JP2006140089A - Engagement structure of receiving connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an engagement structure of an receiving connector in which the engagement state of a male and a female connectors can be confirmed easily visually from the outside at the time of engagement of the male and female connectors, and by preventing incomplete engagement of the connectors, reliability can be enhanced. <P>SOLUTION: In the engagement structure of a connector 100, an engagement detection member 57 is provided with an engagement part 57h capable of bending and a pressing projection member 57j arranged in contact with a thin plate part 55j. The engagement detection member 57 is installed on a connector installation plate 55 with its engagement part 57h engaging with a pair of elastic locking members 55b, and furthermore, a first connector 51 is installed by engagement with the locking part 57d of the engagement detection member 57. When a second connector 53 is engaged with the first connector 51, a pair of engagement parts 57d of the engagement detection member 57 are pressed in the direction of mutually separating and the engagement part is bent. Thereby, the thin plate part 55j is deformed by being pressed by the pressing projection member 57j. The engagement state can be confirmed by visually seeing the deformation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a standby connector fitting structure, and more particularly to a standby connector fitting structure having a fitting detection function capable of confirming the fitting state of both connectors when male and female connectors are fitted. .

  Connectors for connecting wire harnesses to electrical components mounted on automobile instrument panels, door trim panels, etc. have adopted a plug-in connection structure so that assembly work can be performed efficiently. So-called standby connectors are frequently used.

  When a stand-by connector is installed in a closed space such as an instrument panel or door trim panel, not only is it difficult to fit the connector, it is often difficult to check the mating condition of the connector. There was a risk that the connector would be overlooked with half-fitting.

As a connector that allows visual confirmation of the fitting state of a pair of connectors, a movable piece that can be visually recognized through a window hole (see Patent Document 1), or the fitting of a connector. As a result, there is known a detection lever that protrudes rearward of the connector so that the fitting state of the connector can be visually recognized (see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-245890 (page 3-5, FIG. 2) JP-A-10-32045 (page 3-4, FIG. 1)

  A connector 20 disclosed in Patent Document 1 shown in FIG. 12 includes a first connector 21 and a second connector 25. The first connector 21 is movable on the side wall of the housing in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction of the connector and biased in one direction by the coil spring 23, and when the movable piece 22 moves by a predetermined amount. And a window hole 24 that makes the movable piece 22 visible from the outside. The side wall of the second connector 25 includes a pushing portion 26 that contacts the movable piece 22 and pushes the movable piece 22 in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction of the connector. When the first connector 21 is fitted to the second connector 25, the pushing portion 26 pushes the movable piece 22 from the window hole 24 to a position where it can be visually recognized. The fitting state between the first connector 21 and the second connector 25 can be detected.

  Further, in the female connector 31 of the connector 30 disclosed in Patent Document 2 shown in FIG. 13, the detection lever 33 is fitted in the insertion direction of the connector 30 in the insertion groove 32 a formed on the lower surface of the lock piece 32 of the female connector 31. Is slidably inserted. When the male connector 34 formed with the locking portion 35 is fitted to the female connector 31, the detection lever 33 is pressed by the locking portion 35 and moves rearward (rightward in the drawing), and from the rear end of the lock piece 32. Protruding. Accordingly, by visually observing whether or not the detection lever 33 protrudes, the fitting state between the female connector 31 and the male connector 34 can be detected.

