JP3561138B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector capable of fitting a plurality of male connectors to one female connector.
[0002]
[Prior art]
3 and 4 show a conventional connector described in Japanese Patent No. 2571316. This connector comprises a female connector 1, a plurality of male connectors 2 that can be fitted to the female connector 1, and a lever 4 that is rotatably mounted on the female connector 1 with pins 5; The female connector 1 is provided with a projection 3, the female connector 1 is provided with a projection guide groove 6, and the lever 4 is provided with a cam groove 7 in which the projection 3 slides. Is performed.
[0003]
When fitting the connectors, each male connector 2 is temporarily fitted to the hood-shaped fitting portion of the female connector 1 while inserting the projection 3 into the projection guide groove 6. Then, by rotating the lever 4 about the pin 5, the male connector 2 is inserted to the full-fit position by the action of the cam groove 7, and the male connector 2 is locked to prevent it from falling off.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional connector, when the female and male connectors 1 and 2 are fitted together, all the male connectors 2 are temporarily fitted to the female connector 1 and the lever 4 is not manually rotated. It was a lot of work, and it was troublesome.
[0005]
Then, this invention is made in order to solve the above-mentioned subject, and an object of this invention is to provide the connector which can reduce the number of operations until a several male connector fits a female connector completely.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The connector according to the first aspect of the present invention provides a female connector housing in which first and second male connectors are fitted, the first male connector is fitted in a female connector housing, and the second male connector is female. When the connector is fitted to the connector housing, the fitting operation is displaced from the unlocked position to the locked position, and a plate-shaped lock lever for locking the first male connector is provided . A locking means for locking the female connector housing when the lock lever is displaced to the lock position; and returning the lock lever from the lock position to the unlock position of the lock lever on the second male connector. In the connector provided with a stopper for preventing the rotation, the lock lever can be turned between the unlocked position and the locked position using the pin as a rotation fulcrum. The first male connector is provided with an engagement projection, and the second male connector is pushed and moved toward the lock position when the second male connector is fitted into the female connector housing. The locking lever is provided with an engaging portion for the engaging protrusion and a pressed portion for the pressing portion, the engaging portion is arranged at a position close to the pin, and the pressed portion is It is characterized by being arranged at a position far from the pin .
[0007]
In this connector, the lock lever is automatically displaced to the lock position by fitting the first male connector to the female connector housing and then fitting the second male connector to the female connector housing. The male connector can be locked. At this time, the first male connector does not prevent itself from being removed by the fitting operation, so that when the first male connector is fitted, no force is required to move the means for retaining lock. One male connector can be inserted into the female connector housing with a small force. In particular, when the second male connector is fitted into the female connector housing, the pressing portion of the second male connector presses against the pressed portion of the lock lever, whereby the lock lever rotates about the pin, and the lock is released. The engaging portion of the lever is engaged with the projection of the first male connector, and the first male connector is prevented from coming off. At this time, the pressed portion to which the pressing force (operating force) of the second male connector is applied is located at a position farther from the pin, which is the center of rotation, than the engaging portion, which is the point of action. The engagement portion of the lock lever can be engaged with the engagement protrusion of the first male connector with a small operation force.
[0008]
A connector according to a second aspect of the present invention is the connector according to the first aspect, wherein the number of terminals of the second male connector is set smaller than the number of terminals of the first male connector.
[0009]
In this connector, since the lock lever is moved by the fitting operation of the second male connector, the force required for fitting the second male connector is somewhat increased, but the second male connector is larger than the first male connector. Since the number of terminals is set small, low insertion force is required even if the mating force increases. Rather, since the second male connector having a small number of terminals has a small burden at the time of mating from the beginning, its operation is used to lock the first male connector, and thereby the mating of the first male connector is performed. We try to reduce the burden of time.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
1 and 2 show a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. This connector integrates three sets of connectors A, B, and C, and includes a plurality of male connectors 11 and 12 and one female connector (here, only a female connector housing is shown) 13. In FIG. 2, the connector A is in the completely fitted state, the connector B is in the middle of the fitting, and the connector C is in the state before the fitting.
[0018]
In the female connector housing 13, hood-shaped male connector fitting portions 21 and 22 are arranged in a line on one side so that three sets of first and second two male connectors 11 and 12 can be inserted. ing. Accordingly, between the two end walls 20a, 20a of the female connector housing 13, a partition wall 20b for partitioning each set of male connector fitting portions 21, 22 and a first and second male connector fitting portions 21, 22 are partitioned. A partition wall 23 is provided. The first male connector 11 is fitted to the first male connector fitting portion 21 of each set, and the second male connector 12 is fitted to the second male connector fitting portion 22 of each set. It has become.
