JP4026492B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector that is fitted and detached via a cam mechanism.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As an example of this type of connector, a slider-type connector as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. As shown in FIG. 16, the slider 3 having the cam groove 2 can be moved forward and backward in the direction crossing the fitting direction in one connector housing 1 of a pair of connector housings fitted to each other. A follower pin that can be engaged with the cam groove 2 protrudes from the other connector housing (not shown). The cam groove 2 is inclined so as to go to the back side in the fitting direction (arrow line direction in the figure) as it goes from the start end portion 2A to the end portion 2B side. When the two connector housings are fitted together, the two connector housings are first fitted shallowly with the slider 3 in the retracted position so that the follower pin faces the inlet of the cam groove 2, and then the slider 3 is advanced, The two connector housings are pulled toward each other while displacing the cam groove 2 toward the end portion 2B. When the follower pin reaches the end portion 2B of the cam groove 2, the two connector housings are brought into a normal fitting state.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
US Pat. No. 6,113,407 Specification
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In this type of connector, particularly at the end of the mating of the two connector housings, a corresponding resistance is applied when the slider 3 is pushed in. Therefore, the pushing operation is stopped halfway, and the two connector housings do not reach normal fitting. It may be left in a fitted state. Further, if a force in the separating direction acts between the two connector housings even in a properly fitted state, the two connector housings may be separated while returning the slider 3 to the retracted position side.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to prevent the connector housing from being half-fitted.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector according to a first aspect of the present invention, wherein one of the pair of connector housings fitted to each other includes a slider having a cam groove fitted into the two connector housings. The other connector housing is provided with a follower pin that can be engaged with the cam groove, and after the follower pin is engaged with the start end of the cam groove, In the connector in which both the connector housings are brought into the normal fitting state by the follower pin being displaced to the terminal end of the cam groove in accordance with the operation of the slider, the connector is fitted in the vicinity of the terminal end of the cam groove. A return portion that is inclined so as to be directed toward the front side in the fitting direction as the front edge portion in the direction toward the terminal end side of the cam groove is formed. If the direction of separation force is applied between the motor housing, the edge portion and the follower pins are retracted said slider in a direction toward the end portion by the pushed the follower pins, between the two connector housings in the properly connected state It is characterized in that the internal space formed in is sealed in an airtight state by a seal member .
[0007]
Operation and effect of the invention
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the return portion is provided in the vicinity of the terminal portion of the cam groove, when a force in the separating direction acts between the two connector housings at the final stage of the fitting of the two connector housings, the force is reduced. Since the slider acts so as to be pulled in, it is possible to prevent the slider from being stopped at an intermediate position, thereby preventing the two connector housings from being left in a half-fitted state.
In addition, even when both connector housings are pulled in the separating direction in the normal fitting state, the follower pins are only pressed against the end portion side edge of the cam groove. It is possible to reliably prevent separation.
[0008]
In the case of a waterproof type connector, the internal pressure increases as the mating between both connector housings deepens. Therefore, when the follower pin enters the return part at the end of the mating, the slider is pulled in with a strong force. It can prevent more reliably stopping at a position.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In this embodiment, a connector of a type that uses a lever function by a slider to assist fitting / detaching is illustrated, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, male connector housings 10 that are fitted to each other. (Hereinafter referred to as a male housing) and a female connector housing 20 (hereinafter referred to as a female housing), and a slider 40 is mounted on the female housing 20.
[0010]
The male housing 10 is made of synthetic resin, and has a shape in which a small hood portion 12 projects from a front surface of a main body portion 11 having a horizontally long block shape as shown in FIG. From the rear surface of the small hood portion 12 in the male housing 10, four large male terminals 14L shown in the figure are arranged in a grid pattern and project in the right end region as viewed from the front, and in the remaining region. The small male terminals 14S are arranged in three rows so as to project in 14 rows shown in the figure.
