JP2004164940A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector about which careless return manipulation of a detection member cannot be carried out. <P>SOLUTION: The detection member 60 can be pushed into a detection position entering into a deflection space 48 from a standby position retreating backward from the deflection space 48 under the condition that both housings 20 and 30 are fitted each other correctly and a lock on arm 40 is restored. A projecting flange 46 is formed on a rear edge of a push portion 44 of the lock on arm 40, and almost portion of an edge inside a rear frame 61B which functions as a hooking manipulation portion is hidden under the flange 46 when the detection member 60 is in the detection position. A jig insertion opening 70 is formed for inserting the jig J at only a part of the rear edge of the push portion 44, and it is opened at the rear frame 61B. The return manipulation of the detection member 60 can be carried out only when it is hooked by the jig J consciously, and so it is prevented that the detection member 60 is returned carelessly by, for example, a finger touching. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector having a fitting detection function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a connector described in Patent Literature 1 is known as a connector including a detection member for detecting a fitted state of a male and female connector housing.
As shown in FIG. 15, this is elastically deformed into the bending space 3 during the fitting of the two housings 1 and 2 into the female housing 2 of the male and female housings 1 and 2 fitted to each other. A lock arm 4 is provided to hold the two housings 1 and 2 in the fitted state by elastically recovering and locking to the male housing 1 when regular fitting is reached, and a standby position (chain line) retracted from the bending space 3. And a detection member 5 that is movable between a detection position (solid line) that has entered the bending space 3. When the two housings 1 and 2 are still in the half-fitted state, when the detection member 5 is pushed from the standby position, the pushing is restricted by hitting the lock arm 4 protruding into the bending space 3. When the two housings 1 and 2 are properly fitted, the lock arm 4 retreats from the bending space 3 and the detection member 5 is allowed to enter the detection position. The state can be detected.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-141145
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the other hand, when the two housings 1 and 2 are disengaged from each other for maintenance or the like, when a finger or the like is put on a hook 5A provided on the rear end side and the detection member 5 is pulled backward, the detection member is released while the semi-lock is released. 5 is returned to the standby position, and the bending operation of the lock arm 4, that is, the unlocking of the lock arm 4 becomes possible, so that the two housings 1 and 2 can be detached.
That is, the above-described conventional device has an advantage that the returning operation of the detecting member 5 and the detaching operation of the housings 1 and 2 can be relatively easily performed. However, there is a risk that the housings 1 and 2 may be accidentally detached by inadvertently pressing the hook portion 5A to return the detection member 5.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent a returning operation of a detection member from being performed carelessly.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that one connector housing of a pair of connector housings fitted to each other has an elasticity in a bending space during the fitting of both connector housings. A lock arm is provided which is deformed and elastically returns when it reaches regular fitting and is locked to the other connector housing to hold the two connector housings in the fitted state, and the standby position retracted from the bending space and the bending position. A detection member that is movable between a detection position that has entered the space and the detection member is mounted, and the detection member hits the lock arm that has protruded into the bending space during the fitting of the two connector housings. Entry into the detection position is restricted, but entry into the detection position is allowed only after the two connector housings are properly fitted. In the connector, the detection member is provided with a hook that can be operated to return the detection member toward the standby position, and the hook is provided when the detection member is at the detection position. It is characterized in that it is configured to be hidden behind the lock arm, leaving only a part that can be hooked by a jig.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the detecting member is provided with a locking piece that can be flexibly deformed, and the locking piece is provided on a locking portion provided on the one connector housing. By locking, the detection member is prevented from moving from the standby position to the detection position in a state before the two connector housings are fitted, and the other connector housing Is characterized in that a release portion is provided which engages with the locking piece as the two connector housings are fitted to bend and deform, and releases the locked state with respect to the locking portion. Have.
[0007]
Function and effect of the present invention
<Invention of claim 1>
When the detection member is pushed into the detection position, most of the hook portion for return is hidden behind the lock arm, so that the hook portion is prevented from being pushed by foreign matter or the like. On the other hand, when the detection member is intentionally returned, the detection member can be returned by hooking a jig on a part of the hook portion.
