JP2001015211A - Connector and its connecting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector and its connecting structure using a less number of component parts for an engaging member, allowing simplification of assembly structure, and managing without becoming bulky. SOLUTION: A cable connector 10 and a plug 12 are connected together and engaged by an engaging member consisting of a latch 22 and ring spring 34 installed on the cable connector 10, and a hole 24 is provided in the plug 12. The latch 22 is provided in the middle with a rotary shaft 26, at the tip with a hook 28, and at the tail with a lever 30. A bearing part 31 is formed on the oversurface 14a of a connector cover 14 of the cable connector 10, and the rotary shaft 26 is borne by this bearing part 31. The ring spring 34 consists of a short cylindrical member having an elliptical section shape, and the bottom 34b is engaged with a slit 36 formed at the end 14b of the connector cover 14 while the top 34a is separated from the oversurface 14a of the connector cover 14 and abutted to the undersurface 30a of the lever 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector connection structure and a connector, and more particularly, to a connector connection structure for a cable which connects various electronic devices and electronic devices and is locked by a locking member. The present invention relates to a connector used for a connector connection structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art 1 is electrically connected between contacts.
As a pair of connectors, for example, there is a connector having a connector connection structure shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 5 is a front view showing a part of the pair of connectors in a partially broken and exposed manner to explain the connection state of the connectors. In the case of this connector connection structure, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped contact mounting member (connector main body) 3 is provided on the plug side connector 1a. The contact mounting member 3 is formed with a plurality of holes 4 arranged therein, and a contact 5a is provided in each hole 4. Contact mounting member 3
Are covered by the connector cover 6a via the holding member 3a. In a gap between the holding member 3a and the connector cover 6a at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the contact mounting member 3, a pair of latches 7, 7 each having a tip formed on a hook 7a, are provided. The latches 7, 7 are engaged with the holding member 3a and the connector cover 6a by a ring portion 7b formed at a central position, and have a handle portion 7c at a rear end. A cable (not shown) is connected to the upper end of the connector 1a in FIG.

[0003] On the other hand, the connector 1b on the jack side is covered with a connector housing 6b while keeping a predetermined gap around four contacts 5b arranged upright.
Hook-shaped engaging portions 8, 8 projecting outward are formed at the ends of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connector housing 6b. When the connector 1a on the plug side is connected to the connector 1b on the jack side, the contact 5b corresponding to the contact 5a is inserted by inserting the contact mounting member 3 inside the connector housing 6b, and the electrical connection is established. Connect to At this time, the hook 7a slides down and is guided by the hook 8a of the connector housing 6b to descend, and the hook 7a is locked by the hook 8. Further, the connector cover 6a is externally inserted into the connector housing 6b. In this state, the connector 1b on the jack side is
Even if some external force is applied to pull out the plug-side connector 1a from the connector, the hook 7a of the locking member 7 is locked to the locking portion 8 of the connector housing 6b, so that the pull-out is prevented. I have.

When disconnecting the plug-side connector 1a from the jack-side connector 1b, the handle 7c of the locking member 7
After gripping and pushing inward, the hook 7a at the tip is horizontally separated from the locking portion 8 to release the locked state,
This is performed by pulling out the plug side connector 1a from the jack side connector 1b.

[0005]

However, in the case of the conventional connector connection structure configured as described above, the number of components when the latch 7 is incorporated into the connector 1a on the plug side is large, and the assembly structure is not always simple. Further, the connector 1a has a bulky form. The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and in a connector connection structure in which a pair of connectors are connected and locked by a locking member, the number of parts of the locking member is small and the assembly structure is simple, It is another object of the present invention to provide a connector connection structure in which the connector does not take a bulky form and a connector that can be suitably used for the connector connection structure.

[0006]

A connector connection structure according to the present invention is a connector connection structure in which a pair of connectors are connected and locked by a locking member, wherein the locking member is provided on one connector. The latch includes a latch having a hook formed at a distal end thereof, an annular spring for urging the latch, and a hole provided on another connector, the hook being locked with the hook. A rotation shaft is formed in an intermediate portion, and is rotatably engaged with the one connector by being rotatably supported by a bearing portion formed in the one connector, and the hook portion sandwiching the rotation shaft. A lever is provided at a position opposite to the lever, and one end of the annular spring is inserted and locked in a first slit formed in the one connector, and the other end is provided with the lever. The lever is abutted on the lever apart from one connector, and the lever is By lowering, the annular spring is pressed and deformed, and the engagement between the hook and the hole is released. When the lever is released, the restoring force of the annular spring causes the hook and the hook to be disengaged. It is configured to be locked with the hole (the invention according to claim 1).

Here, the annular spring is a spring made of a short tubular member having an annular cross section, and may have a complete circular or elliptical cross section. Note that it is sufficient to provide only one first slit formed in the connector, but this does not prevent a configuration in which a pair of first slits are provided at opposing positions. According to the above configuration of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a connector connection structure in which the number of parts of the locking member is small, the assembly structure is simple, and the connector does not have a bulky form.

In this case, a second slit is formed in the lever of the latch instead of the lever being in contact with the other end of the annular spring, and the other end of the annular spring is formed. It is preferable that the second spring is inserted into the second slit and locked (the invention according to claim 3) since the other end of the annular spring does not come off the lever. Further, in the connector connection structure according to the present invention, a pair of the latches are provided on opposing side surfaces of the one connector,
The hole is formed on the opposite side of the other connector.
The pair of annular springs are configured such that both ends at positions opposed to each other across the one end abut against a pair of levers of the pair of latches (the invention according to claim 2). It is possible to lock the pair of connectors more securely, which is more preferable.

In this case, a second slit is formed in each of the levers of the pair of latches, and both ends of the annular spring are inserted and locked in the second slit. When configured (the invention according to claim 4), both ends of the annular spring are not likely to come off from the lever portion, which is preferable. Further, the connector according to the present invention is a connector used in a connector connection structure in which the connector is connected to another connector and locked by a locking member. And an annular spring for urging the latch. The latch is rotatably engaged with the connector by being rotatably supported by a bearing formed on the connector and having a rotating shaft formed at an intermediate portion. Together with
A lever is provided at a position opposite to the hook portion with respect to the rotation shaft, and the annular spring is inserted and locked at one end into a first slit formed in the connector, The other end is separated from the connector and abuts on the lever, and when the lever is pressed down, the annular spring is pressed and deformed, and is formed on the hook of the connector and another connector. The lock with the hole is released, and the hook and the hole are locked by the restoring force of the annular spring when the depression of the lever is released. Invention) In this case, a pair of the latches are provided on opposing side surfaces of the connector, and the annular spring has a pair of levers at opposite ends of the pair of latches with the one end interposed therebetween. (Invention according to claim 6), and the lever portion of the latch Two slits are formed, and the other end of the annular spring is inserted and locked in the second slit (the invention according to claim 7), and is further provided on each of the levers of the pair of latches. When a second slit is formed and the both ends of the annular spring are inserted and locked in the second slit (the invention according to claim 8), it is suitable for the connector connection structure according to the present invention. Can be used.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a connector connection structure and a connector according to the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as an embodiment) will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the connector constituting the connector connection structure according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1, a plug (other connector) 12 is connected to a cable connector (one connector) 10.
The contacts 16 are erected inside the connector cover 14 of the cable connector 10, and the contacts 20 are also erected inside the connector housing 18 of the plug 12, and these contacts 16, 20 are fitted. The cable connector 10 and the plug 12 are electrically connected.

As a locking member for connecting the cable connector 10 and the plug 12 and further locking the cable connector 10 and the plug 12, the cable connector 10 is provided with a latch 22 and an annular spring 34.
2, a hole 24 is formed. The latch 22 is formed in a crank shape (stepped shape), and has a rotating shaft 26
Is provided, and a hook 28 is formed at the tip,
A lever 30 is formed at the rear end. Cable connector 10
A bearing portion 31 is formed on the upper surface 14a of the connector cover 14, and the rotating shaft 26 of the latch 22 is supported by the bearing portion 31 so that the latch 22 is rotatably locked to the cable connector 10. The portion of the connector cover 14 on which the lever 30 is provided is tapered toward the end 14b to which the cable 32 is connected, and the lever 30 is rotatable in a space A formed thereby. The upper surface of the lever portion 30 in FIG. 1 is substantially flush with the extension surface of the upper surface of the wide portion of the connector cover 14, and the lever portion 30 is disposed so as to protrude upward. Therefore, even if the lever 30 is provided, it is not bulky.
In this case, the cable 32 is the center line CL of the cable 32.
1 is connected to the end 14b of the connector cover 14 at a position lower than the center line CL1 of the wide portion of the connector cover 14 where the contacts 16 are erected in FIG.

The annular spring 34 is formed of a short cylindrical member having an elliptical cross-section, and the end 14b of the connector cover 14 on the side to which the cable 32 of the cable connector 10 is connected.
It is attached near. The lower end (one end) 34b of the annular spring 34 is formed inside a slit (first slit) 36 formed in the end 14b of the connector cover 14 in the horizontal direction, following the linear shape of the opening 36a of the slit 36. The lower end 34b of the annular spring 34 is inserted by being inserted in a state of being linearly deformed and being restored to a curved original shape after the insertion.
Is securely locked to the slit 36. On the other hand, the annular spring 3
The upper end (the other end) 34 a of the 4 is separated from the upper surface 14 a of the connector cover 14 and is in contact with the lower surface 30 a of the lever 30.

