JP2002025713A - Connector-supporting mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector-supporting mechanism, capable of positively and efficiently rotating a cam lever, when uncoupling mutual connectors. SOLUTION: A female connector 4 is temporarily locked inside a substantially cylindrical bracket 3. A stage part 16A, against which a rotational operating part 39 abuts, when the female connector 4 is pressed against a male connector 5 and a lever uncoupling force applying protrusion 15, against which the rotational operating part 39 abuts by pulling the male connector 5 backward in a fit state of the female connector 4 and the male connector 5, are formed in the inner side of the bracket 3. An abutting part of the lever uncoupling force applying protrusion 15 and the turning actuating part 39 becomes a point of force by turning the cam lever 27 in the uncoupling turning direction, and the female connector 4 and the male connector 5 are then uncoupled due to the action of the cam lever 27.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector support mechanism, and more particularly, to a connector support mechanism capable of easily detaching a pair of male and female connectors which are coupled with each other.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a connector of this type, FIG.
A connector as shown in FIG. 32 is known. As shown in FIG. 32, this connector supports the rear end side of the first connector 52 on the instrument panel 51,
The second connector 53 is fitted from the front end side of the first connector 52. Engagement levers 54 are pivotally supported by the first connector 52 so as to be rotatable. The instrument panel 5 is provided at the free end of the engagement lever 54.
A rear engagement projection 55 that engages on the back side of the device 1 and a front engagement projection 56 that engages on the front side of the instrument panel 51 are formed. Further, the engagement lever 54 is provided with a lever rotation projection 57 to which the front end surface of the second connector 53 is engaged.

For this reason, when the second connector 53 is fitted to the first connector 52, the front end face of the second connector 53 pushes the lever rotation projection 57 to rotate the engagement lever 54. FIG. 31 shows a state where the first connector 52 and the second connector 53 are fitted. In order to detach the two connectors 52 and 53 from the state shown in FIG. 32, an operation of pulling the second connector 53 backward is performed as shown in FIG. With this operation, the rear engagement projection 5
5 receives the reaction force from the instrument panel 51, and the engaging lever 54 rotates by the angle θ2 to
2, 53 is released.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional connector, the rear engagement projection 55 is obliquely engaged with the back surface of the instrument panel 51 in the unmating operation. Pull direction (rear)
Is larger than 90 degrees. For this reason, when the second connector 53 is pulled backward, the component force for rotating the engagement lever 54 becomes small, and there is a problem that the pulling force cannot be efficiently changed to the rotation of the lever.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector support mechanism that can rotate a cam lever reliably and efficiently when detaching connectors.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A first connector that is temporarily locked to an attached body, a second connector in which a cam lever is rotatably supported on a lever mounting shaft, and the second connector is pressed toward the first connector; The first connector and the second connector.
By pulling the second connector backward in a state in which the connector is fitted, a detachment force applying projection to which the rotating operation portion is engaged is formed on the attached body, and the cam lever catches the first connector. By rotating in the fitting rotation direction in the engaged state, the temporary lock between the attached body and the first connector is released, and the first connector and the second connector are fitted together, and The first connector and the second connector are detached by rotating the cam lever in the detachment rotation direction.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the rotating operation portion of the cam lever comes into contact with the fitting force imparting projection formed on the attached body as the second connector is pressed, the rotating operation portion is fitted. The cam lever is rotated in the fitting rotation direction by receiving the reaction force from the resultant application projection. By the rotation in the fitting rotation direction, the temporary locking between the attached body and the first connector is released. When the first connector is free from the attached body, the first connector and the second connector are rotated by the rotation of the cam lever.
Fitting with the connector proceeds. On the other hand, in order to disengage the mated connectors from each other, the second operating connector is pulled backward (in the disengagement direction for releasing the mated state of the connector) so that the rotating operation portion engages with the disengaging force applying projection. Then, the cam lever rotates in the detachment rotation direction to detach the two connectors from each other.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the connector supporting mechanism according to the first aspect, wherein the attached body has a cylindrical hole fixed to the opening of the plate and communicating with the opening. It is characterized by being a cylindrical bracket.

Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, an opening is formed in a plate such as an instrument panel of an automobile, and a cylindrical shape is formed in the opening. Since the bracket is attached, the attached body for temporarily locking the first connector can be easily formed, and it is possible to avoid forming a complicated structure integrally with the plate body.

[0010] Further, the invention according to claim 3 is based on claim 2.
3. The connector support mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the fitting force applying projection and the detachment force applying projection are provided on an inner surface of the bracket, and the fitting force applying projection is more than the first force applying projection. It is characterized by being located on the rear end side of the connector.

