JP3613374B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a connector having a function of detecting a fitting state between connectors and a function of releasing a short circuit between terminal fittings in one connector, there is a connector disclosed in JP-A-6-208867. . As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the female connector 1 is formed with a pair of bending lock pieces 2, and an engagement member 3 is attached thereto. The fitting detection pieces 4 and 5 are projected, and the tip of one fitting detection piece 4 extends longer than the other to form a short-circuit releasing portion 4A. The male connector 6 is provided with two male tabs 7, a short-circuit fitting 8 that can be elastically contacted with both male tabs 7, and a lock groove 9.
[0003]
In a state where the connectors 1 and 6 are not assembled, the short-circuit fitting 8 is elastically contacted with the male tabs 7 to short-circuit the male tabs 7. The assembling work is performed by a procedure in which the female connector 1 with the engaging member 3 removed is fitted to the male connector 6 and then the engaging member 3 is attached to the female connector 1.
When both the connectors 1 and 6 are properly fitted, the bending lock piece 2 is engaged with the lock groove 9, and the fitting detection pieces 4 and 5 are inserted into the bending space inside the bending lock piece 2 to be bent. The bending of the piece 2 in the unlocking direction is restricted, resulting in a double lock. However, when the connectors 1 and 6 are in the half-fitted state, the bending lock piece 2 is not engaged with the lock groove 9 and is displaced into the bending space, so that the fitting detection pieces 4 and 5 are in the bending space. Therefore, the engagement member 3 cannot be mounted correctly. That is, the fitting state of both the connectors 1 and 6 can be determined by whether or not the engaging member 3 can be attached.
When both the connectors 1 and 6 are properly fitted and the engaging member 3 is correctly attached, the short-circuit releasing portion 4A bends the short-circuit fitting 8 away from one male tab 7 as shown in FIG. Thus, the short circuit between the male tabs 7 is released.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The above conventional connector is used in an automobile airbag circuit, and shorting the male tabs 7 with both connectors 1 and 6 detached is a measure for preventing the airbag from inadvertently operating. Accordingly, the male tab 7 and the female terminal fitting (not shown) are reliably released from the short circuit before they are brought into conduction, and the male tab 7 and the female terminal fitting are separated from each other. It must be avoided that is left unreleased.
For this purpose, the detection operation by the fitting detection pieces 4 and 5 and the short-circuit release operation by the short-circuit release unit 4A need to be performed at appropriate timing. This is because if the operation timing is inappropriate, for example, when the connectors 1 and 6 are half-fitted, the detection operation of the fitting detection piece 4A is delayed, and the male tab 7 and the female terminal fitting are reliably connected. This is because there is a possibility that the short-circuit of the male tab 7 is released by the short-circuit releasing piece 4A even though it is not done.
However, in the conventional device, since the fitting detection pieces 4 and 5 and the short-circuit releasing portion 4A are integrally formed, when there is a restriction on the shape or size of the connector, the timing of both operations is appropriate. May be difficult to set.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to allow fitting detection and short-circuit releasing operations to function independently of each other.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is a connector housing that can be fitted with the mating connector housing, and in a state in which both the connector housings are properly fitted, they are displaced to the locked position to lock both the connector housings so as not to be detached. In a half-fitted state, the bending lock piece that is displaced to the unlock position, and when the deflection lock piece is in the lock position, attachment to the connector housing is permitted, and the deflection lock piece is in the unlock position. A fitting detection member that is sometimes restricted from being attached to the connector housing, and the fitting detection member are separate parts, and the mating connector is attached to the connector housing in a properly fitted state. A short-circuit releasing member capable of releasing a short circuit between the terminal fittings in the housing.The fitting detection member is provided with a holding means capable of holding the short-circuit releasing member in an attached state to the connector housing when the fitting detection member is attached to a normal position of the connector housing. HaveThe configuration.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the urging means for urging the short-circuit releasing member in the direction of detachment from the connector housing is provided.ingThe configuration.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the biasing means comprises a compression coil spring, and the connector housing is capable of press-fitting a press-contact terminal fitting provided with a press-contact blade, and is assembled with a press-contact cover. Thus, the electric wire is brought into pressure contact with the pressure contact blade.
[0007]
[Action and effect of the invention]
<Invention of Claim 1>
Assembly is performed by a procedure of fitting both connector housings, attaching the fitting detection member, and attaching the short-circuit releasing member. When both the connector housings are in the half-fitted state, the bending lock piece is displaced to the unlocked position, so that the fitting detection member cannot be attached, thereby detecting the half-fitting. When the short-circuit releasing member is attached, the short circuit of the terminal fitting is released in the mating connector housing. When removing both connector housings, first, the short-circuit releasing member is removed to release the short circuit of the terminal fitting, and then the fitting detection member is removed and the two connector housings are separated. In the present invention, since the fitting detection member and the short-circuit releasing member can be attached and detached independently as separate parts, both fitting detection and short-circuit releasing can be appropriately functioned.
Further, since the fitting detection member is not attached to the connector housing when both the connector housings are half-fitted, the short-circuit releasing member is not held at the attachment position to the connector housing. When the fitting is detected and the fitting detecting member is attached to the connector housing, the fitting detecting member holds the short-circuit releasing member in the attached state, and the short circuit is released. That is, the connector housings do not remain in a state of being short-circuited by half-fitting.
[0008]
<Invention of Claim 2>
Both connector housings are half-fittedBecauseThe fitting detection member cannot be attached to the connector housing.In stateEven if an attempt is made to attach the short-circuit releasing member, the attachment is restricted by the urging means.
