JP3303738B2 - 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.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A connector is constructed by inserting a terminal fitting into a connector housing, and the terminal fitting and the mating terminal fitting are connected by fitting with a mating connector. In such a connector, when the terminal fittings are not inserted in the proper positions or when both connectors are not properly fitted, the connection between the terminal fittings becomes unstable. Therefore, the connector housing is provided with a retainer for holding the terminal fitting in the proper insertion position, and is provided with a bending lock piece for holding the terminal fitting in a properly fitted state with the mating connector.

Since the retainer cannot be properly mounted when the terminal fitting is in the half-inserted state, the inserted state of the terminal fitting can be determined based on whether or not the retainer can be assembled. This can prevent the terminal fitting from remaining half-inserted. On the other hand, the bending lock piece does not perform the locking function when both connectors are half-fitted, and engages with the locking portion of the other party to perform the locking function when both connectors reach the normal fitting state. Therefore, the fitting state of both connectors can be determined based on whether or not the locking of the bending lock pieces is functioning. This allows
The connector can be prevented from remaining half-fitted.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional connector, the half-insertion detection of the terminal fitting is performed only when the retainer is assembled. If the half-insertion detection by the retainer is overlooked, There is a risk that the connector will be fitted without detecting half-insertion in a subsequent step. The present invention was created in view of the above circumstances,
An object of the present invention is to make it possible to reliably detect half-insertion of a terminal fitting.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector housing that can be fitted to a mating connector housing, a terminal fitting inserted into the connector housing,
The two connector housings are fitted between a temporary locking position that allows the terminal fitting to be inserted into the connector housing and a full locking position that holds the terminal fitting in the regular insertion position.
A retainer mounted to be displaceable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mating direction, and a flexible lock capable of locking the connector housing and the mating connector housing in a properly fitted state.
The retainer is restricted from being displaced from the temporary locking position to the full locking position when the terminal fitting is half-inserted, and the flexible lock piece is provided integrally with the retainer. When the retainer is at the full locking position, locking by the flexible lock piece is permitted, and when the retainer is at the temporary locking position, the bending is
A lock piece can lock to the mating connector housing.
Position of the mating connector housing
Mating of both connector housings
Is regulated .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the flexible lock pieces are formed by the two connector housings.
It is elastically bent during the mating process, and both connector housings
When the connector reaches the proper mating state, it returns to the mating connector.
The connector is adapted to be engaged with the housing.
The housing can be moved back and forth in the fitting direction.
Functional engaging member is assembled, and this engaging member
Is the front when both connector housings are in the process of fitting.
Before the engagement member is pushed forward, it is elastically displaced.
The forward movement is restricted by the bending lock piece, and the two connectors
When the housing reaches a regular fitting state, the engaging member
Pressing forward moves forward to the bending side of the bending lock piece.
The fitting detection piece that can regulate the displacement of the
It has a configuration that is. The invention of claim 3 is claim 1 or
The invention according to claim 2, wherein the mating connector housing is
A pair of male tabs that can be connected to the terminal
And a short-circuit bracket for short-circuiting both male tabs
While the connector housing is provided,
An engaging member that can move back and forth along the
The engaging member is pushed forward
Along with that, dive between the short-circuit fitting and the male tab.
Elastically displace the short-circuit fitting from the male tab.
The short-circuit release piece that can release the short circuit between both male tabs
The configuration was provided. The invention of claim 4 is the claim
3. The connector housing and the retainer according to claim 3,
Hole is provided with a short-circuit release piece through-hole and a through-hole.
The retainer is in the temporary locking position
Is located at a position where the through-hole is shifted from the short-circuit release piece through-hole.
As a result, the short-circuit release piece cannot penetrate, and the
When the connector is in the final locking position, the through hole
The short-circuit release piece is aligned with the through hole and the short-circuit release piece is
It is configured to be penetrated through.

[0007]

When the [Action and Effect of the Invention] <claim 1 of the Invention> terminal fitting is properly inserted, since the retainer lock function by the lock piece deflection displaced to the locking position is permitted, flexing lock The piece locks both connector housings in a properly mated condition. In contrast, since the terminal fitting when the insufficiently inserted state, the retainer remains partial locking position without be displaced into the main locking position, the deflection lock piece
Abuts against the mating connector housing and
Operation is restricted, and the function of locking both connector housings is not exhibited. In other words, not only is it possible to displace the retainer to the temporary locking position, but also
Depending on whether the operation is performed without trouble,
It is possible to determine, with the insufficient insertion of the terminal fitting can be reliably detected by twofold, once properly connected
To check if the lock is working after joining
The workability is superior to that of.

<Invention of Claim 2> When both connector housings are in the process of being fitted, the bending lock
The engaging piece is in a state of elastic bending, so the engaging member
Even if you try to push it in,
The advancement of the fitting detection piece is restricted and the engaging member cannot be pushed
Becomes Both connector housings are properly mated
Sometimes, the flexible lock piece is
When the engagement member is pushed forward, it is locked.
The knurled piece advances forward and is bent along the lock piece.
You. At this time, the displacement of the bending lock piece is regulated by the fitting detection piece.
The connector housings are double locked.
You. Thus, depending on whether the pushing operation of the engaging member is possible,
Can detect the mating state of the connector housing
You. <Invention of claim 3> Engagement after both connector housings have reached the normal fitting state
When the member is pushed forward, the short-circuit release piece advances forward,
Squeeze between the short-circuit bracket and the male tab to elastically change the short-circuit bracket.
Position. This separates the shorting bracket from the male tab,
The short circuit between the male tabs is released. <Invention of claim 4> When the retainer is at the temporary locking position, the retainer is short-circuited.
Since the release piece through hole is closed, the engaging member is connected to the connector housing.
Even if you try to assemble it into a housing, make the short-circuit release piece penetrate
And the retainer is not displaced to the final locking position.
I understand that. On the other hand, when the retainer is in the final locking position
Has a short-circuit release piece through-hole that is open
When the engaging member is assembled to the connector housing,
Penetration release piece penetrates through hole and short circuit release piece penetrates
Penetrated through the hole.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<First Embodiment> Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the male connector 10 to which the female connector 20 of the present embodiment is fitted will be described. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the male connector 10 has a male connector housing having a fitting concave portion 12 which has a circular shape as a whole and is largely opened forward (a mating connector which is a constituent element of the present invention). A housing 11, a pair of left and right male tabs 13 protruding into the fitting recess 12, and a short-circuit metal fitting 14 for short-circuiting the male tabs 13. The housing body 2 of the female connector housing 21 is provided on the back end face of the fitting recess 12.
2 is recessed, locking grooves 16 are recessed on both left and right side surfaces, and the bracket housing 1 is formed on the ceiling surface.
7 is recessed. The short-circuit metal fitting 14 is provided in the metal fitting housing 17.
And a pair of left and right resilient contact pieces 14A that are provided in the inside, are electrically connected at the front end, and extend rearward in a cantilever manner. When the short-circuit fitting 14 is in the free state,
Both male tabs 13 are short-circuited by the downwardly-facing rear end of the elastic contact piece 14 </ b> A elastically contacting the male tab 13.
When the 4A is lifted upward, the short circuit is released.

Next, the female connector 20 will be described. The female connector 20 is connected to the male connector housing 11.
A female connector housing (connector housing which is a constituent feature of the present invention) 21 fitted to the female connector housing, a female terminal fitting (terminal fitting which is a constituent feature of the present invention) 30 attached to the female connector housing 21; The female connector housing 21 includes a retainer 40 attached to the female connector housing 21 and an engaging member 50 attached to the female connector housing 21.

The female connector housing 21 comprises a housing body 22 having a pair of cavities 23 on the left and right sides, and a box-shaped mounting portion 24 which is continuous with the rear end of the housing body 22 and which is largely opened rearward. Cavity 2
A female terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the opening 3 at the rear end thereof, and a primary locking portion 23 </ b> A capable of engaging with the female terminal fitting 30 is formed in the cavity 23. In the mounting part 24,
A pair of left and right short-circuit release piece through holes 25A penetrating the front wall and opening along the upper surface of the housing main body 22 are formed, and a pair of right and left fitting detection pieces penetrating along the side surface of the housing main body 22 are formed. A hole 25B is formed, and a pair of left and right flexible lock piece through holes 25C that open along the outer edge upper region of the fitting detection piece through hole 25B are formed. These through holes 25A, 2
5B and 25C are mutually connected.

In the upper region on both left and right inner surfaces of the mounting portion 24, a temporary locking guide portion 26A in the front-rear direction and a full locking guide portion 26B extending upward from the front end of the temporary locking guide portion 26A. Are formed. A temporary locking projection 26C is formed on the temporary locking guide 26A, and a final locking projection 26D is formed on the upper end of the final locking guide 26B. On the other hand, a temporary locking projection 26E is formed in a lower region on the inner side surface of the mounting portion 24.

An operation window 25D is formed at a position below the housing body 22 on the front wall of the mounting portion 24. A pair of left and right electric wire escape grooves 26F is formed in the lower surface of the mounting portion 24. An opening 25E along the outer edge of the fitting detection piece through hole 25B is a die-cut hole for forming the guide portions 26A and 26B, and is a vertically long opening 25F on both the left and right sides of the operation window hole 25D. Is a die-cut hole for forming the lower temporary locking projection 26E.

