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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a joint connector which is used to interconnect
wire harnesses for an automobile and the like.
2. Statement of the Prior Art
For convenience of explanation a conventional joint connector will be
described below by referring to FIGS. 15 to 22. FIG. 15 is an exploded
longitudinal sectional view of a prior joint connector as seen before
having a cover mounted thereon. FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view
of a part of the joint connector shown in FIG. 15, illustrating the
connector on which the cover is mounted.
FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of the joint connector
shown in FIG. 15, illustrating the connector in which a female terminal is
incompletely inserted into a connector housing. FIG. 18 is an enlarged
view of a main part of FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a schematic fragmentary cross
sectional view of a prior joint connector. FIG. 20 is a schematic
perspective view of a prior joint connector. FIG. 21 is an exploded
longitudinal sectional view of a prior joint connector. FIG. 22 is a side
elevational view of the prior joint connector which joints electrical
wires.
FIGS. 15 and 16 show an example of a conventional joint connector (Japanese
Utility Model Public Disclosure No. 3-88278 (1991)). A female terminal 2
is accommodated in a terminal accommodating chamber 1a in a connector
housing 1. The terminal accommodating chamber 1a is provided on its side
walls (upper and lower walls) 1b with a resilient locking finger 1d having
a projection 1c which engages with a lock aperture 2a in the female
terminal 2.
A cover 4 having a male terminal 3 is mounted on the connector housing 1 so
that the male terminal 3 is coupled to the female terminal 2 (FIG. 16).
The locking finger 1d of the connector housing 1 is provided on the same
plane as an outer face of the side wall 1b in the housing 1. In the case
that the female terminal 2 is incompletely received in the terminal
accommodating chamber 1a as shown in FIG. 17. The projection 1c on the
locking finger 1d rides on an outer face of the female terminal 2 so that
the locking finger 1d projects from the outer face of the side wall 1b.
Consequently, when the cover 4 is mounted on the connector housing 1, a
distal end of the locking finger 1d abuts on a stopper 4a of the cover 4,
thereby preventing any further advance of the cover 4. Accordingly, it is
possible to prevent a connecting failure of the male terminal 3 resulting
from an incomplete insertion of the female terminal 2.
On the other hand, in the case that the female terminal 2 is detached from
the terminal accommodating chamber 1a in order to change an accommodating
position of the female terminal 2, after the female terminal 2 has been
accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 1a in the connector
housing 1, the projection 1c must be drawn from the lock aperture 2a in
the female terminal 2 by pushing the locking finger 1d outwardly.
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 18, a plate like tool 5 is inserted between
the distal end of the locking finger and an inner end 1e of the side wall
1b of the connector housing 1, which is opposed to the distal end of the
finger 1d, the tool 5 is swung about a corner a of the inner end 1e as a
fulcrum, and the tool 5 pushes up the locking finger 1d at an acting point
b on the end of the finger 1d.
However, a gap between the distal end of the locking finger 1d and the
inner end 1e is so narrow that the tool 5 hardly enters into the gap and a
distance between the fulcrum a and the acting point b is so short that an
excessive stress is concentrated on the locking finger 1d, thereby
deforming the locking finger 1d.
There are some prior joint connectors which are suitable for wiring
alternation in electrical equipment for an automobile, an OA device such
as a copying device and the like, and an industrial device. In particular,
it is necessary to prevent a short-circuit from occurring between branched
circuits due to leaking in such joint connectors.
Such joint connectors are shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.
In the joint connector, a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 1a
are formed in the connector housing 1 by partitions 1f. A female terminal
2 is accommodated in the chamber 1a and shorting plates 3A and 3B are
inserted into the connector housing 1. Each of the shorting plates 3A and
3B has a coupling portion 3a and a plurality of contacting portions 3b
integrally connected to the coupling portion 3a. The contacting portions
contact with the female terminal 2 to form a branched circuit.
The connector housing 1 is integrally provided with a lid 7, which serves
to prevent the shorting plates 3A and 3B from sliding out of the connector
housing 1 when the housing 1 is closed by the lid 7.
