Patent Publication Number: US-6902443-B2

Title: Connector

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a connector and, in more particular, to a connector structured such that a connecting terminal stored in a terminal accommodating chamber is double locked to thereby prevent the connecting terminal from falling off from a housing. 
   Conventionally, there is known a connector of a type that a connecting terminal stored in a terminal accommodating chamber is double locked to thereby prevent the connecting terminal from falling off from a housing (For example, see JP-A-5-144499 (Pages 3 to 4, FIG.  3 )).  FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the main portions of a conventional connector disclosed in JP-A-5-144499, and  FIG. 12  is a longitudinal sectional perspective view of the main portions of a connector housing and a locking member used in the connector shown in FIG.  11 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 11 , according to the conventional connector including a double locking mechanism, in a connector housing  2 , there are formed a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers  2   b  and, lances are disposed in the terminal accommodating chambers  2   b , respectively. These lances are engaged with the shoulder portion  4   a  of the connecting terminal  4  to thereby prevent the connecting terminal  4  from slipping out of the connector housing  2  after inserted. 
   In the middle portion of one outer peripheral wall  2   a  of the connector housing  2 , there is formed a cavity portion  2   c  which crosses the terminal accommodating chambers  2   b  formed in the interior of the connector housing  2 . A locking member (that is, a so called spacer)  3  is inserted from the cavity portion  2   c  into the connector housing  2 , and terminal locking portions  3   a  formed in the locking member  3  are engaged with the locking hole  4   b  of the connecting terminal  4 . Therefore, the connecting terminal  4  can be double locked by the lance and the terminal locking portion  3   a  of the locking member  3  in the interior of the connector housing  2 . 
   In the locking member  3 , there are formed a plurality of openings  3   e  in correspondence to the terminal accommodating chambers  2   b . That is, the partition walls  2   e  of the terminal accommodating chambers  2   b  and the partition walls  3   f  of the openings  3   e  are formed so as to correspond to each other; and, when the locking member  3  is inserted into the cavity portion  2   c , the partitions  2   e  and  3   f  are arranged continuously with each other in their connecting portions with no clearance between them. 
   As shown in  FIG. 12 , in order to realize a reduction in the size of the connector, two outer-most walls  2   d  respectively disposed on the two ends of the respective terminal accommodating chambers  2   b  are cut in the cavity portion  2   c  and its neighboring portions. In case where the locking member  3  is inserted into the cavity portion  2   c , the inner surfaces of the outer walls  3   b  of the locking member  3  are respectively arranged so as to be substantially flush with the inner surfaces of the outer-most walls  2   d  of the terminal accommodating chambers  2   b  and, in the cavity portion  2   c , the outer walls  3   b  of the locking member  3  operate just like the outer-most walls  2   d  of the terminal accommodating chambers  2   d  to thereby guide and hold the connecting terminal  4 . 
   In the above-mentioned conventional connector  1 , when inserting the connecting terminal  4  into the terminal accommodating chamber  2   b  from behind the connector housing  2 , in some cases, the connecting terminal  4  can be inserted in such a manner that it is inclined with respect to the axis of the terminal accommodating chamber  2   b . Normally, the connecting terminal  4  is guided sequentially by the partition walls  2   e  of the terminal accommodating chamber  2   b  and the partition wall  3   f  of the locking member  3 , which are arranged continuously with each other with no clearance between them, and thus the connecting terminal  4  can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber  2   b  smoothly. 
   In the outer wall  3   b  of the locking member  3  which constitutes a portion of the outer wall of the terminal accommodating chamber  2  on the outer-most side, there is formed a locking portion  3   c  which can be engaged with the connector housing  2 . Generally, in the locking portion  3   c , as shown by a broken line in  FIG. 12 , in most cases, there is formed an inverted-U-shaped groove  3   d  in order to apply elasticity to the locking portion  3   c ; however, the continuity of the wall surface is lost due to the inverted-U-shaped groove  3   d  (that is, the present wall surface is turned into an uneven surface). Therefore, in case where the connecting terminal  4  is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber  2   b  in such a manner that the leading end of the connecting terminal  4  is inclined to the outside, there is a possibility that the leading end of the connecting terminal  4  can interfere with the corner portion of the inverted-U-shaped groove  3   d , thereby preventing the smooth insertion of the connecting terminal  4 . When the interference between the locking member  3  and connecting terminal  4  is strong, the interfering portion in the leading end of the connecting terminal  4  is shaved to thereby produce shavings there, and the-thus-produced shavings can result in the poor conduction of the connector  1 . Also, when the insertion resistance of the connecting terminal  4  increases extremely, an automatic terminal inserting apparatus (not shown) can be caused to stop, which provides a factor in impairing the productivity of the connector. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention aims at eliminating the drawbacks found in the above-mentioned conventional connector. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a connector structured such that the outer walls of two terminal accommodating chambers disposed in the two inner ends of a locking member inserting cavity formed in a connector housing are composed of the outer walls of a locking member, in which, even when a connecting terminal is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber in such a manner that it is inclined, the connecting terminal can be inserted smoothly without interfering with the outer walls of the terminal accommodating chamber and locking member. 
