JP2016072193A - Electric connector assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric connector assembly capable of surely maintaining a locked state of lock metal fittings in a connector fitting state and easily performing an unlocking operation.SOLUTION: A first lock metal fitting 30 of a first connector includes a first lock part 33A that is fixed to a first housing. A second lock metal fitting 60 of a second connector includes: a fixture part 61 that is fixed to a second housing; and an elastic arm part 66 that is formed integrally with the fixture part 61 and extends backwards in a connector fitting direction. The elastic arm part 66 includes a second lock part 66A-1 which can be elastically displaced in a plate thickness direction of the elastic arm part 66 with a proximal of the elastic arm part 66 as a supporting point and can be locked to the first lock part 33A of the first lock metal fitting 30 in a connector pull-out direction on a plate thickness surface of the elastic arm part 66. The second housing or the second lock metal fitting 60 of the second connector includes an unlocking operation part which transmits an unlocking operation force to the elastic arm part 66.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly in which connectors having lock fittings are locked together in a fitted state.

  As this type of electrical connector assembly, for example, an electrical connector assembly as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connector assembly in which a header and a socket as circuit board electrical connectors each have a lock fitting, and the lock fittings are locked in a fitted state.

  Each housing of the header and the socket has a rectangular frame-shaped peripheral wall having a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and is fitted from above so that the peripheral wall of the header housing fits within the peripheral wall of the socket housing. Yes. Each peripheral wall of the header and the socket holds a lock fitting with a pair of end walls extending in the short direction of the peripheral wall.

  The header side lock fitting held on the end wall of the header is made by processing a metal plate, and has an arm-like lock piece that can be elastically displaced in the thickness direction on the outer surface side of the end wall. Yes. The lock piece is bent and extended in the plate thickness direction so as to incline upward in the longitudinal direction, that is, outward in the longitudinal direction, and further, the tip (free end) is inclined. It is bent so as to face upward. The lock piece is elastically displaceable inward in the longitudinal direction by receiving an external force from outside in the longitudinal direction of the peripheral wall.

  On the other hand, the socket-side lock fitting held on the end wall of the socket is made by processing a metal plate, and is formed as a plate-like member extending in the short direction of the socket along the inner surface of the end wall. And the lock hole for receiving the lock piece of the said header side locking metal fitting is penetrated and formed in the plate | board thickness direction.

  When the header is inserted into the socket from above the socket when the connector is fitted, first, immediately after the start of entry, the tip of the lock piece of the header-side lock fitting comes into contact with the plate surface of the socket-side lock fitting. The piece is elastically displaced toward the inside in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, when the header moves downward and the tip of the lock piece reaches the position of the lock hole of the socket-side lock fitting, the lock piece is released from the elastic displacement state and returned to the free state. The tip portion enters into the lock hole. As a result, the upper end surface (plate thickness surface) of the lock piece is positioned so as to be engageable with the upper edge surface immediately below the upper edge surface (plate thickness surface) of the lock hole, so that the lock fittings are in a locked state. Become. When releasing the lock, the lock piece is pressed from the outside in the longitudinal direction to elastically displace the lock piece so as to bring the end of the lock piece out of the lock hole, and the header is directed upward as it is. And pull out.

JP2008-270098A

  In Patent Document 1, when the header is inadvertently raised upward in the connector fitting state, the tip of the lock piece of the header side lock fitting is locked to the upper edge of the rocket hole of the socket side lock fitting, A downward reaction force acts on the tip of the lock piece. As described above, the locking piece having the shape of a bent arm extends with an inclination outward in the longitudinal direction of the header with respect to the connector pull-out direction, except for the tip. As described above, the lock piece is inclined and extends with the longitudinal component, that is, the lateral component perpendicular to the connector fitting direction. When a force is applied, the lock piece is easily deformed in the thickness direction downward due to bending stress. As a result, the lock piece comes off the lock hole and cannot be locked, and the lock piece itself may be damaged.

  Further, the lock piece extends with the component in the longitudinal direction (lateral direction), which means that when the lock is released, an unlocking force from the outside in the longitudinal direction is applied to the tip of the lock piece. This also means that the lock piece is hardly elastically displaced inward in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, it is difficult to secure a large displacement amount of the lock piece, and the unlocking operation is difficult.

  In view of such circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector assembly that can reliably maintain a locked state between lock metal fittings in a connector-fitted state and that can be easily unlocked. And

  An electrical connector assembly according to the present invention is an electrical connector assembly in which a first connector and a second connector are fitted and connected to each other, and the first connector includes a first terminal, a first lock fitting, A first housing that holds the first terminal and the first lock metal fitting, and the second connector is engaged with the first terminal and the second terminal that contacts the first terminal in a connector fitting state. A second lock fitting that stops, and a second housing that holds the second terminal and the second lock fitting and fits into the first housing.

  In such an electrical connector assembly, in the present invention, the first lock fitting of the first connector is made by processing a metal plate member, and has a first lock portion fixed to the first housing, The second lock fitting of the second connector is made by processing a metal plate member, and is fixed to the second housing, and is formed integrally with the fixed portion and extends rearward in the connector fitting direction. An elastic arm portion, the elastic arm portion being elastically displaceable in the plate thickness direction of the elastic arm portion with the base portion of the elastic arm portion as a fulcrum, and with respect to the first lock portion of the first lock fitting A second locking portion that can be locked in the connector pull-out direction on the plate thickness surface of the elastic arm portion, and the second housing or the second lock fitting of the second connector is A lock that transmits the received unlocking operation force to the elastic arm. It is characterized by having a removal operation unit.

  In the present invention, the second lock fitting of the second connector has an elastic arm portion extending rearward in the connector fitting direction. Therefore, in the connector fitting state, an external force directed toward the connector pull-out direction is inadvertently applied to the second connector, and the second lock portion has a plate thickness surface to the first lock portion of the first lock fitting. When locked, the reaction force from the first lock portion acts on the elastic arm portion with a component in the connector fitting direction. The reaction force is likely to act along the plate surface of the elastic arm portion, and hardly acts in the thickness direction of the elastic arm portion. As a result, the elastic arm portion itself is not easily deformed, and the locked state between the lock portions can be reliably maintained.

  Further, the unlocking operation force from the unlocking operation portion acts on the elastic arm portion extending rearward in the connector fitting direction in the thickness direction of the elastic arm portion. Therefore, since the elastic arm portion can be easily elastically displaced by applying a large bending stress to the elastic arm portion, it can be easily unlocked without requiring a large unlocking force.

  In the present invention, the unlocking operation portion applies the unlocking operation force to the end of the elastic arm portion on the rear side in the connector fitting direction so that the elastic displacement amount of the elastic arm portion increases. It may be adapted to transmit in the direction. In this way, by applying the unlocking operation force to the end of the elastic arm portion on the rear side in the connector fitting direction, it is possible to ensure a large amount of elastic displacement of the elastic arm portion and thus the second lock portion. Therefore, the second lock portion can be easily displaced to a position where it is not locked with the first lock portion, and the lock can be reliably released.

  In the present invention, the first lock fitting or the first housing of the first connector is in the thickness direction of the elastic arm portion of the second lock fitting with respect to the first lock portion of the first lock fitting in the connector fitting state. At a position opposite to the second lock fitting, the second lock fitting has a restricting portion for restricting displacement of a predetermined amount or more of the elastic arm portion of the second lock fitting toward the opposite side, It is provided on the opposite side adjacent to the first lock part so as to be able to come into contact with the plate surface of the elastic arm part of the second lock fitting in the connector fitting state, and is elastic toward the opposite side. By restricting the displacement of the arm portion, the second lock portion of the elastic arm portion may be maintained at a position where it can be engaged with the first lock portion.

