JPH0689759A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a connector which can enhance the reliability of the connection. CONSTITUTION:A detention arm 28 capable of deforming elastically is formed on the first connector housing 1 holding the first terminal 2, and therein a short circuit member 5 to be connected with the first terminal is accommodated. A sliding member 6 energized by an energizing member 27 is slidably installed on the second connector housing 3 which holds the second terminal 4, and therein the first guide groove 21 for insertion of the detention arm is formed. In the fitting process of the first and second connector housings, the detention arm is elastically deformed by a stepped wall part 29b of the first guide groove and contacted with the sliding member to push it out backward. When fitting of the first and second connector housings is completed. contacting of the detention arm with the sliding member is disengaged, and the detention arm is detained with the detention part of the first guide groove, and the sliding member is energized forward to cause separation of the short circuit member from the first terminal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector having a fitting detecting function for detecting a complete fitting of a pair of connector housings.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 12 shows a conventional connector used for an airbag as a vehicle occupant protection device. This connector includes a first connector housing 100 holding a male terminal 101 and a second connector housing 100 holding a female terminal 103.
A connector housing 102 is provided. An annular short-circuit member 104 is attached to the second connector housing 102 by being urged against the female terminal 103, and an insulating plate 105 is provided on the first connector housing 100. ing.

Then, by fitting the first connector housing 100 and the second connector housing 102, the male terminal 101 and the female terminal 103 are electrically connected. At the time of fitting, the insulating plate 105 is short-circuited. It is inserted between the member 104 and the female terminal 103 to disconnect them from each other, and this is detected to detect that the first connector housing 100 and the second connector housing 102 are completely fitted. ing.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned conventional connector has the first connector housing 100 and the second connector housing 100.
These connectors are simply fitted with the connector housing 102, and these retaining mechanisms are not provided.
Therefore, the fitting may loosen or come off due to vibration or the like.

Further, the fitting of the first connector housing 100 and the second connector housing 102 is performed by the short-circuit member 104.
Since the detection is performed depending on whether or not the insulating plate 105 is inserted between the male terminal 101 and the female terminal 103, the insulating plate 1 is not yet surely connected to the insulating plate 1 during the insertion.
When 05 is inserted between the short-circuit member 104 and the female terminal 103, a detection signal that the fitting is completed is issued, and when the fitting is stopped by this detection signal, the male terminal 101 and the female terminal 103 are connected. Remains incomplete. Due to such a problem, the conventional connector described above has poor reliability and cannot be used in a device requiring high reliability such as an airbag.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to reliably prevent loosening and disengagement, and the detection signal is emitted only when the fitting is completed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector capable of preventing the incomplete state and improving the reliability of connection.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a connector according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided with at least one elastic member having an engaging projection at a tip thereof in a first connector housing which holds a plurality of first terminals. A deformable engaging arm is formed so as to extend forward of the first connector housing, and a second connector housing holding a plurality of second terminals is provided in the first connector housing, and the second terminal is provided in the first connector housing. At least one first guide groove into which the engaging arm is inserted is formed in the second connector housing while being removably fitted in a state of being in electrical contact with the terminal. Is provided with an engaging portion with which the engaging protrusion engages and a stepped wall portion formed adjacent to the front end of the second connector housing, and at least the first terminal has at least the first terminal in the first connector housing. Touching two A slide having a front portion for housing the short-circuit member electrically connecting the first terminal of the second connector housing and engaging the short-circuit member on the second connector housing to disengage the short-circuit member from the second first terminal. A member is slidably arranged in front of and behind the second connector housing, and a biasing member for biasing the sliding member forward of the second connector housing is provided between the sliding member and the second connector housing. And the engaging arm is elastically deformed by the stepped wall portion of the first guide groove during the fitting process of the first connector housing and the second connector housing. While being brought into contact with the sliding member to push the sliding member toward the rear end of the second connector housing, the engagement protrusion is provided with the first protrusion when the fitting of the first connector housing and the second connector housing is completed. Disengagement position that engages with the engaging part of the guide groove The one in which the engagement arm is configured so as to reach.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the above connector, at least one of the two first terminals is connected with a detecting device for detecting a current in the short-circuit member, and the sliding member is slidable in the first guide groove. A wing portion having an outer plate portion fitted in the wing portion is provided, and in the process of fitting the first connector housing and the second connector housing, the tip of the engaging arm is configured to abut the outer plate portion of the wing portion. A second guide groove is formed on the upper surface of the second connector housing, and a guide portion slidably fitted in the second guide groove is formed on the sliding member. Further, in the connector according to claim 3, a through hole extending in the fitting direction is further formed in the second connector housing, and a rod portion extending coaxially with the through hole is provided in the sliding member,
The urging member is composed of a coil spring arranged around the rod portion and housed in the through hole.