   In order to solve the aforesaid object, the invention is characterized by having the following arrangement. 
   (1) A connector comprising: 
   a housing; 
   front and rear terminal accommodating chambers for accommodating a connecting terminal in a terminal inserting direction defined by an outer peripheral wall of the housing; 
   a cavity portion formed between the front and rear terminal accommodating chambers; 
   a locking member adapted to be inserted into the cavity portion in a locking member inserting direction and held in a provisionally locking position and in a regularly locking position; 
   an opening formed through the locking member, which corresponds to the front and rear terminal accommodating chambers; 
   a terminal locking portion engageable with the connecting terminal formed at the opening; 
   a side wall formed parallel to the inserting direction and defining an inner side surface of the opening; 
   a first locking projection for a provisional lock formed at the side wall; 
   a guide rib formed in parallel to the terminal inserting direction at an inside surface of the first locking projection so that the guide rib are projected inwardly with respect to an inner side wall of the terminal accommodating chamber when the locking member is held in the provisionally locking position; 
   a second locking projection for a regularly lock formed at the side wall; 
   a first locking portion formed at the housing, which is engaged with the first locking projection in the provisionally locking position so that the connecting terminal can be inserted in the front and rear terminal accommodating chambers and the opening; and 
   a second locking portion formed at the housing, which is engaged with the second locking projection in the regularly locking position so that the terminal locking portion is engaged with the connecting terminal. 
   (2) The connector according to (1), wherein the connector is formed so that the connecting terminal is inserted from the front terminal accommodating chamber through the opening to the rear terminal accommodating chamber. 
   (3) The connector according to (2), wherein the first locking projection is formed at a rear side of the side wall and the second locking projection is formed at a front side of the side wall. 
   (4) The connector according to (2), wherein the guide rib includes a taper surface at a front end thereof. 
   (5) The connector according to (2), wherein the second locking projection includes a taper surface at a front end thereof. 
   (6) The connector according to (1), wherein a plurality of the front and rear terminal accommodating chambers are arranged side by side, and a plurality of the openings are arranged side by side so as to correspond to the plurality of front and rear terminal accommodating chambers.
 
(7) The connector according to (1), wherein the first and second locking projections are offset from each other in the locking member inserting direction.
 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the invention including a housing, a locking member and a connecting terminal; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the main portions of the connector, showing the shapes of the outer wall of the outer-most terminal accommodating chamber of the housing and the side wall of the locking member; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged longitudinal section view of the main portions of the connector, showing the shapes of the outer wall of the outer-most terminal accommodating chamber of the housing and the side wall of the locking member; 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged longitudinal section view of the main portions of the connector, showing a state in which the locking member is provisionally locked to the housing; 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged longitudinal section view of the main portions of the connector, showing a state in which the locking member is regularly locked to the housing; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective section view of the main portions of the connector, showing a state in which the connecting terminal is inserted into the housing with the locking member provisionally locked thereto; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective section view of the main portions of the connector, showing a state in which the locking member is regularly locked to the housing with the connecting terminal inserted thereinto; 
       FIG. 8  is a transverse section view of the main portions of the connector, showing a state in which the insertion of the connecting terminal into the outer-most terminal accommodating chamber of the housing with the locking member provisionally locked thereto is started; 
       FIG. 9  is a transverse section view of the main portions of the connector, showing a state in which the leading end of the connecting terminal inclinedly inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber is contacted with the inner surface of the locking member; 
       FIG. 10  is a transverse section view of the main portions of the connector, showing a state in which the connecting terminal is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber while it is guided by a guide rib and the inclination thereof is corrected by guide ribs; 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a conventional connector; and, 
