JP5966041B1 - Branch connector - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a branch connector that can securely hold a cable in a divided housing that does not have a relay contact in a state before closing a pair of divided housings connected by a connecting portion. A pair of openable and closable divided housings connected by a connecting portion; and a relay contact having a pressure contact groove supported by one of the paired divided housings; In the branch connector that inserts a cable in which the outer periphery of the conductive core wire is covered with an insulating coating in the pressure contact groove of the relay contact when fitted, and cuts the insulating coating to make it conductive, the relay contact is A branch connector having a cable holding groove formed in a separate housing that is not provided, and that retains and holds the cable that presses the pressure contact groove of the relay contact. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a branch connector for connecting a cable (electric wire) different from the electric wire to an existing cable (electric wire) connected to an electronic device or an electric device.

  This type of branch connector includes an insulating (synthetic resin) housing and a conductive (metal) relay contact supported by the housing. The housing includes a first divided housing, a second divided housing, a connecting portion that connects the first divided housing and the second divided housing so as to be able to come into contact with each other, and a contact between the first divided housing and the second divided housing. And a locking means for maintaining the contact state.

  There are two known types of relay contacts. One is a type including a pressure welding groove for pressure-contacting an existing cable (electric wire) and a crimp terminal for crimping a cable (electric wire) different from the cable (electric wire) (Patent Document 1). Another type is a type in which a pair of pressure welding grooves that press-contact an existing cable (electric wire) and another cable (electric wire) are provided in parallel (Patent Document 2).

  In either type, the relay contact is held in either the first divided housing or the second divided housing, and when connecting the cable to the pressure contact groove, the relay contact is over the pressure contact groove ( The cable that is press-contacted to the inlet portion) is held in a state where it is placed, and in this state, the other split housing is overlapped and fitted onto the relay contact (the split housing having the cable) so that the cable is pressed by the press-contact groove of the relay contact. The core wire and the relay contact are made conductive.

  Each of the pair of divided housings (first and second divided housings) is provided with a pair of semi-cylindrical cable holding portions that hold a cable that is pressed into the pressure contact groove of the relay contact. The pair of cable holding portions cover the outer peripheral surface of the cable in a full cylindrical shape and support the cable on the divided housing in a state where the pair of divided housings are closed.

Japanese Patent No. 3028988 Utility Model Registration No. 2605275

  However, according to the present inventor, in the conventional branch connector described above, in the state before the pair of split housings are closed, the cable is simply placed on the inlet contact groove of the relay contact. And there was a problem that the stability of the support was lacking. Specifically, the cable mounted on the entrance of the pressure contact groove of the relay contact may drop off before the pair of divided housings are closed, or the mounting position with respect to the cable may be shifted.

  The present invention is based on the above-mentioned problem consciousness about the branch connector, and in a state before the pair of split housings are closed, the branch connector that can securely hold the cable in the split housing on the side having no relay contact. The purpose is to obtain.

  The present invention holds the cable in the divided housing on the side having no relay contact among the pair of divided housings connected at the connection portion, and if this divided housing is closed on the divided housing on the side having the relay contact, This is based on the viewpoint that workability is improved.

A branch connector according to the present invention includes a pair of openable and closable divided housings connected at a connecting portion; and a relay contact having a pressure contact groove supported by one of the paired divided housings. In a branch connector in which a cable in which the outer periphery of a conductive core wire is covered with an insulating coating is inserted into the pressure contact groove of the relay contact when the divided housings are fitted together, and the insulating coating is cut to conduct with the core wire. The cable that presses against the pressure contact groove of the relay contact can be pushed into the cable support arm projecting in the cable extending direction from the divided housing not provided with the relay contact from the direction orthogonal to the cable extending direction. The cable holding means for retaining the pushed-in cable is formed.

The cable holding means is a cable holding groove for inserting and holding the cable and having a depth that can accommodate the entire diameter of the cable. The pair of divided housings are closed (fitted) in the divided housing having the relay contact. In a combined state, it is desirable to form a lid that closes the opening of the cable holding groove.

  It is desirable to form a drop prevention protrusion on the inner surface of the cable holding groove that provides resistance to movement in the cable extension direction of the cable inserted into the cable holding groove and detachment from the cable holding groove.

The cable holding groove and the lid are preferably formed so as to be located on both sides in the cable extension direction with the relay contact as a center in a state where the pair of divided housings are closed .

  The divided housing on the side not having the relay contact is formed with a plurality of pressing portions that press the cable against the relay contact, and the cable holding groove is a recess formed between the plurality of pressing portions. Can be positioned on the extension of

  As the relay contact, there is a type having a pair of pressure welding grooves that press-contact an existing cable and another cable, a type having a pressure welding groove that presses an existing cable, and a crimp terminal that crimps another cable. Either can be used.

  The present invention relates to a split housing having a relay contact having a pressure contact groove and a branch connector capable of opening and closing a split housing not provided with a relay contact, wherein the split housing without the relay contact is pressed against the pressure contact groove of the relay contact. Since the cable holding means that can hold the cable to be formed is formed, the cable can be reliably held in the cable holding groove with the divided housing opened.