It is possible to prevent a situation in which the returning operation of the detection member is carelessly performed, and furthermore, it is possible to prevent the two connector housings from being accidentally detached.
[0008]
<Invention of Claim 2>
Before the two connector housings are engaged with each other, the locking piece is locked to the locking portion, so that the detection member is prevented from being accidentally pushed toward the detection position. When the two connector housings are fitted, the releasing portion provided on the mating connector housing releases the locking of the locking pieces, so that it is possible to perform an operation of pushing the detecting member for detecting the fitting.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The present embodiment exemplifies a shielded connector. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a male connector housing 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as a male housing) and a female connector housing 30 (hereinafter simply referred to as a male housing) are fitted to each other. A lock arm 40 for locking the two housings 20 and 30 in a fitted state is formed on the female housing 30, and the female housing 30 is provided with a lock arm 40. A detection member 60 for detecting the fitted state is mounted.
In the following, the housings 20 and 30 will be described with the fitting surface side as the front surface.
[0010]
The male housing 20 is made of a synthetic resin, and is formed as a whole in an elongated and flat cross section in the front-rear direction, and has a shape in which a small hood portion 22 is provided around the front end side of the tower portion 21. Three cavities 23 are formed in the tower 21 in the front-rear direction and are arranged in the lateral direction.
In each cavity 23, the male terminal 14 crimped to the end of the shielded electric wire 10 is inserted from behind and locked by the lance 24, so that the tab 15 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 25 on the front end side of the tower 21. It is housed in a protruding state and prevented from falling off. A metal shell 26 is mounted around the housing portion of the male terminal 14 in contact with the braided wire 11 of the shielded electric wire 10, and a collective waterproof rubber plug 27 is attached to the rear end of the tower 21. Is fitted and is prevented from falling off by a rubber stopper 28.
[0011]
One of the female housings 30 is also made of synthetic resin, and the small hood portion on the side of the male housing 20 is formed around a tower portion 31 that can be fitted into the cylindrical portion 25 at the front end of the tower portion 21 of the male housing 20. A large hood portion 32 that can be fitted to the outer periphery of the hood 22 is provided.
Similarly, three cavities 33 are formed correspondingly in the tower portion 31, and the female terminal 17 crimped to the end of the shielded electric wire 10 is inserted into each cavity 33 from the rear. It is housed in a retaining state. A metal shell 36 is mounted around the housing portion of the female terminal 17 so as to be in contact with the braided wire 11 of the shielded electric wire 10. 27 is fitted, and is stopped by a rubber stopper 28.
[0012]
At the center in the width direction on the upper surface of the large hood portion 32 of the female housing 30, a dome portion 37 which is raised one step is formed from a front edge thereof to a region projecting rearward from the rear edge by a predetermined distance. However, a portion of the dome portion 37 protruding from the rear edge of the large hood portion 32 has an open ceiling surface.
A lock arm 40 is formed in the rear end of the dome portion 37. The lock arm 40 has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction, and a groove 41 having a dead end at the front end side is cut on the lower surface thereof. And is connected to the upper surface of the tower portion 31 so as to be swingably deformable in a seesaw shape around the fulcrum portion 42.
[0013]
On the front end side of the groove 41 of the lock arm 40, a lock hole 43 opened on the upper surface is formed. At the rear end of the lock arm 40, a pressing portion 44 for forcibly deforming the lock arm 40 is formed, and faces the opening of the ceiling surface of the dome portion 37. Specifically, the pressing portion 44 is wider than the lock arm 40, has a substantially flat base plate shape with a rear edge protruding in a mountain shape, and is formed to rise slightly higher than the upper surface of the lock arm 40. On the upper surface of the pressing portion 44, a step-shaped non-slip portion 45 is formed at the front end side, and a flange 46 is formed to protrude along a mountain-shaped rear edge.
A receiving plate 47 is formed to project from both left and right sides of the rear end of the lock arm 40 (see FIG. 5).
[0014]
On the other hand, on the upper surface of the small hood portion 22 of the male housing 20, a pair of left and right guide walls 50 that guide the lock arm 40 so as to sandwich the lock arm 40 is provided. A lock projection 51 that can be fitted into the lock hole 43 of the arm 40 is formed.