In the joint connector, each of the shorting plates 3A and 3B is provided
with a recess 3C. The lid 7 is provided with protrusions 7a corresponding
to the recesses 3C. When the lid 7 closes the housing 1, the protrusions
7a engage with the recesses 3C to hold the shorting plates 3A and 3B in
regular positions, thereby preventing the shorting plates 3A and 3B from
loosening in the connector housing 1 and from shorting two branched
circuits due to contact of the adjacent shorting plates 3A and 3B. Such a
joint connector is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Public Disclosure
No. 64-55591 (1989).
However, in the above joint connector, a gap 8 between the adjacent
shorting plates 3A and 3B is insulated only by air. Thus, in the case that
potentials in the branched circuits formed by the respective shorting
plates 3A and 3B are different or in the case that moisture or dust exists
in the gap 8, leaking will occur between the shorting plates 3A and 3B at
the gap 8, thereby shorting the branched circuits formed by the shorting
plates 3A and 3B.
It is desirable to make the partition as thin as possible in order to make
the joint connector compact and light in the case of using it in an
automobile, an OA device, or the like. However, if the partition 1f
becomes thin, a pitch between the female terminals 2 will become narrow
and the gap 8 will become so small that a distance of air insulation is
short, thereby readily causing leaking.
FIG. 21 shows a conventional joint connector which accommodates electrical
wires an end of which is connected to a terminal and interconnects given
terminals.
In FIG. 21, a female connector housing 1 accommodates a plurality of
electrical wires 9 which are directed to the same sense and have a female
terminal 2 at one end. A male connector housing 4A is formed into a box
like shape having at an end an opening which is adapted to receive an end
of the female connector housing 1. The male connector housing 4A is
provided at a bottom wall with a shorting plate 3C which extends inwardly
and is directed to the positions of the female terminals in the female
connector housing 1. The shorting plate 3C is formed into a U-shape and
provided with two distal ends which have the same shape as that of the
male terminals. A cover 6 is provided to be mounted on an outer periphery
of the male connector housing 4A from its rear side. In order to prevent
the cover 6 from falling off the male connector housing 4A, the cover 6 is
provided with an aperture 6a while the male connector housing 4A is
provided with a projection 4a.
In the above construction, an integrated shorting plate 3C is formed in
accordance with female terminals to be connected with each other. The
shorting plate 3C is inserted into the male connector housing 4A from its
rear side. The cover 6 is put on the housing 4A. Thereafter, the female
connector housing 1 is inserted into the male connector housing 4A through
its opening so that the shorting plate 3C advances in the female terminal
2. Eventually, desired female terminals 2 are electrically interconnected
through the shorting plate 3C.
However, in the case that the electrical wires 9 to be connected with each
other are drawn from different two places, as shown in FIG. 22, the wires
9 are bent at their end and thus the joint connector is arranged in
perpendicular to the electrical wires 9.
In the above conventional joint connector, since the shorting plate is
inserted into the female terminal, the female terminals must be arranged
to close their openings and to direct them in the same sense.
Consequently, if the electrical wires 9 to be interconnected are collected
from different places, the joint connector projects on wiring parts,
thereby obstructing another wirings.
Further, an example of a joint connector which interconnects a plurality of
electrical wires is disclosed in Japanese Patent Public Disclosure No.
61-277180 (1986).
In the joint connector, a plurality of same terminal accommodating chambers
in a connector housing receive an end portion of an electrical wire having
a female terminal at an end and a plurality of male terminals to be
inserted in the female terminals are provided on the terminal
accommodating chambers. The male terminals are coupled to each other in
connection with the female terminals to be connected to each other.
When the female connector housing is inserted into the male connector
housing after the female terminal is connected to an end of the electrical
wire to be connected to another wire and the female terminal is
accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber in the female connector
housing, the male terminals which are interconnected in the male connector
housing enter into the given female terminals, so that a plurality of
female terminals are electrically interconnected through the male
terminals.
