CONNECTOR

A connector (10) is provided with an inner module (11) including a plurality of terminal groups (22) to be respectively connected to a pair of electrically conductive paths (71) and each having a pair of terminals (60), and an outer housing (12) for accommodating the inner module (11). The outer housing (12) includes only one accommodation chamber (84) for accommodating the inner module (11). The inner module (11) includes an integrally configured inner housing (21) supporting the plurality of terminal groups (22). The inner housing (21) includes a front wall (48) to be arranged in front of the plurality of terminal groups (22). The front wall (48) is constituted by one member and formed with insertion openings (48A) at positions respectively corresponding to all the terminals (60).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a connector.

BACKGROUND

A connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a terminal unit formed such that an inner conductor is accommodated in a dielectric and a housing including an accommodation chamber, into which the terminal unit is inserted. In the case of accommodating a plurality of terminal units in the housing, the configuration of a multiple insertion type connector, for example, disclosed in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 2 is thought. The multiple insertion type connector of Patent Document 2 is provided with an outer housing and insertion type connectors arranged in parallel in two upper and lower stages in the outer housing. Each insertion type connector includes an inner housing and a plurality of contact elements arranged in the inner housing. The contact elements are respectively crimped and connected to two cores of a twisted pair cable. The multiple insertion type connector of Patent Document 2 can be positioned in a vertical direction by arranging the insertion type connectors in the two upper and lower stages while laterally shifting the insertion type connectors.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved

A configuration in which insertion type connectors are arranged in the two upper and lower stages while being laterally shifted like the connector of Patent Document 2 tends to be enlarged in the lateral direction. If an attempt is made to align the positions in the lateral direction of the insertion type connectors arranged in the two upper and lower stage to solve this problem, it is necessary to provide a partition wall between the insertion type connectors, wherefore the multiple insertion type connector tends to be enlarged in the vertical direction. Further, each of a plurality of the insertion type connectors to be arranged in the outer housing may rattle in the outer housing. Thus, insertion openings, through which mating contact elements are inserted, may be shifted in position between the plurality of insertion type connectors arranged in parallel.

Accordingly, the present disclosure aims to provide a connector capable of reducing a size in an arrangement direction of a plurality of terminal groups and preventing insertion openings from being shifted in position.

Means to Solve the Problem

The present disclosure is directed to a connector with an inner module including a plurality of terminal groups to be respectively connected to a pair of electrically conductive paths and each having a pair of terminals and an outer housing for accommodating the inner module, the outer housing including only one accommodation chamber for accommodating the inner module, the inner module including an integrally configured inner housing supporting the plurality of terminal groups, the inner housing including a front wall to be arranged in front of the plurality of terminal groups, and the front wall being constituted by one member, the front wall being formed with insertion openings at positions respectively corresponding to all the terminals.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce a size in an arrangement direction of a plurality of terminal groups and prevent insertion openings from being shifted in position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION

Description of Embodiments of Present Disclosure

(1) The connector of the present disclosure is provided with an inner module including a plurality of terminal groups to be respectively connected to a pair of electrically conductive paths and each having a pair of terminals and an outer housing for accommodating the inner module, the outer housing including only one accommodation chamber for accommodating the inner module, the inner module including an integrally configured inner housing supporting the plurality of terminal groups, the inner housing including a front wall to be arranged in front of the plurality of terminal groups, and the front wall being constituted by one member, the front wall being formed with insertion openings at positions respectively corresponding to all the terminals.

According to this configuration, since the outer housing is configured to accommodate the inner module including the plurality of terminal groups in the single accommodation chamber, it is not necessary to provide a wall for partitioning a space in the accommodation chamber (wall for partitioning the plurality of terminal groups in an arrangement direction) to separately accommodate the plurality of terminal groups. Thus, a size in the arrangement direction of the plurality of terminal groups can be reduced. Further, since the insertion openings corresponding to all the terminals are formed in one member according to this configuration, position shifts of the insertion openings can be prevented.

(2) Preferably, the inner housing includes a base member for partitioning the plurality of terminal groups and a pair of cover members to be assembled with the base member to sandwich the base member from both sides, each of the pair of cover members includes a locking portion, the base member includes a first lock receiving portion to be locked by the locking portion of one of the pair of cover members and a second lock receiving portion to be locked by the locking portion of the other cover member, and the first and second lock receiving portions have tapered surfaces inclined in mutually opposite directions.