In the connector connection structure configured as described above, when the cable connector 10 and the plug 12 are separated from each other, the lever 30 is urged by the annular spring 34 to move the lever 30 upward (in the direction of arrow X1 in FIG. 1). To the rotating shaft 26
The hook 28 is pushed downward (in the direction of the arrow Y2 in the figure) with the fulcrum as a fulcrum.
4 is in contact with the upper surface.

When connecting the cable connector 10 and the plug 12, the lever 30 is depressed with a pressing force greater than the urging force of the annular spring 30 (in the direction indicated by the arrow X 2 in FIG. 1).
The hook 28 is moved up with the fulcrum 6 as a fulcrum (in the direction of arrow Y1 in FIG. 1).
The cable connector 10 with the plug 1 separated from the upper surface of the connector cover 14 of the cable connector 10.
Attach to 2. In this case, the taper 33 and the taper 33 are formed at the distal end portion 18a of the connector housing 18 and the distal end portion 28a of the hook portion 28, respectively.
The cable connector 10 can be easily attached to the plug 12 while sliding at 35 locations. And the lever 30
The finger 30 is urged by the annular spring 34 to move upward (in the direction of the arrow X1 in FIG. 1), and the hook 28 moves downward about the pivot shaft 26 (in the direction of the arrow Y2 in FIG. 1). The hook 28 is locked in the hole 24. As a result, in a state where the cable connector 10 and the plug 12 are connected, both are securely locked.

When the cable connector 10 and the plug 12 are to be separated again, first, when the lever 30 is pressed down (in the direction of arrow X2 in FIG. 1), the hook 28 moves upward with the rotation shaft 26 as a fulcrum (see FIG. 1). (In the direction of arrow Y1 in FIG. 1), the locked state with the hole 24 is released. Then, the cable connector 10 and the plug 12 are separated by pulling out the cable connector 10 from the plug 12 to the left in FIG. 1 while holding down the lever 30. Therefore, the cable connector 10 and the plug 12 are easily attached and detached by one-touch operation of the lever 30 of the latch 22.

The above-mentioned locking member has a simple structure comprising the latch 22 and the annular spring 34, and has a smaller bulk than the conventional one. Further, by simply attaching the rotating shaft 26 of the latch 22 to the bearing 31 of the connector cover 14 and inserting the lower end 34 b of the annular spring 34 into the slit 36 of the connector cover 14, the locking member can be easily assembled to the cable connector 10. Can be attached.

Next, a modified example of the connector connection structure according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
A slit 42 is formed in a horizontal direction below an end portion 40 a of the connector cover 40 of the cable connector, and a lower end portion 44 a of the annular spring 44 is formed by a slit (first slit) 42.
And is locked. A pair of latches 46 and 48 are provided facing both side surfaces 40b and 40c of the connector cover 40, and slits (second slits) 54 and 56 are provided at respective ends of levers 50 and 52 of the latches 46 and 48. The ends (both ends) 44b and 44c of the annular spring 44 are inserted into the slits 54 and 56 and locked. Holes are formed on both side surfaces of the plug (not shown) for engaging hooks (not shown) of the latches 46 and 48.

According to the connector connection structure according to the above-described modified example, since the pair of latches 46 and 48 are provided, the cable connector can be securely locked to the plug.
Further, the slits 54, 56 formed in the levers 50, 52 of the latches 46, 48 are provided with ends 44b, 44 of the annular spring 44.
Since c is locked, there is no possibility that the annular spring 44 comes off the levers 50 and 52.

[0019]

According to the connector connection structure of the present invention, in the connector connection structure in which a pair of connectors are connected and locked by the locking member, the locking member has a tip provided on one connector. A latch formed in the hook portion and an annular spring for urging the latch, and a hole provided in the other connector to which the hook portion of the latch is locked. The connector is rotatably engaged with the one connector by being rotatably supported by a bearing portion formed and one connector, and a lever portion is provided at a position opposite to the hook portion with respect to the rotation shaft. The annular spring has one end inserted into and locked by a first slit formed in one connector, and the other end separated from the one connector and abutted on a lever, thereby forming a lever. When pressed, the annular spring is pressed and deformed. At the same time, the hook and the hole are unlocked, and when the lever is released, the hook and the hole are locked by the restoring force of the annular spring. It is possible to obtain a connector connection structure which has a small number of parts, has a simple assembly structure, and does not have a bulky connector.

In this case, a second lever is provided on the lever of the latch.
It is preferable that the slit is formed and the other end of the annular spring is inserted and locked in the second slit because the other end of the annular spring does not come off the lever. Further, in the connector connection structure according to the present invention, a pair of latches are provided on opposing side surfaces of one connector, and the holes are formed on opposing side surfaces of another connector.
A pair of annular springs are provided so that both ends at positions opposed to each other with one end abutting against a pair of levers of a pair of latches lock the pair of connectors more securely. Can be more suitable.

