JP3272050B2 - Connector device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector device suitable for use in, for example, an airbag device of an automobile which requires a high connection reliability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 12 and 13 show a conventional connector device of this kind. The connector device has first and second connector housings 1 and 2 in which contacts (not shown) are respectively incorporated. These first and second
The connector housings 1 and 2 are formed of an insulating material such as plastic. At the tip of the second connector housing 2, a connector fitting tube 3 for fitting the tip of the first connector housing 1 is integrally formed.
A lock arm 4 is provided upright on the upper surface of the first connector housing 1 in a cantilever manner, and the lock arm 4 is arranged on the upper surface of the first connector housing 1 at a predetermined interval. . At a free end of the lock arm 4, a pressing portion 5 for pressing the lock arm 4 is provided. On the upper surface in the middle of the lock arm 4,
The lock projection 6 is provided to project upward. A lock projection 7 projects downward from the upper surface of the entrance in the connector fitting tube portion 3.

In such a connector device, FIG.
When the distal end of the first connector housing 1 is inserted into the connector fitting cylindrical portion 3 of the second connector housing 2 from the state 2, the lock projection 6 of the lock arm 4 is fitted with the connector as shown in FIG. The lock arm 4 is elastically deformed by hitting the lock projection 7 of the joint tube 3. With further insertion, the lock projection 6 rides over the lock projection 7, the lock arm 4 returns to the original position, and the lock projection 6 is locked by the lock projection 7, and the first and second connector housings 1,
2 is locked. In this state, the electrical connection state of both contacts (not shown) is completed.

When unlocking the first and second connector housings 1 and 2, the pressing portion 5 of the lock arm 4 is depressed to elastically deform the lock arm 4 so that the lock projection 6 is released.
Is lowered below the lock projection 7, and the tip end of the first connector housing 1 is pulled out of the connector fitting tube 3 of the second connector housing 2.

However, in such a conventional connector device, as shown in FIG. 13, the lock projection 6 cannot get over the lock projection 7, and the fitting operation is performed in a semi-fitted state with the lock arm 4 elastically deformed. It may end. If used in such a state, the fitting of the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 will be disengaged, for example, when vibration or a pulling force is applied during use.

In order to avoid such a half-fitting state, in a conventional connector device, a half-fitting preventing spring is incorporated in one connector housing, and when the half-fitting state is established, the half-fitting preventing spring rebounds. A structure in which the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are disengaged by force has been proposed.

[0007]

However, in a conventional connector device incorporating such a half-fitting preventing spring, the repulsive force of the half-fitting preventing spring acts as it is even when the connector is completely fitted. Thus, there has been a problem that a force for releasing the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 from fitting always acts, which adversely affects the connection state of the connectors.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a half-fitting preventing spring for disengaging the first and second connector housings when the first and second connector housings are completely fitted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector device that can eliminate the repulsive force of the connector.

[0009]

The structure of the present invention that achieves the above object will be described as follows.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector device in which first and second connector housings are fitted to electrically connect contacts incorporated in the connector housings. A half-fitting preventing spring is incorporated, a spring pressing piece for pressing the spring is temporarily locked by a temporary locking portion into the second connector housing, and the first connector housing is When the fitted state of the first and second connector housings goes to a completely fitted state exceeding a half-fitted state, the spring pressing piece is removed from the temporary locking portion and the spring pressing piece is retracted by the pressing force of the spring. A provision is made for provision of a temporary lock release portion for performing control for causing the temporary lock release.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector device in which first and second connector housings are fitted to each other to electrically connect contacts incorporated in the connector housings. A half-fitting preventing spring is incorporated, a spring pressing piece for pressing the spring is temporarily locked by a temporary locking portion into the second connector housing, and the first connector housing is When the fitted state of the first and second connector housings goes to a completely fitted state exceeding a half-fitted state, the spring pressing piece is removed from the temporary locking portion and the spring pressing piece is retracted by the pressing force of the spring. A temporary locking release portion for performing control to cause the first and second connector housings to be adjacent to each other in the second connector housing when the fitted state of the first and second connector housings is half-fitted; Child shorted connection, wherein the first terminal shorting spring second connector housing to release the short-circuit connection of the adjacent terminals to become completely fitted state is supported.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first and second connector devices are provided.
When the mating state of the connector housing exceeds half mating and goes to complete mating, the spring pressing piece is removed from the temporary locking portion of the second connector housing, and the spring is pressed by the pressing force of the half mating preventing spring. Since the provisional locking release portion for controlling the retreat of the piece is provided, when the first and second connector housings are completely fitted, the half-fitting preventing spring is not compressed, and the half-fitting prevention spring is not compressed. The repulsive force of the interlocking spring disappears.