It is a perspective view of a branch connector and a cable in which the insulating housing of one embodiment of the present invention is in an unfolded state. It is sectional drawing which follows the II-II arrow line of FIG. It is the perspective view seen from the upper part of the isolation | separation state of the insulation housing in a deployment state, and a relay contact. It is the perspective view seen from the downward direction of the isolation | separation state of the insulation housing in a deployment state, and a relay contact. It is sectional drawing which follows the VV arrow line of FIG. It is a top view of the insulation housing in an unfolded state. It is a top view which shows the state which attached the cable to the cable attachment groove | channel of the insulation housing in the expansion | deployment state. It is a front view of a cable press-contacting piece single-piece | unit. It is the perspective view seen from the upper part of a branch connector and a 1st, 2nd cable when an insulation housing exists in a temporary holding state. It is sectional drawing which follows the XX arrow line of FIG. It is the perspective view seen from the upper part of a branch connector and a 1st, 2nd cable when an insulation housing is in a locked state. It is sectional drawing which follows the XII-XII arrow line of FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a developed state in which a waterproof gel is loaded in the insulating housing of FIG. 1. FIG. 14 is a front view of FIG. 13.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, front and rear, left and right, and up and down directions are based on the directions of arrows in the figure.
The branch connector 10 of this embodiment includes an insulating housing 15 and a relay contact 50 as large components.
The insulating housing 15 is an integrally molded product made of an insulating synthetic resin material, and serves as a first divided housing 16, a second divided housing 30, and a connecting portion that connects the first divided housing 16 and the second divided housing 30. The first and second connection portions 46 and 47 are integrally provided.

An outer peripheral wall 17 is formed on the outer peripheral edge of one surface (the upper surface in FIG. 1) in the thickness direction of the first divided housing 16, and one surface (the upper surface in FIG. 1) of the outer peripheral wall 17 is a flat surface. It is comprised by the outer peripheral side 1st opposing surface 17a. The inner peripheral side recess 17b that is recessed by one step from the outer peripheral side first opposing surface 17a (downward in FIGS. 1 and 3) on the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral wall 17 (outer peripheral side first opposing surface 17a) of the first divided housing 16. The bottom surface (upper surface in FIGS. 1 and 3) of the inner peripheral recess 17b is configured by an inner peripheral first opposing surface 17c formed of a plane parallel to the outer peripheral first opposing surface 17a. The central portion located on the inner peripheral side from the inner peripheral first opposing surface 17c is constituted by a central first concave portion 17d that is recessed by one step from the inner peripheral first opposing surface 17c (downward in FIGS. 1 and 3). The bottom surface (upper surface in FIGS. 1 and 3) of the central first concave portion 17d is constituted by a central first opposing surface 17e formed of a plane parallel to the outer peripheral first opposing surface 17a. A contact mounting groove 18 is formed by the central first concave portion 17d and the central first opposing surface 17e. The contact mounting groove 18 has a fixed portion 18a and an intermediate convex portion 18b that is located in the middle in the left-right direction of the fixed portion 18a and narrows the front-back width of the fixed portion 18a to divide the fixed portion 18a into a pair of left and right. . A substantially cylindrical positioning projection 18c protrudes from the bottom surface (center first opposing surface 17e) of the pair of fixing portions 18a.
On the outer peripheral side first opposing surface 17a of the outer peripheral wall 17 of the first divided housing 16, a pair of first cable mounting grooves 19 positioned on the front and rear sides of one fixed portion 18a and collinear with each other, and the other A pair of second cable mounting grooves 20 that are positioned on both front and rear sides of the fixed portion 18a and on the same straight line (parallel to the first cable mounting groove 19) are recessed. The front shapes of the first cable mounting groove 19 and the second cable mounting groove 20 are semicircular. The front and rear surfaces of the outer peripheral wall 17 of the first divided housing 16 are provided with flat lid portions 21 and 22 extending in the front-rear direction from the lower positions than the front and rear first and second cable mounting grooves 19 and 20. Opposing surfaces 21 a and 22 a (upper surfaces in FIGS. 1 to 4) of the lid portions 21 and 22 are located at the same height as the deepest bottom surfaces of the first and second cable attachment grooves 19 and 20. The lid portions 21 and 22 are inclined surfaces that are inclined from the outer peripheral first opposing surface 17a toward the opposing surfaces 21a and 22a between the left and right edges of the opposing surfaces 21a and 22a and the front and rear surfaces of the outer peripheral wall 17. A triangular reinforcement having 21b, 22b is provided.
One locking projection 25 (locking means) and two temporary locking projections 26 (temporary holding means) are provided on one side surface of the first divided housing 16 (side surface opposite to the second divided housing 30 in the unfolded state). ) Projecting (see FIG. 9). Furthermore, one locking projection 27 projects from the side surface of the first divided housing 16 opposite to the side surface (the side surface on the second divided housing 30 side in the unfolded state).

