阅读说明：本技术 接头连接器 (Joint connector ) 是由 小林大树 川濑治 田端正明 原照雄 松井元 于 2020-04-02 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种接头连接器(10),连接多条电线(11),具备：所述多条电线(11),沿着延伸方向延伸；多个端子(12),分别与所述多条电线(11)的延伸方向的前方端部连接；下壳体(30),收纳所述多个端子(12)；汇流条(50),配设于所述下壳体(30)；以及上盖(60),组装于所述下壳体(30),所述汇流条(50)具有多个突片(52),所述多个端子(12)各自具有所述多个突片(52)分别插入的筒部(17)、和所述多条电线(11)分别连接的电线连接部(20),从所述下壳体(30)向所述延伸方向的后方导出的所述多条电线(11)具有向所述延伸方向的前方折回的弯曲部(35),所述上盖(60)具有电线保持部(37),所述多条电线(11)以向所述延伸方向的前方折回的状态保持在电线保持部(37)。(A joint connector (10) for connecting a plurality of wires (11) is provided with: the plurality of electric wires (11) extending along an extending direction; a plurality of terminals (12) connected to the front ends of the plurality of wires (11) in the direction of extension, respectively; a lower case (30) that houses the plurality of terminals (12); a bus bar (50) disposed on the lower case (30); and an upper cover (60) assembled to the lower case (30), wherein the bus bar (50) has a plurality of protruding pieces (52), the plurality of terminals (12) each have a tube portion (17) into which the plurality of protruding pieces (52) are inserted, and a wire connection portion (20) to which the plurality of wires (11) are connected, the plurality of wires (11) led out from the lower case (30) to the rear in the extending direction have bent portions (35) folded back to the front in the extending direction, the upper cover (60) has a wire holding portion (37), and the plurality of wires (11) are held by the wire holding portion (37) in a state folded back to the front in the extending direction.)

1. A joint connector for connecting a plurality of electric wires,

the joint connector includes: the plurality of wires extending along an extending direction; a plurality of terminals connected to front ends of the plurality of wires in an extending direction, respectively; a lower case that houses the plurality of terminals; a bus bar disposed in the lower case; and an upper cover assembled to the lower case,

the bus bar has a plurality of tabs,

the plurality of terminals each having a bus bar connection portion to which the plurality of protruding pieces are connected, respectively, and an electric wire connection portion to which the plurality of electric wires are connected, respectively,

the plurality of wires led out from the lower case to the rear in the extending direction have bent portions folded back to the front in the extending direction,

the upper cover has a wire holding portion in which the plurality of wires are held in a state of being folded back forward in the extending direction.

2. The joint connector according to claim 1, wherein the upper cover has a wire pressing portion that presses the plurality of wires led out from the lower housing rearward in the extending direction toward the lower housing.

3. The joint connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the upper cover is joined to the lower housing by a hinge extending from a rear of the lower housing in the extending direction.

4. The joint connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper cover has a terminal engaging portion that engages with the terminal from the rear in the extending direction in a state of being assembled to the lower housing.

5. The joint connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a bus bar holding portion is provided on an inner surface of the upper cover, and the bus bar is sandwiched between the bus bar holding portion and the lower housing in a state where the lower housing and the upper cover are assembled.

6. The joint connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electric wire holding portion is formed in a hole shape through which the electric wire is inserted.

7. The joint connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electric wire connecting portion has: a clamping portion extending along the extending direction and clamping 1 of the plurality of electric wires; and a sliding portion that is disposed outside the clamping portion and is movable in the extending direction, the sliding portion having a pressing portion that presses the clamping portion toward the electric wire in a state where 1 of the plurality of electric wires is clamped by the clamping portion.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a joint connector.

Background

As a joint connector, a joint connector described in japanese patent laid-open No. 10-261471 is known. The joint connector is provided with a stopper body with a bus bar stopper in which a terminal insertion opening of each terminal receiving chamber of the housing is fitted to be free, and the stopper body is provided with a locking portion which is locked to an engagement portion provided in the terminal insertion opening of each terminal receiving chamber and which is capable of locking a terminal of a bus bar with the bus bar stopper to a locking portion of a joint terminal. In addition, a stopper body of a stopper body having the same shape as the bus bar-equipped stopper body is fitted into the terminal insertion port of each terminal housing chamber of each housing.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 10-261471

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Recently, miniaturization of a joint connector mounted on a vehicle is required. As the housing of the joint connector is miniaturized, it is considered that a member (for example, a stopper) for locking the terminal is also miniaturized. Then, the strength of the member for locking the terminal is assumed to be reduced. As a result, the terminal and the housing are not firmly locked, and as a result, there is a possibility that the terminal and the housing may shake due to an external force transmitted to the terminal through the electric wire. In addition, when the terminal is downsized, the strength of the terminal itself is also lowered, and therefore, there is a possibility that the terminal itself is defective due to an external force applied through the electric wire.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a joint connector capable of suppressing transmission of an external force from an electric wire to a terminal.

Means for solving the problems

The present disclosure relates to a joint connector for connecting a plurality of wires, comprising: the plurality of wires extending along an extending direction; a plurality of terminals connected to front ends of the plurality of wires in an extending direction, respectively; a lower case that houses the plurality of terminals; a bus bar disposed in the lower case; and an upper cover assembled to the lower case, the bus bar having a plurality of protruding pieces, the plurality of terminals each having a bus bar connecting portion to which the plurality of protruding pieces are connected and an electric wire connecting portion to which the plurality of electric wires are connected, the plurality of electric wires led out from the lower case to the rear in the extending direction having a bent portion folded back to the front in the extending direction, the upper cover having an electric wire holding portion in which the plurality of electric wires are held in a state folded back to the front in the extending direction.

Effects of the invention

According to the present disclosure, external force can be suppressed from being transmitted to the terminal through the electric wire.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing a joint connector of embodiment 1, and is a sectional view taken along line I-I in fig. 9.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the lower case, the hinge, and the upper cover.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the joint connector.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the bus bar.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of fig. 9.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which an electric wire is inserted into the upper cover.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which an electric wire is inserted into a terminal.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the slide portion is moved to the final locking position to electrically connect the electric wire and the terminal.

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the joint connector.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a joint connector of embodiment 2.

Fig. 11 is a plan view showing a state before the lower case and the upper cover are assembled.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a lower case of embodiment 3.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a state before the lower case and the upper cover are assembled.

Fig. 14 is a plan view showing the joint connector.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along line XV-XV in fig. 14.

Detailed Description

[ description of embodiments of the present disclosure ]

First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

(1) The present disclosure relates to a joint connector for connecting a plurality of wires, comprising: the plurality of wires extending along an extending direction; a plurality of terminals connected to front ends of the plurality of wires in an extending direction, respectively; a lower case that houses the plurality of terminals; a bus bar disposed in the lower case; and an upper cover assembled to the lower case, the bus bar having a plurality of protruding pieces, the plurality of terminals each having a bus bar connecting portion to which the plurality of protruding pieces are connected and an electric wire connecting portion to which the plurality of electric wires are connected, the plurality of electric wires led out from the lower case to the rear in the extending direction having a bent portion folded back to the front in the extending direction, the upper cover having an electric wire holding portion in which the plurality of electric wires are held in a state folded back to the front in the extending direction.

When an external force is applied to the plurality of electric wires extending forward in the extending direction, the external force is transmitted to the electric wires rearward in the extending direction. The extending direction of each wire is reversed in the extending direction at the bent portion. Accordingly, the force transmitted to each wire is absorbed by the bent portion, and therefore, the force applied to the wire can be prevented from being transmitted to the terminal.

(2) Preferably, the upper cover has a wire pressing portion that presses the plurality of wires led out from the lower case rearward in the extending direction toward the lower case.

Since the plurality of electric wires are pressed toward the lower case by the wire pressing portion of the upper cover, the force applied to the electric wires can be suppressed from being transmitted earlier than the wire pressing portion. This can suppress the transmission of the external force applied to the wire to the terminal.

(3) Preferably, the upper cover is coupled to the lower case by a hinge extending from the rear of the lower case in the extending direction.

Since the lower case and the upper cover are coupled by the hinge, the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, since the plurality of electric wires are protected by the hinge, external force can be suppressed from being applied to the electric wires.

(4) Preferably, the upper cover has a terminal engaging portion that engages with the terminal from the rear in the extending direction in a state of being assembled to the lower case.

Since the terminal engaging portion is engaged with the terminal from the rear in the extending direction, even if an external force applied to the wire reaches the wire connecting portion beyond the bent portion, the terminal can be prevented from moving rearward in the extending direction. Thus, the terminal is firmly held by the lower case and the upper cover.

(5) Preferably, a bus bar holding portion is provided on an inner surface of the upper cover, and the bus bar is sandwiched between the bus bar holding portion and the lower case in a state where the lower case and the upper cover are assembled.

The bus bar can be held by a simple operation of assembling the lower case and the upper cover.

(6) Preferably, the wire holding portion is formed in a hole shape through which the wire is inserted.

By inserting the wire into the hole-shaped wire holding portion, the wire can be reliably held in the extending direction. In addition, at least a portion of the electric wire disposed in the electric wire holding portion can be protected from external force.

(7) Preferably, the wire connecting portion includes: a clamping portion extending along the extending direction and clamping 1 of the plurality of electric wires; and a sliding portion that is disposed outside the clamping portion and is movable in the extending direction, the sliding portion having a pressing portion that presses the clamping portion toward the electric wire in a state where 1 of the plurality of electric wires is clamped by the clamping portion.

Since the wire and the terminal are connected by the pressing portion pressing the clamping portion, a die required for crimping the barrel to the outer periphery of the wire is not required, and the manufacturing cost of the joint connector can be reduced.

[ details of embodiments of the present disclosure ]

Embodiments of the present disclosure are explained below. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

< embodiment 1>

Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 9. The joint connector 10 of the present embodiment electrically connects a plurality of wires 11. In the following description, the direction indicated by the arrow Z is referred to as the upper side, the direction indicated by the arrow Y is referred to as the front side, and the direction indicated by the arrow X is referred to as the left side. In addition, in some cases, only some of the same members are denoted by reference numerals, and reference numerals of other members are omitted.

As shown in fig. 1, the joint connector 10 of the present embodiment includes: a plurality of wires 11 extending in a front-rear direction (an example of an extending direction); a plurality of terminals 12 connected to front ends of the plurality of wires 11, respectively; a bus bar 50 connected to the plurality of terminals 12; a lower case 30 that accommodates the plurality of terminals 12 and the bus bar 50 therein; and an upper cover 60 assembled at the rear to the upper portion of the lower case 30.

[ electric wire 11]

As shown in fig. 1, the plurality of wires 11 are arranged to extend in the front-rear direction (an example of the extending direction). The electric wire 11 has an outer periphery of the core wire 13 surrounded by an insulating coating 14 made of an insulating synthetic resin. The core wire 13 of the present embodiment is composed of 1 wire. The core wire 13 may be a stranded wire formed by twisting a plurality of thin metal wires. The metal constituting the core wire 13 can be appropriately selected from any metal such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum alloy, and the like as needed. The core wire 13 of the present embodiment is made of copper or a copper alloy.

[ lower case 30]

As shown in fig. 2, the lower case 30 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape which is flat in the upper and lower directions. Is formed by injection molding a material containing an insulating synthetic resin. The lower case 30 is formed with a plurality of (4 in the present embodiment) cavities 29 extending forward and rearward in a lateral direction. The cavity 29 opens upward, and the terminal 12 is disposed in the cavity 29 from above. The chambers 29 adjacent in the left-right direction are partitioned by partition walls 31 extending in the front-rear direction. The partition wall 31 electrically insulates the terminals 12 disposed in the cavities 29.

As shown in fig. 2, the cavity 29 opens forward at the front end portion of the lower housing 30. A bus bar placing portion 32 that is flush with the bottom wall of the cavity 29 and extends in the left-right direction is formed at the front end portion of the lower case 30. The bus bar 50 is placed on the bus bar placing portion 32 from above.

[ Upper cover 60]

As shown in fig. 1, the lower case 30 is covered at the upper part by an upper cover 60 assembled from above. The upper cover 60 is formed by injection molding an insulating synthetic resin. As shown in fig. 2, a locking claw 66 extending in the vertical direction is formed on the side edge of the upper cover 60. The lower case 30 and the upper cover 60 are integrally assembled by elastically engaging the lock claws 66 with the lock receiving portions 33 provided on the side walls of the lower case 30.

As shown in fig. 2, the rear end portion of the lower case 30 and the front end portion of the upper cover 60 are coupled by a flexible hinge 34. The hinge 34 is formed in a thin plate shape so as to be bendable.

As shown in fig. 3, the upper cover 60 has an upper wall 61. As shown in fig. 3, a plurality of (4 in the present embodiment) wire holding portions 37 for holding the wires 11 are provided in a row in the left-right direction on the upper wall 61 of the upper cover 60. The wire holding portion 37 is formed in a hole shape penetrating the upper wall of the upper cover 60 in the front-rear direction. The inner diameter of the wire holding portion 37 is set to be the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the insulating coating 14 of the wire 11. Thereby, the electric wire 11 is inserted into the electric wire holding portion 37.

As shown in fig. 1, in a state where the lower case 30 and the upper cover 60 are assembled, a bus bar holding portion 64 protruding downward is formed at a position corresponding to the cavity 29 of the lower case 30 at the front end portion of the upper wall 61 of the upper cover 60. The bus bar holding portion 64 sandwiches the bus bar 50 with the bus bar placing portion 32 of the lower housing 30. Specifically, the connecting portion 54 described later is sandwiched between the bus bar holding portion 64 and the bus bar placing portion 32. Thereby, the bus bar 50 is held by the lower case 30 and the upper cover 60.

As shown in fig. 1, in a state where the lower case 30 and the upper cover 60 are assembled, a plurality of (4 in the present embodiment) terminal engagement portions 63 projecting downward extend in the front-rear direction at positions behind the upper wall 61 and the bus bar holding portion 64. The terminal engaging portion 63 includes a front terminal engaging portion 63F located on the front side and a rear terminal engaging portion 63R located on the rear side of the front terminal engaging portion 63F. The rear terminal engaging portion 63R protrudes below the front terminal engaging portion 63F.

As shown in fig. 1, in a state where the lower case 30 and the upper cover 60 are assembled, a wire pressing portion 65 projecting downward is provided behind the terminal engaging portion 63 on the upper wall 61. The wire pressing portion 65 contacts the wire 11 led out rearward from the rear end portion of the terminal 12 from above, and presses the wire 11 toward the lower housing 30 from above. As shown in fig. 2, the wire pressing portion 65 is formed to extend in the left-right direction, and the wire 11 led out rearward from the terminal 12 can reliably press the wire 11 even when the wire 11 is disposed at a position deviated from the cavity 29.

