JP7359443B2 - connector device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector device.

Connector devices are known that include a base connector and a socket connector that are fixed to a circuit board. In such a connector device, a configuration is disclosed in which the connection state between the base connector and the socket connector is maintained by engaging the lock arm and the latch portion (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the connector device of Patent Document 1, the lock arm provided on the socket housing of the socket connector extends in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board. Further, the latch portion provided on the base housing of the base connector is configured to engage with the hook portion provided at the tip of the lock arm in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board. Thereby, the connector device of Patent Document 1 is configured to maintain the connection state between the base connector and the socket connector.

The lock arm shown in Patent Document 1 has a force point part provided at the upper end of the lock arm and operated when unlocking, a hook part provided at the lower end of the lock arm, and a space between the force point part and the hook part. A fulcrum is provided. The lock arm is configured in a seesaw shape that rotates around the fulcrum, and when the force point is pressed, the lock arm rotates around the fulcrum, and the hook part moves in the direction in which the force is pressed. By moving in the opposite direction, the engagement between the latch part and the hook part is released. Thereby, the connector device of Patent Document 1 is configured to maintain the connection state between the base connector and the socket connector.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-27532

However, in the connector device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the lock arm extends in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board, so if an attempt is made to reduce the height of the connector device, the length of the lock arm that functions as a spring becomes shorter. Therefore, when the short lock arm is operated to disengage from the latch, sufficient elasticity is not obtained, making it difficult to operate the lock arm, and the lock arm may break or become plastically deformed. It may get damaged. On the other hand, if the length of the lock arm is increased in the direction perpendicular to the circuit board, it is impossible to reduce the height of the connector device.

In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a connector device that can reduce the height of the connector device while ensuring the spring length of the lock arm.

A connector device of the present invention is a connector device including a base housing having a base-side engaging portion, a base connector fixed to a circuit board, and a socket connector connected to the base connector, the connector device comprising: The connector includes a socket housing connected to the base housing, and the socket housing is connected to the base housing in a connected state, and the socket housing is arranged at a side surface of the socket housing with respect to a first direction perpendicular to the circuit board. A lock arm is provided that extends in a cantilevered manner from the side surface along a second vertical direction, and the lock arm has a base end portion that connects to the side surface and a distal end portion that is a free end side of the lock arm. and a socket-side engaging portion in which the tip portion engages with the base-side engaging portion, and an operating portion operable to release the socket-side engaging portion from engagement with the base-side engaging portion. It is equipped with

Moreover, it is preferable that the socket connector can be fitted to the base connector by moving in the first direction.

Further, the operating portion is provided on a first edge side far from the circuit board among both edges of the tip portion in the first direction, and the socket side engaging portion is provided on the first edge side of the tip portion in the first direction. Of both edges in one direction, the operating portion is provided on a second edge side closer to the circuit board in the first direction, and the operating portion is provided between the lock arm and the side surface facing the lock arm. a deflection prevention mechanism that limits deflection of the lock arm within a predetermined range such that the first edge of the lock arm approaches the side surface and the second edge of the lock arm separates from the side surface when the lock arm is operated toward the side surface; It is preferable to have the following.

Further, the deflection prevention mechanism includes an arm-side contact portion provided on the lock arm and a side-side contact portion provided on the side surface, and the arm-side contact portion and the side-side contact portion are preferably configured to face each other in the first direction and come into contact with each other when the operating section is operated toward the side surface.

Further, the socket connector can be fitted to the base connector by moving in the first direction, and the socket-side engaging portion allows the socket housing to separate from the base connector in the first direction. and a second engagement surface that prevents the socket connector from detaching from the base connector in the second direction, and the base-side engagement portion has a first engagement surface that prevents the In the connected state, a first engaged surface that engages the first engaging surface in the first direction, and a second engaged surface that engages the second engaging surface in the second direction. It is preferable to have.

Further, the socket connector can be fitted to the base connector in the first direction and the second direction, and the socket-side engaging portion is on a side closer to the circuit board in the first direction. It is preferable to have a first tapered portion provided and a second tapered portion provided on the fitting direction side of the fitting direction and detachment direction of the socket connector in the second direction.

According to the connector device of the present invention, the height of the connector device can be reduced while ensuring the spring length of the lock arm.

