JP2000268914A - Connector structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide connector structure not requiring an extra process and component, with a low price, and easy to use by integratedly installing a member for releasing the protection of a moving piece according to the insertion into a joining hole of a connector main body. SOLUTION: The connector structure integratedly forms a connector main body 11 to be inserted into a joining hole of a mating connector for joining; a moving piece 12 supported elastic-deformably in the form of a cantilever so as to engage a projection with an engaging hole when the connector main body 11 is inserted and hold the joining with the mating connector, and a protecting piece 20 installed at the tip in the insertion direction of the connector main body 11, fitting a thick part at the tip to an opening end of the moving piece 12 by crooking a hinge 26 during storage, falling by coming in contact with the edge of the joining hole to crook a hinge 25 in use, and separating the thick wall part 24 from the opening end of the moving piece 12 by extension of the hinge 26.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector structure, and more particularly, for example, when inserted into a mating hole of a mating connector, an elastically deformed movable piece resiliently returns, thereby engaging and connecting. Regarding what to maintain.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a connector attached to an end of a wire harness in which electric wires are bundled is inserted into, for example, an insertion hole opened in a mating connector, and connected to each other so that all continuity between the electric wires is achieved. What is going to be done is done.

As this type of connector structure, for example,
As shown in FIG. 9, a connector main body 11 to be inserted and connected into a connection hole H of a mating connector C (shown in FIG. 10).
In addition, a base 12a disposed on the distal end side of the connector body 11 in the insertion direction allows the rear end side in the insertion direction to be cantilevered so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the connector main body 11 and engages with the engagement hole h of the connector C. There is one in which the movable piece 12 formed with 12b is integrally formed.

In this connector structure, the movable piece 12 elastically deformed as shown in FIG. 10A, when inserted into the coupling hole H, elastically returns as shown in FIG. By engaging with the engagement hole h, the connection between the connector main body 11 and the connection hole H is maintained, and functions as locking means.

[0005] In the drawing, reference numeral 12c denotes a frame-shaped portion formed on the rear end side of the movable piece 12 in the insertion direction.
2c functions as a portion for pressing the connector body 11 when inserting and removing the connector body 11 into and from the coupling hole H, and is exposed to the outside from the edge of the coupling hole H at the time of coupling. This is to secure a hole for the die pin for transferring the wall of the mold.

[0006]

However, in such a conventional connector structure, since the movable piece 12 is exposed to the outside, the movable piece 12 is stored together with the distribution process and other components such as connectors. Sometimes, as shown in FIG. 11, the elastic deformation due to the external load is maintained, so that the elastic member is deformed irreversibly and cannot be inserted into the coupling hole H or cannot be engaged with the coupling hole H. Alternatively, a decrease in engagement force or the like occurs, and it becomes impossible to function as locking means.

In order to prevent the occurrence of this problem, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a protective wall 13 is erected at a position sandwiching the frame-shaped portion 12c at the tip of the movable piece 12, or the movable piece 12 is embedded in a groove 11a formed in the connector body 11 as shown in FIG. Or the frame-shaped portion 12 as shown in FIG.
The movable piece 12 is prevented from being deformed by an external load caused by abutment with another component by holding the interposed component 14 at an open end between the connector c and the connector body 11. It is possible.

