JP2003282175A - Locking structure of pin terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a pin terminal locking structure that can be downsized. SOLUTION: A locking portion 23 is provided on an outer side of a distal end portion of a pair of locking arms 21 of a locking member 18 which slides into a mounting hole 19 of a housing 1 and locks a pin terminal 2. The distance f between the outer portions of the locking arm 21 is
Is smaller than the sum of the diameter of the locking groove 15 and twice the maximum locking width g of the distal end of the locking arm 21. Both side walls 26
Is located forward of the center axis s of the pin terminal 2 in the slide insertion direction, and the interval h is slightly larger than the interval f of the outer portion of the locking arm 21. The length of the narrowest boundary point 26d on the rear side in the slide insertion direction from the boundary point 26d to the center axis s of the pin terminal 2 is slightly longer than the sum of the radius of the locking groove 15 and the maximum locking width g. Place it in a position that is at least the minimum dimension. The side wall portion on the rear side in the slide insertion direction from the boundary point 26d is formed as a tapered portion 26c that is inclined so that the length from the boundary groove 15 to the locking groove 15 is equal to or larger than the maximum locking width g.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pin terminal locking structure for locking a pin terminal with a locking member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Normally, a connector is constructed so that when the terminal is inserted and accommodated in a terminal accommodating chamber of a connector housing, the terminal engages with an engaging portion and is prevented from coming out of the terminal accommodating chamber. There is. When the terminal is a pin terminal, a connector that locks the pin terminal by using a locking member in addition to the engaging portion integrally provided in the terminal accommodating chamber or independently to prevent the pin terminal from coming out of the terminal accommodating chamber. There is.

As this connector, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, a connector housing (inner housing) is used.
By slidingly inserting the locking member 32 into the window hole 31 of the pin 30, the pin terminal 34 housed in the terminal housing chamber 33 is inserted.
The locking member 32 is engaged and abutted with the locking groove 35 of the pin terminal 3
There is one in which No. 4 is locked (JP-A-6-124745, etc.). The locking member 32 has a locking groove 35 of the pin terminal 34.
When engaging and abutting on the inner side of the inner housing 30, the engaging protrusion 37 provided on the outer side of the one engaging arm 36 of the pair of engaging arms 36 engages with the engaging protrusion 38 of the inner housing 30. It is adapted to be locked to the housing 30.

[0004]

By the way, in the above-mentioned locking member, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a bending slit 39 is formed in one locking arm 36 in the longitudinal direction of the locking arm 36. By providing the locking member 32 along the sliding direction of the locking member 32, when the locking projection 37 of the locking arm 36 engages with the engaging projection 38 of the inner housing 30, the locking arm 36 bends inward. As a result, since the locking projection 37 rides over the engaging projection 38 and engages, the locking arm 36 has the bending slit 39 in the arm 36, so that the locking member 32 is slidably inserted. The length in the direction substantially orthogonal to the direction becomes long and may become large as a whole.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a pin terminal locking structure which can be miniaturized.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the pin terminal locking structure of the present invention has a pair of flexible pairs in a mounting hole of a housing accommodating a pin terminal having a locking groove. Slide the locking member with the locking arm,
In the structure in which the locking member is engaged with the locking groove to lock the pin terminal, the pair of locking arms are provided on the outer side of the tip end portions thereof.
Locking portions projecting outward are provided respectively, and the pair of locking arms extend in parallel along the slide insertion direction, and when engaged, the tips slide in from the central axis of the pin terminal. Of the pair of locking arms, and the distance between the outer portions of the pair of locking arms is substantially perpendicular to the diameter of the locking groove of the pin terminal and the slide insertion direction. Is formed in a size shorter than the sum of twice the maximum locking width of the locking arm and which forms the mounting hole, and is provided in front of both side wall parts corresponding to the outer side of the locking arm. An engagement step portion that engages with the engagement portion of the engagement arm is provided, and the narrowest space between the both side wall portions is located forward of the center axis of the pin terminal in the slide insertion direction. It is formed to be slightly wider than the space between the outer parts of the pair of locking arms. The boundary point on the rear side in the slide insertion direction of the point where the length from the boundary point to the center axis of the pin terminal is slightly longer than the sum of the radius of the locking groove of the pin terminal and the maximum locking width Is placed in such a position that
The side wall portion on the rear side in the slide insertion direction from the boundary point is formed as a tapered portion that is inclined such that the length to the locking groove is equal to or more than the locking maximum width (claim 1). .

