JPH10294150A - Connector preventing imperfect fit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent imperfect insertion of terminals and an imperfect fit between connectors, without burdening operators. SOLUTION: One connector 2 and the other connector 3 are provided respectively with a paramagnetic substance 6 and a diamagnetic substance 7 in such a way that the substances are opposed to each other; the substances are fitted with respective electromagnetic coils 15, 16, the paramagnetic substance 6 and a diamagnetic substance 10 are free to move in a terminal inserting direction as they abut to terminals 4, 5, and the diamagnetic substance 7 and a paramagnetic substance 11 are located in opposite positions. The diamagnetic substance 7 has an auxiliary body portion 9 at the front end of the connector and the magnetic substance 11 has an auxiliary body portion 13 inside a fitting chamber 31, the auxiliary body portions attracting each other. Also, one of the connectors may be provided with a terminal of a diamagnetic substance and the other connector with a terminal of a paramagnetic substance, with the electromagnetic coils placed around the terminals. The electromagnetic coils are connected to the same power supply as wires 26, 34. Alternatively, the paramagnetic substance 6 and the diamagnetic substance 7 may be connected to the wire 24 and the paramagnetic substance 11 and the diamagnetic substance 10 to the wire 26.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a semi-mating prevention connector for preventing incomplete insertion of terminals into a connector housing and incomplete mating between connectors by suction of a paramagnetic material and a diamagnetic material. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to prevent a terminal from being inserted incompletely in a connector housing and to prevent the terminal from being incompletely inserted, for example, a rear holder is pushed in from a rear portion of the connector housing, so that the terminal is forcibly pushed in and completely inserted. Had been inserted.

In order to prevent incomplete fitting of the connector housing when the connector housing is fitted to the mating connector housing, the connector housings are strongly fitted to each other by means such as inertial lock or lever operation. To complete the fit.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional means, the work of inserting the terminals and the work of fitting the connector housing are complicated, and the connection fitting force is increased. There was a problem that the fitting workability deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the present invention provides a half-fitting which can reliably prevent a terminal from being inserted incorrectly and a connector housing from being improperly inserted without the need for an operator to push the terminal or connector housing. It is an object to provide a prevention connector.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a method in which one connector and the other connector are provided with a paramagnetic material and a diamagnetic material, respectively, facing each other. An electromagnetic coil is provided, and the paramagnetic material of one connector and the diamagnetic material of the other connector abut the terminals in each connector and are movable in the terminal insertion direction. A semi-fitting prevention connector is used in which the paramagnetic body of the other connector is located opposite to the connector. The diamagnetic body of the one connector has a sub-body part exposed on the front end side of the one connector, and the paramagnetic body of the other connector has a sub-body part located in a connector fitting chamber. It is also possible (claim 2). Also, a semi-fitting prevention connector is used in which one connector is provided with a diamagnetic material terminal, the other connector is provided with a paramagnetic material terminal, and an electromagnetic coil is provided around each terminal. Item 3). In the half-fitting prevention connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, each of the electromagnetic coils may be connected to the same power supply as an electric wire following the terminal (claim 4). Also,
The semi-mating prevention connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the paramagnetic material and the diamagnetic material of the one connector are:
It is also effective that the other connector is connected to an electric wire following the terminal thereof, and the paramagnetic material and the diamagnetic material of the other connector are connected to an electric wire following the terminal of the one connector. .

