Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/JP4039199B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-12-05 15:36:49
Document Index: 231823279

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 11', 'art 22', 'art 23', 'art 11', 'art 21', 'art 22', 'art 21', 'art 22', 'art 51', 'art 37', 'art 42', 'art 11', 'art 23', 'art\n16', 'art\n20', 'art)\n38', 'art)\n52']

JP4039199B2 - Connector - Google Patents
JP4039199B2
JP4039199B2 JP2002298084A JP2002298084A JP4039199B2 JP 4039199 B2 JP4039199 B2 JP 4039199B2 JP 2002298084 A JP2002298084 A JP 2002298084A JP 2002298084 A JP2002298084 A JP 2002298084A JP 4039199 B2 JP4039199 B2 JP 4039199B2
JP2002298084A
JP2004134258A (en
2002-10-10 Application filed by 住友電装株式会社 filed Critical 住友電装株式会社
2002-10-10 Priority to JP2002298084A priority Critical patent/JP4039199B2/en
2004-04-30 Publication of JP2004134258A publication Critical patent/JP2004134258A/en
2008-01-30 Publication of JP4039199B2 publication Critical patent/JP4039199B2/en
The present invention relates to a connector having a half-fitting prevention function.
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a connector used in, for example, an automobile airbag circuit, a connector having a function of preventing being left in a semi-fitted state during a fitting operation is known (see Patent Document 1 below). As shown in FIG. 19 (A), as the male and female housings 1 and 2 are fitted, the lock arm 3 provided on the female housing 2 rides on the male housing 1, The frame-like slider 4 assembled to the female housing 2 via a spring moves backward while the spring is elastically contracted by the elastic piece 4a being pressed by the pressing projection 1a provided on the male housing 1. . When the fitting operation is interrupted in the half-fitted state, the urging force accumulated in the spring is released, so that both the housings 1 and 2 are forcibly separated from each other. It is prevented from being left as it is.
When the two housings 1 and 2 reach normal fitting, the lock arm 3 that has been bent by riding on the male housing 1 is restored and locked in the lock groove 5 as shown in FIG. At the same time, the elastic piece 4a of the slider 4 retracted to a predetermined position rides on the release protrusion 2a provided on the female housing 2 and bends and is released from the pressing protrusion 1a, so that the spring biasing force is released and the slider is released. 4 moves forward. At this time, when the pressing portion 4b of the slider 4 advances into the bending space 3a above the lock arm 3, the deformation of the lock arm 3 is restricted.
On the other hand, when both the housings 1 and 2 are removed due to maintenance or the like, when the slider 4 is retracted and the pressing portion 4b is retracted from the bending space 3a of the lock arm 3, the opposite surfaces of the lock arm 3 and the lock groove portion 5 are formed. By being guided by the release guide surfaces 3b and 5a formed respectively, the lock arm 3 is automatically bent and deformed, and the locked state with the lock groove portion 5 is released.
That is, in this case, the locking structure of the connector is a so-called semi-lock so that the disengaging operation can be easily performed, and the lock state becomes unstable due to the semi-lock. It is going to be solved by restricting the bending of the lock arm 3 by 4b.
Japanese Patent No. 3047159
By the way, when there is a request to share the above-described connector even in other circuits that do not require the half-fitting prevention function, it can be considered that the slider 4 and the spring are removed from the female housing 2. By doing so, the slider 4 and the spring can be omitted, so that the cost can be reduced.
However, if the slider 4 is removed from the female housing 2, the lock arm 3 is not restricted from being bent in the fitted state even though the lock structure is semi-locked, so that the holding force is insufficient and the locked state becomes unstable. The problem of becoming will arise.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector that can obtain a stable locked state even when a slider is removed.
