JP3786254B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, what is described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-56981 is known as an example of a connector for fitting male and female housings together. In this connector, a female housing is fitted into a hood portion of a male housing. It has a configuration.
By the way, since the hood portion of the male housing has a thin wall shape, there is a case where a slight inward warping may occur at the time of resin molding. In such a case, the female housing interferes at the time of fitting, and the fitting resistance increases. Therefore, in order to reduce the fitting resistance, a predetermined clearance is secured between the housings in the radial direction orthogonal to the fitting direction.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the clearances as described above are provided between the two housings, there is a risk that both housings may rattle in the radial direction due to external vibration or the like in a state in which the two housings are fitted. There is a possibility that the connection state of the male and female terminal fittings may be adversely affected.
This invention is completed based on the above situations, Comprising: It aims at restricting that both connector housings float in the direction orthogonal to a fitting direction.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to either connector housing of a pair of connector housings fitted inside and outside, in pressure contact with the other connector housing. A holding member capable of relatively immovably holding the housing in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction is assembled, and the one connector housing has a cylindrical portion in which the other connector housing can be fitted inside. And the pressing member is assembled to the outer side of the one connector housing, and the pressing member includes an elastically deformable main body portion, and the main body portion is provided with respect to the one connector housing. A rib press-contacted from the outside, and a pressing protrusion pressed from the outside to the other connector housing By provided, wherein the sides of the two connector housings from the outside pressing, where the two connector housings is configured adapted can be restricted to relatively loose in the direction perpendicular to the fitting direction Have
[0005]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the one connector housing is provided with a cylindrical portion capable of fitting the other connector housing on the inner side, and the pressing member is disposed on the one of the one side. What is assembled to the outside of the connector housing is characterized in that the cylindrical portion is provided with an opening that allows the pressing member to enter the cylindrical portion.
[0006]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the one according to the second aspect, the pressing member is located at a temporary holding position where the one connector housing is not in contact with the other connector housing, and at the opening. It is characterized in that it is assembled so as to be movable between a pressure contact position that enters and is pressed against the other connector housing.
[0007]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the one connector housing is engaged with an outer side of the pressing member so that the pressing member is located with respect to the two connector housings. It is characterized in that a holding portion that can be held in a pressure contact state is provided.
[0008]
[Action and effect of the invention]
<Invention of Claim 1>
In a state in which both connector housings are fitted, the holding member assembled to one connector housing presses against the other connector housing, so that both connector housings move relatively in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction. It is regulated and it can prevent that the connection state between both terminals deteriorates.
[0009]
<Invention of Claim 2>
By pressing the pressing member into the opening, the pressing member is pressed against the other connector housing fitted in the cylindrical portion. By providing the opening in the tube portion, the position where the pressing member is pressed against the other connector housing surrounded by the tube portion can be freely set, so that the degree of freedom in design increases.
[0010]
<Invention of Claim 3>
The pressing member can be assembled to the temporary holding position with respect to one connector housing in advance before the two connector housings are fitted together, and the pressing member can be moved to the press contact position after the fitting operation. Thereby, until a fitting operation is performed, the pressing member can be managed integrally with one of the connector housings, and the trouble of managing parts can be saved.
[0011]
<Invention of Claim 4>
By pressing the pressing member from the outside by the holding portion, both connector housings can be more reliably regulated for free movement.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, a male connector housing 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as a male housing 10) and a female connector housing 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as a female housing 20) that can be fitted to each other are provided, and a pressing member is provided on the female housing 20 side. The waterproof connector comprised by assembling 50 is shown. In addition, below, the fitting surface side in both the housings 10 and 20 is demonstrated as the front.
[0013]
The male housing 10 includes a hood portion 11 having a substantially rectangular tube shape that is formed integrally with the device and protrudes forward. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, three tab-shaped male terminal fittings 12 protruding forward are provided side by side in the width direction from the inner surface of the hood portion 11. It is electrically connected to a female terminal fitting 24 disposed on the housing 20 side. At the center position in the width direction on the upper surface of the hood portion 11, there is provided a lock protrusion 13 that can be locked by the lock arm 35 on the female housing 20 side. The front surface of the lock projection 13 is tapered. A pair of guide ribs 14 extending in the front-rear direction over the entire length of the hood portion 11 are provided so as to protrude upward at positions on both sides of the lock projection 13 on the upper surface of the hood portion 11. A pair of guide ribs 15 extending in the front-rear direction over the entire length of the hood portion 11 are provided so as to protrude laterally at substantially the center position in the height direction on the left and right side surfaces of the hood portion 11 in FIG.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the female housing 20 has a structure in which a terminal accommodating portion 21 that can accommodate a female terminal fitting 24 and a cylindrical portion 22 that surrounds the terminal accommodating portion 21 are connected. The hood portion 11 of the male housing 10 is fitted between the terminal accommodating portion 21 and the cylindrical portion 22. A predetermined clearance is secured in the radial direction between the cylindrical portion 22 and the hood portion 11 in the male housing 10 fitted inside the cylindrical portion 22.
[0015]
The terminal accommodating portion 21 is provided with three cavities 23 arranged side by side in the width direction in which the female terminal fitting 24 can be inserted from behind. The female terminal fitting 24 has a box-shaped connecting portion 26 provided with a mountain-shaped elastic contact piece 25 capable of elastic contact with the male terminal fitting 12 inside, and a rubber plug on the electric wire W having a rubber plug 27 fitted on the end of the covering. A barrel portion 28 that is caulked together with 27 is provided at the front and rear. Further, the rubber plug 27 can be waterproofed by being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cavity 23. On the lower surface side of the cavity 23, a lance 30 that can be locked to the jaw portion 29 of the connecting portion 26 of the inserted female terminal fitting 24 is provided. The lance 30 is formed in a cantilever shape, and is bent and deformed in a lower bending space by being pressed by a female terminal fitting 24 inserted into the cavity 23. Around the terminal accommodating portion 21, a front retainer 31 having a bending restricting portion 32 that enters the bending space of each lance 30 and can restrict the bending deformation of the lance 30 is covered from the front. A rubber ring 33 is fitted to the rear side of the front retainer 31 on the outer peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating portion 21, and the inner surface of the hood portion 11 of the male housing 10 to be fitted is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the rubber ring 33. The peripheral surfaces are in close contact with each other so that waterproofing between the housings 10 and 20 is achieved (see FIG. 7).
[0016]
The tube portion 22 is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape, and is connected to the inner terminal accommodating portion 21 at a position closer to the rear than the center in the length direction. Of the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 22, the central portion in the width direction is separated from other portions by a pair of notches 34 provided on both sides, and this central portion is a lock arm 35. The lock arm 35 is formed in a cantilever shape including a base end portion 36 connected to the terminal accommodating portion 21 and an arm portion 37 extending forward and backward from the base end portion 36. The arm portion 37 can be elastically oscillated and displaced up and down. A lock hole 38 penetrating vertically is provided in the front portion of the arm portion 37, and the lock projection 13 on the male housing 10 side can enter the lock hole 38. Further, the guide ribs 14 of the male housing 10 are inserted into the notches 34 on both sides of the lock arm 35 as the housings 10 and 20 are fitted. A pair of bulging portions 39 bulge laterally on the left and right side portions of FIG. A guide groove 40 into which the guide rib 15 on the male housing 10 side can enter is formed in both the bulging portions 39 as the housings 10 and 20 are fitted.
[0017]
Now, a pressing member 50 is assembled to the outside of the female housing 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the pressing member 50 includes a substantially U-shaped main body 51. The main body 51 is assembled to the female housing 20 from below, for example. The lower half including the bulging portion 39 is mounted so as to be sandwiched. The main body 51 is formed such that the left and right upper end portions shown in contact with the bulging portion 39 bulge outward along the outer shape of the bulging portion 39, and the inner surface of this bulging portion is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of holding projections 52 and pressing projections 53 are provided in order from the front side so as to protrude inward. The holding protrusion 52 and the pressing protrusion 53 are formed in a truncated pyramid shape that tapers toward the protruding end side. Both holding projections 52 are arranged at positions facing each other, and both pressing projections 53 are also arranged at positions facing each other. A rib 54 is provided at the rear end of the inner surface of the main body 51 so as to protrude inward over the entire circumference of the main body 51 and to come into contact with the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion 21.
[0018]
On the other hand, a pair of openings 41 that open the space in the cylinder part 22 to the outside of the side are provided at positions closer to the rear of the side surfaces of the two bulging parts 39 in the cylinder part 22. A pair of relief recesses 42 are provided on the front side of the opening 41 by denting the thickness of the bulging portion 39 to about half. The opening 41 and the escape recess 42 are formed in a quadrangle when viewed from the side. The holding protrusion 52 or the pressing protrusion 53 of the pressing member 50 can enter the opening 41, and the holding protrusion 52 of the pressing member 50 can enter the escape recess 42.
[0019]
The pressing member 50 is movable back and forth along the fitting direction of the two housings 10 and 20 with respect to the female housing 20, and is in two positions: a rear temporary holding position and a front pressure contact position. Is supposed to be retained. In the temporary holding position, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pressing member 50 is disposed across the cylindrical portion 22 and the terminal accommodating portion 21, and the front portion of the main body portion 51 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 22. At the same time, the holding protrusion 52 enters the opening 41 and engages with the periphery thereof, so that the pressing member 50 is held without wobbling with respect to the female housing 20. The projecting dimension of the holding projection 52 is set such that the projecting end is fixed in the opening 41 and does not project into the guide groove 40. At this time, the pressing projection 53 is disposed immediately after the rear end surface of the cylindrical portion 22, and the pressing projection 53 and the rib 54 are in pressure contact with the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion 21.
