JP2009146673A - Connector device with fitting detection function, connector part, and metallic lock arm for connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect a fitting state of a connector without impairing an engagement margin of a lock arm for keeping a fitting state of a pair of connector parts, and to secure engagement strength equivalent to that in delivery over a long term. <P>SOLUTION: The metallic lock arm 61 keeping a fitting state of a pair of connector parts 2 and 100 includes: a fixed part 62 fixed to the one-side connector part 2; engagement parts 64 for engaging with the other-side connector part 100 in the fitting state; short circuit piece parts 67 each having, on one surface, contacts 84 and 85 contacting a terminal 153 provided for the other-side connector part 100 in the fitting state; and an operation piece part 65 contacting one surface in the vicinity of a free end of each short circuit piece part 67. The engagement parts 64 are swung with respect to the fixed part 62 during insertion for fitting the pair of connector parts 2 and 100 to each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a connector device with a fitting detection function, a connector part, and a metal lock arm for a connector.

A connector device is used to connect two cables or connect a cable and a board. The connector device has a receptacle connector and a plug connector. The connector device is configured to electrically connect, for example, a cable and a board connected to each other by fitting the receptacle connector and the plug connector together.

In the connector device, even if the operator determines that the receptacle connector and the plug connector are fitted, there may be a disadvantage that they are not properly fitted in practice. For example, there is a state in which the insert housing of the plug connector is inserted only halfway through the shell housing of the receptacle connector, and the male terminal and the female terminal are not in contact with each other.

In order to prevent such inconveniences from being used, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a connector device that can electrically detect a fitting state between a receptacle connector and a plug connector.

In the connector device shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 of Patent Document 1, the female-side connector housing is inserted into the fitting recess of the male-side connector housing, and the flexible locking piece (integrated with the female-side connector housing) is engaged. The hole) engages with the engaging rib protruding into the fitting recess, and the pair of lock detection electrodes protruding into the fitting recess hits the short-circuiting electrode attached to the flexible lock piece. In a state where the female connector housing and the male connector housing are fitted, the pair of lock detection electrodes hit the short-circuiting electrodes and are short-circuited, thereby electrically detecting that they are in a fitted state.

In the connector device shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of Patent Document 2, one of the connector housings is inserted into the fitting recess of the other connector housing, and the locking protrusion of the flexible lock arm is integrated with the one connector housing. Is engaged with an engaging portion formed on the other connector housing, and the pair of connection detection terminal fittings protruding into the fitting recess hits an elastic contact piece that swings together with the flexible lock arm. In a state where one connector housing and the other connector housing are fitted, the pair of connection detection terminal fittings hits the elastic contact piece and is short-circuited, thereby electrically detecting that they are in a fitted state.

JP-A-6-310209 (drawings, detailed description of the invention, etc.) JP-A-9-106858 (drawings, detailed description of the invention, etc.)

However, the flexible lock piece or the flexible lock arm disclosed in these patent documents is
It is formed of the same resin material as the insert housing. Resin-made flexible lock pieces or flexible lock arms may creep when exposed to high heat for a long time, and may be deformed due to a long-term fitting state. It is difficult to ensure the same fitting strength over a long period.

Therefore, in order to prevent such inconvenience, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose modifications using a metal flexible lock piece and a lock arm as a detection terminal. In Patent Document 1, the flexible lock piece (801) is made of metal, and in the state where the female connector housing and the male connector housing are fitted, this one metal flexible lock piece is a pair of locks. A modification in contact with the detection electrode is shown (see FIG. 16). In Patent Document 2, the flexible lock arm (802) is formed from a single conductive metal material, and in the state where one connector housing is fitted to the other connector housing, this single metal plate is acceptable. A modification is shown in which the flexible lock arm (802) hits a pair of connection detection terminal fittings (see FIG. 17). In these modified examples, since the flexible lock piece and the flexible lock arm are formed of a metal plate, creep and deformation are not a problem.

However, since the flexible lock pieces and the flexible lock arms of these modified examples are in contact with the pair of lock detection electrodes or the pair of connection detection terminal fittings, they are pushed down in the fitted state. The flexible lock piece and the flexible lock arm cannot be engaged with the engagement rib or the engagement portion with a predetermined design margin, and the flexible lock piece or the flexible lock arm is formed of a resin material. Compared with the case where it exists, it will be engaged by shallower allowance. Flexible lock pieces and flexible lock arms
The engagement rib and the engagement portion are engaged by a shallower allowance than that assumed when there is no pair of lock detection electrodes or a pair of connection detection terminal fittings.

The present invention provides a connector device with a fitting detection function that can detect the fitting state of a connector without impairing the engagement cost of the lock arm, and can ensure the same engagement strength over the long term at the time of shipment, An object is to obtain a connector part and a metal lock arm for the connector.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a pair of connector parts that are fitted so that their contacts are in contact with each other, and a state where the connector parts are fitted to each other and fixed to one connector part of the connector parts. A metal lock arm that engages with the other connector part of the connector part to hold, the metal lock arm is fixed to one connector part, and the other connector part in the fitted state An engaging portion connected to the fixed portion, one end connected to the fixed portion, and the other end that is a free end swingable with respect to the fixed portion. A short-circuiting piece part having a contact on one side that contacts a terminal provided on the other connector part in the fitted state, and an operation piece part connected to the engaging part,
And an operating piece part that is in contact with one surface near the free end of the short-circuiting piece part, and the engaging part swings with respect to the fixed part during insertion for fitting a pair of connector parts. A connector device with a detection function is provided.

In the present invention, the engaging portion and the short-circuit piece portion of the metal lock arm are separately fixed to the fixing portion. Therefore, even if the short-circuit piece portion is in contact with a terminal provided on the other connector part in the fitted state, the engagement portion can swing independently of this. Therefore, the metal lock arm and the other connector part are firmly engaged with each other by a sufficient engagement margin inherent in the design, regardless of the contact state between the short-circuit piece and the terminal. In addition, when the short-circuit piece and the terminal are in contact with each other under this engaged state, the fitting state of the connector parts can be detected.

Moreover, the lock arm is made of metal. Therefore, even if exposed to high heat for a long time, creep does not occur. Moreover, it is hard to deform | transform by the fitting state over a long term. Therefore, the engagement strength of the lock arm is maintained at a level equivalent to that at the time of shipment over a long period of time.

Further, in the connector device with a fitting detection function of the present invention, the operating piece swings the free end of the short-circuiting piece according to the swinging of the engaging part during the insertion for fitting the pair of connector parts. ,
Thereby, the contact of a short-circuit piece part does not need to contact the terminal provided in the other connector part.

In this preferred aspect of the present invention, the contact of the short-circuit piece does not contact the terminal provided on the other connector part during insertion. Therefore, a state that is not fully fitted is not erroneously detected as a fitted state.

Further, in the connector device with a fitting detection function of the present invention, the engaging portion returns to the position before the swing by engaging with the other connector part, whereby the short-circuit piece portion is separated from the operation piece portion,
The contact of the short-circuit piece portion may contact a terminal provided on the other connector part in the separated state.

In this preferable aspect of the present invention, in the fitted state, the short-circuit piece portion is separated from the operation piece portion, so that the contact of the short-circuit piece portion can reliably contact a terminal provided on the other connector part. Therefore, the fitting state can be detected correctly.

In the connector device with a fitting detection function of the present invention, the engagement portion may include a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion surrounding the short-circuit piece portion together with the operation piece portion.

In this preferred aspect of the present invention, the short-circuit piece portion is surrounded by the first engagement portion, the second engagement portion, and the connection portion. For this reason, the free end portion of the short-circuit piece portion is merely in contact with the operation piece portion, but it is difficult to be laterally displaced and difficult to come off from the operation piece portion. For example, even if the operation piece is pushed down in an oblique posture, the short-circuit piece is not easily displaced from the operation piece due to lateral displacement. As a result, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection due to the short-circuit piece portion being in a state of being detached from the operation piece portion.

In the connector device with a fitting detection function of the present invention, the other connector part has two engagement protrusions, and the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are respectively the two engagement protrusions. Two engaging holes into which one enters may be formed one by one.

In this preferable aspect of the present invention, the restriction of the movement by the engaging portion is released only when the two engaging protrusions are inserted into the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion. ,
The restriction of movement by the operation piece portion is released, and the short-circuiting piece portion can swing freely. Therefore, for example, under an oblique fitting condition in which the engagement protrusion is inserted into only one of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion, the short-circuit piece portion cannot swing freely, Cannot properly contact the terminal. In the situation of being fitted obliquely, it can be detected as a state in which it is not properly fitted.

Further, in the connector device with a fitting detection function of the present invention, the short-circuit piece portion includes a first short-circuit portion and a second short-circuit portion that can swing independently from each other with respect to the fixed portion, The second short-circuit portion may contact separate terminals provided on the other connector part.

In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the short-circuit piece is divided into two parts, and is in contact with separate terminals by the first short-circuit part and the second short-circuit part that swing separately. Therefore, even if the protruding amount of the separate terminal is different in the other connector part, or even if one terminal is slightly bent, the short-circuit piece is divided into two parts, so that the separate terminal Proper contact with each.

In the connector device with a fitting detection function of the present invention, the short-circuit piece may have a contact protruding outward from the engaging portion.

In this preferred aspect of the present invention, in the fitted state, the short-circuit piece portion is reliably in contact with the terminal by the contact protruding outward from the engagement portion.

Further, in the connector device with a fitting detection function of the present invention, the operation piece portion is folded back so that the opposite end edge protrudes toward the engaging portion side from the end edge connected to the engaging portion. And the short-circuit piece may be in contact with a portion protruding by folding.

In this preferred aspect of the present invention, since the short-circuit piece portion comes into contact with the protruding portion of the operation piece portion, the metal lock arm can be formed by pressing one metal plate. Moreover, in the lock arm formed by pressing one metal plate, the free end portion of the short-circuit piece portion can be applied to the connecting portion. It is possible to prevent the short-circuit piece portion from being insufficient in length.

In the connector device with a fitting detection function of the present invention, the engaging portion is connected to the fixed portion by the first curved portion, and the short-circuit piece portion is connected to the fixed portion by the second curved portion. The bending portion may be bent to a smaller diameter than the first bending portion.

In this preferred aspect of the present invention, the length from the root of the second bending portion on the fixed portion side to the contact portion with the pair of terminals by the short-circuit piece portion is, for example, that the second bending portion is the same as the first bending portion. It is shorter than when bent to a diameter. Accordingly, in the state where the short-circuit piece is in contact with the pair of terminals, the contact pressure between the contacts and the terminals increases. As a result, it is possible to increase the contact pressure between the short-circuit piece and the pair of terminals by reducing the diameter of the second bending portion while suppressing the load that pushes down the operation piece by making the first bending portion large.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the metal lock is engaged with the other connector part so that the contacts are in contact with each other, and is engaged with the other connector part to maintain the engaged state. An arm, and a metal lock arm is a fixed part fixed to one connector part, and an engaging part for engaging with the other connector part in a fitted state, and is connected to the fixed part. The joint part has one end connected to the fixed part and the other end that is a free end swingable with respect to the fixed part, and the contact that contacts the terminal provided on the other connector part in the fitted state is on one side. A short-circuit piece portion having an operation piece portion connected to the engaging portion, the operation piece portion being in contact with one surface near the free end of the short-circuit piece portion, and fitting a pair of connector parts During insertion for the engaging part to the fixed part Connector parts that swing is provided with.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the connector is fixed to one of the pair of connector parts that are fitted so that the contacts are in contact with each other, and the connector part is held in a fitted state. A metal lock arm that engages with the other connector part of the part, a fixed part that is fixed to one connector part, and an engagement part that engages with the other connector part in a fitted state. And an engaging portion connected to the fixed portion, an end connected to the fixed portion, and the other end that is a free end swingable with respect to the fixed portion, and is provided in the other connector part in the fitted state. A short-circuit piece having a contact that contacts the terminal on one side, and an operation piece connected to the engagement portion, the operation piece being in contact with one surface near the free end of the short-circuit piece, A pair of connector parts During insertion to engagement, the engaging portion is a metallic lock arm which swings relative to the fixed portion is provided.

According to the present invention, it is possible to detect the fitting state of the connector without impairing the engagement cost of the lock arm. Moreover, in the present invention, the same engagement strength as that at the time of shipment can be ensured over a long period of time.

Hereinafter, a connector device with a fitting detection function, a connector part, and a metal lock arm for a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The connector device with a fitting detection function will be described by taking, as an example, a case where a pair of connector parts includes a receptacle connector and a plug connector, and a metal lock arm is disposed on the plug connector.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connector device 1 includes a plug connector 10 and a receptacle connector 100 that can connect three plug connectors 10 in this example. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which one plug connector 10 in FIG. 1 is fitted to the receptacle connector 100. 3 is a partial perspective view of the front surface 100f of the receptacle connector 100 in FIG. 1 as viewed from the lower left side. Plug connector 1
0 is fitted into the fitting recess 102 of the receptacle connector 100. In this fitted state, the plurality of female contacts 51 (see FIG. 9) of the plug connector 10 and the plurality of male contacts 152 protruding into the fitting recess 102 in the receptacle connector 100 are in contact.

In the following description, as shown by an arrow B in FIG. 1, the direction in which the plug connector 10 is inserted into the receptacle connector 100 (the direction orthogonal to the front surface 100f of the receptacle connector 100 and the front surface 10f of the plug connector 10) is appropriately fitted. It is called direction B. Further, the lower side of the receptacle connector 100 and the lower side of the plug connector 10 correspond to the lower side of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the receptacle connector 100 mainly includes a shell housing 101, a base plate 105, and a plurality of L-shaped pins 151. The plurality of L-shaped pins 151 function as a male contact 152 and a pair of fitting detection terminals 153.

The shell housing 101 has an upper surface 101a, a left side surface 101b, a bottom surface 101c, a right side surface 1
A box-shaped housing having 01d and a rear surface 101e, and three fitting recesses (inner chambers) 10
2 in a line in the left-right direction. Each fitting recess 102 has a substantially cubic shape, and the insert housing 11 of the plug connector 10 is fitted therein. As shown in FIG. 3, each fitting recess 102 has an upper inner wall surface 102a that also defines an inner wall of the shell housing 101,
Left inner wall surface 102b, lower inner wall surface 102c, right inner wall surface 102d, and rear inner wall surface 102
defined from e. As shown in FIG. 1, the shell housing 101 has a small fitting recess 103 on the right side of the fitting recess 102 at the right end. A small receptacle connector (not shown) is fitted into the small fitting recess 103.

A flange 104 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the shell housing 101 over the entire circumference. Specifically, the top surface 101a, the left side surface 101b, and the bottom surface 101 of the shell housing 101.
c and the entire outer peripheral surface of the right side surface 101d.

The base plate 105 is fixed to the bottom surface 101 c on the rear side of the shell housing 101. The base plate 105 protrudes from the back surface 101e of the shell housing 101 to the back side. As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of pinning holes 106 and a pair of screwing holes 107 are formed at both left and right ends of the base plate 105. The receptacle connector 100 is fixed to a printed circuit board (not shown) by a pair of pins (not shown) inserted into the pair of pin fastening holes 106 and a pair of fixing screws (not shown) inserted into the pair of screw fastening holes 107. .

L-type pin 151 is formed of a metal material such as copper, tin, silver, or an alloy thereof.
The L-shaped pin 151 may be plated. As can be seen from FIG. 3, one end of each L-shaped pin 151 passes through the base plate 105 and protrudes downward from the base plate 105. The other end of each L-shaped pin 151 penetrates the back surface 101 e of the shell housing 101 and projects into the three fitting recesses 102 and one small fitting recess 103. This fitting recess 1
The portion protruding into 02 and the portion protruding into the small fitting recess 103 become male contacts 152, respectively. The male contact 152 has a back side inner wall surface 1 that defines the fitting recess 102.
02e protrudes into the inner space of the fitting recess 102 in a direction substantially parallel to the fitting direction B. For example, 22 male contacts 152 protrude into each fitting recess 102 in three rows.

As shown in FIG. 3, two of the plurality of L-shaped pins extend on the upper inner wall surface 102 a at the center of the upper inner wall surface 102 a of the fitting recess 102. This upper inner wall surface 10
The two L-shaped pins 153 extending on 2 a function as a pair of fitting detection terminals 153 for detecting that the plug connector 10 is fitted to the receptacle connector 100.

In addition to the pair of fitting detection terminals 153, a pair of engaging protrusions 108 and a pair of guide rails 109 are formed on the upper inner wall surface 102 a of the fitting recess 102.

The pair of engagement protrusions 108 are formed on both the left and right sides of the upper inner wall surface 102a so as to sandwich the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 therebetween. In addition, the pair of engaging protrusions 108 are formed in the fitting recess 1.
02 is formed at the open end. The engagement protrusion 108 has a substantially triangular prism shape in cross section, and is arranged so that the column axis direction faces the left-right direction. Thereby, the front surface 108 of the engagement protrusion 108 is obtained.
f is an inclined surface inclined downward with respect to the depth direction (fitting direction B) of the fitting recess 102.
The ends of the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 are located on the back side of the front end portion of the front surface 108f of the pair of engaging projections 108.

The pair of guide rails 109 formed on the upper inner wall surface 102a of the fitting recess 102 is formed on both the left and right sides of the upper inner wall surface 102a so as to sandwich the pair of engaging protrusions 108 therebetween. In addition, a guide rail 109 is formed on the lower inner wall surface 102 c of the fitting recess 102 in the fitting recess 102. These guide rails 109 extend along the fitting direction B from the opening of the fitting recess 102 to the back surface 102e.

In this embodiment, the guide rails are the upper inner wall surface 102a and the lower inner wall surface 102.
Although it is provided only on c, it may be provided on the right inner wall surface 102d or the left inner wall surface 102b.

Receptacle connector 100 having such a shape can be formed by injection molding, for example. For example, first, the shell housing 101 and the flange 104
The plurality of L-shaped pins 15 are arranged in a predetermined arrangement in the outer shape of the first and the shapes of the plurality of fitting recesses 102.
The resin material is injected into a mold having a cavity having a shape in which holes 1 can be arranged,
Remove mold after clamping. Next, a plurality of L-shaped pins 151 are press-fitted into holes provided in the housing, and the base plate 105 is fixed to the shell housing 101. Thereby, the receptacle connector 100 of the shape mentioned above can be formed. The base plate 105 may be formed integrally with the shell housing 101 and the flange 104 by means of resin molding stepwise such as insert molding.

In addition, as a resin material for the shell housing 101 or the like, polyester resin, nylon resin, or the like can be used. Further, in order to obtain a connector device that can withstand severe use conditions, glass fiber or the like may be mixed into the resin material to improve the heat resistance and durability of the receptacle connector 100.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the front (fitting surface) 10f of the plug connector 10 in FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view in which the plug connector 10 of FIG. 4 is disassembled for each part. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the plug connector 10 of FIG. 4 taken along the line AA. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the AA cross section viewed from the right side. In the figure, arrowhead B indicates the fitting direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the plug connector 10 includes an insert housing 11 that includes a plurality of female contacts 51 to be described later, and a metal lock arm 61.

The insert housing 11 has a substantially three-dimensional shape, and is inserted into the fitting recess 102 of the shell housing 101 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The insert housing 11 has a substantially cubic shape. As with the shell housing 101, the insert housing 11 can be formed by, for example, injecting a resin material into a mold having a cavity having a shape matching the outer shape of the insert housing 11.

On the outer peripheral surface of the insert housing 11, a plurality of guide rails 109 of the fitting recesses 102 are provided.
A plurality of guide grooves 12 are formed at positions corresponding to (see FIG. 3). The insert housing 11 of FIG. 4 has a pair of guide grooves 12 on the upper surface 11a. The number of guide grooves 12 is usually the same as the number of guide rails 109. The guide groove 12 is formed along the fitting direction B.

A plurality of insert cavities 13 are formed in the insert housing 11. The insert cavity 13 penetrates in the fitting direction B from the front surface 11 f to the back surface 11 e of the insert housing 11. A plurality of openings formed in the front surface 11 f of the insert housing 11 by the plurality of insert cavities 13 are formed on the front surface 11 of the insert housing 11.
It is arranged vertically and horizontally on f.

As shown in a sectional view of FIG. 9 to be described later, each insert cavity 13 includes a cable 9.
A female contact 51 to which 1 is connected is disposed. Each female contact 51 is made of metal. Further, the female contact 51 engages with the retaining member 14. Thereby, the female contact 51 does not fall off from the insert cavity 13 and can be integrated with the insert housing.

As shown in FIG. 5, the insert housing 11 is further formed with a receiving portion 15 as a recess on the upper surface 11 a for receiving the lock arm 61. The accommodating portion 15 is mainly defined by a bottom surface 15c and both side surfaces 15b and 15d. The accommodating portion 15 is formed from the front surface 11f to the rear surface 11e of the insert housing 11 between the pair of guide grooves 12 on the upper surface 11a.

As shown in FIG. 5, a beam 16 is formed between both side surfaces 15 b and 15 d of the accommodating portion 15. As best shown in FIG. 6, the beam 16 is located in the vicinity of the front surface 11 f of the insert housing 11 at a predetermined height from the bottom surface 15 c of the housing portion 15 and between the left side surface 15 b and the right side surface 15 d of the housing portion 15. Formed to bridge. The cross section of the central portion (hereinafter referred to as the small diameter central portion) 16a of the beam 16 is slightly smaller than the cross sections of both end portions 16b and 16c of the beam 16. The small-diameter central portion 16a and both end portions 16b and 16c are formed so that their backs are flush with each other. As a result, when viewed from the front surface 11f side of the insert housing 11, the small-diameter central portion 16a is retracted to the back side from the both end portions 16b and 16c and has a lower height than the both end portions 16b and 16c.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the metal lock arm 61 shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from the upper right direction. The metal lock arm 61 mainly includes a fixing portion 62, a first engagement arm portion 71, a second engagement arm portion 72, an operation piece portion 65, and a short-circuit piece portion 67. First engagement arm portion 71
The first notch 74 is formed on the outer peripheral side. The second engagement arm portion 72 has a second notch 7 on the outer peripheral side.
5 is formed.

The first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 have one end connected to the fixing portion 62 and the other end connected to the operation piece portion 65. A portion on the fixed portion 62 side of the first engagement arm portion 71 and a portion on the fixed portion 62 side of the second engagement arm portion 72 are curved to become a first curved portion 63. In addition, the connection piece between the operation piece 65 and the first bending portion 63 for the first engagement arm portion 71 and the operation piece portion 65 and the first bending portion 63 for the second engagement arm portion 72.
The connecting portion is the engaging portion 64. The first notch 74 and the second notch 75 have the engaging portion 64.
Is formed.

The short-circuit piece portion 67 has a first short-circuit arm portion 82 and a second short-circuit arm portion 83. One end of the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 83 is connected to the fixed portion 62 by the second bending portion 66, and the other end thereof is a free end. The first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 83 are located between the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72. The first short-circuit arm portion 82 has a first contact 84. The second short-circuit arm 83 has a second contact 85.

FIG. 8 shows a flat metal lock arm 61 after pressing and before bending.
FIG. The metal lock arm 61 of FIG. 7 can be formed, for example, by punching a flat plate made of copper into the shape of FIG. 8 by pressing and bending it.

As shown in FIG. 8, the metal lock arm 61 before bending is made of a rectangular plate-like member, and has a substantially square fixing portion 62, an arm region 86, and a connecting portion 73. In the metal lock arm 61 before bending, the fixing portion 62, the arm region 86, and the connecting portion 73 are
They are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like member.

On one side (the right side in FIG. 8) 62a of the fixing portion 62, an elongated first engagement arm portion 71, a short-circuit base portion 81, and an elongated second engagement arm portion 72 are arranged in that order in the metal lock arm 61.
Are connected side by side in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction). The other side of the short-circuit base part 81 (
The elongated first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the elongated second short-circuit arm portion 83 are connected side by side to the right side 81a in FIG. The first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 83 are shown in FIG.
It functions as a two-divided portion of the short-circuit piece 67. Thereby, the 1st engagement arm part 71, the 1st short circuit arm part 82, the 2nd short circuit arm part 83, and the 2nd engagement arm part 72 will be located in a line substantially parallel in the order.

Further, the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 are longer than the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 83. A connecting portion 73 is connected to the tip end of the first engagement arm portion 71 and the tip end of the second engagement arm portion 72. The connecting portion 73 functions as the operation piece portion 65. In FIG. 8, the first engagement arm portion 71, the second engagement arm portion 72, and the connecting portion 73 are
Surrounding the short-circuit base part 81, the first short-circuit arm part 82 and the second short-circuit arm part 83. Further, a gap 76 is formed between the tip of the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the tip of the second short-circuit arm portion 83 and the connecting portion 73. That is, the tip of the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the tip of the second short-circuit arm portion 83 are free ends. The first engagement arm portion 71 has a connecting portion 7
A first notch (engagement hole) 74 is formed in the outer peripheral portion on the 3 side. The second engagement arm portion 72 has a second notch (another engagement hole) 75 formed on the outer peripheral portion on the connecting portion 73 side.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the state where the flat plate of FIG.
The end portion on the fixed portion 62 side, the end portion on the fixed portion 62 side of the second engagement arm portion 72, and the short-circuit base portion 81 are curved. On the paper surface of FIG. 8, the first engagement arm portion 71, the second engagement arm portion 72, and the short-circuit base portion 81 are bent so that the fixing portion 62 is substantially parallel to the paper surface of FIG. . A first curved portion 63 is formed by the curved portion of the first engagement arm portion 71 and the curved portion of the second engagement arm portion 72. An engaging portion 64 is formed by the connecting portion of the first engaging arm portion 71 and the connecting portion of the second engaging arm portion 72. In addition, the second curved portion 66 is formed by the curved short-circuit base portion 81.

The second bending portion 66 is formed so that the radius of curvature is smaller than that of the first bending portion 63. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the front edge of the second bending portion 66 has a shape retracted to the back side from the front edge of the first bending portion 63. Further, the planar portion 82 of the first short-circuit arm portion 82.
b and the plane portion 83 b of the second short-circuit arm portion 83 are the plane portion 7 of the first engagement arm portion 71.
It is positioned at a position lower than 1a and the plane portion 72a of the second engagement arm portion 72.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first engagement arm portion 71 is bent stepwise between the first bending portion 63 and the first notch 74. The second engagement arm portion 72 is bent stepwise between the first curved portion 63 and the second notch 75. Thereby, a staircase portion (inclined portion) 64 a is formed in the engaging portion 64.
Accordingly, the plane from the first bending portion 63 to the curved portion on the first curved portion side of the staircase portion (inclined portion) 64a is changed from the curved portion on the connecting portion 73 side of the staircase portion (inclined portion) 64a to the connecting portion. It is bent stepwise so as to be located at a position lower than the plane up to 73.

As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting portion 73 is bent so as to be folded back to the front side. Speaking of the paper surface of FIG. 8, the connecting portion 73 is bent so as to be folded and folded to the front side from the paper surface. As a result, the free end edge (right edge in FIG. 8) 73a of the connecting portion 73 is closer to the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 side than the fixed end edge (left edge in FIG. 8) 73b. It is positioned (on the left side in FIG. 8). Thereby, the connecting portion 73 is formed as the operation piece portion 65.

The first short-circuit arm portion 82 is bent at substantially the same position and at the same angle as the staircase portion (inclined portion) 64a in the longitudinal direction, and the curved portion on the connecting portion 73 side of the staircase portion 64a and the first notch 74 at all. Is bent so as to protrude upward from the first engagement arm portion 71. A portion protruding upward from the first engagement arm portion 71 is a first contact 84.
It becomes. Moreover, the front-end | tip (free end part) 82a of the 1st short circuit arm part 82 contact | abuts from the lower side to the free end edge 73a of the connection part 73 which is turned and protruded.

The second short-circuit arm portion 83 is bent at substantially the same position and at the same angle as the stepped portion (inclined portion) 64a in the longitudinal direction, and the curved portion on the connecting portion 78 side of the stepped portion 64a and the second notch 75 Is bent so as to protrude upward from the second engagement arm portion 72. A portion protruding upward from the second engagement arm portion 72 is the second contact 85.
It becomes. Moreover, the front-end | tip (free end part) 83a of the 2nd short circuit arm part 83 contact | abuts from the lower side with respect to the free end edge 73a of the connection part 73 which protruded by folding.

The metal lock arm 61 formed in the three-dimensional shape of FIG. 7 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 15 of the insert housing 11 as shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the first bending portion 63 is a first bending portion 63 provided on the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 and the second bending portion which is a curved short-circuit base portion 81. Is fixed in front of the beam 16.
Is inserted below the beam 16.

As shown in FIG. 8, at the center of the fixed portion 62, punching is performed so that a U-shaped gap is formed by pressing, thereby forming a cut-and-raised portion 62b. The cut and raised portion 62b
As shown in FIG. 6, it is bent upward. As shown in FIG. 6, when the fixing portion 62 is inserted below the beam 16, the upper surface of the beam 16 and the insert housing 11 (the bottom surface 1 of the accommodating portion).
5c) and pushed. When the fixing portion 62 is completely inserted into the lower side of the beam 16, the urging force of the cut and raised portion 62 b is released and hits the beam 16. The metal lock arm 61 sandwiches the beam 16 by the curved short-circuit base portion 81 and the cut-and-raised portion 62b. Thereby, the metal lock arm 61 is fixed in the accommodating portion 15 of the insert housing 11 and does not fall off. Further, the second bending portion 66 which is the curved short-circuit base portion 81.
Are curved along the outer periphery of the small-diameter central portion 16 a of the beam 16. Further, the curved portion 75 of the first engagement arm portion 71 and the curved portion 75 of the second engagement arm portion 72 are curved along the outer peripheries of both end portions 16 b and 16 c of the beam 16.

Next, the operation procedure of the connector device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention and the movement of the metal lock arm 61 will be described.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the user has started to insert the plug connector 10 shown in FIG. 1 into the fitting recess 102 of the receptacle connector 100. The plug connector 10 is inserted into the fitting recess 102 of the receptacle connector 100. FIG. 10 is an upper longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the plug connector 10 is inserted further into the back than FIG. 9 and the metal lock arm 61 is pushed down by the pair of engaging protrusions 108. FIG. 11 is an upper longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the plug connector 10 and the receptacle connector 100 are fitted.

As shown by an arrow line (fitting direction) B in FIG. 9, the plug connector 10 is inserted into the fitting recess 102 of the receptacle connector 100 from the front surface 10 f side. In the insertion start state shown in FIG. 9, the distal end portion of the plug connector 10 is inserted into the fitting recess 102. At this time, the guide groove 12 of the plug connector 10 shown in FIG. 4 is formed in the receptacle connector 100 shown in FIG.
The guide rail 109 is loosely fitted.

While the plug connector 10 moves from the position shown in FIG. 9 to the position shown in FIG. 10, the stepped portion 64a of the first engaging arm portion 71 and the stepped portion 64a of the second engaging arm portion 72 of the plug connector 10 are It contacts the pair of engaging protrusions 108. The staircase 6 of the first engagement arm 71
The load for inserting the plug connector 10 into the receptacle connector 100 hardly occurs until 4a and the stepped portion 64a of the second engaging arm portion 72 abut against the pair of engaging protrusions 108.

The stepped portion 64a of the first engaging arm portion 71 and the stepped portion 64a of the second engaging arm portion 72 abut against the pair of engaging projections 108, and further push the plug connector 10 back (arrow B direction). At this time, the user may push down the operation piece 65 toward the housing bottom surface 15c. By this pushing operation, the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 of the plug connector 10 bend toward the housing portion bottom surface 15c side, and as shown in FIG. It enters under the protrusion 108. In addition, since the front surface 108f of the pair of engaging projections 108 is formed as an inclined surface, even if the user does not perform an operation of pushing down the operation piece portion 65, the stepped portion 64a is below the pair of engaging projections 108. You can get into the smooth.

Further, the free end portion 82 a of the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the free end portion 83 a of the second short-circuit arm portion 83 are in contact with the free end edge 73 a of the connecting portion 73, that is, the operation piece portion 65 from below. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72.
Is pushed down by the pair of engaging projections 108, the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 83 are also pushed down together. Therefore, FIG.
In this state, the first contact 84 and the second short-circuit arm portion 8 of the first short-circuit arm portion 82.
The third second contact 85 is located below the fitting detection terminal 153 in the fitting direction B, but is not in contact with the fitting detection terminal 153 because it is separated from the fitting detection terminal 153.

When the plug connector 10 is further pushed in the fitting direction indicated by the arrow B from the state of FIG. 10, the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 are pushed down by the pair of engagement protrusions 108. And move under it. As shown in FIG. 11, the first notch 74 of the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second notch 75 of the second engagement arm portion 72 are a pair of engagement protrusions 108.
Are pushed into the position corresponding to, the pair of engaging protrusions 108 enter the first notch 74 and the second notch 75 at all. The downward biasing force of the pair of engaging protrusions 108 on the engaging protrusions 108 of the first engaging arm part 71 and the second engaging arm part 72 is released, and the first engaging arm part 71 and the second engaging arm are released. The part 72 moves upward by a spring force that returns to its original shape. The pair of engaging protrusions 108 enter the first notch 74 and the second notch 75. As a result, the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 engage with the pair of engagement protrusions 108.

As shown in FIG. 11, in a state where the pair of engaging protrusions 108 are inserted into the first notch 74 and the second notch 75, the first engaging arm portion 71 and the second engaging arm portion 72 are in the initial position (pressed down). The position is returned to the position not shown, the position in FIG. Therefore, the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 and the pair of engagement projections 108 are firmly engaged with each other at a desired engagement depth.

When the pair of engaging protrusions 108 are inserted into the first notch 74 and the second notch 75, the operation piece 65 together with the first engaging arm 71 and the second engaging arm 72 is in the initial position ( Return to the position of FIG. Therefore, the free end portion 82 a of the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the free end portion 83 a of the second short-circuit arm portion 83 are no longer pushed down by the connecting portion 73. The first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 83 are separated from the operation piece portion 65, and freely swing up and down independently of the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72. It becomes possible.

The first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 8 that can swing independently in the vertical direction.
3 moves upward in an attempt to return to its initial position (the position not pressed down, the position in FIG. 9). Thereby, the first contact 84 of the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second contact 85 of the second short-circuit arm portion 83 are in contact with the pair of fitting detection terminals 153. The first contact 84 and the second contact 85 come into contact with the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 after the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 are engaged with the pair of engagement protrusions 108. . And since the 1st short circuit arm part 82 and the 2nd short circuit arm part 83 are integrally formed by the metal material as the metal lock arms 61, a pair of fitting detection terminal 153 conduct | electrically_connects.

In the fitted state of FIG. 11, the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 83 return only to a slightly depressed state as compared with the initial state (the state of FIG. 9). The first contact 84 and the second contact 85 are individually pressed by the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 by the urging force of the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 83 trying to return to the initial state of FIG. It will be. Therefore, the first contact 84 and the second contact 85 come into contact with the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 with a predetermined contact pressure.

When removing the plug connector 10 from the fitting recess 102 of the receptacle connector 100, the user pulls out the plug connector 10 in a direction opposite to the fitting direction B while pressing down the operation piece 65 in the fitting state of FIG. . When the operation piece 65 is pushed down, the pair of engagement protrusions 108 comes out of the first notch 74 and the second notch 75, and the first engagement arm 71 and the second engagement arm 72 are paired with the engagement. The engagement with the protrusion 108 is released. Therefore, the user can easily pull out the plug connector 10 from the receptacle connector 100 by pulling out the operation piece 65 while pushing it down toward the housing bottom surface 15c.

Further, when the operation piece portion 65 is pushed down, the operation piece portion 65 comes into contact with the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 83 and pushes them down. Therefore, the first contact 8
The fourth and second contacts 85 are separated from the pair of fitting detection terminals 153, and the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 do not conduct. The contact between the first contact 84 and the second contact 85 and the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 is released before being pulled out from the fitting position in FIG.

As described above, the connector device with a fitting detection function 1 according to this embodiment is fixed to the plug connector 10 and is made of a metal that is engaged with the receptacle connector 100 in order to maintain the fitting state with the receptacle connector 100. A lock arm 61 is provided. And in this metal lock arm 61, the engaging part 64 is the up-down direction (direction which contacts / separates with respect to the fixing | fixed part 62).
The first curved portion 63 is connected to the fixed portion 62 so as to be able to swing to the right. In addition, the short-circuit piece 67 that contacts the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 formed on the receptacle connector 100 in the fitted state is aligned with the engaging portion 64 in the vertical direction (direction in which the fixed portion 62 is contacted and separated). The second curved portion 66 is connected to the fixed portion 62 so as to be able to swing to the right. The free end portions 82a and 83a of the short-circuit piece portion 67 abut against the free end edge 73a of the connecting portion 73, that is, the operation piece portion from the lower side (fixed portion 62 side), and the operation piece portion 65 is pushed down. Sometimes it goes down together.

Therefore, the engaging part 64 and the operation piece part 65 and the short-circuiting piece part 67 are separately connected to the fixing part 62 by their respective spring structures, and can swing independently of each other. Engagement part 64
Can be securely engaged with the receptacle connector 100 regardless of the contact state between the short-circuit piece 67 and the pair of fitting detection terminals 153. Engaging portion 64 and receptacle connector 1
00 can be engaged by a sufficient engagement margin inherent in the design.

Further, in the engaged state, the short-circuit piece 67 freely swings and contacts the pair of fitting detection terminals 153. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the short-circuit piece portion 67 can detect the fitting state of the connector device 1 without impairing the engagement cost of the metal lock arm 61.

Moreover, the lock arm 61 is made of metal. When the lock arm 61 is made of a plastic material, creep may occur due to exposure to high heat for a long time. However, creep does not occur in the lock arm 61. Moreover, even if the metal lock arm 61 has been in a fitted state for a long period of time, it is difficult to deform. Therefore, the fitting strength is maintained at a level equivalent to that at the time of shipment over a long period of time.

Further, in the connector device 1 according to this embodiment, the short-circuit piece 67 is divided into two parts, a first short-circuit arm portion 82 and a second short-circuit arm portion 83. In the state where the plug connector 10 and the receptacle connector 100 are fitted, the two divided portions 82 and 83 are
It contacts with each of a pair of fitting detection terminals 153 separately. Therefore, even if the protruding amount of the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 is shifted in the receptacle connector 100 or one fitting detection terminal 153 is slightly bent, the short-circuit piece 67 is divided into two parts. 82 and 83 enable proper contact with each of the pair of fitting detection terminals 153. For example, if the short-circuit piece 67 is a single plate, even if the connector is fitted in the correct position, the movement is restricted by contacting one of the bent fitting detection terminals 153, Although it becomes impossible to contact the other fitting detection terminal 153 and a situation where it is properly fitted may not be detected correctly, this embodiment prevents such a situation from occurring. can do.

Moreover, the connector apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment has the 1st bending part 63 and the engaging part 64,
The first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 are formed. The first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 are connected to the fixed portion 62 in an arrangement that sandwiches the second bending portion 66 and the short-circuit piece portion 67 therebetween. The operation piece 65 is formed by a connecting portion 73 that connects the tip of the first engagement arm portion 71 and the tip of the second engagement arm portion 72. And
The free ends 82a and 83a of the short-circuit piece 67 are in contact with the connecting portion 73 from the fixed portion 62 side (lower side).

Therefore, the short-circuit piece 67 is surrounded by the first engagement arm 71, the second engagement arm 72, and the connecting portion 73. Therefore, the free end portions 82a and 83a of the short-circuit piece portion 67 are merely in contact with the connecting portion 73 as the operation piece portion 65 from the fixed portion 62 side (lower side). 71, the second engagement arm portion 72 and the connecting portion 73 in the lateral direction (
8 (in the direction of the paper surface of FIG. 8) cannot be displaced, and therefore cannot be detached from the operation piece 65. Further, since the operation piece portion 65 is in contact with the upper surface of the first engagement arm portion 71 and the upper surface of the second engagement arm portion 72, when the operation piece portion 65 is pushed down, the short-circuiting piece portion 67 is shifted laterally. ,
There is no possibility that the operation piece portion 65, the first engagement arm portion 71, and the second engagement arm portion 72 are moved outward. Therefore, the short-circuit piece portion 67 does not come off from the operation piece portion 65, and in this embodiment, the erroneous detection of the fitting state caused by being used in the detached state does not occur. .

In contrast, for example, the short-circuit piece 67 is not surrounded by the first engagement arm portion 71, the second engagement arm portion 72, and the connection portion 73, or the operation piece portion 6 is not provided.
When 5 does not hit the upper surface of the first engagement arm portion 71 and the upper surface of the second engagement arm portion 72, the short-circuit piece portion 67 may be detached from the operation piece portion 65. And if it is used in the state where it removed, since free ends 82a and 83a of short circuit piece part 67 will not be pushed down with operation piece part 65, it is in the state which is not fitting (for example, the state of Drawing 10). In this case, the short-circuit piece 67 comes into contact with the pair of fitting detection terminals 153. As a result, it will erroneously detect that it is in a fitting state.

In the connector device 1 according to this embodiment, the receptacle connector 100 has two engagement protrusions 108. The first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 are each formed with two engagement holes 74 and 75 that engage with the two engagement protrusions 108 respectively.

When this configuration is adopted, as shown in FIG. 11, the short-circuit piece 67 is not swung freely until the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 are both in the predetermined engagement positions. Can move. Therefore, even if a situation occurs in which, for example, the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 are engaged with each other at an angle, under the circumstances, The short-circuit piece 67 cannot swing freely. The short-circuit piece 67 does not properly come into contact with the pair of fitting detection terminals 153. In this embodiment, even if it is fitted obliquely, it can be correctly detected that the situation is not fitted.

On the other hand, if there is only one engagement hole 74 and one engagement projection 108, for example, the arm portion (for example, the first engagement) on the side where it is obliquely fitted and provided When only the arm portion 71) is engaged, the short-circuit piece portion 67 freely swings and comes into contact with the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 even in a situation where the arm portion 71 is not correctly fitted. It will be detected if you are.

In the connector device 1 according to this embodiment, the connecting portion 73 has the free edge 7.
3a has a shape folded back so as to be closer to the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 than the fixed end edge 73b. And the free end part 82a of the short-circuit piece part 67,
83a hits this protruding part 73a.

Therefore, if this configuration is adopted, the metal lock arm 61 can be formed by pressing one rectangular metal plate as shown in FIG. In addition, in the metal lock arm 61 formed by pressing as described above, the free end portion 82 of the short-circuit piece portion 67.
a and 83 a can be formed so as to contact the connecting portion 73. While the metal lock arm 61 is formed by pressing one rectangular metal plate, the short-circuit piece 6 on the inside is formed.
It is possible to prevent the length of 7 from running out.

In the connector device 1 according to this embodiment, the short-circuit piece 67 has contact portions 78 and 79. The contact portions 78 and 79 protrude outward (upward) from the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, in the engaged state, the short-circuit piece portion 67 is connected to the pair of fitting detection terminals 15 by the contact portions 78 and 79.
3 can be reliably contacted. As a result, the reliability of the contact between the short-circuit piece 67 and the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 is achieved by pressing one rectangular metal plate so that the length of the short-circuit piece 67 is not short. Can be improved.

In the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 83 of the connector device 1 according to this embodiment, the second bending portion 66 is bent so as to have a smaller radius of curvature than the first bending portion 63. Yes. With this configuration, it is possible to shorten the length from the base of the second bending portion 66 (a portion connected to the fixing portion 62) to a portion where the short-circuit piece portion 67 contacts the pair of fitting detection terminals 153. For example, the second bending portion 66 can be shortened compared to the case where the second bending portion 66 is bent to the same diameter as the first bending portion 63. By shortening this length, the contact pressure between the short-circuit piece 67 and the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 can be increased. Therefore, the reliability of the contact between the short-circuit piece 67 and the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 is achieved by pressing one rectangular metal plate so that the length of the short-circuit piece 67 is not short. Can be improved. As a result, the first bending portion 63 (the bent portions of the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72) has a large diameter, and the force required for the operation (the operation piece 65 push-down operation). The second bending portion 66 can be made small in diameter, and the contact pressure between the short-circuit piece 67 and the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 can be increased.

The above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. is there.

In the receptacle connector 100 according to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, 24 L-shaped pins 151 are arranged in each fitting recess 102. 24 L-shaped pins 151
Are used as male contacts 152 except for two used as a pair of fitting detection terminals 153, and are arranged in three rows. In this embodiment, the middle two in the uppermost row are used as a pair of fitting detection terminals 153. The pair of fitting detection terminals 153
The L-shaped pin 151 used as the above may be other than this.

FIGS. 12 to 14 are explanatory diagrams showing the correspondence between pin assignments of a pair of fitting detection terminals 153 with respect to a plurality of L-shaped pins 151 and the form of the metal lock arm 61 corresponding thereto. In each figure, a diagram schematically showing a part of the metal lock arm 61 is shown on the upper side, and a diagram schematically showing a plurality of fitting detection terminals 153 is shown on the lower side. For convenience of explanation, the plurality of fitting detection terminals 153 are illustrated in a state of being arranged in three rows of eight.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a correspondence relationship between the pin assignment and the form of the metal lock arm 61 in the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, when the middle two of the plurality of L-shaped pins 151 are assigned to the pair of fitting detection terminals 153, the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second The two short-circuit arm portions 83 are arranged side by side between the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72. The first engagement arm portion 71 is engaged with the engagement protrusion 108 by the first notch 74 (engagement hole), and the second engagement arm portion 72 is engaged with the second notch 75 (other engagement hole). ) To engage with the pair of engaging protrusions 108. Accordingly, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72 are separated from each other, and the metal lock arm 61 has a wide engagement width A (= the first missing portion). 74 and the second notch 75) can be firmly engaged. That is, the metal lock arm 61 has a first notch 74 and a second notch 75.
Are engaged with the engaging protrusions 108, the width between the notches becomes the engaging width.
Further, since the engagement width A is wide, it is difficult to detect the oblique fitting state as the correct fitting state.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a correspondence relationship between the pin assignment (pin assignment) and the form of the metal lock arm 61 in the first modification. As shown in FIG. 13, when the center two are opened and the L-shaped pins 151 on both sides thereof are assigned to the pair of fitting detection terminals 153, the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit of the metal lock arm 61. Between the arm part 83 and the engaging part 201
And an engagement hole 202 that engages with the engagement protrusion 108 is formed in the engagement portion 201. Therefore, in the case of the first modified example of FIG. 13, the metal lock arm 61 is engaged with an engagement width B (<A) narrower than that of the embodiment of FIG. The holding force by engagement is also reduced. Further, since the engagement width B is narrow, an oblique fitting state is likely to occur, and it is easy to detect that the oblique fitting state is a correct fitting state.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the correspondence between the pin assignment and the form of the metal lock arm 61 in the second modification. In the second modified example of FIG. 14, an engagement hole 204 having an engagement width A similar to that in FIG. 12 is formed in the engagement portion 203 positioned between the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 83. Is formed. The holding force is improved by the engagement width A. However, in order to form the engagement hole 204 with the engagement width A, the engagement portion 203 becomes wider. First short-circuit arm 8
The distance between 2 and the second short-circuit arm 83 must be kept wide. As a result, FIG.
As shown, the L-shaped pins 151 that can be assigned to the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 are:
It will be the second one from both ends.

As shown in FIG. 4, a metal lock arm 61 is provided on the upper surface 11a of the insert housing.
It is necessary to form a pair of guide grooves 12 in addition to the housing portion 15 for housing the housing. The pair of guide grooves 12 prevents the insert housing 11 from being inserted obliquely, and the insert housing 11 can be inserted straight and smoothly into the fitting recess 102. Further, it is possible to prevent the insert housing 11 inserted obliquely from bending the male contact 152 and the like protruding into the fitting recess 102.

However, as shown in FIG. 14, when the second male contact 152 from both ends is assigned to the pair of fitting detection terminals 153, a large space for the metal lock arm 61 and the accommodating portion 15 for accommodating the metal lock arm 61 is obtained. A pair of guide grooves 12 in the outer part
It becomes impossible to secure a space for forming the film.

For the above reasons, the combination of the pin assignment and the metal lock arm 61 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is the combination of the first modification shown in FIG. 13 or the second modification shown in FIG. Compared to the combination of the examples, the fitting holding force and the space for securing the insert housing upper surface 11a are favorable. In the combination of FIG. 12, the wide engagement width A can be secured and firmly engaged while preventing the diagonal fitting by the pair of guide grooves 12.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 83 are located outside (above) the first engagement arm portion 71 and the second engagement arm portion 72. ) And the pair of portions protruding outward (upward) are the pair of fitting detection terminals 15.
3 functions as a first contact 84 and a second contact 85 that come into contact with each other.

In addition to this, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 83, which are two divided portions of the short-circuit piece portion 67, are connected to the engagement portion 64 (first engagement arm portion 71. And a flat shape that does not protrude outward (upward) from the second engagement arm portion 72), and the inside of the fitting recess 102 (on the lower side in FIG. 15) at the tip of the pair of fitting detection terminals 153. You may make it form the contact part 301 which protrudes. The contact portion 301 contacts the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 83 during fitting. Moreover, the contact part 301 pushes down the first short-circuit arm part 82 and the second short-circuit arm part 83. Therefore, the contact pressure between the pair of fitting detection terminals 153 and the first short-circuit arm portion 82 and the second short-circuit arm portion 83 at the time of fitting can be ensured. FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another modification of the connector device 1 according to the embodiment of FIG.

In the above embodiment, in the metal lock arm 61, the engaging portion 64 is the first bending portion 63.
The short-circuit piece 67 is connected to the fixed portion 62 by the second bending portion 66. In addition, for example, in the metal lock arm 61, the engaging portion 64 may be directly connected to the fixed portion 62, and the short-circuit piece portion 67 may be directly connected to the fixed portion 62.

In the above embodiment, the metal lock arm 61 is disposed on the plug connector 10. In addition to this, for example, the metal lock arm 61 may be disposed in the receptacle connector 100. For example, the metal lock arm 61 is fixed to the upper inner wall surface 102a of the fitting recess 102 in a posture in which the fixing portion 62 is on the upper side, and the insert housing 11
The engagement protrusion 108 may be formed on the upper surface 11a of the (plug connector 10).

The connector device 1 according to the above embodiment is for connecting a plurality of male contacts 152 of the receptacle connector 100 and a plurality of female contacts 51 of the plug connector 10 and a function of detecting the fitting state thereof. It is what has. The connector device 1 that detects such a fitting state can be suitably used in applications that require high connection reliability, such as an application that connects an automobile airbag device and a control computer. In addition to this, for example, the connector device 1 can be used for connecting other cables in a vehicle, for connecting a communication system, or for vehicles other than automobiles, factories, buildings, computer systems, and communication systems. It can be used in applications such as connecting cables in power system systems.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be suitably used for improving the reliability and convenience of a connector in applications such as connecting an automobile airbag device and a control computer.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the receptacle connector and the plug connector in FIG. 1 are fitted. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the front side (fitting surface) of the receptacle connector in FIG. 1 as viewed from the lower left side. 4 is a perspective view of the front (fitting surface) of the plug connector in FIG. 1 as viewed from the upper right direction. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view in which the plug connector of FIG. 4 is disassembled for each part. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the plug connector of FIG. FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the metal lock arm in FIG. 4 as viewed from the upper right direction. FIG. 8 is a view showing a flat metal lock arm after press punching and before bending. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the plug connector shown in FIG. 1 has started to be inserted into the fitting recess of the receptacle connector. FIG. 10 is an upper longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the plug connector is inserted further into the back than FIG. 9 and the metal lock arm is pushed down by the pair of engaging protrusions. FIG. 11 is a top sectional view showing a state where the plug connector and the receptacle connector of FIG. 1 are fitted. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between the pin assignment and the form of the metal lock arm in the embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the correspondence between the pin assignment and the form of the metal lock arm in the first modification. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a correspondence relationship between the pin assignment and the form of the metal lock arm in the second modified example. FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another modification of the connector device according to the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a first conventional example. FIG. 17 shows a second conventional example.

Explanation of symbols

1 Connector device 10 Plug connector (connector parts)
10f Front 11 Insert housing 11a Upper surface 11f Front surface 11e Rear surface 12 Guide groove 13 Insert cavity 14 Retaining member 15 Receiving portion 15b, 15d Both side surfaces 15c Receiving portion bottom surface 16 Beam 16a Small diameter central portion 16b, 16c Both ends 51 Female contact 61 Metal lock Arm 62 Fixed portion 62a One side 62b Cut and raised portion 63 First bending portion 64 Engaging portion 65 Operation piece portion 66 Second bending portion 67 Short-circuiting piece portion 71 First engagement arm portion (first engagement portion)
71a Plane portion 72 Second engagement arm portion (second engagement portion)
72a Plane portion 73 Connecting portion 73a Free edge (opposite edge)
73b Fixed edge (edge connected to the engaging portion)
74 Nothing at all (engagement hole)
75 Second notch (another engagement hole)
76 Clearance 81 Short-circuit base portion 81a Other side 82 First short-circuit arm portion (first short-circuit)
82a Free end portion 82b Plane portion 83 Second short-circuit arm (second short-circuit)
83b Plane portion 83a Free end 84 First contact (contact)
85 Second contact (contact)
86 Arm area 91 Cable

100 Receptacle connector (connector part)
100f Front surface 101 Shell housing 101a Upper surface 101b Left side surface 101c Bottom surface 101d Right side surface 101e Back surface 102 Fitting recess 102a Upper inner wall surface 102b Left inner wall surface 102c Lower inner wall surface 102d Right inner wall surface 102e Back inner wall surface 103 Small fitting recess 104 Flange 105 Base plate 106 Pin retaining hole 107 Screw retaining hole 108 Engaging projection 108f Front surface 109 Guide rail 151 L-type pin 152 Male contact 153 Fitting detection terminal (terminal)

201 engaging portion 202 engaging hole 203 engaging portion 204 engaging hole 301 contact portion

801 Metal lock arm 802 Metal lock piece

Claims (11)

A pair of connector parts that are mated so that their contacts contact each other;
A metal lock arm that is fixed to one connector part of the connector part and that engages with the other connector part of the connector part in order to maintain a fitted state between the connector parts,
The metal lock arm is
A fixed portion fixed to the one connector part,
An engagement portion for engaging with the other connector part in the fitted state, and an engagement portion coupled to the fixed portion;
One end connected to the fixed portion and the other end that is a free end swingable with respect to the fixed portion, and contacts that contact a terminal provided on the other connector part in the fitted state on one side Having a short-circuit piece,
An operation piece connected to the engagement portion, the operation piece being in contact with the one surface near the free end of the short-circuiting piece,
A connector device with a fitting detection function, wherein the engaging portion swings with respect to the fixed portion during insertion for fitting the pair of connector parts. During the insertion for fitting the pair of connector parts, the operating piece part swings the free end of the short-circuiting piece part according to the swinging of the engaging part. 2. The connector device with a fitting detection function according to claim 1, wherein the connector device does not contact a terminal provided on the other connector part. The engaging portion returns to the position before swinging by engaging with the other connector part, whereby the short-circuit piece portion is separated from the operation piece portion, and the short-circuit piece portion remains in the separated state. 2. The connector device with a fitting detection function according to claim 1, wherein the contact comes into contact with a terminal provided on the other connector part. 2. The connector device with a fitting detection function according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion surrounding the short-circuit piece portion together with the operation piece portion. The other connector part has two engaging protrusions,
5. The fitting according to claim 4, wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are formed with two engagement holes into which the two engagement protrusions respectively enter. Connector device with combined detection function. The short-circuit piece has a first short-circuit portion and a second short-circuit portion that can swing independently of each other with respect to the fixed portion, and the first short-circuit portion and the second short-circuit portion are the other connector. The connector device with a fitting detection function according to claim 1, wherein the connector device contacts separate terminals provided in the part. The connector device with a fitting detection function according to claim 1, wherein the short-circuit piece has a contact protruding outward from the engagement portion. The operation piece portion has a shape that is folded back so that an end edge opposite to an end edge connected to the engagement portion protrudes toward the engagement portion side,
The connector device with a fitting detection function according to claim 1, wherein the short-circuit piece is in contact with a portion protruding by the folding. The engaging portion is connected to the fixed portion by a first curved portion, and the short-circuit piece portion is
It is connected to the fixed part by the second curved part,
The second bending portion is bent to have a smaller diameter than the first bending portion.
The connector apparatus with a fitting detection function of description. A metal lock arm that engages with another connector part so as to contact each other's contacts and engages with the other connector part in order to maintain the engaged state,
The metal lock arm is
A fixed portion fixed to the one connector part,
An engagement portion for engaging with the other connector part in the fitted state, and an engagement portion coupled to the fixed portion;
One end connected to the fixed portion and the other end that is a free end swingable with respect to the fixed portion, and contacts that contact a terminal provided on the other connector part in the fitted state on one side Having a short-circuit piece,
An operation piece connected to the engagement portion, the operation piece being in contact with the one surface near the free end of the short-circuiting piece,
The connector part, wherein the engaging part swings with respect to the fixed part during insertion for fitting the pair of connector parts. A metal that is fixed to one of a pair of connector parts that are fitted so that their contacts come into contact with each other and that engages with the other connector part of the connector part in order to maintain the fitted state of the connector parts. A lock arm made of
A fixed portion fixed to the one connector part,
An engagement portion for engaging with the other connector part in the fitted state, and an engagement portion coupled to the fixed portion;
One end connected to the fixed portion and the other end that is a free end swingable with respect to the fixed portion, and contacts that contact a terminal provided on the other connector part in the fitted state on one side Having a short-circuit piece,
An operation piece connected to the engagement portion, the operation piece being in contact with the one surface near the free end of the short-circuiting piece,
A metal lock arm, wherein the engaging portion swings relative to the fixed portion during insertion for fitting the pair of connector parts.

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