JP2009301775A - Electric connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electric connectors with insertion-coupling detection members capable of detecting an insertion-coupling state of two connectors during an insertion-coupling process of a pair of connectors. <P>SOLUTION: The electric connectors are equipped with a first lock protrusion 16 on an outer wall surface of a first connector 14 housing, a second connector 2 with an inner housing 4 as well as an outer housing 5 covering an outer perimeter of the same, a clearance S<SB>1</SB>between both housings with a holding slot S<SB>2</SB>for insertion of the insertion-coupling detection members 8. In the holding slot, a pair of first stopper protrusions 5<SB>1</SB>, a second stopper protrusion 5<SB>2</SB>, and an elastically deformable lock arm 7 with one end fixed to the inner housing 4 and a tip portion as a free end are arranged. The lock arm 7 is equipped with a pressing portion 7<SB>2</SB>and a first stopper at either end of the tip portion 7<SB>c</SB>. The insertion-coupling detection members 8 are equipped with a pair of elastically deformable first and second finger pieces facing opposed parallel, having in each of their opposite sides an activation portion and a stopper engagement portion. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical connector composed of a male connector and a female connector, and more particularly to an electrical connector provided with detection means capable of detecting the fitting state of both connectors.

  The electrical connector composed of a male connector and a female connector is usually provided with a locking means so as not to be accidentally disconnected when both the connectors are coupled. However, the contact terminals of both connectors may be electrically connected to each other even during the fitting of both connectors, for example in a half-fitted state. The connection between both connectors may be unexpectedly disconnected. Therefore, an electrical connector provided with a fitting detection means capable of detecting the fitting state in order to prevent such a half-fitting state coupling is known.

  For example, an electrical connector 25 disclosed in the following Patent Document 1 (US Pat. No. 5,720,623) includes a pair of first and second connectors 26 which are connected to each other as shown in FIG. 27, one second connector 27 is formed with a cavity hole 30 of a predetermined size between its connector body 28 and cover 29, and this cavity hole 30 penetrates in the longitudinal direction. A lock arm 31 and a fitting detection member 32 (Connector Position Assurance, hereinafter referred to as CPA) are mounted in the hollow hole.

The lock arm 31 is formed of a rectangular elastic arm having a predetermined width and length. The elastic arm has a rear end fixed to the rear of the housing and a front end extending to the insertion port. A predetermined gap is provided between the cover 29 and the cover 29 and elastically deforms in the vertical direction within the gap. The elastic lock arm 31 has a narrow groove 31a having a predetermined width and length formed in the longitudinal direction. The tip protrusion 33 of the CPA 32 is inserted into the narrow groove 31a. The cover 29 has first and second locking holes 29 ₁ and 29 ₂ formed on both side wall surfaces in the longitudinal direction.

The CPA 32 includes a pair of side arms 35 and 35 having a tip protrusion 33 and lock protrusions 34 and 34, and an L-shaped operation tab 36 connected to the side arm. Each side arm is connected to an L-shaped end. The pair of lock protrusions 34, 34 of the CPA 32 are engaged with the first and second locking holes 29 ₁ , 29 ₂ of the cover 29.

To detect the fitted state using the CPA 32, the CPA 32 is mounted in the cavity hole 30 of the second connector 27 in advance. When the CPA 32 is mounted in the hollow hole 30, the tip protrusion 33 of the CPA 32 is abutted and locked to the end of the narrow groove 31a of the lock arm, while the lock protrusion 34 is engaged with the first locking holes 29 ₁ and 29 ₁ . Is done. When the first connector 26 is inserted into the second connector 27 in this state, the locking projection 26a of the first connector is first brought into contact with the lower end of the lock arm 31 and further inserted into the first connector. The locking projection 26a reaches the narrow groove 31a of the lock arm 31 and enters into the groove, and pushes up the tip projection 33 of the CPA 32 so that the end of the narrow groove 31a of the lock arm 31 and the tip projection 33 are locked. Come off. When the locking of the tip protrusion 33 is released, the CPA 32 can be pushed in, and the CPA is pushed in. By this pushing, the lock protrusion of the CPA 32 is engaged with the second locking hole of the cover, and it can be detected that the first and second connectors are coupled in a normal state. Further, in the following Patent Document 2 (European Patent Application Publication No. EP 0840398A1), a locking member provided with a stop wing having elasticity on the upper surface of the connector housing is integrally provided, and this locking member is provided with the locking member. There is disclosed an electrical connector in which a CPA is slidably mounted so that a coupled state of a pair of connectors can be detected.
US Pat. No. 5,720,623 European Patent Application Publication No. EP0840398A1

