JPWO2019208822A1 - Connector structure, connector, connector engagement piece, and two-member connection structure - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a technique relating to an engagement structure that can be more easily engaged and disengaged, has a simple structure, and can be suitably adopted for a connector having various terminals. In the first connector and the second connector that can be connected and separated, it is assumed that the first connector has an elastically deformed portion 15a at least in a part. Then, the elastically deformed portion 15a is assumed to be a part of the engaging portion forming portion on which the first engaging portion 25 is formed and the other part serving as the pressing portion 28. Further, the second connector shall have a second engaging portion 50 forming an engaging portion together with the first engaging portion 25. In a state where the first connector and the second connector are connected and the first engaging portion 25 and the second engaging portion 50 are engaged, the pressing portion 28 is pressed to cause the pressing portion 28 and the engaging portion forming portion. It is assumed that the shape is deformed and the engaging portion is disengaged.

Description

The present invention relates to a connector structure for connecting connectors to each other. Further, the present invention relates to a connector that can be connected to and separated from other paired members, and a connector engaging piece that can be attached to an external connector. Further, the present invention relates to a two-member connecting structure that can be particularly preferably adopted when connecting connectors to each other.

Conventionally, two cable members can be electrically connected by connecting or separating one connector located at the end of one cable member and another connector located at the end of another cable member. , The structure that divides is widely known.

For example, as such a connector, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1.
The connector assembly disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a first connector and a second connector both formed in a tubular shape, and a part of the second connector is inserted into an inner hole portion of the first connector. As a result, the two connectors are connected. Then, in the state where the two connectors are connected, the pin-shaped terminal formed inside the second connector is inserted into the groove-shaped terminal formed inside the first connector.

Here, a protrusion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first connector, and a recess that engages with the protrusion of the first connector is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second connector.
Further, the portion of the recess located on the end side in the circumferential direction of the second connector is provided with an inclined surface that inclines outward in the radial direction toward the end in the circumferential direction.
Then, in a state where the first connector and the second connector are connected and the protrusion and the recess are engaged, the engagement state between the protrusion and the recess is released by rotating the first connector in the circumferential direction. It has become.

Further, as another connector, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 2.
The connector integrated lock structure disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a first connector having two integrated concave portions and a second connector having two integrated convex portions, and has two integrated concave portions. The structure is such that the two connectors are connected by inserting a separate convex portion into each.
Here, the second connector is formed with a hook portion that protrudes toward the first connector side at the time of connection, and the first connector is formed with a hooked stop portion that can be engaged with the hook portion. The hook portion has a structure provided with a release operation convex portion that protrudes in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the hook portion.

In this combined lock structure, when the two connectors are connected and the hook part is engaged with the hooked hole part, the hook part is changed by pressing the release operation convex part to change the posture of the hook part. It is possible to disengage the hooked stop hole portion.
That is, by changing the posture of the hook portion, one connector can be pulled out from the other.

Further, as another connector, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 3.
The lock structure of the connector disclosed in Patent Document 3 includes a connector having a lock protrusion and a mating connector having a recess formed with the lock protrusion. Then, when the connector and the mating connector are connected and the lock protrusion and the recess are engaged, by twisting the connector, the lock protrusion moves from the position at the time of engagement, and the connector And the connector on the other side can be pulled apart.

Japanese Patent No. 6074753 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-41377 Japanese Patent No. 3269029

However, in the above-mentioned conventional connector, there is room for improvement in the engagement structure for making it difficult to separate the two connectors at the time of connection (making them inseparable).

For example, in the connector assembly disclosed in Patent Document 1, as described above, one of the first connector and the second connector is rotated in the circumferential direction relative to the other, and the protrusion and the recess are engaged. It has a structure to release. Therefore, the first connector and the second connector must be formed so that the number, shape, arrangement position, etc. of terminals (pin-shaped terminals and groove-shaped terminals) can be rotated in the circumferential direction with each other in a connected state. There is a problem that the structure of is subject to design restrictions.

Specifically, for example, as in the structure disclosed in Patent Document 2, by inserting the two integrated convex portions into the two integrated concave portions, the plug terminal of the combined concave portion and the integrated convex portion can be connected. The structure is such that the socket terminals are connected. In this case, in the state where the first connector and the second connector are connected, one cannot rotate in the circumferential direction relative to the other, so that the engagement structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot be adopted.
That is, since the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 has design restrictions on the number, shape, arrangement position, etc. of terminals, there is room for improvement in making a structure in which various terminals can be adopted for connectors. It was.

Further, since the structure disclosed in Patent Document 2 is a structure in which a protruding hook portion is formed and the engagement is released by changing the posture of the hook portion, the structure (shape) around the hook portion is different. There is a problem that it becomes complicated and difficult to manufacture.
Further, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to exert strength around the hook portion. That is, there is a problem that the periphery of the hook portion is easily broken and is easily damaged during use.

Further, in the structure disclosed in Patent Document 3, it is necessary to pry the connector in order to disengage it. That is, it is necessary to rotate the other end side (the other side connector side) in the circumferential direction with respect to the fixed one end side (the end side connected to the cable) of the connector, and the entire connector is twisted. It needs to be in a state. For this reason, while it is possible to make it difficult to release the connection, there is also a problem that the connector needs a certain degree of torsional strength and the removal work becomes complicated.

Therefore, the present invention provides a technique relating to an engagement structure that can be more easily engaged and disengaged, has a simple structure, and can be suitably adopted for a connector having various terminals. Make it an issue.

One aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is in a connector structure having a first connector and a second connector, and the first connector and the second connector can be connected and separated. The connector has a first engaging portion, the second connector has a second engaging portion, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion form a pair of engaging portions. In the connected state in which the first connector and the second connector are connected, the pair of engaging portions are in an engaged state, and the first connector has at least a part of an elastically deformable portion that can be elastically deformed. The elastically deformed portion has an engaging portion forming portion on which the first engaging portion is formed and a pressing portion that can be pressed by an external force, and the first connector and the second connector are in the connected state. In addition, in a state where the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are in the engaged state, pressing the pressing portion deforms the shape of the pressing portion, resulting in shape deformation of the pressing portion. Along with this, the shape of the engaging portion forming portion is deformed, and with the shape deformation of the engaging portion forming portion, the first engaging portion moves in a direction away from the second engaging portion, and the first engaging portion is formed. The connector structure is characterized in that the engaged state of the one engaging portion and the second engaging portion is released.

In this aspect, it is possible to shift from the engaged state to the disengaged state by a simple operation of pressing the pressing portion. Further, since at least a part of the first connector is temporarily deformed to move the first engaging portion, it is not necessary to form a protruding engaging portion or the like. That is, it is not necessary to complicate the shape of the engaging portion and its surroundings, and a simple structure can be obtained. Further, since the first connector can be disengaged without having to rotate the first connector relative to the second connector or scoop out the whole while in the connected state, it can be adopted for a connector having various terminals.

In the above aspect, the engaging portion forming portion and the pressing portion are at different positions, and by pressing the pressing portion, the pressing portion is deformed in the concave direction, and the shape of the pressing portion is deformed. It is preferable that the engaging portion forming portion is deformed in the protruding direction.

In the above aspect, the second connector has an insertion portion arranged inside the first connector in the connected state, the insertion portion extends in a predetermined direction, and the elastically deformed portion has an elastic deformation portion. It has a region that covers at least a part around the insertion portion, and in the connected state, a part or all of the elastically deformed portion covers a part or all of the insertion portion in the circumferential direction of the insertion portion. The engaging portion forming portion and the pressing portion are separated from each other in the circumferential direction, and by pressing the pressing portion inward, the engaging portion forming portion is moved to the outside. It is preferable to move to.

In this preferred aspect, the insertion portion of the second connector is inserted inside the first connector to connect the two connectors, and a part of the portion of the first connector into which the insertion portion is inserted is used as an elastically deformed portion. There is. With such a structure, the shape of the first connector can be further simplified (the structure of the first connector can be simplified).

In this preferable aspect, it is preferable that a gap is formed between the insertion portion and the pressing portion in the case of the connected state and the engaged state.

In this aspect, the elastically deformed portion can be deformed more greatly, and the moving distance of the first engaging portion due to the deformation of the elastically deformed portion can be increased.

