JP2001351744A - Movable structure of connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a movable structure of a connector which is formed thin as a whole by miniaturizing a fixing part 50. SOLUTION: A linking part 70 to elastically link a waiting member 30 to a fixing member 1 is formed integrally with the waiting member 30. The linking part 70 is mounted to the fixing member 1 via the fixing part 50. The fixing part 30 is surrounded by the linking part at interval of SR to allow a relative deformation to the waiting member 30. Since there a body is no longer there, the overall structure becomes thin.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a movable structure of a connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, connectors are used for electrical connection between electrical units (for example, electrical connection between a vehicle body and an instrument panel). For example, when there are two units to be interconnected, each unit is provided with a connector, and the electrical connection between the two units is made by coupling these connectors.

As such a connector, one of a pair of connectors conventionally connected to each other is fixed to a corresponding unit as usual, and the other connector is connected to the mating connector with respect to the connector connection direction. There have been proposed various connectors having a so-called movable structure in which a connector is attached to a counterpart unit so as to be displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the unit.

For example, in the connector proposed by the applicant of the present invention (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-134900), as shown in FIG. 8B, the connector is connected to a mating connector while being fixed to a fixing member. A connector housing 11 coupled to the mating connector.
And a fixing portion 200 fixed to the fixing member and a connecting portion 201 connecting the connector housing 11 and the fixing portion 200 are integrally formed of an elastically deformable material, and the connecting portion 201 is connected to a mating connector. First flexure 202 extending in a first direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of coupling
And a second flexure 20 extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to both the direction of coupling with the mating connector and the first direction.
3 is formed.

[0005]

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, since the fixing portion 200 supports the connector housing 11 in a state of covering the entire periphery of the connector housing 11, the fixing portion 200 and the connector housing 11 are not connected to each other. Is required to form a gap S between the two parts in order to relatively displace the fixing part 200, so that the thickness of the fixing part 200 needs to be ensured.
However, it was quite large. Moreover, the fixed part 200
And the connector housing 11 has a heavy structure with two layers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a movable structure of a connector in which the size of a fixed portion is reduced and the connector is thin as a whole.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a standby member including at least a connector,
In a movable structure of a connector in which a fixing portion for fixing the waiting member to a fixing member, and a connecting portion connecting the waiting member, the fixing portion, and the both are integrally formed of an elastically deformable material, the fixing portion includes A movable structure of the connector characterized by being surrounded by the waiting member with a space for allowing a relative displacement with the connector.

In the present invention, since the fixing portion is surrounded by the standby member in a state where it is surrounded by a space for allowing relative displacement with the standby member, the outer peripheral portion of the standby member is provided. Does not have a fixing portion, and it is not necessary to form a gap in the prior art. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the fixing portion and realize a thinner structure. This also makes it possible to reduce the overall weight and reduce the material cost. In the present invention, the "waiting member"
May be the connector housing itself, or the connector housing may be a holder for a predetermined purpose (for example, to obtain a low insertion force structure).

The connecting portion has a first bending portion extending in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a coupling direction with the mating connector, and a substantially perpendicular to both the coupling direction with the mating connector and the first direction. Preferably, it is formed in a shape having a second bending portion extending in the second direction.

In this aspect, the first bending portion can be deformed in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second bending portion can be deformed in the direction orthogonal to the second direction. The member can be displaced relative to the fixed member.

It is preferable that the standby member has a projection that slides in a point contact state with the fixed member during alignment.

According to this aspect, since the standby member slides in a point contact state with the fixed member at the time of centering, the standby member can be displaced more smoothly as compared with a case where the sliding member receives a sliding resistance in a planar shape. .

It is preferable that the standby member includes a coupling force amplifying means for amplifying a coupling force between the connectors when the connector and the mating connector are coupled.

In this structure, the connector attached to the standby member is coupled to the mating connector in a state where alignment is possible, and the coupling force of both connectors is amplified by the coupling force amplifying means provided on the standby member. Is done.

Also, provided is one of the waiting member and the fixing portion, and the elastic member for elastically attaching the waiting member to the fixing member in cooperation with the fixing portion so that the waiting member can be displaced in the connector coupling direction. Preferably, a member is provided.

According to the present invention, since the fixing portion and the elastic member elastically attach the standby member to the fixing member, the standby member is not only elastically displaced by the connecting portion but also flexed by the elastic member, so that the connector coupling direction can be adjusted at the time of alignment. Can be displaced.

Further, it is preferable that the elastic member is provided on a spacer that levitates the waiting member and the fixing member.

