JPH0429513Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a coupling and locking mechanism for electrical connectors.

BACKGROUND ART There have been various types of mechanisms for locking the connected state of connectors.
A shaftless mechanism without a shaft support has been proposed as one that can be easily assembled and engaged/disconnected by simply fitting a locking body into a connector case. An example of this is disclosed in Utility Model Publication No. 53-47580,
Its schematic structure was as shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 of the accompanying drawings. 12th
This figure is a perspective view of the locking body, FIG. 13 is a cutaway front view showing the state in which the locking body is attached to the connector cover, and FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line -- in FIG. 13.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, this conventional shaftless connector coupling and locking mechanism includes a locking body 1, and one end of this locking body 1 has a hook-shaped engaging portion. 2 is formed, and a pressing part 3 is formed at the other end. Elastic pieces 4, 4' made of a flexible material are provided on both sides of the locking body 1. As shown in the figure, these elastic pieces 4, 4' are the same as the locking body 1 and are weaker than the locking body 1, that is, formed to have a narrow width to provide elasticity. A reinforcing strip 5 is formed on the body 1 side to make it more rigid than the elastic pieces 4, 4'. The connector cover consists of two split cases 6 and 6'.
Grooves 7, 7' are formed in the grooves 6', into which the end portions of the elastic pieces 4, 4' are inserted, respectively. When each locking body 1 is assembled into such cases 6, 6' by inserting the tips of the elastic pieces 4, 4' of the locking body 1 into the grooves 7, 7', the engagement The portion 2 is attached so as to face the locking pieces 8, 8' formed on the other side of the connector, and the pressing portion 3 faces the window portion 9 of the case 6, 6'. Now, in FIG. 13, when the pressing part 3 is pressed and pushed into the window 9, the elastic piece 4,
Since the tip portion of 4' is inserted into the grooves 7, 7', it bends between this insertion portion and the connecting portions 10, 10', and therefore the engaging portion 2 is bent between the pressing portion 3 and the connecting portion 10, 10'. By operating in the opposite direction, the locking pieces 8, 8' can be disengaged and the connectors can be disconnected from each other.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention The conventional connector locking mechanism described above is easy to assemble and disconnect, but the locking body 1
A hook-shaped engaging portion 2 formed at one end is incorporated into the front open side of the two split cases 6 and 6'.
The engaging portion 2 is free in the locking direction (left-right direction in FIG. 13) and has no movement stop in the inner direction, so it can be bent or biased inward by some external force. There is sex.
Alternatively, when the engaging part 2 and the locking pieces 8, 8' of the mating connector collide violently or are forcibly inserted or pulled out when mating with the mating connector, the engaging part 2 may be deformed. There is. If the engaging portion 2 is bent, biased, or deformed in this way, the coupling and locking mechanism as a connector will be damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a coupling and locking mechanism for an electrical connector that eliminates the above-mentioned conventional problems.

Means for Solving the Problems The coupling and locking mechanism for electrical connectors according to the present invention includes a locking body provided on at least one side of one electrical connector, and a locking body provided on the side surface of the locking body. The electrical connector includes a stopper protection member and a locking portion provided on a side of the other electrical connector that corresponds to the locking body and the locking body protection member, and the locking body is made of an elastic material. It has a locking part at the front end, a pressing part at the rear end, and a fulcrum part at the middle part, and the fulcrum part is attached to the side surface of the one electrical connector, and when the pressing part is pressed, the engaging part The stop portion is configured to be elastically deflectable outward from the side surface, and the stop member protecting member is formed as a flat-shaped body as a whole, and the front end of the plate-like body An opening is formed in the part at a position corresponding to the locking part of the locking body, and the opening is
The locking part of the locking body is engaged with the locking body so that the surface part of the locking body around the locking part is in contact with the surface part of the plate-shaped body around the opening. The locking portion engages with the locking portion of the locking body to lock the electrical connectors together.

Embodiments Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with regard to embodiments of the present invention based on FIGS. 1 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a state before fitting of a plug connector and a receptacle connector to which a coupling and locking mechanism is applied as an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, plug connector 10
0 mainly includes a male insulating housing part 110 in which male contacts are arranged, and this male insulating housing part 1.
A pair of plug cases 120 forming a conductive shield case surrounding the plug case 10 are provided. The plug cases 120 are assembled together so as to be sandwiched from both sides of the male insulating housing part 110.
By tightening and fixing using screws 121,
Mounted around the male insulating housing portion 110.

On the other hand, the receptacle connector 200 mainly consists of a female insulating housing 2 in which male contacts are arranged.
10, and a receptacle case 2 constituting a conductive shield case surrounding this female insulating housing.
It is equipped with 20. The receptacle case 220 of this receptacle connector is attached and fixed to a housing (not shown) of an electronic device using screws or the like.
It is designed to be connected to earth.

In the plug connector 100, the plug connector 10 is further provided on both sides of the male insulating housing portion 110.
0 and the receptacle connector 200, a male connecting fitting 130 is attached for making a ground connection before connecting the contacts to each other. Furthermore, on both sides of the male insulating housing portion 110,
A locking fitting 140 is provided on the outside of the connecting fitting 130 for engaging and locking the connecting mechanism of a mating connector. Furthermore, this locking fitting 140 is assembled by being sandwiched between the upper case and the lower case of the plug case 120, and furthermore, ground plates 150 are arranged on both side walls of the male insulating housing part 110. Part of 150 is plug case 1
20 and the male insulating housing part 110, and the other part of this grounding plate 150 is on the side wall of the male insulating housing 110 and contacts the plug case 120.
Exposed outside of 0.

Similar to the plug connector 100, the receptacle connector 200 has female connecting fittings 2 on both sides of the female insulating housing 210 for grounding the contacts before connecting them to each other when the plug connector 100 and the receptacle connector 200 are connected.
30 is installed. This female connection fitting 230
is in contact with the receptacle case 220 at its rear portion, and is electrically connected and can be grounded.

Next, first, the male connecting fitting 130 and the locking fitting 140
2 and 3 regarding the female connection fitting 230.
This will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Second
Figures A, B, and C are examples of the male connecting fitting 130, and are respectively a plan view, a front view, and a side view;
3A, B, and C and FIG. 4 are examples of the locking fitting 140, and FIG. 3A, B, and C are examples of the locking fitting 14.
A-A of the plan view, front view, and front view of 0, respectively.
This is a line sectional view, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the locking fitting 140. Figure 5 A, B and C are female connection fittings 14
0, and are a plan view, a front view, and a side view, respectively.

As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the male connecting fitting 130 is integrally stamped from a resilient metal sheet. The front end of this male connecting fitting 130 is connected to a mating female connecting fitting 2 which will be described later.
In order to introduce the tip of 30, the tip is tapered and bent outward to form an introduction part 131, and immediately below the introduction part 131 is a locking fitting 140, which will be described later. An opening 132 that is a square hole for receiving the protrusion 142 is provided, and metal fitting insertion holes 114 ( (see FIG. 7) is provided with a protrusion 133 for elastic press-fit engagement. Furthermore, slightly below the middle of this male connection fitting 130 is the insulating housing body 1.
A rear slip-off locking portion 134 is provided for engaging with a rear slip-off locking step portion 115 (see FIG. 7) provided in the metal fitting insertion hole 114 of No. 11 to prevent the male connection fitting from coming off backward. It is being Further, the rear end of the male connecting fitting 130 is engaged with a forward locking step 116 (see FIG. 1) provided in the fitting insertion hole 114, so that the male connecting fitting 130 can be pulled out in the forward direction. A front slip-off prevention shoulder 135 and a side locking step 11 of a cable holding plate (not shown), etc., which is combined with the insulating housing main body 111 and the insulating presser housing (not shown)
7 (see FIG. 7) is provided with a locking portion 136 for engaging and locking.

Next, as clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the locking fitting 140 is integrally formed by punching and bending from a metal sheet material with spring properties, and the upper part of the locking fitting 140 is A pressing portion 141 is formed which is bent into a substantially U-shape, and has a locking portion 142 at its lower portion and a fulcrum portion 143 at an intermediate portion between the pressing portion 141 and the locking portion 142. This fulcrum part 143 has tongue-shaped fulcrums 143' extending downward on both outer sides thereof, and this tongue-shaped fulcrum 143'
3' is the fulcrum recess 128 of the plug case 120.
(See FIG. 8) and is held between two halves of the plug case 120. On the back side of the pressing part 141, this pressing part 1 is arranged around the tongue-shaped fulcrum 143'.
Elastic tongues 141' are formed to shift the locking portions 141 outward and the locking portions 142 inward. In this state,
When the pressing part 141 is pressed inward against the deflection force of the elastic tongue piece 141', the locking part 142 shifts outward about the tongue-like fulcrum 143' and locks the mating connector. I'm starting to get left out of the club. or,
The locking metal fitting 140 is provided with a reinforcing strip 144 at the center in the plate width direction from below the pressing part 141, and the plate width is narrowed below the fulcrum part 143 in the intermediate part. The front end (lower part) of the reinforcing strip 144 is bent inward.
The locking portion 14 is protruded from the outside to the inside.
2 is formed. Furthermore, a stopper part 145 is provided on the back side (inward direction) of the presser part 141 .
When 41 is pressed inward, plug case 1, which will be described later
Wall portion 12 constituting 20 locking metal clamping grooves 125
6 to prevent further inward movement of the pressing portion 141.

The connector case 120 is divided into two parts, and the locking metal fittings 140 are held between the two sides of the connector case as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Locking metal fitting 1
A locking fitting holding groove 125 for receiving the locking fitting 140 is provided, and the tip of the elastic tongue piece 141' of the locking fitting 140 is brought into contact with the inside of this locking fitting holding groove 125 to prevent the locking fitting 140 from moving inward. A wall portion 126 is provided, and a window portion 127' for causing the pressing portion 141 of the locking fitting 140 to protrude outward from the side wall surface 127 of the case 120 is further provided. Furthermore,
A fulcrum recess 128 is formed at a position corresponding to the fulcrum part 143 of the locking fitting 140 to receive the side of the fulcrum part 143. The locking metal fittings 140 are fitted into the locking metal fitting holding grooves 125 on both sides of one case 120 formed in this way, and the other case 120 is attached and clamped to assemble. Then, the pressing portions 141 are exposed through the windows 127' on both sides of the connector case 120, and can be pressed by the operator's fingers.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are a plan view, a front view, and a side view, respectively, showing an example of a female connecting fitting having an L-shaped rear end. This female connection fitting 2
30, like the male connection fitting 130, is integrally punched and formed from a metal fitting sheet having spring properties. This female connecting fitting 230 is provided with a locking opening 231 at its front end for engaging with the locking portion 142 of the locking fitting 140 described above. Further, immediately below this locking opening 231, there is an engaging step portion 221 (first
A case locking portion 232 is provided for locking the case 220 by engaging with the case 220 (see figure). This case locking portion 232 also functions as a contact portion that makes conductive contact with the case 220. Furthermore, the intermediate portion of the female connecting fitting 230 is fitted with a locking step 215 (see FIG. 1) of the connecting fitting insertion hole 214 of the insulating housing body 211, similar to the aforementioned male connecting fitting 130. A rear locking portion 233 is provided to prevent the female connecting fitting 230 from coming off backward. Further, the rear end of this female connecting fitting 230 is L-shaped and engages with a front slip-out locking stepped portion 216 (see FIG. 1) provided in the fitting insertion holes 214 on both sides of the insulating housing body 211. A front slip-off prevention shoulder 234, an insulating housing main body 211, and an insulating retainer housing (not shown) for preventing the female connecting fitting 230 from coming off forward.
A locking portion 235 is provided for engaging and locking a locking stepped portion on a side portion of a cable restraining plate (not shown) or the like that is combined with the cable holding plate (not shown). At the tip of the L-shape at the rear end, a board fixing leg part 236 is provided for inserting into a hole in the board and attaching and fixing the board.

As clearly shown in FIG. 1, a printed circuit board (not shown) is attached below the receptacle connector 200 provided with such female connecting fittings 230 on both sides. Further, as described above, the receptacle connector 200 is attached and fixed to the housing of the electronic device at the front or rear of the receptacle case 220 with screws or the like.

The plug connector 100 and receptacle connector 200 (first
(see figure), even if the receptacle connector is connected to the receptacle connector in a violent collision manner, or even if the connection is made and pulled out by prying, the locking portion 142 of the locking fitting 140 will
The locking fitting 1 is fitted into the opening 132 of the male connecting fitting 130 and the locking fitting 1 around the locking part 142 is attached to the surface portion of the male connecting fitting 130 around the opening 132.
The surface portion of the locking portion 142 is in contact with the locking portion 142 .
is prevented from moving inwardly and the opening 132
Since the surrounding wall protects the periphery of the locking portion 142, this protects the locking portion 142 from deformation, bending, eccentricity, etc.

Furthermore, when connecting such a plug connector 100 and a receptacle connector 200, if a statically charged person holds the plug connector 100, the plug connector 100 will be charged with static electricity, but as shown in FIG. As shown in the enlarged partial view of the receptacle connector 200 of the plug connector 100 during mating, the tip of the male connecting fitting 130 of the plug connector first approaches the contacts 115A on the plug connector side and the contacts 215A on the receptacle connector. As the end of the female connecting fitting 230 of the receptacle connector approaches the plug receptacle, the static electricity charged in the plug receptacle flows from the male connecting fitting 130 to the female connecting fitting 230 through sparks, etc., to the receptacle connector, and is transferred from the receptacle case to the receptacle connector. It flows into the device casing as a ground. Therefore, electrostatic damage to the electrical circuit connected to the connector can be prevented.

FIG. 9 shows, in a perspective view similar to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the locking fitting used in the coupling and locking mechanism of the present invention. The fulcrum portion 143A of the locking fitting 140A of this embodiment is provided with a hole-shaped fulcrum 143A' formed by rolling the tongue-shaped fulcrum 143' in the embodiment of FIG. 4 into a circle. Other points are
It has the same structure as the locking fitting shown in FIG. In the case of the locking fitting 140A having such a structure, a fulcrum projection is provided in the locking fitting holding groove provided in the plug connector case 120 at a position corresponding to the hole-shaped fulcrum 143A', and the hole-shaped fulcrum is attached to this fulcrum projection. 143A', the locking portion can be rotated and shifted more stably.

FIG. 10 shows, in a perspective view similar to FIG. 4, still another embodiment of the locking fitting used in the coupling and locking mechanism of the present invention. Locking fitting 140 of this embodiment
The fulcrum portion 143B of B has an external protruding fulcrum 14 extending outward from the tip of the tongue-like fulcrum 143' in the embodiment shown in FIG.
3B' is provided. In other respects, the structure is the same as that of the locking fitting shown in FIG. 4. In the case of the locking metal fitting 140B having such a structure, an external protruding fulcrum 143 is provided in the locking metal clamping groove provided in the plug connector case 120 at a position corresponding to the external protruding fulcrum 143B'.
By providing a recess for receiving and holding only B', the recess has a simpler shape than the fulcrum recess 128 in the previously described embodiment shown in FIG. The locking fittings also work better.

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 6, showing another embodiment of the locking body protection member for protecting the locking portion of the locking fitting according to the present invention. In the embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, this locking body protection member was constructed with a male connecting fitting 130 formed separately from the insulating housing of the electrical connector, but in the embodiment described in FIG. In the embodiment, a locking protection wall 112A integrally formed on the side surface of the insulating housing body 111A of the connector 100 is provided, and the locking portion 1 of the locking fitting 140 is attached to the locking protection wall 112A.
By forming the opening 113A into which the locking member 42 can be inserted, the locking member is used as a member for protecting the locking body. If the insulating housing main body 111A has such a configuration,
Since the aforementioned separate connection fitting 130 is not required, the connector can be made cheaper.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, on the side surface of the insulating housing main body 211A of the receptacle connector, the configuration of the locking portion that engages the locking portion 142 is that of the connecting fitting 23 having the locking opening 231A.
The 0A may be integrally molded into the insulating housing. By doing so, there is no need to form the connecting fitting 230A with an expensive metal having spring properties, so that an inexpensive receptacle connector can be obtained.

Effects of the Invention According to the structure of the coupling and locking mechanism of the electrical connector of the present invention as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, there is a member for protecting the locking body inside the locking body provided on the side surface of one electrical connector, and the protection part prevents the locking part of the locking body from moving inward more than necessary. In addition, the protective part prevents direct external collision force from being applied to the locking part, or unreasonable external force due to forceful insertion or removal of the mating connector. , deformation of the locking portion, etc. can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a state before mating of a plug connector and a receptacle connector to which a coupling and locking mechanism is applied as an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2A, B, and C are FIGS. FIGS. 3A and 3B are a plan view, a front view, and a side view, respectively, of the male connecting fitting used in the plug connector shown in FIG. Figure 3C is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Figure 3B,
The figure is a perspective view of the locking fitting in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 A, B, and C are plan, front, and side views of the female connecting fitting used in the receptacle connector of Fig. A partially enlarged view showing the relationship between the male connecting fitting and the female connecting fitting immediately before the plug connector and receptacle connector in Fig. 1 are connected, and Fig. 7 shows the attachment of the male connecting fitting and the locking fitting in the plug connector in Fig. 1. Partially enlarged view showing the condition, No. 8
The figure is a partially enlarged view showing the attachment part of the locking fitting of the plug case of the plug connector in Figure 1, and Figure 9 is
A perspective view showing another embodiment of the locking fitting used in the coupling and locking mechanism of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the locking fitting used in the coupling and locking mechanism of the present invention. , FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing another embodiment of the locking body protection member of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a conventional lock for locking the connected state of connectors. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of a locking body in the mechanism; FIG. 13 is a cutaway front view showing an example of a conventional connector using the locking body of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line -- in FIG. 13. 100... Plug connector, 110... Male insulating housing part, 112A... Locking protection wall, 115
A...Contact, 120...Plug case, 1
25... Locking metal clamping groove, 127'... Window part, 1
28...Fully point recess, 130...Male connection fitting, 13
1...Introduction part, 132...Opening part, 140, 14
0A, 140B... Locking metal fitting, 141... Pressing part, 142... Locking part, 143... Fulcrum part, 14
3'...tongue-shaped fulcrum, 200...receptacle connector, 210...female insulating housing, 215A...
...Contact, 220...Receptacle case,
230, 230A...Female connection fitting, 231, 23
1A... Latch opening, 236... Board fixing leg.

Claims (1)

[Scope of claims for utility model registration] (1) In the coupling and locking mechanism for electrical connectors,
A locking body provided on at least one side surface of one electrical connector, a locking body protection member provided on the side surface side of the locking body, and the locking body and locking body protection of the other electrical connector. and a hook part provided on the corresponding side,
The locking body is made of an elastic material and has a locking portion at a front end, a pressing portion at a rear end, and a fulcrum portion at an intermediate portion, and the fulcrum portion is attached to the side surface of the one electrical connector. The locking portion is configured to be able to elastically shift outward from the side surface when the pressing portion is pressed, and the locking body protection member is formed into a flat plate-like body as a whole. An opening is formed in the front end of the plate-like body at a position corresponding to the locking part of the locking body, and the opening is connected to the The locking portion of the locking body may be exposed to the inside of the locking body so that a surface portion of the locking body around the locking portion is in contact with a surface portion of the plate-shaped body. A coupling and locking mechanism for electrical connectors, wherein the locking portion engages with the locking portion of the locking body to lock the electrical connectors together. (2) The pressing part of the locking body is configured to engage with the side surface of the one electrical connector to shift the pressing part outward and the locking part inward about the fulcrum part. 1. A coupling and locking mechanism for an electrical connector according to claim (1), which is provided with an elastic body for causing the coupling and locking of the electrical connector. (3) The elastic body is an elastic tongue piece integrally formed with the pressing part.
The coupling and locking mechanism of the electrical connector described in (2). (4) The fulcrum portion of the locking body is a tongue-shaped fulcrum, and the side surface of the one electrical connector is provided with a fulcrum recess for receiving the tongue-shaped fulcrum. A coupling and locking mechanism for the electrical connector described in paragraph 1), paragraph (2), or paragraph (3). (5) The fulcrum part of the locking body is a hole-shaped fulcrum, and the side surface of the one electrical connector is provided with a fulcrum protrusion for receiving the hole-shaped fulcrum. A coupling and locking mechanism for the electrical connector described in paragraph 1), paragraph (2), or paragraph (3). (6) The fulcrum portion of the locking body is an external fulcrum, and the side surface of the one electrical connector is provided with a fulcrum recess for receiving the external fulcrum. A coupling and locking mechanism for the electrical connector described in paragraph 1), paragraph (2), or paragraph (3). (7) The above-mentioned plate-like body is formed separately from the housing of the one electrical connector and is attached to the side surface of the housing. Claims (1) to (6) of the Utility Model Registration Claims Coupling locking mechanism of the electrical connector according to any of paragraphs. (8) The plate-like body is integrally formed with the housing of the one electrical connector, as described in any one of claims (1) to (6) of the utility model registration claim. coupling locking mechanism for electrical connectors. (9) The hooking portion is provided by a hooking opening of a connecting fitting separately attached to the side surface of the other electrical connector. A coupling locking mechanism for an electrical connector as described in any of the above. (10) The latching portion is provided by a latching opening of a connecting fitting integrally formed on the side surface of the other electrical connector. ) A coupling and locking mechanism for the electrical connector according to any of the items above. (11) The front end of the plate-shaped body is provided with a taper for guiding the insertion of the connecting fitting into the inside of the front end part of the utility model registration claim (9) or (10). Coupling locking mechanism for electrical connectors as described in Section 1.