       FIG. 12  is a longitudinal perspective section view of the main portions the connector housing and locking member of the connector shown in FIG.  11 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Now, description will be given below in detail of a connector of a preferred embodiment according to the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to the preferred embodiment of the invention comprising a housing, a locking member and a connecting terminal;  FIG. 2  is an enlarged longitudinal section view of the main portions of the connector, showing the shapes of the outer walls of the outer-most terminal accommodating chambers formed in the housing and the shapes of the side walls of the locking member;  FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective section view of the main portions of the connector, showing the shapes of the outer walls of the outer-most terminal accommodating chambers formed in the housing and the shapes of the side walls of the locking member;  FIG. 4  is an enlarged longitudinal section view of the main portions of the connector, showing a state thereof in which the locking member is provisionally locked to the housing;  FIG. 5  is an enlarged longitudinal section view of the main portions of the connector, showing a state thereof in which the locking member is regularly locked to the housing;  FIG. 6  is a perspective section view of the connector, showing a state in which the connecting terminal is inserted into the housing with the locking member provisionally locked thereto;  FIG. 7  is a perspective section view of the connector, showing a state in which the connecting terminal is inserted into the housing with the locking member regularly locked thereto;  FIG. 8  is a transverse section view of the connector, showing a state in which the insertion of the connecting terminal into the outer-most terminal accommodating chamber of the housing with the locking member provisionally locked thereto;  FIG. 9  is a transverse section view of the connector, showing a state in which the leading end of the connecting terminal inclinedly inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber is contacted with the side surface of the locking member; and,  FIG. 10  is a transverse section view of the connector, showing a state in which the connecting terminal is inserted while it is guided by the guide rib and the inclination thereof is corrected by the guide rib. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , a connector  10  according to an embodiment of the invention includes a male-type housing  11  composed of a synthetic-resin-made insulator, a locking member  12  composed of a synthetic-resin-made insulator, and a connecting terminal  4 . By the way, in  FIG. 1 , the connector  10  is shown in such a manner that the upper portion of the housing  11  faces downward and the lower portion thereof faces upward. In the interior of the housing  11 , there are formed a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers  11   a  in two upper and lower stages, while they are spaced from each other by their respective partition walls  11   c . In the middle portion of the lower portion outer peripheral wall  11   b  of the housing  11 , there is formed a cavity portion  13  which penetrates vertically therethrough while crossing the partition walls  11   c  existing between the terminal accommodating chambers  11   a ; and, the locking member  12  can be removably inserted into the housing  11  from this cavity portion  13 . The outer walls of the terminal accommodating chambers  11   a , which are respectively disposed on the outer-most sides, are cut away in the cavity portion  13  and its neighboring portion, thereby providing groove portions  11   d  respectively. In the interiors of the terminal accommodating chambers  11   a  that are formed in front of the cavity portion  13 , there are provided lances  11   h  which can be engaged with the engaging projection  4   b  of the connecting terminal  4 , while each of the lances  11   h  is structured such that it projects inwardly of the terminal accommodating chamber  11   a  with the front and rear end portions thereof supported on the interior of the terminal accommodating chamber  11   a.    
   The locking member  12  is a frame body including a plurality of openings  12   a  each having an opening dimension substantially equal to the opening dimension of each of the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers  11   a . The locking member  12  further includes a cover plate portion  12   b  for covering the cavity portion  13 , a bottom plate portion  12   c  formed in parallel to the cover plate portion  12   b , vertical plate portions  12   d  respectively interposed between the openings  12   a  so as to correspond to the partition walls  11   c  of the terminal accommodating chambers  11   a , and the two right and left side walls  12   e  that are the outer-most vertical plate portions. In the interior of each opening  12   a , there is projectingly provided a terminal locking portion  12   f  (see  FIG. 6 ) which can be engaged with the shoulder portion  4   a  of the connecting member  4 . On the lower end of the front end face  12   g  of each side wall  12 , there is provided a first locking projection  12   h ; and, on the rear end face  12   j  of each side wall  12   e , there is provided a two-end-held-beam-shaped flexible arm  12   n  having a second locking projection  12   m  through a slit  12   k.    