[ bus bar 50]

As shown in fig. 4, the bus bar 50 is formed by press-working a metal plate material into a predetermined shape. As the metal plate material, any metal such as copper or a copper alloy can be appropriately selected. The bus bar 50 includes a plurality of (4 in the present embodiment) projecting pieces 52 extending rearward, and a coupling portion 54 coupling the front ends of the projecting pieces 52 via a relay portion 53. The protruding piece 52 has a flat plate shape in the left-right direction. The coupling portion 54 is formed in a plate shape that is flat in the vertical direction. The relay portion 53 is formed to extend rearward from the connection portion 54. The right edge of the coupling portion 54 is bent downward and connected to the protruding piece 52.

[ terminal 12]

As shown in fig. 1, the terminal 12 includes a metal terminal body 15 and a sliding portion 16 that is slidable relative to the terminal body 15.

[ terminal body 15]

The terminal body 15 is formed into a predetermined shape by a known method such as press working, cutting, and casting. The metal constituting the terminal body 15 can be appropriately selected from any metal such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, and the like as needed. The terminal body 15 of the present embodiment is made of copper or a copper alloy. A plating layer may be formed on the surface of the terminal body 15. The metal constituting the plating layer can be appropriately selected from any of metals such as tin, nickel, silver, and the like as needed. The terminal body 15 of the present embodiment is plated with tin.

As shown in fig. 1, the terminal main body 15 includes: a cylinder portion 17 (an example of a bus bar connecting portion) into which the protruding piece 52 can be inserted; and a wire connecting portion 20 located behind the cylindrical portion 17 and connected to the wire 11. The wire connecting portion 20 includes an upper clamping portion 18A and a lower clamping portion 18B extending rearward.

As shown in fig. 1, the tube portion 17 has a square tube shape extending in the front-rear direction. The front end of the cylindrical portion 17 is opened so that the protruding piece 52 can be inserted.

Fig. 1 shows a part of the elastic contact piece 19 provided to the cylindrical portion 17. Specifically, not shown, an elastically deformable elastic contact piece 19 is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 17. The elastic contact piece 19 extends inward from the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 17. The projecting piece 52 inserted into the cylindrical portion 17 presses the elastic contact piece 19 to be elastically deformed. The protruding piece 52 is sandwiched between the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 17 and the elastic contact piece 19 by the repulsive force of the elastic contact piece 19 that is elastically deformed. Thereby, the protruding piece 52 and the terminal 12 are electrically connected.

As shown in fig. 1, a wire connection portion 20 having a square cylindrical shape is provided behind the cylindrical portion 17. An upper clamping portion 18A (an example of a clamping portion) extends rearward from a rear end portion of the upper wall of the wire connecting portion 20, and a lower clamping portion 18B (an example of a clamping portion) extends rearward from a rear end portion of the lower wall of the wire connecting portion 20. The upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B have elongated shapes extending in the front-rear direction. The upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B are formed to have substantially the same longitudinal dimension in the front-rear direction.

An upper holding projection 23A projecting downward is provided on the lower surface of the upper clamping portion 18A and forward of the rear end portion. A lower holding projection 23B projecting upward is provided at a rear end portion of the upper surface of the lower clamping portion 18B. The lower holding projection 23B and the upper holding projection 23A are provided at positions shifted in the front-rear direction.

The lower surface of the upper clamping portion 18A and the upper surface of the lower clamping portion 18B sink into the oxide film formed on the surface of the core wire 13 to peel off the oxide film, thereby exposing the metal surface of the core wire 13. The metal surface comes into contact with the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B, whereby the core wire 13 and the terminal body 15 are electrically connected.

[ sliding part 16]

As shown in fig. 1 and 5, the sliding portion 16 has a square tubular shape extending in the front-rear direction. The sliding portion 16 is formed by a known method such as cutting, casting, and pressing, as necessary. The metal constituting the sliding portion 16 can be appropriately selected from any metal such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, and the like as needed. The sliding portion 16 of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and is made of stainless steel. A plating layer may be formed on the surface of the sliding portion 16. The metal constituting the plating layer can be appropriately selected from tin, nickel, silver, and the like as needed.

The cross section of the inner shape of the sliding portion 16 is formed to be the same as or slightly larger than the cross section of the outer shape of the region of the terminal body 15 where the upper side holding portion 18A and the lower side holding portion 18B are provided. Thus, the sliding portion 16 is disposed outside the region of the terminal body 15 where the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B are provided.

As shown in fig. 1, an upper pressing portion 25A (an example of a pressing portion) protruding downward is provided on the lower surface of the upper wall of the sliding portion 16. A lower pressing portion 25B (an example of a pressing portion) protruding upward is provided on the upper surface of the lower wall of the slide portion 16.