In the connector device of one embodiment of the present invention, it is a perspective view showing a state before a base connector and a socket connector are connected. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a connected state in which a base connector and a socket connector are connected in a connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of the base connector shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the socket connector shown in FIG. 1; 5 is a perspective view of the socket connector seen from a different angle from FIG. 4. FIG. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the socket connector. It is a front view of a socket connector. FIG. 3 is a reference diagram showing a state in which the lock arm is twisted. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the base-side engaging portion of the base connector and the socket-side engaging portion of the socket connector are engaged. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the operating section of the lock arm is slightly operated from the state shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the operating portion of the lock arm is further operated from the state shown in FIG. 10, and the socket-side engaging portion of the socket connector and the base-side engaging portion of the base connector are disengaged. FIG. It is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the deflection prevention mechanism. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a modification of the socket-side engaging portion. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a modification of the socket-side engaging portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the embodiment shown below is an example to the last, and the connector device of this invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector device 1 of the present embodiment includes a base housing 21 having a base-side engaging portion E1, a base connector 2 fixed to the circuit board S, and a base connector 2 fixed to the circuit board S. It is provided with a socket connector 3 to be connected. In this embodiment, the socket connector 3 is provided with the electric wire W, and the connector device 1 is configured to connect the base connector 2 fixed to the circuit board S and the socket connector 3 provided with the electric wire W. Configured as a connector. In this embodiment, the socket connector 3 is configured so that it can be fitted in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board S toward the base connector 2, as shown in FIGS. may be fitted in the horizontal direction (second direction D2 described later) toward the base connector 2.

Note that in this specification, a direction perpendicular to the circuit board S is referred to as a first direction D1, and a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 is referred to as a second direction D2. The first direction D1 can also be referred to as the height direction of the connector device 1, and in this embodiment, the first direction D1 can also be referred to as the fitting direction of the socket housing 31. The second direction D2 is not particularly limited as long as it is perpendicular to the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the second direction D2 is the direction in which the terminals 32 of the socket connector 3 extend (see FIG. 6). This is the front-rear direction that connects the portion 31a and the rear portion 31b of the socket housing 31 from which the electric wire W is led out. Further, a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is referred to as a third direction D3. In this embodiment, the third direction D3 is the width direction of the socket housing 31 in which the plurality of terminals 32 (see FIG. 6) of the socket connector 3 are arranged adjacent to each other. Note that the state in which the socket housing 31 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the base housing 21 is referred to as a connected state.

The base connector 2 is a connector fixed to the surface of the circuit board S, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The base connector 2 includes a base housing 21 and a plurality of terminals 22, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The terminal 22 is made of a conductive metal material. The terminals 22 are configured by metal pieces that protrude from the base housing 21 in the second direction D2 and are arranged spaced apart from each other in the third direction D3. One end of the terminal 22 protrudes from the base housing 21 to one side in the second direction D2, and the other end of the terminal 22 is connected to the circuit board S by, for example, soldering. Although the shape of the terminal 22 is not particularly limited, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the terminal 22 is formed into a substantially rectangular thin plate shape with the third direction D3 being the thickness direction.

The base housing 21 is fixed to the circuit board S and connected to the socket housing 31. The base housing 21 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

The shape and structure of the base housing 21 are not particularly limited as long as it can be connected to the socket housing 31 and has a base-side engaging portion E1 described below. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the base housing 21 has a terminal 22, a wall portion 211 extending in the third direction D3, and a wall portion 211 extending from both ends of the wall portion 211 in the third direction D3. It includes a pair of side walls 212, 212 extending in two directions D2. The base housing 21 as a whole is formed in a substantially C-shape (in top view) with an opening on one side in the second direction D2, and a part of the socket housing 31 is provided inside the wall portion 211 and the pair of side walls 212, 212. A housing recess is formed in which the housing can be accommodated. Although the base housing 21 does not have a bottom between the pair of side walls 212, 212 in this embodiment, it may have other parts such as a bottom.

The base housing 21 has a base-side engaging portion E1 that engages with the socket-side engaging portion E2 of the socket housing 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the base-side engaging portion E1 engages with the socket-side engaging portion E2 in the connected state to prevent the socket connector 3 from separating from the base connector 2. The position where the base-side engaging part E1 is provided is not particularly limited as long as it can engage with the socket-side engaging part E2, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the position where the socket-side engaging part E2 is provided. . In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the socket-side engaging portion E2 protrudes toward the outside of the socket housing 31 in the third direction D3, and the base-side engaging portion E1 It is provided on the inner surfaces of a pair of sandwiched side walls 212, 212.

