JP2003308925A - Locking structure of connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a locking structure of a connector wherein deformation of the base part of a lock lever is prevented, a chiking feeling in engaging is improved, and further an engaging release characteristic is improved. <P>SOLUTION: A pair of leg parts 16, 16 are made to be erected from a wall part 28 of one connector 10, a locking part 18 is installed at a free end part 17 intersected with and ranged to this pair of these leg parts 16, 16, a release lever 20 to extend so as to return from the free end part 17 to the leg part 16 is installed, and an abutting part to abut on the end part of the other connector is installed at the middle part of the release lever 20. By this, when the release lever 20 is pushed, the free end part 17 is pushed up by the principle of the lever making the abutting part as the fulcrum, and engagement of the locking part 18 with the engaging part is released. The release lever 20 is constituted of a pair of arm parts 21, 21 and a pressurizing part 23 intersecting with these pair of arm parts 21, 21 and ranging in a row. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fitting state of one connector connected to an electric wire for exchanging control signals and the like between on-vehicle equipments and the other connector directly attached to a circuit board or the like. The present invention relates to a connector lock structure for holding a connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A connector lock structure for connecting a connector as a connecting component for supplying electric power to a vehicle-mounted device or for transmitting a control signal to the device to a mating connector to hold the fitted state , There are various lock structures. An example is the lock structure shown below.

One of them is a seesaw type lock structure supported in a T shape. As shown in FIG. 6, this locking structure has a base end portion 7 that rises from a wall portion 71 of the connector 70.
2 and a release lever 73 and a lock lever 74 on both sides of the base end portion 72, respectively. By engaging a locking hole 75 provided in the lock lever 74 with a mating connector (not shown), the connectors are connected to each other. The fitting state of is retained. When releasing the engagement, the release lever 73 is pushed down to perform the release. However, this lock structure has a problem that the lock lever 74 is not easily elastically deformed, so that the disengageability is not good.

Further, there is a cantilever type lock structure. In this locking structure, the fitting state of the connectors is maintained by engaging the locking portion provided on the free end portion on one side with the engaging portion of the mating connector.

As a lock structure of a cantilever type connector, one described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 59-279 is known. As shown in FIG. 7, the wall portion 81 of the connector 80 is
On the surface, a pair of base end portions 82 rising from the wall portion 81,
82 is provided. C-shaped release lever 83
Is a pair of parallel arm portions 84 connected to the base end portion 82,
84 and a pressing portion 85 that intersects the pair of arm portions 84, 84 and is continuous. That is, one side of the arm portion 84 is connected to the base end portion 82 as a fixed end, and the other side of the arm portion 84 is connected to the pressing portion 85.

The locking hole 88 is used for the pressing portion 8 of the release lever 83.
5 is formed on a tip portion 87 of a flexible lock lever 86 formed so as to project from 5. The lock lever 86 as a free end portion extends in the fitting direction with a mating connector (not shown) than the pair of base end portions 82, 82. The root portion 89 of the lock lever 86 is a fixed end.

The operation of the above structure will be described. When the connectors are fitted to each other and the locking holes 88 of the lock lever 86 are engaged with the locking projections (not shown) of the mating connector, the connectors are connected to each other. The fitted state is maintained.

When the connectors are to be separated from each other, the release lever 83 is pushed by a fingertip or the like to elastically deform the pair of arm portions 84, 84 and the tip portion 87 of the lock lever 86 is pushed up, so that the locking hole 88 is formed. The engagement of the locking projection is released, and the connectors are separated from each other.

[0009]

However, the above-described conventional connector locking structure has the following problems to be solved.

