JP5027560B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to a panel connection connector that is inserted into and connected to an opening provided in a panel.

  Panel connection connectors are used to connect wirings positioned on the front and back sides through panels of automobile bodies, doors, refrigerators, and the like. This connector is composed of, for example, a plug connector and a receptacle connector that are fitted to each other. A socket contact is attached to the inside of the housing of the plug connector, and wiring on the back side (inside) of the panel is connected to the socket contact. A pin contact is attached inside the housing of the receptacle connector, and wiring on the front side (outside) of the panel is connected to the pin contact. Also, a panel lock structure for fixing the receptacle connector to the panel is provided outside the housing of the receptacle connector. The panel lock structure is usually composed of a flexible locking arm and a locking piece formed thereon. In use, the receptacle connector is inserted into a mounting hole formed in the panel from the front side of the panel. Then, the locking arm passes through the mounting hole of the panel, and the locking piece is locked to the edge of the mounting hole, whereby the receptacle connector is fixed to the panel. Next, by connecting the plug connector to the receptacle connector from the other side of the panel, the connection of the wiring on the front side and the back side of the panel is completed.

  The following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-255659) discloses an invention of a “floating panel mounting structure for an electrical connector” which is a connector having a panel lock structure. In this panel mounting structure, a pair of lock portions that pass through holes formed in the panel from the rear surface of the panel are provided on the insulating housing of the electrical connector. Each lock portion includes a lock arm, a head, and a space between them. Formed by a flexible lock arm structure having a hook portion projecting laterally. A slit is formed in the lock arm in the longitudinal direction to give the arm considerable flexibility and elasticity.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a panel lock structure of another conventional panel connecting connector. A panel lock structure 650 is provided on the side surface 640 of the connector housing 600. The panel lock structure 650 includes a head portion 651 fixed to the side surface 640, a pair of arm main bodies 652 extending rearward from the head portion 651, a locking portion 653 formed on the arm main body 652, and the rear of the arm main body 652. A gap 655 is formed between the pair of arm main bodies 652 in a U-shaped structure including an arm rear end 654 fixed to the side surface 640 at the end. The arm main body 652 is fixed to the side surface 640 at the head portion 651 and the arm rear end portion 654, while the intermediate portion is separated from the side surface 640 and can be deformed in the vertical direction.

  When the connector housing 600 is inserted into the mounting hole provided in the panel in the direction of the arrow A with the contact having the wiring connected to the contact accommodating portion 660 inserted from the rear, the arm main body 652 has the locking portion 653. Since it contacts the edge of the mounting hole, the arm body 652 can pass through the mounting hole by bending in the direction of the arrow B. When the locking portion 653 passes through the mounting hole, the arm body 652 returns to its original shape, and the locking portion 653 is locked to the edge of the mounting hole, so that the connector housing 600 is firmly fixed to the panel.

JP-A-8-255659 (paragraph [0015]) Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-70174

  However, in the panel lock structure of Patent Document 1 and FIG. 6, when a large external force is applied when the connector housing is handled or the connector housing is attached to the panel, the lock arm or the arm body is excessively bent and deformed, Depending on the material of the arm, it may become unable to be used due to permanent deformation, cracking or breakage.

  In order to solve such a problem, the above-mentioned patent document 2 covers a panel mounting connector provided with a locking arm that engages with a mounting hole of the panel at the mouth edge of the hood portion. In the protective cap, the cap body that covers the mouth edge is provided with a mounting portion that is attached to the hood portion, and a deformation preventing portion that abuts when the locking arm is bent inward and regulates the bending. A protective cap for a panel mounting connector is disclosed.