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the rear portion of the first locking projection  12   h , there is formed a U-shaped groove  12   p ; and, this U-shaped groove  12   p  applies elasticity to the first locking projection  12   h . On the inner surface side of the first locking projection  12   h , there are disposed two guide ribs  12   r  so as to extend in parallel to the insertion direction of the connecting terminal  4 . In the rear end portions of the guide ribs  12   r , there are formed taper surfaces  12   s  respectively. Each guide rib  12   r  has a height of, for example, about 0.15 mm. When the locking member  12  is inserted into the cavity  13 , the guide rib  12   r  can be projected slightly from the partition wall  11   c  of the terminal accommodating chamber  11   a . The first locking projection  12   h  has a taper surface on the upper surface side thereof. On the other hand, the second locking projection  12   m  is formed as an angular projection the upper and lower surfaces of which are taper surfaces. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in correspondence to the first and second locking projections  12   h  and  12   m  of the locking member  12 , a first engaging portion  11   e  and a second engaging portion  11   f  are formed in the interior of the housing  11 . The first engaging portion  11   e  is formed so as to be engaged with the first locking projection  12   h  and provisionally locked at a provisionally locking position when the locking member  12  is inserted from the cavity portion  13  into the housing  11  and reaches such a position where the openings  12   a  of the locking member  12  are substantially matched to the respective terminal accommodating chambers  11   a . The first engaging portion  11   e  has a taper surface  11   g  on the lower surface side thereof. On the other hand, the second engaging portion  11   f  is formed so as to be engaged with the second locking projection  12   m  and regularly locked at a regularly locking position when the locking member  12  is inserted further and the terminal locking portion  12   f  is engaged with the shoulder portion  4   a  of the terminal locking portion  12   f . The second engaging portion  11   f  has a taper surface  11   j  on the lower surface side thereof. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , in case where the locking member  12  is inserted into the cavity portion  13  of the housing  11  and is then pushed lightly in the arrow mark A direction, the first locking projection  12   h  climbs over the first engaging portion  11   e  of the housing while allowing its taper surface to be slidingly contacted with the taper surface  11   g , at the same time, the second locking projection  12   m  runs up onto the taper surface  11   j  of the second engaging portion  11   f , whereby the locking member  12  can be provisionally locked to the housing  11 . At this provisionally locked position, the openings  12   a  of the locking member  12  are substantially matched to the terminal accommodating chambers  11   a  so that the connecting terminal  4  can be inserted into the housing  11  from behind the housing  11  (that is, they are in communication with each other to such a degree that the connecting terminal  4  can be inserted). 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , in case where the locking member  12  is pushed in the arrow mark A direction still further from the above-mentioned provisionally locked position, the flexible arm  12   n  with elasticity applied from the slit  12   k  is flexed in the arrow mark B direction; and, due to this, the second locking projection  12   m  climbs over the second engaging portion  11   f  while allowing its tape surface to be slidingly contacted with the taper surface  11   j , so that the locking member  12  can be locked to the housing  11  regularly. At this regularly locked position, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the terminal locking portion  12   f  is engaged with the shoulder portion  4   a  of the connecting terminal  4 . Therefore, the connecting terminal  4  can be double locked by the terminal locking portion  12   f  and lance  11   h.    
   That is, at the provisionally locked position shown in  FIG. 4 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , in case where the connecting terminal  4  is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber  11   a  in the arrow mark C direction, the lance  11   h  of the terminal accommodating chamber  11   a  is engaged with the engaging projection  4   b  of the connecting terminal  4  to thereby lock the connecting terminal  4  primarily. In this state, as shown in  FIG. 7 , when the locking member  12  is pushed in the arrow mark A direction and is thereby moved to the regularly locking position, the terminal locking portion  12   f  of the opening  12   a  is engaged with the shoulder portion  4   a  of the connecting terminal  4 , so that the connecting terminal  4  can be further locked secondarily. By the way, to remove the locked state of the locking member  12 , the above-mentioned procedures may be reversed. 
   Next, description will be given below of the operation of the present embodiment of the invention. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , in case where the locking member  12  is inserted into the cavity portion  13  of the housing  11  and is then pushed in the arrow mark A direction, the first locking projection  12   h  climbs over the first engaging portion  11   e  of the housing  11  and, at the same time, the second locking projection  12   m  goes up onto the second engaging portion  11   f , so that the locking member  12  is locked provisionally. In this provisionally locked position, the openings  12   a  of the locking member  12  are substantially matched to the terminal accommodating portions  11   a  respectively. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , with the locking member  12  locked provisionally, the connecting terminal  4  is inserted in the arrow mark C direction into the housing  11  from back. The connecting terminal  4 , which has been inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber  11   a , advances while pressing down the lance  11   h  and the lance  11   h  is then engaged with the engaging projection  4   b  to thereby lock the connecting terminal  4  primarily. 
   As shown in  FIG. 8 , in a state where the locking member  12  is provisionally locked to the housing  11 , the partition walls  11   c  of the terminal accommodating chambers  11   a  are disposed continuously with the bottom plate portions  12   c  and vertical plate portions  12   d  which are the partition walls of the openings  12   a , in such a manner that no clearances are present between them. Taper surfaces  11   k  are formed in the corner portions of the partition walls  11   c  that are situated forwardly of the cavity portion  13 . Thanks to this, the connecting terminal  4  can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber  11   a  smoothly without interfering with any portion of the terminal accommodating chamber  11   a.    