[0011]
The female housing 20 is also made of synthetic resin, and as shown in FIG. 4, around the flat tower portion 21 that can be fitted in the small hood portion 12 of the male housing 10, The large hood portion 22 that can be fitted to the outside is provided. A seal ring 23 (corresponding to the “seal member” of the present invention) that can be elastically adhered to the inner periphery of the small hood portion 12 is fitted to the back side of the outer periphery of the tower portion 21. Further, a bottomed cylindrical cap 24 is fitted on the front portion of the tower portion 21, thereby preventing the seal ring 23 from coming off. Cover portions 25 are formed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the large hood portion 22 with predetermined intervals, respectively. Between the cover portions 25 and the upper and lower surfaces of the large hood portion 22, a slider 40 described later is provided. An insertion passage 26 through which the sliding plate 41 is inserted is formed. The insertion passage 26 is open on both the left and right sides, whereas the front and rear sides are closed.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 4, a large female terminal 27L (not shown in detail, but larger than the small female terminal 27S shown below) The four large cavities 28L in which the small female terminals 27S are accommodated are formed in a grid-like arrangement corresponding to the large male terminals 14L, and the remaining areas have small female terminals. The small cavities 28S in which the terminals 27S are accommodated are formed in three rows of 14 rows corresponding to the small male terminals 14S. Each of the cavities 28L and 28S is opened forward and backward, and the front of the small cavity 28S is covered with the cap 24 described above, so that the small female terminal 27S is stopped in front. Note that the front surface of the cap 24 is provided with a fitting hole 29 into which the front end portions of the peripheral walls of the four large cavities 28L are fitted, and the small male terminals 14S are inserted in positions corresponding to the small cavities 28S. The terminal insertion hole 30 to be opened is opened.
[0013]
At the front part of each of the large and small female terminals 27L and 27S, a cylindrical terminal connecting part 31 having an elastic contact piece (not shown) is formed on the inside, and the mating male terminals 14L and 14S are connected to the front from here. When inserted, the elastic contact piece elastically contacts the male terminals 14L and 14S so that electrical connection is taken. Further, a barrel portion 32 is provided at the rear of each female terminal 27L, 27S, and a rubber plug 34 (corresponding to the “seal member” of the present invention) fitted around the end portion of the electric wire 33 and the periphery thereof. Is crimped. The outer periphery of the rubber plug 34 can be elastically adhered to the inner peripheral surfaces of the rear portions of the cavities 28L and 28S.
[0014]
A large lance 36L that is primarily locked to the large female terminal 27L is provided on the bottom surface of the large cavity 28L so as to be able to bend and deform. On the ceiling surface of the small cavity 28S, a small lance that is primarily locked to the small female terminal 27S is provided. The lance 36S is also provided so as to be able to bend and deform. As shown in FIG. 6, a retainer insertion port 37 is opened on the right side as viewed from the front of the tower portion 21, and a retainer 38 that double-locks the large and small female terminals 27 </ b> L and 27 </ b> S can be inserted. Yes.
That is, when the retainer 38 is inserted into the retainer insertion port 37, first, the temporary locking that the locking protrusion 39 (only the small female terminal 27S is shown in FIG. 2) is retracted to the front side of the corresponding cavities 28L and 28S. In this state, the female terminals 27L and 27S are inserted into the corresponding cavities 28L and 28S, and when they are pushed to a predetermined position, they are primarily locked by the lances 36L and 36S. Subsequently, when the retainer 38 is further pushed in and held in the main locking position, the locking projection 39 enters the corresponding cavities 28L and 28S, and the female terminals 27L inserted into the cavities 28L and 28S. , 27S so as to be double-locked in the retaining state.
[0015]
A slider 40 is attached to the female housing 20. The slider 40 is made of a synthetic resin like the female housing 20, but is formed of a synthetic resin material having a color different from that of the female housing 20. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the slider 40 is formed in a gate shape in which the base end sides of the pair of sliding plates 41 are connected to each other by a connecting plate 42. It is inserted and mounted from either the left or right side while being inserted through the insertion passage 26.
Cam grooves 44 are formed in both sliding plates 41. The cam groove 44 extends from the front end side of the sliding plate 41 to the central portion in the length direction, as will be described in detail later. As a whole, the cam groove 44 is formed in an inclined shape that is gradually inclined toward the rear edge in the width direction. An inlet 45 opened at a right angle to the front edge of the sliding plate 41 is connected to the start end portion 44 </ b> A of the cam groove 44.
[0016]
On the other hand, on the male housing 10 side, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cam groove 44 is engaged with the central portion in the lateral width direction at a position close to the front edge on the upper and lower surfaces of the small hood portion 12. Matchable follower pins 17 are raised. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the front plate 26 </ b> A of the upper and lower insertion passages 26 in the female housing 20 has a through hole 47 that allows the follower pin 17 to enter in the center in the lateral width direction.
[0017]
On the outer surface on the proximal end side of both sliding plates 41 of the slider 40, a grip portion 50 used when the slider 40 is inserted and removed is formed. On the other hand, at the left and right ends of the upper and lower cover portions 25 in the female housing 20, as shown in FIG. 5, escape grooves 52 are formed for fitting and releasing the grip portions 50 of the slider 40.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the sliding plates 41 of the slider 40 are provided with retaining pieces 54 at positions corresponding to the substantially central portion of the cam groove 44 in the length direction and close to the rear edge. Is formed. The retaining piece 54 extends in a cantilever shape toward the proximal end side of the sliding plate 41 and can be bent and deformed, and a protrusion 55 is formed on the outer surface side of the protruding end. Furthermore, a lock piece 56 is formed on both sliding plates 41 at a position substantially at the center between the retaining piece 54 and the connecting plate 42 and close to the rear edge. The lock piece 56 is extended in a cantilever shape toward the base end side of the sliding plate 41 and can be bent and deformed, and a lock claw 57 is formed on the outer surface side of the extension end. The protrusion 55 of the retaining piece 54 has a surface on the extending end side that is substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the retaining piece 54, whereas the locking claw 57 of the locking piece 56 is shown in FIG. 10, the surface on the extending end side is a tapered surface 57 </ b> A that is slightly inclined with respect to the surface orthogonal to the extending direction of the retaining piece 54.
[0019]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a long groove 60 is formed in the cover portion 25 of the female housing 20 at the center in the length direction at a position along the rear edge. In this long groove 60, the protrusion 55 of the retaining piece 54 can be freely fitted and the surface side is blocked at both ends in the length direction, and the inner surface of the blocked part is As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, a locking hole 61 is formed in which the protrusion 55 of the retaining piece 54 and the lock claw 57 of the lock piece 56 are depressed and can be engaged. In the locking hole 61, a vertical locking surface 61A is formed on the outer side in the left-right direction, and a gentle inclined surface 61B is formed on the opposite side.
Then, for example, the slider 40 is inserted into the insertion passage 26 of the female housing 20 from the left side of FIG. 1, and the protrusion 55 of the retaining piece 54 falls into the locking hole 61 on the left edge of the long groove 60 in the same figure. The slider 40 is held at the retracted position in a retaining state. In this retracted position, the inlet 45 of the cam groove 44 is aligned with the through hole 47 of the female housing 20.
[0020]
On the other hand, the position where the connecting plate 42 is pushed in until it hits the left side surface of the female housing 20 is the forward movement position. In this forward movement position, the lock claw 57 of the lock piece 56 is fitted into the locking hole 61 as shown in FIG. It is locked up. Here, the tapered surface 57A of the lock claw 57 is engaged with the engagement surface 61A of the engagement hole 61, so that a so-called semi-lock mechanism is formed. When the above force is applied, the locking piece 56 is bent and the locked state is released.
Even when the slider 40 is mounted from the right side surface of the female housing 20, the same effect as described above is exhibited, and therefore, a duplicate description is omitted. In other words, depending on the position of the connector, it is possible to select the right or left direction in which the slider 40 can be easily inserted.
[0021]
A confirmation window 65 for confirming whether or not the slider 40 is normally in the retracted position is opened in the upper and lower cover portions 25 in the female housing 20. Specifically, the confirmation window 65 is formed in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 1, and is formed at a position slightly in front of the long groove 60 and in the center in the length direction of the cover portion 25.
And only when the slider 40 is in the retracted position, the inner edge portion 67 of the start end 44A of the cam groove 44 in the sliding plate 41 faces the entire surface of the confirmation window 65 and before the retracted position. In some cases, a part of the cam groove 44 is set to face the confirmation window 65. This is the same when the slider 40 is mounted from the right side.
[0022]
The cam groove 44 has a slightly steep slope at the start end 44A connected to the inlet 45 described above, and a straight portion 44B is formed continuously with the start end 44A. The straight portion 44B is inclined more gently than the starting end portion 44A, and is inclined so as to go to the rear side in the fitting direction toward the back side. is occupying. The rear end of the straight line portion 44B is the apex portion 44C, where the cam groove 44 is bent, and a return portion 44D is formed at the end. As shown in FIG. 13, the return portion 44D is provided in a region between the apex portion 44C and the end portion 44E of the cam groove 44, and is shorter than the straight portion 44B, and only in the vicinity of the end portion 44E. And is inclined so as to go forward in the fitting direction toward the terminal end 44E side. More specifically, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 11, the inclination angle α of the front edge portion of the return portion 44D is set to about 7 degrees with respect to the displacement direction (left-right direction) of the slider 40.