In this aspect, even if the elastic member is fully compressed during alignment of the standby member, the standby member is kept floating with respect to the fixed member by the spacer, so that the standby member is regulated by the fixed member. It becomes possible to be displaced without.

Further, it is preferable that the fixing portion is provided with a projection-shaped elastic clamp which is engaged with the surface on the penetrating side by penetrating the fixing member.

In this aspect, the elastic clamp of the fixed portion is locked to the fixed member only by penetrating the fixed portion through the fixed member, and the standby member can be attached to the fixed member in a state where the centering can be performed.

Further, it is preferable that the waiting member is provided with a displacement regulating portion for regulating displacement of the connecting portion in a direction parallel to the coupling direction with the mating connector so as to be integrally displaceable.

[0022] With this configuration, the load applied at the time of connection with the mating connector causes a large displacement of the standby member in a direction parallel to the connection direction, that is, a large deformation of the connection portion in the direction. Thus, damage to the connecting portion and the like due to this is prevented. In addition, since the displacement restricting portion can be displaced integrally with the standby member, there is no need to provide a gap between the displacement restricting portion and the standby member, which contributes to downsizing. That is, when a configuration in which the displacement restricting portion is relatively displaced from the standby member is employed as in the related art, a gap is required to allow the relative displacement between the two. By doing so, there is no need to relatively displace the two, and together with the fact that the fixing portion is formed of a protruding member, it contributes to the overall reduction in thickness and size.

Further, it is preferable that the fixing portion has an inclination restricting portion for restricting the inclination of the base.

With this configuration, even if the fixing portion has a projecting shape, there is no danger that the connecting portion with the connecting portion will be damaged due to excessive inclination, so that the fixing portion has a shape as small as possible in cross-sectional area. It is possible to further reduce the size by setting.

In a specific embodiment, the waiting member may be a holder for mounting a plurality of connectors.

Further, it is preferable that the fixing portion has a protection plate for protecting the elastic clamp.

[0027] In still another aspect, the fixing portion includes:
The standby member is configured with a cantilevered projection member that protrudes in the mounting direction to the fixing member, and an outer portion of the fixing portion has an insertion hole formed in the fixing member for mounting the standby member. It is preferable that a locking concave portion is formed in the continuous concave portion so as to lock in a slidably engaged state.

In this aspect, since the fixing portion is constituted by a cantilevered projecting member projecting from the connecting portion in the mounting direction of the standby member to the fixing member, it is necessary to mount the standby member to the fixing member. By the operation of inserting the standby member into the insertion hole of the fixing member, the fixing portion can be elastically displaced inward, and the locking concave portion can face the concave portion formed in the insertion hole. Then, when the two concave portions are opposed to each other, the fixing portion is elastically returned to the free state, so that the locking concave portion formed in the fixing portion is engaged with the concave portion formed in the insertion hole from the inside. As a result, fixing of the standby member to the fixing member is achieved. According to this aspect, the locking concave portion is formed on the outer portion of the fixing portion formed by the cantilevered projection member, and the concave portion that locks in a state where the locking concave portion is engaged with the insertion hole of the fixing member. Since it is formed, the entire connector can be made compact as compared with a case where a hole for attaching the fixing portion is provided independently at a position distant from the insertion hole to the outside. In addition, since the locking concave portion of the fixing portion is engaged with the concave portion formed in the insertion hole of the fixing member, the elastic displacement of the connecting portion is positively used to simplify the configuration of the fixing member. It is possible to maintain ease of assembly. Also, due to the meshing structure of both recesses,
It is also possible to ensure the position regulation of the fixing portion (and, consequently, the position regulation of the standby member).

The fixing portions having the locking recesses are formed on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the waiting member to form a pair, and the locking recesses corresponding to the fixing recesses of the respective fixing portions are located on one end side in the longitudinal direction. It is preferable that the fixing portion provided on the other end in the longitudinal direction is connected so as to be slidable in the bending direction when the standby member is relatively displaced with respect to the fixing portion.

In this case, when the standby member is relatively displaced with respect to the fixed portion by elastically deforming the connection portion, the connection portion is only compressed in the direction in which the standby member and the fixed portion approach each other. There is no deformation in the direction in which the member and the fixed portion separate from each other. Therefore, the amount of deformation of the connecting portion can be set small, so that the entire connector can be made more compact. Further, since the connecting portion is not deformed in a direction in which the standby member and the fixing portion are separated from each other, the durability of the connecting portion is also improved.

