JP2008146988A - Connector structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector structure inserting/connecting female/male connectors without using a tool. <P>SOLUTION: In order to connect two devices 1 and 2 with different oscillation through the female/male connectors 3 and 4, a connector structure has one device 1 provided with a first connector 3 made of either the female or male connector through an oscillation absorbing member 5 and another device 2 provided with a second connector 4 in which the male or the female differs from the first connector 3. A locking mechanism 28 is provided between one device 1 and the first connector 3 for fixing the first connector 3 to one device 1 as well as releasing the fixing of the first connector 3 when the first connector 3 and the second connector 4 are inserted and connected and an inserting load which is greater than inserting force required for connection between 3 and 4 is received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector structure that connects devices, and more particularly to a connector structure that is used in an environment in which vibration occurs, such as a connection between a power converter used in an automobile or the like and an electric motor.

  As shown in FIG. 9, as a connector structure used between two devices 1 and 2 having different vibration states, a first connector 3 formed of a female connector is attached to a housing 6 of one device (first device) 1. It is known that a second connector 4 made of a male connector is provided on a housing 8 of the other device (second device) 2 while being provided via a vibration absorbing member 5. According to this connector structure, even if the first device 1 and the second device 2 vibrate differently, the vibration of the first device 1 can be absorbed by the vibration absorbing member 5, and the first connector 3 and the second connector 4. Can be vibrated together with the second device 2.

JP 2004-312853 A JP-A-5-219607

  Incidentally, since the first connector 3 is swingably attached to the housing 6 of the first device 1 via the vibration absorbing member 5, the first connector 3 is attached to the first connector 3 as shown in FIG. When inserting the second connector 4, it is necessary to fix the first connector 3 to the first device 1 with the jig 60. Specifically, first, the jig 60 is attached between the first device 1 and the first connector 3 to fix the first connector 3, and then, as shown in FIG. The second connector 4 was inserted into the first connector 3 with the jig attached, and then the jig 60 had to be removed as shown in FIG. For this reason, the subject that the effort of attachment and removal of the jig | tool 60 was needed occurred. In addition, the first connector 3 has a problem in that it needs to have a structure in consideration of attachment of the jig 60, specifically, a groove 61 for fitting the jig 60, and the like.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and provide a connector structure in which a male and female connector can be inserted and connected without using a jig.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a first connector including one of male and female connectors via a vibration absorbing member in order to connect two devices having different vibrations via a male and female connector. In addition, in the connector structure in which the other device is provided with a second connector that is different from the first connector, the first connector is fixed to the one device between the one device and the first connector. At the same time, when the first connector and the second connector are inserted and connected, a locking mechanism is provided for releasing the fixation of the first connector when receiving an insertion load larger than the insertion force required for the connection.

  The locking mechanism may be formed so as to fix the first connector in a posture protruding to the second connector side.

  The locking mechanism may include a first pressing member provided in the one device and a second pressing member provided in the first connector and detachably locked to the first pressing member.

  The locking mechanism includes a locking member provided between the one device and the first connector so as to be broken when the first connector receives a predetermined insertion load. It may be.

  The locking member may be formed with a breaking groove.

  The device may be a power conversion device or an electric motor.

  According to the present invention, a male and female connector can be inserted and connected without using a jig.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first device 1 and the second device 2 having different vibrations are electrically connected via male and female connectors 3 and 4. The 1st apparatus 1 consists of power converters used with a motor vehicle etc., and the 2nd apparatus 2 consists of an electric motor. The male and female connectors 3 and 4 include a first connector 3 that is provided in the first device 1 via the vibration absorbing member 5 and is a female connector, and a second connector 4 that is provided in the second device 2 and is a male connector. The housing 6 of the first device 1 is formed with a housing hole 7 for housing the first connector 3 so as to be swingable in all directions. An accommodating cylinder 9 is formed extending in the direction and accommodating a second connector 4 described later.

  The first connector 3 has a substantially bottomed cylindrical female terminal 12 having an insertion hole 11 for inserting a male terminal 10 to be described later at one end, and a terminal made of an insulating resin fixed to the outer periphery of the female terminal 12. The one end side protrudes outward from the case 6 of the first device 1. The female terminal 12 is made of a conductive material such as metal, and is provided with a ring-shaped female side locking portion 14 that engages with the male terminal 10 in the insertion hole 11 and is electrically connected to the male terminal 10. A contact member 15 as a contact is provided. A recess 17 is formed in the center of the bottom surface 16 of the insertion hole 11, and a first sliding member 18 of the male terminal 10 described later is accommodated in the recess 17. At the other end of the female terminal 12, a connection portion 19 that is electrically connected to the wiring in the first device 1 is formed. In addition, an O-ring 20 is provided between the female terminal 12 and the terminal housing 13 to stop water between the female terminal 12 and the terminal housing 13, and between the female terminal 12 and the terminal housing 13. The gap between the female terminal 12 and the terminal housing 13 is integrated by elastically filling the gap. The terminal housing 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape that covers the outer periphery of the female terminal 12, and is attached to the housing 6 of the first device 1 through the vibration absorbing member 5 so as to be movable in the front-rear and left-right directions.

  The vibration absorbing member 5 is made of a soft resin such as rubber and absorbs the vibration of the first device 1 so as not to transmit it to the terminal housing 13. Specifically, the vibration absorbing member 5 is formed in a ring plate shape and absorbs vibration between the housing 6 of the first device 1 and the terminal housing 13, An inner peripheral side fixing portion 22 that is formed to extend in the axial direction at the peripheral end and is fixed to the terminal housing 13, and is formed to extend in the axial direction at the outer peripheral end of the ring plate portion 21 to the housing 6 of the first device 1. The outer peripheral side fixing part 23 to be fixed is provided.

  The second connector 4 includes a male terminal 10 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and an insulating member 24 provided on the outer periphery of the male terminal 10 via an O-ring 33. It is provided in the housing cylinder 9. A tapered first sliding member 18 is provided at one end of the male terminal 10, and the first sliding member 18 enters the recess 17 of the female terminal 12 so that the distal end side of the male terminal 10 is moved. The position is aligned with the center of the female terminal 12. Further, a ring-shaped second sliding member 25 is provided on the outer periphery on the other end side of the male terminal 10, and when the male terminal 10 is inserted into the female terminal 12, it slides into the insertion hole 11 of the female terminal 12. The male terminal 10 is in contact with it and the other end of the male terminal 10 is aligned with the center of the female terminal 12. On the outer periphery on one end side of the male terminal 10, a groove-shaped male side locking portion 26 that is locked to the female side locking portion 14 is formed. The insulating member 24 is formed in a substantially ring shape, and the inner peripheral surface is fixed to the outer peripheral surface on the other end side of the male terminal 10 via the O ring 23, and the O-ring is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner portion of the housing cylinder 9. The outer peripheral surface is fixed via 27. The other end of the male terminal 10 extends into the second device 2 and is electrically connected to the wiring of the second device 2.

  A locking mechanism 28 is provided between the first device 1 and the first connector 3 for releasably fixing the first connector 3 to the first device 1. The locking mechanism 28 is for temporarily fixing the first connector 3 to the housing 6 of the first device 1 when connecting the first connector 3 and the second connector 4. The first connector 3 is fixed, and when the first connector 3 and the second connector 4 are inserted and connected, the first connector 3 is released when the insertion load is larger than the insertion force required for the connection. It has become.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the locking mechanism 28 is detachably locked to the first holding member 29 provided in the first device 1 and the first holding member 29 provided in the first connector 3. The second holding member 30 is included.

  The first restraining member 29 is formed in a substantially ring shape, and is provided inside the first device 1 of the vibration absorbing member 5 in the accommodation hole 7 of the first device 1. A first claw 31 that is locked to the housing 6 of the first device 1 is provided at the outer peripheral end of the first restraining member 29 so as to protrude radially outward and is pushed inward of the first device 1. However, it cannot be removed from the first device 1. Specifically, the first claw 31 protrudes radially outward and is formed in a wedge shape whose protruding length increases from the outside toward the inside of the first device 1. It is caught in a recess 32 formed on the inner peripheral surface. The inner circumferential side of the first restraining member 29 protrudes into the receiving hole 7, and a latching groove 35 for latching a latching claw 34 of the second restraining member 30 described later is formed on the inner circumferential edge thereof. It extends in the circumferential direction. The locking groove 35 is formed in a V-shaped cross section, and is set so as to allow detachment when the locking claw 34 is pushed to the first device 1 side with a predetermined force.

  The second restraining member 30 is formed in a substantially ring shape, and is provided on the other end side of the first connector 3 so as to be located inside the first device 1 of the vibration absorbing member 5. A second claw 37 that is locked to the first connector 3 is provided at the inner peripheral end of the second restraining member 30 so as to protrude inward in the radial direction, and is hooked by a recess 38 formed in the first connector 3. Thus, the first connector 3 is prevented from being detached. In particular, the second restraining member 30 is provided in a reduced diameter portion 39 formed in the first connector 3 and is in contact with a stepped end surface 40 facing the other end side of the first connector 3. Thus, when a force directed inward of the first device 1 acts on the first connector 3, the force is transmitted to the second holding member 30 via the end surface 40. The outer peripheral side of the second pressing member 30 extends radially outward from the first connector 3, and the outer peripheral end thereof is fitted and locked in the locking groove 35 of the first pressing member 29. A locking claw 34 is provided. An end face of the locking claw 34 on the outer side of the first device 1 is used for detachment so that the second holding member 30 is released from the locking groove 35 when the second pressing member 30 is pressed inside the first device 1 with a predetermined force. An inclined surface 42 is formed.

  Further, when the locking mechanism 28 fits and locks the locking claw 34 of the second pressing member 30 into the locking groove 35 of the first pressing member 29, the first pressing member 29 and the second pressing member 30 are engaged. The first connector 3 is formed so as to protrude toward the second connector 4 than when the two are separated. That is, when the first connector 3 is fixed to the housing 6 of the first device 1 by the locking mechanism 28, the positions of the first connector 3 and the first device 1 when the first connector 3 and the second connector 4 are connected. The first connector 3 is locked so as to protrude outward from the housing 6 of the first device 1 rather than the relationship, and the second restraining member 30 moves inward of the first device 1. Thus, an excessive force is not applied to the vibration absorbing member 5 when it is detached from the first restraining member 29.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  When the first device 1 and the second device 2 are electrically connected, the male terminal 10 of the second connector 4 is inserted into the female terminal 12 of the first connector 3 as shown in FIG. At this time, the female terminal 12 and the terminal housing 13 protruding from the housing 6 of the first device 1 are inserted into a cylindrical space formed between the housing tube 9 and the male terminal 10 of the second device 2. Thus, the insertion operation of the male and female terminals 10 and 12 is not hindered.

  Further, the force (insertion force) necessary for completely inserting the second connector 4 into the first connector 3 is 20 N, and the male side locking portion 26 locked to the female side locking portion 14 is in the axial direction. The force that restricts the movement is 30N. On the other hand, the second restraining member 30 of the locking mechanism 28 is configured to be detached from the first restraining member 29 by receiving a force of 25N inward of the first device 1, and an insertion force (20N). Since the locking load (25N) of the locking mechanism 28 is larger than the second holding member 30, the second connector 4 is completely inserted into the first connector 3 before the second holding member 30 is detached from the first holding member 29. The male and female terminals 10 and 12 are restricted from moving in the axial direction by the female side locking portion 14 and the male side locking portion 26. Here, when the second connector 4 is further pushed into the first connector 3, the first restraining member 29 is more than the locking load (30N) of the male and female terminals 10, 12 by the female side locking portion 14 and the male side locking portion 26. Since the locking load (25N) of the locking mechanism 28 by the second restraining member 30 is smaller, the locking mechanism 28 is disengaged as shown in FIGS. By doing so, the first device 1 and the first connector 3 are connected only through the vibration absorbing member 5, and the first connector 3 can vibrate in the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the first device 1. Moreover, since the 1st connector 3 is latched in the form which protrudes outward with respect to the housing | casing 6 of the 1st apparatus 1, when the latching mechanism 28 remove | deviates, the vibration absorption member 5 is a housing | casing on the inner peripheral side. Therefore, the force is not exerted on the vibration absorbing member 5 even if the locking mechanism 28 is disengaged vigorously.

  Thus, when fixing the 1st connector 3 with respect to the 1st apparatus 1 between the 1st apparatus 1 and the 1st connector 3, and inserting and connecting the 1st connector 3 and the 2nd connector 4, these Since the locking mechanism 28 for releasing the fixing of the first connector 3 when receiving an insertion load (25N) larger than the insertion force (20N) required for the connection is provided, a jig (see FIG. 10A) is provided. The male and female connectors 3 and 4 can be easily inserted and connected without using them.

  Further, since the locking mechanism 28 fixes the first connector 3 so as to protrude to the second connector 4 side, it is possible to prevent an excessive force from acting on the vibration absorbing member 5 when the locking mechanism 28 is released. It is possible to connect the male and female connectors 3 and 4 easily and reliably.

  The locking mechanism 28 includes a first holding member 29 provided in the first device 1 and a second holding member 30 provided in the first connector 3 and detachably locked to the first holding member 29. Therefore, the locking mechanism 28 can be made a simple and inexpensive structure.

  Although the case where the first connector 3 is a female connector and the second connector 4 is a male connector has been described, the male and female of the first connector 3 and the second connector 4 may be reversed.

  Moreover, although the 1st apparatus 1 consisted of a power converter device and the 2nd apparatus 2 demonstrated the case where it consisted of an electric motor, conversely the 1st apparatus 1 consisted of an electric motor and the 2nd apparatus 2 was a power converter device. Alternatively, the first device 1 and the second device 2 may be composed of two other devices having different vibrations.

  Next, another embodiment in which the above-described locking mechanism 28 is modified will be described.

