JP2014015970A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector that can be operated by a one-touch operation and that does not have a protruding margin (projecting portion).SOLUTION: A connector comprises a connector housing, a male member mounted to the connector housing, a lock member, and an operation member for operating the lock member. The male member is provided with an engagement part engaged with one part of the lock member on an outer periphery. The connector housing comprises: a lock member holding wall formed on an outer periphery; a sliding inclined face on which a tip end of the lock member slides; and a through hole through which one part of the lock member held by the lock member holding wall passes, and that is formed to be engaged with an engagement part formed on an outer periphery of the male member mounted to the connector housing. The lock member is engaged with the engagement part formed on the outer periphery of the male member by an elastic force, and is disengaged from the engagement part formed on the outer periphery of the male member by sliding the operation member in an axial line direction of the connector housing. Therefore, the connector can be operated by a one-touch operation and a protruding margin can be eliminated.

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector used for connection of fluid piping, and particularly to a connector capable of quickly and reliably connecting automobile piping.

Generally, a connector has a configuration in which a connector housing and a pipe body (male member) can be engaged and released by operating a wire retainer (lock member).
For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a connector includes a connector housing and a wire retainer (lock member), and an engagement slit (through hole) is provided in a retainer mounting portion of the connector housing, so that a part of the wire retainer is provided. Enters the engagement slit and protrudes into the retainer mounting portion. When the pipe body (male member) is inserted in this state, the wire retainer engages with the outer peripheral groove of the pipe body and is locked. When releasing, the wire retainer is pulled up. (Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-266472 A

However, in the case of the conventional patent document 1, since the structure is released by pulling up the wire retainer (locking member), the wire retainer has a large allowance (operation stroke) and is difficult to work in a narrow space. It is.
Further, it is necessary to keep a distance from adjacent parts, which is not suitable for an engine room or the like of an automobile requiring close arrangement. In addition, a tool may be necessary for the release, and there is a problem in workability, and there is a possibility that other parts may be damaged by the tool.
Further, when the connector is removed after the lock is released, the wire retainer (lock member) is still stretched, which may cause interference with other components.

  The present invention has been made in order to eliminate the above-described disadvantages, and includes a connector housing, a male member mounted on the connector housing, a lock member, and an operation member for operating the lock member, and the operation member is slid. Thus, a connector that can release the engaged state is provided.

The present invention has the following contents.
(1) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cylindrical connector housing in which a hose is connected to one end and a male member is attached to the other end, a hose is connected to one end, and the other end is connected to the connector housing. A male member to be mounted, a lock member capable of engaging and releasing the connector housing and the male member, and an operation of operating the lock member by sliding in the axial direction disposed in a part of the connector housing The male member includes an engaging portion with which a part of the lock member engages with an outer periphery, the connector housing includes a lock member holding wall formed on the outer periphery, and the lock member A sliding slope on which the tip of the sliding member slides and a part of the locking member held by the locking member holding wall pass and are formed on the outer periphery of the male member attached to the connector housing. The lock member is engaged with an engagement portion formed on the outer periphery of the male member by an elastic force, and the operation member is connected to the connector housing. By sliding in the axial direction, it is disengaged from the engaging portion formed on the outer periphery of the male member.
(2) Further, the operation member is supported by a guide rail formed at the top of the connector housing so as to be slidable in the axial direction.
(3) The operation member includes an inclined surface for lifting the lock member, and a hook member formed substantially in parallel with the inclined surface with a predetermined gap.
(4) The lock member is made of an elastic metal wire.

