JP3400712B2 - Connector check material - 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 check member for connecting a hose or a pipe for piping.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A connector for connecting a hose or the like preferably has a check member for confirming the connected state. As a connector having such a check member, one shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is known. This connector has a pipe-shaped male member 8 provided with a ring-shaped protrusion 80a protruding in the centrifugal direction at a position separated from the tip by a predetermined distance.
0, a female member 82 having a substantially cylindrical housing 81 having an insertion opening end 81a into which the male member 80 is inserted, an insertion opening end 81a side end portion of the housing 81, and insertion and retention inside the housing 81. The locking member 83 for connecting the fixed male member 80 to the female member 82, and the housing 8
1 is externally held on the outer peripheral surface of the female member 1 from the direction perpendicular to the axis,
And a check member 84 for confirming that the male member 80 is coupled to the.

At the end of the housing 81 on the insertion opening end 81a side, there is provided a pair of windows 81b which penetrate in the radial direction and are arranged in the circumferential direction so as to face each other, and the locking member 83 has a radius. It has a pair of claw portions 83a that are elastically deformable in the direction and are arranged at positions corresponding to the window portions 81b. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the check member 84 has a substantially C-shape that can be expanded in diameter by elastic deformation, and has a notch groove 81c continuously provided at an end of the window 81b of the housing 81. It is inserted inside and is externally held on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 81 from the direction perpendicular to the axis. And
The check member 84 engages with the edge of the window 81b before the male member 80 is coupled to the female member 82, and prevents the check member 84 from coming off the housing 81 in the direction perpendicular to the axis. A pair of locking recesses 84a for regulating,
It has a pair of tip abutting portions 84b with which the outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped protrusion 80a abuts when the male member 80 is inserted.

In this check member 84, in a state before the male member 80 is connected to the female member 82, the check member 84 is externally held on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 81 from the direction perpendicular to the axis, and the check recess 84a of the check member 84 is retained. Is locked to the edge of the window 81b of the housing 81, and the tip abutting portion 84b of the check member 84 is located in the window 81b at a position axially farther from the claw 83a of the locking member 83. Has been inserted. In this state, the male member 80 is replaced with the female member 82.
When inserted into the housing 81, the ring-shaped protrusion 80a of the male member 80 pushes the claw portion 83a of the locking member 83 outward in the radial direction against its elasticity and passes through the claw portion 83a. As a result, the tip of the claw portion 83a and the ring-shaped protrusion 80
When a is locked, the male member 80 and the female member 82 are brought into a coupled state. In this combined state (states of FIGS. 9 and 10), the ring-shaped protrusion 80a of the male member 80 pushes the tip contact portion 84b of the check member 84 outward in the radial direction.
Then, the locking recessed portion 84 a of the check member 84 is locked in the window portion 81.
The check member 84 is detached from the end edge of b and is popped out and detached by its elasticity in the direction perpendicular to the axis (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 19). Thereby, it can be confirmed that the male member 80 is coupled to the female member 82.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional check member, when the male member 80 is coupled to the female member 82 and the check member 84 is detached from the housing 81 and pops out due to its elastic return force. However, it is necessary to collect the check member 84 that has fallen off the housing 81 after the connection, which may be extremely difficult depending on the place where the connector is applied. Further, the conventional check member cannot be applied to a place where it is difficult for the check member 84 to fall off.

The conventional check member is a male member 80.
In a state before connecting the check member 84 to the female member 82, the check recess 84a is locked to the end edge of the window 81b of the housing 81 only by the elastic restoring force of the check member 84, so that the check member 84 tilts obliquely. Then, there is a problem that the housing 81 easily comes off. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and after connecting the male member and the female member, the check member is detached by an artificial operation so that the check member does not pop out due to its elasticity. It is an issue to be solved to provide a member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a check member for a connector that does not easily come off from the housing.

[0008]

The inventors of the present application have disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-318703 as a check member that does not jump out of a housing.
Even if the connection of the male member to the female member is completed, it is locked in the housing, and a check member that needs to be pulled out artificially in this state was proposed.

