JP2005093270A - Self-aligning connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a self-aligning connector capable of materializing space saving. <P>SOLUTION: A connector guide member 10, a blade spring 19, a plug connector housing 20, and a receptacle housing 30 are provided to structure this self-aligning connector 1. The connector guide member 10 is loosely fitted and mounted to a panel 90 in a movable state in its inserting direction toward a hole part 91, and the plug connector housing 20 is loosely fitted and mounted to the connector guide member 10 in a movable state in the direction perpendicular to the inserting direction toward the hole part 91. Since the plug connector housing 20 is loosely fitted and mounted to the panel 90 through the connector guide member 10 in the movable state in the inserting direction and also in the direction perpendicular to it, both connectors 20, 30 are fully engaged with each other at a suitable engagement position, and since a space almost equivalent to the hole part 91 is enough for a space for mounting the self-aligning connector 1, space saving for mounting can be materialized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-aligning connector suitable for automatic assembly work, for example, when connecting auxiliary machines such as automotive parts having a wire harness, and the auxiliary machine to other parts. The present invention relates to a self-aligning connector that can realize space saving.

  When connecting wire harnesses used in automobiles, so-called aligning connectors are used, and in automation, mounting errors (mounting play) occurring between the plug connector and the receptacle connector are aligned in a self-aligning manner. A self-aligning connector is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-255659 (page 3-5, FIG. 1-5)

  In this floating panel mounting system (self-aligning connector) for an electrical connector described in Patent Document 1, a lock arm is provided inside an insulating housing of a plug connector, and the plug connector and the lock arm are mounted on a panel as a mounting member. Three holes are provided, each inserted in a loosely fitted state. Then, insert the plug connector on one side of the panel and the lock arm into the hole, and attach the holding cap that is larger than the hole for the lock arm to the lock arm from the side opposite to the plug connector mounting side, and loosely attach the plug connector to the panel The receptacle connector is connected to the plug connector from the other side of the panel for connection.

  However, in the self-aligning connector described in Patent Document 1, there are three plug connector mounting holes (first center hole) and lock arm mounting holes (second outer holes) as three holes on the panel. Since the plug connector and the lock arm are inserted into these holes to achieve a loose fit, there is a problem that it is difficult to save the space for mounting the self-aligning connector.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a self-aligning connector that can save space.

  The self-aligning connector according to the present invention includes a connector guide member that is attached in a loosely fitted state to the peripheral portion of the hole portion of the attachment member in which the hole portion is formed, and the connector guide member and the attachment member. An elastic member disposed, a first connector housing attached in a loosely fitted state to the connector guide member, and a second connector housing fitted to the first connector housing attached to the connector guide member The connector guide member includes a cylindrical guide main body portion that forms a housing mounting hole portion into which the first connector housing is inserted, and is loosely fitted into the hole portion of the mounting member. The main body portion includes, on the side surface thereof, first engaging means that engages with a peripheral portion of the hole portion by insertion into the hole portion of the mounting member, and the elastic member includes The first connector is mounted between the guide body portion and the peripheral portion of the hole portion of the mounting member, and is disposed on the side surface of the first connector housing and the inner peripheral surface of the housing mounting hole portion of the guide body portion. Second engagement means for movably engaging the first connector housing with respect to the connector guide member in a plane orthogonal to the insertion direction by insertion of the housing into the housing mounting hole is provided. It is characterized by.

  The guide body of the self-aligning connector includes, for example, an outer flange projecting from one opening end side of the housing mounting hole to the outside in a direction crossing the insertion direction of the first connector housing, and a housing mounting hole. An inner flange projecting inward in the direction intersecting the insertion direction from the other opening end side of the first portion, and the first connector housing is guided on the side surface thereof by insertion into the connector guide member, for example. It is preferable to have an elastic mounting piece and a housing flange that sandwich the inner flange of the main body from above and below, and the second engagement means may be configured by the inner flange, the elastic mounting piece, and the housing flange.

  The elastic member of the self-aligning connector may be, for example, a leaf spring member having a structure in which a metal plate is bent, or a rubber member formed in an annular shape attached along the outer shape of the guide main body.