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a connector connecting structure according to the present invention.

The coupling structure shown in the figure is basically composed of a pair of connectors 10 and 20 employed in a vehicle and one connector 1
0 (hereinafter, referred to as a holder-side connector) to be slidably supported by a panel 1 made of an automobile stay member or the like.
A holder 30 as a standby member attached to the
A swing lever 40 is disposed between the holder 30 and the holder-side connector 10 and forms an essential part of a coupling force amplifying means for amplifying the coupling force between the connectors 10 and 20.

In the illustrated example, the holder-side connector 10
Is a vehicle floor harness, door harness, signal harness, audio / visual harness, navigation harness, instrument panel harness (main ECU (Electronic Control)
l Unit) and a main harness including a power supply circuit). Each of the harnesses is manufactured at a different harness factory, and is united at an assemble factory to form an integrated harness.

The holder-side connector 10 includes a male housing block 14 which is inserted into the holder 30 and slidably supported, and a plurality of female terminals provided in the terminal receiving chamber of the housing block 14. Have.

A pair of upper and lower ribs 17 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the housing block 14 for guiding, and the connecting operation is performed by temporarily fixing the holder-side connector 10 to the connecting standby position. Previously, a temporary fixing portion 18 for preventing the holder-side connector 10 from being pushed into the holder 30 is provided.

The other connector 20 (hereinafter referred to as a mating connector) is a collective connector mounted on a circuit board 4 constituting an electronic module unit (for example, a center cluster module) 3 of an instrument panel, for example.

The mating connector 20 includes a female housing block 21 which is externally fitted to and engaged with the housing block 14 of the holder-side connector 10, and a plurality of housing blocks 21 disposed in the terminal receiving chamber of the housing block 21. A male terminal, and the housing block 21
The terminal 22 is fixed by means of screws or the like, and the connecting portion 22 of the male terminal is led out from the rear end of the housing block 21 and connected to the conductor on the circuit board 4 by soldering or the like. ing. The mating connector 20
The circuit board 4 is housed in the case 6 of the electronic module unit 3. In addition, the swing lever 40 is provided on the top wall and the bottom wall of the housing block 21.
A driven pin 23 driven by the projection is provided.

The procedure for connecting the two connectors 10 and 20 is basically the same as the configuration described in the section of the prior art (for details, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-21992), so that the details thereof will be omitted.

The holder 30 is a resin molded product having a main body frame portion 31 formed in a rectangular frame shape as a whole, and a flange portion 32 formed on the outer periphery of an opening portion on one end side of the main body frame portion 31. is there.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the holder 30 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIG.
0 is a side view, and FIG. 4 is a partially broken perspective view showing a main part of the holder 30 according to the embodiment of FIG. In the following description, the side on which the flange portion 32 of the holder 30 is formed is temporarily referred to as a front side.

As shown in these figures, the main body frame 31
Is basically for accommodating the holder-side connector 10 therein so as to be slidable, and has a pair of upper and lower horizontal wall portions 33 and a pair of left and right side wall portions 34 integrally. On the inner wall surfaces of the left and right side wall portions 34, ribs 35 as mounting portions for slidably mounting the holder-side connector 10 are respectively formed in the horizontal direction. In the illustrated embodiment, a temporary holding arm 35 whose rear end side swings freely is provided at the rear end of the rib 35.
a is formed. At the free end of the temporary holding arm 35a, a locking projection 35b for temporarily fixing the temporary fixing portion 18 of the holder-side connector 10 is formed (see FIG. 1). By locking the stopper 18, it is possible to temporarily hold the holder 30 at a coupling standby position (see FIG. 1) where the holder-side connector 10 waits for coupling with the mating connector 20. . On the inner surface of the horizontal wall 33, a rib 33a is formed. The rib 33a is adapted to be fitted into a groove 24 formed in the housing block 21 of the mating connector 20. The rib 33a and the groove 24 allow positioning of the two connectors 10, 20 at the time of connection. Is planned.

The flange portion 32 is connected to the panel 1.
A pair of locking projections 50 (projection-like members) corresponding to the pair of left and right mounting holes 5 (see FIG. 7) formed at the front are projected forward, and these locking projections 50 are fitted into the mounting holes 5. Thereby, the holder-side connector 10 is configured to be mounted in the holder 30 through the insertion hole 7 formed between the mounting holes 5 so as to be mountable.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flange 32
At the four corners of the side wall of the FPC, openings 60 having a substantially U-shape in plan view (FIG. 5) are formed on both sides of the flange 32 so as to penetrate the four corners in the thickness direction. A locking projection 50 is provided upright at the center. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 60a denotes a hole for forming the locking projection 50.

