JP5150426B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vibration proof connector capable of suppressing wear of a terminal contact portion by preventing vibration between a pair of connectors.

  A conventional anti-vibration type connector of this type is disclosed in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the connector 100 includes a male connector 101 and a female connector 102 fitted to the male connector 101, and the female connector 102 includes an inner housing 103 and an outer housing 104. A spring member 105 that biases the inner housing 103 in the axial direction is interposed between the housings 103 and 104. The inner housing 103 of the male connector 101 and the female connector 102 is provided with slope portions 101a and 103a that come into contact with each other.

According to the above configuration, the slope portion 101a of the male connector 101 and the slope portion 103a of the inner housing 103 are brought into contact with each other, and the inner housing 103 is urged in the axial direction by the spring member 105, so that the slope portion 103a of the inner housing 103 is It is pressed against the slope 101 a of the male connector 101. As a result, vibration between the pair of male connectors 101 and female connectors 102 can be prevented, and wear of the terminal contact portions provided in these connectors 101 and 102 can be suppressed.
JP 2006-24458 A

  However, in the connector 100 of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to divide the housing of the female connector 102 into the inner housing 103 and the outer housing 104, and a spring member 105 composed of a winding spring is provided in the female connector 102. There is a problem that space is required, the size is increased, the weight is increased, and the cost is increased. Further, when the male connector 101 is inserted into the female connector 102, there is a problem that a large insertion force is required because the spring force of the spring member 105 acts.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can be fitted with a small insertion force, can prevent vibration between a pair of connectors fitted together, and is relatively light and inexpensive. An object of the present invention is to provide an anti-vibration type connector.

  The invention of claim 1 is a connector comprising a first connector, a second connector configured to be fitted to and removable from the first connector, and a spring member provided between the first connector and the second connector. The second connector includes an engagement groove having a cam surface formed obliquely with respect to the insertion direction on the side surface, and an engagement protrusion projecting outward from the side surface. An inclined surface that is inclined toward the center line in the insertion direction of the engagement protrusion from the front side to the back side of the second connector is formed in a portion along the insertion direction of the part, and the spring member Are supported by the first connector along the side surface, an arm portion made of an elastic material, a fixing portion formed on one end side of the arm portion and supported by the first connector, and the other arm portions. The arm includes a tip engaging portion that protrudes from the end and is disposed in the engaging groove. Has an intermediate refracting portion formed so as to be able to engage with the inclined surface of the engaging protrusion, and when the first connector and the second connector are separated from each other, the tip engaging portion is in the standby position. When the first connector and the second connector are inserted and fitted, and when the arm is elastically returned from the standby position to the biased position, the tip engagement portion is The second connector is urged in the insertion direction by sliding on the surface and the intermediate refracting portion sliding on the inclined surface of the engaging projection.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the connector according to claim 1, wherein the tip engagement portion is engaged with the tip engagement portion in a state in which the first connector and the second connector are separated from each other. The first connector is provided with a restricting portion that is held at the standby position.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the first connector and the second connector are fitted, the spring member is elastically restored, the tip engaging portion slides on the cam surface, and the intermediate refracting portion is engaged. Since the second connector is urged in the insertion direction by sliding on the inclined surface of the part, the insertion force can be reduced, and even in the fitted state, it is urged in the insertion direction. Vibration between connectors can be prevented. In addition, since the spring member can have a simple configuration, a relatively light and inexpensive connector can be obtained.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the operation of the tip engaging portion of the spring member is restricted by the protruding portion of the housing and held at the standby position, so that the tip engaging portion of the spring member is held in this state in the second connector. Since the respective engaging grooves are engaged with each other, the intermediate refracting portion of the spring member slides on the inclined surface of the engaging protrusion, whereby the second connector can be more reliably biased in the insertion direction. By making the tip engaging portion engage with the restricting portion in a state where the first connector and the second connector are separated from each other, and a simple configuration for holding the tip engaging portion at the standby position, a light and inexpensive connector can be obtained. can get.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 10 show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state before a male connector is inserted into the female connector of the connector, and FIG. 2 is a state in the middle of inserting the male connector into the female connector. 3 is a side view showing the fitting state of the connector, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the fitting state of the connector, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the female connector incorporating the spring member, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the female connector, FIG. 8 is a side view of the female connector, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the male connector, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the spring member.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the connector 1 of the present application includes a female connector 2 as a first connector, a male connector 3 as a second connector fitted to the female connector 2, and these connectors 2 and 3. It is mainly composed of a pair of spring members 4 provided therebetween. 5 indicates the insertion direction of the male connector 3, and the vertical direction (vertical direction in the drawing) perpendicular to the insertion direction and the horizontal direction are referred to as a Y direction and a Z direction, respectively.

