically described below.

< terminal 120>

First, the terminal 120 will be explained. The connector 110 includes a plurality of (6) terminals 120. The plurality of terminals 120 all have the same structure. Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing one terminal 120 among the plurality of terminals 120.

The terminal 120 is formed by punching a plate material and then bending the plate material. The material of the terminal 120 is, for example, a conductive material such as a copper alloy.

The terminal 120 includes a base end portion 30, a spring portion 40, and a tip end portion 50 in this order from one end toward the other end. The structures of the spring portion 40 and the tip portion 50 of the base end portion 30, the spring portion 40, and the tip portion 50 are the same as those of the terminal 20 of the above embodiment, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

(basal end 30)

The base end portion 30 includes an FPC connecting portion 131 and a base end held portion 32 in this order from one end side to the other end side.

The FPC connection portion 131 is a portion connected to the FPC180, and corresponds to a "flexible wiring material connection portion" of the present invention. The FPC connecting portion 131 has a contact portion 131A that contacts the FPC180, and an inclined portion 131B that is located between the contact portion 131A and the base end side held portion 32. The contact portion 131A is bent to protrude downward, and is in contact with the FPC180 from the upper surface side at the portion bent to protrude. The inclined portion 131B is inclined so as to be displaced upward from the base end side held portion 32 side toward the contact portion 131A side.

When the FPC180 is inserted into the connector 110 (see fig. 18 and 19), an end portion of the FPC180 comes into contact with a lower surface of the contact portion 131A which is convexly curved downward, the FPC connection portion 131 is elastically deformed, and the FPC180 enters a lower side of the contact portion 131A. Also, the contact portion 131A of the FPC connection portion 131 of the terminal 120 is in elastic contact with the upper surface of the FPC 180. As shown in fig. 19, the portion of the FPC180 connected to the terminal 120 and the base end side held portion 32 of the terminal 120 are located on the same plane (plane parallel to the front-rear-left-right direction of the connector).

The base end side held portion 32 is a portion held by the outer case 170. The base end side held portion 32 is formed in a flat plate shape with the plate thickness direction directed in the vertical direction, and locking projections 32K are formed on both sides in the width direction. The base end side held portion 32 has the same configuration as the base end side held portion 32 of the above embodiment.

The connection portion 33 connects the FPC connection portion 131 and the base end side held portion 32 in the front-rear direction. The connecting portion 33 has a plate thickness direction oriented in the vertical direction and linearly extends in the front-rear direction. The coupling portion 33 has the same width from one end to the other end, and the width thereof is smaller than the width of the base-end held portion 32, specifically, 3-to-1.

The other end (front end) of the connecting portion 33 is connected to the widthwise central portion of the rear end of the proximal-side held portion 32. Thus, a pair of left and right press-fitting shoulders 32R are formed at the rear end of the base end side held portion 32. A pair of left and right press-fitting shoulders 32R are formed on the left and right sides thereof with the coupling portion 33 interposed therebetween. The press-fitting shoulder 32R is a surface facing rearward of the terminal, and the base end side held portion 32 can be appropriately press-fitted forward by bringing a jig or the like into contact with the press-fitting shoulder 32R.

< inner case 160>

Since the inner housing 160 has the same structure as the inner housing 60 of the connector 10 of the above embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

< outer case 170>

Next, the outer case 170 will be described.

As shown in fig. 16 and 19, the outer case 170 has a receiving portion 71 which is a space opened rearward. The connector 110 is assembled by inserting the inner housing 160, in which the plurality of terminals 120 are assembled, from the opening portion of the rear surface 70R of the outer housing 170 toward the rear side of the housing 71.

As shown in fig. 20, the housing portion 71 is composed of a housing upper portion 72 and a housing lower portion 73 divided into a plurality of (6) spaces, which are continuous in the width direction.

(storage upper part 72)

The housing upper portion 72 has the same configuration as the housing upper portion 72 of the outer housing 70 of the connector 10 of the above embodiment, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

(storage lower part 73)

As shown in fig. 20, the lower housing portion 73 is formed of a plurality of (6) terminal housing portions 73 (the same reference numerals as those of the lower housing portion 73 are used) arranged in the width direction. The plurality of terminal receiving portions 73 are divided from each other and have the same configuration.

The terminal housing portion 73 is a space that is open toward the upper housing portion 72 side and extends in the front-rear direction, and includes a bottom wall 73U and a pair of left and right side walls 73S.

As shown in fig. 19, in the terminal housing portion 73 extending in the front-rear direction, the FPC180, the FPC connecting portion 131 of the terminal 120, the base end side held portion 32, and the spring portion 40 are arranged in this order from the rear to the front.

The FPC180 and the FPC connecting portion 131 are arranged at the rear of the terminal housing portion 73. That is, the outer housing 170 has a flat wiring member placement portion 171 on which an FPC180, which is a "flat wiring member", is placed at the rear portion of the terminal accommodation portion 73. Specifically, in the rear portion of the terminal receiving portion 73, a plurality of (6) terminal receiving portions 73 divided from each other communicate with each other in the connector width direction. The plurality of terminal receiving portions 73 communicate with each other only at the lower end of the terminal receiving portion 73. The plurality of terminal receiving portions are completely divided on the connector front side from the rear portion (portion communicating in the connector width direction) of the terminal receiving portion 73. Therefore, the FPC180 cannot be inserted further forward than the rear portion of the terminal receiving portion 73. That is, the outer housing 170 has an insertion range regulating portion that regulates an insertion range of the "flat wiring member" to the front of the connector. In addition, near the opening end of the flat wiring material arrangement portion 171 (the end portion on the rear side of the connector), tapered portions 171A for guiding the FPC180 into the connector are formed vertically and horizontally.

Note that the same components as those of the outer case 70 of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and description thereof is omitted.

< Effect >

Next, the operation and effects of the present embodiment will be described.

In the connector 110 of the present embodiment, the outer housing 170 is fitted to the mating housing 92 in a state where the terminal 120 is conductively connected to the object 94. Therefore, the outer case 170 may be shaken with respect to the counterpart case 92.

Here, in the connector 110 of the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 19, the distal end portion 50 of the terminal 120 includes a contact portion 52 that comes into contact with the connection object 94 inserted and removed in the connector front-rear direction, and a distal end side held portion 51 that is held by the inner housing 160. That is, the distal end portion 50 of the terminal 120 is held by the inner case 160 while being in contact with the connection object 94. As shown in fig. 19 and 21, the inner housing 160 holding the distal end portion 50 is movable in the connector front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions within a predetermined movable region with respect to the outer housing 170.

Therefore, even when the outer case 170 shakes relative to the mating case 92, the contact point between the object 94 and the contact portion 52 can be prevented from sliding by the movement of the inner case 160 relative to the outer case 170.

The base end portion 30 of the terminal 120 includes an FPC connection portion 13 as a "flexible wiring material connection portion" connected to an FPC180 as a "flexible wiring material", and a base end side held portion 32 held by the outer case 170. That is, the base end portions 30 of the terminals 120 are connected to the FPC180 and held on the outer case 170. Therefore, the influence of the shaking of the FPC180 is transmitted to the base end portions 30 of the terminals 120.

Here, in the connector 110 of the present embodiment, the terminal 120 has the spring portion 40 located between the distal end portion 50 and the base end portion 30.

Therefore, even if the FPC180 shakes and the terminal 120 is pushed or pulled, the spring portion 40 located between the base end portion 30 and the tip end portion 50 elastically deforms, and the tip end portion 50 of the terminal 120 can be prevented from being affected by the shake of the FPC 180. Therefore, contact slip due to shaking of the FPC180 can be suppressed.

Note that the same configurations as those of the above embodiment will not be described in terms of their operational effects. In another embodiment, the FPC180 may be replaced with an FFC.

Description of the reference numerals

10 connector

20 terminal

30 base end portion

31 electric wire connecting part (Flexible wiring material connecting part)

32 base end side held portion

32R press-in shoulder

40 spring part

43 first bend (fold back)

44 second straight part (folded part)

45 second bend (bend back)

50 front end portion

51 leading end side held part

52 contact part

60 inner side shell

65 locked part

70 outer shell

70R rear surface (surface of rear side of connector of outer case)

71 housing part

72F housing part

72RR casing assembling port

73B terminal holding part (base end housing part)

73C wire arrangement part (base end housing part)

73U bottom wall (bottom)

75 locking part

76 jig insertion hole

80 electric wire (Flexible wiring material)

92 opposite side casing

94 object of connection

AX1 plug shaft

AX2 electric wire connecting shaft (connecting shaft of flexible wiring material connecting portion)

110 connector

120 terminal

131 FPC connection portion (Flexible Wiring Material connection portion)

160 inner side shell

170 outer shell

180 FPC (Flexible wiring material)

The disclosure of japanese patent application No. 2017-106298 filed on 30/5/2017 is incorporated in its entirety by reference into the present specification.