JP7103913B2 - Connector mating structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector fitting structure.

As a connector fitting structure in which the connection terminals of each connector are electrically connected by fitting the connectors provided with the connection terminals, a semi-fitting prevention function for suppressing a half-fitting state is provided. Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In this connector fitting structure, one connector is provided with a slider urged forward by a spring (compression coil spring) in the fitting direction with the other connector, and in the middle fitting in which each other is in the process of fitting. The slider is displaced to the rear side opposite to the fitting direction against the urging force of the spring, and the repulsive force of the spring suppresses the halfway fitting between the connectors. When the connectors are completely fitted to each other, the slider moves to the initial position on the front side in the fitting direction by the elastic force of the spring, and the slider locks the connectors by suppressing the displacement of the lock arm. Is maintained.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-58200

By the way, in the above-mentioned connector fitting structure, when the connectors are fitted to each other, the spring is continuously compressed until the connectors are completely fitted to each other, so that the fitting operation force required for fitting the connectors to each other is required. Will rise until fully fitted. Therefore, it is desired to improve the fitting workability between the connectors.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector fitting structure capable of smoothly suppressing a halfway fitting state between connectors and having good fitting workability. It is in.

The above object according to the present invention is achieved by the following configuration.
(1) Connector fitting that includes a first connector and a second connector having connection terminals, respectively, and the connection terminals are electrically connected to each other by fitting the first connector and the second connector to each other. In the structure, the first connector is slidably provided along the mating direction with the second connector, and the locking claw portion is locked to the locking portion provided on the second connector. As a result, the slider that is moved from the initial position on the front side in the fitting direction to the rear side, the spring that elastically biases the slider to the front side in the fitting direction, and the fitting direction with respect to the first connector. The locking portion has a locking / releasing portion that displaces the locking claw portion in the locking / releasing direction with respect to the locking portion as the slider moves to the rear side, and the locking portion is the first. It has a first locking step portion and a second locking step portion arranged in order from the front side in the fitting direction of the second connector with respect to the connector, and the locking claw portion is locked by the unlocking portion. A connector fitting structure characterized in that the locking position is switched from the first locking step portion to the second locking step portion according to the displacement in the release direction.

According to the connector fitting structure having the configuration of (1) above, when the first connector and the second connector are fitted, the locking claw portion of the slider locked to the first locking step portion is released from the locking claw portion. By switching to locking at the second locking step portion according to the displacement in the locking release direction by the portion, the slider is displaced to the front side in the fitting direction. As a result, the repulsive force due to the spring when the first connector and the second connector are fitted is weakened during the fitting without continuously increasing until the fitting is completed, and the fitting workability can be improved. ..

(2) The locking claw portion of the slider has a contact surface on the front side in the fitting direction, and the first locking step portion and the second locking step portion are the unlocking portion. The slider has a first locking surface and a second locking surface along the contact surface of the slider, which is displaced in the unlocking direction, and the slider has the first locking surface and the second locking surface. The connector fitting structure according to (1) above, wherein the contact surface is surface-contacted and locked.

According to the connector fitting structure having the configuration of (2) above, the contact surface is brought into surface contact with the first locking surface and the second locking surface without inclination, so that the first locking surface and the second locking surface are in contact with each other. The slider can be securely locked on the locking surface.

(3) Between the first locking step portion and the second locking step portion, the locking direction of the locking claw portion is directed from the front side to the rear side in the fitting direction of the second connector. A tapered surface that inclines toward is provided, and the locking claw portion is displaced along the tapered surface when the locking position is switched from the first locking step portion to the second locking step portion. The connector fitting structure according to (1) or (2) above.

According to the connector fitting structure having the configuration of (3) above, the locking claw portion of the slider can be smoothly guided from the first locking step portion to the second locking step portion by the tapered surface. Further, between the first locking step portion and the second locking step portion, there is a tapered surface that inclines in the locking direction of the locking claw portion from the front side to the rear side in the fitting direction of the second connector. By providing the connector, it is possible to surely secure the hooking allowance of the locking claw portion, suppress the protruding dimension of the second locking step portion, and suppress the bulkiness of the outer shape of the connector.

(4) Between the first locking step portion and the second locking step portion, the locking claw portion is released from the front side to the rear side in the fitting direction of the second connector. A tapered surface that is inclined in the direction is provided, and the first connector faces the tapered surface and faces the tapered surface, and the locking direction of the locking claw portion is directed from the front side to the rear side in the fitting direction of the second connector. A pressing inclined surface that inclines toward is provided, and the locking claw portion that is locked to the second locking step portion is brought into contact with the pressing inclined surface by the elastic urging force of the spring, so that the taper is tapered. The connector fitting structure according to (1) or (2) above, which is pressed against a surface.