According to this configuration, an operation of assembling the pair of cover members with the base member from mutually opposite directions can be facilitated.

(3) Preferably, the base member includes a guide portion provided along an assembly direction of the cover members.

According to this configuration, the cover member can be guided by the guide portion in assembling the cover member with the base member.

(4) Preferably, the locking portion of the cover member is comb-shaped.

According to this configuration, even if the inner housing is small in size, the cover member is locked to the base member at a plurality of positions. Therefore, the cover member is hardly detached even if a force is applied in a direction to separate the cover member and the base member from each other.

(5) Preferably, the first and second lock receiving portions are arranged in such a positional relationship as to be point-symmetrical with each other in a front view.

According to this configuration, the pair of cover members can be members common to each other.

(6) Preferably, the inner housing includes a base member having a partitioning portion for partitioning the plurality of terminal groups and a pair of cover members to be assembled with the base member to sandwich the base member from both sides, and the cover member includes a locking portion to be locked to the base member and a deflection restricting portion connected to the locking portion and located to sandwich a cable connected to the terminal group between the partitioning portion and the deflection restricting portion.

According to this configuration, the deflection of the cable toward a side opposite to the partitioning portion can be restricted.

(7) Preferably, the terminal group includes a crimping portion to be crimped to the cable, and the cover member includes a fitting hole in front of the deflection restricting portion, the crimping portion being fit into the fitting hole.

According to this configuration, the cable connected to the terminal group can be suppressed from coming out rearward by fitting the crimping portion into the fitting hole.

Details of Embodiment of Present Disclosure

Embodiment

One specific embodiment of a connector of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIGS.1to14. In this embodiment, upper and lower sides shown inFIGS.1to4and7to13are directly defined as upper and lower sides concerning a vertical direction. Left and right sides shown inFIGS.1to11and13are respectively defined as front and rear sides concerning a front-rear direction. Left and right sides when the connector is viewed from front are respectively defined as left and right sides concerning a lateral direction.

A connector10of this embodiment shown inFIG.1is configured as a branch connector to be, for example, connected to the middle of a trunk harness. As shown inFIG.2, the connector10is provided with an inner module11, an outer housing12and a retainer13. The inner module11is accommodated into the outer housing12. As shown inFIG.3, the inner module11is provided with an inner housing21and a pair of terminal groups22. The number of the terminal groups22is equal to the number of electrically conductive paths constituting the trunk harness.

As shown inFIG.3, the inner housing21is provided with one base member31constituted by a single component and a pair of cover members32. The inner housing21is integrally configured by assembling the pair of cover members32with the base member31from both upper and lower sides of the base member31. That is, in this embodiment, the vertical direction corresponds to an assembly direction of the base member31. The base member31and the cover members32are, for example, components made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The inner housing21supports the pair of terminal groups22and is integrally constituted as the inner module11together with the pair of terminal groups22.

As shown inFIGS.4and5, the base member31includes a partitioning portion40for partitioning between the pair of terminal groups22. The partitioning portion40is plate-like and arranged with plate surfaces facing in the vertical direction. The partitioning portion40extends in the front-rear direction.

As shown inFIGS.4and5, the base member31includes first lock receiving portions41and second lock receiving portions42provided on both left and right sides of the partitioning portion40. The first and second lock receiving portions41,42are respectively formed to extend both upward and downward from the both left and right sides of the partitioning portion40. The first and second lock receiving portions41,42are alternately arranged in the front-rear direction. The first and second lock receiving portions41,42are arranged in such a positional relationship as to be point-symmetrical with each other in a front view from front (direction orthogonal to an assembly direction of the cover members32with the base member31).

The first lock receiving portions41on the both left and right sides have first tapered surfaces41A inclined along the assembly direction on outer side surfaces as shown inFIGS.4and12. The second lock receiving portions42on the both left and right sides have second tapered surfaces42A inclined along the assembly direction on outer side surfaces as shown inFIGS.4and12. The first tapered surfaces41A are inclined inward in the lateral direction toward an upper side, and the second tapered surfaces42A are inclined inward in the lateral direction toward a lower side. The first and second tapered surfaces41A,42A intersect when viewed from front.

As shown inFIGS.4and12, the first lock receiving portion41has a first lock receiving surface41B. As shown inFIGS.4and12, the second lock receiving portion42has a second lock receiving surface42B. The first and second lock receiving portions41,42are deviated from each other in the vertical direction, and claw portions55of the cover members32are fit to the first and second lock receiving surfaces41B,42B formed by this deviation.