  When the connector is attached to the panel, it is possible to restrict excessive deformation of the locking arm by attaching this panel mounting connector protective cap to the connector housing. In this case, however, the cap is a separate member from the connector housing. There was a problem of having to prepare.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a panel connection connector having a lock structure for preventing excessive deformation of a lock arm for locking the connector to the panel in the panel connection connector.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the connector for panel connection of the present invention is
A connector for connecting a panel, which has a cylindrical connector housing having a predetermined length in which contact terminals are disposed, and is connected to an opening provided in the panel, wherein the connector housing includes:
An abutting member provided at an intermediate portion of the outer surface of the connector housing and abutting against the surface of the panel when the connector is inserted into the opening of the panel;
An arm body having an engaging portion that is provided on opposite side surfaces and has elasticity in the vertical direction, and abuts against the back surface of the panel when the connector is inserted into the opening of the panel;
A restricting member for preventing excessive bending of the arm body ,
The restriction member is erected from the opposing side surface of the connector housing, and is provided on a side on which the arm main body is bent when the connector is inserted into the opening of the panel . The “surface of the panel” refers to the surface on the side where the connector of the present invention is inserted, and the “back surface of the panel” refers to the surface located on the back side with respect to the surface of the panel. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a panel connecting connector according to the first aspect, wherein the restricting member comprises a rib .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the panel connecting connector according to the first or second aspect, wherein the arm main body is disposed two above and below on each of the opposing side surfaces, and the upper arm main body is the above-described arm main body. The locking part is provided on the upper side, the lower arm body is provided with the locking part on the lower side, and the upper arm body and the lower arm body are connected at the front end and formed in a U shape in a side view. In addition, the restriction member is provided between the two arm bodies formed in the U shape.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the connector for panel connection is according to the third aspect, wherein the restricting member is formed by being connected to the U-shaped bottoms of the two arm bodies formed in the U-shape. It is characterized by.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the connector for connecting a panel according to the first to fourth aspects is characterized in that the restricting member is made of the same material as the connector housing.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the connector for panel connection according to the first to fourth aspects is characterized in that the regulating member is formed of a material different from that of the connector housing.

By the said structure, this invention has the outstanding effects as shown below. That is, according to the panel connecting connector of the present invention, when the arm body is bent by an external force applied to the arm body when the connector housing is handled, the deformation amount of the arm body is regulated by the regulating member. Similarly, when the connector is inserted into the opening formed in the panel, and the arm main body bends as the locking portion passes through the opening edge of the panel, the deformation amount of the arm main body is restricted by the restricting member. As a result, excessive deformation that causes damage to the arm body can be prevented. Furthermore, even if any part of the arm body is deformed or curved, the deformation can be regulated.

According to the invention of the connector for connecting panels according to claim 2, since the regulating member is formed in a simple shape such as a rib, the regulating member can be easily manufactured .

  According to the invention of the connector for panel connection according to claim 3, since the two arm bodies are coupled in a U shape in a side view, the arm body can be smoothly inserted into the panel opening. Become. Furthermore, since the contact member and the two locking portions are provided, the connector can be reliably locked and fixed to the panel. At the same time, since the restricting member is formed between the two arm bodies, only one restricting member is required, and the configuration is simple and the manufacture is easy.

  According to the invention of the connector for panel connection according to claim 4, the restricting member is formed to be connected to the U-shaped bottom portions of the two arm bodies. Thereby, the structure of the arm main body and the regulating member is simplified, and the manufacturing can be easily performed.

  According to the panel connecting connector of the fifth aspect, the connector housing and the regulating member can be integrally formed of the same material, so that the connector can be easily manufactured.

  According to the invention of the connector for connecting a panel according to claim 6, since the connector housing and the regulating member are formed of different materials, for example, the connector housing is formed of a resin material such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) and regulated. By forming the member from a non-conductive metal material or the like, it is possible to form the arm body from a material having a strength suitable for forming the connector housing, while imparting high strength to the regulating member. Become.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples and the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiment shown below exemplifies a receptacle connector as a panel connecting connector for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and is intended to specify the present invention as this receptacle connector. Instead, the present invention can be equally applied to the panel connecting connectors of other embodiments included in the scope of claims.

  The case where the connector for panel connection of the present invention is applied to a receptacle connector will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a receptacle connector and a panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 shows the receptacle connector of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 (a) is a top view, FIG. 2 (b) is a side view, FIG. 2 (c) is a bottom view, FIG. 2 (d) is a front view, and FIG. 2 (e) is a rear view.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the receptacle connector 10 is inserted into a plug connector (not shown) that is inserted from one side (the front surface 22 side) of the panel 20 and disposed on the opposite side (the rear surface 21 side) of the panel. Connected. The receptacle connector 10 includes a connector housing 100 and pin contacts 170 accommodated in the housing. The panel 20 is a panel that separates the body or door of an automobile or the outside of the refrigerator / freezer compartment of the refrigerator, and is provided with an opening 25 for attaching the receptacle connector 10.

  The connector housing 100 includes a top surface 101, a bottom surface 102, a front surface 103, a rear surface 104, and a pair of opposing side surfaces 140, and the front surface 103 and the rear surface 104 have a rectangular parallelepiped in which a plurality of contact accommodating ports 160 penetrating the connector housing 100 are formed. It consists of a cylindrical body. In addition, a pin contact 170 is accommodated in each contact accommodation port 160. In the present embodiment, four contact receiving openings 160 are provided, but this number may be appropriately changed according to the application, for example, two or more. In this embodiment, the front direction refers to the direction of insertion into the panel 20 of the receptacle connector 10, and the rear direction refers to the opposite direction.

  A panel lock structure 150 is provided on each of the opposing side surfaces 140 and 140 of the connector housing 100. The panel lock structure 150 includes a U-shaped head portion 151 that is fixed to protrude laterally at the front end portion or the front center portion of the side surface 140, and a pair of arm bodies that extend rearward from the upper and lower ends of the head portion 151. 152A and 152B are provided. The upper arm main body 152A has a stepped locking portion 153A formed such that the front portion thereof is inclined obliquely upward on the upper surface and the rear portion is lowered stepwise, and the rear end of the arm main body 152A. The arm rear end portion 154A fixed to the rear end portion or the rear portion of the side surface 140 is provided. Similarly, the lower arm main body 152B has a stepped locking portion 153B formed so that the front portion of the lower surface of the lower main body is slanted and the rear portion is raised stepwise, and the arm main body 152B. At the rear end, an arm rear end portion 154B fixed to the rear end portion or the rear portion of the side surface 140 is provided. The pair of arm bodies 152A, 152B extend substantially in parallel, and a gap 155 is formed between them. 2A and 2C, the head portion 151 and the arm rear end portions 154A and 154B are fixed to the side surface 140, whereas the arm main bodies 152A and 152B are fixed. Has a structure separated from the side surface 140 by the slit 159, the central portions of the arm main bodies 152A and 152B have elasticity in the vertical direction.

  The locking portions 153A and 153B are provided with openings 156A and 156B, respectively. The openings 156A and 156B need not be provided. However, if the openings 156A and 156B are provided, the flexibility and elasticity of the arm bodies 152A and 152B are increased, and the locking parts 153A and 153B are inserted into the panel. This part is deformed flexibly and can be smoothly inserted into the panel mounting hole. If the openings 156A and 156B are provided, there is a concern that the strength is weakened while the flexibility and elasticity are increased. However, since the deformation amount of the locking portions 153A and 153B is restricted by the rib 157 described later, the locking portions 153A and 153B are not damaged.

  The panel lock structure 150 includes a rib 157 as a regulating member that extends linearly from the center of the U-shaped bottom of the head portion 151 toward the rear. The rib 157 is formed in a gap 155 formed between the arm main bodies 152A and 152B from the head portion 151 to the vicinity of the center of the arm main bodies 152A and 152B. The rib 157 is provided as the receptacle connector 10 is inserted into the panel. When the main bodies 152A and 152B are bent in the direction of the gap 155, the amount of displacement is regulated.

  Further, a contact member 158 is provided at the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the side surface 140 behind the positions where the locking portions 153A and 153B are provided, respectively. The contact member 158 constitutes a part of the panel lock structure 150. The contact member 158 has contact surfaces 158a facing the locking portions 153A and 153B with a predetermined gap therebetween. The distance between the locking portions 153A and 153B and the contact surface 158a is equal to the thickness of the panel into which the receptacle connector 10 is inserted.

  The connector housing 100 and the panel lock structure 150 described above are formed of the same material. By doing so, the connector housing 100 and the panel lock structure 150 can be integrally formed, so that the receptacle connector 10 can be easily manufactured.