The check member is as shown in FIG. That is, a cylindrical male member 1 having an insertion end 1c provided with a ring-shaped protrusion 1a protruding in the centrifugal direction at a position separated from the distal end by a predetermined distance as shown in FIG. Insertion opening end 31 into which the portion 1c is inserted
d, and a female member 3 provided with a substantially cylindrical housing 31 having a pair of windows 35 arranged in the circumferential direction so as to penetrate in the radial direction and oppose each other at one axial end, and the inside of the housing 31. Has a pair of claw portions 43 that are inserted and held in the radial direction and that are elastically deformable in the radial direction and that are arranged at positions corresponding to the window portions 35. Each of the claw portions 43 extends axially inward from the insertion opening end 31d. Inclines radially inward as
An inclined inner surface 43a (FIG. 4) against which the ring-shaped protrusion 1a presses and slides when the male member 1 is inserted, and engages with the ring-shaped protrusion 1a when the male member 1 and the female member 3 are coupled. A connector having locking members 4 each having a locking end portion 43b (FIG. 4) that restricts the male member 1 from coming off, is externally held on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 31 in the direction perpendicular to the axis, and is elastically deformed. The C-shaped portion 94a capable of expanding the diameter and the locking end portions 43 of the claw portions 43 project integrally inward from both ends of the C-shaped portion 94a.
When the male member 1 is inserted into the housing 31 through the windows 35 at a position on the axially inner side of the housing 31 with respect to b, the male member 1 is not joined to the female member 3 and the male member 1 is A pair of locking projections 94b that lock with the circumferential end portion 35a of the window portion 35 in a state of being coupled to the female member 3 and one end side in the axial direction from substantially the circumferential center of the C-shaped portion 94a. The C-shaped portion 94 integrally extended to at least one of the other ends and held so as to stand upright in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the housing 31.
At least one tilt restricting portion 57 that restricts the tilting of a to at least one of the one end side and the other end side in the axial direction by contact with at least the outer peripheral surface of the housing 31.
And the tilt regulating portion 5 symmetrically with the C-shaped portion 94a.
7 is a check member 94 including a handle portion 94c extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

According to the check member 94, the pair of locking projections 94b at the tips of the C-shaped portions are in a state before the male member 1 is coupled to the female member 3 and the male member 1 is in the female member 3. When the male member 1 is coupled to the female member 3, the check member 94 does not pop out because it is engaged with the circumferential end portion 35a of the window portion 35 in the state of being coupled to. Then, in order to pull out the check member 94 in the state where the male member 1 is coupled to the female member 3, the handle portion 94c is pulled in the direction perpendicular to the axis to form a pair of locking protrusions 94b at the tip of the C-shaped portion. The check member 94 can be removed from the female member 3 by releasing the locked state with the circumferential end portion 35 a of the window portion 35.

By the way, when the check member 94 is pulled out from the housing 31 in the direction perpendicular to the axis after the male member 1 is completely inserted, the check member 94 is not necessarily pulled out in the same direction. For example, depending on the application location of the connector, the connector may be pulled out only in an oblique direction inclined to one end side or the other end side in the axial direction with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axis. In addition, there may be a case where the handle portion 94c hits another member and is pulled out in an oblique direction.

In such a case, before the insertion of the male member 1 is completed, that is, the connection between the male member 1 and the female member 3 is not properly completed, the pair of locking projections 94b of the check member 94 and the window. When the grip portion 94c is pulled in an oblique direction inclined to one end side or the other end side in the axial direction with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axis when the circumferential end portion 35a of the portion 35 is still locked, a C-shape is formed. A load is applied to the shape portion 94a in the direction opposite to the handle portion 94c. This load acts on the side wall of the window portion 35 or the claw portion 43 of the locking member 4. In this state, the tilt regulating member 57 is also loaded, and the tilt regulating member 57 elastically deforms. As a result, the pair of locking protrusions 94b of the check member 94 and the window 3
It is also conceivable that the check member 94 will be disengaged from the housing 31 if it is pulled strongly because the engagement with the circumferential end portion 35a of 5 becomes easy to disengage. In this way, although the connection between the male member 1 and the female member 3 is not completely completed,
If the check member 94 comes off from the housing 31, the function as the check member 94 will not be fulfilled.

Therefore, the present inventors have made further studies so that the check member will not come off even if the handle portion is pulled out obliquely, and have completed the following check member for the connector of the present invention. That is, the connector check member of the present invention includes a cylindrical male member having an insertion end portion provided with a ring-shaped protrusion protruding in the centrifugal direction at a position separated from the tip by a predetermined distance, and the insertion end portion. A female member provided with a substantially cylindrical housing having one end in the axial direction, the housing having an insertion opening end to be inserted and a pair of windows arranged in the circumferential direction so as to penetrate in the radial direction and face each other, and the housing. A pair of claws that are inserted and held in the inside and are elastically deformable in the radial direction and that are disposed at positions corresponding to the windows are provided, and each claw part extends axially inward from the insertion opening end. Tilts radially inward An inclined inner surface with which the ring-shaped projection is pressed and slidably contacted when the male member is inserted, and a locking member that locks with the ring-shaped projection when the male member and the female member are coupled to each other to prevent the male member from coming off. A check member for a connector having locking members each having an end, and a C-shaped portion which is externally held on the outer peripheral surface of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the axis and which can be expanded in diameter by elastic deformation, and the C-shaped portion. Projecting inwardly from both ends of the portion, respectively inserted into the housing from the windows at positions axially farther in the housing than the locking ends of the claws, A pair of locking projections that lock with the circumferential end of the window in a state before the male member is coupled to the female member and in a state where the male member is coupled to the female member; From the approximate center in the circumferential direction of the character-shaped part At least one of the one end side and the other end side in the axial direction of the C-shaped portion integrally extended to at least one of the end sides and held so as to stand upright in the axis-perpendicular direction to the housing. At least one tilt restricting portion that restricts tilting to at least the outer peripheral surface of the housing, and a handle portion integrally held by the tilt restricting portion via a bent portion. It is what

[0014]

In the check member of the connector having the above structure, the male member and the female member are not properly joined together, and the pair of locking projections of the check member and the circumferential end portion of the window portion are not connected to each other. Even when the handle portion is still locked, even if the handle portion is pulled in an oblique direction inclined to one end side or the other end side in the axial direction with respect to the axis-perpendicular direction, the load due to this is not applied to the C-shaped portion. That is, the load when the handle is pulled diagonally is
Absorbed at the bent portion, no load is applied to the C-shaped portion.
For this reason, the pair of locking projections of the check member are less likely to come off from the circumferential end of the window, and the check member does not separate from the housing even if pulled strongly, and the check member functions sufficiently. You can In the connector check member of the present invention, it is preferable that the tilt restricting portion has a reinforcing rib. As a result, the rigidity of the tilt restricting portion is increased, and the effect of further avoiding the check member tilting with respect to the housing and coming off is produced.

In the connector check member of the present invention, it is preferable that the handle portion has a ring shape through which a finger passes, and has a notch portion that breaks when a load larger than a predetermined value is applied. The notch does not break when the connection between the male member and the female member is completely completed, and breaks when the handle is pulled with an extremely strong force in a state where the connection is not completely completed. . As a result, the check member is removed from the housing only when the male member and the female member are securely joined, and the check member remains when the male member and the female member are incompletely joined, so that the joining can be confirmed more reliably. it can.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
~ It demonstrates concretely, referring to FIG. (Embodiment 1) The check member 5 of the present embodiment includes a male member 1 and a locking member 4 which are joined as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
It is provided as a member for confirming the connected state with respect to the connector composed of the female member 3 having the member 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the check member 5 includes a C-shaped portion 51 that can be expanded in diameter by elastic deformation, and a pair of inwardly-projecting C-shaped portions 51 that are integrally inwardly projected from both ends. Locking protrusions 52, 5
2, a tilt restricting portion 57 that holds the C-shaped portion 51 and extends in the axial direction (axial direction of the female member), and a bent portion 55 that is bent from the tilt restricting portion 57 in the L direction in the axial direction and stands up. C
It is composed of a character-shaped portion 51 and a ring-shaped handle portion 53 extending symmetrically.

In order to increase the rigidity in the axial direction, the tilt regulating portion 57 is formed to have a concave cross section, and both end portions of the concave shape are reinforcing ribs 57c. Further, at both ends in the axial direction of the tilt restricting portion 57, as will be described later, small projections 57a extending in the inner diameter direction for mounting the check member 5 on the female member 3 without rattling in the axial direction, and small hook portions 57b. And are provided.
The structure of the check member 5 will be specifically described with the connector mounted on the connector. First, the connector is configured as shown in FIGS. The male member 1 (FIG. 6) is
A ring-shaped projecting portion 1a formed of a metal or resin pipe and projecting in a centrifugal direction at a position separated from the tip by a predetermined distance, and a tip portion located on the tip side of the ring-shaped projecting portion 1a. 1b with an insertion end 1c.