Therefore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the function of the second aspect, the fitting force applying projection is located on the rear end side of the first connector with respect to the detachment force applying projection on the inner surface of the bracket. That is, since the fitting force providing projection is located forward of the detaching force providing projection in the fitting direction of the second connector, when the second connector is moved in the fitting direction, the rotating operation portion is provided with a fitting force. When the second connector is moved in the anti-fitting direction while being engaged with the application projection, the rotating operation portion is engaged with the detachment force application projection. By arranging the fitting force applying projection and the detaching force applying projection in this manner, it is possible to exert an action in a different direction on the rotating operation unit according to the moving direction of the second connector.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the connector support mechanism according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the first connector has a projection formed on the first lever, the projection being captured by the cam lever. The cam lever is provided with a cam groove for catching the projection.

Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the functions of the first to third aspects of the present invention, since the first connector has a projection which is captured by the cam lever, the projection is formed. By rotating the cam lever while being captured in the cam groove of the cam lever, the connectors can be fitted to each other. Further, when the cam lever rotates in the detaching direction, the protrusion moves along the cam groove, so that both connectors can be detached.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of a connector support mechanism according to the present invention will be described below based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a connector support mechanism according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the connector support mechanism of the present embodiment includes a mounting portion 2 of an instrument panel 1 provided on a stay member side of an automobile, for example, as a mounting member, and a mounting portion 2 mounted on the mounting portion 2. Bracket 3, a female connector 4 as a first connector locked by the bracket 3, and a female connector 4
A male connector 5 as a second connector, a board 6 on a device side to which the male connector 5 is fixed, and an upright edge of the board 6 to protrude the male connector 5 out of the device. A connector through-hole 7 is roughly provided with an escutcheon 8 in which it is opened.

First, the structure of the mounting portion 2 of the instrument panel 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

The mounted portion 2 is provided on a bottom surface of a concave portion formed in the instrument panel 1. The mounting portion 2 is formed by forming a bracket locking opening 9 in the instrument panel 1. A pair of notches 9A, 9A are formed in the upper edge of the bracket locking opening 9. Also,
A pair of notches 9B, 9 are also provided on the lower edge of the bracket locking opening 9.
B is formed. As shown in FIG. 2, the notches 9B, 9B on the lower edge side are arranged so as to be located inside the notches 9A, 9A on the upper edge side by a dimension t, respectively. The mounting direction is defined so that proper positioning can be performed.

Next, the structure of the bracket 3 is shown in FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a plan view showing the bracket 3 as viewed from the front end side, FIG. 4 is a front view of the bracket 3, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a side view, and FIG. It is BB sectional drawing.

The bracket 3 is formed so as to protrude sideways along the upper and lower edges of the base portion of the connector temporary locking cylinder portion 10 having a substantially cylindrical shape. And a flange portion 11. The upper and lower flange portions 11 formed on the upper edge and the lower edge are formed so as to extend to both sides of the base end (rear end) of the bracket 3 as shown in FIG.

The connector temporary locking cylinder 10 has a cross section slightly smaller than the size of the bracket locking opening 9 so that the substantially rectangular bracket locking opening 9 formed in the mounted portion 2 can be inserted. ing. Further, the flange portion 11 is set so as to engage with the peripheral edge of the bracket locking opening 9 so as to be unable to be inserted when the connector temporary locking cylindrical portion 10 is inserted into the bracket locking opening 9. That is, as described above, the flange portion 11 is formed so as to protrude from the base end portion of the connector temporary locking tubular portion 10 laterally by a predetermined dimension.

In the vicinity of the base end on the outer surface of one (upper) side wall 10A of the connector temporary locking cylinder 10, FIG.
And as shown in FIG. 3, the panel holding projections 12A, 12A.
A is protruded toward the side. The distance between the panel holding projections 12A, 12A is set to be the same as the distance between the notches 9A, 9A formed on the upper edge of the bracket locking opening 9 described above. Also, the panel holding projections 12A
Is set to a size such that the notch 9A can be inserted. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, panel holding projections 12B, 12B are directed sideways near the base end of the outer surface of the other (lower) side wall 10B of the connector temporary locking cylinder portion 10. It is protruding. These panel holding projections 12B, 1
The distance between 2B is set to be the same as the distance between the notches 9B, 9B formed at the lower edge of the bracket locking opening 9 described above. The panel holding projection 12B has a notch 9B.
The size is set so that can be inserted.

The panel holding projections 12A, 1
2A, 12B, and 12B have a positional relationship corresponding to these notches 9A, 9B so that they can simultaneously pass through notches 9A, 9A, 9B, 9B formed in the bracket locking opening 9. That is, the panel holding projections 12B, 12B
B is set so as to be located inward in the width direction by a dimension t with respect to the panel holding projections 12A, 12A, respectively.

Further, on the one side wall 10A described above,
Resilient locking claws 13A, 13A are formed at the inner positions of the protruding panel holding projections 12A, 12A so as to rise obliquely toward the base end side. Also, on the other side wall 10B, the resilient locking claws 13B, 13B are erected at the side positions of the projecting panel holding projections 12B, 12B obliquely toward the base end side. Is formed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the side wall 10 of the connector temporary locking tubular portion 10 is provided.
A similar locking claw portion 13C is formed on one of the side walls 10C, 10D on both sides sandwiched between A and 10B so as to rise obliquely toward the base end side.

Further, the side wall 1 of the connector temporary locking cylinder 10 is provided.
A pair of temporary locking arms 14 are provided on the inner surfaces of 0A and 10B, respectively. These temporary locking arms 14
Are formed on the inner side surfaces of the side walls 10A and 10B so as to rise obliquely inward from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the connector temporary locking tubular portion 10. These temporary locking arms 14 are adapted to temporarily lock a female connector 4 described later.

Further, on the front end side of the inner side surfaces of the side walls 10C and 10D on both sides of the connector temporary locking tubular portion 10,
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a pair of lever release force applying projections 15, 15 are provided to project inward.
The lever releasing force applying projections 15, 15 formed on the respective side walls 10C, 10D are arranged at a predetermined distance. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, a rotation operating portion 39 of the cam lever 27 described later is engaged behind (a base end side) an intermediate position between the pair of lever releasing force applying projections 15, 15 on the side wall 10 </ b> C. A lever capturing projection 16 as a resultant application projection is provided to project inward.

The lever releasing force applying projection 15 and the step 16A of the lever capturing projection 16 are provided between the female connector 4 and the male connector 5 in a fitting start state (just before fitting completion) and in a fitting complete state. In between, the lever mounting shaft 34 is set so as to be located substantially on the side of the region where the lever mounting shaft 34 moves. Therefore, the force for pushing the male connector 5 in the fitting direction can be efficiently reduced by the cam lever 2.
7 can be converted into a force to rotate.

A guide projection 17 having a guide surface 17A for guiding a female connector housing, which will be described later, is provided on the side wall 10D behind an intermediate position between the pair of lever releasing force imparting projections 15, 15. Have been. The female connector housing is inserted into the space between the lever capture projection 16 and the guide projection 17.

Note that the lever releasing force applying projection 15 is
As shown in FIG.
9 has a guide inclined surface 15A for guiding the tube 9 into the cylinder, and a separation force applying surface 15B for the rotation operation portion 39 to engage during the separation operation. The detaching force applying surface 15B is
C and 10D are formed so as to be substantially perpendicular to the inner surfaces.

Next, the configuration of the female connector 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. FIG. 8 shows the female connector 4.
, FIG. 9 is a front view, and FIG. 10 is a side view.

The female connector 4 is a female connector housing 1
8, a housing block 19 having a plurality of terminal housings formed in the female connector housing 18, and a plurality of female connection terminals 20 housed in each terminal housing of each housing room block 19. Have been. As shown in FIG. 8, the female connector housing 18 is arranged and fixed such that the connection port of the female connection terminal 20 is located on the front end face side. The wiring w <b> 1 is connected to the rear end of each female connection terminal 20. These wires w1 are led out from the rear end of the female connector housing 18, as shown in FIGS.

A pair of bosses 21 as projections to be engaged with guide grooves of a cam lever, which will be described later, are provided at a front end of the upper surface of the female connector housing 18 at a predetermined distance. Similarly, female connector housing 18
A pair of bosses 21 are also provided on the front end side of the lower surface of the boss. When the female connector 4 is inserted into the bracket 3, the bosses 21 are arranged at positions corresponding to the temporary locking arms 14 formed on the inner surface of the bracket 3. Further, spacers 22 for projecting the female connector housing 18 from the inner wall surface of the bracket 3 by a predetermined distance are provided on both sides of the upper and lower surfaces of the female connector housing 18 in the width direction. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, stoppers 23 that define the insertion end point of the female connector 4 when the female connector 4 is inserted through the bracket 3 are provided on the distal end sides of both sides of the female connector housing 18. It is protruded. In addition, according to this, on the bracket 3 side,
A stopper receiving portion 24 that contacts the stopper 23 and defines an insertion end point of the female connector 4 is formed.

Here, a procedure for attaching the bracket 3 to the above-described attached portion 2 and a procedure for temporarily locking the female connector 4 to the bracket 3 will be briefly described.

The bracket 3 allows the connector temporary locking tubular portion 10 to pass through the bracket locking opening 9 from the back side of the instrument panel 1. At this time, four notches 9A, 9A, 9 formed on the opening edge of the bracket locking opening 9
B, 9B, four panel holding projections 12A, 1
2A, 12B and 12B are aligned at the same time. When the connector temporary locking cylinder 10 is inserted into the bracket locking opening 9 in this manner, the flange portion 11 of the bracket 3 engages with the opening edge of the bracket locking opening 9. Then, bracket 3
Are laterally moved along the surface of the instrument panel 1 so that the panel holding projections 12A, 12B
Can prevent the connector temporary locking tube portion 10 from being displaced with respect to the notches 9A and 9B and coming out of the instrument panel 1 and coming out. At this time, the instrument panel 1 at the opening edge of the bracket locking opening 9 includes the flange portion 11 and the panel holding projections 12A,
12B and the locking claws 13A, 13B.
B and 13C enter the gap between the instrument panel 1 and the female connector housing 18 and come into contact with the inner wall of the opening of the instrument panel 1 with a repulsive force. As a result, the bracket 3 is held and fixed to the mounting portion 2 of the instrument panel 1.