This joint connector is also utilized to branch electrical wires connected
to an electrical power source to electrical wires for electrical power
sources in a plurality of electrical devices. The electrical wires
connected to the electrical power source require a diameter large enough
to supply currents to each electrical devices in comparison with branched
wires. However, in the prior joint connector, since each size of the
terminal accommodating chambers for receiving the electrical wires is
same, the electrical wires having a large diameter can not be inserted
into the chambers even if they are desired to be used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first object of the present invention is to provide a joint connector
which makes it easy to insert a tool therein upon detaching a female
terminal therefrom and prevents a locking finger from being deformed.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a joint connector
which prevents leaking between branched circuits in a connector housing.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a joint connector
which avoids interference upon connecting alternately electrical wires
directed in opposite directions.
A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a joint connector
which can use electrical wires having different diameters.
In order to achieve the first object, a joint connector of the present
invention comprises: a connector housing having a plurality of terminal
accommodating chambers which are formed by partitioning an interior
thereof by means of side walls; a female terminal accommodated in each of
the chambers; and at least one shorting plate having a coupling portion
and a plurality of contact portions juxtaposed together to coupling
portion and contacting with the female terminal to form at least one
branched circuit. The side wall of the terminal accommodating chamber in
the connector housing is provided with a resilient locking finger having a
lock projection adapted to be engaged with a lock aperture in the female
terminal accommodated in the chamber. The side wall of the connector
housing is provided on an outer face with a slanted portion which inclines
and extends outwardly from an end face opposite to a distal end of said
locking finger to the outer face.
The locking finger is arranged inwardly below the outer face of said side
wall. The slanted portion extends from an inward position aligned to the
distal end of the locking finger to an outward position.
The locking finger may be arranged on a plane aligned with the outer face
of the side wall.
If marks such as digits indicating pole numbers of female terminals which
are accommodated in terminal accommodating chambers are carved on the
slanted portion, it is possible to confirm a position in which a certain
female terminal should be inserted and to enhance accommodating work.
The marks may be carved on outer face extending from the slanted portion of
the side wall.
According to the present invention, since the locking finger is arranged
inwardly below the outer face of the side wall, and wherein the slanted
portion extends from an inward position aligned to the distal end of the
locking finger to an outward position, a gap between the distal end of the
locking finger and the inner end face of the side wall can be widened and
the tool can be guided along the slanted portion to be easily inserted
into the gap. Also, since the fulcrum for swinging the tool exists at an
upper end of the slanted portion, a distance from the fulcrum and the
acting point becomes long and excessive stress is not concentrated on the
locking finger which would otherwise deform it.
In the case that the locking finger is arranged below the outer face of the
side wall of the connector housing, the locking finger hardly receives any
impact from the exterior.
Further, if marks such as digits indicating pole numbers of female
terminals which are accommodated in terminal accommodating chambers are
carved on the outer face of the side wall continued to the slanted
portion, it is possible to confirm a position in which a certain female
terminal should be inserted and to enhance accommodating work.
In order to achieve the second object, the joint connector of the present
invention is common to an all pole shorting use in which a single shorting
plate connects a plurality of female terminals to a single branched
circuit and to a divisional shorting use in which a plurality of shorting
plates connect the terminals to more than two branched circuits, wherein
the coupling portion of the shorting plate or plates abut on distal ends
of the side walls of said connector housing to limit an inserting position
of the plate. The connector housing includes first side walls the distal
ends of which abut on the coupling portions of the shorting plates for the
divisional shorting use and a second side wall the distal end of which
abuts on the coupling portion of the shorting plate for the all pole
shorting use.
The distal end of the second side wall for positioning the shorting plate
for all pole shorting use extends by more than the width of the coupling
portion of the shorting plate above the distal ends of the side walls for
positioning the shorting plates for the divisional shorting use.
According to the above construction of the joint connector of the present
invention, the connector housing can be used in both all pole shorting
function and divisional shorting function. Since the side wall is disposed
between the divisional shorting plates, insulation between the shorting
plates is improved, so that leaking is prevented.