<Invention of Claim 3>
Since the urging means is composed of a compression coil spring, the reliability is high as compared with the urging means integrally formed with the connector housing. Further, since the connector housing is a type in which the press contact terminal fitting is press-fitted, a retainer for locking the terminal fitting can be eliminated.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
First, the male connector 10 to which the female connector 20 of this embodiment is fitted will be described. The male connector 10 is circular as a whole and has a male connector housing 11 (a mating connector housing which is a component of the present invention) 11 provided with a fitting recess 12 that opens largely forward, and a fitting recess 12. A pair of left and right male tabs (terminal fittings which are constituent elements of the present invention) 13 protruding inward and a short-circuit fitting 14 for short-circuiting the male tabs 13 are configured. A positioning portion 15 into which the housing main body 22 of the female connector housing 21 is fitted is formed in the rear end surface of the fitting recess 12, lock grooves 16 are formed in the left and right side surfaces, and a metal fitting is formed on the ceiling surface. The accommodating part 17 is recessed. The short-circuit metal fitting 14 has a pair of left and right elastic contact pieces 14A that are provided in the metal fitting housing portion 17 and are connected so as to be conductive at the front end portion and extend rearward in a cantilevered manner. When the short-circuit metal fitting 14 is in a free state, the male tab 13 is short-circuited by the elastic rear end of the elastic contact piece 14A being in elastic contact with the male tab 13, and when the elastic contact piece 14A is lifted upward, a short circuit occurs. It is to be released.
[0010]
Next, the female connector 20 will be described. The female connector 20 includes a female connector housing (connector housing which is a constituent element of the present invention) 21, a female terminal fitting 30, a retainer 40, a short-circuit releasing member 50, and a fitting detection member 55.
The female connector housing 21 includes a housing main body 22 having a pair of left and right cavities 23 and a box-shaped mounting portion 24 that is continuous with the rear end of the housing main body 22 and opens rearward and upward. A female terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the cavity 23 from the opening at the rear end thereof, and a primary locking portion 23 </ b> A that can be engaged with the female terminal fitting 30 is formed in the cavity 23.
[0011]
The mounting portion 24 is formed with a short-circuit releasing piece through-hole 25 </ b> A that penetrates the front wall and opens along the upper surface of the housing body 22, and a pair of left and right fittings that open along the side surface of the housing body 22. A combined detection piece through hole 25B is formed, and further, a bending lock piece through hole 25C that opens along the outer edge of the fitting detection piece through hole 25B is formed.
An operation window hole 25 </ b> D is formed at a position below the housing body 22 on the front wall of the mounting portion 24. A vertical guide groove 26 is formed on the upper surface of the mounting portion 24. Further, a pair of left and right electric wire escape grooves 27 are formed on the lower surface portion of the attachment portion 24.
[0012]
The female terminal fitting 30 includes a box-shaped terminal main body 31 inserted into the cavity 23 and an electric wire connection portion 32 extending downward from the rear end of the terminal main body 31. Are connected by crimping. On the lower surface of the terminal body 31, a metal lance 34 that is locked to the primary locking portion 23 </ b> A of the cavity 23 is formed. The lower part of the rear end surface of the terminal body 31 is a receiving portion 35 for secondary locking that is engaged with the retainer 40.
[0013]
The retainer 40 has a thick plate shape as a whole, and is dimensioned to be vertically displaceable in the mounting portion 24 of the female connector housing 21. A pair of left and right through holes 41 communicating with each other at the upper end portion is formed in the upper portion of the retainer 40, and a secondary locking portion 42 that can be engaged with the receiving portion 35 of the female terminal fitting 30 is formed at the lower edge of the through hole 41. It has been formed. An operation protrusion 43 is formed at a position below the through hole 41 on the front surface of the retainer 40.
[0014]
The retainer 40 is provided with a bending lock piece 44 for locking both the connector housings 11 and 21 in the normal fitting state. The bending lock piece 44 protrudes forward from the left and right side edge portions on the front surface of the retainer 40 in a cantilevered manner, and a lock claw 44A protruding outward is formed at the protruding end. Such a bending lock piece 44 is in a locked position where it can be engaged with the lock groove 16 of the male connector housing 11 in a free state, and can be displaced to an unlock position where it is released from the lock groove 16 by elastically bending inward. It has become. When the bending lock piece 44 is in the locked position, a space in which a fitting detection piece 57 described later can enter is secured between the side surface of the housing body 22, but the bending lock piece 44 is displaced to the unlock position. Then, the clearance gap between the bending lock piece 44 and the housing main body 22 becomes so narrow that the fitting detection piece 57 cannot enter.
[0015]
The short-circuit releasing member 50 includes a main body portion 51 having a plate shape as a whole and a horizontal plate-like short-circuit releasing piece 52 protruding in a cantilever manner from the front surface of the main body portion 51. The short-circuit releasing member 50 is attached to the female connector housing 21 at the temporary locking position shown in FIG. 5 and the final locking position shown in FIG. In the temporarily locked state, since the length of the short-circuit releasing piece 52 protruding forward from the short-circuit releasing piece through hole 25A is short, the short-circuit releasing piece 52 is not connected to the short-circuit fitting 14 when both the connector housings 11 and 21 are fitted. Interference. However, in the final locking position, the short-circuit releasing piece 52 protrudes greatly, and when the two connector housings 11 and 21 are fitted, the short-circuit fitting 14 is engaged and bent to an upper position away from the male tab 13. .
[0016]
The fitting detection member 55 includes a main body portion 56 and a pair of left and right fitting detection pieces 57 protruding in a cantilevered manner from the lower ends of the left and right side edges of the main body portion 56. A vertically guided protrusion 58 is formed on the front surface of the main body 56, and a short-circuit releasing piece through hole 59 is formed below the guided protrusion 58. The fitting detection member 55 is attached to the female connector housing 21 in such a manner that the fitting detection piece 57 is inserted into the fitting detection piece through hole 25B from the rear and the guided protrusion 58 is fitted into the guide groove 26. The upper locking position (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and the lower main locking position (see FIGS. 4 and 5) are held by locking means (not shown).