As shown inFIGS.4and5, the base member31includes crimp ring fitting grooves43, into which crimp rings76are fit. The crimp ring fitting grooves43are formed on both upper and lower sides of the partitioning portion40and extend along the lateral direction. The crimp ring fitting grooves43are arranged between the first and second lock receiving portions41,42arranged in the front-rear direction.

As shown inFIGS.4and5, the base member31includes guide portions44provided along the assembly direction of the cover members32. The guide portion44is provided on the first or second tapered surface41A,42A. The guide portions44are provided on all the first and second tapered surfaces41A,42A on the both left and right sides.

As shown inFIGS.4and5, the base member31includes terminal accommodation grooves46formed on the both upper and lower sides of the partitioning portion40. The terminal accommodation groove46is long in the front-rear direction and open outward in the vertical direction. Two terminal accommodation grooves46are provided laterally side by side. The two laterally arranged terminal accommodation grooves46are defined by the partitioning portion40, the first and second lock receiving portions41,42on the both left and right sides and a separation wall47arranged between the two laterally arranged terminal accommodation grooves46.

As shown inFIGS.4and5, the base member31includes a front wall48in front of the terminal accommodation grooves46. The front wall48has a rectangular shape when viewed from front. The front wall48is connected to a front end part of the partitioning portion40. The front wall48is formed with a plurality of insertion openings48A penetrating through the front wall48in the front-rear direction. The plurality of insertion openings48A are respectively provided to correspond to all the terminal accommodation grooves46. That is, the plurality of insertion openings48A are respectively provided to correspond to all terminals60arranged in all the terminal accommodation grooves46. The front wall48is entirely constituted by one member.

As shown inFIG.3, the cover member32includes a plate-like cover body50, locking portions51extending upward or downward from both left and right sides of the cover body50and crimp ring restricting portions52.

The cover body50is long in the front-rear direction and arranged with plate surfaces facing in the vertical direction. Front retaining recesses50A and rear retaining recesses50B are formed in the inner side surface of the cover body50. The rear retaining recesses50B are arranged behind the front retaining recesses50A.

As shown inFIG.3, the locking portions51have a comb-like shape projecting upward or downward from the both left and right sides of the cover body50. The locking portions51include locking arms54extending upward or downward from the both left and right sides of the cover body50. A plurality of the locking arms54are provided at intervals along the front-rear direction. The locking arm54is plate-like and arranged with plate surfaces facing in the lateral direction. The claw portion55is provided on a tip part of the locking arm54. A tip side of the locking arm54is deflected and deformed with a base end side as a fixed end. The locking arms54are alternately arranged on the left and right sides in the front-rear direction.

As shown inFIG.8, the crimp ring restricting portions52sandwich the crimp ring76between the bottom surface of the crimp ring fitting groove43and the crimp ring restricting portions52in the vertical direction and restrict a movement in the vertical direction.

As shown inFIG.8, the cover body50includes a deflection restricting portion56in a rear end part. The deflection restricting portion56is connected to the locking portions51, more specifically the locking arms54. The deflection restricting portion56extends in the lateral direction from base end parts of the locking arms54and is arranged on a side opposite to the partitioning portion40across a cable70.

As shown inFIG.8, the cover body50includes a fitting hole57in front of the deflection restricting portion56. A crimping portion76A of the crimp ring76is fit into the fitting hole57.

As shown inFIG.3, the terminal group22is provided with a pair of the terminals60. The terminal60has a shape elongated in the front-rear direction as a whole. A rectangular tube portion61is formed in a front end part of the terminal60, and a terminal-side crimping portion62in the form of an open barrel is formed in a rear end part of the terminal60. The terminal-side crimping portion62is conductively fixed to a divided portion72of an electrically conductive path71by crimping. Although not shown, a pair of the electrically conductive paths71are configured as twisted pair cables. A front stabilizer61A projecting in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction is formed on a front end part of the rectangular tube portion61. A rear stabilizer61B projecting in the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction is formed on a rear end part of the rectangular tube portion61.

As shown inFIG.3, the terminal-side crimping portion62is conductively fixed to the divided portion72of the electrically conductive path71. Branched parts in each electrically conductive path71serve as the divided portions72dividing each electrically conductive path71. In the divided portion72, an insulation coating73is removed to expose a conductor72. A pair of the conductors74covered by the insulation coatings73are collectively surrounded by a sheath75, whereby the cable70is configured. The cable70is provided with the crimp ring76mounted on an end part of the sheath75. The crimp ring76includes the crimping portion76A to be crimped to parts of the divided portions72and a positioning portion76B projecting further outward in the lateral direction than the divided portions72. The terminals60fixed to the electrically conductive path71linearly extend from the divided portions72of the electrically conductive path71.