According to this invention, a hose is connected to one end, a cylindrical connector housing to which a male member is attached to the other end, a male member to which the hose is connected to one end and the other end is attached to the connector housing, A connector comprising: a lock member capable of engaging and releasing the connector housing and the male member; and an operation member disposed on a part of the connector housing and operating the lock member by sliding in an axial direction. The male member includes an engaging portion that engages with a part of the lock member on the outer periphery, and the connector housing slides on the lock member holding wall formed on the outer periphery and the distal end portion of the lock member. A sliding slope and a part of the lock member held by the lock member holding wall pass through and should engage with an engaging portion formed on the outer periphery of the male member attached to the connector housing. The lock member is engaged with an engagement portion formed on the outer periphery of the male member by elastic force, and the operation member is slid in the axial direction of the connector housing. Since it is disengaged from the engaging portion formed on the outer periphery of the male member, it can be released with a single touch of sliding the operating member, and there is no generation of an allowance. In addition, it can be installed closely with a close interval between adjacent parts. Furthermore, it is not necessary to release with a tool, and there is no risk of damaging the surroundings with the tool. Further, when the lock is released and removed, the allowance of the lock member does not interfere with other parts.
Further, since the operation member is supported by the guide rail formed on the top of the connector housing so as to be slidable in the axial direction, the operation member can be reliably released without protruding outward.
In addition, since the operation member includes an inclined surface for lifting the lock member and a hook member formed substantially in parallel with the inclined surface with a predetermined gap, It is possible to prevent the lock member from dropping from the operation member.
Moreover, since the said lock member was comprised from the metal wire which has elasticity, it can enlarge engagement strength. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be reduced because no mold is required. Furthermore, there is no creep deformation and stable engagement strength can be obtained.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector coupling state according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connector. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a separated state of the connector. FIG. 4 is a front view in which a part of the connector is cut away. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connector housing constituting the connector. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the connector housing. FIG. 7 is a front view of the connector housing. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an operation member used for the connector. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the operating member viewed from another direction. FIG. 10 is a side view of the operation member. FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the operation member. FIG. 12 is a side view showing another embodiment of the operation member. FIG. 13 is a front view of a locking member used for the connector. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the locking member. FIG. 15 is a side view of the locking member. FIG. 16 is a front view showing another embodiment of the lock member used in the connector. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the locking member. FIG. 18 is a side view of the lock member.

  The connector of the present invention includes a connector housing, a male member mounted on the connector housing, a lock member, and an operation member for operating the lock member, and the male member is engaged with a part of the lock member on the outer periphery. The connector housing includes a lock member holding wall formed on an outer periphery, a sliding slope on which a tip of the lock member slides, and a part of the lock member held on the lock member holding wall. And a through hole formed to engage with an engaging portion formed on an outer periphery of the male member attached to the connector housing, and the lock member is formed on the outer periphery of the male member by an elastic force. Since it is disengaged from the engaging portion formed on the outer periphery of the male member by engaging with the formed engaging portion and sliding the operating member in the axial direction of the connector housing, it can be operated with one touch. Together, it is possible to eliminate the allowance for projection.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector connected state according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connector of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a side view showing a separated state of the connector of the present invention, and FIG. It is the front view which notched a part of connector of invention.
Here, the connector 10 has a cylindrical connector housing 12 to which a hose is connected at one end and a male member 11 is attached to the other end, a hose is connected to one end, and the other end is attached to the connector housing 12. A male member 11, a lock member 13 capable of engaging and releasing the connector housing 12 and the male member 11, and a part of the connector housing 12 which slides in the axial direction by disposing the lock member 13 The male member 11 includes an engagement groove 14 that is an engagement portion with which the leg portion 13b of the lock member 13 is engaged on the outer periphery, and the connector housing 12 is a lock formed on the outer periphery. The member holding wall 15, the sliding slope 16 on which the distal end portion 13 a of the lock member 13 slides, and a part of the lock member 13 held by the lock member holding wall 15 pass through. And a through hole 18 formed to engage with the engaging groove 14 formed on the outer periphery of the male member 11 attached to Kuta housing 12. Note that the engagement groove 14 may be an engagement step portion.

  The male member 11 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, has a cylindrical shape, has a flange 19 at a base end portion to which a hose is connected, and an engagement groove 14 formed on the outer periphery of a substantially intermediate portion. Further, the distal end portion 11 a attached to the connector housing 12 is formed in a tapered shape, and has a conical shape that is expanded just before the engagement groove 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the connector housing 12 has a hose connection part 12 a to which a hose is connected at one end and a mounting port 12 b to which the male member 11 is attached at the other end. The connector housing 12 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. Moreover, the outer periphery of the hose connection part 12a has a plurality of annular irregularities for preventing the hose from coming off. In addition, a lock member holding wall 15 is formed on the left and right with a gap H in the center at the outer peripheral top of the enlarged mounting opening 12b. The lock member holding wall 15 has a holding groove 20 that can hold the lock member 13 so as to be slidable, and a slide in which the guide rail 31 protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the holding groove 20 (axial direction of the connector housing). A wall 32 is provided. That is, the sliding wall 32 faces the gap H and is disposed opposite to the left and right, and the guide rail 31 is disposed opposite to the lower end of the sliding wall 32 in the axial direction with a predetermined distance. The operating member 30 is slidably mounted between the sliding walls 32 in the front-rear direction. Further, a through hole 18 is formed on the outer periphery of the connector housing 12 through which the leg portion 13b of the lock member 13 held by the lock member holding wall 15 can pass, and is formed on the outer periphery of the male member 11 mounted on the connector housing 12. Engages with the formed engaging groove 14.

  A U-shaped wall 17 having a sliding slope 16 is formed at a symmetrical position on the outer periphery of the connector housing 12. The U-shaped wall 17 is positioned below the lock member holding wall 15 so that the tip end portion 13a abuts against the sliding slope 16 when the lock member 13 held by the lock member holding wall 15 is lifted. It is arranged. The U-shaped wall 17 has a pair of side walls 17a and 17b extending in the radial direction of the connector housing 12, and a sliding slope 16 is formed between the side walls 17a and 17b. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, etc., the sliding slope 16 is formed as a flat surface inclined upward in a direction away from the connector housing 12.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an O-ring 21 and a backup ring 22 that holds the O-ring 21 are disposed at the back end of the mounting opening 12 b of the connector housing 12, and is watertight with the mounted male member 11. And airtightness is ensured. The backup ring 22 is formed of a synthetic resin or the like, and is fixed to the inner wall of the connector housing 12 by a claw member or welding not shown. The seal member is not limited to the O-ring, and may be another seal member such as a V ring or an X ring.

  8 is a perspective view of the operation member 30 used in the connector 10, FIG. 9 is a perspective view seen from another direction, FIG. 10 is a side view of the operation member 30, and FIG. 11 is a bottom view thereof. The operation member 30 is made of, for example, synthetic resin, and includes an inclined surface 33 for lifting the lock member 25 in front of the upper surface, an inclined surface 33, and a hook member 34 formed substantially in parallel with a predetermined gap h. A slide piece 35 is formed on both sides of the lower end. In addition, a stopper wall 38 is formed at the rear end of the slide piece 35 to restrict the forward movement of the operation member 30. An operation surface 37 having a ridge 36 is formed on the rear end of the upper surface opposite to the inclined surface 33, and serves as a slip stopper when operated with a finger.

  FIG. 12 is a side view showing another embodiment of the operation member 40. Here, the operation member 40 includes an inclined surface 33 for lifting the lock member 13 in front of the upper surface and an inclined surface 41 inclined in the opposite direction to the inclined surface 33, and slide pieces 35 are formed on both sides of the lower end. Yes. In addition, a stopper wall 38 is formed at the rear end of the slide piece 35 to restrict the forward movement of the operation member 30. An operation surface 37 having a ridge 36 and an operation surface 43 having a ridge 42 are formed at the rear end of the upper surface opposite to the inclined surface 33 in the direction opposite to the operation surface 37.

  Even if the operation member 40 configured as described above has the center 27 of the lock member 13 positioned at the valley portion of the inclined surface 33 and the inclined surface 41 and pushes the operation surface 37 forward, the finger is applied to the operation surface 43. The locking member 13 can be released by any method, whether it is hung and retracted.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the lock member 13 includes a connecting portion 26 that is flat at the center 27 that contacts the inclined surface 33 or the inclined surface 41 of the operation member 30 and is curved toward both ends, and the connecting portion 26. Leg portions 13b that are linearly extended in parallel with each other from both sides (both sides in the width direction), and tip portions 13a that are bent at the tip ends of the leg portions 13b in a direction perpendicular to the leg portions. And is made of a metal elastic wire. Moreover, the front-end | tip part 13a is bend | folded in the reverse direction on either side, respectively. The diameter of the leg portion 13 b is smaller than the width of the through hole 18 and can pass through the through hole 18. The length dimension of the leg portion 13b is longer than the length (height dimension) of the through hole 18.

  Since the lock member 13 is configured in this manner and the arrangement of the tip end portion 13a is not symmetrical, the attachment direction when attaching to the connector housing 12 can be attached from any direction with respect to the axial direction. Can be realized. The lock member 13 may be a metal or synthetic resin plate. That is, the same effect can be obtained even if it is composed of an elongated plate material, without being limited to the wire material.

  16 to 18 show another embodiment of the lock member 25. In the present embodiment, the connecting portion 23 that is convexly convex upward, and the leg portion 25b and the leg that are linearly extended in parallel with each other from both sides (both sides in the width direction) of the connecting portion 23. It is made of, for example, a metal elastic wire that is bent so as to be provided with a tip portion 25a that is bent in a direction perpendicular to the leg portion at the tip of the portion 25b. The diameter of the leg portion 25 b is smaller than the width of the through hole 18 and can pass through the through hole 18. The length of the leg portion 25b is longer than the length (height dimension) of the through hole 18. The operation for releasing the lock state is performed by sliding the connecting portion 23 while contacting the inclined surface 33 or the inclined surface 41 of the operation member 30 and is the same as in the first embodiment.

  When assembling the connector 10 configured in this manner, first, the operation member 30 is mounted between the sliding walls 32 of the connector housing 12 from the rear. At this time, the slide piece 35 is inserted between the guide rail 31 and the outer peripheral surface of the connector housing 12. Next, the lock member 13 is attached from above. The lock member 13 is attached in such a manner that when the leg portion 13b is inserted into the holding groove 20 of the lock member holding wall 15 so as to open to the left and right and then released, the distal end portion 13a comes into contact with the lower end of the sliding slope 16 by the elastic force of the wire. . Further, the center of the connecting portion 26 of the lock member 25 is located between the inclined surface 33 and the hook member 34. In the present embodiment, the distal end portion 13 a of the lock member 13 is attached toward the hose connection portion 12 a of the connector housing 12. A part of the attached leg portion 13b protrudes from the through hole 18 of the connector housing 12 into the mounting opening 12b. In this state, when the male member 11 is mounted from the mounting opening 12b as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tapered end portion 11a and the portion expanded in a conical shape immediately before the engaging groove 14 are leg portions. After the portion 13b is expanded in the outer peripheral direction, it is engaged with the engagement groove 14. In a state where the leg portion 13b is engaged with the engaging groove 14, the O-ring 21 is positioned between the outer periphery of the distal end portion 11a of the male member 11 and the inner periphery of the mounting port 12b of the connector housing 12 as shown in FIG. It is pressed together and watertightness and airtightness can be maintained.

  When releasing the engagement between the male member 11 and the connector housing 12, the operation surface 37 of the operation member 30 is pushed and slid forward. As the operation member 30 moves forward, the center 27 of the coupling portion 26 of the lock member 13 rises along the inclined surface 33, the tip portion 13a also rises along the sliding slope 16, and the leg portion 13b expands left and right. . Further, the advancement of the operation member 30 is restricted by the stopper wall 38. By expanding the leg portion 13b, the male member 11 can be pulled out by being disengaged from the engaging groove 14 of the male member 11 and released from the engagement. Further, since the front end portion 13a is surrounded by the side walls 17a and 17b in the axial direction of the connector housing 12, the front end portion 13a can be prevented from being deformed by an unintended external force and the release operation can be executed reliably. it can. Thus, in this invention, since it can operate by only sliding the operation member 30, there is no space to project and it can be unlocked even in a narrow place.

  As described above, the connector 10 of the present invention is easy to operate even in a narrow space, and has no protruding portion, so there is no risk of damaging other parts when removed. Further, no tool is required for release, and parts are not damaged by the tool.

  In addition, although the example in which the shape of the sliding slope 16 is a plane has been described, a curved surface or a combination of planes having a plurality of inclinations may be used.

  The connector of the present invention can be used as a connector for large-diameter pipes for water pipes of radiators of construction machines and air pipes such as intercoolers.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Connector 11 Male member 11a Tip part 12 Connector housing 12a Hose connection part 12b Mounting port 13 Lock member 13a Tip part 13b Leg part 14 Engagement groove (engagement part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Lock member holding wall 16 Sliding slope 17 U-shaped wall 17a, b Side wall 18 Through-hole 19 Flange 20 Holding groove 21 O-ring 22 Backup ring 23 Connection part 25 Lock member 25a Tip part 25b Leg part 26 Connection part 27 Center 30 Operation member 31 Guide rail 32 Sliding wall 33 Inclined surface 34 Hook member 35 Slide piece 36 Projection 37 Operation surface 38 Stopper wall 40 Operation member 41 Inclined surface 42 Projection 43 Operation surface

Claims (4)

A cylindrical connector housing having a hose connected to one end and a male member attached to the other end, a male member having a hose connected to one end and the other end attached to the connector housing, the connector housing and the male A connector comprising: a lock member capable of engaging and releasing a member; and an operation member which is disposed in a part of the connector housing and operates the lock member by sliding in an axial direction.
The male member includes an engaging portion that engages with a part of the lock member on the outer periphery, and the connector housing slides on the lock member holding wall formed on the outer periphery and the distal end portion of the lock member. A slope and a through-hole formed to engage with an engaging portion formed on an outer periphery of a male member attached to the connector housing, through which a part of the locking member held by the locking member holding wall passes. With
The lock member is formed on the outer periphery of the male member by engaging with an engaging portion formed on the outer periphery of the male member by elastic force and sliding the operation member in the axial direction of the connector housing. A connector that is disengaged from the engaging portion.   The connector according to claim 1, wherein the operation member is supported so as to be slidable in an axial direction by a guide rail formed on a top portion of the connector housing. The operation member includes an inclined surface for lifting the lock member;
The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a hook member formed substantially in parallel with the inclined surface and a predetermined gap.   The connector according to claim 1, wherein the lock member is made of a metal wire having elasticity.

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