In the case that the distal end of the second wall for positioning the
shorting plate for the all pole shorting use extends by more than a width
of said coupling portion of the shorting plate above the distal ends of
the side walls for positioning the shorting plates for the divisional
shorting use, it is possible to more enhance insulation between the
shorting plates, thereby positively preventing leaking.
To achieve the above third object, in the joint connector of the present
invention, the terminal accommodating chambers are arranged one upon
another in the connector housing. A joint chamber is formed between the
respective terminal accommodating chambers piled on each other. An
aperture is formed in each terminal accommodating chamber to communicate
with the joint chamber. Each opening of the terminal accommodating chamber
is arranged alternately in the reverse direction. The shorting plate is
inserted into the joint chamber to confront the given aperture. The female
terminal is provided with a tongue piece which projects through the
aperture into the joint chamber when inserted into the terminal
accommodating chamber.
In the joint connector of the present invention constructed as above, the
terminal accommodating chambers are arranged one upon another in the
connector housing, so that the electrical wires disposed in the opposite
directions are alternately aligned in a straight line. On the other hand,
since the shorting plate is inserted into the joint chamber to confront
the given aperture, the tongue piece elastically contacts with the
shorting plate through the aperture when the female terminal is
accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber. Thus, the female
terminals which contact with the shorting plate are electrically connected
with each other.
In comparison with the prior joint connector in which the female terminals
contact with the shorting plate from the same direction, the terminal
accommodating chambers can be arranged in any direction, since the female
terminals can contact with the shorting plate disposed in the chambers.
In order to achieve the fourth object, in the joint connector of the
present invention, the terminal accommodating chambers are formed into
different sizes corresponding to the different diameters of electrical
wires to be connected to the terminals.
The female terminal is provided with a common contacting portion which
contacts with the shorting plate and a barrel portion which has different
sizes corresponding to the different diameters of the electrical wire. The
terminal accommodating chamber is formed so that its interior holds the
common contacting portion.
According to the joint connector of the present invention, since the
terminal accommodating chambers have different sizes, the electrical wires
with different diameters can be simultaneously accommodated in the
chambers.
Since the contacting portions of the female terminals are formed into the
same shape although the barrel portions of the female terminals are formed
into different sizes in accordance with the diameters of the electrical
wires to be interconnected, and since the terminal accommodating chambers
are formed into the same shape to hold the contacting portions of the
female terminals, the terminal accommodating chamber adapted to receive an
electrical wire having a large diameter can receive and hold an electrical
wire having a small diameter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a joint
connector of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along lines II--II in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a joint
connector of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along lines IV--IV in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a joint
connector having an all pole shorting function in accordance with the
present invention;
FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a joint
connector having a divisional shorting function in accordance with the
present invention;
FIG. 6A is a fragmentary broken side view of the joint connector shown in
FIG. 5A;
FIG. 6B is a fragmentary broken side view of the joint connector shown in
FIG. 5B;
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a joint
connector of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the joint connector taken from an
arrow VIII in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the joint connector FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a joint
connector of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a female terminal for use with an
electrical wire with a large diameter;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a female terminal for use with an
electrical wire with a small diameter;
FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of a joint connector of the
present invention, illustrating a large terminal accommodating chamber
which receives the electrical wire with a large diameter;
FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of a joint connector of the
present invention, illustrating a large terminal accommodating chamber
which receives the electrical wire with a small diameter;
FIG. 15 is an exploded longitudinal sectional view of a prior joint
connector before having a cover mounted thereon;
FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of the joint connector
shown in FIG. 15, illustrating the connector on which the cover is
mounted;
FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of the joint connector
shown in FIG. 15, illustrating the connector in which a female terminal is
incompletely inserted into a connector housing;
FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a schematic fragmentary cross sectional view of a prior joint
connector;
FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view of a prior joint connector;
FIG. 21 is an exploded longitudinal sectional view of a prior joint
connector; and
FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the prior joint connector which
joints electrical wires.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 14, embodiments of a joint connector of the
present invention will be explained below.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the joint connector of the present
invention. A connector housing 1 has ten terminal accommodating chamber 1a
with five chambers 1a being arranged in upper and lower stages. A shorting
plate (metal plate) 60 is inserted and held in the connector housing 1
between the upper and lower terminal accommodating chambers 1a.