As means for achieving the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 includes one connector housing, the other connector housing into which one connector housing can be fitted, and a lock portion provided in one connector housing. A lock arm that is provided on the other connector housing and is elastically displaced while riding on the lock portion in the process in which both connector housings are fitted, and is returned to and locked to the lock portion when reaching the normal fitting; The slider is assembled to the other connector housing, and is movable between the slider and the other connector housing, and is movable between the slider housing and the other connector housing. Both connector housings are released as they move backward relative to each other An urging member that can be compressed while accumulating an urging force, a slider, a pressed portion that is displaceable in a direction crossing the fitting direction, a connector housing, While the connector housing is fitted, the pressed portion that can press the pressed portion backward and the other connector housing are provided, and the pressed portion is fitted together as both connector housings are properly fitted. Is provided on the lock arm, and is provided on the lock arm, and is provided on the slider. While the lock arm enters the bending space of the lock arm while being locked to the lock portion, the elastic displacement operation of the lock arm is restricted, As the slider is moved backward relative to the other connector housing, the unlocked pressed portion is pressed. Shi The lock arm is elastically displaced by the pressing operation, and is characterized in that it has a configuration including a lock release pressing portion capable of releasing the locked state with the lock portion.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the slider according to the first aspect is characterized in that the slider is entirely formed in a plate shape and is mounted on one side surface of the other connector housing.
When both the connector housings are fitted, the lock arm is elastically displaced while riding on the lock portion, and the slider is pressed by the pressing portion so that the urging member is moved between the other connector housing. Retreat while rebounding. When the mating operation is interrupted in the middle of such mating, both the connector housings are forcibly released by releasing the biasing force accumulated in the biasing member, so that both the connector housings Is prevented from being left in a semi-fitted state.
When both the connector housings are properly fitted, the lock arm is restored and locked to the lock portion, and the pressed portion is displaced in the direction intersecting the fitting direction by the pressure release guide portion, so that the pressing portion The pressed state is released. As a result, the urging force accumulated in the urging member is released, and the slider advances.
On the other hand, in order to release both the connector housings from the normal fitting state, the slider is moved backward relative to the other connector housing. Then The unlocking pressed part of the lock arm is pressed by the unlocking pressing part of the slider. When the lock arm is elastically displaced, the locked state with the lock portion is released, so that both connector housings can be pulled apart.
As described above, according to the present invention, The unlocking pressing part presses the unlocked pressed part. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a so-called semi-lock as the conventional connector locking structure. Therefore, the connector according to the present invention can adopt a structure in which the lock is not automatically released even when a tensile force is applied to both connector housings, and is used with the slider and the biasing member removed. Even so, the locked state can be stabilized as compared with the conventional one.
Since the slider is formed in a substantially plate shape and mounted on one side of the other connector housing, the connector can be reduced in size compared to the conventional case where the slider is formed in a frame shape. In addition, the slider can be easily assembled to the other connector housing.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the connector used for the airbag circuit of a motor vehicle is illustrated. This includes a male connector housing 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as a male housing 10) that can be fitted to each other, and a female connector housing 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as a female housing 20). 50 and a pair of compression coil springs S can be mounted. In the following description, the fitting surface side of both housings 10 and 20 is the front, and the vertical direction is based on FIGS. 3 and 12.
The male housing 10 is made of a synthetic resin, and as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 12, the male housing 10 includes a substantially rectangular tube-shaped hood portion 11 that protrudes forward, and a rear wall of an electric wire (not shown). Cavities 13 that can individually accommodate the male terminal fittings 12 connected to the terminal are provided side by side in the width direction of the five chambers. Each male terminal fitting 12 includes a tab 12a that protrudes into the hood portion 11 and can be conductively connected to the mating female terminal fitting 24. From the upper position of each tab 12a in the back surface (fitting surface) of the hood part 11, the short circuit release rib 14 which makes a substantially flat plate shape is provided so as to protrude to substantially the same position as the front end position of the tab 12a.
A lock portion 15 is projected from a substantially central position in the width direction on the upper surface of the hood portion 11 and slightly behind the front end. Of the lock portion 15, the front surface 15 a is formed as a tapered surface that slopes upward toward the rear to guide the climbing operation of the lock arm 35 of the female housing 20, whereas the rear surface 15 b stands substantially vertically. (The shape of the rear surface 15b of the lock portion 15 can also be formed in a so-called overhang shape that forms an upward slope toward the rear along a front surface 36a of a groove portion 36 described later. is there.). A pair of pressing portions 16 project from the front end position on the upper surface of the hood portion 11 and at both side positions of the lock portion 15. Of the pressing portion 16, the front surface 16a is an end surface that stands substantially vertically, whereas the rear surface 16b is a tapered surface that slopes downward toward the rear. Further, a total of three elongated fitting guide ribs 17 are provided on both side surfaces and the lower surface of the hood portion 11 in the front-rear direction.