With this structure, when the locking member is slid and inserted into the mounting hole, the locking portions of the pair of locking arms come into contact with the tapered portions and slide while being bent inward along the inclination of the tapered portions. Proceeds along the insertion direction, engages with the engagement step from the taper through the boundary point (and the narrowest distance between both side walls), and the locking member is locked in the mounting hole (mounting). Be). Therefore, even if the distance between the narrowest portions on both sides is smaller than the sum of the diameter of the locking groove of the pin terminal and twice the maximum locking width, that is, the locking groove of the pin terminal. Even if the remaining length excluding the diameter of the locking arms is smaller than the bending range of the locking arms so that the locking members can be slidably inserted, the tips of the pair of locking arms have tapered portions, boundary points, and gaps on both sides. Since the engaging portion and the engaging step portion engage with each other through the narrowest portion, the length of the engaging member in the direction substantially orthogonal to the slide insertion direction can be shortened, and downsizing can be achieved. Can be achieved.

A boundary point of the both side wall portions is located rearward of the engagement step portion in the slide insertion direction, and a wall portion from the boundary point to the engagement step portion is linear along the slide insertion direction. It is preferably formed (claim 2). As a result, when the locking member is slid and inserted, the bending of the locking arm increases, so that the locking member is less likely to come out of the mounting hole.

The locking portion is inclined from substantially the central portion to the front end portion, and the rear end portion of the locking portion extends along a direction substantially orthogonal to the extending direction of the outer side portion of the locking arm. It is preferably formed in a linear step (claim 3). As a result, the strength of the locking portion is improved, so that even if the locking member is repeatedly attached and detached, the tip of the locking arm will not be damaged.

The distance between the inner portions of the pair of locking arms is
It is preferable that the diameter is larger than the diameter of the locking groove of the pin terminal (claim 4). According to this structure, the locking arm is easily bent, so that the locking member can be easily attached and detached.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views showing an example of a pin terminal locking structure of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an example of the mounting hole of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partially sectional front view showing an example of the connector housing of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the connector housing of the present invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5, reference numeral 1 denotes a connector housing for accommodating a pin-shaped female connection terminal (pin terminal) 2. The connector housing 1 includes an insulation-coated electric wire 3 such as a shielded electric wire. Although it may be attached to the end portion, a case where the connector housing is a connector housing that is fitted to a connector portion (not shown) provided in an electric device such as a motor mounted in a vehicle will be described. . The connector 4 is formed as a male connector, and the connector portion is formed as a female connector (not shown). The female connector housing of the connector portion is provided with three substantially circular fitting recesses in which pin-shaped device terminals are erected upright at predetermined intervals along an arc shape.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the connector housing (male connector housing) 1 of the connector 4 is formed in an arc-shaped columnar body having a substantially arc-shaped cross section. At one end portion (lower end portion in the illustrated example) of the connector housing 1, a substantially cylindrical fitting convex portion 5 that fits into the fitting concave portion of the female connector housing is formed along an arc shape so as to correspond to the fitting concave portion. Three are provided at a predetermined interval. A seal member, for example, an O-ring 6 is fitted to the side portion (outer peripheral surface) 5a fitted into the fitting concave portion of the fitting convex portion 5 along the circumferential direction thereof. The length of the fitting protrusion 5 in the fitting direction (the length of the portion inserted into the fitting recess and fitted) is shorter than the length of the fitting recess in the depth direction (fitting direction), for example, It has a slightly shorter size. A plurality of lock pieces 7 that engage with other members are provided on the peripheral surface of the connector housing 1 in the illustrated example.
One is provided.