As shown inFIG.7, the terminals60are accommodated into the terminal accommodation grooves46of the base member31. As shown inFIG.10the upper terminal60is supported in the inner housing21while being vertically inverted with respect to the lower terminal60.

The outer housing12is, for example, a single component in the form of a rectangular tube made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. As shown inFIG.2, the outer housing12includes a pair of bilaterally symmetrical side wall portions81, a bottom wall portion82coupling the lower end edges of the side wall portions81on both left and right sides and an upper wall portion83coupling the upper end edges of the side wall portions81on the both left and right sides. The outer housing12includes only one accommodation chamber84for accommodating the inner module11. The accommodation chamber84is provided inside the outer housing12. Both front and rear ends of the accommodation chamber84are open to the outside of the outer housing12. The inside of the accommodation chamber84is not partitioned by a partition wall or the like.

As shown inFIG.2, a first locked portion81A and a second locked portion81B are provided on the outer surface (surface opposite to the other side wall portion81) of each of the side wall portions81on the both left and right sides. The first and second locked portions81A,81B project outward in the lateral direction (toward a side opposite to the other side wall portion81). The first locked portion81A is provided apart and below the second locked portion81B. A retainer-side locking portion13E of the retainer13to be described later is locked to the first and second locked portions81A,81B.

As shown inFIG.13, a resilient retaining piece85is formed on the inner surface of the upper wall portion83. The resilient retaining piece85is resiliently and relatively displaceable in the vertical direction with respect to the upper wall portion83. The outer housing12is formed with a lock arm86spaced apart from and covering the outer surface of the upper wall portion83. The lock arm86is cantilevered rearward from a front end part of the outer housing12and resiliently deformable.

As shown inFIG.2, the retainer13includes a bottom wall13A and a pair of side walls13B. The pair of side walls13B rise upward from both left and right ends of the bottom wall13A. A retainer-side protrusion13projecting upward is provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall13A. A retainer-side recess13D recessed outward (toward a side opposite to the other side wall13B) is provided in the inner surface (surface opposite to the other side wall13B) of the side wall13B. The upper end of the retainer-side recess13D serves as the retainer-side locking portion13E to be hooked to the first or second locked portion81A,81B. By locking the retainer-side locking portions13E to the first locked portions81A, the retainer13is temporarily locked to the outer housing12. By locking the retainer-side locking portions13E to the second locked portions81B, the retainer13is completely locked to the outer housing12.

Next, the assembly of the connector10is described. As shown inFIG.7, the terminal groups22connected to the cables70are assembled with the base member31. The terminals60are inserted into openings of the terminal accommodation grooves46in such a posture extending along an extending direction (front-rear direction) of the terminal accommodation grooves46(posture shown inFIG.3). The positioning portions76B of the crimp rings76are fit into the crimp ring fitting grooves43.

Subsequently, as shown inFIG.8, the cover member32is assembled with the base member31from above. In assembling the cover member32with the base member31, the locking portions51are slid along the guide portions44on the first tapered surfaces41A of the first lock receiving portions41and locked to the first lock receiving surfaces41B. In this way, the cover member32is assembled with the base member31. Similarly, the other cover member32is also assembled with the base member31as shown inFIG.9.

With the cover member32assembled with the base member31, the positioning portion76B of the crimp ring76is arranged between the bottom surface of the crimp ring fitting groove43and the crimp ring restricting portions52of the cover member32and an upward movement is restricted as shown inFIG.8. Further, as shown inFIG.10, the front stabilizers61A of the terminals60are fit into the front retaining recesses50A of the cover members32and the rear stabilizers61B of the terminals60are fit into the rear retaining recesses50of the cover members32. Further, as shown inFIG.11, the deflection restricting portions56of the cover members32are arranged outside the cables70in the vertical direction. Since the deflection restricting portions56are connected to the locking portions51, outward movements of the cables70in the vertical direction are restricted. Further, as shown inFIG.11, the crimping portions76A of the crimp rings76are fit in the fitting holes57of the cover members32. In this way, the terminal groups22are restricted from coming out rearward. By assembling the pair of cover members32on both sides of the base member31in this way, the inner module11is completed.