The structure of the base-side engaging portion E1 is not particularly limited as long as it can engage with the socket-side engaging portion E2 and prevent the socket connector 3 from separating from the base connector 2. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the base-side engaging portion E1 has a first surface that engages in a first direction D1 with a first engaging surface E21 of a socket-side engaging portion E2, which will be described later, in the connected state. 1 engaged surface E11. Thereby, the socket connector 3 can be prevented from detaching from the base connector 2 in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the first engaged surface E11 is a flat surface extending perpendicularly to the first direction D1. In the present embodiment, the base-side engaging portion E1 has a second engaged surface E12 that engages in a second direction D2 with a second engaging surface E22 of a socket-side engaging portion E2, which will be described later, in the connected state. have. Thereby, the socket connector 3 can be prevented from detaching from the base connector 2 in the second direction D2. The second engaged surface E12 is a flat surface extending perpendicularly to the second direction D2. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the first engaged surface E11 and the second engaged surface E12 are provided in a recess formed in the side wall 212.

The socket connector 3 is connected to the base connector 2. In this embodiment, the socket connector 3 can be fitted to the base connector 2 by moving in the first direction D1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, the socket connector 3 includes a socket housing 31 connected to the base housing 21, a plurality of terminals 32 (see FIG. 6) housed in the socket housing 31, and a plurality of terminals 32 connected to the terminals 32 and connected to the socket housing 31. A plurality of electric wires W are led out. The terminal 32 is made of a conductive metal material. The terminals 32 are arranged in the third direction D3 in the socket housing 31, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. The shape of the terminal 32 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, each of the terminals 32 is arranged in a first direction, as shown in FIG. It is composed of a pair of metal pieces spaced apart in three directions D3. The electric wire W is connected to each terminal 32 and led out from the socket housing 31 in the second direction D2.

Socket housing 31 is connected to base housing 21, as shown in FIG. The socket housing 31 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The shape of the socket housing 31 is not particularly limited as long as it can accommodate the terminals 32 and connect to the base housing 21. In this embodiment, the socket housing 31 is formed to have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape except for a lock arm 33, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the socket housing 31 has a top surface US and a bottom surface BS that face each other in the first direction D1, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The socket housing 31 has four side surfaces LS1, LS2, LS3, and LS4 between the top surface US and the bottom surface BS of the socket housing 31 (see FIGS. 4 to 6). Among the four side surfaces LS1 to LS4, a wire lead-out hole (not shown) is formed in the side surface (rear surface) LS3 from which the wire W is led out. Furthermore, among the four side surfaces LS1 to LS4, the terminal 22 of the base connector 2 passes through the side surface (front surface) LS4, which is the opposite side to the rear surface LS3 in the second direction D2. A side opening OP1 is formed for this purpose. This side opening OP1 communicates with a bottom opening OP2 formed in the bottom surface BS at a portion where the front surface LS4 and the bottom surface BS intersect. When the socket housing 31 is moved in the first direction D1 toward the base housing 21, the plate-shaped terminal 22 of the base housing 21 passes through the side opening OP1 and the bottom opening OP2, and moves the socket housing 31 toward the base housing. 21 can be fitted. Moreover, when the socket housing 31 has the side opening OP1 and the bottom opening OP2, it is also possible to fit the socket housing 31 from the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, as described later.

The socket housing 31 has a lock arm 33, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the lock arm 33 is cantilevered from the side surfaces LS1, LS2 along the second direction D2 at the side surfaces LS1, LS2 of the socket housing 31 in the connected state (see FIG. 2). It extends to the ceremony. The lock arm 33 has a base end 33a that is connected to the side surfaces LS1 and LS2, and a tip end 33b that is the free end side of the lock arm 33. The tip portion 33b includes a socket-side engaging portion E2 that engages with the base-side engaging portion E1, and an operating portion 331 that can be operated to release the socket-side engaging portion E2 from the base-side engaging portion E1. It is equipped with

The lock arm 33 prevents the socket connector 3 from detaching from the base connector 2 by engaging the socket-side engaging portion E2 provided on the lock arm 33 with the base-side engaging portion E1. The lock arm 33 is an elastically deformable plate spring-like part, and is elastically deformed in the process of the socket side engaging part E2 engaging with the base side engaging part E1, and is When releasing the engagement with the joint portion E1, it is elastically deformed by operating the operating portion 331.