  Alternatively, the connector housing 100 and the head portion 151, the arm main bodies 152A and 152B, the locking portions 153A and 153B, the arm rear end portions 154A and 154B, and the contact member 158 are formed of a resin material such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate). Only the ribs 157 may be formed of another material such as a non-conductive metal material. In this way, the arm bodies 152A and 152B and the locking portions 153A and 153B are formed of a material having a strength suitable for forming the arm main bodies 152A and 152B and the locking portions 153A and 153B connector housing 100, while the ribs are formed. 157 can be given high strength.

  Next, the attachment of the receptacle connector 10 of this embodiment to the opening 25 of the panel 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III for explaining attachment of the receptacle connector in FIG. 1 to the opening of the panel. FIG. 3 (a) is before insertion, FIG. 3 (b) is during insertion, FIG. (C) is a view after insertion. The receptacle connector 10 is inserted into the opening 25 in the direction of the arrow A from the front side of the panel 20 after holding the pin contacts 170 connected to the wirings in the respective contact receiving openings 160 (see FIG. 3A).

  When the receptacle connector 10 is inserted into the opening 25 of the panel 20, the locking portion 153 </ b> A of the panel lock structure 150 contacts the opening upper edge portion 25 </ b> A of the opening 25 of the panel 20. When the receptacle connector 10 is further moved in the direction of arrow A in this state, the locking portion 153A and the upper arm body 152A are bent downward (arrow B). Similarly, when the receptacle connector 10 is moved in the direction of arrow A in a state where the locking portion 153B of the panel lock structure 150 is in contact with the opening lower edge portion 25B of the opening 25 of the panel 20, the locking portion 153B and the lower side The arm main body 152B bends upward (arrow B). When the receptacle connector 10 is further moved in the direction of the arrow A and the portion bulged to the outermost side of the locking portions 153A, 153B passes through the opening 25, the bending deformation of the locking portions 153A, 153B is released and the locking portions are engaged. The stop portion 153A rebounds upward, the engagement portion 153B rebounds downward, the arm bodies 152A, 152B return to their original positions, and the rear surfaces of the engagement portions 153A, 153B are the back surface 21 of the panel 20. Is abutted and locked. At this time, the contact surface 158 a of the contact member 158 contacts the surface 22 of the panel 20. As a result, the panel 20 is held between the locking portions 153A and 153B and the contact surface 158a of the contact member 158, and the receptacle connector 10 is fixed to the panel 20.

  A corresponding plug connector (not shown) is connected to the receptacle connector 10 fixed to the panel 20 from the side of the side surface 21 on the opposite side of the panel 20, whereby the wiring on the front side and the back side of the panel 20 can be connected.

  FIG. 4 shows a side view of the receptacle connector when an inappropriate external force is applied to the panel lock structure 150 of the receptacle connector 10 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, when a large external force F substantially downward is applied to the upper locking portion 153A or the arm main body 152A when handling the connector, the head portion 151 and the arm rear end portion 154A are fixed to the connector housing 100. However, the locking portion 153A and the arm main body 152A are greatly bent and deformed downward in FIG. However, the gap 155 between the arm main bodies 152A and 152B is provided with a rib 157 as a regulating member from the head portion 151 to the vicinity of the center of the arm main bodies 152A and 152B, so that the locking portion 153A and the arm main body 152A are ribs. 157 is prevented from moving further downward. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the locking portion 153A and the arm main body 152A from being excessively deformed and leading to permanent deformation, breakage, or damage. Similarly, when a large upward force is applied to the lower locking portion 153B or the arm main body 152B, the upward movement of the locking portion 153B and the arm main body 152B is restricted by the rib 157, resulting in excessive deformation. Not to be.