A female terminal 2 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber
1a. The female terminal 2 is provided with a lock aperture 2a.
The connector housing 1 is provided on a side wall 1b (upper side wall 1b
in the upper chamber 1a and lower side wall 1b in the lower chamber 1a)
with a locking finger 1d having a projection 1c which engages with the
lock aperture 2a. The locking finger 1d is aligned on the outer face of
the side wall of the connector housing 1. That is, the locking finger 1d
is formed by cutting the side wall 1b at three sides so that the finger 1d
can be deflected upwardly and downwardly.
An outwardly slanted portion 1h is formed on an inner end 1e which is
opposed to a distal end of the locking finger 1d. Preferably, an
inclination angle O of the slanted portion 1h with respect to a
longitudinal line at one half of a thickness of the side wall 1b is in a
range of 10 through 80 degrees.
Since an area of the slanted portion 1h is smaller than that of a second
embodiment described hereinafter, digits 1 to 10 indicating a pole number
of the female terminal 2 are carved on not the slanted portion 1h but an
outer face of the side wall 1b continued to the portion 1h.
When the female terminal 2 is completely inserted into the terminal
accommodating chamber 1a in the connector housing 1, the projection 1c
engages with the aperture 2a in the female terminal 2 to lock the terminal
2.
On the other hand, in the case that the female terminal 2 is incompletely
inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 1a in the connector
housing 1, the projection 1c on the locking finger 1d rides on an outer
face of the female terminal 2, so that the locking finger 1d projects
outwardly from the outer face of the side wall 1b in the same manner as
the prior art (see FIG. 17). Consequently, a cover (not shown) can not be
mounted on the connector housing 1. This indicates an incomplete coupling
of the female terminal.
In the case that the female terminal 2 is detached from the terminal
accommodating chamber 1a in order to alter an accommodating position of
the female terminal 2 after the female terminal 2 has been accommodated in
the chamber 1a in the connector housing 1, a flat tool 5 is inserted at
its end from the outside into a gap between the distal end of the locking
finger 1d and the inner end 1e (FIG. 2).
Upon inserting the tool 5, the slanted portion 1h widens the gap between
the distal end of the locking finger 1d and the inner end 1e and guides
the tool 5, thereby making it easy to insert the tool 5 into the gap.
When the tool 5 is swung outwardly after inserting it so that it pushes up
the locking finger 1d and the projection 1c is disengaged from the
aperture 2a, the tool 5 is swung about the fulcrum a at the upper end of
the slanted portion 1h of the side wall 1b. Consequently, a distance
between the fulcrum a and the acting point b at the distal end of the tool
5 becomes longer than that of the prior art (see FIG. 18). Excessive
stress is not concentrated on the locking finger 1d which would otherwise
deform it.
Although the above joint connector has an all pole shorting plate 60, the
connector may have divisional shorting plates 60A and 60B described
hereinafter.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the joint connector of the
present invention. The connector housing 1 is provided on the side wall 1b
of the terminal accommodating chamber 1a with the locking finger 1d which
is arranged below the outer face of the side wall 1b of the connector
housing 1. That is, a recess 1g is formed on the outer face of the side
wall 1b and the locking finger 1d is formed at the bottom of the recess
1g. The locking finger 1d is formed by cutting the side wall 1b at three
sides so that the finger 1d can be deflected upwardly and downwardly.
An outwardly slanted portion 1h is formed on an inner end 1e which is
opposed to a distal end of the locking finger 1d. The slanted portion 1h
extends to the outer face of the side wall 1b. Preferably, an inclination
angle O of the slanted portion 1h with respect to a longitudinal line at
one half of a thickness of an edge of the inner end 1e is in a range of 10
through 80 degrees.
Digits 1 to 10 indicating a pole number of the female terminal 2 are carved
on the slanted portion 1h.
