JP2017152332A - connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve reliability of a locking function by a lock arm.SOLUTION: A fitting detection member 30 is fitted to be elastically displaceable in an unlocking direction integrally with the lock arm 15, and held at an initial position with both housings 10, 50 unfitted and half-fitted, and allowed to be moved to a detection position with both the housings 10, 50 normally fitted. As means of restricting the lock arm 15 from being displaced in the unlocking direction with the fitting detection member 30 moved to the detection position, the first housing 10 has a front-side displacement restriction part 25 and a rear-side displacement restriction part 26, arranged behind the front-side displacement restriction part 25, formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a male connector housing having a flexible lock arm, a female connector housing that can be fitted to the male connector housing, and a fitting detection member that detects a fitting state of both connector housings. It is disclosed. The fitting detection member is supported so that it can be elastically displaced integrally with respect to the rear end portion of the flexible lock arm and can slide between the initial position and the detection position ahead of the initial position. Yes. The fitting detection member is formed with a flexible detection arm that extends forward in a cantilevered manner, and a lock protrusion is formed on the flexible lock arm.

  When both the connector housings are unfitted and half-fitted, the fitting detection member is held at the initial position by the front end of the flexible detection arm striking the lock protrusion. When both the connector housings reach the normal fitting state, the flexible lock arms are locked to the engaging protrusions of the second housing, so that both the connector housings are locked in the normal fitting state. When both the connector housings are properly fitted, the flexible detection arm is disengaged from the lock projection due to interference with the engagement projection, so that the fitting detection member can be moved to the detection position. According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the fitting state of both connector housings based on whether or not the fitting detection member can be moved to the detection position.

JP-A-8-031517

  In the above connector, when the two housings are properly fitted and the fitting detection member moves to the detection position, the fitting detection member contacts the outer surface of the female connector housing, so that the lock arm is displaced in the unlocking direction. It comes to regulate. However, since there is only one contact portion for restricting the displacement of the lock arm, if the lock arm is improperly deformed due to excessive external force and the orientation of the fitting detection member is changed, the fitting is detected. There is a possibility that the joint detection member is detached from the female connector housing and the lock arm is displaced in the unlocking direction.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to improve the reliability of the lock function by the lock arm.

The present invention
A first housing;
A second housing that can be fitted to the first housing from the front;
A lock portion formed in the second housing;
The first housing is formed in the first housing and locked with the lock portion, thereby locking the first housing and the second housing in a normal fitting state, and elastically displacing in the unlocking direction disengaging from the lock portion. A lock arm to unlock,
It is attached to the lock arm so as to be elastically displaceable integrally in the unlocking direction, and is held at an initial position when the first housing and the second housing are not fitted and half-fitted, A fitting detection member that is allowed to move to a detection position when the first housing and the second housing are properly fitted;
A front displacement restricting portion that is formed in the first housing and restricts the lock arm from being displaced in the unlocking direction by contacting the fitting detection member at the detection position;
A rear displacement that is formed at a position rearward of the front displacement restricting portion in the first housing and restricts displacement of the lock arm in the unlocking direction by contacting the fitting detection member at the detection position. It is characterized in that it is provided with a regulating part.

  A fitting detection member, which is a means for restricting the displacement of the lock arm in the unlocking direction, is brought into contact with two displacement restricting portions spaced in the front-rear direction. Due to the contact at these two locations, the orientation of the fitting detection member with respect to the first housing is stabilized in an appropriate form. As a result, the elastic displacement of the lock arm in the unlocking direction is restricted, and the locking state between the lock protrusion and the lock portion of the lock arm is maintained, so the reliability of the lock function by the lock arm is high.

The perspective view which looked at the state by which the fitting detection member is hold | maintained in the initial position in the 1st housing of Example 1 from diagonally forward. The perspective view which looked at the state by which the fitting detection member is hold | maintained in the detection position in the 1st housing from diagonally forward The perspective view which looked at the state by which the fitting detection member is hold | maintained in the initial position in the 1st housing from diagonally back The perspective view which looked at the state by which the fitting detection member is hold | maintained in the detection position in the 1st housing from diagonally back. The top view showing the state by which the fitting detection member is hold | maintained in the initial position in the 1st housing Front view of first housing The side view showing the state by which the fitting detection member is hold | maintained in the initial position in the 1st housing Front view of mating detection member Rear view of mating detection member Top view of mating detection member Side view of mating detection member Side sectional view showing a state before fitting the first housing and the second housing Side sectional view showing a state in which the first housing and the second housing are half-fitted Side view showing the first housing and the second housing in a half-fitted state A plan view showing a state in which the first housing and the second housing are properly fitted and the fitting detection member is held at the initial position. Side sectional view showing a state in which the first housing and the second housing are properly fitted and the fitting detection member is held at the initial position. The top view showing the state where the 1st housing and the 2nd housing carried out regular fitting, and the fitting detection member moved to the detection position. Side sectional view showing a state in which the first housing and the second housing are properly fitted and the fitting detection member is moved to the detection position. XX sectional view of FIG. The side corresponding to the line XX in FIG. 17 represents a state in which the first housing and the second housing are properly fitted, the fitting detection member is held at the detection position, and the lock arm is restricted from being displaced in the unlocking direction. Cross section