The female member 3 is made of resin and is provided with a housing 31 provided on one end side in the axial direction (right side in FIGS. 5 and 6, the same applies hereinafter) and the other end side in the axial direction (left side in FIGS. 5 and 6; The same shall apply hereinafter) and a housing 31 and a hose connection end portion provided coaxially. And the housing 31
Is a large-diameter portion 3 provided coaxially in order from one end in the axial direction.
1a, a medium diameter portion 31b and a small diameter portion 31c, and the insertion opening end 31 into which the insertion end portion 1c of the male member 1 is inserted.
It has d at the end on the one end side in the axial direction. Further, the hose connecting end has an axial hole in the inner peripheral surface thereof, and the outer peripheral surface of the hose connecting end is provided with an annular groove portion and two step portions for restricting the hose 2 from coming off. A ring-shaped sealing member that seals the inner peripheral surface of the hose 2 is arranged in the groove.
The hose 2 is externally mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the hose connection end.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the large-diameter portion 31a of the housing 31 has a pair of flat wall portions 31e and 31e extending in parallel with each other and the flat wall portions 31e and 3e.
It is composed of a pair of arcuate wall portions 31f and 31f that integrally connect the upper end and the lower end of 1e. Further, rectangular window portions 35, 35 are provided in the circumferential center portions of the circular arc wall portions 31f, 31f so as to penetrate in the radial direction and face each other in the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, a long cylindrical collar member 36 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the middle diameter portion 31b, and an outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 1b of the insertion end portion 1c inserted into the housing 31. A ring-shaped seal member 37, a short cylindrical collar member 38, and a ring-shaped seal member 37 that seals the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 1b are sequentially arranged from one end in the axial direction. The inner peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 31c has the insertion end portion 1 inserted into the housing 31.
It is a ring-shaped fitting inner peripheral surface that fits with the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 1b of c.

The locking member 4 is made of an elastically deformable resin member and is inserted and held in the large diameter portion 31a of the housing 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the locking member 4 includes an annular collar portion 41 and a pair of substantially U-shaped portions 4 protruding from the annular collar portion 41 so as to face each other.
2, 42, and a pair of claw portions 43, 43 projecting from the substantially U-shaped portions 42, 42 so as to incline radially inward with respect to the axial center and elastically deformable in the radial direction. ing. Then, the claw portion 43 inclines radially inward from the insertion opening end 31d toward the inner side in the axial direction in a state where the locking member 4 is inserted and held in the housing 31,
A slanted inner surface 43a with which the ring-shaped protrusion 1a presses and slides when the male member 1 is inserted, and a member that locks with the ring-shaped protrusion 1a when the male member 1 and the female member 3 are coupled to each other to prevent the male member 1 from coming off. The toe portion 43b and the circumferential end portion 3 of the window portion 35 of the housing 1
Locking step portion 4 that locks with 5a and restricts the locking member 4 from coming off
3c and. The locking member 4 is held so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction with respect to the housing 31 in consideration of ease of insertion into the housing 31.

By the way, in the check member 5, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, by enlarging the diameter of the C-shaped portion 51, the locking projections 52, 52 at both ends of the C-shaped portion 51 are formed.
Can be inserted into the windows 35, 35 and attached to the housing 31. The shape of the inner peripheral surface of the C-shaped portion 51 corresponds to the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 31a of the housing 31, and when the check member 5 is externally held by the housing 31, the inside of the C-shaped portion 51 is covered. The peripheral surface is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 31a in a pressure contact state. As is apparent from FIG. 1, the check member 5 has a center line passing through the center of the C-shaped portion 51 in the circumferential direction and the center between the two locking projections 52, 52 (BB in FIG. 1). The line has a symmetrical shape with the axis of symmetry as the axis of symmetry.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the locking projections 52, 52 engage the circumferential end 35a of the window 35 in a state before the male member 1 is joined to the female member 3. The first locking portions 52a, 52a for stopping the check member 5 from being pulled out from the housing 31 in the direction perpendicular to the axis, and the male member 1.
Is positioned within the locus of the ring-shaped protrusion 1a when the male member 1 is inserted before being coupled to the female member 3, and is pressed by the ring-shaped protrusion 1a when the insertion of the male member 1 is completed and is radially outside. Of the C-shaped portion 51 by engaging with the tip abutting portions 52b, 52b that move toward the outside to expand the diameter of the C-shaped portion 51 and the circumferential end edge 35b of the window portion 35 when the insertion of the male member 1 is completed. The elastic restoring force prevents the check member 5 from coming off from the housing 31 in the direction perpendicular to the axis, and when the check member 5 is pulled out from the housing 31 in the direction perpendicular to the axis after the insertion of the male member 1 is completed, the circumferential direction of the window portion 35. In order to further expand the diameter of the C-shaped portion 51 through sliding contact with the end edge 35b, inclined second locking portions 52c and 52c that are inclined and extend toward the substantially centripetal direction of the housing 31 are provided, respectively. is doing.

