JP2858719B2 - Low insertion / extraction force 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 low insertion / removal force connector in which a male / female connector used in an electric circuit is reduced in fitting force to improve workability in a fitting process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a lever type connector showing an example of a conventional low insertion / extraction force connector. A pair of connectors a and b and a pair of connectors a 'and b' are arranged in parallel. The lever d provided on the housing c is rotated to fit the connectors a and b, and the connectors a 'and b' are fitted by the lever d '.

The levers d and d 'have guide grooves e and
e 'is provided, and the pins f, f' provided on the other connectors b, b 'are fitted and the levers d, d' are rotated, whereby the pins f, f 'are brought into the guide grooves e, The connectors a and b and a 'and b' are fitted by sliding in the pin introduction grooves g and g 'provided in the housing e' and the housing c.

Since the levers d and d 'can be operated independently of each other, the connectors a and b and the connectors a' and b '
Can be individually fitted and removed. For this reason, if the fitting of one connector is insufficient, it is difficult to find out in the working process, and there is a problem that a failure such as poor fitting occurs.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to prevent a poor fitting of a low insertion / extraction force connector for performing fitting / removal by an operating member,
An object of the present invention is to provide a low-insertion-force connector with reduced fitting force, improved workability in the fitting process, and high reliability.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a plurality of pairs of connectors which are fitted to each other. One connector is provided with a fitting pin, and the other connector is provided with a fitting pin. In a low insertion / extraction force connector having a plurality of operation members rotatably provided with a plurality of guide members formed with a guide groove for engaging a joint pin, the plurality of operation members are provided with rotation control for restricting rotation of operation members adjacent to each other. It is characterized in that means are provided.

The rotation restricting means includes a locking projection provided on the adjacent one of the operation members in the circumferential direction of the rotation thereof, and an engagement member formed on the other adjacent operation member in the direction of the rotation axis thereof. It is preferable that it is formed of a stopping recess (claim 2).

A large arc-shaped large bulge and a small bulge smaller in diameter than the large bulge are formed on the periphery of the plurality of operating members, and the large bulge and the small bulge are formed. It is preferable to provide an operating member having a rotation restricting means for providing a locking step between each of the steps and engaging and locking the locking steps of adjacent operating members with each other. Item 3).

[0009]

According to the present invention, since a plurality of connectors constituting one connector are sequentially fitted to the other connector by the operating member, the force required for fitting and removing the connectors is reduced. In addition to the reduction, the operation member is provided with the rotation restricting means for restricting the rotation of the adjacent operation members, so that the fitting order can be restricted, the erroneous operation is automatically prevented, and the reliability is reduced. improves.

In the low insertion / extraction force connector according to the second aspect, before the connectors are fitted to each other, the locking projection of one lever and the locking groove of the other lever are engaged with each other as the rotation restricting means. Therefore, the other lever cannot be rotated independently because the locking projection engaged with the lock groove hinders the lever. Therefore, unless one of the connectors is engaged by operating one of the levers, the other lever cannot be operated. Therefore, the operation sequence is restricted, and a defective connection due to an erroneous operation or the like is prevented. be able to.

In the low-insertion-force connector according to the third aspect, for example, a low-power connector composed of three male connectors A, B, and C as one connector and a female connector integrally formed as the other connector. The insertion / extraction force connector will be described. Before the connectors are fitted to each other, the large bulging portion of the operating member A 'for operating the connector A located at one end and the small bulging portion of the operating member B' for operating the connector B adjacent to the connector A are in contact with each other. Since the operation member B 'is in contact with the operation member B', the large bulging portion of the operation member A 'prevents the operation member B' from rotating independently. The same applies to the connector C adjacent to the connector B. Therefore, unless the operation member A 'is rotated to connect the connector A, the connectors B, C
Cannot be rotated.

When the connector A is fitted by rotating the operating member A ', the large bulging portion of the operating member of the operating member A' separates from the small bulging portion of the operating member B ', and the operating member B' is moved. Since the operation member B 'can be rotated by a predetermined angle, the connector B is fitted. Then, by repeating this operation sequentially, the connectors B and C are fitted.