First, when the lock levers 74 and 86 are elastically deformed, stress is concentrated on the root portions 76 and 89 serving as fixed ends, which may cause plastic deformation of the root portions 76 and 89. . In the seesaw type and cantilever type lock structure,
At the time of bending, the stress concentrates on the roots 76, 89 to a greater or lesser extent, but especially when the protrusion length is short (FIG. 6), the lock lever 74 is difficult to bend, so it is necessary to bend it strongly and The bending stress acting becomes large, and the root portion 76 is easily deformed. When the base portion 76 is plastically deformed, the engagement margin between the engagement hole 75 and the engagement projection becomes shallow, and the engagement may be easily released.

That is, when the protrusion length is short, the engagement holding force is strong and the click feeling at the time of engagement is good, but the lock lever 74 is difficult to bend, the assemblability is poor, and the bending stress acting on the root portion 76 is large. turn into.

On the other hand, when the protrusion length is long (FIG. 7),
Although the lock lever 86 as a free end portion is easily bent, the assembling property is good, and the bending stress of the root portion 89 is small, on the other hand, the engagement holding force (lock holding force) is easily weakened. If the engagement holding force is weak, there is no feeling of moderation (feeling) at the time of engagement, and it may be mistakenly recognized that the engagement has been completed despite the incomplete engagement.

Therefore, the protruding lengths of the lock levers 74 and 86 must be set in consideration of the balance of the assembling property, the strength of the root portion, and the engagement holding force. The structure was not a lock structure satisfying these at the same time.

Another problem is that the operability when releasing the engagement between the engagement holes 75 and 88 and the engagement projection is poor. That is, even if the release levers 73 and 83 are operated, the lock levers 74 and 86 may not be pushed up and the engagement may not be released.

Furthermore, since the release levers 73 and 83 project outside the wall portions 71 and 81 of the connectors 70 and 80, the release levers 73 and 83 are inadvertently pushed down due to interference with the outside and the connectors are released. There is a concern that the engaged state may be released or the lock levers 74 and 86 in which the locking holes 75 and 88 are formed may be bent due to being bent to the outside and the engagement may be released.

In view of the above points, the present invention prevents deformation of the root portion of the lock lever, improves the feeling of moderation at the time of engagement,
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connector locking structure with improved disengagement.

[0017]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 engages a locking portion formed on one connector with an engaging portion formed on the other connector. In the connector lock structure for holding the fitted state of the connectors, the pair of legs rises from the wall of the one connector, and the locking is provided at the free end portion which is continuous with the pair of legs. And a release lever that extends from the free end so as to be pulled back toward the leg portion.

According to the above construction, the engagement portion of one connector and the engagement portion of the other connector are engaged with each other, so that the fitted state of the connectors is maintained and the electrical connection is established. . Since the locking portion is provided at the free end portion that continues to intersect with the pair of leg portions as the fixed ends, the engagement holding force is improved, and the locking portion acts on the leg portion when the free end portion is bent. The force is resolved in two directions and the bending stress on the legs is reduced, preventing deformation of the legs. In addition, since the release lever that returns from the free end to the leg portion in a U-turn shape is provided, the release lever easily bends, and the release lever is pushed by a fingertip or the like, so that the engagement portion and the engagement portion are separated from each other. The engagement is easily released.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the connector locking structure according to the first aspect, the other connector is fitted between the wall portion and the free end portion of the one connector, and the release is performed. When the lever is pushed, the abutment portion of the release lever abuts against the end portion of the other connector, and the free end portion is pushed up by the lever principle with the abutment portion as a fulcrum, and the locking portion and The engagement with the engagement portion is released.

According to the above construction, when the connectors are fitted to each other, the release lever is pushed with a fingertip or the like, so that the abutment portion of the release lever abuts the end portion of the other connector, and the abutment portion serves as a fulcrum. The lever end pushes up the free end. Therefore, the release lever can be operated with a small force, and the engagement between the locking portion and the engagement portion can be easily released.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the connector lock structure according to the second aspect, the abutting portion is a protruding portion.