  The female connector 2 is made of a synthetic resin, and includes a housing 20 having a box shape and opening on the front surface 20a side (left side in FIG. 1), and a connector main body 21 formed inside the housing 20, and these housings An accommodating portion 22 for accommodating the male connector 3 is formed between the connector 20 and the connector main body 21. A plurality of female terminal fittings (not shown) to which electric wires are connected are disposed in the connector main body 21, and a tapered portion 23 is formed on the outer periphery of the distal end of the connector main body 21. Further, openings 24 through which a part of the male connector 3 is exposed are provided on both side surfaces of the housing 20 in the Z direction, and spring members are provided on the edge 24a of the opening 24 opposite to the front surface 20a of the housing 20. A support groove 25 that supports 4 extends in the Y direction. A protruding portion 26 (regulating portion) that protrudes downward in the drawing is formed on the edge portion 24b positioned at the upper edge of the opening 24, and a protruding portion that protrudes upward in the drawing is formed on the edge portion 24c positioned on the lower edge of the opening 24. Each part 27 (regulation part) is provided, and these protrusions 26 and 27 constitute restriction parts to be engaged with tip engagement parts 41a and 42a described later. That is, the tip engagement portions 41a, 42a are regulated to move in the Y direction by sliding the tip engagement portions 41a, 42a on the restriction surfaces 26a, 27a on the front surface 20a side of the protrusions 26, 27. The

  The male connector 3 is made of synthetic resin, has a box shape, and is opened in the front 30a side (right side in FIG. 1). The male connector 3 is formed inside the housing 30 and accommodates the connector main body 21 of the female connector 2. An accommodating portion 31 is provided. The protrusion 32 protruding in the Y direction from the upper surface of the housing 30 is locked by the locking portion 28 on the female connector 2 side in the fitted state of the connectors 2 and 3, and prevents the connectors 2 and 3 from separating. Yes. The tapered portion 33 formed at the bottom of the housing portion 31 is in contact with the tapered portion 23 of the female connector 2, and the plurality of male terminal fittings 34 to which electric wires (not shown) are connected are connected to the connector of the female connector 2. Inserted into the main body 21.

  Further, on both side surfaces 3a of the housing 30 in the Z direction, a pair of engagement grooves 35 and 36 to be engaged with later-described tip engagement portions 41a and 42a of the spring member 4, respectively, and intermediate refraction of the spring member 4 described later. Engagement protrusions 37 are provided to engage the portions 41b and 42b, respectively. The engaging grooves 35, 36 are extended by a predetermined length D from the end on the front surface 30 a side of the housing 30 toward the back surface side. A groove end 35 a that curves downward in the drawing is formed at the rear side end of the engagement groove 35, and a groove end 36 a that curves upward in the drawing is formed at the rear side end of the engagement groove 36. The opposite end portions in the Y direction, which are portions along the insertion direction of the engagement protrusion 37, are arranged in the insertion direction of the engagement protrusion 37 from the end on the front surface 30 a side of the housing 30 toward the back side. A pair of inclined surfaces 37a and 37b that are inclined toward the center line and are inclined toward each other are formed, and a curved surface 37c is formed on the front surface 30a side from these inclined surfaces 37a and 37b. On the inner surface side of the housing 20 of the female connector 2, a groove 20 b that allows the engagement protrusion 37 to move in the X direction is formed.

  The spring member 4 is formed of a wire spring material in a substantially U shape, and is bent at both ends of the linear fixing portion 40 fitted in the support groove 25 of the housing 20 of the female connector 2. And a pair of arms 41 and 42 extending toward the front surface 20 a of the female connector 2. The gap between the openings of the support groove 25 is set to be smaller than the wire diameter of the fixed portion 40. Or you may design the opening part of the support groove | channel 25 so that what is called a fixing | fixed part 40 may be fitted and killed.