  According to the present invention, the first through the connector guide member having the guide main body portion which is attached in a loosely fitted state to the hole portion formed in the attachment member and forms the housing mounting hole portion into which the first connector housing is inserted. The one connector housing is loosely fitted to the mounting member. For this reason, only one hole portion is required for mounting the first connector housing to the mounting member in a loosely fitted state, and the mounting space of the self-aligning connector can be effectively reduced compared to the conventional one. Is possible.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a self-aligning connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the self-aligning connector after assembly, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A 'in FIG.
The self-aligning connector 1 is disposed between a connector guide member 10 that is loosely fitted to a panel 90 as an attachment member in which a hole 91 is formed, and between the connector guide member 10 and the panel 90. A plate spring 19 as an elastic member, a plug connector housing 20 as a first connector housing that is attached loosely to the connector guide member 10, and a second connector housing that fits into the plug connector housing 20 The receptacle connector housing 30 is configured.

  The plug connector housing 20 accommodates a connection terminal 61 connected to the harness 51, and the receptacle connector housing 30 accommodates a connection terminal 62 connected to the harness 52 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). ).

  The connector guide member 10 has a housing guide hole portion 11 into which the plug connector housing 20 is inserted, and a cylindrical guide main body portion 12 whose outer shape is substantially aligned with the hole portion 91 of the panel 90. Yes. The guide main body 12 has an outer flange 13 projecting outward at one opening end side edge of the housing mounting hole 11 and an inner flange 14 projecting inward at the other opening end side edge. Yes.

  The side wall 15 of the guide main body 12 has a peripheral portion of the hole 91 in order to prevent the guide main body 12 from coming off in the direction opposite to the insertion direction when inserted into the hole 91 of the panel 90, for example. An engagement piece 17 is formed as a first engagement means having an attachment projection 18 that engages with the engagement projection 17.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the leaf spring 19 has one end fixed to the lower surface of the outer flange 13 and a stopper 16 made of an elastic material attached to the other end so that the hole of the connector guide member 10 is provided. It is disposed between the panel 90 and the connector guide member 10 in a state of absorbing the displacement in the insertion direction to 91. Thereby, the connector guide member 10 is loosely fitted to the panel 90 in a state in which the connector guide member 10 is movable in the direction of the arrow D1 in FIG. The leaf spring 19 also serves as a shock absorber for preventing vibrations from the panel 90 from being directly transmitted to the plug connector housing 20 and the receptacle connector housing 30.

  The plug connector housing 20 has a convex housing fitting portion 21 having a convex longitudinal section that fits into a concave housing fitting portion 31 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) having a concave longitudinal section of the receptacle connector housing 30. The housing main body 22 is inserted into the housing mounting hole 11 of the connector guide member 10 and is loosely fitted to the connector guide member 10 so as to be movable in a direction crossing the insertion direction (arrow D2 direction in FIG. 3). It is prepared for. The housing body 22 includes an elastic mounting piece 24 having a housing protrusion 23 shaped so that a part thereof is hooked on the end face of the inner flange 14 of the connector guide member 10 formed on the side surface on the outer flange 13 forming side. On the other opening end side of the guide main body 12 of the guide member 10, for example, the housing flange 25 having a shape extending in the direction of the arrow D <b> 2 in the figure formed so as to protrude outward from the hole diameter of the housing mounting hole 11. It has. That is, the elastic mounting piece 24 and the housing flange 25 sandwich and engage the inner flange 14 of the guide body 12 from above and below. The inner flange 14, the elastic mounting piece 24, and the housing flange 25 constitute a second engaging means. A slight gap is formed between the end faces in the direction intersecting the insertion direction of the inner flange 14 and the elastic mounting piece 24.

  In this way, the inner flange 14 of the connector guide member 10 is sandwiched between the housing projection 23 and the housing flange 25 of the housing main body 22, and a gap is formed between the inner flange 14 and the elastic mounting piece 24. Since the portion 22 is attached to the connector guide member 10, the plug connector housing 20 is loosely fitted in a state of being movable in the direction of arrow D2 in FIG.