As described in claim 4, the short-circuit member is
It is formed to have a convex curved portion and a pair of contacts that make electrical contact with the two first terminals, and the sliding member abuts the convex curved portion when the first connector housing and the second connector housing are fitted together. While engaging to disengage the pair of contacts from the two first terminals, the first connector housing
A pair of slits may be formed to allow the pair of contacts of the short-circuit member to contact the two first terminals. Further, in the connector of claim 5, the short-circuit member is formed so as to have a convex curved portion serving as a contact electrically contacting the second first terminal and a front portion contacting the sliding member. When the first connector housing and the second connector housing are fitted to each other, the sliding member comes into contact with the front part to separate the contact from the second first terminal.

[0010]

In the connector of claim 1, in the process of fitting the first and second connector housings, the engaging arm is elastically deformed by the stepped wall portion of the first guide groove and abuts against the tip of the sliding member. The sliding members are brought into contact with each other, and the sliding members are moved rearward by the engaging arms as the fitting progresses. After that, when the engagement arm engages with the engagement portion, the engagement with the sliding member is released, and the sliding member is urged forward by the urging member to move forward. As a result of this advance, the front portion of the sliding member engages with the short-circuit member to separate the short-circuit member from the first terminal. This separation is electrically detected, and it is possible to detect the state in which the engagement arm and the engagement portion are engaged (the state in which they are completely fitted). That is, the detection signal is not issued when the fitting is incomplete, and the fitting is complete when the detection signal is issued. Further, when the first and second connector housings are fitted together, the engaging arm of the first connector housing engages with the engaging portion in the first guide groove of the second connector housing. Prevents the connector housing from being pulled out.

In the connector of the second aspect, in the process of fitting the first and second connector housings, the tip of the engaging arm comes into contact with the outer side plate of the wing to push out the sliding member. When the sliding member slides, the outer plate portion and the guide portion of the blade portion move in the first guide groove and the second guide groove of the second connector housing. In the connector of the third aspect, the sliding member is biased forward of the second connector housing by the coil spring arranged around the rod portion of the second connector housing.

Further, in the connector of claim 4, the pair of contacts of the short-circuit member are brought into contact with the two first terminals through the pair of slits of the first connector housing. When the housing is fitted, the sliding member abuts and engages with the convex curved portion of the short-circuit member to separate the contact point of the short-circuit member from the first terminal. Further, in the connector of the fifth aspect, when the first and second connector housings are fitted to each other, the sliding member comes into contact with the front portion of the short-circuit member to separate the contact from the first terminal.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The connector of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 7 show a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which has a plurality of male terminals (first terminals).
Second connector housing 3 holding a plurality of female terminals (second terminals) 4 in a first connector housing 1 holding 2
However, the female terminal 4 is connected to the male terminal 2 and is detachably fitted, and the short-circuit member 5 is accommodated in the first connector housing 1, while the second connector housing 3 is used for confirmation of engagement. The sliding member 6 is provided.