However, the means for protecting with the protection wall 13 and the groove 11a cannot release the lock from the coupling hole H and remove it, so that the frame-shaped portion 12c cannot be directly pressed with a finger, and a tool is required. There is a problem in that the means for holding the interposed part 14 requires useless additional parts and the management thereof is complicated.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a method of forming a movable piece without adding extra steps or parts by integrally molding a member for releasing protection of the movable piece when the connector body is inserted into the coupling hole. An object of the present invention is to provide a connector structure which realizes protection and is inexpensive and easy to use.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is a connector body to be inserted into a connection hole and connected, and a connector body after being elastically deformed when the connector body is inserted into the connection hole. A movable piece that retains the connection between the connector body and the coupling hole by being elastically restored and engaged in the coupling hole, wherein the connector body is provided at a position adjacent to the movable piece of the connector body. Before insertion, while limiting the elastic deformation of the movable piece due to external load,
When the connector body is inserted, a protective piece that comes into contact with the edge of the connection hole and falls into the connection hole so as to be inserted into the connection hole and releases the limitation of elastic deformation of the movable piece due to an external load is integrally formed with the connector body. It is characterized by the following.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the movable piece is restricted from being elastically deformed by an external load by the adjacent protection piece before use, and the edge of the coupling hole which abuts when the connector body is inserted into the coupling hole. As a result, the protection piece is tilted and the restriction of elastic deformation is released. Therefore, the movable piece can be stored without being elastically deformed, so that the movable piece can be easily elastically deformed and removed from the coupling hole even after the coupling without being hindered from being inserted into the coupling hole during use. Also, since the protection piece is molded integrally with the connector body,
There is no need to assemble and manage as separate parts.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, an accommodating portion for accommodating a falling protection piece is formed in the connector main body.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the protection piece which is folded down when the connector body is inserted into the coupling hole is housed in the housing portion of the connector body. Therefore, even if the connection hole is opened in substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the connector body, the insertion is not hindered.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect of the invention, the movable piece faces the rear end side in the insertion direction of the connector main body so as to be able to contact and separate therefrom. The protection piece is interposed in a space where the connector body and the movable piece come in contact with and separate from each other, and the protection piece has an interposition portion that limits elastic deformation of the movable piece. The interposition portion is separated from the space between the movable piece and the connector body when the contact portion falls down in contact with the edge of the coupling hole.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the movable piece of the cantilever structure has the interposition portion of the protection piece located on the open end side to restrict elastic deformation before use, and to be inserted into the coupling hole of the connector body. When the protective piece is tilted at the time of insertion, the interposed portion is detached from its open end, and the restriction of elastic deformation is released. Therefore, by forming the protection piece integrally with the connector main body so that the interposition portion is located on the open end side of the movable piece having the cantilever structure, the protection piece can be stored and used as it is.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect of the present invention, the protective piece pulls the interposed portion from the disengaged position by causing a portion which comes into contact with the edge of the coupling hole and falls down. The present invention is characterized in that an assembly structure is arranged in a space between the movable piece and the connector main body.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the protection piece of the assembly structure is tilted to position the interposition portion at the detached position from the open end side of the movable piece of the cantilever structure, and then the protection piece is pulled back ( This causes the interposition part to be positioned on the open end side of the movable piece. Therefore, restrictions on molding can be reduced, and a molding die can be manufactured at low cost.

[0018] The invention described in claim 5 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
In addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of the above, the protective piece,
When the connector body is inserted, the connector body has a portion that comes into contact with an edge portion of the coupling hole corresponding to both sides of the movable piece and falls down so as to be inserted into the coupling hole.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the elastic deformation of the movable piece due to an external load is limited by the protective pieces adjacent on both sides before use, and both sides of the movable piece are inserted when the connector body is inserted into the coupling hole. The protective piece is brought into contact with the edge of the coupling hole and fallen. Therefore, an external load including an abutment with the edge of the coupling hole is evenly applied to the protection piece, so that the elastic deformation of the movable piece is limited and released stably.

[0020] The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5.
In addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of the above, the protective piece,
A portion which comes into contact with the edge of the coupling hole and falls down so as to be insertable into the coupling hole is formed at a position retracted to the rear end side from the front end in the insertion direction of the connector main body.

In the invention according to the sixth aspect, after the insertion of the connector main body into the coupling hole is started, the protection piece is brought into contact with the edge of the coupling hole and lowered. Therefore, insertion of the connector body into the coupling hole can be facilitated.

