JP3259814B2 - Connector connection detection device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pair of connectors used for connecting a wiring harness for an automobile and the like.
The present invention relates to a connector connection detection device having means for detecting whether or not the connection is complete.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In FIG. 10, A 'is a male connector housing, and B' is a female connector housing for a printed wiring board, each of which is formed of a synthetic resin material. A plurality of terminal receiving chambers 10 are formed in the male connector housing A ', and the female terminal fittings C' are inserted and locked (see FIG. 12).
In the female connector housing B ', a pin-type male terminal fitting D' is supported by a rear wall 11 and juxtaposed in a casing 12 (see FIG. 12).

A recess 1 on the upper surface of the male connector housing A '
A cantilevered flexible lock arm 14 having a rising base 14a at the front end is provided in the inside 3 and extends rearward. A lock projection 14b is provided on the upper surface of the intermediate portion of the flexible lock arm 14, and An unlocking pressing portion 14c is provided. At the center of the front end of the upper wall 15 of the female connector housing B ', an engaging frame 16 for the flexible lock arm 14 is provided, and a locking hole 16a for the locking projection 14b is formed.

When the male and female connector housings A 'and B' are mated, the female and male terminal fittings C 'and D' come into contact with each other.
The locking projection 14b after flexible displaced downward through the displacement permitting space R ₁ of the lower by flexible lock arm 14 when this is the the locking projection 14b abuts on the front end of the engaging frame portion 16 Return to the locking hole 16a to lock the completely connected state of the female and male connector housings A 'and B'.

[0005] A support frame portion 17 is provided in the sleeve portion 12 of the female connector housing B 'so as to extend forward from the rear wall 11 corresponding to the engagement frame portion 16. Support frame 17
Is formed in a substantially T-shaped cross section by providing a partition plate portion 17b at an intermediate portion of the horizontal plate portion 17a, and a pair of pin terminals D ″ for connection detection penetrate the rear wall 11 on both sides of the partition plate portion 17b. The pin-type terminal fitting D ″ for connection detection is provided so as to extend forward with the support frame 17 with respect to the pin-type male terminal fitting D ′.

In the male connector housing A ', a substantially T-shaped opening 18 into which the support frame 17 enters is formed at a position corresponding to the flexible lock arm 14 so as to extend rearward.
Below the opening 18, a support chamber 20 for the short-circuit contact 19 is provided with its front opening.

[0007] short-circuiting contactor 19 is fixed by fitting the substrate portion 19a or the cover plate portion 19b in the support chamber 20, the resilient contact piece 19c thereof shorting contact portions 19c ₁ by extending rearward of the concave portion 13 with opposed through a distance R ₂ from the inside against the bottom wall 13a, and advances into the recess 13 from the notch portion 13a ₁ of the driven portion 19d is a bottom wall 13a flexible lock arm 14
(See FIG. 12). The pair of elastic contact pieces 19c, 19c can be elastically displaced independently of each other due to the interposition of the slit 19e therebetween. Even if there is a vertical displacement, it is possible to sufficiently short-circuit them.

In the above configuration, when coupling of the male and female connector housings A 'and B' is started, the support frame portion 17 and the coupling detecting pin type terminal fitting D "enter the opening 18 (see FIG. 13). When the coupling degree is further increased, the support frame portion 17 and the distal end portion of the coupling-detecting pin-type terminal fitting D ″ are separated by the distance R _2.
Advances within it, with the flexible lock arm 14 by the locking projection 14b is engaged with the lower portion of the engaging frame portion 16 is flexible displaced through the displacement permitting space R _1, movable FLEXIBLE lock arm 14 Contact piece 19 of the short-circuiting contact 19 with the displacement of
Since c is also displaced in a direction to expand the distance R _2, bound detection pin type terminal fittings D "is in a non-contact state with the short-circuiting contacts 19 (see FIG. 14). Male, female connector housing A ',
When B 'is completely coupled, the resilient contact pieces 19c shorting contact 19 by flexible lock arm 14 is restored, 19c also return, short contact portion 19c _1, 19c ₁ is a pair of coupling sensing pin-type terminal The electric circuit for detection is activated by contacting the metal fittings D ″ and D ″ (see FIG. 15).

By the way, in the above structure, the short-circuiting contactor interlocked with the flexible lock arm is located inside the connector housing away from the flexible lock arm, so that the connector housing is vertically elongated. It tends to be larger. On the other hand, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 16 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 6-310220), a pair of flexible locking arms 14 ', 1 is provided on the upper surface of the male connector housing A ".
4 'is provided via a rising base 14a' at the front end, and is connected by a common unlocking pressing portion 14c ', inside the pair of flexible locking arms 14', 14 'in the short-circuit contact 19'. A pair of elastic contact pieces 19
c 'and 19c' are provided to be exposed to the outside, and the male connector housing A "is connected to the female connector housing B" to lock the protrusion 14b 'on the flexible lock arm 14'.
Is engaged with the locking portion 16a ',
The pair of elastic contact pieces 19c ', 19c' come into contact with the pair of pin detection terminal fittings D ", D" facing each other to activate the detection electric circuit.