As shown in FIG. 2, the locking projection 50 is
It constitutes a fixed part in the illustrated embodiment,
A pair of elastic clamps 51 facing each other in the width direction and a plate portion 52 erected between the pair of elastic clamps 51 and 51 project forward with being integrated at a rear portion. Each of the elastic clamps 51 has a locking portion 53 whose tip shape is formed in an arrowhead shape when viewed in a plane. The locking portion 53 elastically penetrates through the through hole 5, and The holder 30 is attached to the panel 1 via the locking projection 50 by being locked to the front of the panel 1.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the locking projections 5 is provided on the front surface of the flange portion 32 of the holder 30.
A pair of cantilever levers 54 are provided so as to sandwich 0 above and below, and a pressing projection 55 protrudes forward from a free end thereof. The pressing projection 55 is connected to the locking projection 5.
By elastically pressing the panel 1 between the panel 1 and the locking portion 53, the locking projection 50 (therefore, the holder 30) can be elastically displaced back and forth by the amount of the bending of the cantilever lever 54. Will be attached to Further, on the front surface of the flange portion 32, several dowel-shaped projections 56 are protruded, and when the cantilever lever 54 is displaced in the front-rear direction, the holder 30 is brought into a point contact state by the dowel-shaped projections 56. , So that the sliding resistance at the time of displacement is reduced.

Next, referring to FIG.
Has a pair of protection plates 57, 57 (not shown in FIG. 2) disposed so as to face each other in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the elastic clamps 51, 51 face each other. The plate portion 52 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the protection plates 57, 57, and the protection plate 57, 57 and the elastic clamp 5.
1 and the plate portion 52 are integrated at the base. Further, each of the protection plates 57, 57 is connected to the flange 32 of the holder 30 via a connection arm 70 as a connection.
It is integrated with.

Each connecting arm 70 has a thin first flexure extending outward in the longitudinal direction along the X-axis direction from both X-axis directions 32b along the longitudinal direction of the flange portion 32 in the opening 60. Part 71 and a second bending part 72 extending in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction from the end of the first bending part 71 integrally. (See FIG. 5). The first flexure 71 is formed integrally with the flange 32, and the second flexure 72 is formed on the protection plate 57.
The holder 30 is connected to the locking projection 50 so as to be displaceable in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the holder-side connector 10 attached to the holder 30 is displaced by the displacement of the holder 30. Mating connector 20
It has a standby structure that can be centered.

The second bending portion 72 and the first bending portion 71 do not have to extend in directions completely parallel to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, respectively. It may be slightly inclined with respect to the direction.

Here, in the illustrated embodiment, the first
The bent portion 71 is connected to both sides in the X-axis direction from the side surface of the flange portion 32 in a state of being inserted into the opening 60.
The second bending portion 72 also connects the first bending portion 71 and the protection plate 57 in the opening 60. The connecting arm 70 is connected to these openings 60.
The inner wall portion of the holder 30 can be displaced by a predetermined stroke in the connector fitting direction (the front-rear direction of the holder 30). In other words, the opening 60 constitutes a restricting means for restricting the displacement of the connecting arm 70 in the connector coupling direction to a predetermined range.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the protection plates 57 is formed with a pair of inclination regulating ribs 75 arranged on both sides of the locking projection 50, respectively. Each inclination restricting rib 75 is for restricting each locking projection 50 from excessively inclining in the Y-axis direction about the front-rear direction of the holder 30, whereby the first bending of the connecting arm 70 is performed. When the locking projection 50 swings by the portion 71,
The base of the locking projection 50 is prevented from being excessively inclined and damaged.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan sectional view of the embodiment of FIG.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 (A), the first bending portion 71 bends in the Y-axis direction, so that the holder 30 moves with respect to the locking projection 50 (that is, with respect to the panel 1). ) The relative displacement can be made in the Y-axis direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the second bending portion 72 bends in the X-axis direction, so that the holder 30 moves in the X-axis direction with respect to the locking projection 50 (that is, with respect to the panel 1). Can also be relatively displaced. That is, the holder 30 can be freely displaced in both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction due to the bending deformation of the entire connecting arm 70. Therefore, even if there is an error in the fixing position or the like of the locking projection 50 to the panel 1, this can be absorbed by the displacement of the holder 30, and the connecting operation when connecting the connectors 10 and 20 can be smoothly performed. can do.

Further, since the holder 30 is restricted from being displaced in the connector coupling direction with respect to the locking projection 50 by the inclination restricting rib 75 protruding from the protection plate 57, when the connector terminals are fitted to each other. The holder 30 is prevented from being largely displaced in the coupling direction by the load applied to the connecting arm 70, that is, the connecting arm 70 is prevented from being largely deformed in the same direction, and the connecting arm 70 is prevented from being damaged due to this deformation. The benefits can be obtained.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic views for comparing the configuration of the connector according to the present embodiment with those of the prior art. FIG. 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the prior art. .

As shown in FIG.
Schematically, since the holder 30 is surrounded by the holder 30 with an interval SR for allowing relative displacement, there is no fixed portion on the outer peripheral portion of the holder 30, and the gap S ( It is not necessary to form the portion (shown by a virtual line in FIG. 8A). Therefore, the fixing portion (locking projection 5)
0) can be made smaller and a thinner structure can be realized. This also makes it possible to reduce the overall weight and reduce the material cost.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is no fixed portion such as a frame on the outer peripheral portion of the holder 30.
There will be no gaps in the prior art. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the fixing portion and realize a thinner structure. This also makes it possible to reduce the overall weight and reduce the material cost.

Further, in the above embodiment, the holder 30
Holder side connector 1 attached to panel 1 via
0 is coupled to the mating connector 20, and the coupling force between the two connectors 10, 20 is amplified by the coupling force amplifying means (such as the swing lever 40) provided on the holder 30 at the time of coupling. At this time, in this embodiment, the connection arm 7 for elastically connecting the holder 30 to the panel 1 is provided.
0 is formed integrally with the holder 30, and the connecting arm 70 is connected to the mating connector 20 by a first bending portion extending in a first direction substantially orthogonal to a coupling direction (X-axis direction in the illustrated example). 71 and a second bending portion 72 extending in a second direction (Y-axis direction in the illustrated example) substantially perpendicular to both the direction of coupling with the mating connector 20 and the first direction. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first bending portion 71 can be bent and deformed in the Y-axis direction, and the second bending portion 72 can be bent and deformed in the X-axis direction. The holder 30 can be displaced relative to the panel 1 in the bending direction. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the holder 3 is
0, the connector attached to the holder 30 is coupled to the mating connector 20 in an alignable state, and the coupling force between the two connectors 10 and 20 is increased by the coupling force amplifying means provided on the holder 30. Amplified.

In particular, in the above embodiment, the holder 3
0 has a dowel-shaped projection 56 as a projection that slides in a point contact state with the panel 1 at the time of alignment, so that the dowel-shaped projection 56 allows the holder 30 to be in a point-contact state with the panel 1 at the time of alignment. The holder 30 can be displaced more smoothly as compared with a case where the holder 30 slides and receives a sliding resistance in a planar state.

In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting arm 70 has the locking projection 50 (protruding fixing portion) for fixing the holder 30 to the panel 1 by penetrating the panel 1. The structure for fixing the holder 30 to the panel 1 can be made as small as possible, and a more compact structure can be realized.

In the illustrated embodiment, the holder 30 is provided with an elastic member for elastically attaching the holder 30 to the panel 1 in cooperation with the locking projection 50 so that the holder 30 can be displaced in the connector coupling direction. Is provided, the locking projection 50 and the cantilevered lever 54 can elastically attach the holder 30 to the panel 1. As a result, the holder 30 is
In addition to the elastic displacement caused by zero, the bending of the cantilever lever 54 enables the displacement in the connector connecting direction at the time of alignment.

Further, the locking projection 50 is provided with a locking portion 53 which locks on the surface on the side through which the panel 1 penetrates.
(Elastic clamp), the elastic clamp of the locking projection 50 is locked to the panel 1 only by penetrating the locking projection 50 through the panel 1, and the holder 30 is aligned with the panel 1 in a state where the holder 30 can be aligned. It becomes possible to attach.

Accordingly, the mounting work is greatly facilitated.

Further, since the locking projection 50 has the opening 60 as a displacement restricting portion for restricting the displacement of the holder 30 in a direction parallel to the coupling direction with the mating connector 20, the mating connector 50 is provided. 20 by a load applied at the time of coupling with the holder 20 in a direction parallel to the coupling direction.
Is largely displaced, that is, the connecting arm 70 is prevented from being largely deformed in the direction, and the connecting arm 70 and the like due to this are prevented from being damaged.

In particular, since the opening 60 is formed in the flange 32 of the holder 30 and can be displaced integrally with the holder 30, the opening 60 and the holder 30 can be displaced integrally.
There is no need to provide a gap between them, and this contributes to further downsizing. That is, when a configuration in which the displacement restricting portion (the portion corresponding to the opening 60) is relatively displaced with respect to the holder 30 as in the related art is adopted,
A gap is required to allow the relative displacement between the two,
By integrally molding the two, there is no need to relatively displace the two, and together with the fact that the fixing portion is constituted by the locking projection 50, it contributes to the overall reduction in thickness and size.

Further, since the locking projection 50 has the inclination restricting rib 75 as an inclination restricting portion for restricting the inclination of the base portion, even if the locking projection 50 has a projection shape, an excessive inclination. Accordingly, there is no possibility that the connection portion with the connection arm 70 is damaged, and the locking projection 50 is set to a shape having a cross-sectional area as small as possible, so that further downsizing can be achieved.

The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and may take the following forms, for example.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a main part of a holder 30 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a side view showing a mounted state of the holder 30 according to the embodiment of FIG. is there.

As shown in these figures, in the illustrated embodiment, a substantially ring-shaped spring seat 15
The spring seat 150 is provided with a cantilevered spring 15.
1 are integrally formed. And in the illustrated embodiment,
The spring 151 cooperates with the locking projection 50 to hold the holder 30.
Is elastically attached to the panel 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, the spring 15
1 is provided on the spring seat 150 as a spacer for floating the holder 30 and the panel 1, so that even if the spring 150 is fully compressed when the holder 30 is aligned, the spring seat 15
0, the holder 30 is maintained in a floating state with respect to the panel 1 (see FIG. 7).
It is possible to be displaced without being restricted by.

Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the holder 30 can be smoothly displaced during alignment without needing to provide the dowel-shaped projection 56 according to the first embodiment. Since the remaining points are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 9 is a partially broken perspective view schematically showing a connector mounting structure according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 10A and 10B are configuration diagrams of the embodiment of FIG. 9 before assembly, wherein FIG. 10A is a schematic front view and FIG. 10B is a schematic front view of a panel.

Referring to these figures, in the illustrated embodiment, a locking projection 250 is employed as a fixing portion. As in the first embodiment, the locking projection 250 is a cantilevered member that hangs from the middle portion of the connecting arm 70 in the Y-axis direction in the direction of insertion into the insertion hole 7 of the main body frame portion 31. A pair of locking recesses 25 are provided on the outer side (outside in the X-axis direction).
1, 251 are formed. Each locking recess 251, 25
1 have a so-called jaw-cut shape in which a pair is formed side by side in the Y-axis direction and a reinforcing rib 252 is formed between the two. On the other hand, in the panel 1 as a fixing member, a concave portion 7a continuous with the insertion hole 7 is formed. This recess 7a
The engaging projection 250 is engaged with the engaging concave portions 251 to lock the engaging projection 250. In the illustrated example, the locking recesses 251 and 251 are
Since the rib 252 is formed between the two and has a depressed jaw shape, a concave portion 7b for fitting the rib 252 is formed corresponding to the undulation of the rib 252.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The dimension L in the X-axis direction is set to be longer than the bending allowance of each connecting arm 70 in the X-axis direction, and the locking recess 251 of the locking projection 250 and the recess 7a of the insertion hole 7 are:
The locking projection 250 is connected so as to be displaceable in a direction away from the recess 7a.

In the illustrated embodiment, the outer surface of the locking projection 250 is chamfered to facilitate elastic deformation of the locking projection 250 in an assembling operation to be described later, thereby facilitating introduction into the recess 7a. Cam surface 253 is formed. The remaining points are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the corresponding members, and description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the operation according to the embodiment of FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 and subsequent figures.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are operation diagrams showing an assembling process according to the embodiment of FIG. 9, and FIG.
It is a plane part enlarged schematic diagram which shows the state of the locking projection in the process of (B). 13 and 14 show the behavior of the locking projection at the time of assembling after FIG. 11, in which (A) is an enlarged schematic side view and (B) is an enlarged schematic plan view.

First, referring to FIG. 11A, in the above configuration, one end of the body frame 31 of the holder 30 in the X-axis direction is brought obliquely toward the one end of the insertion hole 7 so as to be introduced obliquely.
The locking recess 251 of the locking projection 250 formed on the one end side
Into the corresponding recesses 7a of the panel 1. Then
As shown by an arrow A in FIG.
The other end in the axial direction is moved toward the insertion hole 7. In this process, the locking protrusion 250 at one end in the X-axis direction is, as shown in FIG.
The locking recess 251 is locked in the recess 7b, and the rib 2 is fitted in the recess 7c.
In a state where 52 is fitted, the bending portion 72 of the connecting arm 70,
72 is bent.

Next, from the state of FIGS. 11B and 12,
When the other end in the X-axis direction of the holder 30 is further brought closer to the insertion hole 7 side, the cam surface 253 of the locking projection 250 formed on this other end side comes into contact with the edge of the concave portion 7a. The locking projection 250 is elastically deformed toward one end in the X-axis direction. Then, as the subsequent pushing operation proceeds, as shown in FIGS.
0 moves downward with the bending portions 71 of the connecting arm 70 bent. When the pushing operation of the holder 30 further proceeds, the locking recess 25 of the locking protrusion 250 is formed.
1 and the rib 252 respectively face the concave portions 7a and 7b formed in the insertion hole 7 of the panel 1, so that the locking projection 250 causes the locking portion 250 of the connecting arm 70,
As a result of being displaced outward in the X-axis direction by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 71, the recess 251 of the locking projection 250 is inserted into the insertion hole 7 also at the other end in the X-axis direction as shown in FIGS. The rib 252 fits into the concave portion 7b.

Thus, the assembly of the holder 30 to the panel 1 in the illustrated embodiment is completed.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 14, the locking projection 250 is formed of a cantilevered projection member projecting from the connecting arm 70 in the mounting direction of the holder 30 to the panel 1. When the holder 30 is inserted into the insertion hole 7 of the panel 1 in order to mount the holder 30 to the panel 1, the locking projection 250 is elastically displaced inside the holder 30 in the X-axis direction, and the locking recess is formed. 251 through hole 7
Can be made to face the recessed part 7a formed at the bottom. When the concave portions 251 and 7a face each other, the locking projection 25
0 is elastically returned to the free state, and the locking recess 251 formed in the locking projection 250 is locked in a state of being engaged with the recess 7 a formed in the insertion hole 7. A fixation of 30 is achieved.

As described above, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 14, the locking recess 251 is formed on the outer side of the cantilever locking projection 250, and the locking recess 251 is engaged. The concave portion 7a to be locked by the
1, the entire connector is made compact compared to the case where the holes 5a for attaching the locking projections 250 are provided independently at positions away from the insertion holes 7 as in the embodiment of FIG. Can be put together. In addition, since the locking recess 251 of the locking projection 250 is engaged with the recess 7 a formed in the insertion hole 7 of the panel 1, the elastic displacement of the connecting arm 70 is positively used, and Can be simplified and the ease of assembly can be maintained. In addition, the engagement between the recesses 251 and 7a makes it possible to secure the position regulation of the locking projection 250 (and thus the position regulation of the holder 30).

In particular, as in the illustrated embodiment, the locking recess 251 formed in the locking projection 250 is formed in a so-called jaw-cut shape to form the rib 252, and the recess 7b into which the rib 252 fits. With the recess 7 of the insertion hole 7
When it is provided at a, it is possible to increase the contact area between the locking projection 250 and the panel 1 and obtain a more rigid fixing structure with compact dimensions.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 14, the holder 30 is formed on both sides in the X-axis direction to form a pair, and the locking recess 251 of each locking projection 250 and the corresponding recess 7 a When the holder 30 is displaced relative to the locking protrusion 250 at one end in the X-axis direction, the locking protrusion 250 provided at the other end in the X-axis direction is connected so as to be slidable in the bending direction. When the holder 30 is displaced relative to the locking projection 250 by elastically deforming the arm 70, the connecting arm 70 is only compressed in a direction in which the holder 30 and the locking projection 250 approach each other. There is no deformation in the direction in which the stop projection 250 separates. Therefore, the amount of deformation of the connecting arm 70 can be set small, so that the entire connector can be made more compact. In addition, since the connecting arm 70 does not deform in the direction in which the holder 30 and the locking protrusion 250 are separated from each other, the durability of the connecting arm 70 is also improved.

As described above, the above-described embodiment is merely an example of a preferred specific example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. It goes without saying that various design changes are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0087]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is a remarkable effect that the fixing portion can be reduced in size and a thinner structure can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a connector connection structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the holder according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the holder according to the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partially broken perspective view showing a main part of the holder according to the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a main part of a holder according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a mounted state of the holder according to the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams for comparing the configuration of the connector according to the present embodiment with those of the prior art, wherein FIG. 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present embodiment, and FIG.