  FIG. 5 shows a modification of the panel lock structure of the receptacle connector 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 (a) shows the rib not connected to the head portion, and FIG. 5 (b) shows the restricting member at the rear end of the arm. The taper is tapered from the center of the arm body toward the center. The panel lock structure 150 ′ of FIG. 5A is the same as the panel lock structure 150 of FIGS. 1 and 2 except for the ribs 157 ′. Explanation of these members is omitted. The rib 157 ′ of the panel lock structure 150 ′ is formed so as to protrude laterally in the vicinity of the center of the gap 155 between the pair of arm bodies 152A and 152B. Unlike the rib 157 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the front end portion of the rib 157 ′ is not connected to the head portion 151 and ends in the vicinity of the locking portions 153A and 153B.

  The panel lock structure 150 ″ of FIG. 5B is the same as the panel lock structure 150 of FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the restriction member 157 ″ is provided without providing the rib 157. Are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The restriction member 157 ″ of the panel lock structure 150 ″ is located in the gap 155 between the pair of arm main bodies 152A and 152B from the position corresponding to the arm rear end portions 154A and 154B to the vicinity of the center of the arm main bodies 152A and 152B. It forms so that it may taper toward. With such a shape, when the locking portions 153A and 153B and the arm main bodies 152A and 152B are deformed, there is no restriction member between the locking portions 153A and 153B, but the arm main bodies 152A and 152B are restricted. The movement and deformation of the locking portions 153A, 153B and the arm main bodies 152A, 152B are regulated by contacting the tapered upper and lower surfaces of the member 157 ". In this case, the arm main bodies 152A, 152B and the regulating member 157" are regulated. Therefore, the pressure applied to the arm main bodies 152A and 152B can be effectively dispersed, and deterioration of the arm main bodies 152A and 152B can be prevented.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the receptacle connector and panel concerning the Example of this invention. 1 shows the receptacle connector of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 (a) is a top view, FIG. 2 (b) is a side view, FIG. 2 (c) is a bottom view, FIG. 2 (d) is a front view, and FIG. It is a rear view. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III for explaining the attachment of the receptacle connector in Fig. 1 to the panel opening, Fig. 3 (a) before insertion, Fig. 3 (b) during insertion, and Fig. 3 (c) inserted. FIG. The side view of a receptacle connector at the time of improper external force being added to the panel lock structure of the receptacle connector of FIG. 1 is shown. FIG. 5A shows a modification of the panel lock structure of the receptacle connector of the present embodiment. FIG. 5A shows a case where the rib is not connected to the head portion, and FIG. The taper is formed toward the center. It is a perspective view which shows the panel lock structure of the conventional panel connection connector.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Receptacle connector 20 Panel 22 Surface 25 Opening 100 Connector housing 140 Side 150 Panel lock structure 151 Head part 152A, 152B Arm main body 153A, 153B Locking part 154A, 154B Arm rear end part 155 Gap 157 Rib 158 Contact member

Claims (6)

A connector for connecting a panel, which has a cylindrical connector housing having a predetermined length in which contact terminals are disposed, and is connected to an opening provided in the panel, wherein the connector housing includes:
An abutting member provided at an intermediate portion of the outer surface of the connector housing and abutting against the surface of the panel when the connector is inserted into the opening of the panel;
An arm body having an engaging portion that is provided on opposite side surfaces and has elasticity in the vertical direction, and abuts against the back surface of the panel when the connector is inserted into the opening of the panel;
A restricting member for preventing excessive bending of the arm body ,
The control member is erected from the opposing side surface of the connector housing, and is provided on a side where the arm main body is curved when the connector is inserted into the opening of the panel. Connector. The panel connecting connector according to claim 1, wherein the restricting member comprises a rib . The arm main body is disposed two above and below on each of the opposing side surfaces, the upper arm main body is provided with the locking portion above, and the lower arm main body is provided with the locking portion below, The upper arm body and the lower arm body are connected to each other at a front end portion and formed in a U shape in a side view, and the regulating member is disposed between the two arm bodies formed in the U shape. The panel connection connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is provided. The panel connecting connector according to claim 3, wherein the restricting member is formed by being connected to a U-shaped bottom portion of the two arm bodies formed in the U-shape. The panel connecting connector according to claim 1, wherein the restricting member is made of the same material as the connector housing. The panel connecting connector according to claim 1, wherein the restricting member is formed of a material different from that of the connector housing.

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