JP3243954B2 - 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 in which two connector housings are fitted by rotating a rotating member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A connector disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-627724 is known as this kind of connector.
In the structure disclosed in the publication, a large number of male terminals are arranged in a male connector housing, a large number of female terminals are arranged in a female connector housing, and the male connector housing has a pivot for fitting operation. A lever corresponding to a member is mounted so as to be rotatable about a support shaft. This lever has a U-shape with arms on both sides, and has a cam groove on the arm.

On the other hand, a cam action pin is provided in the female connector housing, and when the two connectors are fitted together, the lever is held at the fitting start position so that the cam action pin of the female connector housing is engaged with the cam groove of the lever. Then, the female connector housing is displaced toward the male connector housing by the cam action of the cam groove by rotating the lever in the direction of the mating completion position, so that the two connectors are mated.

By the way, in order to perform this kind of connector connecting operation, first, a cam action pin is inserted into a cam groove, and in this state, a lever is rotated to move the cam action pin along the cam groove. become. For this reason, when rotating the lever, it is necessary that the cam action pin surely enters the cam groove.

[0005] For this purpose, conventionally, engaging claws for engaging with each other are formed at a fitting portion between a male connector housing and a female connector housing to hold both connectors in a temporarily fitted state.
In this state, the lever is rotated.

[0006]

However, since the wall portions of both connector housings are inherently low in flexibility, a sufficient engagement margin cannot be ensured with the above-described structure, and the temporary holding force is therefore reduced. However, there is a problem that the connection work of the connector cannot be stably performed due to the tendency of variation. If a design is made to secure a sufficient engagement margin to cope with this, there is a problem that the press-fitting tendency tends to be unreasonable, and the engagement portion is plastically deformed and cannot be used repeatedly. Further, it is possible to increase the size of the engaging claw to increase the flexibility, but this causes a problem that the entire connector is increased in size this time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector which can hold both connectors in a temporarily fitted state without increasing the size of the connector and which is excellent in fitting workability.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a lever is rotatably provided in one connector housing of connectors to be fitted to each other, and the lever enters a cam groove formed in a rotating member on the other connector side. A possible cam action pin is projected, and the two pins are held in a temporarily fitted state by fitting the cam action pin into the temporary fitting position of the cam groove, and the cam action pin and the cam groove accompanying the rotation of the rotating member And the two connectors are fully fitted by a cam action with the rotating member,
A temporary holding projection that elastically retracts by press-fitting the cam action pin into the cam groove and allows the fitting into the temporary fitting position is formed so as to protrude into the cam groove, and is temporarily held near the temporary holding projection. The present invention is characterized in that a concave portion or a through-hole for facilitating elastic compression deformation of the projection is formed (the invention of claim 1).

Further, in the above configuration, the center of rotation of the rotating member can be set on an extension from the temporary fitting position along the fitting direction of the two connectors (the invention of claim 2).

[0010]

When the two connectors are fitted to each other in the above-mentioned configuration, when the two connector housings are fitted into each other shallowly, the cam action pin enters the cam groove of the rotating member, and the temporary holding projection is elastically moved. By retreating, it passes through the temporary holding projection and reaches the temporary fitting position. In this state, the cam action pin is prevented from coming off from the cam groove by the temporary holding projection, whereby the two connector housings are held in the temporarily fitted state. When the cam action pin passes through the temporary holding projection portion, the temporary holding projection is compressed so as to be crushed by the cam action pin, but a concave portion or a through hole is formed in the vicinity thereof, so the temporary holding projection is Elastic compressive deformation is easily tolerated, and plastic deformation due to excessive compression is prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, for example, when the cam action pin is pushed into the temporary fitting position, the pin is excessively abutted against the inner wall of the cam groove, or both connectors are temporarily fitted. Even if a force acts on both connectors in the fitting direction when transporting, the center of rotation of the rotating member is set on an extension from the temporary fitting position along the fitting direction of both connectors. Therefore, no moment for rotating the rotating member is generated, and the rotating member does not rotate from the temporarily fitted state.

[0012]

As described above, according to the present invention, the provision of the temporary holding projection which protrudes into the cam groove of the rotating member to hold the cam action pin at the temporary fitting position allows a large connector. Therefore, the two connectors can be held in the provisionally fitted state without causing any change in the configuration, and the fitting workability is excellent. In addition, since a concave portion or a through hole is formed in the vicinity of the temporary holding projection, the temporary holding projection is easily allowed to undergo elastic compression deformation, and not only can the temporary fitting work be performed quickly, but also a part of the connector can be plastically deformed. Since the deformation can be prevented, the connector can be used repeatedly. According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the connector in the temporarily fitted state from being inadvertently advanced in the direction to deepen the fitting.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(Structure of Embodiment) The overall structure of both connectors is as shown in FIG. The male connector 10 is shown on the left side of the drawing, and the female connector 20 is shown on the right side. The male connector 10 has a configuration in which a large number of male terminals 12 are mounted in a flat cylindrical male connector housing 11 having one end opened and the other end closed. For example, two guide walls 13 extend toward the opening. In the male terminal 12, a large terminal group having a large current capacity and a small terminal group having a small current capacity are provided in different areas.

The male connector housing 11 has a pair of cam action pins 14 protruding coaxially on both right and left sides thereof, and the engagement release pieces 1 are provided above the respective cam action pins 14.
5 are protrudingly provided.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the female connector 20 has a configuration in which a large number of female terminals 22 are mounted in a female connector housing 21 also having a flat cylindrical shape. The female connector housing 21 corresponds to one connector housing according to the present invention, and the male connector housing 11 corresponding to the other connector housing can be fitted on the outer peripheral side thereof. 1
A waterproof seal 23 for sealing between the connector housing 1 and the housing 1 is fitted to the outer periphery of the female connector housing 21 on the base end side. The female connector housing 21 is integrally molded with a hood 24 surrounding the outer peripheral side of the fitted male connector housing 11, and the male connector housing 11 is formed by the hood 24 and the female connector housing 21. It is designed to be inserted in between. The left and right sides of the hood portion 24 have guide slits 25 through which the cam action pins 14 of the female connector housing 21 can enter when the male connector housing 11 is inserted into the hood portion 24, and engagement disengagement pieces 1.
An engagement hole 26 into which the fifth member 5 can enter is formed (see FIG. 2).

Hood 24 of female connector housing 21
A pair of support shafts 27 for mounting a lever 40, which will be described later, are provided on the left and right side portions of the right and left sides of the guide slit 25 and protrude coaxially. This support shaft 27
Has a large diameter portion 29 for retaining at the tip, and a split groove 28 having a V-shaped cross section which vertically divides the shaft.

The lever 40 is provided with two legs 42 on both the left and right sides of the bridging portion 41 to form a U-shape as a whole. A shaft insertion hole 43 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft 27 is formed to penetrate therethrough.
3, the lever 40 is rotatably supported about the support shaft 27 between the "fitting start position" shown in FIG. 1 and the "fitting completed position" shown in FIG. I have.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, a cam groove 45 is provided on the back side of this lever 40 (on the male connector housing 11 side).
Are formed, and when the male connector housing 11 is inserted, the cam action pin 14 can be inserted and engaged here. The cam groove 45 includes an introduction path 45b extending linearly from the starting end opening 45a, and an arc-shaped path 45c extending in an arc shape having a gradually changing curvature as a whole, following the end of the introduction path 45b. . Start end opening 45 of cam groove 45
a is formed at a position overlapping the opening end of the guide slit 25 formed in the hood portion 24 of the female connector housing 21 when the lever 40 is at the "fitting start position" shown in FIG. Eleven cam action pins 14 are introduced. The introduction path 45b extends linearly from the starting end opening 45a toward the support shaft insertion hole 43 of the lever 40, and has a length approximately 1.5 times the outer diameter of the cam action pin 14. The distal end of the introduction path 45b is a stop wall 45d against which the cam action pin 14 introduced from the starting end opening 45a abuts, and the arc-shaped path 45c is continuously changed in the lateral direction from the side thereof, and is continuous. The cam action pin 14 inserted into the introduction path 45b abuts against the stop wall 45d and stops. When this stop position is hereinafter referred to as a “temporary fitting position”, the rotation center of the lever 40 (the shaft insertion hole 4
3) is set on an extension from the “temporary fitting position” along the fitting direction of both connectors.

The temporary holding projection 55 is provided on the lever 40 near the starting end opening 45a of the cam groove 45 so as to protrude into the cam groove 45. Temporary holding projection 5
The distance between the front end of the cam working pin 5 and the inner wall surface of the cam groove 45 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the cam working pin 14, and the cam working pin 14 pushes the temporary holding projection 55 from the starting end opening 45a. It is inserted into the introduction path 45b while expanding.
In order to facilitate the elastic compression deformation of the temporary holding projection 55, a concave portion 56 is formed near the temporary holding projection 55. This is formed by depressing a part of the leg portion 42 of the lever 40, and has a substantially circular shape as shown in FIG.

An elastic protruding piece 46 is formed integrally with the lever 40 near the base of each leg 42 of the lever 40, and projects toward the rear side of the lever 40. When the lever 40 is at the “fitting start position”, the elastic protrusion 46 fits into and engages with the engaging hole 26 of the hood portion 24 to hold the lever 40 at the “fitting start position”. Having.