  An outer peripheral wall 31 projects from the outer peripheral edge of one surface (the upper surface in FIG. 1) in the thickness direction of the second divided housing 30, and one surface (the upper surface in FIG. 1) of the outer peripheral wall 31 is flat. It is comprised by the outer peripheral side 2nd opposing surface 31a which becomes. A portion of the second divided housing 30 located on the inner peripheral side from the outer peripheral wall 31 (outer peripheral second opposing surface 31a) is configured by an inner peripheral concave portion 31b that is recessed by one step from the outer peripheral wall 31, and the inner peripheral concave portion 31b. One surface (the upper surface in FIG. 1) is constituted by an inner peripheral second opposing surface 31c formed of a plane parallel to the outer peripheral second opposing surface 31a. A cable pressing protrusion 32 having a pair of left and right U-shaped first and second pressing grooves 32a and 32b protrudes from the inner peripheral second opposing surface 31c. Furthermore, a total of eight fitting entry grooves (not shown) formed as a pair of left and right sides on the front and rear sides of each cable pressing protrusion 32 are recessed in the inner peripheral second opposing surface 31c. The cable pressing protrusion 32 has a central protrusion 32c and protrusions 32d and 32e on both left and right sides of the central protrusion 32c, and the first pressing groove 32a, the central protrusion 32c, and the other are provided between the central protrusion 32c and one protrusion 32d. A second pressing groove 32b is formed between the protrusion 32e.

  On the inner peripheral second opposing surface 31c, a pair of second ones located on both front and rear sides of the first pressing groove 32a of the cable pressing protrusion 32 and on the same straight line (and on the same straight line as the first pressing groove 32a). The first cable mounting groove 33 and the second pressing groove 32b of the cable pressing protrusion 32 are positioned on both front and rear sides and on the same straight line (and on the same straight line as the second pressing groove 32b) (first cable mounting groove 33). The second cable attachment groove 34 is recessed. The first cable mounting groove 33 and the second cable mounting groove 34 on the front side pass through the front wall of the outer peripheral wall 31 of the second divided housing 30, and the first cable mounting groove 33 and the second cable mounting groove 34 on the rear side. Passes through the rear wall of the outer peripheral wall 31. The cross-sectional shapes of the first cable mounting groove 33 and the second cable mounting groove 34 are semicircular.

The second divided housing 30 is formed with cable support arm portions 35 and 36 protruding from the front and rear surfaces. The outer peripheral side second opposing surface 31a of the outer peripheral wall 31 and the upper surfaces (upper surfaces in FIGS. 1 to 3) of the cable support arm portions 35 and 36 are collinear with the first and second cable mounting grooves 33 and 34. Positioned first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b are provided. The cable support arm portion 35 on the front side and the cable support arm portion 36 on the rear side are the front end side portion and the rear side portion of the first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a (the front side and the rear side in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6). ) Is formed by a pair of protruding pieces 37a and 37a and a pair of protruding pieces 38a and 38b which are separated by left and right gaps 37c and 38c. Similarly, the cable support arm portion 35 on the front side and the cable support arm portion 36 on the rear side are the front end side and the rear end side of the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b (the front side and the rear side in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6). The side portion is formed by a pair of projecting pieces 37b and 37b and a pair of projecting pieces 38b and 38b which are separated by left and right gaps 37d and 38d. Each of the pair of projecting pieces 37a, 38a, 37b, 38b, particularly the projecting pieces on the left and right outer sides of the cable support arm portions 35 and 36 are elastically bent in the left-right direction, and the interval (the left-right direction of the gaps 37c, 38c, 37d, 38d). ) Is variable. Each pair of protruding pieces 37a, 38a, 37b, and 38b has a claw portion that protrudes from the lower end of the front and rear ends. The first cable holding grooves 35a and 35b and the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b are grooves having a depth for inserting and holding the first and second cables 60 and 65 over the entire diameter (the entire diameter can be accommodated).

  A pair of drop-off prevention protrusions 35c and 35c and a pair of drop-out prevention protrusions 36c and 36c are provided near the upper opening portions of the front and rear end portions of the first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a (the opposing surfaces of the protruding pieces 37a and 38a). It is provided. Similarly, a pair of drop-off prevention protrusions 35d and 35d and a pair of drop-out prevention protrusions 36d and 36d are located near the upper opening portions of the front and rear ends of the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b (each facing surface of the protruding pieces 37b and 38b). Is provided. The drop prevention protrusions 35c and 36c and 35d and 36d are arranged so that the first and second cables 60 and 65 are inserted into the first and second cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and 35b and 36b. , 38a and the pair of projecting pieces 37b, 38b are allowed to bend so as to widen the distance in the left-right direction (the distance between the pair of drop-off preventing projections 35c, 36c, 35d, 36d).

  When the first and second cables 60 and 65 are inserted into the first and second cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and 35b and 36b, the pair of drop-off prevention protrusions 35c, 36c and 35d, 36d are the first and second cables. The pair of projecting pieces 37a and 38a and the pair of projecting pieces 37b and 38b are elastically bent in a direction in which the distance between the left and right directions is narrowed so as to sandwich 60 and 65. Therefore, the first and second cables 60 and 65 inserted into the first and second cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and 35b and 36b are allowed to move in the cable extension direction while giving resistance, and the first The first and second cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and 35b and 36b are resisted by a force to be removed from the first and second cable holding grooves 35a and 36b, and act as a retaining member so as not to easily come off, and can be detached by a certain external force. This retaining action is maintained even when the upper and lower sides (front and back) of the second divided housing 30 are reversed.

