JP5573695B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a first housing provided with a pair of detection terminals and a second housing provided with a short-circuit terminal. In this connector, in the fitting process of the two housings, the lock arm formed in the second housing elastically bends the elastic contact piece of the short-circuited terminal to the non-contact position with the detection terminal. A detection circuit connected to the detection terminal is opened. When the two housings are in the fitted state, the lock arm is elastically restored, so that the elastic contact piece comes into contact with the pair of detection terminals, the detection terminals are short-circuited, and the detection circuit is closed. In this way, it is detected that both housings are fitted on condition that the pair of detection terminals are short-circuited.

JP 2005-166490 A

In the above connector, since a short-circuit terminal is used in addition to a pair of detection terminals as means for detecting the fitting state, the number of parts is large and improvement is desired.
The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to reduce the number of parts.

As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a first housing, a second housing that can be fitted to the first housing, and the fitting of the two housings in the first housing . A pair of detection terminals arranged along a direction, in a state in which the first housing and the second housing are not properly fitted, and non-contact with each other, and at least one of which is elastically deformable, and the first Only when the housing and the second housing are properly fitted, a short-circuit function unit that elastically deflects the detection terminal on the elastically deflectable side of the pair of detection terminals and makes contact with the detection terminal on the other side. It has the feature in having.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the first housing is configured to be surface-mounted on a circuit board, and one of the pair of detection terminals is connected to the detection terminal. Is characterized in that a peg function part for fixing the first housing to the circuit board is integrally provided.
In the present invention, “provided integrally” is not limited to the case where the peg function unit is formed integrally with the detection terminal which is a single component, but the peg function unit is provided separately from the detection terminal. And a part formed with the peg function part and the detection terminal are connected (combined) so as to be conductive by means of crimping, welding, or the like to form an integral part.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the one according to the first or second aspect, the detection process of any one of the pair of detection terminals is a fitting process of the first housing and the second housing. A feature is that a pair of elastic contact pieces for short-circuiting a pair of terminal fittings provided in the second housing are integrally provided.
In the present invention, “provided integrally” is not limited to the case where the elastic contact piece is integrally formed on the detection terminal which is a single component, and the elastic contact piece is provided separately on the component separate from the detection terminal. And the component having the elastic contact piece and the detection terminal are connected (combined) so as to be conductive by means such as crimping or welding to form an integrated component.

<Invention of Claim 1>
In the fitting process of both housings, the pair of detection terminals are not in contact, and when the two housings are in a properly fitted state, the pair of detection terminals are in contact with each other by the short-circuit function unit. Based on whether or not, the fitting state of both housings is detected. In the present invention, since the terminals provided on the first housing as a means for detecting the fitting state of both housings are only a pair of detection terminals, the number of parts is smaller than when a short-circuit terminal is used in addition to the pair of detection terminals. Less is enough.

<Invention of Claim 2>
Since the peg function unit is provided integrally with the detection terminal, the number of components can be reduced as compared with the case where a peg function unit separate from the detection terminal is provided.

<Invention of Claim 3>
Since the elastic contact piece as a means for short-circuiting the terminal fittings of the second housing is provided integrally with the detection terminal, compared with the case where the elastic contact piece is formed separately from the detection terminal, the component The score is small.

Front view of the second housing of the first embodiment Bottom view of second housing Front view of first housing Sectional drawing showing the malfunction prevention means of an airbag circuit in the state which both housings removed. Sectional drawing showing the malfunction prevention means of an airbag circuit in the fitting process of both housings Sectional drawing showing the malfunction prevention means of an air bag circuit in the state which both housings fitted normally Sectional view showing the fitting detection means with both housings detached Sectional view showing fitting detection means in the fitting process of both housings Sectional view showing the fitting detection means when both housings are properly fitted Front view of the right multifunction terminal Plan view of the right multifunction terminal Side view of the right multifunction terminal

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The connector A of the present embodiment includes a first housing 10 that is mounted on the surface of the circuit board P as shown in FIGS. 4 to 9 and a second housing that is fitted into the first housing 10 as shown in FIGS. The housing 30 is connected to an automobile airbag circuit (not shown). The connector A includes a fitting detection means for detecting whether the two housings 10 and 30 are properly fitted, and a malfunction prevention for preventing the airbag from malfunctioning when the two housings 10 and 30 are fitted. Have means. In the following description, the vertical direction of the first housing 10 is based on the state fixed to the upper surface of the horizontal circuit board P, and the vertical direction of the second housing 30 is fixed to the circuit board P. 1 A state in which the housing 10 is fitted is used as a reference.

  The first housing 10 is made of synthetic resin, and, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, a terminal holding portion 11 having a plate shape with the plate thickness direction directed in the front-rear direction, and protruding forward from the outer periphery of the terminal holding portion 11. And a rectangular tube-shaped hood portion 12 that is integrally formed. The lower plate portion 13 constituting the hood portion 12 is formed with a locking engagement portion 14 that protrudes toward the upper surface (the inner surface of the hood portion 12). As shown in FIG. 3, the locking engagement portion 14 is disposed at a substantially central position of the first housing 10 in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, the first housing 10 is provided with a plurality of elongate male first terminal fittings 15 attached so as to penetrate the terminal holding portion 11 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of first terminal fittings 15 penetrates the terminal holding portion 11 in a state of being divided into two upper and lower stages and arranged in a staggered manner. As shown in FIGS. 4-9, the front-end part (right side edge part in FIGS. 4-9) of each 1st terminal metal fitting 15 is accommodated in the hood part 12 in the form protruded horizontally ahead, and each 1st terminal metal fitting 15 is shown. The rear end portion of the terminal fitting 15 is bent downward behind the terminal holding portion 11 and connected to the surface of the circuit board P. A total of four pairs of the first terminal fittings 15 on the lower side are provided so that the adjacent ones on the left and right sides form a pair. These four pairs of first terminal fittings 15 constitute an airbag circuit. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, one elongated tab-like terminal 16 attached to the first housing 10 so as to penetrate forward and backward with respect to the terminal holding portion 11 (detection terminal which is a constituent element of the present invention). Is provided. The tab-shaped terminal 16 functions as a fitting detection means and constitutes a detection circuit (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3, the tab-shaped terminal 16 is disposed at a substantially central position in the left-right direction of the first housing 10 and shifted from the locking engagement portion 14 in the width direction (left-right direction). . The front end portion of the tab-like terminal 16 is accommodated in the hood portion 12 in a form that projects horizontally forward like the first terminal fitting 15. The front end portion of the tab-like terminal 16 is arranged at a position slightly lower than the front end portion of the first terminal fitting 15 on the lower stage side in the vertical direction. The tab-like terminal 16 can be elastically bent downward with the penetrating portion of the terminal holding portion 11 as a fulcrum.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, the first housing 10 has a pair of left and right multifunction terminals 20 (detection terminals which are constituent elements of the present invention) on the inner surface (upper surface) of the lower plate portion 13 of the hood portion 12. It is attached along. The multifunction terminal 20 can move integrally with the first housing 10 when the housings 10 and 30 are fitted and detached. For the sake of convenience, only the right multifunction terminal 20 is shown in the drawing, and the left multifunction terminal 20 is not shown and only the text is described. The left multifunction terminal 20 is symmetrical to the right multifunction terminal 20 except that it does not have a detection unit 24 described later.

  The right multifunction terminal 20 has a function as a fixing means for fixing the first housing 10 to the circuit board P, a function as a fitting detection means, and a function as a means for preventing malfunction of the airbag. ing. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the right multifunction terminal 20 includes a flat plate-like base portion 21 that is long in the left-right direction, a peg function portion 22 that functions as a fixing means, and a detection portion 24 that functions as a fitting detection means. And two pairs of elastic contact pieces 25 that are arranged side by side and function as malfunction prevention means.

  The peg function part 22 has a form that cantilevered forward from the right end of the base part 21, and has a leg part 23 that is one step lower than the base part 21 and placed on the circuit board P. Yes. The detection part 24 is a form that cantilevered forward from the left end part of the base part 21, and is bent in a mountain shape when viewed from the side (direction intersecting the fitting direction of both housings 10, 30). Yes. The two pairs of elastic contact pieces 25 are configured to be folded upward from the extension end of the portion extending forward from the front end edge of the base portion 21 and extend in a cantilevered manner to the rear. A contact portion 26 is formed at the rear end portion. Further, the multi-function terminal 20 has a press-fit portion 27 in a form that cantilevered forward from the front edge of the base portion 21 so as to be aligned with the detection portion 24, and a part of the base portion 21 is cut downward. A plurality of retaining pieces 28 in the form are formed.

  The right multifunction terminal 20 is attached by inserting (press-fitting) a press-fit portion 27 into the lower plate portion 13 of the hood portion 12 from the front of the first housing 10. The attached multifunction terminal 20 is held in a retaining state by the locking action of the retaining piece 28. In the state in which the multi-function terminal 20 is attached, the peg function part 22 is located at the right end of the lower plate part 13 (first housing 10), and the leg part 23 protrudes downward from the lower plate part 13 to form the circuit board P. It is connected to a detection circuit (not shown). As illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, the detection unit 24 is disposed below the tab-like terminal 16 and is in a non-contact state with a slight gap with respect to the tab-like terminal 16. The two pairs of elastic contact pieces 25 are arranged in the left-right direction so as to correspond to the two pairs of first terminal fittings 15 on the right side among the four pairs of first terminal fittings 15 constituting the airbag circuit. Has been. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the contact portion 26 of the elastic contact piece 25 is lower than the front end portion of the first terminal fitting 15 and further forward of the front end portion of the first terminal fitting 15 (that is, the second terminal fitting 15). It is disposed at a position of the first housing 10 in the fitting direction with respect to the housing 30.

  The second housing 30 is made of synthetic resin, and as shown in FIG. 1, as a whole, a terminal accommodating portion 31 having a block shape and a lock arm 40 arranged along the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion 31 (of the present invention). The short-circuit function part), which is a constituent requirement, is integrally formed. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of cavities 32 are formed in a staggered arrangement in the terminal accommodating portion 31 so as to be divided into two upper and lower stages and correspond to the first terminal fitting 15. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, each cavity 32 has a female second terminal fitting 33 (second housing terminal fitting which is a constituent element of the present invention) from the rear (right side in FIGS. 4 to 9). Has been inserted.

  Four pairs of second terminal fittings 33 accommodated in the lower-side cavity 32 are provided so that the two adjacent side-by-side arrangements form a pair, and these four pairs of second terminal fittings 33 are airbag circuits. Is configured. The front end portions of the four pairs of second terminal fittings 33 constituting the airbag circuit are box-shaped contact portions 34 that function as contact means with the elastic contact piece 25 on the first housing 10 side (FIG. 4). -6).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the lower wall portion 35 of the terminal accommodating portion 31 divides the lower cavity 32 and the outside of the terminal accommodating portion 31. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 to 6, a notch portion 36 is formed at the front end portion of the lower wall portion 35 to communicate the front end portion of the lower cavity 32 to the outside of the terminal accommodating portion 31. In the cutout portion 36, the contact portion 34 of the second terminal fitting 33 is exposed to the lower outside of the terminal accommodating portion 31.

  A region behind the notch 36 in the lower wall portion 35 is a receiving portion 37. The receiving portion 37 is disposed at a position ahead of the notch portion 36 (contact portion 34) in the fitting direction of the first housing 10 with respect to the second housing 30. The thickness (upper and lower) dimension of the receiving portion 37 is smaller than the thickness of a region of the lower wall portion 35 where the receiving portion 37 is not formed (a region behind the receiving portion 37 in the second housing 30). ing. Therefore, the height difference between the lower surface of the contact portion 34 of the second terminal fitting 33 and the lower surface of the receiving portion 37 in the vertical direction (the elastic bending direction of the elastic contact piece 25) is larger than that of the receiving portion 37 in the lower wall portion 35. The height difference between the lower surface of the rear region and the lower surface of the contact portion 34 is suppressed to be smaller.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a recess 38 is formed on the lower surface of the terminal accommodating portion 31, with a substantially central portion in the left-right direction being recessed, and a lock arm 40 is disposed in the recess 38. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 to 9, the lock arm 40 as a whole has a long plate shape in the front-rear direction (direction substantially parallel to the fitting direction of the housings 10 and 30), and the terminal accommodating portion 31 at the front end. The front end portion is used as a fulcrum and elastically bends in the vertical direction (direction intersecting the fitting direction of both housings 10 and 30). A lock protrusion 41 and a pressing portion 42 are formed on the lower surface of the lock arm 40. The lock protrusion 41 protrudes downward from a position corresponding to the locking engagement portion 14 on the lower surface of the lock arm 40. The pressing portion 42 is a position slightly ahead of the lock protrusion 41 on the lower surface of the lock arm 40 and is shifted from the position corresponding to the tab-like terminal 16 by shifting in the width direction (left-right direction) relative to the lock protrusion 41. It is the form which protruded.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In a state in which both housings 10 and 30 are not fitted (separated), as shown in FIG. 7, the tab-like terminal 16 is not elastically bent and is separated upward from the detection unit 24 of the multifunction terminal 20. Waiting at position. In the airbag circuit, the paired first terminal fittings 15 are in a non-contact state, and the paired second terminal fittings 33 are also in a non-contact state.

  In the process of fitting the two housings 10 and 30, when the terminal accommodating portion 31 enters the hood portion 12, the elastic contact piece 25 on the first housing 10 side is notched on the second housing 30 as shown in FIG. 5. The contact portion 26 comes into contact with the contact portion 34 of the second terminal fitting 33 by entering into the portion 36 and elastically bending. The contact between the elastic contact pieces 25 causes the second terminal fittings 33 forming a pair of the airbag circuit to be short-circuited, so that the airbag circuit is caused by static electricity generated by friction when the housings 10 and 30 are fitted together. Malfunction is prevented.

  When the fitting of the housings 10 and 30 further proceeds from this state, as shown in FIG. 8, the lock projection 41 interferes with the locking engagement portion 14, whereby the lock arm 40 is elastically bent downward. At the same time, the first terminal fitting 15 and the second terminal fitting 33 constituting the airbag circuit are connected. When the fitting of the housings 10 and 30 further proceeds from this state, the contact portion 26 of the elastic contact piece 25 passes through the notch 36 and is separated from the second terminal fitting 33 (contact portion 34). The short circuit between the second terminal fittings 33 is released, and the airbag circuit is in a state where it can operate correctly. The contact portion 26 separated from the contact portion 34 is in contact with the lower surface of the receiving portion 37. Here, since the lower surface of the receiving portion 37 is located below the lower surface of the contact portion 34 (in a direction away from the contact portion 34), the contact portion 26 (elastic contact piece 25) moves from the contact portion 34 to the receiving portion 37. When changing, the amount of elastic deflection of the elastic contact piece 25 is larger than that in the state of elastic contact with the contact portion 34.

  When both the housings 10 and 30 reach the proper fitting state, as shown in FIG. 9, the lock projection 41 passes through the locking engagement portion 14, so that the lock arm 40 elastically returns downward. The lock protrusion 41 is engaged with the locking engagement portion 14, and this engagement action locks the housings 10 and 30 in a state where the detachment is restricted. Further, as the lock arm 40 is elastically restored, the pressing portion 42 presses the front end portion of the tab-like terminal 16 downward, so that the tab-like terminal 16 is elastically bent downward and elastic to the detection portion 24. Abut. At this time, the detection unit 24 is also elastically bent slightly. As a result, the tab-like terminal 16 and the multifunction terminal 20 are in a conductive (short-circuited) state, and based on the fact that the both terminals 16 and 20 are short-circuited, it is detected that both the housings 10 and 30 are properly fitted. . The contact portion 26 of the elastic contact piece 25 is kept in contact with the lower surface of the receiving portion 37.

  The connector A according to the present embodiment accommodates at least a part of the second terminal fitting 33 in a state where the contact portion 34 of the second terminal fitting 33 with the elastic contact piece 25 is exposed in the second housing 30. The lower wall portion 35 that forms the portion 31 and constitutes the terminal accommodating portion 31 is disposed in front of the contact portion 34 in the fitting direction of the first housing 10 with respect to the second housing 30, and both the housings 10, 30 are A receiving portion 37 that elastically contacts the elastic contact piece 25 in a properly fitted state is formed. Then, at the end of the fitting of the housings 10 and 30, the elastic contact piece 25 elastically contacting the contact portion 34 of the second terminal fitting 33 rides on the receiving portion 37 while increasing the amount of elastic deflection.

  Since the lower wall part 35 of the terminal accommodating part 31 in which the receiving part 37 is formed is a form surrounding the second terminal fitting 33, the rigidity is higher than that of a form protruding in a cantilevered manner. That is, the lower wall portion 35 (receiving portion 37) is secured with high rigidity even if it is relatively thin. Thinning the lower wall portion 35 means that the amount of elastic deflection of the elastic contact piece 25 in a state in which both the housings 10 and 30 are fitted can be reduced. Therefore, the spring of the elastic contact piece 25 due to deterioration over time. Progression of power reduction is suppressed. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the region where the receiving portion 37 is formed in the lower wall portion 35 constituting the terminal accommodating portion 31 is thinner than the other regions, the amount of elastic deflection of the elastic contact piece 25 correspondingly. Is further reduced. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the cost by using an inexpensive metal material as the multifunction terminal 20 on which the elastic contact piece 25 is formed.

  Further, the connector A of the present embodiment is provided in the first housing 10, and in a state where both the housings 10 and 30 are not properly fitted with each other, is not in contact with each other and can be elastically bent, and can be elastically bent. And a lock arm 40 for contacting the tab-like terminal 16 and the detecting portion 24 of the multifunction terminal 20 only when both the housings 10 and 30 are properly fitted. In the present embodiment, since the terminals provided in the first housing 10 as a means for detecting the fitting state of both the housings 10 and 30 are only a pair of detection terminals (the tab-like terminal 16 and the multifunction terminal 20), these two Compared to the case where a short-circuit terminal is used in addition to the detection terminal (the tab-like terminal 16 and the multifunction terminal 20), the number of parts is reduced.

  Moreover, since the elastic contact piece 25 as a malfunction prevention means of an airbag circuit and the detection part 24 as a fitting detection means of both the housings 10 and 30 are integrally formed in the multifunction terminal 20, Compared to the case where the elastic contact piece and the detection part are formed as separate parts from the multifunctional terminal, the number of parts is reduced.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first housing 10 is surface-mounted on the circuit board P, but paying attention to this point, the multifunction terminal 20 as a means for preventing malfunction of the airbag circuit, A peg function part 22 for fixing the first housing 10 to the circuit board P is integrally formed. According to this configuration, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where a peg separate from the malfunction prevention means (multifunctional terminal 20) is used. Furthermore, since the multifunction terminal 20 also has a function as a fitting detection means, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where a peg separate from the fitting detection means (multifunction terminal 20) is used. There is also an advantage that.

  In addition, when two (a pair of) detection terminals having a tab shape as a conventional fitting detection means are arranged in the hollow of the hood portion, insulation that surrounds the tab detection terminals over the entire circumference. It is necessary to secure two spaces for use. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, one detection terminal (multifunctional terminal 20) of the two (a pair of) detection terminals is not disposed in the hollow of the hood portion 12, but the lower plate of the hood portion 12. Arranged along the portion 13. Thus, since only one tab-shaped detection terminal (tab-shaped terminal 16) is arranged in the hollow of the hood section 12, the hood section is provided for the tab-shaped detection terminal (tab-shaped terminal 16). The space for insulation to be secured in 12 is only one. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the size of the hood portion 12 and increase the number of male first terminal fittings 15 accommodated in the hood portion 12.

<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.
(1) In the above embodiment, when the pair of detection terminals (multifunctional terminal and tab-shaped terminal) are short-circuited, both the detection terminals are elastically bent, but at the time of the short-circuit, only one of the detection terminals is elastic. You may make it bend.
(2) In the above embodiment, the lock arm is used as the short-circuit function unit. However, the short-circuit function unit may be a dedicated unit provided separately from the lock arm, or may be a combined unit having a function other than the lock arm. .
(3) In the above embodiment, the short-circuit function unit (lock arm) is provided on the second housing side. However, the short-circuit function unit may be provided on the first housing side.
(4) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a board connector mounted on a circuit board has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to a board connector, and can also be applied to a connector for connecting wire harnesses to each other. .
(5) In the above embodiment, the case where the first housing is provided with the male terminal and the second housing is provided with the female terminal has been described. However, in the present invention, the first housing is provided with the female terminal, The present invention can also be applied when the second housing includes a male terminal.
(6) In the above-described embodiment, the peg function part for fixing the first housing to the circuit board is integrally formed on one detection terminal (multifunctional terminal). However, the peg is separate from the first detection terminal. May be used to fix the first housing to the circuit board.
(7) In the above embodiment, the elastic contact piece that functions as a short terminal for short-circuiting the second terminal fitting is integrated with one detection terminal (multifunctional terminal) as means for detecting the fitting state of both housings. However, the elastic contact piece may be formed as a separate component from the first detection terminal.
(8) In the above embodiment, the multi-function terminal fixes the elastic contact piece as the malfunction prevention means of the airbag circuit, the detection part as the fitting detection means of both housings, and the first housing to the circuit board. The multi-function terminal can be connected to the part on which the elastic contact piece is formed and the part on which the detection part and the peg function part are formed. It is also possible to integrate the elastic contact piece and the part in which the peg function part is formed with the part in which the detection part is formed so as to be conductive. The part in which the part is formed and the part in which the peg function part is formed may be integrated into an integral part so as to be conductive, the part in which the elastic contact piece is formed, and the part in which the detection part is formed And the peg function part is formed The parts to be conductive may be obtained by integral parts of. Thus, as means for integrating a plurality of components in a conductive manner, means such as crimping and welding can be used.

A ... Connector P ... Circuit board 10 ... First housing 16 ... Tab-shaped terminal (detection terminal)
20 ... Multi-function terminal (detection terminal)
22 ... peg function part 25 ... elastic contact piece 30 ... second housing 33 ... second terminal fitting (terminal fitting of the second housing)
40 ... Lock arm (short-circuit function part)

Claims (3)

A first housing;
A second housing engageable with the first housing;
In the first housing , it is arranged along the fitting direction of the two housings, and is in non-contact with each other when the first housing and the second housing are not properly fitted, and at least one of them is elastically bent. A pair of sensing terminals made possible;
Only when the first housing and the second housing are properly fitted, a short circuit that elastically deflects the detection terminal on the elastically deflectable side of the pair of detection terminals and contacts the detection terminal on the other side. A connector comprising a functional part. The first housing is surface-mounted on a circuit board;
The peg function part for fixing the said 1st housing to the said circuit board is integrally provided in any one of the said detection terminals of a pair of said detection terminals. Connector.   A pair of elastic contact pieces for short-circuiting a pair of terminal fittings provided on the second housing in the fitting process of the first housing and the second housing is provided on any one of the pair of detection terminals. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is provided integrally.

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