JPH06168759A - Locking mechanism for connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable connectors to be locked to each other without any need of an independent locking component, and ensure easy unlocking operation. CONSTITUTION:This mechanism has a pair of connectors 2 and 2' mounted on a pair of electronic circuit packages 1 and 1' laid in such a way as faced to each other, and plugged into each other for connection, and a lock arm 3 fitted to either connector 2 of the two. One end of the lock arm 3 is fitted with a hook section 4 resiliently coupled to the other connector 2', or the electronic circuit package 1' to mount the connector 2', in order to prevent the separation of both connectors 2 and 2' from each other. The other end of the lock arm 3 is projected from the surface of the package 1 having the connector 2 for engagement therewith along a packaged direction. In this case, the other end of the arm 3 is manipulated to enable the locked state of the hook section 4 to be released.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector locking mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional example of a connector locking mechanism is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. In the conventional example shown in FIG. 4, a pair of printed circuit boards (electronic circuit packages 1, 1 ′) arranged to face each other are connected by plugging in the connectors 2, 2 ′ to maintain the connected state. In Fig. 4 (b)
The lock component 5 shown in is used.

The lock component 5 has a pair of lock arms 3 each having an operating portion 6 and a hook portion 4 at both ends. The hook portion 4 and a connecting piece 7 connecting the lock arms 3 to each other provide a connector 2, 2'is pinched from the top and bottom, connector 2,
Prevent the 2'separation.

Further, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 5, the connectors 2 and 2'include lock arms 3 and 3 at the lower ends thereof, and the printed circuit boards 1 and 1'to which the lock arms 3 face each other.
The connector 2, 2'is maintained in the fitted state by being inserted into and engaged with the lock hole 8.

[0005]

However, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 4, a lock member 5 which is a separate member is required to prevent the connectors 2 and 2'from being disengaged, and FIGS. In the conventional example shown in FIG. 5, in order to release the locked state, it is necessary to insert a finger or the like into the gap between the printed circuit boards 1 and 1 ′, and the workability is poor, and the printed circuit board 1,
When the 1's are close to each other, there is a drawback that unlocking becomes difficult.

The present invention has been made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and it is possible to lock the connectors without the need for an independent lock component, and moreover, the connector can be easily unlocked. The purpose is to provide a mechanism.

[0007]

According to the present invention, the above object is mounted on a pair of electronic circuit packages 1, 1'opposed to each other as shown in FIG. It has a pair of connectors 2 and 2 ′ to be connected, and a lock arm 3 provided on either one of the connectors 2, and the lock arm 3 has the other connector 2 ′,
Alternatively, the other end of the lock arm 3 is provided with a hook portion 4 which is elastically engaged with the electronic circuit package 1 ′ to which the other connector 2 ′ is attached to prevent the connectors 2 and 2 ′ from being detached. The connector 2 provided with the lock arm 3
It is achieved by providing a connector locking mechanism that allows the hooked portion 4 to be released by operating the other end of the lock arm 3 by projecting it to the surface portion in the stacking direction of the electronic circuit package 1 to be mounted. To be done.

[0008]

In the present invention, the lock arm 3 provided on either one of the pair of connectors 2, 2'to be plugged in has the hook portion 4 formed at the lower end thereof on the other connector 2'or The other connector 2'is engaged with the mounted electronic circuit package 1'and the connector 2,
2'lock each other.

The other end of the lock arm 3 projects to the surface of the electronic circuit package 1 on which the connector 2 provided with the lock arm 3 is mounted, and the other end of the lock arm 3 can be easily operated by operating the other end. Allows you to unlock.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. The connectors 2 and 2'are formed by housing a plurality of contacts (not shown) inside the cases 2a and 2a ', and are mounted on each of a pair of opposed printed circuit boards (electronic circuit packages 1, 1').

Of the pair of connectors 2, 2 ', one connector 2 projects from the side wall of the case 2a, and has a pair of lock arms having an operating portion 6 at the upper end and a hook portion 4 at the lower end. 3 and 3 are provided. The lock arm 3 has flexibility, and by sandwiching the operation portion 6, the interval of the hook portion 4 at the lower end can be expanded.

Further, an arm insertion hole 9 is provided in the printed circuit board 1 on the side where the connector 2 is mounted, and the operation portion 6 projects above the printed circuit board 1 from the arm insertion hole 9.

On the other hand, on the printed circuit board 1'opposed to the printed circuit board 1 on which the above-mentioned connector 2 is mounted, a connector 2'having a step portion 2b on the side wall is mounted, and one connector 2 is connected to the other. When fitted to the connector 2'of
The connection portion of the lock arm 3 with the case 2a elastically bends, the hook portion 4 elastically engages with the step portion 2b, and both connectors 2, 2'become locked.

From this state, when the operating portion 6 projecting on the upper surface of the one printed circuit board 1 is picked, the gap between the hook portions 4 is widened and the engagement with the step portion 2b is released, and the connectors 2, 2 '. Is in the unlockable state, that is, the unlocked state.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the hook portion 4 is shown to be locked by being engaged with the step portion 2b of another connector 2 ', but in addition to this, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to engage and lock the hook portion 4 with the lock hole 8 of the printed circuit board 1, 1 ′ facing the hook portion 4.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, the lock arm 3 is pivotally supported on the one connector 2 by a hinge pin 10. The lock arm 3 is made of an elastic material such as synthetic resin or spring steel, and has a hook portion 4 at a lower end portion that engages with a step portion 2b of a connector 2'mounted on the other printed circuit board 1 '. I have it.

At the tip of the lock arm 3, there is formed an operating portion 6 which projects upward from an arm insertion hole 9 formed in the printed board 1. The operation portion 6 includes a spring piece 11 which is formed by being folded inward from the upper end. The spring piece 11 is pressed into the arm insertion hole 9 to urge the hook portion 4 inward when the connector 2 is attached to the printed circuit board 1.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when mounted on the printed circuit board 1, the lock arm 3 is provided.
Because the hook portion 4 is biased inward by the bending of the spring piece 11, that is, in the direction in which it engages with the step portion 2b of the other connector 2 ′, the connectors 2 and 2 ′ are plugged into each other. Simply, the hook part 4 becomes the step part 2 of the other connector 2 '.
The connectors 2, 2 ′ are elastically engaged with b, and the connectors 2, 2 ′ are locked, and the lock is released by sandwiching the operating portion 6 protruding from the surface of the printed circuit board 1 against the spring force of the spring piece 11. It can be done easily just by

Although FIG. 3 shows the case where the hook portion 4 is engaged with the step portion 2b of another connector 2 ', in addition to this, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to engage with.

Further, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connector 2, 2'is mounted on the printed circuit board, but the same applies to mounting on other electronic circuit packages. Applicable.

[0021]

As is apparent from the above description, the connector locking mechanism according to the present invention has a simple mechanism.
Moreover, the connector can be reliably locked without using a special locking component, and the locked state can be easily released.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a side view showing a fitted state of a connector.

4A and 4B are views showing a conventional example, in which FIG. 4A is a perspective view and FIG. 4B is a single view of a lock component.

FIG. 5 is a view showing another conventional example, in which (a) is a perspective view,
(B) is a side view showing a fitted state of the connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1'Electronic circuit package 2, 2'Connector 3 Lock arm 4 Hook part

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A pair of connectors (2, 2 ') mounted on a pair of electronic circuit packages (1, 1') arranged opposite to each other and plugged in to each other, and one of the connectors (2). A lock arm (3) provided, the lock arm (3) is mounted on the other connector (2 ') or the electronic circuit package (1') to which the other connector (2 ') is mounted. Both connectors (2,
2 ') is equipped with a hook (4) at one end to prevent detachment,
The other end of the lock arm (3) is projected to the surface of the electronic circuit package (1) in the stacking direction in which the connector (2) provided with the lock arm (3) is mounted, and the other end of the lock arm (3) is projected. A lock mechanism for a connector in which the engagement state of the hook portion (4) can be released by operating the other end.