Therefore, when the two housings 20 and 30 are fitted, the tip of the lock arm 40 rides on the lock projection 51 on the way, and swings and deforms so that the rear end enters the bending space 48 (see FIG. 9). When the two housings 20 and 30 are properly fitted, the lock arm 40 is restored and deformed, and the lock projection 51 is fitted into the lock hole 43 (see FIG. 11).
[0015]
A detection member 60 is mounted inside the rear end of the dome 37 in the female housing 30. The detection member 60 is formed of a synthetic resin material separately from the female housing 30. As shown in FIG. 7, the detection member 60 includes a main body 61 having a rectangular frame shape that fits between the left and right side walls of the dome portion 37. The front frame 61A is formed one step higher.
Sliding plates 62 are formed on the left and right outer surfaces of the main body 61 so as to protrude. On the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls of the dome portion 37, front and rear guides are slidably inserted. The groove 53 is cut. As shown in FIG. 4, the detecting member 60 has the sliding plate 62 fitted in the guide groove 53 in a state in which the pressing portion 44 of the lock arm 40 is fitted in the main body 61, and is guided back and forth by the guide groove 53. It is possible to move in the direction. Note that a step-shaped non-slip portion 63 is formed on the rear surface of the main body 61.
[0016]
When the lock arm 40 is in the natural state and the detection member 60 is mounted as described above, the upper surface of the rear frame 61 </ b> B of the main body 61 is located behind the pressing portion 44 of the lock arm 40 as shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner surface of the rear frame 61 </ b> B has a valley shape corresponding to the shape of the flange 46 of the pressing portion 44. The recess is formed. At the lower end of the center portion in the width direction on the inner surface of the rear frame 61B, a detection protruding piece 64 that can enter the groove 41 on the lower surface side of the lock arm 40 in a natural state is formed.
[0017]
The sliding plate 62 of the detecting member 60 has a protrusion 65 formed at a substantially central portion in the length direction, and a locking step 54 which locks to the protrusion 65 is provided at the entrance side of the guide groove 53. Is formed.
Further, a pair of locking pieces 66 protrude forward from both left and right ends of the front frame 61A of the main body 61. As shown in FIG. 8, the locking piece 66 has an upper surface formed flush with the sliding plate 62, and is divided inward and outward in the width direction. Are shorter and thinner, and are formed longer and thicker on the inner side than on the outer side.
On the other hand, at the lower end portions of the left and right side walls of the dome portion 37, receiving walls 55 are protruded inward. The outer surface of the portion is slidable along the inwardly projecting surface of the receiving wall 55.
[0018]
At the tip of the outer portion of the locking piece 66, a downwardly hooking abutting portion 67 is formed, and on the upper surface of the receiving wall 55, as shown in FIG. A stopper 56 to be abutted is formed. The stopper 56 has an upright front surface and a tapered surface 56A at the rear surface. The abutting portion 67 also has a function of locking to the rear surface side of the stopper 56, but the surface on the locking side is a tapered surface 67A, and together with the tapered surface 56A of the stopper 56, has a semi-lock structure. ing.
[0019]
At the tip of the inner portion of the locking piece 66, a hook-shaped engaged portion 68 is formed which faces a deeper position, and a locking portion is formed at a position outside the guide wall 50 in the male housing 20. A release portion 58 is formed to lift the engaged portion 68 of the piece 66 while scooping it. The release portion 58 has a tapered front surface and a steep rear surface. Similarly, the engaged portion 68 also has a function of locking to the rear surface side of the release portion 58. However, as shown in FIG. 14, the surface on the locking side is a slightly tapered surface 68A. The rounded corner of the rear surface of 58 also has a semi-lock structure.
[0020]
Therefore, when the detecting member 60 is pushed in from behind while the sliding plate 62 is fitted in the guide groove 53, as shown in FIG. 4, when the abutting portion 67 of the locking piece 66 hits the stopper 56, The protrusion 65 of 62 is locked to the locking step 54 of the guide groove 53, and the detection member 60 is held so that it cannot be pushed in and cannot be removed. This position is a standby position. In this standby position, as shown in FIG. 11, the detection protrusion 64 is retracted rearward from the rear end of the lock arm 40, and The rear end is in a state where it can swing and deform toward the bending space 48.