In the above aspect, the first connector has a hollow portion, the second connector has an insertion portion arranged in the hollow portion of the first connector in the connected state, and the insertion portion has a predetermined direction. The elastically deformed portion is a portion that is continuous in an annular shape and has a space surrounded by the elastically deformed portion. In the connected state, the insertion portion is inserted in the space portion of the elastically deformed portion. Is arranged, and the overall shape of the elastically deformed portion is deformed by pressing the pressing portion, and in a state where the overall shape of the elastically deformed portion is deformed, the insertion portion and the elastic It is preferable that one of the deformed portions is slid and moved with respect to the other in the extending direction of the insertion portion so that the insertion portion can be inserted and removed from the cavity.

In such an aspect, the connected state can be released by a simple operation of sliding one of the first connector and the second connector with respect to the other while pressing the pressing portion of the first connector. That is, it is possible to execute from disengagement to disengagement with a series of simple operations.

In the above aspect, the first connector has a hollow portion, the second connector has an insertion portion arranged in the hollow portion of the first connector in the connected state, and the elastically deformed portion has an elastic deformation portion. There is a space that is continuous in an annular shape and is surrounded by the elastically deformed portion, and in the connected state, the insertion portion is arranged in the space portion of the elastically deformed portion, and the elastically deformed portion of the elastically deformed portion. The pressing portions are located at two locations separated in the circumferential direction, the engaging portion forming portion is located between the two pressing portions in the same circumferential direction, and the two pressing portions are pressed inward. Therefore, it is preferable that the engaging portion forming portion moves outward.

According to this aspect, the elastically deformed portion can be greatly deformed by a simple operation.

In the above aspect, it is preferable that a part of the first connector and a part of the second connector are formed with a tactile identification portion that can be distinguished from the other portion by the tactile sensation of the user.

According to this aspect, when performing the work of connecting and separating the first connector and the second connector in a place where the first connector and the second connector cannot be seen (or are difficult to see), such as in a recessed position or in the dark, these operations should be easily performed. Can be done.
That is, in this aspect, the operator can recognize the position of the tactile identification unit without visually recognizing by touching each part of the first connector and the second connector. Then, since the postures of the first connector and the second connector can be grasped based on the recognized positions of the tactile identification portions, the positions of important parts for connecting and separating work (for example, the first engaging portion and the second). The position of the engaging part and the position of the pressing part) can be recognized without visual inspection. From this, it is possible to improve the workability in a place where the first connector and the second connector cannot be seen (or are difficult to see).

In this preferred aspect, it is more preferable that the engaging portion forming portion also serves as the tactile identification portion, and that the first engaging portion is formed in the tactile identification portion.

In the above aspect, the first connector has one or more pin-shaped terminals and a waterproof member, and the second connector has an insertion portion arranged inside the first connector in the connected state. The insertion portion is formed with a hole portion into which a part of the pin-shaped terminal is inserted in the connected state, and the first engaging portion is a hole that communicates inside and outside the first connector. The waterproof member is located at a position where the tip end side portion of the insertion portion in the insertion direction contacts in the connected state, and is located outside the portion of the pin-shaped terminal that is not inserted into the hole portion. It is preferable that they are arranged.

According to this aspect, even if water or the like enters the inside of the first connector from the first engaging portion, it is possible to prevent the water or the like from coming into contact with the pin-shaped terminal, resulting in damage or the like. Problems can be prevented (suppressed).

In the above aspect, the first connector has a hollow portion, and the second connector has an insertion portion and a flange portion arranged in the hollow portion of the first connector in the connected state, and the insertion portion is provided. The portion is extended in a predetermined direction, the flange portion is formed on the proximal end side in the extending direction of the insertion portion, and in the connected state, the insertion portion is arranged in the cavity portion and the insertion portion is arranged. A gap is formed between the insertion portion and the pressing portion, and in the connected state, the opening of the cavity portion may be closed by contact between the end face of the cavity portion and the flange portion. preferable.

According to this aspect, it is possible to more reliably prevent water or the like from entering the inside of the first connector in the connected state.

In the above aspect, the first connector is formed at the end of the wiring member and has a housing portion and a sheath portion, and the housing portion is a portion formed including the elastically deformed portion. It is preferable that the sheath portion is detachably attached to the sheath portion.

According to this aspect, even if the housing portion is damaged, only the housing portion needs to be replaced, and the cost during operation can be reduced.

In the above aspect, the first connector has a concave cavity portion, the second connector has a convex insertion portion, and the insertion portion is inserted into the cavity portion to form the first connector and the second connector. The connector is connected, and the inner surface shape of the cavity portion and the outer surface shape of the insertion portion are different, and when the insertion portion is inserted into the cavity portion, the inner surface of the cavity portion and the outer surface of the insertion portion are connected. It is preferable that a gap is formed between the two.

In the above-mentioned aspect, it is desirable that the inner surface of the cavity portion and the outer surface of the insertion portion are in contact with each other at at least two places in the connected state, and the relative postures of the first connector and the second connector are fixed.

Another aspect of the present invention is a connector that is connectable and separable to other members, the other member comprising a second engaging portion, the connector comprising an elastically deformed portion and the elastically deformed portion. The portion has a first engaging portion and a pressing portion, and the first engaging portion can be engaged with the second engaging portion of the other member, and the connector is connected to the other member in a connected state. In the above, it is possible to bring the first engaging portion into an engaged state in which the first engaging portion is engaged with the second engaging portion, and in the engaged state, pressing the pressing portion causes the elastically deformed portion. The connector is characterized in that the outer shape is deformed, the first engaging portion is separated from the second engaging portion with the deformation, and the engagement is released.

Even in this aspect, it is possible to shift from the engaged state to the disengaged state with a simple operation, and the engaging portion can have a simple structure. Further, the connector can be a connector having a high degree of freedom in designing the terminal portion.

Another aspect of the present invention is a connector engaging piece that is connectable and separable to an external connector, the external connector comprising a second engaging portion, and the connector engaging piece being an elastically deformed portion. The elastically deformed portion has a first engaging portion and a pressing portion, and the first engaging portion is engageable with the second engaging portion of the connector and is connected to the connector. In the state, it is possible to bring the first engaging portion into an engaged state in which the first engaging portion is engaged with the second engaging portion, and in the engaged state, pressing the pressing portion causes the elastically deformed portion. It is a connector engaging piece characterized in that the outer shape of the above is deformed, the first engaging portion is separated from the second engaging portion with the deformation, and the engaged state is released.

Even in this aspect, the transition from the engaged state of the connector and the connector engaging piece to the disengaged state can be performed by a simple operation, and the engaging portion can have a simple structure.

The connector is attached to the tip of a wiring member, the connector engaging piece has a wiring holding portion, and a part of the wiring member of the connector is fitted into the wiring holding portion to fit the wiring member. It is preferable that it is possible to hold.

According to this aspect, the wiring members do not get entangled and are easy to use.

A more preferable aspect is that the main body portion formed including the elastically deformed portion and the wiring holding portion are provided, the main body portion has a bottomed tubular shape, and a part of the side surface of the wiring holding portion is missing. The wiring holding portion is a connector engaging piece that is integrally formed with the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion and extends in the same direction as the main body portion.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the first member has a first member and a second member, and the first member is a first member in a two-member coupling structure capable of connecting and separating the first member and the second member. Having an engaging portion, the second member has a second engaging portion, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion form a pair of engaging portions, and the first member and the first member. In the connected state in which the second member is connected, the pair of engaging portions are in an engaged state, and the first member has at least a part of an elastically deformable portion that can be elastically deformed. A part of the deformed portion is an engaging portion forming portion on which the first engaging portion is formed, and the other part is a pressing portion that can be pressed by an external force. When the member is in the connected state and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are in the engaged state, pressing the pressing portion deforms the shape of the pressing portion, and the pressing portion is deformed. The shape of the engaging portion forming portion is deformed due to the shape deformation of the pressing portion, and the direction in which the first engaging portion is separated from the second engaging portion due to the shape deformation of the engaging portion forming portion. The two-member coupling structure is characterized in that the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are released from the engaged state.

Even in this aspect, it is possible to shift from the engaged state to the disengaged state with a simple operation, and the engaging portion can have a simple structure. In addition, the degree of freedom in designing the shapes of the first member and the second member is high.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique relating to an engagement structure that can be more easily engaged and disengaged, has a simple structure, and can be suitably adopted for a connector having various terminals.

It is a perspective view which shows the 1st connector and the 2nd connector which constitute the connector structure which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st connector of FIG. 1, (a) is a partially broken perspective view, (b) is a plan view seen from the tip side. It is a figure which shows the housing part of the 1st connector member of FIG. 1, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a plan view seen from the base end side. It is a partially cutaway perspective view which shows the 2nd connector of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state when the 1st connector and the 2nd connector of FIG. 1 shift from the separated state to the connected state, and shifts in the order of (a) and (b). It is a partially cutaway perspective view which shows the 1st connector and the 2nd connector in the connected state. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector in the connected state are cut at the AA plane of FIG. 5 (b), and a description showing how the housing portion is deformed when shifting to the separated state. In the figure, it is transformed in the order of (a) and (b). (A) is a perspective view showing a first connector and a second connector according to an embodiment different from FIG. 1, and (b) is a temporary deformation of a protrusion forming portion in the insertion body portion of (a). It is explanatory drawing which shows the state. It is a perspective view which shows the connector cap which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) shows the state seen from the insertion port side, (b) shows the state seen from the opposite side to (a). It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of inserting a connector into the connector cap shown in FIG. 9, and is inserted in the order of (a) and (b). It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the large-diameter tubular part different from the above-described embodiment, and (a)-(g) show a different housing part.

Hereinafter, examples of the connector structure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the following description, the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction will be described with reference to the state shown in FIG. 1 unless otherwise specified.

As shown in FIG. 1, the connector structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a pair of a first connector 1 (connector, first member) and a second connector 2 (other member, second member). It is a structure that connects and separates (the separated state is shown in FIG. 1).
The first connector 1 and the second connector 2 are integrally formed at the ends of separate cable members 3. The cable member 3 is a member formed by covering a conductor (not shown) extending inside with a protective coating which is an insulator.
In the following description, in each of the first connector 1 and the second connector 2, the mating connector side at the time of connection (details will be described later) is also referred to as the tip end side, and the opposite side to be paired is also referred to as the base end side.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first connector 1 is a member divided into a housing portion 15 and a first wiring protection portion 16 from the tip side, and has a packing 17 (waterproof member) and a first terminal member 18 (waterproof member) inside. It has a pin-shaped terminal).
For convenience of drawing, the first terminal member 18 is coded only in a part thereof, and the reference numerals to the other parts are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the housing portion 15 is formed by integrally forming a large-diameter tubular portion 15a (elastically deformed portion) located on the tip end side and a connecting protrusion 15b located on the proximal end side. It is a part.

The large-diameter tubular portion 15a is formed of an elastic material such as rubber, and has an approximate shape of a tubular body (bottomed tubular portion) and has elasticity. That is, the housing portion 15 is a portion in which a terminal arrangement space (cavity portion) 20 is formed inside and the entire shape is deformed by applying an external force.

Specifically, the shape of the cross section of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a (the shape in a plan view from the end portion on the tip side) is an arch shape. That is, the large-diameter tubular portion 15a is formed by continuously forming a small curved portion 22 (tactile identification portion) having a relatively small curvature and gently curving, and a large curved portion 23 having a relatively large curvature and continuing in an arc shape. Has been done.

Here, on the outer surface of the small curved portion 22, an engaging hole 25 (first engaging portion) which is a through hole penetrating the small curved portion 22 in the thickness direction is formed. That is, the portion of the small curved portion 22 located around the engaging hole 25 is the engaging portion forming portion on which the first engaging portion is formed.
The engagement hole 25 has a quadrangular opening shape, is near the center of the small curved portion 22 in the width direction (near the apex of the bulge), and is formed at a position away from the tip end side to the base end side.

Further, a guide groove 26 is formed on the inner surface of the small curved portion 22.
As shown in FIG. 2A and the like, the guide groove 26 is a portion formed by missing the tip end surface of the small curved portion 22 (housing portion 15) and the inner side surface of the small curved portion 22. .. That is, it extends along the extending direction of the housing portion 15 from the tip of the small curved portion 22 to a position slightly distant from the base end side, and is convex outward on the inner surface of the small curved portion 22. It is a recessed part.
The extension direction of the housing portion 15 referred to here is also the longitudinal direction of the housing portion 15, and the extension of a straight line extending in the direction from the tip end side to the proximal end side (or the direction from the proximal end side to the distal end side). It is also the direction.

In the present embodiment, the guide groove 26 is linear (along the extending direction of the housing portion 15) from the tip portion to the engaging hole 25 on the inner peripheral surface of the housing portion 15. It is extending. Further, the bottom portion (outer end portion on the inner side surface) of the guide groove 26 is an inclined surface, and is an inclined surface that is inclined toward the inside of the housing portion 15 toward the engagement hole 25.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a part of the outer surface of the large curved portion 23 is a pressing target portion 28 (pressing portion). The pressing target portion 28 is a portion to be pressed when the connection between the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 is released (details will be described later), and in the present embodiment, two different parts of the large curved portion 23 are pressed targets. Part 28 (one is not shown in FIG. 3).
Specifically, the two pressing target portions 28 are located at positions facing each other in the width direction (extending direction and intersecting the longitudinal direction) of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a (housing portion 15). In other words, each pressing target portion 28 is located at a position deviated by about 180 degrees in the circumferential direction of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a in a plan view seen from the tip end side end portion.

The pressing target portion 28 is formed with a concave surface portion 28a which is a portion slightly recessed from the surroundings, and a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) ridge portions 28b are formed on the concave surface portion 28a. There is.
Each ridge portion 28b is a portion that rises outward from an adjacent portion (outer surface of the concave surface portion 28a). Further, each of the ridge portions 28b is a portion that intersects the longitudinal direction of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a (housing portion 15) and extends in the circumferential direction of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a. The plurality of ridge portions 28b are formed so as to be arranged in parallel at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a.
That is, each of the pressing target portions 28 is formed with anti-slip means by the plurality of ridge portions 28b.

The connecting protrusion 15b is a portion having a substantially columnar shape in general, and more specifically, the connecting protrusion portion 15b has a shape in which a part of the outer peripheral surface is omitted from the substantially columnar portion so that the shape of the cross section is arched. It is a columnar part.

The connecting protrusion 15b is a portion that further protrudes from the base end side end portion of the large diameter tubular portion 15a toward the base end side.
That is, the tip portion of the connecting protrusion 15b is formed so as to close the terminal arrangement space (cavity portion) 20 at the proximal end side portion of the large diameter tubular portion 15a, and the proximal end of the large diameter tubular portion 15a. It extends from the side portion along the extending direction of the housing portion 15.

The connecting protrusion 15b is a portion thinner than the large-diameter tubular portion 15a. That is, the length of the connecting protrusion 15b in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the housing portion 15 is shorter than the length of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a in the same direction. The outer peripheral surface of the connecting protrusion 15b is continuous with the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a via a step.

The connecting protrusion 15b is a portion to be inserted into a mounting hole portion (not shown in detail) of the first wiring protection portion 16 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and by inserting the connecting protrusion portion 15b into the mounting hole portion, the housing can be inserted. The unit 15 and the first wiring protection unit 16 are integrally connected. In other words, the housing portion 15 is a member formed separately from the first wiring protection portion 16, and is a member that can be attached to and detached from the first wiring protection portion 16.
In the present embodiment, the ridge portion 30 is formed on the outer surface of the connecting ridge portion 15b. The ridge portion 30 is a portion that is raised from the periphery and extends continuously in the circumferential direction of the connecting ridge portion 15b (housing portion 15) in an annular shape. The ridge portion 30 is a portion that functions as a retaining portion when the connecting ridge portion 15b is inserted into the mounting hole portion of the first wiring protection portion 16.

Further, the connecting protrusion 15b is formed with a plurality of terminal holding holes 33 (six in the present embodiment) that penetrate the connecting protrusion 15b in the longitudinal direction. That is, the same number of terminal holding holes 33 as those of the first terminal member 18 are formed, and each of them is a portion that holds a base end side portion of one first terminal member 18.
Each terminal holding hole 33 is a hole having a circular opening shape and has a function as an insert for holding the terminal.