In the state in which the check member 5 is externally held by the housing 31, the locking projection 52 is located in the housing 3 rather than the locking end 43b of the claw 43.
1 is inserted into the housing 31 through the window 35 at a position on the inner side in the axial direction. Further, in the present embodiment, the tip abutting portion 52b of each locking protrusion 52 is in a state before the check member 5 is externally held by the housing 31 and the male member 1 is coupled to the female member 3, The male member 1 is inserted into the housing 31 to a position where it can be slidably contacted with the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 1b of the male member 1.

Here, in the present embodiment, the distance between the straight line connecting the circumferential end portions 35a of each window portion 35 and the outer surface of the flat portion 31e of the housing 31 is determined by the distance between each first locking portion 52a,
A straight line connecting 52a and the flat portion 31 of the C-shaped portion 51
The above C should be slightly larger than the distance from the inner surface of e.
The dimensions of the character-shaped portion 51, the housing 31, and the like are set. With these configurations, the check member 5 is externally held by the housing 31, that is, each first locking portion 52a of each locking projection 52 of the check member 5 locks with the circumferential end 35a of the window 35. C of the check member 5 in the state
The character-shaped portion 51 is slightly elastically deformed, and this elastic force acts as a force that presses each first locking portion 52 a against each circumferential end portion 35 a of each window portion 35 in a substantially right angle direction. . As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, between the first locking portions 52a of the check member 5 and the inner surface of the C-shaped portion 51, the large diameter portion 31a of the housing 31 on the side where the check member 5 is mounted is attached.
The side wall of the large-diameter portion 31a in which the inner surface of the C-shaped portion 51 is in close contact with the pressure contact state is sandwiched in the direction perpendicular to the axis. As a result, the check member 5 is attached to the housing 3
1 is firmly and securely held, and the check member 5 is prevented from moving with respect to the housing 31.
Even if an attempt is made to pull out the check member 5 from the housing 31, it cannot be pulled out easily. (Operation) In the check member 5 of this connector, the male member 1
6, the small protrusion 57a on one end side of the tilt restricting portion 57 is fitted to the step portion of the large diameter portion 31a and the small diameter portion 31b of the housing 31, as shown in FIG. The check member 5 is externally held on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 31 from the direction perpendicular to the axis while the hook portion 57b is locked to the insertion opening end 31d. At this time, each locking projection 52 of the check member 5 is, as shown in FIG.
The claws 43 of the locking member 4 are inserted into the housing 31 through the windows 35 at positions on the axially inner side of the housing 31 with respect to the locking ends 43b of the claws 43, and the locking protrusions 52 1 locking portion 52a is a circumferential end portion 3 of each window portion 35.
5a, respectively. As described above, the first locking portion 52 a of the locking protrusion 52 is arranged at the circumferential end 35 a of the window 35.
When the check member 5 is locked with the housing 3,
It is possible to reliably restrict pulling out of the check member 5 in the direction perpendicular to the axis, and in this state, the check member 5 is attached to the housing 3.
If you try to pull it out from 1 in the direction perpendicular to the axis, you cannot pull it out.

Further, in this state, even if the handle portion 53 is pulled obliquely in the axial direction, only the elastic deformation of the bent portion 55 absorbs the load from the handle portion 53 and the C-shaped portion 51.
In this case, no load is applied due to the handle portion 53 being pulled obliquely in the axial direction. Therefore, the housing 31
The inner C-shaped portion 51 does not respond to the tilt of the handle 53 even if the handle 53 is tilted.

Then, when the insertion end 1c of the male member 1 is inserted into the housing 31 of the female member 3 from the insertion opening end 31d, the ring-shaped projection 1a of the male member 1 becomes the claws 43 of the locking member 4. By pressing and slidably contacting each inclined inner surface 43a of
Each claw 43 is pushed outward in the radial direction against its elasticity and passes through each claw 43. As a result, each claw portion 43 elastically returns inward in the radial direction, and the locking end portion 43 of each claw portion 43 is returned.
b and the ring-shaped protrusion 1a are locked, and the male member 1 and the female member 3 are brought into a coupled state via the locking member 4.

When the insertion of the male member 1 is completed, as shown in FIG. 8, each tip abutting portion 52b of each locking projection 52 located in the locus of the ring-shaped projection 1a is ring-shaped. The protrusions 1a are pressed to move outward in the radial direction, thereby expanding the diameter of the C-shaped portion 51. When the diameter of the C-shaped portion 51 of the check member 5 is expanded in this way, each inclined second locking portion 52c of each locking protrusion 52 is moved to the housing 3
Each of the window portions 35 of No. 1 is brought into contact with and locked to the circumferential edge 35a. In this way, the inclined second locking portion 52c of the locking projection 52 is locked to the circumferential edge 35b of the window 35, and the elastic restoring force of the C-shaped portion 51 causes the check member 5 to move to the housing 31. Therefore, it is possible to reliably restrict the disengagement in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

When the check member 5 is to be pulled out from the housing 31 in the direction perpendicular to the axis in this state, the inclined second locking portions 52c of the locking projections 52 and the circumferential end edges of the window portions 35 are pulled out. C-shaped portion 51 through sliding contact with 35b
Since the diameter is further increased, the check member 5 can be easily pulled out from the housing 31 in the direction perpendicular to the axis. This makes it possible to confirm the connection between the male member 1 and the female member 3.

As described above, in the connector of this embodiment, the check member 5 does not pop out of the housing 31 due to its elastic return force after the male member 1 is connected to the female member 3. Therefore, after coupling, the housing 31
It is not necessary to collect the check members 5 that have fallen off from the work. Therefore, the connector of the present embodiment can be applied to a place where it is difficult for the check member 5 to fall off, a place where it is difficult to collect the fallen check member 5, and the like.

In addition, in the check member 5 of this embodiment, the connection between the male member 1 and the female member 3 is not properly completed, and the pair of locking projections 52 and the window portion 3 of the check member 5 are not completed.
Even if the handle portion 53 is pulled in an oblique direction inclined to one end side or the other end side in the axial direction with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axis when the circumferential end portion 35a of 5 is still locked, this pulling The load due to the force acts on the bent portion 55, and only the bent portion 55 is elastically deformed, and no load is applied to the C-shaped portion 51.
For this reason, the pair of locking projections 52 of the check member 5 is less likely to come off from the circumferential end 35a of the window 35, and the check member 5 does not come off from the housing 31 even if pulled strongly.

Particularly, like the check member 5 of the connector of the present embodiment, when the tilt regulating portion 57 is increased in the axial rigidity of the tilt regulating portion 57 by the reinforcing ribs 57c, the bending is less likely to occur. Even if the handle portion 53 is extremely strongly pulled obliquely and the bent portion 55 is deformed to the vicinity of the elastic limit, the tilt restricting portion 57 does not bend, and thus the load is hardly applied to the C-shaped portion 51. .

Further, the check member 5 according to the fourth embodiment.
In the boundary portion between the ring-shaped handle portion 53 and the neck portion 53b connecting the C-shaped portion 51, and the notch 53c is provided at one end in the width direction of the neck portion 53b on the neck portion 53b side.
Is provided. If the check member 5 is to be pulled out from the housing 31 in the direction perpendicular to the axis before the insertion of the male member 1 is completed, the notch 53c is provided with the first locking portion 52a of the check member 5 and the circumferential end portion 35a of the window portion 35. It is provided so that the neck portion 53b of the handle portion 53 can be broken before the engagement with is released, and after the insertion of the male member 1 is completed, the check member 5
It is provided so as not to break the neck portion 53b of the handle portion 53 when pulling out from the housing 31 in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

For this reason, in this check member 5, before the insertion of the male member 1 is completed, that is, in the state where the connection between the male member 1 and the female member 3 is not completely (appropriately) completed, the operator can handle 53. When a finger or the like is hooked on the ring portion 53a of the pulling member and pulled in a direction perpendicular to the axis with an extremely strong force, the check member 5
Of the check member 5, the neck portion 53b of the handle portion 53 breaks at the notch 53c before the first locking portion 52a and the circumferential end portion 35a of the window portion 35 are disengaged.
A part of b, the C-shaped portion 51, and the portion of each locking projection portion 52 remain held in the housing 31. Therefore, a person who works thereafter can visually confirm that the damaged check member 5 is held in the housing 31 and thus confirm that the coupling between the male member 1 and the female member 3 is not completed. It can be easily confirmed.