  According to the present invention, the fitting detection member is provided with an unlocking operation surface for elastically displacing the lock arm and the fitting detection member in an unlocking direction, forward of the unlocking operation surface, and the front side A front contact portion that can contact the displacement restricting portion may be formed.

  According to the present invention, the fitting detection member is provided with an unlocking operation surface for elastically displacing the lock arm and the fitting detection member in the unlocking direction, and behind the unlocking operation surface. A rear contact portion that can contact the side displacement restricting portion may be formed.

  In the present invention, the first housing is formed with an interference restricting portion that restricts interference of a foreign object to a region facing the unlocking direction of the outer surface of the fitting detection member. A rear side displacement restricting portion may be formed. According to this configuration, since the interference restricting portion and the rear displacement restricting portion are integrated, the shape of the first housing is compared with the case where the interference restricting portion and the rear displacement restricting portion are formed in different parts. Can be simplified.

<Example 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the following description, with respect to the front-rear direction, the left side in FIGS. With respect to the vertical direction, the directions appearing in FIGS. 1 to 4, 6 to 9, 11 to 13, 16, and 18 to 20 are defined as “upper” and “lower” as they are. For the left and right directions, the upper direction in FIGS.

<Basic connector configuration>
The connector according to the first embodiment includes a first housing 10 and a second housing 50 that can be fitted to the first housing 10 from the front. The second housing 50 is formed with a lock portion 54, and the first housing 10 is formed with a lock arm 15 that locks the two housings 10, 50 in a properly fitted state by being engaged with the lock portion 54. . The lock arm 15 can be elastically displaced in the unlocking direction to be disengaged from the lock portion 54. A support portion 20 is formed at the rear end portion of the lock arm 15, and the fitting detection member 30 is attached to the support portion 20 so as to be elastically displaced in the unlocking direction integrally. The fitting detection member 30 can move relative to the support portion 20 between an initial position and a detection position ahead of the initial position.

  The lock arm 15 is formed with a front stop portion 19 disposed at a position in front of the support portion 20 in the front-rear direction. The fitting detection member 30 is formed with an elastic locking piece 32 that protrudes forward from the main body portion 31 supported by the support portion 20. When both the housings 10 and 50 are unfitted and half-fitted, the engagement detecting member 30 at the initial position moves to the detection position by the elastic locking piece 32 coming into contact with the front stop portion 19. Be regulated. Further, in a state where both housings 10 and 50 are properly fitted, the elastic locking piece 32 is elastically displaced in the direction of disengagement from the front stop portion 19 due to interference with the lock portion 54, and the fitting detection member 30 is detected. Is allowed to move to.

<First housing 10>
The first housing 10 includes a synthetic resin housing body 11 and a synthetic resin front retainer 12 assembled to the front end of the housing main body 11. As shown in FIG. 12, a female terminal fitting 13 is inserted into the housing body 11 from the rear. A housing recess 14 is formed on the upper surface of the housing body 11 so as to be recessed from the front end to the rear end.

  A lock arm 15 is housed in the housing recess 14. The lock arm 15 has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction, and is connected to the inner surface of the housing recess 14 at the connecting portion 16 at the front end thereof. That is, the lock arm 15 has a form that cantilevered from the connecting portion 16 to the rear. The lock arm 15 can be elastically displaced in the unlocking direction (downward), which is a direction approaching the upper surface of the housing body 11 with the connecting portion 16 as a fulcrum.

  A locking hole 17 having a shape penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in a substantially central portion of the lock arm 15 in the front-rear direction. A lock protrusion 18 is formed in a region adjacent to the front of the locking hole 17 on the upper surface of the lock arm 15 so as to protrude upward (in a direction opposite to the unlocking direction). A front end portion on the inner wall surface of the locking hole 17 and a rear end portion of the lock protrusion 18 form a front stop portion 19 that is continuous with each other. A support portion 20 for attaching the fitting detection member 30 is formed at the rear end portion (free end portion) of the lock arm 15. The support portion 20 has a plate shape that is substantially perpendicular to the unlocking direction. A guide groove 21 linearly extending forward from the rear edge of the support portion 20 is formed at the center portion in the left-right direction of the support portion 20.

