JP2002042966A - Connector fitting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly reliable connector fitting structure capable of improving the workability when fitting and releasing the fitting of a male connector and a female connector and preventing a crack and chipping of a constituent member when fitting them. SOLUTION: In this connector fitting structure 1, a second locking part 16a provided in an end part of a first engaging arm 16 constituting a slider 4 overrides a first locking part 15 provided at one end of an inner face facing a slider storage part 11 and is engaged with it by operating an operation part 32 integral with the first engaging arm 16 when fitting of the female and male connectors 1, 3 is released. At this time, since inclined faces 15a, 16b are formed at a position where the first locking part 15 and the second locking part 16a slide, the second locking part 16a overrides the first locking part 15 so as to engage easily by merely operating an operation part 32 in one direction, and it is unnecessary to push the operation part 32 due to the overriding action, thereby improving the operation property when fitting of them is released.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a resilient member mounted on at least one housing of a pair of male and female connectors which are fitted and connected to each other. The present invention relates to a connector fitting structure for securely performing a fitting lock of the connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Usually, a vehicle such as an automobile is equipped with a large number of electronic devices for various controls, and therefore, naturally, a wire harness and a flat cable are frequently used. Since automobiles are used in harsh environments such as vibration and flooding, they have a waterproof function, and in consideration of the assembly process and maintenance, various configurations of male and female that can easily connect and disconnect wire harnesses etc. Connectors are being used.

Next, an example of a conventional connector fitting structure will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG.
The male connector 50, which is one of the connectors forming the connector fitting structure, has a terminal accommodating chamber into which a predetermined number of socket contacts are fitted, and has an inner housing 5 opened forward.
2 and an outer housing 51 which slidably mounts a slider 60, which is a slide lock member to be described later, on the upper portion thereof and forms a hood portion which covers the outer periphery of the inner housing 52.

The outer housing 51 includes a slider 60
For accommodating the slider 6.
A guide groove 55 for guiding both side ends of the “0” is provided. The inner housing 5 in the slider housing 53
A lock arm 56 having a flexible free end is provided integrally on the front side along the axis of the fitting direction. A side space 53a for inserting the slider 60 is provided between the lock arm 56 and the inner wall of the housing.

A pair of housing locks 58 are provided at the upper end of the lock arm 56 to lock an engagement projection 83 (see FIG. 9) of a mating housing, which will be described later. A pressing portion 59 that is sometimes operated is provided. An insertion space 56a is formed in the front part of the lock arm 56 including the housing lock 58 to allow the insertion of a pressing rib 82 on the female connector 80 described later. Further, a pair of engaging members which are provided with locking projections on the flexible free end on the rear side along the axis of the fitting direction behind the slider accommodating portion 53 to temporarily prevent the slider 60 from moving rearward. A stop arm 57 is provided.

The slider 60 includes a first slide member 61 which is guided by the guide groove 55 and slides inside the slider accommodating portion 53, and a second slide member 66 which is engaged behind the first slide member 61. , The second slide member 66
And a compression spring 73 which is an elastic member held therein. The first slide member 61 includes a pair of stopper arms 63, 63 extending rearward and abutting on one end of the compression spring 73, and a connecting portion 64 connecting the arms.
Consists of Below the connecting portion 64, there is provided a contact portion 65 with which a pressing rib 82 of the female connector 80 described later contacts. Further, a pair of slide grooves 62, 62 are provided on both side ends of the connecting portion 64 to allow movement of an engagement arm on the second slide member 66 described later.

An outer portion of the second slide member 66 is slidably fitted in the guide groove 55, and a locking portion 67 for locking the housing lock 58 at the tip of the lock arm 56 at the time of displacement is provided at the lower front end. Has been extended. At the center of the front end of the locking portion 67, there is provided an insertion notch 67a which allows insertion of a pressing rib 82 of the female connector 80 described later. Further, a flexible operation portion 69 that is operated at the time of disengagement is provided at the center upper portion of the second slide member 66, and the pressing portion 59 of the lock arm 56 is pressed from above when inserted into the slider accommodating portion 53. To cover.

A pair of flexible engagement arms 68, 68, which are locked to the stopper arms 63 of the first slide member 61, are provided at lower portions on both side ends of the second slide member 66.
Is provided. The spring housing chamber 7 for housing and holding the compression spring 73 is provided on both inner wall portions of the second slide member 66.
1 is provided. Therefore, the first slide member 61 and the second slide member 66 are integrated by inserting the compression spring 73 into the spring accommodating chamber 71 and engaging the engagement arm 68 with the stopper arm 63. .

On the other hand, a female connector 8 as the other connector
0 has a housing insertion port 84 opened forward as shown in FIG. 9, and a predetermined number of pin contacts 85 project in the insertion port 84 in the fitting direction. A pressing rib 82 is provided upright at the center of the outer wall on the housing 81 so as to hit the contact portion 65 of the first slide member 61.
A pair of engaging projections 83 are provided on opposite sides of the pressing rib to deflect the lock arm 56 and engage the housing lock 58.

Next, the fitting operation of the male and female connectors having the above-described configuration will be described. First, the slider 60 shown in FIG. 8 is assembled. That is, the slider 60 is assembled by inserting a set of compression springs 73 into the spring storage chamber 71 in the second slide member 66 and then connecting the stopper arm 63 of the first slide member 61 to the spring storage chamber 71. Insert inside. Then, the first slide member 61 and the second slide member 66 are integrated with the compression spring 73 held in the spring accommodating chamber 71 by engaging the engagement arm 68 with the stopper arm 63.

Next, when assembling the slider 60 to the male connector 50, the slider 60 is pushed into the slider accommodating portion 53 from the front of the male connector 50. At this time, the side end portions of the stopper arm portion 63 and the connecting portion 64 of the first slide member 61 and the side end portion of the second slide member 66 are fitted into the guide grooves 55, and the second slide member 6
The rear end of the slider 6 abuts against the locking arm 57, and the mounting of the slider 60 is completed. In this state, the slider 60 is temporarily locked by the locking arm 57, but no urging force acts on the compression spring 73. The description of the insertion of the contact into the terminal receiving chamber of the male connector 80 is omitted.

Next, the operation of fitting the male and female connectors 40 and 70 will be described. As shown in FIG.
The inner housing 52 of the female connector 80 and the housing insertion port 84 of the female connector 80 are opposed to each other.
The fitting operation of the male and female connectors is started so as to be fitted externally. At this time, the pressing rib 82 of the female connector 80 is fitted into the insertion notch 67a (see FIG. 8) of the second sliding member 66, and the front end of the pressing rib 82 is brought into contact with the first sliding member 61 as shown in FIG. Contact 65.

As the fitting operation proceeds, the pressing rib 82 of the female connector 80 is inserted into the insertion space 56a of the lock arm 56 of the male connector 50 while pushing the first slide member 61 (see FIG. 8). . At this time, the inclined surface of the housing lock 58 at the distal end of the lock arm 56 and the engaging projection 83 at the front end of the pressing rib 82 are in sliding contact with each other, and the distal end of the lock arm 56 is displaced toward the housing 81 of the female connector 80. Therefore, the distal end portion of the housing lock 58 is engaged with the locking portion 67 of the second slide member 66,
The slide member 66 cannot slide integrally with the first slide member 61.

Further, as the fitting operation proceeds, the first slide member 61 is moved backward by being pushed by the pressing rib 82. At this time, the slide groove 6 on the side of the first slide member 61
2 is allowed to move the engagement arm 68 of the second slide member 66. When the first slide member 61 moves while the second slide member 66 is stopped, the second slide member 61 moves.
The compression spring 73 in the slide member 66 is compressed, and a repulsive force that attempts to return to elasticity is generated. If the housing lock 58 on the male connector 50 side and the engagement projection 83 on the female connector 80 side are not fully engaged and the fitting operation is stopped, the compression spring 73 will re-engage. The first slide member 61 is pushed back in the detaching direction opposite to the joining direction. Thereby, the contact portion 65 of the first slide member 61
The female connector 80 is pushed back in the disengagement direction via the pressing rib 82 which has been in contact with the connector, and the halfway fitted state can be easily detected.

Then, when the fitting operation is advanced against the compression spring 73, the engagement projection 83 on the female connector 80 side goes over the housing lock 58 at the tip of the lock arm 46 and is elastically restored. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the engagement state between the distal end portion of the housing lock 58 and the locking portion 67 at the distal end of the second slide member 66 is released, and the housing lock 5
8 is engaged with the rear end of the engagement projection 83. Therefore, the male connector 50 and the female connector 80 are in a completely fitted state, and the contacts 54 and 85 are also in a completely electrically connected state.

At this time, the housing lock 58 and the locking portion 6
7, the maximum compression force acting on the compression spring 73 is released, and the second slide member 66 can be bent by the repulsion force of the compression spring 73. 57 is moved backward by overcoming the locking force of 57
It is pushed back to the original position with respect to the slide member 61. At this time, since the operation part 69 covering the pressing part 59 on the lock arm 56 moves rearward, the pressing part 59 is exposed upward. Further, the locking arm 67 of the second slide member 66 moves into the bending space at the distal end portion of the lock arm 56, so that the lock arm 56 is locked in an inflexible state. Therefore, the complete fitting state of the male connector 50 and the female connector 80 can be easily detected by the exposure of the pressing portion 59 together with the sense of moderation when the housing lock 58 and the engaging projection 83 are engaged.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, when releasing the completely fitted state, the operating portion 6 of the second slide member 66 is required.
Lock arm 5 exposed while holding fingers 9
6 is moved forward against the repulsive force of the compression spring 73 to a position covering the pressing portion 59. When the operation portion 69 is pressed downward, the pressing portion 59 is pressed downward, and the housing lock 58 of the lock arm 56 is displaced downward, so that the engagement state between the housing lock 58 and the engagement protrusion 83 is achieved. Is released. At this time, the first slide member 61 is pushed back forward by the repulsive force of the compressed spring 73 that has been compressed.
As a result, the female connector 80 is pushed back in the detaching direction via the pressing rib 82 on the female connector 80 that has been in contact with the contact portion 65 of the first slide member 61. Therefore, the detaching force at the time of detaching the connector can be reduced, and the detaching operation can be improved.

[0018]

However, the above-mentioned conventional half-fitting prevention connector has the following problems both at the time of fitting and at the time of fitting release. First, a problem that occurs when the male and female connectors 50 and 80 are fitted is as follows.
Since the rear end of the slide member 66 is extended, FIG.
In the case of complete fitting as shown in (2), the rear end of the second slide member 66 strongly hits the inner wall side surface 53a of the slider housing 53 (see FIG. 9). For this reason, the inner wall side surface 5
There was a concern that cracks and chips would occur in 3a.

Next, as a problem at the time of disengagement, as shown in FIG.
Direction and then push in the direction of arrow Y. That is, a two-step operation is required, and the slider 60
If the tip of the was pushed down excessively, there was a concern that it would be damaged. In addition, since the pressing portion 59 descends while sliding on the side surface of the first slide member 61 by the releasing operation, the arrow Y
This hindered improvement in operability when operating in the direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to surely prevent a halfway mating state at the time of mating connection of a pair of male and female contacts, and to improve operability at the time of mating release. And to provide a connector fitting structure capable of preventing breakage.

[0021]

The above objects of the present invention can be attained by a connector fitting structure described in 1) to 3) below. 1) Out of a set of male and female connectors that are fitted and connected to each other, the inner housing includes a front opening and an outer housing that covers the inner housing and slidably mounts a slider. A connector provided with a lock arm having a housing lock on the side, and another connector provided with an engagement projection which abuts one end of the slider on the housing and flexes and deforms the lock arm formed with the housing lock. A first slide member reciprocatingly sliding within a slider accommodating portion formed in the outer housing; a second slide member engaged behind the first slide member; and the first and second slide members separated from each other. The slider comprising: an elastic member having elasticity acting in a direction in which the slider is moved. In the fitting structure, an inclined surface is formed on a second locking portion provided at an end of a first engagement arm provided on the second slide member, and the inclined surface is provided at one end of an inner surface facing the slider accommodating portion. The engagement with the second locking portion is released when the male and female connectors are fitted, an inclined surface is formed in the first locking portion engaged when the fitting is released, and the second slide is released when the fitting is released. A connector fitting structure, wherein the first locking portion and the second locking portion are smoothly engaged by operating a member in one direction.

According to the connector fitting structure having the above configuration,
When releasing the mating of the male and female connectors, the second locking portion provided at the end of the first engagement arm climbs over the first locking portion provided at one end of the inner surface facing the slider accommodating portion. At the time of engagement, an inclined surface is formed at a position where the second locking portion and the first locking portion slide, so that the engagement is performed smoothly.

2) Out of a set of male and female connectors which are fitted and connected to each other, the inner housing is constituted by an inner housing opened forward and an outer housing which covers the inner housing and slidably mounts a slider. One connector provided with a lock arm having a housing lock on the upper front side, and the other provided with an engagement protrusion which abuts one end of the slider on the housing and flexes and deforms the lock arm formed with the housing lock. A first slide member reciprocatingly sliding within a slider housing portion formed in the outer housing; a second slide member engaged behind the first slide member; and the first and second slide members. The slider constituted by an elastic member that acts elastically in a direction to separate the sliders from each other. In the example was the connector fitting structure,
The second slide member includes an operation portion for sliding the entire second slide member in the slider housing portion when the engagement is released, and a first engagement arm integrated with the operation portion, and the second male member and the second male member are fitted with each other. When the second engagement portion provided at the tip of the first engagement arm is engaged with the first engagement portion provided at one end of the inner surface facing the slider accommodating portion at the time of disengagement, the operation portion is moved to the second engagement portion. (1) A connector fitting structure wherein the engagement state is detected by contacting an end of a locking portion.

According to the connector fitting structure having the above configuration,
When releasing the mating of the male and female connectors, one end of the operating portion that slides the second slide member abuts on the end of the first locking portion provided at one end of the inner surface facing the slider housing. Since the disengagement can be detected by the presence or absence of the contact, the operability at the time of disengagement is significantly improved.

3) Out of a pair of male and female connectors fitted and connected to each other, the inner housing includes an inner housing opened forward and an outer housing that covers the inner housing and slidably mounts a slider. One connector provided with a lock arm having a housing lock on the upper front side, and the other provided with an engagement protrusion which abuts one end of the slider on the housing and flexes and deforms the lock arm formed with the housing lock. A first slide member that reciprocates in a slider housing formed in the outer housing;
A connector fitting comprising a second slide member engaged behind the first slide member, and the slider comprising an elastic member that acts elastically in a direction to separate the first and second slide members from each other. In the combined structure, an operation portion for sliding the second slide member in the slider housing portion is provided on the second slide member, and the operation portion facing the rear end portion in the slider housing portion when the male and female connectors are fitted. A connector fitting structure, wherein a tapered surface is formed at an upper portion of a rear end of the portion, and a contact portion between the rear end of the operating portion and a rear end in the slider housing portion is reduced when the male and female connectors are fitted. .

According to the connector fitting structure having the above configuration,
When the male and female connectors are mated, the second slide member is urged to the rear end side in the slider accommodating portion. Since the surface is formed, the rear end of the operation portion does not entirely contact the corner of the slider housing portion, and cracking and chipping can be prevented.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the connector fitting structure according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a slider having a connector fitting structure of the present embodiment is assembled, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the slider in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a state in which the slider in FIG. Perspective view of a male connector, FIG.
5 is a sectional view showing a fitting start state of the male and female connectors, FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a fitting halfway state in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a fitting completed state in FIG. 5, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the effect | action at the time of disengagement.

Connector fitting structure 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3
Are a pair of female and male connectors that are fitted and connected to each other, that is, a male connector 2 that is one connector having a hood-shaped outer housing 5 and a female connector that is the other connector fitted to the male connector. 3 and a slider 4 housed in the male connector 2.

The male connector 2 has a terminal accommodating chamber 7 into which a predetermined number of socket contacts 6 are fitted. An inner housing 2a opened forward, a slider 4 serving as a slide lock member described later, and the slider 4 are slid. And an outer housing 5 movably mounted. A lock arm 8 having a cantilever structure having flexibility is provided on the inner housing 2a along the axis in the fitting direction, and a hook-shaped housing lock 8a is provided at a tip of the lock arm 8, and a substantially central portion is provided. A pressing portion 8b operated at the time of disengagement of the fitting is provided on the upper surface of.

A slider accommodating portion 11 for accommodating the slider 4 is provided between the upper surface of the inner housing 2a and the upper surface of the inner side of the outer housing 5. A guide groove 12 for guiding is provided. A side space 11 a for inserting the slider 4 is provided between the lock arm 8 and the inner wall of the outer housing 5. Further, a first locking portion 15 protruding downward is provided at an upper portion inside the outer housing 3. The first engagement portion 15 is for engaging a first engagement arm 16 constituting the slider 4 described later. An insertion space 13 is formed below the lock arm 8 and the housing lock 8a.
A seal member 14 covers the outer periphery of the inner housing 2a.

Next, the structure of the slider 4 will be described. FIG.
As shown in the figure, the slider 4 comprises a first slide member 21 that slides in the outer housing 5 in the axial direction, and a second slide member 2 that is engaged behind the first slide member 21.
2 and the second slide member 22 in the assembled state.
And a pair of compression springs 23 as elastic members that act to bias the first and second slide members 21 and 22 away from each other.

The first slide member 21 extends rearward and has a pair of stopper arms 24 abutting on one end of a compression spring 23, and a pair of stopper arms 2.
And a connecting portion 25 for connecting the front end of the female connector 4 at a front end thereof. A contact portion 27 is provided below the front end of the connecting portion 25 with which a pressing rib 26 (see FIG. 1) formed on the female connector 3 described later comes into contact. I have. On the upper part of the stopper arm 24, a locking auxiliary surface 24a for locking a locking auxiliary arm 28 described later is provided. When the male and female connectors are engaged, the first and second slide members 21 and 22 approach each other.
A slide groove 29 for releasing the second locking portion 16a provided at the distal end of the connecting portion 25 is provided at the rear end of the connecting portion 25.

The second slide member 22 has a locking portion 3 at its lower front end for holding down the downward displacement of the housing lock 8a.
1 is extended forward, and an operation portion 32 for operating at the time of disengagement is provided at the upper center, and a flexible second engagement arm 33 is provided at a lower portion of the operation portion 32. The second engagement arm 33 engages with the pressing portion 8b to prevent the slider 4 from coming out when the slider 4 is mounted on the outer housing 5. An engagement projection 33a is provided at the lower end of the tip. ing. Male and female connectors 2 and 3
The notch 3 is provided between the pair of locking portions 31 so that the pressing ribs 26 formed on the female connector 3 do not interfere with each other at the time of fitting.
1a is formed. The inner surfaces of the pair of locking portions 31 are formed on inclined surfaces 31b having a predetermined angle as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG.
, The fitting groove 41 in which the compression spring 23 is mounted.
A thick sliding contact rib 31c is formed on the outer portion on the side, and slidably contacts the inner wall of the outer housing 5 in the side space 11a into which the slider 4 is inserted. Further, a flexible auxiliary arm 28 is provided on the second slide member 22, and a locking auxiliary protrusion 28 which is locked on the locking auxiliary surface 24 a of the first slide member 21 is provided at a lower front end thereof.
a is formed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a housing 34 constituting the female connector 3 as the other connector includes:
The pin contact 35 protrudes in the fitting direction, and the pressing rib 26 that abuts on the contact portion 27 of the first slide member 21 extends in the fitting direction at the center of the outer wall on the housing 34. . A pair of engaging projections 36 are provided on both sides of the pressing rib 26 facing the front end,
When the male and female connectors 2 and 3 are fitted to each other, the lock arm 8 is bent and is engaged with the housing lock 8a.

Next, the assembly of the slider 4 will be described. To assemble the slider 4, the compression spring 23 is inserted into fitting grooves 41 formed on both sides of the second slide member 22 as shown by an arrow a in FIG. One end of the compression spring 23 is inserted into and engaged with the provided engagement projection 42. In this state, the first slide member 2
1 is approached to the open end side of the second slide member 22 as shown by the arrow b, and the other end of the compression spring 23 is
3 Then, when the auxiliary arm 28 is inserted so as to be further sandwiched between the fitting groove 41 and the auxiliary arm 28, the auxiliary arm 28 is bent and deformed upward, and the locking auxiliary projection 28a is locked to the locking auxiliary surface 24a. At that point, it returns to its original shape elastically. Thus, the first and second slide members 21 and 22 and the compression spring 23 are integrally assembled, and the assembly of the slide 4 is completed.

Next, the assembly of the slider 4 to the male connector 2 will be described. The slider 4 is inserted into a slider accommodating portion 11 formed above the male connector 2 as shown by an arrow A in FIG. At the time of insertion, the operating portion 32 slides in a state in which the operating portion 32 is pressed down against the inner surface of the upper portion of the outer housing 5, that is, the side surface on which the first locking portion 15 shown in FIG. When it reaches the side space 11a formed on the rear end side, it returns to its original shape elastically. Therefore, whether or not the slider 4 has been properly inserted, in other words, whether or not the assembly has been properly performed, can be confirmed by the return of the shape of the operation unit 32. In a state in which the slider 4 is slidably mounted in the slider accommodating portion 11, the entire slider 4 is accommodated in the outer housing 5 constituting the male connector 2 as shown in FIG. And the like, and the operation unit 32 and the like are exposed from the rear opening. At this time, the second
The sliding contact rib 31c of the slide member 22 is in slidable contact with the inner wall of the outer housing 5, and the first slide member 21 is engaged with the male and female connectors 2 and 3 while the outer housing 5 and the second slide member 22 are being fitted. Is reliably prevented from being caught in the gap between

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the internal structure of the male connector 2 is such that the second engaging portion 16a formed at the tip of the first engaging arm 16 engages with the first engaging portion 15, so that the male connector 2 remains in this state. Thus, the entire slider 4 does not move rightward in the figure. The engagement projection 33a formed at the tip of the second engagement arm 33 rides over the pressing portion 8b formed substantially at the center of the upper surface of the lock arm 8. And compression spring 2
Reference numeral 3 indicates that the first slide member 21 is elastically supported with one end of the second slide member 22, that is, the end on which the engagement protrusion 42 is formed as a fulcrum. Therefore, the first slide member 2
1 can be urged rightward in the figure against the repulsive force of the compression spring 23.

Next, the fitting operation of the male and female connectors 2 and 3 will be described. The female connector 3 is fitted to the male connector 2 from the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 1, and the engagement protrusion 36 comes into contact with the contact portion 27 by inserting the female connector 3 into the male connector 2. Then, as shown in FIG.
When the female connector 3 is pushed in, the first slide member 21 is elastically supported by the compression spring 23, so that the first slide member 21
Is pushed into. As a result, the engagement protrusion 36 rides up from the tapered surface formed at the front end of the housing lock 8a, and the entire lock arm 8 is flexed and deformed in accordance with the amount of pushing of the female connector 3. Also, the pin contact 35
Is inserted into the socket contact 6.

When the female connector 3 is further pushed into the male connector 2 from the state shown in FIG. 4, the upper end of the connecting portion 25 is raised according to the pushed amount, as shown in FIG. Get on the tapered surface. Thereby, the second locking portion 16a escapes into the slide groove 29 and the first locking portion 16a
The front end of the engagement arm 16 also bends and deforms forward and downward,
The locking portion 16a comes off the first locking portion 15. At this time, the engaging projection 36 rides on the housing lock 8a and tries to get over it. Further, the pin contact 35 is inserted deeper into the socket contact 6.

Next, when the female connector 3 is further pushed into the male connector 2 from the state shown in FIG. 5, the engagement projection 36 gets over the housing lock 8a. As a result, the lock arm 8 returns to its original shape due to its own elasticity, and the engagement protrusion 36 and the housing lock 8a are engaged. Also,
Since the engagement between the first locking portion 15 and the second locking portion 16a is completely released, the entire slider 4 is pushed rearward in the slider housing 11 by the repulsive force of the compression spring 23.
As shown in FIG. 6, the male and female connectors 2 and 3 are completely fitted,
The engagement of the engagement protrusion 36 with the housing lock 8a prevents the male and female connectors 2 and 3 from coming out. The pin contact 35 is inserted into the socket contact 6 and is electrically connected. The housing 3 of the female connector 3
4 is pressed against the seal member 14, so that the male and female connectors 2, 2
3 completely fits in a watertight manner so as not to come out. An electric wire 37 is crimped to the socket contact 6, and a waterproof member 38 is provided between the electric wire 37 and the outer housing 5. Therefore, infiltration of moisture transmitted from the electric wire 37 is prevented by the waterproof member 38.

As described above, when the male and female connectors 2 and 3 are completely fitted, the slider 4 is repelled by the compression spring 23 with the first slide member 21 as a fulcrum.
6 is elastically pressed against the wall of the slider housing 11 as shown in FIG. In addition, the upper end of the slider accommodating portion 11 is formed in a curved surface R for cutting off and improving strength.
Therefore, if the upper end portion 32a of the base of the operation portion 32 is formed in a rectangular shape, the upper end portion 32a strongly strikes the position of the curved surface R, and there is a possibility that cracks or chips may occur in both or one of them. It is difficult to detect this crack or chip at the manufacturing stage. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the upper end portion is configured to be the tapered surface 32a so as not to abut on the curved surface R. According to this configuration, even if the second slide member 22 moves to the rear end side due to the repulsive force of the compression spring 23, the operation unit 32
Also, no crack or chipping occurs in any of the curved surfaces R, and the reliability of the male and female connectors 2 and 3 is improved.

Next, the release of the fitting of the male and female connectors 2 and 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, in the case of disengagement of the male and female connectors 2 and 3, the operation unit 32 is pushed in the direction shown by the arrow B. Then, the second locking portion 16a formed at the tip of the first engagement arm 16 passes over the first locking portion 15 from the position shown in FIG. 6 as shown in FIG. At this time, the inclined surface 16b of the second engaging portion 16a is
Since it descends while sliding on the upper part, the second locking portion 16a is moved along the inclined surface only by pulling the operation portion 32 in the direction of arrow B.
It comes over the locking portion 15. Therefore, the inclined surface 1
5a and 16b have a guide function, and the operability is improved because the operation in the Y direction described in the conventional example becomes unnecessary.

The second locking portion 16a is connected to the first locking portion 1
When the first slide member 21 has completely passed over the first slide member 5, the first slide member 21 is pushed by the repulsive force of the compression spring 23, and the disengagement can be smoothly performed. As described above, when the second locking portion 16a has completely passed over the first locking portion 15, the front end of the operating portion 32 abuts on the rear end of the first locking portion 15 and moves in the direction of arrow B. Is prevented from moving. Therefore, at the time of disengagement, the disengagement can be detected by the contact, and the operability at the time of disengagement is improved.

[0045]

As described above, according to the connector fitting structure of the present invention, the inclined surface is formed in the second engaging portion provided at the end of the first engaging arm provided on the second slide member. And an inclined surface provided at one end of the inner surface facing the slider accommodating portion, the engagement with the second locking portion being released when the male and female connectors are fitted, and the first locking portion being engaged when the fitting is released. Is formed, and the first locking portion and the second locking portion are smoothly engaged with each other by operating the second slide member in one direction when the fitting is released. Therefore, when releasing the mating of the male and female connectors, the second locking portion provided at the end of the first engagement arm that constitutes the slider operates the operation portion integrated with the first engagement arm. A first engaging portion provided at one end of the inner surface facing the slider housing portion is engaged. At this time, since the first locking portion and the second locking portion come into contact with each other and form a slope on both sides thereof, the second locking portion is operated only in one direction.
The locking portion can easily get over the first locking portion and be engaged, and it is not necessary to push the operation portion when the vehicle gets over the first locking portion, so that the operability at the time of disengagement is significantly improved.

Further, according to the connector fitting structure of the present invention, the second sliding member has an operating portion for sliding the entire second sliding member within the slider housing portion when the fitting is released, and an integral part of the operating portion. A first locking arm provided at one end of an inner surface facing the slider accommodating portion when the male and female connectors are disengaged, and a second locking portion provided at a distal end of the first locking arm. At the time of engagement, the operating portion is brought into contact with the end of the first locking portion to detect the engaged state. Therefore, when releasing the mating of the male and female connectors, one end of the operating portion that slides the second slide member abuts on the end of the first locking portion provided at one end of the inner surface facing the slider housing. Since the disengagement can be detected by the presence or absence of the contact, the operability at the time of disengagement is significantly improved.

Further, according to the connector fitting structure of the present invention, an operation portion for sliding the second slide member in the slider accommodating portion is provided on the second slide member. A tapered surface is formed at an upper portion of a rear end of the operation portion facing the rear end portion, and a contact portion between the rear end of the operation portion and the rear end portion in the slider accommodating portion when the male and female connectors are fitted is reduced. Therefore, the operating portion does not entirely contact the corner of the slider housing portion, so that cracking and chipping can be prevented, and the reliability of the device to which the connector is applied as well as the reliability of the connector itself can be improved. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a slider in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a male connector to which the slider in FIG. 1 is assembled.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a fitting start state of the male and female connectors in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the male and female connectors in FIG. 1 are being fitted.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a completely fitted state of the male and female connectors in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the male and female connectors in FIG. 6 when the fitting is released.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a slider in a conventional connector fitting structure.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before fitting of the male and female connectors in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a completely fitted state of the male and female connectors in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation at the time of disengagement of the male and female connectors in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connector fitting structure 2 Male connector (one connector) 2a Inner housing 3 Female connector (other connector) 4 Slider 5 Outer housing 8 Lock arm 8a Housing lock 11 Slider accommodating part 15 First locking part 15a Inclined surface 16th 1 engagement arm 16a second locking portion 16b inclined surface 21 first slide member 22 second slide member 23 compression spring 29 slide groove 31 locking portion 31a cutout portion 31b inclined surface 31c sliding contact rib 32 operating portion 33 second Engagement arm 33a Engagement protrusion 34 Housing 36 Engagement protrusion 37 Electric wire 38 Waterproof member 41 Fitting groove

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A set of female and male connectors which are fitted and connected to each other, comprising: an inner housing opened forward; and an outer housing which covers the inner housing and slidably mounts a slider. One connector provided with a lock arm having a housing lock on the upper front side, and the other provided with an engagement protrusion which abuts one end of the slider on the housing and flexes and deforms the lock arm having the housing lock formed thereon. A first slide member reciprocatingly sliding within a slider accommodating portion formed in the outer housing; a second slide member engaged behind the first slide member; and the first and second slide members. And a resilient member having an elasticity acting in a direction to separate the sliders from each other. In the connector fitting structure, an inclined surface is formed on a second locking portion provided at an end of a first engagement arm provided on the second slide member, and an inclined surface is formed on one end of an inner surface facing the slider accommodating portion. Provided,
The engagement with the second locking portion is released when the male and female connectors are fitted, an inclined surface is formed in the first locking portion that is engaged when the fitting is released, and the second slide member is released when the fitting is released. The connector fitting structure characterized in that the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are smoothly engaged by operating in one direction. 2. An inner housing comprising a pair of female and male connectors which are fitted and connected to each other, comprising an inner housing opened forward and an outer housing which covers the inner housing and slidably mounts a slider. One connector provided with a lock arm having a housing lock on the upper front side, and the other provided with an engagement protrusion which abuts one end of the slider on the housing and flexes and deforms the lock arm having the housing lock formed thereon. A first slide member reciprocatingly sliding within a slider accommodating portion formed in the outer housing; a second slide member engaged behind the first slide member; and the first and second slide members. And a resilient member having an elasticity acting in a direction to separate the sliders from each other. In the connector fitting structure described above, the second slide member includes an operation unit that slides the entire second slide member in the slider housing unit when the engagement is released, and a first engagement arm integrated with the operation unit. A first locking portion provided at one end of an inner surface facing the slider receiving portion when the male and female connectors are disengaged from each other;
When engaging the second locking portion provided at the tip of the engaging arm, the operating portion is brought into contact with the end of the first locking portion to detect the engagement state. Joint structure. 3. A pair of female and male connectors which are fitted and connected to each other, comprising an inner housing opened forward and an outer housing which covers the inner housing and slidably mounts a slider. One connector provided with a lock arm having a housing lock on the upper front side, and the other provided with an engagement protrusion which abuts one end of the slider on the housing and flexes and deforms the lock arm having the housing lock formed thereon. A first slide member reciprocatingly sliding within a slider accommodating portion formed in the outer housing; a second slide member engaged behind the first slide member; and the first and second slide members. And a resilient member having elasticity acting in a direction to separate the sliders from each other. In the connector fitting structure, an operation portion for sliding the second slide member in the slider housing portion is provided on the second slide member, and opposes a rear end portion in the slider housing portion when the male and female connectors are fitted. A connector fitting, wherein a tapered surface is formed on a rear end upper portion of the operation portion, and a contact portion between the rear end of the operation portion and a rear end portion in the slider accommodating portion is reduced when the male and female connectors are fitted. Joint structure.