  In each of the electrical connectors disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a CPA is attached in advance to one connector housing of the first and second connectors, and the first and second connectors are fitted and joined. When the CPA is pushed in and the CPA is inserted to a predetermined position by this push-in, it is detected that both connectors are in a proper mating state. It can be detected that it is in a completely coupled state. However, these electrical connectors cannot detect the mating state of both connectors during the mating process of the first and second connectors, and when the half-fitting state is found by pushing the CPA, Both work with CPA mounting is required. This operation sometimes gives anxiety to the worker.

  Depending on how the electrical connector is used, there is a case where the fitting state can be more reliably achieved by fitting both the connectors in cooperation with the fitting degree of the first and second connectors and the pushing operation degree of the CPA. is there. For example, it may be possible to divide the first and second connector fitting operations and the CPA operation into several steps and combine them through these steps without giving anxiety to the operator. .

  In addition, in the electrical connectors disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, any connector to which CPA is attached is elastically deformed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of CPA, so that the connector housing becomes tall. . Further, since the electrical connector disclosed in Patent Document 2 is exposed with the CPA mounted on the connector housing, an object or the like may collide with the CPA and be damaged.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems of the conventional technology, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fitting detection member capable of detecting the fitting state of both connectors in the fitting process of a pair of connectors. An electrical connector is provided.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector in which a fitting detection member is formed as a single component to reduce costs and to be easily mounted on a connector housing.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector that is miniaturized.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electrical connector according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a first connector on which a first contact terminal is mounted, and a second contact electrically connected to the first contact terminal. An electrical connector comprising: a second connector having a terminal mounted thereon; and a fitting detection member that fits the first and second connectors and detects the fitting state, wherein the first connector is the first connector. A first locking projection is provided on the outer wall surface of the housing on which the contact terminal is mounted, and the second connector includes the inner housing on which the second contact terminal is mounted and the inner side excluding a portion serving as an insertion port of the first connector. An outer housing that covers an outer periphery of the housing, and a gap into which the first connector is inserted is formed between the inner housing and the outer housing, and the gap is communicated with the gap. An accommodation hole into which the detection member is inserted is provided, and a pair of first stopper projection, second stopper projection, and one end are fixed to the inner housing and the elastically deformable lock arm having a distal end portion as a free end is provided in the accommodation hole. The locking arm is provided with an engaging groove to be engaged with the first locking projection of the first connector, and provided with a pressing portion and a first stopper at both ends of the tip portion, respectively, The joint detection member has a pair of elastically deformable first and second finger pieces that face each other in parallel, and the first and second finger pieces are actuated so that the pressing portion of the lock arm presses against the respective facing surfaces. And a stopper engaging portion that engages with the first stopper, and the fitting detection member is slidably mounted in a gap between the lock arm and the outer housing in the accommodation hole of the second connector. The first A first insertion operation of a connector for inserting one of the second connectors into the other connector and pushing up the lock arm by the first locking projection; a first detection member for pushing the fitting detection member into the accommodation hole; The first connector and the second connector are sequentially executed by performing a push-in operation, a connector second insertion operation for inserting the connector to release the lock arm, and a detection member second push-in operation for further pushing the fitting detection member. It is characterized by fitting and connecting.

  According to the above-described invention, the first and second connectors are coupled by the first detection member that pushes the fitting detection member into the receiving hole of the second connector after the first insertion operation of the connector that inserts one connector into the other connector. A first push-in operation is performed, and after the second push-in operation of the connector for further inserting the connector after the first push-in operation, a second push-in operation of the detection member for further pushing in the fitting detection member is performed in order. That is, the first and second connectors are coupled through a first insertion operation of the connector, a first pushing operation of the fitting detection member, a second insertion operation of the connector, and a second pushing operation of the fitting detection member. Therefore, the connection of both connectors enables the fitting detection member to be pushed in according to the degree of insertion of each connector, and the connection between the connector and the fitting detection member ensures the connection of the first and second connectors. Can be done. In other words, the coupling of the first and second connectors is an alternating continuous operation of the insertion operation of both connectors and the pushing operation of the fitting detection member, and the linkage between both connectors and the fitting detection member is performed by this series of operations. Since it can be fitted while checking, the first and second connectors are securely connected.

