JP3230973B2 - Connector misconnection prevention structure - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an erroneous connector prevention structure for a set of male and female connectors closely connected via an O-ring, which prevents mating at a position other than a proper position.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a connector that requires waterproofness and dustproofness, a pair of male and female connectors are closely fitted via an O-ring. Therefore, the male and female connectors generally have a cylindrical shape for mounting the O-ring.
In a so-called round connector having such a cylindrical housing, there is a possibility that erroneous coupling may occur in which the relative rotational position around the fitting center axis is inserted at an incorrect position.

A conventional connector having a structure for preventing such erroneous connection will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional misconnection prevention structure in a round connector provided with an O-ring. The circular connector 1
A female connector 7 that accommodates the male terminal 3 in a cylindrical housing 5 and a male connector 13 that accommodates the female terminal 9 in a cylindrical housing 11 are fitted by inserting the housing 11 into the inner periphery of the housing 5. Are combined. An O-ring 15 is attached to the outer periphery of the fitting portion of the housing 11, and the O-ring 15 comes into close contact with the inner periphery of the housing 5 when the male connector 13 is inserted into the female connector 7.
And the housing 11 are sealed in a watertight state.

Locking means 17a and 17b are provided outside the housing 5 and the housing 11, and the female connector 7 and the male connector 13 are prevented from being pulled out after the fitting is completed by the engagement of the locking means 17a and 17b. A regulating protrusion 19 that protrudes forward is provided on the distal end surface of the housing 5. On the other hand, a regulation cavity 21 into which the regulation projection 19 is inserted when the housing 5 and the housing 11 are fitted at the regular fitting position is opened at the tip end surface of the housing 11.

Therefore, when the female connector 7 and the male connector 13 are fitted at positions other than the regular positions, the restricting projections 19 come into contact with the distal end surfaces of the housing 11 other than the restricting cavity 21 and the female connector 7 and the male connector 13 Is prevented from being fitted, and incorrect connection can be prevented.

[0006]

As described above, in the waterproof connector, since the O-ring 15 is used, a round type in which the fitting portion has a cylindrical shape is generally used. Becomes However, in the above-described conventional misconnection prevention structure, since the regulating protrusion 19 is inserted into the regulating cavity 21 to regulate the relative position, the regulating cavity 2
If a foreign matter enters the space 1, there is a problem that the restricting projection 19 cannot be inserted and the connector cannot be fitted. Further, in the above-described incorrect connection preventing structure, since the regulating protrusion 19 and the regulating cavity 21 are formed on the distal end surfaces of the housing 5 and the housing 11, there is a problem that the space for disposing the terminals is narrowed. Further, when the connector 1 is used as a connector that fits in the up-down direction, depending on the positional relationship between the O-ring 15 and the regulating protrusion 19, the O-ring 15 is attached to the housing 5 of the female connector 7 before the regulating protrusion 19 abuts. O-ring 15
Due to the close contact between the female connector 7 and the female connector 7, even when the female connector 7 is not properly fitted, there is a possibility that the female connector 7 may be held as it is, resulting in erroneous connection. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a connector erroneous coupling prevention structure capable of preventing erroneous insertion before a holding force is generated by an O-ring without reducing a terminal arrangement space on a connector tip surface, It is an object of the present invention to improve quality by preventing erroneous connection and to improve fitting workability.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a structure for preventing misconnection of a connector, wherein a cylindrical housing of one connector is fitted to an inner periphery of a cylindrical housing of the other connector. And the housings are O
A connector erroneous coupling prevention structure for preventing a set of connectors closely connected via a ring from being fitted at a position other than a normal position, wherein a portion of a lock arm of the other connector that engages with the one connector is provided. a flange portion formed in Suyo out tension in the outer circumferential direction from the front end surface of the housing cut away, said cantilevered on the outer peripheral surface of the one connector housing to extend into the distal end side and is projected from the tip And an engagement portion , wherein the engagement portion allows insertion of the lock arm.
When the connector is inserted in the correct position
Contact with the flange is avoided only at the
And is provided so as to be able to engage with.
In the erroneous coupling prevention structure configured as described above, the guide surface provided on the engagement portion of one connector coincides with the notch formed by cutting out the lock arm portion of the other connector. Interference between the portion and the flange portion of the other connector is avoided, and the connectors are properly fitted. On the other hand, if the connector is inserted at a position other than the proper position, the notch does not coincide with the guide surface, so that the flange comes into contact with the engaging portion of one connector, thereby preventing the connector from being inserted. In this state, the O-ring is in a state before being inserted into the housing, and does not generate a holding force due to close contact within the housing. This prevents the connectors from being erroneously coupled due to the close contact of the O-rings.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the structure for preventing misconnection according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing a connector erroneous connection preventing structure according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view showing a state where the connector of FIG. 1 is fitted, FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the connector erroneous connection preventing structure according to the present invention at the time of regular fitting, and FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view. In the connector erroneous connection prevention structure according to the present embodiment, one connector (male connector) 31
It is attached upward to the surface of. Therefore, the other connector (female connector) 35 is fitted to the male connector 31 from the upper side in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. Incidentally, for example, a female terminal accommodated in the male connector 31,
For example, male terminals accommodated in the female connector 35 are not shown.

The male connector 31 has a flange-shaped fixing plate 39 (see FIG. 4) formed substantially at the center of a cylindrical housing 37, with one end serving as a base end with the fixing plate 39 interposed therebetween. It is inserted into the mounting hole 41 of the device 33. A peripheral groove 43 shown in FIG. 5 is formed on the outer periphery of one end of the housing 37, and an O-ring 45 is mounted in the peripheral groove 43. Therefore, at the base end side of the housing 37 inserted into the mounting hole 41, the O-ring 45 is in close contact with the inner circumference of the mounting hole 41, so that the space between the outer circumference and the inner circumference of the mounting hole 41 is sealed in a watertight state. You. The male connector 31 having the base end of the housing 37 inserted into the mounting hole 41 is connected to the device 33 by screwing a bolt 49 (see FIG. 2) inserted into the hole 47 of the fixing plate 39 to the device 33. Fixed.

The fixing plate 39 of the male connector 31 has an engaging portion 5
The engaging portion 51 is extended to the front end side along the outer peripheral surface of the housing 37, is supported in a so-called cantilever shape, and the front end protrudes from the front end of the housing 37. The engaging portion 51 is engaged with a lock arm of the female connector 35 described later. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the engaging portion 51 is formed with a fitting groove 54 into which the lock arm is inserted and an engaging hole 56 into which the locking projection of the lock arm is engaged. A guide surface 57 that allows the lock arm of the female connector 35 to be inserted is formed on a surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the housing 37. The front end side of the fitting groove 54 is formed on a tapered surface 54a that expands forward.

The male connector 31 fixed to the device 33 includes:
The distal end side of the housing 37 projects from the device 33. A peripheral groove 53 is formed on the outer periphery on the distal end side of the housing 37, and an O-ring 55 is mounted in the peripheral groove 53. The O-ring 55 comes into close contact with the inner periphery of the housing of the female connector 35 when the connector is fitted.

On the other hand, a female connector 35 having a cylindrical housing 61 for accommodating a male terminal (not shown) is adapted to insert the housing 37 of the male connector 31 inside the housing 61. Housing 6 for female connector 35
A lock arm 52 is continuously provided on the outer periphery of the connector 1, and the lock arm 52 is fitted into the fitting groove 54 of the male connector 31 when the female connector 35 and the male connector 31 are properly fitted,
In addition, a locking projection 58 formed on the lock arm 52 is engaged with the engagement hole 56 and engages with the engagement portion 51 to regulate the removal of the connector.

When the housing 37 of the male connector 31 is inserted into the inner periphery of the housing 61 of the female connector 35,
O attached to the outer periphery of the housing 37 of the male connector 31
The ring 55 is in close contact with the inner periphery of the housing 61 of the female connector 35. The female connector 35 is formed with a flange 62 projecting from the distal end surface of the housing 61 in the outer peripheral direction. As shown in FIG.
Is cut out as a notch 63, and the notch 63
Are formed on the entire circumference of the housing 61 except for the above. In addition,
A portion where the flange portion 62 is missing in a curved shape in the diameter direction of the housing 61 is a relief portion of a bolt 49 (see FIG. 2) for fixing the male connector 31.

When the connectors are inserted at positions other than the proper positions, the flange portion 62 engages with the engaging portion 5 of the male connector 31.
1, or by contacting the guide surface 57 to prevent the connectors from fitting. That is, when the female connector 35 is fitted to the male connector 31, if the connectors are in a proper fitting state, the flange portion 62 is disengaged from the engagement portion 51, and the notch portion 63 is The guide surface 57 coincides with the guide surface 57. Accordingly, the flange portion 62 can move to the insertion position without interfering with the engagement portion 51, and at the same time, the notch portion 63 moves along the guide surface 57 as the female connector 35 is inserted, and the lock arm 52 is moved to the engagement portion. 51 can be engaged.

In the connector erroneous coupling prevention structure configured as described above, the female connector 35 is
As shown in FIG. 5, when the female connector 35 is inserted, the flange 62 reaches the surface of the fixing plate 39 of the male connector 31 when the female connector 35 is inserted. (FIG. 3
Guide surface 57 of the engaging portion 51 of the male connector 31.
Interference is avoided and inserted.