This structure has the advantage that the connector housing can be made compact as compared with the conventional example, but is liable to be damaged because the short-circuit contact 19 'is exposed to the outside. To cause poor contact.
Short-circuit contact 1 separate from flexible lock arm 14 '
9 'causes a displacement and causes a contact failure.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of this point of the prior art, and a short-circuiting contact is provided in a mating child housing so as to face a flexible lock arm. Is protected from the outside.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises one connector housing having a flexible lock arm and the other connector housing having an engaging portion for the flexible lock arm. A pair of coupling detection terminal fittings in the body of the other connector housing.
A pair of resilient contact pieces in the short-circuit contacts provided in parallel to the coupling detector terminal fitting with the setting takes the binding detection terminal Gold
When the pair of connector housings is incompletely connected, the flexible lock arm is displaced to displace the elastic contact piece and cut off contact with the connection detecting terminal fitting. , also, one that has a flexible locking arm
Engagement with the other connector housing and the flexible locking arm
The other connector housing having a
A pair of coupling detecting ends is provided in the body of the connector housing.
A pair of elasticity in the short-circuiting contact is provided with a metal fitting.
A contact piece is juxtaposed with the connection detection terminal fitting, and
Of the flexible lock arm when the
By being pushed through the driven receiving part by the engagement piece
The elastic contact piece is deformed and comes into contact with the coupling detection terminal fitting.
Configuration was adopted.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, A ₁ is a male connector housing, B ₁ is a female connector housing is molded by the respective synthetic resin material.

[0014] The male connector housing A ₁ is formed with a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 10 with the female terminal fitting C is inserted, is locked, the pin-type male terminal fittings D to the female connector housing B ₁
Are supported by the rear wall 11 and are juxtaposed in the body 12. The in the recess 13 of the upper surface of the male connector housing A ₁ provided flexible lock arm 14 cantilevered having a rising base portion 14a at the front end is extended backward, the movable FLEXIBLE lock arm 14
The locking projection 14b is provided on the upper surface of the intermediate portion, and the unlocking pressing portion 14c is provided at the free end. Then, the front end center of the upper wall 15 of the female connector housing B ₁ are engaging hole 16a is formed for locking projection 14b with the engaging frame portion 16 is provided for the flexible lock arm 14.

A pair of coupling-detecting pin-type terminal fittings D ₁ are provided along the inner surface of the engagement frame 16 in the body 12 of the female connector housing B ₁ so as to penetrate the rear wall 11. And a pair of elastic contact pieces 21 of the short-circuiting contact 21 in proximity to the pin detection terminal fittings D ₁ , D _1.
b, 21b are provided. The substantially U-shaped short-circuiting contact 21 is attached by fitting the common base portion 21a into a groove (not shown) of the rear wall 11, and the respective elastic contact pieces 21b,
Reference numeral 21b extends forward along the pin detection terminal fittings D ₁ and D ₁ for connection detection. A short-circuit contact portion 21c is provided at an intermediate portion, and a driven receiving portion 21d is provided at a free end portion. A pair of coupling detection pin type terminal fittings D ₁ , D ₁ and a pair of corresponding elastic contact pieces 21 b, 21 b are arranged so as to be located on both sides of the flexible lock arm 14 in the facing male connector housing A ₁ . On both sides of the flexible lock arm 14, engagement pieces 14d for the driven receiving portion 21d are protruded.

In the above configuration, before the male and female connector housings A ₁ and B ₁ are connected, each of the elastic contact pieces 21 is connected to each other.
b shorting contact portion 21c of the contacts the coupling detector pin-type terminal fittings D ₁ corresponding has a pair of coupling sensing pin-type terminal fittings D _1, D ₁ is short-circuited (Figure 4).

When the connection between the male and female connector housings A ₁ and B ₁ is started, the locking projection 14 b engages with the lower portion of the engagement frame 16, whereby the flexible locking arm 14 is flexibly displaced, and Gohen 14d blocks the contact between the coupling sensing pin-type terminal fittings D ₁ by depressing the resilient contact piece 21b downwardly through the driven receiver 21d (FIG. 5). When the male and female connector housings A ₁ and B ₁ are completely connected, the flexible lock arm 14 returns and the elastic contact piece 2 of the short-circuiting contact 21.
1b also return into contact shorting contact portion 21c is a coupling sensing pin-type terminal fittings D _1, the metal terminal C, activating the sensing electric circuit with contact D (FIG. 6).

FIGS. 7 to 9 show a short-circuit contact 21 'having another structure and its operation. Like the short-circuiting contact 21 described above, the substantially U-shaped short-circuiting contact 21 ′ is attached by fitting the common base 21 a ′ into the groove of the rear wall 11, and each of the elastic contact pieces 21 b ′. extending forward along the engagement detection pin terminal fitting D ₁ has a 'driven receiving portion 21d in the free end' shorting contact portion 21c of the mountain-shaped at an intermediate portion, the shorting contact of the mountain-shaped There is a valley-shaped deforming fulcrum 21e 'between the portion 21c' and the common base 21a '.

In the above configuration, in the non-binding alone state of the female connector housing B ₁ represents, each resilient contact piece 21
b 'short-circuit contact portion 21c' of away from the coupling detector pin-type terminal fittings D ₁ corresponding in a non-contact state (Fig. 7).
When the coupling of the male and female connector housings A ₁ and B ₁ is started, the locking projection 14 b engages with the lower portion of the engagement frame 16, whereby the flexible lock arm 14 is flexibly displaced and the engagement piece is formed. 14d is prevented from contacting with the coupling sensing pin-type terminal fittings D ₁ by depressing the downward while deforming the pressed chevron with 'elastic contact piece 21b via the' driven receiver 21d (FIG. 8).

The male and female connector housings A _1, B ₁ is completely bound, 'resilient contact piece 21b of' by flexible lock arm 14 is restored short-circuit contact 21 is also restored, the engagement in this state The fulcrum 21 for deformation is formed by pressing the piece 14d.
'Since pushing up, short-circuit contact portion 21c' Gayori greatly deformed in a mountain type contact portion 21c for short 'resilient contact piece 21b via the' e pin detected pair of binding terminal fitting D ₁
And activates the electric circuit for detection (FIG. 9).

[0021]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the short-circuiting contact can be installed at substantially the same level as the flexible lock arm while protecting the short-circuiting contact in the sleeve, and the female connector can be made compact. is there.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the engagement piece smoothly engages with the driven receiving portion, and the elastic contact piece is displaced in accordance with the displacement of the flexible lock arm when the connector is incompletely connected. . According to the third aspect of the present invention, the elastic contact piece of the short-circuiting contact that is in contact with the connection detection terminal fitting is deformed when the pair of connector housings are completely connected to come into contact with the connection detection terminal fitting. Can be done.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment with a pair of connector housings separated.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the above.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a short-circuit contact.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a state where a pair of connector housings are separated.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the same incompletely connected state.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the above-described fully connected state.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a male connector housing according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a pair of connector housings in an incompletely connected state.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the above-described fully connected state.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conventional example.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a short-circuit contact.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the male and female connector housings.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the male and female connector housings at the initial stage of connection.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the above-described incompletely connected state.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a completely connected state according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

A ₁ , B ₁ Connector housing 12 Body 13 Recess 14 Flexible lock arm 14 d Engagement piece 16 a Engagement D ₁ Connection detection terminal R ₁ Displacement allowable space 21, 21 ′ Short-circuit contacts 21 b, 21 b ′ Elastic contact pieces 21c, 21c 'Short-circuiting contact part 21d, 21d' Driven receiving part 21e 'Deformation fulcrum part 22a Substrate part 22d Driven engaging part

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 13/64

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A connector housing having a flexible lock arm and another connector housing having an engagement portion for the flexible lock arm, and a pair of connection detecting terminals provided in a body of the other connector housing. contacting a pair of resilient contact pieces arranged side by side in the coupling detector terminal fitting in the coupling detector terminal fitting in the short-circuiting contact with kick set fittings
When the pair of connector housings are incompletely connected, the flexible lock arm is displaced to displace the elastic contact piece and cut off contact with the connection detecting terminal fitting. Connector detection device. 2. A short-circuit contact portion is provided at an intermediate portion of the elastic contact piece, a driven receiving portion is provided at a free end portion, and engaging pieces for the driven receiving portion are provided on both sides of the flexible lock arm. The connector connection detecting device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. One connector having a flexible locking arm.
The other having a housing and an engagement portion for the flexible lock arm
And the other connector housing
A pair of coupling detection terminal fittings is provided in the jacket of the jing
And a pair of elastic contact pieces of the short-circuit contact
The pair of connector housings are juxtaposed with the detection terminal fitting.
At the time of complete connection of the flexible lock arm.
When the elastic contact piece is pressed through the drive receiving portion,
It is characterized by being deformed and contacting the coupling detection terminal fitting.
The coupling detector device connector to be.