The position of the operating member when the connectors are fitted to each other is such that the engaging step of the operating member A 'and the engaging step of the operating member B' engage with each other to lock the operating member A '. Like that. That is, when the locking step of the operating member A 'and the locking step of the operating member B' are engaged with each other,
The large bulging portion of the operation member B 'hinders the operation member A'.
Cannot be rotated in the reverse direction to release the fitting of the connector A. The same applies to the connector B adjacent to the connector C. Therefore, unless the operation member C 'for operating the connector C located at the other end is rotated, all the operation members of the connector cannot be rotated. It will not be possible to cancel it. Operation member C 'for operating connector C at the other end
The operating member is locked by a locking projection of the locking arm.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a low insertion / extraction force connector P showing an embodiment of the present invention. The low insertion / extraction force connector P includes female connectors 1, 1 'integrally formed adjacently in a female connector housing 3 formed on a case such as a junction block, and two male connectors 2, 2'. The female connector housing 3 is provided with U-shaped levers 4 and 4 'rotatably provided as operating members. Rotating shafts 3a, 3a 'are protruded from opposite side walls of the female connector housing 3 to form shaft holes 4a, 4a' of levers 4, 4 'and rotating shafts 3a, 3a'.
a ', the levers 4 and 4' can be pivotably operated and a pin introduction groove 3 into which pins 2a and 2a '(described later) of the male connectors 2 and 2' are fitted.
b, 3b '. Although not shown, the female connectors 1, 1 'and the male connectors 2, 2' are provided with male terminals and female terminals, respectively.

The male connectors 2, 2 'are provided with pins 2a, 2a' on the opposite side walls, respectively.
4 ′, and are introduced into the arc-shaped guide grooves 4b and 4b ′ and the pin introduction grooves 3b and 3b ′ of the female connector housing 3.
By rotating the levers 4 and 4 'in the directions of arrows T and T' and moving the pins 2a and 2a 'along the guide grooves 4b and 4b', the levers 4 and 4 'are fitted to the female connectors 1 and 1', respectively. I have to.

The lever 4 has a shaft hole 4a at each end thereof, an operation portion 4c formed at a U-shaped intermediate portion, and a mountain-shaped bulging portion 4d extending from the shaft hole 4a to the operation portion 4c.
The bulging portion 4d is provided with a locking projection 5 in a circumferential direction that rotates around the shaft hole 4a.

On the other hand, the lever 4 'is provided with shaft holes 4a' at both ends in the same manner as the lever 4, and provided with an operating portion 4c 'at the middle of the U-shape. The angled bulge 4 d ′ is formed symmetrically with the bulge 4 d of the lever 4. A lock groove 6 is provided in the bulging portion 4d 'in the direction of the shaft hole 4a' in order to fit the locking projection 5 of the lever 4. The two levers 4, 4 'are kept upright by a spring (not shown) before the male connectors 2, 2' are fitted.

In the above-described embodiment, a low insertion / extraction force connector in which a plurality of male connectors 2 and 2 'are individually fitted to female connectors 1 and 1' has been described. May be formed as an aggregate of male connectors fitted and fixed to one bracket with pins, and the bracket with pins may be rotated by an operating member to fit into the female connector.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are explanatory views showing the operation of the above embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a state of the levers 4 and 4 'before the female connectors 1 and 1' and the male connectors 2 and 2 'are fitted. 5 is fitted into the lock groove 6 of the lever 4 'to lock the lever 4' and prevent its rotation in the T 'direction.
Therefore, in this state, the lever 4 'cannot be operated alone.

When the lever 4 is turned in the direction of arrow T, the locking projection 5 is disengaged from the lock groove 6 of the lever 4 'as shown in FIG. 3, and the lever 4' can be turned. Become. Then, the lever 4 'is rotated in the direction of the arrow T', and the female connectors 1, 1 'and the male connectors 2, 2' are fitted together with the lever 4 and the lever 4 'being horizontal as shown in FIG. Is completed. Although not shown, lever 4,
4 'and the female connector housing 3 are provided with locking means for holding the levers 4, 4' horizontally.

As described above, the low insertion / extraction force connector P
When one female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are not fitted, the other female connector 1 'and the male connector 2' cannot be fitted, so that the fitting order is restricted, so that an erroneous operation is performed. It is possible to prevent improper fitting due to this.

Next, as another embodiment of the present invention, a low insertion / extraction force connector Q shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The low insertion / extraction force connector Q includes three female connectors 8A, 8B, and 8C integrally formed in a female connector housing 7, and three male connectors fitted with the female connectors 8A, 8B, and 8C. It comprises connectors 9A, 9B, 9C and operating members 10, 10 ', 10 "provided in a female connector housing 7. These female connectors 8A, 8B, 8C and male connectors 9A, 9B, 9C. Although not shown, a male terminal and a female terminal are respectively attached to them.

Since the operating members 10, 10 ', 10 "are all formed in the same shape and the same structure, the operating member 10 will be described as a representative. As shown in FIG. An operation plate 13 provided with a prismatic handle 14 at a position including the center of rotation 12 is engaged with a fitting pin 15 provided on the male connector 9A on a surface on the opposite side where the prismatic handle 14 is provided. An arcuate guide groove 16 is provided, and a handle 14 is provided on the periphery of the operation plate 13.
A large bulging portion 13a and a small bulging portion 13b are formed at positions sandwiching the, and both ends of the handle 14 are notched to provide locking step portions 13c and 13d, respectively.

The large bulging portion 13a is moved from the locking step portion 13c by one.
The small bulging portion 13b is formed in a substantially arc shape over 3d.
Distance L ₂ from the rotation center 12 to the periphery the large swollen portion 13a
Is the formation in combination with straight lines and an arc-shaped curve distance is L ₁ smaller than setting up the periphery, is provided toward 13c from the locking stepped portion 13d. The male connector 9C at the end has a locking projection 1 for locking the operating member 10 ″.
A locking arm 11 having 1a is provided.

Before the operation members 10, 10 ', 10 "are fitted to each other, the operation members 10, 10', 10 ',
With the handles 14, 14 ′, and 14 ″ of 10 ″ vertically positioned, the large bulging portion 13 a of the operating member 10 and the small bulging portion 13 b ′ of the operating member 10 ′ face each other and the large bulging of the operating member 10 ′. Projecting portion 13a 'and small bulging portion 13b "of operation member 10"
Are set to face each other. Then, the fitting pins 15 of the male connector 9A are positioned in the guide grooves 16 of the operation member 10 and the pin introduction grooves 7a provided in the connector housing 7.

In such a state, the operating member 1
0 ′ is a large bulging portion 1a of the operating member 10.
As shown in FIG. 7, the male connector 9 </ b> B cannot be rotated alone until it is fitted, as shown in FIG. The same applies to the operation member 10 ″ adjacent to the operation member 10 ′. Therefore, unless the operation member 10 is rotated, the operation member 10 ′ and the operation member 10 ″ cannot be rotated.

On the other hand, when the operation member 10 is rotated by 90 ° in the direction of the arrow to fit the male connector 9A, the operation member 10
Large bulging portion 13a and small bulging portion 13b 'of the operating member 10'.
Is released, and the operation member 10 'can rotate. Similarly, when the operation member 10 'is turned by 90 [deg.] And the male connector 9B is fitted, the operation member 10 "can be turned, and as shown in FIG.
By rotating all 0 ", the connectors are fitted to each other.

At this time, the locking step 13d of the operating member 10
The engaging step 13c 'of the operating member 10' is engaged with the engaging step 13c 'of the operating member 10' and the engaging step 13c 'of the operating member 10 "is engaged. Locked in the fitted state. Then, for the operation member 10 ″,
By rotating the operation member 10 ″, the large bulging portion 1
The locking projection 11a of the locking arm 11 is engaged with the locking recess 13e "provided in the 3a" to lock the operation member 10 ".