As shown in fig. 5, a temporary locking receiving portion 26 is opened in a position near the front end portion in the front-rear direction of the side wall of the slide portion 16. Further, a main locking receiving portion 27 is opened in a side wall of the slide portion 16 at a position rearward of the temporary locking receiving portion 26. The temporary locking receiving portions 26 and the final locking receiving portions 27 are elastically lockable with locking projections 28 provided on the side walls of the terminal main body 15.

The state in which the locking projection 28 of the terminal main body 15 and the temporary locking receiving portion 26 of the slide portion 16 are locked is a state in which the slide portion 16 is held at the temporary locking position with respect to the terminal main body 15. In this state, the upper pressing portion 25A and the lower pressing portion 25B of the sliding portion 16 are spaced rearward from the rear end edges of the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B of the terminal body 15. In this state, the distance between the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B is set to be larger than the diameter of the core wire 13.

The state in which the locking projection 28 of the terminal main body 15 is locked to the primary locking receiving portion 27 of the slide portion 16 is a state in which the slide portion 16 is locked to the primary locking position with respect to the terminal main body 15. As shown in fig. 1, in this state, the upper pressing portion 25A of the sliding portion 16 contacts the upper clamping portion 18A from above the upper clamping portion 18A. The lower pressing portion 25B of the slide portion 16 contacts the lower clamping portion 18B from below the lower clamping portion 18B.

As described above, the slide portion 16 is slidably movable between the temporary locking position and the final locking position in a state of being externally fitted to the region of the terminal body 15 where the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B are provided.

As shown in fig. 1, in a state where the slide portion 16 is held at the final locking position with respect to the terminal body 15, the upper pressing portion 25A presses the upper clamping portion 18A from above, and the upper clamping portion 18A deforms downward. Further, the lower clamping portion 18B is deformed upward by the lower pressing portion 25B pressing the lower clamping portion 18B from below. Thus, in the space between the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B, the core wire 13 is disposed in a state of extending in the front-rear direction (extending direction), and the core wire 13 is clamped from the vertical direction by the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B that are elastically deformed in a state where the slide portion 16 is held at the final locking position with respect to the terminal body 15. That is, the upper clamping portion 18A is pressed downward by the upper pressing portion 25A to be in contact with the core wire 13 from above, and the lower clamping portion 18B is pressed upward by the lower pressing portion 25B to be in contact with the core wire 13 from below.

As shown in fig. 1, in a state where the slide portion 16 is held at the main locking position with respect to the terminal body 15, the upper holding projection 23A of the upper clamping portion 18A presses the core wire 13 from above, and the lower holding projection 23B of the lower clamping portion 18B presses the core wire 13 from below. In this way, the core wire 13 is held in a state of being bent in the vertical direction (an example of a direction intersecting the extending direction) by being pressed from above by the upper holding projection 23A and also being pressed from below by the lower holding projection 23B arranged at a position shifted from the upper holding projection 23A in the front-rear direction. The core wire 13 and the terminal 12 are also electrically connected by the upper holding projection 23A and the lower holding projection 23B.

As shown in fig. 1, a jig contact portion 46 protruding upward from the upper wall is provided at the front end portion of the slide portion 16. The jig (not shown) contacts the jig contact portion 46 from the rear, and the slide portion 16 is pushed forward by the jig, whereby the slide portion 16 can move forward.

As shown in fig. 1 and 5, a pair of introduction portions 47 projecting inward of the slide portion 16 are provided on both left and right side walls of the slide portion 16 at positions close to the rear end portion. The introduction portion 47 is formed to have a narrow width from the rear toward the front. The core wire 13 is guided to the inside of the sliding portion 16 by sliding the core wire 13 against the inner surface of the introduction portion 47.

As shown in fig. 1 and 5, in the state where the lower housing 30 and the upper cover 60 are assembled, the front terminal engaging portion 63F engages with the cylindrical portion 17 from above, and upward movement of the cylindrical portion 17 is suppressed. The rear terminal engaging portion 63R engages with the slide portion 16 from above, and suppresses upward movement of the slide portion 16. The rear terminal engaging portion 63R is engaged with the jig contact portion of the slide portion 16 from behind, whereby the slide portion 16 and the terminal body 15 are prevented from moving rearward. The front end of the wire pressing portion 65 engages with the rear end of the sliding portion 16 from behind, thereby preventing the sliding portion 16 and the terminal body 15 from moving rearward.

[ Assembly Process of the Joint connector 10 ]

Next, an example of an assembling process of the joint connector 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. The assembling process of the joint connector 10 is not limited to the following description.

The terminal body 15 and the sliding portion 16 are formed by a known method. The slide portion 16 is assembled from the rear with respect to the terminal main body 15. The front end edge of the slide portion 16 abuts against the locking projection 28 of the terminal main body 15 from the rear, and the side wall of the slide portion 16 is expanded and deformed. When the slide portion 16 is further pushed forward, the side wall of the slide portion 16 is restored and deformed, and the temporary locking receiving portion 26 of the slide portion 16 is locked to the locking protrusion 28 of the terminal main body 15. Thereby, the slide portion 16 is held at the temporary locking position with respect to the terminal main body 15. Thereby, the terminal 12 is obtained.