The female terminal fitting 30 comprises a box-shaped terminal main body 31 inserted into the cavity 23, and a wire connecting portion 32 extending downward at right angles from the rear end of the terminal main body 31. Is connected to the wire 33 by crimping. A metal lance 34 is formed on the lower surface of the terminal body 31 to be locked by the primary locking portion of the cavity 23. The lower part of the rear end face of the terminal body 31 is a retainer 40.
And a receiving portion 35 for secondary locking to be engaged.

The retainer 40 is in the form of a thick plate as a whole, and
The dimensions are such that it can be displaced in the vertical direction in the mounting portion 24 of the above. A pair of left and right through holes 41 for penetrating the female terminal fitting 30 is formed in an upper portion of the retainer 40, and a receiving portion 35 of the female terminal fitting 30 is formed at a lower edge of the through hole 41.
A secondary locking portion 42 is formed which can be engaged with the second locking portion. An operation projection 43 is formed below the through hole 41 on the front surface of the retainer 40. On the rear surface of the retainer 40, a partition wall 45 extending vertically from the partition portion 44 between the through holes 41 to the lower end is formed, and the female terminal fittings 30 are disposed on both left and right sides of the partition wall 45. At the upper end portions of the left and right side edges of the retainer 40, a final locking groove 46 is formed, and below the main locking groove 46, a guided portion 47 projecting in a rectangular shape is formed.

The retainer 40 is formed integrally with a bending lock piece 48 for locking the connector housings 11 and 21 in a properly fitted state. The bending lock piece 48 is configured to be cantilevered forward from the upper end regions of the left and right side edges of the retainer 40 and to be capable of elastic bending inward, and has a rectangular shape when viewed from the side. I have. A lock claw 48A protruding outward is formed at an extension end of the flexible lock piece 48, and the left and right flexible lock pieces 48 are formed.
The lock claw 48A has a concentric arc shape when viewed from the front.

The engaging member 50 has a plate-shaped body 51 having an outer shape matching the opening of the mounting portion 24, and a pair of right and left short-circuits projecting in a horizontal plate shape from the upper end position on the front surface of the body 51. Release piece 52 and short-circuit release piece 5
And a pair of left and right fitting detection pieces 53 extending downward from one outer edge of the main body 2 in a plate shape and connected to the front surface of the main body. Guided grooves 54 are formed at the upper end positions of the left and right side edges of the main body 51.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. When both connector housings 11 and 21 are not fitted, both male tabs 13 of male connector 10 are short-circuited by short-circuit metal fittings 14. On the other hand, the female connector 20 is assembled by the following procedure, and is fitted to the male connector 10. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the retainer 40 is housed so as to be pushed into the mounting portion 24 of the female connector housing 21 from behind.
At this time, the guided portion 47 is translated forward along the temporary locking guide portion 26A. When the retainer 40 comes into contact with the rear end surface of the mounting portion 24, the guided portion 47 gets over the temporary locking projection 26C, and the lower portion of the retainer 40 gets over the temporary locking projection 26E.
26E holds the retainer 40 at the temporary locking position.

In this state, the flexible lock piece 48 penetrates through the flexible lock piece through hole 25C and projects forward with a space for bending between the flexible lock piece 48 and the side surface of the housing body 22. Of the male connector housing 11 is engaged with the lock groove 16 when the two connector housings 11 and 21 are fitted to each other. When the connectors 10 and 20 are fitted together in this state, the distal end of the flexible lock piece 48 abuts against the front end of the male connector housing 11 as shown in FIG.

After the retainer 40 is temporarily locked, the terminal body 31 of the female terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the cavity 23 while penetrating the through hole 41 from behind. When the female terminal fitting 30 is properly inserted, the metal lance 34 is locked to the primary locking portion 23A, and thus the female terminal fitting 30 is primarily locked in a retaining state. When the female terminal fitting 30 is properly inserted, as shown in FIG. 5, the retainer 40 is displaced upward by placing a finger on the operation projection 43 facing the operation window hole 25D. Then
The locking groove 46 is engaged with the locking projection 26D, and the retainer 40 is held at the locking position. When the retainer 40 is displaced to the final locking position, the secondary locking portion 42 engages with the receiving portion 35 of the female terminal fitting 30, and the female terminal fitting 30 is doubled by the secondary locking and the primary locking. The locked state is set.

On the other hand, when the female terminal fitting 30 is shallowly inserted and is in a half-inserted state, the retainer 4 in the temporary locking position is not inserted.
Even if an attempt is made to push up 0, the retainer 40 cannot be displaced to the final locking position because the secondary locking portion 42 interferes with the lower surface of the terminal body 31. Thus, it is detected that the female terminal fitting 30 is in the half-inserted state. In this case, the insertion operation of the female terminal fitting 30 is performed again to reach the normal insertion state, and after that, the retainer 40
To the final locking position.

When the retainer 40 is displaced to the final locking position, the bending lock piece 48 integral with the retainer 40 is also displaced upward. As a result, the flexible lock piece 48 can be engaged with the lock groove 16 without abutting against the male connector housing 11 (see FIG. 7). When the retainer 40 is in the temporary locking position, the upper end edge of the retainer 40 closes the short-circuit release piece through-hole 25A. However, the short-circuit release piece through-hole 25
A is open so that it can penetrate.

Thereafter, the engaging member 50 is shallowly assembled to the female connector housing 21 from behind (see FIGS. 8 and 10), and the short-circuit release piece 52 and the fitting detection piece 53 are inserted into the through hole 41 of the retainer 40. It is made to penetrate and it is made to penetrate through 25 A of short-circuit release piece through holes, and 25 B of fitting detection piece through holes. At this time, if the short-circuit release piece through-hole 25A is closed by the retainer 40 and cannot penetrate the short-circuit release piece 52, the retainer 4
0 is not displaced to the final locking position, and it is detected that the female terminal fitting 30 is in a half-inserted state, or that there is a possibility of half-insertion. In this case, the work is performed again to bring the female terminal fitting 30 into the normal insertion state and to displace the retainer 40 to the full locking position.

Next, the female connector housing 21 is fitted to the male connector housing 11 with the engagement member 50 being assembled shallowly. In this state, since the fitting detection piece 53 is located behind the flexible lock piece 48, the flexible lock piece 48 is fitted into the male connector housing 11 while elastically bending inward. Then, when the connector housings 11 and 21 reach the normal fitting state, the bending lock pieces 48 engage with the lock grooves 16 and the connector housings 11 and 21 are locked in the fitting state. In this state, since the amount of the short-circuit release piece 52 protruding forward is small, the short-circuit release piece 52 does not interfere with the short-circuit fitting 14, and the male tab 13 remains in the short-circuit state.

Thereafter, the engaging member 50 is pushed deep into the mounting portion 24. Along with this, the short-circuit releasing piece 52 advances forward, and sneaks between the short-circuit metal fitting 14 and the male tab 13 to elastically displace the short-circuit metal fitting 14 upward. As a result, the short-circuit metal fitting 14 is separated from the male tab 13, and the short circuit between the male tabs 13 is released. On the other hand, the fitting detection piece 53 also advances forward with the pushing of the engagement member 50, and is in a state along the inner surface of the bending lock piece 48. Thereby, the bending lock piece 4
8 is restricted, that is, detachment from the lock groove 16, and both connector housings 11 and 21 are double locked. If the two connector housings 11 and 21 are in a half-fitted state, the flexible lock piece 48 is elastically displaced inward due to the interference with the inner surface of the male connector housing 11. The gap with the main body 22 becomes so narrow that the fitting detection piece 53 cannot enter (not shown), and the engaging member 50 cannot be pushed in. That is, the fitting state of both connector housings 11 and 21 can be detected based on whether or not the pushing operation of the engaging member 50 is possible.

In the present embodiment, the two connector housings 11 and 21 are separated in a procedure different from that described above, that is, in a state where the engaging member 50 is detached from the female connector housing 21.
Are fitted, and then the engagement member 50 is attached to the female connector housing 21. In this case, there is a possibility that the two connector housings 11 and 21 may be fitted together while the female terminal fitting 30 is in the half-inserted state and the retainer 40 is overlooked at the temporary locking position. However, when the retainer 40 is in the temporary locking position, the flexible lock piece 48 is displaced below the regular position, so that when the connector housings 11 and 21 are fitted together, the flexible lock piece 48 is The front end of the connector housing 11 abuts, and the fitting operation becomes impossible. As a result, it is detected that the retainer 40 is at the temporary locking position, and that the female terminal fitting 30 is in a half-inserted state.

When the two connectors 10 and 20 are to be disconnected, first, the engaging member 50 is displaced to a shallow mounting position or is removed from the female connector housing 21. As a result, the male tab 13 is brought into a short-circuit state, and the elastic lock piece 48 is allowed to elastically bend. Thereafter, when a force is applied in a direction in which the two connector housings 11 and 21 are separated from each other, the flexible lock pieces 48 are elastically bent and disengaged from the lock grooves 16 to release the lock, and the connector housings 11 and 21 are separated.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the bending lock piece 48 is formed integrally with the retainer 40, and when the retainer 40 is at the temporary locking position, the bending lock piece 48 is formed.
Is displaced from the normal position so that the lock function cannot be exerted. Thus, even if the detection of the half-insertion of the female terminal fitting 30 by the retainer 40 is overlooked, the bending lock piece 48 is used when the two connector housings 11 and 21 are subsequently fitted.
The half-insertion is detected based on whether or not the lock by the function of the female terminal fitting 30 functions. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect that the female terminal fitting 30 is half-inserted.

In this embodiment, the bending lock piece 48
Abuts on the front end of the male connector housing 11 to restrict the fitting of the two connector housings 11 and 21 so that half insertion can be detected. Therefore,
Compared to checking whether the lock by the bending lock piece is functioning after fitting both connector housings deeply to the correct position, there is no need to check the lock function, which is excellent in workability. .

<Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The male connector 10 into which the female connector 60 of the present embodiment is fitted has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. The female connector 60 includes a female connector housing (a connector housing which is a constituent feature of the present invention) 61 fitted to the male connector housing 11, and a female terminal fitting (the present invention) attached to the female connector housing 61. Terminal fittings) 70, a retainer 80 attached to the female connector housing 61, and an engaging member 90 attached to the female connector housing 61
It is composed of

The female connector housing 61 surrounds a housing main body 62 having a pair of left and right cavities 63, a retainer mounting portion 64 formed at the center of the housing main body 62 in the front-rear direction, and a rear half region of the housing main body 62. And the formed engaging member mounting portion 65. A female terminal fitting 70 is inserted into the cavity 63 from the opening at the rear end thereof, and a primary locking portion 63A capable of engaging with the female terminal fitting 70 is formed in the cavity 63.

The inside of the retainer mounting portion 64 is a space that is open on one side and communicates with the cavity 63, and the retainer 80 is accommodated therein. Locking projections 64A are formed on both upper and lower edges of the opening of the retainer mounting portion 64. FIG.
6). A flexible lock piece 66 for locking the connector housings 11 and 61 in a fitted state is formed on the outer front wall of the retainer mounting portion 64 so as to extend forward and elastically bend inward. ing. A lock claw 66A protruding outward is provided at the extension end of the flexible lock piece 66.
Are formed. The lock claw 6 of the bending lock piece 66
6A has a comb shape when viewed from the front, and has a retainer 8 described later.
0 and the lock claw 88A of the bending lock piece 88 have a concentric arcuate positional relationship. Further, the retainer mounting portion 64 is formed with a short-circuit release piece through hole 64B penetrating in the front-rear direction along the upper surface of the housing main body 62, and penetrating in the front-rear direction along the left and right side surfaces of the housing main body 62. A fitting detection piece through hole 64C is formed.

The upper surface of the engaging member mounting portion 65 is open at its central region in the left-right direction. A fitting detection piece through hole 65A is provided between the left and right side surfaces and the outer surface of the housing body 62. A pair of front and rear locking projections 65B and 65C are formed on the opening edge of the upper surface. In the opening area of the upper surface, a bending locking piece 65D that protrudes rearward from the retainer mounting portion 64 in a cantilever manner is formed. The female terminal fitting 70 includes a box-shaped terminal main body 71 inserted into the cavity 63 and an electric wire connection portion 72 extending rearward from the rear end of the terminal main body 71.
Are connected by crimping. On the lower surface of the terminal body 71, a metal lance 74 is formed which is locked to the primary locking portion 63A of the cavity 63. The lower portion of the rear end surface of the terminal body 71 is a receiving portion 75 for secondary locking to be engaged with the retainer 80.

The retainer 80 comprises a rectangular main body 81, and a pair of cantilevered arms 82, 83 protruding laterally from both upper and lower ends of the main body 81. On the upper surface of the lower arm portion 83, a secondary locking portion 84 capable of engaging with the receiving portion 75 of the female terminal fitting 70 is formed. A pair of left and right locking projections 85 and 86 are formed on the upper surface of the upper arm 82. The retainer 80 has both arm portions 8.
2 and 83 are inserted into the retainer mounting portion 64 from the side, so that the temporary locking positions shown in FIGS.
7 and the final locking position shown in FIG. In the temporary locking position, the retainer 80
The two retaining projections 85 and 86 sandwich the retaining projection 64 </ b> A of the retainer mounting portion 64, thereby restricting the movement of the retainer 80. In the full locking position, one of the locking projections 85 of the retainer 80 is locked inside the locking projection 64A of the retainer mounting portion 64, and the stopper 87 of the retainer 80 is in contact with the inner end surface of the retainer mounting portion 64. Thereby, the floating of the retainer 80 is restricted.

In the retainer 80, a bending lock piece 88 for locking the connector housings 11 and 61 in a properly fitted state protrudes forward from the main body 81 and is capable of elastic bending inward. It is formed integrally in the form. A lock claw 88A protruding outward is formed at the extension end of the flexible lock piece 88. This lock claw 88
A is comb-shaped when viewed from the front, and when the retainer 80 is fully locked, the lock claw 88A and the lock claw 66A of the flexible lock piece 66 of the female connector housing 61 are locked.
Are arranged on concentric circles.