[0020]
On the other hand, in the press contact position, as shown in FIG. 9, almost the entire region of the main body 51 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 22, the holding projection 52 is released and enters the recess 42, and the pressing projection 53 is opened. The pressing member 50 is brought into contact with the female housing 20 by entering into the portion 41 and engaging with the respective peripheral edges, and the rib 54 is pressed against the rear end surface of the cylindrical portion 22 and the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion 21. Retained without wobbling. The protrusion dimension of the pressing protrusion 53 is the same as or larger than the thickness dimension of the bulging part 39 (opening 41) plus the clearance between the cylindrical part 22 and the hood part 11 of the male housing 10. Also, the protruding end of the pressing projection 53 is pressed against the side surface of the guide rib 15 that enters the guide groove 40. In the process in which the pressing member 50 moves between the two positions, the main body 51 is elastically deformed as the pressing protrusion 53 rides on the cylindrical portion 22.
[0021]
The present embodiment has the above-described structure, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently. First, as shown in FIG. 5, the pressing member 50 is assembled to the female housing 20 from below at the temporary holding position. The pressing member 50 may be assembled from the rear of the female housing 20.
[0022]
When the female housing 20 is fitted to the male housing 10, the hood portion 11 is inserted between the cylindrical portion 22 and the terminal accommodating portion 21, and the guide ribs 14 are notched portions 34 on both sides of the lock arm 35. When the guide rib 15 enters the guide groove 40 in the bulging portion 39, the fitting operation of both the housings 10 and 20 is smoothly guided.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 6, the lock arm 35 is elastically deformed as the front end of the lock arm 35 rides on the lock protrusion 13. Thereafter, when the two housings 10 and 20 are fitted to the normal depth, the lock projection 13 enters the lock hole 38 and the lock arm 35 is elastically restored as shown in FIG. The rear end face is locked to the hole edge on the front side of the lock hole 38, and the housings 10 and 20 are held so as not to be separated from the fitted state. At this time, the male terminal fitting 12 enters the connecting portion 26 of the female terminal fitting 24 and elastically contacts the elastic contact piece 25 so that conduction between the two terminal fittings 12 and 24 is achieved. Further, the rubber ring 33 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hood portion 11 so that the housings 10 and 20 are waterproofed. In this fitting process, the guide rib 15 entering the guide groove 40 is non-interfering / non-contacting with the holding projection 52 entering the opening 41.
[0024]
When the fitting operation of both the housings 10 and 20 is finished, as shown in FIG. 8, the pressing member 50 arranged at the temporary holding position is moved to the front pressure contact position. As the pressing member 50 is pushed forward, the holding projection 52 comes out of the opening 41 and the pressing projection 53 rides on the cylindrical portion 22, so that the main body 51 is temporarily expanded while being elastically deformed. Member 50 is advanced. Then, the holding projection 52 and the pressing projection 53 are respectively escaped and enter the concave portion 42 and the opening 41, and the main body 51 is elastically restored, so that the pressing member 50 is held at the press contact position as shown in FIG. . At this time, the pressing protrusions 53 that have entered the openings 41 are pressed against the side surfaces of the guide ribs 15 whose protruding ends have entered the guide grooves 40. In this state, the pressing member 50 is pressed against both the housings 10 and 20 with both the housings 10 and 20 being pressed from outside, so that both the housings 10 and 20 are in a radial direction perpendicular to the fitting direction. Relative movement can be restricted. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the connection state is deteriorated due to friction between the two terminal fittings 12 and 24. The pressing member 50 has sufficient rigidity so that it does not deform as the housings 10 and 20 are about to be displaced relative to each other.
[0025]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since both the housings 10 and 20 in the fitted state are sandwiched and pressed from the outside by the pressing member 50 assembled to the female housing 20, both the housings 10 and 20 are fitted. It can be held relatively immovable in the radial direction orthogonal to the alignment direction.
[0026]
Further, since the pressing member 50 can be assembled in advance to the female housing 20 in advance before the fitting operation, the pressing member 50 can be managed integrally with the female housing 20, and the parts management becomes simple. This can contribute to cost reduction. In addition, the pressing protrusion 53 of the pressing member 50 is brought into pressure contact with the guide rib 15 of the male housing 10 after the fitting operation of both the housings 10 and 20. Since 53 is non-interfering and non-contacting with the guide rib 15, the fitting resistance does not increase.
[0027]
Further, since the opening portion 41 is provided in the cylindrical portion 22, the position where the pressing member 50 is pressed against the male housing 10 surrounded by the cylindrical portion 22 in the fitted state can be freely set. The degree of freedom is high.
[0028]
Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10 or FIG. In the second embodiment, an improved function for regulating the free movement of both housings will be described.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 10, a holding portion 60 is provided projecting laterally at the front end portion of the bulging portion 39 in the cylindrical portion 22 of the female housing 20. The holding portion 60 is formed in a bag shape that opens rearward, and a front end portion of the main body portion 51 of the pressing member 50 can be fitted therein. A tapered surface 61 that can guide the approaching operation of the pressing member 50 is formed on the inner surface of the holding portion 60. Further, the holding portion 60 has a rear end position in front of the opening 41.
[0030]
When the holding member 50 is moved from the temporary holding position to the pressure contact position with both the housings 10 and 20 fitted, the front end portion of the main body 51 slides on the tapered surface 61 of the holding portion 60 as shown in FIG. While being in contact with and being guided, it is fitted into the holding portion 60. In this state, the holding portion 60 engages with the main body portion 51 of the pressing member 50 and is held in a state in which the main body portion 51 is pressed from the outside. 50 can be brought into closer contact with each other, and the loose movement of both housings 10 and 20 in the radial direction can be more reliably regulated.
Other structures, operations, and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and thus redundant description is omitted.
[0031]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments 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) In the above-described embodiment, the pressing member is previously assembled at the temporary holding position with respect to the female housing. However, the pressing member may be assembled for the first time after the two housings are fitted, For example, a structure in which the holding members that enclose the entire circumference of both housings are formed in half, and the two holding members that have been divided in half are joined together, and both housings are sandwiched from the outside and pressed together. Are also included in the present invention.
[0032]
(2) In the above-described embodiment, a pair of pressing protrusions arranged at opposing positions in the pressing member is shown pressed against the male housing side. For example, the three pressing protrusions are spaced at an angular interval of 120 °. The number may be three or more, for example, by arranging them at different positions, and the arrangement positions can be arbitrarily set. In that case, an opening may be provided on the tube side according to the number of pressing protrusions and the position of the pressing protrusions.
[0033]
(3) In the above-described embodiment, the waterproof housing is shown in which the female housing is surrounded by the cylindrical portion around the terminal accommodating portion. For example, a block-shaped female housing is fitted in the hood portion of the male housing. The present invention can also be applied to a non-waterproof type connector. At that time, when the pressing member is assembled to the outside of the male housing and the hood portion is provided with the opening, the male housing and the hood portion are connected to one connector housing and the cylinder portion described in the claims. The female housing corresponds to the other connector housing described in the claims.
[0034]
(4) In the above-described embodiment, the male housing is integrally formed with the device. However, for example, the male housing is of a type provided at the end portion of the electric wire led out from the device, The housing may be a relay connector .
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a side sectional view of a female housing in which a male housing and a pressing member according to a first embodiment of the present invention are assembled in a temporary holding position; FIG. 2 is a front view of the male housing; FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway plan view of the female housing in which the pressing member is assembled in the temporary holding position. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the operation of assembling the pressing member in the female housing. FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a state in which both housings are properly fitted. FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway plan view of FIG. 7. FIG. FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a state in which both housings according to the second embodiment of the present invention are properly fitted and the pressing member is disposed at the temporary holding position. [Fig.11] Pressing the holding member Figure partially cut plan showing the state moved to the location [Description of symbols]
10 ... Male housing (the other connector housing)
20: Female housing (one connector housing)
22 ... Cylinder part 41 ... Opening part 50 ... Pressing member 60 ... Holding part

Claims (4)

Either one of the pair of connector housings that fit inside and outside is pressed against the other connector housing to hold both connector housings relatively non-movable in the direction perpendicular to the fitting direction. Possible holding members are assembled ,
The one connector housing is provided with a cylindrical portion capable of fitting the other connector housing inside, and the pressing member is assembled to the outside of the one connector housing,
Further, the pressing member includes an elastically deformable main body, and a rib pressed against the one connector housing from the outside and a pressure contact from the outside to the other connector housing. By providing the pressing protrusions to be pressed, the two connector housings can be pressed from the outside so that the two connector housings can be restrained from relatively moving in the direction perpendicular to the fitting direction. connector, characterized in that there. The front Symbol cylindrical portion, the connector of claim 1, wherein the opening the pressing member is allowed to enter the cylinder portion is characterized by being provided through.   The pressing member includes a temporary holding position where the pressing member is not in contact with the other connector housing, and a pressing position where the pressing member enters the opening and is pressed against the other connector housing. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the connector is movably assembled between the connectors.   The one connector housing is provided with a holding portion that is engaged with an outer side of the pressing member and can hold the pressing member in a pressure contact state with the two connector housings. The connector according to claim 2 or claim 3.

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