The connector housing 1 is provided with three circular wire insertion holes 8 penetrating from the tip end surface of the fitting convex portion 5 to the other end surface (upper surface). The wire insertion hole 8 is
It is arranged so as to be positioned substantially coaxial with the axes of the three device terminals. The wire insertion hole 8 is formed in the wire portion 9 from almost the center to the upper surface, and the rest is formed as the terminal accommodating portion 10. The electric wire portion 9 is formed in a circular shape having a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the insulating covered electric wire 3 and the pin terminal 2, and the insulating covered electric wire 3 covered with the insulating covering layer is located. The terminal accommodating portion 10 is
The pin terminal 2 is formed in a circular shape having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the pin terminal 2, and the pin terminal 2 is accommodated therein.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the pin terminal 2 is made of a conductive material and has substantially the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the insulation-coated electric wire 3 and the core wire 3a (or device terminal) of the insulation-coated electric wire 3. It is formed in a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter. The pin terminal 2 is closed at the center thereof, and the core wire 3a from which the insulation coating layer of the insulation coating electric wire 3 is removed is inserted and fixed by, for example, caulking at six points.
1 and the second connecting portion 12 into which the device terminal is inserted. The second connecting portion 12 is provided with a spring holding portion 13 having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the device terminal.

In the central portion of the peripheral surface (side portion) of the pin terminal 2,
A concave portion (neck portion) 14 having a substantially concave cross section is provided along the circumferential direction. Further, on the peripheral surface near the end of the second connecting portion 12 of the pin terminal 2, a locking groove 15 having a substantially concave cross section is circumferentially provided along the circumferential direction. Further, the outer peripheral end portion of the first connecting portion 11 of the pin terminal 2 is formed as an engaging portion 16 which gradually reduces in diameter toward the end portion, and is formed in the terminal accommodating portion 10 of the wire insertion hole 8 in the pin accommodating portion 10. When the terminal 2 is accommodated, the elastically deformable locking piece 17 provided between the electric wire portion 9 of the electric wire insertion hole 8 and the terminal accommodating portion 10 and the engaging portion 16 of the pin terminal 2 are accommodated.
And are engaged with each other to prevent the pin terminal 2 from coming out of the terminal accommodating portion 10.

An opening 8a of the wire insertion hole 8 on the side of the fitting projection 5
Is formed to have a diameter substantially the same as or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the second connecting portion 12 of the pin terminal 2. Further, below the fitting convex portion 5, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a locking member 18 for locking the pin terminal 2 by engaging with the locking groove 15 of the pin terminal 2 is provided through the wire insertion hole. A mounting hole 19 is provided which is slidably inserted and engaged (attached) along a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of 8.

A spacer 18 is used as the locking member. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the spacer 18 is provided at both ends of the spacer body 20 and a pair of locking arms 21 extending in parallel along the slide insertion direction a. , 21 are formed of synthetic resin in a substantially U shape. The thickness of the spacer 18 is arbitrarily selected from the range in which the pin terminal 2 can be sufficiently locked.

The outer peripheral surface 20a of the spacer body 20 is formed in an arc shape substantially the same as the peripheral surface of the fitting convex portion 5, and the inner peripheral surface 20b is the peripheral surface (bottom surface) of the locking groove 15 of the pin terminal 2. ) It is formed in an arc shape larger than 15a. In the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface 20a, which is substantially in the center of both surfaces of the spacer body 20 (the remaining facing surfaces that are not arcuate peripheral surfaces),
A protrusion 22 protruding from the surface is provided, and the protrusion 2
2 is used for engaging a take-out jig or the like when taking out the spacer 18 from the mounting hole 19.

The width of the spacer body 20 (the length in the slide insertion direction a) is such that when the spacer body 20 is mounted in the mounting hole 19, the mounting hole 1
It is completely inserted into the inside of the fitting projection 9 and is dimensioned so as not to project from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting projection 5. The length of the spacer body (the length in the direction orthogonal to the slide insertion direction a) is formed to be slightly shorter than the diameter of the pin terminal 2, for example.