The lower case 30 and the upper cover 60 are integrally formed by the hinge 34 by injection molding synthetic resin. As shown in fig. 2, the lower case 30 and the upper cover 60 are arranged in a front-rear direction by the hinge 34.

The protruding piece 52 of the bus bar 50 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 17 from the front. The tab 52 and the terminal 12 are electrically connected by the contact of the tab 52 and the elastic piece. Thereby, the plurality of terminals 12 are electrically connected by the bus bar 50.

As shown in fig. 2, the terminal 12 in a state of being connected to the bus bar 50 is inserted into the cavity 29 of the lower housing 30 from above.

The core wire 13 of the electric wire 11 is exposed by peeling the insulating coating 14 by a known method. As shown in fig. 6, the electric wire 11 is inserted into the wire holding portion 37 of the upper cover 60 from the rear side with the core wire 13 as the front side. In the arrangement in which the lower case 30 and the upper cover 60 are arranged in the front-rear direction by the hinge 34, the cavity 29 is located in front of each wire holding portion 37. Thereby, the electric wires 11 inserted through the electric wire holding portion 37 enter the respective cavities 29.

As shown in fig. 7, when the electric wire 11 is further pushed forward, the front end portion of the core wire 13 is introduced into the sliding portion 16 from the rear end portion of the sliding portion 16. The core wire 13 is guided to the slide portion 16 by coming into contact with the introduction portion 47 of the slide portion 16. When the electric wire 11 is further pushed forward, the front end portion of the core wire 13 enters the terminal body 15 and reaches the space between the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B.

Next, as shown in fig. 8, a jig (not shown) is brought into contact with the jig contact portion 46 from the rear, and the slide portion 16 is slid forward. The slide portion 16 moves forward relative to the terminal body 15. At this time, the locking projections 28 of the terminal body 15 and the temporary locking receiving portions 26 of the slide portion 16 are locked and released, and the side wall of the slide portion 16 is expanded and deformed over the locking projections 28.

When the slide portion 16 moves forward, the side wall of the slide portion 16 is restored and deformed, and the locking projection 28 of the terminal main body 15 and the main locking receiving portion 27 of the slide portion 16 are elastically locked. Thereby, the slide portion 16 is held at the final locking position with respect to the terminal main body 15.

In a state where the slide portion 16 is held at the final locking position with respect to the terminal body 15, the upper pressing portion 25A of the slide portion 16 abuts on the upper clamping portion 18A of the terminal body 15 from above and is pressed downward. The lower pressing portion 25B of the slide portion 16 abuts against the lower clamping portion 18B of the terminal body 15 from below and presses upward. Thereby, the core wire 13 is sandwiched by the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B from the top and bottom (see fig. 1).

As shown in fig. 1, the core wire 13 is sandwiched between the lower surface of the upper clamping portion 18A and the upper surface of the lower clamping portion 18B, so that the oxide film formed on the surface of the core wire 13 is peeled off, and the metal surface constituting the core wire 13 is exposed. The metal surface is brought into contact with the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B, whereby the electric wire 11 and the terminal 12 are electrically connected. Thereby, the plurality of wires 11 are electrically connected through the terminals 12 and the bus bars 50 (see fig. 9).

In a state where the core wire 13 is sandwiched vertically by the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B, the core wire 13 is sandwiched by the upper holding projection 23A of the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower holding projection 23B of the lower clamping portion 18B, and is held in a state extending in the front-rear direction and in a state bent in the vertical direction. As a result, the core wire 13 can be firmly held, and therefore, when a pulling force acts on the electric wire 11, the holding force between the electric wire 11 and the terminal 12 can be increased.

As shown in fig. 1, the upper cover 60 is assembled to the lower case 30 from above the lower case 30 while bending the hinge 34 into a C-shape when viewed from the side. The lower case 30 and the upper cover 60 are assembled integrally by elastically engaging the locking claws 66 of the upper cover 60 with the lock receiving portions 33 of the lower case 30. In a state where the lower case 30 and the upper cover 60 are assembled, the electric wires 11 led out to the rear of the lower case 30 are bent forward from above and extend forward. The portion of the electric wire 11 bent in a C-shape behind the lower case 30 and the upper cover 60 is formed as a bent portion 35. The electric wire 11 is held in the electric wire holding portion 37 of the upper cover 60 in a state of extending forward. Thereby, the joint connector 10 is completed.