The operation based on the above configuration will be described below.
The half-fitting prevention connector according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4, wherein when the terminals come into initial contact with each other, an electric current is generated in the electric wire, each electromagnetic coil is energized, and the paramagnetic material is positively excited. The diamagnetic material is negatively excited, and the paramagnetic material and the diamagnetic material are attracted to each other. Thus, the paramagnetic material in one connector and the diamagnetic material in the other connector press the terminals in the insertion direction, thereby completely inserting the incompletely inserted terminals. At the same time, the diamagnetic material of one connector and the paramagnetic material of the other connector are attracted to each other, and the connector is guided to the proper fitting position to be completely fitted. After the complete fitting, the suction between the paramagnetic material and the diamagnetic material is maintained, and the coupling force between the terminals and the fitting force (locking force) between the connectors are increased. In the half-fitting prevention connector according to the third or fourth aspect, since there is no paramagnetic material and diamagnetic material other than the terminals, the structure is simplified. When the coil is energized, the terminal of the paramagnetic material and the terminal of the diamagnetic material attract each other, whereby the incompletely inserted terminal is completely inserted and the connectors are guided in the fitting direction. In the half-fitting prevention connector according to the fifth aspect, even when the terminals are not in contact with each other, the suction action between the paramagnetic material and the diamagnetic material occurs, and the incompletely inserted terminal is completely inserted. Other functions are the same as those of the half-fitting prevention connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a half-fitting prevention connector according to the present invention.

The semi-mating prevention connector 1 is provided with the contact between the terminals 4 and 5 of the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 and at the same time, the paramagnetic members 6 and 12 and the diamagnetic members 7 and 10 in the connectors 2 and 3.
Are excited, and the terminals 4, 5 in both connectors 2, 3 are utilized by utilizing the attractive force of the paramagnetic bodies 6, 12 and the diamagnetic bodies 7, 10.
And the incomplete fitting of the connectors 2 and 3 is prevented.

As shown in FIG. 1, the male connector 2 includes a male connector housing 14 made of synthetic resin, a female terminal 4 inserted into the male connector housing 14, and a paramagnetic member disposed behind the female terminal 4. A body 6 and a paramagnetic body 6,
A diamagnetic member 7 having a part 9 exposed in front of the male connector housing 14 and an electromagnetic coil 1 wound around each of the magnetic members 6 and 7;
5 and 16.

The male connector housing 14 includes a box-shaped or annular receiving portion 17 in the latter half and a fitting portion 18 in the first half, which is slightly smaller than the receiving portion 17. The accommodation section 17 includes upper, lower, left and right peripheral walls 19 and a rear wall 20. The wire crimping part 21 of the female terminal 4 is located in the housing part 17, and the electric contact part 22 of the female terminal 4 is located in the fitting part 18. The front end of the electric contact portion 22 is located in contact with a step portion 24 following the front opening 23 of the fitting portion 18. An electric wire lead-out hole 25 is formed in the rear wall 20, and the electric wire 26 connected to the terminal 4 is led out from the electric wire lead-out hole 25 to the rear.

The paramagnetic body 6 is disposed inside the housing 17 in contact with the rear wall 20. The paramagnetic body 6 is located in contact with the rear end 21a of the electric wire crimping portion 21 of the female terminal 4, and is movable in the space 27 of the accommodating portion 17 in the terminal insertion direction as shown by the arrow A. A guide surface 19 a for the paramagnetic body 6 is formed inside the peripheral wall 19 of the housing 17.

An electromagnetic coil 15 is wound around the paramagnetic material 6,
The end 15a of the electromagnetic coil 15 is led out of the housing 17, and is connected to the same power supply (not shown) as the electric wire (harness) 26 as shown in FIG. The coil 15 is movable in the housing 17 integrally with the paramagnetic body 6, and the end 15 a of the coil 15 moves integrally with the coil 15 along, for example, a slit (not shown) formed in the housing 17. Is possible,
Alternatively, a movable telescopic portion (not shown) may be formed at the end 15a of the coil 15 so as to be movable.

The main body 8 of the diamagnetic body 7 is located on the front end side of the housing 17 facing the paramagnetic body 6. An electromagnetic coil 16 is wound around the main body 8, and an insertion portion (not shown) for the female terminal 4 is formed. The coil 16 is an electric wire 26
And the same power supply (not shown). The sub-body 9 of the diamagnetic body 7 is arranged from the main body 8 to the outside of the fitting portion 18 in the first half of the connector housing 14. The main body 8 and the sub-body 9 are formed integrally, and the sub-body 9 is
And is formed in a box-like or annular shape. An insertion hole 27 for the male terminal 5 of the mating female connector 3 is formed in the front wall 9 b following the outer peripheral wall 9 a of the sub-body 9 so as to communicate with the front opening 23 of the fitting portion 18. The main body 8 is fixed in the housing 17 by a stopper (projection) 28 to prevent retreat.

The female connector 3 includes a female connector housing 30 made of a synthetic resin, a male terminal 5 inserted into the female connector housing 30, a diamagnetic member 10 disposed behind the male terminal 5, A paramagnetic body 11 which is positioned opposite to the magnetic body 10 and has a portion 13 exposed in a connector fitting chamber 31 of a female connector housing 30; and electromagnetic coils 32 and 33 wound around the respective magnetic bodies 10 and 11 It is composed of Each coil 3
2 and 33 are connected to the same power supply (not shown) as the electric wire 34.

The diamagnetic material 10 is a wire crimping portion 35 of the male terminal 5.
The female connector housing 3 in contact with the rear end 35a.
It is freely movable in the accommodation section 36 in the latter half of the arrow 0 as shown by the arrow A. The paramagnetic body 11 is fixed to the first half side of the female connector housing 30, and the main body 12 of the paramagnetic body 11 is
The sub-body 13 of the paramagnetic body 11 is located along the peripheral wall 37 and the bottom wall 38 of the fitting chamber 31. The sub-body portion 13 has an inner peripheral wall 13a fitted to the outer peripheral wall 9a of the diamagnetic body 7 on the male connector 2 side, and a bottom wall 13b facing the front wall 9b. The male terminal 5 is provided on the bottom wall 13b.
The insertion hole 40 for the electric contact portion 39 is formed, and the electric contact portion 39 protrudes into the inner space (fitting chamber) 31 of the sub-body portion 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the male and female connectors 2 and 3 are initially engaged (temporarily locked), the male terminal 5 and the female terminal 4 are connected at their distal ends. At the same time, electric current is supplied from the electric wire 34 on the male terminal 5 side to the electric wire 26 on the female terminal 4 side, and the coils 15, 33 of the paramagnetic members 6, 11 of the connectors 2, 3 and the coils 16, 33 of the diamagnetic members 7, 10 are connected. 32 is energized. As a result, the paramagnetic members 6 and 11 and the diamagnetic members 7 and 10 of the connectors 2 and 3 are attracted to each other as shown by the arrow B, and the paramagnetic member 6 in the male connector 2 and the diamagnetic member 1 in the female connector 3.
The 0 moves in the terminal insertion direction, and the incompletely inserted terminals 4 and 5 are pushed by the paramagnetic material 6 or the diamagnetic material 10 and are completely inserted into the proper positions. Terminals 4 and 5 are connector housing 1
It is locked by 4, 30 flexible locking lances (not shown).

At the same time, the diamagnetic material 7 of the male connector 2
And the sub-body 13 of the paramagnetic body 11 of the female connector 3
Are sucked each other as shown by the arrow C, and the male and female connectors 2,
Due to the attractive force between the three, the male / female connectors 2 and 3 are guided to the regular fitting position and completely fitted (finally locked) as shown in FIG. The front end 17a of the male connector housing 14 is in contact with the front end 37a of the female connector housing 30 to prevent the magnetic members 7, 11 from being exposed. The initial fitting of the connectors 2 and 3 may be performed using a temporary locking means (not shown) such as a temporary locking projection or a temporary locking hole.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the operation of the half-fitting prevention connector. 4 and 5 are shown in parentheses. Refer to FIGS. 1 to 3 for other reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 4, each terminal 4, 5 and each connector 2,
If 3 is half-fitted (semi-fitted) (42), the wires (harness) 26, 34 are energized by the mutual contact of the terminals (43), whereby the coils 15, 16, 32,
The power of 33 is turned on (44), and the terminals 4, 5 and the connectors 2, 3 are guided to appropriate positions by the electromagnetic attraction between the paramagnetic members 6, 11 and the semi-magnetic members 7, 10 (45). Fit (46). That is, the terminals 4 and 5 are completely inserted into the connector housings 14 and 30, and the connector housings 14 and 30 and the terminals 4 and 5, ie, the connectors 2 and 3, are completely fitted to each other. After complete fitting, the existing locking means (not shown) such as a lock arm and a lock hole and the above-mentioned electromagnetic attraction function hold the connectors 2 and 3 in a strongly fitted state (47).