The locking arm 21 is formed to have a substantially rectangular cross section, and its length b is dimensioned so that the tip end thereof is located near the outer peripheral surface 5a of the fitting projection 5 when mounted. ing. The width c of the locking arm 21 is flexibly formed, for example, to be shorter than the depth d of the locking groove 15 of the pin terminal 2, specifically, to a dimension of about 2/3 of the depth d. The distance f between the outer portions of the pair of locking arms 21, 21 is shorter than the diameter of the locking groove 15 of the pin terminal 2 and twice the maximum locking width g of the locking arm 21 in the locking portion 23. Is formed in.

A locking portion 23 protruding outward is provided on the outer side of the tip of the locking arm 21. The locking portion 23 is formed as an inclined portion 23a that is inclined from the front end portion to almost the central portion, and is formed as a linear portion 23b from the substantially central portion to the rear end portion, and
The rear end portion is formed as a linear step portion 23c extending along a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the locking arm 21. The protrusion length e of the locking portion 23 is formed to have a size such that the pin terminal 2 is sufficiently locked and the spacer 18 does not come out of the mounting hole 19.

The mounting hole 19 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in cross section, and penetrates the opposing wall via the wire insertion hole 8. Opening 1 into which the spacer of the mounting hole 19 is inserted
A partition wall 24 is provided at the center of the opening on the side opposite to 9a and is divided into two arm tip insertion holes 25, 25 into which the tip portions of the pair of locking arms 21, 21 are inserted. The arm tip insertion holes 25, 25 are formed to have a width within a range in which the locking arm 21 can be flexed.

Both side wall portions (wall portions facing the outer side portion of the locking arm 21) 26, 26 forming the mounting hole 19 extend along the slide insertion direction a, and the front side of the spacer 18 in the slide insertion direction a. Further, an engagement step portion 26a that engages with the locking portion 23 of the spacer 18 is provided. Engagement step 26a
Is a part of the wall portion formed along the direction substantially orthogonal to the slide insertion direction a and forming the arm tip insertion hole 25.

Both side wall portions 26, 26 are formed as straight portions 26b extending along the slide insertion direction a from the engagement step portion 26a to a predetermined position on the rear side in the slide insertion direction a, and are left. However, as it goes to the opening 19a, the outer side (the direction side orthogonal to the slide insertion direction a)
It is formed as a taper portion 26c that gradually inclines.
The distance h between the straight portions 26b of the side wall portions 26, 26 is the narrowest distance between the side wall portions 26, 26,
The distance h is slightly wider than the distance f between the outer portions of the pair of locking arms 21 and 21, and in the illustrated example, is slightly wider than the diameter of the pin terminal 2.

The boundary point 26d at the boundary between the straight portion 26b and the tapered portion 26c is located forward of the central axis s of the pin terminal 2 in the slide insertion direction a. One of the boundaries of the range in which the boundary point 26d is located is the engagement step portion 26.
a, and in this case, there is no straight portion 26b and all are formed as tapered portions 26c. The other boundary is the locking groove 15 when a straight line is drawn with the central axis s of the pin terminal 2.
This is the position (maximum position) where the length i to the (peripheral surface 15a) is a dimension (minimum dimension) slightly longer than the locking maximum width g. That is, the boundary point 26d is not particularly limited as long as it is a range from the engagement step portion 26a to the maximum position, but preferably,
The maximum position or its vicinity is good.

The inclination of the taper portion 26c is not particularly limited as long as the length i to the locking groove 15 when the straight line is drawn with the central axis s of the pin terminal 2 is the locking maximum width g or more. ,
For example, when the boundary point 26d is at the maximum position, the angle is the same as the tangent line at the boundary point 26d with the center axis s of the pin terminal 2 as the center.

Now, the fitting convex portion 5 of the connector housing 1
In order to fit into the fitting recess of the female connector housing, first, the insulating coating layer at the end of the insulating coated wire 3 is removed to expose the core wire 3a. The exposed core wire 3a is inserted into the first connecting portion 11 of the pin terminal 2, and the first connecting portion 11
The pin terminal 2 is fixed to the core wire 3a of the insulation-coated electric wire 3 by crimping, for example, 6 places along the circumferential direction.