[0021]
As will be described later in detail, when the male and female housings 20 and 30 are fitted to each other and the final stage is reached, the release portion 58 of the male housing 20 is disengaged by the locking piece 66 as shown in FIG. When the engaging portion 68, that is, the distal end side of the locking piece 66 is elastically deformed and lifted by squeezing below the portion 68, the abutting portion 67 escapes above the stopper 56, thereby restricting the pushing. Is released.
[0022]
The detection member 60 can be pushed in while the detection projection 64 is inserted into the groove 41 of the lock arm 40 on condition that the male and female housings 20 and 30 are properly fitted and the lock arm 40 is restored to the original position. Is done. The pressing operation of the detection member 60 is restricted by the inner surface of the rear frame 61 </ b> B of the main body 61 hitting the rear surface of the pressing portion 44 of the lock arm 40. At this time, the locking piece 66 is restored and deformed, and the abutment portion 67 is locked on the rear surface of the stopper 56 and the engaged portion 68 is locked on the rear surface of the release portion 58, so that the locking member 66 is prevented from coming off. Will be retained.
[0023]
This position is the detection position. At this detection position, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the inner edge of the rear frame 61 </ b> B of the main body 61 of the detection member 60 is moved by the pressing portion 44 of the lock arm 40. It is set to be hidden under the flange 46 projecting from the rear edge.
A jig insertion opening 70 for inserting the jig J is formed at a position corresponding to the top of the mountain at the rear edge of the pressing portion 44 of the lock arm 40. Of the inner edge of the frame 61B, only a portion corresponding to the bottom of the valley is opened to the jig insertion port 70.
[0024]
Subsequently, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
The detection member 60 is mounted on the female housing 30 at a standby position. In this standby position, as described above, the detection protrusion 64 is retracted rearward, and the rear end of the lock arm 40 is in a state of being swingably deformable toward the bending space 48.
In this state, when the male and female housings 20 and 30 are fitted to face each other as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, during the fitting, as shown in FIG. By riding on the lock projection 51 of the male housing 20, the rear end side of the lock arm 40 is fitted while being bent and deformed toward the bending space 48.
At the same time, as shown in FIG. 10, the release portion 58 of the male housing 20 goes under the engaged portion 68 of the locking piece 66 of the detection member 60 and is elastically lifted, so that the abutting portion 67 is raised. It comes off above the stopper 56, and the pushing restriction is released.
[0025]
During this time, the male and female terminal fittings 14 and 17 are gradually connected to each other, and the protruding ends of the male and female metal shells 26 and 36 are also gradually connected to each other to increase the fitting resistance. It is possible that the fitting operation is stopped halfway, that is, left half-fitted.
Then, when the detection member 60 at the standby position is pushed in, the rear end portion of the lock arm 40 is still in a state of being rockingly deformed in the bending space 48 as shown in FIG. The protrusion 64 is positioned above the groove 41 on the rear end surface of the lock arm 40 and is pressed against the groove 41 so that the push-in is restricted, whereby it is detected that the housings 20 and 30 are still in a half-fitted state. . Then, the two housings 20 and 30 are further fitted.
[0026]
When the two housings 20 and 30 are properly fitted, since the tip of the lock arm 40 exceeds the lock projection 51 of the other party, as shown in FIG. The protrusion 51 is fitted into the lock hole 43, and the housings 20, 30 are locked in a proper fitting state.
When the lock arm 40 returns to the original position after being properly fitted, in other words, since the rear end of the lock arm 40 has escaped above the bending space 48, when the detection member 60 is pushed in, the detection protrusion 64 Is allowed to be pushed into the groove 41 of the lock arm 40 and pushed to the detection position, and as shown in FIG. The portions 68 are locked to the rear surfaces of the stopper 56 and the release portion 58, respectively, and are held in a state where return is restricted.
