JPH0357028Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a connector lock structure that prevents the connection between a plug and a receptacle connector from being disconnected.

(Prior art and its problems) In connectors used to connect electrical circuits or optical fiber circuits, a connector that is inserted into a receptacle is used to prevent circuit breakage due to erroneous disconnection due to external force applied to the connecting cable, for example. It is common practice to lock the plug into a receptacle fixed to a panel or the like.

By the way, as a lock structure, for example, the first
The one shown in Fig. 2 is used. In the one shown in FIG. 1, a U-shaped locking tool 2 with locking keys 2a at both ends is fixed with a shaft 3 at both shoulders on one side of a hood 1 forming a plug A.
When the locking device 2 is inserted into the receptacle B fixed to the panel 4 and connected, the locking key portion 2 at the tip of the locking device 2
Locking is performed so that a is locked by a key receiving portion 5 provided on the receptacle B side.

When unlocking, pull the operating part 2b of the locking tool 2 in the direction of the arrow in the figure to bend the locking leg 2c outward as shown by the dotted line in the figure, and then push the locking key part 2a by the receiving key part 5. This is done by pulling out plug A while releasing the lock. Note that 8 is a cable.

In addition, in the one shown in FIG. 2, a locking device 6 consisting of a locking key portion 6a facing inward at the tip, a spring portion 6b, and an operating portion 6c is fixed 7 on the left and right side surfaces of the hood 1 of the plug A, and the plug A is attached to the receptacle. When the receptacle B is inserted and connected, the locking key part 6a of the locking tool 6 is locked by the receiving key part 5 of the receptacle B. To release the lock, push the operating part 6c of the locking tool 6 in the direction of the arrow in the figure to open the locking key part 6a outward and release the locking by the receiving key part 5 while pulling. This is done by pulling it out.

However, with conventional locking structures such as those described above, locking is done automatically by inserting the plug into the receptacle and connecting without any active intention to operate the locking device. . However, to release the connection, it is necessary to pull out the plug and consciously release the lock. For this reason, for example, if the locking mechanism is hidden and difficult to see due to the adjacent arrangement of the connectors on the top, bottom, left, and right, it may be impossible to disconnect the plug and receptacle, and even if you are aware of the existence of the locking mechanism, it may not be possible to disconnect the plug from the receptacle. The disadvantage is that the operation is cumbersome because it requires a double operation of unlocking and pulling out the plug.

Furthermore, conventional hoods with locking tools on the outside surface are not only susceptible to damage due to external forces, but also require extra space for the locking tools when a large number of connectors are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical and horizontal directions. Since this is necessary, the packaging density tends to decrease accordingly, which is disadvantageous for downsizing the device.

This invention not only has an automatic lock function when connected, but also has a function that allows you to easily and automatically release the lock when disconnecting by simply pulling out the plug. The present invention aims to eliminate the drawbacks of the conventional structure by providing a lock structure that does not require locking and is less likely to be damaged by external force on the lock mechanism. Next, the details will be explained using the drawings.

[Structure of the idea]

(Means for solving the problem) Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 4a and 4b are plan views showing the assembled state, and A-
5a and 5b are partial plan views showing the locked state and the unlocked state,
The features of this invention are as follows.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, lock release tool exposing windows 9 are provided on the lower surfaces of the plug connector accommodation recesses 1c of the first and second hood forming portions 1a and 1b, respectively, and windows 9 are provided on the left and right outer sides of the insertion port side of the mating connector. A lock spring housing recess 10 communicating with the plug connector housing recess 1c is provided in the plug connector housing recess 1c. A body support groove 11 is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, this support groove 11 can support a locking spring body 12 which has a locking key part 12a at the tip and a lock release protrusion 12b projecting in the same direction as the locking key part 12a at the middle stage. Form it like this.

Separately from this, a U-shaped lock release tool 13 shown in FIG. 3 is formed. In other words, it has operation ridges 13a on both the upper and lower sides that can be inserted into the exposing window 9 and have a length that allows movement in the pulling direction of the plug connector and the length necessary for unlocking, and locking ridges 13a are provided on both the left and right ends of the operating ridges 13a. A lock release arm 13b having a release protrusion 13c is provided.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the locking spring body 12 is inserted into the support groove 11 of the first hood forming part 1a to support it, and the lock release tool 13 is inserted into the exposing window part 9. , this is the operation hill part 1
Insert the lock release tool 13 into the connector accommodating part 1c so that the lock release protrusion 13c is supported by the four circumferential surfaces 13d of the lock spring 12 and the middle lock release protrusion 12b. accommodate. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4b, the cable 8 passes through the internal cavity 13e of the lock release tool 13 and is pulled out of the hood from the lateral opening, and the plug connector 14 is connected to it as shown in FIG. After being mounted and housed in the accommodation recess 1c, the first hood forming part 1a and the second hood forming part 1b made in the same shape are overlapped and secured, for example, by screws.

(Function) With the above configuration, when this plug is inserted into a receptacle fixed to a panel etc.,
The insertion side tip of the operation hill portion 13a is connected to the hood 1a, 1
Press b. Therefore, the end locking key portion 12a of the locking spring body 12 passes over the receiving key portion 5 of the receptacle and is locked as shown in FIG. 5a, thereby locking the connected state. In addition, in the case of disconnecting, grasp the lock release tool 13 from both the upper and lower sides and pull it out.
The lock release tool 13c first retreats in the pulling direction, and the lock release protrusion 13c releases the lock spring body 12.
Push the slope of the lock release protrusion 12b provided at the top to warp the lock spring body 12 outward as shown in FIG. 5b. As a result, the locking of the locking key part 12a by the key receiving part 5 on the receptacle side is released.
Then, as the extraction continues, the operation hill 13a pushes the hood 1 and applies a pulling force to the hood 1, thereby disconnecting the plug from the receptacle. If the grip at the operation hill 13 is stopped, the lock release protrusion 13 of the lock release tool 13 will be released.
At c, the lock release protrusion 13c on the slope of the release protrusion 12b is pushed by the spring force of the lock spring body 12, and the lock release tool 13 is returned to its original position to complete the release.

(Effect) By doing the above, as shown in Figure 3, with a connector that pulls out the cable in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the plug is inserted, it is difficult to grasp the plug from both the left and right sides, so the plug can be naturally grasped from the top and bottom. I will do it. Therefore, the lock release tool 13 is naturally grasped without any conscious effort to release the lock, and the plug connector can be easily pulled out and the lock released. Also, when pulling out the cable in the direction in which the plug connector is pulled out, it is easier to hold it in the vertical direction rather than at both left and right ends of the wide hood, so in this case, the lock can be released and the connector pulled out. is easily done.
However, this structure is particularly advantageous if the cable is to be pulled out at right angles to the direction in which the connector is pulled out. Furthermore, in the present invention, the locking mechanism is not exposed outside the hood, so there is no risk of it being damaged by external force. Therefore, the drawbacks of the conventional mechanism described above are eliminated.

(Modification) In the above description, the first and second hood forming portions 1a,
1b are provided with a locking spring supporting groove 11, a locking spring accommodating notch 10, etc. to accommodate the locking spring 12, lock release tool 13, etc., and then the first and second hood forming portions 1a are removed. , 1b are superimposed. However, on the other hand, for example, the locking spring support groove 1 is provided only in the first hood forming portion 1a.
1. It is also possible to form the lock spring body housing notch 10 and the like to accommodate the lock spring body 12 and the like, and then overlap the plate-shaped second hood forming portion 1b.

It can also be applied to the case where the cable is pulled out in the same direction as the direction in which the plug is pulled out. In this case, in FIG. A hole for pulling out the cable 8 may be provided in the wall of the connector removal method of the hood 1. Furthermore, although the general electrical connector has been described above, the present invention can also be applied to optical fiber cable connectors and photoelectric composite connectors that share the electrical connector and optical fiber connector. Furthermore, in the above implementation, the locking spring body 12
The lock releasing protrusion 13c is pushed by the spring force that tries to return the lock releasing tool 13 to its original position. For example, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. Lock release tool 13
The return of the data may be further ensured.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 and 2 are examples of conventional lock structures;
Figures 4a and 4b are an exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention, a plan view showing an assembled state, and its A.
5A and 5B are partial plan views for explaining the locked state and the unlocked state. A... Plug, B... Receptacle, 1... Hood, 1a, 1b... First and second hood forming portions, 2... Locking tool, 2a... Locking key portion, 4...
Panel, 5...Key receiving part, 6...Lock tool, 6a
... Locking key part, 6b ... Spring part, 6c ... Operation part, 7 ... Shaft stop, 8 ... Cable, 9 ... Window for exposing lock release tool, 10 ... Lock spring body housing recess , 10a...Lock spring body movable space part,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Lock spring body support groove, 12... Lock spring body, 12a... Locking key part, 12b... Lock release projection, 13... Lock release tool, 13a...
...Operation hill, 13b...Lock release arm, 13c...
...Lock release protrusion, 13d...Four circumferential support end,
13e... Internal cavity for housing a connector etc. in the lock release tool 13, 14... Plug connector, 1
5... Spring for return.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] The connector accommodating portions of the first and second hood forming portions are each provided with an exposure window for the lock release tool, and locking spring body accommodating portions are provided on the left and right outer sides of the connector accommodating portion. The lock release tool is provided with an operation hill whose length is shorter than the length of the lock release tool exposing window in the connector pulling direction, and a lock release protrusion on the side thereof, and the operation hill exposes the lock release tool. The locking spring housings each have a locking key portion at the tip and a lock release protruding in the same direction as the locking key portion located in the mating connector insertion direction. the locking spring body having a protrusion, the distal end locking key portion facing inward, and the lock release protrusion of the lock release tool being located between the distal end locking key portion and the middle lock release protrusion; When the plug and receptacle are inserted and connected, the end locking key of the locking spring body is formed by overlapping the first and second hood forming parts.
The connected state is locked by climbing over the key receiving part of the receptacle that protrudes outward, and when the plug is pulled out, the gripped lock release tool retreats and the lock release protrusion is released by the locking spring body. The lock is released by pushing the slope of the lock release protrusion outward to release the locking key part by the outwardly protruding receptacle side receiving key part and moving the hood back in the pulling direction. The locking structure of the connector is characterized by: