JP2007311067A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control an improper mating operation so as to surely cause a locking sound. <P>SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes a male connector M and a female connector F which can fit each other. The female connector F is provided with a lock arm having a releasing operation element 24 and a latch arm 23 which can be displaced individually; a pressing element 34 which is droopingly formed from a support 24A of the releasing operation element 24; and a flexural strip 33 which interferes with the pressing element 34 to control releasing operation. The male connector M is provided with a protuberance 15. The protuberance 15 interferes with the pressing element 34 and continuously controls the releasing operation while displacing the flexural strip 33 upon the mating operation. When releasing operation is performed with normal mating, the pressing element 34 links with a linkage element 36, which is shifted toward the latch arm 23 to contact slidably with the latch arm 23, whereby the releasing operation element 24 can deflect the latch arm 23 toward a releasing direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

As a general structure of a connector having a lock arm, there is one described in Patent Document 1 below. In this case, a lock arm having a seesaw shape is provided on the upper surface of the female housing so as to be able to bend, and a release operation can be performed by pressing an operation portion arranged on the rear end side of the lock arm. While the male and female housings are mating, the front end of the lock arm gets over the locking part of the male housing, and when the male and female housings are properly fitted, the lock arm returns and locks by hitting the outer surface of the mating housing. A sound is generated, and it is possible to detect that the male and female housings have been properly fitted by listening to the lock sound.
JP-A-10-241788

  However, this is configured so as to perform a so-called unauthorized fitting operation in which the fitting operation is performed while pressing the operation portion. When this unauthorized fitting operation is performed, no locking sound is generated. Since the fitting cannot be detected, both the male and female housings may be left in a semi-fitted state. The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to reliably generate a locking sound by restricting an illegal fitting operation.

  As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is provided such that the first housing and the second housing can be fitted, and the first housing is provided with a locked portion, The second housing is provided with a lock arm composed of an individually displaceable lock function part and a lock release part, and the lock function part is formed in the form along the fitting direction from the base end part to the fitting surface. A locking portion arranged on the side can be locked with the locked portion when the two housings are properly fitted to hold both the housings in a locked state; and The unlocking part is a connector that can be interlocked via a linkage part provided between them, and the unlocking part is restrained by the release restricting part except during the regular fitting. And being unable to link to the linkage part Although the release operation is restricted by this, the release restricting portion is displaced along with the fitting operation of the two housings to release the locked state in cooperation with the linkage portion during the normal fitting. It is characterized in that it is configured to be possible.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the release restricting portion supports the second receiving portion that is displaceably provided in the second housing and the disengagement portion so as to be displaceable. And a pressing portion that protrudes from the supporting portion toward the second receiving portion, and the free end portion of the second receiving portion interferes with the protruding end of the pressing portion, thereby releasing the release portion. It is characterized in that operation is restricted.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the release restricting portion includes a first receiving portion configured to extend along the fitting direction in the first housing. The first receiving portion is characterized in that the release operation is restricted by interfering with the protruding end of the pressing portion.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or third aspect of the present invention, the first receiving portion may be configured such that the second receiving portion is replaced with the pressing portion in accordance with the fitting operation of the two housings. It is characterized in that the release operation is continuously restricted by relative displacement to a region capable of interfering with the protruding end of the pressing portion while being displaced in a direction to avoid interference with the protruding end.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the release of the first housing from the rear end of the first receiving portion to the rear in the fitting direction is performed during the regular fitting. It is characterized in that a pushing allowance portion is provided in which the protruding end of the pressing portion enters with the operation and the releasing operation is allowed.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the one according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the unlocking portion is arranged side by side with the lock function portion, and from the base end portion in the fitting direction. It is characterized by being disposed on the fitting surface side.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention provides the apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the lock release portion is arranged to bring the linkage portion toward the lock function portion side in accordance with the release operation. A member is provided, and the moving member is characterized in that the locked state is released by bending the lock function portion in a release direction in association with the linkage portion.

  The invention according to an eighth aspect is characterized in that, in the seventh aspect, the close-up member also serves as the pressing portion.

<Invention of Claim 1>
A general lock arm has a lock function part (arm part) and a lock release part (release operation part) that are integrally formed. It is conceivable to provide a regulating member that regulates the displacement. However, this means that the bending operation of the lock arm is restricted, so that the normal bending operation may be hindered and the original locking sound may not be generated. As a countermeasure against this, the lock function part and the lock release part are configured separately, and a restricting member is provided in the lock release part, so that the normal bending operation of the lock function part can be ensured. In such a case, it is necessary to link the lock function part and the lock release part so as to be interlocked so that the lock function part performs the release displacement. In that respect, according to the invention of claim 1, the unlocking portion is restrained by the release restricting portion and cannot be linked to the linkage portion except during normal fitting. By disengaging the release restricting portion in accordance with the fitting operation, it is possible to release the locked state in cooperation with the linkage portion during normal fitting. As a result, an illegal fitting operation can be prevented, and a normal bending operation of the lock function unit can be ensured, and a lock sound can be generated reliably.

<Invention of Claim 2>
According to the invention of claim 2, the release operation is restricted by the interference between the free end portion of the second receiving portion provided in the second housing and the protruding end of the pressing portion. As a result, as a premise for performing an illegal fitting operation, performing the release operation itself in the state of the second housing alone is restricted, and an illegal fitting operation can be prevented in advance.

<Invention of Claim 3>
According to the invention of claim 3, the release operation is restricted by the first receiving portion provided in the first housing being the counterpart housing interfering with the protruding end of the pressing portion. Thereby, an unauthorized fitting operation can be reliably prevented with the fitting operation with the counterpart housing.

<Invention of Claim 4>
According to the invention of claim 4, the first receiving portion displaces the second receiving portion in a direction avoiding interference with the protruding end of the pressing portion in accordance with the fitting operation of both housings, and interferes with the protruding end of the pressing portion. The release operation is continuously restricted by relative displacement in the possible area. If it does in this way, cancellation regulation can be performed regardless of before and after fitting of both housings, and illegal fitting operation can be prevented in a perfect state.

<Invention of Claim 5>
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the protruding end of the pressing portion enters the push-in permissible portion in accordance with the release operation when the two housings are normally fitted, the release operation is permitted. The release operation of the housing can be performed.

<Invention of Claim 6>
In the case of a configuration in which the unlocking portion is arranged on the side opposite to the fitting surface with the base end as a boundary, the second receiving portion is located farther from the fitting surface side, and the first receiving portion is forward of the conventional one Therefore, the entire length of the first housing becomes longer. In that respect, according to the invention of claim 6, since the unlocking portion is provided on the fitting surface side from the base end portion, the total length of the first housing can be shortened.

<Invention of Claim 7>
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the locked state can be released by the close-up member being linked to the linkage portion and bending the lock function portion in the release direction. Thereby, by making the linkage part a cam function part, it is possible to freely change the transmission direction of the release operation force, and it is possible to freely arrange the lock release part. As a result, it is also possible to perform the release operation by pulling the lock function portion toward the near side as the lock release portion is pushed in.

<Invention of Claim 8>
According to the eighth aspect of the invention, since the close-up member also serves as the pressing portion, the entire structure can be simplified as compared with the case where these are provided separately.

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The connector 1 in this embodiment is comprised from the male connector M and the female connector F which can mutually be fitted, as shown in FIG. In the following description, the front-rear direction refers to the front of each mating surface with reference to the mating direction of the connectors F and M (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 7), and the width direction refers to the horizontal direction in FIG. The direction is the reference, and the height direction is the upper side with reference to the vertical direction in FIG. Further, in the present embodiment, although both the connectors F and M are connected to the electric wire W, the electric wire W is partially omitted for simplification of the drawing.

  The male connector M has a male housing (corresponding to the first housing in the present invention) 10, and a pair of guide protrusions 17 are formed along the fitting direction on both sides in the width direction on the outer surface of the male housing 10. ing. On the other hand, the female connector F has a female housing (corresponding to the second housing in the present invention) 20, and the guide protrusion 17 is located at a position corresponding to the guide protrusion 17 when the connectors F and M are fitted. The guide receiving part 18 which can accommodate is recessedly provided along the fitting direction. Thereby, both the connectors F and M can be fitted in a state in which they are positioned in the height direction and the width direction by the guide protrusion 17 entering the guide receiving portion 18 during the fitting.

  The male housing 10 is made of synthetic resin and has a hood portion 11 that opens forward as shown in FIG. A tab-shaped male terminal 13 is provided on the rear wall 12 of the hood portion 11 so as to protrude forward. At the center of the upper surface of the outer peripheral surface of the hood portion 11, a locked portion 14 is provided so as to protrude. As shown in FIG. 5, on both sides of the outer peripheral surface of the hood portion 11 sandwiching the locked portion 14, a pair of protruding edge portions (corresponding to the first receiving portion in the present invention and the release in the present invention) The restriction portion is configured.) 15, 15 are provided in a form extending along the fitting direction. The projecting edge portion 15 is cut out in the front-rear direction by cutting out a substantially central portion thereof, and is rearward from the projecting edge portion 15 on the front side in the fitting direction (that is, between the projecting edge portions 15, 15 adjacent in the front-rear direction). In the region), a push-in permission portion 16 into which a projecting end 34A of a pressing portion 34 described later can enter in accordance with a releasing operation when both the connectors F and M are properly fitted is formed.

  The female housing 20 is made of synthetic resin, and has a terminal housing portion 21 having a substantially rectangular block shape as shown in FIG. A cylindrical fitting portion 22 that forms a hood opening forward is formed at a position that covers the outer peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating portion 21 along the circumferential direction. A cavity 25 penetrating along the front-rear direction is formed inside the terminal accommodating portion 21. A female terminal 26 can be inserted into the cavity 25 from behind. As shown in FIG. 14, the female terminal 26 is connected to the male terminal 13 in a conductive manner in accordance with the fitting operation of the connectors F and M. A lance 25A of the cavity 25 is engaged with the rear end of the rectangular tube portion 26A of the female terminal 26, whereby the female terminal 26 is held in a state of being prevented from being pulled backward. The covering portion of the electric wire W is also pressure-bonded together with the rubber plug 27 to the barrel portion formed behind the rectangular tube portion 26A. Three lip portions shown in the figure are provided around the outer peripheral surface of the rubber plug 27, and these lip portions are in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cavity 25, so that the rear end of the terminal accommodating portion 21 enters the cavity 25. Ingress of water is regulated.

  A cap-shaped retainer 31 is attached to the fitting surface of the terminal accommodating portion 21. The retainer 31 is made of a synthetic resin, and includes a bending restricting portion 31A that enters the bending space of the lance 25A and restricts the bending of the lance 25A when the retainer 31 is attached to the terminal accommodating portion 21. Thereby, the female terminal 26 is in a state of being double-locked together with the lance 25A. A seal ring 28 is fitted between the opening edge of the retainer 31 and the inner wall of the cylindrical fitting portion 22 on the outer peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating portion 21. The seal ring 28 is held in a state of being prevented from being pulled forward by the opening edge of the retainer 31. The hood portion 11 of the male housing 10 can enter between the outer peripheral surface of the retainer 31 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical fitting portion 22 in accordance with the fitting operation. When both the connectors F and M are properly fitted, the lip portion of the seal ring 28 and the inner peripheral surface of the hood portion 11 are in close contact with each other, so that water is prevented from entering the hood portion 11.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of side surface portions 29, 29 are formed above the terminal accommodating portion 21 so as to be continuous with the cylindrical fitting portion 22 and to be opposed to each other in the width direction. Yes. An upper surface portion 30 is provided between the side surface portions 29 and 29 by connecting upper ends of the side surface portions 29 and 29 on the fitting surface side. In an area sandwiched between the side surface portions 29, 29, an individually displaceable locking arm (corresponding to a lock function portion in the present invention) 23 and a release operation portion (corresponding to a lock release portion in the present invention). The lock arm which consists of 24 is arranged. As shown in FIG. 14, the release operation unit 24 is arranged side by side with the locking arm 23, and is arranged above the locking arm 23.

  A pair of flexure pieces (corresponding to a second receiving portion in the present invention and constituting a release restricting portion in the present invention) 33, 33 are opposed to the lower edge portion of the opposing surfaces of the both side surface portions 29, 29. It is arranged with. The bending piece 33 extends rearward from a position corresponding to the vicinity of the rear end portion of the upper surface portion 30 in the front-rear direction, and the rear portion of the bending piece 33 from the substantially central portion in the front-rear direction faces the locking arm 23 side. The free end 33A is changed. As shown in FIG. 8, a bending space of the bending piece 33 is formed on the outer side in the width direction of the locking arm 23. Thereby, the free end portion 33A of the bending piece 33 can be displaced outward in the width direction (a direction away from the locking arm 23).

  The locking arm 23 has a base end portion 23B that rises upward from the rear end of the cylindrical fitting portion 22 on the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 21, and is formed in a cantilever shape protruding forward from the base end portion 23B. ing. A locking portion 23 </ b> A is disposed on the lower surface side of the front end of the arm portion 23. 23 A of latching | locking parts are formed by die-cutting the lower surface side in the center of the width direction back, leaving the front-end part of the latching arm 23 at the time of shaping | molding of the female housing 20. As shown in FIG. As a result, the locking portion 23A has a form protruding downward in the cross-sectional shape at the center in the width direction of the locking arm 23 as shown in FIG. 14, and is locked when both the connectors F and M are properly fitted. By engaging with the portion 14, both connectors F and M can be held in a locked state. At this time, the locked portion 14 can enter the die cutting space behind the locking portion 23A. When the locking arm 23 gets over the locked portion 14 while being deformed upward while the connectors F and M are being fitted together, the locking arm 23 is elastically restored, and the front end portion of the locking arm 23 covers the outer surface of the hood portion 11. A rock sound is generated by tapping. An operator who performs the fitting operation of both connectors F and M can detect the normal fitting state of both connectors F and M by listening to the lock sound.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the release operation part 24 has a pair of support parts 24 </ b> A and 24 </ b> A projecting rearward from the rear end edge part of the upper surface part 30, and connects the rear ends of the support parts 24 </ b> A. Thus, the operation unit 32 is formed. Near the operation portion 32 in the support portion 24 </ b> A, a pressing portion (which constitutes a release restricting portion in the present invention and also serves as a close-up member in the present embodiment) 34 is a free end portion of the bending piece 33. It hangs down toward 33A. As shown in FIG. 2, the projecting end 34 </ b> A of the pressing portion 34 is formed wider toward the inner side in the width direction, and the lower surface of the projecting end 34 </ b> A is substantially the same height as the upper surface of the free end 33 </ b> A of the bending piece 33. It is the position. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the protruding end 34 </ b> A of the pressing portion 34 is disposed at a position partially facing the free end portion 33 </ b> A of the bending piece 33 in the vertical direction. Therefore, in the state of the female connector F alone, the release operation portion 24 is configured such that the release operation is restricted by the protruding end 34A of the pressing portion 34 interfering with the upper surface of the free end portion 33A of the bending piece 33. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the free end portion 33 </ b> A of the flexure piece 33 is disposed at a position where it can come into contact with the protruding edge portion 15 of the male housing 10 during the fitting of the connectors F and M. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper surface of the projecting edge portion 15 is positioned at substantially the same height as the upper surface of the free end portion 33 </ b> A of the bending piece 33 during the fitting of the connectors F and M. Thereby, with the fitting operation of both the connectors F and M, the front end of the projecting edge portion 15 contacts the free end portion 33A of the bending piece 33, and the projecting edge portion 15 moves the free end portion 33A outward in the width direction ( While displacing in the direction of avoiding interference with the protruding end 34A of the pressing portion 34), the relative displacement is made in a region where the protruding portion 34A of the pressing portion 34 can interfere. As a result, the projecting edge portion 15 interferes with the protruding end 34 </ b> A of the pressing portion 34 in accordance with the release operation of the release operation portion 24, so that the release operation can be continuously restricted. As shown in FIG. 10, the free end portion 33 </ b> A of the bending piece 33 does not face the protruding end 34 </ b> A of the pressing portion 34 in the vertical direction by the side surface of the protruding portion 15 when both the connectors F and M are properly fitted. It is held in a bent state to the position. At this time, since the protruding end 34A of the pressing portion 34 is located above the pushing allowance portion 16, it enters the pushing allowance portion 16 in accordance with the pushing operation of the operation portion 32 of the releasing operation portion 24, and the releasing operation portion. Twenty-four operation units 32 are allowed to be pushed in (see FIG. 12).

  As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of linking portions 36 and 36 are arranged on the inner side in the width direction of both support portions 24 </ b> A and 24 </ b> A in the upper surface portion 30. The linking portion 36 includes a linking arm 36A configured to protrude rearward from the rear end edge portion of the upper surface portion 30, and a cam function portion 36B formed to hang downward from the rear end portion of the linking arm 36A. It is configured. The linkage arm 36A is independent of the bending displacement of the support portion 24A of the release operation portion 24, and is arranged between the locking arm 23 and the support portions 24A, 24A in the width direction. The cam function part 36B is disposed between the front end of the locking arm 23 and the front end of the operation part 32 in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a wide portion 36C that is widened downward is formed at the lower end of the cam function portion 36B. The lower surface of the wide portion 36 </ b> C is set to be substantially the same height position as the lower surface of the locking arm 23. Further, the outer end portion in the width direction of the wide portion 36 </ b> C is set at a position where it does not interfere with the projecting edge portion 15 during the fitting of the connectors F and M. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer side surface in the width direction of the wide portion 36 </ b> C and the lower surface of the protruding end 34 </ b> A of the pressing portion 34 are arranged at positions facing each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the projecting end 34A of the pressing portion 34 is pushed downward along with the release operation of the release operation unit 24, the lower surface of the projection end 34A is in sliding contact with the outer surface of the wide portion 36C, so that the release operation unit 24 is linked. It links to the part 36. Accordingly, the wide portion 36C is brought closer to the inner side in the width direction (the locking arm 23 side), and the inner side surface of the wide portion 36C is on both sides in the width direction on the lower surface of the locking arm 23 as shown in FIG. It is made to enter below the locking arm 23 while being in sliding contact with the edge. As a result, the locking arm 23 is lifted upward to bend and deform, and the locked state between the locking portion 23A and the locked portion 14 can be released. In other words, the locking arm 23 and the release operation unit 24 are provided so as to be linked with each other via the linkage unit 36.

The present embodiment has the above-described structure, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently.
First, as shown in FIG. 1, before the connectors F and M are fitted together, if the operation portion 32 of the female connector F is pressed and released, the lower surface of the protruding end 34A of the pressing portion 34 is bent. The release operation of the release operation unit 24 is disabled by interfering with the upper surface of the free end 33A of 33. Thereby, as a premise for performing an illegal fitting operation, performing the release operation itself in the state of the female connector F alone is restricted, and an illegal fitting operation can be prevented in advance.

  Then, the connectors F and M are engaged. When the fitting of both connectors F and M is started, as shown in FIG. 7, the guide projection 17 of the male connector M is shallowly fitted so as to enter the guide receiving portion 18 of the female connector F. M is positioned in the vertical direction and the width direction. Thereby, guidance at the time of fitting of both connectors F and M becomes possible. In this state, as shown in FIG. 8, the protruding end 34 </ b> A of the pressing portion 34 still interferes with the free end portion 33 </ b> A of the bending piece 33, and the release operation of the release operation portion 24 is disabled. .

  The projecting edge portion 13 enters a region where the projecting end 34A of the pressing portion 34 can interfere with the fitting operation. In this state, the release operation of the release operation unit 24 is continuously restricted by the protruding end 34A of the pressing portion 34 interfering with both the free end portion 33A and the protruding edge portion 13. If the fitting operation is continued as it is, the front end of the projecting edge portion 15 is slidably contacted with the free end portion 33A of the bending piece 33, and the bending piece 33 is bent and deformed outward in the width direction. The free end portion 33A of the bending piece 33 is held at a position where it does not face the protruding end 34A in the vertical direction by the side surface of the protruding edge portion 15. Thus, when both the connectors F and M are properly fitted, the locking arm 23 is moved over the locked portion 14 and returned, and the locking portion 23A and the locked portion 14 are locked, so that both connectors F , M are held in a locked state. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the protruding end 34 </ b> A of the pressing portion 34 is positioned above the push-in allowable portion 16, while the free end portion 33 </ b> A of the bending piece 33 is connected to the protruding end 34 </ b> A of the pressing portion 34. It is held at a position where it does not interfere. That is, both the connectors F and M are configured so that the release operation is permitted at the time of normal fitting, although the release operation is restricted except during normal fitting in the fitting process.

  Next, both connectors F and M are disconnected. In the detachment operation, the operation portion 32 is pressed to push the protruding end 34A of the pressing portion 34 downward. Then, the protruding end 34 </ b> A of the pressing portion 34 enters the pressing allowance portion 16 while being in sliding contact with the outer surface in the width direction of the wide portion 36 </ b> C of the cam function portion 36 </ b> B in the linkage portion 36. As shown in FIG. 11, the wide portion 36 </ b> C is linked to the projecting end 34 </ b> A and moved toward the locking arm 23, and is in sliding contact with both side edges in the width direction on the lower surface of the locking arm 23, and below the locking arm 23. The locking arm 23 is bent upward (in the release direction) by entering. In this way, the release operation portion 24 is linked to the locking arm 23 via the linkage portion 36 so as to be interlocked with each other, so that the locking portion 23A of the locking arm 23 is connected to the locked portion 14 of the male connector M. The locked state is released, and it is allowed to pull out both connectors F and M in the detaching direction.

  In the course of pulling out the connectors F and M, the free end portion 33A of the flexure piece 33 is in sliding contact with the outer surface in the width direction of the projecting edge portion 15 while the front end of the projecting edge portion 15 passes through the free end portion 33A. The bending piece 33 is restored, and the release end 34A of the pressing portion 34 interferes with both the protruding edge portion 15 and the free end portion 33A, so that the release operation portion 24 is released and restricted. When the protruding portion 15 is pulled out to a position where it does not face the protruding end 34 </ b> A of the pressing portion 34 in the vertical direction, the release operation unit 24 continues to restrict release of the release operation unit 24 by interfering with the bending piece 33. While performing, both connectors F and M can be completely pulled out. Thus, the connectors F and M can be held in a state in which the release restriction of the release operation portion 24 is performed except during normal engagement in the detachment process.

As described above, this embodiment can provide the following effects.
1. Although the release operation part 24 is not allowed to be linked to the linkage part 36 by the bending piece 33 or the protruding edge part 15 except during normal fitting, the release operation is restricted, but the bending piece 33 is accompanied by the fitting operation. Is displaced, or the projecting edge portion 15 is relatively displaced, so that the release operation is allowed in association with the linkage portion 36 at the time of normal fitting. Accordingly, an illegal fitting operation can be prevented, and a locking sound can be reliably generated by guaranteeing a normal bending operation of the locking arm 23.

2. The release operation of the release operation portion 24 is restricted by the free end portion 33A of the bending piece 33 provided on the female connector F and the protruding end 34A of the pressing portion 34 interfering with each other. As a result, as a premise for performing an illegal fitting operation, the release operation itself of the release operation unit 24 in a state of the female connector F alone is restricted, and an unauthorized fitting operation is prevented in advance. be able to.
3. The protrusion 15 provided on the male connector M interferes with the protruding end 34 </ b> A of the pressing part 34, so that the release operation of the release operation part 24 is restricted. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent an illegal fitting operation when the connectors F and M are fitted.

  4). With the fitting operation of both the connectors F and M, the projecting edge portion 15 is displaced in a direction to avoid the interference with the projecting end 34A of the pressing portion 34 while the free end portion 33A of the bending piece 33 is displaced. The release operation is continuously restricted by relative displacement to the area where it can interfere with the end 34A. If it does in this way, cancellation regulation can be performed regardless of before and after fitting of both connectors F and M, and illegal fitting operation can be prevented in a perfect state.

5). When the both ends of the connectors F and M are properly fitted, the release end 34A of the pressing portion 34 enters the push-in permission portion 16 along with the release operation of the release operation portion 24 so that the release operation of the release operation portion 24 is allowed. Therefore, the release operation of both the connectors F and M can be performed at the time of normal fitting.
6). Since the release operation part 24 is provided on the fitting surface side from the base end part 23B, the total length of the male connector M is shortened compared to the case where the release operation part 24 is provided rearward in the fitting direction from the base end part 23B. be able to.

  7). The protruding end 34A of the pressing portion 34 is linked to the linkage portion 36 and the release operation portion 24 is bent in the release direction, so that the locked state can be released. Thereby, by making the linkage portion 36 the cam function portion 36B, the transmission direction of the release operation force can be freely changed, and the release operation portion 24 can be freely arranged. As a result, in accordance with the pushing operation of the release operation unit 24, the release operation can be performed by pulling the locking arm 23 toward the near side.

  8). In the present invention, it is possible to separately provide a closing member for bringing the linkage part 36 toward the locking arm 23 and a pressing part 34 for restricting the release operation part 24 from being released. In the embodiment, since the close-up member also serves as the pressing portion 34, the entire structure can be simplified as compared with the case where the pressing member 34 is provided separately.

<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 further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.

  (1) According to the present embodiment, the release restricting portion is exemplified to have a configuration including the protruding edge portion 15 disposed on the male connector M and the flexure piece 33 disposed on the female connector F. According to the present invention, only the bending piece 33 may be provided, and the releasing operation may be permitted by bending the bending piece 33 using a release jig or the like when the both connectors F and M are detached. Only the edge 15 may be provided.

  (2) According to the present embodiment, a fitting process in which both the projecting edge portion 15 and the flexure piece 33 interfere with the protruding end 34A of the pressing portion 34 in accordance with the fitting operation of both the connectors F and M is included. However, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to continue strictly, and between the release restriction by the bending piece 33 and the release restriction by the projecting edge portion 15 is not necessary. A part of the fitting process allowing the releasing operation may be included.

  (3) According to the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the pushing allowance portion 16 is provided between the front-side projecting edge portion 15A and the rear-side projecting edge portion 15B arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. However, according to the present invention, as long as the push-in permission portion 16 is secured, the rear-side protruding edge portion 15B may not necessarily be provided.

  (4) According to the present embodiment, the release operation portion 24 is illustrated as being installed closer to the fitting surface than the base end portion 23B of the locking arm 23, but according to the present invention, the release operation portion 24 The part 24 may be installed behind the base end part 23B. In this case, a moving member configured separately from the pressing portion 34 is provided within a length range in the fitting direction of the locking arm 23, and the moving member is linked to the linkage portion 36 to lock the locking arm 23. The release operation can be performed by bending in the release direction.

  (5) According to the present embodiment, the moving member also serves as the pressing portion 34, but according to the present invention, the moving member and the pressing portion 34 may be provided separately.

The top view at the time of the female connector single-piece | unit in Embodiment 1 Front view of the female connector alone Sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. IV-IV sectional view in FIG. The top view at the time of the male connector single-piece | unit in Embodiment 1 Front view of the male connector alone Front view of both connectors viewed from the mating surface side of the female connector during the mating 7 is a partially cutaway plan view of both connectors in FIG. Enlarged front view of both connectors as seen from the mating surface side of the female connector during normal mating Plan view of both connectors during normal mating Enlarged front view of both connectors as seen from the mating surface side of the female connector during the release operation Partial cutaway plan view of both connectors during the release operation Cross-sectional view of both connectors before the mating (cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 1) Cross-sectional view of both connectors when properly mated

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connector 10 ... Male housing (1st housing)
14: Locked portion 15 ... Projection edge (first receiving portion)
16 ... Push-in permissible portion 20 ... Female housing (second housing)
23 ... Locking arm (lock function part)
23A ... Locking part 23B ... Base end part 24 ... Release operation part (lock release part)
24A ... support part 33 ... flexure piece (second receiving part)
33A ... Free end 34 ... Pressing part (release regulating part)
34A ... Projecting end 36 ... Linkage part F ... Female connector M ... Male connector

Claims (8)

The first housing and the second housing are provided so as to be fitted,
The first housing is provided with a locked portion, and the second housing is provided with a lock arm composed of an individually displaceable lock function portion and a lock release portion, and the lock function portion is In a form along the fitting direction, the locking portion arranged on the fitting surface side from the base end portion locks with the locked portion when the two housings are normally fitted, and the two housings are locked. The lock function part and the lock release part are connectors that can be interlocked via a linkage part provided therebetween,
The unlocking portion is restrained by the release restricting portion and not allowed to be linked to the linkage portion except during the normal fitting, but the release operation is restricted, but with the fitting operation of the two housings The connector is characterized in that the locked state can be released by linking with the linkage part during the normal fitting by displacing the release restriction part. The release restricting portion protrudes toward the second receiving portion from a second receiving portion provided displaceably in the second housing and a support portion supporting the unlocking portion displaceably. 2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the release operation is restricted by a free end portion of the second receiving portion interfering with a protruding end of the press portion. connector. The release restricting portion includes a first receiving portion configured to extend along the fitting direction in the first housing, and the first receiving portion interferes with a protruding end of the pressing portion. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the release operation is restricted. The first receiving portion can interfere with the protruding end of the pressing portion while displacing the second receiving portion in a direction to avoid interference with the protruding end of the pressing portion in accordance with the fitting operation of the two housings. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the release operation is continuously restricted by relative displacement in a region. In the first housing, a protruding end of the pressing portion enters into the rear of the first receiving portion in the fitting direction from the rear end in the fitting direction along with the releasing operation during the normal fitting, and the releasing operation is allowed. 5. The connector according to claim 3, further comprising a push-in permission portion. The said lock release part is distribute | arranged along with the said lock | rock function part, and is distribute | arranged to the said fitting surface side from the said base end part in the said fitting direction. A connector according to any one of the above. The unlocking portion is provided with a closing member for bringing the linkage portion toward the lock function portion in accordance with the release operation, and the closing member is linked to the linkage portion to release the lock function portion. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the locked state is released by bending in a direction. The connector according to claim 7, wherein the pressing member also serves as the pressing portion.

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