In order to temporarily lock the female connector 4 to the bracket 3, the stopper 23 of the female connector housing 18 is inserted through the distal end of the female connector 4 from the opening on the base end side of the bracket 3 so that the stopper 3 on the bracket 3 side is received. It is fitted until it contacts the part 24. Along with this operation, the boss 21 of the female connector housing 18 rides over the temporary locking arm 14 and the distal end of the temporary locking arm 14 comes into contact with the side surface of the boss 21 to prevent the female connector 4 from returning backward. And temporarily locked. The work process of temporarily locking the female connector 4 to the bracket 3 may be before or after the work process of attaching the bracket 3 to the instrument panel 1.

The configuration of the instrument panel 1, the bracket 3, and the female connector 4 has been described above. Next, the configuration of the male connector 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 11 to 19.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing an escutcheon, FIG. 12 is a plan view of the male connector housing viewed from the front end side, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is a front view of the male connector housing. FIG. 15 is a rear view of the male connector housing, FIG. 16 is a side view of the male connector housing,
17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 15, FIG. 18 is a plan view of the cam lever, and FIG. 19 is a side view of the cam lever.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fixed portion 26A of the male connector 5 is fixed to the board 6 on the device side. Also,
An escutcheon 8 is provided upright on the rear edge of the substrate 6 so as to be perpendicular to the substrate 6. As shown in FIG. 11, the escutcheon 8 is provided with a connector through-hole 7 for projecting the male connector 5 outward. Further, screw insertion ports 25 for fixing the instrument panel 1 with screws are formed on both sides of the connector through-hole 7 formed in the escutcheon 8. Further, a locking projection 8A that is locked to a male connector housing 26 described later is provided at the center of the upper and lower edges of the connector through hole 7.
Are formed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the male connector 5 has a male connector housing 26 and a pair of cam levers 27 rotatably supported by the male connector housing 26.

As shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 17, the male connector housing 26 has a fitting recess 28 at the front end side for fitting the female connector housing 18 described above. A plurality of male connection terminals 30 are arranged on the bottom plate portion 29 of the fitting recess 28 so as to protrude toward the distal end of the male connector 5. Note that these male connection terminals 30
Are provided so as to penetrate the bottom plate portion 29, and a wiring w2 is connected to a rear end portion. The wiring w2 is connected to a wiring (not shown) on the substrate 6 side.
It is connected to various circuits and electronic components on the device side.

The male connector housing 26 has an upper side wall 31 and a lower side wall 32 that extend in the front-rear direction (fitting direction) of the male connector 5 at the upper and lower edges of the bottom plate portion 29. That is, the upper side wall 31 and the lower side wall 32 are disposed so as to be substantially parallel. On both sides of the rear end of the lower side wall 32, the above-mentioned fixed portion 26A extends rearward.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14,
A pair of boss guide slits 33, 33 for guiding the boss 21 on the female connector 4 side in the fitting direction when the male connector 5 is fitted with the female connector 4, respectively, on the upper side wall 31 and the lower side wall 32. Are formed. A lever mounting shaft 34 protrudes from the rear side of the boss guide slit 33 (rear side in the fitting direction) on the upper side wall 31 and the lower side wall 32.

Further, between the pair of boss guide slits 33 on the upper side wall 31 and the lower side wall 32, the boss guide slits 33 are obliquely erected from the front end side to the rear end side to have resilience and flexibility. The panel retaining piece 35 and the panel retaining piece 35
And a panel hook 36 standing upright on the rear end side. The male connector housing 26 can be held by the escutcheon 8 by arranging the above-mentioned hooking projection 8A of the escutcheon 8 between the panel hooking piece 35 and the panel hooking portion 36.

Further, on both sides of the panel retaining piece 35 and the panel retaining portion 36 on the upper side wall 31 and the lower side wall 32,
A ridge-shaped rotation restricting portion 37 that defines the rotation end point of the cam lever 27 is formed.

Next, the configuration of the cam lever 27 mounted on the male connector housing 26 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The cam lever 27 has two substantially triangular lever plates 38 which are parallel to each other, and a rod-shaped rotating operation portion 39 which integrally connects one vertex of these lever plates 38. I have.

Rotating operation part 3 of lever plate 38
As shown in FIG. 19, a lever temporary locking piece 40 that stands slightly obliquely toward the other opposing lever plate 38 is formed in the vicinity of 9. This lever temporary locking piece 40 connects the cam lever 27 to the male connector housing 26.
Is formed for temporary locking at the initial position with respect to

A shaft support hole 41 in which the boss 21 protruding from the male connector housing 26 is mounted at a predetermined position from the center of the lever plate 38 in a direction opposite to the rotation operation portion 39. I have.