The first connector housing 1 has a front housing member 7 made of an insulative synthetic resin and having a rectangular front end 7a and a rear end 7b, and an insulative synthetic resin fitted into the rear end of the front housing member 7. A rear holder 8 made of metal is provided. The front housing member 7 is provided with an upper wall 7c, a lower wall 7d, and a side wall 7e connecting the upper wall and the lower wall, and an intermediate body portion 9 is formed at an intermediate position slightly deviated to the rear end 7b side, A front hollow portion 10 having a considerable depth is formed in the front portion thereof, while a rear hollow portion 11 having a relatively shallow depth is formed in the rear portion. The intermediate body portion 9 is provided with a main portion 9a having a plurality of through holes 12 and a pair of left and right vertical walls 9b integrally formed on the main portion 9a and defining an opening 13 for accommodating the short-circuit member 5. ing. A pair of parallel slits 14 are formed on the upper surface of the main portion 9a so as to communicate with the two adjacent through holes 12, while a saddle portion 9c is located on the upper surface of the main portion 9a between the pair of slits 14. A pair of guide voids 13a communicating with these slits 14 are formed on both sides of the saddle portion 9c. Further, a pair of guide brackets 15 each having a substantially L-shaped cross section are integrally formed vertically on the surface of the upper wall 7c so as to face the slits 14. Further, a pair of engagement pieces 7f are integrally formed on the rear portion of the side wall 7e of the housing member 7, and a pair of parallel guide plates 7g extending in the longitudinal direction are formed on the inner surface of the lower wall of the front hollow portion 10 of the housing member 7. Are integrally formed.

The rear holder 8 fitted in the rear hollow portion 11 of the housing member 7 is adjacent to each of the through holes 16 and a rectangular main body portion 8a having a plurality of through holes 16 for accommodating the male terminals 2. It has a plurality of long engaging pieces 8b formed on the body portion 8a so as to extend from the position. A pair of engaging recesses 8c are formed on the side wall of the main body 8a,
The rear holder 8 engages the engagement piece 7f with the engagement recess 8c, the through hole 16 comes on the same line as the through hole 12 of the housing member 7, and the engagement piece 8b is inserted into the through hole 21. It is attached to the front housing member 7 in the closed state. Figure 2
As best shown in (b), the male terminal 2 is inserted into the through hole 16 of the rear holder 8 and the through hole 12 of the front housing member 7, and the engaging projection 2a is inserted into the main portion 9 of the male terminal 2.
It is fitted in the engaging recess 9d formed in a, and the intermediate body 9
It is attached to the housing member 7 in a state where the intermediate portion 2b is pressed by the engaging piece 8b bent toward the terminal 2 by the shoulder portion formed in the through hole 12. Furthermore, as shown schematically in FIG.
A detection device D that detects the current of the short-circuit member 5 is connected to at least one of the two male terminals 2.

The second connector housing 3 has a rectangular front housing member 17 made of insulating synthetic resin having a front end 17a and a rear end 17b, and an insulating synthetic resin fitted to the rear end 17b of the front housing member 17. Resin rear holder 1
Eight. The front housing member 17 is the front hollow portion 10 of the housing member 7 of the first connector housing 1.
Has a smaller size than the housing member 7 of the first connector housing 1. A plurality of through holes 19 are formed in the housing member 17, a pair of long guide frames 20 are formed on the upper surface of the housing member 17, and a pair of first guide grooves 21 are formed outside the guide frames 20. A front part 22 having a plurality of shallow grooves 22a and a second guide groove 23b having a substantially circular cross section and having a pair of upward openings at both ends are formed in the central part provided between the guide frames 20. And a rear shoulder portion 23 that is formed.
Further, a pair of parallel slits opening in the front-rear direction of the housing member 17 are formed in the bottom portion of the housing member 17, and the parallel guide plate 7 of the first connector housing 1 is formed.
The housing member 17 is fitted to the first connector housing 1 in a state where g is slidably fitted in the slit.