The lock arm 52 is connected to the engagement groove 5 of the engagement portion 51.
4, the O-ring 55 attached to the housing 37 of the male connector 31 starts to come into close contact with the inner periphery of the housing 61 of the female connector 35, and the female connector 35 is inserted to a predetermined fitting depth. Thereby, the O-ring 55 comes into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the housing 61 at a predetermined depth. Thereby, the male connector 31 and the female connector 35
The gap is sealed in a watertight state by the O-ring 55, so that waterproofness is ensured. Also, in the mating completed state,
The locking projection 58 of the lock arm 52 engages with the engagement hole 56 of the engagement portion 51, and the removal of the connector except when the engagement is released is restricted.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Is inserted at a position other than the proper position, the notch 63 of the female connector 35 does not match the position of the engaging portion 51 of the male connector 31, so that the flange portion 62 introduces the fitting groove 54 of the engaging portion 51. As a result, the female connector 35 is prevented from being inserted into the male connector 31. In this state, the O-ring 55 on the outer periphery of the male connector 31 is in a state before being inserted into the housing 61 of the female connector 35, and
There is no generation of holding force due to close contact inside. Therefore, the female connector 35 inserted from above at a position other than the regular position is not erroneously coupled due to the holding force due to the close contact of the O-ring 55.

According to the erroneous connection preventing structure described above, the flange portion 62 is formed on the distal end surface of the housing 61 of the female connector 35 with a part formed as a notch 63, and the notch 63 is provided only at a regular fitting position. Since the engaging portion 51 that matches and avoids interference is formed in the housing 37 of the male connector 31 in a protruding state, before the O-ring 55 comes into close contact with the housing 61 of the female connector 35 and a retaining force is generated, the flange portion 62 is formed. Is housing 3
7, the erroneous connection in which the female connector 35 is held by the close contact of the O-ring 55 can be reliably prevented.

Further, in order to prevent erroneous connection, locking means (engaging portion 51 and lock arm 52) for restricting withdrawal after the completion of mating between the connectors is used. Since only the notch 63 is provided, an erroneous connection preventing structure can be realized without complicating the shape of the connector.

Further, a flange 62 for preventing erroneous connection,
Since the notch 63, the lock arm 52, and the guide surface 57 of the engaging portion 51 are provided around the housing 37 and the housing 61, the regulating protrusion 19 (see FIG. 7) and the regulating cavity 21 (see FIG. Unlike the conventional structure in which the terminal arrangement is provided, the terminal arrangement space is not reduced.

[0021]

As described above in detail, according to the erroneous connection preventing structure according to the present invention, a flange is provided on the distal end surface of the housing of the other connector so as to project outward. Is provided with a cut-out portion cut out at the position of the lock arm, and a guide surface that coincides with this cut-out portion and avoids interference only at a regular fitting position protrudes from the front end of the housing of one of the connectors. Is provided at the engagement portion where the O-ring engages. Therefore, for insertion at a position other than the normal position, the flange abuts against the tip of the engagement portion before the holding force is generated by the O-ring, and the connector comes into close contact with the O-ring. The erroneous connection that is held can be reliably prevented. In addition, since the engagement portion and the lock arm also function as a structure for preventing erroneous connection, assembling workability can be improved, and production can be performed without complicating the connector structure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a connector misconnection prevention structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a state where the connector of FIG. 1 is fitted.

FIG. 3 is a view as viewed in the direction of arrows AA in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrows BB in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of the connector erroneous connection prevention structure according to the present invention at the time of regular fitting.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of the connector erroneous connection preventing structure according to the present invention at the time of erroneous connection.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional incorrect connection prevention structure in a round connector provided with an O-ring.

[Explanation of symbols]

 31 Male connector (one connector) 35 Female connector (other connector) 37, 61 Housing 51 Engagement part 52 Lock arm 54 Fitting groove 57 Guide surface 62 Flange part 63 Notch

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 13/64-13/645

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cylindrical housing of one connector is fitted to an inner periphery of a cylindrical housing of the other connector, and the housing is other than a regular position of a set of connectors closely connected via an O-ring. a connector erroneous coupling preventing structure prevents the fitting in, said other connector, out tension in the outer circumferential direction from the front end surface of the housing by cutting a portion of the lock arm for engaging said one of the connector Suyo A flange formed on the outer peripheral surface of the housing of the one connector, and an engaging portion extending to the distal end side and protruding from the distal end, wherein the engaging portion is provided with the lock. Guide surface to allow arm insertion
Only when the connector is inserted in the correct position
Avoids contact with the flange and can be engaged with the lock arm
Connector erroneous connection prevention structure characterized by being provided in the above.