JP3067473B2 - Panel mount type 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 panel-mounted connector which is mounted on a panel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS.
188 discloses a connector 1 described in JP-A-188. The connector 1 includes a panel-mounting connector (connector plug) 3 fixed to the panel P, a mating connector 5 connected to the connector plug 3, and a connector fixture for mounting the connector plug 3 to the panel mounting hole 7. 9

[0003] The connector plug 3 comprises a connector housing 11 in which a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers for accommodating terminals of an electric wire terminal are formed, and a fitting hood portion 13 integrally formed with the connector housing 11. A fitting guide 15 is formed on a distal end surface of the fitting hood portion 13. The fitting guide 15 fits with the mating connector 5.

[0004] The mating connector 5 is provided with a plurality of fitting connection portions 19 for fitting with terminal fittings housed in the terminal housing chamber of the connector plug 3. The mating connector 5 fits with the connector plug 3 and is inserted into a mounting hole 7 provided in the housing (panel) P.

[0005] The connector fixture 9 has a cylindrical shape having openings 25 and 27 formed on both opposing surfaces.
9 and 31 are integrally formed. These locking arms 2
Engagement projections 33 and 35 are formed at the tip portions of 9 and 31. These locking arms 29, 31 are formed in rectangular through holes 21, 23 formed above and below the mounting hole 17 of the panel P.
It is designed to be inserted inside.

When connecting the connector plug 3 and the mating connector 5, first, the fitting guide 15 is fitted to the mating connector 5, and the mating connector 5 is inserted into the mounting hole 7 of the panel P. Next, by attaching the connector fixture 9 to the connector plug 3 and moving it toward the mating connector 5, the locking arms 29 and 31 are inserted into the through holes 21 and 23. Then, the locking projections 33 and 35 are inserted into the through holes 2.
1 and 23 are locked to the opening edges.

[0007]

However, since the panel mounting type connector 1 is locked only by the locking projections 33 and 35 of the locking arms 29 and 31, the locking force is weak. Further, since the locking projections 33 and 35 are forcibly inserted into the through holes 21 and 23, once the locking projections 33 and 35 are removed from the through holes 21 and 23, the locking projections 33 and 35 are damaged. And cannot be reused. Furthermore, the locking projection 3
Since the projections 3 and 35 are larger than the panel P, it is necessary to increase the locking space.

According to the present invention, in consideration of the above circumstances, the locking force to the panel can be increased, and even if the panel is once removed from the panel mounting hole, it can be mounted to the panel again and locked in a small space. It is an object of the present invention to provide a panel-mounted connector capable of performing the above-mentioned.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector housing provided with a terminal accommodating chamber for accommodating a terminal of an electric wire terminal, and a connector housing provided integrally with the connector housing. A panel mounting type having a fitting hood portion into which a terminal end of a terminal of a terminal housing projects and a mating connector is fitted, and a flexible locking arm which locks to an opening edge of a panel mounting hole. A connector, which is projected from an outer peripheral surface of the fitting hood portion, abuts on an opening peripheral portion of the panel mounting hole, clamps the panel with the locking arm, and attaches the connector housing to the panel; and a notch in which the locking arm in a state of being provided on the fitting hood section is locked to the panel mounting hole is accommodated, wherein the hood the locking arm
The fitting hood portion is formed up to the open end surface outside the portion, and the locking is performed when the mating connector is fitted to the fitting hood portion.
It is characterized in that the free end of the arm abuts on the mating connector to restrict the bending of the locking arm.

[0010]

[0011]

In order to mount the panel-mounting connector of the first aspect of the present invention in the panel mounting hole, a mating connector is fitted to the mating hood after a flexible locking arm is locked to the opening edge of the panel mounting hole. Fit inside. In this case, the locking arm is accommodated in a notch provided in the fitting hood.

Next, when the panel-mounting connector is detached from the panel, the mating connector is pulled out of the fitting hood portion, and then the flexible locking arm is largely bent into the fitting hood portion, so that the panel mounting type connector is detached. Remove from the opening edge of the hole.

As described above, according to the panel mounting type connector of the present invention, when the mating connector is fitted to the fitting hood, the flexible connector is provided between the opening edge of the panel mounting hole and the mating connector. Since the locking arm is pinched and the bending is regulated, the locking arm does not inadvertently bend and the locking force can be improved.

Further, even if it is once removed from the panel mounting hole, the flexible locking arm is not damaged, so that it can be mounted on the panel again and reused.

Further, when the locking arm is locked to the panel, the locking arm is housed in the cutout, so that the locking arm can be locked in a small space.

[0016]

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the panel mounting type connector according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 shows a panel-mounted connector (hereinafter referred to as “connector”) 41,
2 shows a mating connector 43 that fits with the connector P, and a panel P to which these connectors 41 and 43 are attached.

As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 41 is a connector housing 45 having a plurality of terminal housings for housing terminal fittings (not shown) connected to the terminals of the electric wires W.
And a fitting hood portion 47 formed integrally with the connector housing 45 and fitted with the mating connector 43. A stopper 49 is formed on the entire outer periphery of the fitting hood portion 47. The stopper 49 abuts around the opening of the rectangular panel mounting hole 51 provided in the panel P, and determines the insertion position of the connector 41 into the panel mounting hole 51. In addition, rectangular cutouts 53 and 55 are formed on opposing side walls of the fitting hood 47, respectively. From the connector housing 45 toward the cutouts 53 and 55, a flexible locking arm 5 is provided.
7, 59 are protruded. These locking arms 57,
Locking projections 61 and 63 project outward from the tip of 59. The inner walls 53a, 55a of the notches 53, 55 serve as stoppers for preventing the flexible locking arms 57, 59 from being excessively bent.

On the other hand, the mating connector 43 has a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 67 for accommodating terminal fittings in a connector housing 65. From these terminal accommodating chambers 67, the electric wires W with the terminal fittings connected to the terminal portions are drawn out.

Incidentally, tapered surfaces 69 and 71 are formed over the entire area of the opening edge 51a of the rectangular panel mounting hole 51 provided in the panel P. Also, the panel mounting hole 51
Is set slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fitting hood portion 47 of the connector 41.

To attach the connector 41 to the panel mounting hole 51, the connector 41 must be
After being positioned on the side where the holes 9 and 71 are formed, the flexible locking arms 57 and 59 are moved toward the panel mounting hole 51 while being slightly bent toward the notches 53 and 55. Then, the leading end portions of the locking projections 61 and 63 become tapered surfaces 69 and 7.
The flexible locking arms 57, 59 slidably guided by 1 are bent and inserted into the panel mounting holes 51. Then, the locking projections 61 and 63 are locked to the opening edge on the back surface side of the panel mounting hole 51. In this state, the distal ends of the locking arms 57 and 59 are housed in the notches 53 and 55. From this state,
The mating connector 43 is fitted into the fitting hood 47 from the back side of the panel P. When the mating connector 43 is fitted into the fitting hood portion 47, the accommodation portions of the locking arms 57, 59 in the notches 53, 55 are located between the inner wall of the panel mounting hole and the outer periphery of the mating connector 43. Deflection is restricted by being pinched, so that it is not inadvertently deflected. Thereby, the locking force can be improved.

Next, when the connector 41 is once detached from the panel P, the mating connector 43 is pulled out of the fitting hood portion 47 and the flexible locking arms 57 and 59 are placed inside the fitting hood portion 47. To the locking projection 61,
63 is removed from the opening edge on the back side of the panel mounting hole 51. In this state, the connector 41 can be removed from the panel P by separating the connector 41 from the panel P. In this case, since the locking arms 57 and 59 are not forcibly removed from the panel mounting hole P, there is no damage. Therefore, when attaching the connector 41 to the panel P again, the connector 41 can be attached to the panel P again by performing the above-described procedure.

When the locking arms 57, 59 are locked in the panel mounting holes 51, they are accommodated in the cutouts 53, 55, so that they can be locked to the panel in a small space.

Next, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 will be described.
In the panel-mounted connector 41 in the above embodiment, the flexible locking arms 57 and 59 are formed integrally with the connector housing 45. However, in this embodiment, the metal locking arm 77 and This is an example in which 79 is connected to connecting portions 81 and 83. As shown in FIG. 4, separate locking arms 77, 7
Reference numeral 9 denotes a plate-like shape, and rectangular engagement holes 77a and 79a are formed on one side. The other side is bent to form locking pieces 77b and 79b. These locking arms 77 and 79 are connected to connecting portions 81 and 83 provided on a connector housing 73 of the panel-mounted connector 70 .

The connecting portions 81 and 83 have notches 85 and 87
Support walls 89 and 91 opened toward the side are formed integrally with the connector housing 73. These support walls 89, 9
Engagement projections 81a and 83a protrude from the connector housing 73 covered with 1. These engagement projections 81a, 83a are engaged in the engagement holes 77a, 79a of the locking arms 77, 79.

The locking arms 77, 7 thus formed
Reference numeral 9 denotes a cutout 8
5, 87, and the bending is regulated by the mating connector 43 fitted to the fitting hood 75.

The inner walls 85a, 8 of the notches 85, 87
7a is a stopper for preventing the locking arms 77, 79 from being excessively displaced.

Further, the locking arms 77 and 79 of this embodiment
Since a separate metal piece is used, the locking force to the panel P can be improved as compared with the embodiment described above.

[0029]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the notch for accommodating the free end of the locking arm is provided in the fitting hood, and the locking arm is provided on the fitting hood. By forming the opening end surface, the locking arm can be attached to the panel again without being damaged when it is once removed from the panel mounting hole. In addition, the connector housing can be attached to the panel by sandwiching the panel between the stopper and the locking arm, so that the mating connector can be easily fitted by inserting the mating connector into the panel mounting hole and inserting it toward the fitting hood. Can be combined. Further, when the mating connector is inserted into the fitting hood portion, the bending of the locking arm is restricted, so that careless bending of the locking arm can be prevented, and the locking force of the locking arm to the panel can be prevented. Can be improved. Further, the locking arm is formed outside the fitting hood portion up to the opening end surface of the fitting hood portion, and the locking arm is housed in the cutout portion, so that the locking arm can be locked in a small space.

[0030]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a panel-mounted connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the panel-mounted connector according to the present invention is mounted on a panel.

3A and 3B show a procedure for mounting the panel-mounting connector according to the present invention on the panel, wherein FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the panel-mounting connector is mounted on the panel, and FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the state which attached to the mounting hole and attached the panel mounting type connector to the panel mounting hole, (c).
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a mating connector is fitted to a panel-mounting connector mounted in a panel mounting hole.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a panel-mounted connector according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a conventional panel-mounted connector, and FIG. 5 (a) is a perspective view showing a panel-mounted connector and a connector fixture;
(B) is a perspective view showing a mating connector fitted to the panel-mount type connector.

6A and 6B show a procedure for attaching a conventional panel-mounting connector to a panel, wherein FIG. 6A is a side view showing a mating connector and a panel-mounting connector fitted together, and FIG. It is a side view which shows the state which fixed the stop arm to the panel mounting hole and fixed the panel mounting type connector to the panel.

[Explanation of symbols]

41, 70 Panel mount connector 43 Mating connector 45, 73 Connector housing 47, 75 Fitting hood 53, 55 Notch 57, 59 Flexible locking arm 77, 79 Locking arm 85, 87 Notch

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 13/639 H01R 13/74

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A connector housing provided with a terminal receiving chamber for receiving a terminal of an electric wire terminal, and a terminal end of the terminal of the terminal receiving chamber is provided integrally with the connector housing, and a mating connector is fitted therein. A panel mounting type connector comprising a mating hood portion and a flexible locking arm for locking to an opening edge of the panel mounting hole, wherein the connector is protruded from an outer peripheral surface of the fitting hood portion. A stopper that abuts the opening peripheral portion of the panel mounting hole and clamps the panel with the locking arm to mount the connector housing to the panel; and a stopper provided in the fitting hood portion and locked in the panel mounting hole. A notch portion in which the locking arm is accommodated in a state where the locking arm is placed outside the fitting hood portion.
Formed to the opening end surface of the fitting hood portion, and when the mating connector is fitted to the fitting hood portion,
A panel-mounted connector in which a free end abuts on a mating connector to restrict bending of a locking arm.