JPH0973952A - Connector equipped with fitting confirming mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector equipped with a fitting confirming mechanism which is to be utilized mainly for connection of an automotive wire harness and has a simple structure and with which confirmation of mutual fitting of connectors can be carried out surely and reliably. SOLUTION: A detection lever 4 provided with an engagement hook 5 is installed through a hinge part 4a in one connector 1 of connectors to be fitted mutually in the manner that the lever can be opened and closed freely. In a fitting process to the other connector 2, the circumferential edge 8a of a cover part 8 formed in the other connector 2 pushes the detection lever 4 to raise the detection lever 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector with a fitting confirmation mechanism mainly used for connecting a wire harness of an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A connector provided with a mechanism for confirming whether or not mating connectors are completely fitted to each other is shown in FIG. 6 of Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-234637. A mechanical connector K is disclosed.

The connector K is provided with a lock lever c for detecting fitting of one of the connectors a and b. As shown in FIG. 7, the lock lever c is provided with a coil spring e for urging the lock lever c in the upright direction in its bearing portion d.

Before the connectors a and b are mated,
The lock lever c is closed as shown in FIG. When the connectors a and b are fitted to each other, the protrusion f engages the lock lever c.
When the lock arm g of is pressed, the lock lever c stands up. When the connectors a and b are in the completely fitted state, when the lock lever c is pushed back to the original state, the locking claw h of the lock lever c locks the projection f of the connector b.

On the other hand, when the connectors a and b are in the mating state halfway, it is impossible to push the lock lever c back to the original state, and it can be detected that the mating is incomplete. However, since the lock lever c of the connector K requires the coil spring e for biasing, the structure is complicated, the number of parts is large, and the manufacturing cost is high.

In order to reduce the manufacturing cost, a lock lever having a thin hinge portion formed by integral molding of a synthetic resin material can be considered in place of the biasing coil spring e, but the structure like the lock lever c is used. When integrally formed with synthetic resin material, the biasing force that raises the lock lever depends on the restoring force of the synthetic resin material, so it is considerably smaller than the coil spring, and the lock lever does not rise sufficiently, and the fitting is difficult. Even if it is incomplete, there is a problem that erroneous recognition as if the fitting is perfect occurs.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has a simple structure and a highly reliable fitting confirmation mechanism in which mating of connectors is clearly confirmed. It is an object to provide a connector with a connector.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a connector with a fitting confirmation mechanism according to the present invention has a detection lever provided with a locking hook on one connector of a pair of connectors to be mated with each other. The fixing portion is provided so as to be openable / closable in the fitting direction and is engaged with the locking arm of the other connector, and the other connector is provided with a drive projection and an outer jacket that abut against the detection lever. It is characterized by forming a locking hole into which a hook is engaged. It is preferable that the detection lever is integrally formed with one of the connectors via a thin flexible hinge portion (claim 2).

According to the present invention, in the process of fitting both connectors, the detection hooks of the detection lever provided on one connector are pressed by the driving projections provided on the other connector to be removed, and then the detection is performed. The hinge portion of the lever is pressed against the outer peripheral portion of the other connector to stand up.
Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm the fitting of the connectors with each other by visually observing the standing detection lever.
By pushing in the detection lever, the detection lever is locked in the locking hole provided in the other connector. On the other hand, in the case of the halfway mating state, the detection lever is not sufficiently erected and the detection lever does not reach the locking hole and cannot be engaged with the locking hole, so that the halfway mating is ensured. Can be detected.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing separately a connector A with a fitting confirmation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The connector A with a fitting confirmation mechanism is composed of a pair of connectors 1 and 2 which are mated with each other. One connector 1
Is formed by molding an electrically insulating synthetic resin material, and has a hood portion 3 in which a plurality of male terminals M are inserted and attached to the rear portion and the other connector 2 is received in the front portion.

The upper wall of the hood portion 3 has a wide opening 3a,
A detection lever 4 is erected at a rear portion of the opening 3a so as to be openable and closable via a thin flexible hinge portion 4a. Detection lever 4
Two locking hooks 5 are attached to the free end portion of the so as to face outward. In front of the opening 3a, there is provided a frame-shaped fixing portion 6 that engages with the locking arm 10 of the other connector 2.