  The pair of arm portions 41, 42 have intermediate refracting portions 41 b, 42 b formed so as to be engageable with the engaging protrusion 37 of the male connector 3, and approach each other in the middle of the longitudinal direction and toward the housing 30. It is refracted into a generally square shape. A distal end engaging portion 41 a protrudes toward the inside of the housing 20 at the other end side end of the one arm portion 41, penetrates through the opening 24 of the housing 20, and is formed in one engaging groove 35 of the housing 30. Engage. Similarly, at the other end side end of the other arm portion 42, a front end engaging portion 42 a protrudes toward the inside of the housing 20, penetrates the opening 24 of the housing 20, and engages with the other end of the housing 30. Engage with the groove 36.

  In the above configuration, before the male connector 3 is inserted into the female connector 2, a pair of spring members 4 are incorporated in the female connector 2 in advance as shown in FIGS. At that time, after the fixing portion 40 of the spring member 4 is fitted into the support groove 25 of the housing 20 of the female connector 2, the pair of arm portions 41 and 42 are extended to the front surface 20a side of the female connector 2, The joint portions 41a and 42a are respectively penetrated through the opening 24 of the housing 20 and engaged with the restricting surfaces 26a and 26a of the projecting portions 26 and 27, and the tip engaging portions 41a and 42a are arranged at the standby position. At this time, the tip engaging portions 41a and 42a are in contact with the edge portions 24b and 24c located at the upper edge and the lower edge of the opening 24, respectively.

  Next, by inserting the male connector 3 into the female connector 2 so that the front 20a side of the housing 20 of the female connector 2 and the front 30a side of the housing 30 of the male connector 3 face each other as shown in FIG. The housing 20 of the female connector 2 starts to house the front 20a side of the male connector 3. Next, as shown in FIG. 2, a part of the male connector 3 is exposed from the opening 24 of the housing 20 of the female connector 2, and the front end engaging portions 41 a and 42 a of the spring member 4 are engaged with the engaging grooves 35 and 36, respectively. In this state, the distal end engaging portions 41 a and 42 a are guided onto the cam surfaces 38 provided in the engaging grooves 35 and 36 together with the insertion of the male connector 3.

  Further, by inserting the male connector 3 into the female connector 2, the tip engaging portions 41a and 42a of the spring member 4 are engaged with the groove end portions 35a and 36a of the engaging grooves 35 and 36, and the protruding portion from the standby position. The guides 26 and 27 are guided in directions approaching each other along the regulation surfaces 26a and 26a. Along with this, the intermediate refracting portions 41b and 42b of the spring member 4 approach each other and sandwich the engaging protrusion 37 from the vertical direction (the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2). In this state, the intermediate refracting portions 41b and 42b It slides on the inclined surfaces 37a and 37b. As a result, since the inclined surfaces 37a and 37b of the engaging protrusion 37 are inclined toward each other from the end portion on the front surface 30a side toward the rear surface side, the spring member 4 changes the inclined surfaces 37a and 37b from the vertical direction to the inclined surfaces 37a and 37b. The elastic return force biased toward the male connector 3 is converted into a force in the insertion direction of the male connector 3, and the male connector 3 is biased in the insertion direction and pulled toward the female connector 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the male connector 3 is inserted to the moving end with respect to the female connector 2, the distal end engaging portions 41 a and 42 a move to the urging position, and the engaging grooves 35 and 36 While being in contact with the terminal ends of the groove end portions 35a and 36a, the protrusions 26 and 27 are also regulated.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the tapered portion 33 formed at the bottom of the housing portion 31 of the male connector 3 abuts on the tapered portion 23 on the outer periphery of the distal end of the connector main body 21 of the female connector 2. In the fitted state of the connectors 2 and 3, the elastic return force in the insertion direction of the male connector 3 is generated by the spring member 4, so that the male connector 3 is urged in the insertion direction to the female connector 2. The vibration between the connectors 2 and 3 and backlash are suppressed.

  Next, when the connectors 2 and 3 are separated from the fitted state as described above, a procedure reverse to the procedure at the time of insertion is used. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the male connector 3 is moved in the direction opposite to the insertion direction from the state where the male connector 3 is inserted to the moving end with respect to the female connector 2, as shown in FIG. Since the front end engaging portions 41a and 42a positioned at the urging position are guided along the cam surface 38, they move to the standby position along the regulating surfaces 26a and 27a of the protruding portions 26 and 27. Further, when the male connector 3 is moved in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, the male connector 3 is separated from the female connector 2 as shown in FIG.