The connecting protrusion 15b is integrally formed with the large-diameter tubular portion 15a, and is made of the same material as the large-diameter tubular portion 15a. However, the connecting protrusion 15b is not formed with a large hollow portion inside, and is a portion that does not deform significantly (substantially does not deform) even when an external force is applied by pinching two places on the outer surface.

The first wiring protection portion 16 has a substantially tapered portion, and has a shape that becomes thinner toward the proximal end side.
The first wiring protection portion 16 is formed with a mounting hole portion, which is a portion into which the connection protrusion 15b described above is inserted, and the mounting hole portion is from the opening portion formed on the tip side to the base end side. It is a part that extends to.
Further, inside the first wiring protection portion 16, a part of a conductor extending from the inside of the cable member 3 and a conductor connecting member (not shown) for connecting the conductor and the first terminal member 18 are housed. Has been done. Then, the conductor, the conductor connecting member, and the first terminal member 18 are electrically connected inside the first wiring protection portion 16. Specifically, the first terminal member 18 and the conductor connecting member are electrically connected at any portion from the inside of the first wiring protection portion 16 to the inside of the terminal holding hole 33 described above. That is, the first wiring protection unit 16 is also a sheath portion that protects the wiring and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the packing 17 is an annular packing and has a shape continuous with an arch shape. That is, it has a shape that is continuous in an annular shape along the inner peripheral surface of the housing portion 15, and when stored inside the housing portion 15, it is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the housing portion 15 and the surface on the base end side of the terminal arrangement space 20. It is in a state of contact.

The first terminal member 18 is a pin contact and has a rod-shaped portion having a rounded tip side. Further, as described above, six first terminal members 18 are formed. That is, the first connector 1 is a 6-pole male connector.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the second connector 2 is a member partitioned from the tip side into the protruding portion 40 and the second wiring protection portion 41, and is internally a second terminal member 42 (see FIG. 4). ).

As shown in FIG. 1, the protruding portion 40 is a portion formed by integrally forming an insertion body portion 40a (insertion portion) located on the distal end side and a connecting body portion 40b located on the proximal end side. is there.

The insertion body portion 40a is a rod-shaped portion that further protrudes toward the tip end side from the tip end side portion (the tip end surface of the first flange portion 51 described later) of the connecting body portion 40b.
Specifically, the insert body portion 40a has a cross-sectional shape (a plan view shape seen from the tip side) that is a combination of a quadrangular portion and a semi-cylindrical portion. In other words, one side surface of the square columnar portion has a shape that protrudes outward so as to be rounded and convex. That is, the side surface portion continuous in the circumferential direction of the insertion body portion 40a has three planar portions and one curved surface portion 45 (tactile identification portion).

Then, a protrusion 50 (second engaging portion) is formed on a planar portion of the side surface portion of the insertion body portion 40a at a position facing the curved surface portion 45 in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction. There is.
The extension direction of the insertion body portion 40a referred to here is also the longitudinal direction of the insertion body portion 40a, and is a straight line extending in the direction from the tip end side to the proximal end side (or the direction from the proximal end side to the distal end side). It is also the extension direction of.

The protrusion 50 is a portion having a substantially trapezoidal columnar outer shape on the side surface, and protrudes outward from the side surface of the insertion body portion 40a. Specifically, the protrusion 50 is formed at a position away from the distal end side end portion of the insertion body portion 40a to the proximal end side end portion, and the protruding direction thereof intersects with the longitudinal direction of the insertion body portion 40a ( It is in the direction (orthogonal).

Then, among the protrusions 50, an inclined surface portion 50a having an upward slope is formed on the tip end side portion toward the base end side. That is, the inclined surface portion 50a is formed between the distal end side end portion of the protruding portion 50 and the intermediate portion located between the distal end side end portion and the proximal end side end portion of the protruding portion 50, and is formed toward the proximal end side. It is a part that goes outward (the protrusion length becomes longer) as it goes toward it.
In other words, the protruding portion 50 has a shape as if the corner portions on the tip end side and the protruding end side were cut off from the substantially rectangular parallelepiped protruding portion.

The connecting body portion 40b has a columnar portion whose portion located between the distal end side end portion and the proximal end side end portion is thinner than both end portions, and the first flange portion 51 located at the distal end side end portion and the proximal end side. It has a second flange portion 52 located at the end and a columnar body portion 53 extending between them.
A plurality of ridge portions 57 are formed on the side surface portion of the columnar body portion 53.

The ridge portion 57 is a portion that rises outward from the outer surface of the columnar body portion 53, and is a portion that extends in the circumferential direction of the columnar body portion 53 (protruding portion 40). Then, a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) ridge portions 57 are formed as a set and arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the columnar body portion 53 to form a non-slip means.

In the present embodiment, two anti-slip means are formed on the side surface portion of the columnar body portion 53 (one of which is not shown), and these are the width direction (longitudinal direction) of the columnar body portion 53 (protruding portion 40). They are formed at positions facing each other in the direction of intersection). That is, in the columnar body portion 53, two anti-slip means are formed at positions displaced by about 180 degrees in the circumferential direction.

Here, the protruding portion 40 is provided with a plurality of terminal accommodating holes 60 (hole portions) penetrating the protruding portion 40 in the longitudinal direction.
The terminal storage hole 60 is between the base end side end portion of the protruding portion 40 (the base end side surface of the second flange portion 52) and the tip end side end portion of the protruding portion 40 (the tip end side surface of the insertion body portion 40a). It is a through hole that extends through the protrusion 40 (see FIG. 4).
A plurality (six in this embodiment) of the terminal accommodating holes 60 are provided, and in detail, the same number as the second terminal member 42 is formed. That is, each of the terminal storage holes 60 is a hole having a circular opening shape and extends, and is a hole for storing at least a part of the second terminal member 42, and has a function as an insert for holding the terminal (see FIG. 4). ).

As shown in FIG. 1, the second wiring protection portion 41 has a substantially tapered portion in outline shape and has a shape that becomes thinner toward the proximal end side, similarly to the first wiring protection portion 16 described above. .. The tip end side portion of the second wiring protection portion 41 is a portion continuous with the base end side portion of the protruding portion 40.
Inside the second wiring protection portion 41, a part of a conductor extending from the inside of the cable member 3 and a conductor connecting member (not shown) for connecting the conductor and the second terminal member 42 are housed. There is. Then, the conductor, the conductor connecting member, and the second terminal member 42 are electrically connected inside the second wiring protection portion 41. Specifically, the second terminal member 42 and the conductor connecting member are electrically connected at any portion from the inside of the second wiring protection portion 41 to the inside of the terminal accommodating hole 60 described above. That is, the second wiring protection portion 41 is also a sheath portion that protects the wiring and the like.

The second terminal member 42 is a socket contact and has a tubular portion into which the rod-shaped portion of the first terminal member 18 described above can be inserted. Further, the second terminal member 42 is formed in the same number as the first terminal member 18 described above. That is, the second connector 2 is a 6-pole female connector.

Subsequently, a procedure for shifting the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 from the separated state to the connected state will be described.

The terminal arrangement space (cavity portion) 20 of the first connector 1 and the insertion body portion 40a of the second connector 2 are in a concavo-convex relationship and engage in a male-female manner. That is, the terminal arrangement space (cavity portion) 20 is concave, and the insertion body portion 40a is convex.
Second connector 2 When the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 are connected to each other, the insertion body portion 40a of the second connector 2 is arranged as a terminal of the first connector 1 as shown in FIG. 5 (a). It is inserted into the space (cavity) 20.
At this time, the tip surface of the insertion body portion 40a and the opening surface of the housing portion 15 are arranged to face each other, and these are brought close to each other.
That is, one of the insertion body portion 40a and the housing portion 15 is relatively slid with respect to the other along the center line L1 (center axis) extending in the extending direction of the insertion body portion 40a, and the terminal arrangement space (cavity) is formed. The insertion body portion 40a is inserted into the portion 20.