Here, the movable piece may be formed integrally with the connector body together with the protection piece, or may be formed of a metal material or the like and attached to the connector body.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of a connector structure according to the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment, and this embodiment corresponds to the invention described in claims 1 to 4. In the present embodiment, the same components as those of the above-described related art will be described with the same reference numerals.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a male connector which is inserted into the coupling hole H of the female connector C described in the prior art and is coupled thereto. The connector 10 is a protection piece together with the connector body 11 and the movable piece 12. 20 is integrally formed of a resin material.

The connector body 11 is provided with a groove (accommodating portion) 21 adjacent to the cantilevered movable piece 12 in parallel with the movable piece 12.

The protection piece 20 includes a plate-shaped portion 22 and an extension portion 23.
And a thick portion (intervening portion) 24,
2 is formed in a shape similar to the groove 21 by extending a portion corresponding to the groove 21 on the insertion-side tip surface of the connector body 11 upward, and the extension 23 extends the plate-shaped portion 22 in the extending direction. The thick portion 24 extends the extending portion 23 toward the movable piece 12 to extend between the movable piece 12 and the connector body 11 (space).
Is formed at a thickness t of about the same interval.

The plate-shaped portion 22 is provided with a first hinge 25 allowing bending in the groove 21 direction.
And a second hinge 26 is provided at a position separated from the connector main body 11 by about the length of the extension portion 23 to allow bending in the same direction.

Therefore, in the connector 10, the connector main body 11, the movable piece 12, and the protection piece 20 can be integrally formed at low cost by a mold that can move in only one direction without the need for a moving piece, and can be assembled and manufactured as separate parts. No need to manage.

In the molded connector 10, as shown in FIG. 3, the protection piece 20 is bent by the first hinge 25 so that the entire surface of the plate-shaped portion 22 is accommodated in the groove 21 of the connector body 11. Thereby, the extended portion 23 and the thick portion 24 can be separated from the rear end side of the connector main body 11 to the outside, and thereafter, as shown in FIG.
2 is bent back by the second hinge 26 and pulled back to return the first hinge 25 to the first and second hinges 25 and 26.
By causing the plate-shaped portion 22 between the thick portions 24
Are located in the space between the movable piece 12 and the connector main body 11 and can be stored and used. At this time, the thick portion 24 is
It is preferable to hold the connector with the connector main body 11 by the elastic force because the thick portion 24 can be prevented from freely escaping from its open end.

Therefore, by assembling the protection piece 20 by folding it down, the thick portion 24 can be positioned at the open end of the movable piece 12 having the cantilever structure.
By storing 0, it is possible to limit elastic deformation even when the movable piece 12 is pressed by another component.

When the connector 10 is used,
As shown in FIG. 5, by simply inserting the connector main body 11 into the coupling hole H of the mating connector C with the same usability as that described in the related art, the plate-shaped portion 22 of the protection piece 20 is formed.
The first hinge 25 is bent while contacting the edge of the coupling hole H, and the second hinge 26 is returned to a flat plate shape. As shown in FIG.
And the entire surface of the plate-shaped portion 22 is housed in the groove 21 of the connector main body 11 and becomes a part of the shape of the connector main body 11.

Therefore, the connector main body 11 is
0 can be inserted into the coupling hole H of the connector C without being hindered, and when the insertion is completed, the elastically deformable movable piece 12 is elastically restored to engage the projection 12b with the engagement hole h of the connector C. It can be locked to maintain the connected state. When the connector 10 is detached from the connector C, the movable piece 12 can be elastically deformed without being hindered by the thick portion 24 of the protection piece 20 by pressing the frame-shaped portion 12c. The engagement between the projection 12b and the engagement hole h of the connector C can be released and released.