The other connector 2 is formed of an electrically insulating synthetic resin material similarly to the one connector 1, and has a terminal accommodating portion 7 into which a female terminal (not shown) is inserted and the terminal accommodating portion 7 is accommodated. An outer cover portion 8 is provided so as to surround the portion 7.

A drive projection 9 that abuts the detection lever 4 is provided at the front end of the upper wall 7a of the terminal accommodating portion 7, and a locking arm 10 that extends rearward from the rear end of the drive projection 9 is provided. . One connector 1 is provided on the locking arm 10.
A locking claw 10a that engages with the fixed portion 6 is provided in a protruding manner.
The upper wall 8a of the outer cover portion 8 has a locking hole 11 for receiving the locking hook 5 of the detection lever 4 provided on the one connector 1.

Next, the fitting operation of both connectors 1 and 2 will be described. Before mating the two connectors 1 and 2, as shown in FIG. 2, the detection lever 4 of the one connector 1 holds the locking hook 5 with the fixing portion 6 and holds it in the temporarily locked state. Keep it. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the other connector 2 is fitted into the hood portion 3 of the one connector 1.

As the other connector 2 enters, the driving projection 9 of the other connector 2 abuts against the locking hook 5 of the detection lever 4, and the locking hook 5 locked to the fixed portion 6 is released. remove. When the locking hook 5 is released, the detection lever 4 moves to the flexible hinge portion 4a.
Due to the restoring force of, it tries to return to the standing state and is in a slightly upward state.

Further, when the other connector 2 is inserted, the peripheral edge 8b of the outer cover portion 8 of the other connector 2 contacts the hinge portion 4a of the detection lever 4, and the detection lever 4 is in the upright state as shown in FIG. Push up. In this state,
Both connectors 1 and 2 are fitted to each other, and the locking claw 10a of the locking arm 10 and the fixing portion 6 of the one connector 1 are engaged and fixed.

After mating both connectors 1 and 2, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the hinge portion 4a of the detection lever 4 is bent and the locking hook 5 is engaged and locked in the locking hole 11 of the other connector 2. When both the connectors 1 and 2 are completely fitted, the locking hook 5 of the detection lever 4 can be engaged in the locking hole 11, but when the fitting is halfway, Since the locking hook 5 of the detection lever 4 does not reach the locking hole 11 and cannot be engaged in the locking hole 11, the detection lever 4 remains in the upright state and the half-fitted state can be easily detected. .

[0019]

The connector with the fitting confirmation mechanism of the present invention,
In the process of mating the connectors with each other, the detection lever is pushed by the mating connector to stand up, so parts such as coil springs for urging the detection lever are not required, and the structure is very simple and clear. It is possible to detect various fitting states. In addition, the half-fitted state can be surely detected because the detection lever cannot be engaged with the locking hole. Therefore, there are many advantages such as easy fitting operation and fitting confirmation work, high reliability, downsizing and weight reduction, and reduction in manufacturing cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view separately showing a connector with a fitting confirmation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of both connectors of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the other connector is fitted into the one connector of FIG. 2 and the locking hook of the detection lever is removed.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a state in which the detection lever of FIG. 3 is erected by the other connector.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the detection lever is locked after both connectors of FIG. 4 are fitted together.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional connector with a fitting confirmation mechanism.

7 is a perspective view showing a structure of a lock lever of one connector of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Connector with fitting confirmation mechanism 1 Connector 2 Other connector 4 Detection lever 4a Flexible hinge part 5 Locking hook 6 Fixing part 8 Outer cover part 9 Drive projection 10 Locking arm 11 Locking hole

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A detection lever provided with a locking hook is erected on one of a pair of mating connectors so as to open and close in the mating direction and engages with a locking arm of the other connector. A fitting confirmation mechanism characterized in that a fixing portion is provided, a driving projection portion that abuts against the detection lever and an outer covering portion are provided on the other connector, and a locking hole into which the locking hook is engaged is formed. With connector. 2. The detection lever is integrally formed with one of the connectors via a thin flexible hinge portion.
Connector with the described mating confirmation mechanism.