JP5367387B2 - Connector fitting structure and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure and a method of connector fitting allowing fitting of connectors to each other on one side of a through-hole even when the connectors have a large number of poles and the size of the through-hole inserting the connectors is small, and to provide a structure and a method of connector fitting without increasing the number of fitting work. <P>SOLUTION: In the fitting structure, a first connector 1 and a second connector 4 are fitted to each other on one side 7 of a wall 6 having a through-hole 5. The first connector 1 is formed by uniting third connectors 2 and 3, wherein the third connectors 2 and 3 respectively include third connector housings 8 and 9 having a size smaller than that of the through-hole 5 and are inserted from the other side 10 of the wall 6 to the one side 7 through the through-hole 5. The second connector 4 includes a second connector housing 12 having a size larger than that of the through-hole 5 and fitted to the third connector housings 8 and 9 in the united state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure and a method related to fitting of a first connector and a second connector.

  As a fitting structure of connectors that are fitted on one side of a wall having a through hole, for example, a structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. This fitting structure has been proposed as relating to the structure of an automobile door. In Patent Document 1 below, a remote control mirror attached to the outer panel, a mirror connector for controlling the remote control mirror, an inner panel having a through hole, and an inner panel (vehicle compartment side) are routed. A wire harness for doors and a harness connector provided at a terminal of the harness are disclosed.

  The harness connector is inserted into the inner panel from the inner side to the outer side through the through hole, and then fitted with the mirror connector, whereby the electrical connection is completed (see Patent Document 1 below). Also discloses an example in which the mirror connector is inserted into the inner panel and fitted with the harness connector).

  The through hole of the inner panel is formed to have a size that allows the harness connector or the mirror connector to be inserted. The reason why the through hole is formed small is that waterproofness is taken into consideration.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-32485

  By the way, the above-described prior art has the following problems with the recent high functionality. In other words, if the connector is made larger in order to meet the desire to increase the number of connector poles (the number of terminals), it is necessary to increase the size of the through-holes at the same time. It has a problem that it will come.

  In some cases, it may not be possible to change the size of the through-hole, and in this case, it is not possible to increase the number of poles, and it is also impossible to make an electrical connection. Has a point.

  When increasing the number of poles, for example, if there are two connectors for harness and two for mirror, respectively, it is considered that it is not necessary to change the size of the through hole, but the fitting work between the connectors Since (connecting work) increases from once to twice, this has an effect on workability.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even if the connector has a large number of poles and the size of the through hole to be inserted is small, the connectors are fitted to each other on one side of the through hole. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector fitting structure that can be used, and a connector fitting structure that can prevent an increase in the number of fitting operations. It is another object of the present invention to provide a connector fitting method.

The connector fitting structure of the present invention according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above-described problems, is a fitting structure of a first connector and a second connector that are fitted on one side of a wall having a through hole. The first connector is a combination of a plurality of third connectors, and the third connector includes a third connector housing having a size smaller than the size of the through hole and the wall of the wall through the through hole. The second connector is inserted from the other side to the one side. all SANYO comprising wherein said second connector housing, thereby opening the front has insertably formed a connector fitting portion of the first connector, the second The connector housing, the slide in the direction perpendicular to the first connector and the fitting direction of said second connector, said third connectors coalescing those having a combined structure of forming said first connector It is characterized by being.

  According to the present invention having such a feature, a plurality of third connectors are inserted from the other side of the wall to one side through the through-hole, and the third connector is combined on one side of the wall. If the first connector thus formed is fitted to the second connector, even if the connector has a large number of poles and the size of the through-hole to be inserted is small, the insertion Even without changing the size of the through-holes, the connectors can be fitted to each other on one side of the through-holes. In addition, the electrical connection can be completed by a single fitting operation.

The connector fitting structure according to a second aspect of the present invention is the connector fitting structure according to the first aspect, wherein the third connector housing is further located on the back side of the united structure portion, and the second connector It is characterized by having a lock portion that fits into the housing .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to make it difficult for the third connector in the combined state to be misaligned when the first connector and the second connector are fitted or after the fitting. Become.

The connector fitting method of the present invention according to claim 3, which is made to solve the above problem, includes a plurality of third connectors having a third connector housing having a size smaller than the size of the through hole in the wall, and the through hole. A second connector housing having a size larger than the size of the first connector housing, and a second connector located on one side of the wall, the second connector housing having a front opening and allowing the first connector to be inserted The third connector housing is slid in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction of the first connector and the second connector, and the third connectors are connected to each other. be one having a combined structure of forming said first connector coalescing the front through the through-hole of one of the plurality of the third connector from the other side of the wall A first step of inserting through one side of the wall; a second step of inserting another third connector from the other side of the wall through the through hole to one side of the wall; A third step of combining the third connector into the first connector by using the combined structure portion (24, 29), and the first connector formed by combining the plurality of third connectors into the wall And a fourth step of fitting into the second connector located on one side.

  The connector fitting method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the connector fitting method according to the third aspect, wherein the plurality of third connectors each include a plurality of terminals connected to a plurality of electric wires. Even after the second step, the electric wires extending from the third connectors are routed from the other side of the wall to the one side through the through holes even after the second step. It is characterized by that.

  In addition, if the fitting method of this invention described in Claim 3 and 4 is characterized from the viewpoint of a connector housing, it will become as follows (1) and (2).

(1) A plurality of third connectors having a third connector housing having a size smaller than the size of the through hole in the wall, and a second connector housing having a size larger than the size of the through hole, and one side of the wall And the second connector housing has a connector fitting portion formed such that the front portion is opened and the first connector can be inserted, and the third connector housing is The first connector and the second connector are slid in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction of the first connector, and have a united structure part that combines the third connectors to form the first connector, A first step of inserting one of the plurality of third connector housings from the other side of the wall to the one side of the wall through the through hole; and another third connector housing. Ring is also a second step of inserting from the other side of the wall to one side of the wall via the through hole, a plurality of the third connector housing after insertion, coalescing with the united structure A third step of forming a housing constituting the first connector, and a fourth step of fitting the housing in a state where a plurality of the third connector housings are combined with the second connector housing located on one side of the wall. And a connector fitting method characterized by comprising:

  (2) Each of the plurality of third connector housings accommodates a plurality of terminals connected to the plurality of electric wires, and the electric wires extending from the respective third connector housings after the second step are The connector fitting method is characterized in that it is in a state of being wired from the other side of the wall to the one side through the through hole.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the connector has a large number of poles and the size of the through-hole to be inserted is small and the size of the through-hole to be inserted is not changed, it can be penetrated. There is an effect that the connectors can be fitted on one side of the hole. Further, according to the present invention, there is an effect that even if the connector has a large number of poles and the size of the through-hole to be inserted is small, the number of fitting operations can be prevented from increasing.

According to the present invention described in claim 1, by coalescing Slide the third connectors in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction of the first connector and the second connector, the positional deviation of the third connector There is an effect that it can be made difficult to occur. According to the present invention, also Kanade advantage of improving the connection reliability.

  According to the present invention described in claims 3 and 4, it is possible to provide a fitting method suitable for the connector fitting structure described in claims 1 and 2. Further, according to the present invention described in claims 3 and 4, even if the connector has a large number of poles and the size of the through hole to be inserted is small, the size of the through hole to be inserted is not changed. However, the effect that the connectors can be fitted on one side of the through hole, and even if the connector has a large number of poles and the size of the through hole to be inserted is small, There is an effect that it can be prevented from increasing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the connector fitting structure of this invention, (a) is a schematic diagram which shows the state before the fitting of connectors, (b) shows the state after the fitting of connectors. It is a schematic diagram. It is a perspective view which shows one side of a 3rd connector. It is a perspective view which shows the other of a 3rd connector. It is a perspective view which shows the state before uniting of 3rd connectors. It is a perspective view which shows the state after uniting of 3rd connectors, and shows a 1st connector. It is a principal part enlarged view which shows a united structure part. It is a perspective view which shows a 2nd connector. It is a front view which shows a 2nd connector. It is a perspective view which shows the connector fitting state of a 1st connector and a 2nd connector.

  Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a connector fitting structure of the present invention, (a) is a schematic view showing a state before fitting between connectors, and (b) is after fitting between connectors. It is a schematic diagram which shows a state.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a first connector formed by combining third connectors 2 and 3. Reference numeral 4 indicates a second connector. The connector fitting structure of the present invention is a fitting structure of the first connector 1 and the second connector 4 that are fitted on one side 7 of the wall 6 having the through hole 5.

  The first connector 1 is formed by combining (combining) the third connectors 2 and 3 as described above, and the third connectors 2 and 3 are third connectors having a size smaller than the size of the through hole 5. The housings 8 and 9 are provided and inserted through the through-hole 5 from the other side 10 of the wall 6 to the one side 7. In this embodiment, the third connectors 2 and 3 are connectors having nine poles (number of terminals). Electric wires 11 are drawn out from the third connectors 2 and 3. Terminals accommodated in the third connector housings 8 and 9 are connected to the ends of the electric wires 11. The electric wire 11 may be bundled.

  The second connector 4 includes a second connector housing 12 that is larger than the size of the through hole 5 and that fits with the third connector housings 8 and 9 that are combined (combined). Yes. In this embodiment, the second connector 4 is a connector having 18 poles (number of terminals). The electric wires 13 drawn out from the second connector 4 are not particularly limited, but are bundled as illustrated.

  In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 1A, the third connectors 2 and 3 are respectively inserted from the other side 10 of the wall 6 to the one side 7 through the through hole 5 (first step, second step), Then, the first connector 1 is formed by combining the third connectors 2 and 3 on one side 7 of the wall 6 (in combination so as to overlap vertically) (third step), and the first connector 1 formed thereafter is As shown in FIG. 1B, when the second connector 4 is fitted (fourth step), the first connector 1 and the second connector 4 are completely fitted and electrically connected.

  The electric wires 11 extending from the third connectors 2 and 3 are in a state of being routed from the other side 10 of the wall 6 to the one side 7 through the through holes 5.

  According to the present invention, even if the connector has a large number of poles, the size of the through-hole 5 to be inserted is small, and the size of the through-hole 5 to be inserted is not changed. 7 has an effect that the connectors can be fitted to each other. Moreover, there exists an effect that an electrical connection can be completed by one fitting operation.

  Reference numerals 24 and 29 indicate a combined structure portion. The combined structure parts 24 and 29 will be described later.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 2 to 9, the connectors and fittings will be described in more detail.

  2 is a perspective view showing one of the third connectors, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the other of the third connectors, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state before the third connectors are combined, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the first connector, FIG. 6 is a main part enlarged view showing the united structure, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the second connector, and FIG. 8 is a front view showing the second connector. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a connector fitting state of the first connector and the second connector.

  In addition, the figure of each connector shall show in the state which abbreviate | omitted illustration of the terminal metal fitting and the electric wire (a terminal metal fitting and an electric wire shall use a well-known thing).

  In FIG. 2, the third connector 2 includes a third connector housing 8, terminal fittings (not shown) that are housed and locked in the terminal housing chamber 21 of the third connector housing 8, and housing and locking in the terminal housing chamber 21. And a spacer 22 for doubly locking the terminal fitting.

  The third connector housing 8 has a size smaller than the size of the through-hole 5 (see FIG. 1), and has a protrusion-shaped lock portion 23 (see FIG. 4) at the upper portion and a united structure portion at the lower portion. 24. The lock portion 23 is formed as a portion used when the second connector 4 is fitted to the second connector housing 12 (see FIG. 9). The combined structure portion 24 is formed as a portion used when the third connectors 2 and 3 are combined (combined so as to overlap each other). The united structure 24 of the third connector housing 8 has a rib 25 and a pair of bosses 26.

  The rib 25 is formed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction (see FIG. 1) between the first connector 1 and the second connector 4. Moreover, the rib 25 is formed as a part inserted while sliding with respect to the united structure part 29 (refer FIG. 3) which the 3rd connector housing 9 mentions later. A pair of slide portions 27 is formed on the rib 25. Sliding contact surfaces 28 are formed on both sides of the rib 25, respectively.

  The pair of bosses 26 are formed as portions for maintaining the combined state. The pair of bosses 26 are formed to project from the sliding contact surfaces 28. The pair of bosses 26 are disposed and formed at predetermined positions on both sides of the rib 25.

  The spacer 22 is formed to be fitted to the lower part of the third connector housing 8 and behind the united structure 24. The spacer 22 has a known function, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In FIG. 3, the third connector 3 is housed and locked in the third connector housing 9 and the terminal housing chamber 21 of the third connector housing 9 in the same manner as the third connector 2 (see FIG. 2). Terminal brackets and a spacer 22 for doubly locking the terminal fittings housed and locked in the terminal accommodating chamber 21 (the terminal fittings and the spacers 22 are the same as the third connector 2). ).

  The third connector housing 9 has a size smaller than the size of the through hole 5 (see FIG. 1), and has a protrusion-shaped lock portion (not shown; see the lock portion 23) at the lower portion thereof. The united structure 29 is provided at the upper part. The lock portion is formed as a portion used when fitting the second connector 4 with the second connector housing 12 (see FIG. 9). The combined structure portion 29 is formed as a portion used when the third connectors 2 and 3 are combined (combined). The united structure portion 29 of the third connector housing 9 has a rib receiving portion 30 and a pair of recesses 31.

  The rib receiving portion 30 is formed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction (see FIG. 1) between the first connector 1 and the second connector 4. Further, the rib receiving portion 30 is formed as a portion that allows the rib 25 (see FIG. 2) of the third connector housing 8 to slide. The rib receiving portion 30 is formed with a pair of guide portions 32 for guiding the slide portion 27 of the rib 25. A sliding contact surface 33 is formed on each of the pair of guide portions 32. The slidable contact surface 33 is formed as a portion that slidably contacts the slidable contact surface 28 of the third connector housing 8.

  A pair of recessed part 31 is formed as a part for maintaining a united state. The pair of recesses 31 are arranged and formed in accordance with the positions of the pair of bosses 26 (see FIG. 2) of the third connector housing 8. The pair of recesses 31 have locking portions 34 for hooking the pair of bosses 26.

  In FIG. 4, the third connectors 2 and 3 are slid in the direction of the arrow in the figure (direction orthogonal to the fitting direction of the first connector 1 and the second connector 4 (see FIG. 1)), and each united structure portion. When 24 and 29 are engaged with each other, as shown in FIG. 5, the third connectors 2 and 3 are joined together vertically to form the first connector 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the rib 25 of the third connector housing 8 is inserted into the rib receiving portion 30 of the third connector housing 9 and the slide portions 27 are guided to the guide portions 32. Further, the sliding contact surface 28 of the third connector housing 8 and the sliding contact surface 33 of the third connector housing 9 are in sliding contact. Further, each boss 26 (see FIG. 2) of the third connector housing 8 is hooked and locked to each locking portion 34 of the third connector housing 9, and the combined state is maintained.

  7 and 8, the second connector 4 is accommodated in the second connector housing 12, terminal fittings (not shown) that are accommodated and locked in the terminal accommodating chamber 41 of the second connector housing 12, and the terminal accommodating chamber 41. A spacer 42 (see FIG. 9) for doublely locking the locked terminal fitting is provided.

  The second connector housing 12 is of a size larger than the size of the through hole 5 (see FIG. 1), and has lock portions 43 at the upper part and the lower part thereof. The lock part 43 is formed as a part used in fitting with the first connector 1 (see FIG. 5). The lock part 43 has a locking arm 44 and the like for locking the lock part 23 of the third connectors 2 and 3. Reference numeral 45 indicates a fixing portion for fixing the second connector 4 to a bracket or the like (not shown).

  The 2nd connector housing 12 has the connector fitting part 46 formed by opening this front part. The connector fitting portion 46 is formed in a shape into which the third connector housings 8 and 9 that are combined in the vertical direction can be inserted. In the middle of both side portions of the connector fitting portion 46, a rib 47 protruding inward is formed. The rib 47 is formed so that the connector fitting portion 46 is a two-stage fitting portion.

  In the above configuration and structure, when the first connector 1 is fitted to the second connector 4 as shown in FIG. 9, in other words, the third connectors 2 and 3 in the state of being combined vertically are moved in the direction of the arrows in the figure. When the second connector 4 is fitted, the fitting and electrical connection of the first connector 1 and the second connector 4 are completed. In addition, the 3rd connectors 2 and 3 used as the 1st connector 1 are fitted without backlash by the structure of the united structure parts 24 and 29. FIG.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, according to the present invention, even if the connector has a large number of poles and the size of the through-hole 5 to be inserted is small, the penetrating through Even if the size of the hole is not changed (even if the through hole 5 is not enlarged), there is an effect that the connectors can be fitted to each other on one side 7 of the through hole 5. In addition, the electrical connection can be completed by a single fitting operation (the present invention is limited by dividing the first connector 1 having a large number of poles into the third connectors 2 and 3. In addition, the present invention is advantageous in that the first connector 1 is formed by combining the divided third connectors 2 and 3 to form the first connector 1. There is an effect that the work related to the fitting between the two connectors 4 can be completed in one time).

  It goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In the above description, the first connector 1 may be replaced with a harness connector, the third connectors 2 and 3 may be replaced with split connectors, the second connector 4 may be replaced with a mirror connector, and the wall 6 may be replaced with an inner panel. Is an example).

  In the above description, the first connector 1 is composed of the two third connectors 2 and 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a structure formed by combining three may be used. In this case, for example, the united structure 24 is formed in the lower part of the third connector housing in the upper third connector, and the united structure 24 is formed in the upper part of the third connector housing in the lower third connector. What is necessary is just to form the united structure part 29 in the upper part and lower part of the 3rd connector housing in a 3rd connector, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st connector 2, 3 3rd connector 4 2nd connector 5 Through-hole 6 Wall 7 One side 8, 9 Third connector housing 10 The other side 11, 13 Electric wire 12 Second connector housing 21, 41 Terminal storage chamber 22, 42 Spacer 23, 43 Locking part 24, 29 Combined structure part 25 Rib 26 Boss 27 Slide part 28, 33 Sliding surface 30 Rib receiving part 31 Recess 32 Guide part 34 Locking part 44 Locking arm 45 Fixed part 46 Connector fitting part 47 rib

Claims (4)

In the fitting structure of the first connector and the second connector that fit on one side of the wall having the through hole,
The first connector is a combination of a plurality of third connectors,
The third connector includes a third connector housing having a size smaller than the size of the through hole, and is inserted from the other side of the wall to the one side through the through hole.
It said second connector is state, and are made comprises a second connector housing that mates with the plurality of the third connector housing in a state in which and combined become a larger size than the size of the through-hole,
The second connector housing has a connector fitting portion formed so that the front portion is opened and the first connector can be inserted;
The third connector housing is a united structure part that slides in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction of the first connector and the second connector, and unites the third connectors to form the first connector. A connector fitting structure characterized by comprising: In the connector fitting structure according to claim 1,
The third connector housing is further provided with a lock portion that is positioned on the back surface side of the united structure portion and is fitted to the second connector housing . A plurality of third connectors having a third connector housing of a size smaller than the size of the through hole in the wall;
A second connector housing having a size larger than the size of the through hole and located on one side of the wall;
The second connector housing has a connector fitting portion formed such that the front portion is opened and the first connector can be inserted,
The third connector housing is a united structure part that slides in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction of the first connector and the second connector, and unites the third connectors to form the first connector. Having
A first step of inserting one of the plurality of third connectors from the other side of the wall to the one side of the wall through the through hole;
A second step of inserting another third connector from the other side of the wall through the through hole to one side of the wall;
A third step of combining the plurality of third connectors after being inserted into the first connector by using the combined structure portion ; and
A fourth step of fitting the first connector formed by combining a plurality of the third connectors with the second connector located on one side of the wall;
The connector fitting method characterized by performing this. In the connector fitting method according to claim 3,
The plurality of third connectors each house a plurality of terminals connected to a plurality of electric wires in the third connector housing, and the electric wires extend from the respective third connectors even after the second step. Is in a state of being routed from the other side of the wall to the one side through the through hole.

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