The rear holder 18 fitted in the housing member 17 extends from a rectangular main body portion 18a having a plurality of through holes 24 for accommodating the female terminals 4 and a position adjacent to each through hole 24. And a plurality of long engaging pieces 18b formed on the main body portion 18a. Body 18a
Has a pair of engagement pieces 18c formed on its side wall, and the rear holder 18 engages the engagement piece 18c with an engagement hole 17c formed on the side wall of the housing member 17 to allow the rear holder 18 to penetrate. The hole 24 is on the same line as the through hole 19 of the housing member 17, and the engagement piece 18 b is inserted into the through hole 19 and is attached to the front housing member 17. As shown in FIG. 2B, the female terminal 4 is inserted into the through hole 24 of the rear holder 18 and the through hole 19 of the front housing member 17, and the through hole 19 is formed in the front bent portion 4 a.
The protrusions 17d formed on the inner wall of the terminal 4 are engaged with the shoulders formed in the through holes 19 of the housing member 17, and the terminals 4
It is attached to the housing member 17 in a state where the intermediate portion 4b thereof is pressed by the engaging piece 18b bent toward.

The short-circuit member 5 housed in the first connector housing 1 is bent at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction thereof, and has a flat receiving portion 5a formed at one end in the longitudinal direction. It is composed of. A slit 5b extending in the longitudinal direction is formed at the other end of the leaf spring to form a pair of branched contact portions 5c, and the contact portion is further bent at a right angle in a direction away from the one end to form an edge thereof. Form a pair of thin contacts 5d. Further, the base end portion where the slit 5b extends is bent outward to form a convex curved portion 5e. The short-circuit member 5 is accommodated in the first connector housing 1 with both ends of the flat receiving portion 5a being supported by the guide brackets 15 and with the contact portion 5c placed on the saddle portion 9c with the contact 5d facing downward. There is. As a result, the two contacts 5d are connected to the two adjacent male terminals 2
And the convex curved portion 5e is positioned so as to project downward.

The sliding member 6 for confirming the engagement is arranged on the second connector housing 3, but a pair of left and right members having a U-shaped cross section are arranged so as to be opened downward. 2 and an intermediate portion 26 connecting the wing portions 25, and each wing portion is formed with an outer plate portion 25a accommodated in each first guide groove 21. The intermediate portion 26 is provided with a front portion 26a having a contact portion 26b projecting forward and adapted to be placed on the front portion 22 of the housing member 17, and also projecting downward and guiding. A rear portion 26c having a pair of guide portions 26d configured to be housed in the groove 23b and an integral rod portion 26e formed between the guide portions 26d and fitted into the through hole 23a is provided. Has been formed. In this way, the sliding member 6
The guide portion 26d is housed in the second guide groove 23b, the plate portion 25a is housed in the first guide groove 21, and the front portion 26a is housed in the front portion 2a.
It is placed on the second connector housing 3 and slidably arranged on the second connector housing 3. Although not shown, a stopper projection that can be engaged with an engaging recess formed in the front housing member 17 is formed on the sliding member 6, and the sliding member 6 is separated from the front housing member 17. It is designed to prevent

Further, an urging member composed of a compression coil spring 27 having a predetermined spring constant has a rod portion 26e at one end.
Is disposed around the rod portion 26e by abutting on the base end wall of the second connector housing 3 and by abutting the other end on the inner end surface of the rear shoulder portion 23 of the housing member 17 of the second connector housing 3. The coil spring 27 acts between the sliding member 6 and the second connector housing 3 to bias the sliding member 6 toward the front of the second connector housing 3.

Further, a pair of left and right engaging arms 28, which are elastically deformable in a direction toward and away from each other, are provided in the front hollow portion 10 at the upper portion of the intermediate body portion 9 of the first connector housing 1. Is formed. Engagement protrusions 28a are formed on the free ends of the engagement arms 28 so as to face each other. Housing member 17 of second connector housing 3
Each of the first guide grooves 21 are laterally spaced apart from each other, but the inner side wall 21a and the outer side wall 21b and the side wall 21a are disposed so as to face each other in parallel. It is composed of a bottom portion 21c that connects 21b. The outer side wall 21b is formed flat so that the outer side plate portion 5a of each wing portion 25 of the sliding member 6 is guided, while the inner side wall 21a includes:
A flat wall portion 29a formed parallel to and facing the outer side wall 21b, and a stepped wall portion provided near the tip of the inner side wall and forming a flat upper surface projecting toward the outer side wall 21b. 29b is formed. The stepped wall portion 29b has a structure in which the stepped wall portion 29b is brought into contact with the engagement protrusion 28a of each engagement arm 28, while the flat wall portion 29a and the shoulder portion 29c connecting the wall portion 29a and the stepped wall portion 29b. However, the engaging portion 29 with which the engaging protrusion 28a engages when the engaging arm 28 returns to the release position.
Are configured.

Next, the operation of the connector of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 2, the second connector housing 3 is first
1 shows a state in which the connector housing 1 is starting to be fitted. In this state, the male terminal 2 and the female terminal 4 are not in contact with each other, and the short-circuit member 5 is in contact with the two male terminals 2 and is in a short-circuited state. Further, the engagement arm 28 is not yet inserted in the second connector housing 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the fitting of the first connector housing 1 and the second connector housing 3 is further advanced, the engaging projection 28a of the engaging arm 28 is brought into contact with the stepped wall portion 29b. The engaging arm 28 is elastically deformed outward in the direction orthogonal to the fitting direction, and the elastic deformation causes the engaging arm 28 to move toward the wing portion 25.
The outer plate portion 25a of the above enters into the path of the guide groove 21 in which it slides. Even in this state, the male terminal 2 and the female terminal 4 are not in contact with each other, and the short-circuit member 5 is in a short-circuit state of being in contact with the male terminal 2. The engagement protrusion 28 a of the engagement arm 28 is not yet engaged with the engagement portion 29.

When the fitting is further advanced, as shown in FIG. 4, the engaging arm 28 moves the outer plate portion 25 of the wing portion 25 of the sliding member 6.
a, so that the sliding member 6 moves to the coil spring 27.
It is pushed backwards against the urging force of and moves backward. In this state, although the short-circuit member 5 is still in contact with the male terminal 2, the male terminal 2 and the female terminal 4 are in contact with each other. Further, the engagement protrusion 28a of the engagement arm 28 remains deformed, but has not yet reached the engagement portion 29.

When the fitting is further advanced from the above state, as shown in FIG. 5, the engaging arm 28 is elastically deformed by the stepped wall portion 29b while pushing the sliding member 6 rearward.
However, it is restored to the original release position and is disengaged from the movement path of the wing portion 25, and the engaging protrusion 28 a is engaged with the engaging portion 29. As a result, there is no obstacle to the movement of the blade portion 25 in the first guide groove 21, so that the sliding member 6 is biased by the coil spring 27 and moves forward toward the first connector housing 1. When the sliding member 6 moves forward, the contact portion 26b of the sliding member 6 abuts and engages with the convex curved portion 5e of the short-circuit member 5 to deform the curved portion in a direction away from the two male terminals 2. The short-circuit member 5 separates from the two adjacent male terminals 2. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the male terminal 2 and the female terminal 4 are
Are in contact with each other, and the short-circuit member 5 is separated from the two male terminals 2. In addition, the engagement protrusion 2 of the engagement arm 28
8a is fitted in the guide groove 21 and engaged with the engaging portion 29.

Here, an electric current is made to flow between the two male terminals 2 and the short-circuit member 5 in advance, and the electric current flow is monitored by the detecting device D connected to at least one of the two male terminals. When the current is not detected by, it is detected and confirmed that the short-circuit member 5 is separated from the male terminal 2. That is,
When the engagement arms 28 of the first and second connector housings 1 and 3 are accommodated in the guide grooves 21 and the engagement protrusions 28a are engaged with the engagement portions 29, and are completely fitted, the engagement arms 28 are formed. Is separated from the sliding member 6, the sliding member 6 is moved forward by the urging force of the coil spring 27, and the abutting portion 26b is pressed into contact with the convex curved portion 5e of the short-circuiting member 5 to short-circuit. The member 5 is deformed upward and separated from the two male terminals 2.

Therefore, only when the first and second connector housings 1 and 3 are completely fitted, the detection device D detects the release of the short-circuit member 5, and the fitting operation is performed until the release of the short-circuit member 5 is detected. Can be continued. Therefore, incomplete fitting of the connector housings 1 and 3 can be surely prevented, and only when the fitting of the connector housings 1 and 3 is complete, a signal indicating the connection between the male terminal 2 and the female terminal 4 can be obtained. Is emitted, and the reliability of the connector can be kept high.

Further, in this embodiment, the first and second connector housings 1, 3 are retained until the engaging protrusion 28a of the engaging arm 28 is housed in the engaging portion 29 of the guide groove 21 of the second connector housing 3. Is incomplete, the engaging portion 28a of the engaging arm 28 is engaged with the engaging portion 29 of the guide groove 21, and at the same time, the fitting of the first and second connector housings 1 and 3 is completed. Is detected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fitting operation from being stopped while the fitting is incomplete.

As described above, in the connector of the present invention, the fitting of the first connector housing 1 and the second connector housing 3 is associated with the engagement of the engaging arm 28 with the guide groove 21, and the short-circuit member 5 is provided. This is detected by using the sliding member 6 which is moved in association with the engagement of the engaging arm 28 and the engaging arm 28. Therefore, the connector of the present embodiment can obtain high reliability and can be used in a device requiring a high level of reliability. For example, it can be preferably used for connecting an electric wire for transmitting an activation signal in an automobile airbag system for protecting a driver.

FIG. 8 shows a modified example of the short-circuit member 5, which is composed of a torsion spring 30 made of an appropriate elastic metal, and has a U-shaped receiving portion 30a, a pair of coil portions 30b, and a pair of coil portions 30b.
A pair of convex curved portions 30c protruding downward, the curved portions 30c
It has a pair of leg portions 30d which are bent at right angles from the above, and a pair of ring-shaped end portions 30e which are arranged at the free ends of the curved portions 30c and serve as a pair of thin contacts. The short-circuit member 5 is
The receiving portion 30a is accommodated in the guide bracket 15, the convex curved portion 30c is placed on the saddle portion 9c so that the thin contact points downward, and the accommodating portion 30a is accommodated in the first connector housing 1. The thin contacts are configured to contact the two adjacent male terminals 2, and the convex curved portion 30c is positioned so as to project downward.

Further, FIGS. 9 to 11 show a second embodiment of the connector of the present invention, and the same reference numerals are used for the parts or members common to the previous embodiments to simplify the description. The connector shown in this embodiment is basically the same as that of the previous embodiment, but the short-circuit member is composed of a ring-shaped leaf spring. That is, the short circuit member indicated by 31 includes a flat base portion 31a having a through opening 31b, a pair of front plate portions 31c extending from the base portion 31a and curving at an acute angle, and a pair of front plate portions 31c extending from the base portion 31a and curving at an acute angle. Rear plate part 3
It has 1d. The rear plate portion 31d is provided with a convex curved portion 31e serving as an electrical contact that contacts the two male terminals 2, while the front plate portion 31c is in contact with the end portion of the rear plate portion 31d. As shown in FIG. 10B, in the short-circuit member 5, the opening 31b is fitted into the projection 7h formed on the upper wall 7c of the first connector housing 1, and the projection 31e serving as an electric contact has two projections 31e. It is housed in the first connector housing 1 so as to be able to contact the male terminal 2. Further, the sliding member 6 is formed with a front portion 32 having a plurality of elongated protrusions 32a inclined in the front-rear direction, and the outer pair of these protrusions 32a comes into contact with the front plate portion 31c to short-circuit the member. It is configured to deform 31 in a direction away from the male terminal 2. In FIG. 11, the short-circuit member 31 has the male terminal 2
Shows the state of being separated from. As best shown in FIG. 11B, the entire inclined surface of the protrusion 32a is the front plate portion 31.
The short-circuit member 31 is detached from the male terminal 2 by contacting c.
Further, in this embodiment, the through holes 12, 19 of the connector housings 1, 3 are formed so as to have the curved walls 12a, 19a, and the engaging pieces 8b, 1 of the rear holders 8, 18 are formed.
8b is deformed toward the terminals 2 and 4 by the curved walls 12a and 19a to lock the terminals.

Further, although the sliding member 6 and the engaging arm 28 are formed of the insulating synthetic resin in the above embodiment, they may be formed of a conductive material such as metal. Further, the coil spring 27 has a large spring constant, and when the fitting of the first and second connector housings 1 and 3 is insufficient, the second connector housing 3 moves outward in a direction away from the first connector housing 1. It may be pushed out to. Accordingly, when the fitting of the connector housing is incomplete, the connector housing can be automatically separated.
Further, the first connector housing may be formed so as to hold the female terminal, and the first connector housing may be formed so as to hold the male terminal.

[0035]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects.

In the connector of the first aspect, the release of the short-circuit member is detected only when the first and second connector housings are completely fitted, and the fitting operation is continued until the release of the short-circuit member is detected. Therefore, incomplete mating of the connector housing can be reliably prevented, and only when the mating of the connector housing is complete, a signal indicating the connection between the male terminal and the female terminal is emitted, and the reliability of the connector is improved. Can be kept high. Further, the fitting of the first and second connector housings is incomplete until the engaging protrusion of the engaging arm is housed in the engaging portion of the guide groove of the second connector housing,
At the same time that the engagement portion of the engagement arm is engaged with the engagement portion of the guide groove, the completion of the fitting of the first and second connector housings is detected. Can be prevented from being stopped. Therefore, high reliability can be obtained, and it can be suitably used for a device such as an automobile air bag system that requires a high level of reliability.

Further, in the connector of the second aspect, the sliding member slides smoothly with respect to the connector housing, and the movement of the sliding member ensures engagement and disengagement of the short-circuit member with respect to the terminal. it can. In the connector of claim 3, when the pressing force by the engaging arm is released, the sliding member can be surely biased forward of the second connector housing by the coil spring, and the short-circuit member can be properly separated from the terminal. Can be done. Further, in the connector of claim 4 or 5, the contact of the contact of the short-circuit member with respect to the first terminal and the contact release thereof can be reliably performed by the sliding member.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 shows a process of fitting the connector of FIG.
(A) is a partially cutaway plan view, (b) is a side sectional view, (c)
[Fig. 4] is a view on arrow c-c of (b).

FIG. 3 shows a process of fitting the connector of FIG.
(A) is a partially cutaway plan view and (b) is a side sectional view.

FIG. 4 shows a process of fitting the connector of FIG.
(A) is a partially cutaway plan view and (b) is a side sectional view.

5 is a view showing a fitted state of the connector of FIG.
(A) is a partially cutaway plan view and (b) is a side sectional view.

6 is a VI-VI arrow view of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view on arrow VII-VII of FIG.

8 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the short-circuit member of the connector of FIG.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a process of fitting the connector of FIG.
(A) is sectional drawing seen from the upper part, (b) is a side sectional view.