  The first and second cable holding grooves 35a and 35b of the cable support arm portions 35 and 36 are formed so that the upper surfaces of the protruding pieces 37a, 38a, 37b, and 38b that restrict the upper (upper side in FIGS. 1 and 3) The central opposing surfaces 35e and 36e which are located above the second side opposing surface 31a and are parallel to the outer peripheral second opposing surface 31a, and the opposing inclined surfaces which are inclined upward in the front-rear direction from the outer peripheral second opposing surface 31a The outer facing surfaces 35g and 36g located on the same plane as the central facing surfaces 35e and 36e are formed through 35f and 36f and the opposite inclined surfaces 35f and 36f.

  A first projecting piece 39 projects from the side surface of the second divided housing 30 (the side surface opposite to the first divided housing 16 in the unfolded state), and the inner surface of the through hole 40 formed in the first projecting piece 39. An engaging projection 41 (locking means) is provided on the projection. A pair of front and rear temporary locking grooves 39a (temporary holding means) that are respectively continuous with the front and rear side edges of the through hole 40 are recessed in the surface of the first protrusion 39 on the side of the cable pressing protrusion 32 (FIG. 2, (See FIGS. 4 and 10). The temporary lock groove 39a extends along the protruding direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) of the first protruding piece 39, and the end portion (upper end portion in FIG. 2) on the side of the engaging protrusion 41 is closed. Further, a second projecting piece 42 projects from the side surface of the second divided housing 30 opposite to the first projecting piece 39, and a through hole 43 is formed in the second projecting piece 42. The projecting amount of the second projecting piece 42 (the vertical dimension in FIGS. 1 and 3) is smaller than the first projecting piece 39.

  The first split housing 16 and the second split housing 30 are a pair of front and rear first connection portions 46 that extend linearly from the first split housing 16 side, and a pair of front and rear that extend linearly from the second split housing 30 side. The connecting portion 47 is connected by an easily bendable portion 48 that connects the first connecting portion 46 and the second connecting portion 47. The pair of front and rear first connection portions 46 and the pair of front and rear second connection portions 47 are located on the same plane in the deployed state.

  As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the bendable portion 48 is thinner than the front and rear first connection portions 46 and second connection portions 47. The front and rear first connection portions 46 and the second connection portion 47 are bent to extend in the front-rear direction (a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the extension direction of the portion of the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 supported by the branch connector 10). 1, 3, etc. with the easy portion 48 as a fold line (the direction in which the outer peripheral side first opposing surface 17 a of the first split housing 16 and the outer peripheral second opposing surface 31 a of the second split housing 30 approach each other) Bendable). Further, the first connecting portion 46 is set to have a bending rigidity smaller than that of the second connecting portion 47.

  The first divided housing 16, the first connecting portion 46, the bendable portion 48, the second connecting portion 47 and the second divided housing 30 are in an unfolded state (first divided housing 16, second divided housing shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 7). 30, the first connection portion 46 and the second connection portion 47 are in the same plane), the strength (rigidity) is such that the unfolded state is autonomously maintained.

  The relay contact 50 is formed by processing a thin plate of a copper alloy (for example, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, titanium copper) having a spring elasticity or a Corson copper alloy into a shape shown in the drawing using a progressive die (stamping). After the base is formed by nickel plating on the surface, tin copper plating or tin plating (or gold plating) is applied.

  The relay contact 50 is a pair of flat plate-like base pieces 51 extending in the left-right direction and a pair of flat plate-like shapes extending in a direction orthogonal to the base piece 51 projecting from one end of both front and rear side edges of the base piece 51. A first cable pressure contact piece 52 and a pair of flat second cable pressure contact pieces 54 extending in a direction orthogonal to the base piece 51 projecting from the other end of the front and rear side edges of the base piece 51; Integrated. Circular positioning holes 51 a are formed at two positions on the left and right of the base piece 51. The front and rear first cable pressure contact pieces 52 and second cable pressure contact pieces 54 are respectively formed with a first pressure contact groove 53 and a second pressure contact groove 55 formed by slits extending linearly toward the base piece 51 side. is there. The state opening of the first pressure contact groove 53 is formed in a substantially V shape that extends upward by the tip 52a, and the upper end opening of the second pressure contact groove 55 is substantially V that extends upward by the tip 54a. It is formed in a letter shape.

  The pair of front and rear first and second cable pressure contact pieces 52 and 54 are connected to the base piece 51 via narrow portions (constriction portions) 52b and 54b. The distance between the opposed edge portions of the first cable pressure contact piece 52 and the second cable pressure contact piece 54 positioned in the left-right direction is narrower than the distance between the opposed edge portions of the narrow portions 52b and 54b. A play portion 51b is provided between the narrow portions 52b and 54b. No other member such as an insulator is interposed between the first cable pressure contact piece 52 and the second cable pressure contact piece 54.

The relay contact 50 is used to electrically connect the first cable 60 and the second cable 65.
The first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are tubular, flexible, and insulating on the surfaces of core wires 61 and 66 (twisted wires and single wires) made of a conductive and flexible material (for example, copper or aluminum). Are covered with coverings 62 and 67 having, respectively. The first cable 60 is a cable that is wired from the beginning inside a wiring object (for example, an automobile or the like) and connected to the power source of the wiring object. On the other hand, the second cable 65 is a cable that is additionally connected to the first cable 60 later, and an electronic device or an electric device (for example, a car navigation system) is connected to one end (front end) thereof.

  To assemble the branch connector 10 while integrating the insulating housing 15, the relay contact 50, the first cable 60, and the second cable 65 and electrically connecting the first cable 60 and the second cable 65, first, an assembly operation A person manually fits the lower part of the relay contact 50 into the contact mounting groove 18 of the first divided housing 16 in the unfolded state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Specifically, the base piece 51 is fitted to the bottom of the contact mounting groove 18 while the play portion 51b is fitted to the intermediate convex portion 18b, and the half portion of the first cable pressure contact piece 52 on the base piece 51 side (see FIG. 1-FIG. 4, the lower half part) is fitted to the corresponding fixing part 18a, and the half part on the base piece 51 side of the second cable pressure contact piece 54 is fitted to the corresponding fixing part 18a. Then, since the pair of positioning projections 18c of the first divided housing 16 are fitted into the pair of positioning holes 51a of the base piece 51 (FIGS. 2, 10, and 12), the relay contact 50 is attached to the first divided housing 16. Positioned against. When the relay contact 50 is attached to the first divided housing 16, the front and rear first pressure contact grooves 53 are positioned on the axis passing through the front and rear first cable attachment grooves 19, and pass through the front and rear second cable attachment grooves 20. The front and rear second pressure welding grooves 55 are located on the axis.

  Subsequently, the assembly operator manually aligns the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 with the first and second pressing grooves 32a and 32b of the cable pressing protrusion 32 so as to extend in the front-rear direction. It pushes in against resistance by the drop-off preventing projections 35c and 36c, 35d and 36d (see FIGS. 2 and 7). At that time, the projecting pieces 37a, 38a, 37b, and 38b bend against the elastic force and widen the gaps between the anti-drop-off projections 35c and 36c and 35d and 36d. When the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are pushed into the first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b, the gaps between the drop-off preventing projections 35c and 36c and 35d and 36d facing each other are reduced. One cable 60 and the second cable 65 are sandwiched between the bottoms of the first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a, the bottoms of the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b, and the drop-off preventing projections 35c and 36c and 35d and 36d. As a result, the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 can move in the cable extension direction while receiving resistance. Therefore, the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 corresponding to the unfolded branch connector 10 shown in FIGS. The position of the two cables 65 in the extending direction can be adjusted. When the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are separated from the first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b, a resistance that prevents the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 is received. The first cable 60 and the second cable 65 do not easily fall out of the first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b. Further, since the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 can be separated from the first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b by a biasing force of a certain level or more, It is easy to change the first and second cables attached to and detached from the branch connector 10.

  The first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are arranged in the left-right direction (orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the extending direction of the portion supported by the branch connector 10 of the first cable 60 and the second cable 65), and the first cable holding groove The front and rear bendable portions are arranged so that the outer peripheral second opposing surface 31a of the second divided housing 30 faces the outer peripheral first opposing surface 17a of the first split housing 16 while being fitted and held in 35a and 36a. The second divided housing 30 (front and rear second connecting portions 47) is rotated around 48 so as to approach the first divided housing 16 (front and rear first connecting portions 46). Then, the inclined surface formed at the tip of the first protruding piece 39 side of the second protruding piece 42 having a smaller protruding amount (vertical dimension) than the first protruding piece 39 comes into contact with the inclined surface formed on the upper portion of the locking protrusion 27, Further, the first pressing groove 32a of the cable pressing protrusion 32 located on the second connecting portion 47 side causes the intermediate portion of the second cable 65 to be on the back side (downward) of the second pressing contact groove 55 of the second cable pressing piece 54. It enters into the space between the front and rear second cable pressure contact pieces 54 while pushing slightly.

When the second divided housing 30 is further rotated by hand or the like in the direction approaching the first divided housing 16 about the front and rear bendable portions 48, the second projecting piece 42 is moved rightward (the locking projection 27 protrudes). The first connecting portion 46 and the second connecting portion 47 begin to be elastically deformed by sliding the inclined surface of the locking projection 27 obliquely downward to the right while being accompanied by a minute elastic deformation in the direction of the first connecting portion 46. At that time, since the tip of the first connection portion 46 that is easily elastically deformed (easy to bend) as compared with the second connection portion 47 is displaced downward, the position of the bendable portion 48 (folding position) is also moved downward and moved to the first position. The two-divided housing 30 approaches the first divided housing 16 side while being substantially parallel to the first divided housing 16.
Further, the first pressing groove 32 a of the cable pressing protrusion 32 located on the opposite side to the second connecting portion 47 is a first pressing contact groove with respect to the distal end portion 52 a of the first cable pressing contact piece 52 at the intermediate portion of the first cable 60. Since the first cable 60 is pressed in the extending direction of 53 or a direction close thereto, the first cable 60 is sandwiched between the distal end portion 52 a and the cable pressing protrusion 32.