  The description of the same configuration as that described above is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the locking mechanism 50 is provided between the first device 1 and the first connector 3 so as to be broken when the first connector 3 receives a predetermined insertion load. The locking member 51 is formed. The locking member 51 includes a first fixing portion 52 that is fixed to the first device 1, a second fixing portion 53 that is fixed to the first connector 3, and between the first fixing portion 52 and the second fixing portion 53. The second connector 4 is provided with a breakable portion 54 that breaks when pressed with a predetermined force, specifically, 25N, on the first connector 3 side. The first fixing portion 52 and the second fixing portion 53 are each formed in a concentric circular ring shape. The first fixing portion 52 has the first claw 31 similarly to the first holding member 29 described above, and is fixed to the first device 1 by the first claw 31 being caught in the recess 32 of the accommodation hole 7. It is like that. The second fixing portion 53 has a second claw 37, and the second claw 37 is fixed to the first connector 3 by being caught in the recess 38 of the first connector 3. The breakable portion 54 is formed in a ring plate shape. Breaking grooves 55 and 55 are formed on both end surfaces of the breakable portion 54 so as to face each other in the axial direction, and are configured to be broken between the grooves 55 and 55.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  When the first device 1 and the second device 2 are electrically connected, the male terminal 10 of the second connector 4 is inserted into the female terminal 12 of the first connector 3 as shown in FIG. At this time, since the breaking load (25N) at which the locking member 51 is broken is larger than the insertion force (20N) between the connectors, the first connector 3 is applied before the locking member 51 is broken. The second connector 4 is completely inserted, and the male and female terminals 10 and 12 are restricted from moving in the axial direction by the female side locking portion 14 and the male side locking portion 26. When the second connector 4 is further pushed into the first connector 3 here, the locking member 51 is broken more than the locking load (30N) of the male and female terminals 10, 12 by the female side locking portion 14 and the male side locking portion 26. Since the load (25N) is smaller, the breakable portion 54 of the locking mechanism 50 is broken as shown in FIGS. 7B and 8. By doing so, the first device 1 and the first connector 3 are connected only through the vibration absorbing member 5, and the first connector 3 can vibrate in the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the first device 1. Moreover, since the 1st connector 3 is latched in the form which protrudes outward with respect to the housing | casing 6 of the 1st apparatus 1, when the latching member 51 fractures, an unreasonable force acts on the vibration absorption member 5. There is nothing.

  In this manner, the locking mechanism 50 is provided between the first device 1 and the first connector 3 so as to be broken when the first connector 3 receives a predetermined insertion load. Even if it consists of 51, male and female connectors 3 and 4 can be easily inserted and connected without using a jig (see FIG. 10A).

Further, since the breaking member 55 is formed in the locking member 51, the breaking position and the breaking load of the locking member 51 can be made constant, and the male and female connectors 3 and 4 can be inserted and connected stably. The breakable portion 54 is formed in a ring plate shape, but may be formed in a plurality of rod shapes extending in the radial direction. Moreover, although the groove | channel 55 shall be formed facing the axial direction, it is good also as only either one.

It is a sectional side view of the connector which shows suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. It is a figure which shows the insertion and connection method of a connector, (a) shows the state which inserted the 2nd connector in the 1st connector, (b) has pushed the 2nd connector further, and has released the fixation of the 1st connector Indicates. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG.3 (b). It is a sectional side view of the connector which shows other embodiment. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. It is a figure which shows the insertion and connection method of a connector, (a) shows the state which inserted the 2nd connector in the 1st connector, (b) has pushed the 2nd connector further, and has released the fixation of the 1st connector Indicates. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG.7 (b). It is a sectional side view of the conventional connector. It is a figure which shows the insertion / connection method of the conventional connector, (a) shows the state which fixed the 1st connector with the jig | tool, (b) shows the state which inserted the 2nd connector in the 1st connector, c) shows a state where the jig is removed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st apparatus 2 2nd apparatus 3 1st connector 4 2nd connector 5 Vibration absorption member 28 Locking mechanism 29 1st suppression member 30 2nd suppression member 50 Locking mechanism 51 Locking member 55 Groove

Claims (6)

  In order to connect two devices having different vibrations through a male and female connector, one device is provided with a first connector made of either male or female connector via a vibration absorbing member, and the other device is connected to the first connector. In a connector structure in which a second connector of different sex is provided, the first connector is fixed to the one device and the first connector and the second connector are inserted between the one device and the first connector. A connector structure comprising a locking mechanism for releasing the first connector when receiving an insertion load larger than an insertion force required for the connection.   The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to fix the first connector in a posture protruding to the second connector side.   The said locking mechanism consists of the 1st suppression member provided in said one apparatus, and the 2nd suppression member provided in the said 1st connector and detachably locked to the said 1st suppression member or Claim 1 or 2. The connector structure according to 2. 2. The locking mechanism includes a locking member provided between the one device and the first connector so as to be broken when the first connector receives a predetermined insertion load. Or the connector structure of 2.   The connector structure according to claim 4, wherein a breaking groove is formed in the locking member.   The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein the device is a power converter or an electric motor.

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