Subsequently, the inner module11is inserted into the accommodation chamber84of the outer housing12from behind. Before the inner module11is inserted, the retainer13is temporarily locked to the outer housing12. In an insertion process, the resilient retaining piece85is resiliently deformed due to interference with the inner module11(front wall48of the base member31). If the inner module11is further inserted thereafter, the resilient retaining piece85resiliently returns and is locked to the rear surface of the front wall48(primary locking).

After the inner module11is inserted in a proper posture into the outer housing12, the retainer13is completely locked to the outer housing12as shown inFIG.13. The retainer-side protrusion13C is locked to an outer recess59of the cover member32(secondary locking). In this way, the inner module11is restricted from coming out from the outer housing12.

FIG.14shows an application example of the connector10. As shown inFIG.14, the connector10is connected to the middle of a trunk harness constituted by the pair of electrically conductive paths71. The connector10has a function of branching a communication circuit91from the trunk harness. The communication circuit91is formed as a printed circuit on a circuit board92. An unillustrated board connector is mounted on the circuit board92. The board connector is configured such that two pairs of tab-like branch-side terminals93are mounted in an unillustrated board-side housing to be fixed to the circuit board92. The branch-side terminals93are connected to the communication circuit91. If the connector10is connected to the board connector, the communication circuit91is branched from the trunk harness.

Effects of Embodiment

As described above, according to the connector10of the present disclosure, the outer housing12is configured such that the inner module11including the plurality of terminal groups22is accommodated in the single accommodation chamber84. Thus, it is not necessary to provide a partition wall for partitioning a space in the accommodation chamber84(wall for partitioning the plurality of terminal groups22in an arrangement direction) to separately accommodate the plurality of terminal groups22. Thus, the connector10can be reduced in size in the arrangement direction of the plurality of terminal groups22. Further, since the insertion openings48A corresponding to all the terminals60are formed in the front wall84, which is one member, according to this configuration, position shifts of the insertion openings48A can be prevented.

Further, the first tapered surfaces41A of the first lock receiving portions41and the second tapered surfaces42A of the second lock receiving portions42are respectively inclined along the assembly direction of the cover member32in a front view, and directions of inclination are opposite to each other. Thus, an operation of assembling the pair of cover members32with the base member31from mutually opposite directions can be facilitated.

Further, the base member31includes the guide portions44provided along the assembly direction of the cover members32. Thus, in assembling the cover member32with the base member31, the cover member32can be guided by the guide portions44.

Further, the locking portions51are comb-shaped. Thus, even if the inner housing21is small in size, the cover member32is locked to the base member31at a plurality of positions. Therefore, the cover member32is hardly detached even if a force is applied in a direction to separate the cover member32and the base member31from each other.

Further, the first and second lock receiving portions41,42are arranged in such a positional relationship as to be point-symmetrical with each other in a front view. Thus, the pair of cover members32can be members common to each other.

Further, the cover member32includes the locking portions51to be locked to the base member31and the deflection restricting portion56connected to the locking portions51and located to sandwich the cable70connected to the terminal group22between the partitioning portion40and the deflection restricting portion56. Thus, the deflection of the cable70toward a side opposite to the partitioning portion40can be restricted.

Further, the terminal group22includes the crimping portion76A to be crimped to the cable70, and the cover member32includes the fitting hole57, into the crimping portion76A is fit, in front of the deflection restricting portion56. By fitting the crimping portion76A into the fitting hole57, the cable70connected to the terminal group22can be suppressed from coming out rearward.

Other Embodiments

The present invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated embodiment, but is represented by claims. The present invention is intended to include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents and also include the following embodiments.

Although the first lock receiving portions have the first tapered surfaces and the second lock receiving portions have the second tapered surfaces in the above embodiment, the first and second lock receiving portions may have no tapered surface.

Although the connector includes the guide portions in the above embodiment, the guide portions may not be included.

Although the locking portion is comb-shaped in the above embodiment, the locking portion may not be comb-shaped.

Although the first and second lock receiving portions are arranged in such a positional relationship as to be point-symmetrical with each other in the above embodiment, the first and second lock receiving portions may not be arranged in such a positional relationship as to be point-symmetrical with each other.

Although the cover member includes the deflection restricting portion in the above embodiment, the deflection restricting portion may not be included.

Although the cover member includes the fitting hole, into which the crimping portion is fit, in the above embodiment, the fitting hole may not be included.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS