JP2002198127A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To regulate movement with both connector housings floating in a orthogonal which is orthogonal to a fitting direction. SOLUTION: A female housing 20 is constituted, in such a way that a cylindrical part 22 of a nearly square-cylindrical state is coupled on the outside of a terminal housing part 21, and a hood part 11 of a male housing 10 can be fitted from the front between the terminal housing part 21 and the cylindrical part 22. A pair of guide ribs 15 has been protrudingly installed sideway at both side faces of the hood part 11 of the male housing 10, and as both housings 10, 20 are fitted, both guide ribs 15 are advanced into a guide groove 40 inside of swelling parts 39, formed swelling in both side parts of the cylindrical part 22 of the female housing 20, and thereby a fitting action is guided. A regulated protruding part 50 is protruded into the inside in corner parts of 4 placed at nearly diagonal positions in the inner peripheral face of the cylindrical part 22. Each regulated protruding part 50 abuts on the outer peripheral face of the hood part 11 fitted into the inside of the cylindrical part 22, following which the cylindrical part 22 becomes expanded elastically.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an example of a connector in which male and female housings are fitted to each other is described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-56981. In this case, the female housing is fitted into the hood portion of the male housing, and a pair of guide ribs are provided on both left and right side surfaces of the female housing so as to protrude toward the side. Is formed such that the guide rib is fitted therein and a bulging portion capable of guiding the fitting operation of both housings bulges laterally. by the way,
Since the hood portion of the male housing is thin-walled, the hood may slightly warp during molding of the resin, and if so, the female housing interferes with the fitting and the fitting resistance increases. In order to reduce the fitting resistance, a predetermined clearance is secured between the two housings in a radial direction orthogonal to the fitting direction.

[0003]

However, if the above-mentioned clearance is provided between the two housings, the two housings may be loosened in the radial direction due to external vibration or the like when the two housings are fitted. This may adversely affect the connection state of the male and female terminal fittings connected to each other in both housings. The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and has an object to restrict the two connector housings from floating in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first connector housing having a cylindrical portion protruding from the inside of the one connector housing so that the other connector housing can be fitted therein. The cylindrical portion is provided with a pair of bulging portions bulging outward. Inside the cylindrical portion, a pair of guide ribs projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the other connector housing are received, and the two connector housings are provided. A guide groove capable of guiding a fitting operation is formed, and one of an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and an outer peripheral surface of the other connector housing is regulated so as to be able to abut on a mating side. A protrusion is disposed in a region between the two bulging portions along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion, and as the regulating protrusion contacts the other side, the two connector housings are moved by the cylindrical portion. Mating method Relatively loose with respect to orthogonal directions and is characterized in was constructed, it adapted to be elastically held in a restricted state.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the tubular portion is formed in a substantially rectangular tubular shape, and the tubular portion is partially cut out, so that the two connector housings are formed. A lock arm is provided which is elastically deformed once as it is fitted, resiliently returns when it reaches regular fitting, and is locked to the other connector housing to hold the two connector housings inseparably. In such a case, at least one pair of the regulating protrusions is arranged near a diagonal position in the cylindrical portion.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the restricting projection is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the other connector housing, and an arrangement area of the restricting projection is the other connector housing. It is characterized in that only the rear end side in the fitting direction is located in a region of the housing fitted in the cylindrical portion of the one connector housing.

[0007]

<Operation and effect of the invention><Invention of claim 1> When the two connector housings are fitted, the fitting operation is guided by fitting the guide ribs into the guide grooves in the bulging portion.
When the regulating protrusion comes into contact with the other side, the two connector housings are elastically held in a state in which the relative movement of the two connector housings in the direction orthogonal to the fitting direction is relatively restricted by the cylindrical portion. Since the arrangement position of the restricting projection is lower in rigidity than the bulging portion of the cylindrical portion, an increase in fitting resistance when fitting both connector housings can be suppressed as much as possible. .

<Invention of Claim 2> In the case where the lock arm is provided by cutting out the cylindrical portion, the arrangement position of the restricting projection is a position in the cylindrical portion avoiding the lock arm. According to the present invention, by disposing the regulating protrusion near the diagonal position of the cylindrical portion avoiding the lock arm, the two connector housings can be held in a well-balanced manner, and the arrangement efficiency is improved.

<Invention of Claim 3> The timing at which the regulating projection contacts the cylindrical portion of one connector housing can be the final stage of the fitting operation, and the time during which the fitting force increases can be shortened. . In addition, since the restricting protrusion contacts only the distal end of the cylindrical portion, which is lower in rigidity than the root, the increase in the fitting force can be further suppressed.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. <First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
0, 20 and the female connector housing 20
A waterproof connector of a type in which the male connector housing 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as the male housing 10) is fitted into the cylindrical portion 22 provided on the side (hereinafter simply referred to as the female housing 20) will be described. In the following, both housings 10, 20
Is defined as the front side.

The male housing 10 is formed integrally with the equipment and has a substantially rectangular cylindrical hood portion 1 protruding forward.
1 is provided. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two tab-like male terminal fittings 12 projecting forward are provided side by side in the width direction from the inner surface of the hood portion 11. Female terminal fitting 24 arranged on housing 20 side
Are electrically connected to each other. At the center of the upper surface of the hood portion 11 in the width direction, a lock protrusion 13 that can lock the lock arm 35 on the female housing 20 side is provided to protrude upward. The front surface of the lock projection 13 is formed in a tapered shape. On both sides of the lock projection 13 on the upper surface of the hood 11, the hood 11
Guide ribs 14 extending back and forth over the entire length of the
Are provided to protrude upward. FIG. 2 of the hood section 11
At a substantially central position in the height direction on the left and right side surfaces, a pair of guide ribs 15 extending forward and backward over the entire length of the hood portion 11 are respectively provided to protrude to the side.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the female housing 20 has a terminal accommodating portion 21 capable of accommodating the female terminal fitting 24.
And a cylindrical portion 22 surrounding the terminal accommodating portion 21. And these terminal accommodating portions 21
The hood part 11 of the male housing 10 is fitted between the hood part 11 and the cylindrical part 22. In addition, a predetermined clearance in the radial direction is secured between the cylindrical portion 22 and the hood portion 11 on the male housing 10 side fitted inside.

The terminal accommodating portion 21 is provided with two cavities 23 into which the female terminal fittings 24 can be inserted from the rear side in the width direction. The female terminal fitting 24 has a box-shaped connecting portion 26 provided with a mountain-shaped elastic contact piece 25 capable of elastic contact with the male terminal fitting 12 inside, and a rubber plug attached to an electric wire W having a rubber plug 27 fitted to the terminal of the coating. Barrel 28 connected by swaging together with 27
And before and after. The rubber stopper 27 can waterproof the inside of the cavity 23 by being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cavity 23. On the lower surface side of the cavity 23, a lance 30 is provided which can be locked to the jaw portion 29 of the connection portion 26 of the inserted female terminal fitting 24. The lance 30 is formed in a cantilever shape, and is bent and deformed into a lower bending space by being pressed by a female terminal fitting 24 inserted into the cavity 23. Around the terminal accommodating portion 21, a front retainer 31 having a bending restricting portion 32 which can enter the bending space of each lance 30 and restrict the bending deformation of the lance 30 is covered from the front. A rubber ring 33 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating portion 21 behind the front retainer 31.
Is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the rubber ring 33.
The inner peripheral surface of the hood portion 11 of the male housing 10 to be fitted is in close contact with the male housing 10, so that waterproofing between the two housings 10, 20 is achieved (see FIG. 5).

The cylindrical portion 22 is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape.
It is connected to the inner terminal accommodating portion 21 at a position behind the center in the longitudinal direction. A central portion in the width direction of the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 22 is separated from other portions by a pair of cutout portions 34 provided on both sides, and the central portion is a lock arm 35. This lock arm 3
5 is formed in a cantilever shape having a base end portion 36 connected to the terminal accommodating portion 21 and an arm portion 37 extending forward and backward from the base end portion 36. The arm portion 37 is configured to be elastically vertically displaceable. At the front of the arm portion 37, a lock hole 38 penetrating vertically is provided.
The lock projection 13 on the 0 side can enter. The notches 34 on both sides of the lock arm 35 are fitted into the male housing 10 as the two housings 10 and 20 are fitted.
Of the guide rib 14 is inserted. A pair of bulging portions 39 are provided on the left and right sides of the cylindrical portion 22 in FIG.
Are bulged to the side. In the guide groove 40 formed inside the both bulging portions 39, both housings 10, 2 are provided.
As the 0 is fitted, the guide rib 15 on the male housing 10 can be fitted.

On the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 22, there is provided a regulating projection 50 which forms an elongated projection extending in the front-rear direction. The restricting projections 50 are provided at four corner portions of the cylinder portion 22 at substantially diagonal positions, respectively, and are arranged on curved portions of the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 22. In other words, each of the regulating protrusions 50 is the cylindrical portion 22.
3 in the region from the bulging base 39a of the left bulging portion 39 to the bulging base 39a of the right bulging portion 39 in FIG. Part 50
Is disposed at a position avoiding the bulging portion 39 and the lock arm 35. In addition, since the bulging portion 39 has a bent portion by bulging the cylindrical portion 22 outward, its stiffness is different from that of another portion of the cylindrical portion 22 (a corner portion having a curved surface or a straight portion). It is higher than that.

The restricting projection 50 is provided so as to extend back and forth over substantially the entire length of the cylindrical portion 22. Regulation protrusion 50
Is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the front, and the overhang dimension is set slightly larger than the clearance between the cylindrical portion 22 and the hood portion 11 of the male housing 10 so that the overhang end surface thereof is formed. Is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the hood portion 11. As the restricting projection 50 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the hood 11, the cylindrical portion 22
It is adapted to be elastically expanded slightly (see FIG. 6). Also, the projecting end face of the regulating protrusion 50 is
The male housing 10 is formed in an R shape along a curved surface of a corner portion of the hood portion 11.

This embodiment has the above-described structure, and its operation will be described below. When the female housing 20 is fitted into the male housing 10, the hood 11 is
2 and the terminal accommodating portion 21, the guide ribs 14 enter the notches 34 on both sides of the lock arm 35, and the guide ribs 15
By entering 0, the fitting operation of the two housings 10 and 20 is smoothly guided. At this time, the regulating projections 50 projecting inward from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 22 abut against the curved surfaces of the corners of the outer peripheral surface of the hood portion 11, and the housings 10 and 20 are orthogonal to the fitting direction. The rattling in the radial direction is suppressed. Further, since the cylindrical portion 22 is slightly expanded as each of the regulating protrusions 50 comes into contact with the hood portion 11, the fitting operation of the two housings 10, 20 is performed by the elastic force acting from the cylindrical portion 22. It is done while resisting. In addition,
The increase in the fitting force due to the expansion of the cylindrical portion 22 is caused by the restriction protrusion 5
Since 0 is disposed at a position avoiding the peripheral surface of the bulging portion 39 having relatively high rigidity in the cylindrical portion 22, the diameter is kept to a minimum.

As shown in FIG. 4, as the front end of the lock arm 35 rides on the lock projection 13, the lock arm 35 is elastically deformed. After that, when the two housings 10 and 20 are fitted to the normal depth, the lock projection 13 enters the lock hole 38 and the lock arm 35 elastically returns as shown in FIG. The rear end surface is locked to the front edge of the lock hole 38 so that the two housings 10 and 20 are held irremovably from the fitted state.
At this time, the male terminal fitting 12 is connected to the connecting portion 2 of the female terminal fitting 24.
6 and resiliently contact the elastic contact piece 25 to establish conduction between the terminal fittings 12 and 24. Also,
The rubber ring 33 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hood portion 11 to provide waterproof between the housings 10 and 20.

Each regulating projection 50 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the hood 11 over substantially the entire length, and as shown in FIG. 6, the male housing 10 is held elastically by the cylindrical portion 22. Has become. In this state, even when external vibration is applied, both housings 10, 20
Are restricted from moving relative to each other in the radial direction, and the play between the housings 10 and 20 can be suppressed. Thereby, it can prevent that both terminal fittings 12 and 24 rub against each other and the contact state deteriorates. In addition, since each of the restricting projections 50 is disposed substantially diagonally on the cylindrical portion 22, the male housing 10 is held in a well-balanced manner.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
The restricting projection 50 protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 22 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the male housing 10 fitted inside the cylindrical portion 22. It is possible to elastically maintain a state in which it is prevented from floating along the orthogonal radial direction. In addition, the regulating protrusion 50
Is located at a position relatively lower in rigidity than the bulging portion 39 in the cylindrical portion 22, so that an increase in fitting resistance between the housings 10, 20 can be minimized. it can.

Further, since each of the regulating projections 50 is arranged at each of the four positions near the diagonal positions of the cylindrical portion 22, the male housing 10 can be held in a well-balanced manner, and the arrangement efficiency is good. Becomes

<Second Embodiment> A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment described above, in which the shape of the regulating projection is changed.

The restricting projection 50A is formed in an arcuate shape obtained by cutting a circle at a position avoiding the center point thereof when viewed from the front. The peripheral surface of the regulating projection 50A which is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the hood portion 11 of the male housing 10 has a gentle arc-shaped curved surface, and no angular portion is formed. , 20 can be further reduced in fitting resistance. The other structures, operations and effects are the same as those of the above-described first embodiment, and thus redundant description will be omitted.

<Third Embodiment> A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the third embodiment, a case will be described in which the regulating protrusion is provided on the male housing side.