When the connection between the male member 1 and the female member 3 is completed (appropriately), the operator pulls the ring portion 53a of the handle portion 53 of the check member 5 in the direction perpendicular to the axis with his / her fingers or the like. If removed, cut out the neck portion 53b of the handle portion 53
The check member 5 can be easily used without damaging the portion c.
Can be removed from the housing 31. In the check member of the connector of the present invention, it is preferable that the handle portion has a ring shape through which a finger passes and has a cutout portion that breaks when a load of a predetermined amount or more is applied.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a check member of a connector according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a check member of the connector shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a check member of the connector shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a locking member provided in the housing.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the female member and the check member before the male member is inserted, and showing the check member and the housing in a vertical cross section.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a connector and a check member with a male member inserted.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a check member for the connector before the male member is inserted.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the check member for the connector with the male member inserted.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a check member of a conventional connector when insertion of a male member is completed.

FIG. 10 relates to a conventional connector check member, and FIG.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a connector and a check member which are the premise of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: male member, 1a: ring-shaped protrusion, 1c: insertion end,
3: female member, 31: housing, 32: contact regulator, 3
5: window portion, 35a: circumferential end portion, 35b: circumferential end edge,
4: locking member, 43: claw portion, 43a: inclined inner surface, 43
b: locking end portion, 5: check member, 51: C-shaped portion,
52: locking protrusion, 52a: first locking part, 52b: tip abutting part, 52c: inclined second locking part, 53: handle part, 5
3a: ring part, 53b: neck part, 53c: notch, 5
5: bent portion, 57: tilt restriction portion.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Atsushi Ota 1-4-1 Chuo, Wako-shi, Saitama, Ltd. Inside Honda R & D Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasunobu Endo 1-4-1 Chuo, Wako-shi, Saitama Stock Incorporated in Honda R & D Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP 10-141567 (JP, A) JP 1-22493 (JP, A) Actual Kai 1-146091 (JP, U) Actual Kai 1-156389 ( (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F16L 37/12

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cylindrical male member having an insertion end portion provided with a ring-shaped protrusion protruding in the centrifugal direction at a position separated from the tip by a predetermined distance, and an insertion opening end into which the insertion end portion is inserted. , And a female member having a substantially cylindrical housing having a pair of windows arranged in the circumferential direction so as to penetrate in the radial direction and face each other, and a female member inserted into and held in the housing. It has a pair of claws that are elastically deformable in the radial direction and are arranged at positions corresponding to the windows, and each claw is inclined inward in the radial direction from the insertion opening end toward the axial rear side. Then, when the male member is inserted, the slanted inner surface with which the ring-shaped protrusion is pressed and slidably contacted with each other, and when the male member and the female member are coupled, the male member is locked with the ring-shaped protrusion to prevent the male member from coming off. And a locking member each having a locking end. Check member, which is externally held on the outer peripheral surface of the housing in the direction perpendicular to the axis and is capable of expanding in diameter by elastic deformation, and integrally projecting inward from both ends of the C-shaped portion. ,
A state before the male member is coupled to the female member by being inserted into the housing through the window portions at positions on the axially inner side of the housing with respect to the locking ends of the claw portions, respectively. And a pair of locking projections that lock with the circumferential end of the window in a state where the male member is coupled to the female member, one end in the axial direction from substantially the center in the circumferential direction of the C-shaped portion, and At least one of the one end side and the other end side in the axial direction is provided with the C-shaped portion integrally extended to at least one of the other end sides and held so as to stand upright in the axis-perpendicular direction to the housing. At least one tilt restricting part that restricts tilting to one side by contact with the outer peripheral surface of the housing, and a handle part that is integrally held by the tilt restricting part via a bent part. Check the characteristic connector Member. 2. The connector check member according to claim 1, wherein the tilt restricting portion has a reinforcing rib. 3. The connector check member according to claim 1, wherein the handle portion has a ring shape through which a finger passes, and has a notch portion that breaks when a load larger than a predetermined value is applied.