JP3419602B2 - 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 that is held in a locked state by a lock arm.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a connector of this type, FIGS.
There is one shown in. This female connector 1 has a female terminal 2
The terminal accommodating portion 3 having a rectangular tube shape for accommodating the connector is inserted into the housing 6 surrounding the male terminal 5 of the mating male connector 4. On the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 3, a lock arm 8 supported by a supporting leg portion 7 is elastically tiltable around the supporting leg portion 7 in the arrow direction.

On the other hand, an engaging protrusion 9 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 6 of the mating connector 4, and the terminal accommodating portion 3 of the female connector 1 is inserted into the housing 6 of the male connector 4 to be locked. The tip of the arm 8 comes into contact with the contact surface 9a of the engaging projection 9 (see FIG. 7), and the lock arm 8 is elastically tilted and deformed so that the lock arm 8 rides on the engaging projection 9 by further inserting from there. (See FIG. 8) Finally, the lock arm 8 and the engagement surface 9b of the engagement protrusion 9 are engaged with each other by a so-called moderation operation in which the lock arm 8 elastically returns and deforms after overcoming the engagement protrusion 9. Then, both connectors 1 and 4 are locked with the male and female terminals 2 and 5 fitted and connected to each other. To release this lock, the rear end of the lock arm 8 is pushed down with a finger, and the lock arm 8 tilts around the support leg 7 as a fulcrum and the engagement projection 9 is disengaged. .

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned structure, if the insertion resistance generated when the lock arm 8 gets over the engaging projection 9 is increased to obtain a strong moderation, the lock arm 8 is turned. It becomes difficult to perform the engagement release operation for releasing the engagement of No. 8, and there is a problem that it is not possible to achieve both a strong moderation feeling and the ease of the engagement release operation. The reason is as follows. In order to set the insertion resistance generated when the lock arm 8 gets over the engagement protrusion 9 to be large, the arm length L between the support leg 7 and the tip of the lock arm 8 shown in FIG. It is necessary to increase the rigidity of the. This means that the position of the support leg 7 is set closer to the tip side of the terminal accommodating portion 3 than in FIG. 7, and the arm length from the support leg 7 to the rear end of the lock arm 8 is increased. Therefore, unless the rear end portion of the lock arm 8 is pushed down considerably deeply, the engagement between the tip end of the lock arm 8 and the engaging projection 9 cannot be disengaged, and a strong force is required for the operation. As a result, the unlocking operation becomes difficult.

As a case where it is desirable to have a strong sense of moderation, for example, a design concept called a so-called inertia lock may be adopted. This is to set the insertion resistance generated when the lock arm 8 gets over the engagement projection 9 to be larger than the fitting resistance due to the fitting of the male and female terminals 2, 5. Contrary to the above description, the insertion resistance generated when the lock arm 8 gets over the engaging projection 9 is reduced by the two terminals 2.
If it is set to be smaller than the fitting resistance of No. 5, the insertion operation may be stopped without noticing that both terminals 2 and 5 are in the half-fitted state. If the connector is inserted until the arm 8 overcomes the engaging protrusion 9 while receiving resistance and a sound accompanied by the click motion is heard, the lock arm 8 overcomes the engaging protrusion 9 and both terminals are pushed. This is because it is guaranteed that the second and fifth wheels will be in a completely fitted state. According to this
An excellent effect that the occurrence of half-fitting of the connector on the assembly line of the device can be prevented is obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector which can obtain a strong sense of moderation and can be easily unlocked.

[0007]

[0008]

[0009]

[Means and action and effect that in order to solve the problems] <請
Motomeko 1 of Invention> The invention of claim 1, the one connector of the pair to each other,
The lock arm is provided so as to be elastically tiltable and displaceable with the support portion serving as a fulcrum, and the other is provided with an engaging protrusion that can be engaged with the lock arm. In the case where both connectors are held in the locked state by overcoming and engaging, the locking portion provided on the lock arm comes into contact with the vicinity of the lock arm due to tilting when the lock arm crosses over the engaging protrusion. Is provided with a resistance applying member for applying a resistance to the lock arm, and the resistance applying member has a pressing operation portion for tilting and displacing the lock arm in a direction in which the engagement portion releases the engagement with the engagement protrusion. It is characterized in that the resistance applying member is tiltably displaceable so as to be retracted from the displacement locus of the locking portion of the lock arm by pressing the pressing operation portion. That. By this configuration lever, the lock arm when the mating of the two connectors is tilted so ride on the engaging projection, abuts the resistance applying member engaging portion of the lock arm is positioned in the vicinity of the locking arm, at which Resistance is added. As a result, a large resistance acts on the tilting of the lock arm by the resistance applying member, and a sufficient moderation can be obtained. Further, when the pressing operation portion of the resistance applying member is pressed during unlocking, the resistance applying member is tilted and displaced so as to retract from the displacement locus of the locking portion of the lock arm. Since no resistance is applied to the lock arm, the lock arm can be operated lightly and the lock can be released easily. Therefore, according to the present invention
Thus , it is possible to obtain an effect that both a strong moderation feeling and the ease of the engagement release operation can be achieved at the same time.

<Invention of Claim 2 > In the invention of Claim 2 , in the invention of Claim 1 , a pair of protective walls are provided upright on both left and right sides of the lock arm so as to cover them, and a resistance applying member is provided. Is formed in a plate shape along the lock arm, and the resistance applying member is provided so as to be aligned with the lock arm through a support portion provided between the protection walls.

In the above structure, since the lock arm is surrounded by the pair of protective walls, it is possible to prevent the lock arm from being accidentally disengaged by contact with other parts or the like. be able to. Further, since the resistance applying member is provided so as to be lined up with the lock arm, there is an effect that the connector as a whole is compact.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 to 3. The female connector 10 of this embodiment is shown on the right side of FIG. Here, a connector housing 11 made of synthetic resin integrally includes a terminal accommodating portion 13 for accommodating the female terminal fitting 12 therein and a hood portion 14 that covers the front half of the terminal accommodating portion 13 from substantially the entire circumference. It is configured. The terminal accommodating portion 13 has a rectangular tubular shape, and the hood portion 14 as a whole has an angular tubular shape with slightly curved corners, and a mating side is provided between the hood portion 14 and the outer periphery of the terminal accommodating portion 13. An annular fitting space into which the male connector 30 can enter is formed. The female terminal fitting 12 is prevented from coming off by a lance 13a provided in the terminal accommodating portion 13, secondarily locked by a retainer 13b, and further, an insulated wire 16 fitted with a waterproof seal 15 is attached.
It is connected to the. Reference numeral 17 is a seal ring fitted to the outer periphery of the terminal accommodating portion 13.

On the other hand, as shown in the left side of FIG. 1, the male connector 30, which is the mating connector, has a cylindrical connector housing 31 projecting forward, and a male terminal fitting 32 in the connector housing 31. It has a protruding structure. The male connector 30 is fitted into the hood portion 14 of the female connector 10 while being guided to the inner periphery thereof, and when both connectors 10 and 30 are in the properly fitted state, the female terminal fitting 12 and the male terminal fitting 32 are connected. Are electrically connected to each other, and are locked in a fitted state by the locking means described below.

The locking means has the following structure.

Connector housing 3 of male connector 30
On the upper surface of 1, a locking protrusion 33 corresponding to the engaged portion is provided substantially at the center. This is the connector housing 31
Has a slope portion 33a on the front side (female connector 10 side), and the opposite side has a shape that rises almost vertically.

On the other hand, the terminal accommodating chamber 13 of the female connector 10
A lock arm 20 is integrally provided on the upper surface of the via a resilient supporting leg 18 corresponding to a supporting portion so as to have a T-shaped cross section. An engaging portion 21 protruding downward is formed on the front end side of the lock arm 20, and a rear end side thereof is provided so as to protrude to the right side of the elastic support leg 18, and the rear end side is pressed to elastically move. The support leg 18 is used as a fulcrum and the engaging portion 21 is tilted and deformed so as to be pulled up. Further, on the upper surface of the lock arm 20, a locking portion 22 having a rear side as a vertical surface is provided so as to project from a portion closer to the center side from the engaging portion 21.

A pair of protective walls 23 are provided upright on the left and right sides of the rear half of the lock arm 20 in the connector housing 11 so as to cover the lock arm 20. It has a widening slope.

A resistance applying plate 24 corresponding to a resistance applying member is integrally formed with the protection wall 23 above the lock arm 20 via two supporting portions 25 provided between the resistance application plate 24 and the protection wall 23. ing. The resistance applying plates 24 are arranged side by side in the lock arm 20 with a slight gap therebetween, and a rear end portion thereof is smoothly raised to form a thick pressing operation portion 24a.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The female connector 10 of this embodiment is replaced with the male connector 30.
, The terminal accommodating portion 13 enters the connector housing 31 of the male connector 30, and first the lock arm 2
The engaging portion 21 of 0 is the locking projection 3 of the connector housing 31.
3, the lock arm 20 tilts so as to rise on the slope 33a (see FIG. 4). As a result, the locking portion 22 of the lock arm 20 contacts the tip of the resistance imparting plate 24 and exerts a force to push it up. However, since the tilt fulcrum of the lock arm 20 is located at a position displaced from that of the resistance applying plate 24, the resistance applying plate 24 is pushed diagonally rearward, and a large resistance is generated. As a result, the fitting resistance generated when the lock arm 20 gets over the locking projection 33 becomes large, and a large force is required to push in the female connector 10. When the female connector 10 is pushed in against this resistance, the lock arm 2
The engaging portion 21 of 0 finally gets over the locking projection 33, and at the moment when it gets over, the lock arm 20 is deformed by its elastic restoring force so as to tilt and displace the distal end side downward. Therefore, the engaging portion 21 of the lock arm 20 collides with the upper surface of the connector housing 31 of the male connector 30 so as to collide with each other to generate a clicking sound, which causes a so-called detent feeling in the fitting operation. And
When the engaging portion 21 gets over the locking protrusion 33 as described above, both connectors reach the lock position as shown in FIG. 5, and the engaging portion 21 of the lock arm 20 is locked by the locking protrusion 33.
, So that both connectors 10, 30 are locked. Further, when both the connectors 10 and 30 reach the lock position in this way, the male terminal fitting 32 is completely inserted into the female terminal fitting 12 and is in a normal fitting connection state.

After that, when the connectors 10 and 30 are to be separated, the pressing operation portion 24a of the resistance applying plate 24 is pressed with fingers. Then, this rotates in the clockwise direction around the support portion 25, and the right end portion thereof rotates in the lock arm 2
Since the right end portion of 0 is pushed down, as shown in FIG. 6, the lock arm 20 is also tilted and deformed so that the tip end side is pulled upward with the elastic support leg 18 as a fulcrum. As a result, the engagement between the engaging portion 21 and the locking projection 33 is released, and the lock is released. At this time, since the resistance applying plate 24 tilts together with the lock arm 20, the locking portion 22 of the lock arm 20 does not abut the resistance applying plate 24, and no resistance is applied from the resistance applying plate 24. Therefore, the tilting resistance of the lock arm 20 is significantly smaller than that when both connectors are fitted, and the lock can be released with a light operation feeling. Therefore, if the female connector 10 is pulled out from the male connector 30, both connectors 10, 30 can be disengaged.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the connectors 10 and 30 are fitted to each other, the locking portion 22 of the lock arm 20 abuts on the tip of the resistance applying plate 24 so that the resistance applying plate 24 is engaged. It gives a great resistance and gives a clear sense of moderation. Therefore, even in the case of a multipolar connector in which a large resistance is generated due to the fitting connection of the terminal fittings associated with the fitting of the both connectors 10 and 30, it is possible to easily obtain a moderation feeling that overcomes the fitting resistance, so-called inertial lock. It is possible to realize a reliable connector fitting operation.

In addition, as described above, the locking portion 22 of the lock arm 20 is tilted by the resistance applying plate 24 leading in advance when the lock is released, while the reliable moderation is obtained.
Does not come into contact with the resistance applying plate 24, and no resistance is applied to the lock arm 20. Therefore, the unlocking operation becomes light, and an excellent effect that both a reliable moderation feeling and the ease of unlocking can be achieved is obtained.

Further, particularly in this embodiment, since a pair of protective walls 23 are provided on both right and left sides of the lock arm 20 and the resistance applying plates 24 are provided there, the protective walls 23 are provided.
Since the lock arm 20 is surrounded by this, it is possible to prevent the lock arm 20 and the resistance applying plate 24 from coming into contact with other parts and the lock from being accidentally disengaged. Further, since the resistance applying plate 24 is provided side by side with the lock arm 20, the female connector 30 can be made compact as a whole.

<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 to the following, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

(1) In the above embodiment, the lock arm 2
In the case of 0, elastic support legs 18 are provided in the substantially central portion thereof so as to have a T-shaped cross section, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be formed in a cantilever shape in which one end side of the lock arm is supported. It suffices that the supporting portion is provided so as to be capable of elastic tilt displacement.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a male connector and a female connector showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the male and female connectors.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a male connector and a female connector of the same.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the mating process of the male connector and the female connector.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the male connector and the female connector when the mating is completed.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the detaching process of the male connector and the female connector.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fitting process of a conventional male connector and female connector.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fitting process of a conventional male connector and female connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Female connector 18 ... Elastic support legs 20 ... Lock arm 21 ... Engagement part 22 ... Locking part 23 ... Protective wall 24 ... Resistance imparting plate 24a ... Pressing operation section 25 ... Supporting part 30 ... Male connector 33 ... Engaging protrusion

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-6-52931 (JP, A) JP-A-6-310205 (JP, A) Actually open 2-95174 (JP, U) Actually open 64-274 (JP , U) Actual opening 57-122682 (JP, U) Actual opening 3-43278 (JP, U) Actual opening 4-61873 (JP, U) Actual opening 6-72176 (JP, U) Actual opening 63-36950 (JP, Y1) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 13/639

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A connector, which is paired with each other, is provided with a lock arm which is elastically tiltable and displaceable with a support portion as a fulcrum, and an engagement protrusion which is engageable with the lock arm is provided on the other of the connectors. In the case where the engaging portion of the lock arm rides over the engaging projection and is engaged when the two are engaged, the two connectors are held in the locked state, and the lock arm is provided near the lock arm. A resistance imparting member that imparts resistance to the lock arm by contact with a locking portion provided on the lock arm due to tilting when overcoming the fitting protrusion is provided, and the lock arm has an engaging portion where the engagement portion is provided. A pressing operation portion for tilting and displacing in a direction of releasing the engagement with the engagement protrusion is provided, and the resistance applying member locks by pressing the pressing operation portion. A connector which is configured to be tiltable so as to be retracted from a displacement locus of a locking portion of an arm. 2. A pair of protection walls are provided upright on both left and right sides of the lock arm so as to cover the lock arm, and the resistance applying member is formed in a plate shape along the lock arm and both of the protection walls are provided. claims through a supporting portion provided between and being provided so as to be aligned in the lock arm
The connector according to Item 1 .