  According to the above configuration, when the pair of connectors 2 and 3 are fitted, the male connector 3 is urged in the insertion direction, so that the insertion force can be reduced and the insertion direction is also in the fitted state. Therefore, vibration between the pair of connectors 2 and 3 can be prevented. In addition, the spring member 4 can be simply configured by bending the wire spring material into a substantially U-shape and forming the fixed portion 40 and the pair of arm portions 41 and 42, so that it is relatively light and inexpensive. A connector 1 is obtained.

  Further, according to the above configuration, when the pair of connectors 2 and 3 are fitted, the distal end engaging portions 41 a and 42 a of the spring member 4 are engaged with the engaging grooves 35 and 36 of the male connector 3 through the opening 24 of the female connector 2. Since the engagement is performed, the engagement groove of the male connector 3 can be disposed inside the female connector 2, and space saving can be achieved.

  Further, according to the above configuration, the operation of the front end engaging portions 41a and 42a of the spring member 4 is restricted by the protruding portions 26 and 27 of the housing 20 and held at the standby position, so that the front end of the spring member 4 is maintained in this state. Since the engaging portions 41a and 42a are engaged with the engaging grooves 35 and 36 of the male connector 3, respectively, the male connector 3 can be more reliably urged in the insertion direction by the spring member 4, and the connector 2, The front end engaging portions 41a and 42a are engaged with the protruding portions 26 and 27 in a state where the 3 is spaced apart, and the front end engaging portions 41a and 42a are held at the standby position. A connector is obtained.

  Further, according to the above configuration, when the connectors 2 and 3 are fitted, the elastic engagement recovery that occurs in the spring member 4 in a state in which the tip engagement portions 41a and 42a of the spring member 4 are restricted so as not to spread away from each other. Since the force acts in the insertion direction of the male connector 3, the elastic return force can be effectively utilized. Further, when the male connector 3 is inserted, the distal end engaging portions 41a and 42a of the spring member 4 are guided by the groove end portions 35a and 36a of the engaging grooves 35 and 36, so that the pair of distal end engaging portions 41a and 42a gradually. Since the load is applied in the direction approaching each other, the insertion force of the male connector 3 can be suppressed.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state before the male connector is inserted into the female connector of the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view which shows one Embodiment of this invention and shows the state in the middle of inserting a male connector in a female connector. It is a side view which shows one Embodiment of this invention and shows the fitting state of a connector. It is sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of this invention and shows the fitting state of a connector. 1 is a perspective view of a female connector in which a spring member is incorporated according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of a female connector showing an embodiment of the present invention and incorporating a spring member. 1 is a perspective view of a female connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side view of a female connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a male connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a spring member according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an assembly perspective view which shows the connector of a prior art example. It is an assembly perspective view which shows the female connector of the connector of a prior art example. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the female connector of the connector of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connector 2 ... Female connector (1st connector)
3 ... Male connector (second connector)
3a ... side face 4 ... spring member 26, 27 ... projecting part (regulating part)
35, 36 ... engaging groove 37 ... engaging protrusion 37a, 37b ... inclined surface 41, 42 ... arm portion 41a, 42a ... tip engaging portion 41b, 42b ... intermediate refracting portion

Claims (2)

A connector comprising a first connector, a second connector configured to be detachable from the first connector, and a spring member provided between the first connector and the second connector,
The second connector includes an engagement groove having a cam surface formed obliquely with respect to the insertion direction on a side surface, and an engagement protrusion protruding outward from the side surface, In the part along the insertion direction, an inclined surface that is inclined toward the center line in the insertion direction of the engagement protrusion from the front side to the back side of the second connector is formed,
The spring member is supported by the first connector along the side surface, and is formed of an elastic member, an arm portion formed on one end side of the arm portion, and supported by the first connector, and the arm. And a distal end engaging portion disposed in the engaging groove, and the arm portion is formed to be engageable with the inclined surface of the engaging protrusion. Intermediate refractive part,
In a state where the first connector and the second connector are separated from each other, the tip engaging portion is held at the standby position,
When the first connector and the second connector are inserted and fitted, the arm portion is elastically returned from the standby position to the biasing position, and the tip engaging portion is moved on the cam surface. A connector that slides and biases the second connector in the insertion direction by sliding the intermediate refracting portion on the inclined surface of the engaging protrusion. The connector according to claim 1,
In the state where the first connector and the second connector are separated from each other, the first connector is provided with a restricting portion that engages with the tip engaging portion and holds the tip engaging portion in a standby position. Connector.

Images