  According to the connectors 20 and 30 disclosed in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, although the fitting state of the male and female connectors can be detected, the number of parts constituting the fitting detection mechanism is large, the structure becomes complicated, It was a factor of cost increase. Furthermore, there is a problem that the connectors 20 and 30 are large because a space for mounting these components is required. In addition, there are many cases in which the large-sized connectors 20 and 30 are installed in a narrow space such as an automobile, and there has been a demand for a small-sized connector that can confirm the fitting state.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and the object thereof is to eliminate the incomplete fitting of the connector so that the fitting state of the male and female connectors can be easily confirmed visually, and the reliability of the fitting. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fitting structure for a standby connector that can increase the height.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the standby connector fitting structure according to the present invention is characterized by the following (1) to (5).
(1) A first connector having a through hole, and a second connector having an engaging protrusion and engaging with the first connector while engaging the engaging protrusion with the through hole. A standby connector fitting structure,
A connector mounting plate provided with a pair of locking members;
An engagement portion that is bendable and engages with the pair of locking members, and a direction opposite to the engagement direction of the engagement protrusion of the second connector that engages with the through hole of the first connector. A fitting detection member having a locking portion that engages with the through-hole, and a pressing projection piece that is disposed in contact with the connector mounting plate;
With
When the second connector is fitted to the first connector, the engaging portion of the fitting detection member that engages with the through hole of the first connector is the engagement protrusion of the second connector. The deformable portion of the connector mounting plate that is pressed, thereby bending the engagement portion of the fitting detection member and contacting the pressing projection piece of the fitting detection member is pressed by the pressing projection piece. The fitting state of the first connector and the second connector can be confirmed by visually checking the deformation.
(2) In the fitting structure of the standby connector configured as described in (1) above,
The pair of locking members are a pair of elastic locking members that can be elastically deformed in a direction approaching or separating from each other.
(3) In the fitting structure of the standby connector configured as described in (1) or (2) above,
The connector mounting plate is provided with at least one thin portion as the deformable portion, and is arranged so that the pressing projection piece of the fitting detection member abuts on the thin portion, and the first connector When the second connector is fitted, the engagement portion of the fitting detection member is bent and the thin portion is pressed and deformed by the pressing projection piece.
(4) In the fitting structure of the standby connector having any one of the above configurations (1) to (3),
When the second connector is fitted to the first connector, the engaging portion of the fitting detection member that engages with the through hole of the first connector is the engagement protrusion of the second connector. The engagement between the through hole of the first connector and the engaging portion of the fitting detection member is released by being pressed.
(5) In the fitting structure of the standby connector according to any one of the above (1) to (4),
The connector mounting plate is a trim panel attached to a vehicle door panel.

According to the fitting structure of the standby connector configured as described in (1) above, the first connector and the second connector can be obtained by visually observing the deformable portion of the connector mounting plate that is in contact with the pressing protrusion of the fitting detection member. Even if the connector is installed in a place where it is difficult to confirm the mating state of the connector from the outside, such as in a recessed position, it is possible to confirm the mating state of the mating detection member. As long as the deformable portion of the connector mounting plate that comes into contact is visible, the fitting state of the connector can be easily confirmed by visually checking the change of the deformable portion of the connector mounting plate. This also prevents incomplete mating of the connector and enables highly reliable mating.
The standby connector fitting structure having the configuration (2) is preferable because the engagement portion of the fitting detection member can be easily attached to the pair of elastic locking members.
According to the fitting structure of the standby connector having the configuration of (3) above, it is possible to confirm the fitting state between the first connector and the second connector by visually observing the thin portion, such as a recessed position. Even if the connector is installed in a place where it is difficult to confirm the connector's mating condition from the outside, it is easy to visually recognize changes such as whitening and deformation of the thin part if the thin part is visible. The fitting state of the connector can be confirmed. This also prevents incomplete mating of the connector and enables highly reliable mating.
According to the standby connector fitting structure configured as described in (4) above, after the first connector and the second connector are completely fitted, the first connector and the second connector are released from the connector mounting plate. As a result, both the mated connectors are in a free state without their position being regulated by the connector mounting plate, and vibrations associated with traveling of the vehicle or the like are prevented from directly acting on the connectors, and the mated state of both connectors Is maintained in good condition.
According to the standby connector fitting structure of the above configuration (5), since the connector mounting plate is a trim panel attached to the door panel of the vehicle, the connector is closed by the door panel and the trim panel so that the connector is difficult to see from the outside. Even when installed, when the second connector is fitted to the first connector, the second connector can be fitted while confirming the fitting state of the connector, and the fitting can be easily and reliably performed in a short time. Thereby, a fitting operation can be performed efficiently while maintaining a highly reliable fitting.

  According to the standby connector fitting structure of the present invention, the fitting state between the first connector and the second connector at the time of fitting can be visually confirmed to prevent incomplete fitting, and a highly reliable connector. The fitting can be performed.

  The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through the best mode for carrying out the invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 is an exploded perspective view of a standby connector fitting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of a first connector attached to a connector attachment plate via a fitting detection member in FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by an ellipse III in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow IV-IV in FIG. 3, and FIG. 3A shows a state of automatically moving to the center position, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3 showing a state of the fitting detection member moving upward, and (b) is a state of the fitting detection member. FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along arrows IV-IV in FIG. 3 showing a state of moving downward.

  6 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 2 showing a state in which the second connector is started to be fitted to the first connector attached to the connector attachment plate via the fitting detection member. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle VII in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the engagement protrusion of the second connector is engaged with the through hole penetrating into and out of the main body of the first connector, FIG. 9 is a circle IX in FIG. 8 showing a state in which the engaging portion of the fitting detecting member is pressed to release the engagement and the thin portion is pressed by the pressing projection piece and the thin portion is deformed. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector are completely fitted.

  FIG. 11 shows an application example of a standby connector mounted on a trim panel, and FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the other connector is fitted to a connector mounted on a trim panel which is a connector mounting plate. b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the trim panel in which the connector is fitted by confirming the deformation of the thin wall portion from the outside is fixed to the door panel, and (c) is the design panel on the connector mounting portion of the trim panel. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which attaches and hides the confirmation window of a thin part.

  As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the connector 100 includes a first connector 51 and a second connector 53, and further includes a connector mounting plate 55 and a fitting detection member 57. A composite structure is formed. That is, the first connector 51 is locked to the fitting detection member 57 engaged with the connector mounting plate 55. Then, the second connector 53 is fitted to the first connector 51. The female housing 59 of the first connector 51 is a bottomed hollow prismatic member formed of synthetic resin, and a plurality of male connection terminals (not shown) are fixed therein. Each male connection terminal is electrically connected to the electric wire 61. A pair of rectangular through holes 63 defined by rectangular edges are formed on the second connector 53 side of the pair of side walls 59a facing the female housing 59.

  The male housing 65 of the second connector 53 is a bottomed hollow prismatic member formed of synthetic resin, and a plurality of female connection terminals (not shown) are fixed therein, and each of the female connection terminals has a wire 67. Are electrically connected. A pair of opposing side walls 65a of the male housing 65 is provided with a pair of locking arms 65f that are erected from the side wall 65a and that are elastically deformable in a direction in which a tip extending along the side wall 65a is in contact with and away from the side wall 65a. Have. The pair of locking arms 65 f includes fitting protrusions 65 b corresponding to the rectangular through holes 63 of the first connector 51. The fitting protrusion 65b has an inclined surface 65c that gradually increases in height from the front to the rear in the fitting direction of the first connector 51 and the second connector 53, and is continuously parallel to the locking arm 65f from the inclined surface 65c. The plane portion 65d is formed, and the engagement surface 65e is formed perpendicularly to the locking arm 65f from one end of the plane portion 65d.

  The connector mounting plate 55 is for attaching the first connector 51 via a fitting detection member 57 described later, and is, for example, a plate-like member formed of synthetic resin. The connector mounting plate 55 has a pair of elastic locking members 55b erected from the surface 55a. The pair of elastic locking members 55b is a pair of rectangular plate portions 55c which are formed in a rectangular plate shape so as to be perpendicular to the surface 55a so as to face each other, and the tips of the respective rectangular plate portions 55c face each other. As described above, the elastic plate portion 55d is formed by being folded in a substantially inverted U shape. The elastic plate portion 55d has its tip extended to the vicinity of the surface 55a, and approaches or separates from each other in the thickness direction of the elastic plate portion 55d, that is, along the surface 55a of the connector mounting plate 55. Elastic deformation is possible.

  Further, the surfaces of the elastic plate portion 55d facing each other, that is, the inner side surfaces, are inclined surfaces 55e that gradually increase in height as they approach the surface 55a of the connector mounting plate 55, and the surface 55a continuously from the inclined surface 55e. In parallel, in other words, a locking surface 55f formed at a right angle to the inner surface of the elastic plate portion 55d is formed. Furthermore, the tip of the inner side surface of the elastic plate portion 55d has a jetty 55g formed in a plate shape that protrudes inward over the entire length of the elastic plate portion 55d, whereby the lower surface of the locking surface 55f, the upper surface of the jetty 55g, and A substantially U-shaped groove 69 is formed by the inner surface of the elastic plate portion 55d. In the groove 69, a protrusion 55h having a substantially rectangular cross section and a height lower than the height of the jetty 55g is formed to protrude inward.

  Further, the connector mounting plate 55 is formed with four thin portions 55j, which are concave portions defined by circular edges and having a thin bottom portion, on both sides of the elastic locking member 55b.

  The fitting detection member 57 includes a pair of rod-like base portions 57a, four prismatic leg portions 57b erected from both ends of each rod-like base portion 57a, and two leg portions erected from different rod-like base portions 57a. 57b includes a pair of plate-like connecting portions 57c formed so that the tips of 57b are connected to each other and face each other. The distance W1 between the pair of plate-like connecting portions 57c is slightly larger than the width W2 of the first connector 51. The pair of plate-like connecting portions 57c can be elastically deformed in the direction of approaching or separating from each other by the elastic force of the leg portions 57b, and the magnitude of the elastic force is the elasticity of the locking arm 65f of the second connector 53. It is set smaller than the force.

  A pair of locking portions 57d are formed on the opposing surfaces of the pair of plate-like connecting portions 57c so as to correspond to the rectangular through holes 63 of the first connector 51. The locking portion 57d has an inclined surface 57e that gradually increases in height toward the rod-shaped base portion 57a, a flat surface portion 57f that is formed in parallel to the surface of the plate-like connecting portion 57c continuously from the inclined surface 57e, and a flat surface portion 57f. And an engaging surface 57g formed at right angles to the surface of the plate-like connecting portion 57c. The width and length of the locking portion 57d are slightly smaller than the width and length of the rectangular through hole 63 of the first connector 51, and the locking portion 57d fits into the rectangular through hole 63 from the outside of the female housing 59. The lower surface of the rectangular through hole 63 and the locking surface 57g are engaged, and the female housing 59 of the first connector 51 is held by the fitting detection member 57.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a V-shaped recess 57h, which is an engaging portion formed in a V-shape, is provided at the approximate center of the outer surface of the pair of rod-shaped base portions 57a. The fitting detection member 57 is disposed such that the V-shaped recess 57h contacts the protrusion 55h of the elastic locking member 55b. Further, the width W3 of the V-shaped recess 57h is formed larger than the width W4 of the protrusion 55h, so that the protrusion 55h is relatively movable along the taper of the V-shaped recess 57h. More specifically, the V-shaped recess 57h, that is, the fitting detection member 57 is movable with respect to the pair of elastic locking members 55b provided with the protrusions 55h.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the pair of rod-like base portions 57a includes pressing protrusions 57j that protrude downward at both ends of the lower surface. The fitting detection member 57 engages the groove 69 while the V-shaped recess 57h is in contact with the protrusions 55h of the pair of elastic locking members 55b, and the pressing protrusion 57j is connected to the thin portion 55j of the connector mounting plate 55. Is attached to the connector mounting plate 55.