The engaging member 90 includes a main body 91 having side surfaces extending downward at right angles from both right and left edges of the upper surface, and a short-circuit release piece 92 projecting forward from the upper surface of the main body 91 in a plate shape. And a fitting detection piece 93 that also projects forward in a plate shape from both left and right side surfaces. Further, a gate-shaped rising portion 94 is formed on the upper surface of the upper surface portion, and locking projections 95 are formed on the upper ends of the left and right sides of the rising portion 94. next,
The operation of the present embodiment will be described. When the two connector housings 11 and 61 are not fitted, the male connector 10
, Both male tabs 13 are short-circuited by the short-circuit metal fittings 14 (not shown). On the other hand, female connector 6
No. 0 is assembled by the following procedure and fitted to the male connector 10. That is, from the side, the retainer 8
0 is inserted into the retainer mounting portion 64 to be in a temporarily locked state (see FIG. 13). In this state, the female terminal fitting 70 can be inserted into the cavity 63 because the primary locking portion 63A is separated from the cavity 63 as shown in FIG. When the retainer 80 is in the temporary locking position, the bending lock piece 88 of the retainer 80 moves from the position where it engages with the lock groove 16 of the male connector housing 11 when the two connector housings 11 and 61 are fitted. Are also relatively outwardly shifted (see FIG. 18). If it is attempted to fit the connectors 10 and 60 in this state,
The distal end of the bending lock piece 88 is the male connector housing 11
And it cannot be fitted.

Next, in a state where the retainer 80 is temporarily locked, the engaging member 90 is inserted into the engaging member mounting portion 65 from behind and temporarily locked. At this time, the locking projections 95 of the engaging member 90 are connected to the front and rear locking projections 65B, 6 of the engaging member mounting portion 65.
By being sandwiched between 5C, it is held at the temporary locking position (see FIG. 14). In this state, the fitting detection piece 93 is located behind the flexible lock pieces 66 and 88 (not shown), so that the flexible lock pieces 66 and 88 can be elastically bent inward.

When the retainer 80 and the engaging member 90 are temporarily locked in this way, the female terminal fitting 70 is
Insert into 3. When the female terminal fitting 70 is properly inserted, the metal lance 74 is locked to the primary locking portion 63A, and thus the female terminal fitting 70 is primarily locked in a retaining state. Female terminal fitting 7
When 0 is inserted, the retainer 80 is pushed. At this time, if the female terminal fitting 70 is properly inserted, the retainer 80 is displaced to the final locking position, but in the half-inserted state, the secondary locking portion 84 of the retainer 80 abuts against the side surface of the terminal main body 71. Therefore, the retainer 80 cannot be displaced to the final locking position. That is, whether or not the female terminal fitting 70 is half-inserted can be detected based on whether or not the retainer 80 is displaced to the final locking position. When the half-insertion is detected, the insertion operation of the female terminal fitting 70 is performed again to reach the normal insertion state, and thereafter, the retainer 80 is displaced to the final locking position.

When the retainer 80 is displaced to the final locking position,
The secondary locking portion 84 engages with the receiving portion 75 of the female terminal fitting 70, and the secondary locking and the primary locking allow the female terminal fitting 7.
0 is in a double locked state (see FIG. 14). Also, with the displacement of the retainer 80 to the final locking position, the retainer 80
The flexible lock piece 88 integrated with the male connector housing 61 is displaced inward, that is, in a direction approaching the flexible lock piece 66 of the female connector housing 61, and can be engaged with the lock groove 16 without abutting against the male connector housing 11. (See FIG. 19).

Thereafter, the female connector housing 61 is fitted to the male connector housing 11. At this time, since the fitting detection piece 93 is located behind the bending lock pieces 66 and 88, the bending lock pieces 66 and 88 are fitted into the male connector housing 11 while elastically bending inward. When the two connector housings 11 and 61 reach the normal fitting state, the bending lock pieces 66 and 88 engage with the lock grooves 16 (not shown), and the two connector housings 11 and 61 are locked in the fitting state. Is done. In this state, since the amount of forward protrusion of the short-circuit release piece 92 is small (see FIG. 14), the short-circuit release piece 92 remains non-interfering with the short-circuit metal fitting 14, and the male tab 13 remains in the short-circuit state. (Not shown).

Thereafter, when the engaging member 90 is inserted deeply to the final locking position, the short-circuit release piece 92 advances forward (FIG. 15).
), And the short-circuit fitting 14 is elastically displaced upward to release the short-circuit between the male tabs 13 (not shown). On the other hand, the fitting detecting piece 93 also advances forward with the movement of the engaging member 90, and is in a state along the inner side surfaces of the flexible lock pieces 66 and 88 (not shown). Thereby, the bending lock pieces 66, 88
Of the connector housing, that is, detachment from the lock groove is regulated, and both connector housings 11 and 61 are double-locked. If the two connector housings 11 and 61 are in a half-fitted state, the flexible lock pieces 66 and 88 are elastically displaced inward due to interference with the inner surface of the male connector housing 11. , 88 and housing body 6
The gap with the second member 2 is so narrow that the fitting detection piece 93 cannot enter (not shown), and the engaging member 90 cannot be pushed in. That is, the fitting state of both connector housings 11 and 61 can be detected based on whether or not the pushing operation of the engaging member 90 to the final locking position is possible.

In the above operation step, when the fitting operation of the two connector housings 11 and 61 is performed in a state where the female terminal fitting 70 is half-inserted and the retainer 80 is in the temporary locking position, that is, the retainer 80 If the half insertion is overlooked, the half insertion can be detected at the stage of the fitting operation. That is, when the retainer 80 is in the temporary locking position, the bending lock piece 88 of the retainer 80 is displaced outward from the normal position. Lock piece 88
Abuts against the front end of the male connector housing 11 and cannot be fitted. As a result, it is detected that the retainer 80 is in the temporary locking position, and that the female terminal fitting 70 is in the half-inserted state.

When detaching the two connectors 10 and 60, first, the engaging member 90 is displaced to the temporary locking position or is withdrawn from the female connector housing 61. As a result, the male tab 13 is short-circuited, and the elastic lock pieces 66 and 88 are allowed to elastically bend. Thereafter, when a force is applied in a direction in which the two connector housings 11 and 61 are separated from each other, the flexible lock pieces 66 and 88 are elastically bent and disengaged from the lock grooves 16 to release the lock, and the connector housings 11 and 61 are separated. .

As described above, in the second embodiment,
One of the bending lock pieces 88 is formed integrally with the retainer 80, and when the retainer 80 is in the temporary locking position, the bending lock piece 88 is displaced from the normal position so that the locking function cannot be exerted. Even if the detection of the half-insertion of the female terminal fitting 70 by the connector housing 80 is overlooked, the bending lock piece 88 is formed when the two connector housings 11 and 61 are subsequently fitted together.
The half-insertion is detected depending on whether or not the lock by the lock functioning. Therefore, it can be reliably detected that the female terminal fitting 70 is half-inserted.

In the second embodiment, the bending lock pieces 8
The half-insertion is detected by the contact of the connector housing 8 with the front end of the male-side connector housing 11 to restrict the fitting of the two connector housings 11, 61. Therefore, as compared with the case where the lock by the bending lock piece is checked after the two connector housings are fitted deeply to the proper position, it is not necessary to check the lock function, and the workability is excellent. ing.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, the short-circuit release piece 52 and the fitting detection piece 53 are formed on the common engagement member 50, whereas in the third embodiment, the short-circuit release piece 55A and the fitting detection piece 56A are respectively provided. Are formed on a dedicated short-circuit release member 55 and a fitting detection member 56 which are separate components from each other. Before the two connector housings 10 and 20 are fitted together, the fitting detection member 56 is fitted into the female connector housing 21 from above in the provisionally locked position, and the fitting detection piece 56A is located above the flexible lock piece 48. (See FIG. 23). After the two connector housings 11 and 21 are properly fitted, the fitting detecting member 56 is pushed down to the final locking position (see FIG. 21), and the fitting detecting piece 56A is bent so as to follow the inner surface of the lock piece 48. And restricts the displacement of the flexible lock piece 48 in the unlocking direction. The short-circuit release member 55 is attached to the female connector housing 21 from the rear, and the short-circuit release piece 55A is connected to the fitting detection member 56 and the short-circuit release piece through holes 57A and 57B of the female connector housing 21 and the through hole of the retainer 40. 41, and the short circuit of the male tab 13 is released. The configuration other than the above is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, although the dimensions, shape, and arrangement are partially different, and thus detailed description is omitted.

<Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the short-circuit release piece 92 and the fitting detection piece 93 are formed on the common engagement member 90, whereas in the fourth embodiment, the short-circuit release piece 96A and the fitting detection piece 97A are respectively provided. And a dedicated short-circuit release member 96 and a fitting detection member 97 which are separate components. The fitting detection member 97 is provisionally locked to the female connector housing 21 so as to be dropped from above, and the fitting detection piece 97A is disposed above the flexible lock pieces 66 and 88 (not shown). The short-circuit release member 96 is connected to the housing main body 62 from behind.
Attached to the temporary locking position along the upper surface of the
5). In this state, both connector housings 11, 6
After the regular engagement of the first and second fittings 1, the fitting detecting member 97 is pushed down to the final locking position (see FIGS. 25 and 26), and the fitting detecting piece 97A is positioned so as to be along the inner surfaces of the bending lock pieces 66 and 88. Then, the displacement of the bending lock pieces 66 and 88 in the unlocking direction is regulated (not shown). Thereafter, the short-circuit release member 9
6 is pushed forward, and the short-circuit release piece 96A is
The short-circuit of the male tab 13 is released by bending the upper part 4 upward (see FIG. 26). Further, the retainer 40 according to the fourth embodiment is not provided with a component corresponding to the upper arm portion 82 according to the second embodiment. Note that the configuration other than the above is substantially the same as that of the second embodiment, although the dimensions, shape, and arrangement are partially different, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