According to the connector fitting structure having the configuration of (4) above, by stopping the fitting operation in the halfway fitting state, the locking claw portion of the slider locked to the second locking step portion is elastically attached to the spring. It is brought into contact with the pressing inclined surface by force. Then, the component force of the reaction force acts as a pressing force on the locking claw portion, and the locking claw portion is pressed against the tapered surface. As a result, the component force of the pressing force from the locking claw that acts on the tapered surface is applied to the second connector as a repulsive force in the direction of disconnecting from the first connector, and the repulsive force due to the elastic urging force of the spring is supplemented. It is said. Therefore, even if the maximum fitting operation force is reduced by using a spring having a weak elastic force in order to improve the fitting operability, the repulsion required to suppress the halfway fitting regardless of the connector fitting length. Sufficient power can be secured. As a result, the fitting workability can be improved while maintaining a good semi-fitting prevention function.

According to the present invention, it is possible to smoothly suppress the halfway fitting state of the connectors, and to provide a connector fitting structure having good fitting workability.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through the embodiments described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings. ..

It is a perspective view of the female connector and the male connector which has the connector fitting structure which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the connector fitting structure which concerns on this 1st Embodiment. (C) is a sectional view taken along line BB in (a). It is an exploded perspective view of a female connector. It is a perspective view seen from the back surface side of a slider. It is an exploded perspective view of a male connector. It is a perspective view of the locking part provided in the male connector. It is a side view of the locking part provided in the male connector. It is a figure which shows the connector fitting state, (a) to (c) are the cross-sectional views of AA in (a) of FIG. 2, respectively. It is a figure which shows the connector fitting state, and (a)-(c) is an enlarged view of a part of (a)-(c) of FIG. 8, respectively. It is a figure which shows the connector fitting state, (a) to (c) are the BB cross-sectional views in (a) of FIG. 2, respectively. It is a figure which shows the connector fitting state, and (a)-(c) is an enlarged view of a part of (a)-(c) of FIG. 10, respectively. It is a graph which shows the fitting operation force required when fitting a male connector to a female connector. It is a perspective view of the locking part of the male connector which has the connector fitting structure which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the locking part of the male connector which has the connector fitting structure which concerns on this 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the locking part of the slider which has the connector fitting structure which concerns on this 2nd Embodiment, and the locking part. It is a perspective view of the locking part of the male connector which has the connector fitting structure which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the locking part of the male connector which has the connector fitting structure which concerns on this 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the locking state of the slider which has the connector fitting structure which concerns on this 3rd Embodiment, and the locking part, (a) and (b) are the locking part of the slider and the locking part, respectively. It is a cross-sectional view of. It is a perspective view of the slider mounting part of the female connector which has the connector fitting structure which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the locking part of the male connector which has the connector fitting structure which concerns on this 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the locking state of the slider which has the connector fitting structure which concerns on this 4th Embodiment, and the locking part, (a)-(c) are the locking part of the slider and the locking part, respectively. It is a cross-sectional view of. It is a figure which shows the locking state of the slider which has the connector fitting structure which concerns on this 4th Embodiment, and the locking part, (a) and (b) are the locking part of the slider and the locking part, respectively. It is a cross-sectional view of. It is a graph which shows the repulsive force acting on a male connector.

Hereinafter, examples of embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a female connector 20 and a male connector 70 having a connector fitting structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2A and 2B are views showing a connector fitting structure according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2A is a top view of a female connector 20 and a male connector 70 in a half-fitted state, and FIG. 2B is a top view. ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 2A.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a female connector (first connector) 20 having the connector fitting structure according to the first embodiment, and a male connector (second connector) 70 fitted to the female connector 20 Is used as an electric connector of an in-vehicle airbag system provided in an automobile or the like, and is a male / female connector having a semi-fitting prevention function.

The female connector 20 has a female housing 20a, and the male connector 70 has a male housing 70a. By inserting the male housing 70a of the male connector 70 into the female housing 20a of the female connector 20, the female connector 20 and the male connector 70 are fitted and connected to each other.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the female connector 20. FIG. 4 is a perspective view seen from the back surface side of the slider 31.
As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C and FIG. 3, the female connector 20 is formed of synthetic resin, and the fitting protrusion 21 protrudes inside the cylindrical female housing 20a. It is installed. Two terminal accommodating chambers 22 are formed in the fitting protrusion 21. Female terminals (connection terminals) 25 connected to the ends of the electric wires 23 are accommodated in these terminal accommodating chambers 22, and the electric wires 23 are pulled out from the rear ends of the female connectors 20. A waterproof plug (seal member) 24 attached to the electric wire 23 is fitted into the terminal accommodating chamber 22 from the rear end side of the female connector 20. As a result, the terminal accommodating chamber 22 of the female connector 20 accommodating the female terminal 25 is stopped.

The female terminal 25 is formed of, for example, a conductive metal material such as copper or a copper alloy, and is crimped and connected to the electric wire 23. The female terminal 25 has an electrical connection portion 26 formed in a tubular shape.