The female housing 20 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the female housing 20 is roughly shaped like a rectangular tube that surrounds the terminal accommodating portion 21 capable of accommodating the female terminal fitting 24 and the front portion thereof. In the form provided with the outer cylinder part 22, and the fitting groove part 23 which makes | forms the substantially cyclic | annular form which can fit the food | hood part 11 of the male housing 10 between the terminal accommodating part 21 and the outer cylinder part 22 open ahead. Is provided. In the terminal accommodating portion 21, cavities 25 into which female terminal fittings 24 that are crimped and connected to the ends of the electric wires D can be inserted from the rear are arranged side by side in the width direction of the five chambers. In the cavity 25, the female terminal fitting 24 is accommodated in the first half portion of the small diameter, whereas the rubber plug 26 fixed together with the electric wire D can be closely attached to the barrel portion of the female terminal fitting 24 in the second half portion of the large diameter. Thus, the seal in the cavity 25 is achieved.
A locking groove 27 that opens forward is formed in the lower wall of each cavity 25, and a metal lance 24 a that is cut and raised from the main body of the female terminal fitting 24 on the rear surface of the locking groove 27 is elastic. The female terminal fitting 24 is prevented from coming off by being locked. On the other hand, a retainer 29 can be attached to the terminal accommodating portion 21 from the outside of the side through a retainer insertion hole 28 provided in the outer cylinder portion 22. The retainer 29 has a locking portion 29 a corresponding to the opening 30 that opens each cavity 25 laterally slightly behind the locking groove 27 in the terminal accommodating portion 21. The retainer 29 includes a temporary locking position in which each locking portion 29 a is disposed in the opening 30 and retracts from each cavity 25, thereby allowing the female terminal fitting 24 to be inserted into and removed from the cavity 25, and each locking portion. 29 a is advanced into each cavity 25 and can be moved along the width direction between the main locking position where it can be locked to the jaw portion 24 b of the main body portion of the female terminal fitting 24. In addition, the housings 10 and 20 are sandwiched between the hood portion 11 fitted in the fitting groove 23 and the terminal accommodating portion 21 on the rear side of the retainer 29 on the outer peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating portion 21. A seal ring 31 capable of sealing the gap is fitted.
On the upper side of the cavity 25 in the front part of the terminal accommodating part 21 (the part surrounded by the outer cylinder part 22), a short terminal accommodating chamber 33 for accommodating a metal short terminal 32 for short-circuiting each female terminal fitting 24. Is formed to open forward. A body portion having a horizontally long plate shape among the short terminals 32 can be press-fitted and held on both side edges of the upper end of the short terminal accommodating chamber 33. The short terminal accommodating chamber 33 and each cavity 25 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are communicated with each other through a communication hole 34, and a total of five elastic contacts projecting from the rear end of the main body of the short terminal 32 through the communication hole 34. The piece 32 a can be elastically contacted with the female terminal fitting 24 in each cavity 25. Each elastic contact piece 32a is formed in a cantilever shape with the free end facing forward, and can be elastically deformed up and down.
A lock arm 35 is provided at a substantially central portion in the upper width direction of the outer cylinder portion 22 by inserting a pair of slits. The lock arm 35 is formed in a cantilever shape with a rear end portion supported, and can be elastically displaced up and down with this support portion as a fulcrum. On the lower surface side of the lock arm 35, a groove portion 36 that allows the lock portion 15 of the male housing 10 to enter is opened rearward, and a front surface 36a of the groove portion 36 can be locked to the lock portion 15. It is said that. The front surface 36a of the groove portion 36 is inclined so as to form an upward gradient toward the front, and is formed in a so-called overhang shape (note that the shape of the front surface 36a of the groove portion 36 is the rear surface 15b of the lock portion 15 described above. It is also possible to make the end face stand almost vertically so as to extend along the surface.) On the upper surface of the rear end portion of the lock arm 35, a lock release pressed portion 37 that can be pressed by a slider 50 described later is projected. The unlocked pressed portion 37 is formed to have the same width as the lock arm 35, and both side portions corresponding to support portions (both side portions of the groove portion 36) of the lock arm 35 partially protrude forward. The front surfaces 37a on both sides are tapered surfaces that form an upward gradient toward the rear.