   The outer walls of the two outer-most terminal accommodating chambers  11   a  are respectively cut away in the cavity portion  13  and thus the side walls  12   e  of the locking member  12  inserted into the groove portion  11   d  operate substantially as the outer walls. In other words, the outer wall of each outer-most terminal accommodating chamber  11   a  is composed of a combination of the two different parts, namely, the housing  11  and the side wall  12   e  of the locking member  12 . 
   By the way, as shown in  FIG. 8 , in order to be able to prevent the leading end of the connecting terminal  4  from interfering with the rear end corner portion of the side wall  12   e  even when the connecting terminal  4  is inserted while it is inclined with respect to the axis of the terminal accommodating chamber  11   a , preferably, the thickness of the side wall  12   e  may be set small so as to stand off the outer wall of the outer-most terminal accommodating chamber  11   a , thereby forming a level difference c 1  between the outer wall of the terminal accommodating chamber  11   a  and the side wall  12   e  of the locking member  12 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , in case where the connecting terminal  4  is inserted further in the arrow mark C direction and the leading end of the connecting terminal  4  reaches the U-shaped groove  12   p  of the locking member  12 , the leading end portion of the connecting terminal  4  is guided by the taper surface  12   s  and guide rib  12   r  of the locking member  12  to thereby correct the inclination the locking member  12 , so that the connecting terminal  4  can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber  11   a  properly with no interference with the side wall  12   e  (further, in the present embodiment, the corner portion  11   m  of the front-end-side outer wall of the cavity portion  13 ). 
   In this manner, by providing the guide rib  12   r  on the inner surface of the first locking projection  12   h  of the locking member  12  so as to extend in parallel to the insertion direction of the connecting terminal  4 , even in case where the connecting terminal  4  is inserted inclined with respect to the axis of the terminal accommodating chamber  11   a , the inclination of the connecting terminal  4  can be corrected by the taper surface  12   s  and guide rib  12   r , so that the connecting terminal  4  can be inserted properly without interfering with the inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber  11   a.    
   As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , after the connecting terminal  4  is inserted and the lance  11   h  is engaged with the engaging projection  4   b  of the connecting terminal  4 , in case where the locking member  12  is pushed in the arrow mark A direction further from the provisionally locked position, the second locking projection  12   m  climbs over the second engaging portion  11   f  and the locking member  12  is thereby locked regularly. At the then time, since the terminal locking portion  12   f  is engaged with the shoulder portion  4   a  of the connecting terminal  4 , the connecting terminal  4  is double locked by the lance  11   h  and terminal locking portion  12   f.    
   By the way, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment but various proper changes and modifications are also possible. The materials, shapes, dimensions, numbers, mounting positions and the like of the respective components of the above-described embodiment are not limitative but they can be selected arbitrarily, provided that they are capable of attaining the object of the invention. 
   By the way, in the case of the above-described embodiment, description has been given of a case in which the locking member is applied to the male-type connector housing storing the female terminal (connecting terminal) therein. However, the locking member can also be applied similarly to a female-type connector housing storing a male terminal therein. 
   As has been described heretofore, according the connector of the invention, the locking member is inserted into the cavity portion formed in the housing and the two side walls of the locking member are used to constitute part of the outer walls of the outer-most terminal accommodating chamber. Also, in the inner surfaces of the first locking projections provided on the one-end-face sides of the above two side walls, there are disposed guide ribs so as to extend in parallel to the insertion direction of the connecting terminal. Thanks to this, when inserting the connecting terminal into the terminal accommodating chamber, even in case where the connecting terminal is inserted in an inclined state, and thus the inclination of the connecting terminal can be corrected by the guide ribs while the connecting terminal is being guided by the guide ribs, so that the leading end of the connecting terminal can be prevented from interfering directly with the outer wall of the locking member. Also, this can prevent the housing and locking member from being shaved by the leading end of the connecting terminal, thereby being able to perfectly prevent the occurrence of the poor conduction of the connector by the shavings. Further, an increase in the insertion resistance of the connecting terminal can be prevented to thereby be able to enhance the rate of operation of an automatic terminal inserting machine. 
   Also, according to the connector of the invention, since the taper surface is formed in rear end portion of the guide rib disposed on the inner surface of the first engaging projection in the connecting terminal insertion direction, when the connecting terminal is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber, even in case where it is inserted inclined with respect to the terminal accommodating chamber, the connecting terminal is guided by the taper surface and thus the inclination of the connecting terminal is corrected by the taper surface, which makes it possible to insert the connecting terminal into the terminal accommodating chamber smoothly. Also, even in case where the inner surface of the first locking projection is projected inwardly of the outer wall of the terminal accommodating chamber due to the manufacturing errors or the like of the connector parts, the connecting terminal can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber easily without interfering with the first locking projection.