  As described above, the self-aligning connector 1 has a plug connector housing 20 that is loosely fitted to the connector guide member 10 so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow D2 in FIG. 3 is further loosely fitted and mounted so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow D1 in FIG. 3, even when the connector housings 20 and 30 are slightly misaligned when fitted to the receptacle connector housing 30. Therefore, it is possible to absorb the deviation and achieve complete fitting at an appropriate fitting position. In addition, since the space for attaching the self-aligning connector 1 to the panel 90 is substantially the same as that of the hole 91, it is possible to effectively reduce the space for the attachment. Further, since the leaf spring 19 is disposed between the panel 90 and the connector guide member 10, it is possible to effectively prevent vibrations from the panel 90 from being directly transmitted to the connector housings 20 and 30. .

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a self-aligning connector according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the following, descriptions that overlap with those already described are omitted.
The self-aligning connector 1 ′ is formed in an annular shape that is attached along the outer shape of the guide main body 12 instead of the leaf spring 19 as an elastic member disposed between the connector guide member 10 and the panel 90. The point that the rubber 39 is disposed is different from the self-aligning connector 1 of the previous example. Even with this self-aligning connector 1 ′, the connector housings 20 and 30 can be completely fitted at an appropriate fitting position, and the space for mounting the self-aligning connector 1 ′ on the panel 90 can be saved. Therefore, it is possible to effectively reduce the vibration and the like from the panel 90 to the two connector housings 20 and 30.

  In the above embodiment, the plug connector housing 20 is loosely fitted to the connector guide member 10 and attached to the panel 90. However, the receptacle connector housing 30 is loosely fitted and attached to the panel 90. But it ’s okay.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in various industries that manufacture and use self-aligning connectors that are attached in a loosely fitted state.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the self-aligning type connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the mode after the assembly of the self-aligning type connector. It is AA 'sectional drawing of FIG. It is BB 'sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the self-aligning type connector which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1 '... Self-aligning type connector, 10 ... Connector guide member, 11 ... Housing mounting hole part, 12 ... Guide body part, 13 ... Outer flange, 14 ... Inner flange, 17 ... Engagement piece, 18 ... Mounting protrusion , 19 ... leaf spring, 20 ... plug connector housing, 21 ... convex housing fitting, 22 ... housing body, 23 ... housing projection, 24 ... elastic mounting piece, 25 ... housing collar, 30 ... receptacle connector Housing, 31 ... concave housing fitting, 39 ... rubber, 90 ... panel, 91 ... hole.

Claims (4)

A connector guide member that is attached in a loosely fitted state to a peripheral portion of the hole portion of the attachment member in which the hole portion is formed;
An elastic member disposed between the connector guide member and the mounting member;
A first connector housing attached in a loosely fitted state to the connector guide member;
A second connector housing fitted to the first connector housing attached to the connector guide member;
The connector guide member is
Forming a housing mounting hole into which the first connector housing is inserted, and including a cylindrical guide main body part loosely fitted in the hole of the mounting member;
The guide main body portion includes, on the side surface thereof, first engaging means that engages with a peripheral portion of the hole portion by insertion into the hole portion of the mounting member,
The elastic member is mounted between the guide main body portion and a peripheral portion of the hole portion of the mounting member,
By inserting the first connector housing into the housing mounting hole on the side surface of the first connector housing and the inner peripheral surface of the housing mounting hole of the guide main body, the first guide housing is inserted into the housing guide hole. A self-aligning connector characterized by comprising second engaging means for movably engaging one connector housing in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction thereof. The guide main body includes an outer flange projecting outward from one opening end side of the housing mounting hole portion in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the first connector housing, and the other opening end of the housing mounting hole portion. An inner flange projecting from the side in the direction intersecting the insertion direction,
The first connector housing has, on its side surface, an elastic mounting piece and a housing flange that sandwich the inner flange of the guide body from above and below by insertion into the connector guide member,
The self-aligning connector according to claim 1, wherein the second engagement means is constituted by the inner flange, the elastic mounting piece, and the housing flange.   3. The self-aligning connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a leaf spring member having a structure in which a metal plate is bent.   The self-aligning connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastic member is an annular rubber member attached along the outer shape of the guide main body.

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