[0017]
In the temporarily locked state, since the fitting detection piece 57 is positioned above the bending lock piece 44, the bending lock piece 44 is allowed to be bent to the unlock position. On the other hand, in the final locking state, the fitting detection piece 57 is positioned at the same height as the bending lock piece 44, so that the displacement of the bending lock piece 44 to the unlock position is restricted. Further, when the fitting detection member 55 is in the temporary locking position, the short-circuit release piece through hole 59 is shifted upward from the short-circuit release piece through-hole 25A of the female connector housing 21. When moved down to the position, both the short-circuit releasing piece through holes 25A, 59 are aligned at the same height.
[0018]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
When both the connector housings 11 and 21 are not fitted, both male tabs 13 of the male connector 10 are short-circuited by the short-circuit fitting 14 (see FIG. 4).
On the other hand, the female connector 20 is assembled by the following procedure and fitted to the male connector 10.
That is, the retainer 40 is fitted from behind to the mounting portion 24 of the female connector housing 21 and held at a temporary locking position by a locking means (not shown), and the fitting detection member 55 is mounted at the temporary locking position. In this state, the female terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the cavity 23, and the female terminal fitting 30 is primarily locked by the engagement between the metal lance 34 and the primary locking portion 23A (see FIG. 2).
When the female terminal fitting 30 is primarily locked, a finger is put on the operation protrusion 43 facing the operation window hole 25D to displace the retainer 40 to the upper full lock position. Then, the secondary locking portion 42 is engaged with the receiving portion 35 of the female terminal fitting 30, and the female terminal fitting 30 is brought into a double locking state by the secondary locking and the primary locking (FIG. 3). See).
[0019]
Further, when the retainer 40 is displaced to the main locking position, the bending lock piece 44 integral with the retainer 40 is also displaced upward, and the bending lock piece 44 is high enough to engage with the lock groove 16 of the male connector housing 11. It becomes. Furthermore, the upper end opening region of the through hole 41 of the retainer 40 is aligned with the short circuit releasing piece through hole 25A of the female connector housing 21, and the short circuit releasing piece through hole 25A is opened so as to be able to pass therethrough.
When the female terminal fitting 30 is half-inserted, the secondary locking portion 42 interferes with the lower surface of the terminal main body 31 even if the retainer 40 in the temporary locking position is pushed upward. It cannot be displaced to the locked position. Thereby, it is detected that the female terminal fitting 30 is in a 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 then the retainer 40 is displaced to the full locking position.
[0020]
Next, the female connector housing 21 is fitted to the male connector housing 11 while the fitting detection member 55 remains in the temporary locking position. In this state, since the fitting detection piece 57 is positioned above the bending lock piece 44 and the bending lock piece 44 is allowed to be elastically bent to the unlock position, the bending lock piece 44 is elastically bent. It enters into the male connector housing 11. When the two connector housings 11 and 21 are in the normal fitted state, the bending lock piece 44 is engaged with the lock groove 16, and the two connector housings 11 and 21 are locked in the fitted state (see FIG. 9). ). Thereafter, the fitting detection member 55 is pushed down to the final locking position. Then, the fitting detection piece 57 enters the gap between the bending lock piece 44 and the housing body 22 and restricts the displacement of the locking bending piece to the unlock position, so that both the connector housings 11 and 21 are in the double locked state. (See FIGS. 4 and 8).
[0021]
If the connector housings 11 and 21 are in a half-fitted state when the fitting detection member 55 is pushed down, the bending lock piece 44 is displaced to the unlock position and the gap with the housing body 22 is fitted. Since the joint detection piece 57 is so narrow that it cannot enter, the fitting detection member 55 cannot be displaced to the final locking position. Therefore, the fitting state of both the connector housings 11 and 21 can be detected depending on whether or not the fitting detection member 55 can be displaced to the final locking position.
[0022]
Now, when both the connector housings 11 and 21 are locked in the normal fitting state, the short-circuit releasing member 50 is attached to the female connector housing 21. This operation is performed by inserting the short-circuit release piece 52 from the rear into the short-circuit release piece through-hole 59 of the fitting detection member 55, the through-hole 41 of the retainer 40, and the short-circuit release piece through-hole 25A of the female connector housing 21 in this order. . When the short-circuit releasing member 50 is attached to the final locking position, the short-circuit releasing piece 52 enters between the short-circuit fitting 14 and the male tab 13 and elastically displaces the short-circuit fitting 14 upward. As a result, the short-circuit fitting 14 is separated from the male tab 13 and the short-circuit between the male tabs 13 is released.
[0023]
If the retainer 40 is in the temporary locking position when the short-circuit releasing member 50 is attached, the short-circuit releasing piece through hole 25A of the female connector housing 21 is blocked and the short-circuit releasing member 50 is moved to the main locking position. I can't push it in. In this case, since the female terminal fitting 30 may be in a half-inserted state, it is necessary to check the inserted state.
When both connectors are detached, first, the short-circuit releasing member 50 is removed from the female-side connector housing 21 and the male tab 13 is brought into a short-circuit state. Next, the fitting detection member 55 is lifted to the temporary locking position, and the elastic deformation of the bending lock piece 44 is allowed. Thereafter, when a force is applied in a direction in which the two connector housings 11 and 21 are pulled apart, the bending lock piece 44 is released from the elastic groove 16 and the lock is released, and the two connector housings 11 and 21 are separated.