When the terminals 4 and 5 and the connectors 2 and 3 are completely fitted as shown in FIG. 5 (48), the power of the coils 15, 16, 32 and 33 is turned on by the harness energization (49). The terminal is turned on (50), and the terminals and the connectors are held in a strongly fitted state by the existing locking means (not shown) and electromagnetic attraction (51). Even after the connectors are fitted, the terminals 4 and 5 are always pressed in the insertion direction by the paramagnetic material 6 or the diamagnetic material 10, so that there is no fear of back-out.

For example, when an attempt is made to increase the fitting force (holding force) in a conventional connector, the insertion force between the terminal and the connector housing and between the connector housings is increased, and the workability of the fitting is deteriorated. However, due to the structure of the above embodiment, the distance between the terminals 4 and 5 and the connector housings 14 and 30
Self-mating recovery action between the connector housings 14, 30;
The fitting force is improved, and the fitting operation is improved. Specifically, the fitting operation is divided into two steps, the first step is to temporarily lock (preset), the second step is to perform final locking, and the electromagnetic suction function that can automatically fit even if the insertion force is high Thus, the fitting operation can be completed only by energization.

Originally, the connector functions as a relay although it is energized, and, as far as possible, it is only necessary to ensure an appropriate contact area and contact pressure between terminals when energized. In this embodiment, the electromagnetic action of the magnetic members 6, 7, 10, 11 inside the connector is converted into a mating force by a part of the current flowing between the connectors 2 and 3, thereby increasing the mating force and self-recovering the incomplete mating. The magnetic force generated in the magnetic bodies 6, 7, 10, and 11 increases proportionately as the current flowing increases, and the fitting force can be guaranteed even when a large current flows.

FIGS. 6 to 9 show a second embodiment of the half-fitting prevention connector. This half mating prevention connector 53
Performs electromagnetic attraction between the paramagnetic members 6 and 11 and the semi-magnetic members 7 and 10 in the male and female connectors 2 and 3 even when there is no contact between the terminals 4 and 5 as compared with the first embodiment. It can be. Since the structures of the male and female connectors 2 and 3 are the same as those of the previous example, the same symbols are used and the description is omitted.

The difference from the first embodiment is that the electromagnetic coils 1 of the paramagnetic body 6 and the semi-magnetic body 7 in the male connector 2 as shown in FIG.
5 and 16 are connected to the electric wires 34 on the female connector 3 side by the circuits 54 and 55.
And the paramagnetic body 11 and the semi-magnetic body 1 in the female connector 3 are connected.
0 means that the electromagnetic coils 32 and 33 are connected to the electric wire 26 on the male connector 2 side by circuits 55 and 56.

When the electric wires 26 and 34 of the connectors 2 and 3 are energized in a state where the male and female connectors 2 and 3 are separated from each other as shown in FIG. 11 and semi-magnetic bodies 7 and 10 each coil 15,16,
Energization occurs in 32 and 33. Thereby, male connector 2
Inside, the paramagnetic body 6 is drawn to the diamagnetic body 7, and in the female connector 3, the diamagnetic body 10 is drawn to the paramagnetic body 11, and the incompletely inserted terminals 4 and 5 are completely inserted. At the same time, the sub-body 9 of the diamagnetic body 7 of the male connector 2 and the sub-body 13 of the paramagnetic body 11 of the female connector 3 mutually generate an attractive force. Although the flow direction of the current is different from that in FIG. 8 of FIG. 7, this may be any direction.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the sub-body 9 of the diamagnetic body 7 of the male connector 2 is formed by the initial fitting of the connectors 2 and 3 to each other.
The female connector 3 and the auxiliary body 13 of the paramagnetic body 11 of the female connector 3 attract each other, and the connectors 2 and 3 are guided to the proper fitting position, and are completely fitted as shown in FIG. In a completely fitted state, both connectors 2 and 3 are strongly locked by electromagnetic suction in addition to the existing locking means. Terminals 4 and 5 are paramagnetic 6
In addition, the diamagnetic material 10 is always pressed in the insertion direction, thereby preventing back-out.