When the female terminal 2 is incompletely inserted into the terminal
accommodating chamber 1a in the connector housing 1, the projection 1c on
the locking finger 1d rides on the outer face of the female terminal 2, so
that the locking finger 1d projects outwardly from the outer face of the
side wall 1b in the same manner as the prior art (see FIG. 17). This
indicates an incomplete coupling of the female terminal 2.
In the case that the female terminal 2 is completely inserted into the
terminal accommodating chamber 1a in the connector housing 1, the
projection 1c engages with the aperture 2a in the female terminal 2 to
lock the terminal 2.
Further, since the locking finger 1d is inwardly provided below the outer
face of the side wall 1b of the connector housing 1 i.e., on the bottom of
the recess 1g, the locking finger 1d hardly receives an external impact.
Since the digits 1 to 10 indicating the pole number of the female terminal
2 are carved on the slanted portion 1h, the digits can be seen more easily
than the case of carving the digits on the flat face, thereby making it
easy to confirm the accommodating position of the female terminal 2 and to
effect an accommodating work of the terminal 2.
In the case that the female terminal 2 is detached from the terminal
accommodating chamber 1a in order to alter an accommodating position of
the female terminal 2 after the female terminal 2 has been accommodated in
the chamber 1a in the connector housing 1, a flat tool 5 is inserted at
its end from the out side into a gap between the distal end of the locking
finger 1d and the inner end 1e (FIG. 4).
Upon inserting the tool 5, the slanted portion 1h widens the gap between
the distal end of the locking finger 1d and the inner end 1e and guides
the tool 5, thereby making it easy to insert the tool 5 into the gap.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that in the first and second
embodiments of the joint connector of the present invention since the
locking finger is arranged inwardly below the outer face of the side wall
and the slanted portion extends from an inward position aligned to the
distal end of the locking finger to an outward position, a gap between the
distal end of the locking finger and the end face of the side wall can be
widened and the tool can be guided along the slanted portion to be easily
inserted into the gap. Also, since the fulcrum for swinging the tool
exists at an upper end of the slanted portion, a distance from the fulcrum
and the acting point becomes long and excessive stress is not concentrated
on the locking finger which would otherwise deform it.
In the case that the locking finger is arranged below the outer face of the
side wall of the connector housing, the locking finger hardly receives an
impact from the exterior. Further, if marks such as digits indicating pole
numbers of female terminals which are accommodated in terminal
accommodating chambers are carved on the outer face of the side wall
continued to the slanted portion, it is possible to confirm a position in
which a certain female terminal should be inserted and to enhance an
accommodating work.
Next, third and fourth embodiments of the joint connector of the present
invention will be explained below by referring to FIGS. 5A to 6B.
The embodiments of the joint connector have an all pole shorting function
which serves to connect a plurality of female terminals 2 to a single
circuit (FIGS. 5A and 6A) and a divisional shorting function which serves
to connect the female terminals to two branched circuits (FIGS. 5B and
6B).
A connector housing made of a resin material is provided with terminal
accommodating chambers 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e partitioned by side walls
12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. The terminal accommodating chambers 13a to 13e are
provided with guide rail parts 15 which guide shorting plates 60, 60A and
60B described hereinafter. Each guide rail part 15 includes a pair of
upper guide rails 15a and a pair of lower guide rails 15b. The terminal
accommodating chambers 13a to 13e are partitioned into upper and lower
divided chambers 16A and 16B by the shorting plates 60, 60A and 60B guided
by the guide rail parts 15 into the chambers 13a to 13e. The female
terminals 2 are received in the divided chambers 16A and 16B.
The side walls 12a to 12d are provided between the upper and lower guide
rails 15a and 15b with grooves 17 which extends from the front side F to
the rear side R. In these embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, an end
18 of the side wall 12C on the front side projects more than ends 19a,
19b, 19c of the side walls on the front side. The side wall 12C serves to
limit an inserting position of the shorting plate 60 in the case of the
all pole shorting function of the third embodiment (FIG. 6A). A projected
distance c of the projected end 18 is set to be more than a width D of the
coupling portion 25a of the shorting plate 60.