A pair of press release guide portions 38 are provided at positions on both sides of the lock arm 35 in the upper portion of the outer cylinder portion 22. The pressing release guide portion 38 has a height that is about half that of the lock arm 35, and the front surface 38a is a tapered surface that forms an upward slope toward the rear. A pair of spring receiving portions 39 capable of accommodating the compression coil spring S from the front are provided in the upper side of the outer cylinder portion 22 at the side positions of the both pressing release guide portions 38. The spring receiving portion 39 is formed in a bag shape that opens forward, and its upper wall is cut to a predetermined depth to allow the slider 50 to move back and forth. The end can be received. The inner peripheral surface of the spring receiving portion 39 is formed in an arc shape along the compression coil spring S.
A pair of front stop portions 40 for front-stopping the slider 50 project from the side positions of both spring receiving portions 39 in the upper portion of the outer cylinder portion 22. In the front stop portion 40, the front surface is a tapered surface that has an upward slope toward the rear, whereas the rear surface is an end surface that stands substantially vertically. A pair of guide groove portions 41 for the slider 50 are formed on the side (lower side) opposite to the front stop portions 40 in the upper portion of the outer cylindrical portion 22. A pair of female housing operation portions 42 are provided at both ends of the rear end portion of the outer cylinder portion 22. The female housing operation portion 42 is formed in a stepped shape that reduces the width dimension of the female housing 20 in a stepped manner as it goes rearward, and it is easy to push the female housing 20 forward from the rear side. A total of three fitting guide groove portions 43 that can receive the fitting guide ribs 17 of the male housing 10 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical portion 22.
The slider 50 is made of a synthetic resin, and is formed in a generally horizontally long plate shape. The slider 50 is attached to the upper surface (one outer surface of the female housing 20) of the outer cylinder portion 22. The slider 50 has an initial assembly position (FIG. 12) in which the front end position is substantially aligned with the front end position of the female housing 20, and a retreat position (FIG. 12) in which the rear end position is substantially aligned with the rear end position of the outer cylinder portion 22. 16) is assembled so as to be relatively movable along the fitting direction with respect to the female housing 20. The slider 50 is approximately half the length of the female housing 20, while the width is larger than that of the female housing 20.
A lock release pressing portion 51 is provided projecting downward at a substantially center in the width direction on the lower surface side of the slider 50. Of the unlocking pressing portion 51, the rear surface 51a has an upward slope toward the rear, and the slope is substantially the same as the front surface 37a of the unlocking pressed portion 37, and the front surface 51b has an upward slope toward the front. None and the inclination thereof is a tapered surface that is gentler than that of the rear surface 51a. This unlocking pressing part 51 has a protrusion margin that reaches near the upper surface of the lock arm 35 in the assembled state, and is in a positional relationship that overlaps with the unlocking pressed part 37 in the height direction and opposes the front and rear. FIG. 12 (B)). This unlocking pressing portion 51 is locked by entering the bending space 44 of the lock arm 35 until the slider 50 moves backward from the initial assembly position (FIG. 12) to a predetermined distance (to the position shown in FIG. 14). The elastic displacement of the arm 35 can be regulated. The movement area of the slider 50 during this period is a restriction area that restricts the release of the locked state. On the other hand, the unlocking pressing portion 51 retracts from the bending space 44 of the lock arm 35 when the slider 50 moves rearward from the restriction region, thereby allowing the elastic displacement of the lock arm 35 (FIG. 15B). )). That is, the moving area from the rear end of the restriction area (FIG. 14) to the retracted position (FIG. 16) is a permissible area that allows the lock state to be released. When the slider 50 reaches the retracted position, the unlocking pressing portion 51 can press the unlocking pressed portion 37, and the locking arm 35 is elastically displaced upward by this pressing operation (see FIG. 16 (B)). It can be said that the entire movement area of the slider 50 is composed of a front regulation area and a rear permission area.