These operations are the same as those in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5 in the previous example. Even when there is no contact between the terminals, the coil power supply is turned on by the harness energization (43) in FIG. The connectors 2 and 3 are guided to an appropriate position (45) and are completely fitted (46).

FIGS. 10 to 12 show a third embodiment of the half-fitting prevention connector. This half mating prevention connector 5
Reference numeral 8 denotes a simplified structure as compared with the above embodiments. As shown in FIG. 10, the female terminal 61 in the male connector 59 is formed of a diamagnetic material without specially providing a paramagnetic or diamagnetic material in the male / female connectors 59 and 60 as in the previous example. The male terminal 62 in the female connector 60 is formed of a paramagnetic material.

The female terminal 61 is housed in a male connector housing 64 made of a synthetic resin.
Are located in the fitting portion 65 in the first half of the male connector housing 64. An electromagnetic coil 66 is provided in the fitting portion 65. The electromagnetic coil 66 is connected to the electrical contact 6 of the female terminal 61.
3 is wound inside the housing 64.
A portion 66a of the coil 66 passes near the housing 67 in the latter half of the connector housing, and both ends 66b of the coil 66 are led out from the front end of the fitting portion 65, and are connected to the same power supply (not shown) as the electric wire 68 as shown in FIG. It is connected. Alternatively, as in the second embodiment, the coil 66 on the male connector 59 side may be connected to the electric wire 79 on the female connector 60 side, and the coil 77 on the female connector 60 side may be connected to the electric wire 68 on the male connector 59 side.

The lead wire (not shown) of the coil 66 is led out, for example, from a groove (not shown) in the male connector housing 64 or the like. A rear holder 69 made of synthetic resin is attached to the rear part of the housing part 67 in the latter half of the male connector housing 64, and a rear end 70a of the wire crimping part 70 of the female terminal 61.
Is in contact with Tip 6 of electrical contact portion 63 of female terminal 61
3a is in contact with the front end of the accommodation room 71 of the fitting portion 65. The accommodation chamber 71 continues to a front opening 73 for the electrical contact portion 72 of the male terminal 62.

The male terminal 62 is housed in a female connector housing 74 made of a synthetic resin.
Is projected into an inner space (fitting chamber) 76 of the fitting portion 75 in the first half of the female connector housing 74. An electromagnetic coil 77 is provided on a peripheral wall of the fitting portion 75. The electromagnetic coil 77 surrounds the housing 7 so as to surround the electrical contact portion 72.
It is wound in 4. A portion 77a of the coil 77 is disposed in the bottom wall 78 of the fitting chamber 76, and both ends 77b of the coil 77
Is drawn out from the front end of the fitting portion 75, and as shown in FIG.
9 is connected to the same power supply (not shown). Male terminal 6
2 is a rear holder 80 whose rear end is in contact. Each rear holder 69, 80 has an electric wire insertion hole 81, 82.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the two connectors 59 and 60 are initially fitted and the two terminals 61 and 62 are in initial contact, electricity flows from the electric wire 79 through the terminals 62 and 61 as shown by the arrow d. Accordingly, each coil 66, 77 is energized,
An attractive force acts on the diamagnetic female terminal 61 and the paramagnetic male terminal 62 as shown by arrow E. Thereby, each terminal 61,
Even if 62 is incompletely inserted, they are pulled toward each other in the insertion direction and are completely inserted. At the same time, the male and female connectors 59, 60 are pulled in the fitting direction and fully fitted as shown in FIG.