An annular sealing member 27 that seals the joint with the male connector 70 from the tip side is mounted on the fitting protrusion 21 of the female connector 20. Further, a front holder 28 molded from synthetic resin is attached to the fitting protrusion 21. Then, by assembling the front holder 28 to the fitting protrusion 21, the seal member 27 is held by the fitting protrusion 21, and further, the female terminal housed in the terminal accommodating chamber 22 of the fitting protrusion 21. The movement of 25 to the front side is restricted. Further, the fitting protrusion 21 is formed with a plate-shaped insulating plate portion 29 that protrudes forward in the fitting direction (right direction in FIG. 2) with the male connector 70.

The female connector 20 is formed with a slider mounting portion 30 on the upper portion thereof. A slider 31 and a spring 32 are mounted on the slider mounting portion 30.

The slider mounting portion 30 has a slider accommodating portion 34, and the slider 31 is accommodated in the slider accommodating portion 34. The slider mounting portion 30 is formed with concave guide grooves 35 for guiding both side portions of the slider 31 on both sides thereof. A tubular spring accommodating portion 36 is formed on the rear end side of these guide grooves 35, and a spring 32 made of a compression coil spring is accommodated in these spring accommodating portions 36.

A lock arm 40 is formed in the center of the slider mounting portion 30 along the fitting direction. The lock arm 40 is formed in a cantilever shape having a free end at the front end on the front side in the fitting direction. The lock arm 40 is formed with a lock claw 41 projecting downward at the lower portion of the tip thereof. Further, a displacement prevention protrusion 42 is provided so as to project above the tip of the lock arm 40. Further, a lock beak 43 that protrudes upward on the slider accommodating portion 34 side is formed at the base portion of the lock arm 40. The lock beak 43 constitutes an unlocking portion having an inclined surface 44. The inclined surface 44 is gradually inclined upward toward the rear side of the slider mounting portion 30. Further, in the slider mounting portion 30, slits 45 are formed on both sides of the lock arm 40.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slider 31 mounted on the slider mounting portion 30 is formed of synthetic resin and has a slider body 50 formed in a rectangular plate shape in a plan view. There is.
The tip of the slider body 50 is a displacement prevention portion 51. A window portion 52 is formed in the slider main body 50 of the slider 31 substantially in the center thereof, and the window portion 52 is provided with a flexible plate portion 53. The flexible plate portion 53 is formed in a U-shape in a plan view having a pair of arm portions 54 extending forward in the fitting direction and a connecting portion 55 connecting the tips of these arm portions 54 to each other. A slide groove 56 is formed between the arm portions 54 of the flexible plate portion 53. The flexible plate portion 53 is formed with a locking claw portion 57 projecting downward at the lower end of each arm portion 54. These locking claws 57 have a contact surface 58 on the front side in the fitting direction.
Further, the slider main body 50 is provided with an operation unit 61 at the rear end thereof. Further, spring receiving convex portions 62 are formed on both sides of the rear end of the slider main body 50.

The slider 31 is slidably accommodated in the slider accommodating portion 34 of the slider mounting portion 30 along the fitting direction with the male connector 70. Further, the spring 32 is housed in the spring accommodating portion 36 of the slider mounting portion 30 from one end side, and the other end of these springs 32 engages with the spring receiving convex portion 62 formed on the slider main body 50 of the slider 31. Will be done. As a result, the slider 31 accommodated in the slider accommodating portion 34 is elastically urged toward the front side in the fitting direction by the spring 32.

A lock beak 43 is engaged with the slide groove 56 of the slider main body 50 of the slider 31 housed in the slider accommodating portion 34, and the lock beak 43 prevents the slider 31 from coming off from the tip end side of the slider accommodating portion 34.

Then, in the slider 31 housed in the slider accommodating portion 34, the locking claw portion 57 formed at the lower tip of the flexible plate portion 53 is inserted into the slit 45 and displaced in the slit 45 along the fitting direction. It is possible.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the male connector 70. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the locking portion 85 provided on the male connector 70. FIG. 7 is a side view of the locking portion 85 provided on the male connector 70.
As shown in FIGS. 2A to 5C and FIG. 5, the male connector 70 is formed from a synthetic resin and has a cylindrical male housing 70a. Two terminal accommodating chambers 72 are formed in the male connector 70. Male terminals (connection terminals) 75 connected to the ends of the electric wires 73 are accommodated in these terminal accommodating chambers 72, and the electric wires 73 are pulled out from the rear ends of the male connectors 70. A waterproof plug (seal member) 74 attached to the electric wire 73 is fitted into the terminal accommodating chamber 72 from the rear end side of the male connector 70. As a result, the terminal accommodating chamber 72 of the male connector 70 accommodating the male terminal 75 is stopped.

The male terminal 75 is formed of, for example, a conductive metal material such as copper or a copper alloy, and is crimped and connected to the electric wire 73. The male terminal 75 has a tab 76 formed in a pin shape, and the tab 76 is arranged in the male housing 70a.

A front holder 78 molded from synthetic resin is assembled to the male connector 70 from the tip side to the front portion of the terminal accommodating chamber 72. Then, by assembling the front holder 78 to the front portion of the terminal accommodating chamber 72, the movement of the male terminal 75 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 72 to the front side is restricted.