  At a position near the rear end on the upper surface of the first housing 10, a pair of side wall portions 22 are formed that rise upward from the left and right side edges of the housing recess 14. The left and right end portions of the movement restricting portion 23 elongated in the left-right direction are connected to the upper end edges of the left and right side wall portions 22. That is, the movement restricting portion 23 is arranged so as to cross the upper side of the housing recess 14 to the left and right. The movement restricting unit 23 restricts the fitting detection member 30 from inadvertently moving to the detection position. A region on the lower surface side of the movement restricting portion 23 functions as the reverse restricting portion 24. That is, the movement restricting portion 23 and the reverse restricting portion 24 are integrally formed. The reversal restricting portion 24 restricts the lock arm 15 from being elastically displaced in the reverse direction (upward) opposite to the unlocking direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first housing 10 is formed with a pair of symmetrical front side displacement restricting portions 25. The front-side displacement restricting portion 25 has a form protruding inward in the left-right direction from the left and right inner wall surfaces of the housing recess 14. In the front-rear direction, the front displacement restricting portion 25 is disposed at the same position as the front end portion of the support portion 20 of the lock arm 15. On the rear end surface 10R of the first housing 10, a pair of left and right rear side displacement restricting portions 26 are formed. The rear side displacement restricting portion 26 protrudes rearward from the left and right side edges of the opening edge at the rear end of the housing recess 14 in a rib shape. The front displacement restricting portion 25 and the rear displacement restricting portion 26 restrict the fitting detection member 30 at the detection position from being displaced in the unlocking direction.

  On the rear end surface 10R of the first housing 10, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a pair of left and right symmetric interference restricting portions 27 protruding rearward in a rib shape are formed. The interference restricting portion 27 is disposed along both left and right side edges of the opening edge at the rear end of the housing recess 14 and both ends of the lower edge of the opening edge at the rear edge of the housing recess 14. From the upper end of both the left and right interference restricting portions 27, the rear displacement restricting portion 26 protrudes outward in the left and right directions. That is, the interference restricting portion 27 and the rear displacement restricting portion 26 are integrally formed. The rear end edge of the interference restricting portion 27 and the rear end edge of the rear side displacement restricting portion 26 are arranged at the same position in the front-rear direction.

<Fitting detection member 30>
The fitting detection member 30 is made of a synthetic resin and is a single part having a main body 31 and an elastic locking piece 32 as shown in FIGS. The main body portion 31 includes a substrate portion 33 having a substantially square shape in plan view, and plate-like leg portions 34 that protrude downward from the lower surface of the substrate portion 33. The plate-like leg portion 34 is disposed at the central portion in the left-right direction of the substrate portion 33 with the plate thickness direction facing the left-right direction.

  The elastic locking piece 32 has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction. The rear end portion 32 </ b> R of the elastic locking piece 32 has a width dimension (dimension in the left-right direction) larger than that of the plate-like leg portion 34, and continues to the lower end edge of the plate-like leg portion 34. Of the rear end portion 32 </ b> R of the elastic locking piece 32, the portion of the plate-like leg portion 34 that protrudes to the left and right sides is arranged to face the lower surface of the substrate portion 33. A region in front of the rear end portion 32 </ b> R of the elastic locking piece 32 is an arm portion 35 extending in a cantilevered manner from the main body portion 31 to the front. The arm portion 35 can be elastically displaced in the vertical direction with respect to the main body portion 31. A pressure receiving projection 36 is formed at the front end of the arm portion 35 so as to protrude upward.

  The fitting detection member 30 is assembled from the rear with respect to the support portion 20 of the lock arm 15. In the assembled state, the base portion 33 and the rear end portion 32R sandwich the support portion 20 in the vertical direction, so that the vertical displacement and the relative inclination of the main body portion 31 with respect to the support portion 20 are restricted. That is, the support part 20 and the main body part 31 are displaced in the vertical direction as a unit in a side view.

  In a state where the fitting detection member 30 is assembled to the support portion 20, the plate-like leg portion 34 is fitted into the guide groove 21. By this fitting, the main body portion 31 of the fitting detection member 30 is restricted from moving relative to the support portion 20 in the left-right direction. However, the plate-like leg portion 34 is guided by the guide groove 21 to detect the initial position (see FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 12, 13, 15, and 16) and the front of the initial position. It can move back and forth between positions (see FIGS. 2, 4, 17, 18-20).

  In the state where the fitting detection member 30 is in the initial position, as shown in FIG. 12, the pressure receiving projection 36 of the elastic locking piece 32 enters the locking hole 17 and comes into contact with the front stop portion 19 from behind. Or it becomes the positional relationship which approaches and opposes. When the pressure receiving protrusion 36 contacts the front stop portion 19, the fitting detection member 30 is restricted from moving to the detection position (forward). Further, the fitting detection member 30 at the initial position engages the retaining protrusion 37 formed on the lower surface of the substrate portion 33 with the retaining portion (not shown) of the supporting portion 20, thereby moving the retaining portion 30 to the rear with respect to the supporting portion 20. Relative movement is restricted. Thereby, the fitting detection member 30 is held at the initial position.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in a state where the fitting detection member 30 is in the initial position, the front end portion of the substrate portion 33 is positioned so as to face the inversion regulating portion 24 with a slight gap from below. Therefore, when the support portion 20 of the lock arm 15 and the fitting detection member 30 are about to be displaced in the reverse direction (upward), the front end edge portion of the substrate portion 33 comes into contact with the lower surface of the reverse restriction portion 24, so Displacement in the reverse direction is restricted. Further, the front end edge portion of the substrate portion 33 is located slightly behind the front end of the support portion 20, and the rear end portion of the substrate portion 33 projects rearward from the rear end surface 10 </ b> R of the first housing 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 12, a finger hook portion 38 is formed on the upper surface of the substrate portion 33 so as to protrude in the left-right direction along the rear edge. On the upper surface of the substrate portion 33, a pair of abutting portions 39 are formed symmetrically in the form of protruding in the front-rear direction along the left and right side edges. The rear end of the abutting portion 39 is continuous with both the left and right ends of the finger hanging portion 38. The position of the front end of the abutting portion 39 is a position slightly behind the front end edge of the substrate portion 33.

  In a state where the fitting detection member 30 is in the initial position, the front end of the abutting portion 39 is located slightly behind the rear end edge of the movement restricting portion 23. When the fitting detection member 30 is in the initial position and the lock arm 15 is not elastically displaced, the formation range of the abutting portion 39 in the vertical direction (the elastic displacement direction of the lock arm 15) and the movement restricting portion 23 are defined. Are partially overlapped with the vertical formation range. That is, the front end surface of the abutting portion 39 is opposed to the rear end surface of the movement restricting portion 23 with a slight gap.

  A substantially rectangular area defined by the finger rest portion 38 and the left and right abutting portions 39 on the upper surface of the substrate portion 33 is a lock release operation surface 40. That is, the pair of abutting portions 39 are arranged at positions so as to sandwich the unlocking operation surface 40 from both sides in the left-right direction (width direction). In a state where the fitting detection member 30 is in the initial position, the unlocking operation surface 40 is arranged behind the movement restricting portion 23 and exposed in a state of being opened upward. When the fitting detection member 30 moves to the detection position, the front end portion of the unlock operation portion is hidden below the movement restriction portion 23 (reverse restriction portion 24).

  Both left and right end portions of the front end edge portion of the substrate portion 33 function as the front contact portion 41. In the left-right direction, the pair of front contact portions 41 are disposed at the same position as the pair of front displacement restriction portions 25. However, in the state where the fitting detection member 30 is in the initial position, the front contact portion 41 is located behind the front displacement restricting portion 25. Therefore, when the lock arm 15 is elastically displaced in the unlocking direction, the front contact portion 41 does not interfere with the front displacement restricting portion 25.

  When the fitting detection member 30 moves to the detection position, the pair of front-side contact portions 41 are positioned so as to face the pair of front-side displacement restriction portions 25 with a slight gap therebetween from above. In this state, when the lock arm 15 tries to elastically displace in the unlocking direction, the pair of front contact portions 41 abut against the pair of front displacement restricting portions 25 from above, so that the lock arm 15 moves in the unlocking direction. Displacement is regulated.

  A pair of left and right rear contact portions 42 are formed on the body portion 31 of the fitting detection member 30. The left and right rear contact portions 42 are configured to protrude obliquely rearward from the left and right end portions of the rear end portion of the main body portion 31. The rear contact portion 42 protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the left and right side edges of the main body portion 31. In the left-right direction, the pair of rear contact portions 42 are disposed at the same position as the pair of rear displacement restriction portions 26. However, in a state where the fitting detection member 30 is in the initial position, the rear contact portion 42 is located behind the rear displacement restricting portion 26. Therefore, when the lock arm 15 is elastically displaced in the unlocking direction, the rear contact portion 42 does not interfere with the rear displacement restricting portion 26.

  When the fitting detection member 30 moves to the detection position, the pair of rear contact portions 42 are positioned so as to face the pair of rear displacement restriction portions 26 from above with a slight gap. In this state, when the lock arm 15 tries to elastically displace in the unlocking direction, the pair of rear contact portions 42 come into contact with the pair of rear displacement restricting portions 26 from above, so that the lock arm 15 is unlocked in the unlocking direction. Displacement to is restricted.

  A pair of left and right upper turning surfaces 43 and a pair of left and right lower turning surfaces 44 are formed at the rear end of the fitting detection member 30. The upper turning surfaces 43 are arranged at both left and right end portions of the rear end edge portion of the substrate portion 33. The side view shape of the upper turning surface 43 is substantially arc-shaped. The pair of rear turning surfaces are formed on the upper surface of the rear contact portion 42 and are arranged obliquely downward and rearward with respect to the upper turning surface 43. The upper turning surface 43 and the lower turning surface 44 both face obliquely upward and rearward. Therefore, when a forward external force is applied to the upper and lower turning surfaces 43 and 44 from the rear, the forward external force is applied as a downward pressing force by the turning surfaces 43 and 44 to the rear of the fitting detection member 30 and the lock arm 15. It is given to the end. This downward pressing force is in the same direction as the unlocking direction in the vertical direction.

<Second housing 50>
The second housing 50 is made of a synthetic resin, and includes a terminal holding portion 51 and a rectangular hood portion 52 that protrudes from the outer peripheral edge of the terminal holding portion 51 to the front side (right side in FIG. 12). Yes. The terminal holding portion 51 holds a plurality of male terminal fittings 53, and tabs at the front end of the male terminal fitting 53 are collectively surrounded by the hood portion 52. A lock portion 54 is formed on the upper wall portion constituting the hood portion 52. The lock portion 54 has a form protruding downward (inside the hood portion 52) from the front end edge of the upper wall portion. The protruding direction of the lock portion 54 is the same as the unlocking direction of the lock arm 15 in the vertical direction. The first housing 10 is inserted into the hood portion 52. If the 1st housing 10 is correctly inserted in the hood part 52, both the housings 10 and 50 will be in a regular fitting state, and the female terminal metal fitting 13 and the male terminal metal fitting 53 will be connected.

<Operation and effect in a state where both housings 10 and 50 are not fitted>
In a state where both housings 10 and 50 are not fitted, the rear end portion of the main body portion 31 of the fitting detection member 30 held at the initial position protrudes rearward from the interference restricting portion 27. If the foreign matter is caught on the lower surface of the rear end portion of the main body 31, the lock arm 15 and the fitting detection member 30 may be displaced in the reverse direction (upward). However, since the reversal restricting portion 24 is disposed above the front end portion of the main body portion 31 with a slight gap therebetween, the lock arm 15 and the fitting detection member 30 are greatly displaced in the reverse direction. There is nothing.

  In addition, when the front end of the main body 31 is in contact with the reversal restricting portion 24 and the rear end of the main body 31 (the region behind the reversing restricting portion 24) is pushed in a reversing direction with a large force, the lock The arm 15 may be bent so as to swell downward (in the unlocking direction). When the lock arm 15 is bent, the posture is tilted so that the support portion 20 at the rear end portion of the lock arm 15 is tilted forward. Therefore, the main body portion 31 supported by the support portion 20 is also integrated with the support portion 20. Lean forward. When the main body 31 is tilted forward, the front end portion (pressure receiving protrusion 36) of the elastic locking piece 32 extending forward from the main body 31 is displaced downward, and the engagement of the pressure receiving protrusion 36 and the front stop 19 in the vertical direction. The stop margin (contact area) is reduced, or the pressure receiving protrusion 36 is dissociated from the front stop portion 19.

  When the engagement margin between the pressure receiving projection 36 and the front stop portion 19 is reduced, or when the pressure receiving projection 36 is disengaged from the front stop portion 19, the fitting detection is performed when a pressing force from the rear is applied to the fitting detection member 30. There is a concern that the member 30 is pushed into the detection position without being held at the initial position. If the housings 10 and 50 are fitted while the fitting detection member 30 is pushed into the detection position, the fitting state of the housings 10 and 50 cannot be detected accurately. However, even if the fitting detection member 30 is pushed forward while the lock arm 15 is curved as described above, the abutting portion 39 of the fitting detection member 30 is against the movement restricting portion 23 of the first housing 10. Since it abuts from the rear, the movement of the fitting detection member 30 to the detection position side is restricted.

  Further, when both the housings 10 and 50 are not fitted, the operator erroneously pushes the main body 31 from the rear to push the fitting detection member 30 at the initial position into the detection position. There is a concern that an upward force (a reverse direction opposite to the unlocking direction) is applied and the lock arm 15 is curved and deformed as described above. However, since the operator's finger hits the upper turning surface 43 and the lower turning surface 44 when pressing the main body 31, the forward pushing operation force applied to the main body 31 is downward (due to the inclination of both turning surfaces 43, 44 ( It is turned in the unlocking direction. Therefore, there is no possibility that the main body 31 and the support portion 20 of the lock arm 15 are pressed in the reverse direction (upward). Thereby, since the bending deformation of the lock arm 15 is prevented, there is no possibility that the elastic locking piece 32 is dissociated from the front stop portion 19.

  As described above, in the connector according to the first embodiment, the movement restricting portion 23 is formed in the first housing 10. In a state where the fitting detection member 30 is in the initial position, the lock arm 15 is bent and deformed due to interference of foreign matter or the like, and the elastic locking piece 32 is displaced in a direction of disengaging from the front stop portion 19 due to the bending deformation. However, when the abutting portion 39 of the fitting detection member 30 contacts the movement restricting portion 23, the movement of the fitting detection member 30 toward the detection position is restricted, and the fitting detection member 30 is held at the initial position. Is done. Therefore, the reliability of the fitting detection function by the fitting detection member 30 is excellent.

  Further, the movement restricting portion 23 is formed with a reverse restricting portion 24 that restricts the lock arm 15 from being displaced in the reverse direction opposite to the unlocking direction. According to this configuration, the shape of the first housing 10 can be simplified as compared with the case where the exclusive inversion restricting portion 24 is formed in a part different from the movement restricting portion 23.

  Moreover, since the fitting detection member 30 is made of a synthetic resin, there is a concern that an illegal deformation called sink will occur during mold molding. If the degree of sink marks generated in the main body portion 31 is large, when the lock arm 15 is curved and deformed, the abutting portion 39 is not correctly abutted against the movement restricting portion 23 and the fitting detection member 30 is pushed into the detection position. There is a concern that However, the abutting portion 39 does not form a block shape but protrudes in a rib shape, and is divided and arranged at a plurality of positions. Thereby, sink marks generated when the fitting detection member 30 is molded can be reduced.

  In addition, on the outer surface of the fitting detection member 30, a lock release operation surface 40 is formed for releasing the lock arm 54 by elastically displacing the lock arm 15 in the lock release direction. The pair of abutting portions 39 are arranged so as to sandwich the unlocking operation surface 40 in the width direction (left-right direction) intersecting the disengagement direction between the elastic locking piece 32 and the front stop portion 19. According to this configuration, since the abutting portion 39 does not exist within the formation range of the unlocking operation surface 40, the unlocking operation surface 40 is flat and has a good operability.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 12, when the fitting detection member 30 is in the initial position, the rear end edge portion 32E of the rear end portion 32R of the elastic locking piece 32 and the rear contact portion 42 are The first housing 10 (housing main body 11) protrudes rearward from the rear end surface 10R (surface where the rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber opens). If foreign matter interferes with the lower surface of the rearmost end edge portion 32E of the elastic locking piece 32 or the lower surface of the rear contact portion 42, an external force in the reverse direction is applied to the support portion 20 of the lock arm 15, and the lock arm 15 is There is a concern that the elastic locking piece 32 may be detached from the lock arm 15 due to bending deformation.

  However, in the rear end surface 10R of the first housing 10, a pair of left and right interference restriction portions disposed below the rear contact portion 42 at positions corresponding to the pair of rear contact portions 42 in the left and right direction. 27 is formed. The interference restricting portion 27 has a shape protruding from the rear end surface 10R of the first housing 10 in a vertical rib shape. Due to the presence of the interference restricting portion 27, foreign matter is unlikely to interfere with the lower surface of the rearmost end edge portion 32E of the elastic locking piece 32 and the lower surface of the rear contact portion 42.

<Description of the fitting process of both housings 10, 50>
When fitting both the housings 10 and 50, the first housing 10 is fitted into the hood portion 52 of the second housing 50. In the process of fitting, as shown in FIG. 13, the lock protrusion 18 interferes with the lock portion 54 and the lock arm 15 is elastically displaced in the unlocking direction, so that both the housings 10 and 50 are in a half-fitted state. At this time, the main body portion 31 (fitting detection member 30) attached to the support portion 20 of the lock arm 15 is displaced integrally with the support portion 20, and the elastic locking piece 32 is not in contact with the lock portion 54. Therefore, there is no possibility that the elastic locking piece 32 is dissociated from the front stop portion 19. Therefore, even if the fitting detection member 30 is pushed forward in this half-fitted state, the fitting detection member 30 is held at the initial position without moving to the detection position side.

  Further, when the fitting detection member 30 is displaced integrally with the lock arm 15, the front contact portion 41 is located behind the front displacement restricting portion 25, so that it does not interfere with the front displacement restricting portion 25. Displaces downward. Similarly, the rear abutting portion 42 is located behind the rear displacement restricting portion 26, and thus is displaced downward without interfering with the rear displacement restricting portion 26. Therefore, the elastic displacement operation of the lock arm 15 in the unlocking direction is not hindered.

  When the two housings 10 and 50 reach the proper fitting state, as shown in FIG. 16, the lock projection 18 passes through the lock portion 54, so that the lock arm 15 is elastically returned upward. When the lock arm 15 is elastically restored, the lock protrusion 18 and the lock portion 54 are locked, so that both the housings 10 and 50 are restricted from being detached and locked in a properly fitted state.

  Further, when the two housings 10 and 50 are in the normal fitting state, the pressure receiving protrusion 36 of the elastic locking piece 32 is positioned directly below the lock portion 54, so that the pressure receiving protrusion 36 is locked with the elastic return of the lock arm 15. Interfering with the portion 54, the arm portion 35 of the elastic locking piece 32 is elastically displaced downward relative to the lock arm 15. Due to the elastic displacement of the arm portion 35, the pressure receiving protrusion 36 is dissociated downward relative to the front stop portion 19 of the lock arm 15, so that the fitting detection member 30 is allowed to move to the detection position side. It becomes.

  Thereafter, when the fitting detection member 30 at the initial position is pushed into the detection position, the fitting operation of both the housings 10 and 50 is completed. If both the housings 10 and 50 remain half-fitted, the pressure-receiving projection 36 and the front stop 19 are in a locked state as described above, so that the fitting detection member 30 can be pushed into the detection position. Can not. Therefore, the fitting state of both the housings 10 and 50 can be detected based on whether or not the fitting detection member 30 can be moved to the detection position.

<Operation and effect in a state where both housings 10 and 50 are properly fitted and the fitting detection member 30 is moved to the detection position>
In a state where both the housings 10 and 50 are properly fitted and the fitting detection member 30 is pushed into the detection position, the front end portion (pressure receiving protrusion 36) of the elastic locking piece 32 is locked arm 15 as shown in FIG. It sinks under the lock projection 18. In addition, as shown in FIG. 19, the pair of left and right front contact portions 41 are positioned so as to face the upper surfaces of the pair of left and right front displacement restriction portions 25 with a slight gap therebetween, and the pair of left and right rear sides. The abutting portion 42 is opposed to the upper surface of the pair of left and right rear displacement restricting portions 26 with a slight gap, or is in contact with the upper surface of the pair of left and right rear displacement restricting portions 26.

  Therefore, even if a downward (unlocking direction) external force or pushing force is applied to the rear end portion of the lock arm 15 in this state, the front contact portion 41 contacts the front displacement restricting portion 25 and the rear side contact portion. When the contact portion 42 contacts the rear displacement restricting portion 26, the elastic displacement of the lock arm 15 in the unlocking direction is restricted. As a result, the locked state between the lock protrusion 18 and the lock portion 54 is maintained, so that both the housings 10 and 50 are reliably held in the properly fitted state. Further, since the front contact portion 41, the front displacement restricting portion 25, the rear contact portion 42, and the rear displacement restricting portion 26 are all provided in pairs in the left-right direction, the lock arm 15 is provided. There is no risk that the posture of the camera will tilt to the left or right.

  As described above, in the connector according to the first embodiment, the front displacement restricting portion 25 and the rear displacement restricting portion 26 are formed in the first housing 10. The front displacement restricting portion 25 restricts the displacement of the lock arm 15 in the unlocking direction by bringing the fitting detection member 30 at the detection position into contact. The rear displacement restricting portion 26 is formed at a position behind the front displacement restricting portion 25 and restricts the lock arm 15 from being displaced in the unlocking direction by bringing the fitting detection member 30 at the detection position into contact. .

  As described above, the fitting detection member 30 at the detection position exhibits a function as a means for restricting the displacement of the lock arm 15 in the unlocking direction by contacting the first housing 10. The member 30 is in contact with two displacement restricting portions 25 and 26 spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The two contact portions stabilize the orientation of the fitting detection member 30 with respect to the first housing 10 in an appropriate form, so that the lock arm 15 is not elastically displaced in the unlocking direction. Thereby, since the locked state of the lock projection 18 of the lock arm 15 and the lock portion 54 is reliably maintained, the reliability of the lock function by the lock arm 15 is high.

  Further, the fitting detection member 30 is formed with an unlocking operation surface 40 for elastically displacing the lock arm 15 and the fitting detection member 30 in the unlocking direction. The front contact portion 41 as a contact means to the front displacement regulating portion 25 in the fitting detection member 30 is disposed in front of the lock release operation surface 40. Further, the rear contact portion 42 as a contact means to the rear displacement restricting portion 26 in the fitting detection member 30 is disposed behind the lock release operation surface 40. Thus, the front contact part 41 and the rear contact part 42 are arranged with a sufficient interval in the front-rear direction.

  Further, the pair of left and right rear side displacement restricting portions 26 are formed so as to be integrally connected to the upper ends of the pair of interference restricting portions 27. Therefore, the shape of the rear end portion of the first housing 10 is simplified as compared with the case where the interference restricting portion 27 and the rear displacement restricting portion 26 are formed in different parts.

<Description of separation work of both housings 10 and 50>
When the two housings 10 and 50 are detached, the finger is hooked on the finger hook 38 to move the fitting detection member 30 at the detection position to the initial position. Then, the front abutting portion 41 moves to a position deviated rearward with respect to the front side displacement restricting portion 25, and the rear abutting portion 42 moves to a position deviated rearward with respect to the rear side displacement restricting portion 26. The lock arm 15 is allowed to be displaced in the unlocking direction. If the unlocking operation surface 40 is pushed from this state, the lock arm 15 is elastically displaced in the unlocking direction and the lock projection 18 is disengaged from the lock portion 54, and both housings 10, 50 are released from the locked state by the lock arm 15. To be released. Thereafter, the housings 10 and 50 may be pulled apart while the lock arm 15 is displaced in the unlocking direction.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the rear displacement restricting portion is formed in the interference restricting portion. However, the interference restricting portion and the rear displacement restricting portion may be formed in different parts.
(2) In the above embodiment, the front contact portion is disposed at a position in front of the unlocking operation surface. However, the front contact portion may be disposed within the formation range of the unlocking operation surface in the front-rear direction. Further, it may be arranged behind the unlocking operation surface.
(3) In the above-described embodiment, the rear contact portion is disposed at a position behind the unlock operation surface. However, the rear contact portion is disposed within the formation range of the unlock operation surface in the front-rear direction. Alternatively, it may be arranged in front of the unlocking operation surface.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... 1st housing 15 ... Lock arm 25 ... Front side displacement control part 26 ... Rear side displacement control part 27 ... Interference control part 30 ... Fitting detection member 40 ... Lock release operation surface 41 ... Front side contact part 42 ... Rear side contact Contact part 50 ... second housing 54 ... lock part

Claims (4)

A first housing;
A second housing that can be fitted to the first housing from the front;
A lock portion formed in the second housing;
The first housing is formed in the first housing and locked with the lock portion, thereby locking the first housing and the second housing in a normal fitting state, and elastically displacing in the unlocking direction disengaging from the lock portion. A lock arm to unlock,
It is attached to the lock arm so as to be elastically displaceable integrally in the unlocking direction, and is held at an initial position when the first housing and the second housing are not fitted and half-fitted, A fitting detection member that is allowed to move to a detection position when the first housing and the second housing are properly fitted;
A front displacement restricting portion that is formed in the first housing and restricts the lock arm from being displaced in the unlocking direction by contacting the fitting detection member at the detection position;
A rear displacement that is formed at a position rearward of the front displacement restricting portion in the first housing and restricts displacement of the lock arm in the unlocking direction by contacting the fitting detection member at the detection position. A connector comprising a restriction portion. In the fitting detection member,
An unlocking operation surface for elastically displacing the lock arm and the fitting detection member in the unlocking direction;
The connector according to claim 1, further comprising: a front contact portion that is disposed in front of the unlocking operation surface and capable of contacting the front displacement restricting portion. In the fitting detection member,
An unlocking operation surface for elastically displacing the lock arm and the fitting detection member in the unlocking direction;
The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a rear contact portion that is disposed rearward of the unlocking operation surface and is capable of contacting the rear displacement restricting portion.   The first housing is formed with an interference restricting portion for restricting foreign matter interference to a region facing the unlocking direction of the outer surface of the fitting detection member, and the rear displacement restriction is formed in the interference restricting portion. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a portion is formed.

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