  When the second divided housing 30 is further rotated toward the first divided housing 16, the temporary locking projections 26 on the front and rear sides of the first divided housing 16 are fitted into the temporary locking grooves 39 a on the front and rear sides of the first projecting piece 39. It engages with the lower end surface of the lock groove 39a (FIG. 10). As described above, the front and rear temporary locking projections 26 and the temporary locking groove 39a are engaged, whereby the first divided housing 16 and the second divided housing 30 are in the temporary holding state shown in FIG. Accordingly, the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 before the press contact (before the core wires 61 and 66 contact the relay contact 50) are connected to the second divided housing 30 (the first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and the first press). The groove 32a, the second cable holding grooves 35b, 36b and the second pressing groove 32b) and the leading ends 52a, 54a of the relay contact 50, and the second divided housing 30 is connected to the first cable 60 and the second cable It is possible to prevent the first split housing 16 from opening due to a reaction force received from the cable 65.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the insulating housing 15 is temporarily held, the second connecting portion 47 and the second divided housing 30 (outer peripheral side second opposing surface 31a) are in a horizontal plane (the outer peripheral side of the first split housing 16 is The first cable 60 is pressed by the first pressing groove 32a of the cable pressing protrusion 32 on the side opposite to the second connecting portion 47 at this time. The direction is substantially parallel to the pressing direction of the second cable 65 by the second pressing groove 32b of the cable pressing protrusion 32 on the second connecting portion 47 side. More specifically, the pressing direction of the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 by the first and second pressing grooves 32a and 32b of the cable pressing protrusion 32 is substantially parallel to the vertical direction. When the temporary locking projection 26 and the temporary locking groove 39a are engaged with the second connecting portion 47 and the second divided housing 30 being substantially parallel to the horizontal plane in this way, the first divided housing 16 is divided into the second divided portion. Compared to the case where the housing 30 is largely inclined, the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are supported substantially uniformly by the relay contact 50 in a stable state.

The first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are held by the first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and 35b and 36b of the cable pressing projection 32, so that the operator can prepare the branch connector 10 (insulation) in preparation for another work. Since the temporary holding state is not released even if the hand is released from the housing 15), the assembly workability of the branch connector 10 (as compared with the case where the temporary holding is not performed) (the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are not connected). Good connection workability).
Further, in this temporary holding state, the first divided housing 16 (outer peripheral side first opposing surface 17a) and the second divided housing 30 (outer peripheral side second opposing surface 31a) are in a state of being separated from each other. Whether the cable 60 and the second cable 65 are correctly placed in the V-shaped grooves of the first and second pressure contact grooves 53 and 55 formed by the tip portions 52a and 54a of the relay contact 50 is determined. It can be visually recognized from a gap formed between the split housing 16 (outer peripheral side first opposing surface 17a) and the second split housing 30 (outer peripheral side second opposing surface 31a).

  Confirm that the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are placed on the leading end portions 52a and 54a of the relay contact 50 (positioned immediately above the first pressure contact groove 53 and the second pressure contact groove 55). After that, the outer peripheral side first opposing surface 17a and the outer peripheral side second opposing surface 31a approach the first divided housing 16 and the second divided housing 30 with a general tool (for example, pliers) (not shown). The engaging protrusion 41 is engaged with the locking protrusion 25 and the upper end of the second protrusion 42 and the lower end of the locking protrusion 27 are engaged (first divided housing 16). The locking projection 27 is engaged with the through hole 43 of the second projecting piece 42) (see FIGS. 11 and 12). As a result, in the first divided housing 16 and the second divided housing 30, the outer peripheral side first opposing surface 17a and the outer peripheral side second opposing surface 31a are in surface contact (or opposed while forming a minute gap), and further in a free state (straight line The opposing surfaces of the first connection portion 46 and the second connection portion 47 that have returned to the state are in surface contact (or opposed while forming a minute interval). As a result, in the insulating housing 15, the first cable mounting grooves 19, 33 and the second cable mounting grooves 20, 34 are respectively fitted into two portions of the covering 62 of the first cable 60 and the covering 67 of the second cable 65 ( It is held (locked) in the closed state.

  Further, since the cable pressing protrusion 32 further pushes the intermediate portion of the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 into the back side (bottom surface side) of the first and second pressure contact grooves 53 and 55, the first cable 60 is connected to the distal end portion. The second cable 65 is pushed from the front end portion 54a to the substantially central portion of the second press-contacting groove 55 from 52a. At this time, the pressing direction of the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 by the first and second pressing grooves 32a and 32b of the cable pressing protrusion 32 is the vertical direction (extension of the first pressing groove 53 and the second pressing groove 55). Direction). Furthermore, at this time, since the front end portions 52a and 54a (upper end portions in FIGS. 1 to 4) of the first cable pressure contact piece 52 and the second cable pressure contact piece 54 are fitted in the respective metal fitting entry grooves of the second divided housing 30, By the inner surface of the metal fitting entry groove, the first cable pressure contact piece 52 and the second cable pressure contact piece 54 are opened outward (in a direction away from each other) from the portions located on both sides of the first pressure contact groove 53 and the second pressure contact groove 55. Operation (the width of the first pressure contact groove 53 and the second pressure contact groove 55 is increased) is restricted. Therefore, the left and right side portions of the covering 62 of the first cable 60 are reliably broken by the inner surface (left and right both sides) of the first pressure welding groove 53 and the second cable 65 is broken by the inner surface (left and right both sides) of the second pressure welding groove 55. The left and right sides of the covering 67 are reliably broken. Therefore, when the insulating housing 15 is held in the closed state, the inner surfaces (a pair of opposing surfaces) of the first pressure contact groove 53 are in uniform and reliable contact (pressure contact) with both sides of the core wire 61, and the first The inner surface (a pair of opposing surfaces) of the second pressure contact groove 55 is in uniform and reliable contact (pressure contact) with the core wire 66, and the core wire 61 of the first cable 60 and the core wire 66 of the second cable 65 are inside the branch connector 10. Are electrically connected to each other through the relay contact 50.