FIG. 11 shows a mated state of the connector of FIG.
(A) is a partially cutaway plan view and (b) is a side sectional view.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... 1st connector housing, 2 ... male terminal (1st terminal), 3 ... 2nd connector housing, 4 ... female terminal (2nd)
Terminal), 5 ... Short-circuit member, 6 ... Sliding member, 21 ... First guide groove, 27 ... Coil spring (biasing member), 28 ... Engaging arm, 28a ... Engaging protrusion, 29 ... Engaging portion, 29b ... Stepped wall part, D ... Detection device.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Moritaka Goto 1-5-1 Kiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo Fujikura Ltd. (72) Inventor Ken Hasegawa 1-1-5 Kiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo Shareholders Inside Fujikura

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first connector housing (1) for holding a plurality of first terminals (2) has an engaging projection (28a) at its tip.
At least one elastically deformable engaging arm (2
8) is formed so as to extend forward of the first connector housing (1), and a second connector housing (3) holding a plurality of second terminals (4) is provided in the first connector housing (1). The second terminal (4) is removably fitted to the first terminal (2) in an electrically contacting state, and the engaging arm (28) is attached to the second connector housing (3). ) Is inserted into at least one first guide groove (21),
An engaging portion (29) with which the engaging protrusion (28a) engages, and a stepped wall portion formed adjacent to the front end of the second connector housing (3) in the first guide groove (21). (29b)
And a short-circuit member (5) for contacting at least two of the first terminals (2) to electrically connect the two first terminals (2) to the first connector housing (1). And a front portion (26a, on the second connector housing (3) for engaging the short-circuit member (5) to disengage the short-circuit member (5) from the second first terminal (2). A sliding member (6) having a sliding member (32) is slidably arranged in front of and behind the second connector housing (3), and between the sliding member (6) and the second connector housing (3). Is provided with a biasing member (27) that biases the sliding member (6) forward of the second connector housing (3), and the engaging arm (28) and the first guide groove (21) are , First
In the process of fitting the connector housing (1) and the second connector housing (3), the engaging arm (28) is elastically deformed by the stepped wall portion (29b) of the first guide groove (21) and the sliding member ( 6) and pushes the sliding member (6) toward the rear end of the second connector housing (3), while fitting the first connector housing (1) and the second connector housing (3). When the engagement is completed, the engagement arm (28) is configured to reach a release position where the engagement protrusion (28a) engages with the engagement portion (29) of the first guide groove (21). And connector. 2. A detection device (D) for detecting a current in the short-circuit member (5) is connected to at least one of the two first terminals (2), and the sliding member (6) has a first 1
The outer side plate portion (25) slidably fitted in the guide groove (21)
A wing portion (25) having a) is provided, and in the process of fitting the first connector housing (1) and the second connector housing (3), the tip end of the engaging arm (28) has the wing portion (2).
5) is configured to be brought into contact with the outer side plate portion (25a), and a second guide groove (23b) is formed on the upper surface of the second connector housing (3), while the sliding member ( The connector according to claim 1, wherein a guide portion (26d) slidably fitted in the second guide groove (23b) is formed in 6). 3. A through hole (23a) extending in the fitting direction is formed in the second connector housing (3), and a rod extending coaxially with the through hole (23a) in the sliding member (6). A portion (26e) is provided, and the biasing member (27) is disposed around the rod portion (26e) so that the through hole (2) is provided.
The connector according to claim 1 or 2, which is constituted by a coil spring housed in 3a). 4. The short-circuit member (5) has a convex curved portion (5).
e, 30c) and a pair of contacts (5d, 30e) for electrically contacting the two first terminals (2), and the first connector housing (1) and the second connector housing (3). The sliding member (6) abuts and engages with the convex curved portions (5e, 30c) at the time of fitting, to disengage the pair of contacts (5d) from the two first terminals (2). Meanwhile, the pair of contacts (5) of the short-circuit member (5) is provided on the first connector housing (1).
4. A connector according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a pair of slits (5b) are formed which allow d) to contact the two first terminals (2). 5. The short-circuit member (5) has a convex curved portion (31) serving as a contact electrically contacting the second first terminal (2).
e) and the front part (31c) that contacts the sliding member (6)
And the sliding member (6) when the first connector housing (1) and the second connector housing (3) are fitted together.
Is configured to contact the front portion (31c) to disengage the contact from the second first terminal (2).
The connector according to any one of 1 to 3.