In this embodiment, the lock arm 33 is provided on each of a pair of opposing side surfaces LS1 and LS2 that connect the front surface LS4 and the rear surface LS3 of the socket housing 31. However, the lock arm 33 only needs to be oriented toward at least one side of the socket housing 31. For example, on the side surface LS1, the lock arm 33 engages with the base housing 21, and on the side surface LS2, which faces the side surface LS1, the lock arm 33 is not provided, and the base housing 21 is engaged with the base housing 21 by an engagement structure such as another engagement protrusion. It may be configured to engage with.

In this embodiment, the lock arm 33 is formed into a plate shape having a predetermined width in the first direction D1, and extends in the second direction D2 along the side surfaces LS1 and LS2, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. ing. Specifically, the dimension (width) of the lock arm 33 in the first direction D1 is longer than the dimension (thickness) in the third direction D3, and the dimension (longitudinal length) in the second direction D2 is longer than the dimension (thickness) in the third direction D3. It is longer than the dimension (width) in one direction D1. The lock arm 33 has a first edge ED1 that is far from the circuit board S in the first direction D1, and a second edge ED2 that is close to the circuit board S in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the width of the lock arm 33 in the first direction D1 (the length from the first edge ED1 to the second edge ED2) is almost the same, except for the tip 33b of the lock arm 33, and In the portion 33b, the operating portion 331 protrudes in a direction away from the circuit board S in the first direction D1 from the first edge ED1 excluding the tip portion 33b. Although the length of the lock arm 33 in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2) is not particularly limited, it is formed to be approximately the same length as the length of the side surfaces LS1 and LS2 in the second direction D2.

The base end 33a of the lock arm 33 is a part connected to the side surfaces LS1 and LS2 at one end in the length direction of the lock arm 33, and the lock arm 33 is supported in a cantilevered state by the base end 33a. . In this embodiment, the base end portion 33a is connected to the rear surface LS3 side in the second direction D2 among the side surfaces LS1 and LS2, but as described later, the base end portion 33a is connected to the front surface LS4 side among the side surfaces LS1 and LS2. It's okay.

The distal end portion 33b of the lock arm 33 is a predetermined region on the opposite side (free end side) of the base end portion 33a in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2) of the lock arm 33. The distal end portion 33b includes the socket-side engaging portion E2 and the operating portion 331, as described above. The inner surface of the tip portion 33b facing the side surfaces LS1 and LS2 is arranged in the third direction with respect to the side surfaces LS1 and LS2 both in the state before a load is applied to the lock arm 33 (the state shown in FIG. 1) and in the connected state. A predetermined gap is formed at D3.

The socket-side engaging portion E2 prevents the socket connector 3 from detaching from the base connector 2 by engaging with the base-side engaging portion E1. The position where the socket-side engaging portion E2 is provided is not particularly limited as long as it is the distal end portion 33b of the lock arm 33. In this embodiment, the socket-side engaging portion E2 is provided on the outer surface of the tip portion 33b (the surface opposite to the inner surface facing the side surfaces LS1 and LS2); Good too. Note that when the socket-side engaging portion E2 protrudes inward from the inner surface of the tip portion 33b in the third direction D3 (protrudes on the opposite side from FIG. (In this embodiment, a bottom surface is not provided), and a base-side engaging portion capable of engaging with the socket-side engaging portion E2 protruding from the inner surface of the tip portion 33b may be provided on the bottom surface.

The structure of the socket side engaging part E2 is not particularly limited as long as it can prevent the socket connector 3 from separating from the base connector 2 by engaging with the base side engaging part E1. In this embodiment, the socket-side engaging portion E2 is a first engaging member that prevents the socket connector 3 from disengaging from the base connector 2 in the first direction D1, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7. It has a surface E21. The first engaging surface E21 engages with the first engaged surface E11 of the base-side engaging portion E1 in the connected state (see FIG. 9). Thereby, the socket connector 3 can be prevented from detaching from the base connector 2 in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the first engagement surface E21 is a flat surface that extends perpendicularly to the first direction D1 in the socket side engagement portion E2 provided at the distal end portion 33b of the lock arm 33.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the socket-side engaging portion E2 has a second engaging surface that prevents the socket connector 3 from disengaging from the base connector 2 in the second direction D2, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. It has E22. Thereby, the socket connector 3 can be prevented from detaching from the base connector 2 in the second direction D2. In this embodiment, the second engagement surface E22 is a flat surface that extends perpendicularly to the second direction D2 in the socket side engagement portion E2 provided at the distal end portion 33b of the lock arm 33.

In this embodiment, the socket-side engaging portion E2 has a first engaging surface E21 and a first engaging surface E21 that respectively engage both the first engaged surface E11 and the second engaged surface E12 of the base-side engaging portion E1. 2 engagement surfaces E22. In this case, it is possible to prevent the socket connector 3 from detaching from the base connector 2 in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 with a simple structure.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, the socket-side engaging portion E2 has a tapered portion T provided on the side closer to the circuit board S in the first direction D1. ing. When the socket connector 3 moves in the first direction D1 toward the base connector 2 and is fitted, the tapered portion T contacts a part of the base connector 2 and moves the lock arm 33 to the base end 33a. It is elastically deformed using the fulcrum. In this embodiment, the tapered portion T of the socket-side engaging portion E2 contacts the base-side contact portion 212a (see FIGS. 1 and 3) of the side wall 212 of the base housing 21, and the socket housing 31 further extends in the first direction D1. When pushed in, the tip portion 33b of the lock arm 33 is elastically deformed due to the action of the tapered portion T so as to approach the side surfaces LS1 and LS2. When the socket-side engaging portion E2 reaches the position of the recess formed in the side wall 212 of the base housing 21, the socket-side engaging portion E2 enters the recess due to the restoring force of the lock arm 33 and engages with the base-side engaging portion E1. The socket side engaging portion E2 engages with the socket side engaging portion E2. Note that the base side contact portion 212a may be inclined in the same direction as the tapered portion T in order to facilitate fitting of the socket connector 3 to the base connector 2.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base end 33a of the lock arm 33 is located on the rear surface LS3 side of the side surfaces LS1 and LS2, and the socket side engaging portion E2 is located on the rear surface LS3 side of the side surfaces LS1 and LS2. , is located on the front LS4 side in LS2. In this case, for example, when the electric wire W is routed downward in FIG. 2, a force that lowers the rear part 31b side (rear surface LS3 side) of the socket housing 31 with respect to the front part 31a side (front surface LS4 side) is generated. In this case, the socket housing 31 becomes more difficult to come off from the base housing 21. As a modified example, the base end 33a of the lock arm 33 may be located on the front surface LS4 side on the side surfaces LS1 and LS2, and the socket side engaging portion E2 may be located on the rear surface LS3 side on the side surfaces LS1 and LS2. good. In this case, for example, when the electric wire W is routed upward in FIG. 2, a force that raises the rear part 31b side (rear surface LS3 side) of the socket housing 31 relative to the front part 31a side (front surface LS4 side) is generated. In this case, the socket housing 31 becomes more difficult to come off from the base housing 21.

The operating portion 331 is provided at the tip portion 33b of the lock arm 33, and when pressed, displaces the tip portion 33b of the lock arm 33 in a predetermined direction to engage the base side engagement portion E2 of the socket side engagement portion E2. The lock on section E1 is released. The shape of the operating part 331 is such that it can be pressed to displace the tip 33b of the lock arm 33 in a predetermined direction and release the lock of the socket-side engaging part E2 to the base-side engaging part E1. , not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the operating portion 331 is formed thicker than the other portions of the lock arm 33 except for the operating portion 331 (and the socket-side engaging portion E2). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the operating section 331 protrudes outward in the third direction D3 with respect to a portion of the lock arm 33 other than the operating section 331, so that the operating section 331 can be easily placed with a finger during a pressing operation. A stepped portion is formed on the surface.

As will be described later, the operating portion 331 is provided on the first edge ED1 side in the first direction D1 at the distal end portion 33b. More specifically, the operating portion 331 protrudes in the direction away from the circuit board S in the first direction D1 than the first edge ED1 in the portion closer to the proximal end 33a than the distal end 33b. In the connected state shown in FIG. 2, the operating portion 331 protrudes above the upper end 212b of the side wall 212 of the base housing 21 so as to be pressable in the third direction D3.

As described above, the connector device 1 of the present embodiment includes the lock arm 33 extending in a cantilevered manner along the second direction D2 from the side surfaces LS1 and LS2, and the distal end portion 33b of the lock arm 33 is connected to the socket side engaging portion. E2 and an operation section 331. In this case, the lock arm 33 extends in the second direction D2, which is a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1, which is the height direction of the connector device 1 from the circuit board S. In this embodiment, since the lock arm 33 extends in a cantilevered manner from the base end 33a, unlike the seesaw-shaped lock arm 33 as in Patent Document 1, the length of the portion functioning as a spring is set to the side surface LS1, It can be made as long as the length of LS2 in the second direction D2. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the height of the connector device 1 and to ensure a sufficient length of the elastically deformable lock arm 33. Therefore, when engaging the base-side engaging portion E1 and the socket-side engaging portion E2, or when engaging the base-side engaging portion E1 and the socket-side engaging portion E2, operate the operating portion 331. When releasing, the lock arm 33 is easily bent, and the engagement and disengagement operations are facilitated. Moreover, in the case of the connector device 1 of this embodiment, the lock arm is prevented from breaking or plastically deforming, as in the case of a lock arm that extends in the first direction D1 and has a short length. In this way, in the connector device 1 of this embodiment, the lock arm 33 is less likely to be damaged even if the stroke (displacement amount in the third direction D3) of the lock arm 33 is increased. Therefore, it is possible to increase the engagement length in the third direction D3 between the base-side engaging portion E1 and the socket-side engaging portion E2, thereby enabling reliable locking, and increasing the strength against the routing of the electric wire W. .

As described above, in this embodiment, the operating portion 331 is provided on the first edge ED1 side of the tip portion 33b, and the socket side engaging portion E2 is provided on the first edge portion ED1 side of the tip portion 33b, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. It is provided on the second edge ED2 side of 33b. The lock arm 33 extends long in the second direction D2. In such a structure, when the operating portion 331 on the first edge ED1 side of the lock arm 33 is pressed, the lock arm 33 does not bend uniformly in the first direction D1 and moves in the direction indicated by the arrow A, as shown in FIG. There is a possibility that the base-side engaging portion E1 and the socket-side engaging portion E2 may not be disengaged from each other due to twisting in the direction shown in FIG. Therefore, in order to suppress such deflection of the lock arm 33, as shown in FIG. Preferably. This deflection prevention mechanism M is such that when the operating portion 331 is operated toward the side surfaces LS1 and LS2, the first edge portion ED1 of the lock arm 33 approaches the side surfaces LS1 and LS2, and the second edge portion ED2 approaches the side surfaces LS1 and LS2. The deflection of the lock arm 33 (see FIG. 8) that causes it to separate from the lock arm 33 is restricted to a predetermined range (see FIGS. 9 to 11). Therefore, when the operation part 331 is operated, a sufficient amount of displacement in the third direction D3 of the socket side engaging part E2 provided on the second edge ED2 side of the tip part 33b of the lock arm 33 is ensured. This makes it possible to ensure the disengagement between the base-side engaging portion E1 and the socket-side engaging portion E2.

Although the structure of the deflection prevention mechanism M is not limited to the illustrated structure, in this embodiment, the deflection prevention mechanism M includes an arm-side contact portion M1 provided on the lock arm 33 and side surfaces provided on the side surfaces LS1 and LS2. A side contact portion M2 is provided. The arm-side contact portion M1 and the side-side contact portion M2 are configured to face each other in the first direction D1 and come into contact with each other when the operating portion 331 is operated toward the side surfaces LS1 and LS2. In this case, even if a moment is generated in the lock arm 33 due to the operation of the operating portion 311 in the third direction D3, the arm side contact portion M1 and the side surface side contact portion M2 come into contact with each other in the first direction D1 ( (see FIG. 10), the lock arm 33 is restricted from being twisted any further. As a result, when the operating portion 331 is pressed, the deflection of the lock arm 33 is restricted to a predetermined range, and the arm-side contact portion M1 slides in the third direction D3 while being guided on the side-side contact portion M2. Therefore, the socket-side engaging portion E2 can be displaced in the third direction D3, and the disengagement between the base-side engaging portion E1 and the socket-side engaging portion E2 can be ensured.

In this embodiment, the arm-side contact portion M1 is provided on the inner surface of the tip portion 33b of the lock arm 33 at a protrusion P1 that protrudes in the third direction D3 toward the side surfaces LS1 and LS2. On the other hand, the side contact portion M2 is provided in a recess C1 that can accommodate the protrusion P1 having the arm side contact portion M1. A predetermined clearance is provided in the first direction D1 between the protrusion P1 having the arm-side contact portion M1 and the recess C1 in which the side-side contact portion M2 is provided, but the amount of this clearance is Not particularly limited. Further, the depth of the recess C1 in the third direction D3 is set to a length corresponding to the stroke of the distal end portion 33b of the lock arm 33 in the third direction D3. Note that although the recess C1 is formed in the shape of a hole with a bottom, the recess C1 may penetrate in the third direction D3.

In addition, as a modification of the deflection prevention mechanism M, as shown in FIG. 12, a side contact portion M2 is provided on a protrusion P2 extending from the side surfaces LS1 and LS2 in a direction toward the lock arm 33 in the third direction D3, A recess C2 having an arm-side contact portion M1 that can be contacted by the side-side contact portion M2 may be provided in the tip portion 33b of the lock arm 33. In this case as well, when the operation section 331 is operated, the arm side contact section M1 comes into contact with the side surface side contact section M2, the bending (twisting) of the lock arm 33 is regulated within a predetermined range, and the socket side A sufficient amount of displacement of the joining portion E2 in the third direction D3 can be ensured. Also, in place of the arm side contact portion M1 and side surface side contact portion M2 located above the projection P2 in FIG. 12, or in addition to the arm side contact portion M1 and side side contact portion M2, the projection P2 is The bending (twisting) of the lock arm 33 may be restricted to a predetermined range by the arm-side contact portion M3 and the side-side contact portion M4 located on the lower side. Although not shown, as a further modification of the deflection prevention mechanism M, both the arm-side contact portion and the side-side contact portion are provided on protrusions protruding from the inner surface and side surfaces LS1 and LS2 of the lock arm 33. It's okay. That is, the protrusions protruding from the lock arm 33 toward the side surfaces LS1 and LS2 may be provided with the arm side abutting portions, and the protrusions protruding from the side surfaces LS1 and LS2 toward the lock arm 33 may be provided with the side abutting portions. , a similar effect can be obtained.

In addition, as a modification of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the socket connector 3 may be configured to be able to fit into the base connector 2 in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. You can also do it. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the socket-side engaging portion E2 is connected to the first tapered portion T1 provided on the side closer to the circuit board S in the first direction D1 and the socket side in the second direction D2. It is configured to include a second tapered portion T2 provided on the fitting direction side of the fitting direction and the detachment direction of the connector 3. In this case, when fitting in the first direction D1, after the first tapered portion T1 contacts the base side contact portion 212a of the side wall 212 of the base housing 21, the lock arm 33 is elastically moved toward the side surfaces LS1 and LS2. transform. When the socket connector 3 is further pushed in, the socket-side engaging portion E2 engages with the base-side engaging portion E1, allowing fitting in the first direction D1. On the other hand, when fitting in the second direction D2, the second tapered portion T2 comes into contact with the end surface 212c of the side wall 212 of the base housing 21, and then the lock arm 33 is elastically deformed so as to approach the side surfaces LS1 and LS2. When the socket connector 3 is further pushed in the second direction D2, the socket-side engaging portion E2 engages with the base-side engaging portion E1, allowing fitting in the second direction D2. In this manner, when the socket-side engaging portion E2 has the first tapered portion T1 and the second tapered portion T2, the degree of freedom in the fitting direction of the connector device 1 can be increased.

1 Connector device 2 Base connector 21 Base housing 211 Wall part 212 Side wall 212a Base side contact part 212b Upper end of side wall 212c End surface of side wall 22 Terminal 3 Socket connector 31 Socket housing 31a Front part of socket housing 31b Rear part of socket housing 32 Socket connector Terminal 33 Lock arm 33a Base end 33b Tip 331 Operation part BS Bottom surface C1, C2 Recess D1 First direction D2 Second direction D3 Third direction E1 Base side engaging part E11 First engaged surface E12 Second engaged Engagement surface E2 Socket side engagement part E21 First engagement surface E22 Second engagement surface ED1 First edge ED2 Second edge LS1, LS2 Side surface LS3 Side surface (rear surface)
LS4 side (front)
M Deflection prevention mechanism M1, M3 Arm side contact part M2, M4 Side side contact part OP1 Side opening OP2 Bottom opening P1, P2 Projection S Circuit board T Tapered part T1 1st taper part T2 2nd taper part US Top surface W Electric wire

Claims (7)

A connector device comprising a base housing having a base-side engaging portion, a base connector fixed to a circuit board, and a socket connector connected to the base connector,
The socket connector includes a socket housing connected to the base housing, and the socket housing is connected to the base housing in a first direction perpendicular to the circuit board on a side surface of the socket housing. a lock arm extending in a cantilevered manner from the side surface along a second direction perpendicular to the second direction;
The lock arm has a base end that connects to the side surface and a distal end that is a free end side of the lock arm,
The tip portion includes a socket-side engaging portion that engages with the base-side engaging portion, and an operating portion that can be operated to release the engagement of the socket-side engaging portion with the base-side engaging portion. Prepare ,
A connector device , wherein the socket connector can be fitted by moving in the first direction with respect to the base connector . The operating portion is provided on the first edge side far from the circuit board among both edges of the tip portion in the first direction, and the socket side engaging portion is provided on the first edge side of the tip portion in the first direction. of both edges, provided on a second edge side closer to the circuit board in the first direction,
When the operation section is operated toward the side surface between the lock arm and the side surface facing the lock arm, the first edge of the lock arm approaches the side surface and the second edge approaches the side surface. 2. The connector device according to claim 1 , further comprising a deflection prevention mechanism that restricts deflection of the lock arm such that the portion of the lock arm separates from the side surface to a predetermined range. The deflection prevention mechanism includes an arm-side contact portion provided on the lock arm and a side-side contact portion provided on the side surface, and the arm-side contact portion and the side surface-side contact portion include: The connector device according to claim 2 , wherein the connector devices are configured to face each other in the first direction and come into contact with each other when the operating portions are operated toward the side surface. The socket connector can be fitted to the base connector by moving in the first direction, and the socket-side engaging portion allows the socket housing to separate from the base connector in the first direction. and a second engaging surface that prevents the socket connector from separating from the base connector in the second direction, and the base side engaging portion has a first engaging surface that prevents the socket connector from separating from the base connector in the second direction, , comprising a first engaged surface that engages the first engaging surface in the first direction, and a second engaged surface that engages the second engaging surface in the second direction. The connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein: The socket connector can be fitted to the base connector in the first direction and the second direction,
The socket-side engaging portion is connected to a first tapered portion provided on a side closer to the circuit board in the first direction, and the fitting direction of the socket connector in the fitting direction and detachment direction in the second direction. a second tapered portion provided on the direction side;
The connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . A connector device comprising a base housing having a base-side engaging portion, a base connector fixed to a circuit board, and a socket connector connected to the base connector,
The socket connector includes a socket housing connected to the base housing, and the socket housing is connected to the base housing in a first direction perpendicular to the circuit board on a side surface of the socket housing. a lock arm extending in a cantilevered manner from the side surface along a second direction perpendicular to the second direction;
The lock arm has a base end that connects to the side surface and a distal end that is a free end side of the lock arm,
The tip portion includes a socket-side engaging portion that engages with the base-side engaging portion, and an operating portion that can be operated to release the engagement of the socket-side engaging portion with the base-side engaging portion. Prepare,
The operating portion is provided on the first edge side far from the circuit board among both edges of the tip portion in the first direction, and the socket side engaging portion is provided on the first edge side of the tip portion in the first direction. of both edges, provided on a second edge side closer to the circuit board in the first direction,
When the operation section is operated toward the side surface between the lock arm and the side surface facing the lock arm, the first edge of the lock arm approaches the side surface and the second edge approaches the side surface. A connector device comprising a deflection prevention mechanism that restricts deflection of the lock arm such that the portion of the lock arm separates from the side surface to a predetermined range. A connector device comprising a base housing having a base-side engaging portion, a base connector fixed to a circuit board, and a socket connector connected to the base connector,
The socket connector includes a socket housing connected to the base housing, and the socket housing is connected to the base housing in a first direction perpendicular to the circuit board on a side surface of the socket housing. a lock arm extending in a cantilevered manner from the side surface along a second direction perpendicular to the second direction;
The lock arm has a base end that connects to the side surface and a distal end that is a free end side of the lock arm,
The tip portion includes a socket-side engaging portion that engages with the base-side engaging portion, and an operating portion that can be operated to release the engagement of the socket-side engaging portion with the base-side engaging portion. Prepare,
The socket connector can be fitted to the base connector in the first direction and the second direction,
The socket-side engaging portion is connected to a first tapered portion provided on a side closer to the circuit board in the first direction, and the fitting direction of the socket connector in the fitting direction and detachment direction in the second direction. a second tapered portion provided on the direction side;
connector device.

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