Further, the male connector 70 supports a short terminal 81 at a position adjacent to the terminal accommodating chamber 72. The short terminal 81 is formed of, for example, a conductive metal material such as copper or a copper alloy, and is formed in a substantially U-shape in a side view having contacts 82. In the short terminal 81, the contacts 82 are in contact with each pair of male terminals 75 in a non-fitting state in which the female connector 20 is not fitted to the male connector 70. As a result, the male terminals 75 are electrically connected to each other at the short terminals 81, and for example, the circuit on the inflator side of the airbag system is short-circuited. As a result, for example, in the circuit on the inflator side, the warning light is turned on to warn that the female connector 20 is not properly fitted to the male connector 70.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the male connector 70 has a locking portion 85 and a locking portion 86 on the upper portion thereof.
The locking portion 85 has a pair of locking ridges 87 formed along the fitting direction with the female connector 20 (left direction in FIG. 7). These locking ridges 87 are arranged at the same interval as the slit 45 of the female connector 20, and enter into the slit 45 of the female connector 20 when the male connector 70 and the female connector 20 are fitted. In these locking ridges 87, a first locking step portion 91 and a second locking step portion 92 arranged in the fitting direction are formed in this order from the tip side, and the second locking step portion 92 is formed. , It protrudes upward from the first locking step portion 91. The first locking step portion 91 and the second locking step portion 92 can each come into contact with the contact surface 58 of the locking claw portion 57 formed on the flexible plate portion 53 of the slider 31. It has a locking surface 93 and a second locking surface 94.

The lock portion 86 is formed at the center position in the width direction in the upper part of the male connector 70, and is arranged on the rear end side of the male connector 70 with respect to the locking portion 85. The lock portion 86 projects from the upper surface of the male connector 70, and a guide surface 88 gradually inclined upward toward the rear end side of the male connector 70 is formed on the front side in the fitting direction.

Next, a case where the female connector 20 having the connector fitting structure and the male connector 70 are fitted will be described.
8 is a diagram showing a connector fitting state, and FIGS. 8A to 8C are cross-sectional views taken along the line AA in FIG. 2A. 9 is a diagram showing a connector fitting state, and FIGS. 9A to 9C are enlarged views of a part of FIGS. 8A to 8C, respectively. 10 is a diagram showing a connector fitting state, and FIGS. 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views taken along the line BB in FIG. 2A. 11 is a diagram showing a connector fitting state, and FIGS. 11A to 11C are enlarged views of a part of FIGS. 10A to 10C, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the male housing 70a of the male connector 70 is brought close to the female housing 20a of the female connector 20, and the male housing 70a of the male connector 70 is placed close to the female housing 20a of the female connector 20. Fit in. Then, the contact surface 58 of the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 provided on the female connector 20 is formed on the locking ridge 87 of the locking portion 85 of the male connector 70. It comes into contact with one locking surface 93 and is locked (see (b) of FIG. 2). As a result, the slider 31 is pushed toward the rear end side of the female connector 20 against the elastic urging force of the spring 32. In this half-fitted state, the tab 76 of the male terminal 75 is not inserted into the electrical connection portion 26 of the female terminal 25, and the male connector 70 receives a repulsive force formed by the elastic urging force of the spring 32 received from the slider 31. Therefore, when the fitting operation is stopped in this halfway fitting state, the male connector 70 is pushed back from the female connector 20 by the repulsive force received from the slider 31 and is detached.

As shown in (a) of FIG. 8 and (a) of FIG. 10, when the male connector 70 is further pushed into the female connector 20, the tip of the tab 76 of the male terminal 75 is brought into the electrical connection portion 26 of the female terminal 25. Will be inserted. Further, the slider 31 is further pushed toward the rear end side of the female connector 20, and the repulsive force that separates the male connector 70 from the female connector 20 increases. Then, when the fitting operation is stopped even in this halfway fitting state, the male connector 70 is pushed back from the female connector 20 by the repulsive force received from the slider 31 and is detached.

Further, when the slider 31 is pushed toward the rear end side of the female connector 20, as shown in FIG. 11A, the connecting portion 55 of the flexible plate portion 53 of the slider 31 becomes the lock beak 43 of the female connector 20. In contact with the inclined surface 44, the flexible plate portion 53 is elastically deformed and tilted upward. Then, as shown in FIG. 9A, the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 is displaced upward (in the locking release direction) to get over the first locking step portion 91 and with respect to the first locking surface 93. The contact surface 58 is unlocked. As a result, as shown in (b) of FIG. 8 and (b) of FIG. 10, the slider 31 moves toward the tip end side of the female connector 20 by the elastic urging force of the spring 32, and as shown in (b) of FIG. In addition, the contact surface 58 of the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 abuts on the second locking surface 94 of the second locking step portion 92 formed on the locking ridge 87 and is locked. Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the slider 31 moves toward the tip end side of the female connector 20, the connecting portion 55 of the slider 31 is separated from the lock beak 43. The flexible plate portion 53 of the slider 31 is maintained in a state of being tilted upward because the locking claw portion 57 rides on the first locking step portion 91.

Then, as the slider 31 moves toward the tip of the female connector 20, the spring 32 extends, and the repulsive force received by the male connector 70 from the slider 31 is temporarily weakened. Even in this halfway fitting state, the slider 31 is maintained in a state of being pushed toward the rear end side of the female connector 20 against the elastic urging force of the spring 32. Therefore, when the fitting operation is stopped, the male connector 70 is pushed back from the female connector 20 by the repulsive force formed by the elastic urging force of the spring 32 received from the slider 31 and is detached from the female connector 20.

When the male connector 70 is further pushed into the female connector 20, the tab 76 of the male terminal 75 is inserted into the electrical connection portion 26 of the female terminal 25. Further, the slider 31 is pushed again toward the rear end side of the female connector 20, the spring 32 is compressed, and the repulsive force formed by the elastic urging force of the spring 32 that separates the male connector 70 from the female connector 20 increases. Therefore, when the fitting operation is stopped even in this halfway fitting state, the male connector 70 is pushed back from the female connector 20 by the repulsive force formed by the elastic force of the spring 32 received from the slider 31 and is detached from the female connector 20.

As shown in (c) of FIG. 8 and (c) of FIG. 10, when the male connector 70 is further pushed against the female connector 20, the slider 31 is pushed toward the rear end side of the female connector 20. As shown in (c), the lock claw 41 of the lock arm 40 in the female connector 20 in contact with the guide surface 88 of the lock portion 86 in the male connector 70 locks the lock portion 86 by overcoming the lock portion 86. , Lock the male connector 70 with respect to the female connector 20.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), the connecting portion 55 of the flexible plate portion 53 of the slider 31 comes into contact with the inclined surface 44 of the lock beak 43 of the female connector 20 again, and the flexible plate portion 53 is elastically deformed. It is tilted upward. Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 is displaced upward to get over the second locking step portion 92, and the contact surface 58 with respect to the second locking surface 94 is engaged. The stop is released. As a result, the slider 31 is moved to the initial position on the tip side of the female connector 20 by the elastic urging force of the spring 32. Then, the displacement prevention portion 51 of the slider 31 enters above the displacement prevention protrusion 42 of the lock arm 40 that locks the lock portion 86, and the upward displacement of the lock arm 40 is restricted, and the female connector 20 and the male connector The perfect mating state with 70 is maintained.

Then, in this completely fitted state, the tab 76 of the male terminal 75 is inserted into the electrical connection portion 26 of the female terminal 25 and is electrically connected to each other. Further, the insulating plate portion 29 of the female connector 20 enters between the contact 82 of the short terminal 81 of the male connector 70 and the male terminal 75, and the short-circuit state between the male terminals 75 by the short terminal 81 is released. As a result, for example, in the circuit on the inflator side, the warning light is turned off.

When the operation portion 61 of the slider 31 is pulled toward the rear end side of the female connector 20 and the slider 31 is moved toward the rear end side of the female connector 20 from this completely fitted state, the displacement prevention portion 51 of the slider 31 becomes a lock arm. It comes off from above the displacement prevention protrusion 42 of 40. As a result, the female connector 20 and the male connector 70 can be separated from each other.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the fitting operation force required for fitting the male connector 70 to the female connector 20, and the broken line shows the fitting operation force of the conventional connector fitting structure having one locking step portion. Shown and the solid line shows the fitting operation force in the connector fitting structure of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the conventional connector fitting structure (broken line in FIG. 12) in which the slider 31 is locked by one locking step, the slider 31 is completely fitted in the locking step. The repulsive force from the spring 32 increases up to the position (the position of P1 in FIG. 12) in the combined state. Therefore, the fitting operation force required to fit the male connector to the female connector continuously increases to the position where the complete fitting state is reached, and the fitting workability is not good.

On the other hand, in the connector fitting structure (solid line in FIG. 12) according to the first embodiment, the slider 31 locked to the first locking step portion 91 is disengaged from the first locking step portion 91. The repulsive force generated by the spring 32 is temporarily reduced at the position where the lock is switched to the second locking step portion 92 (the position of the position P2 in FIG. 12). Therefore, the maximum fitting operation force for completely fitting the male connector 70 to the female connector 20 can be reduced.

As described above, according to the connector fitting structure according to the first embodiment,
When the female connector 20 and the male connector 70 are fitted together, the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 locked to the first locking step portion 91 is engaged by the inclined surface 44 of the lock beak 43 which is the unlocking portion. By switching to locking at the second locking step portion 92 according to the displacement in the stop release direction, the slider 31 is displaced to the front side in the fitting direction. As a result, the repulsive force due to the spring 32 when the female connector 20 and the male connector 70 are fitted is weakened during the fitting without continuously increasing until the fitting is completed, and the fitting workability can be improved. can.

Next, the connector fitting structure according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the locking portion 85A of the male connector 70A having the connector fitting structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a side view of the locking portion 85A of the male connector 70A having the connector fitting structure according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a locking portion between the slider 31 having the connector fitting structure and the locking portion 85A according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in the connector fitting structure according to the second embodiment, the first locking surface 93 of the first locking step 91 and the second locking of the second locking step 92 The surface 94A is along the contact surface 58 of the locking claw portion 57 provided on the flexible plate portion 53 of the slider 31 that is tilted upward by the inclined surface 44 of the lock beak 43. As a result, the slider 31 is locked with the contact surface 58 in surface contact with the first locking surface 93 and the second locking surface 94A.

Therefore, the slider 31 is locked to the first locking step portion 91 without the flexible plate portion 53 being tilted upward by the inclined surface 44, but when it is locked to the second locking step portion 92. Is tilted upward by the inclined surface 44. Therefore, in the connector fitting structure of the second embodiment, in the locking portion 85A of the male connector 70A, the second locking step portion 92 is formed with respect to the first locking surface 93 of the first locking step portion 91. The second locking surface 94A is tilted. Specifically, the second locking surface 94A is inclined upward toward the tip end side of the male connector 70A with respect to the first locking surface 93. The inclination angle θ of the second locking surface 94A is matched with the inclination angle of the contact surface 58 of the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 when locked to the second locking step portion 92. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, when the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 is locked to the second locking surface 94A of the second locking step portion 92, the contact surface 58 is second locked. Surface contact with surface 94A. As a result, not only the first locking step 91 but also the second locking step 92 can be locked by ensuring that the locking claws 57 of the slider 31 are in surface contact with each other.

As described above, in the connector fitting structure according to the second embodiment, the contact surface 58 of the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 is a surface that is not tilted with respect to the first locking surface 93 and the second locking surface 94A. By being brought into contact with each other, the slider 31 can be reliably locked by the first locking surface 93 and the second locking surface 94A.

(Third Embodiment)
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a locking portion 85B of a male connector 70B having a connector fitting structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a side view of the locking portion 85B of the male connector 70B having the connector fitting structure according to the third embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a locked state between the slider 31 and the locking portion 85B of the connector fitting structure according to the third embodiment, and FIGS. 18A and 18B are the sliders 31, respectively. It is sectional drawing of the locking portion between the locking portion 85B and the locking portion 85B.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, in the connector fitting structure according to the third embodiment, in the locking portion 85B of the male connector 70B, the first locking step portion 91 and the second locking step portion 92 are A tapered surface 95 is provided between them. The tapered surface 95 is inclined in the locking direction (downward in FIG. 17) of the locking claw portion 57 from the front side to the rear side in the fitting direction (left direction in FIG. 17) of the male connector 70B. ing.

In the connector fitting structure according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18A, the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 locked to the first locking step portion 91 is the first engaging portion. When it comes off from the stop step portion 91, as shown in FIG. 18B, it is displaced along the tapered surface 95 and locked to the second locking step portion 92.

According to the connector fitting structure according to the third embodiment, the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 can be smoothly guided from the first locking step portion 91 to the second locking step portion 92 by the tapered surface 95. .. Further, between the first locking step portion 91 and the second locking step portion 92, the male connector 70B is inclined in the locking direction of the locking claw portion 57 from the front side to the rear side in the fitting direction. By providing the tapered surface 95, it is possible to surely secure the hooking allowance of the locking claw portion 57, suppress the upward protrusion dimension of the second locking step portion 92, and suppress the bulkiness of the outer shape of the connector.

In the connector fitting structure according to the third embodiment, it is preferable that the tapered surface 95 side of the locking claw portion 57 guided along the tapered surface 95 is inclined to be equal to or larger than the inclination angle of the tapered surface 95. In this way, when the locking claw portion 57 is locked to the second locking step portion 92, the lower end of the contact surface 58 of the locking claw portion 57 is brought as close as possible to the lower end of the second locking surface 94. , The hooking allowance of the contact surface 58 with respect to the second locking surface 94 can be made as large as possible.

(Fourth Embodiment)
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a slider mounting portion 30 of a female connector 20C having a connector fitting structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the locking portion 85C of the male connector 70C having the connector fitting structure according to the fourth embodiment. 21 is a diagram showing a locked state between a slider 31 having a connector fitting structure and a locking portion 85C according to the fourth embodiment, and FIGS. 21A to 21C are sliders, respectively. It is sectional drawing of the locking part of 31 and the locking part 85C. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a locked state between the slider 31 having the connector fitting structure according to the fourth embodiment and the locking portion 85C, and FIGS. 22A and 22B are sliders, respectively. It is sectional drawing of the locking part of 31 and the locking part 85C.

As shown in FIG. 19, in the connector fitting structure according to the fourth embodiment, the beam portion 100 is provided on the slider mounting portion 30 of the female connector 20C. The beam portion 100 is arranged in the width direction in the upper portion of the slider accommodating portion 34.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20, in the locking portion 85C of the male connector 70C, a tapered surface 96 is provided between the first locking step portion 91 and the second locking step portion 92. The tapered surface 96 is inclined in the unlocking direction (upward in FIG. 21) of the locking claw portion 57 from the front side to the rear side in the fitting direction (left direction in FIG. 21) of the male connector 70C. is doing.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21A, the beam portion 100 provided on the female connector 20C is engaged with the beam portion 100 facing the tapered surface 96 from the front side to the rear side in the fitting direction of the male connector 70C. A pressing inclined surface 101 that inclines in the locking direction (downward in FIG. 21) of the claw portion 57 is provided.

In the connector fitting structure according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21A, the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 locked to the first locking step portion 91 is first locked. When it comes off from the step portion 91, as shown in FIG. 21 (b), it is displaced along the tapered surface 96 and is locked to the second locking step portion 92. When the fitting operation is stopped in this halfway fitting state, the male connector 70C receives a repulsive force formed by the elastic urging force of the spring 32 from the slider 31 and is pushed back from the female connector 20C. At this time, in the slider 31 in which the locking claw portion 57 is locked to the second locking step portion 92, as shown in FIG. 21 (c), the tip portion of the flexible plate portion 53 presses the beam portion 100. It comes into contact with the inclined surface 101. Then, the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 is pressed against the tapered surface 96 of the locking portion 85C in the male connector 70C by the pressing force consisting of the component force of the reaction force received from the contact portion with the pressing inclined surface 101. When the locking claw portion 57 is pressed against the tapered surface 96 formed of the inclined surface in this way, the component force of the pressing force is applied to the male connector 70C as a repulsive force acting in the direction of disconnecting from the female connector 20C.

After that, as shown in FIG. 22 (a), the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 slides on the tapered surface 96 when the male connector 70C is pushed back from the female connector 20C, and the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 slides on the tapered surface 96, and the male connector 70C slides back to the female connector 20C. As shown, it is returned to the first locking stage 91 side.

Here, FIG. 23 is a graph showing the repulsive force acting on the male connector, the broken line shows the repulsive force in the conventional connector fitting structure having one locking step portion, and the solid line shows the fourth embodiment. The repulsive force in the connector fitting structure of is shown, and the alternate long and short dash line shows the repulsive force required to suppress the semi-fitting.

As shown in FIG. 23, in the conventional connector fitting structure (broken line in FIG. 23) in which the slider 31 is locked by one locking step, the repulsive force from the spring 32 is substantially proportional to the fitting position. To work. Therefore, if the maximum fitting operation force is reduced by using a weak spring 32 in order to improve the fitting operability, in the initial fitting region where the connector fitting length is short, the halfway fitting is suppressed. It may be less than the required repulsive force (one-dot chain line in FIG. 23).

On the other hand, in the connector fitting structure (solid line in FIG. 23) according to the fourth embodiment, the slider 31 is locked to the second locking step 92 from the position in the completely fitted state (P1 in FIG. 23). The repulsive force due to the elastic urging force of the spring 32 acts substantially in proportion between the positions (P2 in FIG. 23). Further, the position where the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 is returned to the first locking step portion 91 side from the position where the slider 31 abuts on the pressing inclined surface 101 of the beam portion 100 (P2 in FIG. 23) (P3 in FIG. 23). ), The locking claw portion 57 pushed down by the pressing inclined surface 101 is pressed against the tapered surface 96, so that a repulsive force acting on the tapered surface 96 is applied. Therefore, the repulsive force due to the spring 32, which decreases substantially proportionally, is supplemented. Then, at the position where the locking claw portion 57 of the slider 31 is returned to the first locking step portion 91 side (the region at the initial stage of fitting less than P3 in FIG. 23), the repulsive force by the spring 32 acts in substantially proportional manner again. do.

That is, according to the connector fitting structure according to the fourth embodiment, even if the maximum fitting operation force is reduced by using the spring 32 having a weak elastic force in order to improve the fitting operability, the connector fitting length Regardless of this, the repulsive force (one-dot chain line in FIG. 23) required to suppress the halfway fitting can be sufficiently secured. As a result, the fitting workability can be improved while maintaining a good semi-fitting prevention function.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified, improved, and the like. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

Here, the features of the above-described embodiment of the connector fitting structure according to the present invention are briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [4], respectively.
[1] A first connector (female connector 20, 20C) and a second connector (male connector 70, 70A, 70B, 70C) having connection terminals (female terminal 25, male terminal 75) are provided, and the first connector (male connector 70, 70A, 70B, 70C) is provided. The connector fitting structure is such that the connection terminals (female terminal 25, male terminal 75) are electrically connected to each other by fitting the female connector 20) and the second connector (male connector 70) to each other.
The first connector (female connector 20) is
A locking claw portion (57) is provided on a locking portion (85) provided so as to be slidable along the mating direction with the second connector (male connector 70) and provided on the second connector (male connector 70). The slider (31) is moved from the initial position on the front side in the mating direction to the rear side by being locked.
A spring (32) that elastically biases the slider (31) to the front side in the fitting direction, and
The locking claw portion (57) is locked to the locking portion (85) as the slider (31) moves to the rear side in the fitting direction with respect to the first connector (female connector 20). It has an unlocking portion (inclined surface 44 of the lock beak 43) that is displaced in the unlocking direction.
The locking portion (85) is
The first locking step portion (91) and the second locking step portion (92) arranged in order from the front side in the fitting direction of the second connector (male connector 70) with respect to the first connector (female connector 20). Have,
The locking position of the locking claw portion (57) is changed from the first locking step portion (91) to the locking position according to the displacement in the locking release direction by the locking release portion (inclined surface 44 of the lock beak 43). A connector fitting structure characterized in that it can be switched to the second locking step (92).
[2] The locking claw portion (57) of the slider (31) has a contact surface (58) on the front side in the fitting direction.
The first locking step portion (91) and the second locking step portion (92) are displaced in the unlocking direction by the unlocking portion (inclined surface 44 of the lock beak 43). ) Has a first locking surface (93) and a second locking surface (94) along the contact surface (58).
The slider (31) is locked by contacting the contact surface (58) with the first locking surface (93) and the second locking surface (94). 1] The connector fitting structure according to the above.
[3] Between the first locking step portion (91) and the second locking step portion (92), from the front side to the rear side in the fitting direction of the second connector (male connector 70B). A tapered surface (95) that is inclined toward the locking claw portion (57) in the locking direction is provided.
The locking claw portion (57) is provided along the tapered surface (95) when the locking position is switched from the first locking step portion (91) to the second locking step portion (92). The connector fitting structure according to the above [1] or [2], which is characterized by being displaced.
[4] The locking between the first locking step portion (91) and the second locking step portion (92) is directed from the front side to the rear side in the fitting direction of the second connector. A tapered surface (95) that inclines in the unlocking direction of the claw is provided.
The first connector (female connector 20) has a pressing inclination that is inclined in the locking direction of the locking claw portion from the front side to the rear side in the fitting direction of the second connector facing the tapered surface. A surface is provided,
The locking claw portion (57) locked to the second locking step portion (92) is brought into contact with the pressing inclined surface (101) by the elastic urging force of the spring (32). The connector fitting structure according to the above [1] or [2], which is pressed against the tapered surface (96).

20 ... Female connector (first connector)
25 ... Female terminal (connection terminal)
31 ... Slider 32 ... Spring 44 ... Inclined surface (unlocking part)
57 ... Locking claw 58 ... Contact surface 70 ... Male connector (second connector)
75 ... Male terminal (connection terminal)
85 ... Locking portion 91 ... First locking step portion 92 ... Second locking step portion

Claims (4)

It is a connector fitting structure that includes a first connector and a second connector having connection terminals, respectively, and the connection terminals are electrically connected to each other by fitting the first connector and the second connector to each other. hand,
The first connector is
It is provided so as to be slidable along the fitting direction with the second connector, and the locking claw portion is locked to the locking portion provided with the second connector, so that the initial position on the front side in the fitting direction is set. With a slider that moves backward from
A spring that elastically urges the slider to the front side in the fitting direction,
It has a locking / releasing portion that displaces the locking claw portion in the locking / releasing direction with respect to the locking portion as the slider moves to the rear side in the fitting direction with respect to the first connector. ,
The locking portion is
It has a first locking step and a second locking step arranged in order from the front side in the fitting direction of the second connector with respect to the first connector.
The locking claw portion is a connector characterized in that the locking position is switched from the first locking step portion to the second locking step portion according to the displacement in the unlocking direction by the locking release portion. Fitting structure. The locking claw portion of the slider has a contact surface on the front side in the fitting direction.
The first locking step and the second locking step are the first locking surface and the second locking along the contact surface of the slider, which is displaced in the unlocking direction by the unlocking portion. Has a face,
The connector fitting structure according to claim 1, wherein the slider is locked by surface contact of the contact surface with the first locking surface and the second locking surface. The first locking step portion and the second locking step portion are inclined in the locking direction of the locking claw portion from the front side to the rear side in the fitting direction of the second connector. A tapered surface is provided,
1. The locking claw portion is characterized in that it is displaced along the tapered surface when the locking position is switched from the first locking step portion to the second locking step portion. The connector fitting structure according to claim 2. Between the first locking step portion and the second locking step portion, the locking claw portion is inclined in the unlocking direction from the front side to the rear side in the fitting direction of the second connector. A tapered surface is provided to
The first connector is provided with a pressing inclined surface that faces the tapered surface and is inclined in the locking direction of the locking claw portion from the front side to the rear side in the fitting direction of the second connector.
A claim characterized in that the locking claw portion locked to the second locking step portion is pressed against the tapered surface by being brought into contact with the pressing inclined surface by the elastic urging force of the spring. The connector fitting structure according to claim 1 or 2.

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