[0024]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the short-circuit releasing piece 52 for releasing the short circuit of the male tab 13 of the male connector housing 11 and the fitting for detecting the fitting state of both the connector housings 11 and 21. Since the detection piece 57 is formed on the short-circuit release member 50 and the fitting detection member 55, which are separate dedicated parts, the short-circuit release operation and the fitting detection operation are made to function at arbitrary timing. be able to. Therefore, for example, when the connectors 10 and 20 are fitted, it is confirmed that the connector housings 11 and 21 are properly fitted by the fitting detection piece 57, and then the male tab 13 by the short-circuit releasing piece 52 is confirmed. The short circuit can be released. Further, when the connectors 10 and 20 are detached, the short-circuit release piece 52 is removed and the male tab 13 is short-circuited before the fitting detection piece 57 is bent from the lock piece 44 and unlocked. That is definitely done.
[0025]
<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the male connector 10 to which the female connector 60 of the present embodiment is fitted has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
The female connector 60 includes a female connector housing 61 (connector housing which is a constituent of the present invention) 61, a female terminal fitting 70, a retainer 80, a fitting detection member 90, and a short-circuit releasing member 95.
The female connector housing 61 is formed so as to surround a housing main body 62 having a pair of left and right cavities 63, a first mounting portion 64 formed at the center in the front-rear direction of the housing main body 62, and a rear half region of the housing main body 62. The second attachment portion 65 is included. A female terminal fitting 70 is inserted into the cavity 63 from the opening at the rear end thereof, and a primary locking portion 63 </ b> A that can be engaged with the female terminal fitting 70 is formed in the cavity 63.
[0026]
The inside of the first mounting portion 64 is a space that is open on one side surface and communicated with the cavity 63, and the retainer 80 is accommodated therein. On the front outer wall of the first mounting portion 64, a bending lock piece 66 for locking both the connector housings 11 and 61 in the fitted state is formed in a form extending forward. A lock claw 66 </ b> A that protrudes outward is formed at the extended end of the bending lock piece 66. The lock claw 66A has a comb shape when viewed from the front, and has a concentric arc-shaped positional relationship with a lock claw 84A of a flexure lock piece 84 of a retainer 80 described later. The bending lock piece 66 is in a locked position where it can be engaged with the lock groove 16 in a free state, and can be displaced to an unlock position where it is released from the lock groove 16 by being elastically displaced inward. The first mounting portion 64 is formed with a short-circuit releasing piece through-hole 67 </ b> A penetrating in the front-rear direction along the upper surface of the housing body 62 and penetrating in the front-rear direction along the left and right side surfaces of the housing body 62. A fitting detection piece through-hole 67B is formed.
The upper surface portion of the second attachment portion 65 is opened in the center region in the left-right direction. A fitting detection piece through-hole 67 </ b> C is formed between the left and right side surfaces and the outer surface of the housing body 62.
[0027]
The female terminal fitting 70 includes a box-shaped terminal main body 71 inserted into the cavity 63 and a wire connecting 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 that is locked to the primary locking portion 63A of the cavity 63 is formed. The lower part of the rear end surface of the terminal main body 71 is a receiving portion 75 for secondary locking that is engaged with the retainer 80.
[0028]
The retainer 80 includes a main body portion 81 and an arm portion 82 that protrudes sideways from the lower end portion of the main body portion 81. A secondary locking portion 83 that can be engaged with the receiving portion 75 of the female terminal fitting 70 is formed on the upper surface of the arm portion 82. The retainer 80 has its arm portion 82 inserted into the first mounting portion 64 from the side, so that a temporary locking position (not shown) where insertion is shallow and a main locking position where it is inserted deeply (see FIG. 14). And can be attached selectively.
[0029]
The retainer 80 is integrally formed with a flexure locking piece 84 for locking both the connector housings 11 and 61 in a properly fitted state so as to protrude forward from the main body 81 and to be elastically bent inward. Is formed. A lock claw 84 </ b> A that protrudes outward is formed at the extending end of the bending lock piece 84. The lock claw 84A has a comb shape when viewed from the front. When the retainer 80 is fully locked, the lock claw 84A and the lock claw 66A of the flexible lock piece 66 of the female connector housing 61 are concentrically arranged. It is arranged.
[0030]
The fitting detection member 90 includes a main body portion 91, a pair of fitting detection pieces 92 extending forward from both left and right edges of the main body portion 91, and guide portions 93 extending rearward from both side edges of the main body portion. The fitting detection member 90 is configured such that the fitting detection piece 92 is inserted into the fitting detection piece through hole 67B of the female connector housing 61 from the rear and the main body portion 91 is brought into contact with the rear surface of the upper edge of the first attachment portion 64. And a temporary locking position (see FIG. 11) in which the rising portion 94 of the main body portion 91 protrudes upward from the first mounting portion 64, and a main locking position (see FIGS. 14). When the fitting detection member 90 is in the temporary locking position, the fitting detection piece 92 is positioned above the bending lock pieces 66 and 84, and the displacement of the bending lock pieces 66 and 84 to the unlock position is allowed. When the fitting detection member 90 moves to the main locking position, the fitting detection piece 92 is inserted into the gap between the bending lock pieces 66 and 84 and the side surface of the housing main body 62, and the bending lock pieces 66 and 84 are moved to the unlock position. Regulate the displacement of.
[0031]
The short-circuit releasing member 95 includes a main body portion 96 and a short-circuit releasing piece 97 that protrudes forward from the front edge of the main body portion 96 in a horizontal plate shape, and a rising portion 98 is formed on the upper surface of the main body portion. The short-circuit releasing member 95 is attached with the short-circuit releasing piece 97 along the upper surface of the housing body 62, and the front end of the short-circuit releasing piece 97 is located behind the short-circuit releasing piece through-hole 67 </ b> A of the female connector housing 61. The temporary locking position that is positioned and the short-circuit releasing piece 97 can be displaced in the front-rear direction between the short-circuit releasing piece through-hole 67A and the main locking position that protrudes largely forward.
[0032]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
In a state where both connector housings 11 and 61 are not fitted, both male tabs 13 of the male connector 10 are short-circuited by the short-circuit fitting 14 (see FIG. 12).
On the other hand, the female connector 60 is assembled by the following procedure and is fitted to the male connector. That is, the retainer 80, the short-circuit releasing member 95, and the fitting detecting member 90 are attached to the female connector housing 61 at the temporary locking position (see FIG. 11). In this state, the secondary locking portion 83 is laterally removed from the cavity 63, and the female terminal fitting 70 can be inserted into the cavity 63.
When the female terminal fitting 70 is inserted, the retainer 80 is pushed into the final locking position. At this time, if the female terminal fitting 70 is in the half-inserted state, the secondary locking portion 83 interferes with the side surface of the terminal main body 71 and cannot be displaced to the full locking position. That is, the insertion state of the female terminal fitting 70 can be detected based on whether or not the retainer 80 can be pushed.
[0033]
After the retainer 80 is displaced to the final locking position, the connector housings 11 and 61 are fitted. At this time, since the fitting detection member 90 is in the temporary locking position and the fitting detection piece 92 is positioned above the bending lock pieces 66 and 84, the bending lock pieces 66 and 84 are displaced to the unlock position. The fitting proceeds smoothly. When the two connector housings 11 and 61 reach the normal fitting state, the bending lock pieces 66 and 84 are engaged with the lock groove 16, and thus the two connector housings 11 and 61 are locked in the normal fitting state.
[0034]
Thereafter, the fitting detection member 90 is pushed down to the final locking position (see FIG. 12). Then, the fitting detection piece 92 is inserted into the gap between the bending lock pieces 66 and 84 and the housing body 62, and the displacement of the bending lock pieces 66 and 84 to the unlock position is regulated (see FIG. 14). It becomes a heavy lock state. If both the connector housings 11 and 61 are in the half-fitted state, the bending lock pieces 66 and 84 are displaced to the unlock position due to the interference with the inner wall surface of the male connector housing 11, so that the bending lock is performed. The fitting detection piece 92 cannot be fitted into the gap between the pieces 66 and 84 and the housing main body 62, and therefore the fitting detection member 90 cannot be displaced to the full locking position. That is, the fitting state of both connector housings 11 and 61 can be detected by whether or not the fitting detection member 90 can be displaced to the full locking position.
Thereafter, the short-circuit releasing member 95 is displaced to the final locking position. Then, the short-circuit releasing piece 97 enters under the short-circuit fitting 14 and is separated from the male tab 13, thereby releasing the short-circuit of the male tab 13 (see FIG. 13).
[0035]
Further, when the connectors 10 and 60 are detached, first, the short-circuit releasing member 95 is displaced to the temporary locking position, so that the male tab 13 is short-circuited (see FIG. 12). Next, the fitting detection member 90 is lifted to the temporary locking position, and the elastic deformation of the bending lock pieces 66 and 84 is allowed. Thereafter, if a force is applied in a direction in which the connector housings 11 and 61 are pulled apart, the flexure lock pieces 66 and 84 are released from the elastic flexure lock groove 16 to release the lock, and the connector housings 11 and 61 are separated. .
Since the effect of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
[0036]
<Embodiment 3>
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the male connector 10 into which the female connector 100 of this embodiment is fitted has the same configuration as that of the above embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
The female connector 100 includes a female connector housing (connector housing which is a constituent element of the present invention) 101, a female terminal fitting 110, a short-circuit releasing member 120, and a fitting detection member 130.
The female connector housing 101 includes a housing main body 102 having a pair of left and right cavities 103 and a box-shaped mounting portion 104 extending downward from the rear end of the housing main body 102. The upper region in the mounting portion 104 is a mounting space 104A, the lower region is a pressure contact space 104B, and both spaces 104A and 104B are open to the entire rear surface side. The cavity 103 accommodates the elastic contact piece 111 of the female terminal fitting 110, the wire connecting portion 112 of the female terminal fitting 110 is press-fitted into the press contact space 104B, and the short-circuit releasing member 120 and the fitting detection member 130 are inserted into the mounting space 104A. Is housed. A fitting detection member mounting hole 105 communicating with the mounting space 104A is formed on the upper surface of the mounting portion 104, and a short-circuit releasing piece through-hole 106 that opens along the upper surface of the housing body 102 is formed on the front surface of the mounting portion 104. A pair of left and right fitting detection piece through holes 107 that are formed along the side surface of the housing main body 102 are formed.
[0037]
A pair of left and right bending lock pieces 108 are formed on the front surface of the mounting portion 104 along the outer edge of the fitting detection piece through hole 107, and a lock claw 108A protruding outward is formed at the protruding end. Yes. Such a bending lock piece 108 is in a locked position where it can be engaged with the lock groove 16 of the male connector housing 11 in a free state, and can be displaced to an unlock position where it is released from the lock groove 16 by elastically bending inward. It has become. When the bending lock piece 108 is in the locked position, a space in which a fitting detection piece 132 described later can enter is secured between the side surface of the housing body 102, but the bending lock piece 108 is displaced to the unlock position. Then, the clearance gap between the bending lock piece 108 and the housing main body 102 becomes so narrow that the fitting detection piece 132 cannot enter.