Here, as described above, the first connector 1 of the present embodiment has a small curved portion 22 and a large curved portion 23, and has a structure in which an engaging hole 25 is formed in the small curved portion 22. ing. Since the small curved portion 22 and the large curved portion 23 are discontinuous surfaces having different curvatures, the operator who connects the connectors points to each portion of the first connector 1 (housing portion 15). By touching with, the position of the small curved portion 22 can be identified without visually recognizing it.
The discontinuous surface referred to here is a surface in which any variable or condition changes discontinuously in two continuous surfaces, and in addition to the above-mentioned curvature that changes extremely, for example, a plane and a curved surface. Including combinations of and curvature changes that do not follow a certain function.

That is, the housing portion 15 has a distorted shape as a whole, and if the overall shape is grasped in advance, the position of a specific portion (small curved portion 22) can be specified by touching each portion with a fingertip. It is possible.
That is, the small curved portion 22 is a tactile identification unit whose formation position can be perceived by the tactile sense of the operator, and a part of the small curved portion 22 of the present embodiment also serves as a tactile identification unit and an engaging portion forming portion.

Further, in the second connector 2 of the present embodiment, as described above, the insertion body portion 40a has the curved surface portion 45, and the curved surface portion 45 serves as the tactile identification portion.
The surface at a position facing the curved surface portion 45 is the surface on which the protrusion 50 is formed. That is, the surface on which the protrusion 50 is formed can be specified by specifying the curved surface portion 45 by the tactile sensation of the operator.

From the above, when inserting the insertion body portion 40a into the terminal arrangement space 20, the operator holds the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 in their hands and touches the tip end side portion with their fingertips to engage. A portion where the hole 25 is formed and a portion where the protrusion 50 is formed can be specified.
Therefore, when connecting the first connector 1 and the second connector 2, the alignment of the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 can be easily performed even in the dark or the like.

As the insertion body portion 40a is inserted, the protrusion 50 reaches the tip end side portion (the portion adjacent to the opening surface of the terminal arrangement space 20) of the housing portion 15.
Specifically, at least a part of the protrusion 50 is in the guide groove 26. Then, when it is further inserted as it is, the protruding end portion of the protrusion 50 comes into contact with the bottom portion (outer end portion) of the guide groove 26, and a part of the small curved portion 22 rides on the protrusion 50. .. Further, by moving the small curved portion 22 as it is, the contact position with the protrusion 50 on the inner peripheral surface of the small curved portion 22 shifts to the portion closer to the proximal end side, and the protrusion 50 enters the engaging hole 25. That is, the engaging hole 25 and the protrusion 50 are in an engaged state.

That is, by inserting the insertion body portion 40a into the terminal arrangement space 20 and inserting the insertion body portion 40a into the housing portion 15, the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 shift to the connected state. Then, the engaging hole 25 and the protrusion 50 are brought into an engaged state with the transition to the connected state.

At this time, the tip end side portion of the housing portion 15 is in contact with the tip end side surface of the first flange portion 51, and the tip end side portion of the insert body portion 40a is in contact with the packing 17 (see FIG. 6).
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, by inserting the insertion body portion 40a into the terminal arrangement space 20, the tip end side portions of the plurality of first terminal members 18 of the first connector 1 can be formed. Each enters into a separate terminal storage hole 60. Then, a portion of the plurality of first terminal members 18 that is not inserted into the terminal storage hole 60 is surrounded by the packing 17.

That is, the packing 17 is annularly continuous at a position outside the plurality of first terminal members 18 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first terminal member 18 (extending direction of the housing portion 15). Then, the surface on the tip end side of the insertion body portion 40a (the surface on the packing 17 side) and the surface on the tip end side of the packing 17 (the surface on the insertion body portion 40a side) are in surface contact with each other.
Further, of the surface on which the protrusion 50 of the insertion body portion 40a is formed, the portion on the tip end side of the protrusion 50 is on the proximal end side of the inner surface of the small curved portion 22 with respect to the engagement hole 25. It will be in contact with the located part. As a result, even if water or the like enters through the gap between the protrusion 50 and the engagement hole 25, contact with the first terminal member 18 can be prevented.

Here, the shape of the inner surface of the terminal arrangement space 20 of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a and the outer surface shape of the insert body portion 40a are different.
Therefore, a gap 62 (see FIG. 7, which will be described in detail later) is formed between the insertion body portion 40a inserted into the terminal arrangement space 20 and the inner side surface of the housing portion 15.
As shown in FIG. 7a, the insertion body portion 40a and the housing portion 15 are in contact with the curved surface portion 45 of the insertion body portion 40a at three points on the left and right corners facing the curved surface portion 45. Therefore, the relative postures of the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 are fixed. In order to fix the relative postures of the first connector 1 and the second connector 2, it is sufficient that the inner surface of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a and the outer surface of the insertion body portion 40a are in contact with each other at at least two points in the circumferential direction. ..

As described above, there is a gap 62 between the insert body portion 40a inserted into the terminal arrangement space 20 and the inner side surface of the housing portion 15.
In the present embodiment, the opening of the terminal arrangement space 20 is closed by the first flange portion 51 of the gap 62 (see FIG. 5), so that the opening on the tip side is closed.
Specifically, the opening on the tip end side of the gap 62 is formed in a part of the opening portion of the terminal arrangement space 20. Then, when the end surface of the housing portion 15 (large diameter tubular portion 15a) on the tip end side comes into contact with the first flange portion 51, the opening portion of the terminal arrangement space 20 is closed, and the opening on the tip end side of the gap 62 is also closed. It is also blocked.
As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent water or the like from entering the inside of the housing portion 15.

Further, in the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the first flange portion 51 and the cross-sectional shape of the tip of the housing portion 15 are substantially the same, and in a state where the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 are connected, the first There is no noticeable step between the flange portion 51 and the housing portion 15.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the tip end side portions of the plurality of first terminal members 18 are inserted into the tubular portion of the second terminal member 42 inside the terminal accommodating holes 60. As a result, the first terminal member 18 and the second terminal member 42 are electrically connected.

That is, the insertion body portion 40a and the housing portion 15 function as an engaging portion (hereinafter, also referred to as a connecting engaging portion) to be engaged when the first terminal member 18 and the second terminal member 42 are electrically connected. To do. Each of the insertion body portion 40a and the housing portion 15 constituting the connecting engaging portion is formed with a protrusion 50 and an engaging hole 25 for restricting their movement in the connected state. That is, the protrusion 50 and the engaging hole 25 are the engaging portions (hereinafter, the regulators) that restrict the movement of the insertion body portion 40a and the housing portion 15 in the insertion / removal direction (the insertion direction and the pull-out direction of the insertion body portion 40a). It also functions as a joint part).
That is, in the present embodiment, each of the paired portions constituting the connecting engaging portion is formed with each of the paired portions constituting the regulating engaging portion.

Subsequently, a procedure for shifting the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 from the connected state to the separated state will be described.

When the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 are separated from each other, as shown in FIG. 7A, two pressing target portions 28 formed in the housing portion 15 (large diameter tubular portion 15a) are formed. (See Fig. 5 etc.) is pressed. Specifically, by pinching the housing portion 15 or the like, an inward force is applied from each position separated by about 180 degrees in the circumferential direction.
As a result, the overall shape of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a is obtained. Specifically, the overall shape of the portion from one pressing target portion 28 through the small curved portion 22 to the other pressing target portion 28 is temporarily deformed. (See FIG. 7 (b)). That is, by moving the peripheral portions of the two pressing target portions 28 inward, a part of the large curved portion 23 extends at a position closer to the insertion body portion 40a, and the small curved portion 22 is formed. It transforms into a larger swelling shape. In other words, the small curved portion 22 is deformed into a shape in which the central portion in the circumferential direction greatly protrudes outward.

In the first connector 1, a small curved portion 22 that functions as an engaging portion forming portion is on the upper surface with reference to the drawing, and a portion that functions as a pressing portion is two surfaces of the large curved portion 23 and is at a different position.
When the large curved portion 23 is pressed for the portion that functions as the pressing portion, the pressing portion deforms in the concave direction as shown in FIG. 7, and the small curved portion 22 (engagement portion forming portion) changes with the shape deformation of the pressing portion. The shape deforms in the protruding direction.

As shown in FIG. 7A, in the natural state (state in which no external force is applied), the portion located inside the pressing target portion 28 includes a part of the inner surface surface of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a. A gap 62 is formed between the insertion body portions 40a. From this, when the pressing target portion 28 is pressed inward, the peripheral portion of the pressing target portion 28 can be deformed more greatly.

As the small curved portion 22 is deformed in this way, the engaging hole 25 moves outward, and the engaging hole 25 and the protruding portion 50 shift from the engaged state to the disengaged state (FIG. 7 (b). )reference).
In this disengaged state, one of the insertion body portion 40a and the housing portion 15 is relative to the other along the center line L1 (see FIG. 5A) extending in the extending direction of the insertion body portion 40a. It is possible to move the slide. That is, the insertion body portion 40a and the housing portion 15 are in a state where they can be moved in the insertion / removal direction of the insertion body portion 40a, and by moving in this way, the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 are shifted to the separated state. ..

In the first embodiment described above, an example in which the entire large-diameter tubular portion 15a that is continuous in an annular shape can be temporarily elastically deformed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
At least a part of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a may be an elastically deformable portion that can be elastically deformed. For example, the cross-sectional shape may be substantially C-shaped and extend. That is, the shape may be partially intermittent in the circumferential direction of the center line L1.
The elastically deformed portion has a region covering at least a part around the insertion portion, and in the connected state, a part or all of the elastically deformed portion covers a part or all of the insertion portion in the circumferential direction. It suffices if they are in an overlapping state.
That is, the shape of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a may be appropriately changed, and is not limited to the substantially cylindrical shape that is continuous in an annular shape as described above, and may be, for example, a square tubular shape.

Further, the structure is not limited to a structure in which the entire large-diameter tubular portion 15a can be temporarily deformed, and a structure in which only a part thereof can be temporarily deformed may be used. For example, in the above-mentioned annular continuous tubular body, only the portion from the pressing portion to the engaging portion forming portion is an elastically deformable portion that can be elastically deformed, and the other portion is a portion that is not substantially deformed. There may be.

In the first embodiment described above, the male connector having the housing portion 15 which is the elastically deformed portion is referred to as the first connector 1, and the female connector having the insertion body portion 40a to be inserted into the housing portion 15 is paired with the second connector 2. An example of doing so was explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a female connector having an insertion body portion 140a and an elastic deformation portion is used as a first connector 101 (connector, first member), and a male connector having a paired housing portion 115. The connector may be a second connector 102 (another member, a second member).
Hereinafter, the connector structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail, but the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The first connector 101 of the present embodiment is a member partitioned from the tip side into the protruding portion 140 and the second wiring protection portion 41, and similarly to the first embodiment described above, the second terminal member 42 ( It is a member having (see FIG. 4).

The protruding portion 140 of the present embodiment is a portion formed by integrally forming the insertion body portion 140a located on the tip end side and the connecting body portion 40b located on the proximal end side.

The insert body portion 140a has a structure in which the insert body portion main body 146 and the protrusion forming portion 147 (elastically deformed portion) are integrally formed. The insertion body portion 140a has a longer length in the extending direction (longitudinal direction) than the above-mentioned insertion body portion 40a, and is formed so that the proximal end side portion is exposed to the outside when inserted into the housing portion 115. Has been done.

The insertion body portion main body 146 is substantially the same portion as the above-mentioned insertion body portion 40a, and has a structure different from that of the above-mentioned insertion body portion 40a in that the length in the longitudinal direction and the protrusion 50 are not formed. ing.

The protrusion forming portion 147 is a portion integrally attached to a flat portion located at a position facing the curved surface portion 45 of the insertion body portion main body 146, and extends while being curved so that a part of the cross-sectional shape becomes an arc shape. It is a part. That is, the central portion of the protrusion forming portion 147 in the width direction has a shape that bulges outward from each of the both end side portions in the width direction.

The protrusion forming portion 147 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber, and is an elastic portion. That is, it is a portion whose overall shape is deformed by applying an external force, and more specifically, it is a part of the protrusion forming portion 147, and by pressing the central portion in the width direction (the width direction of the insert body portion 140a), The central part is transformed so that it can be squeezed.

Further, on the outer surface of the protrusion forming portion 147, a protrusion 150 (first engaging portion) is formed on a portion from the tip end side and located on the center side in the width direction.
The protrusion 150 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped portion that projects further outward from the outer surface of the protrusion forming portion 147, and can be engaged with the engagement hole 125 (second engagement portion) formed in the housing portion 115. It is a part.

The second connector 102 is a member substantially the same as the first connector 1 described above, is divided into a housing portion 115 and a first wiring protection portion 16, and has a packing 17 and a first terminal member 18 inside (the second connector 102). See Fig. 2 etc.).
The first connector 102 described above is described in that the large-diameter tubular portion 115a is not significantly deformed (substantially not deformed) even when an external force is applied to the large-diameter tubular portion 115a of the housing portion 115. It has a different structure from.

In the connector structure according to the second embodiment, the overall shape of the protrusion forming portion 147 is temporarily deformed so that the central portion in the width direction is recessed (see FIG. 8B), and the insertion body portion 140a is formed. Insert into the housing portion 115. As a result, the first connector 101 and the second connector 102 are connected.
Then, in the connected state, by returning the shape of the protrusion forming portion 147 to the shape in the natural state, the protrusion 150 and the engaging hole 125 are brought into the engaged state. Then, the first connector 101 and the second connector 102 are in a state in which the relative movement of one connector to the other is prevented.

On the other hand, when shifting from the connected state to the separated state, the central portion of the protrusion forming portion 147 in the width direction is recessed in the same manner as described above, and the engagement between the protrusion 150 and the engaging hole 125 is released. To do. As a result, the first connector 101 and the second connector 102 can be moved relative to each other, and in this state, the entire insertion body portion 140a is moved to the outside of the housing portion 115. ..
That is, in the present embodiment, among the portions located on the center side in the width direction of the protrusion forming portion 147, the peripheral portion of the protrusion 150 serves as the engaging portion forming portion, and the portion separated from the protrusion 150 toward the proximal end side is pressed. It becomes the target part 128 (pressing part).

As described above, in the connector structure of the present invention, at least one of the two paired connectors is a connector having an elastically deformed portion (first connector 1,101), and the elastically deformed portion is deformed in shape. , The structure may be any structure in which the engagement portion (regulatory engagement portion) is disengaged. That is, with the shape deformation of the elastically deformed portion formed on one of the two paired connectors, the first engaging portion formed on the elastically deformed portion and the second engaging portion formed on the other connector. It suffices if the engagement of is disengaged.
At this time, the connector provided with the elastically deformed portion may be a male connector or a female connector.

Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, an example in which the elastically deformed portion is provided only on one of the first connector and the second connector has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first embodiment is not limited to this. Both the connector and the second connector may have a structure having an elastically deformed portion.
That is, when the first connector and the second connector are transferred from the separated state to the connected state, a part of the first connector and a part of the second connector are deformed together, and one insertion body portion is inserted into the other housing portion. You may shift from the impossible state to the insertable state. Then, when shifting from the connected state to the separated state, the engagement of the engaging portion (regulatory engaging portion) is released by deforming both a part of the first connector and a part of the second connector. May be.

In the first embodiment described above, an example is shown in which a pressing portion (pressing target portion 28) is formed at a position deviated from the small curved portion 22 in the circumferential direction of the center line in the extending direction. Not limited. As in the second embodiment, the pressing portion may be formed at a position deviated from the position where the first engaging portion is formed in the extending direction of the extension direction center line. Further, the pressing portion may be formed at a position deviated from the position where the first engaging portion is formed in the circumferential direction of the extension direction center line and deviated in the extension direction of the extension direction center line. That is, it may be formed at a position deviated from the circumferential component of the extension direction center line in the direction including the extension direction component, and by pressing, the periphery of the first engaging portion (engaging portion forming portion) is formed. Any part may be deformed.

Further, the pressing portion may be formed at two locations (plural locations) as in the first embodiment described above, or may be formed at one location as in the second embodiment. That is, by pressing one or a plurality of pressing portions, the overall shape of the elastically deformed portion including the pressing portion and the engaging portion forming portion may be deformed.