A pair of pressed arms 52 protrudes from both sides of the unlocking pressing portion 51 on the lower surface side of the slider 50. The pressed arm 52 protrudes from the front end position of the slider 50 and is formed in a cantilever shape extending rearward. A protruding portion 53 is provided at the extended end. In the collar portion 53, the rear surface 53a is a tapered surface that has an upward slope toward the rear, whereas the front surface 53b is an end surface that stands substantially vertically. The pressed arm 52 is elastically displaceable up and down (in a direction intersecting with the fitting direction) so as to be in contact with and away from the main body portion of the slider 50 with the front end that is the base end as a fulcrum. A bending space 54 is secured between the 50 main body portions. The pressed arm 52 is protected from being exposed to the outside by being covered with the main body portion of the slider 50. In the assembled state, the pressed arm 52 is disposed at both side positions of the lock arm 35, and the bending space 54 of the pressed arm 52 and the bending space 44 of the lock arm 35 overlap each other in the height direction. Yes (FIG. 9), and the collar portion 53 is arranged in a position overlapping in the height direction with respect to the pressing release guide portion 38 and the pressing portion 16 of the male housing 10 to be fitted (FIG. 12 ( A)). Therefore, in the process of fitting both the housings 10 and 20, the flange portion 53 can be pressed backward by the pressing portion 16, and accordingly, the slider 50 is moved backward relative to the female housing 20 (FIG. 13). And FIG. 14). Then, as the housings 10 and 20 reach the normal fitting, the flange portion 53 rides on the pressure release guide portion 38 and the pressed arm 52 is elastically displaced upward, so that the pressing portion 16 and the flange portion 53 are connected. The pressed state is released (FIG. 16).
A pair of spring pressing portions 55 for stopping the compression coil spring S in front are provided at the side positions of the both pressed arms 52 of the slider 50. The spring pressing portion 55 is formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section, and in the assembled state, the front wall presses the front end portion of the compression coil spring S, whereas the wall extending in the front-rear direction is outside the spring receiving portion 39. It is arranged to cover. Thus, as the slider 50 moves from the initial assembly position to the retracted position side, the compression coil spring S causes the housings 10 and 20 to be separated between the spring pressing portion 55 and the spring receiving portion 39. It is designed to be elastic while accumulating a large urging force (FIG. 15C). Further, the inner peripheral surface of the wall extending in the front-rear direction in the spring receiving portion 39 is formed in an arc shape along the compression coil spring S.
A front stop groove portion 56 into which the front stop portion 40 of the female housing 20 can enter is provided at a side position of the both spring pressing portions 55 on the lower surface side of the slider 50. The front stop groove 56 is formed to open forward and downward, and has a depth reaching the vicinity of the rear end of the slider 50. The rear surface (back surface) of the front stop groove portion 56 is an end surface that stands substantially vertically. In the assembled state, the rear surface of the front stop groove portion 56 abuts against the rear surface of the front stop portion 40 of the female housing 20, whereby the slider 50 is held in the front stopped state from the initial assembly position (FIG. 10).
From both end portions of the slider 50, a pair of guide portions 57 protruding downward and then inward are provided. The guide portion 57 can be fitted into the guide groove portion 41 of the female housing 20 in the assembled state, thereby guiding the relative movement operation of the slider 50 with respect to the female housing 20 (FIG. 9). A pair of slider operation portions 58 are provided from both side surfaces of the rear end portion of the slider 50. The slider operation unit 58 is formed in a stepped shape with a margin extending to the side as it goes rearward, so that the slider 50 can be easily pulled backward from the front side (FIG. 10).
Next, an example of the assembly procedure of the female connector will be described. 6 to 8, the two compression coil springs S are respectively accommodated in the spring receiving portions 39 of the female housing 20 from the front, and the slider 50 is subsequently assembled to the upper side of the outer cylindrical portion 22 from the front. 9 to 12 are assumed. In the assembling process of the slider 50, the rear wall portion of the front stop groove portion 56 temporarily rides on the front stop portion 40, and when the slider 50 reaches the initial assembly position, it gets over the front stop portion 40 on the rear surface of the front stop groove portion 56. Therefore, the slider 50 is held in a front-stopped state from the initial assembly position (FIG. 10). In this initial assembly position, the back-and-forth of the slider 50 is suppressed by slightly compressing both the compression coil springs S (FIG. 12C). In this initial assembly position, the elastic release operation of the lock arm 35 is restricted by the lock release pressing portion 51 entering the bending space 44 above the lock arm 35 (FIG. 12B). On the other hand, after the seal ring 31 is fitted into the terminal accommodating portion 21, the retainer 29 is mounted at the temporary locking position, and the short terminal 32 is accommodated in the short terminal accommodating chamber 33. And after inserting each female terminal metal fitting 24 crimped | bonded to the electric wire D in the cavity 25, the retainer 29 is moved to a full locking position, and the female terminal metal fitting 24 is double-locked with the metal lance 24a. In addition, you may make it assemble | attach each part by the order and method other than the above.