The thick portion 24 of the protection piece 20 may be detached from the space between the movable piece 12 as the connector body 11 is inserted, or may be detached before insertion. Needless to say, it is good.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the protection piece 20 of the connector 10 is formed such that the thick portion 24 is formed by bending the first and second hinges 25 and 26 to the movable piece 12 and the connector body 11.
Since the assembling structure is located at the open end between them, it can be easily designed to be moldable with a simple mold, and the molding cost does not increase. Further, by storing the connector 10 in an assembled state, it is possible to prevent the movable piece 12 from becoming elastically deformed due to contact with other parts. The thick portion 24 can be easily detached from the open end between the connector body 11 and the plate-shaped portion 22 can be housed in the groove 21 and inserted into the connector C to be locked by the movable piece 12. There is no need to make design changes such as forming a storage space for the protection piece 20.

Next, FIG. 6 is a view showing a second embodiment of the connector structure according to the present invention, and this embodiment corresponds to the fifth aspect of the present invention. In addition, since the present embodiment is configured substantially in the same manner as the above-described embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the characteristic portions will be described (the same applies to other embodiments described below). .

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 30 denotes a protection piece integrally formed of a resin material together with the connector body 11 and the movable piece 12, and the protection piece 30 is formed by a groove 21 of the connector body 11.
Are provided on both sides of the movable piece 12, and the plate-shaped portion 22 has first and second hinges 25 and 26,
A thick portion 34 is formed at the tip end by connecting both extended portions 33 formed so as to have a thickness t about the distance between the movable piece 12 and the connector main body 11.

Accordingly, the protective piece 30 is located on the open end between the connector body 11 and the thick portion 34 adjacent to the movable piece 12 on both sides and the leading end thereof is connected, so that the elastic deformation of the movable piece 12 is prevented. It can be limited and can receive loads on both sides due to the contact of other components applied to the movable piece 12.

As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the functions and effects of the above-described embodiment, the movable piece 12 is evenly received by the thick portion 34 connecting both ends of the protection pieces 30 adjacent on both sides and elastically. Deformation can be restricted in a stable state. Therefore, the reliability can be further improved.

Next, FIG. 7 is a view showing a third embodiment of the connector structure according to the present invention, and this embodiment corresponds to the invention described in claim 6.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 40 denotes a protection piece integrally formed of a resin material together with the connector body 11 and the movable piece 12, and the protection piece 40 is formed by a groove 41 of the connector body 11.
Along with the groove 41, the plate-shaped portion 42 is formed to be shorter than the groove 41.

Accordingly, when the connector piece 11 is positioned for insertion into the connector C, the protection piece 40 does not come into contact with the edge of the coupling hole H, and the insertion starts. You can make it fall.

As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the functions and effects of the above-described embodiment, the operation of tilting the protective piece 40 and housing it in the connector main body 11 can be delayed. It can be easily inserted. Therefore, workability can be improved.

Next, FIG. 8 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of the connector structure according to the present invention, and this embodiment corresponds to the fifth aspect of the present invention. This embodiment corresponds to the case where the present embodiment is applied to the second embodiment, but it goes without saying that the present embodiment may be applied to other embodiments.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 50 denotes a protection piece integrally formed of a resin material together with the connector main body 11 and the movable piece 12, and the protection piece 50 is formed to be narrow so as to be easily bent without providing a hinge. The flexible portion 52 is provided on both sides of the movable piece 12, and both ends of the flexible portion 52 are connected to the extension portions 53 so that the thickness of the flexible portion 52 is about the distance between the movable piece 12 and the connector body 11. A thick portion 54 is formed so as to have a thickness t.

Therefore, the protection piece 50 is designed to be molded with the thick portion 34 adjacent to the movable piece 12 on both sides and connected to both sides located at the open end between the connector body 11. It can be stored and used without assembling.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the functions and effects of the above-described embodiment, the assembling operation can be omitted, and the storage and management can be performed as it is.