On the back side of the female connector housing 21, an electric wire cover 60 is provided. This wire cover 60 is connected to a group of wires w (FIG. 3)
(Shown only in FIG. 1) from the outside, and is slidable from the state shown in FIG.
A pair of cam protrusions 63 are provided on the electric wire cover 60.
When the electric wire cover 60 is moved in the direction of the arrow when the lever 40 is at the “fitted position”, the lever 40 is turned upward from the “fitted position”. Can be done. Further, a substantially L-shaped engaging claw 51 protrudes from the center of the bridge portion 41 of the lever 40, and can be engaged with a U-shaped hook portion 65 provided on the electric wire cover 60. A projecting piece 31 having an engaging hole 32 is formed at the center of one side of the female connector housing 21, and this engages with a locking projection 66 formed on the wire cover 60 so that the wire cover 60 is engaged. We do not move carelessly.

(Operation of Embodiment) In the above configuration, the operation of connecting the two connectors is performed as follows. First, the lever 40 is set at the “fitting start position” as shown in FIG. Then, the introduction path 45b of the cam groove 45 coincides with the guide slit 25 of the female connector housing 21, and the elastic protruding piece 46 of the lever 40 engages with the engaging hole 26 of the hood 24 so that the lever 40 is moved. It is held at the “fitting start position”.

Then, the tip of the male connector housing 11 is lightly pushed into the hood 24 of the female connector housing 21. Then, the cam action pin 14 of the male connector housing 11 enters into the introduction path 45b from the starting end opening 45a of the cam groove 45 of the lever 40, and in the process, the temporary holding projection 55 projecting into the introduction path 45b is moved to the cam action pin. 14 passes therethrough while being elastically compressed, stops at the “temporary fitting position” when it abuts against the stop wall 45d at the end of the introduction path 45b. When the cam action pin 14 passes, as shown in FIG. 8, the temporary holding projection 55 is easily compressed by the presence of the concave portion 56 to allow the cam action pin 14 to pass, and after passing, the temporary holding projection 55 is elastically restored and temporarily held. Since the projection 55 projects into the introduction path 45b, the cam action pin 14 does not return to the introduction path 45b in the reverse direction and fall out of the start end opening 45a.

Further, the cam action pin 14 is moved to the "temporary fitting position".
When it is pushed into the guide passage 4, it passes over the temporary holding projection 55 elastically, so that immediately after the passage, the introduction passage 4
The end wall 5b may strongly hit the stop wall 45d. However, in the present embodiment, the center of rotation of the lever 40 (the support shaft 27 and the support shaft insertion hole 43) is set on an extension from the “temporary fitting position” along the fitting direction of the two connectors. Even if the cam action pin 14 abuts against the stop wall 45d, no rotational moment acts on the lever 40 and the lever 4
The male connector housing 11 does not move in the direction of the "fitting completed position" due to the rotation of the cam action pin 14 due to the moment when the cam action pin 14 collides with the stop wall 45d.

In some cases, the connector housings 11 and 21 may be transported in a temporarily fitted state. Then
A strong force in the direction of the “fitting completed position” may be applied to both connector housings 11 and 21 during transportation or the like. In this case as well, the cam action pin 14 is applied to the stop wall 45 d of the cam groove 45. Although it is strongly pressed, the rotational moment does not act on the lever 40, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the two connector housings 11 and 21 from proceeding to a deeper fitting state.

In order to shift to the fully engaged state after holding both connector housings 11 and 21 in the temporarily engaged state,
What is necessary is just to put a hand on the bridge | crosslinking part 41 of the lever 40, and to rotate this to the "fitting completion position" direction. Then, the cam action pin 14 and the male connector housing 11 are connected to the lever 40.
When the lever 40 reaches the "fitting completed position" shown in FIG. 4, the terminals of both connector housings 11 and 21 are completely connected.

The two connectors are fully engaged as shown in FIG.
By engaging the hook portion 65, the lever 40 can be prevented from being locked and accidentally returning to the "fitting start position". When the electric wire cover 60 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 4 in the direction of the arrow from the locked state in FIG. 4, the cam projection 63 forcibly pushes up the lever 40, and as shown in FIG. Mating complete position ''
From the lever 40 to the "fitting start position" direction and stop, so that a gap is formed between the lever 40 and the wire cover 60. As a result, a finger can be easily hooked on the lever 40 even with a one-handed operation, and the lever 4
The turning operation in the direction of the “fitting start position” of 0 can be easily performed.

(Effects of the Embodiment) As described above, according to the present embodiment, the lever 40 originally required is used as a means for holding the connector housings 11 and 21 in the temporarily fitted state. The temporary holding projection 55 is
The cam action pin 14 is formed so as to protrude.
Are locked. Therefore, unlike the conventional configuration in which the outer surface of the female connector housing and the projections provided in the hood portion of the male connector housing are locked to each other to hold them in a temporarily fitted state,
Sufficient engagement allowance can be secured without increasing the size of the connector housing, and a stable temporary holding force can be obtained. Further, in the above-described conventional structure, a die-cutting hole for forming a protrusion must be formed at the back of the hood portion. However, in the present embodiment, such a die-cutting hole is unnecessary, and the waterproofness can be improved. Moreover, not only the provision of the temporary holding projections 55,
Since the concave portion 56 for facilitating the elastic compressive deformation is also provided, the press-fitting operation can be performed lightly while obtaining a sufficient temporary holding force, and the temporary holding protrusion 55 is formed by forcible press-fitting of the cam action pin 14. Since it is possible to prevent the plastic deformation, the temporary fitting operation can be performed again and the connector can be used repeatedly.

Also, in this embodiment, the center of rotation of the lever 40 is set on an extension from the "temporary fitting position" of the cam action pin 14 along the fitting direction of the two connectors.
Even if the cam action pin 14 hits the stop wall 45d,
The rotation moment does not act on the lever 40, so that it is possible to surely prevent the lever 40 from inadvertently rotating and the connectors in the provisionally fitted state shifting to the deeper fitting completed state.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the following modifications are possible, and these embodiments also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) In the above embodiment, one temporary holding projection 55 is provided so as to protrude into the cam groove 45. However, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, two temporary holding projections 55 are provided near the starting end opening 45a of the cam groove 45. The holding projections 55 may be provided to face each other,
In this case, recesses 56 may be provided near the respective temporary holding projections 55.

(2) In the above embodiment, the recess 56 is formed near the temporary holding projection 55. However, in order to facilitate the elastic compression deformation of the temporary holding projection 55, a through hole is formed instead of the recess. May be.

(3) In the above embodiment, the lever 40 is mounted on the female connector housing 21 and the cam action pin 14 is mounted.
Is integrally formed with the female connector housing 21. Alternatively, the lever may be mounted on the female connector housing and a cam action pin may be provided on the male connector housing. The cam action pin is not necessarily integrally formed with the connector housing. Instead, for example, it may protrude from a wire cover attached to the connector housing.

(4) The rotating member is not limited to the lever-shaped member illustrated in the above embodiment, but may be a simple plate-shaped member having only one leg or a disk-shaped substrate. It may be of a shape provided with an operating portion and a cam acting portion, respectively. When necessary, the rotating member is rotated via a support shaft to one of the connector housings so that the two connectors can be connected and disconnected. The present invention can be applied to a connector provided as possible. (5) In the above embodiment, the split groove 28 is formed in a V-shaped cross section. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The split groove 28 may be formed in a U-shape or a U-shape, or a large number of split grooves may be formed. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention before fitting of both connectors.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a female connector shown with a lever removed.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of both connectors before fitting.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lever is locked at a fitting completed position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the wire cover is moved to an unlock position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the electric wire cover is further moved forward from the unlock position.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing a leg portion of the lever.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the cam action pin passes through the temporary holding protrusion.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention in a state where the cam action pin passes through the temporary holding projection portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Male connector 11 ... Male connector housing 14 ... Cam action pin 20 ... Female connector 21 ... Female connector housing 27 ... Support shaft 40 ... Lever 43 ... Support shaft insertion hole 45 ... Cam groove 45a ... Start end opening 45b ... Introduction path 45c ... Arc-shaped path 45d: Stop wall 60: Electric wire cover

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A cam actuating pin which is rotatably provided on one connector housing of one of the connectors fitted together and which can enter a cam groove formed on the other member on the other connector side. The two connectors are held in a temporarily fitted state by fitting the cam working pin into the temporary fitting position of the cam groove, and the cam working pin and the cam accompanying the rotation of the rotating member are provided. The two connectors are fully engaged by a cam action with a groove, wherein the cam member is elastically retracted into the rotating member by press-fitting the cam action pin into the cam groove to the temporary fitting position. A temporary holding projection that allows insertion of the temporary holding projection is formed so as to protrude into the cam groove, and a concave portion or a through hole that facilitates elastic compression deformation of the temporary holding projection is formed near the temporary holding projection. And connector 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a center of rotation of the rotating member is set on an extension line from the temporary fitting position along a fitting direction of the two connectors.