Accordingly, when the first and second connector housings are completely fitted, the repulsive force of the semi-fitting preventing spring which tries to release the fitting of the first and second connector housings is reduced. It can be eliminated and the connection state of the connector can be stabilized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the temporary release part, when the fitting state of the first and second connector housings is half-fitted, the terminals adjacent to each other in the second connector housing. And a short-circuit spring for releasing the short-circuit connection between the adjacent terminals when the first and second connector housings are completely fitted. It can be carried out.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 12 and 13 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of a connector device according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the first
In the center of the connector housing 1, there is provided a half-fitting preventing spring accommodating chamber 8 penetrating in the front-rear direction, and a terminal accommodating chamber 9 penetrating in the front-rear direction on the left and right thereof.

The half-fitting preventing spring accommodating chamber 8 has a half-fitting preventing spring 10 composed of a coil spring, a front spring receiver 11 abutting on the front part of the spring 10, and a rear part of the spring 10. The contacted rear spring receiver 12 is accommodated. The front spring receiver 11, the half-fitting prevention spring 10, and the rear spring support 12 are incorporated into the half-fitting prevention spring accommodating chamber 8 from the rear. Front spring receiver 11
Is prevented from escaping forward by the front spring retainer 13. The rear spring receiver 12 includes a rear spring receiving presser 14.
The escape to the rear is prevented.

Female terminals 15 are respectively accommodated in the left and right terminal accommodating chambers 9 of the half-fitting preventing spring accommodating chamber 8, and the first connector housing 1 is engaged with each locking portion 16 of the first connector housing 1. Is locked. Each female terminal 15
Are connected to lead wires 17, respectively.

At the center of the second connector housing 2, there is provided a spring pressing piece receiving chamber 18 which penetrates in the front-rear direction, and on the left and right thereof, a terminal receiving chamber 19 penetrates in the front-rear direction.

A spring push piece 20 is housed in the spring push piece housing chamber 18 of the second connector housing 2. The spring pressing piece 20 has a front end portion 20a that presses the front spring receiver 11, and a temporary locking release inclined surface 20b that is provided on the lower surface at a position slightly retreated from the front end portion 20a.
And a temporary locking recess 20c provided on a substantially central lower surface retreated from the temporary locking releasing inclined surface 20b, and an operation projection 20d projecting upward at the rear end. ing.

In the second connector housing 2, the spring pressing piece 20 is attached to the second end so that the distal end portion 20 a of the spring pressing piece 20 first projects into the connector fitting cylindrical portion 3 and can maintain that state. The connector housing 2 is provided with a temporary locking portion 21 formed of a projection for temporarily locking. That is, the spring pressing piece 20 is fitted into the temporary locking recess 20c.
Is temporarily locked to the second connector housing 2.

The second connector housing 2 has a guide portion 22 for regulating the moving direction when the spring pressing piece 20 is not temporarily locked, a stopper 23 for preventing the spring pressing piece 20 from dropping off, and usually includes: The upper surface of the spring pressing piece 20 is pressed so that the temporary locking of the spring pressing piece 20 does not come off. However, when releasing the temporary locking, the spring pressing piece retainer performs relief so that the spring pressing piece 20 can rise obliquely. A plate 24 is provided. Since the spring pressing piece holding plate 24 has a part of both side surfaces supported by the second connector housing 2 at the connecting portion 24a, the spring pressing piece holding plate 24 can rise obliquely when receiving a pushing force from the lower surface of the tip. It has become.

Male terminals 25 are respectively accommodated in the left and right terminal accommodating chambers 19 of the spring pressing piece accommodating chamber 18, and are retained in the second connector housing 2 by the locking portions 26 of the first connector housing 2. Locked. In this state, the distal end of each male terminal 25 protrudes into the connector fitting tube 3. Lead wires 27 are connected to the respective male terminals 25.

When the first connector housing 1 is not inserted into the connector fitting cylindrical portion 3, adjacent male terminals 25 are short-circuited to release static electricity charged on these male terminals 25. Static electricity removing spring 28 is incorporated.

On the other hand, the fitted state of the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 exceeds the half-fitted state and completely fits into the entrance of the half-fitting preventing spring accommodating chamber 8 in the first connector housing 1. When the lock projection 6 goes over the lock projection 7 in this case, the spring pressing piece 20 is removed from the temporary locking portion 21 and the spring pressing piece 20 is pressed by the half-fitting preventing spring 10. Temporary lock release part 29 that controls to retract
Are provided as protrusions with inclined tips (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 5).