  In addition, since the inner surfaces of the first pressure contact groove 53 and the second pressure contact groove 55 do not excessively hit against one of the both side portions of the core wires 61 and 66, a part of the core wires 61 and 66 is in the first pressure contact. It is not cut by the use groove 53 or the second pressure contact groove 55. Therefore, since the mechanical strength of the core wires 61 and 66 does not decrease, there is little possibility that the core wires 61 and 66 are completely cut even if a tensile force acts on the first cable 60 and the second cable 65. Therefore, the contact reliability between the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 and the relay contact 50 can be improved.

  In a state where the first divided housing 16 and the second divided housing 30 are held (fitted) in the closed state (fitted together), the facing surfaces 21a and 22a of the lid portions 21 and 22 of the first divided housing 16 are the first The openings of the cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b (upper openings in FIGS. 1 to 4) are closed. More specifically, the facing surfaces 21a and 22a of the lid portions 21 and 22 are in line contact and surface contact with the outer peripheral surfaces and the central facing surfaces 35e and 36e of the first and second cables 60 and 65, and the outer facing surfaces 35g and 36g. The inclined surfaces 21b and 22b of the lid portions 21 and 22 are in surface contact with the opposing inclined surfaces 35f and 36f (or opposed while forming a minute interval). If comprised in this way, when the 1st division | segmentation housing 16 and the 2nd division | segmentation housing 30 will be in a closed state (locked state), the 1st division | segmentation housing 16 and the outer peripheral side 1st opposing surface 17a of the 2nd division | segmentation housing 30 The branch connector 10 is in close contact with the outer peripheral second opposing surface 31a and in close contact with the surfaces of the coverings 62 and 67 of the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 (without interfering with electrical continuity with the relay contact 50). Even if the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are bent and bent by an external force applied to the outside of the cable, the movement and stress resulting from the bending of the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are not in contact with the relay contact 50. Can be prevented from being transmitted to the terminal, and contact reliability can be maintained.

  The relay contact 50 connects the first and second cable pressure contact pieces 52 and 54 and the base piece 51 by the narrow portions 52b and 54b, and a gap (interval) between the first cable pressure contact piece 52 and the second cable pressure contact piece 54. Since the insulator and the like are not disposed in the gap, the size of the relay contact 50, particularly the width in the left-right direction is reduced, and the size and weight can be reduced.

  When the first divided housing 16 and the second divided housing 30 are closed (fitted together), the outer peripheral first opposing surface 17a and the inner peripheral first opposing surface 17c of the first split housing 16 and the second There is a possibility that the outer peripheral side second opposing surface 31a and the inner peripheral side second opposing surface 31c of the divided housing 30 are opposed to each other while forming a minute gap without contact. Therefore, in another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the waterproof gel 70 is interposed (fitted) into the inner peripheral recess 17 b of the first divided housing 16. The waterproof gel 70 has the same planar shape as the inner peripheral side first facing surface 17 c and is formed in a rectangular tube shape surrounding the relay contact 50. The height of the waterproof gel 70 is such that when the first divided housing 16 and the second divided housing 30 are closed, the portions in contact with the first and second cables 60 and 65 are deformed, and the first and second cables The height is in close contact with the outer peripheries of 60 and 65 and in close contact with the inner peripheral second opposing surface 31 c of the second divided housing 30. If comprised in this way, when the 1st division | segmentation housing 16 and the 2nd division | segmentation housing 30 will be in a closed state (locked state), the gel 70 for waterproof will be the inner peripheral side 1st of the 1st and 2nd division | segmentation housings 16 and 30. The first contact surface 17c and the inner peripheral second facing surface 31c are in close contact with each other and the periphery of the relay contact 50 is sealed, and the surfaces of the coverings 62 and 67 of the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are electrically connected to the relay contact 50. Since it is in close contact (without hindering electrical continuity), it is possible to further reduce the possibility that water, dust, etc. will contact the core wires 61, 66 of the first cable 60 and the second cable 65.

  Further, since the waterproof gel 70 is in close contact with the first cable 60 and the second cable 65, even if the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 are bent and bent by an external force applied outside the branch connector 10, It is possible to prevent the movement and stress resulting from the bending of the first cable 60 and the second cable 65 from being transmitted to the pressure contact portion with the relay contact 50, and to maintain the contact reliability.

  When the first divided housing 16 and the second divided housing 30 are closed, the first and second cables 60 and 65 are fitted to the upper surface of the waterproof gel 70 (the upper surface in FIGS. 12 and 13). A semicircular fitting groove may be formed in advance. The semicircular fitting groove increases the degree of adhesion between the waterproof gel 70 and the first and second cables 60 and 65.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on said each embodiment, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can implement, giving various deformation | transformation.
In this embodiment, the first and second cables 60 and 65 are provided with the drop prevention protrusions 35c and 36c, 35d and 36d in the first cable holding grooves 35a and 36a and the second cable holding grooves 35b and 36b. The drop prevention protrusions may be provided in the first pressing groove 32a and the second pressing groove 32b of the cable pressing protrusion 32.