On the other hand, the ends 19a to 19c of the side walls 12a, 12b and 12d
except the end 18 of the side wall 12c extend to the same distance on the
front side F. In the fourth embodiment of the divisional shorting plates
as shown in FIG. 6B, the side walls 19a, 19b and 19c limit an inserting
position of the shorting plates 60A and 60B.
The divided chambers 16A an 16B of the terminal accommodating chambers 13a
to 13e are provided with guide grooves 21 for guiding the female terminals
from the front side to the rear side.
The female terminal 2 is provided with a sheath clamping portion 22a for a
sheath 9a of the electrical wire 9 and a conductor clamping portion 22b
for conductors 9b of the electrical wire 9. The female terminal 2 is also
provided with a tongue piece 22c made of an elastic material and adapted
to contact with contacting portions 25c, 25d, 25e, 25f, 25g of the
shorting plates 60, 60A, 60B. Further, the female terminal 2 is provided
with a guide piece 22d, which is adapted to be inserted into the divided
chambers 16A and 16B while being guided by the guide grooves 21.
The shorting plate 60 for the use of all pole shorting has the contacting
portions 25c, 25d, 25e, 25f, 25g integrally connected to a side face 25b
of the coupling portion 25a. Some of contacting portions 25c to 25g (25c,
25e, 25f, 25g in the third embodiment) are provided with pawls 26 adapted
to be pushed into the side walls 12.
The shorting plate 60 for the use of all pole shorting is inserted into the
groove 17 by the guide rail parts 15 to be pushed into the connector
housing 1. The contacting portions 25c to 25g are received in the terminal
accommodating chambers 13a to 13e. Then, the shorting plate 60 is inserted
into the connector housing 1 until the side face 25b of the coupling
portion 25a abuts on the projected end 18. The projected end 18 limits the
inserting position of the shorting plate 60.
After inserting the shorting plate 60 into the connector housing 1, the
female terminals 2 are inserted into the divided chambers 16A and 16B, so
that the tongue pieces 22c of the female terminals 2 contact with the
contacting portions 25c to 25g of the shorting plate 60 to form a branched
circuit.
The shorting plates 60A and 60B for the use of divisional shorting shown in
FIGS. 5B and 6B have contacting portions 28c, 28d, 28e integrally
connected to a side face 28b of the coupling portions 25a in the same
manner of the shorting plate 60 for the use of all pole shorting.
The shorting plates 60a and 60B for the use of divisional shorting are
inserted into the connector housing 1 so that the contacting portions 28c
to 28e are received in the terminal accommodating chambers 13a to 13e, in
the same manner as the case of all pole shorting. Then, since the side
wall 12c having the projected end 18 is disposed between the shorting
plates 60A and 60B, the side faces 28b of the coupling portions 28a of the
shorting plates 60A and 60B abut on the ends 19a, 19b, 19c of the side
12a, 12b, 12d, to limit the inserting position of the plates. Then, the
female terminals 2 are inserted into the divided chambers 16A and 16B to
form two branched circuits associated with the shorting plates 60A and
60B.
As shown in FIG. 6B, since the end 18 is projected from the other ends by a
distance C more than a width D of the coupling portion 25a, the projected
end 18 is disposed between the coupling portions 25a of the shorting
plates 60A and 60B. Even if potentials between the branched circuits
formed by the shorting plates 60A and 60B are different, no leak occurs on
account of interposition of an insulation material and a short-circuit
between the branched circuits can be prevented.
The present invention should not be limited to the above embodiments and
may include various alternations.
For example, although the side wall 12c having the end 18 and two shorting
plates 60A and 60B form two branched circuits in the third and fourth
embodiments, more than three branched circuits may be formed by increasing
the shorting plates and projected ends.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that in the third and fourth
embodiments of the joint connector of the present invention the connector
housing can be used in all pole shorting and divisional shorting since the
connector housing includes first side walls the distal ends of which abut
on the coupling portions of the shorting plates for the divisional
shorting use and a second side wall the distal end of which abuts on the
coupling portion of the shorting plate for the all pole shorting use.