[0047]

According to the present invention, before use, the protective piece for restricting the elastic deformation of the movable piece is tilted by inserting it into the coupling hole of the connector body to release the restriction of the elastic deformation.
The movable piece can be stored without impairing its function, and can be used without increasing other steps. In addition, since this protective piece is formed integrally with the connector body, the number of mounting steps and parts are not increased.

When this protective piece is folded down, it is accommodated in the connector main body, so that it is possible to couple even a coupling hole having substantially the same sectional shape without changing the design.

Further, since the protective piece is adjacent to both sides of the movable piece, it is possible to stably limit and release the elastic deformation of the movable piece. By retracting to the side, the connector body can be easily inserted into the coupling hole.

In the case where the movable piece has a cantilever structure, the interposition portion which is detached when the protection piece is tilted is positioned on the open end side of the movable piece to limit elastic deformation of the movable piece. You may make it cancel. When the protective piece is molded, it can be stored and used as it is,
When formed into an assembled structure, it can be formed at low cost.

Therefore, it is possible to provide an inexpensive and easy-to-use connector structure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing the overall configuration of a first embodiment of a connector structure according to the present invention, wherein (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view, and (c) is a side view.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing the molded product, FIG. 2A is a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 2B is a side view thereof.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing the assembly process, FIG. 3A is a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 3B is a side view thereof.

4A and 4B are views showing the assembled product, FIG. 4A is a perspective view, and FIG. 4B is a side view.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating its use.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a second embodiment of the connector structure according to the present invention, and is a perspective view showing the entire configuration thereof.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a third embodiment of the connector structure according to the present invention, and is a perspective view showing an entire configuration thereof.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of the connector structure according to the present invention, and is a perspective view showing the entire configuration thereof.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the related art.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views for explaining the use thereof, in which FIG. 10A is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the parts are joined, and FIG.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the problem.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a solution to the problem.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a solution to the problem.

FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating an example of a solution to the problem.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Connector main body 12 Movable piece 12a Base 12b Projection 20, 30, 40, 50 Protective piece 21, 41 Groove (accommodating part) 22, 42 Plate-shaped part 23, 33, 53 Extension part 24, 34, 54 Thick part 25, 26 Hinge 52 Flexible shape part C Connector H Connection hole h Engagement hole

Claims (6)

[Claims] A connector body to be inserted into and coupled to the coupling hole; and a connector body to be elastically deformed when the connector body is inserted into the coupling hole, to be elastically restored and to be engaged in the coupling hole, thereby forming the connector body and the coupling hole. A movable piece that holds the coupling of the connector body, at a position adjacent to the movable piece of the connector body, while restricting elastic deformation of the movable piece due to an external load before insertion of the connector body, When inserting the connector body, a protective piece that comes into contact with the edge of the coupling hole and falls down so that it can be inserted into the coupling hole and releases the restriction of elastic deformation of the movable piece due to an external load,
A connector structure characterized by being integrally formed with the connector body. 2. The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein an accommodating portion for accommodating a falling protection piece is formed in the connector main body. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the movable piece faces the rear end side of the connector body in the insertion direction and is cantilevered by a base at the front end side in the insertion direction of the connector body. An interposition portion is provided in a space where the main body and the movable piece come into contact with and separate from each other, and restricts elastic deformation of the movable piece. The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein the connector structure is separated from a space between the connector body and the connector body. 4. The assembling structure in which the protection piece is brought into contact with the edge of the coupling hole to cause a part to fall down, thereby pulling the interposed part back from the detached position and positioned in the space between the movable piece and the connector main body. The connector structure according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The device according to claim 5, wherein said protective piece has a portion which comes into contact with an edge portion of a coupling hole corresponding to both sides of the movable piece when inserting the connector body and falls down so as to be insertable into said coupling hole. The connector structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 6. The protection piece according to claim 1, wherein a portion which abuts on an edge of the coupling hole and falls down so as to be insertable into the coupling hole is formed at a position retracted to a rear end side from a front end in a direction of insertion of the connector main body. The connector structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein