JP6933941B2 - Connector and connector assembly - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector and a connector assembly provided with a so-called CPA (Connector Position Insurance).

Conventionally, a connector provided with a connector position guarantee device called CPA has been known. This connector position guarantee device is a device that can be moved to a specific position only after the connector provided with this connector position guarantee device and the mating connector are completely fitted. This connector position guarantee device plays a role of guaranteeing that the connector is in a fully fitted state by moving to a specific position.

Patent Document 1 discloses a connector in which a rail for guiding the slide of the connector position guarantee device is provided in a fitting portion to be engaged with the mating connector, and the connector position guarantee device can be slidable when the mating connector is completely fitted. ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-264039

There is also a demand for miniaturization of connectors equipped with connector position guarantee devices. In response to this request, if an attempt is made to realize a particularly narrow connector by following the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, the latch width of the connector housing and the width of the connector position guarantee device become narrow. As a result, the width of the beam portion of the connector position guarantee device is also narrowed, so that the locking force by the beam portion is reduced, and the connector position guarantee device may inadvertently move forward.

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connector and a connector assembly provided with a connector position guarantee device that is adapted to a narrow connector housing and correctly guarantees that the connector is in a completely fitted state.

The connector of the present invention that achieves the above object is
It slides between the first position and the second position closer to the mating connector at the time of mating than the first position, and the second position guarantees that the mating connector is completely mated. Connector position guarantee device and
A housing that allows sliding between the first and second positions of the connector position guarantee device, with a hang that protrudes toward the connector position guarantee device and interferes with the connector position guarantee device in the first position. Equipped with a housing to have
A base where the connector position guarantee device protrudes in the opposite direction to the hanging and has a protrusion that interferes with the hanging when the connector position guarantee device is in the first position and elastically deforms by receiving an external force, and a partner from the base. It has a beam part that protrudes forward toward the connector,
Housing has a contact portion to suppress the sliding of the beam portion of the connector position assurance device in a first position during the unmated to the second position of the contact with the connector position assurance device with a mating connector,
Connector position assurance device is fully beam portion mating connector during mating is pressed is released abutment against the abutment portion of the beam portion sliding in the second position by Rukoto is allowed, the connector position assurance device When the connector position guarantee device receives a slide operation to the second position after the slide to the second position is allowed, the protrusion is pushed by the hanging portion and the base is elastically deformed to guarantee the connector position. When the device moves toward the second position and the protrusion is released from being pressed by the droop, the base is characterized by eliminating elastic deformation while giving the operator a click feeling.

The beam portion of the connector position guarantee device in the connector of the present invention has a shape protruding forward toward the mating connector. Therefore, if a large force is applied to the beam portion that is in contact with the contact portion of the housing, the beam portion may be abnormally deformed, the beam portion may be disengaged, and the connector position guarantee device may slide. Therefore, by providing the above-mentioned hanging portion on the housing and the above-mentioned protrusion on the connector position guarantee device, sliding before complete fitting is avoided even when a large force is applied to the connector position guarantee device. .. Further, if these hanging portions and protrusions are provided, a click feeling can be obtained on the slide after complete fitting. By giving the operator this click feeling, it is possible to make the operator realize that the operation up to the complete fitting has been completed.

Here, in the connector of the present invention, the housing has a gate portion formed with an opening through which the connector position guarantee device is passed in the direction of the slide.
The hanging portion may have a structure formed in the gate portion.

In providing the hanging portion, specifically, a gate portion may be provided in the housing, and the hanging portion may be provided in the gate portion.

Further, the connector assembly of the present invention is
It has a first connector and a second connector that combine with each other,
The first connector is
It slides between the first position and the second position closer to the mating connector at the time of mating than the first position, and the second position guarantees that the mating connector is completely mated. Connector position guarantee device and
A housing that allows sliding between the first and second positions of the connector position guarantee device, with a hang that protrudes toward the connector position guarantee device and interferes with the connector position guarantee device in the first position. Equipped with a housing to have
A base where the connector position guarantee device protrudes in the opposite direction to the hanging and has a protrusion that interferes with the hanging when the connector position guarantee device is in the first position and elastically deforms by receiving an external force, and a partner from the base. It has a beam part that protrudes forward toward the connector,
Housing has a contact portion to suppress the sliding of the beam portion of the connector position assurance device in a first position during the unmated to the second position of the contact with the connector position assurance device with a mating connector,
Connector position assurance device is fully beam portion mating connector during mating is pressed is released abutment against the abutment portion of the beam portion sliding in the second position by Rukoto is allowed, the connector position assurance device When the connector position guarantee device receives a slide operation to the second position after the slide to the second position is allowed, the protrusion is pushed by the hanging portion and the base is elastically deformed to guarantee the connector position. When the device moves toward the second position and the protrusion is released from being pressed by the droop, the base is characterized by eliminating elastic deformation while giving the operator a click feeling.

According to the above invention, it is possible to realize a connector and a connector assembly provided with a connector position guarantee device that is suitable for a narrow connector housing and correctly guarantees that the connector is in a completely fitted state.

It is a perspective view of the 1st connector (FIG. 1 (A)) and the 2nd connector (FIG. 1 (B)) which are combined with each other. It is a perspective view of CPA. It is a figure which showed the state before the start of fitting which the 1st connector and the 2nd connector faced in the direction of fitting. It is a figure which showed the state in the middle of fitting of the 1st connector and the 2nd connector. It is a figure which showed the state which the 1st connector and the 2nd connector were completely fitted. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the CPA is further slid to the second position in the fully fitted state shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first connector (FIG. 1 (A)) and a second connector (FIG. 1 (B)) that are combined with each other. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of both the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 in a posture in which the fitting portions to be engaged with each other are directed diagonally forward. Here, the first connector 10 corresponds to an example of the connector of the present invention, and the second connector 60 corresponds to an example of the mating connector referred to in the present invention. Further, the combination of the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 corresponds to an example of the connector assembly of the present invention.

The first connector 10 includes a housing 20 and a female contact 30 arranged within the housing 20. A cable 40 is connected to the female contact 30. Further, the first connector 10 further includes a CPA 50. The CPA 50 slides in the first position shown in FIG. 1 (A) and in the direction of arrow X with respect to the housing 20 from this first position, that is, in the direction closer to the second connector 60 at the time of fitting. Slide between. Details of CPA50 will be described later.

The housing 20 of the first connector 10 has a fitting portion 21 for fitting with the second connector 60, a guide portion 22 for guiding the slide of the CPA 50, and a gate portion 23.

Further, the second connector 60 includes a housing 70 and a male contact 80 arranged in the housing 70. Further, the housing 70 of the second connector 60 is provided with a contact release portion 71 that also serves as a lock portion and a lock groove 72. These actions will be described later. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 are combined, the male contact 80 of the second connector 60 enters the female contact 30 of the first connector 10, and both are electrically connected.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the CPA.

The CPA 50 is formed with an operation unit 51, a base portion 52, and a beam unit 53.

The operation unit 51 is a part operated by the user. The operation unit 51 also plays a role as an index indicating whether or not the CPA 50 is in the second position indicating perfect fitting by visually recognizing the position.

Further, the base portion 52 is a portion that is supported by the housing 20 of the first connector 10 and is guided by the slide. The base portion 52 is formed of four beams 52a and has a shape that can be elastically deformed. The base portion 52 is provided with a first protrusion 521 that protrudes upward. The first protrusion 521 corresponds to an example of the protrusion as referred to in the present invention. The action of the first protrusion 521 will be described later.

Further, the beam portion 53 of the CPA 50 projects from the base portion 52 in the direction of the arrow X shown in FIG. 1 (A), and the tip portion thereof reaches the fitting portion 21 of the housing 20. A second protrusion 532 protruding upward is formed at a position behind the tip 531 of the beam portion 53. Since the second protrusion 532 is formed at a position behind the tip 531 of the beam portion 53, a step portion 533 is formed between the second protrusion 532 and the tip 531 in the beam portion 53. Has been done.

The CPA 50 is arranged at the first position shown in FIG. 1A with respect to the housing 20 of the first connector 10 before the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 are fitted. That is, the CPA 50 is placed on the upper part of the housing 20, with the operation portion 51 at the rear, and extends forward (in the direction of the arrow X) through the opening of the gate portion 23 of the housing 20 in which the opening is formed. Further, the beam portion 53 of the CPA 50 extends to the fitting portion 21 of the housing 20. Then, the second protrusion 532 provided near the tip of the beam portion 53 is abutted against the contact portion 24 provided so as to protrude toward the upper surface side of the fitting portion 21 of the housing 20. The contact portion 24 is located at the upper end of the lock arm portion 25 extending diagonally upward rearward in the shape of a cantilever. Due to this abutting, the CPA 50 cannot slide from the first position shown in FIG. 1 (A) even if the operation unit 51 is pushed forward (in the direction of the arrow X), and stays in this first position. Become. The abutting of the second protrusion 532 of the CPA 50 against the contact portion 24 of the housing 20 is the contact release portion 71 of the second connector 60 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 are completely fitted (FIG. 1). (Refer to (B)). Details will be described later.

Next, the fitting state of the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 will be described step by step. In the explanation, the operation and operation of CPA50 will also be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state before the start of fitting, in which the first connector and the second connector are oriented in the fitting direction. Here, FIG. 3A is a perspective view, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA shown in FIG. 3B-2. FIG. 3B-2 is a front view of the connector assembly including the first connector and the second connector shown in FIG. 3A as viewed in the direction of arrow F.

Here, first, with reference to FIG. 3, the relationship between the CPA 50 at the first position and the housing 20 will be further described.

The base 52 of the CPA 50 is located on top of the housing 20. The guide portion 22 guides the slide of the base portion 52.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the gate portion 23 of the housing 20 has a hanging portion protruding downward, immediately in front of the first protrusion 521 protruding upward, which is provided on the base portion 52 of the CPA 50. 231 is formed. The hanging portion 231 interferes with the first protrusion 521 and acts as a resistance when the CPA 50 tries to slide forward (in the direction of arrow X) from the first position shown here.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1 (A), the second protrusion 532 provided on the beam portion 53 of the CPA 50 abuts on the abutting portion 24 of the housing 20, whereby the front of the CPA 50 (direction of arrow X). The slide to is blocked. However, the beam portion 52 of the present embodiment has a shape that extends narrowly toward the front. Here, it is assumed that a structure is adopted in which the slide of the CPA 50 is prevented only by the contact between the second protrusion 532 and the contact portion 24. In that case, when the operation unit 51 is pushed with a strong force, the beam unit 53 may be abnormally deformed. Then, when the abnormal deformation occurs, the CPA 50 may slide forward (in the direction of the arrow X) even at a stage prior to the complete fitting of the first connector 10 and the second connector 60. .. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the CPA 50 at the first position is pushed, the interference between the first protrusion 521 and the hanging portion 231 as shown in FIG. 3B acts as a resistance to disperse the pushed force. However, the CPA 50 is held in the first position by preventing the occurrence of abnormal deformation of the beam portion 53.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector are being fitted. Here, FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B) are perspective views and cross-sectional views corresponding to FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B), respectively.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the contact release portion 71 of the second connector 60 is in contact with the lock arm 25 provided on the upper surface of the housing 20 of the first connector 10 and extending diagonally upward rearward.

When the fitting of the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 proceeds further from the state shown in FIG. 4, the contact release portion 71 pushes down the lock arm 25 extending diagonally upward to elastically bend the lock arm 25. No. Then, the contact portion 24 of the lock arm 25 pushes down the stepped portion 533 at the tip of the beam portion 53 of the CPA 50, whereby the beam portion 53 is also elastically pushed down. Then, in the final stage of fitting, the contact releasing portion 71 passes over the pushed-down contact portion 24.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector are completely fitted. Here, FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views and cross-sectional views corresponding to FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively.

When the contact release portion 71 passes over the contact portion 24, the positions of the contact portion 24 and the contact release portion 71 in the front-rear direction (arrow X direction) are exchanged. A lock groove 72 is formed at a position adjacent to the contact release portion 71 of the housing 70 of the second connector 60. Therefore, when the contact release portion 71 passes over the contact portion 24, the elastic deformation of the lock arm 25 is released and the contact portion 24 enters the lock groove 72. As a result, the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 are completely fitted, and the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 are completely fitted by the engagement between the contact portion 24 and the contact release portion 71. Locked to state.

However, in the fully fitted state shown in FIG. 5, the contact release portion 71 is located above the second protrusion 532 of the beam portion 53 of the CPA 50. Therefore, the beam portion 53 remains in a state of being pushed down by the contact release portion 71.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the CPA is further slid to the second position in the fully fitted state shown in FIG. Here, FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views and cross-sectional views corresponding to FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively.

In FIG. 6, the CPA 50 is in the second position slid forward (in the direction of arrow X) from the first position shown in FIG. 3 and the like.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the CPA 50 is still in the first position in the fully fitted state, the beam portion 53 of the CPA 50 is still pushed down. That is, the contact of the beam portion 53 with the contact portion 24 is released. Therefore, at this stage, only the interference between the first protrusion 521 and the hanging 231 shown in FIG. 5 (B) hinders the forward movement of the CPA 50 (in the direction of the arrow X). Therefore, next, the operation unit 51 of the CPA 50 is pushed forward (in the direction of the arrow X) with a strength sufficient to overcome the interference. Then, the first protrusion 521 of the CPA 50 is pressed by the hanging portion 231 to elastically deform the base portion 52, and the CPA 50 moves toward the second position while being guided by the guide portion 22 of the housing 20, and the first protrusion 521 Is released from being pressed by the hanging portion 231, the elastic deformation of the base 52 is eliminated while giving a click feeling to the operator, and the housing slides forward (in the direction of arrow X) to the second position shown in FIG.

In this way, the CPA 50 can move to the second position only when the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 are in a completely fitted state. At this second position, the lower surface 261 of the operating portion 26 of the lock arm 25 abuts on the upper surface 522 of the base 52 of the CPA 50, thereby preventing the lock arm 25 from being pressed. That is, the fact that the CPA 60 is in the state of being slid to the second position guarantees that the CPA 60 is in the fully fitted state.

Here, the fitting of the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 and the slide of the CPA 50 have been described separately. However, in the case of the present embodiment, it is also possible to perform fitting while pressing the operation unit 51 of the CPA 50 from the stage before reaching complete fitting. In that case, the fitting proceeds by pushing the operation unit 51 of the CPA 50, and the CPA 50 slides to the second position immediately after the complete fitting.

To separate the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 that are in the fully fitted state, pull the operation unit 51 of the CPA 50 backward (in the direction opposite to the arrow X), and pull the lock arm of the housing 20 of the first connector 10. The operation unit 26 of the 25 is pushed down with a finger or the like to unlock the contact portion 24 and the contact release portion 71. By this unlocking, the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 are separated.

As described above, the present embodiment includes the abutting portion 24 that abuts on the beam portion 53 of the CPA 50, and also includes a slide resistance portion (the hanging portion 231 of the gate portion 23) separately from the abutting portion 24. Therefore, even if the beam portion 53 of the CPA 50 has a narrow width, it is correctly guaranteed that the CPA 50 is in a completely fitted state by sliding to the second position.

10 1st connector 20 Housing 21 Fitting part 23 Gate part 231 Hanging part 24 Contact part 25 Lock arm 30 Female contact 40 Cable 50 CPA
51 Operation part 52 Base part 52a Beam 521 First protrusion 522 Upper surface 53 Beam part 531 Beam part tip 532 Second protrusion 533 Step part 60 Second connector 70 Housing 71 Contact release part 72 Lock groove 80 Male contact

Claims (3)

It slides between the first position and the second position closer to the mating connector at the time of mating than the first position, and the fact that it is in the second position means that it is in a state of being completely mated with the mating connector. Guaranteed connector position guarantee device and
A housing that allows sliding between the first position and the second position of the connector position guarantee device, the connector position guarantee device protruding toward the connector position guarantee device and located at the first position. With a housing with a droop that interferes with
A base in which the connector position guarantee device protrudes in the direction opposite to the hanging portion and has a protrusion that interferes with the hanging portion when the connector position guarantee device is in the first position and is elastically deformed by receiving an external force. And a beam portion protruding forward from the base toward the mating connector.
When the housing is not fitted with the mating connector, the contact portion abuts on the beam portion of the connector position guarantee device at the first position to prevent the connector position guarantee device from sliding to the second position. have,
The connector position assurance device, the mating connector during complete engagement the beam portion is pushed and slid to the abutment is released the second position by Rukoto to the contact portion of the beam portion is allowed When the connector position guarantee device receives a slide operation to the second position after the connector position guarantee device is allowed to slide to the second position, the protrusion is pressed against the hanging portion. When the base is elastically deformed, the connector position guarantee device moves toward the second position, and the protrusion is released from being pressed by the hanging portion, the base is given a click feeling to the operator. Is a connector characterized by eliminating elastic deformation. The housing has a gate portion formed with an opening through which the connector position guarantee device passes in the direction of the slide.
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the hanging portion is formed in the gate portion. It has a first connector and a second connector that combine with each other,
The first connector
It slides between the first position and the second position closer to the mating connector at the time of mating than the first position, and the fact that it is in the second position means that it is in a state of being completely mated with the mating connector. Guaranteed connector position guarantee device and
A housing that allows sliding between the first position and the second position of the connector position guarantee device, the connector position guarantee device protruding toward the connector position guarantee device and located at the first position. With a housing with a droop that interferes with
A base in which the connector position guarantee device protrudes in the direction opposite to the hanging portion and has a protrusion that interferes with the hanging portion when the connector position guarantee device is in the first position and is elastically deformed by receiving an external force. And a beam portion protruding forward from the base portion toward the mating connector.
When the housing is not fitted with the mating connector, the contact portion abuts on the beam portion of the connector position guarantee device at the first position to prevent the connector position guarantee device from sliding to the second position. have,
When the connector position guarantee device is completely fitted, the beam portion is pushed by the mating connector to release the contact of the beam portion with the contact portion, so that the device is allowed to slide to the second position. When the connector position guarantee device receives a slide operation to the second position after the connector position guarantee device is allowed to slide to the second position, the protrusion is pressed against the hanging portion. When the base is elastically deformed, the connector position guarantee device moves toward the second position, and the protrusion is released from being pressed by the hanging portion, the base is given a click feeling to the operator. Is a connector assembly characterized by eliminating elastic deformation.

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