JPH0672179U - connector - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To easily know the mating condition of both connector housings. [Structure] A protrusion 7 as a pressing portion is provided on the lower surface of a female connector housing 1, while a male connector housing 2 is provided.
The pressure sensitive element 8 made of pressure sensitive conductive rubber is provided on the upper surface of the base portion 2a. In the hole 10 formed in the base 2a, the fitting detection connection terminal 11 for taking out the output of the pressure sensitive element 8,
11 is provided. When the mating of both connector housings 1 and 2 is completed, the protrusion 7 presses the pressure-sensitive element 8 and
Has a low electrical resistance. Fitting detection connection terminals 11, 11
The connection completion state can be detected by connecting the detection circuit to the detection circuit.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a connector in which both connector housings are fitted to each other, and more particularly to a connector capable of electrically detecting a fitting completion state of both connector housings.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 In the case of connectors, especially those with a large number of terminals, there is a situation in which both male and female connector housings have a large fitting force and a great deal of force is required for attachment / detachment. Connectors have been provided. In this structure, for example, a bolt is rotatably provided on a female connector housing, a nut is provided on a male connector housing, and the bolt is tightened on the nut so that both connector housings are fitted together.

By the way, the bolt tightening work is performed by using a tool such as an impact wrench. However, if the bolt is tightened too much, the bolt may be broken or the housing may be damaged. Therefore, in recent years, the threaded portion of the bolt is partially provided at the tip of the bolt shaft, and when both connector housings are in a completed state, the threaded portion of the bolt is pulled out from the nut forward and idles, thereby A structure for preventing over-tightening has been considered (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-13283).

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, with the structure in which the bolts rotate idle when the two connector housings have been completely fitted as described above, the bolts will not be overtightened, but the tightening work with the impact trench will make it difficult for the operator to understand the tightening condition of the bolts. However, there was a problem that the tightening work was stopped in the so-called semi-fitting state where both connector housings were not in the mating completed state, resulting in insufficient tightening.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector capable of easily knowing a fitted state of both connector housings.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first connector of the present invention is such that one connector housing and the other connector housing are displaced in the coupling direction with each other so that the two connector housings are fitted together. A pressure-sensitive element provided on one of the connector housings, a pressure-sensitive element provided on the other connector housing and pressed by the pressing portion when both connector housings have been fitted together, and the other one. And a fitting detection connection terminal for picking up the output of the pressure sensitive element.

Further, the second connector of the present invention is such that one connector housing and the other connector housing are mutually displaced in the coupling direction so that both connector housings are fitted together. And a fitting detection for detecting the presence / absence of conduction between the pair of conductors provided in the connector housing and electrically connected to each other in a completed fitting state of the two connector housings, and the connector housing. Connection terminal for use.

[0008]

[Action]

 According to the first connector of the present invention having the above structure, the pressing portion provided on one connector housing presses the pressure-sensitive element on the other connector housing when the two connector housings are completely fitted together. The output of the pressure-sensitive element changes. Therefore, by connecting the detection circuit to the fitting detection connection terminal and taking out the output of the pressure-sensitive element, it becomes possible to detect whether or not both connector housings are in the fitting completed state.

Further, according to the second connector of the present invention, the pair of conductors provided in the connector housings are electrically connected to each other when the mating of both connector housings is completed. Therefore, by connecting a detection circuit to the mating detection connection terminal and detecting the presence or absence of conduction between the conductors, it is possible to detect whether or not both connector housings are in the mating completed state. Become.

[0010]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, according to the first connector of the present invention, the pressing portion is provided in one connector housing, and the pressure sensing element and the connection terminal for fitting detection are provided in the other connector housing. By detecting the change in output, it is possible to easily know the fitting state of both connector housings, which is an excellent effect.

Further, according to the second connector of the present invention, since the connector housing is provided with the pair of conductors and the connection terminal for fitting detection which are electrically connected in the mating completed state, there is no continuity between the conductors. By detecting the presence / absence, it is possible to easily know the fitting state of both connector housings, which is an excellent effect.

