JP2537036Y2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector for connecting a female connector housing containing terminals to a male connector housing, and is particularly suitable for a case where the number of terminals is large and a large force is required to connect the two connector housings. The connector to be used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as seen in a connector used for connection of an electric circuit of an automobile, for example, the number of electric poles has been increased with the increase in electric components and the sophistication of electric circuits. When interconnecting such multi-pole connectors accommodating a large number of terminal groups, the connection resistance between the contact portions of the terminal groups becomes large, so that an extremely large force is required for the coupling.

[0003] In order to reduce the force required for coupling such a multi-pole connector, there is a multi-pole connector disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 63-99788.

In the multi-pole connector disclosed herein, a rotating lever provided with a pinion on the outer periphery of a fulcrum is attached to one of a female connector housing and a male connector housing to be connected to each other. A structure in which a rack portion that meshes with the pinion portion is provided, and the rotation lever is rotated in a direction different from the connection direction of the connector housing to amplify an insertion force required for the connection, thereby connecting the male and female connector housings with a small insertion force. It has become.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned known multi-pole connector, the male connector housing and the female connector housing are connected with relatively low insertion force by the insertion force being amplified by the rotating lever of the operating rod. Can be done. However, in this multipolar connector, the rotating direction of the rotating lever is different from the inserting direction of the connector housing, and the pair of connector housings is held in a temporarily fitted state, and the rotating lever is moved in the connecting direction. However, since it requires a joining operation of rotating and inserting in a direction different from the above, a holding operation is often required during the operation, and there is a problem that workability for joining is extremely poor.

Further, in the above-mentioned known multipolar connector, a rotating space of the rotating lever is required around the connector when the connecting operation is performed. When the size is limited, there is a drawback that the suitability for use is lacking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the invention is to provide a connector having a good connection workability and a small work space.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector comprising:
In a connector formed by coupling a female connector housing and a male connector housing each holding a terminal, each is rotatably supported by one of the connector housings, and each has a rotation axis orthogonal to the coupling direction of both connector housings, A pair of pinions arranged at a predetermined interval in a direction intersecting with the coupling direction, and two rows of two pinions that can be inserted into and removed from the one connector housing in the coupling direction and each mesh with the pair of pinions. A slide member provided with a rack and a pair of racks provided on the other connector housing and meshing with the pair of pinions as the two connectors are connected are provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the connector of the first aspect, each of the pair of pinions includes a large-diameter pinion section and a small-diameter pinion section, and each large-diameter pinion section has two rows of slide members. And the small diameter pinion portions respectively mesh with a pair of racks provided in the other connector housing.

[0010] The connector according to claim 3 is the connector according to claim 1 or 2.
In the connector of (1), a positioning portion is provided on the outer periphery of the pinion with which the tip of the slide member at the rear dead center position where the rack of the slide member does not act on the pinion abuts.

[0011]

In the connector of the first aspect, with both connector housings facing each other, an insertion force is applied to a slide member inserted into one of the connector housings in a direction coinciding with the coupling direction, so that the two connector housings are coupled. You.
That is, when the insertion force is applied to the slide member, the pinion rotates by meshing with the rack formed on the slide member, and the rotating pinion meshes with the rack provided on the other connector housing and moves on the rack. To roll. As the pinion rolls, one connector housing moves in a direction in which it is coupled to the other connector housing. The insertion force applied to the slide member is amplified through the rolling of the pinion, and a coupling force greater than the insertion force is applied to both connector housings. In addition, since the pair of pinions located on both sides of the slide member serve as propulsion forces to connect the two connector housings, the two connector housings are connected to each other without generating a twist.

According to the connector of the second aspect, the insertion force applied to the slide member is larger than that in the case where a portion of the slide member meshing with the rack and a portion of the slide member meshing with the other connector housing are provided with the same diameter. A forward force (coupling force) can be obtained.

According to the connector of the third aspect, the pinion engages with the rack of the slide member after the tip of the slide member contacts the positioning portion.

[0014]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the connector includes a female connector housing 1, a male connector housing 2, and a slide member 3. A large number of terminal storage chambers 1a are formed in the female connector housing 1, and terminals (not shown) are held in each of these terminal storage chambers 1a. On the other hand, a large number of terminal storage chambers 2a are also formed in the male connector housing 2, and these terminal storage chambers 2a are formed.
Further, terminals (not shown) that are in contact with a large number of terminals on the female connector housing 1 side when the male connector housing 2 and the female connector housing 1 are connected to each other are held. The terminals on the female connector housing 1 side and the terminals on the male connector housing 2 side are, for example, the contact portions of the terminals on the female connector housing 1 side are stored in the terminal storage chamber 1a. The contact portion is held in a state of protruding from the terminal storage chamber 2a. Then, when the female connector housing 1 and the male connector housing 2 are connected, the contact portions of the terminals on the male connector housing 2 side enter the contact holding portions 1a of the female connector housing 2, and the contact portions of both terminals are in the terminal storage chamber 1a. Contact with a predetermined or higher contact pressure in the inside. Therefore, it is necessary to connect the two connector housings 1 and 2 against a contact pressure which increases according to the number of terminals.

The female connector housing 1 has a cutout groove 1b formed on the front surface, which is a surface facing the male connector housing 2, and penetrating the female connector housing 1 up and down. The terminal storage chambers 1a are formed on both sides of the cutout groove 1b. In this notch 1b,
A pair of pinions 4A and 4B arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction are rotatably pivoted. The axial directions of the rotation shafts of the pinions 4A and 4B are orthogonal to the coupling direction of the female connector housing 1 and the male connector housing 2. In the female connector housing 1, a passage 1c that penetrates the female connector housing 1 in the coupling direction and passes through the cutout groove 1b is formed at an intermediate portion between the pinions 4A and 4B. This passage 1c is formed wider than the cutout groove 1b. As shown in FIG. 2, a locking projection 1d for temporary locking is formed on a side wall of the passage 1c at a position in contact with a rear end opening of the passage 1c. A passage 1c is provided in front of the locking projection 1d.
Locking projections 1e provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of
Are formed. The interval between the locking projections 1d and 1e is set to an interval at which an engaging portion 3d of the slide member 3 described later can be located therebetween. Further, the housing 1 is provided with small projections 1f for final locking at predetermined positions on upper and lower surfaces thereof.

The male connector housing 2 is provided with a hood 2b that protrudes rearward around the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the rear edge, which is the surface facing the female connector housing 1. A pair of racks 2cA and 2cB of the same module whose teeth face each other are provided on the inner peripheral surfaces of the upper and lower walls of the hood body 2b. The racks 2cA and 2cB are brought close to each other so that the female connector housing 1 and the male connector housing 2 are connected to each other, so that the female connector housing 1 is formed.
Meshes with the pinions 4A, 4B pivotally mounted on the pinion. As shown in FIG. 3, the hood body 2b is formed with engagement recesses 2d at predetermined positions on both sides of the racks 2cA and 2cB so as to engage with the small locking projections 1f. Further, a passage 2e is formed in the male connector housing 2 so as to open on the back surface. The passage 2e communicates with the passage 1c formed in the female connector housing 1 in a state where the male connector housing 2 is connected to the female connector housing 1.

The slide member 3 has an insertion portion 3 having a cross-shaped cross section.
a and an operating portion 3b formed integrally with the rear end of the insertion portion 3a
Thereby, it is formed in a T-shape in side view. Racks 3aA and 3aB having the same pitch as the racks 2cA and 2cB are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the insertion portion 3a. Guide grooves 3c are formed on both side surfaces of the insertion portion 3a, and a weir-shaped locking portion 3d is provided at a middle portion of the guide groove 3c in the longitudinal direction.
Are formed. Insertion portion 3a of this slide member 2
Can be inserted and slid into the passages 1c and 2e formed in the female connector housing 1 and the male connector housing 2, respectively.

Next, a procedure for assembling the connector including the female connector housing 1, the male connector housing 2, and the slide member 3 will be described.

First, when the insertion portion 3a of the slide member 3 is slid while being inserted into the passage 1c of the female connector housing 1, the upper and lower racks 3aA and 3aB pass through the cutout grooves 1b of the female connector housing 1, and Pinion 4
A meshes with 4B. At this time, the passage 1 of the female connector housing 1 is inserted into the guide groove 3c of the slide member 3.
The locking projection 1d formed on the side surface of the c is fitted.

When the slide member 3 is further slid into the female connector housing 1, as shown in FIG. 4, a locking projection 1 d formed on the side surface of the passage 1 c engages with a locking portion formed at an intermediate portion of the guide groove 3 c. The part 3d contacts.

From the state shown in FIG.
5 into the female connector housing 1 as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the locking portion 3d gets over the locking protrusion 1d,
The engaging projection 1d is fitted between the other engaging projection 1e. Thereby, the locking projection 1d and the locking portion 3d
Prevents the slide member 3 from coming out of the female connector housing 1. In addition, locking projection 1e
The engagement of the locking portion 3d prevents the slide member 3 from slipping forward. Insertion part 3a of slide member 3
Is a distance x from the rear end of the female connector housing 1 in a state where the locking projection 1d has passed over the locking portion 3d as shown in FIG.
Only protruding. The slide member 3 has the distance x,
Thereafter, the sliding member 3 is formed so as to have a larger stroke amount until the female connector housing 1 and the male connector housing 2 are connected. Further, the pinions 4A and 4B move the slide member 3 in the state of FIG.
The racks 3aA and 3aB are formed at positions where the leading teeth of the racks 3aA and 3aB mesh with each other.

When the female connector housing 1 on which the slide member 3 is mounted is brought close to the male connector housing 2 in the state of FIG. 5, and the front part of the female connector housing 1 is inserted into the hood 2b of the male connector housing 2, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the leading teeth of the racks 2cA and 2cB formed on the male connector housing 2 abut against the teeth of the pinions 4A and 4B.

When an insertion force is applied to the slide member 3 in the connecting direction from the state shown in FIG. 6, the locking portion 3d rides over the locking protrusion 1e, and the racks 3aA and 3aB formed on the slide member 3 are connected. To the rack 3a
The pinions 4A and 4B meshing with A and 3aB rotate. The rotating pinions 4A, 4B move in the connecting direction while rolling on the racks 2cA, 2cB formed on the male connector housing 2, and are generated between a large number of terminals held by the connector housings 1, 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the female connector housing 1 and the male connector housing 2 are joined against the connection resistance. When the female connector housing 1 and the male connector housing 2 are completely connected, the insertion portion 3a of the slide member 3 enters the passage 2e of the male connector housing 2, and the small locking projection 1f and the engagement recess 2d. Engage.

By the way, during the above-mentioned connection, the pinions 4A and 4B are moved forward by a leverage, although the amount of movement is smaller than the stroke length of the slide member 3, but larger than the insertion force given to the slide member 3. It moves in the coupling direction with a force (theoretically a double forward force). That is, the female connector housing 1 and the male connector housing 2 are coupled with a forward force twice as large as the insertion force. Therefore, even when a large number of terminals are provided and a very large force is required for the connection, the insertion force applied to the slide member 3 may be small, and the operability is extremely good. In addition, since the pair of pinions 4A and 4B apply a forward force in parallel on both sides of the slide member 3, no twisting occurs between the female connector housing 1 and the male connector housing 2.

In the above embodiment, the pinions having the same diameter in the pinion are engaged with the rack formed in the slide member and the rack formed in the male connector housing. However, two types of pinions having different diameters are used. The rack formed on the slide member may be engaged with the large-diameter pinion portion, and the rack formed on the male connector housing may be engaged with the small-diameter pinion portion. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain a larger forward force (coupling force) than the insertion force applied to the slide member. Another connector according to the invention shown in FIG. 8 has two pinion portions having different diameters as described above. Hereinafter, the connector of FIG. 8 will be described. Parts equivalent to those constituting the connector of FIG. 1 are denoted by reference numerals with “1” added to the front of each reference numeral, and description of some of them is omitted.

The connector shown in FIG. 8 includes a female connector housing 11, a male connector housing 12, and a slide member 13.

The female connector housing 11 is substantially different from the female connector housing 1 in the previous embodiment only in the pinions 14A and 14B. As clearly shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the pinion 14A has a small-diameter pinion portion 14Aa having the same diameter as the pinion 4A of the previous embodiment in a half-circumferential portion, and about 2 pinions 4A of the pinion 4A in the remaining half-circumferential portion. A large-diameter pinion portion 14Ab having a double diameter is provided. Also,
Positioning protrusions 14 projecting outward in the radial direction at the boundary between the small diameter pinion portion 14Aa and the large diameter pinion portion 14Ab
Ac is formed. The pinion 14B is formed vertically symmetrically with the pinion 14A, and includes a small-diameter pinion portion 14Ba, a large-diameter pinion portion 14Bb, and a positioning protrusion 14Bc.

The configuration of the male connector housing 12 is substantially the same as the configuration of the male connector housing 2 in the previous embodiment, and will not be described here. Racks 12cA and 12cB formed on the male connector housing 12
Is a small-diameter pinion portion 14 of the pinions 14A and 14B.
It meshes with Aa and 14Ba.

The slide member 13 has the same configuration as the slide member 3 of the previous embodiment. However, this slide member 1
3 is an insertion portion 3a of the slide member 3.
Upper and lower dimensions are smaller than. This is because the racks 13aA and 13aB formed in the insertion portion 3a are
This is for engaging with the large-diameter pinion portions 14Ab and 14Bb of 4A and 14B.

The female connector housing 11 as described above,
The procedure for assembling the connector including the male connector housing 12 and the slide member 13 is as follows.
In the description of this assembling procedure, a part of the description that overlaps with that of the previous embodiment is partially omitted.

First, as in the case of the previous embodiment, when the insertion portion 13a of the slide member 13 is slid with its distal end inserted into the passage 11c of the female connector housing 11, the upper and lower racks 13aA and 13aB are moved. It passes through the cutout groove 11b of the female connector housing 11. But,
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
13aB is a large-diameter pinion portion 1 of the pinions 14A and 14B.
At the rear dead center position immediately before engagement with the 4Ab, 14Bb, first, the tip of the slide member 13 is moved to the pinion 14A, 1B.
It comes into contact with the positioning projections 14Ac and 14Bc formed on 4B. By this contact, the positional relationship between the racks 13aA, 13aB and the pinions 14A, 14B is determined to a predetermined positional relationship. Therefore, when the slide member 13 is further slid as shown in FIG.
A, 13aB and the large-diameter pinion portions 14Ab, 14Bb of the pinions 14A, 14B can be accurately engaged.

FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. 5 in the previous embodiment. That is, the engaging portion 13 on the slide member 13 side is provided between the locking protrusions 11d and 11e on the female connector housing 11 side.
d is located, and the leading teeth of the racks 13aA and 13aB mesh with the large-diameter pinion portions 14Ab and 14Bb. That is, the slide member 13 is temporarily locked to the female connector housing 11.

FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. 6 in the previous embodiment. The front part of the female connector housing 11 to which the slide member 13 is temporarily locked as shown in FIG. 12B shows a state inserted into 12b. In this embodiment, the end face of the male connector housing 12 abuts on the pinions 14A and 14B, and at the same time, the leading teeth of the small connector 1 on the racks 12cA and 12cB.
4Aa and 14Ba.

By applying an insertion force toward the connecting direction of the female connector housing 11 and the male connector housing 12 to the slide member 13 from the state shown in FIG.
3d rides over the locking projection 11e, and the sliding member 1
The racks 13aA and 13aB formed in the third unit 3 move in the joining direction. Since the large-diameter pinion portions 14Ab and 14Bb are engaged with the racks 13aA and 13aB, the pinions 14 are moved with the movement of the racks 13aA and 13aB.
A and 14B rotate. When the pinions 14A, 14B rotate, the small diameter pinion portions 14Aa, 14Ba formed on the pinions 14A, 14B mesh with the racks 2cA, 2cB formed on the male connector housing 2. Therefore, the pinions 14A, 14A,
14B moves in the coupling direction while rolling, and the female connector housing 11 and the male connector housing 12 are coupled as shown in FIG. As in the case of FIG. 7, when the female connector housing 11 and the male connector housing 12 are completely connected, the insertion portion 13a of the slide member 13 enters the passage 12e of the male connector housing 12. In addition, the small protrusion 11f and the engagement recess 12d are engaged, and the female connector housing 11 and the male connector housing 12 are permanently locked so as not to come off from each other.

In the connectors shown in FIGS. 8 to 12 as described above, the pinions 14A and 14B are moved in the connecting direction by a leverage action with a forward force greater than the insertion force applied to the slide member 13. At the same time, in the connector of this embodiment, the diameter difference between the large-diameter pinion portions 14Ab and 14Bb and the small-diameter pinion portions 14Aa and 14Ba
A and 14B are moved in the connecting direction with a forward force greater than the insertion force applied to the slide member 13. That is, the large-diameter pinion portions 14Ab, 14Bb mesh with the racks 13aA, 13aB, and the small-diameter pinion portions 14Aa, 14Ba form the racks 12cA, 12cB.
The pinion 1
4A and 14B move in the connecting direction with a forward force greater than the insertion force applied to the slide member 13. As described above, when the large-diameter pinion portions 14Ab and 14Bb have twice the diameter of the small-diameter pinion portions 14Aa and 14Ba, the female connector housing 1 and the male connector housing 2 have an insertion force of three.
Combined with double forward force. As described above, according to the connector of this embodiment, the insertion force required for coupling the female connector housing 11 and the male connector housing 12 can be further reduced as compared with the case of the previous embodiment, realizing better workability. Can be expected.

The positioning projections 14Ac and 14B provided on the pinions 14A and 14B of the connector shown in FIGS.
1c can also be provided on the pinions 4A and 4B of the connector of FIG. 1, whereby the pinions 4A and 4B and the rack 3aA are also assembled at the time of assembling the connector of FIG. , 3aB can be more smoothly engaged.

In each of the embodiments, the female connector housing is provided with a pinion and the male connector housing is provided with a rack. However, the female connector housing is provided with a rack and the male connector housing is provided with a pinion. Is also good. In this case, the slide member is inserted from the rear side of the male connector housing.

[0039]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the connector can be connected with a much smaller insertion force than the required connection force. In addition, since the pressing direction of the slide member is the same as the connecting direction of the connector, it is not necessary to perform a holding operation during the connecting operation, and the workability is good. Further, since the coupling force can be obtained on both sides of the slide member at the same time, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of twisting between the connectors to be coupled. Furthermore,
Since there is no operation part protruding around both housings, there is also an effect that it is possible to easily cope with a small work space.

According to the second aspect, there is an effect that the magnitude of the insertion force with respect to the required coupling force can be made smaller.

According to the third aspect, the rack of the slide member and the pinion can be smoothly engaged with each other.
There is an effect that the workability of the joining operation can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory sectional view of a female connector housing of the connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory sectional view of a male connector housing of the connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory sectional view showing a state where a slide member is inserted into the female connector housing of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a state where the slide member is inserted to a position where the slide member is prevented from falling out of the female connector housing.

6 is an explanatory sectional view showing a process of coupling the female connector housing of FIG. 2 to the male connector housing of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another connector according to the invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory sectional view showing a process of assembling the connector of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory sectional view showing a process of assembling the connector of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory sectional view showing a process of assembling the connector of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory sectional view of the connector of FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,11 Female connector housing 2,12 Male connector housing 3,13 Slide member 4A, 4B, 14A, 14B Pinion 14Aa, 14Ba Small diameter pinion part 14Ab, 14Bb Large diameter pinion part 2cA, 2cB rack 3aA, 3aB rack

Claims (3)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A connector comprising a female connector housing and a male connector housing, each holding a terminal, rotatably supported by one of the connector housings, each of which is orthogonal to the connecting direction of the two connector housings. A pair of pinions having a rotation axis and arranged at a predetermined interval in a direction intersecting with the coupling direction; and a pair of pinions which can be inserted into and removed from the one connector housing in the coupling direction, and each of which is the pair of pinions. And a pair of racks provided in the other connector housing and engaged with the pair of pinions when the two connectors are connected to each other. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein each of said pair of pinions includes a large-diameter pinion portion and a small-diameter pinion portion, and each large-diameter pinion portion is a slide member.
A connector characterized in that each of the small-diameter pinion portions meshes with a pair of racks provided in the other connector housing while being engaged with the row racks. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein
A connector provided on the outer periphery of the pinion, wherein a positioning portion is provided for contacting the tip of the slide member at the rear dead center position where the rack of the slide member does not act on the pinion.