  Further, in the above invention, the first and second stopper protrusions are formed by pillar protrusions having a predetermined height protruding from the inner wall surface of the outer housing in the receiving hole with a predetermined interval, and the lock arm is A gap is provided between the column projection and the tip of the lock arm so that the tip of the lock arm does not collide with the column projection when pushed by the first locking projection of the first connector. It is characterized by that.

  According to the above invention, the first and second stopper protrusions are formed into the columnar protrusions having a predetermined height protruding from the inner wall surface of the outer housing in the accommodation hole with a predetermined interval, thereby simplifying the formation of the protrusions. Further, when the lock arm is pushed up by the first locking projection of the first connector, a gap is provided between the column projection and the lock arm tip so that the tip of the lock arm does not collide with the column projection. Thus, the height of the accommodation hole can be lowered, and the second connector can be miniaturized.

  In the above invention, the fitting detection member is formed in a U-shape in which one end of the first and second finger pieces is connected by a connecting portion and the other end is a free end, and the connecting portion is pushed in. It is characterized by being part.

  According to the above invention, since the fitting detection member can be accommodated in the accommodation hole that is made tall by making it U-shaped, the second connector housing can be downsized. Further, the insertion operation into the accommodation hole is facilitated by using the connecting portion as a push-in operation portion.

  Further, in the above invention, each stopper engaging portion of the first and second finger pieces is formed by a recess having a size into which the stopper projection of the second connector enters, and the first stopper is formed on an inner side wall surface of the recess. It is characterized by that it hits.

  According to the above-described invention, the stopper engaging portions of the first and second finger pieces can be easily formed by making the concave portions of the size into which the stopper protrusions of the second connector enter.

  In the above invention, the pressing portion of the lock arm and the operating portion of the fitting detection member are each formed by inclined surfaces having a predetermined angle.

  According to the above invention, by forming the pressing portion of the lock arm and the operating portion of the fitting detection member with an inclined surface of a predetermined angle, the fitting detection member can be smoothly spread using the inclined surface. it can.

  Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below exemplifies an electrical connector for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and is not intended to specify the present invention for this electrical connector. Other embodiments within the scope are equally applicable. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2A is a perspective view in which a part of the outer wall of the female connector housing in FIG. 1 is cut away, and FIG. 2B is an inside view of the cut out housing in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the female connector of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the electrical connector 1 includes a female connector 2 (second connector) having a female connector housing (hereinafter referred to as a female housing) 3 in which a plurality of female contact terminals 12 are accommodated. And a male connector housing (hereinafter referred to as a male housing) 15 in which a male contact terminal 19 (first contact terminal) connected to these female contact terminals 12 (second contact terminals) is accommodated. The female connector 2 includes a male connector 14 (first connector), and the female connector 2 has a fitting detection member (hereinafter referred to as CPA) 8 that detects a fitting state with the male connector 14 in the female housing 3. It has a configuration to be mounted. Hereinafter, the female connector 2, the CPA 8, and the male connector 14 constituting the electrical connector 1 will be described sequentially with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of the female connector will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, the female connector 2 is mounted in a plurality of female contact terminals 12, a female housing 3 in which the female contact terminals 12 are accommodated, and the female housing 3. CPA 8, terminal detection member 10 (hereinafter referred to as “TPA”) for detecting whether or not female contact terminal 12 is correctly installed in female housing 3, and a cover that is attached to the rear end of female housing 3 A sealing member 13 that prevents the intrusion of water or the like when coupled with the male connector 14 and the sealing member 9 that seals the outer periphery by inserting the member 11 and the female contact terminal 12 and seals the outer periphery thereof. And have.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the female housing 3 includes an inner housing 4 to which the female contact terminals 12 are mounted, and an outer housing 5 that covers an outer peripheral side wall surface excluding front and rear of the inner housing 4. 4 and the outer housing 5 are connected to each other at the rear part of the housings 4 and 5 with a predetermined gap between the housings 4 and 5. The female housing 3 is formed of a molded body made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin material.