[0012]

【Example】

 <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, a first embodiment (corresponding to claim 1) in which the present invention is applied to a so-called screw tightening type connector will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. Here, FIG. 1 shows a state before fitting both connector housings 1 and 2, and FIG. 2 shows a completed fitting state of both connector housings 1 and 2. Further, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a state immediately before the completion of fitting of the main part.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the female connector housing 1 has a substantially rectangular block shape as a whole, and is provided with a large number of female terminals (not shown) inside. The upper surface of the female connector housing 1 is covered with a cover 3 made of rubber, for example.

A bolt insertion hole 1a is formed in the central portion of the female connector housing 1 so as to vertically penetrate therethrough, and a bolt 4 is provided in the bolt insertion hole 1a. The bolt 4 has a threaded portion 4a formed only at the tip of the shaft portion, and is rotatable and screwed to the female connector housing 1 with the bolt head portion 4b protruding from the upper surface of the female connector housing 1. It is provided so that the moving force in the forward / backward direction (vertical direction in the figure) is transmitted.

On the other hand, the male connector housing 2 is configured by including a rectangular tubular hood portion 2b having an open upper surface on an upper portion of a rectangular base portion 2a. The hood portion 2b is formed in a size into which the female connector housing 1 fits. Inside the male connector housing 2, a large number of male terminals (not shown) corresponding to the female terminals are provided supported by the base portion 2a.

A boss portion 5 having a through hole 5 a penetrating vertically is formed integrally with the central portion of the male connector housing 2 so as to project upward from the base portion 2 a and inside the boss portion 5. A nut 6 that is screwed into the bolt 4 is integrally provided, for example, by insert molding. By tightening the threaded portion 4a of the bolt 4 onto the nut 6, the two connector housings 1 and 2 are displaced relative to each other in the coupling direction (vertical direction) and fitted as shown in FIG. It is supposed to meet. When the two connector housings 1 and 2 are in a fitted state, the male terminals and the female terminals are connected and electrically connected to each other.

As shown in FIG. 3, a projection 7 is integrally formed on the lower surface of the female connector housing 1 at a position slightly leftward in the center of the drawing as shown in FIG. On the other hand, a pressure-sensitive element 8 is provided in the center of the upper surface of the base portion 2a of the male connector housing 2 slightly to the left (on the left side of the boss portion 5 in the figure). In this embodiment, as the pressure sensitive element 8, a pressure sensitive conductive rubber whose electric resistance is changed by receiving pressure is used.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, a mounting recess 9 is formed on the upper surface of the base portion 2 a, and a hole 10 is formed continuously with the mounting recess 9 on the lower surface of the male connector housing 2. It is formed so as to extend downward. The pressure-sensitive element 8 is formed so as to form a substantially "F" shape on the side surface, and is mounted such that the pressure detection surface 8a on the upper side thereof is arranged in the mounting recess 9. A pair of fitting detection connection terminals 11, 11 for extracting the output of the pressure-sensitive element 8 are provided in the hole 10 with their upper ends connected to the electrodes of the pressure-sensitive element 8. Has been.

As a result, in the state where the fitting of the connector housings 1 and 2 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is not completed, pressure does not act on the pressure-sensitive element 8 and the pressure-sensitive element 8 Has a large electrical resistance. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, when the lower surface of the female connector housing 1 is butted against the upper surface of the base portion 2a, that is, when both connector housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted, the protrusion 7 is placed in the mounting recess 9. The pressure sensing surface 8a of the pressure sensitive element 8 is pushed in and pressed. This pressure reduces the electric resistance of the pressure sensitive element 8.

In the above configuration, the work of fitting the two connector housings 1 and 2 is performed as follows. That is, first, the female connector housing 1 is lightly fitted into the male connector housing 2 from above so that the screw portion 4a of the bolt 4 can be screwed into the nut 6. Along with this, a detection circuit (not shown) is previously connected to the fitting detection connection terminals 11 and 11. Various types of detection circuits can be used, such as general-purpose instruments and a very simple circuit in which a power source such as a battery and a lamp or a buzzer are connected in series. Anything that can detect the change in the electrical resistance of No. 8 and notify the operator of the change may be used.

Therefore, the worker performs a work of tightening the bolt 4 to the nut 6 by using a tool such as an impact wrench. As a result, as described above, the two connector housings 1 and 2 are displaced with respect to each other in the coupling direction and fitted, but at this time, until the fitting of both connector housings 1 and 2 is completed. When the bolt 4 is tightened, as shown in FIG. 2, the pressure-sensitive element 8 is pressed by the protrusion 7 and its electric resistance becomes small, so that the detection circuit detects that the pressure-sensitive element 8 has been pressed. Become.

If the worker stops the tightening work based on the detection of the detection circuit, the bolt 4 will not be over-tightened and the tightening will not be insufficient. The bolt 4 tightening work can be completed with.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the protrusion 7 provided on the female connector housing 1 is provided with the pressure-sensitive element 8 provided on the male connector housing 2 when the mating of both connector housings 1 and 2 is completed. Since it is configured to press, it is possible to detect whether or not both connector housings 1 and 2 are in the fitting completed state by taking out the output of the pressure sensitive element 8 by the detection circuit. Therefore, when fitting the both connector housings 1 and 2, the operator can easily know the fitting completed state of the both connector housings 1 and 2, and as a result, prevent the bolt 4 from being over-tightened. Not only is it possible to prevent the work from being stopped when the two connector housings 1 and 2 are in a semi-fitted state, but also it is possible to reliably bring the two connector housings 1 and 2 into a completely fitted state. Is what you can get.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment (corresponding to claim 2) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. As in the first embodiment, the present invention is also applied to a screw tightening type connector, so that the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. Description will be omitted, and only different points will be described below.

In this embodiment, the metal piece 21 for conduction is attached to the lower surface of the female connector housing 1, while the pair of conductors 22 and 22 are provided to the upper surface of the base 2a of the male connector housing 2. Is provided. In the hole of the base portion 2a, fitting detection connection terminals 23 and 23 for detecting the presence or absence of conduction between the conductors 22 and 22 are connected to the conductors 22 and 22, respectively. It is provided.

As a result, in the state where the fitting of the two connector housings 1 and 2 is not completed as shown in FIG. 4, there is no continuity between the conductors 22 and 22, and the two connectors as shown in FIG. When the housings 1 and 2 are completely fitted together, the conductive metal piece 21 is in contact with both the conductors 22 and 22 so that the conductors 22 and 22 are electrically connected to each other.

Therefore, as in the first embodiment, by connecting the connection terminals 23, 23 for fitting detection to a detection circuit not shown, whether both connector housings 1 and 2 are in the fitting completed state. Whether or not it can be easily detected. As a result, it is possible to prevent the work from being stopped in the half-fitted state of both connector housings 1 and 2, and it is possible to reliably bring both connector housings 1 and 2 into the fitted state. Is what you can get.

In the second embodiment, the male connector housing 2 is provided with the pair of conductors 22, 22, and the conductive metal piece 21 provided in the female connector housing 1 allows both to be conducted. It is also possible to provide a conductor and a connection terminal for fitting detection in both connector housings so that both conductors come into contact with each other when the fitting is completed.

In each of the above-described embodiments, when the fitting work of both connector housings 1 and 2 is performed, it is detected whether or not the fitting completion state is reached. However, after the work, a detection circuit is connected. It is also possible to check whether or not the fitting is completed. Further, the pressure sensing element 8 and the conductor 22 may be provided on the female connector housing 1 side.

In addition, a structure may be adopted in which the threaded portion of the bolt is pulled out from the nut forward and idles when both connector housings are completely fitted, and is not limited to screw tightening type connectors, and general connectors can be used. The present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention and is a vertical sectional front view showing a state before mating of both connector housings.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional front view showing a mating completed state of both connector housings.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical side view of a main part.

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Female connector housing 2 ... Male connector housing 4 ... Bolt 6 ... Nut 7 ... Protrusion (pressing part) 8 ... Pressure-sensitive element 11 ... Fitting detection connection terminal 21 ... Continuity metal piece 22 ... Conductor 23 ... Fitting detection Connection terminal

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A connector in which one connector housing and the other connector housing are mutually displaced in a coupling direction so that the two connector housings are fitted to each other, and a pressing portion provided in the one connector housing. A pressure-sensitive element that is provided on the other connector housing and that is pressed by the pressing portion when the two connector housings have been fitted together; A connector comprising a connection detection connection terminal. 2. A connector housing, wherein one connector housing and the other connector housing are mutually displaced in the coupling direction so that both connector housings are fitted to each other. A connector comprising a pair of conductors electrically connected in a mating completed state, and a fitting detection connection terminal provided in the connector housing for detecting the presence or absence of conduction between the conductors.