  The connector 100 and its fitting structure of the present embodiment are configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the V-shaped concave portion (engagement portion) 57 h of the fitting detection member 57 and the elastic plate portion 55 d of the pair of elastic locking members 55 b of the connector mounting plate 55 correspond to each other. It arrange | positions and presses the fitting detection member 57 toward the surface 55a of the connector mounting board 55 from upper direction. The pair of elastic locking members 55b are elastically deformed in a direction away from each other while accumulating elastic force therein, and the V-shaped concave portion 57h (rod-shaped base portion 57a) moves downward along the inclined surface 55e. Eventually, when the V-shaped recess 57h reaches a position over the locking surface 55f, the pair of elastic locking members 55b return to their original state by the elastic force and accommodate the central portion of the rod-shaped base 57a in the groove 69. The engaging surface 55f engages with the upper surface of the rod-shaped base 57a. At this time, the protrusion 55h of the elastic locking member 55b is urged in the direction of arrow A by the elastic force of the elastic locking member 55b to press the V-shaped recess 57h (see FIG. 4).

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, even if the center of the V-shaped recess 57h and the center of the protrusion 55h are deviated, the fitting detection member 57 is tapered from the V-shaped recess 57h. Are automatically moved in the direction of the arrow B or the arrow C, and are locked at a predetermined position where their centers coincide. In this state, the four pressing protrusions 57j of the fitting detection member 57 are in contact with the thin portions 55j of the connector mounting plate 55, respectively.

  Note that even if the fitting detection member 57 is mounted on the connector mounting plate 55 in a state of being displaced from the pair of elastic locking members 55b, the thin portion 55j so that the pressing protrusion 57j is reliably positioned on the thin portion 55j. It is desirable to make the diameter of the concave portion larger than the diameter of the pressing projection piece 57j. When the relative position between the fitting detection member 57 and the connector mounting plate 55 is shifted, the pressing projection piece 57j is in contact with the position offset from the center of the thin portion 55j. Since the position 57 is automatically corrected to a predetermined position, the pressing protrusion 57j eventually comes into contact with the center of the thin portion 55j. Further, increasing the diameter of the concave portion which is the thin portion 55j also means increasing the area of the thin portion 55j at the same time, and the deformation of the thin portion 55j described later becomes easy.

  When the female connector housing 59 of the first connector 51 is inserted between the pair of plate-like connecting portions 57c of the fitting detection member 57 mounted on the connector mounting plate 55 and pressed downward, the side wall of the female connector housing 59 is obtained. 59a abuts on the inclined surface 57e of the locking portion 57d and the leg portion 57b is elastically deformed, thereby opening the pair of plate-like connecting portions 57c in a direction away from each other. Further, when the female connector housing 59 is pressed to reach a position where the locking portion 57d coincides with the rectangular through-hole 63 of the female connector housing 59, the pair of plate-like connecting portions 57c is returned to the original position by the elastic force of the leg portion 57b. Then, the locking portion 57d is fitted into the rectangular through hole 63, the lower surface of the rectangular through hole 63 is engaged with the locking surface 57g, and the female housing 59 is held by the fitting detecting member 57. That is, the first connector 51 is attached to the connector attachment plate 55 via the fitting detection member 57.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the second connector 53 is inserted and fitted in the first connector 51 mounted on the connector mounting plate 55 via the fitting detection member 57 in the direction of arrow D. At this time, even if there is a slight shift in the relative position between the first connector 51 and the second connector 53 (the direction along the surface 55 a of the connector mounting plate 55), the first connector 51 is in the position of the second connector 53. At the same time, it moves along the surface 55a of the connector mounting plate 55 and automatically aligns. Thereby, increase of the fitting force accompanying the shift | offset | difference of both connectors is prevented, and it can fit smoothly.

