JPS6016059Y2 - Connector lock structure - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea] The present invention relates to a connector lock structure.

Conventionally, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, outer shells 101 and 102 incorporating contacts are made of a soft elastic insulator such as rubber.
and a tube body 1 made of a hard elastic material such as nylon on its outer periphery.
03 and 104, and the outer shells 101 and 102 are locked by the hook between the claw 105 and the engaging portion 106 when the connector is fitted.

However, since the claw 105 and the engaging portion 106 are made of a hard elastic material, there is a risk that they may break or chip relatively easily when subjected to external force.

It is also possible to make the engagement structure high-strength and not easily destroyed, but such an engagement structure is generally not only expensive, but also tends to have a complicated structure and is complicated to operate. It has the problem of being prone to

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible structure for locking a connector, thereby solving the above-mentioned problems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector locking structure that increases locking strength without impairing operability.

According to the present invention, a lock protrusion provided on the outer periphery of one outer shell of the connector is connected at one end to the outer circumferential surface of the other outer shell, and the lock protrusion is connected to the outer circumferential surface of one outer shell beyond the lock protrusion. a thin supporting part made of a soft elastic material extending parallel to the axis, and an annular lock tightly fitted to the outer periphery of a portion of the supporting part extending beyond the lock convex part, the other end of the supporting part: There is obtained a locking structure for a connector, characterized in that the annular lock is coupled to an axial end face located on the opposite side of the lock protrusion.

According to the lock structure of the present invention, the annular lock can only be moved in the axial direction during operation and no special deformation is required, so it can be made into a durable structure that is relatively difficult to deform. Lock strength can be designed to be high without impairing operability.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention, in which the connector includes an insulating outer shell 2 incorporating a male contact 1 and an insulating outer shell incorporating a female contact 3. 4 are tightly fitted to each other, and when they are fitted together, the male contact 1 and the female contact 3 are fitted in contact with each other, thereby electrically connecting the wires 5 and 6. It is designed to let you do so.

Furthermore, a ring-shaped lock convex portion 7 is integrally provided on the outer periphery of one of the outer shells 2 along its curved surface, and a ring-shaped lock is provided on the outer periphery of the other outer shell 4 via a bell-shaped thin support portion 8. 9 will be provided.

Here, the other outer shell 4, support part 8 and annular lock 9 are
Made in one piece from a soft elastic material such as rubber.

As a result, the support part 8 becomes able to bend freely, so
The annular lock 9 is now movable in the axial direction.

One of the outer shells 2 and the lock protrusion 7 may be made of a hard elastic material or a soft elastic material.

Next, in order to lock the outer shells 2 and 4 in the connector described above, first, as shown in FIG.
are fitted into each other, and then the annular lock 9 is moved in the direction of the arrow 10.

Then, in the process of this operation, the support part 8 is folded back to cover the lock convex part 7 as shown in FIG. 5, and is fitted onto the outer periphery of one of the outer shells 2 via the upside-down support portion 8, as shown in FIG.

In this manner, in the state shown in FIG. 5, the support portion 8 passes over the lock convex portion 7 and fits onto the outer periphery of one of the outer shells 2, and is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of this outer shell 2 by the annular lock 9. , the lock protrusion 7 and the support part 8 engage in the axial direction, whereby both outer shells 2 and 4
are tightly locked together.

Furthermore, at this time of locking, since the support part 8 is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of one of the outer shells 2 and the lock convex part 7, ice does not enter from the mutually fitting part of the outer shells 2 and 4. Therefore, by sealing the space between the outer shells 2 and 4 and the electric wires 5 and 6, a completely waterproof electrical connector can be obtained.

Thereafter, the lock will not be released only by applying a mutual separation force between the outer shells 2 and 4 or between the electric wires 5 and 6.

Also, in this locked state, the support part 8 continues to deform;
Since this support part is made thin from a soft elastic material such as rubber, it will not break due to deformation and will not deteriorate its locking function.

To release the lock, it is sufficient to move the annular lock 9 in the direction of the arrow 11 and then apply a mutual separation force between the outer shells 2 and 4.

Note that the support portion 8 is composed of a plurality of pieces 8-1. as shown in FIG.
8-2. ..., and in that case, the outer shells 2 and 4 are closely fitted to each other to provide a waterproof function.

According to this, the operation of moving the annular lock 9 in the axial direction becomes easier.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment in which a support part is formed in a ring-shaped groove 12 on the outer periphery of the outer shell 4 and is made of a soft elastic material such as rubber and integrated with an annular lock 9 as a separate part from the outer shell 4. This figure shows a combination structure in which eight small-diameter cylindrical portions 13 are fitted together.

Even in such a combination structure, the support part 8 can be divided into a plurality of pieces 8-1, 8-2, . . . as shown in FIG.

In this case, it is preferable to bond the small diameter cylindrical portion 13 to the groove 12.

Furthermore, one of the outer shells 2 and the lock convex portion 7 can also be assembled into a combined structure by fitting a ring-shaped member 7' into a ring-shaped groove 14 provided around the outer shell 2, as shown in FIG. You can also.

It is also preferable to glue this ring-shaped member 7' to the groove 14.

Further, FIG. 10 shows a modified embodiment in which the support portion 8 and the annular lock 9 are provided on the outer shell 2 on the male contact side, while the lock convex portion 7 is provided on the outer shell 4 on the female contact side.

In addition, although the case of the connector with a round cross section was demonstrated above, it goes without saying that implementation can be carried out in exactly the same way also in the case of the connector with a rectangular cross section.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention before the connector is fitted, Figure 2 is a side view, and Figure 3 is a partially cutaway view of the connector when it is fitted. FIG. 4 is a side view similar to FIG. 3 showing a state in the middle of the connector locking operation, FIG. 5 is a side view similar to FIG. 3 showing a state during connector locking, and FIG. The figure is a perspective view of the main part showing a modification, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the main part of another embodiment, partially broken away, and FIG. 8 is a partially broken perspective view of the modification of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway perspective view of main parts of another embodiment; FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view of another modified embodiment before connector fitting; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conventional connector before fitting. 2.4...Outer shell, 7...Tatsuku convex part, part, 9.
・・・・・・Circular lock. 8...Support

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A lock protrusion provided on the outer periphery of one outer shell of the connector, one end connected to the outer circumferential surface of the other outer shell, and a lock extending beyond the lock protrusion and extending parallel to the axis along the outer circumferential surface of one outer shell. an annular lock closely fitted to the outer periphery of a portion of the supporting portion extending beyond the lock convex portion, the other end of the supporting portion being connected to the lock of the annular lock; A locking structure of a connector, characterized in that it is coupled to an axial end face located on the opposite side of the convex part.