In the first embodiment described above, when the two connectors are separated, the elastically deformed portion provided on one connector is temporarily deformed, and the engaging portion (regulating engaging portion) is shifted to the disengaged state. An example of the connector structure to be used has been described. However, the two-member connection structure of the present invention is not limited to this.
The connection structure of the present invention is not limited to a structure in which two connectors are connected and separated, and for example, when one connector (for example, the first connector 101) is connected to a wiring connection port provided in a predetermined device. , The above-mentioned connection structure may be adopted. Further, the member on the other side to connect one connector may be a connecting member interposed between the connectors when connecting the two connectors, in addition to such a connecting port.
Furthermore, the above structure is not necessarily limited to the case where one connector is connected to another member of the other party, for example, a handle part such as a mop, a pipe part such as a vacuum cleaner, a clothesline, etc. A long member may be formed by connecting the members to form a connecting structure. That is, when the two members are transferred from the connected state to the separated state, by pressing the pressing portion that is a part of the elastically deformed portion, the pressing portion and the engaging portion forming portion that is a part of the elastically deformed portion are deformed in shape. However, the structure may be such that the engaged state of the engaging portion that regulates these separations is released.

Subsequently, the connector cap 201 (connector engaging piece) according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail, but the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and duplicate description is omitted. To do.

As shown in FIG. 9, the connector cap 201 is a member in which the main body portion 202 and the wiring holding portion 203 are integrally formed, and is formed of an elastic material such as rubber, and has elasticity as a whole. That is, both the main body portion 202 and the wiring holding portion 203 are elastic portions.

The main body portion 202 is a bottomed tubular portion that has been laid down, and has a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a described above. Similar to the large-diameter tubular portion 15a described above, the main body portion 202 is a portion whose overall shape is deformed by applying an external force (having an elastic deformed portion).
That is, the main body portion 202 has a small curved portion 22 and a large curved portion 23, which are continuous in an annular shape. An engaging hole 25 is formed in the small curved portion 22, and a pressing target portion 28 is formed in the side surface portion.

The storage space 220, which is the internal space of the main body 202, is a space having an opening portion that communicates inside and outside on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the main body 202. Therefore, a closed wall portion 221 that partitions the storage space 220 and the outside is formed on the other end side of the main body portion 202 in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the closed wall portion 221 is a wall portion that divides the inside and outside of the main body portion 202.

The wiring holding portion 203 is a portion formed integrally with a part of the side surface of the main body portion 202, and more specifically, is a part of the large curved portion 23 and is arranged at a position facing the small curved portion 22. It is integrally formed with the outer surface of the portion.
The wiring holding portion 203 is a cylindrical portion in which a part of the side surface is missing, in other words, a portion having a substantially C-shaped cross section and extending. The longitudinal direction (extension direction) of the wiring holding portion 203 is the same as the longitudinal direction (extension direction) of the main body portion 202, and the wiring holding portion 203 has a length in the longitudinal direction with the main body portion 202. Are the same.

As shown in FIG. 10, the connector cap 201 is a member that can be attached to and detached from an external connector (in the present embodiment, the second connector 2 described above). More specifically, it is a covering member that covers the tip end side portion (insertion body portion 40a) of the connector.
That is, by inserting the insertion body portion 40a into the storage space 220 and putting it in the inserted state, the connector (second connector 2) and the connector cap 201 shift to the connected state. Then, with the transition to the connected state, the engaging hole 25 and the protrusion 50 (see FIG. 1 and the like) are brought into the engaged state.

At this time, a part of the cable member 3 can be held by the wiring holding portion 203. That is, a part of the cable member 3 is inserted from the gap portion on the side surface of the wiring holding portion 203 (upper in FIG. 10), and a part of the cable member 3 is sandwiched by the wiring holding portion 203.
That is, the maximum length of the wiring holding portion 203 in the width direction (direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction) is slightly shorter than the length in the radial direction of the cable member 3. Then, by pushing the cable member 3, the wiring holding portion 203 is temporarily deformed so that the wiring holding portion 203 sandwiches the cable member 3.

Then, when shifting from the connected state to the separated state, the two pressing target portions 28 formed on the main body portion 202 are pressed to temporarily change the overall shape of the main body portion 202, as in the first embodiment described above. Transform. As a result, the engaging hole 25 moves outward, and the engaging hole 25 and the protrusion 50 (see FIG. 1 and the like) shift from the engaged state to the disengaged state. In this state, the insertion body portion 40a is pulled out to shift to the separated state.

The connector cap 201 is not particularly limited, but may be used, for example, when only one cable is used in a driver having two cables that can be connected to different motors. That is, in a member having a plurality of cables, if there is a cable that is not used, it is conceivable to use it to protect the connector of this cable.
Further, the connector cap 201 may be used in a state of being integrally fixed (attached) to a part of the main body portion of the driver.

In the third embodiment described above, an example in which the wiring holding portion 203 is formed on the connector cap 201 is shown, but the wiring holding portion 203 is formed on a part of the connector as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above. May be done. For example, it may be formed in a part of the large-diameter tubular portion 15a.
Further, the wiring holding portion 203 is not limited to the structure in which only one is provided as described above, and may be a structure in which a plurality of wiring holding portions 203 having a short length are provided and arranged in parallel at intervals. Further, the outer shape of the wiring holding portion 203 may be appropriately changed, and for example, the cross-sectional shape may be a portion extending in a substantially U shape. That is, the shape may be such that a part of the wiring holding portion 203 can be sandwiched (held) by being temporarily deformed.

In the first embodiment described above, an example is shown in which the small curved portion 22 is used as the tactile identification portion by forming the small curved portion 22 and the large curved portion 23 having discontinuous surfaces having different curvatures. Further, an example is shown in which the curved surface portion 45 is used as the tactile identification portion by forming the flat plate-shaped portion and the curved surface portion 45.
However, the tactile identification unit of the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the small curved portion 22 in the above embodiment is limited to a shape that is slightly curved in the natural state, and may be a flat plate shape in the natural state. That is, the tactile identification unit may be a portion whose formation position can be perceived by the tactile sensation of the operator, and the shape and structure may be appropriately changed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), one or more (multiple in FIG. 11 (a)) on a part (partial area) of the side surface of the large-diameter tubular portion 301 having a cylindrical outer shape. A protruding portion 310 may be provided, and this region may be used as a tactile identification portion.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), one or a plurality (plural in FIG. 11 (b)) may be formed on a part (partial area) of the side surface of the large-diameter tubular portion 301 having a cylindrical outer shape. 311 (recessed portion or hole) may be provided, and this region may be used as a tactile identification portion.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the protruding portion 310 in which the general shape is granular (hemispherical in FIG. 11B) as shown in FIG. 11A, but is predetermined as in the large-diameter tubular portion 303 shown in FIG. 11C. The protrusion portion 312 may have a shape extending in the direction (longitudinal direction of the large-diameter tubular portion 303 in FIG. 11C). Further, the protrusion portion 312 is not limited to one, and a plurality of protrusion portions 312 may be formed and arranged in parallel (arranged in parallel at intervals).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 11D, a groove-shaped portion 313 recessed from the periphery may be formed on a part of the side surface of the large-diameter tubular portion 304. The groove-shaped portion 313 is not limited to one, and a plurality of short groove-shaped portions 313 may be formed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11 (e), the overall shape may be a tubular shape having a curved surface 314 only partially, and the curved surface 314 may be used as a tactile identification unit.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11 (f), two flat surface portions 315 are provided on the side surface of the cylinder, and the portion located between them is a portion that becomes a discontinuous surface with the two flat surface portions 315, and becomes the discontinuous surface. The portion may be used as a tactile identification portion.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11 (g), a large-diameter tubular portion 307 having an overall shape of a trapezoidal tubular body is formed, and the size of one of the two flat plate portions 316a and 316b facing apart from each other is set to the other. It may be remarkably large in size. Then, these two flat plate portions 316a and 316b may be used as the tactile identification unit. The term "remarkably large" here means a size that is 1.2 times or more.