The inner housing 4 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a predetermined lateral width, height, and depth,
_A projecting portion 4A to which the cover member 11 is attached is formed at the rear portion. In the inner housing 4, mounting holes 42 are formed as a plurality of through holes in which a plurality of female contact terminals 12 are mounted from the front in the longitudinal direction toward the rear protruding portion 4 </ _b > _A. .
A plurality of female contact terminals 12 are inserted from the respective mounting hole 4 ₂ protrusions 4 _A side. Further, the side wall surface of the projecting portion 4 _A, engaging protrusions 4 _A1 the cover member 11 is engaged is formed. A mounting hole 6 into which the TPA 10 is inserted is formed on the side wall of the inner housing 4 (see FIG. 2).

The outer housing 5, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, covered with the outer peripheral wall 5 _A to 5 _D which covers the outer peripheral wall surface of the inner housing 4, insertion of the male housing 15 of the male connector 14 in the front is plugged mouth is formed, the rear is connected to the rear wall 4 ₁ of the inner housing 4. The outer peripheral wall ₅ A to 5 _D are formed in the upper wall _{5 A,} a bottom wall _{5 B,} and both side walls ₅ C, _{5 D.} Between the inner and outer housings 4 and 5, housing hole S ₂ to plug the gaps S ₁ and CPA8 male housing 15 is plugged is inserted. Wall 5 _A on the outer housing 5, as the grip portion of CPA8 is inserted, a part of the rear portion 5 _{A 'is} cut, the interior of the accommodation hole S ₂ is exposed (see FIG. 1) .

As shown in FIG. 2, the accommodation hole S ₂ has such a size that a lock arm 7 described later is provided in addition to the CPA 8 between the upper wall surface of the inner housing 4 and the upper wall 5 _A of the outer housing 5. Yes. The accommodation hole S ₂ has a gap H ₁ and a width length W ₁ . Among these, the gap H ₁ is a gap H ₃ between the back surface of the lock arm 7 and the upper wall surface 4 _B of the inner housing 4, and a gap between the upper surface of the lock arm 7 and the back surface of the upper wall 5 _A of the outer housing 5. the thickness D of H ₂ has become a height which joined. The width length W ₁ of the receiving hole S ₂ is adapted to allow insertion of CPA 8 to be slightly wider than the width length of the CPA 8. Rear surface of the top wall 5 _A has a ceiling wall 5 _A0 positioned upward with respect to the upper wall surface 4 _B of the inner housing 4 be in the accommodation hole S _2.

The lock arm 7 is formed of a tongue-like elastic plate having a predetermined thickness D, width and length. The locking arm 7, as shown in Figure 2B, the base portion 7 _D is formed in the rear wall of the inner housing 4, and is to have been extended forward from the base portion 7 _D. The thickness D has a thickness that allows elastic deformation, and does not come into contact with the first ceiling protrusions 5 ₁ , 5 ₁ (first stopper protrusions) in a horizontally extended state. Width is shorter than the width length W ₁ of the accommodation hole S _2.

The locking arm 7, the engaging groove 7 ₁ latching protrusion 16 of the male housing 15 at a substantially central portion is engaged is formed. The engaging groove ₇₁ is surrounded by both side ₇ A, _{7 B} and the front of the front end portion _{7 C.} Tip 7 _C are inclined surfaces 7 ₂ is formed which serves to contact the inclined surface of the fingers of CPA8 described later on the side wall surfaces on both sides of those pushing the fingers (see FIG. 2B). In Figure 2B, are illustrated an inclined surface 7 ₂ of one side wall, the inclined surface to the other end side of the distal end portion is formed. These inclined surfaces _{7 2} has a pressing portion push the first, second fingers ₈ A, _{8 B} of CPA8 described later. Further, in the rear of the front end portion 7 _C jaws 7 ₄ are formed (see FIG. 7B). The jaws 7 ₄ has a so-called stopper for sealed temporarily lock the push of the CPA 8.

The locking arm 7 has its base portion 7 _D is formed on the rear wall of the inner housing 4 distal portion 7 _C is a free end, and is elastically deformable upward in the base a base 7 _D. With this configuration, upon coupling with the male connector 14, the male housing 15 is plugged abuts the locking protrusion 16 at the tip portion 7 _C, the locking arm 7 by the contact is the base point base 7 _D Is pushed upward. The push-up the inclined surfaces of both sidewall surfaces projecting tip portion _{7 C} by up ₇ 2, _{7 2} is brought into contact with the inclined surfaces ₈ 0, _{8 0} of the CPA 8, the first CPA 8, the second fingers ₈ A, 8 Push the gap between _B wide. Further the male housing 15 is pushed, it enters the engaging groove 7 ₁ backside 7 ₃ of the front end portion 7 _C while engaging projection 16 slidingly contacts the tip 7 _C passes while sliding. The locking protrusion 16 enters the engagement groove _71, the locking arm 7 is engaged with the locking projection 16 moves down by the elastic restoring force of its own, the male housing 15 is engaged with the female housing 3 The