( 1 ) In the above-described embodiment, the case where both tabs are short-circuited in the mating connector housing has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to a case where it is not necessary to cancel the short-circuit of the mating connector tab. Can be. ( 2 ) In the above embodiment, the connector provided with the fitting detection piece that is engaged along the inner surface of the flexible lock piece has been described, but the present invention is also applied to a connector without such a fitting detection piece. can do.

( 3 ) In the above embodiment, the case where the retainer is provided in the female connector housing has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a connector in which the retainer is provided in the male connector housing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the female connector housing of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a retainer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the female connector housing of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a retainer and a female terminal fitting are attached to the female connector housing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a state in which the retainer is temporarily locked in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which the retainer is fully locked in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state immediately before fitting of both connector housings in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state where fitting of both connector housings is completed in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view showing a state immediately before fitting of both connector housings in the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a horizontal sectional view showing a state in which the fitting of both connector housings is completed in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the retainer is temporarily locked to the female connector housing and the female terminal fitting is inserted in the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the retainer is fully locked and the engaging member is temporarily locked in the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the engaging member is fully locked in the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the retainer is temporarily locked in the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the retainer is fully locked in the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a front view showing a state where the retainer is temporarily locked in the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a front view showing a state in which the retainer is fully locked in the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which both connector housings are fitted without attaching a short-circuit release member in the third embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the fitting of both connector housings is completed in the third embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a front view showing a state in which the fitting detection member is temporarily locked and the short-circuit release member is not mounted in the third embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which both connector housings are fitted and the short-circuit release member is at a temporary locking position in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where fitting of both connector housings is completed in the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Male connector housing (mating connector housing) 20 ... Female connector 21 ... Female connector housing (connector housing) 30 ... Female terminal fitting (terminal fitting) 40 ... Retainer 48 ... Flexure locking piece 60 ... Female connector 61 ... female connector housing (connector housing) 70 ... female terminal fittings (terminal fittings) 80 ... retainers 88 ... flexible locking pieces

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References Hira 4-111159 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 13/64 H01R 13/42

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A connector housing that can be fitted with a mating connector housing; a terminal fitting inserted into the connector housing; a temporary locking position allowing insertion of the terminal fitting into the connector housing; Fit both connector housings between the final locking position to hold the terminal fitting in the proper insertion position.
A retainer attached so as to be displaceable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mating direction; and a flexure lock piece capable of locking the connector housing and the mating connector housing in a properly fitted state, wherein the retainer includes the terminal When the metal fitting is half-inserted, the displacement from the temporary locking position to the full locking position is restricted, and the flexible lock piece is provided integrally with the retainer. When the retainer is in the full locking position, Deflection
When the lock by the lock piece is permitted and the retainer is in the temporary locking position, the flexible lock piece is
Position that can be locked to the mating connector housing
Abutting against the mating connector housing
The connector is characterized in that the fitting of the two connector housings is restricted . 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the flexible locking pieces are connected to the connector housings.
When the housing is fitted, it is elastically bent,
When the housing reaches the proper mating state,
Are adapted to be engaged on the side connector housing, the connector housing, the front along the fitting direction
An engaging member that can be moved later is assembled.
In the mating member, the two connector housings are
In this case, even if you try to push the engaging member forward,
Forward movement is restricted by the flexure lock piece positioned at
When the connector housing reaches the proper mating state,
When the engaging member is pushed forward, the bending side of the bending lock piece is bent.
Detection piece that can regulate the displacement of the bending lock piece by moving forward
The connector according to claim 1, wherein a connector is provided . 3. The front side of said mating connector housing
With a pair of male tabs that can be connected to the terminal fittings
Short-circuit fittings for shorting both male tabs One that can be
On the other hand, in the connector housing,
An engaging member that can move back and forth
As the engaging member is pushed forward,
And sneaks between the short-circuit bracket and the male tab to short-circuit.
By elastically displacing the bracket from the male tab,
A short-circuit release piece that can release the short circuit between both male tabs is provided
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein
Nectar. 4. The connector housing and the retainer.
Has a short-circuit release piece through-hole and a through-hole, respectively.
And when the retainer is in the temporary locking position,
The through hole is located at a position shifted from the short circuit release piece through hole.
With this, the short-circuit release piece cannot penetrate, and the retainer
When in the final locking position, the through hole and the short circuit
The short-circuit release piece penetrates both holes in alignment with the release piece through hole
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein
Connectors.