  The relay contact 50 is a type that presses the second cable 65, but may be a type that crimps the second cable 65. In this case, the second cable 65 is crimped to the relay contact 50 in advance, and the relay contact 50 is attached to the first divided housing 16 in this state. In this embodiment, a cable crimping terminal is formed instead of one of the pair of first and second pressing grooves 53 and 55 of the relay contact 50. The second divided housing 30 is provided with one cable support arm portion 35 or 36 corresponding to the remaining pressure welding groove.

  Conversely, three or more cables arranged in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the extending direction of the portion supported by the branch connector 10 of each cable may be connected by the branch connector 10. In this case, three or more pairs of pressure contact grooves (aligned in the left-right direction) may be formed in one relay contact. Alternatively, a pressure contact groove may be formed in each of the plurality of relay contacts, two or more pairs of pressure contact grooves may be formed in at least one relay contact, and a cable (core wire) may be pressure contacted in each pressure contact groove.

  When the relay contact (single or plural) has three or more pressure welding grooves, two second divided housings are rotatably connected to the left and right two positions of the first divided housing via the connection portions, A plurality of cables may be pressed (pressed against the relay contact) by at least one of the second divided housings.

10 branch connector 15 insulating housing 16 first divided housing 17 outer peripheral wall 17a outer peripheral first opposing surface 17b inner peripheral concave portion 17c inner peripheral first opposing surface 17d central first concave portion 17e central first opposing surface 18 contact mounting groove 18a Fixed portion 18b Intermediate convex portion 18c Positioning projection 19 First cable mounting groove 20 Second cable mounting groove 21 22 Lid portion 21a 22a Opposing surface 21b 22b Inclined surface 25 Locking projection (locking means)
26 Temporary lock projection (temporary holding means)
27 Locking projection 30 Second divided housing 31 Outer peripheral wall 31a Outer peripheral second opposing surface 31b Inner peripheral concave portion 31c Inner peripheral second opposing surface 32 Cable pressing projection (pressing portion)
32a First pressing groove (concave)
32b Second pressing groove (concave)
32c Center protrusion 33 First cable mounting groove 34 Second cable mounting groove 35 36 Cable support arm 35a 36a First cable holding groove 35b 36b Second cable holding groove 35c 36c Drop prevention protrusion 35d 36d Drop prevention protrusion 35e 36e Center facing surface 35f 36f Opposing slope 35g 36g Outer facing surface 37a 37b 38a 38b Protruding piece 37c 38c 37d 38d Air gap 39 First projecting piece 39a Temporary lock groove (temporary holding means)
40 through-hole 41 engagement protrusion (locking means)
42 2nd protrusion 43 Through-hole 46 1st connection part (connection part)
47 Second connection (connection)
48 Easy bending portion 50 Relay contact 51 Base piece 51a Positioning hole 51b Playing portion 52 First cable pressure contact piece 52a Tip portion 52b Narrow portion 53 First pressure contact groove (pressure contact groove)
54 Second cable pressure contact piece 54a Tip portion 54b Narrow portion 55 Second pressure contact groove (pressure contact groove)
60 First cable 61 Core wire 62 Coating 65 Second cable 66 Core wire 67 Coating 70 Waterproof gel

Claims (6)

A pair of openable and closable divided housings connected by a connecting portion; and a relay contact having a pressure contact groove supported by any one of the pair of divided housings;
A branch connector that inserts a cable in which the outer peripheral portion of the conductive core wire is covered with an insulating coating in the pressure contact groove of the relay contact when the pair of split housings are fitted together, and cuts the insulating coating to make it conductive. In
The cable support arm portion projecting above the cable extending direction from the split housing without the above relay contacts, the cable is pressed against the pressure contact groove of the relay contacts, can push in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the cable, Cable holding means for retaining the pushed-in cable is formed;
Branch connector characterized by. 2. The branch connector according to claim 1, wherein the cable holding means is a cable holding groove for inserting and holding the cable and having a depth that allows the entire diameter of the cable to be accommodated. A branch connector in which a drop-off preventing protrusion is formed to provide resistance to movement in a cable extension direction of a cable inserted into a holding groove and detachment from the cable holding groove. 3. The branch connector according to claim 2, wherein the cable holding groove is formed so as to be positioned on both sides in the cable extension direction with the relay contact as a center in a state where the pair of divided housings are closed. In the branch connector according to claim 2 or 3 Claims, split housing having the relay contacts are in the closed state of the above pair of divided housings, branch connector forming a lid for closing the opening of the cable holding groove . 5. The branch connector according to claim 4, wherein the cable holding groove and the lid portion are formed so as to be positioned on both sides of the cable extension direction with the relay contact as a center with the pair of divided housings being closed. Branch connector. The branch connector according to any one of claims 2 to 5 , wherein the cable holding groove is located on an extension of a recess formed between pressing portions that press the cable against the relay contact. connector.

Images