[0038]
Further, a pressure contact cover 109 is connected to the female connector housing 101 by a hinge 109A so as to be arranged on the left side when viewed from the front side. The pressure contact cover 109 is attached to the female connector housing 101 so as to cover the pressure contact space 104B by bending the hinge 109A while bending it, and the locking hole 109B of the pressure contact cover 109 is engaged with the locking protrusion 109C of the female connector housing 101. By being combined, it is locked in the attached state. A wire holding portion 109D and a relief recess 109E are formed on the inner surface when the pressure contact cover 109 is attached, and a pressure contact blade 113 of a female terminal fitting 110 described later enters the relief recess 109E. 114 is pressed toward the press contact blade 113 side. That is, the electric wire 114 is pressed against the female terminal fitting 110 by attaching the press contact cover 109 to the female connector housing 101.
[0039]
A female terminal fitting (pressure contact terminal fitting which is a constituent element of the present invention) 110 includes a pair of left and right elastic contact pieces 111 inserted into the cavity 103 and a box shape extending downward from the rear end of the elastic contact piece 111. The electric wire connecting portion 112. The electric wire connecting portion 112 is opened to the rear surface side, and a press contact blade 113 for press-contacting the electric wire 114 is formed therein. The wire 114 is pressed against the press contact blade 113 by the press cover 109 as described above.
The short-circuit releasing member 120 includes a main body 121 having a plate shape as a whole and a horizontal plate-like short-circuit releasing piece 122 extending in a cantilevered manner from the front surface of the main body 121. The short-circuit releasing member 120 is inserted into the mounting space 104A from the rear side of the female connector housing 101, and the main body 121 protrudes to the rear side of the female connector housing 101 as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 19, the main body 121 is attached to the main locking position that is flush with the rear surface of the female connector housing 101. The temporary locking position is temporarily held by temporary locking means (not shown), and the final locking position is securely held by engagement with the fitting detection member 130 as described later.
[0040]
When the short-circuit releasing member 120 is temporarily locked, the short-circuit releasing piece 122 protruding forward from the short-circuit releasing piece through-hole 106 is short, so that the short-circuit releasing piece is fitted when the connector housings 11 and 101 are fitted. 122 is non-interfering with the short-circuit metal fitting 14. However, in the main locking position, the short-circuit releasing piece 122 protrudes greatly, and when the two connector housings 11 and 101 are fitted, the short-circuit fitting 14 is engaged and bent to an upper position away from the male tab 13. .
[0041]
A pair of left and right spring receivers 123 are formed in the upper corner of the front surface of the main body 121 of the short-circuit releasing member 120, and the spring receiver 123 has a compression coil spring (biasing means that is a constituent element of the present invention) 125. One end is abutted. The compression coil spring 125 is arranged along both side surfaces of the fitting detection member 130, and the other end of the compression coil spring 125 is brought into contact with a spring receiving portion (not shown) in the attachment space 104A. By this compression coil spring 125, the short-circuit releasing member 120 is urged in the direction from the final locking position to the temporary locking position (the direction opposite to the mounting direction).
[0042]
The fitting detection member 130 includes a box-shaped main body 131 whose front and lower surfaces are opened, and a pair of left and right fitting detection pieces 132 that project forward in a cantilevered manner from the side edge of the main body 131. . A short-circuit releasing piece through hole 133 is formed on the rear surface of the main body. The fitting detection member 130 is inserted into the female connector housing 101 so that the main body 131 is fitted into the fitting detection member mounting hole 105 from above and the fitting detection piece 132 is inserted into the fitting detection piece through hole 107. It is attached and held in an upper temporary locking position (see FIGS. 16 to 18) and a lower main locking position (see FIG. 19) by locking means (not shown).
[0043]
In the temporarily locked state, since the fitting detection piece 132 is positioned above the bending lock piece 108, the bending lock piece 108 is allowed to be bent to the unlock position. On the other hand, in the final locking state, the fitting detection piece 132 is positioned at the same height as the bending lock piece 108 (see FIG. 21), so that the displacement of the bending lock piece 108 to the unlock position is restricted. The height of the short-circuit releasing piece through-hole 133 is set to a dimension that does not interfere with the short-circuit releasing piece 122 regardless of the position of the fitting detection member 130 from the temporary locking position to the final locking position. .
[0044]
In the third embodiment, means for holding the short-circuit releasing member 120 at the final locking position is provided. That is, the lower end edge portion of the main body 131 of the fitting detection member 130 is an engaging portion (holding means that is a constituent feature of the present invention) 134 that can be engaged with the short-circuit releasing member 120. On the other hand, the main body 121 of the short-circuit releasing member 120 is formed with an L-shaped receiving portion 124 projecting from the lower portion of the front surface, and the engaging portion 134 can be engaged with the receiving portion 124.
In a state where both the short-circuit releasing member 120 and the fitting detection member 130 are in the temporary locking position, the engaging portion 134 is positioned obliquely upward and forward relative to the receiving portion 124 as shown in FIG. Further, when the short-circuit releasing member 120 advances to the final locking position while the fitting detection member 130 remains in the temporary locking position, the receiving portion 124 is positioned almost directly below the engaging portion 134. Then, when the fitting detection member 130 is moved down to the final locking position from this state, the engaging portion 134 is engaged with the receiving portion 124, and thus rearward of the short-circuit releasing member 120 (in the direction returning to the temporary locking position). The displacement of is controlled.
[0045]
Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.
In a state where the connector housings 11 and 101 are not fitted, both the male tabs 13 of the male connector 10 are short-circuited by the short-circuit fitting 14.
On the other hand, the female connector 100 is assembled by the following procedure and fitted to the male connector 10.
That is, the elastic contact piece 111 of the female terminal fitting 110 is inserted into the cavity 103 from the rear side of the female connector housing 101, and the electric wire connecting portion 112 is press-fitted into the press contact space 104B, and further fitted from above the female connector housing 101. The fitting detection member 130 is fitted into the joint detection member mounting hole 105 and temporarily locked (see FIG. 16). Since the fitting detection piece 132 of the provisionally locked fitting detection member 130 is positioned above the bending lock piece 108, the bending lock piece 108 can be bent inward and displaced to the unlock position (FIG. 20). See).