As described above, the tactile identification unit may be a portion whose position can be specified by the following (1) to (4).
(1) One or more protrusions or ridges provided in part (2) One or more recesses, holes, or grooves provided in part (3) Discontinuous with adjacent surfaces Discontinuous surface (4) A surface that is significantly different in size compared to other parts

1,101 First connector (connector, first member)
2,102 Second connector (other members, second member)
15a, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307 Large diameter tubular part (elastic deformation part)
17 Packing (waterproof member)
18 First terminal member (pin-shaped terminal)
22 Small curved part (tactile identification part)
25 Engagement hole (first engagement part)
28 Pressing target part (pressing part)
40a Insert body part 45 Curved surface part (tactile identification part)
50 Protrusion (second engagement part)
60 terminal storage hole (hole part)
62 Gap 125 Engagement hole (second engagement part)
128 Pressing target part (pressing part)
147 Protrusion forming part (elastic deformation part)
140a Insertion body 150 Protrusion (first engagement part)
201 Connector cap (connector engagement piece)
L1 center line

Claims (18)

In a connector structure having a first connector and a second connector, and the first connector and the second connector can be connected and separated.
The first connector has a first engaging portion and
The second connector has a second engaging portion and
A pair of engaging portions are formed by the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, and in a connected state in which the first connector and the second connector are connected, the pair of engaging portions are in an engaged state. To be
The first connector has an elastically deformable portion that can be elastically deformed at least in part.
The elastically deformed portion includes an engaging portion forming portion in which the first engaging portion is formed and a pressing portion that can be pressed by an external force.
When the first connector and the second connector are in the connected state and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are in the engaged state, pressing the pressing portion causes the pressing. The shape of the portion is deformed, and the shape of the engaging portion is deformed as the pressing portion is deformed.
With the shape deformation of the engaging portion forming portion, the first engaging portion moves in a direction away from the second engaging portion, and the engaging state of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion is achieved. A connector structure characterized by being released. The engaging portion forming portion and the pressing portion are located at different positions, and by pressing the pressing portion, the pressing portion is deformed in the concave direction, and the engaging portion is formed according to the shape deformation of the pressing portion. The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein the portion is deformed in a protruding direction. The second connector has an insertion portion arranged inside the first connector in the connected state, and the insertion portion extends in a predetermined direction.
The elastically deformed portion has a region covering at least a part around the insertion portion, and in the connected state, a part or all of the elastically deformed portion partially or completely covers the insertion portion. It is in a state of overlapping so as to cover in the circumferential direction of
The claim is characterized in that the engaging portion forming portion and the pressing portion are separated in the circumferential direction, and the engaging portion forming portion moves outward by pressing the pressing portion inward. The connector structure according to 1 or 2. The connector structure according to claim 3, wherein a gap is formed between the insertion portion and the pressing portion in the connected state and the engaging state. The first connector has a cavity and
The second connector has an insertion portion arranged in the cavity portion of the first connector in the connected state, and the insertion portion extends in a predetermined direction.
The elastically deformed portion is a portion that is continuous in an annular shape.
There is a space surrounded by the elastically deformed part,
In the connected state, the insertion portion is arranged in the space portion of the elastically deformed portion, and the entire shape of the elastically deformed portion is deformed by pressing the pressing portion.
When the overall shape of the elastically deformed portion is deformed, one of the insertion portion and the elastically deformed portion is slid and moved with respect to the other in the extending direction of the insertion portion, thereby moving to the cavity portion of the insertion portion. The connector structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connector structure can be inserted and removed. The first connector has a cavity and
The second connector has an insertion portion arranged in the cavity of the first connector in the connected state.
The elastically deformed portion is an annularly continuous portion having a space surrounded by the elastically deformed portion, and in the connected state, the insertion portion is arranged in the space portion of the elastically deformed portion. ,
The pressing portion is located at two locations separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the elastically deformed portion, and the engaging portion forming portion is located between the two pressing portions in the same circumferential direction.
The connector structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the engaging portion forming portion moves outward by pressing the two pressing portions inward. Claims 1 to 6, wherein a tactile identification portion that can be distinguished from the other portion by the tactile sensation of the user is formed in a part of the first connector and a part of the second connector, respectively. The connector structure described in either. The connector structure according to claim 7, wherein the engaging portion forming portion also serves as the tactile identification portion, and the first engaging portion is formed in the tactile identification portion. The first connector has one or more pin-shaped terminals and a waterproof member.
The second connector has an insertion portion arranged inside the first connector in the connected state, and the insertion portion has a hole portion into which a part of the pin-shaped terminal is inserted in the connected state. Has been formed and
The first engaging portion is a hole that communicates the inside and outside of the first connector.
The waterproof member is arranged at a position where the tip end side portion of the insertion portion in the insertion direction contacts in the connected state, and is located outside the portion of the pin-shaped terminal that is not inserted into the hole portion. The connector structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the connector structure is characterized by the above. The first connector has a cavity and
The second connector has an insertion portion and a flange portion arranged in the cavity portion of the first connector in the connected state.
The insertion portion is extended in a predetermined direction, the flange portion is formed on the proximal end side in the extension direction of the insertion portion, and in the connected state, the insertion portion is arranged in the cavity portion. Moreover, a gap is formed between the insertion portion and the pressing portion, and in the connected state, the opening of the cavity portion is closed by contact between the end face of the cavity portion and the flange portion. The connector structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The first connector is formed at an end portion of a wiring member and has a housing portion and a sheath portion, and the housing portion is a portion formed including the elastically deformed portion, with respect to the sheath portion. The connector structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the connector structure is detachably attached. The first connector has a concave cavity portion, the second connector has a convex insertion portion, and the insertion portion is inserted into the cavity portion to connect the first connector and the second connector. It is a thing
The inner surface shape of the cavity portion and the outer surface shape of the insertion portion are different, and when the insertion portion is inserted into the cavity portion, a gap is formed between the inner surface of the cavity portion and the outer surface of the insertion portion. The connector structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The twelfth claim is characterized in that, in the connected state, the inner surface of the cavity portion and the outer surface of the insertion portion are in contact with each other at at least two places, and the relative postures of the first connector and the second connector are fixed. Described connector structure. A connector that can be connected to and separated from other members, and the other member includes a second engaging portion.
The connector includes an elastically deformed portion, and the elastically deformed portion has a first engaging portion and a pressing portion.
The first engaging portion can be engaged with the second engaging portion of the other member.
In the connected state in which the connector is connected to the other member, the first engaging portion can be engaged with the second engaging portion.
In the engaged state, by pressing the pressing portion, the outer shape of the elastically deformed portion is deformed, and the first engaging portion is separated from the second engaging portion due to the deformation, and the engagement is engaged. A connector characterized by being released. It is a connector engaging piece that can be connected to and separated from an external connector, and the external connector includes a second engaging portion.
The connector engaging piece includes an elastically deformed portion, and the elastically deformed portion has a first engaging portion and a pressing portion.
The first engaging portion can be engaged with the second engaging portion of the connector, and in a connected state connected to the connector, the first engaging portion is engaged with the second engaging portion. In the engaged state, the external shape of the elastically deformed portion is deformed by pressing the pressing portion, and the first engaging portion is subjected to the deformation. A connector engaging piece that is separated from the second engaging portion and the engaged state is released. The connector is attached to the tip of the wiring member and is attached to the tip of the wiring member.
The connector engaging piece has a wiring holding portion, and the wiring member can be held by fitting a part of the wiring member of the connector into the wiring holding portion. 15. The connector engagement piece according to 15. The main body portion formed including the elastically deformed portion and the wiring holding portion are provided, the main body portion has a bottomed tubular shape, and the wiring holding portion has a tubular shape with a part of a side surface missing. The connector engagement piece according to claim 16, wherein the wiring holding portion is formed integrally with the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion and extends in the same direction as the main body portion. In a two-member coupling structure having a first member and a second member and capable of connecting and separating the first member and the second member.
The first member has a first engaging portion and has a first engaging portion.
The second member has a second engaging portion and has a second engaging portion.
A pair of engaging portions are formed by the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, and in a connected state in which the first member and the second member are connected, the pair of engaging portions are in an engaged state. To be
The first member has an elastically deformable portion that can be elastically deformed at least in a part thereof.
A part of the elastically deformed portion is an engaging portion forming portion on which the first engaging portion is formed, and the other part is a pressing portion that can be pressed by an external force.
In a state where the first member and the second member are in the connected state and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are in the engaged state, the pressing portion is pressed by pressing the pressing portion. Is deformed in shape, and the engaging portion forming portion is deformed in shape as the pressing portion is deformed.
With the shape deformation of the engaging portion forming portion, the first engaging portion moves in a direction away from the second engaging portion, and the engaging state of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion is achieved. A two-member coupling structure characterized in that

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