Next, the connection operation of such a connector device will be described. The connector device is configured as shown in FIG. 2 before connection, and the adjacent male terminals 25 in the second connector housing 2 are short-circuited by the static electricity removing spring 28, so that the male terminals 25 are charged. Static electricity can be released through the lead wire 27. Therefore, for example, when the connector device is used for an airbag device of an automobile, the explosive material of the airbag explodes due to static electricity charged in the male terminal 25 when the connector device is connected. Can be prevented.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, when the first connector housing 1 is inserted into the connector fitting cylindrical portion 3 of the second connector housing 2, the tip 2
0a, a half-fitting preventing spring 10 via a front spring receiver 11
Is pressed and compressed to accumulate energy.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lock projection 6 of the lock arm 4 is
, The lock arm 4 is elastically deformed.

When further inserted, as shown in FIG.
The lock projection 6 is going over the lock projection 7. In this state, as shown in FIG. 5, the temporary unlocking inclined surface 20b of the spring pressing piece 20 is temporarily unlocked.
9, the spring pressing piece 20 is tilted so that its tip 20a is raised. At this time, the spring pressing piece holding plate 24 is pushed up by the spring pressing piece 20, and
Tilt as shown. When the distal end portion 20a of the spring pressing piece 20 is pushed upward in this way, as shown in FIG. 5, the temporary locking portion 21 can be released from the temporary locking concave portion 20c.

When the insertion proceeds further from this state, the lock projection 6 rides over the lock projection 7, and the fitting state of the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 goes beyond half-fitting to complete fitting. State. At this time, the spring pressing piece 20 comes off from the temporary locking portion 21, and the spring pressing piece 20 is pressed by the accumulated pressing force of the half-fitting preventing spring 10, and retreats as shown in FIG. Thus, the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted.

In this state, the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 cannot be disengaged by the locking of the lock projections 6 and 7. Further, the male terminal 25 is inserted into the female terminal 15 to be in an electrically connected state. Further, in this state, the half-fitting preventing spring 10 is not charged, so that the half-fitting preventing spring 10 does not apply a force to separate the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 from each other. .

During such an insertion operation, for example, FIG.
In other words, when the insertion is stopped in the half-fitted state, the half-fitting preventing spring 10 is
0, the second connector housing 2 is pushed, and the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are pulled apart. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 from being left in a semi-fitted state.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the connector device according to the present invention.
It shows an example. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the first connector housing 1 and the rear spring receiver 12 are integrally formed with the connecting cord 30. By doing so, the number of components can be reduced, and the rear spring receiver 12 can be prevented from being lost.

FIGS. 8 to 11 show a third embodiment of the connector device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the spring pressing piece 20 of the second connector housing 2 is adjacent to the spring pressing piece 20 in the second connector housing 2 when the fitting state of the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 is half-fitted. When the male terminals 25 are short-circuited and the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted, the adjacent male terminals 25 are connected.
A terminal short-circuit spring 31 for releasing the short-circuit connection of the terminal is supported.

That is, the terminal short-circuit spring 31 has a loop portion 31a at the center portion, and the loop portion 31a is fitted to a spring mounting portion 20e on the upper surface of the spring pressing piece 20 to thereby form the spring pressing piece 20. Mounted on

The terminal short-circuit spring 31 has a structure in which contact spring portions 31b are provided at both ends of a loop portion 31a.

When the fitting state of the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 is half-fitted, the second connector is connected to the partition wall 32 at the boundary between the left and right terminal housing chambers 19 and the spring pressing piece housing chamber 18. In the housing 2, adjacent male terminals 25 are short-circuited by a terminal short-circuit spring 31 so that when the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted, the short-circuit connection between the adjacent male terminals 25 can be released. A window 33 is provided.

The connection operation of such a connector device is performed as described in the first embodiment. In this case, FIGS. 8 and 9 show a state in which the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are in a half-fitted state, and FIGS.
Shows a state when the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are in a completely fitted state.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are in a half-fitted state, the adjacent male terminals 25 in the second connector housing 2 Window 33 of partition wall 32 of connector housing 2
, And are short-circuited by a terminal short-circuit spring 31. Therefore, by checking the continuity of the two lead wires 27 connected to the male terminals 25, it is possible to electrically detect the half-fitted state of the first and second connector housings 1, 2.