In this case, a second slit is formed in each of the levers of the pair of latches, and both ends of the annular spring are inserted and locked in the second slit. It is preferable because both ends of the spring do not come off the lever. Further, according to the connector according to the present invention, in the connector used in the connector connection structure in which the connector is connected to another connector and locked by the locking member, the locking member has a hook provided with a tip portion provided on the connector. And a ring spring for urging the latch. The latch is rotatably engaged with the connector by being pivotally supported by a bearing formed on the connector with a rotating shaft formed at an intermediate portion. A lever portion is provided at a position opposite to the hook portion with respect to the rotating shaft, and the annular spring is inserted and locked at one end into a first slit formed in the connector; Is separated from the connector and is brought into contact with the lever, and when the lever is pressed, the annular spring is pressed and deformed, and the engagement between the hook of the connector and the hole formed in another connector is released. Release the lever press The hook portion and the hole portion are locked by the restoring force of the annular spring, and in this case, a pair of latches are provided on opposite side surfaces of the connector, and the annular spring is opposed to one end portion. The two ends of the pair of latches are configured to abut on a pair of levers of the pair of latches, and a second slit is formed in the lever of the latch. The second slit is formed in each of the levers of the pair of latches, and both ends of the annular spring are inserted and locked in the second slit. It can be suitably used for the connector connection structure according to the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial side view in which a pair of connectors are partially cut away to explain a connector connection structure according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a pair of connectors according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the cable connector according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a cable connector according to a modification of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a conventional connector connection structure;
FIG. 4 is a partial side view showing a pair of connectors partially broken away.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Cable connector 12 Plug 14, 40 Connector cover 22, 46, 48 Latch 24 Hole 26 Rotating shaft 28 Hook 30, 50, 52 Lever 31 Bearing 34, 44 Annular spring 36, 42, 54, 56 Slit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A connector connection structure in which a pair of connectors are connected to each other and locked by a locking member, wherein the locking member includes a latch provided at one connector and having a hook formed at a tip end, and the latch. And a hole provided in the other connector to which the hook of the latch is locked. The latch has a rotating shaft formed in an intermediate portion and the one A pivot portion is rotatably engaged with the one connector while being pivotally supported by a bearing portion formed on the connector, and a lever portion is provided at a position opposite to the hook portion with respect to the rotation shaft. The annular spring has one end inserted and locked in a first slit formed in the one connector, and the other end separated from the one connector and abutted on the lever. When the lever is pressed down, the annular spring is pressed and deformed. The hook and the hole are unlocked, and when the lever is released, the hook and the hole are locked by the restoring force of the annular spring. A connector connection structure, characterized in that: 2. A pair of said latches are provided on opposing side surfaces of said one connector, a pair of said holes are provided on opposing side surfaces of said another connector, and said annular spring is said one end portion. 2. The connector connection structure according to claim 1, wherein both end portions at positions opposed to each other with respect to the pair of latches are in contact with a pair of levers of the pair of latches. 3. A second slit is formed in the lever of the latch, and the other end of the annular spring is inserted and locked in the second slit. The described connector connection structure. 4. A second slit is formed in each of the levers of the pair of latches, and the both ends of the annular spring are inserted and locked in the second slits. The connector connection structure according to claim 2. 5. A connector used in a connector connection structure in which the connector is connected to another connector and locked by a locking member, wherein the locking member includes a latch provided at the connector and having a hook formed at a tip end. An annular spring for biasing the latch, wherein the latch is rotatably engaged with the connector by being pivotally supported by a bearing formed on the connector and having a rotating shaft formed at an intermediate portion; A lever is provided at a position opposite to the hook with the rotating shaft interposed therebetween, and the annular spring is inserted and locked at one end into a first slit formed in the connector; The other end is separated from the connector and abuts on the lever, and when the lever is pressed, the annular spring is pressed and deformed, and is formed on the hook of the connector and another connector. The lock with the hole is released, and the push of the lever is released. Connector, characterized in that the 該鉤 portion and the hole portion is configured to be engaged by the restoring force of the annular spring by releasing the. 6. A pair of said latches are provided on opposing side surfaces of said connector, and both ends of said annular spring which oppose each other across said one end contact a pair of levers of said pair of latches. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the connector is configured to be in contact with the connector. 7. The device according to claim 5, wherein a second slit is formed in the lever of the latch, and the other end of the annular spring is inserted and locked in the second slit. The connector described. 8. A second slit is formed in each of the levers of the pair of latches, and both ends of the annular spring are inserted and locked in the second slits. The connector according to claim 6.