Further, a cam groove 43 for guiding the boss 21 in accordance with the rotation of the lever plate 38 is formed in a side edge 42 of the lever plate 38 beside the shaft support hole 41. At the entrance located at the side edge 42 of the cam groove 43,
A reinforcing plate 44 is provided. The reinforcing plate 44
Are formed so as to straddle over the cam groove 43 so as not to interfere with the boss 21 inserted into the cam groove 43.

The cam groove 43 is, as shown in FIG.
The boss introduction area A1 formed substantially linearly from the side edge 42 toward the shaft support hole 41 and the boss 21 guided to the innermost part of the boss introduction area A1 are doubled with the rotation of the lever plate 38. A boost operation area A2 in which the boss 21 is forcibly moved to the vicinity of the shaft support hole 41 by a force action, and an idling operation area A3.
And

The boosting operation area A2 is a groove portion bent so as to gradually approach the center of the shaft support hole 41. The idling operation area A3 is a groove formed along a circumference having the center of the shaft support hole 41 as the center of the circle. Although the groove length of the idling operation area A3 will be described later, it is set according to the bending dimension of the mounting portion 2 of the instrument panel 1 described above.

The cam lever 27 having such a configuration is rotatably supported by corresponding lever mounting shafts 34, 34 protruding from the upper side wall 31 and the lower side wall 32 of the male connector housing 26. When the cam levers 27 are in the initial position, the side edges 42 of the lever plate 38 are connected to the male connector housing 2 as shown in FIGS.
6 is set substantially parallel to the front edge. Each of the cam levers 27 is connected to the female / male connector 4,
When the connector 5 is fitted, the rotating operation section 39 rotates in a direction to move toward the rear end of the male connector housing 26. That is, both cam levers 27 are set to rotate in opposite directions.

Next, a method of assembling the female / male connectors 4 and 5 in the connector support mechanism of the present embodiment and the operation / operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the bracket 3 is mounted on the bracket locking opening 9 formed in the mounting portion 2 of the instrument panel 1 by the above-described method. The female connector 4 is temporarily locked to the bracket 3. That is, the distal end of the female connector 4 is inserted through the opening on the base end side of the bracket 3, and the female connector 4 is fitted until the stopper 23 of the female connector housing 18 comes into contact with the stopper receiving portion 24 of the bracket 3.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, the boss 21 of the female connector housing 18 gets over the temporary locking arm 14 and the distal end of the temporary locking arm 14 comes into contact with the side surface of the boss 21, The female connector 4 is temporarily locked. The work process of temporarily locking the female connector 4 to the bracket 3 may be before or after the work process of attaching the bracket 3 to the instrument panel 1.

Next, the female connector 4 temporarily locked via the bracket 3 on the instrument panel 1 side as described above.
An operation method for connecting the male connector 5 and the male connector 5 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 20, the male connector 5 provided on the equipment side faces the female connector 4 temporarily fixed to the bracket 3 so that the male connector 5 side faces the female connector 4. Approach. At this time, the cam lever 27 is located at the initial state position. That is, the side edge 42 of the lever plate 38 where the cam groove 43 is cut.
Are set so as to be substantially parallel to the front edge of the male connector 5. Further, the lever temporary locking piece 40 is temporarily locked on the male connector housing 26 side so as to hold the initial position of the cam lever 27. In this state, when the male connector 5 comes into contact with the female connector 4, the boss 21 protruding from the female connector housing 18 is inserted into the entrance of the cam groove 43 into the boss introduction area A1. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. 20, showing a state where the bracket 3 temporarily locks the female connector 4 with the temporary locking arm 14 and a state where the boss introduction region A1 of the cam groove 43 can pick up the boss 21. Is shown.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, when the male connector 5 is further pushed in the direction in which the female connector 4 is fitted, the rotating operation portion 39 of the cam lever 27 causes the lever releasing force applying projection 15 to move. The step 1 is guided by the guide inclined surface 15A.
6A. Further, when the male connector 5 is pushed in the fitting direction, the rotating operation part 39 moves outward along the contact surface of the step part 16A and enters the back side of the lever releasing force applying projection 15, and the step part 16A With the contact portion with the force acting as a point of force, a reaction force is applied to push the rotating operation portion 39 rearward of the male connector housing 26. The reaction force exerts an action of rotating the cam lever 27 in the fitting direction with the lever mounting shaft 34 as a fulcrum.