Thus, since the slider 50 is formed in a substantially plate shape and is mounted on one side surface of the female housing 20, the connector is formed in comparison with the conventional case where the slider 50 is formed in a frame shape. It is possible to reduce the size and further facilitate the work of assembling the slider 50 with respect to the female housing 20.
Subsequently, the fitting operation of both male and female connectors will be described. The housings 10 and 20 are fitted together by pushing the female housing operation part 42 forward while aligning the hood part 11 with the fitting groove part 23. When the hood portion 11 entering the fitting groove portion 23 reaches a predetermined depth, the front surface 16a of the pressing portion 16 comes into contact with the front surface 53b of the flange portion 53 of the pressed arm 52 as shown in FIG. FIG. 13 (A)). As the fitting proceeds from this state, as shown in FIG. 14, the pressed arm 52 is pushed backward by the pressing portion 16 and the slider 50 moves backward from the initial assembly position. At this time, the compression coil spring S is elastically retracted by the spring pressing portion 55 supporting the front end portion retreating relative to the spring receiving portion 39 supporting the rear end portion. The urging force that causes separation is accumulated (FIG. 14C).
Incidentally, when the fitting operation is interrupted in such a half-fitted state, the biasing force accumulated so far in the compressed compression coil spring S is released and the slider 50 is covered. Both the housings 10 and 20 are forcibly detached when the flange 53 of the pressing arm 52 pushes back the pressing portion 16. Accordingly, the housings 10 and 20 are prevented from being left in the half-fitted state.
When the slider 50 is further retracted from the position shown in FIG. 14, in other words, when the slider 50 reaches the allowable area from the restriction area, the unlocking pressing portion 51 moves to the rear of the bending space 44 of the lock arm 35 as shown in FIG. 15. While retracting, the lock arm 35 rides on the front surface 15a of the lock portion 15 and is elastically displaced (FIG. 15B). At this time, the rear surface 53a of the collar portion 53 comes into contact with the front surface 38a of the pressure release guide portion 38 (FIG. 15A). In this process, the tab 12a of the male terminal fitting 12 is brought into contact with the female terminal fitting 24, the short-circuit releasing rib 14 is brought into contact with each elastic contact piece 32a, and the front end portion of the hood portion 11 is brought into contact with the seal ring 31. The When the fitting further proceeds, the collar portion 53 rides on the pressure release guide portion 38 and the pressed arm 52 is elastically displaced upward, and in this process, the front surface 16a of the pressure portion 16 and the collar portion 53 displaced upward. The contact allowance with the front surface 53b gradually decreases.
Then, as the two housings 10 and 20 are properly fitted, as shown in FIG. 16, the slider 50 is pushed to the retracted position, and the pressing state of the pressing portion 16 and the flange portion 53 is completely released. (FIG. 16A). At this time, although the lock arm 35 has passed over the lock portion 15, the lock release pressed portion 51 is pressed by the lock release pressing portion 51, so that the lock arm 35 is maintained in an elastically displaced posture (FIG. 16B). )). By releasing the compression coil spring S by releasing the pressing state by the pressing portion 16, the slider 50 starts moving forward and the pressing state of the unlocking pressing portion 51 against the unlocked pressed portion 37 is released. Therefore, the lock arm 35 is elastically restored, and the front surface 36a of the groove portion 36 is engaged with the rear surface 15b of the lock portion 15 that has entered the groove portion 36, whereby the housings 10 and 20 are held in a non-detachable manner. When the slider 50 moves forward to the initial assembly position, as shown in FIG. 17, the collar portion 53 gets over the pressing portion 16 and the rear surface 53 a is arranged in contact with or close to the rear surface 16 b of the pressing portion 16. While the pressing arm 52 is elastically restored (FIG. 17 (A)), the unlocking pressing portion 51 enters the bending space 44 of the lock arm 35 to restrict its elastic displacement operation (FIG. 17 (B)). ). That is, the connector lock structure is a double lock.
When both the housings 10 and 20 reach normal fitting, the male and female terminal fittings 12 and 24 are normally connected to each other, and each elastic contact piece 32a of the short terminal 32 is connected to each female terminal fitting by the short-circuit releasing rib 14. By being elastically deformed while being separated from 24, the short-circuit state between the female terminal fittings 24 is released. Further, the seal ring 31 is clamped between the hood portion 11 and the terminal accommodating portion 21 and is brought into close contact with the both, whereby a seal is taken between the housings 10 and 20.