  By providing such a restricting portion, the restricting portion restricts the displacement of the elastic arm portion toward the side opposite to the second lock fitting, and the second lock portion of the elastic arm portion is connected to the first lock portion. Is maintained in the lockable position. As a result, in the connector fitting state, the locking portions can be prevented from coming off in the thickness direction of each other, and hence the connectors can be prevented from being unintentionally disconnected.

  In the present invention, the elastic arm portion of the second lock fitting is in a state where the second lock portion of the elastic arm portion is in a position where it can be engaged with the first lock portion of the first lock fitting. It is good also as a board surface being able to contact | abut with the contact pressure with the control part of a 1st connector. Since the plate surface of the elastic arm portion comes into contact with the restricting portion of the first connector with contact pressure, the elastic arm portion can be reliably prevented from being displaced in a direction away from the restricting portion. Therefore, it becomes easy to maintain the second lock portion of the elastic arm portion at a position where it can be engaged with the first lock portion, and it is possible to more reliably prevent inadvertent disconnection between the connectors in the connector fitting state.

  In the present invention, the first lock portion of the first lock fitting and the second lock portion of the second lock fitting are formed as plate thickness surfaces inclined in the plate thickness direction with respect to the plane perpendicular to the connector fitting direction. The inclined end surfaces can be locked in the connector pull-out direction, and the inclined end surfaces of the first lock portion and the second lock portion are inclined end surfaces of the second lock portion when the inclined end surfaces are locked with each other. In this case, the second locking portion is allowed to move in a direction away from the regulating portion when the lock is released between the inclined end surfaces. A gap may be formed.

  When the inclined end surfaces are formed in the first lock portion and the second lock portion, when the inclined end surfaces are engaged with each other, a component force toward the regulating portion is generated on the inclined end surfaces of the second lock portion. There is no displacement in the direction away from the restricting portion, that is, toward the free space. And it becomes easy to maintain a 2nd lock part in the position which can be locked with a 1st lock part by controlling the displacement of the 2nd lock part which received the component force toward a control part by this control part. As a result, inadvertent disconnection between the connectors in the connector fitting state can be prevented more reliably.

  The second housing of the second connector is formed with a space for confirming the position of the elastic arm portion of the second lock fitting or the position of the interlocking portion interlocking with the elastic arm portion from the outside. Only in one of the completed state and the incomplete state, at least a part of the elastic arm part or at least a part of the interlocking part may be visible through the space. When such a space is formed in the second housing, it is easily recognized whether or not the connector fitting operation is completed depending on whether at least a part of the elastic arm part or at least a part of the interlocking part can be visually recognized. can do.

  In the electrical connector assembly according to the present invention, the second lock fitting of the second connector is provided with an elastic arm portion extending rearward in the connector fitting direction, and the second lock portion of the second lock fitting is the first thick plate. Since the first locking portion of the lock fitting is locked in the connector pull-out direction, the reaction force from the second locking portion is less likely to act on the elastic arm portion in the plate thickness direction. Therefore, the elastic arm portion is not easily deformed, and the locked state between the lock portions can be reliably maintained. Also, when unlocking, the unlocking operation force acts in the thickness direction of the elastic arm, so the elastic arm can be easily elastically displaced, and it can be easily locked without requiring a large unlocking force. Can be canceled.

It is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention, (A) is the state before connector fitting, (B) has shown the state after connector fitting. It is the perspective view which turned upside down and showed the 2nd connector of FIG. 1 (A). It is a perspective view which shows the 1st lock metal fitting of the 1st connector of the electrical connector assembly of FIG. 1, and the 2nd lock metal fitting of a 2nd connector, (A) is the state before connector fitting, (B) is connector fitting. The later state is shown. (A) is a top view of the electrical connector assembly of FIG. 1 (B), and (B) is a sectional view taken along the line IVB-IVB of (A). It is sectional drawing which shows a part of electrical connector in a lock release process, and has shown the edge part in the terminal arrangement | sequence direction of an electrical connector assembly with the cross section in a right angle with respect to a connector width direction. (A) is a top view of the electrical connector assembly in a semi-fitted state, and (B) is a VIB-VIB sectional view of (A). It is a perspective view which shows the 1st lock metal fitting and 2nd lock metal fitting which concern on 2nd embodiment, (A) has shown the state before connector fitting, (B) has shown the state after connector fitting. (A) is a perspective view of the 2nd connector which concerns on 3rd embodiment, (B) is a perspective view which shows the 2nd lock metal fitting of the 2nd connector of (A). It is a perspective view of the 1st lock metal fitting which concerns on 4th embodiment.

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

<First embodiment>
1A and 1B are perspective views of the electrical connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A shows a state before connector fitting, and FIG. 1B shows a state after connector fitting. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the second connector of FIG. The electrical connector assembly according to the present embodiment includes a first connector 1 as a receptacle connector and a second connector 2 as a plug connector that are fitted and connected to each other. The first connector 1 and the second connector 2 are electrical connectors for circuit boards that are arranged on mounting surfaces of different circuit boards (not shown), and are perpendicular to the mounting surfaces of the circuit boards (see FIG. 1 (A) and (B) in the up-and-down direction) are inserted and connected to each other.

  In the present embodiment, the fitting direction of the second connector 2 with respect to the first connector 1, that is, the direction in which the second connector 2 is moved downward in FIG. An upward direction at 1 will be described as a “connector extraction direction”.

[Configuration of the first connector 1]
As shown in FIG. 1A, the first connector 1 includes a first housing 10 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and a length of the first housing 10 parallel to a circuit board mounting surface (not shown). A plurality of first terminals 20 arranged and held in the first housing 10 with the direction as a terminal arrangement direction, and a first lock fitting 30 held in the first housing 10 at both end positions in the terminal arrangement direction Yes.

  The first housing 10 is made of an electrical insulating material such as resin, and as seen in FIG. 1A, the first housing 10 is a bottom surface parallel to the mounting surface (not shown) of the circuit board that is the mounting target surface. A bottom wall 11 extending in the terminal arrangement direction as a longitudinal direction, an end wall 12 rising from the bottom wall 11 at both end positions of the first housing 10 in the terminal arrangement direction, and two rising from the bottom wall 11. It has an intermediate wall 13 that extends in the terminal arrangement direction between the end walls 12 and connects the two end walls 12 to each other. As can be seen in FIG. 1A, the end wall 12 is formed higher than the intermediate wall 13. The intermediate wall 13 has a side surface (a surface perpendicular to the connector width direction) located on the inner side in the connector width direction than the side surface of the end wall 12.

  In the first housing 10, first terminal holding portions 14 for press-fitting and holding the first terminals 20 are arranged in a terminal arrangement range. The first terminal holding portion 14 includes a first terminal lateral groove 14A that extends from the bottom surface of the bottom wall 11 and extends in the connector width direction, and a first terminal that extends from the side surface of the intermediate wall 13 in the terminal arrangement range and extends in the vertical direction. And a vertical groove 14B. The first terminal lateral groove 14 </ b> A accommodates a later-described leg portion of the first terminal 20, and the first terminal longitudinal groove 14 </ b> B accommodates a later-described contact arm portion of the first terminal 20.

  Further, in the first housing 10, the first lock fitting holding portion 15 for press-fitting and holding the first lock fitting 30 is located at the end position outside the terminal arrangement range in the terminal arrangement direction, and the bottom wall 11 and the end wall 12. Is formed so as to penetrate in the vertical direction.

  The first lock fitting holding part 15 is opened inward in the terminal arrangement direction and communicates with a fitting recess 16 (to be described later) of the intermediate wall 13. Of the inner wall surface forming the first lock fitting holding portion 15, the upper end portion of the end inner wall surface perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction projects inward in the terminal arrangement direction at the center position in the connector width direction. A quadrangular columnar main restricting portion 12A is formed. The main restricting portion 12A is positioned so as to be in contact with a plate surface of an elastic arm portion 66 of a second lock fitting 60, which will be described later, provided in the second connector 2 in the connector fitting state. An excessive elastic displacement of the elastic arm portion 66 toward the head is regulated.

  In addition, two side inner wall surfaces (surfaces perpendicular to the connector width direction) of the inner wall surfaces forming the first lock metal fitting holding portion 15 protrude inward in the connector width direction at positions on the terminal arrangement range side and are vertically A strip wall portion 12B extending in the direction is formed.

  At both end positions outside the terminal arrangement range in the terminal arrangement direction of the intermediate wall 13, fitting recesses 16 extending in the vertical direction and opening upward are formed. Is adapted to receive a fitting protrusion 45 (described later) of the second connector 2 from above. The fitting recess 16 is opened outward in the terminal arrangement direction and communicates with the first lock fitting holding portion 15 of the end wall 12.

  As can be seen in FIG. 1A, the first terminals 20 are provided in two rows symmetrical in the connector width direction. The first terminal 20 is formed by punching the metal plate member into a substantially L shape while maintaining the flat surface of the metal plate member, and extends upward from a leg portion extending in the lateral direction and one end of the leg portion. And a contact arm portion. The leg portion is accommodated in the first terminal lateral groove 14A of the first terminal holding portion 14 of the first housing 10 except for the other end side portion (free end side portion), and the other end side portion is the first terminal. A connecting portion 21 extending outward in the connector width direction from the lateral groove 14A is formed. The connecting portion 21 is solder-connected to a corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board when the first connector 1 is mounted on the circuit board.

  The contact arm portion is accommodated in the first terminal vertical groove 14B of the first terminal holding portion 14 of the first housing 10 except for the contact protrusion 22 described later, and the first terminal vertical groove 14B. Thus, it can be elastically displaced in the connector width direction. A contact protrusion 22 is formed at the upper end of the contact arm so as to protrude outward in the connector width direction from the first terminal longitudinal groove 14B. The contact arm portion comes into contact with the second terminal 50 of the second connector 2 with contact pressure at the contact protrusion 22 in the connector fitting state. The first terminal 20 having such a configuration is press-fitted and attached to the first terminal holding portion 14 of the first housing 10 from below in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the first lock fitting 30 of the first connector 1 and the second lock fitting 60 of the second connector 2 of the electrical connector assembly of FIG. , (B) shows a state after connector fitting. The first lock fitting 30 is made by bending a metal plate member, and has an outer plate portion 31 and an inner plate portion 32 which are positioned facing each other with plate surfaces perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, From the lower end of the outer plate 31, the connecting portion 33 that is bent so as to be bent in a curved manner and connects the upper ends of the outer plate 31 and the inner plate 32 at positions close to both ends in the connector width direction. The outer solder fixing portion 34 extends in the connector width direction, and the inner solder fixing portion 35 is bent at the lower end of the inner plate portion 32 and extends inward in the terminal arrangement direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the upper part of the outer plate 31 has an outer upper notch 31A that is notched in a range corresponding to the space between the two connecting parts 33 in the connector width direction and opened upward. Is formed. Further, the outer plate portion 31 is formed such that the lower portion thereof is larger in the connector width direction dimension than the upper portion, and the side edge portion of the lower portion is pressed and held by the first lock fitting holding portion 15 of the first housing 10. It functions as the holding edge 31B.

  The upper part of the inner side plate part 32 includes a range between the two connecting parts 33 in the connector width direction, and is cut out in a wider range than between the connecting parts 33 and is opened upward. A portion 32A is formed. The lower edge of the inner upper notch 32 </ b> A is located below the lower edge of the outer upper notch 31 </ b> A of the outer plate part 31. Further, the lower part of the inner plate part 32 is cut in a narrower range than the inner upper notch part 32A in the central region in the connector width direction, and an inner lower notch part 32B opened downward is formed. Two leg plate portions 32C extending in the vertical direction are formed on both sides of the inner lower notch 32B. An inner solder fixing portion 35 extends from the lower end of each of the two leg plate portions 32C. In addition, a portion located in the middle region of the connector width direction in the middle portion of the inner plate portion 32 in the vertical direction, that is, a portion located immediately above the inner lower cutout portion 32B is outward in the terminal arrangement direction, as will be described later. It is formed as a sub-regulating portion 32D that regulates excessive elastic displacement of the elastic arm portion 66 of the second connector 2 facing (see also FIG. 4B).

  The connecting portion 33 has an inner portion in the connector width direction located within the range of the inner upper cutout portion 32 </ b> A, and this portion is the lower edge of the second lock fitting 60 provided on the second connector 2. Is formed as a first lock portion 33A that can be locked in the connector pull-out direction (upward) with respect to a later-described second lock portion 66A-1 (see also FIG. 4B).

  The first lock fitting 30 having such a configuration is press-fitted into the first lock fitting holding portion 15 of the first housing 10 from below in FIG. 1A, and the held edge portion 31B is the first lock fitting holding portion. It is attached to the first housing 10 by biting into 15 corresponding inner wall surfaces. In the first lock fitting 30, the lower surface (plate thickness surface) of the outer solder fixing portion 34 and the lower surface (plate surface) of the inner solder fixing portion 35 are soldered to corresponding portions of the circuit board, respectively. Fixed.

[Configuration of the second connector 2]
As shown in FIG. 1A, the second connector 2 includes a second housing 40 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and a length of the second housing 40 parallel to the mounting surface (not shown) of the circuit board. A plurality of second terminals 50 arranged and held in the second housing 40 with the direction as a terminal arrangement direction, and a second lock fitting 60 held in the second housing 40 at both end positions in the terminal arrangement direction. Yes. In the present embodiment, the circuit board on which the second connector 2 is mounted has a shape that fits in a range between protrusions 41B of the second housing 40 described later in the terminal arrangement direction.

  The second housing 40 is made of an electric insulating material such as resin, and as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, a mounting surface (not shown) of a circuit board that is a mounting target surface. ) Having a bottom surface parallel to the terminal wall and extending in the terminal arrangement direction as a longitudinal direction, a rectangular frame-shaped peripheral wall 42 rising from the bottom wall 41, and protruding from the bottom wall 41 at both outer positions of the terminal arrangement range. And a lock release operation portion 46 that is connected to an end wall 44 (to be described later) of the peripheral wall 42 and can be elastically displaced in the terminal arrangement direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral wall 42 has two side walls 43 extending in the terminal arrangement direction, and two end walls extending in the connector width direction perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction and connecting the ends of the side walls 43 to each other. 44. In the present embodiment, the end walls 44 connect the end portions of the side walls 43 at positions slightly inward from the edge positions of the side walls 43 in the terminal arrangement direction.

  A space formed in the peripheral wall 42 and opened upward in FIG. 2 forms a receiving portion 47 for receiving the first connector 1. The receiving portion 47 is formed on both end sides in the terminal arrangement direction and is formed between the end receiving portion 47A for receiving the end wall 12 of the first connector 1 and the two end receiving portions 47A. An intermediate receiving portion 47B for receiving the intermediate wall 13 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fitting protrusion 45 has a substantially U shape in which a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the vertical direction opens outward in the terminal arrangement direction, and extends from the bottom wall 41 to the peripheral wall 42. It protrudes in a columnar shape to almost the same height. A groove-shaped recess formed in the fitting protrusion 45 that opens outward in the terminal arrangement direction and extends in the up-down direction is an accommodation for accommodating the extension 63 of the second lock fitting 60, as will be described later. A recess 45A is formed.

  The unlocking operation part 46 is located outside the end wall 44 in the terminal arrangement direction, and is used for releasing the locked state between the first lock fitting 30 and the second lock fitting 60 when the connector is pulled out. It receives the unlocking operation (pressing force toward the inside of the terminal arrangement direction). As shown in FIG. 2, the unlocking operation portion 46 is connected to two elastic base portions 46A extending downward from the upper edge of the end wall 44, and the lower ends of the two elastic base portions 46A. A plate-like operation receiving portion 46B facing the outer surface. The unlocking operation unit 46 can be elastically displaced in the terminal arrangement direction with the elastic base 46A as a fulcrum. Further, the operation receiving portion 46B is provided so as to occupy a wide area with respect to the outer surface of the end wall 44 (see FIG. 2) when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction, and the area of the pressure-receiving surface that receives the unlocking operation force is large. Largely secured.

  When the operation receiving portion 46B receives an unlocking operation force directed inward in the terminal arrangement direction on its plate surface, the operation receiving portion 46B is in the space 40A formed between the outer surface of the end wall 44 due to the elastic displacement of the elastic base portion 46A. Thus, it is elastically displaced inward in the terminal arrangement direction (direction approaching the end wall 44). In addition, as shown in FIG. 4B, the operation receiving portion 46B is positioned in the vicinity of a pressure-receiving portion 67B, which will be described later, of the second lock fitting 60 in the free state. When the operation force is received and elastically displaced, the pressure-receiving portion 67B is pressed and the unlocking operation force is transmitted to the pressure-receiving portion 67B.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the circuit board on which the second connector 2 is mounted has a shape that fits in a range between protrusions 41B described later of the second housing 40 in the terminal arrangement direction. There is no. In other words, the unlocking operation unit 46 is located outside the range of the circuit board in the terminal arrangement direction. Therefore, when the connector is pulled out, even if the two unlocking operation portions 46 are operated so as to hold the second connector 2 with one hand, the finger does not interfere with the circuit board. The unlocking operation force can be applied easily.

  Further, in the second housing 40, second terminal holding portions 48 for holding the second terminals 50 are formed and arranged in a terminal arrangement range. The second terminal holding portion 48 includes a second terminal lateral groove 48A extending in the connector width direction along the bottom surface of the bottom wall 41, a second terminal vertical groove 48B extending in the vertical direction along the inner surface of the side wall 43, There is a second terminal vertical hole 48C penetrating the bottom wall 11 in the vertical direction at an inner position in the connector width direction than the two-terminal vertical groove 48B.

  A second lock fitting holding portion 49 for accommodating and holding the second lock fitting 60 is formed at both ends of the second housing 40 in the terminal arrangement direction, that is, at a portion located outside the terminal arrangement range in the terminal arrangement direction. Has been. The shape of the second lock fitting holding portion 49 will be described in detail after the shape of the second lock fitting 60 is described.

  The first terminals 20 are provided in two rows that are symmetrical in the connector width direction, as seen in FIGS. The second terminal 50 is formed by punching the metal plate member while maintaining the flat surface of the metal plate member. As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, the second terminal 50 is formed in the connector width direction. A contact arm 52 extending upward from a substantially central position of the leg 51 in the connector width direction, and upward at an inner position in the connector width direction than the contact arm 52. And a held portion 53 that extends. The leg 51 has an end on the outer side in the connector width direction extending outside the second housing 40, and this extended portion is formed as a connection portion 51 </ b> A for solder connection with the corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board. Yes. In the contact arm portion 52, a free end side portion (upper end portion in FIG. 2) forms a contact portion for contact with the first terminal 20 of the first connector 1. Further, the held portion 53 is formed shorter than the contact arm portion 52.

  In the second terminal 50, the held portion 53 is press-fitted into the second terminal vertical hole 48C of the second terminal holding portion 48 of the second housing 40 from the lower side in FIG. 2 (upper side in FIG. 1A). Thus, the second terminal holding portion 48 holds the second terminal holding portion 48. In a state where the second terminal 50 is held by the second terminal holding portion 48, the leg portion 51 is accommodated in the second terminal lateral groove 48A of the second terminal holding portion 48 except for the connecting portion 51A, and the contact arm portion 52 is The second terminal longitudinal groove 48B is accommodated. As shown in FIG. 2, the thickness of the contact arm 52 is exposed toward the receiving portion 47, and the thickness of the contact arm 52 against the contact protrusion 22 of the first terminal 20 of the first connector 1. The contact is made with contact pressure.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the second lock fitting 60 is made by bending a metal plate member, and is attached to the second housing 40 in a posture in which the plate surface is perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction. A fixed portion 61 to be fixed, a folded portion 65 bent in the plate thickness direction so as to be folded upward from a lower end of an extension portion 63 to be described later of the fixed portion 61, and upward from the folded portion 65 An elastic arm portion 66 extending toward the plate thickness direction and elastically displaceable in the plate thickness direction; an interlocking portion 67 extending outward from the upper end of the elastic arm portion 66 in the terminal arrangement direction; and interlocking with the elastic arm portion 66; A central solder fixing portion 68 extending inward in the terminal arrangement direction from the upper edge of the fixing portion at the center in the width direction is provided.

  The fixing portion 61 includes a base portion 62 extending in the connector width direction, an extension portion 63 extending downward from the lower edge of the base portion 62 at the center position and both end positions of the base portion 62 in the connector width direction, and a held portion. Arm portion 64. As shown in FIG. 3 (A), the base 62 is formed with the upper portions at both end positions in the connector width direction as side solder fixing portions 62A for solder fixing to corresponding portions of the circuit board. . The side solder fixing portion 62A is solder-fixed to the corresponding portion of the circuit board at its upper edge surface (plate thickness surface).

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the elastic arm portion 66 is bent at a middle position in the vertical direction in a stepped manner in the plate thickness direction, and is positioned below the bent plate portion 66A. A lower plate portion 66B, and an upper plate portion 66C positioned above the bent plate portion 66A. The upper plate portion 66C is located outside the lower plate portion 66B in the terminal arrangement direction, that is, on the side away from the extending portion 63 (see also FIG. 4B).

  In the present embodiment, the lower plate portion 66B of the elastic arm portion 66 is formed such that the lower half portion has a narrow width (the same size as the folded portion 65), and the width increases as the upper half portion moves upward. Is formed. Further, the bent plate portion 66A is formed to be wide with the same size as the maximum width size of the lower plate portion 66B, and the upper plate portion 66C has a narrow width (downward from the central region in the width direction of the upper edge of the bent plate portion 66A. The same dimension as the lower half of the plate portion 66B) extends upward. Therefore, a stepped portion is formed at both ends of the bent plate portion 66A in the width direction at the upper end portion of the bent plate portion 66A, and the stepped portion forms the second lock portion 66A-1. The second lock portion 66A-1 is an upper edge surface (plate thickness surface) of the second lock portion 66A-1 with respect to the first lock portion 33A of the first lock fitting 30 in the connector fitting state. It is positioned so that it can be locked in the connector extraction direction (see FIG. 4B).

  The interlocking portion 67 is bent at the upper end of the elastic arm portion 66 and extends toward the outside of the terminal arrangement direction (direction away from the fixing portion 61), and is bent at the end portion of the base arm portion 67A and downward. And a pressurized portion 67B extending toward the surface. The pressure-receiving portion 67B receives the unlocking operation force from the unlocking operation portion 46 of the second housing 40 on the plate surface when unlocking. Further, the pressure-receiving portion 67B is formed with a visual recognition portion 67B-1 projecting outward in the connector width direction at the lower portion thereof. As will be described later, the visual recognition part 67B-1 is a part that is visually recognized from the outside of the connector in order to confirm whether or not the connector fitting operation has been normally completed.

  The central solder fixing portion 68 is bent at the upper edge of the base portion 62 at the center position in the connector width direction of the base portion 62 of the fixing portion 61 and extends inward in the terminal arrangement direction. The central solder fixing portion 68 is solder-fixed to a corresponding portion of the circuit board on the upper surface (plate surface) in FIG.

  Next, returning to the description of the second housing 40 based on FIGS. 1 (A), 1 (B) and FIG. Hereinafter, the shape for accommodating and holding the second lock fitting 60 in the second housing 40 will be described. The second housing 40 has a second lock fitting holding portion 49 for accommodating and holding the base portion 62 and the held arm portion 64 of the second lock fitting 60 at positions corresponding to both ends of the intermediate receiving portion 47B in the terminal arrangement direction. Is formed. The second lock fitting holding portion 49 includes a bottom groove portion 49A extending in the connector width direction along the bottom wall 41, and a holding hole portion (not shown) extending upward from the bottom groove portion 49A in the side wall 43. Have. A base portion 62 of the second lock fitting 60 is accommodated in the bottom groove portion 49A, and a held arm portion 64 of the second lock fitting 60 is press-fitted and held in the holding hole portion.

  The fitting protrusion 45 of the second housing 40 is formed with an accommodation recess 45 </ b> A for accommodating the extension 63 of the second lock fitting 60. 45 A of accommodation recessed parts are submerged from the surface (surface orthogonal to a terminal arrangement direction) located in the end receiving part 47A side among the outer peripheral wall surfaces (four surfaces extended in an up-down direction) of the fitting protrusion 45, and up-down It extends in the direction and communicates with the outside through a bottom recess 41A of the bottom wall 41 described later.

  On the bottom wall 41 of the second housing 40, as seen in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B), the second lock fitting is located in a range outside the second lock fitting holding portion 49 in the terminal arrangement direction. A bottom recess 41A for accommodating the base arm portion 67A of the 60 interlocking portions 67 is formed. The bottom recess 41A extends in the terminal arrangement direction in the center region of the bottom wall 41 in the connector width direction, and communicates with a space 40A formed between the end wall 44 and the unlocking operation portion 46. 4B, the space 40A accommodates the pressure-receiving portion 67B of the interlocking portion 67. As shown in FIG.

  In addition, as seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the bottom wall 41 has both end positions in the terminal arrangement direction and two places within the range of the bottom recess 41A in the connector width direction. A protruding portion 41B that protrudes outward in the terminal arrangement direction is formed. The protruding portion 41B is formed at the same position as the visual recognition portion 67B-1 of the second lock fitting 60 in the connector width direction (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). When the second connector 2 is viewed from the bottom wall 41 side, the visual recognition part 67B-1 is hidden by being positioned above the visual recognition part 67B-1 in a state in which the joint operation is not completed. (See FIGS. 6A and 6B).

  In the space 40A, when the connector fitting operation is properly completed between the protruding portion 41B of the bottom wall 41 and the operation receiving portion 46B of the unlocking operation portion 46 in the terminal arrangement direction, A gap 40A-1 that allows the visual recognition part 67B-1 to be viewed from the bottom wall 41 side of the connector 2 is formed (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). As described above, the circuit board on which the second connector 2 is mounted has a shape that fits within the range between the protruding portions 41B in the terminal arrangement direction. When viewed from the side (arrow P in FIG. 4B), the gap 40A-1 is not covered by the circuit board, and the viewing portion 67B-1 can be seen through the gap 40A-1.

  When the connector is assembled, the holding arm portion 64 of the second lock fitting 60 is held from the bottom wall 41 side (upward in FIG. 1A, downward in FIG. 2) from the holding hole portion (not shown) of the second housing 40. The second lock fitting 60 is attached to the second housing 40 by press-fitting into the second housing 40. In a state where the second lock fitting 60 is attached to the second housing 40, the second lock fitting 60 has a base 62 at the bottom groove 49A, an extension 63 at the receiving recess 45A, and an elastic arm 66 at the end receiving portion. 47A and the interlocking part 67 are accommodated in the bottom recess 41A and the space 40A, respectively. The folded portion 65 of the second lock fitting 60 is housed in the housing recess 45A in the half on the extending portion 63 side and in the end receiving portion 47A in the half on the elastic arm portion 66 side.

  Next, based on FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 5, the connector fitting operation | movement of the 1st connector 1 and the 2nd connector 2 and a connector extraction operation | movement are demonstrated. Moreover, based on FIG. 6, the detection of what is called a half-fitting state which is an incomplete state in connector fitting operation | movement is demonstrated.

[Connector mating operation]
First, the connection part 21 of the first terminal 20 of the first connector 1 is soldered to the corresponding circuit part of the circuit board, and the outer solder fixing part 34 and the inner solder fixing part 35 of the first lock fitting 30 are respectively connected to the circuit board. The first connector 1 is mounted on the circuit board by soldering to the corresponding part. Further, the connecting portion 51A of the second terminal 50 of the second connector 2 is soldered to the corresponding circuit portion of another circuit board, and the side solder fixing portion 62A and the central solder fixing portion 68 of the second lock fitting 60 are respectively connected. The second connector 2 is mounted on the other circuit board by soldering to the corresponding part of the other circuit board.

  Next, as seen in FIG. 1 (A), the first connector 1 is in a posture in which the fitting recess 16 is opened upward, and the second connector 2 is in a posture in which the receiving portion 47 is opened downward. One connector 1 is brought to a position above. Then, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1A, the second connector 2 is moved downward, and the fitting protrusion 45 of the second connector 2 is moved upward into the fitting recess 16 of the first connector 1. Insert from. At the same time, the end wall 12 and the intermediate wall 13 of the first connector 1 are fitted into the end receiving portion 47A and the intermediate receiving portion 47B of the second connector 2 from below.

  In the connector fitting process, the contact arm portion 52 of the second terminal 50 of the second connector 2 abuts on the contact protrusion 22 of the first terminal 20 of the first connector 1 so that the contact arm portion of the first terminal 20 is moved. It is elastically displaced inward in the connector width direction. Even in the state where the connector fitting is completed, the contact arm portion of the first terminal 20 remains elastically displaced. As a result, the contact protrusion 22 of the first terminal 20 becomes the contact arm portion of the second terminal 50. The contact state with the contact pressure is maintained, and the terminals 20 and 50 are electrically connected to each other.

  Further, in the connector fitting process, the lower surface of the second lock portion 66A-1 of the elastic arm portion 66 of the second lock fitting 60 provided on the second connector 2 is on the upper surface (convex curved surface) of the connecting portion 33. Abut. When the second lock fitting 60 further moves downward, the second lock portion 66A-1 receives a pressing force directed inward in the terminal arrangement direction from the first lock portion 33A of the connecting portion 33, and the elastic arm portion 66 With the base of the elastic arm 66 as a fulcrum, it is elastically displaced inward in the terminal arrangement direction, and the second lock fitting 60 can be further moved.

  When the second lock fitting 60 moves further downward and the second lock portion 66A-1 reaches a position below the first lock portion 33A, the elastic arm portion 66 is released from the elastic displacement state and becomes free. 4B, the second lock portion 66A-1 enters the inside upper cutout portion 32A of the first lock fitting 30, and is brought to a position directly below the first lock portion 33A. As a result, the upper edge surface (plate thickness surface) of the second lock portion 66A-1 and the lower edge surface (plate thickness surface) of the first lock portion 33A face each other and face each other, and the connector extraction direction (upward) It will be in the locked state which can be latched by.

  Thus, the terminals 20 and 50 are in contact with each other, and the lock fittings 30 and 60 are in lock to complete the fitting operation between the connectors 1 and 2. When the connector fitting operation is normally completed, as described above, the elastic arm portion 66 of the second lock fitting 60 has returned to the free state, and in this free state, FIGS. As seen in B), the visual recognition part 67B-1 of the second lock fitting 60 is located immediately below the gap 40A-1 of the second housing 40. Accordingly, when the second connector 2 is viewed from the bottom wall 41 side (arrow P in FIG. 4B), the connector fitting operation is completed by visually recognizing the viewing portion 67B-1 through the gap 40A-1. Can be easily recognized.

  In this embodiment, as often seen in FIG. 4B, the second lock fitting 60 of the second connector 2 has an elastic arm portion 66 extending upward. Therefore, in the connector fitting state, an external force directed toward the connector extraction direction (upward in FIG. 4B) acts on the second connector 2 inadvertently, and the second lock fitting 60 is When the lock portion 66A-1 is locked to the first lock portion 33A of the first lock fitting 30 with its plate thickness, the reaction force from the first lock portion 33A acts on the elastic arm portion 66 with a vertical component. . The reaction force is likely to act along the plate surface of the elastic arm portion 66 and hardly acts in the plate thickness direction of the elastic arm portion 66 (left-right direction in FIG. 4B). Accordingly, the elastic arm portion 66 itself is hardly deformed, and the locked state between the lock portions 33A and 66A-1 can be reliably maintained.

  Further, in the connector fitting state, the protruding top surface of the main restricting portion 12 </ b> A of the first housing 10 is positioned so as to be close to and contactable with the plate surface of the upper plate portion 66 </ b> C of the elastic arm portion 66 of the second lock fitting 60. In addition, the elastic displacement of the elastic arm portion 66 beyond the predetermined amount toward the outside in the terminal arrangement direction is restricted. Further, the plate surface of the sub-regulating portion 32D of the first lock fitting 30 is positioned so as to be able to come into contact with and close to the plate surface of the lower plate portion 66B of the elastic arm portion 66 of the second lock fitting 60. An elastic displacement of a predetermined amount or more of the elastic arm portion 66 directed outward in the direction is restricted. In this way, by restricting the elastic displacement of the elastic arm portion 66 toward the outside in the terminal arrangement direction, the second lock portion 66A-1 of the elastic arm portion 66 is connected to the first lock portion 33A of the first lock fitting 30. The lock portions 33A and 66A-1 can be prevented from coming off in the thickness direction of each other, and inadvertent removal of the connectors 1 and 2 can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the main restricting portion 12 </ b> A is formed in the first housing 10, but the main restricting portion may be formed in the first lock fitting 30 instead. For example, in the region facing the upper plate portion 66C of the elastic arm portion 66 of the second lock fitting 60 in the outer plate portion 31 of the first lock fitting 30, toward the upper plate portion 66C (inward in the terminal arrangement direction). The main restricting portion protruding in this manner may be formed by embossing or the like. Further, the entire outer plate 31 is provided on the inner side in the terminal arrangement direction (right side in FIG. 4B) with respect to the position in FIG. A plate surface in a region facing the upper plate portion 66C of the elastic arm portion 66 may be used as the main restricting portion.

  In the present embodiment, the elastic arm portion 66 of the second lock fitting 60 is in a free state in the connector fitting state. Instead, for example, the elastic arm portion 66 is connected to the connector fitting state. The plate surface may be brought into contact with the main restricting portion 12A with contact pressure without returning to the free state. In this way, the plate surface of the elastic arm portion 66 abuts against the main restricting portion 12A with contact pressure, so that the elastic arm portion 66 can be reliably prevented from being displaced inward in the terminal arrangement direction. Therefore, it becomes easy to maintain the second lock portion 66A-1 of the elastic arm portion 66 at a position where the second lock portion 66A-1 can be locked with the first lock portion 33A, and the unintentional disconnection between the connectors 1 and 2 in the connector fitting state is more reliably ensured. Can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the first lock portion 33A and the second lock portion 66A-1 can be locked with each other at the plate thickness surfaces perpendicular to the connector fitting direction (vertical direction). Instead, the first lock portion 33A and the second lock portion 66A-1 are inclined in the plate thickness direction with respect to the plane perpendicular to the connector fitting direction (right in FIG. 4B). It is also possible that the inclined end surfaces formed as plate thickness surfaces inclined downward toward the direction can be locked in the connector extraction direction.

  As described above, when the inclined end surfaces are formed on the first lock portion 33A and the second lock portion 66A-1, when the inclined end surfaces are engaged with each other, the inclined end surfaces of the second lock portion 66A-1 are moved outward in the terminal arrangement direction. Therefore, the second lock portion 66A-1 is not displaced inward in the terminal arrangement direction. Then, by restricting the displacement of the second lock portion 66A-1 that has received the component force directed outward in the terminal arrangement direction by the main restricting portion 12A, the second lock portion 66A-1 is connected to the first lock portion 33A. It becomes easy to maintain the lockable position. As a result, inadvertent disconnection between the connectors 1 and 2 in the connector fitting state can be prevented more reliably. Further, at this time, in the connector fitting state, a gap is provided between the inclined end faces in the vertical direction to allow the second lock portion 66A-1 to be displaced inward in the terminal arrangement direction when unlocking. Need to be.

[Connector extraction operation]
Next, the connector extracting operation will be described with reference to FIG. In order to pull out the connectors 1 and 2 in the connector fitting state, first, the lock release operation part 46 of the second connector 2 is operated to release the lock state between the lock fittings 30 and 60. At the time of unlocking, the second connector 2 is pinched from both sides in the terminal arrangement direction, and the two unlocking operation parts 46 are pressed inward in the terminal arrangement direction, so that the unlocking operation part 46 is unlocked. Apply operating force.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the process in which the unlocking operation unit 46 receiving the unlocking operation force is elastically displaced inward in the terminal arrangement direction, the unlocking operation unit 46 is pressed against the second lock fitting 60. It contacts the plate surface of 67B. Therefore, the unlocking operation force directed inward in the terminal arrangement direction is transmitted from the pressure-receiving portion 67B to the upper end portion of the elastic arm portion 66 through the base arm portion 67A.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, since the elastic arm portion 66 is elastically displaced inward in the terminal arrangement direction with the base portion of the elastic arm portion 66 as a fulcrum, the second lock portion 66A-1 of the elastic arm portion 66 is obtained. Is also displaced inwardly in the terminal arrangement direction from the position immediately below the first lock portion 33A, and is brought to a position where the connector can be pulled out without being locked to the first lock portion 33A of the first lock fitting 30. Then, the second connector 2 is lifted upward while the unlocking operation force is applied to the unlocking operation portion 46, that is, the second lock portion 66A-1 is positioned at the connector extractable position. The second connector 2 can be extracted from the first connector 1.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the unlocking operation force from the unlocking operation portion 46 is inward in the terminal arrangement direction with respect to the elastic arm portion 66 extending upward in FIG. To the right side), that is, in the thickness direction of the elastic arm portion 66. Therefore, since the elastic arm portion 66 can be easily elastically displaced by applying a large bending stress to the elastic arm portion 66, it can be easily unlocked without requiring a large unlocking force.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the unlocking operation force acts on the upper end portion of the elastic arm portion 66 in FIG. 5, so that a large amount of elastic displacement of the elastic arm portion 66 and thus the second lock portion 66A-1 is ensured. be able to. Therefore, the second lock portion 66A-1 can be easily displaced to a position where the second lock portion 66A-1 is not engaged with the first lock portion 33A, and the lock can be reliably released.

  In the present embodiment, the pressure-receiving portion 67B of the interlocking portion 67 of the second lock fitting 60 receives the unlocking operation force from the unlocking operation portion 46 of the second housing 40. It is not essential to receive at part 67B. For example, the interlocking portion 67 may be omitted from the second lock fitting 60 and a pressing portion that extends toward the elastic arm portion 66 of the second lock fitting 60 may be provided in the unlocking operation portion 46. According to such a form, when the unlocking operation portion 46 receives the unlocking operation force, the pressing portion presses the plate surface of the elastic arm portion 66 inward in the terminal arrangement direction, and the elastic arm portion 66. Will be elastically displaced to bring the second lock portion 66A-1 to the connector extractable position.

  In the present embodiment, the elastic arm portion 66 of the second lock fitting 60 extends upward via the folded portion 65 folded at the lower end of the extending portion 63, but instead of this, for example, It is also possible to form an elastic arm portion that is formed of a wide plate-like member and that extends upward by being partly raised and elastically displaced in the plate thickness direction. In this case, the elastic arm portion is elastically displaced with a base portion of the elastic arm portion, that is, a connecting portion with the extension portion as a fulcrum.

  In this embodiment, the elastic arm portion 66 of the second lock fitting 60 is entirely located in the free space. Instead, the lower portion of the elastic arm portion is integrally molded with the second housing. It may be fixed by molding. In this case, the elastic arm portion is elastically displaced with the base portion of the elastic arm portion, that is, the boundary position with the second housing as a fulcrum.

[Recognition of incomplete connector mating]
When the connector fitting operation is not completed, the second lock portion 66A-1 of the second lock fitting 60 contacts the first lock portion 33A of the first lock fitting 30 as seen in FIG. 6B. As a result, the elastic arm portion 66 of the second lock fitting 60 is elastically displaced inward in the terminal arrangement direction (see also FIG. 6A). In such a connector fitting incomplete state, the interlocking portion 67 of the second lock fitting 60 is also displaced inward in the terminal arrangement direction in conjunction with the elastic arm portion 66, as seen in FIG. As described above, the visual recognition part 67B-1 provided in the pressure-receiving part 67B of the interlocking part 67 is located immediately below the protruding part 41B of the second housing 40. Accordingly, as seen in FIG. 6A, when the second connector 2 is viewed from the bottom wall 41 side (arrow P in FIG. 6B), the visual recognition portion 67B-1 is hidden by the protruding portion 41B. And cannot be seen. Thus, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily recognize that the connector fitting operation is incomplete because the visual recognition part 67B-1 cannot be visually recognized.

  When the connector fitting incomplete state is recognized, the second connector 2 may be further pushed in the connector fitting direction to bring it to the connector fitting completion position. As described above, the connector fitting state can be easily recognized by visually recognizing the visual recognition part 67B-1 of the second lock fitting 60 through the gap 40A-1 of the second housing 40.

  In this embodiment, the visual recognition part 67B-1 is visually recognized when the connector operation is completed, and the visual recognition part 67B-1 is not visually recognized when the connector operation is not completed. Instead, the connector operation is completed. The visual recognition part 67B-1 may not be visually recognized at times, and the visual recognition part 67B-1 may be visually recognized when the connector operation is not completed. Further, in the present embodiment, the visual recognition part 67B-1 is provided in the pressure-receiving part 67B, but the part in which the visual recognition part is provided is not limited to this. For example, the base arm part 67A and the elastic arm part 66 of the interlocking part 67 are provided. It may be. That is, the visual recognition part should just be provided in the part which interlock | cooperates with the elastic arm part 66 itself or this elastic arm part 66.

<Second embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the first lock portion 33A of the first lock fitting 30 of the first connector 1 is formed on each of the two connecting portions 33 provided separately from each other in the connector width direction. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a first lock portion 133A is formed in one connecting portion 133 extending over the entire connector width direction.

  7A and 7B are perspective views showing the first lock fitting 130 and the second lock fitting 160 according to the second embodiment, in which FIG. 7A shows a state before connector fitting, and FIG. 7B shows a state after connector fitting. Show. In FIG. 7, about the part corresponding to each part in 1st embodiment, the code | symbol which added "100" to the code | symbol in 1st embodiment is attached | subjected. Hereinafter, based on FIG. 7, it demonstrates centering around a different structure from 1st embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first lock fitting 130 of the present embodiment connects the two connecting portions 33 of the first lock fitting 30 of the first embodiment to form one connecting portion 133, and an outer plate. The outer upper notch 31 </ b> A of the portion 31 is filled into a substantially rectangular outer plate 131. Further, the inner plate portion 132 is formed with an inner hole 132A having a horizontally long rectangular shape penetrating in the plate thickness direction at the upper portion thereof, and one connecting portion 133 extends in the entire width direction of the connector and the outer plate portion 131 and the inner plate. The upper ends of the part 132 are connected to each other. In the first lock fitting 130 having such a configuration, the upper edge portion of the inner hole portion 132A of the inner plate portion 132 is formed by the lower edge portion of the connecting portion 133, and the inner hole portion 132A of the lower edge portion is formed. Portions located at both end regions in the connector width direction are formed as first lock portions 133A.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second lock fitting 160 includes two upper lock portions 66A-1 of the bent plate portion 66A in the elastic arm portion 66 of the second lock fitting 60 of the first embodiment. It is shaped so as to be shifted from 66C outward in the terminal arrangement direction (in a direction away from the extending portion 63). In the second lock fitting 160 having such a shape, the two second lock portions 166A-1 enter into the inner hole 132A of the first lock fitting 130 in the connector fitting state. As a result, the upper end surface (plate thickness surface) of the second lock portion 166A-1 is positioned so as to be engageable in the connector pull-out direction directly below the lower end surface (plate thickness surface) of the first lock portion 133A, and is locked. It becomes.

  In the present embodiment, the lower edge portion (upper edge portion of the inner hole portion 132A) of the connecting portion 133 of the first lock fitting 130 is provided over the entire region in the connector width direction, so the first lock portion 33A of the first embodiment. Compared to the above, it is possible to ensure a large range of the first lock portion 133A in the connector width direction. Therefore, in the locked state, even if the second lock portion 166A-1 of the second lock fitting 160 is displaced in the connector width direction due to inadvertent external force, the second lock portion 166A-1 is changed to the first lock portion 133A. On the other hand, it can be reliably locked and the locked state can be maintained.

<Third embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the lock release operation part 46 is provided in the second housing 140 of the second connector 2, but in the third embodiment, the lock release operation part is provided in the second lock fitting itself, The lock release operation portion is directly subjected to the lock release operation force, and this is different from the first embodiment.

  8A is a perspective view of the second connector 202 according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing the second lock fitting 260 of the second connector 202 of FIG. 8A. . In FIG. 8, about the part corresponding to each part in 1st embodiment, the code | symbol which added "200" to the code | symbol in 1st embodiment is attached | subjected. Hereinafter, based on FIG. 8, it demonstrates centering on a different structure from 1st embodiment. Further, the first connector (not shown) of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the first connector 1 of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the second lock fitting 260 of the present embodiment has a lower end of the pressure-receiving portion 67B of the second lock fitting 60 of the first embodiment inward in the terminal arrangement direction ( The shape is bent toward the elastic arm portion 66 side. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the pressure-receiving portion 267B is located outside the second housing 240, and functions as an unlock operation portion for receiving the unlock operation force. The pressure-receiving portion 267B is formed wider than the base arm portion 267A, and a large area of the pressure-receiving surface that receives the unlocking operation force is secured. In the present embodiment, the upper end of the pressure-receiving portion 267B is bent toward the inner side in the terminal arrangement direction (the elastic arm portion 266 side) in the same manner as the lower end, and the width at the boundary position with the base arm portion 267A. Restricted portions 267B-2 are provided at both ends in the direction, and as described later, the movement of the second housing 240 inward and upward in the terminal arrangement direction is restricted by the restricting protrusion 240B-1. ing.

  As seen in FIG. 8A, the second housing 240 of the second connector 202 is not provided with the unlocking operation portion as in the first embodiment. At both ends of the second housing 240 in the terminal arrangement direction, end groove portions 240B that extend through the end wall 244 and the bottom wall 241 in the vertical direction and are opened outward in the terminal arrangement direction are formed. The end groove portion 240B accommodates a part of the interlocking portion 267 of the second lock fitting 260 at the upper portion thereof.

  In addition, a restriction protrusion 240B-1 protruding inward in the connector width direction is formed on the upper end portion of the opposed inner wall surface (surface perpendicular to the connector width direction) of the end groove portion 240B. The restricting protrusion 240B-1 is an upper restricting surface (a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction) that restricts the upward movement of the restricted portion 267B-2 in a state where the pressure receiving portion 267B receives the unlocking operation force. ) And a side regulating surface (a surface perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction) that restricts movement of the regulated portion 267B-2 by a predetermined amount or more inward in the terminal arrangement direction.