As a result, the lever plate 38 of the cam lever 27 starts rotating to release the temporary locking between the lever temporary locking piece 40 and the male connector housing 26. In addition, with the rotation of the cam lever 27, a predetermined portion of the lever plate 38 is moved rearwardly of the boss 21 into the female connector housing 18.
Tentatively locking arm 14 on the bracket 3 side
Of the female connector housing 18 to the outside. As a result, the provisional engagement between the female connector 4 and the bracket 3 is released, and the female connector 4 is held only by engagement with the cam lever 27 of the male connector 5. Since the female connector 4 is free from the bracket 3 and the instrument panel 1 in this manner, the moving distance of the male connector 5 in the fitting direction is not restricted by the female connector 4. In addition, a rotation angle can be obtained, and a boosting action described later can be increased.

That is, the length of the arm of the moment of the reaction force received by the rotating operation section 39 is determined by the boosting operation area A of the cam groove 43.
Even if the length is significantly longer than the length of the lever 2 and the lever mounting shaft 34, the rotation stroke and the rotation angle can be increased, so that the boosting action in the boosting operation area A2 can be amplified. In the boost operation area A2, the lever mounting shaft 3
Due to the groove shape approaching 4, the boss 21 is forced to approach the lever mounting shaft 34 by the boosting action. As a result, even if the force for pushing the male connector 5 side is slight, the boss 21 is reliably brought close to the lever mounting shaft 34 by the boosting action, and the fitting between the male connector 5 and the female connector 4 can be further advanced. FIGS. 22 and 23 show a state in which the boss 21 is located in the boost operation area A2 of the cam groove 43. FIG. FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along line FF of FIG. FIG. 24 shows a state in which the male connector 5 is being fitted to the female connector 4, and the boss 21 is shifted from the boost operation area A 2 in the cam groove 43 to the idling operation area A.
3 shows a state in which it is moving toward 3. In this state, the turning operation section 39 of the cam lever 27 presses the step 16A on the bracket 3 side in accordance with the pressing of the male connector 5, so that FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the instrument panel 1 near the attached portion 2 is bent rearward.

Subsequently, when the male connector 5 is further pushed in, the male connector 5 is completely fitted to the female connector 4 as shown in FIG. That is, the boss 21 protruding from the female connector housing 18 is
As shown in the figure, the idle operation region A3 passes through the end point of the boost operation region A2 in the cam groove 43 of the lever plate 38.
To the entrance. FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of a portion shown by a circle in FIG. At this point, similarly to the state shown in FIG. 24, the instrument panel 1 near the attached portion 2 is in a state of being bent rearward.

As described above, when the boss 21 passes through the end point of the boost operation area A2 in the cam groove 43 and reaches the entrance of the idling operation area A3, the instrument panel 1 in the vicinity of the mounting portion 2 is disengaged. Although the instrument panel 1 is flexed rearward, when the instrument panel 1 is momentarily returned by the repulsive force thereafter, the pivot operation section 39 of the cam lever 27 is further pivoted rearward as shown in FIG. . At this time, the position of the male connector 5 does not change. In this state,
The cam lever 27 (lever plate 38) is
However, the boss 21 in the idling operation area A3 only relatively moves in the idling operation area A3 without being affected by the cam lever 27 side. That is, since the idling operation area A3 is formed along the circumference having the center of the lever mounting shaft 34 (the shaft support hole 41) as the center of the circle, the boss 21 is connected to the cam lever 27.
No action is taken by the rotation of. In this manner, the return of the bending of the instrument panel 1 occurs when the boss 21 is moved to the idling operation area A3 as shown in FIG.
It does not affect the fitting between the male connector 5 and the female connector 4 by being absorbed by the relative movement inside. FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a circle in FIG.

FIGS. 29 and 30 show a state in which the female connector 4 and the male connector 5 are completely connected, and the bending of the instrument panel 1 has also returned. In addition, FIG.
FIG. 30 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a circle in FIG. 29. In this state, the boss 21 is located within the idling operation area A3 of the cam groove 43, and the slight swinging of the cam lever 27 does not affect the fitting state of the female / male connectors 4, 5. I have. Finally, as shown in FIG. 29, by fixing the device side and the instrument panel 1 side with the screws 45, the assembling work of the connector support mechanism is completed.

Next, a description will be given of a case where the connection between the female and male connectors 4 and 5 thus assembled is released.

From the state shown in FIG. 29, the female / male connector 4,
In order to release the connection of the screws 5, the screw 45 is first removed, and the device provided with the male connector 5 is pulled back in the direction opposite to the fitting direction. Then, the male connector 5 and the female connector 4 start moving to the device side. Then, the rotation operating portion 39 of the cam lever 27 is provided with the lever releasing force applying projection 15.
5B (see FIG. 5) on the back side of the cam connector 27, the cam lever 27 moves with the lever mounting shaft 34 as a fulcrum and the direction opposite to the fitting direction (removal direction) with the retreat of the male connector 5. Is rotated. As a result, the boss 21 located in the idling operation area A3 of the cam groove 43 is
Moves to the boost operation area A2 with the rotation of.