On the other hand, the housings 10 and 20 may be detached due to maintenance or other reasons. In that case, the slider 50 is operated so as to be grasped and pulled backward, and the slider 50 is moved backward relative to the housings 10 and 20 in the locked state. Then, the unlocking pressing portion 51 retreats backward from the bending space 44 of the lock arm 35, while the collar portion 53 rides on the pressing portion 16 while being guided by the rear surface 53a and the rear surface 16b of the pressing portion 16, and the arm to be pressed 52 is elastically displaced upward. In this process, the compression coil spring S is elastically contracted. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, when the slider 50 is pulled to the retracted position, the unlocking pressing portion 51 is pressed by the unlocking pressing portion 51, and the pressing force is the front surface 37 a of the unlocking pressing portion 37. It acts as a force that elastically displaces the lock arm 35 by the inclination of (see FIG. 16B). When the lock arm 35 is elastically displaced until the front surface 36a of the groove 36 is completely removed from the rear surface 15b of the lock portion 15, the locked state of both the housings 10 and 20 is released, so that the female housing 20 is removed from the male housing 10 as it is. Try to pull apart. Then, the lock arm 35 that has passed over the lock portion 15 is elastically restored, the compression coil spring S is released, and the female housing 20 is moved backward relative to the slider 50 to be in the initial assembly position. Thus, the operation of retracting the slider 50, the operation of releasing the lock state by elastically displacing the lock arm 35, and the operation of pulling off both the housings 10 and 20 by one action operation of pulling the slider 50 backward are performed once. Can be done.
By the way, this connector is a circuit other than the airbag circuit and can be shared with a circuit that does not require the half-fitting prevention function. At that time, as shown in FIG. It is possible to remove the slider 50 and the compression coil spring S that are involved. Here, the conventional connector will be described again with reference to FIG. 19. In this connector, the connector locking structure is made semi-locked in order to improve the workability at the time of detachment, and both of the lock structures are made to be semi-locked. The elastic displacement of the lock arm 3 is regulated by the slider 4 to compensate for the shortage of the holding force of the housings 1 and 2. For this reason, when both the housings 1 and 2 are fitted in a state where the slider 4 is removed in the conventional connector, there arises a problem that the holding force of both the housings 1 and 2 is insufficient.
However, in the connector according to the present embodiment, the lock arm 35 is elastically displaced in accordance with the backward movement of the slider 50 by the lock release pressing portion 51 and the lock release pressed portion 37 provided on the slider 50 and the female housing 20, respectively. Thus, the workability at the time of separation is improved, so that the lock structure does not need to be semi-locked as in the prior art. Therefore, in the connector according to the present embodiment, it is possible to employ a lock structure in which the locked state is not automatically released even when a tensile force is applied to both the housings 10 and 20 from the fitted state. More specifically, the locking surfaces of the housings 10 and 20, that is, the rear surface 15 b of the lock portion 15 is an end surface that is substantially vertical, and the front surface 36 a of the groove 36 in the lock arm 35 is formed in a so-called overhang shape. Therefore, even if the elastic displacement of the lock arm 35 is not restricted by the slider 50, both the housings 10 and 20 can be held (locked) with a sufficient holding force. As described above, the connector according to the present embodiment can be shared with a circuit that does not require the half-fitting prevention function, and can be used with the slider 50 and the compression coil spring S omitted at that time. It is possible to achieve a low cost.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the unlocking pressing portion also functions as the elastic displacement regulating function of the lock arm is shown. However, the elastic displacement having the elastic displacement regulating function of the lock arm separately from the unlocking pressing portion. The regulating part may be provided on the slider, and such a part is also included in the present invention. On the contrary, the slider does not have the function of restricting the elastic displacement of the lock arm.
( 2 In addition to the embodiments described above, the present invention includes a slider formed in a frame shape and surrounding the female housing.
( 3 In addition to the above-described embodiment, the present invention includes a structure in which a slider and a compression coil spring are assembled to the male housing and the slider is pressed by the female housing.
( 4 In the above-described embodiment, a wire-to-wire type connector has been exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to a type of connector in which a male housing is directly connected to a device.
( 5 In the above-described embodiment, the compression coil spring is exemplified as the urging member, but a plate spring or the like may be used.
( 6 In the above-described embodiments, those having a waterproof function (such as a seal ring) are shown, but the present invention is also applicable to a non-waterproof type connector.