FIG. 9 is a partially broken perspective view schematically showing a connector mounting structure according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

10A and 10B are schematic diagrams of the embodiment of FIG. 9 before assembly, wherein FIG. 10A is a schematic front view, and FIG. 10B is a schematic front view of a panel.

FIG. 11 is an operation diagram showing an assembling process according to the embodiment of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged schematic plan view showing a state of a locking projection in the process of FIGS. 11A and 11B.

13 (A) and 13 (B) show the behavior of the locking projection at the time of assembly after FIG. 11; FIG. 13 (A) is an enlarged schematic side view and FIG.

FIGS. 14A and 14B show the behavior of the locking projection at the time of assembling after FIG. 11; FIG. 14A is a schematic enlarged side view, and FIG. REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 panel 3 electronic module unit 4 circuit board 5 through hole 7 insertion hole 7 a recess 10 holder side connector 20 mating side connector 30 holder (an example of a standby member) 40 swing lever 50 locking projection (fixing portion) 51 elastic clamp 54 piece Holding lever (elastic member) 56 Dowel-shaped projection (projection) 57 Protective plate 60 Opening (displacement restricting part) 70 Connecting arm 71 First bending part 72 Second bending part 75 Inclination restricting rib 150 Spring seat 151 Spring ( Elastic member) 250 Locking projection (another example of a fixed portion) 251 Locking recess SR Gap

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Katsutoshi Kato 1-7-10 Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Auto Network Engineering Laboratory Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kensaku Takada 1-Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture No.7-10 Auto Network Engineering Laboratory Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5E021 FA05 FA09 FA16 FB02 FB30 FC09 FC33 HA07 HC07 HC12 HC31

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A connector comprising at least a standby member including a connector, a fixing portion for fixing the standby member to a fixing member, and a connector for integrally forming the standby member, the fixing portion, and a connecting portion connecting the both members with an elastically deformable material. In the movable structure of (1), the fixed portion is surrounded by the waiting member with a space for allowing a relative displacement with respect to the waiting member. 2. The movable structure of a connector according to claim 1, wherein said connecting portion is connected to a first bending portion extending in a first direction substantially orthogonal to a connecting direction with the mating connector, and is connected to the mating connector. And a second bending portion extending in a second direction substantially orthogonal to both the first direction and the first direction. 3. The movable structure of a connector according to claim 1, wherein the waiting member has a projection that slides in a point contact state with the fixed member during alignment. Movable structure. 4. The movable structure of a connector according to claim 1, wherein said standby member amplifies a coupling force between said connector and said mating connector when said connector is coupled to said mating connector. A movable structure for a connector, comprising: 5. The movable structure of a connector according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is provided on one of the standby member and the fixed portion, and cooperates with the fixed portion so that the standby member can be displaced in a connector coupling direction. A movable structure for a connector, comprising an elastic member for elastically attaching the waiting member to the fixed member. 6. The movable structure of the connector according to claim 5, wherein the elastic member is provided on a spacer that levitates the standby member and the fixed member. 7. The movable structure for a connector according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion penetrates the fixing member and is engaged with a surface on the side where the fixing member penetrates. A movable structure for a connector, comprising: 8. The movable structure of the connector according to claim 1, wherein the waiting member regulates displacement of the connecting portion in a direction parallel to a direction of coupling with the mating connector. A movable structure for a connector, comprising a displacement restricting portion so as to be integrally displaceable. 9. The movable structure for a connector according to claim 1, wherein said fixed portion has an inclination restricting portion for restricting an inclination of said base portion. Movable structure. 10. The movable structure of the connector according to claim 1, wherein the waiting member is a holder for mounting a plurality of connectors. 11. The movable structure of the connector according to claim 7, wherein the fixed portion has a protection plate for protecting the elastic clamp. 12. The movable structure of the connector according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion is constituted by a cantilever-shaped projecting member projecting in a mounting direction of the standby member to the fixing member.
On the outer side of the fixing portion, a locking concave portion is formed which is engaged with a concave portion which is continuous with an insertion hole formed in the fixing member for mounting the standby member in a state of being engaged from the inside. Characteristic connector movable structure. 13. The movable structure of the connector according to claim 12, wherein the fixed portions are formed on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the standby member to form a pair, and the concave portions corresponding to the locking concave portions of each fixed portion. Is characterized in that, when the standby member is displaced relative to the fixed portion at one end in the longitudinal direction, the fixed portion provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction is connected to be slidable in the bending direction. The movable structure of the connector.