When the male connector 5 is further retracted in this state, the boss 21 moves in the boost operation area A2 to the boss introduction area A.
Start moving towards 1. Along with this movement, the contact portion between the rotation operating portion 39 of the cam lever 27 and the detachment force applying surface 15B acts as a point of force, the lever attachment shaft 34 acts as a fulcrum, and the boss 21 is boosted in the boosting operation area A2. Be affected. As a result, the female / male connectors 4 and 5 can be forcibly disengaged by retracting the male connector 5 side with a slight force.

Then, at the same time when the fitting of the female / male connectors 4 and 5 is released, as shown in FIG. 23, the provisional locking arm which is deformed and disposed at the release position by the action of the lever plate 38 side. The connector 14 is released from contact with the lever plate 38 and returns to hold the female connector housing 18 again.

When the position of the boss 21 is moved from the boost operation area A2 in the cam groove 43 to the boss introduction area A1 by the retreating operation of the male connector 5, the boss introduction area A1 has a substantially linear groove shape. The boss 21 can be easily moved to the outside of the cam groove 43. At this time, the force for retracting the male connector 5 may be a very small force because the fitting of the female and male connectors 4 and 5 is shallow. When the mating of the female and male connectors 4 and 5 is released, the turning operation portion 39 of the cam lever 27 can freely turn to the front end side of the male connector 5.
Can be removed from the gap between the lever releasing force applying projection 15 and the male connector housing 26.
The male connectors 4, 5 can be completely separated. Even in this state, the female connector 4 is temporarily locked to the bracket 3 again as described above, so that the female connector 4 does not drop from the instrument panel 1.

In the connector support mechanism of the present embodiment, the female connector 4 is temporarily locked on the bracket 3, and
When the male connectors 4 and 5 start fitting, the female connector 4 is unlocked from the bracket 3, so that the stroke of the male connector 5 in the fitting direction can be lengthened. At this time, the rotating operation portion 39 of the cam lever 27 is moved to the stepped portion 1 of the lever capturing projection 16 on the bracket 3 side.
Since the position is fixed at 6A, the rotation angle of the cam lever 27 can be increased by a long stroke in the fitting direction of the male connector 5. Thus, by increasing the rotation amount of the cam lever 27, the cam groove 43
The shape of the boosting operation area A2 formed in the step (a) is not abrupt but gradually approaches the lever mounting shaft 34 (shaft support hole 41), that is, the arc drawn by the boosting operation area A2 gradually increases the lever mounting shaft 34. Since the shape can be made closer, the force (fitting load) for pushing out the male connector 5 can be reduced. For this reason, in the present embodiment, by aligning the front end faces of the female / male connectors 4 and 5, it is possible to easily couple them.

As described above, when the female / male connectors 4 and 5 are fitted, the female connector 4 is not supported by the instrument panel 1 (the bracket 3).
, The vibration from the instrument panel 1 side can be suppressed from being transmitted to the female connector 4. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the relative vibration due to the difference in weight between the instrument panel 1 and the device side (the male connector 5 side) from affecting the joints between the connectors, and to generate noise and connection failures. And a good electrical connection without any problem can be achieved.

In addition, since the bracket 3 is temporarily locked by using the boss 21 protruding from the female connector housing 18, there is no need to provide a special configuration to the female connector housing 18, and the female connector 4 The configuration can be simplified.

In the present embodiment, when the male connector 5 is brought close to the female connector 4, the guide inclined surface of the lever releasing force applying projection 15 provided on both sides of the front end of the bracket 3 for temporarily locking the female connector 4 is provided. 15A, 15A is the cam lever 2
In addition to picking up the rotating operation portion 39 of the connector 7, the so-called centering function of optimizing the position of the front end face of the male connector 5 is achieved. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the male connector 5 is pressed against the front end surface of the bracket 3 so that the connectors can be easily and reliably fitted to each other.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the female / male connectors 4 and 5 are disengaged from each other, the two can be easily detached with a small force when the disengagement of these connectors is performed. That is, when the male connector 5 is pulled out, the rotating operation portion 39 of the cam lever 27 attached to the male connector 5
Is engaged with the releasing force applying surface 15B of the lever releasing force applying projection 15, so that a force for pulling out the male connector 5 is applied to the rotating operation section 39 with this engaged portion as a point of force. Therefore, the cam lever 27 rotates about the lever mounting shaft 34 as a fulcrum. Then, a portion where the inner wall of the boost operation area A2 of the cam groove 43 contacts the boss 21 becomes an action point, and the boss 21 is forcibly moved away from the male connector 5 by the boost action. The distance between the lever mounting shaft 34, which is a fulcrum, and the rotation operation section 39 is significantly shorter than the distance between the lever mounting shaft 34 and the boosting operation area A2. Due to such a large difference in the arm length of the moment, the boss 21 is driven in a direction away from the male connector 5 under the boosting action.