The insulating coated electric wire 3 is inserted into the electric wire insertion hole 8 of the connector housing 1. That is, the second connecting portion 12 of the fixed pin terminal 2 is inserted from the opening of the wire insertion hole 8 on the upper surface of the connector housing 1 (the surface opposite to the surface on which the fitting protrusion 5 is provided), Pin terminal 2 is electric wire 9
When reaching the terminal accommodating portion 10 from, the tip portion of the pin terminal 2 (second connecting portion 12) contacts the locking piece 17 and presses the locking piece 17 to elastically deform it. As a result, the locking piece 17 is elastically deformed to allow the insertion of the pin terminal 2, the pin terminal 2 is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 10, and the pin terminal 2 is completely inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 10 and accommodated. It When completely accommodated, as shown in FIG. 4, the tip of the second connecting portion 12 abuts on the wall forming the opening 8 a of the wire insertion hole 8, and the locking piece 17 is formed by the pin terminal 2. When the pressing is released, it returns to its original shape and engages with the engaging portion 16 of the first connecting portion 11 to prevent the pin terminal 2 from coming out of the terminal accommodating portion 10. Similarly, the pin terminals 2 are fixed and inserted into the wire insertion holes 8 in the remaining insulated wires, and the pin terminals 2 are accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spacer 1 is provided in the mounting hole 19 of the fitting protrusion 5 of the connector housing 1.
8 slide in and engage (attach),
The device terminal is inserted into the fitting recess and guided into the wire insertion hole 8. The tip portion of the device terminal enters the second connecting portion 12 of the pin terminal 2, abuts on the spring holding portion 13, and stops. By tightening the connector housing 1 and the female connector housing with bolts or the like to fit them, the tip end of the device terminal elastically deforms the spring holding portion 13
Each of the device terminals and the core wire 3 a of the insulation-coated electric wire 3 are electrically connected to each other by entering the connecting portion 12.

In this way, when the fitting convex portion 5 and the fitting concave portion are fitted to each other, the side portion of the fitting convex portion 5 is sealed by the seal member provided on the side portion 5a of the fitting convex portion 5, for example, the O-ring 6. The space between 5a and the fitting recess is sealed. Further, the pin terminal 2 accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 10 of the wire insertion hole 8 is prevented from coming out of the terminal accommodating portion 10 by the engagement between the engaging portion 16 and the locking piece 17. In addition, the mounting hole 19 of the connector housing 1
By attaching the spacer 18 to the
And the locking groove 15 of the pin terminal 2 are engaged with each other to lock the pin terminal 2, so that the pin terminal 2 is further prevented from coming off.

A pair of locking arms 2 of the spacer 18
The distance f between the outer portions of the first and the second terminals 21 is smaller than the sum of the diameter of the locking groove 15 of the pin terminal 2 and twice the maximum locking width g, and both side walls forming the mounting hole 19 are formed. Part 26,
The distance h between the straight portions 26b of 26 is formed slightly wider than the distance f between the outer portions of the pair of locking arms 21, 21, and the boundary point 26d is located in front of the central axis s of the pin terminal 2 in the slide insertion direction a. Further, since the taper portion 26c is inclined so that the length up to the locking groove 15 becomes the locking maximum width g or more, the slide insertion direction a of the spacer 18 is
The length in the direction substantially orthogonal to can be shortened, and the size can be reduced.

That is, when the boundary point 26d of the side wall portion 26 is located rearward of the central axis s of the pin terminal 2 in the slide insertion direction a, the interval h of the straight portion 26b is equal to the locking groove 15 of the pin terminal 2. The tip of the locking arm 21 must pass between the locking groove 15 and the straight portion of the side wall 26 unless the dimension is slightly longer than the sum of the diameter and twice the maximum locking width g or more. I can't.