When the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 are in a completely fitted state as shown in FIGS.
Are retreated, so that the partition walls 32 are present on both sides of the terminal short-circuit spring 31, and the adjacent male terminals 25 in the second connector housing 2 are not short-circuited by the terminal short-circuit spring 31. Therefore, both lead wires 2 connected to these male terminals 25
By conducting the continuity check of 7, the completely fitted state of the first and second connector housings 1 and 2 can be electrically detected.

[0041]

As described above, according to the connector device of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector device comprising:
When the mating state of the second connector housing exceeds the half mating and moves toward complete mating, the spring pressing piece is removed from the temporary locking portion of the second connector housing, and the pressing force of the half mating preventing spring is applied. Since the provisional locking release portion for controlling the spring pressing piece to retreat is provided, when the first and second connector housings are completely fitted, the half-fitting preventing spring is not compressed, and The repulsive force of the half-fitting preventing spring can be eliminated. Therefore, when the first and second connector housings are in a completely fitted state, the first and second connector housings can be used.
The repulsive force of the half-fitting preventing spring which attempts to release the fitting of the connector housing can be eliminated, and the connection state of the connector can be stabilized.

In the connector device according to the present invention, in addition to the provisional release portion, when the fitting state of the first and second connector housings is half-fitted, the terminals adjacent to each other in the second connector housing are provided. And a short-circuit spring for releasing the short-circuit connection between the adjacent terminals when the first and second connector housings are completely fitted. It can be carried out.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state before connection of a first embodiment of a connector device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view at a position of the connector device of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view at another position of the connector device of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector device according to the first embodiment in an insertion process.

5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector device of the first embodiment in which the insertion has progressed from FIG.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector device of the first embodiment in which insertion is completed.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of one connector housing side of a second embodiment of the connector device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional side view showing an insertion process of a third embodiment of the connector device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view showing an insertion process of a third embodiment of the connector device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional side view of the connector device of the third embodiment in which insertion is completed.

FIG. 11 is a vertical plan view of the connector device of the third embodiment in which insertion has been completed.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state before connection of a conventional connector device.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the conventional connector device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1st, 2nd connector housing 3 Connector fitting cylinder part 4 Lock arm 5 Pressing part 6 Lock projection 7 Lock projection 8 Half fitting prevention spring accommodation room 9 Terminal accommodation chamber 10 Half fitting prevention spring 11 Front spring receiver 12 Rear spring receiver 13 Front spring receiver pressing part 14 Rear spring receiving pressing part 15 Female terminal 16 Locking part 17 Lead wire 18 Spring pressing piece storage chamber 19 Terminal storage chamber 20 Spring pressing piece 20a Tip part 20b Temporary locking Detachment inclined surface 20c Temporary locking concave portion 20d Operation projection 21 Temporary locking portion 22 Second connector housing 23 Stopper 24 Spring pressing piece pressing plate 24a Connecting portion 25 Male terminal 26 Locking portion 27 Lead wire 28 Static electricity removing spring 29 Temporary lock release section 30 Connecting string 31 Terminal short-circuit spring 31a Loop section 31b Contact spring section 32 Partition wall 33 Window

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A connector device for mating first and second connector housings to electrically connect contacts incorporated in the connector housings, wherein the first connector housing has a half-fitting preventing spring. A spring pressing piece for pressing the spring is temporarily locked by a temporary locking portion and incorporated in the second connector housing, and the first and second connectors are incorporated in the first connector housing. When the fitted state of the housing exceeds the half-fitted state and moves toward the complete fit, the spring pressing piece is removed from the temporary locking portion, and the temporary pressing is performed to control the spring pressing piece to retreat with the pressing force of the spring. A connector device having a detachment portion. 2. A connector device for mating first and second connector housings to electrically connect contacts incorporated in the connector housings, wherein the first connector housing has a half-fitting preventing spring. A spring pressing piece for pressing the spring is temporarily locked by a temporary locking portion and incorporated in the second connector housing, and the first and second connectors are incorporated in the first connector housing. When the fitted state of the housing exceeds the half-fitted state and moves toward the complete fit, the spring pressing piece is removed from the temporary locking portion, and the temporary pressing is performed to control the spring pressing piece to retreat with the pressing force of the spring. When the fitting state of the first and second connector housings is half-fitted, the spring pressing piece short-circuits adjacent terminals in the second connector housing. First connector terminals short-circuit spring second connector housing to release the short-circuit connection of the adjacent terminals to become completely fitted state, characterized in that it is supported device.