In the present embodiment, the bending of the instrument panel 1 that occurs when the male connector 5 is fitted is absorbed by the idling operation area A3 formed on the cam lever 27, so that an unnecessary load on the connector is eliminated. Can be avoided. For this reason, a highly reliable connector support mechanism conforming to the actual mounting location can be realized.

Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various changes accompanying the gist of the configuration are possible.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the panel holding projections 12A and 12B, the locking claws 13A, and the locking claw 13A are attached to the bracket 3 so that the bracket 3 can be attached to the instrument panel 1 with one touch. 13B, 13C
However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the bracket 3 is fixed to the instrument panel 1 by fixing means such as screwing.

In the above embodiment, the female connector 4 is temporarily locked to the bracket 3 and the male connector 5 is
However, conversely, the male connector 5 may be temporarily locked to the bracket 3 and the female connector 4 may be provided on the device side. In this case, it is necessary to mount a cam lever on the female connector 4.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the male connector 5 is fixed to the board 6 on the device side. However, the male connector 5 is connected to the device side via a wire harness, and only the male connector 5 is connected. After connecting to the female connector 4, the device side may of course be fixed to the instrument panel 1.

[0077]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the rotating operation portion receives the reaction force from the fitting force applying projection to rotate the cam lever in the fitting rotation direction. The fitting between the first connector and the second connector can be advanced. In addition, the cam lever can be rotated in the detachment rotation direction by the contact of the pivoting operation portion with the detachment force applying projection, and there is an effect that both connectors are surely detached from each other.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, an attached body for temporarily locking the first connector can be easily formed, and the plate body has a complicated structure. The connector support mechanism can be provided without integrally forming the structure.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the second aspect of the present invention, the cam lever is provided by applying a reaction force in a different direction to the rotating operation portion in accordance with the moving direction of the second connector. This has the effect of rotating appropriately.

According to the invention described in claim 4, claims 1 to 1 are provided.
In addition to the effects of the third aspect, the fitting and disengaging of the connectors can be determined by the relationship between the shape of the cam groove of the cam lever and the projection of the first connector, and the fitting can be performed with a simple structure. And withdrawal can be controlled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a bracket locking opening of the instrument panel used in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a bracket used in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a bracket used in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a bracket used in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the female connector housing used in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the female connector housing used in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the female connector housing used in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a front view of an escutcheon used in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a male connector housing used in the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the male connector housing used in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the male connector housing used in the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the male connector housing used in the embodiment.

17 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a cam lever mounted on the male connector of the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a cam lever used in the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state immediately before fitting a male connector to a female connector in the embodiment.

21 is an explanatory sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state where the male connector is fitted to the female connector and the boss is located at the end of the boss introduction region of the cam groove in the embodiment.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state in which the male connector is fitted to the female connector in the embodiment and the boss is located in the boost operation region of the cam groove.

FIG. 25 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state in which the male connector is fitted to the female connector in the embodiment and the boss is located at the end portion of the boost operation region of the cam groove.

26 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle in FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state in which the male connector is fitted to the female connector in the embodiment and the boss is moving in the idling operation region of the cam groove.

FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle in FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state in which the male connector is completely fitted into the female connector in the embodiment, and the boss has moved within the idling operation region of the cam groove to absorb the bending of the instrument panel. is there.

30 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle in FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a sectional view showing a fitted state in a conventional connector support mechanism.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view showing a detached state in a conventional connector support mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Instrument panel (attached body, plate body) 3 Bracket (attached body) 4 Female connector (1st connector) 5 Male connector (2nd connector) 9 Bracket locking opening 15 Lever detaching force applying projection 16A Step Reference Signs List 21 boss (projection) 27 cam lever 34 lever mounting shaft 39 rotating operation part 43 cam groove

Claims (4)

[Claims] A first connector that is temporarily locked to an object to be mounted; a second connector in which a cam lever is rotatably supported on a lever mounting shaft; and the second connector is connected to the first connector. When the first connector and the second connector are fitted with each other, the fitting force imparting projection to which the rotation operating portion of the cam lever is engaged when pressed toward the second connector is inserted into the second connector.
By pulling the connector backward, a detachment force applying projection to which the turning operation portion is engaged is formed on the attached body, and the cam lever turns in the fitting rotation direction in a state where the cam lever captures the first connector. Thereby, the temporary locking between the attached body and the first connector is released, the first connector and the second connector are fitted, and the cam lever is rotated in the disengagement rotation direction. Wherein the first connector and the second connector are detached from each other. 2. The connector support mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the attached body is a cylindrical bracket having a cylindrical hole fixed to an opening of a plate and communicating with the opening. Characteristic connector support mechanism. 3. The connector support mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the fitting force providing projection and the detachment force providing projection are provided on an inner surface of the bracket, and the fitting force providing projection comprises:
A connector support mechanism, which is located at a rear end side of the first connector with respect to the detachment force applying projection. 4. The connector support mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first connector has a projection that is captured by the cam lever, and the cam lever captures the projection. A connector support mechanism having a cam groove.