In the completely fitted state, both connectors 59 and 60 are strongly locked by the electromagnetic attraction of terminals 61 and 62 in addition to the existing locking means. Also, terminals 61 and 62
Is always sucked in the insertion direction, for example, the rear holders 69, 80
Without this, the back-out of the terminals 61 and 62 is prevented. These operations are the same as those in the flowcharts of FIGS.

The paramagnetic material is typically aluminum, potassium, sodium, platinum or the like, and the diamagnetic material is typically bismuth or antimony. These materials are mixed with the base material of the terminal to form a paramagnetic material. The terminals 61 and 62 of a body or a diamagnetic material may be formed.

According to the present embodiment, not only the structure of the connectors 59 and 60 is simplified, but also a smooth fitting property is provided by fitting the connector housings 64 and 74 made of synthetic resin.

[0037]

As described above, according to any one of the first, second and fourth aspects of the present invention, the initial contact between the terminals enables
Electromagnetic attraction occurs between the paramagnetic material and the diamagnetic material, and the incompletely inserted terminal is automatically and completely inserted, and the half-fitted connector is automatically and completely fitted. Thereby, even if the operator does not perform the work of pushing the terminals and the connector housing, the poor insertion of the terminals and the poor fitting of the connector housing are reliably prevented. Further, after the connector is fitted, the electromagnetic attraction action is continued and a strong connector lock is performed, so that disconnection of the connector is reliably prevented. According to any one of the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the semi-insertion of the terminal and the semi-fitting of the connector are prevented by the electromagnetic attraction of the terminals.
The structure of the connector is simplified, and the weight of the connector itself is reduced. According to the fifth aspect of the invention, even if the terminals do not contact each other, an electromagnetic attraction action occurs between the paramagnetic material and the diamagnetic material. The insertion terminal is completely inserted, and the reliability of the electrical connection is increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a first embodiment of a half-fitting prevention connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing an initial fitting state.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a completely fitted state.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation from an initial fitting.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation from a complete fitting.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a second embodiment of the half-fitting prevention connector.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a current-carrying state.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an initial fitting state.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a completely fitted state.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a third embodiment of the half-fitting prevention connector.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the same initial fitting state.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a completely fitted state.

[Description of Signs] 1,53,58 Half-fitting prevention connector 2,59 Male connector 3,60 Female connector 4,61 Female terminal 5,62 Male terminal 6,11 Paramagnetic material 7,10 Diamagnetic material 9,13 Sub-body part 15, 16, 32, 33, 66, 77 Electromagnetic coil 26, 34 Electric wire 31 Connector fitting chamber

Claims (5)

[Claims] A paramagnetic body and a diamagnetic body are provided opposite to each other on one connector and the other connector, and an electromagnetic coil is provided for each magnetic body. That the diamagnetic material of the connector abuts the terminal in each connector and is movable in the terminal insertion direction, and that the diamagnetic material of one connector and the paramagnetic material of the other connector are located opposite to each other. Characteristic semi-mating prevention connector. 2. The diamagnetic body of the one connector has a sub-body part exposed at the front end of the one connector, and the paramagnetic body of the other connector is located in a sub-fitting chamber. The half-fitting prevention connector according to claim 1, further comprising a body. 3. A half-fitting, wherein one connector is provided with a diamagnetic terminal, the other connector is provided with a paramagnetic terminal, and an electromagnetic coil is provided around each terminal. Mating prevention connector. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said electromagnetic coils is connected to the same power supply as an electric wire following said terminal.
3. The half-fitting prevention connector according to any one of 3. 5. A paramagnetic material and a diamagnetic material of the one connector are connected to an electric wire following a terminal of the other connector, and the paramagnetic material and the diamagnetic material of the other connector are connected to the one connector. The half-fit prevention connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connector is connected to an electric wire following a terminal of the connector.