According to the above structure, since the abutting portion is the protruding portion, when the release lever is pushed, the abutting portion easily hits the end portion of the other connector, and the lever principle works effectively. , Free end is pushed up surely.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is based on claim 1
In the connector lock structure according to any one of 3 above, the release lever includes a pair of arm portions arranged outside the pair of leg portions, and a pressing portion that intersects with the pair of arm portions and is continuous. It is characterized by having.

According to the above structure, since the release lever is arranged outside the pair of legs, the release lever can be made large, and it becomes easy to put a fingertip on the pressing portion, and the operability of the release lever is improved. To do.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claims 1 to 1.
In the connector locking structure according to any one of 3 above, the release lever includes a pair of arm portions arranged inside the pair of leg portions, and a pressing portion that intersects with the pair of arm portions and is continuous. It is characterized by having.

According to the above construction, since the release lever is arranged inside the pair of legs, the release lever can be downsized.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the connector lock structure according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the pair of arm portions extend beyond the leg portions to the opposite side in the connector fitting direction. It is characterized by being issued.

According to the above structure, since the pair of arms extends beyond the legs on the side opposite to the connector fitting direction,
The pressing portion connected to the end portions of the pair of arm portions is arranged at the rear of the leg portion, and by pushing the pressing portion, the free end portion can be pushed up with a small force.

Further, the invention according to claim 7 is based on claim 1
In the connector locking structure according to any one of 6 above, a pair of action portions that press the wall portion of the other connector are provided at a corner portion where the free end portion and the release lever intersect and are continuous. It is characterized by that.

According to the above construction, when the engaging portion of one connector engages with the engaging portion of the other connector, the action portions located on both corners strongly hit the wall portion of the other connector. . As a result, a click feeling of engagement (lock feeling) can be obtained, and erroneous recognition of engagement (lock erroneous recognition) can be prevented.

Further, the invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claims 1 to 1.
7. The connector locking structure according to any one of 7, wherein the U-shaped edge portion of the free end serves as the locking portion of the one connector, and the inclined surface is continuous with the inclined surface. A locking projection having a locking surface serves as the engagement portion of the other connector.

According to the above structure, the U-shaped edge portion serving as the engaging portion of the one connector rides on the inclined surface of the engaging protrusion formed on the wall portion of the other connector, and the edge portion is engaged. By overcoming the protrusion, the edge is elastically restored and the edge is locked to the locking surface of the locking projection. Therefore, the connectors are easily assembled with each other, and the assembling workability is improved.

Further, it is also effective to provide a protruding portion for bending restriction projectingly on the one wall portion facing the pressing portion of the release lever. According to the above configuration, when the pressing portion of the release lever is pressed to release the engagement, the pressing portion comes into contact with the protrusion, and excessive elastic deformation of the release lever is prevented.

It is also effective to provide a rib for preventing slippage on the pressing portion. According to the above configuration, the fingertip is prevented from slipping when the fingertip is placed on the pressing portion and the pressing force is applied to the fingertip with force, and the operability of the release lever is improved.

It is also effective to provide a wall on the outer side of the release lever with a wall for preventing external interference that covers the upper portion of the release lever. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the release lever from being accidentally pressed by an external force. In other words, the influence of the interference with the outside is prevented from reaching the locking portion via the release lever, and the engagement between the locking portion and the engaging portion is released. For this reason, the fitting state of the connectors is maintained without being inadvertently disengaged (unlocked).

[0036]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of a connector locking structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a flexible flat cable (Flexible Flat Cable) as a flat circuit body.
FFC) 55 attached to male connector (one connector) 10 and printed wiring board (Prin
A ted circuit board (PCB) 57 and a female connector (other connector) 40 directly attached thereto are shown.

The FFC 55 is a flexible circuit body in which the circumferences of the strip-shaped wiring conductors 55a arranged in parallel are covered with the covering portion 55b made of an insulating material. In addition, as a flat circuit body,
Flexible printed circuit (not shown)
A flexible printed circuit (FPC) or the like can also be used. The PCB 57 is a circuit board on which wiring conductors (not shown) are printed. Note that the wiring conductor may be a bus bar (not shown), or a narrow wiring conductor may be formed on the insulating substrate by insert molding or adhesion (not shown). A conductive resin material may be used as the wiring conductor (not shown).

Here, the male connector 10 means FFC5.
A flat circuit body such as 5 is attached to the male connector housing 12 with an adhesive or the like, and the female connector 40 is a female connector housing in which terminals 53 directly attached to a circuit board such as a PCB 57 are included. The connector accommodated in 42.

The male connector 10 includes an FFC 55 and a male connector housing 12. FFC55
Is a covered electric wire for transmitting a control signal between vehicle-mounted devices, and a plurality of wiring conductors 55a are arranged in parallel. The number of wiring conductors corresponds to the number of terminals 53 accommodated in the female connector 40. Cover portion 55b covering the wiring conductor 55a
Is a so-called insulating sheet and is made of polyvinyl chloride resin, polyethylene resin, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the male connector housing 12 is formed by injection molding using an insulating synthetic resin material as a constituent material. The male connector housing 12 has a box shape and is composed of three regions arranged in the longitudinal direction Z. A first region having a lock lever 15 for locking is formed in the central portion. On both sides of the central portion, the second and third regions 2 that allow the outer wall (wall portion) 43 of the female connector 40 on the mating side to be fitted.
5, 26 are formed respectively. This second and third
The regions 25 and 26 of are formed symmetrically.

The first area 13 and the second and third areas 2
Partition walls 27 and 5 and 26 are provided. The second and third regions 25, 26 penetrate the longitudinal direction Z and have an opening 33 in the fitting direction X orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Z. A female connector 40 is provided on the rear side of the opening 33.
A fitting space 34 into which (FIG. 1) is fitted is formed.

The outer walls (walls) 28 of the second and third regions 25 and 26 are composed of an upper wall 29, a lower wall 30 formed so as to face the upper wall 29, an upper wall 29 and a lower wall 30. It is composed of a rear wall (FIG. 1) 31 that intersects and continues, and both side walls 32, 32. The upper wall 29, the lower wall 30, and the side walls 32, 32 are formed in a substantially flat surface. The lower wall 30 extends to the lead-out side of the FFC 55. The rear wall (FIG. 1) 31 is formed into a curved surface. A stopper 36 is formed on the side wall 32 so as to position both connectors 10 and 40 in the fitting direction X.

Here, for convenience of description of this embodiment, the front-rear direction (fitting direction) X, the up-down direction Y, and the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) Z will be defined. The front-rear direction X means the direction in which the mating connectors 10 and 40 are fitted together, and the front side is defined as the mating connector 10, 40 side, and the back side is defined as the opposite side to the front side. Vertical direction Y is FFC55
Alternatively, the board thickness direction of the PCB 57 is defined, and the upper side is the side on which the female connector 40 is mounted on the PCB 57 (FIG. 1).
And the lower side is defined as the opposite side of the upper side. Left-right direction Z
Is the width direction of the male connector housing 12. The left side and the right side are bilaterally symmetric and are not specified.

The directions in which the male connector 10 and the female connector 40 are actually used do not always match the directions of this embodiment. For example, the upper side and the lower side may be used in reverse.

Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. Partition wall 27
Are integrally formed with the outer wall 28. This partition wall 2
Reference numeral 7 is a vertical wall located near the first region 13, and is formed parallel to the side walls 32, 32 on both sides. Partition wall 2
In the upper part of 7, a protruding wall 27 protruding toward the first region 13 side is provided.
a is formed in parallel with the lower wall 30.

The projecting wall 27a may be formed so as to project so as to cover both ends of the pressing portion 23. In this way, the protruding wall 27a prevents external interference, and the release lever 2
It is prevented that 0 is pushed carelessly.

The first area 13 is the second and third areas 2
5, 26 are independent regions. Due to the first region 13 including the locking portion 18, when the male connector 10 and the female connector 40 (FIG. 1) are fitted, the locking portion 18 and the locking projection (engaging portion) 50 are formed. Are engaged with each other to maintain the fitted state of the connectors.

The first region 13 is provided with a U-shaped lock lever 15 and a U-shaped release lever 20.
The lock lever 15 is composed of a pair of leg portions 16 and 16 (only one of which is shown) standing up from the lower wall 30 and a U-shaped free end portion 17 which is continuous with and intersects with the leg portion 16.

The pair of leg portions 16 and 16 (only one of which is not shown) stand up parallel to each other with a space therebetween, from a position closer to the rear of the lower wall 30. In this way, by locating the pair of leg portions 16 and 16 toward the rear, the protruding length of the lock lever 15 is increased, and stress is concentrated on the leg portion 16 which is the base portion of the lock lever 15 to cause deformation. Is prevented. In order to improve the strength of the legs 16,
It is conceivable to form the leg portion 16 to be thick and wide, but since the lock lever 15 becomes large, it cannot be dealt with under the condition where miniaturization is required.

The free end portion 17 intersects the leg portion 16 in an L-shape and is continuous, and gradually descends and slopes gradually as it approaches the front side (FIG. 3). The ends of the free ends 17 are connected to each other, and the U-shaped edges serve as locking portions 18.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the free end 17
An action portion 19 for pressing the outer wall 43 of the female connector 40 is formed at the corner portion 24 (FIG. 2) where the arm portion 21 intersects with the arm portion 21. The action portion 19 is not formed on the back side of the engaging portion 18 so that the engaging portion 18 can smoothly ride on the inclined surface 50a of the engaging protrusion 50 (FIG. 1).

By providing the action portion 19 in the corner portion 24, the contact area of the action portion 19 is increased, and when the connectors are fitted to each other, a feeling of engagement moderation between the engagement portion 18 and the engagement projection 50 can be obtained. It is like this. That is, when the connectors are fitted to each other, the acting portion 19 causes the outer wall 43 of the female connector 40 to move.
It is formed to hit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the release lever 20 surrounds the outer periphery of the lock lever 15, and the pair of leg portions 16 and 1 are provided.
6, a pair of arm portions 21 and 21 connected to the free end portion 17 of the lock lever 15 and a pressing portion 23 connected to intersect each arm portion 21. By disposing the release lever 20 outside the pair of legs 16, 16, the release lever 20 becomes larger and the operability of the release lever 20 is improved.

As described above, the arm portion 21 has the front end portion 21a thereof connected to the free end portion 17 of the lock lever 15, and is turned back from the free end portion 17 toward the leg portion 16 in a U-turn shape, so that the leg portion 16 is formed. It extends beyond and beyond. The arm 21 is formed in such a long span by the lever principle,
This is because the release lever 20 is operated and the free end 17 is pushed up with a small force so that the engagement can be released. The arm portion 21 is formed so as to gradually descend from the rear end portion 21b to the front end portion 21a (FIGS. 3 and 4). As described above, by inclining the arm portion 21, the gap between the lower wall 30 and the pressing portion 23 connected to the rear end portion 21b is opened, and the pressing margin of the pressing portion 23 is sufficiently secured.

Rear end portions 21b of the pair of arm portions 21 and 21
Are connected by a pressing portion 23. Since the pressing portion 23 is bent inward from the arm portion 21, the release lever 20
Is U-shaped. A rib 23a is provided at the rear edge of the pressing portion 23 so as to project upward over the entire width thereof. As a result, when the pressing portion 23 is pressed with the fingertip, the fingertip is prevented from slipping, and the operability of the release lever 20 is improved.

As shown in FIG. 4, at the central portion of the lower surface (inner surface) 22 of the arm portion 21, a protruding portion serving as an abutting portion that abuts the front end portion (end portion) 42a (FIG. 1) of the female connector 40. 22a is provided. The protrusion 22a is formed in a convex shape on the lower side, and when the release lever 20 is pushed down, the protrusion 22a abuts on the front end 42a of the female connector 40 and functions as a lever fulcrum. Therefore, the pressing portion 23
By pushing, the front end portion 21a (FIG. 2) of the arm portion 21 can be pushed up.

The abutting portion serving as the fulcrum of the lever is not limited to the convex protruding portion 22a, but the abutting portion may be the protruding portion 2a.
By using 2a, the lever principle can be effectively worked, and the engagement between the locking portion 18 and the locking projection 50 (FIG. 1) can be reliably released.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the upper surface of the lower wall 30 facing the pressing portion 23, a protrusion 35 for restricting bending is formed so as to project. The protrusion 35 is located so as to face the substantially central portion of the pressing portion 23 (FIG. 2). The reason why the protrusion 35 is provided in the substantially central portion is to prevent the pressing portion 23 from being biased to either the left or right when the pressing portion 23 is pushed down.

By providing the protrusion 35, the pressing portion 23
When is pushed down, the lower surface of the pressing portion 23 comes into contact with the top surface of the protrusion 35, and excessive elastic deformation of the release lever 20 is prevented, and damage to the release lever 20 is prevented.

Returning to FIG. 1, the female connector 40 which is the mating connector will be described. The female connector 40 is
A female connector housing 42 having a fitting space 52;
It has a terminal 53 directly attached to the PCB 57. The outer wall (wall portion) 43 of the female connector housing 42 includes an upper wall 44 and a lower wall 45, and both side walls 46 and 46 that connect the left and right ends of the upper wall 44 and the lower wall 45 (only one side wall is shown). ), A front wall 47 having an opening formed therein, and a rear wall 48 located on the opposite side of the front wall 47.

The male connector 10 is provided at the center of the upper wall 44.
A locking protrusion 50 that engages with the locking portion 18 is formed. The locking projection 50 has an inclined surface 50a on which the locking portion 18 rides, and a locking surface 50b following the inclined surface 50a. By engaging the locking portion 18 of the male connector 10 with the locking projection 50, the fitted state of the connectors is maintained.

The lower wall 30 of the male connector 10 is inserted into the fitting space 52. Male connector 1
The upper wall 29 of the female connector 0 overlaps the upper wall 44 of the female connector 40. That is, between the upper wall 29 and the lower wall 30 of the male connector 10, the upper wall 44 of the female connector 40 is provided.
, And the connectors are fitted together.

The terminal 53 is the lower wall 45 of the female connector 40.
The electric contact portion 53a of the terminal 53 is exposed from the inner surface of the lower wall 45. The electric contact portion 53a includes
The wiring conductor 55a of the FFC 55 is connected so that the control signal is transmitted from the male connector 10 to the female connector 40.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the connector lock structure according to the present invention.
0 and release lever 61 are shown. The same components as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the release lever 61 is a pair of leg portions 1 of the lock lever 60.
That is, the points are arranged on the inside of 6, 16. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment. By disposing the release lever 61 inside the pair of legs 16, 16, there is an effect that the release lever can be downsized.