[0027]
As a result, it is detected that the two housings 20 and 30 are properly fitted, and at the same time, the pressing portion 44 of the lock arm 40 is received by the detecting protrusion 64, and the pressing operation thereof is regulated, whereby the double operation is performed. It is locked.
It should be noted that when the detection member 60 is held at the detection position, as shown in FIG. 12, most of the inner edge of the rear frame 61B of the main body 61 of the detection member 60 is locked with the lock arm. Since it is hidden under the flange 46 protruding from the rear edge of the pressing portion 44 of the pressing portion 40, it is possible to prevent a finger or a foreign object from being caught on the rear frame 61B, and the detecting member 60 is returned carelessly. Absent.
[0028]
On the other hand, when releasing the fitting between the two housings 20 and 30 for maintenance or the like, as shown in FIG. When hooked and pulled backward, the detection member 60 is returned to the standby position while releasing the semi-lock between the locking piece 66, the stopper 56, and the release portion 58.
As a result, the lock arm 40 is in a state capable of swinging deformation, and the lock is released by pressing the pressing portion 44 to forcibly swing and deform the lock arm 40. Therefore, the two housings 20, 30 are pulled in the separating direction. The fitting can be released.
[0029]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the detection member 60 is pushed into the detection position, most of the rear frame 61B that functions as a return is provided on the pressing portion 44 of the lock arm 40. By being hidden under the flange 46, a finger, a foreign substance, or the like is prevented from being caught on the rear frame 61B. On the other hand, when the detection member 60 is intentionally returned, the jig J can be hooked and returned to a part of the rear frame 61B through the jig insertion opening 70.
The return operation of the detection member 60 is not performed carelessly, and it is possible to prevent the two housings 20 and 30 from being accidentally detached.
[0030]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and furthermore, besides the following, within the scope not departing from the gist. Can be implemented with various modifications.
(1) The present invention is also applicable to a type in which a lock arm and a detection member are provided in a male connector housing.
(2) The present invention can be applied not only to the shielded connector but also to any connector provided with a detection member for detecting the engagement.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a male and female housing according to an embodiment of the present invention before fitting. FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof. FIG. 3 is a front view of a male housing. FIG. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the female housing, FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the female housing, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a detection member, FIG. 8 is a side view of the female housing, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing the operation of the locking piece of the detection member. FIG. 11 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a state where both housings are properly fitted. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state in which the detecting member is pushed into the detecting position. FIG. 13 is a partial longitudinal sectional view thereof. FIG. 14 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing the operation of a locking piece of the detecting member. Surface view [Description of symbols]
20: Male housing (other connector housing)
30 ... female housing (one connector housing)
40 ... lock arm 41 ... groove 44 ... pressing part 46 ... flange 48 ... bending space 51 ... lock protrusion 56 ... stopper (locking part)
58 release unit 60 detection member 61B rear frame (of main body 61) (hook)
64 detection protruding piece 66 locking piece 67 abutting part 68 engaged part 70 jig insertion port J jig

Claims (2)

One connector housing of the pair of connector housings fitted together is elastically deformed into a bending space during the fitting of the two connector housings, and elastically returns to the other connector housing when it reaches regular fitting. A lock arm is provided to hold both connector housings in a fitted state by locking, and a detection member movable between a standby position retracted from the bending space and a detection position entered into the bending space is mounted. The detection member is restricted from entering the detection position from the standby position by hitting the lock arm protruding into the bending space during the fitting of the two connector housings. In a connector that is allowed to enter the detection position for the first time after proper mating,
The detection member is provided with a hook that can be operated to return the detection member toward the standby position, and the hook can be hooked by a jig when the detection member is at the detection position. A connector which is hidden behind the lock arm except for a small part. The detecting member is provided with a flexibly deformable locking piece, and the locking piece is locked to a locking portion provided on the one connector housing, so that the two connector housings are not fitted. In the state described above, the detection member is configured to restrict the movement from the standby position to the detection position, and the other connector housing is fitted with the two connector housings. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a release portion that engages with the locking piece to bend and deform to release the locked state with respect to the locking portion.

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