[ Effect of the present embodiment ]

Next, the operation and effects of the present embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is a joint connector 10 for connecting a plurality of wires 11, including: a plurality of wires 11 extending in the front-rear direction; a plurality of terminals 12 connected to front ends of the plurality of wires 11, respectively; a lower case 30 that houses the plurality of terminals 12; a bus bar 50 disposed in the lower case 30; and an upper cover 60 assembled to the lower housing 30, the bus bar 50 having a plurality of projecting pieces 52, the plurality of terminals 12 each having a cylindrical portion 17 into which the plurality of projecting pieces 52 are inserted and a wire connecting portion 20 to which the plurality of wires 11 are connected, the plurality of wires 11 led out rearward from the lower housing 30 being folded forward, the upper cover 60 having a wire holding portion 37, the plurality of wires 11 being held in the wire holding portion 37 in a state of being folded forward.

When an external force is applied to the plurality of electric wires 11 extending forward from the upper cover 60, the external force is transmitted rearward to the electric wires 11. The extending direction of each wire 11 is reversed in the front-rear direction at the bent portion 35. Accordingly, the force transmitted to each wire 11 is absorbed by the bent portion 35, and therefore, the force applied to the wire 11 can be suppressed from being transmitted to the terminal 12.

According to the present embodiment, the upper cover has the wire pressing portion 65, and the wire pressing portion 65 presses the plurality of wires 11 led out rearward from the lower housing toward the lower housing 30.

Since the plurality of electric wires 11 are pressed toward the lower housing 30 by the wire pressing part 65 of the upper cover 60, the force applied to the electric wires 11 can be suppressed from being transmitted earlier than the wire pressing part 65. This can suppress the external force applied to the electric wire 11 from being transmitted to the terminal 12.

According to the present embodiment, the upper cover 60 is coupled to the lower case 30 by the hinge 34 extending from the rear of the lower case 30.

Since the lower case 30 and the upper cover 60 are coupled by the hinge 34, the number of parts can be reduced. Since the plurality of electric wires 11 are protected by the hinge 34 being located outside the plurality of electric wires 11, the electric wires 11 themselves can be prevented from being subjected to external force.

According to the present embodiment, the upper cover 60 has the terminal engaging portion 63 that engages with the terminal 12 from behind in a state of being assembled to the lower housing 30.

Since the terminal engaging portion 63 engages with the terminal 12 from the rear in the extending direction, the terminal 12 is prevented from moving rearward even if the external force applied to the wire 11 reaches the wire connecting portion 20 beyond the bent portion 35. Thereby, the terminal 12 is firmly held by the lower housing 30 and the upper cover 60.

According to the present embodiment, the lower surface of the upper cover 60 is provided with the bus bar holding portion 64 that sandwiches the bus bar 50 with the lower case 39 in a state where the lower case 39 and the upper cover 60 are assembled.

Thus, the bus bar 50 can be held by a simple operation of assembling the lower case 39 and the upper cover 60.

According to the present embodiment, the wire holding portion 37 is formed in a hole shape through which the wire 11 is inserted.

By inserting the wire 11 into the hole-shaped wire holding portion 37, the wire 11 can be reliably held in the front-rear direction. Further, at least the portion of the electric wire 11 disposed in the wire holding portion 37 can be protected from external force.

According to the present embodiment, the wire connection portion 20 includes: an upper clamping part 18A and a lower clamping part 18B extending along the front-back direction and clamping 1 of the plurality of electric wires 11; and a slide portion 16 which is disposed outside the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B and is movable in the front-rear direction, wherein the slide portion 16 has an upper pressing portion 25A and a lower pressing portion 25B, and the upper pressing portion 25A and the lower pressing portion 25B press the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B toward the electric wires 11 in a state where 1 of the plurality of electric wires 11 is sandwiched between the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B.

Since the electric wire 11 and the terminal 12 are connected by the upper clamping portion 18A and the lower clamping portion 18B being pressed by the upper pressing portion 25A and the lower pressing portion 25B, a die required for crimping the cylinder to the outer periphery of the electric wire 11 is not required, and the manufacturing cost of the joint connector 10 can be reduced.

< embodiment 2>

Next, embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to fig. 10 to 11. The joint connector 70 of the present embodiment is not provided with a hinge for coupling the lower housing 30 and the upper cover 60, and the lower housing 30 and the upper cover 60 are formed as separate members.

As shown in fig. 11, in the present embodiment, in a state where the lower housing 30 and the upper cover 60 are arranged in the front-rear direction by a jig not shown, the electric wire 11 is inserted into the wire holding portion 37 of the upper cover 60 and is inserted into the terminal 12 housed in the cavity 29 of the lower housing 30.

The configuration other than the above is substantially the same as that of embodiment 1, and therefore the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

< embodiment 3>

Next, embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to fig. 12 to 15. The joint connector 80 of the present embodiment includes: a lower case 81; an upper cover 82 assembled to the lower case 81 from above; a bus bar 83 disposed in the lower case 81; and a terminal 84 disposed in the lower case 81.

[ lower case 81]

As shown in fig. 12, the lower case 81 has a vertically flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The lower case 81 has a plurality of (4 in the present embodiment) cavities 85 formed in a left-right direction and penetrating in the front-rear direction. A cutout 86 that cuts upward is provided near the center of the lower case 81 in the front-rear direction. The cavity 85 is exposed upward from the cutout portion 86.