[0067]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the free end portion having the engaging portion is connected to the wall portion of the one connector by the two leg portions, the engagement holding is performed. As the force is improved, the force acting on the free end is decomposed into two directions, and the bending stress of the leg is reduced. Further, since the release lever that returns from the free end portion to the leg portion in a U-turn shape is provided, the release lever is easily bent, and the engagement between the locking portion and the engagement portion is easily released. Therefore, the engagement holding force is strong, deformation of the legs is prevented, and the disengageability is improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the connectors are fitted to each other, the release lever is pushed with a fingertip or the like, so that the abutment portion of the release lever abuts against the end portion of the other connector, and the protrusion is projected. The free end is pushed up by the lever principle with this part as a fulcrum. Therefore, the release lever can be operated with a small force, and the engagement between the locking portion and the engagement portion can be easily released.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the release lever is pushed, the abutting portion easily abuts against the end portion of the other connector, and the lever principle works effectively, so that the free end portion is effective. Surely pushes up. Therefore, the engagement between the locking portion and the engaging portion can be reliably released, and the effect of claim 2 is promoted.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by disposing the release lever outside the pair of legs, the release lever can be made larger and the fingertip can be easily placed on the pressing portion. Therefore, the operability of the release lever is improved, and the engagement can be easily released.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, by disposing the release lever inside the pair of legs, it is possible to reduce the size of the release lever. Therefore, a lock structure for a small connector can be provided.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the pair of arm portions extend beyond the leg portions on the opposite side in the connector fitting direction, the pressing portions are connected to the end portions of the pair of arm portions. Part
It is located behind the leg and can push up the free end with a small force. Therefore, the effect described in claim 1 is promoted, and the disengageability is significantly improved.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, when the locking portion of one connector engages with the engaging portion of the other connector, the action portions located at the corners on both sides have the other connector. Strongly hit the wall of. Therefore, a feeling of moderation at the time of engagement is obtained, and the reliability of connector connection is improved.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the U-shaped edge portion serving as the locking portion of the one connector rides on the inclined surface of the locking projection formed on the wall portion of the other connector. ,
When the edge passes over the locking projection, the edge is elastically restored and the edge is locked to the locking surface of the locking projection. Therefore, in addition to the effect described in claim 1, the connectors can be easily assembled with each other, and the assembling workability is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a male connector having a lock structure for the connector shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the male connector shown in FIG. 2, taken along the line AA.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the male connector shown in FIG. 2, taken along the line BB.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the connector lock structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional connector locking structure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional connector lock structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Male connector (one connector) 16 legs 17 Free end 18 Locking part 19 Action part 20,61 Release lever 21 Arm 21a front end 21b rear end 22 Lower surface (inner surface) 22a protrusion 23 Pressing part 24 corners 28,43 Outer wall (wall) 40 Female connector (other connector) 50 Locking protrusion (engagement part) 50a inclined surface 50b Locking surface

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A locking portion formed on one connector,
In a lock structure of a connector that engages with an engaging portion formed on the other connector to hold the fitted state of the connectors, a pair of legs rises from the wall of the one connector and the pair of legs The locking structure for a connector, wherein the locking portion is provided at a free end portion which is continuous with and intersects with the portion, and a release lever which extends from the free end portion toward the leg portion side is provided. 2. The other connector is fitted between the wall portion and the free end portion of the one connector, and the release lever is pushed, so that the release lever is attached to the end portion of the other connector. The abutting portion abuts, the free end portion is pushed up by the lever principle with the abutting portion as a fulcrum, and the engagement between the locking portion and the engaging portion is released. The lock structure of the connector according to 1. 3. The lock structure for a connector according to claim 2, wherein the abutting portion is a protruding portion. 4. The release lever includes a pair of arm portions arranged outside the pair of leg portions, and a pressing portion that is continuous with and intersects with the pair of arm portions. The lock structure for a connector according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. The release lever includes a pair of arm portions arranged inside the pair of leg portions, and a pressing portion that is continuous with and intersects with the pair of arm portions. The lock structure for a connector according to any one of 1 to 3. 6. The lock structure for a connector according to claim 4, wherein the pair of arms extend beyond the legs to the opposite side in the connector fitting direction. 7. A pair of operating portions for pressing a wall portion of the other connector is provided at a corner portion where the free end portion and the release lever intersect and are continuous. 6. The lock structure for a connector according to any one of 6 above. 8. A U-shaped edge portion of the free end serves as the engaging portion of the one connector, and an engaging projection having an inclined surface and an engaging surface continuous with and intersecting the inclined surface. 2. The engaging portion of the other connector is formed.
The lock structure for a connector according to any one of items 1 to 7.