[0019]
Here, the number of terminals (the number of poles) of the second male connector 12 is set to be smaller than the number of terminals (the number of poles) of the first male connector 11, and the male connectors 11 and 12 are simply connected to the female. When the connector is inserted into the connector housing 13, the insertion force of the second male connector 12 is smaller than that of the first male connector 11. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11a denotes a terminal receiving chamber of the first male connector 11, and reference numeral 12a denotes a terminal receiving chamber of the second male connector 12.
[0020]
An engagement projection (engaging portion) 15 for retaining lock is provided on the upper surface of the housing of the first male connector 11, and a lock for retaining lock is provided on the upper surface of the housing of the second male connector 12. An arm (lock means) 16 is provided. A notch 15a is formed on the peripheral surface of the engagement projection 15 of the first male connector 11, and an engagement projection 16a is disengaged on the upper surface of the lock arm 16 of the second male connector 12. And a protruding portion 16b. The lock arm 16 is provided in a bridge shape by connecting the front end and the rear end to the housing main body, and the central portion is bent downward. Further, a pressing projection (corresponding to a pressing portion and a stopper) 17 protrudes from the upper surface of the housing of the second male connector 12 adjacent to the lock arm 16.
[0021]
On the other hand, the cover wall 26 is provided at a further distance on top of the upper wall 25 of the female connector housing 13, the space between the cover wall 26 and the upper wall 2 5, passes through the first male connector 11 A lock lever 14 for stopping and locking is provided. The space is divided by partition walls 27a and 27b corresponding to the end wall 20a and the partition wall 20b. The upright wall 32 and the rear wall 33 projecting from the rear end stop it from falling off.
[0022]
The upper wall 25 of the female connector housing 13 has a projection guide groove 28 for receiving the engaging projection 15 when the first male connector 11 is fitted, and the lock arm 16 for receiving the second male connector 12 when fitted. A lock arm guide recess 29 and a pressing protrusion guide groove 30 for receiving the pressing protrusion 17 are provided. A rectangular engaging hole (engaging portion) 29a into which the engaging protrusion 16a of the lock arm 16 fits is provided at the back of the lock arm guide concave portion 29.
[0023]
The lock lever 14 has a strip shape, and has a base end directed toward the first male connector fitting portion 21 and a distal end directed toward the second male connector fitting portion 22. The lock lever 14 has a semicircular base end 41 received by the partition walls 27a and 27b and the rear wall 33 provided in the female connector housing 13, and a pin 42 protruding substantially at the center of the semicircle. By being received at the peripheral edge of the rectangular notch 31 formed in the wall 26, the pin can be turned around the pin 42 as a turning fulcrum.
[0024]
A lock arm 44 is formed integrally with the tip 43 of the lock lever 14. The lock arm 44 is for locking the female connector housing 13 when the lock lever 14 is displaced to the lock position, and is engaged with a rectangular engagement hole (engagement portion) 48 of the partition walls 27a and 27b. The projection 46 is provided. When the lock lever 14 is in the unlocked position before the male connectors 11 and 12 are fitted to each other, the engagement protrusions 46 engage with the front ends of the partition walls 27a and 27b, thereby locking together with the upright wall 32. The rattling of the lever 14 is regulated.
[0025]
In FIG. 2, the lock lever 14 of the connector A is at a lock position for preventing the first male connector 11 from coming off, and the lock levers 14 of the connectors B and C are at the unlock position.
[0026]
At the front edge of the main body of the lock lever 14 near the lock arm 44, a pressed portion 19 for the pressing projection 17 of the second male connector 12 is provided. At a front edge portion at a position corresponding to the projection guide groove 28, an engagement concave portion (engaging portion) 18 that can engage with the engagement projection 15 projecting from the engagement projection guide groove 28 is provided. On one side of the entrance of the engagement recess 18, an engagement claw 18a is provided which fits into the notch 15a of the engagement projection 15 of the first male connector 11 when the lock lever 14 is pivotally displaced to the lock position. I have.
[0027]
Next, the operation of the connector having the above configuration will be described.
[0028]
Before the connector is fitted, the lock lever 14 is in the unlocked position as shown in the connector of FIG. 2C. That is, the distal end of the lock lever 14 projects obliquely forward, and the lock arm 44 engages with the front ends of the partition walls 27a and 27b and is stopped. When the first male connector 11 is fitted in the first male connector fitting portion 21 of the female connector housing 13 in this state, the engagement projection 15 enters the engagement projection guide groove 28 and projects from the upper wall 25. The upper end of the engagement projection 15 enters the engagement recess 18 of the lock lever 14 via the tapered surface of the engagement claw 18a without resistance.
[0029]
Next, the second male connector 12 is fitted to the second male connector fitting portion 22 of the male connector housing 13. Then, as shown in the connector of FIG. 2B, the pressing projection 17 of the second male connector 12 abuts against the pressed portion 19 of the lock lever 14, and the fitting is further fitted, whereby the distal end side of the lock lever 14 is pressed. The lock lever 14 rotates about a pin 42 serving as a rotation fulcrum, and as shown in the connector of FIG. 2A, the engagement claw 18a of the engagement recess 18 of the lock lever 14 is connected to the first male connector. The first male connector 11 engages with the notch 15a of the engaging projection 15 of the first connector 11 and is locked. In the state where the lock lever 14 is pushed and moved to the lock position in this manner, the engagement protrusion 16 a of the lock arm 16 of the second male connector 12 is inserted into the engagement hole 29 a of the lock arm guide recess 29 of the female connector housing 13. The second male connector 12 is also locked by being engaged. Then, the engagement protrusion 46 of the lock arm 44 of the lock lever 14 is fitted into the engagement hole 48, and the pressing protrusion 17 presses the lock lever 14, thereby preventing the lock lever 14 from returning to the unlocked position. You.
[0030]
As described above, in this connector, the first male connector 11 is fitted to the female connector housing 13 and then the second male connector 12 is fitted to the female connector housing 13 to automatically lock the connector. By displacing the lever 14 to the lock position, the first male connector 11 can be locked to prevent it from falling off. Therefore, it is not necessary to directly operate the lock lever 14, and the number of operations at the time of fitting can be reduced.
[0031]
Further, since the locking operation of the first male connector 11 is not performed by the fitting operation of the first male connector 11, a force for moving the means for locking is not required when the first male connector 11 is fitted. In addition, the first male connector 11 can be inserted into the female connector housing 13 with a small force. In particular, in the case of this connector, since the number of terminals of the second male connector 12 for moving the lock lever 14 is smaller than the number of terminals of the first male connector 11, even if a slight force for moving the lock lever 14 is applied. There is no problem at all.
[0032]
Further, in the case of this connector, since the return of the lock lever 14 is prevented by the pressing projection 17 of the second male connector 12, the first male connector 11 can be removed unless the second male connector 12 is removed. Instead, the order in which the male connectors 11 and 12 are removed can be defined. Further, when the lock lever 14 is rotated by the second male connector 12, the pressed portion 19 to which the pressing force of the second male connector 12 is applied is moved further from the rotation fulcrum than the engagement concave portion 18 which is the action point. Since it is at a distant position, the engagement claw 18a of the engagement recess 18 can be engaged with the engagement protrusion 15 with a small operating force by the leverage principle, and the engagement force of the second male connector 12 is not increased as much as possible. Can be suppressed.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the fitting operation of the second male connector automatically moves the lock lever to lock the first male connector so that the first male connector cannot be removed. It is only necessary to insert the second male connector into the female connector housing in order, and it is not necessary to independently operate the lock lever, and the number of operations at the time of fitting can be reduced. Further, since the locking is not performed simultaneously with the fitting of the first male connector, the first male connector can be inserted with a small force. Further, since the second male connector is prevented from coming off by the locking means, connection reliability is improved. Further, since the first male connector cannot be removed unless the second male connector is removed, the order in which the male connectors are disconnected can be implicitly defined. In particular, when the lock lever is rotated by the fitting force of the second male connector, the lock lever can be displaced to the lock position with a small force. Therefore, the fitting force of the second male connector can be suppressed as small as possible.
[0034]
According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, locking of the first male connector is prevented by the fitting operation of the second male connector having a small number of terminals. The burden of locking the male connector can be shouldered by the fitting operation of the second male connector, which requires a small insertion force. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the insertion force of the one with the larger burden.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state before fitting of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connector is being fitted.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional connector.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connector of the conventional example is being fitted.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 first male connector 12 second male connector 13 female connector housing 14 lock lever 15 engagement protrusion 16 lock arm (lock means)
17 Pressing projection (pressing part, stopper)
18 Engagement recess (engagement part)
19 pressed part 42 pin (rotation fulcrum)

Claims (2)

When the first male connector is fitted into the female connector housing and the second male connector is fitted into the female connector housing after fitting the first male connector into the female connector housing into which the first and second male connectors are fitted. A plate-shaped lock lever is provided which is displaced from the unlocked position to the locked position by the joint operation and locks the first male connector from coming off ,
The second male connector is provided with locking means for locking the female connector housing when the lock lever is displaced to the lock position, and the second male connector is provided with a lock position of the lock lever. In the connector provided with a stopper that prevents the return to the unlock position from the
The lock lever is provided so as to be rotatable between a non-lock position and a lock position using a pin as a rotation fulcrum,
An engagement projection is provided on the first male connector;
The second male connector is provided with a pressing portion that pushes and moves the lock lever toward a lock position when the second male connector is fitted to the female connector housing,
The lock lever is provided with an engaging portion for the engaging protrusion and a pressed portion for the pressing portion,
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is arranged at a position near the pin, and the pressed portion is arranged at a position far from the pin . The connector according to claim 1, wherein
A connector, wherein the number of terminals of the second male connector is set smaller than the number of terminals of the first male connector.

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