Next, the short-circuit releasing member 120 is temporarily locked while the compression coil spring 125 is inserted into the attachment space 104A (see FIG. 17). At this time, the short-circuit releasing piece 122 passes through the short-circuit releasing piece through-holes 106 and 133 of both the fitting detection member 130 and the mounting portion 104. The protruding length of the short-circuit releasing piece 122 is necessary for releasing the short-circuit. Shorter than the length. Further, the electric wire 114 is directed to the rear surface of the electric wire connection portion 112, the pressure contact cover 109 is folded back while bending the hinge 109A, and the electric wire 114 is pushed into the electric wire connection portion 112 by the electric wire holding portion 109D, thereby pressing the pressure contact blade 113. (See FIG. 18). Thus, the assembly work before the female connector 100 is fitted is completed.
[0046]
Next, the female connector 100 is fitted to the male connector 10. In this state, since the fitting detecting piece 132 is positioned above the bending lock piece 108, the bending lock piece 108 enters the male connector housing 11 while elastically bending to the unlock position, and both male and female connectors are inserted. When the housings 11 and 101 reach the normal fitting state, the bending lock piece 108 engages with the lock groove 16, and the two connector housings 11 and 101 are locked in the fitting state (see FIG. 18). In this state, since the short-circuit releasing piece 122 is not in contact with the short-circuit metal fitting 14, the male tab 13 is kept short-circuited by the short-circuit metal fitting 14.
[0047]
When the short-circuit releasing member 120 is pushed into the final locking position against the bias of the compression coil spring 125 from this state, the short-circuit releasing piece 122 pushes up the short-circuit fitting 14 and releases the short circuit between the male tabs 13. Then, the short-circuit releasing member 120 is pushed into the final locking position without loosening the pushing force on the short-circuit releasing member 120. Then, the engaging portion 134 of the fitting detection member 130 is engaged with the receiving portion 124 of the short-circuit releasing member 120, whereby the short-circuit releasing member 120 is held at the main locking position against the bias of the compression coil spring 125. (See FIG. 19). In addition, since the fitting detection piece 132 enters the inside of the bending lock piece 108 (see FIG. 21), the bending of the bending lock piece 108 to the unlock position is restricted, so that both the connector housings 11 and 101 are properly fitted. Locked to the combined state. Thereby, it is detected that both connectors 10 and 100 are properly fitted, and the fitting operation is completed.
[0048]
Next, the case where both the connectors 10 and 100 are half-fitted will be described. In the half-fitted state, since the fitting between the connector housings 11 and 101 is shallow, the distance from the tip of the short-circuit releasing piece 122 to the engaging position in the short-circuit fitting 14 is farther than when it is normally fitted. Therefore, when the short-circuit releasing member 120 is pushed into the main locking position, the short-circuit releasing piece 122 does not contact the short-circuit fitting 14 and the male tab 13 is kept in a short-circuit state. Thereafter, when the fitting detection member 130 is pushed into the full locking position, the bending detection piece 132 interferes with the bending lock piece 108 because the bending lock piece 108 is in the unlocked position in the half-fitted state. Thus, the fitting detection member 130 cannot be displaced to the final locking position. Thereby, it is detected that both the connectors 10 and 100 are in a half-fitted state. At this time, the short-circuit releasing member 120 is pushed back to the temporary locking position by the bias of the compression coil spring 125.
[0049]
Next, the case where the fitting detection by the fitting detection member 130 is not performed will be described. After both connectors 10 and 100 are properly fitted and the short-circuit releasing member 120 is pushed into the full locking position, the fitting detection member 130 is not pushed into the full locking position. The short-circuit releasing member 120 is pushed back to the temporary locking position by the bias of the coil spring 125. That is, it is determined whether or not the fitting detection member 130 is pushed into the main locking position based on whether or not the short-circuit releasing member 120 is held in the state of being pushed into the main locking position.
[0050]
As described above, the reason why the fitting detection member 130 is not pushed into the final locking position is that either the connectors 10 and 100 are half-fitted or the fitting detection member 130 is forgotten to be pushed. In any case, it can be said that the cause is that the connectors 10 and 100 are not properly assembled. On the other hand, whether or not the fitting detection member 130 is pushed into the main locking position is determined based on whether or not the short-circuit releasing member 120 is held at the main locking position as described above. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect the assembled state of both the connectors 10 and 100 depending on whether or not the short-circuit releasing member 120 is held in the final locking position.
[0051]
In order to release both the connectors 10 and 100 that are properly assembled, first, the fitting detection member 130 is displaced to the temporary locking position by using a jig (not shown). Then, the lock of the bending lock piece 108 is released, and the fitting detection member 130 is displaced to the temporary locking position by the bias of the compression coil spring 125, so that the male tab 13 is short-circuited. Thereafter, the connector housings 11 and 101 may be separated from each other.
[0052]
<Embodiment 4>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, the temporary locking position of the short-circuit releasing member 120 in the third embodiment is changed. That is, in a state where both the fitting detection member 130 and the short-circuit releasing member 120 are temporarily locked, the receiving portion 124 of the short-circuit releasing member 120 is engaged with the engaging portion 134 of the fitting detecting member 130 as shown in FIG. Is located on the movement path of the engaging portion 134 when the fitting detecting member 130 is displaced to the final locking position. Therefore, if the fitting detection member 130 is pushed into the full locking position without pushing the short-circuit releasing member 120 into the full locking position, the engagement detecting unit 134 interferes with the upper surface of the receiving part 124 to detect the fitting. The displacement of the member 130 to the final locking position is restricted in the middle. Thus, in the fourth embodiment, it is possible to prevent the fitting detection by the fitting detection member 130 from being performed before the short-circuit releasing of the male tab 130 by the short-circuit releasing member 120 is not performed.