FIG. 1 is a front view of a male housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of a male housing.
FIG. 3 is a front view of a female housing, a compression coil spring, and a slider.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a female housing, a compression coil spring, and a slider.
FIG. 5 is a rear view of a female housing, a compression coil spring, and a slider.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
7 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a front view showing a state in which the slider is assembled to the female housing.
FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state in which the slider is assembled to the female housing.
FIG. 11 is a rear view showing a state in which the slider is assembled to the female housing.
12A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIGS. 1 and 9, and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIGS. , (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIGS. 1 and 9.
13A and 13B show a state in which the slider is disposed at the initial assembly position in the middle of fitting both housings, in which FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIGS. 1 and 9, and FIG. And BB line sectional view of FIG. 9, (C) is CC line sectional view of FIG. 1 and FIG.
14 shows a state in which the slider is disposed in the vicinity of the boundary position between the restriction region and the allowable region in the middle of fitting both housings, (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIGS. (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIGS. 1 and 9, and (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIGS. 1 and 9.
15A and 15B show a state in which the slider is disposed in the allowable region in the middle of fitting both housings, in which FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIGS. 1 and 9, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 9, and FIG.
16A and 16B show a state in which both housings are properly fitted and the slider is disposed in the retracted position, and FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIGS. 1 and 9, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 9, and (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIGS. 1 and 9.
17 shows a state in which both housings are properly fitted and the slider is disposed at the initial assembly position, where (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIGS. 1 and 9, and (B) is FIG. And BB line sectional view of FIG. 9, (C) is CC line sectional view of FIG. 1 and FIG.
18A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIGS. 1 and 9 showing a state before the two housings are fitted with the slider and the compression coil spring removed. FIG.
(B) A cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIGS. 1 and 9 showing a state in which both housings are properly fitted with the slider and the compression coil spring removed.
FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional view showing a state immediately before the connector according to the conventional example is properly fitted.
(B) Sectional drawing which shows the state which the connector which concerns on a prior art example carried out regular fitting
10 ... Male housing (one connector housing)
15 ... Lock part
16 ... Pressing part
20: Female housing (the other connector housing)
35 ... Lock arm
37 ... Unlocked pressed part (unlocked part)
38 ... Press release guide
50 ... Slider
51 ... Unlocking pressing part (unlocking part)
52 ... Pressed arm (pressed part)
S: Compression coil spring (biasing member)
One connector housing;
The other connector housing capable of fitting one connector housing;
A lock provided on one connector housing;
A lock arm that is provided on the other connector housing and is elastically displaced while riding on the lock portion in the process in which both connector housings are fitted, and is restored and locked to the lock portion when reaching the normal fitting,
A slider that is assembled to the other connector housing and movable back and forth along the fitting direction of both connector housings;
The elastic member is interposed between the slider and the other connector housing, and accumulates an urging force that separates the two connector housings as the slider moves backward relative to the other connector housing. A possible biasing member;
A pressed portion provided on the slider and displaceable in a direction intersecting the fitting direction;
While being provided in one connector housing, a pressing portion capable of pressing the pressed portion rearward in the process of fitting both connector housings,
A pressure release guide portion that is provided on the other connector housing and can be guided to disengage the pressed portion with the pressed portion by displacing the pressed portion as both the connector housings are properly fitted. ,
An unlocked pressed portion that is provided on the lock arm and that can be pressed by the slider;
The slider is provided with a lock arm that engages the lock portion and enters the bending space of the lock arm to restrict the elastic displacement of the lock arm, while the slider is relative to the other connector housing. with the retract in manner, you press the lock release pushed portion, and a releasable lock release pressing portions the locking state between the locking portion and the lock arm is elastically displaced by the pressing operation A connector characterized by that.
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the slider is formed in a substantially plate shape and is mounted on one side surface of the other connector housing.
JP2002298084A 2002-10-10 2002-10-10 Connector Expired - Fee Related JP4039199B2 (en)
US10/680,983 US6743040B1 (en) 2002-10-10 2003-10-08 Connector and a connector assembly
DE2003146914 DE10346914B4 (en) 2002-10-10 2003-10-09 Connector and connector assembly
JP2004134258A JP2004134258A (en) 2004-04-30
JP4039199B2 true JP4039199B2 (en) 2008-01-30
JP2002298084A Expired - Fee Related JP4039199B2 (en) 2002-10-10 2002-10-10 Connector
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