  More specifically, when the fitting is started in a state where the second connector 53 is shifted in the elastically deformable direction of the pair of elastic locking members 55b, the pair of elastic locking members 55b is elastically deformed and the second connector 53 is elastically deformed. The one connector 51 moves together with the fitting detection member 57 in the elastically deformable direction of the elastic locking member 55 b and aligns with the position of the second connector 53. Further, when the fitting is started in a state where the second connector 53 is shifted in a direction crossing the elastically deformable direction of the pair of elastic locking members 55b, the protrusions 55h of the elastic locking members 55b that are in contact with each other; The V-shaped recess 57h slides relatively, and the fitting detection member 57 moves in the width direction of the pair of elastic locking members 55b (that is, the direction intersecting the elastically deformable direction of the elastic locking members 55b). Thus, the positions of the first connector 51 and the second connector 53 coincide. That is, at the time of connector fitting, the first connector 51 moves in all directions along the surface 55a of the connector mounting plate 55 so as to be aligned with the position of the second connector 53, and automatically aligns.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the fitting between the first connector 51 and the second connector 53 further proceeds, and the fitting protrusion 65 b of the second connector 53 reaches the position of the rectangular through hole 63 of the first connector 51. Then, the fitting protrusion 65b fits into the rectangular through hole 63 from the inside, and pushes out the locking portion 57d of the fitting detecting member 57 that has been fitted into the rectangular through hole 63 from the outside. As a result, the fitting detection member 57 is bent at the V-shaped concave portion (engagement portion) 57h, and the leg portion 57b and the plate-like connection portion 57c are rotated and opened in the direction of the arrow E. The engagement with the connector 51 is released.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the rod-shaped base portion 57a is bent at the V-shaped concave portion 57h, the thin-walled portion 55j is pressed and deformed by the pressing protrusion piece 57j. Then, by further pressing the first connector 51 in the arrow F direction, the fitting between the first connector 51 and the second connector 53 is completed (see FIG. 10). When the connector 100 is completely fitted, the connector 100 is in a free state because the restriction of the first connector 51 by the connector mounting plate 55 (fitting detection member 57) is released.

  As described above, the fitting state between the first connector 51 and the second connector 53 can be easily confirmed by visually observing the deformed thin portion 55j that is pressed and deformed by the pressing protrusion piece 57j. When the connector mounting plate 55 is made of a synthetic resin, the deformation of the thin portion 55j is generally accompanied by a whitening phenomenon, so that visual confirmation becomes easier.

  According to the connector fitting structure of the present embodiment, the first connector 51 in which the through hole 63 is formed, and the second connector 53 in which the engagement protrusion 65b that is engaged with the through hole 63 are formed, approach each other. Alternatively, the connector mounting plate 55 provided with a pair of elastic locking members 55b and a thin portion 55j that can be elastically deformed in the separating direction, a bendable engagement portion 57h that engages with the pair of elastic locking members 55b, and the first The engaging portion 57d that engages with the through hole 63 and the thin portion 55j are arranged in contact with the through hole 63 from the opposite direction to the engaging direction of the engaging protrusion 65b of the second connector 53 that engages with the through hole 63 of the first connector 51. And a fitting detection member 57 having a pressing projection piece 57j. And when the 2nd connector 53 is fitted to the 1st connector 51, the engaging part 57h bends and the thin part 55j is pressed by the press protrusion piece 57j, and deform | transforms.

  Therefore, it is possible to check the fitting state of the first connector 51 and the second connector 53 by visually observing the thin portion 55j, and the fitting state of the connector 100 such as a recessed position is confirmed from the outside. Even if the connector 100 is installed in a difficult place, as long as the thin portion 55j can be seen, the mating state of the connector 100 can be easily confirmed by visually confirming changes such as whitening and deformation of the thin portion 55j. can do. This also prevents incomplete fitting of the connector 100 and enables highly reliable fitting.

(Application example)
Next, a preferred application example of the connector fitting structure of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view when the standby connector having the connector fitting structure of the present invention is applied to a trim panel of a vehicle door. FIG. 11 (a) shows a second connector attached to the first connector mounted inside the trim panel. Sectional drawing which shows the state which fits a trim, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the state which attaches a trim panel to a door panel after confirming the fitting state of a connector visually checking the presence or absence of a deformation | transformation of a thin part from the exterior of a trim panel (C) is sectional drawing which shows the state which attaches a design panel to the connector mounting part of a trim panel, and covers a connector mounting part.

  Since the connector fitting structure is the same as the connector fitting structure already described in the embodiment of the present invention, the same parts are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the trim panel 71 formed as a connector mounting plate is provided with a pair of elastic locking members 55b on the inner surface thereof. The fitting detection member 57 is attached to the trim panel 71 while being engaged with the pair of elastic locking members 55b while the pressing protrusions 57j are in contact with the thin portions 55j formed on the trim panel 71. Further, the first connector 51 is attached to be engaged with the locking portion 57 d of the fitting detection member 57. That is, the first connector 51 is attached to the inner surface of the trim panel 71 via the fitting detection member 57.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11B, the second connector 53 is inserted and fitted into the first connector 51 attached to the trim panel 71 via the fitting detection member 57. At this time, as described above, the thin portion 55j is pressed by the pressing protrusion piece 57j of the fitting detection member 57 to be deformed or whitened. The operator can confirm the fitting state of the first connector 51 and the second connector 53, that is, the completion of fitting, by visually observing the deformation or whitening of the thin portion 55j of the trim panel 71. The trim panel 71 to which the connector 100 that has been fitted is attached is attached and fixed to the door panel 73. Further, as shown in FIG. 11C, the design panel 75 is attached to the connector attachment portion 71a of the trim panel 71. Is attached to cover the connector mounting portion 71a to adjust the appearance.

  As described above, the connector 100 is mounted in a closed space such as between the trim panel 71 and the door panel 73, and is normally disposed at a place where it is difficult to confirm the fitting state of the connector 100. In addition, since the thin portion 55j is deformed or whitened when the first connector 51 and the second connector 53 are completely fitted, the connector 100 can be easily fitted by visually observing the deformation or whitening of the thin portion 55j from the outside. The state can be confirmed. Therefore, highly reliable connector fitting can be performed.

  According to the connector fitting structure of this embodiment, the connector mounting plate is the trim panel 71 attached to the door panel 73 of the vehicle. Therefore, the connector is installed at a position that is closed by the door panel 73 and the trim panel 71 and difficult to see from the outside. Even when the second connector is fitted to the first connector, the fitting can be easily and reliably performed in a short time while the fitting state of the connector 100 is confirmed. Thereby, a fitting operation can be performed efficiently while maintaining a highly reliable fitting.

  Other actions and effects of the connector fitting structure can be easily inferred from the above description of the embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and application examples, and modifications, improvements, and the like can be made as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimension, numerical value, form, number, arrangement location, and the like of each component in the embodiment and application examples described above are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

  For example, in the application example described above, the connector is attached to the trim panel of the door, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the connector is arranged in a hidden position such as the back side of the instrument panel. If so, they can be mounted in the same manner and have the same effect.

  In the above embodiment, the connector mounting plate is provided with a thin portion as a deformable portion that is deformed by being pressed by the pressing protrusion piece of the fitting detection member. Any portion may be used as long as it is a deformable portion of the connector mounting plate that is deformed by being pressed by the piece.

  In the above embodiment, the connector mounting plate is provided with a pair of elastic locking members that can be elastically deformed toward or away from each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be provided.