  In the present embodiment, when the connector is pulled out, the unlocking operation force directed inward in the terminal arrangement direction is applied to the plate surface of the pressure-receiving portion 267B of the second lock fitting 260. When the unlocking operation force is transmitted to the upper end portion of the elastic arm portion 266 via the base arm portion 267A, the elastic arm portion 266 is elastically displaced inward in the terminal arrangement direction, and the second lock of the elastic arm portion 266 is performed. The portion 266A-1 is brought to the connector extraction possible position without being locked to the first lock portion of the first lock fitting. Then, by lifting the second connector 202 upward while applying the unlocking operation force to the pressed part 267B, that is, with the second lock part 266A-1 positioned at the connector extraction possible position, The second connector 202 can be extracted from the first connector.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, in the state which elastically displaced the elastic arm part 266, the terminal of the to-be-restricted part 267B-2 of the second lock metal fitting 260 by the side restriction surface of the restriction protrusion 240B-1 of the second housing 240. Movement of a predetermined amount or more inward in the arrangement direction is restricted, and excessive elastic displacement of the elastic arm portion 266 is prevented. At this time, the restricted portion 267B-2 is located immediately below the upper restriction surface of the restriction protrusion 240B-1, and the upward movement of the restricted portion 267B-2 is restricted by the upper restriction surface. When the second connector 2 is pulled out upward, the second lock fitting 260 is prevented from being inadvertently detached from the second housing 240.

  In this embodiment, since the unlocking operation part (pressured part 267B) and the second lock part 266A-1 that directly receive the unlocking operation are both provided in the second lock fitting 260, the pressured part 267B is The received unlocking operation force can be reliably transmitted to the elastic arm portion 266, and the second lock portion 266A-1 can be displaced to the connector extractable position. In addition, since the pressure-receiving portion 267B originally provided in the second lock fitting 260 is used as the unlocking operation portion, there is no need to newly provide a portion for receiving the unlocking operation force. The shape of 260 is not complicated.

<Fourth embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the first lock portion 33A of the first lock fitting 30 can be locked to the second lock portion 66A-1 of the second lock fitting 60 by its plate thickness surface. In the embodiment, the first lock portion 33A of the first lock fitting 30 can be locked to the second lock portion of the second lock fitting on the plate surface, and in this respect, the configuration of the first embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Is different.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first lock fitting 330 according to the fourth embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration of the first lock fitting 330 will be mainly described with reference to FIG. In addition, the first housing, the first terminal, and the second connector (not shown) of the first connector of the present embodiment are basically the same as the first housing 10, the first terminal 20, and the second connector 2 of the first embodiment. Since the general configuration is the same, the description is omitted.

  The first lock fitting 330 is made by bending a band-shaped metal plate member in the plate thickness direction, and has two held leg portions 331 extending in the vertical direction facing each other with plate surfaces perpendicular to the connector width direction. The upper plate portion 332 extending in the connector width direction and connecting the upper ends of the two held leg portions 331, and the solder fixing portion 333 extending from each held leg portion 331 outward in the connector width direction. Yes.

  The held leg 331 is formed with a held protrusion 331A protruding from both side edges, and the held leg 331 is held in a holding groove formed in a first housing (not shown). The first lock fitting 330 is held in the first housing by being press-fitted by the portion 331A.

  The upper plate portion 332 has a notch portion 332A formed on the side edge portion on the inner side in the terminal arrangement direction of both side edge portions extending in the connector width direction, and the notch portion 332A allows the second lock metal fitting in the connector fitting state to be formed. Interference with the elastic arm is avoided. Further, the upper plate portion 332 is formed as a first lock portion 332B at portions located on both sides of the notch portion 332A in the connector width direction. The first lock portion 332B is located immediately above the second lock portion of the second lock fitting in the connector fitting state, and the lower surface (plate surface) of the first lock portion 332B is the upper end surface ( It is positioned so that it can be locked with respect to the connector extraction direction with respect to the plate thickness surface. Further, the solder fixing portion 333 is fixed to a corresponding portion of a circuit board (not shown) by solder connection on the lower surface thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st connector 67 interlocking | linkage part 2 2nd connector 130 1st lock metal fitting 10 1st housing 133A 1st lock part 12A main control part 140 2nd housing 20 1st terminal 160 2nd lock metal fitting 30 1st lock metal fitting 166A-1 2nd lock part 32D Subregulator part 202 2nd connector 33A 1st lock part 240 2nd housing 40 2nd housing 260 2nd lock metal fitting 46 Unlocking operation part 266 Elastic arm part 50 2nd terminal 266A-1 2nd lock part 60 second lock fitting 267 interlocking portion 61 fixing portion 330 first lock fitting 66 elastic arm portion 332B first lock portion 66A-1 second lock portion

Claims (6)

An electrical connector assembly in which the first connector and the second connector are fitted and connected to each other,
The first connector has a first terminal, a first lock fitting, and a first housing that holds the first terminal and the first lock fitting,
The second connector holds the second terminal and the second lock fitting in contact with the first terminal, the second lock fitting engaged with the first lock portion, and the second terminal in the connector fitting state. And an electrical connector assembly having a second housing fitted to the first housing,
The first lock fitting of the first connector is made by processing a metal plate member, and has a first lock portion fixed to the first housing,
The second lock fitting of the second connector is made by processing a metal plate member, and is fixed to the second housing, and is formed integrally with the fixed portion and extends rearward in the connector fitting direction. Having an elastic arm,
The elastic arm portion is elastically displaceable in the plate thickness direction of the elastic arm portion with the base portion of the elastic arm portion as a fulcrum, and the plate of the elastic arm portion with respect to the first lock portion of the first lock fitting It has a second lock part that can be locked in the connector extraction direction with a thick surface,
The second housing or the second lock metal fitting of the second connector has a lock release operation portion that transmits the lock release operation force received when the connectors are pulled out to the elastic arm portion. Electrical connector assembly.   The unlocking operation portion transmits the unlocking operation force to the elastic arm portion in the thickness direction of the elastic arm portion so that the elastic displacement amount of the elastic arm portion increases at the end of the elastic arm portion on the rear side in the connector fitting direction. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connector assembly is configured as described above. The first lock fitting or the first housing of the first connector has the second lock in the thickness direction of the elastic arm portion of the second lock fitting with respect to the first lock portion of the first lock fitting in the connector fitting state. In a position opposite to the metal fitting, it has a restricting portion that regulates displacement of the elastic arm portion of the second lock metal fitting toward the opposite side by a predetermined amount or more,
The restricting portion is provided at a position adjacent to the first lock portion on the opposite side so as to be able to contact the plate surface of the elastic arm portion of the second lock fitting in a connector fitting state. 3. The second lock portion of the elastic arm portion is maintained at a position where it can be locked with the first lock portion by restricting the displacement of the elastic arm portion toward the opposite side. An electrical connector assembly according to claim 1.   The elastic arm portion of the second lock fitting has a plate surface of the elastic arm portion in a state where the second lock portion of the elastic arm portion is in a position where it can be engaged with the first lock portion of the first lock fitting. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein the electrical connector assembly can be brought into contact with the restricting portion of one connector with contact pressure. The first lock portion of the first lock fitting and the second lock portion of the second lock fitting are inclined end surfaces formed as plate thickness surfaces inclined in the plate thickness direction with respect to a plane perpendicular to the connector fitting direction. It can be locked in the connector extraction direction,
Each inclined end surface of the first lock portion and the second lock portion is formed with an inclined surface that generates a component force toward the restricting portion on the inclined end surface of the second lock portion when the inclined end surfaces are engaged with each other. And
5. The electricity according to claim 3, wherein a gap that allows displacement of the second lock portion in a direction away from the restricting portion is formed between the inclined end surfaces when unlocking. 5. Connector assembly.   The second housing of the second connector is formed with a space for confirming the position of the elastic arm portion of the second lock fitting or the position of the interlocking portion interlocking with the elastic arm portion from the outside. 6. At least a part of the elastic arm part or at least a part of the interlocking part is visible through the space only in one of a completed state and an incomplete state. The electrical connector assembly according to any one of the above.

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