Further, a notch 105 </ b> A for inserting the jig J is formed at the hole edge of the fitting detection member mounting hole 105. By inserting the jig J into the notch 105A and hooking the tip of the jig J on the fitting detection member 130, it is possible to easily displace the fitting detection member 130 from the final locking position to the temporary locking position. Can do.
In addition, since it is the same as that of Embodiment 3 about the structure other than the above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same structure and description of a structure etc. is abbreviate | omitted.
[0053]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
(1) Although the case where the bending lock piece is provided in the female connector housing has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to the case where the bending lock piece is provided in the male connector housing.
[0054]
(2) In the above embodiment, the case where the short-circuit release member and the fitting detection member are attached to the female connector housing has been described. It can also be applied to.
(3) In Embodiments 1 and 2, one or both of the pair of bending lock pieces are formed on the retainer. However, according to the present invention, both of the bending lock pieces may be formed on the connector housing. . In this case, it is possible to dispense with the use of a retainer by adopting a structure in which the terminal fitting and the electric wire are brought into pressure contact instead of crimping.
[0055]
(3) In Embodiment 3 described above, the short-circuit release piece is prevented from coming into contact with the short-circuit fitting when the short-circuit release member is pushed into the final locking position with both connectors half-fitted. And the male tab may be released from the short circuit. In this case, since the fitting detection member detects that the fitting is half-fitted and the fitting operation is performed again, there is no possibility that the male tab remains released from the short circuit.
(4) In the third embodiment, the case where the urging means is a compression coil spring and the connector housing is of a pressure contact type has been described. However, according to the present invention, the urging means is integrally formed with the connector housing. The present invention can also be applied to a connector housing of a type in which an electric wire is crimped to a terminal fitting.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where a retainer and a fitting detection member are temporarily locked and a female terminal fitting is inserted in the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the female terminal fitting is inserted, the fitting detection member is temporarily locked, and the retainer is fully locked in the first embodiment.
4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the retainer and the fitting detection member are fully locked in Embodiment 1. FIG.
5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the retainer and the fitting detection member are permanently locked and the short-circuit releasing member is temporarily locked in Embodiment 1. FIG.
6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the retainer, the fitting detection member, and the short-circuit releasing member are permanently locked in Embodiment 1. FIG.
7 is a front view showing a state in which the retainer is fully locked and the fitting detection member is temporarily locked in Embodiment 1. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state in which the retainer and the fitting detection member are fully locked in the first embodiment.
9 is a horizontal sectional view showing a state in which both connector housings are normally fitted in the first embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment.
11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the retainer, the fitting detection member, and the short-circuit releasing member are temporarily locked in Embodiment 2. FIG.
12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the retainer and the fitting detection member are fully locked and the short-circuit releasing member is temporarily locked in Embodiment 2. FIG.
13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the retainer, the fitting detection member, and the short-circuit releasing member are permanently locked in Embodiment 2. FIG.
14 is a front view showing a state in which the retainer and the fitting detection member are fully locked in Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the fitting detection member is temporarily locked and the female terminal fitting is press-fitted in the third embodiment.
17 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the return spring is mounted from the state of FIG. 16 and the short-circuit releasing member is temporarily locked.
18 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the electric wire is pressed from the state shown in FIG. 17 and the cover is assembled to be fitted to the male connector housing.
19 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a locked state in which the short-circuit releasing member and the fitting detecting member are permanently locked from the state of FIG.
20 is a side view of the state shown in FIG.
FIG. 21 is a side view of the state of FIG.
FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the fitting detection member and the short-circuit releasing member are temporarily locked in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where both connectors are fitted in a conventional example.
FIG. 24 is a partially cutaway enlarged plan view showing a state in which the short-circuit of the male tab is released in the conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 ... Male connector housing (mating connector housing)
13 ... Male tab (terminal fitting)
21 ... Female connector housing (connector housing)
44. Deflection lock piece
50 ... Short-circuit releasing member
55. Fitting detection member
61 ... Female connector housing (connector housing)
66, 84 ... Deflection lock piece
90 ... Fitting detection member
95 ... Short-circuit releasing member
101 ... Female connector housing (connector housing)
108: Deflection lock piece
109 ... Pressure welding cover
110 ... Female terminal fitting (Press-fit terminal fitting)
113 ... Press contact blade
114 ... Electric wire
120 ... Short-circuit releasing member
124... Engaging portion (holding means)
125 ... Compression coil spring (biasing means)
130: Fitting detection member

Claims (3)

A connector housing matable with the mating connector housing;
A flexure lock piece that is displaced to the locked position when both the connector housings are properly fitted, locks the two connector housings so that they cannot be detached, and is displaced to the unlocked position when half-fitted,
A fitting detecting member that is allowed to be attached to the connector housing when the bending lock piece is in the locked position, and that is restricted from being attached to the connector housing when the bending lock piece is in the unlocked position;
A short-circuit releasing member that is a separate component from the fitting detection member and that can be attached to the connector housing in a properly fitted state to release a short circuit between the terminal fittings in the mating connector housing. becomes Te,
The fitting detection member is provided with holding means capable of holding the short-circuit releasing member in an attached state to the connector housing when the fitting detection member is attached to a normal position of the connector housing. Features a connector. The connector of claim 1, wherein the is provided with biasing means for biasing the short releasing member to the separating direction from the connector housing. The biasing means comprises a compression coil spring, and the connector housing is configured to press-fit a press-contact terminal fitting provided with a press-contact blade and to press-contact an electric wire to the press-contact blade by assembling a press-contact cover. The connector according to claim 2, wherein:

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