In this state, for example, the operating member 1
Even if it is attempted to rotate 0 'in the opposite direction, the operation member 10 "
The large bulging portion 13a "of the locking member 11 prevents the operation member 10 'from rotating alone. The same applies to the operation member 10. Therefore, the operation portion 11b of the locking arm 11 is pressed to lock the locking arm 11. Locking projection 1
As long as the engagement between the engagement member 1a and the locking recess 13e "provided in the large bulge portion 13a" is released and the operation member 10 "is not rotated in the opposite direction, any of the operation members 10, 10 ', 10" rotates. Cannot be moved.

To release the mating of each connector, first, the operating portion 11b of the locking arm 11 is pressed to release the locking of the operating member 10 ", and the operating member 10" is rotated in the reverse direction. The male connector 9C is removed from the female connector 8C, and then the operating members 10 'and 10 are sequentially rotated in opposite directions to release the fitting of the connectors 8B and 9B and 8A and 9A.

As described above, in the low insertion / extraction force connector Q, the order of fitting and removal of the connectors is regulated by the rotation restricting means provided on the operation member. Incorrect fitting does not occur, the fitting operation can be performed smoothly, and the reliability is significantly improved.

[0032]

According to the low insertion / extraction force connector of the present invention, a plurality of connectors constituting one connector are successively fitted to the other connector by the operation member, so that the connectors can be fitted together. Since the force required for removal is reduced, and the operation member is provided with rotation restricting means for restricting the rotation of the operation members adjacent to each other, the fitting order is restricted, and the fitting / removal order is incorrectly fitted. There is an advantage that no mating failure occurs, the workability and reliability of the fitting operation are improved, and it is particularly suitable for a multi-pole connector.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a low insertion / extraction force connector showing an embodiment of the invention described in claim 1;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an operation of a lever before the connectors of FIG. 1 are fitted to each other.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which one connector of FIG. 1 is fitted.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state where both connectors of FIG. 1 are fitted.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a low insertion / extraction force connector showing an embodiment of the invention described in claim 2;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the operation member of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the operation member of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of an operation member when each connector of FIG. 5 is fitted.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional lever-type connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 P, Q Low insertion / extraction force connector 1, 1 'Female connector 2, 2' Male connector 2a, 2a 'Pin 4, 4' Lever 4b, 4b 'Guide groove 5 Locking projection 6 Lock groove 8A, 8B, 8C Female connector 9A , 9B, 9C Male connector 10, 10 ', 10 "Operation member 13a Large bulge 13b Small bulge 13c, 13d Locking step 15 Pin 16 Guide groove

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Watanabe 206-1 Nunobikihara, Haibara-cho, Haibara-gun, Shizuoka Pref. Yazaki Parts Co., Ltd. (56) References Japanese Utility Model 4-81476 (JP, U) 3-4672 (JP, U) Hikaru 2-146921 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H01R 13/56-13/72

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of operating members each comprising a plurality of pairs of connectors which are fitted to each other, wherein one of the connectors is provided with a fitting pin and the other connector is formed with a guide groove for engaging the fitting pin. A low insertion / extraction force connector rotatably provided, wherein the plurality of operation members are provided with rotation restricting means for restricting rotation of operation members adjacent to each other. 2. The low insertion / extraction force connector according to claim 1, wherein the rotation restricting means is provided on an adjacent one of the operation members in a circumferential direction in which the operation protrusion rotates. A low insertion / extraction force connector comprising: a locking recess formed in the rotation axis direction with respect to the other operation member. 3. The low insertion / extraction force connector according to claim 1, further comprising: a substantially arc-shaped large bulge around the periphery of the plurality of operating members; and a small bulge having a diameter smaller than the large bulge. A rotation regulating member formed and provided with a locking step between the large bulging portion and the small bulging portion, so that the locking step portions of adjacent operation members are engaged with each other and locked. A low insertion / extraction force connector comprising an operation member having means.