Also, the connector housing can be used in both all pole shorting function
and divisional shorting function. Since the side wall is disposed between
the divisional shorting plates, insulation between the shorting plates is
improved, so that leak is prevented.
In the case that the distal end of the second wall for positioning the
shorting plate for the all pole shorting use extends by more than a width
of the coupling portion of said shorting plate above the distal ends of
the side walls for positioning the shorting plates for the divisional
shorting use, it is possible to further enhance insulation between the
shorting plates, thereby positively preventing leakage.
According to the joint connector of the present invention, since insulation
is enhanced and leaking is prevented, it is possible to make the side wall
of the connector housing thin, to make a pitch between the female
terminals short and to make the connector housing compact and light.
Next, a fifth embodiment of the joint connector of the present invention
will be described below by referring to FIGS. 7 to 9.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a joint
connector of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view
of the joint connector taken from an arrow VIII in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the joint connector FIG. 7.
In the drawings, a connector housing 1 is provided on upper and lower
stages with five terminal accommodating chambers 13. Although the terminal
accommodating chambers 13 are arranged in parallel with each other, the
center chambers 13 are directed in opposite directions from the other
chambers. On opening 131 of the chamber 13 is used as an inserting port.
Accordingly, there are eight openings 131 on a front side (FIG. 7) and two
openings 132 on a rear side (FIG. 8).
A joint chamber 115 adapted to receive the shorting plate 60 is provided
between the upper and lower terminal accommodating chambers 13. Upper and
lower walls of the joint chamber 115 are provided with apertures 112 which
are communicated with the joint chamber 115. Upper and lower walls of the
upper and lower terminal accommodating chambers 13 are provided with guide
grooves 21 which receive guide projection 22d of the female terminal 2.
The shorting plate 60 is inserted into the joint chamber 115 formed between
the upper and lower terminal accommodating chambers 13. The shorting plate
60 has a plurality of tab like contacting portions 25 adapted to be
inserted into the apertures 112 and a coupling portion 25a which connects
proximal ends of the contacting portions 25 together at a certain spaced
pitch. Some contacting portions 25 are provided with pawls 26 for
preventing of falling off. The joint chamber 115 is provided with jointing
walls in connection with the spaced pitch of the contacting portions 25.
When the shorting plate 60 is inserted into the connector housing 1, the
contacting portions 25 advance in the chamber 13 while contacting the pawl
26 with the jointing walls. When the shorting plate 60 reaches a limit
position, the pawls 26 serve to constrain the plate 60 from falling off.
The female terminal 2 is provided at a front side with a contacting portion
22 which contacts with the contacting portion 25 of the shorting plate 60
and at a rear side with a barrel portion 22a which holds the electrical
wire 9. The contacting portion 22 is provided on opposite sides with
standing side walls 22e, 22e and at an end with a resilient tongue piece
22c which is formed by folding a center plate toward a space between the
standing side walls 22e, 22e. One of the walls 22e is provided at its
bottom with a projection 22d extending downwardly. The contacting portion
22 is provided at rear side, namely at an opposite side of the tongue
piece 22c with a lock aperture 2a.
An inner part of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 is formed to receive
the contacting portion 25. The connector housing 1 is provided on an outer
wall of the chamber 13 with a resilient locking finger 1d having a
projection 1c which is adapted to be engaged with the aperture 2a of the
female terminal 2.
Next, an operation of the embodiment constructed above will be explained
below.
First, when the shorting plate 60 is inserted into the connector housing 1,
the contacting portions 25 of the plate 60 are confronted to the apertures
112 in the chambers 13. In this embodiment, the contacting portions 25 of
the shorting plate 60 are confronted to all apertures 112.
Now, eight electrical wires 9 and two electrical wires 9 are introduced
from opposite directions and they are interconnected through the joint
connector at their intermediate positions. The distal ends of the
respective electrical wires 9, 9 are connected to the barrel portions 22a
of the female terminals 2.
The eight electrical wires 9 are inserted into the eight openings 131 of
the terminal | | |