  Moreover, the said embodiment is comprised so that the engagement with the through-hole of a 1st connector and the latching | locking part of a fitting detection member may be cancelled | released when the 2nd connector is fitted by the 1st connector. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the second connector is fitted to the first connector, the engagement between the through hole of the first connector and the locking portion of the fitting detection member is not released. Also good.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the fitting structure of the connector which is embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the 1st connector with which the connector mounting board was mounted | worn via the fitting detection member in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by an ellipse III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3. 4A shows a state where the fitting detection member automatically moves to the center position with respect to the connector mounting plate, and FIG. 3A shows a state where the fitting detection member moves upward. (B) is the IV-IV arrow cross-sectional view in FIG. 3 which shows the state which a fitting detection member moves below. FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 2 showing a state in which the second connector is started to be fitted to the first connector attached to the connector attachment plate via the fitting detection member. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle VII in FIG. 6. The engagement protrusion of the second connector is engaged with a through hole that penetrates the inside and outside of the main body of the first connector, and the engagement of the fitting detection member engaged with the through hole is pressed to release the engagement. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which presses a thin part with a press protrusion piece and deform | transforms a thin part. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle IX in FIG. 8. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which the fitting of the 1st connector and the 2nd connector was completed. The application example of the stand-by connector attached to the trim panel is shown, (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the other connector is fitted to the connector attached to the trim panel which is a connector attachment plate, and (b) is from the outside. Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the trim panel by which the fitting state of the connector was confirmed by visually confirming a deformation | transformation of a thin part was attached to a door panel, and being fixed, (c) attaches a design panel to the connector mounting part of a trim panel It is sectional drawing which shows the state which covers a connector mounting part. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a connector disclosed in Patent Document 1. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a connector disclosed in Patent Document 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

100 connector (standby connector)
51 First Connector 53 Second Connector 55 Connector Mounting Plate 55a Surface of Connector Mounting Plate 55b Elastic Locking Member 55h Projection 55j Thin-Walled Portion 57 Fitting Detection Member 57d Locking Portion 57h V-shaped Recessed Portion (engaging portion)
57j Pressing protrusion 63 Rectangular through hole (through hole)
65b Engaging projection 71 Trim panel 73 Door panel

Claims (5)

A standby connector comprising: a first connector having a through hole; and a second connector having an engaging protrusion and engaging with the first connector while engaging the engaging protrusion with the through hole. A fitting structure,
A connector mounting plate provided with a pair of locking members;
An engagement portion that is bendable and engages with the pair of locking members, and a direction opposite to the engagement direction of the engagement protrusion of the second connector that engages with the through hole of the first connector. A fitting detecting member having a locking portion that engages with the through-hole, and a pressing projection piece that is disposed in contact with the connector mounting plate;
With
When the second connector is fitted to the first connector, the engaging portion of the fitting detection member that engages with the through hole of the first connector is the engagement protrusion of the second connector. The deformable portion of the connector mounting plate that is pressed and thereby bends the engaging portion of the fitting detection member and contacts the pressing protrusion piece of the fitting detection member is pressed by the pressing protrusion piece. The standby connector fitting structure is characterized in that the fitting state between the first connector and the second connector can be confirmed by visually recognizing the deformation.   The standby connector fitting structure according to claim 1, wherein the pair of locking members are a pair of elastic locking members that are elastically deformable in a direction approaching or separating from each other.   The connector mounting plate is provided with at least one thin portion as the deformable portion, and is arranged so that the pressing projection piece of the fitting detection member abuts on the thin portion, and the first connector 3. When the second connector is fitted, the engaging portion of the fitting detecting member is bent, and the thin portion is pressed by the pressing projection piece and deformed. 1. The standby connector fitting structure described in 1.   When the second connector is fitted to the first connector, the engaging portion of the fitting detection member that engages with the through hole of the first connector is the engagement protrusion of the second connector. 4. The press according to claim 1, wherein the engagement between the through hole of the first connector and the locking portion of the fitting detection member is released. Mating structure for standby connector.   5. The standby connector fitting structure according to claim 1, wherein the connector mounting plate is a trim panel attached to a door panel of a vehicle.

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