As shown in fig. 13, a bus bar insertion hole 87 into which the bus bar 83 is inserted from the front is formed at the front end portion of the lower case 81, and the bus bar insertion hole 87 is elongated in the left-right direction. The height dimension of the bus bar insertion hole 87 in the vertical direction is formed to be the same as or slightly larger than the thickness dimension of the bus bar 83.

A plurality of (4 in the present embodiment) release holes 88 are formed in the front end portion of the lower case 81 and extending in the front-rear direction above the bus bar insertion holes 87. A lance 89 that elastically engages with the terminal 84 to hold the terminal 84 in the cavity 85 in a slip-off manner is formed inside each release hole 88. The lance 89 extends forward from the upper wall of the cavity 85. The tip of the lance 89 engages with the terminal 84 and the upper wall of the cylinder 90.

[ terminal 84]

The terminal 84 has: a tube portion 90 into which a plurality of projecting pieces 91 provided with the bus bar 83 are inserted; and a wire connecting portion 92 provided behind the tube portion 90. The wire connecting portion 92 has a so-called cylindrical shape, and electrically connects the wire 11 and the terminal 84 by being crimped to the outer periphery of the wire 11.

[ Upper cover 82]

A plurality of (4 in the present embodiment) wire holding portions 93 are formed in the upper cover 82 so as to extend in the front-rear direction. The wire holding portion 93 is formed in a hole shape penetrating the upper cover 82 in the front-rear direction.

In the vicinity of the central position of the upper cover 82 in the front-rear direction, an elastically deformable lock claw 94 is formed corresponding to the notch portion 86 of the lower case 81, and the lock claw 94 protrudes in the up-down direction. The lock claws 94 are disposed on both left and right sides of the cutout portion 86 of the lower case 81, and elastically engage with the lower end edge of the cavity 85, whereby the lower case 81 and the upper cover 82 are integrally assembled.

As shown in fig. 14 and 15, in a state where the lower case 81 and the upper cover 82 are assembled, a terminal engaging portion 95 projecting downward is formed in the upper cover 82 at a position corresponding to the notch portion 86 of the lower case 81. The terminal engaging portion 95 enters the cavity 85 from the notch portion 86 of the lower housing 81, and engages with the rear end portion of the cylindrical portion 90 of the terminal 84 from behind. Thus, the terminal 84 is held in the cavity 85 so as to prevent rearward detachment.

As shown in fig. 15, in a state where the lower case 81 and the upper cover 82 are assembled, the electric wires 11 led out from the rear of the lower case 81 are bent forward from above and inserted into the electric wire holding portion 93 of the upper cover 82. Thereby, the electric wires 11 are held in the upper cover 82 in a state of extending in the front-rear direction.

As shown in fig. 15, in a state where the lower case 81 and the upper cover 82 are assembled, a wire pressing portion 96 projecting downward is provided at a rear end portion of the upper cover 82. A curved surface 97 is formed at the lower end of the wire pressing portion 96. Thus, when the electric wire 11 led out rearward from the rear end of the lower case 81 is bent upward, it is gently bent along the curved surface 97.

The configuration other than the above is substantially the same as that of embodiment 1, and therefore the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

According to the present embodiment, since the terminal 84 can be held in the cavity 85 in a state where the terminal 84 is not detached by assembling the upper cover 82 to the lower housing 81, the terminal 84 can be firmly held in the cavity 85.

< other embodiment >

(1) The wire holding portion may be groove-shaped.

(2) The wire pressing portion may be omitted.

(3) The joint connector may be configured to connect 2, 3, or 5 or more wires.

(4) The terminal may have 1, or 3 or more clamping portions.

Description of the reference numerals

10. 70, 80: joint connector

11: electric wire

12. 84: terminal with a terminal body

13: core wire

14: insulating coating

15: terminal body

16: sliding part

17. 90: cylinder part (one example of busbar joint part)

18A: upper side clamping part

18B: lower clamping part

19: elastic contact piece

20. 92: electric wire connecting part

23A: upper side holding projection

23B: lower side holding projection

25A: upper pressurizing part

25B: lower pressurizing part

26: temporary stop receiving part

27: formal locking receiving part

28: locking projection

29. 85: chamber

30. 81: lower casing

31: partition wall

32: bus bar mounting part

33: lock receiving part

34: hinge assembly

35: bending part

37. 93: wire holding part

39: lower casing

46: contact part of jig

47: introduction part

50. 83: bus bar

52. 91: tab

53: relay part

54: connecting part

60. 82: upper cover

61: upper wall

63. 95: terminal clamping part

63F: front terminal clamping part

63R: rear terminal engaging part

64: bus bar holding part

65. 96: wire pressing part

66. 94: lock claw

86: cut-out part

87: bus bar insertion hole

88: demoulding hole

89: lance-shaped part

97: curved surface