Housed inside the hole S _2, as shown in FIG. 2B, 3 pieces of ceiling projections 5 ₁ protruding toward from the wall to the ceiling wall 5 _{A0 downward,} 5 _1, 5 ₂ are formed. The pair of first ceiling protrusions 5 ₁ , 5 ₁ is formed of a columnar protrusion, and is positioned in front of the accommodation hole S ₂ and functions to restrict the pushing-in of a CPA 8 described later. The second ceiling protrusion 5 ₂ (second stopper protrusion) is located behind the accommodation hole S ₂ , that is, on the connection side of the female contact terminal 12 and faces the narrow groove of the CPA 8. These first and second ceiling projections 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ are provided at locations that do not hinder the movement of the lock arm 7, and the height thereof is also a height that does not contact the lock arm 7.

  Next, the configuration of the CPA 8 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the CPA in FIG.

The CPA 8 includes a pair of elastically deformable first and second finger pieces 8 _A and 8 _B facing each other in parallel with a predetermined gap 8 _G therebetween and a connecting portion 8 _C that connects one end of these finger pieces. Each finger piece 8 _A , 8 _B ends are opened, the entire shape is U-shaped, and is formed of an electrically insulating synthetic resin molding. The CPA 8 has a length L ₁ in the longitudinal direction and a width length W ₃ and is formed of a plate-like body having a predetermined thickness. The connecting portion 8 _C serves as a gripper of a size easily gripped with the fingertips. By providing the gripping portion, the insertion into the receiving hole S ₂ of the female housing 3 is facilitated. The gap 8 _G is, 8 _G1 and rear portion clearance U-shaped entrance is wider is formed by the narrow grooves 8 _G2 narrow. Inlet gaps 8 _G1 is formed at a distance L ₂ retracted position from the inlet. Note that the distance L ₂ is made substantially half the length L _1.

Spacing _{W 4} is a little narrower than the distance _{W 2} between the pair of ceiling projections ₅ 1, _{5 1} (see FIG. 2). That is, the gap _{W 4} is narrower than the gap _{W 2} between the ceiling projections _{5 1, 5 1 (W 4} <W 2) is formed, when each fingers ₈ A, _{8 B} are extended outwardly the clearance _{W 4} is set to be larger than the gap _{W 2 (W 4> W 2} ). When these gaps W ₄ and W ₂ are set as described above, when the CPA 8 is inserted into the accommodation hole S ₂ , the tip portions 8 _T and 8 _T of the CPA 8 collide with the ceiling protrusions 5 ₁ and 5 _1. When the further insertion is locked and each of the finger pieces 8 _A and 8 _B expands, the locked state is released. The elastic deformation of the fingers ₈ A, _{8 B} is facilitated by providing a gap _{8 G2.} The accommodating hole _{S 2} CPA8 to the action of the positioning narrowing contains the ceiling projection _{5 2} to the gap _{8 G2} when inserted.

Wherein the first pair, the second fingers 8 _A, 8 _B have the same shape, in the following description for one of the fingers 8 _A.

Fingers 8 _A is extended forward from the coupling part 8 _C, the inner wall surface in the middle is processed into a predetermined shape. That is, the fingers 8 _A has a tip portion 8 _T with a predetermined shape, and a recess 8 _D provided on the inner wall surface of a portion recessed slightly from the distal end portion. Tip 8 _T has an end portion ₈₁ comprising a flat surface and an inclined surface 8 ₀ provided to be inclined at an acute angle toward the inner wall surface downwards. The inclined surface 8 ₀ is inclined faces 7 ₂ of the locking arm 7 of the female housing 3 upon coupling with the male connector 14 is brought into contact, it serves to elastically deform the fingers 8 _A outward so It is an operating part. Recess 8 _D is sized to the ceiling projection 5 ₁ enters, so that the the ceiling projection 5 ₁ is engaged Mari inclusive engagement fitting as a so-called stopper engaging portion. One side wall surface of the recess 8 _D, i.e. the side wall surface ₈₂ near the connecting portion 8 _C side collide with jaws 7 ₄ of the locking arm 7 _(see FIG. 6), a stopper for preventing the insertion of CPA8 It has become. The recess 8 _D is abuts against the jaws 7 ₄ of the engagement and locking arm 7 of the ceiling projection, and has a stopper engaging portion having a function of a stopper that prevents a temporary indentation.

The female contact terminal, TPA, cover member, and seal member will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.
Female contact terminals 12 are constituted by connected a lead wire 12 _B to the female contact 12 _A and the female contact 12 _A. Cover member 11, without a size box-shaped to be fitted into the protruding portion 4 _A of the inner housing 4, and is formed of an electrically insulating resin molded article. The cover member 11, insertion holes 11 ₁ that communicates with the mounting hole _{4 2} is formed in the bottom wall 11 _A. This bottom wall 11 outer peripheral wall extending from _A, the engaging groove 11 ₂ is formed on the side wall of the narrow groove and opposing the plurality of lines. By forming a plurality of narrow grooves on the outer peripheral wall, elastic deformation is facilitated, and mounting on the protruding portion is simplified. Sealing member 9 has a through hole 9 _A for inserting the female contact terminals therein, is formed of an elastic material, such as rubber material having a predetermined thickness. Sealing member 13 is press-fitted into the outer periphery of the inner housing 4, intended to seal between the male connector 14 has an opening 13 _A for inserting the inner housing 4 within a predetermined wall thickness It is formed of an elastic material having, for example, a rubber material.

Next, assembly of the female connector 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
First, cover the respective insertion holes 9 _A of the cover member 11 and the seal member 9 is inserted a female contact terminals 12, a sealing member 9 abuts against the projecting portion 4 _A of the inner housing 4, the projecting portion 4 _A The member 11 is locked and the female contact terminal 12 is inserted into the female housing 3.
Next, the TPA 10 is inserted from the notch groove 5 _{D 1} of the outer housing 5, and the contact terminals 12 are positioned and fixed in the female housing 3. Thereafter, the first and second finger pieces 8 _A and 8 _B of the CPA 8 are inserted into the accommodation hole S ₂ from the rear of the female housing 3. By this insertion, the front end portions 8 _T and 8 _T of the CPA 8 abut against the ceiling protrusions 5 ₁ and 5 _{1 and} are blocked. Thereby, the assembly of the female connector 2 is completed.

  The male connector will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view in which the male connector is disassembled.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the male connector 14 includes a plurality of male contact terminals 19, a male housing 15 in which the male contact terminals 19 are accommodated, and a male contact in the male housing 15. A terminal detection member 20 (hereinafter referred to as TPA) for detecting whether or not the terminal 19 is correctly mounted, and a cover member 18 mounted on the rear side of the male housing 15, that is, on the end of the male contact terminal 19 connection side. And a sealing member 17 for inserting the male contact terminal 19 and sealing the outer periphery thereof to prevent intrusion of water or the like.

The male housing 15 has outer peripheral walls 15 _A to 15 _D , and is formed of a cylindrical body having a size that can be inserted into a gap between the inner housing 4 and the outer housing 5 of the female housing 3. Made of synthetic resin. One retaining projection 16 on the upper side of the outer peripheral wall 15 _A is provided in the male housing 15.

  To assemble the male connector 14, first, the female contact terminals 12 are inserted into the insertion holes of the cover member 18 and the seal member 17, respectively, the seal member 17 is inserted into the male housing 15, and the cover member 18 is attached. With locking, the male contact terminal 19 is inserted into the male housing 15. Next, the terminal detection member 20 is mounted together with the mounting member 21 from the front of the male housing 15 to complete the assembly of the male connector 14.

  Next, the connection between the female connector and the male connector and the operation of the CPA 8 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 are explanatory views for explaining a connection process between the female connector and the male connector, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an initial coupling state in which the male connector is inserted into the female connector. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing a combined state in which a male connector is further inserted from the state of FIG. 6, FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a portion X in FIG. 7A, and FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view showing a combined state in which a male connector is further inserted from the state of FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing a final combined state.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the female connector 2 is previously fitted with a CPA 8 in the accommodation hole S ₂ of the female housing 3. Mounting of this CPA8 is performed by insertion into the receiving hole _{S 2.} When plugged the CPA 8 in the accommodation hole _{S 2} of the female housing 3, FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 6, each of the distal end portion ₈ T, the ceiling projection ₅ 1 _{8 T} is the accommodation hole _{S 2} of CPA 8, 5 abuts against the _1, in this state CPA8 is mounted in the accommodation hole _{S 2.} The male housing 15 of the male connector 14 is inserted into the female housing 3 to which the CPA 8 is attached. In this initial insertion, as shown in FIG. 6, the engaging projection 16 of the male housing 15 is brought into contact with the rear surface 7 ₃ of the front end portion 7 _C of the locking arm 7 provided in the female housing 3. Further, the gap GA is free between the jaws _{7 4} of the locking arm 7 inside of the containing hole _{S 2} the recess _{8 D} sidewall surface ₈₂ of the CPA8 at this stage. Although CPA8 and recesses 8 _D and the jaws 7 ₄ The locking arm 7 which pairs each of which is formed, since illustrates a cross-section of a connector in FIGS. 6 to 9 in the longitudinal direction, the following member having these pairs, for example, the recess 8 _D and member that is a like pair jaws 7 ₄ will be described and illustrated one of them.

First, the first insertion operation of the connector for pushing the male housing 15 into the female housing 3 is performed. This insertion operation, the locking projections 16 of the male housing 15, as shown in FIG. 7, pushes up the rear surface 7 ₃ of the front end portion 7 _C of the locking arm 7 provided in the female housing 3. This push-up, the locking arm 7 is elastically deformed upward in the base a base 7 _D. The elastic deformation of the above the lock arm 7, push the fingers 8 _A of the front end portion 7 inclined surfaces 7 ₂ of both sidewall surfaces of the _C is in contact with the inclined surfaces 8 ₀ CPA 8 CPA 8 outwardly. When the fingers 8 _A is spread so far the tip 8 _T of the fingers 8 _A is the ceiling projection 5 ₁ pushes moving abutment CPA8 was locked is spread in the fingers 8 _A tip 8 _T becomes possible push the CPA8 off the locked state by the ceiling projections 5 ₁ by. Therefore, a first push operation of the CPA is pushed into the receiving holes _S in ₂ CPA 8.

This pushing operation, as shown in FIG. 8, the side wall surface ₈₂ of the recess 8 _D abuts against the jaws 7 ₄ of the locking arm 7, this pushing is locked temporarily engaged. The pressing amount becomes gap GA minute, whereas the state where the top portion 8 _T of CPA8 are in contact with the same gap GA 'partial ceiling projections 5 ₁ of the outer surface and the gap GA. After the first pushing operation of the CPA, the second inserting operation of the connector for pushing the male housing 15 is performed.

This insertion operation, the locking projections 16 of the male housing 15, as shown in FIG. 9A, the engaging groove 7 ₁ tip of the locking projection 16 passes while sliding the rear surface 7 ₃ of the locking arm 7 Get in. The locking protrusion 16 enters the engagement groove _71, the locking arm 7 is engaged with the locking projection 16 moves down by the elastic restoring force of its own. At the same time, it is possible to recess _{8 D} pushing of being released CPA 8 that the sidewall surface ₈₂ had abuts the jaws _{7 4} of the locking arm 7 of the CPA 8. Therefore, a second operation of pushing further pushed CPA to the accommodation hole _S in ₂ CPA 8.

The second pushing operation, as shown in FIG. 9B, the recess _{8 D} in CPA8 is CPA8 enters the ceiling projection _{5 1} is locked. As a result, the male housing 15 is accurately coupled into the female housing 3, the connection between the male connector 14 and the female connector 2 is completed, and the connection is locked. Note that removal of the male connector 14, insert the tool into the receiving hole S ₂ of the female housing 3, carried out by removing pull the male connector 14 to unlock the CPA 8.

  As described above, the female connector 2 and the male connector 14 are the first connector insertion operation in which one connector is inserted into the other connector and the lock arm is pushed up by the first locking projection, and the fitting detection member is the first connector. 2 Detection member first push-in operation to push into the connector receiving hole, connector second insertion operation to release the lock arm by inserting the connector, and detection member second push-in operation to push the fitting detection member further Are executed in order to perform fitting connection.

  As described above, the female connector 2 and the male connector 14 are subjected to the first insertion operation of the connector, the first pushing operation of the fitting detection member, the second insertion operation of the connector, and the second pushing operation of the fitting detection member. Since the first and second connectors are joined, the fitting detection member can be pushed in according to the degree of insertion of both connectors, and the first and second connectors can be connected by linking the two connectors and the fitting detection member. The two connectors can be securely connected. In other words, the connection between the female connector 2 and the male connector 14 is an alternately continuous operation of the insertion operation of both connectors and the push-in operation of the fitting detection member. Since the fitting is performed while checking the linkage of the members, the connection of both connectors can be ensured without giving the operator a sense of insecurity.

1 is a perspective view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a perspective view of the electrical connector of FIG. 1 with a part of the outer wall of the female connector housing cut away, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the inside of the cut away housing of FIG. 2A. It is the disassembled perspective view which decomposed | disassembled the female connector. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the CPA in FIG. 3. It is the disassembled perspective view which decomposed | disassembled the male connector. It is sectional drawing which showed the first coupling state which inserted the male connector in the female connector. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a male connector is further inserted from the state of FIG. 6, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a portion X in FIG. 7A. It is sectional drawing which showed the state which pushed in CPA further from the state of FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a male connector is further inserted from the state of FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing a final combined state in which CPA is further pushed in from the state of FIG. 9A. It is an external appearance perspective view of the electrical connector of a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

1 Electrical connector 2 Female connector (second connector)
3 female (connector) housing 4 inner housing 5 outer housing 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ first and second ceiling protrusions (first and second stopper protrusions)
S ₂ receiving hole 7 lock arm 7 ₁ engaging groove 7 ₂ inclined surface (pressing portion)
7 ₄ jaws (first stopper)
7 _C tip 8 Fitting detection member (CPA)
8 _{A, 8 B} first, second fingers _{8 C} coupling section (operation section)
8 _D recess (stopper engagement part)
8 _T tip _{8 0} inclined surface (operating portion)
10 Terminal detection member (TPA)
12 Female contact terminal (second contact terminal)
14 Male connector (first connector)
15 Male (connector) housing 16 Locking projection 19 First contact terminal S ₁ Clearance

Claims (5)

A first connector having a first contact terminal attached thereto, a second connector having a second contact terminal electrically connected to the first contact terminal, and the first and second connectors being fitted together, In an electrical connector provided with a fitting detection member for detecting a fitting state,
The first connector is
A first locking projection provided on an outer wall surface of the housing on which the first contact terminal is mounted;
The second connector is
An inner housing on which the second contact terminal is mounted; and an outer housing that covers an outer periphery of the inner housing excluding a portion serving as an insertion port of the first connector, between the inner housing and the outer housing. A gap is formed for inserting the first connector, and a receiving hole is provided in communication with the gap and into which the fitting detection member is inserted. A pair of first stopper protrusion and second stopper protrusion are provided in the receiving hole. An elastically deformable lock arm having one end fixed to the inner housing and a distal end portion as a free end is provided, and the lock arm has an engagement groove that is engaged with the first locking projection of the first connector. And providing a pressing part and a first stopper at both ends of the tip part,
The fitting detection member is
The first and second finger pieces have a pair of elastically deformable first and second finger pieces that face each other in parallel. Provide a stopper engaging part to be engaged with the stopper,
The fitting detection member is slidably mounted in a gap between the lock arm and the outer housing in the accommodation hole of the second connector, and one of the first and second connectors is connected to another connector. A first insertion operation of the connector that pushes the lock arm up by the first locking projection, a first push-in operation of the detection member that pushes the fitting detection member into the receiving hole, and pushes up the lock arm by inserting the connector An electrical connector characterized in that the first and second connectors are fitted and connected by sequentially executing a connector second insertion operation for releasing the connector and a detection member second pushing operation for further pushing the fitting detection member.   The first and second stopper protrusions are formed as pillar protrusions having a predetermined height protruding from the inner wall surface of the outer housing in the receiving hole at a predetermined interval, and the lock arm is a first protrusion of the first connector. A gap is provided between the column projection and the tip of the lock arm so that the tip of the lock arm does not collide with the column projection when pushed up by one locking projection. The electrical connector according to claim 1.   The fitting detection member is formed in a U-shape in which one end of the first and second finger pieces is connected by a connecting portion and the other end is a free end, and the connecting portion is used as a pushing operation portion. The electrical connector according to claim 1.   Each stopper engaging portion of the first and second finger pieces is formed by a recess having a size into which the stopper projection of the second connector enters, and the first stopper abuts against an inner side wall surface of the recess. The electrical connector according to claim 3.   2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the pressing portion of the lock arm and the operation portion of the fitting detection member are each formed by an inclined surface having a predetermined angle.

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