On the other hand, in the present invention, when the spacer 18 is slid into the mounting hole 19, first, the inclined portion 23a of the locking portion 23 of the pair of locking arms 21 and 21 is tapered to the tapered portion 26c of the side wall portion 26. And the distal end portion of the locking arm 21 is pressed by the side wall portion 26 and bends inward along the inclination of the tapered portion 26c and moves in the slide insertion direction a. At this time, when the inclination of the taper portion 26c is a straight line with the central axis s of the pin terminal 2, the length i to the locking groove 15 is the locking maximum width g or more, and therefore the tip of the locking arm 21. Moves while bending in the slide insertion direction a.

The tip of the locking arm 21 extends from the taper portion 26c to the straight portion 26b via the boundary point 26d. The distance f between the straight portions 26b is determined by the engagement groove 15 of the pin terminal 2.
Even if the boundary point 26d and the straight portion 26b are formed to have a size shorter than the sum of the diameter of the lock and twice the maximum locking width g.
When the straight line is drawn with the central axis s of the pin terminal 2, since the length i to the locking groove 15 is formed to be slightly longer than the locking maximum width g (minimum dimension), the locking arm 21 Moves along the slide insertion direction a. When the stepped portion 23c of the locking portion 23 reaches the engagement stepped portion 26a from the straight portion 26b, the original shape is restored even when the pressing by the side wall portion 26 is released, and the stepped portion 23c of the locking portion 23 is released. And the engaging step portion 26a are engaged with each other so that the spacer 18 is attached to the mounting hole 1
9 is locked (attached). As described above, even if the distance h between the straight portions 26b is formed to be shorter than the sum of the diameter of the locking groove 15 of the pin terminal 2 and twice the maximum locking width g, the pair of locking arms 21 is formed. , 21 pass through the taper portion 26c, the boundary point 26d, the straight portion 26b and the locking groove 15, and the step portion 23c and the engaging step portion 26a.
Since the and are engaged, the slide insertion direction a of the spacer 18
The length in the direction substantially orthogonal to can be shortened, and the size can be reduced.

At this time, the spacer 18 is attached because the step portion 23c of the pair of locking arms 21, 21 and the engaging step portion 26a of the side wall portion 26 are in surface contact with each other and engaged with each other. It is difficult for 18 to come off, and the pin terminal 2 can be reliably locked.

Further, since the spacer body 20 is completely accommodated without protruding from the mounting hole 19, it does not interfere with the fitting between the fitting convex portion 5 and the fitting concave portion.
Further, since the mounting recess 19 closes the mounting hole 19 during fitting, the spacer 18 does not slip out of the mounting hole 19, so that the pin terminal 2 can be locked more reliably.

In order to take out the spacer 18 from the mounting hole 19, first, the front end portions of the pair of locking arms 21, 21 in the arm front end insertion hole 25 are placed inside each other and the step portion 23c and the engagement step portion 26a are engaged with each other. The straight portion 2 of the side wall portion 26 is bent so that the engagement is released, and is moved rearward in the slide insertion direction a.
The spacer 18 can be easily taken out by arranging the step portion 23c on the 6b and engaging the take-out jig with the projecting portion 22 and pulling it from the mounting hole 19, for example.

Thus, when the spacer 18 is taken out, the distance between the straight portion 26b and the boundary point 26d is shorter than the sum of the diameter of the locking groove 15 of the pin terminal 2 and twice the maximum locking width g. Since the locking arms 21 have to be bent more flexibly when they are taken out than when they are formed more than the sum thereof, the tips of the pair of locking arms 21 and 21 have mounting holes. It's hard to get out of 19.

A boundary point 26d between the side wall portions 26, 26
However, if the spacer 18 is located at the maximum position or in the vicinity thereof, the locking arm 21 is largely bent when the spacer 18 is slid and inserted, so that the spacer 18 is difficult to come out of the mounting hole 19.

Further, the engaging portion 23 is formed as an inclined portion 23a which is inclined from the front end portion to the substantially central portion thereof, and the linear portion 23b is extended from the substantially central portion to the rear end portion thereof.
Since the rear end portion is formed as a linear step portion 23c extending along a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the locking arm 21, the strength of the locking portion 23 is improved. Therefore, even if the spacer 18 is repeatedly attached and detached, the tip of the locking arm 21 such as the locking portion 23 is not damaged.