[0023]
This embodiment has the structure as described above, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently.
On the female housing 20 side, female terminals 27L and 27S are inserted into the cavities 28L and 28S from the rear, and the rear portions of the cavities 28L and 28S are closed by the rubber plugs 34. Then, the female terminals 27L and 27S are double-stopped and accommodated by the retainer 38.
At the same time, the slider 40 is mounted on the female housing 20 in advance. The slider 40 is inserted into the insertion path 26 from the left side surface of the female housing 20, for example, and is pushed into the advance position at once. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the lock claw 57 of the lock piece 56 is elastically fitted into the locking hole 61 and is held in the forward position.
[0024]
The female housing 20 is carried into the fitting work site with the male housing 10 with the slider 40 mounted at the forward position. Then, prior to fitting the two housings 10 and 20, the slider 40 is returned to the retracted position. In that case, when the upper and lower grips 50 of the slider 40 are pulled, the lock piece 56 is guided by the taper surface 57A of the lock claw 57 to bend and deform inward, so that the lock claw 57 comes out of the locking hole 61, Since the lock is released, the slider 40 is pulled as it is. During this time, when the retaining piece 54 returns along the long groove 60 and stops pulling when the protrusion 55 falls into the locking hole 61, the slider 40 is held in the retracted position shown in FIG.
[0025]
When the slider 40 is normally returned to the retracted position, the male housing 10 is fitted into the large hood portion 22 of the female housing 20 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. Accordingly, when the follower pin 17 on the male housing 10 side enters the inlet 45 of the cam groove 44 through the through hole 47 and further pushes in the male housing 10, as shown in FIG. 11, the follower pin 17 is moved to the back of the start end portion 44A. By pushing the side edge (upper edge in the figure), the slider 40 moves by a predetermined dimension toward the advance position following the inclination. As a result, the follower pin 17 enters the cam groove 44. In addition, the follower pin 17 is hooked on the side edge on the front side of the start end portion 44A, thereby preventing the male housing 10 from coming off.
[0026]
Subsequently, the slider 40 is pushed toward the forward position. As a result, the front edge of the cam groove 44 mainly pushes the follower pin 17, whereby the follower pin 17 is displaced along the start end portion 44 </ b> A and the straight portion 44 </ b> B, and the male housing 10 is gradually pulled toward the female housing 20 side. As the fitting between the housings 10 and 20 deepens, the outer periphery of the seal ring 23 comes into close contact with the inner periphery of the small hood portion 12 while being bent and deformed. For this reason, the internal spaces of the two housings 10 and 20 are in an airtight state, and as the two housings 10 and 20 approach each other, the internal pressure gradually increases, which becomes a biasing force in the separating direction of the two housings 10 and 20, and as a result The resistance applied to the slider 40 increases.
[0027]
When the housings 10 and 20 are closer, the male terminals 14L and 14S are inserted into the terminal connection portions 31 of the mating female terminals 27L and 27S, and the elastic contact pieces elastically contact the male terminals 14L and 14S. Slide against each other. When the follower pin 17 reaches the apex 44C of the cam groove 44, the two housings 10 and 20 are in the most engaged state. At this time, the internal pressure of both the housings 10 and 20 is maximized, and therefore the resistance applied to the slider 40 is also maximized (see the two-dot chain lines in FIGS. 12 and 13).
[0028]
When the slider 40 is further pushed from this state, the follower pin 17 enters the return portion 44D beyond the apex portion 44C, the follower pin 17 displaces the return portion 44D toward the end portion 44E, and the housings 10 and 20 are gradually separated from each other. Displace in the direction. At this time, the urging force due to the internal pressure between the two housings 10 and 20 acts to push the two housings 10 and 20 away from each other and retract the slider 40. As a result, the resistance applied to the slider 40 is rapidly reduced, and an inertial force is applied, so that the slider 40 is urged to the advanced position. When the slider 40 is pushed to the advanced position, as described above, the lock claw 57 of the lock piece 56 is fitted into the locking hole 61 and the slider 40 is locked (see FIG. 10). In this way, the follower pin 17 reaches the terminal end 44E of the cam groove 44 as shown in FIG. 13, and the male and female housings 10 and 20 are properly fitted as shown in FIGS. Become.
[0029]
As described above, when a force in the separating direction is applied between the housings 10 and 20 at the final stage of the fitting of the housings 10 and 20, the slider 40 is retracted, so that the slider 40 reaches the terminal end 44E. It is prevented from being stopped in the middle position. In addition to the internal pressure between the two housings 10 and 20 as described above, for example, the pulling force applied to the electric wire 33 or the distribution between the two housings 10 and 20 is a factor of the force in the separating direction between the two housings 10 and 20. The elasticity of the sealed member is considered.
Further, when the housings 10 and 20 are fitted, a force in the separation direction acts between the housings 10 and 20 due to, for example, the electric wire 33 being pulled backward or an increase in internal pressure due to a temperature change. In this case, since the follower pin 17 is only pressed against the edge of the cam groove 44 on the end portion 44E side, the follower pin 17 does not push the slider 40 back to the retracted position side and the housings 10 and 20 are not detached.
[0030]
In order to remove the fitting between the housings 10 and 20, when the grip portion 50 of the slider 40 is pulled from the state shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the lock piece 56 is bent and deformed and the lock is released. Pull. Then, the follower pin 17 moves the return portion 44D of the cam groove 44 toward the apex portion 44C, and the housings 10 and 20 are temporarily displaced toward the side where the fitting is deepened. Then, when the follower pin 17 exceeds the apex 44C, the male housing 10 is gradually pushed away from the female housing 20 by mainly pushing the follower pin 17 with the inner edge of the cam groove 44. When the slider 40 is pulled back to the retracted position, the follower pin 17 is returned to the inlet 45 of the cam groove 44. Subsequently, when the male housing 10 is pulled, the male housing 10 is removed while pulling the follower pin 17 through the through hole 47. It can be removed from the female housing 20.
[0031]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the return portion 44D is provided in the vicinity of the end portion 44E of the cam groove 44, so that the housings 10 and 20 are separated from each other at the final stage of the fitting of the housings 10 and 20. When a force in the direction acts, the force acts to pull the slider 40 toward the forward movement position side, so that the slider 40 is prevented from being stopped at a halfway position, so that both housings 10 and 20 are left in a half-fitted state. Can be prevented.
Further, even when both the housings 10 and 20 are pulled in the separating direction in the normal fitting state, the follower pin 17 is only pressed against the edge of the cam groove 44 on the end portion 44E side. The housings 10 and 20 can be reliably prevented from being separated by pushing back.
Further, in the case of the waterproof type connector as described above, the internal pressure increases as the fitting between the housings 10 and 20 deepens. Therefore, when the follower pin 17 enters the return portion 44D at the end of the fitting, the slider 40 is strong. Since it is pulled in with force, it can prevent more reliably that the slider 40 is stopped in the middle position.
[0032]
<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) The slider may be mounted on the male housing side .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a male and female housing before mating according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof. FIG. 3 is a front view of the male housing. 5] A plan view of the female housing with the slider assembled in the forward position [FIG. 6] A side view thereof [FIG. 7] A rear view of the female housing [FIG. 8] A bottom view of the slider [FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged plan sectional view showing a state in which the locking piece is engaged with the locking hole. FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway plan view showing an initial fitting state of the male and female housings. FIG. Partially cutaway plan view showing the combined state [FIG. 13] Partially enlarged plan view showing the vicinity of the end portion of the cam groove [FIG.14] Partially cutout plan view showing the normal fitting state [FIG. FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional connector.
10 ... Male housing (the other connector housing)
17 ... follower pin 20 ... female housing (one connector housing)
23. Seal ring (seal member)
34. Rubber stopper (seal member)
40 ... Slider 44 ... Cam groove 44A ... Start end portion 44D ... Return portion 44E ... End portion

Claims (1)

One of the pair of connector housings fitted to each other is provided with a slider having a cam groove so as to be able to advance and retreat in a direction intersecting the fitting direction of the two connector housings, and the other connector The housing is provided with a follower pin that can be engaged with the cam groove, and after the follower pin is engaged with the start end of the cam groove, the follower pin is displaced to the end of the cam groove in accordance with the operation of the slider. In the connector so that both connector housings reach a normal mating state by being
In the vicinity of the end portion of the cam groove, a return portion is formed so that the front edge in the fitting direction is inclined toward the front side in the fitting direction as it goes to the end portion side of the cam groove. When a force in the separation direction is applied to the slider, the edge is pushed by the follower pin, whereby the follower pin is pulled in the direction toward the end portion ,
A connector characterized in that an internal space formed between both connector housings in a properly fitted state is closed in an airtight state by a seal member .

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