As shown in FIG. 8, the regulating projection 50B is provided so as to protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the hood 11 of the male housing 10, and is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the front. The restricting projections 50B are provided at four corners of the hood 11 that are substantially diagonal in the circumferential direction, and are disposed on curved surfaces of the outer peripheral surface of the hood 11. This regulating protrusion 50B is
The female housing 20 is disposed in a region between the two bulging portions 39 along the circumferential direction in the cylindrical portion 22 (see FIG. 10).
As shown in FIG. 9, these restricting projections 50B are provided to extend forward from the root position of the hood 11 and have a length dimension of about 1/3 of the entire length of the hood 11. It is large. Further, the protruding end surface of the restricting projection 50B is connected to the cylindrical portion 22 of the female housing 20.
Are formed in an R shape along the curved surface of the corner portion of the.

The two housings 10 and 20 are fitted to each other, and the fitting operation is approaching the final stage. As the tip of the cylindrical portion 22 of the female housing 20 approaches the root of the hood 11 of the male housing 10, Each of the regulating projections 50B is a cylindrical portion 22.
The cylindrical portion 22 is slightly elastically expanded from the distal end side while being in contact with the curved surfaces of the corner portions on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. When the housings 10 and 20 are properly fitted, as shown in FIGS.
A portion that extends from the tip end side to a length of about 1/3 of the entire length thereof is in contact with each regulating projection 50B, and holds the hood portion 11 in an elastically expanded state.

As described above, each of the restricting projections 50B is located within the region of the hood 11 fitted into the cylindrical portion 22.
Since it is provided only at the root portion on the rear end side in the fitting direction, each of the regulating protrusions 50B can be brought into contact with the cylindrical portion 22 only at the final stage of the fitting operation, and the regulating protrusion 50B is extended over the entire length. The time during which the fitting force increases can be shortened as compared with the case where it is formed. In addition, the restricting projection 50B comes into contact with the distal end of the cylindrical portion 22, which is lower in rigidity than the root side, and is easily expanded with a relatively small force. Thus, it is possible to further suppress an increase in the fitting resistance between the housings 10 and 20. The other structures, operations and effects are the same as those of the above-described first embodiment, and thus redundant description will be omitted.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. (1) In the above-described embodiment, the shape of the regulating protrusion is trapezoidal or arcuate when viewed from the front. However, the shape of the regulating protrusion is not particularly limited to the above shape, and may be, for example, a square or a half. The shape may be circular, and other shapes are also included in the present invention. (2) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the regulating protrusions are arranged at substantially diagonal positions has been described. In short, the regulating protrusions are arranged in a region between the two bulging portions in the cylindrical portion in the circumferential direction. For this reason, the present invention includes a configuration in which the regulating protrusion is disposed at another position within a range satisfying this condition.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the waterproof connector in which the female housing is surrounded by the cylindrical portion around the terminal accommodating portion is shown. However, for example, a block-shaped female housing is fitted in the hood portion of the male housing. The present invention can also be applied to a connector of the type described above, in which case the male housing and its hood correspond to the one connector housing and the cylindrical portion described in the claims respectively, and the female housing is It corresponds to the other connector housing described in the claims. (4) In the above-described embodiment, the male housing is formed integrally with the device. However, for example, the male housing may be of a type provided at a terminal portion of an electric wire derived from the device, or may be a male housing. The housing may be a relay connector.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a male housing and a female housing according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a male housing.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the female housing.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a stage in which both housings are fitted to each other.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a state where both housings are properly fitted;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the male and female housings according to the second embodiment of the present invention are properly fitted.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a male housing according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the male housing.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the male and female housings are properly fitted.

11 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Male housing (the other connector housing) 15 ... Guide rib 20 ... Female housing (one connector housing) 22 ... Cylindrical part 35 ... Lock arm 39 ... Swelling part 40 ... Guide groove 50, 50A, 50B ... Regulation protrusion

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. One of the connector housings has a tubular portion protruding inwardly into which the other connector housing can be fitted, and this tubular portion is provided with a pair of bulging portions bulging outward. On the inner side thereof, a guide groove capable of receiving a pair of guide ribs projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the other connector housing and guiding the fitting operation of the two connector housings is formed, respectively. On one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the other connector housing, a regulating protrusion which can be brought into contact with a mating side is arranged in a region between the two bulging portions along the circumferential direction in the cylindrical portion. As the restricting projection comes into contact with the counterpart, the two connector housings are elastically moved in a state in which play is relatively restricted by the cylindrical portion in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction. Held in Connector, characterized in that has been so. 2. The cylindrical portion is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape, and is partially elastically deformed when the two connector housings are fitted by partially cutting out the cylindrical portion.
A lock arm capable of elastically restoring at the time of regular fitting and being locked to the other connector housing and capable of holding the two connector housings inseparably; The connector according to claim 1, wherein at least one pair is arranged near a diagonal position in (1). 3. The restricting projection is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the other connector housing, and an arrangement area of the restricting projection is fitted in a cylindrical portion of the one connector housing in the other connector housing. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein only the rear end side in the fitting direction is provided.