Further, since the distance between the inner portions of the pair of locking arms 21, 21 is formed to be wider than the diameter of the locking groove 15 of the pin terminal 2, the locking arms 21 can be easily bent.
The spacer 18 can be easily attached and detached.

[0043]

In summary, according to the invention described in claim 1, the length of the locking member in the direction substantially orthogonal to the slide insertion direction can be shortened, and the size can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the locking member is slid and inserted, the bending of the locking arm increases, so that the locking member is less likely to come out of the mounting hole.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the strength of the locking portion is improved, the tip of the locking arm is not damaged even if the locking member is repeatedly attached and detached.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the locking arm is easily bent, the locking member can be easily attached and detached.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a pin terminal locking structure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1, showing only dimensions.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an example of a mounting hole of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially sectional front view showing an example of the connector housing of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector housing of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a locking member of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a pin terminal of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional pin terminal locking structure.

9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the locking member is fully locked.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Connector housing 2-pin terminal 15 locking groove 18 Spacer (locking member) 19 mounting holes 21 Locking arm 23 Locking part 23a inclined part 23b Straight section 23c step 26 Side wall 26a engagement step 26b Straight section 26c taper part 26d Boundary point a Slide insertion direction s central axis f Spacing of the outer side of the locking arm g Locking maximum width Interval between straight parts on both side walls and boundary points

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hidehiko Kuboshima             206-1 Nunobikihara, Haibara-cho, Haibara-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture Yazaki             Parts Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5E087 EE11 FF04 FF13 GG26 HH02                       HH04 LL04 LL12 RR04 RR25

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A locking member having a pair of flexible locking arms is slidably inserted into a mounting hole of a housing accommodating a pin terminal having a locking groove, and the locking member engages with the locking groove. In the structure in which the pin terminals are engaged with each other, engaging portions projecting outward are respectively provided on the outer sides of the tip end portions of the pair of engaging arms, and the pair of engaging arms are connected to the slide arm. Each of them extends in parallel along the insertion direction, and when engaged, the tip is formed to have a length positioned forward of the center axis of the pin terminal in the slide insertion direction, and at the outer side of the pair of locking arms. The interval is formed to be shorter than the sum of the diameter of the locking groove of the pin terminal and twice the maximum locking width of the tip of the locking arm in the direction substantially orthogonal to the slide insertion direction, and the mounting hole is formed. And a wall corresponding to the outer side of the locking arm. An engaging step portion that engages with the locking portion is provided in front of the wall portion, and the narrowest space between the both side wall portions is located forward of the center axis of the pin terminal in the slide insertion direction. Is formed to be slightly wider than the space between the outer portions of the pair of locking arms, and the boundary point on the rear side in the slide insertion direction of the narrowest portion has a length from the boundary point to the center axis of the pin terminal that is a pin. The terminal is arranged at a position where the minimum dimension is slightly longer than the sum of the radius of the locking groove of the terminal and the maximum locking width, and the side wall portion on the rear side in the slide insertion direction from the boundary point to the locking groove. The pin terminal locking structure is characterized in that the pin terminal is formed as a tapered portion having a length equal to or larger than the locking maximum width. 2. A boundary point between the both side wall portions is located rearward of the engagement step portion in the slide insertion direction, and a wall portion from the boundary point to the engagement step portion is linear along the slide insertion direction. The pin terminal locking structure according to claim 1, wherein the pin terminal locking structure is formed in a shape of a circle. 3. The locking portion is inclined from a substantially central portion to a tip portion thereof, and a rear end portion of the locking portion is in a direction substantially orthogonal to an extending direction of an outer side portion of the locking arm. The pin terminal locking structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pin terminal locking structure is formed along a straight step. 4. The engagement of the pin terminal according to claim 1, wherein an inner space of the pair of locking arms is formed wider than a diameter of the locking groove of the pin terminal. Stop structure.